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lucienarcheron · 5 months ago

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Spirit Meets the Bones XXVI

Genre: Angst/Romance/Drama Warnings: Mentions of physical abuse. Author's Note: check out this lovely new art of my babies ;;

shoutout to @abruisedmuse for being part of this journey with me!!

tagging: @climb-the-mountian / @vanserrass / @zenkindoflove / @animezinglife / @readthelastpaage / @teddyhoneybear / @positivewitch / @krem-does-stuff / @clockwork-ashes / @carolynmezzosoprano / @carnythian / @runningwiththeoceans / @secret-third-thing / @readychilledwine / @goldenmagnolias / @thedarkinmansfield / @mali22 / @maidr-00 / @electromagnetic-waves / @eastofatlanta / @moobell55 / @bibliophiliaxvignette / @devilsfoodcake22 / @moonfawnx / @weesablackbeak / @ladywhilemia / @alohaangels / @eachies / @feysandfeels / @thelovelymadone / @corcracrow / @dawneternal / @sinnerrsworld / @gracie-rosee / @mage-neve / @queenoftheworld1998 / @wolvesnravens / @illyrianvalkyrie / @that-golden-lyre / @ladystarrynight / @rityrooroo / @thewilderheart / @rainbowsnowflake

Find it all here.

His mother wouldn’t see him that day. Or the day after. And Eris knew better than to push. He knew she was waiting for her bruises to heal before she’d allow him to see.

Now, he stood before her private gardens spelled to keep out anyone who wasn’t desired and swallowed hard.

He let himself take a few moments. Let the both of them have the space.

He didn’t know why this incident hit him harder than the others. It was terrible each time his father decided to lay his hands on him and his mother but this time…Eris had felt it so much worse. This incident felt different. Like for once, it could be the turning point for them.

This was where the tide could shift.

The only bright light was the presence of his wife next to him. The delicate hand that had come to rest on his own. Eris glanced down at the soft touch.

“Are you sure it’s alright for me to be here?” Iris asked gently. “I know this is her private garden and not anyone is allowed in.”

Eris glanced at her lovely face and wondered how lately, she always seemed to know what to say to him. He glanced down, focusing on Lyra and Atlas, his hounds who had joined them today.

He never liked to need anything or anyone. It was a weakness that could be exploited.

But his wife…Once the aftermath of his father’s gifts wore off, Eris wondered if he’d feel less inclined to let himself want her – if he’d let some walls come back up. It had only taken Iris smiling at him as they went about their day together to know the answer would be no. His walls had crumbled to pieces as easily as his resolve did when it came to her.

He needed her by his side more than he had ever needed anything else.

“She welcomes you at all times.” he finally said quietly and looked up to offer her a small smile. “She granted me permission for you to be here. I’d like you by my side.”

And he watched her expression soften. She had been going soft around him so much lately.

He had spent the last few days only wrapped up in his wife, kissing, touching, and what shocked him the most, talking.

Eris didn’t think he’d spoken to anyone as much as he’d spoken with her the last few days alone.

But it was the intimacy that was between them now that was building. The routine of waking and sleeping together. Of slowly, less hesitantly, being comfortable with the lingering touches. Being a safe space together.

Iris felt Eris take a small breath and then squared his shoulder before moving. They walked through the opening of the garden and she felt the buzz of magic as the shield allowed them through.

As Eris and Iris entered the private garden, the atmosphere immediately shifted. It was as if they had stepped into a world entirely separate from the harsh reality outside. The garden was a hidden sanctuary, lush and tranquil, a stark contrast to the turmoil that typically plagued their day-to-day life.

Eris led Iris along a cobblestone path that wound its way through a colorful array of flowers, carefully manicured hedges, and a small, serene pond. The sweet scent of flowers hung in the air, mingling with the distant sound of a babbling brook and the autumn air crisp around them. It was a testament to the magic that protected this place – a refuge within their world.

They walked in silence, their canine companions moving around them, their steps quiet as Iris drank in the beauty of the sanctuary. She could easily see why Lady Enya spent so much time here and peeked a glance at Eris. She didn’t miss the tension in his shoulders.

Eris’s thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions. He was grateful for Iris’s support, her presence like a lifeline amidst the chaos. He knew that he'd never truly opened up to anyone like he had to her in the past few days and having her here of all places, made their progress even more significant. The bond…though they hadn’t gone farther with it, it was there, growing stronger, evolving into something he couldn't bring himself to name but cherished in a way that would always scare him.

Eventually, they reached a secluded alcove at the heart of the garden. A white marble bench invited them to sit, and maybe another day, Eris could bring Iris here to enjoy the peace this place offered. They could sit together and absorb the serenity of the place while sneaking a kiss or two. For now, he could ground himself in her presence as he spotted his mother in the distance.

She was seated on a wrought-iron bench beneath a canopy of wisteria, her eyes distant as she stared at the pond's still waters. Eris felt his chest tighten as he neared and couldn’t imagine how bad it had gotten between the High Lord and his wife for her injuries to be still evident. They were faded – healing, and yet, as always, his mother had a grace and strength about her that no pain could ever take away.

Eris gave Iris a small, grateful smile before gently squeezing her hand. "Thank you — for being here with me," he whispered.

Iris turned to him, her eyes filled with warmth and an understanding that always knocked the wind out of him. “Thank you for letting me be here,” she replied softly, her fingers entwining with his. “I’ll wait here with the puppies as you two talk. You can let me know when you’re ready.”

Eris nodded, squeezing her hand before letting go, his heart swelling with emotion and it was moments like these that made him grateful for this one decision his father had made for him. In a twist of faith, his father had given him what he’d never offered his own son – support. She was slowly becoming his anchor. His… solace.

As he neared, Lady Enya turned her gaze towards him with a faint smile that slowly fell at the sight of him.

He knew what she saw when she looked at him with this hair. He saw it too.

And Eris’s heart ached as he saw the love and sorrow in his mother's eyes. At the lines of silver she blinked back furiously, her mouth set in a thin line. She had been through so much, and gods, he wished he could have shielded her from it all. He had tried. Gods knew he had tried.

And now she had to look at him and see more of the man she hated.

“Mother.” Eris greeted gently, standing across from her. He could almost see her pulse thumping wildly as she took a deep breath, then another.

“My son.” she replied and immediately held out her hand towards him. Eris swallowed and with a small smile, let her guide him to sit next to her.

He let his mother take her time as she tenderly touched his face and then his hair, her expression shifting between emotions he didn’t want to think too long about.

And Eris knew the exact moment when it dawned on his mother why he looked this way, who had done this to him.

A heartbeat of silence then another before he could get his mouth to work again.

“Do you like my new look?” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

A muscle in Lady Enya’s jaw twitched before she leaned forward and held his face gently between her hands. “You still look just like me. Everything about you is all mine.” she said softly. “And you are handsome in every light.”

Eris scoffed, a small smile finding its way to his face despite the shattering of whatever was left of his heart at her words. “As my mother, you are obligated to believe that. You think that of all your sons.”

The corner of his mother’s mouth lifted a fraction. “That’s because all my boys are handsome.”

“Your other sons are baboons. I am the only handsome one.” he immediately objected and a small jolt of joy burst through all the hurt at his mother’s chuckle. He couldn’t help that he would always be a boy who wanted to make his mother laugh. A boy who wanted his mother to be happy.

Lady Enya tapped his cheek gently once then sat back. “Despite what you think you see, you will always look like your mother. The look suits you.” she said then added firmly, “Do not think otherwise.”

Eris nodded but didn’t say a word, afraid his relief at her words would be too obvious if he opened his mouth. His mother had waited two days to see him and though it had worried him, Eris was suddenly glad she had waited; he wasn’t sure his new look would’ve been easier to digest had she seen him earlier.

“Will Iris not join us?”

The question made him blink, and Eris followed his mother’s gaze back to his wife, admiring the flowers where he left her.

“She will.” he said with a small smile. “But I thought it was best for us to check in first.”

His mother seemed to understand as she nodded, her hands folding in her lap and Eris couldn’t help his worry – his anxiousness and need to ensure she was alright. He knew Iris of all people understood but…shaking his head, he met his mother’s gaze. “How are you feeling?” he asked quietly and didn’t miss his mother’s jaw clench at the question.

A beat of silence passed before a quiet sigh slipped through her lips.

“I’d rather ask you that question.” Lady Enya said, glancing at Eris. “I wanted to see you sooner but I…could not.”

Eris’s fist clenched at his sides. He knew exactly why and yet…

“I would’ve wanted to see you regardless, Mother.” he replied quietly then ran his tongue over his teeth before adding, “I’m alright. I managed.”

Lady Enya’s expression shifted slightly – with guilt and something more. “I am… alright as well. I managed.”

Frustration clogged his throat at her response even though it mirrored his own. He knew their Head Healer was the best at her job and she had discreetly worked with him and his mother too many times to count but it had been three days and he could still see the outline of her bruises. “You say that and yet what he has done has still not healed.”

His mother’s shoulders straightened, her hands clenched into fists in her lap. “Nothing he has done will heal while he’s still infesting our lives.” she said bitterly. “I will not glamour myself in my gardens. It’s enough I have to do it everywhere else.”

Guilt immediately clogged Eris’s throat and he forced himself to swallow before sighing. “That’s not how I meant it, Mother.”

A tense silence fell between them and Eris couldn’t help but scan her all over despite his own scars still healing, he could sense some lingering discomfort in his mother as she sat next to him. He clenched his fists, trying not to picture what his father might’ve done.

“Do you need anything else at the moment?” he asked her gently. “Is there anything else that is bothering you?”

His mother gave him a small smile and reached for his hand, squeezing it. “I am fine. I’ll need a few days of easy movement but I am fine.”

A beat of silence followed her confession and Eris had to choke down the anger that surged through him. He tried to control his response but couldn’t help the hiss, “Days. It’ll take days for you to fully heal?”

Lady Enya’s gaze sharped. “Eris. What’s done is done. This isn’t new. This isn’t any different.”

But those words did nothing to soothe his anger and gods, his temper was on a very thin leash. Eris forced himself to swallow, tasting ash in his throat as he stood. He forced himself to move, to pace, running a hand through his hair as the rage of everything coursed through him the way it always did every time this happened. His father taking it out on his mother wasn’t new, true, but it was the fact that this thought was always a reality to them that made him want to scream. It may have been a few days but his rage never really left him.

He should’ve been there to take the brunt of it all. It should’ve been him.

Eris didn’t stop his pacing but forced himself to glance again at his wife who was now watching him, looking at him with that concern of hers. Gods, they had even dragged her into all this and Eris didn’t even want to consider what his father would do if their bond was scented. If they took that step and his Father became aware –

“Your flames –” his mother managed to say and Eris realized a beat too late that he’d erupted again. He glanced at his hands, engulfed in his fire, steam licking his footsteps, and forced himself to take several deep breaths. He couldn’t afford to let himself go like this and yet…he knew he could do it here – with the two people he could trust.

“It’s getting harder for you to control it, isn’t it?” his mother asked and Eris managed to glance at her as his body calmed.

“The last few days have been more stressful than usual.” he answered tightly and Lady Enya closed her eyes, her hand coming to gently rub at her temple.

Silence surrounded them once more and Eris couldn’t help but think about how hard they were both trying to manage their emotions. Because control was always needed in this place. If you lost control, you lost so much more than that.

Lady Enya swallowed, then took a breath and said, “I’m sorry.”

“Mother. Don’t –”

“But I am. And I always will be.” she said firmly, her hand dropping back to her lap as she looked up at him. “I cannot go back and change time. I cannot control what is out of my hands and neither can you. I will be alright. I will be fine.” Lady Enya gripped his wrist, “We will be fine, Eris. As we always are.” The smile she gave him didn’t reach her eyes.

“Fine.” Eris spat the word then shook his head with a weak scoff. “I hate that word,” he said. “Things have been far from fine for years.” He shrugged, helpless and frustrated all at once. “Am I supposed to wait for him to get worse with you? With me? With my brothers? With my wife? Am I supposed to wait until he finally snaps one of your necks and I watch you all die? Will we be fine then?”

He watched as his mother glanced down at her hands and Eris hated himself for speaking to her that way, for unleashing his fears on her. But he couldn’t help it. Things were getting worse and he was getting desperate and she was his mother. His mother.

“We will be fine.” Lady Enya repeated more firmly and met his gaze. “We will be fine and ready for what is to come.”

A beat of silence passed once more and Eris felt his chest tighten.

“And what is to come, Mother?” he asked, careful with this expression but deep down, Eris was begging his mother to say the word. They’d all be waiting for so long but he would never push, never rush a moment like this. He just didn’t know how much of this he could take. He didn’t —

“Sit. Take a breath.”

Eris shared a glance with Iris, who was still standing as she watched him from afar, her fingers curled in the folds of her dress. She gave him a small smile and it embarrassed him to admit how that small smile seemed to ease the tightness in his chest.

Forcing himself to calm down, Eris flexed his hands and then slowly sat beside his mother as her expression sobered.

