Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In Mondstadt's church...

Barbara lets out a soft sigh, her shoulders sag in exhaustion.

"I don't know how much longer we can look, Dahlia... We've searched every corner of the Cathedral!"

Dahlia gives a small laugh, patting Barbara on the head softly.

"No need to worry, my dear deaconess... I'm sure Sister Rosaria will show up before we know it. But if she still doesn't appear after a couple more minutes, hm, we'll just start practicing without her."

Someone overhears the two from the shadows... the cavalry captain from the knights of favonius?

Kaeya struts in casually through the front of the cathedral, his hands on his hips. “Why, if it isn't the beloved deacon and deaconess. Still chasing after Rosaria?”

Barbara and Dahlia look a bit surprised to see Kaeya within the walls of the cathedral, especially since well, he's more often caught in angel share rather than attending church at all really...

He's not exactly religious, unless you could call alcohol some sort of religion.

Barbara looks surprised, while Dahlia glances at him curiously.

"Greetings, and... welcome to the church of Favonius. Have you seen miss Rosaria around by any chance? We've searched the cathedral top to bottom."

As Dahlia says that, Barbara nods awaiting his answer.

Kaeya grins and leans against the wall.

"There's one place you haven't looked..."

Barbara perks up, she shares a glance with Dahlia then back at the knight. "Really? I'm sure you of most people would know right? We have to find her quickly before we have to start practice without her!"

Kaeya takes a slow step towards them, leaning in with a smirk.

"Why, the tavern, of course. Rosaria has a soft spot~ for their Dandelion Wine."

He lets out a small chuckle while staring mischievously at them.

Dahlia snickers, crossing his arms. "Of course... I should've known she'd be at the tavern. She always seems to find a way to indulge in a drink or two, despite her duties as a nun." He shakes his head.

Barbara lets out a sigh, her expression a mix of concern and resignation.

"Oh for the love of Barbatos... we really need to have a talk with her about excessive drinking!"

Kaeya shrugs nonchalantly, he's still smirking but he looks a bit guilty since he himself is an alcoholic.

"Hey, hey... we all have our vices. You know, Rosaria has always been quite rebellious... but at least she's no criminal~ speaking of which..."

Dahlia looks confused, "What about criminals??"

Kaeya chuckles, leaving the two decaons completely lost.

"Well, I didn't exactly show up in the most holy place in Mondstadt for nothing~ were you informed about the strange break in last night in this very church?"

Barbara and Dahlia nearly gasp at the same time, while Kaeya keeps his same confident pose.

"Yours truly, cavalry captain Kaeya, received a report about some sort of intruder sneaking into the Church in the middle of the night... Oh, the scandal."

"Whoever broke in left no traces of their identity, however there was a witness who caught sight of the intruder leaving the church at an odd hour with an item in hand."

Dahlia is perplexed, meanwhile Barbara starts worrying.

She clasps her hands together and begins to panic, "No... how could this be... Wait! What if they stole some valuable religious artifacts... what about the Holy Lyre der Himell!!"

Dahlia places a hand on her shoulder, trying to speak calmly. "My dear deaconess, let's not jump to such conclusions. There's no way anyone would DARE attempt to steal the Lyre again... especially with so many night guards on duty-"

As they discuss this, a nun rushes to them. "I'm sorry to interrupt! But as we were preparing for choir practice, the lyric sheets for the gospels you wrote Deacon Dahlia... they appear to be missing!"

Dahlia being in charge of the choir, holds an expression that is none other than shocked.

"You mean the gospels that the deaconess and I put our blood, sweat, and tears into?? They're all gone?"

Kaeya raises an eyebrow, "Oh, so sorry! How unfortunate! But a lead on the case, I must say."

Dahlia looks at him a bit unamused by his shallow empathy, but he is at least grateful that the knights are investigating this.

Barbara looks heartbroken, "The choir music sheets are stolen? But we put our hearts and love for barbatos into those..."

"Why would someone steal those anyway? Unless it's an shameless act against the anemo archon!" Dahlia questions.

He's a bit offended on behalf of their god, "We need to catch this unholy robber!"

Kaeya gives them a dismissive wave, looking unbothered and slightly confident despite how much it means to the church.

"No need for concern, leave the situation to the knights. I'm giving orders and we'll handle it as soon as possible."

