It was dark,
All around her…
…
The darkness,
Surrounding her from all sides…
…
How long was she here in this darkness…?
*So bleak and suffocating…
…
If only she could could get out of this darkness,
If only she could…
…
Did she even have the right…?
…
After that man kidnapped her,
After he…All those painful experiments…
*It hurt so much she couldn't help but wish for death…!
…
…
And she would have rather died,
She wished that she did…
…
…
She already hurt so many people,
Both in the Sumeru desert and Mondstadt city…
…
She even hurt her best friend and savior,
Outrider Amber, the first person who reached out to her …
…
…
"N-no, please! Don't kill Collei!
There should still be another way! T-there has to be a way...!"
…
And the one who protected her even then…
*Even when she was already too far gone to save,
Wouldn't it be better for everyone if she was dead…?
…
…
" COLLEI, STOP!
WE ARE GOING TO FIND A WAY TO SAVE YOU, SO PLEASE, STOP THIS! I-IF YOU CONTINUE...!"
…
Amber even tried to stop her back then…
*Why did her friend still care so much about her…?
…
…
This bottomless darkness around her,
Maybe it would be best if she remained here…
…
…
A light,
There was a light…
*Why was there a light…?
For her, why was there a light…?
…
After everything she did,
After all the destruction she brought,
After everyone she hurt and possibly killed…
*The light was getting brighter…
…
No, it had to stop…!
She didn't want to go back!
*No, she actually wanted to, but…
…
She couldn't go back…
*She didn't want to hurt anyone anymore…!
…
…
-COLLEI, YOU ARE FINALLY AWAKE! -Was suddenly heard from nearby, as Amber practically jumped on her from nowhere, hugging her tight. -How are you feeling…? Nothing hurts, right…?! Venti made sure to revert your state to before the kidnapping, but seeing what happened to you I can't help but feel worried and…!
-Amber, you are hugging her too tightly. -Eula interrupted her, sounding mostly calm, but there was still a tint of concern in her voice. -I know how worried you must be about Collei, but this is going to make things worse…-She explained, before pausing in thought. -...She also looks confused…How best to explain this situation, without it being overly excessive and…?
She couldn't help but wonder, her words soon getting too quiet to hear,
As the Spindrift Knight now looked like she was in her own world…
*A reaction which was fairly unusual for her, yet no one could blame her for it…
…
Though Collei couldn't help but wonder why the other seemed to care so much,
Even though she and Miss Eula were friends through Amber, they were not that close, right…?
…
…
They did have fun during the last Windblume,
Amber, Miss Eula, Miss Yanfei and herself…
…
…
Still, Miss Eula shouldn't concern herself with her…
*And Amber shouldn't either, after she hurt her friend so badly,
Her friend's face was full of scars and her body hurt because of the vines…
…
…
Why was Amber so happy to see her awake now…?
*Why did she look so overjoyed by something like that…?
…
…
As she is now,
A bloodthirsty monster…
*Even if the vines were now gone…
…
…
She doesn't deserve this,
She doesn't deserve to live anymore…
*It would have been better if she wasn't saved,
If she died back then, never again to…
-Amber, dear, can you and Eula let me talk with Collei? Preferably alone, if you don't mind. -Her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice, as Miss Lisa walked up to the both of them. -There is no need to worry, I wouldn't take too much of your friend's time. There's just something I wish to discuss with her, is all.
She soon reassured, looking a little amused,
Yet the glint in her eyes indicated that she was serious…
*Which soon made Amber visibly worried, a reaction that everyone noticed right away…
-Amber, let's leave the room for now. -Eula suddenly said in both seriousness and reassurance, as she turned to look towards the Librarian with a thoughtful expression, quiet for a few seconds. -Lisa…Librarian Lisa is trying to help Collei in her own way, so there is no need to worry. We can check on Collei after they finish their talk, alright…?
She said in great reassurance, as well as some sympathy,
Though the latter was gone unseen to anyone but Lisa herself,
Who moments later showed the other a grateful, yet quick smile…
…
…
-I…I understand Eula. Lisa reads a lot, so she must know of a way to help Collei, even a little. -Amber finally said, looking and sounding a little worried, yet still reassured. -Lisa, please, take care of my friend.
