#guzheng-&-drum

[nabaath-areng]

Okay but now I have to laugh. Laying in bed still unable to really move from pain and fatigue, and I'm hungry, so I put on some music from Ieeha's instrumental playlist...

Except I forgot about the pulsating tinnitus, which isn't triggered by all sounds but very much by piano. I don't got my headphones nearby which alleviates it so now my ear is making fluttering sensations from the inside to the beat every single note in Fantasie-Impromptu, as if Chopin himself is in my ear playing

[pearlywritings]

The Music of the Night

To get back on track with writing, I decided to make a somewhat writing event to produce short stories based on prompts as often as possible. Thus I invite you to participate in this little 'concert' of mine.

Event Masterlist

Some notes and Rules:

character x fem!reader (but can try to write without specifying gender).

1 character per ask. If one prompt is requested many times, I may combine the characters into one post.

1 character - 1 prompt.

~500 words per request (might be longer if I get carried away).

there can be fluff, angst, smut or even crack - and almost always it's going to be a gamble.

request any adult male character from HSR or Genshin. Which includes all playable, future playable, ones who LOOK like playable (*cough* Fatui Harbingers *cough*), I can even try some NPCs! First ones who come to mind: Crepus, Biram, Svarog, etc.

please, do not request Diluc. I am a bit tired of him.

and one more thing I want to note - this event's main purpose is to help me regain the will to write and test the capabiliities of my imagination, thus I am free to write the prompt according to the vision I have and to decline some of the asks for any reason.

Request:

for the sake of keeping it vague, I am asking you to simply send me the following combo: 'character's name' + 'musical instrument' + 'details if the prompt suggests it in the parentheses'

Prompts:

Since I couldn't settle on just one, this list is a mix of phrases, concepts and tropes

Accordion - work colleagues (platonic/romantic/up to me)

Bagpipes - overhearing how one partner talks about the other

Balalaika - cuteness aggression

Banjo - travel

Bassoon - not good enough

Bell - habit(s)

Biwa - exes

Castanets - opposites attract

Cello - challenge (fluff/smut/angst)

Clarinet - first time

Clavichord - dying in the arms of a lover

Domra - writing letters/texting

Double bass - one of you had a nightmare

Drums - “This was a mistake”

Erhu - “I will wait for you”

Euphonium - “I hate to say it, but I told you so”

Flute - morning after 😏 - was requested many times, so for now I won't be accepting this one (everyone who sent it before 17th of April, you are good)

Gaohu - too late to/for...

Guitar - random smut scenario

Guqin - broken in some way

Guzheng - arranged marriage

Harmonica - term of endearment

Harp - a gaze into the future/getting old together

Harpsichord - soulmates (you may suggest what king of: red thread of fate, tattoo of the first phrase a soulmate will tell you, a timer that counts the time before you two meet, colorblind until meeting the soulmate, etc)

Lute - tending to partner’s injuries

Lyre - showering/bathing together (fluff/smut)

Oboe - one of you gets jealous

Ocarina - spending time with your kid(s)

Piano - evening together

Pipe organ - random scenario (up to the writer (me))

Ratchet - the fight (can be the aftermath of it/making up)

Saxophone - kink (just write a kink)

Trombone - masquerade/ball

Trumpet - in denial/oblivious

Ukulele - cooking

Violin - date

Whistle - having/getting a pet

Wind Chimes - morning together

Xylophone - secret relationship

Zither - “It will never be the same again”

You alone can make my soul take flight

Help me make the Music of the Night

[buried-in-stardust]

A cover of 兰亭序 by Jay Chou on erhu, standing bell (磬; qing4), muyu (木鱼; wooden fish), flute, handbell (引磬; yin3qing4), guzheng, and drum

[nardo-headcanons]

that music headcanon question and post was genius! can you do that for the rest of the villages pretty pleaseee 🩵

oh my god, that was quick lmao i just had to do it. two minutes after posting, goddamn. here's a music headcanon i have for you, anon.

tagging @danceofthexdragons because she was the one who made the initial request c:

Music In The Narutoverse

I think in Kirigakure, most music that can be heard originates from either the union of fishermen or monks, as many cultures have been. wiped out due to their ongoing political unrest. As for the fishermen, some popular instruments are steel drums, which can sound like this or like this. Gamelans are often played near the temples up high in the mountains, the wind carries their sound across the village. Radios aren't really used.

Iwagakure's traditional music is very percussion heavy, using various kinds of drums and gongs. They have fallen in love with the guzheng, aka the moon guitar. Another instrument originating from there is the erhu, which Kirigakure citizens also really enjoy listening to and consider a high class/fancy instrument. These are the kind of songs Iwagakure ninja can hear in their radio, Onoki's favorite is this one. High up in the mountains, sounds like these can be heard. These horns are used to communicate between different valleys.

As a stronghold of trade, Kumogakure's music has been shaped by many cultural influences. One of the more traditional instruments in Kumogakure is the cowbell/agogo bell. Kumo citizens enjoy music from all across the shinobi world, including songs in foreign languages. As a rather technologically advanced village, it is not uncommon to hear electric guitars and synthesizers be used in their music. Here are some songs I think could be heard on the Kumo radio. As for Killer Bee, here are some of his faves.

In Uzushiogakure, an instrument that could often be heard in traditional music is the anklung, as well as the t'rung. Music was often performed for the whole village, and everyone was invited.

As for many western instruments, those have originated in the Country Of Knights. This country was only mentioned in the movies, but for the sake of it, I will consider it canon as well. While their traditional music sounded somewhat like this, sounds like these here weren't uncommon as well. It was popularized by immigrants from the country of knights.

