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“Childe,” Zhongli called me. We were having our usual lunch at the Luili Pavilion. And I am still struggling with my chopsticks.
“Yes, Zhongli?” I answered.
“Venti invited us to attend their Windblume Festival.”
“Venti?”
“Barbatos,” he whispered. Oh, yes. The Anemo Archon, Morax’s best friend. It’s been ages since my attempt in drowning the Liyue Harbor, ages since… Never mind.
“Sure. When will this be?”
“It’s a week-long celebration. When are you free?”
“Whenever you are. I’ll talk to Andrei about it.”
“Hmmm… Perhaps I can ask Hu Tao for a day or two off from the Funeral Parlor. I will let you know tonight.”
Gesturing a salute towards the consultant, I resume my battle with my chopsticks.
++++
Surprisingly, Hu Tao gave 2 days off to Zhongli and told ‘Harbinger, make sure that that consultant will have fun or at least be one with the young ones. Wink wink’.
Zhongli enjoyed walking, so much walking, that he insisted we walk towards Mondstadt. Good thing I convinced him to use the teleport near Springvale. Our 2 days off cannot guarantee we will reach our destination.
I enjoyed our walk (hike?) from Springvale going to Mondstadt. This is not the first time I’ve been to the city of freedom, but this is the first time I enjoyed it. The scenery, the history, the person I’m with. Oops, slip of the tongue.
“Zhongli, can you please tell me what is this Windblume Festival?”
The look I received was very funny. “You do not go to battles unprepared, Tartaglia.”
“I am with you. I trust you with my being.”
“But I can drown you.”
“I trust you still.”
Zhongli sighed. “Very well. Windblume Festival is a celebration of love. It can be romantic love or platonic love. People of Mondstadt give windblumes to their loved ones and offer them to Barbatos. It is also a nice opportunity to confess your love or look for love.”
“So, this is practically for lovers?”
“You are not listening, Childe.” Zhongli scolded me, but with a smile on his face.
++++
“ZHONGLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII~” I heard a very cheerful voice. “YOU BROUGHT YOUR BOYFRIEND!” Okay, that was not nice.
“Hello Venti,” Oh! This is Barbatos? “I see you are well. Thank you for inviting me and Childe.”
“Hi!” I greeted the Anemo Archon.
“Are you here to hurt me?”
“No! I came in peace!”
“I’m just kidding! Thank you for coming with this old man, I don’t think he will be coming if I just invited him.” Oh, so that’s it.
“Thank you for inviting me. I’ll make sure this old man will enjoy this festival.”
++++
Day 1 of our Windblume festival, Venti toured us around, played silly games that I did enjoy. When was the last time I had fun doing silly things? It is also refreshing to see Zhongli being carefree. I vow to protect that smile.
Who’d have thought this two will be bestest of friends? Venti, being as carefree as the wind and Zhongli being… well… uhm, a rock?
“Childe, I forgot to bring mora.”
“But you brought your wallet, Zhongli. You’ll be fine.” Venti answered.
“Hey Sir Venti, I heard that,” I answered trying to glare at the Anemo Archon but failed miserably.
++++
Venti showed us some places here in Mondstadt. The Thousand Winds Temple, where I fought a ruin guard while the two Gods just chitchat. He also brought us to Cape Oath, “You should take Zhongli here tonight wink wink.” Venti whispered. Ah, now I know why Zhongli and Hu Tao somehow get along.
We went back to Mondstadt, bid hello to Traveler, received a glare from the Acting Grand Master “Jean, I guarantee you he will not cause harm.” Thank you, Venti. I am so scared for my life now.
Later that night, we were invited by Venti to a tavern, “A famous in Mondstadt,” he claimed, called Angel’ Share. If not for the red-haired bartender looking at me like he wants to kill me, I would have enjoyed it. But to give credit, their wines are great especially Fire-Water. But Snezhnaya’s Fire-Water is still the best. I miss home.
It was half past midnight when the red-haired guy stopped glaring at me and is enjoying (I think he is) a what? Grape Juice? With a blue-haired pirate man. They look good together.
Noticing the time, I searched for Zhongli in the tavern. He is not visible on the first floor so I went up to the second floor. Weird, I thought to myself. Venti must be with him.
I decided to go to the balcony for some fresh air when I heard his voice… and a woman’s giggle.
The two noticed me, Zhongli calling me to come over. My feet did, but it’s like I’m somewhere… high? Roof? I don’t know. Zhongli keeps on talking, I think I heard a name? I don’t know. My brain is having a hard time processing things. Then my lungs started to join the fun. I started coughing.
“Are you okay, Childe?” I nodded, telling them I’ll get water, my throat is dry.
Moments later, Zhongli bid farewell to that woman he was having a chat with. I know he told me her name, but it didn’t register.
We bid goodnight to Venti, Diluc the red-haired bartender and Kaeya the blue-haired pirate.
Thankfully, we reached Goth Grand Hotel without any injury. This is the first time I saw Zhongli this wasted. Huh! A 6000 year old man, getting wasted.
Once Zhongli reached his bed, he had this stupid smile on his face, “She reminds me of Guizhong,” then he fell asleep.
“Huh… Guizhong,” I told myself while holding a petal of her favorite flower, glaze lily.
++++
The next and last day of our mini-holiday, Venti took us to a place called Springvale, told as the story about a fairy who befriended a mortal. “I think the mortal fell in love with the fairy. He keeps waiting for her in the spring.” Venti told us. Why does that sound familiar? “Until now?” I asked. Venti just nodded, a melancholy smile on his lips. I didn’t know why, but I felt lonely. And then I felt a warm hand on mine, Zhongli smiling at me. Why?
