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#— genshin anecdotes.
solardrink · 1 year
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3.5 spoiler !
I CANNOT stop laughing the fact that kaeya as a little kid SHIPPED himself back to where he thought khaenri’ah was because he read it in a book 😭😭😭he’s so SILLY imagine this tiny malnourished kid with fancy clothes on ur fuckin ship carrying goods across the sea with the most determined little face and then his adoptive dad goes ALL the way to sumeru to pick his ass up and drag him back to mond 😭 this was the route they had to take
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dxy-drxxm · 7 months
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... your first meeting with Lyney being in one of his shows, the way he would be able to perform all those tricks in such a way to keep everyone's eyes on him as easy as breathing.
You didn't understand what it's like with him, what with his deft hands being able to grab props from his hat, pockets, and even in the most indistinguishable areas imaginable.
Sometimes, you wondered how he can get something as eye-catching as a case from a red blanket... And especially make it disappear in a small puff of smoke, only to then reappear just under your seat when he pointed it out.
Lyney was not a fool. He has seen you around his shows, and even Lynette has commented on his behavior. Still, magic came as easy with the twins, and especially to the eldest.
A magician never tells his secrets, and Lyney is a stickler to that motto. However, he sometimes found himself with loose lips far quicker than Lynette switching to chat mode when the traveler came to speak to her personally.
He sometimes wondered how you can make him go through such changes. Did you know magic, too? Perhaps enough to cause a miracle and keep his eyes on you so seamlessly?
The magician, despite his attitude, never knew the answer to such a question. You were his little showstopper, but he didn't see it as a bad thing.
Your first meeting with him was, after all, a miracle that changed his life in more ways than he thought.
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@.enxgmx-wrxtxr | do not republish, repost, or copy my works anywhere | 2023
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xiaoriae · 2 months
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and… what if…. i start writing for the LnD boys….
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stellegaze · 6 months
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it’s okay to be wrong because when i watched we will rock you the musical i thought scaramouche was the most goofiest ass name to name a character and then a year later i meet scaramouche from genshin and realize it’s not so bad after all. so
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cloudyevaa · 2 years
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SURE TODAY IS THE 9TH AND NO LONGER CHONGYUN'S BIRTHDAY BUT TO ME SEPTEMBER WILL ALWAYS BE CHONGYUN MONTH
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my art improves for chongyun and chongyun only 💪😼 DO IT FOR HIM!!!
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imaginarypasta · 1 year
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hehe i love his dads
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People balking at the Player Voice award results forget that Genshin has a monthly average of, like, 65 MILLION players.
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baeshijima · 2 years
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YELANS COLLECTED MISCELLANY 😭
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Genshin Impact | "Chenyu Anecdotes": Version 4.4 New Contents Display Page
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lawluenvy · 1 year
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the gods have spoken: the gacha machine has bestowed a hydro vision upon me
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The Shimmering Voyage Vol. 3|Genshin Impact
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Genshin Impact V3.0 Commemorative OST Album - "The Shimmering Voyage Vol. 3" Now Available! The album's three discs "La liesse, ou le fluide mirage des songes," "Tathya-Samvrti," and "Anecdotes of Reverie" feature 68 remarkable tracks composed by the HOYO-MiX team, each one an original composition from Genshin Impact.
youtube
youtube
youtube
Click here to listen to "The Shimmering Voyage Vol. 3"
Spotify
iTunes/Apple Music
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xzho-writes · 2 years
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and so, i confide in parchment and ink
pairings: zhongli, diluc, kaeya x gn!reader
genre: angst/comfort
summary: in which you are separated from the genshin men, and their only way of communicating with you is through words shakily scribbled on a blank piece of paper.
wc: 700, 900, 1k
warnings: slight angst (mostly in kaeya’s), mentions of blood and injury
a/n: i’m dividing these into three parts with three characters in each. thank you all for these past few months, and i hope to be back some time in the future! i’ve also decided to name diluc’s falcon here so i hope you don’t mind :)
directory:
- ✦ masterlist - ✦ series masterlist - ✦ (pt.2), (pt.3)
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zhongli
liyue’s most esteemed gentleman heaves a particularly weary sigh as he eyes the delicate slip of paper before him. the quill in his hand tap, tap, taps away at the surface of his office desk in a futile effort to relieve the twinge in his ancient heart.
it’s become a constant feeling, this pang.  
a gloved hand rises to ease the pain in his chest, clutching at the area encasing the organ, but it does little to relieve the unwelcome feeling. the words on the parchment are blurred and are nothing more than obscured shapes but zhongli shakes away the tears before they could fall.
a single drop would ruin your letter after all, and you deserved only the very best of what he could give you.
with an aching soul, the former age-old archon flits his tired eyes over his penmanship once more. you always did love his handwriting, never missing the opportunity to compliment his skills whenever you chanced a glance at his works.
the fond memory gives him just enough strength to rise and fetch the qingxin flower sitting at your bedside table- one he had plucked himself after scaling the heights of minlin’s stone peaks. your favourite flower, he recalls.
he grabs his cologne on the way back, too. an earthy scent. homely.
zhongli returns to his desk with the flower cradled in one hand and his cologne in the other. after confirming the contents of his letter, your lover sprays a generous amount of his signature scent onto the paper and tucks it into its envelope, sealing the item carefully with wax. then with extra care he ties the delicate flora to the envelope using a thin chord.
he gives the gift a satisfied nod and carefully stows it away in his inner pocket.
it didn’t take long for zhongli to travel to the nearest postal service, practically sprinting there in an attempt for you to receive his words as soon as possible, desperately hoping you’d send one back in reply.
zhongli went to bed that night recalling what he’d written in his message to you.
“my greatest treasure,
please forgive how solemn this letter might sound. i assure you, darling, that this was never my intention.
my fingers itch ceaselessly to pull you close but given our current circumstances i am loathe to accept that impossibility. and so, with the loss of my closest confidant, i instead confide in parchment and ink.
how have you been faring on your travels, my love? are you taking care of yourself? enjoying the new scenery?
if in the unfortunate case that you aren’t, i have a little story that i’m sure would humour you: as i was cooking dinner this evening, i was struck with the realisation that i’d mistakenly made two portions of bamboo shoot soup… a dish of mine that i know you quite enjoy- it seems even subconsciously i cannot stop thinking about you.
perhaps this small anecdote might encourage that smile which i love so dearly to adorn your face in my absence.
it pains me that you must be away for so long. is it selfish for me to hope that you long for me just as i yearn for you? if so, then please forgive me. these thoughts refuse to leave no matter how hard i will them to.
despite today only marking a fortnight since your departure i fear that i may not be able to tolerate another week without your presence.
i miss you, my love… terribly so. it’s rather lonely here without your company.
i’d prefer to share all my thoughts with you in person but it seems this is the best i can do as of now. regardless, please remember to eat all your meals which i regrettably cannot provide (you seem to have the hapless knack of forgetting such important things- much to my utter dismay), and ensure you come back home to me safely.
i patiently await your return, my dearest.
with all the love in my heart,
- zhongli.”
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diluc
the moon is high in the sky when you hear it- the shrill cry of a falcon. you recognise the sound immediately and jump out of your lonely queen-sized bed, throwing your book aside and flinging the doors of your balcony wide open.
there in the distance was diluc’s feathery companion in all her glory. she spots you instantly and hones in to land at the railing just in front of you, shrieking at your figure and giving her grand wings a restful shake.