In the peacefulness of the garden, surrounded by the beauty of nature, time seemed to slow as Lady Enya swallowed once more and took a breath.

It took a moment before she finally spoke but when she did her voice was filled with quiet determination. "The Autumn Equinox is coming.” she said, her gaze fixed on the rippling pond and Eris’s brows furrowed.

“Yes, it is.” Eris confirmed with a blink. “In three weeks time.”

“Yes.” Lady Enya replied and she met her son’s gaze. “It is a time where we put away the old and bring out the new. Where change is expected and…welcome.”

Eris felt his pulse quicken, the beat of his heart thundering in his ears and he clenched his fists, waiting for his mother to say more.

“Indeed,” he agreed quietly. “Change is in the air.”

“Change…is coming.” Lady Enya said slowly. “And I think it’s time that I – that I am ready for it."

Eris froze as the gravity of her words hit him. He blinked. Then blinked again, his eyes glued to his mother’s face as his heart raced at the implication of what was said. On what his mother was finally requesting.

The weight of years of suffering seemed to hang in the air, and he couldn’t help but think back to Elain’s vision.

“Every caged bird finds a way to flee. Some are stained red while some shed their cloaks and reign free.”

Elain had also seen fire and blood but Eris didn’t have any doubts that the eagle flying free was the one caged in front of him.

His mother sat rigidly in place as they glanced at each other. As though weighing her decision between them and yet…he sensed something else as he gazed into her russet eyes. A flicker of relief. A glimmer of hope. Hope that could bloom as the seconds ticked by.

Hope that they had been living for.

“Your fire?” he asked carefully.

“Burning bright.” she said, her eyes filled with a glow of pride he would never get tired of seeing. “And he’s none the wiser.”

He swallowed hard. They had worked so long on getting over the fear of her magic his father had instilled. After everything his father had done, poisoning the love for the fire in her, Eris hoped his pride showed on his face. His mother was a phoenix. It was time she rose from the ashes.

“The Autumn Equinox.” Eris breathed.

“The Autumn Equinox.” Lady Enya confirmed and he couldn’t help but notice the slight trembling in her hands as she said it. “The invitations went out last week.”

Eris reached out and held both of her hands in his and lord, did Eris want to find his father and break his face into pieces at the tremble in his mother’s lips. “Are you sure? Do you feel prepared enough?”

Lady Enya took a shaky breath and nodded sharply before saying the words she’d held on to her heart for so long, “I’m – I’m ready to leave.” she breathed. “It’s time to get out. I need to get out.”

A heartbeat of silence passed then another as the weight of the words sank into the air around them, as mother and son shared a look of understanding.

Eris finally took a breath, steeling himself as he nodded. “Yes. Good.” he said and gently kissed his mother’s hand. “It will be done. I will make sure of it.”

“Eris.” she whispered and her voice had a warning in it. “You have to be careful. He will not take it well.”

His lips curled in anger. “He doesn’t take anything well but we’re done caring,” Eris said. “Your word was the only thing we were waiting for.”

“I’m sorry it took so long,” she said and blew out another shaky breath. “I’m sorry you and your brothers have had to bear the consequences of my decisions.”

Whatever anger Eris had felt disappeared at the guilt weighing his mother’s words. He didn’t know what to do with himself as he watched her lips tremble and blink back tears.

“Mother, please don’t — don’t say that,” he said gently. “You don’t have to apologize to me when I know better than anyone else what it’s been like. We know. We understand.”

“It doesn’t excuse it. Having to wait so long,” she whispered then her expression soured. “And now I’m running. Like a coward and leaving you boys to clean up my mess. I wanted to make him pay. I wanted to make him hurt.”

“The only thing inexcusable was anything he’s done,” Eris said firmly. “We have been bearing the consequences of his actions. Do not bear more than you should. More than you have.” His expression hardened as he said, “You are one of the bravest people I know. Do not minimize how hard it was for you to stay and how brave it is for you to finally leave and get away from it all. While I would never deny you the killing blow you deserve to give, I’d rather you be as far away from him as soon as possible instead. We will deal with him.”

A tense silence filled the space between them, the only sound a small sniffle from his mother that broke his broken heart even further. A part of him died when she wiped a few stray tears.

“How do you give me so much grace?” she asked softly. “How do you not resent me when I resent myself so much? I can’t imagine Lucien and — and him do not feel that way.”

Eris felt his shoulders drop as he gazed at his mother’s face, her expression stricken. “There is only so much we have control over, Mother. You did what you could.” he said quietly and waited a breath before adding, “And sometimes I — I do get resentful. I am always angry about the way our lives have to be. But my anger is never about you and more that we are in the situation to begin with. I know the burden you bear and I know how tired you are. How can I give you anything but grace?”

Lady Enya’s lips trembled again as she hastily wiped away her tears. “And I know the burden you bear, Eris. I know how exhausted you must be. Don’t think I’m not aware of how often you step in. Of all that you do in the shadows. I know. We all know.”

Eris felt his face and the tip of his ears heat. He wasn’t above admitting to himself how much those words meant something to him. To know, everything he had been slaving over these many years wasn’t in vain. That despite the way his relationship with his mother and siblings had to be, his care for them was seen. Acknowledged.

“Then we only have a little more to bear.” he said and squeezed her hands. “We will get it done.”

His mother took a deep breath and then nodded. Eris let her have a moment, his hands sliding to his knees and squeezing as his mind wandered to the many things he would need to start buckling up for if he only had three weeks to prepare for his mother’s departure.

Two things complicated matters. His brothers and his wife. Eris ran his tongue over his teeth, his hands tightening on his knees again before relaxing them and turning to his mother.

“In the meantime,” he began and licked his lips. “I have two pieces of news to share with you that I hope will bring you a little bit of joy until it’s time.”

Lady Enya’s brow furrowed. “I could use a little joy.”

Eris gave his mother a knowing look and then took a deep breath. “Your son has complicated matters for himself.”

“I’m afraid you’ll have to be more specific.” Lady Enya said, straightening. “I have more than one menace I call a son.”

Eris snorted, then sighed and quietly stated, “Izak.”

Lady Enya froze, tension lining her shoulders. “What about him?”

Eris worked his jaw and then spoke. “You are aware of his attraction to his commander’s daughter, yes?”

“Of course.”

“Well. He has…eloped with Helene. They are now married and living together.”

His mother blinked rapidly, her mouth opening then closing then opening once more to say, “He did what?”

Eris nodded and rubbed at his temple gently before adding in an even quieter tone, “That is not all.” he said then cleared his throat. “Congratulations. You’re going to be a grandmother.”

Lady Enya’s hands flew to her mouth with a gasp. “She’s with child?”

“Yes.”

“They eloped and are now expecting a child together?”

“I’d say unfortunately but that feels a little rude.”

His mother fell silent and Eris watched as different emotions flickered across her face until she settled a hand over her heart, her mouth curling into a soft yet sad smile. “I can’t believe he actually did it.”

“You knew about his intent to marry Helene?” Eris asked curiously.

“I’m his mother. You’re not my only son who tells me about his love life,” she replied and Eris rolled his eyes. “He told me years ago…he knew she was the one. He hasn’t wavered from her since.”

Eris couldn’t help but sneak a glance at his wife, who was still exploring the garden, his hounds keeping her busy. He wondered if Izak had felt Helene sneak up on him or had he been hit over the head like a boulder with his feelings for her. He wondered if his brother felt like he’d ever be worthy of his wife. If tying her to this family would ever be worth it.

“I’d say I’m happy for him but we both know this makes things more difficult.” he replied and hated that the smile slowly faded from his mother’s face.

“Oh gods,” she muttered, her hands falling back on her lap. “Your father is going to ruin everything for him.”

“Not if I can help it,” Eris promised darkly, rolling his shoulders back. “I’m going to go see him today. Finn and Emil will likely join me. We will figure it out.”

Lady Enya nodded, her expression hardening. “What would you like me to do?”

Eris pursed his lips. “I don’t know that I want you in the forefront of anything.”

“Eris.” his mother chided. “I already am. You cannot shield me forever.”

“You say that but I will shield you till my dying breath if I could,” he said simply. “You’re my mother.”

“As your mother, I should be shielding you.” she retorted, her hands fisting in her lap. “That is my job. I should be shielding my children. Do not deny me anything in my power.”

Eris softened. “I would never deny you anything.”

“Then how can I help?”

He scowled. “Do what we always do. Redirect the attention to something else,” he said. “After I meet with all the involved parties to discuss the ball, I’ll let you know how we can proceed.”

Lady Enya’s mouth went into a thin line and it fell silent between them for a few moments until she said, “I will try to plan on my end. My sources can help.”

Eris nodded tightly. “Keep it as limited as possible. The less people who know, the better.”

His mother nodded then sighed, straightening once more. “I could use your other news of joy now.”

He clenched his fists. Eris’s gaze shifted to his wife then back to his mother and he rubbed the tip of his ear, feeling his face slowly heat. Why did it embarrass him this much to share his own news with his mother? His life had literally turned on its head since he found out and she was the first person he had wanted to tell. His mother’s words had guided his approach with Iris and in a way he would never admit to anyone, Eris had wanted his mother to see that she had raised a son who would do right by his wife even with the terrible example of his father.

His mother had been one of the only people who knew how much he wanted his own person and Eris had found that in the most unexpected way. His wife was now closer to him than before, in a way no one else would ever be.

In his most private thoughts, when he wasn’t battling his self-loathing and embarrassment, Eris had yearned for a partner. He never considered he’d be telling his mother he had a mate. A wife, yes. A mate? Never. He didn’t deserve that and yet…here he was. He wasn’t sure how to casually drop this news. He pursed his lips and glanced at his mother who watched him in amusement.

“This definitely has to do with your wife, doesn’t it?”

Eris scowled at his mother. “If you start making fun of me, I will not share anything.”

His mother had the nerve to chuckle. “Alright. I won’t make fun.”

He narrowed his eyes at his mother who smiled gently at him, making his ears heat again. Eris rolled his eyes and crossed his arms to battle his self-consciousness then cleared his throat. “Iris and I,” he began slowly then licked his lips. “Well. We found out about something important. Significant. To us both.”

Lady Enya fell silent and blinked. “If this is you trying to tell me the two of you are also expecting a child, I don’t think my heart will handle it.”

Eris’s expression flattened. “Mother. I work quickly but surely not that quickly.” he said with a snort. “She barely tolerated standing next to me not too long ago.”

His mother took a breath, a hand over her heart. “I would’ve been happy for you regardless but I do think it’s wise to wait a little longer.”

He frowned, glancing down at his hands. “I don’t know if I ever want children,” he said quietly and met his mother’s gaze. “Especially if he’s still around.”

Lady Enya reached out to squeeze his hand. “I understand,” she said. “Does Iris know you feel that way?”

“We haven’t discussed it yet but I have a feeling we’ll reach an understanding given the circumstances between us.” he said and licked his lips once more, glancing at his wife.

Lady Enya glanced curiously at Eris, following his gaze to his wife and then back to her son. “Circumstances?”

Eris met his mother’s gaze. “Do you remember when I described to you how I felt around Iris? Since the beginning? That there was this…pull I couldn’t explain.” he said and his mother nodded. “Well. It all makes sense now.”

He watched his mother’s face processing his words and a strange tightness filled his chest as her eyes widened in delight.

“Eris.”

His face heated as he nodded quickly, his heart beating furiously as if he were finding out the news himself all over again. Swallowing and trying to maintain a sense of underwhelming calm so he didn’t throw up, Eris murmured the words with an embarrassed frown, “She’s — we’re mates.”

“Oh, Eris!” his mother engulfed him into a hug that he wasn’t prepared for and Eris awkwardly patted her back, his face flushed. “This is wonderful news. I’m so happy for you!”

“Thank you, Mother. I’m – we’re still coming to terms with what it all means but we’re on the same page of where we stand on the matter.”

Lady Enya pulled back and held his face in his hands, beaming at him. “You’ve wanted this for so long and Iris is so wonderful.” she gushed and quickly wiped at her eyes. “I knew she would be good for you from that first night.”

“Mother.” Eris chided, wanting to die at the way his emotions were starting to indeed overwhelm him. “She threw a chair at me. You should’ve been worried.”

“I raised you. I guarantee that chair was a kindness.” she said with a snort and Eris scoffed in disbelief at his mother.

“Don’t let her hear you. She doesn’t need the encouragement for violence.”

His mother chuckled and the sound lightened a little of the darkness in his chest. “No, I don’t think she does.” she agreed. “Is she alright with me knowing?”

“Of course,” he said. “Lucien knows as well. I…I wanted to make sure she had somewhere to go should she need to.”

“Oh, Eris.” his mother gently touched his cheek and his heart hurt at the too-knowing look she gave him.

He patted her hand with a thin smile then nodded towards Iris and the hounds. “Let’s hope I don’t make her miserable enough that she does need to go there.”

Lady Enya shook her head with a small smile. “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that,” she reassured him. “I see the way she looks at you.”

