#Melody has a moon-themed lyre

[abookishdreamer]

Worldbuilding: The Neighborhoods of New Olympus!

The neighborhoods/district that make up this fantastical populous city of New Olympus has the aesthetic & is heavily inspired by more than a few deities in the Olympian Pantheon.

The list of neighborhoods/districts are as followed:

Hearthwood- it's inspired by Hestia (goddess of the hearth). Nicknamed "The 'Burbs," this neighborhood is quaint and relaxing with serene woodlands, parks, schools specifically catered to home economics, & affordable homes, cottages, apartments, and brownstones. Many of the hearth goddess' nationwide businesses are here. If you're in the mood for a hot homestyle meal (The Hearthside Diner), to taste a sweet baked treat (Hollyhock's Bakery), to glaze a bowl (Sparkling Ember), or to partake in a coffee drink (The Roasted Bean). With its low crime rate, this neighborhood is all around the perfect place to raise a family. An ivory statue of Hestia holding the torch of her eternal flame is here.

Chant du Cygne- it's inspired by Aphrodite (goddess of love & beauty). This neighborhood has an intimate and distinct Parisian flair with bistros, french themed restaurants, boulangeries, & patisseries. There's also clothing boutiques and shops as well as hair salons, nail salons, make-up studios, & a school for cosmetology. Lover's Beach is here- with bright teal waters & glittering peach pink colored sand. There's also an adult nude beach. The goddess' strip club (The Sweet Spot) & nightclub (Dove) is also here. Some street food includes chocolate covered strawberries on a stick & mini poached pears with a honey glaze! Many statues of the beautiful goddess are located here- like the ivory & gold one of her rising from the sea, wearing a seashell bikini.

Queenstown- it's inspired by Queen Hera (goddess of women, marriage, childbirth, & family). Much like the Queen, this neighborhood is very chic, fashionable, and sophisticated. Pricy condos, houses, mansions, brownstones, and townhouses are here as well as many upscale clothing stores & boutiques (like her fashion brand Luxuria) and bridal shops. The office to obtain a marriage license is also here. Many of the Queen's nationwide businesses like her spa (Tranquil Lily) & her modern and upscale nightclub (Lapis Room) is also here. There are many statues of the Queen, including an Imperial Gold structure depicting some of her symbols- like her royal crown & lotus tipped staff.

Lunar- it's inspired by Artemis (goddess of the hunt & moon). Many of its businesses (like hunting apparel stores) are open 24 hours a day. There's a small motel called the Nocturnal Inn as well as the goddess' amusement park (LunarWorld theme park). There's a gigantic statue of a full moon (built out of moonstone) here.

Solar- it's inspired by Apollo (god of the sun, music, archery, poetry...). The music themed amusement park (Lyreland theme park) is here as well as dance studios, music shops, karaoke bars, performing art schools for kids & young adults, pharmacies, doctor offices, and urgent care facilities. Some of the god's nationwide businesses like his record company (Right Note Records), tanning salon (Gold Rays), & nightclub (The Melody Lounge) are also here. Many statues of him are here, including one built out of gold & ivory, which depicts him holding his iconic lyre.

Tsunami- it's inspired by Poseidon (god of the sea & earthquakes). This neighborhood has an aquatic aesthetic & it includes many seafood restaurants- like The Crab Shack, The Oyster Garden, The Pearl Harvest, and The Waterfront Avenue. There's also sushi bars, massage parlors, indoor pools, aquariums, his nightclub (Tidal), his strip club (Atlantia), his casino (Deep Trench), & the biggest water park (Wild Water Typhoon).

Shadowstone- it's the smallest and least populated neighborhood in New Olympus, inspired by Hades (god of the dead). It's mostly filled with apartment buildings, The Moirai's tailor shop, a few smoke shops, & funeral homes. There's one singular statue (built out of platinum) which depicts his bident.

