#◟༺✧༻◞ glimpses in the past of a shattered spirit ┊headcanon.┊

[twilightichor]

𝐗𝐗𝐗𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈. Vestiges of a quincentennial corruption —signs / symptoms and therapy—.

It is known that corruption makes its way to any creature's being via exposure to the Abyss no matter how brief it may be, its nature of precipitating everything to death permeating their body with symptoms of varying degrees and lengths depending on how swift the pursuit of a cure is.

Signs and symptomatology.

Among the symptoms connected to corruption, the affected individual may experience: warping one's senses, thus reality. It is known that the void energy magnifies one's negative traits and expands them tenfold (someone's sadness can be more than it really is, someone's paranoia will be fed with more reasons to keep it going that are actually nonexistent but in their mind they are existent); visions, dreams and thoughts of those who passed manifested through voices heard by those with a higher sentience to this type of energy; deception of the viewer's sights by presenting an idyllic atmosphere and location that in reality could have them walk in hell without them knowing unless they awaken that awareness in them; organ compromise leading to a faster failure of the same under the exposure of elemental concentration.

When combined with the curse of immortality, one of its prevalent symptoms is the degradation of the individual's physical body through numbness and loss of any skill that requires his body with the passages of time.

Other signs and symptoms not directly attributed to corruption (but equally to the Abyss in a higher or lesser degree) have different ways of manifestation depending if it's:

→ Via direct contact to an external agent like the Tatarigami: the beginning of symptoms starts with overall weakness and dizziness and nose bleeding. Nightmares that give the sign of a bad omen are also part of the symptomatology. As the chaos goes untreated, the host experiences strong headaches, rashes on the skin blood coughs and more frequent nightmares. All these effects are particularly intense when night falls. Lastly, during the last phases of the sickness, hosts experience gruesome hallucinations and they���re able to listen to fallen gods’ whispers until they fall to madness. Failure to treat any of the symptomatology in time can lead to death.

→ Via Delusions: it stands to reason that in order to create weapons of this caliber by using chaos, the amount of chaos infused in these weapons is controlled and aimed for its wielder’s longer lifespan depending on how strong/resistant they are. As such, the symptomatology may be gentler but in essence it will also lead to its host’s death. Given that chaos is all about life consuming, it saps away from people’s vitality which in turn causes an ageing acceleration with the issues that ageing entails. Additionally, chaos feeds more from negative feelings which includes wrath that makes it harder to get out of the vicious cycle Delusion wielders entered. Hosts may experience weakness and coughing alongside side effects byproduct of the deterioration that comes with the fast ageing until they reach their death.

Depending on certain requirements, being touched by the Abyss leads to three conditions said individual may experience: premature death, transcendence (abandoning one's own flesh to become a transcendent being, an abyssal monster) or, in the best of cases, the need to keep oneself on check in order to not aggravate the already existing symptoms.

Therapy.

Human intervention from those who are knowledgeable in the medical field proves to be effective in muting the symptomatology of the corruption if not much time passes between the abyssal exposure and the treatment. Nevertheless, this is a palliative remedy at best: the organs of those who have been touched by corruption are already compromised.

Other methods that are exceedingly harder to be within human reach have proven to hold a higher effectivity in their healing or even purification exist. 1) Ley Lines themselves, due to being carriers of the seven elements that sustain the world (among other elements) and thus extensions of Irminsul, which also holds purification and healing capabilities, count as one of them. The fact that Natlan's weaker Ley Line system caused the same nation to take a bigger grunt because of the Abyss in comparison to other nations suggests their effectiveness in keeping the void at bay. 2) Traveler's purification and lastly, 3) the celestial nails are also known for being effective, too.

Dáinsleif.

In Dain's particular case, the clearest sign he has of corruption is that half of his body has turned black. Furthermore, his continuous exposition to the Abyss in his pursuit to frustrate the Abyss Order's plans —and by extension, his own brother's— in combination to the curse of immortality (potentially of abyssal connection too, despite being inflicted by a god) is enough reason for him to have multiple symptoms.

Lastly, Dain is known for being both corrupted and cursed, which might result in a higher chance at being affected by the aforementioned described symptoms more. Another reason to this cause is his connection to Irminsul for two reasons: 1) aether and void (abyss) when interacting are mutually toxic— given that both of them coexist in Dain's body, there is no denial that they may interact. And 2) the elements and the abyss repel each other, causing yet another negative effect).

Despite being highly susceptible to be in a really bad shape due to the abyssal influence within him, the reality is that he doesn't suffer much from these thanks to his connection to Irminsul. While contradictory all the same due to the toxicity that the interactions between the elements, aether and abyss may bring, he doesn't suffer from physical degradation and his corruption has been at an impasse for the past 500 years.

However, that doesn't mean that he can be careless with emotions running out of control or in his confrontations against the Abyss Order. And while his own symptoms may not be too bad, they are always present. Predominantly, they tend to flare up in moments of emotional vulnerability or if he lingers too much in places that have abyssal presence.

[reginrokkr]

𝐗𝐕𝐈𝐈. Comprehensive guide of romance and sexuality.

It’s a complicated matter to Dain which is carried since the old days of Khaenri’ah, albeit not as difficult to achieve back then as it is in the current days. His only handicap back then was the fact that he was married with his job. Acting as the captain of the Black Serpent Knights —the elite of the human faction of Khaenri’ah’s military— and the Bough Keeper were no easy tasks and they took most of his time to think about indulging himself with anything remotely close to relieve him from the daily stress of demanding positions within the society. Furthermore, there is an additional layer that limits his romantic interactions in the public’s eye which is the fact that he’s a pure-blooded Khaenri’ahn and I believe that taking into account all possible mixes with people from the other seven nations and the history worth millennia the kingdom has, he would be frowned upon if he were to choose his romantic interests so lightly as a means to preserve the few pure-blooded Khaenri’ahns that must be left.

Additionally, there is a sense of strangeness that comes from the lack of memories he has from all the time that encompasses his birth to the moment he reached Khaenri’ah because his memories have been wiped by Celestia. It’s a thought that he doesn’t put too much consideration into as it’s mostly inconsequential to his tasks, but it is in a personal sense because he feels like he doesn’t know himself.

Post-Cataclysm supposes a 180º change in this regard. Dain deals with the trauma of watching an entire nation he swore an oath to protect go down, with the failure of being rendered useless to do anything against the wrath of the gods and a clusterfuck of negative emotions that led him to near corruption to completion weren’t it for Irminsul’s intervention. He deals with many losses, with the fact that he isn’t allowed to pass away and a world in crumbles as he travels Teyvat. Dealing with the prospect that he has no other choice but to antagonize abyssal creatures that range from being creations of a renowned figure of Khaenri’ah to actual people he once protected doesn’t make it any easy.

𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄: Dain deals with a series of traumas and negative emotions that he doesn’t think it’s worth dumping on someone else in the slightest. In his mind, they don’t have to endure his personal baggage and still, he finds comfort and respite in that one rare egg that is patient enough to go through that plethora of barriers he built around himself. He appreciates the most having a safe haven within someone that represents such a stark contrast with his daily life in his pursuit of the Abyss Order and his self-imposed duty to not let another tragedy like that happen to people who did nothing to warrant it.

Understanding is another virtue he values highly. That he has to take his time in opening up with things that may break the foundations of how the world at large works for people as he’s so deeply rooted with them. Understanding that were he engage into a romantic relationship with anyone, that his duties come first. Not because he wouldn’t like to settle and give himself a chance to enjoy life, but because in a way it also heals him to see that his deeds are of use for the survival of others. That he isn’t entirely useless as he thought himself (and potentially the Abyss Order in their mocking and bitterness towards him) to be.

As a third important thing to keep in mind is the fact that Dain is denied mortality. Meaning that he’ll outlive his loved ones. This is another hindrance he puts to himself in the belief that mortals would benefit more from finding love in another mortal that can share their life with in somehow equal terms. All in all, Dain’s reluctance to engage into this kind of relationship stems more from the fact that he thinks what’s best for others rather than for himself, even if with time he’d find out how much he needed the tenderness that love can offer too. And his self-sabotaging nature as a result of all the trauma and the burdens he carries on his shoulders, let’s not forget about that.

While Dain doesn’t require too much, these three pillars of appreciation / hindrances are quite thick and heavy. If anyone were to go past these, they’re bound to find out that despite all the weariness he holds, he’s a highly lovely individual —his deeds towards humanity at large are also telling of the love he has for humans while having a realistic mindset of their downsides—. For as long as he spends time with his romantic partner, he’s completely reverent to them. He trusts that crossed the endless numbers of barriers, he’s safe with them and he’s reassured that they’re okay with his dark baggage.

Despite all his demons and the twisted ways he has of seeing himself, he’s a good observer of others and a good empath. His on-point remarks and gentle persona makes him a reliable individual. Although his forte isn’t as much on muttering loving nothings as much as it is paying attention to details and let his partner know that he noticed. And physical touch. Once he realizes that being touched tenderly doesn’t add to the chronic pain he suffers from the curse, that’s a clear display of affection coming from him all things considered.

In more technical and brief terms, Dain could be considered in the demiromantic spectrum with no preference of gender. A lot of trust has to be built up for him to even considering the prospect of romance. He appreciates the most understanding and highly intelligent people with who he can converse and with who he can be challenged intellectually. In a similar vein, he feels the safest talking about deeper aspects of the workings of Teyvat with intellectual individuals so he can test the waters of where their stance is if the world happened to be remarkably different than the way they see it.

𝐒𝐄𝐗𝐔𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘: While Dain may be harder to wrap his mind around romance, it isn’t as hard when it comes to carnal desires. In a post-Cataclysm setting, he thinks himself above mortal needs like sex, but he isn’t against it as long as there is a mutual trust in a deep level with the other person. Moments of vulnerability that call for more intimate situations as a means to heal or relieve the source of said moment of weakness are bound to happen and Dain is aware of this. In his mind, sex doesn’t have to lead to romance which is a much difficult field to tread into for him. In such cases, however, he’ll only allow it to happen once and no more as part of his fear that it would lead into romance and he’s unsure if he’s ready to go through that sentimental turmoil for aforementioned reasons.

In the event that he has a romantic partner, he’s not adverse in the slightest to do everything they want. With the condition that his chronic pain is kept in consideration, as it plays a major role in whether he can endure rougher instances or not. This is a solid reason why by default he prefers to indulge into softer and more gentle moments with no preference over acting as a top or bottom, although he prefers to be in control for most of the moments. That doesn’t mean that moments when he’d feel relief in entrusting the other with the control and the thought that he’s safe with them aren’t possible. On the contrary.

