#conch reminiscences

[dragaliareferencearchive]

Conch Reminiscences - Genshin Impact

[genshinresource]

Genshin Impact Illustrations From the V3.0 Commemorative OST Album Web Event "Conch Reminiscences"

[hal-cyonn]

Looking through my saved songs on Spotify and going "ahhh yes, I was clearly Goin Through It™️ in spring of 2019"

[sagi-tori-ous]

Older Boyfriend Price was very active, willingly—of course his line of work needed him to be in tip top shape but he enjoyed a multitude of things that kept the body moving.

Hiking, Running, Swimming, Fucking, etc.

There wasn't much he wasn't capable of doing and he loved to extend the gesture your way.

The waves traverse down the rigid rocks in a continuous fashion, the sound whooshing through your ears, reminiscent of one holding a conch shell to hear the sea.

Your knees were on a grassy patch of land, a numbness setting in but you couldn't bother to care at the moment.

How could you be able to care when your face was being stuffed with Price's cock?

His hands had bunched up your hair without a care, messing whatever hairstyle it was in as he tugged your head farther back to sink every inch of his fat throbbing length down your greedy throat.

"Hungry thing aren't ya'?" He chided, in awe at how easily you throated him.

You could only moan around him, there wasn't anything to disagree about, if you could keep his cock stuffed down your throat you would.

Click Here→ 🩵

[genshin-impact-updates]

Genshin Impact "Conch Reminiscences" Wallpapers Showcase

Take part in the OST event now!

Go to Event

During the event, complete and share the event to get Primogem Redemption Codes (limited to 5 million in quantity) and Hero's Wit Redemption Codes (limited to 3 million in quantity).

[ariadne-mouse]

After drawing some cartoon mirrorhawks I decided to have fun with a more "realistic" take on these charming and dangerous mollusks. While they also seem well-suited to a bivalve or limpet-style shape, I went with a conch because conch eyes (a real thing) are reminiscent of the cutesy little face from the cartoon version.

Below the cut, what it looks like when a mirrorhawk realizes you're attacking their king:

And what conch eyes look like irl:

[ideasarestuckinmyhead]

A Story of the BitterSweet boys and Listener going on a vacation to the beach,restaurants, sightseeing and enjoying their day out somewhere nice and tropical

Tropical adventures.

Tries looking up foods in the Bahama's and also candy, so sorry if it like doesn't make sense! I also had to look up tourist attractions in the Bahamas.

It was a hassle to scrape the money together but, here they were in the Bahamas enjoying the tropical breeze. Alphonse was talking about the candy he got from a concert store as Boo rubbed sunscreen on him.

"Al, did you seriously only want to come because of the candy?" Asking, Seth lifted his glasses and quirked a brow. The brunette watched as the candy loving pinkette snorted and waved him off.

"No! I also wanted to try out other stuff here! Like the food! Asking if I only came for the candy." Huffing, Alphonse turned to Boo who was now applying sunscreen on his face. Eating a piece of Guava duff Alphonse then looked at Boo.

"What's that word? Big back? Yeah that's you. Fat fuck." Laughing, Seth turned as Alphonse lightly smacked his head. The brunette snatched a piece of candy, reading the wrapper it said mamba.

Smiling Seth enjoyed the taste of strawberry, rolling the wrapper he flicked it to Alphonse. Who rolled his eyes and looked back at Boo who finished putting the sunscreen on.

"Boo, back me up here!" Whinging, Alphonse leaned om Boo as they applied sunscreen as well. The baker sighed and looked a the two men.

"Seth, we know Al's fat." Bluntly saying, making Alphonse gasp again. "But also Seth you only wanted to go sightseeing." Adding on made Seth huff.

Both watched as Boo stood up and took off their beach cover. Showing off their swimming outfit and giggled seeing their faces.

"Luckily I'm helping us have a mixture of both. Now let's go swimming!" Excitedly Boo walked to the water. The boys rushed after them and started playing in the water.

The beautiful water was amazing to see in person compared to what you saw in movies. It truly didn't do it justice as the trio took pictures together on a small camera. Boo bought it to collect memories with all three.