Arcadia Heights- It's Inspired by the messenger god Hermes. On the corner of Mercury Road, there's the largest Airopolis store (his sneaker brand). This neighborhood holds the city's largest bank (The Bank of Olympus) & the headquarters of the OPD- Olympius Delivery Service. His nationwide businesses like his casino (Caduceus Palace), his amusement park (Talaria Themepark), and his gym (Fit to be a God).

Skyline- this neighborhood is inspired by Zeus (god of the sky, thunder, & lightning). It's very high end, expensive, and first class- only the wealthy can afford to live here. The average price tag for a mansion here is about five million drachmas. Towering sleek skylines, opulent mansions, high end apartment buildings (like Bolt Towers) decorate this neighborhood, including several of the King's establishments- like eateries (Olympic Chef- fast food, high end restaurant- The Crown), casino (Zenith), hotels (The Grand Eaglepoint), amusement park (Firebolt), & nightclub (Ethereal).

Little Athens- this neighborhood is obviously inspired by Athena (goddess of wisdom) & her patron state of Athens. The aesthetic is complete with Greek revival-style mansions, brownstones, townhouses, condos, museums, libraries (Olive Branch), bookstores (The Silver Owl), as well as being the location of the second largest military base in the country.

Little Sparta- this neighborhood is inspired by Ares (god of war). There are many activities to enjoy here like sword fighting, checking out the local gun range, checking out the bar (The Crushed Skull), and getting some ink at the tattoo studio (Blood & Ink). The annual gyro eating contest is held here as well as the Tough n' Buff Pageant (a bodybuilding competition).

Forgia- this neighborhood is inspired by Hephaestus (god of the forge). There's a similar aquatic aesthetic like the Tsunami district. His themed amusement park (Ember Kingdom) is here. The headquarters for his tech company (iCHOR Tech) is located here in addition to automaton toy shops, Aitnaios beach, tech repair shops, & his restaurant- The Bronzestreet Kitchen.

Mania- this neighborhood is inspired by Dionysus (god of wine). New Olympus' most popular nightclub (The Void) is located here as well as his strip club (Delirium). There's bars, jewelry stores, restaurants, liquor stores, & brothels.

[yostresswritinggirl]

Lullaby for the Gods

You have two options

"Stories brought on to the wind will bloom into legends in due time; An ancient tale comes whisked into the wind; In time it will grow and sprout once again." The Weaver and Nurturer of Tales, how they came to be and how they have gone.

Pairings -> Venti x God of Time (Ambiguous, Can be Reader)

Word Count -> 1976

Themes -> SCENARIOS, Background, Timeline, It's sad kinda

Series -> #Bonafide specials (100 followers event) Special slot from a special someone : not sure if they want to be tagged

Warnings -> This is my interpretation on the God of Time based on the Sacrificial Weapons Series. And since the prompt only mentions Venti, I won't focus much on their relationship with Decarabian.

Winds of the North are migrating through the crown of the continent once again. The clouds and breezes shift at the peak of day and the grass, the trees, the flowers they all sway. This was the first encounter, as one of the threads of the thousand migrating winds that is Venti, he had always been fascinated by the strong gales that covers a vast land beyond his reach. The city of Mondstadt protected by raging winds far stronger than he.

"Come now, little guy, are you not straying from your stream?" Such beaded eyes of the little sprite detaches from the crown of the North, with its giggles accompanies a sound reminiscent of bells as he nuzzles at the outstretched hand, fair and smooth. A finger consoles his little cheek as the God of Time echoes his snicker. As the sprite settles on their hand, they both spare a minute to watch the God of Storm's dominion. And then they turn to guide Venti back to his current, to his family of winds.

And the little sprite will not witness them until the second cycle of wind passes the cold land of Mondstadt.

So when the time came, several weeks after, Venti once again strays from the winds to venture to his own current. Where are the satin robes that flows with the breeze, that witnesses the rage of another God? The sprite follows tinkling of tin carried by the thousand winds, harmonizing to produce a soft and sleepy melody that lulls those to sleep.

