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#aether x xiao
anyanary · 3 months
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Happy new year! 🎉
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flowersimp · 1 year
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Anyways, ,,
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kingvoiddd · 6 months
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HIIIIIIII I grinded like 18 hours of Genshin to try and catch up to Fontaine and I'm almost there I just had to burn through like a few months worth of content haha (I'm almost out of sumeru trust)
So! Since I have Genshin on the brain, here's some Aether headcanons!!! + some doodles of him bc I love him and also Xiao x Aether canon I am Hoyo I said it myself.
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idcallmyselfhuman · 5 months
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just finished lyney's story quest. wow. yeah, okay, you guys were right. this man is in love. yep.
i think my favorite thing when it comes to genshin being so obvious about what they're implying is how hard they emphasize it. like they could have just left us to pick up the clues as to why lyney gave a rainbow rose specifically (especially after charlotte already explained what it meant at the start of the quest), but no, they just had to add a final scene to really say "THIS WAS INTENTIONAL. DON'T YOU DARE MISUNDERSTAND, THIS IS INTENTIONAL."
it's like that scene in moonlight merriment when they had paimon repeating xiao's name over and over without anything happening, but one call from aether made him appear immediately, all just to prove that xiao's promise was made just for aether.
it is simultaneously so funny and so charming.
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java-lava · 6 months
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I usually don’t ship genshin characters buuuutttttt
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They’re boyfriends your honor.
I love how Xiao refuses to do anything/go anywhere when asked until either he learns that the Traveler is going or the Traveler asks him themselves. Then he goes no questions asked.
I really love Xiao in this event!!!!!
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jupterwyx · 9 months
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•3•
inspired by [lessons in love (and how to fall)] on Ao3 by @jasspurr
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squidddds · 3 months
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aetheternity · 1 year
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So you're telling me Aether left Paimon for Xiao twice now his most trusted companion:
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During Perilous Trails when she was weak and exhausted: He then doesn't leave Xiao's side until Xiao falls asleep. And yet doesn't show the same concern for Itto who faints late on.
And
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During the newest epilogue dinner for LR where it made even less sense for him to leave her seeing as she wanted to come with him anyway and him and Xiao weren't even talking about anything secretive.
And I'm still supposed to believe they're just friends?? 😒 Like Xiao gets all this special treatment from Aether when has he ever left Paimon in the past to talk to a companion outside of when said companion specifically asks for his individualized attention?
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akai-genshin · 1 year
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falling-star-cygnus · 6 months
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XIAOTHER NATION IS WINNING IN THIS NEW EVENT
‼️SPOILERS FOR THE WATERBORNE POETRY EVENT‼️
hearing a couplet about the heart and immediately seeing xiao??
responding with xiao’s signature dish??
getting an actual speaking line about him??
hello!?
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fortheloveofarchons · 12 days
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Xiao being tipsy in front of Aether
Inspired by @kiboyr on Youtube! Go check them out!
C.W. - Paimon being a little shit - Xiao being a bit tipsy - Aether being the forward one - Kiss and make out (mild sexual content) - Past Zhongli/Guizhong - Guizhong dead - Mentioned Zhongli, Guizhong, Venti and Verr Goldet
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To my lovely traveller, 
The breeze combing through your hair today feels a little different, don't you think? A little sweet with a hint of grapes, right?
You must be wondering, you’re in Wangshu Inn, why would you feel my breeze? 
Hehe, that’s because I have left a gift for you. 
A few days ago, I paid a visit to this very same inn to try out their drinks, and guess who did I meet? 
If you’re guessing your beloved Vigilant Yaksha, you’re correct! Though he declined my offer for a few cups of drinks and company, I left him a gift and I told him this, 
“No takesies-backsies!” 
And I immediately left with the wind before he could process what’s happening. 
If you could smell it right now, I wouldn’t be surprised if you could pick a hint of sweetness in today’s wind. That’s because I left him a bottle of wine, haha! 
I know Xiao would only keep it instead of trying it, so I may have told a little lie that it may help with his karmic debt. I know, I know… it’s not good to lie about this. 
Still, wine and any kind of alcohol have been therapeutic to me. Almost like… a salvation. 