Eris watched Iris toss a stick for the hounds to chase after and felt a tingling sensation in his spine when she laughed at their antics. “You think so?”

“Oh yes.” his mother replied. “And more importantly, I see the way you look at her. You won’t give her a reason to want to go anyway.”

Eris took a breath and slowly released it. “I hope so.”

“A mating bond…” his mother started and Eris shifted at her wistful tone. “You decide what it means to you but should you decide that it’s worth it…” The Lady of Autumn fell silent as she swallowed, fighting back emotions she couldn’t put into words and Eris took his mother’s hand and squeezed. It took a moment before she added in a whisper, “What a gift it is to have your soul tied to someone who was made specifically for you.”

“It’s terrifying to think about.” he said, his eyes following his wife and he felt his mother chuckle next to him.

“I know it must be so overwhelming for you,” she replied then patted his hand. “But I also know you will cherish it like nothing else.”

“I will try my best,” he said softly.

And Iris must’ve felt his eyes on her because she turned and met his gaze with a smile, waving at them.

His hand lifted on its own accord and Eris waved in return, the corner of his mouth curling up.

And gods, he could watch her for hours. Is this what it felt like to let himself feel things? He wasn’t sure he liked it but then his wretched heart skipped a beat as Iris began to walk over to them, the hounds trailing her. Despite everything that was happening in their lives, being able to share this news with his mother made him feel somewhat lighter.

He felt…happy?

Happy enough that Eris had almost forgotten his mother sitting next to him had she not shifted and given him an amused look that made him scowl immediately.

“Mother.”

“I didn’t say a word!” she said with a laugh then leaned in to gently squeeze his arm. “Watching you fall in love has been one of the highlights of my life, Eris.”

He nearly choked at the words, feeling the air cut off from his windpipe.

Eris met his wife’s gaze as she neared, stepping into their space and it stumped him every time he looked at her – how beautiful she was. She stood in a garden of endless beauty and yet, she was easily the most stunning thing there.

Love.

He was certainly not ready to call whatever these intense feelings were…that.

The thought alone made him want to hurl. He should probably consider getting that checked.

“Good morning, Mother,” Iris said and flushed gently as Lady Enya stood and enveloped her in a hug with a small noise of joy and her eyes widened, meeting Eris’s gaze.

“Eris shared your exciting news with me. I’m so happy for you both.” Lady Enya said and Iris pulled back from the hug with a bashful smile. “Thank you for sharing this with me.”

“Of course.” Iris said, shyly shifting. “It was… a surprise.”

“That’s an understatement,” Eris muttered with a frown, running his hand through his hair. “Forced her way into my life and then ruined all my plans.”

Iris rolled her eyes. “I forced my way into your life?” she scoffed. “Do you hear your delusional son, my lady?”

“Delusional? I’m the one who woke up one morning and found himself bound to a stabbing maniac.”

“Oh my gods, it was one time.”

“You have threatened to stab me many times, sometimes multiple times a day. My sentries are all aware that should I die in a stabbing incident, you would be the first to blame.”

“You are so lucky you didn’t have to try and seduce me into marrying you. You’d be terrible at courting me with the kind of nonsense that goes through your head.”

“Are you saying you’d reject me if I had proposed to you?”

“Of course. You wouldn’t have won me over.”

Eris finally made a noise of protest. “I absolutely would have. You wouldn’t have been able to resist my charm.”

“Big words for a male who has yet to propose to me.”

“You’re already my wife. Why would I waste my time with such frivolous things.”

“And yet you think you’d be able to win me over. Ha!”

Eris fought back a smile, narrowing his eyes at her pretty face and coy little smile.

Somehow and without realizing it, the two had drifted closer, now inches away from each other and if Eris didn’t think he’d likely go too far and rip her dress off to take her right here in the gardens, he would’ve kissed her as desperately as he wanted to.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her, smiling at him in a way that made him want to never leave this spot. She made him feel better. Just by being around her, he felt the heaviness of his conversation with his mother drift away.

He had to bring her back to this garden at some point. Eris was sure his mother wouldn’t — and he froze, blinking himself back to reality.

Judging by Iris’s flushed face, she had come to the same realization that he had and cleared her throat, his head snapping to his mother who was standing a few steps back, watching them with a mix of delight and amusement.

“Don’t mind me.” Lady Enya said casually. “By all means, you two keep talking.”

Eris straightened immediately, stepping back from the magnetic force that was his wife and Iris sheepishly turned away from him to face his mother.

“Sorry,” she mumbled. “We…are still figuring out how to manage ourselves in front of others.”

“I see.” Lady Enya replied and seemed to be fighting back a laugh.

“Elain and Lucien were very entertained, for sure.” Iris added and laughed softly at Eris’s eye roll.

He sighed. “I think it’s about time I went to see your other sons,” he said to his mother then turned to his wife. “Will you be alright until I return?”

“Of course.” she said with a nod. “I’ll spend some time here then see to the puppies later.”

“Not puppies,” he muttered with another eye roll. “I’ll find you when I return.”

He reached out to touch a strand of her hair and was grateful when his mother suddenly became interested in the flowers and turned away from them. Eris licked his lips, hesitating for a moment until she smiled shyly at him. And nothing could stop him from leaning in and kissing his wife.

Iris melted into him like she always did, easily – comfortable in his arms and she would always be in awe of the way the red string of fate linked them together. Her hand gently brushed against his chin and it delighted her when he shuddered beneath her touch as he kissed her, his mouth caressing hers.

In the last two nights they’d spent together, becoming more and more comfortable with their hands touching skin, Iris had found just how much a tender touch meant to her husband. He needed it the way she did, just like she understood him in ways no one else seemed to.

He pulled away a moment later, reluctantly, and licked his lips again. “Be careful while I’m away. Keep the hounds on you at all times.” he murmured against her mouth and Iris nodded.

“Don’t worry. I can take care of myself,” she replied softly and gave him a small smile. “My husband taught me well.”

“Indeed I did,” he said with a smirk. “I look forward to all the other things I can teach you.”

And Iris couldn’t resist kissing him again at the way his smirk had heat pooling in her stomach before pulling away. “Be careful,” she said. “Be nice to your brothers. Don’t be too hard on Helene.”

Eris rolled his eyes but nodded all the same and straightened his tunic. “Mother, you’ll be alright?”

“Always.” Lady Enya said and reached out for his hand.

Eris squeezed his mother’s hand and spared his wife a wink before finally departing.

Iris watched him go and hated the feeling of longing already blooming in her chest. After the last few days, it couldn’t be helped. Intensity was at the forefront of everything they did and after living half a life for so long, it felt good.

“I saw this coming, you know.”

Lady Enya’s voice broke through her thoughts and Iris turned to her mother-in-law with a curious look.

“What do you mean?”

“You and Eris.” her mother-in-law said with a knowing smile. “A mother can sense these kinds of things.”

Iris flushed. She wondered just how much Eris had told his mother. She knew the two of them had needed to speak privately before Iris could join them and absolutely understood why; she’d been around them enough to understand how these moments of emotion were precious to them and how difficult these private conversations could be. And though Iris knew she didn’t have a reason to feel nervous, she couldn’t help but fidget slightly as she stood here. To be allowed in this sacred space, she was humbled.

“I can’t say I wasn’t a little surprised. It’s…been a rollercoaster of emotions the last few days.”

Lady Enya chuckled, reaching out to hold Iris’s hands in hers, smiling softly at her. “I know you two have come a long way. I know it must seem overwhelming but you were meant to find each other,” she said gently. “And to think…neither of you had wanted anything to do with the other.”

Iris flushed again and met her mother-in-law’s gaze. “Fate works in mysterious ways, I suppose.”

“Indeed.” Lady Enya said and squeezed her hands. “Now, come sit with me. I want you to tell me everything.”

#eris vanserra #eris vanserra x oc #eris vanserra fanfic #eris x oc #smtb chapters #acotar fanfiction #gfics #if you’d like to be tagged or removed (no hard feelings!!) pls let me know lol #lady of autumn #autumn court

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idcallmyselfhuman · 1 year ago

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Xiao/Aether 👹⛅ Masterlist 2.0

A compilation of moments between Xiao and Aether through the years. The last revamp I did on the old post got nuked by Tumblr, so I just made a new one.

I tried to be as complete as I can, but there's probably some stuff I still missed. The shipping wiki is great for compiling stuff, but I felt it wasn't very detailed. Soooo here ya go

Lover's Oath (Lone Tower in the West)

Thank you @kristalijah for the reminder!

On Aether's journey through Liyue, he was tasked to inform the Adepti of Rex Lapis' "death". The Wangshu quest is the first time he meets Xiao in the game, and a certain detail didn't catch a lot of people's attention until the soundtrack got released a while later.

"Lover's Oath" is the song that plays in the background the very first time Xiao appears in front of Aether. On one hand, this could very well just be in reference to the place they were in, as the balcony of Wangshu Inn is known to be where lovers spend time together. However, this theme never plays for any other scene again, nor is it the background music for the balcony in general.

The only time this track is used again is during Tuned to the World's Sounds, an event in-game where Xiao and Aether duet this song on the very place they met, with Xiao playing a lyre, and Aether, a zither.

This theme has only every been used when they are together. So, Lover's Oath can be considered "their" theme. I adore this tidbit of information because it fits their future relationship so well, as the game constantly reminds us now of Xiao's promise to Aether.

Battle of Osial

If you're a fan of this ship, I'm sure you already know. This was the moment the fandom went, "wait a minute...", essentially the birth of the ship itself.

This cutscene is just [chef's kiss], its existence makes me so happy. The Aether community in 2020 has never been the same.

Aether's feet were already steadied. Xiao could have let go already, or let him fall as gracefully as Mountain Shaper did to that guard (I would have hated him). There was no reason to hold on. In fact, he had every excuse to release his hold the moment they got to safety because he was the one who kept insisting that contact with mortals, or even being near them was something he absolutely Did Not Want. But he didn't let go. No, even more— he tightened his hold, squeezing Aether's hand and telling him to be careful. HUH?!?!

Looking back on this scene also made me think of Aether's unique ability to purify things he touches, something that still hasn't been explained. I wonder if Xiao was already gravitating towards Aether because of it, finding comfort in his contact without knowing why, just yet.

Lantern Rite 1.3

I'm sure we're all familiar with this scene, right?

The very first time Xiao promised Ae that no matter what, as long as he calls his name, he will be there. I think the game showed how special that promise is really well.

Moonlight Merriment

On the same year, they released Moonlight Merriment. The first time Aether summoned him was here, when Xiangling was looking for a 'customer' with mild tastes. While Xiao told Ae to call for him when there's trouble, it's really cute that he doesn't really mind what sort of 'trouble' it is.

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Whether it be actual danger, or a small dilemma that Aether needs help with, he's there. (Though I guess you can see it as anything that is bothering Ae is considered trouble enough, no matter the scale :))

This scene also clarifies that the promise was specifically made to Aether, and no one else, not even Paimon. The fact that they went so far as to have Paimon call for Xiao multiple times only for nothing to happen is... so fucking funny. Aether says his name once and he's already there.

Just... your commitment is really subtle, Xiao. Keep at it.

Baizhu's Story Quest

The second time Aether summons him is during Baizhu's story quest, and I think this part is what really cemented the weight of that promise for me.

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Every single time Aether brings up that he can contact our resident yaksha so easily, they're always surprised. The adepti are known for wanting to keep to themselves that even Changsheng thought it would be impossible for them to meet, but here Xiao was, just one word away for one special traveler.

It's an oath that was made with such... devotion? Loyalty?

It would have been a little more distant had it just been for protection, something like "when you're on the brink of death, you may call for me." but it isn't. This was literally a promise that whenever Ae needed him, Xiao will be there, "Anywhere. Anytime."

It's also sweet how Xiao's departing words are always a reminder to call him whenever needed, to the point where Aether has to say "Yeah, we know." If that promise had an expiration, it sure as hell doesn't matter because Xiao keeps renewing it anyway.

Perilous Trail (Interlude)

Unfortunately, there was one time where Xiao failed to get to Aether, but only because he physically wasn’t able to. The only time he couldn’t fulfill his promise was because he was stuck in a different plane of existence. But even then, once he heard that Aether was in trouble, he was persuaded to cross a literal fucking spacerift to get to them.

You absolutely cannot tell me they aren't in love because you would be wrong.

Also Yanfei being perceptive enough to use Aether being in trouble to convince Xiao? Bless. Where else did we see someone pull out the 'Aether' card on Xiao recently...?

god he's so fucking easy and everyone knows

Anyway, this quest also showed how protective Ae is of Xiao, constantly asking how he is or if he was okay, ignoring Xiao's warnings entirely.

He even gets mad when Xiao brings up creating a will.

Just— a lot of things happened in this quest. While I can't add all of them, do yourself a favor and either play this or check it out in the archives. Yanfei knows what's up

Also there's a part where Aether looks over Xiao's sleeping face and wonders to himself if a person who's always wary is capable of dreams.

