Xiao

indie. || semi-selective. || au & oc friendly

[yakshavigilante]

Yaksha of duty,

How strong your heart must be and,

Your love greater still.

(kazuhalku)

@kazuhalku

"Hmph," he grunts, hearing the words from the other with a furrowing of brows. "My duties and strength have nothing to do with...love. It's simply what I must do."

Even still, as the Yaksha stands with arms folded tightly over his chest and golden orbs boring holes into the other, he can't deny the brief flutter in his chest. The embarrassment that threatens to spill forward on top of the aggravation he feels at being interrupted so suddenly.

[linkerbell]

Continuing the college au comic 😎 maybe we’ll see what aether is up to soon 👀

[yakshavigilante]

"Happy birthdaaaay!"

This was shouted as the exciteable bard barreled in on his glider, his intent on crashing into the other's back.

"You ready for your special birthday song~?"

He was...unsure how to respond.

At being tackled from behind, the Yaksha nearly tumbles into the dirt. Growls beneath his breath about the unwavering optimism that this bard possessed, only to turn and lock onto him with a glare. Where he gained the information that it was his birthday, he could only assume laid within that of their mutual contact; Rex Lapis. And for that, it was on this day, that he found himself rather pleased that the opposite was no longer of the world of living. 

“...I don’t have time to waste on listening to you sing about something so stupid.”

[a-venti-sized-problem]

Having succeeded in his not-so-sneaky-sneak-attack the bard held on to the other in a tight hug, laughing in the face of the grumpiness he received in turn. 

“Nonesense! We have all the time in the world! And today of all days there is nothing better to sing about than the gift that was brought to the world on this very day! I simply won’t hear about it!”

[yakshavigilante]

“What gift? There’s nothing special about being born.” He huffs, hands moving to press against the arms wrapped around his waist; even as legs continue moving forward. He was grateful, in truth, to be spending the day with Venti but-- his thoughts and opinions on his own birthday remained the same.

“Reserve your singing for the people vying for your attention in Monstadt.”

[yakshavigilante]

"Happy birthdaaaay!"

This was shouted as the exciteable bard barreled in on his glider, his intent on crashing into the other's back.

"You ready for your special birthday song~?"

He was...unsure how to respond.

At being tackled from behind, the Yaksha nearly tumbles into the dirt. Growls beneath his breath about the unwavering optimism that this bard possessed, only to turn and lock onto him with a glare. Where he gained the information that it was his birthday, he could only assume laid within that of their mutual contact; Rex Lapis. And for that, it was on this day, that he found himself rather pleased that the opposite was no longer of the world of living. 

“...I don’t have time to waste on listening to you sing about something so stupid.”

[yakshavigilante]

a-venti-sized-problem​:

The archon remained entirely unperturbed by the outburst, crossing his arms over his chest with a smug little smile to counter the leer being directed at him by the doubtful other. 

“I don’t think its ridiculous at all! After all, there is no one with more self-restraint than you, a fact which can be attested by you sitting there right now, and even were that not the case, I will be accompanying you, and I won’t allow harm to come to a single human within Mondstadt’s walls. Between the two of us, I’m not at all concerned, and I don’t think that you should be either.”

Beaming up at him, Venti brought a hand down to his waist, knowing that it likely wasn’t going to be nearly so easy to convince Xiao but he was genuinely confident that this would go well. The Yaksha had proven time and time again how capable he was of staving off what had long destroyed so many others, and though Venti wasn’t going to be so brash as to mention it specifically, they both also knew the effect that his music had during the other’s worst moments. If anything did happen (which he doubted), he was confident that he could contain it and see that no harm came to anyone in the process. 

Furthermore….

Letting his boldness slide just a little, the bard adopted a softer, more beguiling look, shifting his hand to gesture with it at his unimpressed companion.

