A Series of Twists and Turns

Hey everyone, we're here!

Oh, hey, my little dudes! Good morning!

Morning, little dude!

Oh wow, Cacucu's learned a new greeting!

...Is that good news or bad news, though?

Sorry, I did everything within my power. But so far, I've only managed to teach him how to say "good morning."

Wait, so that's all you've been up to this whole time!?

Get outta here!

I think that means "no."

Huh?

Okay, so good mornings aside, please tell Paimon, there's been some other progress too?

Of course. That's why I'm here.

Cacucu's not the only one that Mr. Wriothesley's been getting to talk. I'm referring, of course, to the convicts.

It was nothing. These guys weren't exactly tough nuts to crack.

So? What's the deal?

After racking their brains, they remembered speaking to an inconspicuous middle-aged man just as they were preparing to pack up and leave Natlan.

He was dressed in the manner of the Children of Echoes and carrying a box — plus, the description matches the one the gun was found in. All in all, he didn't look any different from your average Natlanese traveler.

Perhaps seeing that they were dressed as merchants, this man stopped for a chat, inquiring where their goods were headed and even asking if they could share a boat.

The smugglers were very cautious, though. They didn't tell him any specifics.

But all this happened before I crossed paths with them.

I happened to notice them as they were preparing to set sail. I thought they looked shady, so I snuck aboard, and ended up being carried along all the way to Fontaine...

Boss, do we know if those Fontainians will even like this stuff? What if we can't shift it...?

...And that's why we call you a rookie. It's all supply and demand, kid. Supply and demand! Natlan's foreign trade is just starting to lift off... There'll be a market for it, you'll see.

That's right. So stop giving the boss trouble, rookie. Just do your job and keep an eye on the goods.

(Are they merchants? Have they come to Fontaine to do business?)

(Scarred face, callused hands...)

(On closer inspection, the fabric looks worn at the knees and elbows, and his fingernails are dirty... Not exactly your typical merchant.)

(Could he have previously been a warrior, or even an adventurer?)

(Something feels off. I'd better sneak up and get a closer look.)

(Looks like I've gathered enough intel about the smugglers and their contraband. Time to inform port security.)

...So anyway, that was when I went and told the Fontainian guards about my suspicions.

After an investigation and a chase, they finally apprehended them and sent them on their way.

Well, guess they're headed exactly where they should be!

Good job, Kinich!

Thanks.

Based on your recollections just now...

*sigh* I was completely focused on those smugglers at the time, so I wasn't really paying attention to other passersby.

That's only natural. Don't worry about it.

Yeah, Kinich, you did great!

In other words, the person who brought the gun here — the one who "lost" it — has no connection to the smugglers whatsoever. They were working entirely on their own.

Oh dear! Oh dear!

Sounds like Mr. Cacucu wants to chime in?

He said this elusive individual's actions are positively mystifying.

It's a good observation. I quite agree.

However, we still know next to nothing about the person. Perhaps we should start by focusing on the "lost" item itself.

It certainly seems like it was the bait in some kind of trap.

The only question is, why wasn't the bait made more conspicuous?

Hmm...

Has something... sprung to mind?

I just remembered a film I watched this one time.

Huh?

Oh wow... No way, bro!

Hold on, let me explain...

Just now, Traveler speculated that this box might have been placed there on purpose, as if the intention was for someone to come pick it up. That got me thinking about those films about kidnapping cases.

When they demand their ransom, the kidnappers tell the victim's family to leave money or valuables at a designated spot for someone to come pick up.

That doesn't merely happen in films. There have been similar cases in real life.

In fact, if anything, it's probably the real-life events that inspired the films.

Mm, sounds plausible.

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait... This raises the stakes to a whole new level...

If the gun really was some kind of ransom, then... since we took the box, the kidnappers never got their payment, so...

D—Does that mean they... executed the hostage?

I agree. I don't believe we have a kidnapping on our hands.

Selling off stolen goods is extra work that most kidnappers would want to avoid. Unless they're after something very specific, they tend to just ask for cash.

Could we be dealing with a kidnapper who's dead set on getting their hands on an ancient dragon handgun? It's not impossible, but the likelihood is very slim. We can discount that possibility for now.

And speaking of selling stolen goods... Don't you think this looks more like a transaction?

So bottom line, this was an individual smuggler at work.

Exactly. And it was the location itself that caused the deal to fall through.

The last thing they would have expected was for a quiet beach to turn into a bustling film convention overnight.

Not only is the area now packed with tourists, but the Spina di Rosula have a presence there... I'll bet that both parties were completely caught off guard.

Great job, Lepine-Pauline!

That sounds like a plausible theory, but how do we verify it?

Looks like your people better start rolling up their sleeves.

How so?

