#diluc is not a good person

[sealpup9]

In regards to the post about characters who seem collected and have their shit together but then you peel back a few layers and they are so inherently flawed: I'd like to talk about Diluc Ragnvindr. 

(as always, k/luc shippers DNI please)

I'm going to be talking about a few of the recent events here, as well. 

When the traveler met Diluc, it was clear that the man has a lot of concern about the well-being of others, and Mondstadt as a whole. He accepts the fact that Venti is Barbatos and it doesn't change his objective. He doesn't like to work with the Knights for unknown reasons. He works at night in disguise to keep the city safe. 

He seems to be a very level-headed man with straight morals, and he has a gentlemanly presence. He is well-spoken and knows when things need to be taken into his own hands. 

When faced the issue of the Abyss Order sending the Knights of Favonius a sort of peace offering to make a mutual enemy of the Darknight Hero, he already knows. It's odd, right? So, he must have connections. And a fast working network at that. Ok, so that's not unheard of. He's rich and powerful, but he's using those resources to help others. Right? 

When speaking of good and evil, he states that "heroes and villains are both sides of one coin".

And you think huh. Ok. Alright. That's odd to be saying but whatever. I know you're a good guy, you helped us thwart the Abyss Order. 

So you go with him to stake out an area to gather information on the Abyss Order with him. He insists on masks. Ok. Well. I guess that makes sense right? But Diluc has bright red hair. How stupid is the enemy?

You corner the abyss mage and oh ok. Diluc is committing a literal war crime by torturing the mage with pyro. He slipped into a separate angrier tone of voice and started using pyro with his bare hands. Is that something people with visions usually do? Well, according to the Abyss Mage, no. 

Diluc burns the guy for intel and then it's hinted that he killed it in the end, seeing as it's disappeared from the area. 

Ok.

Paimon is scared of him now. Valid. But he's on our side? So there's nothing to worry about. Only you remember his line about heroes and villains. Ok. 

So Diluc comes up with this thought of using this mixture that slimes are attracted to en-masse and dumping that at the side gate to distract the knights. He says this is the only way. Insisting that you do not tell the knights about this because they're ill equipped. 

It seems… dramatic honestly. Right? I mean, the Knights are also actively trying to protect the city. 

But diluc goes on to explain every bit of his plan. And you realize uh. Well you won't be doing much, huh. This is a plan that mostly involves Diluc telling you what's going to happen. Step by step. 

Lie to the knights. 

Make sure you get out of the tavern.

Get to the gates by 10pm to meet the small army of abyssal creatures that are set to storm the city. 

And diluc just singlehandedly takes them all out. Not even using his vision a majority of the time. 

He is a fucking force to be reckonedc with. Why did you come along. He slaughtered everything with no remorse. 

So now, at the end of this quest.

You have this man who supposedly is calm and collected- scrambled to put together a very intricate plan to put Mondstadt in danger (specifically the slime infestation at the side gate that, the traveler will STILL get commissions to deal with the slimes years later), simply so he (the more capable one in his mind) could go out and be a vigilante, to save the city himself. 

And you start to realize that no. Diluc really isn't a good person. 

Does he genuinely care about protecting the innocents in Mond? Yes. 

It's clear that this is something that distresses him and that weighs heavily on his shoulders. He never regards himself as a hero, either. He does not do this for recognition.

Will Diluc put others in danger to continue playing out this role he's picked for himself? Yes. He put the city in danger to make sure he could take care of what he did. 

He's also not above torturing captives for information 

And then you read his story. 

He went on a 3 year spree across Teyvat to search for answers in regards to his father's death. Using the delusion that killed his father, and learning to use it without killing himself. He killed so many Fatuus and took out so many strongholds that the Harbingers themselves had to come and put him down. 

And it's odd, right? 

Because over the last few updates, the traveler has been learning that the Fatui are a cult, essentially. And the soldiers that work hard and fight are doing this because it's this great honor, but they're also people. They're actual people with actual quests and motivations and stories. 

(Side note: If you haven't done the fortune slip hidden quest in inazuma you should. There's some juicy fatui lore to be had)

And the more the traveler learns about the Fatui, the more they are people. 

Diluc shut out the notion that each and every soldier he killed was an individual. He's not welcome in Snezhnaya because of what he did. He likely killed hundreds of Fatuus in his 3 year spree. 

