Klee did indeed create a huge bomb to blow up Dottore with,
One she asked Venti to give to the Traveler, so Xiao will be arriving later on to take it.
*Lisa couldn't help but wonder whether she would be able to experience this occasion or not...
...
...
-Papa Venti, are you really leaving now?
-It's not fair, Father! You just returned from your talk with the Traveler and now you are going to be busy again!
-I wanted to sing with Venti, but he is always busy lately...
-...Daddy Venti doesn't want to spend time with Nora.
This and more was soon heard from the disappointed children,
All of whom were now standing around the Archon and adorably pouting...
*So much so that Lisa started feeling bad about "stealing" Venti...
...
But still, even with the small delay,
This was a faster way for her to get to the Lawrence Estate...
-I apologize for stealing our cute Archon so suddenly, everyone. But there is something I need his help with. -She couldn't help but soon say, as she was looking between the cutely pouting children. -...I promise not to keep him for long, so you would still be able to join the "Music lesson" together.
Lisa briefly explained, trying to sound and look as reassuring as possible,
As she really didn't want the last interaction "she" has with the children to be this way…
…
With them looking so disappointed...
…
…
But they were truly adorable, all of them in their own little ways,
From the innocent and pure hearted Lily and to the mischievously energetic Klee...
...
...
They were Mondstadt's future generation,
And she hoped, that even when "she" is no longer here,
They will be able to live well and grow up to become good-hearted people.
*For what is surely to come, this could decide what the future Humanity takes shape as,
Both from Mondstadt and from the other six nations...
...
...
But would there still be the Seven (surface) nations in the future...?
In whichever way things go, for better or for worse, there would still be some changes, right...?
...
...
It was not her place to worry about what happens in the future,
Especially when she didn't have much time left as "Lisa Minci"...
*Her leaving all of those books and notes behind, should be enough help...
...
...
Today, all she should worry about is seeing as many people as possible,
And spending as much time with them as she can, before...
...
"Jean is a gifted and dedicated leader. Seeing how hard she works makes even me want to help her out."
...
After arriving and stopping at the Lawrence Estate,
Yes, going on one last "date" with Jean would be nice~
*Exploring the city one last time with her friend would be truly great~
-Is everything okay, Lisa...? To suddenly ask me for a "ride" like this...-Venti said a minute or two later, just as he finally finished reassuring the children and went to her side, taking her left hand in his right as he was slowly eating some "candies" with his left. -...Not like I am complaining…Teleporting one person is easy and the gift you gave me…Those "Alcohol Candies", are quite tasty~ -He continued upon starting the teleportation process, which ended just moments later, with the scene shifting from the inside of the Cathedral and to the entrance to the Lawrence Manor. -...Well, I suppose everyone has their own troubles to deal with. Human troubles that I can't fully understand, since I am still an immortal. Even though I really tried to disregard (and sometimes even detest) this part of myself in the past...-He soon sighed, before his expression suddenly shifted to a slightly nervous one, as he swiftly let go of her hand. -I-I am not rejecting this part of myself anymore, so don't worry, okay...? I already learned, thanks to everyone's help, to accept all that I am and...!
-It's alright, cutie, I understand. I am glad that you finally learned to love yourself. -Lisa interrupted him in reassurance, looking warm and slightly amused, as she glanced between him right in the eyes. Their cute Archon really went a long way, didn't he...?~ -...Even though you are an immortal, Anemo Archon, Barbatos, you are still quite a cutie, just like an adorable little child~ -She admitted in the same amount of tease, before turning to look towards the manor, her expression shifting to a calmer one. As much as she wanted to continue teasing their cute Archon, she didn't have much time for that...-...Thank you for bringing me here, Venti. Let's go inside now.
She soon added, before proceeding to go to the door and ring the bell,
As Lisa made sure not to react to the Archon's now pouting expression...
*Oh, how much she would have loved to tease him some more…~
...