Easy. Just follow the usual procedure by putting up a lost-and-found notice.

The more routine we make it seem, the more likely the suspect will come forward to claim it. Even if they send a proxy, we're liable to get our hands on new leads.

And timing-wise... It's about time we updated the bulletin board anyway.

All we need now is a lucky Gestionnaire to write up the notice for us, post-haste.

Ah, so that's what you meant by "rolling up their sleeves"...

In that case, I may as well write it myself.

Delegating this to someone else would require an additional explanation...

Hah, or are you just not used to asking others to work overtime?

Is that really a major concern here!?

Well, looks like I won't be needed around here — at least until the notice has been posted.

You could always wait here if you like. The Palais Mermonia serves a particularly fine cup of tea, if that swings it for you.

Thanks, but no thanks. I left a very noisy creature with a friend before heading out, so I should probably get back to feed it.

Ah, I wasn't aware that you had a pet, Mr. Kinich.

Speaking of pets...

Get outta here! Outta here!

Yep, that's the plan. Outta here, indeed.

I believe that what Wriothesley is trying to say is, you are free to leave, Mr. Cacucu.

Furthermore, it has been determined that Mr. Cacucu should not, in fact, be classified as a flying object. As such, he shall be free to move around Fontaine whenever he so pleases.

You're the best, bro!

Oh, that really is good news! Traveler, should we bring Cacucu back to Ifa and Ororon?

I shall leave him in your capable hands.

Indeed.

Ahh... Y'know, all this has made me realize that I'd quite like to have a pet.

If that proves inconvenient within the Fortress of Meropide, perhaps you should consider finding a place in the Court of Fontaine?

...That actually sounds like a good idea.

In the past, I always dismissed the idea of buying a property in the city. The prophecy about the floods meant it never seemed like a worthwhile investment. But now...

This might be a good time for you to re-examine the documents I gave you regarding your title as Duke.

Huh?

Citizens with honorary titles are eligible for certain benefits when purchasing property in the Court of Fontaine.

Really?

How about this: You read through your documents from start to finish, while I write up the lost-and-found notice.

Ajaw.

What? What now?

Let's shake hands.

Fine by me. Get ready for a knuckle sandwich!

!

Whoa, nice dodge!

Uhh... Paimon feels strangely inclined to keep a safe distance...

D'you miss me, bro?

Hahaha, Cacucu, you're free!

Ugh, not you again! Nope, didn't miss you in the slightest!

Hey, Gramps.

And hey, Paimon and Kinich, it's good to see you all. Thanks for bringing Cacucu back.

Get it away! Get it away from me!

Nice to meet you, bro!

Who are you calling "bro"!? Say that again, to my face! I dare you!

If you've got the energy to argue this much, you're clearly not hungry yet.

Let's go find something to eat, while Ajaw lives his best life.

Sounds good to me.

Haha, poor Ajaw! He's spent all day being tormented by Ororon, only to discover that the suffering's just begun.

Ifa, as a Saurian vet, how can you just sit back and watch our little dragon-bro suffer?

Huh? How am I the bad guy?

Do you even hear yourself?

Doesn't anyone wanna hear how Cacucu got out of jail?

So, now that our crew's back together again, what's our next move?

Oh! How about a game of rock paper scissors?

No chance! If I lose, we'll end up stuck in the room watching films all over again...

Nope. This time, we'll only watch a film if I lose instead.

Had enough too, huh?

For real, now? C'mon, bro...

Can we just ditch this whole "leaving it all to chance" thing? Why don't we take our fate into our own hands?

Uhh... Aren't we doing that already? Rock paper scissors uses our hands...

Hahahaha!

...Dunno why you're laughing, you're stuck with paper every time!

Huh... Looks like there were quite a few others with the same idea...

Hello, you two.

Have there been any developments?

...Okay, guess not...

Well, the notice was only just posted. Guess it's pretty unlikely that someone would show up right a—

Special Patrol, open up!

Whaaa! Who's there? What's going on!?

Th—The Special Patrol...?

I don't think that's who this is.

Hey, this isn't the time for silly jokes! Let's go check it out...

Good day, all. Gramps, grannies, aunts and uncles.

What in the Teyvat are you doing here, Ororon?

Oh, he must be the one you mentioned... Cacucu's owner?

One of his owners, kind of...

But... Bro, what are you doing here?

I'm here to claim a lost item.

Can't tell if he's being deadpan, or deadly serious...

Is this... the person you saw on the boat, Mr. Kinich?

Somehow, I highly doubt that.

For starters, he just addressed us as "gramps and grannies." And unless this is the youngest-looking middle-aged man in the world, I don't think he's our guy.

I apologize for my grandson bursting in like this...

Huh? Was there... something wrong with my door-knocking etiquette? Hmm, that's how they do it in all the films...