And every time we have conversations with some Fatuus that are willing to talk, I just think about how Diluc went and slaughtered ruthlessly.

Agafya in this quest at golden apple archipelago says something like "you wpuld really burn someone alive? Not even the cruelest Fatui Agent would do that."

And I think that wording was purposeful. We know damn well Diluc would.

She also says it's inhumane to torture people for information, and that they are taught that if they give up intel to the enemy, then they'll be killed with no remorse because the other side will have no use for you. Citing incidents mentioned in the past by her commander.

It's just… telling. And I'm maybe reading too into things, but if the Fatui are all briefed on the traveler and Paimon… with what we've done… there's no way Diluc and his actions aren't being used to further scare the Fatui soldiers into behaving a certain way. They have specific rules to follow during situations where they are hostages. They mention being burned alive and how cruel it is.

What I'm easentially trying to say is: Diluc has committed atrocities. Diluc has likely not paid for these atrocities, just like he hasn't paid for harming his brother. 

Diluc is stuck in this world where he thinks his actions are selfless simply because they align with a certain moral cause. But his morals change based on the situation and based on the enemy. 

Remember those rumors Moco and Hillie (two of Diluc's maids) talk about at the winery? About people staying the night and then going missing the next morning? And how Adelinde refused to acknowledge it? 

I think Diluc has a hand in that. 

I think Diluc is a dangerous man who refuses to acknowledge what he is. He's deeply traumatized by what happened with his father to the point where he hates talking about it. He carries the weight of Mondstadt's well-being on his shoulders alone because he 'has to' or 'he's the only one capable'. When in actuality he knows damn well there are good knights who are trustworthy. (Jean, Kaeya, Albedo).

I think he's selfish at heart. Living out his fantasy here in Mondstadt. Refusing to change. Wallowing in self-loathing whenever something horrible happens. Putting others down to continue what he supposedly has to do alone. 

He'd a mess, truly. And I wouldn't want to make an enemy out of him. 

I know people talk about a betrayal in terms of Kaeya and Khaenri'ah. But I think if anyone, we should be worried about Diluc snapping. He's dangerous. He has connections. He has the means to make problems disappear. He has the money, the status.

He's so dangerous. And yet his self-loathing, his guilt, and his stubbornness keep him from going down that route. 

It's part of why I think, if he ever approaches Kaeya to reconcile, I think that's when the traveler should start being worried about ulterior motives or drastic happenings.

Yes he cares. Yes! I do genuinely think he cares! But it's also such a vicious cycle of harm and hatred. And hatred kills people from the inside out. 

Anyway yeah thanks for listening to my absolute mess of an infodump. If you made it this far thank you I appreciate your patience and I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

#diluc ragnvindr #diluc #genshin impact #diluc genshin impact #adelinde #adelinde genshin impact #kaeya #kaeya alberich #kaeya genshin impact #knights of favonius #darknight hero #woooooo #my post #long post #sorry about the chaos #im just in such a diluc mood #diluc is not a good person #i love him he's so problematic #^-^ #dime time #i did not edit this so like #i will in the morning need be

[cluescorner]

I have been unable to get the idea of baby Kaeya sneaking off to Sumeru without telling anyone out of my head

Baby Kaeya: I have successfully snuck into Sumeru in a merchant convoy. I may have left without saying goodbye, but I’m sure the Ragnvindrs will not mind. After all, surely they don’t see me as their actual family. They might raise a fuss and be in agony if Diluc were to disappear, but not for me. 

Meanwhile......

Crepus, on his 8th bottle: How on earth have I managed to lose an entire child?? Did he get kidnapped? Did he run away? Is he alive? Is he safe? I’m going to have a breakdown holy shit. I have failed as a father. Elzer, have the knights gotten back about their search of the area? Or the private squad I hired? 

Elzer: I’m afraid they have found nothing...but look on the bright side! At least we haven’t lost Diluc...

Adeline, literally physically restraining Diluc to stop him from running off to search for Kaeya: Yet. We have not lost Diluc YET. 

----------------------------------------

Merchant guy: Hey, uh, guys? 

Merchant lady: Yeah? 

Merchant guy: Can somebody read this handwriting? I think whoever wrote this must have been in a hurry or something. And are those...tear stains? 

Merchant lady: Sure...hm looks like the boss’s son is missing....

