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Jean
Jean, Acting Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius and a devout believer in the Anemo Archon, was enjoying the evening breeze on the docks of Liyue Harbor. So far, her diplomatic visit was a success.
“I have always enjoyed this view,” Ningguang, Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing and a pen friend of many years, told her.
“It is beautiful,” Jean agreed.
Ningguang smiled at her. It felt good to be able to meet in-person from time to time, and not only because the two women got along well. In this day and age, it was important to foster good relationships with your neighboring nations if you cared about the safety and wellbeing of your people, which Jean and Ningguang both did.
Truth to tell, the relationship between Mondstadt and Liyue hadn’t always been as flourishing as today. In days past, there had even been periods of great tension.
Like that time when a secret treaty harboring Rex Lapis’ insignia had been discovered in Mondstadt, many centuries ago. It stated that the people of Mondstadt were to become slaves of the Geo Archon, and had triggered a revolution.
Years later, historians had realized that the treaty was a fake.
In their correspondence, Ningguang had manifested her curiosity for this ancient scroll, and Jean had agreed to bring it with her. The day before, she had let Ningguang look at the insignia to her heart’s content.
“It looks truly authentic,” Ningguang had said, rare surprise showing in her voice.
For a second, Jean had felt like the wind was sharing the Tianquan’s surprise, because she could have sworn she heard it gasp.
The two women had been sitting at a table on the terrace of the Jade Chamber, hundreds of feet up in the air. The place was perfect to welcome–and impress–foreign dignitaries. Jean had felt lucky she wasn’t afraid of heights.
“Indeed,” she had replied. “I understand how our ancestors could have been fooled.”
Neither Jean nor Ningguang had discussed the likely creator of the treaty.
There weren’t many beings who could fake an Archon’s insignia, and even less who would have wanted to overthrow Mondstadt’s aristocracy. And Jean was loyal towards her Archon.
For now, Jean and Ningguang had paused their confidential exchanges for the day and were merely enjoying a peaceful evening stroll.
Two Knights were following them at a respectful distance, but most of Jean’s escort was busy elsewhere. Kaeya and Klee were enjoying the city, while Albedo was collecting alchemic ingredients endemic to Liyue.
She didn’t know where Venti was, although if she had to guess, she would say that he was visiting the local equivalent of a tavern. The most famous bard of Mondstadt, and secretly her Archon in disguise, had decided to accompany them. No escort is complete without a first-class musician, he had said, and Jean hadn’t argued.
Her train of thought was interrupted by the arrival of a lady dressed in a purple outfit, whom Ningguang had introduced as Keqing, one of the Liyue Qixing. Keqing whispered something in Ningguang’s ear and the Tianquan turned towards Jean, tilting her head.
“It seems that a member of your escort has been causing quite a ruckus. The Millelith had no other choice but to arrest him.”
Jean immediately wondered which one of his Knights was responsible for this. Had Kaeya allowed Klee to play with her bombs inside Liyue Harbor? If so, she would confine them both to the Knights of Favonius’ headquarters for the following month. No, the two following months.
“What kind of ruckus?”
“Public intoxication,” Ningguang said.
Kaeya wouldn’t have let himself get drunk while watching over Klee, and he certainly wouldn’t have let Klee drink alcohol. And she had never seen Albedo drunk, so she highly doubted he would start now.
Which left one possible culprit, who should have known better than to stir trouble in a foreign nation.
“I’ll come with you,” Jean said, resigned.
It sounded like her peace and quiet had already ended.
It was indeed Venti.
His cell was austere but clean, and it did have a small aperture that allowed outside light in.
Venti himself was sitting on a wooden bench, moodily waving his legs.
She tried to ignore the irony of seeing the God of Freedom in prison. She had no doubt that he could leave at any time, which only made his presence here more surprising.
“Jean!” he said, giving her a half-hearted smile that tugged at her heart.