No fetishes to mention when it comes to him. He’s a pretty basic man with minimal preferences so it’s safe to say that he’ll do his best to make his partner happy if they were to have any as long as: it doesn’t involve pain or dangerous situations such as choking or physical pain to him or the other and one’s dignity isn’t compromised according to his judgement. No particular inclination gender-wise but he is attracted to intellectual people still, it’s a plus to him in some way that he can’t describe to make sense for something like sex.

[gynaiko]

𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐋 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒 :

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[ ꒰ა ]⠀⠀STELLA ˒⠀⠀⠀⠀CANON DIVERGENT. BIO HERE;

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[ ꒰ა ]⠀⠀LUTE [ AKA EVE ] ˒⠀⠀⠀⠀CANON DIVERGENT. BIO HERE;

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[ ꒰ა ]⠀⠀LADY ˒⠀⠀⠀⠀CANON DIVERGENT / FLEXIBLE.ㅤBISEXUAL.ㅤAGED 45.ㅤㅤㅤㅤOnce a loving & hopeful woman, she was caught in the crossfire of her family’s criminal dealings. After losing her beloved fiancé, she was forced to wed Crimson, her life stolen away. She had dissociated for several years until she birthed their one & only child, Moxxie, who breathed hope / life into her again. She had a reason to live once more. Eventually, she attempted to flee with Moxxie from their wretched life, but Crimson intervened. Though initially believed dead, Crimson actually imprisoned her; now a mere shell of her former self, Lady is haunted by grief, bitterness, & the weight of her tragic past. Locked away for years, she clings to the fragments of her identity, broken yet defiant. Crimson’s possessive grip may have shattered her spirit, but the flicker of resistance within her is far from extinguished,

Her default verse is one tied with @/m0bst3r; however, for scenarios for interaction, Lady has actually escaped confinement & currently works odd-jobs where she can,

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[ ꒰ა ]⠀⠀LOONA ˒⠀⠀⠀⠀CANON COMPLIANT.ㅤBISEXUAL.ㅤAGED 22.ㅤㅤLoona is a cynical, aloof hellhound who works as the receptionist for IMP. With a sharp tongue & zero patience, she often displays a disinterested & standoffish attitude toward her co-workers, preferring to scroll through her phone / social media rather than engage in-person. Despite her tough, abrasive exterior, Loona shows glimpses of a more vulnerable side, particularly in her complicated relationship with her adoptive father, Blitzo ( if you were to ask her, he’s not exactly her father, but he’s… well, he’s something! ). She rarely hides her disdain for the world around her, embracing her rebellious & detached demeanor in order to protect herself / mental health, while secretly craving deeper connections despite her efforts to push others away,

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[ ꒰ა ]⠀⠀CARMILLA ˒⠀⠀⠀⠀CANON COMPLIANT.ㅤHETEROSEXUAL.ㅤAGED 47.ㅤㅤCarmilla [ Carmela ]ㅤㅤCarmine, one of Hell’s most powerful Overlords, reigns over the weapons trade with an iron fist. As the mastermind behind firearms laced with angelic technology, her empire is both feared & respected. With a keen intellect & a no-nonsense attitude, Carmilla tolerates no disrespect & values efficiency above all else. Her grace as a dancer mirrors her business acumen — disciplined, elegant, & deadly precise. Beyond her stoic exterior, Carmilla sees potential in the ambitious, serving as a mentor to those worthy of her time. Her wisdom & power make her a force to be reckoned with in Hell’s ruthless hierarchy.

ㅤㅤㅤCarmilla’s past is steeped in tragedy & defiance. For a short while, she had once been a celestial being; a winner. But when her daughters were denied entry to Heaven, their fate sealed by rules she found unjust, she made an unthinkable choice. Refusing to leave her children behind, she chose to fall with them, surrendering her divine status to ensure they would not be alone in their damnation. First & foremost, she is a mother. A fallen angel, Carmilla bears the weight of her decision with pride, though not without pain & it’s not like she boasts about it either. She refuses to attempt to re-earn her wings, standing firm in her defiance of Heaven’s judgment,

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[ ꒰ა ]⠀⠀MAYBERRY ˒⠀⠀⠀⠀HEADCANON BASED.ㅤBISEXUAL.ㅤAGED 32.ㅤㅤMayberry, a sweet-natured schoolteacher, was pushed to the brink after discovering her husband’s infidelity. In a fit of rage, she took his life, an act that sealed her fate in Hell. Now, trapped in Hell, Mrs. Mayberry is haunted by the consequences of her actions & the lost innocence of her former life.

ㅤㅤㅤMayberry was born into the heart of a small, insular religious community that operated more like a cult than a traditional faith. The sect was a strict, oppressive group that valued devotion & submission above all else. Her childhood was one of rigid expectations, constant judgment, & the suffocating pressure to conform. From an early age, she lived in the shadow of another child: Martha, a fellow member of the community & who embodied the cult's ideal: charming, beautiful, & effortlessly adored by elders & peers alike. While Mayberry excelled in her own quiet way, her accomplishments were often overlooked or dismissed in favor of Martha’s innate ability to captivate. This disparity planted the seeds of resentment from an early age,

ㅤㅤㅤAs she grew older, Mayberry became adept at masking her inner turmoil. She developed a cheerful, optimistic demeanor, one that allowed her to navigate the oppressive confines of the cult while dreaming of a life beyond its gates. Her resilience & determination eventually paid off when she managed to leave the community & forge her own path. She pursued an education, became a teacher, & married a man who seemed to embody the kind of life she had always hoped to build: stable, loving, & free from the control of her past. For years, Mayberry worked tirelessly to make the best of her new life. Her classroom became a haven for children, where her kindness & enthusiasm brightened even the darkest of days. Life, though not perfect, felt fulfilling. That is, until she caught her husband in bed with another woman: of course, it had to be Martha…

ㅤㅤㅤThe betrayal shattered Mayberry’s carefully constructed world.. It wasn’t just the infidelity that cut so deeply, but the cruel irony of who her husband had chosen. The same Martha who had overshadowed her during their childhood had now invaded her adult life, stealing away the happiness Mayberry had worked so hard to achieve. While Mayberry spiraled into heartbreak & anger, Martha’s public image emerged unscathed — even bolstered. Their shared past in the sect provided the perfect foundation for the church to repair & lionize Martha’s reputation. As a former ‘golden child’ of the cult, Martha’s adultery was reframed as a tragic misstep, an act of desperation by a flawed but ultimately redeemable figure. She was celebrated as a martyr, a fucking hero!

ㅤㅤㅤMayberry, meanwhile, was left to bear the brunt of the scandal in silence. The repressed trauma from her upbringing resurfaced with a vengeance, leaving her grappling with feelings of intense inadequacy & rage. For the first time, she allowed herself to confront the injustice she had endured, both as a child in the cult & as an adult in her marriage. Mayberry’s descent into Hell was swift but not surprising. Her moment of blinding rage & subsequent deal with I.M.P. had sealed her fate, landing her in the fiery depths with the same unresolved emotions she had carried in life. At first, the chaos of Hell overwhelmed her, but as she adjusted, Mayberry found an odd sense of freedom in her damnation. No longer burdened by the expectations of others, she could finally embrace the raw intensity of her emotions without fear of judgment. In a strange way, she was finally where she belonged & that sat just fine with her…

ㅤㅤㅤOne night, she crossed paths with Martha once more. To Mayberry’s surprise, Hell hadn’t tarnished Martha’s infuriating charm — if anything, it had amplified itㅤ[ fucking fantastic; she couldn’t have had this either, could she? ]ㅤTheir reunion was volatile, filled with sharp words & mutual hostility. Yet somewhere amid the tension, years of repression & rivalry twisted into something unexpected; a one-night stand followed, born of anger, confusion, & perhaps a desperate need for connection in a place devoid of it. Of course, the encounter resolved nothing. It didn’t heal old wounds or bring them closer. If anything, it only deepened the tangled mess of their shared history. Mayberry walked away with no intention of rekindling any kind of relationship with Martha — romantic or otherwise. In her mind, it was a mistake, a momentary lapse driven by Hell’s chaotic energy & her unresolved emotions…

ㅤㅤㅤNow, she spends her days navigating Hell’s brutal landscape; Martha remains a lingering presence in her life, not by choice, but by the unfortunate reality of shared spaces in the underworld. Their interactions are tense, riddled with unspoken tension & biting remarks, but Mayberry refuses to let Martha overshadow her anymore. This is Hell, after all, & Mayberry is determined to reclaim her narrative, even here…

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[ ꒰ა ]⠀⠀FRANCESCA ˒⠀⠀⠀⠀HEADCANON BASED.ㅤPANSEXUAL.ㅤAGED 37.ㅤㅤOriginally hailing from the Lust ring, Francesca, Crimson’s loyal maid, serves in the shadows of his criminal empire, silently witnessing the brutality & manipulation that surrounds her. Sharp & observant, she keeps her head low, but nothing escapes her notice. Though bound to her role by circumstance, Francesca harbors secrets of her own, knowing more about Crimson’s operations than anyone suspects. Her stoic exterior hides a calculating mind, and as tensions rise in the household, Francesca may one day find herself at the crossroads of loyalty & self-preservation ( not that she’ll tell you that, of course ) - she’s worked for Crimson for several years & has family in Lust,

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[ ꒰ა ]⠀⠀VAGYNA ˒⠀⠀⠀⠀CANON DIVERGENT.ㅤBISEXUAL.ㅤAGED APPROX 2K - 3K.ㅤㅤShe was created with the purpose of becoming one of the Seraphim, the highest-ranking angels known for their purity, wisdom, & unwavering dedication to divine order. From the moment of her creation, this angel exhibited the traits necessary for this exalted position: loyalty, intelligence, & a fierce sense of justice. Yet, her personality carried a spark that set her apart — an assertiveness that often verged on aggression. Where others delivered guidance with gentle words, the little angel's conviction drove her to act swiftly & decisively; a trait that clashed horribly with the serene expectations of her rank. She was deemed too aggressive, too tough… Wary of her intensity, but recognizing her potential, her destiny was redirected. Instead of serving as a Seraphim, she was reassigned as an Exorcist, ( a warrior tasked with purging demons & protecting the righteous from infernal corruption ) — she excelled in this role, her determination & tactical mind making her a formidable force on the battlefield,

ㅤㅤㅤShe had no need for a name during her short training period as a Seraphim; she was simply a presence, a purpose molded by divine will. It wasn’t until she was reassigned as an Exorcist that a name became necessary, which was bestowed by Adam himself, who declared it to be ‘after the best thing in the world,’ — whether it was meant as a symbol of admiration or an echo of his own hubris, she never truly embraced the name, even in Heaven. When introducing herself, she always goes by ‘Vaggie’,

