[open] invitation of windblume!

[concierto]

Sender: Venti
To: Everyone!
Subject: A rose by any other name is still a rose!

Hello there! It appears that this world is entering its Spring Solstice and with such a season brings new life and new flowers to everything the sun touches! I'd like to share with you a tradition during this time of year from my homeland, the beautiful and free city of Mondstadt. And that is the Windblume festival.

During this time of year, many will offer flowers in tribute to the god of freedom! Yet, what is more important is the tradition of gifting flowers to those you love and hold dear. The choice of flowers can say a lot about a person's feelings! When gifting precious flowers to those you love and adore the carefully picked flower should be one that means something to you and that precious relationship.

While this time of year doesn't necessarily have to mean these gestures are romantic there is another tradition of sending your most adored one a love poem. A perfect time to be confessing your heart's song to the one who holds your heart! Ehe, isn't that lovely?

I, as a travelling bard, have spent many years seeing the Windblume season! And with it, I have written hundreds of poems and know exactly how to weave love's verse. I would like to offer my assistance in helping you find the words to write your own love letter or poem to the one you hold dear or wish to confess to! Do tell me all about the one you hold in your heart and allow me to help you craft the words to express your heart's feelings.

Please, it would be my pleasure!

[Spill the tea on your love lives and in return Venti will help you confess in a love letter! Come on, get spilling! He loves the gossip!]

Comments

[judicialassistant]

[ LOVE'S TOO COMPLICATED, VENTI. Flowers are much better, she likes flowers. ]

I am still learning, so I am not sure they will have much to say to me, just yet...

What kind of flowers do you have on Mondstadt?

[concierto]

[Love is a many splendid things!!]

It's all a matter of finding the perfect blume.

As for Mondstadt? There's such a large variety of flowers that I'm not sure where to start! The beautiful Calla Lily grows in patches of shallow water, showing the great versatility of a heart that flows like a river. Cecilias, that grow even in the highest of heights and winds and never falters. Or Lamp Grass, a flower that glows in the dark to show others the way no matter how grim things might be. I could go on and on!

[judicialassistant]

[ All Kazuma needs is love. (If only that were true.) ]

Oh, that sounds gorgeous! A lovely young woman, a princess, once met me one night along the lake, and she was able to teach me about all sorts of flowers. It was still quite cold at the time, however, and the night was so dark without the moon. I should like to see what new flowers have bloomed since, with the warming weather in the daylight.

Have you ever seen any of those flowers from Mondstadt growing here in Reverein? I also know of a flower that glows, though it is not called Lamp Grass.

[concierto]

What a beautiful way to meet a princess, do I sense a fondness there? Meeting someone in the moonlight while the flowers bloom! It's the start of a poem in itself! Ehe!

Unfortunately, I haven't seen any of the native flowers from Mondstadt growing here. But from what I can tell it could happen someday. Should we dream well enough, isn't that right?

[judicialassistant]

[ Fondness? She certainly is fond of the princess, but maybe not quite in that way. When paired with the context of Venti's original message, though, it is impossible for her to miss the implications.

Clearly the best course would be to limit her responses regarding that particular matter, to limit any misunderstandings, but she also feels the need to clarify...... or something? Gosh, she doesn't know, but she's probably blushing a little here. ]

That's right. Her name is Zelda, by the way, should any blooms deign to make their appearance. I think she would want to know. And me, of course.

I do not know that I could finish that particular poem with her, but [ There's a pause here, ink pooling at a point. She doesn't exactly want to imply that there's someone else, but maybe she already did...? ] I think what you are doing is very kind. We could all stand to learn about different cultures and traditions from worlds other than our own. If you can help even one person or couple find their voice, it will easily be worth your troubles, I think!

[concierto]

[Venti will happily make assumptions until he gets the correct answer on the tip of his tongue! Or his pen in this regard. While he loves to tease and annoy, he would like to get the details right. No need to cause unneeded turmoil in a heart.]

Princess Zelda, is it? I'll be sure to relay any new information I find to you so you may pass it along! As you can tell, flowers are quite the passion of mine.

And of course! There is nothing more rewarding for a bard like me than to help others find the right words to express their story. And if not for your flower princess is there someone else that might hold your attention?

[judicialassistant]

[ It's probably good this conversation isn't happening in real time. There would probably be a lot of ums as she tries to figure out how to answer him without completely shutting him out, while at the same time, without being obvious like the teenage girl she clearly is.

It takes her some time to respond. ]

I suppose that depends. [ Venti did say it did not necessarily have to be romantic, after all, but she thinks the context of his question begs to differ. ] I have made many friends here in Reverein, and I have rekindled some friendships as well, but as it is, I am still trying to figure some things out.

[concierto]

[Truth be told he is trying to squeeze out romantic stories out of those who might have them. They make for the best sorts of songs, after all. But friendships and discovery are just as lovely and important. That's what Windblume is all about.]