Merchant guy: Huh. Well we guarded the goods pretty well but let’s check just to make sure. 

Merchant lady: *Opens up the goods to find Kaeya wedged between 2 crates* Oh we’re so fired. 

Kaeya: In your defense, it’s only been a few days. One time I hid from...something for a week. And it was far more perceptive than you are, so you can hardly be blamed for missing me for only a few days. It was a fun challenge, but I was very hungry afterwards. By the way, do you have some water? I did not want to risk revealing myself, so I have not moved from this spot since we left. 

Merchant guy: We’re not fired...we’re dead. 

------------------------------

Crepus, sprinting to Sumeru: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

----------------------------------------

Merchant guy: So...while we wait for your dad, why did you come here anyways? I’m sure we could do something fun. 

Kaeya: Hmmm, no. You should not look into why I came here. That would be bad, for me and for you. 

Merchant lady, whispering to merchant guy: Hey, um, what the fuck does that mean?

Merchant guy, whispering to merchant lady: The boss said his new kid was kinda odd, but this wasn’t what I was expecting. 

------------------------------------

Crepus: KAEYA! OH THANK GOODNESS YOU ARE OK! 

Kaeya: Hello Master Crepus. I hope I didn’t cause too much-

Crepus: WHY ON TEYVAT WOULD YOU JUST RUN AWAY? DID YOU JUST WANT TO GO TO SUMERU TO SEE THE RAINFORESTS OR SOMETHING?

Kaeya: ...Sure. I read about it in a book and thought it looked cool. I wanted to see it, and so I left. 

Crepus: *sigh* Kaeya, next time you want to take a vacation somewhere, please just tell us. You ARE grounded for a month since you broke a very big rule, but afterwards I’ll see about arranging a trip to Sumeru for us. 

Kaeya: Crossing Teyvat to find me, grounding me, and arranging trips around my preferences? Why are you treating me so similarly to how you treat Diluc? 

Crepus: Because you are both my sons. Why on earth would I treat you any differently? 

Kaeya, forming the first healthy relationship with an adult in his entire life and realizing that he has grown attached to the very family he was left to spy on then eventually betray: Oh. This...I feel weird. Bad-weird and good-weird. 

Crepus: Well, you probably feel weird because you were LODGED BETWEEN TWO CRATES FOR 4 DAYS STRAIGHT? You’re going to give me a heart attack one day, I swear. Now we’re going back to Mondstadt right now, and you’re grounded starting the day after we get back. I highly doubt Adelinde and Diluc will be able to restrain themselves from fawning over you, they’ve been a mess. 

Kaeya, realizing that now only has he grown attached to his new family, but they have grown incredibly attached to him: Oh...oh no. 

#genshin impact #kaeya #crepus ragnvindr #kaeya alberich #diluc ragnvindr #he is not technically a speaker but I think he is present enough to qualify a mention #adelinde #my beloved #elzer #IDK what his timeline is but I'm assuming he's working for the Ragnvindrs at this point #anyways #what if this was the moment when Kaeya realized just how much he loved his new family #and when he realized how much they loved him #bro Crepus PERSONALLY TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO SUMERU TO GET KAEYA #I can only imagine that Diluc was trying to break out of the house on a daily basis to save Kaeya like a good knight would

[aromanticasterisms]

no but actually. the parallels to other Twins in different nations of teyvat in relation to the traveler and their desire to reunite with their own sibling makes me a little bit bonkers. like.

diluc and kaeya as what the traveler has and fears, after we will be reunited [separation born from conflict that seemingly cannot be mended; they both care for each other but ultimately their opposing ideals mean they cannot be at each other's side in the same way that they used to, and no longer have the close bond they once did]

ei and makoto as what the abyss sibling experienced [a crushing loss not just of one's twin but the last remaining friend they had and the safety and security of their nation, coming out the other side traumatized, cold and jaded and making decisions that will ultimately hurt the people they claim to want to protect for the sake of an unattainable goal]

and lyney and lynette as what the traveler and the abyss twin used to have before they were separated [never apart for long, home is wherever we are together], what the traveler wants [their separation brief and quickly amended, continuing to be inseparable after they reunite], and also the choice they'll have to make [the twins being together in an organization the traveler inherently doesn't trust - does the traveler want to be by their sibling's side badly enough to throw their lot in with the abyss, and turn their back on everyone else they've met on their journey so far?]

