#sagau.villain

[wishing-well-writing]

“Who’s a good boy?”

Written by: 🍡

Fandom: Genshin Impact (SAGAU, Villain au)

Character(s): just you and your dog, various characters mentioned

Warnings: allusions to animal harm (not explicit), villain au typical violence

Summary: Teyvat sends you a protector, modeled after your closest companion. Meanwhile you’re not quite sure if you can stay hidden with this new addition.

A/N: for every fic I finish I get three more ideas like some kind of accursed hydra- anyways have something partially inspired/based off of @veritaoscurata’s dog au because it’s very cute and funny <3

Teyvat was not blind, not unlike the mortals that cried imposter. For even as half conscious as it was, it could still feel your warmth, your love.

Your fear.

Fear of being hurt, being caught, being killed.

Teyvat was not alive, not fully at least, but it could still listen. Listen in on tracking plans made by the knights, the Qixing, the Inazuma Commissions. It would speak to you in your dreams, or well, tried to. Nudging you this way and that, to avoid certain patrols or vision holders. Yet alas, after several close calls, it knew this could not keep up forever.

So Teyvat turned its eyes to your ever faithful companion. A curious thing he was, so like the strays found in the cities, yet so loyal to you. Though it was to be expected, after all, you were the Great Creator. It had seen how the dog had protected you, and how it continues to do so. But it had also seen the people grow bolder, blades and elemental energy coming closer and closer to your companion, that they could almost scorch fur. Teyvat also knew, no matter how hard your dog would try, it could not protect you forever from the masses.

Teyvat had to take action then, using its vast reserves of elemental energy, it would create another companion for you. Familiar and comforting in the form of a dog, as strong as twenty vision-wielding soldiers, and made of elemental energy, not unlike what was left of Andrius. In Teyvat’s vast yet fleeting memory, it remembered a saying.

‘Two heads are better than one.’

Therefore, perhaps it should give your companion two heads? As an elemental being it was plausible, two heads to protect and love you. Then, it came to a revelation, if two heads were better than one, wouldn’t three heads be even greater?

With its mind made up, Teyvat set upon creating you a protector, no, a companion. For you and your loyal dog. Perhaps it could use some slimes to lead you to it?

-/-/-

Meanwhile, you were having a stand-off with a three headed dog the size of a large building of all things. Then again, it wasn’t the weirdest thing you’ve been through this past week or so. Being transported into a game and being hunted for sport does that to a person. Your dog was barking up a storm at the other (big) dog, not in a aggressive way, more in the way of whenever you took him to the dog park and he wanted to play with the other dogs kinda way.

Safe to say, you were going to have a migraine by the end of this. What you wouldn’t give for some Advil in Teyvat right now. Inching closer to the three-headed dog, it seemed friendly enough, same with the slimes that led you here. All of its heads dropped down to the ground as you approached, ears perked up and watching your movements closely. As you raised your hand up (still not sure for what), its middle head gently nudged it’s nose into your palm, tail thumping against the ground behind it.

You blink.

It blinks.

The slimes blink.

And your dog barks again.

You tentatively pat the large dog’s nose, “...Good boy?” You say, nervously but pleasantly surprised at the warm reaction. All its three heads perk up, it’s tail now wagging furiously, the leftmost and apparently the most energetic head barks happily.

Feeling confident, you began going through the commands you knew. Your dog at this point had accepted the three-headed pup, bounding over and lightly bumping into them (affectionately) and barking happily.

“Sit.” Both your dog and the not-cerberus sit down.

“Down.” Once again, they both law down.

You walk away a few paces, “Come.” Lo and behold, as expected, both the dogs padded over to you.

So now you have another companion apparently, in addition to your dog and the occasional slime or whopperflower tagging along. A giant, three-headed dog, that you just realized doesn’t have a name yet, and you’re kinda tired of calling it “that dog” or something about its heads. Running your hand through your hair, you start to mumble, “Right, okay. This is fine. Should I just give you one name? But there’s three heads... so three names?” Trying to come up with one name was hard enough, but MULTIPLE? What a nightmare.

Pointing at the leftmost head, “Tweedledum,” then the center head, “Tweedledee,” and then finally the rightmost head, “...Tweedledoo?” You were never good at naming things on the spot to be honest. It didn’t seem like any of the three heads really understood you, but they seemed happy to be named nonetheless. The leftmost head barking happily, even the rightmost (the most tired of the three) seemed to be rather energetic. The center head was more preoccupied with playing with your dog, nudging him gently as he rolled around, one large paw gently prodding at the smaller dog.

It was all honestly a really cute sight.

And then you’re hit with the revelation of, how are you going to hide and sneak around with a big fuck all dog following you. Even if you told them to stay outside the city, the guards would probably notice them. The thought of any of your companions getting hurt made your stomach do flips, but you’ll burn that bridge when you get to it.

What a headache...

-/-/-

Bonus: how big I imagined our three-headed dog is compared to us

[miomines]

a mother's regret

hi. this isn't as much of a showdown but i tried my best ok. idk what to really put here but i hope u enjoy it

part 1 | interlude 1 | part 2 | interlude 2

The Anemo Archon is one that's quite difficult to find. He is a free spirit, moving gracefully along with the wind. It can be an admirable trait but it also makes him impossible to find. Meili also personally thinks he may be avoiding her. Unlucky for him, she will not give up on her search. If anything, the avoidance is only making her more irritated and more determined to find the little pest.

Barbatos is not in any of his regular spots, but she expected something of the sort. That annoying wisp is avoiding her so any spots he frequents are now all places he avoids. If there's anything the Anemo Archon is good at, it's running. However, Meili is a dragon. Meili is a predator and she is good at tracking down prey. 

At the edge of Starsnatch Cliff is where she sits for now. When she finds Barbatos, she will need to tell him that the cathedral really needs more security. The Holy Lyre der Himmel was quite easy for her to pick up without notice. The illusion on it was easily shattered but it doesn't take much energy to truly mend it.

(Meili was quite tempted to destroy that statue of his in front of the cathedral down to rubble. She refrained. It would not be good to get undesired attention drawn to herself. Perhaps another time.)

Embedded into the earth behind her is the Vortex Vanquisher, the power pulsing towards her in calming waves as she carelessly plucks at the lyre's strings. Would her little gem enjoy a lyre? This one is much too worn down for them, even with her mending. She will have to gather another one for them.

Her attention is grabbed by the flowing wind as it rushes around her. It's not the wind of that little pest, she notes. Meili pushes her hair out of her face as she waits, turning her attention back to the lyre in her lap. She hums, waiting for the wind to settle to talk to who has joined her.

"Dvalin," she greets without looking. She feels his rumbling in response more than she hears it. She turns her head when the other dragon nudges her arm. Meili finally looks over, before pausing. "You've grown since I've last seen you," she notes with a fond smile. "I have missed you, little hatchling."

"Little?" He replies with an amused snort. "I have missed you too, Mei. It's been a long time." His tone sounds fond and wistful, thoughtful. She wishes she had visited him sooner. It truly has been too long.

Meili laughs as she stands, turning to look at Dvalin as she speaks. "Whether I take a human form or not, you will always be a little hatchling to me, dear Dvalin." She hums and leans forward with a rueful smile. "However, I am not here for a reunion today."

Dvalin leans his head down, resting on the ground to talk face to face with her. She can't help but smile as he gives her his full attention. Meili has always adored this little hatchling. She places a hand on his snout, a content rumble emitting from her chest. 

Meili sighs as she pulls away, the content purr trailing off as she becomes serious. "Barbatos. Do you know of his current location?" She asks as she tugs the spear free from the ground. Meili shoves the lyre into a satchel, tugging the strap over her head to keep it with her.

"He has committed a terrible crime to Our Divinity and to my little gem. It's time for me to have a chat with the wisp," her voice drops into a snarl. She shakes her head and takes a deep breath. It would not do to lose her temper. Not here. Not to Dvalin.

He hums as he considers the request. "He currently resides in Old Mondstadt. He has hidden there ever since Morax has sent over a message. I can take you there if you wish. He has been tense since he sensed your arrival."

Meili smiles fondly. Perhaps one day she'll bring her little gem to meet him. Dvalin is kind and even if he can sense her rage, he still brings her to the Anemo Archon. She does not get angry over little things and he knows it. He knows her anger is over something serious.

"I would appreciate that, little hatchling," she says. It doesn't take long to pull herself onto his back. Shifting forms would take too long and she wishes to face the annoying wisp as herself. Dvalin launches them up into the sky, the wind whipping around them as he flies. Curiously, she leans forward to ask, "are you aware of what Barbatos has done?"

"Not entirely," Dvalin replies. It's a leisurely flight, a comforting air around them. Perhaps it's because they have missed each other all these years. "I have my suspicions however. Mei, you never truly get involved unless it has something to do with you or something against your morals. If you are here to talk to Barbatos, it means this is something that is truly important."

"It is," she hums as she watches the scenery of the nation fly by. "He has done something both against my morals and something to do with me. More specifically, to do with my little gem. They're quite dear to me and Barbatos has hurt them severely. It's due time for us to have a little chat."

Old Mondstadt is in the distance and she knows they will be there soon. Meili truly does wish to share what has happened with Dvalin. She wishes to go into detail, explain everything, explain why she's so angry at the wind wisp and her stupid brother-- not her brother! Morax, the blundering fool. An explanation to Dvalin is something she wishes to give but talking to that little pest is something that she finds far more important.

"You will inform me more of his actions another time, yes?" Dvalin asks, curiosity colouring his voice. She chuckles and places a hand on the back of his neck, rubbing comforting circles on the skin.

"Of course, little hatchling."

He rumbles and shakes his head, as if annoyed by the pet name. Meili knows it's all for show and so she laughs. She knows when they arrive in Old Mondstadt, this calm and peaceful air will dissipate. She knows that this is a temporary peace. Dvalin is free to side with whoever he chooses, but deep down, Meili's worried that one day they will be on opposing sides.

Dvalin is loyal and for most of his existence, he has loved Barbatos. Meili, while endlessly fond of Dvalin, was not a constant presence. She did not check in often. Barbatos is flighty at best but even he has spent more time with the little hatchling than she has. She loves him but she knows she was not there for him, was not aware when he was taken advantage of. She only wishes that she could go back in time to take care of him.

