wandering freedom

     he sighs,  exasperation evident in the sound that’s amplified by the way his fingers pinch tight at the bridge of his nose;  it had been centuries since they last properly spoke and it’s now evident to the geo archon exactly why.     “ considering i’ve had to chase you out of the jueyun karst numerous times,  i wouldn’t say that i’m the chaser between us.  what are you doing here,  barbatos?  ”

 Off to the races--- The Anemo Archon racking up an armful of points already from the instantly tired tone and pinched nose combo,”Hey, hey~ It’s not my fault you made such a nice space for gliding in, eheh,” hands folding open in front of his chest to mimic miniature wings, effectively shielding the weight it felt to hear someone call him by his true name again and not send a shot of anxiety through his system with reckless abandon. 

 “Hmm, no clue~!” as helpful and vague as he normally is , ”I imagine the same as you, though I was awoken from quite a nice nap to this vast island,” 

♡ Hilda didn’t think much of the youthfulness of the one sharing the bar with her so late at night. Back in Fodlan it wouldn’t have been all that strange to see someone in their teens drinking. At the very least he’d made some very interesting company, especially since they were the only two customers at the time. “So your name is Venti, and you’re a bard? Huh, I’ve never met a real one before.”

She’d already had quite a bit to drink, but Hilda kept her liquor well. At most, her cheeks were just a little pink from having all she had.

“I’m not all that familiar with playing an instrument, though my parents tried desperately to get me to learn when I was younger. I ended up taking to accessories and fashion instead though.”

@schweifend​

  Unfortunately in the case of Teyvat, Master Diluc had concocted a plan most brilliant for the youngin’s (and adults of his similar disposition) that wished to partake in the social drinking norm for Mondstadt; Apple Cider. Even if Venti fell for the virgin drink just as much as the next person, it still perturbed him that obtaining alcohol had only become harder for him. Even if Hilda’s own norm could, at times, be no different than those of his home too. What shook him to his core most is the fact she’d not yet ever met a bard proper- it left him utterly speechless. Truly an achievement to shut this tone-deaf bard up--,”Surely you jest, dearest Hilda- Not a one?” it boggled his mind,”What about your stories; The tales of comedy, psalms of love, ballads of life lessons, and lullabies of heroics? Who tells them?” the young god could take quite a few pints more than most his size and stature, but this devastating news even managed to make the drunkard halt his downs entirely. 

        “  of all people,  the bard must be here as well…  misfortune truly follows me wherever i go.  ”

    「 @schweifend​​   ❤ ‘d    for a starter. 」

Imagine the tone-deaf bard’s own surprise to find another so frivolous-with-money archon amongst their populace, "Misfortune? For you? I’d as soon assume it’s misfortune for me having to find a boring gentleman following me out of the blue,” and yet, despite the verbal jab, his tone is every bit playful.

he continued to be a terrible liar, was what she quickly realized as he spouted nonsense about asking to play at the bar. it only served to make lumine’s frown deepen as her stare pierced him. with no paimon around to make the mood lighter in any way, she was scary. very scary. not someone you’d want to make mad.

“drinking so much, it’s no wonder you’ve got so much knowledge about brews.” the way she made the remark only made it even clearer that she was not happy with him in the slightest, if he had not realized it yet. 

lumine let out a sigh, her hands firmly on her hips, thinking about what to do with the bard before having an idea.

“five seconds. you have five seconds to pay your tab, and then we’re leaving. did you hear me?” with a swift move, she had her skyward blade in hand, ready to strike if he didn’t follow her commands. not that she’d actually hurt him, but she was definitely good at threatening to do so.

“and if you haven’t got enough to pay, too bad, because I’m not helping you pay. maybe then you’ll actually have to give performances here to pay it all off.” it sure would be a good lesson for him, if nothing else. maybe then he’d learn to manage his finances better and not waste it all on alcohol whenever he could.

“i’ll be waiting outside. your five seconds start… now.” lumine stepped outside as she counted, loud enough for venti to hear. “five… four… three… two…”

 Truly, Venti had never realized how quiet the traveler actually was, and how much more was expressed through their gaze and actions without Paimon around to speak in turn or mock him for his failed nuances. More terrifying than anything, is her gaze- sharper than her blade no doubt, and a couple hundred lines could be written about it alone to create metaphors. 

