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thebiscuitlabryinth · 2 months

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Pure Vanilla's nightmares have lessened, recently.

He knows that's because they've left the Faerie Kingdom far behind now, so Shadow Milk has no real reason to try and provoke him into setting him free anymore, but Pure Vanilla can't help but feel hopeful that it might be indicative of some real progress too.

After all, he's been having more and more dream talks with Shadow Milk recently, and most of them are fairly civil. It hasn't stopped the mockery or taunting entirely, but he has realised that once Shadow Milk has an interesting topic of conversation to entertain, he tends to be a little less antagonistic.

Dare he say it, their acquaintance as of late has almost been... nice. Which is why, perhaps, he had mustered the courage to try and pry beyond Shadow Milk's academic career.

"I found one of your old portraits, I think. It was quite damaged." Pure Vanilla says slowly, because he has spent an embarrassing amount of his spare time recently trying to track down any relics from Shadow Milk's past, to be able to prompt him with them. "...You looked rather different."

Today, the dreamscape takes the form of Pure Vanilla's personal chambers, albeit bathed in darkness that is broken up by the fragile light of the moon, filtering in through the tall windows. Pure Vanilla is sat in his familiar armchair, relaxed without his staff or hat on his person, and keeping his idle gaze on his conversation partner. Shadow Milk is floating by his bookshelves, walking his fingers along the spines of the books. His back is towards him, but his extra eyes blink lazily at Pure Vanilla in silent acknowledgement.

"Why does that matter?" Shadow Milk drawls, before letting out an overdramatic gasp. He kicks back, tilting until he hangs upside-down in the air as he clasps his hands to his chest like he is heartbroken, their gazes snapping together like magnets. "I never would have expected you, of all people, to care about appearances so much! Am I not pretty enough as I am, is that it?"

His laments could have gone on for much longer, but Pure Vanilla cut him off quickly, slightly exasperated. "No, no, that wasn't what I was saying, and you know that."

Shadow Milk stops his fake wailing immediately, eyes curved into mischievious crescents as he glances over at him, and Pure Vanilla sighs. "It's just... interesting, I suppose. You look like two completely different people – unless it really wasn't your portrait?"

Shadow Milk bobs his head from side to side as if he were physically turning the words over in his head, before a thin mean smile slices clean across his face. "People change, Vani! Shouldn't you know that already, knowing our dear Guardian?"

Pure Vanilla tenses in his seat, balling his hands into fists in his lap. "I told you not to talk about her, didn't I?" He mutters with a frown, reminded once again that a conversation with Shadow Milk can never be completely smooth.

"Did you? I must not have heard you." Shadow Milk hums, righting himself in a way that involves far too much limb contortion. He drifts over to the table Pure Vanilla is sitting at, leaning against the edge and casually sweeping the vase of white lilies there off the table with one arm, quick enough that Pure Vanilla can barely react.

The vase shatters with a crash, and the half-bloomed petals are ruined by the fall. Pure Vanilla jolts, aching at the sight and his voice falls out pitched. "Shadow Milk-!"

"It's only a dream, no need to get worked up over it." Shadow Milk replies, tone carrying an edge of annoyance, though Pure Vanilla isn't sure why. Shadow Milk perches on the edge of the table with one leg over the other, lounging as he props himself up with one hand, his expression odd.

Still, he is right. It is only a dream, and Pure Vanilla cannot let himself be affected so easily anyway. He hesitantly tears his gaze away from the broken vase, turning his attention back to his curiosity, which is easy to do with Shadow Milk's face now right in front of him.

Pure Vanilla occupies himself with comparing the face before him with the memory of that portrait, eyes carefully tracing every visible difference in the wavering moonlight. The way his face is framed is different, for one, with the loss of his monocle and the change in his icing, and it makes him look harsher. His colour is off, somehow, and his silhouette has twisted too. That once collected, near regal posture has been overtaken by the lax, twisting strangeness that Shadow Milk often moves with, but to say it is gone completely isn't true. The smooth line of his back, even lounging like this, holds the ghost of that perfect posture.

And his eyes—

"Your eyes are the same." Pure Vanilla doesn't even notice he has spoken aloud until the words have fallen out of his mouth, soft and light like feathers.

It is true, though. His eyes aren't exactly the same physically, the pupils having grown to slits, but the spark and sharpness of them are just like the ones captured in that portrait. If he focuses on them, Pure Vanilla can almost imagine that he is there before everything went wrong, sharing a moment with that brilliant, revered scholar.

He is so mesmerised by those eyes that he immediately notices the way they crinkle in the corners, glittering with thinly veiled amusement, just before Shadow Milk snickers. "I know my eyes are stunningly handsome, but you can talk to me while you get lost in them. There's nothing more boring than silence!"

Pure Vanilla blinks quickly in response, startled out of his dreamy contemplation. Instantly, he feels the heat of embarrassment begin to darken his cheeks, and he closes his eyes on instinct, ducking his head slightly. Shadow Milk's giggles coil around his shoulders, and to move on from his own bout of confusion, Pure Vanilla frantically tries to pin down a conversation topic.

"Never mind that. You always insist on maintaining conversations with me." Pure Vanilla comments, something like concern and the beginnings of anxiety heavy on his tongue. "I know your circumstance doesn't allow for socialisation, but can you not even talk to your friends?"

It's a risky question, and Pure Vanilla knows that, even before he asks it. He has done his best to steer clear of topics that are even remotely related to Shadow Milk's imprisonment so far, for fear of provoking him. But this question has been simmering in his mind for a while now, so it is the only one he could think of in his haste. He won't be able to learn more about him if he doesn't press further, anyway, and now is as good a time as any.

Pure Vanilla had expected a bit of a pause, the sort of charged silence he has grown to expect from Shadow Milk when he is faced with a question he actually wants to consider, so he is surprised by the near immediate response.

"What kind of question is that? Of course I can." Shadow Milk replies, sounding remarkably flippant about it.

