First things first this is a fanfic inspired by a fanfic, therefore when we start Arc 1 not everything will make sense without reading the original work. The original work: Will the wind endure, belongs to Millie333. Who is both here on fanfiction and AO3 under the same name. I have permission from the auteur to use their series as my source of mine.
The chapters in this story will happen weeks before the events of Will the wind endure. So this is Arc 0, for my character, here you will meet her, see how she integrates and interacts with Mondstadt and her citizens.
English is not my first language so I apologise for any mistakes. Also, there is no update schedule for this fanfic, updates are sporadic and will happen when I finish writing a chapter.
Also, theirs and my writing style are (vastly) different, just so you know.
She had been too late, or more accurately awakened too late. After absorbing Durin's power, her body had been put into a deep sleep to prevent her from going on a rampage while her body adjusted itself. When she woke up a whole week had passed, when Durin informed her of this fact she was saddened by the news. Though she reassured him that it wasn't his fault as he couldn't have known that this would happen. Since she has no connection to Mondstadt she decided to stay within Dragonspine, hunting small prey and 'borrowing' blankets for a nest-like structure within the cave. Of course, she left some mora for the 'borrowed' blankets. When she asked Durin about the nest he admitted that that was probably because she has part of a dragon's soul within her. The pattern of hunting small prey and doing 'pest control' around Dragonspine went on for about two weeks, giving her plenty of time to get used to her new powers and way of life.
Her first interaction with Mondstadt was ironically with the Archon she failed to protect, who was sleeping peacefully under the Frostbearing tree. Coming closer she smelt the familiar scent of alcohol.
'He is drunk?' I ask myself as I kneel in front of him, studying him. 'I can't leave him here… The tree will keep him warm but it won't offer much protection to any danger that lurks around here.' I mumbled before letting out a sigh, my course of action determined. Carefully I hoist the bard on my back, supporting him with my right arm, and start walking back to my nest.
'Durin? I brought a guest with me.' I tell him as I enter the cave. 'A guest? I thought you didn't want to interact with them?' He asks me, surprised. 'Yeah, well this one is a special case.' I tell him as I lower Venti in my nest before covering him with a blanket. 'He is drunk.' Durin remarks. 'Hm, must be a side effect of losing his Gnosis.' I theorize as I start preparing a small meal with the ingredients I collected. After the Mora Meat was done I walked back to my nest with two servings, set one aside for Venti. Looking him over I remove his Barrett and undo the braids in his hair. -I wonder how he ended up here, especially drunk. And how people let him get this drunk.- I think as I take a bite out of my meal.
Just as I finished my meal, he began to stir. 'Venti?' I ask as he slowly opens his eyes. 'How do you feel?' I ask as his gaze focuses on me. -Is he still drunk?- I wonder as I take note of his cloudy eyes. 'Where?' He asks as he tries to sit up. 'You are in Dragonspine, but don't worry you're safe here.' I answer him, though it doesn't look like the words register. 'You are still drunk, go back to sleep.' I tell him as I gently force him down. As I gently brush his hair, his eyes close and he is asleep once again.
'I must confess I don't know much about dealing with drunk people but this doesn't seem normal.' I remark. 'I agree, the drink was probably spiked.' Durin theorizes. 'Also there are people from Mondstadt by the Frostbearing tree.' He informs me. 'Right, they're probably looking for him. I'll go and take a look, can you look after Venti for me?' I ask him as I stand up. 'Alright, but be careful.' He tells me. 'I will, please notify me if he wakes up.' I promise as I walk out of the cave and to the Frostbearing tree.
Arriving in the clearing I hide behind the tree, observing the three figures in front of the tree. 'Well, he's definitely been here.' Diluc says as he crouches by a patch of snow in front of the tree. 'But the question is; where is he now? Do the footprints tell you anything, Kaeya?' The Acting Grandmaster Jean asks. 'The footprints definitely belong to a human, but it looks nothing like the footprints left behind by the Fatui or treasure hunters for that matter.' He reports as he looks around. 'This is getting us nowhere and we still haven't figured out what the substance is that his drink was spiked with.' Kaeya continues. -So Durin was right, his drink was spiked. Still, it doesn't seem like they're going to leave unless they know his location. What to do, what to do…- I wonder as I continue to observe them.
