Rewind | Genshin Impact

Chapter 32

Kazuha and Venti didn't exchange a single word, the only sounds meeting their ears was the background chatter from the other drunkards at the bar, fingers drumming against the table and the soft sound of alcohol bottles being picked up, drunk from, then placed back down. 

Venti couldn't bring himself to say anything, really. Being so consumed with worry and confusion. 

Xiao was all alone with Scaramouche. Even though the midnight haired man claimed that he wasn't the murderer, that still didn't prove much. Although, yet again, Venti didn't see Scaramouche as the type of person to lie about this sort of thing, he seemed more of the type to actually gloat about murdering someone. Despite how messed up that is.

Venti shook his head, snapping out of his thoughts. It's okay. It'll be okay. Xiao can look after himself. Besides, it's not like they're going to discuss evil schemes. He can trust Xiao after all, right? Xiao hadn't done anything to betray his trust, had he?

He can trust Xiao, right?

Venti felt an uneasy feeling begin to stir in his stomach as bile rose up to his throat. Xiao was always so secretive, everything he said was cryptic. As if he couldn't reveal too much.

But this was Xiao, he obviously had a good reason for being like that. What that reason was, Venti didn't know. But it would be a good one, Venti was sure of it.

But then why did Xiao say that thing earlier, about him and Scaramouche being previously connected? It didn't make sense. What business could Xiao possibly have with Scaramouche?

These thoughts were dangerous, and bad. Venti quickly shook his head again in another desperate attempt to get them out of his head. The worst thing he could possibly do right now was not trust Xiao, he couldn't do this alone.

Kazuha, seemingly, had noticed Venti's inner confliction. The white haired man eyed the bard curiously before questioning, "are you alright, Venti? Apologies if I am being intrusive however I couldn't help but notice you shake your head a few times."

Oh, right, Kazuha was still here. Venti chuckled nervously, "mhm, yeap, fine, perfectly fine, in fact I've never been better, mhm." He rambled on, as he hastily grabbed an alcohol bottle from the middle of the table and took a swing. "Never better..."

Kazuha looked at him again, as if he was examining him, before he merely shrugged and looked away. "If you insist that to be the case.." He mumbled softly, staring up into space for a few seconds before he spoke again, quietly. "I assume that whatever they are speaking of, it isn't something we should concern ourselves with."

Venti sighed at this, leaning his head tiredly on the table, worry still twisting in his stomach. "I feel like we don't have enough alcohol.." He slurred, about to get up to try and make his way to the counter so he could order something stronger, however he was interrupted by two tense men walking up the stairs to the second floor, over to their table again.

"You're back." Kazuha stated simply, however there was suspicion lacing his words. Scaramouche sighed in exasperation, leaning against the nearby wall with his arms crossed. Venti's gaze travelled over to Xiao who looked troubled and tired. 

Awkward silence filled up the atmosphere, unnerving Venti. Luckily, it seemed to have a similar affect on Scaramouche as he coughed slightly.

"We should go." He simply stated, as he walked over to the table and held out a hand for Kazuha, meanwhile Xiao just grunted and signalled for Venti to get up.

The walk out of the bar was quiet. Venti was so conflicted in his mind that he didn't even bother to try and lighten the mood. What was the point anyway? The others would soon enough forget this whole thing ever happened. 

"So, you and Xiao have got close?" Venti jumped at the sudden voice, as he hurriedly looked to his left and saw Scaramouche walking along side him. Surprisingly, Kazuha and Xiao were up front, walking side by side silently. Venti hadn't even noticed he had fell behind.

"Uh... Yeah..." Venti mumbled nervously, feeling his palms begin to get sweaty and his heart begin to race, wanting more then anything to put a 1000 foot pole between himself and the navy blue haired man next to him.

"I was observing you, you trust him." Scaramouche nodded towards Xiao, the green haired man seemingly deep in thought and oblivious to the conversation happening behind him.

"Uh, I guess.." Venti trailed off nervously, a soft chuckle following his words. "Did uh, did he tell you what you wanted to know?" He then questioned, but then regretted it immediately afterwards.

Surprisingly, Scaramouche only shot him an amused look. "Yes, you could say that." He replied softly, as he held his hands behind his back and skipped a bit in a very innocent manner, presumably to look non-threatening. Venti was a drunkard, overly trusting bard, but that didn't mean he was stupid, even when drunk he could make somewhat sense of a situation. He didn't know what Scaramouche was trying to achieve, and didn't really want to find out.

"Hm, you know he spoke of you." Scaramouche then shrugged nonchalantly, Venti gave the other man a once over, and despite his better judgement jumped to the bait. 

"He did?" He asked curiously.

"Mmmm - the two of you seem to be playing detective together. He didn't tell me what you exchange, but apparently you confide in each other." Scaramouche's gaze drifted over to Venti, examining him. The bard nodded his head slowly.

"I-" he began, quickly hesitating before pushing past it. "I trust him.."

"I don't doubt it." Scaramouche said quietly. "However, I assume you've heard of the saying, keep your friends close and your enemies closer."