#choco.asks

The rapid switch from disgust to fear and respect on their faces repulsed you. But your expression remained the same, dull and tired.

"Any punishment you see fit," Their voices were shaky as they knelt, "We'll accept in stride."

Your eyes looked down on them without a shred of satisfaction or even relief. In fact, a frown tugged down at your lips, "So now you say that... Why is that? That you only take it back now."

Excuses bubbled up to their lips, lame and poorly thought out. Nothing that would hold any weight in your heart so you never let them start.

"I don't want anything you weren't willing to give me before," You hung your head, tired and dull eyes meeting those of the kneeling archons, "So kill me. Finish what you've started and kill me like you would have killed me if I were human. Show us how cruel you are."

The archons eyes were fear-stricken and wild, protests escaping their mouth without a second thought, begging you for a shred of kindness.

"We could never do something like that to you-" The title was on the tip of the archer's tongue. His anemo-infused arrow had struck your body a plethora of times, always leaving you with a numb limb. He, in fact, had been the reason you were caught today. He had managed to get strikes in both of your legs, causing you to be immobile for a bit.

"But you could." Your voice was quiet but sharp, cold but so very tired, "You were about to. There's nothing different now, so come on." Annoyance edged its way into your tone, you had to grit your teeth to stop the tears from blurring your vision, "Kill me like you were just about to. Kill me like you've been longing to for the past few months."

The archons had no words, only anguish as their bodies shook. They could never kill you, their god, but they had been so close to doing so. The true reality of what they almost did sunk in, and they were sure this was the worst point in their entire lives.

But you weren't done, you were serious in your claims for execution, and you weren't going to stop until you were dead by the archons' hands.

Their words hit your ears, "They look like... their excellency! Could it be..." Faintly, you recognized it as Jean, the dandelion knight.

"Their excellency?" The traveler questioned, "Who's that? This is..."

"The person who's been controlling you!" Paimon shouted , her awfully butchered voice brought a brief wave of amusement to your flatlining brain, "You know? That voice we hear sometimes?”

Your traveler made an understanding noise, and the three continued to talk about things you couldn’t care to wrap your head around. Your brain made a note, it knew you should be concerned about the fact that they could hear you, yet you couldn’t bring yourself to actually care.

You felt a hum bubble in the back of your throat, you wanted to tell them that you heard them, but you couldn't bring yourself to even attempt the vibrating in your throat. You just sat there, a slight frown tugging at your lips. The only indication of you being alive was the rise and fall of your chest, and the inconsistent blinking of your eyes.

“We should take them back to Mondstadt.” Jean’s sweet voice bubbled up out of the deep water you were floating through.

Maybe you should just go back to sleep...

Your heart stopped for a moment as strong arms from years of training wrapped around your backside and legs. Your breath stopped and your eyes focused in enough for you to look at Jean, who was holding you. Her eyes met yours for a moment and she smiled, breathtaking and beautiful.

Her mouth moved and yet only half of the words actually made it past the film over your ears, "-lency... you oka... we'll be... soon..."

Her gloved hand gently touched your forehead, your eyes drifted shut. Your head tilting in towards her chest to hide yourself from the sun. Maybe, if you went to sleep, you'd wake back up in your bed.

So you ignored the voices calling gently out to you.

*~

You did not, in fact, wake up back in your bed. But the bed you did wake up in was far more comfortable than one you'd ever been in before. So soft and welcoming, when you finally gained consciousness, you didn't want to leave. The clean, cool sheets, the pillows urging you to keep your head laid against them.

Nothing worried you here, nothing could hurt you here. You wanted to stay here for a bit longer...

A soft knock interrupted your dozy state, and your eyes opened blearily. With a soft groan, you forced your body to sit up. You couldn't exactly force your body to sleep anymore than it already had. Well, you could but you didn't really feel like it anymore.

In fact, you didn't really feel like doing anything anymore.

Your stomach churned, your chest hot and heavy, the heat tickling your throat and threatening bile to rise out of your mouth.

Maybe if you just... stayed still, and ignored the door opening, you'd be okay...

