#au: innamorata‚ nursery of worldseed

[canonical-transformation]

things I do not under any circumstances need: more AU ideas

things that my brain held me hostage until I typed up:

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Nursery of Worldseed

"When there is nothing left to burn, the embers will turn cold. Only the inescapable long night will remain. The morning that follows, the springtime thaw: this is yours to steward. Love the world where I no longer can, ████; see it to fruition."

— Baba-Dekabrya, Tsaritsa of Everloving Peace, whispered to ██████ ████ ████████ days before the latter ███████ select █████ ██ ███████ ████ ████████

◆ Name: Innamorata

◆ Title: The Flower

◆ Nursery of Worldseed

◆ ???: Dendro

◆ Constellation: Ashvatta Diapausis

A rainstorm recently flooded a basement beneath Zapolyarny Palace. Among the many records lost was the contract drawn up between Her Majesty and her Sixth Harbinger. So badly was the contract damaged, it's impossible to tell whether it is centuries old or merely months. All that is left is an addendum, signed in blood, attesting that both parties were very satisfied by the deal.

Innamorata operates behind the scenes in Teyvat, pruning and shearing, nudging mortal innovation and inquiry away from topics that might draw unwanted attention from certain "people in high places".

Put no stock in the rumours that the Tsaritsa and the Flower are as close mother and daughter. To those who know Her Majesty — an unsmiling clown, a bard with aeons-ringed eyes — such an idea is risible. Her Majesty has long since had no love left to give. Any affection she shows the Sixth is a self-soothing denial of this truth.

Innamorata, too, is playing along with this harmless dream. Whatever she is missing, she knows it's gone for good.

Character Story 1

Those who compile dossiers on Fatui Harbingers may devote reams of paper to speculation on Damselette's heritage or Tartaglia's powers. Yet on the subject of Innamorata, there is little to say. Her name is added to intelligence briefings as an afterthought, a perfunctory inclusion.

This is not a sign of disrespect, nor to suggest that the Sixth is insignificant. There's simply not that much to say.

A joint report from Liyuean and Fontainian security services might read like this:

Title: Innamorata, 6th Fatui Harbinger

Aliases: The Flower, Il Fiora, ████, the Gardener of Sumeru, Bough Trimmer

Vision, Delusion, etc.: Nothing of note.

Age: Unknown, but appears of ordinary age.

Height: 0.1–100'

Weight: unknown

Physical description: Female human with unremarkable pinnae.

Skin tone: See previous.

Hair: Light coloured. Hue and colour distribution are unremarkable. Often worn up in a typical manner.

Eyes: Unremarkable.

Other notes (appearance): Eloquence and bearing unexceptional for someone of her age.

Known activities:

- Fatui counterintelligence, responsible for many of the Harbingers' security measures.

- Monitors various technological and research centres, including the Fontaine Research Institute, the Eight Trades, [...].

- Suspected of manipulation and sabotage of the above.

- Influencing foreign and domestic policy within Sumeru.

History: Recruited by the Fatui some time after the Cataclysm and some time before the first draft of this report was completed.

Allegiance: Like most Harbingers, her personal loyalty to the Fatui and Snezhnaya is ambiguous. Neutral attitude towards Fontaine, Inazuma, Liyue, Mondstadt, and Natlan. Not much else to say.

Motivation: Unremarkable.

Known capabilities: Unremarkable; however, unremarkable. Command of various elements unremarkable, and combined with her unremarkable intelligence, her theoretical power is potentially unremarkable. Rumours of omniscience are unsubstantiated and may be her own propoganda.

Known casualties: Nobody of note.

Known weaknesses: None.

Overall threat assessment: Inconclusive.

(with kudos to @dandelion-wings for the "meme" format)

(EDIT: The rest of this was published!)

[canonical-transformation]

Sandrone couldn't quite place the voice, but it sounded familiar. A colleague? Perhaps...

Audio analysis of voice signature: error!, unspecified runtime error in pitch and timbre analysis subroutines.

...oh, joy. That was pretty unambiguously Innamorata, Sixth of the Fatui Harbingers. That meddlesome Irminsul shade wasn't half the nuisance Columbina was, but she almost was, and that spoke volumes.

...and one attempted ploy later...

"You nearly woke up from fright," Innamorata said. She sounded more curious than upset, which was one of her endearing qualities. "How did you trigger such a precise limbic response from within a dream?"

"Not telling."

[...]"Oh, should I guess? I suppose maybe you programmed a reflex into your subconscious, with a trigger you can activate even when barely lucid..." Innamorata rubbed her chin. "But that just raises even more questions about how... and why!"

"I think why ought to be clear," said Sandrone.

"Really? I can't think of an actual use case for... wait." Innamorata inhaled sharply. "Sandrone, is this a contingency just for me?"

"Don't let it go to your head. I have countermeasures for all the Harbingers."

"Even Pulcinella?"

"I can take him. That's my countermeasure."

[canonical-transformation]

“Look around, and you'll see they all believe in the same things. The forge flames of ingenuity. The cool waters of deliberation. The spark of light when theory becomes praxis. There is no God of Wisdom, but the faith persists all the same.”

[canonical-transformation]

wait that profile for innamorata was really cool but is she supposed to be someone we know?? 😭 sorry if this is a dumb question my brain is Not working rn

Yes!

(ehe)