[open] i miss the days when life was so simple

[concierto]

Who: Venti & You!
Which: Open Log
Where: The Ever Blossoming Grove, Reverein Markets & The Wishing Well
What: Two very dear friends leave Songerein and a bard sings them adieu. Venti also takes advantage of some free samples and fake things.
Warnings: Tba.


[🎐 a. poems in the grove]

[Nestled somewhere deep in the wildflowers and foliage of the newly appeared Ever-Blossoming Grove the sound of a mourning lyre can be heard. Soft and melancholy notes that sound light and airy. Yet, listening to the musical notes will give anyone a sense of warmth deep in their chest like saying goodbye to an old and dear friend.

Linger around and a melodious voice can be heard singing. The voice is pitched with longing and sweetness.]

When lovers part at eventide
To meet again tomorrow,
With laughing lips and backward glance,
Undimmed by thought of sorrow,
Ah, then, as glows the sickle moon,
And soft distils the dew,
What other word so fitting sweet
As, "Love, adieu, adieu"?

When true friends part whose lives in one,
Like rippling streamlets blended,
As clinging hands and tearful eyes
Bespeak that all is ended,
Ah, then beneath life's winter noon,
Or autumn's stormier sky,
What word so fond on friendship's lips
As, "Friend, goodbye, goodbye"?

[Perhaps the natural draw of this beautiful and nostalgic place brings others near. Or the sound of Venti’s gentle singing. Or perhaps it’s the special promise of healing that this place has to give while exploring the wilds. Either way, the wisp of wind that brushes past your ear to tickle your hair will urge you to come closer and listen or even say hello!]

[🎐 b. all you can eat sweets]

[Now that Reverein has returned back to its non-sugary state Venti is once again bard-shaped and no longer a sugar plum fairy. But it seems Venti’s sweet tooth hasn’t vanished with the change. He happily explores the newly arrived bakeries and sweet shops that have appeared in Reverein’s markets and he is happy to see that at least some of the buildings have remained as gingerbread structures.

Venti can be found sneaking into the warm buildings to escape any of the chilly snowy weather outside. He is happy to warm his hands together as he browses the collections of baked goods and sweets and takes advantage of the free samples. He doesn’t have anything in exchange to get himself a real cake or some cookies so he is spending his day snacking on anything that’s entirely free. What a freeloader...]

Oh? Free samples? Shortbread cookies? Don’t mind if I do!

[Venti snatches yet another cookie and starts to nibble on it like a happy little bird. Maybe someone should stop him before he gets in trouble for taking so many samples...

But it is called ALL YOU CAN EAT Sweets, isn’t it? Take advantage of the system!]

[🎐 c. dreamboard: clean out the well]

[Someone has poisoned the water hole?! No- Not exactly. Someone has filled the wishing well with fake wishing baubles. And while Venti can appreciate the craftsmanship of counterfeit products he is here at the well to see if he can give a hand.

And maybe see if using any of the fakes actually work.

Venti is leaning over the edge of the wishing well, his toes barely touching the ground as he sticks his head and arms into the well to try and reach any of the fake bits all on his own. But he’s a bit too short... His feet kick and Venti starts to precariously lose his balance! you would think a god would have a little more poise]

Ehe?! Quickly! Please, grab me before I fall in?!

[🎐 d. wildcard]

[got something else? put it here! or you can find me at michrure for some plotting!]

Comments

c

[whirlwindthrust]

[ One would think that a god would have a little more poise. Xiao, however, knows better than that. Venti would be about ready to fall into the well.

Xiao reaches out and grabs the fabric of Venti's cloak. ]

Are you ever not getting yourself into trouble?

[concierto]

[At least Venti knows he can rely on the yaksha to catch him when Venti is just a little bit too clumsy. But is Venti being clumsy on purpose? Sometimes even that is hard to tell.]

Xiao! Ehe, once again you're my saviour!

[He wiggles and sets himself upright. But it seems Venti has lost his hat somewhere. All he has now is two of those fake baubles in his hands.]

But I think you might find that this trouble is very much worth it!

a

[whatsamada]

[Meanwhile, there happened to be a young boy that was passing by. With the faintest of sounds whispering in his ear, he couldn't help but be a little curious as to who would be singing such a somber song.

As he approached, he gave a slight gasp at who it was.]

Hey, isn't that...?

[He said to himself. Although, as much as he wanted to talk to him, he knew better than to interrupt his singing.]

[concierto]

[Venti knows that someone might be listening in but he doesn't skip a note. He simply continues to sing softly with his eyes shut and the notes floating through the air. When he's finished he'll look up and smile at the boy.]

Hello again, young Master Ken! You've come a long way into the wilds if you've found this place.

[But this boy is capable of much so he isn't surprised.]

a

[judicialassistant]

[ Susato doesn't often find herself wandering the Wildlands by herself. She finds herself drawn to the Ever-Blossoming Grove, however, because as she is approaching with her basket of flowers and other ingredients, she... realizes that she doesn't recognize it. Has it always been there?

Worse, has she gotten lost?

