"Tone-deaf bard! Hey!"

Venti quietly put his Lyre away when he heard Paimon call his name. Venti then stood up from his spot atop the statue's outstretched hands and looked down to see Lumine and Paimon down below. Lumine put both of her fists on her hips while Paimon waved at him. "We have something for you!" Paimon yelled out.

"A gift? I'll be right down!" Venti liked gifts, he hoped it was wine or an apple. Either one would make his day. So, without any further hesitation. Venti jumped from the statue's outstretched hands.

Paimon let out a startled gasp at Venti's, rather dramatic, way down. It was clear that, unlike Paimon, Lumine expected this kind of exit from Venti as she extended her arms out as if to catch him; there was no alarm or surprise on her face. Venti opened his glider when he felt close enough to the ground and he landed safely in Lumine's arms with his arms wrapped around the back of her neck. Lumine didn't seem the least bit surprised as she just shook her head and laughed a little.

Lumine let Venti down after a second or two.

A loud 'hmph!' left Paimon's mouth before she just sighed and turned to Lumine. "Are you sure you want to give this to him?" She inquired.

"Don't be rude." Lumine simply put it as she pinched Paimon's cheek before turning to Venti. "Here." All it took was one word before something was put into his hand. It looked like a talisman of sorts. Golden in color and made of paper with a red string dangling off of the end. Before Venti could read what the talisman said it embedded into the palm of his hand.

"...Did you just curse me?"

"What? No!" Lumine let out a laugh at Venti's question. "I've given you access to…" Lumine paused as if she realized what she was going to say was going to sound crazy. And it did. "...My teapot."

"...Your… teapot? Man, I know those things could be expensive…"

Lumine lightly tapped Venti's arm. "Stop it." She laughed. "I… set up a room for you in there. So you wouldn't be sleeping outside." She admitted. Really, that just made Venti even more confused if that was possible. The look of confusion showed on his face as seconds later Lumine spoke again. "Here. I'll show you." Then before he knew it she grabbed his hand. True to her word an actual teapot suddenly appeared in front of them he was dragged into the teapot.

Venti's eyes snapped open. "The teapot." He gasped out as the memory replayed itself in his head. He was careful as he moved his stiff body so he wouldn't fall. He hadn't meant to fall asleep on one of Windrise's branches, but it happened, and honestly he was glad he did. He knew he was forgetting something important and that teapot might be the key he needed.

Paimon might even be in there. 'That makes so much sense. She's been inside the teapot and either couldn't get out or just hadn't left.' Venti's heart actually leapt with a bit of glee as a his hopes rose.

Venti looked at his hand where the faint outline of the talisman's words shone.

"With that imprinted on your hand you can come and go as you please, and you don't have to worry. You'll turn up right where you left, so you won't accidentally be transported to Liyue." Paimon had been the one to explain to Venti. They shown him his bedroom. The bed was cozy and Venti happily kicked his legs off the edge.

"This is great! Thank you!" Venti had replied.

"I should warn you." Lumine lightly tapped Venti's forehead with her finger forcing him to focus on her. "I invited Zhongli as well, so you two might wind up interacting."

"Why would you invite that brute! He's so boorish and just all a round a bore!"

"Ha!" Paimon scoffed. "You're calling him boorish? That's rich!"

"Paimon." Paimon backed off at Lumine's warning tone. "You don't have to be nice, you just have to be civil, because like it not, Zhongli is a close friend to me as well as you." Lumine focused back around at Venti.

Venti let out a dramatic sigh. "Fiiiine. If I must. I just haven't seen Morax in such a long time…"

"Just...don't destroy the place. It took me a long, long time to get all of this stuff for you guys." Lumine gave Venti a soft smile that could make any man or woman melt.

Venti kept true to his word, he didn't want to upset Lumine. So, he just kept his distance if he ever felt Zhongli's presence around. The first time the two of them ran into one another in the teapot it was a very brief encounter. They didn't give the other any greeting, Venti opened his door and Zhongli was sitting at the dining table. They locked eyes and Venti promptly shut his door. He decided to just stay in his room for a while after that.

"Maybe…" Venti looked at the writing on his hand again. He never liked Zhongli, never got along with the Geo Archon, but right now Venti could use all the help he was willing to get. Venti did wish he could go to where the teapot was, odds are it was probably back where Lumine escaped from. Where Venti could find this 'Dahlia'.

"I'll take what I can get." Venti settled on. If he could Zhongli or, better yet, Paimon. Then he'll take it.

