Chapter Text
Jean scanned the main gate of the city, another inspection that she personally had to perform. One of many tasks that she had to take over when Varka left with most of the Knight of Favonius. The ones that remained, at least the capable ones, had duties too important to be diverted to other tasks like this. Besides, like many things, this was just something she wouldn’t feel comfortable with unless she was there herself. It was actually her day off today but as long as she got this done quickly then she wouldn’t have to deal with-
“Sis! What’re you doing here?”
Oh no...
Jean couldn’t help the smile on her face as she turned toward her younger sister. “I was just taking a walk.”
“Really?” Barbara walked up to her with her hands on her waist and a pout on her face. “Because it seems to me that you were doing more work.”
“I wasn’t,” Jean lied.
“Really?” Barbara turned toward a nearby guard. “Swan? What was she doing here.”
Swan looked at Barbara, then to Jean, then back to Barbara. One look at his face was all that was needed to see where his loyalty lied. “No, Lady Barbara. Master Jean was performing an impromptu inspection of the gate.”
Barbara looked at Jean, a deadpan look on her face. “Today is your day off Sis.”
“I’m aware, but there’s too much that has-”
“Tut-tut,” Barbara interrupted her. “Do you really think you know better than your primary caretaker? Especially after the lecture I gave you?”
Barbara had made herself the primary caretaker of everyone in Mondstadt and no one would ever dare challenge her for that title.
“I don’t,” Jean admitted. “Bu-”
“Then could you please take a break not as my patient,” Barbara’s eyes widened, and it was too late for Jean to look away. Soon she was assaulted by the powerfully concerned expression of Mondstadt’s most capable healer. “Then as my sister?”
There was a time in their youth Jean would’ve preferred to keep their familial relation a secret from most people, but Barbara had simply refused to even entertain the thought. Even with their parents separated Barbara still did whatever it took to stay as close as possible, not that Jean particularly minded anymore.
“Fine,” Jean conceded. “I’ll spend some time…”
Actually… What could she do with her free time? Did she even have any hobbies outside of work?
“Why don’t you spend time with me then?” Barbara suggested. “I was just about to go down to the Winery and say hi to Di Di.”
Now that brought a small smile to Jean’s face. Barbara was notorious in the city for her nicknames. They were all charming and catchy in a way, but not every recipient agreed with the one they were given. Diluc especially.
Not that they could ever stop her. Barbara was kind, caring, and attentive, but also incredibly stubborn when she wanted to be. Whether it was in the care of her patients or the nicknames she gave to people she was fond with, once she decided on a path there was no stopping her.
“Alright. We can go visit Di Di then,” Jean agreed.
When Hyacine had fused with Aquila’s Coreflame and then melted down her human form to become one with the Celestial Mural, she had thought that would be the end. It had been a death sentence, an incredibly painful one at that, that she took on willingly to buy time for the Flame Chase Journey. To hold up Amphoreus’s sky and protect the innocent as long as she could until Era Nova arrived.
She never witnessed Era Nova. There had only been a part of her remaining after she had melted down her body to fuse with the Celestial Mural. What was left was soon burnt away using what little power she could to protect the people. Burnt away fighting against the remaining will of Aquila, Seliose, and the Black Tide’s corruption.
Hyacine had thought that she would be reborn in the next cycle of Amphoreus as Professor Anaxa had once revealed. Reborn as the new Titan of the Sky without the memories of her life in a previous cycle.
Turns out his hypothesis was a bit flawed and/or she was the exception. Hyacinthia or, rather Barbara now, had realized that Teyvat was a world completely separate from Amphoreus after living in it for so long. Though there were some similarities on a cursory look, the Archons were a bit too unlike the Demigods and Gods of her previous world to be the same.
Hyacine healed and wiped down the small cut on her cheek she had gotten from a rock those Hilichurls had thrown. She looked down at her fingers and looked at the gold that covered them.
Despite everything about this world though, she still bled Gold Blood.
“Are you alright?”
Hya- Barbara gave her sister a bright smile. A healer had to be happy for her patients. How could she heal their hurts if she herself was hurting? “Nothing. Just making sure I healed everything.”
“You shouldn’t be worried about your condition,” Jean commented. “It hasn’t impacted your health and everyone in Mondstadt that knows about it has accepted it.”
