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[At some point after finishing his talk with Vanitas, Aether leaves to find Xiao. He walks for a while, looking for the place that Xiao described as the place he lives now, then suddenly he pauses in his steps.]
Xiao?
[He knows his companion cannot teleport around anymore, but he also can feel a gaze watching him as he is searching for the yaksha.
...Don't tell him that he's been followed by the one he's looking for?!]
Xiao?
[He knows his companion cannot teleport around anymore, but he also can feel a gaze watching him as he is searching for the yaksha.
...Don't tell him that he's been followed by the one he's looking for?!]
[A good week or so after the encounter with Xiao in Aether's room, Vanitas gets the directions to where the yaksha has decided to reside from their mutual friend and decides to head on over. It's a bit tricky to find, given that it's just a random vehicle, but eventually Vanitas hones in on what he believes is the place.
Not wanting to overstep any boundaries, he glances around for the man, a covered dish in one hand and the other on his hip. He calls out, a little loudly in case the guy isn't inside the car.]
Hello~ Xiao! It's one of your least favorite people to see you.
Not wanting to overstep any boundaries, he glances around for the man, a covered dish in one hand and the other on his hip. He calls out, a little loudly in case the guy isn't inside the car.]
Hello~ Xiao! It's one of your least favorite people to see you.
[ It's not a simple task to find one abandoned car in this place, but at least Xiao had done his best to describe it. Thankfully, Aether's correct - he's been watched over from above.
Plunging down from one of the buildings, Xiao lands safely near him with the help of Anemo. ]
Yes?
Plunging down from one of the buildings, Xiao lands safely near him with the help of Anemo. ]
Yes?
[He's not even that surprised to see his friend plunge down to meet him.]
So you were watching me... You don't need to worry that much, you know?
[Or maybe he should, considering the display he just witnessed. Aether sighs a little.]
I got Vanitas to apologize for everything. I think this time he really understood his mistake.
So you were watching me... You don't need to worry that much, you know?
[Or maybe he should, considering the display he just witnessed. Aether sighs a little.]
I got Vanitas to apologize for everything. I think this time he really understood his mistake.
[ Since Xiao doesn't sleep, eat or care about things that you have a home for, the place he 'lives' at is simply an anchor to look for him. Most of the time, he's on rooftops keeping a watch over the city and the people.
...so he definitely sees Vanitas long before the man starts calling out for him.
The wind suddenly picks up, teal energy swirling around the area before the yaksha dives down from above and lands on the car in front of Vanitas. ]
You flatter yourself. There are many beings I truly despise, and you are simply a minor annoyance at best.
...so he definitely sees Vanitas long before the man starts calling out for him.
The wind suddenly picks up, teal energy swirling around the area before the yaksha dives down from above and lands on the car in front of Vanitas. ]
You flatter yourself. There are many beings I truly despise, and you are simply a minor annoyance at best.
[ He definitely thinks he should, especially after all of that. ]
This place is dangerous.
[ Xiao says as an explanation for his watchful eye, even if his concern was only half because of that. Crossing his arms, he watches Aether as the other man says that Vanitas apologized. ]
Good. He should not treat you that way.
This place is dangerous.
[ Xiao says as an explanation for his watchful eye, even if his concern was only half because of that. Crossing his arms, he watches Aether as the other man says that Vanitas apologized. ]
Good. He should not treat you that way.
[It's handy enough a location, nondescript though it is. Enough for Vanitas to get the right area, at least, something he realizes once the wind whips up, blowing his cloak and hair around.
He shields his face as Xiao drops in from above, though he's quick to laugh at the response, smirk firmly in place.]
Oh? I didn't leave even that much of an impression, hmm? How disappointing.
[But then, remembering he's supposed to be behaving, he sighs, holding up the dish.]
I've come to offer my apologies for my unkind words. I was hasty and needlessly cruel.
He shields his face as Xiao drops in from above, though he's quick to laugh at the response, smirk firmly in place.]
Oh? I didn't leave even that much of an impression, hmm? How disappointing.
