#BLESS AVEL FOR TELLING ME

[iliv3db1tches]

i jumped and began to fall... (it's the closest i'll get to flying)

Genshin Impact | One-Shot

Tags: Traveler not specified (can be interpreted as either Aether or Lumine). They/Them pronouns for Traveler. Selectively Mute Traveler.

(A/N: heyo! new writer new user yada yada. never wrote and posted something publicly before, but i saw this on tiktok and wanted to give it a shot. BTW! i literally just started genshin impact so there is a very high chance this one-shot has incorrect information. other than that, enjoy!)

Prompt: "we all know the infamous xiao saves the traveler scene,, but let me raise you: the traveler, in the heat of the moment, gained back their wings."

idea credit: @upandupandupandupand (tiktok account)

SPOILERS!! (Act III: A New Star Approaches)

Complete. Having all the necessary or appropriate parts.

Make (something) whole or perfect.

(They were missing many. They were broken. Flawed. Tired. So damn tired.)

They could feel something in the air, something that promised a life-altering change.

Yet it went ignored as the Traveler turned to see Keqing strike down the last of the Fatui. Long ago they knew not to dismiss such instincts, as they were crucial to survival and disregarding them led to consequences. But as they looked up at Moon Carver, who began to speak, the blond(e) knew it had to wait. (They didn't notice the buzz increase underneath their skin, nor the sudden ache in their back.)

Fiery golden eyes watched as the adepti fired a powerful beam of gold at Osial. On contact, a massive explosion quickly turned into smoke, obscuring their view of the god. Yet even as the blond(e) hoped, they knew deep down, there was a slim chance it worked.

Their silent judge had been correct, as everyone watched three more heads of the unharmed beast rose out the water. A glass-shattering roar shook the air, making the Traveler tense in anticipation. Next to them, Paimon cheered and pointed out the attack working, thinking victory was already belong to the Qixing and adepti. But the blond(e) knew, there wasn't enough time.

Before they could fire another shot, everyone watched as the ancient god began charging up it's own attack. It quickly merged into a giant blue beam that shot into the stormy sky, disappearing into the gray clouds.

To their left, they heard Keqing let out a small gasp, at the same time big falling beams of blue came straight out of the sky.

While the Millelith and the adepti moved and ran away from the incoming danger, the Traveler remained unmoving. Stiller than stone as they watched those spheres plummeted right at them.

It reminded them of…home.

Of rare nights when two siblings would sit under the night sky and watch bright ball of gas and light fly across the midnight-colored heavens. When they wanted to rest after a week of endless travel, yet couldn't sleep just yet.

Of the stories their twin would tell stories how those stars were new celestials on their way to begin their lives. How they were born the same, all those eons ago, just like those stars.

"𑁋aveler! TRAVELER!"

Blinking, honey-colored optics refocused onto their traveling companion, whose purple eyes were wide and terrified, tears streaming down her face as she frantically tugged on their scarf. She almost seemed to sag in relief when the Traveler focused on her, and immediately started yelling again.

"Paimon and Traveler need to move! NOW!"

As if to emphasize her point, a beam stuck the platform, shaking everyone on it. Regaining their bearings, the blond(e) grabbed their guide/companion and sprinted for the Jade Chamber. Fortunately, they still had the blessings from the three adepti, they made it onto the airborne structure just in time as the floor shattered.

They let go of Paimon, who clung to their clothing and shook slightly. Gently patting their companion's head, they turned to everyone else𑁋

Just in time to see a blue beam hit Xiao, who had protected the other three adepti and some of the Qixing, as they returned to the aircraft, on the head.

Time seemed to slow down, as everyone watched the Adeptus fall back and off the edge of the Jade Chamber, and plummet into the raging sea below.

Millenias ago, before the wars and current civilizations, a pair of reckless "children" loved to dance with danger. Running along steep cliffs or going into caves where great and powerful creatures rest. That day was no different, except for the lightning storm.

