Author's notes:
Hi! Back with another chapter!
I know I haven't been updating my fics lately, which is because life got very busy recently. But I am making time, and while updates would be slow, just know I'm still alive and kicking to bring more Breakout Into Song!
Due note, before the next chapter of BIS, I might be focusing on updating my other fics first (NieR MHST, Primal Fangs and Bullets). Just so you guys know.
Now, our lovely cast for today is our dear Sister Rosaria and the Church of Favonius Sisters!
*I know I promised last chapter that it would be a summer themed with Aether, but I decided to forgo it for the moment for this one instead. Also Aether will be the traveler for this chapter though and not the abyss Prince like last time he appeared.
And if you could tell by the title, the song parody today is: "I won't say (I'm in love)" from Disney's Hercules. You can listen to the instrumental for the immersion too!
There's also a minor lemon and a short bonus, after the chapter...
Without further ado Here is the chapter enjoy!
Chapter 4:
'I Won't Say (I'm In Love)' Church of Favonius Edition
(Ft. Rosaria & Favonius Sisters)
.
It was the Windblume festival.
A time when the people of Mondstadt would come together to shower their city with flowers and songs for their beloved lovers, family members, and others alike.
Bards will sing songs and play theirs lyres, some would take learning poetry, and many others were having fun playing the games planned. All in celebration of this festival of Love and Freedom that their country has become known of.
Besides their delicious and tantalizing Dandelion wine, plus the Alcoholics who covet it. If anything, the Windblume Festival gave many reasons and a cause of celebration for the tavern owners to make a profit from drunkards alike drinking merrily. For all of Mondstadt, it was happy time and a season of joy. That many would take the opportunity to relax.
Following in example of their Patron god Barbatos, unknowingly.
"Ehe~"
Hopefully not in excess.
But behind the merrymaking and joyful festivities, Mondstadt also has its protectors to thank for watching over their dear city during this blossoming season.
The knights and those vigilantes of the night, remaining diligent in their duty of keeping the peace and allowing the opportunity for their Windblume Festival to proceed without err. Working hard in defending the freedom they're ancestors have fought for, and essentially making sure none would come to ruin this precious time of the year.
Yet not even Mondstadt's defenders were immune to the overall mood of the Windblume Festival. There were knights coming home to families and loved ones. Adventurers spending time with companions they've come to call as true friends. And many in Mondstadt pursuing a hopeful and budding new romance with another.
With one individual finding herself among the others in the throes of love.
Or rather, part of the few minority who are still trying to figure out their own feelings.
At the main plaza in front of city's cathedral, many arrays of large bouquets of flowers and decorated topiaries of various designs were strewn around the statue of their patron god Barbatos. The area looked more like an extravagant garden than its normal appearance of an open space for bards to sing their songs and crowds forming to listen.
But now it was night. With no bards or crowds present. No music played or merrily cheering made.
Only the calm silence that accompanies this time of the day remains. And the beauty of the plaza's current flora themed appearance surrounding the large statue of Barbatos. It is here one could find someone sitting atop the raised hands of Mondstadt's famed statue. A person that many would be surprised to find at the dead of night, with a seemingly dejected expression.
Sister Rosaria.
Known as the black sheep and cold inquisitor of the church of Favonius to the public. But a deadly assassin of the night to those with dealings in the shadows and scum of Teyvat.
She was the kind of sister no one would expect, lacking in faith and devotion to their Archon, and caring less of her duties as a church sister. More focus in her own self-duty of defending Mondstadt at night. Normally stoic and indifferent in demeanor, while cold and unmerciful to sinners alike against the city of freedom.
Overall having a cool presence to others who have a chance in meeting and getting to know her a bit.
Yet at the present moment, amidst the beautiful plaza below her and the clear starry sky above, the normally frigid and indifferent Rosaria had a certain air of melancholy with her tonight. And with the sister was a frozen Windwheel Aster in her hands, it's appearance and entirety preserved with her cryo magic granted by her vision.
Rosaria was absently feeling the flower between her fingertips. While she gazes at the night sky, looking at the stars above for answers she knows not.
Far from being an astrologist like a famed broke adventurer, nor was she a devoted believer to the gods like a certain deaconess. But the sister decided to turn to fate and the language of the stars for any signs or divine hints, having exhausted all her means to solve the riddle she currently possesses. Born from recent events and unexpected feelings that came to rise within her chest.
The cryo nun hoped the stars would give something that would tell her what to do. Since, supposedly, it was one of their own plaguing her mind and heart.
It being the otherworldly traveler.
"Of all the people…" Rosaria sighed, turning her gaze away from the night sky and instead to the frozen Windwheel Aster in her hand. The sister's thoughts moving towards the famed Honorary knight.
Aether, hero of not one but two nations, and the Adventurers Guild's new rising star. Said to be blessed by two gods as well, as if he was heaven sent. With many saying he shined bright as one of the brightest stars in the night sky, upon meeting him for the first time. Hence the comparison to the stars themselves. Who was also accompanied by a floating child/pixie.
Pie-moon—Paynom, Pia-something? or whatever its name was.
Regardless, Rosaria sat at her city's most famous landmark—Who's design made it look like their Archon was cupping someone's ass, in her opinion—thinking about Aether and the unexpected feelings she now possess for the blonde traveler.
