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"Barba...tos?" He heard someone ask. He was too tired to look up at them, he hurt all over and could tell his wings had been burnt a little. He was alive though. Still fighting. "Oh goodness, what should I do...Barbara! She'll know how to fix this!!" the voice exclaimed as he felt someone move to pick him up. He groaned a little and tried to open his eyes, recognizing a knight, most likely on patrol, poor thing, he didn't mean to get him involved."Sorry." he whispered in a voice sounding hoarse and tired. The knight flinched and looked down at his archon. "It's no problem, Lord Barbatos. I'll get you to the church and they can patch you up!" he spoke enthusiastically.
The next time Venti opened his eyes he was met with murmurs and eyes from the sisters everywhere. Ah, right. Well he knew he couldn't keep up with his carefree strolling of his city forever but that doesn't mean he wanted it to end. He tried to sit up and winced as a sharp pain made itself present in his back. "Ah, be careful! There were a lot of wounds so you'll probably take a while to fully heal." A voice he recognised as Barbara said. Eventually after fully sitting up with her help Jean walked into the room with Diluc following straight behind. She told the rest of the nuns to leave and give him some space. "I believe I should be allowed to stay and get an explanation." Rosaria scowled, which made Venti laugh "Indeed." he agreed. "How do you feel?" Jean asked after everyone took a seat, except for Diluc who chose to stand. "I've been better." he joked and then sighed "I apologise, everything hurts a little and I think my wings will need time to look pretty again but really I've been in much worse states before." he smiled and then turned to Barbara" Thank you for healing me and I apologise you had to find out my identity like this...you too, Rosa." Barbara squeaked and flushed "It's no problem, Lord Barbatos besides it was master diluc who advised us to take you to windrise before coming back here." she smiled and Venti thanked the Raginvindr as he scowled. "I don't really care, we're still drinking buddies." said Rosaria.
"May I ask what happened to you?" Jean asked and he flinched before giving a breathy laugh. "It seems I was targeted by the abyss order who wanted to kidnap me, I think? I'm not completely sure what their intentions were but I don't think it was to kill me...not yet anyway."
He was just having a stroll through Wolvendom after visiting Andrius. It was supposed to be a quiet moment to himself. That was the plan until he heard the laughter of an abyss mage which made him stop and look around."If you'd like to fight come out now, if you're just passing through then leave quietly." he said listen to the wind to find the location of the mage. Once he thought it had left he started walking again. Out of nowhere he sensed the pyro magic behind him and moved just in time. Summoning his bow he looked right at the mage except there wasn't just one but 3 and an abyss herald. "I'm not in the mood to fight, be on your way." Venti spoke looking at the three of them. "We can't leave without getting what we came here for, Barbatos." the herald spoke. Venti looked up at him. "Oh? And what is that?" he asked. The rest of the fight was a blur he didn't remember much just that he had to survive. That was when he blacked out.
He smiled looking over to Jean. "I'm sorry that happened, is it something we should be worried about? The knights will protect you and I'm sure Master Diluc would be willing to help." She asked and Diluc hummed in agreement. "Ah, no no, don't worry yourselves with me! I can handle myself and I have Davalin back now so I'll be okay. You both have enough to do without worrying about me." he grinned and moved to try and stand up. Barbara helped him immediately and once he was up he stretched his wings, the room going silent at the sight making Venti laugh. "Uh, I'm afraid to ask this but...have the rest of Mondstadt figured it out?" he asked shyly walking over to a small window looking down at the abundance of flowers laid below the statue. "Ah, nevermind." he said sheepishly.
"Everyone was very worried but we managed to calm most people down, after what happened in Liyue recently I think we were all a little scared." Barbara explained joining Venti next to the window. "Will you stay?" Diluc asked, getting straight to the point which Venti appreciated. "I- I don't know." he said looking down at the statue. "I like being able to walk around without being recognised, it's nice. With everything that's happened lately I need to stay awake but...." he trailed off deep in thought which the others decided not to disturb. "Would you mind if I stayed here for a while? Just until my back is healed? Then I'll decide what to do." he smiled. "Of course! This is your church after all...I would also like to apologise for all the times I talked bad about you as Venti, I-I didn't realise-" "Oh, really don't worry about that!! It made me happy." he grinned, cutting off Barbara before she finished her apology. Jean stood up and sorted herself out before saying "We'll leave you to recover in peace. I'll make a statement to the rest of Mondstadt that Barbatos is still alive but they'll likely want to see you directly at some point. Diluc will come check up on you tomorrow and of course Barbara will help with your recovery." she explained before saying her goodbyes and leaving the rest of the group."Well, when you're not busy dying I'll see you back at the Tavern, hurry up though because I can't handle Kaeya alone." Rosaria said before leaving to do whatever duties she slacked off. Oh right, Kaeya. The last person he wanted to find out. "Uh, Barbara, could I talk with Diluc in private quickly?" the god asked and the girl nodded saying something about calling her if he needed anything.
"Is he-" "Kaeya has been freaking out. I like you, bard but if you do anything to my brother..." Diluc interrupted sternly as Venti shook his head. "We're friends! Sure when he first came here I was...worried, but I drink with him because I enjoy his company!! Besides I already know he would never hurt us, your father's influence made sure of that." he laughed "I would never hurt him, Diluc. I promise. I have feelings about Kheanri'ah that I'm not allowed to voice so really, I'm glad he's here because everyone else probably wouldn't...well you know." he huffed sitting back down on the bed. "Thank you. I know I made a lot of mistakes with him but we're working it out." Diluc blushed when Venti giggled at him. "Thank you for taking me to Windrise as well, I probably wouldn't have made it otherwise...Truthfully I think I was hurt more than I realised." he confessed. Diluc placed a comforting hand on his shoulder making him look up at the taller man "Get some rest, Bard." he said before leaving him.
Later that afternoon he heard Jean making her announcement outside the church. "Thank you all for coming out here this afternoon. Lord Barbatos is doing well and we urge you not to worry. He still doesn't want visitors or to make an appearance yet and I hope you can all respect that. He was attacked however his injuries are minor and should heal rather quickly. Does anyone have any questions I can try and answer?" she ended her speech and heard multiple people shouting but the person who was picked asked "Is it true that Venti the bard is Lord Barbatos?" "Yes." was Jean's simple answer. He didn't want to listen to the rest.
The next day Venti felt much better and changed back into his bard outfit. "I'm glad you're better but you should still be in bed." Barbara fretted while he strummed idly on his lyre. "Nonsense! I'm fine, besides staying in one place too long makes me restless, perhaps I'll take a walk to Starsnach later." he hummed. Venti had always hated feeling stuck in one place and these four walls were beginning to get boring. "Won't people see you there?" Barbara asked replacing the flowers in the small vase at the bedside. "Ah...right, I forgot about that." he sighed. "May I make a suggestion, as a member of the church?" she asked, waiting until he nodded to continue "I believe the people of Mondstadt would enjoy having you walk around, so many people offered you flowers yesterday and prayed for your safe recovery. Even as Venti just knowing you're here and we're not just the blissful, godless, drunk city we're made out to be is reassuring." she smiled. Venti smiled at this but also frowned."I would get in the way of true freedom though..." "Don't you already look out for us? Fight for us?" she continued "Well yes, but that's different if I stay in the city it'll just be like I'm ruling...I wouldn't be able to joke around without people thinking I'm being serious." he explained and Barbara giggled. "I apologise but I think you deeply underestimate your own nation if you belive that, Venti. Unlike everywhere else we are known for never being serious." he smiled brightly and pulled her over for a hug. "Thank you, Barbara, I needed that."