materlux

[materlux]

How to use Em Dash (—) and Semi Colon ( ; )

Since the ai accusations are still being thrown around, here's how i personally like to use these GASP ai telltales. 🦄✨

Em Dashes (—)

To emphasize a shift / action / thought.

They're accusing us—actually accusing us—of using AI.

To add drama.

They dismissed our skills as AI—didn't even think twice, the dimwits—and believed they were onto something.

To insert a sudden thought. Surely they wouldn't do that to us—would they?

To interrupt someone's speech. "Hey, please don't say that. I honed my craft through years of blood and tears—" "Shut up, prompter."

To interrupt someone's thoughts / insert a sudden event.

We're going to get those kudos. We're going to get those reblogs—

A chronically online Steve commented, “it sounds like ai, idk.”

Semi Colons ( ; )

To join two closely related independent sentences / connect ideas.

Not only ChatGPT is capable of correct punctuation; who do you think it learned from in the first place?

Ultimate pro tip: use them whenever the fuck you want. You don't owe anyone your creative process. 🌈

[materlux]

I am putting my 3 years of ancient greek and latin to use trying to deciper the Amphrous names, these are simple me having fun and theorizing, I don't work for Hoyo, this was just fun.

Okay so, Phainon in greek is "Φαινων", which is a participle form of the verb "φαινω" (faino), the verb means to bring to light, and thus the participle means bringing to light. So Phainon (Φαινων) means bringing to light.

Next up is Mydeimos, spelt "Μυδειμος" in greek, which is derived of "μυ" and "δειμος". "μυ" is a rewriting of μι’ which is a shortend version of μια and means one. "δειμος" is one of the greek words for fear, so Mydeimos (Μυδειμος) means one fear.

Aglaea (Αγλαεα in greek) is more simpler, being a different spelling of the word "αγλαια" meaning splendour, beauty or magnificence.

Anaxagoras is also simple, spelt Αναξαγορας in greek, and is named after a famous philosopher. Other than that, αναξ is also a greek word for lord or master and γοργας (the closest to goras i could find) meaning fear or terrifying, thus αναξ γοργας means lord fear or alternatively "lord of fear/master of fear."

Hyacine, Ὑασινε in greek, is from what I can conclude named after ὑακινθος (in greek)/hyacinthus (in latin), which is either the flower, hyacinth, or Apollo's lover, Hyacinthus, who he turned into said flower.

Castorice is one that made me laugh at first, because the latin word castor and the greek kαστωρ both mean beaver, castoris or καστορος then meaning beaver's. With further reading I think she's named a lesser known greek god, and not beavers. Castor plus the latin suffix -trix, later -ice in english, to make the name feminine. Castor and his twin brother Pollux are patrons of sailors.

And lastly (I chose to only do the characters we've met in game, I might add to this as the story progresses) is the one that made me sad, Tribios, Τριβιος in greek, created by adding the greek prefix τρι-, meaning three or three times, to βιος meaning life, thus Τριβιος means three life or life three times or three times life.

Followed by Tribbie, τριβιε, which honestly I think is just meant as a nickname, βιε is just a different form of the word βιος, so Tribbie and Tribios mean the same.

Trianne, Τριανε, has two options; either τρι + αν, αν here being a particle of emphasis, so "three!". Or τριαν, from τριας, which means three or triad.

And last is Trinnon, Τρινον, whose name made me the saddest, it can either be comprised of the prefix τρι- and the greek word νοον, from νους, meaning heart or soul, so three times heart/soul. Or the again the greek prefix τρι- and the latin non, meaning not, thus her name meaning not three.

I am now sad, and you all must suffer with the knowledge I now have. I am not sorry.

[materlux]

Waldeinsamkeit

(n.) Forest solitude; the feeling of being alone in the woods.

Argenti, knight of beauty arrives at a planet in need of any kind of help, and so offers his expertise. The locals point out a haunted forest with monsters, but the monster in the forest is neither hostile nor hideous, how will he go about this new discovery?

CW: Fluff, monster!reader, sort of flirting (it's Argenti, no surprise), 1.4k

Honkai Star Rail | Main Masterlist

This planet had experienced a catastrophic incident many amber eras ago, this has left its remaining life forms cut off from the rest of the cosmos. The people of this planet are, what the Genius Society would label, primitive. They do not understand the giant metal structures left behind by their forefathers, they have no knowledge of the aeons, or of the place they once occupied in the vast universe. To put it simply, it’s like someone pressed the ‘reset’ button on their civilization.

   The perfect location for a knight looking to offer themself to aid the people in regaining their former power, or perhaps only to live a little safer. One such knight of the beauty saunters along a stone path, it's uneven and full of tripping hazards, but the knight moves along with elegance.

   Warm red hair catches the eyes of passerbyers, and so does the gleaming armour he dons. Argenti offers a kind smile to every person he passes on his way, at the plaza he stops and makes his offer, the townspeople observe his theatrics before pointing him in the direction of the dense forest beyond their walls. They speak ill of ghosts and monsters that terrorise the paths, and frighten travellers.

   And so Argenti moves along past the tree line, around him shrubbery grows tall and dense, small patches of sunlight break the shade, in the light flowers grow in abundance. If he were not on a mission, he’d stop to admire them for a while, he promises them he’ll stop on the way back.

   In the densest part of the forest, the knight halts in his path, a small pale ghost stands in his way. It clicks its head once, then twice.

   “Greetings, you must be one of the ghosts the locals mentioned to me.” The ghost clicks its head again. “My, I must say you don’t seem to pose much of a threat. Could you truly be the ghosts the people spoke so ill of?” Another click follows as if in response.

   “Perhaps you can show me the way? I am looking for what the locals referred to, as a monster.” The ghost clicks and tilts its head this and that way, before running further down the path. It stops and looks back at him, it clicks its head, as if asking him to follow. “I thank you for your kind nature.”

