The Strange Mission / Venti x Aether Albedo x Kaeya Childe x Zhongli

Chapter Four: Not Quite Alining

I absolutely adore your guys comments and they give me motivation to keep going😁

Also I was thinking of adding in some Venti x Xiao because I love jealous Aether, would you guys like that?

"When's the next townnnn," Paimon complained as the group continued walking north with no exact plan other than to search around.

"Oh come on," Venti replied in the same voice. "You don't even have to carry anything? How much effort can floating even take?"

"A lot, Paimon works very hard." Paimon crossed her arms in front of her with a huff.

"Now, now," Childe chimed in with a small smile that pretty much never seemed to leave his lips. "How about we look at the map and find a town we can start heading to for the night?"

"Good idea." Aether commented and then glanced to Kaeya who was tensely holding the map with a distant look.

"Earth to Favonius idiot." Diluc began to get frustrated before pushing Kaeya slightly while speeding up his walk.

"Hmm?" Kaeya came back to the group and watched Diluc's frustrated face as he gestured to the map once more. "Oh."

After a few seconds Kaeya continued. "There seems to be a abandoned town down to the northwest that's in a cavern of some sort. Or there is another two a bit farther northeast by the cliffs, we are getting rather close to the storm barrier."

"I say we head northeast then, I would prefer to be in an active town." Zhongli replied emotionlessly.

Everyone nodded their own agreement before heading farther northeast. Along the way Venti played a few smooth songs on the lyre he always has with him. Paimon ended up falling asleep once again and disappeared for the rest of the time. Diluc and Kaeya barely spoke. Zhongli only ever opened his mouth to hush Childe or to assist when Venti started getting drowsy himself.

Time skip brought to you by Genshin characters with their hair down

The town was alive with family and children, animals and sounds.

"Shall we find a tavern?" Zhongli suggested as they walked past the jolly people, who seemed rather careless to their arrival, despite their obvious extravagance.

"Alright! Wine anyone?" Venti cheered with no regard for anyone's answer.

Aether and Diluc simply sighed, knowing they would have to deal with a drunk Venti, Kaeya and probably Childe and some even worse hungover ones tomorrow.

But alas they made no effort to stop them as Venti skipped ahead the others pace quickened.

Once the group reached a tavern they opened the doors to reveal a much different tavern.

The lighting and tables were rather normal, the strange thing was the decorations. The rooms were lined with cotton colors and pastels. Small candles and balloons the shapes of paws floated around, almost as if it were a children's birthday party. People still sat around, but given the time of day the traffic was mediocre.

Kaeya smiled lightly as if he recognized the place, the group were not out of the storm barrier yet so everyone thought that was highly possible.

"Tch," Diluc scoffed.

"My, my," Zhongli commented. "What a strange place..."

The locals seemed to think nothing of the strange travelers until they spotted the redhead who was now trailing slightly behind the rest. Their eyes widened and they glanced to anything else to not make eye contact with the fire vision. Small whispers were heard as the group made their way to the bar.

"I'll have your strongest please!" Venti said happily closing his eyes. When he opened his eyes though, the bar rendered that was there before was seen walking swiftly to the back, clearly avoiding serving the group.

"Coming right—-" a squeaky voice chirped from behind the bar. But as the person hoped up on a stool to be able to see the group they froze.

It was a small girl. She had short pink hair and her outfit matched the place completely, pink and cat-like.

"Diluc." She seemed to almost hiss.

"Hello Diona..." No one had seen Diluc so quiet before as he avoided eye contact with the seemingly young child.

"Out." Diona ordered in distaste.

"He's with me," Kaeya shot back smoothly.

Everyone turned to Kaeya in shock, even Diluc who looked up. He had expected everyone to just snicker as he walked out, not stand up for him.

Diona sighed. "Fine but just this once. What would everyone like?"

"Your strongest," Venti repeated firing back up again.

"Wine please." Zhongli ordered politely.

"Surprise me," Childe said while looking around.

"Nothing..." Diluc mumbled, gazing back to the floor.

"I'll take anything." Kaeya smiled lightly.

"Just a water," Aether smiled while gritting his teeth, he knew he would have to take care of everyone. But he was relieved to see Diluc not drinking, even if he almost never did due to his distaste in alcohol.

"Sorry we only do alcoholic drinks," Diona said sadly, before quickly glaring back at Diluc.

"I'm gonna step out side." Diluc turned and walked out seemingly unaffected but they all knew he was able to feel her and the workers glares.

"Anyway," Diona continued, smiling brighter now as if a weight was just lifted. "Coming right up!"