Nobilis Custos

Vault of Heaven

3rd person's POV

After that night, Aether keeps a close eye on the goddess without letting others suspect a thing. He stays wherever she is, more distant than Izel but observes just as much.

He watches how a timeless deity's knowledge of the arts is passed down to Barbara and to the ones who partecipates, then blends all into perfection when the rehearsal takes place. Paimon enjoys herself so much, to the point of being their personal number one fan, and when it's asked to do a chorus for the audience, she takes the task seriously. Scene that makes Izel and Jala giggle, without mentioning that the lattest joins her in those spruts of joy.

Aether also accepted the fact that Jala has bonded with him a lot, way more than the other servants. Shyly, as if he saw himself as a bother, Jala asked every single day to accompany and help the Traveller with his daily quests, weekly commissions and any other job that fell at hand. Aether didn't mind, actually he was glad to have more hands around, instead of gliding Jala flew him around, watched his back when fightning bounties, and even offered to teach him elemental tricks or new swordmanship skills, since the owl-boy, like his companions, is master of two weapons.
In all of this, Jala never requested once to be compensated. He happily tagged along, insisting that all the rewards were for Aether and Paimon, not for him. Thanks to Paimon though and some stubborness from the same Traveller, he managed to offer him food at the end of the day.

Spending those days balancing a watchful eye and moments of laughter and peace, the day of the last rehearsal arrives. Which means that the concert is literally hours away.
Venti went all in, he let his mouth run as wild as he could, so now the whole town is sat on the ground at the plaza to witness in silence the artists practice. He sponsored the event as a collaboration between Mond's famous artists and The Storytellers.

The people of Mondstadt of course know who represent them, but they are rather interested about the other people coming from abroad. They never heard of that group, therefore curiosity is normal.

"Sensei, your song closes the shows!" Venti trots to her when he ends his melody. "Are you ready to sing goodnight to the audience?"

"That's not fair though!" Paimon intervenes with a pout. "You all wear the pretty costumes, why Lady Y/n does not yet?"

"I appreciate the thought, Paimon." the Noble ruffles the little's head with a smile. "I asked Ahl to leave mine for last. I believe they might be not ready yet."

"That stupid will spend much more time on Sensei's dresses, so to be in time, Sensei stayed behind so we all could look good." replies Venti, he himself is siding with Paimon, not pleased to see his dear mentor with her usual white plain dress.

"Who are you callin' stupid, hah!?" talking of the devil, Ahlstarr arrives escorted by his teammates. "Milady, your dresses are ready, ornaments such as hairpins, tiaras, rings, bracelets and shoes are also ready for each outfit dedicated to each song."

"We came with stuff, master!" Jala is excited and points at the dragon with a bright smile.

"I allowed myself to read through the program of the various nights." Ahlstarr advances with an alluring stride, so elegant yet dominant, even his heels echo throughout the whole town. "I've noticed that the closure song will always be sang by you, milady. Seeing that you will sing it now, I thought to give our patreons a taste of what they'll witness in a few hours. The closure dress is in here, please allow me to dress you myself, my master."

"Your wish is granted, my boy." the Noble holds her hand out to lay on the man's knuckles as he escorts her away to deliver the surprise of his skills when used for a beauty of a god.