#prev yes u rlly were

[clarabowmp3]

i'm a timeless defender and the lines about the war and marrying another man aren't trivialising for me. they're about love against all odds. and yes, sometimes the situation is terrible like the war or arranged marriages. but she loves him so much that she doesn't care!!! if they met during the war or another terrible thing she would still love him because loving him is such a big part of her and it's stronger than common sense (it's smarter to be with a man who doesn't go to a war and it's smarter to just stick with your arranged husband). and when he's gone she's doing as much as she can - sends him letters and prays to god, because there's nothing else you can do in such terrible situation. and they were supposed to be together, to find each other in every possible scenario

idk if it makes sense to you and you're allowed to not like the choruses anyway, but i just wanted to clarify, because i have to defend my baby :(((

asjflflfdkd I SO get the defending your baby 🐣 soooo true bestie (I hope I didn’t sound overly mean in my post/here 🙈🙈)

And I totally get what you’re saying! Loving against the odds, despite the harsh circumstances etc and maybe I’m just listening to the song in the wrong way, but to me the song has a consistently romantic tone. So for eg it starts w the speaker in that antique shop, admiring all the photos etc and the part I don’t rlly like is how that tone gets carried over to the choruses, as if she’s romanticising the troubles of horrible times. Even the (non-problematic) line ‘and I’d die for you in the same way’ is still fine to me cuz she’s talking abt a fictional story, ie fictional suffering, and its non-specific and is just referencing a generic desperation to love

I think my main problem is w the 1944 chorus mainly because of how specific it is w the year and everything, meaning that she’s likely referencing the holocaust. While any war is a tragedy, this is especially terrible (to me) cuz of how it was a genocide of the entire Jewish population. So to focus on a specific part of the suffering that she has not and will likely never experience, the going off to war bit and leaving loved ones behind, and to then romanticise it (this may be subjective but I feel like there’s an underlying sense of ‘oh isn’t it so romantic, the thought of u heading out to danger without knowing if we’ll ever see each other again, but me desperately loving u miles away still?’) feels a lil icky to me

and yeaaa now that I think abt it i don’t mind the arranged marriage chorus as much, even though it still has that sense of romanticising someone else’s suffering that she/most ppl today haven’t experienced. But it’s not as serious as a literal genocide so it’s still okay, but just not my fav way of how she could have done it, esp since she’s so very talented and (I feel) could have communicated these same ideas in a less (for lack of a better word) “””exploitive””” way

And omg the last ‘chorus’ ie the part after the bridge is my ABSOLUTE fav part of the song, like all the emotion in the ‘in a crowded room etc etc….’ makes me go soooo feral esp cuz of that underlying intensity/desperation created by the prev choruses, which I think was done rlly well by the arranged marriage chorus but not so much the 1944 one (maybe it’s just me but when I listen to that bit I can’t help but think of her referencing a very specific tragedy that she did not suffer from which leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth)

But you’re right it’s such a pretty and warm song! I absolutely dieeee for the pre-choruses and the tender simplicity of them AHHHH it makes me feel all soft inside 🥺🥺 and maybe I’m just too serious abt the choruses LOL but these are thoughts I have listening to it :)))

#This was rlly interesting!!! <33 #lovely lovely mutuals 💞💞 #ask

[heich0e]

if you've sent in an ask lately that i didn't respond to, it may be answered under the cut! i'll be dividing these posts up by general subject matter so no one has to scroll for too long to find any asks they may have sent. feel free to block the tag #liv got mail if you don't like seeing posts like this. i'm sorry to have kept you waiting, and p.s. i love you very much <3

part four: fic stuff, etc. ✉

✉ Anonymous asked: liv no one writes suna like you how am i supposed to go on when you hate him (affectionately)

u should try hating on him too it's very liberating and he's an easy target <3

✉ Anonymous asked: not a day goes by when I don't think about pollute I deeply thank you for making it 🩷😔🙏

ahhhh yes... polluted.... my gang-num opus.... thank u for enjoying one of the nastiest things i have ever written we are in this together now!!

✉ @just-jordie-things asked: hello here like everyone else to make sure you get so much love for your mini series with megumi 🤗🤭 (and also i just binged the rest of your work too 😭 😂) i love your writing style it’s so addicting i feel so involved in your stories. and i just loooove how you write megumi !! excellent work i hope you had fun with it!! have a great day/night 🫶

HI JORDIE!! u are SO KIND!! i am so happy you enjoyed the series (and hopefully whatever else you read!!) and i really really really REALLLLY appreciate you taking a moment to share these sweet words w me. sending u love and endless gratitude!! <3

✉ Anonymous asked: Hey Liv, just wanted to reach out to you

Hopefully you don't feel overwhelmed or something like that regarding your last series and everything that came along with it (also your last asks were... Let's say bizarre), so I just wanted to remind you that while I think you're an amazing writer and love what you post, I do not simply follow you for the content you put out: in fact I've become more an more interested in your persona, I think you're hilarious and witty and kind and I find myself looking forward to even you reblogging art and your keysmashes in the tags

Thank you for being so special Liv!!♥️🤩

this really ought to have gone in the love letter section because it's so incredibly sweet of you to say. u might have questionable taste in girlbloggers but omg your heart is so beautiful and kind :') thank YOU for making me FEEL so special, and for taking the time out of your life to do so. i adore u more than i could ever say and i am sending u roughly 92 MILLION kisses. love u so big.

✉ Anonymous asked: hi liv! whenever u see this i just wanted to say that im sorry u felt like u couldnt continue posting smth u created and had fun making onto ur little corner of the internet that we all have the privilege of sharing w u 🖤 it rlly does hurt when smth we make and are excited to share with others isnt met w the same kind of enthusiasm. even tho it's understandable why some ppl weren't huge fans of ur mini megumi series, im sure it was still a bit hurtful. i just wanted to say that everything you create, no matter who likes or dislikes it, is beautiful and deserving of love and recognition for the effort, time and emotions you put into making it. i hope ur break is relaxing and lovely, and i cant wait to continue supporting u and ur creativity when u get back 🖤🖤🖤

thank u little guy. i appreciate you and these words very very much <3

✉ Anonymous asked: just read the Megumi drabble series and saw your prev asks answering the continuation of it, and let me just say that (a) i LOVED the series it's absolutely adorable and also angsty and (b) i completely understand if you decide not to continue!!!! i just wanted to show some support ❤️❤️ your writing's incredible ❤️❤️ regardless of if it'll continue or not, it was an amazing read!

thank you for reading and enjoying it!! you are so sweet!! sending u a big tight squeeze

✉ Anonymous asked: LOVE YOUR LATEST MEGUMI FIC!!! I know it’s easier said than done but I hope you become more comfortable with posting whatever you want in you little corner of the internet!!!

ahhhhhh i hope so too!! and i am so grateful you enjoyed it!! thank you friend <3

✉ Anonymous asked: I loved the recent series of veterinarian Megumi and his son so much, I loved your writing. I understand you're not going to continue, but I appreciate you writing it anyway.💓

and i appreciate u reading it!!!! and enjoying it!! it means so much to me!! blowing u a big kiss rn

✉ Anonymous asked: hi hi Liv ❤️ I just wanted to say I respect your choice to not post more of your oopsy baby series to prevent others from becoming uncomfortable, and I just hope it doesn’t diminish your own joy for writing and creating.

I think it’s totally fair to acknowledge that you hadn’t included a warning or anything about the kid (almost definitely) being Megumi and reader’s, cuz that happens sometimes! Things slip through! But at the same time people don’t have to keep reading if they get to a point they’re not enjoying it.

I think I speak for a lot of people when I say I just want you to be happy in your space, so whatever way you choose to achieve that is of course the best choice for you ❤️❤️

hi hi FRIEND!! thank you for such sweet words and for being so understanding and kind. LOVE UUUUUU

✉ Anonymous asked: just wanna compliment you cause its honestly so impressive that you managed to write and outline multiple stories in the past two weeks. you never fail to amaze me with your creativity keep up with the amazing stuff and take care of yourself :)

i feel so SO lucky to have an outlet to dump all my silly little ideas into when they strike, and to have people (like you!!) who are there to enjoy them along with me!! hope you're well sweet thing!!

✉ Anonymous asked: PLEASE GOD YOUR WRITING IS IMMACULATE. LIKE DOWNRIGHT SWEEPING ME OFF MY FEET IN HAPPINESS WHEN I SEE YOU POST IMMACULATE.

write whatever makes you comfortable, parenthood or not because after all, YOU are the one who is writing it and everyone has their own responsibility to scroll if they dont like your comment. anyway, sending lots of love, YOU DESERVE IT ALL!!

WAHHH u are so kind!! sending u a big squish and so much love right back <3 and thank you for such a lovely bit of reassurance i appreciate u!!

[one last note: there were some other asks about the mini megumi series that i wasn't sure if i should include. i never want to post or share anything that someone might interpret as targeted, or alienating, or sensitizing in any way—and i'm ready to move on and not rehash any old wounds. i know they all came from a very kind place, and i am so truly and sincerely appreciative of anyone who reached out to check on me, or support me, or tell me that they enjoyed the series. love u always and tremendously, liv. xx]

#liv got mail #PHEW WE MADE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!

[slimepuparibaba]

Stars and Asters: Chapter 1.0 - "How to Train Your Drunk Bards' Dragon" Act 1... or something

Ari's Braindead Notes:

guys i know liyue was included in patch 1.0 okay but listen cut me some slack im literally covering all of mondstadt in this fucking chapter kJHAKLDFHAKLJDFHL

also yes characters interacting time, this will be a lot more fun for me

we do be skipping around to get to the more interesting points

if u wanna like make this fully fledged by all means have at it or like do anything with it i rlly dont care plz just end my misery i am like at my computer dying, wondering what ive done with my life

this is so unserious ok im so not sorry

anyway

without further ado:

CHAPTER 1.0 ACT 1: WHO'S READY FOR SOME MOTHA-FLIPPIN TUTORIALS?!

[WORD COUNT: 8.2k words (i am... so sorry)]

Areas of Genshin canon covered: Beginning of Game to End of Four Temples of Mondstadt

&lt;prev> <masterlist> <next>

Ah, Teyvat. Beautiful, innit? Amazing world full of--

Oh shit, nope, wait. Nevermind. Wake up, bitches, time to run, because the Cataclysm (chat noir??) happened.

So we introduce our two heroes, Aether and Lumine. They wanna escape Teyvat, and then Miss Totally Not Kiana The Unknown God, Asmoday (we think that's her name) shows up, forbidding the Travelers from escaping.

Fun Fact: That Unknown God? That's our corrupted God Program right there, taking the form of the most powerful entity in the world at present to exert control. So far, nothing's gone wrong. Haha. Haha.

Hah.

Anyway, Aether and Lumine decide to fight her, flying towards her, and then just as they dive up and are about to strike, the Unknown God freezes Lumine first.

Panicking, Aether calls out to Lumine before diving at the Unknown God. Yup. Aether is the prota--

Nope. Wait. Hold on. Wh... What's happening with Lumine's prison?

Suddenly, something LITERALLY NO ONE SEES COMING, Lumine breaks out, and through some unknown ability, is able to teleport RIGHT BEHIND THE UNKNOWN GOD, THIS CLOSE to getting a headshot.

Panicked, the Unknown God instead freezes Aether. Lumine calls out his name, then goes to strike again, only to be frozen second, crying out for the Unknown God to give Aether back.

Lumine, in the World System's eyes, has now been fully registered as the Traveler. While Aether, registered as the Abyss Prince.

So, fun fact: according to the "original world seed", that wasn't supposed to happen. Aether was supposed to be the protagonist, not Lumine. Like... something was wrong.

And the God Program? Was pissed.

She kept demanding that the World System reset. Again and again, but the World System refused. The only way the World System would reset was if the God Program reset with it.

