Chapter Twenty-Four: Revelation
"A mask?" Barbara had once repeated long ago in her father's study as she had stared from her mother to the porcelain theatrical mask she had just handed her. "You mean I should wear it on stage?"
"Not exactly," her mother had chuckled kneeling to meet her gaze. "I mean it figuratively. On your face. Your real face."
"I don't understand," Barbara had squeaked shaking her head slowly.
Her mother had let out an exasperated sigh before retrieving the mask from her and holding it up to her own face.
"What expression do I have on my face right now?" When Barbara had slowly shaken her head, she had sighed and nudged her knee. "Come on, take a guess."
"You're smiling?" Barbara had tried blushing sheepishly.
Her mother had lifted the mask up to reveal a somber expression very unlike the one the mask wore.
"You see? You thought I was smiling because the mask was smiling."
"Oh," Barbara had hummed as she had accepted the mask once more.
"As long as you wear this mask no one will get mad or disappointed in you because no one will know what is truly in your heart."
"I see. So, the mask allows me to look happy even though…I'm sad."
"Yes, love," Frederica Gunnhildr had replied rubbing her arm affectionately before seemingly catching herself and retracting it away. "You have to learn to teach your face to appear one way even when your heart is broken."
"But why?" Barbara had pressed timidly. "F-father says holding it in isn't healthy."
"Holding it in is what's right," her mother had sniffed rising to her full height. "You're a Gunnhildr. You and everyone in our family bear the name of Mondstadt's greatest hero—Mother Gunnhildr, the savior of Mondstadt."
"But I thought Lady Amos and the Nameless Bard were Mondstadt's greatest heroes?"
"They were its greatest martyrs for they paid the ultimate price for freedom," the Gunnhildr matriarch had assented. "However, their sacrifices ultimately ended when Decarabian's tower fell. But Mother Gunnhildr's had begun long before the first blade was drawn and continued long after Mondstadt was rebuilt."
"Oh," Barbara had muttered, thoroughly confused.
"Yes, love," her mother had nodded, taking her by the hand and guiding her out of the study as she had led her towards her bedroom. "And all the while her smile restored our people's hopes and brightened their days even when her heart was heavy with loss and regret."
"But why mother? Why did she have to suffer alone?"
"Because, love, had the people known the true price for Mondstadt's freedom none would ever willingly rise to pay it. Despair is the killer of hope for it spreads and lingers far longer than it should. Infecting the deepest crevices of our minds and souls until we are bound by it, helpless and frail to stop its reign of devastation." When she had noticed the confusion reflected in her daughter's face, she had reached down to ruffle her blonde curls with a fond chuckle. "One day, beloved, when you are old enough I will tell you of Mother Gunnhildr's greatest loss and then you will know what true pain is."
Oh no! Am I crying? The Deaconess wonders as she notes the sudden wetness clinging to her cheeks. Why am I remembering that now?
A week had passed since the opening ceremony and the Windblume Festival was already a smashing success. Taverns and restaurants reported record-high sales as tourists and locals alike flocked to enjoy the festival-exclusive dishes and beverages. Merchants quickly sold out whatever wares and goods they marketed specifically for the festival, filling the streets with package-laden shoppers. The shops along Mondstadt's Southern gates were practically teeming with crowds of revelers hurrying along to participate in the many festive games and competitions.
Of the many games and competitions, five events had proven exceptionally popular, providing diverse options for the daring and cautious alike.
Perennial favorite the Bullseye Balloons tournament was organized by the Springvale Hunters' Guild. While it was meant to drum up interest in the guild and drive membership by allowing its members to tutor with and guide interested participants in the art of archery, it was known to devolve into chaos with its dazzling array of explosive balloons. This year, Klee and Diona had somehow managed to top their brilliant balloon paintings from the year before, prompting the Dandelion Knight to personally oversee the event herself.
The second was Outrider Amber's Floral Freefall tournament which normally only attracted the bravest and most daring knights and adventurers. This year's event had somehow attracted considerably more interest from several locals and tourists alike after rumors of the enigmatic Captain Kaeya's drunken boast of possessing the highest score swept through the city. While those murmurs could have been quickly put to rest by the Cavalry Captain himself, he had insisted on remaining coy and evasive whenever anyone attempted to confirm their veracity.