Recollecting how she found herself in this situation, going back to the first day when she first heard of the traveler.
At the beginning, Rosaria didn't have much of an opinion on the traveler or to his exploits. Thinking of them as mere rumors and over exaggerated stories born from the drunken ramblings of adventurers, that she would chance upon whenever she came back from her 'work' a bit early. Holding only a bit of skepticism, including when she first heard of the traveler was after the Stormterror incident.
The nun was absent during Dvalin's initial attack on the city, due to assisting the Reconnaissance captain of the knights with an Abyss Stronghold in Dragonspine. But when Rosaria returned to Mondstadt, she learned that their dragon situation was taken care of, and their city had a new hero to thank for and not of the Dark Knight kind.
Curious and wanting to know more, she then went to Kaeya for more information. Yet the sly Cavalry captain simply told her the basic summation of things and nothing else about the traveler. While leaving some advice, his exact words being: 'meddle with the traveler yourself.' If she wanted to find out more about their new mysterious ally.
And the Caverly Captain was right, much to Rosaria's begrudgingly agreement. It was better for the sister to experience and learn more about the traveler firsthand.
Her time meddling with their new honorary knight was memorable to say the least. From their first meeting in Dragonspine to Aether's official invitation of her to join him in some of his adventures, the Cryo nun found herself getting interested and a bit invested with the traveler as timed passed by. And She didn't expect to come and like the traveler's companionship either.
Surprise the traveler was able to get closer to her, bypassing her guard and the colds walls she placed around herself.
Rosaria didn't know exactly how they quickly went from meeting only for work related matters, to seeing each other under more lax and leisurely circumstances. From sparring matches at night, to buying each other drinks at either Cat's tail or Angel's share. And even the rare occasion were the cryo nun agrees to do something so nonchalant.
Like lazing around with Aether at Windrise during one of her breaks from her day shift at the church.
Those times, Rosaria would be either watching the traveler and his companion take a peaceful nap, while she smokes and dutifully watches over them. Or she would actually join the two, resting together under the great tree that many of Mondstadt would say came as gift from a departed hero. Then waking up to find Aether resting his head on one of her shoulders, with a such a serene expression and soft look on his face. That made the normally aloof nun stare unknowingly for an extended period. Before bashfully looking away and hoping no one saw her staring.
Maybe that's when it all began. When Rosaria began to notice and realize all the odd feelings she has, growing for the traveler.
The foreign and strange sensations she would sometimes feel in her chest, whenever they were together. How her heart beats faster, from every smile, every compliment, and playful banter sent towards her; or during the moments of watching Aether's peaceful sleeping face. These new feelings that also brought much confusion to Rosaria because she has never felt this way before to anyone. Nor did she know of what to do with them, not having the experience dealing with them either.
Her less than stellar upbringing didn't helped either, as her complicated relationship with her bandit fathers speak for itself.
Especially when she had to put down an old one, who willing offered his own life just to save her own and receive a vision for her troubles. Thus, Rosaria couldn't draw anything from her childhood to answer these growing and confusing feelings.
Then Windblume Festival arrived, bringing the seasonal mood of love, joy, and freedom to the Mondstadt. Which made the cryo nun think all the more harder of the swirling emotions in her chest.
While also leaving Sister Rosaria more affected, by the overall atmosphere of love and mood of the Windblume Festival this year. Songs and poetries about lovers that were usually went ignored by the sister, were now things she found herself absently listening to whenever she chances upon a bard or a local lovestruck fool confessing their love.
Then her thoughts would momentarily drift towards Aether. With a sudden desire arising to be near his starlight like presence. Gravitating to it, like moths to a flame or worlds to their star.
Then as the days of the Windblume festival continued, Rosaria began to notice how she wasn't the only one feeling the same pull towards the traveler. Not like it was hard for the sister to miss the looks, the discreet and indiscreet flirting, of the other women who became Aether's companions.
Those who also spent time and adventure with the wayward traveler, enjoying his company and drawn to his supernatural charisma. Who, unlike the cryo nun, were taking action into courting the traveler while it was the opportune time to do so.
As the sister recalls witnessing the previous days…
Watching Amber take the traveler to one of the wind gliding games planned during the festival, and then soared the skies together hand in hand.
Seeing Noelle having a picnic with the traveler at Windrise, while offering a bouquet of roses and a new meaning accompanying the flowers.
Spotting Barbara sharing her homemade spicy drink with the Traveler at one of the benches in the plaza, while hiding away from her many fans.
Catching Mona, Fischl, and Sucrose one night, star gazing with the traveler while he explained an expert knowledge about constellations, as they listened intently.
Spotting Lisa and the traveler on patrol around Mondstadt… Before unintentionally chancing upon them in a sudden tryst at a secluded corner of Mondstadt.
Finding the Acting Grandmaster Jean herself in a sudden tryst with the traveler at that same secluded corner the day after.
While she observed from the shadows, Rosaria felt a growing sense of envy for each interaction the Traveler had with his other companions. Unknowingly getting jealous of how close the others were with Aether, having fun spending time together, and how they could bring out a joyful expression from the traveler.
