freedomwisp

[freedomwisp]

//Well, I'm feeling a bit better! It's been too long, so please, like this post for a starter! Multi-muse blogs, please clarify which muse I'm writing for!

[freedomwisp]

//Sorry for disappearing; life happened and I'm on new meds and adjusting to everything again so I'm tired all the time, but I'll be back as soon as I am able <3

[freedomwisp]

"Hm... would it be odd to say that I feel like I belong on every side?"

A part of him was stuck in the past, roots dug deep within the broken earth of the Old Mondstadt, like he was unable to pry himself free.

A larger part of him lived in the present, playing the part of the beloved bard who kept an eye out for his people in the form of songs and poems, words of wisdom, and guidance.

And another part resided in the future, already aware of the possible outcomes the paths could lead; yet it always remained a mystery which outcome he'd live through this time.

Without waiting for a response, Venti crouched down in front of the oven and opened the door carefully, the scent of cinnamon and apples growing stronger as he retrieved the pie from the flames, mindful not to burn himself.

The crust was beautifully golden, and the bard smiled proudly as he placed it on the top of the table to cool down.

"That's one of the best pies I've done," he admitted laughing, flashing a bright grin at Alura. "Must be because of the help I received~"

Alura studied his body language- she resisted the urge to tense and pull away in response, she was always sensitive to shifts in people’s tones and emotions. Her hands paused, no longer drawing circles and pulling them back to herself. She let out a slow breath, closing her eyes for a second and biting her lip as she mentally controlled her impulsive reaction wanting to emerge.

Her eyes opened slowly, landing back on him with a look of understanding. “Which side do you fall on?” She then questioned gently. Alura knew all too well what category she fell in to. It was like he saw right through her, was her life really a lie? Well, pretty damn close. She wasn’t all that innocent and she never would claim to be. If anyone ever came looking for her from that incident, she wouldn’t even deny the punishment.

“Knowing too much might lead to danger.. you’re not wrong there. The past is a heaven burden to carry on your own sometimes though, wouldn’t you agree?” She leaned back in her chair and ran her hands behind her head, holding her hair up lazily as she ran her fingers through it. “People are so complicated,, I wish I could sell secrets and empty my pockets.”

It was vague but there was a slightly change in her demeanor. The thought of being able to spill everything on her mind would be so freeing, in theory. She assumed it meant that there was still some good in her to be concerned for the sake of others if they knew. It wasn’t that she was hiding the fact that she’s killed others, it was more she was worried about the mental toll it’d take on others. Would they regret being kind to her? Would they live in anxiety for knowing they walked the same streets as someone like her? Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go into hiding again for a while.

She’d be selfish though, enjoying the time spent with Venti at the moment. Still, the thought crossed her mind. It wasn’t a constant battle in her head of wanting to be around others but always pulling herself away when she felt they were getting too close.

[freedomwisp]

The words sent a chill down his spine, and various explanations for the reason of the fire flashed in his mind. Paimon was right, it did not sound like the gentle flame of a torch, nor the crackling of a fireplace; it sounded larger, more... violent.

Like a raging firestorm eating away at a forest, yet he could not feel any heat emitting from behind the strong winds or snow, and uneasiness crept into his heart.

Could someone really be idiotic enough to try to melt the ice around Durin by themselves? Did flames like that exist?

Something's wrong; he could not deny that.

That same sensation of sickness that had plagued him earlier returned tenfold, and the bard brought a hand to his mouth, resting his weight against a nearby tree. The normally bright eyes were now haunted, staring blindly at his own feet as his mind struggled to come up with a safe way to take care of the situation.

He had too many questions without answers, and his only clue was the sound of that fire, beckoning him to find out what was disturbing the heart... and why.

"This is bad," he finally said out loud, any trace of playfulness or lightheartness gone from his voice.

"It's worse than I thought, this... someone's trying to free Durin's influence."

Evidences, yeah, if a trashed campment wasn't all that obvious than what else. Still, the more she squinted at the first few footprints, the more a bunch of them looked out of place.

The size suggested something with wider feets, somewhere around that isolated Mountain Boar King.

''Well, it would be unlike them to just not put up a fight, even after deciding to up and leave elsewhere'', if she remembers herself, Fatui agents aren't exactly what one would call normal humans and some of them used firearms, so its probably why there is a lack of close ranged elemental marks or any sort of stains & tears from clashing elements.

Eh anyways, as soon as Paimon notice him move forwards to follow the trail, or atleast where it seems a bit less abundant the further one go, she'd tag along.

For a moment, her attention is into keeping watch of the surroundings, be it for possible clues or anything uninvited that might sprung up.