Nah, that was too strong of a word. 
So, if anything goes wrong with Xiao– in which the worst scenario is being tipsy, you can take care of him! 
How did I know you’d be here today? Well, a certain pretty bird told me– or rather, a pretty lady working in the inn told me about your upcoming visit. 
I do apologise for giving you this task which is partially my fault, but hey– at least you and Xiao can spend more time together, ehe! 
From your favourite bard, 
Venti. 
“Oh Venti…” Aether folds the letter neatly, letting out a sigh of resignation. 
Though, Paimon doesn’t notice the upward curve on Aether’s lips. 
“Hmm… Paimon doesn’t get why that tone-deaf bard is doing this,” Paimon says as Paimon floats in the air, munching on some cookies. “But we should check up on Xiao to see if he��s okay.” 
“Paimon, why don’t you let me handle this one?” Aether asks. 
“But Paimon wants to help!” Paimon stomps her feet in the air. “Hmph! You always leave Paimon alone when it comes to stuff like this! Paimon is not nosy, Paimon is just concerned!” 
“I know, Paimon…” Aether lets out a sigh once again. 
It’s just that you always say the wrong things at the wrong time… 
Aether could never forget that moment when Paimon, out of concern, asked about Navia’s parents whereabouts… even when Navia had told them both that they passed away years ago! 
Or how Paimon was so rude to Furina that Aether almost wanted to knock Paimon’s head. 
Paimon totally though you were just a bit of a diva at first. 
Oh, sounds like you’re really struggling to cope…  Ah, there it is. You don’t know how to cook! 
Oh… Right, Paimon totally forgot both your parents are dead. 
Even with that faint recollection, Aether’s ears feel red from remembering these moments. It wasn’t the first time for Paimon to say such insensitive words, and Aether is sure it wouldn’t be the last. 
“Paimon, why don’t you go and order some food?” 
“But–” 
Aether quickly brings up a small bag of mora from his inventory, shutting Paimon up instantly. The moment Paimon could hear the clinking sound of coins in the pouch, her eyes were shimmering like the stars tonight. 
“Thank you Aether!” Paimon gives Aether a hug that almost choked his neck, then grabs the bag of mora and finds herself a seat in Wangshu Inn to order what Paimon wants for today’s dinner. 
As soon as Paimon is out of his sight, the golden-haired traveller walks up to the lady named Verr Goldet, who is wearing a traditional, dark red, Liyue overcoat with gold accents and a chunky orange bracelet on each of her arms. 
“Welcome, traveller.” She smiles at him, just like how she would to any customers. “What’ll you have? We have dishes from both Mondstadt and Liyue, and our Almond Tofu is particularly popular.” 
“Then, I’d like a dish of almond tofu, please.” 
A few minutes later, the dessert is right in his hands. It has a silky-smooth texture with a long-lasting aroma of almond. Perfect for the adepti. 
He then quickly walks up to the inn’s topmost floor, where customers could see the whole view of Liyue: Rocky mountains that stands tall and proud alongside the stone forests, the open plains and lively rivers make up Liyue's bountiful landscape, all of which shows its unique beauty through each of the four seasons. 
As Aether could only hear the soft breeze, he called out a name, softly. 
“Xiao?” 
“You called my name, what do you need assistance with?” Aether quickly turns around to find the Vigilant Yaksha appearing in front of him, with hints of wispy black smoke. The first thing Aether instantly notices is the tint of blush around Xiao’s ears and cheeks. 
 “If you don’t need anything, then I shall take my leave. I don’t have time for your mortal ideals, humans do waste my time–” 
“Wait! I called you because…” Aether takes a deep breath before he continues, stretching out his hands to show him the dish. After all, he didn’t want Xiao to disappear on him again, which the yaksha would always disappear with a wispy black green smoke behind. 
Truly a signature move. 
“I want to give you almond tofu and… I’d like you to stay for a bit.” 
 “Huh? Almond tofu?” That made the Vigilant Yaksha’s ears perk up, raising an eyebrow. He looks up and down, both to Aether and the delectable dish in his hands. “You want me to stay in your presence…?”
