[Aether stops in his tracks, eyes wide at the spear pointed right at him.
He knew his current state would be troubling, especially if Xiao found him without any explanation, but he never thought his friend would try to fight him.]
Xiao, no. You're wrong. It is me. I... [Ah, would he have to say it right away?] I'm a spectral and all spectrals... need to die.
[ Oh, he does not like the way the thing looks when that spear is pointed at him, but it's not Aether. It can't b-
...Aether speaks, and the words roll in his head like a storm. Xiao drops the spear like a foolish beginner rather than a warrior that has fought countless battles. He looks pale as he slowly walks closer, hoping to hear a heartbeat or anything that proves this is just a nightmare.
[Aether hates it. He hates the despair reflected in the yaksha's eyes, the way he asks for the reality to not be true. The traveler's heart may be still, but it hurt. It aches horribly in his chest as he doesn't dare to take a step closer to his dear friend.
He's caused him pain.]
I'm sorry. I didn’t want to tell you anything earlier... I didn't want to think about it. I didn't want you to worry.
[He presses his hands to his chest tightly gripping his own shirt.]
[ His eyes hurt. They sting, and there's... is he bleeding? Xiao touches his face, but all he finds are tears. He didn't know he still remembered how to cry. ]
I've failed you. [ He starts, but the words die in his throat just as quickly. ] I can't... I have go back to my duty.
[ He has to return to Teyvat - but what does that mean for someone already dead? If they took down Patho-Gen and managed to get rid of these souls... would Aether just turn into a lifeless corpse?
Aether might have to remain Augmented. He might have to remain here... and Xiao can't. ]
[He's desperate, catching the yaksha by the hand. His touch is warm. Warmer than it used to be.]
You haven't failed me, I'm not truly gone either! This... this is all part of the changes. The corruption.
[He's desperate to make sense of it for his own sake, for Xiao's sake.]
Nothing killed me. I just collapsed one day... Vanitas and Vince found me. They looked after me until I woke up and they stayed by my side for the rest of the day. [He wasn't alone. It was a terrifying experience, but the people he's grew to love were there for him.] I know other Spectrals who went through the same thing...
[ He wasn't alone. Thank the Archons for that. If he had been, suffering and dying by himself... Xiao would never have been able to forgive himself. Hell, he still might not.
He takes that hand like it's a lifeline, holding it tightly. The skin feels hot rather than like the chill of death, and he's grateful for that. ]
...do we know that, Aether? What happens when we return? Can you return?
[ He doesn't want to cause any extra pain to the Traveler, but this wasn't simply the addition of something, that could be dealt with. The loss of life is a lot more difficult.
Then Aether mentions Vanitas as well, and the yaksha frowns. ]
Then someone should be with him at all times, too.
[ As much as he still dislikes the man - despite accepting the contract to be his friend - even he doesn't deserve something like this. ]
[Aether squeezes his hand back, leading the yaksha closer, inviting him into his arms.]
We don't. [He says silently.] We don't, but we have to hope for the best. [What else is there left to do?] I will return. I will. I'll do whatever it takes to return. I had part of my soul ripped away from me in Teyvat and I was fine in the end.
[He tries to be reassuring. He is an anomaly, so surely, even in this half-dead state he's going to be perfectly fine in the end.
That's how it always worked.
He can't imagine it working differently. He's not ready to face that kind of hopeless darkness.]
I'm not going to leave him. And Vince... Vincent is with him when I'm away.
[ Xiao hesitates for a moment, but then pulls Aether into a very out of character hug. It is stiff, awkward and clearly unfamiliar, but it is deliberate. (...and maybe a little desperate.)
Aether is right, he's been through so much and still kept on being the Traveler, so... so this wouldn't change it. It could not. All of Teyvat would come together to fix it all if they knew. They'll make their way to Celestia if they must. He'll throw his spear into the Heavenly Principles himself.
This place does not have the right to dim a star. ]
You said before that I could stay with you. I will not do so while others reside here. [ The admission is clipped, uncomfortable. ] But... I'll live on the roof. Closer. You can open the window and call my name.
[ For anything. Including Vanitas dying. Xiao dislikes the man, but... he's important to Aether and not even his worst enemies deserves the horrors of this place. ]
[The hug may be a little awkward to Xiao, but to Aether it's warm and welcoming, like the feeling one has when they return home after a long, tiring journey. The traveler embraces his friend back, burying his head into the yaksha's shoulder.
Despite his previous words that he would be fine, Aether is incredibly thankful both to Xiao's presence, his closeness and then finally to his little admission.]
...Thank you.
[He tightens his hug.]
Maybe there's another empty apartment there that you can stay at? I don't want you to live on the literal rooftop... [Especially not now, when it's cold.]
[ Being hugged back also feels so strange. Not in a bad way, just weirdly intense, like he found a new emotion that he doesn't fully understand. Xiao keeps still, unsure what to make of it, but doesn't pull away. Aether can borrow his shoulders as much as he wants. ]
It's alright. It's better than the 'car' thing... and I don't want to corrupt an apartment than someone might need. I'll be fine.
