[ closed ]

[whirlwindthrust]

🧙 WHO: Xiao and others
⚔️️ WHAT: Closed threads/quests
🕒 WHEN: May
🗺️ WHERE: Here and there
⚠️ WARNINGS: TBD
**Note: If you want to do a thread with Xiao, I'll be more than happy to write you up something. Just hit me up at jardaan

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Venti 🏹 Red Spring

[whirlwindthrust]

[ It all starts with a text from A Particular Archon. Now that the issue concerning his message notifications has been resolved, Xiao finds he doesn't mind. Instead of that annoying tone, the soothing melody of the bard playing the flute or lyre fills his ears instead. Thus he doesn't really see the issue in answering it. However this is rather curious, since he is given a location to appear at...

In poem form no less.

Sometimes he does not understand the bard. Why play all these games? What enjoyment does he get from being this way? Then again Xiao is the one that responds to them willingly, so what does that say about him? Neither here nor there, he supposes, since he arrives outside of the Red Springs.

What does Venti require of him? ]

[concierto]

Meet me in the water's red glen,
Beside the tall elm-tree,
Where the sweetbriar smells so sweet agen;
There come with me.
Meet me in the water's red glen.

[It goes on vaguely for a little longer than that. But the message is clear that Venti wants Xiao to meet him somewhere. And that somewhere is the red spring where the hot spring waters run deeply and soothingly. This little archon is so sick and tired of walking everywhere and just wants to soak his poor ankles. Who knew that walking everywhere would ache so much when he's spent hundreds of years traveling on the winds... Alas! Woe!

He's waiting outside the spring with what appears to be a simple packed bag. Venti... planning ahead? What is this-]

Xiao! Yahoo! Over here!

[whirlwindthrust]

[ A place where those hot waters run deeply with a slight reddish hue. Liyue has its own springs, of course. Though the area tends to be more yellow and blue in coloration with greens peeking through. Seeing the red color doesn't feel right somehow.

Now if he had known that they are here because Venti's feet hurt due to walking, Xiao might find himself exasperated. Fortunately or unfortunately, Xiao is clueless as he walks up to the other. He notes the bag and tilts his head curiously. ]

You called for me?

[concierto]

[He'll never reveal his secrets. Or he might when he finally gets to sink his feet and ankles into that wonderful red water. He can already smell the slight sulfurous smell in the air. The air humid with the heat of the water nearby.]

I did! I thought today would be a good as any for us to take a soak in the springs today! I haven't been to one in years. I'm sure nothing will beat the springs in Liyue and yet I'm still very inclined to try!

[He even packed them the items they need. Be proud of him???]

[whirlwindthrust]

[ Ah... He's sure that the springs here also have healing properties, correct? His own wounds from fighting the fake Venti have not fully healed as of yet. It is a slower process here without his abilities as an adeptus. ]

A momentary reprieve might be manageable.

[ Thus he walks up to Venti, as if to follow. The Archon can now lead the way to where they can get changed and enter the springs proper. ]

Makoto 🌹 Holo Goodbye

[whirlwindthrust]

[ To see the glittering stones one last time... It is moments like these that he is reminded how fleeting a mortal life can be. He has lived for too many centuries. Mortals live a mere hundred years if they are fortunate, but usually end sooner from both natural and unnatural circumstances. The passing of time is never gentle with them either. Thus he does not see any reason to deny the request of someone that is in their last years and unable to keep up with tradition.

It is likely odd to see him amongst the fields, heading towards the river, with spear strapped to his back rather than in his hand. Xiao does not have any intentions to end any lives today. This is not a matter of slaying, but remembrance, he thinks.

He isn't really a social person, truth to be told. The people he is in contact with is rather limited. Thus when he sees someone on the trail as well, there's a bit of a pause. Of course others would also be taking this journey. It is an open request. Though don't expect him to start a conversation, though he might try to hang back just a little more... ]

[roseeclair]

[Said stranger is a tall, muscular lass with curly auburn hair tied in a high ponytail. At first glance, she might look more like she's taking a stroll than on a mission; unarmed save for a messenger bag and humming a bit to herself, but at least she's dressed well (and cutely) for a long hike. When she notices she has company, she lifts up a hand for a wave.]