“Just think about it. You’ve spent lifetimes watching over the humans of Liyue, keeping them safe, protecting them. But, what do you know of them? Everyone is precious to someone, and humans more than anything else have the most spectacular ways of displaying how they care. You’ve only ever gotten to see them in their worst moments, don’t you think it’d be useful to get to see what you’re protecting? Have a day, even just an hour or so of seeing the people of Mondstadt at their best? Their happiest moments? Help give you a bit more of an emotional connection to them? If nothing else, you’ve earned that, haven’t you?”

He curls his lip at the naivete expressed by the bard beneath him. What did he know about that which Xiao couldn’t control? If we wandered within those walls, set himself so close to the people he was sworn to protect, what would be the result? Who would he hurt? Who would he leave bleeding? How many of the festivities would come to ruin when in his presence?

Frowning deeply at the mere thought alone, he finds himself growing frustrated with the persistence of the Archon. Regardless of whether or not he was their god, what power did he have over the Karmic powers of gods long dead? Gods that sought vengeance with such vehement desire that even after being killed, they still tormented their murderer. Still found ways to enact their revenge and spread their catastrophic darkness into ages far beyond that of their own.

Even still-- the moment Venti’s expression softened, he was stricken with a new feeling. One that he, like so many times before, was nearly tempted to chase after. Nearly tempted to delve further into and explore. It was always like this when having conversations with the bard these days. A bit of naivete on his part perhaps? A sense of desperation found in a presence that was familiar?

Lifting his head back to the city and toying with the idea pressed upon him, he’s reminded of Rex Lapis. Of the love that he had always expressed towards the human. Toward their traditions and security. Ensuring that he stepped down once a year, for the sole purpose of providing stability. Granting them a feeling of connection with the individual that they revered so much. It was always such a warm feeling...listening to him speak of them. Speak of the lands they shared. 

Heaving out a sigh, he glares back down at the Anemo Archon. Feels the tingle of doubt at the back of his head. Feels the steady climb of adrenaline that intermingle with the whining of nerves. There’s a force that rages powerfully in his chest, making it difficult for the Yaksha to absorb the words that are about to leave his lips.

“One. Hour. That’s all you get.” He pushes himself to stand atop the tree branch, another quick glance at the city, before he adds sharply, “And if anything happens to your people...it will be your mess to clean. Your guilt to carry. Not mine.”

[nimichuu]

Their first meeting came as a salvation to the yaksha…

[yakshavigilante]

a-venti-sized-problem​:

Venti chooses not to correct the other, having left the statement open to be freely taken any way the Yaksha chose. If anything, he appreciated the route it had been taken, considering it said such wonderful things about Xiao’s view of him and how he was portrayed in the other’s accusing eyes. Not to mention, he’d long learned to not take the other’s insults so seriously, for they fell from his tongue like leaves in the autumn; fleeting and vibrant in their first and last moments in motion, but soon to settle and be forgotten. Abundant as they were, they weren’t nearly so important as the actions they were juxtaposed against, which was a language all its own. 

He knew the concerns of the ‘cursed’ other even before they were voiced, still allowing them their breath, even while he was fully willing to counter them. That said, even as his mouth opened to do so, Xiao continued, a strange sort of vehemence coming into play that Venti knew had nothing to do with the Anemo Archon, and everything to do with another age-old friend of his. One whom, he personally felt, was being rather unfair to the being before him. While he too, would be uncertain how to explain such a reasoning to the Yaksha who would rather starve himself for days on end than potentially neglect his ‘duty’, he’d always believed one Rex Lapis capable of making anything sound reasonable if given enough time to make a speech about it. 

Maybe he just hadn’t finished composing one yet.

His snort had to be swallowed before it could be voiced, though the amusement remained as it did belong within his answer, a wry smile pulling at the corners of his lips once more. 

“This isn’t a celebration of me. That’s not at all what the Windblume festival is about. Its about celebrating each other. Showing others that we care about them, and displaying earnestly how important these bonds we hold are to us. People make gifts, sing songs and write poetry, all in the name of bringing joy to the people in their lives. Its the most important event of the year!”

