After some time of non stop pecking, Venti decided to open their communication and try to talk it out with Vennessa. She stopped after a while, telling him that "Any more of this and you will get even more stupid".
...
Which was a really mean thing to say!
...
He wasn't stupid!
He just didn't want to put everyone in danger!
...
But, he was stuck with not overprotective people now...
…
Maybe he could tell them that he is not Barbatos and it was some kind of joke,
And then they will be so mad at him for his "Sacrilegious act" that they will happily let him go!
...
This plan was brillia...Not!
Lying about who he is won't work anymore...!
...
Since different people revealed who he actually was,
People actually saw him in his Stormeye form and when he almost disappeared,
And all the stories he told everyone about the Dvalin situation, Original Venti, Vennessa, himself...
...
...
Instead of being all sneaky back then in hopes of gathering information,
He should have probably snatched the orb Signora was holding and destroyed it...
...
Maybe even snatched back his Gnosis, put it back where it belonged and then attacked the Fatui with his ultimate from some secret hiding spot, so no one would know it was him!
...
*But, would it have worked or would the situation have become even worse...?
...
"The situation would have become even worse. In the state you were in at the time, since you didn't have your Gnosis...", Vennessa answered him in a sad voice, making Venti gasp in shock. It seems like he forgot that he opened the communication again, "...You could either attack in your eyestorm form (Which would have undoubtedly got you killed, mistaken for some kind of monster) or wearing a disguise (Which would have worked for like 3-5 min before your identity got discovered).", she continued, seemingly ignoring his previous comment, "As the safer option, wearing a disguise wouldn't have worked and that... Signora would have quickly found out who you are and used it to her advantage. Saying that she won't tell anyone about you and then attacking you together with the other Fatui to "show" who you are instead."
...
Yes, that sounded like something that invasive vermin would do,
And also insulting him while she was at it...
...
"...The odds would not have been in your favor and you would have been surrounded before long.", the winds decide to continue, sounding sad, "...If she proposed for you to surrender yourself to be killed, relinquishing your Gnosis in the process, in return for the safety of your nation and people...Would you have accepted it...?"
...
Back then he didn't know how his people really felt about him,
He didn't know they loved him and cared for him so much...
...
And he thought himself useless,
Felt guilty for so many things,
Though it was better if he was dead,
And another Archon took his place...
...
...
...
He would have probably accepted the proposal without much thought...
...
"...You really...You know how everyone would have reacted if you did that...? They won't have been able to just watch it happen...", Vennessa said, as she sighed sadly, "...Like Jean, who already knew for some time who you already were. I won't be surprised if she ran into you, pushed you down to the ground and positioned herself on top of you, so that the attacks reached her instead..."
...
Venti sadly though about what his friend just said,
Would Jean really do something like that...?
...
She was a devotee, yes.
But, to do something like that...
...
...
She actually might...!
...
...
And then he would yell at "Signora" and her cronies to stop attacking,
Jean had nothing to do with their deal after all...!
"Signora of the Fatui Harbringers will tell you that a contract is a contract and that "it's her own fault for getting in the way". ", the winds sadly said, "...That she was taking the attacks meant for you, as your side of the bargain."
...
He would tell her to let go of him, that she will die if she won't...
That he never wanted this position, never deserved it since he barely did anything for Mondstadt and his people, that it would be better for everyone if he died and a new Anemo Archon took his place. And if his death also helped his nation and people stay safe, then it's even better...
...
And she would have given him the speech that she gave him minutes ago, about him being more important than them, how they loved him and didn't need another Anemo Archon and...
...
And he would have been so shocked, he won't know what to say or how to react,
Silently watching as her blood flowed down and the light left her eyes...
...
"...And then she will just warmly smile at you, even though she would barely been able to hold on...", Vennessa continued for him, trying to sound reassuring, "...Telling you that it's not your fault this happened, so you shouldn't blame yourself for it and continue to live for her and everyone else's sake."
...
Venti felt himself very conflicted,
Realizing that it would have happened just like that...
...
Jean would really have chosen to give her life away, in order for him to survive...
...
He wonders how many of his people would actually choose to do that...
*He hopes that it's not many...They can't really be willing to...!
"You were willing to give up your life in order to revive everyone, were they to die in a clash with Dvalin.", Vennessa reminds him, "It wouldn't be strange if they...No...We choose to do the same for you."
...
Venti found himself so horrified,
He wondered if he was going to have a breakdown...
