Chapter 6: "This Sister, I Have Seen Before"

"Sister Venti, do you need spare parts to trade for alcohol? Clara has collected enough parts today, so if you don’t mind…"

Clara took out her small backpack, filled with her day’s harvest. But this kind gesture left Venti feeling awkwardly indebted.

The brief silence was misinterpreted by the well-mannered Clara as hesitation. She quickly added,

"Ah, Clara doesn’t mean to look down on Sister Venti! When you played music at the settlement last time, everyone was so happy. Consider this… payment!"

In the resource-scarce lower districts, bartering was common, especially in scavenger communities like the mechanical settlement.

But Venti shook his head, declining politely.

"No, no. Acts of kindness shouldn’t demand rewards. I played for everyone because I wanted to."

However, the petite scavenger girl was stubborn.

When she stared at him with ruby-like eyes, silent as a snow rabbit, Venti had no choice but to surrender.

"Alright, little Clara. Let’s chat on the way back, okay? This isn’t the best place for a heart-to-heart."

"Mmm… Clara will listen to Sister Venti."

The two retraced their steps, leaving Rivet Town behind.

During the journey, the topic resurfaced.

Clara insisted on giving Venti small, high-value parts, but he settled for a nearly broken mechanical bird.

This left Clara dejected, feeling she hadn’t helped.

"Don’t be sad. It might look broken, but it can be fixed. Plus, this bird has a story about the sky and freedom. It’s a perfect trade."

Venti ruffled her snow-white hair, soft as silk.

Clara leaned into the touch like a contented kitten, though she soon grew shy, staring at her toes and murmuring almost inaudibly:

"...Sister Venti is so kind. Like family…"

"Ehe~ I wouldn’t mind having such a sweet little sister!"

Though Venti saw himself as a free-spirited bard (debatably male) who cherished all things beautiful yet transient, he couldn’t resist indulging this adorable "little sister."

"Mm—!"

The pure-hearted Clara took his words seriously, her cheeks flushing pink with joy.

She admired Sister Venti deeply—someone who traveled everywhere, made countless friends, and united hearts through music.

While others in the mechanical settlement sang boisterous rap songs that confused her shy nature, Clara tried to appreciate what people loved.

But Sister Venti, who soothed frayed nerves with her songs, earned Clara’s respect on par with Mr. Svarog.

Now, being called "family," Clara vowed to help Sister Venti however she could!

"Sister Venti… wanted to talk to Clara about something earlier?"

She mustered courage, her small chest swelling with purpose.

"Ah, yes. But this matter likely requires Mr. Svarog’s approval."

Venti stroked his smooth chin.

"Eh? Is Sister Venti trying to steal the settlement’s medical alcohol again?"

Clara blurted, concern flashing in her eyes.

"Mr. Svarog wouldn’t allow that. He says drinking hurts the body…"

"Cough… Do I really leave that bad an impression?"

Though Venti admitted drinking more lately, Belobog’s good liquor was rare. The watered-down swill here paled compared to Mondstadt’s wines.

Compared to Barbatos’ daily drunken escapades, he’d been remarkably restrained here—so much that acquaintances might question if he’d been replaced!

Yet little Clara still saw him as a drunken bard?

"But last time Sister Venti performed at the settlement, you kept chugging alcohol and then… did the ‘Flower-Bird-Wind-Moon’ thing…"

Both flushed at the memory.

(To clarify: This wasn’t some lewd display—Belobog’s cold would freeze anyone daring that. Clara’s "Flower-Bird-Wind-Moon" referred to an Aqua-style water show from Venti’s memories.

Though lacking the Hydro Archon’s flair, it had left the entertainment-starved lower districts awestruck.)

"Ahem." Venti fake-coughed, scrambling for excuses—until he met Clara’s worried gaze and caved.

"Fine, I promise not to do it again."

Clara shyly twiddled her fingers.

"You… don’t have to promise Clara. Mr. Svarog just said Sister Venti shouldn’t drink too much…"

Since alcohol was vital for warmth in Belobog’s freeze, Venti changed topics.

"What I want to discuss concerns everyone in the lower districts—"

His casual demeanor shifted to seriousness, startling Clara into attentiveness.

"Clara knows the Fragmentum’s erosion grows worse here, right?"

"...Mr. Svarog told Clara."

"And what are Mr. Svarog’s plans regarding this?"