#because either I sit on Dain

[reginrokkr]

While I was searching for a name for Dain's chimera, I found a pleasant surprise that I thought I'd post it here —and add it as an addendum once the queue runs out, meaning that I'm up to date with reposting all of them individually—. In previous times, I discussed the idea of Dain attaining gnosis (see gnosis as knowledge, not the material item, object of the authority of the Dragon Sovereigns) and being limited due to the curse and corruption he bears (in the post-Genshin verse I established for him, he's free from these). The concept behind Gnosticism is that the higher degree of the [spiritual] enlightenment of an individual, the closer they are to the true god (not the demiurge).

Back to what I discovered, apparently there are 30 planes [Aethyrs] in the process of enlightenment, each of them home to different angels. The one that is the first (it goes from 30 to 1, the 1st being the higher plane of enlightenment) is described as the veil of dark azure full of countless stars, the formula of the Aeon revealed.

Where I want to go with this is the starry pattern that seems to be associated with just a few individuals. Off the top of my head, I can think of Guizhong having this pattern inside her sleeves, Paimon (there are several theories out there, but we can at least agree that she's a special case) and Dain, who is arguably the most "normal" out of the three. This in combination with the knowledge he has of the workings of Teyvat and the potential that he gained a power from beyond, I'm considering to have him be on the highest plane of enlightenment albeit still limited due to the curse and corruption.

[callsign-rogueone]

under the weather

fourth wing boys* x gn!partner!reader *Aaric, Bodhi, Brennan, Dain, Garrick, Liam, Ridoc, Sawyer, Xaden! y'all seemed to like excuses, excuses, so here’s something in that style because I don’t feel good rn, but I want to write :( and I added Aaric this time too!  words: 645 🏷: no spoilers. just some thoughts on ways our boys would take care of you when you’re sick 🥰 descriptions of sickness (cough, fever, dizziness, etc.) doctors visits, medication. I've been ripping shots of nyquil all day and I’m not all there rn so I really hope these make sense lol 

Aaric lets you rest your head in his lap while he reads to you, either from a textbook (the grind never stops with this one) or whatever fiction novel he’s reading. the words go in one ear and out the other in your soft delirium, but it’s still nice to hear his voice and feel him stroking your hair as he reads. if you fall asleep on him, he won’t move until you wake up, or unless he absolutely has to — but heaven help the person who makes him move.

Bodhi insists on cuddling you back to health, curling up with you and letting you rest your aching body against his while you settle in for a long afternoon nap, because sleep is the best medicine. he completely ignores your protests that you’ll get him sick too (you do, and then it’s your turn to play nurse next week, but he swears it was worth it). 

Brennan spends as much time with you as he can, bringing his paperwork and things to your shared room so that he can be there when you need him, while still tending to his duties as a leader of the revolution. he checks your temperature and pulse etc. every hour, monitoring you carefully, but he’ll make up for it with lots of forehead kisses. 

Dain excuses you from training until you’re better, insisting that you stay in bed and devote all your energy to recovering. he frequently comes to check on you throughout the day, and you better still be in bed when he does, or you’ll be getting a gentle lecture about the importance of your caring for yourself and how much you mean to him — he needs you to be healthy, okay?

Garrick carries you around whenever you need to go somewhere, because he doesn’t want you collapsing after that dizzy spell you had. he doesn’t care if it’s only twenty feet to the showers and back; he’s scooping you up and walking over himself. he also insists on supervising your shower, but no funny business — you’re sick. once you’ve recovered, however…

Liam draws you a warm bath, letting you soothe your aching muscles for a while before washes your hair and your back for you, being incredibly gentle all the while. he’ll dry you off afterward, letting you pick any of his clothes to wear to sleep if you want, and helping you through the steps of your nightly routine — brushing your teeth, etc., before giving you your medicine and letting you fall asleep on his chest.

Ridoc goes with you to the healers, rubbing your back and making soft jokes all the while to distract you from the discomfort — apologizing when your laughs turn into a coughing fit. he also tries to make you feel normal / less gross when you’re stuck in bed, helping you with basic self-care: brushing and braiding your hair, taking your makeup off if you wear it, helping you do your skincare… 

Sawyer does all the things that you can’t do while you’re sick — goes to class and copies an extra set of notes for you, does your laundry, straightens up your room, etc. that way you can focus on recovering, but also, once you’re back on your feet, you won’t have a huge mess to deal with and you won’t be behind on your studies. he’ll help you review what you missed, as well. 

Xaden is protective to a fault, but when you’re sick, it’s a whole new level. he doesn’t leave your side unless absolutely necessary, ignoring any form of protest. follows the healer’s instructions to the letter — antibiotics every four hours? he’s waking you up at two am, glass of water in hand, helping you sit up so you can take them. he’ll also use his shadows to dim the room so you can sleep through the day. 

[lathalea]

WIP Snippet

Thank you @fishing4stars for tagging me in this little challenge! Your snipped motivated me to work on something I haven't been working for quite a while now.

Remember All Is Fair in Love and Trade? If you do, this snippet comes from a new chapter I'm working on. Yes, really.

“Hey, Balin, What about the third reason to drink?!” Lord Dain slams his ale mug on the table. “I’m gettin’ thirsty here!” A sturdy-looking lady who sits next to him tugs at his tunic. A scar runs across her tattooed face, and you recognize her at once. Ulfhild. One of the fiercest warriors in the Iron Hills, her war hammer crushed many Orc skulls in countless battles. My bonnie wife, as Dain fondly calls her. “The third reason to drink?! You mean the third reason for you to get hammered and have a week-long hangover?!” Dain’s bonnie wife interjects, causing a wave of chuckles. “Only if ye’ll drink with me, my dove!” her husband places a wet, loud peck on her bearded cheek. Lord Balin nods politely after the chuckles subside, “Ah yes, the third cause for our merriment. I am greatly honoured to announce a joyful event. I have known our King since we were but wee bairn. That is why it warms my heart to share wonderful news with you. We are to…” “I’m dying of old age here, Balin!” Dain jumps from his chair onto the table, kicking some plates to the side and stepping right in the middle of a roasted deer on a platter. Needless to say, the aforementioned deer gives way with a soft crunch under the heavy iron sole of Dain’s boot. You can’t stop yourself from chuckling discreetly, and neither can Thorin. “Listen, everyone!” the lord of Iron Hills exclaims, his voice echoing against the walls of the chamber. “My dearest cousin, King Thorin II feckin’ Oakenshield,” he gestures at the dwarf you are madly in love with, “had the audacity to steal my best advisor right from under my nose!” he sends you a wink. “Isn’t it outrageous?!” Lord Balin clears his throat and says with a benevolent smile, “I’m not getting any younger either, dear Dain.” Some of the guests chuckle.  “I’m gettin’ to the best part! I’m talking about Ragna, the poor lass!” Lord Dain points at you, and all the eyes in the chamber turn to you once again. “I have no bloody idea what she was thinkin’, but she agreed to wed King Oaken Head here and now she’ll have to see my cousin’s ugly mug every single day!”

Hope you liked it! :) Special thanks to @legolasbadass for your invaluable feedback :)

Tagging (no pressure!) @legolasbadass @littlesweetdressmaker @sverdgeir @fizzyxcustard @asgardianhobbit98 @sotwk @frosticenow @katlime @middleearthpixie @shrimpsthings @evenstaredits. I tagged you, dear mutuals, because you're the ones we've interacted recently, but if you're not on the list and you'd like to join this challenge, you're most welcome! I'd love to see your creations! Any artwork counts, no matter if it's visual art, music, a story, a poem, or anything else you'd like to share! And of course I simply need to tag some of my lovely regular Thorin readers: @kirenia15 @peachoasis @go-wonder-boi @licensedcheek @frozenhuntress67 @yazzzmints @ruthoakenshield @justfollowtheroad  @sherala007 @jotink78 @rachel1959 @xmly-xo @mrsdurin @quiall321 @lilith15000 . I wish Tumblr allowed me to tag you all!

[garricks4thwingqueen]

Little One Part 2: Garrick Tavis X OC

Trigger Warnings: Some angsty moments between Amber and her ex. NSFW and Swearing.

Word Count: 1201.

     

Garrick’s POV

     I could feel her tension ease as we melted into a kiss once more as we both undressed each other, our lips barely parting. I laid her on the mat as she traced my full relic with her soft fingertips, my finger working soft circles on her clit as my tip brushed against her entrance. “Garrrre.” she breathed as my tongue now circled her swollen clit. I smiled against “Yeah my sweet, beautiful princess.” “Nee-, need you cock in me.” She said through raspy breaths. “So needy little one.” I chuckled and kissed her lips as I lined myself at her entrance. “AwweefffffuckkGarre.” She whimpered as I started to slowly thrust into her. “So tight for me still. Did Dain not fuck you good enough hm?” I asked, “Did Dain not what now?” Dain said in a raised voice. “Fuck.” she cursed sitting up and going to hide behind me as I grabbed for clothes. “Can I fucking help you Aetos?” I questioned. 

                            Amber's POV

  “What the fuck do you want Dain?” I asked also indicating that he could turn back around because he would never listen to Garrick unless it was a direct order. “I didn't see my girlfriend at dinner so I thought I’d.” he said pacing the floor. “Don’t fucking start with me Aetos. You know damn well you broke up with me. Don't starting acting like you fucking care now either when you've been avoiding me all damned year.” I said angrily noticing Garrick’s fingers never left mine. “I was worried when you missed dinner it's unlike you.” “She can handle her own Aetos.” Garrick said. “A fucking marked one?? You know what your father said to you.”