In a distant island he finds himself upon a huge sundial atop a mostly quiet temple. And there stood again the God of Time, with a distant look over the ocean horizon, eyes clouded yet sparkling from the stars that bounced from the surface of the water. Their skin never frails nor wrinkles, hair lustrous and thick, yet their eyes carry a thousand yard stare of shrouded sadness.

"Little wind..." the sprite nuzzles against the cheek of the God, vibrating in worry as he urges them to smile. And they did, even if did not reach their eyes. "You've strayed again, your achon is far from here," cradling the elf to their neck, they turn away from the horizon to the west.

Yet when they urge him to go back, he stubbornly stays.

A stubborn wind playing around the wielder of Time itself. His courage was admirable, and he is lucky that this God is benevolent to his advances.

So they entertain Venti, and the wind begins his stories. Tales of those he'd witnessed when the wind ventures through the continent; and in every word he spills the God of Time is attentive, for when his accounts finally come to their end, Time puts into their memory for keeping. You weave the tales and I treasure them for that is my duty, they spoke with melancholy.

Decarabian is a God that loves his people more than others would know, more than the people would know. And he is also a lonely God. Perhaps it is this distance and disconnection from the world and his people that had made him naive to what he has forced upon his subjects.

The first prayer was heard beyond the wall of storms, only befalling to the ears of the God of Time and the wind spirit who were enjoying a leisurely stroll through the frozen land Andrius had covered in his territory. A man's woe for salvation of the city beyond the gales first reaches the God.

Yet they are unmoving and silent as they watch from afar the Gunnhildr.

But the wind spirit was not that, he was curious and as always he is carried away to his own feat. So without warning he strays from Time and listens to the crying one ever so patiently, and there he receives a glimpse of power that shall manifest one day to greater good.

God of Time offers a smile in the forests where they hid. But only that. For despite being the God of Time, they are solely there to protect its flow. To maintain balance and what should be.

There is nothing they can do to help the people of Mond.

"Little wind." The moniker carried a hard edge of worry unlike the other instances it was used. "The land of Decarabian is... treacherous and suffocating. You are but a tiny wind against his storms." Yet they knew such words will not remove the resolve in the tiny spirit. "Come back to me in one piece, alright? Remember your tales."

Venti softly bumped his hooded head to the God's cheek in reassurance, before he too disappears past the walls of gale front.

And so the God of Time can only do nothing but stand in wait. Like they had always been. Like they had always done. For Decarabian then, for Venti now.

"Bring forth the freedom we all desire."

Many of those that dwell the King of the North's cold wasteland once talked of an ethereal being of satin and silk, of flowing sands, that which overlooked the land of the storms with a somber look. Perhaps it was the waiting and the hoping, but many felt great semblance with the deity. Of the longing look for a distant freedom.

"Little wind," immediately after was a chorus of laughter at the irony brought upon by habits. Venti, now Barbatos with his great wings loom over the God of Time, hands outstretched to feel upon their smooth hands. "I always knew there was more to you."

"My muse," he tastes the new name with his newfound voice, and with his there was a chorus of angelic echoes. "There are festivities upon us, for the city of Mond trapped that was. The people had prepared a grand temple, for just us two Gods it is already ample."

Yet the God of Time smiled only with their lips at the mention of a shrine. You told them about me, they mused as the archon carried them both with the wind where the temple by the east cliff resides.

Give yourself some credit, the new Anemo Archon responds in light banter.

But the God of Time does not.

And so days of reenactments and performances were all that they were driwned upon. For daily, between the peak of the moon and the glimpses of the sun, devoted subjects would appease to the two Gods of Mondstadt through retelling and theatrics of their hard-earned journey to freedom.

Although they cannot glimpse upon the forms of the deities, the light giggles reminiscent of bells that comes from amusement and the flow of draping satin are enough reassurance that their important audience still lingers and listens to their offerings.