"That spear," he starts. They're just now entering Old Mondstadt and she can tell he's slowing down. "Are you using it as a means to an end?"

"Do not worry," Meili says. She watches as they descend, as Dvalin latches onto the crumbling tower. "I do not plan to kill him. However it is good for Barbatos to remember that I could. They forget that I am not weak. I did not survive the war just to be labeled as a damsel in distress."

He snorts, shaking his head as Meili slides down. She grins up at him as she straightens up. "They forgot you are a healer by choice?" He questions. She nods with a scoff and Dvalin sighs. "Barbatos is in the tower here," he continues on. "I don't know which part he is in currently. If he attempts to leave, I will inform you."

Meili smiles, her heart flooding with warmth. Truly, what did she do to deserve Dvalin? He has been too kind when he doesn't even know the full story. "Thank you, little hatchling," she ducks her head. "I swear to you that I will explain everything in depth soon."

Dvalin nudges his nose against her gently, a soft rumble in the air. "I trust you, Mei. Talk some sense into Barbatos. I will keep watch." With that, he launches up into the air and she watches as he starts to circle the ruins.

Meili sighs and summons the spear, twirling it in her hands before she starts her search. The wind is unnaturally calm, as if the little wisp were trying to hide. Her boots make quiet thumps as she travels through the tower ruins, the only sound cutting through the eerie silence.

"Little songbird?" She calls out. The pet name tastes of ash on her tongue but she ignores it. If she pretends that everything is fine then perhaps… Meili takes a look around and pouts, a crafted look of sadness. "My little wisp?" She calls, her tone carefully sounding meek.

There's a slight breeze and she bites the inside of her cheek to suppress her smile. Barbatos was once someone she loved as a child, but if he thinks he can run into her arms as if nothing happened… Then he truly has deluded himself.

"Mei?" 

Meili turns and meets the gaze of the Anemo Archon. He peers out behind some ruins, a hesitant but hopeful look on his face. If she drops the facade now, she has no doubt that he will bolt. 

(Barbatos once called her mama. All cheerful and playful as he ran from an angered Morax. She remembers smiling, laughing at the annoyed noise that escaped her brother. Her little songbird ran towards her and she wrapped her arms around him. He presses his face into her side, breathlessly giggling as she glares playfully at an irritated Morax.)

This is not her little songbird. Meili must remember that. Even if a part of her protests against her planned harshness, she will carry on. One day, perhaps, he can earn that title back. Far, far in the future. 

She swallows through the lump in her throat and forces a bright smile. Meili takes the Vortex Vanquisher and sticks it into the ground. He brightens, still hesitant but shining with hope. He lets out a happy noise when she opens her arms.

(Meili caught her little wisp in her arms as she laughed loudly. "What are you doing, you little rascal?" She teased as he grinned up at her.

"What are you talking about?" He blinked innocently. It would be believable if it weren't for her brother, fuming and soaking wet as he tore into the room. "Mama!" Barbatos cried as he burrowed into her arms. "I didn't do anything! I love you!!")

Barbatos crashes into her and she stumbles. A part of her warms at the feeling of him in her arms. Mine, it whispers. She denies it. Not hers. This isn't her little wisp. This isn't her songbird. Her little songbird wouldn't..

("I.. I was in Mondstadt first," they said. They shrink into the pillows, curling up in a way that she warned against. It disturbed the bandages, their injuries, but she knows better now to insist on it. "I was happy, you know? This was a place I dreamed of being able to experience. I don't really know how I got here in the first place but I wasn't going to waste the opportunity that I had!"

Meili placed down her pencil and paper, the ones she used to doodle, and looked up at her little one. "They were harsh and attacked you?" She guessed. They nodded with a light sniff.

"I knew of Venti, of Barbatos. I thought he'd be able to help me, you know? I didn't know of whatever All-Creator they were talking about. I wasn't trying to… to pretend to be some deity! I just.. I just wanted to make friends.. " They trailed off. She stood to make her way over to their bed and they had shuffled over to make room for her to sit.

"Barbatos hadn't helped you," she said.

They shook their head. "He pointed his bow at me and said I was a disgrace.")

"Mei! I was so worried that you were going to be angry with me!"

("Meili, he hunted me down.")

"Zhongli sent me a letter explaining what happened and I was kinda scared you know? I should've known he was just being a blockhead again!"

("I couldn't stay in Mondstadt because he was always watching. If I stopped for a single moment he would be there.")

"I told him that he shouldn't have pushed so hard! You would've figured it out eventually! I knew you would never forsake the Divine One!"

("He kept calling me a slippery pest who needed to be put down.")

"Mei, I always believed in you! Morax is a fool sometimes. I know you're too smart to be played like a fiddle by some impersonator~"

("I was so scared I was going to die..")

In her arms is Barbatos. For a single moment she lets herself mourn for her little songbird. Her little wisp. He has grown into something she cannot stand and she cannot let her heart be soft for such a person.

Her arms are loosely wrapped around his shoulders. She's hunched over, her body tense as she squeezes her eyes shut. Her sweet innocent songbird is dead. It didn't hurt this much when she confronted Zho-- Morax. Perhaps it's because she can still see parts of her little wisp. It's an illusion, she tells herself. He's gone.

(She lets herself think of her little gem when they were bed ridden. She thinks of the broken pieces of arrowheads that were embedded in those wounds. She thinks of her little gem smiling and finally remembers that this little pest is still trying to kill them.)

Meili lets herself laugh, her voice sounding broken and slightly unhinged. She can feel his confusion but he doesn't tense even when she tightens her grip. It's only when sharp claws tightly keep him in place does he realize. "Oh, Barbatos," she croons. She leans back to look him in the eyes. Her little wisp is gone and all that's left of him is this pest. "I am flattered with your belief in me but I do believe it is misplaced~"

Barbatos blanches and tries to pull away from her grasp. She doesn't let him, grabbing his chin roughly to dig the claws into his skin. She never brings out more than her horns, but her feelings of rage and undertones of mourning has let some parts of her hidden draconic nature emerge.

"My little wisp," she says mockingly. There's a part of her that aches at the pet name and she lets it fuel her rage. "Do you truly believe that I will let you hurt a child?"

"M-Mei!" He cries out and she tightens her grip. "You- you don't understand! They're a criminal, Mei!"

"Oh, I'm aware," she spits. "I've heard the explanations from Morax, of the excuses. The impersonator who walked into Mondstadt one day and was immediately ridiculed. Tell me, little songbird, did they even claim to be the Divine One?"

He struggles in her grip and she drops him to the floor. She digs out the spear and twirls it in her hand as he stumbles, scrambling to stand up from his place on the floor. 

"Did they truly impersonate the All-Creator? Or did they simply exist?"

Meili looms over him as she slowly stalks back over to him. He's shifting in place, one foot behind the other as he looks ready to bolt.

"Little wisp," she whispers mockingly. "If you run, I will find you. We're just here to have a little chat is all."

Barbatos takes a glance at the spear in her hand, at the Vortex Vanquisher and she simply grins.

"Oh, this little thing? It's just a precaution, you know how it is~" She flicks dirt off the tip of the spear nonchalantly. "Morax was the one to start our little fight. Did he mention that or did he say I was too aggressive and he had to do something to amend that?"

He stays silent, his body tense as he keeps his eyes on her. A big difference than her encounter with Morax. Perhaps he will actually listen to what she says. Whether or not he believes it is another issue altogether.

"Now," she starts. "Let me put it like this." Meili straightens with a grin, eyes narrowed as she stares at the little pest. "Imagine that you wake up in a different realm than you were used to. It looks beautiful and resembles something that you remember. You go to make friends and you're immediately scorned."

She hums and stalks forward. Meili throws an arm over her shoulder and puts her claws beneath his chin. She lifts his gaze as she continues. "You don't know what they're talking about or what they're referring to. You just got there after all. You see someone you think you remember and you go to ask for help. Someone who you're fond of, who you trust. They call you a disgrace."

Meili tugs him closer and he stares at the arm thrown over his shoulders. More specifically the spear she's wielding. She shakes it in her grasp and laughs. "Then they start a nationwide hunt!" She gasps, as if truly shocked.

She lets out a low growl and shakes her head. "Somehow, my little gem knew you as the God of Freedom. They had hoped, out of everyone, you would help. Instead you trapped them and now you continue to try and take their freedom."

Meili twirls the Vortex Vanquisher idly as she steps away from him. She clicks her tongue and sighs. "Little songbird, I am truly disappointed in you. They had asked for help and instead you tried to kill them. They wish to have the freedom to live peacefully and here you are, trying to ruin that. Do you really think I would go along with something like that?"

"Mei, they're-"

"-Don't call me that."

Barbatos startles at the hiss and ducks his head. "Meili," he says slowly. "They ruin the image of the All-Creator. Surely you understand that…?"

"Pathetic," she sneers. "You truly are a little pest. The only resemblance you have to my dear songbird is your appearance and that's not even your own." 

Meili doesn't blink as he flinches back, instead pulling out the Holy Lyre der Himmel out of the satchel. Without a moment of hesitation, she throws it full force to the ground and it shatters into splinted pieces. "You should get the cathedral to increase their security," she hums. "It's pretty bad." 

She lets the spear vanish in with sparkling lights and pushes past the pest. "Don't come near my house, little pest, I'll tear you to shreds if I see you anywhere near my little gem." 

"Oh, and Barbatos?" She calls over her shoulder. She continues before he can respond, holding up a lyre in the air. His personal lyre. "Take care of your belongings better. You're pretty bad at it."

Meili leaves without another word. Hopefully her little gem would like a lyre? She hopes they will play her a tune with it.

[miomines]

maternal instincts

villain/impostor au yet again but this time with a different oc.

dragon adeptus adopts injured child(to her at least) and will later find out, not in this piece, that she adopted the creator. all she knows is that there's an injured child in her house and morax and barbatos have contributed to the hurt. meili is like that one meme where it's like. "im a healer but.." loads gun

u are now a dragon adeptus' child. she will now protect u with her life.

interlude | part 2 | interlude 2 | part 3

The pain is what you first notice. It clings to you as you emerge from your unconscious state. You let out a small sound of pain as you attempt to become aware of your surroundings. You try to recall what caused this pain.