She had been allowed to see him in private, but she still used her Anemo abilities to isolate them both in a spying-proof bubble.
“Venti. Might I ask what you’re doing?” Jean asked politely.
From the smell alone, she could tell that Ningguang hadn’t exaggerated her statement.
“Do not worry, Acting Grandmaster.” Venti looked almost sheepish. “I am dealing with a private matter.”
Jean felt a headache coming. She prayed Barbatos every day of her life, but it didn’t mean that she understood His ways.
“With all due respect, couldn’t it have waited until the end of my visit?” she dared to ask her Archon.
Venti shook his head and manifested his lyre. He started playing a heartbreaking tune.
“A dear friend wants to cut all ties with me,” Venti sang. “All over a small misunderstanding.”
Jean blinked. She didn’t think she was qualified to give relationship advice to a millennia-year-old being, but Venti seemed genuinely upset.
“Did you not do what he thinks you did?” she asked, tone softened.
Venti waved his hand in a beautiful arpeggio.
“On the contrary, I absolutely did.”
Jean massaged her temples. “Then where is the misunderstanding?”
“He thinks what I did is bad.” Venti looked defeated. “He refuses to listen to my point of view.”
Jean had the blasphemous thought that someone who had complete mastery over the wind could have forced his friend to listen to him instead of getting drunk on the streets of Liyue Harbor during her diplomatic visit.
She was about to enquire about the details when a Millelith entered the cell.
“You’re free,” he told Venti. “Director Hu from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor paid for your fine. Please refrain from causing further disorder in our city.”
“Hmm-hmm,” Venti said.
It didn’t sound like a wholehearted agreement, and Jean’s sense of impending doom tingled.
“Do you wish to have dinner with Albedo, Kaeya, Klee and I?” she asked hopefully once they were both outside.
With luck, it would cheer Venti up as well as allowing her to keep an eye on him. She was sure Ningguang would understand if she didn’t share her table tonight.
“No, I have business to attend to,” Venti said, carefully avoiding to meet her eye.
Jean watched him leave in the streets of Liyue Harbor with none of his usual exuberance, her heart sinking in her chest.
What could have happened to make the Anemo Archon this dejected?
Yelan, the night before
Yelan put her silverware down. The cook of Wangshu Inn truly was a master of his art.
She looked at her silent guest. She was starting to know him well enough to tell that he was in a bad mood tonight. He was standing near the railing, looking in the direction of Liyue Harbor where the fireworks in honor of the Mondstadt delegation were lighting the sky.
“What’s on your mind?” she asked the mighty Conqueror of Demons.
Since the Chasm, she had undertaken to sometimes invite him for dinner. She had lost hope that he would tell her more about the mysterious individual who had helped them at the very end, but she enjoyed his company.
She didn’t really expect him to answer, but to her surprise, Xiao turned towards her.
“What do you know of the treaty that caused a revolution in Mondstadt?”
Yelan rested her chin on the top of her folded hands. Did the Conqueror of Demons not know about this old story, even though he had been alive at the time?
And more interestingly, why mention it now? Was he keeping track of the Qixing’s activities? She knew that the Acting Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius had shown that very treaty to Ningguang earlier in the day.
Not that Yelan would be offended if it was the case. After all, they did keep track of Xiao’s activities through their intelligence network.
Or at least they tried to. It wasn’t easy when Xiao could teleport at will.
“That old thing? I know it was supposedly signed by Rex Lapis, saying that the people of Mondstadt were to become slaves. The officials in Mondstadt realized years later that the treaty was a fake, which the people of Liyue knew from the start.”
Xiao bristled. “Of course it was a fake. Rex Lapis has never allowed slavery on these lands.”
It was obviously a matter of particular importance to him.
If so, he was several centuries late. The scandal had been dealt with a long time ago.
Yelan took a sip of her Dandelion wine. Mondstadt really had the best vineyards.