I saw a kid running and suddenly miss Teucer.
++++
Next on our itinerary is Wolvendom, where we were introduced to Andrius, one of the Four Winds of Mondstadt. Then Zhongli told Venti that he would like him to also meet Azhdaha. These Gods are so weird with their pets.
Lunchtime came and we were forced to witness the Windblume Ceremony. Traveler was the chosen Windblume Star, for all the things he did for Mondstadt. I can sense the panic when the Traveler was asked what will be the flower that will be offered to Barbatos. “No pressure, Honorary Knight. Just choose whatever flower you like to offer. Oh, it will represent the whole of Mondstadt.” Jean – the Acting Grand Master commented. Venti and I laughed at the Traveler’s face.
After the ceremony, our Mondstadt tour with Barbatos as our tour guide continue but this is our last stop. “I want to start drinking early,” Venti announced.
When I thought the large wolf was Venti’s pet, I was oh so wrong. Our last stop is Stormterror’s Lair, where Venti introduced us to Dvalin, also one of the Four Winds. Being friends with Archons is awesome.
++++
The two Archons are busy chatting while we were on our way to the tavern. I saw a cute little girl near a flower shop.
“Hello! Are you selling flowers?”
“Hi! Yes, I am indeed! Would you like some, Sir?”
“What would you recommend little miss?”
The girl giggled, “Are you from another country?”
“I am, indeed.”
“I will recommend Dandelions! Since they are the true windblume.”
I can hear some people arguing but, “If the little miss said, then that is a fact. Will you please give me a bouquet?”
++++
And at long last, we were once again at Venti’s favorite place, Angel’s Share. Good thing I bought more mora than I initially planned because these two Archons have one thing in common – lack of mora.
“Looks like you have to feed the friend of your boyfriend now,” Kaeya commented.
“Zhongli is not my boyfriend,”
“Yet,” Kaeya teased.
I drank the wine that was offered to me. Bottoms up.
“Thank you for also paying for that Bard,” Diluc said, “He never pays.”
Kaeya introduced me to one of the regulars here on tavern, which really surprised me because Rosaria is a sister in the Church of Favonius. But then again, their God loves wine so… Sister, you do you.
We were playing some random card games that I really didn’t understand but I started laughing because Kaeya is bullying Diluc.
It was half-past midnight again when I noticed Zhongli is not with us. But Venti is. I have a feeling where he is.
I excused myself and went to the balcony and yep, Zhongli and the woman Guizhong? are talking again. I have never seen you genuinely happy as you did now. Were you that happy talking to me? I wish I were the one making you that happy.
I didn’t know I was crying until I felt wetness in my cheeks… As you planted a soft kiss on her forehead.
I immediately went back inside the tavern, thankfully it was empty except for Venti.
”CHILDEEEEEEEEE, COME JOIN ME~~~~~”
“Venti,” I called, “I’m-” I took a deep breath. “I’m going home.” I tried to smile.
“Already~?” Venti said cheerfully, but that smile slowly faded away when he looked looked at me. “Are you okay?”
I nodded, not trusting my voice to crack. Took another deep breath and gave the bouquet of dandelions, “Could you please give this to Zhongli? And please tell him I’m going home.”
Venti commented, “Giving up already? I thought-“
I suddenly coughed somehow badly, causing the remaining people inside the tavern to look at me. The look Venti is giving me is very funny with his eyes so big and mouth gaping like a fish. But lo and behold, for I am holding a full glaze lily. With blood. I laughed, more to myself, “I know when to give up when I’m losing a battle.”
“Childe, you have-“
“I think I do, now. Thought it was a myth or something. I’m one of the recipients of this blessing. Worry does not look good on your face,” I said laughing. Oh my life is a whole joke.
Venti frowned, “This is not a laughing matter, Childe. Are you sure you are, okay? Do you want me to accompany-“
I shook my head, “No need. You enjoy the rest of your night, Venti. Nice to meet you.”
I left the tavern, with the bloodied glaze lily and a broken heart.
++++
Not sure if going to Zhongli’s house before going home is a good idea but whatever. I left a letter and another pain in my heart knowing that Zhongli didn’t go home last night.
“Hey, Harbinger!” Hu Tao called, “Where is my consultant? Don’t tell me you kidnap him!”
I smiled at the director’s energy so early in the morning. I think I need that. “Your consultant is still in Mondstadt.”
“WHAAT? His off is just until yesterday!”
I tried to smile, “You said that I have to make sure that your consultant will have fun. I think he had.”
“Whoa wait… I thought you-”
I shook my head, “Whatever it is, it is not.”
“Are you… okay?”
I nodded, trying to convince myself that I am fine. “I’m going home.”
“Home?”
“Yes, home. Nice to meet you Ms. Hu Tao. Please… Take care of Zhongli.”
I walk and then run towards the harbor, boarded the boat that is bound to Snezhnaya, without looking back.
++++
Dear Zhongli,
I hope you enjoy the Windblume Festival. I went home. As in home. Sorry, I didn’t bid my farewell personally, but I hope Venti did on my behalf.
Nice to meet you, Zhongli. Take care of yourself. Don’t forget to bring mora. I… may not be there to pay on your behalf. If you need mora, just go to Northland Bank and ask Ekaterina or Andrei.
Ajax