The feeling didn't go away, but the pair of bright teal eyes above you did distract you from the feeling of your insides burning. Just a bit.

The bright smile, too, as he saw your eyes. No matter how wilted they appeared, he couldn't help how bright his hues shone at the notion that you were finally gazing upon him with no screen or filter.

You were here.

Something passed by his lips, the honorific title they'd been using, you were sure, but it didn't get past your ears. Something you just couldn't hear.

"Venti..." You croaked out, just then realizing how dry your throat was. You cleared your throat and you faintly heard Venti ask a nearby person to fetch you some water, "Venti," You said, this time much more clearly, "What's... happening..?" You groaned as the world spun, you closed your eyes and buried them in the palms of your hands but the feeling persisted.

"Oh dear," He sat next to you on the bed and held his hands in yours, gently pulling them away from your face, "You don't look okay."

The person- who you couldn't bring yourself to identify- handed Venti the water and he gently held it.

"Here," He said the stupid title again, "We're going to be doing a little game, okay?"

You stared up at him quizzically but ever-so-slightly nodded.

"Thank you. Can you tell me five things you can see?" He smiled softly.

Your eyes fluttered up at him, bewildered. You knew this...

You pointed at him, he nodded encouragingly. Then the cup, the bed, the door, and finally a miscellaneous painting on the wall. One you hadn't noticed was there until just then.

"Perfect! Now, tell me four things you can feel."

"Your hand." You idly rubbed your fingers against his palm.

He nodded enthusiastically, "Good!"

"The blankets." Your hand ran over the sheets and in your head you repeated the fact that this was real and you were here, "The cup," You reached out to touch the cool glass, "Your hair," You gently touched the strands, "and... the drawer." You reached over to touch the wood of the bedside table.

"Very good-!" He said the title again.

"(Y/n)." You said with a grimace.

"Pardon?" He tilted his head.

"That's my name. Use it. Not that dumb title."

Venti's breath hitched in his throat, but he smiled gently and nodded, "Of course, (Y/n)."

The name felt like a wave against your skin, cool and refreshing and quelling the burning tightness in your chest. You gently grabbed onto the glass of water, your hands weak and shaky, and Venti helped you drink it greedily.

"Now... (Y/n)," There was an odd giddiness when he spoke your name but you opted to ignore it, "Three things you can hear." He held three fingers up, a cute smile on his lips.

It was odd how pretty looked... how real he looked. It made your head spin, everything was making your head spin. It hurt so much...

"Your voice." You croaked out, "My voice..." You strained your ears to hear other noises, "A... lyre... from outside." The corners of your lips twitched up.

"Do you like the lyre?" Venti tilted his head, staring at your smile with a dreamy smile of his own.

You nodded with a hum, "It's pretty. The bards here are so talented... I'd... I'd like to play the lyre..." You muttered, mostly to yourself.

"I can make that happen!" Venti giggled, "But I need you to finish the game first."

Your eyes met his, the eye contact made your head ache, but it was getting better. He was real, this was all proof of it.

You smiled at him, genuinely and nodded. He beamed.

"Two things you can smell." He held up the amount of fingers.

You paused and inhaled deeply, "The sheets were newly washed... I can smell that..."

"Mhm," Venti encouraged with an enthusiastic nod.

"And uhm..." Your eyes scanned for something you could smell, finally drinking in your surrounding of large and luxurious room. You were in Mondstadt, but none of the buildings looked as though they had a room this grand in it.

Your eyes locked onto the pretty cecilia on Venti's hat, and you leaned forward to sniff it. The refreshing scent seemed to almost surround all of Venti with a comforting earthy feel, "Your cecilia." You sat back down.

His cute round face, so surreal and breathtaking up close, was dusted in a pink hue.

"Ah," He chuckled, his eyes glowing in an otherworldly way. You weren't sure if it was because of his archon status, or because you weren't used to how... different this world felt. He gently took the flower from his hair and offered it to you, "Would you like to have it your grace? I can always find more. Plus, it'd look much prettier on you than it would me." He giggled, a sweet smile on his lips.

Your eyes widened, shifting over to the flower now being held in front of you. Gently, you gripped it and held it up to your face.

