Genshin Impact: Holiday Tales

Day 02: A God's Chorus

While most of their friends had retired to the local inn for the day, Aether and Paimon were seen strolling through the streets of snowy Mondstadt with Venti by their sides. While they were the only ones who knew, Venti's true identity was that of Barbatos, the Anemo Archon whom the people worshipped. But unlike the other Archons, he was more laidback and lazy than them.

"So…do you like the cold, Tone-Deaf Bard?" Paimon asked.

"Well, it has its goods as well as its bads. But personally? Well…let's just say I am more someone who enjoys relaxing days where it's not too cold OR hot." he explained. Aether nodded.

"I could see that." he said. Venti smirked, crossing his arms behind his head.

"Then what about you, Traveller? Or you, Paimon?" he asked. Paimon hugged herself.

"It's not as BAD as Dragonspire, but….whoo! Paimon does NOT like being out in the cold for too long! Or else Paimon will turn into a popsicle!" she said. Aether chuckled lightly.

"Don't worry. I'll see what I can do about getting you a "Paimon sized" jacket." he said, rubbing her hair playfully "As for me…I don't think I have a preference really when it comes to weather. Better that than being soaking wet during a rainstorm." Venti chuckled.

"I hear that. You can't really enjoy listening to your own songs when the rain drowns out the melody." he added. As they reached the middle section of town, the trio were intervened by a pair none would have seen coming. It was Zhongli and Ei, the other two Archons that Aether knew.

"Well, I was wondering where you were, Barbatos. Didn't bother coming out to greet us yourself?" Ei asked.

"O-Oh! Morax! Beelzebub! I was wondering if you came to visit my humble abode." Venti replied with a bow. Paimon looked on bewildered.

"Huh? Wait. Beelze-who? That's not what the people of Inazuma referred to the Shogun as." she asked, scratching her head. Zhongli chuckled.

"Beelzebub is a name that the Electro Archon is most famous for in days past. It is how ancient Inazuman's referred to their leader…similar to how those who know me call me "Morax" or the people of Liyue referred to me as "Rex Lapis" currently." Zhongli explained, satisfying Paimon's curiosity.

"Oh! Okay! That makes sense!" she proclaimed.

"What are you two doing? Getting a look around for tomorrow?" Aether asked.

"Something like that. However, Morax and I both wished to merely catch up with the Anemo Archon. And I understand you know each other quite well by now?" Ei explained. Venti grinned.

"Yep. We've been good friends ever since he helped me rescue Dvalin. We also got to spend time together during this year's Windblume Festival." he explained "Also, the winds told me about how a certain "somebody" decided to fake his own death to live a more "relaxed" existence…while ANOTHER "someone" decided to hold themselves up inside her room while her citizens were having their Visions taken." Ei let out a slightly offended huff.

"As if YOU have anything to brag about, "Venti". The Traveller told me you're just as lazy as before….seen more drinking at the local brewery than doing your duties." she said. Venti glared back, feeling offended himself.

"Oh, really? That's rich coming from somebody who has SERVANTS at her beck and call every hour. Also, Morax, what's this I hear about the "God of Money" being so poor he needed to ask the Traveller to pay for everything?" he asked, coyly turning it towards Zhongli. The Geo Archon merely turned away and remained silent as a cold air fell upon them.

"Whoa…talk about your "awkward family reunions"." Paimon whispered to Aether who nodded in agreement. But shortly after, all three began snickering slightly except for a simply smiling Zhongli.

"Ahh…it's been way too long since we last spoke. C'mon. What say we grab a bite to eat at my favorite place in all Mondstadt? I insist." Venti asked.

~ Mondstadt | Angel's Share ~

With Aether and Paimon accompanying them, the three Archons headed to the local pub runned by Diluc. As they walked through the doors of Angel's Share, the owner himself happened to be at the bar serving Rosaria and Kaeya.

"Huh…I was wondering when YOU'D show up." Diluc scoffed, focused on Venti. Paimon waved back.

"Hiya, Master Diluc! We came to grab a quick bite to eat! What's on the menu today?" she asked. Kaeya glanced back to Aether's group as his eyes stopped on Zhongli.

"Well, well…I see we have someone from Liyue dropping in as well." Kaeya said. Rosaria had her eyes watching Ei as well.

"And if I'm not mistaken, you're the almighty Shogun from Inazuma, correct? Hmmm. Never thought I'd see the day." she muttered. Paimon nervously chuckled, worried if they would take offense. However, that did not seem to be the case as the four took to a table in the upper floor. Diluc himself attended to their orders before heading back downstairs.

"I must admit, Barbatos, Mondstadt is just as beautiful as I last recall it. Even with the snow covering the streets, you can't help but feel the sense of freedom in the air. Makes me wish I came last spring." Ei said.

"Heh heh. Thank the people of Mondstadt for that. I couldn't be a happier bard knowing everyone lives their daily activities with naught a care." he said. Just then, the same silence from before drifted over.

