"murder", he says | xiaoven x reader

chapter thirty one

please please know that this chapter has graphic depictions of things similar to an overdose!!! take care of yourselves :(((

"do you know where any of these offering alters are?" you ask venti as the three of you head out of the city, xiao shyly linked his hand with yours once out- venti opting to skip ahead.

"yeah- theres one at the entrance of old mond, then one at the bottom of the north east of dragonspine. some people also lay flowers at windrise." he explains.

you hum. "that's more than I expected... I thought I wasn't too well known..."

"course not. you're mentioned plenty in the sermons at the church. and everyone kind of freaked out more than I thought they would at the news..." venti laughs sheepishly.

first you all head to windrise. venti and xiao leave you to your offerings. venti shows xiao how to find the most comfortable places in the tree- and xiao shows venti the most efficient ways to catch crystalflies.

they sit side by side in the tree above you, in ventis favourite spot, as xiao explains just why crystalflies are so fascinating. venti listens with a smile.

as venti said, there was mainly flowers lay here for you- but a lot of them, at that. it made you a bit nervous. one note lay in the middle addressed to yourself. you open it gently, finding it to be written by a child.

it's a prayer, and in the prayer it asks to offer protection against sickness over the child's family. his grandma is poorly, you see. jobs like these were your least favourite when you ruled- because you were unable to heal them directly. you could only guide others to a positive outcome. turning a doctors page to help spark an idea, perhaps- a blessing of health was usually the simplest option, but that didnt guantee anything. the worst times are when all you can offer is a peaceful death.

you sigh, blessing the boys prayer with health none the less, noting to follow up on the support he needs.

you look back to the flowers, smiling softly. it felt nice to be offered worship.

you stand, looking up at the two boys who chat. venti was telling xiao about how he liked to throw things at people from the tree- about how they've never found out it was him. xiao snorted and covered his mouth and one story, but you didn't hear. you wave at them both, yawning shortly after. gosh. you sleep has been worse lately.

they both climb down and you all head to stormterrors lair, deciding to head to dragonspine last. venti leads you all to the next alter, finding that this one has stone monuments and a table that was set with candles. other gifts lay there, too such as food and gold. you should somehow let them know to not offer such things to you, but to eachother or themselves. it's stupid to waste it.

many more prayers were left at this alter, not all paper. small whisps you're unsure if venti and xiao could see circled the monuments. you reach out to them, flinching back as one curls around your arm. it felt warm and a young woman's voice enters your head- and your hear her prayers as if she is asking of them now. it's less of a prayer- more of a welcome.

"prayers that are left at places of worship stay there till the god collects them, only you can see them. they can't be disturbed by anyone else." venti explains.

"do these lay at your statues?" you ask and he nods.

"do you listen to them?"

"I try to, but they can be overwhelming. take your time with them. the people understand that not all prayers can be answered. and not all should."

you nod, noticing that xiao stood closer to the entrance of the lair, spear in hand- put guard not up. venti walks over whilst you listen to prayers.

"penny for your thoughts?" venti asks, xiao turns his head to look at him, looking away soon after.