This dwelling became their place of rendezvous. And whenever the amphitheater was not crowded by devotees, a lyre plays with a melodic voice, weaving tales of Mondstadt's anew. The God of Time would be there to treasure every story that is weaved, but their subjects remember such moments in a different light: the strum of the strings and the lilt of Barbatos carries with it a hint of serenades.

It seems as tho the faceless God enjoys the Anemo Archon's tales the most.

Whenever it is the Gunnhildr's clan that performs their tale of courage in honor of defending Mondstadt, life and freedom, Barbatos' happiness was the most extraordinaire. The winds breeze by to caress everyone with comfort.

The Imunlaukr receives praise from the God of Time when they are the one on stage. Of courage and bravery, with their desire to not only protect the city of Mond but to appease the Gods, time slows when they follow their script. As if honored by time to stay and linger for the amusement.

And finally, the Lawrence clan holds with them a different reaction, for when their time has come it is quiet. Other clans would comment that perhaps the Gods do not favor their performance but they continued regardless, and they carry with them the essence of wisdom and strength, from the frozen lands to the new city. And only after they perform are they graced by the softest winds and the kisses of youngness that they carry with them even after.

This clan's performance sings with expertly woven symphonies and journeys of hardships through the cold, not harsh but comforting, soft melodies and that of longing. During their performance unbeknownst to their eyes is when the wind embraces the passage of time, where it is in its calmest moments, cradled between his arms and resting against his chest.

The bloodline of the Lawrence always ends the rituals for the morning, for the God of Time had finally found themself free from the shackles of the storms, peacefully resting in the arms of freedom. And it is in these moments that the people appreciate the lessened harshness of time.

Time is harsh and unrelenting, and should always be moving.

The God of Time protects time, nurtures time, and urges time. No force or law shall break the equilibrium of time nor tip its balance. And this unbreakable rule applies to them.

For this reason they ask one day, to the Anemo Archon, why they praise Time. What do they expect from time. And there Barbatos finally sees the burden of a thousand years, of the constraints of that whom is held down by prayers, held down by incapability.

Time only knows harshness. And they cried to the winds without restraints, for not once will they be able to gift the people that so desperately long for their blessings.

And for once, the wind was silent.

For once, the winds... understands the insanity of being one with time. A force made to be unmoved and unrelenting, to be shackled to a single tale when you are burdened with the pleas of many others.

Time is harsh, because they are meant to be.

So when the Anemo Archon finally desired rest and detachment to procure the essence of freedom, they too felt the chance to finally breathe. "Can you set up my awakening five hundred years from now?" Venti laid his head upon the lap of Time, teal eyes and smile somber yet gentle and reassuring. "Preferably at the peak of Ludi Harpastum, if you would allow." An hour glass manifests next to him, allowing his wish.

"When you wake, I will be here," they mumbled as the archon lets his eyelids rest, feeling a soft kiss to his forehead that lulls him to sleep.

"Tell me the tales like a balladeer." And he slumbers away the years.

"When I came to be, the Lawrence ruled over Mondstadt, governing with the most disgusting aristocracy. It was only right that they lost the blessings of thy winds, after all it is only for those who fought to be free," Venti sighed with pure disappointment, "Honestly."

"What happened to your Time friend, then? Did they tell you what happened during your sleep?"

The windborne bard looks at Paimon with a wide yet steeled gaze so daunting it made her squeak and hide behind the traveler. Who silently watches as Venti once again sighed and resigned to strumming his lyre.

"They're gone." No rhyme, no smiles, no cryptics.

Barbatos sought out the help of the winds of Teyvat to tell tale on the dwellings of the God of Time yet came out empty handed. And his only salvation, the oldest of the Seven, can only shake his head as he too does not know of the whereabouts of the God.

The fragments of time lingers in cursed windswept ballads and stories. And as the years go by, all worshipers and records had forgotten about the deity.

They only sing praise to the wind shrine now.

Now who shall nurture the stories brought by the winds?

I seem to have a knack for hurting Venti.