Aether’s eyes shine bright like a puppy, twinking with pity. 
“Oh, fine . But only this once.” 
Settling himself onto a stool, the Vigilant Yaksha slowly chews onto his plate of almond tofu, savouring its silky sweetness. Meanwhile, the traveller sat right next to him, smugly stares at Xiao’s tipsy state as he continues to chew onto the tofu. Aether’s eyes follows the gentle movement of Xiao’s hands as he brought the porcelain spoon to his mouth, savouring each bite of his meal. 
“Why are you staring at me?” Xiao asks, noticing Aether’s burning stare on his left cheek. “You’re staring at me weirdly, I dislike it… I demand you to stop.” 
A soft smile grace Aether’s lips, reflecting the joy he found in simply being in his presence. He admires the way Xiao savoured the almond tofu, the way his eyes would gradually light up with delight at every delicious morsel.
“Traveller… you’re being very, very quiet.” Xiao puts his spoon down on the finished plate. “You want me to stay, huh?” 
All Aether could do was to prop his chin up with the heel of his hand, smiling at him in return. In that moment, Xiao could feel the traveller’s eyes lingering on his face, tracing every line, etching each detail into his memory: The flustered, furious blush, the prickling heat fanning across his chest and creeping up his neck, along with his clenched fists under the table.
“Fine, so be it.” Xiao quickly turns his head to avoid the traveller’s gaze, hiding his own expression. “I shall stay by your side.”
Ba-bump! Ba-bump! Ba-bump! 
“...What is this feeling?” Xiao mutters the question to himself...
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anyanary · 5 months
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No background version!
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sugarssaurarchive · 1 year
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“Sounds like the fluttering wings of a small bird”.
See you in 2023. 🐇
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thevoid404 · 3 months
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I have a lot of projects I need to work on but I decided that posting cringe was more important 🤡
I actually didn't like this ship for a long time but then one day I woke up and it suddenly had me in a chokehold.
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idcallmyselfhuman · 5 months
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Xiao/Aether 👹⛅ Masterlist 2.0
A compilation of moments between Xiao and Aether through the years. The last revamp I did on the old post got nuked by Tumblr, so I just made a new one.
I tried to be as complete as I can, but there's probably some stuff I still missed. The shipping wiki is great for compiling stuff, but I felt it wasn't very detailed. Soooo here ya go
Lover's Oath (Lone Tower in the West)
Thank you @kristalijah for the reminder!
On Aether's journey through Liyue, he was tasked to inform the Adepti of Rex Lapis' "death". The Wangshu quest is the first time he meets Xiao in the game, and a certain detail didn't catch a lot of people's attention until the soundtrack got released a while later.
"Lover's Oath" is the song that plays in the background the very first time Xiao appears in front of Aether. On one hand, this could very well just be in reference to the place they were in, as the balcony of Wangshu Inn is known to be where lovers spend time together. However, this theme never plays for any other scene again, nor is it the background music for the balcony in general.
The only time this track is used again is during Tuned to the World's Sounds, an event in-game where Xiao and Aether duet this song on the very place they met, with Xiao playing a lyre, and Aether, a zither.
This theme has only every been used when they are together. So, Lover's Oath can be considered "their" theme. I adore this tidbit of information because it fits their future relationship so well, as the game constantly reminds us now of Xiao's promise to Aether.
Battle of Osial
If you're a fan of this ship, I'm sure you already know. This was the moment the fandom went, "wait a minute...", essentially the birth of the ship itself.
This cutscene is just [chef's kiss], its existence makes me so happy. The Aether community in 2020 has never been the same.
Aether's feet were already steadied. Xiao could have let go already, or let him fall as gracefully as Mountain Shaper did to that guard (I would have hated him). There was no reason to hold on. In fact, he had every excuse to release his hold the moment they got to safety because he was the one who kept insisting that contact with mortals, or even being near them was something he absolutely Did Not Want. But he didn't let go. No, even more— he tightened his hold, squeezing Aether's hand and telling him to be careful. HUH?!?!
