At the same time, at the entrance to Mondstadt city,
Another sudden teleportation was taking place,
With a group of five appearing before its gates!
-We have arrived at Mondstadt city, also known as the Crown of the North. -Xiao informed as soon as the teleportation was complete, looking and sounding quite thoughtful. -...It seems like I can bring more people with me now...With this, my debt...Could it become easier to repay...?
-...So this is Mondstadt city. -Jeht was the second person to say, as she was looking through the gateway in interest, before she turned towards the person standing by her side. -...Even looking from here, it seems really lively, right, Tadhla?
-...I suppose it does look nice. But there are so many people...-The other admitted moments later, as her expression soon fell. -...So many innocent people...What am I even doing here...?
She couldn't help but soon sadly mumble,
Which was still loud enough for Jeht to hear...
-...The City of Freedom, it has been a while since I was here last. -Cyno commented in though, just as Jeht went to reassure her friend, his expression turning a little regretful afterwards. -...I should probably go to "meet up" with Lisa first.
He soon quietly said, looking and sounding quite conflicted,
As he was thinking back to his last discussion with his former colleague...
...
"...I would be able to continue living as a human, yet never truly "leave". I might slightly change during my new life, yet thanks to having my current memories as Lisa Minci, fundamentally I would still remain myself.
...This way, I should still be able to continue having fun with everyone, right...?"
"...If something goes wrong, the huge input of information could overwhelm your mind.
...If you are not careful, your personality, both the current one and the possible future one, might get utterly..."
"I was recognized as Sumeru Akademiya's most distinguished graduate in 200 years. So whatever happens, I should be just fine. I can take it, Cyno."
Hopefully, it would indeed go well,
Because if it does not...
...
...
"Of course I know about Lisa, we once both studied under the same sage. As General Mahamatra, I've seen many tragedies befall those seeking knowledge too assiduously, so it's easy for me to understand her decision."
He did understand her decision at the time and just recently,
But now, perhaps due to the recent crisis in Sumeru...
...
Having to pay such a steep price, for a sin that she didn't knowingly commit...
*The cursed book Lisa read didn't look or feel any different than any normal one,
And yet, just by finding it in the House of Daena, opening it and reading some of its contents...
...
In a way, this whole situation with Lisa felt extremely unfair,
Her punishment was simply too harsh considering her "crime"...
...
But perhaps it's due to the world itself being unfair,
The laws which are put in place...
-Okay, you can all stop being gloomy now. Didn't you come here to attend the annual spring festival, Windblume...? -A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts, as Tirzad was now looking between him, Xiao and Tadhla in some annoyance. -...Well, it's not like I care much about what you are going through, as I am here mostly to do research on my new Thesis. But all this misery is starting to get on my nerves...!
The Researcher ended with this, dramatically huffing as he did so,
All the while making sure to fake not caring about the others' wellbeing...
*So maybe he did feel bad for those three once he heard of their stories,
But the main thing he cared about was still his research and he was not going to lose time acting as a psychiatrist!
...
Even if he did promise Jebrael to look after the man's daughter (who was his own niece) and her friend,
And agreed to hold onto Jeht's "Spending money" pouch, so that he could gradually give her the Mora and...!
...
...
Ever since he went on that expedition with them, he was acting in such a bizarre manner!
*Not like he wanted to stay a jerk once he realized he was one, but to act so out of character...
...
-Yaksha Xiao, I, Raiden Ei, the Electro Archon of Inazuma, wish to discuss with you a matter of utmost importance! -A very serious voice was soon heard, as a stern looking Ei suddenly teleported in, moments later taking a five meters tall Electro-infused iron sandal out of her "Booba Hammerspace(?)" and holding onto it. -...I need to spank my "son" as punishment for his wrongdoing in the Nation of Wisdom and I urge you to tell me where he is currently hiding!
"The Anemo Archon Statue is located at the plaza in front of the Favonius Cathedral.
The statue is in the image of the Anemo Archon, Barbatos, with a hood, two wings, and its hands cupped together.
There is a sentence carved into the statue's pedestal, reading "The Gateway of Celestia" in the common language."
