[video un: dandelionwine] at our next merry meeting away in the sky.

[concierto]

[The video starts with a tall tree and collection of bright stars above as Venti is pointing the device upwards. The night sky is sparkling with bright nightly colours. The video pans down wildly to show feet dangling from one branch. One brown loafer shoe just barely hanging on by a toe. Then a weepy voice sings along with a soft sad melody...]

An arbor of flowers and a kettle of wine... Alas in the bowers no companion is mine.

[The shoe falls from his foot and hits the ground below. Only to be met with a huff and whine as the one in the tree starts to sip from a large wine bottle. The camera pans up again with the view of the whole bottle before there is a glimpse of Venti's face as he sips it.]

Then the moon sheds her rays on my goblet and me... And my shadow betrays we’re a party of three.

Party of three...! Your poem is the worst! Just terrible...!!

[Venti sighs...]

See the moon–how she dances in response to my song. See my shadow–it dances so lightly along... While sober I feel, you are both my good friends. ...While drunken I reel, our companionship ends...

[A soft sob as Venti takes another big sip of wine and lets the lonely ache overtake his singing. The camera pans down again as he's unable to finish the last few lines of a poem that Zhongli wrote him. Now that his old friend is gone.]

You and the curious starshine too... how boring...

Comments

[concierto]

[What a sweet Liyue boy. He really does feel bad for teasing him so much on his birthday. Zhongli's people truly are... wonderful.]

It's no wonder the geo archon loves Liyue so...

[That thought makes his heart both ache and warm.]

I'm in a tree somewhere on the north side of the city. I'm not exactly sure where. Eheheh...

[pureyang]

Hmm?

[What an odd thing to say... But, north side of the city? Chongyun can work with that.]

Okay. Just stay where you are, and I will come find you.

[He may need his familiar's help, but he will come to find Venti!]

[concierto]

[Of course even with the old man gone he cannot reveal Zhongli's secret to his people. He'll remain as a title- simply the geo archon! Just like Venti still keeps his secret of being the anemo archon to himself. ... And Mona and yet she's also departed...]

Please be careful now...

[He sniffles softly. But Venti's own blue seelie will be hovering near the tree he is in so he'll be able to spot him that way.]

[pureyang]

[A tree in the north end of the city... it's not much, but Chongyun is determined. It takes some time to find him, but with the help of his familiar and her keen nose, he does eventually catch sight of the familiar seelie hovering near the tree. Xue yips at it, and Chongyun only needs to walk under the canopy to see the depressed bard and hear his soft sniffles.]

Venti? I am here...

[concierto]

And so the exorcist comes to wash way dark tidings...

[He's still drunk.]

You are here.

[pureyang]

[Oh, Venti sure sounds drunk. Chongyun frowns, scratching the back of his neck.]

Can you come down? It's not safe for you to be up there right now.

[concierto]

[Venti looks down at Chongyun and pouts softly.]

I could... But the closer to the sky I am the happier my heart sings.

[He just wants to feel tall. You know those anemo types.]

[pureyang]

[Venti please... Chongyun hums in thought, frowning a bit. He's... kind of bad at this comforting thing. What would Xingqiu do..?]

...alright, then.

[He nods to himself, deciding on something. Rather than insisting Venti come down (which, honestly, would more than likely result in unexpected injury to the bard), Chongyun will gather up his fox familiar and tuck her in his hood. Then, he will approach the base of the tree, slowly climbing up it himself. It's no different from some of his training routines he would do in the more wooded areas of Liyue, after all.]

[Give him a moment to climb up that tree. As he gets closer to the branch Venti is on, Xue will yip at the bard. Hello!]

[concierto]

[Don't worry it wouldn't be the first time Venti has fallen out of a tree while drunk and if it happened again it wouldn't be the last time.

But goodness poor Chongyun truly is dedicated to trying to comfort him? He expected someone like Xiao to appear up in a tree for him. But anyone else? He expected for them to yell at him to get the hell down.]

Oh! ... Ehe.

[He lets out a drunken snort.]

Are you used to this sort of thing? Comforting poor bards stuck in trees? Is that part of exorcising ghosts?

[pureyang]

[Venti plz.]

[Dedicated is Chongyun's middle name, in all manners of his life. He heaves himself up onto the sturdy branch, letting out a breath once he sits down steadily.]

Ah, well... I would not say that this is a normal part of exorcisms, even with my condition. But I have done stranger things in the name of helping a friend when they are in need.

