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In Mondstadt there's a saying: the wind knows that, before being the wind, it was a breeze.
This can be interpreted in many ways. For the kids, they dream about growing and becoming the wind. As for the adults, it's a reminder to know from where they came, who they were and how they have reached where they are now.
For the Anemo Archon who has heard this proverb multiple times, he can't deny its veracity. He himself knows perfectly his past as a wind spirit and how that little wisp of wind passed to be a God and an Archon, even if the way wasn't the one who he would like to. And he also knows he would do anything to protect the city he once helped to escape from the tyranny.
With this being well-known in Mondstadt city, he doesn't understand the behaviour of some citizens.
"You are not a good drinker, captain" Venti laughs, seeing the young man falling at his Death After Noon number ten.
"It's just you're particularly resistant, bard." Kaeya smiles. "I admit not being like you, but not as lightweight as Master Diluc." He moves his head slightly to point at the bartender, who is attending his business without hearing them.
There's another famous proverb in Mondstadt: if you want to know someone truly, treat them to a Dandelion Wine.
"You two seem pretty close but at the same time you claim to don't like each other." Venti takes another sip. "I really don't understand your relationship."
"There is nothing more than once we were close, but not anymore." Kaeya seems sad about it, but he tries to not show it. "It's what time makes people, isn't it?"
"Time is unkind, but ineludible." Venti nods. "Still, there's time for both of you. You're young, you're alive. Not everyone is able to say the same."
"Past is unchangeable, and memories remain." Kaeya's laugh is a poor attempt at a real one. "And they hurt."
Yes, memories hurt. Venti knows it better. Memories are hard, they are some which haunts him when he looks at the mirror and tells himself he doesn't deserve to be where he is, that he's an imposter and there are too many things he has done wrong.
But there are also memories that are treasures to him. Days of better days, with songs and laughs, brilliant days of people celebrating and dancing in Mondstadt plaza, in honor of their freedom.
There are dreams of better futures to be protected under the wing of freedom.
"The past can hurt, but in my opinion, you can keep faking and playing pretend or…" Venti bends himself over the table. "You can go there and tell him what you really think."
Kaeya burst into a laugh that screams irony.
"I can't do that. Not if I appreciate my… life…"
The effects of alcohol on people are different and so funny to see. Kaeya's head falls over the table, sleeping peacefully and barely ending his sentence.
"Sleeping in my tavern again?" Diluc sighs when he approaches. "It's not that I'm particularly interested, I'm just making sure he's not sleeping here all night. He has to work tomorrow."
"I'm… sorry" Kaeya says, but it's not a response to Diluc, since he's still dreaming.
Venti sees the redhead expression, as if he understands what Kaeya is dreaming. He makes the Cavalry Captain stand up, relying his weight on his body.
"You know, Master Diluc, you may try to not show it but you worry about him as much as he worries about you." Venti laughs at the sight of Kaeya clinging on the arm of the bartender. "I don't know about the details, but it seems you have to talk and resolve it. Don't waste the time you may miss later. You two have a brighter future, you know."
Diluc only stares at him silently as Venti ends his glass of wine, all of them treated by Kaeya since he has won their little competition.
"The tavern is going to close soon, please make sure to make your leave before." Diluc finally says, and looks at Charles, who nods, possibly knowing that he's in charge while he carries Kaeya home.
"You don't seem like that, but you're pretty good at giving advice." A woman's voice tells him from behind, and Venti turns to see the possibly most infamous sister of the Church, Rosaria.
"It's my job as a bard to be good at words, don't you think, sister?" Venti gives her a few of his lyre tunes. "Do you want advice as well? We have plenty of time, right, Charles?" Venti looks at the bartender, who sighs and smiles while cleaning a cup and shortly after goes to the second floor to wake up those renegades that are still there.
"I don't need advice, less from a nosy bard, thank you so much."
"But it is strange you don't even know the name of the God you're supposed to worship, isn't it?" Venti never asked for worship, and he has nothing against those who don't even know his name, but the name of the Seven are well known in all Teyvat. You have to live under a rock to not know them, less being part of a Church.
"I don't think he is even deserving to remember, and it's not different for other gods, but everyone is free to think whatever they want and believe in whatever they see right."
"Oh? Have the Archons made something to you?"
Venti has made too many things wrong, but he remembers perfectly the faces of those who have met their final end behind his wings, and those who remained behind. Her face is unfamiliar, even if he knows there's a village of those with her characteristics near the boundaries of Mondstadt, even if it's been a while since he has seen them. If he remembers correctly, they are worshippers as well of Anemo Archon. What could this woman have passed to be now with that expression and to tell those words?
"It's more what they didn't do. They aren't there when needed, they weren't, and they won't. Why do we have to worship those who don't care about us?"
"Then you felt abandoned by them?"
"You… why am I telling you all of this?" Rosaria says, and Venti laughs.
"Because you're a bit drunk, perhaps?"
"I'm not…" Rosaria looks at his glass, empty by now. "When did I…?" She looks at the bard, who only shrugs and keeps smiling.
"The past and the memories are going to be always with you, and you can't change it." Venti says, playing his lyre softly. "And certainly, humans and gods are not the same, but gods also have their unchangeable past, and it's not always filled with good things. It's the price of godhood, you can say. Nevertheless, we can change the future, don't you think?"
It's what Venti repeats to himself. He can't change the past, the dead can't return, but he can make other people live the life others couldn't, to enjoy the freedom that others couldn't even touch.
Rosaria stares at him silently.
"But I think you're a smart woman. You already know that." Venti continues, looking at his lyre. "And even if you seem cold and distant, you worry about this city and its people, and this is the city of freedom, you can live as you want! It's not that Barbatos is going to go down and forbid you to do that, right?"
Her expression is both surprised and at the same time relaxed. A breeze passes through her cheek, soft as his melody.
"You're not an ordinary bard, right?"
"Who knows?" Venti dedicates a few tunes to the woman before grinning.
"I think I should go now… Thank you, bard." She says as she places a few Mora on the table.
"My pleasure."
Rosaria goes out of the tavern, and suddenly a glass of wine is placed next to him. He looks surprised at Charles.
"On the house." He says, smiling.
"I don't think Master Diluc would say the same" He says as he looks at the bartender returning to the counter.
"Oh, I'm sure he would." Charles laughs.
Venti smiles as he sips his wine. Dandelion Wine, unmatched.
"Do you want me to play you another tune?"
Charles nods and then Venti starts playing a typical Mondstadt song, one born from the times of the resistance.
One that seeks for a better future, and that now reminds old days that may never happen again.