After swimming for a few hours the trio then went to go eat at a restaurant. There was a lovely older woman that explained the dishes and helping the three order something they'd would like. Enjoying the nice atmosphere the restaurant had the trio talked amongst themselves.

Boo showed off the pictures they took of the boys, giggling as they handed the camera over. There was many of them were Alphonse got buried under the sand with sunglasses on. Seth holding a cute sovereign that he got from a street vendor.

Even seeing pictures of earlier that day, where they went sightseeing. The Garden of the Groves was beautiful to see in person, it was very peaceful as they walked through it. There was pictures where Alphonse was looking at Boo smiling softly. For Seth he had one where his eyes were looking at the waterfall in the grove.

Both looked very handsome in the pictures and letting them know make the blush a bit. After reminiscing of the day the three finally had their food given to them.

"There is so much we need to see." Sugar said as they ate their dish. Humming at how delicious the Bahamian curry chicken was, this made the boys smile.

"Don't worry Boo, we got like a week to see everything we can." Laughing lightly, Alphonse ate his cracked conch liking how the tangy dipping sauce was.

"This is really nice, even if we don't go everywhere I'm glad we were able to go." The brunette looked at both of them, Alphonse nodded at Seth's words. Then asked for a bite of Seth's Bahamian craw-fish, the shorter man rolled his eyes and let him have a bite.

Giggling, Sugarboo then asked if Al wanted some of theirs, making the three swap bites of their food. After finishing the three went to their hotel and talked of what they were going to do tomorrow. But, even if they didn't do everything on this trip the three of them will definitely scrap money together to do this again.

[boymanmaletheshequel]

Reminder to create an altar to yourself as well! There’s no bigger part of your spiritual journey as YOU. For my altar, I included things that I want to represent myself with. My past, my trauma, my accomplishments, and those who are dear to me, alive or passed. This altar radiates my aura into my home, into the world, and into the universe, and is the grounding point of my home. Your personal altar can consist of anything you think makes you, YOU! But for me, here are some of the things I hold sacred, allow me to share me with you 🩷

- Jay feathers, my spirit guide animal

- a Bronze platter containing dried Heather representative of home and hearth, and of wealth, as well as dried marigolds for protection, centered with a protection ward containing a Quartz crystal for manifestation, and rosemary for the protection itself.

- a colored pencil artwork I did titled “androgyny” representing my gender identity and how I portray myself to the world.

- a bar of luxury vintage rose soap reminiscent of my grandmothers and their history and the memories I hold of them

- a pine scented candle reminiscent of home in the PNW

- a Florida conch shell to celebrate my love of the oceans

- a selenite charging plate for my crystals

- my old glasses, representative of my old self and how I’ve changed

- a shard of genuine pottery from the pig war in Washington state that my dad discovered in the 1980s, a gift from my dad.

- a painted rock with the Fibonacci sequence gifted to me by my witchy friend and neighbor

- my childhood stuffed animal

- a lotus shaped dish with the hairpins I used, a gift from my mother

- a bowl of change to manifest wealth and intention

- a Celestite geode to symbolize spiritual reawakening

- a houseplant (philodendron Esmeraldense) to symbolize my love of nature and gardening

And various flowers in vases and old perfume bottles for summer ❤️

Do you have a personal altar? What does it look like? What do you see in yourself as a magical being?

[meeravandaseera]

Sebastian Solace Folklore and Mythology Similarities to Waterfolk

Attempted sketch of Sebastian imitating Scylla by me

One of my favorite waterfolk characters from fiction tbh, thus I wanted to check out some folkloric waterperson similarities. When I first swam upon Sebastian, the form of the tail really seemed familiar. I'm alluding to Shandzii's animatic using the song "Scylla" from Epic: The Musical. Sebastian's tail actually looks very much like the tail of some of Scylla's depictions as seen. It's almost as long probably and even has the ventral scales aka. the underside of a snake's tail.

1st: Scylla, Terracotta plaque, Melos, 460-450 BC, found on Aegina in the collection of the British Museum and 2nd Scylla side-detail on a Boetian red-figure bell-crater from 450-425 BC, Collection of the Louvre Museum. Both photographed by Jastrow, released as Public Domain on Wikimedia Commons.