#personal stuff #thorn plays genshin #RIPS AND TEARS. #hi . feeling so normal btw #i was thinking so so so so hard about the traveler twins when ei's second story quest dropped #and i am constantly sick in the head about the traveler being tired of the ragbros nonsense communication #and THEN in fontaine the traveler having to watch these two twins who are incredibly close. #and try not to think about what they've lost #i'm. uuaauguugh #LIKE #the traveler and the abyss twin really are what the fontaine twins could be if either of them lost the other. #at the end of his story quest lyney talks about how both of them give each other strength to get through the darkest days #and how darkness never consumes him because he has his sister and they remember the good things together [punches the ground] #also lyney and lynette losing their trust in people early on and having to lie to everyone around them #and getting the companionship that kaeya never got in his childhood. cries #like he had his twin!!! he had his brother!!! but he had to lie to him for years and never felt truly understood until that night #and AUUUGH the running theme of one twin being Light and the other being Dark #one always brightly engaging with people while the other deals with matters from the shadows #and the brothers flipping that on its head when diluc returns to mondstadt - diluc in the shadows and kaeya with the knights #and ei getting someone who will be her shadow so she can finally step into the light herself and see the world with her own eyes. #just AUUGUUGHGH. i'm fine. i'm normal #this is incoherent maybe but augh. augh. siblings. #[looking back at the earth] wait the game is about family? always has been

[torgawl]

i'm too mentally unwell for this (people shoving ragbros angst in my face at 10 am)

#diluc's voice going 'was it ever real?' </3 kaeya saying 'i was just a child' </3 and 'i would burn the fucking world down before i would #even think of betraying you' </3 #i'm actually crying #whatever spell ragbros put on me when i first started playing genshin that shit has a grip on me #i just want them to hug so bad i need them to hug i need them to cry it out and laugh together #i need diluc's lighthearted personality to shine through at least once please please #being safe enough that your inner child shines through as a sign of healing is so!!!! good!!!! btw #actually i'm so freaking curious about kaeya's birthday this year #i am every year but now that he had that sort of reassurance during his hangouts that the winery will always be there for him #i want to know if he gets to spend a bit of his birthday there or get to at least eat adelinde's food #maybe this is irrealistic but i don't care let me dream #his message last year was about tcg i love tcg but not like this give me crumbs hoyoverse feed me #last year's art was so cute with all the presents (we had klee crumbs too kaeya and klee so precious to me) so i am hoping for something #equally or even more wholesome #anyways do you ever just think about kaeya and diluc? #yeah me neither 😂

[pizzapasta23045]

Is Diluc.... Religious??? Would Diluc pray???

#i feel likeas a child he would but a.c. (after crepus) he would stop immediately #idk it just feels right #like he rejects religion and starts praying to crepus instead #hoping praying he will be a good enough person to live up to his expectations #textpost #diluc #diluc ragnvindr #diluc ragvindr #crepus ragnvindr #crepus genshin

[bitwynn]

