I’m going to paint you a picture of modern communication, and how it is fundamentally broken.
Let’s look at one friend. You chat pretty much everyday, and mostly talk to this person on twitter and discord, with occasional tumblr DMs. That’s three places you talk. But that’s actually not true, because you also have each other’s priv twitters and talk there as well. That’s four. Now account for, let’s say, one post reply per account per person, in addition to your DMs. That’s eight. But that’s ALSO not true, because not only do you talk in discord DMs with each other, but you’re in a friend group server as well! And you talk in those channels together! That’s nine.
This is one friend.
Now look around you. How many friends, how many mutuals are you in contact with. A few, a handful, a dozen, more? How many accounts per person do you have, how many places can you send each other posts, devolve into separate topics and conversations? How many people text you as well. Friends, family, coworkers? What do you do day to day around catching up, what IRL commitments will rip you away long enough to let the pile build again?
I can’t do it. I cannot live an actual life in the real world and balance this much interaction, it’s crushing. I reply to a friend’s post because I’m interested in the subject, I want to have a discussion! I WANT to talk about it with them, but I immediately kick myself for adding another conversation to the pile. Day by day, I ignore messages for hours on end and watch mountains pile around me, to reply en masse at the end of the night to let the cycle repeat. I wake up to six discord DMs and as I clear the third, the first replies back again.
We weren’t meant to have thirty simultaneous conversations. We weren’t. And you know in your bones that the number isn’t an exaggeration.
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Hellow :3 Hope you're doing well! I had this random thought and i can't help but share my brainstorm.
So. Tsaritsa. The Cryo Archon. The leader of the Fatui. The Goddess of Love with heart colder than ice, with no love left for her people. Or is she?
Childe confirms that Tsaritsa is far too gentle in his voiceline. Venti says that she and him were close 500 year ago, but then she cut all ties with him. These statements combined, i tend to think that after the Cataclysm, Tsaritsa has become cold due to the horrors and injustice she experienced (there is a theory regarding the book "Pale Princess and the Six Pygmies" which could elaborate on that but it's far too long to explain it here 😅). However, the Goddess of Love is still there, even if hidden deep within her.
Pehaps common folk of Snezhnaya can't see her as sweet, loving and benevolent Archon due to Fatui's dirty way of doing things. That being said, Tsaritsa could also be aware of her terrible reputation among the people which makes her embarrassed and disappointed that she couldn't follow her ideals and be a loving Goddess of Love she was supposed to be. However, if you asked the Harbingers, she is a sweetheart energy embodiment. The Eleven are her most loyal group of followers, i feel like she trust them, so she dotes on them quite a lot.
Now picture this. Tsaritsa arrives to Dottore's lab for whatever business she had to sort out with him. While the two are talking, poor Fragile!Reader stumbles into the room to sleepily announce that they are hungry and ask for Zandik to make some food, but then- oh heck. Is that the Tsaritsa? Bad timing... Terrible timing, in fact...
Or was it? Tsaritsa is confused but extremely curious. Whatever they have been discussing before is no longer important. She immediately asks Dottie who is this and poor blueberry (yeah, that's what i call him affectionately 😊) has nowhere else to go but explain himself. Fragile!Reader is just as shocked to have a sudden encounter, but for their surprise - Tsaritsa shows not a hint of hostility, anger or general disagreement. Before the reader and Zandik knows it, there is an ocean of questions leaving Archon's lips.
What's your name? How old are you? Where are you from? What do you like/dislike? How have you met Dottore? When have you met? What happened? How long have you been suffering from this mysterious illness? How is the cure creation process going? How are you feeling now? How-
For some such behavior may appear annoying and perhaps even suspicious. However, Tsaritsa's excitement to meet and get to know her 2nd lieutenant's significant other is as pure as freshly fallen snow. If there are any intentions behind her questions - it's only the good ones. How could the Goddess of Love wish harm to her Harbinger and his lover? Especially when they're such a cute couple?
Let's just say Cryo Archon took GREAT liking into Fragile!Reader. Blizzards in Snezhnaya haven't been as horrifying ever since and Fragile!Reader got to enjoy the nice afternoon walks with their lover, appreciating the beautiful scenery of endless plains of snow as far as the eye can see. Goddess of Love is well aware that couples need their privacy, so she tends to not interfere too much. However, with each visit she pays Dottore, be it for Fatui work matters or casual, she also politely asks to visit the reader. She is almost like a doting, caring mother and always reassures reader that it's gonna be okay. Dottore is her best scientist, after all! He will find a cure soon enough!
Bonus: i feel like she'd sometimes go CloudRetainer mode and tell stories of younger Zandik, when he recently joined the Harbingers (let's assume the reader was in comatose during that time).
In conclusion, the meeting was sudden, but fateful. Zandik's and Reader's relationship was blessed by the Goddess of Love herself. The bond they share is far more stronger than one may first anticipate - so strong that even Tsaritsa expressed her recognition. There was no mistaking: if they ever need guidance, she got their backs.
