GUARDIAN

𝙼𝚈  𝚆𝙴𝙰𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝙴𝙳  𝙷𝙴𝙰𝚁𝚃,   𝙵𝙻𝚄𝙴𝙽𝚃  𝙸𝙽  𝙳𝙴𝙰𝚃𝙷

[yksha]

xiaoxiao is being moved to my multi @saovaene as a request based muse

[yksha]

so nami showed me the event stuff......

[primulaceas]

Gillian Flynn, Sharp Objects

[yksha]

my comeback wasnt fake btw i am just insanely busy and the few braincells i have are spent on my multi and ciri

[yksha]

me when i lie

[yksha]

my comeback wasnt fake btw i am just insanely busy and the few braincells i have are spent on my multi and ciri

[yksha]

i think it is very important to underline that xiao is not servile or meek. their quiet loyalty, obedience, and immense respect for morax was earned. it is given willingly, it is a choice even after all this time. he knows his loyalty held in regard, and though at times he speaks more lowly of himself, he knows himself respected. that is why he chose morax, just as morax chose him. they have known service by force and it has left its marks. despite their identity crises, xiao does not serve purely because they haven't known anything else. perhaps, initially it was so. but in the two thousand years that have since passed it remains a choice actively made.

that is not to say his lack of perspective and traumatic experiences don't somewhat keep him from dreaming of another life. it is true that xiao's life has centred around fighting, to the point where he views himself as nothing more than a weapon, for he has few other skills, and to be a weapon is something he does well, something that can help people. there is much reflection to be done, much more self-confidence in the sense of understanding oneself beyond one's purpose to be gained.

but xiao is not little, not a child pressed into service, not demure or inherently subservient. they have chosen devotion to a cause, to a god, who has, in their eyes, more than earned it.

[geosis]

there he stands— a lone figure, head bowed before the crane statue in reverence. his thoughts traverse to kinder times, of shared meals beneath moonlight and charming tales exchanged by bonfire; pervases did always enjoy poetry.

some time passes as he pays his respects, and he notes a presence [ @yksha ] nearby as he turns to leave — one that he'd recognise from a mile off. ❝ what a welcome surprise.  ❞ comes his greeting, accompanied by a warm smile, ❝ ... it's been a while. how are you faring ?  ❞

[yksha]

HE FEELS THEIR PRESENCE ERE HE SEES IT, the familiar thrum of power somewhere deep below. [ with or without the gnosis, it hardly makes a difference. ] it would appear they had the same intent, brought to the shrine as the sun has nigh completed its descent into the ocean, cloaking the hills in a golden hue becoming of a god. thus xiao stands at some distance and waits their turn, so as not to disturb the other's respects.

❛   you honour my kind,   ❜ replies the yaksha quietly, bowing his head in reverence himself. zhongli's voice is as though a blanket of solace. ❛    it has been well, my lord. quiet.   ❜ the nights are not so haunted now. though in truth they have walked shaken ground, seeking purpose, seeking self. ❛   if i may ask ... what of my contract now, my lord ? with my mask shattered, i cannot serve liyue as i did ...   ❜ a voice usually controlled now trails off, lined with uncertainty.

[fuxian]

        “  xiao,  why have you been away for so long?  is everything alright?  ”

    「 @yksha​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​   ❤ ‘d    for a starter. 」        

[yksha]

CONCERN BRUSHED OFF QUICKLY,    the yaksha nods,    eyes downcast.    ❛   it will not happen again,   ❜     he promises.     ❛   a minor incident,    nothing to concern my lady over.    ❜

[yksha]

yeonban​,    rubedo.

Although  the  query  startles,  he  doesn’t  react  /  doesn’t  even  blink.  Pondering,  slightly  disturbed  but  offering  an  innocent  answer  nevertheless,  the  blond  ultimately  smiles  (  he  understands  the  question,  yet  refuses  to  outright  respond  to  it   —   what  could  have  possibly  given  him  away?  )   ❛   I  am  an  alchemist.  Not  exactly  someone  worthy  of  note,  if  you  ask  me,   ❜   Not  yet,  at  least.  Chalk  calmly  utters,  eyes  staring  into  the  other’s,   ❛   Though  if  I  were  so  bold  as  to  make  a  premature  presupposition,  you…   ❜   It  emphasizes,  stalling.  They  were  quite  certainly  not  a  mortal  (  if  the  query  was  any  indication  ),  yet  this  land’s  gods  lay  either  dead  or  sealed,  and  thus  there  is  only  one  conclusion  to  arrive  at,   ❛   …must  be  an  adeptus,  yes  ?   ❜ 

