The newly built village at Starfell Lake,
This was the group's next destination...
...
Yet, the Archon couldn't help having a foreboding feeling,
As he still remembered what happened at the Dadaupa village...
*The over the top welcome with that embarrassing sign and the statues and the overly extravagant food and gifts and...!
-...Maybe it would be better to skip that village...? Even if the Winds said that the place was more enjoyable, with the people acting more naturally and less extreme, is it truly the case...? -Barbatos couldn't help mumbling to himself, hoping that his words were too quiet for anyone to hear and failing to notice that he was indeed being heard, yet his companions decided to act as if they didn't. -...Not only is that place probably really embarrassing, since the villagers are former cultists as well, but we don't have enough time until dark to...
His words suddenly cut of, as he finally came to the realization that this day itself was wrong,
Not only were his people acting weird and he was occasionally thinking unusual things...
...
But was it just him, or this day has been extremely slow...?
They already visited so many places, yet it was still afternoon...
...
This day was even slower than any other one was in the past,
With the time moving so slowly, as if someone was doing it on purpose...
*This day given for him and his friend to experience Mondstadt together,
Did he, in his wish to see his friend again...?
...
...
He must be overthinking things again, that was definitely it,
He was just so overwhelmed by his friend suddenly return, that he started imagining things...
"...Barbatos, we know that you don't want to accept it and no one can blame you for that...", the Winds soon commented, sounding a little tired now, "...But no matter how much you ignore reality, pretending that nothing is wrong, you do realize it wouldn't change, right...?", they sadly continued, before there was a short pause, "No matter how much you wish to stay in this moment, for you and your friend to keep each other company, the reality is that..."
And now the Winds were acting weird, Barbatos realized,
He even heard them sign soon enough, making him wonder why...
...
To think that this day would become so unusual,
It really looked like everyone was acting weird!
*This was definitely the case, yes!
…
…
There is no other reason for this, there couldn't be…
-Is this really Starfell village...? -Barbatos couldn't help asking in rising shock, as he was confusingly looking around the place. -...I thought it would be more...Crazy...And that I would need to hide myself in a "featherly cocoon" again…?
"Since those people are also former cultists, I thought it would be similar to how Dadaupa village was.", was left unsaid,
Yet everyone could clearly understand what the Archon was thinking about from his expression alone,
As this village was really vastly different from the other one, which was a nice surprise:
There were no embarrassing signs or dramatically made statues, with the Statue of the Seven proudly standing in the middle of the lake,
The village itself was fundamentally structured in a more humble way, with a touch of color here and there similar to Springvale,
The decorations around the place weren't extravagant either, just enough to spark that familiar homey feel,
And the villagers were calmly standing back, waiting for the group to take the sights in...
*If you ignore the history of the people living here, this village felt like any other place in Mondstadt...
...
-...They really managed to fit in, even after everything that happened...-Barbatos soon said, looking and sounding glad now. -...They all are really a part of Mondstadt now, my people.
He added, Barbara and Amber secretly agreeing with him,
The people living in this village really went a long way...
...
...
But there was something more important to worry about right now...
-Venti...Barbatos, are you sure you are feeling okay...? -Barbara couldn't help asking in concern, as she was reminded of his mumblings a few minutes ago. -...You are not starting to get tired, are you...?
-Tired...? Why would my friend suddenly be tired...? -"Venti" wondered aloud, looking increasingly confused. -As an elemental he can't really get tired just from walking a long distance, like us humans do, right...?
There was silence after his question, one which took quite a while,
As Amber and Barbara glanced between one another, as if having a secret discussion...
...
-Yes, you are right, Ven...Barbatos shouldn't be tired just from our traveling...-The Outrider finally said as the two broke eye contact, with her soon looking towards the now quiet Archon. -Rather than getting tired from physical exertion, Barbatos here is overexerting himself by...
-My, look at the time! Seems like we already dallied enough! -Said Archon suddenly interrupted, looking overly enthusiastic considering the discussion at hand, which was so forced it didn't fool anyone. -The people here are so gracefully waiting for us to finish our chat, it would be in poor taste to linger here any longer! -He added in mock sadness, soon taking "Venti"s hand in his, much to the other's surprise. -We should proceed deeper into the village and see what those lovely people have prepared for our arrival!
