#little meaning and she’s not good enough to be an archon. even as paimon is remarking how awful

[stardustdiiving]

Me explaining in terms of strictly how I read canon I think Nahida not severely punishing the Sages is just meant to convey that Nahida, even when wronged, is not a very vengeful or harsh person and makes the choice to be kind instead, but in my mind I have this idea of a Nahida interpretation which elaborates on that where her self punishing tendencies extend to her being someone who internally downplays her own experiences constantly, and as a result has a hard time feeling she’s allowed or justified in placing a lot of blame on the Sages for what they did to her So while she is following her own philosophies regarding teaching lessons/wisdom/etc in how to handle the Sages and genuinely doesn’t want to be really angry or punishing because of who she is as a person, her decision is also influenced by the fact she’s basically blocked herself out of grappling with how to handle people who hurt her by blaming herself for said hurt instead as a coping mechanism. And like this is all just me being insane about Nahida Trauma and not something explicitly implied in canon but also I really do think this isn’t a far stretch from her canon characterization especially when my vision isn’t to conclude that Nahida needs to be angry and vengeful but she should extend the kindness she shows others to herself and also every day I get tormented thinking about she was the mental equivalent of an average human child when the Sages found her and how they basically specifically discarded her for being a child and the idea of how Nahida would pick up on + internalize that and eventually need time to unlearn it

[poisonous-honey]

Fontaine Is Committing Childe Slander fr

Spoilers For The 4.2 Archon Quest

Content: Sagau reader insert (not the cult au), a lot of swearing

Note: Wrote this a while ago, just didn't post till now. This was written because of how frustrated I was with Childe's treatment in the quest. They did him so, so dirty.

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"WHAT THE FUCK!?"

Hearing your scream, Neuvillette, Aether, and Paimon nearly flinched and gave themselves away if it wasn't for Skirk quickly turning around and staring them dead in their eyes.

"AFTER ALL OF THAT, WE DON'T EVEN GET TO TALK TO HIM? WHAT THE HELL"

They never liked hearing you get upset, but since this was a scripted event, they could do nothing but play their parts. Aether wanted nothing more than to jump in and find Childe for you, if even just to get you to stop yelling, but his hands were tied. And seeing the intense look the lady across from him was giving, he doesn't think he'd be able to get away with it even if he tried.

"No 'hey, how're you doing? What's up? Where the fuck did you go? How did you end up fighting a god-damn space whale? I was worried.' We really get to say none of that? Skirk just throws him away like he's yesterday's trash? At least, I think that's Skirk... Okay, fine, whatever."

The group notices a slight twitch in Skrik's expression, as if she was annoyed, but it's gone not a moment later.

"Skirk I hope you're kinda funny cause this is a terrible first impression."

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Skirk watches as Neuvillette sends the traveller topside, hoping that he starts the scripted conversation without any hassle.

"Was it necessary to throw him so aggressively into the portal?"

Of course, that's not what happened. If Childe's mad ramblings were anything to go by, all of those that become the players "characters" seem to grow inexplicably attached to them. She didn't hold his words in high regard since he was insane, but seeing the hydro sovereign already taking a liking to you gives some weight to his words.

"He’s fine. It’s nothing he can’t handle."

Neuvillette, still looking troubled, tells her that you really wanted to see him again after nearly 2 years of nothing.

"Didn't you also upset the player when you pounced on him and sent him to prison for no good reason?"

Neuvillette gave a slight wince, "I had no other choice. The Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale gave the sentence and the law must be upheld."

Skirk doesn’t look amused, Neuvillette just sighs "... And the action itself was scripted. I had my hands tied."

"Then you have no right to look so troubled over my actions. It was simply scripted, nothing deeper. I would not intentionally go looking to upset the player, especially since they can control whoever they want. I have no desire to go back to the surface, which I would be forced to if they ever felt like messing with me."

He hums, "The player has much less control than you think. Even if they wanted to take control of you, they wouldn't or shouldn't be able to do so for quite a while. Falling into their good graces is the only way to get chosen, and you seem to have only just piqued their interest."

Neuvillette was just stating facts. He heard you crying about how your latest wishing session for Furina took everything you had. He doubts even if Skirk’s banner was a couple patches from now you'd have enough to get her. Skirk herself looks a little frustrated at the mention of gaining your favour, but quickly lets it go. 

"As long as I have time to prepare, I suppose. Anyway, We should have our scripted conversation before time runs out. Unless you want them to start freaking out again."

"Of course not, let us continue."

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"The fuck do you mean he's already in Snezhnaya."

Lyney's eyes slightly widen in shock, not expecting that visceral of a reaction. Aether slightly shakes his head to try and get him not to worry about it while Paimon starts her bashful idle as a way to look elsewhere without arising suspicion.

"We don't even get to say goodbye, what the heck. Wait, we never even figured out what was going on with his vision either. They actually just threw him to the wayside! If he doesn't show up in the next interlude, I'm going to be ☆mad☆"

Aether tilts his head down as he starts to ponder. He was also a bit frustrated with how little they learned about what was going on with him. Obviously the whal- Narwhal was involved in someway, but nothing is explained outside their connection. He's suddenly ripped from his thoughts as you pick his next dialogue option and continue the story.

The story continues for a little bit as Arlecchino arrives to join the conversation. You add in some quips of your own as you're watching, but are mostly silent. They just take it as you being tired from the whirlwind of emotions the quest put you through.

Aether then realizes the next actions he has to take and struggles to keep a straight face.

*Actually, I just remembered something... Please help us deliver this.*

"I swear to god, don't give her Childe's vision. He hates her. He trusted us."

Aether can no longer hold back his wince as he holds out Childe's vision for Arlecchino to take. She almost looks amused as they hear you sigh.

"Goddammit."

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Childe was in agony.

This pain went far beyond his physical injuries. The last words he heard from you were you crying out to him. It frustrated him to no end that by the time he gets to see you again, he passes out. He can barely remember your words of praise and cooing about how cool he was for fighting such a creature. Your worry and the fact he doesn't even get to talk to you after all this time hasn't left the forefront of his mind since he woke up. Injuries be damned, he wanted to find the Traveller. He wanted to get something out of that vacation, more than just one conversation, getting arrested, and an incomplete fight. He thought that as long as you still had his vision, he would surely see you again and his vacation would end smoothly, but of course the story seemed to have it out for him. All he could do now was lay here in pain, stuck in his mind while his family is off doing something else.

He's upset he didn't get to finish his fight and that you had to finish it for him.

He's upset his foul legacy has taken such a toll on his body, he can't do anything.

He's upset that his family has to see him in such a state.

He's upset he missed your first encounter with Skirk.

He's upset he didn't even get to talk to you again.

And more than anything, he's upset he can't be there for you.

As he was about to continue wallowing in self-pity and regret, he suddenly finds himself fully geared, standing in front of the Abyss, with no injuries.

"Such bullshit. I loved the story quest, but why was Childe pushed to the side. It's almost like they had no idea what to do with him after they got him to the whale. Oh! It's just one of the creatures he's been wanting to fight for nearly all his life. Do we get to know how he feels about it? Nooo of course not. My man just wanted to go on vacation, and he had to deal with all of this."

Hearing your voice almost washes away all his stress, and hearing you complain about how he was treated washes away all his sorrow. It pleases him to know you hated what happened to him just as much, if not more, than he did. He could tell from your ranting and the fact you've already gotten 36 stars that you were going to fight just to let off steam. That's perfect for him. Killing something is just what he needs to take his mind off of recent events, killing things with and for you makes it even better. He'll be sure to make the best of this before you log off for the day, and he's back to being bedridden.

[arisewanekosuki]

Traveler's little helper -Extra-: Aether x Fem!Reader [Divine prospect in love]

[ Teyvat , Mondstadt ]

[Archon Quest Chapter III: Act III - Dreams, Emptiness, Deception.]

 … -“Ahem, my friend here has some doubts regarding his future. Can we get a fortune reading for him?” said Nahida while borrowing Katheryne’s body. The little girl hummed. -“ Of course, of course. In that case...” her cats meowed, they didn’t seem to like your group. “Oho, it would seem that Harut and Marut are quite wary of you. Perhaps at some time in the past, you have somehow offended the gods?” - “Only mocking the God of Anemo, questioning the Lord of Geo's financial savviness, and brawling with the God of Electro... Do those count?” Paimon replied, you looked at Nahida to see her reaction for what your little friend said. But the Dendro Archon’s expression didn’t changed after hearing this, she probably already knew about it. The little girl looked confused at Paimon, but before she could ask anything, Nahida spoke. -“ Oh, nothing. Aether, go on, pick an aspect for her to divine.” -“Hm… then divine my prospects in love.” You didn’t expect Aether to ask for that, but you’re very curious what Nabiya will say. -“ Love prospects? No problem at all.” The girl concentrated and after a moment said “Hummm... The gods have spoken. The truth shall be revealed. One who is fated to cross your path will appear on…on..oh they already appeared in your life, but it seems they are oblivious to your feelings…And not only that but there…there are so… so many other people fighting for their heart?! How could that be…and this person is-” -“Alright, that’s enough for me to know.” Aether interrupted before the little girl could say who that special someone is. -“Eh? But… I’m curious now! Who are they?” You asked but Aether just ignored you. -“How about her divine prospect in love?” Aether pointed at you with his thumb. Now he is curious what Nabiya will say about you. -“Is it really okay?” you asked and Nahida smiled to you. -“We still have time, so hearing one more won’t be a problem”. Nabiya concentrated again and then -“One who is fated to cross your path will appear on... on... Huh!? So... so many people will fall for you!? How could that be...” she looked at her cats “Harut, Marut, did you two spoil my divinations? I've never read a fortunes so absurd.” The cats looked confused at their owner, meowing at her. -“ Uhh, actually, Paimon thinks this is probably the most accurate fortune-tellings you've ever done...” You looked at Paimon confused. -“I don’t think so? Many people falling for me? That’s impossible!” you said while scratching your head. Paimon only shook her head with ‘are you serious’ look, Aether is not even surprised anymore at your reaction. But this is not bad, for him it means he still have some chances to win your heart. But he wonder how should he approach you with his feelings. At this moment he’s sure that even if he said ‘I love you’ you’ll still think that he means it as platonic. Aether sighed. “This is no time to think about it.” He thought. …

When evening approached,  you two decided to call it a day and rest in the inn. You two already shared beds before, and because lately you spent too much mora, you decided to take room with only one bed. You couldn't help but think who is that special person for Aether, turning towards him you asked. -“Are you sleeping?” Aether opened his lovely, golden eyes and looked at you. -“Can’t fall asleep?” -“Yeah…I been wondering…who is that special someone?” he didn’t say anything. After a while he sighed. -“ Wasn't her divination wrong? I don't have anyone special like that.” He lied. This was good opportunity to just say ‘you’ but he knows that you will laugh and say something like ‘be serious!”. He closed eyes, hoping that you will let go of this subject and just go to sleep. The room was quiet, all he could hear was the soft snoring of Paimon, who was lying between you two. -“Is it Ayaka?” you broke the silence. -“No.” -“Hm…Amber?” -“No.” -“Oh! Keqing?” -“No.” -“Then…Ningguang?” -“No, can we go to sleep?” there was another silence, he opened his one eye. You were pouting. ‘Cute’ Aether smiled. -“Don’t tell me…is it a bo-“ -“No! Goodnight.” He turned his back to you. You hugged Paimon and said ‘goodnight’ as well. You were feeling a bit sad that Aether didn’t wanted to tell you something like this. There are many things you don’t know about him, things that he doesn't tell you, things that even this ‘connection’ doesn't let you know about. You fell asleep with the thought… “Is Aether still not trusting me?”. --- Sorry for any mistakes, it's already late but wanted to post it before going to sleep... (。-ω-)zzz

[razorblade180]

Aether headcanon because why not?

Actually enjoys fishing

Has a mean competitive streak after several losses in TCG

Paimon braids his hair in the morning if he’s too sleepy to do so

Kinda introverted but was forced to be more outgoing after losing Lumine

Likes quietness in the daytime, but not a fan of it at night.

Enjoys quality with close ones. Even if it’s sitting in a room doing nothing

An actual menace to society when around his sister or someone he’s very comfortable

Likes the feeling of being sore

The right corner of his lip bleeds when he’s hyper focused in a fight because he’s biting the inside. He’s trying to stop

Enjoys light rain.

Favorite Teyvat meal is Kaeya’s specialty and Noelle’s specialty.

Sneaks off sometimes to fight abyss mages as a way of “blowing off steam”

His personality changes ever so slightly depending on alignment. No one is certain if it’s to reflect the archons or if it’s a deeper meaning

Anemo Aether is pretty casual and curious. Easily the most extroverted demeanor.

Geo Aether can be a bit more blunt (heh) as well as focused. Tends to be a little more imposing.

Electro Aether takes the least amount of bullshit and less forgiving temperament. Not the biggest fan of being looked down on and ready to put someone in their place.

Dendro Aether holds the most outward joy. Someone might mistake him for some kind of fairy or spirit when he’s playing with Aranara. Pretty reckless yet adept.

Hyrdo Aether is calm and pretty resilient. Kinda emotional but fairly good at keeping it in check. Fairly easy to agitate in comparison to the rest aside from Electro. Empathetic from all the emotional people and it kinda stinks.

Is awake more than he sleeps but also known for having many napping spots.

Questionable choice in men some would say.

Amazing choice in women, others might say.

Bisexual and polygamy enthusiasts

Gave Paimon her own house in the teapot

Not a big climbing fan.

Has a low energy day like every two weeks. Sometimes less. Very much relates with Kokomi.

Slight fear of lighting after fighting Raiden.

Thinks often about Jeht and the adventurer from The Chasm.

Claims the world changes or grows bigger than he remembers. Paimon never believes him outright.

Can’t get enough of Albedo’s company.

A little envious of Diluc’s high ponytail

Would actually commit atrocities if someone hurt Paimon.

The automatic big brother to every child and the feisty lion cub to Dehya and Jean.

Has accidentally called Ningguang “mom.” Will not talk about. She actually found it quite endearing.

Will die, fight, and live for Collei in any given situation. She is cherished at all times.

Tends to usually drink around Beidou, Venti, Eula, and Rosaria. Its a swell time.

Everyone claims he clearly has a slight accent that gives away he’s not really from here. Aether doesn’t hear it at all.

Will occasionally do something dramatic enough like scream in a secluded forest or attempt to cut his hair just to get Lumine to show up for like five minutes. She won’t tell him anything but that’s no excuse to not hug him.

Enjoys quality time with Lynette.

Makes two separate birthday cakes for Ei and Makoto.

60% a cat person. 40% dog person.

Knows a little archery thanks to Amber

May or may not own an Inazuma wanted poster of himself because it looked cool.

Actually has standard Favonious armor, Watasumi military garb, and a suit with shades after helping Navia.

[kiriiqt]

Hello ^_^ I hope your requests are still open, I also hope this ask isn't too vague ^^'. I would like to ask for an angst/comfort scenario (with happy end please) with Venti and his s/o. If possible something with that ominous upside-down statue of him. It gives me really bad vibes, if you know what I mean, like I have a feeling that it will affect him somehow later in the game.

great pretender

- loving an archon is never easy, and the reminder of this is always harsh

characters: venti x reader a/n: thanks for your request! and requests are always open, unless otherwise stated in my pinned, so no worries. I'm so sorry for the wait. no excuses, just life happened. warnings: y’all are kinda mean to each other but good ending! aether is the og best friend. ending is cheesy.

He was always good at pretending.

Pretending that everything was well. That he wasn’t hurting. That the weight of an entire nation on his shoulders didn’t affect him in the slightest. Pretending to be whatever people needed him to be. Pretending that he wasn’t affected by erosion, like so many others of his kind were. That he didn’t miss those lost to time. That he wasn’t so, so lonely.

For him, pretending was a tool of the trade; prancing around on stage, reciting tales of old and new, playing his lyre, all seemingly without a care in the world, yet with enough grace and dignity to honor the legends the tales were about. It never seemed hard for him; it never wore him down. Or so, he liked to pretend.

You used to joke that his theatrics, his mask that he so carefully maintained, belonged in one of the circuses of Fontaine, and he would laugh with you. You’d laugh together, and you’d half-heartedly remind him to take care of himself, and he’d tell you not to worry about him. It became a routine, though a short lived one. It didn’t take long for all your remarks to stop coming, the weight of the truth ingrained in them too heavy to bear. You saw how he had gotten weaker. How the breezes he once had conjured so easily now left him breathless, even more so when he tried to hide his frantic gasps for air. He’d grip your arm as if you were a lifeline, his one hope for survival - and yet, he’d wave you off with a smile the second you expressed any concern. Really, the only time he’d touch on the topic was whenever your face fell a little too far, and even then, his words of comfort didn’t reach you. Eventually, it became an unspoken rule; you didn’t bring up his worsening condition, and he made no attempts at reassuring you. You were thankful for that. You’d rather not see the look he had on his face when you snapped at him, ever again.

“If you’re going to tell me another white lie, I’d rather you don’t say anything at all.”

Something flashed in Venti’s eyes; surprise, hurt, maybe even a bit of fear. He hadn’t ever heard you snap at anyone like that, much less him, you realized. Exhaling, you crossed your arms and turned away from Venti, entire body tense.

To your surprise, he wasn't quick to reply. For once, he didn’t jump into a tedious explanation full of empty promises, and for a moment you wondered if you had finally gotten to him.

“...I’m sorry, love.”

You bit your lip in anger, both at him and yourself.

“...Hello? Anyone home?”

Aether raises an eyebrow at your lack of response, his outstretched hand wavering slightly, before he retracts it. Or, tries to; you yank the envelope from his grip, seemingly free from your daze. He rolls his eyes, and Paimon cocks her head to the side with a curious expression on her face.

“You seem out of it! Everything okay?” She asks with a smile, and you nod, mumbling something about being tired. Aether’s eyebrows furrow in concern.

“...Venti again?”

You nod in defeat, and Paimon’s expression morphs into one of annoyance. She hangs her head, exasperated.

“The tone-deaf bard? What did he do this time?!”

Weighing your options, you decide to spare yourself the trouble.

“Just causing trouble and expecting me to get him out of it again. Business as always.”

Paimon lets out a yell, following it up with various insults, as she floats about, punching the air in a comedic fashion. It earns you a few odd looks from passersby, but your attempts at making her quiet down falls on deaf ears. 

Aether shakes his head, though you can’t tell if he’s amused or embarrassed. What you do know, is that he doesn’t believe your lie for one second - judging by the look he gives you, anyway.

‘it’s fine’, you mouth at him, and he rolls his eyes, but at least he spares you the remark that was about to roll off his tongue.

“Anyway - care to tell me what this is?” You ask, holding up the envelope.

Aether crosses his arms; “A commission, duh.” 

