TW: Azar. Just Azar.
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The carriage eventually arrives at a stop. When you step outside, you are greeted with the warm air of Sumeru, as well as the bustling sounds of the capital. Even though you have stayed here for some years, you can't help but feel mesmerized by the beauty of the view.
You take some steps forward, crossing the city's gates since no vehicles are allowed inside, except for some wheelbarrows to transport the merchandises. Dottore soon follows behind you and wraps an arm around your waist.
"The butlers will bring our stuff in the hotel, so we can directly go to the Akademiya and get down to business. Once done, I will probably soon go back to Snezhnaya, but that would depend on Omega's whereabouts." He leaves a kiss on your neck and you sigh.
It is true that Omega and Prime have always been competitive when it came to you. You have always known Omega as "the most selfish segment" but even if he would always praise himself, he also courts you a lot.
Prime has always kept an eye on him because Omega would always invite you to drink some tea or go on a walk together. When Prime was not around, Omega had to deal with the other clones, meaning it was more difficult to get some time with you.
So in a few words, this trip to Sumeru would be Omega's best opportunity to spend some time with you.
And Prime is completely aware of that.
You feel your hand being tugged forward and Dottore's eyes piercing at you hint that he doesn't want to waste time standing while doing nothing since you have work to do.
You sigh and walk by his sides, hands intertwined, to arrive at the gates of the Akademiya.
Just like a few years ago, the Akademiya is well guarded and seems to ask for people's identity when they cross the school's gates if they are not familiar with the place.
When you approach, Dottore lets your hand go and walks toward the door. He is soon called by a guard.
"Good morning sir, I must ask you for your papers before entering the Akademiya."
Dottore immediately shot him a death glare.
"Excuse me?"
You silently sigh, put on the mask that is actually a sort machine that allows you to analyse things more quickly and basically do what the Akasha can. It only has the shape of a mask that covers the eyes. (Idk if you have the ref, but it basically looks like the masks the Team Flare managers are wearing in Pokémon XY)
You then walk toward the guard.
"Now, as security matters, we have to provide our identity to enter the Akademiya. It has been like this since a certain person has been expelled from here after seeking forbidden knowledge."
You bring your attention back to the guard.
"Here are my papers. Lord Dottore and I have an appointment with the Grand Sage."
The guard reads your papers for a great couple of seconds. You have the feeling he takes longer than he should take to check your information. Your heart speeds up slightly, hoping that he doesn't notice these papers are fake.
Indeed, you have been blacklisted from entering the Akademiya so the guards should know your name. That's why before you depart Pantalone has given you fake papers. You had asked about Dottore and if he needed fake papers as well, which was a mistake since Pantalone laughed at you and affirmed that Dottore already has brand new papers after he has become a Harbinger and that the guards wouldn't know Dottore has been expelled since it happened at least 400 years ago.
The guard nods and gives you back your papers.
"Welcome to the Akademiya. Do you know the directions to the Grand Sage's office?"
"We know where it is located, thank you."
With that, you walk inside the Akademiya with Dottore right behind you. You put your fits on your hips, eyeing the surroundings as to know if anything has changed.
"The Akademiya looks exactly as I remember." Dottore speaks, staring at some scholars and students, "If I remember well, Azar's office is right above The House of Daena."
You nod to confirm his sayings.
"Then let's go. I don't want to waste time with pitiful scholar wannabes."
The two of you walk through the Akademiya in the direction of The House of Daena.
The House of Daena is the Akademiya's library to say the least, although it is now used much less often due to the Akademiya's recent push towards relying on the Akasha. Researchers and students can borrow books here on general knowledge; but it must be known that some books are only open to higher-level researchers for use in their literature reviews.
On your way, you notice some students staring weirdly at you, but it is expected: Fatui members are not really seen in the Akademiya and your clothes are far different from the students' uniforms. You have also perceived two or three students having their eyes widened and you believe they might have recognized you.
Not that you care anyways.
Once arrived inside the library, you head toward the centre of the room where the elevator is located to reach Azar's office. At the entry of the elevator, a woman calls for you.
"Greeting, this elevator leads to The Grand Sage's office. I'm afraid you won't be able to use it unless you have a meeting with him."
Dottore crosses his arms, silently waiting for you to speak of why you are here. You roll your eyes at his behaviour and put a hand on your hip.
"The Doctor and I have a meeting with Azar. Here is the letter as proof of this meeting." You hand her the letter to which she quickly reads and analyses the sigils. She nods and gives you back the paper.
"You may enter the elevator. The Grand Sage's office is at the upper level." She smiles to which you reply with a nod.
Once you enter the elevator, it starts lifting to reach the office.
