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

[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?

[glidinglight]

[ Ah. She stops to think a moment and reflect on her feelings, such as they are. Is she jealous? ... No. She remembers what that felt like in that nasty, awful feelings-altering game. She's genuinely happy for them. And she doesn't feel diminished, either, in the sense that she does feel valued. ]

No. I wouldn't say it's like that. It's like...

[ She thinks some more, and there's a long pause, long enough that he wouldn't be faulted if he thought she had simply stopped speaking and opting not to anymore. She knows the feeling, but she's loathe to say it, because there are few things that make her feel small, but this does. ]

I'm just more aware of the distance, that's all.

[ TL;DR, she's lonely and seeing people she's happy for be cuddly and happy with each other is a reminder that her brother is gone, Paimon is gone, she's not sure if her transient nature isn't going to put a damper on her relationship with Venti, and for the first time in over five hundred years... she wants to break her promise with her brother not to get too involved with people. ]

[happydreamed]

Ah. -Yes, I can understand that.

[It is a little lonely, on the outside looking in. Even if she's a part of things, it's not the same.]

...Perhaps you should tell Venti or Aliza to cuddle with you more? That may only help a small amount, but 'tis a start.

[glidinglight]

Ah, maybe. I don't want to push things.

[ She doesn't want to make anyone uncomfortable by being needy. ]

[happydreamed]

Let me tell you a secret.

Venti and Aliza both love cuddling and will be thrilled that you asked.

[This is not actually a secret.]

[glidinglight]

Well that's....

[ Not untrue. But it's different!!! She's not you or Yuri. ]

Maybe. I'll think about it.

[happydreamed]

Please do. I'll be rooting for you, Lumine.

[glidinglight]

[ Don't root too hard, she's probably going to drag her feet on this, the one thing she has not much confidence in. ]

[ Slightly nervous laughter. ]

Thank you.

[happydreamed]

You're welcome. -And I understand if you'd not be comfortable, but I'd be happy to hug you as well.

[They're not as close, but he is very cuddly, too.]

[glidinglight]

Eh!? But--You're Saya's husband.

[ And she knows for a fact that Saya is extremely worried about her nature as a Queen overwhelming her and getting jealous.... ]

I couldn't possibly. I don't want to cause any problems.

[happydreamed]

I'm only offering platonic, completely nonsexual hugs. Surely being married doesn't deny me the opportunity to have other friends?

[Even Saya's instincts shouldn't have a problem with hugs.]

[glidinglight]

[ Put like that, it sounds completely reasonable. Still, though. ]

I still think maybe we should say something to her first. I wouldn't want there to be a misunderstanding.

[happydreamed]

By all means, especially if that would help you feel more secure as well.

Leave it at this y/n?

[glidinglight]

[ She nods. ]

I'll do so.