Video | UN: makeitaventi

[venti_late]

WHO: Venti and you!
WHERE: Network
WHEN: 8/28, some times after Jinwoo's post
WHAT: Welp. Venti's gotta talk about the god thing.
WARNINGS: None, but will edit for them if they come up!

[Well, Venti had been planning on talking about all of this next month to give everyone more time to rest and heal. However, Fate has taken that choice from him. Rather than run from it and deny it, he's decided that he might as well bite the bullet.

First thing he does is post a picture from what looks like Cathedral Hill. Then, the video feed comes on. It looks like Venti's sitting on a rooftop somewhere. He's smiling cheerfully.]

Well! I was hoping to talk about this, like, in September, but I guess I gotta let all the cats fully outta the bag, huh? Buckle up 'cause it's going to be a bit of a tale.

[He sits back a bit.]

On my world of Teyvat, there were once seven archons "appointed" by Celestia and collectively they were known as The Seven. Each one ruled over an element and an ideal. Most initially ruled over a nation as well, except for one.

I was Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, God of Wind and Freedom. And, by a twist of fate, I'm the Anemo Archon once again.

[Although Venti's still smiling, it's not quite as cheerful. It's almost bittersweet. He's a man who has accepted that he's no longer human.]

"So," I hear you asking, "why are you telling us this?" A good question! My reason for coming out with this information is that two major players, Zodiac and The Black Order, have most likely known about my divinity since my arrival in Kaisou, although the latter may have known about me since before I moved here. Since I've regained my divinity, I felt that it would be far more dangerous for the rest of the Libra users to be kept in the dark on this fact. If you remained ignorant to my identity and status as the Anemo Archon, then you would've remained ignorant to the dangers and bargaining chips suddenly at their disposal. That being said, I highly doubt Zodiac will do anything with it since they can't really make a profit off of me. As for POKEGO, I'm inclined to trust their current leader since he's never asked me to be part of any experiments. Neither have their operatives.

Which leaves us with The Order, who has two archons on their leash. [There's a sudden, almost uncharacteristic steel in Venti's eyes for a moment. A moment where he's not Venti the bard, but Venti the revolutionary.] Zhongli, who was Morax, the Geo Archon. God of Stone and Contracts, as well as commerce. Ei, who was Beelzebul, the Electro Archon. God of Lightning and Eternity. And they are only the known gods under The Order's dubious employ. We have no way of knowing if there are others.

So! Now you know everything that they know. For the record, so far Zhongli and Ei haven't regained their divinity, but that doesn't mean they won't in the future.

[He hums for a moment and then nods.]

I guess if you have any questions, now's the time!

Comments

voice | un: paintedfox

[stripartist]

I see. So you're one of Ei's "former coworkers"?

[venti_late]

I am! I knew her twin sister back then, too.

[stripartist]

You're not what I would have expected of a god in a past life. Then again, I still can't believe that my cousin was one either. What was it like?

voice; un: kesitakame

[hoshikiri]

[Takame knew something was different. It was one thing to have a noticeable, visible and unique magical presence and another thing to have divinity. He didn't speak with Venti often during work, only giving cursory greetings as they were both often busy.

Having this confirmation and knowing that the Order had two of these Gods under their thumb... well, why would the other kami make things simple for man and only have one of their own drop this upon them.

No one had a statue with magical properties made for no reason. Takame had a source of calm by his side at least. That and knowing that at the very least, Venti was not a bad person. But there was still something cold in his voice.]

I've several. First, tell me this. How is your power as a God maintained in your realm?

[venti_late]

[Despite the coldness in Takame's voice, it doesn't seem to affect Venti at all. He's still as friendly and cheerful sounding as he always has been.]

Generally speaking, prayer and worship! Belief directly influences an Archon's power. However, our natural power can also be a factor.

[hoshikiri]

[He didn't want to be hostile towards Venti, he's just been having a Month and a general apprehension about Gods or God-like beings. And unfortunately that's a flag.]

Is belief the only factor at play? An amplification of your natural power? How exactly do you find worshipers?

Video: UN: hotgoss

[bebest]

[Most of this isn't really news to him- a lot he's been told directly or he's put the pieces together from what he HAS been told. For once Zulius doesn't actually pry further. Venti and Zhongli mean an awful lot to him, it turns out even Zulius has limits.]

Are you salty yours is more dressed than Zhongli's?

[Look, LOOK, he'll make this as light as he can.]

You guys want me to send you some wine over? This is probably gonna be a long night for you.

[venti_late]

[Oh, Zulius is the best of the best.]

Oh my gods, Zulius, they covered me up! I wore way less clothes than Zhong did back then! I had a free garter tattoo and everything. Crying shame they put me into robes like that.

[Venti's sigh is dramatic, but that's okay. It works wonders to lighten the mood.]

I'll never turn down a good wine. But you're super right. I'll probably be stress baking something nice, you know?

[bebest]

[Venti is truly blessed to have him in his life.]

That's so uncool. Like, I guess I could understand if they had you both fully clothed. Like, respect the gods and whatever. But nooooo, here's Zhongli, tits out!! It's like they don't know you guys at all.

[And, because he loves shenanigans but he loves Venti too and he loves to share:]

I'm so gonna put nipple tassels on it.

