[Story Quest: Raiden 3] (Our heroes decide help the maiden in trouble. But as sayings go: "Offer a finger, and it will take you entire hand." They to are dragged into it in similar manner.)
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Adventuring Traveler from another world (as 'Traveler') and its trusted guide across Teyvat Paymon (as 'Paymon'), were (once again) checking Inazuma city before they will depart on another adventure that will happen to fall onto they lap. As they were (wandering) through the streets at slow pace: They noticed a quite familiar female person, rushing through the streets in fast pace. It was lady Raiden, the Electro Archon [deity], head of Shogunate, leader of Inazuma, and she was in (Hurry?).
Whit a (sharp eye?) of a detective, Paymon, the trustworthy guide had a hasty suggestion to Traveler. "Look! Do you see her? Something definitely must happened, if she is in so hurry. Quickly!, we must catch-up on her!"
Whit single 'Hmm' of agree, Traveler and Paymon began they pursue.
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And indeed as this leader of Inazuma was in rush, but still holds her majestic posture (radiating powerfully dangerous presence), she was causing an uproar among the bystanders citizens.
For the duo, they manage to catch-up on her when on her way to out of the city… But then she make an unexpected turn when she move onto side road.
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Actually that woman noticed that she was being tailed and lead her pursuers from the main road. She descended the short staircase into a small plateau whit a small food stand selling some baked fish on a stick and such. She on purpose let her pursuers to catch on her. So... As she was ready to make an another turn and descend another staircase, she stop and to fully turn around… and to face them.
And as her gaze meet whit the pursuers gaze: one shall expect that lighting will flash around her causing a loud thunder while her eyes will lit up (power) and she will whit the thundering voice demand an absolute attention. Somebody will expect her to say ("Who dares to step onto the shadow of the mighty Raiden from Inazuma?!! Speak up!!, Or face my wrath!!")
But… None of that actually happened.
As she turn around and in shock realize that it was a Traveler whit Paymon; she stop. She probably had that cool line on her tongue, ready to deliver the punch line… But she was so surprised that it was those two, that she swallowed her tongue. Her eyes got wide open and her mouth stay tightly closed. It was like if her brain just stooped working and she required a manual restart.
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Detective Paymon got this (I see right through you!) expression. "Ri~ight. Listen, whatever happened, you clearly once again over reacting. So before you try to shake us whit (It shall be none of yours business.) excuses, you shall be aware that an external opinion on the current situation on hand is required. We cannot risk to have another civil war, just because we put all bets on single tunnel vision explanation of unchecked facts." [Tunnel vision- the tendency to focus exclusively on a single or limited objective or view.]
Raiden make this stance as if she wanted to state an objection.
But it was traveler who drop the question to face the obvious irregularity on Paymons behavior. "Who are you? And what you do to the real Paymon? She newer before showed such high perceptions."
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So the fairy barked back at him. "Are you serious?! How many times we experienced?:-- That certain some one takes the matter to its own hands? Went on its own, to beat up (I don't know jet (who) is responsible for this!) ass?-- Because his pride was scratched?!" Then she raised her voice. "Its already engraved experience as one of the building stones for ours solutions!!"
The woman had this expression of (How the heck anybody was able figured it out?) as she glanced to the side trying to come up whit a solid contra-argument or an answer.
Traveler pulled up hand whit raised finger gesturing (I have an argument to that!), but soon the hand went down because Paymon analysis just hit the nail on its head. (It nailed it!)
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Raiden probably got an idea to sneak out of this unexpected encounter and make that first step.
But Paymon saw her trying to get away and shout at her. "Not a chance!!" The gold white duo stepped forward by two steps, shorting the previous personal space of the Electro woman by one step. Plus, the talkative guide was really convincing. "We know you well enough to confidently say that letting you go alone will be for no good. The moment you will see any suspect material, you try to swing your blade at first and then asking a questions. So we hanging with you no matter what you try to say. And that's final!"
To support that declaration, Traveler agreed whit a nod.
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For some reason it was enough to stop the Raiden. She crossed her arms in stubborn gesture, and if you keep attention to her body language, one can her to make the (Tsundere like: 'What ever you want!') 'Pch' noise.