To finish off the Chasm segment, it ended with a conversation that had Xiao realizing a lot of things he was lost to because of his grief: that there are people who will always care about him, and in his words, "Even the darkest hearts have room for those they cherish.

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"Will Xiao be ravaged by the unending war he wages and be plunged into despair? Or... will he meet someone who understands his sacrifice, and can shine a ray of light into his dark world..." —Dainsleif, Collected Miscellany - "Xiao: Conqueror of Demons"

I think... it was important for him to have had this conversation with Aether. Zhongli acknowledges this as well in the most recent Lantern Rite, but the beginning of the changes within Xiao started because of Aether constantly pushing him to see the light.

Bonus! Xiao being a dumbass

WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN "...Really..." YOU WERE JUST STANDING THERE?!?!!??!??

Companion Voicelines

Aether: "How do you like it here?", "Want to chat?"

To bring up Aether's ability to purify things again (Dvalin's Tear), it could be related to that. Or, maybe Xiao just gets so in his head about Aether in his presence that his Karmic Debt just gets insta-blocked. Who knows?

Aether: Is there anything you'd like to do?

For the first and second Lantern Rite, Xiao was still adamant on not even stepping foot in Liyue Harbor, declining every invitation to go there because of how much he disliked being near mortals.

Yet in his teapot voicelines, once you reach a high enough friendship with him, Xiao actually takes the initiative to invite Aether to go to the city, if only to understand him better. Xiao explicitly says that his willingness to go to the harbor was for him.

This isn’t the first time Xiao brings up his wish to get to know Aether better. At first, he kept saying that he has no interest in human affairs, but in his voicelines, as the two of them get closer and closer, he says that he would like to know more about Aether.

I also really like Shenhe's voiceline. Aether's effect on Xiao benefited not only him, but the people surrounding Xiao as well. It's shown in the way Xiao's become softer, and more open to being in social gatherings. We see it the most in Lantern Rite 3.4, Waterborne Poetry, and the biggest one that point towards the cause being Aether is Xiao's birthday letter of 2023.

Birthdays

If Moon Carver's reaction is anything to go by, the old Xiao doing this for his birthday was unfathomable. As Xiao allowed himself to open up to the world, the people around him were also able to enjoy their old friend's presence as well.

Dainsleif said that the cost of his duty was perpetual solitude, but it seems that that's no longer true.

Fun little note: The fact that he went to Moon Carver first is funny to me, since Aether and Moon Carver are both voiced by Zach Aguilar.

I was reminded by @comfortingnightmare that Aether was the first person to celebrate Xiao's birthday in a thousand years :>

Which brings me to another topic! Gifts!

Aside from the adorable fact that every character in the game gifts Aether something on their birthday, Xiao gives him a butterfly made from leaves in his voiceline.

From what I've read, butterflies supposedly mean conjugal love, freedom, and vulnerability of life in Chinese culture. I'm really no expert on this so take that with a grain of salt.

There's also the more obvious meaning, which is transformation in one's self. I really don't like tackling this kind of thing because it's very "the curtain was blue", but if we take their relationship in consideration, it fits.

Lucent Crescent

Big thank you to @spiderskull142 because I didn't even know about this.

In this year's TPRGT image, we see that Paimon is holding a red box—Aether's gift for Xiao. I didn't really pay much attention to it at the time since I thought it was just a regular gift box... and also because I was distracted by Xiao pretending to sleep. It's about the closest we can get to Xiao feigning illness to get pampered LMAO

Anyway, I looked it up and apparently those specific boxes are used to keep jewelry. I looked around Liyue to see if any other store used this box for anything else, but the only one that seemed to have it is Mingxing Jewelry, a boutique that specialized in an ornament called "Lucent Crescent".

Note: The closest I could get to a box that was similar-looking were the red stacked boxes outside of random houses. No other store seemed to have them, so I can only assume that's where the box was from.

When you interact with Xingxi, the person who runs the shop, she tells you about the meaning of Lucent Crescents.

Xingxi: Have you ever heard anyone mention our Lucent Crescent ornaments? They are especially popular with young people. We produce a very limited quantity of Lucent Crescent – only ten per month. People say that if you manage to purchase one of them, you are sure to win the heart of your beloved.

As we know, Aether is very mindful with the gifts he gives every year. I don’t think it’s too far-fetched to think he would order something as valuable as this for Xiao.

And speaking of Aether's gifts...

Teyvat Food Notes: Sweet Dream, Adeptus' Temptation, Mint Jelly, Unagi Chazuke, Satisfying Salad

Alongside Xiao's birthday art are articles from the Teyvat Food Notes, where real-life recipes of in-game food are made, and it also has interactions between XiaoAe on his birthday.

Sweet Dream (Almond Tofu)

Note: Both google translate and Papago seem to use Mandrill instead of Xiao, so... just know that’s who it’s talking about.

This is where we learn that Xiao didn’t even make Sweet Dream; this dish was Aether’s thank you gift to him. Xiao’s specialty dish is a gift from Aether. I’m—aGH! ANYWAY.

Sweet Dream also makes an appearance in Childe’s birthday art in 2022. And— I’m really sorry to Tartaglia, but seeing that dish stole all his thunder I just couldn’t get over it.

I like to think that Aether was so preoccupied with making Childe his birthday feast that he began to absentmindedly prepare Almond Tofu in the way he’s most used to (because of how often Xiao requests it.)

Additional:

Adeptus Temptation

This one in particular isn’t from one of his birthdays, but a special they put out for the first Lantern Rite, which includes every released Liyue character at the time. I was initially going to write it off, but I thought hey what the hell, what are the odds that there’s gonna be a XiaoAether moment in here?

Of course there was. With these two, I should have known.

Note: “Fairy/Buddha Jump over the Wall” is apparently an actual Chinese delicacy that the Adeptus’ Temptation is based on!

A little more additional context, I added the part where Zhongli was going full English teacher at the beginning because everyone was spouting poetry so passionately with every bite of the dish. That’s why Aether wonders, “Do all Liyue people eat like this?”

That’s also why Aether asked Xiao to give him an evaluation of the food, hoping he’d be the same as the others. I found it really cute, especially right now as we just finished Waterborne Poetry.

From the very beginning, Aether caught a glimpse of Xiao’s affinity to being poetic (Isolation does that to ya, who knew?), which is why in the event, he encourages him to write poems. With enough encouragement, along with Xiao pondering over Aether’s words and advice, he eventually does write a poem.

Frost-Coated Slime (Mint Jelly)

For this Teyvat Food Note (2021), Aether laments that he doesn’t really know Xiao very well when he realized that the only gift he can think of giving him is almond tofu.

“Although it is not impossible to continue to treat [Xiao] to eat almond tofu, there is a stubbornness in my heart that has been preventing me from continuing to serve almond tofu.

I don’t want to be the same as usual, I don’t want to give [Xiao] the same gift as everyone else.”

Aether realizes that almond tofu has become somewhat basic, since everyone else gives the same thing, and it’s no longer a gift he considers to be special enough. He then remembers the mint jelly he once tasted in Mondstadt, and thought it was similar enough to the texture and taste of almond tofu. He decides that that’s what he wants to give him.

Once he meets with Xiao, Xiao gives him the ‘butterflies’ he caught (I assume this actually refers to the crystalflies he gives along with the letter?) Aether thinks wearing [crystalflies] on his head doesn’t suit him, but Xiao seems to expect him to wear it judging by his silence. This also fits his letter that year, where he admits he was actively looking for crystalflies for Aether to put on his hair, thinking it would look nice on him.

The last part of the food note is so heartwarming. After Aether has him help prepare the mint jelly, they finally settle down to eat it.

Xiao: It doesn’t look like I want to eat it. I’d better order almond tofu.

[Aether] grabs Xiao and explained that it actually tasted very good, and the texture should be similar to almond tofu.

Aether: The most important thing is that for Xiao’s birthday, I want to make something different as a gift...

Xiao stopped.

Xiao: I don’t worry about the taste of the food you cook. I just want to collect it.

They are so cute?!?!?!?!

Later on, Xiao confesses that he doesn’t like almond tofu just because he likes the taste, but because of the memories that accompany it.

Aether then looks at Xiao, but Xiao doesn’t look at him. Instead, he says “The jelly I made today is a special memory. Thank you.”

Unagi Chazuke

Thank you @dragon-type-nuggetz for sending this one because this is what reminded me that the other teyvat food notes existed aside from almond tofu and adeptus temptation lol

Last one for the Teyvat Food Notes! There’s none for 2023, because they seem to have discontinued it entirely after 2022. This one’s a lot shorter than the other ones, but no less sweet.

Aether knows that with Xiao’s dedication to Liyue, he works non-stop to defend the nation and has never experienced anything as leisurely as going on a vacation for the sake of relaxing. So instead, Aether tells him stories of his travels, and he decides to cook a dish that gives the feeling of traveling with him.

Xiao also says something here that I found really funny.

“Let me start by saying that I have no interest in human food. Even if the food you make doesn’t taste good, I won’t eat it.” CAP. You’ve gone this long eating Aether’s food, who the hell are you trying to fool?

In the end, Xiao finishes the entire bowl to Aether’s shock, but he says he’s sorry as he can’t think of any words to praise the food.

Aether then says that the fact that Xiao finished it at all is the greatest compliment.

Satisfying Salad

This isn’t connected to the food notes this time, but just the dish in general. Satisfying Salad and Almond Tofu are the first dishes that Aether has ever given Xiao in-game to convince him to talk to them. I thought it was a pretty minor thing and didn’t think much of it at the time, up until Smiley Yanxiao brings it up again in Moonlight Merriment.

Everyone around Xiao thought that almond tofu really was the only thing he can eat, only for Aether to prove otherwise. While he claims that he has no interest in human food, and the only thing he can possibly stomach is almond tofu, he has never denied anything that Aether offers him, even when the two of them didn’t even know each other very well yet.

So, for all of Xiao’s talk, he has shown in his actions pretty clearly that Aether is and has always been an exception for him. Whether that be for food, or anything else...

Lantern Rite 3.4

I am here to remind you all of a beautiful scene that should never be forgotten for years to come.

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Regardless of Genshin trying to be mysterious and making us guess who saved Aether, the fact that they both came rushing over is incredible on its own. They know that Aether isn't a damsel in distress, and Paimon's acting was so on the nose, but they still couldn't allow even the slightest possibility of harm to come to him.

Xiao looking away and talking in circles just to say he really was worried is the funniest fucking thing.

As for the Lantern Rite dinner... well, first things first. We say thank you to Hu Tao for her services as a professional wing-woman (It's her side-job to advertise the parlor)

Moving on! Remember when Aether told Xiao he'll bail him out of uncomfortable social situations? (Companion voicelines)

There really isn't much I could say that I haven't already said before. For XiaoAether shippers, this was Hoyo spoon-feeding content on a silver spoon. It's Aether and Xiao at their most comfortable with each other, talking and spending time with the people they care about.

It's years of talking to each other, of Xiao realizing that he's at ease when he's speaking to Aether, of learning to talk more about himself to the point where he starts talking about his past and the people in it...

It'll be awhile until Xiao will ever be comfortable with large crowds, but as long as Aether's there who knows when it's becoming 'too much', he'll be fine.

Aether is also, in Xiao's eyes, the most distinguished guest among them all.

I couldn't add it but Xiao also says "I trust Aether's judgement." in this scene.

This Lantern Rite is also where Zhongli acknowledges what Aether has done for Xiao :")

(Suspiciously on the last screenshot, the perspective makes Zhongli look like a pastor wedding the two of them)

Waterborne Poetry

The catalyst for this post. The reminder of how lovely this ship is, and how far these two have come.

As we have all learned from Xiangling, Yanfei, Venti and Hu Tao, you only need to mention Aether's name to convince Xiao of whatever it is you're planning. The part where Aether and Team Chongyun were trying to convince him to come with them and touch some fucking grass was really cute.

This event and the previous Lantern Rite also had Aether and Xiao talking privately, only to get interrupted by Paimon/Xiangling (as well as calling them out lmao)

And, of course, the scene that everyone freaked out over,

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A short, but sweet moment where Aether looks at Xiao from afar and immediately gets inspired, performing a poem where the real meaning is shared only between the two of them...

And Xiao's smile.

An expression that Aether had done so well to bring out.

Xiao in a Commission

One last thing! Xiao appears in the Liyue Commission "Uninvited Guests". It's very short, but cute

Xiao: Oh, it’s you.

Aether: What brings you here?

Xiao: I encountered these monsters by chance and defeated them.

Xiao: This area is not safe. So...

Aether: I’ll be careful.

Xiao: Right. I have other matters to attend to. See you.

