-It looks like something interesting is currently happening in the city. At least based on what Nahida just told me...-Samir said almost out of nowhere, looking and sounding thoughtful, before his expression turned melancholic. -You should go first, Venti, as I plan to stay here for a while. You understand why, right...? -He soon admitted, upon glancing at the familiar buildings before him. Even though Gurabad was only partly restored, this was more than enough. And yet, he couldn't stay here for long...-...In about an hour and a half, I will need to leave for Sumeru City for my Kshahrewar class. Why did I have to promise to teach them today, of all days...? -He couldn't help but soon added, before deeply sighing. But he already made a promise, so he had to come. And after the class...-...I also plan to "Enact Judgement" on some specific people later. Make them pay in full for what they did~
With these words, a smile of evil glee appeared on his face...
*One which reminded Venti of what Samir said before...
...
"Everyone involved had already been punished, yes...?
...In case they did not get adequate punishment, I would like to enact judgement myself."
...
...
"...It makes you feel mad, right...? This is one of the reasons why, back then, I wanted the Tanit to become extinct.
...If not for the victims, I would have already obliterated the whole clan myself. With or without Nahida's approval."
...
...
So this is when his fellow god planned to punish...THEM...
*Sometimes after ending his Kshahrewar class...
...
-Alright, I will go and check what is going on in the city. If it's interesting enough, I might even join "in the craziness"~ -He couldn't help but soon say, wondering what this "something interesting" must be. Since this is Sumeru and not Mondstadt, it's probably going to be on a lower Level of Craziness(LoC) that he is used to...-I should go before the fun is over. I will see you later, Samir!
And with this small goodbye, he soon teleported to Sumeru City,
Appearing near a weirdly smug-looking and unusually energetic Layla...
...
Who was currently acting as referee in a, uh...
...
Some weird canoe dragging activity...?
*Why would you want to drag a canoe around...?
Isn't that supposed to be used on water...?
…
And why was there suddenly so much sand in the middle of the road…?!
...
...
Wait, was it just his imagination, or together with an adult,
There was also a child sitting in each one of the canoes...?!
…
…
…
WHAT WAS GOING ON HERE, EXACTLY?!
'Asol – Tale Aap:
A Canoe race held on sand instead of the sea. In this rather peculiar canoe race, the craft is built from the stem of a coconut tree, and can be of any size for its one or two participants. But in a race, the number of participants must be similar for each canoe. 15 to 20 participants take part at a time, on a place which is sandy and even. All the participants sit in their canoes keeping one leg in the canoe, and the other on the ground. They drive their canoe on the sand with the force of their limbs. The one who completes the distance in the shortest span of time is the winner. This activity involves great strength of body, especially in the hands.'
...
This is what this...Activity was supposed to be,
But for some unknown reason, there was another addition to the rules:
A child was required to ride in each one of the canoes, sitting right behind the adult steering.
...
And so, the Sumeru City roads were cut off by a medium-high barricade,
While the roads themselves were full of sand, looking akin to a yellow river...
...
...
"It looks like something interesting is currently happening in the city. At least based on what Nahida just told me..."
This is certainly "something interesting" for sure.
*Was Nahida the one who gave the idea for this event or was it...?
-Are you enjoying the competition, "Venti"...? It looks like fun, doesn't it?~ -His thoughts were interrupted by an amused sounding voice of...Layla(?), whose smug expression suddenly fell. -...But as well as the "Sand River" was done in such a short amount of time, there's still something missing. A certain something which will make this event even more exciting...-She soon admitted in some disappointment, before a small, yet eerie smile soon appeared on her face. -Lord Barbatos, would you mind helping me with something small...? I recently..."Acquired" a few bottles of first grade Spirytus I wouldn't mind sharing~
"Oh, this 'sand canoe race' sounds like a bunch of fun!
...Big Brother Albedo, can we join in the race? Klee is sure you will win, since you are so great!"
Klee told this to her Big Brother as soon as Klee heard of the fun race!
Big Brother Albedo was quiet at the start, but then he agreed to her idea and they joined the fun race!
*There was so much sand around them, she could build a huge sand castle!
And the canoe looked funny, but it was also nice to ride in and she could feel the wind!
And Big Brother Albedo was doing great by moving the canoe with his leg and moving along the sand!
...
...
But there were some other people before them and Big Brother Albedo couldn't get past!
She wanted to use her bombs to make the canoe go faster, but apparently it was not allowed!
*Klee wanted to help Big Brother win, but she couldn't do anything and it made Klee very sad!
...
All Klee could do now was...
...
...
...
CHEER HER BIG BROTHER ON!
...
-Big Brother Albedo, go go go! You can do it, Klee is sure! You are smart and strong and Klee believes in you! -Klee tried cheering him as best as she could, making sure she sounds very, uh...Moti...Vational...? And then, a shocking thing suddenly happened! -...Is the sand...Coming to life...?! Is mom back?! Why didn't mom came to see Klee?! Is mom mad at Klee for being a bad child and...?! -It was not mom who was doing this...It was actually...-...Big Brother Venti?!
Was Venti making the race more fun with his power?!
What was Venti making out of the sand...?!
...
...
...
IT'S A FUN LOOKING SAND TUNNEL! AND IT'S GOING UP!
AND BY THE END OF THE TUNNEL, IS THAT A RAMP?!
...
...
ARE THOSE HOOPS MADE OF SAND?! THEY LOOK SO FUN!
OH, THERE'S A LONG FLOATING PLATFORM GOING THROUGH THOSE HOOPS!
...
...
AND NOW THEY WERE "RIDING" UP HIGH THE SKY ON FLOATING SAND!
-THIS IS THE BEST RACE EVER! -Klee couldn't help but soon yell out, as her and Big Brother Albedo's canoe was moving on floating sand. -...And now it's going around the big tree in rising circles! Klee is so happy to...~
-Klee, please, stay inside the canoe. It would be very bad if you suddenly fell off. -Big Brother Albedo told her in a stern voice and she soon did as he said, even if it felt a little annoying not being able to look at the city below. But Big Brother Albedo was always right, so she tried hard not to pout. -...Klee, I know that you want to look down at the city below. Maybe even take a photo or two for "Big Sister Emilia". But we are really high up now. -Big Brother calmly explained and it made her annoyance disappear. Mostly...She still wanted to look down at the city, but...-...Nonetheless, this is an interesting way to simultaneously use both the Anemo Power and the Time Power. First a tunnel we had to ride through, then a ramp to jump off, after that a couple hoops we went through while moving on the floating platform and now a 'Spiral Staircase' of sorts made of sand we have to ride up...-Her Big Brother mumbled in a very serious voice, before he got very quiet and stayed like that for some time. -...Interestingly enough, even with all the obstacles, it has been quite safe so far. So whatever is waiting at the end of the 'Spiral Staircase', I do not feel in the least bit worried.