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Soft birdsong hums through the air, slowly flooding the forest. Light filters through the foliage overhead, sprinkling down against Aether’s hair, causing it to glitter and shine like gold. He breathes in deeply, once, twice, and a third time.
The palace has been so stuffy and oppressive as the days draw nearer to his and Lumine’s birthday celebration. Servants bustle as they prepare for and welcome royal guests when they arrive. And he and Lumine were doing nothing but preparations, scrubbed and soaked daily with flowery water, hair brushed with oil, nails trimmed what felt like every moment, and hairs plucked from faces. So, evading his guard, Aetherslipped away to the forest around the guest palace.
At the snap of a twig Aether freezes, listening to the air. Beneath the birdsong he can oh-so-faintly hear the sound of footsteps. But they aren’t the rushed and frantic sounds of the palace guards searching for the missing prince, or the steady and near silent beat of Dainsleif’s steps as he slowly approaches to capture him. Instead, they’re hesitant, soft, the type of sound that is gently approaching a small creature.
Leaning through the leaves, Aether spots the creator of the sounds: a young man, breathtakingly beautiful, with his hand outstretched to a small gray rabbit, just larger than his fist. His sleek black hair is streaked with highlights of jade, reflecting the sunlight in an almost iridescent way, and he has bronzy skin and a build that speaks of hours spent in the sun and wind, training and fighting. His clothes are reminiscent of the Liyue style, but a little unorthodox.
At the soft rustling of Aether peering through the leaves, the young man’s head whips up, brilliant gold eyes meeting Aether’s own. “Who’s there?” His eyes narrow as he hisses, voice just loud enough for Aether to hear.
“I’m sorry!” Aether pushes through the brush, hands before him. The way the young man is instantly at attention and on the defensive makes Aether just a bit wary, not wanting to exacerbate the situation. “I was just on a walk.”
The man stares silently, eyeing him up and down. “... Name?” he says, his words curt. Aether remains silent. How would this man react if he knew who he was? But not saying anything just might be worse.
“I work here.” Not exactly a lie, but not really true. “No one worthy enough for a guest to know my name.” The man’s eyes narrow again, but his posture relaxes; it seems Aether was deemed unthreatening. “May I ask your name?” It is his turn to stay quiet for a moment.
“My name is Xiao, a vassal of the lord of Liyue, Rex Lapis, and a representative of Liyue.” As expected, he was from Liyue. Thinking back, Aether did recall some maids squealing about the guests from Liyue arriving, and how attractive they were. Xiao certainly is beautiful; he can’t claim that the maids exaggerated.
By now Aether can hear the frantic calls of the guards in the distance, and it’s finally time for him to return from his stroll. “I thank you, sir, for your time, but I should be going now.” Aether gives a small nod before turning back through the brush.
“Wait.” Aether stops when Xiao calls out. “What’s your name?”
“I’m sure you’ll find out soon.” He gives Xiao a wry smile before continuing on his way. The sounds of the guards began approaching and he didn’t want to try explaining himself at the moment. Perhaps he will explain later, but not now.
“Aether!” A shrill whisper comes from his side, startlingly close. Aether’s aide and friend, Paimon, pops up suddenly, hovering by his side. “Where have you been! Dains and Lumine have been losing their heads looking for you.”
“Just around,” Aether responds blithely. “How have you been, emergency food?”
“For the last time, Paimon isn’t emergency food!” Her tone is shrill as she protests Aether’s teasing smile, stamping a foot in midair.
“I know, I know.” Aether laughs. “Just remember to not tell anyone about my hiding place.”
“Of course not. Only you and Paimon can find our way through this forest.” Paimon floats lazily beside Aether, casually speaking as she tilts her head.
“Not quite.” Aether smiles again. “It seems a guest was able to make their way through here.The creatures here enjoy his presence.” The magical beasts in the area are sensitive to the intentions and thoughts of others, and so far only Aether and Paimon have been able to traverse the area safely. “He must be very gentle.”
“Gentler than you! I don’t know who else would joke about eating their friend.” Paimon elicits another chuckle from Aether.
“Don’t worry, you’re the only friend I’d joke about eating.” Aether gently ruffle’s Paimon’s hair, dodging her hands as she swats at him. “You trusted me enough to give me your blessing, so I know our friendship is stronger than a few jokes.”
“Those few jokes are told every time I’m introduced!” Her foot stamps the air as she continues to float beside him, artfully dodging the twigs and branches in her way. “Don’t make me take back my blessings!”
“Is that something you’re able to take back?” Aether raises an eyebrow.
“No… not as far as I know,” Paimon mutters sheepishly, shaking her head. Due to the thinning brush, more light filters through around them and Aether can better see her perplexed expression.
Pushing through the last of the branches and leaves, Aether comes face to face with a familiar mask.
“It seems you’ve enjoyed your unscheduled excursion.” Dainsleif’s voice is low and rumbling, like thunder about to come in. Normally, as the leader of the royal knights, Dainsleif is in a more dignified position than to chase after an errant prince, but he is truly the best at locating Aether, and often the job is left to him.
“I have, actually.” Aether’s response is lighthearted, more than one might expect in front of the irate knight. “I got to see something interesting.”
Dainsleif can only sigh, unable or unwilling to try following the free-spirited prince’s whimsy.
“The maids will be angry.” Dainsleif plucks a small twig that nestled itself in Aether’s hair. Aether raises a hand to his head, feeling the disarray his braided hair is in.
“They certainly will, won’t they,” he groans quietly, already able to hear the nagging he’ll receive when he returns to the main palace. Well, at least with his unruly hair and plain, dirt smudged clothes, he doesn’tlook like a prince in the least.
Turning back to the magic forest, Aether whispers. “I hope to see you soon, Mister Xiao.”