Possible future scenario for Behold!AU:

~~~

Amber: y/n! Help! I dont know which one to shoot!

Diluc: shoot him, hes the impostor!

Other Diluc: no, that ones a fake-- hes the one you should shoot!

Paimon!Reader: ah crap-- ah fuck-- okay! Amber, when i tell you to shoot, shoot okay?!

Amber: alright! Do you have a way to tell them apart?!

Paimon!Reader: yeah, i do.

Paimon!Reader, to the Dilucs: hey Diluc! Why do I hate Jean?!

Amber: wait, you hate master Jea--

Diluc: its because she leads a corrupt authoritative force that she does not work to better despite the fact that the only thing she cares about is the goodness and wellbeing of the people of Mondstat! And all her efforts of overworking are for naught because of her incompetence and short-sightedness, and because she does not see the real problem in the system!

Other Diluc: that, and also because you lost the 50/50 to her in the Kazuha banner!

Paimon!Reader: its the first one, shoot the first one--

#im still salty abt that btw AHAHA #shes currently just sitting at lvl 1 or 20 #with zero artifacts #and a lvl 50 double refined Flute #and yes those are the two reasons i hate jean #because she IS a genuinely good person #shes just-- in dilucs words #incompetent #shes does not know how to lead #especially with varka dumping all his work on her to go onto expeditions #i just-- i have a lot of emotions about the knights okay #self aware genshin impact #genshin #genshin impact #diluc #diluc ragnvindr #genshin impact sagau #genshin impact self aware #genshin sagau #genshin self aware #sagau #genshin impact au #behold a paimon au #genshin behold a paimon au

[yioh]

these make me think about kaeya and diluc honestly it’s so heartbreaking 🥲🥲

#also made me think abt me and my brother i may have cried HA #anyways back to dilu and kae #it’s so bittersweet knowing how they had such a good relationship before things were revealed like they look so so sweet together #the kind of brothers who do EVERYTHING together and are equals in every way and u just can’t have one without the other #i wonder how diluc feels as the older brother who broke his younger brothers heart #that last quote talking abt the responsibility of an elder sibling.. i wonder if it breaks his heart that he couldn’t exist in that way for #kaeya for the longest time #also the way their outward personalities kinda switched around #i think they maybe wanted to keep a piece of eachother within themselves #there really is no person out there that could replace what a sibling is #how strange of a connection filled with comfort animosity annoyance love and safety #like your other half ??? someone who is linked to you but is so uniquely another person #someone who shows you another perspective of the world #i wonder how kaeya felt after he no longer could savour the safety net his older brother provided him #feeling so bare against the thorns of the world now that his brother isn’t there to hold him in his arms #how identityless he must feel to have someone who was there since the start to be ripped away

[somniumfae]

thinking abt how all of gevie’s relationships w her friends involve them seeing through each other in some way

#talktag #mona due to her hydromancy and also her no nonsense demeanor #(and also her friendship w fischl) lets her see past the persona gevie projects #and once gevie takes the rose tinted glasses off she sees mona not as the infallible astrologist #but as someone who is silly goofy just like everyone else #venti always knows more than he lets on for obvious reasons #and gevie picks up on who he really is #but they both only engage with the persona they project but in a way where they’re both in on the joke #one of the reasons diluc is so drawn to gevie in the first place #is that she is constantly pushing aside his titles and his coat of arms to probe the real him #and diluc has always accepted gevie for who she is #like yeah this is the basis for any good relationship ig but #the friends gevie ends up making kind of belies what her true wishes always were #she changed her name she changed her appearance she changed her life #all in the hopes of becoming someone that would be fine being alone #but the bonds she forms and the people she is drawn too are all ppl #who to some extent see her for who she truly is #oh also i forgot lisa #there’s not much abt lisa for gevie to really see through #but lisa was the one person who knew gevie before she reinvented herself

[yandere-daydreams]

ty for spreading the message of trans!scara it brings me joy

he just has such a good mix mommy issues, unforgivable outfit choices, and vaguely homicidal tendencies. i just know he'd listen to mcr and wear those stupid rubber bracelets. it's the least i could do to write him as he should be written.

#other honorable mentions include #(with extra stuff so this doesn't end up on any tags) #mr. diluc #mrs. yae miko #mr. cyno #mrs. yoamiya #mr. xiao #and uhhhhh venti ig for good measure #personal #anon ask

[petorahs]

me being so set on hating every fontaine character because their designs looked too much and only pulling for the sibs + arlecchino but then navia turned out lovable in the quest. they advertised wrio as a dogboy. neuvy is a dragon AND has elf ears.

ITS JOEVER

