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Lantern Rite Xiaether Ship Ammo

Lantern Rite has, as always given us a bunch of shipping fodder for ships old and new. Figured I'd list off the highlights.

Edit: so this became a Xiaether ship moments essay. so i'll just do another post later breaking down the other ships. I'll link it Here. if you are looking for the Sapphic lesbian ships they will all be over there.

So the first bit of Xiaether shipping fodder is in the beginning of Part 2.

Xiao saving Aether from drowning. Xiao's concern is sweet and the fact he came when we were in danger without us calling his name. Tells us just how strong of a bond he has with Aether when Aether is in Liyue. Aether doesn't even need to say Xiao's name for Xiao to be able to sense when Aether needs him.

The argument can also be made that in a life or death situation with Adeptus on his mind. Aether did subconsciously call out to Xiao. Even so Aether has gotten to a point where he doesn't have to verbally call out for Xiao to "hear" him. Which I think is a great thing to provide to a character I see as selectively mute.

And the boring answer is Paimon was so loud Xiao could hear her yelling from where ever he was in Liyue.

But I feel bad that we seem to have legitimately worried him. I offhandedly said it during the stream that the Traveler isn't someone that would find himself in a situation struggling to swim in that small of a pool. But it's true and everyone there knows how strong traveler is. Aether would either have to be extremely injured which is what Shenhe asks. Or it would have to be intentional. Which it was. it was staged to try in lure out the mystery Adeptus. But Xiao didn't know that. From Xiao's point of view Aether went into a shallow pool of water with the intention to drown/harm himself.

This is why he gives the line "Your actions here cause other's a great deal of worry. Do not repeat them in the future." Xiao uses Shenhe as an excuse to say others. But the main person Aether worried was Xiao. Shenhe just saw someone drowning. Xiao sensed Aether drowning and came from some distant part of Liyue to save him.

We of course don't see Xiao again until the Epilogue but maaaan does Mihoyo make up for the wait.

While Zhongli is making a big thing of this being the First time he's met the Great Adeptus Alatus. A name he should NOT Know. Aether and Xiao just share a silent look with each other. Is it a look of surprise? Excitement? Xiao knew Aether would be here. So he shouldn't be surprised. Regardless the first person Xiao locks eyes with is Aether before being dragged into introductions with Zhongli and the others.

Of course we then get Hu Tao being the ultimate wingwoman and not only suggesting Xiao sit beside us. But sit beside us because we are "pretty close". Which of course Aether agrees with but adds they are also old friends at this point.

Zhongli being onto Xiao's crush on Aether kills me. In trying to figure out how Hu Tao convinces Xiao to come to the meal. Zhongli is quick to shoot down the idea that it was just because Hu Tao annoyed Xiao until he agreed. Again we later learn the only one's Xiao expected at this meal was Zhongli and Aether. And you could argue Zhongli tried to invite Xiao when stopping by to collect ingredients. But Xiao didn't agree to come then. It's not until Hu Tao mentions also inviting traveler that he agrees. (Hu Tao words it as no one present will be harmed by his karmatic debt. Xiao reads it as the other guest will be Aether).

The others start messing around and Aether takes that as a moment to quietly check in with Xiao. He continues to check in with Xiao throughout the rest of the dinner. Which is really sweet.

After being told Xiao is still good Aether then offers another thing. well you can ask about the secret friend who is Venti or you can offer to have Paimon eat the food Xiao can't finish. The other side of the table is arguing about Xingqiu's uneaten carrots. So this is Aether offering Xiao a quiet out so he doesn't feel forced to eat more than he can. Xiao has a lot of mental trauma linked to food and sometimes just can't stomach eating at all. So it's really sweet that Aether is not only checking in about the socializing but also the food related anxieties.

Of course after Zhongli and Venti take turns poking jabs at each other Aether reads it as an opening to leave for some fresh air. Xiao doesn't speak much during the interaction but Aether seems to read him reaching his limit at some point. The twist is telling Paimon to stay inside. Leading to Actual alone time with Xiao.

Xiao's first thought is to check in on Aether which is really sweet because Aether has been checking in all night with Xiao. Aether tosses the question back showing they are both concerned about how the other is handling dinner.