You narrow your eyes at the blonde.

“Oh, thank you for enlightening me, it’s not like there’s a massive stamp from the Adventurers Guild on it or anything.” You spit out, voice dripping with sarcasm as you go on. Aether sighs dramatically, motioning for you to open the letter. You reluctantly do so, unfolding it gently - the seal has already been ripped open - and reading it.

To your surprise, the letter is short, asking for ‘The Traveler and their entourage-’ you suppress a laugh at the wording ‘-to report to the Adventurers Guild in Liyue Harbor for further details’. 

You skim over the rest of it, but there isn’t much to read; there are no details of the commission itself, and you assume that there is a liability in passing on the details.

“Ironically, the lack of details makes me feel like this is more complicated than your average bounty.”

Aether nods, lost in thought. 

“So, you in? Or am I going to have to erase your memory of this top-secret encounter?”

You let out a chuckle, handing back the envelope with a remark about his shitty choice of location for a 'top-secret encounter'. Nevertheless, you make your way towards Katheryne’s booth, rummaging through your bag to find your badge.

She smiles at you as you approach.

“Welcome! I presume you will be joining the Traveler?”

You nod.

“Yes, if possible.”

She turns around with a smile, and opens one of the many drawers in the back of the booth, humming gently as she skims through the names on the folders.

“Ah, there it is.” She mumbles, and soon enough, she’s flipping through your file.

“Your current commissions are not marked as time sensitive, so I will put them on hold for you and inform the employers.”

You smile. “Perfect. Thanks, Katheryne.”

“It’s no issue at all. I will just need your signature. Here,” She quickly makes a note in your folder and slides it towards you, along with her pen, and you jot down your signature with a small ‘thanks’.

“Then you’re good to go. Take care. Ad astra abyssosque!"

You repeat the words, and set off with a wave.

Back at the square, Aether is sitting on a bench, fiddling with his scarf - Paimon is nowhere to be found, you realize, but she has a tendency to disappear and then appear out of nowhere.

“Esteemed traveler, your entourage has returned!”

He looks up at you as you laugh, clearly unimpressed with your antics. Still, he smiles as he gets up.

“Anything you need to do before we set off?”

“Not really, I’ll stock up in Liyue anyway.”

He opens his mouth to ask another question, hesitating for a moment, but still continues.

“...No one you wanna say bye to? This commission could drag out for a while, we don’t know.”

You’re lost in thought for a moment. An uneasy feeling spreads in your stomach as you recall your last conversation with Venti, just two days prior, and you know Aether has a point.

Still, you shake your head.

“No, let’s just go. He ran off somewhere anyway - haven’t heard from him for two days.” The last part comes out more meek than you wanted it to, and you take a deep breath to steady yourself. Aether leans over slightly, trying to catch your gaze; his brows are still furrowed in concern, but he lets it go.

“Okay, if you’re sure…Paimon, we’re heading off!”

You didn’t regret your decision when you passed by the Winery, leaving Mondstadt. You didn’t regret it when you stopped at Wangshu Inn for a break, and Xiao asked you how Venti was doing. You didn’t regret it when you saw Liyue Harbor in the distance, and you didn’t regret it when you finally set off for the actual commission, although the involvement of the Abyss did trigger that uneasy feeling again. No, the regret came much later.

The ruins are quiet, save for the occasional rush of water, or something scurrying across the floor. Sometimes, all you hear is a soft dripping sound; soft enough to drive anyone insane after a prolonged amount of time. Unlike some of the underground caverns you’ve explored, the air is frigid. Paimon’s voice quivers as she comments on how cold it is, and uses it as an excuse to squish herself between the two of you, though you have a feeling that the cold isn’t her only issue with this place. It’s too quiet. Far too quiet.

You all make your way down, with Aether insisting that the two of you stay behind him; you complain, but one look from him makes you bite back your words. The three of you file down in a single line - something that proves to be a good idea, because soon enough, you enter what appears to be a chasm, stretching so far that you can’t see one end. 'You can’t see the bottom either', Paimon squeals, and you bite back a remark about how that should be the least of her worries. To your relief, the stone structures are still somewhat stable, so with appropriate caution, death by falling shouldn’t be a concern for you, either. The way down is also well-lit, mainly by the various elemental devices, and some rays of light coming from the cracks in the surface, far above you. It’s no torch, but it’s enough for you to see.  Not that there’s much to look at. It’s completely empty; not even a stray hilichurl is running about. You occasionally hear some small rocks fall down from the surface, but you never see where they land. 

Paimon follows suit behind both of you, occasionally gripping your shirt with a squeal when she hears something. It’s not the occasional noise that worries you, though; it’s the lack thereof. The entire cavern is suspiciously quiet. You realized it early on, and it's been bugging you ever since. You’re sure Aether noticed as well, though neither of you have mentioned it. The three of you narrowly dodge the weird bubbles floating down the hall, and finally make it to a large staircase, with a door at the top. Aether glances at you, and you nod, preparing to summon your weapon if needed. You make your way up the stairs with caution, convinced that there'll be more than a few Abyss Mages awaiting your arrival. In hindsight, if you could choose - you would rather fight off a horde of Abyssal creatures, if it meant that you wouldn’t have to see what you saw there.

It’s as if everything goes quiet for a second - and then, it unravels. An indescribable feeling of dread hits you like a great wave the moment you climb the stairs; it’s as if every single nerve in your body is alert, your intuition screaming at you to run back to where you came from. It reminds you of how you felt back when you were narrowly dodging Stormterrors’ attacks, or when Osial appeared out of the ocean for the first time; but somehow much stronger.

You freeze; before, you were staring at the odd purple energy swirling around a structure, trying to make out what was behind it, but your attention is pulled away.  There’s a figure at the far end of the room, right below the purple aura, curled up in an odd prayer-like position. Paimon lets go of your shirt and leans forward as Aether approaches cautiously, and you’re half tempted to tell them both to ditch the mission, feign an illness, anything. But, it’s as if your body betrays its own sense of danger; you trail behind the two, albeit slowly.  Paimon speaks, but you’re not paying attention; instead, you shuffle past the two, moving closer against your better judgment to inspect the figure. You cut Paimon off, voice louder than anything you thought you could muster, though still quivering.

“Why have they not moved an inch since we entered the room?"

Aether is by your side in a few steps, examining the figure.His eyes widen briefly.

“...They’re not breathing.”

“Are they dead? Is the Grand Thief dead?!” Paimon yells, voice shrill as ever, and you suppress the urge to shush her.

“Dead, or under a spell. Considering we’re dealing with the Abyss, I hope it isn’t the latter.” You mutter.

Paimon doesn’t reply, and you don’t dwell on it. Instead, you speak up, voice loud and demanding.

“We need to get out. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the only other person we’ve seen here is dead, and there hasn’t been a single monster or Fatui member in here. It’s far too quiet.”

“But wouldn’t that mean that the Abyss has also abandoned this place?” Paimon wonders, and you shrug.

“That, or we’re being watched. Regardless, this could be a trap. We need to leave. Now.” You push yourself off the ground, briefly considering hauling the poor thief with you, but Aether interrupts you.

“I don’t think the Abyss has abandoned this ruin. Look up.” He mumbles, and you swear that you hear his voice quiver. Reluctantly, you listen.

From your position, you can see what’s behind the purple aura, which you now realize is concentrated in a mysterious orb. It’s not the orb Aether is looking at though, it’s the hands that are holding it – hands that belong to a Statue of the Seven, which is suspended upside-down, mid-air.

“Is that…A Statue of the Seven? from Mondstadt?” Paimon asks, voice faltering towards the end. Neither of you reply - both of your gazes are locked on the statue, both in morbid curiosity and fear. You hear Aether’s breathing pick up slightly, and you feel yours do the same. You realize that the origin of the disturbing feeling is the statue, or rather the orb.

The empty feeling in your chest only takes over when you see the defiled statue. Venti’s defiled statue.

Your breath stutters while you try to steady it, counting slowly as you breathe in and out. You’re not injured, thankfully, but the Abyss Herald did a number on you as you dodged his attacks. And that’s only the cherry on top of everything else you’ve encountered today.

Aether approaches your field of vision, and you see the man he was talking to - Dainsleif - cast a concerned glance your way. You answer his question before he gets a chance to ask; “I’m fine, just a bit shaken up”

“You don’t look ‘just a bit shaken up’ to me, if i’m being honest.”

“Ever heard of a white lie, Aether?”

A smile pulls at the corners of his lips. He sits down on the grass in front of you, fiddling with a flower in his hand. He hesitates, but eventually wills himself to speak.

“You’re worried about Venti.”

It was more of a statement than a question, but you still nod.

“500 mora says that his rapid decrease in energy isn’t just because that Harbinger lady yanked his gnosis out.” You spit out, and scoff; it was intended to come out more lighthearted, but at that moment your words are dripping with venom.

“I’d rather not set myself up for failure here”

It’s quiet again. You close your eyes and listen to the rushing waterfall not far from you, while Aether gets lost in thought.

“It’s just ironic. You’d think that with an Archon of all beings, they would be the ones worrying for your health more, but with Venti and I it’s the complete opposite now. Instead of wondering about how much time he’ll have with me, I’m wondering how much time I'll have with him.”

“...Is it that bad? I saw him struggle on multiple occasions, but I didn’t think erosion set in that fast.”

“All I know is that he’ll lie through his teeth about it, until the day he dies, I’m sure.”

Aether inhales sharply, as an awkward silence fills the space between you two. 

“Sorry.” You eventually mumble, but he brushes you off.

“It’s okay. You’re not the only one who’s got a few bones to pick with him about honesty”

“Or lack thereof” You quickly add, getting a chuckle out of him.

A sad smile spreads on your face.

To your joy, it doesn't take long for Aether to announce that he's heading back to Mondstadt to investigate with Dainsleif. The taller man apologizes for ‘hijacking’ your commission, but you reassure him that you have had more than your fair share of anything related to the Abyss.

“I need to speak to someone in Mondstadt anyway.”

As you approach Springvale, you begin to feel small drops fall on you, and one look at the sky confirms that it’ll start raining down in rivers soon. Paimon somehow tucks herself under Aether’s cape, and he sighs but does nothing to stop her. It only increases the further into Mondstadt you go, and as you approach the bridge to the city, Paimon threatens to ditch the little group if you don’t hurry up

“Actually, I think i’ll head to Windrise”

Paimons eyes nearly pop out of her head.

“Are you crazy? You’re gonna end up looking like a Hydro Slime dragged you into Cider Lake!” 

You chuckle at the mental image but shake your head.

“I’ll see you all later. Don’t go and bring down the Abyss Order without me!”

“No promises!” Aether yells, and you roll your eyes, before turning and walking as fast as you can, trying not to slip in the mud.

Venti has always preferred to spend rainy days at Windrise, sitting on a branch in the tree and quietly watching. You've always assumed it's therapeutic for him. It's calming. Rain, being a natural phenomenon, remains unaffected by things such as erosion - it's one of the things that will always occur, regardless of how much time passes or how much civilization develops. You assume this is part of the reason why Venti loves it so much.

At first, disappointment fills you when you don’t see anyone - not even the crystal flies seem to be out, so you let out a sigh, deciding to rest there for a while anyway. The rain is heavy now, and the branches of the large tree provide good shelter at the trunk, so you close your eyes and lean against it. Soon enough, you slide down and hug your knees to your chest, leaning your chin against them. With a deep breath, you aching muscles finally relax a bit. Seems like Celestia has granted you a rare moment of peace; you just hope that thunder and lightning won’t accompany it.

With this, your thoughts begin to roam, as you try to process everything that has occurred in the past few days. The argument with Venti that was left hanging in the air…the trip to Liyue, and the commission…the dread you felt as you saw the dead body in the ruin, and then the statue…

Tears sting at your eyes, and you shake your head with a sniffle. You can cry later, you decide, and open your eyes, blinking rapidly. The stray tears on your cheeks are rubbed away and stain your sleeve, but you ignore it. Instead, your gaze falls to the roots around you; you’re sitting in a space between two larger ones, so big that they’re practically hiding your body from both sides; it makes you feel safe, almost. 

Your eyes scan the roots, following them down to the statue, the field, and Mondstadt, which is now barely visible through the rain, as the sky and ground blends into one.

Your attention falls back to the statue, beyond the cluster of roots. The sense of serenity it used to bring has been polluted by the sight in the ruins. It brings back the pit in your stomach, and although it's less overpowering, it’s still noticeable. Like a shadow lurking behind you, slowly looming over you like the gray clouds above your head.

Fiddling with the grass to distract yourself, you spot a small dandelion, the ball of white fluff still fully intact. You pluck it, careful to keep it intact. A small prayer leaves your lips; it’s more out of habit than belief at this point, but you still close your eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply. As you open them, you blow all the seeds off the dandelion, watching them scatter into the air.

“Y’know, instead of praying to me, you could just call my name.”

You snap your head up, searching for the origin of the voice. The area in front of you looks the same as before, so you tilt your head back, eyes scanning the branches.

Venti is perched on one of the lower ones, with one leg hanging off the branch, while he rests his chin against the knee of the other. Contrary to the lilt in his voice, the small smile on his face looks rather somber.

“Did I scare you? Sorry, dear.”

He clearly doesn’t expect an answer, thinking you’re still mad at him. You would be, but the anger from a few days ago has slowly dissipated since you left the ruins.

“How long have you been here?” You ask, so quietly that you worry he can’t hear it. Thankfully, he does.

“Hm, technically for the past 3 hours, but if it makes you feel better, I only moved to this branch when I thought I heard a prayer from over here - an awfully quiet one, at that.”

“Well, it’s not like I was expecting anyone to hear it.”

You assume he’s done testing the waters, because he promptly launches himself off the branch, landing rather gracefully on the ground. You nod when he glances at the root next to you, and he sits down, with his elbows on his thighs and head in his hands as he looks down at you.

“No offense, but that’s rather ridiculous, considering the tree you’re leaning up against. Not to mention the statue over there.” He nods towards it, before moving his gaze back to you.

“No offense, but the one who’s supposed to hear it doesn’t exactly have a great track record of listening to anyone.” You get out through gritted teeth; some of the anger still lingers, you assume, and sigh.

You force yourself to look up at him; the words clearly stung, and you feel a twinge of guilt, but say nothing.

“...You’re still mad, huh?”

Your shoulders fall, and you lean back against the trunk again.

“Did you think I wasn’t going to be?”

“Well, part of me hoped for that, but considering you got up and disappeared for a few days, I wasn’t expecting too much.” Oh right. You nearly forgot about that.

“...That I am slightly sorry for. In my defense, you were gone as well. It’s not like I had time to search the entire region for you.” You mumble, and he shrugs in defeat. 

“Touché.”

You’re both quiet for a bit, listening to the rain that doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. Venti wants to say something, you can feel that, but he never gets past glancing down at you.

“Aren’t you a bit cold, love?”

You shake your head. The spot you’ve chosen to sit in is surprisingly cozy, and warm for whatever reason. You make no comment at his awkward attempt at conversation.

“...I’m sorry.”

Your head snaps up towards him again, meeting his sad gaze. He looks genuinely apologetic, you notice, but it’s not enough. If anything, it stirs the anger once more.

“Y’know, coming from you, those words don’t really hold a lot of meaning anymore.” You mumble. You’re being mean, you know that; you see the way he winces at your words, and how he’s at a loss of his own. Most importantly, you know that he does mean it. It’s just not enough anymore. Those words don’t hold the same weight they once did.

There’s a long pause, and then you hear a shaky sigh.

“...I know I’ve messed up, and I keep doing it, and I need to put a stop to it, and I’m sorry, but I just don’t know what to say or do anymore. I’ve been horrible, I know, and I feel even worse knowing that it took you leaving without a trace for me to truly realize it, but I don’t know what to do! How can I make this better? Please.” His voice quivers, and it stings, but you hold your ground.

Or try to, anyway.

“Do you want me to leave?”

“No,” You whisper; a sound so meek that the rain drowns it out. Slight panic fills you when Venti moves, so you reach for his hand, grasping it. You clutch it tight, as if that could ever stop him from disappearing into thin air if he wished to do so; thankfully, he doesn’t. Instead, he mirrors your action, twisting his hand in your grip to intertwine his fingers with your own. He wastes no time in sliding off the root he was sitting on, and down to wrap his arms around you in an embrace. You return the favor - arms shaking too much for your liking, as you bury your head in his chest.

You don’t cry - your voice comes out quivering, interrupted by sniffles that you later insist are due to the cold - but you don’t cry. At least, not until after you explain what occurred in the ruins; the dread, the ambience, the lack of living beings…down to the treasure hoarder, and finally, the statue. The words spill past your lips like an avalanche, moving too rapidly for you to even process what you’re saying, and before you know it, stray tears are spilling with them. You don’t miss Venti’s sharp inhale at the description of the statue, nor the way his hold on you gets all the more stronger.

Voice quivering, you continue; “I…I don’t know how to fix this.”

He’s quick to answer, almost cutting you off.

“You don’t need to.” His voice is surprisingly stern, though a tinge of fear seeps through.

“Something has to be done, I don’t want you to go and die on me because the damn Abyss Order decided to pick you as some weird puppet in their scheme-” Anger rushes through you as you almost cry out, though it fades into nothing when Venti’s hands find their way to your face, holding it softly and rubbing his thumbs across your cheeks. He gently nudges your head up, and away from his chest, and before you can protest, he rests his forehead against yours, still drawing soft patterns on your cheeks.

“Shhh. It’s okay. I’m okay…just breathe.” It’s almost a whisper, but a gentle one. For a moment, you close your eyes, and do as he says.

“I just don’t know what to do,” You whisper, opening your eyes once more.

“Neither do I, love. Neither do i.” He mutters, half-lidded gaze focused on you. Moments later, you see his lips curl into a soft smile - barely noticeable, but a smile nevertheless.

You sniffle, and send him an odd look.

“...This could have horrible implications, and you’re smiling?”

He leans back a bit with a small ‘heh’, and rubs some tears away from your cheeks, before letting go. Still, being the affectionate person he is, his hands move to grasp your own again.

“No. I’m just happy that instead of being clueless alone, I’m clueless with you.”

You let out a strained giggle of sorts, and he sighs.

“That was…a bit too cheesy” He mutters, and you nod in agreement.

“Still,” he moves closer again, “it’s true. I’m not going to lie, this is…unsettling, to say the least. And while I hate that this is weighing you down, I know it’ll be easier to deal with together.”

You mirror his smile, but it falters quickly. Venti sees right through it, anyway.

“...You’re still worried, aren’t you?”

You nod.

“...I’ve just never heard of this happening. First they corrupt Stormterror, then an old God is reawakened…how do we know this is something that can even be dealt with?”

He shushes you again.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve faced something that seemed impossible to overcome, y’know? Sure, my strength isn’t what it used to be. But for now, I’m okay.”

