Music to my Ears [(Y/n) x Venti]

Chapter 3

"The Goth Grand Hotel." I read the words aloud. It was quite grandiose for a couple of runaways from Liyue.

"Perhaps, there's something smaller around here?" Aster asked gingerly, afraid to give too much away.

"We're broke, okay?" Dahlia blurted out, causing our heads to turn to her. Everyone was staring at Dahlia, all except Johanne who was too busy chasing a butterfly nearby. "What? It's the truth."

Aster had a face I knew very well. It was the face that said, 'I'm going to smack you so hard when we're done with this...'.

We all turned to Venti, surprised when he started laughing. "My friends, you and I have share the same problem."

"It seems we do! So, any advice from one broke fellow to another? We need an affordable place to stay until we can get on our feet." I chimed in.

"There's a decent inn with comfortable housing near here. Although, it's pretty infamous, which isn't really surprising."

"Why's that?" I asked.

"Creeps, Lots of them. Rooms are cheap but perverts are many." Venti replied, losing the cheerful tone to his voice. "It's only 50 mora per night, although it's only this low because of this problem.

I thought for a second. You know what, those freaks will get what's coming for them if they dare lay a hand on my family, or anyone else for that matter. Time to teach them a lesson it seems they were never taught!

"Don't worry!" I said, turning to my family. "I've got that dagger for a reason. If I have to use it on some not so pleasant crooks, then the only bad thing about it would be my blood-stained clothes and the predicament of where to hide the body."

"(Y/n)!-" Aster warned, only to be cut off by the bard.

"Wonderful! I'm sure non of the townsfolk would mind. In fact, they'd probably thank you for it. Most of the creeps have wasted their life away and lost all family and friends. The only thing keeping them going are the drinks and women they can get their hands on. Not exactly a good morale, if you get what I mean."

"I..." Aster hesitated, not sure with what to do.

"I'll be your protecter. It seems the traveler Sam has taken a liking to you, and made me promise to take care of you. I'm not one to break promises. So, if things get out of hand, my vision might come in more useful than I thought."

We all looked at Venti. He was no doubt powerful with his vision even if he didn't look like it, and an extra eye to look out for us was always useful.

  "What do you want in return?" I glanced at him, persuaded that he he wanted something out of this.

  Venti simply shrugged. "A place to stay would be nice, although I won't force it on you. I sleep anywhere just fine. Even the floor would work."

  "But of course. You've already been quite the help for us and repaying you for your kind deeds is only fair." Aster smiled meekly.

I was a bit annoyed at her willingness to repay people. She's always been like this, and I guess at times it can't be helped, but she has to learn how to say no too.

  "Well? Aren't you gonna show us the way?" Dahlia asked, bored with just standing around.

  "Of course!" Venti chuckled.
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  "We'll get two rooms please." Aster told the bulky man running the inn.

  He scoffed and gave her the side eye. "Pretty ones like you don't usually last very long. You'd better leave before the drunkards see you."

  "Two rooms please. That's all we asked for. Thanks for your concern but let's leave it at our one request." I blurted out, returning a steely gaze.

  "You know what? You got spirit, I'll give you that. Don't say I didn't warn you though." He shrugged his shoulders, turning to a wall of keys and picking two out for us. "Here you go. It'll be 100 mora for the night."

  A pouch clanked onto the counter as Aster paid the amount asked for. Dahlia stayed not far behind her, holding Johanne tightly by the hand. Venti scanned the room, looking for trouble.

  "You won't find them here. The bar's just one room down, although by now they've claimed the entirety of it."

We thanked the man and swiftly made our way to two little rooms right by each other. Each contained two beds and a small desk and chair in the corner. Square windows let in golden sunlight, the sign of a day nearing its end.

  "I'll take this bedroom." I called, looking towards Dahlia. The other bed would be hers.
  Aster agreed to share the other room with Johanne, leaving only our dear bard.

"I hope you don't mind sharing with the girls. Johanne is quite fussy, especially when it's time for bed. Of course, you do trust you three to behave..." Aster warned, glaring at each of us.

"Don't worry! All I'm looking for is a good night's sleep, that's all." Venti laughed, shaking his head.

After Aster had taken Johanne to their room, I flopped unto my small bed and sighed contentedly. Although anyone could tell this was a cheap mattress with washed out sheets and flimsy pillows, it reminded me of our little, ugly home in Liyue. To be fair, we did have thicker blankets, but they weren't really useful on hot summers like the ones we endured.

I could almost smell the stuffiness of the home now: musty and mellow. It always smelled of food, perhaps from the restaurant right above our shabby little place. My vision blurred as I remembered the smooth cobbled roads of bustling Liyue and the cool shadowed paths going into alleyways. I could hear the salesmen's voices in my ear as they called out their fresh produce. Yellow and green leaves glided elegantly in the gentle breeze, giving the harbor an inexplicable sense of elegance.

"Hey, you ok?" I heard Dahlia's voice in my ear.
I looked up from the pillow I was now hugging to my face. A hot tear slid down my cheek, and I tried blinking the rest back. Looking at her now would make me release all those emotions.

"I'll be right back..." I got up in a heartbeat, rushing out the door. Dahlia's voice was a mere whisper to my ringing ears. I didn't know which way I was going, nor did I care. I just had to get away so I could calm my thoughts.

I bumped into a broad chest and backed up, looking like a deer caught in the headlights. I hadn't realized how far my feet had taken me, and I didn't recognize any of the surrounding halls.

"You lost?" A man spoke, fumes spilling out of his mouth when he did. In one hand, he held the scorched butt of a cigar. In the other was an unopened bottle of something, presumably beer.

"No, I just took a wrong turn, that's all." I fidgeted with my fingers, not looking at the man.

"A wrong turn you say?" This time, a second voice spoke, gruffer and more slurred than the first. "Where are you headed? We'll take you there." He chuckled.

I resisted the urge to run, convinced that these two would be faster. My heart beat loudly in my chest, and I was sure they heard it by the sadistic smiles on their faces. They were enjoying this.

"No, that's alright. I told you, I just took a wrong turn." My hand slowly fastened onto the hilt of the dagger at my waist. They didn't seem to notice.

"Actually," the man began, "you've got it all wrong. We weren't asking."

My heart lurched and my legs moved on their own. I knew it was now or never. Before both of them knew it, I was running back from the way I came.

Author's Note!

Sorry if it took a while for this chapter to come out. I tend to stress myself out by putting too many things on my plate, as is the case this time around. I hope anyone reading this could please be patient as I work to get these next few chapters out. Thanks for reading!