【The Drunkard Bard】

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Two years ago...

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"So let me get this straight. This slime, Netsu... Is completely harmless?" Bennett asked, before chewing on his sandwich. Staring at the small pyro slime that was napping on (Y/n)'s lap. "But as far as I remember, slimes are monsters too. How can you be sure that this one won't hurt you?"

After (Y/n)'s declaration, she was now officially apart of Benny's adventure team. Often completing commissions together with Razor sometimes tagging along. She learned alot from Bennett and experienced so much that she never had done before.

Ofcourse she hasn't forget to visit The Wangshun Inn once and a while, polishing her polearm skills under Xiao's guidance. The Yaksha was quite happy that she fullfilled her promise to him. Even if he hasn't expressed it openly around her.

It's only been four weeks since she started being an adventurer. And exploring Mondstadt with Bennett was never boring. The pyro user often make sure that she was having fun.

(Y/n) then thought that she was close enough with the male to introduce her little companion, Netsu. The ash-gray haired male never expected to see her interacting with a slime. But it wasn't just Netsu. Bennett began seeing her making friends with different slimes during their commissions. It was as if the anemo user was comfortable to show him what she could really do.

"Netsu would never hurt me or anyone, Bennett. I can assure you that." (Y/n) told him. She gently took his free hand and slowly brought it closer to the pyro element jelly. "Here, I'll show you."

"Uhhh... I don't think that's a good idea!" Bennett nervously said, tugging his arm but the girl held him tighter. "(Y/n), this is a slime we're talking about!"

"It's okay! Netsu would never harm anyone unless they're a threat." The young girl insisted, making Bennett's hand meet the slime's slightly liquid body. The young man flinched, closing his eyes in both panic and fear, expecting the slime to show hostility but he was met with silence.

Slowly opening his eyes, Bennett made eye contact with Netsu. The pyro slime was staring at him rather curiously. No hostility at all. Seeing that the small creature wasn't doing any harm, Bennett slowly placed his hand on top of the slime's head. Netsu merely leaned, creating gurgling noises that resembles purring as the young man gently gave it a pet.

"Woah..." Bennett let out a breathy whisper, before laughing in pure adoration and awe. "Man I never seen a pyro slime showing this much affection before."

"I told you. From the moment I met Netsu, I knew it was special." (Y/n) smiled. Netsu removed itself from the ash-gray haired male and hop on the anemo user's lap before dozing off. The young girl decided to ask the question that had been on her mind lately. "Say Bennett? Is there someone who has alot of knowledge and experience on healing?"

"The Cathedral has someone who is really great when it comes to healing." Bennett told her. "Her name is Barbara, she always heals me whenever I get injuries while adventuring."

"Ofcourse you do. I mean that Mitachurl threw you into a tree earlier!" The anemo user gestured to the bruises littered on the male's skin. "Bennett, I actually wanted to become a healer so I could be useful for you. I hate seeing you get hurt."

Her statement made Bennett's heart fluttered as his cheeks heated up. No one ever said that to him before. And (Y/n) wants to be a healer for him too. She made him feel things that he never felt before, and it was honestly quite amazing.

✧ • * * • · . °

(Y/n) continues to ask questions about the Deaconess known as Barbara. She soon learned that she was a hydro vision holder who is a popular figure around Mondstadt.

Which leads to her current situation. After separating from Bennett, she decided to find Barbara. She wanted to learn the basics of healing as soon as possible. Netsu was tucked warmly inside the safety of her satchel.

As soon as she made to the last step of the stairs, she spotted the huge statue of Barbatos at the center of the square. Having been busy running around commissions with Bennett, she forgotten her main goal of why she travelled all the way from Liyue to Mondstadt.

Approaching the Statue, she stood there, admiring the Archon's beauty. (Y/n) began closing her eyes and placed her palms together. She prayed.

'Dear Barbatos, thank you for granting me a vision. A new will and a taste of freedom.' She thanked. 'I will make sure... That I will bring honour to you as my Archon....'

As soon as she recieved her vision, (Y/n) then chose the Anemo Archon as her god. The Raiden Shogun was her clan's Archon. They are all devoted to her, but not (Y/n). She didn't really understand her clan, why are they so devoted to the Electro Archon. She didn't feel any spark towards the god.

But ever since she got her vision, she felt it. She doesn't know how to describe it but something was pulling her towards the wind god. She decided to devote her faith towards the God of Freedom.

