The beautiful sound of a single flute was carried by the wind, reaching the ears of cliffs only occupant.

Xiao looked down to see the green clad archon sat upon a rock, playing a melody that sounded far more sad than would have been expected on a night like this. The lantern festival was a time of celebration and joy, where people send lights into the sky, carrying their wishes to the heavens.

It was dark now, and the lanterns would soon begin their ascent. Already Liyue was well into the celebrations, noise and laughter could be heard from all around it. Even here, on Xiao's solitary spot. Or, it should be solitary.

The wind archon has not seemed to have gotten the memo.

Every year, Xiao would come here and watch the lanterns in silence. No one enjoyed his presence, and he thought likewise of them. Always alone, he would sit in the dark and, although he would never admit it, send his own lantern up into the clouds. However, it would seem that these plans would have a little interruption this year.

Normally, Xiao would interrupt and send someone on their way. Yet, the music, although sad, was so very beautiful. The adeptus could not think that he had ever heard such sweeter notes, and doubted that anyone could play any instrument as skillfully as Barbatos. The sounds reached his soul, and, bit by bit, Xiao seemed to relax under the melody.

With a soft sigh, he sat himself onto the edge of the cliff, careful not to make any noise. Unfortunately, it would seem that that care was unneeded. As soon as the soft tune had ended, the green clad figure sat below vanished in a flurry wind and feathers.

A moment later, Barbatos appeared next to him, a grin on his face. The archon had known that Xiao was there from the very moment he had arrived, and he knew that this was one time of the year when he would be in a vaguely good mood and not tell him to bugger off somewhere else.

The two sat in silence for a while, before a golden gaze shifted to the side and met bright blue.

"Barbatos," Xiao sighed, "what are you doing here?"

"Why, I am simply waiting to watch the lights, as most people do during this time of the year." The wind archon cheerfully replied. "And please, call me Venti. I much prefer that name nowadays."

Xiao tried and failed to resist the urge to roll his eyes. "No, I mean what are you doing here, in this spot. Surely someone like you would be galavanting around with your harp, running straight to the nearest tavern you can find, not sat by a cliff by your lonesome."

Venti's grin grew wider. "Ah, but I am not alone, am I? You're here, and your company is all I need, along with this," A bottle of what appeared to be Dandelion Wine suddenly appeared in his hand, "to have a good night!"

With that, Venti opened the bottle and started drinking from it straight. Xiao rinkled his nose in disgust, not understanding how anyone could drink as much as the wind archon and still be alive.

"I hardly see how me and good company fit together in the same sentence. There is a reason I sit up here alone, you know."

"Do you want to be alone?"

The question made him stop short, golden eyes widening. For all the time that he had spent upon the world, Xiao had always been alone. Even when accompanied by others like him, he always felt like a spectator, looking at them from the outside, never able to truly join in. Him and the other Yaksha were close at first, but corruption took seed and things began to fall apart. The adepti were kinder, but they were filled with light, all holy and mighty as they sat above mountains and clouds, as he stood below with his bloodstained hands. Rex Lapis was probably the closest person to him, but many years passed between them before they would hold a simple conversation. And now, the archon goes by the name ZhongLi, spending more time around humans than the adepti.

Yes, every step he had taken upon his path had always been alone. None dared walk it with him, none wanted to, and he had come to accept that. It didn't mean he had to like it. No, he had become used to being avoided or left to his own devices. Perhaps, once upon a time, he may have craved for affection and recognition, but that time was long lost to him. Such feelings are only… forign to him.

But, then why does this question affect him so? Is it because, deep down, perhaps he does want some sort of companionship? Or is it because of the person asking the question…

His long silence must have been enough for Venti, as the bard looked away, smiling to himself and making no intention of leaving. Eventually, Xiao looked away as well, turning his sights to the night sky.

It was truly one to behold. No clouds covered it, so the inky canvas littered with bright jewels was lit up by the white glowing orb in the sky. The two sat there staring at it, not a word uttered between them, as they traced constellations with their eyes. Until, suddenly, a small yellow dot appeared in the sky. This yellow dot was soon accompanied by many others before, soon enough, countless numbers of bright lanterns covered the sky in their warm glow.

Xiao stood up from his perch, taking in the breathtaking view. The lantern festival was always so beautiful every year, and this one was certainly no exception. After a minute, he noticed the telltale glow of a lantern light up next to him. Looking down, he noticed that Venti had lit up two lanterns, and watched as the bard stood up next to him.

The archon offered him one of the lanterns, and with a nod, he took it. As he held it, he wondered if he should make a wish. He never had done so, he never had anything to wish for. But, when he looked at the person standing next to him, a smile on their face, he wondered if there was anything he wished for.

Venti cast his gaze to him. "Are you ready?"

A single nod. The two lifted their hands, and with a little help from the breeze, the lanterns took flight.

As he let go of it, Xiao came to a decision.

Even if it is just for this night, for now, he does not wish to be alone.

Thank You for reading!

This is just a short little story that I thought of. I have fallen completely in love with this game and its characters! Comment if you want more stuff like this.

~Mysstltaiin