"--over there!"

Running desperately, Wuwang Hill, The Millelith, accused of a crime, being attacked, the Creator, Zhongli, Venti, the Knights of Favonius, constantly on the move, fear, fear, fear, so much fear. Don't wanna die, don't wanna die don't wanna die don't wanna die don't wanna die---

An impostor, you remember, branded guilty of a crime for simply existing. You were excited to be in Teyvat and to meet your favourite characters, only for you to be hunted down like prey. Nowhere was safe and you didn't want to risk going to Inazuma (middle of the ocean, far away from the mainland. would be hard to escape if they deem you an impostor too). You just simply ran, desperately hoping to live another day.

Your body ached but it hurt less than it did before you passed out. You curl up on your side, your body protesting at your motions and squeeze your eyes shut. Upset at the world, upset at the archons, upset at the so-called Creator. It never ends. It'll never end, will it?

Your depressive episode gets interrupted, a quick knock cutting through your thoughts. You don't even get a chance to respond before the door opens and you simply curl up further. Only a feeling of resignation to your fate fills you.

The person who entered says nothing, humming a quiet tune as they make their way across the room. You can hear them pull the curtains away and then open a window before they make their way towards you. You can't help but tense.

Whatever you expected, it wasn't a gentle hand on the top of your head as they tentatively sit on the edge of the bed. They say nothing and you, taking the risk, hesitantly opening your eyes.

The person before you is not someone you've ever seen in game before.  She's a beautiful woman, dark brown hair falling down in waves and the horns on her head only add curiosity. She looks at you, dark grey eyes that shine with concern. Her gaze softens as you look at her, smiling gently.

"How are you feeling, little one?" She asks as she starts to run her fingers through your hair. You can't help but relax into the comforting motions. "You were quite injured when I found you. Do you not have anyone to help you?"

You shake your head slowly, staring at her. She clicks her tongue and frowns, cupping your face into her hands. "Well that just won't do," she says. Something in her eyes scream determination. "You will stay here, little one. I will take care of you. Once you are healed, we can figure out what to do."

There's something about her that tells you that you can trust her. Maybe it's her gentle nature, the way she ran her fingers through your hair, the way she cups your face gently as if she didn't want to break you. Maybe it was just you latching on to the first person who treated you kindly since you arrived. Nonetheless, you nod and she smiles.

"My name is Meili," she introduces herself. She leans back, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I live alone so you won't be bothered, little one. My daughter is off to Snezhnaya and won't be back to visit for months, most likely. We are near Qingce Village but the people don't look for me most days and I'll be sure to lead them away from you."

Meili smiles and stands, crossing the room to gather a tray you didn't realize was here. She doesn't expect you to talk and for that, you're thankful. You weren't sure if you would be able to get the words out even if you tried. Meili hums another tune as she returns to your bedside, the tray settled on the nightstand next to you.

"Can you sit up for me, little one?" She asks. You blink a few times before the words truly register. You push yourself up, wincing at the ache before settling into a seated position. You lean against the pillows as she takes hold of your arm.

Meili continues to hum even as she stares at your bandaged wounds with determination. Her eyes flash a quick gold colour but the sense of calmness that covers you distracts you from thinking about it. She runs a fingertip along your skin, brushing against the bandages and you're surprised to notice that your aches lessen.

She looks up at you and simply chuckles. "Healing is my speciality," she hums. "I just needed you awake just so I could be aware if anything went wrong." Meili taps the tip of your nose and turns to the tray. She picks up a small vial filled with a deep blue liquid. It shines as it sloshes around and you take it into your hands when she gives it to you.

"It's a purifier, a cleanser. You still have elemental residue on you, little one. It'll influence your healing process. It will get rid of the residue," Meili explains. Her voice is even, calm and it's soothing to listen to. When she turns back to the tray, you hesitate for a moment before you down the vial.

If she wished to harm you, she could've done so on numerous occasions.

She hands you a bowl of rice, which you start to eat with no hesitation. Even if some parts of you are still wary, it doesn't matter. It's food and it's actually cooked. You haven't had a proper meal since you've arrived. Meili simply smiles as you eat, only offering you a glass of water which you quickly down.

"One would think you had not eaten for days, little one," she jokes. You pause and look up at her. It was a joke but it's not like she's wrong. You make a face and shake your head, turning your attention back to your food. Meili remains silent, however she does step closer to place a comforting hand against your shoulders.

Silence hangs over the room but it's not an uncomfortable one. She takes the empty bowl from your hands and places everything back onto the tray. You lay back down, content to just doze and finally rest for once.

"Little one," Meili starts, turning her head to look at you. At your questioning look she continues, "The Millelith were the ones to do this to you, yes? I didn't see it first hand but there were more around lately.."

Maybe not all of them were from the Millelith but… You nod and she narrows her eyes and huffs. She looks offended on your behalf.

"Ridiculous," she mutters and glares out the window. "What has this nation gone to? You do not deserve this, little one," she turns to you. "This will not stand and I will go to Morax himself if-"

"No!"

You both startle and you shrink back at her questioning gaze. You place your hands on your neck, looking towards the wall.

"Little one?" She prods gently as she sits down on the edge of the bed once more.

"Zhongli," you croak out. "Crimes of… impersonation against the div- of the--"

"Of the Divine Creator," she finishes, her voice lowered to a whisper. "Oh, little one…. Morax himself has hurt you." Meili's expression is sad but you can see a hidden hint of anger. "What of Barbatos?"

You shake your head.

"Imbeciles," Meili hisses with such ferocity that you startle. "You are a child. To both them and to me. You have simply existed and then to be deemed a criminal? Preposterous."

She gathers your hands into hers, squeezing them gently. Meili stares into your eyes, her gaze determined, sad, but loving. "You will be safe with me. I will protect you like I would my own child. If Morax or Barbatos come for you, I will deal with them personally."

Meili leans back and grins, her teeth sharp and her eyes alight with righteous fury. "I specialize in healing but I did not fight in the Archon War for nothing." She turns her head to stare out the window. Meili speaks as if the archons themselves can hear her.

"You do not take from a dragon's hoard without consequences. You do not harm a child without dealing with the mother's rage." She squeezes your hands without looking and the pressure is comforting. "You are mine now and I will keep you safe, little one. Those fools will underestimate me but I have known them for too long."

A dragon…. You glance up to her horns. That makes sense.. When she turns back at you, she's still trembling from anger. She does not direct any of that to you. You have a feeling she'll go out to find Zhongli and Venti soon enough.

Meili tugs the blanket closer to you and kisses your forehead. You don't get a chance to even object even if you wanted to because she takes the tray and quickly starts to make her way out. "Rest, my dear." She turns at the doorway to glance back at you. "I will protect you."

She closes the door behind her as she leaves. You listen to her footsteps fade. Teyvat may hunt you down but you have no doubts that Meili will raise hell to protect you. Impostor or not, she has deemed you her child and after the cruelty you have experienced… Perhaps being adopted by a dragon isn't the worst thing that could happen.

[miomines]

draconic instincts

ok this is basically meili vs zhongli. dragon mom fights in ur honour.

writing fight scenes is very difficult. this is the longest thing I've written on this blog so far. I mean im happy with it but im much better at just. softer things. anyways here's angry dragon mom

part 1 | interlude | interlude 2 | part 3

Her precious little gem is at home. They are safe and happy. They will stay that way.

Truly, Meili thought her old friend had outgrown these behaviors. She had watched him as he mellowed out over the years. She remembers the Archon War and she's sad to say that this behavior has been here a long time. Perhaps she just wanted to believe in him. If her little gem never crossed her path, she knows, without a doubt, she would still be supporting him.

"Morax," Meili says to the air. Behind her is the shrine made to the Divine Creator, a personal shrine built by her old friend. Her rage is simmering, nearly boiling over yet she still keeps a calm disposition. There's no doubt in her mind that this encounter will turn into a battle eventually.

"Meili." She turns her head and watches the Ex-Geo Archon approach. She says nothing, not yet, as she gazes at him with impassive eyes. Meili steps down from the shrine's entry, breathing deeply to keep her rage from exploding.

She has conflicting feelings about the man in front of her, a fondness she currently resents. Zhongli was her dear friend, one she viewed as a brother. This is not Zhongli, not her old friend, but Morax. A fool who harms a child under the guise of worship to the Divine Creator. The man in front of her is Morax, a dragon who has hunted her little gem down.

"Morax, my dearest friend," she drawls, her tone full of forced cheer and friendliness. "You're such a loyal acolyte to our Divine Creator that you attack a helpless child who has merely existed." She grins as she cocks her head to the side, calmy stepping closer. "Would Guizhong be proud of your behavior? Or has your mind deluded itself to believe that she would join you?"

Meili is delighted to see that he takes the bait, his eyes narrowing as his voice lowers to a growl. "You know nothing of the situation," Morax hisses. It doesn't do anything to growing, sharp grin. "You know nothing of Guizhong."

"Morax," she tuts. "You forget that I was there. You forget that I fought alongside her." She narrows her eyes as she crosses her arms. "She loved our Divine Creator, but she also loved humanity. A child with a visage similar to the Divine One. She would see it as a blessing."

"That child is a criminal, guilty for the crimes of impersonation."

"Really?" Meili taps a finger to her chin, expression thoughtful. "That's strange. From what I'm aware of, the child was attacked on sight." She turns her head to stare into Morax's eyes. She sees the mirrored rage in his eyes that reflect her own, although for very different reasons. "Hard to be guilty of a crime if you didn't even impersonate anyone, no?"

Morax lets out a low growl, his posture shifting as if he were a predator hunting prey. If she were a lesser adeptus, a weaker dragon, she would be cowed into submission. Something that he was likely counting on. Unfortunately for him, she is not a weaker, lesser adeptus. 

"Really, Morax," she yawns. "I know you. We have grown together. If you think I will be scared of a little display of dominance, then you forget yourself." Meili doesn't bat an eye as he summons his spear, staring at her old friend with hidden disdain.