Standing up with a flourish, his cloak fluttering in a breeze that hadn’t been there before he’d wanted it, the theatrical bard pointed directly up at his irritable opposite with determination in his gaze. 

“And you, Xiao the Yaksha, are going to take part in it this year!” 

Eyes lift to the City of Monstadt as the Archon speaks. He knew full well that such celebrations had more to do with the people than that of their Archon-- but he never tired hearing about it. It reminded him of the Lantern Festival, in some ways. A celebration of the Adepti, of a unified city after thousands of years of conquest and slaughter; done so without their Archon. Paving a path that no longer relied on their god, but still honored him. Honored those at his side. It was...touching. A type of innocence that he couldn’t bear to think about. Not without the darkness creeping in and tainting that too.

Scrunching his face up with the gnawing frustration of it all, he returns to his apple as the bard finishes speaking. Bites it down to the core and dismisses it behind him; content with the idea of some animal or another picking it up to eat later on. Only a touch of disappointment that he hadn’t thought to peg it at Venti sooner than he started jabbing a finger in his direction.

Practically snarling from where he sat, he shoots daggers from his eyes at his current companion. Arms are, once again, folded tightly across his chest.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I told you already-- a Yaksha doesn’t belong at human festivities. Everyone there would end up as collateral damage, and you would have only yourself to blame.” Fingernails dig into his arms as he adds sharply, “You’re not taking me anywhere, bard.”

[yakshavigilante]

a-venti-sized-problem​:

Watching the grumpy Yaksha actually take the offering was in fact a reward all its own, Venti beaming up at him as he continued the thoughtless little tune he’d been meandering through earlier. He hadn’t expected the other to actually take him up on sitting together, but he’d still offer it any day, make certain that the adeptus knew that he was always welcome whether he liked it or not. 

Another laugh burbled up at the snipe, the aforementioned bard strumming with a bit more flair just because he could, enjoying himself in the conversation and company alike in spite of how hard his companion was trying to make it otherwise. If anything, it was just adding to his fun. 

“Could you really trust a sober bard? How can one carry a party if they don’t know how to enjoy one themselves?”

And speaking of which…

He really couldn’t help supplying another shrug to the question, leaning back against the ancient trunk and staring straight up into the branches above. 

“Celebrations don’t always have to be social occasions. Some music, a good friend, I’d say that’s celebration enough, at least for a time. Wouldn’t you?”

Chuckling softly to himself, eyes tracked back to Xiao before he straightened back up, seeming to shake himself out of whatever reverie he’d been falling into. 

“Of course, if you were hoping to see some of the more traditional festivities first-hand, I would be only too happy to accompany you~”

The apple is appreciated more than he expresses. More than he hopes he lets on. Tasting such delicacies was a gift graced upon him by his god and, later, by the people that used to leave him offerings; the rare few still choosing to do so, but via different means. No longer were such small, seemingly insignificant gifts of fruits and small pastries left for him.

Casting such thoughts aside, he does take an additional moment to observe the scenery (and ignore the bard). Finds that even despite being so far out from Liyue, this, too, feels like home. It was not an area of land he actively patrolled, but that he has sought to protect when granted the chance to do so. It was what Rex Lapis wanted and as such, it was what he wanted. To keep the lands safe and cleansed. To keep the monsters at bay and ensure that the humans of this world lived the lives that they fought for.

Xiao scoffs aloud, once again, at the nonchalance of which the bard spoke. Drags his eyes down to meet the verdant green of the Anemo, and lifts a single brow. 

“I don’t recall calling you a friend. You’re nothing but a nuisance.”

He huffs aloud with the statement, apple bitten into, but doesn’t hesitate in maintaining his gaze. Watches the other straighten himself and observes him quietly. Indulges in the soft tenderness that came from such menial conversation. 

“A Yaksha does not belong at human festivities. Unless you’d rather see your people killed and turned to mourning rather than celebration.”

Still, his eyes do lift to the city and he feels what he always feels; a skip to his heart, and a pang asking for something different. Something that didn’t consist of dark memories, karmic bindings, and blood staining his very soul. 

