It's a Genshin Christmas

[startraveler]

Who: Genshin cast!
Which: Log
Where: Aether's (and Childe's) house
What: Genshin cast meets up for dinner and a small party, chaos ensues
Warnings: alcohol, will add more if anything happens!

[The temperature dropped, snow started to fall and it seems like Reverein is preparing for some kind of holiday. Aether observes all of that with fascination and decides that this is a perfect moment to gather everyone for a dinner together. Surely, a meeting at such a time will help them all get along!

...Hopefully.

Every person from Teyvat will get an invitation as Aether gets to work, and when the day comes around, all invited will be welcomed by the traveler and lead inside to the living room.

All kinds of dishes can be found on the table and everyone should be able to find something they like. Apart from various specialities from Mondstadt, Liyue and Inazuma, there are also Snezhnayan dishes, all thanks to a certain Harbinger who helped Aether prepare this feast. You can also find various drinks and teas to warm you up (likely a contribution from Diluc and Zhongli), though Aether did not foresee that a certain bard may be trying to add something to those drinks. Be careful not to get drunk!

Apart from food, you can warm up by the fireplace and there are also blankets stacked on the couch in case someone felt particularly cold today.

In the corner of the room there are many small boxes with bows, each one having a name tag. Apparently, this is a gift-giving season so the traveler felt the need to include that in his plans. The gifts are really not too much, many will find cookies and a colourful holiday card inside, but it's the thought that counts!

Sadly, not everything is planned. Aether could not expect that his house will be so inviting for Gumdrops. The small creature will float around, urging you to hug or kiss... or fight! Aether definitely does not like that last kind.]

Comments

b.

[startraveler]

[Before Aether knows it, he suddenly has a baby dragon in his arms.]

Venti?!

[He did not sign up for this!! Plus, last time he had something to do with dragons here, he got kidnapped and then almost fell to death.

In any case, Aether tries to be very careful with this baby.]

...Is keeping a dragon really a good idea, anyway?

[concierto]

[But Aether would be the best baby sitter in the entire world! Venti looks over his shoulder at Aether and pays no mind to how he looks a tad distressed.]

Isn't it better than keeping him out in the cold? Baby dragons tend to like parties too, ehe...

[That's probably a debatable fact.]

[startraveler]

[Would he, really?]

You could at least warn me before handing him over to me.

[Aether sighs, then looks down at the baby dragon. The little thing didn't do anything wrong, it's not his fault he has such wild parents, so Aether tries to pat it on the head... carefully. He doesn't want to get his fingers chomped off or something.]

What does he eat?

[concierto]

[Well, in Venti's humble opinion he's sure that Aether can do anything he sets his mind to. Babysitting included.]

But you're as prepared as ever, dear Aether. Ehe! As for food? He seems to like fresh fish at the moment! And the occasional piece of chicken.

[Dragons eat meat! And it seems the little one can sense that it's being talked about because he lets out a small dragon-coo. Bweeeeh.]

But at a party like this I'm sure some fresh milk will do.

[startraveler]

[Venti, you will not dump more work on him this way, he refuses.

As the dragon coos, Aether pets it on the head a little more. Still very careful.]

I can find him some milk.

[He sighs, then gestures for Venti to come along as they head to the kitchen.]

I still can't believe you're looking after a baby dragon with Childe. [How does this even work.]

[concierto]

[And yet there Aether goes looking for milk for the dear little one...??

As Aether motions for him to follow Venti gives a small pout at the alcohol he'd been about to pick up with both his hands... Wait for him, sweet alcoholic drinks of his. Please wait. He will be back!

He goosesteps after Aether.]

Ehe, expected the unexpected as they say...!

[startraveler]

[Venti needs to take some responsibility, too! Plus, maybe he will find some alcohol in the kitchen as well. Maybe it's something stronger, all thanks to Childe. Maybe there's just grape juice from Diluc and tea from Zhongli.

Still holding the baby dragon, Aether starts looking for some milk.]