ㅤㅤㅤUnlike many of her peers, she approached her duty with a mix of compassion for the fallen & a relentless drive to fulfill her mission. She believed that redemption was possible for some souls… Despite her effectiveness, Vaggie often struggled with the rigid expectations of Heaven. She began to question the unyielding dichotomy of good & evil that defined her existence. Her dissatisfaction grew when she witnessed souls condemned for minor transgressions, doomed to Hell for eternity without consideration of their circumstances or potential for redemption. This disillusionment planted the seeds of rebellion in her heart, without her even realizing it…

ㅤㅤㅤHer fall was not a choice but a punishment, cast down for reasons she refuses to share with anyone, even Charlie, keeping her celestial origins a secret. While she detests the overall corruption of Hell, she recognizes its potential for change, & this is what drives her forward. Charlie’s dream of redemption for all souls struck a chord in Vaggie. Drawn to that light of relentless hope Charlie carried, Vaggie chose to stand by her as a steadfast ally & protector. Their partnership became one of mutual respect, with Vaggie’s pragmatism often balancing Charlie’s idealism. Helping out with the Hazbin Hotel, she strives not only to guide others toward redemption but also to reconcile her own fragmented identity,

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[ ꒰ა ]⠀⠀VIKKI ˒⠀⠀⠀⠀HEADCANON BASED.ㅤPANSEXUAL.ㅤAGED 24.ㅤㅤA sharp-tongued, mean-spirited hell-hound with a flair for drama, Victoria Genevieve Amaranthine von Vexmoreㅤ[ also known as: Vikki ]ㅤwas born into a prestigious family rumored to have ties to either the Goetia or other high-ranking demons. She was raised with the expectation of perfection & dominance. This upbringing instilled in her a sense of superiority to other Hellhounds, & thus carries herself with confidence, biting wit & extreme arrogance. But while she excels at navigating Hell's ruthless social structure, her true challenge lies in reconciling her loneliness with her desire for connection; beneath her cold exterior, Vikki hides a deep sense of loneliness, yearning for genuine connection in a world where power dynamics & facades rule,

ㅤㅤㅤAs to why she has it out for Loona; this stems from a mix of envy & unresolved personal insecurities. Vikki sees in Loona a carefree boldness & independence that she herself struggles to achieve, despite her high-ranking status. Loona’s apparent disregard for societal expectations grates on Vikki’s nerves, who has spent her life adhering to the pressures of prestige & image. Their interactions are often marked by biting insults & veiled jabs, but beneath her animosity lies a begrudging admiration that Vikki would never admit to,

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀[ ꒰ა ]⠀⠀KAREN ˒⠀⠀⠀⠀CANON ALIGNED.ㅤLESBIAN.ㅤAGED 42.ㅤㅤKaren's life revolved around appearances, status, & control. In life, she prided herself on being the perfect embodiment of a “successful woman” — a commanding presence, a well-kept home, & a family that reflected her idealized image. However, behind the facade was an ego as fragile as glass, & the cracks began to show the moment her husband filed for divorce. It wasn’t just the loss of her marriage that angered Karen — it was the fact that he had left her! Her ego couldn’t fathom the rejection. When she found out he had a boyfriend, her fury turned into a roaring blaze. To Karen, it wasn’t just about being abandoned; it was about being replaced & by someone she couldn’t even categorize as competition in her rigid worldview,

ㅤㅤㅤShe spiraled into a bitter frenzy, spouting homophobic slurs & belittling her ex at every opportunity — it was easier to lash out than confront the truth within herself. Karen envied her ex-husband, not just for his newfound happiness, but for his courage to embrace his true self. She, too, had long suppressed her own feelings. She’d grown up in an environment where vulnerability was weakness, & anything that deviated from the norm was something to be scorned. Her anger toward her ex was as much about his liberation as it was her own inability to even admit the truth to herself.

ㅤㅤㅤEnraged by yet another perceived slight from her ex-husbandㅤ[ he had invited his boyfriend to their son’s school recital without consulting her, ]ㅤKaren got into her car, seething with the intent to give him a piece of her mind. Her fingers gripped the steering wheel, her vision blurred by tears of fury, as she sped toward his house. Thoughts of every argument, every insult, & every bruise to her pride fueled her reckless driving. She didn’t even see the tree until it was too late. Karen’s death was as sudden & dramatic as her life had been & in Hell, she remains much the same — bitter, confrontational, & unwilling to take accountability for her actions,

[monstrouslyobsessed]

Hello! Can I ask headcanons for Male Oyuki (Yuki onna) when he meet darling for the first time and the courting process/wedding? Thanks! —anonymous

tw / tags: afab reader (no pronoun explicitly used), gendered language (wife, bride, mother, etc.), pregnant reader (mentioned but tagged to be safe), pregnancy (mostly mentioned), general yandere themes, long post, sfwfeatured character(s): oyuki / ice spirit / husband previous ice spirit installment: link

—note: uhhh right this is super tame, i didn’t really go too deep and hadn't bothered including any ns'fw details. feel free to fill in all the details yourself or ask for more hc's on other aspects. but yeah, i see the o yuki being the type who'd only snap if nothing's going his way, otherwise, he's pretty...decent...ish if you can get past his lies and manipulative ways, and he does dotes on his darling. the horror happens after he gets busted. though, don't get me wrong, he's still a monster and killed many over his time as an immortal spirit. he's really one of those guys you'd have to question the morality of.

》meeting you was an accident. —it was a quiet day in his mountain, with gentle sprinkles of snow drifting to the blindingly white ground and dusting the skeletal trees. —as long as his territory was undisturbed, he was content to remain where he was. —alas his peace hadn't lasted when a scream pierced the chilly air. —fury swam through his brittle veins. —he stormed out from his lofty abode, with a flurry of frost following in his wake.

》he halted, his pitch-black eyes resting on the bobbing head breaking the cracked surface of the lake frozen over. —a child. what foolish child would venture this far from their kind? —with a quick survey, he caught panicking voices of other children and strayed his eyes across the ground, counting multiple footprints. —an accident—or perhaps, purposeful? either way, he shook his head from your situation and was about to turn away, to leave you for the dead. leave you to drown and be claimed by the icy depth. —yet something stalled his feet and his snow quietened at his back. —was it pity? he’d never know—but years later, he’d be forever grateful to whatever gods who whispered to him to listen to what lingering humanity he had left in his frozen heart.

》you vaguely recalled being in the arms of a beautiful god, a man with skin so white he rivaled the purity of the snow, hair long and flaked with ice, and his eyes so dark it clenched your heart with a primal sense of fear. —next you woke, you were surrounded by those who loved you the most. —your father wept, thanking every deity above for your return to the living, and hadn’t released you from his burly arms for what seemed like days since. —you were so young then, when the world seemed so wide and welcoming. —shattered by those who wished you harm for the pettiest of reasons.

》the memory of that god never truly faded from your mind, but you passed it off as a fantasy. a child’s whimsies. —as you became older, reaching the ideal age to be wedded off and have children with your spouse, you drew many eyes and marriage proposals grew steadily on your father’s desk. —only one had you gasping and burned your skin with embarrassment and joy.

》you caught the ice spirit’s eyes. —he hadn’t recognized you as that same child he dragged out from that lake, not at first. —he’d been wandering through his forest, surveying his territory for any threat, when a giggle drew his attention. —annoyed at having an intruder, he turned the gentle snow into a howling blizzard as he hunted down the source of that voice. —then, he halted. —he swore he felt his heart pumping in his chest for the first time in decades—perhaps centuries, when he saw you. —you jumped from your toppled creation, squealing from the pelting frost, and gave him that brief glimpse of your body. your face. all of you.

》you were beautiful. perfect. —the perfect being. —but oh so human. living and breathing. —warm when he was so cold. —you were the opposite of everything he was. —you were like the spring heralding his winter, leaving blooms in your wake. —…he couldn’t face you like this. not yet. —quietly, he tailed you since.

》he watched over you —to learn who you are. —beloved child to a father who cherishes you dearly. —doted on by many, your father’s faithful employees included. —although you were not fond of the cold, you adored the beauty of the winter. adored the soft moments by the fireplace. adored the comfort of warm foods and drinks.

》like that, he was drawn to you. —desires to have you in his arms. —and unable to compel the idea of seeing you in the arms of another. —it angered him and left behind a few too many blizzards in the winter you became of age to be wedded. to find a suitable suitor to have children with. —he decided he must court you properly.

》it was the following spring he took the courage, —to mask himself as an ordinary human male. —a merchant, delivering unusual goods. —he first met you when you were fanning yourself to keep cool on one overly warm day, under the watchful eye of a servant. —even though the warm weather was killing him, feeling himself melting inside his expensive clothing, he wormed his way by your side under the blazing sun, and offered you a rare plump peach to drench your thirst. smiling even under the glare of your father’s dutiful servant. —free of charge because you were beautiful, he claimed.

》it was the first of many encounters, where he’d offer many lovely fruits. —before long, you fell for him. —he was handsome, eerily so for an average human, and he was as doting as your father ever was. —and a massive flirt. —he was a gentleman, complimenting you endlessly, but would never touch you without your expressed consent.

》though you’d later find out that he hadn’t wanted you to feel how strangely cool he was. —it never bothered you though, his touches were comforting. gentle. especially during the hot and overly warm weathers. —and his fruits were delicious.

》when you shared a story from your childhood one day, from when you fell into the lake —he knew right then you two were meant to be. —he must have you for himself. —he must have you as his bride. the mother of his children. —he arranged a meeting with his father. —when you first saw the handsome merchant’s proposal on your father’s desk, you happily agreed and your father sighed at the idea of letting you go, burying that inkling that there was something quite wrong about that smiling man deep within his chest. —you and your father would know the truth behind your future husband’s identity far too late.

》not a man. not a human. —he was not alive. —he was but a man whose heart turned to frost, whose skin was made of ice, and who breathed snow. —a monster, borne from the wrath of a dying man in one hateful winter so long ago.

》it was unfortunate that you found out well after you wedded him and had a child growing within your womb.

[silyabeeodess]

AHIT Headcanons: The Shapeshifter and the Badge Seller

I’m going to put the headcanons for the Shapeshifter first below the cut, in case anyone’s just interested in him, but if anyone wants to read about the Badge Seller’s I recommend checking out the ones I have for Hat Kid’s homeworld first, as some of them will only make sense with those in mind.  That said, here we go:

The Shapeshifter

To most on the planet, the Shapeshifter is nothing more than a legend, an ancient figure few even know about and only through stories.  He’s a demonic entity bent on dragging his victims to the depths of despair, capturing their souls and/or life force to parade as them at will. 