“avaria!”
the friendly creature caws at her name, happy to be in the presence of her master’s most beloved. with one finger you reach out to gently ruffle the feathers of her chest in a manner similar to how you’ve seen diluc pet her. you receive quiet coos of content in exchange for your kind gesture and with one extended arm you invite the bird to perch on your forearm.
she happily takes her place atop your appendage and once on your arm you finally take notice of the scroll attached to her left leg.
a letter. from diluc, no doubt.
“what’s this, hmm?” you ask the bird in a curious tone full of mirth.
she all but peers at you with keen eyes and you breathe out, humoured, at her obvious inability to respond to your question.
“thank you, avaria. you’ve done well to fly here.”
carefully unlatching the letter from her leg, you turn to head back inside hoping to feed the wise bird in order to replenish her strength but pause at the way the falcon latches onto your arm tighter with her talons. you realise that she must be itching to make her way back, to inform diluc of her successful delivery, and so you give her a parting kiss to her head instead, petting her chest once more for good measure.
“keep him safe, alright?”
she nips gently at your finger and you can only take it as a sign of both understanding and affection. you chuckle happily at your silly guess, your wishful thinking.
with a mighty cry and the strong beating of her wings, you send avaria off with the careful launch of your arm and watch as her figure retreats into the midnight sky.
her piercing shrieks are the last thing you hear before making your way back to your shared bed, one that feels rather cold with the absence of your lover, tucking yourself into the sheets and lighting a nearby lamp.
you run your fingers over the delicate scroll and smile knowingly at diluc’s elegant penmanship. beautiful and neat as always.
there’s an odd sensation tugging at your heart, a feeling that only ever comes whenever you’re separated from the ragnvindr, and you wonder whether or not to save the letter for tomorrow instead, lest you fall asleep with a heavy heart.
but patience was never really a virtue you possessed in abundance and when it came to diluc’s wellbeing… said virtue was nigh inexistent.
with nothing but the company of the moon, you get lost in the feel of parchment at your fingers and the allure of the darkest ink.
“my love,
i hope this letter finds you in good health.
as of writing this message, it’s currently around nine in the evening and i’ve managed to find shelter in one of the many caves here in dragonspine. the bitter cold is incessant and i’m yet again reminded of the blessing that is my vision.
fortunate, isn’t it? this pyro vision.
and yet, despite the heat it provides me with and although my mind is at ease with the fact that you’re home and safe at the winery, i can’t help but wonder how much warmer i’d feel if you were here with me. i’m almost certain you’d be clinging onto my side and whining about how much you hate the cold, face flushed with the bite of frost and unknowingly sharing your warmth with me.
but i should stop with the wishful thinking. it only encourages the longing in my heart and i really shouldn’t have any distractions on this case.
as for my progress, i’ve finally discovered the final location of the abyss mages’ hideout. pesky little things. if i make haste i should be through with this mission by daylight and home by the time you awaken.
i’m fine too, so don’t worry yourself sick with my wellbeing as you so often tend to do. there’s bound to be a bruise or two somewhere but it’s nothing to fret over.
it’s alright. don’t worry.
usually i’d ask you about your day and any troubles you might’ve experienced, as i do with each letter addressed to you, but i’d rather save that conversation for when i next see you.
avaria will no doubt make her way back to you after informing me that you’ve received this letter, expecting you to write one in return, but don’t trouble yourself. as previously mentioned, please save all your thoughts for my return.
i am eager to hear your voice once again. it’s... been far too quiet without your constant chatter to fill the silence. i’d much prefer to have you here, talking to your heart’s content, but i would never jeopardise your safety in favour of my selfish desires.
i’ll be home soon, my love. i promise.
- diluc.”
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kaeya
“damn...”
there’s a searing pain in kaeya’s leg. it shoots up the limb, up his spine from where he sits on the ground.
one glance to his left thigh has the captain gritting his teeth and clenching his fists in order to alleviate the throbbing sensation. there’s a gash there. a huge one, so very deep and so very red. his blood stains the fabric of his pants and soils the ground beneath him.
but he does his best to ignore the feeling. does his best not to focus on the over-hanging threat of blood loss. it’s— it’s imminent. it’s bound to be, what with the rate at which his blood pools below him, but he can’t fall into the depths of unconsciousness.
no, not yet.
not when he hasn’t sent you his weekly letter. 
he promised, after all. promised he’d send you a letter for each week he had to be away on this damned expedition. for each week he coudn’t be home and by your side.
black dots swim around in his peripherals, but the cavalry captain stifles the heady feeling and instead turns his line of sight towards the right.
a desk. chair. a half-empty pot of ink... and a single slip of paper.
with great effort kaeya manages to rise to his feet. the world tips and twists around him but he manages to grab hold of the nearby makeshift bed.
the man has to actively recall how to walk, reduced to having the coordination of a newborn fawn: his injury was on his left, so that meant...
right leg, left leg. right leg, left leg.
kaeya is thankful for the tiny space of his tent despite having been used to his grand office. it only took a total of four shaky steps to reach his destination. he didn't know if he could manage any further.
a bloodied hand reaches out for the quill sitting in the ink pot, missing entirely at first before finally grabbing hold of the delicate item, the other reaching out for the stray parchment.
it's smeared with red now. he hopes you don't mind.
of course you would, he admits. of course you would, you'd worry almost instantly. what else would this colour mean?
it's not like he could fetch a new piece of paper, though. this would have to make do.
and so, with the final remnants of both his strength and his consciousness, kaeya scribes.
there’s someone knocking at your door, three raps against the polished wood.
your ears perk up immediately at the sound and, donning a thicker robe to keep out the morning chill, you make your way towards the entrance of your abode.
a familiar face greets your visage as you peer out of the peep-hole, an excitable smile on your face as you open the door for your guest.
“noelle! what brings you here this morning?” you greet, and the maid gives you a friendly smile and a small wave with her ironclad hand.
something clasped with her other catches your attention.
somethings brown.
“this is addressed to you,” she holds up the item you’d just been staring at. it’s an envelope with your name on it, albeit rather hastily written. “it came in last night.”
“thank you, noelle.”
the favonius maid graces you with another of her kind smiles and bows before taking her leave. with the company of no one but yourself again you close the door and quickly make your way back upstairs and into your bedroom, occupied with the slip in your hand.
it must be something from your lover. from kaeya.
the week had gone by without any signs or news from the cavalry captain. you didn’t worry initially, seeing how he was off on an expedition with the other knights, but as the week began to draw to a close with no word from kaeya you had began to feel rather restless.
but it was alright now. you had his letter in your very palms. 
wrapping yourself under your duvet you begin to gently open the envelope. a single pull and the letter glides out and unravels itself before your eyes.
…and the high of anticipation all but crashes around you.
the writing is messy. scribbled. scrawled.
the paper was red. not all of it, only a few dots and a single streak, but the fact still stands.
it was red.
red?
wine, perhaps? if not wine, then some other alcoholic beverage? red water? no, kaeya loved wine- wouldn’t dream of nursing anything else unless completely necessary. red water didn’t exist. so maybe a juice of the same colour? a fruit stain, a food stain, any stain, something that isn’t, couldn’t be—
archons. there’s blood on the page.
your heart drops.