"I don't know. You'd have to ask Amber," he shrugs for the seventeenth time that morning when he is approached once more this time by the entrance of Angel's Share tavern. "She's the one tracking times. However, only participants can learn the high scores and only outriders can participate so I'd only sign up if I was confident that I could beat the high score."
The Adventurers' Guild and Knights of Favonius had collaborated to organize the Peculiar Wonderland arena where braggadocios youth and daring souls could gather to challenge the grueling obstacle courses with their friends. While the courses had been selected to stimulate reflexes and attentiveness, they soon devolved into chaos as several vision-wielding participants quickly devised creative ways to outsmart the most challenging sections.
The fourth event, the Windtrace games, had been revived by a local by the name of Gygax. While Barbara remembered playing it as a child growing up, it had quickly developed a reputation as a children's game and fallen out of popularity soon after. With Honorary Knight's participation and promotion, it quickly received a much-needed resurgence in popularity forcing its organizers to secure various locations beyond the city lest the crowds disrupt their games.
But by far the most popular event, the Ballads of Breeze, was organized by the Church of Favonius and was a time-honored staple of the Windblume Festival. Harkening back to the earliest days of the growing rebellion in Old Mondstadt, the Church had selected a suite of soothing hymns and hopeful melodies to teach the interested participants gathered at the plaza.
While Barbara was particularly proud of her song selections, she found the tunes somewhat melancholic and politely declined to participate after giving the obligatory opening performance. Eager to occupy herself, she joins her fellow sisters handing out free lyres at the foot of the anemo archon's statue.
"Oh! Sister Barbara! Sister Barbara!" Paimon calls cheerily as she floats toward her with a broad beam. "Happy Windblume Sister Barbara!"
The Deaconess notices Lumine trailing after her gluttonous guide and turns to greet them with her winning smile and signature wink. She is inexplicably struck by a sudden wave of nausea that sends her stumbling off the stool she had been standing on. Closing her eyes, she braces herself for an impact that never materializes.
Confusion and panic knot her eyebrows as she feels a pair of large strong hands securing her to a broad, firm chest.
Ajax?! She wonders dimly, inhaling the heady scent of ash and grapes with a wistful sigh.
"Are you alright?" A deep voice inquires with a note of concern.
Far too nauseous to properly identify the vaguely familiar voice, Barbara parts her eyelids and turns to thank her savior. Blue eyes widen when they fall upon the half-lidded crimson irises of the sullen tavern-owner and it is all she can do not to unleash a deafening squeal as her face reddens.
"M-ma-mast-ter D-Di-luc—"
"Sister Barbara, oh dear! Are you alright?!" Lumine cries out as she and Paimon scramble to steady her. The brooding vintner silently releases her and steps aside content to observe from the sidelines as the outlander and her guide fuss over the reeling songstress. "What happened? Did you lose your balance?"
"Eeep!" Paimon squeaks. "She's so pale! I don't think she's alright!"
"I-I'm f-f-ine," the Deaconess stutters, flushing badly now as she meets Diluc Ragnvindr's inscrutable gaze.
Despite his relationship with Jean, this was the first time she had seen him since their brief encounter after her return from Liyue Harbor. A shudder runs down her spine as she recalls the intensity of his fiery gaze as he had pressed her about her relationship with the Eleventh Harbinger.
I wonder if he's on his way back to Snezhnaya. She wonders distractedly as she weakly waves away her friends' ministrations.
"You say that Barbara, but you look as white as a sheet," Paimon observes crossing her tiny arms with a grave frown.
Beside her, Lumine nods in agreement while the Ragnvindr heir calmly looks on. Something in his expression and demeanor is reminiscent of a hawk serenely perched atop a branch observing a group of prey seemingly undecided.
"I'm fi-fine," the songstress lies with a forced chuckle even as the world spins out of focus yet again.
"Perhaps you should lie down," Diluc Ragnvindr suggests finally returning to her side.
"N-no pl-please," the Deaconess sputters bashfully. "I'm f-fine ho-n—"
"Look I get that you don't want to worry anyone but seeing as you can barely stand as it is," the vintner observes calmly. "It'll be disastrous when you collapse in the middle of the plaza in front of everyone. Don't you think it best to retire quietly and recover your strength privately?"
