#kiana is a dork

[fukimei-incorrect-quotes]

Mei: Kiana... Why did you draw a pentagram on the floor?

Kiana: Your text told me to satanize the house before you returned.

Mei:…

Hua: I wrote sanitize, Kiana.

[ancientforgcd]

[inferusrf]

Chapter 2 of Purple-White Irises is out on Ao3!

Purple Kia in the shops, what will she do?

[kianamaiart]

hellooo !! im not very knowledgeable with how tumblr works so forgive me if i mess something up with this ask ^^; i love your work and im sending in a message to ask: did you take inspiration from tokomaru when writing zira and aika?? 👀👀 their resemblance hit me immediately, especially when i heard zira’s va !! you’ve drawn tokomaru fanart before as well so i’m simply curious as i hold the pair very close to my heart :”) i can totally imagine aika and zira dressing up as komaru and toko for halloween aaaaaaa those dorks <33

not tokomaru as a ship but toko was 1000% an inspiration for zira's vibe and design

kinda worked out that aika's a sunshine girl but i feel like her and zira's dynamic is overall pretty different from toko and komaru's

[edelgard-more-like-baedelgard]

LOOK AT THESE FUCKING DORK ASS NERDS

THE WAY MEI IS HOLDING KIANA.... THEY'RE SO IN LOVE...

[gentlehousenicole]

UPDATE: These headcanons are now out of date given the plot details revealed in v.1.4.

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Something I really like about the current (likely) Void Hunters is the role they play in the story and within their respective factions.

Miyabi is set up as this mysterious badass who goes up against Nineveh singlehandedly, but we soon learn she's a complete dork who tries and hilariously fails to pass on “sage wisdom” to Phaethon and Zhu Yuan. Officially, she's the head of Section 6, but she's lazy and in their episode we find out it's really Yanagi who's that team's effective leader, and the only one who can keep them even quasi-functional. She's the one who “Virtual Revenge” is about. Miyabi, by contrast, just hangs back and conserves her energy for the really big fights. Her possible parallels and looming conflict with Phaethon, however, are tantalizing.

Lighter is introduced early in the Sons of Calydon story, but we don't actually learn anything much about him until long after Chapter 4 has concluded. He has this epic story of triumph, tragedy, grief, acceptance and moving on to a new life, but it's all told in aside comments, flashbacks and paratext, Even today he's fighting a one-man war against the enemies of the Sons of Calydon that nobody on the team (save probably Burnice, because Burnice is probably some kind of Elder God herself /lh) even knows about, because their story isn't about him. Lighter is almost the definition of “Hero from Another Story”.

Jane straight-up abandoned her identity and sense of self to become this unknowable, mercurial force: She slips so effortlessly into whatever undercover identity and personality any given mission requires of her, because we learn next to nothing about the “real” Jane, and even when we do the shadow of the unreliable narrator is inescapable. The hints we do glean indicate she's been through quite a lot, and is fighting for justice her own way on her own terms. Jane doesn't seem to have much Love for Public Security, if any at all, and isn't an official PubSec officer. She certainly seems commanding, inspiring and experienced, however.

Qingyi is one of the oldest, wisest and most experienced people in New Eridu, but openly serves as the apparently-young Zhu Yuan's subordinate in an interesting inversion of Miyabi's relationship with Yanagi. Zhu Yuan relies on Qingyi's wisdom and guidance to help her make decisions, yet it's Zhu Yuan who gets all the accolades, fame and attention. Not that she doesn't deserve it, she's clearly gifted, incredibly competent and professional, but it's almost like Qingyi doesn't want the spotlight on herself for some reason. To her, it seems more like she views her role as helping Zhu Yuan be the hero New Eridu needs her to be.

Nicole is one of the first characters we meet in the game and somehow seems to be involved in every significant event in New Eridu's recent history...And yet isn't it interesting she tells us nothing about herself and doesn't appear to have a story of her own? She's the leader of Gentle House, but Anby, Billy and Nekomata are much more prominent in the game's events: Chapter 1 is effectively a character study on Nekomata, while Billy's ties to the Sons of Calydon make him central to Chapter 4 and Lighter's side stories. The game also really seems to want us to Love Anby, with her as the tutorial character for numerous in-game mechanics, her combining traits of both Kiana and Mei from Honkai, her movie obsession ("Who better to pair up with Phaethon?") and the fact she's ZZZ's official mascot. Billy, Anby and Nekomata are also prominently involved in Chapter 3. Nicole, by contrast...Pops in every now and again to give Phaethon a plot-important quest and/or MacGuffin (usually in timed events), and quite literally sits Chapter 3 out.

Even in terms of gameplay these characters play curious roles: Lighter and Qingyi are Stunners and I like using them to support Burnice and Zhu Yuan, respectively (though they can certainly also both hold their own). Jane, being a lone wolf, can easily carry a team in battle despite being an Anomaly-class, but is helped by having people who can back her up and compound her status effect skills. Nicole is quite literally a Support character, and while she is always my leader she plays best on my teams when she can fire the opening shot, swap out to a dedicated DPS character and then pop in and out now and again with artillery fire to keep the rally going. Remarkably, and tellingly, Nicole's best teams are with Jane and Qingyi...But only if Zhu Yuan is also with them.

