○ Alabaster

Venti knows that 'planning' isn't his strong suit. He does not possess even a quarter of Rex Lapis's scheming capabilities, but now he realizes just how much he's lacking. He slumps onto the tea table, over a sea of crumpled plans.

Paimon suggested reading Inazuman texts for inspiration, which he took offense to at the time. He has brought many a couple together with his advice as a bard before! How dare that pixie underestimate his sensibilities on romance?!

The Traveler just laughed at his expense. And yet, defeated, he still checked a few out of curiosity. He has to admit that they were creative, although somewhat repetitive in some parts (like that 'Kabedon' where one of them would pin the other and create the 'perfect' atmosphere for a confession).

But none of them were his style.

"It isn't like you to find trouble with words, Venti."

Ah, of course, only Venti would have the gall to draft out romantic outcomes right in front of his target. Venti lifts his head from the table. It is quite fortunate that Xiao simply brushes off his scribbling as poetic writing.

"You're right. Maybe the act of actual writing is hindering my progress."

"You say that after creating so much wastage." Xiao spares him at a glance. He makes a face seeing the mess on the table and shakes his head in disapproval. "Unbelievable."

Venti studies Xiao's form against the starlit sky.

The sky holds an immeasurable number of stars. In their multitudes, they weave a dreamy, picturesque blanket over the land. The ease with which one can lose themselves in it is startling. Alone, they twinkle and shine from their place in the universe. Each of them, trying to grab one's attention as though they are reaching out. Yet no matter how much one outreaches their hand, none could ever be reached.

The view before him was unlike any star. Yaksha is well built despite his short stature. His posture is rigid, always on high alert. And his skin is flawless, untouched by scars. You wouldn't think he was a warrior if you stripped him out of his armor and weapons. It is either the Yaksha takes care of his wounds carefully to make sure they don't scar, or this is one of the benefits of being a deity in Liyue.

No matter, Venti is simply glad to marvel at this person's beauty—both in the inside and out—in so close a distance. Whether he has the confidence to reach out, is a completely different matter.

"Ala—"

Sevens, here Venti goes again.

"Hm?"

Maybe comparing him to a star doesn't do him justice. He is the product of the earth; therefore, wouldn't it be more fitting to compare him to a treasure of the earth?

"Alabaster," the bard finds himself saying, thankful that the Yaksha is too engrossed with monitoring the Marsh to spare him a look.

Xiao isn't a gemstone in his eyes, but a rare resource that has the ability to be shaped and turned into something extraordinary.

"Huh?"

"Under the moon's gaze, your eyes come alive, aglow; "Vigilant, they are to prevent a disaster. "Your visage frightens the the evils that lurk below "Yet still dazzling, like statues of alabaster."

"What… what nonsense are you spouting now?" Xiao lightly scolds the shameless bard, most likely unaware of the dust of pink on his cheeks.

"Ehe~ Just proving that writing things down doesn't make those thinking juices flow for me!"

"Le-leave me out of it." The Yaksha turns back to the scenery before him, trying his best to empty the bard's words from his head.

Somehow, the bard finds that hard to do.

Xiao is his muse.

But maybe he shouldn't be rash in comparing Xiao to precious minerals and ores. It is not his specialty after all, and it would serve as further injustice to his muse and an embarrassment for him if he finds the comparison to be inadequate. [1]

Yet 'clumsy' is how he would describe himself whenever he is with Xiao. He is clumsier with his words, clumsier with his actions—more than what his carefree attitude allows him to be.

That's right, Venti realizes. It's more natural for him to stumble into situations rather than plan them in advance—spontaneity. Even in his free-spiritedness, things work out for him in the end. He'll just have to leave it up to fate and let the heart decide when that opportunity comes.

—○ ● ○ ◇◇◇ ○ ● ○ —

Footnote:

[1] Venti screamed into Xiao's pillow one afternoon when he was sure Xiao was not around. He learned from Morax that Alabaster Statues are fragile enough not to be able to withstand the harsh conditions of the outside.

It is very inappropriate to compare Xiao to such figures, despite their beauty.

Precious Xiao deserved better than that. He is truly a disgrace to the arts. [back]

A/N: Yeah, I changed my mind. Might as well drop this chapter as well, so that you'd be familiar with the gimmick I used. XD Oh, and for the footnotes, I think using the browser's find/search and typing in the footnote number would help in get back and forth where you've left off and the footnote below... (As a work-around for the html not working for them here)
Hihihi, I hope that was cute. (I'd love to hear your thoughts on this~)