Looking back on this scene also made me think of Aether's unique ability to purify things he touches, something that still hasn't been explained. I wonder if Xiao was already gravitating towards Aether because of it, finding comfort in his contact without knowing why, just yet.
Lantern Rite 1.3
I'm sure we're all familiar with this scene, right?
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The very first time Xiao promised Ae that no matter what, as long as he calls his name, he will be there. I think the game showed how special that promise is really well.
Moonlight Merriment
On the same year, they released Moonlight Merriment. The first time Aether summoned him was here, when Xiangling was looking for a 'customer' with mild tastes. While Xiao told Ae to call for him when there's trouble, it's really cute that he doesn't really mind what sort of 'trouble' it is.
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Whether it be actual danger, or a small dilemma that Aether needs help with, he's there. (Though I guess you can see it as anything that is bothering Ae is considered trouble enough, no matter the scale :))
This scene also clarifies that the promise was specifically made to Aether, and no one else, not even Paimon. The fact that they went so far as to have Paimon call for Xiao multiple times only for nothing to happen is... so fucking funny. Aether says his name once and he's already there.
Just... your commitment is really subtle, Xiao. Keep at it.
Baizhu's Story Quest
The second time Aether summons him is during Baizhu's story quest, and I think this part is what really cemented the weight of that promise for me.
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Every single time Aether brings up that he can contact our resident yaksha so easily, they're always surprised. The adepti are known for wanting to keep to themselves that even Changsheng thought it would be impossible for them to meet, but here Xiao was, just one word away for one special traveler.
It's an oath that was made with such... devotion? Loyalty?
It would have been a little more distant had it just been for protection, something like "when you're on the brink of death, you may call for me." but it isn't. This was literally a promise that whenever Ae needed him, Xiao will be there, "Anywhere. Anytime."
It's also sweet how Xiao's departing words are always a reminder to call him whenever needed, to the point where Aether has to say "Yeah, we know." If that promise had an expiration, it sure as hell doesn't matter because Xiao keeps renewing it anyway.
Perilous Trail (Interlude)
Unfortunately, there was one time where Xiao failed to get to Aether, but only because he physically wasn’t able to. The only time he couldn’t fulfill his promise was because he was stuck in a different plane of existence. But even then, once he heard that Aether was in trouble, he was persuaded to cross a literal fucking spacerift to get to them.
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You absolutely cannot tell me they aren't in love because you would be wrong.
Also Yanfei being perceptive enough to use Aether being in trouble to convince Xiao? Bless. Where else did we see someone pull out the 'Aether' card on Xiao recently...?
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god he's so fucking easy and everyone knows
Anyway, this quest also showed how protective Ae is of Xiao, constantly asking how he is or if he was okay, ignoring Xiao's warnings entirely.
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He even gets mad when Xiao brings up creating a will.
Just— a lot of things happened in this quest. While I can't add all of them, do yourself a favor and either play this or check it out in the archives. Yanfei knows what's up
Also there's a part where Aether looks over Xiao's sleeping face and wonders to himself if a person who's always wary is capable of dreams.
To finish off the Chasm segment, it ended with a conversation that had Xiao realizing a lot of things he was lost to because of his grief: that there are people who will always care about him, and in his words, "Even the darkest hearts have room for those they cherish.
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"Will Xiao be ravaged by the unending war he wages and be plunged into despair? Or... will he meet someone who understands his sacrifice, and can shine a ray of light into his dark world..." —Dainsleif, Collected Miscellany - "Xiao: Conqueror of Demons"
I think... it was important for him to have had this conversation with Aether. Zhongli acknowledges this as well in the most recent Lantern Rite, but the beginning of the changes within Xiao started because of Aether constantly pushing him to see the light.
Bonus! Xiao being a dumbass
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WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN "...Really..." YOU WERE JUST STANDING THERE?!?!!??!??
Companion Voicelines
Aether: "How do you like it here?", "Want to chat?"
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To bring up Aether's ability to purify things again (Dvalin's Tear), it could be related to that. Or, maybe Xiao just gets so in his head about Aether in his presence that his Karmic Debt just gets insta-blocked. Who knows?
Aether: Is there anything you'd like to do?
