#crimsonheartedphoenix

[bikmui]

.continued from here | @crimsonheartedphoenix

⚜┆ THE MERE SIGHT OF KAEYA MAKES his blood boils, like seething fire from an undeserved flame; burning unbearably. They prickle his skin like sparks off fiery embers, lapsing at his heart. He struggles to keep his calm. You still remember this place is your home? He always wants to say, but more often than not, gives up. The cavalry commander seems to have let go of the past, but constantly seeing him still irked him — nothing that bastard says is the truth, even when he’s halfway into the grave.

He stares at a wounded Kaeya, his gaze twitching, and the fact that he’s dirty and injured and in his tavern’s dumpster had somehow made Diluc’s heart feel better.

❝What are you trying to do? Surely you’re not here to gain a pity show.❞ He mumbles under his breath, didn’t matter whether Kaeya is conscious enough to hear him or not, torn between heartsick and wishing this person would just vanish as he reaches down to dab his fingers at his wounds, trying to opt for a better sight. It wasn’t lethal, truly a pity.

-

The lights fade from the streets and the tavern. Diluc closed down early for the night, shutting down the blinds, doors, and sending the employees off with practised ease.

Tending those injuries was disgusting, but it was nothing in consideration to the blood; it was more about the person they were on. After he’s done, he soaks his hands into the water and brewed himself a cup of tea. He’s only watching Kaeya from the corner of his eye, and the underfitting clothes he is in — he didn’t deserve to wear Diluc’ clothes, anyways, so he gave him ones that belonged to a burly woman.

Rousing from pain-induced slumber was as unpleasant as the fight that lead him there in the first place, a single misplaced foot enough to lead him to - Kaeya winced, looking down and startling almost imperceptibly to see that not only had his wounds been bound, but his clothes changed. They were hardly the most beautiful clothes, and already he missed those he oft wore, this was a moment in which he could not afford to be picky. 

“Thank you,” he said, loud enough to be heard, yet the words felt small in the expanse of the tavern. Although his gaze lingered in Diluc’s direction a moment longer than necessary, even that felt - too intimate, perhaps. As if it belonged to a bygone era; a time before this, the way Khaenri’ah remained consecrated only in the oldest fables. 

A groan left him as he stood. Biting his lip, he remained determined not to linger any longer than necessary. It was an open secret Diluc despised him after all, secrets spilt carving an impassable divide between them. 

It was for the best, he reminded himself. 

Every step ached, his back arched as he doubled over the wounds across his belly, body demanding to be protected although he preferred to look less pitiable. 

“I-”

What could he say? That he was sorry? That was long gone and passed, that the idea of apolosing now - for something he had chosen - seemed utterly futile. And how could he admit he trusted him, despite the fights, despite the anger, despite the hatred in Diluc’s eyes, because despite it all, he mattered the most to him. 

Perhaps he only wished to fill the silence a moment longer. 

“I’m sorry for the inconvenience. Please let me know how the Knights may recompense you for your trouble.”

[cavaliant]

@fieryties​ replied to your post:

BOUNCES AROUND AS SHE WAITS FOR HER WOLFS GRAVESTONE. 

@crimsonheartedphoenix​ replied to your post:

Diluc: This was NOT part of the plan!! 

................

“...Next time ya make bets on something or whatever deal ya’ve got going there, leave me out of it!”

[windborne-traveler]

“Yourself and your bed...? Sounds as though that might be a tad lonely, don’t you think?”

[a-venti-sized-problem]

💐

send a 💐 and my muse will write a small poem for yours!

@crimsonheartedphoenix

‘Master Diluc, A hero so true, 

Without his tavern, What would Mondstadt ever do?

A wit so sharp, And a passion so strong.

There’s no need to harp, He’ll right any wrong!

With Talents abound, and virtues so pure, 

While he’s around, you’ll be safe for sure!

No matter the setting, in peace or deep strain, 

By clear day, or dark night, a hero he remains~.”

[geo-archon]

for @crimsonheartedphoenix​ from here!

Successfully taking a drink of his own tea, he is not unaccustomed to sharing his table with a stranger. He finds, however, that he is unaccustomed to such a position when the man sitting opposite to him is far from being considered local. 