Foolishness.

“Don’t you think it’s stupid?” He snaps, glaring at the bard now. “Your people celebrating their god even as you walk among them?”

[yakshavigilante]

a-venti-sized-problem​:

After a few more hours of exploring the wilderness of Liyue, Venti had indeed returned to Mondstadt with the rising sun, looking forward to another day of watching his people enjoy another Windblume festival. There really simply was nothing like it getting to see everyone work so earnestly to come together and strengthen their bonds through games, gifts, poetry and song. All the wine certainly helped of course. He couldn’t have come up with a better festival to represent him or his home if he tried. It was simply perfect.

As the noon sun came to its cusp and the heat began to take its toll, he’d decided to take a little break from the festivities to visit an old friend, maybe offer them a bit of cheer as well. After all, it was often said how singing to your plants could help them to flourish, wasn’t it? 

He gave a chuckle to himself, shaking his head as he leaned back against the smooth bark behind him. They’d certainly achieved that, hadn’t they? 

Losing himself to the melody, he let himself be at peace with the world as he played, entirely unaware that he had gained a non-avian audience member until there was a sudden flapping sound above him, and then, as his eyes shot open and his neck craned back, his eyes were met with darkness as something fell directly over him. 

The voice came before he’d properly detangled himself from what he could now recognize as his own cloak, verdant hues searching the canopy until they fell upon a familiar figure pouting above him. 

His smile came almost in defiance as he shrugged his cloak back on, clasping it with a small laugh. 

“Pity expresses a theme of helplessness, which you certainly are not. Do you pity every person you offer kindness to? Either way, I don’t. Apple?”

And like that he was moving on, pulling the aforementioned fruit out of the pouch at his waist and tossing it (with a little anemo assistance) directly up into the air. If the other refused to take it, he’d simply catch it on the way down, but he was hoping otherwise. 

“I’m willing to bet you skipped breakfast, dinner too probably. Lunch?”

Another shrug. 

“As for my cloak, I’m not so concerned if you decide to keep it next time. I’ll merely have to remember to have a new one made on such an occasion. I think you’d wear it well too, bring out your eyes.”

A wink was to follow before he went back to strumming at his lyre, focus remaining on the hovering Yaksha above him.

“You know, the grass here is the softest in Tevyat, bard’s honor. You should give it a try.”

Glaring down at the Archon that was in sharp contrast to that of Rex Lapis, the Yaksha sighs heavily. Never one to enjoy his poetic way of speech, or the words that seemed to tie together like riddles, but he supposed today he could be spared of too much upset. After all, it was he who aided him in his time of need and whether Xiao wished to thank him for it or not didn’t matter. A good deed would not go unrewarded and as such, he snatched the apple out of the air because of exactly this; nothing else.

Scoffing aloud at the next bits about the cloak and the grass, he rolls his eyes and takes to sitting on the branch instead. An act of defiance gifted alongside an act of gratitude; teeth digging into the apple and stomach thanking him for the food. When was the last time he’d eaten? Could such negligence been the cause of his attack the previous night? Pulled forth demons that typically laid at rest?

Heaving out a sigh at the thought, he swallows the bite ins his mouth currently and wipes a back across his mouth.

Returning his focus to the Anemo Archon, or rather-- the bard sitting down below, he snaps, “A bard’s honor means nothing when it comes from a drunk.”

Another bite of the apple is taken regardless, eyes flicking to the open scenery laid out in front of them; wind gracing each and every inch of it with a light, gentle breeze that he finds calming after the previous storm.

“Aren’t you supposed to be celebrating? What are you doing out here anyway?”

[yakshavigilante]

a-venti-sized-problem​:

He found him by a tree.