She added, before letting herself be lead away by Eula,
Knowing well that if she stays any longer, she would surely change her decision…
…
And soon, only Lisa and Collei were left in the room,
The eerie quiet somehow starting to suffocate the latter…
*With many awful thoughts now running through her head…
-Collei, you cute and poor child, it's okay. Everything is okay. I know it must be hard and would surely be even harder later. But you are not alone. -Lisa said as soon as she noticed the change in the other's expression, as she walked towards and sat by Collei's side, reassuringly taking the teen's hands in hers. -The thing I want to discuss with you, it's not an easy topic in any sense of the word. But I would like to help you in whichever way I can, as someone who is in a similar situation.
"Wait, Barbatos! We apologize! Don't close our "cha...!",
Was the last thing he heard while closing the Winds' connection,
As Venti decided that this punishment should do for now...
*He would decide on something more severe later...
...
But right now, it was finally time to "hang out" with the children...
*Hopefully, they wouldn't be mad that he has dallied so much...
...
...
Though the last few minutes were definitely something else,
From Seamus and Frederica suddenly coming in and the Seneschal going on a panicked rant,
And to finding out Barbara and Jean arrived at the dining room at some point and heard the whole thing...
...
...
The whole thing must have been very awkward for them,
And as he explained the misunderstanding, he still wasn't sure they were okay now...
*Especially as it soon turned out that Frederica didn't mind the idea of having another child...
...
The two sisters later joined him on his walk, which he also didn't mind,
But as for what they thought about the earlier situation, he wasn't certain...
*Usually he could read their "emotions" somewhat, but now it looked like they were distracted, as well...
...
...
And he couldn't help feeling a little guilty about the Winds' "prank"...
*He was technically their "guardian", after all...
...
-Barbara, Jean, I am sorry about the Winds. They are usually quite mischievous, but this time...-He soon told them, before he sighed, his expression getting serious afterwards. - ...I should have been more strict with them, instead of letting them do all they wanted.
The Archon admitted, already wondering how to better do it,
As he still didn't decide what their actual punishment should be...
*Perhaps, asking the children would be best, surely they will have an...?
-Venti, it's alright! There's really nothing for you to feel guilty about! -His thoughts were soon interrupted by the reassuring words of Barbara, who proceeded to walk closer to him and take his left hand in her right. -The Winds have always been quite mischievous...It's just, this time it was very sudden so I was taken aback...! -She continued, as her face soon got a little red. -...The thought of having a little sibling, it's just...
-...It's not a bad idea, just very unexpected. -Jean decided to finish for her sister, also a little embarrassed, but slightly less than Barbara. -...But if our mother and father do have a baby, I wonder how we would decide on the time in which we would tend to our sibling or even in which room the crib would be...-She thoughtfully added, before pausing for a few seconds, looking thoughtful. -...Actually, Venti, I think you would make a good Godfather. Not just because you are Lord Barbatos and we trust you, but also since you are actually very affectionate and protective. Just as you care for Mondstadt as a whole and everyone, especially the children, in particular, I am certain that you will be a good role model in the child's life...-She paused in her words, upon noticing the Archon's currently surprised expression. -Yes, Venti, even if you are usually very "free-spirited", I do think that you can be a good role model. Though I imagine you being the "fun uncle" more than anything.
She admitted, imagining how it could have looked like,
Which wasn't hard to do at all, as he was unofficially already one for the children of Mondstadt...
*They really loved spending time with him, sometimes even more than with their own parents,
But no one really minded, since they already knew that even if quite mischievous, he was a good person and Archon...
...
And he was truly an important part of their lives now,
Which was also unusual to think about, but not bad...
*Not just for herself, but surely the rest of Mondstadt, as well...
...
...
They were truly united now, the people of Mondstadt and their Archon,
And she hoped that no matter what happens in the future, it would still stay like this...
...
No matter what the future holds,
Surely, if they stay unified...
...
