Some time has passed until Venti came back from his musings,
Shocked when he saw that everyone were still gathered in the Plaza, waiting for him to finish the meeting.
*And being reminded that he is the nation's Archon, so of course they would wait for him to bring it to a close!
-...Please, at least when I am in this form, can you be less...Dutiful...? -Venti almost pleaded to the still gathered crowd. -You are FREE to leave the meeting wherever you wish to, you know. I won't be mad just because of that. -He continued with a weary sigh. -What if it took me hours until I was done with my overthinking...? Would you have really waited that long...? -He asked while looking between the people around him, soon sighing deeply. -...After everything that happened, there is no reason for me to ask such rhetorical questions. -He sadly added, before straightening himself and making a serious face expression. -Either way, since everyone is still here, it's time to talk about this year's Ludi Harpastum! -His face suddenly lit up, with him looking extremely enthusiastic now. -Does anyone already have ideas how to make it even better than earlier years?! Freely share all of your suggestions and thoughts on the matter! I will be glad to hear them all! And then we will make this year's Ludi Harpastum the best one there ever was! I am so excited that I can't wait for it to finally come! How much time until it starts? A day? Two days? Three? It's not in a whole week, is it?! There is no way I would be able to wait for that long! Just the thought of waiting for so long...!
He suddenly started going on and on about how much he wished for the festival to come sooner,
The people around him wondering about his overly enthusiastic reaction...
-Actually, I planned to hold the Windtrace event as one of the festival's activities. -Gygax then said, instantly stopping the Archon's musing, who was looking towards him in interest now. -The youth of today should know of this chapter of Mondstadt's history!
Then he started going on a long blown dialogue about the event and its history...
-...Celestia above...Is Dawn Winery going to be overrun with children playing hide and seek...? -Diluc weary commented, already imagining what a mess his home will become.
-That sounds like a great idea, Gygax! -Venti enthusiastically said, deciding to ignore the bartender's comment. -I can already imagine how fun this experience would be for everyone!
Then he too, went on a full blown dialogue about the event and how fun it would be for everyone to participate in,
Which soon turned into an enthusiastic discussion, as Gygax joined him before long...
-Um, Lord Barba...I mean Venti...? -Dahlia suddenly said, interrupting the two's happy time. -We were discussing holding an event at the Thousand Winds Temple and...
-That place?! And after I finally forgot about it...! -Venti interrupted her words, looking and sounding distressed. -Why did you have to remind me of it?! WHY?!
He cried out, remembering hearing what they did to the place,
There was no way he was going to set foot there, ever!
*He had enough of breaking down in embarrassment for one lifetime!
-We are still going to have a drinking competition, just like previous years. -Diluc commented, his expression suddenly becoming weary, as he looked towards the now happy looking Archon. -...You are going to join it this time, aren't you...? I can already imagine how it will go...-He then deeply sighed, before looking towards the other, a serious expression on his face now. -...Incidentally, what would you have done if all the Dandelion wine suddenly disappeared...?
There was silence for a while, as the sky around Mondstadt suddenly darkened,
A bunch of clouds appearing as if from nowhere and blocking the sun.
-...If all the wine was suddenly gone...- Venti dangerously said with the smile still on his face, his darkening expression making him seem like death itself. -...I wonder what would have actually happened then~ Hehehehehehehehehehehehehe~ - He then chuckled, looking even more murderous now. -... Do you want to find that out...?
There was eerily silence after his words,
The people in the Plaza now reminded that he survived the Archon war...
*And that he was the wind, his mood able to drastically change in a second.
-...We still have enough Dandelion wine saved up. -Diluc soon slowly said, coughing slightly. -So there is no need for that, truly.
-... Oh, is that so...? -Venti said moments later, as the sky started brightening again. -...Then what was that question for...? I started thinking that the wine was gone!
At his words everyone in the area exchanged resolute glances,
Deciding, on a spiritual level, not to tell him about how the wine industry was in danger a few days ago...
*An exchange that the Archon hopefully didn't notice.
-Oh, well. As long as there is still some Dandelion wine, then it's fine! -Venti then said, looking and sounding very cherry, before his expression changed to that of thoughtfulness and some concern. -Now that I look around, it seems that not everyone is gathered here. Did something happen to those who are absent...?
There was some silence after his words...
-Calvin, upon taking on my duties, seemed to be overworking himself with the affairs of the church. -Seamus finally said, looking apological. -He is now resting, hopefully getting on all the sleep he has missed.
-Likewise, Kaeya is currently on a break. As are some other knights. -Jean added, also looking apological. -I seems like I went too hard on them, with all the work I made them do.
-The same thing as you did to yourself, forgetting that the human body has its limitations. -Lisa added with a sigh, looking towards her in concern. -...It's truly fortunate that the citizens are less eager to ask you for help now...
"Thanks to our cute Archon~", was left unsaid,
Thought Venti still blushed slightly, upon remembering what she told him before...
-Oh, right, Venti! I forgot to tell you about Endora! -The traveler suddenly said, looking towards the Archon in slight regret and great enthusiasm. -Endora is a Lochfolk that I met a few days ago and she is now my new companion! -They explained, ignoring the sudden "Hey! Don't replace Paimon!". -I would like you to meet her, Venti. Ever since I have been staying in the city, she has been "chilling" by the fountain in the Market District.
-I would be glad to meet with your new companion, traveler. -Venti answered them, also ignoring a sudden protest from Paimon, his expression soon becoming more serious. -But there are some things that I have to take care of first, such as traveling to Dragonspine in order to talk with Durin. -He then became thoughtful. -...It shouldn't take long if I ride on Dvalin's back. Moreover, since he is a dragon, it shouldn't be a problem if it's just the two of...
-Venti, it would be better if you take an escort with you. -Jean interrupted him, looking and sounding very concerned. -In case something happens on the way.
The Archon was quiet for a few seconds, looking at the Acting Grandmaster in confusion,
And wondering if he heard her right or his hearing suddenly went bad, for some unexplained reason...
...
But, to his rising shock, he did hear her right...
-Huh...? But Dvalin is...A dragon...? -Venti blurted out, as he looked towards said dragon (Who was, together with Vennessa, quietly sitting by the cathedral all this time) in complete confusion. -...And you think that it won't be safe enough...? -His expression then became weary, as he looked between everyone around him again. -...Or is it that after everything that happened to me from the Fatui invasion and until now, you became this overprotective...? -He asked, already knowing the answer to that question, especially when he noticed that some people's expressions suddenly became very concerned. So, they really became overprotective of him and to this extent...-...Fine, as long as it gives you a peace of mind. I will agree to this.
In the end both Albedo and Rosaria joined him on his little trip to Dragonspine,
The Alchemist because he knew of the situation and the nun because she was monitoring this "suspicious person"...