     I lost it. “Fuck right off Dain. Garrick has name and last time I also checked his rank is above yours and if my father ever finds out about me and Garrick before it's necessary I swear to the fucking gods Dain you'll regret it.” “Give me one damned reason I shouldn't say anything?” Dain asked quietly. “Because if you even still truly cared about me as a friend, you'll do it by showing me that you can keep mine and Garrick’s relationship a secret.” “And how do I know she's safe with you?” Garrick scoffed as if Dain even had the right to question him. “One before she became my girlfriend she became my squad mate and two she's my fucking girlfriend Aetos and you dammed well better keep your mouth shut because this is Amber’’s place to tell her father and not yours and that's a direct order.” Dain opened his mouth like he was about to say something but then turned around and slammed the gym door. 

    “Fuck.” I cursed, rubbing my fingers across my forehead as I felt Garrick softly reach for my wrist. “I've got you.” He said pulling me into him. “Do you think he'll say anything?” “Not if he even values our friendship still.” I sighed my head buried into Garrick's chest. “So, my dick compared to Aetos?” Garrick chuckled as I smirked “Yours is the biggest dick I've had, well almost.” I sighed “How about I sneak you up to the third floor tonight and we finish what we started, but first we get what's left of dinner.” He said, placing a kiss on my forehead, we walked to the dinning hall together, Garrick falling a few paces behind as we got closer. I fixed a plate and sat down next to a few of my squad mates that were left. 

  Liam looking up from his current masterpiece looked at me and then noticed Garrick also just fixing his plate. “Don't even Mairi.” “Got it.” He smirked going back to work while I started to eat. “So when did that happen?” My best friend asked me, still not looking up from his work. “Li, it didn't.” I said quietly as Bodhi and Garrick now joined us. “Shouldn't one be sitting with leadership?” I asked Garrick as he sat on my other side.  I saw the smirk form on his lips, “Squad bonding is more enforced then leadership roles.” “I knew it.” Liam smirked loud enough for our side of the table to hear as I elbowed him. Garrick let his hand touch my knee softly which I knew was his way of saying meet me upstairs before he got up and said goodnight to the rest of the group. 

  I waited a decent amount of time before I knew my friends were gonna leave “Goodnight.” I said standing up and getting ready to head out. “Yeah, have a good night.” Liam smirked as I slapped his shoulder. Liam and I by now weren't strangers to each other. We messed around after parapet but that was it. My way from the first to second floor was quiet. However my trip up second to third well: “and where are you going cadet Melgran?” Dain questioned “So that's it I'm just another cadet to you now? Our friendship before our relationship was nothing? I could also ask where you're coming from?” I questioned as Dain placed a soft hand on my shoulder, I wanted to push away even to turn away but I didn't. “The same place where you're headed.” 

     “Dain what the hell did you just do?” I questioned. He was silent before pulling me into a hug, “Just making sure you are really safe before I decide what I'm gonna do.” “Dain it's Garrick and for the love of God I swear if my father hears about this before I mention anything, Garrick will know whose name to give to Chradh to turn to char.” “Relax. I'm not going to say anything, I do still care about you and I'm sorry I've been distant. I was actually going to find you to get back together. But I sense that ship has sailed and believe it or not I'm happy for you. I've actually seen how you two have been looking at each other all year, I was just hoping I wasn't too late.” 

    “Dain.” I sighed “Everything good?” Garrick asked, stopping a few steps just above Dain. “Everything's good.” Dain said, continuing back down the stairs as Garrick wrapped his arm around my waist. “Aren't you worried someone's going to you know?” I said quietly. “Between the steps and the 5 feet to my door, fuck ‘em.” Garrick said. “What did Dain say to you exactly?” I asked as he sat on his bed and pulled me onto his lap. “If you are wondering about him wanting to get back together with you, I made it clear as day he better fuck off.” As there was a knock-on Garrick’s door as he was about to take my shirt off. “They'll go away.” I whispered, reaching for his arm and almost falling off the bed. Garrick chuckled, catching my shoulder. “10 blow jobs says it's Xaden and he's not going anywhere.” I sighed, shaking my head. Garrick didn't even bother opening the door halfway to hide my existence on his bed. Sure, enough there stood Xaden who just smirked. I just shook my head and couldn't help but smile at myself.

[booreadsbooks]

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, Review

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overall, I felt that the book had pretty excellent world building, and the political system was really engaging and fun, and the intrigue had me invested even when I felt myself getting bored.

The whimsical vibes of giant frogs you can ride like horses, golden apples that make you giggly and insane, and fairies that are as beautiful as they are cruel make for an enticing yet terrifying universe that I'm simultaneously enticed to explore and desperate to avoid.

I liked Jude, our protagonist with a heart of stone and a fiery ambition, but honestly the rest of the characters were tough for me to read about. I think Madoc, Dain, Vivi, and the spies were the only other characters I cared to read about. Most of the others were just really annoying to me, which makes it hard to enjoy a book.

The main reason the rating is so low was because there was a specific plot line that just really bugged me, and it was hard for me to get past, which I'll include below under the divide.

So the plotline where Locke is trying to date Jude, and she has absolutely no idea that he's messing with her? Genuinely infuriating. Like not even an inkling? I feel like it was so obvious, she notices that he just watches and doesn't actually help her until AFTER everyone's already tortured her, yet doesn't seem to think this is another trick? I felt like this went on for wayyyy too long, and I felt like she was being really stupid. Stupid characters is genuinely the worst thing for me when it comes to reading, because I just get frustrated and don't want to keep reading. I know it seems like a petty gripe, and it's ENTIRELY personal preference, but it just really bugged me IDK.

My other character complaints had to do with basically most fairies, who were either cartoonishly evil (I still kind of hate Cardan, Locke is insane, Balekin, etc.) and also Taryn. Mostly Taryn. She was very whiny, and honestly kind of pathetic, and her constant blaming Jude for not just sitting back while they get tortured every day grinded my gears. I know her marriage is going to go poorly and I'm simply incapable of feeling bad for her.

BUT to move on from the negatives, I really did enjoy the main plot, meaning Jude's rise to power from daughter of a general, to a prince's spy, to a political powerhouse with all the power of the crown. When I was around 60% through the book I was already considering whether or not I wanted to continue the series, but I really think I will because I am absolutely engaged in how Jude's machinations play out, and what she will do next. I want to see her morality get grayer, I want to see the sacrifices she will continue to make in order to keep power and ensure the success of her plan.

Unfortunately, I really have no quotes this time, I didn't take the time to write any down while reading.

[that-foul-legacy-lover]

hello im new here but i saw your sanctuary au and i really like it!! unfortunately trying to go through the tag only yielded me two posts and i know there's more bc i saw another one while scrolling the whole blog but anyway that's to say if you've talked about the others who are at the sanctuary i only saw Dain's detailed post and here i sit wondering about sanctuary au dottore and/or capitano and how they interact with foul legacy (based on a canon voiceline is our moth wanting to politely spar with cap or does he just try to fight him at any given opportunity? i think i saw that dot can teleport so what kind of shenanigans does he get himself into?) im going to try to search for the rest of the sanctuary au posts as well i love this au

D: oh nooo the tags for it aren't working?? ARGH i will try to fix it when i have the time because that AU is one of my favorites :)) (also, i did not create it!! the wonderful @/pastelpeachyposts thought it into existence and i am eternally grateful that they did :D

HARBINGERS!!!! MORE HARBINGERS I LOVE THE HARBINGERS- i usually portray Foul Legacy Childe as less battle hungry than in game, but i think he'd still be up for some friendly sparring with a monstery Capitano!! you tell them both that you prefer no blood drawn, but they usually end up with a few nicks here and there, and you simply sigh and sit both of them down to be patched up. Childe still admires Capitano a little bit because he's strong and powerful, but honestly more than anything they both admire YOU for keeping your sanity intact while dealing with multiple Abyss monsters, some of which are NOT as polite and peaceful as Childe

example: Dottore

he probably ranks second in terms of "most chaotic", outdone only by Columbina- but you'd actually rather take care of Columbina, since she's fairly cheerful and likes snuggling, which always calms her down. Dottore on the other hand is not so easily pacified, and yes, he can teleport. now usually he'll tell you if he wants to go outside (or is going outside, you can't really stop him), but sometimes he unconsciously teleports when he's asleep, and when he wakes up he immediately starts getting into mischief. he doesn't panic at all, which is nice, but he also does what he wants and will do it NOW until he gets bored. additionally, the only person he has a chance of listening to is you, so whenever he suddenly appears in some city you'll get immediately contacted, either by friends or officials, to come and get your science-loving Harbinger monster. he'll hiss and sulk a bit, but usually he listens when you say he can continue his experiments at home

and while he trots off to the little lab he's constructed, you slump over in Childe's arms, exhausted from a day of chasing down a stubborn Dottore

[baylikeselephants]

Just now reading Fourth Wing (I know I know I’m behind!!!) here are my thoughts on the first book

Please note I haven’t read Iron flame yet so no spoilers! Oh! And I didn’t take notes until chapter 10 for some reason

EDIT: Sarah is my sister for context, she told me a few things

Fourth wing

Chapter 10

* mentions feather tails abhor violence… will she bond with one?

Chapter 11

* I don’t like Dain. Don’t ask me why just gives me the ick

* “Do something about it” and Sarah’s “lol foreshadowing” is a sex thing isn’t it lol

Chapter 12

* ooo look a feather tail showed up

* A golden feather tail????

* And everybody is calling it a mistake??? Girl like that’s not some wink wink nod nod shit

* Eastern boarder and bloodshot red Sarah? This is where brennen “died” yes?