Seeing that capitulation, the gold silver duo exchanged glances and smile at each other.
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Then Paymon, after making a sigh of relief 'Phew', redirected theirs attention back on the topic. "Okay we burned here enough of the calories. Its time to go. So, where we heading?"
Woman that shall be the most powerful entity on Inazuma, make this 'Oh...' expression of someone who just realize that he doesn't have any plan.
It was so out of the character that even Traveler put on a facepalm. [hand on a forehead indicating embarrassment]
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But Paymon barked. "Are you serious?!" She ten glanced on that stand whit the baked fishes. "Quickly!!, Snatch something to eat! Because you are not yourself, when you are hungry." It was obvious that this floating guide is not backing up from her demands. "Common! Hop hop, to snatch on snack." And she flow over that food vendor.
Traveler making this (After you!) gesture tried to encourage that woman to do as Paymon says.
Raiden seems to be a little bit insulted, but whit her lips still sealed tight, she followed the fairy to the food stand.
The female clerk, from her post behind the stand, whit wide open eyes, silently observed that entire interaction between the trio. Her heart skip the beat when the Raiden steps in front of her humble shop. Whit a sweating hand she do the same action as she done countless time; she picked up the stick whit a fish and hand it over to that woman radiating an enormous power. The stiff clerk stared at her lord observing that grilled fish on stick, whit cold stone face. The stressed up clerk was getting more nervous whit every seconds, as she starts to questioning her action of giving (just a grilled fish) to that lady, who are probably used only to the best that Inazuma can offer. The moment she saw Raiden to actually bite into that, she though that she getting a real heart attack.
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Actually Paymon noticed the clerk expression, but the little fellow must mistaken the meaning of that. "Oh yea, the payment." Because none of the woman's react to it, the guide make another commentary. "Right, a common feature among Archons in Teyvat, they are notoriously 'Mora'-less. [Teyvat currency] As they walk trough the Teyvat, without a single 'Mora' in theirs pocket.
Traveler made this expression of somebody that will expect a direct attack on money bag. Because who know who or what, will try to lure them into a high cost shopping spree.
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Anyway Paymon and Traveler spend a few minutes trying to convince Raiden to speak about (the problem), but she keep her lips sealed whit an expression that will be to bothering (or embarrassed) to start talking about. The fairy make a point that this will be hardly the case of (overworked girl running from her duty because it was to much on her at once). But the woman reacted (even slightly) when there was a commentary about (letting off some steam).
So they at last manage to drag her onto the tour around/through the city, visiting shops and establishments. Of course they attracted a lot of attention. Especially when the VIP woman keeps herself silent, trying to prevent making any noises. As if there was something heavy on her mind. From the trio, it was the floating guide who handled the talking, while the other two mostly restrain themselves to gesticulation.
Many people starts to gather around, getting closer and closer to the point, that the some soldiers stepped in to keep the bystanders of the Raiden skin.
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Then come a moment where certain phenomenon repeated itself when Traveler and Paymon; noticed a quite familiar female person, rushing through the streets in fast pace. It was lady Raiden, the Electro Archon [deity], head of Shogunate, leader of Inazuma, and she was in (Hurry?).
(Wait! What?!)
An another Raiden arrived at the scene. But this one whit her voice of authority demand that they will create a corridor [path] for her to pass.
So the people stand aside.
And when newcomer Raiden finally land her eyes on the trio in the middle of commotion, she stop several steps before them, like when she hit a wall, staring at what is in front of her whit strict glare.
And the other Raiden was staring back like a mirrored image.
There was this moment when Traveler and Paymon and some bystanders were switching they confused gaze from one Raiden to another, trying to catch a glimpse of whats going on.
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Then the stalemate was broken when the late arrived Archon drop her strict mask. "Oh.. that's (unexpected?). But not without the parameters." Then She sighed. But in next moment, she was back to her strict herself stating a demands. "I will say this only once; I need her to go back. Now! Follow me back to the castle! We will disuse this matter there." Ste turns to show her back and began to walk, back to the castle.
But… The Inazuma leader standing next to the Traveler and Paymon raised her arm to stop the duo to follow that command in clear gesture that they are not going anywhere. Then as she spoke a reply, she had a defiance in her voice. "No!"
