video; un: ragnvindr

[phoenixblessed]

[Diluc looks very well when he appears on the screen. Summer has left him with a few freckles across his cheeks and nose and his vibrant red hair is tied up in a high ponytail. From the look of the background he's currently in his workplace - the coffee shop that he and Kaeya run together.]

I have a couple of things to ask about... uh—

[He looks away for a moment, focused on a noise in the background, then he returns his attention to the camera with a brief smile.]

Kaeya and I have been getting established here, and I'd like to open a spot for anyone who would be interested in displaying and selling their baked goods in the shop. Just let me know, and we can talk about it.

[There's a brief pause, then he clears his throat.]

Secondly, and unrelated, I have been wondering if anyone might be interested in learning wind gliding. It's something of a national pastime where I come from, but not difficult to learn if you have the willpower and bravery required to make a start. It involves using a pair of wings to ride the wind - something I'm sure would appeal to some people here. [He quickly smiles again.] So, if it sounds like something you'd like to try, or you have questions, I'll be picking messages up through the day.

[He gives a small wave and ends it there, but he'll be around to answer anyone who replies to either topic!]

Comments

[phoenixblessed]

[He glances to the bard with a faint, amused smile and a shrug.]

I have no illusions that I could have stopped you if you wanted to come along, but it was my pleasure to ask.

[Then he looks up, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes against the bright daylight. His heart is pounding, pulse racing in his ears and his blood singing, and it's a thrill that isn't at all like the adrenaline rush of entering a fight.]

What was stopping you?

[notgrande]

I guess nothing was stopping me. I just didn't think of doing it.

[ He lets out a teasing hum as he answers. Of course it's something that simple. It just hadn't been something he thought to do. Venti rarely lets himself be stopped if it's something he wants to do after all ]

And you're right to think that. You never could have stopped me. But would you have even wanted to?

[ He knows you enjoy his company, Diluc. ]

[phoenixblessed]

[He doesn't even really think about it before he shakes his head.]

No, I suppose I wouldn't.

[Then, he reaches over and pointedly ruffles Venti's hair with a firm hand. Just because he can.]

You're not that bad to have around, after all.

[notgrande]

Not bad?

[ That 's what earns a little huff. He doesn't mind the hair ruffle - as funny as it is to him. He should be the one ruffling the hair of the young people in his life, not the other way around. Rather than say a word, he just lets it happen. ]

I'd prefer to be good to be around, though.

[ Diluc, please. ]

[phoenixblessed]

[Diluc does something potentially unexpected there - he laughs.]

I could say as much, but I wouldn't want to inflate your ego.

[Then he looks over his shoulder and back up at the clifftop.]

I wouldn't mind doing that again, but it's a walk back.

[notgrande]

Maybe it wouldn't.

[ He lets out a teasing little hmm. He wouldn't mind gliding again, either. He glances up towards the cliff. ]

Well, I can help in one of two ways. We can use a little wind.. Or.

[ He is pretty sure that Diluc is going to object to this, but maybe...? ]

I fly us both up. With the whole Spring magic. It wouldn't be that hard to do.

[phoenixblessed]

[Under normal circumstances he would most certainly object to it, but he remembers how long it took to walk up there the first time. So, after briefly crinkling his nose, Diluc lets out a little huff and shrugs one shoulder.]

If it won't be difficult, and you can manage it without dashing the both of us against the cliff side...

[He gives a little shake of his head as if he can't believe what he's agreeing to.]

Fine, go ahead.

[notgrande]

I was made to fly, Diluc! I had wings in my youth, even.

[ While he's posturing that he's insulted, he's definitely not. He's not flown like that for a long time, but he'd never bring Diluc along on a trip like that without being confident they could do it safely. It's one thing if he splats himself against rocks, it's another if it's him and someone he cares about the safety of.

Besides, he can combine the flight he got here as magic with his Anemo that he can do so reliably it's second nature. He knows how to handle even the strongest win he makes. But, he wraps his arms around Diluc, summons a massive gust of Anemo and -- ]

Here we go!

[ Up they go. Flying. Hey, he thinks a lot of people would love to experience things like this with the wind god. ]

[phoenixblessed]

Only in your youth? Did they fall off?

[He's not worried that Venti will drop him, but leaving the ground still has him letting out a soft grunt as he grips one hand tight around the archon's shoulder. They fly higher and he isn't afraid for a moment, putting his feet down easily once the clifftop is under them again.

Much easier than walking back up the path again, he doesn't know why he didn't think of it sooner.]

[notgrande]

[ Once Diluc is on his feet again, Venti joins him only a moment later. He waits for the wind to settle down, as well. He giggled at Diluc's question. ][ He's certain Diluc knows he's messing around so he doesn't even need to mention that he's joking. A small hmm escapes his lips. ]

Of course, if I really wanted to have them...I could.

[phoenixblessed]

If you want to then don't hide it on my account.

[It isn't as if Venti's true nature is a secret to him! The archon having wings would hardly be either given the many religious images that depict him with them, even if Diluc has never seen them himself.]

You don't need to hide who you are with me.