#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:

---

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)

[canonical-transformation]

...the point of this other post being that, in La Innamorata, there's this line:

[...] If asked, Sandrone would describe Innamorata as one of her favourite colleagues.

whereas in this WIP, I have interactions like

Before Innamorata could finish the word, Sandrone raised her forearm, her wrist popped back one-eighty degrees, and a flechette fired out from the opening. Accelerated by a linear induction servo, the projectile broke the sound barrier with a sharp crack before impaling Innamorata through the abdomen. The woman would be unharmed— because, again, they were in a dream. Obviously. What it did do, however, was keep her distracted long enough for Sandrone to subvocalise a specific twelve-digit activation code—

A jolt of sheer terror.

Then cold clarity. The entire world flickered and distorted like interference on a camera circuit. A mantis brushed against a blade of grass, somewhere very far away yet right beside her ear. The smell of adhigama and petrichor. The joints of her toes twitched. Signals from her actual body, out in the real—

The glitching vanished and Sandrone was at Puspa Cafe in Sumeru City, sitting at a balcony table across from Innamorata. She looked at the espresso in her hand and wrinkled her nose.

"Au lait, please," she said.

Innamorata nodded.

Sandrone brought the cafe au lait to her lips and sipped. The taste was imprecise but pleasant.

...and there's no contradiction :P

(Seconds earlier Innamorata is loudly protesting that this is totally not a dream!, gosh, why would you think that?)

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]

Character Story 2

The Sixth 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". Her hidden eyes are seemingly everywhere, from the guildhalls of Liyue and the labs of Fontaine's Institute to even, perhaps, the personal workshops of the Doctor.

It is an open secret that Sumeru is a Snezhnayan protectorate in all but name. Ever since Deshret died destroying the Dendro Gnosis, the Land of Wisdom has been godless: a dangerous thing, in these post-Cataclysm times.

Rumour has it that Innamorata supervises Sumeru and its Akademiya on the Tsaritsa's behalf... or perhaps it is more accurate to say that the nation is her own personal arboretum to cultivate.

In this sense, the Sixth is no ordinary Harbinger, but a vassal Queen. Other Harbingers and foreign diplomats may play in the garden all they like, but bad seeds beware: the trowel is always close at hand.

Her influence is everywhere in the Nation of Dendro, and the Akademiya's sudden changes of late are doubtless her intervention.

Why the sudden end of tariffs at the Wall of Samiel? Why not? When the Flower wishes it, dozens of senior officials reverse their policy stances over night.

Why the cornucopia of grants for joint research projects with the Forest Rangers? Perhaps she decided the Withering was becoming an eyesore.

Why the recall of the Akasha system? And why would the Sages implant the remaining terminals within their own skulls? Are they afraid the devices would be stolen in their sleep?

Mysteries upon mysteries. And where there are mysteries in Sumeru, the Sixth surely has her hands in it.

Of course, this is all baseless conjecture. Level-headed people are quick to point out that there's no evidence that the Flower operates in Sumeru at all.

And as for the shifting political winds... The Akademiya, like any government or large organisation, is far too large for most to make sense of. There's no Fatui scheme at play, just changing attitudes and organisational dynamics.

There will always be those who find this less compelling than stories of a mysterious all-seeing mastermind who commands Sumeru's leadership like puppets. Pay them no mind, lest you end up believing in Innamorata's army of invisible wingless Pari, too.

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

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

---

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)

[canonical-transformation]

#intrigued. tell us more?

About the Tsaritsa; About the Sages: Ethics; About the Sages: Sleepwalking

About the Tsaritsa: I'm sorry, I... probably shouldn't say. I think you already know enough to guess, so she wouldn't see much harm in my telling you... but — I'm really sorry, I know you hate these words — sometimes the journey really is as important as the destination. Sorry.

About the Sages: Ethics: They were — are — unkind people. They thought that being clever meant they could rule over everyone else, and they treated people's bodies and minds like resources to burn through... I don't believe in eye for an eye, but I am a bit relieved they were available to receive the last Akasha terminals and keep things running. I think... I would feel more guilt otherwise. Is that what you meant by "vindictive"?

About the Sages: Sleepwalking: There's a very nice Rtawahist girl who sleepwalks. She's fully lucid the whole time but doesn't remember a thing—almost like a different person! Sleepwalking presents differently for different patients, but it's usually not very pleasant. For some people the experience is vague but exhausting, like a sleepless night spent drifting in and out of consciousness. For others, it's like reliving an experience they've never had, coloured with the disembodied normalcy of a silly dream. For others still, it's like certain coma patients: total lucidity, without an iota of agency. So... which Sage specifically were you asking about?

(I am happy to take specific questions, with the caveat that I will be cagey about answers ^_^)

(EDIT: continued)

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

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

---

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)

[canonical-transformation]

Least Favourite Food: I recently lost a duel to another Harbinger. As the loser, I pinky promised I'd go ice fishing with my opponent. We get along, so hanging out will be nice, but... eugh. Why couldn't he pick deer hunting? Or better still, bobsledding?

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

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

---

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)