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“Ganyu,” Xiao calls from behind Ganyu, whose bow is aimed at the target before her. “Watch the strength of your adeptal energy. You can’t let it affect the humans around you, even if you’re focusing.”
“Yes, sir.” She frowns in concentration, and the haze of energy around her lessens. Despite being only half an Adepti, the burden of her energy could still overwhelm a weak or unaware human, and Xiao is there to keep an eye on her, as well as to serve as a representative of the Liyue Adepti. However, his first visit to Khaenri’ah is uneventful, from the garish welcoming banquet to their splendid lodgings, no less luxurious than the palace in Liyue Harbor, but in a drastically different style.
Except for that encounter in the forest. Hair spun from gold and molten amber eyes, the young man he met was gorgeous. But was he truly human? When Xiao left the forest, he was told that no one enters because humans are not welcome. So while Xiao as an Adepti was fine, could a young human truly leave unscathed? Perhaps he was a fairy that Xiao has heard the locals talking about.
Xiao shakes his head. Impossible. It’s more likely that he was the truant prince he’s heard the knights talking about, the one who abuses his blessings to run off and explore areas not welcome to humans. In his recollection, the young man looked quite a bit like the princess he met at the welcoming banquet, with eyes of the same color and a similar face. But somehow, the young man’s face continues to hover in the back of his mind. Perhaps it’s the contrast between the princess’s stoic and cold features and his playful and vivid expressions.
A murmur sweeps through the crowd, interrupting his thoughts. Looking up, his eyes land on the now bowed local knights; before them stands the golden haired young man. Xiao moves to stand as the prince waves for the knights to be at ease. Their eyes meet, and to Xiao’s surprise, the prince smiles and makes a beeline for him.
“Ah, it’s the mister from the other day.” His voice is warm and lighthearted, a sharp contrast to the measured tight-lippedness of the princess Xiao met before him.
“My apologies, I was discourteous the other day.” Xiao bows his head. “I was unaware of your identity.”
“Not at all, I didn’t introduce myself.” His laughter is like wind chime on a breezy day. “My name is Aeth-”
“Prince Aether, second in line for the throne of Khaenri’ah,” Xiao interrupts. Aether looks genuinely surprised, amber eyes wide.
“I was hoping you’d have more of a shock.” Aether laughs again. It’s a sound that Xiao doesn’t tire of. Laughter isn’t something he hears often, but it stirs butterflies in his stomach. It feels strange.
“Mr. Xiao, are you here to train?” While Xiao is distracted by the strange feeling, Aether continues on. “I can’t say so for myself, but our knights are well trained.”
Xiao shakes his head. “I’m here to oversee the training of my companion.” He nods to Ganyu, who’s demeanor is suddenly less nervous and much more professional. Her energy properly held in, she bows politely.
“Greetings, Prince Aether. I’m Ganyu of Liyue’s delegation, and the Qixing’s secretary.”
Aether hesitates for a moment, and Xiao can see the uneasiness in his eyes. Ganyu seems to notice as well, and she smiles kindly. “Is something wrong?”
“Not ab— at all!” Aether fumbles his words a bit. “It’s an honor for you and the Tianquan of the Qixing to be here.” He too bows his head. There’s relief in his eyes, like he’s just remembered something he forgot. “I’ve heard of the changes in the structure of Liyue’s rule. It must be difficult for the two of you to manage.”
“Not at all!” Ganyu replies, her voice a bit perkier now that she’s talking about a comfortable topic. “There’s a lot for us to handle, including a change in infrastructure, but it’s wonderful to see Liyue growing as it is.” Aether looks at Xiao for a response.
“I’m relatively unrelated to any change in structure.” Xiao says reluctantly. His primary job is to purge monsters; there is little that he does politically. Even this visit to Khaenri’ah happened only at the insistence of his master. A sort of vacation, Zhongli called it. Even the other ambassadors from Liyue were wary of his presence.
“That’s good, politics are awfully boring.” Aether laughs again. The bell-like sound is soothing, relaxing him. The corners of Xiao’s lips twitch upwards ever so slightly. That is certainly something he can agree with.
“Your Highness, you seem to be having fun.” A deep voice rumbles from behind Aether. A knight, who Xiao recalls from his introduction earlier as Dainsleif, appears. “I know you’re enjoying your conversation with the guests, but it’s time for your swordsmanship lessons.” Xiao watches Aether stifle a groan, a small frown on his face. They seem close, and it disturbs Xiao’s normally stable heartbeat.
“Surely conversing with the guests is just as important, if not more so, as my sword training?” His face dons a brilliant and evasive smile, one that Dainsleif brushes off with a roll of his eyes.
“If you care so much to interact with them, perhaps they’d be willing to train with you?” Dainsleif responds sardonically. Aether cringes, clearly not happy with the direction this is going in. Dainsleif turns to Xiao.
