Around five minutes later, inside the main parlor of the Lawrence Estate,
Venti was sitting by a table, with some tea and snacks already prepared,
While the Traveler and Paimon sat on the opposite side of him…
*This situation was clearly akin to a "noble tea party",
And yet strangely enough it didn't feel out of place...
...
-I am glad to be able to see you face to face again, Traveler. You too, Paimon. -Venti couldn't help but soon happily say, as he took a bite from an Apple cupcake, before his expression turned thoughtful moments later. -...I don't see Xiao here with you. Is he currently busy or did he...?
-...Decided to stay in Liyue...? Yes. -The Traveler ended for him, as they also soon took a bite from their cupcake and sipped some tea, their expression turning a little amused moments later. -...And before we left, he promised to help me out wherever I am in trouble in my future travels.
-Even now, Xiao is as dutiful as ever. -Paimon added, as she took a few bites of her cupcake, soon finishing it. -Even though he wasn't back in Liyue for so long, he's still acting tough! -She added in some annoyance, upon proceeding to take and finish another cupcake, her expression getting a little glad moments later. -...But Paimon supposes it's good enough he no longer has any nightmares...
...
"...Please, make it stop...!
M-make it stop...!
...
T-the blood...!
So much...Blood...
My hands are...Drenched in blood...
...
T-the screams...!
...They won't stop...
...S-so many innocents...I...
...
...
P-please make them...Stop!
...
Don't want to...Kill...!
Don't want to...!
...Like a monster...
...
...
...Those chains...
...Constricting...Controlling...
...
...
...M-Master, please...
...L-let me go…!
...
...
...I can't...I can't...
...N-no more...!
...
...
...P-please, kill..."
N-no, Xiao should be okay now, right...?
*So there was no need to remember any more than this!
...
...
Besides that, he doesn't have time to be distracted...
*After his meeting with the Traveler and Paimon,
He has to resume the Hide and Seek game that was paused...
...
"The Traveler had just recently returned to Mondstadt after months of absence. So I plan to talk to them for a few minutes and then resume our game, is that alright with everyone...?"
Was what he told them before leaving with the Traveler,
And based on their replies, they agreed to this small "change of plans"...
*Even though they were clearly sad about their game being adjourned...
...
...
-So, Traveler, Paimon. How have you been after our last call...? -Venti decided to soon ask, looking and sounding quite intrigued now, as he took another bite from his apple cupcake. -...Anything interesting happened while you were still in Liyue...?
-Before that, can Paimon sit on your lap, Venti...? -The Pixie suddenly asked, looking and sounding confused and a little sad. -...Paimon is not sure why, but Paimon really wants to do this...
...
"Paimon, how long are you planning to hide there...? Even though you were the one who told me to call Venti around an hour ago...
...Stop floating behind the door and come into the room already. I know that you also want to talk with him."
...
"...You are right, Traveler. Paimon wants to talk to Venti, too.
...But for some reason Paimon feels reluctant to see Venti. Not only that, when Paimon thinks of Venti, Paimon starts feeling guilty.
...Something is really wrong with Paimon and Paimon has no idea why...But Paimon feels like Paimon should know! But Paimon doesn't and it makes Paimon feel really confused...
...Maybe Paimon ate something bad or...Paimon really doesn't know what to do...!"
...
...
This memory he just recalled...
*Were the two situations somehow connected...?
-Sure thing, Paimon. You can sit on my lap for as long as you want to! -He felt himself say a moment later, getting slightly confused about agreeing to it so readily. But he didn't mind her sitting on his lap, so he decided to ignore this weird situation for now. -...Paimon, here. Doesn't my lap look welcoming...? -He soon added in some amusement, upon tapping said lap with the palm of his right hand. -...But if you suddenly changed your mind...
-Paimon is going to sit on your lap, Tone-deaf bard! -The Pixie interrupted him in some annoyance, moments later proceeding to fly around the table and unceremoniously plop down onto the Archon's lap. -...This is Paimon's seat now! -She added moments later, a small pout soon appearing on her face. -...And it actually feels nice to Paimon...And makes Paimon feel even more confused...Just what is wrong with Paimon recently...?
She soon mumbled, sounding so lost,
As Venti couldn't help but feel really bad for her...
...
Feeling as if your emotions and actions were not your own,
As the God of Freedom, he understood well how awful it must be...
...
...
...