Something stings behind your eyes again, and you try to blink it away while nodding. Venti reaches up to clear away your tears again.

“We’re both okay, and that’s what matters for now.”

[viatrixia]

[1/3] Balladeer's Deception

pairing: scaramouche x lumine words: 2, 741 genre: fluff, tsundere!scaramouche, fight scene note: cross posted on ao3

series : part i. part ii. part iii.

Scaramouche realizes that flicking his wrist and sending Paimon flying several miles away in the heat of a battle just to get Lumine to himself might not turn out the way he wanted.

“Hey, watch it!” Scaramouche screams, barely dodging a mitachurl’s axe that came flying his way just as he was dealing his last blow against a group of hilichurls.

“Oops! Sorry!” Lumine hurriedly apologizes, a sheepish grin on her lips before she turns back to the axe-less mitachurl.

“Eeep! That axe almost got Paimon’s head!” Shrieks the floating silver haired lackey.

“You’re a whooping 20-feet away. You’re more than safe–Actually, what do you even do for the Traveler?” Scaramouche frowns.

“Hey! Paimon helped Lumine a lot throughout our journey! Paimon introduced Lumine to so many yummy recipes for us to cook when we had to sleep in the wild–”

“Yeah, yeah.” Scaramouche rolls his eyes as he picks his suddenly itchy ear.

He sits crossed-legged mid air, tuning out Paimon’s rambling and focuses on his blonde companion’s lithe figure side stepping the mitachurl’s bare-handed attack. Lumine has fought an ancient dragon, an underground lizard, faced off Abyss Heralds and even gone against an archon–Scaramouche’s own mother–yet there is no mistaking the excited grin on her face as she finishes off the mitachurl.

Lumine loves fights; she loves the breeze that caresses her skin as she lurches to deal a fatal blow on her enemies; she loves the weight of the sword as she swings it with reckless abandon; she lives for the thrill of not knowing whether she would end up beaten and bruised or victorious in a battle. 

Her feet touch the ground, soft wind currents cushioning her landing whilst a loud thump echoes in the air as a mitachurl thrice her size crashes against the cold hard dirt. The groan that follows after almost sounds like a begrudging acknowledgement of Lumine’s victory and a promise that next time, the outcome won’t be the same.

“It was a good fight for me too, friend.” Lumine agrees, her hand on her chest as she gives a final bow to the fallen mitachurl.

Scaramouche left eyebrow rises, “you understand those things? But then again, you understand this floating thing too.”

“H-hey! Paimon is Paimon! Paimon is different from those mean hilichurls!”

“The churls are living breathing beings as any other.” Lumine begins and Scaramouche rolls his eyes.

‘Here we go again.’ He complains mentally.

“And as living beings, we’ll always find a way to communicate…” She rambles on about how any opponent, human or otherwise, deserves to be honored in any fight as they walk (or she walks, whilst Scaramouche and Paimon floats along).

They end up getting ambushed by a group of fungi as they wander the seemingly never ending forest path–if this trail even leads anywhere. Scaramouche may or may not have flicked his finger and caused a wind current that flew a frantic Paimon a few miles away. 

But Lumine being Lumine gets worried that they haven’t found Paimon after 10 minutes of search and rescue post-fungi battle.

“She didn’t wander off and get lost, did she?” Lumine muses on her own, standing in front of a small stream with her arms crossed and her thinking face on.

Scaramouche isn’t too worried. The winds whisper to him of Lumine’s little companion’s safety–well, Scaramouche’s standards for Paimon’s safety aren't all too high. It’s enough that she’s not getting chased by a sumpter beast or eaten by a Rishboland tiger.

Never mind that he can faintly hear Paimon’s cries as she calls for Lumine.

“Or… have the fungi evolved enough to know how to kidnap hostages? At times like this, I really wish I have Tighnari’s knowledge of the forest, maybe it’s best to ask him for help to track down Paimon…” Lumine continues with her musing, not realizing the deepening frown in Scaramouche’s face.

‘Tighnari? That half-bred dog that was hanging around Lumine last time?’

“Fine,” Scaramouche sighs under his breath, coming up behind Lumine without her even noticing her presence.

‘She’s an excellent fighter but she lets her guard down too easily in the presence of an ally.’ He muses to himself but doesn’t think to bring it up because in some ways, his heart melts at the thought of her trusting him this much. 

“Hold on tight.” Scaramouche wraps an arm around Lumine’s body and the two lurch towards the sky. 

The motion is so sudden that Lumine ends up unconsciously clinging to Scaramouche, her arms tightly hugging his neck, her chest flushed against his and her natural scent overwhelming his senses.

She smells like the wind in a flowerfield.

“Whoa…” She breathes out at the magnificent sight of the expanding greenery beneath them; trees that grow up to 200 ft and vines that climb up old damp barks in symbiome

“So this is the power of a god.” She murmurs seemingly to herself before turning to said god who’s holding her with a sparkle in her eyes, “we can find Paimon easier this way.”

Scaramouche resists the urge to grimace as though the name of the flying anomaly physically hurts his ears. But if it makes Lumine that happy to be reunited with that floating creature…

“The winds are saying she’s somewhere north,” He says simply and lets the current lead them towards the deeper parts of the forest where it’s known to host streaks of Rishboland tigers.

“Isn’t that where the Rishboland tigers live? Do you think Paimon’s alright?” Lumine’s eyebrows join together.

In the distant rainforest, a fairy-like creature shrieks as she levitates just inches higher from her original position, enough to escape a Rishboland tiger’s claws but barely. She whimpers, “L-Lumine, where are you when Paimon needs you most?! Save Pai-AH!” She survives the wild creature’s claws for the second time with her wits and her will.

The traveler, unaware of the struggles that befell her companion, continues to worry, “if they get to her first, it’s going to be hard to find another emergency food…” 

The screws in Scaramouche’s brains came to a stop as though needing oiling. When the blond traveler’s words finally sink in, Scaramouche bursts out into laughter. He knew the duo had a running inside joke about food but he’d never, in a million years, thought that the soft, too-selfless-for-her-own-good traveler would refer to the floating creature as rations especially given how she’s been the peacemaker between him and said emergency food all this time.

“Just when I thought I knew you…” Scaramouche mutters to himself, knowing full well that the gust of wind blowing past them would mute out his words.

They reach an area where an ambush of Rishboland tigers crowd around, their tails languidly moving from side to side, some watch with curiosity while some leap into the air, their paws extended towards a floating object from afar.

“A-ah, g-good kitty…” The floating object stammers as a tiger larger than the rest–supposedly the alpha–approaches it in a calm yet intimidating fashion.

“C-c-c-ome on, P-Paimon isn’t even that delicious.” The object barely manages to form a coherent sentence.

“Paimon!” 

Almost as Celestia finally looked upon her with mercy, Paimon hears a familiar stern yet warm voice calling her name. A second after that, something white falls from the sky in front of her, forming a barrier between her and the alpha.

The familiar blond before her almost makes her want to cry.

“L-Lumine…” She sobs.

“Stay back, Paimon.” Lumine instructs, a wind vortex slowly forming under her palm.

In a matter of seconds, she directs the vortex towards the approaching tiger and the rest of its kind flying into tree branches and dispersing away with a menacing hiss.

“Whew.” Lumine sighs, wiping off the sweat from her forehead as she sheathes her sword.

Paimon comes running into the blond’s arms, sobbing like a child who had a nightmare. Lumine’s face falls at the thought of Paimon having to fend off the tigers all by herself. 

Scaramouche does not not feel emotions. If he truly felt nothing as a puppet, then he would not have agreed to join the Fatuis nor hold resentments for his mother. But to say he swore off picking on the silver anomaly would be a lie. He holds no remorse for what happened to the floating intelligence. She didn’t even have a scratch on her body–all that was just an act to get Lumine to hold her in those sturdy yet gentle arms, he’s sure of it.

It takes a while for Paimon’s cries to fall into sobs and then finally, soft sniffles as she falls asleep next to Lumine in front of the fire. All the while, Scaramouche discreetly grumbles to himself about how sly the floating creature is–she managed to monopolize Lumine all to herself. 

The last thing he remembers is seeing the sight of Lumine’s wavy bangs swaying against her face and the orange hue of the fire warming her pale skin. Her golden eyes appear more amber as she soothes Paimon with kind words, her hand patting the silver haired creature’s back gently.

But the crackle of the fire slowly turns into a mechanical sound of rusted screws dragging against a rough surface while thunder echoes from somewhere in the distance. The fire he was staring at is long gone and in front of him, is nothing but endless darkness.

Scaramouche sighs. He’s been here one too many times.

“Why… did you abandon us?” A scratchy voice asks from every direction.

Scaramouche doesn’t bother answering, he doesn’t even react.

All of a sudden, light pierces through a hollow from the ceiling, revealing the crouched body in a white yukata standing 20 feet from him.

“You… you promised you’d make them pay!” The vassal’s head snaps up, its black, pupil-less eyes somehow manage to stare right into his violet ones and send shivers down his spine. Its deep purple hair brushes against its porcelain skin, its body making cracking sounds with every movement of its joints… as if it wore itself out all these years. 

He wished that the times he’s seen this… this thing has made it easier for him. But it never does. He’s staring right at himself–or, the part of him that crawled out of the failed experiments belonging to his mother. Lost, vengeful and devastated.

“Things… things are different now…” He finds himself trying to appease this creature’s wrath.

“Ha! How different do you think it is? Until their mortal bodies fall and decay? How many times must we be abandoned for you to see?”

“Lumine isn’t like the others.” He finally says, stern.

The creature scoffs. “She is a creature of another world, once she finds her kin, she will waste no time in setting course to another world. And we –we will be abandoned yet again.”

The creature cackles, its joints cracking as it tosses its head back.

“Scaramouche. Scaramouche– Zephyr !” 

The wanderer’s eyes snap open to find a pair of golden pools staring at him, distraught. The scent of wind in a flowerfield pierces his senses, forcing him to focus only on the woman in front of him. He feels warm–too warmed by the fire that seems to still be dancing in full vigor. The resounding laughter is now but a distant echo in his mind. 

“What, did you have a nightmare? Want me to cuddle you to sleep?” He wants to smirk like he usually does but for some reason he feels too tired to do that so it ends up looking as if he is genuinely asking.

That turns out to be a mistake. Lumine’s worry stricken face morphs into one that of anger.

“Worry about yourself! You were thrashing in your sleep, your face was so scary… and… and you were saying my name.” Her expression returns to anxiousness as she recalls the scene that woke her up.

“I’m sorry for waking you up.”

“That’s not the point here, Zephyr.” She seldom uses the nickname she gives him though he wishes she would.

But that makes this situation even more dire than he thought.

“I must’ve scared you, sorry.” 

“That’s not it either.” 

Lumine’s face contorts into an unexplainable cypher, she looks as if she wishes to say more but instead she sits next to him, raises his head and places it on her lap. Scaramouche freezes as if he’s been hit by the icy frost of cryo slimes.

But he recovers a second later and curls his body into a fetal position–he may not be able to ugly-cry like a certain floating intelligence but if a showing his vulnerable side after a nightmare is what will raise pity for him in Lumine’s books, swallowing his pride and acting like a scared little puppy is a small price to pay for salvation.

He thought being able to lay his head on Lumine’s soft thighs is the most he’d get out of the nightmare but her lithe fingers begin to stroke the strands of his hair. Every time her finger tips touch his scalp, he feels an electrifying current run down his spine and settles deep within his bones. Perhaps, if he had an organ to pump blood to his veins, this would be equivalent to what people would describe as a racing heart.

“You know… you don’t have to act tough anymore… you don’t have to hold it in. If something annoys you, you can vent to me. If something makes you sad, you can cry with me. If something disturbs your sleep, you can wake me up and I’ll do everything I can to soothe you.”

“I’m no child. Some nightmare isn’t going to make me cry and weep and ask you to check every shadow for monsters.”

‘Because the real monster is within me.’

“Still, isn’t it nice to have someone lay with you to talk to on nights like this?”

“Well, every night is ‘nights like this.’”

Lumine’s fingers go motionless at his words but he simply murmurs ‘don’t stop, it feels nice’ and the gentle motion of lithe fingers combing through his hair resumes.

“When did you start having these nightmares?’

“I was already having them after I became transient but it got worse after achieving godhood–the ghost of my past self seeking a promise I made to myself long ago… It makes sure I don’t forget.”

They fall silent for a moment, only the sound of running water nearby and the nightly creatures fill the air.

“Sing for me, traveler.” His way of speaking makes it sound like an order but the subtle tremble in his voice tells her that it isn’t easy for him to open up to her like this.

These are the things only Lumine knows about Scaramouche.

“I’m not much of a balladeer… so don’t blame me if one of your eardrums bursts.”

Scaramouche makes a sound between a chuckle and a scoff, as though agreeing to her terms.

So she begins to hum a tune; one that reminds her of the folklore she heard somewhere in the past about wandering souls finding one another through the whispers of the winds. Her melodic voice seems to calm his nerves and soothe the knotted strings within the hollow of his chest. The owls and crickets accompany her singing like an orchestra. Squirrels peek from within the tree trunks as though curious which of its forest dwelling kin owns such an angelic voice.

The mellow, tilting song comes to an end with the story of the wandering souls returning to the winds as they reach the end of their lives.

“Hmm. Not bad.” Scaramouche remarks.

“Why aren’t you asleep yet? I’m not singing another song.” Lumine responds, a playfully annoyed tone wrapped around her words.

“I’m scared of falling asleep. I need something to hold… like a life sized pillow–ow.” 

Scaramouche’s head hits the hard ground as Lumine abruptly stands up, looking down at him with an unfazed expression.

“Seems like you’ve calmed down enough to be cracking jokes, I’m going to sleep.” She walks across him to her original spot and lies down next to a snoring Paimon, her back on him.

Scaramouche folds his arms under his head as a makeshift pillow, staring at the vast galaxy–the skies may be fake but they Celestia did an excellent job at replicating the intricacies of the stars and the cosmos.

He lets his eyelids flutter shut as he trails off, “perhaps another time…”

To get the traveler to agree to let him hold her while they sleep, he means.

[onelastchorus]

fontaine megathread

full of spoilers.. duh

archon quest act i

they're referring to the eremites. couldn't leave sumeru without one last sprinkle of racism lmao.. fr love how this was one of the first things i saw in fontaine. "see something, say something." STFU!!!

the fontaine VAs fucking STEPPED UP!! like why is lyney's VA so good.. the decision to open the quest with three of the most off-putting and unnerving characters so far.. lyney truly sounds deceiving, it really felt like you couldn't trust him. and then lynette is just ominous

and then furina.. miss focalors, the star of the mf show. whatever they're paying the VA is not enough because she's incredible. bravado, insecurity, instability, fear, hunger.. all the emotions are portrayed so well

fuck them for this one.. THERES SO MUCH TO UNPACK. i mean, supposedly teyvat has flooded before, this would not be the first. they're so unsubtle with the noah's ark and biblical themes. AND ARE WE GONNA TALK ABOUT THE TEAR?? THE LYNEY PARALLEL?? WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN

that moment when u realize teyvat is world without catholic guilt

lynette is so me. we both got that selective mutism rizz <333

YEAH WE GET IT, WE GET IT!! no subtly smh

the traveler bringing this up as if they didn't directly contradict each other. also another point. if the oratrice relies off belief in justice, not necessarily the archon, could that be applicable to other archon related things? this is feels odd because sumeru and mondstadt's people's entire philosophies rely off of wisdom and freedom respectively, yet they hold the "weakest" archons. and then there's inazuma, where modern citizens hate the raiden's vision of eternity, yet the raidens are arguably the strongest we've met yet

the way i fucking screamed i cannot believe we got skirk name drop

if this is actually meant to be foreshadowing i'm gonna laugh so hard

i'm genuinely so confused by the whole neuvillette situation.. so everyone knows hes not human, but no one knows hes the hydro dragon?? what do people think he is?

the way he fucking hates her i can't breathe

i couldn't get over this why did it jumpscare me.. paimon is funny again god bless.

did she happen to write 2021 aoty if i can't have love, i want power

insert speech about how hydro is truly about the split of ego, how someone presents or is perceived is always different from how they truly are or think. fr tho her design is SO GOOD. THE EYES!! THE TEARDROP ELEMENTS!! THE JELLYFISH ASS HAIR!! THE SILLY HAT AND FRILLS!! after anemo, i already feel as if furina's character aligns most with her vision holders

i've already seen everyone talking about this but we were literally hanging out with childe at lunchtime can we chill /j

with all that being said tho, i get it.. why did they lie did they just not expect this to be brought up its gotta be literal public knowledge

"SHES YOUR FATHER?" im gonna puke im so gay im so gay im so gay im so gay

cannot believe they went there. so fucking dark. kudos to hoyoverse.. anyways lynette come here my love i love u sm i will protect u

fr tho i loved the fact that we had a real prelude for this region.. i think the excuse to make something a little more isolated and establishing in it's plot is already super beneficial for whats to come. we got a lot more character exposition, and even the time to install these cool archon quest specific mechanics. i loved solving everything, it was all SO fun but they also got to have these really emotional beats, i feel this is some of their best pacing yet.

imo the last half of sumeru really helped hoyoverse find their stride, fontaine so far has similar storytelling energy to the whole heist bit of sumeru.

the best thing however might've been the SCORE??? they went out of their league with this one, it's the most fitting, noticable and influential instrumental work they've done in an quest imo

[defountaine]

so. 4.2 thoughts ! spoilers and such.

i had fun, but at the same time... bleh. the way things went wasn't very... pleasing. furina being treated the way she was felt very... fucked. i also don't like the whole "she's not the archon teehee" thing either because in a way... she kind of is? i'm not saying she's divine or godly, but due to how she was created... she kind of is.

anyways! problems!

i understand why things happened the way they did, but the harassment of furina made me so... blehhh. like, i get it. the people of poisson have every right to be pissed. however. even with the assumption of her being godly and divine, what exactly could she have done in that situation differently? hydro is her domain, certainly, but primordial seawater ( to be shortened to psw in any further mentions ) doesn't seem to play into that at all. and then the little... magic box trick. the deception there rubs the wrong way especially considering she was on the brink of being vulnerable. i wouldn't fucking trust traveler after that, and i would probably even be wary of neuvillette too because god. damn. furina being vulnerable with someone is probably 100 times harder now because of that. awesome.

the trial itself was fucked, too. the psw thing... good fucking god. desperate times call for desperate measures, sure, but that sort of thing would've gotten her killed if it were the proper dose. archon or not, i imagine. it simply says fontainians are affected. furina, being the archon, would still be fontainian. her sitting and weeping on her thrown doesn't mean anything, especially since traveler originally thought panel three was panel four. in panel three, furina is in water surrounded by her people and iirc paimon or someone says something about how the archon eventually returns to water herself. forgive me if this is wrong, but if it isn't... what the hell????

and then the way everyone was shocked that she actually risked it. what did they expect. honest to god, what did they expect? for her to confess after knowing how long she's been committed?

and then the big reveal. the way she broke down in tears, begging and pleading for the people to listen to her and believe her. when that happened, i audibly said to myself "if i were furina, i would kms in front of everyone" because holyyyyy shit is that fucked up. being looked at as a liar and a fake by thousands upon thousands of your subjects would be horrid enough, but then feeling like the nation and people you've love with your whole being will be destroyed because you couldn't keep the mask up? oh, that's soul crushing. the way she didn't even argue with the death sentence and sat there, tears streaming down her face. the way she thought everything was lost until she went outside and saw everyone was still alive... god.

tldr: furina is in the trauma nexus.

i also legitimately think furina is the archon. she is, in a sense, focalors' human half/vassal. that woman is the archon, and i kind of don't care what mhy thinks...?

i also dislike how she was brushed to the side after realizing everyone was alive and how we don't see her in the main story again. i don't think she should've resigned, but i understand why the choice was made given her whole thing. i think it would've been nice to see how furina would be if she could actually be herself rather than the facade she wore.

i liked some of it, and maybe i'm just biased, but furina.... ough.... my boyfailure, my cringe girl... she went through a lot.

happy to hear anyone else's thoughts and sorry for excessive cursing, i just have Strong feelings!