Why is this? I think it's because it's a manifestation of Zenless Zone Zero's core theme: Dealing with the pain and grief of nostalgia for an idealized past we cannot return to (and it's debatable whether or not it even existed to begin with). The Seven Great Void Hunters were the heroes of a previous generation; an entire era ago, as General Falkenhayn tells us in “Where the Miracle Began”. They've all had their stories, and the game we are playing now is not about them. It's the job of those who are left to help build the future by mentoring and guiding the next generation of heroes to come into their own and help build New Eridu once more.

That's a theme and archetype that resonates with me on a deep, personal level, and is part of the reason I wanted to make this blog for Nicole.

Nikola.

[kianajanae]

Kiana paused for a moment, just listening to him. "So, you've been laid in the last decade just not in a real relationship?" She questioned, trying to figure out exactly what he was saying. "A one-two-three-night-stand, is still getting laid honey." He told him gently, placing her hand back on his arm with a look. As he went on, she grew quiet again, the realization dawning upon her. "Oh..." she said gently, a little shocked at his revelation. "Everyone makes mistakes," she said gently. "We live them and we suffer the consequences, learn, and move on. That's all we can do." From a slightly somber and serious tone right back to the light-heartedness they were prone to, Kiana let out a laugh that was surely a little too loud before she clamped her hand over her mouth, shaking her head. "You fool!" she laughed. "I'll be sure to send down some ice water." She smiled wide, "But I'm your dork."

Eyebrows rose now and she looked at him with a small smirk. "I mean, whose a saint about slapping ass?" she asked him honestly. "Yes! Please do that and then call me and tell me all the nasty details," she grinned wickedly. "Found her? Huh?" she asked with a smile. "One day I'm going to figure out who this mystery woman is that be having you all flustered and blushing and shit." Chuckling softly, Kiana tucked some of her locs behind her ear. "No for sure. We'd rule the world as a relationship," she laughed. "The terror and joy of our reign would be magical," she joked. She leaned in now, "what you heard?" she needed to know who knew her business and immediately. "I mind my business and I go home," she told him second later. "You ain't heard a damn thing," she smiled. "Or have you?" she honestly wasn't sure.

Watching him tidy up his workspace and flutter around, Kiana pulled her phone from her back pocket and shot back a few quick text messages before she looked back up at him, sticking out her tongue. "That's right, ohhh, I'm invisibly" she said in a ghostly voice before she cracked and started laughing. At his words, she bit her lip gently. "I am out there," she told him. "I got a little something happening in the shadows," she explained. "Nothing is set in stone yet, so it's quiet." She looked at him and sat her phone down. "Bask in my awesomeness?" she questioned.

"No for sure I can see that. It ruins the fantasy of possibly going home with the bartender," she said thoughtfully. "I also see that point," she chuckled. "I think I'm a little of both depending on the day," she admitted. "We're in our own romantic comedy every day," she corrected him. "Then I've got to be your knight in shining armor," she joked, holding her arms out to him as if to catch him. "Ah, yeah, sickening goes both ways," she smirked. Looking over at Mikey as the woman approached, Ki shook her head at his charm. "Like butter," said with a chuckle.

"Bring it on," she chuckled, "I know where you live too!" she held her fists up in a ready to rumble pose before she snorted. "Ass!" she smacked his arm yet again as she giggled. Dropping her hands, she looked over at the blonde as she approached and a smile instantly tugged upon her lips. "Nice to meet you," she greeted the woman with a handshake.

It was a reaction well expected, truth be told he couldn't believe it sometimes and he was the one living through it. "You know what they say about the heart wanting what it wants? Well, true in this case. I mean, let's not get it confused here. A decade since a real relationship not from showing them a good time.' He corrected. Taking feelings out of it was a lot easier than being in an actual relationship. "There was a gray area back then that I think I blurred and I can't seem to regret it since it happened. That probably makes me a horrible person." He spoke frankly seamlessly going from banter to an honest conversation. Frankly, Chris wasn't one he was ever going to apologize to and he was okay living with that. He shrugged his shoulders. "Ah well. Hells probably way more fun anyway." His fingers poked her hand as he let out a chuckle. "You're a dork you know that." The affection in his tone evident as he teased.

"Eh not really. I haven't been a total saint about it." Images of said nights quickly flashed in his mind. "If I'm not exhausted tonight I might go ahead and make a call to as you say get back on that bike." He grinned as amusement danced in his eyes and turned them into a midnight color. "Think I've found her but currently got me working for it." A tickled laugh escaped him and shook his head. "Maybe that's why we get along so well. Though I feel like we'd be too powerful of a couple. So we got bumped down one and stayed at platonic soulmates. Too bad for you. You got stuck with me. By the way, I should be more mad at you. I've heard some things from my loyal regulars." Twinkle in his eyes made it clear he was playing around.

