#makoto and ei: *appear*

[trashcanwithsprinkles]

Someone uncovers the rabbit hole and is terrified of the implications, of all the power this man has.

Ajax meanwhile is cheering at the news of an appearance of a hot pink fox in Inazuma

the more i think about it the more i realize ajax would end up having to occupy a whole wall on guizhong's workshop to track linneages like a lunatic. like- the one image of the guy loosing his mind pointing at the wall full of papers and red strings? that. every time guizhong goes up to tinker with her things she tries not to look at that wall too much. ajax wrote it all in russian so that nobody would be able to read it and get even more confused/creeped out, but the fact that the wall exists and is so full of papers and shit and it just keeps growing isn't helping guizhong's peace of mind at all.

and like- yeah, like you said, catch him randomly cheering and celebrating whenever one of the blorbos appears without him having to do anything. like at some point i'm pretty sure he'd sit down and very seriously consider the possibility that, with things being so different, the butterfly effect might make most of the characters just- not exist. since people would go different ways, different people would survive – different pairs might arise and that would lead to different children. so at some point ajax would definitely decide that- is it morally questionable to try and push people together in the hopes that at the very least the original pairings that resulted in the blorbos would still work out? yes. is he going to do it anyway? absolutely.

so whenever someone pops into existence without him having to do much work, he'd throw an entire party.

(how he figured out who was whose ancestors i think is another topic entirely. he probably vanished from public presence for a full month of hyerfocus trying to logic it out before giving up halfway and going up to celestia to beg basileios, istaroth, and pheynix to help him out w it)

[outletcrash]

a year ago my friends got me hooked on genshin. i havent played in a while but i love when people redesign these guys

anyways, some archons!

[animenostalgia]

Some sad news to share today - Kazuo Umezu (also known as Umezz), has passed away at the age of 88. A hugely influential mangaka in the genres of Horror, Sci-fi, and Comedy in Japan, his work is reflected in many modern manga artists we see today. Especially in the horror manga world, where he is commonly referred to as "the God of Horror Manga".

He was also a very public figure in Japan, who would often make appearances on TV shows in his signature red and white striped shirt and make his signature hand gesture that was made famous in his comedy manga, Makoto-chan. He loved singing, and not only released multiple albums (even with songs based on his manga work!), but would sing on Japanese variety shows as well.

Umezu is also famous for having one of the most unique homes in Kichijouji, which sports his same signature red and white stripes on the outside. You can see photos of the unique and whimsical decor in an old blogpost here.

Rest in Peace, Sensei....your unique manga and legacy will never be forgotten!

[stainedglassthreads]

The Traveler being around is probably good for Furina. In Marcel's trial, we see Melus and Silver speculate on why Furina's suddenly taking everything way more seriously--and they think it's either because the Traveler humiliated her, or because she's so embarrassed and horrified by pressing charges against an innocent.

In a way, I feel like the people of Fontaine kinda encourage Furina to act as she does--spoiled and immature, dumping responsibility on Neuvilette and the Oratrice. But she also encourages them to not question the justice system, by struggling so hard to put on a show and save face. It's something of a vicious cycle. The people treat her as a celebrity and only really expect her to amuse and reassure them, not actually DO anything. So she's encouraged to act like a bratty and spoiled child. But the Traveler being around is someone who's NOT impressed or amused by her--and, even better, they're someone she really, really does WANT to impress, who she greatly respects. The Traveler will treat Furina as a person and an Archon, and force her to take responsibility for her people and actions. 'Cause like, she sucks at her job and needs to either take responsibility or find a way to retire like Zhongli. But also I feel like she's probably kinda lonely.

Like. Venti and Zhongli are highly respected and beloved by their people, and are the most proactive and responsible with their roles, at least in the present day. They're also the most oldest of the Archons, so they are the most experienced. It makes sense.

Ei, Nahida, and Furina, though, all seem to be foils of each other to varying extents. While Zhongli and Venti rule their country from behind the scenes, the three younger Archons initially appear to be in positions of power and authority...but aren't really.

Ei has a great deal of power and authority, and is feared or respected by most of her people. But due to her grief over the losses of Makoto and her generals, she has given up responsibility and stopped caring what her people want. She orders Visions be collected and does the war against the Resistance, but she's not really...present, letting the Raiden Shogun and the Tenryou commission run things. She knows the Fatui are in Inazuma apparently, but doesn't seem to care. Only when the Traveler and Yae Miko beat/talk sense into her does she really start to act like a leader and try fixing her mistakes. Up until that point, Ei has been isolating herself.

On the other hand, the Akademiya were grieving Rukkhadevata so much that they forcibly rejected, isolated, and imprisoned Nahida. She did her best to interact with her people and help them when she could, but she wasn't really allowed to rule, and lacked the power and authority she needed to properly lead Sumeru. Largely, Nahida only needed more confidence, and to be believed in--she was already much more mature than Ei or Furina were.

Ei is treated as an Archon, but lacks the maturity of one. Nahida had maturity and a sense of responsibility, but people didn't treat her as an Archon until Rukkhadevata was erased from memory. Furina inherits the worst of both Ei and Nahida's positions and personalities. She lacks the maturity of an Archon, but also no one actually treats her as one. When the Oratrice malfunctions people turn to her for reassurances...but really, the Oratrice seems like way more of a God to them than she ever was. It's not Furina who is the final authority in the Court, it's the Oratrice.

Honestly, Furina might be what would've happened had Nahida lacked the maturity and wisdom she had, and been completely replaced by the Shouki no Kami. Aside from the lochfolk and the Pari, people in Fontaine don't grieve the Lord of Amrita like Rukkhadevata was grieved, but the people replaced their Archon with a machine that tells them comforting lies about how easy and straightforward Justice is, and their Archon helped them do so.

I feel like Furina must be a lonely individual, since she's dismissed by most in her country, and even other Archons likely find her unpleasant, annoying, or immature. She has some growing to do, too, but I hope that by not being impressed by her at all, and instead being blatantly annoyed by her, the Traveler can reach those parts of her.

[sea-of-dust]

MAKOTO YUKI x GN! Reader

Summary: Dating headcannons

N: I had this just rotting bro posting this with the event. Ik u don't read these angst jumpscare. Also DO NOT listen to Malice Mizer OR SWEET (p5) while reading fanfic or headcannons for this guy you'll cry 7 times

Hm? Is something your gonna hear alot. He notices everything. Sometimes he purposely doesn't push you to tell him, other times he's told by Yukari.

He knows when your troubled, you can tell when he knows what's going on as he tends to get a bit closer before going "hm?" You notice when he's trying to comfort you. Trying to be sneaky just makes it more obvious, it's even more odvious when he sneaks snacks to you near your door, like he isn't the first suspect.

"?" He lays his head on your shoulder slowly inching closer. "You look like you're fuming. Did something happen?" "Nothing much just a headache" "I see" you never feel his arms wrapped around while you as you stood next to him, soft hums comming from him.

Makoto tries to hide his affections in public. Limiting it to hand holding or subtle matching things you both had on your person. The fewer people the higher the chance of him taking a small snooze on your shoulder, you end up giving him piggybacks when he does this.

He let's you listen to music with him. At the cost of a small tease. "I wanna listen aswell..." You look away clearly flustered to ask this "and why would my dove want that?" "HUH" you look at him wide eyed seeing him smirk "BRO" "? I thought I was your boyfriend" and back to the straight faced s.e.e.s boy. This was his way of flustering you, calling you a random nickname and then acting like nothing happened, you always reset back to bro when he does this making it even better for him.

He wanders...alot. This guy would get lost in a supermarket and be like "oh I lost them..." and then find you calmly while you'd just panic about where he was. He always appears from nowhere when this happens. "I've looked everywhere jimpei I'm considering going into the fountain..." "you walk so fast" he burries himself into the nape of your neck, "I almost lost you again" you were so lucky jimpei was on the phone and not in person or you two would have never stopped getting teased when you got to school

If you ever wondered about s.e.e.s or ever wondered why he was always so tired, he'd act like he didn't hear you. "So what's s.e.e.s, heard it had something to do with some sorta time thing?" He'd be right next to you. You saw him peak up and just go back to staring into the void seconds later. "I know you heard me" you furrow your brows slightly but he just lays there for a bit moves his hair and then goes "huh?" "UGHHH" you're not getting him to budge

That would be the case if you didn't have a persona he'd still try to pretend he didn't know until you saved him from a few shadows. "How did you get knocked down by wind of all things imagine I blow and you and you get stunned" your persona deals with them easily while you help him up. "So what is this place my princess, my shawty bae, my-" "please...shut up" "nah baby girl you brought this on yourself" he sighs but he did enjoy the free piggy back ride so he pretended the wind hit him THAT hard.

"You're still carrying him around" Yukari cringes "he can barely keep his eyes open tho" "oh he'll live watch this" Yukari turns around "we're gonna go get a sna-" "don't say it infront of jimpei unspelled" he groans nuzzling back into your neck "told ya, get him off your back" easier said than done the guys like those theme park bracelets you'll never get him off. "Yukari let go of me" his voice a bit annoyed "no chance! Come on you gotta walk like the rest of us think of y/ns back!" You got him to walk...but he had to hold your hand and would almost drift off again if you haven't move away everytime you noticed. "Please try to stay awake were almost done" "...." You catch his head "don't lean on me, how about this you can rest once we get back to my room" he suddenly has enough energy to walk without leaning on you.

He loves whenever he goes to your dorm. It always feels so calm in there like some sorta checkpoint. Sometimes he gets there before you already laying there like it was his own room. "Welcome home" "oh minato- wait...howed you get in" "you left the door unlocked" "oh" he tries to use the 'just wanted to study with you excuse' nah the dudes there for every kind of sfw romantic thing you can think of. He's there to be called lover boy unironcally! "Funny how you aren't as sleepy during the night" you move closer to him "you're nocturnal" you joke playfully giving him a small kiss on the cheek. In actuality he had eaten a bunch of candy so he could stay awake with you.

Take him with you everywhere!! If you'd e-mail him about anything related to heading out you don't even have to invite him he'd just magically appear. You don't even have to say WHERE you're going. "How do you always know where I am?" "This place is small"

He'd know what your into without you telling him almost sniffing it out. "I thought you'd like this" he hands you a small gift watching you blush immensely. "Howed you know I liked this kinda stuff" "I figure stuff out quickly" he did have hints though. The way you acted the way you looked at things simular to it. it made it odvious you'd like one of those.