"calla lily,
i’m sorry.
this won’t be the prettiest of letters i’ve ever sent you by any means, but i hope it still finds its way to you. i’ve not got a lot of space or ink so please bear with me. 
you’re no fool. i’m sure you can deduce my situation with how awful my writing is and the stains on this paper but please don’t worry, alright? it’s just a scratch- nothing our healers and a good night’s sleep won’t fix. it’s certainly nothing i haven’t faced before.
i’ll be okay, dove. promise.
and i’ll be home soon, too. varka and the rest have the situation all under wraps. shouldn’t take too long now. keep the bed warm for me, eh?
i love you, (name).
i’ve lived a lie my entire life, but that’s one thing i’m certain of. dead certain. if that’s the only truth i’ve ever known then so be it. i don’t care.
so please- please believe me. you have to.
take care of yourself for me, and know that no matter the distance between us, i’ll never stop lo—”
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taglist
-  ✦ @tellerluna-stories , @byeol-ssi , @irethepotato , @roguebox , @umiwu , @pinkuberii , @fiannee​
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published on 03/09/22
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dxy-drxxm · 7 months
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SYNOPSIS: Lyney never feared the sight of the tank, but his "Father" changed that for him. (gen. neutral reader) [ IDENTITYV AU ]
CW/s: Drowning (or almost drowning), ooc Lyney? (he's shaken up oops), depiction of Knave! Lyney/Harbinger! Lyney, near death scenario, reader gets hurt in helping survivor! Lyney (part 2 of 3)
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The familiar thumping of one's heart was something Lyney is quite used to. To him, as a magician, he would only have those when performing tricks that are impossible— only for them to work as the audience began to shower him with praise.
As an illusionist, he knew well that miracles are akin to magic tricks. That is what he was raised to believe, but outside of his job, there are things far more cruel than he may say.
So when he felt himself getting dunked into the tank his sister used in one of their shows, he felt the air leave him as he was put inside.
He banged on the glass as he saw his Father? leave, the illusion fading into a sight he can discern. He thought it was her?, but the familiar coat and attire betrayed his expectation.
It was… Himself?
… As the Knave.
He felt his eyes widened. Was this suppose to be him?
If Father gets replaced or dies, will he become like this?
The hunter turned his head to see the stunned illusionist, water pouring down to fill up the tank. And for a sheer glance alone, he could see him mouth the following words that shocked his core.
And then, he left.
His siblings are far from where he was chaired. And Heaven forbid will he let them rescue him like this.
The water is filling up to his knees.
Was this the end? He couldn't tell anymore.
After all, he knew he can turn the fates in his favor. He knew that, he was a magician! And by God will he just stop because he's stuck in a water tank!
As he felt his legs grow damp, he began to do anything in his power to get out. He tried to push the lid, perhaps use his own tricks to disappear from the tank.
He wanted to get out of this blasted tank. He was growing desperate.
At times like these, he wished he had his vision on his person.
But alas, no such luck.
His efforts rendered futile, and his desperation gnawed at him alive.
...
It's rising to his waist.
...
He wanted to crumble.
He couldn't hear the faint calling of a familiar voice— and a yelp from the hit by the grim-malkin cat. The one he had from his tricks.
He can vaguely recall how some of his tricks failed. How he and Lynette endured to get a sliver of fame, to even get a chance to perform.
This was one of those times.
He knew this moment awfully well. And the familiar despair began to get to his head.
...
It's rising to his chest.
...
Was this it? Is this the end of the road?
It can't be. I can't die here. I can't.
I can't stop here— why can't I do something? Why is there no exits here?
I can't simply drown in this tank and disappear. I don't want to disappear!
No, no, no—
Please, I need to see my sister again. I need to see my siblings again.
I refuse to sit here, and yet...
... I don't know what to do.
Can I even escape from this glass prison?
Can I escape the same prison I've been destined to be trapped in?
...
Then, it rises to his neck.
...
The seal of the tank opens.
Two hands grabs him, and with one full swoop, the playwright pulls the illusionist out as a way to rescue him.
Lyney was stunned when he felt the water leave him, and albeit he is dripping, he could smell the scent of parchment and ashes.
(Name).
"Are you okay, Lyney?" he heard them asked, watching as the tank closes but the water level remains the same. "Here," they added, handing him a syringe that they retrieved from the chests.
Am I okay?
"Come on, let's go—"
They yelped and went down as the hunter— himself— loomed over them, sighing.
"Oh, my dear poupée, you should've learned not to turn your back on a hunter!" his hunter identity said, but the playwright turned to wince and glare at him.
"Hah— and you should learn not to be so cocky."
Then, the sirens blared. And detention got ahold of the Knave.
With adrenaline, they shoved the now coherent illusionist.
"Run!" you yelled, grabbing his wrist and pulling him with them out of the big tent. "Detention will last in 2 minutes— and we'll both die if we get caught by him!"
And as soon as the two of you fled, the survivors could hear the ever familiar yet chilling laugh as the Knave is in pursuit of his showstopper.
No man will be left alive.
Not on his watch.
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@.enxgmx-wrxtxr | do not republish, repost, or copy my works anywhere | 2023
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tranquilpetrichor · 9 months
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i'm inside your head
synopsis: y/n's ability to read minds with a simple glance and communicate telepathically gets them into some interesting situations.
cast: fem telepathic!reader (uses she/they) x gyuvin ft. gunwook & ricky
genre: fantasy, superpowers!au, angst, comedy, fluff
wc: 2.8k (2,845)
warnings: mentions of crowd anxiety, reader has a period, cursing, descriptions of illness, mentions of discrimination against people with powers, brief mentions of family members insulting each other, people y/n isn't close with tend to use only she pronouns with y/n so fair warning, touching grass jokes, events of fic are in non-chronological order, this attempts to go by the korean high school system, lmk if i missed anything
a/n: first zb1 fic and it was kinda a word dump stemming from one of my crazy ideas LOL. the inspiration from this series came after seeing the character nahida (from genshin) and her ability to read the mind of any sumeru npc with her skill. i also thought it'd be kinda cool to explore the different scenarios that y/n could get themselves into if they could do that.
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if you were to go back and ask six-year-old y/n what superpower they would have wanted, they would excitedly have said, "mind reading! it's so cool to know people's thoughts!"
the eighteen-year-old version of you knew better than that, though. since the age of seven, your abilities had only continued to develop, and if you tried enough, you could communicate telepathically with people.
telepathy's fucking annoying sometimes. but it has its perks too.
you can recall many anecdotes, ranging from humorous to depressing to gross, that were the consequence of your telepathic abilities.
1. so he does have a crush..
year 2 of high school
if there was one thing you learned today, it's that kim gyuvin was not great at hiding his thoughts.
when you wanted to focus, it was natural for you to suppress your mind's tendency to peer into the minds of others, but depending on how active their thoughts were, it was difficult.
so that was how you learned in your science class that your cute lab partner wanted to ask you out, but never had the chance to really talk with you until now.
that was all accompanied by a cascade of other thoughts like y/n's such a talented student, I'd love to even be friends with them, and that's a cute necklace.
hm, kinda cute, you thought to yourself. truth be told, you were a little hesitant to make the first move romantically, but a tiny little push couldn't hurt, right?
you innocently whistled while scribbling down a few more notes—you couldn't make it too obvious that you knew his secret. but since the two of you had to make a joint presentation presenting your findings from today's lab, you figured that it would be a lot easier if you exchanged contact information with him.
and hey, he was cute.
you tapped gyuvin on the shoulder and smiled, showing him your lab paper with your personal info written in the right-hand corner.
