-I know that you two are still fairly new here and in normal circumstances, I would have gone easier on you...-Rosaria was seemingly calmly saying, as she was now glancing between the tiredly heaving twins before her. -...But considering what you did, I don't feel like I should do you any favors. Or rather, I don't feel like going easy on you. It might have been a month and a half ago, but surely you still remember what happened. You might have been manipulated through most of it, but you still did an unforgivable thing. And even after everything, you were still welcomed into Mondstadt by our foolish Archon. -She continued in a slightly colder voice, trying not to react to Caleb's and Sophia's guilt stricken expressions, as she soon showed an evil grin. -Yet, you are still so weak, even after all this time of me being your battle training instructor. Are you even trying or is your determination truly so weak...?
The battle nun added in some mockery, trying to hide her amusement,
As she now wondered what the twins' reaction would be...
*If they are truly sorry for what they did at that time and want to do better,
Then her earlier words would surely spur them on, isn't that right...?
...
This training was as much for the mind, as it was for the body,
And until they fully master it, she is not going to leave them alone...
*As they were now part of the Clergy, they had to know how to fight just like everyone else,
So no matter whatever happens, they wouldn't just cover and hide, becoming a liabili...
BAAAM!
-MOMMY! MOMMY, TEACH ME HOW TO FIGHT! Lily wants to beat up all the baddies that make Papa sad!
-YEAH! WE HAVE TO GET REVENGE FOR FATHER!
-That's right! Everyone who hurts Venti should suffer!
-Can you please teach us how to fight, Lily's mommy...?
A bunch of children suddenly ran through the door and into the room,
All of them soon stopping before Jillianna with determined expressions...
*Everyone who was in the training until now, stopping in their tracks due to the sudden commotion...
...
As the former Treasure Hoarder member was now looking conflicted,
Realizing the problem with this situation, yet unsure how to best explain it...
...
-Lily, darling and everyone else. I understand your feelings, trust me, I do. -Jillianna soon said as she crouched down to their level, trying to sound as calm and reassuring as possible. -But you are still too young to learn how to fight. At most I can teach you basic self-defense training. -She admitted, trying not to sadly sigh at their disbelieving expressions. -Your currently small and weak physique wouldn't be able to endure that kind of vigorous training. So sadly...
-KLEE IS ALSO YOUNG, BUT SHE IS ALREADY A KNIGHT!
-YEAH! SHE IS ALREADY A KNIGHT BUT WE CAN'T EVEN LEARN HOW TO FIGHT!
-WHY DOES SHE CAN AND WE CAN'T?! IT'S NOT FAIR!
The children soon started yelling in annoyance and some rage,
Going on and on about the unfairness of it all and...
-It's because she has a Pyro Vision. With its help she is strong enough to fight. -The yelling was soon interrupted by the serious voice of Victoria, as she walked up to the group and was menacingly looking at the children from above, making them quiet down right away. -You are neither "grown-up" nor in possession of a Vision. You are way too weak for this kind of training.
She straightforwardly added, not reacting to the children's now pouting expressions at all,
Or rather, she tried not to show any reaction, knowing full well that this had to be said and taken to heart...
*That no matter how much they want to help "Venti", doing this in such a way would be extremely foolish...
...
-I don't get where the whole issue is and why everyone stopped with their training. They are young and might have trouble learning how to fight, so what...? -Rosaria soon said in annoyance, as she walked towards the group, glancing between everyone until her gaze stopped on the saddened children. -They might be young, sure, I won't deny that they still are. But as long as they have the required determination, it wouldn't be so bad if they were taught how to use a weapon. With the right training, they will master it in no time. -Just like she herself did, so many years ago. -And since they are practically begging for it...
-They are not you, Sister Rosaria. And no child should ever be. -Victoria interrupted her, looking quite stern now. -I am certain you yourself understand just how screwed your childhood was, when...
She soon went on a full lecture about the matter, trying to sound as vague as possible since there were children present,
Said children now looking in rising confusion between the two "arguing"(?) sisters, wondering what exactly they were talking about...
-Well, you heard Sister Victoria. Until you all grow up, I can only teach you self defense. -Jillianna soon said, trying to distract the children from the small quarrel nearby. -You can join the other recruits back there and I will be with you shortly.
She explained while pointing towards the twins standing nearby,
Before proceeding to stand up and walk towards the two "quarreling" sisters...
...
Leaving the still confused children to look at her retreating form,
Before they collectively decided to do what she said and ran towards Caleb and Sophia...
-Hi! Mommy said that you are also recnats...?
-It's "recruits", Lily. But I am not sure what that means.
-Since we are just starting to learn fighting, maybe they are also!
-So they are also new! Hey, who are you and when did you join?
The children soon stopped their word exchange and were now looking towards the twins in anticipation,
As Caleb and Sophia couldn't help exchanging conflicted glances, not sure how to reply...
*They weren't sure what to say to not make the children unnecessarily mad and sad...
...
-We were saved by Lo...Venti. -Sophia decided to be the one to explain, as she crouched to the children's level, her expression soon turning guilt stricken. -We did something really really bad and he still forgave us and even gave us a second chance at life. So now we are trying really hard to make up for it and help both him and Mondstadt.
She vaguely explained, hoping that this explanation was enough for them,
As she and her brother soon exchanged glances again, wondering if this was really okay...
...
They also couldn't help wondering how Lord Barbatos was doing right now,
Was he already feeling better or was he still deeply in his grief...?
Venti was starting to feel annoyed again,
Even with Barbara and Jean safely tucked in his arms...
*His cute people who turned into even more adorable babies...
