#and how come they're willing to believe V would [spoiler]

[waitingforsecretsouls]

Traumerei wasn't just being bitter or referring to a comparative lack of skill from said "loser" Towerborn followers when he said this. We know that administrator tests are reserved for Irregulars and that those were the only kind of tests to exist back when the Great Warriors were climbing the Tower. So the only reason they could have had "Regular" companions on their climb would have been by the GW's asking for them to be allowed to take part in the administrator tests as well. Meaning the only reason they got to climb the Tower would have been quite literally due to the GW's interceding on their behalf.

(All of these are from Tower of God #59)

Which makes the as of yet nebulous but brutal backlash they got for closing the "gate" decidedly less "Zahard and co. taking away the Towerborns freedom and choice so of course they lashed out" and more "GW's decided they were calling quits so the people they were allowing to tag along (and likely hard - carried there) threw a violent tantrum" (Not to mention the way it revealed the superficiality of their adoration, lasting only for as long as the GW's acted as they wanted them to).

To me at least, whom I can acknowledge as likely to be less charitable towards these people than someone whose favourite characters do not include Zahard and Traumerei.

However, given how clear the story has been on the whole "climbing the Tower corrupts a person" theme, I'm decidedly less enarmoured with the primary argument characters in-universe and the fandom bring forth against how sealing the 135th floor was not only the wrong choice but also somehow inherently morally abhorrent that amounts to "keeping the climb going is paramount! For...reasons!" ('Bc that used to be their goal?' Well, they clearly received some form of new information that changed their minds and was likely part of what was decried as "falsehoods" by Arlen. Fair to disagree with, but not to the point of immediate violence against former comrades. From what (admittedly very little, but clearly traumatic) we got, it doesn't seem like there was any kind of debate but rather immediate violent lashing out against the very news. Given that it's one of Thee formative incidents in the GW's (or at least Traumerei's) growing dissassociation from Towerborn and, more importantly, doubling down on their choice to keep the gate sealed, I also think it's intended that they were the sympathetic party in it, who were truly unjustly wronged). Nevermind the fact that we don't even know why the GW's decided to seal off the floor.

So while I can certainly understand and symphatize with e.g. Amizu's declaration that she deserves to know the truth about the matter, I disagree with the perspective that the GW's deprived the Towerborn of their god - given right to climb floors, when it's the very opposite. If it wasn't for the GW's, said people wouldn't ever even have gotten close to said "gate", much less learned of its existence, so when they then lash out at being "deprived" of it against the very people that got them to this point, it's not a good look. I can perhaps understand a sense of betrayal over this seemingly sudden change of course, but immediately back - stabbing them? And we know it was sudden and a seeming shock, not the escalation of previous discontent and disagreements that were communicated. "The people who worshipped us like gods while we climbed the Tower suddenly turned against us once they found out that we closed the gate."

We also basically know that these people (the ones who "bombarded [them] with curses and committed the most beastly atrocities") were the the ones who joined with Arlen and V in proto - F.U.G., going by what Amizu is saying in response :"I don't forgive them for that they did...But ultimately I belong with them because we share the same goal. That's why I first agreed to join you all" as she's leaving to join Arlen and V (Joined the Zahard faction bc she couldn't forgive them, but ultimately shares the same goal with them and now leaves to join them. Highly unlikely that these people wouldn't be part of the V and Arlene faction and just some nebulous third thing when the one thing we know about them is that they wanted the gate not closed, which just so happens to be proto - F.U.G.'s goal as well). Which feeds into the perceived plausibility of an upcoming plot - point and the way it was accepted very neatly as well.

(I also disagree with the arguments that what they climbed was only a small part of the Tower or of a multitude of further floors waiting above, since it would be very weird to me from a narrative standpoint? I think it's likely that the 135th floor is either the last one, or already the way "out" to the top. Otherwise, why the huge fuss about this floor specifically, not to mention the huge amount of story leading up (and not even anywhere close) to reaching it? The HUGE and central plotlines surrounding its key? It seems far likelier that they did truly "finish" climbing the Tower, as Traumerei said, and anything further would no longer be climbing further floors but exiting the Tower, one way or another)

[miraiq]

Tingyun's canon-divergence/lore/verses:

How I intend to write her before the in-game events, during in-game events, and after. Spoilers, obviously, so I'll put it under a readmore just in case!

Some info is pulled from the Honkai Star Rail wiki, and in-game descriptions/character stories.

Italicized words is what has been pulled from official sources, if not then it is my own input.

General Information:

Gender: Cis Female

Species: Foxian / semi-long-life species (Average life expectancy is 300-400 years)

Sexual Orientation: BiSexual

Romantic Orientation: DemiRomantic

Height: Estimated 5'4" ft / 152~ cm

Visual Appearance Age: Estimated 25

Actual Age: Estimated 150-250, so let's go middle ground and say 200~

[source 1] [source 2] [source 3]

( v; before the storm. )

Takes place prior to the in-game events-- aka: before the Astral Express crew shows up on the Xianzhou Luofu.

[source]

Tinygun is just a typical happy, helpful, caring, and hard working foxian. She's known for striving for expansion and larger merchant venues and goods to help boost trade and economic functions(not that is it bad or declining, just wishes to help it grow). Has a high sense of morals and believes everyone deserves a second chance if they're willing to put in the effort. As long as you follow regulations and don't try to scheme your way through life or use underhanded tactics to achieve your goals, she is willing to aide however she can. Very attentive and cautious, always wishing for a compromise or discussion over any sort of violence.

She is an Ambassador and Head Representative of the Whistling Flames, a merchant guild officially approved by the Sky-Faring Commission.

Tingyun was always different from the others.