He can only take the shape of those he’s absorbed.  In his true form, he looks like an amalgamated mess with a blackened core and multitude of eyes--that can emote different things and look in opposing directions, as if it were a glimpse of the armada of lost souls trapped inside him.  Even his voice reflects this, overlapping multiples into one insane voice as an echoing cacophony of sobs and screams underlines it if you dare to listen closely enough.  Few, however, see this form unless he wants them to.

There’s no particular type of person he’ll target: Anyone’s fair game and he’ll go after them through various means--offering deals, stepping in to pretend to be their only support, etc.  In the end, he always turns on them.  In the events of Act 2, he stayed in hiding to see which of the birds would fall to their worst natures and could be destroyed by them first: The Conductor with his arrogance and selfish ways or DJ Grooves with his envy and desperation to have his work recognized.  Hat Kid was a newcomer into the “game,” but as her actions pushed them both further on, he didn’t care.  Not until she changed them, that is.  Her actions and continued friendship forced the Conductor to taste a bit of humility and stopped DJ Grooves from letting his feelings/insecurities get the better of him.  Needless to say, the Shapeshifter wasn’t happy losing two potential victims.  He was, however, curious about the girl and all of her abilities--following her in secret from that point onward.

Mortals can’t really tell who he is unless he appears in his true form.  Ghosts and spirits, however, can sometimes sense him due to the extremely dark aura he oozes.  They’re also more capable of actually fighting him, so he has to be careful.  He has no friends among even the worst of spirits.  

The Badge Seller 

At one point in the distant past, Earth used to be an allied world to Hat Kid’s own.  A small mix of her people and Earth’s humans started a home where Subcon is now, where the large, shattered Time Piece is.  The Badge Seller was not only a member of a mixed generation of these people, but grew up to be a Clocksmith in charge of looking after the Time Piece prior to its destruction.  

When it did eventually shatter, releasing a wave of magic that wrecked the planet in various ways, many of Earth’s lifeforms were completely altered: Some animals gained sentience, some humans became part of a subspecies, and lifespans were stretched.  The Badge Seller had it worst: He was part of a rare, smaller group that became ageless.  This group--already having lost contact with HK’s homeworld and its resources due to its own fate--made it their duty to help watch after the planet in this strange, new age and see if they could make contact with other worlds.  Like the case with the Badge Seller’s body, each of them gradually became distorted, glitchy figures over time from their various experiences across different worlds, realms, and through time and space.  By the events of the game though, the Badge Seller is the only known survivor--the rest having been killed by different forces over the years. 

When they became the only one left, the Badge Seller used their magic to siphon the memories of their fallen friends into their own mind in order to gain a collective knowledge/wisdom that would allow them to follow the best courses of action in the future; however, this came at a great cost.  They lost their own identity, to the point where they can barely separate their individual memories from the giant pool stemming multiple people over the course of thousands of years.    

The Badge Seller continues with the group’s work in secret, but takes a much more neutral role now--only getting involved with the affairs of others when they feel they have to and letting the world run its course.  They feel there’s not much left for them to do now besides wait for the next cataclysmic event, that they don’t have much of a reason to be a part of a changing world beyond that given their own permanent, but out of place existence. 

Making their badges was a way of not only sharing knowledge and strength to those who might need them--limiting some badges only to those deemed worthy--but acted as a kind of hobby to make ends meet as they gradually became a kind of nomadic vendor. However, they are extremely interested in Hat Kid, being the only Clocksmith in a long while to appear on the planet’s surface.  A part of them would actually hope to take her under their wing as a sort of apprentice.  Hat Kid could learn a lot from them if that happened, but their centuries of loneliness might cause them to do something... drastic, as an end result of that training. 

The Badge Seller actually knows the Shapeshifter, and has crossed paths with him multiple times.  Out of anything else on the planet, they see the Shapeshifter as one of their final, uncompleted missions: A force that needs to be dealt with before he can hurt anyone else.  They hate each other.

[a-big-apple]

TAZ Fic Recs

I’m bad at keeping bookmarks or remembering titles or remembering authors’ names, so I’m keeping my TAZ recs in a post instead! There are TONS of great fics in this fandom, and here’s a surely incomplete list of some that brought me particular joy.

Newest additions to the list are at the top, last updated February 2020.

Hey hey, marry me Barry by @qpenguin98 - rated Teen and Up

If you want to just be emotionally shattered by romance in really lovely and positive ways, please read this fic. This might be my favorite Blupjeans story I’ve ever read. It’s beautiful, it’s skillfully and subtly written, it has great emotional payoff, and I cried a LOT. I don’t want to give too much description of the plot because it was really impactful going in blind, but it’s all about Barry and the rest of Lup’s family ganging up to make her (and themselves) really happy, and it’s beautiful.

because that’s what love is (equivalent exchange) by teacuptaako - rated Teen and Up

This fic broke me a little. It’s Barry’s POV on the Starblaster, getting to know everyone, falling in love with Lup, and trying to figure out Taako. This is a FAB outside perspective on Taako’s weird outer layers of personality. Plus Barry is just such a good dude, it’s impossible to not love this trip inside his head!

Dumb Interspecies Relations series by nah_tho - rated Explicit

If you’re into Taako and Brad Bradson, well, you’ve probably already read this series? But if you haven’t, DO. What starts out as a fun sexy romp gets plotty and full of worldbuilding, Taako is a fantastic mess, and Brad is trying real hard. This series is hilarious, hot, sometimes suspenseful, and the final story made me cry.

got a license to kill (and you know I’m going straight for your heart) by @hoothootmotherf-ckers - rated Teen and Up

THIS FIC WAS MY GIFT IN THE 2019 TAZ CANDLENIGHTS GIFT EXCHANGE, I STILL CANNOT BELIEVE IT. It’s so wonderful!! A multi-chapter assassin AU with some coffee shop and fake relationship in there too, unbelievable. Lup is a badass. Barry is adorable. They love each other, and also get shot at, and also fight Big Pharma. Please go read it, srsly.

After the War by theauthoress - Not Rated

This fic took a twist I haven’t seen before, and I loved it! Dredging up some good angst from Taako’s past and then from Kravitz’s, it delivers a punch and then soothes you again with some good sibling stuff. I don’t want to say more and give away the surprise, but if you like some Taakitz hurt/comfort, do check this one out.

Apogee by @charmandhex - rated Teen and Up

I admit, I am one of those who think Taako won’t ever forgive Lucretia, but that they can be civil again, and maybe even friends. This fic captures that so beautifully, how much history there is between them that neither of them can escape. It’s lovely, and Taako is baller, and I read it twice in a row.

you know, elf practice series by @anonymousalchemist - rated from General to Teen and Up

Yet another one that I can’t believe I didn’t already have on this list. I know the elf practice thing as a meme has mostly vanished into the tumblr ether, but these two fics are on my mind always. They’re just so unusual, and the kind of creepy that’s treated as matter-of-fact (which is the best kind of creepy). What if elves had to, you know, practice? To become elves? Just thinking about it gives me a shiver, I love this fairycore take on Taako and Lup and their upbringing.

the kid, the future forthcoming by @anonymousalchemist - rated Teen and Up

Seriously, how did I not have this on my list already, I reread it all the time! It’s so incredibly hard to make second person work, and this fic really works. It’s a short and compelling vignette of young Taako’s life, and young Taako-and-Lup’s life, and the difficulties of a scrappy teenhood. It’s a little heartbreaking, and full of perfect moments that I think about a lot. Also, tiny Barry cameo that gives me so many feels! Also also, just...the mood of it is so good, the inside-of-Taako’s-head feeling, wonderful.

Taking the dogs home by Anonymous - rated Mature

What an extremely quiet and beautiful story! Set after Story and Song, at Magnus’ house in an almost dreamlike country woods setting. Taako shows up out of the blue, perhaps escaping a problem he won’t discuss, and falls back into Magnus’ small town routine. There’s a lot of subtly layered domesticity and realistic, compelling Taagnus feeling. Also, a dog! 

Heads/Tails by unprofessionalbard - rated Teen and Up

Short and powerful! I loved this fic. A really well-characterized look at Taako and Kravitz, and how their jobs and their personal lives intersect and interfere with each other. I don’t want to give anything away because it unfolds really precisely, I think, so--just go read it! It’s awesome.

and at a certain age the child is grown by bimaukery - rated Teen and Up

This is a really beautiful, bittersweet modern AU. The IPRE family move into Angus’ grandpa’s house, while Angus is still there, and he can’t understand why. He watches them, tries in small ways to interact with them--as they try to figure out what to do about the little ghost haunting their new house. Honestly, go read this and cry over it for a while, it’s lovely.

The Shrike and the Thorn by JoyfullyyoursDav ( @keplercryptids ) - rated Teen and Up

If you haven’t had enough of crying about Taako and Lup, here’s a great fic for you. That Good Sibling Shit, flashbacks, memory loss, beautiful conversations, just...everything I could want in a lovely little package. Also, PLEASE check out this author’s other stories, so many great ones!

(when i think about you) flowers grow out of my grave by @phantomsteed - rated Teen and Up

This Taakitz fic is one of my fav kinds of modern AU: Taako works in a flower shop, Krav is a mortician, they meet cute and fall in love! The ensemble are all there in the background, including a very adorable Angus and a soon-to-be-married Carey and Killian, but what really got me about this is the gentle and steady way our favorite boys fall in love. There are also SUPER lovely illustrations by @karinhart sprinkled throughout!

a fool for lesser things by himemiyaa - rated Teen and Up

This fic charmed the PANTS off me, and made me teary to boot. Taako and Kravitz are new roommates in this community college AU (and, surprise, they end up together). I love the way Taako slowly opens up in this story, to Kravitz, to the community of friends Lup has built that he’s been keeping himself outside of, and especially to Garyl the cat. It feels so real, and like a reminder to myself to be more vulnerable in my own life! Please go read this, it will lift your spirits.

Among the Ruins by @distractedkat - rated Teen and Up

I don’t know how I went so long without finding this fic, and then for a little while I resisted because I wasn’t sure about the description. Finally over the weekend I read the whole thing in a sitting, and I’m SO glad I did. It’s fantastic!! This AU reimagines the canon if Taako’s time post-Sizzle It Up had gone differently. What follows from that is an engrossing and plausible version of events with lots of action, lots of funny lines, lots of feelings, and lots more Lup! There’s a little angst, a lot of twins and Taakitz goodness, and a wonderfully happy ending. If you’re looking for something nice and long to dive into, definitely try this one.