The sister could also see it in their eyes, of the genuine affection they held for the honorary knight. Of how Aether reciprocates it, as he looks at them with such a caring expression as well. The last thought made Rosaria wonder, if she too can receive that same look of affection from the traveler and reciprocate it.
Asking more questions to herself days later, like:
Are feelings she now holds for Aether, the same as the others?
What is it okay for her, someone belonging to the shadows, be with someone who shines even brighter than any beast of light?
Could she be as close to Aether as others were? (Maybe go be as intimate with him as Lisa and Jean were?)
And apparently, the other girls didn't mind sharing the traveler among them, not with how Aether treats them. So there was little worry if any of Aether's other suitress would be jealous of another joining the traveler's supposed harem.
At least in Mondstadt…
But the cryo nun kept pondering on these new thoughts for a few days. Since she still wasn't sure of her feelings, not confident of what they really were yet or to pursue them.
Until one morning when she was out in the fields patrolling Mondstadt, Rosaria chanced upon a Windwheel Aster floating along the Windrise.
Its pinwheel petals spinning in the air, while the sister noticed a different coloration and faint glow around the flower. Focusing on the gliding aster, the Rosaria could spot it possessing green tints near the end of its petals, and guessed it was no doubt a result of being infused with the anemo element, which also explained the soft teal light it radiated.
Rosaria continued to watch the flower continue to float freely like many of Mondstadt themselves following their Archon's way of life. But then she noticed how the wind was carrying the aster towards her. Before catching the unique flower between her fingertips, feeling the lingering Anemo energy pulsing within.
The sensations of the elemental energy somehow reminding her of the traveler, of his calming presence and easy-going attitude. Making the emotions in her chest swell like they were resonating with the Windwheel Aster itself.
Unexpectedly, the sister somehow took it as sign and had gained a sudden urge to seek the traveler.
Believing that its finally the time to set heart straight for what she wants, be honest as she usually is with things she finds herself in interest. Freezing the flower to preserve its unique appearance, with her plan and intention to gift it to Aether as her own Windblume towards him. And bravely face whatever outcome would rise from her gesture.
Hopefully the good kind.
After making sure the aster was well preserved and seeing that a blue hue was added to the appearance due to her cryo magic, Rosaria then swiftly made her way back to Mondstadt to find Aether. It was still day at that time, giving the sister a bigger chance to encounter the traveler, but she promised herself she'll spend the rest of it looking for him if it was the last thing she'll do.
And Rosaria did spend the rest of day looking for Aether… But didn't find him.
She learned that he wasn't in any of the places he frequented. Nor heard anyone seeing the traveler in Mondstadt when the day started, not even from a few passersby or knights on patrol.
When she asked a few of her acquaintances like Kaeya and even Katheryne from the adventurer's guild if they've seen Aether—while earning curious looks from her inquiry—they too didn't know where the traveler was and wondered as well where he's currently at.
Even the floating pixie wasn't to be found gorging on food at Good Hunter, a sight that most of Mondstadt have come to know of lately.
In the end, everyone was curious were the traveler has gone, none more than Rosaria at that time, yet a majority of them weren't worried. As they probably guessed that Aether simply traveled to another nation like Liyue or went on another adventure, as his traveling moniker would imply.
Unfortunately for Rosaria, it meant that she was too late, and Aether has already left Mondstadt.
Her previous high of joyful emotions fell and flipped 180, leaving the cryo nun feeling a lot colder and more melancholic. Souring her feelings and feeding in back the doubt her heart had regarding them, wondering if the traveler's absence was also a sign.
That she was wrong. Her feelings weren't what she thought they were. That they were better casted aside and not bothered with anymore. Rosaria knew that she wasn't an expert on these sort of things related to love, so she shouldn't have acted too impulsively only to get hurt in the end.
Besides, would the traveler really look her way? Turn his gaze at the shadows when there were so many others who would shine brighter with him in the light?
It was a depressing thought.
Yet, Rosaria's heart still yearned for the contrary and duels with the doubts her mind has casted. Which left the cryo nun stuck in some sort of inner conflict for the rest of the day.
With her current predicament causing some concerned glances from the other sisters of the church, seeing how she looked a bit haggard and more indifferent than the usual when she came back to the cathedral, ignoring the usual scolding regarding her truancy and reminding her of her responsibilities in the church. Most concerning and much to their surprise was when Rosaria did her church work so diligently, not even uttering a complaint or trying to make an excuse to avoid them. Letting herself focus on her menial work to avoid the other thoughts plaguing her mind.
From this, other sisters immediately knew something was wrong.
But before they were able to ask Rosaria what it was, the aloof and somewhat downtrodden nun had already resigned herself to be by her lonesome and disappeared from the cathedral.
Frozen Windwheel Aster still in her hands.
Now at the present with still no answers to the turmoil of emotions in her chest, Rosaria felt her legs were numbing and that her butt could probably need a break from sitting on their Lord Barisbato's hands for an hour or so.
The sister decided to take a walk, since the stars weren't answering her—not that she expected them to.
Maybe even later she can drop by Angel's Share and drown out her confusing emotions with alcohol and maybe hear Kaeya out on whatever new intel he has. At least those things she was still sure to count on and not confuse her.