"I believe it is you," he says, spear twirling in his hand before he points it at her. "That has forgotten themselves."

"If you think I'm going to be scared of the man who fell off a cliff by trying to impress our dear Guizhong, then you're mistaken." Meili barks out a laugh, her grin sharp as she finally lets her boiling rage consume her. "I'd dare say that she would be disappointed in you. A child blessed by the Divine One and you simply attack? At your core, you're still just a brute."

"Silence!" He bellows and attacks. She steps away from the spear with ease. Morax attacks in a practiced motion, one she's seen many times over the many millennia she's been alive. It makes it easier to dodge. "You know nothing!"

Meili lets out a loud laugh, dodging his attacks with his spear gracefully as if she were dancing. "You're just proving it to me! Morax, you're truly just a brutish fool who lives in his own delusions!" She wonders how long she can go without summoning her weapon. It's almost amusing how determined he currently is to attack her. "Tell me then! Tell me the information that I'm missing!"

She dances away from his spear, continuing her speech as if this were a normal conversation. "That so-called criminal is a child! To both you and me! What have they done to be hunted down like an animal?!"

Morax narrows his eyes at her, realization lighting up in his eyes. "You know where they are," he hisses. "You are harboring a criminal, the impersonator of our Most Esteemed Creator." 

"I am harboring a child who has been hunted down for merely existing." My child, something inside her croons. She hushes it. Now is not the time. 

"That impersonator ruins Our Divinity's name!" Morax spat. "They are a criminal and they must face divine punishment!"

"Are you even hearing yourself?!" This is who she supported for six thousand years?? "The Divine One is kind, they would be disgusted by your actions!"

"Which is why we are dealing with the impersonator ourselves!" He growls. "The impersonator refuses to accept the blame and continues to run from their punishment! As loyal acolytes of the Divine Creator, we act to protect them!"

There's not getting through to him, is there? Around six thousand years of friendship, of family, and now all she can do is to let it go. Morax is not her friend, her family, but someone who wishes to harm her little gem. 

"The one you call the impersonator, I have taken them as my child," she states. Meili narrowly dodges a swipe of his spear aimed at her legs. "And I will not let you touch them."

"You are a traitor against the Divine One."

"And you are an idiotic, brutish fool."

With a snap of her wrist, her catalyst is summoned to hover beside her. She's unamused when Morax barks out a laugh. Truly arrogant. Taking a seat with the Seven Archons has changed him and Meili can't say that it was for the better.

"You are a healer, Mei," he drawls. "You do not have a chance in a fight, especially against me, don't you realize that?" 

Meili simply grins, letting the feeling of geo flow through her. "I learned how to heal during the Archon War, don't you remember, dearest friend?"

Morax rolls his eyes, lunging to attack her. She ducks underneath the spear, places a construct just behind his feet as she circles behind him. He turns and tries to lunge, however his feet get caught on the construct and he stumbles.

"I learned how to heal because you were an idiot."

An elbow to his face.

"I learned because you needed a healer."

A kick to his knees.

"It does not mean I'm unable to fight~" 

His legs swept out from underneath him

"It'll be good for you to remember that I've lived as long as you have, dear friend." Meili grins and takes the spear (Vortex Vanquisher, that emits power through her) from his stunned grasp. Her smile screams hostility, aimed at him in a predatory and sharp manner. "I am not as weak and helpless as you like to think I am~"

Morax attempts to stand, to right himself, but Meili shoves him down with a kick to the gut. She twirls the spear in her hand, letting her vision sharpen the spearhead as she points it right to his throat.

"Meili, you are the fool for believing in that impostor," he spits as he glares up at her.

She laughs and pushes the spear so it just slightly pokes into his skin. "You are a fool for believing that the All-Creator would wish harm on a child." 

"A criminal."

"Oh, enlighten me, old friend. How do you know of their crimes?" She asks, sarcasm dripping from her mouth as she increases the pressure to his throat.

"The Golden Ichor does not run from their veins," he drawls. As if he were explaining something simple to a child. "A mere mortal playing God. Dearest sister," the spear digs in further and he hisses. "Do you truly wish to protect such a disgrace?"

"You do not get to call me that anymore, Morax," she spat. "I am ashamed of you, I am ashamed of our past bond and I wish to have nothing to do with you." She stares at him, hate flowing through her as she views this fallen archon.

"When the Divine Creator has forsaken you, I will be there to grant you pity and to destroy that pest that started it all."

Meili scoffs. He will not even breathe the same air as her little gem if she has any say in it. Her precious child. "You will not bother my little one, or I will rain hellfire upon you." They will be safe and happy and they'll cook together each day.

(--she takes the cutting board into her hands)

"You will see it my way one day, Mei."

(Near one of the sides was a shiny metallic colour)

"You will see that pest is not worth protecting."

(and she brought it closer to her face for inspection.)

"The Divine Creator will accept you back,"

("Meili!")

"Since they are kind,"

(Without a second thought, she drops the board back into the water.)

"But I will never forget how you've chosen a criminal over the Divine One."

It clicks in her mind. The small knick of a knife against her little one's finger when they were cooking. The golden residue on the cutting board, only to be distracted by her little gem with their new slime friends.

Oh it makes so much sense! Meili knew her little one was special, but she didn't know how special they were! 

"Such kindness," she drawls. The most loyal acolyte cannot even recognize the same God he claims to worship. Pathetic. "Unfortunately, I will not be taking it."

Meili places pressure on his chest, pressing him to the ground with her foot as she brings the spear to her side. "When the Divine One has forsaken you, I will not grant you pity. I will be there to laugh."

Morax scowls, going to respond but interrupted to a stomp to the gut.

"I fought as support in the Archon War for you. I did not wish for the responsibility, did not want a seat with the Seven." She leans down to stare him directly in the eyes and whispers, "you had an easier time in the war due to my help.

I would have won that seat if I wanted to."

Morax looks away and she takes that as victory. Meili keeps the spear in hand as she steps off and turns with a flourish. Before she descends down the hill, she turns back to the other adeptus.

"If I see you anywhere near my house, or near my little gem, I will tear you apart, limb from limb." She tilts her head and covers her mouth with a hand. As if she were shy, as if she weren't threatening an old archon. "That's a promise, Morax. Stay away from my family."

Meili turns her head to look off into the distance and hums. "Mondstadt is beautiful this time of year, I've heard. Send word to Barbatos that I will visit him soon. I need to have a chat with him…"

She smiles, glancing back at her old friend. Her new enemy. The hunter of her child. He doesn't deserve to know about her little gem. He does not deserve forgiveness.

"Goodbye, Morax. I truly despise you. I hope our paths never cross again."

With the Vortex Vanquisher in hand, she leaves. Perhaps she'll mount the spear on the wall...

[miomines]

a mother's love

ok this is technically another interlude. because i need soft things in between the action scenes ok. here's some more dragon mama bonding with her child plus a surprise guest :^)

part 1 | interlude | part 2 | part 3

Meili hadn't explained where she had gone for those few days, no matter how much you asked. You had a feeling who her 'old friend' was simply due to the Vortex Vanquisher that was now mounted on the wall in the dining room. Questioning her only made her laugh and she ruffled your hair before changing the subject. Perhaps you'll never know what truly went on but Meili is back home and safe. She's unharmed and that's all you can truly ask for.

You hum to yourself, a quiet tune that Meili likes to sing when she cleans. You take another glance on the mounted spear before you gather the few books you had brought with you. The house is quiet since your mother figure is currently outside in the garden. Maybe you'll join her? She was gone for nearly a week. It might've not been too long but you had missed her. Her presence just makes you feel safe just by itself.

You duck into Meili's room just to put the books away neatly. Being tidy is the least you can do for her, you suppose. She took you in without expecting anything in return. Not even just that, she also confronted Zhongli for you without you even asking. It's… strange but she really does make you feel safe. Meili is the only reason you feel safe in Teyvat.

It's pleasantly warm outside and you take a second to just absorb yourself in the moment. Teyvat itself is beautiful and it's thanks to the dragon adeptus that you can finally enjoy it. You make your way off the porch, hopping down onto the dirt path that leads you to Meili's garden.

It's not too far. You're about to call out to her when you finally register the scene in front of you.

"-shameful! It's truly shameful! There's nothing someone could do to deserve that kind of treatment!"

Xiao?

"Morax is a blundering fool! I understand you have a contract but surely you still have morals?"

Meili is standing with her back to where you stand. Her shoulders are squared and it's like she's looming over the yaksha. From what you can see, Xiao is slightly hunched over and staring down at the dirt.

"You simply cannot excuse this behaviour! We are not to be treated like criminals!"

She's… lecturing him.

It's kind of amusing to see, if you're honest. He looks like a child who was caught doing something bad. He's sheepish, flushed with embarrassment and is avoiding looking at Meili at all costs. You're filled with a sense of fondness..

You hadn't crossed paths with Xiao yet in this world. You're surprised he wasn't ordered to join the hunt for you but you're also thankful for it. If Xiao was hunting you… it's likely you would have not survived long enough to meet Meili.

If Meili is comfortable enough with him to lecture him so close to home… perhaps he isn't as hostile as the rest of the people you have met?

You take a deep breath to calm your racing heart before you bounce over to the pair.

"Meili!"

She stops mid lecture and turns around, her eyes wide. Her surprise melts into a warm smile as she opens her arms for you to run into.

"My little gem!" Meili lets out a joyous laugh as she wraps her arms around you. Her nickname for you only brings you warmth. "You've come to keep me company, have you?" She leans back to meet your eyes with a fond expression.

You nod with a grin and she simply giggles. When she squeezes you into another hug, you take a peek over her shoulder. You just wanted to glance at Xiao, see his reaction, but instead you make direct eye contact with him. You slightly tense as his eyes widen, confused as he lights up with some sort of realization. 

Meili hums and turns her head to look at Xiao, before shifting so you can both face him. She keeps you in her arms although her hold is loose, just in case you wish to pull away. He hasn't looked away from you and it's slightly unnerving. You burrow into Meili's arms, just peeking out to watch just in case.