-Charlotte, he is waking up and more lucid this time around- Durin tells me. -Right, I'll come your way.- I send back as I carefully make my way back up the mountain and towards my nest. Checking every few moments to make sure nobody followed me. As I enter my nest a barrier comes to stand, just as a safety precaution. Walking deeper inside I see Venti eating the meal I set aside for him. -I guess I can take that as a good sign, it probably means that there are no lingering side effects of whatever drug he was given.- I think as I wait for him to notice me.
Not a moment later he looks up and we make eye contact, his eyes clearer than last time. 'Yo, glad to see you're awake. How do you feel?' I greet him. 'I feel fine I guess? Though I don't remember how I got here.' He tells me and I nod. 'I brought you here after I found you passed out against the Frost bearing tree. And are you sure that you're fine? No headaches or being nauseous?' I ask. 'No I feel fine, why do you ask?' He asks back. 'Your drink was spiked with an unknown substance.' I reply as I take in his surprised look.
'Your arm…' He whispers surprised and in reflex I grab my left arm with my right. 'Ah, don't worry about it.' I tell him as he moves forward, as his hand almost touches my arm I jump back. 'Don't! Don't touch it.' I yell. -He might still be an Archon but there is no telling what my poison will do to him. Wait, poison… that's it! Durin, did we make any anaesthetics when we were experimenting?- I ask as I run to the closet where I keep my premade poisons. -I don't believe we did.- He answers as I inspect the inventory. 'Alright, so it's not one of mine.' I mumble.
'Something wrong?' I hear from my left and I jump a bit as I see Venti next to me. 'I just checked if one of my concoctions was missing, luckily they're all here. And next time please stand on my right side.' I tell him as I turn towards him. 'Standing at my left side is dangerous, you could get hurt.' I warn him, looking at my claw. 'But I want to know how the scales feel if they feel the same as Dvalin's.' He pouts and I turn my head to the left. -Huh, he is not even trying to keep his identity a secret- I remark as I sigh. 'Fine but only the lower arm.' I tell him as I focus on keeping the poison in my upper arm while Venti touches the scales.
'They're soft?!' He exclaims surprised. 'A bit sturdier than those of Dvalin but just as gentle.' He continues as he pets the scales. -How can scales be soft and gentle?- I wonder as I let him do his thing. 'These are Durin scales aren't they?' He asks sounding slightly more serious and I nod. 'So you managed to tame that old grump?' He asks smirking. Taken back by the remark and feeling Durin stew in the back of my head, it takes a second before I respond. 'Part of his essence/power is within me. And he says that he is not a grump.' I relay the message. 'You can communicate with each other?' He asks, eyes filled with wonder. 'En, because part of him is within me we can communicate.' I tell him. 'That's amazing, eh..?' 'Charlotte.' 'That is amazing, Charlotte.' He tells me and I can't help myself as I ruffle his hair with my right hand. Before remembering the three people I saw by the Frostbearing tree.
'Your people are worried about you, you need to return to them.' I tell him as I gently remove his hand from my left arm. 'But it's comfortable here.' He pouts. 'Your people are worried, they are looking for you.' I repeat as I focus on a spot on the wall. 'And if I send a message to them?' He asks and I sigh. 'If you do that right now and make sure they don't misunderstand the message, then yes you can stay for the night. But tomorrow you're going back to Mondstadt.' I give in. 'Yahoo, you're the best.' He celebrates before creating a small Crystal fly. As it flies away I open the barrier for a bit so it can deliver the message.
After that is done Venti grabs my claw and leads me back to my nest. 'What did I tell you?' I reprimand him before I take notice of his hands, their clean, no sign of my poison. 'How?' I mumble as we take a seat in my nest. 'It is all about intent. You don't want to hurt anybody so your power reflects that wish.' Venti explains and I smile slightly, happy that the chance of me hurting anyone unintentionally decreased somewhat. 'Well, I'm going to take a nap.' He proclaims and drops his head in my lap. Bewildered, I look at him. -I wonder, is the drug still lingering in his system? That would explain this behaviour.- I think as I pet his hair, earning a happy sigh. -For all that he is allergic to cats he sure acts like one.- I muse before laying down, laying Venti's head on my stomach. It doesn't take long before I also join him in the land of dreams.