   As the knight follows the small ghost along the path, more begin to join them, before long Argenti is joined by his own army of guiding ghosts. By a small stream the group comes to a hold, the ghosts look up into the tallest tree and click their heads. With much ease a company breaks away and climbs up its trunk.

   “So this must be your home, thank you for offering me your company on this journey, I shall be sure to come this way again.” Argenti lowers his head in a slight bow, before turning down the path.

   Above, the small company of ghosts are clinging to your body while clicking their heads. You observe the man with fiery hair as he moves down the path, he disappears from view and the ghosts quiet down among you.

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

   In a small patch of sunlight you stretch your limbs out to their full length, flowers sway in the soft wind. Soft pastels give way to the brightest of petals, one such bright colour catches your eye; warm red flowers sway near the edge, goldenrods peek out from behind the petals. 

   You huddle over to them, they remind you of the man with fiery hair and gleaming armour, you think they would suit him. You gather a handful of flowers and hold them out to the ghosts, they click their heads in approval.

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

   The next time you come across the knight, he stands at a crossroad, the former army is now down to only a couple. Some sit atop his shoulders, while others dangle off of his body. He seems completely unbothered by their presence, as he considers his options.

   It brings you a sense of joy to see the ghosts being treated so kindly, often travellers shoo them away with unkind words. Branches shake as you make your way down, the knight -attentive to all sound- turns your way. Before neither you or ghosts can register it, a spear head is held in your direction. The ghosts click their heads wildly, and you keep your body low.

   Small and docile as they may be, the ghosts do not appreciate threats. They walk down the spear with more precision than a line dancer, the knight -good and gracious- will not swing his spear, for fear of hurting them.

   “My small companions, I do not wish to harm you, but this must be the fearsome monster of the forest.” The knight is steadfast.

   With a calm disposition you offer the flowers, the ghosts above you hold them and like a train the handful makes its way down the spear. The red flowers are offered to the knight, and for once he seems to falter. You take the chance and clamber your way back up the tree, in the canopy you watch him study them.

   “Did you gather these for me?” Argenti asks the tree. “They are quite beautiful, I have been admiring them from the path. If you would not mind, I’d like to offer my heartfelt apology.”

   The ghosts around you urge you with their clicks, to trust his word, and with slow movements you come back down the tree. The knight lowers his spear and instead offers you his hand, you take it.

   “I offer you my heartfelt apology, I had assumed you would be as hostile as the locals had recalled to me. As I see it now, you are merely another life form in this forest, much like my small companions.” The ghosts click their heads, and while the words do not mean much to your muddled brain, you sense his sincerity.

   His armour gleams in the small specks of light, and the metals mesmerise you. You move closer and allow your hands to run over the cold metal, Argenti observes you as the light bounces off his armour and scatters across your skin.

   “Now that I get a proper look at you, I see I must have been mistaken by the opinions of others. You seem not to be a monster, with your complexion you could rival the beauty of these flowers.” His words, sincere as they are, do not mean much to you.

   “Would you like to accompany me back to the town? I wish to inform the people that they have been mistaken, much like I was.” Argenti looks down at you with kind eyes, and you nod along like the words mean anything to you.

   “Very well then, we shall begin our journey at once.”

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

   As you guide him back out of the forest, he introduces himself, for most of the walk he fills the silence with complements. He stops at a tree and greets a company of ghosts, they click their heads back at him. He wanders off the path quite frequently to admire and complement the flowers, he gathers some and offers them to you. By the time you reach the edge of the forest, your arms full of colourful flowers and your hair now sports intricate weaves and braids.

   “If you would follow me, I shall guide you to the town, there we shall teach the people of their mistakes.” He stands before you, in the tall grass he holds out his hand to you again, you hesitate to take it.

   “Is there a problem?” You stare at him and look back to the forest, his eyes are inviting and you wish to join him, but you know the people of the town will not be kind to you, no matter what.

   “Can’t go.” Your tongue feels heavy from a lack of use, the knight looks back at you for a while, you sense a kind of understanding from him.

   “Alright, it is your decision after all and I shall honour it.” He smiles gently and holds his hand back out to you, before continuing in a warm tone. “Instead, would you like to stay or come with me?” You look at him for a while, considering the offer, before you nod and take his hand.

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

   You didn’t go to the town, instead you lounge in the ship of a knight, sailing through the stars. The flowers in your hair are wilting, but their colour is still bright.

[materlux]

"Dance"

5 hours 40 mins

Acrylic on canvas

Better image:

[materlux]

Psithurism

(n.) The sound of the wind through trees.

A distant signal halts the Luofu in its eternal travels, the general decides to play detective much to a certain charioteer’s chagrin. During the adventure the general meets a creature who once too traveled the stars, one who wishes to join their eternal journey.

CW: Fluff, monster!reader, mention of the dead (skeleton; vague). 2.6k

Honkai Star Rail | Main Masterlist

   This planet had experienced a catastrophic incident many amber eras ago, this has left its remaining life forms cut off from the rest of the cosmos. The people of this planet are, what the Genius Society would label, primitive. They do not understand the giant metal structures left behind by their forefathers, they have no knowledge of the aeons, or of the place they once occupied in the vast universe. To put it simply, it’s like someone pressed the ‘reset’ button on their civilization.

   By comparison the Xianzhou Luofu is far beyond advanced, currently it hovers just beyond the solar system. If it weren’t for an odd energy source they picked up off one planet in the system, they would have cruised on by. A signal like that wouldn’t be odd, they often picked up signals from other ships and planets in the area. The weird thing was, that according to the IPC’s database, this solar system was vacant. 

   So, what was making that signal? A crash landed ship calling out in distress? A new civilisation making first contact? A last ditch effort to save themselves from something terrible?

   While the Luofu is under no obligation to step in on matters like these, typically this would be something the IPC would deal with, if it was a distress signal, the residents may not have the time to spare to wait for an IPC unit. So the Xianzhou Alliance stepped in just this once, the IPC were on their way anyway, they were merely assessing the situation and would report back to the IPC. And if it was just first contact, shouldn’t the general himself be present? He thinks so at least.