God Program: Everything went wrong... you were supposed to be the Abyss Monarch, not your brother...! God Program: No matter... I can simply restart-- World System: Failed to execute deletion due to preexisting condition. God Program: ...Condition? What condition?! The condition claimed that her brother remain the protagonist. If she fails that condition-- World System: Teyvat ver. 5410010 World Console Rule No. 1 - The twin who is first reduced to nothing via the Unknown God is embedded with the Abyssal Monarch spirit data, whereas the leftover twin is embedded with the Traveler Twin spirit data. God Program: But resetting is the only way to get the story to work-- World System: Teyvat ver. 5410010 World Console Rule No. 1 Clause 1 - Once the Traveler and Abyssal Twins have been decided, this decision is permanent and no resetting is allowed. The only options include: deletion of the world console and the Overseer, continue with the storyline. God Program: ...That little bitch... God Program: Show me her data. Now.

The World System pulls up Lumine's data, and something of note is... different about her.

Avatar Name: Female Traveler Nickname: Lumine Model Type: Girl Weapon Type: Sword Element: Changeable Special Condition: Carrier of the Charitas Gene

For simplicity's sake, I'm not gonna explain what the Charitas Gene is. But the God Program is definitely not happy about it, far as I can tell.

(eyo ma'am we get it, youre miguel o'hara but a bitch goddamn--)

And so, Lumine falls asleep for 500 years. And now, we reach Mondstadt's beach, where she talks to Paimon and recaps her on everything that happened.

Paimon is also a literal fish out of water (get it? Because. Because she was fished out? ...okay, I'll see myself out--)

The two became close friends over the past two months and Paimon decides that their first stop should be Mondstadt! Which is. Literally right there. (like c'mon guys, it took you this long to figure it out?)

Also because I like showcasing character moments, please enjoy the two's banter. Please. They're actual sisters.

Lumine: You know... I never really understood how you could've nearly drowned. Paimon: What do you mean by that? Lumine: Oh, nothing... Lumine: I mean, you could've just flown out of the water. Paimon: Hey! J-Just so you know, there's LOTS of other animals that can fly, but they ended up drowning too!  Lumine: That's because their wings got damaged and they couldn't fly out the water. And, as far as I'm aware, Paimon? You don't have wings. Paimon: (unconvincingly) W-well... u-uh... it was... Paimon's legs! Yeah, her legs! They were super sore! Lumine: (chuckling) Mhm. Sure, they were.

The two head over to the first Statue of the Seven they find, and Paimon catches Lumine up on some of the "lore" of the world--about the Archons, about the elements, the statues. And then, immediately, Paimon just. Tells Lumine to touch the statue.

Paimon: Hey, maybe you should try touching it! Lumine: Uh, what-- Paimon: You heard Paimon! Touch the statue and pray to it! Lumine: Those are two entirely different things--

And so, Lumine resonates with Anemo...

...and accidentally windblades herself backwards onto the ground.

Paimon reveals that Lumine was likely blessed with Barbatos' blessing, the Anemo Archon, and that Mondstadt City would gladly welcome her in (to Lumine's confusion, because that's like calling the capital of England "England City", but whatever--)

Before they can decide to move there, gigantic-ass dragon flies over. The two go to check it out and see a green bard (we know it's Venti, this is very much obvious by now) talking to a dragon.

As the two peek in, Paimon accidentally floats too close, losing balance and bumping into Lumine, who creates a large blast of Anemo energy, startling the dragon.

The dragon flies off and Venti disappears. When they go to search for it, they find a red teardrop and have. No clue what to do with it. Lumine holds it in her hand.

Lumine: Huh... never seen anything like this before. Paimon: Paimon hasn't either! She can't tell what it is, but looks like we'll just have to take it with us! Lumine: You're saying we have to hold this the entire way? It's not like I have a bag or anything... Paimon: U-uh, m-maybe we...

The crystal randomly dissipates while the two ponder and Lumine and Paimon scream.

Lumine: T-THE CRYSTAL?! Paimon: WHERE'D IT GO?! WHERE'D IT GO?! Lumine: DON'T ASK ME! I WAS JUST HOLDING IT AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN--

The crystal reappears in Lumine's held out hands. Paimon and Lumine scream again, Lumine falling backwards as it hovers.

Lumine: It just... a-appeared again. Paimon: M-maybe... perhaps... Paimon: Oh! Maybe you have a psychic storage space that you learned about from another world!

Half-right. It's the World System working in the "game inventory" mechanic.

Lumine: Yeah, no, I don't think that's it.

It's kinda that.

Anyway, Lumine tests it again, concentrating carefully, only for it to dissipate into thin air. She stares at her palms and--yeah, no, it's definitely gone now.

Paimon: And now it's gone again! Lumine: Seems like along with my Anemo prowess, I can summon items and store them at well... Paimon: So it IS a psychic storage space... Lumine: I'd like to think of it as a virtual inventory. Paimon: Haaah, well, if that's really what you think, then Paimon won't correct you...

Virtual Inventory now introduced as an actual living breathing mechanic that Lumine can utilize as hammer space, they trek to the Whispering Woods, where they meet Amber, who is all like "hey you kinda sus"

Paimon and Lumine give Amber some sas, hilarity ensuing

Amber: You don't look like citizens of Mondstadt. Explain yourselves! Paimon: WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING ILLEGAL! Lumine: (internally) Only criminals say that kind of thing...?! Lumine: Sorry, ignore her. She's not good under pressure. I'm Lumine, and that's Paimon. We're really not looking for any trouble. Amber: Hmm... Lumine and Paimon, huh? Doesn't sound like any local names to me. Lumine: (internally) Not wrong... Amber: Well, other than your odd clothing style, you're clear, Lumine. Lumine and Paimon: (internally) Like your clothing is anymore conventional?!

No more time for chit chat, girls, because we got an issue with Hilichurs! Lumine feels like she can hear some sort of "Amber has joined your party" ringing in the back of her head, but she shakes it off as something she thought of herself.

So they find a Hilichurl Camp, and here is where we immediately start deviating.

Paimon: Whoa…! An entire Hilichurl Camp! Lumine: A Hili-what? Amber: Those. Hilichurls.

Amber points to the Hilichurls eating and dancing around a fire. Some are sharpening their axes, others stringing their bows.

Lumine: ...they look... kinda cute. Amber: Yeah, they seem cute, but they can get aggressive to people like you and me. They're too close to the city, so my task this time is to clear out their camp. Lumine: Wait, why can't we just say 'hi' and ask them politely to leave? Amber: B-Because they don't speak our language--wait, Traveler? Where are you going?!

Lumine then decides it's a smart idea to walk up to one of the hilichurls who's happily eating a Sunsettia. She kneels down and tries to talk to them.

Lumine: Um... Hi there, little fella. Hilichurl: ...? Ya!

The Hilichurl stands up, grabbing the club next to him and ready to hit Lumine. He drops his Sunsettia on the ground, but Lumine holds out her arm as if trying to show she means no harm.

Lumine: H-hey, no... uh... no fight! Paimon: Lumine, they won't listen! Hilichurls aren't-- Lumine: Shh, I think I'm making progress...!

Though she struggles, she tries to reason with the Hilichurl and hands it the Sunsettia, hoping to reason.

Lumine: Here… go on, take it.

The Hilichurl looks at her hand, then to the others in his group. They too seem puzzled, but do nothing. Finally, the Hilichurl takes the Sunsettia into his palms and stares at Lumine, before dancing a bit.

Paimon: …h-he… he seems happy…! Hilichurl: Valo valo! Ya mi tomo!

A flash of recognition appears in Lumine's eyes, as if she understands what the Hilichurl is saying. This shouldn't be normal, but she knows anyway. So, she continues conversing.

Lumine: You're welcome. Hey, do you think you can move the camp a little farther into the forest? Hilichurl: Dala? Lumine: Mm… mostly because the other people might be too scared of you, so they'll try and attack. Hilichurl: Mm…

The Hilichurl turns to his friends and starts speaking, Lumine understanding that he's requesting to move the camp farther from the city. After a bit, he returns to conversing with Lumine. Paimon and Amber look from afar in bewilderment.

Amber (shouting): What did he say? Lumine (shouting): He said that they were told to be stationed here by someone, but since I asked nicely, they'll move!

The Hilichurls seem happy that they were able to communicate, and suddenly, the one friendly Hilichurl runs over to the inside of the main hut, motioning Lumine to come over.

Lumine follows, and in front of the Friendly Hilichurl is a small, common chest. Lumine, in shock, looks at him as if affirming what the Hilichurl is offering. He nods in response, and Lumine opens it. Inside, however, is something uncommon…

Inside of the chest is a sword and a bow. The sword is glowing brightly with an aqua-green hue, while the bow seems to have the same sigil that Amber wears on her outrider outfit.

The Hilichurls wave goodbye to the trio as Lumine hands the bow over to Amber, keeping the sword in her grasp. Paimon and Amber are both astonished, as the Hilichurls fulfill their promise and start to move out further into the forest.

Amber: …How… did you do that? Paimon: Paimon's never seen someone interact with Hilichurls like that before… Lumine: Wait, really? No one's asked nicely? Amber: I mean, we've tried, but they couldn't understand us. It usually led to them getting upset and lashing out at us, so whenever they see a person, they strike first on reflex. Lumine: Well… that one Hilichurl said he'd try putting in a good word for me with the other tribes. So, maybe the issue's solved? Paimon: You understood Hilichurlian! That's amazing! Lumine: Just a bit. I'm more surprised he understood me. He seems like a sweet guy--seems like he's the youngest of the group. Amber: All that information from a single exchange with a Hilichurl… Ella Musk would be impressed…

Aside from me restraining myself from wishing Ella Musk's name was changed, the group then realizes that Amber gained a Favonius Warbow. And, for some reason... Luine has the Aquila Favonia?

No one really knows why, but anyway, the group heads back to Mondstadt. Amber catches 'em up: Stormterror is a big dragon that brings gigantic storms whenever he's near, and so Mondstadt's in a tight spot. The Knights of Favonius also have to deal with Hilichurls moving closer and closer into the city, but Lumine realizes something.

Lumine (internally): It doesn't add up... the Hilichurl I talked to said they were told to be stationed there, like they were told by a tactician. Not to mention the person in green who talked to the dragon… something's not right.

Detective Lumine, who decided to turn into Rosa from Tears of Themis for a good bit, then goes with Paimon and Amber to Mondstadt.

They take a tour around the city, which is pretty empty, and learn about what Mondstadt is like. Lumine makes mental note to never indulge in any of the taverns because she apparently might get too caught up in taste-testing wine to the point where she'll become flat-out drunk. Sasuga Traveler.

And then, Lumine is given a Wind Glider by Amber. She glides around, and suddenly, when she lands, the wind glider dissipates. Amber explains this to Lumine. More mechanics.

Amber: Wow, you did pretty well! And it seems like the Wind Glider recognized you as it's owner. Paimon: "Recognized"? What's that mean? Amber: : Some of the items in this world have a will imbedded in them, like my new bow! Amber summons the bow in her hands, which seems to come out of nowhere. This surprises Paimon and Lumine. Amber: See, if an item recognizes you as it's owner and synchronizes with you, you can summon it at will! Practically appears and disappears when you ask it to. Cool trick, right? Paimon: So that's what it is! Amber: Though it's a bit strange. Usually, only Vision holders can achieve this, but… as far as I can see, you don't have a Vision, Traveler. Lumine: …a Vision? Amber: Yeah. A Vision! You see, a Vision is--!

Woops, sorry walking exposition, but we got a dragon to deal with! A tornado begins to form--multiple tornadoes in fact, and as Amber and Paimon run away, Lumine gets Dorothy'd up into the air. Paimon and Amber try to hold her down, but nope.

But, with Venti's help, Lumine remains stable. She's instructed by Venti to "deal with Dvalin".

