The Last Yaksha

“Visions? Desire? Ha. Do not judge adepti by your mortal ideals. I have no desire.”

Independent Xiao Roleplay Blog

Xiao appearing with a polearm at the ready was expected and Aether gave an awkward chuckle when the other seemed to look around before putting it away. While Aether didn’t mind calling on Xiao in the middle of battle, perhaps he wanted the other to also think about… coming without some kind of prompting in the future too. That might take some time though and a lot of future bribes of almond tofu… 

He only awkwardly chuckled when Xiao semi-scolded him, waiting out the storm before just passing over the plate to the yaksha who had clearly been eyeing it since it was made apparent. For all the stern words and dismissiveness that came from the other, Xiao always ate like a starved man - pausing once only to seemingly taste the dish before shoveling a bunch down like it was going to disappear the minute he stopped. What was that thing that Xiangling said? That it was satisfying watching someone enjoy your cooking? He had to laugh a little when Xiao finally slowed down. 

“You’ve gotta breathe a little when you’re eating, you know. It’ll still be there even if you take a break - but hey, I’m glad you liked it! I can make more for you in the future too, if you want.” At the other’s question, he paused to rub at his chin. 

“Ah - erm, I didn’t really have much of a plan. But um! You said you haven’t really been there in a while, right? I’m sure there’s plenty of things that’ve changed since then! Thought we could just… walk around and erm, see it? And we can get food and even pop by to see a um, certain funeral parlor consultant if you’re feeling up for it?” 

Xiao awkwardly cleared his throat and placed the empty plate on the railing. It balanced precariously, but Xiao didn’t give it another thought. He crossed his arms and looked away. “There’s no need for you to make more. I have no need to eat,” Xiao said in a gruff voice, “but if you insist, I will accept more at a later time.” Aether looked so happy to see him eat, Xiao felt a little warm seeing his smile. Being happy at someone simply eating? Xiao can’t wrap his head around the emotions of such a trivial thing.

“It has been centuries since I’ve been to Liyue Harbor. I doubt I would recognize much,” he said at Aether’s response before furrowing his brows at the last suggestion. “There’s no need to visit the funeral parlor. Re- ...Zhongli would summon me if he needed me. There is no need to inconvenience him otherwise.” The age of adepti may be over according to his god, but Xiao can’t really accept that. His contract with Zhongli is still in effect whether he wants to retire or not. Xiao will continue to fight against evil until his very soul is destroyed.

But alas, Xiao was well aware of that and there was no need to linger on such thoughts. He uncrossed his arms and started walking out the exit and to the elevator. “Come, we should leave immediately before the sun becomes too hot.”

@lastyaksha​ / unplotted but planned starter

That brief conversation that the two of them had in the teapot had really made another home in Aether’s mind as of late. To begin with, having a conversation with the other almost felt like a bit of a breakthrough - Aether could remember when the only times that Xiao would ever speak were in the midst of battle or when explaining something adeptus related before a battle. Granted the other clearly didn’t look the most comfortable doing something that didn’t involve some kind of fighting, but that’s why Aether was here, right?! 

In his heart of hearts, he wanted Xiao to experience something besides the endless slaughter that seemed to be commonplace in his life. There had been glimpses of a softer side that Aether had been lucky enough to see from time to time - and he wanted to see them more, wanted Xiao to feel like he could expose those more vulnerable parts of himself to him. 

“Ahem - um, great adeptus Xiao?” He gave a brief pause, surely Xiao had heard him. Calling with that title felt a little dumb, especially when he was just standing on the rooftop balcony with a fresh plate of almond tofu in his hands. 

“Are you uh, ready to go to Liyue Harbor? I brought some food for the road.” 

Aether had just finished his sentence when Xiao appeared in front of him. While he didn’t have his mask on, his polearm was out just in case Aether was calling for help in battle rather than their planned meeting. A quick glance showed that there was no danger and Xiao dispelled his weapon in a flash of jade. Xiao crossed his arms and allowed himself to relax.

“There’s no need for such formalities at this point,” Xiao said. ‘Great adeptus?’ It was almost enough to make his eyes roll. “Nor is there a need to bring food...” Xiao continued, eyeing the rather delicious-looking almond tofu. Well, since Aether made it anyways, it would be rude not to eat it. Xiao accepted the almond tofu and immediately started digging into it. With just one bite, his eyes widened and let the taste linger in his mouth before swallowing. It was quite possibly the best almond tofu Xiao had eaten in his life. Two more spoonfuls and Xiao could quite possibly melt on the top of Wangshu Inn in bliss. A jolt brought him back to the present as he saw Aether looking expectantly at him. Xiao cleared his throat. “...It’s good,” he murmured, taking more precise movements to eat slower.

[Open RP]

The sun rose over Liyue signaling the start of a new day, a light breeze the only thing interrupting an otherwise calm and quiet morning. Xiao sat on the highest rooftop of the Wangshu Inn, watching the sun rise in it’s pleasant glory. It was a sight seen many times over the millennia of protecting Liyue, but each morning always seemed unique from all the previous. This was the only time that Xiao allowed himself a true period of rest. He had spent the night patrolling and the day before slaughtering demons. If there was no rest for the wicked, there was no rest for those who exterminate the wicked.

The wind shifted, signalling a change in the environment. Xiao was in tune with the wind, letting it tell it’s tale to him. A person was approaching the Inn and while Xiao could tell the wind was excited, he couldn’t make out if the person was friend of foe. Summoning his polearm just in case, Xiao stood up on the roof and disappeared into the wind before reappearing right in front of the visitor at the bottom of the Inn.