Author's Note: I do not own Genshin Impact or anything related to it.

This was inspired by a single frame in a recent fanmade animation video for Venti's birthday in 2023, titled Little White Cat. I believe it was created by Bilibili, but if not and you know which one I'm referencing, please let me know and I will update this note to properly acknowledge the creator! My fanfiction is only inspired by one picture in it, though, not an attempt to recreate it in story form. I highly recommend watching the video for its own amazing artwork! ...And yes, I took the liberty of putting Ludi Harpastum smack in the middle of winter. Enjoy!

Chapter One

Kaeya hummed to himself as he tapped a finger on the rim of his mug, soaking in the weak winter sunlight. His other arm was thrown across the back of the bench in lazy relaxation. His gaze wandered across the plaza, taking in the various bards plying their craft. There's more of them out practicing than there usually is. Taking another sip of his hot spiced cider, he closed his eye and let the warmth chase off the chill from the stone bench.

The icy surface jolted slightly as someone thumped down on the other side, and Kaeya said mildly, "Easy there, bard. This bench was a gift to the cathedral from the Barbara Fan Club, you know." He opened his eye to offer a casual acknowledgement to the dark-haired boy across from him.

"Tch, I'm not heavy enough to break a stone bench! I happen to think I'm as light as air, Captain," the boy said breezily. "The Anemo Vision helps with that, you know." He indicated the pale green orb at his waist. His teal eyes were laughing as if at some personal secret, his twin braids brushing against cheeks that were flushed with the cold. But despite his carefree attitude, Kaeya was sharp enough to notice the way his other hand tightened slightly on the papers he held in his lap.

Kaeya sat up a little more. Hm. This promises to be interesting. "So my dear Venti, why aren't you out there practicing with all the other bards? The prize for the Ludi Harpastum Musical Competition will be hard to win with all that... well, competition." He gestured towards the myriad of bards raising their voices in aggravated volume, then blinked. "Although, to be fair, it doesn't look particularly friendly out on the plaza at the moment." He watched with appreciation as one bard lost his temper and brought his flute down with a crash on another singer's head. Chuckling, Kaeya dipped his head into the fragrant steam from his mug and took another sip.

"No worries there! I'm the best bard in Mondstadt, and the prize is a crate of aged Dandelion Wine. There's not a chance that I'll lose!" his companion said confidently. He jammed his slanted green beret down on his dark hair a little more firmly as the wind toyed with it. A laugh slipped from the light-hearted bard, and he waved a finger as if to reprimand the wind itself. (Given what Kaeya knew about him, this assumption was entirely correct.) Then Venti's cheery grin faltered slightly. "It's just…" He bit his lip and glanced down. His fingers absently stroked the edges of his papers.

Kaeya couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer. He leaned forward and gently tugged at the pages in Venti's grasp with an inquisitive look. The bard allowed him to take the sheets, giving an almost imperceptible sigh as he rested his hands on the bench with uncharacteristic quiet. The knight set his beverage down on the cold surface between them and settled back to read. His brows rose as he studied the papers he'd just confiscated. "Ah, a musical score. Did you write this, Venti?" He flipped through the fragile pages carefully and ran through the music in his mind, tracing the rise and fall of each measure. "It's quite good, actually! Even better than your usual fare, I daresay."

"No, I… I didn't compose it. A friend of mine did, a very long time ago," Venti admitted slowly. "I've always wanted to play it, but… it's not a solo piece. I could adapt it, but that's not the way he meant it to be played." Long, sensitive hands wrapped around the edge of his seat as he leaned forward and stared out unseeingly at the two bards who were now in an all-out brawl not far away. "I thought… I don't know, it just seemed like I've waited long enough, and I think he'd agree that a festival is a fitting time to try it out. But I don't know anyone who could play it with me."

Kaeya's eye flicked up to his friend in a sharp look. He'd never been explicitly told, but he'd known for a while now that Venti was Mondstadt's flighty, elusive archon. But even that was speculation, not confirmed fact. Kaeya had taken the time to study the historical records, however, and he dimly recalled a mention in one of the old tomes about a young bard who gave his life in the rebellion against Decarabian hundreds of years ago. A long-ago bard who was reputed to be the best friend of a certain small Anemo sprite…. A certain small Anemo sprite who eventually became the archon of Mondstadt. Ah. This is a very personal piece of music. He glanced down at the thin pages with a wary appreciation for their ancient origins. I'd better not ruin these… They're as old as dirt and they symbolize an extremely precious friendship. Like mine with… He ended the thought before he finished it, then looked up and studied his friend again with a wave of sympathy. "You've never tried to play it on your own?"

Venti silently shook his head.

"One of Mondstadt's monikers is the City of Song, due to all the bards and singers here. And yet you still can't find anyone to play it with you, hm?" He waited, but his normally talkative friend said nothing. The knight's voice was gentle as he asked, "I'm guessing it's not something you can ask just anyone to perform with you?"

"Not exactly," Venti answered, his voice far more subdued than Kaeya had ever heard him. "It's sort of special to me. That's why I haven't played it before. But… I want to perform it this year, in honor of my friend."

The knight hummed slightly. Then he shuffled the pages back into order and held them out to the bard. "Look at you, playing at my heartstrings! You know just how to get what you want," he chided with a twinkle in his eye. He threw a hand on his heart dramatically. "I can't leave you in the lurch, now can I?"

Venti gaped at him. "What? I mean, I know you're good with poetry, but you play an instrument, too?"

Kaeya laughed. "Pff, me? Are you kidding? What a ridiculous idea. But I do happen to know a very accomplished musician." He gave Venti a light smile. "I can't think of anyone more adequate to join your performance. Of course, the true test will be getting him to come, though." He jumped up. "I'll be back to let you know how it goes!" He reached out and tapped the top page. "You just practice your part, all right?"

The bard's expression was all kinds of skeptical, but he shook his head with a laugh. "If you promise to be careful, you can take the score with you to show your friend. I have my part memorized."

Kaeya rubbed his mouth. "'Friend' might be a strong word. But sure, I bet he'd be interested to learn just what he's going to be playing." His mischievous smile faded into something more genuine, and he added quietly, "We'll make sure your friend is well-honored. Trust me."

He strode away, tucking the pages close to him to protect them from the wind. Now if only I can convince him to play again… Despite his promise to Venti, he was very unsure of his success. All I can do is try. He glanced back at the slight figure still sitting on the bench, and resolved to do his utmost. For the chance at healing old wounds? I'll try anything.