Chapter Text
We had gone back to our common room. Aether spread out his map on the table, placing small items to pin it down.
“Can I borrow one of those?” He asked pointing at my ammo belt. “I need a marker so we can plan our basic route.”
“Sure.” I pop a bullet out, twirling it between my fingers as I hand it to him.
Aether set it on the map, at the southern edge, on a set of Islands. “So, this is where we are currently.”
“And Fontaine is over here!” Paimon taps the upper Northwest part of the map.
“Dang. So, I guess we’re sailin’ quite aways then?”
“Not really.” Aether shakes his head.
“The western sea isn’t very navigable. We will actually be travelling by foot from Liyue Harbour to The Court of Fontaine.” Miss Shinobu stated.
“That is quite the trail to ride. What’s the scale of this map? How long you figurin’, a few weeks?”
“Probably a month and a half, if we take our time.”
“And all things considered, if we do take our time, it means more time for an adventure!” Itto beamed.
Chuckling, I walk my fingers along the straightest path that looked easily navigable. “What’s this here?” I tap on a large brownish splotch on the map.
“It’s a massive chasm. It’s been rendered pretty safe at this point. We’ll have to go around the top. There are people actively exploring it and learning about its history. Even the areas we’ll be walking through are active.” Aether said calmly.
“We'll?” I stop, cluin’ in to what they’re sayin’. “As in, y’all are comin’ too?”
“Well, yeah. I’m not leaving you to wander across Teyvat by yourself, Boothill.”
“Neither is Paimon! Paimon is the best guide in Teyvat, after all!”
I looked at them. “I… Thanks. Really. You guys don’t have too, but it’s always better than walkin’ by yourself.”
“And Aether knows people all over the place!” Itto beams. “I bet you’ll get to meet so many cool people.”
“You wanna come too Itto?” Aether asked, smiling.
“Would ya mind Boots?”
I looked at him. “What about your gang? Don’t you an’ Miss Shinobu gotta get back to runnin’ them?”
“Can’t we just let Grandma Oni know and head out!” The Oni looked at Miss Shinobu who sighed.
“I’ll get a message to her. We will have to check in with her as we travel.” She shook her head.
“I can send her new recipes for everywhere we go! She’ll love it!”
“Just make sure you try to get ones that the ingredients aren’t too hard-to-get Itto.”
“Well, I guess this does make us a real posse.” I beam. Taki slaps my shoulder.
“Yup, our own little branch of the Arataki gang. Like an international outreach program.”
Miss Shinobu laughed. “I am not acting as a delegate in international politics Boss. It’s bad enough I’m your lawyer!”
“Hot Dang, you’re a lawyer Miss Shinobu?” I asked, not believin’ my ears.
“Yes, I am Boothill. I was trained in Liyue even. It’s one of many consultant jobs I am willing to take.” She handed me a card. I stared at it. The font was nice to look at but I struggled against my inability to make letters behave themselves.
“Kuki Shinobu, Depty head of the Arataki Gang, consultant.” She stated for me. If I could still blush I woulda been red with fuckin’ embarrassment.
“Kookie?” I looked at her confused. “Well, I dunno if I’d call ya Kookie. You aren’t that crazy to me.” I went to hand the card back.
Miss Shinobu laughed. “It’s my family name Boothill. And keep the card, just in case. You never know when it might come in handy.”
“Alright. I was confused ‘cause where I’m from Kookie means crazy or strange.”
“And my given name is Itto!” Taki boasted.
I blinked, then exclaimed, “Your given name is Itto! I been callin’ ya Taki thinkin’ I was shortenin’ your name!”
“I still like it, Boots!” Itto commented, grinning.
“I’m just used to the order bein’ the other way round. So, it would be Shinobu Kuki and Itto Arataki.”
“You’ll run into both here, Boothill.” Aether commented. “Sometimes it seems like there is no standardization even within one nation.”
“I see it enough back home. I guess some things are just kinda universal.” I smile as Shinobu began drawing our route on the map.
“Eh Boots, what is your real name?” Taki asked a little while later as we got settled down for the night. I had kept quiet about my opinion of spending yet another night at an inn to myself. “I mean, Boothill’s a pretty strange name. Was it your family name or something? I know you said it means dead gunslinger but…”
“Let’s just go with it bein’ my name Taki. It’s what I like to be called.” I said plainly, maybe even a little coldly.
“Sorry Boots.” Itto said softly.
I sighed again. This damn Oni… “Look. I don’t like talkin’ bout my past, alright. But, yes. I had a different name before they put me in this tin can. Most people don’t wake up afterward. I did, somehow. So I decided I needed a different name.”
