Chapter Text
Venti had the opportunity to speak with Carmen again after running into him. What a touching moment, no? Not this time, no. Venti decided it would be best not to approach the angry bard as he was shooting daggers at Venti. It was all so strange.
The green-clad bard tried, in vain, to talk to him, "Carmen." The other bard remained silent and kept staring at Venti as if he had forgotten something important. It was uncomfortable to say the least.
Venti made a weak attempt at a joke by saying, "I thought I was supposed to be the God." He continued, "Your standing there just like a God would—well, a really angry one."He laughed softly and insecurely to end his joke. Venti gave himself a mental punch for making that awful joke.
Venti finally said, "I missed you Carmen... more than anything," after gathering his courage (it was about time). Venti didn't realize he had started crying. His cheeks were covered in soft tears. However, the bard standing opposite him didn't experience the same level of happiness: "DON'T tell me bullshit, Barbatos," Carmen at last made a statement. You already killed me like I was meat to be eaten by wolves. Carmen made a strange-sounding laugh. There was only bitter laughter; there was no joy. Venti rilled thanks to it. 'Carmen I would always remember you. Never would I refuse to protect you. You were at my side during the entire journey, and I appreciate that. Venti said softly.
It was so ironic; The friend he wanted to see for such a long time hated his guts now; it took everything he had not to cry. "Look at you still speaking so loudly and proudly." 'Your tongue has always been too loud to trust Barbatos, now more than ever,' Carmen said, looking as though he was quickly considering something. Venti officially lost it; he simply couldn't handle it—not now, and who is he kidding—not ever. 'You often claim to be my Savior or something.' Carmen said as he looked down on Venti like he was flith. "That's not how it is!" yelled Venti. "I swear, it was never like that."
Venti understood that there was no hope and that he had no purpose, neither in this place nor elsewhere. In his own disappointment, he could do nothing except gaze at the floor. "You are no Saint Barbatos." Venti noticed that Carmen was crying despite his best efforts to appear unbothered. What had he ever done to hurt his one and only true friend in such a way?
'Tell me this Barbatos, please.' For the first time during this talk, Carmen stared Venti dead in the eyes and asked, "What happened to Kaenri'ah 500 years ago?" Venti choked. He was too startled to speak to him; all he could utter was, "Who told you this, my dear friend?" The final sentence came across more as teasing than anything else. After grinning, Carmen twisted around and knelt. The following words caused Venti's ears to ring:
"He's here, my highness Lumine."