As stated before, Madara Uchiha was a skilled pianist, his sharingan allowed him to read sheet music while playing, here are some of the pieces he played. Madara often played this piece for his siblings to make them laugh.

[yukasyukasyukasyukas]

Valorant instruments headcanons<3

Astra seprewa? She looks like she's good with sting instruments

Brimstone plays the guitar but in the fire camp song way (Will Wood or pjo reference?), he plays it every once in a while for the other agents bc they like it

Breach plays the drums and everyone who disagrees is wrong. He's very loud and plays on the most unconvenient times

Chamber looks like he's from a rich family so cello. He's not very good at it but is arrogant about it

Clove plays the kazoo

Cypher doesn't play anything but has a good voice for singing, especially lullabies (I'm so obsessed with father Cypher, this poor man)

Deadlock plays the guitar on the heavy metal way bc I saw someone saying she does and I love it.

Fade is lazy so she doesn't play anything

Gekko plays the ukulele. The vibes man, he looks like he knows every single 2020 TikTok song and follows Megagonefree

Harbor looks like he plays some very random instrument that no one has ever heard about and he pulls it every chance he gets

Iso plays keyboard

Jett looks like she's good with drums and is loud. She and Raze make it impossible for anyone to sleep on fridays

Kay/o plays organ and I'm not elaborating

Killjoy is only a genius in engineering but can't play music for her life

Neon plays the violin and adapts every music she likes to the violin so she can play them

Omen looks like he can play sweet flute majestically

Phoenix HAS to play some instrument. In my head, every theater kid is also a band kid so he plays the tube

Raze plays berimbau and guitar on the rock'n' roll way

Reyna canonically plays the guitar, obviously, and she also looks like she can play the violin or the piano

Sage plays guzheng and sings very well but very few people know because she doesn't like to show off

Viper plays the violin. She loves dramatic pieces and started playing when she was 8 after going to a classic concert with her parents

Vyse can play the harp decently but doesn't really like it

Yoru plays taiko and is very passionate about it

[lysandra-vesper]

Chapter 4 - Memory

You don’t know how long you were unconscious. Everything is just... emptiness. Dark, silent… with no beginning, no end.

Until... that voice emerges.

“Love arises without knowing from where, and grows deep without return.”

A female voice, sweet and melodious... A voice you hadn’t heard in so long. A voice that warms your chest.

When your eyes, still heavy, slowly open, you realize you’re lying down, your head resting on your mother’s lap. Her hand gently glides through your hair in tender, loving strokes as her voice hums an old song—your favorite since childhood.

"The curtain rises upon the stage,

Silken sleeves flutter in the air.

Joys and sorrows, meetings and farewells are sung...

Yet none of these belong to me.

The fan opens and closes,

Drums and gongs resound… then silence.

Beyond the Mirror Lake,

A cup of tea still holds its warmth.

I’ve learned to blend joy, anger, sorrow, and contentment

In the colors of my makeup and the dust of the stage.

What use is it to repeat the same lines?

In the end... white bones and ashes—that is all I am.

In a chaotic world, like weeds adrift upon water,

I endure watching the flames of war consume mountains and rivers.

Though humble, I dare not forget my homeland,

Even if my name remains unknown."

You lift your face, searching for her eyes.

She is breathtaking, as though stepped out of an ancient painting. Her long brown hair is partially tied in a side bun adorned with a delicate green jade flower, from which hang tiny strands of gold and pearls. Her golden eyes, accentuated with soft red makeup, radiate serenity, yet they conceal secrets... and melancholy. In the center of her forehead, three small red dots are elegantly painted—a symbol of tradition and status.

Her features are graceful: slender lips, softly arched brows, and a maternal, serene expression full of love.

She is not only your mother—she is Madame of the Li Clan of Huayin, a woman of respect and refinement.

As soon as she notices you stirring, she softly halts her song, offering you a warm smile.

“Aiyō... my little A-(name)... you’re awake? You’ve been asleep for so long... I was just about to carry you to your bed...” she whispers, her fingers gliding affectionately through your hair.

You snuggle into her lap, still sleepy, pouting slightly.

“I don’t want to... I want to see Father...” you reply, crossing your arms and puffing your cheeks just a bit.

She chuckles softly, bringing a hand to her lips like elegant ladies often do.

“Aiya... just as stubborn as your father...” she remarks, tucking a loose strand of hair behind your ear. “He’s in the study, discussing important matters with the clan elders. But...” she arches a brow, giving you a mischievous glance, “does our little miss have permission to interrupt something so serious?”

Her finger lightly taps the tip of your nose, amused.

Around you, the soft sound of a guzheng floats in the air, while the breeze sways the silk curtains and makes the wind chimes hanging from the eaves tinkle. The sweet scent of plum blossoms drifts through the courtyard, painting the moment with a fleeting peace.

“I can, Mother! Mother, I want to!” your voice rises, almost whiny, as you cling tightly to the silky sleeve of her robe, swaying it lightly. Your eyes, still misty with sleep, gaze into hers with a mixture of stubbornness and affection.

But before your mother can reply, a gentle—though slightly more serious—voice calls out from behind.

“A-Mei, you shouldn’t cause trouble for Mother...” says a calm male voice, young but carrying a weight of responsibility that feels a little too mature for his age.

After all, he’s only two years older.

You turn quickly.

Standing there is your older brother. Wearing a dark green silk robe embroidered with leaf patterns along the sleeves and hem, he holds his hands behind his back. His hair is tied in a high bun, fastened with a silver hairpin.

His eyes—golden, like your mother’s—carry a balance of gentleness and firmness, the kind that comes from being groomed to one day lead the clan. Yet despite the slightly scolding tone, you can still hear the affection woven through it.