"Here," Venti tenderly took it back from your hands and intertwined the flower into your hair. Once it was snugly in, he retracted his hands and grinned, "Hehe, looks like I was right! It looks much better." His eyes softened in adoration, a look that made your head spin and your hands to tighten on the blanket.

"Thank you." You chuckled, your knuckles turning white with how hard you were grabbing the blanket, trying to stay attached to your own body.

"Final one!" Venti held up his pointer finger, "One thing you can taste."

"...does the water count..?" You muttered, idly drinking the last bit of the drink.

Venti hummed, putting a hand to his chin in exaggerated thought in an attempt to make you smile.

It worked as the room seemed to brighten with your breathy laugh.

"Hmm, possibly... though water doesn't really have a taste does it? Oh!" Venti hit his fist against his palm as a thought came to his head, "If you want to leave the room, we can go get you something proper to eat? It'd be good for you to walk around a bit, usually that helps me when I'm feeling similar to how you are," he off-handedly mentioned, "Or I could just bring it up to you, whichever you prefer."

Your lips tugged down in thought, "...I..." You gingerly held his cloak between your pointer and thumb, "I don't want to be away from you for now... just... will it be loud outside? Lots of people?"

Venti grinned, an almost lovestruck look in his eyes. He soon snapped out of it, though, and answered, "Ah, I can make sure you don't get overwhelmed. And if the people become too much for you," He leaned in with a mischievous grin, "I can whisk you away!"

You blinked in surprise before a huge grin broke out onto your face and you giggled, "Thank you, Venti."

Venti stared for a moment at your bright smile and wondered what he did to be so lucky. He giggled along with you, hopping up from the bed and holding his hand out to you, "Well then, (Y/n), shall we go?"

You nodded, grabbing his hand and carefully getting off the bed. Your legs were weak, but you could walk so long as you didn't overexert yourself.

Venti led you out of the room carefully, and outside your room was two guards standing watch. Non-vision wielders so they were easy on the eyes, less confusing for your brain to wrap around.

You smiled warmly at them despite having no clue who they were, and they reveled in your warmth. Bowing lowly and greeting you, made you feel a tad dizzy due to how odd the interaction felt, but you paid attention to Venti's grip on your hand. His palm against yours and the padding of your feet, the way the halls were simply but nicely decorated. Venti's soft humming and the faint sound of voices and bards playing their tunes.

It made you giddy and put a spring in your step, almost walking ahead of Venti in your excitement.

Venti wrapped his arm around yours, leading you down the stairs as though you were some sort of royalty. The playfulness and lightheartedness of all his actions made the whole situation seem like a fun children's game. It eased the burden of knowing how deeply and severely your life has been thrown off the rails. He made you feel like things were okay.

And maybe, if he was by your side, it would be.

*~

The moment the two of you got downstairs, you were already feeling your consciousness retreating as more familiar faces flickered in the other room. A big, meeting room, you observed.

Your brain was so... tired. Retreating into the recesses of your brain was just the easiest thing to do. There was no longer a screen between you and Teyvat, so your mind created one and put you behind it. Making your body mush and constantly slipping into auto-pilot or just not moving, the world around you feeling a million miles away despite being right in front of you. You still weren't sure if all of this was real despite how real Venti's hand was. How real the noises were, how real-

"(Y/n)," Venti whispered into your ear, his breath hitting the sensitive skin, causing you to jump.

You blinked at him, he felt closer than ever. Probably because the both of your noses were an inch apart...

"Can you sprint? Not necessarily run but we have to be quick if we want to go past them." He gestured to the large meeting room, bustling with vision wielders, "I could always carry you," He whispered, "But it might make you dizzy, I just have to make sure."

"I'll be fine," You squeezed his hand, "Lead the way."

His heart skipped a beat and he nodded with a dumb grin. Swiftly walking into the busy room and sticking to the wall, almost running to the nearest exit.

You were both caught immediately.

They shouted dumb titles and familiar otherworldly faces blotted your vision.

Venti, without a moment's hesitation, scooped you up in his arms and fled the room in a gust of wind with only a "Gotta go!"