"For an outsider, your faith for the god of Wind is quite sophisticated." A boyish voice startled her, quickly turning to the owner. She saw a young man, who's probably two years older, He has dark blue hair that borders on black, with short twin braids that fade into aqua at the tips. On his hand was a wooden lyre.

"Does having a huge faith for an Archon wrong?" (Y/n) questioned.

"Nope~ But I am quite curious. With how obvious your actions are, Why suddenly give all the faith you have towards an free spirit Archon?" He asked her. "But where are my manners, I'm Venti the bard." He introduced. "And what seems to be the name of a lovely breeze such as yourself?"

"Breeze?....Oh- Um... My name is (Y/n)." (Y/n) awkwardly told him.

"Such a fair name fit for a fair maiden." Venti giggled. "And what about this fiery ball of flames here?"

(Y/n)'s eyes widened as Venti casually gestured to her satchel, where the Pyro slime was visibly peaking through the bag's opening. "Netsu. That's this little one's name. But please, I promise you that Netsu would never hurt anyone."

"You don't need to explain. The wind already told me that you two meant no harm." Venti smiled. "Little Breeze, you haven't answered my question yet."

"For a stranger, you're quite persistent...." (Y/n) muttered, but feeling the aura around the bard she realize that he was genuinely curious. Mysterious but genuine. She decided to tell him. "Barbatos... When all the hope were lost, he gave me a new reason to start a new. That's why I owe him, which is why I decided to follow him as my Archon."

The pure determination in her eyes made Venti even more curious of her than he was earlier. If only he knows that he was the Archon that she was praying for.

But for some reason, he doesn't even know what she was talking about. Seeing the vision, hanging on her headband like an ornament headpiece, he knows that he somehow granted her a vision.

But he doesn't even remember it. Venti doesn't remember granting a vision towards a native from Inazuma.

He wants to learn more about her.

"You are a foreigner from another land, correct?" Venti asked. (Y/n) nodded. "I would love to show you around Mondstadt, if you allow me ofcourse."

"My new friend, Bennett already showed me around a few weeks ago." (Y/n) told him but she panicked when she saw the dejected expression formed on the bard's face. "B-but, you look like you know alot more than him! So I don't mind if you show me around again."

"Have you been inside Angel Share?" Venti was quick enough to revert back as if he wasn't rejected earlier. (Y/n) shook her head. "Then you must have a taste of Mondstadt's famous Dandelion wine. It's the local specialty!"

"W-wait!" (Y/n) gasped as Venti wasted no time and pulled her to the direction where the Tavern was.

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(Y/n) sat quietly infront of the Tavern's counter as Venti cheerfully ordered wine on a grumpy red headed bartender. She sank on the chair as his fiery red eyes turn to her direction, cautiously observing her every movement. She adverted her gaze and decided to have a small conversation with Venti as the Red head placed a cup of wine infront of the bard. A cup of grape juice was then placed on hers that she had ordered despite Venti's whining.

She didn't know that time pass by so quickly. Venti was a good company, giving her tips about how to channel and use the power of Anemo. He seems way more experienced in the term of vision than Xiao had when he taught her.

Venti also learned more about her. How she ended up in Mondstadt and how she decided to join the adventurer's guild. Now she was trying to learn how to be a healer. But guilt was eating him up, when he finally remembered the vision he somehow granted her.

She wasn't meant to have a vision. It was one small mistake that Venti made at that time. But seeing how happy and grateful she was for recieving a vision that wasn't meant for her, Venti didn't have the heart or courage to tell her.

Drowning himself with wine, Venti decided to let her keep it. With her newly found ambition, he knows that she'll do great with the vision he granted. He just have to guide her to the right path.

"Venti...Um I think it's enough." (Y/n) tried to take His cup, worry visible in her tone. He didn't even know how many cup of wine he had consumed already.

"Whaat? Nothing is enough when it comes to a perfectly brewed wine such as this!" Venti giggled. "Master Diluc, I hope you don't mind. One more cup!"

The redhead sighed and gave the bard a sideway glare. "I really do think that you have enough."

Venti only whinned. (Y/n) gave Diluc an apologetic look. "I'm sorry for the trouble. Can I please have his tab?"

Diluc stare at her as if she grew another head. She was willing to pay for the drunkard of a bard? Does she even know how much mora he owe him? Before he could answer back, the Tavern's door swung open, revealing the person he least to see at the moment. Well ever.