A  beat,  affability  maintained,  and  his  hypothesis  forms  (  his  acting  hasn’t  failed,  humans  have  not  yet  caught  on,  therefore  the  question  ought  to  stem  from  an  ability  of  some  kind  —  but  what  was  it?  and  more  importantly,  could  he  dispose  of  the  source  of  their  doubts?  )   ❛   Forgive  my  arrogance  but,  could  something  of  mine  have…  piqued  your  interest,  perhaps  ?   ❜ 

MOST HUMANS WOULD HAVE BEEN STARTLED    by the bluntness of his question.    this being,   however,    has remained utterly calm,   equally inquisitive in his gaze.   an alchemist,   to xiao’s knowledge,   is still an occupation not a race,   and thus his true question remains unanswered.     perhaps the lands beyond,    past the stone gate and the mountains,   hold yet beasts unknown to him.    still,  they cannot shake the sensation  –––   something is very different about this creature,   carrying a mask of human flesh just as he.   and a learned one,   too,   by his assumption.

❛   i am,   ❜    xiao confirms without any theatrics.    they’ve nothing to fear,   nor do they seek reverence.   arms now crossed before his chest,    the adeptus watches the stranger.    though unmoving,   they appear as two cats circling one another,    trying to determine the other’s nature.    ❛   you are non-human,    and i have yet to learn what it is you are.    is that not intriguing enough ?   ❜     they are,   after all,    a guardian of this land.

[geosis]

*   in his long life, he has met countless people, and shall meet countless more still. as they say: the waters change course, but the mountains move not.

━━━━   independent, private + highly selective  𝐙𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐈  of  genshin impact  as decreed by neo .  primarily headcanon-driven / chinese folklore inspired  and  largely fandom unaffiliated .  unsuitable for minors .

[ohisms]

↪  𝑴𝑶𝑶𝑵 𝑲𝑵𝑰𝑮𝑯𝑻 .   (   a  collection  of  sentence  starters  originating  from  season  one  of  marvel’s  moon knight .  adjust  phrasing  as  necessary .   )

maybe  one  day ,  right ?

i  still  wake  up  every  morning  feeling  like  i  got  hit  by  a  bus .

it’s  not  like  there’s  anything  in  there .

that  doesn’t  make  sense ,  cause  i’m  not  dead .  am i ?

are  you  asking  me  out ?

i  didn’t  know  you  had  taken  a  crack .

real  catch ,  you  are .

that’s  actually  crushing  to  hear .

get  out ,  go  …  away  from  me .

you  know  what  i  mean ,  yeah ?

i  will  see  you  on  the  flip-flop .

you’re  not  supposed  to  be  here .

don’t  just  stand  there -  RUN !

it’s  like  we’re  in  heaven .

i  strongly  encourage  you  to  return  that .

i  didn’t  do  that  on  purpose !

i  don’t  know  what  i’m  doing !

how  are  we  doing ,  [ name ] ?  you  sleep  alright ?

you’re  not  quite  right .

sorry ,  i’ve  got  a  date .

you  look  like  a  knob .

it’s  not  looking  so  good ,  is  it ?

calling  me  now ?

lose  my  number .

i’ll  tell  you  more  about  it  tomorrow .

you  can  have  some  sprinkles .

if  you’re  [ name ] ,  i’m  the  bloody  queen  of  shiva .

oh  my  god ,  you’re  alive .

i  thought  something  happened  to  you .

where  have  you  been ?

sorry ,  who  do  you  think  i  am ?

what  did  you  just  call  me ?

you  need  to  stop .

you’re  gonna  get  yourself  in  trouble .

someone’s  having  a  laugh .

stop  looking .

always the same ,  isn’t it ?

i’m  being  followed .

[ name ] ,  you’re  part  of  this ?

are  you  going  to  kill  me ?

it’s  maddening ,  isn’t  it ?

i  can’t  help  you .

i’m  trying  to  help  you .

there’s  chaos  in  you .

you  need  to  give  me  control .

this  is  real .  i’m  real .

oh ,  god .  i’m  gonna  die .

look  at  me .  you’re  not  gonna  die .

what  you’re  about  to  see  is  gonna  melt  your  brain .

that’s  not  me .

you’re  not  alone .

i  never  forget  a  face .

you  weren’t  supposed  to  see  any  of  this .

it’s  a  little  more  complicated  than  that .

i  can’t  have  you  interfering  in  what  i  have  left  to  do .

