They were still staying at Dornman Port,
Waiting until Amber finishes her "sailing duty",
But this time, their group was that much bigger...
-This cocktail is also very tasty~ So refreshing too~ -Jeht was saying in cheeriness, as she just finished a drink and put the glass back on the counter, soon turning towards Collei. -Are all Mondstadt drinks this good...?
-...I have to agree with Jeht, those drinks are exceptionally tasty. -Tadhla admitted, looking and sounding thoughtful. -...It's as if they are enchanted...
She soon mumbled, upon looking towards Diona with suspicion,
As the Kätzlein, who clearly heard her due to her bloodline traits, in turn glanced towards Callirhoe,
With the Oceanid in human form currently busy preparing some more cocktails for the arriving people...
*A while ago, seeing how the "miracle" came from her and the fact more people began to arrive,
Callirhoe volunteered to help Diona out with the drink mixing, so that her job would be easier,
And at the same, Finch decided to just sit back and relax while watching the sea...
...
-...Those drinks do feel enchanted...-Cyno agreed moments later, as he also looked and sounded quite thoughtful. -...It's as if there is some kind of blessing...
At those words, Tighnari and Eula both looked thoughtful, as well,
And so did Tirzad, as he was looking between Diona and Callirhoe in great interest...
...
And yet, even after a minute or two, no one gave an answer...
*Diona considered it, but since it could reveal her old friend's secret...
...
-...It's alright, Diona, I can tell them the truth. -Callirhoe said after a minute or so, just as she finished selling more cocktails and the customers had just left. -As long as they promise to keep it a secret, that is. Only then will I share this with everyone. -She soon added, upon turning to look towards Tirzad with a dead serious expression on her face. -...What I am about to tell you should not become a part of a research paper. -Her eyes soon narrowed, as she looked him right in the eyes. -Do you agree with my condition, Yes or No...?
The group finally arrived to the Winter/Ski Resort,
As they soon disembarked from the carriage and entered the main building...
...
Coming upon a very weird scene:
A bunch of Eula's and Rosaria's walking all over the place,
As they were either welcoming the arrivals or managing the resort itself...
...
-Oh, those must be the "Flower Children" that Big Sister Emilia was talking about! -Klee yelled out in enthusiasm moments later, pretty much answering everyone's unasked question. -Klee was told that they usually look like Big Brother Albedo and can change form to those they like!
At these words, some of the "Flower Children" looked towards the arrivals,
Soon stopping their gaze on Shenhe for a few seconds, before moments later shifting into her...
-My, it appears that those "Flower Children" have a type~ -Yae commented in some amusement, before she looked towards Qiqi for a few seconds, her expression turning thoughtful. -...If Qiqi wasn't a zombie and grew into a good looking woman, they would have surely shifted into her form, as well...
-...They would have looked like Qiqi...? -The small zombie soon asked, looking and sounding a little confused. -...Cryo Vision...Sexy woman...Qiqi could have looked like that too...
-Qiqi, it's alright. I like you as you are. -Yaoyao soon warmly and reassuringly said, as she took the other's hand in her own, before her smile fell a little a few moments later. -...It is a shame though that you couldn't have a happy childhood...
-...We should sign up now. -Shenhe suddenly said, as she was looking between the "Shenhe's" with a slightly annoyed expression on her face. -...I am also going to have a "small chat" with them about upsetting my "Little sister".
And moments later, she proceeded to go to the reception desk,
With the rest of the group soon following along...
...
At the same time, Yae has "mysteriously disappeared" somewhere,
As she followed after the unmistakable duo of dragons in human form...
...
She has successfully found her next victi...Muses~
"...Barbara, do you mind if we go to Windrise for a while...?
The festive atmosphere is quite nice (I wouldn't deny it) and the decorations and all the activities that everyone has prepared (which I am very grateful for), but that place...
...It's one of the most special places for me, so visiting it even once during Windblume..."
"I don't mind it, Venti. I know how special that place is to you. And not just because the tree can heal you...
...If you want to and don't mind me being present, later on, we can also visit your friend."
...
"...I would like that, yes...
...Remember when he was here last...? We were in a small traveling group: You, Amber, myself and him. I don't mind it if you join us during the "visit" and I am certain that neither will he."
...
In the end, they skipped going to Windrise,
As he wished to come here as soon as possible,
Teleporting them both to his friend's grave at Old Mondstadt...
...
And the reason for that was...
...
"Do you still blame yourself for your friend's death?
...Do you, Venti...?"
...
"...Venti, if someone did all they possibly could so that you would have a good life, but it hurt you emotionally in the process, will you still forgive them...?"
...
"...Besides, SHE is not expecting that you forgive HER or that you two would return to having the same relationship that you had before. She simply wants you to continue enjoying your life with your "Mondstadt family"..."
...
What the Traveler told him back then,
As well as his own realization earlier today...
...
"Why was he suddenly reminded of this...?
*She didn't…Did she...?
His old friend…
…
Could it have been Celestia instead?
*They even killed Lisa…
…
…
But no, he still felt like it was HER who was responsible…
*He didn't want to believe it and yet…"
...