Foxians are synonymous with the quick and the agile. Their lightning-fast reflexes and keen senses have resulted in this, and it also makes for cheeky, playful juvenile Foxians. But Tingyun? This pointy-eared girl always looks fluffy and soft. Not only does she not vigorously pull on others' fur when meeting someone, she herself remains calm even if someone pulls on her fur. With an innocent smile and her sweet voice, she would even urge the other person to stop...

Most merchants carry weapons in self-defense while traveling, but Tingyun is an exception — she refuses to equip any weapons that do not conform to her style, such as blades, lances, swords, and halberds, which are strong but ungraceful. And she considers booby-traps like darts and needles to be too toxic and disgraceful.

Yukong has already planned on handing over the future of the Sky-Fairing Commission to Tingyun, but Tingyun doesn't know if she's truly qualified to take it on.

Tingyun will get the occasional migraine, hearing a voice on rare occasions but disregards it, thinking its just hallucinations due to overworking or being overly stressed. As the Stellaron Crisis progresses, the voice will make an appearance more often, and the longer the crisis goes on for, the louder and more frequent it shows up. Once again, Tingyun will ignore it thinking it's simply her being worried about the Luofu and the inhabitants as the presence of Mara grows more rampant and comes more common place.

She always one who tried to plan for worse case scenarios.. even asked by someone who had witnessed her burning seemingly unimportant pieces of paper one too many times why Tingyun was doing so, or more, what she was burning. She responded with: "Every time I head out, I leave a letter behind and lock it in the drawers of my shop. If I come back, then I'll burn it later. If I don't... then it'll be something for others to remember me by."

( v; welcome benefactors. )

Takes place during in-game events-- aka: the Astral Express Crew shows up on the Xianzhou Luofu.

[source]

The voice is so loud she can hardly hear anything else besides it. Her head feels so full and as if something is constantly putting pressure on it, trying to weight it down as if to put her to the floor. Tingyun had been told about a rogue craft entering the Loufu airspace, and the alarming quantity of Mara-stuck surrounding the Cloudford. She takes a few Cloud Knights that she often has accompany her on more dangerous tasks, and heads to the area. She vaguely remembers the two most directly under her wing asking her if she felt alright, or asking for orders, or a plan, but she does not remember the responses she gave. Tingyun hears some unfamiliar voices, as as soon as she spots three individuals who she assumes are outworlders, all she can see is a bright purple and yellow light. The only thing she recognizes after this point is the feeling of her neck in extreme pain, the air escaping her lungs, and her body crashing to the ground.

Tinygun is taken over completely by Phantylia the moment her eyes spot the Astra Express crew. She is not present or in any way conscious during the entire trip the crew makes to the Xianzhou Luofu. All of "Tingyun's" actions and dialogue is Plantylia. Tingyun does not exist.

( v; gift of a second chance. )

Takes place after the in-game events-- aka: the Astral Express completes their mission in regards to the Stellaron Crisis and heads off to their next planet.

The name of the verse is a slight play on "gift of abundance"-- and will make sense by the end.

[source]

Tingyun had in fact passed away.. but only for a while. One of Tingyun's close Cloud Knight guards/companions had managed to get a hold of her body before the fight broke out after Plantylia revealed themself. Her body remained uninhabited and unresponsive for about five days. No one was able to come to terms with the loss, and postponed giving "the Returning"(the Starskiff sendoff) for Tingyun.. and they're glad they did. No one is quite sure how, but Tingyun woke.

No one is sure if it was the Ambrosial Arbor, the gift from the Aeon of Abundance, that took pity on the poor foxian, or if they simply wanted to right a wrong-- or if it was the fact that her body had been hosting a Lord Ravenger, one tainted with the blessing of Abundance, for an unknown amount of time that some of it's powers had lingered, granting the woman a sort of rebirth-- but Tinygun had to returned to them. Disoriented and confused, exhausted, and in mild pain, but alive non-the-less.

When asked if what the last thing she can remember was, she truthfully tells them that the last thing she can recall was standing in Cloudford and seeing three outworlders for but a moment before suddenly jumping to this very moment. Everyone seems hesitant to tell her the details, but with all of their reactions and questioning, she understands that it was most likely something bad, or something they didn't think she should know of. Tingyun is unsure which is worse, being left in blissful ignorance, or having knowledge of your unknown and unwilling wrong-doings. She decides to not make those around her choose, and doesn't press the matter, not wanting to upset anyone.. or herself.

Tingyun's life span gets extended due to the "gift of abundance" influence, giving her another 100-200 years more than the typical foxian life expectancy.

Tingyun does not know who March 7th, Dan Heng, the Trailblazer, or Welt are. She only vaguely recognizes Imbibitor Lunae, but more as a come-to-life legend, one only seen in history books and stories of Dan Feng's crimes.

When Tingyun aids in battle, she can now provide a buff as well as SLIGHT healing. Though not very good at it, or able to control it well, she can mend small injuries.

[source]

I mostly base the fact that Tingyun was under control/not just a puppet that can be replaced(example like Herta's multiple puppets)/not out in the universe somewhere waiting to be saved purely on the scene of Plantylia revealing themself. At the very end of the neck snap, as she starts to collapse, you can see briefly the way life drains from her eyes. We see something extremely similar to the Trailblazer back on Jarilo VI when they were impaled before gaining the blessing of Preservation.

But Tingyun my beloved deserves better so here we are. I honestly love having a main character truly be killed of/having bad consequences for a story/sad things occur. Not everything has to be a happy ending. But, I wanna write her so---

If you read this entire fanfic post to the end--- THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I spent almost 2 hours putting this together just on this post, not including the couple other hours spent looking at lore and other information regarding the aeons and any crumbs I could get of Tingyun.