Sebastian's anglerfish light is reminiscent of some Spanish freshwaterfolk. There existed two kinds of freshwater-maidens who were described to have stars shining from their foreheads according to Grimorio de Bestias on Blogspot. Both of these freshwater-maidens lived in bodies of freshwater only. The mozas del agua from Cantabria each possessed a star of the color of the sunset clouds on their forehead. The dones d'aigua from Catalonia possessed a star with a reddish shine on their forehead. Of course, this could apply to any fictional waterperson with the light of an anglerfish as seen in so many depictions, for example those that artists would draw during MerMay. Here are also two paintings by Georg Janny (1864-1935) that could depict the mozas del agua or dones d'aigua in some way:

"Nymphen und Irrlicht" upper right detail from 1922.

"Nymphen am Wasserfall im Wald" from 1920.

Sebastian also has a third eye and not only two. This can be found on the Japanese prophetic sea-maid yokai called Hitokai (人貝 and ひとかい) who is depicted or described with a third eye according to yokai dot com. Hitokai looks like a snake with the head of a woman residing in a conch shell. Sebastian's glowing eyes may be attributed to the espumerus or espumeros from Asturian or Cantabrian folklore alongside of whom some had glowing eyes according to "L´espumeru, mitología asturiana" on Sobre Leyendas and other sources. Those are small water-people who surf on the waves and primarily live in caves at the seashore from which they never venture too far away, ironically due to a fear of sea currents. They are said to be the literal interpretation of the seafoam of the breakers and waves, even the trails of seafoam behind boats or the foam that can be seen in rivers in the eve of a rainy day as said in the aforementioned source.

Hitokai is a pretty recently recorded waterperson in folklore and is more based on a sighting. The espumerus or espumeros were also said to be more of a recent legend or possibly an "innovation" and not being part of popular imagination as, according to Grimorio de Bestia's entry on the espumeros, the Asturian follklorist Aurelio del Llano had never heard of them despite having begun his life by the sea.

Edit: Forgot to add this regarding his backstory. Mortals being transformed into waterfolk is a very substantial motif in the folklore of waterfolk around the entire world. Look at some tales like the rusalki or Ne Hwas.

Thanks for diving into this :>

[joycew-blog]

Special RnM Ask:

If you were given the opportunity to write one episode dedicated to Rick in a romantic relationship, who would you ultimately pair him with? Why? What would happen, or what sort of plotline would you go with?

Oh jeez, that's a very good question. If it were a sexual relationship it would be one thing, but a romantic one? You've definitely given me food for thought. I think it really depends on where Rick is at in the story. If I were to write it right now (so directly after season 7) I think he's still very busy getting his shit together. He's not stable enough to get in a proper romantic relationship that isn't toxic or won't fall apart. That doesn't mean he can't try to tho! I just don't think it would be something that would work for long term. But if I were to pick a scenario it could either be a random new alien character that he quickly got attached to (like Daphne in season 5) or an existing character that he has a past with. I rather pick existing characters since that's easier for me to imagine and write for. My first thought was Mr Nimbus, but then I also saw a mention somewhere of Curtis which would be a good choice as well. But I prefer to pick Nimbus cause he really deserves more screentime and he has some sort of past with Rick that could be shown in the episode. So if I were to write the episode itself it would start with some sort of peace treaty. Rick bringing back the conch and sort of apologizing in his own Rick-ish way for being a dick. Maybe he even got pushed to do this by his family or therapist. They'll bicker a lot and it looks like it'll end in a fight again, but at the same time Rick brought back the conch which is unusual for him, so they decide to bury the hatchet for now.

Rick didn't know what to do next so, well... why not visit Nimbus' kingdom? It's been a long while and it might be a good start to keep the peace going. Of course knowing both Rick and Nimbus, things get horny real fast and they are having a one-night stand. They both had a great time and that's how the snowball started rolling. Rick visits Nimbus more often and it puts him in a good mood, to the point that even his family starts to get suspicious. Summer starts calling him out for being in 'loooveeeee' and Morty tries to stop her from doing that cause he's happy that Rick's happy. But the seed is planted and now things get too intimate for Rick. And Rick being Rick he of course starts to push Nimbus away. In return Nimbus gets angry and confronts him about it and they start fighting again. During the fight they start screaming what goes through their minds by insulting each other, digging in their personalities etc. Until Rick yells "I can't believe my grandkids think I fucking fell in love with you!" Anddd that made Nimbus stop fighting real fast and he looks at Rick like he's grown two heads. They talk it out and find out that their feelings are mutual; They are not in love, but definitely love to keep hanging out with each other more. They work best as friends with very good benefits.

