Traveler is not as firmly on the Fatui & Tsaritsa’s side as everyone seems to be believing.
They are allies, against a common force right now, yes.
But their goals are not actually the same.
Traveler is arguably, blinded with protective anger right now, and fresh off of a really psychologically fucked up situation that Ronova orchestrated.
Lets look at it this way.
Mitya & Traveler’s fight with Ronova was with the belief that they were both just straight up dead. They at that time, didnt exactly have any confirmation that they’d just resurrect. Especially with Ronova’s words then.
That was righteous anger, at the person who killed them. But also Traveler is someone who can lowk get over that kinda thing. Look at them & Wanderer. Besties. Genuinely.
Ronova was, as she said, doing her job. Also she was working to prevent a larger disaster. Especially considering that everyone else woke up.. well, i’d say they’d still be willing to hear Ronova out on their next meeting.
It was after she made the decision to target Paimon, that Traveler was like OH FUCK YOU.
Hell, even before that! Traveler & Ronova were in fact having a rather tense conversation, but it was still a conversation. Pretty one sided one but like. Still.
Traveler was also pretty wired about Paimon’s safety too, so the fact that they were as calm as they were is honestly a achievement.
Traveler didnt exactly even out-right refute Ronova, or outright disagree with her.
“No advice needed. I'll make my own judgments.”
That is their line. Not anything outright hostile, just telling her that their choices are theirs to make.
And Ronova doesnt care for that response either. She did in fact again, offer them advice.
They were not outright hostile towards each other. Traveler was wary of her, yes. Still pretty fucking pissed off about the murder mystery anguish.
But Traveler otherwise has no quarrel with her.
It is Paimon’s safety, that gets that to change.
Its laid out pretty blatantly here.
Traveler is only fighting Ronova for Paimon’s sake - as of now.
They otherwise, dont actually have any quarrel with her, though probably will have a bit of a grudge about the theatre stuff.
Meaning - while yes, Traveler is going to fight Ronova alongside the Fatui..
There’s still the possibility of Traveler abandoning that fight if it wins them Paimon’s safety.
If Ronova, since she seems to deem Paimon useless, makes a deal to give up reclaiming her in exchange for Traveler breaking their alliance with the Fatui.
Which.. is honestly ironic.
… cause that is in fact, the exact same thing that the Fatui are doing themselves.. leveraging Paimon’s safety to get Traveler to align with them.
We saw this all the way back in Skirk’s SQ - Traveler’s biggest weakness, is their family. Not ‘I care for youc you’re my close friend’ family, but like, family family. Abyss Twin & Paimon. Also Columbina i’d argue, though to a lesser degree.
Not that I actually really think Ronova would. Not unless she’s backed into a very very clear corner.
Because she’s prideful. Incredibly so. She may not come off as such at a first glance because of how incredibly detached she seems.. but the pride is there, and I’d argue it’ll be her downfall.
But again, if she were to promise Paimon’s safety at Traveler’s side.. i csn absolutely see them stepping back.
They’re only against her and by extension the Heavenly Principles for Paimon’s sake.
And..
Well.
Traveler still has doubts about the whole idea anyways.