Dahlia and Barbara get a bit of relief as they hear him.

"Now if you excuse me... I'm going to take a short break at the tavern, and that thief will be caught in no time!"

He sneaks off slowly, giving a charming grin before heading out the door.

"Ah, and I'll see if I can persuade Rosaria to come to work for you both~ hopefully she didn't have too many glasses yet..."

He finally closes the door.

Dahlia facepalms, "Oh please, why must every adult in Mondstadt slack off their duties to get drunk... just so they can't even focus on work!"

Meanwhile Barbara is just left bewildered.

The nun beside them shakes her head, "I vow to Barbatos that we shall catch whoever is sinful enough to intervene with the church's practices!"

Barbara tries to console the nun, gently holding her hands. "Let's stay positive, I'm sure the knights will handle this!"

But Dahlia isn't so sure, he taps his finger to his chin in a defiant pose.

"Those knights are too busy drinking their problems away to do anything about this, I'll have to take matters into my own hand..."

How dare this intruder steal the music sheets that the choir head himself worked on?!

And with the help of Barbara, being Mondstadt's idol, those lyrics and hymns were a work of art!

But somewhere else... In a strange room... only god knows where, the walls are creaking and there's candles everywhere.

The stolen choir sheets are scattered around the room, some with red writing spread across them with the words:

"The deaconess should be the one they sing gospels for..."

"Head of the choir... his head should be on a stick!"

"There is no barbatos... only BARBARA..!"

With those writings around the room, there are also posters of Mondstadt's idol...

A creepy voice can be heard, "Barbara-sama..."

Chapter Text

Later that evening after they were informed about the break in, Rosaria stumbles in the cathedral drunk...

Dahlia and Barbara are almost done cleaning as they notice her, they quickly go to her.

"Ready for work... Perhaps, I may have indulged in a glass or two... or three... of Dandelion Wine at the tavern..."

Her words a bit slurred but still somehow retaining her usual cold demeanor.

Rosaria takes a shaky step forward. "Sister Rosaria!" They rush over to help her stand.

"Oh no... you're not in good condition...!"

Barbara frowns, she's already worried.

Dahlia nods in agreement, holding Rosaria's other arm to support her.

"You can't show up at church like this!" Dahlia scolds her behavior, but she rolls her eyes.

"And you missed choir practice!!" He blurts out, Barbara pats his shoulder to calm him down a bit.

"Well... it was canceled anyway since we lost the music sheets..." She reminds him gently.

"Still! Is this how you honor Barbatos?!" Dahlia whines.

"Don't ya mean bartobas... bartooba...? Hmph... whatever... you kids are so uptight..." She waves dismissively, still tripping over herself a little.

Barbara gives a concerned glance in Dahlia's direction. "We have to send Sister Rosaria home again, Dahlia!"

"Bats, not again..." Dahlia sighs in annoyance.

Rosaria chuckles lazily at them both, "Call me Rosie~"

"She's really drunk..." Barbara shakes her head gently.

Dahlia sighs, stepping forward. "Barbatos help us."

He's not looking forward to this again, they're always blessed with having to look after her when she's like this...

Carefully leading her out of the church, they help drunk Rosaria back home.

"Dandelion Wine~ so fine..." Rosaria rambles as they reach her doorstep, Dahlia and Barbara wave kindly despite their exhaustion.

"Ah, get some good rest Sister Rosaria! We hope to see you at work... hopefully?" Barbara gives a nervous but caring smile, helping her open her door.

And Dahlia just smacks his tongue, "Let's not get our hopes up dear Barbara..."

"Mm, sounds good little hilichurls... I dunno what you're saying but it's~ adawwrable..." Rosaria yawns, she's definitely in some sort of fever dream state.

Barbara waves at her, but her expression shows great worry. "Um... take care Sister Rosaria!!"

"Heh... nah... not Sister Rosaria...! It's Rosaria... Alberich~" Rosaria hiccups, shutting the door on them both.

"Um... I-Isn't that... the family name of the cavalry captain...?" Barbara realizes that, she shares a bewildered look with Dahlia.

He nods, and they both burst into quiet laughter. "Hahaha... she's certainly lost it! Remind me never touch Dandelion wine when I can finally drink... That stuff's the devil!"

Barbara chuckles weakly, she's too scared to even imagine Dahlia having his first drink when he's of age... or having it herself.