That's not door-knocking etiquette... That's the Special Security and Surveillance Patrol doing their job. Completely different things.

Oh, I see... I figured it was just a polite way of requesting entry, to show the people inside you had something important to discuss.

Oh, sorry about that, I totally goofed that one up. Gimme a moment, I'll go back out and try again...

No need...

Ahem... So, Ororon, you said you were here to claim a lost item. What did you lose?

Yeah, so basically...

For real, now? C'mon, bro...

Is arresting my dear grandson what it's come to...?

Ororon, be honest now — were you the one who lost this?

No, it belongs to a friend.

So it belongs to Ifa?

Of course not, Ifa has his own gun.

Uhh...

Ororon, tell us the truth.

Alright then... Ugh, I knew this wouldn't go well.

So here's what went down... This morning, Ifa and I were playing rock paper scissors. Before long, he'd lost — as he usually does — so we figured we'd head out and visit some of the Court of Fontaine's famous landmarks.

When we got near the plaza, a man suddenly stopped us to ask for help.

He said that he had lost something, and that someone had found it and sent it over to the Palais Mermonia.

But apparently he used to work here, and was worried it'd be awkward bumping into his old coworkers, so he asked us to pretend to be the owners and claim it on his behalf.

You didn't manage to keep that pretense up for long...

It's fine. I'm not the one who feels awkward, anyway.

So, a former employee of the Palais Mermonia? ...Was this individual a Fontaine native?

Yes, at least I assumed so. He looked like a well-dressed gentleman to me.

We were about to refuse, but he was so polite...

Could it have been a disguise?

Oh, oh no... Ororon, Paimon thinks you've been tricked. This person might be in cahoots with the bad guys...

Maybe he already took off and escaped, as soon as your mission went pear-shaped!

No way, I'm not that dumb.

Huh?

He's not going anywhere. Ifa and Cacucu are keeping an eye on him over at the plaza.

"Keeping an eye on him." I like the sound of that...

Nicely done, bro.

In that case, let's hurry over to where Ifa is!

Time to catch that con man and find out what's really going on here.

Wait a minute, I have a question first.

Traveler, Paimon, you're pretty famous in Natlan, right?

We're basically household names! But why do you ask?

Well, it's not just us...

Ha...

Would that... be a problem?

Remember when I said that the seller might be watching in secret?

If so, then picking Ororon to do their dirty work was a careless mistake on their part.

It suggests that the person who got Ororon to claim the item might not be fully in the know themselves.

...There are plenty of unanswered questions, but standing around racking our brains won't help.

However, I still suggest that the famous faces among us, meaning Traveler and Kinich — oh, and of course, Monsieur Neuvillette too — stay here for the time being.

We'll empty the box, give it to Ororon, and then he can claim the item as if nothing happened.

I'll follow to check if anyone is watching.

I doubt anyone would recognize me anyway, so I shouldn't draw too much attention.

Keeping a low profile has its advantages.

I think this plan is worth a try. I shall leave it to the pair of you.

So I have to go undercover again, right...?

Well, not exactly undercover. Just drop the Special Patrol persona and... be yourself instead.

Roger that. Over and out.

(Nothing suspicious going on here either...)

(Strange... Maybe we're overthinking this?)

Oh dear! Oh dear!

Stop with the pecking... Stop with the pecking!

Please, sir, I'm begging you! Do me a favor and... get this pet of yours under control!

The heck are you on about?

Sorry, but he's not my pet — he's my coworker.

And I should warn you, he's not too happy with how you're talking about him...

What the!? This thing has a JOB? So in Natlan, they just dish out jobs to any old thing?

Uh-oh, Cacucu's not too big on being called a "thing" either... You're on your own now.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Please, Mr. Cacucu! Master Cacucu, Lord Cacucu! I meant no offense, I promise!

Alright, Cacucu, that'll do for now. Let me ask him some questions first.

Sure thing, bro!

(Ororon actually looks pretty serious this time. Was he just pretending to be clueless earlier?)

(Interesting... Think I'll sit back and see how this plays out.)

You actually got it? Wow, didn't think it would be that easy...

Ah, excellent! Looks like sending you was the right approach after all!

"After all"?

Uh... I mean, because the staff at the Palais Mermonia don't recognize you, right... Haha...

So I got it, but I don't remember promising I'd hand it over.

Huh?

This thing's pretty cool. I've taken a bit of a liking to it.

...

(?)

Please don't do this, my good sir, my master, my lord! My very life hangs in the balance...

(His life hangs in the balance...?)

If this means so much to you... what are you gonna offer me in return?

...Are you trying to get him to say "my life"?

Uhh... How'd you know that?

Because I watched that film with you!

You should drop the act. We don't want a real misunderstanding on our hands.