Gliding down, the cryo nun safely landed on the foot of their Archon's statue, near the steps and the table where Aether made the Windblume offering for the year to their Archon. She paused when she spotted the Windwheel Aster's the traveler presented, before glancing at her own frozen Windwheel Aster.
Rosaria thought that since she wasn't able to give her Windblume to Aether, maybe she could at least offer it to their lord Bebebtus instead.
Whether or not their patron god would receive it, at least her own flower could support the traveler's and not waste the beauty she found to preserved of the aster. Who knows, maybe their Anemo Archon would somehow miraculously send her flower to Aether to wherever he may be at the moment. One could hope, really.
And just as Rosaria placed her frozen aster beside the travelers, a passing breeze caused a bit of her nun habit to cover her view. When she pushes it back, the sister suddenly noticed there was a Wind lyre placed right in front of her.
Rosaria was immediately suspicious. Not knowing how she missed a sizable instrument, while glaring at it in question.
A few seconds pass with nothing happening, Rosaria warily picked up the instrument and experimentally strum the strings. When nothing happened, the sister decided to continue strumming the lyre, seeing if it will do anything else if she continues to play, while still holding a level of scrutiny on the instrument.
But after some minutes passed playing harmless tunes, Rosaria could safely say that it was just some ordinary lyre and nothing else to it. Playing a bit of music also helped the cryo nun's mood, no matter how small of an improvement it was. She would admit at least the music helped take her mind off, of her confusing feelings.
Deciding that there was no harm in doing so, and that she was currently all alone by herself, Rosaria decided… to maybe add a little bit of vocals to her tunes.
It's not like anyone would hear her this late at night, right?
Her current company were the decorated bouquets and flower arrangements around the plaza.
"Besides… what's the worst that could happen." Rosaria told herself, before she begins to strum the lyre once more.
Playing a few notes and letting the music guide her. She then felt the same swell of emotions that was plaguing the insides of her chest, but instead trying to ignore them, Rosaria decided for once to let her feelings out and voice what her heart was feeling the past few days.
Walking around the plaza as her image is reflected on the waters surrounding their Archon's statue, Rosaria strums her lyre and sings with a sweet voice…
.
.
Rosaria (While walking under the night sky): "If there's a girl with love estrangement…
.
Rosaria (sees her reflection on the waters): "…..I guess I'm already called that."
.
The sister briefly imagines Aether beside her reflection in the waters, feeling her heartbeat quicken as she recalls his warm smile.
.
Rosaria (Suddenly, clutching her chest): "And yet, my chest feels strange sensations…
.
Rosaria (before turning away from the pools of water) "…What is this misery?! My Heart, Is Racked!"
.
Rosaria then learns she wasn't exactly alone as she thought she was in the plaza.
.
Favonius Sisters (Popping out of nowhere): "We know what you're feeling~!"
.
Favonius Sisters (Victoria): "He's your Wish and Windblume to ya!"
.
Favonius Sisters (Edna): "Emotions that are rising!"
.
Favonius Sisters (Gotelinde wraps an arm around Rosaria): Sister, let those feelings flow through!
.
Rosaria (Deadpanned): "Oh, no."
.
The cryo-vision nun wished that this wasn't happening but…
Favonius Sisters (Jilliana): "Girl, you can't deny it"
.
Favonius Sisters (Grace): "Love is what you feel—"
.
Favonius Sisters (In chorus all together): "And what you're Miiiissing of~!"
.
Rosaria (Getting out of Gotelinde's hold): "Oooooooooohhh Nooo~"
.
Rosaria attempts to leave, while tossing her lyre away. But Grace fortunately catches it and resumes playing, while she and the rest of the sisters pursue the cryo nun.
.
Rosaria (Clearly in denial): "It's not… Can't be…
I won't say it, no, no"
.
The Favonius sisters don't believe her and were really persistent in having Rosaria admit her feelings.
.
Favonius Sisters (Victoria playfully swoons): "The Wind~ it sighs~"
.
Favonius Sisters (Grace and Edna give a knowing look): "Can't admit it? Oh, oh~"
.
Rosaria (Brushes off their looks): "Ain't my, forte…"
.
Rosaria (And glares with finality): "I won't say, I'm in love…"
.
Rosaria marches off, while the other sisters share a look with one another. Each then bring out their own lyres and begin playing with Grace as they continue to pursue their aloof sister.
With how loud the music they were playing, and unable to leave the influence of what she started, Rosaria was compelled to resume singing. Especially when she finds herself staring at a painted portrait of Aether adorned with flowers. (courtesy of Albedo due to a requested by Mona.)
.
Rosaria (forlornly looks at the portrait): "I doubt my heart has learned this lesson…"
.
Rosaria (clutching her chest once more): "Trap and enclose in its cold shroud…"
.
More memories of Aether suddenly invade Rosaria's mind. The times they laid down together at Windrise, sleeping peacefully within each other's reach.
.
Rosaria (An aura of cryo begins to surround her): "But when he's near me, My whole chest swirls…"
.
Rosaria (Releases the build-up energy to the sky): I feel him thawing my Cry-O heart out~!"
.