He hides when he's sick always trying to hold back coughs or sneezes he suffers in silence and would prefer it that way. Why? Because the first time he was sick infront of you or anyone else no one wanted to be around him incase it spread. You were willing to of course until Mitsuru put a ban on seeing him for the sake of everyone's health, you still got tests to deal with ya know! So now he just hides it trying to recover quickly. Can't say the same for you though "cough cough! Ah sorry I've had a really bad cold lately" all he needed to hear to have you carried back to your dorm after school. "When we're you able to manhandle me" "please take this" he hands you a small medicine cap expecting you to drink it from there. "It's just a cold" "colds don't have you coughing yourself into orbit for it to just be a casual one" sighing you gulp it down

He'll pretend to not know how to put on his ribbon and ask if you're able to help him. Then turn around pull it off and look at you with a "can you do it again" face. He just likes the way you tie it while you're on the train with him.

Fastest Emailer EVER. You'd think it would take him litteral years since he sometimes leaves people out to dry, according to jinpei, and then he'd respond at the speed of sound to you nearly as fast as the email sends.

You try to pitch his cheeks only to get him to revert to an angry cat. So you've resorted to softer smaller pinches, he dosent mind as much now just don't too it too often or he'll start pinching you too

He may like using yarn with you. Depends on how easy it is though. "What are you making?" "A heart bracelet a girl asked me to make for her and her boyfriend" he reaches for your hand "do you mind if I try this?" "Sure it's in the left drawer" he could barely make the heart at first but as soon as you got a clipboard involved it was a whole diffent story, he was a machine, you didn't know this at the time but you definitely accidently made a yarn bracelet monster. Must have found out they can be made into sp items. That's why there's a lock on the left drawer now, he never opened it without asking its just to keep him from getting ideas, it does the opposite

He has his flirtatious momments, mostly just because he wants to tease you. It starts with a perfectly silent momment, in the classroom when they finally let you sit with him, nearly asleep in a library, on very rare occasions tartarus, he'd smirk and then lock in for the absolute chaos he's about to cause. A simple lean into your ear whispering softly yet clearly "I want a kiss" your eyes would always widen but you'd also respond with a whisper back "now?" Clearly slightly baffled you kiss him on the cheek quickly. Oh but sometimes that isn't enough, sometimes he just wants to see you melt, rubbing his hand on your already flushed cheek he leans in drowsy eyes meeting yours "I want a bit more please" he does enjoy you cupping his face and kissing him. When he does stuff like that you thank the lord the sees memmbers split up or you two are pretty much alone together.

There are times he's tempted to kiss you and then act like he didn't do anything. Cheeks are his favorite you can barely see him comming,*chu*, and now he gets to tease you make you think he never did such a thing "stop kissing me while i study" "wadya mean" "you gotta study focus on that" "i wanna focus on you more" "huh?" Another quick kiss "you did it again" "i dunno what youre talking about" exhaling you kiss him under the eye "lets get back to studying before it gets too late" and then hed lean onto your shoulder. He wants you to catch him more often

"I bought a camera! Let's take a few snaps, just the two of us!, "I don't see why not" holding the camrea steady, you take a picture of the shell he found. *SNAP* a picture of him looking out on the beach. *SNAP* "Why are you taking so many of me?" "I want you to last forever" putting the camrea down and walking toward him, he reaches his hand out. "Oh sure" you give it to him and he holds it up, making sure you're both in frame. *SNAP* a picture with both of you smiling as the sun sets on the beach. Softly looking at your features, his eyes land on ur lips, then cheek, eyes, then back to your cheek again. Smiling to himself, he holds it up again "you mind if we take another?" "Alright" *SNAP* soft lips press your cheek the momment the camera flashes. "You mind if I get another, the picture might be a bit blurry" with a rare smile on his face he pockets the picture. You covering the cheek he had just kissed. "Sure..." still surprised you lean into him smiling as the shyness gets to you. *SNAP* another kiss, happy with the photo he turns to you. "Do you have any plans after this?" "No it's straight to the dorm for me" "perfect" "?"

As you two walk home after changing clothes, he seemed to be more bright than usual as you wondered why, you were happy you got to see him smile like that. "I have something for you" "really? Me too!" "I'll meet you in your room then" hugging you before he leaves to his room to pick up your gift you collect what you had gotten for him, a DVD, a small bag with candies, and a rare jack frost you had won that you've customized to look like him. As soon as he opens the door you try to hide your gifts behind your back. "I can see them" "No you cant" softly giggling to himself he closed the door and gave you a case with a small bag with it. "Well since you've already seen then" you slide over the minato frost with the other things on its lap. "I saw someone do it on the internet and wanted to make one of you..." averting his eyes afraid he may not like it. He grabs its hands, then it's crocheted hair "it looks just like me" he pulls its cheeks. "And this is what I got for you" giving you the case and small bag. You decide to open the case first. Inside was a pair of headphones and a music player the same model as his. "How'd you know I wanted one?" "You eye mine alot, so I just figured" without much thought, you kissed his cheek "I don't know if I could put into words how thankful I am" You kiss him again. Excitedly, you open the small bag, revealing a bunch of stickers. "I wanted to decorate this with you if you don't mind" "I don't see why not" you excitedly put the sticker on his face then the case almost 5 stickers later his face again. "You look so cute with them all over you" "right back at you" giggling at his joke, you cover the player carefully in stickers with him. He even showed you how he put his music onto them.

Eventually what nearly always happens when he's in your room happens, his soft eyes flutter shut while laying on your bed the frost that looks just like him in hand. *SNAP* *SNAP* the opportunity was just too good to pass up, one for you and one for him to wake up to. You lay next to him moving his hair as to see both eyes. "Sweet dreams" your eyes grow heavy as they close. Days were sweet after that though you did notice him being a bit more busy, you didn't even notice when January ended, and he was nowhere to be seen. You asked most of the people you knew that spoke to him but they just ended up near teary eyed or near unable to say a word about it. "He's in a coma" Jinpei finally is able to croak out, "we don't know what happened to him" you feel your heart drop at his words, near running to the hospital after school and laying by his side. He looked so peaceful, you'd wonder what he was experiencing. Holding his hand for what seemed like it could be the final time you left, it felt a bit scary walking home without him with you.

You put on the music player he gave you, all covered in stickers he helped you put on. "Burn my dread...full moon full life...memmories of-" you hault finding yourself at the dorm, you go in, putting your hands in your pocket, reminding you of him, accidently touching his spare key he gave you, your mind suddenly asked you to go into his room. It felt like snooping, but the thought just wouldn't let you go. Opening the door, you find something on his desk, a letter along with a few pictures. "I may have forgotten to ask someone to give this to you, but I hope it someday reaches you, I'm writing this just in case something bad happens to me, I'm gonna miss seeing you when I wake up and waking up before you. All those candies I ate from you because I wanted to stay up late, all the times I've gotten free piggyback rides around town. I'm gonna miss you above all. I'm sorry I took your camera" getting to that part you look at the pictures on the desk one of him sleeping with the frost you made him, one of you trying on his sees uniform. "To be fair you already seen most of them, I just thought that if anything happened you'd want some of me" scattering them multiple pictures of him trying on your accessories, pictures of him smiling widely at your favorite places, pictures of him trying diffrent hairstyles. "I've bought a replacement film in advance, if you need to you can take my jacket and the mako-frost. They'll keep you warm" You look at more pictures, pictures of you and him, the kiss at the beach, you napping on him, a picture of you crocheting. "If push comes to shove, don't forget about me, keep living on, Makoto ps: thanks for letting me get this close to you"

[mustangbby]

-> everything about her was a lie

synopsis -> you knew ei had her secrets, and you did too. but what you didn't know was that you weren't even with her.

warnings -> angst, some crying, ei might be ooc but i had this idea and i just had to go with it... comfort at the end thoooo! i got inspired for the title by a writing prompt shhhhhh

w/c -> 3.0k

500 years.

it’s been 500 years since you fought side by side with raiden ei and raiden makoto. the cataclysm- the event that not only killed people of society,

but killed archons, too. and one of those killed were ei’s sister.

you were there when she witnessed her sisters dying breath. you were there to hold ei as makoto's heartbeat slowly faded away. and you were there as long as she needed you to be afterwards. 

you were her lover for centuries beforehand.

until, she locked herself in the plane of euthymia, to pursue eternity and show no mind to the chaos destroying inazuma. the raging storms, the vision hunt decree, inazuma was a horrific place to live. 

you never necessarily understood the reason why ei decided to close off from the real world and enter a state of eternal meditation. you never understood her status, no matter how many times yae miko would explain it to you. she was somebody you did not understand, despite your age and your wisdom. 

you understand what people coming and going is. you’ve seen birth, and you’ve seen death, all in a never-ending cycle. out with the old, in with the new. you’ve seen the fashion trends over the past few decades, and you remember nearly everything since the cataclysm. 

but all you know is that ever since miko showed ei how to place her consciousness in objects, she created the plane of euthymia. sometimes, you wonder if she’s forgotten about you, and everything you’ve done before way back when. you wonder if she still recalls all of the moments you’ve shared together, all of the hugs and kisses and love. if she can still recall the way sleeping in each others embrace felt. 

you wonder if she can even feel.

you wondered a lot of things. that was, until she had come out of her rest when the traveler arrived in inazuma. you’d watched from afar, unamused, but also slightly alarmed by her sudden appearance. it’s been so long… part of you wanted to go down there and see what would happen after the duel occurred. yae miko came to stand next to you, giggling a little bit.

“ah, poor traveler. i wonder if they’ll ever realize just how strong their opponent is,” miko huffed. “when shall mortals learn? or, unless, they aren’t a mortal?” 

you nodded, comprehending that possibility. “i doubt they’re mortal. mortals understand who to mess with and who not to mess with. they’re so timid, they won’t even approach a treasure hoarder, nevertheless a god.” 

miko patted your back with a book before walking down the cliff the two of you observed at. “i’m heading off now, i expect you’ll join me soon?” 

“well, where are you going?” you turn over your shoulder, eyeing the pink haired fox. 

“back to the tree. the shrine maidens seemed lost this morning. i need to help them out.”

“yes, i’ll come soon. i’d like to get a closer look on whats going on, and maybe attempt to resalvage things between me and ei. it’s not often she comes out of her conscience,” you end, as a gust of wind blows through your hair and makes the branches of the surrounding trees dance. “if, per say, that’s even her.” 

miko stops in her tracks, back still faced to you. “i almost forgot you two were lovers. that was eras ago. many centuries. i’m surprised you still remember.” 

