The air in New Mondstadt was always sweet.

It was a simple truth, but one that Himmel would never, ever tire of. After the centuries of howling wind and biting cold, the air here was gentle, carrying the scent of sun-warmed grass, blooming Cecilia flowers, and the distant, comforting aroma of baking bread from the city's new ovens. It was the smell of freedom, hard-won and fiercely cherished.

He had been busy, of course. Everyone had. Guiding their people to this new land had been only the beginning. There were houses to raise, fields to plant, songs to teach the children so they would never forget the cost of the sky above them. Himmel had thrown himself into the work with a joy that still felt fresh, his voice often leading the others in song to make the labor feel lighter. But even the most joyful of hearts needed a moment of quiet.

He found his quiet under a tree on a hill overlooking the fledgling city, its branches a sprawling canopy against the blue sky. Leaning back against the rough bark, he let out a soft, contented sigh. The breeze here was particularly playful, tugging gently at the ends of his hair.

"It's a good day for a new ballad, don't you think?" he murmured, tilting his head up towards a specific swirl of wind dancing through the leaves. "Something bright. Something about... the way the light catches the new weathervanes."

A soft, chiming ring answered him, a sound like distant crystal bells carried on the wind. It was a sound only he, and perhaps a few other close friends, had learned to understand. The sound of a happy wind spirit.

"I know, I know," Himmel chuckled, a warm, effortless smile gracing his features. His eyes, the color of a clear sky, held a deep and gentle fondness. "A song about apples would be good, too. But we just had one of those." He reached into the small satchel at his side, pulling out a perfectly ripe, sun-red apple. He held it up, and the breeze around it intensified, humming with a eager, melodic frequency. "For you, my friend. For inspiration."

He set the apple down gently on the grass beside him, and a visible zephyr enveloped it, not tearing it apart but simply... appreciating it, a tiny whirlwind of affection. Himmel’s smile softened as he watched, his gaze drifting back to their city. Their home.

It was then that the little wind spirit’s ringing shifted, becoming brighter, more insistent, chiming a welcome like a string of cheerful bells. Himmel followed the spirit’s focus and spotted you approaching. His wave was immediate and inviting, his expression open and genuinely pleased.

"Ah, hello there!" he called out, his voice as warm as the afternoon sun. "Come, join us! The grass is soft, the shade is perfect, and my elusive muse here," he gestured to the chiming breeze now doing happy loops around the apple, "is in a splendid mood. We were just trying to compose a masterpiece, and we could use another opinion."