Hey there~

[whirlwindthrust]

[ The ways of mortals will continue to confuse him. However it's just one of Xiao's faults - uncertain as to whether or not he will ever be able to integrate with them even here. He has been on his own - self-imposed mind you - for a great deal of time.

Thus he gives a nod of acknowledgement and attempts to be on his way.

Poor Makoto. He's just an awkward "old man." ]

[roseeclair]

[O-kay... Not the worst reaction she could have gotten. For a while she shrugs and just continues her own walk... but it seems like they keep following the same path for a while now, and they keep pace pretty well too.]

So... nice day, huh?

[whirlwindthrust]

[ Ah... Is this someone that does not care for silence? Xiao sighs. ]

I am not one to engage in... Idle talk.

[ Or conversation at all really. Honestly he's just trying to tell her that he's not really good at this sort of thing. That's not how it's coming out, but it is what it is? ]

Lizzie 🐇 The Green Word

[whirlwindthrust]

[ The trip into the dreamscape had been something else for Xiao. He had experienced quite a few realities. Quite a few different lives and perspectives. It's not really in his nature to seek people out for conversation. Rather, he usually avoids people due to his own circumstances. Circumstances that no longer exist while he is here. Thus it is more tolerable for him to be out, even if he does not know if he can afford the luxury.

He sees the woman that he had witnessed as a little girl milling about about in the crowd. She stands out, really, due to her height and ears. Lizzie really does not blend in at all does she? An idea soon comes to mind...

Thus he approaches her with something of a hum. ]

Is there something that you can do out here that will impress me?

[ Referencing their first conversation, of course. ]

[warbun]

Ah, Xiao! It's good to see you.

[Lizzie keeps her voice light despite the fact that she's been a bit in knots over this very moment for over a moon now. He's one of two people she needs to have this conversation with, and the only one who saw her as she once was. It's a part of her life she prefers to keep private, for all of her complicated feelings about it.

At least he has the mercy to open the conversation with her promise to impress instead of the white-haired young girl. In response, she gives him a grin. Serious conversations can wait.]

I've been practicing my flying, if you care to see.

[whirlwindthrust]

[ Oh no doubt that it had been a rather personal moment. There are many questions that remain, truthfully. He understands some of it, that he had trespassed upon some sacred land or something of the like. However, it does make the Yaksha curious as to how the girl left and became the woman that she is today.

Yet, he will not press. If she is unwilling to share, then that is her choice. It will be respected. ]

I have been curious about your progress or whether or not there has been anything at all.

[ So by all means. Show him. ]

Are you free now or do you wish to continue your errands?

[warbun]

[It's not that she's unwilling, per se. Just hesitant. But as far as she figures, he deserves the blanks to be filled in--she just needs a bit to get up the nerve to start the conversation.

Showing off is a great way to do just that.]

Errands can wait. Let's go somewhere more open and I can show you what I've learned.

[She gives him a grin, nodding her head for him to follow. There's a park nearby.]

[whirlwindthrust]

[ Mortals are a bit strange in that sense. Is anyone really "owed" an explanation for anything? Xiao himself has not received one from Zhongli and doubts that he will ever get it. Who is he to demand anything from anyone? ]

I welcome the opportunity at the very least.

[ The park is a nice open spot indeed. She should be able to spread her metaphorical wings here at least. No one will be in the way and there's plenty of time for Xiao to react in the case that something goes wrong. ]

Mona 🔮 Caught in the Act

[whirlwindthrust]

[ Needless to say, Xiao does not get out all that often. Not if he can avoid it. He prefers the isolation even here. It is a complicated affair that he does not share with others too often. Of course, since coming here, he has found that he has interacted with far more people than he has in a very long time. However, he does not think that it is purely this place. It is likely the effect that a certain Traveler has had as well.

That is neither here nor there. Today Xiao has thought to enter a bookstore in hopes of finding something for a particular someone that might be interested in legends and ballads of this world. Now the problem here is, Xiao has no idea what he is doing. No idea how to navigate the various shelves and rows of books and even the occasional scroll.

