The special place called the "Dreamscape",
Just like always, it was a very peaceful space...
...
Every time he fell asleep and didn't dream, he appeared here,
And every time he did, the overly dutiful knight, Rostam, welcomed him...
...
Most times in a respectful way, while other times...
"...I can't apologize enough, Lord Barbatos! Last time you were here, I shouldn't have gotten my feeling the best of me and keep scolding you!", said knight guilt-strickenly yelled out, as he was currently bending before the Archon in a half bow, his head lowered in shame, "...Due to my impulsive behavior at the time, I didn't even realize that I was keeping you here for such a long time, which understandably made people worry and...!"
Barbatos could only sigh as the Knight went on and on, getting more guilt-stricken with each word,
As he kept apologizing for how much he sinned and how much he made others suffer due to his mistake...
*Well, at least this overly dutiful knight was only half bowing before him and not...
...
There was no need to remember about THAT extremely embarrassing and awkward scene,
It was already in the past and shouldn't resurface no matter what!
...
...
But even so, having the Knight apologize to him felt wrong,
Especially as he couldn't really fault him for what he did at the time...
*The scolding he gave him came from a place of deep worry, after all...
"...Lo...Venti, just promise to never do something like that again. Promise not to worry me like that again, okay...?
...It really feels like I have a son, even though Rossie and myself...
...I wonder what she is doing right now and how she even is. If she realizes where I currently am...I should definitely prepare a full explanation for her or she might misunderstand...
Don't worry, Lord Barbatos. I won't let her hurt you again, I promise."
...
...
Rostam started with this and went from there,
With his words soon turning into a full blown lecture...
*One which was well deserved and in hindsight, long overdue...
...
It was no wonder that Rostam soon lost track of time,
Just like the rest of his people, this Dutiful Knight cared about him so much,
And because of this he was ultimately "chewed out" by Jillianna for making everyone panic...
...
...
-Rostam, there is no need for you to apologize. What you did at the time didn't come due to any malicious intent, but rather from a place of worry. And I was the one who made you worry so much. -Barbatos couldn't help but say in a guilt-stricken voice, as he walked and crouched before the knight, soon lifting his chin up. -I am sorry for having you worry so much on my behalf and I am sorry for having you suffer a mother's rage. -He apologized, before a reassuring smile appeared on his face. -...You don't have to worry anymore, Rostam. After remembering everyone's heartfelt and desperate words at the time, when they all worked so hard to return my "soul" back into my body..."Even if those guys from Celestia arrive to punish me, for whatever reason, I would still like to remain here with everyone", was what I decided, after all. -His expression then turned determined. -I am not going anywhere, not even if THEY try to force me to. You have my word.
"I am going to sleep. Wake me up when you are done. Preferably with a bunch of wine.",
Was what the Archon told them before going to sleep and it has been hours since then,
By that point they have finished their Impromptu, as well as frankly unusual, "training"...
...
And yet the KoF members weren't sure how to proceed with the Archon's wish,
With even Varka knowing full well that a certain Diluc Ragnvindr didn't have the best opinion about the order...
*Due to this, even if they order the wine from him, would he still...?
-I brought the wine to help wake the bard up. -A familiar voice was suddenly heard, as a weary looking Diluc walked into the scene. -Before you think anything weird, Grandmaster Varka, no, I am not doing this to help you. I still don't like the Knights of Favonius and all the useless knights that still somehow weren't kicked out of it. -The redhead soon said, looking and sounding stern, as he proceeded to walk towards and crouch before the sleeping Archon. -I heard from the Winds what kind of the so-called "training" you did and couldn't help feeling sorry for him. I am not in the least bit surprised he asked for wine after something like THAT...I would have too if I had to participate in your "training". -He added upon summoning 7 wine bottles from his Vision's "Hammerspace" and soon opening one of them, before proceeding to carefully hold the Archon up and let him smell the wine. -...It's also about time I left the Lawrence estate after helping Eula out. Besides, she already got herself two new helpers in the clergy trainees...
He soon nonchalantly mumbled a small explanation for the Grandmaster,
Not really caring wherever it sounded formal or detailed enough...
*Frankly speaking, he couldn't help feeling really annoyed with the KoF "Grandmaster",
The "Silly Grandmaster", as the Winds so appropriately (yet way too nicely) called this overgrown child...
...
Seriously, how did this..."Man" even come up with that kind of "training"...?!
Was he truly so bored, that his brain started to...?!
-Master Diluc...? Weren't you busy helping Eula with the Lawrence clan affairs...? -His thoughts were soon interrupted by a familiar voice, as Barbatos was looking at him in some confusion, prompting the other to close the bottle, put it down and help the Archon sit up. -...I do remember asking for wine and...Wait, did you bring me 7 bottles instead of the usual 4...?! -He suddenly yelled out upon noticing them, practically jumping up from Diluc's arms, his eyes practically starry now. -...Is that all for me...?! What is the special occasion, Master Diluc...?!
-The Winds informed me about the (completely insane) "training" and I soon realized that you might want to drink more than the usual amount. -Diluc calmly answered him, as he carefully collected all the wine bottles into a pile, with the Archon soon making them float before himself. -...Think of it as a "one-time gift" from me and feel free to enjoy it to your heart's content.
He added in reassurance, a small smile soon appearing on his face,
Before he went into a small, but respectful bow, turned around and left...
...