Venti: You're doing great! Keep it up! Lumine: It'd be nice if you could've introduced yourself before you put me in this situation! Venti: You really want an introduction at a time like this?! Mondstadt needs your help! Lumine: Okay, but when this is all over, I EXPECT answers!

On the ground, Paimon is watching worriedly for Lumine and is this close to flying in, but Amber is busy evacuating citizens.

Amber: Paimon, there's some citizens trying to seek shelter! We have to help! Paimon: B-but…! But what about--? Amber (serious): I know you're worried about your partner, but she looks like she can fend off Mondstadt against the dragon. Right now, these innocent people can't. I need your help.

Paimon seems unsure, looking back up at the sky for Lumine. Amber again asks, but this time, it comes out more as a plea.

Amber: Please…

Paimon then looks at Amber, nodding. Amber runs off, trying to help out innocents. Paimon hesitates, looking up at the sky one last time.

Paimon: …please be okay, Lumine…!

She then flies off in Amber's direction, assisting as best as she can.

Meanwhile, there's this guy... a guy with an eyepatch awtching from afar. He's doing that "cool guy" pose, leaning against the support beam of a building. Congratulations--we've met Kaeya.

Kaeya: So, an Outlander has come to save us from the big, scary dragon. How amusing…

Lisa, who is actually doing work for once, scolds Kaeya as she escorts a woman and her child to safety

Lisa: Kaeya! A little bit of help would be appreciated. Kaeya: Right. Sorry. Got distracted by the light show.  Lisa: Kaeya, not now! Kaeya: Alright, alright. I'm coming. No need to worry so much, Lisa.

While he's busy, though, he still is thinking heavily about that person in the sky... wondering about something. But, oh well, whatever.

After some time passes, Lumine successfully shoos Dvalin away and lands on the ground, where Paimon tearfully hugs Lumine tightly, glad she's okay.

Anyway, then Kaeya comes up

Kaeya (clapping): Well, well, well. You've actually got the power to go up against the dragon... Lumine: ? Kaeya: Are you perhaps a new ally... Kaeya: Or a new storm? Lumine and Paimon (staring): ... Paimon (whispering): Is he really a Knight? Lumine (whispering): No, I think he's a pirate. Kaeya (surprised): Huh. That's. Not the reaction I was expecting.

Anyway, we're introduced to Kaeya and the group heads to the Knights of Favonius, where they meet Jean and Lisa and basically go over how fucked the shit is.

Jean: So that's the situation. Stormterror's power sources must be cut off, and we need your help. I promise, we will help you seek out your brother. Lisa: Mhm. That's right, cuties! Lumine: ... Lumine: Okay so... stop THAT. Lisa: Hm? Lumine: And also, how... many Temples are we dealing with? Kaeya: Three of the Four Temples. Lumine: ... Lumine: I'm sorry, what happened to the fourth? Paimon: is it the rule of threes? Lumine: This sounds like the rule of threes. Amber: What are you guys even saying? Kaeya (snickering): Pffft... finally, my kind of crowd. Amber: No. Stop Do not.

So with that out of the way, Lisa and Kaeya join the party and embark on the quest to the Three Temples--I mean, Three of the Four Temples.

No, Paimon, Lumine, and Kaeya will NOT stop joking about it.

Lumine: But if the fourth temple is off-limits, shouldn't you just call it the three temples? Lisa: Well, you see, it's because-- Paimon: Yeah! If you keep saying it's dangerous but it still exists, then people who would want to visit the Temples would try to find the fourth anyway! Because completionism! Kaeya: Ah, see, I brought up that same point as well, but the Acting Grandmaster said otherwise. Amber: Listen, we're visiting THREE TEMPLES. Okay? Just three! No more! Paimon: No four. Lumine: What a bore. Kaeya: Such a chore. Amber: And no rhyming games! Kaeya: What a... Paimon, Lumine, and Kaeya: Shame? Lisa (sighs): A long errand this will be, won't it, Amber? Amber: You're telling me...

I'm not going to go over the stupid Temples, okay? Like. Literally no one remembers them. I'm skipping them. Shush. This is my fic, I do what I want.

Most you'll get is tidbits of what happens in each one.

First up we have the Temple of the Falcon, where we see Amber in action. And, um...

Amber: Oh no, Hilichurls! Lisa: Quickly, we must defeat them! Kaeya: Right. Amber: Oh, there's explosive barrels over there! Maybe if I throw Baron Bunny over-- Lumine: Oh, hey! Is that you, little guy? Friendly Hilichurl (from before): Tomo! Kaeya, Lisa, and Amber: ... All three: What? Lumine: Sorry for intruding. Were you guys stationed here too? Friendly Hilichurl: Dada. Dala si? Lumine: Oh, some friends of mine. Hey, listen, do you know where some sort of... draconic power is? Friendly Hilichurl: Da! Zido, zido! Paimon: Wow, Lumine, your Hilichurlian is really helpful! Lumine: I know, right? Kinda glad about that. Kaeya: ... Kaeya: S... she speaks... Amber: Yup. Lisa: And she negotiated with... Amber: Mhm. Kaeya: ... Kaeya: That's... a new one...

--yeah, so I lied. Remember how Lumine communicated with the Hilichurls earlier? Yeah, it makes things significantly easier for them.

They take out a Dragon's Breath, move onto the next Temple. Here, Lumine learns about Visions... and the group also tries to avoid every single sexual innuendo Lisa makes.

Lisa: So as you can see, when enemies are Wet, I can easily handle them via chain lightning, as they become electro-charged. Lumine: ... Paimon: ... Lia: The electrical discharge caused by friction is only a little less shocking than love at first sight. Lumine, covering Paimon's ears: Paimon, you're too young to hear this. Paimon, covering her eyes: Paimon is too Paimon to see this. Kaeya: Lisa, maybe cut down on the adult erotica you read? Amber: KAEYA! Kaeya, covering Lumine's ears: What? Just sayin'. Not in front of the children. Lumine: I AM 5'2", THAT IS LIKE AVERAGE HEIGHT FOR A FEMALE ADULT! Kaeya: Sure, kiddo. Lumine, squirming: HANDS OFF, HANDS OFF--!

Lisa also gets a new weapon here, but that's neither really here or there. I'm not gonna mention much about weapons, guys, unless the character is like super important.

Anyway, two out of the four three temples left! Kaeya's turn! And. Um. Well.

Kaeya: Luckily, the Hilichurls weren't so much as a problem this time... Kaeya, turning to Lumine, swinging around his new sword he just got cuz he wants to look like a badass: So. You said they were stationed here? Lumine: Yup. That's what they told me. They typically want to be as far out from humans or human-traveled locations as much as possible so they can live peacefully, but they only ever approach if stationed there. Kaeya: Interesting... Then perhaps. Kaeya, to the Hydro Abyss Mage behind him: YOU were behind this! Hydro Abyss Mage: Gohus, Chiso Vo--

And then a gigantic ass flaming claymore bursts in, hitting the Hydro Abyss Mage.

Hydro Abyss Mage: GAH-- Kaeya: ..well, well, look who it is. Diluc: Knights of Favonius. Always so inefficient. Kaeya: Agree to disagree. But, since you got involved, this should be more interesti-- Amber: KAEYA, DILUC, I GET THAT YOU'RE BICKERING, BUT THE THING ISN'T GONE! Kaeya and Diluc: ?! Lisa, busy electrocuting it: Master Diluc, may we remind you the basics of elemental resonation and why fire doesn't work effectively on water? Diluc: ... Kaeya: ...

Kaeya proceeds to freeze the Hydro Abyss Mage.

Diluc: ... Kaeya: So. 'Inefficient', you said? Diluc: ...tch.

Diluc leaves, while Lumine and Paimon just stare.

Lumine: ...was he... trying to be cool? Paimon: That was... the worst first imperssion ever. Kaeya: Pfft. Yup. Knew I liked you two.

So anyhow and anyway, the group returns to Mondstadt and updates Jean on everything, with Lumine and Paimon learning the Fourth Temple was actually Dvalin's. Insert an "ooooooh" here.

Well, actually, before they update Jean, they see her arguing with Fatui diplomats on things.

Jean: That was the Fatui... from Snezhnaya. Lumine: Actually, it's pronounced "Fah-twee". Jean: ...what? Lumine: You're pronouncing it like pah-tooey, like when someone expectorates. Lumine: Anyway, continue. Jean: Oh... kay...? Paimon: Wait, so the Fatui wanted to kill Stormterror? Kaeya: To be fair, the Cryo Archon and the Fatui have always coveted the other Archons' powers... Lumine: Okay, but why? Kaeya: Beats me. Paimon: Aren't you a Knight? Shouldn't you know more about politics? Kaeya: Aren't you the "number one traveling companion"? Shouldn't YOU know more about Teyvat in general? Paimon: D'oh...

Lisa and Jean then take a look at the red crystal, amused by it. They claim that it's impure, and surprising that Lumine isn't affected by it. Then, she is honored with the title.

Jean: Now then, Traveler... The Knights of Favonius have another favor to ask of you. Lumine: You can just call me Lumine... no need to call me Trave-- Jean: Please accept the title of Honorary Knight... and the gratitude of the Acting Grand Master! Lumine: Aaaaand a new title. Awesome. Paimon: Wow, look at that, Lumine! The Honorary Knight of Favonius! Kaeya: And now you're subject to being called Honorary Knight to the end of your days. Lumine: Haha, very funny.

The group disperses, going their seperate ways, only for Lumine and Paimon to ask for lodging! W-well, except, um...

Paimon: Paimon can't BELIEVE it! The Fatui took ALL THE ROOM IN THE GOETHE HOTEL?! Lumine: And to think it's the only hotel in Mondstadt... for the supposed capital of the place, you'd think there'd be more. Paimon: Urgh... those Fatui! And Paimon could've ordered food service. Lumine: Ah, so YOUR main complaint was food service. Paimon: W-well, who are we supposed to call here? Captain Eyepatch?! Lumine: Or Noelle. Apparently she's like the maid here? Paimon: Yeah, but... Paimon would feel bad asking her for room service... Lumine: (laughs) Paimon: So, Amber said that our room was... this one, right?

Lumine and Paimon arrive at their temporary lodging--the Knights of Favonius HQ. Well, specifically, the area where the Knights who live in the HQ stay. Thankfully, there were open spaces due to a large majority of the soldiers being gone with the actual Grandmaster of the Knights.

When Paimon and Lumine open the room, they find it's... pretty quaint. They get a decent view, a comfy bed. Though, there is a LOT of Favonius paraphernalia--from the books, to the carpet. Even the curtains and...

Lumine: Huh. Didn't know that had Favonius-branded napkins. Paimon: And lamps. Lumine: ...interesting...

Lumine and Paimon take the chance to settle down, sitting back and getting comfy.

Paimon: Lumine, you sure are getting comfortable with the Teyvatan language, though! Those two months of practicing were worth it, weren't they? Lumine: I also had to relearn how to walk again... you know, they never talk about how over five hundred years of sleeping can seriously affect your ability to move. Paimon: Mhm! But it was all worth it in the end!

As Lumine and Paimon lie down on their bed, Lumine looks up at the ceiling. It's getting dark out... they've been busy all day. Talk about an action-packed first day properly interacting with Teyvatan locals.

Lumine: ...it's only been a day, huh? Paimon: ... Paimon: Lumine? Lumine: Hm? Paimon: Are you... sad?

Paimon turns around, looking up at Lumine. She's worried.

Paimon: Do you think the Anemo Archon is the one that took your brother? Lumine: ...no. Far from it. If the statue is anything like the god that took him from me? Definitely not her. Paimon: Do you think he'd at least know her? Lumine: Well... I guess we could ask. Paimon: ...Paimon's sorry. Lumine: Hm? For what?

Paimon grows quiet, then whimpers.

Paimon: ...if Paimon could remember, Paimon would tell you, but...

When Lumine found Paimon, Paimon commented that there were things she did and didn't remember.