- 🐺
🐺 ANON I AM ABSOLUTELY REVELING IN THIS CONCEPT OH MY GOSHHHH. I completely agree with your take on the Tsaritsa I've spoken about it before about I think she was kind but had to change herself after what she experienced and also to accomplish her goals. BUT OMG. YOU WENT SO GOOD INTO HER CHARACTER. To think that she knows she has to be cold for the sake of her plan but hurting inside that she can't be the loving archon her people deserve hits HARD. Though she is quite grateful for her Harbingers, though no one could ever completely understand her pain they are the closest people to her and understand her more than anyone. New Fatui members are always surprised to see the Tsaritsa herself going to visit her Harbingers. It doesn't seem like something an Archon such as herself would do. But she does anyway.
MOVING ON OH MY MY I AM LOVING THESE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN TSARITSA AND FRAGILE READER. You always held a grudge against the Gods for being cursed with this illness. But the Tsaritsa was an exception. There was just something about her that was comforting. And relatable somehow. Even with these feelings, you would be so awkward and even a bit scared at first because all of your knowledge of her comes from Dottore. You try to excuse yourself quickly but there's no escaping at this point since the Tsaritsa's gaze is fixed on you now.
Dottore never thought he'd have to explain this to Her Majesty and for once is a bit unsure of how to phrase it but goes with the simplest explanation: "[Name] is my lover." You're sweating at this point because you've had bad experiences with Gods before but to your surprise and relief, the Tsaritsa is now rattling off questions about you to both you and Zandik. Your head is spinning by the end of it but thankfully Dottore answers most of the questions for you.
You actually feel very happy and appreciated by the Archon's genuine interest. When was the last time someone besides Zandik ever doted on you? You loved him but it got lonely sometimes. The Tsaritsa is only upset she didn't know about you sooner! At some point she shushes Dottore up and only wants you to answer her. Her sheer adoration makes you feel a bit hot and embarrassed but in a good way.
AH YESSS TSARITSA MAKING THE SNOWSTORM LESS SEVERE FOR READER 💖 Takes me back to when i did a piece like that a few months ago, because she would do that for her dear Harbinger ❤️ It makes her content to think about how you and your husband are able to enjoy her country together much more. Only thing is that the Tsaritsa's drastic change in weather makes the other Harbingers question why this is happening so Dottore should keep you hidden as best as possible from his nosy co-workers ehehe unless he wants to deal with their pestering too.
I think the Tsaritsa is really good at soothing and easing others' worry considering she is probably the Goddess of Love so she can easily see through your worries. You don't know how but when she talks you can't help but believe her. Omg not her telling on young Zandik 😭 You keep this secret to yourself considering Zandik won't tell you those stories himself. I just know she has excellent memories when it comes to the people she cares about. I can see her remembering everything and anything because she knows how easily something she loves can be stolen from her.
Gosh i love this. Most people may think that your relationship is not one of true love, perhaps fake or forced considering the kind of man Dottore is. But the Tsaritsa can easily see true love. And she'll see to it that you two stick together.
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☆ a s m o party night! *˚⁺‧. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧.˚ *•̩̩͙ ✩. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧. ˚ *•̩̩͙ ✩.
warnings: alcohol mention | drunk mc | a party scene, ofc (horrific!!!!!!) | but gn reader as always >_<)7 and maybe some typos i dunno
♡ you had never actually considered going to one of those “asmo parties”—spending so much of your time exhausted from devildom antics, swamped with language homework you couldn’t make sense of, and the overall overwhelm of your exchange, you just couldn’t find the time or energy to look into it. this particular asmo party, however, was going to celebrate his birthday making this asmo party even more asmo themed: everyone should wear as much pink as possible and glam themselves up as much as their pretty little bodies could handle. something about that made you feel giddy and annoyed at the same time, not really knowing whether or not it was a good idea to go.
♡ that night had been filled with an electricity you hadn’t been used to as well. unconsciously, you really wanted to impress asmo, and wanted to make sure you looked good in front of all the guests he loosely called his friends. maybe his sin was peppered in the air, you hoped people would look at you and know that you knew asmo in ways that they would never think to imagine, that you had seen him really cry or that you had even seen him with a bandaid over a pimple on his forehead (thought you hadn’t ever seen the actual pimple). that your proximity to him would incite anything in them: anger, jealousy, awe, admiration. maybe that feeling was new, maybe it wasn’t. the venue was dark with varying shades of pink and white neon lights, all sorts of beings were pressed together in a way on alcohol could make cozy, the sound of the music drummed deep in your chest making your own heartbeat unrecognizable. you wondered is this the right idea? since you would, undoubtedly, see asmo again in the morning at home and would wish him happy birthday then, instead of watching him turn over a new year at midnight tonight. he thought himself to be the whole world like this, it made you smile how strange he truly was.
