"...Knight Rostam, I thank you for giving "ME" time to talk in private with Barbatos.", "Istaroth" couldn't help but gratefully say, before her expression froze for a split second, as she soon turned her gaze towards "Wendy", "The Hexenzirkel are starting to arrive to Mondstadt.", she quietly mumbled, her expression turning thoughtful for a few seconds, "...A few days ago, SHE talked to the Traveler through Paimon, revealing many deeply hidden secrets. Once the witches' "Tea Party" happens, more secrets are sure to be revealed. THEY surely would not like it.", she added in all seriousness, before sadly sighing, "...It's way too soon for this, after "MY" answer to him, but WE wouldn't stop the Hexenzirkel. Barbatos should know the truth, It's high time that those sealed memories get revealed. THEM on the other hand...", her expression turned dead serious, once again, "...Knowing how THEY are now, there would be "Punishment". If not for Barbatos, then for one of the Hexenzirkel. And they must already know this."
"...Celestia's punishment...Someone is going to die. And since THEY still need Barbatos to do his Anemo Archon role, in addition to the fact that the Hexenzirkel are the ones who invited him...", "Wendy" thoughtfully added, having been quietly listening until now, as she soon turned to look towards "Istaroth" with an inquiring expression on her face, "..."YOU" already know who is going to die, right...? Having someone die "because of him" wouldn't be helpful to Barbatos."
She added in both thoughtfulness and seriousness,
Soon quietly waiting for "Istaroth"s reply...
...
"I"...WE know. But as "I" already stated before, this has to be done.", She finally answered, looking and sounding a little reluctant, before she sighed, "...It's high time some of Barbatos' memories finally get unsealed. WE have been playing with his mind for way too long, even though it was necessary."
She quietly explained, before becoming completely silent,
Remembering why doing something like this was necessary...
...
Why not just sealing Barbatos' memories of the past Timelines was necessary,
But also the memories and knowledge of the other nations' crises happening before the Traveler's arrival...
...
...
"Barbatos shouldn't know about all of this. All of those memories of countless Timelines and their happenings. Not only is there a high chance this might overwhelm his mind, but knowing how reckless and selfless this child of mine is...
...Since he is Mondstadt's Anemo Archon, intervening in other nation's affairs might end badly. Barbatos shouldn't be put in a difficult position and especially not in danger. Not anymore than he already is.
...
...
...It already went terribly wrong in the past, when this selfless child tried to help everyone he could..."
...
...
"There is a reason why Barbatos died in all the previous timelines. And it was not always due to him getting killed by enemies or being "punished" by THEM.", She said moments later, looking and sounding quite grave, before her expression fell, "...It happened too many times for "ME"...For US to count."
...
"Just as SHE warned me before, I have to be very careful while using my Time Power.
Don't worry, I am going to follow that warning, it's a promise."
...
'So that no one would need to sacrifice themselves for my sake.'
...
"...Still, Barbatos made another promise to take care of himself, so at least this is a beneficial development.", she couldn't help but added moments later, looking and sounding a little better now, "The Equivalent Exchange and the promise that no matter what happens, he will stay in Mondstadt. The Blood Pact with Mondstadt's Deaconess and Spark Knight. The many promises Barbatos already made to the people of Mondstadt. And the promises he made to those who are not native to Mondstadt, such as his fellow Archons.", she summarized, "...All of those promises, with the addition of the last one he made...This "Plot Armor" of sorts that "WE" made sure to strengthen. Hopefully, it would be strong enough for when THEY "make their move"..."
Meow~
PUUUUUUUUUURRRR~
Huh...?
What was that sound...?
PUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRR~
Was she still sleeping or...?
PUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUURRRRRRR~
...
Why was there a cat in her bed...?
-...What are you doing here, kitty...? -Collei couldn't help but ask soon enough, as she turned to look at the cat lying near the left side of her face. The cat definitely looked familiar, but she just woke up and...-Ah! W-why are you suddenly licking my cheek?! I-it actually tickles a little...!
