renascinem

[renascinem]

hmmmm

[renascinem]

While most of Teyvat’s nations have provided brand fresh and new sights that he has never experienced before, much about the atmosphere and architecture of Liyue reminds Dan Heng of the Xianzhou, and it fills him with a sensation difficult to describe. How fascinating, that two worlds that have never had any contact with each other, that were separated by a barrier for millennia, managed to develop similarly in such a fashion.

And though Liyue is not filled with long-life natives the way the Luofu is, its air is just as full of lasting memories and eons of history.

Curiosity and wonder lead Dan Heng through the bustling streets, past the many small and big shops, and into the port, where he hears a peculiar invitation: the Pearl Galley welcomes visitors from all nations to participate or spectate in a storytelling contest, held in advance of the upcoming Lantern Rite celebrations.

It would feel remiss of him to give up on such an event, and so, part of the Mora he made recently on a commission here and there is forfeited in exchange for permission to get on board.

Here, people sit in circles around small tables, sharing snacks and tea as they listen to stories and discuss their merits. Quietly, he passes by a few groups, until an older man spots him looking for a place for himself, and with a cheerful smile, waves his hand towards him in invitation. Grateful, Dan Heng approaches and takes a seat, completing now a circle of five: the one who invited him, a younger guy wearing glasses, a middle-aged lady holding a fan, and a man with a long ponytail and striking eyes.

“Come here, young man! You’re just in time.” The first man gestures towards the tea on the table, inviting him to help himself, and with a light smile, Dan Heng nods in thanks. The attention then turns towards the woman. “Now, my good lady, you were just about to begin the tale of the fateful meeting between Rex Lapis and the great dragon? Looks like we’re all ready now.”

Of Interpretation, Misinformation and Everything in Between || Dan Heng & Zhongli

Storytime at the Pearl Galley || @stoneharbor

[renascinem]

How easily can mere words and a simple offer boost the young lieutenant’s morale. Dan Heng hopes that this is a sign that, whatever it may be that bothers Yanqing, it’s nothing major and worrying. He offers the excited blond a light smile in encouragement.

It feels… kind of nice, to be able to not only chat casually like this, but also be able to offer help in such a fashion. Had someone told Dan Heng two or three years ago that he would be doing this on the Luofu, he would have thought them insane. To say nothing of taking on a role of a mentor of sorts, almost, to a brave young soldier like Yanqing.

… And yet, it somehow feels right, to the point where he slipped into it very naturally. It leaves him quietly wondering to himself, why that would be. Is that also a gift that he had left behind?

Perhaps he’ll never know, but that’s okay, isn’t it? He’s himself, now, doing however he wishes to do.

“I have no special plans in mind for today, no. If you don’t have any special plans for your training today, that works just as well for me.”

He nods. “I’m just as fine sparring now, really, if you’re not busy with anything else. Though,” he adds with a brief chuckle, “perhaps not here. I don’t know where you usually train.”

1v1 Me Bro || Dan Heng & Yanqing

Sparring session || @tempered-chill

[renascinem]

They recover from the… slight mishap, for lack of a better term, and Jing Yuan gets the car moving again, with more ease than earlier. A little, anyway, but it’s progress. Honestly, looking at the road, the General is far from the worst driver around at this point.

Just as that thought flashes through his head, a sudden loud noise prompts Dan Heng to sharply turn around and check what caused it. Curious, mostly amused pedestrians soon gather in a group, watching with great interest a puff of smoke rising from a car that had crashed into a lamppost.

… Well. Anyway,

“I guess people don’t see an issue with car accidents in a dream,” he observes in response to Jing Yuan’s question with a light shrug. “I have to wonder how bad it had to get for them to revoke all licenses the way they did. Besides, some people find it interesting to watch.”

Truthfully, he could think of a few people who would spectate on car crashes for enjoyment.

They keep going, more or less stably, and the General continues the idle chatter, which Dan Heng honestly finds himself grateful for – although the next question leaves him a little puzzled.

“… I’ve never had a chance to,” comes the answer that Jing Yuan likely expected, or at the very least should have. “I actually have yet to ever fly on one. I’ve only ever used one briefly to sail.”

A pause, before he decides to continue. “Have you?”

General Take the Wheel || Dan Heng & Jing Yuan

[renascinem]

As they keep walking, Dan Heng listens carefully to Kokomi's story, registering each and every word to note down later - it would be quite rude to have her stop and shield him from the rain while he attempts to write it down, he believes.

His eyes wander between her, the serpent skull, and the road ahead of them. The electricity in the air becomes more and more palpable as they continue on the path.

He is silent in deep thought for a moment, before letting out a quiet sigh. "It is just as they say, isn't it? History is written by the victors, and who was a hero or a villain always depends on who you ask."