Yet she feels drawn to it somehow, even before the singing starts. There is a quiet rustling among the foliage as draws closer, and the words become clearer.

It's so... sad. ]

[concierto]

[The grove is a beautiful and strange spot in the middle of nowhere that doesn't adhere to the seasons that pass by, it seems. Venti had found it in his wandering but part of him does wonder if there was something that drew him to this place too. Like following a wish on the wind.

He doesn't notice Susato at first. While he might sense that someone is nearby Venti continues to play his song and sing the words slowly and sadly. But the expression on Venti's face is peaceful and he has a small bittersweet smile on his lips. Maybe like... He's used to singing like this.]

c

[iracorn]

[Ira quickly reaches out to grab Venti and pull him back before he topples into the well. Lucky he had been around for the same task, or so Ira assumes.]

Are you alright?

[He's a little impressed that Venti doesn't seem to panicked.]

[concierto]

[Perhaps because it might entirely be an act that Venti is clumsy or stuck at all- it's hard to tell when Venti is involved. Even when Ira grabs him before he falls Venti merely lets out a little giggle and then touches his feet back to the ground and fixes the bow on his cape.]

Oh! I'm quite alright. Thanks to you, Ira. Without you, I might have toppled all the way in!

[He sticks his tongue out playfully.]

a

[menancia]

[The Ever-Blossoming Grove itself has called Dohalim to visit this day; he finds the place to be as beautiful as it is peaceful, a touch wistful and nostalgic as friends who have departed enter his thoughts, and he quickly finds that he is not the only one.

Music has always spoken to him, as has poetry; they are the language of the soul, deeply intertwined, and it is the soft notes of the lyre that draw his attention to start, gentle and melancholy as they are. The words that follow are equally so, haunting as he follows them towards their source. When he comes across Venti at last, he pauses, waiting some several steps away until the bard's tune comes to a close, at which point he offers gentle applause.]

That was beautiful. An offering from the soul, if I have ever heard one.

[concierto]

[Venti can sense the audience nearby but he doesn't alter his tune. He lets his music speak for itself. To the soft sweet scent of wildflowers in the air to the sombre and gentle notes of his music. It's peaceful and bittersweet. Much like Venti's expression as he smiles softly when he's finished.]

Thank you. I hope that it's carried away on the wind and heard from far, far away.

[A simple little wish that his song reaches the ears of people he won't be able to see anymore. But that's all it is. A wish.]

c

[projections]

Do I even want to ask how you managed to do that? I'll help but just be careful next time.

[Shirou sticks out his hand so that Venti can grab it.]

Here.

[concierto]

Oh! Thank you!

[Venti scrambles to grab the hand and then he pulls himself out with a little giggle on his lips. He straightens himself out then raps a fist on his head and sticks his tongue out dumbly.]

That was entirely my fault, I'll try to be much more careful next time I stick my head into a well. Ehe!

[Is Venti for real?? Well, that's hard to say. He might be faking this dumb act.]

A

[kikuichi]

[It's only a matter of time before Norimune goes exploring by himself, again. Going a little further than before, taking mental notes of what he observed and saw during these infrequent trips outside of Reverein.

The grove he find himself in feel calming and serene, with a strong sense of nostalgia rising in his chest. While he stand there to absorb it all, his ears pick up the sounds of singing. Following where it comes from, looking for the singer whose song deserve words of appreciation. Hopefully in person.]

[concierto]

[Venti will know that someone might be nearby. He'll continue to sing softly, his notes gentle and melancholy in the sweet flower-scented air. And the bard himself will look very serene if not a little sad as he smiles through each and every note.

Once he's done singing Venti will still pick at a few notes on his lyre before saying,]

Hello there, I hope you liked the performance? I'm always happy to play for new ears.

A

[makingmyway]

[ In all honesty, Dorian isn't entirely sure how he had arrived to the Ever-Blossoming Grove, other than perhaps a bit of mindless wandering that turned into being drawn to the magical nature of the grove, his feet leading him to the place without him realizing it.

As he draws closer, the sound of music reaches his ears, and he pauses a moment just to take it in. It was a bit bittersweet, the melancholic sound of farewell mixed with the warm earnest of the song and lyrics, all wrapped in the longing and nostalgia that seemed to permeate the very air itself.

And Dorian felt that familiar itch to play himself, though a part of him hesitated a moment since this felt a bit like a private moment. But then, misery does love company doesn't it?

So eventually he unclips his flute from the axe head, and after listening to the music a moment more, he beings to gently play along, the gentle and haunting notes adding an accompaniment to the lyre's tune. ]

[concierto]

[Misery absolutely loves company. That is why when Venti senses the person nearby and hears the added notes of the flute Venti only continues to play. His heart flutters happily at the added depth to the song that the flute gives. Giving it the gentle soothing harmony it needed.

He looks up and smiles at the man while still singing the words note for note. Dreamy magic made by his lyre will make little sparkles of green appear and float about in the air.