Lumine: Well, you seemed to remember some things as we made our way here, right? Paimon: Right, but... it only happened when Paimon saw them. It was like Paimon couldn't remember until she had to remember. Lumine: ...then, when the time comes, you'll remember. I know it. Paimon: ...mn. Paimon hopes so.

Paimon lets out a big yawn, and Lumine smiles gently. For the past two months, it's just been her and Paimon against the world. They've practically become inseperable. Attached to the hip.

Lumine: Tired? Paimon: Mn... Lumine: Go to sleep then, Paimon. It's been a long day.

Lumine stands up, gently tucking Paimon into bed. However, Paimon calls out to Lumine.

Paimon: Lumine, what about you? Aren't you sleepy? Lumine: I'll head to bed in a bit. Just want to do some reading practice before anything.

Lumine stands up, grabbing some books from the shelves. With a stack of them in her arms, she makes her way to the bed, flipping through each of them vigorously.

Clues about her brother's whereabouts. Myths about that Unknown God. An unknown location. She'd accept anything at this point.

Book after book, page after page... the light in the room stayed on throughout the night. It was as if hours passed. And yet, nothing.

No mentions of a blond-haired Traveler in search of his sister. No Unknown Gods with flowing white hair that claimed to be the Sustainer of Heavenly Principles. It was all simply tales of Mondstadt, or fairy tales about some oddities.

Lumine's eyes began to droop... she was getting sleepier by the moment. Until finally, the weary girl dozed off.

The first night without her brother. How sad... how unfortunate.

As Lumine dozes off to sleep, she hears a voice resounding... and suddenly, her surroundings change, and she begins to dream.

Once upon a time, there was a one-eyed peacock...

"He came from a long line of creatures that lived in a forest made by their own kind. They despised the gods that lived up above them in the sky, and wished to rule themselves. For they were the superior. That was their belief."

"But the gods were angered by these creatures. How dare they overstep such boundaries set in place? How dare these creatures be greedy and take life into their own hands? In anger, the gods set the creature-made forest ablaze."

"It was Hell on earth. Many cried, many screamed. Beings of shadow emerged from the depths, consuming everyone in it's wake... it was a disaster. No... it was a Cataclysm."

"Despite it being 500 years ago, the one-eyed peacock shared his ancestor's legacy. For his bloodline had been cursed by the gods. What that curse was, he would never say. But all he knew was this: his father had sent him to hide in a beautiful kingdom of dandelions, in hopes that one day, it would perish."

"The peacock, in truth, held a dark secret. His beautiful feathers were nothing but shards of ice. In truth, his true body was afflicted, tainted by his ancestors. And he had to bear that curse for as long as he lived."

"The peacock made his way into the hearts of the Dandelion Kingdom, and soon, he was taken in by an owl and his owlet. The young peacock and owlet grew close, standing side by side, learning and growing together."

"For once, the peacock wondered, 'Is this okay?'. He asked himself, 'could I live like this? Could I spend my days in this Kingdom of Dandelions?' He was comfortable, he was happy... perhaps, he thought, this could be his new home. Perhaps his curse didn't need to be his truth."

"...but the Gods forbade it."

"These Gods weren't the same ones who cursed the peacock's bloodline, not the ones who lived in the clouds. No, they were the ones who determined everyone's fate. The Gods, in their anger, were unsatisfied with the peacock's conclusion."

"You are cursed forevermore. It is your destiny."

"To prove their point, the Gods sent down a 'curse' that tore apart the owl that took the peacock in. Ripping him apart, limb from limb, pucking his feathers until nothing was left, but a mere husk. By the time that the peacock and owlet arrived, it was too late... the owl was no longer himself."

"The owlet watched in horror, his father growing mad and losing himself. No matter what the owlet did, he could only do one last thing:"

"The peacock watched as the owlet cried, curling up against his father's corpse, his beak and talons stained with blood. It had to be him that ended his father's life."

"This was the Gods answer... the peacock understood. There was no father here, no family here. The only thing left was his curse."

"For the first time, the peacock shed his icy feathers, revealing to the blood-stained owlet the truth. In tears, the owlet grew furious--how could the peacock have lied to him? The peacock, this entire time... was he glad that his father died?"

"The owlet clawed at the peacock, and in return, the peacock fought back. It was no longer a friendly duel between brothers. It was a falling out. They fought, and fought, and fought. But what the owlet didn't see were the peacock's tears."

"Ever since that day, the peacock understood. He must never shed his feathers, for he must keep the truth hidden within. The Gods have willed it so. It is, after all, his destiny, to lie."

"He cannot live a happy life in the Dandelion Kingdom. He cannot trust anyone, not even himself."

"And so, the peacock accepted his destiny, doing as the Gods instructed, until his body froze him to the bone, and he took his final breath, cold. Alone. Just as he had been since the beginning."

Lumine immediately bolted up out of bed, her head pounding, ears ringing. What was that dream...? No, really, what WAS that dream?

She looked at Paimon, who was sleeping soundly next to her. A dream about a peacock, an owlet, a dead owl... it was all so vivid, so terrifying, so...

...sad.

Lumine sat up in bed, taking in everything. What sort of dream was that? It was bizarre.

As she felt around for the lamp, her hand rested on a small book. A book she most likely was about to read before falling asleep.

The girl looked outside. Still dark out. Not only that, but her head still ached from such an odd dream--or would it be more appropriate to call it a nightmare?

Either way, she resolved to read the book and find a glass of water. Perhaps that would make it easier on her.

Lumine carefully crept out of the room, ensuring Paimon was fast asleep, before wandering the HQ. It was eerily dead silent in the middle of the night.

She looked around for the kitchen, trying not to make a sound, until at last she found the tap. Setting her book aside and grabbing a glass, she poured herself a drink--

???: "Teyvatan History 101", eh? Lumine: AH!

Nearly spilling her water, Lumine panicked, turning around. Standing there, carrying a lamp, was none other than Kaeya Alberich, dressed down into something she could only assume was his nightwear.

Kaeya: Snooping around in the middle of the night, little miss? Lumine: You scared the heck out of me...! Jeez...! Kaeya: Haha, sorry. Couldn't help myself.

As Kaeya laughed, Lumine held her hand up to her forehead before drinking her glass. Her brows were furrowed, and she seemed to be shaking a bit. At that, Kaeya decided to inquire.

Kaeya: ...hey. Couldn't sleep?

Lumine turned, then looked up at Kaeya.

Kaeya: What? Friend can't ask a friend how she's doing? Lumine: ...we're friends? Kaeya: I'm hurt, Miss Honorary Knight... are you suggesting we aren't?

Lumine laughs at that, before leaning against the counter, sipping her water. Kaeya joins her, leaning against the counter as well. The two are side by side in the quiet of the night.

Lumine: I, uh... yeah. Had a nightmare. Kaeya: Oh? Do tell. Lumine: I just... don't know how to make heads or tails of it? Kaeya: Surprise me. Not only am I devilishly good-looking, but I'm also an expert at interpreting dreams. Lumine: Pfft, that's a lie. Kaeya: You won't know until you try.

The two laugh a bit, until the mood seems to shift in a more... somber way.

Lumine: I, um... I guess I should start by saying I typically don't have nightmares. Kaeya: No? Lumine: Yeah... Aether and I always made sure that we were both at least in the same vicinity when we fell asleep so, I... guess he was like my nightmare repellent. It's... been happening for the past few months. Kaeya: ... Kaeya: I see.

There's a silence in the air, only for Kaeya to try and continue the conversation.

Kaeya: So. You and your brother were close? Lumine: Yeah. Well, are... Lumine: ...hopefully that's the right tense. Kaeya: Hey. I'm sure he's out there. Just gotta look for him is all. I'm sure he's trying to find you too, right? Lumine, quietly: Yeah. I... I hope so too.

Lumine looks into the water in her glass, before she begins to talk about her dream.

Lumine: ...the dream I had this time though was different from most of the other nightmares I've had. Kaeya: Hm? Like what? Lumine: In the past, it was... always about Aether leaving me. Leaving me behind, not letting me follow him, and in the end, I'd end up all alone in a vast, empty void. Lumine: But this one was... about a one-eyed peacock.

When that was mentioned, Kaeya's eye widened.

Kaeya: ...one-eyed... peacock? Lumine: Mhm. Again, a really weird dream, but-- Kaeya: What happened to it? Lumine: Huh? Kaeya: ...t... the peacock, I mean. Did... something happen?

Kaeya hastily tried to correct himself. Lumine couldn't tell if it was the dim lighting or not, but his eye seemed to dart around, refusing to make eye contact with her. Despite this, she continued.

Lumine: Yeah, um... so, the peacock was cursed by the Gods. Something about his bloodline being cursed by defying the creatures that lived in the clouds? It's really confusing. Kaeya: And then? Lumine: Well...

Lumine recounted the story, trying to piece together what she could recall.

Lumine: ...he was accepted into the Dandelion Kingdom. Well, more like sent to infiltrate it by his father to see it's downfall or... something. And he was adopted by an owl and his son. Kaeya: ...

Kaeya grew unexpectedly quiet at this. It was almost uncharacteristic for him.

Lumine: ...Kaeya? Kaeya: Continue.

When he realized how off he sounded, he corrected himself.

Kaeya: Sorry, sorry. I, um... tired. Lumine: O-okay... Lumine: ...well, as time passed, the peacock came to love it in the Dandelion Kingdom, but he questioned if it was alright to stay there or if he had to do what he was "destined" to do. Then, when he hesitated, the Gods got angry. The owl that took care of the peacock went made and his owlet had to be the one to kill him. And the peacock... just watched. Like he was being told "you have to do what you were destined to do now, there is no second option".

Kaeya's hands were shaking, though Lumine couldn't notice it. As if he was reliving a bad memory. A bad dream.

Lumine: ...the peacock decided to try and tell the owlet. I guess he felt bad and at least wanted to put all cards on the table. Shed his feathers, showed the truth and... they fought. And the peacock just... lied for the rest of his life, not questioning his destiny. Kaeya: ...what... happened at the end of the dream? Was... that all?

Lumine grew quiet, before whispering. Ah, so this is why he reacted this way...

Lumine: ...the peacock froze to death.

Kaeya's face darkened. It was like he was hoping for a happier ending deep down, but he knew that it wouldn't end that way.

A few seconds pass, before Lumine draws a conclusion.

Lumine: I don't... want to make assumptions but, I'm guessing from your reaction that... Kaeya: ...that the peacock was me as a kid?

Lumine looked up at Kaeya, who avoided her eyes.

Kaeya: Yeah. From a kid to my teens. Lumine: Then... that owlet was-- Kaeya: The owl was a man named Crepus Ragvindr. And the owlet? His son... Diluc Ragvindr. Lumine: The one who appeared at the Temple of the Wolf? Kaeya: That's right. He and I were close once. But, like you said. I wavered. Instead of being next to him when he had to kill his dad, end Crepus' misery, I just. Watched. Accepted that this was my fate as a descendant of Khaenri'ah.

At that, Lumine became curious.

Lumine: ...Khaenri'ah? Kaeya: An ancient nation made by humans. All Teyvatan nations have been established and run by the Archons, except for Khaenri'ah. Celestia, the big guys up above, hated that. They... wiped out everything. Lumine: I... I-I'm sorry, I-- Kaeya: Don't be. It was centuries ago. Nothing to do with me. Kaeya: Or... well, you know.

Yet another silence between them, only for Kaeya to suddenly chuckle sadly.

Kaeya: Haaah, why... why am I telling you this? Makes no sense. Lumine: Hm? Kaeya: I mean... think about it. We just met today, and suddenly, I'm telling you a secret that I only told one other person, and said person now hates me. I... I must've gone mad.

Kaeya ran his fingers through his hair, continuing to smile sadly.

Kaeya: Ah... that's fine. Just one more person to despise m-- Lumine: I don't despise you.

Kaeya froze in his place. Did... his ears decieve him?