Monstadt existed directly beside Liyue, and its people lived carefree, vibrant lives within their city. He held no ill will nor malice for them, the people of Liyue welcoming them with open arms on all accounts, but it was still rare to find one of them within the walls of the Liuli Pavilion. Nonetheless on such short notice. It was a surprising turn of events; all of which led to this very moment - whereupon Zhongli finds himself tired of the silence growing between them.

With a small laugh, he hopes to reassure the other with a flippant wave of his hand.

“My apologies. I didn’t expect my words to have such an impact on you,” the man reaches for his set of chopsticks, moving to grab at a nearby meat dish drowned within a sauce of delicacy. “I was simply...starting conversation. It isn’t every day that someone from Monstadt visits Liyue, after all, and I have found myself-- immersed within my thoughts as of late. Strolling through the streets, partaking in fine dining such as this, and continuing to make choices rooted in my own selfishness...does one not start to wonder if I have, perhaps, evaded death for far too long?” 

Taking the meat into his mouth and providing the two of them with an additional amount of silence, he bows his head lightly toward this redheaded stranger.

“Rest assured, however, there is nothing to be worried about. Although, you are correct. If we’re to be dining with one another tonight, perhaps we should introduce ourselves?”

[convxction]

@crimsonheartedphoenix​ : omgggg I want my badge!! where is it

here you go, bully.

[lunaetis]

▸▸ [ @crimsonheartedphoenix​ || plotted starter ]

─「蛍」─  fire. red. screams. blood —

                the OUTLANDER felt like her thoughts were starting to blur despite the weather that had been good and her own HEALTH which supposed to be steady and in top conditions. while she had experienced a few flashbacks which should have been LOST in time given how long it had been when she slept, this would’ve marked the first time such images were SURFACING in broad daylight. eyes of amber, usually determined and strong now lost its focus momentarily. it was a split second in time, a FLICKER of red painted her vision only to disappear as fast as it came. a shake of head, and her GAZE burned the sight of the person before her, his fiery locks a clear giveaway of his identity.

                “ — i’m sorry, mister diluc. i’m feeling a little lightheaded. probably lack of sleep. ” aah, she was being rude, wasn’t she ? spacing out while she was talking like that. a hand raised as fingertips touched upon her TEMPLE, and a small smile came to her lips in attempt to lighten the mood. this was something they both shared, not wanting to burden anyone with their own problems. “  i think i missed what you said earlier. sorry about that. could you repeat it again ? ”

[sir-huffman]

♚ Do you and your muse get along?

QUESTION DUKE | [ Accepting ]

♚ Do you and your muse get along?

Yes, but Huffman gets annoyed by me because I keep allowing him to get into situations where he just wants to curl up and drink his stress away because (and I quote his catchphrase at this point) “he’s not paid enough for this.”

[cryocavalry]

@crimsonheartedphoenix​ sent: “If you awake to a knife at your throat, if monsters dig their claws into you, if death comes knocking at your door… Don't call out my name.” [MEME]

     Those are the things he deserves for being a traitor, are they not? Diluc’s words cut like the knives he speaks of but they are not surprising. It’s all Kaeya can see in his future, no matter how the choice he has to make will present itself or which one he will make. At the end of his path awaits him nothing but the grim reaper, smiling at him like an old friend. Sometimes he wonders if any of this is worth it until it strikes him that this is a futile thought to have. It’s all there is; it’s part of him, past present and future, whether he likes it or not.

Maybe it’s for the best that Diluc gives up on him now. Kaeya’s path may lead into darkness but he doesn’t have to drag Diluc down with him, even if the selfish wish to hold on and risk it is burning inside him like a fire. Sometimes it feels as if no decision he ever made was truly his; he is all alone in this world and yet paradoxically he is caught up in invisible strings, led by invisible hands, that make him dance to a destiny he cannot escape. This very night is proof of how helpless he is against it, is it not?