She almost yelled out in surprise, wondering what this situation was,
As the cat froze for a few seconds, moved its head away a few inches and looked towards her,
Before moments, as if ascertaining that everything was okay, it resumed licking the teen's cheek...
...
Who was still a little confused about what was going on,
And what this, actually adorable, cat was doing in her bed...
*This familiar looking, grey-and-white kitty with black stripes...
...
...
"Meow, meow meow—meooooow~~"
"Meow! Meow meow meow!"
...
...
Oh, right, yesterday, some time after their arrival at Cat's Tail...
"Oh, I just asked this cute and lively kitty about the weather!
...At least I think I did, the kitty's reply is certainly weird. Why is it rubbing its face...?
...Wait, I forgot to ask the kitty's name!
Miss Valerina, what is this kitty's name...?"
...
-Good morning Bunny, did Big Sister Amber ask you to wake me up...? Is breakfast ready...? -Collei soon asked the kitty, moments later getting two "Meow"s of affirmation. -So it is, thanks for waking me up. And sorry for getting so surprised before. -She added upon sitting up, just as the kitty moved back a little, before it proceeded to pull on Collei's nightgown moments later. -I know, I should be getting ready for the day! Give me a few minutes, alright...? -A few seconds after these words, Bunny stopped pulling and let go of the clothing. -Thank you. I wouldn't be taking long.
Collei soon gratefully said, before proceeding to stand up from the bed and go wash herself,
As she couldn't help but wonder at just how intelligent the kitty was...
...
"Bunny:
The name comes due to the similarity with a wild rabbit: energetic and restless.
Bunny is a nimble and intelligent kitty that will brighten your day!"
Was a small summary about the kitty in question,
And Collei had to admit that it was truly on point.
*And now that she thought more about it,
Bunny was quite similar to Big Sister Amber, right...?
...
It was no wonder then, that the two took a liking to each other...
*Amber even took her here as part of the "Rent a Cat" service,
And now the two would be spending a lot of time together and...!
...
...
-No, I am not going to be jealous of a cat...I am not as immature as I was in the past. -Collei couldn't help but say aloud, stopping herself from thinking anything weird. Besides, wasn't Big Sister Amber busy before the festival and most of its first two days...? -...Maybe this is why I am feeling like this. Ever since the festival started, I couldn't spend as much time as I wanted with Big Sister Amber.
"And today she might return to do her "Sailing duties".", Collei couldn't help but soon think,
Feeling quite miffed about this turn of events...Which she knew was silly, but still...
...
...
Maybe she could ask if she can join Big Sister Amber...?
Surely, since yesterday, there are way more people that want to go sailing...?
...
...
She should definitely volunteer her help,
Just so she could spend a little more time with Big Sister Amber...
...
But first, she is going to finish getting ready and attend breakfast.
*Everyone, including the cute kitty, must have already waited long enough for her...
At the same time,
Mona was having a visitor at her house...
-I apologize for arriving so late, Mona. I got the invitation letter from Alder Knight Frederica, but couldn't arrive in time for Windblume! -Said visitor, a teen with bright turquoise eyes, and salmon pink colored shoulder-length hair, almost cried between sips of tea. -The rules became even more absurd lately and I forgot to check the weekly leaflet!
At these words Mona almost froze, the fork with the cake piece hovering inches from her open mouth,
As she couldn't help but soon wonder if she heard her fri..."Associate" right...
-...The rules became even more absurd...? What do you mean by that, Charlotte...? Aren't Fontaine's rules already quite harsh and excessive...? -She asked moments later, barely able to hide her surprise. -...How did they become even worse?
...