He turned to Lumine, in shock.

Kaeya: What... did you just... Lumine: Why would I hate you for the sins of your father?

The man continued to stare at Lumine, who seemed completely serious. She said it so... matter-of-factly. Was something wrong in her head?

Surely. Surely something was wrong with her. After all, he's a sleeper agent, meant to wait there and watch as Mondstandt burned. So why? Why was she...?

Lumine: If anything, I hate the Gods. Kaeya: ...the... the Gods? Lumine: Mhm. The ones that said that you have to follow your destiny. It's obvious you love Mondstandt, right?

"Obvious"? Please, what does this girl know? Only a day and she's making assumptions on his character.

How could he love Mondstadt when he was to be there someday and watch it all crumble? It was his destiny, his God-given destiny. Written in the stars, unchangeable.

Kaeya: I... hah. I live here, obviously, so-- Lumine: But you love it's people. Kaeya: ... Lumine: I don't know why I got that dream, or why it was so close to your truth. But... what I do know is that every time I saw that peacock, I didn't feel angry. I felt... sad. Lumine: His dad abandoned him to make him fulfill revenge for something that he wasn't involved in, he found a family that was immediately ripped away because he wasn't following his destiny, and he just decides that he has to lie all the time until the day he ends up dying. Lumine: That's such a lonely existence... I couldn't hate a poor creature like that. Lumine: I couldn't hate you like that.

She looks up at Kaeya innocently. Something within Kaeya stirs--it's like she's staring straight into his soul, dissecting everything about him. As she continues to speak, he can't deny her. Like she speaks the truth.

Lumine: If that dream is your reality, then I can't be mad at you. Instead, I'd just be sad. Sad that you wanted to try and be your own person but instead felt like you had to live up to what someone in your past did. That's all, really. Lumine: ...in a way, the Gods never really gave you a chance to grieve at all. Because 'destiny' was more important than you were to them. Lumine: At least, that's just what I'm th--

As Lumine looks up, a strange sight is before her. Kaeya is paralyzed, staring at the ground... and for a moment, she swears she could see something trailing down his cheeks.

A teardrop. A small, tiny teardrop.

Kaeya had lost everything. He didn't want to admit that, but he did. There was nothing for him.

His birth father left him to carry his ancestors' burden. His foster father died in front of his eyes. His best friend, brother, despised him. All the while, he lost the ability to feel like "himself".

He's a liar. A hollow, empty liar.

And instead of falling for his bluff, Lumine, this random stranger from who knows where, shattered that bluff on day one.

Impressive. Scarily impressive. To the point that Kaeya actually felt terrified.

Kaeya: ...hah. Wow. Are... a-are you a therapist? You really should try getting into that. You're, um. You're a very good listene--

Immediately, Lumine sets down her water and hugs Kaeya tightly. She's a lot shorter than him, so her head barely reaches up to his chest, but... for some reason, it's not cold. It's... warm.

Is this a hug?

What kind of hug is it?

A hug of passion and desire?

No. No, Kaeya can tell it isn't... it's too different from that.

A genuine hug from someone that's worried?

...there's no way it could be that, could it?

Lumine: ...you can grieve now. Kaeya: ... Lumine: ...it's long overdue by now, isn't it? I won't get mad at you, so... Lumine: ...I lost something too. We can both grieve together.

...this girl was something else. That much, Kaeya understood.

His hands twitched, not knowing what to do, only to loosely reciprocate the hug. Suddenly, his head moved lower, resting atop hers...

...and tears began to flow.

He choked it back as best he could--oh, how hard he tried. He clenched his teeth, his fists tightening, but he couldn't.

Was this his true feelings? He didn't know. He thought he repressed it a long, long time ago.

But for some reason, Lumine simply saying that she would grieve with him... felt comforting.

Kaeya: ...haha. F-fuck... this is... the worst first impression I've ever made on someone. Lumine, also tearing up: Don't worry. I won't tell. It'll be our little secret.

The two continue to hug, tears flowing. Yet, it felt... freeing. Rejuvenating.

As he wept, as his soul began to thaw, Kaeya asked one question to Lumine. As if seeking this answer his entire life.

Kaeya: Hey, kid? Lumine: Hm? Kaeya: If... if I said I don't want to see Mondstadt suffer... is that okay?

When she heard that question, Lumine squeezed him tighter, nodding.

Lumine: Yes. It has always been okay since the very start.

Someone had listened to him. Someone had listened to his truth... and, for once, someone told him... it was all okay.

Was that all he wished for? A gentle voice to tell him he could do as he wished, feel as he wished?

Was all he wanted an affirmation that... perhaps he could have happiness?

Maybe. Maybe that was all he wanted ever since he was abandoned those years ago. Ever since he was a kid.

And now, finally, someone found him trapped in the ice and helped him break free.

It was almost as if he was reborn anew...

As their tears dried, Kaeya and Lumine took the time to get some fresh air outside of the headquarters. They began to chat over mundane things to ease themselves of the pain. Perhaps it was the stars in the sky, or maybe about some passing cat. Whatever it was, they were at peace.

Then, Kaeya brought up a question.

Kaeya: So. You said you were grieving too. You... were talking about your brother, right? Lumine: Mn. I... don't feel the same without him, so. Kaeya: Right, right. Gotcha.

For a few seconds, there was yet another silence. But then, Kaeya began to speak once more.

Kaeya: ...Diluc was like my brother too. Lumine: Really? Kaeya: Yup. My best friend, my brother-in-arms... but I, um... Kaeya, looking down: I guess I just didn't get the chance to grieve that fact that we couldn't go back to that after he found out the truth. Lumine: ...hey, I'm sure that when the time comes, you could potentially go back to that. Right? Kaeya: ... Kaeya: Pfft. Optimistic, aren't you? Lumine: Haha, I try.

The two chuckle, before looking up at the stars in the night sky. The way they twinkle, the way the clouds roll through the dark indigo hue...

Kaeya: ...what if we try and fill the brother-shaped gap we both have? Lumine: Hm?

Lumine looks up, interested at Kaeya's query. Noticing her puzzled look, he laughs and reiterates.

Kaeya: I mean... you're missing a brother. I'm also just realizing I'm missing a brother. Why don't we both miss a brother together? A pair of siblings without their sibling.

The girl stares at him, then looks down, humming to herself with a smile on her face.

Lumine: So... it's like you'd be my brother and I'd be your sister? Kaeya: Well, if you'll have me. Just know though that, since you know the truth now, I'm not going to go easy on you. Lumine: Haha, wouldn't dream of it.

Right as she says that, she then gets another idea. Her voice has a hint of sincerity to it, a soft look in her eyes.

Lumine: And if you ever go back on your word about "wanting to keep Mondstadt safe", I'll be there personally to punch you back to reality.

Kaeya's stunned at this. To think, instead of being hated, instead, she says she'd be there personally to ensure it wouldn't happen... what an interesting girl.

His lips curl into a smile, and he holds out his hand in front of Lumine.

Kaeya: Sounds like a deal then, little miss Honorary Knight.

Lumine stares at the hand, then up at Kaeya, only to return the smile, firmly shaking his hand.

Lumine: It's my pleasure, Captain Eyepatch. Kaeya: Captain Eyepatch? Lumine: It's the ugly nickname Paimon gave you. Kaeya: Hm... Captain Eyepatch. Hey, maybe I should make that my new working title now that I have no cavalry to captain. Lumine: That... (laughs) that was terrible. Kaeya: You laughed. Lumine: I laughed because it was bad. Kaeya: Aww, come on. Admit it. Lumine: Hahaha!

Their laughter echoed throughout the night. The stars in the night sky shone brightly, the moon watching over the City of Mondstadt. That day, an unbreakable bond was forged.

...and that day, the wheels of fate began to turn.

Kaeya has now joined Lumine's team.

================

jesus christ holy shit holy fuck we're done so some lil notes here before we end it off. yes, this is how the fic is gonna look. im so sorry but also i like character dialogue so much. the way they interact helps them grow more naturally, and the way they talk gives you insight as to how theyre changing and how they act and just. AGH. love dialogue. hate descriptions. cant do that. yuck. also some non-story-relevant plot points (like the goddamn temples like srsly no one remembers those) will be skipped in the future, cuz fetch quests are both tedious to play and tedious to write. only major story events will be recorded. also no kaeya and lumine are not romantically attracted guys just cuz two people stand next to each other doesnt mean theyll kiss, they are like brother and sister. theyre besties. shush. lumines husband will show up to save his girlie in liyue okay this was genuinely a lot more fun than i thought it would be but also this was rlly fucking long im so fucking sorry anyway KLSDJHAFKLJHKL thats all i got for u

&lt;prev> <masterlist> <next>

#genshin #genshin impact #genshin fanfic #fanfic #ficlet #genshin ficlet #i dont fucking know man how do tags work this is still very confusing to me asjkdfhaskldjgh #stars and asters #lumine #kaeya #kaeya alberich #paimon #amber #jean #lisa #jean gunnhildr #diluc #diluc ragnvindr #i feel like i forgot names #oh #venti #dvalin #umumumumum #guys i gen dont know what im doing okay cut me slack #oh wait he showed up too #aether #i mean that guy showed up yknow like at the very beginning #im just listing characters now #anyway #hows ur day

[actualbird]

Hello!! I'd just like to say I love your blog, thank you for existing, it has brought me so much joy you have no idea!! 💕 Your comedy posts about the NXX team are some of my favourite things to exist on the internet, just aaaahhhh I love seeing them just exisiting and being cracky idiots together!! The best kind of shenanigans are team shenanigans <3 Thank you for bringing so much laughter into my life!!

Whille on the topic of team shenanigans though, I've always wondered where the NXX team members would fall on the scale between "i have a 10 step skincare routine that I follow religiously" to "facial soap?? Why do I need special soap for my face??"

I initally pegged Luke as type number 2, but Luke has spent a good chunk of his life living with MC, and she seems like the type that would insist on him actually using proper products because omg Luke that soap is meant for your body it's not the same you can't use that for everything!! So now he just keeps using the routine she recommended when they were younger because it just lowkey reminds him of her 🥺 I'm curious where the rest of the NXX boys would fall on this scale though!! You totally don't have to respond to this, I just thought it was an interesting idea! Bye for now!! 💕

awww, this ask is so sweet! thank you for your kind words, anon, im happy to make other people in this fandom happy :DDD now onto your ask bc THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER.

i dont take care of my skin at all but in the past ive chatted with a bunch of medical doctors/dermatologists (n if u take anything from this post, let it be this: all u need is wash face w/ water and sunscreen everyday even if ur indoors. thats it) so like. IT IS TIME FOR ME TO RAMBLE FOR A KILOMETRIC AMOUNT OF WORDS ABOUT SKINS OF THEMIS!!!!

nxx boys' skin......care routines

wc: 1.6k words about skin

vyn richter: supple and enraging, his skin is great and im suing him for it

vyn is fancy, vyn is prissy, vyn knows how to make MACARONS, so like obviously his skincare routine is high end as all fuckin hells. but like?? he doesnt even NEED IT TO BE!!! because his skin is naturally amazing

see, i may not know about vyn's diet (i assume it's delicious and balanced) or vyn's general physical health (he seems like a general physician's dream come true) but i do know one thing vyn richter gets a lot of: SLEEP.

sleep is like the best thing u can do for ur skin, passively. lets ur skin repair damage and thus reduces wrinkles or age spots. as marius loves to remind us every single second, vyn wakes up at 9am. prev canon content tells us that vyn sleeps at around 11pm, giving vyn's skin (skin richter...) 10 wholeass hours to take care of itself. recommended sleep hours for a person of his age is 7-9 hours. vyn adds on another hour. for the INDULGENCE OF IT ALL.

but yes, his skincare routine is the following in this order: gentle facial cleanser, toner, moisturizing lotion, sunscreen. pretty simple tbh, still on the scale of "chill" skincare routine but definitely near the line of "10 steps i will follow to my grave." important to note tho that all the products he uses are stupid fancy.