[inyvat]

MY THOUGHTS ON LUMINE'S TRAVELER ARCHON QUEST (from 3.5)— read more cause idk how long this is gonna get everyone.

Just to let you all know that I in-game play as Lumine. So when I say Abyss Prince, I'm referring to when AETHER is the leader of the Abyss Order.

First thing's first. Kaeya calling Paimon a FLOATING LITTLE WHITE HAIRED FAERIE and having her as the address for his Letter is FUCKING HILARIOUS. IDK about y'all, but I laughed. I mean KAEYA'S NOT WRONG. She's basically SUPERGLUED TO LUMINE.

Ahhh Kaeya, how I've missed you. I haven't seen you get any screen time since FUCKING SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER! He says he's here on official business, and I'm inclined to believe him. And we've NEVER ONCE seen Jean actually pissed. She's always so cool and collected, even when angry or sick. So if Kaeya's seen her actually pissed off then yeah it would make sense if she terrifies him. But he could also be saying this in jest.

Paimon chastising Kaeya for drinking on the clock while also telling him to STOP HOLDING A GRUDGE AGAINST DILUC AND GIVE HIS BIG BROTHER THE INFO is golden. Since Diluc is no longer a Knight and he HATES any and all alcohol despite being in the business. So it would fall to his brother who loves his wine to be sent for spice deal for wines because he'd HAVE to taste them. Dawn Winery is too busy to send people ALL THE WAY TO SUMERU for this.

And then there's the casual Kaenri'ah name drop. Just out of the blue while talking about his past. He said, "when he was very young". So I'm looking at anywhere between the ages of 4-9. Why not 10? because once you hit double digits, you slowly start to learn more and more about the adult world, making you grow up little by little. Kaeya will never be in the single digits again in terms of age. He'll always be in the double digits. He'll start having more responsibilities by the time he's 10. They'll be little and a lot less than Diluc I'm sure, but he'll still end up having some responsiblity entrusted to him and that'll grow as he does.

He wanted to find out about Khaenri'ah. He read it in a book somewhere. Either in the library at the Knights HQ or in the library at Dawn Winery. And he's probably kept the book with him ever since. Since Lumine would know if she saw anything, any book, that has any mention of Khaenri'ah within its pages. But what he did was very serious. He probably scared Diluc and Crepus half to death by being a stowaway aboard that ship.

Kaeya as a kid used to believe that had some sort of destiny to Khaenri'ah. And that's what everyone in the RPC, theorists, etc headcanon or think. That he's got to be some sort of savior for them. But I don't think so. Khaenri'ahns didn't have a God at all. And yet the CRYO ARCHON HERSELF, THE TSARISTA, or Celestia or whoever truly grants the Visions to a small percentage of people thought he was fit enough for the power of a Cryo Vision; a small amount of the power of the Cryo Archon herself. Khaenri'ahns detested the gods and yet Kaeya is friends with the Anemo Archon himself as well. If he had some sort of destiny to avenge his distant homeland then he would still harbor such hatred towards the Archons and the other Gods that failed to win a seat in Celestia and would have forsaken his Vision. That thought of him having some sort of destiny faded after some time and now he's more Mondstadt than Khnaeri'ahn, regardless of his roots. He'd protect his friends and his life there in Mondstadt if push came to shove.

I would assume that what we heard during the Wine festivial of Kaeya's father's last words to him, that he was their last hope, was that he was their bloodline's last hope at something GOOD; at something decent. Not the last hope for Khaenri'ah. Because remember his family, the ALBERICHS were REGENTS OF KHAENRI'AH. Not Queen, King, Princess or Prince. But REGENT. And REGENT is someone who rules FOR someone else, either due to the monarch being mentally unstable or a minor, and it is a position that is not INHERITED but granted by the monarch at their choosing usually to a someone of NOBLE FAMILY.

Kaeya knows he's being cut off. From what? We don't know.We can all assume that it's the power from the Abyss or the Abyss Order itself. But what if it's not? What if the love of a mother and a father? Of having blood related siblings? I'm sure he still loves Diluc with all of his heart, but there are things that he's kept from him. Perhaps it's something more concrete. We don't know yet or perhaps we'll never know. We just have to see.

Then there's the last name Alberich. The very same name I was just talking about. Dain comes in and says that he knows the last name Alberich is the same last name used by the man who founded the Abyss Order. This does not make Kaeya "Prince of the Abyss Order" as that role immediately went to Aether when his journey was done. Not even "king" would be correct. As the founder would have had to induct his family into the order for it to be a "family business" and have Kaeya inherit the title. And if that were the case then there would be no need for Aether as the Abyss Prince.

Put a pin in that for a second. I'll come back to that.

Lumine and Paimon go with Dain to the Avidya Forest. To an old abandoned hut. The hut is checked out, the only things worthy of note are the strong smell of medicinal items coming from the bowl and the broken mirror. Lumine takes on some pyro slimes while Dain goes off to check the ley lines in the area living Lumine and Paimon alone for the night.

It gets a little emotional as Paimon reveals that she hopes that Lumine isn't growing or doesn't grow tired of her. Lumine has to cheer her up because Paimon being down in the dumps hurts her to see, she doesn't like to see her friend or any of her friends sad. It gets even more emotional when Paimon asks about Aether and her travels before they came to Teyvat. Lumine tells her a little bit about their travels and how this is the first time in all of her life she can remember ever being separated from her big brother.

Paimon notices that Lumine is exhausted and probably a little sad since she brought up Aether and so she tells Lumine to go sleep and that she'll wake her when it's time for her shift since Paimon is taking first watch instead of her. Lumine falls asleep, dreaming about Aether.

She wakes up to Dain but everything is groggy and disoriented and she doesn't move to get up and she doesn't see Paimon at all or hear her. But Dain tells her to go back to sleep while he goes back into the forest after he tells her that he noticed her tear stains. She falls back asleep and wakes up sometime in the late morning.

That's when she goes to the hut and sees weirdly dressed man with STAR SHAPED pupils. Just like Kaeya and Dain. Immediately I know that he's Khaenri'ahn. But I don't know WHO exactly. He's mentally unstable, since his moods go from one extreme to the next and during the conversation with Lumine, Lumine is introduced to a hilichurl by the name of Caribert. Now Caribert means GLORIOUS WARRIOR in Old Frankish and probably has the same meaning in Khaenri'ahn or something similiar.

What strikes me is that Caribert is HALF KHAENRI'AHN AND HALF MONDSTADTER. And he's this man's illegitimate son. Meaning he was born out of wedlock. We only see Caribert in his hilichurlian form, so we don't know what his eyes would be in his original form. This man, his father, is trying to give his son's mind some clarity again so that they can talk again at the very least.

The man "Eide" tells Lumine that he was fed up with his arranged life, which means an arranged WIFE and KIDS and everything planned for him but not by him. But then he met and fell in love with a Mondstadter woman turned naturalized Khaenri'ahn citizen. They had an affiar and it produced a son, Caribert. After that, he had to hide his love and his son from the eyes of his family. He couldn't be there for either of them, as "Eide" said, "I resented my life arranged by my family… Caribert faced great hardship from the very moment of his birth, all due to my selfish desires… and I was never able to be there by his his side for any of it…" So this tells me that Caribert was perhaps sickly from the time of his birth. And he also had to deal with being a hidden son, who would be viewed as a great shame by his noble paternal family and half siblings and thus grew up poor.

"Eide" during the Cataclysm went to his lover and his son, more than likely ABANDONING his first wife and kids, and watched as mother and son were changed into hilichurls. But because HE, his first wife and their kids as well as every other Pureblooded Khaenri'ahn were just that PUREBLOODED, they received a curse of Immortality. While those who were of the other nations, or were only half Khaenri'ahn, were turned into hilichurls. Lumine helps make some medicine for Caribert but it doesn't work. And "Eide" goes slightly more insane at the fact that it failed. But she reminds him that maybe one dose isn't going to be enough. Maybe it'll take more than one.

When Lumine and "Eide" go into the Chasm via the route into Sumeru after the man freaks about a lone hilichurl being Caribert and they end up facing a Frost Abyss Herald who tells them to go back that they have no business being down there. Now normally Abyss Heralds, Lectors and Mages (thus far) all have attacked Lumine. So it's strange that this one gives Lumine and "Eide" a chance to escape unscathed. But it ends up a battle anyway a "trial of destiny" as the Herald called it since it came to think that they were there for some sort of audience. Audience???? WITH WHAT OR WHO?! They go in and they see all these hilichurls bowing down to a crystal hanging in the sky. And it gives off the same familiar and unnatural evil that the Defiled Statue gave off. GREAT JUST GREAT!!!!!!

"Eide" bows and it reminds Lumine of the deceased thief from the Treasure Hoarders. YEP THIS IS BAD PLACE TIME TO YEET! And Lumine tells Eide pretty much that but is stopped from trying to pull him out of the trace/bow by a voice in her head, describing itself as a "sinner" not a god and to go and become a transcented one and learn the truth. Then the voice zaps "Eide" with a purple light and goes dormant.

THAT CAN'T BE GOOD OF FUCKING HELL NO. "Eide" gets up and Lumine and him return to the hut and they try the medicine again and this time it does work. I'm wondering right now if it's not the Abyssal Power that the voice gave him that made it work… Once Caribert regains his mind and he and "Eide" talk for a moment or two, he's told not take off his mask and to never look in a mirror. For good reason. Hilichurls hate how they look as they mourn the faces they can never have again.

Lumine and "Eide" go to unnamed/unknown sanctuary to go see the crystal again and find it missing "Eide" ponders if it was really a "sinner" and not a god after all. But soon as they return to the hut, Caribert had gone missing and "Eide" finds the broken mirror. They search around but find nothing. They decide to search outside of the hut and run into some forest rangers. One of them tells "Eide" that he saw a hilichurl just walking aimlessly and left be after a brief and heated confrontation.

Lumine and "Eide" find Caribert and he's got the dark purple Abyssal power following out of him. And he tells his father that it hurts and that he can't take the pain anymore and that he's sorry just as he takes off his mask and starts to fall the power explodes out of Caribert and Lumine passes out.

She wakes back up in the hut, but with only "Eide" there. Caribert is nowhere to be found. Lumine panics, understandable, as she doesn't know what happened to Caribert after he took off his mask. She hopes that he's okay, that he's not dead. And "Eide" laughs and tells her that Caribert can now weave his own destiny that he has become the "Loom of Fate".

So Dain is looking for A HILICHURL WITH A SCARF ON HIS ARM?! AND WHAT DOES THIS DUDE MEAN WHEN HE SAYS CARIBERT HAS NOW BECOME THE "LOOM OF FATE"?! IS HE DEAD, IS HE STILL ALIVE????? Or is he something else entirely now???? Is he something that's no longer human or hilichurl? Has he become something almost mythical to the point where Aether has to be the one to now find him as a part of his plans??????????

"Eide" then reveals that he's really CLOTHAR ALBERICH and is the FOUNDER OF THE ABYSS ORDER. Since he worshipped the thing that was a "sinner" and he figures that only salvation for a sinner must also come from a sinner. And then he reveals that to the people of Khaenri'ah that like the Abyss, which is mysterious and powerful and otherworldly, Lumine was viewed in the same light and everyone figured that she would lead them into a bright future.

Clothar then reveals to Lumine the title of PRINCE OF KHAENR'IAH. Which isn't right. If it was Lumine he was talking to then it would have to be PRINCESS! Right????? Well, Lumine looks into the broken mirror and doesn't see her own reflection staring back at her but AETHER'S INSTEAD! Meaning that this wasn't really happening in the here and now. THIS WAS AETHER'S MEMORY RIGHT BEFORE HE JOINED THE ABYSS ORDER AS ITS PRINCE.

The dream memory ends and Paimon and Dain are there relieved to have her awake and she relys to them both about everything she saw and heard. Dain reveals that 100 years after Clothar founded the Abyss Order he went completely mad due to the curse and then simply vanished. And that Aether had made no mention of this to him during their travels except for the "Loom of Fate" a few times.

Lumine asks Dain to help her dig up the field remembering the weird mushrooms that Clothar had given Aether for the medicine. There she finds two human skeletons. One male and one female. And around one of them, the female, is a scarf that Lumine recognizes as having once been Caribert. Then she says that she thinks the male skeleton, which was brought back over here at a later date, was Clothar's and that he found some way to break the curse of immortality and died.

Dain wants to say more but he has to go and shift through his memories. And he's pretty sure that an person he refers to as "he" as seen Lumine and that if it is who he thinks it is, Dain will be in touch later on at some later date once he's shifted though his memories and leaves Lumine and Paimon. Lumine gives Paimon and hug which is sweet.

— —— — —— — —— — —— — —— — —— — —— — —— — ——

Quick thoughts on the Abyss Heralds, Lectors and Mages. I think that the Abyss Heralds were the royal mages and their apprentices and other minor mages were the lectors and mages that we fight against in the game. That they were toying with the Abyssal magic and energy and it turned them not immortal humans or hilichurls but into monsters of the Abyss. And that they have their memories which haven't eroded away due to the curse of immortality. They know hilichurlian because it's a corruption of Khaenri'ahn.

The only royal mage who DIDN'T turn into a monster of the Abyss is Peirro, the 1st Harbinger. He left Khaenri'ah, but due to his being a pureblood, he's still cursed with the curse of immortality.

— —— — —— — —— — —— — —— — —— — —— — —— — ——

Now back to Kaeya. Is he Caribert?! I don't think so. It's possible, but only just. But Caribert is the "Loom of Fate". Meaning he can be ANYTHING or ANYONE at this point. I think he's something that's not human or hilichurlian or Abyssal monster. I think he's something more mythical now and is in hiding because he knows that if he's found by the Abyss Order it will be the end of everything. It's why Aether and the Order is so hellbent on finding the "Loom of Fate" since it's a major part of their operation to revive Khaenri'ah.

And if Kaeya was Caribert in a new form, Aether would know I think since he knows the feeling of that power that Caribert was trying to hold back and then when it exploded. No I think Kaeya is descended from Clothar through the family he had that was ARRANGED. As a noble, regardless of fantasy or reality, or even a royal; marrying for love was very rare. Everything from birth was arranged for Clothar. As he was either the OLDEST son or the SECOND oldest son in the Alberich family at the time of the Catacylsm. So that means he has no freedom in what he wants in terms of life. His only rebellion was falling in love with a woman who was NOT noble and who bore him an illegitimate son who he could not even with. So Kaeya being descended from this legitimate line of the Alberichs would make more sense.

And we KNOW THAT KAEYA IS A PUREBLOODED KHAENRI'AHN TOO. Because BOTH HIS EYES, even the one that's hidden, the one that has the scars from the night Diluc and he fought, are star shaped. Yes he's dark skinned, but who says that all pureblooded Khaenri'ahns were PALE?! We've only seen 3 pale Pureblooded Kaenri'ahns. Dain. Peirro. Clothar.

That's how Kaeya knows about Dain being pureblooded. Star shaped pupils. And STAR SHAPED PUPILS are the immediate identifiers of someone who is pureblooded either by descent — pureblooded Khaenri'ahns marrying down the line to other purebloods — or by the sole factor that they are the cursed immortal humans of that ruined nation. Dain even says that humans, pureblooded Khaenri'ahns by descent or cursed, still live in Khaenri'ah despite it being in a ruined state.

[plumblossomcafe]

Ch.33: Dishonorable Trial

Author's note: Please pretend that you guys already met Razor, I still have to do the story quests, but I want to finish the actual storyline before I do them

Dainsleif: A huge statue, a grandiose Cathedral... The people of Mondstadt clearly spent a great deal of resources and energy to construct them. But how aware of this was the Anemo Archon on receiving this gift, and how much did he give back in return?

Paimon: Faith doesn't ask for anything in return, though, does it?

Dainsleif: Hmph, as long as the gods have a clear conscience about it all, there's nothing I can say about it.

Paimon: Shh! We're about to enter the Cathedral. Don't say anything bad about the Anemo Archon... And actually, the Anemo Archon is... Gah, never mind.

Dainsleif: I never specifically said I would enter the Cathedral. I'll leave you two to mingle with the sisters.

Paimon: Huh?

Aether: But we've done everything else together. Aren't you curious?

Dainsleif: You are the Honorary Knight of Mondstadt. They will surely allow you to poke into these affairs with their utmost trust. Having me tag along would only make them suspicious.

Y/n: Because they don't know you? Or because you don't think you will be popular among the sisters?

Dainsleif: Correct, and just as our little friend said... I might say something bad about the Church at any time. When a non-believer steps onto holy ground, the result is never pretty. I have never received the favor of the gods in the past. I don't see any reason I would need it now or in the future, either. That's enough about that. While we've been chit-chatting, the Abyss Order continues to act.

Paimon: Okay then, Aether, Y/n, we'll just go in ourselves and ask around.

Dainsleif: I should warn you both about one thing. Don't go mentioning the Defiled Statue inside the Cathedral. The Church of Favonius wouldn't ignore the matter of the statue, but if they rashly tried anything against the Abyss Order, it would only ruin whatever element of surprise we may have. Also... Meddling in the affairs of the Abyss usually doesn't end well for anyone.

Y/n: True, I mean, me and Papa got hurt when communicating with Dvalin, and I got even more when I got my vision, I was visionless at the time, and I fell into a coma

Dainsleif/Aether/Paimon: ...