Which reminded him of this part of their "chat" back then...
"As such I needed allies, willing or not. Slowly but surely, pushing them to change their own fate and of those around them. Which includes the Traveler from the stars...And you too, Barbatos."
...
...
If this was really true,
And if he wasn't just overthinking it...
*He hoped that it was false, this "revelation"...
...
...
Was he partly to blame for his friend's death...?
...
...
...
His...Mother...
...
"Oh, there you are, you poor soul! Still so young and yet already went through so much...!
...Hey, do you wish for another chance...? I have the power to grant this wish, if you so desire."
...
"...Hum, but if I use my power like this, wouldn't that mean we would become related...?
…And I could always add "something extra" if needed, couldn't I…?"
...
"A child, yes...I always wanted to have one~"
...
...
"You are going to be my favorite, Barbatos.
Mom is going to make sure you enjoy your life this time."
The one who "found" him so long ago,
At a time he barely even remembered...
*What was his life like before that...?
And did he really want to know about it...?
...
"I am sorry to have brought such a burden on your shoulders, Barbatos. I never wanted to play with your fate like this, but it had to be done. You have to live, you have to survive. You can't die, especially not now. You have to help the Traveler in their fight.", I am certain you remember these words now. I never wanted to pull you two into this, especially not you, Barbatos. And yet...
...Yet I don't have much of a choice, do I...? If things stay as they are, this world might not even have a future to speak of.
...I am doing what I have to, even though I know it's not fair towards you."
The one who was "fighting" against THEM,
And in doing so, reluctantly hurt him and others...
*She clearly sounded apologetic while explaining all of this,
And it was not just due to the words she uttered, but the tone of her voice too...
...
"Barbatos, I don't know if you can hear me, but please take care.
Those..."Individuals", THEY know of our connection and are surely watching you more closely now.
No matter what you do, don't let THEM know the extent of your Time powers.
Make sure to quietly and slowly develop them, but don't let THEM see how much you have grown.
The way THEY are now, your life won't be spared if THEY see you as a threat!
...
I might have altered your fate and sealed your memories, but with the Time powers I left you, please fight back and survive.
I would have helped you more if I could, but as things stand, I am currently powerless to.
Any wrong move on my part and THEY would win.
...
...
With the help of my Power, your people's Faith and the Traveler's Assistance, you have to survive.
Grow stronger, so that you can fight back. It shouldn't be much longer now.
...
...
And hopefully, by that point, I would finally be able to tell you everything.
Keeping so many secrets from you just doesn't feel right, even though I know it's necessary."
And then, that last "message" of hers...
*After which, he did not hear from her again...
...
...
"Once upon a time, you were my child. The "vision" you recently heard is a memory of your "current birth". That small lost soul whom I took in as my own.
...But back then, even I didn't anticipate what would happen. How wrong and messed up Teyvat's fate itself would become. I tried to make it right once more. I looked through the different possibilities and secretly helped push it to the right course. And yet, THEY made it THEIR goal to try ruining the progress made at every turn."
Whatever actually happened to cause "Kairos" to act this way,
He wished that she wouldn't worry about him alone...
...
...
"Take care until then, alright, Barbatos...? Don't forget that you are still my favorite child."
Even if he was her favorite,
Why...?
...
Why only him...?
...
...
-...Barbara, I need you to answer me about something, truthfully. -He couldn't help but soon say, looking and sounding conflicted. -...If...If I am the reason that so many crises have been happening in Mondstadt up until just recently, would you still...?
-Whatever happened, is happening or is going to happen in the future, we are in this together, Venti. -Barbara soon sincerely said, upon turning to look towards him with a warm and reassuring smile on her face. -You are not only my beloved Archon, Lord Barbatos, but also a precious friend and family member.
She admitted, the conviction in her voice undeniable,
So much so that it didn't take long to soon show in her expression...
...
Yes, her words...It was something he knew all along,
As she and the others have shown him again and again...
*All their faith and their love...Immeasurable...
...
...
...
"I DON'T KNOW HOW IS IT IN OTHER NATIONS, BUT HERE IN MONDSTADT WE ARE FREE TO CHOOSE FOR OURSELVES! A CHOICE YOU GAVE US, EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE EVERY REASON TO ORDER US AROUND AS MONDSTADT'S ARCHON! WE WON'T BE ABLE TO DISOBEY YOU IF YOU DO!
AND IT'S OUR DECISION TO BELIEVE IN AND FOLLOW YOU, BEING THANKFUL FOR OUR FREEDOM, ONE NOT EVEN ALL THE OTHER SIX NATIONS' CITIZENS HAVE COMBINED!
NOT BECAUSE OF SOME FLIMSY "BRAINWASHING", BUT BECAUSE WE CHOSE TO DO SO OURSELVES!
D-DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT THE FAITH AND LOVE WE HAVE FOR YOU IS FAKE...?! D-DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT OUR APPRECIATION IS NOT SINCERE AND NEVER TRULY WAS...?!"
Even that time, when she slapped him across the face.
*It was his own fault for making her mad, but still...
...
...
His Adorable Deaconess was very serious about her convictions,
And secretly, he was truly glad for this...