Minutes later and Eula was still frozen in place,
Barbatos was floating around her, trying to get her attention.
The only reaction he got from her was her following him with her eyes.
*It seems like he really broke her, didn't he...?
...
Her subordinates weren't helping either,
As they were crying about her finally being accepted...?
*They looked like they were "Crying a River",
And it kind of reminded him of people crying waterfalls in dramas.
...
While everyone else around them looked quite conflicted...?
*And also seemed to look ashamed for some reason...?
...
...
What was with that anyway...?
Just what happened to her in the past for those strange reactions...?
"...It's actually a long and sad story, dating back to the time when the Spindrift Knight was still a little girl.", the winds started in an unreadable voice, "Even since then, she was forced to learn noble etiquette by her family, the lessons themselves extremely harsh. Even an adult would have a hard time under such a strict regime, and as a child... ", the explained, their voices gradually becoming sad, "...At the same time, because of her being a descendant of the disgraced Lawrence Clan, she was...", there was suddenly a pause, as if the winds weren't sure if they should continue and/or waiting for something, "...W-well..."
-There you are, Venti, just like the winds said you would be! -A slightly annoyed voice interrupted them, as Amber basically flew into the scene and landed before Barbatos. -It doesn't matter who you actually are, disappearing like this in the middle of our flying co...! -She suddenly paused, looking around and noting everyone's reactions. -...So, this is the commotion they talked about...-She then looked between everyone, before her sight fell on Barbatos and she then sighed. -...Knowing how you are, your ability to unintentionally break people and seeing everyone's reactions...You said something very nice to Eula or even publicly accepted her, didn't you...?
There was silence for a few seconds, as Barbatos admitted that the Outrider was right,
It was basically like that, wasn't it...?
He didn't really think how much impact his words would have, though...
- I knew Eula was hated for being a Lawrence, though not the extent of that hate. Which is completely undeserved, since she has nothing to do with her ancestors' actions and seems to hate her family and their ways . -Barbatos admitted, sheepishly glancing between everyone around them. -...So, I just said it as is...? I didn't expect such overwhelming reactions to my words...- Really, just what happened between Eula and the rest of his people in the past, during the times he was still sleeping and wasn't around...? - Afterwards I just followed our recent agreement on how I am repaying everyone, which made everyone's reactions even weirder...- The agreement where he is linking some of the winds to the clergy and the Knights of Favonius, while infusing the two parties Vision users' weapons with a "blessing". -... And now Eula is so shocked that it doesn't seem like she would be grooming my wings like we agreed upon...!
He sadly added, crossing his arms and a pout quickly appearing on his face,
If most people around weren't still shocked they would have admitted that he looked cute like this.
-I am truly sorry for my disrespectful display and solemnly promise to do my wing grooming duty to the best of my ability! -Eula suddenly declared, as finally got out of her stupor. Though, it felt like she was forgetting something...-How shameful of me to have forgotten about my report to the Acting Grandmaster! -She continued in a dead serious voice, before her expression changed to that of rising determination. -No matter! For me, Eula Lawrence, multitasking is child's play!
If anyone, mostly Barbatos, Amber or her subordinates, were about to convince the Spindrift Knight to change her decision,
Her deadly serious and determined expression told them that it was best to give up on this futile endeavor.
Minutes later they were in the Grandmaster's office:
With Jean sitting in her chair, Eula and Barbatos sitting opposite her, the former carefully and elegantly grooming the wings of the latter as she made her report. And Amber sitting to their side, worriedly looking towards her friend.
She already knew how stubborn Eula was and how seriously she took her duties,
But currently she was pushing herself almost like Acting Grandmaster Jean usually did.
...
She could have taken a small break after finally returning to the city from her scouting mission,
Yet, she first made a "commotion" in order to greet Venti and now was even making a report to Jean while grooming his wings...
*And it seems that she also planned to run to Starsnatch Cliff, in order to get all of the Cecilias there as a gift for...?
- Eula, are you sure I can have this...? -Barbatos suddenly asked, interrupting her thoughts, before making a familiar bone whistle appear and blowing a few nice tunes with it. -... Isn't this bone whistle important to you...? It looks to be exquisitely crafted, as well...
He didn't understand why she decided to gift it to him,
Didn't she use it to her advantage in her scouting missions...?
...
And even if she is not on a mission and is taking a break,
Aren't the sounds of waves this whistle produces extremely calming...?
...
Why would she just give it away like this...?
*He knew he was Mondstadt's Archon and she was thankful to him for accepting her,
But what if this bone whistle had important memory values...? Was it really okay for him to jus...?
-Lord Barbatos, I decided to gift it to you and I never go back on my word! It's now yours and I will simply need to get myself a new one. -Eula replied, sounding dead serious. -Moreover, I also planned to make you some Stormcrest Pie. -She continued, before suddenly pausing. -T-to show how great my cooking is and for you to shower me with praises and tell everyone else to do so, as well! -She explained, looking pleased with herself at coming up with that explanation so fast. -And I won't mind teaching you the "Dance of Sacrifice", either. A pure and noble ritual that will definitely suit you well...-There was suddenly a pause again, before Eula made a coughing sound, as a blush slowly began appearing on her face. -...As I was told by other people, it's not like I think this way about you! Even if you publicly accepted me, seemingly entirely ignoring the fact I am a "Lawrence" and now people will be more accepting of me because you are Mondstadt's Archon and yet you said all that and...!