-...I think I know the reason why, even though I still don't have any proof. You remember about the "infamous serial disappearance case", yes...? -Charlotte said moments later, looking and sounding quite serious now. -Three years ago, Callas Caspar of the Spina di Rosula, later known as "Callas the Unfaithful", was accused of the now-twenty year serial murder and later on died in a duel against Champion Duelist, Clorinde. Yet, even after his death, the murders continued. And just recently, we found out why: All along, he was innocent of those crimes, as the real criminal falsely accused him. -She couldn't help but soon sigh, looking quite sad afterwards, before her expression turned annoyed. -Most of the case information is top secret, so I can't share much. But to summarize: The real culprit is called Marcel, real name Vacher. He was a businessman and leader of Confrerie of Cabriereleader, Spina di Rosula's "sister organization" and a front to his underground Sinthe business, a once popular drink that turned out to be a horrible drug. Making a fortune through his successful Sinthe business, he used the Mora to fund his experiments on Primordial Seawater, which dissolved at least twenty-four women. And he did it with the help of an unknown foreigner named Zandik. -She explained, before taking a long sip of her tea. -...No one seems to know who this "Zandik" is or why he helped Vacher, but other than the fact a criminal was allowed to do so much damage and he is now walking free, Fontaine has another problem: The Primordial Seawater that can dissolve any native that comes in contact with it.
She ended with this, before deeply sighing,
As she soon drank the rest of her tea and cut herself a piece of cake...
*Unknowingly giving time to Mona to contemplate her earlier words...
...
As the Astrologist soon admitted that she fully believed Charlotte's retelling,
After all, a while ago she too realized that there was something wrong with Callas' murder case...
...
What suddenly worried her was her frie..."Associate"'s early mention...
-...This is the first time I am hearing of this "Primordial Seawater". -She couldn't help but soon admit, as she ate the last of her cake piece, before looking right at Charlotte. -...From your words, I understand that this information is new to you too and possibly to Fontaine as a whole.
-...It is, for most Fontanians. Lady Focalors didn't look in the least bit surprised when mentions of the "Primordial Seawater" came up. She even reassured everyone by saying that the leak must be very small, so there is no need for worry. But ever since that day, Fontaine's rules became even more absurd! -Charlotte soon admitted, looking and sounding quite thoughtful, before her expression turned annoyed. -First, just when I was about to leave Fontaine for Windblume, I was detained for having my Kamera with me, as it was apparently the "No Kamera day"! Then, the next day when I was finally let go, thanks to Euphrasie 's help, I was detained once again, this time for eating my specialty dish in public! And then, after another "departure" out of the Fortress of Meropide (This time after three days, since it was a "continuous offence"), I was detained for having "Too much red" in my outfit! Can you believe it? At one point, Miss Xiangling even asked me if I kept coming back to the Fortress just to taste more of her dishes! -She almost yelled out, her expression now in a pout, before her eyes suddenly widened. Oh, right, she forgot. -...Since Miss Xiangling is such a well-renowned cook, you must know her well, yes...? The first time I was detained, she was already "working" as the Fortress of Meropide's exclusive cook. From what she told me, she was detained for catching and trying to cook a Leisurely Otter. Hearing of her renowned cooking skills, Miss Xiangling was assigned the duty of cooking for the other convicts. -She told the other, before eating a piece of her cake. -...So I was in the Fortress of Meropide for almost a week and would have been stuck there even longer if a nice woman didn't get me out and even accompanied me to Mondstadt. She called herself Astromancer Barbeloth Trismegistus and...-Her words soon trailed off, as she noticed the Astrologist's suddenly frozen expression. -...Mona...? What's wrong...? Do you know this "Astromancer Barbeloth Trismegistus" person...?
She couldn't help but soon ask, very confused,
As well as slightly worried by the other's suddenly scared expression...
...
All the while Mona could think of one thing and one thing only:
The Old Hag...Her Master...
...
She had arrived in Mondstadt for the Hexenzirkel "Tea Party"!
*And the Old...Master is going to kill her for reading her diary and hiding from her and...!