hydrangeabloom | (no subject)

A gentle wind...

[ He dips a little, body coiling around Venti protectively ]

Hold on tightly, if you would.

I am.

And I know you'll take care of me.

[ It's easy enough for the two of them to dip out of the teapot realm. Less so to navigate the skies of Mondstadt and Liyue in such a way that no one catches Barbatos or Rex Lapis in their star gazing.

But the both of them know the ways around their country well enough that it doesn't take too long to make their way to the very east of Sumeru - away from any of the larger human settlements but still in the comfort of the large leafy rainforests.

This is close as spring as he can get.

And maybe the change of scenery will be good for the both of them. ]

Oh....I rarely venture this far...

It's so green here.

[ Plops Venti down on a large squishy mushroom before reverting back to his human form. ]

Ah, it has changed quite a bit since you took your last slumber.

[lifts his chin, taking in a deep breath]

Have you come often?

Unfortunately, no.

It is only upon my retirement that I have had time to visit the other nations.

I was a bit disappointed to miss you the last time I travelled to Mondstadt.

[carefully easing himself back on the mushroom so he's laying down, enjoying the sun, letting his broken wings splay out around him]

When I'm better we can tour it together.

Perhaps in time for a festival.

Of course.

[ He sits down next to the mushroom, keeping an eye on those broken wings to make sure that they are laying as flat as possible. ]

There's always a festival going on somewhere. So take all the time you need to feel better.

You can stay with me until then.

The festivals are suppose to beckon me home.

It's hard to ignore when I'm not asleep.

Then we shall stay in Mondstadt. The location does not matter so much as the company.

Thank you.

...do they still call to you in Liyue? With your Death?

Some still pray. I think it will take some time for that to pass, even with the very public spectacle of my passing.

[ And if Zhongli still answers a prayer every now and then, that's just the adepti at work and nothing more. ]

Your people still pray to you though you've not made a public appearance in many years now. Or at least not---

[ Gestures ]

Divine public appearance.

They don't need to see me. They can still feel it, the same way I can feel them.

Even now they're tugging on my thoughts, you know? None of them know I'm the cause of their troubles this time.

[ Barbatos...

Zhongli will tousle the hair on the top of Venti's head ]

This is not your fault.

A more careful ex archon wouldn't be caught so easily.

[reaches to catch his hand, lacing fingers together]

Do you consider yourself an ex-archon?

It is not your gnosis that made you worthy of the people of Mondstadt.

Maybe but its a lot harder to deliver on what I should give now.

What more do they need than your love, care and guidance?

The wind is suppose to carry many things.

But not so much that it weighs it down.

Leave that for the earth.

Perhaps. The earth is quite a bit more sturdy.

And stubborn.

[ He leans over to press a kiss to Venti's forehead ]

It will stay solid under your feet whether your wish it to or not.

And keep me from blowing away and scattering?

Of course.

This dragon is too set in his ways to let his dearest companion go anywhere without him.