Destined

Discoveries

                          ❉ ╤╤╤╤ ✿ ╤╤╤╤ ❉

"Why did you do that!?"

Turning around to face the young girl, Mizuki looked at her attendant with confused eyes, watching as she tempestuously stomped into the room in which Mizuki practised her calligraphy.

"What in the Archon's name do you mean, (Y/N)?" Mizuki questioned, stifling a giggle as she watched the girl seat herself whilst her face seemed as if it were just about to explode in frustration.

"I am no longer a child, Mizuki! I can now comprehend that you defied the Raiden Shogun!" (Y/N) roused, tears threatening to spill from her glassy eyes.

Mizuki now understood the situation, her expression becoming more serious as she approached her little girl, that now, was not so little anymore. Cupping (Y/N)'s red cheeks, Mizuki lowed her face closer so no one walking by would hear her words. "Moon rabbit, I did what I must and that is final. Care to explain to me how you found out?"

(Y/N) sniffled as she remembered what had happened earlier that evening, she knew that trouble was awaiting her once she told her guardian alas, Mizuki would end up finding out the hard way if she did not inform her.

"I-I was performing at the grand palace w-when," Mizuki brushed a stray tear from the eyes of her attendant, encouraging (Y/N) to continue. "The s-shogun walked by, a-and she was talking about some kind of decree. I was curious so I followed her after. Then I heard that you were... were going to be e-executed for treason."

Throughout the nearly 19 years that Mizuki had cared for (Y/N) and taken her under her wing, Mizuki had never seen the young woman in such distress and pain. Even though the news that (Y/N) had shared brought all kinds of fears to arise, Mizuki kept a brave front for her attendant and held her closer into her chest, stroking her fluffy ears as (Y/N) wept uncontrollably.

"There, there, my little moon rabbit, I shall not be leaving you anytime soon."

"B-But-"

"Hush. I must do this to protect you, moon rabbit." Mizuki exclaimed, fidgeting with a vision that (Y/N) kept hidden within her kago bag.

                 .•° ✿ °•.

Awakening, the air that your lungs yearned for was thin as you tried to breathe in and out. The faint sounds of a familiar lyre and the crackling fire entered your ears, not helping to assuage your pounding head. Hearing your struggling breaths, Venti's attention was suddenly pulled from his lyre and onto you.

"(Y/N)!" Rushing over, Venti helped you into a more comfortable position. "(Y/N), what happened? Are you alright?" He asked, taking the wet cloth that lay upon your head and dunking it into the bowl of water beside you.

Bringing a hand to your shoulder, you could feel that your obiage had been replaced with gauze. Although it still stung, the pain had lessened a little compared to when you had first received the wound. Your mind trailed back to the memory of that Fatui twat and how he mercilessly sliced you with his blade. Showing Venti a smile so he would not worry further, you placed a hand on top of his.

"Do not concern yourself with me, I was mindless enough to engage in a duel with a Mitachurl." You giggled, Venti's face slowly turning deep shades of red as he felt your soft hand on his. Venti hesitated to admit it, but he truly did come to love how you laughed; to him, you were the fresh breeze that brushed through his ebony locks as he lay in a valley of Cecilias. To Venti, you were the serenity that he was searching for. Shaking his head and cursing himself for staring, he failed to notice that you had wandered to the open window of your bedroom.

"I may not have the luxury of staying in Monstadt for the rest of my days, Venti," You spoke, your voice quiet as you gazed at the full moon. "albeit, I will make the best of the time the Archon's have blessed me with."

You reminded Venti of an old Archon friend who would always remind him of wise sayings and quotes. Placing a hand on your shoulder, Venti felt a rush of feelings that he thought he had forgotten long ago. The urge to protect and care for someone you had only met a week ago was quite unusual, yet Venti did not question it.

"How about a glass of wine to lift your spirits?" Venti offered, yearning to hear your melodious giggle and soft voice engaged within a friendly conversation. You smiled at the bard, thinking that a glass or two of wine would definitely ease the pain.

"Lead the way, Bard."

Observing Venti as he carefully poured you a glass of wine, you couldn't help but find it adorable how he stuck his tongue out of the side of his mouth when concentrating. "See anything you like?~" He asked, a mischievous smile on his face. You couldn't find the words to respond, so you sat there with your wine glass in hand, watching the liquid as you swirled it around. "I must truly be handsome due to your lack of words, hm?" Venti giggled.

It seemed that Venti had done a decent job at cheering you up so far as you let out a laugh, finding it funny how he cupped his cheeks and looked at you with puppy-dog eyes. "You remind me of a deceiving tanuki, always using your charms to persuade others." You sighed, recollecting the memory fondly. Venti seemed to be quite intrigued as he sat beside you and took a sip from his glass, his gaze not faltering from your form.

"A tanuki, huh? I suppose I could pull that off!" Venti laughed, his smile growing by the minute. Whilst enjoying the moment you were in, you forgot about the headpiece that was slowly slipping from your up-do. You meant to ask Venti about the headpiece that you owned for the majority of your life as its origins were unknown. To you, Venti seemed to be quite wise despite his appearance, so you chose to question him about the accessory.

Taking the headpiece from your hair, you traced your thumb over the minute details and carvings. The gold crescent moon that encased a pearl was the most outstanding detail that it held as well as the designs that resembled that of the ones in Liyue culture. Curious, Venti observed the accessory as you held it out to him.

"I wanted to know where this headpiece originated. Could you possibly examine this for me?" You asked. Taking the hair accessory, Venti carefully looked over the state that it was in.

"(Y/N)," Venti suddenly looked serious, his playful nature switched into professionalism. "this looks to be over a thousand years old, where did you get this?"

A thousand!? What kind of relics have I been carrying!? You thought, excitedly scooching closer to Venti as he continued to inspect the accessory.

"Wait, look at the carvings in the moon," The bard directed your attention to the golden moon. "it says, '(Y/N), 500 years of age' in the language of Liyue."

Trying to process everything that Venti had deciphered, you took a sip of your wine. Venti seemed to be just as surprised as you as he was for once, silent. "How could I have come into possession of such an antique? I've lived in Inazuma all my life." You stated, cutting through the awkward silence. Venti brought a finger to his chin, contemplating his further choice of words.

Taking your hands in his, Venti looked at you with concerning features and you did the same, except with more confusion than concern. "You're the lost adepti that Rex Lapis could never locate after your disappearance, aren't you?"

Adepti...?

Venti is the best comfort character period.