He knows that well, too, after all. And his previous incarnation would have known that even better. A hero, a sinner, a friend, an enemy - never a person in his own right who may have had reasons for doing what he did.

And it is not as though Dan Heng himself treated him any better.

He gives Kokomi a nod. "Thank you for telling me this story. I don't imagine I would have been able to hear it from most others I could have asked."

As she speaks of the sky, his eyes wanders upwards, towards it. After a moment of hesitation, he turns back to her.

"Your sky appears to be a barrier of sorts. It surrounds this world, and it's why Teyvat had gone undiscovered for so long. Recently however, that barrier has grown weaker, and it became possible to cross it... and to learn of this world's existence in the first place."

The unrelenting rain and thunderstorm make it hard to see, but still, far away, he can just barely make it out - a gray dot in the sky, a floating archipelago of shattered islands.

"I spoke recently to... someone, back in Fontaine, who was knowledgeable on this matter. He told me that he believed this barrier is meant to both imprison this world, and protect it from outside threats - as you also said, it has been attacked in the past, but it would also seem that the control of its current overseer is slipping. He told me that they seem to be sleeping or inactive, because of how unresponsive they are. Otherwise, outsiders such as myself would have never been allowed entry."

A flash of purple ahead of them catches his eye.

"... Is that one of the wards just ahead? We should probably check its condition."

Even Dead Gods Still Dream

[renascinem]

He hated how, every time they clashed, there came a point where he was forced to look into those eyes - eyes filled with fury, but also with some sick joy, as though inflicting hell upon him was the swordsman’s version of heaven.

For the briefest of moments, his vision became blurry, and it felt as though the swordsman's hair turned white - an illusion of a panicked mind, or perhaps a flashback, and he had to fight back tears as he desperately pushed it away.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no

He clenched his teeth as the black, broken blade made contact with his shoulder. He let out a groan, but refused to scream - not because he wished to deny the other the satisfaction, he never had time for such idiotic thoughts when he fought for his life. It cost too much energy he could not afford to waste, plain and simple - getting away from him, even briefly, took it all each and every time.

“You remember.”

No I don’t, he wanted to protest still, but the words froze in his throat, as though knowing they were worthless,

“Accept it!”

as though a part of him he tried desperately to reject with all that he was knew they were a lie and continued to incessantly point it out.

The sword was raised above his head, as though for an execution. Dan Heng took the chance to sharply move to the side, getting up and out of the way. In the corner of his eye, he could see a hint of crimson on his shoulder, but with instincts and adrenaline having fully taken over, he did not feel any pain in that moment. 

Charging forward, he aimed at the swordsman’s exposed left side. He knew he could not kill him - he had tried too many times, only for the man to always come back. But if he could incapacitate him, perhaps he could run.

(He could not.)

(But perhaps he could.)

Nowhere to Run || Dan Heng & Blade

past AU || @neverendingdeath

[renascinem]

It would seem that, no matter how much time passes and how much things improve, some old wounds can only ever scar over, rather than truly heal.

Not that Dan Heng doesn’t understand that, what with his own past wounds still itching beneath the surface, never letting themselves be entirely forgotten, regardless of his relationship with “his home” and “his past” becoming better and easier to accept. With his feelings being as they are, he really is in no position to blame the Belobogians of both the Overworld and the Underworld for theirs.

… Which, of course, doesn’t change the fact that such situations paralyze progress, and true to that, the ongoing conflicts and disputes - some serious, others petty - have put a lot of the reconstruction effort at a standstill.

Now, Dan Heng normally prefers not to stick his nose into what is ultimately none of his business. Unlike many of those valiant and sometimes overly curious individuals that the history later goes on to label as “heroes”, he doesn’t have a habit of wanting to go out of his way to help everywhere he can in any way possible. If it’s a Trailblaze mission or he just gets dragged into things by Mar— ahem. the others, then of course, he’ll help. But on his own, he has always steered clear of conflicts he was not obligated to participate in; all he wanted was to survive and get away from unnecessary trouble, after all. He wanted to get away from everything.

Alas, it wasn’t long before someone recognized him as a member of the Astral Express crew, and he got pulled into negotiating and mediating, much to his… well, annoyance is a strong word, but certainly against his will.

Of course, deeply rooted seeds of conflict would not be torn out so easily. After a few resolved disputes, realizing that everything he was doing would only have a temporary effect anyway, he withdrew from the Overworld into the Underworld. The worse quality of life did not bother him, and the Underworlders at least knew how to mind their own business.