i think maybe sometimes, like after a busy or stressful day, he'll do a face mask. still fancy, but he doesnt rlly go after the ones that do too much, he likes the aromatic ones. fragrant face mask on, his antique gramophone crooning Rainy Days and Mondays by The Carpenters, and vyn is living the life.

luke pearce: skin thankfully was saved by mc, but before that it was TERRIBLE

i ONE HUNDO PERCENT agree with ur headcanon!!! it's SO SWEET HHHHH. i can imagine that once mc's skincare routine is drilled into his mind and heart (and she rlly made sure he remembered it!!! it's quite basic, not truly bare minimum, but on the chill scale of daily skincare: a gentle facial cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. "that's it!!! that's all, luke!!! LUKE, STOP DODGING ME, IM JUST PUTTING ON THE DAMN SUNSCREEN!!!" these two together in the bathroom during their teen years was frigging world war 3) he really sticks to it!! and he uses the exact same products mc had used before EXACTLY for the emo reason u brought up.

luke pearce during his 8 year disappearance be like: shes watching over my......skin.....

aaron: when you say it like that, it's INCREDIBLY CREEPY

luke: SHUT UP, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!!!!

and thats luke's skincare routine for basically the rest of his life. so since thats all been set up, i do wanna talk about Before The Salvation Of Luke's Skin---

---because LMAOOOO YEAAAA. bros, he was using not just normal body soap for his face. that was him on a good day. canon suggests that luke was a messy person, in his childhood. his room a mess yet he finds what he needs. that kind of philosophy is something i see bleeding into a lot of what he does. aka hes like "i mean my face doesnt get dirty, and it's still doing what a face is sposed to do, so i just wash it with just water in the shower."

mc, horrified: not even. soap?

luke: why would i need soap?

mc: "WHY WOULD YOU NEED SOAP"??????????

(im projecting on luke here lol. listen, just water is fine. ur not gonna win any awards with it but it's fine. and like, luke pearce sure as hell doesnt need more to help for him look GODDAMN BEAUTIFUL!!!!)

marius von hagen: skin so good it's infuriating, we have to steal it, IT'S TOO GOOD FOR HIM

now this is a mf knows skincare stuff from front to back. PAX has cosmetics branches but thats not why he knows imo, he knows because hes a fruity guy. and a vain one, sometimes. the point here is that he's KNOWLEDGEABLE. you cant scam this dude with subpar or overhyped skincare products. snail cream face mask? yeah ofc he knows about that [marius_von_scoffing.mp3] but youre saying this snail cream mask is the be-all-end-all of skincare? oh he KNOWSSSS UR WRONG, BUDDY!!!!!

that being said, since hes quite knowledgable he also knows skin differs from person to person. he did his research to figure out his skin type and what routine fits it best and makes him look sexy pretty hottest.

marius' skincare routine changes sometimes (theres one he does daily and one he does every 2 or 3 weeks, gotta exfoliate, duhhhh)

but his daily one is the following (after a shower): micellar water, toner, moisturizing lotion, sunscreen.

honestly, marius' biggest trouble is eyebags. he sleeps much too little and i am always gonna be stressed about that. hes stressed about it too bc he cant LOOK like hes having a hard time bc thatd mean ppl would be sincerely worried about him and marius is allergic to positive sincerity. hes got some products to protect against noticeable eyebags but hes not above using some concealer if it's a Bad Fuckin Week

additionally, marius often wears makeup for fun (gender feels) or for profit (business gatherings where theres a bunch of bright lights) so he always makes sure to prep his face for makeup and clean it all off after. regular makeup without the correct protection and aftercare is a death sentence for ur skin...

artem wing: it aint much but it's honest (skin) work (but forreal, artie, do a face mask sometime...)

artem is a guy who strikes me as a "does what has to be done" type of person with an added dash of "me? indulging? is that not what will send me to hell?" artem's idea of indulging is buying high quality whetstone to sharpen his kitchen knives with. he orders it online in advanced for his birthday and is pleased when the deliveryperson drops off the LITERAL BLOCK at artem's apartment. brick brick brick, it's fun! (whatever floats ur boat, artem)

anyway, he doesnt do anything about skincare until hes 20 years old or something in law school and good ol' mentor neil hume is like "artem, if you keep frowning and furrowing your brows like that, you're going to get wrinkles at 25" and artem is like "i dont care about...wrinkles" and neil is like jsdbfsdjkgjsd of course. but the conversation Does make artem curious enough to research about wrinkles, then about face skin, then about skincare and then hes like. IM DOING FACE SKIN THINGS ALL WRONG (I.E. I HAVE NOT BEEN DOING ANYTHING)

after that, artem does the following daily skincare routine: gentle facial cleanser particularly for dry skin (artem realizes his skin is dry, and that uh. HES DRY IN GENERAL. like have u seen how much coffee this dude drinks??? drink some water, sir??? hes toeing the line of dehydration, i know it, and his body is having trouble creating most liquids. dry skin. dry skin for artem wing), soft cream, sunscreen.

he does not enjoy...Strong Fragrances. or Intense Face Sensations. or just anything that feels like his face is going through something chemical, in the bad way. gentle products all the way, artem wing must be placed in a swaddles of softness ONLY...

bonus: nxx investigation team skincare bonding

marius and luke are the ones most open and game and HAPPY to have chill face mask friday night funtime with mc. granted, luke is gonna be like "THIS FEELS WEIRD AND COLD AND SLIMY" once mc slaps the mask onto his face. but he gets used to it pretty quickly. esp after marius teases him like "super spy can handle everything but aloe vera, huh?" and then after that marius has to dodge luke's tackle attack. friday night funtime with the boyz!!!

vyn and artem are invited to friday night funtime but theyre both hesitant. vyn because hes like "i dont look handsome when theres a face mask on my face" and artem because hes like "what if i get a bad grade at having fun on a friday night with friends. this is something both normal to fear and possible to achieve"

but i think mc has some great puppy eyes (she grew up with luke, of course she'd have great puppy eyes, im sure he TAUGHT HER) and so vyn and artem eventually get over themselves bc theyre both whipped as hell

once that happens, it's a lovely bonding disaster. marius is trying to ramble BETTER about the science of skincare vs. luke who did research because goddamnit, he's not going to let marius win so easily. artem prepared a relaxing spotify playlist and vyn takes potshots at him when a spotify ad plays and hes like "dont have premium? shame." and artem holds back on pelting the phone at vyn's clear skinned face. mc is just happy all her friends are here being dumb and having fun

all in all the nxx skinvestigation team is doing GREAT in terms of face skin. im sure random stellis citizens look at them walking around like "...he doesnt deserve his skin...i....deserve his skin..."

#tears of themis #vyn richter #luke pearce #marius von hagen #artem wing

[simkngdan]

JUST A LITTLE BIT - 08 : riki you idiot.

wc : 581

dec 22, 2021. 8:07 am | location: belift lab high school

“riki hey!” jake greeted the younger, who was entering the key to his locker.

“oh, jake? ‘sup man?“ riki said in a state of confusion from jake’s unexpected presence.

“yo i was wondering if you could help me out a bit, it’s something that’s been bothering me for a little.”

“uhh, are you sure you want me to help?” riki laughed, “we just met so i’m probably not your best choice-“

“actually it has to do with y/n, so you’re the only one who can help me.”

riki stared into the older boy and quickly gathered his things from his locker, shoving them in his backpack, “oh y/n? actually, i think i should probably head to class, its starting soon. i’ll see you later!” he chucked and rushed away trying to avoid jake, failing quickly when jake grabbed his shoulder and turned him around.

“listen, i just need you to answer something really quick, i promise i won’t tell anyone anything.”

riki looked around frantically, searching for any sign that his friends may be around, “ugh fine. what’s your question?” he whispered, a sigh of relief coming from jake’s mouth.

“thanks man,” the older boy smiled, “ok so you know how in the groupchat, you told us that y/n had a crush on one of us?”

riki’s eyes opened up wide, regret washing over him from his previous statement as he suspected what jake would ask him, “yeah? i think.” he shrugged.

“did she ever tell you who it was? not that it’s any of my business, but i was just wondering because you know-“

riki dozed off in the middle of jake’s rambling, debating on how to answer jake’s question. should he tell him that she “likes” him? but what if jake confesses his crush on y/n, which he clearly has, and it turns into a big mess? maybe it’s better he keep it to himself, right? just blow it off, pretend she never told him who she had a crush on, and nothing will happen.

“she told me she had a crush on you.” riki blurted out.

riki you idiot, he mentally face planted himself.

“OH SHIT!“ jake yelled, drawing the attention of multiple classmates in the halls, one of them being isa who gave riki a “what the hell is he yelling about” look.

“yeah i got to go buddy. glad i could help!” he said, patting jake on the shoulder and walking away as fast as he could once more, escaping isa this time.

after arriving to his classroom, he let out a sigh and calmly collected himself before walking over to his desk. he sunk down into his seat, his hood over his head, wishing this day would end along with his misery. the bell rang loudly in his ears, as he sat up and felt a tap on his shoulder. he turned back and groned loudly at the sight of the person he last wanted to see right now, “y/n? why are you here? since when are you in this class?”

“uhh since the first day?” she said, shuffling through her backpack to take out her homework, “good morning to you too i guess.”

“good morning sorry, it’s just been a stressful morning.”

“oh damn, is everything ok? is this about the whole sunghoon thing? i didn’t mean for it to stress you out.” she said, concern deep in her voice for the boy.

“oh no. well yes, but everything’s fine. don’t worry about it.” he lied and he gave her a reassuring smile, turning his body to the front of the classroom and sinking down into his seat again, yeah this is gonna be a big mess.

masterlist | prev | next

a/n: first written chapter OMG i actually liked writing chapters more than i thought i would IDK WHY I WAS RLLY SCARED TO WRITE THIS but anyways! i wanted to say that ik the y/n fanclub flame riki a lot but !! it is just like teasing between friends :) i just wanted to point it out bc i feel like it came off like they were being really mean to riki but it’s all just part of the story 😉😉 THANK U GUYS AGAIN FOR READING I HOPE YOU ARE SAFE AND HEALTHY <3

summary - if there were two things y/n and park sunghoon had in common, it was their love for figure skating and themselves. other than that, you could say they were born to hate each other. whether it was on or off the ice, the two were always at each others necks, trying to find some kind of competition. but what happens when y/n gets together with sunghoon’s best friend, jake, as a way to distract sunghoon and he starts to get… jealous? can sunghoon get y/n to love him back, even if it’s just a little bit?

tag list! ( open ) @abdiitcryy @candidupped @c9tnoos @wonjaems @zhaixiaowen @stanmiku2020 @rikisnotforsale @mitsukifilms @c0nvers3h1gh @god-is-a-homosexual @laylasims1115 @sthinqsz @tobiosbbyghorl @rein-deer-stuffs @tlnyjoong @enhacolor @floverful @jungwoniics @papiibuprofen @shigamiryuk @youngestdelacour @theskzvibe @mymeloem19 @vantxx95 @shysakuno @uglyratlmao @hooniesoul @luvrseung @missmadwoman @niocity @minyouily @sftpjmn

#enhypen #enhypen crack #enhypen fanfiction #enhypen ff #enhypen fluff #enhypen heeseung #enhypen jake #enhypen jay #enhypen jungwon #enhypen niki #enhypen sunoo #enhypen sunghoon #sunghoon smau #sunghoon x y/n #sunghoon x reader #enhypen smau #kpop smau #kpop ff

[versadies]

💌.

[ Warning: Long Ask Ahead;; I apologize in advance! ]

Dear Dan, 🍰 anon has malfunctioned. The first sentence was already a lethal blow.

