Ever since the early morning, after she woke up and prepared for the day,
Klee was happily playing with her two friends, Qiqi and Yaoyao!
...
It was lots of fun to spend time with her friends,
But recently Klee started getting annoyed...
...
Very very annoyed...
-It's already afternoon and I didn't see Venti at all! -She couldn't help but yell out in rising annoyance soon enough, as her expression turned pouting. -...Klee knows Venti likes to sleep late, but he should have woken up by now...! -She continued, before her eyes suddenly widened in shock. -...Does Venti not want to spend time with me?!
"Did I do something bad to Venti and didn't realize it? Is Klee a bad girl?!", was left unsaid,
Yet it was clearly seen in the now-distressed child's expression...
-I don't think that's the case, Klee. Venti seems nice and he likes you a lot. -Yaoyao soon reassured her, as she realized almost right away what the other must have been thinking. -Maybe Venti got busy with something and forgot what time it was...?
-Qiqi agrees with Yaoyao. Venti must have forgotten the time. I also do it a lot. -Qiqi agreed with her, looking and sounding thoughtful. -...Maybe we could go to Venti and remind him of it...?
After these words, Klee looked between her two friends,
Her earlier distressed expression changing to thoughtful and then to realization...
-Of course, that must be it! Venti is too nice to break a promise to Klee! -She couldn't help but yell out soon enough, this time with rising determination. -I am going to go to Venti and remind him of it! Yaoyao, Qiqi, can you join me?
-I would be glad to. -The Adepti disciple answered, as she gathered up her things. -Your group is staying in Yiyan Temple, is that right? Master told me it's because you are respected guests from Mondstadt!
-Qiqi agrees, Klee is an important person. -The little zombie soon agreed, showing a small smile. -I would like to join you, too.
After these words, Qiqi went for a hug, which Klee accepted,
With Yaoyao soon joining the two, as they stayed snuggled for a short while...
...
It didn't take long for them to leave for Yiyan Temple afterwards,
And neither did it take long for them to arrive there and enter the building...
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Only to find Venti sitting by a table, sipping from a bottle of Osmanthus Wine...
*Seeing how it looked and noticing its date, Yaoyao realized right away that it might have been stolen...
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Though it was not her place to interfere in the relationship between the two Archons...
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-...Venti...? Did something happen...? -Klee was the first to say in confusion and rising worry, as she looked right at the Archon. -Instead of playing with Klee, you started drinking and...!
-Oh, sorry for that, Klee. I seem to have lost track of time! -The Archon slightly sheepishly explained, as he put the bottle down on the table. -The truth is, I was feeling a little under the weather and needed some fine wine to unwind. I am feeling a lot better now~
He half explained and half reassured, making sure to show a happy smile at the end,
As he tried to act as cheerful as he possibly could, as to not unnecessarily worry the children...
*There was no need for Klee and her friends to know the truth, especially since the issue was unrelated to them...
...
...
Calling it a simple "issue",
How could he possibly do that...?
*The reason he started drinking so early...
...
...
Was he truly the one who called the Traveler and their twin to Teyvat...?
*Was he really the one, who with the use of an echoing song,
Involved them in all of this world's problems...?
...
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Was he truly the one who started their road of misfortune, their attack and separation by the Unknown Goddess, the sealing of the Traveler's power and their long and forceful slumber, their Twin drastically changing and becoming the Abyss Order's leader...
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The high possibility of the Twin being on Celestia's hit list now and...
*And everything bad that the Twin did until now, was it also indirectly his fault...?
...
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Was he truly the one responsible for all this sorrow...?!
*If not for him singing that song, one he couldn't even remember,
The Traveler and their Twin, as well as everyone hurt by the latter's actions wouldn't have...!
-Venti, it's bad for you to stay cooped up here. -His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a concerned and slightly thoughtful looking Klee, who proceeded to take his right hand in hers and started dragging him towards the door. -Klee doesn't like seeing Venti so sad, so we are going to play!
She made sure to add upon quickening her pace,
With Qiqi and Yaoyao soon exchanging glances and quietly deciding to help her out,
As the former mirrored Klee's actions, while the latter made sure to make their path easier to traverse...
-Freezing most of their body might be seen as inhumane, but it's very effective in forcing them to talk. Especially when the process itself is slow...-Kaeya was telling Yelan in dark amusement, with her mirroring his expression. -As the frost creeps up their body, slowly enveloping them whole, their faces full of intense fear...
He soon went on a full detailed tale about the "intriguing reaction",
One which his "new best friend" attentively listened to until the end...
-...This does sound like an interesting way to get things done. Perhaps I could ask Shenhe to help me with my "work" sometime...? -Yelan commented moments later, as she turned to glance towards her "bestie" in thought, before looking back towards her strolling companion.-...But as for my "special techniques", I am making full use of my Hydro vision. If my "customers" misbehave, I bring the fear of drowning into their minds. Seeing them afraid for their lives is truly fun~
She made sure to add, showing an eerie and evil smile,
Before she went on her own tale about the "procedure", with Kaeya listening along,
This "tale" itself and the one before clearly heard to the other two members of their small group...
*As Shenhe was now clearly thinking about her friend's suggestion, while Diluc decided to ignore it altogether...
...
Or rather, that was what he planned to do at first,
But then, the Winds told him some concerning news...