...There are still things I couldn't add, but that's okay. I got mostly everything this time so I'm satisfied. Very grateful to the people who reblogged the old post to add more stuff :))

Some things I didn't add were trivia from the shipping wiki. For one, apparently Xiao's JP voice actor was told by the director to be gentler when speaking to the Traveler. There's also a small part of the Lantern Rite animation where as Xiao and Aether watch the lanterns side by side, Xiao turns to look at Aether right as Paimon blocks his head from view :")

#genshin impact #genshitpost #genshin impact aether #genshin aether #genshin impact xiao #genshin xiao #xiaother #xiaoaether #aether x xiao #aexiao

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wolfythewitch · 1 year ago

Note

Genuine question, what about King Saul? Cause I’m not really familiar with his story

Okay so this ended up pretty long so I'll put it under the cut

So he was anointed king when he went to look for his father's missing donkeys, and on the way they decided to visit a nearby town where Samuel lived. Samuel saw him and god told him that Saul was his appointed king, the first one to ever rule (before the kings there were only judges) Which was wild for him because

So he was anointed king the next day, in public. Which was also really funny because my man was hiding. He was stealthing. He actually came back to his father's house and worked the land until he was called to lead the army

So he does some king things and he does alright. I think his reign lasted two years, though some scholars say it must have been closer to 20ish. The thing is, he makes two mistakes.

First, he did not wait for Samuel before going through with an offering before a war

Second, he was sent to attack the Amalekites, and to not spare anyone, man, woman, or children, livestock. But he spared their king and their cattle.

An interesting thing here is the relationship of Saul and Samuel, as Samuel genuinely mourns that Saul is no longer to be king. And while they never see each other again after this, they both seemed to have cared for each other a lot.

So afterwards, David is anointed as the new king. At that time, Saul hasn't been made aware yet. He had David in his employ as an armor bearer, and when he was troubled, as he so often was these days, David would play the lyre to soothe him.

Now there was another battle between the Philistines and the Israelites, which you're probably more familiar with. This time they had a very special guy, a giant named Goliath. You probably know of the story, how David killed him with a slingshot. What's notable here was that Saul was genuinely fond of David, even lending him his own armor, even if it did become too heavy

David had befriended Jonathan and they became very close two, "knit his soul with his as if they were one". Saul have him a high rank in his army, as anything David was sent out to do he did successfully and well.

The first time we see him think negatively of David was when the people praised his deeds over Saul's, which most likely fed into his growing paranoia as well, knowing that his time as king was almost up

This time, fully convinced that David was to usurp him, he repeatedly ordered for his death, once even sending soldiers to where he lived with Saul's daughter(David's wife), though David managed to elude him.

David finally runs away with help from Jonathan (note this was a very emotional moment between the two and isn't very relevant to the story but it's great) and becomes a fugitive. He gains temporary refuge at a house of priests, who send him off with food and a weapon. Saul put these priests to death.

By now David has amassed a group of supporters who believed that he should be the rightful king. While Saul was pursuing them, they hid themselves away in a cave. Saul went to go take a piss and the men try to convince David to strike at his back. David spares Saul however, cutting off a piece of his cloak and showing it to him later on. He still believed Saul to be the rightful king and didn't want to hurt him.

8 Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. 9 He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’? 10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. 12 May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 13 As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will not touch you.

I can't post anymore photos sorry HAHA.

Overcome with remorse and guilt, Saul swears that he will stop chasing David and goes home.

But again, Saul goes after David, making camp near the wilderness where he stayed at. David snuck in under the cover of night and stole from Saul a water jug and a spear, which he showed to him when morning came.

8 Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t strike him twice.” 9 But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless? 10 As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “the Lord himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. 11 But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let’s go.”

17 Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is that your voice, David my son?” David replied, “Yes it is, my lord the king.” 18 And he added, “Why is my lord pursuing his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of?

And so once again guilty and remorseful, they part ways.

At this point, Samuel had already passed away. Desperate at an oncoming war, Saul seeks out a medium (which were forbidden) and asks to see Samuel's ghost

8 So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.” 9 But the woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?” 10 Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As surely as the Lord lives, you will not be punished for this.” 11 Then the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” “Bring up Samuel,” he said. 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” 13 The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?” The woman said, “I see a ghostly figure[a] coming up out of the earth.” 14 “What does he look like?” he asked. “An old man wearing a robe is coming up,” she said. Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.

But Samuel only repeats what has been said before, and says that he and his children will be delivered to the hand of the Philistines, and that tomorrow, he and his son will join Samuel (will die).

The next day, they were fighting and losing. While being pursued and knowing that they were close to defeat, Saul runs himself through his sword and dies, reasoning that death is better than captivity. His three sons died that day too.

(notably, he was still alive after impaling himself. A nearby soldier passed by and Saul begged him to finish the job, which he did)

His line does still live on, as David had taken in his only surviving grandson, Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth.

And yeah! That's a summarized version of his life. I just find his story fascinating, how his reign slowly grew more corrupted and paranoid, and how even the people closest to him turned on him, helping instead his greatest enemy, who wanted nothing but to serve him. It's really tragic haha. And presumably, he didn't even want to be king. After Samuel anointed him before the people, Saul went back to his home in Gibeah. He continued to work on his father's land until he was needed to lead the people in battle.

#wolfy tedtalks #anon #wolfy religious tedtalks #suicide tw

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blitzsicedcoffee · 2 months ago

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Ficlet: Are You Ready?

Timeline: Two years after Apology Tour, Blitz and Stolas's Wedding day.

Blitz paces back and forth in their apartment bedroom in Pride, if he went any faster he'd be making a rut in the carpet.

Loona knocks, "Everything okay in there?"

Blitz laughs nervously, "Yep!"

She walks in, covering her eyes. "You can pull your hand down, I'm decent" he says and she uncovers her eyes, widening them.

"Dad....you look..."

"Like a nerd? Like I should've chosen a different color? Fuck did the cake get there yet? Why did I let Stolas go ahead to the venue without me!"

Loona smiles and walks over, straightening his bow tie, "Because you've been hopelessly anxious about this whole day". He sighs and drops down his arms.

"Loonie what if we just reschedule?" He winces and she laughs, "The guests are already there, Dad. Waiting for you", she points to him and he holds his chest.

"Are you..good?" She asks and he sits on the bed. She sits next to him and he puts his head in his hands.

"What the fuck am I doing Loonie?! We've been through so much together but it still seems surreal that I'm about to marry a prince! I mean- me!" He says, pained.

She laughs, "Well, he isn't a prince anymore". Blitz rolls his eyes, "You know what I mean. He deserves better".

Now she rolls her eyes, "You really believe that? That sounds like something you'd say two years ago".

He rubs his arms, "Yeah...no. No I don't think that anymore. I'm just making an excuse. I'm just so nervous Loonie".

She smiles and pats his back, "Therapy's been good to you dad. But I want more family, so come on, let's finish this".

He returns her smile and grabs her hand and she pulls him out of the apartment. He presses his crystal and they walk through, and his eyes widen. The venue in Gluttony is beautiful. Loona might have pulled a few strings.

There's a deck on a shining lake leading to an arch with flowers of all kinds, ones that Stolas himself used to cultivate. There's a reception area with all their favorite foods, a dance floor, it's everything they wanted.

"Loonie this is..."

"Is it too much? I told Bee it was a low-key wedding but she's really into these sorta things so she insisted also on the giant heart shaped picture of you two made out of cheese" she points to it and Blitz laughs.

"Loonie it's perfect", he kisses her on the forehead and takes his place at the arch. He looks around and blushes, feeling all the eyes on him. Fizz waves from him and Ozzie in the second row and he waves back.

Then everyone goes quiet. A soft and gentle lyre tune starts and Blitz realizes his hands are shaking and rubs them, putting them half behind him. He stares at the doors leading to the building where Stolas has been getting ready.

Loona and Bee walk together arm in arm and bee sits in the front row while Loona stands by Blitz. Then comes Via, arm in arm with a best friend Blitz and Stolas have met. She stands on the other side of the arch, smiling at Blitz. He gives her an anxious smile back and can feel the tears behind his eyes.

Keep it in...just a little longer..

Then comes Vassago arm in arm with Andrealphus. Blitz was hesitant to invite them as Andrealphus betrayed them so badly, but Stolas insisted he wanted Vassago there, and unfortunately they are now a packaged deal. Vassago takes his place next to Via as Stolas's best man.

Finally, at the end of the train before Stolas is Millie and Moxxie, hand in hand they nod to all their friends in the audience. Then they part as Moxxie sits in the front row as Millie takes place next to Loona as Blitz's Best person. He was going to ask Fizz, and to be honest Fizz has told him he wishes it was him. But Millie has helped him through so much, we all grow and become different people, ya know?

Finally, a certain owl peaks through the doors. The song intensifies, and Stolas steps through in a suit similar to Blitz's with purple and blue stars but he has an added velvet cape and a veil train pulling behind him. He walks elegantly down the aisle deck, towards the arch. The Gluttonous sun shining on his eyes.

Blitz can feel that he is already a blubbering mess. And he can feel Moxxie and Fizz crying also on his behalf. He just stands there watching this regal creature approach him at the archway.

"Hello Darling", he says with a soft voice and wipes a few tears of his own, then before Blitz can wipe his face on his sleeve, bends down and wipes his eyes with a hand talon and kisses his cheek. The audience awws then there's a small clap from behind them.

"You look so beautiful", Blitz says, looking up at his owl.

Stolas beams, "Only because of you".

"Alright! Let's get this show on the road, shall we?", pipes Lucifer, opening a book. Ozzie rolling his eyes and whispering to Fizz, "He wouldn't be able to take a hint if it slapped him in the face", Fizz giggles then puts a hand over his mouth as Blitz looks to him smiling and smiles back, waving.

Stolas puts a hand on Blitz's cheek and he returns the favor with a hand on Stolas's waist.

"Are you ready my dear?" Stolas asks.

"More than anything", Blitz replies.

#helluva boss #blitzø #stolitz #helluva boss blitzo #blitz #stolas #helluva boss stolas #helluva boss stolitz #helluva stolitz #love #comforting #comfort #helluva boss fanfiction #hb fandom #hb fanfiction #helluva boss fan fiction

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life-is-unreal · 3 months ago

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Stranger Danger~ {Genshin x Reader} Teyvat Chapter 13 - Welcome Bobetta

Other than a few questions from Paimon on Leila and the drunks, it didn't take too long till the four of you went back into the Angel's Share.

"You're here." Venti grinned at Jean's shocked face.

Did Jean seriously not know? You wondered. She had eyes everywhere, ok, maybe it's just the plot.

"Wait, you're...Aether? Y- Y/N?"

"Jean?"

Diluc coughed lightly, "Well, first of all, I contacted more than one person. Secondly, she came here as "Jean" herself, not as the Acting Grand Master. A Jean you would never see, even as an Honorary Knight."

Jean frowned, staring at Venti, "What a surprise, I heard about the Holy Lyre, but I never suspected it was you. So, the sound of the Holy Lyre can purify Stormterror and return it to normal... Is that true?"

"That's right! Aether and Y/N is putting themselves on the front line to try and resolve this Stormterror issue. Now that's the hotshot of the Knights of Favonius I'm talking about."

"Feel's like we're breaking the law though..." Paimon mumbled.

"Jean, you wouldn't arrest us right?" You asked. "It's quite stuffy in there."

"I-"

"I understand this kind of absurd explanation is hard to believe. But, we can ask the bard to play the song again to try and persuade-"

"I believe you. And, I promise that I won't arrest you for stealing the Holy Lyre."

"To persuade our stubborn comman- Wait, what?" Diluc frowned, turning his head to Jean.

"I can't think of any reason for Dvalin's betrayal, given it was once one of the Four Winds. However, if it was poisoned in the battle over Mondstadt all those years ago... And then corrupted by the Abyss Mage after it woke up - we can't really blame it." Jean placed a hand to her chin, "But as Acting Grand Master I obviously cannot make such a statement publicly. Diplomatic pressure from the Fatui makes it hard for us to seek a peaceful resolution to the Stormterror issue. People would think I've lost grip on the gravity of the situation. That's why I can only do this in private."

The people in her words doing nothing and pushing aaaalll their problems to her.

"Hmph. That's one of the reasons I don't like the Knights of Favonius." I have to agree with that. "What surprises me is that you would believe an outlander so easily..."

Jean's eyes twitched, "My cautious and meticulous superior, even you trust him. Don't you, sir?"

"I already told you not to call me sir...Never mind. We don't often get to work together after all."

"...Sir?" Aether gaped. Yeahhh, Diluc was the captain of the Knights so basically he's stronger than everyone in the Knights of Favonius except maybe Albedo and Klee.

A moment of awkward silence filled the room. "Wow! Um...This is really awkward..." Paimon giggled, a large fake smile on her face.

"I have a rough idea of where the Holy Lyre der Himmel is." Venti leaned towards you, "Nice recovery! She's really talented at changing the subject..." He whispered. You nodded slightly, pushing him back to his place.

Jean waved her hand, "The conflict between Mondstadt and Snezhnaya stems from the conflict between the seven nations and their respective gods. The Cryo God's fatui seem to be after the Anemo God's power."

"..."

"So are they going to take over the defense of Mondstadt?" Upon Aether's words, Jean's brows furrowed.

"If the Knights of Favonius publicly prevented an attempt on Dvalin's head, then... The only other way to affect the Anemo God's power is to take the Holy Lyre."