Y/n: That's a story for another time

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Barbara: Honorary Knight! Hi, how have you been? Do you need anything today? Agh... But I should first make it clear that if you want to borrow the Holy Lyre der Himmel again, we can not oblige.

Paimon: "It seems she hasn't realized it's just an illusion..."

Y/n: No, in fact, We're here to ask some questions about something. Barbara, have you heard about "the first Field Tiller"?

Barbara: Hmm... What's that? "Field Tiller"... What does it do?

Paimon: Ah, of course you wouldn't know anything about that, hehe... Okay, next question: Has the Church ever lost a Statue of The Seven?

Barbara: Huh? You're here to ask about that old story? Well, I didn't expect that... That was such a long time ago. Barely anyone mentions it nowadays. A long time ago, there was indeed one Statue of The Seven that disappeared one night without a trace. Nearly every member of the Church joined the search for it, but it was never found.

Y/n: ...

Barbara: In the Church's records, as you might assume, this incident has been called "The Lost Statue of The Seven."

Paimon: Hmm... of course.

Barbara: Of course?

Paimon: Uh, nothing! So, do you have any other clues— uh, Paimon means... any other strange stories?

Y/n: "Sorry, Barbara, but we can't tell you about the statue we saw just yet... Like Dain said outside, it's for your own good..."

Barbara: Other strange stories? I'm not sure. Let me think about what other unusual incidents are in the Church's records... Oh, "The Tyrant's Final Fury"? No, that's from another time, probably not related...

Y/n: "The Tyrant's Final Fury"?

Barbara: Oh, this refers to a time of great danger that engulfed Old Mondstadt, the place now known as Stormterror's Lair. Many, many years ago, there was a time when balls of fire would rain from the sky when anyone approached Old Mondstadt.

Paimon: Balls of fire raining from the sky!? How terrifying...

Barbara: People at that time believed that it was a curse laid down by the God of Storms, so they referred to it as "The Tyrant's Final Fury." This strange phenomenon continued for about a year. No one was able to solve it. It just gradually ceased on its own.

Aether: So bizarre

Y/n: Hmmm....It's not necessarily related to the tyrant... According to history books, the Tyrant God of Storms that ruled over Mondstadt centuries ago wasn't capable of producing fireballs

Barbara: Right! Later, the theory of "The Tyrant's Final Fury" became less probable in the eyes of the Church. Common reasoning dictates that the God of Storms wouldn't shoot fireballs... Perhaps it was something else that caused the disaster. Anyway, this incident might not be related to "The Lost Statue of The Seven," but I just can't think of any other strange incidents that might be.

Paimon: It's okay. Thanks anyway!

Rosaria: There's that pointless word "thank you" again. I can never get used to hearing it...

Barbara: Oh, Rosaria, It's you.

Rosaria: If you're looking for the Knights of Favonius, they're busy with those monsters again.

Barbara: "Those monsters"?

Rosaria: Those monsters that tried to attack Mondstadt last time, during the Stormterror incident.

Paimon: Wasn't that the Abyss Order!? They're at it again?

Rosaria: Indeed. They are gathering in Wolvendom, causing great unrest among the wolves. Could it be... that the Abyss Order is targeting the spirit of Lupus Boreas? As for what purpose, I can't say for certain. Master Jean has already headed off to Wolvendom. I must also begin to make a move myself.

Barbara: Th—Then I will go as well!

Rosaria: Master Jean said you should stay at the church, and continue your work with the clergy.

Barbara: B—But... you're also a member of the clergy...

Aether: Don't worry, We'll go to help as well.

Paimon: Right, we'll go give Master Jean a hand!

Barbara: Oh... Okay, if the Honorary Knights will be there, then... But please, everyone, be careful. May the Anemo Archon protect you all.

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Dainsleif: I see... Has the Abyss Order already launched a new operation...? This could very well have something to do with the Defiled Statue. We should go as well.

Paimon: But, what is the Abyss Order going to Wolvendom for anyway? Are they looking to do the same they did with Dvalin? Aaaah... Not again!

Dainsleif: No, that's not likely. Unlike Osial, who was just suppressed, Andrius died long ago. Today it is just his spirit that stands guard over Wolvendom. The Abyss Herald may just be targeting the spirit of Andrius in an attempt to garner some information from one of the Anemo Archon's old companions.

Y/n: Then, wr shouldn't waste anymore time, we must act fast

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Paimon: Aaah! The Abyss Order!

Dainsleif: Don't underestimate the enemy. Let's take them now!

After defeating the enemies

Paimon: Whew... there sure are a lot of enemies around here!

Dainsleif: The closer we get to the target the more enemies there are. Hmph, fits the Abyss Order's style.

Aether: We should hurry and find Lupus Boreas.

Paimon: Yeah! Let's go!

Dainsleif: I'm... not going any further.

Paimon: Huh? Why not? Is it because you're afraid of fluffy animals?

Y/n: *growing more suspicious* That's... probably not it.

Dainsleif: It has nothing to do with wolves. It's because Boreas was an ancient god, yet he willingly became a servant of The Seven. I cannot possibly agree with his actions. I don't desire any interaction with him. Besides, you're the ones people like. I'm... less likable.

Aether: You really despise The Seven, huh.

Dainsleif: There's nothing special about gods anyway. It's just my opinion, but a word of advice: Always be on your guard when around gods. You shouldn't place too much trust in them. But at the same time, don't go too far in the opposite direction... Don't go trying to overthrow them, or hunt them down. Even if the god in question is your sworn enemy.

Paimon: Don't trust them, and don't hunt them... That's some awkward advice. Does Dain hate The Seven, or is he protecting them?

Y/n: And is there a reason why? Every feeling of stems from a reason, so you must have a reason as to why you despise The Seven

Dainsleif: ... Lest I repeat the failings of my forebears. I... will tell you one final fact.

Paimon: Huh? What fact?

Dainsleif: The destruction of the nation of Khaenri'ah by the gods... is the reason why the Abyss Order now seeks to destroy the nations watched over by The Seven. Well, enough chit-chat. We should get back to business. I will go take care of the remaining Abyss Order members in the area. Try and keep your visit with Boreas brief. Afterward, let's meet at the entrance to Wolvendom. *leaves*

Paimon: Oh... There he goes... What a strange man.

Aether: I can kind of see where he's coming from.

Paimon: Yeah, that's true. You also keep your guard up against unfamiliar gods. At the Rite of Descension in Liyue, your decision was very similar to what Dain would do...

Aether: When there's a lack of trust, it's best to just avoid the situation entirely...

Paimon: *sigh* Not the easiest situation...

Jean: *walking twords them* Honorary Knights! Paimon! What are you two doing here?

Paimon: Oh, Master Jean! So glad we found you. Rosaria told us that you came here to fight the Abyss Order, so we came to help.

Jean: Then your help is greatly appreciated. The Abyss Order's sudden offensive is very strange, they have surrounded Wolvendom. I am preparing to send out some knights to fight back. I just scouted out all of Wolvendom... but I did not see you. Rosaria told me that the Abyss Order is going after Boreas. But the Abyss Order and Boreas... What is the connection between them?

Paimon: They just like to cause trouble. Do they really need a reason? The Abyss Order already went after Dvalin. It's not too surprising that they would also go after another one of the Anemo Archon's buddies.

Jean: Hmm... That is true... Regardless, whether the reason behind the present threat is clear or not, I'll handle the situation. Honorary Knights, please go and check if Lupus Boreas is in any danger. This god's spirit... he does not often see people. But I hear that you have met him before.Maybe it is best that you guys are also the one to meet him this time.

Y/n: We'll do it.

Jean: Okay, be careful. Thank you for your help, Honorary Knights of Favonius.

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Paimon: *gasp* Look over there, it's Razor! And... the Abyss Herald!

Razor: You... not welcome here!

Abyss Herald: Ahahaha... So, the wolf's wretched spirit likes to raise wild pups now? You claim to be a guardian, yet your once-sharp claws have clearly dulled since your days of godly glory. If you serve us, we can restore your divine powers you once held in the past.

Boreas: Lies... lies...

Paimon: What the heck is this ceremony? He looks like he's in a lot of pain. Oh no... Is this the same thing they did to corrupt Dvalin's mind?

Razor: Wolves never surrender. But... this can't go on.

Aether: We'll stop this.

Abyss Herald: No matter how many times you resist us, your efforts -

Y/n: *slashed him with a hydro blade* How about you get straight to the point once we beat you

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Abyss Herald: Hmph... The ceremony was interrupted. How fortunate for you. How does an old spirit have such a determined will...? No matter. This is but a small unforeseen variable. Our grand scheme will not be affected. And soon that girl *points at Y/n* will be ours and will fulfill our goals *opens a portal and leaves*

Paimon: It disappeared again...

Aether: At least we stopped it this time.

Razor: Thank you, you came... just in time.

Boreas: Human Lupical and Child of the Archons... I am ashamed that you must see me in my present state. But still, the Abyss Herald underestimated my strength.

Razor: Lupus Boreas never refused trial. But, scary outsider... not respect trial rules. I, too, didn't see... the trap...

Paimon: Wait... So you mean, the Abyss Order had everything prepared to corrupt Lupus Boreas' mind, then lured him out under the pretense of challenging him in a trial?

Y/n: It's not your fault, Razor.

Razor: Thank you, big sister Y/n. In the future, my claws... must get sharper. You... smelled danger, and came here?

Paimon: No, we heard about the danger. Paimon's nose doesn't even know what danger smells like! Besides coming to help, we actually have something to ask you about, too. Uh... Excuse us, Mr. Wolf God, do you know anything about the first Field Tiller?

Boreas: I pay no heed to the contraptions of humans. I know not what this "Field Tiller" is, though there was indeed one human-made machine that I can never forget. It entered into my proving ground by accident, and I mistook it for a challenger. But it could not think, only fight. It was designed as a pure killing machine from top to bottom. I eventually damaged it greatly with one of my attacks. Before it fell to the ground, it fled the proving ground.

Paimon: Hmmm... By the sound of it, it's possible that could have been the very first Field Tiller, right?

Y/n: Could it shoot missiles?

Boreas: "Missiles"? I do not know this strange word... As I said, I pay no attention to the contraptions of humans. It could spin, leap high into the air, and even shoot fireballs. Although no match for a god, it was stronger than even many who wield visions.

Paimon: Fireballs...? Hey, didn't we hear this somewhere else recently as well? Anyway, this pretty much proves that the first Field Tiller came to Mondstadt, doesn't it? It sounds like the first one was way stronger than the mass-produced Ruin Guards that came after.

Y/n: But in this story, it was damaged at the proving ground while fighting the Wolf of the North...

Razor: Don't know... But, did we help?

Paimon: Yes, you were a big help! Thanks! We need to keep investigating something super important. The Abyss Herald may have left but the Abyss's forces are still attacking. You two be careful!

Razor: Yes. I smell... more danger. Bigger danger. You three, also be careful.

Paimon: Well, that was some good intel. Quick, let's go tell Dain!

[intothegenshinworld]

Tofu Anon:

Thinking of my mom and I in SAGAU. I have so many ideas. May instigate my SAGAU writer era, or not.

For now, here are a few:

-First meeting is a disaster. Not only is that the Creator in the flesh, but a possible impostor is standing by their side. Possible, meaning there is some violent debate about whether I’m similar enough to be deemed one.

-After that’s over with, we have my momma’s general obliviousness towards the world of Teyvat. She really only knows Xiao, Venti, and Guoba, and that’s surface level knowledge (voice lines and such). So, whether they enjoy my presence or not, they must accommodate me too. I am both a Paimon to her Traveler and her own child.

-Speaking of which, how many acolytes do you suspect are likely to be envious of me? Especially because my momma hates opulence, meaning any lavish estates and gifts that they insist on offering is a massive no-no. Their Creator deserves so much more, but here I am, presenting them a single box of biscuits and they can settle for that?

I’ve already ranted on and on, so I’ll pause here. But one last note; it’s even more delicious when they realize that I’m not merely another acolyte under the Creator’s protection. I am her child, and I’m irreplaceable.

Good luck tolerating me, dear acolytes <3

This is VERY cute. My little sister started playing Genshin recently as well and she barely knows anyone aside from Diluc (her fav) and Xiao. Also, if you start your SAGAU writer era you better let me know so we can become writing buddies XD

Fully expecting this to get 2 notes since I'm still shadowbanned but I love Tofu anon so idc as long as u see this

What are you to Teyvat?

You're not quite the Creator, but no imposter either.

However, there's a simple answer; You're the sole child of the actual Creator, something more dear to them than Teyvat will ever be. How will the acolytes react?

It's weird how much more you know about Teyvat than the actual Creator herself. Yes, the Creator appears to have some favorites (she recognizes the anemo Archon, the vigilant Yaksha - who's also anemo, and the dormant stove god who now goes by the name Guoba. Perhaps she likes the element Anemo? And her preference lies with non-mortals too... the acolytes have a hard time figuring out how to obtain her attention), but even then her knowledge seems much inferior to yours.

You act similarly to a guide. Like Paimon, another Teyvat traveler guide, you aid her while you're Teyvat with basic knowledge. You tell her about the 'characters', the different nations, and you're able to talk about the past like you've been there to witness it. (I'm biased but you're a 100% better traveler guide than Paimon)

You're always at her side and the people have grown to see you as a mini-creator. You're her child, the name fits perfectly.

And I don't believe anyone would be 'envious' of you. If someone aside from Venti, Xiao, or Guoba would approach the Creator without you, they'd be met with a confused (yet kind) Creator. She wouldn't know who's who, and what's what in Teyvat (not without you), so the acolytes see you as a bridge to communicate with her. And in the process of doing so, many have seen your devotion to Teyvat and opened up to you as well. You're their mini-creator now.

And yes, a huge culture clash exists whenever SAGAU happens. We don't have visions, dragons, or monsters on Earth. And in Teyvat they don't have phones, video games, cars, ... - you get the gist.

It'd be hard to settle down the first few weeks (it's hard for both sides), and you will get some miscommunications in the beginning.

Let's say it's The Creator's (your mom's) birthday. She'd get many expensive jewels, dresses, artifacts, and more. But after all that, she seems the happiest when her mini-creator appears with a box of cookies they baked themselves.

You'd have to explain that she hates opulence and would rather recieve Klee's drawings than any of Childe's many jewels he sent.

There'd be people that'd be jealous of how easy you have it. If you walk in on a conversation, the Creator would be more focused on you than the person they'd been talking with before.

But again, they can't do anything.

I suspect a few might try to win the Creator favor though getting yours, but you've got such a big heart. You literally love everyone in Teyvat (even the hillicurls??)

Some random ideas

Childe sends YOU gifts instead when he learns he can't buy the affection of the Creator herself.

Long talks with the Archons and you about Teyvat (you're on their level of knowledge, you DO share the memories) and the Creator is just happy to see their child get along with these pretty and kind people.

Qiqi mixing you up with the real Creator because you two look alike

2hr long explanation for your mum because the Raiden shogun and Ei share the same body but they're not the same. Yes mum, this is currently Ei. No mum, we can't get Raiden Shogun to stand next to her because they literally have the same body. (please don't tell her about Makoto and Scaramouche looking exactly the same as well)

My mum does this; when you talk to someone she automatically thinks you two will be a good couple (esp if they're kind and pretty). What if she'll set up blind dates for u???

I'll stop for now XD

[dailytatsu]

Heya! Can I request an Aether/Lumine & reader?

So reader is basically an immortal half-elf who've lived for centuries and a well refined fighter. Well at the beginning even tho they volunteered to tag along on traveler's journey to find their sibling, reader is rather obnoxious and a lazy-dork who only help when actually needed. But as the journey continues, they began to act like traveler's bodyguard after witnessing (archon quest spoiler!) traveler almost getting killed by the Shogun? And maybe random shenanigans happen between them (ft.Paimon). I don't mind if you do either Aether or Lumine if you feel pressured 🙏

Hi! This kind are my favorites! Tysm for requesting! (๑>◡<๑)

I did this with Aether since he is my favorite is who I chose, and I feel more comfortable writing with guys than with girls.

I know they have some different personalities but I can help but see Lumine as the all mighty abyss princess.

Hope you enjoy!

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Aether & Half-elf! Reader

GN! Reader

Inazuma Archon Quest Spoilers!

Request are open; sorry for any mistakes!

Genshin Impact Masterlist

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Aether always thought that immortality brought with it wisdom, beings who live for much longer than an ordinary human tend to gain an understanding of life and changes in the world after years of appreciating the passing of the ages.

But when he met you he couldn't help but feel that all his beliefs were based on fiction and old rumors from other worlds. You were anything but wise, not even his first choice to be the voice of reason.

Even Paimon takes her role as his guide seriously.

But what was so wrong about you that get him on his nerves all the time? And most important, why does is he still dealing with you?

To be fair, maybe he was waiting a little too much from you. After all, he always forget that you still have half of a human’s nature.

“Mmh? What are you doing?” You asked Aether the first time he removed your hair from your ears to see if they were pointy. They were, and Paimon yelled kind of a objection when she realize she had to pay for losing their bet.

Not a human, not a elf, but a hybrid between them.

The first encounter was really something he would never forget. Rumors about treasures and requests from the guild made them follow some clues to find a cave that was marked as lost, impossible to enter and explore.

But “impossible” is a word that doesn’t exist their vocabulary. Yet is common that regretting comes along when you’re that bold and risky.

At the very end of that strange cave there wasn’t a treasure waiting, not even a new clue to keep going with the mystery. Instead, was a humanoid silhouette, they seemed to be meditating, not showing a single interest in their voices neither getting nervous because of Aether and Paimon taking some steps forward to have a better look.

But they were breathing, and both could see the pupils moving slightly under their eyelids. Eyebrows twitching now and then, like they were having a nightmare, one of which they couldn’t wake up.

Paimon encouraged him to get even closer to shake that person's shoulder, while she was hiding behind some rocks, obviously.

Aether summoned his sword and then he approached slowly until touching them with his fingertips, waiting for some kind of jumpscare.

The stranger raised their arm, carefully but also in a robotic way. Their fingers were tense, as much that it was painful just looking at them. Like a quiet call, like a order that couldn’t be heard, from the pile of rocks where Paimon was hiding something emerge, breaking through the stone and letting a rusty polearm to be seen.

Their fingers closed around the weapon, bringing them back to reality.

“Master and weapon, reunited again, rise so the world can meet their end!”

Or at least that's what he would have preferred to find. A servant guarding a lost relic, a soulless body moving by a curse, perhaps even a fate that death could not prevent.

But instead it was something really underwhelming, something that broke the mystical and strange atmosphere. That person opened their eyes, annoyed by the light of the torches and disoriented by the situation.

With their body in pain and numb at the same time, how long have they slept in that position?

The first thing they did after waking up was sneezing.

‘So much dust…’

Never accepting missions for exploring legendary caves ever again. Nope. Negative. He refuse to.

What if they find another (Y/N)? Thanks, but no. One is more than enough.