"i’ve finished this part of the worksheet—here's my number and kakao talk id so we can talk more. let's work hard on the presentation together!"
his lips formed an o of surprise, and you swore that he was blushing. "alright then! uh, thanks for giving me your info!"
AHHHHH wait wait wait oh my god what just happened was all you could hear in his mind. a subtle smile bloomed on your face. science class just got a lot more interesting.
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2. a (mostly) clean separation
year 1 of high school
you actually didn't enjoy telling people about your abilities. it wasn't that people with powers were so uncommon (you forgot the exact figure, but you thought it was about 2 percent of south korea's population that did).
no, it was the specific nature of your abilities. people tended to make assumptions about you as soon as you trusted them enough to drop this info.
it was as if you were suddenly someone not to be trusted, even though you were acting no differently than you had before.
although, their assumptions were understandable. you couldn't say you had never abused your abilities for personal gain, but it was something you didn't want to make a habit of.
revealing to your friend, gunwook, your secret had caused a minor but turbulent period of conflict in your friendship.
he clenched his fists and released them with a sigh. "how did i not connect all the dots? i'm hurt that you've kept this from me for so long."
6 months was a long time to keep a secret, but you were cautious by nature. you knew that not everyone liked people with superpowers, and that some still faced discrimination and greater scrutiny.
besides, you wanted people to get to know you for things outside your powers.
"i'm sorry, gunwook. i had my reasons. i thought you would judge me harshly, and i've had several negative experiences of this happening."
you paused to catch your breath, and continued, trying to silence his troubled thoughts, but it was getting increasingly more difficult. you held a hand to your head.
"look, i'll understand if you want to stop being friends."
he grabbed his water bottle and drank some of the liquid, presumably to calm down. he was facing away from you, and let out a sigh.
gunwook was actually quite level-headed most of the time, which was why it pained you to see him trying to hold back signs of emotional distress.
"y/n, i don't want this to ruin a great friendship. it's just, i have to take time to think about how my perception of you has changed. i don't want to say anything i might regret. this is a... personal issue."
if it was personal, you weren't going to pry. it was up to him to decide if and when he would tell you.
you got one final glimpse of his thoughts before he bid you goodbye.
"not a monster.. they're not a monster. they're not..."
as he walked away, all you could hear were the autumn leaves crunching beneath his feet and the wind that drowned every noise out so easily.
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3. the donut order
year 2 of elementary school
there was no better feeling for you as a kid than the chance of getting a treat after school, and since you had quite the sweet tooth, there was no better place to go than the donut shop.
"which one do you want?" your mother had said, gesturing to the display case of donuts. back then, you could barely see the whole thing, so you had to stand on your tippy-toes.
your gaze settled on one particular flavor. "chocolate, please!"
"you got it, kiddo."
your mother's thoughts were creeping into your mind. this had happened a few times before, but now, they were clearer.
i think i should try something new. lemon sounds good. oh, i'll get another donut for him too, maple. i'm sure hayoung won't mind an oreo. shoot, i don't think i have enough reward points. maybe next time.
"mommy, i think you're getting a lemon donut and bringing back a maple for daddy, and an oreo for hayoung!"
she nodded, but her eyes soon widened with surprise. "yes, that's—wait, how did you know? we'll talk about this later."
you wondered if you had said anything wrong, but quickly returned to the thought of getting a donut.
the employee working the counter was busy refilling certain sections of the display case and seemed to give no indication that she had heard the conversation between you and your mother.
"miss?" your mother asked politely, and the employee looked up. "i'll get one maple, one lemon, one oreo, one chocolate."
"will that be all?"
"yes."
"okay, one maple, one lemon, one oreo, one chocolate," she repeated for confirmation, grabbing each flavor mentioned and placing them in a large box. "you can insert, swipe or tap your card here."
your mom took out her credit card and followed the instructions on the kiosk.
"would you like a receipt?" the worker asked.
"no, thank you."
"alright, thank you and have a good afternoon!"
you followed your mother out the door, watching her quickly stride towards the car. after both of you got in, she sighed.
"y/n, you've always been a pretty smart kid, but i wasn't exactly ready for you to be a mind reader. i'm pretty sure that's why you knew what i was ordering."
you grinned, eyes wide with curiosity. "so i can really read people's thoughts?"
she hummed thoughtfully. "well, let's make sure. i'm thinking of an animal right now, what is it?"
pink giraffe with wings. she should be able to sense that thought.
"a pink giraffe with wings... but that doesn't exist."
she sighed. "what am i going to do with you, my dear child?"
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4. money before morals
year 3 of middle school
you were walking around campus after school, wanting to enjoy a few minutes to yourself. you had your headphones on, not wanting to be disturbed.
however, a figure began to approach you. as you took in his facial features, you suddenly recognized him.
that’s jeon jaebeom. his dad works for the school administration…
he walked in line with you, so you started walking towards a more crowded area to try and get away from him. you could hear him yelling.
“hey, wait! you’re the one who can read minds, aren’t you?”
you took off your headphones and glared at him. “ah, so someone was looking at something they shouldn’t have. keep it down, will you?”
he chuckled, and you wanted nothing more than to punch him in the face, even if it would get you in trouble.
“but you would be useful to me. i’d like for you to help me cheat on our next math test. see if you can get the answer key or something. i’m close to getting a c in that class, anyways.”
you groaned. what an idiotic request. “and why would i do that? so i can get expelled on your behalf?”
he shrugged. “because i’d pay you.”
you did a quick scan of his thoughts.
this bitch would be stupid if she actually did it.
hm, why not play around with him for a bit?
you looked at him quizzically. “how much?”
“100,000 won. you could probably buy a pretty nice meal with that amount.”
it would be useful, but i can't stoop that low to get it, you thought.
you laughed and pretended to thoughtfully consider it for a couple of seconds.
“i don’t think so.”
jaebeom glared at you. “what, you want higher? come on, isn’t this a good enough amount?”
you were truly annoyed and just wanted to blast your music again. why did you even remove your headphones, just to hear him say some nonsense? at least you were the same age as him, so he couldn't say something like "respect your elders."
it was time to go home.
“no, i don’t want your money, i want you to leave me the fuck alone. i’m not someone who stoops that low just to pass one test, but apparently someone thinks i’m a ‘stupid bitch.’”
he sneered and walked past you, shoving you as he did so. “fine. no one would trust someone like you anyways to help because all you’ll do is read their thoughts and manipulate them."
you staggered sideways, trying to regain your balance. you scowled.
really, you should have known better than to entertain a conversation with someone as spoiled as him. he shouldn't have soured your day, but in your defense, the middle school you was bad at picking the correct battles to fight.
still, you wondered if no one would trust you after all.
