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[outofoffice]

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[outofoffice]

Okay. That sounds nice, I think.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He takes Venti's hand and leads him back toward the bed.

They really need to get you a room upgrade ]

[outofoffice]

[ Venti allows himself to be pulled along, and as soon as they're on the bed, he curls up half in Zhongli's lap.

It just feels . . . right. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ He reaches down to card his fingers through Venti's hair ]

Shall I tell you about the rise of the Windblume Festival?

[outofoffice]

I've never head you tell a Mondstadt story before.

[ A pause ]

Have I?

[leaveofabsence]

They are usually your specialty. So no - you have not.

But I would be remiss to not know the culture of my closest ally.

[outofoffice]

What sweet words.

Okay then. Remind me.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He tells of the origin of the Windblume Festival in the time of Decarabian - that is was part of the secret code of the rebellion.

He tells of the history of the festival in the time of Barbatos - how any flower could be made into the Windblume. The various theories on why each native flower of Mondstadt could be so.

He tells of the modern Windblume Festival - where the citizens of Mondstadt were expected to prepare the gift accompanied by sweet poetry themselves.

He tells of the Windblume Star and the blessing of Barbatos.

All with the elegance and poise like a poet from Liyue and less of the charisma and warmth of a bard from Mondstadt. ]

[outofoffice]

[ There's still beauty in the elegance and poise of a poet. Venti listens in uncharacteristic silence, eyes half closed. Some parts he remembers, others he doesn't, and it's as disorienting as it is frustrating.

Still, once Zhongli finishes . . . ]

Gifts for courtship, huh . . .

Have I ever given you a gift?

[ That seems like a detail he would forget in his flightiness, he thinks. Maybe? ]

[leaveofabsence]

Many.

The first was a potted glaze lily that is stored in my room.

[outofoffice]

[ Oh. Right. ]

Wow.

I'm better at this than I thought.

[leaveofabsence]

That is surprisingly true for many facets of your life.

[outofoffice]

[ A beat. ]

. . . That sounded rude.

[leaveofabsence]

From one angle, yes. It is very rude.

But it's also true that you always underplay your own accomplishments.

[outofoffice]

[ wow nice save ]

Well, it's fine if it's rude anyway. I don't really care.

[leaveofabsence]

That also is usually true for you. Despite how much you posture about it.

But you have not asked the logical next question.

Have I ever given you a gift?

[outofoffice]

[ Stop roasting him when he can't even get huffy about it!!!!!! ]

Is that the logical next question?

[leaveofabsence]

[ He will never be able to win this easy ever again though... ]

It is.

[outofoffice]

[ mathlady.gif ]

I don't understand why it's obvious . . . but okay, have you ever given me a gift?

[leaveofabsence]

Yes.

I am going to purchase one for you right this moment.

[ Don't mind him pulling out his phone. And give him a bit to pick out the perfect gift. ]

[outofoffice]

[ MATHLADY.GIF INTENSIFIES ]

Why? You know I'll probably just forget by tomorrow, right . . . ?

[leaveofabsence]

Then I shall buy you one tomorrow. And the day after and the day after.

[outofoffice]

. . . Okay . . .

I guess you're good at courting, too.

[leaveofabsence]

I would hope so. I have been reading a hefty amount of literature regarding the subject as of late.

[outofoffice]

. . . You read a book on this?

[ Please insert the absolutely ruthless teasing that would normally go here ]