@creation-magician @boxofteenageideas @zelos-simp @ellitx @your-local-venti-simp @indigodreamtime47

[dfroza]

Today’s reading from the ancient book of Proverbs and book of Psalms

for September 8 of 2021 with Proverbs 8 and Psalm 8, accompanied by Psalm 81 for the 81st day of Astronomical Summer and Psalm 101 for day 251 of the year (now with the consummate book of 150 Psalms in its 2nd revolution this year)

[Proverbs 8]

[Wisdom Calling]

Can’t you hear the voice of Wisdom?

From the top of the mountains of influence

she speaks into the gateways of the glorious city.

At the place where pathways merge,

at the entrance of every portal,

there she stands, ready to impart understanding,

shouting aloud to all who enter,

preaching her sermon to those who will listen.

“I’m calling to you, sons of Adam,

yes, and to you daughters as well.

Listen to me and you will be prudent and wise.

For even the foolish and feeble can receive an understanding heart

that will change their inner being.

The meaning of my words will release within you revelation

for you to reign in life.

My lyrics will empower you to live by what is right.

For everything I say is unquestionably true,

and I refuse to endure the lies of lawlessness—

my words will never lead you astray.

All the declarations of my mouth can be trusted;

they contain no twisted logic or perversion of the truth.

All my words are clear and straightforward to everyone

who possesses spiritual understanding.

If you have an open mind, you will receive revelation-knowledge.

My wise correction is more valuable than silver or gold.

The finest gold is nothing compared to the revelation-knowledge

I can impart.”

Wisdom is so priceless that it exceeds the value of any jewel.

Nothing you could wish for can equal her.

“For I am Wisdom, and I am shrewd and intelligent.

I have at my disposal living-understanding

to devise a plan for your life.

Wisdom pours into you

when you begin to hate every form of evil in your life,

for that’s what worship and fearing God is all about.

Then you will discover

that your pompous pride and perverse speech

are the very ways of wickedness that I hate!”

[The Power of Wisdom]

“You will find true success when you find me,

for I have insight into wise plans that are designed just for you.

I hold in my hands living-understanding, courage, and strength.

I empower kings to reign and rulers to make laws that are just.

I empower princes to rise and take dominion,

and generous ones to govern the earth.

I will show my love to those who passionately love me.

For they will search and search continually until they find me.

Unending wealth and glory

come to those who discover where I dwell.

The riches of righteousness and a long, satisfying life

will be given to them.

What I impart has greater worth than gold and treasure,

and the increase I bring benefits more than a windfall of income.

I lead you into the ways of righteousness

to discover the paths of true justice.

Those who love me gain great wealth and a glorious inheritance,

and I will fill their lives with treasures.”

[Wisdom in the Beginning]

“In the beginning I was there,

for God possessed me even before he created the universe.

From eternity past I was set in place,

before the world began.

I was anointed from the beginning.

Before the oceans depths were poured out,

and before there were any glorious fountains

overflowing with water,

I was there, dancing!

Even before one mountain had been sculpted

or one hill raised up,

I was already there, dancing!

When he created the earth, the fields,

even the first atom of dust,

I was already there.

When he hung the tapestry of the heavens

and stretched out the horizon of the earth,

when the clouds and skies were set in place

and the subterranean fountains began to flow strong,

I was already there.

When he set in place the pillars of the earth

and spoke the decrees of the seas,

commanding the waves

so that they wouldn’t overstep their boundaries,

I was there, close to the Creator’s side as his master artist.

Daily he was filled with delight in me

as I playfully rejoiced before him.

I laughed and played,

so happy with what he had made,

while finding my delight in the children of men.”

[Wisdom Worth Waiting For]

“So listen, my sons and daughters, to everything I tell you,

for nothing will bring you more joy than following my ways.

Listen to my counsel,

for my instruction will enlighten you.

You’ll be wise not to ignore it.

If you wait at wisdom’s doorway,

longing to hear a word for every day,

joy will break forth within you as you listen for what I’ll say.

