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He's been seeing the same person in his dream for quite some time now. Ever since he was sent to this unknown world, a certain being keeps on appearing on his dreams. Aether, the traveler, didn't bother at first. He's used to seeing different unknown persons in the depths of his sleep.
Not until recently, a beautiful young man that gives off a rather complex vibe - cold, distant, mysterious yet vigilant started to visit his every dream. Not that the man looking straight at him intensely with those golden orbs as if Aether's a prey that's waiting to be hunted down, but because the man seems to be the type who wants to say something to him while holding a familiar illuminating thing on his hand - his very own vision.
Legends say that when a person you never met appears in your dreams holding your vision, that person is the one made for you by the heavens. Aether believes on that old legend and so he convinced himself that he will meet whoever that mysterious man soon.
And so he starts his new mission by traveling to Liyue for the Lantern Rite festival as he look out to every familiar figure that exudes the man on his dreams. Aether does his missions left to right for a good couple of days yet he wasn't able to see a glimpse of him anywhere. He's about to accomplish every mission assigned to him on the day of the festival. Sighing to himself, he goes to the last person to deliver the food as requested to him and the crowd starts growing to the open plaza, some are even rushing, gushing and running while holding different kinds of lantern as offering to the heart of this whole festivity.
"Maybe he's not here at all." Aether lets out a sigh of disappointment then he slaps himself with his palms to cheer up.
"There will always be another place." He holds his vision close to his heart. "Let's just enjoy this festival for now."
Aether looks for a spot as soon as he finished acquiring a lantern for himself. "See you soon." is what is written as his own lantern wish.
Due to the number of people in the plaza, he can't seem to find a perfect place near Liyue harbor so he just let his feet drag him until he reaches an overlooking spot to the harbor by the cliffside. He didn't see anyone there but it's fine with him as the view is perfect. Amused to the lanterns that starts flying beautifully to the sky, Aether freed his own lantern with noticing that he got a company of his own.
A familiar young man holding a mask of a Yaksha stands beside him, hums to himself as the lanterns reaches the sky then turn to look at him with a little curve of happiness on his face.
"I thought you won't make it today." Unfamiliar voice catches the traveler's attention as they are now staring at each other.
"It's good to finally meet you, my Aether." The yaksha holds his vision out for the traveler as the latter realizes what's happening.
Aether didn't noticed that his tears suddenly flowing on his cheeks until the man of his dreams wipes them away gently.
"Call me Xiao."