And here we are again, kiddies! Once more I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed and favorited Court Adjourned - even if it ended rather apruptly. I suck at writing finales, I'm sorry! T_T
Ahem! Without further ado, I present to you my project that's been bothering me ever since Court... actually way before that even, but you get my drift.
So here's how this will work; plans for this fic are for shorter chapters, longer chapter count. Will I match that expectation? Time will tell, I guess.
I can say updates for this won't be planned like I tried (emphasis on "tried") to do with Court Adjourned, so they will come out as I can get them down to proper format and length. I won't make any more promises regarding that since it clearly just doesn't work out. Besides, life in general is actively trying to kill me before I'm 30 so there's that too.
Now enough of my whining: allow me to toss my proverbial hat into the ring and see if I can do Barbennet justice!
Genshin Impact and its characters belong to Mi-Hoyo and Hoyoverse; I own nothing.
Cover art by: Reishichi
Mondstadt, the City of Freedom and capital of the region its namesake derived from. This land teemed with beauty and life, its grassy knolls swaying gently as the wind rolled across the land.
Slimes and other wildlife wandered about with a smattering of hilichurl tribes dotting the landscape, all surrounding the walled city situated on Cider Lake. The people within hustled and bustled, greeting each other before carrying on with their day under the watchful eye of the god of anemo, Barbatos, the statue of whom resided just across from the most impressive structure in the city: the Mondstadt Cathedral.
Curiously enough, the sisters of the church were unusually active today. Many of them scurried about, some shouting instructions while others carried what appeared to be party supplies. Overseeing them was none other than Sister Victoria, the head of clergy directing the contingent of helpers around to various sections of the cathedral that needed attention.
Around her were other nuns, each set about their own tasks which, had anyone else outside been watching, would have seemed rather strange. The nuns were not automatons by any means, but the flurry in which they conducted themselves was unusual nevermind what they would be seen carrying. Streamers, banners, and all sorts of decorations littered the interior of the cathedral, transforming this holy site of worship into a room prepped for whatever festivities took place.
"Sister Victoria, Sister Victoria!" A nun came rushing over to her, partially out of breath, doubled over with her hands on her knees.
"I take it you were successful?" Victoria asked with a meaningful glance towards the young woman.
"Yes…," the girl inhaled a deep lungful of air before going on, "Yes, Sister. I was able to convince her we needed more herbs."
Always so quick to help, that child. It warmed Victoria's heart to see someone so young so fervently kind and accepting. Barbatos surely smiled down on that girl and guided her path each day.
"Good, child. If she returns before then, Sister Grace will run interference for us. Now run along and help the others with the preparations. We have little time before supper after all."
The young nun nodded eagerly and hurried off, Victoria gazing up their handiwork with a proud expression. "She would never allow us to do this, but that girl deserves something for all that she does. We can deal with her scorn – if she possesses any, that is – afterwards."
"Sister! Could you please tell us if this alignment is right?"
"I'll be along shortly!"
Yes, everything was going according to plan. The child wouldn't suspect a thing.
Night fell on the city, the moon casting its light upon the city in dull blue tones only broken by the smattering of lights jutting out from the many buildings within. The streets were mostly deserted save for the young proprietor of Good Hunter, who patiently waited for any more customers before she too closed up shop for the evening. Rest came easy to some while to others it did not. The people of Mondstadt bid farewell to yet another day passed in their peaceful land, blessed by the righteous and wondrous Barbatos. Even those who dwelled within the church had bid the day adieu before turning in for the night, one particular member snug and cozy within her little room with a book by her nightstand.
All was peaceful, the cathedral even more so…
Until that peace was disturbed by some rather unruly individuals.
CREEEEEAK!
The door let out an awful yawn, followed swiftly by a curse from the one that tampered with it.
"Could you be any louder?! A hilichurl would've been more discrete!"
"A hilichurl nearly had me for dinner!"
"Quiet you fool! Now come on and keep quiet!"
Two boys on the cusp of men, but not really, dared to intrude further upon the sanctity of this holy temple. A few others lingered outside more as lookouts than anything, though they did aid in bringing up some peculiar cargo...
"We could get in so much trouble for this…" one of the boys muttered, nearly jumping at every shadow and noise in the vicinity.
"All the more reason to ensure we aren't discovered before it's time," the other boy with shaggy blond hair rebuked his comrade. He glanced up at the decorations hung high above, smiling brightly at the sight. "Ah, she is sure to love this!"
"Then... our efforts were for nothing?"
"Hardly. The sisters merely laid the groundwork for us – it is our addition to their efforts that will make tomorrow truly special. Come, help me get these into the right position."
"I still think these feel off. They're way too big to be just flowers…"
"And Barbara-sama is way too special for our mortal hearts, yet here she stands as our shining beacon of love. Barbatos be praised, we are blessed to bear witness to her each day!"
"Weren't you telling us to keep it down?!"
"Erk. Anyways, give me a hand with this adjustment."
"Does it really matter?"
"…does Barbara-sama's happiness matter?"