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

   The air of the new planet was warm and a bit humid, nothing like the perfectly crafted atmosphere of the Luofu. The general tugged at his uniform as he and a group of cloud knights make their way towards a small town, the town is walled off and guards walk by above at a leisurely pace.

   The cobblestone paved road lets out thuds as their boots make contact, the locals stop their daily activity to stare at them. As far as Jing Yuan could assess, no one seemed to be distressed or in immediate danger.

   An older gentleman, clad in what looked like an elevated version of the guards uniform stood in their path, his hand rested leisurely on the hilt of his sword. Jing Yuan, with his signature easy smile, went ahead of his unit and introduced himself.

   “Hello, I am General Jing Yuan of the Xianzhou Luofu, we picked up a signal from this planet and wondered if you were in need of our assistance.” The man before him’s shoulders tensed, his hand inched up to grip the hilt properly.

   “I am Captain Auron, I’m afraid I don’t follow, we haven’t sent any ‘signals’ as far as I am aware.” The captain kept an even tone as he spoke. Jing Yuan simply tilted his head in mild thought, “I see,” he muttered under his breath.

   “If that is the case, would you mind if we went looking for this signal, it may not have been yours, but someone else may be in need of our help,” Jing Yuan spoke with a hint of confusion, but overall this did not affect him, the mystery is thickening. He hasn’t had this much fun on a mission in a while, if you can even call this detective work fun.

   “I don’t personally mind, as long as you don’t cause any trouble.” Auron’s hand returned to its original spot of resting against the hilt. “But if I may, I have a piece of advice regarding what is beyond the wall.”

   “By all means, any help would be greatly appreciated.” Jing Yuan gestured for Auron to continue.

   “You probably saw it on your way here, beyond the wall there is a dense forest, it stretches for miles. I’d advise you to stay out of it, the place is cursed, and a monster lurks in its shadows.” Jing Yuan simply nodded and the two parted ways.

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

   While Jing Yuan and his unit of knights would have liked to follow the advice of the Captain, it seems the signal is coming from within the forest. After a call back to the Luofu, and a moment of rest and prep, the group ventures in. The forest is indeed dense, the small winding paths force them to walk in single file lines. The further in they go, the taller the trees seem to grow, reaching into the sky. The air also gets more humid and water drips down from the leaves above.

   A knight startles and draws their weapon, for a moment the whole line is reduced to chaos, only the commanding voice of the general makes them settle down again. He manoeuvres his way through the line, and there, in the centre of all the commotion stands a small, white, somewhat human looking figure. It tilts its head and seems entirely unbothered by the previous commotion, its head clicks back into place and it runs back off into the undergrowth.

   The unit continues down the path, more on guard now, more of the small creatures have gathered around them. They trail behind them, mimicking the single file line even though they fit far better on the path. Some run ahead of the general, he pays them little mind, they seem harmless if only curious.

   By a fork in the road, the small creatures run down one path, a couple stop and click their heads at the unit. The general chuckles under his breath, before turning down the opposite path, the signal is getting stronger.

   By the end of the path a clearing opens up, an odd structure rests in the centre, almost completely overgrown. The signal must be coming from this clearing, from the odd structure Jing Yuan concludes.

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

   High above, something both human in appearance and not, slinks from branch to branch near soundlessly. You, the only living remnant of the past civilization, observe the newcomers with much intrigue. You have, after many years and radiation, lost your ability to speak any known languages. The small creatures, ghosts you think of them, also left over from the catastrophe, gather around you. You can feel the cold of their bodies touching your skin, but there is no weight as they wander all over your back.

   A couple slide down the tree and startle the weary soldiers, you smile to yourself, you would tell them to relax, that the ghosts are harmless. But you are a far more frightening sight, and if the soldiers are scared of the ghosts who knows how they’d feel about you, not to mention you cannot speak.

   The ghosts gather at the foot of the tree and stare back up at you, to them you are the most obvious sight, and they click their heads at you. They want you to come down and greet the newcomers, much like you used to in the old days.

   A man, with long pale blond hair, walks over to the ruckus, he smiles gently at the ghosts and follows their line of sight. His eyes search the canopy above, their colour a striking shade of gold, one you somewhat recognise. An idea pops into your head, if you can’t speak to communicate, perhaps body language can speak for you.

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

   The branches above shake and shiver before they fall silent, the small creatures too fall silent, whatever was in the canopy has left. “Cloud knights be on guard, we are not alone out here,” Jing Yuan calls out over the clearing.

   They begin removing moss and other plants from the structure, they soon discover a large window, a cockpit with seats behind. The seats are occupied by two bodies, both have been reduced to bones. The small creatures jump around and click as the knights work to reveal an entrance.

   Inside the ship a small red light blinks, the small creatures stay outside and simply observe the general through the glass. “This must be the signal we are picking up, so it was a distress signal, I’m afraid we are too late,” he speaks to the knights assessing the inside of the ship.

   Shouts echo from outside and the knights before him jump into action, they are staring past him out the cockpit window, the small creatures have started clicking their heads again. In one fluid motion Jing Yuan turns, summoning his weapon to his side.

   On the front of the ship, something that appears both human and not sits, you look back at him. The small creatures climb onto you and dangle off your arms, their clicks die down once they have gathered by and on your sides. Your arm extends out towards the glass, in your hand you hold a collection of bright gold flowers.

   Jing Yuan exhales after a moment of thinking, with a lazy smile and a wave of his hand the knights lower their weapons. He makes his way out of the ship and meets you by the front, you sit back on your haunches and extend the flowers out to him again. He graciously accepts them, they match his eyes near perfectly and you mentally pat yourself on the back for the right pick.

   “Thank you.” Jing Yuan has a somewhat bashful smile on his lips, it is not often the great general receives flowers. 

