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The sound of metal hitting stone echoed around the field, again and again and again. They didn't care that their sword was getting more chipped by the second, nor did they care that the beads of sweat on their forehead were beginning to stain their top. All they cared about was destroying the rock formation in front of them- to show their worth.
"Gah!" They exclaimed as they threw the sword towards the stone, getting it lodged and falling to the ground with a loud 'thump'. The young soldier had been at this for 6 hours straight, not even stopping to take a break and have a sip of water.
This was a regular occurrence for (Y/N). They'd fight from dusk till dawn, trying their best to improve their combat skills and prove they're worthy for the title of Grand Master. With a groan, they shook their h/c hair out their face- and stood once more.
"You know, you're inspiring me for my next song" A soft voice rang out, and the soldier was greeted with the smug face of the bard. They had met a few weeks prior after a downpour of rain, when they had slipped in the mud and fallen to the ground. The bard heard the commotion from under his spot at the great tree, and walked over to lend a helping hand.
"Oh yeah? I'm glad my failure is inspiring you, Venti" (Y/N) murmured as they plucked the sword from the rock, returning to swinging it as Venti chuckled. He plucked at his lyre as he observed the soldier- a grin toying with his lips.
━━━━❰･🍃･❱━━━━
The day after, the two met again. The bard was waiting for them beside the pond, his instrument in hand as he greeted them with a smile. As they set up for their training, he began to pluck at the strings once more.
"Any more ideas for your next song?" They asked as they kicked at the new rock they had moved in place, and he hummed in response.
"Ah ah ah, that would be telling. A good bard must never reveal his drafts" The dark haired boy teased, causing (Y/N) to playfully roll their e/c hues as they swung the sword. Venti watched them carefully as they trained, observing every movement they made- every facial expression that painted their face. He looked very carefully.
"Such a tease as always, Venti" They chuckled, turning to give him a kind look: and he gasped in mock offense.
"I'll reveal it to you soon, my dear"
━━━━❰･🍃･❱━━━━
The next few days went by as normal, until they met again. (Y/N) showed up with none of their training gear, instead they wore their casual clothing.
"My my, I never thought I'd see the mighty knight slacking" Venti tutted as he patted the ground beside him, which was littered with freshly blossomed cecilias. They stuck their tongue out in response as they sat beside him, nudging his shoulder with their own.
"You call it slacking, I call it a well deserved break" They sighed, leaning back onto the grass as they stared up at the crystal, blue sky. (Y/N) cherished days like this- when Venti would sing them a song, or talk all about the history of Mondstadt. It was soothing.
"I thought you wanted to hear my new song, yet here you are falling asleep!" The bard exclaimed, strumming on the lyre for extra effect as they let out a chuckle.
"I'm always awake for you, my darling bard" They smiled, causing the young man's heart to skip a beat- a feeling he was quick to ignore. They both grew silent for a moment, listening to the gentle chirp of insects and the flapping of birds wings. And then he began his sound.
Taking a deep breath, he began to strum the wire strings of the instrument.
" There will come a soldier
Who carries a mighty sword
They will tear your city down, oh lei-oh lai-oh Lord Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh Lord They will tear your city down, oh lei-oh lai-oh LordThere will come a poet Whose weapon is His word He will slay you with His tongue, oh lei-oh lai-oh Lord Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh Lord He will slay you with His tongue, oh lei-oh lai-oh Lord " He sung softly, his emerald orbs shut as he allowed the lyrics to pour out his mouth. (Y/N) propped themselves up on their elbows as they listened, the heat rising to their cheeks as they soaked in the words. As much as they teased him for his love for music... his words truly were beautiful. And it didn't take them long to figure out what the song was about.
"Venti...that was beautiful" They gasped as they gave him a round of applause, causing the bard to smile smugly as he placed his lyre beside him. Without warning, they threw their arms around him- squeezing him tightly as they let out a hearty chuckle. It didn't take the bard long to return the embrace, allowing himself to completely melt into it.
And so began the tale of the soldier and the poet.