The Favonius Sisters catch up with Rosaria, wary of what she'll do. But were surprised instead, as the cryo nun causes a mini snowfall within the plaza. And if one looked closely… the snowflakes were heart shaped.
While the cryo sister happily gaze at her work, walking away from Aether's portrait, lost to her own emotions and the music accompanying it. The Favonius sisters were overjoyed at this development and continue to play, following Rosaria.
Praying silently that their music, which was probably blessed by Barbatos at the moment, would help their dear Cryo sister.
.
Rosaria (letting it go): "Ooohhh Ooohh!"
.
Favonius Sisters (Victoria elbowing Grace): "Least she's not denying~"
.
Favonius Sisters (Grace elbows back and swoons): "Who she loves and what she's feeling~"
.
Favonius Sisters (Gotelinde awes at their wintery landscape): "Sister's heart is Soaring~!"
.
Favonius Sisters (Jilliana and Edna exclaims): "Hon, its bursting through the ceiling~"
.
Rosaria (Hearing the sisters but not denying them): "Oooh, Yeeaaaaaah!"
.
As Rosaria continues to sing her hearts content, the other Favonius sisters spot someone suddenly appearing at the waypoint of the Knights Favonius headquarters.
All of them grin and decide to lead Rosaria back to the foot of the statue.
.
Favonius Sisters (Victoria suddenly hooks on to Rosaria's right arm): "Lady time to Step-up!"
.
Favonius Sisters (Grace suddenly hooks on to Rosaria's left arm): "Don't, wait till it's time's-up—"
.
Favonius Sisters (All together in a sing song manner, while leading Rosaria away): "Since you've got—got— got—it, Baaad~!
.
At first Rosaria was confused to why the other sisters were suddenly pulling her back to Barbatos statue. Until she saw someone gliding towards its direction.
Recognizing who it was.
.
Rosaria (panickily escaping the grasp of the other sisters): "Oooooh! NO!"
.
Rosaria (shaking her head at the sisters): "No chance, no way…
…. I can't say it, no, no"
.
Edna and Jilliana, immediately catch Rosaria, and ushering her back into Victoria and Grace's arms with Gotelinde, as they begin helping them push her to the statue.
.
Favonius Sisters (Offering moral support): "You can, Believe!"
.
Favonius Sisters (Pushing Rosaria with more force): "He'll Receive, all your love!"
.
Rosaria (digging her heels on the ground): "Just go, away…
…I'm afraid of his love!"
.
They were almost to the statue, just a little bit closer. But damn, Rosaria's heels were really digging the ground.
.
Favonius Sisters (Struggling to push Rosaria further): "Nothing, To Fear!
… It's so Clear: Its pure love!"
.
Rosaria overpowers the other sisters, easily escaping their grasp and causing them to fall to the ground. Once more she attempts to march away, getting close the steps of the Cathedral, but Victoria suddenly clings to her foot, with the others joining in to pull her back.
.
Rosaria (irately trying to shake them off): "Don't you have jobs! I won't say it…"
.
Rosaria (Trying hard not to kick Victoria): "I Won't be mob! I won't say it…"
.
Rosaria would admit they were determined, but Victoria and the other sister's weren't planning to give up for her sake.
.
Favonius Sisters (Straining against Rosaria's strength): "Ro—Sa—Ri—A…"
.
Favonius Sisters (They all stare intently at Rosaria): "…It's okay, to be loved~"
.
A sudden epiphany hits Rosaria, causing her to pause in her escape. The other sister's words realizes one crucial thing in regard to her inner turmoil with her feelings. While said sisters yelp at the sudden loss of force.
Rosaria always pondered to herself, if a person like her who has dirtied her hands taking another's life and shedding blood, was worthy of the forgiveness and redemption offered by the city of Mondstadt. And by extension, be loved by another—admit that she too was in love to another. Especially when that someone was as kind and amazing as Aether. Who always looked at her warmly, with no shame or doubt, despite her place in the shadows and her cold demeanor.
Rosaria looks back at the other Favonius sisters, who were getting up from the ground, but still see their encouraging looks. Knowing finally their words has reached their, normally aloof and intimidating but still one of their own, Favonius sister.
They then point her back to the statue, knowing who was waiting for her there. Parting to form a path for her, while they continue to play their lyres, but now in gentler tone.
Rosaria gives them a brief smile in return, and for once glad in their meddling, before making her way back to the statue by herself.
.
Rosaria (Softly to herself): "Oooohhh..~
.
Rosaria (Feeling confident): "At least right now…"
.
Rosaria (Her heart swooning): I can say, I'm in…
Looooovveee~"
.
Favonius Sisters (at the background): "Sho-dup, Sho-dup, Sho-dup, Sho-dup—
.
The Favonius sisters couldn't help but feel a bit of pride for the sister. Some trying hard not to wipe tears falling down their faces, for Rosaria was finally pursuing a bit of happiness in her life.
That isn't wine or truancy.
.
Favonius sisters (All hugging each other, feeling pride for Rosaria): —Sha-la-la-la la la, ahhh…~"
The melody fades away…
As Sister Rosaria turns around the corner to the foot of the statue of Barbatos and finds to her surprise, Aether… holding her frozen Windwheel Aster.
