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The first time Xiao met Venti, it was during an informal meeting between the Archons. Barbatos' presence stood out due to his wide spread wings and the jovial smile that adorned his lips, he was very different from Alatus, who did his best not to stand out and stabilize on the sidelines. The young Adeptus still did not understand the reason for these meetings, but Rex Lapis had suggested that he attend one and he would not reject a word from him.
"So…this is Alatus?"
Despite having felt his approach, the golden eyes did not rise until the youthful and melodious voice was heard. Gold met teal. In that instant, the Adeptus' rationality turned to wondering why the Archon of Liberty had flown to him instead of using his feet, maybe he didn't want to go around the lake?
He gave a slight nod to express his respect.
―General Alatus, it is an honor to meet you, Archon Barbatos.
―Oh. ―The winged one landed softly in front of him and gave him a raised eyebrow. ―I think you spend a lot of time with Morax, you should relax.
The Yaksha didn't know what to answer, but fortunately, Rex Lapis approached them.
―Don't bother him, Barbatos. ―The Geo Archon saw the Adeptus ―I'm glad you came, Alatus. You should come over and say hello to the rest.
―They seem to be having fun... ―He glanced at the table where the Archons were laughing and toasting― I don't want to intrude.
The brown haired man sighed and crossed his arms. ―Alatus…
The named lowered his head to escape the silent reproach of his savior, a pinch of guilt settled in his heart for his problems interacting with others. Although he had been with The Geo Archon for almost fifty years, the mentality of being a weapon had not yet faded. He doubted that he would ever be able to rid himself of that thought.
―Oh, if that's what you're worried about, I know of a good method to lighten the mood! ―Said that, The Anemo Archon summoned a harp in his hands. Alatus looked at him in confusion, not understanding what he was up to. The winged one gave him a smile. ―Nothing like a song to ward off evils.
For a moment, the Yaksha believed that the prayer had a hidden message, dedicated only to him.
A single note was played and everyone present turned their heads to witness the performance of The Anemo Archon. Barbatos closed his eyes and his fingers began to move with a fluidity similar to the current of air, letting each note join the previous one. The smiles of the spectators were present; Alatus was mesmerized by the melody that reminded him of dreams. His mind went blank, and the feelings of self-loathing that filled his heart were suffused with a warmth he didn't know. Suddenly, the small secluded corner in which they were found began to fill up with the rest of those present who sat around the musician.
In a moment, blue-green eyes widened and gave him their attention. The Anemo Archon had fulfilled his goal of helping him get closer to others, attracting them like butterflies looking for honey.
The tune ended and the Archons applauded. The musician dropped his instrument and went to the Yaksha.
―Now you can talk to the rest.
Alatus nodded, not knowing how to respond.
The winged being gave him a smile and approached his fellow Archons. ―Oh, by the way ―he said as he took a step, ―If one day you want to talk, send a message with the wind. I will be happy to answer.
For the next few days, Alatus thought about the words of The Anemo Archon; more curious for the fact that they could communicate through the wind than for the invitation to be closer. For as long as he could remember, he used the wind to sense where his enemies were or where there were humans in danger, however, he never thought that his element could be used to talk to someone.
One night, sitting in the middle of the Liyue Mountains, he decided to try to communicate with The Archon. He wondered if he should just talk to the air or do something else. He looked at his feet and found a chingxin flower. Without much thought, he took it and plucked the soft petals. He whispered a simple "hello" and blew them into the wind to see if they reached their recipient. Just to be sure, he used Anemo to send them to Mondstadt.
He watched the white petals recede into the distance, until he sensed danger near a village. He left the place with the concern of whether it was appropriate to leave without waiting for an answer.
Only a couple of days later the mystery was resolved. As he surveyed the nation's wastelands an unnatural breeze caught his eye. He turned and raised his head, noticing three dandelion seeds flying into the air and falling gently to rest in his hands.
At the same time that the seeds touched his skin, a feeling of welcome and joy invaded him, as if someone whispered in his ear a "hello, how are you?" Puzzled, Alatus inspected the items. Understanding came and he closed his eyes to answer.
―Well, Lord Barbatos… I hope your nation is safe.