He is a Yaksha lost in a sea of paper and hardback with no hop of finding his way out. The frustration begins to show on his face in the way his brows start to knit together and his eyes narrow. Xiao is about two seconds from leaving this little shop entirely. ]

[lunarchain]

Hm, Anemo user?

[ It takes her a moment to notice the glowering color and emblem there. It is stilled because the magic here of their past lives do not matter any more. It delights her however, to see another from Teyvat. ]

It is nice to meet you, I am Mona Megistus - the soon to be Greatest Astrologer within Avalon! *Ahem* Who might you be? Your clothes.... Hmm... Liyue?

[whirlwindthrust]

[ Without the usual glow, it looks like a rather ordinary gem placed within Xiao's gauntlet, doesn't it? Only someone that knows what it is would really take notice. He supposes that he, like the others, can't seem to remove it from his person due to sentimental reasons. Or, perhaps, he is simply accustomed to it being there and it is too much of a hassle to remove it. Either way, the girl does catch his attention.

Maybe he can... Casually... Slip this book back into the shelf. ]

I have noticed an abundance of Mondstadt's Vision holders here. [ Confirming that he is from Teyvat if nothing else. ] Your assumption is correct, of course.

[ Now he won't comment on "greatest astrologer" part. If that is her goal, then that is her goal. He will not take away from her ambitions. ]

You may refer to me as Xiao.

[ There's little reason to be rude, after all. ]

[lunarchain]

Xiao? I feel like I have heard that name from the Traveler. [ Mona states, fingers tapping at her chin. Too bad she could not preform her hydromancy here to read of Xiao's constellations. ]

Well no matter about that, it looks like you are another avid book reader? What collection are you looking for?

[whirlwindthrust]

That child seems to be quite popular in both Liyue and Mondstadt.

[ Though why the Traveler would speak of Xiao to anyone... He can't parse it. There is no reason to mention the Yaksha?

Anyway. He tenses when the topic of a book is brought up. ]

I... No. Not particularly, though I read when I am able to find something. [ When someone gifts him one or he finds one in the ruins. ] This. It. I am not looking for myself.

Bennett 👍🏻 Holo Goodbye

[whirlwindthrust]

[ Catching up with the little Pyro boy from Mondstadt on this particular quest is something of a surprise. This does not involve exploration. There is no thrill or rush of adrenaline to be had here. Xiao would think that there is no immediate gratification for Bennett to take on such a task. Do not be mistaken, it has nothing to do with the boy's heart. Even Xiao knows a decent person when he sees it. ]

Are you not looking for more flaming barrels to roll in?

[ Color him surprised all the same! ]

[rotacalamitas]

I think... I'm gonna avoid barrels for a while...

[That was an experience that he is not too keen on repeating any time soon.]

What are you doing here, though? This quest doesn't seem like your style.

[whirlwindthrust]

I believe even I may rest easier knowing that you are not about to set yourself aflame.

[ At least where it involves barrels. Xiao can't say that the boy won't try other means, even if it is purely accidental.

Instead he grows pensive at the question. This quest does not seem like him, huh? That... Is likely a fair statement. Xiao is more of an instrument of destruction. A weapon. This... This is something different than that. ]

Even someone that has lived for as long as I can hold some compassion for one who will not.

[rotacalamitas]

[Xiao's answer surprises Bennett, but... He likes it. He smiles softly at Xiao, approving of his choice.]

You're protecting someone's dreams.

[He folds his hands behind his head now.]

As for me... This job made me think about my dads. They're not in that great of shape, so there's a lot they can't do by themselves anymore. I always do whatever I can to help them out, because I don't want them to have to miss out on something just because they're getting older. So I totally get how this person feels with their grandma.

[whirlwindthrust]

[ He makes a little noise at being called out like that. Xiao turns away, a bit embarrassed from receiving any sort of "positive" response. It makes sense to him though. There have been many dreams that have been taken from others, be it the literal dream or the metaphorical one. Sometimes giving back isn't such a bad thing.

His attention returns to the boy as he speaks. ]

You seem rather young for them to be getting on in years...

[ But then there might be something else coming into play? ]