It's only the unexpected with the two of you... especially when you're in one place.

[He hasn't forgotten the fight on the scene where Venti kept trying to trip Childe. Though, now that he thinks about it...]

Actually, I'm surprised the two of you get along so well.

[concierto]

[If there is harder stuff than apple cider hidden in the kitchen then Venti will absolutely sniff it out.]

Is that what it looks like?

[Venti pouts... He'll take a moment to come to Aether so he can coo at the baby dragon who in turn gurgles (growls happily) at it's mother figure and sucks on his finger.]

It was all chance at the time! This little one was so eager to meet the world. It only so happened that both of us were watching over him at the time. And just like that... He picked both of us. How could we deny him? [He giggles.] I suppose that shows that Childe does have a heart for sweet things.

[He eyes Aether.]

[startraveler]

He's good with children. [Aether remarks, as he watches the baby dragon some more, while listening to the story. Then he looks up, just in time to see Venti eyeing him. Aether blinks, confused.]

Why are you looking at me like that?

[He closes his eyes.]

The only reason why I got to know him a little better is because I had to babysit his little brother.

["The only reason" he says.]

[concierto]

Oh, of course! That's exactly the reason.

[As they say, the wind knows all.]

And the calming sweet festive atmosphere only helps with getting to know someone better. Ehe!

[startraveler]

[He narrows his eyes!]

Venti... I really don't get what you're trying to say.

[He is not going to confess that he and Childe danced together earlier today! Or that Childe is staying in his house (not like this one is a secret).]

We should all get along as we're stuck in this world. That's just what's best for everyone.

[concierto]

[Venti hums knowingly.]

I'm sure you're right, Aether. What I'm trying to say is... If getting along with him is something that makes you happy then you should be free to chase after that.

[Because as much as he might pout and dislike the harbinger... He does like seeing Aether happy.]

[startraveler]

[Aether falls silent for a longer moment, before sighing.]

To be honest... I don't know how to feel about him.

[He's conflicted and confused. His heart seems to be trying to tell him something, but he's afraid to listen.]

[concierto]

What do you mean by that?

[Venti asks gently.]

[startraveler]

[Aether is silent for a moment, trying to think carefully about what he wants to say.]

He's a Harbinger. I don't agree with their methods or actions and I... can't forgive them for hurting so many people. For hurting you.

[Signora is gone though, and Venti is here, happy and healthy, but still...]

On the other hand, I know there's more to them. I know that Childe doesn't like what other Harbingers are doing, I know he loves his family, his homeland... He's not a bad person, but at the same time he's not a good person either.

[concierto]

[Venti listens to his carefully. His expression is masked with his usual happy and slightly drunk expression (it's the drinks). While Venti has many things he could say about the Harbingers and their homeland he knows that a lot of those things are things that Aether has to find out for himself...

So, he smiles.]

Truth be told, Aether, there is good and bad in all people. The shape and colour of the heart is not defined by only one colour.

[Of course Childe isn't a good person. But that doesn't make him bad. He supposes.]

But it's defined by how we use our hearts. Don't you think?

[startraveler]

[Hearing that, Aether pauses and considers it for a moment. No matter when drunk or not, Venti can sometimes say something very thoughtful and surprisingly serious.]

I suppose you're right.

[He smiles softly.]

You would know the best, right? Being a god.

[Especially considering how close Venti has always been to people. It feels like he knows people's hearts well. Even this traveler's heart doesn't seem like much of a secret to the archon.]

[concierto]

[Venti smiles knowingly. And while he puts up a finger to his lips to gently shh Aether from saying such a thing...]

I think in this case... It's a matter of knowing the best, as your friend.

[He glances off towards where Childe might be. He curiously eyes the man and makes a few notes to himself that he won't be telling Aether. But Aether has always been the type to be a good judge of character. To see the best in people. To want to help others. To find happiness and joy in everything he does despite his long journey ahead of him.

If Tartaglia the Harbinger is part of that journey... Then Aether should be free to walk it.

but Venti is going to keep an eye on them]