“Are you interested in it?” she asked.
Xiao ignored her question. “Who would have the audacity to accuse Rex Lapis of… of slavery?”
He sounded positively outraged, and Yelan was reminded that he was one of Rex Lapis’ most ancient followers.
She shrugged. “Historians haven’t reached an agreement about that. Some say it was one of the slaves willing to escape their condition, others that it was a Liyue merchant looking to get rich in the chaos of a civil war. Others pretend it was Barbatos himself.”
Xiao turned his head away.
“What do you think?”
Yelan took her time to formulate her answer. Being honest with Xiao now would likely prove a good investment.
As she knew very well, intelligence relies on trust between the right people.
“Ningguang has seen the treaty,” she finally said. “She says the insignia could have fooled her, if not for the content. I doubt a human could have achieved that level of similarity.”
Xiao’s amber eyes shone dangerously.
“I see.”
Jean
Jean couldn’t believe it.
It had only taken Venti one hour, and she didn’t want to know how many wine bottles, to end up in a Liyuean cell again.
She had asked Ningguang to leave him there for the night and given her sincerest apologies to the Tianquan.
At least Ningguang didn’t know who Venti truly was, or the situation would have been even more awkward.
“I must say, this is quite intriguing.” Kaeya sipped at a very reasonable glass of wine.
“Was he bad?” Klee asked, her eyes wide.
The little girl’s cheeks were colored after having played all day, and she had already finished her cup of hot chocolate.
“I suppose some might say so,” Kaeya told her. “I’m sure he had his reasons.”
Jean didn’t comment.
She loved her Archon, but it didn’t mean that she approved of everything he did.
Venti
Venti had to give it to Zhongli, the man knew how to look stone-faced. Only his crossed arms and his intense glare betrayed his displeasure.
“Zhongli! What a nice surprise,” Venti said with his most convincing grin.
He was pretty certain that Zhongli was here without any official authorization, and that the guards hadn’t even seen him pass.
“Venti.” Zhongli sighed. “May I know what you’re up to?”
Venti had known the guy for millennia. He wasn’t fooled by his calm tone. It was a good thing they were in the middle of Liyue Harbor, where Venti was fairly confident Zhongli wouldn’t crush him with his trademark meteor.
He straightened up. “I’m only having fun in this fair city. You wouldn’t deny a bard his fun, would you?”
“You reek of wine. Is this your definition of fun?”
Oh yes, Zhongli was mad. The old dragon had always liked order, so Venti guessed he shouldn’t be surprised that his efforts at getting in trouble with the Liyue officials were met with annoyance.
Which was, of course, exactly what Venti wanted.
“Your observation is astute as always,” Venti said.
If possible, Zhongli intensified his glare. “May I ask why you seem so intent to attract the attention of the Liyue Qixing?”
“Oh, it’s not their attention I wanted to attract,” Venti said innocently.
“Could you expand on that answer?” Zhongli said, as if he wasn’t perfectly aware of Venti’s meaning.
“You didn’t let me in your study.” It was Venti’s turn to glare. “You were so mean. Dare I remind you that your boss is a dear friend of mine?”
Zhongli sighed. “Director Hu always had peculiar taste.”
Venti pointed a finger at him. “I’m serious. It’s about Xiao.”
This at least got Zhongli’s cooperation. Venti knew he cared a lot about his last yaksha, whether or not he was willing to admit it aloud.
“I’m listening.”
“He’s mad at me.” Venti looked daggers at Zhongli. “It’s your fault, by the way, so fix it.”
When Xiao hadn’t come to meet with him the day before, Venti had known that something was amiss. He had asked the wind, fearing that Xiao’s karmic debt was to blame, but the wind’s answer had been very different.
And entirely unacceptable.
Zhongli didn’t blink. “You will have to be a bit more explicit than that.”
“He’s avoiding me,” Venti explained. “He thinks I slandered your name.”