But was this the only reason that he felt so sympathetic for her...?
-You really look like siblings, sitting like that. -The Traveler soon commented, looking and sounding reassuring, before their expression turned more serious. -I should finally start the retelling now. -They said in all seriousness, their expression turning a little amused. -I finally managed to catch Enjou and ask him some "much needed questions". Zhongli helped me a lot with that and while we were still in the process of "Catching Enjou", the "blockhead" told me some "Interesting things", like the fact a certain book got really popular in Liyue lately~
-Oh, Paimon remembers that! That book about "Dragon Relations", right...? Apparently, Emilia was the one who wrote it. -The Pixie added from her spot on Venti's lap, sounding very amused. -...Zhongli said it described the habits of a pair of dragons and that he bought it out of curiosity. And he also mentioned how popular the book got in Liyue, right...?
-And he also noticed Childe reading a copy, though his Harbringer "friend" tried to hide it once he saw him staring. Zhongli soon admitted he was a little confused by this "weird reaction" of his friend. -The Traveler added in great amusement, as they were clearly stopping themselves from laughing. -Venti, your friend is truly a "blockhead", you know that...? And Childe is also not much better, since he seems to be too embarrassed to admit his feelings.
-...So they still didn't discuss this...-Venti couldn't help but soon mumble, looking and sounding a little weary. -...This is the "Diluc and Kaeya need to resolve their misunderstanding" situation all over again, except that Zhongli and Childe are not siblings.
"Without proper intervention, this could as well take them years.", was left unsaid,
But the Archon was still quite certain that both the Traveler and Paimon understood what he meant...
...
-I am pretty sure that someone is going to "help" them soon. Be it some outspoken person who is close to one of them or even one of the Adepti. -The Traveler knowingly commented, looking and sounding quite amused now. -Speaking off, I decided to also offer my help to Clou...Xianyun and Keqing and in thanks...-They soon added, their expression becoming warm. -...She let me use her "Suspensus Somnium Mechanism". I had a nice dream where I spent time with my Twin, traveling with them through Teyvat and experiencing all its many wonders. -They couldn't help but gratefully say, before their expression suddenly fell. -...If only my actual sibling wanted to spend time with me...
They mumbled in clear sadness and regret,
Which made Venti recall their earlier words...
...
"...I don't understand why my Twin wouldn't tell me anything or even want to have a normal discussion...Unlike last time we met, when they, to Venti..." , the Traveler showed a small sad smile, as moments later a tear rolled down their cheek, followed by another, "...I should have stayed with them back then...If I did, then...The two of us could still…!"
They continued with this, soon becoming completely quiet,
As only their anguished sobs were heard through the Dodocommunication Device…
...
...
Even if the Traveler told him they were doing better now,
Surely, they were simply distracting themselves so that...
-I am going to continue the retelling now, if you don't mind. -His words were soon interrupted by the Traveler, who clearly forced themselves to look and sound happy. -Remember when I told you I was going to 'visit the rest of my "Pets" in Qingce village later on', Venti...? Turned out they were at a place called 'Chenyu Vale', helping its residents out. -They soon admitted, sounding more thoughtful now. -I actually had a whole adventure there. But since we don't have much time left for retellings, I can tell you everything later, if you want.
The Traveler promised, as they soon looked a little distracted,
But as for the reason why, Venti had no idea...
...
-There's something going on in Fontaine at the moment. Before we left Liyue, I noticed many Fontaine children and elderly arriving with luggage. -The Traveler suddenly said, looking and sounding quite thoughtful. - And from what I heard while asking around, the rest of them are being sent to Sumeru, which is another neighboring nation to Fontaine.
...
...
Something was wrong,
But what, he did not know...
...
Something was clearly out of place,
But he had no idea what it could have been...
...
...
This unexplainable eerie feeling,
As if many people had just recently...
...
...
No, if a numerous amount of people suddenly died,
Surely, no matter where they were, news would have...
...
...
"There's something going on in Fontaine at the moment. Before we left Liyue, I noticed many Fontaine children and elderly arriving with luggage.
And from what I heard while asking around, the rest of them are being sent to Sumeru, which is another neighboring nation to Fontaine."
...
...
-...Something bad is happening in Fontaine at the moment, but no one wants to disclose exactly what. -Venti couldn't help but soon admit, looking and sounding thoughtful, as well as a little concerned. -...Could this be why I had the feeling that something is wrong...?