Angus McDonald and the Flight of the Flying V by @mystery-moose - rated Teen and Up

This was one of the first fics I read in this fandom, before I thought to keep track of things I liked or bookmark them to find them again. Then it turned up in @marywhal‘s rec list, and I was overjoyed to find it again! As the rest of this list will show, I have a special weakness for stories about Taako as Angus’ guardian, and this one really shaped my headcanons about their relationship. In the main portion of the story, a grown-up Angus with his own detective agency is working a case--with a bored and lonely Taako’s help. Interspersed with the mystery are flashbacks to their time on the road as Sizzle it Up with Taako and Company, achingly soft glimpses of Angus’ post-finale childhood as Taako and Kravitz’s sort-of-son. I think it was finished before the actual finale aired, so it isn’t entirely canon-compliant, but it captures the same tone beautifully.

i will buy the flower shop by @weatheredlaw - rated Teen and Up

I saved this fic for an emotionally rainy day, because I had a feeling it would brighten things up. It absolutely did! A modern restaurant AU with all the necessary found family feelings, and all of our favorite characters with lives that aren’t perfect but that get better with communication and vulnerability and persistent joy. If you’re looking for something poignant and satisfying, something to lighten a bad day, this fic is an excellent choice.

Taako and Hurley’s Maximum Fun Drive by detectivelion - rated Teen and Up

WHAT A ROMP! If you’re longing to get back to the high speed action of battlewagon racing, this is the fic to read. Set after the Day of Story and Song, the whole crew (Hurley and Sloane included, of course) face off in a madcap race that really recaptured the spirit of Petals to the Metal for me.

Bureau of Badass ( @bureauofbadass ) by @chemicallywrit  and @miceenscene  - rated Teen and Up

This fic almost feels too obvious to rec, and yet I can’t not. SUCH AN ENGROSSING READ! Take all your favorite characters, stick them in the 90′s, give them attitude and relatable problems, and put them on skates--then you’ve got this roller derby AU. I don’t even know what else to say about it, because if that doesn’t make you want to read it, nothing will. As of this writing it’s a WIP, but there are over 100 chapters extant to read and only a few more yet to come!

and the warmth will never die by Junkyard_Rose - rated Teen and Up

This is an extraordinary fic. It’s a modern setting AU in which Taako and Lup were separated as kids and have made lives for themselves while searching for each other, which is wonderful all by itself. What stands out about this one, though, is the non-chronological way it’s told. Every chapter gives little glimpses into the pasts and presents of both twins, sometimes the same events from different angles, revealing a tiny bit of new information each time. I never found it confusing, just extremely interesting and vibrant, and SO emotionally satisfying in the last few chapters! The prose is beautiful too, sometimes I read it aloud to myself!

songs for revelations by @weatheredlaw  - rated Mature

So many of weatheredlaw’s fics wreck me in a variety of ways, but this one is maybe my favorite. It only has two chapters so far, but it’s SO EVOCATIVE and unusual and sometimes I just sit and think about it and wonder what will happen next. It’s the soft-apocalypse-adjacent AU I didn’t know I needed. Or, if you want to get fucked up by something finished, try their series all the way across the universe!

Bury the Lead by @marywhal - rated Teen and Up

Such a brilliant story! High school AUs are hard to do well, I think, and this is one of the best. It’s an ensemble story but from Taako’s POV, filled with extremely relatable versions of all the characters we know and love. There’s newspaper nerdery, wicked cool language stuff, and a million great moments that made me laugh, or cry, or both. Even if you don’t like AUs, I urge you to try this one!

Patterns of Migration by goodnicepeople - rated Teen and Up

Let me preface this by saying that I really want to put EVERYTHING by this author on my list. Their stories are all incredible, soft and beautiful and painful in good ways. It was hard to choose a favorite to list here, but this one is really special and elegantly crafted. It follows Angus and Magnus as child and parent, a progression over time as Angus grows up and Magnus slows down. In later chapters the addition of Taako to the dynamic produces some really lovely scenes, and also some very sad scenes--I cried a TON reading it.

Angus McDonald and the Case of the Mysterious Butter Wyvern by yassan - rated General Audiences

This is one of the funniest fics I’ve read in this fandom so far, and one of the closest in tone to the actual show. THB plus Angus is a great equation no matter what they’re doing, but when they’re shopping for a birthday present for the Director it takes on a whole new level of crazy. 

what can the harvest hope for by lagaudiere - rated Teen and Up

I think this is the first story on this list from Kravitz’s POV, and it’s GREAT. Full of great Reaper Squad interactions and marvelous Taakitz scenes, alternating with a really interesting, sometimes a little creepy, examination of John Hunger in the Eternal Stockade. If you’re into gray-area redemption stories and Kravitz being wonderful, then this is for you.

Oh have you seen my ghost? by greenglowsgold - rated Mature

Let me say first: if abuse or assault with intent to rape are triggering for you, you’ll probably want to give this one a pass. If that’s not an issue, then this is an excellently written and heart-hurting story about Taako’s past with Sazed, as seen through an unexpected and dangerous encounter. It’s beautifully subtle, and the last few lines legit broke my heart.

Reverie - by ltdominic - rated Teen and Up

Update: Reverie is finished! And it’s so beautiful, everything the first chapter hinted it would be. It’s one of my favorite themes, fucked-up Taako recovering from losing memories and getting them back. It’s painful and lovely, featuring a family who can see that something is wrong but can’t quite fix it, intermingled with backstory flashbacks. This story really captures the day to day struggle; there’s a crisis, and improvement, but there’s no perfectly happy ending.

“Cute, but still fucked up.” - by writersstareoutwindows - rated General Audiences

If you’re looking for a short and sweet pick-me-up in your day, this is it! The author drops you into a pitch-perfect and adorable scene between Taako, Lup, and Angus. They’ve captured a teasing-but-loving dynamic between the three that made me grin like a lunatic.

Taste Test (They Were Delicious) - by @marywhal - rated Teen and Up

Another moving and wonderful Taako-centric fic, made up of a series of vignettes set from the Starblaster years onward. Each section features a different meal (with a recipe, which is exciting), and a beautifully-written glimpse into Taako’s relationships. Lup features heavily, as one might guess, but the real through line is Lucretia, who poignantly bookends the story.

it takes a village - series by neverwinter ( @nxymxrjr ) - ratings range from General to Mature

This series is a modern AU full of extremely beautiful and moving found family interactions, told mostly from Angus’ point of view, and heavily featuring Taako as his legal guardian. You will notice if you read through this rec list that Taako and Angus as flawed-father-figure-and-son is MY FAVORITE THING, and this author does it so, so well. There’s some good parenting, some good sibling stuff with Taako and Lup, lovely Taakitz romance, and frequent cameos by the rest of the TAZ family. None of the stories in the series are explicit so far, but mind the tags for things like mental health issues, past abuse, and blood. Also, DEFINITELY check out their other TAZ stories!

with a pace and fury defiant - by redqueentheory - rated Mature

This author explores Taako’s inner life post-finale and the darker emotions that could follow that glorious happy ending. When he locates Kalen, he and Merle plan a road/camping trip with Magnus as cover and set off to avenge Julia. It’s beautifully written, sometimes painfully emotive (in a good way), and describes so much of what I headcanon about Taako’s feelings and how he deals with them that it’s like the author was reading my mind. It’s WONDERFUL (but check the tags, there is some violence). Do check out their other work as well, especially if you are into Bradko!

running into the sun (but i’m running behind) - by @quillyfied - rated General Audiences

Set between Crystal Kingdom and 11th Hour, this is a fantastic THB bonding fic! The bubble cannon breaks and strands the boys in the middle of the Faerun countryside, forcing them into a road trip that alternates wonderfully between sweet moments, drama from the past coming back to bite them, and very funny goofs. Their voices feel really in character to me, and the tone of this story is light enough that it could be a bonus episode of the show. I absolutely loved it, and I reread it all the time! Also, if you are a Davenchurch fan, definitely read i have loved the stars too fondly.

Wizard of Fortune - series by @fiercebadrabbit - rated General Audiences

This author has resisted the temptation to make Taako a Reaper when he dies--instead, he becomes a servant of Istus, creating a unique, beautiful, fascinating version of the far future in the Balance universe. I LOVE IT, so so much. Taako’s unusual personality shines through in all of his interactions, viewed through the eyes of the strangers who benefit from the hand of Fate. The writing has a lovely, mystical feel, which is a style I adore! This author has also written some very charming Taakitz, so check that out as well.

UPDATE: When fiercebadrabbit asked for ficlet requests, I excitedly asked for more Taako as a servant of Istus--and got THIS WONDERFUL GEM in reply! Go read it for excellent sibling sass!

through the days you will dream of losing me and losing you - by @androidsfighting - rated Teen and Up

I love stories about memory, and this one BREAKS ME every time I read it. An exceptionally written look at Taako after the finale and how he recovers (or doesn’t) from the effects of the Voidfish. There’s some really excellent Taako and Lup scenes, some great Barry, some great Lucretia, and lots of very visceral prose about remembering and forgetting and the confusion in between. It’s fairly short, but packs a powerful punch. I feel like this is both the fic I’ve wanted since hearing the finale and also the fic I’ve been trying to write since finishing the finale, so it’s both perfect and intimidating!

Luster - by @lsunnyc - rated Mature

This one is a WIP, but nearly done and worth the wait! After the finale, Taako is abducted from the train on a business trip to Goldcliff. The story alternates between Taako’s perspective, imprisoned but viciously determined to escape, and the rest of the TAZ family trying frantically to track him down when they realize he never made it to his destination. It’s SO DAMN GOOD YOU GUYS. Taako is very in character here and his intelligence and power really shine under stress; the worldbuilding of the “prison” where he’s trapped is also precise and fantastic. Every day that this fic has an update is a Good Day for me. Keep an eye on the tags though, there’s some carefully written dubcon.

Our own, soft hearts - series by @wildgoosery - ratings range from Teen to Explicit

If you, like me, longed to hear more of Taako and Kravitz on dates, then this series is your antidote! They’re so in character, and they’re so in love, and their every interaction is so wonderful. This fic really brings me joy, and also is sexy as hell. Also, the most recent installment is a wonderfully drawn fan comic! The author’s other work is also sexy and great, do check it out!

<3 If you’ve made it all the way to the bottom of this list and want even more fic to read, may I humbly suggest mine? Mostly about Taako, light touches of angst, and hopefully prose that approaches the wonderfulness of the stories I’ve recced here. 

[twilightichor]

𝐗𝐗𝐗𝐕𝐈𝐈. Birth of a thought made manifest in human flesh —Dáinsleif's origins—.