you  sure  you  want  to  know ?

oh  my  god ,  that’s  the  stupidest  thing  i’ve  ever  heard .

oh  god ,  i’m  having  a  panic  attack .

i’ve  gotta  go  to  the  hospital ,  i  think .

that’s  mental .

you’re  making  a  mistake .

stop  what  you’re  doing  right  now .

i  think  i’m  in  real  danger ,  and  i  think  you  might  be  the  only  person  who  can  help  me .

i  didn’t  do  that .

i’m  not  broken .  just  …  need  some  help ,  maybe .

just  remember ,  you  don’t  have  to  do  everything  he  asks .

i  am  real  justice .

i  can’t  help  you .

listen  to  me !  your  name  is  [ name ] .

where  the  hell  are  you ?  you  need  to  fight !

i  promise ,  you  can  do  this .

it’s  alright ,   it’s  alright ,  we’ll  find  another  way .

you  look  different .

it’s  always  been  you  eating  at  parts  of  my  life  like  a  parasite .

everything  you  touch ,  you  ruin !

i  don’t  trust  anything  you  say !

you  hurt  people .

you  know  i’ll  protect  you  with  everything  i  have .

i  don’t  steal .

not  so  innocent  anymore ,  eh ?

have  a  good  trip ,  love .

[ name ] .  [ name ] ,  that’s  enough .

what’s  the  worst  that  could  happen ?

aren’t  you  coming  with ?

is  there  somethin’  i  should  know ?

you  know  exactly  why  we’re  here .

take  action  now  before  it’s  too  late .

just  so  you  know ,  i’m  not  here  to  help  you .

you  could’ve  told  me .  you  know ?  what  it’s  been  like  for  you .

we  could’ve  handled  it  together .

never  really  been  able  to  just .  talk  about  everything .

let’s  get  our  story  straight .

i  hope  you  realize  you  need  no  excuse  to  drop  by .

do  you  really  think  i’m  an  idiot ?

buy  me  some  time .

i  remember  that  night .

you  were  right  about  [ name ] .

i’m  going  to  do  what  you  could  not .

i  owe  my  victory  to  you .

this  is  a  suicide  mission .

it’s  not  happening .  we’re  not  gonna  do  that .

we  could’ve  handled  it  together .

it’s  just  you  and  me ,  and  the  open  road .

yeah ,  i’m  not  sure  that’s  the  way  it  works .

i’ll  throw  us  off  a  cliff !

that’s  more  of  a  you  thing ,  isn’t  it ?

i  really  wish  you  hadn’t  seen  that .

oh ,  wow  …  look  at  you .

it’s  a  maze .

is  that  …  is  that  fresh  blood ?

let’s  keep  moving .

hide ,  hide !

run !  i’ll  find  you !

you  kissed  her .

no  way ,  that’s  not  right .  that  can’t  be  right .

you  handled  that  beautifully .

sorry .  i  couldn’t  be  more  sorry .

i  do  hope  you  find  closure .

i  was  supposed  to  die  that  night .

i  tried  to  tell  you  since  the  moment  we  met .

just  you ?

i’ll  share  it  with  you  this  time ,  i  promise .

you  can’t  keep  doing  this .

the  effects  will  wear  off  soon .

i  can’t  help  you  if  you  don’t  help  yourself .

you  shot  me .

you  stay  away  from  me !

i  know  what  you’re  feeling .

unlock  the  door !!

how  is  this  possible ?

what’s  the  last  thing  that  you  remember ?

we’ve  gotta  get  out  of  here .

this  is  all  your  fault .

let’s  try  it  your  way .

how  did  you  come  to  be  here  today ?

you  wanna  know  what  you  told  me ?

do  you  think  that  is  sense  …  or  nonsense ?

i  find  this  really  encouraging .

listen ,  i  am  not  your  enemy .

wow ,  these  meds  are  really  amazing .

we’re  insane .

i’m  not  crazy .

where  did  you  say  we’re  going .

so ,  how  are  we  supposed  to  do  this ?

my  memories  are  a  freakin’  mess .

you  try  taking  a  life .  see  how  quickly  you  forget .

open  the  door !   open  the  door !

[ name ] ?  get  back  here !

i  want  him  back .

i  should’ve  known  you  would’ve  done  something  like  this .

and  you  believed  that ?

what  happened  to  you ?

i  feel  the  pain  inside  of  you .

what  the  hell  are  you ?

please ,  [ name ] ,  you  have  to  help  us .

get  back  inside !

don’t  make  us  go  there  again .

you’re  about  to  lose  everything ,  do  you  understand ?

if  [ name ]  dies ,  it’ll  be  on  your  head .

no ,  i  won’t  do  it .  you  can’t  make  me .

what  you’ve  been  doing  is  so  difficult ,  i’m  so  proud  of  you .

i’m  so  proud  of  you .

there’s  only  one  way  to  know .

you’re  gonna  have  to  open  up .