Xiao mentions envying Venti's ability to bond with humans and of course Aether say's Xiao's perfect the way he is. That he doesn't have to change himself to be more out going.

One he thinks about our conversations often. Two he finds them different but in a good way. It's different talking to Aether than other people, but not a bad different. Xiao then admits to coming because he knew Aether would be there. That Aether being there would make the dinner easier to handle. That without telling Aether before hand he could trust Aether to help him handle the meal without question.

Xiao mentions being surprised at who the other guests turn out to be. But goes on to say he shouldn't worry about it. Instead focus on the present that he's enjoying. The present of being outside alone with Aether.

Xiangling comes out seemingly ruining the moment. But instead makes it better by offering Xiao's comfort food Almond Tofu. Both of them get a plate but Xiao saves some of his for later.

Aether makes a joke about Xiao just teleporting on them. But it slightly misses? Because Xiao takes it seriously asking why he would do that. Xiao's enjoying himself and feels like there's no reason for him to leave. And so in his own way affirms that he doesn't want to leave yet.

Xiao tries to tell Xiangling she really didn't have to make the tofu. But it only takes one huff without words to communicate with Aether and realize he should just take the gift. I'm a firm believer of the selectively mute traveler and the reason Paimon talks so much is so Aether doesn't have too. So leaving Paimon shows how much he trusts Xiao and trusts the idea that he won't need the communication aid with Xiao. A thought that is proven correct when Aether doesn't have to say anything for Xiao to still understand what he means. Something Aether really only has with Paimon.

This is the end of their private conversation. So I'd like to once again point out how big a deal these private interactions are. Mihoyo decided to pause the entire epilogue to have Traveler go have a private conversation with one character. They could have picked any character in the room. Hell we don't even get a private conversation with Venti. Instead they decided the closest character to traveler, other than Paimon, was Xiao. Said conversation was just the both of them checking how the other was feeling about the seemingly stressful dinner. Showing concern for the other the entire time. Something you could argue we didn't need to see. We didn't gain any large information about the world or the characters in it. It was just a quiet conversation between to friends discussing how stressful family dinners can be.

They come back to the dinner seeming more relaxed. But continue sharing silent glances together as Venti rambles on about Zhongli. Xiao looking over to Aether for input and Aether's answer just being a shake of his head. Like you really don't want to bother stepping in. (god i wish i knew how to make gifs)

They play hot potato about who should light the incense. Xiao of course is the person to pick traveler. Stating he's the most distinguished guest, as everyone there knows him. Of course we see Aether's internal monologue as he puts together Xiao's about to point to him. Which is the cutest thing.

Eventually Aether picks Paimon to which everyone agrees. With Xiao's only comment being that he trusts the traveler's judgement. No surprise there Xiao.

After the dinner wraps up Zhongli once again points out Aether's unique bond with Xiao. That most people struggle to approach Xiao. But Aether has over come this and become his friend regardless.

Xiao ends up turning down the offer to explore the city. But unlike the first lantern rite where we only got him to the bridge or Xiangling's cook off where he stayed by the docks. Xiao did manage a few hours in the city which is a huge step up. But he's also able to tell where his limit is and steps back before he gets overwhelmed. Xiao of course thanks Aether for his help with that. And Aether insists Xiao doesn't have to thank him every time. Which Xiao excepts along with agreeing to a "next time". Whether that's a meal in the city or a large social gathering Xiao at least agreed to do it again with Aether.

And finally after it all. Xiao offers to eat the extra Tofu with us while listening to stories about the mortal world. Implying that no it doesn't have to be a special occasion or an emergency. Aether can hang out with Xiao when ever and talk about the most mundane things. And Xiao will be there to listen.

It's just so sweet. Xiao's bond with traveler really is something else and it's been so cool to watch it grow from that first lantern rite to this. This post is really long but if you've made it to the end I hope you've enjoyed it? Again I'll be making other posts breaking down other ships that showed up this lantern rite. Expect BeidouNingguang, Madam PingGuizhong, and XingqiuChongyun in that post along with more!

#3.4 lantern rite

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#3.4 lantern rite