Maybe it gets a bit fanficy at the end there tho, but I do genuinely believe that their relationship works best as friends in the end.

But! I have a second answer! Like I said before, if Rick were to go in a relationship right now it would not end well. But if I were to look at endgame? Then Birdrick would definitely be on the table! However, I don't think this a relationship that would get build and written in one episode. Rick and BP have a strained relationship right now, they are barely on speaking terms, so I think we should have more episodes of them together in general before they go in a romantic direction. Like Rick meeting Birddaughter, perhaps by rescuing her from the Galactic Federation cause she got caught again. Or maybe she's heard a lot of stories about Rick from the Federation that made her curious. Maybe have BP and Rick reminisce about the past! I'm definitely still curious what music the Flesh Curtains were making. And after allll that buildup we can have an episode where they get together. It could perhaps be more dramatic, like them going on an adventure and things go very wrong! One of them ends up on the verge of dying, which in turn makes the other realize they don't want to live without the other anymore. And things kinda keep going from there.

So I think there's a lot of different possibilities about having a romantic episode with Rick. But it would definitely be a hectic one, since Rick is a dumb-dumb when it comes to feelings and it's definitely an R&M thing to do. And also it would be queer as fuck, no more being sneaky on wither Ricks falls for guys or not! Unless that's already been established in an earlier episode.

(ohmygod this got so long, I wasn't expecting to write a fanfic today)

[atithsinaiamonkar]

The Burden of a Battle

Extreme tensions permeated the battlefield as the Pandavas and Kauravas faced off on Kurukshetra, their armies poised for a violent clash that would forever alter the course of history. Even at the eleventh hour, Bhishma Pitamaha implored Duryodhana to reconsider his path of war, warning of the irreversible consequences that would befall the kingdom. However, his words fell on deaf ears as the seeds of animosity had taken root too deeply in the hearts of both sides. Their thirst for retribution had clouded their judgement, blinding them to reason and compassion. As the conch shells blared and the call to battle echoed across the plains, both armies raised their weapons, their eyes reflecting a fierce determination that would lead to the bloodiest war ever witnessed.

The annals of history are replete with examples of how the unyielding quest for retribution ignites barbarous conflicts, fuels wars, and leaves a trail of devastation and suffering. This insatiable desire often arises from perceived injustices or the need to restore honour. Such emotions overshadow reason, compassion, and the fundamental principles of peaceful coexistence. From the Kurukshetra War to the ongoing unrest in the Middle East, tensions are rooted in deep hatred and vengeance, exemplifying how powerful emotions can become the genesis of discord, perpetuating cycles of violence and hindering the pursuit of lasting harmony loss of lives of countless humans and animals, the destruction of nature, and severe economic setbacks that can affect generations.

The world is exponentially vast and diverse, teeming with billions of individuals with unique perspectives, beliefs and desires. Disagreements and confrontations will inevitably arise in such a complex and interconnected environment. However, these disputes must be resolved peacefully and amicably at the right times avoiding the destructive path of violence and retribution. A vengeful culture having roots in hatred can lead to severe repercussions, making reconciliation impossible and perpetuating cycles of suffering. Instead, we must strive to find common ground, foster understanding and seek constructive solutions to our differences. Doing so can create a world where disputes are resolved constructively and the potential for peace and cooperation is maximised.

The insidious nature of conflict lies in its propensity to perpetuate a vicious cycle of retribution quickly. When one party inflicts harm upon another, the aggrieved party often seeks to avenge the wrong, igniting a retaliatory response that can quickly escalate into a destructive spiral. This dangerous cycle, reminiscent of the biblical adage "a tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye," erodes trust to such an extent that reconciliation becomes all but impossible. The deep-seated desire for retribution, coupled with a sense of victimhood, has cultivated a toxic environment where aggression breeds more aggression. As a result, both sides find themselves trapped in a seemingly inescapable cycle of aggression, unable to break free from the destructive grip of their vengeful impulses.

