rozenblitz | And wind will bring you back home

And wind will bring you back home

[It's funny to think that not too long ago all of them were in a completely different world, returning to Teyvat only now. So much has happened, so much has changed and yet, Teyvat remains the same as they remembered it. Time really works in strange ways when travel between worlds is involved.

But the journey is not over, especially not now when Ayato can entrust the estate in the hands of Ayaka and her special person, making him and Thoma free to travel as they wish. Aether knows a perfect place they could all travel to.

He's happy to lead the way and he's even happier to watch Thoma's expression as they step into the land of wine, song and wind wheels. The timing is perfect, too. There are flowers decorating every building and the air carries cheer of the festival. It's Windblume! The day when all return home to Mondstadt, guided by the gentle breeze.

Aether takes Thoma's hand, keeping it carefully in both his, as they enter through the gate.]

Welcome back. [He says, eyes soft as he gazes at the other. He knows how emotional this moment must be for him.

Then he looks to Ayato, smile warm and welcoming.]

And welcome to Mondstadt, Ayato.

[He lets go of Thoma's hands to stand in front of both of them, hand pressing over his heart as it beats in excitement and joy of the moment.]

I'll be happy to be your guide today.

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[ There's so much to take in. So many things have changed, from what he can remember of Mondstadt, and others that have remained exactly the same. Little things, like the types of flowers sold at the shop, or the length of the Philanemo Mushroom vines on the building, keep catching his eyes and for a moment it's almost overwhelming to take in that he was finally here. Back in his home town, in the place that had brought him so much joy as a child. ]

[ With the people who had brought him so much joy now. ]

[ He tries not to be obvious in the way he rubs away the dampness in his eyes, his smile as bright as the sun above as he looks between them both. ]

It's wonderful to be back. It looks like there'll be a lot of catching up I'll need to do, and a lot of new things to learn for Ayato.

{ it's strange enough to have a vacation, nevermind being so far from home again. this time, of course, it is rather different. ayaka will be taking care of things at home, and she has cloud with her for support. he can actually stop working for once, since even in ellipsa he'd drowned under papers when given the chance.

and despite being told that there's plenty for him to see here, is he going to be looking at anything but the two people in front of him when they smile like that? no landscape could compare. }

Very well, where do you suggest we start?

[Thoma's sunshine smile is enough to make his heart full, brimming with fondness. Then his gaze shifts to Ayato, giving him the warmest of smiles and Aether moves to stand between the two, grabbing their hands in his own, one on each side.]

As your personal guide, I suggest a trip to visit the statue of Barbatos. [He says with joy in his voice.] This is the place where the Windblume flower should be located. [He explains, mostly looking at Ayato.] A person who greatly contributed to Mondstadt is selected each year and chooses a flower to represent the Windblume, then offers it to the anemo archon during a special ceremony. I'm curious which flower was chosen this year.

[He tugs gently at their hands to lead the way. Flowers seem to be covering every part of the city as they walk. People can be found playing festive games or enjoying the food and wine. Meanwhile, Aether is overjoyed as well. He can show all those wonderful views to the two people who mean the world to him.

Just being with them like this, holding their hands, makes him feel like he's finally found the "home" he's longed for his entire life.]

[ It's all for the better that Aether takes his hand and starts guiding them through the streets of Mondstadt, because if left on his own Thoma would have stood where he was for hours simply soaking in the feeling of the familiar yet new city. He can hear Aether's soft words, giving explanation to their location and the traditions of the city, but it's a faint sound in his ear as he continues to drink in the scenery around them. ]

[ Fleeting laughter from passing children tugs another smile from him as he watches them go before looking back toward the two beside him with that same warmed smile, just catching those last words. ]

I'd personally hope for windwheel asters myself. They're easily my favorite.

{ considering there's a statue in inazuma city that isn't a surprise barbatos has one here too. the ritual is a little new, but again, not all that unusual. }

Are flowers important here? { it's a genuine question. there are blooms all around inazuma, but they aren't used in the way aether describes here. as something sacred to be given to the gods.

but he's yet again distracted from his surroundings by the two of them, unable to keep the small smile of his own off his face at the joy overflowing from both aether and thoma. }

What are windwheel asters like? I don't believe I've seen one.

[Aether closes his eyes for the brief second in thought.]