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5. i'll be your destination
year 2 of high school
you groaned, trying to get up from your bed, and failing. usually, when your time of the month rolled around, the cramps weren't so unbearable, but of course, it had to be more painful than usual this month.
your sister had already gone off to school for the day, but your parents had allowed you to stay home, thankfully. they'd gone off to work, but they left soup that you could reheat in the microwave.
you grabbed a cup and filled it with water. you were bored, but you didn't want to risk getting any of your friends in trouble by texting them (seriously, how hard was it to silence a cell phone?).
although, there was one thing you could potentially try...
hey gyuvin, what class are you in right now?
you didn't expect an instantaneous response or one at all. then again, the more often you contacted someone telepathically, the easier the process was, and you would say you and gyuvin had developed a pretty strong bond.
oh, hi y/n! social studies. you sound like crap by the way, haha.
you could practically visualize his smile. if you had the energy and were with him in person, you'd playfully elbow him.
ugh, so mean.
you just thought of elbowing me, so who's the mean one? ok but seriously, are you sick? fever? your attendance is usually pretty good. or wait, it's that time of the month?
bingo. should i give you a cookie or something for getting it right?
no, but you could give me a kiss...
you smiled. he always got away with cheeky remarks like this.
what an idiot.
heard that.
hey, wait. you have work to do.
it was some boring worksheet and it's done, i swear. besides, i'd rather help you feel better. is there anything i can do?
you've learned that despite initially pegging gyuvin for a jokester, he was incredibly caring and emotionally receptive.
well, talking has already helped me so much. but if you really want to do something... then i want to hear you sing. it doesn't have to be long.
hey, if it makes you happy,
in your head, you heard his boyish voice, singing one of his favorite songs.
i'll be your destination, tell me your favorite song...
he continued the lyrics while you finished your soup, and you felt more relaxed. even the worst days could turn bright whenever he was in your mind.
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6. don't spoil the ending!
year 3 of high school
watching dramas was a slow process for you, and it was another reason why you had to block people's thoughts sometimes.
because occasionally, a certain friend would be thinking about the ending of a show you weren't caught up on...
hey y/n.. guess who finished alice in borderland!
park fucking gunwook. i'm trying to finish this essay, don't you dare. and let me finish season 2 in peace.
come on, you're good at filtering out my thoughts anyways. i think you'll like it.
i have 4 more episodes to go. it's so tempting to just read spoilers online.
clearly, not god's strongest soldier—you should finish soon. honestly, we should have just had a watch party. gyuvin and ricky still need to finish season 1.
true. it's hard to watch a whole show together.
you typed another few sentences. perks of being busy, right?
despite that, you'd noticed that gunwook did manage to finish a few more dramas throughout the year.
being on student council sure does take a lot of time.
still, you get all the work done.
speaking of work, i'll leave you alone. finish the essay, and then we can talk about dramas.
fine, i guess it's time to be a good student.
yeah. but touch some grass every once in a while, i heard the cherry blossom trees are nice this time of year. i honestly think we should have debate club outside.
well, you're indeed the president, so you could probably do whatever you want. anyways, see you soon.
you laughed. nothing like friends telling you to touch grass, right?
quickly, you resumed your research for your argumentative essay, realizing how enjoyable (and yet distracting) it was to talk and reconnect with friends. maybe you'd have time to watch one episode tonight...
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7. information overload
year 2 of high school
family reunions weren't always the greatest place to be. of course, there was a lot of good food, whether it was homemade cooking, or people used another catering option.
but the downside to a large family reunion was an abundance of thoughts to read, which was the case anywhere that was crowded. however, family reunions made you quite nervous.
people's thoughts began to creep into your headspace, the voices semi-recognizable.
she got so fat.
i wonder where he's working? some tech company, i've heard.
auntie's boyfriend is so ugly.
dinner looks good.
can we go home? now?
he'd better get into a sky university.
i hope the kids don't crash into the wall..
of course, it had gotten easier to block these thoughts out, but you could never get rid of them a hundred percent. people had more on their minds than you'd expected.
if your mind was too muddled, it just induced headaches and sometimes, other symptoms such as suddenly feeling nauseous. that's why you couldn't be in crowded places for too long, and you usually had some sort of water bottle with you.
damn, you thought. i need somewhere to be alone.
you tried not to invite conversation as you found your way to the bathroom, shutting the door quickly as you entered.
you sunk to the floor, leaned against a wall, and closed your eyes, glad to be able to rest, if only for a short while. a peaceful smile appeared on your face.
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you'd long accepted that your experiences as an adolescent weren't ever going to be entirely normal, whatever that meant. your powers were a blessing and a curse, a gift and a tool for destruction.
of course, it was up to you to decide how you would use them in the future.
but as long as you had people in your life that accepted and cared for you no matter what secrets you held, you'd be alright.
72 notes · View notes
penguinlop · 2 years
Text
Giving Them a Bouquet of Flowers - part 2
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/// Genshin characters included: Kazuha, Itto, Thoma, Venti, Scaramouche, Gorou, Dainsleif, Aether & Baizhu
more characters here!
Summary: You surprise them one day by giving them a lovely bouquet.
warnings: slight angst, spoilers for character stories
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Kazuha /// Silk Flowers
Liyue is a land of fortified tranquility. Many aspects of life are different from Inazuma. Perhaps that's a good thing, for the scent of cherry blossoms and the crackling of thunder sometimes only bring  tears. As Beidou's helper in the Harbor, you were surprised when you found out she befriended a wanted criminal from Inazuma, but you were even more shocked when you heard the sweet phrases which spilled from such delicate lips. How could a man, which seems to be crafted from autumn winds and clouds, be a fugitive? When this so-called Kazuha solemnly told you his tale, you couldn't help but feel your heartstrings being pulled. So you made it your duty to find a way to introduce him properly to Liyue! While the Inazuman did his best to reassure you that such things aren't necessary, for he's content with whatever is given to him, you hushed him. After two days of making a perfect itinerary, you inquire about his whereabouts to Captain Beidou. She laughs and directs you towards his lodgings. Before you can politely knock on his door, you already hear Kazuha humming and reciting haikus. You think it's best to give him a moment, but suddenly, the door opens from a gust of wind. The Anemo user chuckles and states he can hear your footsteps. Blushing, you ask him if he would like to join you to venture around the Harbor today. Following a quick nod, you two depart for a charming stroll. While passing all the different vendors and restaurants teeming with life, one shop catches your eye; a florist selling Silk Flowers. They are quite expensive due to their value in the silk market, but they are often gifted on special occasions. While your wallet may sulk later, you figure this is indeed a celebration. Kazuha, your new friend, is finally out of Inazuma and in the Land of Contracts! Though you will admit more affectionate terms to describe the man intrusively lurk into your mind causing you to stammer and heat up. Nevertheless, you instruct Kazuha to go to a food stall to get cheap, delicious snacks. Holding bamboo skewers of Grilled Tiger Fish, he patiently whistles a tune taught to him by the Crux. The sound of a door chime breaks him out of his stupor. He sees you shyly smiling and holding something behind your back. Suddenly, you beam and say, "surprise!" Kazuha's eyes widen when he sees a bouquet of Silk Flowers. As the heir of a clan that has fallen from grace, he understands how expensive they are and tries to tell you that you didn't have to do all of that, but you shoo away any negativity. After finishing your meal, you two have a long, profound conversation about your lives. Kazuha tells anecdotes from his past that are heavy with grief. You instead opt for a brighter tune telling him all about your happy times in Liyue, hoping to encourage him to stay here with you. You hope it works.
“A bustling harbor full of joyous life certainly contrasts what I am used to while at sea or during my time in the Land of Eternity. Being with you is akin to fine wine and sweet melodies. While my family’s lavish fortune has vanished and my friend too has met his end, your bouquet has reminded me of such things. When the moon is high, and the sun bellows a farewell, I hope you and I can chat once more, only this time I hope to give you something in return. I shall ponder about our next date, for the time being, my sweet Silk Flower.” 