◜The Winged One's regret or remorse gave birth to a thought, and as he imagined the path that could have been taken, a new soul was born.◞

As a result of the war waged against the Second Who Came, Nibelung and the ensuing chaos with the leaking Forbidden Knowledge that had to be subdued lest the world was plunged into darkness, thus left with no chances for survival, Phanes' functions were ruined and could no longer use their absolute authority to suppress the original order of this world. In combination with his severely wounded state, the Usurper glimpsed into the wrongs of his deeds and the ones bound to come after if he were to be deteriorated further due to the influence of the Forbidden Knowledge, the loathing and resentments of the world or other forces that could take advantage of his weakened state.

He who loved his human creations more than anyone, and He who cursed the gods to come after to love humans saw himself mired in hypocrisy the moment his creations were at disadvantage the most and were kept in the highest regard no longer due to his own decisions' and that of his closest circle, who should follow his will. Thus in a moment of weakness and lucidity, his regret gave birth to a thought— to a what if. What if things were different, what if his initial desire continued without struggling against the vicissitudes and personal agendas, what if he was stronger to not let himself be corrupted to this point of apparent no return.

What if he could undo everything that made his sacred plans evil.

From these last thoughts was Dáinsleif born as a soul, nurtured in a seed in Irminsul's benevolent aura out of its kindness and will for the world to cease fighting against its own natural orders and to diminish the loathing and resentments of the world that the Primordial One has caused. One day of the countless moons this seed basked under the moonlight and Irminsul's might, he was born in the material world in Celestia as a human, a manifestation of the origins never known by others of Phanes' closest circle until divine's eyes fell upon him. Unrest was among them, yet only muted at the knowledge that they could do with him as they pleased. So repeating the cycle of a once heiress of Celestia that failed in her task to retrieve the Pearl of Genesis and believed herself to be the queen of the kingdom of darkness, Dáinsleif was sent there with the intent to erase his memories of any ties he could have to Celestia.

Thus he would have no connection with the divine, nor his actions would suppose betrayal to any— for it is them who betrayed them first, abandoned him to his fortune. Unbeknownst to them, he who they abandoned would be the one to silence the source of all sins in the deepest abyss and undo the wrongs that began with the greatest Usurper, as well as reweaving all threads of fate.

It would all begin in Khaenri'ah, where Dáinsleif has drifted with a mission he recalls no more, and where he would mature his views of the world, limited at the time as they may be. His love for humanity and pursuit to defend them limitless as the Primordial Sea from where all life is born, even if his personal beliefs about the laws set in the kingdom and its deeds may differ drastically from what it would be expected of anyone who arrives to the kingdom established along the roots of Irminsul.

[twilightichor]

𝐗𝐋𝐈. Birth of a thought made manifest in human flesh —Dáinsleif's origins— [revisited].

◜The Winged One's regret or remorse gave birth to a thought, and as he imagined the path that could have been taken, a new soul was born.◞

As a result of the war waged against the Second Who Came, Nibelung and the ensuing chaos with the leaking Forbidden Knowledge that had to be subdued lest the world was plunged into darkness, thus left with no chances for survival, Phanes' functions were ruined and could no longer use their absolute authority to suppress the original order of this world. In combination with his severely wounded state, the Usurper glimpsed into the wrongs of his deeds and the ones bound to come after if he were to be deteriorated further due to the influence of the Forbidden Knowledge, the loathing and resentments of the world or other forces that could take advantage of his weakened state.

He who loved his human creations more than anyone, and He who cursed the gods to come after to love humans saw himself mired in hypocrisy the moment his creations were at disadvantage the most and were kept in the highest regard no longer due to his own decisions' and that of his closest circle, who should follow his will. Thus in a moment of weakness and lucidity, his regret gave birth to a thought— to a what if. What if things were different, what if his initial desire continued without struggling against the vicissitudes and personal agendas, what if he was stronger to not let himself be corrupted to this point of apparent no return.

What if he could undo everything that made his sacred plans evil.

From these last thoughts was Dáinsleif born as a soul, nurtured in a seed in Irminsul's benevolent aura out of its kindness and will for the world to cease fighting against its own natural orders and to diminish the loathing and resentments of the world that the Primordial One has caused. One day of the countless moons this seed basked under the moonlight and Irminsul's might, he was born in the material world in Celestia as a human, a manifestation of the origins never known by others of Phanes' closest circle until divine's eyes fell upon him. Unlike those who dwell the demonic sky, Dáinsleif lacked an alternative name in tune with the rest. Instead, his name was in direct juxtaposition with that of his sister —Asmoday, the heiress of the celestial throne—: Vasariah.

Unrest was among them, yet only muted at the knowledge that they could do with him as they pleased. So repeating the cycle of a once heiress of Celestia that failed in her task to retrieve the Pearl of Genesis and believed herself to be the queen of the kingdom of darkness, Dáinsleif was sent there with the intent to erase his memories of any ties he could have to Celestia.

Thus he would have no connection with the divine, nor his actions would suppose betrayal to any— for it is them who betrayed them first, abandoned him to his fortune. Unbeknownst to them, he who they abandoned would be the one to silence the source of all sins in the deepest abyss and undo the wrongs that began with the greatest Usurper, as well as reweaving all threads of fate.

It would all begin in Khaenri'ah, where Dáinsleif has drifted with a mission he recalls no more, and where he would mature his views of the world, limited at the time as they may be. His love for humanity and pursuit to defend them limitless as the Primordial Sea from where all life is born, even if his personal beliefs about the laws set in the kingdom and its deeds may differ drastically from what it would be expected of anyone who arrives to the kingdom established along the roots of Irminsul. His descent to Khaenri'ah didn't come without suspicious from its denizens, seeing that his pupils are those of a pure-blooded Khaenri'ahn and whose name was never registered before. Thus as a means to keep watch of him and ensure his loyalty to the country, he was given a false identity that with the passing of time would become real and genuine, based on his appearances with one of the current pillars of the kingdom: Vedrfolnir, the Visionary.

[reginrokkr]

𝐗𝐋𝐈𝐈. Despite the lingering mystery behind Dain's lack of corrosion physical-wise as well as his psyche being considerably sound if compared to Eide within less than a century since he was cursed, that is not to say that he isn't affected by the Abyss at all. In 「Requiem of the Echoing Depths」, he talks about how he can feel the curse permeating his entire being, becoming part of him and slowly but surely replacing him. While this is not what I want to address specifically, it's proof enough that despite what he carries (either an object or something more innate, within him) that gives him an immunity to some extent, he can be affected by the Abyss.

Which is the main point of this post, Abyss affliction and how it may alter someone's psyche with deeply-rooted fears as seen in the Natlan Interlude quest. Dain is known for being a down-to-earth and collected man who carries a tranquility in the face of dire situations that may seem unlikely coming from someone afflicted with this. However, while this may be true to some extent, it also serves as a shield to protect himself and the others from him.

✧ When addressing to others, Dain is mostly polite with others (in the JP voice acting which is what I'm using for him, his manner of speech is polite but antiquated in the sense that some of the words he uses, while meant to stay polite and formal, can be taken as him being rude instead due to the evolution of the language to the present) and keeps a healthy distance from the people without being insultingly distant. When he's established a deeper relationship with someone, he addresses them by their given name.

However, when he's been afflicted by the Abyss, despite being a rational individual, an irrational fear to lose said people arises (there can be many reasons for that even during Khaenri'ah, given that he comes from a prominent background and that he's also the Captain of the Black Serpent Knights) and as a result, he distances himself through his manner of speech. The warm tones he would use would grow more neutral and the occasional friendly approach he would have within his politeness and being usually distant to everyone will disappear, thus going back to the moment prior to growing a deeper connection with said individuals.

Post-Cataclysm, this accentuates more and it's more obvious that in moments that call for being together with someone, he would sooner be off on his own and reunite with the same person after they have rested to continue their current pursuit. This isn't without its logic: in keeping himself distant from others, he's protecting others from getting involved in undesirable situations that would be disadvantageous to them more than it'd be to himself due to his special circumstances.

✦ This also affects the physical contact he may have with people, more deeply-rooted post-Cataclysm than before, but still there. As before, an irrational fear that comes from the belief that having spent a prominent amount of time under the abyssal exposure would bring consequences to the other. So if before this fear arises he used to be more on the touchy side (friendly or romantic, it doesn't matter), his touches will be more calculated and if possible, he'll avoid them entirely.

Post-Cataclysm this grows substantially worse, specially when combined with the corruption he's facing for 500 years now. Having half of his body being akin to a monster doesn't help, neither does that his right hand is exactly just that despite his efforts at giving it a semblance of normalcy —mostly by trimming his nails, which tend to an exacerbated sharpening if left unattended for long enough—. Unlike before the Cataclysm where his touches would be more calculated and tense until through the efforts of the other person he realizes that nothing will happen if he continues touching as he did until then, in this time frame he wants to avoid completely physical touch. There is no physical touch unless strictly necessary (like carrying someone, pushing someone out of danger's way, etc.) before and after a deeper relationship is cemented, and for this case, it'll take him a lot of coaxing in order to chase away his hesitance and make him realize that nothing will happen if he does.

In both cases, he's fully aware of how both the curse and corruption work and that none of the aforementioned deeds will harm another. In fact, if he were to be asked for someone else, he would assure them as much. The problem comes when it's about him and, once again, it's nothing but an irrational fear born from the Abyss exacerbating a pre-existent deeply caring and empathetic nature he has.

Lastly, I want to quote something Dain says during Shenhe's miscellany that suits well with this headcanon and his feelings about this, which is a sad reality he has to face:

◜Even I myself do not relish the solitary life I lead.◞

[reginrokkr]

𝐗𝐋𝐈𝐕. Given that Dain addressed this topic in a direct way himself, this is as good of a moment as to revisit and expand on an old headcanon, which is his ability to sleep [or lack of thereof]. Firstly, I will start by saying that in his own transcendence, he's reached to a point where human physiologic necessities don't apply to him since the moment he was cursed by the Heavenly Principles through Ronova and corrupted. However, that isn't to say that he doesn't continue practises like sleeping, if only to keep stubborn to his humanity and also because sleeping should be of help for him to rest and for his mental health... technically.

◜Frankly, I don't believe dream therapy works for everyone. Sometimes, a brief moment of bliss only magnifies the melancholy that follows in its wake. I don't mean to dismiss the strength that people gain from life's fleeting moments of beauty: under normal circumstances, this is the way things ought to be. But my circumstances are far from normal. The things I have seen and that fill my dreams have no place in a normal life. A peaceful night's sleep is now but a vestige of days long gone— a time I can only look back on with longing.◞

— Yumemizuki Mizuki miscellany.

