[Aether perks up when Xiao speaks, but before it can have any meaningful difference, Venti continues: "Hmm, but does that really matter? Just because you tried your best-- doesn't mean it makes a difference!"]
[Venti walks over to Aether, crouching down beside him. The corruption on his shoulder appears to grow, oozing a dark pink liquid that drips onto the ground between them. "Do you want a trophy for trying? I don't think that'll replace what was taken from me. And it certainly won't replace what you failed to protect the first time! You're not very good at this, are you? No wonder you ended up alone."]
[Aether looks up at Venti, visibly distraught.]
[Behind him, Lumine rests a hand on Xiao's shoulder. It's trembling. "Xiao... don't let him talk anymore."]
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[Venti walks over to Aether, crouching down beside him. The corruption on his shoulder appears to grow, oozing a dark pink liquid that drips onto the ground between them. "Do you want a trophy for trying? I don't think that'll replace what was taken from me. And it certainly won't replace what you failed to protect the first time! You're not very good at this, are you? No wonder you ended up alone."]
[Aether looks up at Venti, visibly distraught.]
[Behind him, Lumine rests a hand on Xiao's shoulder. It's trembling. "Xiao... don't let him talk anymore."]