Others would find shelter and stay inside until the storm passes, passing the time by sitting in front a fire, read, do some hobbies, or even just sleep the time away. Then once it was back to clear skies, they would go out and resume their daily duties.

The twins, however, weren't like 'others' and played it safe. Instead, they raced through the dark clouds and avoid the bright lightning. Due to being literally inside the storm, the boom of thunder followed immediately after every bolt. But the two were undeterred, laughing as they flew around the peril.

Their wings, unique and ethereal just like the rest of them, allowed them to skirt around like butterflies. To leave the ground go beyond the heavens, and move at speeds no creature could match.

One of the twins had gained the upper hand and got ahead, turning to shoot a grin at the other. They received a challenging smirk, before it quickly turned to horror. As their name was about to leave their tongue, a flash of white struck followed by a bang of thunder.

Blinking, the blond(e) shook their head, then panicked when they didn't see their sibling. They spun around, gold eyes searching around them, before looking down. There, semi-conscious and plummeting down faster than a stone.

Moving before they could think, they immediately let their wings disappear in a small puff of gold sparkles and dove. They called out their siblings name, only to lack both a verbal and physical response.

Emerging from the dark gray cloudy skies, the conscious twin felt saw the ocean rapidly approaching below. Summoning a burst of elemental assistance, they managed to catch up and grab their twin's hand, and re-summoned their wings.

Using all their strength, they pulled back away from the rushing waves. Running on pure adrenaline at the moment, they quickly slung their stunned sibling's arm over their shoulder and held them securely, before quickly shooting off to return to land.

(Later, when they found shelter in a small cave on the cliffside, protect from the storm, they found their sibling wasn't majorly injured. More like getting hit on the temple with a small rock and temporarily being paralyzed.

When their sibling woke up, slightly dazed, they received a hug before a pinch on their side and a quick scolding. All in return, they got a sheepish smile.)

This time was different though. This time, it wasn't two rash twins flying in a storm. This time, it was a bird without wings trying to save another. But they weren't going to let that stop them, not when they could do something.

As they got closer, the buzzing beneath their skin grew, along with the ache in their back. With every passing moment, both falling individuals got closer to the wild deep blue as the wind howled in their ears. It kept reminding the Traveler more and more of that day, to the point of instead of seeing Xiao, they saw their barely-conscious sibling.

Gritting their teeth, they used a burst of Anemo to get closer, grabbing one of the unconscious Adeptus' hands. Once they made contact, memories of a long-gone past replayed in their mind.

Memories of their twin's bright, blinding smile.

Memories of joyous laughter as the raced through the sky.

Memories of the awe when they came across a new world.

Memories of fighting alongside their twin, golden blurs of light in battle.

Memories of watching the day fade into night, after traveling for hours upon hours. Of just enjoying the peaceful silence with their twin.

The buzz turned into a sharp tremor, and the ache became a blinding burn. Before their vision was engulfed by brilliant gleam, they swore they heard their name whispered among the wind by an oh-so missed voice.

'…Sib?'

Back on the Jade Chamber, where the adepti protected everyone else from Osial's attacks, a half-adeptus walked over to Ningguang, worry etched in her features as she asked. "Has there been any sign them?"

The Tianquan shook her head, then was cut off by Cloud Retainer's call.

"Everyone, get back!"

Anymore barely had time to move when something shot up in front of the air, and a strong force of air pushed them all slightly back. Ningguang raised her arms to protect her face, grimacing slightly. When the wind stopped picking at her, she looked up, only to have the air leave her lungs.

Hovering a few feet above them, with an thin semi-transparent outline of gold, was the Traveler. In their arms, the Adeptus that had gotten hit earlier, was held gently against their chest.

But that's not what everyone was focusing on.

From their back, a beautiful pair of wings hovered on their back. Six "feathers" seemingly carved of ivory silk cloth emitted their own shine, all six telekinetically held together with a golden base. Though, there were small red-black square-like tears, and the edges were stained black.