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For the first and second Lantern Rite, Xiao was still adamant on not even stepping foot in Liyue Harbor, declining every invitation to go there because of how much he disliked being near mortals.
Yet in his teapot voicelines, once you reach a high enough friendship with him, Xiao actually takes the initiative to invite Aether to go to the city, if only to understand him better. Xiao explicitly says that his willingness to go to the harbor was for him.
This isn’t the first time Xiao brings up his wish to get to know Aether better. At first, he kept saying that he has no interest in human affairs, but in his voicelines, as the two of them get closer and closer, he says that he would like to know more about Aether.
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I also really like Shenhe's voiceline. Aether's effect on Xiao benefited not only him, but the people surrounding Xiao as well. It's shown in the way Xiao's become softer, and more open to being in social gatherings. We see it the most in Lantern Rite 3.4, Waterborne Poetry, and the biggest one that point towards the cause being Aether is Xiao's birthday letter of 2023.
Birthdays
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If Moon Carver's reaction is anything to go by, the old Xiao doing this for his birthday was unfathomable. As Xiao allowed himself to open up to the world, the people around him were also able to enjoy their old friend's presence as well.
Dainsleif said that the cost of his duty was perpetual solitude, but it seems that that's no longer true.
Fun little note: The fact that he went to Moon Carver first is funny to me, since Aether and Moon Carver are both voiced by Zach Aguilar.
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I was reminded by @comfortingnightmare that Aether was the first person to celebrate Xiao's birthday in a thousand years :>
Which brings me to another topic! Gifts!
Aside from the adorable fact that every character in the game gifts Aether something on their birthday, Xiao gives him a butterfly made from leaves in his voiceline.
From what I've read, butterflies supposedly mean conjugal love, freedom, and vulnerability of life in Chinese culture. I'm really no expert on this so take that with a grain of salt.
There's also the more obvious meaning, which is transformation in one's self. I really don't like tackling this kind of thing because it's very "the curtain was blue", but if we take their relationship in consideration, it fits.
Lucent Crescent
Big thank you to @spiderskull142 because I didn't even know about this.
In this year's TPRGT image, we see that Paimon is holding a red box—Aether's gift for Xiao. I didn't really pay much attention to it at the time since I thought it was just a regular gift box... and also because I was distracted by Xiao pretending to sleep. It's about the closest we can get to Xiao feigning illness to get pampered LMAO
Anyway, I looked it up and apparently those specific boxes are used to keep jewelry. I looked around Liyue to see if any other store used this box for anything else, but the only one that seemed to have it is Mingxing Jewelry, a boutique that specialized in an ornament called "Lucent Crescent".
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Note: The closest I could get to a box that was similar-looking were the red stacked boxes outside of random houses. No other store seemed to have them, so I can only assume that's where the box was from.
When you interact with Xingxi, the person who runs the shop, she tells you about the meaning of Lucent Crescents.
Xingxi: Have you ever heard anyone mention our Lucent Crescent ornaments? They are especially popular with young people. We produce a very limited quantity of Lucent Crescent – only ten per month. People say that if you manage to purchase one of them, you are sure to win the heart of your beloved.
As we know, Aether is very mindful with the gifts he gives every year. I don’t think it’s too far-fetched to think he would order something as valuable as this for Xiao.
And speaking of Aether's gifts...
Teyvat Food Notes: Sweet Dream, Adeptus' Temptation, Mint Jelly, Unagi Chazuke, Satisfying Salad
Alongside Xiao's birthday art are articles from the Teyvat Food Notes, where real-life recipes of in-game food are made, and it also has interactions between XiaoAe on his birthday.
Sweet Dream (Almond Tofu)
Note: Both google translate and Papago seem to use Mandrill instead of Xiao, so... just know that’s who it’s talking about.
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This is where we learn that Xiao didn’t even make Sweet Dream; this dish was Aether’s thank you gift to him. Xiao’s specialty dish is a gift from Aether. I’m—aGH! ANYWAY.
Sweet Dream also makes an appearance in Childe’s birthday art in 2022. And— I’m really sorry to Tartaglia, but seeing that dish stole all his thunder I just couldn’t get over it.