“i remember an extent of things. i remember when you were new to the city, lady guuji. ah, so small you were, your ears seemed to flop down on you. go on now, i should start towards the city.” 

yae simply chuckled before waving goodbye. you waved back, starting your short trek to the inner city.

it’s been a while since you’ve been here, walking the streets of inazuma. normally,  stall owners would load your arms and bags with items of gratitude, but not today. today, shops were closed, and people hid in their homes with fear. you couldn’t blame them, the almighty shogun coming out of hiding was one thing, but for her to be actively attacking a wandering traveler was another. nobody wanted to be her next victim, for you yourself even knew nobody and their mothers would survive even a single hit from her blade. 

as you come upon the battlefield, you see random passersby looking for drama, and the traveler lying on the ground with their floating companion frantically tapping at their arm. 

you stop, in clear view to the rest of the people surrounding the traveler. the floating human seemed to pick up that you were important, due to the vision hanging off your belt. she squealed at you, motioning for you to come over and help the traveler. before you started to move, you lock eyes with the purple haired woman. 

ei. 

but was that really ei? she seemed too menacing to be the calm, gentle woman you once knew. you nodded at her, and she nodded back before simply disappearing into thin air. 

the next day was a blur. you walked back to the same spot at the same time as yesterday, only to see everything as clear as it was the day after. the streets bustled with liveliness, shop owners attempting to sell people everything and anything they can. you, yourself, had little bottles of dango milk in a bag on one arm and a loaf of fresh baked bread in the other, due to the vendors admiration and kindness. you thanked each one of them with a smile and a little tip, because you felt bad taking their things without them getting any pay.

you put everything in your arms down on a nearby bench before walking towards the statue that stood tall and proud in the middle of the city, sighing as you notice two more visions being put up in the span of the week. 

you walked up the ramp and touched the statue, seeing if it would cause any such reaction to bring your past lover back. you had an idea- try to unlodge one of the visions out of the crevasses. 

when you did that, a purple glow shone behind you as a blade was put to your back. you could feel the electricity through your clothes, but you simply laugh in amusement and turn around to be met with the one and only raiden shogun.

ei. 

or, so you thought.

you never necessarily knew a puppet was created to rule in ei’s place. she was a mirror image, no difference to the real person. just a difference in her personality. did puppets even have personalities? 

“long time no see, ei,” you smile, showing your hands, coming up empty. she lowered her blade when she realized you had taken no vision. “how have things been all these centuries?”

she looked at you, taking you to a more secluded area of inazuma. it seemed, as for being a puppet, she had a good sense of who you are. maybe she was coded to be that way. you’ve noticed the aggression she’s showed to miko in the past though, which you thought was kind of wack. 

“they’ve certainly been… rather peaceful, being alone in meditation,” she started, putting a light hand on your shoulder. 

her touch didn’t feel right, but you brushed it off.

“i’ve missed you. i thought you left, hence why i never came to look for you.”

you giggle, taking the hand off of your shoulder and holding it. “i’ve missed you too. the bed has felt very cold without you beside me all these years. to say i have gotten used to it would be a lie.” 

she nodded, removing her hand. “would you like to walk around with me for a little while? i haven’t seen the city in a long time.” 

“oh, of course. i could also take you to see yae miko, if you’d like. she still talks about you pretty often.”

and then the two of you went off, hand in hand. but hers felt rather stiff. once again, you brushed it off with a sigh.

“miko, have you noticed anything… different about ei recently? that is, if you’ve seen her,” you turn around from assisting a shrine maiden and looking at the fox, raising an eyebrow. 

she shrugs. “all of my encounters with her were when you were with me. i do not recall running into her alone.”

you get back to work, thoroughly explaining to a lost maiden on how the tree works. must be a newbie, you thought, maybe someone miko brought on not too long ago. you knew she had a tendency for finding new maidens, and sending the elder ones off on their own with a hefty sum of mora to allow them to settle. 

“she seemed stiff today. she didn’t seem as genuine as she usually was, or at least back all those years ago. have you caught onto that too?” 

“yes, i have. i’m as lost as you are, y/n,” miko puts a gentle hand on your cheek. “but you might not be able to go back to the past, you know. theres always that lingering possibility that she’s moved on long ago.” 

you shuddered at that thought. the woman you’ve spent decades, centuries, millenniums with, to just move on? you put that to the back of your mind before smiling lightly at miko. she was able to sense your pain after having said that sentence, but she didn’t bother to pry. it wasn’t her spot. 

“well… i guess that could happen…” you removed mikos hand, walking to the edge of the cliff, taking a seat. miko followed, sitting down next to you, overlooking the horizon. “i just hope she’s not trying to fake a relationship to make me happy. she remembers me, but she doesn’t remember much about the time we’ve spent together. i’d ask her about our wedding, and she was barely able to recall.”

you unclip the mini keychain stringing down from your vision. “she’s not wearing her matching one, either. she’d normally wear it on her hip.” the keychain was a gorgeous gold with purple feathers weaved through the chains, with a purple fading into lavender feather danging from the bottom of it. you put it close up to your chest before sighing, tears threatening to spill. miko pulled you into an embrace, allowing those tears to spill, and holding you while you mourned. 

mourned over the fact that your wife is no longer your wife.

mourned over the woman you once loved.

mourned over a relationship that couldn’t be fixed or brought back together.

mourned over the lies that were about to be revealed. 

you awoke to a groggy feeling. it felt like you took too much benadryl- you didn’t even think you had it in you to get up. 

you look over to your side, seeing the small bottle left on your nightstand. you pick it up, twirling it around in your hands, before reading the label. 

hi, dear y/n, if you’re wondering why you’re so tired, well…

i had decided to give you this medication to help you clear your mind. do you recall anything from last night? or the previous night?

you have your long-term memories, but i allowed myself to let things slip that weren’t for your ears, so i had our wonderful alchemist bring up a potion to confuse you just a little bit. this will wear off by tonight, so do not worry about being this way forever.

sincerely, miko.

you groaned, forcefully putting the bottle back down on your side table before rolling over and forcing yourself to get up. once you get up, you slide on a pair of slippers and go make breakfast. you found it rather hard to recall certain recipes, so you stuck with tamago (eggs) instead. 

as you ate, you had a weird flashback to the night before. miko said this was guaranteed to remove all memory from yesterday, but you can still remember the things she said as you cried into her arms.

and one of those statements stuck out.

“you’re currently with the shogun, her puppet, but you’ll figure that out soon.”

your eyes widen as you leave your plate abandoned, finding that bottle and rushing out the door to where you’d normally meet “ei.” once you got there, you spotted miko and the puppet conversing. when you approach, miko looks rather surprised, and the puppet seemed confused. 

“explain the bottle, miko,” you pull it out of your pocket, shoving it at her before clearing your throat. 

“‘you’re currently with the shogun, her puppet, but you’ll figure that out soon.’”

miko could only laugh before walking closer to you, bringing you into the real ei’s consciousness. 

you never realized how isolated ei really was until you stepped foot in this place. it had no smell, and all you could hear was distant thunder. you looked over to the purple haired woman, who was meditating in midair.

“ei, i brought a visitor,” miko walked closer to her, as she picked up her head and looked over to you. ei’s eyes widened, dropping to the ground and hastily walking towards you.

“...y/n.” ei held your face in her hands gently, but this time it felt genuine.

this was the real ei.

“hello, ei,” you nod, slightly shaking free of her grasp before showing her the keychain worn on your vision. “do you still have yours?”

ei pulled it off her waistband, which was matching to yours, but instead of purple feathers they were teal. “i wouldn’t get rid of it for anything. you see, i’ve thought about you long and hard down here, in my state of eternal meditation. to say i’ve missed you would be an understatement.”

“then why would you trick me into being with your puppet?” you questioned her, in which she sighed and turned around to face the shogun. 

“i didn’t know if you’d understand what my motives are, so i sent her up to act like she’s me and that everything could be the way it used to be. because i knew that it would make you happy to see me again,” she turned back around. “but i guess… it went the wrong way.”

“that it did, ei. i knew it wasn’t you, but i didn’t want to believe it. so i stuck with the shogun incase, with just that little chance that it could’ve been you, but not yet warmed up to the new inazuma or me quite yet.”

ei nodded, gripping the keychain just a little bit harder. 

“do you think you could forgive me for abandoning you the way i did? i know we were married, and i still remember everything about our relationship, and i still…” ei trailed off, looking up at the purple clouds above. “i still love you, just like i used to.”

you sighed, looking down at her hand, gripping the chain even harder now. “i might be able to. but only if you come out of this place every once in a while to see me. you do not have to be with me the way we used to, but i’d like to see you every so often.” you then turn to miko. “now, you. you know i’m smarter than that to fall for a lie. why would you lie?” 

miko laughed once more, setting the bottle into the shoguns arms. “well, i wanted to see how long it would take for you to snap and get over it. really, it was an experiment on if you still held loyalty to the woman you once loved.”

it all clicked in your mind now. you had no idea if ei was in on this, but it started to make sense. it felt cruel but refreshing at the same time. you chuckled, turning away from everyone and taking a few steps forward, watching as lightning struck all around the red piece of land you’re on. how lonely, you thought.

“this is a very isolated place, ei. i couldn’t even imagine how you can enjoy something such as this,” you watch as more lightning strikes, making a fierce sound rumble in the distance. you look down at your vision, then back at the horizon. “and you’ve been here for the past few centuries. i applaud your dedication.” 

she nods, laughing. “eternity to me is what the world is. i will fight for eternity forever.”

“i know. that’s how it’s always been,” you turn around. “would you come out of here for a day? i would love to show you inazuma city, and how much it had changed in these years.”

ei nodded slowly, before bringing herself and all the rest of you out of the plane of euthymia. 

she seemed to enjoy the outside world a lot more than you’d thought she would. 

“y/n…” she smiled, looking around the city. “this has changed very drastically from the last time i’ve walked these roads with you. the fashion trends have changed very much, too.”

you and miko share a look before she starts to speak. “of course it’s changed. you haven’t seen this place in decades, ei.”

you nod with mikos statement, a sigh leaving ei’s mouth before she gripped your hand tight, a silent vow to never let you down in the way she had again. 

and just like that, months fly by. occasionally, she’ll be in her plane. but mostly, she’ll be in the present world with you, in your luxurious abode in the inner city, continuing your marriage happily.

[electric-hydrangea]

Istaroth is Paimon (ft Venti & Mona's Master)

disclaimer: the amount of comments i've gotten on reddit saying "Istaroth isn't paimon, she's a branch of istaroth!!" that is literally what i'm saying

Who Is Istaroth?

Istaroth is a God who can control time & wind, a shade of Phanes (Primordial One). She was known in Mondstadt and Enkanomiya, but the people of Mondstadt gradually forgot about her. When Enkanomiya sank, she continued to be worshiped because she was the only shade who responded to them. The worship stopped when Orobashi arrived and banned Sun & Moon (a book all about Phanes, Enkanomiya, and Istaroth.)

The statue in Inazuma is Istaroth. I also believe that the Battle Pass Icon is her. The article itself ties connections between her and the Welkin Moon girl. Ignoring how their appearances are identical, they also have connections with the moon. Istaroth is associated with the moon through “Sun and Moon”. Additionally, “Astaroth” (goetic demon) is the personification of the moon and can control it.

