#( he knows arnold doesn't have a chance but he'll tease him about having a crush on mona )

[xamassed]

⟬ Anonymous Arnold ( ft. @ghostlyanon​ & @astherea​ ) ⟭

“A bard? I believe word spread around the castle that an ‘expert musician’ had been recommended to Her Highness by no other than the fair Archmage herself to collaborate on a brand new theatrical adaptation of our sacred “Hymn of the Holy Land” scriptures— Oh, to be praised so highly by the most beautiful maiden to have ever graced the blessed grounds of the Immernachtreich, you must be a renowned figure yourself, sir!  As a, ahem, upstanding citizen and guard with the keenest sense of directions,  I’d be delighted to escort a friend of the lovely maiden to the castle’s main theater stage— As a matter of fact, I’ve taken an interest in performing as an actor many-a-times before... Sir, if you’re acquaintances with the fair Archmage, do you believe improving my acting skills could win me her favor?”

While it was his intent to visit the islands for music’s sake, a large part of the bard had hoped to encounter the one that pines for his beloved stargazer so desperately. He had fully intended on playing the part of a jealous lover, snipping and snapping and being as snide as he could be because it was so unlike his usual self. He had planned a thinly veiled threat here and there, and he may have entertained the idea of revealing who he was to the raven, and yet. . .

He may have been mislead.

He had been lead to believe that this Arnold was unbearable, disgraceful, an annoyance. He was a little wordy, perhaps, but he too had become lost in the haze of pure love before and gone a little overboard. It was difficult not to get swept up in the emotion when people like Mona existed.

Instead of a target to playfully bully, Venti was greeted by a perfectly polite, truly eager being that made his heart soften tenfold in his chest.

“I am incredibly popular with the people of Mondstadt, but there’s a vast difference between showing and telling, and I fully intend on showing you all what I can do! But none of what I accomplish can be done without your help.”

He came to stand a little closer, wondered if it was considered bad manners to touch the statues, then decided it was best just to help fix the scarf wrapped around his neck.

“My friend, I know we’ve only just met, but I like you. May I offer you a single piece of advice?” He lowered his head, as if to whisper to the bird. “Improve your acting because you want to, not because of the one whose caught your eye. If it will make you happy, then pour your heart into it. Pure, honest passion will translate better and will make you look more sincere than passion motivated by the need to impress her. Because if she doesn’t notice, do you want your love for acting to become something bitter and tasteless?”

He stood straighter and shook his head, then cautiously placed his hand atop the statue’s head. “Then again, you’re free to ignore all of what I just said and do whatever you please! Except for escorting me. I still need to know where to go, but while we’re at it, why don’t we go the scenic route? I’m sure the Prinzessin won’t mind if I’m a little late.”