A pressure suddenly felt like was put on her chest, like a weight trying to make it difficult to breathe. It only increased as the Traveler lowered themselves onto the Jade Chamber, paying no heed to the eyes that were on them. They walked a good several feet away from the edge before they gently laid the unconscious adepti on the ground. Golden eyes making sure he wasn't majorly injured before they rose back up, which seemed to break the spell.

A blur of white dashed past them all and crashed into the blond(e)'s chest. Paimon, the Traveler's companion, started babbling something about worrying her, for being stupid and reckless. She didn't stop until she felt the person she was scolding began to lean forward. The little fairy (or whatever she was) pulled back, onto to let out a small "eep!" as the Traveler collapsed forward.

Paimon moved forward as if to check on them, but paused as she watched the Traveler's wing turn into golden particles and fell to the ground like tiny stars. Once they fully disappeared into the atmosphere, Keqing ran over to help. The Yuheng asked if they could stand, to which earned a small nod, and helped them back up. One they were on their feet again (albeit staggering slightly), everyone was suddenly reminded of the current issue by Osial's loud roar.

Despite her questions, Ningguang pushed her questions to the side and focused on the present. Yet, even as she sacrificed her greatest life's work to sink the Overlord of the Vortex, and came to an agreement with the adepti, she couldn't stop her eyes from wandering to the blond(e). She couldn't help but wonder: who exactly is the Traveler?

She did know, however, that they were much, much more powerful than any of them thought.

[qrowcapn-blog]

     guys theres a suga

[caveartfair]

How Painting Helped a Wrongfully Convicted Man Get out of Prison

Fulton Leroy Washington, Deteriorating. Courtesy of the artist.

Still from the documentary Mr. Wash, 2018. Photo by Sean Mattison. Courtesy of WeTransfer.

When Fulton Leroy Washington, also known as Mr. Wash, began serving a life sentence in prison in the late 1990s for a crime he did not commit, he started drawing. Doodles and sketches led to striking figurative paintings. Art helped him get through 21 years behind bars—in California, Colorado, Missouri, and Kansas—and eventually, to clemency.

Washington’s story is now the subject of an affecting new documentary short, Mr. Wash. Co-directed by writer Marisa Aveling and filmmaker Sean Mattison, and supported by WeTransfer, the film touches upon larger issues of mass incarceration and prison reform, while honing in on Washington’s personal experience—and, in Mattison’s words, “creative expression and its redemptive power.”

The camera follows Washington in his native city of Compton, California, as he cannily reflects with family and friends on his art and his time in prison. He began serving time in 1997 after being wrongfully convicted of three nonviolent drug offenses (allegations against him claimed that he had purchased chemicals for making PCP). Mandatory minimum sentencing laws led a judge to deliver a life sentence, due to three prior nonviolent convictions.

“Sadly, Wash’s circumstances aren’t that extraordinary, but what makes him really special is his artistic talent,” said Aveling, who first met Washington while writing a February 2017 article on the individuals whom President Obama had granted clemency. “I don’t know whether Wash would say that art help to liberate him,” she continued, “but in a way, it kind of did. It helped him escape the physical confines of prison, and also, what his art did for his fellow inmates is pretty significant.”

Washington’s fellow inmates were the first to notice his artistic talent: He’d draw on postcards and envelopes that they’d send to their families. His first attorney, Karen Smith, also noticed, and asked him to draw from memory a witness who could corroborate his innocence. The resulting sketch was so accurate, his legal team was able to find the person, who was brought to trial in 1997.

While it didn’t ultimately help his case, the experience was enlightening. “From that day on, I continued to draw little sketches and tried to share my art, and teach other people to do it, as well,” Washington recently told Artsy. Through prayer, he explained, he’d surmised that this was God’s plan—that he should pursue art, teach it, and share it with inmates and their families. Washington was also convinced that it was art that would get him out of prison.