"Xiao, honey," she drawls. "Close your mouth, you'll catch flies."

He flushes deeply and sends a glare to her. You can't help but laugh. Meili simply smiles fondly, pressing a quick kiss to your forehead before turning back to Xiao.

"Would you like to stay awhile? I can make almond tofu for dessert later."

Xiao quickly glances at you then to Meili a few times before he nods shyly. You direct a smile at him and he just ducks his head. Meili just laughs.

Meili drags both of you into weeding the garden. Not as if it was hard, you would be likely to be dragged into it anyways. It gives you more time with Meili at least. You listen to her soft singing happily, content just in her presence.

You work in a comfortable silence. You relax over time, losing tension you didn't realize you were holding and soon you're humming along with Meili's singing. She shoots a grin at you and you can't help but smile back.

After an hour or so, you wash off your hands with the hose outside. You glance over at Meili who's stretching with a cautious Xiao at her side. She had said they were done for today, but it wasn't quite time for dinner yet..

You look down at the hose in your hand before an idea comes to you. Yes, it may be childish, but it'll be funny.

Meili is chatting with Xiao about something, the discussion about something you're not too interested in. You aim the hose at Meili, covering the end of it with your thumb so it sprays water at your target.

She shrieks, flinching away in surprise as she brings up her hands to cover her face from the water. When Meili meets your eyes, she pouts playfully, her expression one of crafted betrayal.

"Little gem!" She cries out dramatically. She shrieks again when you spray her with more water and you can't help but laugh. Meili narrows her eyes playfully at you before she lunges over to grab hold of the hose.

You laugh loudly as you both fight over control with the hose, water spraying into your face on multiple occasions. At one point, Meili directs the spray of water to Xiao and you can't help but laugh as he sputters in indignation. 

After a few moments, your play fight has calmed down and all you can do is let out breathless laughs. Xiao looks like an offended wet cat and Meili is simply grinning, glowing with joy.

Meili directs her attention to turn off the hose but before she does, you aim another spray of water directly in Xiao's face. He hisses in response, pushing the hose out of your hands only for it to spray back into your own face. You sputter before falling into giggles as you drop the hose to the ground.

You glance up at Xiao only just to laugh harder. He's closer than before and you end up leaning against him as you try to catch your breath from your laughing fit. He really does look like an annoyed cat.. You can't help but be amused. 

"C'mon you two," Meili says as she lightly pushes your shoulders. Her voice is filled with joy. She's exasperated but clearly amused.  "We gotta dry off and think of what to make for dinner."

You nod and rub your face. It hurts from smiling so much and you're still trying to catch your breath from the laughing fit. However, even if the water fight was juvenile, it was one of the funnest times you've had.

You tug off your shoes before you step inside, placing them on the mat that's laid out before you start to make your way to your room. A change of clothes is in order but your quest is interrupted by a large towel thrown over your head. You startle and pull it off, glaring playfully at a chuckling Meili. You watch as she does the same thing to Xiao, only for him to swipe at her with a hand in clear annoyance. Meili simply dances away with a laugh.

With a fond grin, you duck into your room. You love Meili, you really do, but it's also nice to finally interact with someone else. Perhaps the whole world doesn't actually hate you. After all, if you can have a water fight with Xiao then anything is possible.

When you walk into the kitchen, you see Meili just aggressively drying Xiao's hair. It's a sight you never thought you would see and you can't help but laugh. Meili glances at you and grins, shooting a wink in your direction.

Xiao's head pops out of the towel and his hair is sticking everywhere. He's glaring at Meili but all she does is boop his nose before turning to the cabinets. You smile over at Xiao before you make your way to Meili's side.

"What are we making?" You ask as you peek over her shoulder. She turns to press a kiss to your cheek as she pulls ingredients out.

"Jewelry Soup!" She chirps before turning to look at Xiao. She smiles at him as he stands there almost awkwardly. "Would you like to help?"

You start to gather the rest of the ingredients as Meili speaks. Xiao's response is delayed, hesitant but he does reply. "I.. am not quite sure how," he admits.

"It's okay!" You look back to him and grin. "I didn't know how to really cook before either! Meili is a good teacher, so don't worry too much."

"My precious gem!" Meili cries as she drapes herself across your shoulders. You can't help but laugh at her dramatics. "You're too kind! It is you who was the good student, little one." 

You roll your eyes, fondness filling your body as you nudge her off of you. She simply giggles as she stands upright before she gestures for Xiao to come closer.

"I won't bite, little birdie. You can just watch for now to get the hang of it, okay?" 

After Xiao nods and hesitantly steps forward just to hover, you both start your usual evening routine. Cooking with Meili is as natural as breathing at this point. You work in comfortable silence and soon enough Xiao joins to help. He's a bit awkward, a bit hesitant, and frequently double checks to make sure he's doing things correctly. It's a welcome addition though.

You're surprised when you suddenly yawn. It makes sense, however. Xiao being here meant more activity and it was fun, but it was still tiring. Meili simply glances at you with a smile as she stirs the soup.

"Tired, little gem?"

You hum in response and she nods.

"Xiao, my little birdie, is it okay if we save the almond tofu for tomorrow?" She asks as she glances over her shoulder. Xiao must have nodded because she smiles and turns back to the soup. "You can eat and then go to sleep, precious gem. It was an exciting day today."

You smile, a bit tired but very fond. It was nice just living as if the outside world didn't exist. Nothing can hurt you with Meili here. You can let yourself go and just be childish. Meili will take care of you.

You let yourself be dragged into the dining room. If you weren't leaning on Xiao, you would've missed the surprised expression as he sees the mounted spear. He doesn't say anything as you sit down, staring at it for a few moments longer before he sits down as well.

Meili emerges from the kitchen with a quiet tune sung under her breath. She places the bowl of soup in front of you as well as a glass of water and does the same for Xiao. You hum along with Meili's tune before you eat.

Xiao and Meili are having a quiet discussion that you tune out for once again. It's early by your standards but all you wanna do is curl up in your bed and pass out. You blink tiredly, spacing out as you eat.

"Little gem?"

You startle and blink, bringing yourself back into awareness. You look up to meet Meili's eyes and she simply just smiles at you.

"Don't force yourself to eat. I can pack it up for tomorrow. You can go to sleep if you wish to, little gem."

Meili is too kind. You smile at her and nod, taking a drink of the water before you stand up. You trudge around the table and lean down to give her a hug. She squeezes her arms around you and kisses your cheek. "G'night, Meili," you mumble. She giggles.

"Goodnight, little one," she says, her voice full of fondness. 

Xiao is sitting closest to the hallway so before you overthink it, you also lean down to give him a quick hug. "Night, Xiao," you say before you yawn. Xiao is nice. You hope he visits a lot.

You're just out of the room when you hear it. When you think about it the next morning, you're pretty sure you just imagined it. It doesn't make any sense to you. What reason would Xiao have to call you 'your grace'?

[miomines]

DRAGON MOM POG? YES PLEASE ANYTHING WITH DRAGON MOM MEILI PLEASE I CRAVE IT NOW

here's some more dragon mom for u!! an interlude to this!! aka the interlude after part one and before meili throws hands with zhongli for hurting her little gem

part 2 | interlude 2 | part 3

The little one she picked up was special. All it did was add to their charms and made her just a bit more endeared to them. Her old friends were truly blind if they could not see the precious gem that was her little one. 

Meili could see their fear, practically taste it in the air, but they've been so deprived of positive attention. They knew it wasn't logical and yet they practically melted into her arms each time she embraced them. It hurts her heart, their fear yet melting into any positive attention, and all it does is add to the simmering rage that builds beneath her skin.

It is not the time for revenge, she tells her innermost dragon. We must make sure our little gem is safe and happy before we confront the fools. 

She holds the rage close to her heart. It will help her protect her child when the time comes.

They stare at her with wide eyes, afraid yet so, so hopeful. They tense whenever she gets close and she can't help but wish to cry. This world has been so cruel to them and for what? A crime of merely existing? Meili wants to shower them with affection, to show that at least someone really cares.

The nations have been so cruel to them, but she knows Teyvat is truly beautiful. If she could, she would take them around the seven nations to just revel in the beauty. It's too risky, however. She will not risk her little one, especially not when she just got them. Once she knocks some sense into her old friends, maybe they can go on a trip. Just the two of them.

Each day, she walks into her little gem's room. Each day they stare at her, hopeful yet scared. She heals them, she feeds them, she hums a song and simply just talks to them. She opens the door one day and sees her little gem standing near the window.

The sight of them up and walking makes her overjoyed and she quickly puts the tray to the side just to rush over and hug them. They eat on the porch that day. She watches with amusement as her little one stares at the surrounding crystal flies in amazement. Meili wishes at that moment that she had a kamera, just so she can keep this memory forever.

When they have healed enough to walk around without issues, she doesn't have the need to go to their room to give them their food. She walks into her kitchen one day to see her little gem sitting on one of the counters and all she can do is smile. 

"Little one," she had said. "Would you like to assist me in cooking today?" 

It has been so long since there was another by her side. The process of cooking next to her little one filled her with joy. Her little gem did so well and was improving each day. She could not even begin to tell them how proud she is of them.

Later in the day, when her child is out in the garden, she washes the dishes. When she takes the cutting board into her hands, she pauses. Near one of the sides was a shiny metallic colour and she brought it closer to her face for inspection.

"Meili!"

Without a second thought, she drops the board back into the water. Meili snatches a small hand towel on her way out, drying her hands as she makes her way onto the porch. She can't help but smile as she sees them, despite concern growing in her stomach at the sight of slimes.

They were not hostile, she noted. Her little one had their arms around one in their lap. They truly are special, aren't they? How could anyone harm such a precious child?

She hangs the towel on the porch railings and steps closer to her little gem. The slimes simply bounce out of her way as she sits on the grass next to her child. They do not tense as she leans against them, arms wrapping around them in a loose hug. They have surely healed a lot and she can't begin to describe how proud she is.

"Made friends, my little gem?" Meili's smile grows as they nod, their soft giggles escaping them as they watch the slimes bounce off of each other. "Make sure they don't mess with the garden, okay? They can stay as long as they don't make a mess."