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I like to think that Aether was so preoccupied with making Childe his birthday feast that he began to absentmindedly prepare Almond Tofu in the way he’s most used to (because of how often Xiao requests it.)
Additional:
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Adeptus Temptation
This one in particular isn’t from one of his birthdays, but a special they put out for the first Lantern Rite, which includes every released Liyue character at the time. I was initially going to write it off, but I thought hey what the hell, what are the odds that there’s gonna be a XiaoAether moment in here?
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Of course there was. With these two, I should have known.
Note: “Fairy/Buddha Jump over the Wall” is apparently an actual Chinese delicacy that the Adeptus’ Temptation is based on!
A little more additional context, I added the part where Zhongli was going full English teacher at the beginning because everyone was spouting poetry so passionately with every bite of the dish. That’s why Aether wonders, “Do all Liyue people eat like this?”
That’s also why Aether asked Xiao to give him an evaluation of the food, hoping he’d be the same as the others. I found it really cute, especially right now as we just finished Waterborne Poetry.
From the very beginning, Aether caught a glimpse of Xiao’s affinity to being poetic (Isolation does that to ya, who knew?), which is why in the event, he encourages him to write poems. With enough encouragement, along with Xiao pondering over Aether’s words and advice, he eventually does write a poem.
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Frost-Coated Slime (Mint Jelly)
For this Teyvat Food Note (2021), Aether laments that he doesn’t really know Xiao very well when he realized that the only gift he can think of giving him is almond tofu.
“Although it is not impossible to continue to treat [Xiao] to eat almond tofu, there is a stubbornness in my heart that has been preventing me from continuing to serve almond tofu.
I don’t want to be the same as usual, I don’t want to give [Xiao] the same gift as everyone else.”
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Aether realizes that almond tofu has become somewhat basic, since everyone else gives the same thing, and it’s no longer a gift he considers to be special enough. He then remembers the mint jelly he once tasted in Mondstadt, and thought it was similar enough to the texture and taste of almond tofu. He decides that that’s what he wants to give him.
Once he meets with Xiao, Xiao gives him the ‘butterflies’ he caught (I assume this actually refers to the crystalflies he gives along with the letter?) Aether thinks wearing [crystalflies] on his head doesn’t suit him, but Xiao seems to expect him to wear it judging by his silence. This also fits his letter that year, where he admits he was actively looking for crystalflies for Aether to put on his hair, thinking it would look nice on him.
The last part of the food note is so heartwarming. After Aether has him help prepare the mint jelly, they finally settle down to eat it.
Xiao: It doesn’t look like I want to eat it. I’d better order almond tofu.
[Aether] grabs Xiao and explained that it actually tasted very good, and the texture should be similar to almond tofu.
Aether: The most important thing is that for Xiao’s birthday, I want to make something different as a gift...
Xiao stopped.
Xiao: I don’t worry about the taste of the food you cook. I just want to collect it.
They are so cute?!?!?!?!
Later on, Xiao confesses that he doesn’t like almond tofu just because he likes the taste, but because of the memories that accompany it.
Aether then looks at Xiao, but Xiao doesn’t look at him. Instead, he says “The jelly I made today is a special memory. Thank you.”
Unagi Chazuke
Thank you @dragon-type-nuggetz for sending this one because this is what reminded me that the other teyvat food notes existed aside from almond tofu and adeptus temptation lol
Last one for the Teyvat Food Notes! There’s none for 2023, because they seem to have discontinued it entirely after 2022. This one’s a lot shorter than the other ones, but no less sweet.
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Aether knows that with Xiao’s dedication to Liyue, he works non-stop to defend the nation and has never experienced anything as leisurely as going on a vacation for the sake of relaxing. So instead, Aether tells him stories of his travels, and he decides to cook a dish that gives the feeling of traveling with him.
Xiao also says something here that I found really funny.
“Let me start by saying that I have no interest in human food. Even if the food you make doesn’t taste good, I won’t eat it.” CAP. You’ve gone this long eating Aether’s food, who the hell are you trying to fool?
In the end, Xiao finishes the entire bowl to Aether’s shock, but he says he’s sorry as he can’t think of any words to praise the food.
