After agreeing to the children's pleadin..."Proposal",
It didn't take them long to start tugging him along towards the Cathedral,
As they were all so enthusiastic, he barely had time to check his surroundings...
*From the corner of his eyes, he did notice Tirzad examining Lord Barbatos' statue,
Soon deciding that he will let it be, as long as the researcher is being careful with his "Field Research",
And if he does something disrespectful to the Archon's statue, then Xiao would have to intervene...
...
...
...
And then the children led him to the grandiose Favonius Cathedral,
A place fit for the worship of an Archon, run entirely by Mondstadt's people...
*It was truly a shame that he wasn't here during Jubiläum,
When the Anniversary of Lord Barbatos' return was celebrated...
...
...
Once inside, they were quickly going through the main hall,
Where there were a lot of people around, all of them looking very busy...
*They were taking their duties as the Archon's adherents very seriously...
...
...
Once he finishes his duties here and after Windblume is over,
He should return to Liyue, to pay his respects to Yánwáng-dìjūn.
*It was way too long since he met with his god and one of his saviors...
...
...
...
Oh, it seems like they have finally arrived at the right room...
-Mommy, look! We got uncle Xiao to help us out!
-Uncle Xiao promised to let us study his wings for our costumes!
-Lily, Timmie, Uncle Xiao's here to help!
The children happily yelled as soon as they entered the room and closed the door behind them...
*Looking around it, the room looked to be smaller than a hall, but still big enough to easily move around,
Which explained how it fit a few nuns, all the children, Collei and himself inside of it, while still leaving some free space...
-Thank you for agreeing to help us out with the preparations, Yaksha Xiao. -Jillianna gratefully told him from her spot by her daughter, as Lily currently had some squirrels balancing on top of her outstretched arms and head. -As you can see, there are still some things that need to be done before we can officially start the show.
-Originally there were supposed to be a few separate "shows", but we decided to combine them into one event. -Grace explained from her place by Timmie's side, who appeared to have just stopped right in the middle of a dance with his pigeon friends. -...It's basically going to be a "Talent Show", one which more people could join if they wish to.
-But you need to prepare your own costume if you wish to join. Those ones are for the children and them alone. -Victoria was the next to comment, from her spot by the costume rack, as she was busy looking them over. -...But of course, we can still make some small exceptions if you are trustworthy enough.
She added upon glancing towards Collei, who was currently busy checking her dress over...
*The teen was so preoccupied in fact, that it didn't seem like she noticed the arrivals...
...
...
And while looking closely at her small body movements,
Xiao soon realized that she appeared to be frustrated...
*And looking at the nuns around, it seems like they realized it too...
-...I was a Treasure Hoarder in the past, so it's expected for me to know how to read someone's body language. -Jillianna quietly said moments later, as she proceeded to go towards and stand nearer him. -...But neither I nor the other nuns are as close to her as Spindrift Knight Eula and Outrider Amber. And both of them are currently busy with their own duties.
She soon added, looking and sounding a little regretful,
Before she proceeded to turn around and start going back to her earlier spot...
-Don't worry, I promise to go talk with her. -Xiao said moments later, loud enough for the nun to hear. -...I think I know why she is so frustrated and if I am right...Perhaps I can actually help her...
He couldn't help but soon mumble,
Upon starting his short walk to the frustrated teen...
...
...
Having done things you deeply regret, even if they were not by your own choice,
Finding people who care for you, no matter your past sin..."Mistakes", who wish you good,
Trying to fit in with others and enjoy your life, something that you are still not quite used to yet,
Discovering something that you are good at, which doesn't have to do with your past "mistakes"...
...
And getting frustrated when you don't feel that you worked hard enough,
Even with others' endless encouragement and assistance...
...
...
Perhaps, this was truly the case for her, as well...
*Feeling like you failed the same people who showed you so much goodwill.
"Big Sister Eula, please teach me how to dance.
...A-at that time, during the "Welcoming Party" everyone prepared for me...B-big Sister Eula's and Big Sister Amber's Partner dance was so lovely that I...
...P-please, teach me how to dance so I can join you next time!"
This was when she begg...Asked Big Sister Eula to teach her to dance...
*A sudden and very embarrassing request that her Big Sister accepted almost right away...
...
...
"Collei is very talented and has already learned a lot since we started our lessons.
...Given enough time, I am certain she would become a better dancer than I am."
Big Sister Eula even said that, believing in her so much...
*And this is after everything that she and everyone else already did for her,
Forgiving her for the attack on Mondstadt and welcoming her as their new family member...
...
...
"Don't look at me with such a sad face, Lo...Venti. I am not going to give up so easily.
...Big Sister Eula, Big Sister Amber, you shouldn't worry about me either.
This journal that Miss Lisa left me for..."Safekeeping", I...I promised to take good care of it, so that I could give it back to her when the time comes."
That day when her Eleazar finally disappeared,
And all of this thanks to the Traveler's and everyone else's help...
...
...
As well as her promise to Miss Lisa...
"You will do just fine, Little Collei. I am certain of it~"
...
Miss Lisa, before she died...
...