[Look. Sometimes your besties ancient love gets a tits out statue and sometimes you have to put nipple tassels on it. It's his civic duty. ]

Yoooou got it. I'll send a bottle each over, 'cause I'm gonna guess Zhongli is about wishing for death right now. [He DOES care though, so:] Anyone given you guys any trouble? You both okay? Aside from Zhongli's aforementioned death mortification, anyways.

voice; un: silverrose

[fionnuisce]

...Okay?

[literally what else can you say, really]

Freedom, contracts, eternity...there are worse things to be patron deities of. I'm presuming none of you are of the 'vengeful wrath of the ancients' sort, at least?

[venti_late]

[...............................................]

I'm more passive-aggressive, but even then it takes a lot. Ei is very honorable, so just don't do anything like, I dunno, challenge her to a duel or something. As for Zhongli, contracts are extremely important to him. Breaking one or making one in bad faith does invite his divine punishment if done in front of him, but by that same token his punishments are even-handed and suit the contract-breaker. Honestly? You just have to be smart about it.

[fionnuisce]

...Well, doesn't sound that bad.

[Fae bullshit, essentially.]

Which really just leaves me concerned about the Order potentially having that kind of power at their disposal.

voice, un: yaksha

[alatum]

Barbatos...

[ he feels something stir, a memory almost long forgotten desperately clawing its way to the surface. something he has tried desperately not to remember, to keep buried deep within the depths of his soul. something he is better off not remembering entirely. it feels as though something heavy is pressed against his chest, slowly squashing the air from his lungs. ]

You... [ the words die in his throat, concerned comments fading as the pressure continues to build. what is it that is trying so desperately to be remembered? ] Venti, where are you?

[venti_late]

[There's something in Xiao's voice that has Venti immediately answering.]

Roof of my house. You need me to wait here or come to you?

video | UN: Thorn

[poisontippedcure]

I must admit, I'm not inclined to trust gods. But you don't seem like the type to cause trouble.

[Or rather, cause the sort of trouble she cares about solving. She still owes you a drinking contest Venti.]

I do appreciate you being open about it, however. Many would not.

[venti_late]

Hehe, the only trouble I cause is what I hope people find relatively harmless!

[Man, he needs to invite Rose and Eizen both to a drinking contest, clearly.]

I can't say I blame them. But with how things stand, no matter what reactions I got from it, I couldn't let everyone go on without this knowledge. It was going to cause more harm in the long run, at least that was my thinking.

voice; un: freelancer

[lapislazily]

[And there it is. Laid out all perfectly and cheerfully as Venti does, revealing to everyone the truth that Zhongli has been dealing with for a long time. He willingly approached the Black Order while between a rock and a hard place, and then they sought even more power...

He feels as if a burden has lifted from him, at least a little. He won't be truly free until he's annulled the contract and put the past to rest.]

... Thank you.

PRIVATE | Un: hikaru-vi ; voice

[whiteshroud]

[Jun knew this post was coming since Venti had told him, so he's been watching for it.]

Anything I can get for you?

[venti_late]

[Venti has never forgotten his promise to Zhongli. He promised to handle this as he saw fit, and he feels like he's delivered on just that. To hear his partner's thanks, to know that he's lifted a little bit of the brunet's burden off his shoulders... that's all he can hope for right now.]

I promised, didn't I? You're cooking for Thanksgiving after this!

[His tone is very clearly joking.]

un: ecraig | voice

[fiddlestick]

Welp...I'll admit I had some suspicions before, but it's something else to hear it.

[So much to unpack]

...Will all this affect your music?

[venti_late]

Eh, can't say I'm surprised. It was going to get out sooner or later, and there are plenty of observant people on the app. At least I don't have to pack up and leave!

[It's a lot, Elliot.]

Mm, I don't think so. At least for the foreseeable future, I'm gonna continue playing and making music until I've lost the joy or ability to perform! What better way to keep the memory of old friends alive than through music?

voice; un: blade

[unreachableside]

[Blade is 25 and what is this.]

So you were the god of wind and freedom...

[It sounds like the other people he mentioned are gods, too. The fact that this is now part of his daily life is... And yet he has this feeling like it's not the first time he's met someone godly? The hell is that about.]

This... explains some things.

[About why Venti was drawn to him. About why he was so nice to him, despite the possession.

Ah...]

No wonder you talked to me like I was a fool. [He was.]

[venti_late]

[Welcome to an early existential/midlife crisis, Blade!]

I was and am, yeah. Though, the current state of my divinity is very recent, I'll admit! It's been quite the hand I've been dealt.

[Not that Venti knows Blade's thoughts, but even without being the god of wind and freedom, he would still be nice and stubbornly friendly with the man.]

Eh, how were you to know? Besides, even without this, I could've handled you if you got feisty. I've had to hold my own against a stubborn warrior god, after all!

video; un: riftdancer

[thavnairian]

Takame already asked all the big questions, so I'll ask something for me.

[He looks serious.]

Are you going to curse me if you hate my dancing?

[venti_late]

Go ahead, Amal!

[Venti doesn't really expect this question, but he considers it with all the seriousness it deserves from one artist to another.]

Curses aren't my style. Just because I don't particularly like something doesn't mean I'm gonna punish it. I'd prefer, say, retuning someone's harp using the Golden Ratio and leaving it like that until I feel like they've had enough. But that's an extreme case, you know?