(Chapter 22 Poisson III Callas)
Sitting on the picnic blanket beneath the cool shade of the umbrella, Navia and Tempest gazed out at the distant city of the Court of Fontaine. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves around them, adding to the serene atmosphere as they took in the beautiful view together, enjoying the peace after playing a few games of chess.
Navia rested her head on Tempest's shoulder, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. Tempest glanced at her briefly, his face still expressionless as ever, before turning his gaze back to the distant city of the Court of Fontaine.
"I don't mind having a big brother like you..."
Navia said quietly.
"I already have a sister... I don't mind having another one."
Tempest said to her, and a small smile slowly crept across Navia's face.
"Tempest... Can I ask why you're not close with your Father? If it's alright to ask..."
Navia asked him a question, and Tempest contemplated for a while before answering her.
"Sorry... It's difficult and too painful for me, please understand."
Tempest said as he turned his head to her.
'I'm sorry, you're too young to know what horrible things my Father did towards me and my family...'
Tempest thought to himself.
"Oh... Okay, sorry I ask."
Navia said, removing her head from Tempest's shoulder and beginning to regret asking the question.
"It's fine. One day, I will tell you, and I can count on you to listen, right?"
Tempest said with a smile.
"Hm! You can count on me!"
Navia said, her broad smile returning to her face.
"Thank you."
Tempest said as he patted her head.
"Oh? Looks you two are getting close already!"
Tempest recognized the voice immediately and didn't bother turning his head, keeping his eyes fixed on the distant city of the Court of Fontaine. Meanwhile, Navia turned around, curious to locate the source of the voice.
"Uncle!"
Navia called out excitedly as she spotted Constantine approaching. He had a broad grin on his face, holding a fishing rod in his right hand. The other hand was proudly displaying a catch of freshly caught fish.
"You two having fun?"
Constantine said.
"Hm! We played chess together! Though I lost six times... But I beat him once in the end!"
Navia said with pride.
"Attagirl! Haha!"
Constantine said with a chuckle as he patted Navia's head.
"What do you say we make some roasted fish? Hm?"
"Really!? Sure!"
Navia replied excitedly to Constantine's suggestion.
"Then go grab us some sticks so we can start the fire, Young Master will help me scale fishies."
"Young Master?"
Navia said in confusion, as Constantine addressed Tempest as 'Young Master'.
"Oh, it's just what we call him back in Stormwind."
Navia looked at Tempest and he simply nodded in response.
"Ohhh, I get it! Then! I'll go grab those sticks!"
Navia said, and shortly thereafter, she hurried off to gather some sticks for the fire. Her quick movements and eager energy were a testament to her enthusiasm.
"She's really lively, isn't she? I'm happy you made friends with her, Young Master."
Constantine said with a smile as he quickly pulled out a cutting board from the basket. He set it up with practiced ease, preparing to scale the fish he had caught.
"Mhm, are you sure she can eat these? She seems like the type who prefers sweet or gourmet foods."
Tempest said, watching as Constantine expertly scaled the fish and removed the gills and innards with practiced precision.
"Ha! That girl is a real rebel! Once, when Callas and I went to the court and I was in charge of looking after her, she disappeared the moment I turned my back. And do you know where I found her? Playing hide and seek with the kids at Fleuve Cendre!"
Constantine said with enthusiasm.
"Hmph, you're just a bad babysitter, Teacher."
Tempest said with a smile.
"Haha! No, I'm not! Did you ever complain when I taught you swordsmanship for six years?"
Constantine said with a smirk.
"I didn't, I enjoyed it..."
Tempest turned away from Constantine, smiling.
"Haha, see? And Don't worry! I cook these all the time! Navia and Clorinde love these!"
Constantine said, but suddenly his expression turned serious. He scanned his surroundings carefully before continuing to speak.
"Young Master, I've surveyed the area and couldn't find anything."
Constantine spoke quietly, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Tempest to avoid drawing any suspicion if someone happened to be watching them. Meanwhile, he continued preparing the fish with focused precision.
"I see... It was similar when I was at the court with Father. I always felt as though I was being watched, and she only revealed herself to me at night when I was alone. Let's stay alert, just in case."
Tempest said, not even turning his back to look at his Teacher, Constantine simply nodded in response.
"I'm back! I got the sticks, Uncle!"
"Good girl!"
The rest of the afternoon was filled with lively conversation and laughter. The three of them enjoyed a delightful lunch featuring the fish Constantine had caught. As expected, Navia's eyes sparkled with delight as she savored the roasted fish, clearly relishing every bite. For Tempest, it was his first experience with roasted fish, and he was pleasantly surprised by how much he enjoyed it. The rich flavors and tender texture were a new and welcome addition to his culinary experiences, making the meal all the more memorable. After lunch, Navia excitedly brought out more tabletop games from her bag, and they spent the rest of the afternoon happily engaged in playful competition.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Two hours before midnight, Tempest and Constantine waited in Callas's office, as Melus had instructed. An hour earlier, they had been informed of a ship coming to Poisson, bearing the banner of House Caspar. Tempest tapped his finger on the table, anticipation building as he awaited his potential benefactor. Constantine sat beside him, occasionally glancing at the clock and him.
"Nervous?"
Constantine asked Tempest.
"No... More like impatience..."
Tempest replied to him.
"Are you sure this man will help us?"
Tempest asked his Teacher.
"Just get straight to the point, Young Master, and tell him why you want to replace... No, kill your Father."
