-Listen well you two and be sure to remember: The bag with the playful black cat etched on it is to be given to Margaret of Cat's Tail and should be given away first, in return for a Mora pouch which you should then bring right back to me. Afterwards, I want you to take a bag with a flower bouquet etched on it and give it to Flora of Floral Whisper. While you are at it, I want you to give the middle sized Mora pouch to the Jeweler, Shiliu, who should trade it for a different bag that you would then need to give...-Marjorie was giving instructions to Caleb and Sophia, soon explaining to them the tasks they had to do next, with the twins carefully listening to her every word.
...
Unlike a certain Deaconess, who found herself standing on the side of the shop,
And pretty much ignoring everything that was going on around her...
*Except for those "coincidentally" placed wedding rings,
Which she was sure that Miss Marjorie placed there on purpose...
...
...
It was now a few minutes after the embarrassing situation that the Winds caused,
And Barbara still felt herself unable to forget about what they told her...
...
"Deaconess Barbara, how is your married life with Barbatos going...?"
"How do you feel about being Husband and Wife...?"
"Is your relationship going...?"
...
...
AAAAAAAAAAAH!
IT WAS JUST SO EMBARRASSING!
WHY WOULD THEY EVEN SAY SOMETHING LIKE THIS?!
...
She and Venti...
THEY WEREN'T LIKE THAT!
...
...
His presence was nice, spending time with him and cuddling at night was also...
...
BUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP WAS ENTIRELY PLATONIC!
HOW COULD SHE EVEN ENVISION, WITH HER OWN ARCHON...?!
*EVEN THINKING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY WAS SACRILEGE!
...
They might be friends and she was glad for that, grateful that they could be closer now,
But more than that would be...
*Especially since she was going to grow old after a few decades and then...
...
...
It would be best if Venti found someone who was physically similar to himself,
Someone with whom he would be able to happily spend many millenia together with,
Someone who wouldn't just die after less than a century and leave him all alone again...
*If only they knew more about the topic of reincarnation...
...
Even while deciding to be his friend and nothing more,
Hoping that it could ease any future suffering he might have...
...
Barbara couldn't help but still feel so guilty,
Realizing that even if his pain will be eased, it wouldn't simply disappear...
*But Miss Lisa and everyone else were doing research on this issue, so it should turn out alright, right...?
...
...
"Venti" already went through so much,
If only he could just be happy from now on...
...
Didn't he already suffer enough...?
Caleb and Sophia were really confused right now,
As they were quietly watching the scene before them, unsure what to do...
-...I-I am sorry, but can you let go of me, please...? -Barbara was saying in rising embarrassment, as she was laying on the floor, her red face clearly seen through all the cats. -...I-I still have to do my duties...!
-Prince, Paisley, Nelson, Roger and Butterfly, let go of Barbara this instant! -Margaret told the cats in a strict voice, hoping that this time they would let go of the embarrassed Deaconess' dress. -I am not sure why you are acting like this, but you are making this situation...!
-MEOW!
-MEOOW!
-MEOOOW!
-MEOOOOW!
-HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS!
The cats soon interrupted her in rising indignation,
As they continue sticking to the poor Deaconess like glue...
*How her clothes were still intact was a great mystery, yet wasn't the main problem right now...
...
...
"The bag with the playful black cat etched on it is to be given to Margaret of Cat's Tail and should be given away first, in return for a Mora pouch which you should then bring right back to me."
...
It was the first task that Miss Marjoire wanted them to do,
And so they went to Cat's Tail, striving to do it well...
...
And then, when they were in the middle of doing the exchange, they suddenly heard a loud yelp from nearby,
Turning around they saw Barbara being surrounded, sniffed and soon getting jumped onto by cats...
...
Which soon brought them to the current situation,
Of their "supervisor"/friend being held down by a bunch of cats...
...
-Sooo, what do you think we should do, Sophia...? -Caleb soon asked, still looking in confusion at the scene, to which Diona now arrived. -We still have our other tasks to do. And Barbara planned to...