Pure Vanilla takes a moment to try and find a way to word himself delicately, hands fidgeting where they rest in his lap. "...Well, you always act like I'm the only person you talk to regularly. I thought, perhaps, you're–"

Lonely, but Pure Vanilla cannot get the word past his teeth, biting down on it uncomfortably. He has a feeling saying that wouldn't be well-received, or at the very least, not taken seriously.

Shadow Milk seems to understand the implication anyway, scoffing. There's a scramble of movement, and that prompts Pure Vanilla to open his eyes again, finding that Shadow Milk has dropped down to lay across the table on his back.

"I can tell you what I am, I'm bored. Why do you think we're so desperate to get out, huh? It's because there's nothing to do!" Shadow Milk throws his arms up, gesturing wildly as his voice starts swinging and his expression pinches with building agitation, kicking his legs furiously over the edge of the table. For the first time, Pure Vanilla is stricken by how similar it looks to a Cake Wolf pacing a cage, driven to a frenzy by claustrophobia. "We can talk to each other, but do you have any idea how long we've been stuck in there? We've run out of topics years ago, and they don't entertain my debates in the right way anyhow. There's no fun in that!"

Without warning, Shadow Milk flies up into a sitting position, his form blurring and peeling at the edges. Pure Vanilla watches him with concern as he lets out a raspy huff, teetering on the edge of a laugh.

"But I like talking to you so I do. That's all there is to it." Shadow Milk declares, voice lilting to something sweeter. A crooked smile surfaces on his face, and he jerks forward in an unnatural manner, as if he were a puppet on strings. He cups Pure Vanilla's face in his hands who, having slowly adjusted to the fact that Shadow Milk is prone to impulsive physical contact, only flinches slightly at the suddenness. "Did that never occur to you, silly?"

Pure Vanilla's mouth opens and closes soundlessly, settling into an uncertain line. To hear Shadow Milk say that so frankly caught him off-guard, as he always does, torn between suspicion and that tempting optimism that has been slowly gathering in his heart. "Well, I wasn't–"

His voice crumbles in his throat as Shadow Milk pulls his face towards him and presses a scorching kiss to the four-point star on his forehead. The dreaded warmth returns to gather in his face, made obvious by the contrast between the flush and the cold press of his hands.

He shouldn't be so flustered - this isn't the closest they've been - but his embarrassment only makes it worse.

"Don't overthink everything, you'll turn your brain into charcoal. That would just be a pity." Shadow Milk teases against his forehead, his dozens of eyes winking with silent laughter as he pulls back, hands slipping from his face and—

—Pure Vanilla wakes up, frazzled and unsure. He stares at the ceiling, hesitantly pressing a hand to his forehead. His dough is buzzing.

He lays there for a while, confused by the warmth within him and considering the interaction once more. Shadow Milk said he enjoyed talking to him, and Pure Vanilla believes him, if only because he really does seem engaged with their conversations.

And if that's true, then maybe they really can resolve everything through words. For all his strangeness, Shadow Milk does seem to follow some sort of line of logic during their debates, and logic, regardless of what kind, has the chance to be reasoned with.

He thinks of sharp, painted eyes and countless conversations on studies, research, literature, philosophy. He thinks of claustrophobic madness and the endless hunger of the scholar and pity, pity, pity.

Pure Vanilla sighs, and for the first time in very long, he finds himself tempted to return to sleep.

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#uh oh! the old man is having Ideas and experiencing Things #this one is a bit shorter and a bit messy because i didn't have a solid plan for it #but it is a necessary building block for later :)#pure vanilla cookie #shadow milk cookie #shadowvanilla #vanilla milkshake #pureshadow #echo paradox au #the biscuit library

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jozlyn-moon · 8 months

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Bill and Lily’s partial mindscape concepts!

Bill’s mindscape is based on the Fearamid, the walls being corrupt and crumbling while his memories are portrayed as stain glass windows both broken and whole.

Lily’s mindscape is inspired off of liminal spaces and dream/webcore. A space welcoming but eerie unlike her father’s.

(Liam’s is still in WIP as it’s based on the cabin they live in, but is similar to Stan’s from dreamscapers)

#gravity falls #gf amber skies #gravity falls au #gravity falls concept #bill cipher #alternate universe #weirdmageddon #next gen au #Lily Cipher #flatlanders #Flatland

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thesparklingwriter · 8 months

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millenia precede us

“Let’s play a game,” You say. “Whoever finds the other first wins a prize.”

tags: reincarnation au, fem!reader, reader is part adeptus, inspired by this ask from aine

word count: 3k (apologies for this monster of a fic)

ao3 link | taglist | masterlist | next

Zhongli dreams of you again. For the first time in centuries, he sees your face, your smile, your laugh. The dreams had first started when he was young—or young by archon standards. He’d drifted off to sleep one night, and woke up entirely occupied by the face of someone he’d never met before, by the smell of something he was sure he’d never smelt in his lifetime.

He’d found comfort in seeing you—in listening to you talk in a language he didn’t yet understand, wearing clothes he hadn’t seen before. You’d come for a few years, and then disappear, only to reappear later, wearing something different, speaking in a different language. Your smile never seemed to change.

The two of you could never truly communicate either—your shared dreamscape was simple, a park in the height of autumn, a small picnic blanket on the floor. There, you’d snack on whatever was laid out on the blanket and try your bests to communicate however you could. Most times, however, you’d cuddle up to each other and sit in silence, watching the way the landscape changed.

He’d always known that you’d come back. He hoped that you’d come back. But you’d been gone for so long that he began to fear that your reincarnation cycle had ended, that he’d never get to meet you in real life.

“Hello,” you smile. Zhongli can barely reply to you—hes so stunned that he can understand you, that he can recognise the clothes you’re wearing and the floral scent you always carried with you. Glaze lilies. That’s what it was. “First time here?” You ask kindly. Zhongli stares at you before clearing his throat.

“No.” he replies. You seem confused, but sit yourself down on the blanket and run your hands over the copper-coloured silk. “I’ve met you a few times.” He says, lowering himself to sit beside you.

“A few times?” You say quietly. “I recognise your voice, the way you smell, but not your face. Is that how this is supposed to be?”