It's a symbol. Ages ago, when Mondstadt was ruled by Decarabian and the land was a wasteland covered in snow, the Windblume was said to be a flower that thrived in the harsh cold, thus becoming a symbol for those who wanted to free themselves from Decarabian's rule. Once Barbatos became the archon, he reshaped the land and climate to what we can see today.

[He can feel the gentle wind on his face. When he thinks about it, Venti's power really had to be immense to change the land so much.]

Nobody knows what Windblume was really or how it looked like, but since we're in the land of freedom, everybody is free to choose whatever their own Windblume should be like. [He smiles.] And they don't offer it only to Barbatos, but also to those they love.

[He squeezes both Ayato and Thoma's hands. It's honestly a perfect timing for all of them to be here.]

Windwheel asters are red flowers that resemble paper windmills for children. They also spin around when the wind blows. I once gave Thoma a bouquet of those... They're special to me, too.

[It feels like it happened so long ago, especially considering their adventures in another world.

Soon, they arrive at the square, where the Barbatos statue is. The statue feels like it's quietly watching over the city, its eyes closed, its wings spread. There's many flowers at the feet of the statue but in the central part one bloom is placed on an altar to signify how special it is. And it so happens to be a windwheel aster.

Aether brightens at the sight.]

[ Hearing Aether recall the story of Monstadt and the Windblume's origins warms Thoma's soul; that he would remember all those details even as a passerby showed just show much of an impact his hometown must have made on him. And he's glad for it; while Inazuma was where he considered his home to be, Mondstadt would always hold a fond place in his heart. One he wanted to share with the people most important in his life. ]

[ And this festival in particular really is one of his favorites. ]

Oh- I still have a flower from that bouquet, you know. I dried and pressed it to save.

[ He'd even asked Ayaka how to do it properly, so that the flower would last in its best condition. ]

[ His gaze flickers over to Ayato, a bashful smile flitting past his lips. ]

It stays next to the old duster I received when I started working for the Yashiro Commission officially.

{ the story is quite charming, and honestly is quite idealistic --quite the opposite to what you'd get in inazuma. }

Windwheel Asters, you said? They do sound rather charming.

{ but archons thoma... his nose scrunches slightly at that. }

You saved an old duster? If you had said we could have gifted you something else that would be a little more... { what is the best word to use that isn't offensive. } Well, it could have been more decorative.

{ especially compared to a pressed flower??? }

[The city of Mondstadt grew very dear to Aether's heart. It is the place where his journey truly began, the place where he found many people willing to aid him. The freedom felt in every corner is resounding with his own heart. He enjoys returning here, too, feeling always so welcomed.

Just as welcomed he feels in the arms of his two most important people. So he's happy to share this with them.

He smiles when Thoma says he kept one of the flowers from the bouquet, then laughs a bit when the old duster is mentioned.]

It's a precious memory, isn't it?

[He understands it. He keeps so many things that remind him of all the memories he's made.]

[ Ayato's face wrinkling pulls a laugh out of him as well, fondness bubbling in his tone as he speaks about his dusty old friend. ]

It's a very precious memory. And I still use it sometimes; it works almost as well as it did before. It just looks a bit old, but appearances aren't everything.

[ That is possibly an understatement, the duster definitely shows its age but Thoma is fond of it all the same. ]

Yes, well... { if they both gang up on him how is he supposed to protest??? }

Have you at least washed it?

{ ayato can appreciate sentimentality, but not when it comes to things that are so cheap to buy and could be replaced with something more beautiful to display. he is trying to not take a certain tone with this, but both of them can hear it clearly.

this is what a spoiled rich boy sounds like after all- }

In that case, we should find something more meaningful here so at least you have something other than a duster from me.

{ or maybe he's just jealous thoma kept a flower from aether and a fucking duster from himself- }

[Someone is really overreacting here.

Aether cracks a smile. He can guess that any explanations won't work in here. Thankfully, he has another idea. Temporarily, he lets go of Thoma's hand in order to grab both of Ayato's.]

Like I said before, part of this festival is offering gifts to people you love, especially flowers so... How about I'll teach you how to make a flower crown so you can give it to Thoma?

[Then he'll have a lot of flowers to keep, not just one!]

