The night sky hovered over the sea that they were sailing and the winds and water are still and calm. However, even if nature rests, on a certain ship there is still work to be done.
In the kitchen, a group of people surround a certain assistant and watch her cook with full expertise. From handling a knife and cutting the fish clean up to precisely adding the right spices as she cooks the dishes.
The chefs on board watch and took notes of the process while passing soldiers watch in awe as they drool at the scent of an enticing meal.
Slightly lifting up the veil on her face to taste the broth, those who got a glimpse of her lips blushed at the sight of it. They all knew that they couldn't even tell what they have seen but were content with even being blessed by the sight, they don't even want to share.
"Ah! Ms. Secretary, please leave the plating and garnish to us. You already did the cooking, at least let us do our job." A chef then stated. Y/n backed away and let them do the rest since they volunteered. Two trays worth of dinner was laid out and she picked up both with ease.
"Then, I shall take this to the lord's area." Y/n said, they even wanted to help her carry the trays so the soup and drinks won't spill but she dismissed their help and went on her way.
Before Y/n left the kitchen she stopped and said that the others can have the rest of the food she cooked. Silence filled the kitchen after she left and they all looked at each other.
When one person moved an inch they all started to race with a plate in hand. All wanting to taste her cooking.
Y/n sighed hearing the ruckus from afar. Her ears can hear far after all.
"Five, Seven, come out for a bit." She whispered and two children-like copy of her was summoned beside her. Both have the same resemblance to her except for the sign on their forehead with their respective number.
"Yey, we got called." Five exclaimed with joy jumping gleefully. "Shh, don't be too loud. People will see us." Seven warned while Y/n chuckled and reassured them that there was no one around.
"Here, you two can hold these trays for me. Don't drop it, it's master's dinner." Y/n said and gave each a tray to hold. Even though they have small bodies, they're never clumsy unless on purpose.
"Y/n, this smell. It's familiar." Seven commented, looking at the dish.
"Hmm hmm, Seven, your nose still needs training. How can't you recognize this scent? The fish in the soup is from Mr. Childe." Five smugly responded while the other pouted.
Five was correct, it is the other gift that Childe sent as a goodbye. There was even a letter that says Teucer was the one that cast the bait.
Reaching Scaramouche's room, Y/n knocked before she opened the door. Four and Seven prepared the table swiftly.
"Master, it is time for dinner." Y/n informed. Scaramouche put down his pen and went to sit in front of the dinner she prepared.
He watched as Four and Seven pour him a drink before patting each of them as thanks before Y/n unsummoned the two.
"I can't still get used to seeing little versions of you." Scaramouche said as he began to eat the meal. "Does it bother you, master?" She asked, sitting in front of him and dining together.
The two copies of her are her fourth and seventh tail hence their names and each of them have her consciousness. When summoned, a piece of her soul is divided so that her tail can manifest.
After observing how the second harbinger creates segments of him, she took inspiration and did the same for her tails. Even though only one is visible, she has a total of nine tails.
"I'm not bothered." Scaramouche said, Y/n smiled faintly while her visible tail wagged slowly with joy.
Clicking sounds of utensils can be heard as they dine, and comfortable silence is shared between them. It always cleared Scaramouche's head when they eat together, making him think clearer.
"Y/n, I need you to befriend the traveler and measure her strength. We'll create some opportunities to make you meet. Introduce yourself as an adventurer, I hope you know what I mean." Scaramouche said after he ate the final bit of food on his plate.
"I shall do as you wish." Y/n replied, no questions asked.
Springvale, Mondstadt
Just outside the village of Springvale can a camp be found. Tents where people are resting and a few knights of Favonius guarding the area. A group of strange, or rather unique adventurers arrived at the site and is shocked by the scale of victims from the strange phenomena that befell the land of Freedom.
"The situation looks even worse than we imagined." A raven spoke to which a certain traveler agreed.
"Ring the bells, sound the trumpets, for the day of judgment is upon us! Rejoice, all ye who cry out for salvation, for the Prinzessin der Verurteilung has come!" A female with blond locks declared which made a floating fairy comment about her enthusiasm.
The group began to roam around and examine the victims. Asking the knights for more information on the victims' conditions, introducing themselves as adventurers that are commissioned by the guild.
A knight then answered their query and warned them not to touch the meteorites with their bare hands as it was the reason why the victims fell into a deep sleep. Taking the advice in mind they moved to another tent to ask about the other victim. The guarding knight then said that the victim occasionally talks in his sleep. The group found out that the victims are dreaming about a cold mountain.
As they try to make work of the information they have so far, a hunter named Draff interrupted them to tell an urgent matter.
"One of the meteorites struck the hill behind our village. Allan told everyone he was going to go see it for himself... And then, sure enough, he just ran off." Draff hesitantly told the group. Knowing the dangers of the meteorites, he asked the bunch to help him find Allan.
"Wait, so...Big blazing rocks fall out of the sky, and all Allan's worried about is missing out on the action!?" The floating fairy asked in disbelief.
"Exactly! Once we get that rascal back safely, he's due for the scolding of a lifetime, if you ask me!" Draff exclaimed with anger in his voice, worried that his fellow hunter's recklessness will cut his life short.
The floating fairy agreed to Draff's statement and everyone moved to find Allan. However, a strange feeling made the golden-haired traveler in her tracks. Looking around for something which she cannot put a finger on.
"Lumine, hurry up! Allan might be in danger." The fairy called and float back to her side.
"Paimon, can you sense it? It feels like someone was us." Lumine whispered to Paimon who tried to look around as well.
"Well, there are many people here so some might be watching us." Paimon said.
"Never mind, let's catch up to Fischl and Oz. It might just be my imagination." Lumine concluded before running up to the rest.
"Y/n, Y/n, Nine did what you told me to." Another child-like copy of Y/n stated happily. "Good work, Nine. You can go back now." Y/n praised and patted her head before Nine disappeared.
On top of a hill, far enough not to be seen she observed her targets and noted every detail she can see. Surprised by how the traveler can sense her from such a distance, Y/n needed to be more careful when she approaches them later. Not even a single mistake should be made when carrying out a task assigned by her master.
A/n: The veil you see in the gif is what you wear during secretary work so many people never saw your face. No one except Scaramouche knows what you look like and they don't know that you're a fox that can turn human.