Zhongli is ashamed to admit that he doesn’t know. As far as he knows, he was the first to experience anything like this, and slowly others began to too, until it became commonplace for people across Teyvat. Something he or the other archons did must have made this happen, but none of them had any clue what it could be.

“I’m not sure,” Zhongli replies, shifting himself so that he’s not so close to you, for fear of making you uncomfortable. You notice him shifting away and close the gap yourself, resting your head against his shoulder the way you did when you first met all those centuries ago. “Not much is known about the dreamscapes.” he says.

“How long have you been able to visit?” You ask, looking up at him.

Zhongli is torn between lying, or gracing you with the truth. “A number of years,” He says finally and you look at him with wide eyes.

“How much older than me are you?” You ask. Zhongli looks at you, again torn as to what he should say. The truth is always better, especially in situations like this, but the truth may also be too much to handle.

“I’m an adeptus,” he decides this is a better course of action. “I’m older than I appear.” You don’t seem as surprised by this as he expected—in fact, you don’t seem to have a problem with it at all.

“My mum’s an adeptus, this isn’t new to me.” You smile. “Anyway, what’s your name?”

“Zhongli,” He says. You say his name under your breath, resting the words on your tongue. Zhongli looks at you in wonder, at the way you take this all in your stride. You ask him questions and he responds, and you don't seem to miss a beat. He reckons he could tell you everything, the whole truth, and you probably wouldn't even flinch.

It’s strange to you, the way he already seems so comfortable. How long has he truly known you for? And how is that even possible? But even despite your thoughts, you know Teyvat is place a where the most random things can happen, and you know you won’t find the answer you seek without asking him. But you'd like to enjoy his presence, so you decide to pack it in for the time being. “You don’t have any questions for me?” You ask him, tilting your head slightly.

“Not necessarily, no.” He smiles. “I’ve learned to know you fairly well, though you might not remember our past encounters.”

“That’s sweet,” you reply, sitting up. You sigh as the beautiful landscape begins to fade and you sense yourself waking up. How unfair, you think to yourself. It feels like I've barely had five minutes with him. “I’ve gotta go, but I’ll be looking out for you when I’m out. Bye, Zhongli.”

Zhongli stays seated once you leave, staring out into the middle distance. He sighs. He never got your name.

You sit up in bed, head pounding. It’s still pitch black outside, but your alarm continues to ring incessantly as you pull yourself out of bed and get ready for a day at the office. A new publishing company has begun shipping its books to Liyue and it’s your job to read through as many of them as you can and provide thorough and honest reviews. The only problem with this is that they aren’t really the kind of books you usually read. If anything, they’re the exact opposite of the Liyuean fiction you’re used to reviewing.

As you read, your mind drifts to Zhongli, the way he’d looked at you as if you were coming home to him, as if you were familiar. And it scares you—the fact that somewhere in the back of your mind, you know you know him, but can't place your finger on it. A stranger shouldn't feel familiar.

“Everything going okay?” Your coworker lets herself into your office, smiling brightly. “I heard you got lumped with the Inazuman erotica. How’s that going?”

You sigh, placing the book down. It’s not like you were truly going to get to the end of it anyway, with your mind so focused on the way Zhongli smiled at you with such fondness.

“Oh, it’s going, alright,” You sigh, leaning back in your seat. “I just never know what to expect next, if I’m honest. Did you know there’s a whole book that’s just about a dragon?”

“Dragon…erotica?” Your coworker asks, glancing dangerously at the pile of books on your desk.

“Sorry, half dragon, half-qilin. I should be more specific.” You run your hands through your hair. “I’ve been avoiding that one like the plague.”

“Isn’t your deadline in like three weeks?”

“Don’t remind me.” You say, standing up to shoo them out of your office. “It will be the last thing I read. A final hurrah of sorts. Now get out.”

Over the next few days, finishing work for the day is a much more exciting event than it usually is. You know that the minute you hit the hay, Zhongli is likely going to be there. He goes to bed early so it seems like he’s always waiting for you in his shared dreamscape.

“You know,” You say, resting your head on his shoulder. A lake suddenly appeared in the dreamscape and you’ve taken to watching the koi as they dance around each other in the glistening water. “Why don’t you just tell me where to find you? Make this easier on both of us.”

Zhongli chuckles. “I could do that, yes. But it would be rude of me to send you on a wild goose chase across Liyue. It would be easier if you just told me where to find you.”

“As if.” You scoff, getting up to dip your hands in the lake and feel the fish brush past you. You’d named them over the last few days: Ai for the fish with heart-shaped scales, Lian for the fish who was easily startled, and Gan for the fish that seemed to protect it. “Where’s the fun in that?”

“I’m sure you can identify the hypocrisy in your own statement.” Zhongli says.

“Let’s play a game,” You say. “Whoever finds the other first wins a prize.”

“And that prize is…?”

“A secret. What do you say, Zhongli? Up for it?”

Zhongli looks at you in awe and mild frustration. He always knew that you enjoyed problem-solving and a good challenge, which was clear by the way you used to try and find ways to communicate with him all those years ago, but he never expected this. Either way, he nods, listens dutifully to your rules (three clues each and no cheating by asking for each other by name) and agrees to your terms. That is, not that you gave him much of a choice in the matter.

And thus the game begins. The three clues you give him are mean—you work ‘normal’ hours, you like to read, and you spend a lot of time near the harbour. It doesn’t really narrow down much for him, but he humours you anyway, giving you his three clues in return. Arguably, his are even worse than yours—they’re riddles that seemed to have no connection to him whatsoever. As you try to accuse him of unfair play, you feel yourself stirring awake, and instead swear you’ll call him out on it on a later date.

Of course, you didn’t expect that you’d be seeing him so little over the coming weeks.

As your deadline pulls closer and you begin to pull more all-nighters to try and finish reviewing all the books that have been sent to you, you spend so little time sleeping that by the time you’re deep enough in sleep to reach the dreamscape, your alarm goes off and you’re dragged back into the real world.

“Mr Zhongli, are you alright?” After a week of watching Zhongli descend more and more into a worrying state, Hu Tao realises that she has to speak up. “You haven't been yourself lately. Do you have too much work?”