*They didn't give much details, but the issue was still apparent:
That stupid bard was blaming himself for something that wasn't truly his fault!
...
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-...Seriously, I thought he had already learned by now, that idiot...-He couldn't help but say aloud, before sighing deeply. -...Just when I thought it's going to get calmer now, but of course something must happen...
-So you also heard it, brother. I was informed of it just now. Honestly, Venti is as usual being too hard on himself. -Kaeya suddenly said, as he moved to the other's side. -...More than he ever should be, at that. Especially considering that at heart, he is truly a gentle person and if he has to act "bad", it would be due to him having no other choice...
"Like if I chose Khaenria'h and started attacking Mondstadt, trying to kill its people, he would reluctantly put me down just to save their lives.", was left unsaid,
Yet Kaeya couldn't help but wonder about the possibility of the Archon killing him, were he to truly become a danger to Mondstadt...
*If this really happened, it would probably be the last resort on Venti's part, all because the Archon came to see him as his own...
...
...
But thankfully, he already knew this and recently accepted being a child of Mondstadt,
If not for this and him making up with Diluc, his brother...
...
He truly didn't want to think about what could have happened...
*And thankfully, he already bought Eula and Rosaria some gifts that they would surely...~
-I am not sure what happened to "Venti", but buying a gift should help the Anemo Archon feel better, no...? -His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Yelan, who made it seem like she could read his mind. Though since they were similar, it might as well be the case...-...If not a normal gift, since it sounds like he feels too guilt stricken to accept it, you could express it as an "Offering" instead. Since gods seem to be unable to refuse offering, he would have no choice but to accept it. -She soon continued in slight amusement, before her expression turned more thoughtful. -...But the "offering" should be something truly special, so it would be best to choose it wisely...
-That sounds like a good plan! -Kaeya agreed with her, as he finally overcame his earlier surprise. -Venti really loves alcohol of any kind, so...
-No alcohol for that idiot. He already had more than enough of that. -Diluc interrupted him, looking and sounding dead serious and slightly weary. -Besides, it should be "something special", yes...? Then we have to choose something he wasn't given before...
After these words, the trio started discussing what type of gift would suit best,
All the while, Shenhe was quietly listening to the others' talk, deciding it would be best for her...
...
"Thank you, Shenhe. I appreciate your help!", the Archon gratefully said, as he gave her back the clothes and made "his own" disappear, only the Azure tattoos now seen on his "naked" body. "Hehehe, it should be a lot easier like this, right...? And since we are already inside a building..."
...
Perhaps, a new pair of clothes would be the best gift for him,
Preferably the type that would show the most skin, especially in the arms, legs and chest areas...
*Those were the places where she saw those fascinating looking and shiny tattoos of his, after all...
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Surely, that way the Archon can distract his enemies using those mesmerizing tattoos...?
*And while they buy the Anemo Archon some new clothes, they could buy some for Yánwáng Dìjūn, too...
...
This way, she could better inspect and compare both of their "markings"...
It took them a few minutes to arrive to the Bubu Pharmacy area,
Which was mainly because of Venti resisting Klee's dragging...
*After realizing what was happening, the Archon wished he could stay in Yiyan Temple...
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"Venti, it's bad for you to stay cooped up here.
Klee doesn't like seeing Venti so sad, so we are going to play!"
...
Klee's worried and reassuring words,
Her effort to make him feel better,
He didn't deserve any of them...
*He still felt guilty for before,
For possibly being the reason for the Traveler and their twin's...
-Oh, Venti, you are finally up! Did you sleep well...? -A warm and happy voice interrupted his thoughts, before it shifted to a more concerned one at the end. -...Venti, did something happen...?
The speaker, who turned out to be Jean, soon asked him in rising worry,
As she started looking him up and down, as if to ascertain if he was hurt...
*And at her words, the others in the area turned towards him, as well...
-...Venti...? You are not hurt, are you...? -Barbara was the next to worriedly say, as she stopped her earlier discussion with Baizhu. -Sorry for not being there when you woke up, I lost track of time while discussing medicine with Mister Baizhu.
-He does not look hurt. At least not physically. But as for emotional hurt and from the way I saw you react to various things until now...-Emilia was the next to comment, as she looked towards him in thought, before her eyes slightly narrowed. -...You seem to be feeling remorseful about something, "Venti". I surely hope you are not blaming yourself for something that is in no way your fault.
-Except that Barbatos is doing just that. The Winds just informed me of the reason. -Dvalin, who was until then discussing something with her, soon added in some weariness. -I agree with the children, my old and self-reproaching friend, taking a stroll through the Harbor will do you good. Much more than day drinking did. -He added in dead seriousness, as well as some strictness, upon walking towards and standing before the Archon. -...You agree to this plan, right, Barbatos...?
He made sure to add while looking down into the other's eyes,
With a voice that made it clear that this was a statement and not a question...
*A fact that Venti realized himself soon enough, deciding to just go along with his dragon friend for now,
It's not like he could ask the Traveler about THAT at the moment, after all...
...
Besides, the looks everyone was showing him now,
There was no denying that everyone was concerned for him...
*He didn't want to make them overly worried for his wellbeing again.
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-...I understand your concern, Dvalin and agree to the plan. -He finally said, trying not to sound too reluctant about the whole thing. -...So, where are we going to go first...?