* Dead dead dead. Everybody dead lol

Chapter 13

* a brown dain??? A brown???? Have you met her????

* Save the little one!!!

* Xaden to the rescue (like they would’ve needed it but nice distraction lol)

* Well actually ~he~ can’t do anything. But his dragon could yeah?

Chapter 14

* ahaha the big one!!!!

* She fell lol we are shocked

Chapter 15

* Tairn is sassy lol

* Lmao “and all hell breaks loose”

Chapter 16

* Ooo so Tairn doesn’t trust Dain??? Not suspicious at all

* Ahhhh bonded pairs ey? Do I think that means xaden and vi are meant to be no, don’t think they’re end game but 🤷🏻‍♀️

* Xaden dies before this series is over doesn’t he?

* WHY WOULD SHE TELL HIMMMMMM UHG NO I DONT TRUST HIM DONT TELL THAT MAN SHIT

* Manipulated threshing???? Like dragons give a fuck what riders think lol

* Now I have reason to hate Dain

* Oh here we go brennens death. He. Is. Not. Dead.

* “Because you put too much faith in him…knowing who to trust is the only thing that will keep you alive” to me = don’t trust Dain (or anybody)

* Uh maybe Xaden doesn’t die because if he dies his dragon might then blah blah blah

Chapter 17

* “Tell him to mind his business” that wasn’t just about that comment either I bet

Chapter 18

* They don’t have the book her dad gave her??? Did he write it? Or is it banned

* Violet has Oooo fancy pants rich McGee over here FUCK YOU energy with the rebellion relic thing and not sitting with anybody with it

* “I knew it would work” from Jack means he killed the rider doesn’t it. He tampered with their stuff or something

* Tairn called her silver one and now I have “silver and gold silver and gold” song stuck in my head

* Tairn growled at dain!!!! The bastard (not tairn)

* Tell him girl go off babes

Chapter 19

* Sarah told me they could talk to each other already but tairn told Xaden she was in trouble

Chapter 20

* “To what they think I’ll be, not who I am” then tairn’s response of “that shows excellent forethought” my guy knows what/who she is.

Chapter 21

* Hmmmm so he didn’t tell them what was in the scroll……. Not suspicious at all.

* Did the rebellion never really die and Devera is a part of it?

Chapter 22

* Is Jack allergic to oranges or making fun of her spiking stuff with poison?

* She’s gunnnnna channnneeeeellllll

* I know she’s Lightning or whatever but the comment saying Xaden’s voice is like a crack of lightning is great

Chapter 23

* Rhi saying “for now” is foreshadowwinggggg

Chapter 24

* what’s up with all the runes?

* Vi’s dad did research on the second Krovlan uprising and feather tails? But there’s no tome on it? This makes me think he’s definitely a writer and he did his own research and stuff and wrote his own books. Did he know what Violet would be?

Chapter 25

* surprise mother fuckers

* They’re breaking into her moms office aren’t they

* They are

* They (scribes) can make or break someone by writing shit down. Likeeeeeeee maybbeeeee her FATHER! Lol no but really I may die on that hill

* Was her dad Tyrrish? Is that why these runes keep coming back? I don’t remember

* Is tyrrendor where a server rebellion or something is happening?

* I love that Violet has a potion for everything lol

Chapter 26

* Don’t “what could possibly go wrong” Violet. What are you stupid

* Mira saw a bunch of dragons crossing????? Like maybe with Brennen??? Is this where he is

* Uh oh xaden. Somebody in troubleeeee

Chapter 27

* where did Imogen go?

* Good for Rebecca for the disability awareness there with “…nothing anyone can do about the way I’m made”

* Was doing what had to be done tairn? Something to do with imogen maybe? Or stalling the gryphons?

Chapter 28

* imogen is back

* “Only fire we’d be taking is from other dragons” like brennensssss??? The rebellion things I don’t know

* Jack is dead- I hope to god for real

Chapter 29

* Fable is underlined….. so the book of fables is more than fables ey?

* So so hear me out, if the fables were written by her dad. Maybe it was written like fables to throw off folks but it was actually a tell all from when her dad was elsewhere (tyrrendor???)

Chapter 30

* Ew lol

* Ah so the scars are for all the kiddos of the leaders

* “Should I get the wing leader” lmao tairn honey

* Also hate how Professor jackass (Carr) is studying her like she’s done case he has to solve

* She can’t aim?? She can when she’s mad enough just sayin

Chapter 31

* Ah she’s got the book of fables good good I wasn’t sure if she brought it back or not with all the chaos that happened there

* He went to an outpost? To fight or for something else?

* AHA HER DAD STUFFED SOMETHING IN THE BOOK

* Hmmmmmm suspicious

* He got cryptic after brennen died? Because it was all true (the fables?) and/or he knew brennen wasn’t dead?

* Oh shut up xaden like you haven’t already fallen for her

* I hate this. Every part of this stupid party is putting me on edge

* Omg does the fucking King pull some shit (besides that stupid convo with Violet and Liam)

* The damn parapet. Of course this comes back

Chapter 32

* Ah fuck. Garrick and Bodhi are gone.

* Can you guys tape it down for two seconds to figure this out please. Some kind of attack or something

* Ah. Am shocked. They are under attack. Oh no. Who ever could’ve guessed. OH WAIT. IT WAS ME

Chapter 33

* Well. I was close

* Athebyne? Again mentioned….. hmmmm

* Just now hitting you that they’ll be separated for 5 days Violet? Lord have mercy

* “She’s safer with me” Dain I swear to god have you learned nothing

* He’d (Dain) be one of those guys to say he LET her go. Like a jackass. Hate this guy right now

Chapter 34

* Little andarna 🥰 sleepy baby

* Oh. So she’s like got this weird feeling. And anxiety. And shit. So yeah this is going to end well

* Annnnnd gryphons

* Xaden knows her but can they be related or something?

* None of them are reaching for weapons except Violet. All the rest are marked correct? I think so.

* This is a rebellion chick or something then ey?

* Seeee they’re early

Chapter 35

* So the pre-chapter thing said there’s potentially a conspiracy??? Maybe to do with the Vyern (spell????)

* YESSSS I WASSSSSS RIGHHTTTTTTTTT

* But why is Xaden so stupid to bring her lol there’s got to be a reason besides her signet and the dragons

* Don’t feel betrayed Violet honey it’s okay. You gonna be on their side in two seconds no worries

* Yup dad spelled it out for ya love

* It’s empty for shits sake

* The dick

Chapter 36

* Liam is dying

* I don’t like.

* Liam is dead

* There are more. Omg how many are there

* Go get ‘em girl

Chapter 37

* fun fun. On his back. Yippee

* Dead. Haha

* She’s got a poison wound now but

* I know andarna lives but I swear to god if she comes

Chapter 38

* Hmmm I wonder who the familiar voice is

Chapter 39

* And mom what Xaden? Did I miss something

* I was right about Brennen (happy dance)

General

* are violet and andarna fulfillment of a prophecy? Because “golden dragon bonds with thought to be weak and pitiful girl” seems like a prophecy

[tragcdysewn]

"don't fucking start with what, violet? because it seems like you are the one starting everything, and then getting mad when you don't like my responses!" they were spurring each other on, they always did when they got to this point, both too stubborn to back down and admit that they might be wrong about any of the issues they're dealing with. "i am only changing physically! gods, i'm still the same person, i don't understand why you can't see that! nothing about who i am is different, violet! if i was, i would've ripped aetos' fucking head off his shoulders as soon as i heard his name cross your mind!" he'd wanted to, fuck, of course he'd wanted to, but that was no different to how he'd felt the first time he'd seen dain kiss her, really. he'd debated killing the asshole then too, hadn't he? it felt so long ago now, but he was fairly sure he'd threatened dain out loud to garrick or sgaeyl. and he hadn't acted on it then, he hadn't acted on it now, didn't that prove he was still the same person? a full venin would have killed the guy for being in his way. "i'm not expecting you to make that choice, violet, because it's not your choice! it's mine, and this is what i'm choosing. i offered you both options, and you refused to consider either one, you thought i could just exist in some fucking limbo forever while you read every book you could find! and that wasn't going to work, obviously, so i made the choice for myself. i'm not going to live the rest of my life balancing on a knife's edge just to keep you happy!" there was a lot he'd do for her, to keep her safe, to keep her happy, but he couldn't exist like that, he'd lose his mind, go mad for real. and then they'd really lose each other, there'd be no coming back from that. "i know you can, but this place isn't anything we know how to handle! i'm not risking another completely unpredictable disaster destroying you right in front of me! do you know what it felt like, feeling your fucking heart stop? feeling your mind go dark and disconnect from mine? i'm not going to sit by and do nothing while that happens again, violet, don't ask me to!" maybe one final time. just one, to keep her from fighting him, so he can properly protect her. only if he can't get her to see sense, only as a last resort. "who says someone was just trying to punch me for being a dick? she wanted me dead way more than i wanted her dead, she would've separated us again! i'm not going to let someone kill me, violet, i'm going to defend you, and i'm going to defend myself!" one hand reaches out to her then, pulling the tie from her hair and letting it unravel over her shoulders the way he'd always had such a reaction to. even doing it himself had him frozen staring at her for a brief moment, a faint smile crossing his features despite the fact that he knows how this is going to end, knows what he has to do. "i know. it's why i begged you to kill me or let me die back then. no one else can do it but you, my violence is the only one who can finish me off. it feels right, but you said no, remember? so it's not as if i had another choice." he reaches forward again, tucking one piece of that hair out of her eyes, feeling that fatal power leech into his own veins, watches the silver that had entranced him the moment he saw her, a compliment to his gold even when they couldn't stand each other, when he'd never have guessed she'd mean everything she meant now, slowly creep further up the strand in between his fingers as he seals their fates. "mira, violence." and he because knows what she'll do, what he can't let her do, his other hand drops to her wrist, gripping it tightly as he drops a brief kiss on her forehead. "i love you, violence. and i'm sorry. i'll make this right, i promise."

