Eula was currently feeling embarrassed.
*Extremely embarrassed, in fact...
...
"...The Estate already went through a lot of changes, yet there's still so much to be done...
...I never really liked my clan and how they acted, but I have to admit that taking care of all the Estate matters is its own kind of challenge...Or I just need to find/hire some assistants to help me out, same as Uncle Schubert did in the past...But asking this of any of my subordinates or even my new family members...
...I don't really want to burden them with all this Estate Management issue...Especially when they must already be busy with their own work..."
To think she would not only say all of this aloud,
But she would also be overheard...
...
By her little sister, Collie's Sumeru family and Liyue's Yaksha...
*Even now, around three to four hours later,
She couldn't help but still feel extremely embarrassed!
...
...
-Big Sister Eula, are you alright...? Are you still embarrassed about getting overheard...? -Collei soon asked her in some worry, pausing from her drinking of the "Berry & Mint Burst" cocktail, her expression turning sad moments later. -...You taught me yourself that it's okay to ask for help, especially if you feel overwhelmed.
-Collei is right, there is nothing for you to feel embarrassed about. -Tighnari agreed almost right away, pausing from his own cocktail. -Taking your job seriously is a good quality to have, but overworking yourself would do no one any good.
He soon added, upon glancing towards Cyno in sadness and some annoyance, before looking back towards Eula,
With the Mahamatra pausing in his own drinking moments later, as he realized what his friend's gesture meant...
*Was Tighnari perhaps still annoyed that he barely told him anything about his own..."Troubles" during these past few months...?
...
...
But he understood why the other reacted this way...
-...It might just destroy you, physically and emotionally, if you insist on doing everything by yourself...-He admitted moments later, looking down at his own cocktail in some thought, before turning his gaze towards Tighnari. -...I am sorry for worrying you, Tighnari. Next time I promise to tell you what's been bothering me.
-...You know where to find me. And if I am out on patrol at the moment, you can either wait until I return or ask the other Forest Rangers for my whereabouts. -The Forest Watcher answered him with this, looking and sounding quite glad, before he turned his gaze towards Eula. -The sooner you post a job listing for a personal assistant, the better it would be for you, Miss Eula.
He soon added in all seriousness, while looking right at her,
As the Spindrift Knight and New Lawrence Head couldn't help but deeply sigh...
-...I know and will try doing as you suggest, Forest Watcher Tighnari. -Eula said moments later, as she was now looking towards her "Special Kätzlein Cocktail". -...Since this is a matter concerning the Lawrence Estate administration, as the New Head of the once hated clan, I really didn't want to involve other people in its troubles.
"And not just 'Other people', but I can't really bring myself to ask even my subordinates for this kind of help.", was left unsaid,
As Eula soon realized that there was no real need to voice those concerns out, anyway...
*From what everyone overheard her say before, they have surely realized it by now...
...
...
"If my family members refuse to change their corrupt ways, or worse, continue to cause active harm in Mondstadt... I should be the one to end them, along with the Lawrence name itself. For once, it'd be a family obligation I'd actually enjoy. And once the deed was done, I'd be free to pick any name I wanted. Or even let you pick one for me!"
Once upon a time, she said all that with such conviction,
And yet now she is working as the Clan's new head...
*But after becoming the last Lawrence and taking over as clan head,
Both the Estate and Dornman Port are already way different than they were in the past,
With the port even being used as a Windblume destination and also during Little Sister Collei's "Welcoming Party"...
…
...
So maybe, even if it turned out that she lied back then,
She is still doing quite well, nevertheless...?
...
...
-Even since I became the clan head, as the last living Lawrence, I did everything I could to make the place better for everyone. Not just as part of the Lawrence Clan territory and a place of trade, but Dornman port is now so much more, right...? And so is the Estate itself...-She slowly said, upon looking around the place, seeing the many people that were joyfully spending time together. -...So my reluctance to ask for help in administering it...
"...I-I have to go to Starnatch Cliff...T-to get those Cecilias…A-all 37 of them...!
...A-as an apology for being disrespectful...A-and also as repayment...F-for showing me kindness…
...W-which is perfectly fair...!"
That time, right before the previous year's Windblume,
Her reaction to Venti accepting her as one of his children/Mondstadt's people...
*Perhaps, she still had some trauma remaining because of her childhood,
Even if it was way better now, so much so that she started believing it was gone...
...
...
Maybe it was a good thing that they decided to go to Dornman Port,
In order to wait until Little Sister Amber's sailing job is done,
As they are now enjoying the drinks at Diona's cocktail bar...
...
And during this break, Eula has time to think things through,
About the recent changes in her life and what she plans to do next...
...
...
Perhaps, this was really what she needed all along,
Time for herself as a person, a human woman named Eula,
As she was surrounded by old and new friends, who were here to help…
After the "Fellflower confusion" situation and after getting the recently infused items from the Alchemists...
*Both Der Frühling and the Vayuda Turquoise Gemstone brooch...Which he should definitely think of a name for...
...
Why didn't he decide on one up until now...?
Was he lazy or did he forget again...?
*Not like this was the first or the last thing he forgot,
Either coincidentally or intentionally...
...
If it was intentional, then by whose intent...?
*If not his own, then perhaps Celestia...Or even "Kairos"...
...
...
"Do you still blame yourself for your friend's death?
...Do you, Venti...?"
...
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…
...
"...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"..."
...
She didn't "talk" to him in some time and just left that "message",
Telling him to be careful while using his Time Powers or else THEY will notice...
...
...
"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."
…
…
But, why would Venti's death be neede...?