So, Venti relaxed his body and exhaled a long sigh, and just hoped the teapot hadn't been smashed. He closed his eyes, clenched his fists, and remembered what Lumine had told him. He thought of his room in the mansion and how much he wanted to be there.

Well, thankfully the teapot had not been smashed, as only seconds later he was away from Windrise in a plume of smoke and was swept away by a wind. Then, as soon as it happened, it stopped and he was laying on his bed, looking up at the ceiling. He didn't want to waste anymore time, he couldn't. So, he jumped from the bed and onto his feet.

Honestly; Venti didn't know what he expected when he slammed his bedroom door open. Maybe he hoped Zhongli would be at the dining table like he had been during their first 'interaction'. But no, all Venti was met with was… nothing. Just silence, say for the black and tan dog that was scratching at itself near the table.

'Dammit.' Venti thought, a little discouraged. He stood there and crossed his arms over his chest. Venti knew for a fact that Zhongli had a personal study that Lumine had gifted him. The study was obviously one of the three rooms on the bottom floor of the mansion, minus Venti's room. "Paimon?" He questioned out in the empty mansion, hoping the little traveling companion would show herself, but alas, he was met with silence. After a second, or two, of silence Venti made a bee-line for the first door within his line of sight and threw all niceties aside and just opened the door without knocking. Zhongli would understand-

Only, this wasn't Zhongli's study. No, this seemed to be a library of sorts. 'Had Lumine invited Lisa into the teapot?' The thought crossed Venti's mind but soon vanished. He had more important matters at hand. So, he shut the door and turned towards the room that was closest to the front door. Venti marched past the dog and to the door.

"Zhongli?" Venti steeled himself as he grabbed the handle. "Listen, I know we haven't exactly been-... I know we haven't seen eye-to-eye-... look, I need your help-" Venti turned the handle and opened the door. Only to see that, even though this was Zhongli's study complete with everything he would love, and more, it was completely and utterly empty. Zhongli wasn't here. Venti puffed out his cheeks in irritation. "Figures." he grumbled before crossing his arms over his chest.

'Now what?' Venti thought to himself and shut the door to Zhongli's beloved study. He pressed his back to the door and pondered the other possibilities. He hit the back of his head lightly against the door and did the only other thing he could think of doing. 'Maybe he'll be outside. I know Lumine has a tea shop set up on the beach.' It was a stretch but at this point, Venti was willing to try anything, even go all the way to Liyue himself if he had to.

So, Venti walked out of the mansion. Per-usual the weather outside was absolutely lovely, not too hot, not too cold, and a nice salty breeze from the ocean would sweep by every so often. It was perfect weather. However; there was something new in the sky, something that made Venti gasp in shock.

In the sky stood a deep dark crack. It was jagged and black in color like a crack one would see in a vase that fell. It took up half of the sky. So, not even the teapot was safe from whoever harmed Lumine. Venti was just glad that it was still standing and nothing more serious happened.

He had walked out just a little ways from the mansion and put his hands over his eyes to block the sun so he could get a better look at the crack from where he stood. It was silly of him, but Venti thought that maybe he might be able to see out the crack, that maybe he could see where the teapot lay and find it (and repair it if need be). But he saw nothing. Yet, he felt something.

Someone was tugging on the back of his cape. For a moment Venti figured it was one of the many, many, dogs Lumine had adopted inside of the teapot, but when he turned he got one hell of a surprise.

"Why hello, little one." Venti got down on one knee so he and this child were face to face. The child was small, clearly no older than Klee. A girl with lilac colored hair that was put into a long braid that reached her back and held by a bow. She was dressed in Liyuen clothes, all light purple or white in color. Her eyes were a dull shade of dark purple that made Venti frown for some reason. Then he saw the bandages around her legs before finally seeing the thing right in front of his face. A talisman. Venti didn't need to know Liyuen to understand what this girl was. Dead. She was dead and a zombie.

"Who… are you?" She inquired, her voice dull and monotone. Still, dead or not, she was absolutely adorable when she put her finger to her lips as she waited for his answer.

"I'm Venti, I'm a bard, and you?" Venti almost felt silly asking that question. Zombies had horrible , He was impressed when she answered.

"Qiqi…"

"What a lovely name."

"Thank you...I don't want to be a bother… but how do I leave again? Usually Lumine or Paimon reminds me. I wrote it down in my notebook, but I forgot it, again."