(Y/n) noticed Diluc's change of expression. From a bewildered to an annoyed one. She felt like it was her fault, feeling that she had annoyed him. But then she noticed that he was glaring at someone from behind her.

Looking back she was meet by an attractive man wearing an eyepatch. He has lean build and a tanned complexion. He seems quite suprised to see a young girl inside a pub serving alcoholic beverages. But his visible eye landed on the drunked Venti who was now leaning on the counter passed out, putting pieces together, he finally understand the situation.

"My, my.... Aren't you a little young to be in a place such as this?" The man asked. A visible smirk on his face as he crosses his arms.

"Oh! Um... Venti dragged me here..." The young girl muttered, feeling a tad nervous under the man's gaze.

"Hmmm? Then I assume you already tried the dandelion wine?" He sat on the stool right next to her, placing his elbow on the counter before leaning on his palm. "The name's Kaeya. Calvary Captain of the Knight's of Favonius. Are you perhaps that rumored foreigner who had been hanging out with that one adventurer and wolvendom kid?"

(Y/n) nodded as Kaeya began pestering Diluc for a glass of wine, in which he denied. After insisting for a few time, the red head slammed a glass, fed up with his constant whining.

But to both of her and Diluc's suprised, Kaeya gave the glass to the girl, with a mischeivious smirk on his face. "I hope you know, that it's a requirement for newcomers to have a taste of Mondstadt's famous wine. That is, the reason why this bard here took you to Angel Share, no?"

Glancing at the said bard who was drunk and passed out. (Y/n) started to reconsider and regret her decisions. Back to her homeland, her mother often told her to reject Alcoholic beverages such as wine and sake. A lady should never get drunk since it gives an opportunity for men to take advatage of her.

But if it's a requirement, then how come she didn't heard of it before? Bennett never told her about this nor Venti did. But Kaeya is a knight, would he arrest her for violating Mondstadt's tradition? She didn't come here for that but to thank the Anemo Archon for the vision he had granted her.

One sip wouldn't hurt right?

The next thing she knew, her world began spining. How many did she drank? She lost count. The wine was absolutely delicious, no wonder it lived up to it's name as the best wine in all of Teyvat.

Kaeya watched in amusement as the girl started being more talkative. Different from her usual reserved and shy self. She started telling stories about her travel experience to her adventures with Bennett and Razor. Including her origins which was Inazuma.

Getting her drunk was just his way of amusing himself. Not just that, he wanted to see if she was a threat or not. As a Captain under the Favonius Knights, it was his duty to protect the city he was living in.

But the girl was completely harmless, only came here to honour the Anemo Archon in which she was now ranting about.

She makes a good nun for the Church of Favonius.

✧ • * * • · . °

Waking up from a head splitting ache was something (Y/n) didn't expect when she slowly regain conciousness. She groaned in pain, rubbing her temple and slowly sat up from the bed.

"Wait a second...." Realization hit her like a pludging attack from a sword to a hilichurl. Looking prantically around, she noticed that she was indeed on a bed. Quite fancy too but she doesn't remember living here.

But what did happened last night?

Before she could even get off of the bed, the door swung opened revealing a a maid with short blonde hair and emerald green eyes. Noticing that the young girl is finally awake, the maid gave her a gentle smile. (Y/n) then saw the fresh folded clothes on her hands.

"You're awake. Master Diluc is expecting you." The blonde made then placed the clothes on the bed before glancing at the younger girl. "Would you like me to draw you a bath?"

"Oh no. I don't want to burden you." (Y/n) shook her hands frantically, remembering her days back at Inazuma. Maids would often help her bathe, and she was often embarrased. She hates being pampered. "Please. I can do it myself."

The maid just nodded and guided (Y/n) to the bathroom. As soon as she finished bathing, she began putting on the clothes that the maid provided, which was a simple white long sleeved tunic and some brown shorts. After that, the maid who introduced herself as Adelinde guided her downstairs where a familar Redhead stood.

"M-mister redhead bartender!" (Y/n) gasped before slapping her hands on her lips. She accidentally said it out loud. Adelinde stared back at her, and so did the Redhead who raised an eyebrow. His blank face unfazing at her outburst.

"This is Master Diluc." Adelinde introduced, before bowing and walking away, leaving the two alone with an awkward silence.

"Um...Mister Diluc...?" (Y/n) decided to speak up. "I...T-thank you for taking care of me..."

