avalononline | [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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Ehehehe... I see, a very poetic way to put it.

[And down goes another sip of the bad wine. Gulp.]

Another thing to lament about tonight... No more whine for the wicked no more wine for the truth... Oh~!

[He's kind of singing a whiny song now.]

[He sure is. Balthier is having a bit of trouble following the melody, if there's one to be followed in the first place.]

I wonder if this, perhaps, isn't the best way to process such a loss.

[But then again, what does he know? It's not as though he's ever processed any of his own in a healthy or productive manner.]

I do think you might have something with those lyrics, however.

[Venti seems to perk slightly at those words. His wine bottle pauses at his lips as he gives the man a questionable look. Curious...]

Oh? And do you know much about songwriting?

Enough to know when something is good.

[He's not much of a musician himself, beyond the lessons he'd taken in his akademy years, but he has always had a great appreciation for both music and the theatre.]

They're quite raw. Clearly, whatever inspired them was deeply personal.

[Venti's expression softens.]

It... I believe it was.

[And that is precisely why Venti seems so wounded about it.]

This poem was something a friend wrote for me. And now that he is gone I have no way of showing my appreciation or returning this piece of writing to him in song.

[The root of Venti's mood.]

And I hate him for it!

[And Venti's outburst...]

I see.

[The pieces are beginning to come together, as it were.]

While resentment is certainly understandable in such situations, is it not possible that you may well see one another again?

[Unless they had met here. He understands that to be a different situation entirely.]

I suppose that part is true...

[Venti hums with some melancholy.]

I'll see that rock-headed idiot again someday. But I think I'll choose not to forgive him so soon.

[Venti seems to be perfectly okay with being petty about this.]

[Well. Balthier is certainly well-acquainted with petty.]

Somehow I doubt it was his intention to go missing without warning.

[He's just going to make an educated guess on that one.]

Perhaps be a bit easier on him when you see him again?

[Just because that's true doesn't mean Venti wants to believe it!!]

We'll have to see about that one... Maybe I'll dump a whole bottle of wine on his head the moment I see him again.

[Don't worry, they have a very loving relationship.]

What about you, friend? Have you ever dealt with someone you know leaving you like a ghost on the wind?

[Or in other words- have you ever been ghosted??]

I've heard of worse reunions, though it does seem a terrible waste of wine.

[That's the real reason to reconsider, as far as he's concerned. Someone could be drinking that.]

As for being left behind— well, I rather prefer not to give people the opportunity to do so, but it's happened a time or two. Not quite the same, of course; they did it consciously. I'd say what you've experienced here is a different sort of loss, though no less painful for it. Worth grieving, certainly, but hardly a betrayal.

The only sacrifice I'm willing to make. It's worth it to see his face move from something other than stone-faced.

[He giggles mischievously. At least shit-talking Zhongli always puts Venti in a good mood. But then he hums softly.]

Truly... I know the pain will subside with time. [Despite Venti's whining...] The ache is something that whittles away deep inside. But I suppose that is part of everyone's lives at some point.

Until then? More drinking. Ehe!

[Sippp.]

[The pirate lets out a withering sigh, though the corner of his mouth quirks into a good-natured smile all the same.]

Well, I can't argue with such a tried-and-true method of mourning. Just take care not to make yourself ill.

[Or do? It's of no consequence to him.]

It does help one to forget, for a short time, at least. It's lasting effects are rather more questionable.

Oh, I've had more than my fair share of lasting effects if it's that you're worried about.

[Venti has probably had more hangovers than this man's had birthdays.]

Let's continue with something of a more light-hearted topic, shall we?

[Balthier is going to be picked to amuse Venti now!]

What are you remedies for a morning headache after a night of drinking?

Hair of the dog, as they say— more often than not.

[Perhaps not especially scientific, but works well enough, especially with a bit of tomato juice to keep things even.]

Of course, can't drink while flying, so it's not always an option. A heavy breakfast will often do the trick, as well. Best thing is not to let it get to that point in the first place, but we've all been there, certainly.

Ehe?! Hair of the dog- You're joking?!

[What the fuck is that- Venti might be taking that literally??

But then let him lean in slightly.]

And who says drinking stops you from flying? I've been three bottles in and have still touched the skies, all the same, my friend.

[It sure doesn't stop this drunk from flying around... maybe not always in a straight line-]

[His reaction certainly makes it seem as though he's taking it literally, and Balthier raises a brow.]

Ah— it's an expression. Generally, it means if you've had too much to drink, a bit of alcohol will help you get past the worst of it.

[As for the rest, he narrows his gaze.]

I can't say I condone piloting while intoxicated. The slightest error is all it takes to send a ship down— and everyone in it, no matter how good you are.

[He tilts his head...]

Hm. I can't fault that logic. Well, then that would mean I'll need to find myself another bottle of wine.

[But he's out of money... Maybe he should just steal one.]

So that's what you mean! You fly a... what is it called now...? A ship in the sky? What is that? You don't use a glider or some form of wind magic?

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

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