Against The Cold ~ Alberose

Chapter 18

"Fine pickings," Venti snickered when Albedo left. "He's quite the handsome one."

Sucrose flushed a deep red. "W-What?"

Venti laughed. "Nevermind," he said, avoiding the question and Sucrose's gaze.

"So, um, Barba- Ven- sir, what d-did you want to speak to m-me about?" Sucrose asked, stumbling over her words.

The archon giggled. "Just Venti is alright," he said brightly. "And you're my girl, my little anemo alchemist! Why wouldn't I want to talk to you?"

Sucrose gave him an apprehensive look and rested her gaze on her hands, tightly clutched together.

Venti laughed again, but clutched at his ribcage, a grimace forming on his face. "Human bodies are rather weak. Take no offense to this, I'm a god after all, and I've had many forms," he began, a grin smeared on his face. "When I'm not head-over-heels drunk at Angel's Share, I do tend to pay attention to prayers. And you, Sucrose, caught me on a good day.

"So, in answer to your prayer, I just wanted to say that I gave you that Vision because you have one quality that all other anemo users have."

Sucrose raised an eyebrow. "W-What would that be?"

"Besides being undeniably adorable, you have hope," the archon explained, laying it out as though all the problems in the world had just been solved. "Of course, this isn't the only reason -- you're brilliant, determined, and you have a passion to explore as much as you can."

Blushing under Venti's praise, Sucrose couldn't respond with anything more than wide eyes and a dropped jaw.

Venti took a sip of water from his bedside table and placed the glass in front of Sucrose. "You see how this glass is scratched? Beaten up? It's even got a chip in it, right there."

Sucrose nodded, confused as to where the archon was going with this.

"This glass is you," Venti said. "All of your imperfections, all of your dents and bruises and mistakes. But the glass still works, right?

"You were given your Vision, like every other Vision holder, not because you were perfect, but because you" -- Venti suddenly tossed the glass into the air -- "can improve."

When he caught the glass again, Sucrose saw no more scratches or cracks in the transparent surface.

"You will, in time, smooth out your imperfections and learn from your mistakes," Venti added, putting the glass back on the table. "But until then, keep screwing up, because Celestia above knows I do, and I'm a god."

Sucrose nodded. "I-I think I understand," she mumbled. "Thank you."

"Yeah, of course, that's what god best friends are for!" Venti responded, grinning.

Sucrose nodded, a smile gracing her lips. Venti motioned for her to come closer and he dragged a hand over her stab wound. When he pulled his hand away, only bloodstained clothes remained, no injury.

Sucrose stared agape at her torso where her wound had just been. "Wow," she breathed.

"Oh, and uh," the god started. "Keep him close. Your lover. You know- Albert? Alfred?"

"Albedo, sir," Sucrose corrected.

"Right, Albedo," Venti exclaimed. "He's a good one. He loves you more than you know."

When Sucrose came out of the hospital wing, Albedo was the only one left in the hallway. He rushed towards her and grabbed her by the shoulders.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, worry creasing his face.