The absentee Archon had been having a carefree day practicing a new glider trick far above the mountainous scape of the Karst when the storm came screaming upon him. He’d known it was coming, Most days he would have simply viewed it as part of the fun, racing with the swirling winds and losing himself for a few hours within the myriad but this one felt different. Not like a challenge, but a threat. Winds tore at his clothes, screeching and howling in his ears, rain stinging every inch of flesh it could touch like a hive of angry wasps. The lightning that crackled so close to him felt targeted, the thunder roaring in his ears like a great beast as electricity scorched the air around him, burning his lungs and singeing his hair as he tumbled into a freefall. 

He didn’t fear falling. A creature borne of winds had no concept of gravity, but his human form felt heavy, panic seizing his chest as his senses failed him, limbs thrashing as he plummeted, not even knowing which way the ground lay, the storm an endless, hungry creature that wished to devour him whole once again.

His glider tore free in an effort to slow his descent only for him to discover he’d been falling on his back, the mechanism ripping him into another tumbling spiral as it sought to right him, instincts alone allowing him to dodge alongside the jutting peak of a mountain which he’d nearly crashed directly into, his eyes useless and stinging. 

He let himself fall again, only a burst of his own created wind saving his fragile bones moments before they crashed into the ground with a spray of mud that was nearly theatrical with the heights it reached. 

It was here that he was finally able to open his eyes once more and, seeing a large tree in the distance, he sloshed towards it, feeling like he was more water than body and weighing about a million pounds. 

 It was here that he found him. The small Yaksha asleep, though anything but sound in it. His hands were claws and his features a snarl, crying out every few moments to slash or cower from unseen foes, his body wracked with the movements. For a moment, Venti stood simply motionless, uncertain whether it would be kinder to wake the other, knowing it would bring no relief and would likely simply send him off into the storm once again, or to let him stay like this, clearly gaining nothing from the ‘rest’ which he’d clearly had no choice in garnering. 

He settled for a compromise, though didn’t implement it immediately. His clothes were waterlogged and he was freezing, and weren’t humans always so afraid of catching cold? Stacking a few stones against the howling winds, the small Archon bid a wry thought towards the God of Stoves as he lit a small fire, draping his cloak and shirt over it as he sat down at the base of the tree, next to his unwitting companion. 

It was here that he pulled out his lyre, his flute left at rest given that its sound would likely be stolen by the howling winds. The lyre fared not much better at first, but gradually, as he sunk into the soothing melody, the wind listened. 

The storm, filled with his imaginary monsters and beings long since dead, was but a storm. Filled with a life of its own, yes, but not the malevolence which he’d superimposed upon it. It yielded to him, its own curious and vicious little sprites shooting down to rake through his hair and whip around him, sending a small shiver through him as they chased each other around his form with glee and excitement. 

And, he welcomed them. He could not hate the storms after all. They were as much a part of him as the gentle breezes of summer, their wiles and freedom his own. He knew as Andrius had all those millennia ago that an Archon could not be judicial with their compassion. Whether it be human, adepti or spirit, all those who resided within their influence were equally deserving of their love, even the ones who played a bit too rough sometimes. 

He played them a few tunes of their own before sending them off, allowing them their freedom though asking that they not make their home around the nearby village, have their fun where it would not bring harm to the humans of Liyue, and they obliged him, racing off with a howl of wild abandon once more, his heart tracking them with a little smile before he turned back to his other companion. 

At some point during his performance the boy had gone still, seeming to have finally reached a truly restful state and Venti was thankful for it. Taking his newly dried cloak from its place on the fire, he draped it over the other before pulling his top back on and stretching. It was still raining, but not so terribly anymore, the storm had moved on to explore new areas and seek new thrills and perhaps he would too. 

After all, there was never an end to the wonders of this great, wild world. 

The sun bled onto his face the next morning. Birds already flying freely, releasing their songs into the air, and voices carried over the fields from the roads further ahead. None close enough to see the fallen Yaksha, but none far enough away to evade rescue. 

It was this that stirred him awake; eyes peeling open and brows furrowed together tightly. He quakes slightly at the sudden acknowledgement of dew-misted grass pressing back against his skin. Reminding him that he is alive. Spared the tortures of the previous night, and gifted with another day to carry onward with his duty. At least...that’s what Rex Lapis would tell him. But as the days progressed and the lives of the humans stretched on, Xiao found himself contemplating, more and more, if waking was simply another extension of this ‘curse’ that seemed insistent upon wrapping him in its hold.