Today, unresolved disputes have left many nations divided and many families torn apart. Like a wildfire raging through dry hay, these contestations consume everything in their path. Yet, with timely intervention and judicious action, these destructive fires can be extinguished before they cause damage. Unfortunately, many conflicts are allowed to fester, providing a convenient platform for outsiders to exploit. In an age of increasing voyeurism and sadism, people are more inclined to watch the misfortunes of others than to address their shortcomings. Frays and strife between two parties often become a source of morbid fascination for the rest, offering a perverse form of entertainment while simultaneously benefiting those who seek to capitalize on the chaos.

The pursuit of conflict often blinds nations and individuals to the far-reaching consequences of their actions, leading to short-sighted decisions that can have long-lasting effects on millions of innocent civilians. In their desperate haste to inflict punishment on one another, they may overlook the broader implications of their choices, inadvertently fuelling further instability, hostilities and unwarranted suffering. Discords and warfare are always known to leave behind wounds and scars that are difficult to heal. History has repeatedly demonstrated that squabbles can leave behind deep-seated wounds that can not only be difficult to heal but can also be passed down from one generation to another, intensifying the disputes and making reconciliation increasingly challenging.

Disputes should never be perpetuated at the expense of innocent bystanders. While it is essential to stand up for your principles and refuse to bow down to injustice, it is also important to consider the broader consequences of your actions. If a conflict is not directly affecting you, it may be worthwhile to reconsider whether it is worth pursuing. Just because you can afford the fight, it may come at the expense of the peace and well-being of others who were never involved in the dispute. In such situations, it is crucial to weigh the pros and cons carefully, considering the potential impact on yourself and others before making a decision. Ultimately, the goal should be to find a resolution that minimizes suffering and promotes a more non-violent and harmonious society.

As an avid reader, I am reminded of two compelling books that explore the complex motivations of terrorists and the destructive cycle of violence they perpetuate. "Kasab: The Face of 26/11" by Rommel Rodrigues and "Headley and I" by S. Hussain Zaidi delve into the lives of two dreaded people who carried out acts of terrorism, revealing the underlying factors that shaped their radical ideologies and lives. Both books highlight the powerful influence of hatred, systematic brainwashing, distorted facts and a passively cultivated sense of vengeance that have been passed down through generations. This destructive cycle, fuelled by the embers of past grievances, is perpetuated through a baton of hatred that is passed from one generation to the next, refusing to extinguish and die forever.

When parties are hell-bent on finishing one another, they become unwilling to compromise or engage in constructive dialogue, viewing any concessions as a sign of weakness or a betrayal of their principles. In such situations, outsiders should refrain from interfering and intensifying the conflicts and instead focus on facilitating a peaceful resolution. Restoring concord is a noble endeavour. While figures like Lord Krishna and Bhishma Pitamaha in the Mahabharata sought to prevent war, the modern world seems devoid of such noble individuals who can bridge divides and foster amity. In the absence of external mediators, the onus falls on the parties to the battles to demonstrate maturity, nobility and a willingness to come together and compromise to achieve a tranquil and equitable resolution.

It is common for one party to seek peace while the other remains stubbornly resistant. India has repeatedly extended olive branches to Pakistan which has been met with unwavering hostility and betrayal. Pakistan's relentless support for terrorism against India and its harbouring of wanted criminals has demonstrated a complete disregard for amicable coexistence and reconciliation. In such circumstances, a policy of silence becomes necessary. Following the 26/11 attacks, India's decision to suspend all ties with Pakistan until justice is served was a clear and persistent response to such blatant aggression. Offering a handshake to those who spit in your face is an exercise in futility. A dignified silence is the only appropriate response to such blatant disregard for peace and decency.

