In the end the situation was resolved without much issue,
When Venti ultimately agreed to let the squirrels return to their ancestors' home,
While putting only one condition forth: for the animals to wait until the group finishes with the vacation...
...
This unusual situation was already resolved and yet, Emilia couldn't help thinking of it even now...
*And it was not due to the "Mountain Yeet" issue, which brought all these islands here,
After all, while a great feat, it was believable for an Archon to perform...
...
No, what she was wondering about was the squirrels' dislike of the Archon,
Or more specifically, their rage at being stuck in the Archipelago and unable to leave...
...
Why were they so mad about getting "stranded" here, when it could have been so much worse...?
*Unlike herself, they were truly blessed not to be stuck inside the belly of a huge beast...
...
...
Those despicable furry things, dissatisfied at their great fortune and even daring to imply they has suffered, in any way or form,
How dare they even think that being able to live freely on those islands, with a good amount of basic necessities was somehow...?!
-Finally, we can continue our "Grand Adventure"! -Her thoughts were soon interrupted by a familiar voice from nearby, pretty much bringing her back to the present. -And to think that our next clue was three different colored crystals...I wonder what we are going to use them for. -The speaker, who was Venti, soon continued. -They do look pretty, I have to admit.
He added upon looking at said crystals, ones he lifted up with Anemo:
"A crystal chunk that is pale blue all over, fair as the purest winter snow."
"A crystal chunk that is pale red all over, lovely as spring blossoms."
"A crystal chunk that is pale yellow all over, beauteous as the swaying leaves of fall."
...
Three crystals for three of the four seasons,
With the only absent crystal being the one for summer...
...
If there even was a Summer Crystal to begin with,
Considering where they currently were...
...
To think that Alice was this poetic, maybe he should hold up his annoyance at her for now,
After all, no matter her questionable and recently highly annoying approach, Alice's intentions were still...
-Looks like we have finally arrived at the Minacious Isle! -His thoughts were soon interrupted by Amber's happy yell, as he soon turned around to look at the boat's viewing window, everyone else doing the same. -...Huh, is that a shield around the Northwest island...? Why would there be a shield around most of the Island...?
The Outrider then confusingly added, her expression mirroring her tone,
And Venti couldn't help starting to feel annoyed again as he saw what exactly was going on there...
*An annoyance that was clearly seen in his expression,
One which Barbara and Jean noticed and started patting him in reassurance...
...
-Alice, seriously, why do you have to make things difficult...? And just when I thought I could give you my thanks...-Venti soon mumbled, before deeply sighing, too annoyed by the situation to notice the babies' patting. -...Everything has to be an adventure with you, doesn't it...?
He couldn't help adding, trying not to feel annoyed at the islands "condition":
An energy shield covering most of it and three light-emitting devices which seem to be powering the shield...
...
Oh, there was also a "mysterious" letter attached to one of the device's lower edges,
Probably a highly annoying and long message written in it, just to get on his nerves...
*He couldn't help wishing it was a poetic one instead, yet understood that this was not the case this time,
After all, Alice was not playing pretend and masking her true intentions, but was rather being open with all of them...
...
...
For a so-called "Vacation", it didn't look like Alice wanted them to start actually vacationing,
And considering the fact that four members of their group were now toddlers/babies...
...
Would having another "Adventure" really such a good idea...?
*Not like he had trouble playing with Barbara and Jean, he absolutely loved it,
But having to travel such a long distance and in such a short amount of time...
...
Wasn't it hard on their small, human baby bodies...?
*They were already less energetic than they were in the morning,
And even after having a small nap a while ago, it didn't seem like it helped much...
...
...
His poor adorable babies,
They have been enduring so much...
...
They need a proper rest,
Yet they can't have one...
...
...
And all of this is due to that stupid Alice!
-Kaeya, what are you doing here...? I thought you were busy with your captain duties…? -Diluc couldn't help saying, as soon as he saw the other enter the building, before his expression suddenly turned cold. -Did that irresponsible Grandmaster...?
-You truly think I would let him overwork me, brother…? He already tried and I refused before he could even voice his "request" out~ -Kaeya interrupted him, looking amused, before his expression turned serious. -I came to you for a different matter. I finally got an official search permit for the Lawrence estate. Even if it would be hard to actually find anything, as even the Winds don't know much, it would surely help piece together what they might be plotting. -He explained, soon taking a note out of his Vision's "Hyperspace" and showing it to the other. -Which is why I came here, Diluc. I want you to join me on this, brother. -He soon admitted, his expression turning amused. -If both of us work together, then I am certain we would be able to…~
-Alright, I accept your invitation. -Diluc suddenly said upon finally finishing reading the note, before he looked up at his brother, only to notice as his expression shifted to that of confusion. Why would Kaeya...? -...Is it really so shocking that I agreed to come with you...? I might still find the Knight of Favonius as a whole extremely annoying, but its only members I actually hate are the useless and irresponsible ones, like Grandmaster Varka. Unlike him, Kaeya, you are okay. You are working for Mondstadt's benefit in your own way. What you are doing for this city and nation, I know that full well now. -He admitted, a small smile soon appearing on his face. -...Ever since that time we could finally talk like brothers again, even when you were acting in secret, I was sure to keep an eye on you...-...Though most of it was asking the Winds for information...-...Now, as for our small search, I can't help feeling annoyed that you only now got an official search permit. -He couldn't help adding, starting to feel annoyed. -If those Lawrences(except Eula, she is alright) still didn't have some control over Dorman Port remaining, then not only the city, but we could have kicked them from Mondstadt itself long ago!
