A/N: Spoilers for the Inazuma Archon quests and references to Raiden's story quests. Hope you enjoy :)

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Something in the air was different that day. I did not know what. Considering Inazuma's tendency to deter change, it was certainly startling. True, the Almighty Shogun's idea of Eternity could not be pursued—not in the way she wanted—but this change in the atmosphere... It was too different.

It was then I realised the buzz of the marketplace above was quiet and still—far from its usual hustle and bustle under the midday sun. It was almost... unnerving...

I considered going up to check what in Teyvat was going on but decided against it, the Dango Milk clutched in my hand too enticing for me to move from where I was stationed on the wall, my legs dangling off it, unable to touch the ground. It had taken considerable effort to hoist myself up there in the first place—I sure as heck wasn't coming back down.

I took a sip, arching back slightly and closing my eyes as I indulged in its taste, savouring every bit of creaming liquid as it raced across my tongue and down my throat. I admit, I was not usually one for sweets... but this...

"Is that... Dango Milk?"

I lowered my cup to gaze at the person who stood below. My eyes widened considerably and I almost choked. One moment, that space was empty—the next, the Raiden Shogun stood there. I was so startled I dropped my cup of Dango Milk onto myself, the last remnants of the sugary liquid coating my shirt. Thank Celestia none of it fell onto the Shogun.

A strangled sort of cry left my mouth as I began to profusely apologise for my clumsiness and misconduct while I continued trying to convince myself I wasn't going insane. The Raiden Shogun was really there in front of me. The silence from the markets above was beginning to be filled with its regular chatter and I realised just what—or rather who—it was that had created the tension.

"Calm yourself and cease your apologies, child," the Shogun said. "You have caused me no harm." I gulped as I nodded, not daring to meet her eyes. "Must I wait any longer for the answer to my question?"

It took me a moment to remember what she had said upon first meeting me. Is that Dango Milk? she had asked.

"M—my apologies, Almighty Shogun. Yes, it is Dango Milk."

"Raise your head, child, and do not apologise." As instructed, I lifted my gaze to look at her, a sheepish smile on my face. A faint smile caressed her lips. "You have good taste. Last I came here, I was told Dango Milk did not sell well."

"I think you will be delighted to know that fact no longer remains true, Almighty Shogun. I—it sells better than before. Much better, even." A light chuckle left my lips as I willed myself to be casual and calm. "A shame, really, that there are still those who refuse to give it a go. Its taste is a delight to all who try it."

"Indeed. Well, at least it is appreciated. Market sales increase—even if only a little. I believe that should be enough for the young male who runs the store to profit." She then noted the mess on my clothes. "I apologise for startling you, child. Though you really should be more aware of your surroundings, I cannot blame you for being so lost in the Dango Milk's taste that you did not notice me."

I wasn't sure if that counted as an apology as I slowly nodded my head, but the Shogun didn't really have to apologise for anything, now did she?

"Come. Since you are much more pleasing company than others around here, I shall treat you. That should account for the wasted Dango Milk." She turned on her heel and began to walk back towards the marketplace. I opened my mouth to question her, then stopped. I knew better than to interrogate the Shogun's intentions, benevolent or malevolent.

Stilled silence crept around us like a blanket and many hesitant gazes were cast our way, but the Shogun did not appear bothered. "They all appear... afraid, Shogun."

"It is a rare sight for me to go out like this, after all," she answered.

"If it pleases the Raiden Shogun, may I ask but a simple question?"

"Speak."

"What are you doing out here?"

"Why, only for a stroll."

"I beg your pardon?"

The Shogun stopped in front of Tomoki's stall, who—to his credit—seemed largely unfazed by the fact the Electro Archon was standing in front of him. "Is that not what you mortals do?" she further questioned.

"W—well, yes..."

"Welcome back, Almighty Shogun!" Tomoki chirped. "Come for more Dango Milk?"

And the Raiden Shogun actually smiled. "Indeed. One for my friend, as well, if you will." She waved a hand behind her, motioning to me. I blinked in surprise. Did she say friend?

Tomoki laughed good-naturedly. "I know who she is. We spoke just earlier. Hello again, Y/n." I waved hesitantly at him in response, before he turned back to the Shogun. "It seems the people are more inclined to befriend you since your last visit." He began to prepare two cups of Dango Milk.

"My stroll is indeed as enjoyable this time around as my first—although the Traveller I was with provided more sufficient company. However, I must admit it is nice to be accompanied by a new face—someone who is under my rule."

Tomoki nodded in understanding and slid two cups of Dango Milk towards us. "On the house," he said.

"Eh?" I said. "B—but Mr Tomoki, are you sure you can afford that?"