[But then, remembering he's supposed to be behaving, he sighs, holding up the dish.]
I've come to offer my apologies for my unkind words. I was hasty and needlessly cruel.
[ Xiao crosses his arms again, watching the man coldly. He still tries to have a good distance between them, and being on top of a car helps with that. The taint of the Karmic Debt is dangerous, and this place already makes him stressed about spreading it.
The dish is ignored. He doesn't eat human food, after all... and more importantly; ]
I do not require your apologies. I was not the wronged one, Aether was. If you do not understand that, then we have nothing to speak of.
The dish is ignored. He doesn't eat human food, after all... and more importantly; ]
I do not require your apologies. I was not the wronged one, Aether was. If you do not understand that, then we have nothing to speak of.
[Aether would argue that it's less about him and more about the way Vanitas acted to get under Xiao's skin. Either way, the traveler hopes things can get better now.
Vanitas learnt the lesson! (Hopefully)]
He wanted to apologize to you as well. If... if he tries to find you at least try to hear him out? Just this once. If he breaks his promise to me and tries to annoy you again, you can do what you think is best.
[Aether has faith in Vanitas that he'll keep his word... but he also hopes Xiao won't kill him regardless.]
Vanitas learnt the lesson! (Hopefully)]
He wanted to apologize to you as well. If... if he tries to find you at least try to hear him out? Just this once. If he breaks his promise to me and tries to annoy you again, you can do what you think is best.
[Aether has faith in Vanitas that he'll keep his word... but he also hopes Xiao won't kill him regardless.]
[He's not surprised this is proving difficult, and it leads Vanitas to sigh a bit again, placing a hand on his hip. He realizes this is probably a losing battle, yet it's one he promised Aether he would endure for as long as possible.]
I apologized to him at once, so you can rest easy. As a courtesy to him, I came to offer you my apologies as well. For his sake. That's why I brought you this--
[He hefts the dish with a nod.]
I was told you like almond jelly, yes?
I apologized to him at once, so you can rest easy. As a courtesy to him, I came to offer you my apologies as well. For his sake. That's why I brought you this--
[He hefts the dish with a nod.]
I was told you like almond jelly, yes?
...there's nothing he needs to apologize to me about. I do not care about his words or his attempts to anger me.
[ Xiao replies, his expression briefly mildly confused before it settles on his normal deadpan look. The person he should be apologizing to was Aether, not him. Still, he's not going to refuse the request. ]
I will hear him, but you need not worry about me retaliating. I have no interest in killing a human for being rude and antagonistic.
[ Xiao replies, his expression briefly mildly confused before it settles on his normal deadpan look. The person he should be apologizing to was Aether, not him. Still, he's not going to refuse the request. ]
I will hear him, but you need not worry about me retaliating. I have no interest in killing a human for being rude and antagonistic.
[ Xiao raises a brow at that. Sure, Aether did tell him that he did apologize, but it still sits wrong in his guts. Still, they're both being civil on the behest of their mutual friend.
Then Vanitas offers the one food he can actually stomach, and those intense eyes narrow. ]
What do you really want with all of this? Aether's forgiveness? It is not mine you seek.
Then Vanitas offers the one food he can actually stomach, and those intense eyes narrow. ]
What do you really want with all of this? Aether's forgiveness? It is not mine you seek.
[He is definitely relieved to hear Xiao say that. Maybe all of this will go better than he thought.]
Thank you. And... sometimes you can accept an apology just to give someone a closure. [A smile appears on his face. He steps closer to Xiao and bumps his shoulder gently against the yaksha's.]
Humans are strange like that.
Thank you. And... sometimes you can accept an apology just to give someone a closure. [A smile appears on his face. He steps closer to Xiao and bumps his shoulder gently against the yaksha's.]
Humans are strange like that.
[ The little shoulder bump softens the severity of his expression, and Xiao sighs. ]
...they certainly are strange.
[ He hasn't exactly allowed himself to be around many of them until Aether started dragging him into the Harbor for a bunch of reasons. Now this place had a lot of them that made even less sense. ]
...they certainly are strange.