"Oh, and did you hear that Barbara? We're just two adorable hilichurls now..." Dahlia snickers at Rosaria's drunken compliment.

"Ah, I suppose she thought we looked like furry hilichurls then, haha..." Barbara giggles.

The sky is dark upon this point, and Dahlia extends his hand gracefully.

"Why don't we walk you home next, Deaconess?" He gives a playful grin.

Barbara gives a kind smile and nods, walking beside him. It's not often they walk together like this outside of work.

"Ah, I don't know what I'd do without you Dahlia..." She sighs while shaking her head softly, her pigtails flutter around as she does.

And Dahlia happens to notice how lovely Barbara looks in this moment, he feels his heart flutter a bit, and it almost feels like the wind's picking up.

They walk together through Mondstadt's quiet streets, and Barbara can't keep herself from smiling beside him.

'God... it's too quiet' Dahlia thinks to himself, but it seems like Barbara's just fine enjoying the calm sounds of the wind as they walk.

Nearby Venti is sitting on a rooftop, humming a bard's tune to himself. He sees the two familiar deacons from the church, you know, the ones that always pray to him. Of course he recognizes them!

Watching the two, Venti giggles lightly. "Ehe~ those two kiddos sure are cute... but why don't we move things along huh?"

He aims his bow, causing the wind to blow in their direction. Could it be, Venti is playing cupid??

Dahlia clears his throat, until suddenly a surge of wind sweeps Barbara away.

"Oopsie, that kinda went a bit differently than it was supposed to..." Venti grins awkwardly. He was supposed to use the wind to push them closer...

There you have it folks, the god of wind sometimes... can't, control the wind.

"Deaconess Barbara?!" Dahlia gasps, what the holy hell just happened?

Barbara is swept away from the sudden breeze, she almost swears she's being sucked into a tornado.

"AHAHHHHAHH" Is the lore accurate representation of Barbara right at this moment of terror, storm terror in fact.

How could Venti accidentally ruin their tender moment? He just wrecked it. "Welp, she might not make it to church the next day... my bad"

Dahlia runs after her.

"Wouldn't gliding be faster..." Venti sighs.

Did he just-

As Barbara floats out of Mondstadt's gates, a kid in a window thinks its a shooting star and makes a wish.

"Barbara NO!!!!" Dahlia yells, she's too far for him to reach.

She was just like an angel flying back to heaven, it was so tragic, but also beautiful. Except she was propelling at lightspeed now as the wind gets stronger.

"BARBATOS WHY!! Why could you let the wind be her demise...?!" He drops to his knees, praying.

Venti looks as guilty as they come, hiding on the rooftop still. This reminds him of the friend he lost dear to him, so he can't let them down.

That or he might have to give Dahlia an Anemo vision for compensation for his soon to be dead friend... which wouldn't even work anyways since Dahlia already has a vision, yikes.

Venti summons Dvalin, rising above Mondstadt to save Barbara gliding out of existence.

He swoops in and grabs her before she is swept out of Mondstadt and launched into Inazuma. Dahlia witnesses the sight of Dvalin flying across the sky, it makes him feel like a miracle just happened.

"Sorry about that!" Venti chuckles, and Dvalin lands on the grass outside of Mondstadt's gates.

Dahlia rushes past the bridge, out of breath, he still can't comprehend what just happened.

"Thank Barbatos you're okay!!" He hugs Barbara, without thinking.

"Heh, you're welcome!" Venti proudly places his hands on his sides, then catches himself. "I- I mean yeah... thank Barbatos..." He lets out an odd chuckle.

Dahlia couldn't even realize how suspicious that sounded, he's too panicked to notice.

Barbara's legs wobble, and she hold on to Dahlia slightly terrified, "Wh-what... was that...?" She's left wondering.

"Maybe Barbatos... uh... accidently messed with the wind too much... or somethin' like that." Venti whistles, kicking around in the grass.

"Dahlia keeps his arms safe around Barbara, but then he lets go awkwardly, he feels a bit shy that he hugged her so quick.

'The Bard..." Barbara steps forward weakly, Venti chuckles. "Oh uh... about the wind I-"

"Y-You saved me... truly an angel sent from above!" She sighs and clasps her hands together.

"Ehe...hehe... don't mention it, fair maiden!' Venti looks more guilty as he grins, making Dahlia raise an eyebrow.