'Oh jeez, how long has she been stuck in here waiting for Lumine?' Venti instantly felt bad for the little zombie. The poor girl must have been stuck in here for days if not weeks. Still, if this girl was from Liyue then maybe…

"As a humble bard, I'd be more than happy to help you get home," Venti started proudly. "However: I need some help as well, Qiqi. Have you heard of an old man named Zhongli?" He knew this was a lost cause.

"Zhong...li?..." Qiqi paused and thought for a moment. "I don't think I've heard of him."

'Of course.' Venti sighed. "Very well, thank you anyways." True to his word. Venti gave Qiqi instructions on how to leave the teapot and go back home.

"Thank you."

'Take me with you.' Venti didn't know if it was possible for Qiqi to take him to Liyue with her, and he didn't want the poor girl to be stuck with him, or in this teapot, any longer. "It's no problem, little Qiqi."

"Even though I'll forget. What's your name?"

"You may call me Venti. Venti the bard!" He smiled and winked playfully.

"Venti. Green and white clothing. I like it." Qiqi gave just the tiniest smile as she took him all in. Venti really did feel bad for her, the poor girl wouldn't remember him.

"Qiqi, before you go. Is there anybody else in this teapot?" Venti decided to try just one last time. Her answer was just as he expected.

"Not that I'm aware of."

"I see, well, thank you for your time."

Qiqi gave Venti a small wave before vanishing before his eyes. Clearly she's been wanting to go home for sometime now. Once alone, Venti shot a sharp glare towards the crack. He crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. Clearly, someone was going to make this harder for him. "I've never been one to turn down a challenge." He told himself proudly. This was just going to take the one thing he hated more than anything.

Work. This was going to take a lot of work, and if he had to walk the whole way to Liyue in the end, then so be it.

There was nothing more in the teapot for Venti, and as much as he wanted to hang around and wait for Zhongli, Venti didn't know when or if Zhongli would ever show. So, after a couple of hours of stalking around the teapot, going in and out of the mansion, and around the beach, he eventually gave up and left.

When he returned outside of the teapot and back into Teyvat, Venti was back at Windrise, entangled in its many branches. With a leap, he jumped from his spot in the tree and landed on his feet just before the statue of Barbatos, and the color red caught his gaze. The windwheel asters swayed lazily in the breeze and Venti watched their movements before an idea formed into his head. It was small, but, if he couldn't be of any help then he'd at least try and help Lumine emotionally.

Before Venti knew it, the morning vanished and turned to late evening as he carried as many different flowers as he could hold in the crook of his arm. He had a bouquet of asters, snap dragons, sweet flowers, and, Lumine's personal favorite, celicia. He picked as many of those as he could find. After all, she chose the celicia for the windblume festival, wore them in her hair (much like Venti), it was only fitting he gifted her as many as he could.

Mondstadt was quiet, yet the whole city was buzzing with gossip. Venti could feel it deep in his bones as people spoke quietly, yet, excitedly to one another. Venti, at first, figured it might have been about Lumine still, big news and the whole town was speculating about who did it. However, the more he walked into Mondstadt the more he heard.

"Klee just found them-"

"-They looked so-"

"-I don't think they're from Mondstadt."

"I think I've seen them before, with the Honorary Knight!"

With so much talk, Venti just couldn't keep up. Had somebody been found? Somebody that might help them with this investigation? Venti sure hoped so, even though it technically wasn't any of this bard's business, he decided he'd drop by the Knight headquarters after he gave Lumine the flowers. Up the steps to the cathedral he went, holding the flowers so they wouldn't go flying off.

When Venti opened the door to the massive cathedral, he expected quiet talking, nuns whispering prayers, maybe he'd hear Lily talking to her father. Venti was not expecting to hear Klee's yell the moment he opened the door. "- my new friend!"

"Klee-" Jean tried to say. The moment the large door opened all eyes immediately turned to Venti. He felt like he had been caught doing something bad as he walked in when everyone looked at him. It seemed that almost all the knights had congregated there, but not by choice, Venti knew: They've all been there to see Lumine, and right now they were all circling...someone.

Venti shifted his eyes from knight to knight before straightening up. "Hello all, did something happen while I was out?" He kept himself in character as he offered them all a smile and walked up to their group.

"Well, it seems our little Spark Knight, here, picked up a straggler." Kaeya looked completely amused as he stepped to the side so Venti could see what the big commotion was.

Venti nearly dropped his bouquet as he was looking at Qiqi.