Istaroth’s aliases are “The Thousand Winds”, “Tokoyo Ookami”, and “Kairos”.

The Theory:

It’s better if I compile this more into a list. Starting with the smaller stuff…

The Paimon menu allows you to control time. I honestly feel like this is the best evidence.

Paimon is in all of the marketing, emails, she’s the one who delivers us messages outside of the game itself, but no one in the game knows who she is. When people see her, they think she’s a balloon, a fairy, or a pet.

Paimon jokes about being the God of Protection

Paimon’s outfit has the same details as a fully-leveled Statue of the Seven. Her crown has the same design as the golden bar on the statue. Her boot also looks like the nails sent down by Celestia. 

Canotila the Melusine described Paimon as a balloon floating in the air with her string extending upward above the sky itself.

Phanes created Istaroth; she is a being of Teyvat. Since she is affected by the Irminsul tree, it would explain why Paimon is affected by the tree.

Astaroth is depicted as having a crown, which Paimon has. 

Astaroth and King Paimon both specifically teach sciences and answer any question asked of them.

In Gnosticism, which is where Genshin gets a lot of its inspiration from, Barbelo is a part of Bythos, and Barbelo is both male and female.

In Genshin, Istaroth is Barbelo, and Phanes is Bythos, having created her as a shade. Paimon and Venti are parts of her.

In Ars Goetia, King Paimon is aware of all past and future events, anything that has happened or will happen. This includes “secret things”. 

In Genshin, Istaroth has similar powers; control over time and the whole thing that happened with Makoto and Ei (more on that later).

In Venti’s Character Demo, it says that he is “born from the branches of time.” 

In “Sun and Moon”, they say that Istaroth, “Was the measure of a thousand winds and the sun and the moon”, with Venti associated with the wind and Paimon associated with the moon.

In Gnosticism, Barbelo is one of the most important figures of Gnosticism. She is known as the “triple androgynous name”, or as the “three times spirit”, having three parts of herself. Barbelo/Asherah is another name for Ishtar, who is one of the parts of Istaroth’s name. Barbelo is depicted as a figure that looks similar to the Welkin Moon girl. 

Two paragraphs ago I said that Istaroth is referred to as a thousand winds, a sun, and a moon; Venti is the wind, Paimon is the moon. So who is the sun?

There’s a character in Genshin named Barbeloth, Mona’s master. I believe it’s possible she could be the sun. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out why she has the name of this important figure connected to Istaroth. Genshin has a theme of “three”, and Mona’s master renamed herself to be “Astromancer Barbeloth Trimegistus”, which could also tie into the three identities of Istaroth. 

In Venti’s Character Story 3, it says that he was a “single thread of the thousand winds that roared through the northern lands.” Notably, Istaroth goes by “the thousand winds”.

In the quest “Time and Wind”, you’ll hear a voice saying “An ancient tale comes whisked away in the wind.. In time it will grow and sprout again.” Which could be referring to the samsara cycles and how Istaroth (Paimon/Venti/Possibly others) will continue the story. Additionally, the sundials are actually more likely to be moondials.

In 2023’s Lantern Rite, Venti shows up introducing himself with the saying connected to Istaroth. Paimon completes the saying, and then remarks “Did Paimon just unconsciously complete that saying?”

The statue of Istaroth in Inazuma wears a necklace with an Eye of the Storm on it, which is most prominent in Mondstadt. It’s also noted that this statue and Venti’s statue are 6666 meters apart from each other. Additionally, this statue is called “Statue of the Omnipresent God”. This perception of Istaroth is supported in the Ars Goetia as well as in Genshin; Paimon is everywhere. The statue’s moniker is “Thousand Armed, Hundred Eyed”, which is a reference to real-life Guanyin, but I take note of the “thousand”, a theme with Istaroth. 

The Sacred Sakura was planted with the help of Istaroth. When Makoto died, Ei went into the Realm of Consciousness  and said goodbye to her sister. When she came back, the tree was there, and all the people acted like it had been there forever. The Realm of Consciousness is also a domain (not the one we’re used to for battle), where time flows differently. Another example of a domain would be the Eternal Oasis.

The ancient Near Eastern goddess Astarte (Istaroth), she works closely with Baal. I thought that detail was cute considering the story quest.

In Raiden’s 2nd Story Quest, Rifthounds attack the Sacred Sakura’s roots which cause it to ooze glowing blue stuff, and Paimon asks what it is, but there was never an answer. 

This might be a stretch, but it could have something to do with what I call Celestial filth. For example, the Lumenspar is Celestial filth. Like the Abyssal goop, it’s invasive to the Chasm and spreads quickly. The description of it is “A sky-blue crystal that glitters so brightly that it brings forth echoes of the heavens above.” Having your Lumenstone equipped causes the Abyssal text to fade away. The Celestial filth comes from the nails sent down from Celestia, but the fact that the tree goop is blue and glows reminds me of the Lumenspar.

When Yae takes us through the Realm of Consciousness, we see Inazuma being built, and the memories are all of Inazuma, except for these Cecilias. Cecilias only grow in Mondstadt, on the Starsnatch Cliff “where harsh winds blow.” Cecilias are tied to Venti.

You could also say that Raiden storing the visions on the statue is symbolic, considering that visions are tied to both Celestia and the Archons.

Also, when it comes to Paimon’s design, she has a cape-thing with the galaxy on it, and in the Paimon menu, when she floats, she leaves behind a constellation trail. I also tie this with Istaroth’s theme of the moon, but it also reminds me of the general concept of otherworldliness. 

There's a Mesopotamian symbol named the Star of Ishtar (Istaroth), which looks similar to the Deshret symbol and the Khaenri’ah star and it's also closely tied to the crescent moon.

Why doesn’t Paimon remember she’s Istaroth?

The answer could be Samsara cycles. With every samsara cycle, the same roles are always present, but it’s new people playing them. Something happened to Istaroth, and we don’t know what it was, but she’s disappeared and now we’re stuck with the twerp Paimon. I’m not sure how to answer this question. Maybe it’s like the Sumeru archons.

Something To Note

In the beginning of Genshin, we start the game at Starfell Lake. It’s never said where we fish Paimon out, but we could imply that it was at this lake. The lake, which isn’t too far away from the Nameless Island associated with Istaroth. People have pointed out that the background of the Paimon-fishing-out-CG is actually Guyun Stone Forest. In the beginning cutscene, we can see the nameless island in the distance. Paimon says nothing about where we fished her, so who knows. It’s our first time being in Liyue, but she knows that the statues look different because we’re in Liyue, so personally it doesn’t make sense that we got her in Guyun Stone Forest.

More About Welkin Moon Girl

This part is at the end because it’s me just playing with an idea. So it’s called “Blessing of the Welkin Moon". Welkin means “the sky” or “heaven.” She’s blessing us with primogems. Primogems are… From the Primordial One? 

They’re described as “beyond the mundane world” and have the same chinese lettering as the phrase Primordial One and Allogene. Considering that the Gnoses are made from the 3rd descender's remains, would it be out of reach to say that Primogems could be created by/from the Primordial One?

Anyway, you could read it as Istaroth blessing us with pieces of Phanes (or, by association, herself). 

The Welkin Girl’s cauldron has the triquetra on it, a symbol of Phanes and his shades, the same symbol on Paimon’s tummy. The Genshin Impact logo itself has Paimon’s crown, the circlet, above it. Genshin meaning allogenes, and thus tied to Phanes. 

reposted from my reddit & hoyolab

[partrin]

thank god they made a large bulk of haru's world in free! rin-centric because ????? if someone like rin existed in my world, shit, my entire life would be rin-centric too. i feel you on a spiritual level, haru. look at him.

shit. if i were a character in the free! verse i'd be dropping shit everywhere everytime rin showed up. i get why haru always has this wide-eyed, mouth agape stare on whenever rin appears

because how could you not. there is a reason he was known as the world's husbando when free! was first popularized (not discrediting makoto, because he is the husband, but rin is like, trophy husband, if you get what i mean)

[welshoot]

Genshin Impact Timeline: Analysis and Theory (Part 1: Ancient History)

[Ancient History]  [Mythic Period] [Archon War-Mondstadt] [Archon War-Liyue & Inazuma] [Archon War-Sumeru & Fontaine]

So the timeline of Genshin Impact lore is questionable at best and straight-up confusing at worst. However, I’ve been working on a fic series thingie that may never see the light of day that required me to do some digging, so here I am. I put the rest under-the-cut because it gets rather lengthy. Also this is all largely theoretical and gained from the process of analysis. I used the game itself and the Genshin Impact wiki to help me along. I will possibly add to this as updates with new information or information that corrects past misunderstandings crop up. There are definite spoilers below for pretty much all of the Genshin Impact storyline  and this is a VERY long post so please beware!

The Seven Sovereigns

So, apparently at the start of everything in Teyvat, there were the Seven Sovereigns which apparently were the seven strongest elemental dragons for their respective element [Book: Byakuyakoku Collection Volume 2]. As a heads up, we do not have names for the majority of these dragons. These Seven Sovereigns had a king (who was first introduced as a plot point in Nahida’s second story quest) known as King Nibelung. (It is worth noting here that the name “Nibelung” likely comes from Wagner’s opera Der Ring Des Nibelungen but is also a name that appears in Norse legends and Germanic myths). These dragons ruled Teyvat and had elemental ‘Authorities’ until they were defeated by an individual referred to as the ‘Usurper’. It is highly implied that this ‘first usurper’ is the Primordial One. Notably, the Primordial One is often implied to be the Heavenly Principles, though, so far as I know, this has not been confirmed, though it is not a bad theory. Supporting this theory is Neuvillette’s comment that the first usurper (i.e. the primordial one) was the one who bested the seven sovereigns, while Focalors said it was the Heavenly Principles that stole the Seven Soverign’s authority. However, for the sake of simplicity, I will continue referring to this character as ‘The Primordial One’ rather than ‘The Heavenly Principles.’

The Primordial One apparently appeared out of nowhere and is highly implied to be an outlander, and as Nahida suggests at the end of the Sumeru Archon quest, the First Descender and thereby from another world, similar to the Traveler. A scribe in Enkanomiya used the name ‘Phanes’ for them and described how “the eternal throne of the heaven’s” appeared at the same time as the Primordial One [Book: Byakuyakoku Collection]. No matter where they came from though, they did battle with the seven sovereigns for what is implied to have been a lengthy period before they at long last won and, upon doing so, took part of the seven authorities from themself and their ‘4 shining shades.’ (NOTE: The best I can figure is that these ‘shades’ were created by the Primordial One from the Primordial One and are thus aspects of the Primordial One, though it is mentioned in some sources, such as the Byakuyakoku Collection, that the Primordial One would work the shades, implying that perhaps these shades were more like children, or helpers to the Primordial One.) These shades are/were able to operate separately from one another, as evidenced by Istaroth, a shade who held dominion over time and wind, coming to assist Enkanomiya when none of the other’s could hear the cries of the people of Enkanmoiya [Book: Byakuyakoku Collection Volume 2]. Additionally, these shades are implied to be of a ‘higher power’ than the Archons with Istaroth being labeled as a ‘higher power' than Raiden Makoto in Ei’s second story quest. Additionally, these shades may have even helped create at least some of the archons, as the thus far unnamed Shade of Life assisted in creating Egeria after the Sovereign Dragon of Water was defeated [Item: Fontaine Wind-Glider]. 

