Sibling of a Qilin

Define fail

Waiting through the entire auction, simple enough..

Perhaps the time ticking down was what drove you insane. You longed for someone, as selfish as it may seem you wished Xiao was by your side instead of the traveler.

An hour or so later the same treasure hoarders that originally took the vision pulled you both aside. "Hand over the money first," The guy demanded, in which Aether summoned a bag of money. The man counted everything carefully, eyeing you with a vicious grin.

"Here's your vision, take care of it." The man smirked, waving with a chummy smile. You clenched your fists whilst you two were walking away from the scene.

"I wanted to end him right there," You say with a fiery passion, in which Aether shrugs. "Sometimes your enemies are just trying to make it to the end," Aether explained, you raised a brow. Turning to make eye contact with him, yet he seemed busy.

With a calm yet disturbed expression, you pause, no longer walking. "What are you hiding, traveler?" Aether waved his hand dismissively, "Can I show you something before we head to Wangshu inn?" The traveler asked, your suspicion grew, the idea of the famed traveler having a dark secret intrigued you.

"Alright, where to?" You asked with a grin, the blond pointed to Mt. Aocang. Which was barely peeking over the hills in front of you.

"There's a place, right near the shore to its right. I'd like to take you there." Aether explained, holding out his hand with a sweet smile. You looked down at the vision that was attached to your hip.

Perhaps, this should be a thank you gift. "Let's go then," you said with a smile. Aether's eyes lit up, shining like bright stars. "Lead the way traveler~" you teased, the blond gently grabbed your hand and took a map out of nowhere.

Appearing before you both was a map of Liyue, in which he traced his finger to a place and tapped the map twice. To your surprise the devices Xiao was talking about really were the traveler's way of transportation.

Mouth agape, you stared at the traveler in awe. The traveler chuckled and then put the map back where it belonged. Before you both a big pond with a stretch of land in front with a tall tree. In the water's reflection was the moon hovering above.

Petals dance on wind,
The evening with its devilish grin,
Bark with stories untold,
The eroding from mold

All of which had caught your eye, behind you was a domain in which many sought. The traveler let out playful laughter. "You look like you enjoy the view wayfarer," Aether said, you nodded your head.

"Liyue is such a captivating place, I'm glad to reside here." You hummed, though the scenery was beautiful the Vigilant Yaksha was stuck in your mind. Images of you flashed in your mind, all the while a slight red graced your cheeks. "Xiao," You murmured to no one in particular, the name had slipped out so quickly. He was probably off doing work.

You quickly shake the thought of Xiao when Aether taps your shoulder. You turn to face him and to your surprise, his face is inches away from yours.

"Wayfarer, I'm in love with you."

You freeze, when did this happen? You're not too sure yourself, the traveler acts too fast, placing a chaste kiss on your cheek. You want to say something, something more. Moments pass in silence and the traveler bows his head. "You never asked for anything from me. It felt so good to have someone there with me. But I see it now, the look on your eyes and movements. You have someone else on your mind... don't you?"

The traveler looked up at you with glossy eyes, running a hand through the loose strands of his braided hair. You were at a loss of words, a peck on the cheek then he starts apologizing. More importantly, he had fallen for you?!

You knew you were somewhat attractive, at least from what your friend used to say about you. However, this, the predicament in front of you, how hard it is to explain...

"It's as you say, I'm courting another." You murmured, the traveler put on a hopeful smile. "You got this wayfarer, you are a strong person, I wish you luck on whoever you wish to court... I'm going to head home now. I trust you'll get back to your home safely?" The traveler was obviously hurt, though you admire him for hiding it and focusing on your safety.

"I will be fine, thank you, traveler." You say, the blond nods his head and starts to walk away from the ledge you were standing on.

Caught in the light of the full moon,
Colors blur, something doesn't feel right, perhaps something lurks.

You shake your head, the busy day has made you unable to correlate. You let out a yawn and close your eyes, headed back to the Adepti lands. Hopefully, in the morning you'll find a solution of what to do next.

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Xiao POV
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Slicing down enemies one by one, hilichurls piled by the tons. As the last of the threats were killed, the voice of yours wrung through my mind.

I look at the enemies before me, then back in the direction where I heard my name being called. "Perhaps Wayfarer requires an escort home." I thought, quickly putting away my weapon and heading off into the direction your voice came from.

I appeared in a tree, peering down at wherever the call came from. I heard no speaking, therefore I went closer, soon I was hiding to the side of a domain. I watched closely as Wayfarer and the traveler enjoyed the view.

I glance back at the Adeptus, my eyes widening in shock as I see what seems to be both of them kissing each other. I quickly duck back into the darkness, had they both been acquainted with each other? Perhaps, the traveler and wayfarer? Tch, why must I worry about what Y/N thinks.

I quickly leave that place, my heartfelt as if I had fought several enemies at a time. As if karma had begun to eat at my insides. The immeasurable and immense pain I am forced to endure, all are similar to this indescribable agony.

Years after perfecting my craft it still isn't enough to defend me in battle. This gripping pain is unable to make me feel at ease, I had forgotten where I was. Which was the room in Wangshu inn, I click my tongue and walk to the cabinet. Taking two pills and swallowing them, a bitter taste frolicked in my mouth.

I then lay on the bed, too comfortable to breathe. Yet the warmth emitted from this mortal-made mattress was endearing. I look up at the ceiling with a blank expression as a tear leaves the corner of my eye.

What a nuisance...