“Maybe it’s just ‘cause it wasn’t your time yet.” Itto said. “Or you’re just always made if tougher stuff, like me. Either way. I’m glad you aren’t all the way dead.”
“I am too… now go to sleep Taki.”
I dreamed; pleasant dreams for a change, about being in a bed, wrapped in red sheets and red blankets and the arms of my sweet redhead.
Shinobu woke me with the sun. She was an early riser, like myself and wanted to go for a walk. I was happy to oblige.
“You doing alright? After last night, I mean?”
“I’m fine. I’m sorry I was… being a peach.” I glare up toward the damn beacon. “I know you guys just wanna get to know me, but… I struggle with my past. Generally, most people just see me and either get anxious, wantin’ to not get caught or they’re enamoured because there ain’t too many of us Galaxy Rangers out there.”
“I understand. You’re doing great, honestly. The Boss really doesn’t know when to stop pushing.”
“But I know he means well. I doubt you ever have to worry he’s going to intentionally hurt ya. I don’t trust easy because people are always out to get me. And yet, somethin’ ‘bout that dang Oni just… I want to trust him. It’s kinda frightenin’ actually.”
“Probably because you aren’t used to being around someone who is so similar in personality to yourself, or, at least, the person you would be without your mission.” Shinobu smiled. We both waved in that friendly greetin’ way to Hijema as we passed the Amenoma Blacksmith shop. He returned the greeting.
“Dang, people here are so friendly. Is all of Teyvat like this?”
“I honestly don’t know.” Shinobu said. “I remember Liyue being a bit colder but more so because they’re very business oriented than unfriendly.”
“And that’s the next place we’re goin’ to, correct?” I asked. She nodded.
“Yes. I’d like to stop in and see a couple friends while we’re there. You guy’s won’t have to come with me though. There’s lots to see and I’m sure Aether will have many non-lawyer friends he’ll want to meet with.”
“Speak of the devil…” I state, pointin’ ahead to where Aether was standing and talking with a powerful looking woman.
“It will be wonderful to have you back aboard the Alcor, Aether. We’ll be setting sail with the tide, so you should probably be getting back.” She turned toward us. “Are these your friends? Pleasure to meet you. I’m Beido, Queen of the Crux. And this is the flagship of the Crux, The Alcor.” She gestured to the ship behind her, buzzin’ with activity as her crew prepared to leave.
“Kuki Shinobu.” She produced another pretty red card which Beido took.
“The famous Kuki Shinobu, this is a pleasure. I assume your boss will be coming with? I do look forward to meeting him as well. From everything I’ve ever heard he’s one young man who is worth his salt. A bit of a troublemaker but I can’t imagine he’d pull anything when his honour is called into question over it.” She smiled brightly shaking Shinobu’s hand. Then she looked at me. Not sayin’ a dang thing, she started walkin’ ‘round me, takin’ a good look at my metal ass. “You must be the Meka Aether was talking about. The one trying to get to Fontaine.”
“Yes Ma’am. Name’s Boothill.” I offered my hand and she gave it a good firm shake, squeezing it as she did so.
“Pleased to meet you Boothill. First time sailing on the ocean?” She continued to hold my hand, clearly she was tryin’ to judge my reactions.
“Yup! First time. Didn’t have many oceans back home, so I ain’t never done this. Been on Starskiffs and Spaceships a plenty, but never an honest ocean fairin’ vessel.” I beamed. “It will be an excitin’ challenge to learn how to sail.”
She flicked my chest. “You really are made of metal.” She sounded a little shocked. “Well, we’d better make sure you don’t fall in the drink.”
“The only drink I wanna fall into is my flask of Asdana’s White Oak or a good whisky.”
“Now THAT is a drink worth falling into. Though, more a beer woman myself.”
“Nothing wrong with a good beer.” I smile, all sharp teeth and excitement.
“If Itto gets drunk he’s YOUR responsibility Boothill!” Shinobu chastised as I laughed.
Penacony: Reality
Of course they were involved. My beloved was intrinsically tied to The Interastral Peace Corporation so, of course, they had to have some hand in my Silver Cowboy’s disappearance. Whether it had been intended or not was another matter. Still, when I had returned to the last place I had any report of Boothill being, I found an IPC device. One that had opened a Cavern of Corrosion up, but, it seemed to have a different exit point than what seemed normal.
I needed to find out where it had opened up to, and who had given it to a void ranger. I knew one man who my most beloved had met while on Penacony. The only man in the entirety of IPC he even willingly tolerated. I had heard rumor of his true name from my recent research. I knew the name he usually went by thanks to rescuing the man from a possibly well deserved fate. Boothill, however, had only ever referred to him as The Gambler when speaking with me. Aventurine.