She presses a kiss to their temple as they agree, content to just sit with her child for a little longer. Her child is safe and happy. Meili hums a tune, bringing her hand up to run her fingers through their hair.

"Little one, will you be okay on your own for a few days? There is an old friend who I really need to have a chat with.."

[wishing-well-writing]

I always see “reader becomes a monster to get away” and even “eldritch horror reader” but never “the characters slowly become actual physical monsters to reflect how they treat reader”

Like the abyss but more widespread and worse, and also something something: the effect of becoming a monster goes more quickly if you have a much bigger hand in terrorizing reader (*side eyes the archons, knights, etc*)

Or even like, reader with tma fears themed power(s) but specifically lonely powers™️ because hahaha they want to get away from everything and thus

If you know tma then You Know :)

[wishing-well-writing]

~Chasing Tails - Prelude~

Written by: 🍡, 🦷

Fandom: Genshin Impact (SAGAU: villain au)

Character(s): Jean (mentioned), Lisa (mentioned), Zhongli (mentioned), lots of canon characters are mentioned okay-

Warnings: Au typical violence, mentioned hunting (for sport), explicitly(?) described injuries, trauma, cult like behaviors(?)

Summary: In which instead of being taken in by the Abyss order, or by the fatui, or even by some kindly villager taking pity on you. Our dear darling finds themself with the oddest group of misfits.

A/N: girl help we’re writing about ocs despite not being cool enough or popular enough to do so /lh /lh

This was too long so we’ve decided to split it into two parts lmao, ocs don’t show up in this half but they’ll show up in the next part

<Next>

The first time you had woken up, it was in Mondstadt. Under the shade of Vannessa’s tree, with zero clue as to how you got from your room to there. At first you thought it was all a dream, but then you pricked your finger on something and learned very quickly that it wasn’t. So, you did what any sensible person would do, and wandered over to civilization to get some things in order. Like how to get back home, or generally surviving the Teyvat world as a whole.

What you didn’t account for was the stares, the sneers, and even the Adventurer Guild turning their nose up at you when you asked for directions. It was all so confusing, after all, wasn’t the Traveller welcomed warmly enough? But then again... they did arrive with Amber... but still, it was all so strange. And you had felt a building sense of unease and foreboding.

And then Jean was in front of you, along with Lisa, Diluc, and even Venti, and she had, a sword. The sword, you had given her.

Pointed at your throat.

You don’t really remember what was said, the haze of adrenaline and the feeling of- get out get out getout getoutgetout getoutget outgetoUTGETOUTOFTHEWAY- made you turn heel, and run out of Mondstadt as fast as possible. Chased like a boar by the guards, the knights, and whoever else was physically able to join. An arrow embedding itself in your shoulder, imbued with electro energy and anemo, ripping a scream out of your throat.

Maybe if you had paid more attention, you would’ve seen how, in the place of Barbatos’ statue, there was someone else. In the likeness of you.

Still, you had clung onto the hope that maybe, maybe, that Liyue might be more friendly. After all, they revered no one else, but the Adepti and Rex Lapis after all. Right? But oh, just how wrong you were. Just as you stepped onto Liyue soil, having lost the Knights and the population of Mondstadt, you felt eyes on you.

Xiao probably, you had thought. You thought it was safe, you knew that Xiao only ever really went after those with negative or evil karma. What you didn’t expect was to find the Millileth mobilized to detain or kill you if you resisted immediately. ‘Orders from the Ministry.’ they had said, ‘for the crimes of impersonating our beloved Creator.’ they had said. They offered a peaceful arrest, but you knew. You saw in their eyes, that even if you went with them, they would kill you anyways.

So you turned tail, and ran again. Narrowly missing a familiar polearm. The one you had given to Zhongli, the one you spent hours grinding to max out. You didn’t think about it. You didn’t WANT to think about it. Running away was all you could do. Even as geo constructs pelted you, even as you felt searing pain in your legs, your arms, your torso. You ran, and ran, and didn’t look back.

You were too scared of what you would see if you did.

Hours of running and hiding would pass, until you were able to shake them off. As you found yourself in a desolate village, with a small ditch. So you climbed down, and decided you would take shelter there, just for the time being. Unintentionally falling asleep, as the days of exhaustion and sleepless vigilance caught up with you.

-/-/-

The second time you woke up, it was to voices, unfamiliar voices. They didn’t sound like anyone from the game, new or otherwise older characters. You couldn’t make out what they were saying, still too exhausted and panicked, you only tried to scramble out of the ditch. Which was once hidden by old, overgrown brambles, and twisting vines.

It was then, that you saw them, a small party, no bigger than four. But what caught your eyes was the glow, the glow of visions. They were all vision holders. Hydro, dendro, pyro, and a geo user. You needed to go. Now.

Unfortunately the moment you climbed out of the ditch, they noticed you, and the world tilted. It was only then that you realize, with all the adrenaline, you hadn’t noticed all the blood you lost. And also all the sleep you lost. Safe to say, you were fucked.

Or so you thought, one moment you were falling, and then you were caught. You couldn’t tell which one caught you, your vision and the colors around you blurring in one overwhelming mess. Were they saying something? It was hard to tell that too. So you closed your eyes, and accepted your fate. Falling into the calm embrace of nothing.

‘Ah what a pitiful way to end, but better alone than by those you loved once...’

Another part of you found it rather funny, that that might’ve been the shortest amount of time you’ve been awake.

[wishing-well-writing]

“Maybe my name could also be known,”

Written by: 🍡

Fandom: Genshin Impact (SAGAU, Imposter au)

Character(s): The Imposter, others mentioned

Warnings: sagau typical violence, imposter au typical violence, manipulation, cult behaviors, toxic friendships/relationships

Summary: “Don’t I deserve to be loved as well?” Spoke the snake, beguiling venom lacing it’s divine words. Or, the imposter au from the eyes of the imposter.

A/N: heads up, transitions from third person pov to second person after the first few paragraphs, hopefully it isn’t too jarring (also please ask me about my imposter thoughts I have so many-)

That I helped return good to the people,

And restored greatness to Rome.

-/-/-

It was like second nature to them. The ability to lie and pull the strings into their favor. To take, and take, from their closest “friend”. Their friend’s appearance, their own friend group, their crushes, until they had everything. And their friend had nothing compared to them. After all, they deserved it. Their love, their adoration, everything.

You were friends, once. Once you had shown them a little game called Genshin Impact. You two began playing together, talking about the ups and downs of each character used. Though, over time, they couldn’t help but become resentful over how “lucky” you were. You had the five stars they could never get, the constellations they could never have, it almost seemed like the game itself loved them. And the serpent couldn’t help but to become envious of it all.

So when they awoke in Teyvat, before you arrived, they saw it as the greatest of all chances, to take it all, before you were even aware of it. And when they made their way to Mondstadt, to request a meeting with the Knight, they saw a statue in your likeness. Their likeness. A grin spread across their face, as an idea began to form.

(Butus! Brutus! Brutus! Brutus!)

When they, you, met with the Knights of Favonius. You spun a story about how you were running away, from a monster who had stolen your face, and everything you had cared about. Tears gathered in your eyes as you “recounted” how you blacked out and woke up under a tree, and seeing a city in the distance you had believed that they would be able to help. As you sobbed, you could see a interface with a stat called <Charm> out the corner of your vision.

You didn’t pay attention to it, yet, more preoccupied with your sob story. Crying about how scared you were, that what was following you would come into here as well, hurting your “creations”. Though you were only taking a wild guess, the way that the knights around you were muttering now, you had hit something gold. So you continued your charade, <Charm> going down as Jean wrapped her arms around you, whispering sweet nothings of how ‘she and the rest of the Knights would protect you, Your Grace,’ and that ‘when the imposter comes, we will hunt it down.’

The rest of the Knights leapt into action, declaring their own proclamations of protection and devotion. Sans a certain Calvary Captain, a Chief Alchemist, a Spark Knight, or even the Honorary Knight. Not that it really mattered you thought, giddy, once it gets out to Venti and then the rest of the Archons, you would be protected and the seed would’ve been planted. Besides, they weren’t really your favorites so, no skin off your back and all.

What’s a few starter characters and a few extra to a self proclaimed god?

(Butus! Brutus! Brutus! Brutus!

Butus! Brutus! Brutus! Brutus!)

It only took a couple of hours for Venti to find you, stuttering out honorifics and praises to you with awestruck expression. It was so easy to gain his trust and to bring him under your gold. A few words of how excited you would’ve been to visit Mondstadt had it not been for your “predicament” and how amazing it all was, was enough for him to start nearly crying and promising to write ballads in your name. You had to school your expression so you didn’t scoff at him, how naive and how gullible the Anemo Archon was, you thought.

Venti was babbling about ‘how much he wanted to show you the best shops and the best places in Mondstadt before visiting the old lizard!’ Pulling you along, passing by shops and other characters. Barbara, Diluc, even some NPCs you barely remembered stared at you in awe. Fully believing in your “divinity”. In response you smiled softly, all sweetness and spice, and waved to the crowds. Falling into yet another role you were so, so familiar with.

Sightseeing really wasn’t much, you had already seen most of Mondstadt through the game anyways. So you gently prodded at Venti to let you visit Liyue or Inazuma. A word about how ‘so scared you were of this monster’ and just how ‘worried you were if it ended up in Liyue first and if it tricked those poor poor citizens’. Your lip wobbling and your eyes going shiny with barely contained (crocodile) tears was enough to have Venti agreeing with you, with only just a bit of a pout. After all, it would be such a shame if Liyue’s freedom was taken away because of this monster bastardizing the Great Creator’s appearance. Internally you were celebrating another victory, another way to expand your influence.

With Venti’s winds, you two were able to reach Liyue in record time, as well as request a meeting with the Liyue Qixing and the Geo Archon. You had wanted to meet with Zhongli first, he was the strongest of all Adepti and Archons, so he would’ve been a great asset to gain. Gently tugging Venti in the direction of a certain funeral parlor, giving him a smile as you approached it.