Aether then says that the fact that Xiao finished it at all is the greatest compliment.
Satisfying Salad
This isn’t connected to the food notes this time, but just the dish in general. Satisfying Salad and Almond Tofu are the first dishes that Aether has ever given Xiao in-game to convince him to talk to them. I thought it was a pretty minor thing and didn’t think much of it at the time, up until Smiley Yanxiao brings it up again in Moonlight Merriment.
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Everyone around Xiao thought that almond tofu really was the only thing he can eat, only for Aether to prove otherwise. While he claims that he has no interest in human food, and the only thing he can possibly stomach is almond tofu, he has never denied anything that Aether offers him, even when the two of them didn’t even know each other very well yet.
So, for all of Xiao’s talk, he has shown in his actions pretty clearly that Aether is and has always been an exception for him. Whether that be for food, or anything else...
Lantern Rite 3.4
I am here to remind you all of a beautiful scene that should never be forgotten for years to come.
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Regardless of Genshin trying to be mysterious and making us guess who saved Aether, the fact that they both came rushing over is incredible on its own. They know that Aether isn't a damsel in distress, and Paimon's acting was so on the nose, but they still couldn't allow even the slightest possibility of harm to come to him.
Xiao looking away and talking in circles just to say he really was worried is the funniest fucking thing.
As for the Lantern Rite dinner... well, first things first. We say thank you to Hu Tao for her services as a professional wing-woman (It's her side-job to advertise the parlor)
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Moving on! Remember when Aether told Xiao he'll bail him out of uncomfortable social situations? (Companion voicelines)
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There really isn't much I could say that I haven't already said before. For XiaoAether shippers, this was Hoyo spoon-feeding content on a silver spoon. It's Aether and Xiao at their most comfortable with each other, talking and spending time with the people they care about.
It's years of talking to each other, of Xiao realizing that he's at ease when he's speaking to Aether, of learning to talk more about himself to the point where he starts talking about his past and the people in it...
It'll be awhile until Xiao will ever be comfortable with large crowds, but as long as Aether's there who knows when it's becoming 'too much', he'll be fine.
Aether is also, in Xiao's eyes, the most distinguished guest among them all.
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I couldn't add it but Xiao also says "I trust Aether's judgement." in this scene.
This Lantern Rite is also where Zhongli acknowledges what Aether has done for Xiao :")
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(Suspiciously on the last screenshot, the perspective makes Zhongli look like a pastor wedding the two of them)
Waterborne Poetry
The catalyst for this post. The reminder of how lovely this ship is, and how far these two have come.
As we have all learned from Xiangling, Yanfei, Venti and Hu Tao, you only need to mention Aether's name to convince Xiao of whatever it is you're planning. The part where Aether and Team Chongyun were trying to convince him to come with them and touch some fucking grass was really cute.
This event and the previous Lantern Rite also had Aether and Xiao talking privately, only to get interrupted by Paimon/Xiangling (as well as calling them out lmao)
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And, of course, the scene that everyone freaked out over,
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A short, but sweet moment where Aether looks at Xiao from afar and immediately gets inspired, performing a poem where the real meaning is shared only between the two of them...
And Xiao's smile.
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An expression that Aether had done so well to bring out.
Xiao in a Commission
One last thing! Xiao appears in the Liyue Commission "Uninvited Guests". It's very short, but cute
Xiao: Oh, it’s you.
Aether: What brings you here?
Xiao: I encountered these monsters by chance and defeated them.
Xiao: This area is not safe. So...
Aether: I’ll be careful.
Xiao: Right. I have other matters to attend to. See you.
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...There are still things I couldn't add, but that's okay. I got mostly everything this time so I'm satisfied. Very grateful to the people who reblogged the old post to add more stuff :))
Some things I didn't add were trivia from the shipping wiki. For one, apparently Xiao's JP voice actor was told by the director to be gentler when speaking to the Traveler. There's also a small part of the Lantern Rite animation where as Xiao and Aether watch the lanterns side by side, Xiao turns to look at Aether right as Paimon blocks his head from view :")
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ntkarn23 · 11 months
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Aether with meow Xiao✨
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