What is a vision?
To put it simply, a vision allows someone to manipulate one of the seven natural elements of the world.
To some, a vision is a sign that an Archon had recognized them and thus blessed them with their respective element.
But to the Archons themselves, even they do not know how visions are bestowed to mortals.
However, there is one crucial factor that almost everyone agrees upon to attain a vision— one must have an ambition.
A firm ambition that cannot be shaken by any circumstances— one that shines brighter than those around them.
An unwavering will that neither the heavens nor the abyss can move.
In other words, Ad Astra Abyssosque.
---
Isaac looked at the green orb in his hand and couldn't help but stare at it in disbelief. "I... Huh?"
'How is this possible?' Isaac's mind was in a mess right now. 'Me? Did I obtain a vision? That's... That's too unreal!'
Looking at his vision which had a border extending into a spiral on top and bottom with its clamshell ornaments pointing downwards on the left and upwards on the right, Isaac confirmed it. 'It really is a vision... It even has Fontaine's casing...'
Just then, a voice drifted over to him.
"Isn't it exhilarating?" Yae Miko, who was eating the Agedashi Tofu on the side, looked at Isaac's face with an amused smile. "To be favored by the Gods and become an allogene..."
"Not many are as lucky as you are, you know?" She added before lifting a tofu with her chopstick.
She then chewed on the tofu and the crispiness of the sides coupled with the sauce brought a delightful taste into her mouth. 'At this rate, I might actually have to come here every day for these...'
Isaac listened to her and was silent for a moment before curling up a smile. "What's with the praises, Guuji Yae? Aren't you a vision-wielder too? To be the illustrious Head Shrine Maiden of the Grand Narukami Shrine and even be recognized by your Archon with an Electro Vision! I must say, that's quite the feat."
'...oh?' Yae Miko side-eyed Isaac as she heard his words. 'Trying to fight for dominance in the conversation, eh?'
She then raised her chopstick and pointed it at him as she spoke with a light chuckle. "Oh please, I'm merely stating the facts here."
"If anything, I'm more inclined to believe that you were bestowed with a Dendro vision because of your wisdom. As you know, the Dendro Archon's other title is the God of Wisdom." She added with a mischievous smile.
'Lady, you sure know how to make up believable lies on the spot. Must be a trait of the Kitsune race...' Isaac silently sighed. He decided to retreat from the battle. "Perhaps it is that way."
He then looked at his vision once more before grasping it tightly. "I didn't think that I, of all people, would have one of these one day."
"Is it that surprising?" Yae Miko saw this as a chance to learn more about the mysterious Isaac.
Isaac lightly scoffed. He then muttered in a low voice, "Truthfully, yes."
"Changing the subject." He then stuffed the vision into his pocket. He decided to investigate it later. He then looked at Yae Miko. "How is the Agedashi Tofu, Guuji Yae? It's my first time making it so I'm not quite confident with the taste."
"It tastes great," Yae Miko lightly nodded her head. "Few have had the ability to serve such a great dish to me."
"That's great to hear." Isaac smiled softly. He was secretly relieved. 'Nice! Now with this, she would continue to come back to the cafe!'
The bait had been cast and the fish bit it well.
[+5]
[+5]
[+5]
Seeing the notifications that indicate that Yae Miko relaxed, Isaac's mood also lightened. 'That's great!'
Seeing Isaac's relieved face, Yae Miko pondered for a moment before resting her face on her hand. "I think I now know why you attained a vision."
"Hm? How so?" Isaac got curious and asked with a curious stare.
"You said your sole goal in this life is to provide a tranquil haven for those who are deeply burdened." Yae Miko surmised Isaac's explanation from earlier. "I think that this goal of yours is your ambition."
"Visions manifest because of strong ambitions— You want to provide a serene sanctuary for others and that became your ambition, which subsequently granted you a vision." She explained before eating another tofu.
"That... Seems plausible." Isaac grasped his chin as he contemplated. 'What she said does make sense according to this world's laws...'
Pulling out his vision again, Isaac looked at it once more. 'Right... It's a blessing given to me, so why won't I use it?'
'This vision is the manifestation of my ambition, the condensation of my ideals. It is part of me.' Isaac smiled at this thought.
Ding~*
Just then, the door of the cafe chimed and someone entered.
"Welcome—" Isaac was just about to welcome the new customer when he saw who it was— or rather, who they were.
"Good thing we didn't get drenched from the rain..." A lively and energetic voice sounded.
"Mhm. We should have waited for the rain to fully stop." Replied someone with a flat unenthusiastic tone.
"I could have gone alone, you know..." A soft hushed voice added on the side.
'...oh no.' Instantly, the sense of danger inside Isaac's mind rose. 'They're here...'
'Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet...' Isaac maintained his casual and languid smile, but he couldn't help but think about the current situation. 'In other words...'
'The House of the Hearth!'
He then breathed deeply to calm himself down. 'Relax, Isaac. As long as you don't stand out too much and get Arlecchino's attention, then you're all good.'