And not waiting for a reply or any kind of reaction whatsoever,
Barbatos started running towards the waiting villagers, tugging "Venti" along...
-...He really doesn't want his friend to know, huh...? -Amber couldn't help saying, as she and Barbara were looking at the retreating figures.
-Well, they are very good friends. -The Deaconess soon added, looking conflicted. -..."Venti" would probably not take it lightly if he knew...
She couldn't help sadly mumbling, realizing that this must be the reason her Archon didn't want him to know,
If she was in his friend's place and found out about it, she would have pleaded to stop this right away...
*If the only thing keeping her here was him overexerting himself to such an extent, she would rather he...
-Hey, Amber, Barbara! Are two coming or not?! -Was soon heard from nearby, as Barbatos was now looking towards them both, showing an annoyed yet cute pout. -I know I got overjoyed about my friend returning and was mostly spending time with him, but you are my friends too! So stop acting so distant and come here so we can enjoy the party together!
He added in even more annoyance, as his pout deepened,
Which was as an invite as any for them to soon join the "twins"...
…
Before long arriving to the "dinner place", where a lot of food was already spread out,
Most of them being apple dishes, as if specially prepared for the Archon's arrival...
It was really nice, this welcoming atmosphere,
Good company and good food, completely enjoyable too...
*Not over the top like in that extremely embarrassing village at all!
...
He already liked this Village a lot better than the one in Dadaupa Gorge,
Rather than acting like cultists, the villagers here were truly more like the rest of his people...
...
...
And this was also why he could speak to them freely,
Without having to worry that they might suddenly start acting crazy...
-...Those apple dishes taste familiar, did you ask Grace for the recipes...? And there are also so many other Mondstadt delicacies spread around, did you cook them yourselves...? -Barbatos couldn't help asking the people nearby, after he got to taste some of them, sounding and looking grateful. -This taste of home, to think you would learn how to cook them all just for this, it feels really nice. -He admitted upon closing his eyes for a few seconds, before opening them again. -And not just the food, you even nicely decorated the village, carefully adding color to the place while keeping things natural. -He added while looking around the place, before turning to look back towards the people now attentively listening to him. -Truthfully, I am grateful for the way you adapted to your life in Mondstadt. To think that from suddenly kidnapping me, you would...-He suddenly paused in his words, upon seeing their reactions, soon realizing what he just said. Just like Caleb and Sophia, they were surely still feeling guilty about the situation...-It's okay! It's okay! "All's well that ends well", I say! -He reassured them, hoping that his words would reach them, before turning to look towards a familiar city in the distance. -...I wouldn't mind coming with you to see new places and experience new things, as long as you ask me first and let me return home...
He couldn't help warmly saying, meaning every word,
Soon realizing how much he admitted it recently and yet...
...
How could he deny this obvious truth...?
...
...
But wasn't he already denying reality...?
Wasn't he forcing himself to ignore the fact that his friend...?
...
...
...
He has to stay,
He can't leave again...
...
Not again...
...
After those long 2600 years of waiting,
His friend is permanently staying...!
...
He can't leave him,
Not now, not ever!
...
...
HE WON'T LET HIM!
WON'T LET HIM!
HE WON'T...!
-Friend, are you okay...? -His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice from nearby, as "Venti" soon entered his field of view, looking really worried. -You looked thoughtful at first, but then your expression...
"...It turned a little crazy. I am sorry to tell you this, but it's the truth, my friend.", was what he was about to say but couldn't,
He wasn't sure how he could bring himself to say something like that to his friend and was certain the others couldn't as well...
*And even more so, he was confused and concerned as to why his little elf friend was showing that kind of expression anyway...
...
Just what could his friend be thinking about, for such a worrying expression to show on his fa...?
-I am fine! I am fine! There is no reason for you to worry about me, my dear friend! I was just thinking too hard about something, that's all! -Barbatos soon interrupted him, looking and sounding overly joyful, which felt suspicious to everyone watching. -And speaking of thinking too hard, I can't forget my horrible experience at Dadaupa Gorge village no matter how hard I try! -He suddenly added and before anyone could as much as blink, started retelling of his "horrible experience" at said village, going into as much detail as possible. -...After visiting that village and almost dying of embarrassment, I feared that this one would be similar! -He dramatically added at the end of his retelling, looking and sounding like the world has just ended, before his expression suddenly brightened. -...But thankfully, my worries were unwarranted! This village is nothing like the "Abyss of Extreme Shame" that the other one was! I am so happy about that, I would have cried if I could!