 Unfortunately (or fortunately, in this case.) what little amount of friendly liquor he’d conned from the owner had no effect to his strong threshold, and was still at least one foot into his own wits to promise the man a full show of the tiny sample he’d certainly played upon arrival to get everyone’s interested gazes as they all conversed amongst their selves. Not even daring to try and make a quip back that in full falsehood that his knowledge of brews only came about it being the primary trade of his most beloved nation. Sealing his lips effectively with her harsh command. 

 However her hope that he’d learn any lesson, especially one about carefully managing it like some blockhead, to avoid being broke at any turn he took would fall into a completely empty chasm with no hope of survival. 

 Frantically his head turns from facing her, back to the bar tender, back to Lumine, and to the tender as he tries his best to get words out in a not so elegant manner, sputtering,”Pr-promise sir, next time you see me I’ll play the who-whole night away for your patriots,” not even giving the burly man half a chance to respond before Venti followed the decreasing numbers with an urgency that convinced everyone watching the exchange the bard feared what this small blonde might do over the larger man,”Traveler, wait up--!” he needed her to understand he was right on her heels. 

EVERYTHING WAS ALL FINISHED UP, one last lift of a box being all it takes to plop it off onto the docks, as he brushes his hands off. another deed done, one that had been specifically called upon him for. ah, not that he minds - compared to inazuma, there was no renown to his name quite yet beyond a few people he managed to mingle with. tirelessly working to build up that repute was exhausting, really, but worthwhile when it all came to fruition. so, he would hardly shy away from even the littlest things, offering the fisherman his word that were he to come across any hard-workers in need of some dust, he would happily suggest his employment.

a hand lifts to give a wave as the other departs, turning to go his own separate way, before the sound of an approaching stranger catches his attention with a few words. another teyvatian? from the way the other speaks, at least, as well as the way emeralds locate the anemo vision hanging upon his own hip. his gaze lingers just a little longer on it, an almost sense of fleeting fondness to it all, before he returns his gaze to the bard at hand.

❝ Jeeze, they’re really snatching up everyone from back home, aren’t they? I thought it was just my imagination, but… ❞ this was starting to get too much of a coincidence, were it so. ❝ Haha. Yup! Guess you could say that. A fixer can’t be half-hearted, so if someone needs my help, I have to do what I can for them when they ask, ❞ he responds with ease, a hand falling upon his hip as he cants his head a little to the side. once the offer of a shared meal was put forth, thoma takes a moment to think, lifting a hand to his chin, before giving a nod.

❝ That doesn’t sound half bad to me. I’m peckish after all that heavy lifting. ❞ one pat of his stomach accentuates it as he carries on with the conversation. ❝ Besides, even if seeing others from home isn’t too rare here these days, it’s still a cause worth celebrating. Well, I think so at least. I know a great place. The food’s finely made and the prices are a steal. Not to mention I can get a pretty good deal, ❞ he comments, recalling the favors they owe him from a few weeks back. ❝ The name’s Thoma, by the way. I don’t think we’ve crossed paths back in Teyvat before. ❞

 Thoma’s unique fondness for Mondstadt isn’t blatantly there to the bard at first, the Inazuma frame decorating his vision alluding to farther birthplace, but there is certainly an air about the Inazuman-raised boy that curates it’s own distinctive fondness among his chest. Friendliness rivaled only by that of Sara from Good Hunter, a generous soul that even gave Eula her own chance to make a name aside from “Lawrence”. And while hard-working could describe any member of any nation in Teyvat’s expansive borders, his typical title of “helper” leant itself more to his home than he may have realized. Everyone always making sure that everyone had work, and that everyone had board. In the city of freedom no one should have ever gone in need. 

 A chuckle, light as the air that typically carried the bard’s footsteps in his boundless travels,”I hadn’t thought much of it but you’re on the nose, I do suppose,” the list of those with visions seemed to only grow every individual encounter he’d made in his time on the island- which admittedly hadn’t even been that long. Did that spell for some better news- or something more devastating back home? Well...Either way, missing the weakest Archon couldn’t define too much, of all things, Dvalin was more capable, even if he dreaded to ask anything to detrimental of his dear old friend, "Sounds like you’d have a good few stories under you belt than as a fixer, hm?” a bright grin spreads his face, eager to keep Thoma’s company for as long as possible. Food and drink scheming aside, getting to hear stories from a place so far (and once isolated) as Inazuma would definitely provide some new lore that could be weaved into new tales and new hymms.