He walks over, bending down slightly to meet you at eye level.

“If Father is meeting with the elders, it’s because it’s something very important. We can’t bother him over anything trivial...” he explains patiently, as if repeating a lesson already given. “If you go there just to pout, you’ll embarrass both Mother and Father.”

Your mother sighs softly, brushing a hand over her forehead as though trying to suppress a laugh.

“Wise words, A-Xiu...” she remarks, casting a sideways glance at you with an amused smile. “But tell me, Xiǎo Niáng... what’s so important that you must interrupt your father?”

You clench your fists, puff your cheeks again, and reply with all the conviction your little body can muster:

“I want to tell him I finished painting the flowers all by myself! And... and... I also... learned how to write my name perfectly!” you say, stomping your tiny embroidered lotus shoes against the stone courtyard, producing a muffled sound.

Your brother raises an eyebrow, crossing his arms. “That can wait...”

“It cannot!” you snap back, puffing your cheeks even more. “If I wait, he’ll go off on another trip and won’t see! And then... and then he’ll forget about me...” your voice, once full of stubbornness, falters slightly at the end, trembling just a little.

Your mother’s smile fades for a brief moment. She pulls you back into her embrace, pressing you against her chest while gently stroking your hair.

“Aiya... my little one...” she whispers, her voice tight, as though trying to shield you from a world no child should have to worry about. “Your father would never forget you... never...”

Your brother sighs, looking away for a moment, his fist clenching quietly. Even he, who always tries to be strong, feels the silent weight that hangs over this family.

The sound of footsteps on the stone courtyard interrupts the moment. One of the maids appears, bowing respectfully.

“Madame Li, Young Master, Young Miss... the Master has requested that the Young Miss be brought to him in the study as soon as possible,” she announces, head bowed, not daring to raise her eyes.

Your mother’s eyes widen slightly, exchanging a quick glance with your brother. Even he looks surprised.

“Oh... so he...” your mother smiles, stroking your back. “It seems the Patriarch guessed the desires of our little lady’s heart...” she says, taking your hands to help you stand.

Your brother sighs, shaking his head, but can’t suppress the small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Tsk... spoiled...” he mutters, pretending to scold, as he adjusts his sleeves.

Just as you were about to step through the door, a thought strikes you. You stop mid-step, turn back to your brother, and, without thinking twice, rush over to him.

“What is it?” he asks, raising an eyebrow, curious.

“Come with me.” You grab his hand with determination.

He shakes his head, letting out a soft sigh. “I can’t... Father only called for you. That means you have to go.”

You squeeze his hand tighter, meeting his eyes. “But I know you want to see Father too... don’t you? You do, don’t you?”

Your brother averts his gaze, biting his lower lip lightly. “I... I do, but—” his voice falters, as if what he wants to say is hard to admit.

You don’t wait for him to finish. Taking two quick steps, you hold his hand tightly and look him straight in the eyes.

“Then let’s go together!” you say, with that pure, fierce determination only a child can muster. Your eyes shine with conviction. “Father called me... so if I want to take you with me, he won’t scold us. And you want to, right?”

Your brother hesitates. His lips press into a line as he looks away, as though trying to hide how he feels. His body stays tense, caught between duty and the simple desire to... just be a son, nothing more, free from the constant expectation of being the perfect heir.

He takes a deep breath, shaking his head slightly. “...Tsk... you always do this...” he mutters, crossing his arms. “You always make me do things I shouldn’t...”

But even as he says it, he doesn’t let go. On the contrary, his fingers tighten around yours, as if afraid that if he lets go, this fleeting moment will slip away forever.

“If we get scolded, it’s all your fault...” he adds, trying to sound serious—but you catch the small smile forming at the corner of his mouth, no matter how hard he tries to hide it.

You grin wide, happy, swinging his hand as though celebrating your victory already. “Okay! I accept!” you giggle softly.

Without letting go of his hand, the two of you cross the courtyard together, your small feet tapping against the polished stones. Silk lanterns sway in the breeze, the scent of plum blossoms fills the air, and the distant sound of a guzheng lingers, as though the world itself is following your footsteps.

As you approach the study, your brother—despite pretending otherwise—adjusts his sleeves, straightens his shoulders, and runs a hand over his hair to make sure he looks impeccable—a habit drilled into him since childhood as heir to the clan.

He glances sideways at you and murmurs softly, like an older brother pretending not to care too much:

“Hold my hand tight... walk properly, okay? Don’t trip. Don’t speak too loudly. And don’t make faces...”

You roll your eyes, immediately making a defiant face. “Aiiiyaaa... okay, okay...” you reply, gripping his hand even tighter.

The maid accompanying you both watches with a discreet smile, as if witnessing something rare and precious. Once you reach the doors, she knocks twice, bows, and announces respectfully:

“Master Li, the Young Miss Li is here... accompanied by the Young Master.” she declares, kneeling before the grand carved wooden doors.

For a moment, silence reigns. Until, firm and unhurried, the Patriarch’s voice resonates from within—deep and full of authority:

“Enter.”

The doors slide open smoothly, revealing the grand interior of the hall. Morning light filters through bamboo blinds, casting golden stripes across the polished wooden floor and the Persian green carpet embroidered with plum blossoms and serpents.

At the center, upon a raised platform covered with a scarlet-red carpet, stands the study desk. Brushes, inkstones, scrolls, and a bronze incense burner are neatly arranged. Behind it, sitting with a posture radiating discipline and power, is your father.

Master Li.

Leader of the Huayin Li Sect.

