#6ale

[Teapot, Anemo Manor]

Knock Knock Knock

Venti:*opens door* Ah, a new guest! Hello.

Jahoda:Hi. Uhh, I was told my living quarters were here. I’m Jahoda by the way.

Venti:Hello, fellow archer. Your arrival was mentioned. I’m Venti, best bard in Mondstadt. A pleasure to meet you.

Jahoda:The best bard huh? That’s gotta be hard in a place where there’s so many. Thanks for having m-

Venti:Up! Up! Up! Before you come in, you must pass the trial. It’s a tradition that all of us partake in before entry.

Jahoda:That sounds like hazing.

Venti:Pfft, nooo.

Lynette & Faruzan:Yes.

Venti:It’s nothing dangerous in the slightest. Pay them no mind.

Jahoda:What exactly is this trail? Do I swear an oath? Find some Anemo sigil or something.

Venti:Nope! This house requires…a song.

Jahoda:…What?

Venti:A song. Any song! Pick something true to yourself and sense of style; sing your heart into and your room is yours.

Jahoda:But that’s embarrassing! I’m not a singer!

Venti:Everyone has a song in their heart!

Jahoda:*looks inside* Huh….

Scara:Take it from me, you will never see your bed until he’s satisfied. He might also suddenly ask you to help with a spontaneous performance in exchange for peace and quiet for a month.

Venti:That’s a him problem. It’s a one time fee. Anything otherwise just…happens.

Jahoda:Yeah, no. I’m really not cut out for this. I can steal something! I’m good at that! Just let me in please!!

???:No place to stay?

Jahoda:*turns around*

Ineffa:I’m sure if I ask Keqing and make some space, nobody would mind if you slept in my room.

Jahoda:…..

xxxxxxx

Faruzan&Sayu: 🎶Hey! Hey! You! You!

Jahoda: 🎶I don't like your girlfriend!

Venti&Lynette:🎶No way! No way!

Jahoda: 🎶I think you need a new one!

Faruzan&Sayu:🎶Hey! Hey! You! You!

Jahoda:🎶I could be your girlfriend!

Kazuha guitar riff

Jean&Sucrose:🎶Hey! Hey! You! You!

Jahoda:🎶I know that you like me!

Lan Yan&Ifa:🎶No way! No way!

Jahoda:🎶No it's not a secret!

Jean&Sucrose:🎶Hey! Hey! You! You!

Jahoda:🎶I want to be your girlfriend!

Kazuha guitar riff

Jahoda:*red* 🎶You're so fine, I want you mine, you're so delicious!🎶

🎶I think about you all the time, you're so addictive.🎶

🎶Don't you know what I can do to make you feel alright?🎶

shakes out braids

Jahoda:*grips mic* 🎶Don't pretend, I think you know I'm damn precious.🎶

🎶And hell yeah, I'm the motherfuckin' princess!🎶

🎶I can tell you like me too, and you know I'm right.🎶

🎶She's like, so whatever!🎶

🎶You could do so much better~🎶

🎶I think we should get together now…🎶

🎶AND THAT’S WHAT EVERYONE’S TALKIN' ABOUT!🎶

Ineffa:Is this rejection or acceptance?

Aether:It’s Jahoda…

Why do I even care, I don’t really look at the anemo boys that much. Maybe I just like clever nicknames.

When the 7th one comes out I suggest 7ornado.

Venti:Lynette!!!!!! My lovely magical feline! A bard requires your assistance!

Lynette:I don’t sing.

Venti:But Sucrose got siiiiick!

Lynette:Why do you manage two separate singing groups?

Venti:There’s a song in every anemo heart~

Lynette:Not this one. Sorry.

Venti:That’s not what a certain someone said.

Her head slowly turns towards Lyney. Before he could die, he quickly pointed over to the workbench at a petrified Freminet.

Lynette:So the betrayal comes from the youngest?

Freminet:I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was a secret. I just…mentioned how nice your singing was whenever we went fishing.

Lynette:…It’s not your fault.

Lyney:You were ready to end my life!

Venti:Sooooo?

Lynette:*slouches* I don’t want to sing in front of people.

Venti:Preformers get free catering. All you can eat, with desserts from Escoffier.

Lynette:Siiiigh, just don’t expect anything amazing.

Lyney:May I come?

Lynette:Are you going to dress up as me and perform?

Lyney:We don’t sound the same.

Lynette:Then I guess you have your answer. *red* I don’t need you talking about this in the future.

Venti:I’ll tell the band!

Lynette:Hopefully the venue is small.

[Hotel Debord]

Lynette:He didn’t tell me it was in my nation.

Faruzan:*holding guitar* Isn’t that convenient for you?

Lynette:….At least it isn’t the grand theater. *peaks through curtain*

Venti:*checking lists*

Lyney&Freminet:*waiting tables*

Lynette:This is why I have trust issues.

Aether:*walks up* You ladies ready?

Sayu:The new girl might kill her someone. *taps drums*

Aether:That’s reasonable. Good luck everyone. Lynette, just remember, a good performance means Venti leaves faster. He also had your favorites cooked.

Lynette:How do you deal with him?

Aether:He wouldn’t make you do something you weren’t good at, or would harm you. *smiles* Bye!

Jean:*holding bass* He’s unfortunately correct.

Lynette:Any advice?

Jean:Start with your eyes close. Also-

xxxxxxx

Furina:*eating cake* Are they ready?

Aether:There might be a murderer.

Furina:What?

The sound of a lone guitar and the pattering cymbals hushed everyone from beyond the curtain. As it opened, a soft, caring voice came out immediately as the lights centered on her closed eyes.

Lynette:

🎶You ought to know that

I think we're one and the same

I don't think we could help it

No, I don't think we could help it🎶

She opens her eyes, focusing straight ahead at her family to pretend it was another fishing trip.

🎶We don't talk much

Guess 'cause nothing has changed

And I'm not sure I like it

And I'm so tired of fighting

If I told you, you know how to

Go and break my heart in two~

'Cause I would anyways

We'd end up like always

You know me, you better show me

That you could say it to my face

'Cause you know we're the same

There's worse things I can take🎶

Why was this working so well? Not only did this feel unusually natural, but the captivated smiles of her brothers and their subtle sway had her own body moving in rhythm. So this what’s like to be the lead. She couldn’t say she saw the appeal altogether, but seeing those two faces watch her made it easier to understand.

🎶I know you hate it

When there's nothing to say

I'm not quite sure we'd fix it

Guess we're so used to it

Wish I had known this

From the beginning

We find it hard to work out

Why we have all this doubt🎶

6ALE:

🎶If I told you, you know how to

Go and break my heart in two

'Cause I would anyways

We'd end up like always

You know me, you better show me

That you could say it to my face

'Cause you know we're the same

There's worse things I can take~ 🎶

The crowd began to sway along with the feline as the instrumental took the lead. Venti was very pleased with himself.

Navia:I didn’t know she could sing. They should work that into their magic!

Clorinde:All these campaigns and she’s never picked the bard…

Furina:Speaking of which…Venti, I recommend leaving before she gets off stage.

Venti:It’s fine. If she’s like her Father, then she’ll wait till night to attack me.

Furina:…*takes another bite*

Lynette:*happily swaying*