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Itto /// Sakura Bloom
Itto is a gentle giant who adores spending his afternoons playing with the energetic children of Hanamizaka. However, what he loves even more is spending time with you. For many days, you pondered about what would be a memorable gift for him. You wanted to showcase how much he fills your life with utter joy. Then, a light bulb flashed over your head, and you struck gold! It was one balmy summer day when you surprised the oni. You hid in an alley in Inazuma City near where he was sitting on a wooden bench. He was hyping up his little Onikabuto friend for its next daring match. You swiftly sprinted out, dumping a large bag of Sakura Bloom over his head. Pink petals billowed in the air and fell all over, coating the area with blush-colored affection. They contrasted nicely with his white hair and married too well with his red horns. He was rather alarmed at first and clutched the beetle close to his chest to shield his friend from any harm. But as soon as he saw your giddy form, any confusion fled, and he placed the Onikabuto on the bench to pick you up, twirling you in the air. The booming laughter he let out was far too infectious. All eyes were on you two. Perhaps he loved the attention a tad too much, for when he set you down, he puffed his chest before becoming a bit sheepish when you told him it's a gift for everything. While acknowledging it wasn't a proper bouquet, you weren't sure how to arrange the Sakura Bloom, so you figured this would be a fun "thank you." After you departed from the scene, Itto went to his gang to show off all the petals covering his body. The little trail of petals boosted the oni's ego. However, Itto couldn't help but feel a tad vulnerable. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he knew it had to do with the fact he couldn't stop smiling and his face constantly heated up. No one was surprised when a question appeared a week later in Ms. Hina's advice column of the "That's Life" magazine.
"Ms. Hina, I have the most awesome friend! And when I mean awesome, I mean amazing! They even gave me some Sakura Blooms. They are so cool. Anyways…Since they gave me that, my heart seems to hurt whenever I'm without them. What should I do? I went to my doc, and he said I'm fine, but I don't want them to be with me if I'm sick! And it's not manly at all being unhealthy. So, Ms. Hina, what should I do?" 
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Thoma /// Windwheel Asters
As a child of the wind whose home now rests in the land of eternal serenity, Thoma understands what it's like to be homesick. You notice that distant gaze and sigh. It compels you to watch the man with a positive temperament. As someone who works under the Yashiro Commission, you have been to the Kamisato Estate a handful of times. Each visit is met with unmatched glee. The Kamisato housekeeper Thoma never fails to make you smile. He once even knitted you a sweater when he saw you shivering one winter day! Truly the blond is someone blessed with a kind heart, so it didn't take much for you two to grow close. That's merely how he is. The man reels everyone in with his affection. After some thought, you realize perhaps you have been too reserved with your gratitude towards him. Thoma gives you a present nearly every day; it's high time you show him some love too. Following some careful consideration, you decide to give him a Mondstadt specialty. With the Sakukou Decree just abolished, importing things from abroad is much easier. Rubbing your hands together excitedly, you beam at the thought of your order arriving any day. When the day comes, you have to be extra careful not to run into a certain familiar face in Ritou. As Inazuma's fixer-upper, he has those gorgeous green eyes everywhere like an inquisitive phantom. Receiving his gift and darting straight home, you unbox the small package and look at the tiny bag inside. Windwheel Aster seeds. As if they are Thoma themselves, you tend to them so gently, watching as they flourish. Prior to the special day, you invite the Kamisato housekeeper over. Just the request makes him bubble with joy. Oh, how his smile makes your heart swell twice its size! When the day arrives, you hear three knocks on your door at around noon, and you swing the door open. Dango and tea are offered to welcome him in. You two talk for a bit before you scurry away and instruct him to close his eyes. Thoma chuckles at your childish behavior but feels himself also becoming eager. He feels bad because the minute you bring the bouquet right up near his face, he already knows what it is. That fragrant scent of childhood freedom never leaves his mind; Windwheels Asters, a flower that filled his days in Mondstadt. Yet, for you, he will feign his surprise because he loves it. Thoma may have to hold back his tears because he never thought someone would go out of their way to bring them to Inazuma. He can't stop gripping the bouquet wishing this incredible gift would last forever. You notice his breathless laugh. Perhaps Inazuma's concept of eternity has rubbed off on him too much. Before he can depart back to the Kamisato Estate, you give him the remainder of the seeds, hug him tightly, and kiss his cheek. His body stiffens, and his face flushes, becoming warmer than the pyro vision resting on his hip. 
“Hey! Thanks for the flowers, pumpkin! You’re always so kind to me. We should hang out again one day at Ritou or hmmm I know a good place for a quick meal. I’m not picky, so the choice is all yours, though I do have discounts for a few places. Huh? What did you say? Sorry didn’t catch ya. Oh, you wanna hear more about my childhood in Mondstadt when we go out? Well…It’s a bit embarrassing, but I’ll tell you a bit right now. How do I put it…Mondstadt is a place that’s sweet, while Inazuma is serene. Maybe you and I can travel back to my homeland one day and see for ourselves. First-hand experience is always the best after all!”
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Venti /// Cecilias
Mondstadt's favorite bard is someone you consider close to your heart. He never fails to cheer you up, whether it be his jokes or by offering you tender advice through the most melodious tune. You two trust each other so much he even unveiled his secret to you. To be quite frank, you weren't that surprised, for you could sense all the archaic power running deep in his heavenly soul. Nevertheless, the truth didn't change anything between you two, perpetually stuck to each other's hip. As a testament to how much you care for Venti, you venture off to Starsnatch Cliff one day with a wicker basket and gather enough Cecilias to arrange a lovely bouquet. You thought Dandelions might do the trick, but you changed your mind when you remembered he wears a Cecilia on his head. One day you enthusiastically tell him to meet you at Windrise because you have a little present for him. The way his face lit up made all the preparations worthwhile. He has to love it! You skip over to him and pull out the charming bouquet when you see him approaching the grand tree. Venti happily uses his powers to lift you and him up in the air and hug you as the wind current carries you two a few feet above. It's as if in those moments, your hearts entwine and euphoria settles in. Is this what bliss feels like? Giggle permeates as you two settle down on a nearby branch, swinging your feet. You figured the felicity would remain due to his elated reaction, but each time Venti stares at the bouquet, you notice those round eyes droop with sadness. When you ask him about it, the god sighs and pulls out his lyre. He sings about the story of his past. Mondstadt used to worship both the God of Winds and the God of Time, but their people forgot her. He glumly rhymes about the times when she cared for him, helped him foster his powers, and cultivated Cecilias with him. She was every moment of happiness and every moment of anguish. After he puts his lyre away, Venti solemnly chuckles, "I suppose even time wasn't kind to beloved Istaroth." All you can do is place his head on your lap and caress the face of the lamenting divinity. It is now your chance to sing to him. Whether your voice is good or bad, shaky or stable, Venti won't care because he only hears the dulcet tones of the one who cares for him with all their being.
"Hmm…Just as Cecilias bloom when the harsh gales of the Land of Freedom nestle them, so too do the seeds of stories brought by the wind become nurtured by time. I hope that our memories will be carried by the breeze and become legends—the tales of a mere wind spirit and a kind human. But our stories will be even better if you give me an apple and some wine next time! Hehe. Until next time my dove!" 
