The next morning Himmel wakes to a familiar and reassuring scent on the wind. He turns onto his side and squints at Venti munching on an apple under the morning sun.
His friends' eyes light up with excitement when he notices Himmel watching him. "Oh. Excellent! You're finally awake."
There's a pile of apples nearby that Venti eagerly grabs for and holds an apple out towards him.
"Here, a freshly picked apple just for you!"
Himmel sits up and stretches his arms over his head before taking the offered apple.
"While you were asleep this great big boar came around with fiery vicious eyes. But alas with the Anemo Archon's dearest friend off in the land of nod, there was no choice but to face it alone. It was a rigorous battle, an exciting display of might and will, the great tusks of the boar clashing with the winds of the benevolent Archon. From the dust the victor stood valiant, for you see the Anemo Archon in the midst of battle played a cunning trick on the angered boar. With the wind's great power he sent it flying off into the air, like a shooting star in the sky! But this was not to harm the boar, rather it would land amongst the ice and snow. A fitting home for such a hot-headed creature to cool off."
Himmel giggles. He had no way of knowing if Venti was telling the truth or not, but he still very much appreciated the fanciful nature of the wind spirit's stories. "That is quite the tale. I do so wish I could have witnessed your great battle against the vicious Boar King with my own eyes."
"Ehehe ~ Now," Venti hops up onto his feet. "We must return to Mondstadt, posthaste!"
The young bard frowns slightly. "Hm? What for, friend?"
Venti smiles and grabs his freehand, tugging him up and onto his feet. "A surprise, of course! I'm very excited to show you! Come on!"
He pulls Himmel away from their resting spot, leading him back to the city at a quick pace. As Himmel hurries to finish his apple, his eyes naturally gravitate towards New Mondstadt in the distance.
From afar it looks so… welcoming. The stone walls not even tall enough to shroud the cluster of tall roofs, the windmills churning freely with the wind, the Anemo Archon statue standing tall with feathery open wings. Against the blue sky, it is open and humble, a safe haven for any weary traveler. An overwhelming mixture of emotions bubble up in his chest.
It is comforting to see New Mondstadt so warm and inviting, but if only those they'd lost were here to see it as well.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" He looks away at Venti, who follows his gaze to the city.
"It is… If only Amos could've seen it…"
The Anemo Archon looks at him with sympathy, squeezing Himmel's hand as he quickens their pace through the grass.
In all his excitement, Venti practically skips across the bridge to Mondstadt upon their return. Himmel cannot help but laugh at the archon's merriment as he pulls him along.
"You've gotten rather used to your new form, haven't you?"
"Yep!" Venti responds proudly. "We can play that hoping game you showed me in Old Mondstadt now! But first, your surprise!"
Himmel can already hear the people of Mondstadt laughing and chatting as they approach, although it's more pronounced than usual. And he can also hear… music?
Venti stops just in front of the gate and steps up behind him to push him gently into the city. Himmel lets him, looking around in awe.
Decorative banners are hung along the main road with merchant stands lining the side streets. A crowd is gathered at the fountain, clumsy lyre music in the air and the scent of flowers on the breeze. Families and groups of friends mill about the streets, some browsing through flowers at one of the closest stands, others taking caramel apples from a woman at another and a few stands even appear to be dedicated to activities and games like bullseye.
Himmel takes it all in, his eyes wide.
"Venti… What is all this?"
Right on cue the Amemo Archon jumps up to his right.
"I call it the Windblume Festival! During this festival people are encouraged to pursue love and friendship, and to remember Mondstadt's fight for freedom. And with the city finally complete, I'd say it is the perfect way to thank everyone for all their hard work! Hehe, those were my thoughts on it anyway, but really everyone is free to celebrate it as they wish."
Himmel turns to face him fully.
"You and Gunnhildr… planned all this in secret as a surprise?"
Venti looks a tad bashful. "We couldn't very well keep it a secret from everyone, but I did try very hard to ensure you'd be surprised. Now that you know I can finally tell you that you've been chosen as the Windblume Festival's first ever Windblume Star!"
"...Windblume Star?"
Venti nods eagerly. "They're someone who deserves to be recognized. In your case, you will be commended for your courage, resilience and strength of character. After all, none of this would've been possible without you."
Himmel goes quiet, unsure how to respond to that.