His long black hair is tied with a carved jade piece, and his dark green silk robe is embroidered with golden cranes and leaves—symbols of wisdom and longevity. His expression is serene, yet carries the gravity of a man who commands not only a clan but also the respect of all who cross his path.

His golden eyes narrow slightly as he sees you both enter.

“Hm.” A short sound—not quite disapproval, not surprise either. “The order was for you to come...” his gaze fixes on you, then briefly shifts to your brother, who, despite trying to stand firm, avoids holding his father’s gaze. “...and yet, you brought yourself... in a pair.”

The silence is broken only by the soft crackling of the incense as the herbs slowly burn.

Still clutching your brother’s hand, you take a deep breath, press your lips together, and reply—half hesitant, half determined:

“I... I thought... If you wanted to see me, you could see him too... and he also wants to see you... so...” the words stumble out, but they’re sincere, the way only a child can be. “...so we came together.”

For a brief moment, the stern gaze of Master Li softens—almost imperceptibly. One of his hands, resting on the desk, slowly clenches as though holding onto an ancient thought that dares not be released.

He turns his gaze to the window, watching for a moment as bamboo leaves sway in the wind, before looking back at you both.

“Hmph...” he breathes deeply. “Since you’re here, sit.” He gestures toward the cushions placed before the desk. “And listen carefully.”

You both sit side by side, still holding hands, while the smell of freshly brewed tea mingles with the woody scent of the incense.

Then, he slowly unrolls a scroll across the table. His golden eyes, now more serious than ever, lift to meet yours.

“There are things that, as children of this clan, you can no longer ignore.”

He taps a finger lightly on the open scroll.

“Our family... our lineage carries a unique technique. Xiuying...” his gaze shifts to your brother, “you should already be starting to learn about this. But since the effects only began manifesting about two months ago, we decided to wait.” — then he looks straight at you, serious — “And you... your mother told me you’ve been feeling dizzy lately. That only confirms my suspicions. It’s beginning for you as well...”

He exhales heavily, folding his hands over the desk, his expression weighed.

“Listen carefully, both of you. Until you formally begin proper cultivation training, under no circumstances are you to stimulate or force the flow of Qi. You must avoid—”

Before he could finish, the hurried sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway. The door burst open, slamming against the frame. A senior cultivator, panting, his robes slightly disheveled, stumbled in, ignoring all protocol and etiquette.

The lanterns swayed, and even the servants outside startled at the sudden disturbance.

“What is the meaning of this?!” Master Li’s voice exploded like thunder in the hall, his previous calm replaced by restrained fury. “To barge into my hall like this... speak! What is so urgent that it justifies such insolence?!”

The cultivator trembled, trying to kneel, breathless.

“Leader... Leader Li, it’s... it’s the Madame... Madame Li, she...” the words caught in his throat, as if even speaking them was painful.

It was enough. No more needed to be said. Master Li’s face drained of color. His sharp eyes widened, and in an instant, he stood, knocking the chair behind him to the floor.

Without saying another word, he turned and bolted from the room, the sleeves of his robe trailing through the air as he disappeared through the door.

You and your brother looked at each other, hearts pounding, not fully understanding what was happening—but knowing, deep down, that something very, very bad had just occurred.

And then...

Everything goes dark.

The sound of hurried footsteps, doors slamming open, trembling voices... all of it dissolves into nothingness.

A cold, suffocating void... as if the entire world were collapsing inside you.

Breath grows heavy.

The body, weak.

And, for a moment... it feels like everything simply disappears.

Until...

“Focus. Breathe. Control.”

The firm, hoarse voice—weighted with years of discipline—cuts through the darkness.

“Again. Don’t tell me you’ve even forgotten this.”

You gasp, eyes snapping open.

The scent of aged wood, of burning incense, and the damp earth after rain floods your senses.

Your body is kneeling, palms pressed against the cold stone floor of the training pavilion. Your knees ache. Your hands tremble. Your clothes are soaked with sweat and stained with dust.

Before you—standing tall, immovable as a mountain—he waits.

Your old master.

The man who shaped every fiber of what you became.

The man you’ve hated so many times.

And, in silence... wished just as often that he would look at you not as a disciple. But maybe... as family.

But that... never happened.

The old man, his long hair nearly all gray now, stares at you with sharp, blade-like eyes.

“If you can’t even hold your own meridian...” his voice is cold, merciless, as it always was, “then you don’t deserve to carry the name Li. Stand up. Again. Now.”

Your chest aches. But it isn’t just from the training.

Your pulse spirals out of control. Your body screams for action—attack, run, something. It’s as if your very bones are trying to break themselves... only to remake into something stronger.

Weeks ago, he started asking about your family.

About techniques. Lineage. Cultivation. Everything.

Any scrap of knowledge that might help him understand who—or what—you truly are.

When you were a child, those things didn’t matter. You knew little.

Little beyond fragmented memories... of when your father once tried to tell you about a special technique from your bloodline.

The moment your master heard that... he left.

Not a word.

No explanation.

No promise of return.

Two whole days.

Gone.

Nothing but silence.

And then... he came back.

As if nothing had happened.

Acting exactly as he always did.

Until today.

The second rain of the day had just begun when he dragged you outside. To train.

Hours upon hours without rest.

And, strangely... not once did he hold back.

Liang Shuren... was not a gentle man.

But he was never cruel. He knew better than anyone where a disciple’s limit was.

And exactly when to stop.

But today... today was different.

And you felt it. From the very first movement.

The tension suffocated you.

Your body, heavy.

Your mind, scattered.

And as if that weren’t enough...

Thunder began to split the sky.

And every time it echoed... something deep inside you trembled.

And he struck. And it hurt.

More than it should have.

More than made sense.

You tried—more than once—to ask him to stop. That it was enough for today.