[As he gets settled, Xue will climb out of his hood to perch on his shoulder, yipping at Venti. Chongyun carefully lifts a hand to scratch her fluff.]

Xue insisted on coming with me... if you want, you have permission to hold her. If... it will help you feel any better.

[concierto]

Oh. Be careful now! Careful- Ehe.

[Venti is sure to reach out to make absolutely certain that Chongyun doesn't fall from the tree as he climbs up.]

Hello, Xue. Thank you for coming to such a valent rescue for such a sad sod such as I.

[He giggles sadly again. His arms open as he indeed decides to hold her? The wine bottle does float into the air with Venti's subconscious kinetic magic.]

And thank you, Chongyun. For coming all this way. Do you consider us friends, then?

[pureyang]

[Xue lets out a little yip, tail wagging, and once she sees his arms open? Xue actually leaps from Chongyun's lap to Venti's, nuzzling up against her. Yes, hello, hello! She is here to offer comfort in exchange for pets and cuddles, yes please!!]

[Chongyun watches the bottle float nearby, surprised by it, before turning to Venti.]

Well, I will admit, you are a strange one. I have never really interacted with Mondstadt's bards, and if they are all like you, then they must certainly be a peculiar breed of person. But you remind me a lot of my friend Xingqiu; meaning well even despite your mischief. I would like to consider us friends.

[He wouldn't consider himself to be the most adventurous or know the most about what people do for fun, but he would be lying if he said he disliked the bard beside him.]

I won't pry into why you are in such a state, and if you are not comfortable you do not need to tell me. But please remember that you do have at least one friend who are concerned for you here in this world.

So... perhaps if you intend to drink, perhaps do so in a less dangerous spot..?

[He's not good at pep talks, but his words are honest.]

[concierto]

[Venti picks up the small soft creature into his arms and very easily cuddles it to his chest. Almost breaking into another bleak and drunk sob because she's just ... so adorable? How is this allowed.]

Oh... I assure you I'm simply ... one of a kind when it comes to a bard's brand.

[Excuse me, he was born this way.]

But I do appreciate the words, Chongyun. From what you've told me of your friend Xingqiu I do hope we can be friends. You're a kind soul.

[And he can tell why this boy received such a vision.]

But... Being close to the sky... Makes me feel a tad better than being on the ground at the moment. I'm sorry, I won't be leaving this perch.

[pureyang]

[She is very cute and adorable, yes yes! Xue just nuzzles right up and curls in for those pets, even giving Venti a little lick on his cheek. Is she comforting Venti, or just basking in the attention? Probably a bit of both, honestly.]

[Chongyun does give Venti a curious look at that. One of a kind among bards? Well, he certainly was unique, that was for sure. He regards Venti for a moment, before nodding once.]

Alright. I understand.

[And rather than hop down or try to persuade Venti, he simply turns and gets himself a little more comfortable on the tree branch. He looks up at the sky.]

...The sky always looks so big the higher you go. Though I do much of my exorcism commissions in Liyue, sometimes I go to Dragonspine to train. I do not know if you have ever been to Dragonspine, but if you like high places... well, the view from its peak is spectacular.

[concierto]

[Venti will gladly accept the cuddles and attention from the little one in his arms. And return it with a little cuddle of his own. So long as this fuzzy creature isn't a cat.

He then glances up at the sky. The stars twinkling gently like a blanket of darkness and light.]

I miss the sky. Even from Dragonspine.

[Which confirms that Venti has been there before. The tall snowy peaks are dangerous as they are beautiful.]

I remember seeing the view of Mondstadt from its peaks. The lights of the house flickering in the distance. Somehow the cold makes one appreciate the warmth of home even more, don't you think?

[pureyang]

[Chongyun listens carefully, giving Venti a curious look. So, Venti has gone to Dragonspine? He has no idea as to why a mere bard would want to go to such a dangerous locale, but Venti probably has his reasons. He doesn't fully understand the people of Mondstadt, after all. He gives a slow, solemn nod.]

Mm... The view is definitely something to marvel at. As for the cold... truthfully, given my condition, I find that Dragonspine is one of the few places I can train to the fullest without overheating. Although... sometimes even swimming in the coldest lake of Dragonspine seems like not enough at times.

[He had spent a whole day with a thin shirt, swimming in the frigid waters while trying to hunt a supposed spirit. Discovering his quarry was merely a snowshoe hare had felt like some sort of divine trick.]

