He was currently at the Statue Plaza,
Quietly waiting for everyone to gather...
*And trying not to think about what happened in the Grandmaster's office,
Especially when after his words, Jean still didn't seem reassured,
Shadowing him with concern when he was making more sigils,
Probably afraid he was going to collapse again...
...
It was such a mess...!
...
-I am fine, I am fine! Just thinking about something, that's all! -He reassured some people, who he saw started getting worried by his silence. -I am alright! Truly! There's no need for concern!
He wondered how much more he would need to reassure them that he was fine,
That he won't just suddenly go and...
...
No, it was not the time for that line of thinking right now,
Instead he should take note of when everyone gathers and he could start.
*And it seems like it would be soon, since everyone were gathering very fast!
...
He wasn't surprised when he didn't see Morax in the crowds,
He already heard about what happened from the winds:
When the Liyue ambassadors woke up and were told that "Yes, the Geo Archon is alive",
They decided to search for him, only finding him alone in the room with Childe,
The former carefully pouring (Sobering) tea to the latter.
*They stumbled on quite the domestic scene...
...
...
It didn't go too well,
It went pretty badly, in fact,
It was a miracle no one died...
*Especially when Xiao also showed up,
How the hotel was still standing was everybody's guess.
...
Since then, they are working on a contract for "The Fatui's relations with Yánwáng Dìjūn: What is allowed and what is not.",
And it doesn't seem like they would be finalizing it any time soon. Would they stay for Windblume...?
...
"Barbatos, everyone is already here.", the winds informed him, sounding slightly surprised, " They really got here fast. Like Sonic!"
...
Yeah, if Sonic was religious and was born in Mondstadt,
Or if he was born in one of Teyvat's nations and was a sailor or...
...
Everyone were waiting for him to start his "speech",
Right, it was not the time to forget that he was the Anemo Archon…
…
- Sorry to have called you on such a short notice and then kept you waiting. There are a few matters I wish to discuss. -Venti started, before anyone could get worried and ask him if he is okay, again. This is something that should be stated first, in fact. - First of all, stop looking at me with those worried expressions. I am okay! I am feeling alright! There is no need to worry for me every time I am being quiet due to me overthinking something or talking with the winds/Vennessa/Dvalin! -He almost pleaded again, remembering his "talk" with Jean. - Thanks to everyone's Faith I am stronger now and won't just randomly collapse! - He then paused and sighed deeply. - Due to that, I also decided to help out more now with small things here and there... -He promised, before his expression suddenly turned into a grimace. -...Just not with administrative work. It didn't go so well last time…
Almost everyone's scared expressions told him that they still remembered it, as well.
…
He couldn't really blame them for it,
As he was acting really crazy back then.
*It was a good thing he wasn't drunk at that time too.
Or he might have just forced everyone to drink Dandelion wine, no matter their age.
And probably would have tried to redesign everyone's homes and even "fix" some relationships…
…
- I also decided that some things should change, mainly the whole "Faith doesn't ask for anything in return" idea. -He continued in a deadly serious voice, noting that some people looked like they were about to protest. - The fact is that you saved me, saved my life, more than once. Not showing you appreciation for all you did for me, wouldn't it just make me ungrateful...? - He sadly explained, realizing again that they really did a lot more than they should have. So much more...-... Hence I decided that I must repay you for this. Starting with linking some of the winds to you, so you could do many...!
-I won't accept this, Lord Barbatos! -A voice interrupted him, protesting loudly and making Venti get taken aback. -Helping out in the city and refusing us in showing you respect is one thing. But, to reward us in such a way and leave yourself unprotected...-It turned out to be Calvin and he looked quite miffed. As were some other people, who were looking towards the Archon disapprovingly. -...This is simply unacceptable!
After the de facto Seneschal's outrage,
More and more people started protesting,
Which made Venti wonder why they felt it was too much...
...
They saved his life,
Multiple times...
...
How was linking some of the winds to them "too much"...?!
*He had an urge to bash his head into a wall!
Or just into Morax, but the blockhead was busy right now...
After the initial arguing back and forth,
Venti had quite enough...
-OKAY, I GET IT! YOU ARE WORRIED! STOP PROTESTING ALREADY! -He snapped, unconsciously making the sky darken and shocking people into silence, before sighing. There was no need to make a storm.-...I understand that you are worried that if I do that, I won't be able to protect myself in a pinch. And I can't really blame you for thinking this way, after everything that happened...-He quietly said, as the sky brightened again, before looking at them with slight annoyance. -That's why I said "Some of the winds"! Not all of them! -He couldn't stop himself from yelling out, before sighing again to calm down. -...And if you think yourselves "undeserving", you shouldn't. You saved me so many times that it would be a sin not to repay you all somehow. You still remember my song from yesterday, don't you...? -He continued, this time with a warm smile on his face, as he looked between the people in the crowd. He still needed to think of an alternative, though...-...Since you are still so worried, how about this: I will be linking the winds only to the Knights of Favonius, the Clergy and Mondstadt's secret protectors. -He decided, feeling that it was a good compromise. -...This much should be fine, right...? -He then became dead serious again, as he narrowed his eyes. -...Because I am not going to concede any further.
...
Also, two a person,
Like he promised the winds themselves...
*With the amount of people he was linking them in the end,
Wouldn't three or four a person be better...?
Surely, that much won't leave him...?
"No. Two a person, no more than that." , the winds interrupted him, sounding dead serious, "Barbatos, we thought we already agreed on this...?"
...
...
Two a person it is, then.
*Even though it could have been more...
...
There weren't many, at all.
...
And he also planned to infuse some people's weapons with a "blessing",
To make their job of protecting Mondstadt (Like Jean and Rosaria) and helping others (Like Barbara) easier...
*They won't start protesting this as well, would they...?
...
"Knowing your people, Barbatos, they would.", the winds started, before a deep sigh was heard, "They won't just quietly accept a gift/reward from you. Especially not of this magnitude."
...
...
It was going to be a long day...
...
Should he bury himself in pillows again...?
Or maybe check how the blockhead is doing instead…?
...
…
Being an Archon was overwhelming,
Especially when his people cared this much.
*They were still adorable, nonetheless,
And he couldn't have them any other way~