Sitting up with a slight groan, hand pressed to his head, he feels the weight on his chest spill to his lap. Confusion and fear arise rapidly, eyes dropping to follow the item causing the stir, and finds relief in finding that which-- he does not expect. Foolishness at having ever assumed that something as light as a piece of cloth could compare to that of a corpse.

“What...?” Confusion, however, still bites uncharacteristically at the back of his mind. Digs itself deep into his senses as a hand is lifted to scrub at reddened eyes.

He scans the area with careful eyes, sensing the nearby villagers and their obnoxiously loud optimism for this festival that they wished to be apart of. There was mention of a long travel, needing that which was necessary, more arguments about not coming properly prepared and--

“Oh...” A heavy, irritated sigh spills from his lungs as a hand bunches at the fabric of this cloak. An easily recognizable one at that. Much to his dismay, he knew exactly who had been present here. Who placed this upon him and then left as though he wouldn’t have the item returned. After all, what would a Yaksha have to do with something so useless?

It is this that pushes him to rise. Dig heels into the mud and stride onward, keeping himself at a fair distance away from the arguing fools nearby. Instead, he kept his sights set on crossing the lands of Liyue, and entering those of Monstadt. A beeline made for the only place that he wished to see the Archon. After all, he were within the city limits, partaking in this idiotic festival of his, then he would simply have to retrieve his cloak himself.

Bounding into the massive tree that sat close enough to the city, he scoffs aloud at finding the bard exactly here; resting so sweetly by the Anemo Archon’s statue. 

Typical.

Tossing the cloak down with only mild amusement taken at watching it fall atop his head, Xiao stands tall atop the wide branches of this monumental display of the people’s love for their Archon. Folds his arms tight across his chest before directing his voice, a biting tone, at the idiot looking so carefree in everything that he did.

Annoying.

“I don’t need your pity, Venti.” He scoffs as he adds, “Keep your cloak to yourself unless you’d rather see it never returned. I hate making such a long trip out here for something as useless as returning a piece of cloth.”

[yakshavigilante]

for @a-venti-sized-problem​

The rain started after his second kill. Drowned the lands of Liyue in its ferocity and swept over the battlefield without remorse. Scorned those that dared still remain present, even despite its plentiful rumbles of warning. 

If here a Yaksha turned away by that of rain, however, he would never be able to face Rex Lapis. Never honor Rex Lapis’s memory and all that he stood for. All that he wished to protect.

No, this rain was nothing. Just another factor added into the fight. Nothing but environmental white noise. Unimportant when his duty remained the same; take out the threat that dared bring harm to the people of Liyue. Put it down and...continue observing. Look for more dangers, more threats, and secure the safety that Rex Lapis held so dear to him. That was what he was here for. Why he still lived over those that perished so long ago.

The fight ended at his ninth kill and it was here that the young Yaksha departed from the scene. Sought out a new lookout. A new area to observe and sit idly within, while keeping his eyes trained on the roads and lands surrounding him.

Rain is nothing to one such as he and yet...he finds that on this particular night, it pricks at his skin like pin needles. Leaves him feeling uncomfortable with every drop to his skin. Every step forward, every slosh of mud, overloads his senses and pulls heavy breaths from him.

Again? 

Teeth grind together as pain burns at his limbs. Darkness flashes at the corners of his eyes and he stumbles where he stands; a hand lifting immediately to ball at the fabric of his chest. Opposite hand shooting forward to catch himself as he collapses onto hands and knees within the mud. Lungs beg for mercy; heaving with breaths that lay like lead in his chest. A storm of agony crashes into his quaking body and elicits a shout from him. 

He hears the screams and cries of centuries long past. Tastes the blood on his tongue. Smells it in the air. Thick. Suffocating. He can feel the weight of corpses on his back. The last shudder of breath pressed against his hands. 