But coming home to the lights and sounds of Liyue after experiencing the cold and silence for so long always fills my heart with joy.

[He blinks, realization hitting him. Was that Venti's problem, perhaps? Was he homesick?]

Being in this world is... difficult at times. I am getting used to the magic here, and to seeing the strange sights, but there's not a night I go to bed and don't dream of walking through Liyue, or of being with my friends who still remain back home. Perhaps it is because of my cognitive magic, but my dreams feel more vivid when I dream of home.

[concierto]

[Venti quickly balks.]

Ehe? Excuse me, did you say you swam in the coldest lake of Dragonspine?! What are you... secretly the cryo archon?

[He looks simply amused and so much that he must be laughing more at the idea of this boy beating the cryo queen at her own game. But the mirth settles slowly in Venti's lungs.]

Perhaps so... Feeling so far away from the things we know is such a painful ache, isn't it? Nothing will compare to the warmth of Liyue's lights or the protective stones of Mondstadt.

[He sighs.]

[pureyang]

I—! W-Wait, what? No, I..!

[Chongyun fidgets, looking away and scratching the back of his head at such a comparison.]

N-No, you are mistaken! I just… I was on the hunt for an evil spirit and thought that spending the day at the bottom of the lake would help suppress my pure-yang spirit. It was not my brightest idea… The fever afterwards was not worth it…

[He clears his throat, shaking his head. But Venti’s words draw his attention back.]

Ah… yes, you are right. I am used to being away from family and friends while on an exorcism excursion, but… this is nothing like that.

[At least he was comforted knowing that he could go back home eventually. Here… it’s a bit hard.]

I suppose that is why those of us from the same world should take comfort in each other, right? We may be separate from our friends, but we at least have each other. Even if we are not from the same ends of the world.

[concierto]

[...

Sorry.

Venti just- bursts out laughing. What was that about having each other as friends??]

Ehehehhhahahhaha!!

[Venti. Please. His cheeks are bright with a drunk blush as he laughs into the cool night air.]

Chongyun-! Eheh! Eheh... You spent the entire day in a nearly frozen- lake! A lake! Please- forgive me... the mental image is too much. You truly are the cryo archon in disguise! My friend...!

[pureyang]

H-Huh??

[Chongyun looks at Venti, baffled expression clear on his face. His cheeks turn a little pink and what can only be described as a pout forms on his face.]

I-I am not nearly so lofty in my powers, I assure you--! It was for my condition..!

[Despite his weak protests, it's good to see the bard laugh, even if it's at his own expense. So despite his pout, he doesn't fight back too hard, content to let Venti's laugher fill the air. If this helps the bard, he doesn't mind.]

[concierto]

And I assure you, don't sell yourself so short when I'm paying you a compliment!

[As drunk and offhanded as it is...? It's a compliment.

At least Venti seems to be entering a better mood?]

You're a good boy, Chongyun. It's no wonder you have such ambition. The cryo archon should be quivering in her boots.

[pureyang]

A-A compliment..?

[Chongyun blinks in surprise, truly baffled by Venti's words. It's always odd to hear people praise his abilities, rather than view them as a hindrance. He looks down and away, though there is a clear pink flush on his face.]

A-Ah... Thank you, I guess..?

[Awkward boy is a little awkward under such praise. But at least Venti sounds like he's in a better mood.]

[concierto]

[Some innocent camaraderie is nice and it reminds Venti of simpler times in his life. When he had the days wistfully wasted with an old friend now long gone. It feels good. And it makes the ache of his own vastly lonely heart ease just a little bit.]

A compliment. The complete definition is an expression of praise or admiration. Have you heard and of them before?

[Now he's really gently teasing.]

[pureyang]

I-I know what a compliment is...

[Goodness, this really does remind him of being with Xingqiu... In a way, it stirs up a nostalgia in him he hadn't felt since coming here. It makes him smile a bit despite his protests. And seeing Venti cheer up is worth the teasing.]

As I have said before, I am just used to my congenial positivity causing more disturbance than not. So having it be complimented feels odd.

[concierto]

Well, you certainly deserve it.

[Honestly if Venti and Xingqiu were to ever come face to face the gremlin levels would be off the charts...]

Thank you for coming all this way for me. You truly didn't have to pay my complaints any heed whatsoever. But I appreciate the company nonetheless.