"Remember, no killing or harming Azar, no matter how annoying he may be." Dottore calmly says. You give him a bombastic side eye before rolling your eyes and sighing.
After a minute, the elevator finally reached the floor. You look a bit around, recalling some past memories of your expulsion.
You then look up to the Grand Sage who is writing whatever he wishes on a paper. Dottore's eyes seem to be staring at you, as to order you to walk to Azar first. You give him a quick look and do as he suggests.
Once in front of the desk, Azar eventually looks up at the two of you. His eyes first land on you then on Dottore. He gets up and brings his hand forward to shake yours.
"Greeting Mr., Lord Dottore, it is a pleasure receiving you here, though I am absolutely unsure of the reason why you are here." He speaks with a stoic voice, just like he usually does.
"It is a pleasure meeting you again as well, 'Grand Sage'." You reply, a smirk on your face, as you take off your mask.
His eyes widen for a moment but soon darken as to show his hate toward you.
"You... I should have deduced you would be working with this organisation after your expulsion. I was still expecting the Fatui to only accept people with a diploma when it came to science."
"I only ask for brilliance and perfection from those who work under my wing. We usually only accept people with a diploma, except when the student was expelled, just like Mr.(L/N) did." Dottore says with a rather calm and softer voice, a bit similar to the clone you are calling "Boattore".
You have started to call the clone like this because you have seen him for the first time on a boat and had this "man" vibe when he was staring at an undefined point while looking at the ocean.
Azar raises an eyebrow at Dottore, shaking his head next. He sits back down on his chair and makes a hand movement allowing you to sit in front of him.
"Let's not waste precious time on that since I am rather busy. What do you wish to meet me for?"
You swear you would be shocking him to death right away because of how haughty he sounds now. You simply fake a smile to hide your annoyance.
"The Fatui wishes to elaborate on a project with the Akademiya. It is, in a few words, an experiment that involves the current Dendro Archon."
"As much as Lesser Lord Kusanali is not really in charge of Sumeru's politics, I cannot let you do some experiment on a god-"
"My bad, I should have precised the project." You cut him, "Her Majesty The Tsaritsa needs something that Kusanali possesses. However this thing cannot be acquired with a snap of fingers."
Azar crosses his arms and listens to what you will say.
"We are aware of how tense the relationship between the Akademiya and the Dendro Archon are. As such, The Doctor came up with a plan that consists of... Creating a god." You smirk at the Sage's surprised look.
"Please develop." He speaks after a couple of seconds.
"One of our Harbingers is an Archon's puppet. He has stolen an Archon's belonging that is essential to resonate with Celestia; as such, we wish to make him a God to replace Lesser Lord Kusanali."
"And in which way shall it benefit me?"
"Well, this god will be under The Akademiya's control so you will be able to do whatever you wish with it. The puppet might sound aggressive but he can behave once he gets what he wishes." You cross your arms, "In all cases, the Fatui can always help if something goes out of hand. You need not worry."
Azar sighs, taking some time to think about the proposal. You hand him the papers explaining how Scaramouche should work. As he reads the papers, you explain the plan to him in more detail, which he usually replies with low hums or a nod.
"When should we have this god ready?" He eventually asks, foreshadowing his accordance.
"It should not take long, two weeks at most. We just need to bring the puppet here and assemble the robot. From what Lord Il Dottore predicted, the robot should be ready to work in a few days. The parts are already on their way toward the workshop via the forest so it won't attract any unwanted attention."
"Perfect then, I suppose I am agreeing with your proposition."
You smile and clap your hands.
"Wonderful! Now that this is settled, we just have to drag Scaramouche back here and things will go smoothly."
As you were about to leave with Dottore, Azar called you.
"Wait a second (Y/N)."
You turn around, an eyebrow raised.
"What would happen if the plan won't work? I cannot risk my position."
You shrug, more to show you do not care.
"This plan will work. And if something comes to interfere, well, we will simply throw the puppet back in the lab."
You turn around and follow Dottore toward the elevator, not saying a single word. The walk toward the exit is completely silent, until you arrive at the bottom of the stairs leading to the Akademiya.
You turn toward Dottore, a wide smile on your face.
"I can't believe we will actually create a god! Just imagine all the things you can get through one single person! And the fact we will use those Akashas to manipulate people."
You are almost jumping nonstop of excitement, a bit like a child who just received a gift. Dottore is rather amused by your childish behaviour, knowing how you wanted to do this Akasha experiment for years.
He takes your hand and brings you closer to him, wrapping an arm around you. He leaves a kiss on your cheek, showing a smile on his face.
"Let's get a drink somewhere while waiting for Omega to come back with Scaramouche. You surely know some good places here." Dottore says, to which you nod and guide him toward Lambad's Tavern.