♡ the only worry you had was whether or not you would get to see asmo at all! the air was hot and sticky, the people around were singing and yelling and laughing and all of their faces were unrecognizable to you. there’s no earthly way someone could have actually known this many people, but then you supposed asmo had thousands of years to make friends. or maybe he hadn’t. there was also a surprising amount of humans at this party which lifted your spirits slightly: there would be something other than demonus here tonight. worming your way through the crowd, you found the bar, the bartenders all wearing paper masks with asmo’s smiling face on them. definitely weird, definitely on brand. asking asmo number five for something from the human realm, they poured you something pink and shimmery and you downed it in haste. it definitely was not champagne. but you couldn’t ignore the warmth and…..and confidence it was giving you. you asked for another.
♡ the ‘countdown to asmo day’ was projected on a screen behind the dj, ten minutes and fifty-four seconds. how long had you been here? this whole thing suddenly feels really funny. you start to giggle with a sparkly drink in your hand. hey when did you order this drink? hehe. it tasted sooooo good though maybe someone gave it to you with a smile because you looked sooo pretty tonight? hehe. well, you knew better than to drink an open drink anyway. you blinked slowly and staggered backwards bumping bodies with someone, not uncommon. giggling again you turned to apologize. oh! you found him! asmo! he had a wide eyed expression. “what’re you doing here? and like this too?” he gracefully stole the glass from your hand and smiled. “you look gorgeous” he added. hehe asmo was always so forward wasn’t he? you could smell demonus on him, but you really couldn’t tell he had been drinking at all. and what sort of question was that? what other reason could there be to go to an asmo party? that made him laugh in a way that made you swoon in a way you normally wouldn’t allow. maybe he hadn’t noticed maybe he had. asmo told you he was flattered you came this time after many many months of asking you to attend one. wishing you two had walked in together to turn heads and gain gasps from his audience. somehow you were just sober enough to roll your eyes at such a statement, but unable to tell if it was bass or butterflies in your stomach.
♡ the ‘asmo day’ timer ticked on minutes went by that he stood and talked with you. you don’t remember when he had taken your hand in the conversation, whether to steady or you because he liked doing so you didn’t have the mind to wonder. your drink still in his hand like an accessory. anger burned in your chest inexplicably—why was he down here talking with you? shouldn’t he have been on stage taking in the excitement when the asmo-faced ball dropped down the miniature tower? you had been shouting over the music all night, so maybe your tone hadn’t changed when you said this. asmo kept on smiling at you, but his eyes softened. “i really wish i would’ve known you were here tonight.” he had leaned into your ear to say that. something in your chest burned again. what the hell is that supposed to mean? and shouldn’t he be up there hosting his party. he leaned in again. as much as this is an asmo party, the majority of it is mostly, he said to you, for show—the humans; the incubi; the demons; those sneaky, sneaky angels; they weren’t here for asmodeus, but for what he represents: unadulterated and limitless access to their deepest desires. asmo always found himself being incredulously honest with you, and here he was telling you that it wasn’t him they desired, but the desire itself kept them drawn to him. you blinked hard and he laughed. “unfortunately there’s no one else in the devildom who can host a party like i can, after attending an asmo party every other party will feel like a five year old’s birthday,” he spoke while waving that glass on the air, the glitter in it spun but not a drop sloshed out. “and besides, i’ve already gotten everything i wanted out of this party about ten minutes ago.” his smile morphed into a smaller, more intimate one. you couldn’t help but wonder if anyone else got smiles like this or if it was just for you. that shimmery drink hadn’t given you the confidence to ask him that.
♡ asmo was impressive, maybe you were truly seeing it for the first time. the atmosphere was both lighthearted and intense. all the bodies around found ways to flirt with each other, touch each other, give each other knowing looks before sneaking out of the crowds. you had even noticed a larger amount of eyes on you than usual and, without meaning to humble or self deprecating, you knew it was an effect of the party: the secret wants of someone bubbling beneath the surface of their everyday life was brought beneath asmo’s moonlight, unclothed, inspected, and accepted. encouraged, even. he looked over his unruly crowd with a pleasure of his own, something almost paternal in his eyes. you called to him again. the countdown had begun from thirty. when asmo turned to look at you, you noticed the way he looked at you. innocent. not that he thought of you in that sense, but that he hadn’t looked at you with the intention of eating you up. maybe it was that drink, but this really annoyed you. the crowd calling numbers annoyed you, the way people came and went touching asmo’s arms and shoulders and waist annoyed you, the fact that he felt like babysitting you in the crowd instead of putting on a show on stage annoyed you. also the way he trusted you with his secrets was starting to annoy you. half teetering, you leaned into his chest hoping to press your lips against his and to your bewilderment, he pulled away biting his own intensely. “you don’t understand it,” he panted “but i’ve really, really been holding back. because it’s you.” the look in his eyes where the ones you had been longing for. the countdown concluded in a series of cheers and applause, the crowd all pulling the ones nearest to them into lust filled kisses. only you and asmo stood staring at each other. the energy, the smell, his hand in yours, the look on his face…you leaned once again and said “did you really think you were the only one?”
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