   “Peace,” you barely manage to croak out, your voice hoarse and thick from lack of use. The general hums and nods, the small creatures click in response, they too mean peace. 

   “Cloud knights, these beings come in peace, we can relax.” He addresses the knights around him. The knights are still wary of you and the small ghosts, their shoulders relaxed. The general looked over the flowers once again before offering them back to you, “peace,” he repeats. You accept them gently, mindful of your sharp nails.

   “Uh, General,” a knight says tentatively, “it- they look like something of the abundance.” Their eyes flicker between you and the general.

   “They do,” Jing Yuan agrees with a curious hum. You tilt your head, distantly you recall something about abundance that seems important, but ultimately this information eludes you.

   “The Captain also mentioned a monster in the forest,” a different knight speaks up, “could that not be them?” Other knights join in, nodding along, pointing out oddities and not-human characteristics that match with mara-struck.

   “Yes, yes,” the general waves a hand, quieting the group. “I do remember what the Captain said, and yes, I do agree their appearance compared to the locals is peculiar.” He looks you up and down, eyes lingering on the plant-like extrusions littering your body. “But, if they say they come in peace, we have to respect that and not respond with hostility.” The knights nod along and agree amongst themselves. You tilt your head, hardly understanding all their talk.

   You hover around the clearing, simply observing the knights as they clean the ship and gather what information they can, all preparations for when the IPC arrives and ask for all their findings. The knights are still bothered by your presence, but having faith in their general’s judgement, they leave you be only sending you weary glances when you move from one spot to another.

   Heavy foot falls wake you from your half nap on a large rock at the edge of the clearing, the sun is setting beyond the horizon casting golden light through the canopy. Before you stands the general, he regards you with a hint of mirth.

   “Resting in the evening sun I see.” He smiles as you blink slowly at him. “Were it not for my duties here, I may just join you.” You stretch your limbs out, ‘join you’, you mull over those words for a moment.

   A knight addresses the general and he turns to their attention, their conversation doesn’t reach your ears, far too busy considering his words. Vaguely you hear the knight list some letters, to which the general nods before he calls a set of orders over the camp.

   The group spends the night in the clearing, they sleep as much as they can, but it is abundantly clear to you, they aren’t used to camping out in a forest like this. You offer what reassurance you can by staying in the canopy and watching the paths around, the ghosts settle with you among the branches and keep watch. When the sun begins to rise you clamber back down the tree, the large structure made of metal is heated by the morning sun, and it makes a good resting place.

   Some time later commotion wakes you, with a stretch and a yawn you observe the knights flitting about the camp, packing bags and jutting down the last notes. The general leans on the front of the structure reading over some notes, his free hand rests on his chin. With careful movements you slide down the glass and sit behind him, distantly you recall something about personal space as you look over his shoulder.

   A smile tugs at the general’s lips, he turns his head to look over his shoulder. “Well good morning. I took the liberty to not wake you, you seemed far too comfortable up there, it’d be a shame to disturb you.” You tilt your head at him, eyes still lingering with sleep, he only smiles back at you.

   A pair of knights gather before him, he turns his attention around and is suddenly very serious. “General, all preparations are complete.”

   The general nods. “Call the men, gather by the path and wait for orders, we’ll be leaving soon.” The knights salute and leave, in a matter of minutes the knights are gathered by the path ready to leave.

   Jing Yuan makes a last round of the clearing, you observe him from above, once he’s done a circle he nods to himself seemingly pleased and approaches you.

   “I thank you for your peace, it helped keep the knights at ease.” You tilt your head at him, his tone is affectionate so you assume it’s good. “I bid you farewell for now friend, perhaps we’ll stop by this planet again once the IPC has had their look around. We’ll be leaving for home now.” He tilts his head down slightly. ‘Farewell’, for the first time you understand the meaning of the words he speaks, and it fills you with panic. You reach out, a sharp nailed hand grasping his arm, he turns back to you. 

   Why do you panic, you wonder, is it loneliness? You have spent the last centuries alone, you meet traveling merchants using shortcuts often enough, is it because these people were not hostile? Perhaps it is something deeper, a reminder of the person you once were, the civilisation you once lived in, one that was a part of the universe. Could it be because these people are from beyond the sky? You feel a longing to travel among the stars again, or you simply miss having a friend.

   “Is something the matter?” His voice breaks your train of thought, and while you don’t come to a conclusion as to why you panicked, you have decided something else.

   “Join you,” you repeat his words from earlier. He seems to think it over, looks back at the group waiting for his next orders, with a sigh he nods.

   “I don’t see why you shouldn’t be able to join us, so I’ll allow it.”

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

   Before your eyes the stars once more stretch endlessly, winking and shining, like they're welcoming you back. Somewhere distantly you can hear the general getting an earful from a woman. Jing Yuan, his name, one he spent the better half of the journey back home teaching you.

[materlux]

ao3 turns 15 today

reblog if youre older than ao3

(there's a lot of people asking about this, but the legal age to use social media is 13, except in few countries. so yes, there are people here under 15)

[materlux]

I am Icarus and you are my sun, lord I know I will burn before I reach you, but I'll be damned if I don't try.

I used first-person pronouns, this is entirely self-indulgent, i do not care, this was for me. It's pure devotion and body-worship, but not in a smut way, a soft wholesome fluff way.

Main Masterlist | Honkai Star Rail

Argenti, a knight of beauty and a man who claims to be better with actions than words, as strongly as many would disagree, myself included, I think he has a point. At least he is proving something now, or maybe it’s just his unrelenting honesty combined with calloused, gentle hands.

   At first his hands were gloved, still warm, and glided over fabrics, tracing the outline of a body ingrained in memory. As minutes passed and comments of the day were made, somewhere along the way he lost his gloves. Calloused hands sneak under the fabric, with them they leave warmth that rivals the sun, in their wake they leave goosebumps and shivers.