 “I would much adore to turn those to ballads from a distant shore,”

she should’ve expected this, she really should have. pubs were the best places for intel, she had learned, but it didn’t go through her mind that a certain someone would be right there. he appeared to be practically begging the bartender for a drink, too.

the tone-deaf bard, as lumine remembered paimon calling him, seemed to be right at home here. she could only imagine he was in spirale for a while already. 

approaching the anemo archon, she tapped on his shoulder and then brought her hands to her hips as she looked at him.

“it’s the middle of the day. shouldn’t you be doing something besides drinking, venti?” perhaps doing what bards are known for, she thought, but decided to convey that part with her judgemental stare instead.

@schweifend​

 Quite contradictory for the heroine’s need to occupy such a rowdy space, Venti had wondered so far for only a couple simple reasons. Neither of which needed to be named, for anyone that had spent even a beat or two with him knew exactly what his life plans were on any given day. 

 Although they were failing miserably without the homestead connection of being back in Mondstadt. ( Or even, at least, Tevyat.) 

 Without shame, making an entire fool out of himself in this tucked away city of Spirale. Lumine was not wrong, spending much time at his new designated “home” made up no more than 2% of his entire time spent on the island as a whole since arriving earlier on. What laid in wait back there, was uncertain, but not too much of his concern and his vagabond ways. 

 Whether he expressed shame or no, at this point, made no difference. The least enabling person had found him by pure chance, certainly per her luck, being his lowest of his low self. Quickly taking up posture that read less as caught in the act, and more playful he scratches the back of his head,”Eheh~” 

 “Hey there, Traveler,” he tries to play it off with a docile wave, but she’s having none of it clearly ,”Well, you see, I had planned on asking this establishment’s fine tender about playing for some of their patrons...and what would you know! I just so happen to overhear them speaking about some new brews they’d gotten in,”

   " I knew I recognized that voice.“ every day it seems she’s running into more familiar faces. when Jean had first heard the singing, she assumed it was her mind playing a trick on her. replacing a stranger’s voice with one she knows. or maybe it was a product of the way the cold autumn wind blew. however, the closer she got, the more pronounced it became and by the time she pushed through the small crowd gathered at the Boardwalk to listen to the performance, what was seen confirmed what was heard. 

        ” So you are here too. How long have you been here, Venti?“ from what Jean understands, time is different for everyone. She may have only been here a week or so, but for others? it may be months– years, even.

@schweifend​ – starter call

 Every day that passed left Venti wondering just how many folks were even left back home from Mondstadt all the way to Snezhnaya- it seemed only those without visions or elemental capabilities were showing up left and right. Maybe some slimes would start spawning as well? Only time would tell, but it would certainly be a grand time to see the silly things hopping about.

 Thankfully he’d just finished up the colorful notes that painted a scene of two young loves spending a sweet day with one another, enjoying nothing more than one another's company and the fade from dawn to midday to dusk. Bowing to those that applauded his performance, but mostly perking up at the sound of a voice unmistakable. One that dutifully called for respect, but blanketed the conversation in the soft understanding of a benevolent missus.  

 “Acting Grand Master Jean~♩,” voice still teetering the side of singing, all too happy to be face to face with someone so familiar. The person currently entrusted to protecting his most precious Mondstadt, his courtesy and respect portrayed in that of a bow appointed to only her

 Thoughtfully his pointer rests against his chin as he gives it some thought, his attention to time had always been lacking- preferring to not think too much of that passage, but if he had to put an estimate on it...”I’d say a few months now, hm?” 

Yggdrasil’s drooping eyelids fly open again upon hearing that tune. She sits up, looking.

What skillful playing— joined by a clear voice! The bard in green has a kindly presence. Any apprehension she might have had fades.

The primal has never understood the finer points of music, but she always enjoys such performances. It has a mysterious power, she thinks; to weave together tones that in isolation mean nothing, yet in the spaces between, find intelligible, rich ideas. To weave words that complicate, transforming that again. Yggdrasil finds herself softly chiming along. She smiles. 

But the bard’s verse comes to a pause, a question. Was she expected to respond in kind? Yggdrasil mentally flounders at this, her smile freezing over.

How came this freshness, her branches fair and clean? How does she grow so green? Yggdrasil cants her head, as her thoughts whirl around the rhymes and rhythms. She finally begins an uncertain reply, Upon my leaves, this waxy sheen…. 

