It was the day of departure,
Late morning, almost afternoon,
And somehow, no one woke him up until now...
...
"Well, isn't it great how considerate your people are of you, Barbatos...?", the Winds soon said, sounding quite grateful, before there was a short pause, "...You seemed to be deeply affected by the events of the night. So much so that we weren't sure what we could even say to reassure you that everything is alright. So it's really nice that you had more time to yourself, in order to relax."
They admitted in a quieter voice,
Before becoming silent once more...
...
And Venti had to agree with them, realizing that this was a much needed time to himself...
*One that really helped him get his thoughts, about his talk with Kairos, in order...
...
Still, he also wanted to discuss this matter, as well as some others with Morax, once he sees that blockhead next...
*Of course, the Traveler must have found out much more about the world of Teyvat and its secrets by now,
And yet, he couldn't ask them for help, as there were things that he still shouldn't know or be reminded about, right...?
...
Which is the reason why Kairos decided to cut their discussion short...
"...As such our talk here should also come to an end, at least for the moment. I realize that you must want to know more, but I would rather not draw THEIR attention here. We can always talk later, preferably when the power I left you grows a little more."
...
...
He should ignore this matter for now and go to the dinning room for some late breakfast...
*It was time to eat some deliciously prepared food by his adorable people, after all~
...
...
-They are probably already waiting for quite a while, those cute children~ -He couldn't help but mumble aloud, deciding to teleport there so as to not waste any more time. After all, he already dawdled enough...-...I did say "cute children", but I didn't mean actual human children...-He soon added in some confusion upon appearing in the room and noticing everyone gathered there. Which included all of Mondstadt's children...-...Just how long were you waiting here, everyone...?
-Since I saw the time and knew you were going to wake up soon!
-I was helping mommy prepare the food, Papa Venti!
-My friends informed me of your awakening, father!
This and more was soon heard from the seemingly energetic children,
Who, all in different ways, came to know of his awakening and rushed here as soon as they could...
*Venti had to secretly admit once again, that like always, all of them were truly and utterly adorable,
Yet, he would rather they didn't hurry so much, as if they are not going to see him again...
...
...
Wait...
-...Did you all come here so quickly, in order to spend as much time with me as possible before our departure to Liyue for Lantern Rite...? -He couldn't help but soon ask, wondering if this was really the case.
Though, once he thought a little more of it, it truly did appear to be the case...
*And it wasn't just due to the expressions the children were showing in reaction to his words...
...
The way they decided to depart for Liyue was similar to their earlier departure to Inazuma:
Deciding on a group of eight who are going to celebrate the event and using "Dvalin Airlines" in order to quickly fly there...
*It was mostly decided this way so that they would have more time to spend in Mondstadt with friends and family...
...
And due to both of these, as well as facts that:
1. The event is going to be held in an entirely different nation, one which is basically "alien" to most of their group.
2. Lantern Rite celebrations mostly take place during the evening and night, with only those who can stay late able to experience it in full.
3. With the unpredictable way Teyvat was at the moment, who knows what might happen during the celebrations. Hence the ones coming should be able to take care of themselves in a pinch.
...
Out of all the children, only Klee was allowed to join their group,
With it being agreed that for the others, it would be best to remain in Mondstadt...
...
-There is no need to worry, before our departure I would be glad to spend all the free time I have with you all. -Venti soon reassured them, as he crouched before and gently patted each one of them on the head in turn. -As for Lantern Rite, I promise to take photos of the celebration, as well as bring some nice souvenirs back for you adorable children. How does that sound...?~
-Klee also promises to bring back presents for everyone to enjoy! This is Klee's oath as a knight! -The Pyromaniac proudly added, as she soon decided to mimic the Archon's actions. -...So don't be sad, leave everything to Venti and Klee!
Two hours or so later, it was finally the time of departure,
As everyone was gathered by the Windrise tree, saying their goodbyes...
-...Seriously, why am I even here...? -Diluc couldn't help but mumble in confusion and some annoyance, as he was looking between his group members. Klee alone would make things that much more troublesome...-...There are some responsible members too, but I still don't plan to act as a babysitter...
He continued upon crossing his arms,
Wondering about every group member's reason to be included...
...