Zhongli was just as easy to fool as Venti, even with that <Charm> interface. All you had to do was to tell him, sweet as honey, that you were just so proud of him, and how he had proven himself to you. The same hollow praises you knew by the back of your hand, and yet the dragon still melts in your presence. The same dopey expression that the bard had made before as he proclaimed to protect you now and forever, to be your spear and unyielding support. Zhongli was practically preening when you accepted him, ignoring the way Venti was rather huffy in the background.

The meeting with the Liyue Qixing went roughly about the same as the meeting with the Knights of Favonius. You recounted your story about how you arrived in Teyvat, and of the “monster” they should all be wary and on guard for, because some part of you was sure that They’d be following you here. You didn’t know why, but it made you uneasy. You didn’t want to lose your newest... playthings, so quickly. Yet, the Qixing promised to have the Millileth on guard for any instances of It, as well as any support they can offer.

So you secured a route to Inazuma, with a promise that you would sightsee in Liyue once this was taken care of. And with Venti and Zhongli in tow, you make your way over, the winds expediting your progress. Once you arrived in Ritou, it was almost a shock to see the Raiden Shogun, no, Ei herself to meet you. Apparently news had traveled over to the islands of your arrival, and your troubles through the use of Venti’s winds.

As she kneels before you, you reach over to gently cup her face. A silent gesture of affection. It was so easy, you didn’t even need to say or do much, for her to melt into your touch, like that of a lovesick puppy. Looking up to you, with what could be described as astonishment, and all you do is give her a soft, sweet smile. The commission guards posted in Ritou whispered around you, in awe of this happening.

You grin wryly, coldly even, as you began to plan how you’d take advantage of all of this.

(Brutus! Brutus! Brutus! Brutus!)

The next few days went by smoothly, as one by one, each of the seven nations fell under your spell and declared their unconditional loyalty and allegiance to you. Well, Snezhnaya’s declaration was a touch more ambiguous, but that was to be expected. Not that you particularly cared, as long as they supported you, it didn’t matter.

During the week or so, you had begun to experiment with what this <Charm> interface could do. The appearance of it reminded you of those webnovels you used to read with Them, where the MC landed in a world with a world-breaking system. And well, yours was also just as world-breaking, in a roundabout way of course. There was no options, nor anything to interact with, but what ever you said to a person, they would take it as the truth. With it, you were able to turn some acolytes into practically fanatics or zealots.

You had enjoyed delicacies, the best each region could offer, luxurious clothes and housing. It was practically heaven. Whatever you wished to do, wherever you wished to go, you could. Provided one of your acolytes came with you, as protection of course. You could watch the sunset from the Grand Narukami Shrine, pick Cecilia’s at Starsnatch Cliff, explore the ruins of Liyue.

You could do anything.

Of course, things would take a turn when one day, while on a outing with Diluc, Venti, and a handful of knights.

They appeared.

(My name is Brutus and my name means heavy,

So with a heavy heart I'll guide this dagger Into the heart of my enemy!)

You watched as they warily made their way into Mondstadt, feeling a satisfaction that came with their clear discomfort from the citizen’s malice directed at them. So just as when they were in the view of your entourage, and when they began to attempt to ask for help. You throw yourself at Diluc, burying your face in his coat as you cried, “That’s it! That’s the beast that stole my face!” Shaking and sobbing as you pointed at them, hiding your grin in Diluc’s coat as the full force of your entourage’s rage and malice is directed at them.

Flashing a malicious grin at them, you savor the look of betrayal and hurt from them, before the population of Mondstadt descended down on them. Labeling them a ‘imposter’ and calling for their death for the crime of ‘impersonating and hurting the Divine One.’ Of your group, only Diluc and Jean stayed behind to guard and protect you. Venti, Lisa, and Amber has gone after them, so it’s unlikely that they’ll escape unharmed.

Good.

As Diluc and Jean comforted you, you felt vindicated, no matter where they went, they would not find peace nor help. This was your world now, and these were your acolytes. Yours to break and use as you please. And even if you're found out to be the real imposter in the future, well, you'll just have to cause as much destruction and chaos as possible then.

(My whole life you were a teacher and friend to me,

Please know my actions are not motivated only by envy.)

Weeks later after the appearance of Them, you began to reside in a new temple made in your honor. An extravagant and beautiful temple, by the most skilled of craftsmen. You were living in bliss again. It was likely that They were dead or at the very least, living in agony. Those who felt the urge to help them would be dissuaded by the nations wide decree that, if anyone was caught helping the "imposer", it was punishable by death. So all in all, you were very happy with your work, your <Charm> helping along the way to solidify your standing and to... push your acolytes to become your most extreme of supporters.

Though you an announcement today, an incentive of sorts to... motivate your acolytes to find Them. Raising your hand, the commotion quieted down, a couple of known playable characters were missing but between your numbers and the possible allies They could’ve gained, its still a rather large power gap. Anyways, once the commotion stopped, you opened your mouth and spoke, “We all know that this imposter should be put to death for its crimes when it is found,” you grin sharply as you continued, “however, the first one of you to bring me back their head, will perhaps gain the chance to become my consort.”

Leaning back in your throne, you grin, as the commotion and planning began again. It was all so amusing, and a part of you wished that this could continue forever. As you leaned against your arm and called for Zhongli, Venti, and Ei to share a glass of wine with you. A toast you say, to a brighter future, and to the death of the imposter. At those words, the entire room cheers.

The False God has taken the throne, only through divine retribution can it be reclaimed.

-/-/-

I too have a destiny,

This death will be art!

The people will speak of this day from near and afar,

This event will be history,

And I'll be great too,

I don't want what you have,

I wanna be you!

Now playing: Brutus by The Buttress

[miomines]

Ok but, Meili reacting to being called “mom” because our tongue slipped or we got so scared of someone. (Zhongli, the punching bag of this AU)

skdjflddk THE PUNCHING BAG- rip zhongli. torn to shreds by dragon mama. i focus on zhongli so much bc he was close friends with meili!!! its why she's so angry with him due to his treatment of her little one. she feels pretty betrayed.

this is set sometime after meili's visits with the archons!! after they find out darling is actually the creator. zhongli,,, perhaps showing up unexpectedly to a young one who you've previously were hunting down to kill is not the best idea. look at them. they're traumatized. just send them a letter or something smh

unexpected visitor

"--Mom!"

The urgency in that voice, the fear, is what captures her attention much more than what she was called. Items clatter to the floor as she abandons them, rushing to the back garden with thundering footsteps. Bursting through the door with reckless abandon, the door creaks as it hangs crookedly, weakly, by the hinges. It doesn't matter. Items can be replaced. Her little gem cannot.

Meili senses him before she sees him and she knows right then that he was the cause of her little one's panic. Shaking off her building rage, she sprints through her yard. Her precious gem needs her. She'll deal with the trespasser later.

Her child is crumpled to the ground, cowering in fear at the sight of the ex-archon. Meili summons her catalyst, throwing sharp shards of geo into his side to interrupt whatever useless speech he was trying to give. She barrels him over, slamming full speed into his side so he falls and traps his limbs in geo constructs.

She doesn't waste another moment with the pest, turning to bring her little gem into her arms. "It's okay," she whispers to them. "Mama's here for you. I will always protect you, my little gem.." Meili cradles them, slowly rocking them in her embrace. She whispers reassurance into their ear and holds onto their shaking frame firmly. 

Meili helps them to their feet, keeping her arms wrapped around them as she directs them back to their home. She eyes the door, barely hanging onto the hinges with a sheepish look. She softens at their soft giggles and then presses a kiss to their forehead.

"Go rest, little one," she hums. "I will deal with our guest."

[wishing-well-writing]

Ok inazuma beast au brainrot.

Gorou's transformation would morf him more like a humanoid being with a dog's head. His transformation would be painful since his head would feel like its constantly splitting and breaking since his own skull and head organs are all moving around to mould into one of a dogs. His arms would grow in length and size, with sharp claws that can easily rip apart skin, including his own. His head is too heavy, so you constantly see his head tilted towards one side. His feet turn to one of a dog's, except with sharper claws. Though compared to the rest of his body, their too thin, they can barely hold up his whole body, so he's reduce to walking on all fours.

Ayaka would be become too cold, both for others and herself. Her blood is slowly becoming akin to ice water, her tears would turn into ice shards the second it leaves her eyes. Her skin would become ghostly pale and her eyes would turn milky white. She basically turned into a human block of ice, though in the saddest way possible. Despite having the constant need to stay in an extremely cold area, she can still feel it. She has to put up with the mind numbing cold since if she doesn't, she'll probably melt away. Kinda sucks that despite needing the cold, you can still feel how it burns your skin.

Sara has always wanted to do her best for the shogun correct? Well, human eyes are too incompetent, with only two eyes how can you see what other things are happening around you? Why not add four, no seven, wait no even 12 more? The more the merrier and how easy will be to see what's around her. All she has to do is ignore the bloody tears that comes out of her oh so many eyes. Why only have one pair of wings when you can have five, no, 8 more! How easy it would be to fly, and how fast in the sky you would soar! Just ignore how your wings seam to bend and break in weird directions, and how pain seems to flare up even with the slightest movement. She wanted to become stronger for inazuma right? Well her normal body won't do. After all, there is a saying that more is always better, so I wonder what limb would sprout out of her back next.

Lmao idk where i got these from since I just woke up but maybe ill continue this or make these batch better. Im not rlly a writer since i only draw but i can vaguely visualize how i want them to look.

Yes yes yes yes yes this is absolutely GREAT you did a good job anon thank you for the food

I don’t have anything to add because this fucks but have this

Venti 🤝 Kujou Sara

Being shaped like biblically correct angels but in constant pain

[wishing-well-writing]

I love the concept of ningguang turning into a gem slowly, but i also have another one.

What if she has mida's touch?

Anything she touches turns to gold. At first it only happened to small, insignificant things. Maybe a part of the leaf she held turned to gold. The small rocks turned into precious diamonds. It didn't really bother her until her powers start to branch out to different things. Her clothes would turn into pure gold, making it impossible to move in. The food she eats turns to gold as well. She cannot eat nor drink, for anything that touches her lips will turn to gold aswell. Eventually, she starts to starve. Funny thing is, she doesn't look any different. Its been weeks since she last ate something, but she's still alive and is looking healthy. She is forced to starve and watch as anything she touches turn into that god forsaken mineral thats slowly turning her life to a luxurious hell. Well, I wonder how long it will be until she's forced to eat gold to satiate her hunger. Desperation works wonders.