It is somewhat abstract in melody, rather dissonant to the bard’s because of her lacking skills. Is rows of tiny pins unseen, that filth clings not and may fall free. So keeps me as clean as can be. A disconcerted pause. Then, with a little more confidence, incorrect key notwithstanding: With ample light do I stay green, and space so none may intervene. If neither found, a common tree, must stand while I am free to flee.

 The Viridescent Bard offers nothing more than a kind experience, one of mirth and joy. To see her starting apprehensions fade clear away was not exactly something entirely new to his musical endeavors, but it never ceased to fill him with a pride that made him oh so happy to even play or sing in the first place.. carrying on the tradition of a dear friend. Knowing full well that if this were his presence instead, his effect would only be grander. 

 At minimum, her smile was everything he could have hoped. So full of sweetness and a true admiration for the words he’d spun her, offering a slight giggle to her abrupt realization that it had magically become her turn to add her own beautiful strokes of hymms. No rush or countdown is given, instead he kindly keeps playing the following notes on repeat to allow her a moment to analyze the strings plucked to sing until she finds her footing finally. Listening intently to her story and more than happy to correct a note in time with her incorrect key, there was no need to fuss over something so when he had suddenly sprung this on her afterall...Playing in candace with her ever still to dance the notes of his lyre with her petal soft voice.

 Yggdrasil’s words come to their ends as his lyre plays a few more notes before ultimately ending the tunes. 

If the mention of both Teyvat and Mondstadt hadn’t been enough, the Anemo vision certainly would have been. Ears perked as he listens, Gorou nods - although he considers for a moment that this guy’s introduction had held a brag as part of his attempts to be recognized.

“Mondstadt is pretty far away,” if his garb hadn’t given him away, then he certainly would be giving himself away now. “I’m from Inazuma, so the inner-workings of Mondstadt escape me - three times over three years?” He tilts his head to the side, considering if it was three occasions, or if it was three years? Were they consecutive?

“My name is Gorou - I’m sure you’ve heard about what has been going on in Inazuma recently.” Part of him did not want to give away his title, but the other part of him brimmed which such burning pride that he could hardly resist. “I am a general in the Watatsumi Army. Unfortunately, even before Inazuma closed its borders, I didn’t have much time to consider other country’s musicians.”

 Gorou certainly wouldn’t be entirely wrong, most of Venti’s current ventures were surrounded in trying to garner something to his name...or at least something more than the drunk, broke, bard...Or, in Paimon’s version, the tone-deaf bard. A title that would not be leaving him anytime soon, but getting to mock Paimon back only made that title worthwhile. 

 More importantly than anything, is the importance of music to not just himself but Mondstadt as a whole. Despite Inazuma’s humble manners, being proud of your musical capabilities was no strange thing for those of greener side of Teyvat. 

 Unfortunately this would spell failure for trying to gain any free meals out of the strong willed warrior, but without missing a beat he was happy to explain his feats,”First place every year, for the past three!” he bragged proudly, hands poised to summon his trusty lyre at any chance of Gouro’s potentially curiosity to what instrument he may have played to win the title. 

By liking this you’re essentially saying “Hey, come bother me at any point to plot or to just drop a starter!” Not a binding contract, but positively a threat that will be made good on. Alternatively you can reach out to me, or reply with a number below, to give me a better idea of your hopes for your muse and this lil wisp. My DMs are always open!

1.} Obnoxious Mischief Makers 

Venti is a bit of a trouble maker, even in his own city (maybe moreso), pulling pranks and even sometimes scamming people out of their liquor with half met promises of helping them write poems and love advice that he has no business entertaining really. If you’re interested in instigating or partaking in this behavior this is the one for you! 

2.} Romanticized Spirits 

Past his gremlin-esque activities, Venti is a bard through and through. A spirit of freedom, that has a heavy hand in romanticizing everything that doesn’t have to do with him. He believes all things should have names, and will often comes up with one on the spot if it doesn’t already. A complete coin flip from the previous persona that he puts out frequently. If you’re a fellow windswept entity who sees affection in most of everything, let’s write some poems together! 

3.} Broke & In Debt

Venti doesn’t keep money for long, and frequently exchanges services rather than products for money. Any allowance he gets from the city goes straight to liquor, he’s never had this sort of luck before where he’s just given an allowance! However if you’re a person with some money, and would like to hire a bard he’s completely available give or take! Or if you just happen to be a person with access to a copious amounts of apples or wine, you may wind up with a tab that’s never actually paid. 