-...Thank you for the wine, Master Diluc. And thank you for your thoughtfulness! -Barbatos soon thankfully and happily said, his voice reverberating through the area via the wind. -I am going to enjoy drinking it under Vennessa's tree~
It didn't take long for him to shift into his bard form and find a good spot by the Windrise tree,
As Venti soon started drinking the gifted wine, not at all surprised to notice Rosaria's arrival, stationed a few feet away...
*She was here to secretly watch over and guard him from any possible threat, as he gratefully realized...
...
And not long after, he found out about her current dilemma from the Winds:
"Battle Nun Rosaria is musing about wherever she should ask you for some wine or let you enjoy your share."
...
...
This gave him a small, but meaningful, idea,
As he soon teleported to her side, one uncorked bottle of wine in hand...
-Think of it as a token of appreciation for you guarding me, Rosaria~ -He said upon giving it to her, before showing a small wink and teleporting back to his previous spot at the tree.
...
"Dodododododo~ You got a call! Dodododododo~ Pick up now! Dodododododododododododododododododododododo...~"
Was suddenly heard just as he sat down, which gave Venti pause...
*The Traveler seemed to be calling him even sooner than last time...
...
-Traveler, did something happen again...? -He asked as soon as he clicked on the device, starting to feel a little worried. -...They didn't burn down the Akademiya already, did they...?
He couldn't help but soon ask,
Wondering what kind of chaos was...
"Venti, Paimon can't take it anymore! Sumeru gives Paimon a horrible headache!", was suddenly heard, the familiar voice of the Pixie sounding almost tearful, "The Traveler didn't tell you since they didn't want to worry you, but there was more trouble these past 4 days! We had and still need to participate in "legal battles" and go to court as witnesses and we are not even in Fontaine yet!"
She admitted in the same tearful voice,
Before there was a suspiciously long pause,
One which made Venti worry that she actually started crying...
*Just what were those "legal battles" that even Paimon would react like this...?
...
And since he couldn't hear the Traveler, with the addition to Paimon's previous words,
Did she actually "steal" the Dodocommunication Device so she could complain to him...?
...
-...Paimon, I can understand that you must be annoyed and quite frankly done with whatever is currently going on in Sumeru...-He decided to start with this, wondering how he should proceed with the sentence. Since he didn't know the exact situation and didn't ask for information from the Winds...-...Tell me, what kind of mess is Sumeru currently in...?
"...It's almost a civil war...Just a little short of it...", Paimon soon admitted, her voice a lot quieter than usual, "It all started from the end of the Samsara, when Traveler, Paimon and Xiao noticed what Azar and his lackeys did to the festival preparations!", she continued in a more annoyed voice, "They not only destroyed the whole thing, but soon even tried to shut the Zubayr Theater down for "daring to prepare for the Sabzeruz festival and violating the Akademiya rules" and put it's member into prison, planned to put Dehya into prison for secretly donating money to it and were about to put a bunch of merchants on trial and have them pay a hefty fine for their involvement in the festival's preparations! We had to teleport to Liyue, find Yanfei and pay her a bunch of Mora so she could help us out! And all of this mess started not long after we finally had a break from all the chaos happening before!", her voice started getting extremely annoyed and slightly mad by this point, "And that's not all! Due to the Samsara locking a lot of people, which included the Eremites and most of Sumeru, inside of the dream loop, many are now pissed by the whole situation and demand for Azar and the other 3 Sages to be put on trial! They also somehow found out what happened to the last 2 Sages and also demand they be let free, but Azar and his lackeys still don't want to budge on that! SO NOW IT'S BASICALLY AN ALL OUT LEGAL WAR BETWEEN AZAR AND HIS ALLIES AGAINST MOST OF SUMERU CITY!", she practically yelled out in rage, before a deep sigh was heard, "...Dunyarzad's father, Shahzaman Homayani, is one of the people who wants the Sages "to pay" for what they did. You should have seen how enraged he was, when he was yelling at Azar and the others about how they almost killed his daughter.", she explained in a more quiet voice, before a small shudder was heard, "...Venti, he looked so scary that Paimon couldn't help feeling glad his rage wasn't directed at Paimon...! He looked like he was keeping himself from murdering them all there and then...!"
"Paimon, stealing is bad. I thought you already knew that...?", a different voice was suddenly heard, as the Traveler sounded disappointed, before there was a small tired sigh, "...You already told Venti, didn't you...?"
"...Paimon is sorry...But Paimon couldn't take it anymore and...!", the Pixie's words soon broke off, before a sad sigh was heard, "...Paimon is going to take a break...Thank you for listening to Paimon, Venti..."
She gratefully mumbled, before there was a swooshing sound,
And soon it became quiet once again...
"I apologize on behalf of Paimon, Venti. When it's finally peaceful in Mondstadt and yet you had to hear about the chaos happening here...", the Traveler soon said, before a small sigh was heard, "...Wherever those Sages do and the trouble that might surface, we will do anything to make things right, so there is no need to worry. You should continue enjoying your time with your people, Venti. Just be sure to tell them "hello" from me, okay...?", they continued in reassurance, before there was a small pause, "Since Paimon already called, I should tell you what happened with the "Burning the Akademiya down" issue: The situation seems to have already been resolved, as Rhadames promised to talk to the Ayn Al-Ahmar clan members in a dream. I will be sure to inform you if anything else happens regarding this "issue". ", they ended in some barely hidden amusement, "...Truthfully speaking, recently I found this whole situation quite hilarious. After everything those Sages did, imagining them randomly burning down feels comical. So wherever there are news of Azar and his "lackeys"(as Paimon called them) suffering, I will be sure to tell you all about it, Venti~"