The aftermath of the Kurukshetra War was a bitter pill for King Dhritarashtra to swallow. The loss of his hundred sons was a devastating blow that left him consumed by grief and remorse. The once-thriving court of Hastinapur was now a lonely place, devoid of the powerful warriors and wise men who had once graced its halls. The Pandavas, while victorious, were burdened by the guilt of shedding the blood of their own family. Their subsequent rule over Hastinapur was a heavy burden, haunted by the endless curses of those who had lost loved ones in the war. Although victory in a war is often celebrated it comes at a tremendous price. If we remain blind to the importance of peace today, we may one day yearn for its return, only to regretfully find that it has been lost forever.

[flan-tasma]

Regalos desde el corazón (Freminet x GN!Reader)

💖~ I hope I'm not wrong with the "receptacle" part, in spanish it's supposed to be called a chalice and when I looked up the name in english I got something like that, if I was wrong please let me know;;;;

Warning: Nope now💖 | Google Translate sponsors me (it's a lie) If I made any mistakes in the english translation, I would be happy to read your comments! | Content in spanish and english

Spanish:

A Freminet se le puede dificultar expresar su amor de manera física, si bien le gusta tomar tu mano por debajo de la mesa, o incluso tenerte a su lado cuando pasean por la corte de Fontaine, siempre tiene está molestia que lo golpea en momentos aleatórios y le recuerda que tiene que recordarte que te ama más que a nada en el mundo, y que debe ser claro con sus emociones, por lo que sus regalos están cargados de sentimientos que puede que no exprese correctamente hasta que los ves.

En su primer aniversario te regaló una caja musical en forma de caracola, por dentro tenía un compartimento en forma de corazón y de ambos lados estaban escritos tu nombre y el suyo sobre el metal, la melodía recordaba a una canción de cuna, tranquila y pacífica, y sobre la tapa de la caja de música tenía este grabado que decía 'Con amor, Freminet.'

En tu cumpleaños trajo consigo un ramo de flores mecánicas cuyos pétalos podías desprender y fácilmente para leer todos los mensajes que estaban escritos. Montones de formas de decir 'Te amo', 'Eres mi otra mitad' y 'Eres perfecta' estabas escritos con su caligrafía hermosa, y dichos pétalos se podían volver a pegar al cáliz con magnetismo. Cuando te lo regaló te prometió que si jugabas al 'Me ama, no me ama' siempre terminarías con la verdad de sus sentimientos gracias a los pétalos planeados para recordarte su amor.

Caracolas con tu nombre, de colores y formas hermosas, todas esas cosas que pueden hacerte recordarlo son sus regalos más valiosos, incluso cuando debe viajar por algún trabajo más pesado y no puede estar contigo se asegura de volver y acercarte a él para remediar el tiempo en que estuvieron lejos el uno del otro.

Los tesoros marinos de colores brillantes y texturas diversas, las piezas mecánicas con fríos engranajes y tornillos apretados, todos esos eran la manera en que Freminet te decía que te amaba cuando no podía decirlo de frente.

English:

Freminet may find it difficult to express his love physically. Although he likes to hold your hand under the table, or even have you by his side when you walk through Fontaine's court, he always has this annoyance that hits him at random moments and reminds him that he has to remind you that he loves you more than anything in the world, and that he must be clear with his emotions, so his gifts are loaded with feelings that he may not express properly until you see them.

On your first anniversary he gave you a musical box in the shape of a conch, inside it had a heart-shaped compartment and on both sides your name and his were written on the metal, the melody was reminiscent of a lullaby, calm and peaceful, and on the lid of the music box it had this engraving that said 'With love, Freminet.'

On your birthday he brought with him a bouquet of mechanical flowers whose petals you could detach and easily read all the messages that were written. Tons of ways to say 'I love you', 'You're my other half' and 'You're perfect' were written in his beautiful calligraphy, and said petals could be re-attached to the receptacle with magnetism. When he gave it to you he promised you that if you played 'He loves me, he loves me not' you would always end up with the truth of his feelings thanks to the petals designed to remind you of his love.

Shells with your name, colorful and beautiful shapes, all those things that can make you remember him are his most valuable gifts, even when he has to travel for some heavier work and can't be with you he makes sure to come back and approach him to remedy the time when you were away from each other.

