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beuhakkaka · 1 year

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🌊A Sirens Song🌊 Pt 8

"I will see you next time, then." She shouted down, making an extra effort to hide her proud smile.

Annora's heart was pounding, pumping wildly like a rapid rabbit caught in a cage.

It was finally over.

He had eaten the fish, all of them, and had even complimented the taste. He was completely unaware of the unbelievable amounts of poison he had consumed.

Not even he could survive a dose that big; she was sure of it.

Annora's mission had been complete, and now she was free from the heavy mantle she had taken up. She may have laughed if she hadn't decided to be cautious. Especially when she mentioned "next time.", because there would never be a next time with her or anyone else.

His final meal had been had.

Annora looked down at the beast one final time, eyes cold as she stared at his smile.

He wouldn't be smiling for long.

She turned on her heel and swiftly limped away.

Annora grunted softly as she slid the tray back into the wagon, tying down the object while ignoring the throb of her lame leg. She dusted her hands off with a slight smile. She didn't even mind the fish scent anymore. Far too relieved to have this massive weight taken off her shoulders. She quickly glanced at the sky, taking in the sun's angle.

Sunset would be soon, which means she should also be leaving soon.

Although she would have liked to stay a little longer to see if the poison was taking effect, she didn't want to get caught in the night.

Annora walked over to her rented helper, gently patting the horse's neck before hopping onto his back. The horse trotted away with a clip-clop, wagon in tow.

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Venti yawned, tail flicking lazily against the ocean floor. He picked at his dagger-like teeth with his pointed nails, removing any leftover fishy bits. The fish had been shockingly good; he had been unable to prevent himself from finishing the entire tray. Even when knowing it was poisoned, he couldn't stop himself. It didn't matter, though, since the poison would never affect him. Not fatally, at least. What really bothered him was her smug attitude. Venti grunted bitterly, prying out a fish head from between his teeth.

What a stupid human she was.

Didn't she see how powerful he was? How all-encompassing his body was? What moron would think he could be taken down by a bit of poison?

A yawn interrupted Venti's frustrated stewing. He blinked sleepily, tilting his head to the side. He reached up towards the surface of the water and stretched. He grunted a little as his limbs stretched, drowsiness beginning to weigh heavily on him.

The poison could never kill him, but it took a lot of energy for his body to process.

"Perhaps a nap would help speed up the process ..."

Venti muttered to himself.

He sighed softly, deciding a nap sounded terrific.

Venti lay down slowly, his massive torso cutting through the waters like a falling mountain. He slumped against the sand, bubbles flying out from below him. His tail curled slightly as he got comfortable, twisting and turning to find the optimal position.

Fish were flung away by the crashing waves the giant made from the simple movement, and once he was done, the sea around him was still. Using his arms as his pillow, he nestled his face into his folded forearms. His heavy-lidded eyes fluttered, lashes slowly closing.

When Venti opened his eyes, he was not at the bottom of the ocean.

The sand was warm against his torso, and the waves lapped excitedly at the beach's edge. The sun was pleasant and comforting, offering a calming warmth.

But beating it all, glowing brighter than even the blazing sun, and muting out the loud squabbles of the seagulls was a gentle strumming. Kind and soothing, the song carried through the beach, passion pouring through every note. The sweet lyre strings rang through the beach, reaching Venti's ears and comforting him far more than any sun could.

He looked at where the music came from, his lips spread into a loving smile.

The little bard looked back up at the siren, the simple humans smile bright as ever.

"Would you like to join in?"

Venti's smile broadened, pearly white shark-like teeth making themselves known.

"But of course, I do little bard~ don't you know I love to sing?"

The bard laughed, his laughter ringing like the sweetest of bells.

"Right right, sorry."

The bard plucked his lyre, smiling sweetly.

"Join in then~"

Venti woke up.

He gasped loudly, shoving himself up from the sandy ground in one thundering motion. He knelt over the floor, chest heaving breath after breath. Venti's fingers curled into the sand, his hands shaking like he had been thrown into a frozen lake.

How long had it been since he had thought of the bard? He couldn't even remember the last time.

So why, why now?

"Why now do I dream of you-"

Venti choked, tears beading at the corners of his eyes.

"I had hoped to have forgotten you."

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Annora scrubbed viciously at the counter, her teeth grit tightly together. This particular wine stain wasn't coming out of the wood, and it was driving her insane. That wasn't all that was plaguing her mind, though.

Despite the siren having been given a ridiculous amount of poison, she had a bad feeling she just couldn't shake. No matter how many times she reminded herself of the impossibility of survival.

'It would have been nice if he showed symptoms immediately...I bet he was hiding them or something.

She thought in annoyance as she continued to scrub.

At this point, she was just gonna peel off the wood rather than eliminate the stain, but it was bothering her so much she didn't even realize it.

She didn't realize a person was standing behind her either.

A large hand settled on her shoulder, gently alerting her to their presence. But, gentle as it was, Annora was still on edge. So she reacted quite explosively to the sudden touch.

She yelped loudly, jumping up and launching the wet rag into the ceiling. It smacked the bar's roof with a wet squelch before plopping back and splatting right onto her boss's head.