Qiqi tilted her head as she looked at Venti. Klee looked ecstatic as she held onto Qiqi's hand. "I found her wandering around, she looked lost and now she's Klee's new friend!" Klee hugged Qiqi tightly.

"Klee, she has to have a family that's worried sick about her." Jean sighed with a headshake. Though Jean didn't say it, the obvious hung in the air. 'A family from Liyue. She shouldn't be here.'

She really shouldn't.

"No family. All of Qiqi's family is dead… Qiqi is also dead." Qiqi said this like it was just a normal thing to spew out.

"I'm… sorry?" Diluc, who Venti realized had been in the back this whole time, looked at her in just a small display of shock.

"Once upon a time: Qiqi died, Qiqi was saved by the adepti, and now Qiqi is a zombie."

"Cool!" Klee gasped excitedly.

"Incredible-" Albedo leaned down so he could look at Qiqi. "An actual zombie, I've heard of such a thing but never thought-'' Albedo looked like he was going to pull a strand of Qiqi's hair, but Barbara physically moved her shoulder down and pulled Qiqi into her chest so Albedo couldn't touch her. All it took was a glare from the deaconess and Albedo obediently backed off.

"Qiqi-" Jean decided to take control of this situation. "Do you remember how you got here?"

"Uh…"

"It's no good asking her questions. Zombies have terrible memories." Venti found his voice again. He decided to keep the fact that Qiqi currently lives in a teapot with Lumine a secret for the time being.

"Yet, she remembers she's a zombie?" Amber questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"It's in her long term memory, not her short term. A better question to ask would be:.. Qiqi? Do you have anybody who you consider family? Somebody we can return you to? A master maybe?"

"Qiqi has no master, but as for family…" Qiqi put her finger to her lip and thought. For a second Venti thought that maybe that was too much of an ask and she had nobody in her long term, but it was Venti who forgot an important detail. He found Qiqi in Lumine's teapot. "Qiqi see's Lumine as family. Lumine would happily take Qiqi back to the pharmacy." The smile slipped from Venti's- no- everybody's face started to fall. Venti coughed suddenly, hoping to hide his sudden slip of emotion.

"I see…" Diluc sighed out as he looked away from Qiqi.

Qiqi may be a Zombie, and she may lack emotion (and memory) but it seemed she could still read facial expressions quite well. "Did… something happen to Lumine? Does she need Qiqi's help?"

Instantly several people spoke up, all telling Qiqi that Lumine was fine (lies). Venti happened to be one of those people. Qiqi, though a zombie, was still a little girl. A little girl who didn't need to worry about the shape Lumine was in right now.

"I would normally suggest that someone should take Qiqi back to Liyue-"

"I could do that, Master Jean." Noelle piped up before Jean could finish. "I know the way to Liyue and back."

"I know, Noelle, and I have no doubt that you could handle yourself as well, but it's getting late. The sun is already setting. I can't justifiably let you leave this late especially with what happened…" Jean trailed off and looked at Qiqi to Noelle. She didn't need to say it. Everybody already knew who she was talking about. "It's probably best if we wait until morning."

Noelle, and the others, reluctantly understood and nodded in begrudging agreement.

"So, what will we do with the little one then?" Kaeya asked as looked at Qiqi.

"Oh! Oh! Can Qiqi stay with Klee tonight?" Klee ecstatically asked Jean while she jumped up and down.

"You want Qiqi to stay with you?" Qiqi seemed confused by this as her head tilted.

"Yeah, like a slumber party-"

"Qiqi doesn't need sleep…"

Venti drowned them out as he looked towards the door where Lumine slept- was she still sleeping? Had she awoken already. Venti steadied the flowers on his arms as he stood. He was just going to pop in and put the flowers in a vase. Nothing more, nothing less, he figured now would be a good time while everyone was already distracted.

So, he turned and walked towards the door. Nobody stopped him, and he walked in. Quietly shutting the door behind him.

It was different in this quiet room and lonely room. No knights, no little zombie girls, no yelling, fighting, or vows of vengeance. Just the occasional flicker from the candles that rested while Lumine laid prone on the bed.

Her clothes were stripped and no doubt at the tailor's to be patched and fixed up. So, she was wearing a simple white long-sleeved top and red skirt. Venti felt his nose scrunch a little. Red didn't fit Lumine color-wise. Maybe he was just biased to her usual white, gold, and black color-scheme.

Venti knew by the overpowering and dizzy smell of flowers, that he wasn't the only person to give her flowers. There were so many vases and flowers surrounding her bed on small stands around her.