Anyways, I have to admit that I never really expected THAT RESPONSE. I literally went SO flustered when I read ur responses😳😭😤

I literally felt like crumbling, melting, evaporating, electro-charging, superconducting, crystallizing, burning, freezing and swirling bc of that. 😭

These past few days after being an anon of yours my heart became filled with excitement for every response of yours 😭 i thought it's because of stress, medications or maybe food but I can def confirm it's bc of excitement and if you'd like me to visualize it, just think of Gorou with star-shaped eyes and a wagging tail, awaiting for his pats and dog food 😭 but instead of those, it's your responses,,

I never knew I'd be looking forward to your responses THIS MUCH 😰🤔🤭

If you are astounded, I am more astounded. Like SO MUCH!! I have to calm my heart down because the EFFECT you have on me is so 😭💝 my goodness. My heart is literally breaking out my chest bc of how sweet you are. 😤👹

If you only know I was ranting so much about "this one nice author" which is you, to my friend yesterday 😭😭😭 At the start, I literally stated that I won't be talking a lot as an anon, but I guess things are different now huh 🤔🤭

I am very glad that you are excited abt my long messages too!! IT DEALT THE FINAL BLOW TO ME!!! 😤😭

It really matters to me to sincerely tell my friends or people I adore my genuine feelings and do my best to put it into words at least :D Just like that sentence of yours, I didn't knew I needed to hear it ! <3 It made my day x1000000 better!! 😤💘But also made my heart beat x1000000 faster !! 😭

If you couldn't get enough of it, I would also say the same for your responses 🥺

I hope you know that I reread your responses over and over again simply because IT FELT SO UNREAL for you to exist,,, since you are too sweet and nice 😭💘💗 Your responses really makes me feel so nice and fuzzy inside 🤩

About the Mona Lisa song, YES!!! My friend LOVES it! Told me it is very cute and they actually expected it to be a melancholic kind of song, but they were greeted instead of a cheerful and cute song. I'm glad to be able to share it to them thanks to you!~ 💕

&!! I always forget to tell you about me actually knowing that you could play music in the sidebar ever since the prev theme layout! However, there is something new that I've found out just recently, which is that there's a total of 3 tracks available that you could play just by clicking the fast forward button <3 I love that there is music that is available to be played to set the mood or to simply vibe while exploring or reading something in your blog! 🤩

And no bc... I am still at a loss of words for you,,,, this is me trying😔😔😔 SO TAKE THIS!!!! 💘💗💓💝💕💖💌❤️❣️ TAKE THIS LOVE BC U DESERVE IT!!!!!! 💓💖💝💕💗💘❤️❣️💌 It is too much for my heart to take, yet please keep being sweet anyways 🥰😘 Everyone loves it!!!💖

Thank you so much for warming my heart so much, Dan! 💗🔥(As well as the people who supports you!) It hasn't been a long time since I became a part of your anon team, but it was already so nice around :D

— the 🍰 anon was too stunned to speak.

AAAAA im quite flattered that you feel that way bcuz you’re really fun to talk to <33 youre a sweet person and im glad that i have an anon like you !! and dont apologize for sending a long ask because i literally LOVE them — esp since you’re rlly genuine 🥺🥺🥺 please continue as much as you like :DDDD !!! im also glad that you like the songs i chose for my desktop theme and the fact that your friend loves the mona lisa song <33

and ofc all of your hearts and wholesomeness are accepted with care, and for payment i shall send lots of hearts as well !!! tAKE IT 💗💖💗💝💓💘💌💝💟❤️‍🔥❤️🧡💚💙💜💕💞❣️💛🖤🥰

#— ( penpal anon 🍰 ) #just seeing u in my inbox makes my day even better <333

[wxjunho]

slim shady vc guess who’s back 🤓 too late it’s gemma!! back at it again w another muse 🤪 this time i bring u hwang junho, a brickmason who decided to rebel for the first time in his life and embark on a Journey 2 b the greatest guardian fairy of All Time!!!! ( yes he calls that a rebellion just 2 giv u an idea of how goody-goody-2-shoes he is ) brace urselves for the antonym-of-wtv-a-summary-is of my man junho under the cut and as always, hit that LIKE button and i’ll come runnin 2 plot!! ok thank u 4 tuning in mwah

cap sun, aqua moon, virgo rising, lotta earth in his chart so u know he’s Grounded n Dependable

bg inspo: miguel from coco and a lil teeny tiny bit of mulan

the hwang family has this culture where they’re all super close-knit and just follows wtv the matriarch does

previously, they were literally all winx and specialists until the war w the witches which killed off like... 2/3 of the hwang family

after seeing all the death n loss, hwang matriarch ( junho’s great great grandmother ) basically said yeah nah we not gonna do that no more so they all dipped from that lifestyle and banned it for like every other hwang

the survivors of the hwang family came together to build hwang construction, which is basically just a humble lil family business filled w for hire brickmasons!!

20 dot points later and we’re finally at junho 🤪

he’s born into this family and lit all his uncles, aunties, grandparents, parents are working as brickmasons for hwang construction and ya boi... did not vibe in the slightest

as a kid he was alw sorta adventurous, kinda wanted to do a bunch of different shit but his momma reminded him of his path constantly... like she meant it in a good way but still

growing up in the hwang family, it was real taboo to be saying anyth abt guardian fairies and ofc our junho, the Living Disappointment, was hella curious abt them but he was alw shut down

when he was in middle sch he REALLY learnt about them and really wanted to become a specialist, even started borrowing his momma’s hammer to wield around like a sword cause it was the only weapon-esque tool he had that wasn’t immediately dangerous like a... saw... or something

mom found out and grounded tf outta him, and when he asked about guardian fairies she told him the truth abt his family lineage and how they came from a long line of guardian fairies until the occupation killed basically everyone ( incl his great great grandmother’s mother, the prev matriarch before her ), so it’s a sin 4 hwangs 2 b a guardian fairy

junho is kinda stunned by the news and lets go of it... for now... :))))

fully embraces the brickmason life after high sch, but he really felt like something was missing... like he truly felt in his soul that he was meant 2 b a guardian fairy like his ancestors

sneakily took the pre-enrolment assessment just TO PROVE to himself that he had what it takes and he rlly was gna just leave it at that, go home and be content w the answer

except they tell him he qualifies for BOTH combat and intelligence... so now he has Choices...

after sitting on it for real long ( so like a day? jk fhsd ) junho decided to sneak off to the academy, left a lil note on his momma’s bedside table while she’s sleeping 2 let her know where he went off to mulan style

now he’s here!!!

timeline wise, i would say he just arrived ( so not on opening day even tho he took the pre-enrolment assessment prob at the same time as everyone who joined on opening day... ya boi had to THINK )

personality wise he’s rlly a keep ur head down and work kinda guy, is pretty adventurous deep down but he quashes that part of him A Lot bc family :))) also rlly handy, will help u fix anyth that’s broken and i feel like a lot of ppl would equate him to a rock... boring but dependable hfhsdkjfn

also a lil titbit he truly hates witches espc after finding out that’s how most of his hwang ancestors passed, n this just highlights how the hwang’s strong familial bond still runs in him even tho he... y’know betrayed them

some plot ideas!!

maybe u guys met while taking the pre-enrolment assessment and yall got to talking, junho’s like nah im just doin this to see if im worthy but im not gna join lol... now he’s here :))) call him out

anyth in ur house that’s broken or leaking? junho is ur man!!!

u guys are in class and he’s come super prepared ( think that one kid w like 50 pencils AND a sharpener ) n he becomes ur new stationary shop ( who needs a pencil case when ur man junho is alw there 4 u )

specialists!! he comin in w a huge ass warhammer in versus mode wyd

1a roomies pls holla @ me

anyone he’s met before the academy?? he’s from the south so i assume he’d make some friends there!! doesn’t deviate much from there unfortunately... ya dude was boring asf went 2 work came back rinse n repeat

exes </3

bc im bitna’s mun... someone give me an awkward wink date ( his roomies prob set up his profile w/o his knowledge as a prank and now he feels bad he doesn’t wanna ghost but also he doesn’t know how tf to flirt )

uh... roomies who set his wink profile up who’s gna break the news to him abt the sins uve committed... the one time u see junho losing his Cool

wud b cute for there to be a lil bird that kinda flew into the window and now u n this short dialogue specialist uve never met are desperately nursing this bird back to health n being bird co-parents

as usual i cannot b concise but pls lov me n my new muse 🥺👉👈

#████ OUT OF CHARACTER. #wx:intro #2 all u beautiful peeps who sent me welcome mssgs #i lov yall #catch me in ya dms tmr bc it's 1.30am rn rip

[1kook]

omg i didn't know you posted disney+ and bust already🤧 and a drabble right after that ugh ur so amazing i wanna ship a ring to you what's your address sweetheart?? ok so like anyways from what i can understand after reading that absolute beauty, i think n&c couple is not rly at that point yet in a relationship where they deeply understand e/o, and thats ok i think cos they've been together for just a year,, but like oc... oh, n&c!oc.. (cont.+)

Such a wonderful woman ): she's the sweetest and nicest thing ever :( like she claims to be this evil and schemer character but she's actually just a small fluff ball who's rly tough but rly understanding and thoughtful ): the resolution was so heart-aching,, in all the good ways tho.. if someone said to me what jk said to her, i would've already dumped their ass and never talk to them agn lmao but the amount of love she has for him is so ): (cont.+) like,,, she could go off better than she did in the resolution, but she didn't bcs i don't think she really wants to hurt jk. she's too good for this world i hope jungkook realize that and their relationship slowly and eventually progress. Also, i really love that u didn't present kook as this perfect guy that we believed he was in the prev installments. (cont. +) it's like u proved that theres rlly no such man and i respect you for that shhshs but like, srsly, you build your characters soo well. and that's what i love about this fic, and your fics in general. hoping to see more character developments in the future next parts miss yami :') love your writing and you. pls stay safe!!!

Wow I don’t even know what to say T_T thank u for taking the time to look at my story this deeply, it really makes me happy wtf!! About n&c yn... I didn’t mean for her character to be so complex but after a while it just became that way!! idk I feel like she spends a lot of time rambling about how evil and conniving she is but ULTIMATELYYY those are all things she thinks about herself and bc the story is told from her perspective u kinda just wanna believe she is. BUT if it were told from jk’s perspective the word evil would not appear even once!!! she’s a very outgoing person n not to be weird but I love her energy lmfao. ALSO YES I get a lot of asks all the time about how perfect jk is in this fic so u know I HAD to throw a curveball at u guys and remind u men are evil 😡 not to say he isn’t still dreamy and amazing but I wanted him to have his flaws too, especially bc most of the story is just her picking out her flaws (again back to tht point!!!) anyway I’m really grateful that u took the time to sort of dissect the fic hehe I know it’s a smut series she do be putting in the work plot wise 🙈 thank u and I love u 🥺

#the other asks were off anon but this one was on djsjs sorry #asks #ask save #💌💌

[ogeeitsme]

What's your experience with dormancy?

TW: Sui// mentions / comparisons / death comprsns- this is both positive n negtve b aaa

This is a long post so I’m srry <:^/

Theres 2 ways 2 answr this: how we second hand experience it, n then how we experience it in our systm:

How we secondhand experience it

Turns out, more than once, apprntly, drmncy has actlly been used as a, threat?? DKDJDKN we got som rlly old memories abt Jamie meeting a “System” (idk if they’re a sys, it’s such a long story) n He used drmncy 2 guilt trip her (n she ddnt even kno what systm was @ the time dkhdbddb)

Anywy besides that HUGE outlier, it’s kinda,, rough, bc ur askin 4 our experiences, not our views, so when it comes 2 secondhand drmncy, as in like other systms not us- it’s alwys hard

N it’s RLLY funny ur askin this rn anon bc coincidntlly we just came out of a WHOLE frickin sitch that involved secndhnd drmncy experiencs (again, I mean watching ppl in other systms go dormant)

Like, Jamie’s prev ex had, ppl go dormant, like a lot of em, bc they broke up, n 2 of their mmbrs bsclly sent me wht can be equivlnt 2 a sui note- n I got that note frm bsclly som1 equivlnt 2 my brthr, @ the time, n Sal’s brthr [@ the time] bc they shared the blog

We r rlly close 2 anthr sys whose host wnt drmnt 4 som big rsns (they also have trauma abt ppl using drmncy as an escape route frm their actions, man life b wild huh?) n jst came back so that was rlly wild n hard bc she was (n is) like a mom figure 4 us, esp 2 Peter, n their whole sys, bc they’re median, kinda crashed in on itself tmprrly n it was rlly hard 2 watch KDH it makes u kind of mad @ those ppl who cause othr ppl 2 go thru sm pain thta they jst go drmnt u kno?