[ Sorry Ayato but he's absolutely laughing brightly at that softly concerned tone of his. ]

I've washed it- I've taken the utmost care of it, I swear. Like I said, it's a very valuable item to me.

[ However trivial Ayato may think of it, he won't be getting rid of it anytime soon. But Aether's suggestion has him grinning, with both hands settling on his hips now that they're freed. ]

I'd certainly love to see something like that made by my lord's hands.

{ he opens his mouth, ready to add more protest to it, but then aether is taking both his hands and his eyes are focusing on him and his words. }

That... seems like a good idea.

{ his face remains collected, but there's a hint of a frown there. }

It has been a long time since I've practiced with anything arts related outside calligraphy, however.

[Since Thoma is backing him up and Ayato is agreeing, too, Aether smiles brightly.]

It's not that difficult, trust me. And it's very relaxing once you get a hang of it.

[He squeezes Ayato's hands.]

If that fails, you can make a bouquet instead. It's the festival of flowers, after all.

[ Thoma pipes up again with a reassuring smile over the shorter Aether. ]

I'd be happy with just about anything. Intent means a lot to me.

[ And really, he's so easy that no matter how it turns out, he'll love it forever. ]

Then I'll give it a try, of course.

{ and despite what he says, he'll probably do a good job of making one on the first try. }

But for now, are there other aspects to this festival we should be going to see?

[So humble about your skill, Ayato.

Once that is agreed upon, Aether smiles brightly and lets go of Ayato's hands.]

They always have some kind of festival games and other things. One year there were lessons how to write love poems!

[Just as he says that, music can be heard from further into the square. Aether gestures for his two partners to follow him as he goes to check. It appears that the bards started playing and a small crowd gathered around them. Soon people begin to dance, enjoying the music.

When Aether gets closer, a person from the crowd takes him by the hands.]

Honorary Knight, you need to dance too!

Huh? A-ah, wait!

[But his complains fall on deaf ear and he's snatched away into a dance. He casts a look to Thoma and Ayato, as if asking for help, but is then twirled around as the dance picks up the pace in the rhythm of the lively music.]

[ Sorry Aether, but Thoma is all grins as he watches the other get swept up into the dance, head tilting toward Ayato as he gives a half-whisper behind a hand. ]

I do think he might need saving, my lord.

[ Thoma is absolutely trying to get Ayato trapped in the dance as well and doing a terrible job of hiding his intent while he's at it. ]

{ ayato is suddenly very grateful he's an unknown person in this land as he would not have been pleased with getting dragged off the way aether is. thoma's words have his gaze sliding from the traveler across to him instead, and he isn't dumb thoma. }

I certainly won't stop you if you'd like to join him. I can wait here.

{ don't try and make him dance in public!!! }

[As Ayato tries avoiding dancing in public, Aether resigns to his fate as it doesn't seem he's going to be allowed to leave. His partner changes as the music flows and everybody seems to have a lot of fun.

But fear not! Even though Ayato and Thoma are not known around here, they still get approached by some people who try to drag them into the dance.]

Why don't you join as well?

[ But it'd be so cute?? And it's certainly not every day Ayato would be able to dance in public without drawing the eyes of the Inazuman public. ]

[ But it looks like Thoma's terrible master plan won't be coming to fruition, not in full anyway, when they're approached by some locals to join in. It gets him to laugh, at least, at how easily his 'plan' was turned on him. ]

I'll dance if he does.

[ What now, waka!! ]

{ it doesn't matter, people will be watching either way. he looks uncomfortable for a brief second as thoma directs the people's attention on him with that one sentence, and the look he's given in return is sulky. at least thoma will recognise it as such. }

No, I insist. Go off and have fun, you may consider it an order, if you must.

[The locals seem stubborn too.]

Aren't you the Traveler's friends? Look how much fun he's having!

[They gesture towards Aether, who is getting twirled multiple times in the dance and seems to be getting dizzy.]

[ Luckily for Ayato, Thoma does catch onto that sulky look. And even luckier for the commissioner, Thoma would never force him into something he truly doesn't wish to do. Which is why he steps in front of Ayato to take the hands of the locals, letting them pull him forward. ]

You'll all have to show me the steps then, I'm fairly rusty as is.

