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Capes and hats.
"SO ARE YOU READY?"
You didn't reply and instead, hurriedly snatched your bag from the counter before leaving a goodbye kiss on your brother's forehead. He, in turn, embraced you with his petite arms. You held back a giggle.
"You shouldn't worry too much you know," The boy advised, pointing at you accusingly, "You're already the best! what's there to worry about?"
You smugly smiled, "Alright alright, I have to go now. I already told Brock to watch over you."
(B/N) happily nodded and accompanied you towards the wooden door of your house. Seeing how big the smile he passed on his lips, he might really be happy to have some time alone. You've always refrained him from playing too much, the area was still a little unfamiliar and the land was far too vast that one might get lost.
"I have to go now," You carefully ruffled your brother's hair and bid your farewell, he grinned and off you go.
"Oh Celestia..."
Though most of the landforms were already familiarized, there was still a lot more to learn as you timidly walk towards a memorized path to Monstandt city. The same scent of rivers and lands fused together elicited a smell similar to home and it eased their mind.
It hasn't been even a month and yet you've already embraced this Nation's culture and more. Step by step until you've finally arrived at the foot of the bridge. Timmie, as usual, stood in the middle with his never-ending prepared snacks for his pigeons.
You excused yourself to the boy and in turn, he allowed you to.
"Thank goodness you're polite! I wish everyone is like that," He complained and it made you pause, "One time with the traveler, As soon as they arrived, they turned my pigeons into fowls!"
I would have done the same too... you thought but decided to only smile in return.
As you turn around, your naivety expected a peaceful day. You truly hoped for that but it ended as soon as the loud gushing of some citizens distracted your tranquil state. You opened your eyes only to witness some monstandters staring at you. Some would gush and others would smile.
A familiar sense of anxiousness occupied you as your eyes avoided the uncomfortable and excessive attention you'd been showered with. Step by step, you took deep breaths and prevented yourself from the mass not until a woman in her 20's approached you from behind which made you flinch. It could have been better if she did that in front of you.
"Can I get an autograph?"
You would have. But it wasn't the perfect time for it and you weren't in the best shape to entertain. But there was no other choice and no you are not risking your reputation here now that you've just recently moved.
"S-sure," You timidly replied, taking the pen and taking a deep breath before signing the paper. The woman squealed in delight before waving it to her friends.
It delighted you to see how your book has a great impact on these people.
However,
"Please sign mine!"
"Can we please ask for spoilers? What's gonna happen?"
"Is this a true story?"
"How long are you going to take a break?"
Questions from each corner bombarded you in a way that made you stagger backward as they approach you too eagerly, far from your comfort. You back down a couple of steps and yet these people were pushy, stepping closer and closer to you as if they were snatching the remaining air you breathe.
"Here! OVER HERE!"A loud whisper called you over to the side.
For starters, you never follow someone's voice that abruptly. Who knows what their intentions are? But you? Oh, you never cared for starters. You immediately bolted and took a sharp turn towards the direction the voice reverberated, taking the hand sticking out before immediately slamming your back against the cold stonewall to avoid being seen.
"I didn't expect you to take my hand," The person quipped and instant regret flushed over your blank face. It was Venti.
"C'mon now dear (Y/N), there is no need for such a rude attitude. And quit it with the frowns!" He stated with a pout.
"Thank you for your generous advice Mr. Venti," You gently smiled, "Perhaps you could also buy tape to cover your mouth."
"Why thank you!" He grinned, sarcastically, "Well, brushing that off, Have you prepared ideas for a new chapter of your incoming book?"
"... No-"
"Good! Now le- wait, what?" Venti paused, seemingly taken aback as he himself had to blink several times in order to comprehend, "... Then why did you come here unprepared?"
He was right. All you had was a notebook and ink with multiple papers. What you've thought was that with Venti, you'd be able to sketch out the scenario you wished to add, but then again, not once had it crossed your mind that you had to make the outline first. Frowning to yourself, a quiet pause secluded you two from the noise.
"... Well, since both of us are already present for today," Venti sighed yet his voice was soft as if trying to lighten up the dampened mood, "Maybe we could come up with something new and intriguing together? I mean, I am after all, with you in this contract."
That was a good idea. "... Can we?"
"Trust the words of this bard, for it will come to you as a reward!" You smiled at his sing-song-like voice. His enthusiastic and cheerful attitude lifted your spirit up. You found the bard quite irritating at first but you could not deny the fact that he had a way to amuse you.
"Better stay quiet," Venti whispered, his alert eyes scanning the area, "We should go now, let's make a run for it!"
"They'd still notice." You anxiously replied back, "My clothes are still from Liyue, it will make me stand out."
The bard deadpanned. He scratched his small chin as he paces back and forth as if that would help him gather ideas, and it did.
"Wait I know what to do!"
You were about to ask a question until Venti deliberately took off his green beret hat, and messily placed it on top of your head which almost fell off. You raised your hand to fix it but luckily, Venti realized how much of a hindrance that dried leaf and few loose strands for your eyes so he tucked that hair behind your ear and lifted that one leaf.
"Wait-"
"Hold on." He interrupted. Venti took off his green coat, and dusted the dirt off it, before placing it on you as he ties the clothing's ribbon to secure its grip. Somehow, you could smell the familiar aroma of petrichor along with the oak wood's scent.
He must like going outside often, you guessed with no other concrete evidence.
"There," He smiled, patting your shoulder, "You're all good now! Now come on, hold on tight, mmkay?"
"How- wOAH!"
In a flash, he swiftly intertwined his petite hands with yours before dragging you with him. Venti was fast enough to almost make you trip and fall every now and then, but he was quick to notice those little accidents so he would slow down occasionally.
But neither of those consumed your thoughts. Your eyes were too focused on the clasping hands of yours and the boy and instinctively, you smiled warmly at it. It was a good way to warm your cold hands.