He ended the tale with this "emotional confession",
Looking as if the world was just saved after eons of devastation...
*As everyone were still silent, processing his recent actions and words,
Truthfully, it was as clear as day to see that he was currently acting really weird...
...
To everyone but a few villagers, that is, who looked annoyed,
As they tried really hard from showing their offense at being compared to THOSE people...
-Lord Barbatos, please don't compare us to these lunatics. We all might have come from the same "group", but our communities are vastly different. -One of them, their representative, soon explained. He was keeping calm since this was still their Lord and he just didn't know. If he knew beforehand, he wouldn't compare them, right...? -The members of our community here worked hard in order to integrate ourselves into Mondstadt society, both for your sake and for ourselves'. Just as you surely wished us to, by giving us a second chance. -Which they were all grateful for, even now. -Unlike those psychos at the "other village", we still have great faith in you and your teaching, yet we also understand that there is a line that should never be crossed. You truly hate extreme shows of devotion, aren't you my Lord...? And once upon a time, we were just like them...-He soon added in some sadness and guilt, before deeply sighing. -...When we first started communicating with the people of Mondstadt and asked information about you and what you actually like, we realized that even though we were your believers, we never tried to actually get to know you...-He admitted, before turning to look around, both at the people and the village itself. -You don't care for extravagance and would rather have something more simple. You don't care for unnecessary formality and would rather everyone accepts you as their own. And you don't care about our difference in status, giving us a second chance even when we wronged you so badly...-At these words, he and other villagers stood up, walked towards and stood by the Archon's side. -...We separated you from your home and the people you love, our actions almost leading to you never seeing them ever again. We almost destroyed your life, without even realizing what we were doing and for that, we can't apologize enough!
He admitted in extreme regret, soon bowing before the Archon together with the others,
All of them knowing that this action alone wouldn't be enough to show how sorry they were...
...
And yet there wasn't much else they could do, was there...?
*This grave sin they committed, without even seeing the errors of their ways at that time,
Nothing they do can ever wash away their guilt, for they already were...
-Straighten up, everyone. There is no need for this. -Their thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice, one that sounded extremely near. -I already forgave you, because I know how repentful you are. -Barbatos added while putting his finger under the representative's chin and slightly lifting his head up, the other male looking shocked now, not expecting this gesture at all. -As long as you go along with the punishment given to you by the REST OF MY PEOPLE, then it's fine with me.
He admitted in a warm voice, his expression giving a similar feeling,
His words and action making both the representative and the rest to gape...
*All of them similarly shocked, not just by the Archon's words and actions alone,
But also by the underlying meaning of his words: That he saw them as his people too...
...
To say they were all shocked was a great understatement...
...
Not only did he stop his people from deservingly killing them and instead told them that punishments would be enough,
Not only did he let them stay in Mondstadt and had his people help them build the village and create their own community here...
...
But he even agreed to participate in their party, even after the horrible thing they did to him,
And now he even said he already forgave them and sees them as his people...
*Dirty sinners like them, they didn't deserve any of this kindness...!
...
...
...
-...They are...Crying...Looks like your words touched them a lot...Ve...Barbatos...-Barbara couldn't help commenting moments later, as instead of straightening like the Archon asked, the villagers crouched down in tears. -...Seeing them break down like this...I can't help being reminded about Caleb and Sophia...-She admitted, looking and sounding sad now. -...Knowing how much they regret their actions back then, even if they were manipulated, I wouldn't be surprised if their reactions would be similar...
"Truthfully, their reactions might be even worse than this. You did save Sophia's life, after all.", was left unsaid,
Yet it was still understood clearly, as everyone already knew what happened between the twins and the Archon...
...
Everyone but "Venti", that is, who just looked confused at her words,
As his memory about this specific occasion was very fragmented...
*The only thing he clearly remembered is how they kidnapped his friend,
Everything else was pretty vague, so much that he couldn't really connect the pieces...
...
...
But seeing how the two reacted a while ago and how the villagers are reacting now,
They must be residing in this village and not the other one, right...?
...
He really went too harshly on them at that time...