-Venti, are you alright...? -His thoughts were soon interrupted by a familiar and worried voice, as Barbara was now standing right before him, looking towards him in concern. -I am glad to be able to spend more time with you, but if you are worried about how everyone is doing again...-She sadly continued, upon fidgeting with her hands a little, before her expression turned more determined. -...This time, I would like you to take me with you! I don't mind teleporting with you all over the nation, greeting them and with another person by your side...
-No, it's fine. I was just overthinking something, that's all. Thank you for worrying about me, Barbara...And thank you for accepting my sudden invite, my Adorable Deaconess. -He couldn't help but gratefully say, before his expression got a little mischievous, as he proceeded to take her right hand in his left and soon plant a kiss on it. -...After leaving the KoF headquarters, I was so worried (perhaps due to what happened during the "Fake(?) death" situation) about how everyone was doing, that I couldn't help but teleport all over Mondstadt in order to secretly check on them. I only stopped when I was certain everyone was alright, even if some people were clearly busy thinking about life. -He soon recalled, upon letting go of her hand, his voice and expression now turning a little sad. -...I am grateful that you accepted my invitation to spend Windblume together, even if you had plans to spend it with your immediate family: Seamus, Frederica and Jean...
"Perhaps, you already spent time with them yesterday, but with all the new activities during this year's Windblume, wouldn't you want to continue hanging out with them?", was left unsaid,
Yet the Archon suspected that Barbara already realized what he was about to say,
As he didn't try hiding it in his expression and even then, the Winds could just inform her of this...
*And yes, he already knew that all of them saw him as part of their family,
But the familiar relationship between them was a little different than the one they had with him...
...
The same way as he was closer to Dvalin and Vennessa than he was to some of his children...
...
An immediate family, when it was a close one,
Shared a special type of bond...
...
-Don't worry, Venti. I still see you as family, same as my parents and big sister do. So I am glad to be spending time with you now. -Barbara reassuringly told him moments later, before there was a short pause, as her expression turned a little conflicted. -...Besides, I did spend time with them yesterday, but as you know, they are usually very busy with their duties and don't really have any free time today. -She sadly sighed, before a confused expression appeared on her face. -...Though I heard rumors that sometimes my mother asks Grandmaster Varka to take over my Big Sister's duties. And it's supposed to be punishment for how much Grandmaster Varka overworked my sister in the past...?
-...I also heard of this particular "rumor"...And I don't think it's actually a rumor...-Venti soon admitted, wondering just how much Frederica likes to "bully" Varka. Not like he didn't deserve it...-...As for what you said before, thank you again, Barbara. I am glad to be spending time with you, too. As for Jean, Seamus and Frederica, I am certain that once the last preparations for Windblume activities are complete...-Such as that "talent show/competition(?)" Vennessa told him about before...-...They are surely going to have enough free time to enjoy the rest of the festival with you.
-...You should also join us then, Venti. -The Deaconess warmly added, before proceeding to go to his right side and take his right hand in her left. -...Thank you for the reassurance, even though I was the one who wanted to reassure you...-She thankfully mumbled, before turning to look him in the eyes. -...Where do you want to go next...?
She asked him, soon waiting for his reply,
Which didn't come in a few seconds, as the Archon wondered where to go...
*They have already walked through most of the city, going between the stalls and joining activities,
And it would be a better experience to "appoint" a full/most of the day to either the Dornman Port or Dragonspine locations...
...
-...Barbara, do you mind if we go to Windrise for a while...? -Venti couldn't help but ask her soon enough, looking and sounding a little sheepish. -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...-...That spot where Vennessa ascended at in the past, where the Windrise tree soon grew...-...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...-Barbara soon answered, looking and sounding thoughtful, as well as a little sad. -...If you want to and don't mind me being present, later on we can also visit your friend.
She suggested, upon remembering said friend...
*At that time when Venti used his time power to...
-...I would like that, yes...-A quiet voice soon interrupted her thoughts, as the Archon was looking a little melancholic, yet also grateful. -...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.
Starting on the trail from Mondstadt city, turning around to the right by Windrise,
Then turning left by the next intersection and following the long road ahead, until Dadaupa village is in sight,
And then turning to the right during another intersection, continuing to ride along the road to the Dragonspine Adventurer Camp,
Where they soon stopped to prepare the provisions and put on warm clothes for the short, yet quite cold, road to the Winter resort...
*This was the route they just took, Yaoyao was quite certain of this, as she made sure to write it all down while enjoying the scenery around.
...
Once they are all ready, they should be able to continue to the mountain,
Through the bridge ahead and...
-Qiqi doesn't want to wear the Winter Coat. It's too warm and makes me feel disgusting. -Her thoughts were soon interrupted by a familiarly detached, yet slightly annoyed voice. -Qiqi likes the cold, so I can go without it. Someone else should wear it instead.
The small zombie soon added, as she proceeded to return it to the nearby clothes rack, to the confusion of the Adventure Guild members around,
Which included Harris, who was just in the middle of preparing some soup, as his expression first shifted to surprise and then to understanding and barely hidden pity...
*He must have realized that Qiqi was a zombie, Yaoyao couldn't help but recognize,
As she remembered having the same kind of reaction the first time she met Qiqi...
...
"I once asked Dr. Baizhu in private if there's any way to cure her, and, um... But it doesn't matter. I'll probably have to keep reminding her who I am for my whole life, but that's okay."
...
...
-I can also go without the Winter Coat. Resisting the Dragonspine cold should prove to be good training for me. -Shenhe soon said, as she also put it back on the nearby clothes rack, while glancing with a barely hidden smile towards Qiqi. -...It seems like both of us would be "dressed inappropriately" for this weather...
She soon added, upon crouching down before the small zombie and offering her left hand,
With Qiqi looking towards it in confusion for a few seconds, before accepting the invite,
As moments later, Shenhe was leading towards and helping her get on the carriage...