Not from lack of trying from Barbara. Unfortunately, it was hard to hide golden blood from people, especially as a young girl going through puberty again. Her reputation as Mondstadt’s greatest healer had done much to allay the people’s fears about her blood and they had more or less accepted her. It didn’t change the fact that they often whispered about it though.
She could’ve sworn Barbatos was involved for often she happened to overhear those conversations in the wind. And that was a bit of a frightening thought.
Was the local Archon aware that she was a God too? Was he simply tolerating her presence in his land as long as she purposefully kept her true Divine Authority hidden? It was hard to say, she never met the man. Hopefully he was as carefree as people described him.
“How have you been at the Church?” Jean asked as they continued to travel toward their destination.
“It’s been wonderful. My fellow Sisters have been kind to me,” Barbara replied.
“I’ve heard rumors that they made you their leader. They’ve even given you the title of Saint.”
“Oh,” Barbara waved her off. “They just let me take charge when there’s an emergency. And the title’s just a joke. Nothing official.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s not just a joke…”
“So anyway, how do you think mother and father are?” Barbara asked, immediately changing the subject. “It can’t be easy for them on such a long expedition. Do you think they’re getting along?”
“They’ll be fine. They separated amicably. We can only do what we can to ensure that Mondstadt remains protected until they return.” Jean replied. “Especially with the threat of Stormterror.”
Ah, yes. Stormterror. It was the name the people of Mondstadt had given him at his first appearance. A name befitting a Monster. But was he truly one?
“Do you think Stormy is lonely?” Barbara asked. It was a question she asked many times to others in the city. Most of them just put it off as her being too kind.
“What?”
“Do you think he’s hurting and lonely? That’s why he’s attacking the city, because no one seems to care?”
Jean shook her head. “Even if that speculation is true, that doesn’t change that he’s a threat to the people.”
“But only a few people have been hurt so far,” Barbara replied. She had been there to witness an attack. He seemed almost reluctant to hurt people even if he did cause quite a bit of property damage.
“Because you were able to heal them. What happens if his next attack is worse? We have to do what it takes to protect the people.”
Barbara didn’t answer. It was clear that Jean was content with her choice… but it was easy to justify terrible actions though when under pain and duress. Hyacine had seen that personally, what pain could cause both the perpetrator and the victim to do. It was a cycle that she had once fought with her life on the line to break.
They soon arrived at the Dawn Winery, its owner visible among the grapevines of his plantation. Jean was poised to introduce herself to the staff before approaching the man, but Barbara had already run ahead.
“Di di! It’s been so long! How have you been?”
The man twitched at the sound of her voice and then turned toward her with an exasperated expression. He then let out a long weary sigh.
“Fine enough, Miss.” Diluc replied politely.
“Oh, enough of that Miss nonsense. Just call me Barbara or Babs. Whichever you prefer,” Barbara replied.
“Only if you stop calling me Di Di.”
Barbara mocked a gasp and put a hand to her chest dramatically. “Never.”
“Then you will forever be a Miss,” Diluc replied before turning toward the approaching Jean. “And what business does the Acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius have with me?”
“Nothing today,” Jean admitted. “I was just accompanying my sister on a walk.”
“And what business does the young Miss have with me?” Diluc asked.
“Have you been sleeping?” Barbara suddenly asked.
“I have.”
“Really?” Barbara put a finger to her chin and adopted a contemplative expression. “Because you’re quite active now during the day, but I’ve heard rumors that you’ve been quite active the previous night too. What time would you have to get proper sleep then?”
“… I nap. I get my rest.”
Barbara shook her head. “But that’s only going to help you in the short term. Every person needs a nice long night of sleep, without it they hurt themselves both physically and mentally. And that’s ignoring whatever activities you tend to take up during the night.”
Diluc sighed in resignation. He had long since predicted the results of this game between the two of them. “If you can make sure the crop is good, I’ll get some sleep. You have an uncanny ability to care for any living thing, plants included.”
“Good! No go,” Barbara began lightly pushing and then shooing him toward his house. “Make sure to get some rest. You’re going to need it with your plans tonight.”
Diluc grunted. “Fine.”
“Do you need any backup?”
“No. This is something I can deal with on my own.”
