Work Text:
Yet another day conquering demons in the dark corners of Liyue. Xiao sighed, the strength in his legs falling out. It felt like there was never a day of rest for him. Just fight, and fight, and then seal away these demons where they can never come again. He would love to have a plate of Almond Tofu right now, but unfortunately he had drained too much energy today to even walk in a proper straight line. He had to sit for a while, and let the pain wear off.
Because he was usually alone, it wasn't always comfortable having to rest and get his energy back up in one place at a time. Sometimes it would start raining and he would get drenched sitting in a place where there is barely any shade. He even almost got struck by lightning a few times (not that Xiao couldn't handle it normally, but not in the state where he had just vanquished piles of demons). Sometimes the day would be unbearably hot. Sometimes he would just drift off into sleep and wake up with a very stiff neck. No, Xiao didn't enjoy this, but it was almost normal to him. As an adeptus, it was his duty to protect Liyue from those dangers that lie beyond the harbor. Vigilant Yaksha, he was. And he would do everything to honor that title.
Though his momentary rest was interrupted as he heard a rustle in the bushes. "Impossible!" He thought, grabbing onto his spear. "I had rid of all those demons, I even double checked.. perhaps one of them got away?" He, even with his weak body, got ready to pounce. There is never a moment where he can let his guard down. "Who's there?!" He shouted, wary of the possible creature that could be rustling in the bushes. He was definitely sure he had k1lled all those demons a while ago, why was there a disturbance now?
He didn't know that disturbance would come out of their hiding place so easily. He almost lifted his spear ready to attack the being, only to find a small little girl with a talisman on her head, holding a basket full of herbs. He found himself in silence.
Xiao doesn't deal well with talking to mortals. But now, one of them has accidentally come across him. Just like that. "Qiqi is here to gather herbs," said the little girl, now known as Qiqi. Xiao blinked, not knowing how to respond. "Qiqi came to rest here after her long journey, but I did not know you were already resting here. So Qiqi is sorry." She bowed politely. "Qiqi will leave if I make you uncomfortable."
Xiao gulped. He knew that there were a few abyss mages and hilichurls just down the road, and it would not be very much an honor to his contract if he made that girl leave for his own comfort (and Rex Lapis hated it when one broke contracts, Xiao would not like to remember some of those incidents again). "No, I'm fine. You can.. you can sit here, for a while," he awkwardly said. He wasn't used to talking to mortals, except for maybe traveler, though that individual was quite weird for a mortal, being able to control elements without a vision. Otherwise, he usually avoids them.
But with no strength in his body, he had no choice but to stay quiet as that little girl sat next to him. "Your name.. it is Qiqi?" He tried to make small talk. Qiqi nodded. "Qiqi does not remember a lot of things, but Qiqi remembers that she is Qiqi. And I like to gather herbs, for the Bubu Pharmacy at Liyue Harbor," she said, singlehandedly explaining her whole life purpose. So she is a child from Liyue Harbor. How irresponsible of the adults in charge of her, Xiao thought to himself. Letting a child go out by herself, when there are hilichurls, slimes, abyss mages, all sorts of monsters that could attack her.
"What is your name, gege?" Qiqi asked. "Though I'm sorry if I forget it. I'm very forgetful."
"My name is Xiao, conqueror of de-" He stopped himself, thinking that kind of title would scare a child. "Xiao, just Xiao."
"Xiao gege, why are you here alone?" Qiqi asked, putting down her basket of herbs. "You do not look well. Would you like Qiqi to treat you with herbs?" She offered. Xiao simply shook his head. No mortal medicine could ever cure his pain, but the innocence of the little girl was enough to take him aback.
"You need not bother yourself with giving me those herbs you worked hard to collect. I am fine just sitting like this," Xiao concluded. "Besides, your boss at Bubu Pharmacy will not be happy if he finds out you gave some of your herbs to a stranger." Business was important in Liyue, they are the Land of Contract after all.
"It's okay, Qiqi has another solution." Qiqi stood up, suddenly creating a small circle orb that floated around her. Xiao's eyes widened, not believing the sight before him. She pushed it unto Xiao, as he suddenly realized his body was healing. No longer did it feel tired, it felt like he could get up and run again. He looked at the girl once more and noticed a Cryo Vision on her hat. No wonder this girl was alone.. she was blessed with a Vision from an Archon itself. And yet, how does that describe the talisman on her head?
"It's not much, but Qiqi tried her best." She put her hands together, sitting back down. "However, maybe the herbs could have been better."
"They're giving Visions to children nowadays?" Xiao thought in his head. Archons themselves have gone through many wars to receive their seats. Xiao would know so much about that, Rex Lapis was especially strong in those old days. So much pain, so much suffering that comes with being able to manipulate elements. They say those that receive a Vision are blessed, to Xiao maybe not. Children should not be exposed to that kind of pain. He glanced at Qiqi. Not a child as small as her.
Over a hundred years ago, the Yakshas and the Adepti were having another war in the Adepti realm against the wicked demons. Little did they know a small child had slipped inside, unfortunately being caught in the fight. Xiao does not recall anymore that child's name, nor how she looked like, however he would always remember the guilt he felt seeing her dead body on the ground. That small child suffered. Because of him. Now that he had tried to recall it, he does remember that child was an herb gatherer, just like little Qiqi.
Even if she had a Vision, Xiao felt a strong urge to protect her. Never was he gonna let anyone, not an adepti, not a demon, ever hurt a small innocent child again. It was merely silence in the Adepti realm that day, when everyone decided to give a part of their strength to the little child in order to give her back their life they somehow took. But it all backfired as she went berserk. No mortal could handle that amount of power. In the end, Mountain Shaper had sealed her in amber, and nobody could ever bring it up again since.
To be a child full of innocence and wonder, Xiao wants to know how that feels. Being born a Yaksha and being surrounded by evil and death, no, he did not ever experience that childlike innocence. But the forgetfulness and the concern this child had, it made him wonder. He lifted his hand, wanting to pat her head like he sometimes saw traveler do to Paimon, but he stopped himself. He is the Bane of All Evil. How could he ever think of even slightly touching a child? These wretched hands that had been covered with the blood of so many demons? He will simply protect her from a safe distance.
Qiqi yawned. "Qiqi is tired, I will go back to Liyue in a short while, but not now," she said in her monotone voice. Xiao flinched as she suddenly looked at his lap, then back at him. "Gege, can I rest my head there?" She asked.
It was only a few minutes into the fresh afternoon. Xiao would make sure to get this child on the way home by sunset anyway. It's not safe being out where there are so many monsters waiting to eat you, even if this child could manipulate Cryo. But atleast for a little while, he will permit it. "You must get home soon. This place is unsafe," said Xiao. But Qiqi did not question him, just lying her head down on Xiao's lap, as she slowly drifted off to sleep.
Comfort.
Was it weird? Xiao felt comfort. From a small forgetful child with a talisman on her head. For a while, he suddenly forgot about everything. The pain, the darkness, the demons. He was just a boy sitting in the forest watching over a little vulnerable girl. Or perhaps he was the vulnerable one. Xiao lifted his sleeve, preventing the sun from shining on the girl's face. He just wanted her to be safe.
And there was nothing else.