As if someone had summoned him, a breeze blew up and blew the dandelions from his hands. Disappointment invaded the warrior; he wished he had kept that unusual letter.
The messages continued, sometimes conveying joy, worries, bitterness and euphoria, at others, they were surprised with the melodies of a harp or the relaxing tune of a flute.
However, suddenly the messages went unanswered and concern invaded the Yaksha. He couldn't get away from his duties, so he confided his concerns to his Archon.
Morax, still mourning the death of his dear friend Guinzhong, gave him a sympathetic look.
―Barbatos is sleeping, Alatus. He spent a lot of energy. ―Noticing the growing woe of his Adeptus, the Archon continued. ―He will wake up once he has recovered his strength, I assure you that then he will return as if he had not been absent for a single day.
Alatus kept that promise close to his heart. Sometimes he found himself closing his eyes, trying to feel the breezes coming from Mondstadt or listening in the distance to conversations of foreigners talking about the nation of freedom.
Nearly a century later, he was surprised to break up a fight only to find dandelion seeds filling his surroundings. Joy and hope were present. He felt unworthy to touch the little messages of the Archon with his bloodstained hands, but the desire to hear the melodious voice won over his hesitation.
He grabbed a seed and the voice echoed around him.
―It's been a long time, how have you been?
Alatus smiled and looked around for a response. There were no chingxin flowers nearby, but there were crystal bells. He took one and spoke in a more lifeless voice than he would have expected.
―Welcome back, Anemo Archon… I am now called “Xiao”.
The flower traveled through the air, past cliffs and ravines, forests and rivers, until it reached the streets of Mondstadt. A green-robed bard caught the flower and smiled.
―Xiao, heh? It's a good name… ―Eager to continue the conversation, he plucked a sweet flower from the ground. ―Call me "Venti" It's a pleasure to meet you again.
The Archon continued on his way, but stopped when he noticed flowers and petals of different colors appearing one after another. He picked one up and his eyes widened. He couldn't help but laugh at the touching gesture. He had sent several messages to Xiao just to play a prank on him, but the Yaksha began to reply to all the messages, one by one. That day, the Archon's heart beat faster than it had in many decades.
Over the next few days, both Anemo users exchanged messages, almost making up for the number of days they went without speaking.
Decades passed, generations of humans changed. Both were comforted by the loss of loved ones and sent sincere encouragement to the other. Sometimes Xiao felt that his Karmic debt was getting out of control and he thought he could hear Venti's harp calming him down in the distance. In others, Venti suspected that its citizens evaded danger on their journeys to Liyue more by outside help than by fortune.
Khaenri'ah fell, talks cut short by The Anemo Archon's rest and Yaksha's overwork. There was a lot to sort out after that tragic event.
Once the two were able to get back in touch, the awkwardness triumphed. That war that had changed them and other immortals. The fear of being honest or not understanding the other prevented them from speaking again.
How should they resume the conversation? What were they to say?
For the bard, the solution came in the form of a shooting star.
For the Yaksha, the solution came in the form of a melody.
Amid the hubbub of the Lantern Rite preamble, a melody he had only heard once in person reached the Yaksha's ears. His heart fluttered, and for the first time, he ignored the Traveler's voice calling his name.
They were both coming from the same spot, but their feet ran from the music, not the voice.
His fingers danced the harp, wondering if his tunes would be louder than his accompanist's voice.
Suddenly, the air changed.
Gold and teal met.
―Xiao, you did come! ―Paimon yelled, but they both ignored him.
―Hello, Xiao, how have you been? ―The Yaksha tried his best to give the Traveler his attention, but it was impossible.
The green-robed bard approached him and extended his hand. He smiled, and it was clear in his eyes that he wanted to amuse himself by feigning ignorance.
―So… you are Xiao? I've heard a lot about you.
The Adeptus' heart pounded, he smiled weakly. He wasn't sure if he achieved the expected expression, as the little fairy yelled “Xiao is smiling more than usual!”
He shook hands with the Archon, the softness and warmth spreading from his palm to his chest.
―My name is Xiao, it is an honor to meet you, bard of Mondstadt.
Venti smiled widely and nodded. Xiao was sure that he had not imagined that blush on the Archon's cheeks.
Neither of them wanted to let go of their hands.