-...So the report was true, this statue holds many mysteries. -Tirzad couldn't help but thoughtfully say, as he was carefully looking at the words in question and back at his notes, before he sighed in some annoyance. -Are you two really planning to follow me...? I said this before and I will say it again, I, as a renowned researcher, am here solely to conduct research for my new Thesis. -He added in as much annoyance as he could muster, upon looking towards the nearby standing Jeht and Tadhla, before proceeding to take a money pouch out of his travel bag and give some of the Mora from inside it to the former. -Here, your agreed-upon spending money for today. Go have fun with the festival activities and stop bugging me. I still need to check some other locations after this, such as this "Mysterious Lagoon" you can get to from Dornman Port.
"I did promise Jebrael to be your guardian during this trip, but are you two seriously waiting for me to finish before you can run off to some stall...?", was what he didn't say,
As he didn't have time to explain, without going into unnecessary details, why he asked Jebrael if he could join them on the trip to begin with...
*Especially since it was true that he was here to do "Field Research" for his new Thesis, even if it wasn't the only...
-You are not being completely truthful, Mister Tirzad. -His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the familiar voice of Tadhla, who was now looking at his with a thoughtful expression on her face. -...If you were truly here only for your "Field Research", you wouldn't have arranged with Mister Jebrael to act as our guardian and he wouldn't have trusted you with safekeeping our spending money. Your research is not the only reason why you are here now.
She explained matter-of-factly, upon glancing towards her friend,
With Jeht looking confused for a few seconds, before her face shone in happiness...
-...Before you say anything, yes, I am trying this "uncle" thing, alright...? -The now-slightly-embarrassed researcher soon said, answering her unasked question. -...Since you are Ufairah's daughter, I thought it would be discourteous to her memory to continue acting as if we are strangers. This is all there is to it, so don't misunderstand!
He made sure to add in annoyance,
Looking and sounding even more embarrassed now...
-I don't mind if we explore Mondstadt together! That "Mysterious Lagoon" sounds like a great place to check out! -Jeht soon said, looking and sounding quite interested. -And you need to get to it from "Dornman Port", does that mean we will be sailing? That sounds great too! Right, Tadhla...?
-...I was never at a port before. And sailing...-The other thoughtfully said, looking and sounding a little confused, before a small smile appeared on her face. -...I would like to try it, yes.
...
-...Just so you know, my current research is going to take some time. -Was all Tirzad said moments later, still sounding a little embarrassed, as he soon turned back towards the statue. -...It might even take a few hours before I am ready to move to the next "research location".
-...We can just check the city in the meantime, then! -Jeht said moments later, looking and sounding quite happy, as she proceeded to take Tadhla's right hand in her left. -Seeing how festive-looking the city alone is, we wouldn't get bored waiting until you finish your research, "Uncle Tirzad"~
And with these words, she soon left the area, tugging her friend along,
With Tirzad now being left to do his research in peace...
...
...
Except that for some reason, he found it hard to do,
Two words being weirdly repeated in his head:
"Uncle Tirzad"
...
...
...
-...Something must really be wrong with my head lately...-He couldn't help but soon say, as he slightly turned to glance towards the spot where the two stood moments ago, before he turned back towards his notes. -...Ever since I found out Jebrael wed Ufairah and Jeht is her daughter...And the events that followed...-He deeply sighed, looking down at the etching again. -...As one of the Akademiya's researchers, I should be focusing on my research...
-...Now then, what should I be doing...? -Xiao couldn't help but mumble, as he was currently standing at the bottom of the Market District and looking up the stairs with a thoughtful expression on his face. -...I didn't even want to come here for Windblume...
He soon lied, trying very hard to believe his own words,
As in truth, he just felt like he didn't deserve to be here...
*After seeing that...Nightmare, he..
...
All the horrible things he did in the past...
...
...
Lord Barbatos and the Traveler would not like him thinking like this,
And he was quite certain that Yánwáng-dìjūn would not like it either...
*So he should simply find a way to enjoy the festival,
Both due to the order and because he secretly wanted to...
...
...
This would have been way easier if their group didn't split up,
Which happened after the Electro Archon's sudden arrival...
...
"Yaksha Xiao, I, Raiden Ei, the Electro Archon of Inazuma, wish to discuss with you a matter of utmost importance!