“So what you mean is that your parents' families exiled you and locked you up in the cave for being an ‘abomination’ to both species?” Paimon confirmed once the three of you were back in the surface again. Her hands moving side to side to explain -in a very expressive way- everything you told them.

“It seems that we found the remains of an ancient race that used to exist in Teyvat.” Aether said, still surprised by the way you roamed to feel the wood of the trees and the grass under your bare feet. Kind of heartbreaking.

“Like the boar we found with Xiangling!”

He wasn’t sure if it was okay to compare both encounters but he could see her point.

“… ‘Wait for us’, they told me, ‘think about your existence and find the answer to why your conception is not the atrocity that everyone says you are. May their words not reach you, because we have long ears to hear the words of the gods and not the ones of those who defile earth’… ” You pronounced after decades of not needing to use the language you were taught, with one hand on your chin and eyes closed to concentrate. All you had left was the few memories you preserved inside your mind and heart.

“With ‘they’ you mean your parents?”

You nodded.

“And what happened next?… ” Asked back the tiny companion of the blond guy that rescued you.

“I got bored and I fell asleep.” You admitted, carefree about it, shrugging your shoulders and sighing.

A total waste of your youth.

“Eh!? Then you didn’t thought about those things? That sounded important!” Paimon seemed disappointed for your answer, while Aether held his forehead, without having a clue of how he was supposed to react.

That was the day you joined their party! New team member, (Y/N) strikes in!

Or something like that,,

“H-Hey! We could use a hand over here!… woah!” The little white girl scold you but from your high sit on the top of a big rock only a exaggerated yawning can be heard. Paimon crossed her arms to almost immediately duck down to dodge a fire bullet from the Fatui. Aether didn’t say anything, he was concentrated fighting.

“Oh, yeah… You’re doing great. Go, Aether, go…”

“Was that supposed to be a cheering?!”

“Hey, calm down” You said “He doesn’t need my help. Just take a look, he’s an adventurer. If I meddle it will be really boring for him.”

“Hmp! Now Paimon believes that you were lying when you said that you were a well refined fighter!” She was floating around you, ignoring the battle of his blond friend. Like a pesky bee, the only thing you did was avoiding her furious gaze. “Don’t ignore Paimon! How can you not hear with those ears!? That’s it! Paimon will give you a ugly nickname!”

“What about ‘extinct deaf elf-der’?”

“Yeah, that’s a good one!” She agreed immediately, then she shook her head, pointing at you like a guilty criminal. “Wait, Paimon doesn’t need your suggestions!”

When the last Fatui was defeated Aether turned back to face both of you, sighing because of the new arguing between you two. His sword disappeared and some steps were took to get closer.

Your eyes met each other, a slight smile in your face after looking him safe and sound. So confident but so unaware of the remain danger hiding. Your expression became a surprised one, then your gaze sharped like a killer sight.

You left Paimon on top of the rock when you jumped down, summoning your own weapon you ran straight to where Aether was. The traveler panicked just a fraction of second before loosing sight of you.

Next thing they know was that a you were behind him, facing at the nothing with a defensive pose, just a second of silence before a impact could be heard. Some dirt and dust was lift as the pair of Fatui Pyro Agents became visible again. They stayed there, defeated in one hit.

“Like I said. It would be pretty boring if I meddle...” Aether and Paimon were shocked, none of them felt their presence, not even the heat of the pyro delusion. Your weapon disappeared in the air, and your hands rested on your waist. “Dear Seven, that was intense.” Looking at your friends you sighed, with the laziness on your body language. “It was my turn to cook dinner, right? What a pain having to eat again… ”

Acting that relaxed after that really made them went Ô_Ô and Ö

A silent speech, where devotion and gratitude are the best topics of conversation. The message that is heard even if there’s no words in between. Just a exchange of gazes. Little signs of affection that are shown when it’s necessary.

Your family was gone. No clues about their whereabouts could’ve found in that cave of where you came. Not even the skeletons of a couple holding their hands and petrified in a sobbing position. Not even ashes.

When you have been thinking about the most unimportant things in the universe for so long you can deal with the lost faster than anyone else. Getting the idea of no remain evidence of your parents and feeling that it wasn’t that heartbreaking.

Maybe because you gained a new family almost immediately.

Still you could empathize with Aether, he still had his precious memories with his sister, still remember her face and her voice. And most important was that he knew that she was still roaming Teyvat, waiting for him.

Even if they leave behind Paimon and you at the end of the trip.

Or even if they just leave you behind.

‘I’m okay with that.’

You thought, stroking Paimon’s hair when her head found a comfortable place to rest in your lap. You thought, moving your shoulder so Aether wouldn’t have neck pain. Both sleeping peacefully and you staying awake night by night.

You’ve slept enough, for so long besides.

Somehow the flames of the campfire are warmer now that you have someone to look how the fire dance in the night.

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“I see, so you were serious when you told me that your companion was a mystical extinct creature, weren’t you?” Albedo’s hand went up to hold his chin, analyzing you from distance.

“They are half of it, actually.” Aether answered back, notice how Sucrose was asking you permission to check your features. The sparkle in her eyes made you accept her petition after feeling with the back against the wall.

“Your ears are like mine! Look, look!” Klee pulled your shirt, then she pointed at the side of her head.

“… Still the shape of both are quite different, the length too.”

Years of isolation really are hitting hard right now. You felt overwhelmed and somehow shy when Sucrose hold your face to have a better look.

You follow the traveler to everywhere, no matter the place, you were there. Like a shadow, sometimes just a spectator, other times like an actual active team member.

“Who would’ve tell that our Honorary Knight also has his own knight watching his back.” Kaeya’s voice has that joke but charming tone, as always.

Day after day, it’s the same, everyone talking you through Aether. Like some kind of translator.

“More like a human shield.” Your hand landed on top of Aether’s head, not agreeing with his explanation.

Bonk.

“I guess everything’s better than being Emergency Food.”

“Hey!”

“Haha! You three are quite a team, aren’t you?”

Of course you were. Mondstadt, Liyue, you name it. You could assure that every place in this two nations have at least one story about the team.

You knew that the most brave and magnificent outlander in Teyvat didn’t need a guardian, he can defend himself (somehow even if he’s still using that dull blade).

Bodyguarding also sounds like such a hassle…

You only provide a last resource help when was needed, sometimes also helping with some puzzles and mysteries.

The long eared people was known to be wise and smart people that searched for the full comprehension of the world. Also such a nerds and fans of knowledge. So, even if you considered yourself dumb, in your blood was the instinct of looking for the truth, and sometimes that impulse could be really annoying.

You were always near enough to reach him. Pulling his scarf from behind to move him away from danger. Countering after he gets hit.

Always in a place where you could reach him.

You just needed to extend your arm and you would catch Aether. It was always like this. Always with you jumping in the middle of the crossfire to shield them if it was necessary.

It’s always like this.

Until the day you three set a foot in Inazuma’s land. And a bad feeling of a imminent catastrophe made your shiver.

A new nation, a new problem to solve. But a war? Boldness and stupidity sometimes looks like the same thing, but no matter how many times you repeat this to Aether, he would still ran into problems.

And you would follow him, until your debt is paid, until his travel is done.

It used to be like this.

But then you failed him after being unable to move because of the fear that paralyzed your body. The day Aether faced Shogun Raiden in the ceremony. The day you heard the broken voice of a god inside the Shogun you also fell apart. It was painful, cruel, a void of anger and sadness.

Jumping into danger, without you behind.

You tried to ran between the goddess and your savior, you tried to get closer to at least be useful one last time as the shield you promised to be.

You tried.

But, for the first time, your hand didn’t reach him.

The void of despair and darkness that could be heard inside the Shogun devoured him.

The tears of panic and fear in Paimon’s eyes. The way the Shogun lifted her sword to end his life. The way you were paralyzed because of her presence, forced to be part of the crowd and presence his execution.

That day your facade of laziness faded away, the real feeling of being a knight burnt along your proud. It was so annoying, it was so unnecessary, but still you couldn’t ignore it.

“Are you… are you sure that you’re okay? We don’t have to find the Sangonomiya resistance today. If you need to rest then-” Your hands were shaking when you placed them in Aether’s shoulders, holding yourself for tearing up.

“We have to keep going. I’ll be fine.”

“Besides, if we stay near Inazuma this night they could find us! Paimon won’t be able to sleep like that!” Your mouth opened to counter their arguments, but not a single word dared to go against Aether’s plans.

They could see it in your face. The worry, the remains of shock and fear, the guilty.

“Don’t try to look strong then. If you get tired, tell us. I can carry you in my back.” Even if you were offering help your voice was serious, so cold but so hurt at the same time that nor Aether or Paimon knew what to said to bring the old you back.

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“… Aren’t you coming?” You could hear how the door was slid to let him saw you. The lighted spots on Aether’s clothes were purple, just as the lighting that almost end him. Your lips made a concerned and stressed grimace.

The young traveler took a seat next to you, outside the structure, sitting on the wooden steps and looking at the starry sky. The wind was cold but still the soldiers of the resistance were talking normally and the slight feeling of discommodity because of the excessive presence of other people was climbing up your back.

“(Y/N), there’s no need of guard us every night. You also need to sleep.”

“I'm not tired, I think I've gotten enough sleep, at least not to need it until the next century.”

Aether’s expressions went into a sarcastic one, asking if you were serious with just his gaze.

“That’s not how it works.” He said, trying to change the mood. “And if it does, then why are you always snoozing during the day in every chance you get?”

You had the answer to that, but you weren’t sure about telling him.

“Because everything supposed to be boring. Nothing really changed a lot and… looking at the familiar places was depressing.” So easy, so simple, but still enjoying the company, still enjoying the sound of theirs laughs and their own shenanigans. “… Lately, I’ve been thinking that I should not had left the cave. Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate that you two helped me to be back at the surface, and I really want to help you on your journey, but if you still run into the chaos by own decision I think I could not follow you any longer before being a burden in your adventures.”

Overprotection, an unbreakable shield, frequently avoiding fights, always being pulled back to not be part of the battle. Enemies of the braveness of the traveler.

Worry, panic, an overreaction due to fear of loosing everything again.

‘let me do it’, ‘I got it’, ‘wait here’, ‘don’t get close’.

These day could be described like that.

“So, before I do something worse as an excuse of defend you, please let me find a cave to await. You do what’s is needed and… call me back, or leave me there, anything you think it’s better… ”

You could be pronouncing the words from the very bottom of your heart, but still your face was the same seriousness as the accident almost happened.

And even with that you felt his gloved hand removing the hair that was covering your right ear, revealing how it slightly leaned down, showing sadness unwittingly.

“Hey, cut it out… I’m serious about this… ”

“It doesn’t matter if you think that it’s the best option, you’re still sad about leaving.”

“… That’s cheating.” Removing his hand away from your hair you tried to act indifferent.

“You know the reason why we invited you to came along?”

‘You felt sorry for me.’

“I can’t totally tell the exact reason, but it wasn’t for you to pay us some kind of debt because of saving you.” He crossed his arms, looking at the stars, wondering if his sisters was doing the same. “We don’t need a guardian, we need our friend back. And I know you care about Paimon and me, but still you must enjoy the journey. It’s not fair that you are always aware of every potential danger while we mess around lately.”

An eternal silence, your response is late to appear but somehow Aether can tell that you already have something on your mind.

“Then apologize.”

“… Why?”

“For believing that playing as the hero and jumping to face the Shogun was something you had to do.”

“… but-”

Neither Aether nor you slept that night, the blonde had to listen for hours to all the things that you ever wanted to complain about since you arrived in Inazuma.

You made your position on joining the army of the rebellion very clear, you had no intention of fighting to seek "justice" or "peace". Because after all, that fight did not correspond to you, but if he asked you to, you would protect some soldiers or help to guard the barracks, if he asked you to, you wouldn’t complain about it (at least not that much).

Both had enough of each other’s attitude, but it was okay. Because that was what all of you chose in first place.

[eligaxy]

Wind

☆ℜ𝔢𝔩𝔞𝔱𝔦𝔬𝔫𝔰𝔥𝔦𝔭 : Venti x gn!Reader

☆𝔚𝔞𝔯𝔫𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔰 : near death experience, you’re confused asf about everything, bad writing cause i suck, spoilers for the we will be reunited quest!! And also for venti’s backstory, venti is serious for once (yes it’s a legitimate warning🤚)

☆𝔊𝔢𝔫𝔯𝔢 : Some angst, some fluff? Idk bye🤨

☆𝔖𝔲𝔪𝔪𝔞𝔯𝔶 : "It's okay, it's over now" he kneeled to be at your level, his arms still wrapped around you, and you didn't have the energy to fight your urge of nuzzling into him. "I'll always be here for you, wherever there is wind, remember I'm here too. You only need to ask." (2.8k words)

♪𝔑𝔬𝔱𝔢𝔰 : i’m an idiot simp, i did this in one sitting and half asleep, english isnt my first language BLA BLA IM SORRY FOR MY POOR WRITING BUT HAVE THIS

basically you don’t know if you can trust venti or not, head says no, heart screams yes

Also, I was listening to stormterror’s lair ost while writing it, just because its fucking amazing, you might wanna listen to it too

I’m nervous to post this?/&:! This is the second fic i’ve ever finished in my whole life

i love venti and he’s hot in his god outfit i don’t make the rules

KAY ENJOY <3

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

"Please, anybody... Just help me."

Saying you were exhausted would have been an understatement. After reuniting with your sibling, you had been frantically searching for clues about khaenri'ah and ways to Inazuma. With no luck, you couldn't find any traces of Dainsleif or of your twin. The ruins had been sealed and you had no idea what happened to the inverted statue or the corpse you had found there. Desperately, you clung into every little information you had, you would have turned every rock on this archon damned continent if you had to, which is what led you into those ruins near Guilli plains.

Walking along the destroyed buildings your eyes caught sight of a dandelion and you froze. You missed them so much, why couldn't they go back home with you? All you ever wanted was to be by their side why, why were they running away from you?

You remembered your travels, the moments you shared together, their protectiveness over you, the fondness in their eyes when you smiled at them. You remember the times you got hurt and healed one another with your now missing powers. You remember sleeping by their side and being grateful to the universe to let you keep your ray of sunshine everywhere with you. How ironic.

What had they meant 'once you reach the end of your journey' ? What does that even mean? Stupid twin, if they knew you were here the whole time, why hadn't they come to you? Why were they always leaving just when they were within your grasp? Why? Did they know how much you missed them and how much your heart broke when you finally saw them? Did they?

You only realized you were crying when a small gust of wind had your wet cheek react to the cold, breaking your train of thought. Wind.

The wind is everywhere, you think, free as a bird, always accompanying every citizen of this world, never truly alone. With this in mind, you resumed your exploring, slower this time.

A sigh escaped your mouth. You didn't want to admit it, but the wind did comfort you a little. Almost as if he was here. God of freedom and of the breeze, he was more a singer than a protector and you couldn't bear to think about him. Was it true? What Dain said... Did he destroy this nation? Was he the cause of the scenery that still haunted your nightmares up until 500 years later? Your brain simply couldn't accept that Venti, your Venti, you catch yourself thinking, could have made such an act of wrath. He was the epitome of freedom, why would he take the very thing he based all of his existence on from mere mortals? Barbatos simply couldn't be afraid of being overpowered, he didn't even care about power. All he wanted was freedom and happiness for his people. Surley this couldn't be right?

But then again, who were you to deny the wipe out of an entire nation? The gods did it. They were afraid that Celestia would be overthrown by the pride of humankind, the destruction of khaenri'ah by divine beings was a fact. There was no misunderstanding about this. That was the one thing you were sure of. So why did you feel like crying even more now?

The mere thought of a gentle soul such as Venti committing innocent people to an eternity of suffering didn't sit right with you. Even when his dearest friend Dvalin had turned against him, he didn't try to stop him, didn't even ask the dragon to save him. He healed and helped him, gave him a choice.

'What is freedom if demanded of you by a god?' was the same person that asked this question the same one who committed mass murder? Genocide?

Did the little wine-lover bard you had grown fond of destroy all hopes and light your kin had?

You remember that night when he freed Stanley from his burden, freed his and his friends' spirits. You had marveled at his action, in that instant he was a god, and he definitely hadn't struck you as a murderer. You remember that look of silent pain and grief in his eyes when he sang the tales of the nameless bard he had taken the appearance of. You knew he trusted you enough to share his story, something so personal, you could almost feel the war that took down the tyrant of Mond. Oh how much you cherished that evening, treating him to some well deserved dandelion wine afterwards, his favorite, and asking him to sing you more about the time where was nothing but the spirit of a breeze.

Your heart broke a little, remembering his rosy cheeks and drunk smile, you wish you could talk to him, ask him what happened. What did he do, was he really as dangerous as you had been told? If so, then why did you feel so good around him? Why did you feel like you could give hi-

You stopped walking upon seeing a ruin guard up ahead in the distance. You're so stupid, you think. Feeling this way is not gonna get you anywhere, especially with how the bard had been missing for a few weeks now. Ever since you had last seen your sibling.

Where was he, where was he wandering off to? You walk towards the disabled ruin guard, not really paying any mind to it, still thinking about the god you longed to meet with. If you could see him, what would you even say? Would he even answer your questions? Why did your stomach feel so light and funny when you thought about seeing him, why aren't you angrier?

You're almost at the killing machine's level now, so lost in your thought you don't notice the five other similar robots hidden behind a wall next to it. You notice them only when it's too late and you've already turned them on while thinking about examining them and collecting their serial numbers. When you hear the familiar tick of the mechanism turning on, you internally panic and think about running away only to calm down moments later and think to yourself that you can simply beat it and take what you came here for. Even if you are emotionally and physically tired, you can manage, you think.

That was before hearing five other consecutive ticks right after it, and all around you.

Turning around, your gaze falls upon the small army of field tillers. Fuck.

Paimon wasn't with you today, you had asked for some time alone which she hesitantly accepted, so you couldn't ask her to go fetch help. You would have been worried if you had all your capacities but with the state you were in, you were wondering how you were going to survive this fight. You were alone, none of your companions with you, and deeply weakened by the busy day you had and the few hours of sleep you had managed to steal away from the night. Was it today you would meet your doom, with all your questions and uncertainties unanswered?

You tried your best to fight with the strength you had left, but quickly grew desperate after what felt like hours of efforts to swing your blade and being able to only take one monster down out of the six. It didn't help that you got injured along the way, their blows becoming harder and harder to dodge. After being thrown on the grown for the third time, you understood you had at least two broken ribs and that your shaking legs would soon fail you as well.

Fear crept upon you, you would die here today, alone. Alone. You couldn't talk to your sibling after all, couldn't understand. You didn't even get to talk to him one last time. Him... You would die without the knowledge of the truth about your bard. You would die alone. You didn't want that, you couldn't look death straight in the eye.

