"So you really came here just to 'play'?
Like… normal playing?"
Even after confirming multiple times, Venti still wasn't at ease.
He had no idea what Wendy had experienced in the past,
but he did know that her sense of "normal" was absolutely different from a human's.
If she said she wanted to "play,"
it might very well mean wiping a country off the map for entertainment.
After all—
the whole "fake Anemo Archon" incident?
She did that purely because she was bored and wanted something to do.
Which meant one thing:
Whenever Wendy wanted to do something, he had to make sure he understood exactly what she meant.
Otherwise, the consequences could be catastrophic.
"Is there such a thing as abnormal play?
What's your definition of abnormal?"
Wendy blinked innocently.
"Uh…"
—This was bad.
Venti suddenly realized a terrifying truth:
He couldn't explain every single thing to her.
Trying to teach Wendy what was "normal" would take him until the end of time.
But her worldview clearly didn't align with mortals'.
He needed some sort of rule she could follow—
otherwise, Mondstadt would be in chaos within a day.
"…Just don't do anything too excessive."
"Not excessive? Sure, I understand."
Wendy nodded immediately, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
Does she… actually understand?
Venti stared at her, uneasy.
Then a horrifying thought struck him—
Wait. What is her definition of "excessive"?
Ah… I can't do this…
The realization nearly broke him.
"What's wrong with you?
Are you okay?
Don't tell me my power is affecting you?
But I already suppressed it as much as possible."
Seeing his sour expression, Wendy actually looked concerned.
"It's nothing… just…
don't casually use your powers in Mondstadt.
Humans are fragile."
Venti finally found a sufficiently vague and comprehensive warning.
"If I have to use them, I will.
But don't worry—
I'm not interested in humans.
Well… only because it's you."
After thinking for a moment, Wendy answered with a straight face.
Venti: "…"
…Sigh.
Looking at the gray-haired girl in front of him, Venti exhaled slowly.
Was she kind or dangerous?
Childish or terrifying?
He couldn't tell.
Then again…
He wasn't exactly the virtuous saint the people imagined either.
"You seem… unhappy."
Seeing him silent, Wendy tilted her head.
"No, it's nothing.
As long as you don't disrupt the citizens' daily lives,
I'll be more than happy.
And Mondstadt always welcomes you."
If she behaved normally—
his definition of normal—
he actually didn't mind her visiting.
"Right, Wendy.
Can I ask you something?"
A question he'd held in his heart for a long time finally surfaced.
"Ask~"
"…Do you really look like this?"
He hesitated, but still asked.
The first time he saw Wendy, he had wanted to ask back then.
But the situation was chaotic,
so he never got the chance.
And subconsciously, he assumed she was mimicking his form—
since she called herself the Anemo Archon,
copying his appearance would make sense.
But after seeing her still using his face after all this time…
he couldn't help asking.
"What else?
Did you think I was pretending to be you?
Don't be so full of yourself."
Wendy shot him a mildly irritated look.
"…Then we really are… fated, huh.
To anyone else, we'd look like siblings—"
"No. Brother and older sister."
Wendy corrected him immediately.
Venti: "…"
"…Either works."
He muttered helplessly,
memories from a thousand years ago stirring in his heart.
That boy from long ago…
Even after so much time, he remembered everything.
But…
Was this really just a coincidence?
"Alright, let's go.
Jean still needs this office to work.
Mondstadt doesn't run without her."
Snapping back to reality, Venti knew it was time to explain everything to those waiting outside.
"Where do I stay?"
"…I'll have Jean arrange it.
Whatever you want, just ask."
With that, Venti and Wendy walked out.
"Basically, Wendy is going to stay in Mondstadt for a few days to have fun.
So… please help show her around."
Venti summarized Wendy's intentions as simply as he could.
Isn't this exactly how she 'played' last time…?
They really do look alike…
Kaeya muttered inwardly.
Venti wasn't… being threatened, right?
Wait—
Did he just wink at me?
Lumine looked completely lost.
She suspected Venti was being coerced.
"Mondstadt welcomes you, traveler brought by the wind."
Jean smiled warmly.
She didn't know what Venti and this girl had discussed,
but one thing was clear—
there wouldn't be a disaster today.
And that alone was a relief.
A Little Strategy Meeting
"So she's really just here to play?"
While Jean escorted Wendy to see her lodging,
The others gathered in the office for a quick emergency meeting.
"It's hard to believe, I know.
But that's the truth.
However… She's looking for something 'different' to play with.
Any ideas?"
Venti knew he needed all the help he could get.
He had to keep this little troublemaker entertained.
"You said before she likes ice cream and movies,
so we're thinking of making those."
Paimon explained.
"You guys know what those are?"
"Lumine does!
Ice cream is food,
and movies are like theater performances!"
Paimon added proudly.
"Good job, Lumine.
Anything else?
The more, the better."
"I have a gadget here.
It lets you see people's imaginary friends.
I think she'll like it."
Lisa lifted a monocle-like device with a playful smile.
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