She pause when asked if there could anything out of place in the area alone.

''....There is the sound of crackling fire, yeah. But Paimon doesn't think its just any of the good old torches meant to keep people warm out here''.

''And i remember it being some tucked away cave ahead'', if she recalls the layout correctly, even if its been a while since ever stepping on Dragonspine.

Not that she expected much to change.

[freedomwisp]

Revelations

[freedomwisp]

Venti paused at the words, arms crossed against his chest while his fingers drummed against the sleeves, a contemplating expression shadowing his face.

Could it be that Alura remembered more than she let on? Or had she merely been connecting the dots, trying to piece together the true story about how they had escaped the mountain with their lives.

Or did he simply read too much into the words?

"I think everyone has a side they don't want others to see," he finally replied, tilting his head back.

"Some have a past they would rather not talk about, maybe because they did something wrong or maybe because it hurts too much to talk or even think about. Some live in the present shadowed by guilt because they know their life is a lie; perhaps they're hiding their true intentions from their family, not wanting to hurt them. And some are already preparing for the future, setting down pieces like a game of chess, ready to disappear on the most opportune moment."

The bard smiled a bit; a mere quirk of his lips.

"Sometimes, it's best to leave some secrets buried; the aftermath might not be a positive one. Knowing too much might lead to danger."

Alura almost felt bad for having the two of them play the game with how he reacted after the second shot. When he set down his glass she reached and took it from him, a subtle move. She still couldn’t help but smile at his reaction she’d probably never see him make that expression again unless he was presented with cheese.

“That’s no surprise, I bet almost everyone you meet likes you- or at least it’d be hard to imagine someone not.”

She then let a moment of silence hang in the air, her eyes glancing at the oven and then back at him as if she was thinking. “Well, you’re pretty easy to understand. At least, on a surface level. I’m sure you have things you don’t want to reveal or talk about yet.” Her finger drew small circles on the table, the faint glow she possessed tracing each movement. “I’m sure on a deeper level it can get a bit more complicated but it’s also not impossible. You’re very kind, I don’t see that changing.”

Alura spoke honestly and as if she knew more than she was letting on. Her tone was still calm and sweet- matching the aroma that started to pool around there. She was curious about Venti and his life that he’s lived so far, she was also curious if he’d ever talk to her about it if they hung out enough.

[freedomwisp]

"It's as good of a lead as any; we might find something even if the trail would grow cold. People don't just disappear without leaving some sort of evidence, be it a smell in the wind or traces of elemental powers," Venti explained easily, clearly not ready to just give up and leave without an answer.

Besides, if he just allowed this threatening sensation to linger in the air, he feared it would turn into a proper storm Mondstadt had no shelter for.

Determined, the bard began to follow the trail of messy footprints. The Fatui leaving them behind were clearly running, maybe even attempting to dodge something.

The air crackled ever so slightly the further into the mountain they walked, but at least the tall rocks sheltered them from the worst of the wind. Unfortunately, the same could not be said about the trail, as it began to disappear underneath the flurry of snow, leaving him standing with a hand on his hip, assessing their current position.

"See anything off?"

''Hey!, what's that supposed to mean?!'', just because she could fight and partook in battles that felt insurmontable (callback to Natlan), didn't mean she goes around picking them on purpose.

She gets off the partially buried in the snow boulder and move around the thrashed encampment. This looked less of a fight or more like an hoard of wild boars bulldozed throught or something similar.

''I minded my business, as far as away from these guys as i can, beside, when i did see that camp, there was already no one'', and she had no reason to get any closer back then, in case it turned out to be some ambush method of their own.

Ah, now's not the time to rant, this is getting serious by the minute.

She stopped to look at the mess of footprints, ''You sure you want to follow the trail?, 'cause to Paimon it could have easily snowed overnight and i only wandered some parts of the landscape in the afternoon''.

The trail is likely half buried at this point and by her own words, the thrashing may as well have occured in the morning, of yesterday's.

[freedomwisp]

Character Arc Quiz

Result:

romance/friendship arc

you started this story a little hard, or awkward, or stubborn. that's okay. it's harder than it should be to admit, but what you really want is love. that's what your story is all about - not just the act of loving, but the allowance of it. the confession that you do not want to fight or bleed or save the world, but to simply feel the way two hands fit so easily together. you will have two chairs and a table and you will shut your blinds, and you will say the word love without faltering. this is a happy ending, and you do not need to feel guilty. it hurts our hands to fight - never to hold.

tagged by @theashen-fox

tagging: @atlasadored @tragictwinflames @glaciescustodia @crimsontwins and anyone else who wants to do this

[freedomwisp]