"Please, anybody... Just help me."

-

In Mondstadt, there was a musician, a weird singer everyone had heard about at least once. He lived off of his songs and was mostly known for having a great story-telling and being an alcoholic.

The number of people who knew the true nature of his identity were few and he was perfectly content with that. He didn't wish to be a god anymore, his gnosis had been taken away anyway and it's not like he had any power over the city of wind nowadays. Even if his people still worshipped him as Barbatos, it didn't sit right with him to be called a god anymore. It actually never did, he thinks to himself with a smile, he never really took any responsibilities that came with the divine title which is why he was so weak today. But it didn't matter to him, his smile turns into a soft giggle.

Sitting on a mill that was once born from his steps he looks fondly over the city he founded. Even if they were godless, the citizens were still thriving and free. He cared oh so very deeply about the place even if he rarely, if not never, showed the affection within his heart. He remembers the day he grew strong enough to dispel the storms over his actual Mondstadt, and made the weather gentle enough so that there was no need for fireplaces. Nowadays, he loves watching birds nest into the chimney tops and seeing them found their own home. It gave him a sense of belonging like no other, not above his people, but walking among them and watching them nest into this cocoon he created. He was proud of what happened to his land and would do it all over again if he had to.

Especially since it led to him meeting you. This thought doesn't catch him off guard, you often roamed around in his mind after all, and it's not like he didn't write at least three songs about you and your feat, your smile, your courage...

Ah there he goes again, rambling about you in a whisper. He turns around to the statue of him his people erected in his honor, chuckling at how they never made the connection with his signature braids. His, but not really his, since he had stolen this form from someone who was much more deserving of this power than him. Seeing his friend being honored with the statues of the seven around the land made him happy, he hoped that it was a good enough thank you gift in return for everything that the bard whom he couldn't even remember the name of anymore did for him.

Upon gazing at the statue, he remembered telling you of his long gone friend. It was the first time he had talked about him to someone else, he didn't even mention it to Venessa, she who made him believe in himself again. He could ask himself why, but he simply knew that you had something different, more than meets the eye. Perhaps it was because you weren't from Teyvat, or perhaps it was just you being as simple as your natural self but he was simply and utterly captivated by your being. You inspired him to no end, at first he thought it was because he had never met someone like you and he loved new things! But as time grew and he got to know you, he understood quickly the meaning and depth of his passions. He thought of it with a light chuckle, content with your presence alone. He really did need and want you around.

So why did he purposely avoid you like the plague?

The wind had brought to his ears that you had met with Dainsleif.

And your twin.

His first reaction was to search for you, talk to you, he wanted to be here to know what happened! You had searched so long, he couldn't contain himself, still listening to what the wind told him, he started running with excitement but... But wait, Dainsleif was... He told you what?

Oh.

So you heard about Khaenri'ah. He had stopped dead in his tracks and turned back, only sending a warm current of wind your way, hugging you from afar.

He wasn't ready to talk about this yet, not ready to face you and absolutely not ready to answer your questions. He was a coward, he thought, running away like that but what else could he do, really. It was only natural for him to be as uncatchable as air.

A sorry excuse to avoid the fact that even if his past had marvelous story like the one of the nameless bard, it also had its share of darkness, something he wasn't ready to dive back into. Especially not now when your arrival has been shaking this world up like it hasn't been since at least 500 years.

But oh, how he longed to see your face or to hear your voice. So he asked a breeze to report to him what you were up to, and where you were. Just in case! he tells himself, what if you needed help ehe? But he knows you're competent and you won't need the help of a weakling coward like him anytime soon. Or so he thought.

Because when the breeze only gives him a few words back, his blood runs cold.

"Please, anybody... Just help me."

-

As you murmured these words in your desperate state, not really for anyone but yourself as a last resort, a prayer of some sort, you tried to stand by leaning yourself on your sword and failing miserably. You didn't dare look up as you heard the loud footsteps of the metal giants coming your way. It was over, and you barely managed to accept it.

As you rested your forehead against the cold handle of your sword, you closed your eyes, tears starting to make their ways out of your closed eyelids. All you could feel was remorse.

A soft breeze moved your hair slightly and your chest felt like a black hole had taken place where your heart used to be, regretting to not have been able to meet him under the tree at Windrise one last time.

The breeze quickly grew stronger, until it felt unnatural and you looked up from the ground, only to close your eyes again immediately when you realized the wind was too powerful for you to keep them open. If you had struggled to see though, you would have been blinded by the white light that soon illuminated the whole ruins. You didn't have enough time to register the situation when you felt a hand being laid atop your shoulder, snaking around your collarbones and pulling you back into... nothing? Another arm circled your weak form and a voice you immediately recognized said

"I've dealt with things worse than you, now crumble."

You realized that if you couldn't feel a chest behind you while still being embraced by his arms, it was because he was floating above you, and not standing behind you. A look in his direction confirmed your suspicions but what stunned you wasn't the fact that he was flying, but the attire he wore. Barely covering his body, a white set made of materials that seemed like clouds and liquid gold contrasted perfectly with his regular green clothes. His hair was glowing green and his eyes that were focused on the ruin guards up ahead had a marvelous shine that you had never seen before. He had that same aura he did the night he freed Stanley, but there was also something different about the way his hands gripped you a little too tightly or the way his voice sounded.

"Venti.." You muttered his name, relief and affection flooding you all at once, in his presence you felt as if nothing bad could happen to you. How foolish could you be, just a few hours ago you were speculating wether or not he had wiped out an entire civilisation and now here you were, being saved by him and feeling safer than you had in months.

"Close your eyes, I don't want give you a headache" he said, slowly floating legs first towards the ground. His unusually serious voice surprised you (and him) but you did as he told you. Letting go of your sword and leaning back into him, you let him deal with the monsters ahead of you.

"It's okay, it's over now" he kneeled to be at your level, his arms still wrapped around you, and you didn't have the energy to fight your urge of nuzzling into him. "I'll always be here for you, wherever there is wind, remember I'm here too. You only need to ask."

Being protected by a god really didn't feel that bad. Especially when you were in love with said god.

✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

Thank you so much for reading whatever this is until the end :’)

Don’t hesitate to comment or reblog, tysm <3

Ps: venti loves u and so do i do pls take care of urself mwah

[silenteyes]

Aether smiles as she looks at him with the gaze he’s always been used to. 

“Brother...?”

He smiled and immediately rushed to embrace her, little twinkling noises indicating that Paimon was following him. Lumine cries as she too hugged him, and it was as if fate was finally set in stone as the twins were finally reunited.

“Hello, Lumine!” Paimon’s voice rang out as the two separated from each other, although still holding hands. “Paimon has heard a lot about you!”

“Only good things I hope,” she laughs out. Oh, how he missed that sound. “I know it wasn’t a good impression when you first met me...”

He saw Paimon’s eyes widened and his own softening. “No! Paimon didn’t believe that was you!” she harrumphed. “Aether always told me very good things, and he never lies about those kinds of things! If he says you’re good, then you’re good. End of story!”

Lumine smiled softly, looking at Aether before pulling Paimon and bringing her into the hug. The pixie gasped and giggled. “You do give good hugs! Paimon always wondered what yours felt like since Aether described it!”

Aether took one glance at Lumine and knew she already fell for the charms of his companion. She squished Paimon’s cheeks, making the latter offended. 

“Aether, I’m replacing you with Paimon now. She’s more adorable than you and she’d make a better sibling.”

“Hey!” Paimon looked affronted. “Don’t tell Paimon she helped Traveler through all that just for him to be replaced!”

Lumine stroked her chin in mock thought. “I’ll treat you better than Aether! I’ll give you the nicest beds, nicest accessories and nicest food!”

The pixie froze and looked at Lumine with stars in her eyes. “Now you got Paimon listening,” she said cheekily.

Aether looked at Paimon in mock hurt. Suddenly, a soft breeze appeared and Aether tugged Lumine’s hands. They turned around to see a crowd of people and Archons, all from different nations witnessing the reunion. Although there were many fights and arguments, the one constant was the little fairy who always stayed, helping him speak up to actually TELL them to help him.

“Come on, I’m pretty sure the people who ended up helping me in the end would not appreciate being left in the dust.”

They saw Venti dramatically weeping at the reunion, they saw Klee trying to throw a “celebration bomb” as she called it - Jean and Albedo trying to stop her. They saw Archons looking at them solemnly, yet they could tell they were happy for the twins as well.

Lumine looked at them hesitantly, as if one word from her would cause some sort of backlash. It never came.

“I’m Klee!” the little girl runs up to her and extends a hand which Lumine gently shook. “Aether told Klee that he loves you A BUNCH! Like how Klee loves Big Brother Albedo!”

The alchemist in question smiled gently at the young girl, although he was looking quite pale. It was quite worrying. 

It could warm even the coldest of hearts, how the ever quiet traveler now speaks a lot, feeling comfortable knowing his sister was now with him. They had a long talk, getting to know each other. All Archons and people from Mondstadt to Snezhenaya. It was a tad bit overwhelming, but everyone was kind enough not to crowd each other all at once. 

Yet destiny still wasn’t satisfied, and the ground started to rumble. Murata immediately got into a defensive stance, narrowing her eyes as she looked around. The others stilled, and pulled out their weapons. 

“Outlanders, your journey ends here.”

The twins froze. Yes, destiny and fate definitely hated them.

“You’re the Unknown God we’ve heard about,” Themis said, not as a question but as a confirmation. She was right of course, her voice as sharp as her spear - yet moves as fluid as the element she was the Archon of, rushing to deflect a large arrow meaning to hit one of her people. 

“Please, do call me Asmoday.”

Then they appeared. Beasts and monsters from realms the twins traveled to, and some even they could not recognize. 

“Well then,” Venti’s voice rang out, the wind now not just a mere breeze. “Why don’t we have one last fight.” 

And they charged. Mortals and immortals, both now fighting for victory and the promise of a safe realm - not overrun by this deity that most of them know nothing of. Clashes of swords and bombs and everything in between - this is not what peace should be like. Dainsleif with his unknown element, clear concern on his face as he fought - looking like he had never expected this. 

“AETHER!” Paimon screamed and he looked around in concern before he heard nothing from her - before a small drop. He looked to see his companion bleeding, a sword in her stomach, blood coating her white outfit. He dropped down on his knees and frantically ripped off his scarf to try and stop the bleeding. In a daze, he heard Lumine’s cries as she too brushed her hands in Paimon’s hair, although he doesn’t know if it’s to comfort herself or Paimon. 

Time freezes. 

Asmoday walks out slowly, her eyes focusing on Paimon. She looked at the one who stabbed the ‘pixie’, before snapping her fingers and killing them instantly. She looks at Paimon, eyes filled with disbelief.

“Get away from us,” Lumine snarled. 

Asmoday kept walking towards them, seemingly ignoring everyone other than the pixie. She turned around slowly, before snapping her fingers once more. All those monsters faded into oblivion, and now everyone just stood in shock, looking at them, not able to move. 

She flicked her wrist and Paimon appeared right in front of her, both the twins cried out in shock. 

“Sister… I…”

The God looked at Paimon with a slight panic, and she put her fingers on the pixie’s temple. Everyone saw some sort of magic flow through the God’s fingers and Paimon exploded - literally exploded, and in her place stood a tall, bright light. The twins just stared at it, unable to say or do anything.

Suddenly, out came a woman. Hair as white as snow, adorned on her head was a golden halo. It looked… familiar… 

“Paimon…” Aether whispered. 

She opened her eyes and looked around before she processed everything.

“Ah…” she said awkwardly, so out of place with everything that was going on.

“Sister,” Asmoday said once more and Paimon looked at her sister. The God looked joyous and clasped her sister’s hands. “Join me and we’ll destroy the seven realms. We can have everything to ourselves, even! No stuck-up Archons and no annoying mortals. Just us.”

Everyone stared at Asmoday, horrified before looking at Paimon. The once small pixie was now looking at her sister with so much emotion in her eyes, you could not decipher them even in an eternity. 

“I cannot let innocent people suffer, Asmoday,” she states. “You know that, I am not going to change my mind.”

Asmoday let out a wounded noise, before shaking her head and narrowing her eyes at her.

“Fine then. We shall fight. I will never maim you, Paimon. I will only give you the quickest death to honour you.”

Asmoday then disappears into the sky, and if you were focusing intently you could see a star shining brighter than any other. 

“I’ve always hated you Archons, you know.”

The said Archons flinched, and everyone stared at the God who was once so cheerful, now glaring hatefully at the other Immortals. The twins were still shocked and silent.

“You destroyed the nation I so generously left, so mortals wouldn’t have to worship a deity and be able to be free without having any worry of angering the immortals.”

She sighs, though. And she looks at the sky with an expression of melancholy. It felt so wrong to see that from her, Aether thinks.

“Three times, I have traveled around Teyvat. Once, to ensure a land for a godless nation. Second, to help a dear friend to find their loved one. And my last time,” she looked Aether and Lumine directly in their eyes. “Was the same as my second, yet their roles were reversed.”

The twins looked at each other before looking at Dainsleif, who sighed in pain. Kaeya was beside him, with Albedo at the other side of the ex-guard. Paimon looked between the three of them, before her eyes locked onto Kaeya, and she smiles. 

“Your Highness, I advise you to seek neither vengeance nor forgiveness. But seek peace. You don’t need to forgive the Archons for what they have done, but do not cause another war because of that.”

Albedo’s grip tightened on Klee. Dainsleif looked away and Kaeya stared at Paimon with a sense of loss in his eyes. She nodded to herself before turning to the Archons.

“Never make an enemy of the divine. That is my only warning,” she addresses the Tsaritsa who could only nod.

“As Guardian of the Seven Realms and the Keeper of Time, I leave Teyvat protected by their Archons who I place my hope in, and not misplaced.”

She then looked at the twins before putting on a smile that was so familiar to the pixie, and it looked so right.

“Save Paimon some Sticky Honey Roast, yeah? She’ll be VERY hungry if she ever comes back!”

@potoostuff you ask to be tagged in anything I write so I will grant your wish :D

[ellitx]

Chapter 8: Unexpected Sojourn

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁

previous || next

art belongs to rome

word count: 3.2k

           “[Name].”

           You flinched when your name slipped from his lips. Venti furrowed his brows in worry and slowly knelt down before you, reaching his hand out to brush your cheek. You crawled backward before he could touch you.

           Fear had once again found you. It spoke to you in its cackling voice. It told your legs to go weak, your stomach to lurch and your heart to ache. Your eyes averted from his own gaze. You don’t want to look at him.

           You fear facing the unknown Venti in front of you. What happened back then still lingered inside your head. Those cold and ominous orbs when he looked at you made you shudder. You know that intense gaze wasn’t meant to be directed at you, yet it scared you so much the more you think about it.

           His heart ached to see you distancing away from him. It feels so cold, like concrete drying his chest. It was unexpected for him to experience a heartbreak— top of the world one minute then cut down the next. Why is that? Is there a part of him that you dislike seeing? You do know that he’s trying to help you, right?

           “[Name], what’s wrong?”

           He softly asked, his voice sounded so pleading. As much as he wanted to near you, he kept himself in place to prevent you from keeping away. You have always imagined him holding you so many times, but now more often than not you find the future you seek is an empty shell. 

           Things have changed abruptly— he changed, so fast, you worry that he might not be able to control himself in front of you.

           “It’s nothing…” You muttered. You said you aren’t scared but he can see your body movements are tighter and your yearnings reduced. Your smiles were shorter and silence longer. You didn’t even look at him as you said that.

           Venti bit his lip as his face contorted. He so badly wanted to wrap his arms around you and just bury his face on your hair, taking in the fresh smell you have, yet you were scared. Scared of what though?  He doesn’t know the answer to it. Was it because of Boreas? 

           “Please look at me…”

           He begged. There was something in his voice, a pain behind it. You watched. You watched his eyes and then you knew. The anger was nothing but a shield for pain, like a cornered knight aimlessly lunging his sword, scared for his life, lonely, and desperate.

           His emotions turned jagged and his insides tight. He wanted to cry out and reach out to you. Love him, sit with him, hold his hand, say his name, look into his eyes, and say you love him. He waited, heart in his mouth, hoping you’ll come back to his arms.

           It hurt you. It hurt you to see him like this. The emotional pain in those green gems swelled you with guilt that you’re staying away from him. You impulsively extended out your arms and apologized.

           “I’m sorry,”

           Venti blinked in surprise yet he didn’t hesitate to come to you. Your arms were wide open, welcoming him in, and he immediately entered them then wrapped his arms around your waist so tightly. 

           His hug is stronger than anything you’ve ever known as if holding you wasn’t quite enough, he has to feel every ounce that you are pressed into every ounce that is him. In that moment of a feeling of you so close has awakened him, more alive and relieved than he has been in so very long.

           He nuzzled onto your neck, feeling safe against you. Your warm hug took the pain away and just let himself melt and be comfortable. You slowly reached up to his head and caressed his dark locks.

           “I’m sorry…” You repeated. “I… I thought you’re mad at me.” Your gaze darted downwards with your arms falling back to your side. Your eyes remained glassy for a moment and that’s when he finally connected the dots together. 

           You were scared seeing him furious. It’s an emotion he never really shows it often and is rare for him. This side of him was uncommon to see and you’ve never seen him felt like that once in your life of knowing him for all these years. Anger, pain, sadness— so intertwined that perhaps his name is ought to be tweaked to reflect the true origins of these emotions.

           Venti pulled away and looked at you, his eyes calmly searching yours. He raised your chin to make you look at him and pressed his forehead with yours. “I’m not mad. And I’ll never ever be mad at you.” Warm hands then cupped your cheeks and when he spoke, you can feel his warm breath against your face, and it’s just now you're realizing how close you two are.

           “I’m worried about you,” The distance between your lips were just a few centimeters apart, almost brushing together. “And I don’t know what to do without you being here with me.” He was firm and gentle as he pulled you in and it caught you off guard the moment his lips brushed with yours. In that kiss was the sweetness of affection, a million thoughts condensed into a moment.

           He laced his fingers with yours and tugged you close to him. You never quite figure out the beauty of his lips was more the softness of their association with the words he spoke. He always loves being near you, touching you, and holding you in his arms. His warmth would seep into your being and comfort you without ever opening his mouth.

           You’d melt onto him easily as you belonged next to him as he belonged to you. And each time before you part, the aching to be in his arms would begin anew.

—

        “Say Aether,” Paimon started catching the traveler’s attention as he stopped munching his food. He hummed at her and raised a brow. “Isn’t the Tone-Deaf Bard a little bit shifty this day?” 

           The blonde swallowed his meal and took a napkin wiping the crumbs sticking on the corner of his mouth then asked, “What do you mean?” 

           “I mean aren’t you curious to know who this maiden Venti keeps talking about?!” Her face was so close whilst she floated above him. Aether sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. This pixie really doesn’t know where to not poke her nose into, does she?