“I’m quite alright. I’m simply concerned for an acquaintance of mine.” Zhongli says, snapping out of his daze, and swiping imaginary dust off his blazer. “It’s not something to worry yourself about.”

Hutao dutifully ignores the last past of his sentence, seating herself on the other side of his desk. His office is always spotless, ready for a customer to come in at any time. That being said, he seems to get more menial questions from history buffs than paying patrons.

“Now, Mr Zhongli. I’m going to give this to you straight. You’re a loner. And I’m very curious as to where this friend has spawned from. So talk.”

Zhongli chuckles. It’s not the first time he’s been told that he essentially has no friends, for it was improbable that his adepti friends would be open to meeting in the harbour. “She is an old friend.” Zhongli says.

“‘She’?” Hutao gasps, jumping up from her seat. “Oh, this is great. You have a crush on her, don’t you? This is why you’ve been in such an odd mood recently.”

“I really do dislike you sometimes,” Zhongli says quietly, as Hutao begins her incessant teasing. “It is difficult to explain, so please do not ask that of me.”

“Fine, fine.” She returns to the seat. “Well, let’s go find her. Then you can stop being worried, and I can see her for myself.”

“That may prove difficult.” Zhongli says, rising from his desk. “But I suppose the task will be easier with your help.”

You sneeze lightly as you finish the review of your penultimate book. You’re running on two hours of sleep, three coffees, and the hope that when this is done, you can finally get to finding Zhongli again. No matter how much pay your boss offers you, you won’t accept a job like this again. No way.

You glance at the final book with a glare. Why someone decided to write erotica about the archon of a nation they didn’t even belong to was beyond you. Furthermore, you really didn't feel like trudging through thousands of misconceptions, concessions in knowledge of Liyue’s customs, and of course the blatant blasphemy. And you definitely aren’t going to do it in this office.

Taking the book and a newfound sense of dread, you walk out of the office, tell the receptionist that you’re going to find somewhere nice to read the book and find yourself strolling along Liyue Harbour in search of a nice bench. You haven’t had the time to walk around like this since you started your job a year ago, and it’s crazy how much things have changed. You look around some of the stalls before asking one of the stall owners whether they know any relaxing places to sit and read.

“A koi fish pond has just been installed. Apparently it’s a symbol of friendship between Inazuma and Liyue.” She says to you. “It’s just along there, you can’t miss it.”

You thank her gratefully, following her directions before arriving there. It looks exactly like the one in your shared dreamscape, shiny silver rocks around the border and clear teal water. Even the fish look the same, and you kneel down at the pond to look at them, one jumps out of the water, almost to greet you.

“Hello, Ai,” you say softly. “I have no food for you today.” The fish jumps back into the water, disappointed by the lack of food, and you rise to your feet, getting comfortable on the opposite bench to read the book. Sitting here like this makes you miss Zhongli. With your sleep schedule being so messed up the past few weeks, you never truly get to see him anymore. This is the closest you’ve felt to him in days. And maybe it’s your own fault for suggesting you play that silly game, maybe it’s your own fault for being afraid of what would happen if you finally met, but you’re tired of the torture. Next time you catch him in the dreamscape, you’re going to tell him how to find you.

The sun beats down on you as you read, and paired with the caffeine that’s slowly draining out of your system, you slowly feel your eyes start to close. It’s not the book’s fault—it’s certainly not bad as you expected, but when you’re this tired, there’s nothing you can do to stop it.

“We should start at koi fish pond,” Hutao says excitedly, as she drags Zhongli along the harbour.

“Why?”

“It’s new. I’m sure it would have garnered her interest.” She says. “And I've never had a chance to look at it.”

“I should have known better than to allow you to recruit yourself to this task,” Zhongli says. “No matter, let us go and look at the pond.”

Zhongli remembers your love for the koi pond in the dreamscape, so whilst Hutao’s suggestion may have been selfish, it wasn’t the worst possible idea. He remembers the way you named the fish, fed them with care and watched them with unleashed curiosity and joy. Even if he didn’t find you there, he would be happy to just relish in the memories of you for a while.

“What’s all that commotion at the pond?” Hutao says. Zhongli snaps out of his daze, looking up at the Millelith crouching beside the bench, his spear flat against the floor. “Miss, are you alright?” The man asks, tentatively reaching out with the intention to shake her awake.

Hutao drags him closer to the scene, ignoring the way he seems to resist her.

“Miss, are you alright?” The Millelith repeats, and the woman he’s waking up sits up slowly. Zhongli can’t believe his eyes.

“Archons, I need to finish reading that book.” You mumble, thanking the man for waking you up with a slight smile, and almost instantly burying your face back into it.

Zhongli makes no effort to move towards you, overwhelmed by seeing you in real life for the first time. The version he sees of you in dreams doesn’t even do the real you justice—in real life, you’re so much brighter and striking. Your voice is something he could listen to for hours. You’re so perfect and he fears that if moves any closer, he’ll find that it’s all an illusion, a cruel trick his mind is playing on him.

“You are aware that it’s creepy to stare at people, yes?” Hutao says lightly. And Zhongli nods, slowly walking up to you, your name on his lips.

Your book falls to the floor as you look up at him. “Zhongli?” Your body moves before you mind can and you pull him into a hug. He’s real and he’s here and you can smell him and hold him and archons, he feels like home. You pull away to look at his face, to commit every single pore of his skin to memory. He’s real. “What are you doing here? How did you find me? What’s going on?”

Zhongli smiles. “You’re just as perfect as I remember.”

“Even when I’m falling asleep on a park bench?” You grin, running a hand over the back of his head.

“Especially when you’re asleep on a park bench.”

You roll your eyes, pulling him into a kiss. “You have terrible taste.”

