"Don't rush. Let's take it one question at a time." Bonanus gently pushed Amber back. The girl was getting so excited. Clearly, Collei meant a lot to her.
Hearing this, Amber realized she had been impolite. She scratched her head and sat back down apologetically.
"Sorry. I got too excited. It's just... it's Collei." Amber shook her head helplessly. Even though she and Collei exchanged letters often, she still missed her.
And Collei had Eleazar, a dangerous condition. It was really worrying. How was she doing?
"I understand. You're good friends. Collei is doing well now. She studies hard with her teacher every day. She's improving a lot." Bonanus smiled.
"I know. Collei mentioned it in her letters. Her teacher's name is Tighnari." Amber nodded. Collei always shared her experiences with them.
"So, has Collei's condition improved? When I first met her, she looked very weak. Her face was pale."
"Collei will get better eventually. But there's a price to pay. Don't worry, it won't hurt her." Bonanus shook her head slightly. That price was no small thing.
"That's good. When she's fully healed in Sumeru, I'll make sure she comes back to Mondstadt to enjoy the festivals again." Amber's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Just like back then. Collei must have grown up and matured by now. She couldn't wait to see her again.
"You two have a wonderful relationship." Bonanus smiled lightly. She knew Collei, but Collei didn't know her.
"Of course. That girl is very kind." Amber said seriously. But thinking about what that kind child had gone through made her angry.
Those people were terrifying. They would do anything for their experiments. It was disgusting.
But then she thought about Collei's upcoming recovery, and she smiled again. The illness that had plagued her for so long was finally coming to an end.
Watching Amber lost in thought, Bonanus couldn't help but think of Xiao. What was that shorty doing now? Probably lying on the roof of Wangshu Inn, quietly staring at the stars.
She just hoped that drunkard Venti would finish healing her soon. She really wanted to go back to Liyue and see her three family members.
---
The two girls sat in comfortable silence, each lost in thoughts of friends or loved ones.
Just as they were sitting there spacing out, a pleasant sound reached their ears. It was the music of a bard's instrument.
The melody was very gentle. It seemed to have a magical quality that could calm a restless heart.
Combined with the bard's soft voice, it was impossible not to get lost in it.
The story he sang was about Mondstadt's past. But it wasn't a sad tale. It was a love story.
For a moment, the lively party fell silent. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to the bard.
That included Amber and Bonanus. Good music always caught people's attention.
But after a moment, Bonanus noticed something was off.
Wait... this guy... It was Venti. Was this boyish figure here to mooch drinks again?
As Mondstadt's Anemo Archon, he was a shameless freeloader. She couldn't help but facepalm.
But she had to admit, his music and storytelling were top notch. As expected of Mondstadt's god.
Still, she could say with certainty that Master Diluc's wine would be thoroughly freeloaded tonight.
That was something Venti did often.
Sometimes the Anemo Archon would pay, but his Mora could barely buy half a bottle. It was only enough for one gulp.
"What a pathetic god." Bonanus muttered under her breath. Then she settled in to enjoy the love story.
---
"Rona, will you accept me? Even if the world mocks you for becoming a hunter's wife?"
"I will, Credo. Even if the world mocks us, my love for you will never change..."
"Thus, the two lovers loved each other deeply. Even though the girl was a noble lady and the boy was just a simple hunter."
"They left Mondstadt, the place where they first fell in love, and began their journey~"
Venti played his instrument rhythmically. The story ended perfectly with the word "journey." He took off his green hat, placed it over his chest, and smiled at the crowd.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
The story ended, and everyone applauded. It was a truly memorable love story. Some of the more sensitive female knights even shed tears.
Seeing how much everyone enjoyed the story, Venti smiled and walked through the crowd with his hat outstretched. Completely out of place, he said,
"Spare some change? Ehe~"
"Pfft." Bonanus couldn't help but laugh at his words. After telling the story, Venti was back to his real business.
Even though his words shattered the emotional atmosphere, people still donated. He deserved it.
"What a moving story..." Amber's eyes sparkled. The story was so romantic. She wondered if she would ever experience something like that.
She stood up, sighed, and said to Bonanus, "I'll be going now. It was nice meeting you."
"Goodbye. If you ever visit Liyue, come find me." Bonanus waved goodbye.
Watching Amber leave, "Another new friend today." Bonanus muttered. She wondered who she would meet next.
She thought Klee would be nice. Life was becoming more interesting.
She shook her head, pushing those thoughts aside. She put her hands behind her head, leaned back in her chair, and made a bored humming sound.
She watched the god wander around with his hat, begging for money. The scene looked ridiculous.
Among the Seven Archons, surely only this one would do something like this.
"I'm getting sleepy..."
Bonanus yawned and covered her mouth. From where she sat, she couldn't see the clock, so she had no idea what time it was.
The party was still going. She would just keep slacking off.
She rubbed her sore arms and pulled out the kamera Noelle had given her. She aimed it at Noelle, who was still surrounded by the crowd.
Click!
The kamera captured Noelle's shy expression. Bonanus planned to show it to her later. Noelle would probably try to bury herself in the ground.
Just thinking about it was funny.
"Oh, where did you get that kamera?"
Hearing the voice, Bonanus frowned slightly. She looked up from the kamera.
It was Venti.
He really was fast at collecting money. She had only taken one photo, and he had already finished.
"How was the haul?" Bonanus asked flatly.
"Thanks to you all, I made more than usual!" Venti stuck out his tongue and sat down naturally across from her.
"In a few days, you'll be able to go home." Venti set down his instrument and smiled at Bonanus.