"What does that-? Ugh, nevermind. What do you want me to do?"
The two boys made careful, final adjustments to their… gifts, ensuring they were situated just right in the main chamber before they took a look at their handiwork.
"I cannot wait to see the look on her face tomorrow, especially when she learns it was me that did it!"
"You mean us, right?"
"Potato, potato."
"Is someone there!?"
"Drat, the night watch is this early!? Quick, make a break for it!"
Like rats scurrying in the light, the two darted for the entrance, grabbing hold of the massive wooden door on the way and making sure it shut tight before hurrying off into the night with the others, each going their own path.
The blond, however, lingered, glancing back at the cathedral with a wide, excited grin.
Yes, everything was going according to plan. Barbara-sama wouldn't suspect a thing till the moment of truth.
Another day dawned upon Mondstadt, its people bustling from one place to another but there was a certain energy to them this day and it was all directed towards her, specifically.
"Good morning Miss Barbara!"
"Good day young miss!"
"Hi Barbara, so good to see you!"
The young deaconess of the church could only smile and wave back, a bit taken aback by their overt friendliness. She was glad they were happy to see her, and it wasn't like any were strangers, but even Wagner was oddly pleasant to her – he had actually smiled for the first time since she'd known the old blacksmith!
On top of that, Glory, bereft of sight though she was, had also managed an enthusiastic hello to her which seemed slightly out of character for the usually subdued woman.
It all seemed odd… forced even.
On top of that, some of them had tried to stop her to make idle chit-chat with her which would've been fine ordinarily. But she still had duties to attend to at the church, even if Sister Victoria had cited she wasn't especially needed today.
What was even stranger was that just about everyone, even Sister Jiliana, who almost never left the cathedral during sermons, insisted she not leave through the main hall of the cathedral today. Apparently there were some renovations being done to one of the support beams near the entrance and it was dangerous to pass by them right now.
Maybe I'm just imagining things, Barbara decided with a shake of her head, her twin tails wagging in tune. I'll just have to do my best to repay their kindness the only way I know how!
With a smile on her face, she did her best to return all the greetings and well-wishes from the residents with as much enthusiasm as she were able, skipping all the way up the stairs toward the large statue of the mysteriously absent Anemo archon.
He wasn't the only one either, it seemed. Sister Grace, who normally was leading prayer at this time of day was also nowhere to be seen… and neither were her usual flock.
Curiouser and curiouser…
Glancing up toward the statue, she smiled at the one constant in her life; the statue had always been there to greet her and today would be no different, even with all the strangeness.
Clasping her hands together in prayer, she uttered only so loud as the god himself could hear. "Lord Barbatos, wherever you are, please know that I am blessed with each day you give not just everyone but myself as well." She prayed with all her heart that somehow he would hear her words.
"Well, it's very nice to know that, ehe."
"Kyaa!" She almost jumped right out of her skin at the sudden voice, whirling around in shock to find a familiar figure standing there with a goofy grin plastered on his face. "You…! Don't you know it's rude to sneak up on people?"
Far from being chastised, the young bard just scoffed at her. "But what if I was already here?"
Barbara stilled, guilt suddenly filling her heart… or it would have if the laugh a moment later didn't give him away.
"I jest, I jest."
Her tiny fists balled up, a familiar flare of irritation at being duped once more by this charlatan. "I would kindly ask you not to speak for Lord Barbatos. It could be considered sacrilege."
The bard took a step back, his hand flying to his chest in a panic. "Oh no! Do forgive me, oh venerable deaconess Barbara! I have seen the error of my ways and shall repent by prostrating myself at the base of Windrise!"
His performance might've been more convincing had that irritating smile ever left his face, but it never did.
It took a lot for someone to get under her skin and even then she was usually forgiving. But this boy in particular just felt off to her… he was like a line of text she couldn't wrap her head around, no matter how hard she tried.
By this point, however, she didn't want to. He was clearly just another jokester who made his own amusement at the expense of others.
"Just… don't let me catch you around the Holy Lyre again. I'm watching you, Mister Venti."
"But… but I fixed it!" Venti cried out, dramatically.
She wouldn't hear of it. Giving a slight huff, she offered him a thin smile and curtsy before striding off toward the cathedral. That little hiccup aside, she was intent on making the most of this day.
No matter how weird things were getting.
Ugh. I hate writing the first chapter of any story. Everything afterward flows nicely, but that first draft is always the worst.
If anyone is familiar with Albert from the game, you'd know he's an obsessive little fanboy who has just a bit of a chip on his shoulder when it comes to "Barbara-sama"... Ick.
Sad to say he'll be a bit of a persistent thorn in Barbara (and Bennett's) side once certain events play out. But even the most irritating of elements can be a force for good when utilized correctly.
No Bennett yet but rest assured, he'll be coming into play sooner than you think.
Oh right, I should mention that I won't go too crazy with the cameos. Most will be intended to move the story along but there will be some that pertain to certain characters' growth. More on that later.
Till then,
Take care!