His steps eventually led him to the fight club, where one of their many tournaments was in full swing. Without much else to do, he came in to spectate, and stood further back, watching in silence. Here, too, he did not escape being recognized, with a few cheering for the Cold Dragon Young to step into the cage, but for now at least, a shake of his head was enough to get rid of them. He was aware, however, that they continued to cast glances at him.

It was then that a lady, dressed in a peculiar manner that easily betrayed her as an outworlder, inquired with him.

“Intel?…” He echoed her, before realizing what this was most likely about. “You mean about their current situation and conflicts? People who gather in places like this are more likely to talk to someone who proved their strength, so… I suppose so.”

He spoke quietly, trying not to give his “fans” any hope that he intended to get involved. Most likely in vain.

.✧  ݁ ˖ when in doubt, go do a crime

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀(or talk it out. that's an option, too)

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀commission board: crystallize - belobog ; dan heng & durandal

[renascinem]

Dan Heng nods in response to her introduction. "Nice to meet you proper, Miss Sangonomiya." He isn't sure whether that or Miss Kokomi would be better, but he hopes that if he addresses her improperly, she will correct him; the slight but noticeable hint of hesitation in his voice serves as an invitation for her to do just that.

He takes notice of the way she seems to evaluate him, but it's normal for him, and it's not as though he isn't hiding things, so he pays it no mind. Her eyes, inquisitive, appear to almost look through him to a degree, but he moves past it, focusing instead of her words, while minding their surroundings as they keep going.

When she speaks of the wrath of a fallen god, his eyes naturally wander off towards the skull of the giant serpent, visible in the distance, before he turns back to her to consider her question.

"There are... many different types of manipulative and malevolent energies that can twist minds and drive them to insanity. My world has also encountered one of them, and we managed to seal it away - but elsewhere, entire planets were led to their doom by such influences. However, it usually took years or entire generations... With the Tatarigami, the effects appear to be much faster."

He pauses briefly, once again looking at the remains of the enormous snake monster. It almost feels as though it's watching them.

"This god... would you be able to tell me more about it? On Narukami Island, I've heard it described as evil - but perhaps you have a different perspective on it?"

Even Dead Gods Still Dream

[renascinem]

📜

Muse funfacts || no longer accepting

---

Dan Heng's earphones were made on the Xianzhou and given to him as part of his preparation to live outside of the Luofu on his exile, alongside his clothes and the Cloud-Piercer. He knows that there were a couple souls sympathetic towards him that made sure he received at least some aid to survive out there, but he never found out who they were.

The earphones are first and foremost a device for communication, which he uses to keep in contact with the Express when leaving on an expedition, or for any other reason.

However, when he is free, he does also use them to listen to music.

They do not have any noise-canceling qualities, meaning that even when he plays music through them, he can stay alert of his surroundings. Of course, that does come with a negative side effect, where it is not all that convenient to use them to shut someone annoying off, but it is what it is.

[renascinem]

📜 archives-related persnaps?

Muse funfacts || no longer accepting

---

Ever since Dan Heng began to look after the data bank, he has not only nearly doubled the amount of content found within, but also reorganized the categories and cataloguing system of all pre-existing entries, making it much more accessible and easy to browse through.

But also, as much as he considers all manner of knowledge to be potentially valuable and inputs everything he learns into the system, there are times where he has to ponder on what he had just discovered and the true value (or lack thereof) of that information. Alas, what is or isn't valuable is not his decision to make, and so the data bank contains fun facts and trivia such as:

a dissertation regarding the role of water from Lushaka in treatment of peanut allergies (conclusion: there is none)

list of jokes that qualify as "dad jokes"

a list of most common Xianzhou profanities, complete with origin and meaning

an unnamed scholar's essay that attempts to prove that the Masked Fools don't exist using compelling arguments such as "I don't think so" and "I've never seen one"

Laugh Like Aha: A Comprehensive Guide To Losing It Aeon Style

list of currently known curios capable of killing an average human

a message log between the Trailblazer and some spammer

a guide to best birthday gifts for your Pepeshi spouse

etc.

[renascinem]

📜

Muse funfacts || no longer accepting

---

Per my personal headcanon until proven otherwise, Dan Heng does, in fact, have a tail as Imbibitor Lunae. Among the traits he shares with his previous incarnation is also his preference to keep it hidden most of the time, only ever displaying it briefly, and even then in an incorporeal form.

The reasoning for it is really more practical than anything else. Not only would it be tedious and potentially embarrassing to have to cut out a hole in the clothes covering his bum to squeeze his tail through, but also, as much as he has grown to appreciate them as friends, he does not trust Caelus and March not to constantly tug on the thing if given a chance.

