[ x - accepting / @asterites ] ❝ i wonder, if you do the right thing, does it really make everyone happy? ❞ // pre-estrangement ?
Upon the sweetest of whispers did the wind pass through the leaves. The sun, it bathed the land in its warm embrace - glistening upon the snow strewn earth who reflected it in kind. The birds, they sang. Foxes chirped and yipped in symphony with the melodious breeze. T'was the image of perfect tranquility… yet even it could not withstand the weight of the question posed. The sheer gravity of such musings, a thought Barbatos knew to be no idle wonderance.
Strings strummed dolce came to a halt, nimble fingers poised above the windborne lyre as once closed lashes lifted to gaze upon the archon at his side. Regality in human form, a maiden of frost and love whose people she adored, and adored her in turn. Whose heart shown through with blinding sincerity, even beneath the pensive mask she wore. ( Dear sister of mine, where oh where is your head this fair eve? )
Swift, were reassurances to bound to the forefront of his consciousness. Inspiring platitudes and boundless support… that held only as much comfort as could be expected of a glass of water thrown against a raging wildfire ( the inferno of a troubled mind. ) The like of which could soothe the heart, yet was but a temporary salve for a weary soul.
Downcast eyes found the instrument betwixt idle hands, as one note was plucked, two. A mindless action, from he whose thoughts lay elsewhere. For the truth she sought existed in shades of gray, not black, not white. Not yes or no, however simple it would be to lie say as such. However easy.
" Once upon a time, I wondered the same… “ Slow, was the admittance. The lyre strummed, a wistful hum adrift alongside a soft exhale. ” I once looked at Mondstadt, and saw only a nation that deserved to be free. For the winds that shrouded them from the world to be redirected - to be blown open, and guide them towards a brighter tomorrow… But the future I saw, it was not a vision shared by everyone. “
Another note rose to join the somber tune. Beneath the poor facsimile of a smile, beneath eyes that saw not the strings but echoes of ages long since past - of decisions still questioned to this very day. ” There are those that, rather than freedom, see abandonment. A godless land; weak, disgraceful - to be pitied like an orphan begging for scraps. Those who’d rather the order of a god and the - “ tyranny it risked, but the bitter words did not make it past the tip of his tongue. “ The authority it would bring. Who seek the uniformity of the known, where life has clear sense and purpose, rather than the unknown - a future of their own making. “ His head, it shook. A sigh on the precipice of release, but one that had yet to break free. ” Even without me there, there are some like the church who have created testaments of my will, many of which have never came from my lips. Yet these false commandments bring them a sense of peace all the same. “ Facets that drew the god’s concern, for the shackles - the restrictions, the sorrow - such holy guidance tempted. No matter the happiness he saw on their faces, no matter the praise that bellied otherwise. Alas…
” Alas, where some cry displeasure, others respond in jovial cheer. Who, like me, believe the wind should not be a storm whisking one off their feet to a future of which they have no say in, but a gentle guide, an opportunity to be taken or left behind. “ For Mondstadt was free, and thus free to make their own choices, even those that he did not abide himself. ” Not everyone agrees with what I’ve done. Infact, the second I step outside of Mondstadt all I hear is criticism this, criticism that. But I like to think I’ve made more happy than I have not. And, really, what more could I ask for? “ A smile lifted one corner of his lips, a small little thing. ( Hopeful, even when the deed had long since been done. ) ” I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat… but I have learned that the world is not as black and white as it appears. You can’t please everyone… but in your heart, you will know what is right. “
Der Himmel dispersed with the wind which had created it, anemo particles left to fly akin to dandelions seeds in the sky. All the while its performer rose from the stone that had been their seat. To turn and face his friend - nay, his sibling in all but blood. With a beaming visage; warm enough to melt even the coldest frost, yet gentle as the breeze. He laid a hand upon her shoulder, a minute gesture of comfort, but one all the same. ” My dear, I won’t claim to know why it is you ask, but I will say that wherever your decisions take you, I will be by your side, no matter the tempests you face - or would a blizzard be more fitting here? “ He winked. “ You could never displease your big brother, after all… “
“ Well, “ oh, how the corners of his smile twitched. Where once was heartfelt sincerity, did the tell-tale glimmer of mischief now dwell. ” Except for that one time you froze my lyre. Oh, or when you totally ripped off my outfit. “ ( And had the audacity to make it better than his own. For shame. ) And yet. The sound of a giggle followed suit, though the gleam in his eyes did soften. ” But, I mean it. I’m here for you, if you need to talk. You need not but ask. “
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