But... a strange feeling began to grow inside you.

A crushing pressure in your chest.

Your Qi in disarray.

The flow slipping out of control.

And that...

That’s how you ended up here.

Kneeling.

Gasping for air.

Lost somewhere between the pain... and something you don’t yet understand.

Not yet.

And then...

The world simply fades away.

The last thing you remember is the muffled sound of rain, thunder rumbling like distant drums... and the figure of Liang Shuren standing before you, still as a stone statue.

After that... only darkness.

A silent void — no time, no body.

When your eyes open again, the soft light of a paper lantern fills the room. The sound of rain is still there, but now distant, like a whisper from the world outside.

You’re lying on your futon, covered up to your shoulders.

The air carries the familiar scent of your space — dry wood, tea, clean fabric — mixed with the faint trace of incense still burning somewhere nearby.

Your body feels as heavy as stone. Every muscle screams, as if it had been torn apart and stitched back together by force. Your head throbs. Your chest feels like it's collapsing into itself.

And then... you realize.

He's there.

Sitting by your side, eyes half-lidded, silently watching you.

For a moment, neither of you says anything.

But you notice — the way he breathes a little deeper than usual.

His gaze, even stern as always, holds something beyond that usual rigidity.

Concern.

He clears his throat, breaking the silence with a touch of disdain:

“Hmph... For a moment, I thought you weren’t going to wake up.”

You turn your face toward him, still lying down.

“Are you trying to kill me?”

“No.”

“Then why did you do that?! You didn’t stop hitting me, even when I begged you to! Even when I was already down! What kind of master does that?! Why...? Why did you...?”

Your voice falters. Your eyes well with tears.

You cover your face with your arm, voice muffled, trembling, almost childish:

“Idiot... stupid old idiot... stupid cultivation...”

“You...” he starts, but the sentence fades into nothing.

He sighs, stands up, and walks toward the door. Opens it slowly, as if weighing something in his mind.

“I’ll fix you something to eat. Rest. We have things to discuss later.”

It takes a while.

Time passes like it’s slipping between the cracks in the wooden floor.

But he returns.

Carrying a simple tray, and on it — a steaming bowl of lu rou fan — white rice topped with slow-braised pork in soy sauce and spices, served with boiled eggs and vegetables sautéed in sesame oil.

You sit up with effort, sulking, both pride and body equally bruised. You eat in silence while he stays there, seated beside you, silent as well — just watching.

Until he finally speaks:

“I’m going to tell you what I’ve found out.”

You roll your eyes.

“I’m eating. If it’s serious, wait until the sacred meal is over.”

“You should show more respect to your masters.”

“You’ve confused me. You push me to train, and now you leave me like this. You don’t treat me well, but you don’t treat me badly either. So, for now, my respect depends on how you behave.”

He scoffs.

“Brat. Kids these days...”

“Yeah, yeah. Keep talking.” you nod, still chewing.

He crosses his arms, leans back against the wall, and his voice shifts. It grows deeper, heavier.

“Balance is an illusion. Duality doesn’t seek harmony... it seeks survival. This is a fragment from the Serpent Flower Scroll. Have you ever heard of it?”

You shake your head.

“No.”

“It’s a record of your bloodline. What happened to you today... has a name. When Flesh Becomes Weapon. Yin-Yang State: Body.”

You freeze. Fork halfway to your mouth.

Slowly, you lift your head, fully paying attention now.

He continues:

“Spiritual energy locks itself inside the body. It can’t be shaped into techniques or ranged attacks. It reinforces your muscles, your bones, your skin. Strength, speed, endurance... everything rises to an almost inhuman level.”

“Huh... That actually sounds awesome.” You raise an eyebrow. “I get strong... naturally.”

“Impatient.” he grumbles. “Listen until the end. This state shuts down your reason. You become pure instinct. A cornered animal. And when it ends... the body collapses. Internal fractures, exhaustion, even organ failure. And worse — while in this state, you can’t use spiritual swords, techniques, nothing. Only hand-to-hand combat.”

Your eyes widen.

“...Yeah. That’s... that’s pretty damn terrible.”

“Watch your mouth, girl.” he snaps, almost out of habit, then sighs.

“Li (name)... from now on, you need to be more careful. This power isn’t a gift. It’s a burden. And it can destroy you if used the wrong way.”

“But how do you even know this? These things about my clan...”

He hesitates. Then answers, with an uncomfortable sort of nonchalance:

“...I’ve been trading some information. Selling some, too.”

Your hands slowly tighten into fists, eyes fixed on the almost-empty bowl.

“I see.”

Silence returns. Thick.

But now... something has shifted.

It’s no longer just master and disciple.

It’s survivor and heir.

An ancient truth rises on the horizon.

And, as always... the rain outside never truly stops.

.

.

.

.

And so, you come back to consciousness.