#aishi.txt #when i say i dislike some of their designs i mean it like almost as much as i hate tighnari's #tighnari literally the worst of the worst in terms of genshin designs theres so much wrong with it idk where to start #waste too because his personality is fun. also his character demo theme slaps. the concept was THERE but... #lets just say he represents all my grief with how hoyo handled the region half of my culture is based off of #BLECHHH 👎👎 #in contrast though i hate New fontaine char designs slightly less they just suffer from #the vtuber/gacha game effect of needing every character to look like the main one #they just stand out too much -_- not in a good way in a gaudy way #mitigated though by the fact that the npc designs in fontaine go hard and they look just as absurd #so its actually good???? they blend in now at least #compared to. lol. diluc and venti #anyways #thats my rant #i like wrio a lot from design and concept alone i must pull for him #neuvilette's lore goes so hard and im a sucker for elf ears + dragon #I'LL REFRAIN FROM PULLING BUT... ohghhh its hard #navia is my queen but i'll also wait before deciding!! #for now i have a lot of fun with the siblings alone and waiting for arlecchino. if shes even playable

[starpros-sunshine]

seb. seb hes not smiling. and has a fatui background................

I knowwwwww he's still everything to me you do not know how smitten I am with Lyney as a character

#he's soooo #i love it when the silly magicuan has a mysterious past and isn't actually allll that silly #I'm a little angry at the traveler for reacting the way they did at the end if the archon quest ngl #how is Lyney so different from Ajax please explain to me why you think him beingba fatuus is unacceptable but Ajax can get away with almost #commiting genocide #i mean ik it's kimd of about the withholding of information but come on. #they were nothing but nice to you the entire time cut them some slack and give them the benefit of the doubt will you #and god lyney in his voicelines is so. is flirty the right word he certainly is very very friendly good god man #Lyney and Lynette can do no wrong in my opinion I'd forgive them about anything #i don't mind the fatui that much tbh i mean yeah sure as an organisation they're. bad. to say the least #but if we look at the individual fatuus it's just kinda. okay. #Dottore sucks sure I like Tartaglia i really like him he's a very interesting personality Signora is dead she doesn't concern me anymore #and I don't know enough about the rest #Arlecchino looks very promising though I'm very intrigued by her #and so far Lyney and Lynette just seem like two people who got caught up in the organisation i don't have their vackgrounds unlocked yet #but!!!! i am intrigued Oh so very intrigued #Venti Kaeya and Diluc are my favourite genshin characters they have such a special place in my heart they mean so much to me #but Lyney is my favourite character in terms of I am normal about him Fontaine has SUCH a good cast #we have the girls of all time we have the silly magician and the socially anxious diver and then theres Manfred von Karma #if he was a genuinely nice man that had a solid moral compass and was actually devoted to the concept of justice #I like Neuvillette he also seems very interested i would Love to know more about his relationship with Furina #and Furina!!!!!! she's so silly I adore her being all confident and then if cuts to her inner monologue and she's just losing it #i love that #I really really like Fontaine so far the only grievance I have is that they should've put more accordion into the soundtrack but that's #irrelevant in the face of the osts just all being absolutely gorgeous #yumefan🌠🎼

[dutybcrne]

The first time Kaeya had donned Diluc's old cavalry captain uniform, he had thrown up. Seeing himself in it had felt so wrong, it repulsed him immensely. It was too big, shoulders too broad. Moving in it felt like wearing lead weights, the fabric was all wrong, too stiff, his face didn't match it the way the Pride of the Favonian Knights and Ragnvindr heir's had.

It stank horribly of old blood and rain-soaked grass.

A part of him wonders to this day if the stench he thought he'd smelled on it was in fact all in his head. If it had been lingering guilt over Diluc's disappearance and being allowed to take his place that had affected his perception of it and his appearance in the role. Though considering the harrowing sight he'd witnessed that fateful day, he wouldn't be surprised if the smell would forever remain imprinted within the fabrics, the way that final moment would lay seared into his mind for as long as he’d live.