Friendship can be just as complicated as romantic relationships can be, ehe! How are things going for you?

[judicialassistant]

[ Susato knows what he is getting at, but that doesn't make it any easier to answer him. Perhaps answering his question with another question is telling enough; either way, it takes her another moment.

Why is she burdening him with this? Maybe he will have some answers that her close friends do not. ]

What if you are not certain which way your feelings fall?

[concierto]

[Oh ho. What is this? The poor maiden isn't sure which way her feelings fall? Does this mean she might have romantic feelings for a friendship but she isn't too sure? Excellent!]

That is quite the question, my dear! Some say that the line is thin between love and a best friend.

How do you feel when you're with them?

1/4

[judicialassistant]

[ Not excellent??? On second thought, really, why is she doing this? Some thirst for knowledge, understanding?

Bah. ]

2/4

[judicialassistant]

[ She'll consider the question, anyway, though. What else is she going to do? He is forever in her thoughts anyway, especially now that they get to work together. ]

Safe

3/4

[judicialassistant]

Warm, like someone's wrapped me in a fuzzy blanket. But sometimes it's too warm and I want to kick it off.

[judicialassistant]

I always find it again, though. In the end.

[ There is very little, at this point, that she wouldn't do for him. She clearly loves him very much.

She just hadn't considered that this love night be... more than she originally anticipated, until sort-of recently. ]

[concierto]

[Oh how sweet and adorable this is. Venti is eating it up.]

Easy as that you've already found a wonderful set of words and phrases to share how you feel. How about we build on that? Please tell me what you think! Something cute and simple, perhaps?

Love is like a blanket it can warm you through
Takes away the cold and stops you turning blue
Wraps around your body as it holds you tight
Gives you lots of warmth to help you through the night
It can be a duvet so very thick and strong
And be there to comfort you whenever things go wrong
It is always there in everything you do
Love is like a blanket there to comfort you

That's how you make me feel so safe
Wrapped up together in any place
In a storm or in the sun
With all these feelings how can I run
If I should tell you how I feel
It makes me want to laugh and reel
I'll stay here in this blanket to warm me through
Until I figure out how to tell you what's true

1/2

[judicialassistant]

[ ......There's...really no way for Susato prepare for the words that come. He delivers on his promise; he certainly does build on what she says, but it also feels like so much more.

Her mouth is hung open behind the journal, and she can only stare with each line that comes. She can't bring herself to interrupt, so she'll wait until she thinks he's finished. ]

I...

You just

[judicialassistant]

[ She crosses out the words, quill hovering in thought. These journal messages are not like letters. They are more immediate, meaning she feels the pressure to respond. ]

That was far from simple. That was beautiful.

[concierto]

[At first he has a curious little smile. Did it get it right? Sometimes these things can take time. But then!]

I'm glad you think so! I hope you do find the courage to share it. When you're ready, of course.

[judicialassistant]

Yes... I hope so too.

[ For now, she'll probably just transcribe it into one of her personal notebooks and read it when she struggles to sleep at night. Venti did use her own words as a base, but Susato can't help but feel like she's cheating anyway.

Hmmm. ]

As a bard, do you typically take payment for your services?

[concierto]

For this particular season I do not! I'm more than happy to help a heart find its way.

But I never refuse a tip or two. Perhaps in the form of a bottle of wine or something like a basket of crisp apples?

[judicialassistant]

Oh! Well... I do not have any wine [ And Lord van Zieks, who she'd probably go to for something like that, hates her or something it's fine ] but we have plenty of apples that I keep at the Wild Harvest. I use them to make my spiced apple tea on occasion.

I would be happy to bring you some to show my appreciation! Venti, is it?

[concierto]

[While he's not a fan of simple teas... The idea that it would be spiced apple does perk his interest. Morax would be turning his head right now.]

Spiced apple tea, you say? Sure! I'd love to try the homemade flavours of this world!

And yes, please call me Venti! I'm a humble bard from the world of Teyvat.

[judicialassistant]

[ She meant the apples themselves, but since Venti seems interested, she could always bring both! ]

Wonderful! I am Susato Mikotoba. Student and judicial assistant from the world of, [ A pause, as she taps her quill to her chin. ] um, Earth?

[ Anyway-- ]

Would you mind if I asked you where you live, Venti?

[concierto]

[Whoops, he would take apples or spiced apple tea! Happily!]

A pleasure to meet you, Susato Mikotoba from Earth!

[Why does that sound so funny-]

As for where I live? Hm, I've been staying here or there. I wouldn't mind picking up the apples from the Wild Harvest?

[He's ... homeless.]

[judicialassistant]

[ WHY IS HE HOMELESS... Not that Susato can tell just based on that, but she will definitely ask. ]

Of course you can! I can even prepare a basket for you. But... what does "here or there" mean?