Seemingly, in the course of the forty year war between the Primordial One and the Sovereign Dragons, the Primordial one emerged victorious[Book: Byakuyakoku Collection Volume 2]. Most information states that, after the Seven Sovereigns were defeated, the Primordial One created heaven and earth in preparation for humanity [Book: Byakuyakoku Collection Volume 2 ]. Humans apparently came onto the scene approximately 400 years after the first appearance of the Primordial one and made a covenant with them [Book: Byakuyakoku Collection Volume 2 ]. The contents of this covenant are unfortunately unclear, though it is mentioned that the Primordial One had a plan for humans and that there was apparently one taboo: Succumbing to temptation. Interestingly, volume 2 of the Byakuyakoku Collection also mentions that the path to temptation is sealed. It is possible that ‘temptation’ refers to forbidden knowledge or something of that sort.

The Second One Who Came.

At some point in time, while Enkanomiya was still part of a single unified human nation that spanned the entire world and after the creation of humanity, but before the Archon war, ‘The Second One Who Came’ (also referred to as the ‘Second Throne in Heaven’) came from ‘beneath the firmament” [Book: Byakuyakoku Collection Volume 2, Artifact: Flower of Paradise Lost- the Amethyst Crown]. It is worth noting here that the second one who came is referred to as ‘Invaders’ indicating a plural group rather than a singular person in the Amethyst Crown artifact from the Flower of Paradise Lost set. It is possible that, since Apep implies Nibelung was revived or returned after defeat, that the Second One Who Came and King Nibelung joined forces against the Primordial one and that this is when the divine nails were used for the first time, but that is merely conjecture. However, we do know that King Nibelung apparently gained access to Forbidden Knowledge and seemingly introduced Forbidden Knowledge to Teyvat in an attempt to beat the Primordial One and “gain the right to shape this new world” [Nahida’s second story quest, Book: Byakuyakoku Collection Volume 2]. While The Second One Who Came ended up fighting the Primordial One for unclear reasons, this war ended up ravaging the heavens and earth, with the Primordial One apparently ending up victorious. It was during this war that Enkanomiya sank beneath the waves [Book: Byakuyakoku Collection Volume 2]. After emerging victorious from this battle, the Primordial One used Divine Nails (like the ones in Dragonspine and the Chasm) to heal the land from the damage done by the Forbidden Knowledge. This could be when the divine nails were sent into Dragonspine into the ancient civilization of Sal Vindagnyr, the Chasm, Tsurumi Island, and the Eternal Oasis. However, if that is the case, then Khaenr’iah would have been appearing around this time since the ‘Scribe’s box’ item from the Dragonspine quest mentions ‘a new nation without gods’ and Khaenr’iah is the only nation without gods that is known to have existed [The Scribe’s Box: Dragonspine quests].  Interestingly, during this war, the Primordial One’s Authority that had been initially taken from the Seven Sovereigns ended up getting damaged, making it so that they could no longer suppress the original order of the world. In order to “continue to subdue and control the resentments and loathing of this world,” the Primordial One was forced to create the gnoses with the assistance of someone referred to as ‘the one who came after’ [Neuvillette’s Character Story: Vision]. It is worth noting here that it is unclear if ‘the one who came after’ is the second one who came or yet another descender, possibly the third one whose body has been suggested to have formed the gnoses [Fontaine Archon Quest]. Interestingly, the people of Enkanomiya did attempt to return to the surface, which is when they learned the Primordial One had been victorious. However, they also learned that the Primordial One had supposedly placed a ban that sealed Enkanomiya from the surface. An NPC in Enkanomiya called Eboshi asserts that the Primordial One/Heavenly Principles did not want anyone who knew the true history of the world to be on the surface, hence the ban. However, the ban is only referred to as a ‘heavenly order’ and the Second One Who Came was apparently connected to the heavens as well, meaning the order may have come from them rather than the Primordial One.

[mamadarama]

Kuro and Madara both seem like maine coons but Madara(and also Leo ) also give me calico vibes. Kuro also fits the norwegian forest cat.

Himeru is one of those freaky ass lanky oriental cats or a russian blue

Adonis is an egyptian mau or a siamese, Kaoru is an orange, Rei is a regular black cat but with weirdly shiny fur and Kouga is a cat who was raised by pitbulls and will not accept the reality that he’s not a pitbull

Keito is a regular european/domestic shorthair but with a weirdly green tint to it

I would say Mika is a khao manee due to the eyes but he is big eyed dark brown colored LaPerm( the specific image I have in mind is one of the pictures in The Cat Encyclopedia and I’m not even sure if it’s for that breed)

Tori is a munchkin

OK OKOK SO i actually already have breed hcs for everyone bc im so autistic abt cats i was gonna wait to talk abt them as i made the cat designs but progress is going really slow on those and now that someone is talking to me about it i cant make myself shut up . i agree with a lot of these !!! im just gonna go ahead and list all of my hcs though bc im insane (these are my somewhat realistic color hcs for what they would be if i didnt choose to make them all candy colored when i draw them lol)

(disclaimer: this is on appearance alone, not all these breeds and mutations are ethical, not all these colors actually appear in the breed stated or are combinations that dont exist, and some of these colors/breeds are extinct)

gonna put this under a readmore cuz its ...... a lot (i woulda added pics too but theres definitely way more than 10 cats here)

fine

eichi - ragdoll, cream point, important to note he is a purebred show cat

wataru - oriental longhair, blue bicolor harlequin

tori - munchkin/british shorthair, dilute calico

yuzuru - domestic shorthair (feral TNR), tuxedo, otter like coat texture

-------

trickstar

subaru - abyssinian, cinnamon

hokuto - american bobtail, black with blue undertones and low white

makoto - scottish fold, golden, non breed standard (longer face)

mao - ragamuffin, red with high white

-------

akatsuki

kuro - siberian, black smoke striped tabby

keito - domestic shorthair, brown mackerel tabby with low white

souma - japanese bobtail, brown broken mackerel tabby with high white

-------

eden

nagisa - maine coon, light gray sokoke tabby

hiyori - laperm, silver sunshine agouti with low white

ibara - chausie (feral), blue cream

jun - thai pisaat, black ticked tabby, kinked tail (pisaat characteristic)

-------

undead

rei - oriental longhair, black (looks brown in sunlight), long teeth (this isnt a mutation, some cats just have longer teeth than others— my design is inspired by mingus the panther, a black oriental shorthair that was popular on the internet for his huge fangs)

kaoru - turkish van, medium longhair, red chinchilla tabby/white

adonis - arabian mau, but with toyger coloration

koga - lykoi, dark gray/black roan, thinks hes a wolf due to being raised with dogs and the lykoi being known as the "werewolf cat"

-------

knights

leo - domestic shorthair, dense coat, medium white calico, long teeth

izumi - domestic shorthair, lilac striped tabby with low white

arashi - singapura, breed standard

ritsu - bombay, non breed standard (longer face) long teeth like rei but slightly shorter

tsukasa - ragamuffin, chocolate tabby with medium white, higher rufousing

-------

crazy:b

rinne - chausie, red grizzled tabby, high rufousing

niki - nebelung, non breed standard (shorter fur)

himeru - domestic shorthair, blue solid, small rounded ear mutation

kohaku - longhair american bobtail, sunshine lilac lynx point

-------

alkaloid

hiiro - chausie, red grizzled tabby (darker tabby than rinne), high rufousing

aira - ragdoll, cream point, non breed standard (shorter fur)

tatsumi - australian mist, silver spotted

mayoi - oriental siamese, seal tortie point, non breed standard (shorter face) edit: hes more of a balinese tbh

-------

rab*its

nazuna - somali, fawn, notably smaller than average

tomoya - domestic shorthair, fawn based caramel classic tabby

hajime - russian blue, breed standard

mitsuru - kurilian bobtail, chocolate solid

-------

valkyrie

shu - donskoy (brush), warm gray with white

mika - appears to be a kurilian bobtail, actually domestic longhair (medium), black heavy tortie, odd eyes and bobtail mutation (khao manee cats do have odd eyes, but can only be white. also mikas backstory lends itself to him being a randombred)

-------

2wink

theyre twins, so both are red classic tabby domestic shorthairs. theyre somewhat smaller than most cats .

-------

switch

natsume - domestic shorthair, red solid with minimal white

tsumugi - american wirehair, solid chocolate and white, non breed standard (longer fur)

sora - highlander, golden classic tabby with white, ringtail mutation

-------

ryuseitai

chiaki - havana brown, chocolate

kanata - turkish van, blue classic tabby/white

tetora - bengal/abyssinian, zorro mask charcoal bengal with high roufusing

shinobu - domestic shorthair, black/medium white spotted, somewhat short tail

midori - domestic (medium) longhair, fawn based caramel solid with white

-------

MaM and others

madara - maine coon, calico (my design for him is based off dawntreader texas calboy, a male calico maine coon that was the subject of controversy among cat show judges for being a genetic anomaly)

(madaras name actually means calico cat!! madara (斑) means spots and mikejima (三毛縞) means tricolored stripes, with "mike" often referring to calico and tortoiseshell cats. as a kid he also had the nickname "mikekun" in reference to his tendency to startle people by sneaking up on them silently like a cat)

anzu - british shorthair, chocolate tortie with medium white

jin - domestic (short) longhair (stray), dark gray, rough fur texture

akiomi - oriental longhair, fawn

kaname - british shorthair, blue solid, non breed standard (longer face)

[helly-watermelonsmellinfellon]

Genshin stans on Twitter are calling Ei a 'colonizer' because of what happened to Orobaxi.

They're equating her slaying him to Remus throwing a fit over being colonized by Deshret and going and colonizing every tribe of people in the sea and beyond to make his grand empire.

And when this falls apart because Narukami has been there for as long as Ei and Makoto have been, and Watatsumi appeared in the ocean out of nowhere, they go on to say that because she's on the side of the Usurpers, by not being indigenous to this world and by becoming an Archon, that makes her a colonizer by association.

1.) There is a consistent need to make Orobaxi and the people of Watatsumi/Enkanomiya into perfect angels who can do no wrong.