Barbara's eyebrows tighten in concern as she considers the Ragnvindr heir's words. Unable to find any plausible reason to resist further, she reluctantly assents, allowing her friends to lead her away.
"Do you think I should fetch Jean, Diluc?" Lumine asks as they climb the stairs leading towards the church dormitories.
"No. She has her hands full at the moment so it's probably best to leave her be," the sullen vintner replies as he follows behind them. "I'll have Elzer summon my doctor to examine her. I'm sure she's been under a lot of stress running around for the festival."
"No, no please don't—" Barbara begins to protest, leaning back to observe him from over her shoulder.
"Trust me it is no bother," Diluc Ragnvindr assures her, his expression softening visibly as their eyes meet.
"Pl-please I-I d-don't like doctors," the Deaconess admits bashfully.
"Shall I fetch Lisa instead?" Paimon offers with a shrug.
Barbara nods hesitantly. She is slightly taken aback and loses her balance momentarily when Lumine turns to call after Paimon as she excuses herself to summon the flirtatious librarian. The Ragnvindr heir is there to steady her, effortlessly stepping in to hoist her free arm over his strong shoulders.
The vast difference in height momentarily disorients her, prompting Lumine to release her other side. Before Barbara can make sense of what is going on, Diluc Ragnvindr stoops down and effortlessly scoops her into his arms, securing her against his broad chest before turning to nod at Lumine.
They continue in awkward silence, Lumine leading the way while Barbara's small hands awkwardly press against the tycoon's chest. When she is sure that his gaze is trained ahead, she sneaks a glance at him, noting a slight scowl furrowing his eyebrows.
"I-I'm s-sorry for the i-in-inconvenience," she blurts, thoroughly apologetic.
"Huh? No, it's no bother. Really," he insists. "I'm just glad you didn't hurt yourself."
"It was very lucky that we were passing by," Lumine adds. "I don't know what would have happened if you had landed on your head."
"W-w-were you both walking together?" Barbara asks, eagerly shifting the focus from her condition.
"Yeah, Gygax asked us to convince Diluc to let us organize a few Windtrace matches at the Dawn Winery," Lumine explains.
"Oh! That sounds very exciting," Barbara beams before turning to address the sullen vintner with a charming smile. "Please say yes."
"Very well," Diluc assents with a dry chuckle. "As long as they don't disrupt our delivery routes I suppose there's no harm in it."
"Oh! Thank you so much, Diluc! Wait till I tell Paimon and Gygax," the Outlander cheers pumping her fists in glee.
When they reach the Deaconess' apartment door, the Honorary Knight holds it open for Diluc to walk through before following and leading the way to Barbara's bedroom. After carefully setting her down onto the soft cushions of her mattress, Diluc excuses himself, leaving Lumine to help Barbara change into her sleeping gown.
It was the first time they had been alone in her apartment since that fateful night months ago when the Outlander had brought Childe's dying form through her balcony door. A wry chuckle escapes Barbara as she feels her friend's steadying touch along the small of her back, carefully guiding her towards the edges of her waiting bed.
When she reaches for the edge of her bed, the songstress is happy to note that her earlier dizzying spell had finally subsided, allowing her to properly orient and support herself. She turns to thank Lumine and informs her of this prompting the Outlander to excuse herself as she hastens to fetch the Deaconess a glass of water.
Barbara turns toward the bed and recalls Ajax's sleeping form lying helplessly beneath her sheets. His shock of orange hair clashing beautifully against the muted colors of her pastel pillowcases. She recalls the shocking moment she had eased his shirt off his shoulders only to be greeted by his alarming collection of scars, each impossibly more harrowing than the next.
Oh, Ajax.
In the week that had passed since their discussion by the Grand Goth hotel, she had found herself reminiscing about their brief time together. While she barely knew him, there was something calming and familiar about his presence. For weeks she had obsessed over the reason for her sudden infatuation, desperate to explain the crushing weight his absence inspired.
I know I made the right choice so why does it hurt so much? Is this what mother meant when she was talking about Mother Gunnhildr? No. That's so silly. How can a silly crush top her friends' sacrifice?
