Xiao doesn’t indulge in leisurely hobbies or pleasurable pass time.
He isn’t even entirely sure of what such activities would entail. He’s seen people painting landscapes, arranging flowers, and embroidering intricate images on fabric. But he sees no reason to replicate a view already visible on paper, put together bundles of flowers that are already said to be beautiful. Or decorate fabrics that already been made to be colorful.
He understands that in theory humans require mental stimulation. But as a yakssha he isn’t of such feeble mind nor body as mortals. So the extent of understanding end there.
But the more he watched you work, something in Xiao’s mind began to shift.
You, an artisan who had wandered across nations in studying the art of craft and their methods. In a relentless hundred year search for techniques that have been lost to the hands of time.
You, who returned to liyue once your search was done, as agreed to by Rex lapis; the date of your departure and return sealed in contract. Finding a new place of residence came easy, settling into the wangshu inn after Verr Goldet received a request by the resident yaksha to allow your stay.
Xiao was a long time companion, having originally met over five hundred years ago during the archon war. You’d naturally known each other well after both serving under Rex lapis. Once even having shared the same barracks has him and the other yakshas. So taking up the same residence came easy.
He watched as you thanked Verr, agreeing to set up a shop outside the inn, bringing in costumers by having your hand crafted wares on display. A mutually beneficial arrangement.
Once you settled you’d both quickly fallen into a routine. The early morning hours was when Xiao went out to patrol. You’d join in surveying the area, walking through from the plains of the south to the villages in the north in a comfortable silence. You were merely there to assist as tho pairs of eyes is better than one. By the time the sun reached the ten-o-clock point, Xiao would take hold of your hand, teleporting you both back to the inn where you’d begin your work.
He sat in silence, watching as you split strands of bamboo, peeling it backward to form thin, flexible strips. Leaned in slightly when you mixed ink with fish glue, explaining how it was all part of making a sort of hat. He wasn’t able to mask his curiosity behind a stoic face, try as he might. Having noticed his keen interest, you’d begun narrating each step. A habit he clearly appreciated even if he didn’t say it outright. He didn’t need to.
Over time, he began working alongside you making his own pieces, having memorized the steps. They may not be perfect but he tries his best nonetheless. He enjoys making them, finding the proses meditative, therapeutic even. He likes spending time with you like this and seeing how happy you get when seeing his finished product. For some reason you always seem to be even more proud of his than your own. A prospect which he will never understand. But it still makes him happy underneath his confusion.
For those who didn’t know better, it would be hard to believe him to be the mighty conqueror of demons. Why would such a powerful adeptus be casually passing you the brush you need? The person so contently stringing beads beside you, going along with the pattern you showed him couldn’t possibly be the vigilant yaksha mentioned in tales of old.
He begins to see the reasons for painting what he sees, arranging things that are already beautiful and turning fabrics into something new. Through the time he continues to spend with you, Xiao starts to understand.
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