Orobaxi is not Inazuman. He's a god from Liyue who actively and willingly participated in the Archon War. He lost his land and people and fled to the Dark Sea. After a time, he fled to the depths of the world and found the remains of Enkanomiya. He agreed to become their god, began telling them about the Narukami culture, and got sentenced to death for finding out the truth of the world's 'creation'.

He bartered for the lives of the Enkanomiyans because they didn't know the truth and didn't deserve to die with him. He was given time to take them above ground, find them a home, and teach them how to survive. In that time, he led torturous experiments on the local vishaps to try and graft growths he'd obtained in the Dark Sea, into their forms so they could be harvested routinely to make certain the island he created from those growths would be sustainable.

To end his own life, because gods can't kill themselves, he took a group of soldiers and invaded Yashiori Island under the pretense of needing supplies. After he, a loser of the Archon War, and his people who came from who knows where, popped up out of the ocean and were allowed to stay in Inazuman territory and keep their religious beliefs unchallenged, he suddenly turns and attacks the humans on Yashiori instead of asking for help? And Ei isn't supposed to go and handle him on behalf of the dying people?

I get that he was backed into a corner, had no time to think of a better solution, and needed something guaranteed to work while NOT spilling the truth of everything, but he DID invade another land. HE made that choice. Ei taking out a threat to her people on their land does not make her a colonizer. That's not how colonizing works. Her people were there first and these strangers would rather attack and arrogate land than just ask for help. Ei does not know the truth of what happened. She doesn't know the full story still. From her perspective, a straggler of the Archon War appeared out of nowhere and harmed her people for the sake of his own people.

2.) Enkanomiya and Orobaxi are ALSO colonizers.

They are not native to the world. Enkanomiya's people worshiped the First Who Came and were part of the first unified civilization that was created. They clearly sided with the Usurpers. They even went so far as to experiment on the vishap race to corrupt their bloodline and make it impossible for the Hydro Dragon Sovereign from ever being reborn into that race, which is why Neuvillette is humanoid. All because they hated the dragons so much based on what they'd been told about the war.

Orobaxi is a god who is not a vishap or of the dragon race in any way. He is a colonizer by this unique definition Twitter is using, as he is not a native. He also not from Inazuma in general so trying to take land that wasn't his to take, and harming other people in the process, is literally colonization. His end being tragic doesn't make that fact untrue.

The Shogunate being filled with corrupted officials, does not mean that certain people on Watatsumi Island aren't corrupted either(as shown by Kokomi's Story Quest). Both sides participated in such grievances. From the Watatsumi people violating Narukami's little shrines all over the islands, to the Shogunate using Orobaxi's corpse to make weapons. Both sides are wrong, even if the Shogunate is more wrong.

This is still not comparable to what Remus did in the midst of a tantrum.

Orobaxi's death and the distrust Watatsumi faced because of his hasty plan and the damage it caused, is nothing like Remus using his fancy boat to sail around and threaten people on the high seas into submission under his rule. Anyone who didn't submit was dehumanized and wiped out. Two different situations and what inspired them is very different as well.

There are plenty of examples of colonization in Genshin. It's not hard to pick the canon ones and complain about them.

[genshinconfessions]

Same anon as the Makoto and Scara fic idea btw

This is an alternative idea to that one, in which Makoto sealed herself inside the electro gnosis without Ei's knowledge (as I'm like 90% sure if Ei did know she would not have let Miko just trade it away or let it out of her sight probably) and slowly regains her power from inside it, though she is completely unaware of everything going on around Tayvat which includes the passage of time

So basically everything essentially follows cannon for the Raidens until like 20 minutes before Traveler goes to fight him, which Makoto unconsciously decided then that she was well enough to take a physical form again... This results in Makoto suddenly appearing right in front of Scara, scaring the shit out of him as he thought she was Ei at first before realising that no, this woman who looks weirdly like him and Ei, is not in fact his mother???? Like Makoto's face is more kind looking then his or Ei's, her eyes and hair were a touch too light to be Ei along with all the other very subtle differences.

Meanwhile Makoto is half confused and half panicking on the inside cause why does this boy?? (Man??) Look so much like her? Does she somehow have a son? Or did she and Ei somehow get a younger brother???? (I hc that scara was unconsciously designed after Makoto and thus looks more like her then Ei, though literally noone other then Ei or Miko have noticed it. Also I find the idea of her panicking and not even considering that perhaps he is her nephew due her being disoriented and a bit confused about everything due to her essentially sleeping for centuries)

Scara ends up questioning her on where the hell she came from and why does she look like him, which leads to her revealing that she was inside the gnosis and that she is related(??) To him. The conversation then ends up with her questioning that is happening and why are they both standing within a robot?? Which of course, leads to Scara revealing that he is going to use it and the gnosis to achieve his birthright and become a god. Which actually leads to some both baffling and amusing things to happen over the course of the fic lol

(also unrelated hc, I think Makoto would enjoy sour food, not for any particular reason) (this is actually making me think of making a genshin character hc doc and a genshin nation hc doc,,,, hmm)

again, spoiler warnings for... the major points of the inazuma and sumeru archon quests?

.

.

.

first off i have to say, i agree with your headcanon of ei unconsciously designing scara to look like makoto! it Just Makes Sense.

but your idea is super interesting also :OO honestly i feel like someone needs to write these fics, i want to see them so badly!

[sena-shi]

your name etched on my skin as I wait for all eternity (KazuScara + Tomo)

PART 1/3

Soulmate AU (angst with HE)

Summary: where your soulmate's name appears on your skin, but what if your soulmate doesn't have your name engraved on his skin?

Note: Kazuha's friend is called Tomo as always

“Kaedehara Kazuha…”

“Hm?” Ei hummed in surprise as her normally shy and quiet child murmured something. She stopped brushing his hair when she noticed Kunikuzushi tenderly caressing something on his chest.

“Mother…” Kunikuzushi whispered softly, turning around to look up at Ei, his eyes filled with innocence and curiosity as his fingertips gently glided over the name imprinted on his chest.

"What is it?" Ei responded, gently brushing the boy's bangs away from his eyes.

“Kazuha… Kazuha—”

“Kazuha?” Ei asked, puzzled.

She then moved her gaze to the area where her son appears to be touching something, gently gasping as she noticed the newly engraved name blazing brilliantly on her child's chest.

There on her child’s chest, small letters were engraved.

The name Kaedehara Kazuha, burning brightly in a shade of red.

“Oh, Kuni…” Ei sighed, taking Kunikuzushi into her embrace and gently patted his hair in a comforting manner.

“Mother, why are there letters on my chest?” Kunikuzushi asked politely, allowing himself to be embraced. Ei looked down at his son, who was probing the letters on his chest with innocent curiosity.

“It’s the name of your soulmate, my child.”

From the comfort of her mother's arms, Kunikuzushi glanced up slightly and cocked his head to the side, looking obviously troubled.

“Mother, are puppets even allowed to have soulmates?”

There was complete silence, and all they could hear was the sound of birds chirping outside.

“Of course— of course…” Ei responded with a tinge of doubt after some time. She has never encountered anything like this before, and she never even considered that one of her creations might have a soul mate.

Makoto, her twin, and the person she considered to be her soulmate, passed away. It would be an understatement to say that it caused so much pain. She felt that she also died and that her soul had been shattered into bits, but no one was there to help her pick the pieces back up again.

Grieving was difficult but coming to terms with the fact that she would spend the rest of her life without her soulmate was even more difficult and frustrating for her.

Therefore, she created a puppet. Something that will be with her for all of eternity as she slowly tries to raise herself back up.

Kunikuzushi smiled softly as he gently caressed his skin with his fingertips. A companion for life, doesn’t that sound very lovely?

When he says the name Kazuha, he gets butterflies in his stomach and feels like bursting with excitement. The name just felt so appropriate in his tongue.

“Mother…”

Ei felt both anxiety and relief when she watched his child smile at her with bright eyes.

“I think I feel happy… is that… is that how humans call it?” Kunikuzushi asked with some uncertainty, entirely oblivious to the conflicting emotions that his mother was experiencing.

“Yes… yes, it is.”

The thunderous throbbing in Ei's chest did not even slightly subside as she clutched the boy even tighter. She wants to spare her child from going through what she did in terms of pain, but how can she even have the heart to stop him from going after his soulmate?

Kunikuzushi is a child who is full of goodwill and wonder at the world around him. Her son has a restrained personality, but once he becomes interested in anything, he is like a moth drawn to a flame; he can't help but pursue it.

Ei took a deep breath, observing how determined her son appears to meet and see his soulmate. She realizes she can't keep him forever, especially because his child has a soulmate somewhere in this world. It is only a matter of time before they cross paths.

She wishes, however, that her son will have the happy ending that she desired for herself, rather than the bittersweet one that she has received.

“Well then Kuni, would you like to come with me?”

“It’s the shogun!”

They all bowed down to Ei as soon as they saw her, and at the same time, they were all wondering who was the boy that was clutching their archon's hand. But once they noticed the similarity, they immediately understood everything.

"To what ways may we assist the great and almighty shogun?"

Ei acknowledged their presence with a hum and a nod, then gestured for all of them to raise their heads.

“I suppose a long conversation will be needed.”

They all moved quickly to comply with their archon's requests, and Kunikuzushi was more than happy to follow them and listen to their conversation about a person named "Kaedehara Kazuha."

He felt anxious, pleased, worried, and excited all at the same time. He was created to be together with his creator for all eternity, but fate seems to have other plans for him.

Every being has their own soulmate, and him not having one before is a slap in the face that reminds him that he is simply a puppet.

Thus, when he felt something burning in his chest, he was scared because he thought that he was experiencing some kind of malfunction.

And when he found out from his mother that he had finally earned a soulmate, he felt a sense of relief.

"Kazuha— Kazuha— Kazuha—" Kunikuzushi muttered under his breath as he tightened his grip on his mother's hand, a little smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he thought about how pleasant and comforting the name sounded.

But, just as fate unexpectedly decided to grant him a soulmate, it appears that fate has something more in store for him.

“We are sorry to inform you that we are not familiar with anyone by the name of Kaedehara Kazuha, nor do we have any record of him in our family tree.”

"How is that even possible? Or has a member of your clan left Inazuma?"

In response, they shook their heads. “Everyone carrying the name Kaedehara is gathered here as we speak, our almighty shogun. There is no one with the name Kazuha, not even our children or ancestors.”

“Please accept our apologies, almighty shogun.” They all bowed down before Ei in an act of shame, but Ei didn't seem to notice or care. The fact that Kunikuzushi's palm had become ice-cold and stiff was the thing that concerned her the most.

Thump — thump.

Why—? Why?

Kunikuzushi felt as if his non-existent heart had plunged to the lowest ground in the abyss, his heart aching in desperation.

He was excited before, so why is it different now?