“Perhaps,” He says, gently stroking your face with his cheek. “But in that instance, so do you.”

notes: hi this is a repost I just couldn’t bear watching it flop 😭😭 omg so i didn't mean to make this so long and i am absolutely confused as to how i got this many words. im so sure i blacked out somewhere in the middle and ended up with 3x the amount of words i usually aim for lmfaoo. anyway everyone thank aine cause if it wasn't for her you would not have this monster of a fic xoxo removing tags as I don’t wanna disturb y’all

(coloured @s couldn't be tagged)

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nightmare-grass · 3 months

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Odd Moon-related Connections in Genshin Lore

- Glaze Lillies and Nilotpala Lotuses only bloom at night

- Glaze Lillies may have been the favorite flower of Guizhong, who’s hair was grey/white and who’s outfit had stardust on it (she was the god of dust, so unless she was a god of stardust specifically that’s some odd things about her)

- Nilotpala Lotuses bloomed at the bleeding feet of the Goddess of Flowers after being cast out of Heaven in the wake of the Seelie disaster

- There is at least one account in Sumeru that claims Liloupar came to the people in a moonbeam. Quote: “Our prayers to the Goddess of Flowers have borne fruit. Her envoy came to us in a moonbeam, granting us life-saving medicine and clean water … …She called herself Liloupar, born of the lilies” and later in that same passage, Quote: “At moonrise, she warned us that the water from the canal may carry disease.” So many mentions of the moon in one text about Liloupar and her relation to the Goddess of Flowers.

- Seelies seem to have a moonlit sky with sparse clouds reflected in their bodies, the bright orb in their heads looks like a moon.

- Guizhong’s death produced a cloud of dust that blocks out the sky and creates a darkened area in Liyue.

- Istaroth was said to be responsible for the Sin Shades, who only show up in Evernight in the dark.

- Nahida has some moon connections in her titles, and she has white hair and pale skin, like Paimon, who has a starry pattern on her scarf like Guizhong had on her robes.

- The Goddess of Flowers built a city for her offspring, the Jinn, and she called it Ay-Khanoum, translated to English that’s the City of the Moon Maiden.

- You can link the mythologies of the Goddess of Flowers and King Deshret to King Solomon and Astarte, who was a version of Ishtar, who is the root for the name Istaroth

- The power of the Aranara is the power of dreams, they exist in the dreamscape. And with how much we use a harp to connect with Aranara, it’s just as likely that music is linked to dreams. And Venti, one of Istaroth’s thousand winds, is a bard who knows all songs past and future, and plays a harp.

- The moon sisters were named Aria, Sonnet, and Canon, literally musical terminology.

- There’s probably a connection between the three moon sisters and Teyvat’s concepts of Time, Memory, and Dreams

- One of Venti’s powers is that he can pull up memories from the far flung past

- The quest for Time and Wind has these sun dial looking things that are actually moon dials since the puzzle only activates at night

- Seelies make a jingling tune, Nahida makes a jingling tune, the Goddess of Flowers taught Rukkhadevata the “source song” which birthed the race of Aranara, and the Pari fought the abyss using the Great Songs of the Khavarena, which seem to summon pure elemental energy aligned with Dendro.

- One of the fairytales that was weirdly important to the Abyss Order before we learned that fairy tales could hold the truth about the past if it’s been rewritten/deleted in Irminsul was the Pale Princess and the Six Pygmies. I’ve already noted a few pale characters with crowns or royal status but there was also a character called the Night Mother, who seemed to be the villain of the story. Another odd Night connection.

- Andersdotter wrote The Boar Princess, her signature rose design is on the cover. A rose is also on the cover of The Pale Princess and the Six Pygmies, so could she have written that too? As a member of the Hexenzirkel, it’s pretty likely.

- The Seelies were said to be beautiful pale people, and Rukkhadevata is pale with white hair, as is Nahida. Another trait they share are elf ears. Klee is pale with fair hair, and she’s an elf; from what we know of Alice, her mom, she could look much the same. Although he’s old, Pulcinella of the Fatui Harbingers is also an elf with white hair and pale skin, fitting the description. Seelies are fairies, and elves in real world folklore are considered fae, so could the Seelies have given us the elf race in Genshin? Or the Moon Sisters, who presided over the Seelies? Elves seem to be as long lived as gods, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

- I think Aria, Sonnet, and Canon represented Memories, Time, and Dreams, symbolizing the past, present, and future respectively. I don’t know the order of the goddesses in their roles, but I do know they had a fight and two died, leaving only one, and wouldn’t it be something if that surviving moon goddess became Istaroth, the god of Time? Maybe even Irminsul came from the death of the moon goddess of Memory? I don’t know what could’ve happened to the goddess of Dreams, but maybe her death caused the constellations that are canonically made up of the crystalline fruits of Irminsul in the sky box of the Firmament.

(If I could post more than 10 pictures I would but you have the internet, you can look up photos of the stuff I’m talking about.)

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70sscifiart · 11 months

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Journalist Rowe’s captivating debut spotlights bizarre and breathtaking science fiction cover art from the 1970s and ’80s—a “golden age” for the form fueled by increased numbers of titles and a shift from 1960s abstraction to representational art.

Each bite-size chapter focuses on a creator or a motif (space elevators, skull planets, giant worms) and combines crisp reproductions of several works with critique. Among other artists, Rowe features Paul Lehr’s lush, color-saturated dreamscapes; Jeffrey Catherine Jones’s painterly illustrations; and John Berkey’s “impressionistic works reminiscent of Claude Monet, but with his lily pond swapped out for attack ships off the shoulder of Orion.”

Publishers Weekly reviewed my new art book!

#art book #review

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moonlit-midnight · 1 year

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A Dance Towards the Light

Characters: Malleus Draconia.

Genre: AU, Romantic Fluff, Married life.

Summary: Wherein Malleus’s love for you was like dancing towards the light.

Warnings:

GN!Reader, is half fae half human but not mentioned.

Malleus is sunshine boy. Reader is the brooding/angsty partner, but no mention of angst.

—

Such a peculiar pair of lovers you were, you and Malleus Draconia, an ill-fated match made in heaven.

People mocked you that you wanted a tragedy, always taunting you that you will love him, and love him, and love him until it it kills you and destroys your heart beyond repair.

But they were entirely wrong.

With Malleus, you’ve fallen right into the love you’ve found.