Probably not the best thing he could've said but it worked and next thing you knew the both of you were in the kitchen, your hair in slight disarray and a dumb grin on you and Venti's faces.

"Quick!" Venti giggled, a playfully dark and devious grin decorated his face, "Ei brought all sorts of sweets! Let's grab them and run!"

You drank in the scene, surely, this would've been a cutscene in Genshin...

But it was all real, all of it was fully rendered and animated because you were actually experiencing it. Not pauses for dialogue, this was real life.

And you were about to live it to the fullest, grabbing the Shogun's deserts with reckless abandon while voices shouted throughout the halls. As soon as you were close to being caught, you and Venti's arms filled with sugary delights, he took you both to the hands of his large statue. There, you two sat, drinking in and fully immersing you in Mondstadt, while you ate stolen goods, watching people frantically search for you. Realizing that you had an imapct on Teyvat, that you were real in this world.

Squeezing Venti's hand, you grinned as the sun beamed down on you two.

"Hey, (Y/n)," Venti poked your cheek. You didn't notice the amused lilt in his voice.

You hummed and turned to face him. Immediately, you were met with a face full of messy cake decorating your face. Only a few bites actually made it to your mouth.

You squealed in shock, Venti's laughter ringing down to the people below as they started to gather beneath the statue.

Your yell swiftly turned to laughter, "Oh, you'll pay for that Tone-deaf bard!" You growled, shoving a piece of tri-color dango onto his face. He sputtered and yelled, giggling madly.

With a sly and playful grin he licked your hand, "Ew!" You shouted, pulling away.

A passing knight had heard your heart-wrenching sobs and immediately came to your aid. She found you at the foot of the tree in Windrise, curled up and shaking with screaming sobs.

"Hey, hey," She cooed, gently touching your form, "What's wrong child?"

You winced at the unexpected touch as you cast your gaze up to meet the familar looking woman...

"Eu...Eula?" you sniffled between your erratic breaths, your voice high-pitched and a spark of hope ignited in your tone.

Eula's breath caught in her throat for two reasons.

1. You knew her name, does that mean you know her stautus as a part of Lawrence clan as well? You were so young but you could still know about her.

2. the way you said her name, was so hopeful. As though you knew her. But she had never seen you before-

The resemblence hit her in that moment as your eyes looked up to meet her, the same color as their creator's. Your hair as well, and while your phsyique wasn't yet matured it seemed to her that you were just... a child version of their creator. A carbon copy with the only difference being age.

It baffled her to no end but there was no eveidence of your diviness other than your uncanny resemblance to the creator. Her duty as a knight was to protect children and the creator, so either way she was doing her job.

After her long pause she had nodded, "Yes, I'm Eula. You are?"

You sniffled as she helped you to sit up, your cries calming down just a bit with her by your side, "(Y-y/n)."

Eula's confusion grew even more. That was the creator's name. It was illegal in all of the nations to name your child that name. It could be a nickname but that was deeply frowned upon if not illegal as well. Were your parents idiots? How did you come to know this as your name without being relentlessly ridiculed?

"Is that your real name or a nickname?" She asked gently, your tiny hands holding onto hers. Desperately seeking comfort that she did her best to provide you.

"R-real." You muttered, your own confusion starting to etch itself on your face, "My last name is (L/n) and I'm six years old!" You held up fingers.

Eula chuckled though she was still confused. She grabbed your other hand and gently held up a one combined with your five, "There. That's six."

"Oh! I'm six years old!" You tears seemed to have mostly dried up as you grinned up at her, proudly showing off your age with your fingers.

"Aha, where are your parents at child?" She asked softly, doing her best to keep up her gentle smile.

The grin on your face died in that moment as you frowned, "I dunno... one moment I was home in bed asleep and was playing genshin on my ipad and then i went to bed and POOF!" You made a big motion with your small arms, "I woke up here and found you!"

Eula attempted to keep her cool but she had no idea what the hell an ipad or a genshin was. Internally, she was panicking, already imagining up the worst scenarios in her mind. But she remained calm on the outside.

"So you don't know where they are?" She frowned, concerned.

