"Barbara, I...I recently read your thoughts...I couldn't help it, since you suddenly looked so downcast..."
"...I am sorry for making you feel like that...I just..."
"...You are also my friend, not a "replacement". Especially not an inferior one."
"...It's not your fault for me being like this...Rather, it's my own fault for being so clingy...I should have already come to terms with others leaving me sooner or later...And yet I...I can't just say goodbye..."
Venti's words still echoed in her head,
Yet Barbara was feeling conflicted, not sure how to react...
...
She couldn't bring herself to be mad at him for reading her thoughts, as embarrassing as they were...
*Though it didn't look like he found out about the Blood Pact, so he probably started reading them afterwards...
...
She felt grateful and pleasantly surprised at hearing him admit he saw her as a friend and not a replacement...
*Barbara already knew that he saw her as his "Cute Deaconess", but hearing these words almost made her cry...
...
But then he started blaming himself for what happened, saying such sad things...
*As if getting depressed due to his friend basically dying again was something to feel guilty about...
...
...
-...Venti, it's alright to grieve...-She couldn't help mumbling, hoping that he could hear her and take these words to heart. -...We are also here...Always with you...
In reaction to her words, the Archon looked a little conflicted,
He knew why she was saying this and in the back of his mind realized that she was right...
...
Still, he couldn't help still feeling guilty for closing himself off like this,
For closing himself from the world and the people, for making them worried and sad...
*For making such a gentle soul like her depressed for his sake...
...
...
He shouldn't have made any of them feel this way,
His people, who showed him so much love and constantly saved him...
*And if the survey is to be believed, they would do it in a heartbeat...
-...I should talk to them, relieve their worries about my condition...-He couldn't help saying in a dawning realization, already jumping down from the bed and starting to walk towards the door. -...The people should know none of this is their fault. If anything, it's entirely...
-Venti, I understand how you feel, but slow down, alright...? -Amber stopped him in his tracks, as she was now holding onto his left hand. -I know that you feel guilty(even though you shouldn't be, we understand your pain) and want to talk to the rest of Mondstadt people, but there is no need to hold a meeting right at this moment. No one will blame you for doing something else first, especially since you were staying in this room for so long. -...It was already almost a week, wasn't it...? -It was a while since you ate or drank anything, right...? And I know that you don't necessarily need to, but you usually love doing it, so when you suddenly stopped it made people worry. -She couldn't help admitting, remembering how weird it was to hear that he didn't touch any apple dishes or Dandelion Wine. It felt so surreal she started wondering if she heard it right...-...So, how about we all go to the Dining Room first...? I am sure Sister Grace would be delighted to heat something up for you. -The Outrider soon suggested, getting a small and uncertain nod from the other in reply. Which was as good a reply as any, that's for sure! -So you agree? Let's go then! Barbara, we will wait for you inside!
She happily yelled out and soon started to tug him out of the door and then the room,
Deciding that there was no reason to give him any time to doubt his decision...
*Amber realized that this might have been a little pushy, but they couldn't lose the progress they made,
Venti was finally starting to open up to everyone again, after hiding himself in the room for so long...
...
She knew how he felt like, she really did,
She missed her Grandfather still, unsure of where he is...
...
But you still have to do your best, no matter what!
Wherever your loved ones are still here or not, you have to continue living your...!
-W-why is everyone gathered here...? -Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the shocked sounding Archon, just as they entered the dining room to an unusual scene of all the clergy members gathered around the table, the dishes already spread out. -...Don't you all have more important things to do...?!
-So you are finally here, Lord Barbatos. You were so slow, that I almost fell asleep. -Rosaria was the first to answer, looking and sounding a little annoyed, as she soon ignored the sideway glances she was given from some of her colleagues. -Seriously, even since hearing about you getting better and surely arriving here soon, I couldn't help feeling skeptical. And until now I had to sit still, doing nothing, while you were dallying with who knows what...-She couldn't help adding in even more annoyance, before she deeply sighed. -...I was asked to help prepare the food, but people didn't like my dish decorations for some reason...-She admitted in a more neutral voice, pointing to the side where a plate of what looked like an apple pie completely surrounded by dark thorns was. -...Can't say that I am the best at cooking, but I would rather people actually tasted it before judging. -She added while giving the sideway glances back, before turning to look towards Venti again. -So, I would like you to taste it and tell me how it is. This shouldn't be a problem to you, right...?