“Enough!” He shouts violently; hand clawing desperately at the mud to regain some sort of stability.

He could not stay here, after all. Exposed and weak; ready to be taken by any unforeseen enemies. If he fell here, to the Karmic toxins created by his own sins, then what sort of Adepti would he be? What sort of protector could he call himself? Rex Lapis saved his life. Gave him purpose. Would he truly jeopardize such kindness like this?

Lifting his head and glaring through the rain that spilled from his face, he sets his sights on a wide, expansive tree. He could escape the rain. Ease some of the pain that befell him. Hide away from the world just long enough to recuperate and push forward.

Thus, with hand still clutching at chest and breaths still heavy in his lungs, the Adepti lifts himself from the ground and trudges forward. Feels the familiar shiver at his spine; face twisting with a horror that does not belong to him, but to his victims. To the gods that he’s killed. The enemies he’s faced. All for the sake of Liyue. For Rex Lapis.

Dropping to his knees the moment he’s reached the tree, Xiao feels the tears spill over. Feels the faint relief that comes from the escape of ferocious rain droplets, but feels no joy in this acknowledgement. Feels nothing but sorrow and anguish; all of it consuming him. Threatening to rip away his senses and claim him as yet another victim.

Moving to lay on his side, the young Yaksha curls in on himself; a vain effort made to ease the roaring darkness that grabs hold of him. Pushes sobs and shouts free from him as fingernails dig into his scalp. As his soul, tainted and broken, fights to maintain some semblance of clarity. Battles valiantly against that which threatens to drown him. Keeps him breathing. Keeps him sane amid the memories that always promise to be so horrific, so dark, that Xiao can hardly face them. Resorts to shutting his eyes and willing it all away. Falls to exhaustion and finds that, even then, even while sleeping, he cannot escape this curse. This vengeance wrought upon him by his victims. One that he would endure, as he always did. 

This was his burden to carry, and he would do so willingly - for Liyue.

[yakshavigilante]

a-venti-sized-problem​:

“A Guide? A Human Guide? Leading me through the Liyuen mountains in the dead of night?”

The Bard chortled, strumming a soft chord on his lyre as he shook his head. 

“Even I’m not that irresponsible. And besides, with the wind like it is, this night air, some music, oh anything could happen. The world just slips away from me on nights like this. I’d really feel much safer with a proper escort. 

An entirely oblivious smile was shot back at the irritable other, Venti already absently plucking out a small melody as he met the other’s gaze coyly.

“Of course, I suppose if it just can’t be helped I’d have to drag some poor human up here with me, I can’t just waste a night like this wandering around looking for the perfect spot to compose now can I?”

He clicks his tongue at the sense that this idiotic bard is making. In a past life, he knew the young figure as Barbatos. Having only met him a handful of times, and determining that he was a trusted ally of Rex Lapis, Xiao had made it a point to ensure that he remained unharmed. Stayed within sight. Protected him at any point; just the same as he treated his god.

Now, however, with the Anemo Archon himself donning human skin, he had to wonder just how much of his power had been oppressed. Was he incapable of using that which he used to restore Monstadt? To keep his people safe? And even still, if he wished to play this charade of ‘being human,’ he supposed he had no other choice than to play along as well. After all, it was his sole purpose to protect the people of Liyue, and those trusted by Rex Lapis.

Sighing heavily, and taking several more steps forward, continuing his path ahead, he feels his shoulders visibly sag at the calm that arises with the plucked tune. Memories bubbling forward, threatening to drown him, were pushed aside in favor of embracing the softer, quieter emotions that this bard evoked from him with expertise. 

“Fine.” He sighs, turning his gaze on the nuisance beside him. “To avoid you bringing a disturbance to the people of Liyue, I will act as your guide. If any enemies arise during our travels, rest assured that I will strike them down and protect you.”

Crossing his arms over his chest tightly, he adds with a lowering of brows, “Now, lead. Where do you want to go?”