"Of course, I can," Tomoki laughed. "Besides, it's rude to refuse a gift. You are both amongst my more loyal customers and seeing that the Almighty Raiden Shogun herself has made an appearance on the streets today, I'm in very high spirits."

"So... you're not... afraid?" I asked, keenly aware of the person in question standing right beside me, thankfully already too lost in the Dango Milk's taste to care.

"Why would I be? What is the Shogun gonna do? She's out on a break. Just look at her."

I briefly cast my gaze to the Shogun who seemed... so much more friendly than the stories I had been told. I remembered the Vision Hunt Decree when it was first introduced, and it was abolished only recently, but her mere presence and the power contained in that body of hers was still a reminder that she could, in fact, destroy Inazuma if she saw fit. But in her eyes—in that ghost of a smile that danced on her lips—I saw not even the smallest whispers of hatred or wishes to cause harm.

The Raiden Shogun was so... normal...

"You see it, right?" Tomoki continued and I turned back to him. "The Shogun really can be friendly if she wants to be. Of course, she won't be anything like us mortals, but we can still appreciate her just walking amongst us. I'd hate to make it appear as if we didn't want her here."

I nodded. Yes, that made sense. A smile spread across my lips as I glanced at the Shogun, who now gazed at me in an almost meek manner. "Thank you for the drink, Mr Tomoki. I shall take my leave now."

"Anytime, kid. Come back soon, you hear?"

"Loud and clear," I said as I fell into step beside the Raiden Shogun, who had resumed her walk. I felt... lighter... as if the tense atmosphere had somehow lifted—and I knew it wasn't from the Dango Milk I now drank. It was then I realised that the rigid air that surrounded the Shogun didn't come from her—rather the people around her, afraid that they would do something wrong in her presence. Well, I had already mucked up our initial meeting and she didn't seem to mind. This put my mind greatly at ease.

"Does... does idle chatter displease the Raiden Shogun?" I asked, carefully thinking about what to say that would be casual but also respectful.

The Shogun's gaze slid to me. "It does not displease me, no. Why?"

"I just... I just thought it might be nice to... you know... talk. Mortals love to talk and I thought it might be lonely in Tenshukaku."

"I do not need the pity of mortals, though your customs interest me. Very well. This idle chatter you speak of... It may commence."

I clasped my hands behind my back as we strode across the marketplace, heading towards the path that led past Komore Teahouse. "So... you like sweets?"

"It is a... guilty pleasure, as you call it."

I nodded my head and smiled. "Ah, I see. I must admit I don't like sweets that much but... Dango Milk is a favourite of mine." I cocked my head to the side as I gazed up at the Shogun. "Is there anywhere in particular you want to go? I know you said you'd been out before, but I can still give you a little tour if some places are unfamiliar."

The Shogun hummed in contemplation. "I suppose that... would be nice. Light novels and sweets are interests of mine."

"Right, but that Traveller you said you were with would've shown you those things already. How about we try something else?"

The Shogun's gaze slid to me. "If it involves neither of those things then I'm not really interested."

"C'mon, it'll be fun! You... referred to me as a friend earlier, and as such, I want to do what friends do and show you things you wouldn't normally see. Will you at least allow me that?"

The Shogun sighed slightly. "The Raiden Shogun might've had you punished for trying to order her around..." she began, and I stiffened—that was not my intention—"but as Raiden Ei, I will allow you to lead me to new experiences—on one condition. As this is a new experience, I wish for you to refer to me as Ei. I wish to further understand mortal friendships. I believe this will be a good start."

I nodded, slowly at first. "Okay, Ei... but then will you use my name?"

"Y/n, you mean?"

"You know it already—?!" I asked, half-startled.

The Shogu—Excuse me, Ei nodded. "Of course. The stall vendor mentioned it."

I smiled. She had noticed that small detail. She really... was a nice person to hang around. "Thank you for remembering, Ei."

I then heard a voice call out to me. "Hey!! Y/n! Over here!"

I turned my head to find a tall blonde man waving at me from the entrance to Komore Teahouse. I smiled and waved back. "Thoma! You're back!"

He rushed forward, clearing the space between us in a few seconds before hugging me. "Of course, I am! I wouldn't leave you here alone for too long." He looked down slightly as something seemed to catch his eye. "Oh man, Y/n, what happened to your shirt?"

"I—I spilled... Dango Milk on it?"

He sighed light-heartedly, before offering a playful smile. "I leave for a few days and this is what happens, huh?"

"My apologies," Ei said from behind me. "I accept responsibility for that."

Thoma looked behind me to see her and stumbled back—as if she had just appeared out of thin air. Knowing the, uh... the relationship between us, he likely hadn't noticed her when he saw me, though how one exactly managed to fail to notice their boss was beyond me. "Sh—Shogun!"

Ei crossed her arms. "That is correct. Hello again, Thoma."