His appearance under the moonlight made him look ethereal and otherworldly. His golden locks and equally golden eyes, shining brighter in the night. Rosaria felt her cheeks flush from the traveler, while he held her Windblume. Seeing how the flower's faint glow somehow complimented Aether's entirety and making him look far more attractive than usual.
Not the cryo nun would admit the latter thought out loud.
Rosaria also wasn't surprised that Aether found her Windblume, since she just left it out there for all to see, as part of their Windblume star's offering to the Anemo Archon. But the pounding in her chest grew even stronger when she saw Aether admiring her supposed gift to him. With a fond look in his eyes and handling it with such care, as if fearing it would shatter from the lightest touch.
Rosaria should have felt bashful, but instead felt even more confident in confronting the traveler with her own feelings, seeing that he obviously liked her Windblume for him.
"Like my Windblume?" She called out coyly at Aether.
"Eep!" Catching him off guard and turning his attention towards her. Rosaria also didn't miss how the traveler held something on his other hand but was quickly hidden behind his back.
"Rosaria!" Instantly, Aether's brief look of surprised turned to elation upon seeing the Cryo nun. Which did wonders to Rosaria's rapidly beating heart.
"I was hoping to see you tonight and was going to ask if you were free …" Aether said, looking a bit bashful. Which earned a raise brow from the cryo nun. Curious that the traveler was planning to meet with her tonight, while relieve that he was still in Mondstadt.
"Oh what for? Do you have a job for me?" Rosaria asked, playing safe, but Aether quickly shakes his head in reply.
"No. Nothing of the sort… But I was going to ask if you wanted to hangout and have a night off today. I was just about to head to the cathedral to ask around where you were but—" Aether eyed the Frozen Windwheel Aster still in his other hand. "Then I saw this guy and got a little curious."
"Curious?" Rosaria repeated his words, with Aether nodding his head.
"You said it was your Windblume, right? I saw it with the Windwheel Aster's I placed during the Windblume offering ceremony for Ve—Barbatos."
Aether then teased. "I never thought you would offer something to your local Archon. Much less a Windblume—Unless Barbara and the other sister's asked you to—knowing of your religious beliefs."
"You mean my lack of beliefs." Rosaria couldn't help an amused snort that escaped her before replying. "Although, I did offer my Windblume to our dear Anemo Archon because it would have been a waste since my initial target looked to be gone from Mondstadt.. at first." Rosaria says, earning a confuse look from Aether.
"At first? What do you mean?" He asked oblivious. "Who were you going to give your Windblume to? I can help if you want."
Sister Rosaria was touched by Aether's offer, even though she didn't need help anymore. Instead, she moved closer to her dear target, and cups the hand holding her frozen aster with her own, before answering.
"No need to help go looking for him, seeing that my target is already holding it." Rosaria spoke with a slight alluring tone.
It took the traveler a few seconds to register what she meant, before he blushes a unique shade of red and stammering a reply. "Oh… ah, T-thank you…Rosaria…"
The nun spied how Aether was trying to avert his eyes from looking at her, clearly embarrass and failing. While she smiles and feels some sort of amusement from catching the honorary knight off guard. The sister was having a bit of fun, watching the usually reserved Traveler squirm a bit under her gaze, acting bashful.
If Aether only knew how much he made her feel the same in the past few days.
"It's beautiful." Aether adds, before giving smile back at Rosaria, which she returns.
"Mind telling me what you got there behind your back." The sister asked, her turn to question the traveler and taking step back to give him space. While Aether remembers he had something for Rosaria as well; before he magically keeps her Windblume for safe keeping.
"Ah, right!" Aether exclaimed before gingerly pulling the item he was hiding behind his back and revealing it to Rosaria.
To her surprise, the item turned out to be a stunningly classic old vintage bottle of Dandelion Wine, no doubt its contents fermented for an untold period of time, highly expensive and even coveted by experienced wine connoisseurs and the like. With even the official seal of the Dawn Winery printed on the bottle's label, proving's it legitimacy and not a counterfeit or bootleg product some brewers would make for a mora grabbing scheme.
"Aether… how did you..?" Rosaria was at lost of words, astonished that the traveler was holding such a prize bottle of wine, which she could guess came the Diluc himself, the esteemed owner of Dawn Winery. But how Aether got the bottle in first place, gave rise to a lot of questions, knowing that many taverns in the Mondstadt refused to sell alcohol to the traveler due to appearing younger than the legal age accepted.
Aether could tell what Rosaria was thinking, based on her reaction, and proceeded to explain. "I know what thinking… How did I get this prize dandelion wine that not even master Diluc would share outside his own home or in Angel Share?"
"Oh my Archons… is that from his family's reserves?!"
Aether chuckled lightly from Rosaria's awed inquiry. Nodding his head in reply, saying that she was correct "Uh, huh. Long story short, I did a lot of favors and spent technically the whole day in Dawn Winery working with Master Diluc so I can ask for a bottle… Even then I had Venti help convince him to give m one, but it was worth it!"
"What for?" Rosaria asked, before Aether made to offer the whole bottle to her, much to her shock.