His love was far from tragic. His love was beautiful beyond words, more beautiful than epic romance books and paperback fairytales.

When things ended for you, he was a fresh new start. He was the sun that rose in your life again.

He was everything you dreamed of.

He holds your hands during long walks until the sun sets.

He sits with you on a rooftop at one in the morning, and talks about how strange life is.

He dances with you when the sky is pouring rain.

He sends you lavender-scented love letters when he misses you during the days he can’t spend time with you.

He impresses you with his own composed songs, and serenades you with them late at night.

He writes stories about you, for you are his muse and writing is his favorite form of art.

He celebrates your happiness, respects your boundaries, and loves you greatly in the way you want to be loved.

People labeled your romance as straight out boring, utterly dull, and not worthy to gush about.

But what do they know? They only get a glimpse of the surface, but the depths of your bond was hidden from the prying eyes of repulsive onlookers.

A quiet, gentle, slow burn love was all you dreamed of, and those little moments were all you could ask for.

★ —

It was early Sunday morning when you woke up, sprawled on the wooden floorboards of the solarium.

The solarium was a dreamscape created by Malleus, a secret place where only the two of you had access to. It was a quiet place for you to rest in when the world gets too loud.

Slats of sunlight spilled dazzlingly through the cracks of the ceiling.

The room was drunk on the pleasant scent of lily of the valley, lilac and gardenia, pleasant enough to send a sense of tranquility through your body.

Blinking away the drowsiness, you rolled at your husband’s side, taking your time to marvel at his captivating beauty.

Malleus’s profile appeared so serene in the sunshine, his glorious black hair catching the bright rays, making him look like he was wearing a crown of daylight stars.

“The only thing I’ve been dreaming of is eternal happiness with you. It doesn’t have to be fancy or perfect.” Gazing at him, you hummed to the song that you sang to him on your wedding day. “The only thing I want is you. Don’t worry, l believe. Always, l believe. I won’t forget this moment. In my arms, l believe your smile will never lose its light.”

“Cause your love is so sweet, you are my everything. I’m not just saying this because I’m happy.” A soft sigh escaped your lips as you carried on. “I will never change, I won’t change. I’ll only have eyes for you.”

“You’re the light of my life, you’re the one in my life. Even if I lose everything, I will never regret it.” Malleus cut you off in a voice so entrancing. “And keep loving you with the everlasting love in my heart.”

“Why do you always interrupt me when it comes to that part?” you chortled, quirking a brow at your husband who just woke up.

Or maybe he was awake all along.

“Because that’s my favorite part.” Malleus replied delightfully, his smile caught in the sunlight, an alluring smile that puts you in a dreamy state.

You blushed in return with a bashful smile adorning your face.

“Did you stay up all night writing a book about me again?” you asked when your eyes landed on the pens and the crumpled papers scattered on the floor.

“You know that that’s one of my ways to get rid of the tiredness of my day, right darling?” Malleus raised his hand, blue ink-stained fingers tracing your face with utmost gentleness. “And who else am I going to write about? You’re my one and only muse.”

“What’s the story about this time?” Taking his hand in yours, you kissed the inked smudged spots.

“I wrote about how loving you is truly a magnificent and splendid adventure.”

A shy flutter touched your heart. Even after all those years, your husband still managed to steal your breath away like the first time you met him.

“My dearest king, am I truly worthy of the love you write about?”

You never doubted him, but a little reassurance wouldn’t hurt sometimes.

“Of course.” Malleus pressed a lingering kiss on your forehead, a kiss filled with a love so deep and sincere. “You’re my wonderfully chaotic partner. A beautiful perfectly put together mess. You’re always worth it to me.”

No doubt, even if you were a walking catastrophe, he would still choose you.

Even if the flowers wilt and the roses wither away, his love for you would keep on blooming.

Even if the stars burn out, he would be the light that never fades and he would still love you the same.

You’ve never heard a declaration of love so honest and so sweet, a love that has found a home within your heart and soul.

#🌸hannah’s musings #malleus draconia x reader #malleus x reader #malleus x you #malleus x y/n #malleus draconia x fluff #twst malleus #twst x reader #twisted wonderland x reader #twisted wonderland #twst #twst fanfic #twst fanfiction #twisted wonderland fanfiction #twisted wonderland fanfic #twst x fluff #twst fluff #malleus draconia

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vrmxlho · 1 year

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SEASON OF LOVE - LOVE FLOWERS

pairing: kaiser x gn! reader

day 0 ← masterlist → day 2

he stood in the flower shop. a stranger in a strange land. michael kaiser had never bought flowers for a partner before; it felt strange and unfamiliar. looking around, unsure of what to do, he felt like an intruder. like he wasn't supposed to be there. like he didn't belong.

he felt the eyes of the shopkeeper upon him, judging him, and he felt a sudden wave of anxiety veil over his being.

it was the time of year when the flowers were in full bloom. the air was filled with the sweet scent of roses, and the streets were lined with colourful bouquets of daisies and lilies. he felt it was his duty to buy you flowers since having first heard your fondness for the delicate bloom. so why did it feel disingenuous to be standing here in middle of all the beautifully cut and arranged flowers in pretty pots waiting to be taken home to you?

"how may i help you sir?"

it was the same shopkeeper who had been inspecting him with a look of disgust or disapproval. which one it was, kaiser didn't know. but he didn't really care

"yes actually. i'm looking for flowers to get for my partner."

"a partner...so what are their favourite flowers?"

"i'm not entirely sure."

"you're not sure." he sounded so utterly disinterested it almost offended kaiser. "favourite colour perhaps?"

it finally struck him. he didn't deserve to be your romantic partner at all. he had no idea how to make a romantic gesture, how to express his feelings in a way that would be meaningful to his beloved. kaiser felt like a clumsy child, unable to speak matters of heart. but then again, even children knew their crush's favourite colour.

"see, we don't really talk about that..."

"it really isn't my place to comment...but, perhaps seek out a relationship therapist rather than just buying flowers as an apology."

how dare he? kaiser didn't need some stupid flower shop to get flowers. he didn't need this treatment. he didn't deserve it.

