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

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

[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...

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[Don't mind as Venti practically leans into the yaksha. Mostly to hide his teary eyes.]

Well, that stupid rockheaded wit could have made a single mention of his coming and going, now couldn't he have...

[He's weepy and upset. Of course, he is. Venti may have bullied Zhongli to the moon and back but he did quite enjoy their friendship. It was an unsaid thing made over thousands of years. And while it really isn't Zhongli's fault that he vanished Venti can't help but feel mad.]

[ He'll allow this... As long as Venti allows for Xiao to, like, try to coax some of that tea into him. It's fruity and sweet. How could the Archon refuse? ]

Perhaps. However I doubt it was done intentionally.

[It does smell fruity and sweet... Venti lifts his head from Xiao's shoulder. He is still slightly wobbly as he sits back. Balancing on a tree branch is nothing to people who love the sky yet Venti should probably be careful should he fall...]

Intentionally or not... Now I can't give him this song. After all the work I put into it too...

[He pouts...]

[ Even if he were to actually slip and fall backward, Xiao would ensure that he'd put himself between Venti and harm's way. Xiao isn't going to permit the other to come to harm if he can avoid it. ]

Keep working on it then. This way when you see him next, you can metaphorically blow him away.

He'd deserve to be blown right into a lake.

[Venti snaps with a huff. He then lifts a hand and with a small swish, the taken wine bottle starts to float in the air. Using kinetic magic to make it hover there. Then he's gently reaching for the tea.]

I'm sorry, Xiao. I know how much he means to you, too. I never thought that him leaving a world that's not even our own would sting as much as it does... Perhaps it's because I never had a chance to have a better conversation with him.

I am not too fussed. He is alive. He is well. What more could I ask for? Perhaps he truly does deserve to have the rest of his days to himself. One who has granted the freedom of many now may have it for himself.

[ He wouldn't know what to do if Morax could constantly be within sight. It isn't something that Xiao is used to. ]

It does make sense in a way. You have known him for a considerable amount of time. Always able to visit when you so desire. Now this isn't possible.

[Venti makes a small whiny noise.]

Don't you put it that way...!

[Freedom for the geo archon? Away from his pesky contracts? Celestia knows the old archon, older than all the rest, deserves such a rest. And has put on quite the dramatic show in order to gain that rest. Venti can't help but commend him for chasing it. But still... Something deep in Venti feels a tad selfish.]

You hit the target on the head as always, Xiao. [He sighs and puts his hands on his cheeks.] It feels lonely... Now I only have you. Won't you give me a bit more comfort?

[Okay, now he's just being dramatic.]

Is there any other way to put it? I thought that you and he were of the mindset that I should express myself in this manner more often than what I do.

[ Going to try to start to gradually get Venti to come down from the tree. ]

You do not only have me. There are still some from Mondstadt that remain. However, I am here. If you require it.

[Venti can't help but let out an airy little laugh. As old and wise as they are Xiao seems to carry with him the words needed to soothe something in this old and hankering soul.]

Ehe... While I love the others from Mondstadt dearly... I find your company a special kind, Xiao.

[They're alike, after all. The kiss of anemo that draws and ties them together, of course. But something deeper and unsaid.

Meanwhile, his wine bottle is still floating there above them with Venti's magic. And Venti reaches out to touch Xiao's hand. Tugging him to bring them brow to brow.]

Can you promise to stay with me just for tonight?

Given how things are... Between you and I, that is a given is it not?

[ That Xiao is as special to Venti as Venti is to Xiao. They are inching ever so closer to that deeper unsaid thing becoming something of a said thing. The Yaksha is slowly coming to terms with the fact that it is all right to desire something. To want something more. It's taken time, but progress is consistently made between them.

Just like he doesn't refuse the Archon's touch. Doesn't pull back his hand as it is taken. How he doesn't flinch at the contact. ]

I will stay with you as many nights as you require.

[Look at all this improvement and none of the skittering. Venti's eyes sparkle with some mischievousness.]

Given how things are between you and I... Could I sleep in your bed?

[Quick, answer quickly!!]

[ Venti should know better. After all, Xiao is rather... Pure. In some areas. So this request doesn't seem that outlandish to him? ]

If that is what you need.

[ Then Venti can? ]

[Oh, he's being so innocent and soft. Venti can't help but giggle and then grab for his hands and tug.]

Surely, it's what I need-

[He's so ready to tug and pull that suddenly Venti seems to misjudge where he is. The world spins and suddenly he's falling off the side of the large branch and might just be bringing Xiao right with him...!!

Maybe he shouldn't have been drunk in a tree...]

Ehhe??!

[ Oh... Oh down he goes indeed. Right along with Venti and the Yaksha swears that this time he is going to ensure that this bard drinks less. There is no reason for either of them to be tumbling out of a tree.

Yet Xiao still works as quick as he can. He tugs Venti in tight and attempt to roll them so that he can break their fall instead. ]

[If this were Teyvat the winds would have carried them gently to the ground below. But Venti is yet again bitter about that-

When they crash to the ground in a lump it appears Venti is tugged tight to Xiao so he takes most of the brunt of the fall. Leaves and grass whoosh upwards and Venti's hat is nowhere to be found. Frazzled hair around his face as he winces and looks up.]

Xiao...?! [Oh no.] Are you alright?!

[ Goodbye hat! No one wanted you anyway. B(

Only Xiao is not quite as sturdy as he usually is. This time he can actually FEEL that fall. It's sending quite the pain signal into his brain. Nothing is broken, but he's definitely feeling winded.

He raises his hand to keep Venti from panicking. Xiao is fine. He just needs a moment. ]

[He pouts.]

I've knocked the winds right out of your lungs!!

[Venti moves to pull himself off of Xiao so he can help him sit up...]

[ And sit up he will! Xiao rubs at his ribs slightly, huffing and sucking in deep breaths. ]

It's... Fine....

[ That being said, he looks up at Venti proper. ]

Are you... Hurt?

I'm quite fine...

[He reaches out to put his hand on Xiao's cheek.]

Thanks to you.

[ There may be some leaning into that touch. ]

With as drunk as you are, I doubt head trauma or a broken bone is what you needed.

Isn't like you should be suffering the same.

[Venti chides softly before he leans in to press their brows together.]

Thank you for catching me, my warrior.

[ Venti certainly does know how to do things that gets Xiao to blush, hmm? Though this time there's less flustering and more of a pink dusting across cheeks as golden eyes glance off to the side. ]

I would hardly call this suffering.

[ He's not pulling back and away though either... ]

Are you able to walk or will that be a challenge as well?

Oh. How tough of you.

[Venti opens his eyes and gives Xiao a coy look. He is very pleased to get that brush of colour on Xiao's cheeks. But he'll smile sweetly all the same and then pull back to start his attempt at standing on his own two feet.]

I'll be able to walk! A simple jaunt from here to the Inn. Shall we?

[ Oh not so fast. Before Venti can disappear completely, Xiao catches that hand. Might just place a gentle kiss upon it. If the Archon doesn't tug it back immediately.

Then the Yaksha gets to his feet. ]

Very well. Then upon arrival we shall get you water.

[ To sober him up. :/ ]

[Wait a moment. A kiss to his hand? Venti is there with a glitter in his eyes the moment it happens. Feeling his heart do a little pitter-patter in his chest. Then he is promptly snuggling up to Xiao's arm with fake woe on his face.]

Oh- Xiao...! Perhaps I am more unsteady than I thought! Please, let me lean on you... Just for a moment or two as we walk...

[He's playing it up but he's just so touched.]

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

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