"you know that's not what i fucking mean, xaden, don't fucking start with that--" they were only feeding off each other, and despite violet knowing that, she cannot stop herself from following him down this path, letting his anger fuel her own. "you're changing physically because of whatever the fuck you've done! i can fucking watch you become someone different! every time you tap into that fucking power, you're changing!" she felt like she was going to break down, every other word from him had her reeling, watching him become more and more unrecognizable.. this couldn't continue on, she had wasted so much fucking time without her memories, had spent so long just what? flirting with him and going on fucking dates with dain? she had doomed him with her inactions, her inability to find a cure. only putting herself in danger more so he felt like he needed to do more and more to protect her? "you think i wasn't tired of the maybe's?! of the fucking uncertainty that was going to come with you going down this road, with there being no fucking wards, no one else here that knows what the fuck a venin is! but if my two options were you dying or you becoming this, that doesn't put me in a fair position and you know it. i couldn't choose between those two, and you cannot expect me to make that choice." though, now, he had made that choice, leaving her with no other option right? if he was going to keep falling, not giving her any time to find a cure.. could she let him just walk away knowing how much of a danger he could become? he was already the most powerful rider in their generation, what would be become as a venin? "i can handle myself! you know i can! i don't need you to keep fucking draining because you're afraid of me being hurt! why can't you help me without falling further down this path, xaden? why does it have to be this way!" he had helped her so many times, had kept her safe so many different ways already, why did it have to be different now? why was the only option complete indifference or draining! "those people were complacent in torturing me and my friends, they would have killed you. someone just trying to deck you because you're being a dick is different! killing using those powers is different! how do you not see that every time you use them is making you fall deeper into this! that every time you drain, you get closer and closer to becoming one of them! how can you expect me to just sit back and watch you destroy yourself!" it was so hard to look at him, to see xaden underneath all of this. he was just right there, right within arms reach and gods all she wanted was her xaden back. to never have to deal with this venin bullshit ever again. but every day she was in danger, and considering her track record and luck that was nearly every day, he would continue to fall, until he was completely unrecognizable. before her and her friends were in danger because they stood in his way. wasn't it her responsibility to stop this? he became this because of her, she had to be the one to stop this. "you can't promise that. my power is basically the only thing that can fucking kill you, you remember that, right? you really think you won't see that as a threat if you let yourself go any further!" they were going in circles, this wasn't going to get them anywhere, not when he was clearly dodging her questions again, waiting for her to 'ask the right one', she's so sure. she wanted to fucking scream, needing a straight answer out of him for once. "tell me their name xaden. what is the name of the person you just killed?" because of all the people they knew... what were the chances that it was one of her friends? that rhi or dain or mira said something that set him off.. did he know anyone else that would send him over the edge that wouldn't have broken him? because touching imogen or liam would be too much, this wouldn't even be a conversation.. but dain? mira? her heartbeat only grew louder in her ears waiting for the answer, knowing it'll devastate her regardless.

[primoredial-jade]

Congratulations for 500 followers! May I ask for Dainsleif + peonies + Lotus Flower Crisp, please? I hope I'm doing this right! I don't know the meaning of chosen dish, but I was thinking of something sweet for him! Thank youu! <3

WELCOME TO:

jade's 500 fabulous feast special!

prompt: it’s different, it’s foreign– but he’s trying, and that’s enough.

pairing: dainsleif x gn!reader

cw: mutual pining, unconventional confession, my own fanon regarding dain’s relationship with the abyss twin, general khaenri’ah lore spoilers, gift giving

to my dearest anon 🤍

you and dainsleif were from two completely different worlds.

him, a knight from a nation doomed by celestia 500 years past, and you, a simple adventurer of today that had dreams and aspirations of your own.

for centuries, dainsleif kept to himself, lurking in the shadows. he was an information sponge, gathering as much about teyvat as he could without forming intimate relationships. for good reason, of course... because ever since his closest friend with blonde hair abandoned him to solitude in this forsaken world for the abyss order, he had little to no more trust in his already broken and bruised heart.

fate worked in funny ways. eventually, his good luck would catch up to him, and his path would converge with yours. he had been too reckless, too complacent after years of being able to escape prying eyes. 

his arm, despite its curse being cured by his lost friend, had begun to throb uncontrollably after a fight with an abyss herald during his travels to enkanomiya. he had taken refuge under what he presumed to be a hidden water reservoir in watatsumi island, hissing in pain as he dunked his arm under.

dainsleif entirely blames his pain for dulling his senses, because you, a completely unstealthy and clumsy traveler, ran up to his side to help him with his cursed arm. 

“my god, what happened to you?! are you hurt?” you had gasped, pulling his arm closer to inspect it.

he should have ripped his arm away, leave and burn this memory to the depths of his mind immediately. but your touch... it healed him. the pain that was just there slowly ebbed away into nothingness under your scrutiny, and he could only stare in muted shock. 

not once did you look at his curse with disgust.

in his defense, he tried to leave. he really did, but you were persistent on keeping up with him ever since you realized you could cure the pain, if only for a little while. 

“after all, we’re both just adventurers at the end of the day, aren’t we?” you gave him a teasing smile, and he had to look away. 

alas, the heart wants what it wants.

he had never been so afraid in his life when he had come to this realization. his barred heart had been flung open, and in your hands was the key.

“do you know what day it is tomorrow?” you test him on a particularly starry night, pulling him down to sit next to you on the lush green grass of mond. 

dainsleif pauses, his mind racing in search of what you’re talking about. he’s been alive for so long with so much going on in his head, and time easily slips through his fingers. with the gleam in your eye, he feels uncharacteristically pressured. 

a series of events reel through his mind for the few moments of silence. your birthday? no, that’s not it. the ludi harpastum festival? that isn’t it, either.

“i apologize for my shortcomings,” he begins slowly, “but i do not.” 

your gaze falters for a fragment of a second, “it’s alright, dain,” you unconsciously shift away, “it’s not that important.” 

his heart burns. he wants to reach out, but when he lifts his fingers, he sees his wretched curse and instinctively pulls away. you can’t see the minute pained look that crosses his features. 

“tell me,” he says, soft. you’ve always made him feel this way. 

you hum, picking at the grass under your feet. “it’s silly, but... it’s the day we first met two years ago,” you answer, pausing to look at the sky, “last year was just so chaotic, but i didn’t want to let it pass by this year.” 

the world stops spinning. the sounds of the crickets in the distance fills his ears, and dainsleif’s breath hitches. it’s not silly. it’s anything but silly. although he is a man of many words when you ask for information regarding the world, the words he wishes to say in this moment gets tangled in his throat. 

“i don’t blame you at all, dain. don’t feel the need to apologize,” you reassure, easily able to read him without him even giving a hint at his inner turmoil of disappointing you. you reach into your travelling bag, pulling out a small, star shaped charm coated in steel blue. 

“i made this for you to take on your travels without me- as a thank you for everything we’ve been through these past two years.” it gleams in your hand, and he can even see his own reflection in it.

dainsleif doesn’t think, doesn’t speak or move for a long, fleeting moment. for someone so calculated in everything he does, anything you do always makes him falter.

he chases after the impulse that takes over his body and encloses his cursed hand over yours, already feeling better at your touch. the blue veins that run up his arm are pulsating, and to anyone else it should be a grotesque sight.

but to you, it is apart of him. and you love all of him.

“thank you,” he says, gaze meeting your own, “i’ll keep it safe for the rest of my life.” that is a promise.

he tightens his hand around yours. “though i hope you realize that i do not need it to be reminded of you.” 

you can’t help the bubbling laugh that escapes your mouth, mirth hidden behind your eyes. “are you saying that you often think about me?”

more than that. he wants to say. 

“i’m not... good at this,” he admits in a low whisper, crinkling his brows as he gets ahold of himself. 

a wistful smile appears on your face, understanding. he thinks this is the most beautiful you have ever been. “it’s okay, dain. thank you, for accepting my gift.” 

the stars twinkle brighter than they ever have that night.

—peonies - love, honor, romance, beauty

—lotus flower crisp - a touch that heals

[outivv]

h e h e big brain go brrr,,,The Boys, but their crush uses them as a portable heater/pillow. So she basically just clings to them like a koala, be it on their chest or back. And she does this especially during the winter, and even falls asleep on them. Diluc and Dainy wear a lot of black, so I'd think they'd retain a lot of heat because black absorbs heat sooo. (I totally didn't do this, nope, dunno what you mean) Also imma smother you with my love so lemme h u g

Synopsis: y/n uses tall boys as a portable heater

Warnings: none

Game/ fandom: genshin impact

Characters: zhongli, Kaeya, Diluc, childe, and Dainsleif

Pronouns for reader: gender neutral/ not mentioned

A/n: hello! Thank you for requesting, and sorry I’m getting to this so late. But back on track, all these ideas of yours are honestly pure gold istg, big brain indeed go brrr. But anyway, I hope you like it, and remember to take care of yourself!

— Zhongli —

I feel like zhongli would be ok with it? Like basically whenever you wanted to cuddle, or cling to him he’d just let you do your thing. I think zhongli is very clingy himself, so he doesn’t really mind it.