⋆｡‧˚ʚ💋ɞ˚‧｡⋆ 𝐢'𝐦 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮

❝ you don’t have to say anything just let me stay with you. ❞

❝ i’m here, and i’m not going anywhere. ❞

❝ you’re not alone. not while i’m around. ❞

❝ want me to hold your hand for a while? ❞

❝ i noticed you’ve been quiet lately. do you want to talk or just sit together? ❞

❝ you don’t have to pretend around me. i see you. ❞

❝ even when it feels like no one cares i do. always. ❞

❝ i brought your favorite snacks and something soft to wear. ❞

❝ let’s watch something silly and forget the world for a while. ❞

❝ you don’t have to be strong for me. i’ve got you. ❞

❝ can i just hold you for a little while? ❞

❝ i don’t know the right words, but i’m not leaving. ❞

❝ take all the time you need i’ll still be right here. ❞

❝ you don’t have to carry this alone anymore. ❞

❝ your feelings are valid. every single one of them. ❞

❝ just rest. i’ll stay until you fall asleep. ❞

❝ even in silence, you matter to me. ❞

❝ let’s take it slow, okay? i’m with you. ❞

❝ you are so deeply loved even when you can’t feel it. ❞

❝ i see how hard you’re trying, and i’m so proud of you. ❞

❝ lean on me tonight. i’ll carry the heavy stuff for a while. ❞

❝ want to lay your head in my lap and breathe for a bit? ❞

❝ you don’t have to explain. i just want to make you feel safe. ❞

❝ no matter what your mind tells you you’re not a burden. ❞

❝ i can’t fix everything, but i can be here. and i am. ❞

❝ i’ll sit in the dark with you until you’re ready for the light again. ❞

❝ i don’t need you to be okay right now. i just need you to let me stay. ❞

❝ i’ll be the one who stays, even when it gets heavy. ❞

❝ i know it’s hard to ask for help. so don’t. i’m offering. ❞

❝ there’s nothing wrong with needing someone. i need you, too. ❞

❝ you don’t have to fix yourself to be worthy of love. ❞

❝ if it hurts, you can tell me. if you can’t speak, i’ll still stay. ❞

❝ you’ve made it through every hard day so far. and i’ll help you through this one. ❞

❝ i’m not scared of your sadness. you don’t scare me. ❞

❝ let me hold you until the world feels less loud. ❞

❝ we don’t need to talk. let me just be here with you. ❞

❝ your existence makes the world better, even when you feel like it doesn’t. ❞

❝ i love you. not in spite of your sadness, but including it. ❞

❝ i know you feel like no one sees you. but i do. i always do. ❞

❝ you mean more to me than you’ll ever know. ❞

❝ i’m not expecting a smile. i’m just staying close. ❞

❝ i know you’re hurting. i’ll keep showing up anyway. ❞

❝ you don’t have to feel okay for me to love you. ❞

[freedomwisp]

"Well, I'd hate to disappoint the town," Venti chuckled good-naturally, resting his hands against the back of his head. The winds that blew past them grew warmer and softer the further they walked from the mountain and with them, Venti could sense another kind of change.

But this one, while also a terrifying sensation, felt... warm, instead of icy cold. It scared him with its possibilities, but at the same time, he felt calm. Maybe a calm before the storm?

Venti couldn't say, but he supposed he would find out with time.

Ash couldn't be sure whether Venti was trying to be evasive or not, but he didn't press him; the bard had been through a lot the past few days. Hearing his offer, he nodded in agreement. “The folks back in town will be glad to see you,” he remarked as they began making their way down the mountain. “Mondstadt hasn’t been the same without its resident bard.” He smiled at him to show he was being serious.

[freedomwisp]

"Huh?"

The bard jumped at the call of his name, a light dusting of pink covering the previously pale cheeks. He could always claim that it was from the cold if asked; but for now, he chuckled and shook his head, turning towards the city.

"Nothing at all; now come on, I think we've deserved a drink or two~"

The horrors of the mountain were soon left behind them, yet Venti could not shake off the feeling that the real struggle would be just ahead of him.

As Venti led him out of the cave, Ash couldn't help but think about the possibility of the heart forcing the pair to fight one another. The impossibility of defeating an Archon was obvious to him, but supposing he had gotten “lucky” and had been able to run his sword through the bard. Suppose the heart had released its hold on him for just a few seconds. Just long enough to see a sword in his chest. Just long enough to see that Ash was the one who had done so. And just long enough for him to start screaming.

He tried to shake that morbid image from his mind. It was over. Durin was sealed, and there was no reason for pondering “what-ifs.” Most importantly, Venti was safe. As they left the cave, Ash noticed an unreadable expression on the bard’s face. “Venti? What is it?”