Oughghghhhh Midas touch as a concept is always SO good yes

Reminds me of this manhwa I was following for a good while where a character had a “Midas artifact/relic” and it was split into two parts

Wealth (great luck for anything and everything) vs poverty (You WILL Go Bankrupt Immediately Die)

But as per the beastly scourage au, body horror comes first :)

(This in no way means this idea is bad, I just think it doesn’t really fit the theme Yknow?)

[miomines]

left to rest

a part 2 (kinda) to this piece.

me writing this has become more self indulgent than anything. the day i figure out how to write the actual genshin characters is probably the day the world ends. anyways here's more oc in sagau (impostor/villain au)

There's something off when it comes to your traveling companion. It's a feeling you have deep down, but regardless you tend to overlook it. He's the only one to show kindness to you so far, the only one to look past your so-called crimes of impersonation.

Tao was never in the game Genshin Impact, and yet here he is. Folding his cloak around you and hiding your face beneath the hood, he escorts you out of Mondstadt. He lives a life in the shadows and he takes you under his wing without a second thought. He's a ruthless man when he needs to be. That thought is solidified from all the hidden weapons tucked inside the cloak you now wear.

On a stretch of land there's a giant pile of rubble, surrounded by a thick forest. In the area between Mondstadt and Liyue, you rest in between the debris of what looks like what used to be a manor. It's intriguing in a sense. This was never in the game itself and yet Tao had led you here without a single misstep.

Your companion says nothing as he sets up camp, leaving you to rest hidden beneath the ruins of the house. In Mondstadt, the wind was harsh as you were hunted down. It took, and it took and it was only when you stumbled to Dragonspine did it stop. There's no doubt in your mind that the Anemo Archon was using those winds to find you, to hunt you.

The air here is still. There's a heavy feeling surrounding the area but after being hunted down, the feeling is almost grounding. Venti - no, Barbatos cannot find you here. The wind isn't welcomed in this area and you are safe. 

You're safe.

They can't get you here.

The thought of the sneers, the threats thrown at you, the anger is all too much. Characters you've loved from day one becoming hostile… it's something that's hard to process. It doesn't feel real. You can't stop thinking about it (how they looked at you, as if you were the scum of the earth. how you were attacked without a second thought).

You watch your companion as he settles down close to you, a fire kindling out of reach. Without a word, Tao pushes a canteen into your hands before turning back to the fire. The silence is too much, gives you too much space to think, but any words you wish to say get caught in your throat.

You drink from the canteen, the cool water soothing your throat but you know that your words are still stuck. They will stay stuck and until then you have to deal with this agonizing silence. The canteen is cool under your touch and you hug it close to your chest, hoping for it to distract you. 

You snack on a couple of wildberries that Tao had gathered on your journey here, staring into the fire in silence. Tao never reaches for any of the berries and when you silently offer him some he just shakes his head. He pushes them back towards you, turning his gaze to stare into the forest surrounding you both.

When you shift and finally move to lay down, the events of the day pulling you into exhaustion, is when Tao finally speaks again. Softly, as if you had treasured the calm of the air surrounding you, as if you didn't want to break the silence, he speaks since the first time you woke up in Dragonspine.

"Deities will see what they wish to see," he starts. He turns his head and gazes down at you. There's nothing malicious in his eyes but at the same time it feels like he's looking into your soul. "They are selective and selfish, blinded by their reverence to the Creator."

You blink up at him, tired and confused. He smiles fondly and tugs the cloak over you as if it were a blanket. "They don't see the gift that's in front of them because they are delusional. They are too caught up in their own ideals that they don't realize that you know nothing. That there are no crimes to be punished."

He scoffs, his expression turning into annoyed as he turns his head to look away. "The blood of the Creator runs through your veins," he states. "You do not remember Teyvat fully and so those Archons deem you guilty of crimes. Crimes you were not aware of. You are being hurt by the people who swore to love you."

Tao smiles ruefully, slumping back against the wall. "Maybe we're similar in that way." He shakes his head with a sigh. "I'll protect you from those Archons," he brushes his hand across your forehead. "We will make plans on where to go after you sleep. Rest. I will keep you safe."

In a stretch of land that neither Morax or Barbatos has set claim to, you fall asleep with Tao keeping watch. 

Nothing will harm you, he will make sure of it.

[miomines]

ignorance is bliss

cw: there's some death of unnamed background characters. not intensely described but it's there

hi i can't stop writing mingyu. idk why throwing an oc into sagau is so fun to write but im vibing with it i like being apart of this even if it's extremely self indulgent

Tao is a wonderful travel companion but that doesn't stop you from noticing things about him that are just a bit off. Sometimes you think that maybe it's just your imagination, maybe you're just seeing things. After all, being on the run with all of Teyvat looking for you is incredibly stressful. 

It doesn't change what you notice. Overlooking the strange habits only seems to bring more of them to your attention. It piles up.

Tao never seems to sleep. When you offered to take first watch one night, he just shook his head and nudged you with his shoulder. "Sleep," he had said. "I'm not the one being hunted down. You need the rest." He never wakes you to watch over him while he rests. It's like he never does.

He has a plethora of weapons, hidden in his clothes or in plain sight. You don't know how many he has. Tao has peeled apples in front of you with nearly twenty different knives that just seemingly appear. That's not even mentioning his clawed jewelry. Perhaps just an accessory but the way he dug them into the skin of one of your attackers says otherwise. They're sharp enough to cause grave harm, yet when he runs his fingers through your hair it's as if they never cut through the skin of enemies like scissors to paper.

(You try not to think of all the harm he caused. He's just defending you both. They're the ones hunting you down. When he bandages any wounds you avoid thinking about the cold metal touching your skin. Forever stained by the blood of your hunters.)

Some days it's almost as if he's a completely different person. Tao just brushes it off as being in a good mood but there's still something strange about it. Tao's normal expression is, for the lack of a better description, a resting bitch face. It makes his laugh and fond smiles much more rewarding. He's quiet, calm when not in battle, and treats you gently.

The days where he's 'in a good mood' (as he describes it) is what makes it strange. He's louder, more excitable, and it can occasionally be endearing. He shares stories of his adventures around Teyvat with a sharp grin, arm swung across your shoulders as he leads you around. The single time you've seen him in battle when he's like this was terrifying.

(It was like a massacre. Usually he keeps anything particularly bloody out of your sight but it's as if he didn't even care that time. Electro sparking, dancing, between the metal claws attached to his fingers as he tore skin and bone apart. You couldn't look away even though you wanted to and the feeling only increases when he turns to you with a bright grin. As if he didn't just strewn your hunters' remains all across the field.)

He's closer, more expressive, more affectionate. He'll place a single clawed fingertip underneath your chin and simply stare. It always feels like Tao sees more than he lets on, especially when he's in these moods. He'll sense unease and simply grin, tapping your nose before he moves on.

It's obvious to everyone that Tao is an electro user, evident by the vision pinned to his waist. He doesn't have a pyro vision. There's no explanation for how he's able to use pyro. He changes the subject when you ask, or he simply grins and taps your nose. There's nothing on his person that signifies a delusion. When you set up camp for the night, he's the one to alway set up the fire. He seems content next to the flames and sometimes you think you see the fire as it tries to dance closer to your companion.

Surely you're just seeing things, right?

When he tears apart a piece of raw meat with teeth too sharp to be a human, you look the other way.

When he settles down for the night and mumbles things to himself as if he's in a conversation not known to you, you look the other way.

When he stares at the remains of Liú Manor with a nearly smug expression, you look the other way.

When he appears next to you with no sound, no indication that he even approached, you look the other way.

When he speaks of events that happened nearly fifty years in the past as if he were witnessing them first hand, you look the other way.

When you wake up early one morning to see him settling down next to you, smelling of blood, ash and ozone, you look the other way.

When he hurriedly pushes you past what looks to be an exorcist looking for something, an urgency not lost on you, you look the other way. 

When you stare at his eyes, the clouded milky grey of his right eye and the rich brown of his left, as he stares into your surroundings as if he sees something that you can't, you look the other way.

When he scowls in disgust whenever someone mentions the Seven Archons, avoiding each statue of them in a practiced motion, you look the other way.

Tao is your perfectly normal travel companion.

You ignore anything that says otherwise.

[miomines]

imagine. ok. you decide that you need allies. since this is the villain au it can either be the abyss order or the fatui but you set up a meeting and it's agreed upon that absolutely no weapons are allowed by either side. you bring it up to mingyu (ur self appointed bodyguard) and remind him of that agreement right before the meeting

he sighs and takes off the metal, jewel-like claws on his hands and some knives. you stare at him in silence, he stares back. he relents after a thirty second staring contest and puts his hidden potions and bottles of poison into the bin

'all of them,' you say. he takes off his cloak and shoves the entire thing in the bin. you give him a pointed look and he pouts. 'all of them,' you repeat. he relents finally, putting all of his hidden weapons into the bin with a pout. you have no idea how he keeps them all on him.

you sigh, satisfied but you stop yourself. you give him another pointed look just in case and he looks away before summoning his polearm and gently placing it on the pile.

he complains to you until the meeting starts and he doesn't stop pouting the entire time

[wishing-well-writing]

for the beast!au, darling is pleasantly surprised that they’re getting a sort-of break! like, they’re not exactly thankful that the knights are in general pain but,, y’know. running away is kind of more important right now. darling learns to find solace and peace in the wilds and woods, especially because of the general shelter that they provide from hunters. just having darling enjoying nature as fluff to this saucy angst au lol. -🪶

The duality of man “oh no my favorite characters :(((“ versus “FINALLY A GOTDAMN BREAK IN THIS HOUSEHOLD-“ BJSBDXNX

Darling boutta start their own dream cottagecore slime rancher ranch w/ misc monsters lifestyle while literally everyone else suffered and y’know what

Good for them yeah they deserve it after all the shit they went through