“Then I’ll keep my schedule free in case you need healing in the morning. Just make sure to come if you do get injured. Otherwise, I’ll have to continue performing impromptu inspections like this just to make sure you aren’t hiding your pain.”
He grunted again before leaving Hyacine to the task he had given her. Soon she was inspecting the crop for any diseases or physical damage that they might have incurred.
“Are you taking any time off?” Jean asked as Barbara noted a particularly wilted patch of leaves. “Because it seems to me that this walk was just another excuse for you to work.”
“I can assure you that I am healthy and well rested,” Barbara replied. “A healer must be both if she is to aid others to achieve the same results.”
“Are you though? Or is this just another appearance you’re putting up again.”
Ah. The consequences of having a sibling in this life. It meant living with someone for most of your childhood that had the opportunity and incentive to observe you more than most people would, except for lovers and spouses. “I’m fine Sis. Besides, spending more time with you is a wonderful way to spend my day off.”
“Sometimes I think you plan your days off to coincide with mine.”
“Hmm,” Barbara tilted her head and gave her a sweet smile. “Just sounds like a nice coincidence, doesn’t it?”
The Fatui were not well received in Mondstadt. A political necessity unfortunately, but that didn’t change how much the citizens of Barbara’s current home distrusted.
For understandable reasons of course. The Fatui had their own agenda and that meant that their goals often didn’t coincide with the safety of Mondstadt’s people. Sometimes they just needed a bit of a reminder to be a bit more considerate of others. And other times…
“I understand that you couldn’t have helped running into a Hilichurl camp while…
“sightseeing” in unfamiliar lands, but it’s not folly to run when you’re drastically outnumbered,” Barbara commented as she healed a large gash on the masked man’s chest. He wore red and brown clothes, his gun to the side and carefully secured by Jean.
“I have my or-… things I had to do. Quickly,” the Fatui replied curtly.
“And now you’re going to be stalled even longer than if you had just backtracked,” Barbara chastised the man lightly. It was honestly fortunate for the man that she and Jean had heard the sounds of his fighting. It hadn’t been going particularly well for him by the time they had arrived.
“Why do you care anyway?”
“Do I need a reason to care?” Barbara replied.
“I’m Fatui. We’re intruders. All you Mondstadters can’t stand us, like you’re any better.”
Jean’s grip on her sword tightened. Normally comments like that would roll off her back but when directed to her own sister…
“We’re all human. Our beliefs and faith can differ, but does that really give us an excuse to hurt each other?” Hyacine asked. Even now her resolve wouldn’t waver. “I’m no stranger to combat and have done what is necessary to protect the innocent and bring mercy to those in pain, but never out of hatred. Hatred is such an insidious thing. It can give us all the justification we need to do terrible things to others. I don’t want to live my life like that and neither should you.”
The man had stopped. He relaxed as she continued healing him, his one glowing eye staring at her intently. “Girl-”
“Barbara. Or Babs. Whichever you prefer.”
“… Barbara. Is it true that you bleed Gold?”
At that point Jean had already begun walking forward and drawing her blade, only to be stopped by a singular hand from the healer.
“Yes,” Barbara replied truthfully. “My blood is the color of Gold. I was born this way, but I find it doesn’t make me any different from other humans.”
“I… know that for certain now,” the Fatui eventually replied. “But others won’t. You aren’t necessary for our mission, but my companions suspect otherwise. I’ll try to make sure they know the truth so we don’t waste either of our times, but some of us might still go after you if given the opportunity.”
Barbara smiled at him. She was quite aware of that for a while. It was why she made sure to spend her time in the city around people, with her Sisters at the Church, or with her actual Sister on their days off. “Thank you. It’s enough that you’re trying to help. I’ll just be more careful in the future.”
“And you,” the Fatui addressed Jean, whose stance had relaxed slightly. “Your sister is too good for this world.”
“I know,” Jean replied.
“Then make sure you protect her.”
Once he was healed the Fatui Skirmisher wandered away with his gun in his hand. The end of it was always pointed to the ground and he never turned back toward the two of them.
“Hey Sis,” Barbara said as they watched the man walk away,
“Yes Barbara?”
“Do you think I did the right thing?”