There will be many times that people will find you curled up in his lap at work (when you don’t have work yourself to do of course) so by now it’s almost expected.

When you first fell asleep in his lap however, you made his heart m e l t. Like he melted in your arms. You think it would’ve been the other way around? Haha, no. Zhongli held you even closer, and if he was at work he’d still do the same thing. Truthfully he doesn’t care when the person he loves most is being adorable right now.

He’s fully prepared for winter. He knows that’s the time that you cling to him more, due to the cold. He gets it, truthfully he’s not a fan of the cold either.

Whenever you snuggle up to him and lay on his chest, he wraps his arms around you and rubs soothing circles on your shoulder, sometimes he’ll even hum.

All in all zhongli is also clingy, so he truthfully doesn’t mind, and is by far the best person to cuddle with fight me.

— Kaeya —

Truthfully Kaeya is a mix of ‘soft and cuddly’ and ‘teasing and cuddly’ he’s the grey area.

Most of the time he’s in a more teasing mood and will say something like “oh? Well someone wants attention” (when in reality he’s the attention whore in the relationship) but other times, just the sight of you makes him all soft.

I think you mostly lay on his chest. Like it’s just something that he’s always up for. Like, oh you want to cuddle? Come here and you can lay on my chest. It’s one of his favorite cuddling positions, so it’s his go to.

When you fall asleep on him, (let’s say... you’re in the living room for this one) he’ll look at you with love and adoration in his eyes before kissing the top of your head, and carrying you to your bedroom. When you wake up he’s very adamant on smothering you with kisses. (While throwing in a little bit of teasing here and there of course)

I think kaeya doesn’t like winter (more specifically when it’s really cold), so you clinging to him and combining your body heat is completely fine with him. This time he’ll be the one to actively ask you if you want to cuddle, or just be near each other. Again mans doesn’t like when it’s super cold (I mean like... below zero) so when it’s one of those winter days expect to be huddled inside.

All in all Kaeya won’t melt in your arms like zhongli, he’ll soften a bit yes, but not entirely melt.

— Childe —

Childe is... to say the least... extremely clingy. He’s more clingy than zhongli. He’s a weird mix of zhongli and kaeya. He teases you for clinging onto him, but then tightens his grip around you when you try to get up, muttering a sad ‘where are you going?’ With a fake pout. He lives up to his name, he truly can be a child sometimes.

I think he likes spooning the most, specifically being small spoon. So you clinging onto his back works out perfectly. On occasion though he’ll roll over and nuzzle his face into your chest.

Whenever you fall asleep clinging onto him, he feels a sudden surge of pride well up in his chest. He’ll probably hold you even tighter, or pull you into his lap depending on your position.

Childe is used to the winter of snezhnaya which is brutal, and typically almost always below zero. So he doesn’t fully understand why you’re clinging onto him for almost dead life in the winter. Liyue winter doesn’t even compare you snezhnaya year round? I mean he’s not complaining, it honestly just boosts his massive ego.

All is all, childe is especially clingy, and typically gets a surge of confidence and pride whenever you cling to him.

— Diluc —

Hmm... I’m not sure how explain my thinking, so I’ll just use the first time that you clung onto him as an example. Dilucs face turned a bright shade of red, and he went completely still. He tried to act calm but his rapid heartbeat wasn’t helping him. Obviously he’s much more... used to it(?) now but at first it was definitely a surprise.

Because he wears a lot of back, I think the summer is... iffy. He wears a lot of black in the summer too, plus he has a naturally high body temperature (I think he’s one of the people who has a high body temperature but like they’re skin feels really cold in comparison?) so that makes it even worse to cuddle with him in the summer. If you can stand all of that though, firstly kudos to you, I literally could never. Secondly, I think Diluc would much appreciate it honestly.

Now in contrast to the summer, the winter is where Diluc shines. I honestly thinks he likes the cold? So he’s not upset when you cling to him more per say, but in his mind it’s like a ‘what can you do’ kinda situation?

Loves when you lay on his chest, or sit in his lap. Absolutely adores it, like it’s so comforting to him. On occasion though he’ll want to be the one to cling onto you, so be mindful of that. Definitely play with his hair, whether he’s clinging onto you or you’re clinging onto him play. With. His. Hair. He’ll become putty in your arms in no time.

All in all, Diluc is a tricky on. He loves to cuddle with you, but doesn’t want to ask for it (he’s lowkey touch starved :( ) so it helps him that you go out of your way to cling o yo him, and cuddle.

— dainsleif —

Hmm... dain is a tricky one too. Like Diluc he’s very much touch starved, but he goes out of his way to... basically ask you to cling onto him.

He likes both spooning, and when you lay on his chest, he really won’t complain he just wants to cuddle.

He’s used to you falling asleep on him, he’s a night owl so it happens every night you go to bed. So when you do it in the middle of cuddling he doesn’t notice at first, but when he does he turns slightly, slightly soft and will kiss your cheek, and top of your head.

Because he wears a lot of black, he’s typically a bit warmer than usual. He’s naturally colder than most people, so it kinda balances it out.

Dainsleif knows to well that with winter, comes you clinging onto him more than usual. He’ll be more affectionate in that time, he doesn’t know why he does this but he just... does? It’s like natural to him, with you being more clingy makes him more affectionate. Law of equivalent exchange.

All in all dainsleif is very neutral, he’s very loving but won’t melt instantly in your arms. It’d take a lot of time for him to start melting in your arms.

[meili-sheep]

Alright i have no new ideas yet for the other aus HOWEVER Eldritch!Diluc is forming in my head and the fact I've been obsessed with the concept of a being looking so human so normal and yet yet when you look a little close you see all the wrongs in there, like if you look at a painting from afar it looks flawless, perfect, but when you see it up close the layers and mistakes are more noticable

Anyways just a short excerpt from this new au

Diluc hears the world sing

more specifically, y'know the music that plays in the background at genshin? even during the fights and such? Diluc in this Au, can hear that

Since each region has its own unique musical theme/motif it goes by, Diluc must've gotten whiplash when he was little from the transition of Mondstadt to Liyue whenever he went there with his father and such

he got used to it yeah but sometimes he just sits down and listens to the world's tunes, the stories hidden and laced between its unintelligible words(maybe it tells a story, the story of the land he is in, its history, it's grievances and victories, kinda like Leyline!Diluc but with the world instead)

Diluc can will things to corporeality, but in exchange he must follow the world's will: "Be as free as the wind's breeze, Be as hardy and unmoving as stone, Be as quick and steadfast like electro, Be as patient and wise like the ancient trees that grow, Be as bright and warm as the flames of war, Be as smooth and adaptive as water in any situation, and Be as cold and unyielding as ice."

tbh it would really fit him as he has the qualities as said to be, or atleast a piece of each quality, he was born and raised in mond which taught him how to be free, once he's set his eyes on something he cannot be easily moved as he's stubborn, he moves fast especially in combat, he's a bit more wiser from his 3-4 year murder-hobo session and his losses in life, he's red and he's nice and warm and kind he just looks so stoic, he's very adaptive to situations as seen when he easily deflects the knights form his tavern when Venti and Traveller hide in it even if he doesn't know whats happening, he's cold and comes off as cold and he doesn't yield that easily.

^^^ things that i can discern from the little tidbits I've found in his canon self

And Diluc can't exactly manage to break free of the will, because that will helps him keep his sights on things and it was that will in the first place that led him to descend upon Tevyat in a human that looks so wrong in the littlest ways up close

and oh my god imagine, either he comes down taking the place of the now deceased Diluc Ragnvindr (who was a kid at that time) and just living the life he was supposed to live, eventually thinking he's human and yet he's not, he's not and never will be, talk about an existential crisis

also, Dadsleif and Sonluc in this would be funnier, because while Dain is conspiracy theorying Diluc's origins Diluc is just "Oh look! A dandelion! must be the last one this season *chomp*" and Just turned into a young adult angst

Eldritch! Diluc is just "no thoughts head empty" and sometimes he just slips up, not by his true form coming out heavens no, just his little habits and quirks he doesn't realize aren't normal like "wdym you can't float?" "Wait... we weren't supposed to eat the bones?" "Eating a whole lampgrass raw isn't healthy?" " "breaking" my leg and standing up fine isn't common???"

^^mostly for the funnies tho, he may be head empty but he has some common sense to know that being out of the norm would alarm the humans

Leyline Diluc and Eldritch Diluc would bond over being near omnipresent and omnipotent beings while Asmoday Diluc just vibes with his guns in the back ground, basically Misery is Leyline Diluc while Cpr and Reese's puffs is tied between both Eldritch and Asmoday Diluc, they can fit both but idk who fits more

I can see it because Leyline Dilucs is angst Abt his omnipotence while Eldritch Diluc is Crack treated seriously with his Omnipresence, and Asmoday Diluc with the inevitability of his Chaos (all of them are chaotic but Asmoday Diluc is most chaotic)

-Leyline!Anon(i might make an acc so I can send little drawings idk)

I feel like CPR fits Eldritch a little more where Reese's Puff is more Asmoday Diluc

And I love the idea of Diluc being. Just a little off in a nonhuman way. Because well he kinda is that. LIke his humor is a little dry and he seems unsure how to approach people (see his line about Diona). So adding on to that him not acutally being human is very funny to me. And I dont' think that its he doesn't have common sense, he just doesn't have any emotional sense. Like he can understand why something might not fit but not get why it might upset someone.

Either way love it. Super funny to me.