-...Lisa and Venti, glad to see you here! -Was heard as soon as the door opened and Amber's face came into view, with the Outrider soon looking between the two arrivals. -...You didn't wait here for long, right...? We just recently finished with Collei's dance lessons for today, prepared some lunch and were about to eat, when...! -Her words trailed off, as her expression shifted from enthusiastic to slightly ashamed. -Sorry about rambling. Come on inside! -She continued while opening the door wide and motioning for them to come in, which they soon did, as she then closed the door and started escorting them to the dining room. -Want to join us for lunch...? Collei was so grateful for the lesson, she prepared a bunch of tasty looking dishes and while I am really grateful for my "Little Sister's" kind gesture, I am really not sure I can eat that much...!
-...Well, I can join you for lunch and help with finishing all of those dishes. But you know how my physique is, right...? -Venti answered moments later, looking and sounding grateful, while also a little sheepish. -...I don't necessarily need to eat, and if I do...Well, it is a type of energy, so I can just continue eating if I wanted to. -...Which suddenly reminded him of a certain "flying pancake"...-...This really reminds me of Paimon, how can she eat so much and still remain hungry...?
-...Isn't it similar to you and your alcohol consumption, Cutie...?~ -Lisa couldn't help but soon add in amusement and some tease, to which the Archon started pouting again. -...And you ate those "Alcohol Candies" so fast. I am glad that you liked them so much~ If I knew how much you will love them, I would have made sure to buy way more of them and pamper our Lovable and Utterly Adorable…~
-I already admitted that they were very tasty...You really like teasing me, don't you, Lisa...? -He interrupted her, looking a little embarrassed now as well. -...It's a rhetorical question, by the way. There's no need to answer it.
He made sure to add, before becoming quiet, as they continued following Amber,
His expression still pouting and slightly more embarrassed now...
*Seeing him like this, again, made her wish she had a Kamera with her...
...
It was a shame that she didn't, having forgotten to take it due to the..."Issue" at hand.
...
-Big Sister Eula, Little Sister Collei, look who came to visit us!~ -Amber said moments later upon opening the Dining Room door, revealing the two sitting around a long table, a bunch of dishes spread on top of it. -And they are also joining us for lunch, tasting the delicious dishes that my Cute Little Sister has prepared!
-Good afternoon to you, Mister Venti, Miss Lisa. -Collei said almost right away, looking and sounding respectful, as well as a little embarrassed. -If you really don't mind eating the dishes I have prepared, then I would love it if you enjoy them...A-as much as you can and...
-There is no need to feel embarrassed, Little Collei. -Lisa interrupted her, looking and sounding reassuring, as she soon entered the room and went to the teen's side. -...You should feel proud for having prepared so many tasty dishes for everyone. Besides that, I heard that your dancing lessons are going quite well, yes...?
-Oh, I heard about this too! Apparently, even though it was a short time ever since Eula started teaching you, you are already doing quite well, Collei. -Venti added moments later, sounding quite glad and looking proud. And it wasn't just the cute child's dancing, either...-...I am really glad to see you adjust so well to Mondstadt and the life we have here~
He made sure to add, which made the teen even more embarrassed than she was before,
As she soon proceeded to take a big piece of "Charcoal-Baked Ajilenakh Cake" from the shared plate and hide most of her face behind it...
*At this moment, most of the room's occupants wished they could take a photo of the (Adorable) "occasion"...
...
-Collei is very talented and has already learned a lot since we started our lessons. -Eula said moments later, as she tried to ignore the fact her "Little Sister" was still hiding behind the pastry. -...Given enough time, I am certain she would become a better dancer than I am. -She truthfully admitted, looking and sounding warm, to which Collei took another pastry piece to hide her face behind. Her little sister still got easily embarrassed, though...-...I can't really say the same for our "Trusting your own strengths and capabilities" lessons, since my Cute Little Sister is clearly doing better. But as you can see, it's still not enough...
She soon added in mock disappointment, before deeply sighing,
As moments later Collei's left eye appeared from the side of one of the pastries...