"B-By the way….I just wanted to apologize for….what had happened to your sister. I understand you must still miss her greatly." he said, referring to Baal. Ei was a bit surprised before Zhongli turned her way also.

"We all know that feeling of loss. If you ever need someone to speak with, feel free to seek me out. I'll be happy to offer my advice." he said, resting his hand on her shoulder. Venti nodded, offering the same thing, before a small smile came to her face.

"Thank you…both of you." she said.

"So….Paimon's been meaning to ask. How is it you were okay to come, Ei? I thought you would've been SUPER BUSY running things to even come." Paimon asked, referring to the Shogun robot "Also, I never thought you'd actively LEAVE the Land of Euthymia for something like this." Ei chuckled.

"Well, I have the Shogun to thank for that. I simply made a few adjustments to her before departing, knowing very well that she could handle affairs on her own. As for Kujou Sara, I invited her along as a sort of "escort"….being the only one I truly explained everything with." she explained "Though, to be truthful, it did come as a bit of a shock to her." Aether nodded.

"Must be. I mean, when one of your biggest fans is suddenly invited to come along with you on a trip like this." he added.

"Speaking of, how have things been with you and the other Winds?" she asked.

"Oh, nothing to complain about. Dvalin and I still visit one another on peaceful nights to reminisce. Sadly….things CAN'T be said the same for Andrius. I swear he's still a great big "stick in the mud"." he said, sighing towards the end "Thankfully, he has someone like Razor to keep his grumpy self amused." Zhongli smiled.

"As for myself, I…haven't had the time to properly speak with the adeptus since the Rite of Parting. I do, however, find myself enjoying tea with Madame Ping on occasion. Though…I do have my work at the Wangshung Funeral Parlor and my….boss there." he added. Paimon chuckled.

"Yeah. Paimon was still shocked to realize someone like Hu Tao was running the funeral parlor. She DEFINITELY doesn't match the job description." she chimed in. Ei asked if she was referring to the "oddly estatic" girl she saw among the others. Zhongli sighed.

"Indeed. She insisted she come along to find more clients." he said. Venti was a bit disturbed by how exhausted he sounded while talking about her and asked if he wasn't just joking. To his surprise though, Zhongli said he spoke nothing but the truth.

"Wow. And I thought I got an "awkward look" from the Knights of Favonius OR Master Diluc…especially the other." he said, taken back a bit. Aether looked on between them as their conversation continued.

"It's so funny seeing them act like regular people. I guess even gods can have their own grievances. Then again, why am I even thinking this? It's not like any of this comes as a shock for me…seeing as I have a relatively close connection with each of them." he thought "Still, it's nice to know that they have their own unique traits that make them human." Just then, Diluc and one of the other staff returned with their orders, setting it down upon the table in front of each patron. Paimon looked on with excitement at the Sticky Honey Roast rested upon the table while Aether looked her way and laughed.

~ A While Later… ~

Following their meal, they made their way towards the church in the northern end of town, taking the time to absorb in the atmosphere of the excited citizens as they walked. They all caught glimpse of Jean overseeing the decorating with Barbara at her side as they arrived by the large statue of Barbatos. By the time they arrived, they each held onto a few trinkets they had picked up from the stalls that had finished setting up.

"Say, Venti? Have you ever thought to tell that one about who you truly are? If her older sister is already aware, I do not see a reason why you let her out of it." Ei asked, pointing to Barbara. The Anemo god lightly chuckled, nervously glancing away.

"Ehhhh….it's complicated. Believe me. If everyone here knew who I was, I wouldn't find as much joy as I normally do when others gather to hear my songs. I took the role of a bard to merely share in the merriment of others." Venti explained "Besides, I think that would do more "harm" than good." Paimon agreed, considering how well she and Aether knew him by now. Venti snickered.

"My point exactly!" he proclaimed. Zhongli chuckled.

"To each their own, I suppose. Pardon, Ei. But would you join me over there for a moment? I wish to talk with you about recent events." he said. As she accepted his invite, this left Aether and Paimon together with Venti. It did not take long for Venti to rest a hand on Aether.

"Since we have this time to ourselves, there's….actually something I've been meaning to thank you two for." he said. Both Aether and Paimon eyed him with a puzzled expression, asking what there was to "thank" them for. Venti lightly smiled.

"While we were having our meal, the Shogun told me about what she witnessed when you stormed into her throne room. Just wanted to say….thanks for sticking up for me with Signora. It…touched me deeply, knowing you cared so much about little ol' me." he said softly, a sincere smile on his face. Feeling his sincerity, Aether merely nodded back, same as Paimon.

"You're welcome." he said.

"No way were we gonna let THAT slide. You may be a slacker, Tone-Deaf Bard, but nobody bad mouths our friends and get away with it." Paimon boasted. Venti snickered to himself afterwards.

TO BE CONTINUED…