4.} Last priority; Romance. 

Again, romance isn’t on the top of my to do list with Venti’s muse. It’s something difficult for him to apply to himself and would be an outstanding relationship to work on. However if there’s chemistry and the mun is interested I’m always open to speaking on it and see where we/the characters land. 

5.} Buy Venti’s Silence

Yes! For the low low price of four whole bottles of top shelf wine, you too will never have to hear Venti say or sing another word around you! Simply have the wine delivered to his door step, or hand it off yourself, at the start of every month and he will be sure to zip his lips on sight. 

 It’s the gratuitous thanks of a nearby fisherman, one that clearly has grand experiences, and would tell one a many good tales over a few drinks. Friendly, but an appearance that yelled threats if you so much as looked at his boat with any sort of ill intent. Nothing new to experience, at most a good pin point for the ward that he could potentially have some good bar-faring buddies here if he should so desire. 

 Another vision at the hip of the aiding lad is what ultimately determines the Archon’s plans for the rest of the day...or perhaps just another few minutes, depending on how friendly the pyro user would be towards him. However, his suspicions were high that the “fixer” is not some high-strung loner, wasting no time in approaching the other in skips.

“Another Teyvat-tian unknown, another song to be sewn!” he can only hope, and how little did he misunderstand of a friend to come Thoma could be. A child of freedom, straight from Mondstadt- if he had any ailing homesickness who else would be better to quell it than the windborne bard himself! A bard who longed to find at least some other familiarity to back home as well.

 “You seem like a helpful fellow, and oh so mellow,” at least the guy seemed friendly enough, didn’t look the part of a fisher at all, but had certainly given that old man help no problem at all,”What say you to a shared meal, and a tête-à-tête spiel?” maybe even as kind as the traveler ! How lucky that would be. 

 Despite his constant wandering, and few returns home, in his time here thus far it felt as if the island would always behold something new to reveal. Archimedes ward would be his new target for the day, one that screamed a remembrance of Celestia. A familiar feeling, but not anything that pulled one way or another. It only held so much importance in due to one brave warrior, otherwise that place was no place he desired to stay for long. Bland topics, bland apples. No good fruit could be bore there in his mind, and those were things that spoke deeply to him. 

 Aimless wandering brought to a head as he realizes that he has hardly been taking in anything of the place other than aesthetics. He knows better than to judge a land on pre-existing notions. Perhaps- it could be a better place than Celestia. Maybe, the fruits here were tasteful and full of a unique life. 

 Deciding on the very spot that a guide would be most proper, someone who clearly holds a passion for the ward in question! A salesman, even. Low and behold, things would continue to work in the bard’s favor- a dame looking as if she were about to enjoy a nap just out in the open of a more naturally taken over part. And what a sight, so natural and at home she seemed, it inspired song in him.

 With a slight strum of Der Frühling to alert her, proper lines of musical note followed close after,”It was a maid of my country, as she came by a hawthorn tree. As full of flow'rs as might be seen, she marvel'd to see the tree so green,” and with no immediate hesitation in her response he takes more steps forward, continuing this song of old.

  Another day, another semi-successful attempts at spreading the mirth of music while building up a small savings that would wind up immediately spent on a dubious pastime the very moment dusk took to the skies. With a bit of daylight to still enjoy, the bard would find himself skipping through the streets of another new area he’d yet to adventure through. Lyre tucked carefully beneath his arm, as the same hand pinched a small bag of cookies that someone had gifted him for his musical services. A kind gesture, and something that would fend well with his future plans to himself. 

 A lot of the island had proven to be far more unique and different than that of Celestia or Teyvat, which is understatement. Other places were more kind to his comprehension than others, but was all still so wonderful to take in. If not for the mysterious circumstances around this sudden move, he may have considered this more of a vacation. So many new people, so many new cultures to learn and sing about! 

 As fate would have it though, his next big interaction and potential hymn would be close to “home”. A brisk walk brought to a hault right outside the building, at a nearby place for tea. The entity reminded him almost a bit too much of a certain blockhead in the way he held himself and that tea cup, but so much more reached out to the Anemo God about them. Perhaps a new friend? 

 “Say, don’t you think that tea would be better in company?” it’s a coy question, banter added on in the weight of the beforementioned small bag of cookies placed on the table,”You’re lucky, I just came prepared with some sweets to go along with it-!”