-...I, uh, I apologize. I know I should do better, but I am just...-Collei started in some nervousness, before her eye disappeared behind the pastries once again. -...B-but thank you for your kind words...A-about me doing way better, I mean...B-but saying that I can be better at dancing than even Big Sister Eula...
-You will do just fine, Little Collei. I am certain of it~ -Lisa soon said, looking and sounding quite amused. Little Collei was always so adorable~ Wait...-...I nearly forgot, I was asked to give Little Collei a new batch of the "Special Tablets". -She soon added, upon taking it out of her Vision's "Hammerspace" and giving it to the nearby sitting Eula. -...After we finish lunch, do you mind if I speak with Little Collei about something...? Preferably, with just Little Collei and myself in a separate room.
She asked in a calmer, yet eerie voice,
Moments after which, Collei finally put the pastries down on her plate,
As she was looking straight at Lisa with confused and slightly concerned eyes...
-You must have already realized why I wanted to talk with you. -Lisa quietly said as soon as they were alone in Collei's room, as the Librarian proceeded to look out of the window. -...I have under a day left to live, at most. This is the last time "I" can talk with you, Little Collei.
-...Miss Lisa, you...How can you say that so calmly...?! -Collei said moments later, sounding quite shocked and disbelieving. -...Y-you are going to die soon and yet...!
-...It was bound to happen sooner or later. You know that as well as I do. -The Librarian ended for her, still sounding calm, as she soon turned around to look at the now distressed teen. -I already shared this news with a select few people...-...Cyno, Albedo and Emilia...Seamus and Frederica should know by now, too. -...While deciding to keep this a secret from the rest of Mondstadt, so as not to needlessly worry them. My end is coming soon and there is nothing that can be done about it. -...It was her "punishment" for finding out too much, after all. -...Little Collei, I am telling you this because we are in a similar situation. But unlike me, you can still be saved. Do you remember what I told you before...?
She asked with as much gentleness as she could muster,
And soon waited for the now silent teen's reply...
...
-..."There is no need to worry, Little Collei, everyone is doing their best to save you. They wouldn't let you die.", is what you told me, Miss Lisa. -Collei finally answered, looking and sounding quite sad and guilt stricken. -...It's not fair. It's not fair that I get to live, while you...!
-Do you truly think I don't have a plan to put into action, Little Collei...?~ -Lisa interrupted her, feeling quite amused by the other's now confused expression. -Chief Alchemist Albedo and Alchemist Emilia were part of the people who I shared about my..."Situation" and they are also the ones who promised to help me out with my plan. -She soon explained, before going into a small summary about the plan in question. -...I already thought of the people whom I am going to leave my belongings with and one of those people is you, Little Collei. -She said at the end of the summary, soon noticing the other's rapid change in expression. -...If you want to, you can see this as safekeeping instead. Though it would surely take at least a few years until "I" would be able to ask for those items back. -She made sure to add, stopping any rebuttal before it could arise. -...So by then, Little Collei should live well. You should continue enjoying life and all it has to offer, make new memories, as you live through different experiences.
Lisa affectionately ended, before proceeding to envelop the other into a hug,
With tenderness and warmth that was a little surprising to even herself...
...
...
"...my new chil..."Citizen"(ehe~)"
"To my most Humble and Adorable Peridot-haired and Amethyst-eyed Sun-bathing Child…"
...
Not just their cute Archon,
Perhaps, she also adopted this child as her own...
*But when did it start, really...?
...
...
"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.
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."
...
Perhaps it was during this exchange,
Or perhaps it was way sooner than that...
...
But, did it truly matter...?
...
...
Lisa was still feeling glad nevertheless,
Grateful that this child would be able to experience what she couldn't...
...
Even after she dies, Little Collei will still continue living...
...
...
Little Collei would be able to get all the love she deserves,
All the love she was so cruelly denied in her youth...
...
And to Lisa, as she soon realized,
This was more than enough...