[some sort of genshin impact headcanon, or mini fic, or something. just full of venti feelings.]
“what’s your name?”
the boy’s voice is quiet, compared to the howling winds above. even in the little alcove in the wall, with its tiny handful of dying plants and its poorly-maintained half-forgotten bench, the occasional wind still catches the right angle to blow in, cold and biting and terrible.
the spirit looks up from the half-dead rose it was studying, blinking bright eyes. “my name?”
“what people call you?” the boy tilts his head, braids swaying with the motion.
the spirit takes a moment to consider that, idly spinning in the breeze. “i’ve never been called anything,” it admits at last. “this is my first time being… here, like this. being–a thing, really.”
“now that’s just silly!” the boy smiles, cupping his hands under the spirit. “you were always something, even if nobody but you knew it! and you were always someone, too. and everyone deserves a name…! after all, without one how will i write a song about you?”
another bright blink. “you want to write me a song?” a tone of disbelief, carried even in the sprite’s chiming voice. “i’m just a breeze…”
“that’s not true.” the boy smiles wider. “you’re my friend.”
the spirit settles down to sit, wordless for the moment. it feels like a faint, warm breath of air has filled the boy’s hands, something warmer than any wind that blows through the city.
“i know,” the boy says at last. “you should take some time to think about it, and in the meantime… you can borrow my name. i’m not writing songs about myself, after all, so you’d get more use out of it!”
the spirit floats up again, eyes seeming just a bit wider. “i–but that’s your name! i can’t just take it!”
“you’re not taking it! i’m lending it out.” the boy giggles, and somehow, despite everything, the sound carries clear even over the winds. “so, when you find your own, you can give it back! is that alright… venti?”
for a long time, they’re both quiet except for the winds.
“alright,” venti says, finally.
“good,” the nameless bard says with a smile. “now tell me more stories - i have a song to write for my new friend, venti!”