Fulton Leroy Washington, Emancipation Proclamation, 2014. Courtesy of the artist.

Without any prior lessons or training (he was a welder and worked in construction before being incarcerated), Washington signed up to work in the prison’s hobby room, so he could try painting. “They’d give you space outside of your cell where you could get away from everybody and just sit there and paint, make ceramics, get some yarn and knit—they have a room full of guys knitting hats and scarves and gloves,” he recalled. He ordered paints and brushes from a catalog of pre-approved supplies, and worked from instructional painting videos.

Other inmates watched as Washington became more and more deft with a brush. He took to creating slick portraits of his peers, including scenes inspired by the paths that led them to prison. He accepted commissions, painting from photographs or based on verbal descriptions. “I pride myself on the ability to take whatever’s in your imagination and turn that into reality in a painting,” he said.

Washington would also paint complex narrative pieces based on news and current events, as well as developments in his own case: Every time he was on trial, he’d make a painting to illustrate it. And as his own talent flourished, he also taught fellow inmates to paint.

Still from the documentary Mr. Wash. Photo by Sean Mattison. Courtesy of WeTransfer.

Given the limiting size of the hobby room, Washington had to convince prison staff to dedicate another space to painting classes. He learned as much as he could from videos—how to mix colors; how to render landscapes, water, animals—then shared the techniques and exercises with others. His job assignment was to keep the room clean. Washington spent most his time there, managing to paint up to five or six hours per day.

The nascent artist became prolific, creating between 50 and 75 works every year on average; he says he stopped counting after 900. In 2014, he made perhaps his most consequential painting, titled Emancipation Proclamation. Modeled after the 1864 Francis Bicknell Carpenter painting entitled First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln, Washington painted a scene in which President Obama was granting him clemency. Where Lincoln was in the original, he had placed Obama; where there had once been generals, he inserted government officials like then-vice president Joe Biden and attorneys general Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch. Washington also integrated his own lawyers and family members into the composition. The vision, he said, came to him through prayer. “I just saw it as a way of telling the story about my effort and what I was going through trying to get out of prison,” he explained.

Fulton Leroy Washington, Mondaine's Market. Courtesy of WeTransfer.

Fulton Leroy Washington , Rolls Royce Tears. Courtesy of the artist

But it was also prescient. He’d created Emancipation Proclamation after applying for clemency. When the piece was finished, his legal team sent a photograph of the painting to White House counsel Neil Eggleston. Later, Washington learned that President Obama would be commuting his sentence in May 2016. That June, he moved out of prison and into a halfway house.

When documentarians Aveling and Mattison caught up with Washington to begin filming, he was staging his first solo show in Los Angeles and celebrating the occasion with family. But, Mattison noted, the artist is still feeling the injustices of his wrongful conviction; Washington is in the midst of trying to officially prove his innocence, and is angling for a settlement, as well. He’s also still required to report to a probation officer. “When people get their sentences commuted, they can’t just go back to life as usual,” Mattison said.

These days, Washington has to juggle the daily grind of paying rent and insurance, buying groceries, doing laundry, and changing car tires. He looks forward to having the time and headspace again to paint regularly.

Fulton Leroy Washington, Compassionate Release, 2013. Courtesy of the artist.

“It’s strange—in prison, you had none of these obstructions. You just get up, go to your job assignment, clean that area, sit down, paint,” he said. “Whereas now, I don’t have the freedom of mind to get up in the morning and just start painting. I’m still trying to adjust to that.”

“I feel that God has blessed me; that he has delivered on his word; that through faith, patience, and hard work, you’ll inherit what you deserve—I believe in that,” Washington reflected. “A lot of times I wanted to stop. I wanted to do what everyone else was doing [in prison]—like watching TV or getting into a bodybuilding program. But I had to help inmates and their families, to create a bridge with art, to try to hold those families together.”

from Artsy News