Constantine told him.
"Mm."
"Dad! Tempest and Uncle have been waiting for you!"
Tempest's eyes darted to the door as he heard the voice of Navia.
"I know, I know, my dear. Shouldn't you be in bed right now?"
The voice of a middle-aged man spoke.
"I want to say goodbye to Tempest and Uncle first!"
Navia spoke again before bursting through the door, followed by two people. The first was a middle-aged man with blond hair and blue eyes, his right eye covered by an eyepatch. He wore his jacket draped over his shoulders like a cloak. The second person was a teenager, likely a year younger than Tempest. She had dark blue hair and bright purple eyes and was dressed in a Champion Duelist trainee outfit.
"Tempest! I'll see you again right?"
Navia ran up to Tempest.
"Of course, Navia."
Tempest smiled and patted her head.
"Mhm! Bye bye Tempest and Uncle!"
"Leaving without a hug? Miss Navia?"
Constantine said as he opened his arms.
"Uncle..."
Navia's cheeks turned slightly red, after a short hesitation she hugged Constantine goodbye.
"What about your new brother? Miss Navia?"
"Uncle!!!"
Navia's cheeks turned bright red at Constantine's words, causing him to chuckle slightly. In the background, Callas observed the scene with keen interest, clearly intrigued by her daughter's reaction.
Navia then turned to Tempest, her cheeks still red as she fidgeted with her fingers. Tempest smiled warmly and opened his arms, inviting her in. Slowly, Navia stepped forward and hugged him, finding comfort in his embrace.
"I expect you to be better at chess the next time we meet Navia."
Tempest said as they both broke off from the hug.
"Mm! Next time! I'll be the one in the lead! I promise!"
Navia smiled with pride, she then held out her pinky finger to Tempest.
"Mm?"
Tempest looked at Navia's finger in confusion.
"It's a pinky promise! It's a promise that must never be broken! You never had one before?"
Navia looked at Tempest with concern in her eyes.
"I guess you're my first then."
Tempest held out his pinky and intertwined it with Navia's finger.
"It's a promise!"
Navia said with a wide smile. After making the promise with Tempest, she ran to her father and waved goodbye to him.
"Clorinde, lead Navia to her room."
Callas said as she patted her daughter's head.
"Yes sir."
Clorinde said with a bow.
"Bye-bye! Tempest! Uncle!"
"Goodnight Miss Navia."
Constantine said to her, Navia and Clorinde then shortly exited the room. Callas's eyes then darted to Tempest.
"I'm quite surprised you became fast friends with my daughter, I thank you, she needs more friends at her age other than the members of the Spina di Rosula."
Callas approached Tempest and offered his hand for a handshake.
"Callas Caspar of House Caspar."
In response, Tempest got up from his seat.
"Tempest Proudmoore of House Proudmoore."
Tempest shook the hand of his potential benefactor.
"I'm impressed. I expected you to only send Constantine to Poisson to negotiate with me. You coming here personally shows you are determined to initiate this uprising of yours."
Callas said as he broke off the handshake and moved to his seat at his desk.
"I am."
Tempest replied to him, sitting back in his seat.
"Hmph, you've underestimated the Young Master, old friend, he's really serious about this plan."
Constantine said to Callas.
"Hearing that from you, I have no doubts, now then. Let's get to the point, shall we? Why should I help you? Tempest Proudmoore?"
Callas said as he clasped his hands, his eyes glaring at Tempest, waiting for his answer.
"I want to kill my Father."
"Why?"
"For everything... For hurting me, for taking away my emotions, I want to stop him before he sells my sister to an old noble in Snezhnaya. I want to kill him for crippling my mother. I despise everything my father does, and finally... I want to replace him and try to restore the Proudmoore's legacy. I told her yes that I would serve her if I could, and I intend to keep it."
Tempest concluded.
"Her? Who is this person that you intend to serve?"
Callas questioned him.
"The Hydro Archon, Lady Furina."
Callas's eyes widened with surprise as Tempest gave him his answer.
"You... You intend to abolish the 500 years of disloyalty of House Proudmoore towards the Hydro Archon and finally once more serve her?"
"I do."
"And how will you do that? Eventually, you will be arrested and be brought into court for murder and rebellion, how will you explain yourself?"
Callas asked him another question.
"I won't. I will demand a trial by combat or a duel and send Constantine to be my champion. Even if House Proudmoore's reputation remains tarnished, and I continue to be hated by the people, I am determined to end these 500 years of disloyalty toward the Hydro Archon. I will ensure that future generations of Proudmoores will not harbor hatred for the Hydro Archon. This, I swear to the seven Archons."
Tempest looked at him with determination,
"This is only possible if you give me your support, sir Callas, please."
Tempest bowed his head to Callas, and he was quite surprised at Tempest's action.
"My Father is also making deals with the Fatui. I'm not sure what exactly, aside from his plan to sell the Ghost Program to them, but I know he's plotting something significant."
"The Ghost Program? isn't that the project the Fontaine Research Institute's new marvel?"
Callas asks Tempest.
"Yes, I don't know how, but they managed to reverse-engineer the Primal Constructs from the deserts of Sumeru. That armor can render someone completely invisible to the human eye. I want to stop him before he finalizes the deal. That technology belongs to Fontaine, not to the Fatui."
Tempest said, Callas put his hand on his chin, contemplating before giving Tempest his answer.
"Very well, you have my support, Tempest Proudmoore."