"Oh my... Barbara told me about that bard who knew a giant dragon! I guess it's true huh." Dahlia says, his shock slowly fades as he eyes him up and down, examining him suspiciously.

"Oho, you betcha~ I guess you can successfully say Barbatos answered your prayers then eh...?" Venti grins, and winks at Barbara.

Dahlia crosses his arms, nodding. "Hm... thank you strange bard... whoever you are."

He's grateful that she was saved by this mysterious bard he's only ever seen around once... but at the same time, he's a little skeptical.

This may or may not be because someone else rescued Barbara before he could, he is a bit salty.

But also, where did he even come from? Dahlia wonders...

Dahlia raises an eyebrow, "I was just going to save Deaconess Barbara... until you suddenly came out of nowhere-"

Sensing the silly little protective vibe from Dahlia, Venti chuckles playfully. He pats Dahlia on the head which makes him a bit surprised.

"Oh, no need to worry my child- I mean, random worshipper of the anemo god! This lovely lady is much more like a daughter to me!" Venti suddenly says.

Barbara gasps, "H-Huh?! Daughter?"

Dahlia blinks in surprise, taking a moment to process that strange information. Barbara is just in the back confused, she wasn't expecting that.

"Yep! Ya heard me- oh wait, maybe that was a bit of a giveaway ehe..." Venti taps his chin.

"What?! This bard must be drunk too!!" Barbara exclaims, why else would he be calling her a daughter to him, Is he really that old?

Wait... It can't be... is this bard really somehow her dad? Then it hits Barbara, she gasps... "No wonder I'm not as tall as my sister..."

Venti looks taken aback, "Uh, ...what-?"

"-What?!" Barbara replies in a shaken voice.

Venti has a feeling he done messed up again, he swears to barbatos- uh himself- that he has no part in whatever Barbara is questioning.

Dahlia isn't sure what to do with that information, or any of this. He taps his shoe a bit, "Oooookay...? I've never heard anyone refer to the deaconess as their 'daughter'... but oh well, I appreciate your help..."

"Ehehehe..." Venti laughs awkwardly, "The name's Venti, in case you kids forgot!" He floats up into the air, making a grand exit..

As he leaves, Barbara reaches out a hand. "W-Wait! I didn't even thank you-!"

"Don't you remember~? You already did!" Venti chuckles, flying away with Dvalin and leaving them both stunned.

She tilts her head, completely dumbfounded. "I... really don't think I thanked him properly... d-did I?"

With wide eyes, she turns to Dahlia who is equally as confused.

"...Are we sure that bard Venti isn't a suspect for the stolen music sheets?" Dahlia lifts a finger.

Barbara shakes her head a little, she's still in a bit of shock. "I-I don't think so..."

Meanwhile at Angel's share... Kaeya pops open a bottle of wine. "Cheers!"

"Heh... Captain Kaeya... I-I thought I told you guys about my alcohol tolerance..." Mika gives a trembling chuckle, only to be ignored by Kaeya and his drink poured right in front of him with outgoing laughter.

Eula crosses her arms as she's sitting there with them, she gives a sharp glance at Kaeya while still remaining formal. "You heard him, Captain... I myself am not a big fan of this tavern bonding stuff."

Mika is surprised by Eula taking up for him, and he almost swears he heard her say 'excuse me, he asked for no pickles.'

Kaeya just laughs it off, raising his glass. "Ah no need to be so cold, lady captain~ This is a celebration! We got a thief to catch, might as well take it easy..."

He's giving the most provoking smug grin known to mankind, this causes Eula to purse her lips shut in attempts to hide her reaction of disdain.

"Ahem..." Eula coughs lightly. "Take it easy? We... are now in search of a strange thief in Mondstadt and... you choose to celebrate?"

She can't believe what she's hearing, and she thinks to herself 'this smug little shi-'

Mika is too scared to ask any questions, and Kaeya just snickers confidently. "That's what it's all about! If you wanna catch a criminal, you gotta drink like one- I mean think like one! Yep... slack off everything and do as you please!"

Mika and Eula stare with wide eyes.

"I know, I'm a professional~ I have quite the work ethic don't I..." He winks.

And Angel Share begins to fill with loud chatter and playful laughter... all only coming from the calvary captain.