   He mutters every synonym for beautiful in the known universe into now exposed collarbones, at some point it feels like he’s making up new words, just to describe the patterns of my skin. Heavy armour gleams in the sunlight, abandoned on the floor, it will be picked up later and treated with the utmost care.

   He does this alot, at this point I have given up in proving his stance wrong, ‘he’s better with actions than words’. Instead, I make a game of this, a competition to see who loses to the whims and charms of the other first. After all these years you’d think I’d grown immune to his sweet tongue, but everyday he proves me wrong, and I find I don’t mind being wrong this time.

   Red hair filters between my fingers, soft as silk, he responds with a light kiss to my skin. I call him every word under the sun for handsome, and responds with more words, real and ones that seem made up. We go on and on, I caress his scalp and kiss his hair, his hands run over my skin, tracing his thoughts in cursive patterns.

   Perhaps my mind is playing tricks on me, but I swear I can see flowers grow under my fingers as they graze his skin, I can feel them grow in my own skin, their roots sinking deep and mimicking nerves. In the late sun I watch him unwind and unfurl, like a flower growing in adversity.

   The way he says my name, it’s as if it is the only lyric to his favourite song, and honestly, if I had to choose, I’d choose his voice singing my name as the only sound to hear for the rest of my life. And if it drives me mad, then I shall welcome it, though at this moment I fear it may be his hands that will drive me to insanity first.

   I know now, I have lost, for nothing I can say could ever amount to this same meaning. But I speak his name in a way that makes me wonder, was it the first word I ever spoke? It feels so natural on my tongue, that it must have been.

   In time, the sun sets in the sky, but my sun never sets over the horizon, he looks into my eyes instead and pledges his life to me. I lean in, like a moth to a flame; like Icarus and Helios I fear not the fire. But unlike the examples before, that will surely end in tragedy: The moth will turn to ash, Icarus will crash into the sea. I do not believe we will end in tragedy, and perhaps that is exactly what they all say: Does the moth know it will burn in the candle light? Did Icarus know the cold sea would be his last resting place? He did, I think, but did he care? I think not, and neither do I.

[materlux]

Cynefin.

Cynefin: (n.) A place where a person or an animal feels it ought to live and belong; it is where nature around you feels right and welcoming.

The Xianzhou Yaoqing arrives at a former universal trading planet, now vacant of its former prime. The General, unable to go herself, sends her most trusted advisors to inspect the planet. You are the thing they find, something with a stark resemblance to an abomination.

CW: Mention of: Injury, sort of angst like, kinda fluff too, monster!reader, 1.5k words.

Honkai Star Rail | Main Masterlist

This planet had experienced a catastrophic incident many amber eras ago, this has left its remaining life forms cut off from the rest of the cosmos. The people of this planet are, what the Genius Society would label, primitive. They do not understand the giant metal structures left behind by their forefathers, they have no knowledge of the aeons, or of the place they once occupied in the vast universe. To put it simply, it’s like someone pressed the ‘reset’ button on their civilization.

   The Xianzhou Yaoqing sits a distance away from the solar system, it’s a part of the Alliance's duties to form allyships across the cosmos, and protect the unknown universe in their ongoing war against Yaoshi, the abundance. A group of knights along with the General’s own chosen representatives, and a representative from the Skyfaring Commision, have made landfall.

   While the representative has the job of creating connections among the locals, the General’s representatives have other orders; to inspect the land and look for any possible signs of abominations. Boots thud against stone roadways, two men not clad in uniforms make their way to a market square. Tall pinkish ears twitch at every sound; sharp plum coloured eyes scan the plaza. Of course the General would only send her most trusted retainers, Jiaoqiu and Moze.

   The plaza is alight with noise, bustling with people selling and buying goods. Odd smells from local cuisine wafts through the heavy air, chatter overlaps and repetitive shouts bounce off the nearby houses. In simple terms, the plaza is overwhelming. The retainers keep close, following the flow of the crowd, asking merchants and shoppers odd questions. No good answers, most have nothing of note to offer. Except for one shady looking travelling merchant from a neighbouring town, they claim that unlike others they use the forest as a shortcut, in the forest they have seen a monster; something human, animal, and plant, all at once. The retainers thank the traveller, now this was a good lead.

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

   The forest ahead is dense, giant trees sway gently in the wind, tall undergrowth plants make for great cover. Jiaoqiu trails after Moze down a dirt path, his ears flick at every rustle of leaves, Moze watches the undergrowth for movement. The locals confirmed the traveller’s claim, but they also added their own: Ghosts.

   Something small, pale, and inhuman stands in the middle of the path. Its head tilts that and this way, before its stubby legs take it towards them. Moze stops on the path to stare down at it, if not for his great hearing the foxian would have slammed right into him.

   “Moze, why did you stop?” The foxian asks.

   “A ghost.” Is the simple answer he gets.

   “Is it cause for concern?” Jiaoqiu prods.

   “I doubt it.” The shadow guard continues down the pathway, ignoring the small spirit.

   “How comforting.” If Moze could see his eyes, he’d roll them for extra effect.

   The spirit watches them leave before wandering into the undergrowth, it joins others of its kin, gathered around a large human-like body. The creature stretches and stands, mellow eyes look at the retainers in the distance, curiosity makes it follow.

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

   Jiaoqiu sits back on a rock, the clearing allows sunlight to warm the air. Moze has disappeared into the undergrowth, searching the surrounding area for any clues. Leisurely the foxian waves a fan back and forth, the short bursts of air makes his hair sway. Your eyes follow the movement of the fan, they glide over his facial features. He reminds you of the locals in build, but much like you, he’s not entirely human.

   His tail, fluffy and dense, flicks from one side to the other, your own tail mimics the movement. You sit only a few feet away from him, his eyes are closed, he’s relaxed you conclude. You adjust yourself, his ear flicks, yours mimics.

   “Moze?” His voice is soft, your own ear flicks again.