...
HE WAS STILL STARTING TO FEEL REALLY ANNOYED!
-Not only did Alice turn those islands into her own toy box, but a bunch of resentful squirrels even stole the next hint! -He couldn't help saying aloud, just the memory of what happened making him mad. -And now they even demanded to see me due to some "long-standing feud" with their ancestors I don't even remember having! -He continued in even more annoyance, which soon slightly abated by the babies' reassuring patting of his cheeks. -...Seriously, now that the islands rose after the last of the buoys was destroyed, I thought we could continue on this "Adventure" that Alice prepared for us. To think we would need to meet up with those squirrels in their habitat...
He couldn't help deeply sighing, wondering how much time this "side quest" would take them,
As he also couldn't help wondering how exactly he "wronged" their ancestors, as they said...
...
Just what were they so mad at him about,
That they would even sabotage his and everyone else's "Adventure"...?
*Surely, it wasn't due to him, so many centuries ago…?
-Venti, I am not sure if this is the right time, but there is something that has been bothering me for a while now. -Frederica suddenly said, as she lowered the Kamera that she was just recently using, down. Truthfully, taking photos of her adorable daughters helped a lot in lessening her sudden jealousy. But that was not what bothered her right now...-...These islands, they are from Mondstadt, aren't they...? -She soon voiced what everyone else was thinking, looking thoughtful herself. -...Not only do they feel like a part of Mondstadt, but all these Dandelions we have been walking by...
-Those islands are a part of Mondstadt. Or rather, they were. -Venti soon admitted, before his expression turned a little annoyed again. -When I terraformed Mondstadt's terrain so it would be easier to live, they were in the way and even blocked the sun! So I just cut them off and randomly yeeted them somewhere, which turned out to be here. -He nonchalantly explained, soon noticing everyone's conflicted expressions. Was this too hard for them to believe...? -Back then, I was a lot stronger than I am now, so it was fairly easy to do.
He added, deciding that this explanation was surely enough,
As he soon continued his walk towards their destination, unaware of the others slightly lagging behind...
*Who were now wondering about his earlier admittance and some already started to piece things together...
...
Such as what exactly those squirrels were so mad at their Archon for...
-So it was a trap, unsurprisingly. -Venti couldn't help mumbling as the group arrived at the specified location, soon getting surrounded by a bunch of angry looking squirrels. -Now then, what's this "grudge" you seem to have against me...? -He then asked, glancing between the animals gathered around, his expression soon turning annoyed. -...What prompted you to hinder our quest and in such an annoying way, at that...?
He couldn't help adding, getting even more annoyed about the situation now,
Already feeling like it would be better to just take back the clue and yeet all of those squirrels...
-You bullied our ancestors, Wind God!
-The Land of Wind was their home!
-You broke up the place and sent it flying here!
-Our true home is not here!
-You threw us all here!
-Threw us all away!
-Without asking what we wanted!
-Aren't you supposed to be the "God of Freedom"?!
Said squirrels suddenly started yelling one after another, unknowingly ending each other sentences in their rage,
As Venti was now quietly listening to them talk, seemingly calm, with two members of the group now realizing that they were right...
*This whole situation was due to their Archon casually throwing away some mountains because they didn't fit the landscape...
...
But if it really was the case, then...
-Isn't this place in the permanent state of summer, which means endless food resources? -Vennessa couldn't help wondering aloud, the toddler looking confused. -So even if those islands are not a part of Mondstadt anymore, thanks to Venti's carelessness, they are still a good place for you to live at. Why are you so mad at him now...?
-I have to agree with this. While not an ideal situation, you still have some amount of freedom. -Dvalin soon added, also feeling confused about this situation, just as everyone else was now being given a summary of the situation by the Winds. -...Some people don't even have the luxury to leave their domain...
The toddler couldn't help sadly adding,
As he clearly knew Durin's situation and how restricting it actually was...
*And that was after Barbatos helped him "revive" in a way,
If not for that, he would have still been...
-Because we want to see other places!
-We want to see where our ancestors lived before!
-We already know those islands perfectly and want to see more!
-We don't want to feel like our home is a toy! Sometimes it acts weird!
-There was a bubble around it before and it was deep under the sea!
-We don't like being bullied! Not anymore!
-So the Wind God has to pay!
-You are together with him, so you have to pay too!
-You all have to pay!
-We will get our revenge!
-For our ancestors' honor and for...!
-I regret that I have to stop you right there. -Their yelling was suddenly interrupted by a very cold voice, as everyone soon turned towards its source, noticing Venti looking really mad now. -I can understand your ire with me, but if you do anything to my adorable babies...-He added while moving both Barbara and Jean closer to himself, his expression soon turning murderous. -...I WILL BE SURE TO SKIN YOU ALIVE AND TURN YOU ALL INTO A BIG AND NICE WINTER COAT.
The enraged Archon threateningly said, meaning every word,
As he was already envisioning in his head how the coat would possibly look like...
*A winter coat for the Dragonspine Adventurer Camp would surely be nice,
It's so cold at that mountain, that the people will surely appreciate the…~
-We are sorry, Wind God!
-Please, have mercy! Don't kill us!
-Please don't turn us into a coat!
-We just want to return to our ancestors' home!
-We just want to experience how the Land of Wind is!
-Please, all we want is this!
The squirrels couldn't help frantically pleading, looking and sounding terrified,
Their non stop yelling soon starting to overlap, their words too hard to understand...
...
As everyone watched the situation go on,
Giving worried glances towards the Archon...
*Who, while not mad anymore, was eerily quiet now...