On his way towards the giant tree,
Mathias kept his eyes on the lookout for
citizens, or civilization anything he could get
too tell him about the world he had been
transferred to, alas… he saw nobody, and
believed himself to be alone; So it startled
him when a voice came from behind.
Momentarily frightened, he reflexively
turned around. Needless to say he couldn't
believe his eyes when he saw an exemplar
of Renaissance era fashion, holding some
sort of six-stringed instrument.
'Wait! We speak the same language?'
Mathias thought, collecting himself from his
momentary fright.
"Oh… uh… no, I'm afraid I have no idea clue
who that is…" Mathias admitted.
The bard smugly smirked, he could tell that
the wayfarer wasn't from Monstadt or
anywhere near… the air around him felt
stagnant, to the bard it was an ominous
omen. Only time would tell if the
omen was good nature or that of ill tidings.
Though it was dark, the statues eerie glow
illuminated the area and Mathias could see
the bard's smug smirk.
'Oh shit… was that the wrong thing to say?!'
Mathias' eyes scanned the bards
physical features, the bard had a few
braids that somewhat framed their uniquely
cute face
'A hidden beauty, dressed in mens clothes…'
Mathias thought, finding the bard attractive
Although back on earth it wasn't
uncommon for men to sport ponytails, man
buns etc… the bard had a slender, delicate-
looking physique… but again where Mathias
was from, those features didn't guarantee
one's gender.
Feeling the wayfarer's wondering
gaze going over his figure, the bard could
easily guess what he was thinking.
"Heh~ha! I know what your thinking," the
bard giggled in its girlish adolescent voice
"How could a cute musician travel all
alone, with no one to protect them," the
bard dramatically continued
"The answer might surprise you.
(Venti pauses for effect)
Alas it's because I'm a guy. Heh-ha!"
the bard playfully chuckled.
"!?"
'Was… I just… attracted to a guy?!'
Mathias was left speechless, HOWEVER!
His bamboozled expression spoke volumes.
"Hahahaha that face! Priceless!" The bard
laughed.
"The name's Venti, traveling bard, and
alcohol connoisseur!"
The bard remarked in between bouts of
laughter.
Mathias packed away his first trauma after
coming to Teyvat
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance Venti,
I'm Mathias Em…"
Mathias abruptly paused as he was
struck by a revelation: Mathias Emmit was
who he was in his last life, the Mathias who
had been sent to Teyvat had the potential to
be someone else. Someone better. And he
had Noir to thank for his second attempt at
life, so in honor of her… he used the name of
the goddess of night/darkness from one of
the mythologies back on earth
"Sorry about that" he apologied for the pause,
"I'm Mathias Nox, but please call me Nox
and I'm… lost, haha."
He chuckled rubbing the the back of his
head as he attempted to follow suit of
Venti's introduction.
"Pleased to meet you Nox!"
Venti smiled looking off in the distance to
the city of freedom: Mondstadt. Though the
night was dark and view of the city was
obstructed by hills, Venti knew the city was
there.
"If you need to get your bearings straight,
perhaps you should visit the city of
Mondstadt!" Venti suggested happily.
'City… Mondstadt… that sounds promising!'
Mathias thought
"That sounds like a most excellent plan, but
I don't know where Mondstadt is." Mathias
admitted causally.
"If you head northwest you'll be able to see
it-" Venti pointed to the obstructing hills that
hid the city "-but I would wait till morning.
Monsters are sure to be out."
He explained.
Mathias looked to where Venti pointed, and
could make out silhouettes in the shape of
hill. As he concentrated the gentle breeze
blew through the night air, once again
ruffling Mathias' hair.
" northwest you say?"
Mathias inquired, making sure he heard
Venti correctly.
There was no response save the sound of
the blowing breeze.
"Venti?"
Asked Mathias turing back to Venti.
However venti was gone!
He had vanished! Almost As though the
breeze had carried him away.
Mathias then questioned his mental state
'surely I'm seeing things! Oh I know! Im just
exhausted! Ya, that's it and the exhaustion
is making me see things! Venti was just part
of the delirium'
It was easier for Mathias to convince himself
that he was crazed rather than admit he
was attracted to a man, albeit a cute man.
Concluding he wasn't in the right state
of mind, Mathias sat on the ground with his
back to the angel-like statue. As he closed
his eyes, an endearing sense of safety
welled up inside him and he closed his
heavy eyes, nodding his first day in Teyvat
farewell.
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*disclaimer*
And-Ven does not discriminate or harbor any negative aspects against same sex partners
Such references are meant purely for SHIPPING purposes. =)
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