Annora stared in horror as the rag slowly sagged off the edge of the intimidating mans head. Eventually slipping and falling onto his nice fancy shoes instead. A double kill.

"Mas-Master Diluc-! Oh my archons I am so sorry-!"

She was nearly shrieking as she apologized, absolutely mortified. Diluc remained silent as Annora panicked.

His hair- and his nice shoes-! What had she done-?!?!

Diluc, however, took her reaction and the situation in stride.

"No need to panic; accidents happen,"

He dusted his hair off with one gloved hand before bending down to grab the wet rag. Plucking it up with two fingers, he tossed it back onto the counter.

"I apologize for scaring you. You just weren't responding to your name." Diluc continued on calmly, adjusting his coats collar.

Annora blushed a little, realizing she may have been a bit too much in her own head.

"O-oh-! Please, I should be the one apologizing-! I was so lost in thought I didn't even know you were there- and then I got your hair and shoes all messy-"

Annora bowed deeply in apology.

"I-I am deeply sorry, sir-!"

"Annora, there's no need to bow- please stand up,"

Diluc spoke softly, trying to calm the frantic girl down.

Annora immediately stood straight again, quickly shoving her messy red bangs out of her eyes. She met Dilucs gaze for a second, and then panicked all over again. She swiftly looked downs nervously stared down at her feet. Her fingers began fidgeting with the skirt of her dress.

Diluc spoke as coolly as ever.

"Right then, back to my original intention. When I was taking a stroll by, I noticed the light was still lit in the bar. I had assumed someone had broken in, so you can guess how surprised I was to find you working after hours. Why are you here?"

Annora pursed her lips.

"A-ah- well- I called out quite suddenly earlier today to handle some...personal business. So, since I have the keys, I thought I minus well contribute some today-"

The siren had taken an enormous amount of her time and energy. Leaving her unable to attend a lot of her usual shifts. She felt horribly guilty over it since her having the job at all was such a gift. It was uncommon for people to trust and hire a refugee from Khaenri'ah.

She looked up at Diluc, noting the concern in his eyes.

"I-I just- I don't want to slack off the job I'm so grateful for...sir,"

Diluc's eyes softened, concern stirring in his heart. He was glad she didn't take the job for granted, but this was too much.

"Taking a few extra days off after the record you have isn't slacking off, miss Annora, and although I appreciate your attitude,"

His gaze flicked to the heavy bags resting beneath Annora's eyes.

"Rest is to be appreciated as well...its very late, go home. You can take your usual shift tomorrow,"

Her eyes grew wide as she stared at her boots, shocked by his care. More often than not, people didn't bother thinking of her, and they had every right to do so. She was a Khaenri'ahn, a decadent of a cursed race...

But despite his right to, Master Diluc was so kind to her.

She smiled warmly, touched by Dilucs words and finally able to meet Dilucs gaze.

"Thank you,"

Annora nodded curtly at Diluc, bidding him farewell as she walked away.

Diluc stood silently, staring at Annora's petite form as she exited.

"A limp...when did she get that?"

He muttered worriedly.

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The next day, just before sunset, Annora returned to the mountainside.

Annora left her stargazing gear beside the safety forest's edge, just in case. She was relatively confident about Venti's deceased status, but...she needed to be sure.

Her heart thrummed along, hastening the closer she got to the cliff's edge. She knew she wouldn't see him, it would be impossible...yet she couldn't stop herself from shaking.

Brown boots met the stoney edge of the cliff, thumping as she took her final few steps.

She sucked in a deep breath, holding the air as she leaned over.

Clawed, massive fingers shot up from the ocean below, claws outstretched and ready to capture.

"There you are~!!"

The beast greeted her joyously.

Annora shrieked.

She launched herself back, tumbling into the ground with a thud. She yelped as giant nails crashed into the floor beside her, puncturing the loose soil and scattering dirt everywhere.

She scrambled frantically to her knees and feet, dashing forward with a stumbling gait.

The massive fingers chased after her, digits curled to claim her the moment she faltered.

She jumped, just narrowly missing another skewering attempt as she flew towards the forest line. She crashed straight past the trees, smashing her face into the dirt as she fell into safety.

Annora didn't care about her new bloody nose as she scrambled up, pushing herself farther into the trees with panicky shoves.

His face rose up from below the cliff, once again resting on the edge.

The siren settled his chin on the rock, sighing dramatically.

"Darn...that was a close one too,"

He hummed.

"You know, I thought you had said you'll only come out during the day~ don't tell me you've finally decided to give up?"

A toothy grin splayed over his lips, razor-sharp teeth shining against the moonlight.

Annora's breaths were sporadic and panicked, little tears pricking at the corners of her eyes.

"I'm back for our scheduled meeting, as agreed upon, yet you look so surprised~"

Venti chuckled darkly.

"Y-you-" Annora stuttered, horror in her eyes.

Venti cooed, tilting his head to the side as he smirked.

"What's with that reaction? You look like you've seen a ghost~"

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IM BACK. HAHAHHA. Anyways, today is just the usual angst train- also Diluc appearance???! Omg, crazy. Who knows, maybe there will be more genshin ppl appearances 💖

Hope u enjoyedddd

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