As he himself says, normal circumstances don't apply to him. His words allude to the notion that sleeping peacefully no longer happens and that both his own experiences in combination to the nightmares that plague his mind make sleeping an object of longing. For that reason, it's safe to say that for the past 500 years, he was unable to rest properly through his sleep and that he's better off without sleeping unless he reaches to a point of exhaustion that leaves him with no other choice. Following next, I'll expand on the multifactorial reasons why he's unable to sleep properly, these being: chronic physical pain, nightmares and involuntary visions (from the past and the future).

✦ Chronic physical pain.

It is described explicitly that the Abyss [Marana] precipitates everything to death through various means, one of which being consuming every living being's life force until there is nothing more to claim and they pass away. The same is true in various degrees for the curse of immortality —which degenerates an individual both physically but also mentally—, letting the affected individual experience their own rotting without ever experiencing death because of the curse that impedes them to pass; and the corruption Dain has been experiencing for 500 years —apparently stagnant but not any less corrosive to the mind and body, the latter already half-turned into a monster—. In addition, there is a factor that charactertizes the Abyss which is the magnification of one's senses, leading to disorientation and loss of perception of the reality due to how strongly the negative feelings are expanded.

Moreover, Dain's case has another layer of complexity that adds to the physical pain he endures, which is the existence of two energies coexisting within him: Aether and Void [Abyss]. These have their separate effects on their own, the latter being obviously toxic to everything. However, there is the additional layer that makes the two of them be mutually virulent: one being lethal to the other and being the most vulnerable to the other all the same. Be it because of his connection to Irminsul —which is clearly opposing in force with the Abyss due to its purifying and curative aspects—, the power from beyond he's achieved —which seems to negate the Abyss—, a combination of both or even something else, Dain counts with an energy within him that is in direct contradiction with the Abyss. Its will to attack it causes an inner strife to his immune system that is beyond painful, as well as its weakness to it causes further damage than that.

✧ Nightmares.

Like it was previously mentioned, the Abyss doesn't only affect one's physical health but the mental one as well. It takes every negative emotion, trauma, fears, etc. and magnifies them limitlessly. Furthermore, the Abyss in itself is an entity that is terrifying and it's in constant evolution of learning how to attack in order to subjugate everything under its might. Dain himself, who had a family that in his eyes had betrayed him (Vedrfolnir) and who once had a homeland that he's lost given that he was powerless to do anything to stop its own destruction as well as the divine intervention that followed as a result of part of its citizens' transgressions (his brother's included) has a deep-rooted trauma followed by feelings such as survivor's guilt or self-deprecation followed by a psychogenic amnesia [ x, x ] as a result of these. It is also of great importance to mention that he feels the curse slowly replacing his very being.

✦ Involuntary visions —past and future—.

Albeit a most coveted one, the weight of knowledge is one that not everyone can bear nor hope to stay sane in full. Due to his connection to Irminsul, Dain has access to events that had already happened in Teyvat and to foresee what is bound to happen in the future, given that Irminsul itself is the Tree of Time. This knowledge he gains continuously challenges and destroys the grounds of what he believed the world to be. Some truths can be pills hard to swallow, many of them shocking by themselves until they're properly processed and understood. What's more, Dain has a perspective of the world like none other, enough to understand that in order to defy it a power from beyond is needed and have the strength to push himself to search it from outside the fabricated sky. It's no exaggeration to say that Dain has reached a level of enlightenment that very few have at the present, and that comes with a heavy weight.

It's important to note that despite the fact that these factors determine Dain's lack of sleep until he finds himself in circumstances under which he has no other choice but do so, he has a fortitude of mind that has nothing to envy the others'. He's been living with this for over 500 years and despite the negatives he has to live with, to this day he still managed to keep his humanity and sanity to the point of not succumbing to what would've been a kinder outcome for himself. Whether this is fed by his will of revenge to his brother and the other Sinners, his sense of justice for the world against the gods or something else, it's of little importance.

Lastly, just like the balance of the odds in which he won't sleep or sleeping is a manner of suffering to him is inclined towards the negative more than the positive, there are instances in which he can experience the best outcome he can hope of sleeping: neutrality. He doesn't need it to be particularly blissful, as that would only make him drown in the magnified melancholy thereafter, but at least devoid of nightmares. In the moments when he's on his own and he knows he needs to rest somewhere, he will go to places where Irminsul's emanations are present —Sacred Sakura, Kala Kapatcir's tree, Weeping Willow are a few examples— or Irminsul directly, as he knows that the purifying traits will give him some manner of respite that he can't find elsewhere (other places like the inverted fountain from the Nameless City in the depths of the Chasm count too).

A rarer chance for him to get a good sleep is in the company of someone who he deeply trusts and cherishes, regardless if it's platonic or romantic. Initially it'll be hard, as this doesn't erase the fact that he won't struggle with the physical pain and the rupture of reality with what he feels due to the Abyss nefarious effects over him, but with time he can grow to a point of getting used to it, of forcing himself to convince his shattered mind that being touched by that person doesn't hurt like the Abyss within him wants him to believe. That in combination with the knowledge that for once he can hide himself from the world and the gods, from himself and his self-imposed duty despite his painful awareness that he's subjecting himself to things he doesn't want for himself becomes a moment equally as precious as basking under the holy Irminsul's glow as he slumbers.

[reginrokkr]

𝐗𝐋𝐈𝐈𝐈. Since the Primordial One descended upon Teyvat and subjugated its rightful sovereigns, the world has experimented changes against its will by their hand in order to fashion it to their liking. In turn, its will alongside the resentments and hatred of the world rejected it, one of the mains reasons for doing so was the dangers its very existence and everything that would come after could pose to the star's safety. The aura it brought with itself, contrary to the Axis Mundi.

Just like the Void opposes Ether and it can impose its will over it, so can Ether in reverse. Just like the Abyss has access to the information of the entire world, so do Ley Lines have access to every corner including the fabricated island of the sky and act accordingly. Thus before the one who came after the Usurper King created the gnoses to suppress the original order of this world, Irminsul copied the Primordial One's creation gift to create one of its own that would be intimately tied with its creator. Taking advantage that the order of angels that were created by the God King had access to the Ley Lines and had a distinct tie to the still three existing moons, so, Irminsul, created an angel in the likeliness of the first humans that inhabited a forest established by its own roots, their appearance a reflection of the moons. The angel's purpose would become that of undoing everything that Phanes did and ultimately silencing the night terrors they brought with them.

[reginrokkr]

𝐗𝐋𝐈. Birth of a thought made manifest in human flesh —Dáinsleif's origins— [revisited].

◜The Winged One's regret or remorse gave birth to a thought, and as he imagined the path that could have been taken, a new soul was born.◞

As a result of the war waged against the Second Who Came, Nibelung and the ensuing chaos with the leaking Forbidden Knowledge that had to be subdued lest the world was plunged into darkness, thus left with no chances for survival, Phanes' functions were ruined and could no longer use their absolute authority to suppress the original order of this world. In combination with his severely wounded state, the Usurper glimpsed into the wrongs of his deeds and the ones bound to come after if he were to be deteriorated further due to the influence of the Forbidden Knowledge, the loathing and resentments of the world or other forces that could take advantage of his weakened state.

He who loved his human creations more than anyone, and He who cursed the gods to come after to love humans saw himself mired in hypocrisy the moment his creations were at disadvantage the most and were kept in the highest regard no longer due to his own decisions' and that of his closest circle, who should follow his will. Thus in a moment of weakness and lucidity, his regret gave birth to a thought— to a what if. What if things were different, what if his initial desire continued without struggling against the vicissitudes and personal agendas, what if he was stronger to not let himself be corrupted to this point of apparent no return.

What if he could undo everything that made his sacred plans evil.

From these last thoughts was Dáinsleif born as a soul, nurtured in a seed in Irminsul's benevolent aura out of its kindness and will for the world to cease fighting against its own natural orders and to diminish the loathing and resentments of the world that the Primordial One has caused. One day of the countless moons this seed basked under the moonlight and Irminsul's might, he was born in the material world in Celestia as a human, a manifestation of the origins never known by others of Phanes' closest circle until divine's eyes fell upon him. Unlike those who dwell the demonic sky, Dáinsleif lacked an alternative name in tune with the rest. Instead, his name was in direct juxtaposition with that of his sister —Asmoday, the heiress of the celestial throne—: Vasariah.

Unrest was among them, yet only muted at the knowledge that they could do with him as they pleased. So repeating the cycle of a once heiress of Celestia that failed in her task to retrieve the Pearl of Genesis and believed herself to be the queen of the kingdom of darkness, Dáinsleif was sent there with the intent to erase his memories of any ties he could have to Celestia.

Thus he would have no connection with the divine, nor his actions would suppose betrayal to any— for it is them who betrayed them first, abandoned him to his fortune. Unbeknownst to them, he who they abandoned would be the one to silence the source of all sins in the deepest abyss and undo the wrongs that began with the greatest Usurper, as well as reweaving all threads of fate.

It would all begin in Khaenri'ah, where Dáinsleif has drifted with a mission he recalls no more, and where he would mature his views of the world, limited at the time as they may be. His love for humanity and pursuit to defend them limitless as the Primordial Sea from where all life is born, even if his personal beliefs about the laws set in the kingdom and its deeds may differ drastically from what it would be expected of anyone who arrives to the kingdom established along the roots of Irminsul. His descent to Khaenri'ah didn't come without suspicious from its denizens, seeing that his pupils are those of a pure-blooded Khaenri'ahn and whose name was never registered before. Thus as a means to keep watch of him and ensure his loyalty to the country, he was given a false identity that with the passing of time would become real and genuine, based on his appearances with one of the current pillars of the kingdom: Vedrfolnir, the Visionary.

[reginrokkr]

𝐗𝐋. Bough Keeper's domain over Ley Lines: telepathic communication.

Following the same principle as explained in the previous headcanon where I touched onto Dain's sensitivity to Ley Lines and sentience of its energies, as well as his intimate connection to Irminsul, he's capable of performing telepathic communication with the person of choice wherever they are, as Ley Lines cover every inch of Teyvat on a bigger or lesser degree. Places where are the most irrigated with them will allow him to establish a clearer communication, whereas if the opposite were to happen or if a Ley Line disorder were to take place in the location where the person of choice currently is, it will not be as clear.

In order for this to happen, there must also be a connection between him and the person of choice. This connection could be mere acquaintance with one another, but it must've been extended enough for Dain to have a perception of their soul in order for him to reach out to them. Moreover, if said person has on them one of Dain's possessions (the simplest in the form of an inteyvat of lyratum flower, more complex forms may be possibly such as customized gifts as a symbol of trust at least), that becomes another factor of making the communication via telepathy easier to manifest, as well as to be clear.