[freedomwisp]

The Archon knew that his seal had been successful when the air began to clear out and the glow of the heart dimmed ever so slightly. It probably wouldn't take long for Dragonspine's cold to cover the mouth of the entrance once again, keeping the heart safe from the people and the people safe from the heart.

"...Come on," he murmured softly, taking Ash's hand in his own before leading them out of the cave. The nausea was slowly losing its grip on his body and for a moment, Venti just stood outside and breathed, his eyes closed as he came to terms with everything that had just happened.

The thought of witnessing his own hands take Ash's life was a cold one, colder than the snow around them and he swallowed thickly.

He couldn't lose Ash.

The mere thought of not having the hybrid in his life didn't sit right with him at all; in fact, it made him feel very uneasy. He wanted to protect him, he wanted to stand by his side through whatever hardships they may face, he wanted to see that smile and--

Oh.

During Windblume, Venti had mentioned that Ash was stronger than most for forgiving Silver after everything he had done, that not many people would have been able to continue to feel love for someone who had betrayed them. So that was why he was surprised by Venti’s words as he began to seal the dragon’s heart, let alone when he apologized to its former owner. After what it had done to Dvalin, tried to do to him, and planned to do with the rest of Mondstadt, how could he find it in his heart to forgive the dragon?

Then again, Ash had only just become “acquainted” with Durin, and it was when he was trying to corrupt Venti. Maybe some of the resentment from the heart was affecting him to a very limited degree. Maybe he was just biased. He couldn’t be sure. In any case, he could tell that for all of Durin’s actions, Venti’s sealing of the heart was a regretful but necessary measure. He said nothing, still keeping the bard steady. Gradually, he felt the sickness from the heart fade, and the cave began to take on a more “natural” darkness.

[freedomwisp]

"Well..."

Venti chuckled bashfully at the compliment, glancing over at Roy with a warm smile. Sure, he always felt happy hearing that the people around him enjoyed his presence, music, or tales but it felt different coming from someone he had just met.

Roy sounded earnest about it too.

"Alright then, mister hot shot-- why don't you tell me a story of yours, and I'll turn it into a song on the spot?"

It was a skill he was very proud of; it felt like the moment he listened to someone's story, the words just rearranged themselves in his mind and turned them into rhymes, alongside a melody.

"Whaaat?" He made an exaggerated sad face and pressed a hand to his chest, clutching his imaginary pearls. "You wound me!"

He sniffed and pretended to wipe tears from the corner of his eyes. "Well...", he sighed, "I guess you'll have to be the first then! I don't mind telling you all about my heroic deeds, good sir!" Suddenly, he didn't look very sad anymore, but excited. He loved talking about how cool he was; well, who didn't?

His eyes fell on the lyre and the soft tune carried over to him. He could as well have played his heartstrings directly. Somehow, it touched him very deep inside.

"I think I had extreme luck running into you here." He would bet a lot of money, that most other people would be half as entertaining as him.

[freedomwisp]

"Aye," Venti agreed, newly found determination helping him steel himself from his own feelings, although the conflict was clear on his face. With Ash's help, he stepped closer to the heart, the nausea washing over him once again and despite the dry gagging, he managed to stay on his feet.

"I know you hold hatred towards me," he said suddenly, gaze directed at the heart.

"Trying to take over me and Dvalin... it's your form of revenge, is it not? Taking from us, what we took from you."

Once upon a time, Durin had thought of them all to be friends; he had never seen himself as someone dangerous but unfortunately, that's exactly what he was to Mondstadt; a danger. With a heavy heart, he had been forced to take down the flying dragon, who probably perished not knowing why his friends had suddenly turned against him.

"...I'm sorry."

For the second time, the Archon was forced to lift his hand and a glowing sigil appeared underneath the heart, specks of green like sparks dancing in the air as he sealed the venomous heart behind an ancient lock he hoped would keep the heart sedated for a long time.

Ash nodded solemnly as he held an arm out to keep his friend from falling. He knew that by all rights he could have been riddled with Venti’s arrows if the heart wished it, or the heart could have performed some other ghastly act that the Archon would have been forced to witness. But he didn’t care. Venti was rid of Durin’s control, and that was what mattered.

“You’re welcome, Venti,” he said, smiling at the bard, then turning his attention to the heart. “So, ready to do what we came here for?”

[freedomwisp]

This man was a lot of fun; Venti watched his antics with amusement, the cold of the rain long forgotten. It was definitely better than getting stuck with someone who demanded silence; Venti wasn't very good at that trait.