#hc; kaeya #//Deffo had a more conservative custom outfit at first; when he’d asked Varka if he could have one #//Wanted to wear his usual (bluer) one; but also wanted smth more Distinct bc the resemblance was still too close #//So he originally opted to want smth closer to what Jean wore at the time; also served to highlight how much closer they got at the time #//Almost hurled from the sheer nerves of that alone; then had to lie down for an hour from the RELIEF when Varka agreed #//Then the more he realized how he himself could be a bargaining chip or even use his appearance to sway an outcome/get him what he wanted #//Which wasn’t pleasant at first ofc; but he pushed to get used to it for his goals. how self-destructive he was at the time helped w that #//Then he started adjusting it more and more until it became the fit he has in present day #//Felt so strange adjustingwith each change; but he was ultimately Very happy with the end result #//Regardless of the original intention he had in making it more revealing/tight-fitting #//Made him feel good abt himself and much more confident; compliments on his clothes will ALWAYS make him happy #//He can take vulgar comments or leers a lot better now than he could back then; they don’t bother him in the least anymore #//He could take disparaging remarks & hushed whispers just as easy too (even at times shoving down the gnawing feeling they caused) #//All that matters to him was that the fit ultimately helped his gender presentation in a way he liked compared to its predecessors #//And that it certainly was a FAR cry from what Diluc had once worn as Cavalry Captain—that was the most important thing of all #//And exactly what gave him the confidence to start making those changes in the first place #//If he was to be Cavalry Captain; he would be a MUCH different one/person than Luc in the role was #//Appearance; plans and all #//If only it were just as eeasy to shrug off certain memories of That day; he’d be a happy man indeed

[wow-thisismylifeiguess]

Imagine Diluc becoming a Harbinger after meeting the Tsaritsa. She understands his rage over Crepus’ death, but teaches him that it is not his fault. She offers him comfort and support, and becomes someone who would never lie to him. She’s not his Archon, but she /can/ be if he lets her

Diluc becomes her 11th Harbinger (yes, before Childe). He is the Tsaritsa’s most violent Harbinger. Someone who carries rage and violence in his veins. Someone who will not hesitate to destroy those in his way, in the /Tsaritsa’s/ way.

And then imagine him meeting Kaeya again, after…./years/. The Tsaritsa kept Diluc close to Snezhnaya, to let him adjust for as long as he needed. He was essentially her personal guard, a title he’d laugh at as no Archon needs someone like him to protect them. Especially not her.

But yes. Diluc is finally given a mission that requires him to be in Liyue. He’s to accompany Childe there and keep him in check. Kaeya happens to be there on a diplomatic visit and when he spots familiar red hair, he tries to convince himself that there’s no way it’s /Diluc/. No, because the man he sees is dressed in clothes adorned w the Fatui symbol. It can’t be Diluc. It /can’t/.

Except it is.

Diluc sees Kaeya from a distance and instead of hiding or running away, he smiles and waves. Encourages Kaeya to approach.

“It’s been a while.”

“Diluc….you. Where have you been? Why are you-”

“Snezhnaya. I… Well. Let’s say I went soul searching, for simplicity’s sake. And I guess I found my calling.”

“You’ve joined the Fatui. After you said-”

“Hmm. I’ve done more than that. I’ve been blessed by my Archon, the Tsaritsa herself. I’m one of her beloved Harbingers. Aren’t you proud of me, Kaeya? I’m sure Father would be, though he’d have to forgive me for leaving the Knights so abruptly.”

Diluc smiles, like it’s the simplest thing in the world, while Kaeya looks horrified.

“They did something to you. Diluc…this isn’t like you.”

“Really? And how would you know. Not everyone fakes their personality for years, Kaeya. Unlike you, I’m not a /liar/.”

And Diluc still smiles, but this time there’s a sharpness to it. A hint of violence in his tone that makes Kaeya’s insides freeze despite his Vision.

“Now, if you don’t mind, I have business to attend to. Maybe we can catch up properly another time.”

Kaeya feels Diluc pat his shoulder as he passes by, and when he turns to look, his eyes catch sight of the Delusion at his waist, a Cryo symbol embellishing the center. It makes sense why Diluc’s hand, once so warm, felt like ice against his skin.

#i like to think of reasons why diluc would join the Fatui and I feel like the Tsaritsa would be incredibly compelling to someone who is lost #and angry. exactly what Diluc was like during his rampage through snezhnaya #plus I feel like she would be impressed w his fighting prowess #as for diluc having a cryo delusion instead of using crepus’s is because 1) it’s the opposite of his left behind pyro vision and 2) he feels #it brings him closer to the Tsaritsa #anyway. harbinger diluc is sort of similar to childe in the sense that violence comes easily to him. what’s different tho is that Diluc #doesn’t crave it the way childe does. it makes him a good babysitter for Childe tho since he has the personality to talk childe out of #trouble but also the strength to back him up if a fight does break out #diluc is essentially…good manners that hides rage and violence #his anger is 99% w the knights tho which is why Kaeya should stay away if he knows what’s good for him… #but he does try and redirect his rage towards the Tsaritsa’s enemies #when my tags are nearly as long as tbe actual post… #genshin impact #my post

[meili-sheep]

Heizou: I know that there are a lot of violations we found, but please, consider that the fried tonkatsu ramen is to die for? Pretty please?

Shinobu: He's a good guy, too. Never done anything wrong to anyone and always treats people well.

