To say that Venti was ecstatic to learn about a less polished version of the being who was both his closest friend and long-time mentor would be an understatement. Leaning forward, he crossed his own arms casually in front of him to let him rest on his elbows, listening intently as he tried to imagine anyone (besides himself of course) getting away with scolding the great Geo Archon.
When the pause was given, it was clear to see that Venti was already holding back a load of questions, wiggling in his seat impatiently as he waited for Zhongli to continue, not wanting to inturrupt for fear that it would end the storytime prematurely for some deflecting benign answer.
Even then, he couldn’t resist the laughter that burst out of him at the thought of the great exalted noodle barreling headfirst into a mountain, his hand shooting up to clap over his own mouth audibly as he fought to reign in his snickers.
It took him a little bit longer to finish his giggling, and a moment more later for him to decide what exactly he wanted to ask about MOST for his first question, for such a great deal of curiousity had been ignited in him that it was difficult for the former windsprite to not fall back on old habits and simply blurt out all his questions at once, a habit he was quite certain had driven the man batty when they’d first met.
But it was soooo haaarrdd. He had so much to asssk and what if he forgot something while waiting for Zhongli to finish answering one of them?? What if Zhongli ended the conversation after the first?? AHHHHHH-
“Why was Cloud Retainer so against it? Did she want you to be a bird too?”
A snort came out of him that he was pretty sure was rude, and it was definitely for this reason that he didn’t stop himself from shooting out his next question regardless of his earlier concerns.
“You know, I always wondered how it was that your Exuvia flew around? I never really see you as, you know, You doing it, and, well…. flying isn’t really a geo thing is it?”
He caught himself as the next question sought to spill out and drowned it in a BIG gulp from the bottle in front of him. Liyuen wine wasn’t (in his humble opinion) as good as Dandelion wine, but he still quite enjoyed it, even if it was weirdly spicy sometimes.
“Quite the contrary. Cloud Retainer simply wished that Rex Lapis held no presence within the lives of the humans. At least-- not as fervently as he did while still alive. She, among the other Adepti, were always dedicated to their roles of Liyue’s protectors, but cherished the idea that they should be granted a position higher than that of mere mortals. The offerings paid to their places of worship, and the tales woven with the utmost respect for their good name-- what place did a god have among his people? Were it not simply more befitting that he exist as he always had and remain as nothing more than a quiet force? Surely setting up a statue or two and sustaining on the wishes and hopes of his people would be enough to ensure their eventual growth. To ensure their safety.”
He pauses briefly, thoughts flickering with the sudden memories and daring to travel down roads he had not visited in centuries. Familiar yet forgotten faces giving life to names that had not so much as grazed his tongue in thousands of years.
“...We did not share this particular opinion. Thus, I donned the name and Exuvia of Rex Lapis and, well...the rest is history, as they say.”
As always, the questions spilled from the bard’s lips and, in truth, despite how...eager he’d been in their younger age to learn, it had never bothered the Adepti. There were, on more than one occasion, the times that Zhongli simply wished the bard would tire of his own voice faster than he tired of answering the questions, but he had always done his best to answer them in a timely fashion. Allow the sprite-turned-Archon the chance to gain a proper understanding and grasp of the world surrounding him.
This, too, was no different - although infinitely easier to combat when Venti was now well versed in the art of restraint. At least-- where questions were asked.
“Mm...that is a curious query isn’t it?” At the mention of his ability to fly, however, the man opts to remain tight-lipped. With lips pulling themselves into a coy smile, he gives the other with a lazy shrug before finishing with, “Perhaps, one day, you may find Cloud Retainer yourself and she may find it within her heart to provide you with an answer.”
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