[callsign-rogueone]

study season

fourth wing characters (Aaric, Bodhi, Brennan, Dain, Garrick, Imogen, Liam, Mira, Rhiannon, Ridoc, Sawyer, Sloane, Violet, and Xaden) x reader the ways our faves help you study for exams. words: ~900 🏷: no book spoilers, no triggers. gender neutral. and I included the girls this time!! some of these can be read as platonic and others mention kisses / cuddles, implying you’re a couple. idk, I just work here. I’m really liking this format lately, and it’s (fairly) quick and easy so you can expect more of these in the future while I procrastinate all the girlfriendverse chapters and smut I have to write lol

First, the more studious of the bunch:

Brennan is all-in, no hesitation, pulling up a chair next to you and learning this with you for moral support, but also for fun (can you believe this guy?) though you suppose it’s easier to enjoy this if it doesn’t count for a grade. Either way, he’s a very nice study partner, and he encourages you to take breaks every hour / chapter / etc. Brings snacks, too.

Violet somehow already knows all of the material, and explains it better than the textbook or the professor. Walks things back if you don’t get it and gets into the why and how, which so many teachers skip over, even though it helps explain the what (pet peeve of mine showing here lol). 

Aaric’s study skills are unmatched -- years of the best private tutors money can buy really paid off. Teaches you new strategies that you’ve never heard of in your life, and when you ask, he admits a bit shyly that he came up with it himself, but it works, and you get it done in half the time you would have before. (work smarter, not harder, baby)

Rhiannon gives you the pep talk of your life (we all need a Rhiannon in our lives) and convinces you that you’ve got this. Packs you a little snack for the day of your exam with a little note reminding you that you know this, just breathe and think. 

Xaden sees you struggling and forces you to take a break. During said break, he’s reading the book himself and figuring out what exactly has you so stressed and exhausted. Breaks down the tasks into smaller, more manageable steps and guides you through it -- “find three reasons why XYZ happened.” done with that? “Now make them into paragraphs.” etc etc, and an hour later, you have a passable essay. 

Dain is taking this more seriously than you are, and his discipline is like no other; you’re not stopping until the work is done, or until midnight, whichever comes first (because sleep is important for the brain, or whatever. Definitely not just because he misses you and wants to cuddle). 

Garrick may have no idea what you’re talking about, but he suffers through it with you, offering to let you explain things to him, because teaching is a good way to test if you understand something. Though you get what you pay for -- he’s a total smartass about it, asking questions about the littlest details even if they’re common knowledge -- he’s gotta be thorough, right? 

Ridoc may be the class clown type, but he’s smarter than a lot of people think. He comes up with a bunch of jokes that actually help you remember things. Somehow manages to relate the most complex topic in your book to a sandwich, and it actually works. He’s incredibly smug about this for the rest of the week, especially when you get the highest score in the class (he’ll take payment in kisses, thank you.)

Bodhi makes flashcards with you, quizzing you and giving you a kiss if you get it right (this definitely is not a distraction, and things definitely don’t escalate from here, nope.) He’s also really good at proofreading essays, and gives excellent feedback regarding the structure and the order of the information.

Liam sits there with you all the while, completely silent, working on one of his wood carvings at the other end of the table, but you know he’s there and he’s watching -- and that provides a healthy amount of peer pressure and keeps you on task. He’s an incredibly observant person, and he can see the stress building; he knows when to intervene and suggest that you take a break.

Sloane is the best person to commiserate with. She doesn’t want to be doing this either, but she’s also incredibly stubborn, and she doesn’t give up; after a healthy amount of complaining, she’s forcing you both to keep trying until it works / until it’s done, and then you’re treating yourselves to something for getting it over with, because you deserve it.

Sawyer is gentle and supportive, having a heart-to-heart conversation with you and reminding you that yes, this is important, but the world will not stop turning if you fail one exam. He knows how it feels to be compared to his peers, especially in how long it takes you to accomplish something (poor bb) and doesn’t want you stressing yourself out about that, either. 

Imogen is the opposite, all tough love, giving you gentle but firm reminders: “you didn’t make it this far just to give up,”, “I know you can do this, so do it,” but she balances it out with tender affirmation when you’re done. She’ll even let you skip out on training for the day since you’ve been studying so hard (and she takes training seriously, so this is more of a reward than it seems). 

Mira’s default approach is similar to Imogen’s, but she can see that you’re reaching your limit and dials it back, being more gentle with you and doing whatever you need -- encouragement? someone to just sit there? help / explanation / etc? she’s got you covered. herds you into bed at a reasonable hour so you’ll be well rested for the classes and exams.

And all of them are incredibly proud of you for working so hard and getting good grades 🤍

[berry-hwa]

i have absolutely nothing to post because ive been so tired and lifeless these days butt i do still have my small brainrot thoughts saved up one of which ill share today lol

[spoilers ahead]

hear me out - Aether and Lumine/Eisuke and Yukari

in the storyline hoyoverse is following, Aether was separated from Lumine by the unknown god when they stepped into Teyvat — much like Eisuke was separated from his sister as children, after their mother had passed

even tho Lumine and Aether are twins, the fandom (including myself) believes in the headcanon that Aether is much more different from Lumine in that he's more timid, quiet but calculating and witty😍Lumine on the other hand, is the Abyss Princess; she's been through hundreds of years of hurt, "evil," and a thirst for vengeance — i also firmly believe that if Eisuke had never been separated from Yukari, maybe he would end up just like Aether - but since he was adopted by Akira, he's adapted to the world of capitalism (lol) power, money and what it means to build yourself a throne to sit on;; so just look at little Eisuke as the "i wanted no pickles.." brother and Yukari as the "he asked for no pickles! >:(" sister.

since Eisuke(Aether) would have been separated from Yukari(Lumine) for years and years, it would make complete sense that he doesn't know the rules of the universe(Teyvat) as well as Yukari does — aka the Abyss Order, the fall of Khaenri'ah. he doesn't know and he's not aware of what the Abyss Order's plans really are - which really, no one is aware of, right up until the We Will Be Reunited story teaser, where Lumine is seen being carried in the hand of a ruin guard (field tiller as we know of them)

"Outlanders...do not belong in this world"

"One day, this journey will reach its end"

then we see Khaenri'ah, destroyed in the cataclysm;;;

"But until the Abyss has engulfed the thrones, my war with destiny will see no end"

heres when she finds out about her brother, having forgotten him and their journeys, how they were separated — to which she goes looking for him and realizes that reuniting with Aether is pointless, because she has set her own goal to go against the divine, while Aether on the other hand still has so much left to learn and find out

"We will be reunited dear brother, but not here, not now..."

"We will meet at this journey's end, once the dust has settled"

"Then, you will understand."

i figure Yukari wouldn't hesitate to run back to Eisuke once she remembers him, but she's seen Teyvat, she's guiding her "followers" to a new path and fighting to rebel against Celestia and its gods — which is why she would leave Eisuke be. to reach his own conclusions. to find out the truth, the secrets, and then reunite with him hopefully at her side; which is just my theory, that Lumine hopes Aether will gather enough information and reach his own conclusions before choosing to side with either her, or against her - with the gods. this was even mentioned in the 2.6 patch, at the end of the archon quest, where we part with Dainsleif and he hopes that the next time we meet, we will have reached our own thoughts and views on the world — both Dain and Lumine know that Aether is capable of that, just like Yukari would know that Eisuke's not an idiot, and no matter which side he chooses to be on, it would be according to his own values and views on the world, Celestia, Archons and Khaenri'ah — and i will say that i sortt of have a feeling he would side with Yukari(Lumine) because she's the whole reason he's in Teyvat still - he wants to reunite with her and keep traveling worlds together, and part of me also says that he would analyze that the Abyss Order really only just...want to exist freely, want their homeland back, they want to escape the curse that was laid upon them; if Celestia is gone, the Heavenly principles are no more either. there would be no destruction, no war between gods and most importantly, he would be happy that Yukari would finally get her wish to revive the homeland (though that goes completely against what Dain said in the 2.6 archon quest) which means he would leave Teyvat just as he entered it - with Yukari

also Scaramouche appearing in 3.1 could have a MAJOR change on our views about the world of Teyvat, which he claims is fake...lmao...and Celestia could end up as all just a big fat lie, which would have an effect on Aether(Eisuke)(its funny cause Eisuke canonically doesnt believe in god lol) and his morals in the future, just like everything else to come will

ANYWAYS my rant here is done!!! just a big fat lump of brainrot i brought on the table cause im procrastinating yet again

[bookuya]

let's play a game! ship your moots with a character ! <3

OKOKOK LET'S GO!!! TY ANON I ALWAYS WANTED THIS ASK <33 also kinda small spoilers for characters?? from the new genshin update

@starglitterz + xiao + scaramouche : the first one is obvious cause it's a match made in heaven <33 but if not xiao then i think you would vibe good with scaramouche?? i would love to be a good thirdwheel and be bullied in a nice way by you guys LMAOO

@glazelilyy + kaeya + dainsleif : the first one is obvious because you guys would be hot together but let me explain my reasoning behind the latter: i think you and dain would TBH be a power couple BDWBOBFBF IDK HAHA

@booksandhoneymilktea + tartaglia (gi) + todoroki (mha) : OKAY EVER SINCE YOU HAD A YUKI SOHMA PFP I CAN'T STOP IMAGINING YOU AS YUKI 😭 anyways i think you would be with a energetic s/o like childe who would hype you up or todoroki for quiet study dates YK?