Mother— mother— what is this feeling? I can’t move… everything feels so heavy.

It didn’t take long for Ei to notice that her son was feeling sadness by the way his head drooped low and his hand trembling in her hold.

Her heart broke as she witnessed her child's mental breakdown. Her worst nightmare seems to be coming true.

"Notify me if you come across somebody using that name," With those final words, she turned around and carefully led her child out of the house, wrapping an arm around his shaking form while raising her other hand to block everyone else from approaching any closer.

Ei accompanied her child with patience. Each step Kunikuzushi takes feels extremely challenging, as if his body were too heavy to even comply with his requests.

His cheeks feel a light breeze that seems to be providing some sort of solace.

“Mother, what is happening to m—”

Before he could even complete his sentence, Ei had already wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. His body immediately began to convulse into sobs that he had no idea his body was even capable of doing so. Large teardrops streamed down his cheeks, leaving stains on his clothing while Ei softly soothed the youngster while caressing his hair. 

Ei felt like crying as she listened to the boy whimper gently as he gasped for air and gave out noises of misery that broke her heart. It appeared as though she was seeing herself from her child when her twin perished.

“It’s alright, my Kuni.”

Kunikuzushi stifled a quaking sob as he clung to his mother for dear life, acting as though he would be sucked into the ground the moment he released his grip on her.

“Don’t lose hope, I will help you look for him.”

100 years have passed and there is still no man going by the name Kazuha— but the people of his clan decided to treat him like one of their own, and he even made a friend while waiting for his soulmate.

Niwa was a gentle person who treated Kunikuzushi as if he were his younger brother despite the fact that Kunikuzushi was older than him.

He even sought to assist him in his search for Kaedehara Kazuha in their spare time, to the point where it became a routine for them.

He was grateful for the time they had spent together, though he wished it had been "Kazuha" who had created those memories with him.

200 years— Kunikuzushi lost that friend due to old age, but he kept a promise that he would always look after his descendants.

300 years— He was beginning to show signs of becoming frustrated. It was beginning to feel like there was no hope for him, and he was becoming irritated and frightened. Something he had no idea he was capable of feeling, or that he could feel. It's likely that he's become too accustomed to interacting with humans, and as a result, he's beginning to act like one.

Throughout his life, he surrounded himself with humans, but eventually, they were all doomed to perish.

What if it's all simply a cruel joke played by fate?

What if the name that is written on his chest is completely made up? But somehow, he wants to wait more, maybe a little bit more.

He always has enough time to wait.

He doesn’t really mind waiting for all eternity.

Hundreds of years had passed, and he was still patiently waiting— how long had it been? 400? 500? He may be a puppet endowed with immortality, but that doesn't mean he doesn't get tired of waiting.

Every day, he wakes up with a deep aching in his chest, wanting for something, for someone, to fill the void.

Will he spend the rest of his days just waiting and waiting?

'Kazuha— Kazuha— how much longer must I wait for you? Are you waiting for me as well? Do you also need me as much as I need you?'

When Kunikuzushi returned to where his mother resides, he was met with the Sakoku Decree as well as the Vision Hunt Decree. Ever since he gained his mother's permission to search for his soulmate, he has been fully aware that she is already planning for it.

He walked quietly to Tenshukaku, his steps as light as the wind, and the shogunate soldiers didn't bother checking him because of the golden feather he wears to represent his relationship with the shogun.

He entered the doors, and the Raiden Shogun, another puppet used by his mother, acknowledged his presence, as though knowing of his arrival.

“Mother.”

The Raiden Shogun's face was expressionless as she looked at him.

"Kuni, have you decided to return?" The Raiden Shogun spoke up unexpectedly, although her tone is cheerful at the sight of him.

Kunikuzushi hummed in response, moving closer to the Raiden Shogun, who immediately hugged him lovingly.

“Is everything alright, mother?”

Ei sighed as the Raiden Shogun shook her head.

“I’ve found some information about Kaedehara Kazuha.”

“Resistance, huh…”

“Hm. Apparently, he is working together with the resistance.”

Kunikuzushi fiddled with his finger subconsciously, unsure if he should ask his mother whether he could go there or not.

Ei sighed deeply as she witnessed her son's habit. She not only acquired information on where Kaedehara Kazuha is staying, but she also received information about the boy's soulmate.

She couldn't bear it the first time she watched her child sob so intensely.

But now another challenge has been thrown in front of her child. The last thing Ei wants Kunikuzushi to experience is despair.

So how will he react when he discovers that the man named Kaedehara Kazuha has a soulmate named Tomo?

"Don't go," was all Ei could say.

"But mother," Kunikuzushi swallowed, something rising in his chest. "I've been waiting for him for almost 500 years— I want to see him— I want to meet him..."

"You've been waiting for him and seeking for him for almost 500 years," Ei said with a trace of fury, not for her child, but for herself. "But did he ever make even a single attempt to find you?"

The words that his mother had just spoken caused Kunikuzushi to pause and blink in response.

Was he — was he the only one making the effort for them to cross paths?

"Mother," he started saying, but Ei interrupted him right away.

"I'll give you one more chance," Ei murmured before kissing her child on the forehead. He doesn't want her child to be hurt, but she can't keep him in the dark while his soulmate has another soulmate he loves.

"But if you can't take it— return and don't leave anymore. Stay with me in Tenshukaku, and I will keep you safe."

Kunikuzushi was worried and confused, nodding absentmindedly in response to his mother's words.

What can't he stand? He's been waiting a long time, so why is his mother acting as if he won't be able to accept everything?

Is there something dreadful waiting for him at the resistance's base?

He left Tenshukaku with a muddled mind, still recovering from what his mother had spoken.

"Kazuha— Kazuha— Kazuha—" He tried saying, wanting to receive comfort whenever he speaks of his soulmate’s name, completely unaware of how his voice trembled.

The name, for some reason, does not bring him any comfort; instead, it makes his chest feel heavy. It almost feels like the same feeling he had experienced when he first cried back then.

What awaited him at the Resistance's base was completely unexpected.

Was this what his mother meant? How he wouldn't be able to take it?

His fingertips began scratching his chest, attempting to claw it out, rip his flesh, and pretend that the name Kaedehara Kazuha did not exist at all.

On top of a rock stood two soulmates, too close for his own liking.

His crimson streak on his hair resembles that of his old friend. He noticed a name on the samurai's wrist, even if it was only for a split second.

Tomo.

It's not Kunikuzushi, Kuni, or Kabukimono that he used to go around with.

And the man who is standing next to his soulmate.

He resents how he patted the samurai with the red streak hair on his hair, causing his sleeves to roll up.

Because there was a very recognizable letter engraved on his wrist that he also carries on his chest.

Kaedehara Kazuha.

"The vision quest decree is causing a lot of stress for everyone... but at least I have my soulmate beside me."

It hurts—

"I am truly fortunate to have you," Kazuha spoke to the other man, chuckling softly before blowing into the fallen leaf.

It hurts—

Mother, why am I feeling this way? Was this how you felt when you lost your soulmate?

He wants to scream, stab himself in the chest, or delude himself into thinking the name written on his chest was a mistake. That it was not supposed to be Kaedehara Kazuha.

That he was not supposed to wait hundreds of years for him.

That he was not meant to ever meet him.

That he was not supposed to get hurt at all!

Why give him a soulmate who already has another soulmate!?

Is this what he had hoped for after hundreds of years of waiting?

He sneered and scratched his chest until he bled. Why, after all, do puppets bleed? Why isn't he more like the Raiden Shogun? Incapable to feel emotions. Maybe if he were more like that puppet, he wouldn't be feeling this way.

“Kazuha—” He muttered under his breath. “Where can I fit inside your life?”

“I fucking hate you.”

"But I hate myself even more for wanting to keep waiting for you."

Kazuha blinked, , turning his head to gaze at the spot where he thought someone had just called his name.

"Is something wrong?"

"No," Kazuha answered, shaking his head.

"But I felt a tug in my heart somehow."

I was inspired to write this fanfiction to spread sadness after I maxed my artifact and it went to the HP substat ^_^

There will be three chapters. Well, I already finished everything but I'm too lazy to proofread so I decided to just divide it into three parts lmao

anyw kuni, stop crying who even told you to wait for kazu. oh right, I fukin did

TAGLIST: @yunareinhart

SOBBINGCRYJNG I JUST WANT CRIT DMG!

[madam-kumo]

Back and Here to Stay

(Probably should've put this sooner but major spoiler warnings)

Kunikazushi x Mother Reader (platonic)

PT.2 of Don't Leave Me Too!

"Mother!"

Scara shouts as he looks up from your chest. So many emotions were clear in his eyes. Anger, sadness, grief, but there was a spark of relief and pure happiness in his irises. Tears continue to run down his face in globs as he looks upon your illuminated form. He sniffs while rubbing his face with his hands.

"Why did you leave me?!" He yells in anger, though, his arms betray him and his arms grow tighter around you. "I know you're angry with me Kuni. But we need to get you out of here and taken care of". He was to tired and injured to retort and just collapsed in your arms; he was still awake- but barely.

You turn around to look the archon in the eye. "Thank you for helping him, Lesser Lord Kusanali" You praise the girl. A sweet smile appears on her face and she carefully steps over to you and Kuni. "We need to get him out of here. If I may ask, please pick him up". You nod and gently pick up the small boy. He hides him head in your chest, no longer wanting to see the outside world, wishing more to fall asleep in your arms and stay with his mother, and only his mother.

"A letter from the Dendro Archon" An attendant held out the letter to Ei. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Why would Kusanali be reaching out to her. They barely interacted as their nations were too far apart to do so.

Ei hesitantly accepted the letter from the attendant before sending him away. Why was she so scared to open the letter? She had a weird feeling that this letter was something she didn't wish to see.

She ripped the green seal off of the envelope and left it to fall on the ground. Ei slowly red the note. Nahida had taken her son, no, her creation into her care and told her in case she had any words to say to him.

Her heart dropped to her stomach as she red the note over and over again. She completely forgot Kabukimono was even one of her creations. Ei had given him away so long ago. Just hearing his name makes her want to forget all over again but he was useless to eternity. She shouldn't care... right? So, why does she?

Would Makoto want her to let him go or to bring him back? If she brought the puppet back, he would fight her. And she didn't want to harm one of her own creations. She can't hurt her own creations.

"You seem quite conflicted don't you, Ei?" Yae Miko teased behind her. "What do you want Yae" Ei said harshly. "Oh, so angry! I was just stating a simple thing" Yae giggles at the angry goddess. Her chuckling dies down once she realizes the gravity of the situation. The shrine maidens face turns serious.

"You know better than anyone that you were the one to let him go and abandon him.". That word: Abandon. It played in her mind like a broken radio. His broken and betrayed eyes still haunted her like a ghost.

