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The dim light from the candles spread about the tavern flickered, casting haunting shadows across the wooden floor.
Kaeya squinted at the warped reflection in his glass of wine. Had he always looked so tired? So-
"I was wondering where you were hidden, to cast away memories unbidden."
Kaeya looked up, a smile playing on his lips. "And here I thought tonight I would be left alone for a night as dark as this."
Venti laughed as he took a seat across from the captain, mug of ale already in hand. "Perhaps you have grown far too used to solitude, but I just could not sit by to let you drink and brood."
Kaeya lifted an eyebrow before turning back to his drink, the smile slipping off his face. "For some reason, I suspect you're here on this specific night for more than a friend."
An unusual silence filled the air for a moment before Venti rested his head on his hands and studied his companion. A moment later, he began to quietly sing.
"I came to tell you a tale of days not that long ago,
When a fiery boy scaled my statue to let dandelion seeds blow,
And he ignored his father and the rest as he begged of the breeze,
‘All I ask is for a brother to grow with, please!’,
And on that same day arrived an odd pair that to Mond were new,
But when I heard the elder’s intentions I knew what to do.
I guided the pair- a father and son,
To a place where they could only be found by one.
And then… as I had known was to be,
The father told the boy his task and left to flee.
It was no coincidence when you were found,
For I had ensured the other boy would be around.”
Kaeya took a shuddering breath in a useless attempt to will the tears back. “Why?” It was all he could think to say.
Venti smiled faintly. “I had the chance to grant two boys wishes on that day, so why wouldn’t I show him the way.”
Kaeya was barely able to whisper through the lump in his throat. “I- I never made a wish like that.”
Venti’s smile widened. “A wish does not have to be uttered aloud to reach me, and your mind was so loud I couldn’t not hear your plea.”