[ He's not the one that died. Besides, he barely has to do anything to sustain himself these days, other than being in the sun. The cold does make him sleepy, but he has enough willpower to ignore that. ]
You do not need to thank me. I am your... I am your friend.
[The traveler doesn't respond right away, touched by Xiao's sentiment and surprised when he announces that he's Aether's friend. In that very moment, the traveler feels proud of the yaksha. His hug only tightens around the other and an overjoyed smile settles on his face.]
You're my friend. My dear friend. [He repeats.
He's glad Xiao doesn't insist on calling himself a weapon, that he lets himself be more human.
Eventually, the traveler pulls away, but still holds onto the other's hands. Then he nods.]
Alright. [He smiles warmly.] I'll be looking forward to having you as my neighbour.
[ Xiao remains right where he is until Aether pulls away, chest still aching hollowly. At least Aether is still warm, so he's glad that the other doesn't take his hands away immediately. He feels alive, if you ignore the deafening lack of heartbeat.
Still. he's not, and it's going to take a lot of time to accept that. Xiao always thought himself the pragmatic kind of person, but... this is different.
So different. ]
I will move right away. But first...
[ He finally lets go of those hands and reaches to unclip his necklace. The vajra attached with tassels and white jade pearls has a slightly different look to it these days - the metal has turned to wood and the jade has just started to split open into white flower buds instead. ]
Take this. Keep it on. It will ward you from evil.
[ Whatever Aether is now, it has to be more susceptible to evil than Xiao. There are no demons here to fight - their enemy are mortal monsters. He'd rather see his friend warded from anything preying on lost souls.
...and, of course, it's part of Xiao these days. Even his accessories are turning terra-shaped. ]
Aether observes as Xiao removes his necklace. The changes to it are obvious to him and he has no doubt it is caused by his friend's corruption. Upon receiving such an important gift, the traveler takes it carefully in his hands and looks at the yaksha with surprise.]
Are you sure?
[He was gifted many other talismans from Xiao in the past, but this one... It's personal and Aether can feel life in it like he's just received a part of his friend.]
[ Xiao nods, gesturing for Aether to put it on. It shouldn't get in the way, and now that the vajra was wood, it wasn't very heavy, either. The fact that it's now a part of him only makes it better. A part of him can be there, be with him if anything else happens.
Aether won't ever be truly alone, no matter what. ]
I am. Take it, it's yours.
[ He'll even help Aether put it on, if he wants to. ]
[Aether accepts it, gently holding the gift in both his hands like he is afraid to damage it. Xiao helps him put the talisman on and the sentiment resounds in his silent heart. It's almost as if he could hear it beating again. Or maybe it's the deep connection he has to Xiao that is pulsing through him right now.]
...good. It's very old, a gift from long-gone friends.
[ So at least two millennia. A true ancient artifact. Xiao has no idea if it would even work to ward off spirits here since things are so different, but... it can't hurt.
He's not sure if it's the heavy imprinting or something else, but he feels a lot more at ease seeing it around Aether's neck, too. Like he can feel that he's still there, still himself. ]
I will go to set up my camp on the roof. [ Pause. ] You should go back home, too.
[ Abrupt as always, but... he doesn't know how to handle all his emotions. Poofing away had always been his way to escape, but he can't do that any more. It's frustrating. ]
[ He flinches at first as Aether reaches for another hug, but then leans into it. It's brief, and he pulls back quickly. Nodding to his... friend, he summons a gust of anemo and jumps up into the air, landing on a nearby building.
From now on, he can always be found on Aether's apartment roof. ]
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He knew his current state would be troubling, especially if Xiao found him without any explanation, but he never thought his friend would try to fight him.]
Xiao, no. You're wrong. It is me. I... [Ah, would he have to say it right away?] I'm a spectral and all spectrals... need to die.
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...Aether speaks, and the words roll in his head like a storm. Xiao drops the spear like a foolish beginner rather than a warrior that has fought countless battles. He looks pale as he slowly walks closer, hoping to hear a heartbeat or anything that proves this is just a nightmare.
Maybe he's going mad. Maybe reality isn't real. ]
...no.
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He's caused him pain.]
I'm sorry. I didn’t want to tell you anything earlier... I didn't want to think about it. I didn't want you to worry.
[He presses his hands to his chest tightly gripping his own shirt.]
I'm sorry.
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I've failed you. [ He starts, but the words die in his throat just as quickly. ] I can't... I have go back to my duty.
[ He has to return to Teyvat - but what does that mean for someone already dead? If they took down Patho-Gen and managed to get rid of these souls... would Aether just turn into a lifeless corpse?
Aether might have to remain Augmented. He might have to remain here... and Xiao can't. ]
Your sister...
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[He's desperate, catching the yaksha by the hand. His touch is warm. Warmer than it used to be.]
You haven't failed me, I'm not truly gone either! This... this is all part of the changes. The corruption.
[He's desperate to make sense of it for his own sake, for Xiao's sake.]