The first and the "most important" member of their group was the bard/Archon, Venti/Barbatos,
And Diluc knew for certain that he wanted to spend Lantern Rite with his fellow Archon, Zhongli/Morax...
*The Bartender was also pretty certain that their Archon might be feeling guilty for missing last year's Lantern Rite,
Which was quite a stupid thing to feel guilty about, since there was a lot going on in Mondstadt at the time...
...
Another person of the group was "Spark Knight" Klee, who even though still very young, was already quite powerful,
And from what Diluc heard she actually got an invite to attend Lantern Rite, eager to play some more with her friends: Qiqi and Yaoyao...
*Klee was quite a handful bundle of destruction and Diluc wasn't certain what might happen to the Harbor if she comes along,
Yet, since the child was definitely more responsible than some KoF members, as long as she was being watched, perhaps it would still be alright...?
...
And speaking of competent and responsible KoF members, he couldn't help but remember about Jean,
With her being asked to go on a vacation, all the while Alder Knight Frederica promised to take care of all of her work...
*That also meant that a certain childish Grandmaster was going to be left doing his own work, no matter if he wants to or not,
And Diluc couldn't help but imagine Varka getting overwhelmed and crying due to having to sign stacks of paperwork...
...
Next person on the list was Deaconess Barbara, who was very responsible herself and quite close to a few other members in their group,
As she agreed to join the group in order to spend more time with her big sister, all the while Diona was going to once again replace her as temporary healer...
*Diluc also heard that a certain "unlucky Bennet" also volunteered to help her, reassuring everyone that his luck was that much better recently, which was true,
As it was already quite apparent that his previously bad luck somehow attached itself to Albert, an "issue" which no one really cared that much about...
...
Another responsible person on the list was Noelle, who was finally admitted as a Knight trainee,
And from what Diluc heard, Eula had "insisted" that she take a break due to working so hard for all this time...
*He wholeheartedly agreed with this decision, as even before, when Noelle was overly reckless,
She already did way more than most of the KoF order combined...
...
The next person joining their group was the Alchemist, Emilia, who just like himself, looked a little annoyed about being here,
And honestly Diluc wasn't sure why she decided to join, instead of staying in Mondstadt and working on all of her and Albedo's projects...
*He had a feeling she mainly joined to watch over Klee, making sure the hyperactive pyromaniac child wouldn't start a fire,
Though knowing of her origins, Diluc wouldn't be surprised if another reason for this was for her to get to experience new things...
...
...
Oh, right, another person joining was his "dear brother", Kaeya, who insisted about himself joining along,
And even after Diluc declined the other's invite, numerous times in fact, the Cavalry Captain found new ways to pester him about it...
*The bartender wasn't sure why Kaeya was so insistent on this, but relented after his brother claimed that he was ordered to come with the group as an extra guard...
...
...
Truthfully, now that he thought of it some more, their group was mostly normal,
And yet, Diluc couldn't help but wonder wherever something might go wrong...
*Surely, after all the chaos happening in Mondstadt up until now, as well as many people driving him insane,
Once they reach Liyue Harbor and participate in the Lantern Rite celebrations, there wouldn't be any kind of trouble again, right...?
...
...
-Diluc, I know you are still feeling annoyed about joining the party, but it's time to mount Dvalin and leave for Liyue~ -Kaeya slightly amusingly said, as he went up to his clearly brooding brother. -...Everyone is already set to go and you are the only one dallying, you know...~
A big shadow suddenly fell over Liyue Harbor,
One which made everyone stop what they were doing and look up to the sky,
Only to see a big beast descending upon them: A dragon, who could eat them all in one bite!
-Not on my watch. -Shenhe was quick to decide, as she summoned her polearm and prepared for battle. -As long as I am here, no beast shall...!
-Wait, Shenhe. Don't attack yet. -She was soon interrupted by the light emerald-green eyed and dark blue haired woman beside her, who looked mostly calm, yet was still glancing at the sky with inquiring eyes. -...It doesn't feel like the dragon is here with bad intentions.
She soon added, prompting the other to look between herself and the dragon again...
-If you say so, Yelan, then I will believe you. -Shenhe then said, as she lowered her weapon, yet decided against unsummoning it. -...But if the dragon shows even a shred of danger...
She coldly added, just as the dragon slowly descended, soon safely landing nearby,
But before the people of Liyue could as much as blink...