"as you said, it's not your place to comment."

kaiser still felt unfamiliar and like an intruder, the only difference was that he didn't care to fit in anymore. so he left. the only problem that now remained was getting you those flowers.

it wasn't long before he found himself in front of a gaping meadow. the meadow was a vision of beauty, a tapestry of colour and texture, a dreamscape of wildflowers. while the sun shone down from a cloudless sky, the air was alive with the scent of spring and kaiser felt like he was about to drift away. the grass was a lush, vibrant green, and the flowers were a riot of pinks and purples, yellows and blues. a breathtaking harmony of nature's bounty.

perfect for you.

the figure of a man, moved slowly through the meadow, his gaze intent on the flowers that surrounded him. he was picking them, one by one, carefully selecting the most beautiful blooms and holding them in his hand gently. he imagined how you would react. a bright smile for sure, he couldn't wait for that smile. like a ray of sunshine, illuminating the room with its warmth and beauty.

in fact, when he gave you those same flowers, some with their roots still sticking out, dirt under his nails, you smiled. oh you smiled so so brightly, if the sun was still out your smile would've been a fair competitor.

"for me?"

"who else?" he said sheepishly, holding the flowers out to you while looking away. it was quite unnatural for you to see him like this, but you didn't mind really.

"why would you pick them yourself? there are are flower shops for a reason..."

"i didn't like any of the flower arrangements there."

"oh yeah? so what makes your flower arrangement better." you teased. you knew he hadn't thought that hard about it but you were curious to see what he'd come up with on the spot.

"the smoothness of the petals remind me of your soft skin, under my touch–"

"is that so?" you couldn't help giggling, he looked so passionate about it, it felt unreal.

"shh i have more to say. the sweet fragrance of the blooms reminds me of your sweet smiles." he was getting closer to you now, pulling you in by the waist. he didn't even have to whisper for you to hear him.

"shut up." your body shaking with laughter, you could feel a blush burning your cheeks.

"i was reminded of the way you laugh, your head thrown back and eyes sparkling with joy, when i saw the way the petals seemed to dance in the breeze."

he leaned in, lips brushing against yours in a series of small kisses. you giggled, eyes twinkling with delight just as he had said, and you couldn't help but smile. you stayed like that for a moment, lips barely touching, and then you both burst into laughter.

the air was filled with a playful energy, and you were glad you had him with you here, close and warm. you stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity, bodies intertwined in a passionate embrace, and you knew that you had found your home.

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nightmyst14-blog · 1 month

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Regaining treasures Pt 2

Woo, part 2 y'all!! Hope you guys enjoy this one!!

Setting: In the hidden treasure room. White Lily is feeling guilt for the deaths of her friend’s children, although it was of Dark Enchantress.

White Lily: I… I can't believe this… I did this to her..

Pure Vanilla; Lily , no! *hugs her* That’s not true!

White Lily: Look, Vanilla! *gestures to the 3 coffins* Her children are dead! And we had no idea of this! She'll NEVER forgive me for this!!

Dark Cacao: We all didnt know, dear Lily. *helps her up* But she asked us to help her now. We shall do out best to do so.

White Lily; *sniffles* You’re right..

Pure Vanilla: Yes.. We shall do our best to do so, for Goldie’s sake.

White Lily: For Goldie’s sake- *sees her walk in*

Golden Cheese: *Holding a bell, looking sad* LIly…

White Lily: Oh Goldie, Im sorry-

Golden Cheese: Don’t. *sighs* Pure Vanilla told me everything. I know I was hard on you before, but.. I needed time. It was..hard to process the fact you were two people now. But after hearing what happened in Beast-yeast, things began to make sense.

Dark Cacao: Goldie…

Golden Cheese: Its.. its still weird to have you all here, but.. *walks over to the bull sarcophagus, places the bell there* Its been too long… I need them, my treasures..

Pure Vanilla: *walks over to them* Mind telling us about them. Your children?

*Golden Cheese look at Pure Vanilla, sniffling. She leans on Pure Vanilla, looking back a the sarcophagus*

Golden Cheese: I have a daughter and 2 boys….. All created each at a time of day, as you can see on their coffins. All took on an aspect of me, with a few ingredients from different lands.

Dark Cacao: *moves a hand onto jackal sarcophagus* The ingredients you had us bring.

Golden Cheese: *nods* Mhm.

Pure Vanilla; But we only have two things, the incense and the caramel you asked for. What about the third?

Golden Cheese: Its fine. My eldest, my daughter, didnt have an ingredient imported outside of the kingdom. I used only the finest cheeses for her.

White Lily: Do you still have some left over?

Golden Cheese: *thinks* I should have some left in the reserves… Olive, please go get the finest mozzarella on the shelf.

Olive: Yes, ma’am! *runs off*

Golden Cheese: Olive and I have been researching a way to wake them up. Since they are connected to me, my Soul Jam is still connected to their souls.

Dark Cacao: The dreamscape.

Golden Cheese: *nods* Correct. Based on it, I have to do a ritual like how I first created them. Their souls are intact and their bodies, All I need is a jumpstart from the soul jams’ light magic.

White Lily; That’s why you had us come.

Golden Cheese: Mhm. I wouldve done this myself, but the process would drain me of energy. And I know you guys would yell at me for overdoing it.. Thrice.

Pure Vanilla: Sure will. *touches her shoulder* We’re honored to be here to help.

*The ancients plus Olive went to get everything set up, checking with Golden Cheese if the ritual would be ready by morning. Before midday, the ritual was set.

Golden Cheese: *hand on the bull sarcophagus.*

White Lily; *walks over* …What was she like?

Golden Cheese: *looks up* HM?

White Lily: Your daughter. What was she like?

Golden Cheese: *smiles a bit* ..She was amazingly smart. She was head of security here. She made these little robots called Marzipans to make sure everyone was safe here.

Pure Vanilla: I think Ive seen a few of those little things lying around. She made those?

Golden Cheese: My sweet Mozzi.. She was a crafty girl, loving puzzles with a bit of odds. Sometimes she even surprises me with what she was up to next.