With that thought in mind, he greeted them once more. "Welcome, customers. Is there— oh, if it isn't that dear sir from back then! How have you been?"
"Uh, hello... It's me again." Freminet softly muttered as he looked at Isaac's bright smile.
Isaac nodded before looking at Freminet's siblings. He then looked at Lyney as his eyes widened. "Wait... Aren't you Lyney? That famous magician?"
"Haha, that is indeed me," Lyney said with a soft chuckle. He then stroked his chin as he looked at Isaac. "Now that I've thought of it, aren't you that fellow that Lady Furina had picked on back in Hotel Debord?"
Isaac nodded his head as he wore a wry smile. He then chuckled wryly. "Unfortunately, that was indeed me."
"I must say, you've handled that situation quite well. You even placated Lady Furina." Lyney gave Isaac praises with a bright smile.
Isaac nodded his head lightly at Lyney's words. "We all know Lady Furina's unique personality, so I more or less prepared myself for such an encounter once."
"Now then, let us move on." Isaac gently clapped his hand as he looked at the trio with a bright courteous smile. "What would you three be having?"
"I presume that you would still like a Latte?" Isaac looked at Freminet.
The latter nodded his head. He then replied with a quickened hushed tone, "Yes... that would be fine."
"Well then, I'll have Café Crème." Lyney gave his order as he looked at the menu above.
"Excuse me... Do you serve Tea here?" Just then, Lynette's flat tone reached Isaac's ears.
"We do indeed, Madam." Isaac gently nodded his head. He then continued, "What would you have?"
"Earl Gray." Lynette simply said.
'Feeling a wee bit British today, innit?' Isaac wrote down their orders in his notepad. "Would that be all?"
The trio nodded and Isaac decided to head back to the kitchen. But not before looking at Yae Miko in the side.
'Don't expose anything about the summoning!' Isaac signaled with his eye.
'Fufu... You owe me tofu for that.' She gave him a silent smirk as she pointed at her tofu.
'Tsk... Crafty fox.' Isaac silently clicked his tongue before entering the kitchen.
He then proceeded to make their orders.
---
Meanwhile, while Isaac was busy brewing, Lyney's eyes couldn't help but look at Yae Miko.
'That outfit... Is she a foreigner?' He thought to himself. He then decided to approach her.
"Hello, Madame. Are you perchance a foreigner?" He asked with a bright smile.
"Indeed," Yae Miko gently nodded her head as he crossed her legs.
"Judging from your clothes, you must be from Inazuma." Lyney respectfully analyzed her and commented. "But I'm curious. Inazuma is currently under the Sakoku Decree, how did you get out?"
Upon hearing this, Yar Miko's lips curved as she formed a smirk. "There are various ways for someone like me to enter or leave Inazuma."
Of course, that was a lie. Even if Yae Miko was the Raiden Shogun's long-time friend and fox envoy, she is no exception to the absolute Sakoku Decree that controls who can enter and leave Inazuma.
If it wasn't for Isaac's summoning, she believes that stepping foot off Inazuma would only be in a dream.
'Someone of high status.' This thought quickly entered Lyney's mind. He then looked at his sister and found her slightly nodding her head. 'The only way for her to leave and enter Inazuma is if she's a high-ranking official or someone the Raiden Shogun personally knows...'
'What an unexpected find. To think we'll see such a person.' He thought as thoughts formed in his mind. 'I should build a connection with her.'
"My, if that's the case, then perhaps you're someone very important! Ah— let me introduce myself, I'm Lyney, and these are my siblings, Lynette and Freminet." He took off his top hat and bowed at her with a smile on his face.
However, when Yae Miko saw his smile, she couldn't help but smile mischievously in return.
'Your smile can't even be compared to that person, child...' She thought as she looked at the Kitchen where Isaac was.
Seeing Yar Miko's line of sight, Lyney also looked at the kitchen before looking back to Yae Miko. "Is that person someone you know? Is he also from Inazuma?"
"No," Yae Miko shook her head as she looked at Lyney with a relaxed expression. "He's just someone I first met when I stepped foot in this land."
Technically, she wasn't lying. Isaac was the first person she met when she entered through the portal to Fontaine.
"I see," Lyney nodded his head while grasping his chin. He smiled at her once again, "Well then, since this is your first time visiting Fontaine, might I help you tour the most favorable spots in this land of art? I'll be sure to recommend you the best suites to stay at in this nation!"
Yae Miko's eyes slightly constricted at Lyney's words. 'Trying to separate me from him, huh? Dear child, I believe your manipulation tactics are too crude.'
Her eyes then showed a slight tinge of Sakura-pink color as she looked at Lyney with an amused smile. An amusing thought had just popped up in her head. She then opened her mouth, "There's no need."
"After all, I now live here." She added with a mischievous and alluring smile.
"..." Silence descended upon the cafe.
"...Oh." Lyney, who was trying to build a connection with Yae Miko, was left speechless. "Then... Does that mean..."
'They're together...?' Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet thought at the same time. It was almost as if it was telepathically transferred between them.
"...What?" An echo came from the kitchen.