@cursedraiden + raiden shogun + thoma : the first one would be a chaotic lovely one but i also think you and thoma would be another power couple!! like i could sit in inazuma and see you two walk around and think "damn they're hot" LMAON JOFBFBWOBF

@illuminer + tartaglia + kazuha : i can't stop thinking about how i thought your pfp was a duck for a long time ANYWAYS i think you and childe would be the most funniest couple ever ORRR kazuha taking care of you and keeping an eye on you before you do something chaotic HAHAS

@yanbub + kazuha + albedo : i think you and kazuha would be perfect (it gives me the trope opposites attract vibe HAHA) OR you and albedo wreaking havoc peacefully!!

@teyvatdreams + zhongli + eula : AAHHHHH i'm not sure why but both of these people with you give me mad power couple vibes?? tartaglia was a very close second cause you guys would probably have so much fun together and teucer would probs like you a lot

@bukojuiice + diluc (gi) + todoroki (mha) : MORE POWER COUPLE!! you and diluc give me vibes of beautiful and intelligent people BUT if not him then todoroki!! it would be so a calming and relaxing but also a relationship with so much giddy laughs!!

@tartagliaxx + tartaglia + beidou : IDC ABT YOUR RECENT POST YOU AND TARTAGLIA >>>>>>> LIKE?? you guys would be so cute togetherBUT if not him then i think you and beidou would be so HOTTTTT

@noirkkat + kaeya + raiden shogun + me : IM SO SORRY THIS IS SO MUCH POWER COUPLES BUT IMAGINE HOW HOT IT WOULD BE??? HHHHHH YOU AND KAEYA OR WITH RAIDEN SHOGUN ORRR NINGGUANG HAHAHSHS or yk me is cool too <3

@rosieposies-world + zhongli + thoma : OK LEMME EXPLAIN, YOU AND ZHONGLI GIVE ME SUCH SWEET COUPLE VIBES LIKE I WOULD WANT TO THIRDWHEEL YOU GUYS 😭 IF not him though, i think you and thoma would be the type of trope couple that no one expected was really a match made in heaven :))

@xiaophobic + diluc + gorou : yeah sorry guys it's another hot power couple <3 you and diluc would be just so magnificent together! but if not diluc then i think gorou and you would have so much sweet energetic vibes IDK WHY

@stellumi + kazuha + tartaglia : OKAY THIS ONE WAS KINDA DIFFICULT BUT IN THE END I GOT IT I THINK?? you and kazuha would be a peaceful strong couple but tartaglia would also be someone i think who would admire you so much!!

@seerie + kaeya + diluc : BROTHER RIVALRY FOR YOU IDK?? you with either would be so cool to see and couples i would literally sit in mondstadt and admire all day long HAHA

@constellarations + xiao + kaeya : okay i had to really think for the second lead (LMAO why did i call it that 😭) both would be so cool to see?? like especially xiao, i think that would be a very chaotic peaceful couple!! never in my life did i think i would put those two words in the same sentence

@love-impact + zhongli + thoma : ppppower couple IK I SAID THAT A LOT ALREADY SORRYY HAHSSHH but i really think you guys would be so pretty and smart and so hot overall (FOR BOTH ZHONGLI AND THOMAA)

@dilucbar + diluc + yoimiya : yoimiya cause i know you love her and it would be so cute!! and xiao was a close second place cause you love to torture people with your angst and diluc and xiao angst... yeah you know what i mean >:(( THEIR ANGST IS SO EASY TO WRITE FOR AND HITS HARD

@childeluv + tartaglia + ganyu : CUTE BUT STRONG AS HELL COUPLE!! and i think you and ganyu would be so sweet and keeping an eye out for each other so none of you guys overwork as much and take breaks <3

@abyssheart + xiao + hu tao : OPPOSITES ATTRACT TROPE WITH XIAO MAYBE?? i'm not sure but that would be so hot PLUS i think you and hu tao would have so much fun everyday together and the hugs would be so nice and warm!!

@help-wtf-am-i-even-doing + simeon (om) : you and simeon period. that's it and it would be so CUTE and firm believer he would let you wear his coat or whatever that thing is that he wears on his shoulders or elbows HAHA

@urujiako + kazuha + dainsleif : omg. this would truly be so COOL TO SEE? like a calm couples who literally could rule the world but won't cause why do that when you can admire the things in life? UGHHHHH YES

@eternism + yoimiya + thoma : KAZUHA WAS A CLOSE SECOND!! you and yoimiya would be literal amazing best friends and you and thoma would probably have the best pranks up your sleeves!!

[roc-writes]

A Beautiful Abyss and the Crimson Moon

You return to your home country a little early and pay your darling Twilight Sword a visit, concocting a plan to spend the day with him

A/N: OK SO... The title is fancy for no reason other than this was GOING to be a multi-parter with angst at the end until I decided it best to just leave it as is with fluff. lest I ramble for 5k words about how I personally envision the land of Khaenri’ah and who our beloved Reader is. It is my first time writing for Dainsleif as well! Warnings: Probably light spoilers dotted around here and there in terms of what is revealed as of now for the fallen country, warning for softer Dain because pain has not yet happened. Pairing: Dainsleif x GN!Reader

“My sweetest Moonlight, it is time to wake up~” The weight of his mattress dipped at the front in response to another body clambering atop it. He grunted once but made no motion to leave the comfort of his blankets. It was early, likely too early as he heard a soft voice filter through his senses like a pleasant dream. Upon hearing such familiar cadences, there was always one of two explanations. Either he was dreaming of his life partner once more on a lonely night and yearning for their touch, or they were actually right here with him on the bed with gentle fingers threading through his light blond locks. Usually it was the former. A warm, weighted kiss under his eyelids beckoned him to finally open his eyes. The sight of his beloved daybreak, his Starlight, graced his vision for only a moment before he fell deep into the mattress as someone dived into his touch.

“Dain!” You cried gleefully, nuzzling into his chest affectionately as he caged your body in a loving embrace. “Welcome to the waking world, at last. I missed you so.” And in truth, he missed you too. So so much. However…

“We did not expect you back so soon, their majesties will be pleased. Though, is everything alright in Teyvat?” A wondrously brilliant glimmer overtook your eyes as your hand wrapped around his own and guided him out of his bed. You led Dainsleif to sit on a stool in front of his vanity, facing the mirror as you picked up a brush and dutifully combed the knots out of his hair. He could remember the first time you did this to him, practically begging him to let you do this, do anything for that matter as a display of affection. Only after serious convincing did he allow you to lift a finger in his name, but now he could never think of another way to go about your shared morning rituals. It was comforting, intimate, absolutely divine.

“That is precisely what I wish to speak to you about! My Moonlight, I found the most beautiful little city in the middle of a lake that is blessed by fair winds and kind people. I set up Waypoints nearby before racing back home to you and to Khaenri’ah.” Dainsleif’s lips quirked upwards at his partner’s enthusiasm, you always were fascinated by the world of Teyvat above. Perfect, considering your position in the Eclipse Dynasty required frequent travel to all corners of the world. And the city you mentioned…

“This city you found, is it perhaps Mondstadt, the city of freedom?” Recognition swirled in your eyes before you nodded quickly.

“That’s the one! Have you ever been?” You always asked this, curious and awestruck. And he always felt guilty when he shook his head in response. The act of saying no to you, in any capacity, seemed to feel almost wrong.

“I know of only what I have been told by their majesties and what I have read in the royal archives.” He looked into the mirror to gaze fondly at your reflection. You stopped brushing his hair to smile back at him.

“Then we will go together! The Mondstadt waypoints are charged and ready for travel, and it is your day off, correct?” You pleaded silently at his mirror image, puppy-dog eyes pulling out all the stops you could think of.

“Starlight… You know that I do not have the privilege to have a day to myself.” You huffed, putting down the brush on the vanity.

“Then I as the right hand of their majesties hereby decree Dainsleif, the Twilight Sword of the Eclipse Dynasty, dedicate all of his time on this day, the day I returned from my overworldly duties, to be my personal escort around our beloved city of Khaenri’ah! Besides, I have already spoken to her highness to recruit your services for the day and she agreed.” You dropped your professional royal servant voice at the final statement and shot a smile at your love, who wondered why he even questioned your carefully structured plans for today in the first place. He stood up from his stool and guided you to sit down next, wherein he took the brush he always used for your hair and began to straighten your own knotted locks with the same care you gave him moments ago. It was unspoken tradition to alternate like this, and you melted into his touch.

“If this is by your decree, then you must don your official garb, my love.” You crossed your arms and whined indignantly while pouting at Dainsleif’s face in the mirror. It seems, he has won this battle. He could not help but smile affectionately as he pressed a kiss into your hair and hear your garbled response. “We must make it official after all.”

~*~

While getting you into your official attire had always been a mission of its own, he unfailingly believed it only made you all the more breathtaking to behold. It was a modest set of clothes save for its lack of sleeves. This, however, was intentional. And while you wore everything without much a fuss, Dainsleif could never get you to wear the shoes that came with it. It was stifling, you had once said, before meeting him one-on-one and he had always wondered why. It was a secret you revealed in your own time, and he has never questioned it since. When both of you stepped outside the safety and intimacy of his quarters, everyone took note.

“The Heart of Daybreak has returned! They’re back!” It was still early but even still those that were out and about and living their day-to-day lives stopped to greet the one they called Daybreak, and Dainsleif was ready to redirect the gathering crowd when he felt you stiffen beside him. You loved your people, but he knew that sometimes large and growing crowds unnerved you. He lowered his defensive posture when you subtly squeezed his hand behind your garments and allowed you to interact with them.

“We missed you so much!”

“How is the surface? Are they really as kind as you say?”