[ name ] ,  i’m  sorry .

you  were  just  a  child .

it  wasn’t  your  fault .

[ name ] ,  they  don’t  look  very  friendly .

i’m  sorry  it  had  to  be  this  way ,  [ name ] .

sometimes  we  need  the  cold  light  of  death  before  we  can  see  reality .

who  wants  to  heal  the  world ?

clear  a  path .

i’ve  heard  wonderful  things  about  you .

this  doesn’t  need  to  happen .

this  was  all  so  avoidable .

do  not  let  the  pain  of  the  past  control  you .

as  you  wish .

i  don’t  care  what  you  can  offer .

[ name ]  didn’t  trust  you .  i  don’t  trust  you .

time  has  been  cruel  to  you .

i  cannot  allow  you  to  proceed .

your  journey  is  over .

it’s  so  quiet .

please ,  enjoy  your  peace .

i  need  to  go  back .

it  doesn’t  work  like  that .

i  don’t  know  if  you  can  hear  me .

i  survived  because  i  knew  i  wasn’t  alone .

i  couldn’t  protect  you .

you  didn’t  abandon  me .

there’s  no  way  in  hell  i’m  gonna  abandon  you .

tell  me  to  spare  you ,  and  i  will .

i  knew  you’d  miss  me .

[ name ] ,  i  need  your  help .

how’s  this  deal  gonna  work ?

hurry  up ,  idiots !

thank  god  you’re  okay .

what  if  we  believe  something  different ?

i  don’t  think  you  know  as  much  as  you  think  you  do .

[yksha]

and with the sound of formless,   clattering chains,   blood-drunk on agony and frenzy alike,   the loyal bloodhound at her feet devoured   ‘ dreams ’.   those unbending bones resisted the piercings and floggings,     though each heartbeat would bring fresh agonies.

HIGHLY PRIVATE   𝐗𝐈𝐀𝐎   OF GENSHIN IMPACT. UNAFFILIATED WITH THE GENSHIN COMMUNITY. CROSSOVER FRIENDLY. AS LOVED BY SAM.

[yksha]

heavenlyprinciples​,    yanfei.

“    ah──    right!    ”    they keep the warning in mind,    but much more of their focus remains on that glimmering sea,   stretching out far beyond the horizon.    it’s easy enough for yanfei to take a seat on the cliffside,    legs swinging over the edge as he remains captivated──    but afterwards,    he looks up to beam at xiao,    his smile carefree    &.    joyous.    “    it’s really peaceful here    …    i think with the right touch,    it could be a nice getaway,    from the clamor of the inn!    ”

WERE THIS THE OUTSIDE WORLD,    xiao might have been concerned for their junior’s safety,    perched atop the cliff’s edge so casually.   and even then,  yanfei’s smile would have eased their heart.    he joins him then,   legs crossed in a lotus position,    golden gaze wandering over the illusory ocean.    something softens in his posture.    there is a serenity to this place that,   though never asked for,   has its usefulness at times.

         ❛   the right touch ?   ❜    they fail to see what else it might need.    ❛   it is   ...   quiet.    that’s all i require.   ❜

[yksha]

brows furrow,   eyes averted from @yeonban​.   ❛   parents ?   ❜   their youth is so long gone,    obscured behind the memories of their time serving the goddess of dreams.    xiao cannot remember anything beyond it.    ❛   perhaps i had them,    perhaps not.    i cannot remember.   i fail to see the significance either way.   ❜        /    ♡

[yksha]

their head throbs.    though their unease is masked carefully,   it leaves their patience short-lived.    ❛   whatever mortal pastime this is,   i fail to see the point of your game.   ❜      /    @fatedriven​ ♡’ed   ––   itto

[yksha]

❛   something troubles you,   ❜     xiao asserts without much hesitation,    studying @yeshens​.     ❛   spit it out then,    before that crease on your forehead becomes permanent.   ❜     without thinking,    he mirrors cloud retainer’s words of old.     /    ♡

[yksha]

❛   this is an ancient place.   ❜    the youth in xiao’s features is betrayed by the age in his eyes,    turned away from @valsyr​ to study their surroundings.    /    ♡