“I would be happy to oblige, if you’ll have me.” Xiao responds perhaps a little too eagerly. “I’m at least knowledgeable in the martial arts.”
Xiao feels an unknown tension release from his shoulders as he grabs for a quarterstaff that leans against the stone wall. He’s finally able to do something he’s comfortable with. Xiao kicks the end into the air, twirling it with a flourish before stamping the bottom against the ground.
Aether’s eyes widen for a moment before he smiles, holding a hand out as Dainsleif hands him a wooden sword. “Much obliged.” His voice is much lighter now. It seems he’s eager as well.
Xiao moves to face him in the middle of the grounds, the soft breeze stirring tiny whirlwinds of dust as it cools the warm spring air. A quiet murmur rises among the knights on the grounds as they gather around. Out of the corner of his eye, Ganyu’s form is hunched just a bit, her eyes concerned. Is she worried he will lose control or hurt Aether? Xiao huffs quietly before turning his attention to Aether. He certainly doesn’t need her concern.
Aether’s golden hair glitters even more brilliantly in the full sunlight, dazzling in Xiao’s eyes like the sunrise on Liyue Harbor’s sea. He readies his staff before him, and Aether moves his sword to rest comfortably by his side.
“Will you be alright, not in stance?” Xiao asks him, honestly a bit annoyed that Aether would take him lightly. If nothing else, Xiao knows his way around the battlefield, and even objectively he knows he isn’t to be underestimated.
“I’ll be fine.” Aether’s words are coy, almost cocky.
“Very well then.”
Without hesitation Xiao steps in, plunging the end of the staff directly towards Aether’s sternum. It’s faster than he intends, and he pulls himself back a bit. To his surprise, though, Aether deftly knocks his staff to the side with the back of his sword, the wooden pole whooshing past his shoulder instead of colliding with Aether’s chest. With a smirk, Aether steps in with his own lunge, aimed for Xiao’s neck. Xiao jerks his head back, the sword grazing the tip of his nose.
He’s fast, Xiao thinks to himself, watching Aether through his lashes as he rights himself, keeping his center of balance low as he pulls back his staff. They stand still for a moment, just watching each other. To Xiao’s surprise Aether’s eyes are much more serious. They still have their playful twinkle, but they more resemble his sister’s, stern and full of focus.
So this is what he’s like when he’s serious. Xiao can’t help but let the corner of his lip curl up. How interesting .
He swings towards Aether’s side with more force this time, and Aether parries it beautifully, sending the force down and away towards the ground, and in one fluid movement stepping further in to aim for Xiao’s wrist. Pulling up with his strength, Xiao deflects Aether’s sword, pulling his staff in, shortening its reach. Moving a hand towards the back of his staff, Xiao lets loose a flurry of hits towards Aether’s torso, who deftly steps to the side, releasing a vertical strike against Xiao’s shoulder. Ganyu gasps, and Xiao can understand why. It’s been years since he’s last had someone land a hit on him, other than his master.
Xiao shrugs off the blow. It stings but he’s been hit by much worse. He quickly steps in for another thrust. The clap of wood against wood is satisfying to hear echo throughout the otherwise silent grounds. His heart thumps as sweat beads and falls through his brow. Xiao hasn’t felt this elated while sparring in a long time; not many can keep up with his speed, but Aether is able to follow and parry him blow for blow. His sweat makes the staff slip in his hands, and he grips it ever tighter as he swings up to guard against an attack at his left leg, knocking the sword from Aether’s grip. It falls to the ground with a loud clatter, the air dead silent.
Sweat glistens on Aether’s brow as he laughs breathlessly. A man arrives to his side, offering a towel. “You’re much better than I was expecting, Mr. Xiao.” He reaches a hand out to the towel, then wiping off his face. When Aether looks up again, his hair has strayed from its neat braid, and his cheeks are tinted a cherry red. “Thank you very much for this training session.”
“No, thank you. You far exceeded my expectations.” Xiao bows his head. A towel is offered to him as well and he gratefully receives it, wiping his brow.
“Oh?” Aether cocks an eyebrow, smiling. “Did you think I was just a coddled little prince?”
Xiao shrugs wearily. He frankly did, but got a pleasant surprise.
“It was very enjoyable.” Xiao’s lips almost form a proper smile, the first he’s had in a while. His heart is still racing, pulsing in his ears. As Aether's smile turns to a small fairy hurtling through the air towards him, Xiao feels restless, but unsure why. He does know, however, that he wishes to spar with Aether again.
“Thank you for your time Mr. Xiao. I must go, but I hope you continue to enjoy your stay here.” Aether returns his amber gaze to Xiao, the look in his eyes back to that playful and sly glittering it had been when they first met. “I hope to see you again soon.”
“I do too.” Xiao is surprised to hear those words come from his throat. But they do, and he knows they’re true. Watching Aether walk towards the entrance to the training grounds, he can’t help but hope they will meet again soon.