nine hundred words with you // xiaoven

1.

Far ahead the deep woods, there stood a mage, free as ever as they can be. The beautiful aroma they surround was as beautiful the mage with his shining bow and their eyes that can hold the deepest secrets. Their braids dangling in the winds, their smile that can keep truths behold. Freedom is his power, and freedom shall be given to those who pass.

It was around noon as the free mage started to hear sounds, coming from the trees beside. He looked everywhere from middle to bottom, but not to top. It was expected, to the least, that people were hunting him and to the cage he goes.

But that isn't it. — His gut feelings were tremendously obvious and he knows not a hunter in sight was in the woods, furthermore, he wishes to see this "creature."

The mage smiles calmly, from looking up to down, he sees a fair silhouette, trying not to go near them. Though he can not see what it lies ahead, but he can see that the silhouette was far than brutal. It was just a peaceful one, trying to get the attention of the mage.

He slowly puts out his flute, wandering around the pond until he finds a perfect spot for the spirit to see him nicely. He blows one, two, three. Letting out the calmest, most beautiful, tune the world can hear. Atleast, that's what may the lowly spirit thinks of.

"You are most welcome to come close. I don't bite." The mage openly says, lowering down his flute—waiting for the spirit to go near them.

Feeling presence of another. "You can sit beside me, I don't mind." He smiled, lightly tapping the ground beside him.

Little by little, the spirit slowly sits beside him. For a fact, the mage noticed similarities, both of them having the form of humans. Same height, as what he can see.

"My name is Barbatos. Venti if you would like." Venti introduces himself, hearing low mumbles. He grinned, "What's your name? I claim that I have never seen such one."

"Alat..us." The spirit—Alatus, says, looking down at the clear pool of water. His golden eyes catches Venti's attention, the detail twinkles as he sees the red eyeliner just below the spirit's eye.

Enough of that. Venti gets out of their unconsciousness, "I apologize, what was that again?" The high ranking spirit visibly sweats. — He noticed a little flinch from the other. "Ah, don't fear. I'll just ask another time, it seems you are not yet comfortable with my presence." He apologized, receiving a shook from the head.

"Yes? You seem out of this.. Are you okay? Perfectly fine?"

"Alatus.." The spirit mumbles, covering his face—avoiding Venti as soon as they turned his face.

Venti hums quietly. "Alatus? Is that your name?" He smiled, 'what a nice name.'

Receiving a faint nod, Venti smiled wider. His smile was contagious and very dangerous. Alatus, was said to be a "monster, an enemy, a dream eater" and what seemed like it, Venti had critted on Alatus 100%. Alatus' heart beaten faster than speed of light itself.

For a few seconds proximate, Alatus didn't know what he was feeling. But it was warm and it made his heart explode. For a minute there, Alatus was silent, looking down at the pond usually as he hears a throat being cleared.

"If it is not rude to ask, why do you look like that?" The mage asked, touching Alatus' skin which was covered in—black—blood. It was gooey and all-in-all not a good experience.

Alatus trembled as Venti touched him.

"Ah. I apologize."

Alatus shook his head, "It's fine.." He looks at Venti with those pure, golden eyes that killed hundreds, if not, thousands. "I—uhm.. I am a dream eater, a menace to society, a person not supposed to be trusted." He clears his throat before continuing, "My appearance only happens once every blue moon, and it is later tonight. If I would not be saved by peace, then I would forever be sealed by the Celestia."

"And.. I am sorry if this sounds creepy, but, during a few centuries back, I stumbled upon you. When I heard that you play every once in a blue moon, I go to the woods, behind the trees, and listen to you play."

Venti shocks his expression, he didn't know. Why couldn't just Alatus ask? Wait—Why is he being all petty.

"Ah, I see. Well, you could have just asked." Venti teases, "Well, shall I start now?"

"If you may.."

Venti gets his flute, the winds changing. It was, at first, a tension full of worriness. Then it changed drastically when the soft breeze, the leaves going to Alatus' hair. Not that he didn't mind, just shock was he can feel.

The mage blows in the very, most, subtle tune and all Alatus can feel is freedom. The impact on one single note has settled to him.

—

"So.. how was it?" Venti feels a little of embarrassment as they ask, receiving a slight nod was all he can see.

Until Alatus spoke, "It was beautiful.. I thank you for this," sweet praises were given and Venti—Barbatos' cheeks flush as the spirit spoke. "and uhm.. I do apologize if I wasted your time. I planned on only listening.. I didn't know that this would happen."

"It's perfectly fine. I enjoyed your company." Venti retorts. He places down the flute, then appeared a lyre. The Lyre der Himmel, was it's name for Alatus can think of.

Venti perks up, "Go on, come with me." He places his hand a few inches away.

"Nothing bad will happen, don't worry. I will make sure of it."