[deadn30n-arch]

some band au!liu qingge headcanons that no one asked for but i can't stop thinking about him so i'm putting them down anyway tee hee

was born and raised in china, moved to america ( austin, texas ) when he was around 20. he's currently 32

has a major in music theory and a minor in creative writing

HUUUUUUGE meathead in the sense he goes to the gym 5-6 times a week bc he LOVES working out

used to box recreationally on the side. it was a passion of his but he ultimately gave up when his music career skyrocketed

started out as a simple youtube channel of him posting snippets of music he was writing. the videos only contained the instrument he was playing on + his hands. you couldn't see much more than that ( he's shy )

has full tattoo sleeves on both arms, as well as a bunch on his back and chest

someone recognized his tattoos and a picture of him got leaked on the internet, ending his anonmity and pretty much is what boosted his popularity bc people were like holy shit this guy is pretty

he's especially famous for his rock w/ an ancient chinese influence to it. he primarily plays the guqin BUT has added in other instruments like the pipa, the ruan, the dizi, the guzheng, and a couple others. all of these instruments are self taught and he's very good at blending them in perfectly with modern day music

IF he joins a band, he would form it with some of his closest friends. he'd likely be the leader singer w/ Shen Qingqiu on backup vocals + guitar, Luo Binghe on bass, Yue Qingyuan on backup guitar, && Shang Qinghua on drums.

his online handle is 'BaiZhan' ( hundred battles ) and it's how you can find him across many platforms

he participates in some underground performances but for the most part actually avoids crowds. he dislikes being swamped by people so! when he hosts concerts, he usually does it live via platforms like twitch or youtube for example

he has a pet cat named MiMi ( literally meow ). no he didn't name it that, his sister did and he didn't have the heart to change it.

he currently lives with his younger sister Liu Mingyan in a shared flat in downtown Austin. their parents stayed in China but they keep in regular contact with them. their parents are huge supporters of them

Liu Mingyan is an up and coming novelist who specializes in writing BL ( big surprise right ) and she writes a lot of xiaxia / dianxia style stories. she's an accomplished web novelist who rakes in a decent amount of money from her pay-per-chapter site

sometimes Mingyan guest sings in Liu Qingge's streamed concerts or videos he's shooting. her sweet but powerful vocals has earned her her own set of fans that Liu Qingge is often :squint: at bc he's extra protective of his sister

Liu Qingge prefers to dress in more casual style despite being fairly well off thanks to his career and he doesn't often wear super expensive clothing even though he technically could

[phoenixrsing]

your muses aesthetic. list your muse’s aesthetic from tastes, smells, outfits, and sceneries. add as many subjects as you like, it can help with people tagging you in aesthetically pleasing things towards your muse.

tastes: traditional fire-nation cuisine. spicy fire-flakes, roasted pork, and hot tea infused with jasmine. dragon fruit, lychee, and mangoes, grilled sea pawns. aged fire nation wines with complex flavors of oak and spice. fire nation whiskey, intense and smoky, with hints of charred oak, toasted spices, and a touch of volcanic ashroasted chestnuts. green tea ceremonies, delicate jasmine tea, and rare white dragon jasmine tea leaves—a specialty of his father. rare spices from trees that are native to fire nation, including cumin, saffron, and cardamom.

smells: a scent of smoldering cinnamon, cloves, and star anise in the air. jasmine blossoms, lotus flowers, and orchids from the royal gardens. the crisp scent of autumn leaves and the smoky aroma of fire pits. herbal notes. a hint of sage, lemongrass, and mint leaves in herbal teas. sandalwood incense burning in meditation rooms. crackling hearth fires in the royal palace.

sights: volcanic landscapes. volcanoes looming on the horizon, with smoke rising from their peaks. intense flames swirling, casting shadows against the red walls. royal palace. opulent halls decorated with gilded ornaments, tapestries depicting ancient fire nation legends, and imposing thrones. fire nation technology—advanced warships, steam-powered machinery, and towering factories billowing smoke. traditional fire nation dances—graceful movements accompanied by the flickering light of torches and lanterns. colorful celebrations featuring elaborate firework displays, traditional music, and performances. endless amount of war memorials. monuments honoring fallen soldiers of the fire nation, with eternal flames burning in their honor. regal crimson robes with intricate gold embroidery, adorned with the fire nation insignia. messages of propaganda, supremacy, and strength through firebending. a recruitment poster featuring a soldier, with the caption, join the fire nation army and defend our sacred land.

sounds: the rhythmic sound of flames dancing in fire pits and torches. trumpets heralding the arrival of fire nation royalty, accompanied by drums and cymbals. war drums—thunderous beats echoing across training grounds, inspiring troops before battle. lightning crackling in the foreground. melodic tunes played on traditional fire nation instruments, the pipa and guzheng. the chirping of fire nation birds, the rustling of palm trees, and the distant roar of waterfalls. war machinery—clanking gears, hissing steam, and the rumble of warships off the shorelines. moments of quiet contemplation, where the only sounds are the soft rustle of leaves and the gentle crackle of embers. practicing the dizi, traditional flute in between training sessions.

sensations: the comforting heat of firebending flames against the skin during training sessions. luxurious fire nation silks and satins, smooth against the touch. intense warmth radiating from the earth's core during visits to volcanic hot springs. humid, sea breezes brushing against the skin from the coastlines. tactile connection—a sensation of firebending energy pulsing beneath lu ten's fingertips, responding to his every movement and command. resilient spirit and unwavering determination. a deep sense of connection to the spirits of fire. commitment to serving the fire nation. isolationism, a loneliness you cannot shake. failure is not an option. reluctant heroism, internal struggles between morality and obligations. inside of me, there are two dogs. one is mean and evil and the other is good and they fight each other all the time. when asked which one wins, i answer, the one I feed the most. ambiguous loyalties.

tagged by — me. tagging: @hotknickers, @denouemente, @linghung, @hookedswords, @dropovers, @fearbend, @kniveds, @yourideaguy, @bowbend, @rotpoetry

[lynns-mods]

Stopped working on the other mod I was working on and have now started working on a more focused biome-mod! Here's a Chestnut Forest (which, as you can probably tell, is still in development).

Also some music discs (since I now have Reaper and can therefore make decent music)

Descriptions from left to right:

255 is a laserdisc, and features chiptune drums, a bitcrushed guzheng and a wobbly, glitchy-sounding piano; at time of writing, it's the only one I've actually made the music for.