"The number of Fatui that have come to Mondstadt is far from limited. I've already managed to... coerce a few reports out of them." More like forced, tortured and interrogated them then killed them."Diluc has determined that the Holy Lyre is not being held in the Goth Grand Hotel. I imagine they don't want to leave something stolen in a place where it could be so easily found."

"Paimon gets it. If too much of a scene gets made then it becomes a big diplomatic issue."

"Hmph, such is the diplomacy between the seven nations. Outlanders, ready to go?"

-.-.-

"Eugh, thank god I left Bob before coming here. He's gonna melt in this shitty place." You scowled, feeling the rising temperature.

"Paimon's melting..." The fairy groaned, her arms wrapped around you like a child.

"How the fuck is Diluc not sweating with his thick ass coat?" You grumbled, glancing at the red head a few meters ahead.

"He left us a chest Y/N!" Aether hurriedly opened the chest throwing the drops to Paimon and You.

"Thanks..." You groaned louder, "I can't even see Diluc now. Hurry up Aether, you're slower than Paimon."

Aether rolled his eyes. "You're the only one that's not even looking for chests and mora."

"No, NO! Don't eat me! Ah? You're...You're human?"

"...Are you seriously shaking? You're the one with a sword." You mumbled.

"The entire floor's defenses... have been broken. I thought it was the Abyss Order attacking..."

"Brotha, you would've been dead the moment the Abyss Order appears." You commented.

Paimon snickered. Aether coughed, "We have come for the Holy Lyre der Himmel."

"And your life." You added.

"Y/N!"

"Sorry, but come on, look at his face!"

"H-How did you guys know the lyre's here?" The fatui guard shivered as you side eyed him. Now we know, how the hell did he become a guard? The fatui short on people?

"The place it's being kept is locked up tight. If you're after the key, keep going further into the ruins, but d-don't come after me! I don't know which one of the guards have it, but I'm sure you can find the guards and find out for yourselves."

"This guy looks like he's about to wet himself." You and Paimon said in unison.

"You- you just worry about yourself! One of the Harbingers is already in Mondstadt. Signora. When she gets her hands on you she's going to string you up and torture you. When that time comes, don't you dare say a word about me."

"Aether you go up first to meet up with Diluc, I need to ask some stuff." You pushed him up towards the stairs.

"W- What do you want?" The man squeaked as you turned around with a cheshire smile.

"Heyyyy, that's a nice sword you have thereeeee. Ehehehehe."

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh!"

After a few minutes, you cackled, skipping towards Aether.

"You stole his sword?" Aether gaped.

"What do you mean steal? He gifted it to me."

"Yeah, and- you robbed him of mora too?!" Aether caught a thick pouch.

"Hooray! Can Paimon have 10 mushroom skewers after we go back?"

You ruffled her hair, "Why not." You cast your eyes down, the fatui guard who was absolutely flattered by your smile tumbled out pretty much everything he knew.

"I- I swear, I know nothing of the water problems! I- I just know that when Signora came to Mondstadt she brought barrels with her. I heard from my superior that it was Dottore's new creation. It might be the cause of all the dead fish and changes. Please don't kill me!"

"Il Dottore? So... he is just conducting an experiment?"

"M-Maybe."

"Do you know of the fatui that escaped the Mondstadt dungeons?"

"U-Um, I just know that they're higher ranked than me and they're all under Signora. For some reason the knights weren't sent after them. Maybe diplomatic pressure? I- can I leave now?"

"Hmmmmm. Give me all your mora or I'll kill you with your own sword."

"WHAT! UM! UM! These are all I have! BYE!"

You shook your head lightly, so Jean did know about Sofiya's escape.

"Did he say Signora? What a strange name..."

"No.8 of The Eleven Harbingers. Goes by the name Signora. The fact the Fatui can run amok across the seven nations like they do is entirely because of The Eleven Harbingers. We need to act quickly before she gets wind if what's going on." Diluc nodded to you.

"Let's split up." You casually walked towards the furthest room on the left.

"Should I bring a pyro slime back home? Hmmm. Yeah, I should."

You grinned down at the three slimes. "Hi~"

"Hey Y/N! There's no key here- Wait, WHY IS THERE A PYRO SLIME!" Paimon screeched.

Aether raised a brow, "What's the name?"

You grin stretched wider, "Bobetta."

Diluc stared at you for a moment, "Wait, are you the girl who brings a cryo slime around the city?"

"Oh? You know me?"

Diluc paused, "Kaeya has mentioned you in the tavern. It's quite a surprise that they choose not to attack you."

Paimon flitted closer to you, "That pyro slime seems to be a bit bigger than the smaller slimes."

You nodded, "Yeah, it's three slimes merged to one."

"Th-that works?!"

"It's new to me too."

"Where did you rats scurry out from..."

You whistled, "Mini Boss arrival guys."

"Leave it to me." Diluc charged towards the pyro agent.

"Signora is not going to tolerate this kind of interference in our aff-"

"Aaaand he's defeated." You nodded in affirmation. "Diluc's pretty good ain't he? One shotted him."

"Finally, the lyre is back in safe hands!" Paimon clapped.

"I still don't get how that eye mask fooled the fatui. You literally look the same." You threw your arm across his shoulder.

"Why are you taller than me..." You hissed in his ear.

Aether smiled smugly, "You can always drink milk."

"Bitch."

"Where did that guy go, though? He was here a second ago..."

"Signora is going to end you. The songs bards sing of your demise will be so terrifying- the people of Mondstadt will never sleep again for the nightmares they give them." The agent yelled behind the barricade.

"Big talk for a guy who still ran off in the end... Chicken." Paimon placed her hands on her hips.

You grinned down at Bobetta as she spat out a small fireball in the agent's direction. "Welcome to the family Bobetta!"

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

Teyvat Chapter 14:

https://www.tumblr.com/life-is-unreal/761060053734277120/stranger-danger-genshin-x-reader-teyavat?source=share

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rubbsiscrazy · 1 year ago

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“Creator?” Prologue

Warnings: a bit obsessive archons, other than that none that I’m aware of

fandom: genshin x creator! Gn! reader

Note: Honestly did what I could I just began playing genshin so don’t know a couple of things, correct me if I’m wrong.

“Two thousand years ago, after the archon war ended,” the bard began his story, strumming his lyre as a background tune.

“My grace!” Barbatos shouted as they nearly tripped over a rock, grabbing their arm before doing so.

As Barbatos was grabbing their arm, they quickly pulled themselves backward to stand up straight, allowing Barbatos to pull his arm away.

“Ah sorry,” they apologized, scratching the back of their neck with a sheepish smile.

Smile was bright just like the flowers they made.

He said that it was okay, then as a beat passed, Radien and Morax came running from behind them like panting dogs.

“M-my grace!” They both were able to breathe out.

If you're wondering, the dearest creator and the three (musketeers) archons were in Mondstadt, the two wiser archons wanted to head back to their nations, but Barbatos and the creator wanted to stay in Mondstadt.

So, as normal people shall, they decided to play tag. Well, at least the creator wanted to.

So, as the creator ran ahead, Barbatos laughing right behind them as the other two attempted to catch up, the creator ended up looking behind to see where the archons were at, not noticing the small rock their foot was catching up on.

… and here we are

“Are you okay? We heard Barbatos yell out,” Morax dusted himself off then fixed his composure.

“Yes we’re okay,” The creator spoke out, a soft smile enhancing their features, making the archons soften.

“Glad to hear, but please do be more careful next time.” Radien said, scolding the creator, as the creator sheepishly smiled with both arms behind their back.

“Yes-yes, but can we please stay in Mondstadt?” Barbatos squeezed in before saying, “It’s safer here for our dearest creator! Better than Liyue or Inazuma.” He finished, crossing his arms looking the other direction with a scoff.

The other two gasped in offense, before starting a (war) argument.

“Well it’s not safe if the weakest archon rules over it!” Raiden crossed her arms looking annoyed at Barbatos.

“Well don’t you look foolish right now because I don’t rule over Mondstadt, in fact no one does. Ever heard of ‘Mondstadt the city of freedom?’ ” Barbatos shot back with a grin.

“I think Liyue is the best option if we are talking about protection. After all, we do have a wide range of guards and people do have a better chance of wanting to protect our creator than to hurt them.” Morax spoke, nodding at his words.

“Well people wanting to protect the creator doesn’t count, since practically everyone in Tevyat wants to protect them, but so do we, so let’s stay in Mondstadt!” Barbatos pouted.

“Now now, let’s not fight, yeah? I’ll stay in Mondstadt for a couple of days before I leave.” The creator spoke up, cutting off the argument.

So kind, like the scarlet foxes to their pups.

“B-but we want you to stay in one of our nations before you go back to Celestia!” Raiden stammered out.

“Hm..” The creator hummed in thought, stroking their chin, as the archons stared at them intently, waiting for an answer.

After a couple of beats, “How about I go to every nation before I leave? After that, Im willing to go to Celestia.” Creator offered with a sheepish shrug.

“Mondstadt first!” Barbatos shot his hand up with a wide grin.

“Fine but only for a couple of nights.” Morax agreed, nodding his head.

“And that is how the creator of Tevyat began to go throughout all of the three archon nations before visiting other areas she created, promising to return back to Celestia to rest.” The bard finished, strumming all strings of his lyre.

“Unfortunately, for the archons, they lost them along the way, taming to believe they went back to Celestia, but they hadn’t come back, as they said they would.” The bard ended his story with an eyeless expression because he knew he lied to the crowd about what happened to the creator but the crowd didn’t notice and then clapped, whistling, and cheered at the new story he had shared.

“Is the creator going to come back these days?” A blonde girl asked, looking up from the crowd attempting to meet his gaze but the sun behind him would make her narrow her eyes instead. It was especially hard since the bard was standing on the rim of the fountain.

The bard looked at her for a couple of seconds, as if to find a suitable response. Then, he looked at the sun behind him, watching it set, only letting his smile show, “When the time comes, they will awaken from her sleep and we will see them once again.” He said in a softer tone than before, then met her gaze.

At his response, the crowd cheered at the same time the sun had set, lighting an orange hue over Mondstadt. He continued to look at the girl who had hope enhance her features, finishing with a smile.

Sorry if it’s bad, tell me what I did wrong

Be safe.

#genshin x creator reader #genshin harem #genshin venti #prologue #reader is gender neutral

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rae-and-mezo · 2 years ago

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Can you do a fic where MC gets transfigured into a rock and the boys have to explain to the nurse that it’s MC but the nurse thinks they’re just messing with her? Idk I saw this HL random world events where a student gets turned into a sheep and their friend is trying to convince the nurse that it’s a student ��😭😭😭

We're Not Mad Professor!

Sebastian and Ominis x f!reader. Can be read as platonic!

A/n: This is my first fic...I'm not used to writing them! I hope this is okay, the prompt is so silly it makes me smile :)

"Did we just-"

"yep."

"And you turned her into-"

"Uh-huh."

The two boys share a look of disbelief as they look down at the ground. A puddle of robes and skirts, weighed down by something-or rather someone. You.

"I wasn't aiming at her."

Sebastian's face is filled with both horror and shock as he bends down and lifts up a rock. A plain, smooth, grey rock. It's still warm.

"Can she breathe? I mean, rocks don't breathe. Oh merlin, did I kill her?"

"relax." Ominis shakes his head in wonder. "Lydia The Small was transfigured into a lyre for three years and was perfectly fine. Still, we need to get her to Professor Weasley."

"Absolutely not!" Sebastian whirls around, and Ominis's wand showed him the outline of him holding the rock-or you as Ominis was slowly accepting- in his hands carefully. "No, I am on my last straw! If I get one more strike, I have to spend my lunch period in detention for the rest of the year!"

"Well then what do we do about it?" The question hangs between the two boys before Ominis carefully ventures. "Um, Garreth is good at Transfiguration. We can ask his help?"

"Are you out of your bloody mind? Honestly Ominis! Let's take her to nurse Blainey. At least she hasn't burned her brain away from too many exploding cauldrons."

Sebastian starts walking towards the castle and Ominis hurries after him, matching his pace. "Because the nurse knows better than Professor Weasley? Why don't I take her to Professor Weasley, I don't have any strikes."

"You are dreadful at Transfiguration."

"Thanks?" Ominis blinks, shaking off the insult. "They would never believe you turned her into a rock." A quick stumble on a tree root and Sebastian scrambles to catch you after accidentally letting go of the grey stone you had turned into.

"Merlin, Sebastian, put her in your pocket!" Sometimes, on days like these, Ominis wonders how Sebastian is still alive. Thank merlin for a head of common sense, or else Sebastian wouldn't have owed Ominis three different counts of his life.

"i don't want to put her in the dark!" Yep, Sebastian definitely wouldn't survive without Ominis.

"Rocks don't have eyes, you absolutely moronic oaf."

"Wait...she's blind right now?" A look of shock passes Sebastians face before he realizes. "Oh, no Ominis I didn't mean it like that-"

"Sebastian, just shut it okay? You're making an idiot of yourself."