As she is changing back into her frock, she catches a glimpse of her figure in her vanity mirror and turns to study it intently. She recalls the intensity of Childe's fingers as they groped and kneaded her pliant flesh that fateful night at the Liuli Pavilion.
What does he see in me? She wonders, a bemused frown lining her lips.
Like her older sister, she had inherited their mother's delicate features and flaxen hair. But while training and exercise had sculpted the acting Grand Master's long legs and shapely thighs to compliment the curves of her narrow waist and broad hips, Barbara's own legs had remained maddeningly short and skinny.
As the songstress lowers her gaze to inspect her humble bosom, a sudden knock at her bedroom door interrupts her.
"Y-yes? Come in." She calls back as she hastily gets dressed.
Lumine returns with a cup of cool water which she wordlessly hands over before moving to perch herself against a nearby wall. As Barbara parts her lips to mutter a word of thanks, she notices movement from the corner of her eyes and turns to find Diluc Ragnvindr standing awkwardly by her half-open bedroom door.
"How are you feeling, Sister Barbara?" the vintner asks, a subtle note of concern lacing his words.
"Much better," Barbara replies cheerily. "I think I should get back down to help out with the festival."
"We've been through this. You're not well. You have to—"
"B-but M-master D-Diluc I'm f-fine," the songstress insists clutching her hands together earnestly as she holds his gaze.
She knows what will happen if she is left alone to rest, for she has been dreading every moment of solitude—no matter how fleeting—since the Eleventh Harbinger's departure. It was why she continues seeking out the company of her sister and friends even though her face was beginning to hurt from the intensity of her forced smiles. There was no other choice. She has to remain busy. To occupy her thoughts with something productive lest it wades into dangerous waters.
Diluc Ragnvindr's expression softens, and he lets out a hollow sigh before stepping away to allow her some privacy to get changed. Eager to leave her apartment before he had a chance to change his mind, the petite songstress hastens to finish the glass of water Lumine had brought her.
No sooner had she swallowed the last drop of water did her stomach churn violently, forcing her to double over as her lips parted to unleash a sudden stream of bile and her partially-digested breakfast. The world around her spins once more plunging her into a pit of piercing blackness. She lies weightless, for some time as if suspended. Blind. Thoughtless. Truly at peace. Only vaguely aware of the muffled footsteps and voices moving about her.
At first, the words are impossible to discern lulling her into an eerily soothing stupor where she remains for what seems like several hours. In time, the voices sharpen until she can finally recognize each speaker in turn. But the meaning behind their words eludes her still until several hours later when she picks out the muffled sound of her older sister's concerned musings.
She awakens to find herself lying fully clothed in bed, the dying rays of the sun streaming into her half-open window. Through the gap beneath her door, she notes the flickering glow of a lantern and makes out what appears to be the shadows cast by several feet filling the corridor beyond.
"—trust him but what other choice do we have?"
Big sister! Barbara notes, delight bubbling through her as she tries to rise to her feet. Her hands still as a sudden wave of nausea rips through her.
Oh no! Not again. She panics, blue eyes watching the ground helplessly as she waits for her stomach to settle. What's wrong with me? I don't understand. Did I eat something off?
"If you had kept me in the loop none of this would have happened."
Mr. Diluc?
The Deaconess shifts her focus to her bedroom door as she strains her ears to pick up more of their conversation. Judging from the winery owner's tone earlier he was mildly irritated by something her older sister had said.
Oh no! Are they arguing?
"If I had kept you in the loop, you would have confronted him and risked an international incident," Jean snaps back.
"No, we wouldn't," the Ragnvindr heir barks, his heavy footfalls approaching and receding as he paces back and forth.
"He's a harbinger, Diluc," the Dandelion Knight disagrees. "What do you think will happen if we challenge one of the Tsaritsa's favored ambassadors? Or have you forgotten what Grand Master Varka said?"
Are they arguing because of me?! She wonders as she tiptoes toward the door.
"Oh, I remember the Grand Master's warning," Diluc scoffs. "I remember it a little too well. But I respectfully disagree with his methods. Besides, he's already fallen out of the Tsaritsa's favor. It's only a matter of time before they replace him. A scuffle will give her the perfect excuse to recall him to Snezhnaya."