[ He hasn't exactly allowed himself to be around many of them until Aether started dragging him into the Harbor for a bunch of reasons. Now this place had a lot of them that made even less sense. ]
[He reaches to press a hand to Xiao's back and run it up and down a few times to hopefully give him some comfort (and maybe also release from the pain that he usually suffers from).]
You're right. Humans and their hearts make very little sense.
[But isn't that what makes them all special?
Aether is quiet for a moment, then his expression falls a little.]
There's something else I wanted to talk to you about... If you don't hear it from me, you may worry later.
You're right. Humans and their hearts make very little sense.
[But isn't that what makes them all special?
Aether is quiet for a moment, then his expression falls a little.]
There's something else I wanted to talk to you about... If you don't hear it from me, you may worry later.
[In truth, he doesn't blame Xiao for the caution, the suspicions. If their positions were reversed, then he too would feel the same. Which makes it all the more difficult to be perfectly honest.]
I know he's already forgiven me. What I seek is to make amends with someone he considers precious. You may be content with being merely ambivalent towards one another, but I would like to do one better for Aether's sake and attempt to rectify the hostilities I created.
I doubt we can ever be friends but... that doesn't mean we can't be civil.
I know he's already forgiven me. What I seek is to make amends with someone he considers precious. You may be content with being merely ambivalent towards one another, but I would like to do one better for Aether's sake and attempt to rectify the hostilities I created.
I doubt we can ever be friends but... that doesn't mean we can't be civil.
[ The continued touch should be awkward and unwanted, but it is making him feel lighter. Calmer. The grinding pain lessens. What a strange thing of this world. He closes his eyes for just a moment, still a bit in awe of a torture he's suffered for two millennia can be eased with something so simple.
...then Aether mentions something else to speak about that might make him worry, and Xiao's features turn cold once again. He steps back so that their touch break and he can focus on the other man's expression. ]
What is it?
...then Aether mentions something else to speak about that might make him worry, and Xiao's features turn cold once again. He steps back so that their touch break and he can focus on the other man's expression. ]
What is it?
Edited 2025-10-16 13:40 (UTC)
[He watches Xiao ease and calm and Aether simply smiles. It's such a simple gesture, yes, and it makes him happy it's working so well. He's planning to continue on for a moment later...
...But Xiao steps away from him.
Aether frowns.]
I'm not sure if you've heard about vampires from Vanitas?
[Is this a good way to start this conversation? He feels like it's not.]
...But Xiao steps away from him.
Aether frowns.]
I'm not sure if you've heard about vampires from Vanitas?
[Is this a good way to start this conversation? He feels like it's not.]
[ Xiao watches Vanitas in silence as he speaks, and thinks about it for a moment. He has absolutely no interest in making 'allies' with his man, and would have been happy to just ignore his existence for the rest of his time in this place.
Still. Aether would want them to be civil, he knows that. It's just not easy to simply brush away insinuations of assaulting the Traveler like that. No matter how untrue it was.
For Aether, though... ]
You can call me Adeptus Xiao. I am the Conqueror of Demons and the chosen weapon of Mor... Zhongli, former Geo Archon and God of Contracts.
Still. Aether would want them to be civil, he knows that. It's just not easy to simply brush away insinuations of assaulting the Traveler like that. No matter how untrue it was.
For Aether, though... ]
You can call me Adeptus Xiao. I am the Conqueror of Demons and the chosen weapon of Mor... Zhongli, former Geo Archon and God of Contracts.
[ Sorry, Traveler. He wants to focus completely if there's something serious to discuss, and with his body screaming someone is touching you to him despite the fact that it's not a danger is quite distracting.
It's a loaded question, in any case. He literally thought about Aether and his selflessness when Vanitas described them and mentioned that they need consent. ]
I did. I told him they sounded similar to some demons, but he corrected me.
It's a loaded question, in any case. He literally thought about Aether and his selflessness when Vanitas described them and mentioned that they need consent. ]
I did. I told him they sounded similar to some demons, but he corrected me.
