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Aether looking at the stage of Iridescence Tour Music Festival is the first thing that Xiao saw when he first landed at the city of commerce. Oh, what a wonderful sight it is. Happily vibing with your friends, and mingling with other people.
However, as much as he wanted to go meet the traveler, he stayed at his place, continue watching the said traveler talk with his friends. Until, it’s time for him to conquer the demons, again.
So, when the 77th Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor went to call for him, which is too noisy to ignore by the way, and ask him to join their dinner, he agreed. Not knowing he’ll meet the traveler at the dining table, and with Rex Lapis no less!
So, when his Lord deliberately acted as if he didn’t know him, he was honestly flabbergasted.
“The director didn’t mention anything when she invited us. What a pleasant surprise… Gathered here with us are not only young and accomplished individuals, but also the protector of Liyue’s peace, Adeptus Alatus.”
And what is he supposed to say? Just recently, his Lord met him at Wangshu Inn when the God is trying to find the thing that the director is asking.
Xiao then acted the same way Zhongli initiated. They don’t know each other, and it’s their first time meeting.
Aether smiled looking at them, at Zhongli and Xiao conversing as if they don’t know each other over the past millennia. But he is no longer shock, Zhongli is adamant at living as a mortal after all.
But oh, was that it? No. Especially when the wind blows bringing a certain bard to their dinner.
Xiao being flabbergasted is an understatement. Meeting both of his saviors, he can’t help but be totally awkward.
Especially when the two Gods started to act as if they don’t know each other, dragging him to their charade. Poor him, having to be in the middle of the play the two Lords are playing.
But maybe not so poor? Seeing Aether’s hand reaching out for him is probably the only thing he needed from the awkwardness and strangeness he is feeling. And when the traveler dragged him out of the restaurant to have some air, he immediately agreed.
How nice is this honestly? To know that someone cares for you to know just what are you feeling. Aether looking at him directly at his eyes is something that he’ll always remember. Those eyes are mirroring him, basically telling him, they are together at the moment.
“Are you alright?”
Aether looked at him funnily, “I should be the one asking you that.”
And so, he started to pour the strangeness he is feeling and again, honestly telling it to traveler.
“And that’s something I might never be able to do.”
And once again, those eyes looking at him gently will always be engraved at his mind.
“You don’t have to be like them,” Aether said while looking at him with those gentle eyes.
Those words are words he is already expecting from this traveler but hearing it from him is really making him feel better.
And when he was about to open his mouth, the young cook named Xiangling went to them and gave him an Almond Tofu. He honestly don’t know what to say but seeing the look from Aether, he thanked the young chef.
Walking back to Xinyue Kiosk, the noisy director already opened a ‘new found’ tradition she want to do. To light an incense in order to commemorate the day. And here goes another charade, passing to one another the right to light the incense.
Chongyun, the young exorcist actually passed it to him making him feel nervous, however, seeing that Aether is by his side, he chose to pass the responsibility to the said traveler.
And Aether passing it to his travel companion, Paimon. Needless to say, everyone agreed with the idea.
The dinner… would be indeed memorable.
“Well then…”
“Rex Lapis…”
“Just Zhongli will do.”
Looking at the person he respects the most, he is quite hesitant.
“I live as a mortal in Liyue Harbor now. I am just one among the many who begin work at sunrise, and retire to rest at sundown.”
Rex Lapis is looking at him gently, just like he always did.
“If we were to consider status and seniority, as Zhongli, I should be respectfully referring to you as Adeptus Xiao.”
“Heaven forbid!” He uttered in shock because of the respectful demeanor his Lord is exuding.
“Adeptus Xiao!” And the traveler even teased him!
“Haha, I meant what I said.”
He looked at Rex Lapis again. His mind is thinking while his Lord is speaking. Once again, he would go away with another realizations.
“Just as Xiao may seem unapproachable to most, but Aether has proved otherwise. So, there’s no need to dwell too much on certain things.”
“Rex La- I mean, Zhongli, what you’re saying is…”
“It looks like you understood what I meant.”
And Zhongli bid his farewell before walking away. He looked at the traveler talking with his companion. Celebrating this lantern rite with people he knows… is quite enjoyable at some point. Even if he was quite stressed with what occurred earlier.
But he’s been here longer than he thought, and so he bid the traveler farewell too.
“I’ll… see you next time then.”
Or maybe, I hope you come to me.
And that simple wish was answered by the Gods when a certain blonde person greeted him at the terrace in Wangshu Inn.
And with the Almond Tofu that they are sharing, they shared stories too.
“Sumeru is honestly pretty, even though it was a very tough ride.”
“Are… you okay?”
The traveler looked at the sky and chuckled. “Of course I am. It was tough ride, yes, but I learned a lot. And I meet such amazing people. I met a very knowledgeable God who is very caring toward her people even if that very own people abandoned her once.”
“Hmm…”
From the sky, the blonde’s eyes looked at him directly. “You know Xiao, if there’s one thing that I learned from the whole fiasco, it is that how happy a life is if you are surrounded by the people you cared about. I know you already know that I travel world to world, and the only purpose I am here is to find my sister. But I never thought, I would also found a home that I can come to whenever I feel like giving up.”
“Aether…”
“It really wasn’t easy, you know. I really want to be with my sister, but it looks like the heavens doesn’t want that to happen. Especially when she herself, have a goal to accomplished. So, as her wish, I would travel the world, and see what this world is.”
He is silent and is just listening to Aether. He was pouring his emotions out, something that he always did. However, the difference is that this time, it is loneliness that he could feel from the traveler’s voice.
Aether leaned his head towards the yaksha’s shoulder. “But… I am happy that in such an important occasion, I am not alone. Thank you, and Happy Lantern Rite.”
He looked at the traveler smiling at him. Oh, Liyue have a lot of xiao lanterns right now, but among the thousands of lights floating in the air, this one, in front of him, will always shine the brightest.
“Happy Lantern Rite as well, Aether.”