[ their last reunion hadn't been nearly as joyous, consumed in ash and flames. this is far more peaceful, even if it feels more like a reprieve than something that may last for more than a few moments. time is funny that way, especially to those considered gods: it moves slowly sometimes, as if it may come to a complete halt, and in others it drives forward where one moment bleeds into another, until everything passes at once in a heartbeat. this feels somewhere in between, like a hazy exhale before another sharp intake of breath.
Venti pierces the quiet murmurs of morning with noise, eagerly chirping about fruit in the way that a parent would display a child's drawing on the wall with excessive pride. if this were Liyue, he'd feel the same way. there was so far that Liyue had come that filled him with pride, even when he had to let go.
an eye opens half-lidded beneath heavy lashes, like a dragon awoken from a brief nap. then he lifts his head to give a proper greeting. ]
Barbatos.
[ he says as easily as someone would say good morning. (it'll take him some habit to fall into Venti instead of Barbatos, whoops.) ]
It has been a while. I see things have changed for Mondstadt just as they've changed for Liyue.
[ bright eyes go past the top of Venti's head and to the stone gate and the towering windmills above before lowering back to the giddy little bard in front of him holding the offering of fruit and ... well, excitement?
it strikes him a little oddly, then settles warmth in his chest that he didn't expect. despite all the arguments and horror from so long ago, it's good to see him. ]
❤️
Venti pierces the quiet murmurs of morning with noise, eagerly chirping about fruit in the way that a parent would display a child's drawing on the wall with excessive pride. if this were Liyue, he'd feel the same way. there was so far that Liyue had come that filled him with pride, even when he had to let go.
an eye opens half-lidded beneath heavy lashes, like a dragon awoken from a brief nap. then he lifts his head to give a proper greeting. ]
Barbatos.
[ he says as easily as someone would say good morning. (it'll take him some habit to fall into Venti instead of Barbatos, whoops.) ]
It has been a while. I see things have changed for Mondstadt just as they've changed for Liyue.
[ bright eyes go past the top of Venti's head and to the stone gate and the towering windmills above before lowering back to the giddy little bard in front of him holding the offering of fruit and ... well, excitement?
it strikes him a little oddly, then settles warmth in his chest that he didn't expect. despite all the arguments and horror from so long ago, it's good to see him. ]