           “It’s not our business and we shouldn’t pry onto it anymore.” Paimon puffed her cheeks and stomped her feet onto the air in annoyance. It did irk her that her companion was not interested in this topic, but her curiosity is eating her up. 

           “Is she perhaps the one he told us in his story?” She didn’t change the topic as she grinned while taking another piece of the Mushroom Pizza. Aether simply shrugged and just ignored her rambles, absently staring onto the wall of Good Hunter’s diner.

           If it really was the girl Venti mentioned from the story of his old friend, does that mean she’s awake already? 

           “Anyways we’re still going to check it out, right?!” 

           He snapped out from his dazed state, owlishly blinking before looking back at her. “Hm? What are we talking about again?”

           “You’re not even listening to Paimon! Well never mind, Paimon can just repeat it to you.” Before she could utter a word, Aether had cut her off. “If it’s about following Venti, we don’t have the slightest clue to where he could be.” His floating companion grumbled and crossed her arms in aggravation since what he said did have a point.

           Albeit disappointing as it may be, she did actually hope they could investigate it later. “Bummer…” She muttered to herself and took another bite of the pizza.

           Aether rummaged inside his bag and clicked his tongue at the sight of the lack of crystals he currently has. He forgot to collect more to enhance his weapon to the blacksmith, great. He disappointedly sighed and zipped his bag close. Sufficient mora, shortage of crystals. Seems like they’ll have to mine them before he could enhance his trusty sword.

           “We’re going to Stormterror’s lair after this.” He announced. “Now? But we haven’t finished eating these yet! We still have another order coming.” Oh, right, the Sticky Honey Roast. 

           “We’ll eat Sticky Honey Roast first then go to Stormterror’s lair.” 

           “Aww yeah!”

           The wait was fortunately not that too long. The waitress stopped by their table and served them their meals. The sight and aroma of the food made them drool in hunger, their souls wanting to ravish it in instant. The two grabbed their fork and knife, hastily slicing to get their piece, and enjoyed the delish meat feast prepared for them as they shoved a forkful of it into their mouths.

           Warm food melted in the back of their throat and Paimon, who was dissatisfied with the size of her spoon, raised the plate to her face, wolfed it down, and licked the plate clean. Her body shook as she belched loud and long. 

           Aether cringed at her lack of manners in dining, looking away from the other customers who gave them a glance of curiosity at his guide. This emergency food will be the death of him.

           After finishing their meal and paying up, the two went off and started their journey to the lair. The embryonic oaks laid upon the grass, their brown eyes a gift to the eyes. He could watch them for a while, these acorns, hoping the silent bliss would extend if not for some group of slimes and hilichurls attacking them.

           Fighting was easy and not too much of a trouble for him, a sign that he’s gradually getting stronger. He smiled to himself and let his sword vanish into thin air on his back. Just a few more steps and he can finally gather the crystals he really needed.

           The path went onwards and there was much journeying ahead in front of them. He paid no mind to Paimon’s ramblings about what food they should get later. Sheesh, why does she can only think of nothing but food? Just how big is her stomach that can handle so many?

           Still, he appreciated her little babbles to distract himself from their quiet walk. His golden orbs then lit up at the sight of the familiar entrance getting bigger each step they take. His leg stopped from leading him and peered at the big tower looming before his small form.

           The memories of the Stormterror issue returned to him. The agony and pain the poor dragon was suffering, the blood clot that drastically continued to consume him as he writhes and cries while no one was there to help him. Venti, the Anemo Archon, was there to help Aether in his journey and to aid in freeing Dvalin from being corrupted by the Abyss Order.

           They were able to set him free and save him from poison with the help of the Dandelion Knight and Darknight Hero of Mondstadt. Still, even after that incident, there are still no clues as to where his sister could be.

           Aether took the chunk of crystal and placed it inside his bag. He heaved a sigh and stretched his arms to ease the cramps formed on his tense shoulder due to the struggle of breaking the crystals from the ground. 

           “Are those enough?” Paimon hovered above him and took a peek inside as she asked. The blonde shook his head and sled the backpack over his shoulder. “Just need two more and then we can go back.” He took out his map and checked the current location he is in to mark the spot.

           “Oh! Paimon remembers there are few over there.” Her small finger pointed on the spot of the map near to where they are and tugged his scarf to make him follow her. Few long strides here and there, his brow quirked when Paimon stopped midway guiding him.

           “Uh… are you seeing what Paimon’s seeing?” His brows knitted together at her ambiguous context behind her words. “What are you talking about?” He questioned and looked in front seeing nothing but thin air.

           “Over there! Is that a dead body?!” She flew behind him and took a little peek over his shoulder, her form slightly quivering in fear. He squinted his eyes to take a closer observation to where her finger was directing. Upon more detailed inspection, he can faintly draw out the figure that was limped on the ground.

           In instinct, his legs immediately guided him towards the figure and saw an unconscious form of a girl the closer he gets. He knelt down and drifted his hand on your chest to check your pulse. 

           “She’s just unconscious.” He assured Paimon. She sighed in relief and fluttered across you to check your features then back to the area. Something feels off…

           “Is it just me or was there always a garden here before?” She remarked, catching Aether’s attention. His eyes wandered to his surroundings and she was indeed right. Various flowers scattered before you, cushioning your body in the grassy field. He remembers that the ruins were only filled with the remains of the old buildings and structures.

           He explored this area in and out and never once in his journey does he remember a garden was set up here in just a month. Is someone revitalizing this old lair? Even if it did, he should prioritize first your passed out state and bring you back to Mondstadt for safety.

           “We should bring her back with us. It’s too dangerous here.” He told his little companion and before he could tuck his hands underneath your legs, a strong grip on his wrist stopped him from doing so.

           He jerked his head in the direction of the owner’s arm, following the white sleeve covered up until to sight of a familiar appearance of a bard standing before him. Venti stared blankly at him with cold eyes. Frightened by his expression and sudden presence, he took in a sudden intake of breath and stumbled backward, his foot slipping from the ground. His shoulders tensed in alarm, the tightening grip on his wrist caused him to wince in pain.

           “Venti?!” Paimon exclaimed in surprise and glided away to give the distance from him as she noticed the abrupt ominous aura encircling him. 

           “What are you going to do with her?” His expression hardened when the traveler remained quiet at his question, so he constricted his hold on him even further to get his attention.

           “I said, what are you going to do with her, traveler?” He repeated but with a firm and loud voice. The pixie shuddered in fear at his unforeseen behavior but she quickly stepped in and tugged his hand away.

           “We’re just going to bring her to the city to help her!” She exclaimed and attempted to release his restraint on her ally. Resentful countenance flit across his features as his mouth had gone hard hearing her words. Though, he quickly replaced it with a smile and finally let go of Aether.

           “I see. There’s no need to do that.”

           The blonde rubbed his wrist to ease the discomfort that continued to linger, he was sure of himself it’ll create a bruise on it. His eyes followed to the bard’s small form as he carried you in his arms. You squirmed against him and huddled closer searching for warmth.

           Venti glanced at you then back to the two companions. “You should go back now.” His voice was more demanding than they had expected. An order from an Archon himself. Though Aether didn’t budge, he hoisted himself up first then looked at him in utter puzzlement.

           “What about her? Is she injured? Sick? You should come with us too if you want to aid her.” Venti clicked his tongue and forced a smile to hide the growing anger that’s boiling up even more the more he talks.

           “I can handle her myself. It’s getting dark already and I don’t want you to get lost on your way back to the city.” The small bickering started to wake you and this is not what Venti likes to happen.

           As you rose from your light slumber, you are first aware of the coolness of the air and the fresh and loamy fragrance. Your clothes feel damp as a flower in the dew of the dawn. You half wonder if you’re still dreaming as you shifted from your place and sensed your feet weren’t touching the ground.

           “She’s awake!” You heard a squeaky voice exclaim near you. Venti raised his hand and commanded the winds to push the two away back to the exit. 

            “Leave. Now.”

            It irked him further when Aether persisted then stared at you, observing your features in silence. If he’s desperate to stay then so be it, he can just teleport himself somewhere else with you as long as they keep a distance from you.

           He didn’t hesitate to leave them all alone and not even once listening to what they’ll say as he suddenly disappeared into thin air with few teal feathers fluttering along with the air.

           He stopped near the lake and heaved a sigh of relief that he can no longer see them at last. You rubbed your eyes to erase the sleepiness within you and looked up at him, calling his name in a drowsy manner.

           “Sorry did I wake you, love?”

           He settled himself on the ground and brushed your hair away that was fixed on your cheeks. You blinked and looked around the area to get a glimpse of where you are. Now you were awake, perhaps a little bit awake with a tint of drowsiness still in you. As far as you can tell, you’re trapped in your lover’s arms with birds making their carefree song around you.

           “What’s the noise all about? What’s going on?”

           Ah, seems like that woke you up. He sighed and placed his head on your shoulder to relax with just your presence. It’s a miracle how your own voice can instantly calm him down after attempting Aether and Paimon to leave the place.

           “There were visitors that came here. Quite pesky I must say.”

           “Visitors?”

           That fully woke you up more than you’ve ever been. “No need to worry about that. It’s not really important. Get some more rest, you’re tired after what happened after all.” He kissed the top of your head and pulled you close to snuggle against him. You enjoy the feeling of his warm body next to yours, causing you to be sleepy once again.

           He carefully shuffled to find a comfortable spot and looked at you. Your features were much softer in sleep, more youthful than ever no matter how many millenniums of years passed by. It reminded him of your heavy slumber while he waits for you to wake up.

           But now, he doesn’t need to worry if you’re still in a comatose state. You’re already awake, with him and finally together. He can easily check up on you all the time as long as he’s next to you. He could soak in all that you are forever and still be right here, still wanting more. It is infatuation, but what is love without it? Desire, passion, and true love are threads of the same emotion, a perfect recipe for his attraction for you.

[eirikaanemo]

His Fight

Venti x GN!Reader

1.9 Words

Warnings: Frostbite, assault (not sexual), near death experience

Part 1: His Lyre

His kiss to your cheek was quick but sent a warmth blooming across your face, contrasting with the coolness of his lips.

“Of course,” you mumble, embarrassed. “It was your lyre anyway.”

“It was,” he agreed. “But you believed me. And that really does mean a lot to me. Thank you, really.”

“I’ve always believed you, Venti,” you tell him softly, “both Venti and Barbatos. I believe in you. Even if you didn’t bring the lyre back in one piece, you brought yourself back. And I know you tried your best. You always do, even if it doesn’t seem like it.”

Venti chuckles out a nervous, “ehe~” and rubs the back of his head sheepishly. He doesn’t try to hide the blush dusting his cheeks at your sincere words. “I’m not sure I deserve that, but thank you anyway.”

The two of you stand in silence for a little while after that. It’s not uncomfortable silence though. There’s a pleasant and kind of tingly feeling warming you from head to toe. Venti’s humming a little song and staring thoughtfully out into the distance; and you’re working up the courage to try and hold his hand.

Then your eyes accidentally meet the Traveler’s. Thankfully they seem to have been busy with Paimon while you and Venti were talking, so things aren’t as awkward as they could have been. They’re still kind of a third wheel though, and you’ve done that enough times to know how awkward it is.

Both of your eyes are caught by movement to the right of Traveler. Venti’s still oblivious, but it was enough of a tell for Traveler to be ready when two fatui pyro agents burst out of the brush. They drew their sword and stood their ground despite being outnumbered. Knife met sword as they exchanged blows.

While the fight attracted Venti’s attention, you took the chance to scan the area. It was uncommon for fatui agents to attack like this. Especially in a public area like the cathedral, and… there!

You push Venti out of the way just in time for the blast of ice to miss him, though it hits you dead on. The strength of it had both knocked you off your feet and frozen you solidly to the ground. Squirming some to test your cryo prison, you found an arm and both your legs to be solidly frozen to the ground. A hiss leaves your mouth as the cold starts to seep through your clothes and all the way down to your bones. Frostbite.

A sultry chuckle escapes your attacker as she approaches the two of you, with two cicin mages at her heels. “How touching,” she coos. “You sacrificed yourself for his sake.” She comes to a stop a couple feet away. Venti has very carefully not tensed up, pretending to not be affected, but you can see the wary look in his eyes.

Glancing over at Traveler, your heart falls. They’re still being held up by the pyro fatui agents. There will be no help from them.

She turns to Venti and smirks. “At last, Mondstadt’s rodent ruler in the flesh.” Step by step she draws nearer. “Scurrying through the streets, looking for leftovers.” She passes you, not giving you a second glance. Tilting her head, she quirks an eyebrow and gestures at Venti. “Mondstadt calls this a god?”

Oh she did not just go there.

You may be stuck in ice, and it may be slowly freezing you, but you’re not helpless. Your anemo vision is a weight against your chest. Most may choose to flaunt their visions, but you choose to wear it like a pendant but under your shirt. It may garner less respect, but it also garners less attention. Which is really helpful in situations like this.

The first thing you have to do is take out those cicin mages. With slight hand movements you slowly steal the air out of their lungs- and keep it there. If you’re careful enough, and you are, you can knock them out without them making a sound.

While waiting for them to drop, you keep an eye on Venti and the lady’s exchange.

“Resident rodent beats invasive vermin,” Venti quips.

The lady’s face darkens with rage. “Don’t you dare speak back to me, insolent bard.” She responds, stretching out her arm and summoning a gust in another attempt to freeze him. Crossing his arms, Venti launches himself into the air to avoid it. In return, he reaches for his lyre, which transforms into a bow, and he lets a volley of anemo arrows fly.

She easily knocks each one aside with a volley of ice crystals. “Look at you, absentee archon of Mondstadt… how impotent you have become.” Another barrage of ice rushes towards him with another gesture from the lady.

Venti easily knocked them off course with a blast of wind. “That smirk of yours looks out of place. Did you steal it from your master’s face?”

At that moment you realized three things. The cicin mages are knocked out so you should probably let them go before you kill them. The lady just got angrier than before. Not good. And you’re losing feeling in your legs. That’s definitely not good.

You let out a quiet sound of pain as the pins and needles reach further up your chest towards your neck. The moment he hears that noise, Venti’s attention snaps to you. He freezes. Your lips are blue and your skin is growing pale. He has to do something, fast.

“Cicin mages, attack!” The lady commands, trying to take advantage of his distraction. When nothing happens she turns around to find them where you left them on the ground. A growl escapes her throat as she turns on you.

“I thought that was enough to keep you down and out of the fight,” she said darkly. “Apparently I was wrong. I suppose I’ll need to put you down permanently.” Grabbing a dagger of ice out of thin air, she went for the throat.

“Hey, keep your eyes on me!” Venti calls. “This is my fight!” A flash of turquoise light lit up the area, blinding her and giving her pause. Immediately Venti was at your side, melting the dagger with the warm west wind and pushing the lady away. He donned whites and golds now instead of greens and browns. Feathery wings stretched out behind him. Before you stood the anemo archon, Barbatos. And he was angry.

“How dare you,” he hissed. “How dare you attack them! Leave now, before I truly lose my temper. I do not delight in bloodshed, but blood will be shed if you continue. Begone. And tell Tsaritsa that she had best watch herself. I may not be as powerful as she thinks I ought to be, but I am powerful enough to protect myself and my city.”

And with that, beaten but spiteful, the lady left. “Vanessa,” he spoke. “Would you make sure she leaves? We wouldn’t want her to get… lost.” A hawks cry echoed through the plains as she accepted his request. After all, this was her land too and Venti is her friend.

With that taken care of, all of Venti’s attention is on you.

Usually this would be a good thing, but this attention is because you’re turning blue and starting to lose feeling in your chest. He melts the ice and sweeps you into an embrace, wrapping his wings around you, partly for comfort and partly for warmth. “Thank celestia you’re okay,” he murmured. “I don’t know what I would have done without you. And I’m so glad I haven’t lost you like I did my friend all those years ago.”

You hum wordlessly in response and huddle closer to the warmth he provided. “I’m glad you’re okay too,” you whisper quietly.

Then Venti looks up. The flash of his transformation drew quite the crowd. But, most importantly, it drew Barbara out of the Cathedral.

“Barbara, I am not able to fully heal them myself. The frostbite has gotten too far. Would you kindly lend your assistance?”

“Of course, Lord Barbatos!” She exclaimed, hurrying forward to help heal you.

“Venti, Barabra,” he gently chastised. “I may be Barbatos, but I far prefer to go by Venti.”

“Venti it is then,” she concluded. “I… I believe we owe both of you an apology,” she admits as she focuses more on healing you. “You were telling the truth the whole time, Venti. And they were the only one to believe you. And we can see how that turned out.” She lets out a sigh as she pulls her hands away. “That should do it. How do you feel?”

“I’m still a little cold, but I’ll be okay,” you inform her. Venti holds you a little closer in response. Your skin is still a shade paler than it should be and you’re shaking with cold. But you can feel even your toes and fingers again. Everything will be okay in time.

Over the next few days as you recover, the news of Barbatos’ reappearance and his true identity spread throughout the town. While Venti’s power and ability grew significantly, the revenant and awed looks he received in public made him uncomfortable. Things did get better but it took a while.

“Do you regret doing it?” You asked him one night.

“Revealing my identity as Barbatos? Kind of,” he confessed. “But saving your life? Never. And there wasn’t another way I could have done it. My form as Venti is not able to wield as much power as I can in my winged form. Without revealing myself, I would not have been able to save you. So no, I don’t really regret it. I never could.”

You snuggle closer to him on the couch and entwine one of your hands with his. “Thank you,” you whisper.

“Anytime,” he responds back, just as quietly. He gently squeezes your hand. “I don’t know what I’d do without you. You’ve just brought such a bright light into my life since I met you. I’m not sure I could handle the dark anymore.”

You feel your face flush with warmth and he laughs a little in response. “Aww, did I fluster you?” He teases, poking at your cheek. You groan and let go of his hand to bury your face in your hands. He frowns a little. “How now, you don’t need to hide.”

When you peak out from your hands he gives you a wide smile. “See? It’s just me. It’s okay!”

As soon as your hands are away from your face he reaches forward to cup the side of your face. “Hey,” he says softly as he looks into your eyes. “Can I kiss you?”

“Yes,” you breathe back. And just like that, his lips are on yours. It lasts an eternity and is over in a second as he pulls away. Now he’s the one who’s shy, looking away from you with pink dusting his cheeks. “Was that, um- Was that okay?”

“Hmm,” you ponder. “I don’t know. You may need to try again.”

Surprised, his head snaps back to face you. “Really?” He squeaks a little too quickly.

“Really,” you confirm, tugging on his braids to bring him back in for another kiss.

Neither of you are sure how long you spent kissing on the couch, but both of you will remember this moment fondly for the rest of your lives.