...I need to spank my "son" as punishment for his wrongdoing in the Nation of Wisdom and I urge you to tell me where he is currently hiding!"
He would be lying if he said that he liked the Electro Archon in any way,
But he had to admit that he did not hate her proposal...
*That "Former Harbringer" still did not get the rightful punishment for his sins,
And it was all thanks to Lord Kusanali's showing him great compassion,
Way more than he ever deserved...
...
He might have been betrayed by one of his "associates",
But the former Fatui Harbringer still did many disgusting things.
*Which included trying to kill the Traveler in the past and attacking Sumeru city just recently.
...
...
...
In summary of their small discussion, during which everyone else in the group had soon left:
The Electro Archon "asked" him to lead her to "this wayward son of mine" so she could punish him,
Saying that she heard about what "Kunikuzushi" did and decided that she should be the one to discipline him "thoroughly",
As "Raiden Ei" soon reassured him that she could wait until Windblume is over, but if he agreed for it to be tonight, then she would "happily oblige".
...
Needless to say, Xiao soon promised to bring her to the former Harbringer as soon as the last sun ray disappeared from the sky,
And not long after this fact and the Electro Archon thanking him for "the assistance", she soon teleported away,
Leaving him to wonder wherever she was still the same Electro Archon he heard about before.
*Xiao did hear that she changed, but for her to thank a lowly Yaksha such as himself...?
...
...
And now that he thought more on it, the way she talked was a little weird,
At some points of their discussion, it felt as if her voice slightly wavered...
*Such as during her saying "Kunikuzushi" and "this wayward son of mine",
As if she was feeling bad about what happened to him...
...
...
-...I am probably overthinking things...Changed or not, for her to feel guilty towards the "child" she ignored for all this time shouldn't be possible...-Xiao couldn't help but soon say once more, as he looked around the city some more. He was standing here for quite a while now and still wasn't certain where he should go and what he should do. -...Perhaps Lord Barbatos can tell me. I can even offer my help to him again.
He soon realized, deciding that this was the best course of action...
*Even if it might get quite embarrassing for him again, like that time when...
"Traveler, Xiao, now that you two are done with your little "talk" and the party has just started, how about you join us...?"
"I don't mind joining you, Venti, but what exactly are we going to do?"
"We are going to go flying, of course! I know how much you love it, Traveler! It's such a shame that the most I can do for you is to use the "Power of the Thousand Winds"..."
"It's alright, Venti. You helping me fly is already more than enough. Truthfully, after losing my wings at that time, I feared I would never be able to fly again."
"...Thank you, Traveler. Since you are an Outlander, I am not sure I could restore your wings even if I tried to. Seeing Xiao's wings restored, I..."
"Those are really beautiful wings, aren't they...? Your invitation is partly due to wanting to see them "in work", right...?~"
"...You got me, Traveler! They look really great, aren't they? Shimmering so much under the sun~ I would have liked to inspect them more closely, but you know how Xiao is..."
"Yeah, he would be so embarrassed he might just break~"
...
And yet, he still decided to teleport to the Archon's side,
But before he could even pinpoint where one of his saviors currently was...
-Look, it's Uncle Xiao! He's back for the party!
-Uncle Xiao came back to celebrate Windblume with us!
-Can we see your shiny wings again, Uncle Xiao?
-Yeah! They are really pretty and we also want to check them for "research"!
-It's to make our costumes perfect for the upcoming show!
-...Isn't the show in like 2 days...? Mommy said we still have time...
-It doesn't matter! We are going to be dressed similar to Venti, so everything has to be perfect!
-And Uncle Xiao is going to help us make it the best ever, right...?
-Please help us, Uncle Xiao! The sisters would be happy for the help too!
A bunch of children (excluding Lily and Timmie) suddenly ran down the stairs,
And moments later he was completely surrounded, with them rapidly talking one after another...
*Xiao could still hear what they were saying and soon realized what the whole "chaos" was about,
But just when he was about to form any kind of reply, they all started showing him those irresistible "puppy eyes" of theirs...
...
...
Perhaps, he got his answer about what he should be doing now,
And since it sounded like this "show" was made to glorify Lor..."Venti",
By having them dress just like the Anemo Archon, (fake) wings included...
…
…
It did sound like a good way to spend his time.