Tugging at my Heart Strings || Venti x Reader ||

The Ballad Beginning

"Liyue?" Lisa turned around, resting her arms on the fencing.

"Yes...! I want to go to Liyue, to visit a friend! Please??" (Y/N) begged, hands together as they looked up at the Librarian.

"Well, you never do get to go anywhere... And you seriously could use a little road trip instead of hiding away in this Library all day.." Lisa mumbled, looking off to the side. (Y/N) gave her hopeful, puppy dog eyes, hoping she'd say yes.
"Hm.. Oh you're such a cutie~ Sure, I'll let you go." Lisa smiled sweetly and pat the Apprentice on the head.

Said Apprentices eyes lit up, "Really!? Thank you so much!" (Y/N) beamed and clapped their hands together, quickly going over to their desk area and picking up a satchel, starting to get some things together.

"So, who's this friend of yours? A partner?~" Lisa questioned as she watched the other hurry around the place in excitement. "Or just a friend friend?" She chuckled.

"It's just a regular friend, a good friend! And we-"

"-Only get to talk through letters? So that Xingqiu boy?" Lisa finished for them. (Y/N) went bright red.

"Y-you know about that!? Have you been reading our back and forth letters?" They questioned a little shyly, clutching a book closer to their chest.

"Well, you don't exactly put them away for no one to see, I couldn't help myself, what a cutie you are~" Lisa teased some more, making (Y/N) huff, placing the book in the satchel.
"Are you mad at me now? You can always come to me for that sort of advice you know~"

"I don't need any advice, really. Especially not for that- I'm just not interested in any of that stuff." (Y/N) stated rather confidently. Besides they believed in their words, they were confident they'd never actually experience romance, and was content with that. It wasn't their priority after all, joining the Knights of Favonius was!

"Really? I see, I'll leave you alone for now then." Lisa smiled at the other. "Are those books for the journey? Or more gifts for this friend?" She then asked, going over to a table, picking up a small stack of books from it.

"Um.. both? Sorry.. I know you want books returned... And-anndd he does return them!" (Y/N) let out a small laughter and rubbed the nape of their neck.

"It's fine, I'll let you off with a small warning. Infact, do me a favour and trade in these books while your in Liyue Harbour alright? Maybe bring some new ones back." Lisa requested, placing the books on the Apprentices desk.

"Sure thing, I'll do my best!" The Apprentice grinned and put the satchel around their shoulder and picked up the books. (Y/N) had no intentions of telling Lisa about going with another person, especially the bard. They'd be teased till the end of their life...
Lisa certainly knew about their little crush on their voice, she was nice enough however to keep it a secret for her Apprentice.

"Oh (Y/N) you're too sweet, thank you." Lisa chirped lightly and once again pat the others head. "Well, off you go, and come back soon. No getting hurt either."

"I understand... Thank you." (Y/N) placed the books aside and went ahead, hugging Lisa.. They flashed the Librarian a smile and picked the books back up, scattering away in a hurry.
Lisa was so caring for them, treated them like a little sibling.. Or was Lisa more of an Aunt? They couldn't decide which of the energy was more present. (Y/N) was very grateful to be the Librarian's apprentice, so much so they caught them self blushing a little in happiness.
What a score! The Apprentice grinned in delight and let out a small giggle.

"That one definitely is looking forward to someone at least. Maybe it's not just Xingqiu?" She mumbled and leaned on the fencing once again. "Well, I suppose I should go inform Jean, whoops." Lisa chuckled and then wandered out as well.