The marine treasures of bright colors and diverse textures, the mechanical parts with cold gears and tight screws, all of these were Freminet's way of telling you that he loved you when he couldn't say it face to face.

[genshinresource]

Genshin Impact Background Art From the V3.0 Commemorative OST Album Web Event "Conch Reminiscences"

[ilyuu-archive]

the night takes a hold of you.

a blur of streetlights pasts you, bedim streaks of pale ivory barely touching you. the silence, with the exception of the roar of the engine rumbling underneath you, wisps of wind howling in your ears as you lower the window beside you for air, is cacophony.

the voice on the other side of the line said as much.

“oh, [name]~.” a chuckle follows faintly. “you’re being a bit quiet there, aren’t you? i can almost feel the tension coming from my side.”

your grip on the steering wheel tightens, your fingers biting into the leather cover. “really? what gave that away?”

he falls silence. it’s then that you’ve noticed the tone of voice you used and you shake your head slightly at that, lowering your eyes to your phone before flickering back to the road ahead. there may be a few cars and vehicles awake here and there, but that doesn’t give you an excuse to slack off for even a bit.

“sorry,” is what you said after a while. nearing your destination, you turned the steering wheel slightly, slowing down the car in the process. “i… i didn’t mean to sound that harsh.”

the traffic light flickers to a red, and your car cease itself into a stop. so, for those few seconds, you find yourself listening to the slight shuffling on the other side of the line. the soft crunching of sand is all it takes for you to know what he’s doing in that moment.

“no, no, it’s alright.” you strain to hear him as the whispering of the sea nearly drowns out his words; he draws out a sigh along with it. “i may have made you do a bit much, considering how late it is and all that.

“i’d simply needed someone. and that someone was to be you if this is the first place i’ve thought of to temporarily escape the world. reminds me a bit of my hometown, you know? the waves of the ocean as it draws in and out, the crabs scuttling past, and the conches that dots itself along the shores; nothing is more reminiscent than this.”

a pause. “well, this and you. i won’t deny that.”

(you curse yourself for feeling a bit flustered at his words.) the traffic light then switches to green, and you slowly press on the pedal as your car speeds up. you soon find yourself in rows and rows of trees, pine trees prickly in the touch of darkness. but it’s the sound of his voice (as much as you didn’t like to admit it) and the presence of the pale moonlight that settles your nerves.

“that doesn’t sound like me, does it?”

“…no, not really.” you settle into a parking spot. turning the key, the engine slowly stops with a rumble; the headlights die out; a wave of silence sweeps out. “but it’s not wrong to take a step back from it all either; you’re no exception.”

“aww, that’s sweet of you.”

“shut it. i’m just saying… take some time off for yourself or something. you could use it.”

“you know, you’re cute when you’re worried about me.”

“stop.”

“it’s true though.”

“i’m hanging up.”

“are you?” that voice comes clearer, closer, than you’d like. with a sigh, knowing who it is, you turn your head slightly to see heizou right there. the smile on his face widens a bit at the look you’re giving him. “well, even if you do, you can’t escape me, [name].”

“keep those one liners for the perpetrators you lock up and for them only.” at the screeching echo of your own voice through his phone, you wince, and he takes it to hang up.

and for a second, silence takes the air. not like the one earlier, no - a bit more comfortable. (for some reason, it made heat prick at your skin once again. that’s understandable, right? he’s staring at you right in the eye as if you’re all he could see.) it took you looking away, finding the steering wheel a tad bit more interesting, for him to find his voice.

“thanks.”

“i… didn’t do anything much.”

“you drove at least two miles at around one in the morning just to pick me up and deal with me and you’re telling me that’s not much?”

“…you’re right. you owe me at least a week’s worth of breakfast or something.”

he huffs - the air gentle, affectionate. “of course. always.”

you only sighed. (the darkness takes a hold on you, and you’re grateful for it, as it casts a shadow on you; it hides the soft look you find yourself wearing for him and him alone.)

something i found in the shelves of my drafts,, i never finished it and it collected dust for a bit (read: months)

[exactlycleverpirate]

Rafayel's Timeline Redux Part 2

Spoilers below.

See Part 1. Part 3. Part 4. Part 5. Part 6. Part 7.