...You're probably right. But honestly, I don't know what else to say.

Sorry, this is the most "myself" I can be. Is that enough?

Enough. More than enough.

Uh, who's this dude...?

Just think of me as a staff member from the Palais Mermonia.

Now, if you don't mind, I have some questions for this gentleman about that "life-or-death" treasure you were just discussing... Truthful answers appreciated, of course.

Oh no, I'm toast now...

What's that supposed to mean? You don't think the Palais Mermonia has the ability to protect our citizens?

No, no! I mean, yes, of course they do! I, uh... P—Please, ask away...

I could do that. But I'd rather you just tell the whole story, from the beginning.

*sigh*... I suppose I only have myself to blame. Such a rare antique, I couldn't resist...

I'm a collector of antiques — nothing excites me more than rare old relics. And to be completely honest... if someone's selling, I'm buying. I don't care to ask where they sourced their goods...

As for the seller of this particular item... Well, I've never met him in person.

We've had some prior dealings, but always under the cover of coded ads in some shady tabloids — lost-and-found notices, missing person ads, that sort of thing.

As long as I took care to hide a time and place somewhere within the text, then slipped some Mora into the envelope before submitting the ad, it would get published. And that was that — no fuss, no trace. Simple, right?

Normally, everything goes off without a hitch. But this time, I arrive at the pickup spot expecting a discreet in and out, and instead, I find a whole construction crew at work!

That was not what we'd agreed! But I couldn't just let it go, so I reached out to him again, the same way as usual.

He replied, and do you know what he said? He told me that the item's now in the Palais Mermonia!

Well, he wasn't lying about that.

He insisted that it would be "inconvenient" for him to make an appearance himself, but said that if I could somehow find a way to retrieve it from the Palais, he'd give me a discount on the price...

Of course, it wasn't the discount that swung it! Do I look like I'm strapped for cash?

Feeling smug now, are we?

Feeling smug now, are we?

No, no... Please, go easy on me!

Go on.

Ah, where was I... Well anyway, I thought to myself, seeing as the item itself came from Natlan, it would make more sense if I could find someone from there to go retrieve it.

And by a stroke of complete and utter coincidence, I just so happened to see these two young folks wandering around, so I...

*sigh* I'm so very sorry, I underestimated the pair of you!

I need you to clear something up for me. You haven't paid the seller yet, correct? And yet, he told you to collect the item from the Palais Mermonia. Was he not worried that you'd just split afterwards?

Well... To be honest, though I can't claim to know him very well, he on the other hand seems to know my name and where I live...

Besides, this is a guy who managed to get his hands on an ancient Natlanese weapon. That's probably not the kind of person I want to double-cross...

Fair. That makes sense.

So, Mr...

Uh... Please, uh, just call me Argenteau.

Alright, Mr. Argenteau, listen very carefully to what I'm about to say. It will determine how much of the rest of your life you'll be spending beneath the waves.

What does he mean? Is he gonna drown him, just like they do in those gangster films?

...Oh, I get it! He's talking about that place at the bottom of the Fontainian sea...

Shh, can it!

Owing to your suspected involvement in the illicit trade of Natlanese relics, you're now one of the suspects in an international smuggling case.

A trip to the Opera Epiclese seems unavoidable at this stage, but on the bright side, you still have one chance to make things right.

Okay... D—Do I really? Please, tell me what to do.

It's very simple. Just reach out to your seller in the same way as usual, arrange to meet, bring the money, and make the deal. Just be sure to let me know all the details — I'm talking time, place, the whole lot.

If we can catch the other party by doing this, you'll have gone some way toward redeeming yourself. Understand?

Oh... I see! I—I understand! You shall have my full and unadulterated cooperation!

Good. Don't break the law, and don't even think about making a run for it. The Palais Mermonia will be watching you and ensuring your safety.

Alright, take the box, but leave your ID and other documents behind. You can go now.

As for you two...

*sigh* Protocol dictates that I should take you both back to the Palais and have you sign a confidentiality agreement... But that would take a lot of time and effort.

Such a hassle, bro!

See, Mr. Cacucu knows exactly where I'm coming from.

So I was thinking, since you're all friends of Traveler...

I understand, Sir. We got dragged into this by accident, and it has diddly-squat to do with us.

Out of respect for Traveler, we won't say another word.

Ohhh, I know this part — we'd better keep our mouths shut, or we'll both be sleeping with the fishes in a tailor-made pair o' cement shoes.

In that case, I understand completely.

...Not exactly what I was going for, but if that's how you want to understand it, then be my guest.

Mm, then it's settled. Thanks for your help.

(Boy, am I glad that's over. That's enough work for one day... Time to head back!)

Ah, Wriothesley's back!

Judging by your expression, it must be good news, huh?

It went smoothly, on the whole.