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 Great Red Sands. They are known to be powerful, distinguished protectors, Candace as the guardian of Aaru Village and Dehya as a former bodyguard, still working as an Eremite mercenary and occasionally protecting Aaru Village as well. The two were already friends prior to the events of the game, and they communicate rather intimately during the Archon Quests. Dehya is mentioned in Candace's character story, Candace's voiceline about her noted that she considers Dehya to be adorable, as for Dehya's voicelines, Candace is mentionned in many of them, including one in which Dehya says she "loves her to bits."

Archon Quests
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 about the situation. Candace strictly enforces that no person in the group is to stir more conflict within Aaru Village, then specially points out it should also apply to Dehya. Dehya sighs and accepts it, and Candace comments that she likes the reply. The latter then moves on to listening to Cyno and Alhaitham's explanations.

When the interrogation comes to Dehya, Dehya states 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 remarks 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 replies 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 communicates extensively with.

A growl interrupts the conversation, and Candace soon leaves to take care of dangerous creatures in the sandstorm. Dehya says that Candace is as 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." Dehya answers that she'll be sure to put on a good show.

Throughout the 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 tells Cyno not to worry about Dehya's straightforwardness and explains her actions. As for Dehya, she later states that she trusts Candace and considers her to be an expert in dealing with offenders. When Paimon asks Dehya whether she had known Candace for a long time, Dehya replies that it is the case and that she finds her 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, but is also seen scolding her many times.

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. We later learn in Dehya's birthday letter that they indeed know eachother now, meaning Dehya really introduced Dunyarzad to Candace.

Parade of Providence
Candace and Dehya are both invited to the Wisdom Gala during the Akademiya Extravaganza. Dehya suggests to Candace they come together to have fun around Sumeru City shopping for clothes, accessories and more. Candace surprinsly accepts, stating that the villagers encouraged her to leave the village more often.

We can meet Candace and Dehya as NPCs around the city many times during the event. They talk about what they'll buy next or just chat together.

One of the Switflies the contestants from the Akademiya were looking for stopped in Dehya's hair at some point in the first challenge and Candace was the one to retrieve it.

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... but she always says the same old thing: She can't bear to leave the village unprotected. I dunno how many times she's turned me down now. Ugh, if I really can't persuade her, I guess I'll just have to watch the village for her sometime, and get one of my Eremite girls to take her shopping..."

- 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 the most popular ship for both Candace and Dehya, with around 143 works in Ao3. Fans started shipping Candehya after their close interactions in the Archon Quest. People quickly noticed that although Dehya has no place to call home, Candace would be ready to welcome her to Aaru Village with open arms at any time.

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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.
 * Candace and Dehya are seen together in Kaveh's character demo.
 * Dehya is seen in Aaru Village with Candace in the Genshin 3.8 Korea Summer Festival Promotional Video.
 * In the 3.5 version's livestream, Dehya's voice actress, Amber May, mentionned that Dehya is always waiting for a chance to go shopping for accessories with Candace.
 * Candace is featured in Dehya's character demo.
 * Dehya mentions Candace in other voicelines : "About Nilou" and "About Layla".
 * Candace's english va (Shara Kirby) ships them. She confirmed it in a pannel and during June of 2023 she changed her among us name from "MamaSpear" to "DehyasWife"