By the time we got back to the hotel, it was completely dark.
Lin En took a shower, changed into clean pajamas, and lay in bed tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
Today's itinerary wasn't tiring, but my mind was filled with too many things—the murals on the opera house's dome, the smile on Ronava she helped the child up in the square, and the spoonful of fruit tart she handed me in the dessert shop.
And that kiss, although it was initiated by him and only lasted for a moment, it seemed as if her sweetness still lingered on his lips.
He rolled over, facing the wall, and then, thinking about how many people had seen it all day, he felt a bit scared. Although it wouldn't make a difference if he did it once more, but...
Lost in thought, he fell asleep.
The next morning.
Court of Fontaine streamed through the clouds in Fontainebleau, illuminating the room. The stone path outside was still wet, shimmering in the sunlight.
After washing up, the two went out.
This time, Ronava led Lin En through several alleys and turned into a bustling commercial street.
There was a shop on the street with a sign that read " Dupont Kamera Equipment ". The window was filled with various models of Kamera, big and small. Lin En immediately spotted the small Kamera placed in the middle.
How did you find out about this store?
He asked.
I saw it when I passed by yesterday.
Lin En followed her into the shop. The owner was an old man with gray hair, wearing a monocle, who was wiping the lens of an old-fashioned Kamera with a rag.
Seeing the two of them come in, he put down the rag and adjusted his glasses.
"Would you two like to see the Kamera?"
"Um."
Ronava pointed to the silver one in the shop window.
That one.
The shop owner's eyes lit up, and he took the machine out of the display window and placed it on the counter.
The camera was heavier than Lin En had imagined. Its silver casing was engraved with intricate patterns, and the lens was made of Fontaine's unique crystal. A small spring-driven autofocus mechanism was also embedded next to the viewfinder.
"This is the new model this year, wind-driven, autofocus, and can take twenty shots at a time."
The boss launched into a long and enthusiastic presentation.
"With a crystal lens, the images are incredibly clear. Are you two here in Fontaine for tourism? Buying one is perfect for documenting your trip."
Lin En picked up the Kamera, tested its feel, and found that the body fit comfortably in his palm, the spring was smooth to wind, and the image in the viewfinder was clean and bright.
"This one? How many Mora?"
Ronava nodded.
"Not much, 500,000 Mora."
Lin En was somewhat shocked. 500,000 Mora? They'd traveled to four countries and spent a considerable amount, and now they only had 2 million Mora left. And this Kamera was going to cost a quarter of that?
After considering it, he decided that a cheaper Kamera would also work.
"Anything cheaper? 500,000 Mora is too expensive."
The shopkeeper glanced at the two people's attire and, thinking they had encountered a wealthy family, took out an old-fashioned Kamera.
"This one, worth 100,000 Mora, was also recently manufactured."
Lin En nodded.
"This is the one."
The shop owner quickly packed it up, including a roll of film and a leather camera bag.
Lin En paid Mora and held the Kamera in his hand; its silver body gleamed in the sunlight.
As soon as they left the store, Lin En raised her Kamera and took a picture of Ronava.
The shutter clicked. She was looking down at the flowers in the roadside flowerbed, her silver hair falling over her shoulders. The sunlight shone from the side, making her look as if she were gilded.
"You took a picture of me?"
Ronava raised her head.
"Okay, I'll give it a try. If it doesn't work, I can return it now."
Lin En replied.
"Let me see."
Lin En handed over the photo. In the picture, Ronava was turned to the side, half of her face bathed in sunlight, the other half hidden behind her silver hair. Her fingers were touching a flower petal, and she looked much gentler than usual.
Ronava glanced at it, offered no comment, and simply reached for the Kamera, snapping a picture of Lin En as well.
"Hey, I'm not ready yet..."
The shutter had already clicked. She flipped the viewfinder over to take a look, a slight smile playing on her lips, and then handed the Kamera back to Lin En.
Let's go.
She said.
Where to?
"Aquarium."
Lin En paused for a moment, an aquarium?
Where in Fontaine is there an aquarium? If there is, it's only on that ship, Ronava know about this place?
"There were advertisements on the museum's guide map yesterday."
Ronava seemed to sense his confusion.
"I think the aquarium is perfect for today."
"Okay, let's go to the aquarium then."
The aquarium is located on the east side of Court of Fontaine, near the port.
The two walked along the canal for a while, then turned into a wide, tree-lined avenue. Tall plane trees lined both sides of the road, their leaves glistening from yesterday's rain.
After walking for about 15 minutes, a huge building with a glass dome came into view.
"It wasn't that ship after all."
Lin En was relieved. The ship had left a scar on his young mind; he had never imagined that an event would take so long.
After buying a ticket and entering, you'll find yourself in a long glass tunnel.
The tunnel is flanked by huge water tanks, with various fish and marine life swimming in the azure seawater.
Lin En hung the Kamera around her neck and would raise it every now and then to take a picture.
Ronava walked beside him, her gaze following each fish swimming by, occasionally pausing in front of a group of brightly colored fish.
"How about it?"
Lin En asked.
"It's beautiful. I never knew the underwater world was like this."
She pointed to the school of fish swimming through the glass tunnel, and then to the floating spots of light on the tunnel ceiling.
Lin En followed her gaze and saw a school of colorful fish swimming overhead, their scales reflecting the light on the water's surface, making the entire tunnel look like it had been showered with colorful rain.
"So, do you like it this way?"
Ronava glanced at him sideways.
"Yes, it's very comfortable."
Lin En answered truthfully that if it weren't for the risks, he might have settled in Liyue.
They continued walking, and at the end of the tunnel was a larger exhibition hall. In the center of the hall was a huge cylindrical tank, in which swam a fish that Lin En had never seen before. It was pale blue all over, and its long tail fin floated in the water like a ribbon. Ronava stood in front of the tank and watched for a while.
Lin En raised the Kamera, took a picture of the fish, then turned the lens and took another picture of Ronava.
Ronava didn't dodge; she simply tilted her head, allowing the camera to capture the faint curve of her lips.
It was already afternoon when we came out of the aquarium. The sun was shining brightly, and the water in the harbor was sparkling.
The two sat on a bench outside the aquarium. Lin En took out the dry food and fruit she had bought that morning from her bag, gave half to Ronava, and asked...
Are you happy today?
Ronava took a bite of her bread but didn't answer immediately. She looked at the ships coming and going in the harbor, at the white walls of Court of Fontaine in the distance, and at the crowds moving about in the square.
The sea breeze blowing in from the harbor made her silver hair flutter slightly.
"You seem to care a lot about my feelings, but have you ever considered that this vacation was planned for you? I should be the one asking you that."
Ronava glanced at him sideways, tilted her head, smiled, and a hint of tenderness appeared in her eyes.
Did you have a good day?
Lin En immediately raised the Kamera and snapped a picture.
I'm happy because you're with me.
He carefully put the photos away and placed the Kamera into his camera bag.
Ronava stood up and tossed the remaining half of the bread into the air; several seagulls flew over and caught it.
The two walked back the way they came. In the sunlight, their shadows were stretched long and lay side by side on the ground, one tall and one short, swaying gently with each step.