Candehya

Candehya is the femslash ship between Candace and Dehya from the Genshin Impact fandom.

Canon
"I once gave Candace some jewelry and told her to learn to enjoy life and find happiness outside of work. She replied that seeing the village in peace was enough to make her happy... Well, this guardian really has a unique way of enjoying life..."

- Dehya in Candace's Official Introduction

Candace and Dehya are both characters originating from the desert of Sumeru. They are both known to be powerful, distinguished guardians, Candace as the guardian to Aaru Village and Dehya as a former guardian mercenary. The two were already friends prior to the events of the Archon Quest, and they communicate rather intimately during the Archon Quest. Dehya is mentioned in Candace's character story, and Candace's voiceline about her noted that she considers Dehya to be adorable.

In the Archon Quest, Dehya is first seen interacting with Candace when Candace interrupted the fight between Alhaitham, Dehya, and Cyno, bringing the group back into the village and interrogating them of the heated situation. Candace strictly enforced that no person in the group is to stir more conflict within foot of Aaru Village, then specially pointed out it should also apply to Dehya. Dehya sighs and accepts, and Candace comments that she liked the reply. The latter then moves on into listening for responses on Cyno and Alhaitham's behalves. When the interrogation came to Dehya, Dehya stated how she originally planned to visit Aaru Village to reunite with its members, only happening to come across "two random guys in the middle of a pointless argument." In an attempt to mediate the fight and keep trouble from reaching the peaceful Aaru Village, Dehya had instead joined the fight herself. Candace softens and remarked that it does sound like Dehya's style of handling situations and proceeds to give her a warm welcome back to Aaru Village. Dehya joyfully replied that she had greatly missed Candace and the rest of the villagers at Aaru Village. Out of the group, Dehya is the only person Candace addressed formally and communicated extensively to.

A growl interrupts the conversation, and Candace soon leaves to take care of dangerous creatures in the sandstorm, to which Dehya remarked that Candace is tough as the creatures who threatens the village. However, Candace did not return even after the sandstorm died down, and the group goes to check on her following Dehya's expression of concern. The group finds out that Candace is still fighting the monsters and joins in to help, and Candace specifically comments that it had been a while since she last saw the Flame-Mane in action.

Throughout the eventual Archon Quests, Candace and Dehya frequently commented on each another — for example, in Archon Quest Chapter III: Act IV - King Deshret and the Three Magi, Candace told Cyno not to worry about Dehya's straightforwardness and helped explain her actions, while Dehya later stated that she trusted Candace and considered her to be an expert in dealing with offenders. When Paimon asks Dehya whether she had known Candace for a long time, Dehya replies yes and that she finds Candace to be an interesting and capable person. Candace also very frequently expresses her concern and sympathy towards Dehya's recklessness, stating that Dehya should not consider herself as a stray dog but instead a member of the community.

At the end of the Archon Quest, Candace is indirectly mentioned when Dehya tells Dunyarzad that she'd introduce her friends from the desert to her.

Quotes
"Whenever Dehya brings any of her Eremites to stay at Aaru Village, she always keeps them on their very best behavior. I have to say, it makes my life a lot easier. Ah, Dehya... She might look like trouble at first, but the truth is that she's really quite adorable."

- Candace's voiceline about Dehya

"Ah, Candace... I love her to bits, but she can be as stubborn as a Sumpter Beast sometimes. I keep telling her she oughtta cut herself some slack, take some time off, maybe go take a walk around Sumeru City, buy herself some nice new clothes or jewelry..."

- Dehya's voiceline "About Candace"

"Candace: And now you, Dehya. I believe it's your turn. Dehya:...Oh, sorry. Whatever the boys were talking about must have been so boring that I spaced out. Ahem... My situation is pretty straightforward. My employer, Dunyarzad of the Homayani family, is friends with the Traveler and is currently recovering from her illness at home. I had nothing going on, so I decided to return to Aaru Village for a visit. I was actually looking forward to a pretty exciting time getting back together with everyone here… But then I saw these two random guys in the middle of a pointless argument. It ticked me off, and then things went downhill from there... Candace: Is that all? Well, I will admit that definitely sounds like your style. In that case, welcome back, Dehya! Dehya: That's more like it! I missed you all so much, Candace…"

- Conversation between Dehya and Candace in Archon Quest Chapter III: Act III - Dreams, Emptiness, Deception: The Four at Loggerheads

"Paimon: Paimon's been wondering... You seem to know Candace pretty well. Have you been friends for a long time? Dehya: We've known each other for some time now. She's a pretty interesting person. Even though she's an extremely strong warrior, she never misuses her power against others. Paimon: Oh, Paimon knows what you mean. Like a lot of martial artists say: "Never take the fight outside the ring." Dehya: Yep, I guess you can put it that way. It takes strong convictions to be as dedicated as she is and shoulder that kind of responsibility."

- Dehya explaining her friendship with Candace in Archon Quest Chapter III: Act IV - King Deshret and the Three Magi: The Missing Village Keepers

"Dehya: You look worried. Thinking about the Village Keepers? Candace: Yes... I'd look for them myself if I could... As members of our village, each one of them is very important to me. Dehya: You have a strong sense of belonging here... I guess I'm the opposite. Mercs are stray dogs wherever they go. Candace: Dehya, don't say that. You can be a part of this community, too. Dehya: Haha, thanks. I'll let you know when I feel like joining."

- NPC Dehya and Candace interactions by the end of Archon Quest Chapter III: Act IV - King Deshret and the Three Magi: The Missing Village Keepers

"Dehya: Okay. Let's go then. Candace: Dehya, wait. Dehya: What's the matter? Candace: I heard that you were quite reckless yesterday... No more of that today, understood? Or I'll be very upset with you. Dehya: *sigh* Fine."

- Candance to Dehya before the latter leaves to quest with the Traveler in Archon Quest Chapter III: Act IV - King Deshret and the Three Magi: Secret of the Scorching Desert

"Candace: You're finally done. Dehya: I have some other stuff to take care of. Catch you all later! C'mon, don't gimme that face! I know what you're going to say. I'll be careful. Candace: That's what I wanted to hear. Take care."

- Archon Quest Chapter III: Act V - Akasha Pulses, the Kalpa Flame Rises: Through the Predawn Night

Fanon
Candehya is currently still a relatively new ship, with around 50 works in Ao3. Fans started shipping Candehya after their close interactions in the Archon Quest and considered Candace to be "one of Dehya's three girlfriends" and that Candace's origins have symbolism towards the moon while Dehya to the sun. It is Candace's most popular ship, but it rivals Dehyarzad as Dehya's most popular ship.

Fandom
FAN FICTION

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Trivia

 * Both Candace and Dehya based on ancient African warrior queens.
 * Both Candace and Dehya are known to be powerful guardians.
 * Both Candace and Dehya have a list of 6-7 distinguished furnishings noting their accomplishments as protectors under specific nicknames "guardian with heterochromic eyes" and "mercenary with long black-and-golden hair," respectively. This trend currently only applies to Candace and Dehya.
 * Candace and Dehya have opposite but matching visions, Hydro and Pyro.