“Which you did. How is it my responsibility to fix your mess?”
Venti settled down more comfortably on his bench. “It’s not. Like it’s not your responsibility if I keep drinking in Liyue Harbor. You’re retired, right?”
Zhongli’s glare pinned Venti in place. The bard felt a single bead of sweat go down his temple.
He waited, trying not to show how much he was hanging to Zhongli’s next words.
“You are lucky he likes your music,” Zhongli finally said.
Venti gave him a relieved grin.
“I knew you wouldn’t leave an old friend to his misery.”
Zhongli vanished without another word.
Venti crossed his arms behind his head and prepared to wait. Too bad he didn’t have a bottle of wine to keep him company.
Xiao
Xiao was sitting at the top of the Wangshu Inn tree, trying to focus. The moon was full and the weather clear, with no monsters in sight, and such conditions would normally help him reach the meditative and regenerative state he wanted.
But he wasn’t managing to ignore the way his heart ached. He had enjoyed his conversations with Venti, and his music was…something else.
He was going to miss it.
But there were actions he couldn’t forgive.
It was made worse by the fact he hadn’t even been aware of said actions at the time. He had always prized his devotion to Rex Lapis, but he had done nothing when his lord’s name had been slandered.
It was shameful.
“Xiao?”
The gentle voice startled him, showing how poor a job he was doing at focusing. He turned to the being who had materialized a few branches below.
“I apologize for disturbing you,” Zhongli said. “I was hoping we could talk.”
“You’re not disturbing me,” Xiao answered honestly.
He would always cherish Zhongli’s presence at his side, no matter which shape or name he wanted to use.
Zhongli sat cross-legged on his branch. His ponytail danced in the gentle breeze that Xiao was trying to ignore.
“It has come to my attention that you have been made aware of ancient events,” Zhongli started.
Xiao was glad that Zhongli wasn’t looking at him, and therefore couldn’t see how flustered he had become.
“I apologize for disturbing you,” he whispered, head bowed.
“You’re not the one disturbing me,” Zhongli said wryly. “Anyways.”
He waved his hand, and a golden shield shimmered to life around them.
“For privacy,” he explained. “As I said, there is something I want to talk to you about.”
“I’m listening, Zhongli-daren.”
“Just Zhongli is enough,” the being Xiao respected more than anyone in this world said, as if there was a chance he would let go of that last honorific.
And then, despite his previous statement that he wanted to talk, Zhongli fell silent.
Xiao waited, and waited, and waited, but he had way less patience than his lord.
He surrendered. “May I ask you a question?”
“Of course,” Zhongli replied immediately.
“Why did you…” He hesitated. “Why did you not expose his scheme?”
There was no way the God of Contracts wouldn’t have known his insignia was misused. But from Yelan’s description, Xiao had gathered that the humans had only learned the truth years later.
It didn’t make sense to him. Why would Rex Lapis allow such forgery?
“Ah.” Zhongli sighed. “I suppose that while Barbatos’ means left to be desired, I did not disapprove of his end goal.”
Xiao frowned. “What end goal?”
“Hmm.” Zhongli’s eyes were fixed on the horizon, towards the nearby border with Mondstadt. “It must have been painful to feel one’s nation betray the very core of one’s being.”
Xiao swallowed. He didn’t want to feel compassion for Venti, but Zhongli had always been so very good at expanding his world view.
“I guess so,” he whispered.
“Besides, the Seven have been tasked with guiding humanity. And our views on slavery are quite similar.”
Zhongli’s tone had hardened, although Xiao knew it wasn’t directed at him.
He nodded silently. He was well placed to know what Zhongli did to those who pretended to own the lives of others.
“So I guess I thought more fitting to settle this privately with the Anemo Archon.”
“Oh.” Xiao felt stupid for imagining Venti had faced no consequences at all.
And the Wrath of the Rock was not something to trifle with.