“It would’ve caused issues politically if it was known that we left an injured Fatui to die. Especially one who I suspect is part of the recent arrivals to the embassy,” Jean replied.
“Would you have left him there if you could’ve gotten away with it?”
“I would’ve done what was best for the people of Mondstadt.”
And that itself was answer enough.
Monstadt was a nation of bards as much as it was a nation of freedom and free flowing alcohol. That was why there was no shortage of them, and why their songs encompassed the city, supported by the winds that carried them skyward.
The Sky.
Hyacine looked up at what appeared to be the clear blue sky. Even now something called to reach up to the realm above. There was something stopping her though. Fear and trepidation of what lay ahead. Also a reluctance to give up this new life she had built for herself in Monstadt. Among its people. As a human.
She did not want to give up her humanity again.
Maybe Barbatos was similar? A god that rarely exerted the authority of his divinity and was content to let the people lead themselves. Freedom. That was what he gave them. Just as he gave himself freedom to live. It wasn’t hard to imagine him living disguised as another human, it was what she would do in his situation.
“Is there perhaps something on your mind, Dear Saint.”
Barbara smiled as her friend finally arrived. “You’re late Venny.”
“Fashionably late of course,” Venti replied with an ostentatious twirl. “Had to keep the people looking forward to something.”
The crowd certainly was getting rowdy. Alone, the two of them would draw a respectable gathering at any performance, but together they brought in droves.
“Aaaahhh. Aaaahhh.”
Barbara started and that was all Venti needed to follow with his harp. Her voice and his strings carried by the wind enveloping and enrapturing the audience. They listened intently to their song, one that was actually impromptu in its creation.
She took out her own flute and began to blow. Now it was Venti’s turn to sing. And sing and play they did. Until everyone’s hearts and giddy and filled with joy. Until the last person finally left with happiness to carry them throughout the rest of their day.
“Wonderful as always Venny,” Barbara said as she healed her own hoarse throat.
“Ah I believe they were mostly here for you Dear Saint,” Venti replied. “The greatest healer of the land, the most compassionate Sister of the Church, and most charming of songstresses in the city. Me in comparison, why I’m just a regular old bard.”
“I don’t think any other bard has quite the infamous reputation as you do,” Barbara teased.
“You could join me in infamy too if you came with me for drinks.”
“I’m not one for drinking,” Barbara declined.
“I’ll get you to come along with me one day.”
“You can try… but have you considered my words the other day?” Barbara asked the bard.
“You’d have to give me a reminder,” Venti replied coyly. “We sang quite a many words together that day.”
It was an answer that avoided the actual question. Something the Bard would often give to people that made inquiries of him. Many would find that a bit annoying… but for her it was one of the many reasons she chose to spend her time with him.
“I’m fond of you, Venny. Very fond.”
There was still a smile on his face, but his movements weren’t quite as animated as they were before. “My dear Saint-”
“Just Babara.”
“My dear Babara. As much as we enjoy each other’s company, we hardly know anything about each other. Isn’t it perhaps a bit too impulsive to say such things like that?”
“Isn’t that the point of courtship?” Barbara replied. “For two people to get to know each other more intimately over time? I’m not impulsive when I bare my heart to you. This is something I considered for quite some time.”
Hyacine loved many in her previous life. She loved her friends, her companions, and humanity itself. But she had never had a love borne of romance. She had lived and died a maiden, never having a chance to form a bond with a partner. It wasn’t a regret of hers, there were simply too many other things that were more important at her time, but now that she had the chance… shouldn’t she take it? Even if love wasn’t like it was in the storybooks or the tales Aglaea had told her, she still wanted to experience it. She wanted to know and understand the truth of love. Of all the good and the bad.
Venti’s smile became a bit more somber. “I’m a Bard, guided by the whims of the wind, and the wind doesn’t like to be tied down.”
“Love doesn’t only mean restrictions. It can mean compromise and affection.”
“I’m aware, but I don’t think I could provide you with either. There are others more suited than I and things that I must prioritize.”
“I understand,” Barbara replied. She was asking much of him and she honestly expected this answer from him. She still had to try though even though it hurt a little. Better a painful truth than a blissful lie. “Can we still sing together? Anytime spent with you is quite pleasant.”
“Of course my dear Lady. I shall do what I can for you.”