She soon suggested, still looking and sounding neutral,
Though if you were to look deeper, you could still see some anticipation in her eyes...
*Which was something the now slightly embarrassed Archon couldn't help noticing,
This nun's actions and words, as well as the fact everyone gathered here just for him...
...
It made him feel so thankful for their love and care...
*Just as the last time they have all gathered here...
...
-Thank you Rosaria, I will be glad to taste your dish! And thank you everyone, for gathering like this for me. -He couldn't help gratefully saying, looking between everyone in turn, his expression soon turning a little solemn. -...Just like last time, you are looking after me, aren't you...? -He rhetorically asked, already knowing the answer. -Back then, you were also constantly praying just so my energy could keep up. It must have been so tiring.
-So this is what happened when I was away. That reckless idiot...! Even now, when he should know better, he is still putting himself into so much danger! -Vennessa couldn't help yelling out just as Jean finished her retelling, feeling really annoyed and mad and not caring for showing an "ugly side" to one of her biggest fans. -Doesn't he care how I...We would feel like if he is...?!
"Dead", "Gone", "Lost", "Departed", there were many words with the same meaning,
Yet Vennessa couldn't bring herself to say any one of them, she was already worried enough...
...
After finally arriving to Mondstadt and then the city, soon gathering information from the pigeons sitting on the Cathedral's roof,
Even without the details, she still got the gist of the problem, one which was already worrying enough...
...
But now, after she heard the details from Mondstadt's Acting Grandmaster,
She didn't want to accept the fact that things were much much worse...
...
...
-...I can understand Venti wanting to see his friend again, but gambling with his own life like this to such an extent that he would have died if not for his "promise" acting up...And now he is so depressed that he chose to close himself inside of a room, even though everyone is so worried...-She couldn't help sadly saying, before deeply sighing, as she turned to look towards Jean. -You said that your sister, Deaconess Barbara, promised to stay with him for as long as he needs her to, right...? Seeing for myself how much he came to care for her, it's a wonder there wasn't much change until now. -...For Venti to be this depressed, she couldn't help feeling worried...Even though there were so many good people he could rely on. While she herself was away...-Jean Gunnhildr, I am truly thankful to you for taking care of Mondstadt and that reckless moron who is supposed to be our Archon. Even if I am away, I am reassured, knowing that everything is in good and capable hands. -She gratefully said while giving a small bow, making the other blush, a reaction she either didn't notice or choose to ignore. -I would have liked to extend my thanks to your sister too, but first, there's something that I would like to know...-She suddenly said upon turning to look between the stacks of paperwork in the room, deciding to voice what was bugging her for some time now. -Grandmaster Varka should already be back in Mondstadt, so why is it that not only do you still call yourself by the title of "Acting Grandmaster", but even have to take care of his paperwork...? -Her expression soon shifted into a glare. -He is not forcing you to do his Grandmaster duties, is he...? Because if he dares act in such a manner to one of the people I...!
-It's nothing like that, Lady Vennessa! Grandmaster Varka is currently on a break from paperwork duty and away on a monster hunt! -Jean frantically yelled out, trying to diffuse the other's rising rage, while also trying not to delve on what her hero was just about to say. Being thanked by Lady Vennessa and in such a respectful way was more that she could ever ask for. -...My mother...Alder Knight Frederica already talked to him about the necessity of doing paperwork duty, so he recently started doing his own paperwork and no longer passes them to me...
The Acting Grandmaster started explaining, trying to sound as reassuring as possible,
Yet Vennessa was no longer listening to her, as she felt herself getting "ruffled up" by this news...
...
To think that Mondstadt's actual Grandmaster has been shrinking paperwork duty, giving them to Jean and only recently started doing it himself,
And now he even dared to leave one of the people she greatly respected with his own mess, just so he could kill some monsters...