The walk back to the castle is quiet. Sebastian could cry from how panicked he is...could you even survive being transfigured into something so...un sentient? Well, maybe. He is well aware that Ominis doesn't mind the matter. Sebastian bitterly reflects on how his best friend is more likely more worried about the weather than the rock- girl- in his hands.

Not true. Ominis is thinking about what you would sayvwhen they finally get you back to normal. Priceless.

Well, After he got you back to normal. However long that will take.

Sebastian Sallow is a strange boy, sure. But nobody in the school expected to see a panicked and tear stained Sebastian enter the great hall while cupping a rock. Not to mention he was followed by an eerily calm, slightly amused looking Ominis. And no MC.

"Nurse Blainey?" The nurse looked up at the sound of her name and her face fell when she realized who had said it. "One lunch break, Sallow. Please."

"We need your help, please." Ominis peeked around (or what he assumed was around) his friend. "Could you accompany us to the hospital wing?"

And so she did, grudgingly, but she did. "What is it, boys? I hope you know you interrupted my first patient free lunch since I started this job."

"I am very sorry Ma'am. I am afraid this matter is urgent." Ominis spoke for both he and Sebastian. "You see, our friend is hurt."

"How bad?" The womans eyebrows furrowed as she looked between the two.

"Well...she got hit by a spell. A transfiguration spell."

Nurse Blainey's face went from concerned to enraged in a matter of seconds. "No! This prank that you lot have been pulling is not funny. Three of your little friends have tried it already- with a sheep no less- and I am not falling for it again. If this friend really got hit by a transfiguration spell, you need to go to Professor Weasley."

"Madam!" Sebastian cried. "We can't! She would skin us alive!"

"I'm about to skin you alive! I'll make a deal. Bring me your friend, and I will do my best. If this turns out to be a prank, I will see to you being removed from the quidditch team, Mr. Sallow, and you from the Chess club, Mr. Gaunt." The nurses face softened at Sebastian's anguish. Ominis's poorly hidden amusement made her suspicious, but she knew that after that threat, both boys wouldn't dare to go through with a prank.

"Thank you, Ma'am. Truly! We owe you one." Ominis smiled.

"Yes you do. Now, take me to your friend."

"Actually, we have her here!" A barely stifled giggle left Ominis's mouth as his wand provided him with the outline of Sebastian presenting the rock.

"...You're joking."

"I'm afraid not, ma'am."

Nurse Blainey screamed in frustration. "I would have thought you better than this! I meant it when I said I would have you both removed, I might even recommend suspension!"

Sebastian nearly dropped you in his scramble to save himself. "Nurse, we really are serious! I swear! I swear on...on MC's life!"

Ominis could have dropped his wand. "He's serious, nurse. I witnessed it. Secondhand, I mean. Well okay. I heard it. But really!"

In her frustration, the nurse tapped the rock- merlin, it couldn't really be you- with her wand and muttered an incantation.

You looked up at the boys, pure horror painted on your face. "What. The. Hell."

#sebastian sallow #ominis gaunt #hogwarts legacy #hphl #ominis gaunt x reader #ominis x mc #sebastian x mc #sebastian sallow imagine

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starspray · 1 year ago

Text

White Flowers

written for @nolofinweanweek, also on the SWG

(minor warning for canonical character death)

“Do babies always take this long to be born?” Turukáno asked Findekáno. They were perched in the tallest tree in their mother’s garden, which gave them a great view of the house and the surrounding countryside, and the walls of Tirion not far off, gleaming white under Laurelin’s radiance. Turukáno had been banished from the house early that morning when Anairë had felt her first labor pains, and Findekáno had come out to join him after a while, claiming that he recalled how lonely and worrisome it had been for him when Turukáno had been born.

“I don’t know,” said Findekáno, swinging his legs idly as he leaned against the trunk. He had a lyre in his hands and was plucking at the strings absently. “You didn’t take very long, as I recall, but I have been told that it varies.” He strummed a few chords. To all appearances he was utterly unconcerned and at ease, but Turukáno could see his eyes flick toward their mother’s windows every few seconds. Figures were moving about inside, and occasionally a faint cry reached them in the garden.

At last, the windows opened, and Turukáno heard a sharper wail as their father leaned out to call them in. Findekáno immediately leaped to the ground, and caught Turukáno when he jumped after him. “Where are you going?” he asked, when Turukáno did not immediately follow him to the door.

“Wait for me!” Turukáno said as he gathered a bunch of flowers, tiny white ones with a sweet scent that grew in clusters like little stars, and one or two pale pink dahlias that his mother loved. He ran after Findekáno, inside and upstairs, where their Aunt Ëarwen opened the door to usher them in.

Their mother lay in bed propped up on a mound of pillows, and their father was beside her, holding a small squirming bundle. “Flowers! Oh, thank you, my love,” said Anairë, taking the bouquet and kissing Turukáno on the nose. “Come, meet your sister.”

“What is her name?” Findekáno asked as he leaned over Nolofinwë’s shoulder to peer at the baby. When Nolofinwë handed her back to Anairë, Turukáno finally got a look at her, little and flushed and wrinkly, her tiny hands balled into fists. She was the loveliest thing Turukáno had ever seen.

“Irissë,” said Anairë.

Irissë opened her eyes and cooed, reaching up for the flowers. Her grip was strong and tight, and once she had hold of the stems she would not let go, and tiny white petals rained down on her face, making her sneeze and the rest of them laugh. “Hello, Irissë,” Turukáno said, reaching out to run his fingers through the soft dark hair atop her head. “Hello, baby sister.”

The sun shone with blinding brightness and heat down upon Gondolin. All was quiet. No bells rang in the towers, and there was no music, no singing, no flutes or drums or harps. Even the flowing fountains seemed muted. Outside the city gates, upon the green grass of Tumladen, a cairn was being prepared. In life Aredhel had rebelled against walls, and so in death she would rest outside them, where the wildflowers grew and the wind passed whispering through the grass. How bitterly Turgon wished he had kept her inside the encircling mountains in life—that he had kept her safe.

The funeral would be held late in the afternoon, as the sun began to sink and the air cooled. Until then Aredhel lay in state, and all who wished could pass by to say farewell. Turgon stayed away. He did not want to witness others’ grief, nor to have witnesses to his own outside his own household. He did not know where Maeglin was—nor what he would say when he saw him again.

The flowers that had grown in their mother’s garden outside Tirion long ago did not grow in Beleriand. There were similar blossoms, tiny white things like stars, but their scent was not as sweet. Turgon still grew them, and he gathered a small bunch before at last descending. The crowds were gone, and the room empty. Aredhel lay upon silken cushions, clad in her favorite gown of white shot with silver brought across the Helcaraxë from Valinor, with a silver girdle and a circlet of diamond and pearl resting upon her dark hair. Her favorite bow and quiver had been laid at her side. Were it not for her unnatural stillness, and the grey pallor of her skin, she might have been asleep. The only sound was the whisper of Turgon’s own robes as he crossed the floor to stand at her side. Her hands rested one over the other on her stomach, and were cool when he laid his own over them. Carefully, he tucked the flowers into her fingers. “Farewell, Irissë,” he whispered into the stillness. “Forgive me, baby sister.”

#nolofinweanweek #nolofinweanweek2023 #silmarillion #turgon #aredhel #look i wrote a thing

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ladybugsimblr · 1 year ago

Text

Sibling Group Chat Shenanigans

Text messages under the cut

Arya: Another one!!! 🔥 Killed it sis. Loved the article too. Jayce: 🔊 Might I suggest you don’t fuck with my sis. Bailey: 🥰😊Awwww stooop. My head is gonna get too big. J: OMG your fivehead? Yeah that’s big enough. But we still love you. BK: Where is that middle finger emoji? BK: But srsly very happy with how it all turned out. A: Yaaay! She back!

J: I already miss my squad. BK: Awww they miss their fave uncle. A: Wow. Spend one little weekend with the terrors and thinks he’s squad now. J: Wow. Jealousy jumped out. Not my fault they love me more than you. A: Lies and fairytales! 🙄 BK: Y’all are really giving terrors right now. Stop fighting you two lol

BK: Ooop. Lyree has spoken. She said she loves you both the same. But Auntie and Uncle are Circle of Trust and Richards Gang Gang. Squad is only for immediate family. J: Come on immediate family! Look at what a couple days without electronics does for you. BK: 😂😂 I can’t!

J: When do you land? BK: 6.30ish J: K going back to bed. I’m tired. Safe travels! A: Why are you so tired? What were you doing last night? BK: 👀 J: 😏

A: Did your gentleman caller spend the night?? J: I’m sleep but gentleman caller is sending me!! 😂 J: Dis tew much for my virgin ears. BK: Viiiirgin?! A: You haven’t done the do? J: Arya Please! I’m done with you today. A: Ugh. No one tells me anything. Keep your secrets!

BK: Don’t talk Miss RiRi. I heard about a possible diamond ring situation and I’ve been waiting for you to spill. J: Oh word?! I’m up again if there is tea 👀 A: Look at the time. I gotta get ready for work. BK: Right right. You’re lucky I’m in my peaceful era. I’ll let you rock but we need sister sister time. A: Thanks sis. Promise we’ll catch up ASAP.

A: How’s the ankle? BK: No comment until this doc visit. A: At least it’s been quiet here. No one has said anything. J: Yeah about that… BK: Uh oh. Simsta? J: Yeah your fave… BK: Welp. This will be a fun welcome back. Vacation is officially over.

#happy place about to be tested expeditiously #are you the sibling that always has the secrets?#must know everything?#always the last to know?#i'm the last to know everything always #bklegacy #bklgen2 #bailey kay #jayce's journey #jayce #arya's adventures #arya

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blankiebloo · 2 years ago

Note

Hello! Can I request what would Kaeya, Diluc, and Kazuha (seperate) do if they come to see you perform at a dance/singing/whatever performance?

Thank you so much :D

Yes, of course!

Character(s): Kaeya, Diluc, Kazuha

Genre: Fluff

Mesmerizing

Kaeya

You're one of the many bards in Mondstadt, but among the many, you're quite popular: you get asked to go to the taverns a lot a play, you even get asked to perform at some of the other nations, but today you were just asked to play at the cathedral in Mondstadt, the first place you performed actually.

It was a quiet night, you were playing for the sisters at the church and some of the people who decided to stay out longer; you were playing the lyre with your eyes closed, letting the music speak to you.

Out of everyone at the cathedral there's was one person paying attention to you the most, Kaeya.

Kaeya has always thought that the music you made is the best music he's ever heard, and he's not lying, there's nobody who can rival your talent and he is just so lucky to have someone as talented as you in his life. As he continued to listen the remaining people started to trickle out until its just you, Kaeya, and the sisters who are now talking to each other. Kaeya took this as the perfect moment to applaud you for your performance.

The light clapping caught your attention and as you open your eyes you see Kaeya in front of you with a soft smile on his face, "You get better with that lyre everyday, you know"

"Kaeya?! When did you get here?!" You asked, slightly embarrassed. This isn't the first time he's heard you play, but he rarely has any free time and him using the limited amount he has to go see you warmed your heart up in a way.

"A few moments ago, I came here to walk you home but I was just so enamored by your music that I couldn't help but just stand there and listen."

"I appreciate the fact that you enjoy my music Kaeya, but you should've let me know that you were here, I could've played some songs for you at home you know," you huffed, feeling slightly bad for making him wait for so long.

Hey chuckled and pat your head, "It's quite alright, I don't mind waiting, especially if its for you, dear." He gave your forehead a kiss and held out his hand. "Shall we get going?"

You took his hand and you two starting walking home.

Diluc

You were singing outside of the winery while attending to some chores to keep yourself busy. You were so caught up in what you were doing that you didn't even notice Diluc admiring your voice.

"Your voice is truly beautiful"

His voice startled you and you physically jumped, he placed his hand on your shoulder as he stifled a laugh.

"Diluc, how long have you been here?" You asked, still a little bit embarrassed.

It's not that singing in front of him is embarrassing, it's just that this is a new song you've heard and you're sure that you've been messing up every other lyric while you're mumbling it to yourself.

"Mm, you wouldn't like the answer to that question. But, you should sing more often, especially that song"

"Oh, alright then"

He gave a small chuckle before walking away to tend to his own business, while humming to the tune you were just singing.

Kazuha

You personally love to dance, and it's great that you've been recognized for your talent with dancing, too!

You're at a rehearsal practicing for a big performance at the Jade Chamber, and it just so happens that the place you're rehearsing is where Kazuha likes to frequently visit. The strong smell of weed maple filled the air and pulled your attention so far away that you had to turn around and greet your poetic lover.

"Your dance, [Name], it flows just like a river, and brings the warmth of a spring breeze," he spoke, his voice as soft as always but still strong with the meaning of his words.

"Thank you, Kazuha. I have to ask, how do you always find me whenever I'm practicing? It's like you have a special gift just for that," you chuckle to yourself as you turn back around and sit.