"Taking alcohol from a suspicious man like that could lead you to be taken advantage off." Diluc merely brushed her off. Beginning to lecture her all of sudden. "If he wasn't someone I know, who knows what could happen to you."

"I'm sorry!"

Being scolded by a stranger wasn't what she had been expecting. But she knew from the aura around Diluc, he wasn't a bad person. Soon later, she found herself having a conversation with the man. After the whole scolding, she decided to linger around his manor whom she later found out was the Dawn Winery, the mansion she had passed by on her way to Mondstadt.

Diluc told her the whole story. Kaeya, who turned out to be his not biological brother thought it was both funny and useful if he got her drunk. Feeling annoyed that he got a child drunk, he took the responsibility to place the tab on Kaeya and take her back to his mansion for her safety. Since he didn't really want a female much less a child, wander around in the city at night, drunk. Who knows what will happen to her.

'Such a gentleman...' (Y/n) watched with heart eyes as the said man began doing inspections on his grapeyard before talking to his executive chairman, Elzer. Diluc was infact a kind individual despite his terrifying demeanor. He even allowed her to stay for a while as long as she doesn't cause him trouble.

"(Y/N)!" A voice screamed, almost as if their whining. Diluc's face began showing annoyance, rubbing his temple as if he suddenly gotten a headache.

The wind around her shifted as a body tackled her into the ground, snaking their hands around her waist. Looking towards her hugger, she was met with aqua green eyes, hinting a bit of mischeif.

"Hm... It look like this bard came to fetch you." Diluc crossed his arms as Venti let out a "Ehe~," before removing himself from the girl.

"Master Diluc, I hope you don't mind me taking this lovely maiden away." Venti grinned, grabbing the girl by her hand and lead her away before the older male could even utter a single word.

She don't even know where Venti was taking her. But due to the feeling of the wind around her, she couldn't help but trust her insticts. If Venti was doing something to harm her, he would have done it when she was drunk. And Diluc clearly told her that the bard was too drunk to do anything last night.

By the time Venti, let go of her hand, she found herself infront of huge tree in the middle of a plain. Infront of Vannessa's tree in Windrise. The bard took out his lyre and began strumming, sitting on a huge root, gesturing her to do the same.

"Forgive me for taking you all the way here without your permission." Venti apologized. A gentle smile on his face. "But I want no unwanted ears listening to our conversation."

"Do you remember what I said last night?" The bard slowly asked. As if he was hesistating to ask. But unfortunately for him. (Y/n) doesn't remember anything. She was too drunk to remember what ever conversation she had with Venti, so she decided to give him a honest answer. A shook by her head.

But somehow, Venti shows a hit of relief when he saw this response. "Why do you even ask, Venti?"

"I will have you guess it for yourself. Ehe~" The bard merely gave her a mischeivous grin and winked. "But to the matter at hand, I'm someone who knows the full potential of what an anemo vision is capable off."

As Venti gestured to himself, the breeze around Windrise grew a little stronger. Dandelions were swept away into the air.

(Y/n) never broke her gaze with the bard. She was in awe. The feeling of the wind around her were as gentle as how Venti was with her when she first met him yesterday. It feels quite pleasant and soothing.

"Whether or not, you remember the recent events, you asked to be my disciple and so I accepted." Venti told her. The young girl tried her best to remember. But despite her attempts, she couldn't. Was the alcohol really that strong?

"Why can't I remember then...?" (Y/n) asked, feeling a little conflicted. What ever happened last night seems very important. Something she blamed herself for not being able to remember. And Venti doesn't seems like repeating himself, only gesturing her to try and remember it herself.

"Time will only allow you to remember, (Y/n). And besides, I think you aren't ready for that truth yet." Venti placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a smile. "To shorten everything, I'll teach you the secrets of Anemo."

"Really?" (Y/n) perked up at this, she barely know how her vision works. Just how to use it in battles. Xiao had only taught her the basics, but with Venti who literary knows how the control the wind, perhaps she could use anemo to make her life easier.

With a determined nod, she answered. "Okay, Venti. Please teach me about anemo!"

The bard could only smile as he grabbed the girl's hands, with a cheerful tone he then says, "That's the spirit, my now adorable disciple~"

But what shock the girl the most was for Venti then gently kissed her forehead. Now feeling a stronger connection with the wind, he then added.

"You are now blessed by the Anemo Archon. Ehe~"

"What do you mean by that, Venti?"

"Such a oblivious little breeze you are. You'll find out soon enough, I'm letting you guess after all."