[yakshavigilante]

a-venti-sized-problem​:

Ah, so it was that kind of night then wasn’t it?

Not that he had expected much differently when he’d seen the silhouette of the Yaksha against the pale moon of the evening, the diminutive yet powerful form prowling about some dusty mountain road while the bard had just happened to be soaring overhead, taking in the evening and all it would bring him. It seemed that this would be what his evening brought, and it came with a strange sort of relief as he watched the others retreating back, his own steps quickening to keep up just a smidge. Not to know that Xiao was in pain, but to know that he would not be that way alone. 

At least, not tonight. 

He ignored the snips, knowing that they came from a place of hurt, even if it was one he hadn’t personally caused, offering a shrug that could not be seen and choosing to respond in an absent manner, offhanded to the situation.

“Don’t you just love the mountains at night? The air is so clear, the moon is beautiful. They’re my favourite place to go when I’m hoping to compose something. Maybe you could help escort me to the right spot? I’d feel much safer for the company?”

He maintains his pace. Does not so much as slow down nor stop for the individual that insisted upon running after him. Keeping up with him and striding along at his hip. How absurd that he would made to suffer within his company tonight; of all nights.

He does, however, flick a quick glance at the moon. Takes a small second or two to appreciate the sight of it. The light that illuminates the land that Rex Lapis loved so much. He supposed he could share in that love. Had his memories not been tarnished with bloodshed and the screams of his victims, perhaps he could view the lands as they deserved to be. Perhaps, he too, could come to love the scenery.

“Hmph.” He scoffs aloud at the coy nature of his current companion; fisted hand dropping to his side and head snapping in the direction of Venti. With a glare and bite to his words, he responds sharply, “What would an Archon need to be protected against? If you’re lost in the lands unfamiliar to you, then go ask a guide in Liyue to help you. I have more important matters to attend to.”

[yakshavigilante]

@a-venti-sized-problem​ ::  "Can't sleep?"

What a stupid question.

The Yaksha finds himself incapable of movement, stricken to his core by the memories that haunt him so vividly, and this is the question the obnoxious bard chooses to ask? While his thoughts remain on the agony and suffering of those that he slaughtered, faces he only begins finding familiar because of the many times he’s had to re-live their memories, the bard approaches him with all the simplicity of those humans that Rex Lapis seemed so infatuated with.

Shrugging off the rising irritation that bubbles behind the fear that settles uncomfortably at his core, Xiao flicks a glare over at the young individual who, on several occasions, eased his growing unease with all but a single tune. He would never admit his fondness for the instruments used, or the songs sung, or the tunes that carried themselves in the wind-- and he would not begin doing so now.

“Don’t ask stupid questions,” he huffs, pushing himself to continue walking along the edge of the mountain he currently finds himself on; gaze and thoughts previously resting comfortably on the road stretched out down below. Ensuring that each and every individual passing through did so safely. 

With a hand balled at his chest and feet dragging along the dirt, he finds some solace in the annoyance that he directs at the other; keeping his back turned to him as he walks. 

“Why are you here, anyway? Get tired of loafing around already?”

[yakshavigilante]

a-venti-sized-problem​:

“Well, unfortunately for you, I have all the time in the world to be a nuisance soo.. I guess the real question here is; do you think you can get away from my compliments?”

“Bard.” He snaps, glaring daggers at the young man who insisted upon following him around. “Do you not have somewhere else to be? Like a tavern filled with desperate individuals looking to be complimented by more of your sugared compliments? Go fill their head with lies, and leave me be. I have work to do.”

[yakshavigilante]

a-venti-sized-problem​:

“As sweet as they are, your caramel personality cannot help but surpass them.”

“Caramel...such a disgusting human creation. I will take your words as no more than an insult, and bid you goodbye. I don’t have time to deal with nuisances.”

[yakshavigilante]

@a-venti-sized-problem​ ::  "I think you're beautiful OuO" || in reference to x.

“...Hmph. Take your honeyed words and leave me be.”