"The wind always tells me when its time to find you again, and it's always when you grace Teyvat with your talents"

He moves to sit next to you and places his arm around your shoulder.

"I take it that you're performing at the Jade Chamber next?" He asks as he lays his head on top of yours.

"Yes, will you be there?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

A/N: I AM SO SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO FINISH THIS- When this was sent I started it, but I had finished one so I took a break, and then the next day someone said something that made me feel extremely apathetic, and then I actually got busy so-

BUT ITS DONE NOW!! I hope you enjoy it, and if you'd like to send me a request, please read here first!

-Lots of love, Blankiebloo~

#blank writes!♡#genshin fluff #genshin x gn!reader #genshin x reader #genshin x you #kaeya fluff #kaeya x gn!reader #kaeya x reader #kaeya x you #diluc fluff #diluc x gn!reader #diluc x reader #diluc x you #kazuha fluff #kazuha x gn!reader #kazuha x reader #kazuha x you

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rain-in-fontaine · 1 year ago

Text

Dates With Your Partner

Characters Include: Venti, Diluc, Candace, Nilou Genre: Romantic Fluff A/N: Please forgive me if any of these chapters seem unnatural to read, I hope to get better at writing Genshin characters! Notes: GN! Reader, You/Yours are the pronouns used, reader is addressed to as MC (Because I’m used to it) Introduction: Whether it be unwinding after a long hard day at work, taking your partner out somewhere, or just being with them; it's nice to have a date once and a while. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Venti

It's not hard to find Venti around Mondstadt, at least for you but maybe that’s just the perk of dating him. It's pleasantly easy to set up dates, such as the one you two have set up at Windrise underneath its giant oak tree. You bought a picnic basket of foods, which Venti did help prepare, and a picnic blanket to lay on. Venti brought some wine, which you knew he was probably going to drink all of.

“Hm.. I feel like something is missing..” Venti hums, stroking his chin.

“Huh? What would that be?”

Venti thinks for another moment or two before smiling and summoning his lyre to play.

“A date such as this wouldn’t be complete without a ballad~”

Ah.. Classic Venti. He always ends up singing a ballad for you one way or another, but you don’t mind. His music is relaxing and really helps the mood of dates such as these.

Diluc

Dates with Diluc usually take a bit of preparing, so it was a pleasant surprise when at 3 pm you got a letter from his bird companion, inviting you to the manor at 4 pm for a date. You couldn’t pass up the opportunity so you send a response back with the bird and go to get ready.

You knock on the door at the manor and Adelinde, who greets you with a warm smile.

“Good afternoon. Please, come in.”

You thank the head maid and enter. You are greeted with Diluc, who isn’t in his work clothes, but instead something more fancier.

“You look nice.” He says with a collected tone, but still one filled with admiration.

You couldn’t help but smile at this usually stoic boyfriend as he holds out his arm for you to grab onto so he can lead you to the table.

Candace

Dates with Candace can be either carefully planned out or spontaneous.

Usually the dates you go on help her to visit the city more, or sometimes you just stay in the desert somewhere suitable for a date, as much as it could be at least. It’s a coinflip really.

On this day, you two decided to take a walk during the time of day where it’s usually less busy for Candace. It’s a simple way to spend time with each other.

You two stop at Caravan Ribat, which wasn’t particularly busy. Candace’s eyes caught a particularly well woven tapestry at one of the stalls. You follow her line of sight and gape a little bit at the textile.

“Wait here!” You tell her, and you were off before she could stop you.

A minute later, you come back to Candace with the tapestry rolled up. You give it to her with a smile, and she couldn’t help but give a gentle smile while taking it.

“You didn’t have to, MC”

“I wanted to!”

“Well, thank you. Why don’t we go back to the village? I can cook us something!”

“Okay!!”

Nilou

You often come to show Nilou support whenever she dances. After her dance routine, you always cheer and clap the loudest. It makes Nilou happy whenever you do so, even if she has to remind you to quiet down on occasion so as to not disturb the other people. After a particularly tiring dance routine, she comes off of the stage and sees you with two cups of padisarah pudding for the two of you. "You did an amazing job with that dance!" You compliment, giving Nilou her cup of pudding, which she happily takes. "Thanks MC!" You two sat at a bench and simply enjoyed the pudding together, laughing and talking as the Grand Bazaar stays lively as ever.

#genshin impact #genshin impact venti #genshin impact diluc #genshin impact candace #genshin impact nilou #genshin venti #genshin diluc #genshin candace #genshin nilou #genshin impact x reader #genshin fluff #genshin imagines

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the-chronicle-of-holy-days · 8 months ago

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Day 2

Liber LXV Liber Cordis Cincti Serpente

O crystal heart! I the Serpent clasp Thee; I drive home mine head into the central core of Thee, O God my beloved.

Even as on the resounding wind-swept heights of Mitylene some god-like woman casts aside the lyre, and with her locks aflame as an aureole, plunges into the wet heart of the creation, so I, O Lord my God!

There is a beauty unspeakable in this heart of corruption, where the flowers are aflame.

Ah me! but the thirst of Thy joy parches up this throat, so that I cannot sing.

I will make me a little boat of my tongue, and explore the unknown rivers. It may be that the everlasting salt may turn to sweetness, and that my life may be no longer athirst.

O ye that drink of the brine of your desire, ye are nigh to madness! Your torture increaseth as ye drink, yet still ye drink. Come up through the creeks to the fresh water; I shall be waiting for you with my kisses.

As the bezoar-stone that is found in the belly of the cow, so is my lover among lovers.

O honey boy! Bring me Thy cool limbs hither! Let us sit awhile in the orchard, until the sun go down! Let us feast on the cool grass! Bring wine, ye slaves, that the cheeks of my boy may flush red.

In the garden of immortal kisses, O thou brilliant One, shine forth! Make Thy mouth an opium-poppy, that one kiss is the key to the infinite sleep and lucid, the sleep of Shi-loh-am.

In my sleep I beheld the Universe like a clear crystal without one speck.

There are purse-proud penniless ones that stand at the door of the tavern and prate of their feats of wine-bibbing.

There are purse-proud penniless ones that stand at the door of the tavern and revile the guests.

The guests dally upon couches of mother-of-pearl in the garden; the noise of the foolish men is hidden from them.

Only the inn-keeper feareth lest the favour of the king be withdrawn from him.

Thus spake the Magister V.V.V.V.V. unto Adonai his God, as they played together in the starlight over against the deep black pool that is in the Holy Place of the Holy House beneath the Altar of the Holiest One.

But Adonai laughed, and played more languidly.

Then the scribe took note, and was glad. But Adonai had no fear of the Magician and his play.

For it was Adonai who had taught all his tricks to the Magician.

And the Magister entered into the play of the Magician. When the Magician laughed he laughed; all as a man should do.

And Adonai said: Thou art enmeshed in the web of the Magician. This He said subtly, to try him.

But the Magister gave the sign of the Magistry, and laughed back on Him: O Lord, O beloved, did these fingers relax on Thy curls, or these eyes turn away from Thine eye?

And Adonai delighted in him exceedingly.

Yea, O my master, thou art the beloved of the Beloved One; the Bennu Bird is set up in Philæ not in vain.

I who was the priestess of Ahathoor rejoice in your love. Arise, O Nile-God, and devour the holy place of the Cow of Heaven! Let the milk of the stars be drunk up by Sebek the dweller of Nile!

Arise, O serpent Apep, Thou art Adonai the beloved one! Thou art my darling and my lord, and Thy poison is sweeter than the kisses of Isis the mother of the Gods!

For Thou art He! Yea, Thou shalt swallow up Asi and Asar, and the children of Ptah. Thou shalt pour forth a flood of poison to destroy the works of the Magician. Only the Destroyer shall devour Thee; Thou shalt blacken his throat, wherein his spirit abideth. Ah, serpent Apep, but I love Thee!

My God! Let Thy secret fang pierce to the marrow of the little secret bone that I have kept against the Day of Vengeance of Hoor-Ra. Let Kheph-Ra sound his sharded drone! let the jackals of Day and Night howl in the wilderness of Time! let the Towers of the Universe totter, and the guardians hasten away! For my Lord hath revealed Himself as a mighty serpent, and my heart is the blood of His body.

I am like a love-sick courtesan of Corinth. I have toyed with kings and captains, and made them my slaves. To-day I am the slave of the little asp of death; and who shall loosen our love?

Weary, weary! saith the scribe, who shall lead me to the sight of the Rapture of my master?

The body is weary and the soul is sore weary and sleep weighs down their eyelids; yet ever abides the sure consciousness of ecstacy, unknown, yet known in that its being is certain. O Lord, be my helper, and bring me to the bliss of the Beloved!

I came to the house of the Beloved, and the wine was like fire that flieth with green wings through the world of waters.

I felt the red lips of nature and the black lips of perfection. Like sisters they fondled me their little brother; they decked me out as a bride; they mounted me for Thy bridal chamber.

They fled away at Thy coming; I was alone before Thee.

I trembled at Thy coming, O my God, for Thy messenger was more terrible than the Death-star.

On the threshold stood the fulminant figure of Evil, the Horror of emptiness, with his ghastly eyes like poisonous wells. He stood, and the chamber was corrupt; the air stank. He was an old and gnarled fish more hideous than the shells of Abaddon.

He enveloped me with his demon tentacles; yea, the eight fears took hold upon me.

But I was anointed with the right sweet oil of the Magister; I slipped from the embrace as a stone from the sling of a boy of the woodlands.

I was smooth and hard as ivory; the horror gat no hold. Then at the noise of the wind of Thy coming he was dissolved away, and the abyss of the great void was unfolded before me.

Across the waveless sea of eternity Thou didst ride with Thy captains and Thy hosts; with Thy chariots and horsemen and spearmen didst Thou travel through the blue.

Before I saw Thee Thou wast already with me; I was smitten through by Thy marvellous spear.

I was stricken as a bird by the bolt of the thunderer; I was pierced as the thief by the Lord of the Garden.

O my Lord, let us sail upon the sea of blood!

There is a deep taint beneath the ineffable bliss; it is the taint of generation.

Yea, though the flower wave bright in the sunshine, the root is deep in the darkness of earth.

Praise to thee, O beautiful dark earth, thou art the mother of a million myriads of myriads of flowers.

Also I beheld my God, and the countenance of Him was a thousandfold brighter than the lightning. Yet in his heart I beheld the slow and dark One, the ancient one, the devourer of His children.

In the height and the abyss, O my beautiful, there is no thing, verily, there is no thing at all, that is not altogether and perfectly fashioned for Thy delight.

Light cleaveth unto Light, and filth to filth; with pride one contemneth another. But not Thou, who art all, and beyond it; who art absolved from the Division of the Shadows.

O day of Eternity, let Thy wave break in foamless glory of sapphire upon the laborious coral of our making!

We have made us a ring of glistening white sand, strewn wisely in the midst of the Delightful Ocean.

Let the palms of brilliance flower upon our island; we shall eat of their fruit, and be glad.

But for me the lustral water, the great ablution, the dissolving of the soul in that resounding abyss.

I have a little son like a wanton goat; my daughter is like an unfledged eaglet; they shall get them fins, that they may swim.

That they may swim, O my beloved, swim far in the warm honey of Thy being, O blessed one, O boy of beatitude!

This heart of mine is girt about with the serpent that devoureth his own coils.

When shall there be an end, O my darling, O when shall the Universe and the Lord thereof be utterly swallowed up?

Nay! who shall devour the Infinite? who shall undo the Wrong of the Beginning?

Thou criest like a white cat upon the roof of the Universe; there is none to answer Thee.

Thou art like a lonely pillar in the midst of the sea; there is none to behold Thee, O Thou who beholdest all!

Thou dost faint, thou dost fail, thou scribe; cried the desolate Voice; but I have filled thee with a wine whose savour thou knowest not.

It shall avail to make drunken the people of the old gray sphere that rolls in the infinite Far-off; they shall lap the wine as dogs that lap the blood of a beautiful courtesan pierced through by the Spear of a swift rider through the city.

I too am the Soul of the desert; thou shalt seek me yet again in the wilderness of sand.

At thy right hand a great lord and a comely; at thy left hand a woman clad in gossamer and gold and having the stars in her hair. Ye shall journey far into a land of pestilence and evil; ye shall encamp in the river of a foolish city forgotten; there shall ye meet with Me.

There will I make Mine habitation; as for bridal will I come bedecked and anointed; there shall the Consummation be accomplished.

O my darling, I also wait for the brilliance of the hour ineffable, when the universe shall be like a girdle for the midst of the ray of our love, extending beyond the permitted end of the endless One.

Then, O thou heart, will I the serpent eat thee wholly up; yea, I will eat thee wholly up

Oooh my this is MY chapter from top to bottom ✨✨✨ this year’s favorite is with bold

Tarot card source: https://www.weasyl.com/~blackantlers/submissions/124594/tarot-on-growth-decay

#holy day #thelemic holy season #thelema #day 2 #tarot #aeon

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