"What makes you so sure?" the acting Grand Master presses genuinely intrigued.
"My sources in Snezhnaya tell me that the Tsaritsa's critics have grown bolder these past few months. Rumor has it that at least one harbinger has secretly pledged allegiance to their cause and vowed to thwart her quest to obtain the remaining gnoses. Naturally, as the most mercurial harbinger, she suspects him of inciting the rebellion against her. Apparently, she's not too far off. One of his colleagues embarrassed him immensely on the Tsaritsa's account some time ago and he's been holding a grudge ever since."
"Still," the Gunnhildr heiress sighs. "Even if that was true. It's too dangerous Diluc. Grand Master Varka specifically warned you about meddling with Fatui affairs."
"I'm not foolish enough to go looking for trouble, Jean," Diluc sniffs. "But I will not turn the other way when trouble comes waltzing into my home."
"Diluc, please, you're scaring—I'm worried. According to Grand Master Varka, the Tsaritsa recruited him specifically to deal with you. Your prior skirmishes with the Fatui really set her back and she cannot risk you spoiling her plans again, especially now that she captured three gnoses."
"Hang on," the tycoon says holding his gloved hand up as a contemplative frown creases his eyebrows. "According to Lumine, La Signora has secured the anemo and geo gnoses. That's two. What makes you think they have obtained a third?"
What?! The Fatui have stolen the anemo archon's gnosis? When? How? Oh no! Was it when the Holy Lyre der Himmel broke?! She makes a mental note to inspect the sacred relic first thing tomorrow morning.
"I—er—" Jean sputters uncharacteristically. Barbara starts slightly at the sudden shift in her older sister's voice. The sudden sound of scurrying footsteps reaches her as a brief struggle ensues. Alarmed, Barbara cracks open her door and peers through in time to see Diluc wrap his hands around the acting Grand Master's waist, rooting her firmly to his side as she struggles briefly to flee his question. "Diluc please I—it was a slip of—"
"Jean," the Ragnvindr heir presses sternly. "Has the third gnoses been stolen?"
"I don't know…I'm not sure."
"Then why did you—"
"H-he s-said—"
"Who said?" When she does not immediately respond, he repeats his question slower now. "Who said?"
"T-Tar—Mr. Tartaglia."
"A-Aajax?!" Barbara gasps, stumbling back loudly. When she tries to silence her movements, she trips over her own feet and crashes gracelessly to the floor.
There is nothing but piercing silence for a brief moment, and the petite songstress gingerly pulls herself into a sitting position. Listening intently for any sign that the others had heard her fall, her mind begins to spin as she recalls Childe's mission to Fontaine. He had mentioned it in passing that fateful night at the Liuli Pavilion as they had discussed her desire to become a harbinger.
"Very well then. I have a mission in Fontaine which I leave for tomorrow. Think it over for now. If you still want to join me when I return I'll take you to Zapolyarny Palace myself and get you an audience with her Majesty."
"W-why a-are y-you going to Fontaine?"
"Sorry, Kroshka, but I'm afraid I can't tell you that," he had replied shooting her a charming smile over his shoulder.
Was that why? Did he? The Hydro Archon?! No wonder it took him so long to get back. Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! How could he?!
"Barbara?!" Jean calls out in shock.
The songstress squeals as the Dandelion Knight and her lover barge into her room, their weapons drawn and aimed at the phantom intruder. When they realize that the Deaconess is very much alone, they sheathe their blades and turn to examine her.
"What's wrong?" the acting Grand Master asks as she hurries to her sister's side. "Did you fall? Are you hurt?"
"I-I'm fi-fine," Barbara insists, sheepishly brushing her hands away as they begin to pulse with healing anemo energy.
"Stop saying that," Diluc scolds crossing his arms. "You've been off all day and threw up this morning."
"I'm f-fine, honest?" the Deaconess protests weakly.
"Barbara, Diluc says you've been having trouble remaining upright," Jean notes kindly. "What's wrong? Are you feeling nauseous? Is the room spinning?"
"I think it's just something I ate." Barbara wonders briefly if her words sound as hollow to them as they do to her.