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Scaramouche /// Sakura Bloom
While you can't dump a bunch of petals all over him as you did for Itto, if you don't want to face the Harbinger's wrath, you can try other ways, and the one you decided on is placing the petals in a heart-shaped jar with a cork top. You recall you purchased it at an antique store near the center of Snezhnaya's capital. Truly it is a quaint and dainty gift that he can place on his lacquer desk or in his grand bedroom. You think it's quite sweet. However, fast forward to Scaramouche's reaction. He is far from pleased. A sour frown and furrowed eyebrows say it all. You were so sure he would act decent. Perhaps him being delighted is still a pipe dream. You were so sure basic manners would be displayed. At least for you… He was never the best at keeping his emotions at bay, but the Balladeer has a blatant soft spot for you that you certainly like to poke at. To be honest, you aren't sure why he is overtly irate, for you have given him a plethora of things in the past and the man more or less dismissed you quickly but reluctantly placed the presents on a shelf in his office or estate. Why must today paint a different tale? With a quick snap of his fingers, Scaramouche calls his Fatui attendants to take you away. You attempt to reason with him but to no avail. The distressed puppet harshly silences you. A whimper nearly falls from your lips. When you leave, Scaramouche intensely grips the glass jar, already fair fingers paling from his hatred. His lavender eyes stare at the heart shape. Thoughts of his past in Inazuma of being neither divine nor mortal and wandering around as an eccentric race in his mind; Kunikuzushi ruminates about the origins of his peculiar creation. He was made to be a vessel, his heart was to be Raiden Ei's gnosis, but he failed his only test by shedding tears. The celestial powers of the gnosis were far too wicked for his pure form. Ei felt too much guilt to discard her prototype, so she cast slumber upon him, sealed his powers, and hid him away in a forsaken pavilion. Yet he managed to awaken and was found, but even then, tragedy followed him. The friends he made perished all too quickly, and he was then found by the Fatui. Kunikuzushi understands that you aren't aware of his past, but the utmost resentment he has for himself for the constant emptiness in his chest consumes him. He loathes when you try to hug him. He fears you will notice his obvious lack of a heartbeat. Scaramouche aggressively throws the jar to the floor. The petals and shards remind him of thunder and lightning. Beautiful yet deadly. While he may deny it, Scaramouche feels dashes of guilt, for you are the only person who has been patient enough with him; even the Tsaritsa herself can't help but commend you. In a few days, you may find your house filled with extravagant delicacies and flowers from Inazuma. You smile because you know deep down he is grateful after all. Eternity is cruel. That's the lesson he learned the second he was introduced to this world. However, maybe if Kunikuzushi spends it with you, it won't be too bad.
“Don’t waste my time like that again. I have no need for such idle affection and chit-chat…Excuse me? You said you want to give me more? Fine. But don’t expect me to show any gratitude. Ha, I have no use for such stupid mortal things. I thought I told you or were you not listening? I was, and I am, nothing more than a vagrant from Inazuma. End of story.”
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Gorou /// Dendrobiums
warnings: mentions of war & death
Only a few months after the Civil War, you decide to visit Yashiori Island. While you didn’t fight on the battlefield, you tried your best to help the Sangonomiya forces out with the more mundane tasks. You admired their valiant fight against the Shogunate, yet war is always catastrophic for both sides. The numerous casualties were horrific. So, now you try to do your part once more by aiding with the frustrating aftermath. When arriving at Yashiori, you delicately pluck several beautiful crimson dendrobiums. At each memorial, you place a flower and hope the future will be brimming with prosperity. Why must things be so fleeting? You think back to a book about Inazuma’s flora as you lament. Dendrobiums flourish where blood is spilled. It’s as if their feeble hearts soak up the grief and bloom vibrantly as a reminder to those who lost their lives. A yellow butterfly gracefully flies by. It reminds you of a certain man, and you giggle, thinking about how he had to force himself not to touch a frail butterfly one time. When you return to Watatsumi Island, you decide to tie the leftover dendrobiums into a bouquet and give them to someone close who truly deserves it. Your favorite general, Gorou. You haven’t had the time to properly communicate with him since the Vision Hunt Decree was abolished due to his duties regarding the peace talks with Narukami; however, you truly desire to give him something for everything he has had to endure. You shudder just thinking about the weight on his shoulders. The moon whispers a hello as you approach the man, the charming bouquet hidden behind your back. You have to stifle a chuckle with your fist when you see his tail wag and ears twitch. Sheepishly you hand him over the gift and tell him that he must take care of himself. Gorou blushes in disbelief as he sees your loving expression. Still, he whispers a “thank you” before you two say goodbye. Finally, when the general returns home, he stares at the dendrobiums and simply cries. Memories of all he has lost flood. He believes he should be fine. Watatsumi won, after all! Yet perhaps you are right...He does need time to heal. In a black journal given to him by the Divine Priestess, the general scribbles down notes that only he will ever see. One of them is underlined three times and highlighted. Make sure to spend more time with them. Filled with too many emotions, the man stays up the whole night planning out special things to say to you instead of resting as you tell him to. 
"I really do appreciate the bouquet you gave me. You supported our efforts so much. Your kindness aided in boosting our morale considerably! *sigh* I know I should think positively and value the comrades that are still with me, but I do wonder what a different future would look like. But just know if a conflict with Narukami breaks out again, I will fight for Watatsumi and all the ambitions I carry with me! I have a duty to protect every bit of camaraderie and protect the lives I especially care about, like you, that I will make sure. Also, I would like to strengthen our bond so let's ask each other some questions. Huh? Wait, you want to know more about Ms. Hina? Who told you about that!"
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Dainsleif /// Inteyvats
As a member of the Adventurer's Guild, you come across several oddities. After you fight with an Abyss Mage in a domain in Liyue, they leave behind a bouquet. Following further inspection, you realize the petals are hardened. Truly a strange phenomenon. As you caress them, you can't help but think the flowers are more akin to rock or bone. You feel a wave of familiarity come over you. You aren't sure why but they remind you of Dainsleif. Mystery follows the man like ducklings to their mother. Upon further thinking, you giggle at your own thoughts and imagine the stoic man being followed by such tiny creatures. Anyways, with some consideration, you decide to give them to him as a token of some sort. Perhaps it can help him in his fight against the Abyss Order? There is only one dilemma, though…the blond is forever on the run, chasing Heralds and Lectors, so it's not often you see him. So, keeping that in mind, you decide to save them in a safe place. Every day you inspect them and see if their texture alters at all. These flowers are so unique! However, you can't help but groan and sigh, for they puzzle you too much. Internal whines and pleas of Dainsleif! Come back to me, bounce in your mind. It seems as if the knight in shining armor heard your woeful wishes. One day you spot Dainsleif and run up to him, giving him the mysterious bouquet. You figured he would say "thank you" and state he must continue tailgating those pesky Heralds. Still, you didn't expect to witness sorrow in his eyes already saturated with wretched misery. The Bough Keeper is silent for some time. The Twilight Sword senses your stare and politely apologizes. He then questions where you found these. You merely summarize your adventures. A nod is all that is given in return. Dainsleif is enigmatic in nature, but this is too much for your heart. That subtle edge of anguish. You ask him what's wrong, and he reluctantly tells you the truth. These flowers are known as Inteyvats; they bloom only in Khaenri'ah. If Inteyats are plucked and taken away from their homeland, the haven of humanity, they harden until they return. That's all the man tells you before muttering he must depart and continue his fight against the Abyss. The guilt creeps up his spine when he sees your face riddled with regret. You are far too precious for this cruel world. He wishes to keep you with him forever, for he fears his already jaded spirit will harden even more if you leave him, but alas, time is his greatest enemy. With your lifespan, he knows the ultimate outcome. 