“Will you tell us more stories of your travels?”

“There is a gargantuan package by the plaza, more supplies from the surface? We will be able to stock our shops for many moons to come thanks to your tireless endeavors!” It was mostly the children who spoke over one another, seeking to give and receive affection. You were something of a hero to them all, bringing them all manner of trinkets and treats on top of your usual deliveries to Khaenri’ah, they adored you. Yet you straightened up as Dainsleif stood beside you. You were asked a question, and he always brought you back to the present when you needed it. You nodded once.

“Yes, that is correct. We should all hurry to the plaza before the goods we imported go to waste, shouldn’t we?” You directed the question playfully to the children, who cheered and scrambled ahead, leading you by wrapping their little hands around your wrists. And Dainsleif watched, as he always did, unable to tear his eyes away from you when the runes on your exposed arms flickered to life in a brilliant amber light. He remembered the day he first met you, and the events that led up to that fateful meeting.

The people of Khaenri’ah worked to be as powerful and independent as they could be in a country without an Archon, and so the royal families poured all they could onto creating what they needed. An army of automatons, a way to create life from just the essence of the earth below and the stars above, and living keys to activate these creations. All of this, in the name of progress and protection of the people. For years the most proficient practitioners of Khemia were commissioned to create these powerful keys, creatures that could live and breathe like humans but would not erode with time. Beings that could learn and experience emotion and strategy in order to plan the best ways to retaliate should war ever break loose. Dainsleif was already the sword of the royal family when the renown alchemist Gold stepped foot into their majesties’ royal chamber. Behind them was a dim-eyed individual wearing nothing but torn rags. ‘Homunculus’ is what Gold called it. A creature made from soil and stardust. There were faded white runes almost etched into the skin of two flimsy arms that could not be hidden by the rags. His ocean eyes met with dull and faded amber, contained and muted much like the person before him. Though when you stared back at him, your eyes flared to life with what looked like speckled stars in your irises that chased his gaze like stars chased the moon. Since then, he had never left your side.

Dainsleif had many reservations when he first met you, something created by Gold who was an individual he already disliked for their feverish ambitions and morally questionable methods of experimentation. Not only that, but it was you and you alone who commanded the automatons you affectionately referred to as ‘Graders.’ On a whim alone you could destroy half of the country, and the royal family knew this. So you were raised by the Eclipse Dynasty to be loyal to Khaenri’ah and not to your creator, he was the equivalent of your retainer upon that first meeting. And he treated you as such. Yet… somewhere along the line that professional relationship had dissolved. He would oft wonder how that happened but now, as he watched your favorite Grader approach you with relatively careful steps he can list but a few reasons why.

“Leaf!” You called, and Dainsleif still found your attempt at subtlety amusing. Though he could never call you out on it, nor would he want to. The sound of your voice was one reason. ‘Leaf’ extended a long arm to you, offering a beautiful crystal flower that you took in your hands and gently tucked behind your ear. Your kindness to even that which cannot feel was another.

“Thank you. Now, can you help me unpack this for the citizens?” At the request, both your runes and the Grader’s flickered in sync for a moment and the automaton’s hand came to rest on the ground before you. You hopped on without hesitation and allowed it to place you on its shoulder before it began to tear open the packages which you brought underground with your own strength. You looked back to him and blessed him with a smile, lingering for a moment before you turned back to face the others that had gathered with similar delight. That was his third reason. The biggest reason, perhaps, was how whenever you wanted to go exploring, he was always your first and only option.

“Are you ready, Moonlight?” You looked so giddy standing beside the sheer cliff that led you both to the surface. A powerful wind current that was used for gas exchange between the surface and the underground country was the only obstacle in the way. You, however, had a way around this. Dainsleif nodded, affectionately clasping your hand in his own. You almost opted to go home and just relish in his presence the rest of the day, but you wanted to share the experience of exploring Mondstadt together.

“With you? Always, Starlight.” You wrapped your arms around him once for a tight embrace which he returned instantly, pressing his face into the crick of your neck. There was an excited and quick sort of giggle that erupted from your mouth.

“Alright. Hold onto me. Count down from three?” Both of you counted down together.

Three. Dainsleif adjusted his position to wrap around under your arms, he faced the current.

Two. He felt something strong wrap around his waist, tufted at the end. Your muscles braced for what came next.

One. You both leaped into the wind current and he managed to look back at you just as he watched your arms transfigured before his very eyes. Feathers burst forth from your skin, taking on the colors of their home. Feathers glistened like starlight under the low light of their home and the current led you both to the surface. In moments like these as a transfigured tail wrapped around him to safe him should his grip slip and as your unique wings took the wind seamlessly underneath them, he remembered another thing he loved about you. Such a blatant disregard for Gold’s ambitions and principles, wanting to protect the country you both belonged to. You were no mindless creature. You had a curiosity for the world, and followed your own ambitions to explore it.

That you chose him to be the one you experienced the world with brought him a happiness he could never properly articulate, and he wished that you and he would always be together as you both watched the world of Khaenri’ah fade while looking up at the light from above.

[unculturedmamoswine]

Tortall Daemon AU: Aly

@phillyofcheesesteak and @meallaaoi both very kindly asked for more Tortall Daemon AU stuff ages ago, and I guess I finally found some motivation to write more! Get ready for Aly’s daemon, everyone!

If you want to catch up on my Tortall Daemon AU, here is my first post, about Alanna, my second, about Jon, my third, about Daine, and my fourth, about George.

Aly’s daemon is what is called a scrub jay in our world, but most people here (and in Tortall) call it a blue jay. (Not to be confused with the actual blue jay, which is a different bird.) In my AU, non-mammal daemons run in the Cooper line, and Aly certainly favors her father. This also means that father and daughter both have blue daemons, which is kind of fun, though is really nothing more than a strange coincidence in-universe, like Alanna and Faithful having the same eye color.

Aly, being sixteen at the outset of her novel, settles before it begins. However, she was a rather late settler: her daemon only chooses his jay form about a year before Trickster’s Choice begins. This is another example of Aly’s portrayal as a teen who hasn’t grown up enough for her parents’ comfort. (In the beginning of the novel, Aly of course dyes her hair blue to match her soul’s feathers.)

Jays are corvids, which are quite intelligent birds, fitting for a clever girl like Aly. This would be something that people might be aware of in a vague way in the Tortall universe, but I doubt the average person would grasp the significance of his form, and certainly even the most learned of bird scholars wouldn’t know what we know today, which is that jays may be among the smartest non-human animals. They’re also common in both Tortall and the Copper Isles, meaning Aly wouldn’t stand out in a crowd, despite her daemon’s flashy blue plumage. Having such a common daemon would be of a lot of use for Aly’s cover as a slave and a simple maid, as commoners and servants have the rather unfair stereotype of usually having plain and unassuming daemons. Nobles, after all, want to believe that their souls are beautiful and rare, unlike those of the common rabble. As a matter of fact, in my AU, it’s not unusual for picky nobles to choose servants with specific daemons. It wouldn’t be unusual for a noblewoman to, for instance, discriminate against a candidate for a maid’s position because she has a venomous snake for a daemon, or a brilliant tropical bird.

Aly and her daemon would become a lot closer during their time as a slave in the Copper Isles. Not to say that they didn’t love and value each other before, but they were both always a little independent from each other, and never felt the need to sit around having heart-to-hearts. But once they’re isolated from everything they’ve ever known, and they get to a point where they can only trust each other and Nawat, they start communicating more. This is intended to represent the fact that Aly is finally doing the kind of work she really wants to do; she’s self-actualizing, I suppose, and is able to take herself seriously as an adult. However, her ability to almost consider her daemon as a part of her spy network separate from herself ends up being quite useful, even if he isn’t capable of traveling far from his human.

In interactions with Kyprioth, Aly’s daemon would be completely unfazed by the god. Since he’s not human, the no-touch taboo wouldn’t apply to him, and the jay would perch on Kyprioth’s body and peck at his bangles and beads, partially to show that he and Aly aren’t intimidated by him. (He is a little bolder about this than Aly would like, as a matter of fact, but she respects that her daemon usually has good ideas, even if she doesn’t always know his motivations.) Kyprioth would find this charming, and a sign that he chose a good vessel.

Of course, on a meta level, I chose a corvid for Aly to link her with Nawat, who is himself a corvid. Two brilliant birds, falling in love. What could be better? The significance of her daemon being a corvid is probably not something that means much to either of them; I suspect that crows are vaguely aware of the concept that jays are sort of their cousins, but they aren’t sentimental about it. Additionally, animals just find the idea of daemons to be more human than anything else, so Aly’s daemon’s shape means less to Nawat than the fact that she has one at all. I think it would take time for Nawat to understand the importance of Aly’s daemon. Humans have very complex relationships with their souls: daemons have their own ideas and thoughts, but are also undeniably part of a greater whole. At first, Nawat would be dismissive of Aly’s jay, and later he would grow to love him as much as anyone loves their partner. Nawat would also be a little disappointed that Aly’s jay couldn’t go flying with him, given that daemons can’t go far from their humans. Aly might be aware that jays and crows are related, or she might not. She isn’t a biologist, after all, but perhaps her Aunt Daine mentioned it to her at some point.

Regarding Aly and Nawat’s kids: they’re human, in the sense that they have daemons, but they are able to turn into crows as well, in keeping with the short story Nawat. I suspect that the forms their daemons will take will just end up being in keeping with the way anyone settles: maybe one is a sailor and so she ends up with a big tuna for a daemon, or perhaps one who values his avian heritage might choose a bird for a daemon, who knows?