For the fountain of life pours into you every time that you find me,

and this is the secret of growing in the delight

and the favor of the Lord.

But those who stumble and miss me will be sorry they did!

For ignoring what I have to say will bring harm to your own soul.

Those who hate me are simply flirting with death!”

The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 8 (The Passion Translation)

[Psalm 8]

For the worship leader. A song of David accompanied by the harp.

O Eternal, our Lord,

Your majestic name is heard throughout the earth;

Your magnificent glory shines far above the skies.

From the mouths and souls of infants and toddlers, the most innocent,

You have decreed power to stop Your adversaries

and quash those who seek revenge.

When I gaze to the skies and meditate on Your creation—

on the moon, stars, and all You have made,

I can’t help but wonder why You care about mortals—

sons and daughters of men—

specks of dust floating about the cosmos.

But You placed the son of man just beneath God

and honored him like royalty, crowning him with glory and honor.

You ordained him to govern the works of Your hands,

to nurture the offspring of Your divine imagination;

You placed everything on earth beneath his feet:

All kinds of domesticated animals,

even the wild animals in the fields and forests,

The birds of the sky and the fish of the sea,

all the multitudes of living things that travel the currents of the oceans.

O Eternal, our Lord,

Your majestic name is heard throughout the earth.

The Book of Psalms, Poem 8 (The Voice)

[Psalm 81]

For the worship leader. A song of Asaph accompanied by the harp.

Sing with joy to God, our strength, our fortress.

Raise your voices to the True God of Jacob.

Sing and strike up a melody;

sound the tambourine,

strum the sweet lyre and the harp.

Blow the trumpet to announce the new moon,

the full moon, the day of our feast.

For this is prescribed for Israel,

a rule ordained by the True God of Jacob.

A precept established by God in Joseph

during His journey in Egypt.

I hear it said in a language foreign to me:

“I removed the burden from your shoulders;

I removed heavy baskets from your hands.

You cried out to Me, I heard your distress, and I delivered you;

I answered you from the secret place, where clouds of thunder roll.

I tested you at the waters of Meribah.

[pause]

“O My people, hear Me; I will rebuke you.

Israel, Israel! If you would only listen to Me.

Do not surround yourselves with other gods

or bow down to strange gods.

I am the Eternal, your True God.

I liberated you from slavery, led you out from the land of Egypt.

If you open your mouth wide, I will fill it.

“But My own people did not hear My voice!

Israel refused to obey Me.

So I freed them to follow their hard hearts,

to do what they thought was best.

If only My people would hear My voice

and Israel would follow My direction!

Then I would not hesitate to humble their enemies

and defeat their opposition Myself.

Those who hate the Eternal will cower in His presence, pretending to submit;

they secretly loathe Him, yet their doom is forever.

But you—I will feed you the best wheat

and satisfy you with honey out of the rock.”

The Book of Psalms, Poem 81 (The Voice)

[Psalm 101]

Integrity

David’s poetic praise

Lord, I will sing about your faithful love for me.

My song of praise will have your justice as its theme.

I’m trying my best to walk in the way of integrity,

especially in my own home.

But I need your help!

I’m wondering, Lord, when will you appear?

I refuse to gaze on that which is vulgar.

I despise works of evil people

and anything that moves my heart away from you.

I will not let evil hold me in its grip.

Every perverse and crooked way I have put away from my heart,

for I will have nothing to do with the deeds of darkness.

I will silence those who secretly want to slander my friends,

and I will not tolerate the proud and arrogant.

My innermost circle will only be those

who I know are pure and godly.

They will be the only ones I allow to minister to me.

There’s no room in my home for hypocrites,

for I can’t stand chronic liars who flatter and deceive.

At each and every sunrise I will awake to do what’s right

and put to silence those who love wickedness,

freeing God’s people from their evil grip.

I will do all of this because of my great love for you!

The Book of Psalms, Poem 101 (The Passion Translation)