...
He should be thoroughly reminded of what responsibility and work ethic were,
That he should never have made up a reason to skip his duty again, while calling it a "break"...
...
...
Alder Knight, Frederica Gunnhildr,
Wherever she knew of this utter foolery or not...
...
She would be surely glad to join her in the reven...Discipline of this irresponsible mule, right...?~
It was finally time for the Impromptu Meeting,
And Barbatos couldn't help nervously looking at the gathered people below...
*He felt afraid about meeting the rest of his people,
Afraid to find out how disappointed they must be in him now...
...
They were still his beloved people and he trusted them,
But the side of himself that he recently showed them all...
...
First panicking when his friend...Left,
And then completely closing himself from the world...
...
...
He was supposed to be an Archon,
Mondstadt's Anemo Archon, God of Freedom...
...
And yet he was so pathetic...
...
...
But for some reason, they were still worried for him,
So he still had to talk to them all, nevertheless...
-I...I am glad to see you all gathered here. It has been a few days since I saw everyone, wasn't it...? -He forced himself to finally say, trying to look and sound cherry, yet failing miserably as his wings were nervously moving in tune with his emotions. -I gathered you all here to reassure you that I am feeling better and also wish to apologize. The way I acted a few days ago and even now, I...I am just so pathetic, it's shameful...-He admitted in self-reproach, choosing to ignore the worried looks he was now getting. -I was so happy when my friend "returned" that I chose to ignore the fact I was using my own power to keep him here...A power that was quickly running out. -He turned to look between the Church people nearby, before shifting to look between everyone else. -...I also ignored the fact that you were all watching over me, making sure I am able to spend as much time with my friend as I can, without all of my energy running out and...I am grateful to you for that. -He slightly smiled at the end of these words, his expression looking warm for a few seconds, before it fell again. -I wanted so badly to stay with my friend, that I...You were there at the time and heard it all, right...? -He deeply sighed, before moving his wings closer to himself and starting to fiddle with the feathers. -...When my friend wanted me to let go and what followed...I just...I just felt so hollow, I just wanted to be alone, far away from the world and the people...But I already promised to stay here, so...-He couldn't help sadly smiling, remembering how he acted back then. -...The way I acted...I never really wanted to be an Archon, but this is just pathetic...
He added before becoming quiet again, all his attention now on the nervous fiddling,
As he wasn't sure what more he could say or even bring himself too...
*In his grief for his friend, he closed himself and ignored them all,
And even before then, just like a small crybaby, he couldn't even...
-YOU ARE NOT PATHETIC, VENTI! YOU ARE JUST SAD BECAUSE YOUR FRIEND DIED AGAIN! -Was suddenly heard from his side, as the Archon soon noticed Klee running towards him with an annoyed and slightly mad expression on her face, the other children following her. -NO ONE IS GOING TO BLAME YOU FOR BEING SAD AND IF ANYONE TRIES KLEE IS GOING TO BLOW THEM RIGHT UP!
-Yeah! If they try to hurt father, my friends will take care of them! -Timmie agreed, looking annoyed himself, the pigeons sitting around the place soon cooing in agreement with his words.
-Lily is going to ask mommy to teach me how to fight and then beat them all up! -Lily was the next to promise, her eyes practically shining from determination.
Soon the other children also joined in with their own promises,
Ones which ranged from beating up the "nasties" themselves to asking others to beat them up instead...
*With everyone else deciding to give them this moment, seeing as the Archon wasn't looking nervous anymore,
If anything Barbatos now looked very confused and shocked, not expecting them to go to "his defense" like this...
...
He expected them to be disappointed in him and yet,
Why do they, even now, seem to be loving him so de...?
-GROUP HUG! -Was suddenly heard and before he could even register what just happened, the extremely confused Archon got practically jumped by the children from all sides, they soon enveloping him in a tight hug. -...Don't feel bad about being sad, Venti…Don't call yourself pathetic…Because when you say such sad things, Klee starts feeling sad too…
He soon heard her sadly mumble, with the other children agreeing with their "representative",
As they tightened the hug around him, mumbling short reassurances themselves…