You nodded sadly, "Yeah I dunno where they are and I miss the lots! But! I'm glad I got to meet you!" The child grinned, shaking in excitement.

"Aha- how do you know who I am?" She asked, her smile warm but on the inside she was screaming. What the hell had this child's parents done to them?

"Ah! You're 'Ula Lawence! You're on Genshin! I play with you lots on there!" You said, your eyes shining.

Eula stared at you with muted horror, though she hid it best she could behind her eyes. What did you mean that you played her lots? What was Genshin????

"I'm afriad I don't know what Genshin is, could you explain it to me?" She asked gently, still holding onto your hands comfortingly. No matter what you were still a child.

"This is Genshin!" You squealed, spreading your arms wide, still holding hers, "This tree, that statue of Venti, Mondstath, Leeyou, Inathuma, all of it is Genshin!" You grinned, excitement shining like stars in your eyes.

"W-what?" She couldn't hide how baffled she was, "Wait- that statue?" She pointed to the statue of the seven, "Of Venti?"

You nodded, "Yep! He's the god of the wind! He has funny pants and plays the stringy thingy!"

Eula had the equivilant of a loading symbol above her head, blinking incredulously at this innocent child. "I'm afraid- I'm afraid I'm not very well equipped for this. Please, come with me to Mondstadt so that we can find your parents. Okay?" She smiled softly down. No matter how odd this child was, they were still innocent and needed her help.

You nodded eagerly, "Okay!" You gasped, hopping along with her towards Mondstadt, "Do we get to see Amber? And Kaeya and Lisa and Klee! I love Klee! And Jean? And Barbara?"

Eula couldn't help but smile just a bit, "Yes, you can see all of them. We're going to the Favonius Headquarters after all."

"Fa-favo...ni-us." You muttered.

"Here," Eula said, leaning down, "Want me to carry you? It'll be much faster and it'll be fun."

Your eyes lit up brighter than any star in the sky and you jumped up and down nodding eagerly, "Yes!" You squealed as she picked you up, placing you on her back.

She walked and sometimes ran with you on her back, causing you too giggle whenever she'd pick up the pace. You'd cling onto her neck and giggle like crazy. Eula couldn't help but smile. You didn't seem to know anything of her reputation despite knowing all of the knights and her. It was odd, but then again you were a child. It warmed her heart to see you enjoying her company so much.

She slowed down as you two reached Mondstadt's gates. The two guards said nothing as Eula and you passed by them, but they did send you too odd looks.

You gasped as Eula walked into Mondstadt, the view taking your breath away.

"It's so pretty!" You squealed, squeezing Eula.

She chuckled, "Don't choke me. And I thought you'd been here before?"

"I have! Just never in person!" You grinned nonchalantly.

You spoke of this as though it was a normal experience for you! As though it was a normal sentence Eula should understand. It baffled her to no end and she needed to get to the bottom of your odd behavior. She prayed it wasn't the darker thoughts swirling in her head.

"What do you mean by that?" She tentatively questioned, rushing to the Favonius HQ with her long legs.

"I mean when I played Genshin. I came here lots!" You giggled, "But it was never in person. I always played as you when I came here and when I went anywhere." Your rested your head comfortably on hers, your arms hanging loosly around her neck.

"What? You played? Like a game?" She questioned, opening the doors to the HQ.

"Exactly! A game! That's what Genshin is and I played you on it." You grinned and a thought struck Eula like a bolt of lightning. Her legs stopped as the thought struck her and she stared at Jean's door blankly for a moment.

"Like godly possesion?" She whispered, and it would've been inaudible if you weren't on her back.

"What's that?" You tilted your head curiously.

Eula's grip on your legs tightened ever so slightly - not to the point it'd hurt of course - and her heart rate spiked to the point her hands felt shaky. "It's like, when a person is overtaken by some other force that controls them. The other day, I was taken over and someone else made me run around doing errands and fighting hilichurls and the cryo cube."

"That was me!" You exclaimed, your excitement shining as though what you had just said wasn't sky shattering, "I was completing commissions for Katheryne and fighting stuff is fun and I needed the cryo cube to level you up!" You giggled, "You were the first person I got that was a five star so I gotta take good care of you!"