??? is a disc without a label, and will feature distorted vocals, echoing piano, and a lo-fi filter.

Pearlescence is a pale, brightly-coloured disc with glowing parts (the sprite has them change colour, but I didn't want to do that with this image), and will feature bells, "crystalline" synths, and lots of reverb.

[polls-about-music]

A while back, I saw a poll for "What instrument would be most prominent in your theme song?" Except, the options were... very limited (as one imagines, when you're listing individual instruments with only 12 spaces), and most people ended up saying 'something not listed'. So, I did my very best to fit As Many Instruments As Possible into categories.

Here's "What instrument plays your theme song?", but as comprehensive as I could possibly make it!

Western Band: Brass (trumpet, french horn, tuba, flugelhorn, etc.)

Western Band: Woodwind (flute, saxophone, bassoon, etc.)

Western Symphony: Strings (violin, cello, string bass, etc.)

Other Strings: Bowed (erhu, viols, esraj, rebec, fiddle, etc.)

Strings: Plucked/strummed (zither, guitar, harp, sitar, guzheng, veena, lute, banjo, etc.)

Non-band Wind: single chamber (recorder, ocarina, didgeridoo, alphorn, dizi, shehnai, etc.)

Non-band Wind: multi chamber (panpipes, harmonica, alghoza, sheng, etc.)

Eclectic: aka these are hard to categorize (bagpipes, accordion, hurdy gurdy, whistling i guess, organ, calliope, etc.)

Electronic (theremin, synthesizer, stylophone, otamatone, etc.)

Percussion: Melodic (mbira, piano, marimba, chimes, glass harmonica, etc.)

Percussion: Rhythmic (snare, drum set, bongos, castanets, cowbell, dhime, taiko/wadaiko, etc.)

Vocals: Any style (opera, rap, throat-singing, choir, scat, etc.)

Do your best to categorize your instrument of choice! All of them have many more instruments in them than I could possibly list, given the amount of space we've got.

Give us specifics in the comments and tags!!

(my apologies to pianists. assigned percussion by Me. don't kill me please. I needed the space.)

[deathfavor]

@vulpesse said: if all your muses could play a musical instrument, which instrument would each of them play?

Untitled Questions for Multimuses

oooh that's an interesting question! Only a few of my muses canonically do. So lets dive in!

Byakkomaru - Drums , specifically Assyrian but he can adapt to most Hanma - He has no comment, he'd probably be good at most if he tried. Maybe guitar ( he'd prefer rhythm over lead ) or something like that; maybe keyboard just to throw everyone off. Kazutora - Electric guitar Izana - Acoustic guitar but can play electric Chrollo - Cello and pipe organ Kalluto - Harp and Kalimba Xue Yang - electric guitar Ling Wen - she can't to save her life, but if she did, maybe the Erhu  He Xuan - Sasando Earl - Bass Dreya - Theremin  Lamia - Ocarina Serpent - Maybe Oboe...sounds fun to her Seiroku - Guzheng  Lucifer - Harp and flute are his specialty, but also plays organ an piano Fenrir - Drums Sekhmet - Egyptian riq

[mixtapedoh]

Gunshot! Cast seventeen as musical instruments?

come join my autumn celebration!

this one is so fun <333

s.coups as a gong (maybe you don't get it but i do. his alternate is someone in the brass family, but i can't decide. perhaps the euphonium???)

jeonghan as the clarinet (also also!!!!!!! the cello <3)

joshua as the ukelele

jun as a synth (a close alternate is the rainstick and idk which fits better???)

hoshi as castanets (but also you know i have to give a shout out to the ipu <3 hoshi is simply percussion <3)

wonwoo as viola (but also consider: wonwoo as the lute <3)

woozi as guitar

dk as pan flute (also consider the marimba though <3)

mingyu as french horn

minghao as piano (but also guzheng because minghao also has string instrument vibes, and it just LOOKS cool. it is also A Lot to set up, from what i've seen, and the high maintenance of it fits asdfghgfds)

seungkwan as the oboe (also consider the harp <3)

vernon as a bass guitar

dino as drums

[sunwukongssuccessor]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Shadow's Secret fun facts since I got a chapter out recently

⭐️ In chapter 16, Spider Queen makes a jab at Macaque by asking him if the reader character is a student of his as another way of imitating Wukong. This is kind of a reference to a concept I considered for the fic (Was even thinking of naming the fic "The Shadow's Successor") but scrapped the idea since I wasn't quite crazy over how much worse the power imbalance would be between them as well as how hostile I've seen some of the fandom get over the Macaque/MK ship and didn't want any of that following me.

⭐️ The theater's snack gal/assistant manager, in the fic she's named Jia Su. (I can't take credit for the name though, it came from this art I saw of her on twitter and the artist gave her a name.)

⭐️ The headphone Macaque wears is a pair stolen from MK. (Yes, he is that petty.)

⭐️ Of the instruments I picked out from were: erhu, dizi, bawu, guzheng, tanggu drum, yanqin, guqin, and pipa, these were mentioned in an instagram post by the D.A's Office which is the studio that produced the soundtrack!

⭐️ The audio mixing program that's mentioned (Soundtrap) is an actual thing, my friend @creepygnomeking who is making two (2) visual novels (one being a lmk dating sim 👀) with that being used for the music!

[drafty-castle]

Guys, get out of the west. The East is Where It’s At when it comes to stringed instruments.

