Laylou

Laylou is the femslash ship between Layla and Nilou from the Genshin Impact fandom.

Canon
At first glance, Layla and Nilou seem like polar opposites in multiple aspects. While Layla studies Theoretical Astrology in the Akademiya which is a highly academic subject, Nilou performs traditional dances that resonate better with the common folk at the Grand Bazaar. Layla is timid and doubtful of herself, while Nilou is confident and trust in her own capabilities. While Nilou was born and raised in love and affection, Layla had to face the immense stress of expectations.

However, they share a fair number of similarities. Both of them have big dreams that they are determined to achieve and will not hesitate to talk about their passions when asked. They also place substantial value in the friendships they've got, as shown by Nilou considering everyone at the Grand Bazaar her family and Layla keeping a photobook of people she holds dear.

A Parade of Providence
It is not known whether Layla and Nilou have known about each other before, but the Version 3.6 event "A Parade of Providence" was the first time in-game they interacted. In the event, Layla was a participant of the Interdarshan Championship in the Akademiya Extravaganza festival, while Nilou was one of the two commentators of the competition alongside Alhaitham. The second round of the competition took place in a desert. When Layla expressed concerns over the limited amount of water provided to each participant, Nilou encouraged the former and asked her to take care of herself.

Fanon
Shippers consistently say that Nilou is the optimistic girl who will always be there to help Layla. This is based on the canon lore, where Nilou is depicted as a character who is always ready to help her "family". Her personality is contrastive to Layla, who is in constant need of help and is suffering from various mental health problems like depression and insomnia. Even though Nilou cannot help Layla with academic problems, she can still offer to destress through quality times together, loving words and sweet desserts.

It is often said that when Layla finally gets to see Nilou's performance, she will slowly discover a different side of herself. Layla would learn to enjoy folk arts and dances, discovering a new passion in the process. Moreover, Layla will find ways to add a touch of her academic sophistication like stars and constellations when she dances, creating a new dance style unique by its own right.

Nilou is also portrayed as being somewhat unconsciously clingy to Layla and constantly follows Layla to remind her to take health seriously. This is likely from the fact that Nilou is a highly altruistic person who always seek to better herself as well as others, trying her best to leave no one behind. This gesture can make Layla flustered, as she is not used to such affection and enthusiasm from people around her, even her friends.

There is a number of paralleling sun-moon and day-night symbolisms revolving around Layla and Nilou.


 * Layla is themed around astrology and secrets of the night sky, which heavily leans toward the moon. In canon, Layla has an alternate persona that only comes out when she is asleep. This persona confident in conversation, efficient in work, and shows little signs of fatigue like the regular Layla. Layla herself doesn't know about this and thinks that all the work that are done in her sleep are a result of her sleepwalking. It is described in her character lore that the persona is the "release of her long-held desire". If this is to be based on, then Layla makes for the perfect symbol of night time, slumber, and as a result, the moon. In addition to that, the name "Layla" means "night" in Arabic.
 * Meanwhile, Nilou is usually seen as a bright girl who is happy and enthusiastic. She is also heavily themed around the lotus flower. In many cultures, lotus symbolizes purity and enlightenment. It is said to remain fragrant and pure despite growing in muddy, stinky water. The blue lotus also symbolizes the sun rising out of night. In Hinduism, the lotus is attributed to the gods of sun and fire. These factors, including her personality and the symbolisms, help portray her as the light of day that banishes darkness from people's hearts.

Fandom

 * FAN FICTION


 * TWITTER

Trivia

 * The ship name "Night Lotus" derives from the name meaning of Layla and Nilou in their respective languages. Layla is a female Arabic given name meaning "night"(Arabic: ليلى), and Nilou is shortening of Niloufar (Persian: نیلوفر), which is a female given name meaning "blue lotus" or "water lily".
 * Layla's signature dish Extravagant Slumber and Nilou's signature dish Swirling Steps are both types of creamy and sweet desserts and are both made from Milk, Sugar, and Sumeru Rose.
 * Nilou's dish, however, has Padisarah as the fourth ingredient.
 * The base dishes of Extravagant Slumber and Swirling Steps are respectively Rose Custard and Padisarah Pudding, whose recipes are sold at the same shop in-game.