Cyno: Which is precisely why we're going to help him out, right?

Yanfei: . . . okay, then. Firstly, get off your knees Heizou, it's not a good look for you, and secondly, I'm not going to do anything to him because his spring rolls absolutely slap and he's too old to make some of these fixes himself.

---

The Detective Club serial adopts a ramen shack and uses it as a meetup AU.

You see, that place would end up being set for life, to be honest. Because Diluc is not only important to the group for his plans. But he's the funding. And he's a big eater. So While Yanfei explains the next case to everyone Diluc's eating like 5 bowls of ramen with all sorts of sides and totally doesn't look like he's paying attention.

And everyone just pauses, watching Diluc, who has perfect manners, just elegantly eat as much as an elephant.

Of course, when he's finished cause he has been listening to Yanfei this whole time, he just starts out laying out the plan.

This is why Diluc is the boss.

#The Teyvat Detective Club #i imagine if this was anime #there would be a arch about the shack's owner #wanting to retire but the club helps him find a good person to take over #lolol #diluc ragnvindr #diluc #yanfei #yanfei genshin impact #kuki shinobu #shinobu #cyno #cyno genshin impact

[torgawl]

slightly disappointed - just slightly - that they didn't include fischl in the windblume event because she would fit the legend/fairytale category of the charade so much?!

#how did they not remember the person that actually lives in one? #logically it would make sense okay 😂 #i hope we get to see the other mondstadt characters even for a second at the end #jean barbara fischl kaeya diona and diluc the excluded ones ✌️ #like i don't care about timmaeus and his crush sorry give me characters i care about (mona was so real for interrupting him yes queen <3) #okay sorry timmaeus i hope you succeed in romancing her 😔 #i think you're a great addition to the synthesis thingie when i need to make materials the game wouldn't be the same without you 😔 #on another note!!! i love when genshin's events or quests are like therapy sessions like yes thanks for teaching us about anxiety and #struggles with self identity and how sharing our problems with others isn't a burden and how being vulnerable will allow us to create #meaningful connections and relate to others around us that only through connection and being able to see other people we are able to #fight the feeling of alienation we had in the first place and gain a new found confidence!!! like yes. trauma holds us back and can #influence the way we interact with others around us and follow us for so much time but we can also thrive regardless!!!! #genshin lore is so good but also the way this game helps us find peace regarding so many things we all struggle with is beautiful methinks #a lot of the struggles the characters face in the game are related to the fantasy world their inserted to sure but they're also still #incredibly relatable to the most common person if we strip down that fantasy layer #i think it's about being seen and understood feeling less lonely and also seeing others through less of a 1st person lense about finding #beauty and significante in diversity #but anyways rant over #i'm having fun with windblume and i love events like this where we just get to revisit characters and see them have a good time with each #other!!! it's so comforting plus mondstadt looks so pretty

[frozenambiguity]

Very long Initial thoughts and first impressions on the Caribert Archon Quest in the tags. Spoiler alert!! Part 2!

#{{ my tags for my last post were so long they got DELETED. SMH }} #{{ anyway; this is me trying to remember what I wrote ------- }} #{{ ---- but about the abyss mage in diluc's introduction }} #{{ kaeya sensed his presence. and he distrusted the mage; but he was not defensive. nor offensive. he stood there; analyzing; before }} #{{ directly addressing the mage. he communicated with him. in contrast to diluc; who didn't think twice about obliterating the guy }} #{{ kaeya has always been one who supposedly 'remains neutral' while playing with both sides. }} #{{ just recall one of his letters to diluc informing him about the site of the abyss order's activity. he definitely knows more than }} #{{ an average person about them }} #{{ so don't @ me with this 'oh this is new haha khaenri'ah? what is that??? idk i don't have any links to it' bs; hoyo }} #{{ I want to believe that you haven't forgotten about Kaeya as a character and his motivations. don't do this to him }} #{{ which is why I choose to believe that this interaction was an act. }} #{{ ... telling me there is no link whatsoever when precisely most of what caused Kaeya pain and torment was that precise link... }} #{{ aka having to choose between mondstadt or khaenri'ah /// the good side or the bad side }} #{{ or the fact that he was a KHAENRI'AH SPY placed in mondstadt........ }} #{{ so don't tell me Kaeya does not have any feelings towards Khaenri'ah }} #{{ if he hadn't; he would not have ran away as a kid to sumeru; trying to learn more }} #{{ anyway. these are my thoughts for now. i'll update more as I continue playing }} #{{ as these only reflect the kaeya/dain interaction }} #【 out of cryo 】