He laughed, somewhat embarrassed as he rubbed the back of his head. "I didn't see you there. Sorry about that."

Ei nodded, indicating that there was no trouble.

"I'm showing Ei around the place and thought I'd stop here," I explained.

"Ei?" he asked. One pointed look from me had him deciding it wasn't worth questioning, so, of course, he went back to teasing me instead. "So that's how you got Dango Milk on yourself. You were scared of the Raiden Shogun."

I scoffed. "You're no better!"

Thoma laughed. "Relax, I know that. We're just as good as each other." Thoma glanced once more at my stained shirt before smiling. "I'll be right back. You stay here."

I nodded as he turned on his heel and ran into the Teahouse. It was quiet for a few moments, the soft whispers of the wind carrying fallen blossoms and the light chatter of the townsfolk behind us filling the silence with life, before Ei said, "Your relationship is... very intimate. You must be close."

"Very close," I replied, even as I reddened.

And for the first time, I heard Ei laugh. It was a beautiful, rare sound, filling the air with joyful emotions that made me smile despite myself. Then all too soon, that heavenly resonance faded and a ghost of sorrow found its way into her amethyst eyes.

"..What's wrong, Ei?" I inquired, cautiously. Though she claimed me as her friend, one wrong move could end that completely and have me spiralling in the wrong direction.

"Nothing. Nothing, at all..."

"Are you sure? I'm your friend now, Ei. Opening up to others is another experience I want to show you." I knew I was treading potentially dangerous waters, the treacheries hidden in the depths unknown to me. Perhaps they would show me no interest—or perhaps they would rise up from the dark storms and swallow me whole.

Ei sighed and cast her gaze to passing blossom petals. At first, I thought she wasn't going to say anything—thankfully, it seemed she wasn't going to kill me, either—until her lips parted and she began to speak again. "I have friends like that. The Traveller seldom appears and Miko's priorities lie at the Grand Narukami Shrine. A thought crossed my mind... The idea that... it would be nice to have them around more often—or at least someone else who can provide that company... But I guess the road as Shogun is a lonely one." She shook her head. "Forgive me, these are but trivial worries that will soon pass. I have no interest in entertaining myself with these things."

"Well... if you want... I can be one of those friends..." Ei looked at me and my smile brightened as the idea fully stuck. Who cared if she was the Almighty Shogun? I wanted to be her friend—to show her the mortal world in lights she had never considered. "Right... I want to be your friend! I can bring over Dango Milk for us to share—or at the very least, drop it off for your private consumption!"

"..But that would mean less of an excuse to give myself to leave Tenshukaku."

"The Raiden Shogun doesn't need an excuse to do what she wishes!" I said as if it were obvious. "We'll go out! We'll have a picnic!" My smile brightened as the possibilities raced through my mind. No matter how few and far between our gatherings were, I would enjoy every second and I would ensure Ei would, as well.

She seemed to contemplate my words, before seemingly freezing for a moment. I grew worried before her eyes softened and she gazed at me with a small smile. She nodded and placed her hand gently atop my head. A slight gasp left my mouth at her surprisingly tender touch. "I look forward to that." She paused for a moment. "Give me your hand."

As instructed, I outstretched my hand and watched Ei grab my wrist and hold my hand out flat, placing something on my palm. When she removed her delicate hand, I saw a small lilac bracelet woven from tiny threads. I curled my fist over it.

"When you come nearby to Tenshukaku, hold your hand up to the wind and call for me. I will come to you if I'm available. If not, try some other time."

A bright smile formed on my face and I bowed my head. "Thank you, Almighty Shogun."

I heard the rustle of fabric and raised my head to see Ei turn. "You're welcome. I wish to return to Tenshukaku now. This walk was a pleasant experience, Y/n."

"Do you want me to escort you?"

Ei simply shook her head. "There is no need for that. I look forward to our next gathering." I inquired no further. And with that, Ei began the walk back to Tenshukaku, leaving me alone in the street—but not for long.

I felt a long jacket that reached the ground being placed over my shoulders and I smiled as Thoma's scent filled the air around us.

"Use this to cover yourself until you get home to change." He paused as he seemed to realise something. "Oh?" he asked, looking around us. "The Raiden Shogun has left?"

I nodded but smiled to myself knowing she would be back.

Thoma sighed. "Shame. I recently modified the Dango Milk I bought from Tomoki's stall to experiment with my Lord and Lady Kamisato's refined tastes. Perhaps she would've liked some."

I turned and beamed at him. "I'm certain she'd love it."

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A/N: Yes, this is largely platonic. I did her story quest and thought she was so funny I just had to do something with it 💀I couldn't keep Thoma out of this, either 😭 Sorry guys, he's my bae

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Completed: 26-06-23
Published: 10-07-23
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Fanart credits: https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/93535428