"...That's how we felt when you told everyone about your "decision"...", the winds sadly told him, "...Vennessa even started crying...",
...
Was this really the way things were...?
...
"...After experiencing something like this, you would undoubtedly snap...", the winds continued the story, sounding anguished, "...The anguish and rage will make you forcefully change into your Archon form. And then you are going to murder every Fatui you lay your eyes on, as an act of revenge."
...
Was it really what he would do if that were to happen?
"Knowing you for as long as I do, if someone were to die in such a way, especially someone you saw as a friend...", Vennessa answered him, sounding anguished as well, "...Your rage won't stop until every Fatui in the area is dead, even if you fall unconscious for days afterwards."
...
And then everyone would have gotten worried sick for him,
Even though Jean would have died because of his "deal"...
...
...
Venti felt himself sigh heavily,
Why were emotions so problematic...?
*Only because he left his people to choose their own future, they...
...
...
Speaking of emotions, why was no one asking him, in a concerned voice, if he was okay...?
They communicated for quite a while now, hadn't they...?
…
"Everyone was worried at first, but then Dvalin of the four winds temporarily added them to our discussion.", the winds informed him, "...Everyone knows of your dangerous "idea" and the "what-if" scenario now."
...
Really...?
He did that without even asking if it was okay?
*Was this Skype or Zoom or something...?
-You are going to stay in Mondstadt, aren't you? -Jean asked him in worry, as she is still crouched down by him, looking him straight in the eyes. -...If you go...
...
Venti already knew what she was going to say next...
...
He would be in danger of getting killed,
Everyone will worry sick about him,
They will try to find him...
...
*And maybe even get mortally wounded instead of him,
No, don't let it come to that! He would never be able to forgive himself!
...
...
But he...
-...B-but I...-He was looking down on the ground, not sure what to do now. -...T-the city could get destroyed and everyone killed...I-I...I-I can't have that...I...
-...Is that so...? -Jean says in a disappointed voice, as she gets up. -It's time for plan B, everyone! -She suddenly yells in determination and some guards smile in amusement. -It's time to bring out our secret weapon!
...
A secret weapon...?
What kind of secret weapon can they...?
0_o
Were those guards carrying...?!
...
...
...
CATS?!
-EEEEEEH?! -Venti yells out, too shocked and slightly horrified to be able to stop himself. It was his one but not really weakness! -W-WHAT...?! W-WHEN...?! H-HOW...?!
-I have heard about your little "problem"~ -Jean tells him, sounding slightly amused. -Since you refuse to stay in Mondstadt...-She tells him, her eyes shining with mischief, which makes Venti look scared since a mischief looking Jean is not something you see every day. The horror is real...! -...We will make you stay!
-EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH?! -Venti yelled in shock and horror as they surrounded him.
…
After a few minutes, which to Venti felt like ages, he is found lying down by the tree, with numerous cats sleeping and hibernating on top of him. Only his face is visible and he's sneezing a lot. It wasn't helping that he was given embarrassing comments about his current predicament...
...
"...We are not sure if we should say this, but...", the winds say, sounding amused, "THIS IS SO CUTE~"
"It really is!", Vennessa admits in a delighted voice, "Our idiot is usually cute enough by himself, but the addition of cats sleeping on top of him like that...", was Venti imagining it, or did she sound like she was dead drunk...? Can spirit birds even get drunk...? He could get drunk, so they should probably be able to as well , "...MAKES THINGS A HUNDRED TIMES BETTER!"
She squealed, making Venti pause in shock...
-WoW! You really are a cat magnet! -Paimon says in wonder, the same as everyone around them, as she looks at him from above. -They STICK to you like GLUE!
...
-That doesn't...Ah-choo! Help me...Ah-choo! Any...Ah-choo! Right now...Ah-choo! -Venti tries to say in embarrassment. -...They...Ah-choo! Are warm...Ah-choo! Though...Ah-choooo! But still...Ah-choooooo! -He looked to the side. -This is...Ah-chooo! So embarrassing! Ah-chooooooooo! -He pouted, looking hurt. -Why do you...Ah-choo! Do this...Ah-choo! To me...?! Ah-chooooooo!
Most people were looking at the cute scene with interest, while some others were questioning reality...
-...He is allergic to cats...! -Diluc was mumbling in complete shock and slight horror. -...A literal GOD of WIND is allergic to cats...! -Was this the day reality stopped working or something...? -It's as crazy as if the Geo Archon wouldn't have any Mora on him, even though it was named after him...!