   You move closer, staying low to the ground. You sit on your haunches, now right before him, you tilt your head. A hand with sharp nails reaches out, gentle as a summer’s breeze, you ghost across the skin of his hand. He flinches away, and you lean away, a low rumbling sound echoes from deep in your chest. His brows furrow, the relaxed look on his features bleeds away, giving way to concern, fear perhaps.

   “Hello?” He calls, voice no longer soft.

   “Hello?” You mimic his speech, although your voice is hoarse and the sound is muddled. The foxian considers his options, you don’t seem hostile, but your nature is still unknown. If you do become hostile, or grow bored, there’s not much he can do against you. Being unable to see your movements, if you’re armed or unarmed, based on the hand that grazed his skin, you certainly have sharp nails.

   “Moze!” He calls into the forest, it’s the best option he could come up with, the shadow guard wouldn’t have gone far.

   “Moze?” You attempt to mimic him again, this is not a word you recognise.

   In your speculation, you don’t notice the figure coming up behind you, his footsteps completely silent. A hand grabs the back of the fabric draped over your body, you’re reeled back and trapped before you even see his face. You begin to fight back, instinct kicking in, you trash around sharp nails searching for exposed skin. Various rumbling noises, akin to growling, shake your chest as you tilt your head to look back at your assailant.

   Weight presses against your back, Moze’s cold hand unwinds from the fabric and wraps around the back of your neck, pressing down. You still, fighting a hunter when they have you by the neck is a dangerous game, one wrong move and it could end you. You breathe heavy, eyes wide and staring back at his own, sharp eyes.

   “Moze?” Jiaoqiu calls in a soft voice, his head tilting down in the direction of the scuffle.

   “Yes, I’m here.” The man above you calls back, you can now conclude that he is Moze.

   “Well?” The foxian asks expectantly, his ears twitching at the bird song.

   “I think we’ve found the monster in the forest.” He gazes down at you, analysing your every feature. “Something human, animal and plant. Certainly looks like an abomination.” He looks up at the foxian. Abomination, a word you recognise, maybe you should stay quiet, for your own sake.

   “Mean.” You can’t help it, the word just slips out before you can think too much about it. Jiaoqiu laughs quietly while Moze looks down at you, you flick your tail around, clearly annoyed by the comment.

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

   Having done their job, the retainers return to their ship, and you are brought along, willingly or otherwise. With bound arms you sit on the floor, the foxian sits in a chair not far from you, the other guy is nowhere to be seen. You attempt to curl up while still sitting up, this fails and you come crashing down against the metal flooring, which hurts alot when you can’t catch yourself.

   Jiaoqiu’s ears twitch at the thud, and something in his subconscious reacts to the, arguably pitiful noise you let out. You exhale a deep breath and curl up on the floor instead, feeling quite defeated at this point. The foxian stands and with slow careful steps, moves closer to your body. You let out a noise in warning, and he stops a few steps away.

   “Are you okay?” He asks, you stare up at him, unamused and wholly confused by his speech.

   “Okay,” he breathes, carefully he crouches down next to you. “That sounded like it hurt.”

   “Hurt,” you repeat, it’s a word you recognise the meaning of, and it did hurt. Jiaoqiu sits down on the floor, his head tilted towards the ceiling.

   “You know, I used to be a healer,” he reminisces, “I could help you, if only a little.” You don’t understand a word coming out of his mouth.

   The foxian reaches out a careful hand, you watch it closely as it hovers over the ground, softly it makes contact with the base of your neck. You shiver involuntarily, he moves his hand up to your hair, a gentle caress. You allow this to happen, he doesn’t strike you as intimidating. 

   The other man, Moze, walks back into the room, he looks over the scene before he sighs. “You’re not supposed to be friendly with an abomination.” You glare at him.

   “We don’t know if they’re an abomination, that’s for the Alchemy Commision to figure out.” The foxian carefully weaves his fingers through your tangled hair.

   “It looks like an abomination,” Moze counters, stepping closer to look over the man, you glare back at him.

   “Looks can be deceiving,” Jiaoqiu speaks in a soft voice, it’s soothing to your ears, they flick, one grazing the skin of his wrist. “Plus, they’re under our care for the time being.”

   “So? They’ll probably end up locked away.” Moze returns your glare, equally unamused by your presence, the small scratches he just spent far too long cleaning and wrapping are reason enough.

   “That’ll be for the General to decide.” Jiaoqiu is oblivious to your little staring match with the man looming over his shoulder. “And who knows, perhaps they aren’t of the abundance at all.” He muses, Moze scoffs and you mimic the sound.

[materlux]

Werifesteria.

Werifesteria: (v.) To wander longingly through the forest in search of mystery.

The esteemed doctor Veritas Ratio, finds himself intrigued by the old technology of a post-post-apocalyptic planet. He finds more than he beckoned for, but on the bright side, he has a new personal student.

CW: Monster!Reader, is Ratio's attitude a warning? Fluff-ish?

Honkai Star Rail | Main Masterlist

This planet had experienced a catastrophic incident many amber eras ago, this has left its remaining life forms cut off from the rest of the cosmos. The people of this planet are, what the Genius Society would label, primitive. They do not understand the giant metal structures left behind by their forefathers, they have no knowledge of the aeons, or of the place they once occupied in the vast universe. To put it simply, it’s like someone pressed the ‘reset’ button on their civilization.

   So of course the Intelligentsia Guild sent a group of researchers there, if these people were primitive it opened up an opportunity for the whole of the IPC, but first they wanted their own proof.

   The information about the trip and the planet itself spread like wildfire, every researcher was talking about it, and it wasn’t long before the students caught on to the chatter. Dr. Ratio was getting increasingly annoyed having to listen to the same boring discourse surrounding the trip, now not even his own classroom was a quiet place.

   It would, however, be a lie to say the famed doctor wasn’t at least a little intrigued, but this kind of trip lent itself more to the social and psychological sciences, not the mathematical ones. So colour him surprised when an invitation to join the group lands on his desk, he wasn’t planning on going, but the invite only made him all the more curious.