“I hold no grudge towards him,” Zhongli said. “I hope you won’t on my behalf.” He turned towards Xiao, meeting his gaze. “Will you, Xiao?”
The gentleness of this look was wrapping around Xiao, softening the embarrassment of seeing all his ugliest emotions laid bare in the open.
Xiao swallowed. He couldn’t refuse anything to Zhongli, no matter how little sense his requests sometimes made. “I… I won’t.”
Zhongli smiled warmly at him.
“Thank you, Xiao.”
Venti
Venti was anxiously waiting for the outcome of Zhongli and Xiao’s talk, which he didn’t have access to.
Of course the old dragon would deny him that. He was mean that way, when all Venti wanted was to ensure Xiao’s wellbeing, and…
The wind whispered Xiao’s impending arrival in Venti’s ear, and he straightened up.
“Xiao! I’m so happy to see you,” he said cheerfully.
Xiao crossed his arms.
“Did you have to get Rex Lapis involved?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Venti lied. “But while you’re here, let me tell you how sorry I am for hurting your feelings. I can promise that I haven’t tried to misuse the Geo Archon’s insignia ever since.”
Xiao eyed him warily. “And in the future?”
“I won’t!” Venti waved his hands in dismissal. “He made his feelings on the matter very clear.”
Said feelings had taken the shape of a giant boulder repeatedly flattening Venti to the ground, which Venti generously didn’t share.
“I believe you,” Xiao said, visibly relaxing. He looked around them, as if he was just then noticing his surroundings. “Is this a cell?”
Venti grimaced. “Ah, yes. No. Do not worry.”
Xiao shook his head. “Do I even want to know?”
“Nope, you don’t.” Venti hurriedly took his lyre. “I have composed a new song, would you hear it?”
Conflicting emotions passed over Xiao’s face, but in the end, he nodded.
Venti could have cried from joy. Instead, he started stroking the strings.
The world had finally righted itself. Who said that wine couldn’t solve your problems?
Jean
To Jean’s relief, there were no other incidents involving Venti for the rest of her stay in Liyue Harbor. He had been released after one night in custody, and since then had been on his best behavior as far as she knew.
He was even on time for their departure, joining them with such spring in his step that Jean’s concerns that he hadn’t managed to resolve the argument with his friend were instantly put at ease.
“You look great,” she said, smiling.
“I am.” Venti grinned. “Who wouldn’t be when the sun is shining and the wind is blowing, and all is right in the world?”
Jean had half-feared that he would become persona non-grata in Liyue Harbor, but apparently the same person who had paid for his considerable fine had also pleaded his case to the Qixing.
They started the way back home, and while Jean was enquiring about Albedo’s last finds and listening to Kaeya teasing the alchemist, she kept an eye open for Venti’s whereabouts.
Which was the only reason why she noticed the wine bottle that had appeared on the table of a customer of an outdoors tavern. A wine bottle that suspiciously looked like one of Diluc’s most expensive brands.
The customer in question, an elegant gentleman sipping tea, gave no indication that he had noticed anything.
She wondered whether he was the friend Venti had been talking about. She wasn’t going to ask, of course. She respected her Archon’s privacy.
As they walked away, a breath of wind came whispering in Jean’s ear.
Don’t tell Master Diluc, it pleaded.
Jean smiled and mouthed her words to the wind, trusting the Anemo element to carry them towards their addressee.
Your secrets are safe with me.
No matter how he chose to behave, she trusted Venti with her soul.
But please refrain from public intoxication in the future, she prayed.
But it worked so well! the wind pleaded.
Somewhere behind them, someone cleared his throat.
Fine, the wind relented. I will avoid showing too much love for wine in the streets of Liyue Harbor. If that’s what you want.
Then Venti took his lyre, and his music seemed to rise into the sky, so pure and so high that Jean would have had no trouble believing it carried up to Dihua Marsh.
Music truly was one of his saving graces.