welcome home

[outofoffice]

Who: Venti, Yuri, Saya, Lumine, and Kantera
What: A moment of respite
When: March 4th
Where: A house at the far edge of Blossomcrown
Warnings: Probably mentions of previous game trauma/violence


[ Venti has always been the type who wanders to the beat of his own drum, dipping in and out of people's lives as easily as the blowing wind. But Tokyo-F . . . changed things, somewhat.

Though his initial instinct had been to sleep under a tree and call it "home," an invitation to live with old friends put a halt to those plans. For starters, it would be protection from the unpredictable weather in the segments. For another, maybe he did get used to having a bed and a room to call "home," in no small part because of the teammates and friends who inhabited it with him. Now that solitary tree feels . . . lonely, in a way it didn't before.

And so here he is, standing at the threshold of a house full of people he loves and trusts, who asked him to stay . . . it makes him feel his age, but not in a bad way, for once. Nor does he feel that nagging urge to disappear into the wind.

Should he catch anyone watching him, the pensive expression dissolves into a smile. ]

Hehe, is this the part where we fight over bedrooms?

Comments

[happydreamed]

I know this for a fact. 'Tis one of his many charm points.

[glidinglight]

He does a pretty good job of that--charming people. It's amazing more people back home haven't figured out his secret.

[happydreamed]

Ah, now that I think of it - I told you how Alizarin and I first bonded, but you haven't told me how you and Venti met. Fair is fair, no?

[glidinglight]

In Teyvat? Paimon and I were exploring the forests around Mondstadt when we happened upon a bard who seemed to be trying to communicate with a dragon. It was an accident, but we got caught--and scared off the dragon.

[ She laughs a little at the memory. ]

I don't think he was very happy to meet me.

[happydreamed]

Ah, I can understand that, being as fond of dragons as I am.

[the most biased of people.]

[glidinglight]

Well, anyway. He left without telling me his name... and later, when that same dragon attacked the city, I found him running around and pursued him as a Person of Interest. It turned out in the long run he was working to soothe Dvalin. We ended up working together. I think... things probably changed about the time we stole the Holy Lyre der Himmel.

[happydreamed]

Oh, partners in crime? A romantic set up.

[glidinglight]

You think so? It's definitely not how I thought things would turn out at the time.

[happydreamed]

I'm sure I've read a novel or two starting with two people who must pull off a heist together. Though I suppose it doesn't always turn out that way.

[glidinglight]

How else does it turn out?

[happydreamed]

Sometimes one meets an intriguing but dangerous enemy agent and falls for them instead.

[glidinglight]

Ah. The truly doomed romance. I should have guessed!

[happydreamed]

I do appreciate a tragic love affair now and again in literature, with two people who can never be together despite the intensity of their feelings. But in reality I'm much more of a fan of people overcoming obstacles.

[glidinglight]

I agree. I've had enough tragedies and separations in my life.

[happydreamed]

As have we all, I'm certain.

-If there is ever anything I might do for you, do let me know. I am an excellent listener, if nothing else.

[glidinglight]

Actually... it's not something you could do per se, but a question you might be able to answer for me. If it's not too invasive.

[happydreamed]

By all means, ask away.

[glidinglight]

[ How does she phrase this....? ]

This polyamorous relationship... Do you feel like it affects your relationship as Saya's husband?

[happydreamed]

I don't.

[Calmly, confidently.]

Venti and Lupine are dear friends to Aliza, and their relationship is important, but it isn't romantic love. I know that that is reserved for me.

[glidinglight]

[ She nods and takes a moment to just quietly think that over. ]

I assume it looks different to you then.

[happydreamed]

I do believe it is different. Physical intimacy and romantic love are often linked, but they aren't inseparable.

...Also, I am sleeping with Lupine myself, and I'm well aware that I'm not in love with him. So 'twould be somewhat hypocritical to think otherwise of Aliza and him.

[glidinglight]

[ She shakes her head. ]

I'm not trying to accuse anyone of anything. Just trying to understand how it works for you all, is all.

[happydreamed]

How do you feel about it? Your comfort is important as well.

[glidinglight]

I think it's lovely that you all can share each other without feeling threatened or diminished. ... I think if more people could live that way, maybe there would be less heartache and jealousy.

[happydreamed]

I agree, but that isn't exactly what I meant to ask. Do you feel hurt, or jealous, or diminished?