-I think we should leave it to them. Surely, this is not the first time that this has happened. -He was soon interrupted by his sister, just as Diona was now talking to Marjoire, glancing towards the human+cat pile from time to time. -Looks like they already know what to do.
Sophia soon added, just as Diona walked nearer and crouched down by the pile,
And soon a discussion started between her and the cats, with meows, hisses and purring being heard back and forth...
*One that almost no one in the vicinity understood, unlike the Winds who decided to eavesdrop,
Which they amusingly did ever since the "discussion"/scolding started...
...
-Alright everyone, why are you doing this?! -Diona was telling her furry friends, looking and sounding quite annoyed and a little mad. -Not only are you not doing your work, but you are even acting in such an embarrassing manner! Have you no shame at all?!
She ended in even more annoyance, soon glaring between them,
With the cats being quiet for a while, thinking of a reply that wouldn't get them even more scolded...
-Sorry, Miona. The lady smells so nice. -Butterfly was the first to reply, sounding ashamed, yet also gleeful. -Like a flower~
-Lady smells like Venti. -Prince corrected her, sounding content and a little annoyed. -Can't get close to Venti. So smelling the lady.
-What they said. -Nelson agreed, sounding quite happy as well. -Smelling the lady now. When done, ask for food. A lot of tasty food.
-The lady is also nice. Not just with smell. -Roger was sure to admit, as he was lying on the Deaconess chest and looking at her embarrassed expression. -Fun to play with. Reminds me of Venti.
-I am playing with friends. And the lady smells nice. -Paisley simply added, as if that explained anything, before moving his head and returning to the smelling. -Don't interrupt, Fiona.
There was eerie silence after his words, as the other cats collectively decided to follow his example,
Returning to the activity of sniffing Barbara, seemingly completely ignoring their more humanoid friend...
-THAT'S NOT AN EXCUSE! WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT! DID YOU ALREADY FORGOT ABOUT IT?! -Diona suddenly yelled out, sounding livid and looking as if she was about to pounce on the now-shocked-by-the-sudden-yell cats. -The agreement where we let Venti be, because even though he smells so good, he is allergic to the smell of cat fur! -She soon reminded them in a more calm voice, yet still annoyed. -The same goes for Barbara, who even cuddles with him at night! Don't you see the problem here...?!
She soon went on a full blown lecture about how dumb they were currently acting, that due to their actions, Venti might just decide to leave Mondstadt,
And then, not only wouldn't they be able to smell him, even from afar, but they wouldn't even be able to see him ever again...
After finally resolving the situation at Cat's Tail, when the cats almost fell asleep on Barbara...
*The reason for this embarrassed the Deaconess quite a bit, though she tried not to think about it too much...
...
It was time for the trio to return to doing their daily quests,
Which thankfully went without issues, as the task completing went a lot faster,
And finally they found themselves at their last destination for the day, Angel's Share...
...
Upon entering the establishment and coming face to face with four judging eyes,
As both Diluc Jr. and Charlotte were sitting on the bar table and looking at the newcomers with deadpan expressions...
-Oh, you are finally here. Brought the package too, I am sure. -A familiar sounding voice interrupted the silence, as Diluc entered the tavern from the back door and went to stand behind the bar table, a serious and slightly amused expression on his face. -You must have been quite surprised as to why those two are here, aren't you...? Why of all places they are allowed to be at, they decided to come to my tavern...-He soon added in a more happy voice, while proceeding to pet the foxes, who seemed to quite like the attention. -They seem to like spending time with me and keeping me company. And I don't mind this arrangement. -He simply said, as if that explained anything, before stopping with the petting and starting his walk towards the arrivals. -Now then, let's go down to business. -He said in a more serious voice upon stopping right before the Trio, soon putting his sights to the package the twins were holding, looking at it up and down for a few seconds before taking it from their hands. -...I have to applaud you, the package still seems to be in good condition and I am glad to admit that the items inside surely would as well.
He gratefully added, while walking with it behind the bar again and depositing it there,
Before taking out a bottle of grape juice and four glasses, soon pouring the liquid in them all and putting them on the bar counter...