[renascinem]

📜

Muse funfacts || accepting

---

Between most of his life having been spent in the Shackling Prison, and the life of a lone wanderer jumping from one IPC ship to the next without a destination, Dan Heng would have had entire periods of days and perhaps even weeks where he would not have uttered a single word to anyone, prior to joining the Astral Express.

The dialogue with Himeko where he's convinced to do so has him answering her questions with silence, single words and short sentences, and I don't imagine he said much more than that for a long time after joining, as well. He probably would not have become much more talkative until March joined, as she would get him out of his room more often - we know that prior to the Trailblazer's arrival, he alongside Welt would be asked to accompany her whenever she wanted to go and see something.

Even then however, he would sometimes stay in the Archives for days on end, to the point where he's even excused from the "obligatory" crew meetings and not even Pom-Pom expects him to participate in those anymore.

Nowadays he's considerably more talkative and will sometimes even make attempts at snarky remarks or small jokes, but it's all a rather fresh development.

[renascinem]

📜

Muse funfacts || accepting

---

We know that Dan Heng appreciates his quarters in the Archives not just because it doubles as his workplace, but also because of the overall feeling of safety it provides - that's the main quality of it that's brought up when we examine it. He has made his bed in a corner, surrounded by books and the server unit that provide warmth, a home-y atmosphere and an opportunity to feel as though he's able to hide, and also on floor panels that resemble the movement of water, something that would remind him a little, perhaps, of what was supposed to be his home.

If he's having nightmares or overall feeling worse, how he handles it may vary, but sometimes he'll do the one thing that he allows himself to do occasionally in spite of internally considering it slightly childish and a bit embarrassing: he'll make a blanket fort to hide in with a book.

[renascinem]

📜

Muse funfacts || accepting

---

In combat, Dan Heng is seen as clearly ambidextrous. His 4* form uses the Cloud-Piercer with his right hand for most attacks, but his left hand for the Ultimate; Imbibitor Lunae arguably uses his left hand more than his right in order to manipulate the waters.

Of course, considering the life of fleeing and fighting he has led, he had to train himself to fight with both, so that one injury did not render him defenseless. Even though he can heal himself quite quickly, in a battle being unprepared could still immediately spell his end.

For writing and other activities, he defaults to his right hand, but I wanna say that he can also use his left just fine, though the handwriting will definitely be less pretty.

[renascinem]

📜!

Muse funfacts || accepting

---

It's not explicitly stated, but it is somewhat suggested that Dan Heng may know how to sing the Vidyadharan elegies. Overall Vidyadhara have a strong affinity with music and other arts, and I feel like knowing such things would be expected of a High Elder. We also know that Dan Feng was able to beautifully and gracefully perform the dances connected to the rituals for sealing the Ambrosial Arbor, and I like to think for myself that this would also be something Dan Heng would inherit.

So with that, I personally believe that Dan Heng not only can dance very well, but also has a gorgeous singing voice. And he never lets anyone see or hear it ever because that's just how he is.

[renascinem]

Send in 📜 to get a random fun fact about my muse.

For multi-muses, specify the muse.

suggested by @musevarietate

[renascinem]

... Okay, uh. However good Dan Heng is at parsing information, even if presented chaotically, that was still... a lot.

"... Crow?"

Feeling that this may require a longer chat, he seats himself in the other chair the opposite of March. "I'm afraid you might have to start over. When you disappeared for a while and someone told me they saw you heading towards the sets, I thought you just got roped into participating in one of the films, but... this sounds more to me like you had some kind of dream or a vision." He pauses, looking at her more attentively, and a light wince creases his expression. "And... I don't think shooting a film would have left you looking and feeling like this."

There is a carefully weighed, but easily noticeable note of concern in his voice as he speaks - for there is also a sense of recognition that he feels, and it worries him even more, because the last time he saw anyone looking like this, it was his own reflection in the Express' window after a night of running from shadows. He knows what this is, and he would never wish it upon anyone, least of all March.

With the experiences he has under his belt, he would be the last to underestimate the impact a nightmare can have on one's well-being. So yes, he is very much worried.

(He supposes that now he knows how the rest of the crew felt when they saw him looking how she does now.)

"... Besides, around that time, monsters from the Antimatter Legion appeared around the city of Fontaine. I think that whatever happened... there was a lot more to it than met the eye. It doesn't look like you came to physical harm, but... make sure you take care of yourself, okay? Let everyone know if you're unwell."

Admittedly, it comes out a little awkward. He's never been good at accepting comfort, and as it turns out, he has little experience with giving it.

(As some would say - as she would say if she weren't like this right now - that's what he gets for hiding all the time.)

"And... if you need to talk about it, I'm happy to hear you out. Maybe there's... something I can offer that would help."

The Before, After, and In Between || Dan Heng & March 7th

Post-Overture chat | @mrch7th