But Roy seemed bright like the flames they were missing, his gestures and words carefree and light, and Venti could appreciate that.

"Mmmh.... can't say I have!" Venti replied with a cheeky grin, clearly teasing the other in return.

Of course, Venti knew every song that existed in Teyvat; those from the past, those from the present, and those that were yet to be written.

His companion, however, did not know that.

"Roy, Roy..." the bard clicked his tongue against his cheek, giving a shrug of his shoulders. "Nope! Doesn't ring any bells~"

The laughter that followed was like the chime of the bells, fingers moving with practiced ease as he called forth his lyre and plucked at the strings, creating a short melody that seemed to dance around them.

Roy chuckled along. Yes, he was aware he was very straightforward. And honestly, the reaction of the other could've been much worse. He seemed to be a good sport.

"Hehe... Maybe. If I think they're pretty." In other words, yes. He wasn't very interested in guys, but for this one... pretty definitely fit him. He could always make an exception.

His bright blue eyes sparkled when he heard that. "A bard?" He threw his hands up. "I'm saved!! No boredom for me while it keeps raining. Don't expect me to join in on any singing though, I'm terrible really."

When he grinned, he showed two rows of perfect white teeth. "Wait a minute... if you're a brad, shouldn't you have heard songs about my glory already?", he asked teasingly. "The mighty general Roy from Natlan, one of the six heroes, one of the crimson twins, right hand of the pyro archon. Ring any bells?" He had no idea if there were actually any memorable songs about him, but it would be pretty nice for his ego.

[freedomwisp]

"You're actually insane," Venti stated bluntly, yet his eyes portrayed nothing but gratitude as he covered the hand on his shoulder with his own, giving it a small squeeze as if reassuring them both that it truly was him in control.

"Things could have turned really bad for you," he added to prove his point further, standing up on slightly unsteady legs as he took a second to just breathe. The air was still pungent with the stench of the venom, and the hatred he felt from the heart only seemed to grow now that it lost its control over the Archon.

But who was he to blame Ash?

Hadn't he done the exact same thing when his friend faced his brother? Despite his pleas, Venti had insisted on staying; this situation didn't differ from that too much.

"...Thank you."

Initially, Ash was confused by what Venti said, quiet as it was. He thought it was more of the heart’s attempts to force him to leave. But then he felt the wind blow into the cave and watched as Venti pulled away. Just from the look on his face, Ash knew that Venti, the Venti who had come here to cleanse the mountain of Durin’s heart, was in control. This was confirmed by his hair returning to its natural color and Venti exorcising the venom into the puddle.

For a few moments, Ash stood as the situation sank in. A relieved sigh escaped him. They weren’t out of the woods yet, but now the heart had lost its leverage over the bard. Kneeling beside him, the fox gave a small smile, then placed a hand on Venti’s shoulder before repeating what had been spoken to him when he had gained the courage to fight Silver.

“Found your footing then, my friend?”

[freedomwisp]

Venti froze in the embrace, a shaky gasp exhaled over Ash's shoulder as his entire body grew tense; like a part of him expected that it would move out of his control and hurt his friend. The fingers by his sides curled and curled, unsure if he should return the embrace or pull away from it; and it was hard to understand whether those thoughts were his own or not.

Ash put so much faith in him; if things got worse, he could end the hybrid's life before the other could even scream. The thought was terrifying and felt like being hit in the chest by a ball of cryo, shaking the hold the venom had of him.

"...Out."

The word was barely audible, an unexpected surge of wind filling the cave, cracking down shards of frozen venom and swirling the smaller, looser rocks around.

The pressure in the room eased out, the bard sucking in a deep breath before pulling back from the embrace to slam his palm against the nearby pool of magenta; a source to return the venom to, like trickling water in a puddle.

"Get out!"

The shades of purple faded from Venti's hair, replaced by the much more familiar, calm shade of cyan. Each pulse forced the venom out of his body, the screeching inside his head clawing, clutching desperately for a hold they no longer had.

And then...

Blissful silence.

“I know it, Venti,” Ash answered. He didn't say anything else because it was just that simple: he knew that the bard wouldn’t hurt him. Durin would probably try to force him to, but he knew that Venti would fight tooth and nail to reclaim control of himself.

As Venti backed away and wept, Ash approached him carefully. Seeing him like this broke his heart. Nobody deserved this, least of all Venti. All he wanted was to care for his people, to keep them free from the whims of tyrants, and here he was, having his own freedom taken. As an assurance of his belief, his certainty that the bard wouldn’t hurt him, he gently wrapped his arms around his friend, pulling him into a tender embrace. In that moment, all that mattered was bringing Venti out of the anguish Durin was putting him through.