The bard didn't think he would find someone to play with so far away and tucked into the bushes like this. But a new friend is very much welcomed. And perhaps Venti feels just a touch less lonely.]

c

[sleightofhans]

[Does he leave this kid to fall into the well? It's a tempting thought that swirls in Hans's mind for a few seconds, but he probably shouldn't let something like this happen. So, after conjuring up his best worried face, Hans reaches over and grabs Venti's cloak before he falls over to a rather unfortunate plummet. Even if he didn't die from the fall, it would be vastly uncomfortable.]

I have you, are you alright?

[The prince asks as he yanks Venti back with probably a little more force than necessary. He's just making that he doesn't fall in and all that.]

[concierto]

Ehe?!

[Rather roughly yanked and saved! Venti can only let out a startled little yelp as he flails his arms and sets himself back on his two feet. His hat is gone somewhere. Probably down the well...?]

Oh! Thank you! I think I'm in one piece?

[He checked himself and pats his hat-less head.]

Aside from my hat...

A

[gentryofhermitage]

[Zhongli's got a lot of time on his hands now, and so he spends much of the time simply exploring his new home. He knew all the nooks and crannies of Liyue like the back of his hand, and he wants to learn more about this world while he remains here. Once he's familiarized himself with the town itself Zhongli heads out into the Wildlands, and it's not long before he comes across the beautiful grove in question.]

[Nostalgia is an old, familiar feeling to the ancient god. Though he's never set foot in the grove before today, when the feeling sprouts in his chest as he walks through the foliage, he welcomes it like an old friend. This is a good place to come and think, he decides. And such a unique place indeed; nestled out in the middle of the Wildlands, away from civilization... he could feel the thrum of arcane energy here, and knows it's a special place. Perhaps he'll remain here for a little while.]

[Of course, as he walks through the quiet grove, it's not long before he hears the ever-familiar tune of a lyre, followed by the voice of one he knows well. Not even needing the tug of wind, he heads over to the voice with unhurried steps, and isn't surprised to see the Anemo Archon sitting among the trees and singing his heart out. Knowing better than to interrupt a bard during his performance, Zhongli waits by a nearby tree, watching Venti sing.]

[He knows he doesn't have to interrupt. He wouldn't be surprised if Venti already knows he's here.]

[concierto]

[Perhaps this place is a lot like the mountaintops in Liyue. Secluded and magical with the veins of the earth coursing through it like blood in someone's veins. It certainly sprouts with life and greenery. It reminds Venti of his visits to drink wine with old friends in places like that...

And of course, Venti can sense Zhongli's presence like clockwork. That familiar earthly presence that's always made Venti's heart feel fond. He doesn't skip a sound or a word in his song. Simply singing away and singing for Zhongli and their old friends now too.

When he's finished he'll look up and smile.]

Hello, old friend. Enjoying your easy days ahead, are we?

b with a twist bwahaha

[monoceroscaeli]

[While Venti is enjoying his free samples, a certain ginger-haired man walks into the bakery. He's looking around like he's looking for something. Though, he's not here for some sweets, looking mildly distraught when he looks over and spots the bard.

Oh. Well...that's not who he wanted to run into right now, because he sort of doesn't want to have to explain himself. Too bad that the employee that's serving Venti his snack spots Childe before he can duck out of the bakery.

Excuse me sir, would you like to try a sample?]

N-No, thank you, but I really must be going.

[Haha he's so screwed]

[concierto]

[... That voice? Venti is standing here enjoying his free sample and he hears that voice? Venti's brow lifts and he turns to the man with a curious little stare.]

Oh, hello Childe! ... Fancy seeing you here?

[... WHERE IS THE CHILD.]

c!!!

[daemonise]

[Velvet has very little interest in the sake of the well. Actually, she couldn't care any less than she already does what happens to it... So, why is she here? She's far more interested in the supposedly counterfeit baubles than cleanup duty and wouldn't be here otherwise. If she could steal a few, then maybe she can find a way to make them work... somehow.

Maybe if she threatens the tapirs hard enough...

She's in the middle of weaving a sort of net with rope when she hears the sound of someone else calling out at the well. She has no idea who—she hasn't bothered to talk to anyone here—but Velvet looks up from her work only a few feet away from him.

...

And watches as he loses his balance with a straight, almost bored look on her face.

......]

Would be a shame if you did.

[Before she goes right back to weaving her net.]

[concierto]

What was that- Ehe?!?!

[What did she say?! It's too late the poor little bard is tumbling into the well head first!!

... Be careful what you say out loud, probably.

But oddly enough there might not be the sound of a body falling to its death! Or any sound at all... Not even the sound of someone splashing into the water at the bottom? So where did the bard go?]

B!!

[mysophobic]

[ Shigeru sees what you're doing there Venti!! He can't help but huff out a laugh as he wanders up to the other. There's a quick scribbling as Shigeru writes something before he shows the other man. ]

Make sure you leave some for everyone else! If you want some homemade cookies I can definitely whip you up a batch.

[concierto]

[...!!]

Oh! Shigeru!

[Don't look at him like that he wasn't do anything wrong- But Venti's eyes do sparkle when he reads those words.]

You would do that for me? I do admit I have a bit of a sweet tooth today.