"Venti… I…"
Did he… did he really deserve all of this? He'd wanted to see the outside world so very badly… Yet he'd never imagined… A few birds land on a rooftop above to gaze down at the city, chirping happily. He hears laughter and applause as the beginner musician at the fountain finishes his song.
Himmel's eyes water again of their own accord, but this time he doesn't think he can possibly stop himself from crying. He turns away from Venti, a few stray tears falling to the ground. He is so so very happy, everything is so wonderful and yet… he cannot help but cry.
"Himmel?" He hears Venti say hurriedly to his right. "What's wrong?"
At the concern in Venti's voice something in Himmel finally gives. Instinctively, he faces Venti and wraps his arms around him, and finally he sobs for all of Mondstadt to hear, tears pouring from his eyes like a waterfall.
Venti shifts on his feet. "H-Himmel?"
"I-I…" He tries to say shakily. "I-I'm so…"
He cries into Venti's shoulder, his body shaking. Even as he loses himself in his own emotions he feels Venti hold him closer.
"It's okay. I'm here."
Another sob leaves his lips, a few onlookers sending concerned glances in their direction. He cries and cries and cries, every pent up feeling and thought leaving him all at once. Slowly, he starts to feel lighter… remnants of lingering storms disappearing with each tear.
It's not until his tears start to slow that Venti pats him gently on the back and says, "Come, shall we go somewhere quiet?"
Himmel nods a little, sniffling. Venti pulls away to take his hand once more, leading him back towards the entrance of the city.
They sit in the grass there, the sound of the festivities in the distance as Himmel composes himself. He follows Venti's gaze over the waters of the lake with a sense of deja vu, recalling the night they had first camped out here. So much had changed for the better in such a short amount of time. He was, of course, very happy… but it was no wonder he'd eventually grown so overwhelmed to the point of tears.
"Feeling better?" Venti asks to his right with a kind smile.
He nods, returning Venti's smile with a small one of his own. "Forgive me for startling you."
"No harm done. Here." Himmel gives him his full attention, blinking at the three Cecilias he's holding out towards him. "These are for you."
Himmel takes them from him carefully, sniffling a few times.
"They're beautiful. But um…"
Venti catches his drift and cheerily explains, "During the Windblume Festival, the good people of Mondstadt will give Windblume flowers to those they deeply care about. So, my Windblume to you is the resilient and lovely Cecilia. I think they're quite fitting for such an occasion, don't you?"
Himmel's eyes soften as he gazes down at the flowers in his hands.
"Thank you… Although you've put me in quite a difficult situation, for I don't have any flowers for you."
"Heh, don't you worry, the festival won't end today. You've got the whole week to shower me in gifts!"
Himmel laughs and wipes at his eyes. "Well, I suppose I best get started then."
He climbs to his feet and extends a hand out towards the wind spirit.
"Come along, friend. Let's start the gift giving off with some caramel apples."
Venti's eyes brighten considerably and he reaches out for Himmel's hand without a second thought.
In Decarabian's city festivities had been few and far between. There was the occasional indoor birthday party or wedding, but under the tyrant's rule there was little else to celebrate.
During the Windblume Festival Himmel marvels at the pure unrestrained spirit of the people. He finds it in the drunken and joyful man who jumps on a table to join in song with his tune, the children who run throughout the city without fear of being reprimanded, and Gunnhildr as she stands before the Anemo Archon statue in prayer, soon joined by a group of fellow Mondstadt natives who wish to pray for the future and remember all those they'd lost.
In the midst of the people's spirit and energy, Venti joins them in song, plays an archery game at Himmel's side and for all intents and purposes is simply another citizen of Mondstadt amongst the crowd.
Himmel notices the way a nervous-looking woman watching from afar relaxes when Venti nearly trips attempting a game of hopscotch. And when Venti asks the bartender if he can try a drink the man's eyes widen in surprise and then he grins, big and wide, and hands him a mug with gusto. The children laugh around Venti without fear, the people join him in song without reservation and in all of Mondstadt there is no tyrant to be found.
Truly, like birds in the sky, they were finally free.
Upon the last day of the festival, Himmel offers to give the novice lyre player from days ago a few pointers. Before long a number of passersbys listen in, asking a few questions about the instrument as well.
What else can he possibly do but smile and spread the teachings of music.
It is not long into his excited chatter with his newfound music students that Gunnhildr approaches him, her demeanor ever gentle and kind.