"Well… its for us to share." Aether said, a bit bashfully before manifesting two wine glasses in his other hand from his magical inventory. "It's why I was planning if we could have a night off together, you know… Since it's the Windblume Festival, and we haven't—I haven't gotten to spend some time with you, yet…"
Aether blushed once more from his last remark, while Rosaria was trying hard to control her heart's rapid heartbeats from hearing his words. How he wanted to spend time with her, planned it too and was about to ask her.
"With…me?" She asked.
"Yup!" Aether then teases. "You once told me this year's Dandelion was sinfully good, and I remembered you also promised we'd go drinking together. So I figured, since it's the Windblume festival and no tavern in Mondstadt is going to sell any Alcohol to me, why not just get a bottle for ourselves and drink to hearts contents, wherever we can!" Aether adds glancing at the side. "Probably the places were some people won't see me and accuse me of underage drinking. Despite not being underage in the first place to begin with…"
Rosaria gave a low chuckle. Amused., knowing the gripes and prejudice Aether had to face due to his young appearance, the reason to his inability to buy liquor. Then again, not many would believe someone was older than any Archon alive or maybe even Teyvat itself, if they suddenly bring it up just to drink. It would sound too much as a poor excuse.
"People will talk you know. If they see us, and I don't how they would react finding their Honorary knight, consorting with individuals like myself. Especially when they're both trying to get themselves hammered this late at night." Rosaria asked, her doubts was still there, but still itching to know why Aether still wanted them to stay close and connected.
"I think it'd be fun really, since I'm doing it with you and chance seeing you get drunk for once." Aether joked, before this time approaching Rosaria, storing away the dandelion wine and their glasses back to his personal inventory and went to hold her hands. Rubbing to them and locking his gaze with hers. "And it's not like I care about my reputation in the first place, no matter how grand they are or how fast I'll lose it later down the road. I mean I've been called a criminal as much I've been told I'm a hero." He explained.
While Rosaria wasn't sure if he sensed the unease in her heart, the hesitancy of wanting to stay close with him and taking the next step. But his next words settled those matters to rest, while feeling his hands give her own a comforting squeezing.
"What matter's to me the most, are the people I care about and hold dear in my heart. Them being my sister, Paimon, and the friends I made and come to love in this journey through Teyvat." Aether spoke honestly with the same warm smile Rosaria knows of. "That includes you… Even when you threatened to arrest me and Paimon that time in Dragonspine; I don't regret meeting you or the times we've spent together."
Unable to say any words, feeling the emotions within her chest burst forth, Rosaria decided to let her actions speak instead. Letting go of Aether's hands to cup his face and pulling him into a kiss. Feeling his warm lips against hers, the heat matching the sensations in her chest, with her entire body feeling the sudden spur.
Aether only took a few seconds before he started kissing Rosaria back, deepening it. Wrapping his arms around the attractive cryo user, pulling her closer and feeling her body against his. They part briefly, intaking air before their lips meet once more. With Aether probing his tongue against Rosaria's mouth, seeking entrance which the nun eagerly allows, her own tongue meeting his as their heated exchange continues.
Rosaria runs a hand through Aether's hair, her sliver claw rings lightly grazing his scalp and sending shivers down the traveler's spine. Aether responds by slipping one hand pass her dress and cup her fishnet clad ass, giving it a firm squeeze and eliciting a muffled moan from the sister.
Things escalate, when Rosaria suddenly wraps her legs around Aether, who carries her over to the offering table intending to take her there. Both lost in the intense feelings and wanton drive of lust they found themselves in.
"What did you think is happening there?" Sister Edna asked, curious and unaware of the slight debauchery being down at the steps of their beloved statue.
"Who knows? Whatever it is, Rosaria hasn't come back in tears or an explosion of cryo energy leaving the traveler frozen in ice." Sister Grace answered.
"Whatever they are doing, its best to leave them be." Sister Victoria said, before ushering the sisters to return to the Cathedral. "Give them some privacy, they deserve it."
"Besides, at least we have two sisters to tease later… whenever we talk about the traveler." Sister Jilliana giggled, which was shared by the other sisters before they entered the Cathedral doors.
Leaving Rosaria and Aether by their lonesome.
"Rosaria~!"
"A-Aether—Ah~!"
Fortunately before they started getting louder.
Author's notes:
And that's chapter. Thanks for reading it till the end!
I may be one of the few people who ship AetherxRosaria, and if you guys ship them too, I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and the song the number, with the lyrics I made parodying "I won't say (I'm in love)"
Next chapter we'll go back with Lumine, and she'll be talking with a certain Yuheng regarding a certain dead (but-not-so-dead) Archon. Also I think I like a musically inclined Zhongli. (It's probably because I like his Eng VA.)
See you in the next chapter! And enjoy the bonus Omake!
Omake
(Broken Hearts Over Cold Drinks)
It was late at night and the tavern, Angel's Share, was near its closing hours.
Master Diluc was hard at work wiping the few glasses to store back into the shelves. Being the assigned barkeep for the night, and also dealing with the last customer of the day.
That customer being his estrange brother Kaeya, the famed cavalry captain of the Knights of Favonius and known cryo-vision user.
Who was also currently in a deep state of inebriety. Nursing an empty bottle that once contained dandelion wine on one hand, while his other arm is presently acting as a cushion for his laid down face.