(Chinese)

Erhu

Guzheng

Guqin

Yueqin

Yangqin

(Japanese)

Tonkori

Kokyu

(Tibet)

Dramyin

(Nepal)

Sarangi

(Vietnam)

Dan Bau

And if you want to get invested in BIG, check out what the East was doing with drums. Because some of them are as big as my house. It’s bananas.

the contrabass saxophone is such an absurd instrument

[deadn30n]

verse dump: band au liu qingge

some band au!liu qingge headcanons that no one asked for but i can't stop thinking about him so i'm putting them down anyway tee hee

was born and raised in china, moved to america ( austin, texas ) when he was around 20. he's currently 32

has a major in music theory and a minor in creative writing

HUUUUUUGE meathead in the sense he goes to the gym 5-6 times a week bc he LOVES working out

used to box recreationally on the side. it was a passion of his but he ultimately gave up when his music career skyrocketed

started out as a simple youtube channel of him posting snippets of music he was writing. the videos only contained the instrument he was playing on + his hands. you couldn't see much more than that ( he's shy )

has full tattoo sleeves on both arms, as well as a bunch on his back and chest

someone recognized his tattoos and a picture of him got leaked on the internet, ending his anonmity and pretty much is what boosted his popularity bc people were like holy shit this guy is pretty

he's especially famous for his rock w/ an ancient chinese influence to it. he primarily plays the guqin BUT has added in other instruments like the pipa, the ruan, the dizi, the guzheng, and a couple others. all of these instruments are self taught and he's very good at blending them in perfectly with modern day music

IF he joins a band, he would form it with some of his closest friends. he'd likely be the leader singer w/ Shen Qingqiu on backup vocals + guitar, Luo Binghe on bass, Yue Qingyuan on backup guitar, && Shang Qinghua on drums.

his online handle is 'BaiZhan' ( hundred battles ) and it's how you can find him across many platforms

he participates in some underground performances but for the most part actually avoids crowds. he dislikes being swamped by people so! when he hosts concerts, he usually does it live via platforms like twitch or youtube for example

he has a pet cat named MiMi ( literally meow ). no he didn't name it that, his sister did and he didn't have the heart to change it.

he currently lives with his younger sister Liu Mingyan in a shared flat in downtown Austin. their parents stayed in China but they keep in regular contact with them. their parents are huge supporters of them

Liu Mingyan is an up and coming novelist who specializes in writing BL ( big surprise right ) and she writes a lot of xiaxia / dianxia style stories. she's an accomplished web novelist who rakes in a decent amount of money from her pay-per-chapter site

sometimes Mingyan guest sings in Liu Qingge's streamed concerts or videos he's shooting. her sweet but powerful vocals has earned her her own set of fans that Liu Qingge is often :squint: at bc he's extra protective of his sister

Liu Qingge prefers to dress in more casual style despite being fairly well off thanks to his career and he doesn't often wear super expensive clothing even though he technically could

[iridescentinferno]

@droplct

The crowd gathered eagerly as the first unusual notes of the guzheng lingered in the air. Although Xiù was born into wealth inaccessible for most, the girl found a way to let her voice and rebellion known: entertaining commoners with Quian occasionally aiding her crafted melody with drums, a young earthbender Kai and the newest recruit of The Jewels, a dancer named Jade.

Everyone had their own reason and passion reflected in some way, many admired Xiù's undeniable talent and kindness, some drawn to Quian's inner peace, kids enjoyed Kai's playful nature. And then was the enigma.

The young woman moved like she was weightless, yet carried herself with power. Twirled effortlessly from rock formations emerging seemingly randomly; choreography would've taken away the magic of improvisation. The thin veil covering half of face glimmered light green, the color shifting into subtle but bright red along with the ones attached to her wrists.

The skirt flew with each bold step and wild twirl revealing its almost scandalously high slits. Delicate gold chains adorned her legs, sunlight warming tiny amber stones embedded within. Pure mirth danced in her eyes, brilliant, bright jade full of joy and playful mischief as she spun and jumped down in form of a backflip from a pillar.

Only her hair remained restrained in a bun full of sweet scented jasmine flowers as she shamelessly sauntered close to the onlookers with her hips snaking to the beat. Wives stomped on their husbands' foot, girlfriends started scolding their boyfriends if in their eyes they paid too much attention than appropriate, let alone tossed a few coins in encouragement.

Jade cherished this accidental twist of fate bringing her together with people who could rekindle something less destructive within her, hasn't noticed how parched her soul was. Still, she practiced great discipline, well aware she was dancing the first time fire flown effortlessly from her fingertips. Through her shimmering veils, artic blue caught her eyes mid turn among the sea of greens, yellows and browns.

The sight of the young waterbender -or at least someone from possibly the Southern Water Tribe based on clothing- sent a spark of genuine joy through her expression, honoring her presence with a simple waterbending form with a tiny flair added to truly send her veils flying. She resumed her unwavering balance on the small pillars rising, vibrating with the strings' melody, each step, spin light, confident and drenched with utmost passion.

"Which pleasurehouse did that one come from?" the not so subtle...observation came from one of the three girls of higher status watching in clear disdain

"And imagine what she had to do to be paid with such fine jewelry." the second added, to which the third nodded "Such waste of craftsmanship on a lowly nonbender."

The dancer bent backwards while balancing in splits between pillars, causing the fabric to ride further up her torso as it pulsed with movement even in such impossible position. The tallest girl smirked cruelly at the sight of slightly raised skin and the thick lines of ink trying to cover the scar tissue. "Looks like she also spun into an embrace of a firebender. Xiù ought to choose her friends better." their laughter drowned out by the applause as the dancer snapped upright and kept turning on one foot on the almost spike surfaced stone.

A moment of quiet fell over the crowd as the earth stage suddenly fell completely flat, leaving the young woman seemingly floating in the air for a moment swirling within veils, glittering, glowing and radiating before she landed in a perfect standing split with a tranquil expression occasionally broken by righteous pride.