*The two foxes having moved away upon realizing what their spiritual brother/mate's friend was planning to do,
As they were now looking between the glasses of juice and the arrivals, as if to give a hint of what this was all about...
...
One that the trio already understood quite well...
-Master Diluc, I am thankful for the invite. But I can't in good conscience accept it, especially for free. -Barbara soon tried to explain, feeling bad about the whole thing. -Not only that, but even though my morning duties are mostly done, mainly supervising Caleb and Sophia while they are doing various tasks for Mondstadt's people. There are still some things I must finish, so then I could...With Venti...I-I...-Her face suddenly heated up as she remembered what the Winds asked last time, making her feel really embarrassed again. -...S-someone has to look after him...Y-you know how he is...A-always acting so cute and silly...A-and the children like him a lot...E-even when he is being childish himself...T-though it's not a bad thing...! I-I don't mind that my Archon acts like this...! I-if he was any different then we couldn't have been friends...A-and it would have been really sad because...
She soon started rambling about how "Venti" wasn't acting like an Archon is ideally supposed to, but it was okay because she couldn't see him any other way and that was what made him so endearing,
Though it took her some getting used to since she didn't expect it at first, her view gradually changed after finding out he was Lord Barbatos, but after spending so much time together she doesn't regret it at all and he is quite nice to be around with, even with the jokes and teasing and...
-You don't need to explain it, I already know what you mean. -Diluc interrupted her mid sentence, before sighing. -Even while giving me so many headaches, I can't seem to stay mad at him. That annoying yet endearing gremlin. He has his heart in the right place, yet he is such a handful and a trouble magnet. How he survived until now is surely one of Teyvat's greatest mysteries. -He admitted in a slightly serious, amused and fond voice, before sighing again. -I take it he is still asleep, so he should be waking up soon and you are eager to spend most of the day with him. -He then motioned to the still standing glasses of juice, before taking one and starting to sip from it. -I wouldn't take much of your time then, just enough for a small break and a talk. It should take us 20 minutes tops and I will be sure to give you a few bottles of Dandelion Wine which that silly bard loves so much. Hopefully he wouldn't act so petty as last time, "blocking" me from getting any grape juice like that...-He reassured Barbara, mumbling the last part, before turning to look towards the twins. -You might join as well, it would be a shame to waste all this perfectly made grape juice now. Besides, I have planned to discuss a certain matter with you too.
He added, before continuing to slowly sip his juice,
As if waiting for them to do the same so they could start their talk...
-Thank you, Master Diluc. I will be glad to join you. -Barbara soon said, as she proceeded to do just that, the twins soon joining her.
...
-Now then, let's start the discussion. It's about the cult situation, as you must have already assumed. -Diluc said as soon as everyone got comfortable, turning to look between the trio, before stopping his gaze to Caleb and Sophia. -No offense to you two, but most of the "group" consists of crazy people. Especially that "Elder"...-He soon added with some rage at the last sentence, before sighing to calm himself down. -The topic is mostly about the "group" joining Mondstadt and the issues that come with it.
He soon started explaining how the cultist punishment was going quite well for now,
With them paying for their sins, some less and others more, by assisting others in different ways...
*Which turned out to be quite profitable for different businesses and groups working in Mondstadt,
Especially when they started getting basic combat, first aid and general awareness classes...
...
The main problem, as everyone soon found out, was the housing situation,
With the discussion for where to build another village mainly going nowhere...
...
Which is why Diluc took it upon himself to find a solution, deciding that it was best to solve this issue as soon as possible...
*As he tiredly realized that this might not be a one time situation, you could never know how many people would join Mondstadt later,
Which has a high chance of happening, especially considering that apparently, the bard had cults dedicated to him all over Teyvat...
...
...
Which is why he decided to have a meeting with the Community Representatives and proposed two locations to start with:
One in the location of Starfell Lake and the other in the now-completely-hillichurl-free Dadaupa Gorge...
*Diluc was sure to give some Mora and materials for the construction, as well as ensuring to send some people to these two locations...
...
...
Hopefully, after taking care of this issue and the others,
All of Mondstadt could return back to normal everyday life...