He came here to confess, seeking to clear his conscience but perhaps also secretly, desperately, hoping Diluc would offer him a way out. How foolish. Fate laughs in his face once more, its ugly grin reflected on the blade of Master Crepus’ true flesh and blood, and even through the pain Kaeya can’t help but chuckle at the bitter irony. If he hadn’t opened his mouth it wouldn’t have come to this and Diluc wouldn’t be looking at him with this look of utter contempt. The words from his mouth would be so very different.

We’ll always be together. I can protect you. I’ll be your home.

The memory of soft promises is mocking him, filling his chest with a dull ache. Kaeya wants to reach inside his chest and tear out his heart, but suspects he might find it empty. He takes a step back, away from Diluc, his own sword, now laced with ice crystals, lowering. There’s a metallic taste in his mouth and a stinging pain in his side. He feels cold, but for once in his life it doesn’t make him tremble.      “I never hoped that you would be the one to hear my cries when that day comes.” He means to say that when death comes knocking he hopes Diluc will be nowhere near him, but safe and sound somewhere far away - but if Diluc chooses to take it as yet another confession of his sins, Kaeya won’t bother correcting him.

[of-invisible-ties]

Taps his shoulder. "Didn't anyone taught you not to bully herons?" (For Oliver. And hey Pearl! Not sure if you remembered me :D I used to RP Libra)

���B-bully!? I would never countenance such a thing! You’re sorely mistaken!”

“I am the sworn ally of beauty and all things beautiful! And that includes my dear, darling herons! I would happily relinquish my entire fortune before allowing even a modicum of harm to be done to a heron. Who told you otherwise!? What ghastly, unsightly creature is spreading these grotesque rumors about me!?”

[visionreign]

    “M-Master Diluc! What’s the meaning of this?” Did her heart stop for a brief moment? More than likely.

❝Mind if I borrow a kiss? Promise, I’ll give it back.❞  ( @crimsonheartedphoenix​ )

[cavaliant]

Job & Karel

Send a word and I will write a drabble or headcanon based on it

Neither young nor old Karel has a formal job lmao...young Karel is too busy single-mindedly searching for his next opponents to think about money and doesn’t seem to ascribe much value to it seeing as how he’s willing to let Dart take any amount of his cash for potential information on new targets. The only reason he even carries money is it makes getting food and hair care products a whole lot easier. I think at first he wouldn’t have bothered looting the people he kills but since he discovered hunting and foraging is a pain and takes away from time he could be using to find his next real battle...he started taking his dead opponents’ cash to make things faster.

Maybe occasionally he’ll raid a bandit camp if he needs more but he finds most bandits’ fighting styles unrefined and extremely boring so he prefers not to. He doesn’t care who the goods used to belong to, finders keepers ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ As he grew older he slowly starts to like...actually fight bandits to help people though he will deny that was the reason for it and will maintain that he was just looking for someone to test his blade on even if the bandits are still the same level of unskilled losers as before. It isn’t precisely mercenary work because no one hired him and he’s just wandering aimlessly but it’s the closest thing to a “job” he has at that time.

Old Karel when he finally retires to a secluded village still doesn’t have much of real job--he’s spent his entire life up to this point honing his sword skills and wandering around so he doesn’t have much in the way of employable skills like mercantile experience or farming. Still, he’s a lot calmer and more responsible than his younger self, and he’s still an able-bodied adult so he helps out a lot with random tasks around town (carrying goods, painting a fence, mostly mundane manual labour) in exchange for things like loaves of bread or cloth to mend his clothes or a place to sleep.

Despite his title as the Sword Saint he doesn’t use his sword a lot nowadays and due to the village’s location up in the mountains of Bern there’s not much in the way of bandits or trouble in general. Though after the end of Binding it does mention that many came to train with him even if he never directly taught any of them so maybe his “job” would be unofficial mentor because of that and of how many young people he ends up counselling in his supports lmao.

[windborne-traveler]

Albedo x Aether

Send In A Ship And See How The Mun Feels About It! (Add + Aether to see his thoughts on it as well!)