"Acting Grandmaster Jean, I would have you take a break for the duration of the next three hours."
"But mother...! I-I mean, Alder Knight Frederica, there is no way I will take a break while a pregnant woman has to work! Doing so would...!"
"I am still in my first trimester of pregnancy, so this much work is more than manageable.
Now then, Acting Grandmaster...No, my Eldest Daughter. You are always working diligently and deserve to take a break.
...Do you not wish to spend this time with your sister...?"
...
"...I admit that I do.
Thank you for the leave, Mother."
...
Around ten minutes ago, she sent her eldest away,
And now it was finally time to read Cavalry Captain Kaeya's report...
*The current news from the Nation of Justice, Fontaine.
...
Skipping the formalities, as she had no time for those now.
...
...
The Hydro Archon, otherwise known as Lady Focalors, has seemingly gone on a rampage, attacking her own people with Primordial Sea Water.
For still-unknown reasons, this particular light blue-purple colored water is able to completely dissolve Fontanian natives.
...
The Hydro Archon attacking her own people with Primordial Sea Water,
And with it being able to dissolve Fontainians...
*As for what this Primordial Sea Water was, Cavalry Captain Kaeya provided a small explanation:
The Primordial Sea, which once existed on the surface of the planet, is now located under Fontaine.
There's a Melusine legend which states that originally, the water was crystal-clear and sparkling and was actually the place where most life in Teyvat first originated from.
Which begs the question, when did it change so drastically and why...?
...
...
Could the Hydro Archon's current rampage have something to do with the change in the water...?
*If it is, then…It's truly worrying.
...
...
Continuing the report...
At the moment, those who were attacked are the people living in Poisson Village and other similarly poor areas.
Those areas are mostly located in the lower parts of the nation of Fontaine, with the upper ones being places for the rich.
Even though the environment in Fontaine became much better recently, due to the insane rules Fontaine has, this class divide is still very big.
...
...
She did hear how much Venti helped with the Fontaine Pollution,
By making so many Anemo Sigils during the last Weinlesefest...
*If he knew about the class divide that the Fontanian people have...
...
...
JUST THINKING ABOUT THIS MADE HER FEEL BOTH SO ANGRY AND UPSET!
*EVEN THOUGHT FONTAINE WAS SAVED BY THEIR ARCHON, THOSE PEOPLE...!
...
…
…
It was still the first trimester of her pregnancy, so to think she would get this emotional...
*She should continue reading the report now…
…
Thankfully, it would be able to distract her from…
Since the Hydro Archon has only been attacking the poor up until now, a lot of wealthy Fontanians have taken her side, with some even saying disgusting things such as:
"Lady Focalors is doing everyone a favor by getting rid of such disgusting rats that pollute our city."
...
...
Oh, soon she is going to turn on them too and then they would know what agonizing pain truly feels like.
*WHICH WOULD BE WELL DESERVED AFTER WHAT THEY DARED JUST SAY!
...
...
Nevertheless, there's already a resistance group working against the Archon, with Navia Caspar being its leader and Lady Furina acting as her adjutant.
From the information we collected on the two of them, the one known as "Lady Furina" is the one who's the most suspicious.
Not only are there accounts of her living in Fontaine for decades and her being the one who helped the Melusines settle in 400 years ago, so they see her as their mother, but there's also the issue with her appearance...
...Some people suspect she is the Hydro Archon's sibling or even Twin, but no one is certain of this, especially since "Lady Furina" herself appears to have no knowledge of her own origins.
...
...
Not knowing who you are and joining a rebellion against someone who might be your sibling...
*Somehow this reminded her of the situation with the Traveler and their Twin,
But unlike "Lady Furina", the Traveler knew who they and their Twin were, right...?
...
Me and Diluc decided to join the resistance and soon we should be able to meet up with the rest of its members.
...
Cavalry Captain Kaeya and Diluc Ragnvindr made the correct choice,
As helping the people of a fellow nation was the right thing to do.
...
The rebellion members seem to include the "House of the Hearth" orphanage, led by someone known as "Father".
Somehow, both the place and its administrator sound highly suspicious, so I am going to look further into this. Diluc already promised to join me in my investigation.
...
...
This orphanage and its director could be affiliated with the Fatui.
*And knowing this organization, there could be a nefarious reason for them joining the rebellion.
...
Just what could the Fatui be after this time...?