If Venti wasn't in the deepest part of allergy Abyss right now,
He would have laughed about the irony of his statement...
...
But, he was currently "Resting In Cats",
Or R.I.C for short...
...
Or maybe "Resting In Allergy",
Which is R.I.A. for short...?
*It could also be read as "Resting In Abyss", which is how he was feeling right now...
...
This was so humiliating!
*And he couldn't teleport away or he would take the CATS together with him...!
-So, Venti~ -Jean suddenly said, looking very amused at his embarrassing predicament. Venti noticed that she wasn't the only one. -...Are you going to stay in Mondstadt now...?
...
So this was their intention!
They tried to make him stay!
By using such a shameful tactic!
...
Did they want him to die of embarrassment...?!
-...O-okay, I...Ah-chooo! -Venti barely managed to say, looking even more embarrassed now. -...I will...Ah-choo! Stay in Mondstadt...Ah-choo! Like you...Ah-chooo! Want me to…Ah-choo! -His face was very red by now, like the ripest and juiciest tomato. -Just get...Ah-choo! Them...Ah-chooo! OFF ME! Ah-choooooooooooo!
They were walking towards the city now and Venti was still wondering if this was the right decision to make.
...
He was glad to not lie down with a bunch of CATS sleeping on top of him anymore, yes.
*And the knights had to pry them of him, since they really didn't want to leave their new favorite sleeping spot.
Did he smell like Catnip or something similar...? Was that why they were always drawn to him...?
...
...
But he was still really worried about his decision to stay in the city,
So when they reached the gate Venti found himself standing still...
-...Is this really the right decision...? -He suddenly says, to everyone's confusion. -Last time, we were barely able to repel an army of Fatui led by one of the Harbringers. What if next time they send more...? What if we get overrun...?! -He said in concern, which soon turned to horror. -...T-the the city will be overtaken and destroyed...With frozen, burnt and teared up bodies lying under the rubble...Warm blood flowing through the destroyed streets, painting it deep crimson...The unforgiving fires rapidly spreading and the soot dying the sky grey...The city's bright and inviting atmosphere shifting overnight...As if hope itself left it's confines...Whispers of death slowly...Agh! -He suddenly feels a heavy blow on the back of his head and sees the edges of his vision darken. -...Jean...? Why...?
Kaeya catches him before he can fall to the ground, while Jean is seen standing behind him and putting her sheath back on her thigh.
There's silence for a few seconds...
-Well, that was pretty unsettling. It's like a horror story right from Khaenri'ah or from the Abyss itself. -Kaeya finally says, being the first one to come to his senses. -But, are you sure this is okay...? -He suddenly asks, while looking at the unresponsive Venti in his arms. -Since he is...You know.
Instead of replying, Jean looks at Venti for a few seconds as well...
-...I will apologize to him when he wakes up. -She finally answers, before sighing heavily. -After recent events...-She wearily continues. -...We should really all go and have a good night (And probably morning) rest.
After what happened, they surely needed it...
-...So, where should I take him...? -Kaeya asks and instead of a reply everyone gives him looks that say "Shouldn't it be obvious...?". -...Oh, right. The Cathedral. Being the God of wind and everything. It really should have been obvious. -He says as he starts walking away towards the cathedral with Venti in his arms, the nuns and the other church people following him, with the traveler(+Paimon) accompanying them. -Still, it's quite convenient that he choose this form to manifest in. -He suddenly says, sounding amused. -To add to the fact that he doesn't weigh much, probably due to being the Anemo Archon. He is also easy to carry and looks pleasing to the eyes. -He says basically out of nowhere. -...If I didn't know better, I would have thought he was a cute girl and tried to hit on him.
-...You are weird. -Paimon tells him, sounding creeped out. -You know that...?
-I was told that before. Yes. -Kaeya answers her, sounding more amused now. -...I wonder how he would look in a dress...? Or a maid outfit...? Or even a cat outfit...? Wouldn't that be...? Ouch! -He suddenly felt a smack on the head. -Who is...?! Oh...
-Another inappropriate and sacrilegious comment and instead of carrying Lord Barbatos, you will be rolling down the stairs. -Rosaria threatened him, looking annoyed and slightly mad. -So behave yourself. Is that understood...?
-Yes, maam! -Kaeya said in slight alarm and amusement, as he saluted her.