He cleaned up a glass and grabbed the check and left it for one of the waitresses to get when they came back around. His eyes looked at the incoming order for a glass of the house chardonnay and made a mental note while listening to Ki. "Oh, that's right. Your Ki my friendly ghost." It was second nature at this point when he had friends sitting at the bar while he worked. He held a rhythm in his multitasking and that made it easier for him to pay attention without making them feel ignored. "But we should. We need to get you out there. I know there's something you're keeping tight to your chest. Not that I'm one to pry but as a friend it is my duty to make sure you get out there. Bask in your awesomeness." Was he now just buttering her up so she'd be more willing to do him a favor? Maybe.

"Mhm and it's also a turn off for certain people. For some it's like a neon sign of a challenge for a forbidden fruit. But it's what we gotta do sometimes. Other people just don't care and just want the drink and will tip way more than needed just to hurry you up. Those people are favorites over here. If I ever get married I'd put it on my necklace I think." Head nodded in agreement. "Oh yeah! We're starring in our own romantic comedy right now. But I feel like it's a love triangle. Those are more fun. Obviously I'm the damsel in distress." He sighed. "It's nice but it loses its charm when you see it every day." He smiled as he nodded at the brunette who'd walked in and had a tight mini dress on. He didn't move already knowing who was going to tend to her. "Show starting." He murmured as he saw Mikey smoothly lean over the counter in front of her. "He's a smooth fucker I'll give him that."

Just for added effect he shuddered. "Literally shaking. I know where you live. You sure you wanna start this? Your head may tip over." Laughter followed his statement unable to help himself giving her one last dig. "Your humble highness, charm on. Blonde with the high heels and the colorful hair. That's her." Just as she sat down next to Kiana she smiled at JJ and had a silent communication of what she wanted. "Kiana, Delilah. Delilah, kiana. Your next big artist."

[snow-n-cream]

Flame of calming

[fukimei-incorrect-quotes]

Mei: Where’s Kiana?

Hua: She pulled an allnighter, drank 5 energy drinks one after another and then thought the birds outside were talking shit about her.

Kiana: [from outside] SAY THAT TO MY FACE YOU WINGED FUCK.

[ancientforgcd]

Kiana and the cooler Kiana

"Hey now, younger me is plenty cool....when she's not being a dork."

[cloud-ya]

x

[phoenix-is-the-hottest-thing]

what are the dorkiest things fkm does individually and as a group

ohoho headcanons time

Kiana:

she is the dork. there is nothing she does that isn’t on some level dorky. but mostly headbutting her girlfriends for attention, like a cat

also sneaking food onto her plate

post HoFs, she’s moved on to teasing Hua by offering to feed her or scooping her into her arms when they meet up while proclaiming that she left her alone too long

Mei:

Pre HoT: has a little secret notebook where she writes down her friends and family’s favorite foods, as well as notes on the specific things they seem to like about them. she’s actually memorized it all but she prefers to have a version she can double-check

Post HoT: her friendship with Raven where they insult each other for fifteen minutes (real)

Hua:

make her own gamer juice

begs Kiana to pull for her gacha

thinks of piyo merch during meditation

as a group:

cuddlepiles, sometimes with Hua and Kiana propped on Mei while gaming because she’s “emotional support”.

Hua steals clothes (especially Mei’s because Big and Comfy) and Mei likes the smell of her gfs so she lets her. Kiana calls them both out, and I’m the cat now?

kiana flirting overtly specifically to embarrass her gfs with how cheesy she is about it

[didiwaffles]

I love the idea of Senti and Felis.

Since Felis and Hua are canonically besties, Hua probably likes and treasures her more than anything in the world. So, her feelings were probably passed onto Senti (just like with Kiana) and she would absolutely shower Felis with love and affection.

But then we get an unstoppable duo of two silly lazy dorks. They would together mess with everyone and then get out to sleep away all their problems completely unpunished. Like you know how Felis doesn't mess with certain people because she's afraid of them? Now imagine if she knew there would be no consequences whatever she steals.

We'd finally get to see Kalpas's face.

[deusvervewrites]

Okay but, Inko/Hisashi/Kiana. Because Kiana deserves two liveable dorks, Hisashi is allowed two badass wives, and Inko deserves all the love.

Hisashi is only allowed to have two badass wives if the asshole actually makes an appearance. This is your regularly scheduled reminded that we got his name in supplementary material. Related, Inko deserves better

[windborneballad]

after their reunion and getting to the bubble universe with dr. MEI and stuff. during some of the "downtime" i bet kiana kept glancing (erratically intensely staring) at mei's hand every 2 seconds wanting so bad to hold it. and of course mei notices and smiles softly (being as much of a massive emotional dork as kiana in that moment but just not VISIBLY being a sad wet kitten about it) and she grabs kiana's hand and holds it so warmly and firmly and lovingly, in the way one only can when at one point they thought they never would be able to again. and kiana immediately explodes into tears and deflates and makes mei princess carry her

thank you everybody gootbye.

[nicolasbitch]

Olivia and Kiana high-fiving after filming the make-out scene is so on brand for those two dorks