Thank Barbatos! Wait-

"I think there's still a basic standard for right and wrong."

"Otherwise, we'd have no morals to speak of. The difference is how much those morals matter in the context of a greater good."

He leans forward in his seat, head propped on his palm as he smiles guilelessly. "The humans call this 'the end justify the means,' and seem to hold mixed opinions on the idea. They do not—or cannot—understand why Heaven won't simply compromise in the case of exceptions. But I've always believed that to give in every time is simply betraying your principles."

"Then what am I to say when the humans stray further and accuse me of grosser slights when it is they who have fallen from standard? I change from savior to stubborn, from temperance to tyrant. Inevitably they paint me and my misdeeds in a villainous light."

Golden eyes twinkle; it's clear that Aurelius finds this more amusing than hurtful.

And when would it all end? Humans inevitably found themselves more trouble, and then blamed the gods for their misery. Casually, he starts plucking the strings in a sad tune.

"I do agree with you in some ways, though. Compromise isn't always an option. I think it's best to at least hear people out and understand where they're coming from, even if you don't agree. I prefer peace and song to fighting. But it's not always been an option to me."

Especially during the Archon War, where he had to fight for his status as god.

"I'm more than satisfied, and very impressed."

"Are you sure you're not a god of songs as well?"

He's calm on most days, but today he's also content, like a cat who's bathed in sunshine. Or perhaps the wine had mellowed his mood. Looking at their empty bottles, the angel sighs.

"Perhaps I should've saved my share for you..."

His next glance sweeps across the crowd, some of whom linger in hopes of hearing a second song. A single frown from Aurelius, however, has them stumbling away. The angel turns back to Venti, golden eyes glimmering with an unreadable expression.

How nostalgic. "That's how I ended up talking to Dvalin at first. He descended to Teyvat because he was curious about Mondstat, and my people were afraid. To calm them and prevent a fight, I sang to Dvalin." Such an old memory.... it brings tears to his eyes to remember how young he had been, and first meeting one of his closest friends.

"I've also given Dvalin something of a power boost during a fight with a dangerous dragon with my music...." And oh his heart broke at the memory of Durin. He hadn't been evil.

"Music is immortal. Music is education. Music is soothing. Music is everywhere. Even if we don't speak the same language, music can enable us to understand each other." His voice takes on a dreamy tone, and he can't help but smile despite the ache. "I miss my music based abilities. There's a warrior I visit who is often in chronic pain because of what he had to do in the past, and when I sing for him, it soothes the madness in him and keeps him grounded to reality."

At least he doesn’t feel ill at ease around Venti. It’s rare for Ambrose to feel comfortable enough talking to let go of his self consciousness, but he’s sure he’s met a very kind soul in this friend.

“Of course, that’s true, I just— know I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, and I don’t want today to go badly if anything but you never know— and— sorry, I’m just making myself anxious over nothing now. It’s been a pretty long time since I spent time with someone new like this, but you’ve been nothing but kind and helpful.”

…

"If you worry too much about what could go wrong, you won't enjoy things, you know? Plus, sometimes unexpected things happen that make things fun! If it started raining, I would start running around and jumping in puddles! If it started snowing, I would catch snowflakes on my tongue!" To most, Venti would appear to have an easy going life. And that's how he likes to present himself.

Sighing, he shakes the idea from his head and smiles. "Staying silly is really all we need to do! It's important for us pranksters to exist as well, as we can remind people that it's important not to be so serious!"

First a white fluffy tail drops down, then his two longer ears. Finally it's the incubator's face peeking at Venti from beneath the leaves while still perched securely on the branch.

§ No one's passed by here for hours. §

"Haha! That was a good one!"

He approaches with a cheeky grin on his face, arms crossed behind his head. One person is taking off with an annoyed expression, but he's not interested in them. He's interested in the prank master that just dunked on them.

"Hm?" He turns to the young man approaching him, and smiles.

It was nice not being the only one with a little imagination, although this was a simple little thing. It still made all the difference if you just put the effort in to try and make things fun.

“Right, people are always seemingly in a hurry… Life itself always feels so fast-paced sometimes, and you’re just expected to go along with it… but.” He sighs, but he meets Venti’s smile with a sort of shy one of his own.

"Oh I think the heart of a felled dragon still beating and keeping a cave warm isn't the weirdest thing in our world. Or even just that mountain." He talks as they head inside, though he's sure that this won't help, since all the power is out. "I thiiiiiink the weirdest thing of the mountain would haaaaaaaaaaaave to beeeeeeeeeee...."