Dark Cacao: Hm. *looks up to the window* Its almost time, the sun is rising.

Golden Cheese: Ah, right. Everyone in your places.

*Olive walks up first, setting the mozzarella on the coffin. Golden Cheese began to use her soul jam to bend the light to shine on the sarcophagus, filling the details. Pure Vanilla, Dark Cacao, and White Lily points their weapons to the coffin, their soul jam magic flowing into the object.*

*The sarcophagus began to glow, the bowl of mozzarella seeming to phase into it. Light filling the details of the coffin, the lid starting to shake.*

Olive: *gasps, adjusts her glasses* Its… its working!!

Golden Cheese: *her hands shaking* Ngh… Keep going! We’re almost there!

*they soon stopped 15 minutes, the ancients a bit drained of their energy.*

Pure Vanilla; Hah. *pants* Did.. DId it work…?

Olive: I.. I dont know- *hears movement in the sarcophagus*

White Lily: *gasps*

Dark Cacao: *uses his sword to wedge over to open the lid,pushing it aside*

*Inside, sits up a young woman with tanned skin, blonde hair, and bull horns. Cracked blue makeup was on her face, getting smudged as she rubbed her eyes as her eyes gets used to the light*

??; Mmh.. W-where…

White Lily: *gasps, shocked* It.. it worked..

??; *Sees the others, gasps. Goes to back away,ending up falling out of her sarcophagus* Ah, s-stay back!

Pure Vanilla: Ah!!

Olive: C-Careful, ma’am!

Golden Cheese; *slowly steps closer, tears in her eyes* M-Mozzi..? Mozzarella.. Its me..

Mozzarella: *looks up* …M-Mother..?

Golden Cheese: *smiles* My baby girl…

Mozzarella: Mother!! *tries to stand, falls buts Golden Cheese caught her*

Golden Cheese: *holding her close, smiles while crying* My daughter, you’re alive!

*The others smiled at this scene, seeing how happy Golden Cheese was*

Mozzarella: *also crying* Smokey.. Burnt , I.. we could hear you. In that weird place.

Golden Cheese: I know, Mozzi.. I know. I’m so sorry.. *run a hand through her hair* I failed you three as a mother, I’m so sorry…

Mozzarella: Mom.. *looks around* Where.. WHere are they..? My brothers..

Golden Cheese: They’re coming, sweetie. Soon. But first, you need rest. *Looks towards the other ancients* Vanilla… Lily…

*the two of them walk over*

Pure Vanilla: *kneels down, smiles at Mozzarella* It is nice to meet you, princess. Allow me to examine you.

Mozzarella: *looks at her mother, then nods*

Pure Vanilla: *using healing magic*

Mozzarella: *looks at Golden Cheese, whispers* Mother, Are they..?

Golden Cheese: *smiles* Yes, my dear. These are my friends. The other ancients.

White Lily: It is an honor to meet you. *smiles*

*Later, Mozzarella was brought to a room. Still feeling the stiffness in her dough, she was given a wheelchair to move around in. Golden Cheese went to check on her*

Golden Cheese: Oh Mozzi, my dear! I brought you food!

Mozzarella: *working on a broken Marzipan* One second, Mother.

Golden Cheese: Mozzarella, you’re already working? *stops her* Desert flower, you’re supposed to rest.

Mozzarella: But mother-

Golden Cheese: *stern* I mean it. *hands her the bowl of light cheese soup* You were brought awake from slumber a few hours ago.

Mozzarella: *stirring the soup with the spoon* Mother…

Golden Cheese: I can't have you hurting yourself,Mozzi. I- *sniffles* I just got you back.. I’m so close to getting your brothers back…

Mozzarella: *sets the bowl down, hugs her*

Golden Cheese: *crying, hugs her back*I’m so sorry… I wasnt there to save you three…

Mozzarella: Mother, it wasnt your fault.

Golden Cheese: But it is! You three begged to go outside the walls of the kingdom for so long, but I was too afraid to let you go. I just told my friends about you three the other day! Just because I.. *sniffles*

Mozzarella: *frowns* Because of what, Mother?

Golden Cheese; Because I was too afraid to show off my most valuable of treasures… And that was you and your brothers.. *touches her cheek* I promise, my dear Mozzi, I’ll do better. I’ll be a better queen, and a better Mother to you three. We’ll make this kingdom shine brighter than ever before!

Mozzarella; *giggles* As long I get to have a tech room and my Marzipans.

Golden Cheese: *smiles* Of course my dear. Now, you eat and rest, okay? No working until you are better.

Mozzarella: Yes, mother. *starts eating*

Golden Cheese: *kisses her daughter’s head before she leaves, soon greeting my White Lily when she got out the room*

White Lily; How is she?

Golden Cheese: Well, she was up her usual antics, so I say it was a success.

White Lily: *peeks in the room* Bulls horns.. I thought she would have your wings.

Golden Cheese: Oh the features represent what animal they’re most intune with. Trust me, my middle child will have my feathers.

White Lily: I see… *quiet*

Golden Cheese: *worried* You.. You come to just check on my daughter, did you?

White Lily: No.. *sighs* I dont know how many times I can say it... But I am sorry. You lost so much because of me…

Golden Cheese; *sighs* Ive thought about it for a long while. And I already forgiven you. Not fully, but… After seeing you, Vani, and Cacao, coming to help me bring back my daughter, I couldnt stay mad anymore.

White Lily: *sniffles* Goldie…

Golden Cheese: Aww gee, not the waterworks. Come here. *hugs her*

White Lily: *hugs back* Thank you..

Golden Cheese: *smiles* No, thank you. *sighs, pulls away* C’mon, after we rest, we still have two more to bring back.

White Lily: Right. The boys are in the kitchen trying the charcuterie board the cooks made.

Golden Cheese: Nice, let’s go. *leads the way*

#cookie run kingdom #cookie run #crk headcanons #golden cheese cookie #golden cheese kingdom #mozzarella cookie #dark cacao cookie #pure vanilla cookie #olive cookie #white lily cookie

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