But then the bird wouldn't have a lonely mountain to sing to and pester! Besides, you looked so helpless that it would've been cruel of me to leave you in a sewer.
[He's starting to come out of this with his usual cheer again. It's still muted, but it's undeniable progress. Zhongli's right about how keenly grief can be felt in those moments of quiet, so the bard merely nods in agreement.
Venti returns the smile.]
You say the sweetest things to me, old man.
[Despite the tease, there's genuine affection in his voice. He truly appreciates him. Though, Zhongli's request to close his eyes has him a little confused, Venti does oblige without question. The bard trusts his friend completely.]
Honestly, telling me to close my eyes after saying all of that with such a straight face... should I expect a kiss?
[He's teasing because he knows that's not what Zhongli's going to do. Although, if he did, it'd be an extremely effective way to shut the bard up and take him wholly off-guard.]
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But then the bird wouldn't have a lonely mountain to sing to and pester! Besides, you looked so helpless that it would've been cruel of me to leave you in a sewer.
[He's starting to come out of this with his usual cheer again. It's still muted, but it's undeniable progress. Zhongli's right about how keenly grief can be felt in those moments of quiet, so the bard merely nods in agreement.
Venti returns the smile.]
You say the sweetest things to me, old man.
[Despite the tease, there's genuine affection in his voice. He truly appreciates him. Though, Zhongli's request to close his eyes has him a little confused, Venti does oblige without question. The bard trusts his friend completely.]
Honestly, telling me to close my eyes after saying all of that with such a straight face... should I expect a kiss?
[He's teasing because he knows that's not what Zhongli's going to do. Although, if he did, it'd be an extremely effective way to shut the bard up and take him wholly off-guard.]