[ And maybe he'll be able to rescue Aether from his spinning doom while he's pulled out into the dancing crowd. ]

{ ayato sighs in relief as thoma takes the hint and covers for him instead of forcing him into it. he's not had a chance to do anything related to dancing in years and even if he doesn't have countless inazuman eyes watching him right now, it's unnerving and he doesn't want to make a fool out of himself.

instead, he moves to take a seat on the outskirts of the area to enjoy watching them instead. }

[The locals agree to it, just happy to drag one more person into the joyful dance.]

The steps are very easy!

[They take turns showing Thoma the basics of the dance. It really is just simple steps that repeat and the rest is however the person wishes to dance it. Mondstadt is the city of freedom, after all!

As Aether spots Thoma getting lessons, he excuses himself from his current partner, assuring that he's not trying to escape and quickly makes his way to Thoma.]

You can leave the rest to me! I'll practice with him!

Aren't you eager? [One of the locals jokes, but they laugh and move away to make place for the pair's dance.]

[ He'll bully him some day!! ]

[ Today is just not that day. Today is the day Thoma gets himself led aside to get some lessons that he picks up on quickly enough. They're vaguely familiar, though he only knows them through the eyes of a child, so after just a few showings he's able to pick up on the patterns, grinning as he recalls. A grin he flashes toward Ayato, still tempted to try and lure him in, but he's fully distracted from that plan when Aether makes his way over. ]

I hope you're ready to show me how it's done.

{ watching the two of them take part is as much of a moment to treasure as any other. they have a kamera since phones don't exist here, so he'll raise that up to take some pictures while aether and thoma dance around with the locals. }

[Aether takes Thoma's hands and nods to him.]

I am very ready.

[And he leads the other into a dance, swaying in the rhythm of the joyous music. The traveler laughs softly, enjoying the moment, but at some point the music ends and the bards bow to the applause of the gathered.

They are quickly asked for another song, but this time Aether uses the moment of distraction to lead Thoma back to Ayato. They can't let him sit there all alone for too long!]

[ Thoma gives a last, smiling glance toward Ayato before he gives Aether his undivided attention, throwing himself into focusing on their shared dance and doing his best to keep up with Aether's light steps. He's not too bad, at least! Just rusty. ]

[ And he'll give a polite decline to another dance as he follows along with Aether, eyes bright and face slightly flushed from the efforts and excitement of their dance. ]

I hope you weren't lonely here, my lord.

{ he's surprised they're back so soon, though them both being a little in disarray from twirling and jumping around does bring a small smile to his face. }

Not at all, I took pictures. They aren't as good as a professional would take, but it would be nice to remember.

[Pictures definitely are nice to have. Aether smiles fondly.]

Personally, I think they're perfect because they hold precious memories.

[He walks up to Ayato and offers his hand to him.]

But it won't do if you're not in those pictures, too. Why don't we head outside the city and take some more as we make flower crowns?

It'd be a lot nicer to do something together. We could pick up some snacks and drinks on the way, and have a proper picnic out there.

[ Out of habit, Thoma reaches for the Kamera to free Ayato's hands, as well as take a look at the collection of photos he took. ]

That's why I thought to bring it.

{ he'll take the offered hand and move to stand, a faint smile on his face as he gives aether's hand a squeeze. in the same movement thoma seems to take the kamera from him, and after looking to see what he's doing he relaxes as the other flicks through the pictures. }

Hopefully none of them are too blurry. But that sounds like a good idea. Where is the best place to get those from?

[Aether nods in agreement, smile on his face as he squeezes Ayato's hand back.]

We can go to the Good Hunter. I'm sure Sara has something nice in store. As for drinks... I think we could go to Angel's Share for that. Mondstadt is very proud of its wine, but I sadly never got a chance to taste it...

[Considering that he's always taken for a child here. Aether's smile falters just a little bit!]

...They have a lot of really great non-alcoholic drinks, too.

[He's accepted his fate.]

We could take a bottle of wine with us to share. Along with other drinks, of course.

[ By which Thoma mainly means the others could enjoy it while he drinks something else. He might have a sip, to finally fulfill a childhood curiosity of the taste, but overall he'd much rather be sober while enjoying his time in his home town. ]

[ He'll keep the Kamera and photos in hand in case Ayato would like them back, but otherwise these are His Now. ]

Let's head over.

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And wind will bring you back home

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Five million years later-

sssh sssh it's all good

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