Eula's legs felt like jelly and she turned around, her eyes wide and full of wonder. Lisa was standing at the door of the library, her eyes wide as she stared at the child on Eula's shoulders.

"Your grace?" Eula asked, her voice shaking.

"Who's grace- ah! Hi Lisa!" You waved your hand wildly at the librarian, grinning brightly as your eyes landed on her.

Lisa shook her head, regaining her composure and bowing, "Your grace, it's an honor to be in your presence." She smiled brightly.

You tilted your head with a baffaled look, "Why are you bowing? And who's grace?"

"It's a title-" Eula nearly choked on her words, "Do you-do you not know?"

"Not know what?" You leaned your head on her shoulder, hugging her.

Lisa carefully and tentatively approached their god. You waved at her with a wide grin, "I like your hat!" You giggled.

Lisa's smile grew wider and fonder, "Why thank you, your grace. It makes me very happy to hear you say that."

"Lisa-" Eula said urgently, her hands shaking as they held onto your legs, "They said the statue of the seven was of Venti."

Lisa's eyes widened and she gasped, her eyes traveling to you and staring at you in wonder. They went back to Eula, then went back to you and lingered. Her hands shook and her jaw was hanging open.

Lisa and Eula shared a look of shocked wonder. Their god was in Mondstadt, but they were a child that knew nothing of how great they were.

And he loved it. The voice of reason, the voice of Teyvat, told him that you shouldn't be on your knees in front of him. That he should tell you to stop, to get up, that things should be the other way around.

But there was also a smaller voice - one he'd buried deep down - screaming at him to accept this. It's always been there, quietly in the background, screaming for him to finally be selfish. To be happy and loved.

You were offering your affection and devotion so willingly. With a being as high as yourself, even with how close he was to you as your first vessel, he could hardly fathom the sight of your love-struck eyes staring at himhimhim and only him.

It was intoxicating every time you looked his way, when you smiled, gave him treasures he never needed. He knew how long it took to get these treasures, he was there and watched each time you received an artifact, weapon, or character. He understood and saw it all from the very beginning and he'll see it out to the end of the stars. When the fake sky comes tumbling down and he and his sister shakes the stars, you'll still be there with your lovely smile. How desperately he wanted to drown in it.

So he did.

He'd never be so oblivious as to pretend he was above you, no. He knew where he belonged. He was still a dog at your throne, your errand boy for if you wanted more supplies, he'd go out and retrieve them for you with a smile and a reverent "Your highness."

But when you'd set him on your throne, in your lap, smiling up at him while your arms encircled him. Looking down on those he's helped in the past - those that never aided in finding his sister - atop your lap and throne... it was invigorating. A moment he'd burn into his memory. Memorize the curve of your neck against his face, the feeling of your hands around him, your soft thighs, all of it, all of you. The immense power of being above everything and the helplessness of being below you. He felt it when you were merely an invisible hand controlling him, and now the feeling enhanced with you right beside him.

The both of you were inseparable, through the stars and abyss. Even if he was disappointing for everyone with his performance, if nobody cared for him enough to help him, you'd be there. That was enough to keep him trudging through his journey. He never snapped, never bit back, never said anything to the countless ungrateful faces in Teyvat because of you.

Because you were there to guide his hand and now you were hear in person to cup his face. To kiss his cheeks and tell him it'd be alright. You were there. If he was tired your lap was right there to rest, worries and commission could wait for a different day.

For now, he could rest while your hands softly ran through his hair, up his sides, over his stomach and arms. Every now and then a small chuckle would bubble up his throat though he insisted he wasn't ticklish. However he was far too comfortable to even consider moving from this spot on your lap.

Even if the whole of Teyvat was outside your door, begging for their god and the almighty traveler to help them with their own nations, neither of you would move. Aether's bare stomach was too enticing to not stay a bit longer so you could press butterfly kisses to it. Aether was so tired as well, he'd worked so hard for so long, with no one to tell him how good of a job he'd done. Surely he deserved this, the nations could handle themselves, they'd done so before Aether and yourself had arrived.