"So what the hell do you want me to do...." Ei mutters to herself begrudgingly. "Give up on this dumb guilt of yours and let him move on, you did that to Makoto after all- so why can't you do it now".

She wanted to smack that grin off of the fox's face but held back and reluctantly agreed.

After a few days, Kuni had woken up, and like before- refused to leave your side and was attached to you at the hip. He had brought you to Irminsul to help Nahida gather data on a topic that he had not informed you of. Because it was you he wasn't telling it to, it was probably for a good reason.

And there you stood, behind Kuni and next to Traveler and his floating companion. You and the other ladies had been having a conversation in your mind. "How did he turn out this way in the first place?" Paimon asked, scratching her head in confusion. You sighed but answered "Revenge is a blinding goal, it changes people for the worst". "How come every conversation is good when I'm not in it" Kuni interrupted your conversation.

A glowing branch suddenly appeared in front of the boy. "Anonymous date?" Kuni muttered, looking cautiously at the packet of information. "Hey! Remember to share it with us!" Paimon squealed while throwing her fists in the air. "Shush!" Kuni says harshly. Visions of Tatarasuna flash in past his eyes like a projector, allowing you and the traveler to see it as well.

The story of Niwa betraying your son never sit right with you. Niwa just never seemed like that kind of person; he was always so sweet and kind to you and your son- welcoming Kuni with open arms. Kuni had also buried something in your backyard but when you asked- Kuni never answered. At that point, you probably didn't want to know.

Once Nahida had finished her summary of what had happened, Kuni balled his fists and gritted his teeth, cursing the fatui member under his breath. "Kuni..." You mutter his name, but before you could touch his shoulder, Nahida told you to give him a moment.

Moments had past before Kuni pushed you away from him and grabbed the travelers hand, creating a shield. You only saw them hold hands for a few minutes before the shield dispersed. "I only thanked him for helping me" He said to Paimon. Kuni turned around and made an opening into the Irminsul tree. "Kuni, what are you doing?" You asked, panic increasing in your voice.

He hesitated before coming over and wrapping his arms around you. "Don't wait for me" He whispered in your ear and soon launched himself from his place and into the opening of the tree. "W-where did he go!" Paimon shouted while you looked around frantically.

"I don't know how he did that with so little power, but what I do know is that you three have to get out of here now" Nahida commanded, and you knew better than to question here.

You had been pacing in the inn for hours at this point desperately trying to find an answer for where your son had run off to. You had already cried and begged Nahida and the traveler to find your son, but they had no answers. As a response, you had isolated yourself in your room.

You two had already been separated for hundreds of years. Being separated again was the last thing you wanted!

You had no reason for sleep or food as ,ever since you came back, you felt no fatigue when it came to normal human needs; It was strange to get used to but you delt with it none the less.

The archon and traveler were very concerned about your wellbeing but they knew better than to bother you. After all, now they have a wanderer to take care of.

A knock broke you out of your deranged state, Nahida had only checked on you once and hadn't bothered you since, so why now? You sigh but open the door anyway, knowing it was probably important. You hesitantly open the door. Your eyes widen and you throw the door open wider to throw your arms around the smaller boy.

"Kuni!"

You yell into his shoulder as you hold him. You wanted to slap him for leaving you without answers but that could wait. You felt him wrap his arms around you. He sighed into you and relaxed in your arms.

"Where have you been!?" You ask between sobs.

"That will be told later, but know that I'm back and here to stay, mother"

-----------------

Tag list: @swivy123

[anemoi-i]

Archons may not hand out Visions directly but it is their (indirect) influence that determines who gets a Vision, so you can't say they are not involved in some way, even if they themself do not know it. In a way, even if an Archon hasn't met every single person who has a Vision based off of their element, there is still some connection between them and they know this person exists. I hope that makes sense.

One of the best examples is unironically Anemo. We're no strangers to the jokes about Anemo characters but there is truth in those jokes. We know the focal point of someone gaining an Anemo Vision is freedom of some kind, whether it be freedom from a physical place (Faruzan) or freedom in general (Wanderer). I'd also argue that it could be freedom from emotional turmoil & pain (Kazuha and Heizou due to the death of their friends, and Sucrose due to her losing her two best friends during childhood, Xiao for very obvious reasons; also remember that there are more characters such as Wanderer that fall under this category as well).

When you have an Archon like Barbatos who's memory of his friend still shines brightly in his mind & who he misses, this becomes the determiner Celestia makes for granting someone an Anemo Vision, is how I'd wager it happens.

You have Dendro, which is given to the ones that seek knowledge and/or are wisest in their chosen field (Alhaitham, Kaveh, Baizhu, etc) and we know how much Nahida wants to learn and is still learning. It should be noted that those Dendro Vision Holders don't seek knowledge in a way that is detrimental to others (Perhaps Baizhu does not 100% fall under this because of course, he seeks immortality and uses his knowledge on medicine which is detrimental to his own health...)

Hydro, given to the ones who seek justice in their own way, even justice for themselves. (Xingqiu, for example, falls under the most "noble" concept of justice due to his chivalry, while Childe, surprisingly, falls under the more aggressive kind of justice, moreso for himself & his circumstances, proven by the recent Fontaine Archon Quest). Candace, the guardian of Aaru Village upholds justice for the "final refuge of King Deshret's descendants" to which she is of one of them.

We have already seen that Furina does truly value justice but she can be quite chaotic about it as well. She falls under both noble and chaotic forms of justice. (I'll come back to a better detailed analysis after the Fontaine Archon Quest series is fully complete.)

Electro, actually is the best example next to Anemo as to how & why Archons can indirectly influence who gets a Vision. Due to the Vision Hunt Decree, there weren't any new Electro Visions granted during that time, proving her influence. In regards to who gets granted an Electro Vision themself, I've noticed there seems to be a connection between someone who has an Electro Vision & preventing some sort of disastrous event. Of course, this can't be said for every Electro character but in particular: Beidou defeats Haishan after battle for four days after previously challenging the beast to no avail. Kujou Sara gains her Vision after attempting to face monsters in the mountain where she lived before getting her name, narrowly avoiding death.

On another note, Electro Visions seem to be given out to those with a hint of stubbornness? Keep in mind, this is not an insult. Keqing, for example, tried to destroy hers several times due to her being a skeptic before she finally accepted it was a part of her forever. Fischl's stubbornness was born of the belief she truly believes she is the Prinzessin der Verurteilung, and that was made fact with her Vision and the appearance of Oz.

This ties into many things about Ei. For starters she was stubborn herself with the Vision Hunt Decree and it took the efforts of Traveler and Yae Miko to help her understand everything that was wrong with it. She mourns the loss of Makoto, fears what happened during the Cataclysm and the Heavenly Principles itself and while this part is just speculation, it could be a "what if I could stop this calamity? What if I could have stopped this from happening?" situation.

Geo and Dendro share similar traits in that those who have a Geo Vision are knowledgeable and wise, but also maintain order (for lack of better wording and you already know where I'm going with this) in regards to their field. Yun Jin is a playwright and a Director and an excellent opera singer. She maintains the traditional structure of opera but chooses to be open to new concepts, something the elders chastised her for (ie, going to Xinyan's concerts). Gorou, the general for the Watatsumi army learns to invest time and effort in helping those around him improve which helps open the doors to gaining his Vision. He is also very humble in this regard.

There is a reason why Ningguang is the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing and wielder of a Geo Vision. She is wisest and all things business and commerce related, most likely second next to Rex Lapis himself. Albedo searches for what his master told him in a letter before she went away "show me the truth and meaning of this world" and he uses his Alchemy to do so. What sparks joy within him is turning the unknown to the known. Not even the appearance of his Vision is what really fascinated him.

And of course we know how Zhongli is, knowledgable of all things, retaining Liyue's history that he has helped maintain for eons. He is quite mysterious in his own way choosing to keep certain things secret but one thing remains above all is that his wisdom and desire to maintain order are two of the things that come with a Geo Vision, as is maintaining a contract of some sort.

I'd love to talk about Pyro and Cryo in the future. Feel free to agree/disagree or add characters who I missed, I could only remember so many characters' lore at once.

[trashcanwithsprinkles]

so since chen zhongli didn't have a connection to raniya, would he have one with venti? they're traditionally seen more often together (i joined like ~1.5-2 years ago i think it's because of last years lantern rite they're seen together but they're could be more i'm missing) and they're dynamic is always so funny i think it'd be a shame if they didn't know each other somehow

(but also knowing venti he probably would've blown up zhongli's phone by now lmao)

also as a second thought what is going on in like inazuma and fontaine if it isn't too like spoiler? do they have something mirroring the sokoku decree since there's no visions? is ei still in government to help the closed borders policy?

would neuvi have a position similar to his in teyvat? or is he just a dragon of myth like how rex lapis is?

sorry if that's too much i just love the aus you create and i love fleshing universes out

honestly? venti and zhongli have only appeared together in like one lantern rite scene and one poetry event and that's literally it, so i wouldn't say they're 'traditionally more often together'. on both times it was hu tao's fault anyway? so i don't think we've had zhongli expressly seek venti out like ever. but the reason why they have indeed interacted the most when it comes to inter-archon relationships (which isn't saying much because the only other ones who've interacted are furina and zhongli so like. venti doesn't seem like an outlier if he only has one extra instance over her) is because they're the only original two. so they know the other the most out of the rest, because again. only original two

so as for zhongli not having a connection to rukkha in this au and not having one to venti either; the only reason they know each other in-game is because of the archon war.

there's- there's no archon war in this au, at least not one that involves them. so like-

no. idk how to justify any of the archons having met each other imma be honest, which is why they haven't

as for the other nations- since zhongli isn't anything remotely resembling an authority figure in liyue, then neither are any of the rest, so no, ei isn't in office. ei and makoto are probably living normal lives as like- the descendants of a fabled samurai clan who now run a kendo dojo together after their father died or something idk. i could absolutely see their dojo and their sword arts being like- the same ones the shogunate's men use? so ei and makoto would be like the official sword art teachers of the entire military. that way we can keep sara a simp in any timeline LMAO also inazuma probably did have a closed borders policy but like in the past. so now they're all about trying to catch up for time lost in getting to know other nations and having other nations enjoy their culture. so the kamisatos are thriving is what i'm saying

neuvillette is a bit of a spoiler imma be real. not in that neuvillette is going to appear and matter (sorry), but in that if i try to tell you what's up with him i'm going into spoiler territory bc you can extrapolate that to other things, so no. but i CAN say that he's like- a judge. like of the justice system. maybe a lawyer? but i think judge fits better bc you know. he's a normal human guy, same with chen zhongli. furina is a famous actress but she does have a law degree bc i think it's interesting that she was essentially the prosecutor of fontaine, from what we saw.