?? Island of Songs (Myth) cont...

On the happiest day of his life, Rafayel kisses her and devotes the entire ocean to her. (Did they get engaged or married? Rafayel later calls her his beloved bride.)

“No gray waves, no lonesome islands. A desert of blue-I think if the desert is azure, it ought to look like the sea. In boundless blue, a young man, the God of the Sea, holds a girl’s hand. They walk to the horizon. The God of the Sea gestures for waves to bloom under the girl’s feet. Fish swim. White gulls circle overhead and sing as they land on her shoulder. To the God of the Sea, this is the happiest day of his life. And when he kisses her, he devotes the entire ocean to his beloved.”

Lemurians later believe that the heart was acquired through deception, and that the humans stole it, resulting the the God of the Sea’s death.

Amund: “I believe in Your Quintessence. Her method of acquiring the heart wasn’t forgotten, was it? If that island sparked the beginning of our demise, then everything should end there. The Lemurians cannot be deceived again!”

MC: “The Lemurian tales I’ve read said the God of the Sea died long ago… I’m sorry, you must refer to it as a “slumber.” How can there still be a God of the Sea?” Rafayel: “Does Your Highness know why he perished? His heart was stolen by humans.”

?? Abyssal Witch (Fragrant Dream) (I choose to interpret this as a memory, but it could also be an allusion to something that could happen in the future or just a dream. Whatever it is, Rafayel reacts to it like it is significant.)

Rafayel and MC were lovers (possibly during the Island of Songs sequence of events?). He would play his flute beneath her window and they frequently explored the sea together.

The last time she saw the sun before becoming the Abyssal Witch, she sat in a boat with her head on her lover Rafayel's shoulder.

She is cursed to be a Sea Witch in the Abyssal rift and loses all memory of being human and of Rafayel. She is accompanied by a red fish and a blue fish.

Rafayel finds her and begins a quest to gather the materials for a potion to turn human. This includes one of his precious scales, a bottle of his eternal blood, and a song in a conch.

Once the potion is complete, he uses the fragrance to turn her human and restore her memories.The potion she made has a bitter scent reminiscent of fermented aquatic plants. As he vanishes into sea foam, he returns her to the shore so she can live and be free.

(When she regains her memories, the voices that play are of current day Rafayel, from his card Your Fragrance. Possibly just because she is remembering this in a dream, rather than those being the actual memories she recovered at the time.)

(Rafayel makes a jibe in Nightly Stroll about waiting 800 years, so is this event and/or the Island of Songs possibly 800 years before the main story, circa 1248? My inclination is to say Island of Songs takes place before Lemuria disappears - and is in fact the impetus for it to disappear - thousands of years ago, but it takes him a long time to find her, potentially putting Fragrant Dream in 1248. But this is all speculation.)

Continue to Part 3.

[genshin-impact-updates]

"Conch Reminiscences" — Genshin Impact's V3.0 Commemorative OST Album Web Event Now Available

V3.0 Commemorative OST Album is now available!

Go to Event

Pick up the conch and heed the ballads of yesteryear.

In notes of melody may pearlescent dreamlands manifest.

Henceforth, rendezvous once more in the embrace of memories...

〓Event Duration〓

July 27, 2023 12:00 – August 3, 2023 23:59 (UTC+8)

〓Event Summary〓

During the event, complete and share the event to get Primogem Redemption Codes (limited to 5 million in quantity) and Hero's Wit Redemption Codes (limited to 3 million in quantity).

After obtaining a redemption code, you can use it to redeem the gift pack via Settings > Account > Redemption Code in the game.

PlayStation players can scan the QR code after opening the page to participate in the event.

〓Event Rewards〓

Primogems ×40 (limited to 5 million in quantity)

Hero's Wit ×2 (limited to 3 million in quantity)

〓Notes〓

1. Players must have an Adventure Rank of 10 and above to activate the gift pack, and each UID can only receive the pack once.

2. The Primogem and item Redemption Codes are valid until August 9, 2023 23:59 (UTC+8). Please claim it within the validity period.

(Note: It is recommended to switch to landscape mode and wear headphones for a better experience)