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That make the first woman to stop and turn her gaze back whit question in her face.
Of course she was meet whit a silent gaze of defiance from the second woman as if it was a challenge.
Because there was a noticeable difference in the voices between the two Raiden's, detective Paymon spoke up her mind. "So it was Shogun this entire time? No wonder she refused to speak. Otherwise we will find out that its not a Ei." Because the Guide and Traveler exchanged they gaze, the fairy made an explanation. "As we can deduce, Ei finally finished her side project that included Shogun. But also we can safely said that the after talk between them dint went well. I can assume that the audience around are pretty confused about what standing in front of theirs eyes. I hope they will accept such lazy explanation as (quarrel between siblings)."
Her Golden companion got hit whit a moment of nostalgia [sadness, longing for the previous familiar environment (home, homeland, people)], as Traveler repeated that sentence: "A sibling quarrel..."
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Because it seems that this (sibling quarrel) explanation was enough for the people to preoccupy them, Ei dint say nothing to it. Rather she pressed up her agenda. "About that; there is an urgent affair for which I need Shogun." She empathize that matter by raising her voice. "So don't be stubborn!!"
But the defiance still stay on Shogun face and voice, as she frown at the Archon risings her voice. "Stubborn!!?… That my line!! You are the stubborn here!!"
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Ei don't expected that response. "What?!"
Paymon quickly evaluated the situation whit worry in her voice. "O-ou. I hope this will not turn out: (This is now (My time!) to have an episode whit 'Traveler').
But as expect from Shogun she was efficient whit her words. "That's not the point of our disagree!" She moved that hand that restrict Traveler action toward the other woman as she point her finger directly at Electro Archon. "The point of argue is, that: You don't stick to the rules and laws, as you dare to bent they meaning. You absurdly propose changes them as you please. And you do decisions about me, without me, ignoring me as if I was not even there. Eternity is crying at yours actions of someone who foolishly changed its beliefs." Finishing her argument, she swung that hand to the side, as if she was swing-dropping the crumbs of nonsense's from the negotiation table.
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As Ei make single step forward to make her stand, she frown at her mirrored counterpart. "At First!: Its called an adapting onto the situation at hand. As the world-age progress, human society evolves. So mus tier laws. Otherwise the rules itself will become an obstacle to the eternity plan as whole." Then she (almighty?) raise her point finger towards the trio. "Second!: I am the most qualified one here, to do any modification that will withstand the test of time. It apply to the rules, laws, (You!) and even to the great plan of Eternity." As she lowered her hand, she make sure that she radiating a divine presence. "Third!: I though that I made myself clear, that the concept of Eternity is not fully finished and yet to have take a shape! Even sacred 'Sakura' [That giant cherry tree] is not immune to change and her growth need to be carfully supported."
But once again-- Head of Shogunate was effective whit her words. "Seems to me like a skill issue."
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That must hit the spot, because Ei actually barked back. "Sorry for, not be a (Makoto)!!"
The reaction was faint but that somehow hit the Shogun as her eyebrow twitched.
And Traveler saw that, tilling head onto side, voicing up a simple question. "Is its me?, or Ei for Shogun; really going out of her usual character?"
For better or worst, the traveling duo had a loot of experience to be a bystanders in first row of theater of life, when even Paymon causally spoke up her opinion. "Well this debate really fit into a category of siblings quarrel. Maybe they just really need to draw onto the table what pulls down theirs harts. We already know how responsibility can shift someone perspective of what they must do, from what they are desire to do. On other hand, there are things that usually only the one who is marked as sibling of the other can do. Right?"
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In contrary to the causal talk of the gold-silver duo, the purple duo was getting inpatient. Ei made her last demand. "Enough of this defiance. Stop being stubborn and go back!"
But that was not what Shogun meant to do. "How about?:-- No!"
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From this point, it was like tossed glove as gesture of challenge. "So this is how you want to go? Did you managed to ignore the fact?: That (I am stronger that you!)?"
And the challenge was confirmed. "Meandering around is your main consistency, I found that (irritating). And this time, that power-boost is not on your side." [Meandering-Evading the goal? -of task or journey -as stray?]