   So here he was, along with 9 others, touching down on the planet’s surface just outside a large town. They were prepared for the locals to be hostile, but they were quite welcoming, offering shelter and food.

   The other researchers quickly found their niche of work useful, and started noting down the locals' behaviours. But Ratio was still unsure of his purpose on this trip, but having read up on the planet’s previous inhabitants came with an idea: He was here to learn and understand the ancient art of floating cities, ones that once filled the sky of this planet.

   Using the advanced technology at his fingertips, he searches for some sort of electric output, at first he only picks up the ship and nothing else. As days go by he expands the search area, closely analysing any signal no matter how weak. On the last day of the first week, he picks up a faint signal, not as strong as the ships, but not as weak as the other flukes.

   The signal pings on his small screen, it’s coming from within the depths of a dense forest. The locals warn him of ghosts and monsters, he simply ignores them, primitive species always believe in superstitions, but the truth is that these occurrences can be explained using science.

   Small ghosts gather along the path he follows, some begin to trail after him, he ignores them, they’re clearly harmless. But you certainly aren’t, sitting far above him in the canopy surrounded by ghosts, you are entirely absorbed in the vibrant colour of his hair, it reminds you of something, a flower.

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

   The water is cold against your skin and soaks into your fur, the water ripples gently as you move about, plucking purple flowers from the water. You gather a couple of the otherwise large flowers, you hope the man with vibrant hair will accept this offering of friendship, it’s what the townspeople do.

   The figure that emerges from the bushes halts its movements, it takes a moment for Ratio to comprehend the scene before him, but he swiftly turns his head away from your naked back. You look up at the noise, tilt your head curiously, water swishes around your legs as you manoeuvre up the bank.

   Dr. Ratio refuses to look at you, human or not it is ungentlemanly to ogle at you, clearly you were not expecting company at this time, whoever you were. Something wet drips onto his clothing, and an extra weight is added to his head. You gently adjust the flowers in his hair, leaning back to look him over.

   As much as the doctor intended to be a gentleman, he can’t help but look at you, completely perplexed, what even are you? He pulls the flowers from his hair, you wait with baited breath for his response. He looks them over and grimaces at the water coating his hands and damping his hair, he holds flowers back out to you. You accept them, this means he accepts your friendship, right?

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

   Ratio came out here in search of old machinery in the hopes of furthering his knowledge of physics, and to maybe one day mimic the genius of the forefather to this planet. He was not expecting to have company on this search, the small ghosts were easy to ignore; their small, quiet and low to the ground. You, on the other hand, were taller, noisier, and somehow always ended up right in front of his face.

   His patience, which many would say he already lacked, was running thin. You weren’t getting in per say, but you were far too curious for your own good, this led the doctor to conclude: You must be the apex predator around here.

   For a moment the doctor sat down to rest on a log, you however took this chance to poke at him, not metaphorically, but literally. Ratio prides himself in his intelligence and ability to learn with ease, but you perplexed him, and he hated it. Your hands always seemed to find their to his hair, gentle as you were, you pulled and moved the strands around.

   The doctor could not for the life of him, figure out you found so fascinating about his hair, you had your own. Upon closer inspection your hair appeared to be matted in some places, and full of leaves and what not.

   Any chance you got, you added flowers to his hair, you were starting to run out of flowers to offer him. You had hoped he would have liked at least one of them, but he pulled every single one back out. The small ghosts offer little consolation, they find and hand you any small buds you haven’t tried yet.

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

   Giant metal structures, ruins overgrown, rise out of the ground before him. The signal is close by now, it must be hidden within. Ratio walks a round outside the structure, considering ways in and the best course of action to find the object emitting the small pulse.

   You observe him from above on the structure, you don’t understand the words he mutters to himself, in your defence he doesn’t exactly use simple words. He walks into the structure, disappearing into the darkness, only a few minutes later does re-emerge. He mutters more words to himself as he looks over his screen and back up to the structure.

   Later in the evening you manoeuvre your way into one of the upper levels of the structure, within the maze of corridors and fallen metal, you have your nest. In your nest lies an object, it’s mechanical in nature and emits a faint glow, you keep it because it’s pretty.

   You look at the object in the early morning light, perhaps the vibrant haired man doesn’t like flowers, but other gifts. You have seen the townspeople give each other objects instead of flowers, this appears to yield the same result, companionship.

   Dr. Ratio looks at the screen as the signal begins to move, it should not under any circumstance do that, it’s a piece of ancient machinery. A loud thud is followed by you figure less than gracefully making it down to the ground, he looks you over, you smile like the locals do, but your smile is all sharp teeth. You hold out the glowing object, and Ratio nearly drops his jaw on the ground, he takes it carefully, inspecting it, he doesn’t offer it back.

   You tilt your head and with your limited vocabulary, you ask: “Like?” He nods offhandedly, before his head snaps up to look at you. You gently clap your hands in glee, he likes it, you made a friend.

   “You can talk?” He asks, you tilt your head again, you look akin to a lost dog. You nod hesitantly, some words elude you, but based on what you remember the right answer is yes.

   “And your name is?” He looks at you expectantly, you however understand some of those words, you feel like a big question mark.

   “Name?” You ask back, a name, you don’t have a name you think, you don’t remember having one.

   “Yes a name,” Ratio continues, “like my own.” You only continue to tilt your head.

   “My name is doctor Veritas Ratio.” You are stumped.

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

   You follow your new companion around the forest, Ratio attempts to teach you his name, you only call him ‘doctor’ so far, good enough he decides. By the edge of the forest you stop, the townspeople don’t like you, that’s why you stay in the forest it’s safer. But the doctor pays these primitive locals little mind, and continues onward to the ship, you don’t want to lose your new companion. So mustering up all your courage you follow him.