If Jean saw the man in his current state, she would have scolded him in taking a better care of himself or attempt to help the man's woes that caused him to appear in a such disgraceful manner. For a knight that is.
Diluc would agree with her, and maybe throw in a mocking line or two about knights being incompetent and have lowered their standard in etiquette. But alas, for once the Ragnvindr heir held a bit of sympathy and understanding for Kaeya's current state.
Especially after he witnessed his brother enter Angel Share with a few choice words and began ordering 'death after noon' by a dozen, then Dandelion Wine after they ran out of ingredients for the mix.
Right after Diluc heard from the everyday gossip present in the tavern regarding a certain aloof Nun of the church, looking for a famed traveler and holding a beautiful looking Windwheel Aster.
Diluc easily connected the dots, and guessed it went well for sister Rosaria, while unfortunately for Kaeya. Which is why he allowed the latter to drink to his heart's content and dutifully watch over him, out of the small part of kindness he still held for his brother.
Who was now in the same boat as number of individuals, Diluc himself included, facing the harsh realities of missed opportunities and thinking of "what could have been scenarios" from the events of this year's Windblume festival.
'At least Jean looks happy' The Ragnvindr heir thought briefly, before looking at his still inebriate brother, and sighs with a bit of pity. It was a miracle that Kaaya didn't die from intoxication from the amount of alcohol he'd intake. Though he can't say the same for his pockets, with the amount of mora he spent.
Diluc could say he made a profit, maybe the biggest he's ever had that surpassed all previous Windblume Festival profit margins, from the number of customers alone who came to Angel Share with the same intentions as Kaeya.
…But at what cost?
Was the mora made from the misery so many individuals who splurge their mora to drown out their heartbreaks, downtrodden feelings, and some envy for a certain traveler, worth it?
Maybe not… from a more sympathetic point of view. But business is business.
And Diluc held a new sense of fear and respect for Aether, to incite such a number of depressed individuals in a span of the entire festival period. He could still recall the number of adventurers, knights, and including Barbara's self-proclaimed fan club, entering Angel in droves to drink together in shared pain.
Diluc even once spot Benett, Razor, Albedo, and even Eula sharing a table together.
Though he doubts he'll see the sight of them sharing another table again in the near future. At least minus one member, who hasn't met the traveler yet in person, and depending on, if the same expected outcome will be made once Eula meets Aether.
"Hey…Diluc…"
Kaeya called out to his red-haired brother, interrupting Diluc's thoughts and turning the pyro-vision user's attention towards him.
Diluc was surprised seeing Kaeya sitting upright or speak for the matter, still with an air of drunkenness on him, but a wistful expression accompanying him. His brother was unresponsive for the last hour, but maybe some soberness has returned to him, and he'll be able to drag himself back home without need of any of his assistance.
Unfortunately, he spoke too soon.
.
Kaeya (Drunkenly): "I can—*hic—see what's happening…"
.
Diluc (surprised at the sudden singing): "What?"
.
Kaeya (wags a finger at Diluc): "And—*hic—they don't' have a clue!"
.
Diluc (His patience being tested): "Who—What are you prattling about?!"
.
Kaeya (Tears begin to fall from both his eyes and through his eyepatch): "They fall in love and here's the bottom line…"
.
Diluc (sighs a bit in exasperation): "Kaeya, stop—"
.
Kaeya (Pushes two fingers in front of Diluc's face): "Our Trio's down to TWO!"
.
Diluc: …
.
Kaeya: ...
.
"Okay, I think you'd had enough."
Diluc moved around the bar and began to manhandle his brother, who was too drunk to fight back effectively, and was now being dragged out of Angel's Share.
Kaeya screamed in protest, while in futile effort, tried to claim another bottle of wine. "Wait Diluc, NOOooooOOOO! Don't take the w-wine away from me! It's the only thing I have left that the traveler hasn't!"
"Ugh. Kaeya…"
Diluc didn't have the heart to tell Kaeya that claim wasn't going to stay true anytime soon. Since he was the one who gave Aether a bottle of Dandelion Wine, exclusive from his own family reserves, for him and Rosaria to share this night.
They might be partaking it right at this moment, Diluc thought whilst he continues to escort Kaeya back to the knight's headquarters, who was thankfully not resisting anymore.
Meanwhile, way up in the sky above the city of Mondstadt. Was Venti, clad in his divine form. His appearance due to a sudden influx of prayers and belief towards him during this Windblume Festival season.
He just came from a drinking session from Cat's Tail, during the rare occasion when all their cats were absent and was completely wasted. While singing haphazardly in the dead of the night.
.
Venti (Singing at the top of his lungs): "CAAAAAAAAAAAAN….
YOU FEEL….
THE LOVE….
…. TONIGHT!"
Oh, YEAH!
.
He then spots Aether and Rosaria, at the base of his statue at the main plaza.
Venti shouts in delight.
"Holy shit! Yeah Aether! Make all the love *Hic with Rosaria tonight!"
Venti gave himself a mental pat to the back for being the best Wingman for his dear friend.
And All he had to was magically send a lyre to Rosaria.
"Nail that hot nun as—BLEUGH!"
He then promptly vomited on a couple of pigeons flying under him.