-WE FINALLY ARRIVED TO LIYUE HARBOR! -Was suddenly heard coming from somewhere on top of the beast, the enthusiastic voice soon reverberating through the area. -I can finally see and tease…"Spend time with" that blockhead again~
-Bard, it's been an hour and a half, at most, since we left Mondstadt. -Another, more mature voice was soon heard, the speaker sounding like he was already done with everything. -Moreover, I know that you are well, you, but most of the people of Liyue...
-So the drunkard has thus arrived. And using such a bothersome entrance, to boot. -A familiar voice was suddenly heard, as Zhongli, accompanied by Childe and Enjou, soon walked into the area. -If I didn't know you any better, Barbatos, I would have thought you were actively trying to intimidate the people of Liyue.
There was some silence after those words, before slight snickering started reverberating through the place,
As most of the aforementioned people glanced between their god and the top of the dragon in confusion...
-...My, how low do you think of me, Morax...?~ -The youthful and to some, already familiar, voice was heard once again. -...And after I arrived here just to celebrate Lantern Rite together with my dear friend, after being sadly unable to do so last year...-He continued in some dramatism, before teleporting to said "dear friend"s side. -If I didn't know any better, I would have thought that you don't actually like me visiting you and perceive me as some kind of an annoyance.
He continued with the amount of fake dramatism and some hidden amusement now as well,
One that slightly shifted to confusion upon seeing the other's suddenly thoughtful expression...
-...Well, I have to agree that sometimes, you are indeed quite a handful, Barbatos. -Zhongli suddenly said, looking and sounding dead serious, as the other started to visibly pout. -...You are supposed to be more than 2600 years old, yet at times you are prone to act in an overly childish and dramatic fashion.
-Says the person who usually acts like a boring old man, with that "Osmanthus wine tastes the same as I remember, but where are those who share the memory?" line of yours and constantly reading encyclopedia paragraphs about basically everything! -Barbatos soon said, pouting even more now. -...And you know that I prefer being called "Venti", including in introductions to other people...And yet, you keep calling me "Barbatos" this and "Barbatos" that! What if this name is the one that sticks in your people's minds?!
-But "Barbatos" is indeed your name, so I do not see a problem with it "sticking", as you so "eloquently" put it. -Zhongli admitted, looking thoughtful and slightly confused now. -...Moreover, you are still a fellow Archon and the Liyuans have great admiration for the Seven and strive to show us the greatest amount of respect. Unlike your people, Barbatos, calling an Archon by a human name would be seen as highly disrespectful and...
He soon went on a full blown lecture on the matter,
With Barba...Venti clearly deciding to ignore it after a while...
*As instead he proceeded to look between everyone gathered in the area,
Finally noticing that unsurprisingly, a dragon suddenly appearing was a case of alarm for a lot of people...
...
There were both familiar and unfamiliar faces gathered around Dvalin,
All of them seemingly deciding to stay back and watch his and Morax's "discussion" proceed...
*But a certain blockhead would probably be going about his lecture for quite a while, isn't he...?
...
And no matter how annoyed Morax says he is, it does look like the rock actually missed him,
He wouldn't have come to meet him and soon proceeded with this long lecture, if he didn't...
...
...
Actually, was it his imagination or did some people look like they wanted to rush to them and take Morax away...?
*Like that woman with the long silver white hair and pale iridescent eyes, it looked like she was currently being restrained by her friend...?
And why did it feel like if he wasn't a fellow Archon, she and some others would have already attacked him...?
...
Oh, right, Zhongli's letter about a certain "issue"...
...
...
-...So, you told me that people found out about your "Godly Dementia", Morax, hence they are quite overprotective of you at the moment...-Venti decided to start, feeling a little unsure on how to continue. -...But from what I noticed, it seems like some of them would have already tried to kill me if I wasn't a fellow Archon. Did something perhaps happen the last...? -His words suddenly cut off as he saw "the look" coming from the other male, one which told him that if he continued, he would have mountains thrown at him again. He came here to enjoy Lantern Rite with everyone, not avoid thrown mountains! -...W-well, I just realized that this is not an issue I should concern myself with. -He decided to say instead, before pausing for a few seconds, soon realizing that they both "played around" enough for the moment. -...How about we discuss some other, more vital issues, while everyone else mingles...?