See. This is where I get to so many questions, especially about those two. I looked into both of them on their own as characters. And then when I get to their ages, I get...screwed up. What age is Aether?? Younger than drinking age, but with how he acts, and his maturity, I don’t really peg him as like...middle teens??? Maybe more towards the 17-18 mark?? But that year of difference either places him as a minor, or an adult, which is great in a sense that teens and adults can relate and step into the Traveler’s shoes!!But *drat does it make it difficult to ship with him.* I need to pick an age and stick to it, but I’ve been debating this for *weeks* and I am just unable to sleuth it out. Plus, who *knows* what Mondstadt’s drinking age is? I’d use that if I knew what the game called the age limit. Anybody find that in one of the random books in Mondstadt?? XD Aaaaghhhh I don’t know how to deal with that. There’s a lot of controversy on his age and who to ship him with, that I am afraid to dip my toe into it sometimes. Tbh, I should probably become a multiship to test it out and see how it goes?? I’ve been debating that for awhile now-- But that’s a different debate. NOW ONTO ALBEDO--I don’t know his age either!! The only indication is that he’s around Sucrose’s age, and she’s called ‘young.’ But that could...mean so many different *things....*Is she young, like a young adult around the age of 20? Or is she young in the sense that she’s a teenage kid? And if you compare that to Albedo, he falls under the same logic. So I also don’t know if he’s a kid, or an adult. And then I fall back into step with the issues of Aether!! sjkdfgnkdfgSo if I judge their personalities without their age? I could see them working out over time! Albedo is curious, and seems to already trust the traveler a great bunch, and Aether is...actually, personality wise, easy to ship. I could see him working out with a lot of people! So yeah, I could see it happening. TLDR: I dunno the ages of them but if I just focus on personality?? Yeah, I could get behind it. 

[a-venti-sized-problem]

Top 5 flowers you can find in Mondstadt :eyes:

send my muse “TOP 5″ and a topic for them to answer!

“Oh! What a good question! Clearly you know just who to ask for such a thing!

The Cecilia of course deserves its mention above all others. Have you ever seen something more beautiful? With more soothing a scent? I could lay in a field of these and nap all afternoon!

The Dandelion has been a part of Mondstadt culture for as long as I can remember. What flower lives in greater harmony with the wind than this clever opportunist? And when the seeds scatter and float all around its simply ethereal. Plus its just fun!

Speaking of fun, the Windwheel Aster is hands-down the children’s flower of Mondstadt. Who hasn’t seen a little freedom-delighter tearing through the streets or gardens, stalk in hand just to see how fast they could make the top spin? They lift everyone’s spirits in the vicinity! 

Lamp grass, in a similar way is a Seelie magnet. While perhaps not as well-known by the average citizen, these little glowing bulbs attract Seelie from all over to play in them and also to play little tricks on passersby! Why, the amount of times I’ve heard stories of people rushing off a path hoping for treasure only to find themselves crashing into the side of a cliff, waving little luminescent bulb the culprit could fill a book all its own! Its hilarious. 

And while its not technically a flower, Wolfhook is a very special little berry to Mondstadt. Like many of its citizens, this berry too wishes to see the world, to become a stowaway upon the body of a great vessel and venture outwards from all it has every known. Its spirit for adventure is matched only by its ability to defend itself from those wishing to cut its exploration short. Of course, unfortunately for these little berries their vessels rarely traverse outside of that Grumpy old wolf’s territory, but you can’t deny them their spirit!”

[kxruyucua]

@crimsonheartedphoenix said: shoves liam caramel pudding :3

“ A true brother! Thank you, Diluc! ” He doesn’t hesitate when he accepts the food they offer him; it’s what he’s been craving after all, and here they are, proving to him that friends are there when in need- well, if this is considered a need.

[miisfxrtunate]

😍 - what is your favorite character you’ve rolplayed as in the past

[OOC] - I’d have to say Bennett, but then again ALL three of my Genshin muses are! Bennett holds a special place in my heart, and he’s my favorite character in the whole game. 

In a way, a part of him reminds me of myself. I’ve had shit luck, but mostly when it comes to those I let close to me. Not gonna bore you with all the deep lore and boring details. Bennett is just goals, and reminds me to treat every new day as a new adventure, no matter how bad the previous day was!