But rounding back 2 Jamie’s ex (n I g the 1st exmple 2 b vaguely), that was rlly hard, n bc of that, drmncy is smth we can’t unsee as death anymr

Hey so disclaimer that won’t b in the tags (Bc som ppl dnt read them) n I will pit here just in case: yes we kno dormancy is NOT equal 2 death, dormancy always has the chance of them coming back, b w how we spcfclly exprncd these, it felt that way, esp w the goodbyes, n the crying, n how they litrlly treated it as sui//. Not 2 mention the Older trauma Jamie had/has where His “systm” litrlly said “do u miss him? Well he’s dead now”

It’s hard 2 uncorrel8 them- bc it dpnds on how u go thru it- and anthr disclaimer is that if it’s a drmncy in ur own systm, the brain may b able 2 visualize it as a death, heck som systms we kno have a “graveyard” where all the drmnt systm mmbrs end up in; and of som jst “disappear” n I heard anthr sys in their headspace it’s seen as like pods? Where u can c them sleepin?

Anywy back 2 us- KDNDKNDKN yea, our experiences w it so far has been rel8d 2,,, sui or death :^( not counting the ppl we pass by in random srvrs who talk abt it, this is jst our prsnl ones esp tied 2 systms we were (or r) RLLY close 2

IDK we’re still grieving over Larry n Asriel frm Her systm. Pls don’t send asks saying “they mite come back” btw KJSKHS they mite b even if they do we can’t Talk, their sys is an ex 4 a rsn

Inner-system exprnces

HM so there’s a lot 2 write here b we dnt- uslly have ppl who r nice, go drmnt

It used 2 b only all the very bad persecutors who wld rlly harm every1 who wld go drmnt, our psychiatrist even said, 2 calm Jamie dwn a long time ago when she was given anti psychotics, that the “good ppl wnt go away, only the bad ppl”

b they (those old persecuted) all went drmnt thru,,,,, d//ath, n I dnt wnna talk abt that or how, this is not how we wrk anymr

Then we have Deanne, she was a persecutor who was chngng 4 the bttr, b it’s like,,,, when she realized she didn’t have 2 b bad anymr? She went drmnt?? Like I rmmbr (I wsnt there but u kno shared memory) every1 feeling she slowly faded away until we realized she wsnt arnd

Aftr that, we stoppd having drmncies, b we do label ppl who mite b close 2 drmncy msbmdb (edit: nvm, I rmmbrd Alven n Peyton who went drmnt :^( we miss them, Alven was Matt’s dad n Oeyton was a rlly good ISH )

Bc they’re “not needed” N LISTN anthr disclaimer, by THAT I mean natural dormancies? Not 2 say u go drmnt randomly, I mean that sometimes som1 isn’t active enough or their role isn’t needed as mch,, it’s scary I kno, b it can hppn n it’s no1’s fault, it’s not even their fault,i t jst happns, n that my good anon is a bite sized expln8ion on y u mite have ppl come out of drmncy mhsbkdbdkb

Uhh, we have som ppl who r afraid of going drmnt tho ofc,, n they r trying 2 b as active as they can in sys inspace so they dnt fade

Bc if u dnt wnna b dormnt, trying 2 b more active can hlp!

So,,, we a,so have ppl who came frm drmncy,,,

N that’s Jade, Beia, n Chompy

Apprntly Jade n Beia were frm arnd the same time? Actlly it’s fnny bc we thought Jade was a split of Noelle b we were bamboozled bc it wasnt the case

N then u have chompy,,, which is rlly sad,, bc she cnt rmmbr the year b we found out it was frm arnd 3 yrs old,,, that rlly sucks- she’s a fictive of Chain Chomp n came out of drmncy in a new form (Chompette) smdbndb according 2 Jade n Beia they dnt rmmbr wht hppnd, b it’s like they fell asleep n woke up again

N w Chompy, she explains it as like, , she was a chain chomp, n was chained 2 the back of the headspace, n bc she accepted she cldnt do anyth, faded in2 drmncy bc she gave up? B now she’s back n wants 2 fite,dkbdmdb until, stuff I wnt get in2

I’m not done KDH

Lastly I wanna talk abt,,,, how we feel abt it

I dnt think drmncy shld b smth 2 b afraid of— BUT @ the same time it’s OK 2 b afraid of it, or 2 h8 it, or 2 feel ANYTH abt it bc, almost all the time it’s not ur own choice 2 do so (half the time, based on what we’ve seen, etc)

Sometimes, ppl will c it as a mmbr fnlly resting, sometimes it’s sudden n @ least in the mmnt (or mayb ull never kno), ther dsnt seem 2 b a strong rsn on y it hopnd

Som will c it as death, som will say it’s scary, n som accept it’s a part of being a sys,,, that this happens, n that it will b ok

Bc,,, they can come back, mayb, n that’s sys life

4 us we feel ALL of those @ once

I wnt lie <:^) 4 som oldr mmbrs, we hope they dnt come back, b then 4 som we hope they do com back, n it’s this balance of trying not 2 b toxic-positive n trying not 2 erase the hope if we do wnt them 2 com back

IDK it’s so— mssy Bc u shld allow urself 2 grieve- bc dormancy CAN feel like death (frm an obsrvr?), n o man the syscourse that exists @ the mere mention of treating drmncy like death? Scares me, n I jst wnna put it out ther that it involves a lot of grieving somtimes,,,m yes, it can b traumatic depending on how said dormancy was brought 2 ur attention or knwldge

4 us we’e still grieving over that last mssg frm them, we’re angry 4 those who went drmnt n also @ Them who went drmnt? Idk man

TLDR don’t- I repeat- do NOT,,,,, treat drmncy as the answr

If ur in a systm out ther, I kno it hard, n frick, drmncy is such a complic8d topic in systems period, b drmncy is not the answ

Bc yes drmncy is not prmnnt 4 som systms, (n by prmnnt I mean that sys mite jst not have awakenings as common @ all; every sys is diff) b drmncy is,,, most of the time a scary thought 4 systms

It’s- it’s not sui litrlly, b,,, it;s,, is almost similar IF- n I repeat- if it’s used as an escape, esp in a bad way

N like w sui// we wnt entirely blame you if @ all, b it’s sad- n it’s hard

Bc like ”irl” ppl arnd u who care r affctd- n knowing it’s by ur own hand is hard 2 accept

Bro, anon my dude, I’m so srry this is such a messy post KDNKDND our exprnces w it is so recent n it’s SUCH a complic8d topic 2 discuss w/o fear of ppl yelling @ u abt spreading misinfo

We’re a rlly big outlier 2 the usual sys exp w dormancies bc we’ve had SO many exprncs of it being rel8d 2 sui/ of death from othr systms Onesides our own), n it’s not jst random systems, it systems who we were close 2 n we got hurt by

I dnt wnna talk abt whether or not what we experiencs was real b yea thats our experiences n not the resources,, since that’s the question KNS

#from kris’chara was gnna answ b #i wntd 2 #ask #anon #suicide #dormancy #headspace #ask to tag #death #death mention #suicide mention #im srry i make 0 sense #im gttng rlly insecure abt my communic8ion skills bc outspace dnt seem 2 undrstnd anyth i say n i wish i was kddng w this #like rlly my slef esteem abt being coherent is going dwn the drain bc we’re goin thru smth in school n tryin 2 fix sm stuff #ive had 2 releat myskf sm times the oast 2 weeks n every adult in our vicinity says they cant undrstnd me dkhkd #anywy yea. im srry- pls do NOT treat this post a s a reaource or advice this is litrlly me answ the question #yes im afraidof syscourse #@ every single second i breathe abt what we go thru #from kris #abuse #manipulation #me @ our fllwrs: how r yall still here #like what Cintent do we Prvde that makes u stay dkdbdkdbdh #content* #ALSO this is NOT whatvthe prev post was abt

[arhvste]

Ahhsjfjfj no bc uve been super fun to interact with!! interactions r like the heart and soul of tumblr speaking from when i used to make content so im glad our interactions have been enjoyable for u :”) and lmaoo going mia from tumblr truly is the best (altho it nvr actually lets us go </3 the gall)

Ooh omg global comm sounds super cool too luv that for u! and no fr first year is so gross but omg your prev uni situation rlly was unfortunate i hope ur old roommates + uni suck it (esp the roommates bc idk if ur uni had valid rsns to strike bc ik profs are overworked and underpaid but also for it to happen so frequently is.. 😣) and ive been keeping well! j plowing thru extracurricular creds + doing sum volunteering :> ty for your kind words i hope good things keep coming ur way <3

THE HEART AND SOUL STOPPP <3 i’ll cry you’re so cute :( but yes!! i just get so busy and forget it exists,, it’s nice coming and going here, tumblr isn’t smth i check more than once a day and sometimes i go weeks without looking on it i just kinda forget it’s here hahah!! but yes! i’m super excited to learn more about it, i have a few open days in like two?? weeks so i’m looking forward to go visit my new options and meet the professors etc,, but my uni were striking for being underpaid, but it was every other week and it just wasn’t work paying over 9k for and over 3k per term for rent :( they also did a marking boycott so all the work i’d done up until i left was left unmarked and uncredited which was totally unfair :/ quite a few people left my uni this year which is a shame because it was in such a nice beach city but it just wasn’t worth paying that much for when we were getting nothing out of it </3 that’s super cool you do volunteering too!! i totally believe in good karma etc so i’m manifesting you get your good karma from volunteering really soon,, im hoping all the same for you, it’s always so nice to chat with you, i always want the best for you and i love hearing updates from you <3

#ask #the feeling is mutual too #interaction with you is one of the few reasons i can’t just abandon this blog and tumblr <3

[inktae]

what does wip mean? lmao sorry just curious. btw i really really love that ur fics are getting the love they deserve despite not being 60-100% smut. idk but sometimes some smut part r just inappropriate and forced to make for notes. so i just kinda ignore and skip thru it. so yea, i am very thankful that u're not forcing smut into ur fics. they're good the way they are and sometimes u rlly just can't force it~ i've read ur prev. fics, ik they were smut right? loved it tho

WIP means work in progress! also, thank you for your support ;v; I am also very happy (and still surprised) about that. I know what you mean when it comes to inappropriate scenes that do not really fit, which usually stem from writers who unfortunately force themselves to include them to get the recognition they deserve. it is really sad but it is something that happens, and it is so so hard to pull away from that. but thank you, I am glad I’m not forcing any smut scenes anymore ^^ I rarely write it this days, but I only include if it is really fits the atmosphere of the story.

and YES half of my masterlist used to be smut ahaha, and I think only 30% of it did come out naturally, but the rest was a bit forced. I remember almost feeling physical pain when writing some of those scenes because I didn’t really want to do it, but I just felt obligated to. now that I think about it, it also happened with my old, unfinished series (fear no evil, wonder if someone remembers it). I felt like I needed to add the m rating because it was kind of the norm with series. it is a completely different matter when a story revolves around mature themes though, in those cases it is the writer’s personal choice and you can tell they do want to write it and enjoy it. ^^

#I also did it with liebesleid omg #you know what I am going to remove that (m) from the title #because I don't feel like writing smut for it #messages #Anonymous