“My war against the gods and Abyss Order is the immortal curse placed upon me 500 years ago. I understand more than anyone else the sorrow of losing everything to those who covet and rule the thrones in the skies. Perhaps if fate is merciful to me, I hope to show you the vast sea of white cultivated by those who dreamt of dreaming. But for now, I will treasure the time I spend with you. That is something I dare not to overlook, my dear.” 
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Aether /// Inteyvats
Aether is a brave man who saved you from a tribe of Hilichurls while he was out and about completing a daily commission. After escaping by the skin of your teeth, you shower the blond with vast compliments and gratitude. However, that wasn’t the end of your encounter. As a fellow adventurer, you boldly ask if you guys would like to team up. You heard a plethora of his fascinating feats and figured, why let this opportunity slide by? A chance of a lifetime is in front of you! He surprisingly looks to his floating companion, and they both shrug and nod. The smile that curls on your face when he agrees is something Aether could never forget. Never in your wildest dreams would you think Teyvat’s hero would grow so fond of you. He truly enjoys his time with you. Unveiling mystery after mystery in this world shrouded in terror is exhausting for him, but you show him that there is always something to enjoy. Whether sitting against a tranquil Cuihua Tree, eating Sunsettias, or making a flower crown out of Sweet Flowers, Aether will definitely take his kamera out more often to cherish these moments forever. When night caresses your face and you succumb to slumber, this is when he will pull out all the photos and admire them. He knows that you two may part ways one day, so he wants to make sure he has proof of your existence—the little adventurer who made his journey much more pleasing. After visiting the seven nations of Teyvat, you and the Traveler arrive at the coveted kingdom. A place where the stars of the real heavens shine, Khaenri’ah. Aether thought it would end here. That this would hold the key to finding his sister, yet it only became a gateway to another labyrinth of deceit. Perhaps he must fight against Celestia itself to reach the final chapter. The weariness and anger in his eyes sicken you. He has suffered so much. Why must this cruel world continue to taunt him? Before you can both leave the forsaken kingdom overflowing with sorrow, you pick a few Inteyvats and give them to him. You tell the blond that this will be a reminder that he will reunite with Lumine and will defeat the corrupt Sustainer guarding this world. The heroic traveler can’t help but sigh at yet another obstacle. However, deep inside, he knows there is a twinge of relief because he doesn’t believe he’s ready to part with you just yet.
“The journey that has been placed on my sister and me is far from over, yet I’m glad that you have been with me. I can only hope that somehow I can find a way for you to forever remain in the stars and in my heart.” 
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Baizhu /// Dandelions
As an herbalist from Bubu Pharmacy, you have seen your fair share of flowers and plants used for medicinal purposes. You often venture into Liyue’s vast forest of mountains with your adorable helper Qiqi to find Violetgrass and Qingxin galore. It’s your duty to sort through them in order to cater to each prescription. You help out with the more tedious and tiring jobs at the pharmacy, for Baizhu’s constitution is far inferior to yours, even if he is the head doctor. Nevertheless, you value his knowledge and care immensely; he has aided many citizens of Liyue, from Tianquan Ningguang to Chef Mao. While mysterious and often peculiar, as you hear rumors that he yearns for eternal life, you appreciate all he has done. However, you understand that due to his health and job, he is unable to travel outside of Liyue for any vacations. So, you decide to bring some of the fun to him. On a day off when the wind is breezy and the sun is out, you travel to Stone Gate, the border between Liyue and Mondstadt, and pick a myriad of dainty Dandelions. Tenderly, you pack them away. Before making your way to Bubu Pharmacy, you tie them together with a green silk ribbon. After you recheck the ribbon’s pretty bow and his timetable, you nervously approach the man with glasses and green hair and apprehensively hand him the simple bouquet of Dandelions. It’s not much, you are well aware of that, but you certainly hope he sees the thought put into it. Fumbling and quickly trying to recall the meaning behind them, you tell the Dendro user that it’s something along the lines of how you are supposed to place your wishes into the Dandelions and blow at them. Baizhu laughs at your restlessness and does as you tell him to. He shuts his eyes, breathes in, and blows, trying his best to send his secretive dreams to the little flowers. However, he soon violently coughs, and you rush to be by his side. Changsheng, resting on his shoulders, declares that you are all too quick to react and that he is fine. Baizhu grins and pats your head before playfully hushing Changsheng and stating he must head back. When alone, Baizhu coughs once more and sighs. He dreams of eternal life with you forever by his side. A mirage of daydreams clouds his vision. Why must his aspirations be so utterly far away? Like an oasis amidst a sea of scorching sand.
“Why, of course, I love your gift! Mondstadt has many herbs and flowers that are simply wonderful. I admire the City of Freedom’s pastoral landscape and fresh air. I am quite used to being surrounded by baskets of Qingxin and medicinal things alike from Liyue, so this was truly splendid. I am much obliged to you, darling.” 
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Thanks for reading! (UᵔᴥᵔU)
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intogenshin · 5 months
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On the circularity of time
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Putting aside the manuals, all the Mondstadt books we have saved in the inventory (instead of the archive) seem to be lore relevant in one way or another: Handy Handbook of Hilichurlian, Along with Divinity, Wind Courage and Wings, History of Kings and Clans, Biography of Gunnhildr, Ancient Investigation Journal.
However, the book in the screenshot is just a random tale about a Harpastum anecdote, and doesn't have any practical use.
The title as well as the story are a reference to the irl book "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel García Márquez, it's the novel that gave birth to magical realism in Latin America and completely changed the literary scene (this is a book most latam kids read in high school).
The book uses many devices to emphasize the theme of repetition: it revolves around a family across several generations who continuously repeat the behavioral patterns of the previous generations; they have very similar names (im still traumatized from trying to memorize the genealogical tree for school) and seemingly are fated to relive their counterpart's mistakes; and there is a whole lot of incest that isolates the family more and more.
The author purposefully made it this way to depict the circularity of time, as a reflection of the history of Colombia (and Latin America) because we seem stuck in loops of political violence and civil wars, with the ever present threat of USAmerican neocolonialism. This book is very, very important in the collective identity of Latin America for these reasons.
Mondstadt is a mishmash of Northern Europe, it has nothing to do with Latin America —except for the fact we're told Natlan is based on pre-Columbian America and Africa, and Vanessa's people who originally came from Natlan were enslaved by the Lawrence clan, which, yikes! But all traces of Natlan people seem to have vanished after the clan was defeated by Vanessa, and she herself seems to have adopted the culture of Mond instead for some reasons so! This book seems out of place.
If hoyo chose to include it in Genshin (and even moreso, to put it in the inventory to be easily seen), it had to be with the intention of highlighting the theme of cycles in history. Though whether it's only in reference to events of smaller scale (like Mondstadt going through two different tyrants) or of greater scale like the entirety of the continent being stuck in a loop, it is up for debate.
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