'No wonder it was so hard for me to find all these.' He thought once he found a suitable vase to put all of his flowers. He had a sneaking feeling that most, if not all, of the flowers were gifts from the knights themselves. Though, the small plush toys, those all probably came from the other citizens, say for the baron bunny that laid beside her in bed, vigilantly watching over her while she slept. Venti knew for a fact that Amber was waiting to give that to Lumine for her birthday.

It all just tugged at his heartstrings and made him frown.

Lumine laid prone and still, say for the rise and fall of her chest. Most of the little nicks and bruises were all but healed, yet… Venti's eyes trailed from her face down to the hand nearest him. The cut that went through her palm was still very visible. Red and angry, but scarred over and healing. Barbara was doing a great job.

"Lumine, why do you still sleep?" He wondered out loud to himself. 'It's been almost two days…' It worried Venti; truth be told. How long will she sleep for? She needs food at some point or else she'll perish. Right?

'Maybe she's a zombie like Qiqi, blessed and brought to life by the archons or Liyue adepti.' It was a silly thought that made Venti smile. Still, as she rested, Lumine looked so peaceful, so relaxed, and not… well..

His mind flashed back to the previous day, to her scared, and scarred face.

Venti shook the thought out of his head. When movement caught his eye, for a hopeful second, Venti thought maybe she was waking up, but no. Her fingers twitched in her sleep and that was all. She was dreaming, which was also good. 'Maybe-?' Venti looked down at his hands and wondered if it were possible for him to enter her dreams, no doubt her dreams would tell them everything they needed to know.

Barbatos stirred a little as he looked at her twitching fingers. Venti felt like he was moving in slow motion as he started to reach for her hand with his. It was worth a shot, right? Yeah, it was invasive, but-

"Mr. Bard?" The door opened and Venti jerked his arm back to his side as Barbara poked her head in. That girl had incredible timing. Venti looked at her and smiled.

"Right here." He stood up grasping his wrist tightly. "I apologized, I wanted to give her a gift."

"You and all of Mondstadt." Barbara smiled softly at him. "Just give the honorary knight time, she'll be up and about before you know it."

"Of course. I believe fully in your healing prowess, Barbara. If anybody can heal Lumine to full strength again, it'll be you."

Barbara blushed at his compliment. "Thank you."

"Now, a bard's job is never done!" Venti smiled brightly at her as he started for the door. "I must be off my lovely deaconess! 'Till next time!" When his back was to her, the smile dropped and he tucked some of his hair behind his ear.

Most of the knights had left by the time he made it back. Qiqi was holding on to Lisa's hand now. "-Of course, I'll take good care of this cutie-" Lisa paused, that was the nickname she had given Lumine, and tried again. "-Of this darling girl, tonight."

"Qiqi is confused…"

"Don't worry. I know it's hard to ask you to remember, but just know. We aren't going to hurt you. Alright?" Lisa told Qiqi in a comforting voice. "We'll get you back to Liyue first thing in the morning."

Jean leaned in and whispered something to Lisa. Something that made Diluc snort in amusement.

"Of course, Jean. You worry too much." Lisa playfully pinched Jean's cheek. And with that, Lisa turned, and with Qiqi's hand in hers, they walked away.

"Jean, if I can ask. What did you tell, Ms. Lisa?" Albedo inquired once the door shut.

"I told her to keep her doors locked because Qiqi will forget where she is and try to escape."

"Smart." Albedo agreed. "Maybe I should tell Lisa to give Qiqi a paper with who she is and why she's there so she doesn't make an attempt to get out if that does happen. After all, Qiqi has a vision and a sword."

"She carries a sword?" Diluc questioned as he kept his arms crossed over his chest.

"Yes, Klee informed me. Apparently when they met, Qiqi was fighting off a hilichirl."

"Yes then that would be best, we can't have Qiqi panicking and trying to attack Lisa or vice versa, Albedo-" Before Jean could finish, Albedo nodded.

"-On it." He left, leaving just the three of them alone.

When the doors shut, and Venti made sure Viktor wasn't around, he approached them. "This is getting… weird." Jean muttered as she scratched at her head.

"Don't think I didn't see that look you gave when you saw Qiqi." Diluc came over to Venti. "You know her?"

"Uh… well... funny you should ask that. I just met her this morning." Venti didn't know where to start as he scratched the back of his head. "Not on the road or in the wild either… you guys might want to sit down. It's about to get even weirder.