She frantically explained, before long her words turning into an embarrassed mumble.
...
Barbatos found that she was really adorable,
Getting shy like this from saying something nice.
*Though, in a way, this felt sad as well,
It was as if she was ashamed for saying nice things,
As if she didn't deserve to appear as a good person to others...
...
Her past must have been hard,
And he was asleep for most of it...
...
Just like he was asleep for most of the time that something happe...
-I must apologize for my unrefined words and cutting off our discussion. -Eula said in an ashamed sounding voice, interrupting his thoughts and it felt like she was grooming his wings with even more care now. -I shall resume both of my scout report and wing grooming duties.
She continued in a serious and determined voice,
And now Barbatos was sure that her grooming became even better...
*As Eula very carefully and elegantly brushed and arranged each feather.
...
It actually felt quite nice...
...
So nice in fact,
That he started getting drowsy...
...
It felt as if he was floating between clouds...
-...You are pretty good at this...Eula...- He absentmindedly said, getting even sleepier now. -... Did you already...Do this...Before...?
And he mumbled the last part before suddenly falling asleep, Eula barely able to catch him at the last second.
There was silence for a few seconds, before the Spindrift Knight almost jumped up in panic.
-I-I don't know why he suddenly collapsed! I-I was just carefully grooming his wings and then he suddenly...! -She frantically said, looking and sounding frightened, as she glanced between the form in her arms and Jean. -I-I might be from the Lawrence clan but I have no plans to take revenge on Mondstadt, it's people and especially it's Archon! E-especially after he publicly accepted me a few minutes ago and...!
"It's okay, Eula the Spindrift Knight. Barbatos just fell asleep.", the winds interrupted her in a reassuring voice, "You did nothing wrong, so there is no reason to blame yourself!"
...
Oh, so that was it,
She didn't hurt or kill their Archon...
...
Thank Celestia!
...
But, mostly because she would then be hunted down for Deicide,
Not because she was worried for him or anything like that!
...
...
Old habits die hard, it seems...
*She should try to get used to getting...
-We should let Lord Barbatos sleep. -Jean interrupted her, before she suddenly paused, looking thoughtful. -...Though, it might be better if we move him to the Cathedral.
For him to be able to sleep comfortably,
And also for her sister's peace of mind...
*She didn't want Barbara to have nightmares again,
Last time was bad enough and then when Barbatos...
"There is no need to call anyone over. Cardinal Calvin is already on the way. He pretty much bolted out of his office and is running here now.", the winds informed her, their voice unreadable, "...He asked to be notified if something happens to Barbatos.", they explained, before there was suddenly an awkward pause, "...Which some other Mondstadt citizens also asked to be told about..."
When Barbatos woke up inside of his and Barbara's room in the Cathedral,
He found out that he slept for a day and a few hours and now it was the first day of the Windblume festival.
...
Thanks Celestia that no more time had passed!
...
He was afraid that he feel asleep for decades again,
While almost everyone he knew got old and died,
Leaving him all alone, once more...
...
If that were to happen,
He might have just broken...
*He had quite enough of losing those he cared about,
To have it happen again and so soon at that...
...
...
It seems that he fell asleep from Eula's grooming,
Which was so careful and elegant and felt so nice~
*And she even left him a letter with a writing that said:
"May the gentle breeze softly send thee into a sweet sleep."
He found this gesture to be simply adorable! She was a cute Tsun-tsun similar to Xiao!
…
It also turned out that some of his people asked the winds to basically "put a tracker" on him,
Informing them right away in case something were to happen to him or if he was in some kind of danger.
*Which he found he couldn't really blame them for, no matter that it took some of his freedom away,
As he was a trouble magnet now and already frightened them enough this month and a half alone...
"We officially evolved into a "Barbatos GPS"! A new flying type Pokémon!", the winds added in amusement and some reassurance, "Which we don't mind being, at all~"
...
...
And he was currently on a "date" with the traveler,
Or rather a "Hangout" as they liked to call it.
*The flying sandwich was currently at Good Hunter,
Definitely devouring all the food she saw like a piranha.
-Bullseye Balloons, Floral Freefall and Ballads of Breeze...? So, an Archery competition, flying and Lyre playing. -The traveler thoughtfully said, before looking towards their "companion". -Aren't those all activities you like doing...? And they are official Windblume Festival challenges...?
-In my defense, the people were the ones who decided on these festive activities. -Venti truthfully admitted, looking and sounding thankful. -...The same way as they decided on the Cathedral and the statue...-He looked towards the aforementioned places afterwards. -...They also decorate my statues of the seven with flowers every Windblume. Which they do and continue doing even when I am not around to appreciate it.
Even though they don't need to go that far...
...
The Windblume Festival was as much for them as it was for him,
It would have been better if they had given those flowers to each other if he was not around...
...
Yet, when he is asleep, truly absent,
They still continued to put the decorations down...
*He knew they were thankful to him, but wasn't this just a waste...?
...
...
Honestly, ignoring the times when it got overwhelming,
He was very glad his people were like this,
So warm, loving and caring...
...
They gave him a reason to continue living,
He would have probably given up long ago otherwise.
*They truly saved his life, in more ways than one.
...
...
But, that also created a problem,
One he might not have minded before...
...
But, now...
...
...
As of now, his people were his strength,
But at the same time, they were also his weakness...
...
If they were to ever desert him,
If they were to hate him and curse his name...
...
He didn't know how he would react,
And he wasn't sure what he would do...