[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

[pureyang]

Well, I suppose it is a remarkable set of circumstances.

My aunt was someone who I originally only heard stories of from the elders of my clan. Her family was a branch family of my clan, one that... well, had tragedy befall it. We had all assumed that there were no survivors, so naturally we were overjoyed to hear that she was alive and well. We have attempted to reconnect with her, even planned for a grand reunion. But it turns out she is difficult to track down. I myself only briefly met her due to her helping to prevent me from being overpowered by an abyss mage and its allies. It's all a little confusing, but I am just happy to know she is alive at all.

As for Xingqiu, well, I have known him for a long time. He is well-read and very knowledgeable, and always willing to extend a helping hand. He always provides me with lots of reliable information. In fact, he is the one I usually go to when it comes to finding leads on evil spirits to exorcise. He always goes out of his way for me and never seems to mind, and he often has something interesting to say. I'm quite glad that I get along with him as well as I do. If it weren't for my pure-yang spirit, I would have already vanquished numerous demons because of him, I'm sure of it.

[concierto]

A lost family member from your branch family. Hmm, I may have heard of a story similar to this. I'm happy that your family found her well!

And it seems you're quite fond for your friend Xingqiu! What a powerful friendship I'm sensing!

So, if you were to gift both you dear aunt and friend flowers which ones come to mind for them?

[pureyang]

You have? There are such similar stories in Mondstadt? I must admit, I am not familiar with the local lore of Mondstadt... but in any case, I am also glad. Now, if only she were easier to track down and speak to...

Ah, yes indeed! Xingqiu is perhaps one of my closest friends. In fact, he had given me a hand-made tassel as a gift once, as a sign of his belief in my becoming a successful exorcist. I was nearly moved to tears by the gesture, and made him one in return after coming home from an expedition. He may have his moments of mischief, but I truly could not ask for a finer friend.

Hmm... well, for my aunt, I am not entirely sure. I do not know much about her, other than the stories from my clan and my brief encounter with her. She did mention roaming the mountains, and the only flowers I know that grow in mountainous climates are qinxin flowers, so perhaps one of those..? As for Xingqiu, the answer is easy. He adores silk flowers, and always has them in his room or admires them when we pass by them growing in Liyue. His family runs the Feiyun Commerce Guild in Liyue, which also use silk flowers extensively in their silk manufacturing and trade. I think that they would be fitting for him.

[concierto]

[✔️ Close good friend.
✔️ Lists several compliments.
✔️ Handmade tassel as a gift.
✔️ Moved to tears.
✔️ Made him one in return.
✔️ Knows his favourite flower.

Excuse Venti as he completely ignores everything Chongyun was saying about his auntie.]

My, it seems you might already be in love.

[pureyang]

[Excuse u Venti that his his Auntie--]

[But Chongyun has to pause, re-reading that one line several times. Wait, what. What??]

Excuse me?

[concierto]

[He wrote what he wrote! Does the boy need to read it again?]

The way you write is like someone recounting all the ways that you love someone. Don't you think?

Are you sure you don't want me to help you write him a poem for him?

[pureyang]

[Excuse him Venti, what??]

[What??]

[There is a noticeable delay in Chongyun's reply, because Chongyun is just... What?!]

I think you are mistaken. Xingqiu is nothing more than a close good friend. One who has stuck by me through many ordeals.

[concierto]

Oh, I'm sure. But that doesn't mean you can't love him. Isn't that right?

[This boy absolutely has love for his close good friend. Be it platonic or not, it's there. Undeniably there.]

[pureyang]

I

[For a moment that's all that appears on the journal, as Chongyun struggles to come up with a suitable reply. It's a good thing that this is all over the journal, because he would be sputtering like a fool in person. Just what is Venti implying here?]

It is true that I care for him, as he is a dear friend of mine. He has done much for me and I am grateful for him sticking by me all these years.
Though on the matters of [And here there is a brief pause, and when he begins writing again his characters are shaky] love, is that not something shared between those in a romantic relationship?

[concierto]

[Venti waits patiently for the thoughts to appear on the page. Sometimes those sorts of things take time and he can tell that Chongyun is thinking it through.]

Why, of course! Love can be romantic!

But love can also be platonic or familial. The love you feel for your friends and your family is just as important as the love you might feel for someone you wish to kiss.

[He picks the word "kiss" carefully. But then he shitposts immediately,]

Although I do find sometimes one does want to kiss a friend.

[pureyang]

[HE'S JUST GOING TO... IGNORE THAT SHITPOST. Or just rationalize it as some sort of cavalier mindset that's common in Mondstadt. Yes, that's it. It's not like Venti's suggesting anything, right?]

Huh... so, talk of this kind can also refer to familiar or platonic love..?
I must admit, your phrasing was rather confusing at first. I cannot say with certainty that I am used to all of Mondstadt's traditions.

[And then, after a beat.]

Then... I suppose I can agree with you on some points, at least on a familial and platonic sense.

[concierto]

[Hmmmhm. Sure, Jan.]

Of course! Love can speak for itself in many ways! Either way, would you like to try writing something for your dear friend?

[pureyang]

Well, perhaps it would be okay to do something... although I cannot say I am well-versed in poetry writing, nor would I be able to match his calibre. He is a published author, after all.

[concierto]

How impressive! Even more reason to treat him to something like your own writing someday. I can guarantee it would pull at the heartstrings of an author.

[pureyang]

Hmm... perhaps I could give it a try, then. I may need some guidance, though. I'm not sure where to start.

[concierto]

Allow me to help you get started! You've already told me a bit about your friend but what are some words that you would use to describe him?

[pureyang]

Hmm.

Well… he is a very honourable person, and strives to follow a code of chivalry like what he reads in his books. He is dedicated and hardworking, and very well-spoken and knowledgeable. He is also a talented writer, even if I do not fully understand all that he writes.

Though… he also has something of a mean streak to him at times. He can be an incorrigible prankster, even if his pranks are harmless. I have fallen for his tricks more times than I should admit…

[concierto]

[Yeah, if that isn't cute young love between two blossoming boys... Then he doesn't know what is.]

Excellent! How about something similar to this?

You have a gentle heart and a caring soul.
You use affectionate words in order to extol.
You are a true treasure encased in my heart,
A bond so strong, it will never depart.

You easily bring out a piece of me
That proves so difficult for others to see.
You lift my spirits and fade my tears.
You give me a friendship that withstands and perseveres.

We are individuals who don’t want to do it alone,
So we use laughter and kindness as our cornerstone.
We support one another to grow separately,
While nurturing our friendship ever so tenderly.

I could not have imagined what you would mean to me
When our friendship was new,
But now I can honestly say I’d be completely
Lost without you.

I invite you to search my heart so you can find
A philia love for you that is pure and divine.
A gift to my heart you will always be.
My companionship is forever yours; that I guarantee.

[pureyang]

[Chongyun takes a moment to read over the poem carefully. And then read it over again. And then one more time, because goodness, this is quite the poem!]

Such a strongly-written poem... You truly wrote this in such a short time? I feel I would take several weeks to write a poem of this calibre.

[concierto]

[He giggles.]

Ehe, let's just say I've had enough time to practice!

[Like, a lot of time.]

I do hope it's appropriate?

[pureyang]

I think so. I think Xingqiu would appreciate it.

Thank you for all your help, Venti. This was an interesting experience.

[concierto]

I'm delighted to see that! I do hope you get a chance to show it to him someday soon!