[reginrokkr]

𝐗𝐗𝐗𝐈𝐗. Multi-layered sentience of the Twilight Sword —echoes of the spirits—.

In 「Beyond the Smoke and Mirrors」 and 「The Rainbow Destined to Burn」, we learn about a new manner of sentience that wasn't shown as explicitly in the past thus far, the closest to it being always attributed to higher beings of the likeness of gods, yokai and adepti. This way to feel is due to the individual's capability of peering into another's soul, which allows them to determine if what they say or show through their body language and temperament matches with the state of their soul. It's a method that can be described as subjective at best, given that there is no objective way to calculate it; and most importantly yet, a mystical way limited to a select few depending on their own circumstances in life and how far their sentience goes via acquired senses and / or abilities.

This is one kind of sentience that Dáinsleif has acquired since a very long time ago, starting with his intimate connection with Irminsul —whose roots carry the souls of Teyvat among other elements—. Everything begins with a natural sentience for the different energies that exist around him, starting from the elements created by the Primordial One through the gnoses by taking as a starting point the Phlogiston, or the already existing raw elements of the Realm of Light that run through the Ley Lines in order to sustain the world. Another energy that he has gotten used to feel due to the location where most of his life has transpired before the Cataclysm is that of the Abyss and lastly, the energy he has grown to feel the most as if he reminisced it since he was born was the aetherial energy from within the Ley Lines and Irminsul, the same energy of which souls are composed of (later would come the acquaintance of the divine energy as a separate kind of power during the Cataclysm and after, due to the influence the gods have over Teyvat but also because the curse he was forced to coexist with is of divine nature). This sentience is clearly manifested at the end of 「Requiem of the Echoing Depths」, right after the disappearance of Halfdan's soul before his very eyes when he claims that ◜because in this place [the Chasm] exist more than two strange energies, it is not rare to see souls under these circumstances◞, not only demonstrating that he had previous experiences with the sight of souls, but going ahead and warning Aether to be careful if he decided to proceed.

During his long journey across Teyvat and through the experiences he had in various episodes where he helps alleviate crude situations in different places, Dáinsleif crosses paths in numerous occasions with other souls. Tsurumi Island is such example, in which he helped restore the Ley Lines to their adequate condition due to the ongoing disorder that was present due to Kanna Kapatcir's rage. As a result of releasing the souls from an unending cycle of events that happened in the past, these manifested themselves in the open for however long it took the ferryman to guide them back to where they belong. Enkanomiya serves as another example, where he had ample time to acquaint himself with its story and have a bigger picture of the world at large through multiple conversations he had with the called Sinshades during the Evernight cycle.

Basking in the presence of multiple souls allowed him to strengthen his senses in order to feel what they feel, as many of those souls lacked a more visual form that would permit him to see something as telling as facial expressions. This caused him to have a similar sentience of living beings' souls in the form of echoes, given that they're limited within the confines of their corporeal bodies still. So his sensitivity towards the Ley Lines and every small change they experience in combination with his sentience for the souls due to his acute perception of energies and a deep understanding of the workings of Irminsul allow him to sense echoes of other people's souls, allowing him to determine feelings that may be concealed behind contradicting words and actions.

[reginrokkr]

𝐗𝐗𝐗𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈. Vestiges of a quincentennial corruption —signs / symptoms and therapy—.

It is known that corruption makes its way to any creature's being via exposure to the Abyss no matter how brief it may be, its nature of precipitating everything to death permeating their body with symptoms of varying degrees and lengths depending on how swift the pursuit of a cure is.

Signs and symptomatology.

Among the symptoms connected to corruption, the affected individual may experience: warping one's senses, thus reality. It is known that the void energy magnifies one's negative traits and expands them tenfold (someone's sadness can be more than it really is, someone's paranoia will be fed with more reasons to keep it going that are actually nonexistent but in their mind they are existent); visions, dreams and thoughts of those who passed manifested through voices heard by those with a higher sentience to this type of energy; deception of the viewer's sights by presenting an idyllic atmosphere and location that in reality could have them walk in hell without them knowing unless they awaken that awareness in them; organ compromise leading to a faster failure of the same under the exposure of elemental concentration.

When combined with the curse of immortality, one of its prevalent symptoms is the degradation of the individual's physical body through numbness and loss of any skill that requires his body with the passages of time.

Other signs and symptoms not directly attributed to corruption (but equally to the Abyss in a higher or lesser degree) have different ways of manifestation depending if it's:

→ Via direct contact to an external agent like the Tatarigami: the beginning of symptoms starts with overall weakness and dizziness and nose bleeding. Nightmares that give the sign of a bad omen are also part of the symptomatology. As the chaos goes untreated, the host experiences strong headaches, rashes on the skin blood coughs and more frequent nightmares. All these effects are particularly intense when night falls. Lastly, during the last phases of the sickness, hosts experience gruesome hallucinations and they’re able to listen to fallen gods’ whispers until they fall to madness. Failure to treat any of the symptomatology in time can lead to death.

→ Via Delusions: it stands to reason that in order to create weapons of this caliber by using chaos, the amount of chaos infused in these weapons is controlled and aimed for its wielder’s longer lifespan depending on how strong/resistant they are. As such, the symptomatology may be gentler but in essence it will also lead to its host’s death. Given that chaos is all about life consuming, it saps away from people’s vitality which in turn causes an ageing acceleration with the issues that ageing entails. Additionally, chaos feeds more from negative feelings which includes wrath that makes it harder to get out of the vicious cycle Delusion wielders entered. Hosts may experience weakness and coughing alongside side effects byproduct of the deterioration that comes with the fast ageing until they reach their death.

Depending on certain requirements, being touched by the Abyss leads to three conditions said individual may experience: premature death, transcendence (abandoning one's own flesh to become a transcendent being, an abyssal monster) or, in the best of cases, the need to keep oneself on check in order to not aggravate the already existing symptoms.

Therapy.

Human intervention from those who are knowledgeable in the medical field proves to be effective in muting the symptomatology of the corruption if not much time passes between the abyssal exposure and the treatment. Nevertheless, this is a palliative remedy at best: the organs of those who have been touched by corruption are already compromised.

Other methods that are exceedingly harder to be within human reach have proven to hold a higher effectivity in their healing or even purification exist. 1) Ley Lines themselves, due to being carriers of the seven elements that sustain the world (among other elements) and thus extensions of Irminsul, which also holds purification and healing capabilities, count as one of them. The fact that Natlan's weaker Ley Line system caused the same nation to take a bigger grunt because of the Abyss in comparison to other nations suggests their effectiveness in keeping the void at bay. 2) Traveler's purification and lastly, 3) the celestial nails are also known for being effective, too.

Dáinsleif.

In Dain's particular case, the clearest sign he has of corruption is that half of his body has turned black. Furthermore, his continuous exposition to the Abyss in his pursuit to frustrate the Abyss Order's plans —and by extension, his own brother's— in combination to the curse of immortality (potentially of abyssal connection too, despite being inflicted by a god) is enough reason for him to have multiple symptoms.

Lastly, Dain is known for being both corrupted and cursed, which might result in a higher chance at being affected by the aforementioned described symptoms more. Another reason to this cause is his connection to Irminsul for two reasons: 1) aether and void (abyss) when interacting are mutually toxic— given that both of them coexist in Dain's body, there is no denial that they may interact. And 2) the elements and the abyss repel each other, causing yet another negative effect).

Despite being highly susceptible to be in a really bad shape due to the abyssal influence within him, the reality is that he doesn't suffer much from these thanks to his connection to Irminsul. While contradictory all the same due to the toxicity that the interactions between the elements, aether and abyss may bring, he doesn't suffer from physical degradation and his corruption has been at an impasse for the past 500 years.

However, that doesn't mean that he can be careless with emotions running out of control or in his confrontations against the Abyss Order. And while his own symptoms may not be too bad, they are always present. Predominantly, they tend to flare up in moments of emotional vulnerability or if he lingers too much in places that have abyssal presence.

[reginrokkr]

𝐗𝐗𝐗𝐕𝐈𝐈. Birth of a thought made manifest in human flesh —Dáinsleif's origins—.

◜The Winged One's regret or remorse gave birth to a thought, and as he imagined the path that could have been taken, a new soul was born.◞

As a result of the war waged against the Second Who Came, Nibelung and the ensuing chaos with the leaking Forbidden Knowledge that had to be subdued lest the world was plunged into darkness, thus left with no chances for survival, Phanes' functions were ruined and could no longer use their absolute authority to suppress the original order of this world. In combination with his severely wounded state, the Usurper glimpsed into the wrongs of his deeds and the ones bound to come after if he were to be deteriorated further due to the influence of the Forbidden Knowledge, the loathing and resentments of the world or other forces that could take advantage of his weakened state.

He who loved his human creations more than anyone, and He who cursed the gods to come after to love humans saw himself mired in hypocrisy the moment his creations were at disadvantage the most and were kept in the highest regard no longer due to his own decisions' and that of his closest circle, who should follow his will. Thus in a moment of weakness and lucidity, his regret gave birth to a thought— to a what if. What if things were different, what if his initial desire continued without struggling against the vicissitudes and personal agendas, what if he was stronger to not let himself be corrupted to this point of apparent no return.

What if he could undo everything that made his sacred plans evil.

From these last thoughts was Dáinsleif born as a soul, nurtured in a seed in Irminsul's benevolent aura out of its kindness and will for the world to cease fighting against its own natural orders and to diminish the loathing and resentments of the world that the Primordial One has caused. One day of the countless moons this seed basked under the moonlight and Irminsul's might, he was born in the material world in Celestia as a human, a manifestation of the origins never known by others of Phanes' closest circle until divine's eyes fell upon him. Unrest was among them, yet only muted at the knowledge that they could do with him as they pleased. So repeating the cycle of a once heiress of Celestia that failed in her task to retrieve the Pearl of Genesis and believed herself to be the queen of the kingdom of darkness, Dáinsleif was sent there with the intent to erase his memories of any ties he could have to Celestia.

Thus he would have no connection with the divine, nor his actions would suppose betrayal to any— for it is them who betrayed them first, abandoned him to his fortune. Unbeknownst to them, he who they abandoned would be the one to silence the source of all sins in the deepest abyss and undo the wrongs that began with the greatest Usurper, as well as reweaving all threads of fate.

It would all begin in Khaenri'ah, where Dáinsleif has drifted with a mission he recalls no more, and where he would mature his views of the world, limited at the time as they may be. His love for humanity and pursuit to defend them limitless as the Primordial Sea from where all life is born, even if his personal beliefs about the laws set in the kingdom and its deeds may differ drastically from what it would be expected of anyone who arrives to the kingdom established along the roots of Irminsul.