Nothing killed me. I just collapsed one day... Vanitas and Vince found me. They looked after me until I woke up and they stayed by my side for the rest of the day. [He wasn't alone. It was a terrifying experience, but the people he's grew to love were there for him.] I know other Spectrals who went through the same thing...
[His hand trembles.]
Vanitas... He'll have to go through this, too.
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He takes that hand like it's a lifeline, holding it tightly. The skin feels hot rather than like the chill of death, and he's grateful for that. ]
...do we know that, Aether? What happens when we return? Can you return?
[ He doesn't want to cause any extra pain to the Traveler, but this wasn't simply the addition of something, that could be dealt with. The loss of life is a lot more difficult.
Then Aether mentions Vanitas as well, and the yaksha frowns. ]
Then someone should be with him at all times, too.
[ As much as he still dislikes the man - despite accepting the contract to be his friend - even he doesn't deserve something like this. ]
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We don't. [He says silently.] We don't, but we have to hope for the best. [What else is there left to do?] I will return. I will. I'll do whatever it takes to return. I had part of my soul ripped away from me in Teyvat and I was fine in the end.
[He tries to be reassuring. He is an anomaly, so surely, even in this half-dead state he's going to be perfectly fine in the end.
That's how it always worked.
He can't imagine it working differently. He's not ready to face that kind of hopeless darkness.]
I'm not going to leave him. And Vince... Vincent is with him when I'm away.
[Vanitas won't be alone either.]
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Aether is right, he's been through so much and still kept on being the Traveler, so... so this wouldn't change it. It could not. All of Teyvat would come together to fix it all if they knew. They'll make their way to Celestia if they must. He'll throw his spear into the Heavenly Principles himself.
This place does not have the right to dim a star. ]
You said before that I could stay with you. I will not do so while others reside here. [ The admission is clipped, uncomfortable. ] But... I'll live on the roof. Closer. You can open the window and call my name.
[ For anything. Including Vanitas dying. Xiao dislikes the man, but... he's important to Aether and not even his worst enemies deserves the horrors of this place. ]
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Despite his previous words that he would be fine, Aether is incredibly thankful both to Xiao's presence, his closeness and then finally to his little admission.]
...Thank you.
[He tightens his hug.]
Maybe there's another empty apartment there that you can stay at? I don't want you to live on the literal rooftop... [Especially not now, when it's cold.]
But... I really appreciate it. Thank you.
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It's alright. It's better than the 'car' thing... and I don't want to corrupt an apartment than someone might need. I'll be fine.
[ He's not the one that died. Besides, he barely has to do anything to sustain himself these days, other than being in the sun. The cold does make him sleepy, but he has enough willpower to ignore that. ]
You do not need to thank me. I am your... I am your friend.
[ Friend. Not weapon. ]
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You're my friend. My dear friend. [He repeats.
He's glad Xiao doesn't insist on calling himself a weapon, that he lets himself be more human.
Eventually, the traveler pulls away, but still holds onto the other's hands. Then he nods.]
Alright. [He smiles warmly.] I'll be looking forward to having you as my neighbour.
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Still. he's not, and it's going to take a lot of time to accept that. Xiao always thought himself the pragmatic kind of person, but... this is different.
So different. ]
I will move right away. But first...
[ He finally lets go of those hands and reaches to unclip his necklace. The vajra attached with tassels and white jade pearls has a slightly different look to it these days - the metal has turned to wood and the jade has just started to split open into white flower buds instead. ]
Take this. Keep it on. It will ward you from evil.
[ Whatever Aether is now, it has to be more susceptible to evil than Xiao. There are no demons here to fight - their enemy are mortal monsters. He'd rather see his friend warded from anything preying on lost souls.
...and, of course, it's part of Xiao these days. Even his accessories are turning terra-shaped. ]
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Aether observes as Xiao removes his necklace. The changes to it are obvious to him and he has no doubt it is caused by his friend's corruption. Upon receiving such an important gift, the traveler takes it carefully in his hands and looks at the yaksha with surprise.]
Are you sure?
[He was gifted many other talismans from Xiao in the past, but this one... It's personal and Aether can feel life in it like he's just received a part of his friend.]
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Aether won't ever be truly alone, no matter what. ]
I am. Take it, it's yours.
[ He'll even help Aether put it on, if he wants to. ]
I have no need of it. You do.
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I'll treasure it.
[He softly presses the talisman to himself.]
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[ So at least two millennia. A true ancient artifact. Xiao has no idea if it would even work to ward off spirits here since things are so different, but... it can't hurt.
He's not sure if it's the heavy imprinting or something else, but he feels a lot more at ease seeing it around Aether's neck, too. Like he can feel that he's still there, still himself. ]
I will go to set up my camp on the roof. [ Pause. ] You should go back home, too.
[ Abrupt as always, but... he doesn't know how to handle all his emotions. Poofing away had always been his way to escape, but he can't do that any more. It's frustrating. ]
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I'll see you later, then.
[Aether smiles at him, then steps close to hug the yaksha one last time before he leaves, giving his friend time to process.]
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From now on, he can always be found on Aether's apartment roof. ]