"...I already thought of the people whom I am going to leave my belongings with and one of those people is you, Little Collei.
...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.
...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."
...
...
-Miss Lisa, I...-She couldn't help but sadly mumble, tears starting to gather up in eyes. -...I am not sure I can do what you ask...
With these words the tears streamed down her face,
As she couldn't help but think once again, about how useless she turned out to be...
*So many people believed in her, showed her kindness and cheered her on...
...
And yet she...
...
...
She couldn't do even this one little thing...!
...
...
The way the dress looked on her,
And even the dancing moves she practiced so much...
*It felt like she didn't do enough and something was missing and...!
-Collei, do you mind if we talk...? -A familiar voice suddenly interrupted her thought, with her soon noticing Xiao now standing before her, as moments later he carefully wiped the tears from her eyes. -...But preferably not here. How about exiting to the main hall for now...? -He quietly asked, looking and sounding quite serious, as well as thoughtful and a little sad. -...I know what you are going through. It's very frustrating, feeling like you can't return the kindness that you were given.
He regretfully admitted, as his expression became sadder,
Moments later reaching his left hand for her to take...
-...I don't mind it. -Was all Collei managed to say, still overwhelmed by her own emotions, as well as the realization of what the Yaksha just said. Even though Yaksha Xiao's situation was that much worse than hers, he still...-...Thank you...
She gratefully added upon putting her right hand on top of his outstretched one,
And moments later, Xiao led her outside the "Preparation room" and to the main hall...
...
Where still unbeknownst to them both, Jeht and Tadhla already were,
Sitting on the pew chairs and enjoying the Church's "Peaceful atmosphere"...
-...The city is certainly festive, but the atmosphere still feels weird. Is it weirdly festive or festively weird...? -Cyno couldn't help but mumble from his place behind one of the pillar archways, soon chuckling a little at his own joke, before his expression turned a little sad. -...Even though I was ordered to come here in order to "cheer up", after everything that happened in Sumeru just recently, it is quite hard to do. Especially since I want to talk to Collei, but she is already busy spending time with the others. -He admitted before sighing, as he glanced behind the pillar, at the spot under the Anemo Archon statue where Collei, Xiao, Jeht and Tadhla were now sitting. They seemed to be discussing something important and he probably shouldn't intrude. But, would he truly disturb them or could he smoothly join in the conversation...? -...Hey, Kasala, what do you think I should do...? -He couldn't help but soon ask in some annoyance, not getting a reply for a few long seconds. -...You are really as quiet as a ghost. Which you are in fact, a ghost. Of course.
A very Secretive/Silent ghost, in fact, not like he was one to judge...
*But Cyno was still not going to use his Elemental Burst just to talk to Kasala...
...
That stupid priest who was messing with his brain!
*And why did all those "illusions" feel so real...?!
...
...
...
Things already got overly confusing,
Especially with the whole "Kasala=His possible past life" situation...
*At least he didn't have to see "Samir" as much during the past few days...
"My Lord, no matter how many mistakes you might make, I will never desert you!
...So please, let me help you find a solution to this crisis."
...
It would have surely been very embarra..."Uncomfortable" if he did...
*And thinking about Lord Rukkhadevata and her successor, Lord Kusanali,
While not as emba..."Uncomfortable", it was still hard...
"Lord Rukkhadevata, I am eternally grateful for the help that you have given to our Lord."
...
All those possible "memories",
They were just too much for him at the moment...
...
...
...
"I love seeing everything covered in a fresh blanket of snow. There's a perfect stillness to it that's not lifeless, but calm and peaceful."
...
Apparently, there's supposed to be a "Winter Resort" in Dragonspine,
Perhaps he should leave for it soon, to get his thoughts in order...
...
...
On the way, he might even buy some more souvenirs for Tighnari...
*Perhaps some of those flower pots that Flora is selling...?
Do they sell earplugs in Mondstadt...?
...
And should he buy some gifts for Collei, too...?
What if she already has the same thing he is going to buy...?
...
Wait, seeing as Mondstadt's people get plushies of themselves made and Collei is also a Mondstadter now,
What if there is a "Collei Plushie" being sold somewhere...? Tighnari would definitely like one of these too, right...?
...
...
...
What is he even doing, hiding behind a pillar like this, while talking to himself and thinking weird thoughts...?
*Acting so childishly, even if he doesn't want to disturb Collei's personal discussion...
...
Perhaps, the events of the last few months truly affected him badly,
Perhaps, he truly needed to take a break and enjoying Windblume was just what he required...
...
And he already tried to do this, he really did,
But no matter where he went today, he couldn't help feeling the "weird atmosphere"...
...
"...The City of Freedom, it has been a while since I was here last.
...I should probably go to "meet up" with Lisa first."
He already decided on this and yet he was stalling so much...
*Just what was he so secretly afraid of...? And why...?
...
...
First, he should buy a bouquet of Cecilias from Floral Whisper and then go to "meet up" with Lisa…
*Even if he knows she is not really there and it's mostly for his own peace of mind…
…
...
Hopefully, it wouldn't be too late in the day once he finishes his "talk"...