Things should work out in the end, right...?
*She truly hoped they would, for everyone's sake...
...
...
The peace they had now,
She wouldn't let it end...
-...Once again, thank you for agreeing to the discussion and for listening to it in full. -Zhongli gratefully said, as he was finishing drinking his cup of tea, before his expression turned serious. - ...What we agreed on before, you are going to keep your promise, yes...?
-Of course. I would do so even if you didn't ask it of me. -Diluc answered right away, looking and sounding quite determined, before he heavily sighed. -...That idiot, someone has to keep him out of trouble...As much as it could be possible...
-I might not be originally from Mondstadt, but this is still my home. -Kaeya agreed, looking and sounding as determined, before his expression shifted to a more calm one. -...Even now, I still can't believe that someone like me was accepted here so eagerly.
He couldn't help but mumble soon enough,
The gratefulness and warmth clearly heard in his voice now...
...
-Then this matter is already settled. Once again, I thank you both for your cooperation. -The Archon soon gratefully said, as he looked between the two men, before proceeding to put the now empty cup on the table and stand up from his seat. -I shall be leaving soon, as I have already stayed here long enough. -He informed upon taking a bottle of Osmanthus wine out of his "Hammerspace" and putting it on the table, near the empty cup. -Give this bottle to Barbatos for me and inform him of my knowledge of his earlier mischief. Make sure to tell that flying menace that I am no longer mad at him and wish for a successful resolution of Mondstadt's crisis aftermath. -He soon added, looking and sounding quite calm, yet there was still a tint of worry in his voice. - ...And in case Barbatos masks his feelings once again, make sure to tell him that this is not a fault of his own, as all of us are a part of a bigger plan. - He ended with this, soon teleporting a few feet away and turning around. - Yaksha Xiao, it is time for you to return back to Sumeru and resume your help to the people there.
He quietly, yet authoritatively said,
Sounding quite calm, yet imposing, nonetheless...
*By his voice, it was clear that it was an order, rather than a suggestion...
...
- I understand, Yánwáng Dìjūn. I will do as you say. -Xiao dutifully answered moments later, looking towards the other's back for a few seconds in thought, before heavily sighing. - ...Just as you promised, my Lord, please, do not do anything foolish. -He couldn't help but mumble soon enough, sounding a little tired now. -... Both you and Lord Barbatos are just...
And with these words, he soon teleported away,
Leaving the Archon alone with the two, slightly confused, brothers...
*As they were once again wondering about the Archon's and the Yaksha's current dynamic,
Which was so different from what they heard and saw from their previous encounters...
...
-. ..Did I really get as reckless as Barbatos...? -Zhongli couldn't help but quietly ask, still standing with his back to the two humans. - ...We are indeed good friends, so I suppose it is inevitable.
He added in acceptance,
Before teleporting away, as well...
...
-...Even though this situation is a little weird, I am still glad that the staff left before our discussion and the bullying finally stopped...-Diluc couldn't help but gratefully mumble, as he soon proceeded to go to where Zhongli recently sat and took the wine bottle in his hands, before he turned towards Kaeya. -Since I was left to pass on this gift to our Archon and it seems that you also have a few things you want to deliver...-He paused for a moment, upon putting the bottle in his Vision's "Hammerspace". -...To Rosaria and Eula if I remember correctly, want to accompany me on the trip to Mondstadt city...?
He calmly asked, yet there was a tint of eagerness in his voice,
One that Kaeya couldn't help but soon notice, feeling grateful for it...
*As he once again was reminded the reason as to why he was giving the two these gifts,
Both the ones he recently bought in Liyue and the two small parcels Adelinde asked him to give them,
With him soon realizing that she too, as well as the rest of Dawn Winery's staff, wanted to thank the two women for their help...
...
The reason for which he and Diluc could now have this exchange...
...
-Of course, Dear Brother! Let us go together! -He finally answered upon going to stand by the other's side, looking and sounding quite glad, which he didn't even try to hide. So unlike how he hid his feelings behind masks in the past...-...I am leaving when you are, Diluc! So don't take too long now, alright?~