He couldn't help yelling out, feeling even more annoyed now,
As he once again wondered why they had to make all those unnecessary rules...
...
If Mondstadt didn't have to keep some stupid appearances, then a lot of problems would have already been avoided!
*All the issues with those snobbish Lawrences and the bastard Fatui could have been...!
"We apologize for interrupting you, Dawn Winery's Diluc, but there is no need to check on the Lawrences anymore.", the Winds suddenly said, sounding dead serious, "Moments ago, all the clan members, except Spindrift Knight Eula (Who might want to change her last name already), have suddenly disappeared!", they dramatically revealed, before there was a short pause, "Upon checking the energy left in the mansion, we are certain that the Abyss Order had something to do with this."
The group decided to set camp for the night,
Realizing that they couldn't continue with their "quest" now anyway...
*Because they couldn't just put the crystals in the three devices to deactivate the shield,
But instead had to put those by the sea, to bait special kinds of fishes, who will then give them their scales...
...
Apparently, the opening in the devices was just too small to insert the crystals in,
So instead they had to do it in such an unnecessary and redundant way...
-...It would have been so much quicker if we could just use the crystals themselves, instead of having to wait for some "mystery crystal-eating fish" to arrive and drop their scales in thanks for the meal...-Venti couldn't help mumbling in some tiredness, looking thoughtful now, as he absentmindedly patted the sleeping Barbara and Jean on their heads. -...Maybe instead of blocking the light, they could have changed its color and energy, which could have made the lasers burst in contact with each other and then break the shield in sparkles of rainbow light...-He slightly smiled while imagining that, realizing how beautiful it could have been. -...A spectacle like that would have been so nice to see...~
He couldn't help admitting, starting to feel unusually melancholy now,
Especially as he suddenly remembered the last day of Ludi Harpastum...
*The fireworks that Yoimiya so admirably brought them,
Unable to participate in the event herself, yet wanting everyone else to enjoy themselves...
...
Even if short, they were really so beautiful and oh so vivid,
All of them showing different, unforgettable sights,
Turning the night sky into a huge canvas...
...
...
If he was to experience something similar right here, on this island, surrounded by the sea,
Together with everyone, his family, his old and new friends, then he would be really...
-Venti, I am sorry to interrupt you from your idyll, but can I have a moment of your time...? -Albedo quietly asked from his spot at the campfire, everyone who was still awake now turning their attention towards him. -I want to check the state of the Anemo Gnosis, if you don't mind.
-Alright, I don't mind. -Venti answered right away, already realizing why the Chief Alchemist was asking him of this, before he slowly looked down at the two babies sleeping in his arms. If he were to take the Gnosis out now...-...But, I don't want to let go of them...They are just so adorable...-He couldn't help mumbling in sadness, one which everyone heard and a certain person was starting to feel jealous again, a reaction he soon noticed. -Frederica, is anything okay...? Why are you...? -He started, before suddenly pausing, as he noticed where exactly she was looking at. He was so taken by Barbara and Jean becoming babies, by how adorable they were, that he didn't realize...-...You are still their mother. Sorry, I...They are just so adorable, that I...-He couldn't help apologizing, realizing what exactly he was doing during the day. Yet Frederica was still too respectful towards him to say anything...-They are your daughters, Frederica. Both yours and Seamus'. Now matter how charmed I was by their adorableness, I should have never taken them from you and for so long at that. -He regretfully admitted, before floating the two babies towards their now surprised parents, who soon took them in their arms. To think they would be so surprised about getting their daughters back, the Archon couldn't help feeling guilty...But this was not the time for that right now. -Sorry for the wait, Albedo. I will give you the Gnosis now.
He told the other, soon summoning the Anemo Gnosis into his hand...
*As he decided to ignore Frederica's and Seamus' reactions,
As well as the fact he barely spent time with Dvalin and Vennessa today...
...
Even though the sleeping toddlers looked really cute, as well...
*Even if not as adorable as Jean and Barbara, his two oldest friends were also...
-...Why is the Gnosis...Like that...? It should be the Anemo Gnosis, right...? -He couldn't help saying, looking at the added element swirling around it with wide eyes. -...So why is there...This weird and old feeling energy...Just like...
The Time powers he was recently using more and more,
With the last backlash affecting everyone that had some link to him...
...
Was this power affecting the Gnosis through him somehow...?
And why did it feel like it somehow tried to take over the item and its connection to Celestia...?
*As if it was somehow trying to get into the shady system that those guys put up...
...
...
What was this power really...?
Who was it that gave it to him...?
And more importantly, for what purpose...?
...
...
He was originally just an ordinary Wind Spirit, right...?
…
…
"Ŧยɭɭ ๏Ŧ ๓ץรՇєгץ, ๒๏гภ Ŧг๏๓ Շђє ๒гคภςђєร ๏Ŧ Շเ๓є,
ค ђเรՇ๏гץ ๏Ŧ ﻮɭ๏гץ คภ๔ ร๏гг๏ฬ, คภ๔ ฬเՇภєรร Շ๏ Շђє ๔เงเภє"