#( there's a lot of crossover in their personalities but zhong is *much* more chill )

[daybreakrising]

HEADCANONS - Z.HONGLI VS M.ORAX

this is an important one bc i do feel like i need to stress that the man who answers to z.hongli is not the same as the one who answers to m.orax & if you ask for the wrong one... well, you may be in for a surprise and it may not be a welcome one-

TWO SIDES

z.hongli & m.orax are SEPARATE personalities. they share many similarities, yes, but one is very much a persona that has been adopted to suit a different kind of existence than the other. there are times when z.hongli will "shift" into m.orax (and this is very noticeable) but, for the most part, that side of him is kept well buried unless it is... required.

if one expects m.orax to be the same kindly, warm gentleman that z.hongli is, then they would be sorely mistaken. whilst the archon is capable of such, there is a cold-bloodedness to his demeanour that sharpens both his tongue and his gaze. this is a being far less welcoming, far less forgiving, and his mercy is hard won.

both the mortal guise and the archon share a great love for the people of l.iyue, but it is a love expressed in different ways. for z.hongli, he basks in their company, delights in sharing knowledge, wisdom, and experiences with them. he dines with them, drinks with them. he is fond of these mortals, the way an elder is fond of the children in his family.

for m.orax, his love is of a more distant nature. he watches from afar, keeps them safe from the threats that creep in from the shadows. he is brutal in his defence of the people, merciless in his vengeance upon those who would cause harm to those within his borders. he views himself as entirely separate to them, not one of them in the way z.hongli has made himself to be.

they share a vessel, but they are not the same. where z.hongli feels some remorse for the things he has done, m.orax feels none.

THE USE OF A NAME

before we touch on this further, it is incredibly important to note that only those who are aware that z.hongli is the geo archon should be able to refer to him directly as m.orax. i will not budge on this. and, depending on context and character, calling z.hongli by that name may not garner the result you want.

so - who can use the name m.orax?

friends - of the old variety, typically. those who knew him primarily as m.orax, those who fought at his side, those who have worked with him to build l.iyue and protect its people. newer friends who have learned this information may use the name, though there is little reason to, and he generally prefers to go by z.hongli in his current state.

fellow gods or sovereigns - this one is a no-brainer. he had several names and titles as an archon, and m.orax was one of the predominant ones. therefore, it makes sense for fellow gods, sovereigns, or similar ancient and/or powerful beings/authorities (including any reborn into new vessels) to call him by this name.

the adepti. again, this one is obvious. they fought for him, with him. whether they call him by m.orax or rex lapis, that's their choice.

established dynamics in which z.hongli has entrusted them with this information. though, similar to the 'newer friends' rule, he generally prefers to go by z.hongli. these dynamics can include familial-esque bonds, deeper friendships or partnerships, and romantic relationships.

anyone who witnessed or suffered in the archon war that doesn't fall into any of the above categories.

anyone who discovers this information from an outside source (e.g. the f.atui). though, in this instance, calling him m.orax to his face is not a good idea as he will view this as a threat/challenge until proven otherwise. and this must have a reasonable and believable explanation for how the character learned this information. this is a well-kept secret and not something just anyone can learn.

as stated above, depending on the context and who is using the name, calling z.hongli "m.orax" in his current timeline verse is a risky move. if said fondly by an old friend, it is likely to earn a gentle smile. if uttered by an old enemy, it might invoke sadness and memory, or a cold detachment. if spoken by someone who should not know it as his name... well, that's when it gets dangerous. there will be instant suspicion, a deliberate shift into his m.orax persona until he can determine if this is a potential threat or not. tread carefully - this is someone who once sealed his enemies beneath the ground to rot. he's not above taking extreme measures.

and i stress this because if you ask for m.orax for a character that should not know z.hongli = m.orax, you will get m.orax. and i can guarantee it won't be what you were hoping for.