"Good evening, Himmel. I've come to ask that you join us in the plaza to present your offering to Lord Barbatos."
He tilts his head. "Oh. I wasn't aware I was supposed to prepare an offering."
She smiles apologetically. "Ah, Lord Barbatos forgot to tell you, didn't he? We will gather in the plaza to commemorate your achievements as the Windlume Star and then you are to make a Windblume offering to him."
Himmel considers that for a brief moment. Throughout the week he'd found many opportunities to give Venti a trinket or food, but had yet to find the opportune moment to hand him his chosen Windblume flower...
He sends her a confident smile. "Alright, I'm ready."
She looks a tad surprised. "Are you certain you're prepared?"
"Very much so." He responds without hesitation.
"If you're sure."
By the time they reach the plaza a crowd has already gathered around the statue, chatting excitedly amongst themselves. Ragnvindr happens to be present, standing to Venti's left surprisingly. Although his arms are crossed and he looks a tad grumpy, he still sends Himmel a small smile. Himmel responds in kind with his own and hastens to join them.
"You didn't mention I was to have an offering ready." He says to Venti, once he's standing between them.
"Ehehe ~ "
Gunnhildr calls them to attention and begins her speech. She speaks of the day her father led her clan from Decarabian's city and when her people nearly lost their lives in the cold of the blizzard. She tells of her desperate prayers for help and the formless wisp of wind that soon answered.
She speaks of the people's will to see the world beyond the storm and the secret hushed plans of those who would fight for freedom. She remembers Amos, a father who died to give his child freedom, a woman who braved the onslaught of Decarabians soldiers and the many others that lost their lives.
"Today the people of Mondstadt stand strong in a city built by our own hands. In this revitalized land, we are no longer a people plagued by blizzard and storm, but rather a people nurtured by gentle winds and the teachings of freedom. Although we owe much to the Anemo Archon for fighting at our side and using his power to guarantee our victory, he has repeatedly reminded me that if it was not for a certain bard the freedom we cherish now would never have come to be."
Himmel feels eyes on him and blushes, shifting on his feet. Gunnhildr sends him a reassuring smile.
"Today we honor Himmel as our first ever Windblume Star for not only his unwavering courage and perseverance, but also for his poetic words that inspired Mondstadt's people and their first Anemo Archon. Now, Windblume Star, we ask that you offer your chosen Windblume to Lord Barbatos on behalf of the people of Mondstadt."
Venti moves to stand before the crowd and spins around to face him, his hands on his hips with an expectant expression.
Despite the many eyes upon him, Himmel relaxes at his behavior, smiling and shaking his head in amusement.
Carefully, he removes the Cecilia from his vest, regarding it fondly as he remembers a time so long ago when a little wind wisp who happened to enjoy his songs floated before the flower curiously.
"We call this flower a Cecilia." Himmel had explained. "They can withstand strong winds and so, are the only flowers that can survive in Mondstadt…"
He'd looked up at him then with interested eyes. "That makes you sad, doesn't it?"
"A little." He'd admitted. "But, I am also grateful for Cecilias. They are one of the only remaining connections we have to the world beyond the storm… Heh, well, I suppose I'm lucky, since I also have you."
The little elf had floated away from the flower to hover before Himmel. "Such a pretty flower! One day I'd like one just like yours! Then we can match!"
He walks forward and reaches up towards Venti's hat. Gently, he tucks the flower into his hair, careful not to pull any of the strands. Once he's sure it's safely in place, he steps back to admire his handiwork. Venti blinks in surprise, and then, like a flower in bloom, an awed smile spreads across his features. He giggles cheerfully before all the people of Mondstadt, bringing a hand up to gently feel the petals of Himmel's gifted Cecilia.
The people of Mondstadt cheer and applaud, a buoyant spirit lingering in the crowd. Venti rushes forward to hug him and Himmel merely laughs as he pats him on the back. From behind him he hears Ragnvindr snort indignantly at their antics, but when he glances back, the man's eyes are shining with mirth.
Gunnhildr steps forward, radiating hope and confidence. "Let us not forget this day, my friends! And may the Anemo Archon continue to guide us!"
Author Notes: Thanks so much for reading and I hope you have an amazing day!
Feel free to talk to me on twitter about Nameless Bard and Venti if you'd like - username: timeandwind