"We'll know soon enough," Diluc informs them coolly.
"What do you mean?" Barbara asks turning to face him now.
"I'm so sorry, Barbara," the Dandelion Knight sighs, a solemn frown twisting the corners of her lips. "W-when y-you th-threw up this morning and fainted again I had Lisa take a look at you. She tried to give you some potions while you were unconscious but you couldn't keep much down so she drew some blood and decided to run some tests."
"Oh, w-what do the t-tests say?" Barbara wonders, her voice soft and bashful as she blushes at the thought of all the trouble she had caused her friends.
"We don't know yet," Jean replies quietly, reaching out to rub soothing circles along her small back. "How long have you been feeling nauseous?"
"I-I d-don't know, it started this morning," the Deaconess shrugs as she turns to meet her sister's gaze.
There is a knock at the front door of her apartment suite which Diluc immediately marches to answer. While he is away, Jean shifts to hold her sister's shoulder, turning the petite songstress until they are facing each other.
"Ar-are you…" she trails off flushing deeply as she shoots the Deaconess a meaningful look. When Barbara does not understand, she clears her throat and leans forward to whisper. "A-a-are you on your period?"
"Oh!" Barbara gasps blushing furiously now as the Dandelion Knight pulls away. Unable to articulate her response, she merely meets her older sister's gaze before shaking her head.
"Oh, well I just thought—I know Lisa sometimes throws up whenever hers get really bad," the acting Grand Master chuckles awkwardly.
"Hey, sweeties," the buxom librarian greets as she follows the Ragnvindr heir into the songstress' bedroom. "Have you thrown up again?"
"Hey, Lisa…n-no I ha-haven't," Barbara replies as she meets the older woman's gaze with a sheepish smile.
"Splendid!" Lisa replies beaming broadly. Something about her smile seems very off. A gasp escapes Barbara when she notices how the lines of her smile never quite reach her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Barbara blurts as she finally notices the scroll between the Librarian's long fingers. "Am I sick? A-am I d-dying?"
"On the contrary," Lisa begins before catching herself and turning to address Diluc. "Diluc dear, be a doll and help me check up on Paimon and Lumine. They've been running around all day helping me gather the ingredients for my little potions."
"Where did you last see them?" Diluc asks with a worried sigh as he uncrosses his arms.
"I left them by Timaeus' alchemy shop," the Librarian replies. "Could you be a doll and put them up for the night?"
"Sure," the vintner replies as he moves to leave.
"Jean, could you fetch a glass of water for your sister?"
"Uh, n-now?" the Dandelion Knight stutters uncharacteristically.
"Yes, please," Lisa replies turning to face her fully. When she doesn't move the Librarian sighs before adding "I need to speak to Barbara in private."
"Huh?" the sisters blurt out in unison as they watch the older woman with identically bemused frowns.
"W-what's go-going on?" Barbara asks fighting back tears as she reaches to tug at the Librarian's gloved hand.
"A-are the te-test results that bad?" Jean wonders quietly.
"I'm sorry I can't say anything until we're alone," Lisa replies her smile softening considerably.
"Alright," Jean sighs as she turns to walk away.
"N-no pl-please Jean, don't leave me!" the songstress wails scurrying to her sister's side.
"Lisa, is this all really necessary?" the acting Grand Master asks, her brows creasing in concern as she stoops to comfort her sister.
"Is it bad?" Barbara presses as she turns to face the Librarian once more. "Is something wrong with me? Am I-I d-dying?"
The Librarian bows her head as she finally unfurls the scroll with a heavy sigh.
"You're not dying, Barbara," Lisa informs her with a pitying look. "You're pregnant."
Author's Note: And so, the plot thickens!
I'm curious to know what you all think of Lady Gunnhildr so far. Since we don't know much about her in-game, I decided to flesh her out a bit given what we know of both girls. While it's possible that she's not, I've always viewed her as a deeply repressed stage mom except somewhat well-meaning despite being extremely mentally abusive. What do you guys think?
I know that the Windtrace games did not happen during the Windblume Festival but I decided to correct that travesty! Given the lore behind Windtrace and the Windblume Festival and their shared themes of rebellion against oppression, I thought it would be fitting if its popularity was revived at the Windblume Festival.