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For those two, there was no point to step back from theirs words. So, they draw they weapons (katana sword for Ei and pole arm fro Shogun)… puling them from the (cleavage?). [the hollow between a woman's breasts when supported, especially as exposed by a low-cut garment.]
Seeing that escalation Paymon freak out."Yikes!! If we don't stop them, they will again drag this quarrel into ages."
On contrary Traveler got this confused expression as if something was odd on this encounter. "They are not clash directly here? On the street? Don't they?"
The image of two Archons clashing on the streets of Inazuma caused an uproar that alarmed troops. Soldiers that arrived at the scene got confused on what they saw. Some of them dint know where to point they blade first to demand an order. Maybe they thought that this is a rare case of impostor facing the real deal.
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Someone even dared to ask a question about who is who or that (he/she?) don't understand whats going on.
But Paymon overhear that and without confirming who it was she shout back in that direction. "What so hard to understand on this?! The one whit the sword is the Electro Archon. The one whit the pole arm is the head of shogunate. Both of them are so overpowered, that they are out of yours league. Its not so uncommon thought that there can be two deity per country while still counting only one. Remember at the war of seven. Before that, there were plenty of goods around."
But the pair of Raidens already don't payed any attention to Traveler and Paymon, when theirs gazes were locked eye to eye whit each other, and they began to walk against each other.
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Someone who looks like a higher rank in the Inazuma army (like an officer) wearing a full samurai outfit approached the gold-silver duo. It spoke up a question as to what to do, or support (who?).
But at this point event the trustworthy guide was lacking the patience as she start baring; shouting directly at the officer. "Why are you still here?! You job is literally to protect the citizens. (Why)?, dint you go onto the side of road making sure that the bystanders will not get caught into argue on (Archon level)?! Pushing them back and grab snack in process while observing the show from a safe distance?! Traveler and Paymon are one thing, but ordinary folk can quickly regret to not run away. Do you have any idea how a butterfly feels to be blown away by the wind of a storm?"
Without a moment of hesitation that officer make a gesture to command the troops. Soon the citizens were push back to make a space for the VIP duo on main stage.
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For a while Travel had this feeling that something is suspiciously odd. One can imagine that there is hidden mystery that must be solved before they can do anything whit the stubborn duo. "Paymon?, do you have a siblings? You keep referring yourself: ('Paymon' as Paymon). And you are today like exchanged. So I was wondering if they are quite exactly like you. Where they are? Like if you going to tell me that there is like 5 to 20 more Paymons literally hiding in my shadow, keeping an eye on me. You will tell me right?"
The floating fairy give Travel disappointment expression ('Really? You asking something like that, right now? Unbelievable!'), so she reply in irritated manner. "That's a quite unrelated question. Compared to the middle age crisis (of the Archon) situation, that we have currently on the hand. That are escalated into (Everything will blow up!!) scenario."
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The Raidens duo were already walking in cycle in imaginary ring and there are only mere second until they starts to clash. (Shall we mentioned a certain event recorded by history, where Raiden swung her weapon and sliced certain island from one corner to other into half's?)
The moment Traveler and Paymon have a clear view on one side of each other like if they sit on audience and watch the actors on stage: Something flew down form the sky…
It was an a fox shaped needle root of 'Yakan Evocation: Sesshou Sakura'. This half meter tall stick was notorious for throwing lightnings at anything that is near, mostly creating an unpleasant shocking surprise.
A trio of those, stuck onto the ground around the duo making a triangle of shocking surprise.
There was nowhere to escape.
Paymon expecting the auto attack to lighting strike them, shriek in fear. Even Traveler put his hand to protect the trademark face from that any possible damage.
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That alarmed the duo of purple woman's. As they automatically turns they heads toward that shriek. There was not a hint of questioning that they will save the gold silver duo without any though or hesitation.
But, they don't get any chance, because again... something flew down from they sky. And loudly crashed onto both of the Raidens who were tricked to drop theirs guard. That impact (was so powerful?) that a thick dust cloud raised from it, filled the entire area as if someone dropped here a powerful smoke bomb.
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