[He doesn't acknowledge the brunet saying his name. Not until there's a hand on his. Only then does Venti look at his friend, unable to keep the pain out of his eyes. Empathy, grief that's lasted two immortal lifetimes... guilt.
Yet, the bard remains quiet as Zhongli speaks to him from the heart. It's similar to what Zulius has told him, which helps to relax the knot that's been forming in his heart and throat. As the brunet talks about who Venti is, and how he sees him, that's when Venti sees just how much Zhongli has committed his habits, his personality, to memory. He still sees Venti as beautiful and himself, not someone who stole something from the bard whose name he can't remember.
Stars, if the timing was better... but it's fine. This is what he needed to hear.]
... Hehe, I can see that it was silly of me to be scared of telling you this story. I was worried you'd... see me or Barbatos more negatively.
[He understands and accepts Barbatos' reasoning. Venti knows he'd probably have done the same thing if he didn't have a human form to call his own.]
Perhaps it's the bard's way of telling me it's okay. His gift to me as his friend's reincarnation. I remember enough about him that he would hate to see me or Barbatos... caged like this because of his memory. I'm not sure Barbatos was ever able to move on in his grief, but... that's just how it is. It stays with you no matter what you do, where you go, or how many friends you make.
[Venti shakes his head and takes Zhongli's hand in his, squeezing it lightly.]
I don't blame Barbatos for his decision. It's... just been difficult to separate that from what I look like, even though I know that it was outside of my control. [He manages a small smile.] But I think I like being a second sunrise.
no subject
Yet, the bard remains quiet as Zhongli speaks to him from the heart. It's similar to what Zulius has told him, which helps to relax the knot that's been forming in his heart and throat. As the brunet talks about who Venti is, and how he sees him, that's when Venti sees just how much Zhongli has committed his habits, his personality, to memory. He still sees Venti as beautiful and himself, not someone who stole something from the bard whose name he can't remember.
Stars, if the timing was better... but it's fine. This is what he needed to hear.]
... Hehe, I can see that it was silly of me to be scared of telling you this story. I was worried you'd... see me or Barbatos more negatively.
[He understands and accepts Barbatos' reasoning. Venti knows he'd probably have done the same thing if he didn't have a human form to call his own.]
Perhaps it's the bard's way of telling me it's okay. His gift to me as his friend's reincarnation. I remember enough about him that he would hate to see me or Barbatos... caged like this because of his memory. I'm not sure Barbatos was ever able to move on in his grief, but... that's just how it is. It stays with you no matter what you do, where you go, or how many friends you make.
[Venti shakes his head and takes Zhongli's hand in his, squeezing it lightly.]
I don't blame Barbatos for his decision. It's... just been difficult to separate that from what I look like, even though I know that it was outside of my control. [He manages a small smile.] But I think I like being a second sunrise.