[That lull in the conversation leaves Vanitas hopeful; it's not an outright 'no', which is a step in the right direction. So he waits patiently for Xiao to consider the offer and his options, banking on the fact that Aether's happiness has more sway that his own idiotic words.
And it pays off in the end. With the reintroduction, he all but beams, looking probably far too pleased for one who was shitting on the man not long ago.]
Xiao, then. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm Vanitas, Kin of the Vampire of the Blue Moon, and a perfectly ordinary human! Would you like to try some of this?
[He offers up the almond treat with raised, hopeful brows. And just for good measure:]
Aether made it together with me.
And it pays off in the end. With the reintroduction, he all but beams, looking probably far too pleased for one who was shitting on the man not long ago.]
Xiao, then. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm Vanitas, Kin of the Vampire of the Blue Moon, and a perfectly ordinary human! Would you like to try some of this?
[He offers up the almond treat with raised, hopeful brows. And just for good measure:]
Aether made it together with me.
[Okay, so they talked about that, likely before Vanitas decided to start playing his games. At the very least Xiao understands that vampires aren't like demons.]
Did he also tell you about his vampire companion who is here?
[Then he quickly adds:]
He's nothing like Vanitas, don't worry. If anything, I would describe him as someone almost... child like? Very eager to go exploring, enjoys listening to all kinds of stories, but also definitely doesn't want to hurt anyone and gets worried when even thinking about it.
Did he also tell you about his vampire companion who is here?
[Then he quickly adds:]
He's nothing like Vanitas, don't worry. If anything, I would describe him as someone almost... child like? Very eager to go exploring, enjoys listening to all kinds of stories, but also definitely doesn't want to hurt anyone and gets worried when even thinking about it.
[ It was a bit confusing a first, but he gets it now. In all honesty they had a fairly decent (for Xiao) discussion before things went very badly downhill. ]
Yes. He said he had a travel companion that was a vampire.
[ That apparently likes sweets, and that's all he really knows about Noe. ]
I see. Why are you bringing him up?
Yes. He said he had a travel companion that was a vampire.
[ That apparently likes sweets, and that's all he really knows about Noe. ]
I see. Why are you bringing him up?
[ Xiao's deadpan expression doesn't really change - he's never been the kind to smile easily. Still, he's offered this olive branch only for Aether's sake, and it seems to have worked. Now it all just depends on Vanitas' mouth.
He takes in the almond tofu offered again, and when the man says Aether helped him make it, it is more palatable in his eyes. He wouldn't trust something Vanitas made on his own. ]
Very well. You can put it on the car once I have moved back, and then return to your current spot.
[ The wind picks up and he hops back a few other car-lengths. ]
He takes in the almond tofu offered again, and when the man says Aether helped him make it, it is more palatable in his eyes. He wouldn't trust something Vanitas made on his own. ]
Very well. You can put it on the car once I have moved back, and then return to your current spot.
[ The wind picks up and he hops back a few other car-lengths. ]
[For his part, Vanitas is doing everything he can to maintain a reasonable attitude and not be his usual condescending self. He, too, wishes to make Aether happy, and is working double time to ensure that happens.
It seems that informing Xiao of Aether's involvement was the correct move, like the traveler surmised. It's enough to make Vanitas smirk slightly, but he maintains his politeness all the same.]
Ah, that's right. You have some kind of corruption or something, don't you? ...is it merely an affliction which hurts those around you, or do you yourself suffer because of it?
[It's said as he walks up to the car and deposits his gift before going back to where he was, crossing his arms.]
It seems that informing Xiao of Aether's involvement was the correct move, like the traveler surmised. It's enough to make Vanitas smirk slightly, but he maintains his politeness all the same.]
Ah, that's right. You have some kind of corruption or something, don't you? ...is it merely an affliction which hurts those around you, or do you yourself suffer because of it?
[It's said as he walks up to the car and deposits his gift before going back to where he was, crossing his arms.]
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