   The other researchers find you fascinating, you are quite overwhelmed by all the attention. Ratio gets special permission to leave the planet’s surface and instead board the larger ship orbiting the planet, you were not meant to join him, but it appears the great doctor has made an oversight.

   You curl yourself up by a window and observe the stars, the doctor leaves you to your devices, you seem unbothered by the fact you are floating in outer space. He notes down questions he has for you, or rather about you, he wonders if it would be possible to teach you the basics of mathematics. It would certainly be a challenge, but who better from the Intelligensia Guild to take on such a challenge, than the esteemed doctor Ratio.

[materlux]

Ribbons and Pearls.

Sort of a part 2 to Nemophilist, but like a drabble format.

The stellaron hunters with their glorified pet, you.

Thanks to @hannya-writes for this lovely brainrot.

CW: You are their pet, it's fluff, but like, yeh.

Honkai Star Rail | Main Masterlist

✿Blade, who tolerates your presence, he likes you more than most, if only cause you are quiet (you literally don’t remember the language). His jaw does tick every time you call him “Bladie” like Kafka, he lets it slide at first thinking you’d start mimicking the others, you don’t.

✿Blade, who teaches you to call him “Blade”, only for Kafka to laugh and ruin it all. You learn quickly that if you call him “Blade” rather than “Bladie, you get more affection from him (affection being him not looking at you like he wants to murder you).

✿Blade, who after some time does warm up to you, if only enough to let you into his personal space without itching for his sword. You get to sit by his side while he cleans his sword, sometimes, very rarely, will he let you sleep against his arm. See: Touch starved man who won’t admit it.

✿Blade, who picks you up by the scruff of your neck when you act up, he just kinda holds you there for a moment, before gently putting you back down. It oddly works very well.

✿Kafka, who likes to dress you up in pretty things, like ribbons and pearls. And then makes you sit while she admires her work, you let this happen because you enjoy the attention. See: Attention starved but doesn’t realise.

✿Kafka, who needs Blade’s help to wash you when they first get back to the ship, you are filthy (you have been living in a forest for gods knows how long). The issue is, you don’t exactly understand what soap is. It smells weird, and it makes foam in water, and it tastes really bad. These are all things you have learnt to associate with poison, it was a fun and very wet activity that took far too long.

✿Kafka, who slowly teaches you how to speak, at most you can string together short one to three word sentences. Your vocal cords are sore from lack of use, she offers you tea during each session.

✿Kafka, who treats you like a pet, giving you head pats and treats for good behaviour, if you were wiser maybe you’d be offended by this treatment, but you aren’t.

✿Silver Wolf, Who showed you a video game the moment you were left alone, she laughed in your face when the game spooked you.

✿Silver Wolf, who teaches you modern slang words and then makes you say them to Blade, if only to watch his confusion. She also goads you into saying “Bladie” rather than “Blade”. She also teaches you to swear.

✿Silver Wolf, who teaches you the basics of games, only for you to get confused and overwhelmed, she is now on a secret mission to find a game that you can play.

✿Silver Wolf, who gives you the most disgusting foods, not in a actually gross way but in an unhealthy way. She offered you gum once, it got stuck in your tail and Kafka spent a very patient hour getting it back out, you are now banned from having gum, ever.

✿Firefly, who enjoys your quiet company much like Blade, she tells you all her secrets and grievances.

✿Firefly, who spends time gently combing through your hair and fur, adding braids and giving you fun hairstyles. She also teaches you skincare.

✿Firefly, who lets you sit atop SAM like you would a tree, it’s quite amusing. SAM is also very hot, something your more animal-like side appreciates. She’s just glad you aren’t terrified of her.

✿Firefly, who naps with you on the couch in the common room, Silver Wolf will play games to create ambient noise, and Blade will eventually drape a blanket over you both.

✿Elio is very confused, but allows this to happen, it wasn’t in the script but what harm can you really do.

[materlux]

To see without eyes

Okay, so I once read an article about a man whose wife went blind in old age. She became really depressed, so he planted hundreds if not thousands of flowers for her to smell.

That combined with Jing Yuan in Feixiao’s animated short “taking it easy”, I have lost my mind, just a little.

So without further ado, Jing Yuan with a blind partner.

CW: None I can think of, just pure fluff.

Honkai Star Rail | Main Masterlist

✿Jing Yuan, who plants a sensory garden for you, filled with flowers. Water features and flowers favoured by bees to great soothing sounds, hoards of fragrant flowers, soft petaled velvet like plants for you to softly touch, the whole deal. On top of that he makes sure the pathways are always cleared for you, no branches, no rocks, nothing.

✿Jing Yuan, who will add anything you ask for to the garden, he wants you to enjoy it as much as he does.

✿Jing Yuan, who knows you’re capable of taking care of yourself, but still he can’t help but worry about you all the time. He sends Yanqing around lunch time to check on you; make sure you’ve eaten, you don’t need help with anything, etc. It used to be a random cloud knight, but you got tired of the same conversation every day:

“Hello, are you doing alright?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t need any help?”

“I don’t.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

Everyday, some of them were genuinely nice company, but you got the feeling most were just trying to get Jing Yuan’s favour. You brought this up with Jing Yuan, who swiftly made the change, and as much as you liked some of the knights, you much prefer Yanqing. He is a little more unprofessional with you, which means you get to ask him about Jing Yuan in return, Yanqing is more than happy to air his grievances of the day with you. It’s a win win really.

✿Jing Yuan, who, after an incident, worries about your safety whenever something happens on the Luofu. Reckless and spontaneous are not adjectives most would use to describe the general, but there are times when the ever calm and composed general loses his cool. To avoid a similar incident, he asks the other charioteers for favours, it is the only time he treats you even remotely incapable. You allow it, it’s not like you can disagree with him and you don’t mind being left in the company of the other charioteers. Fu Xuan, who uses it as a chance to complain about the general and his lazy behaviour. Yukong, who makes tea and sits with you, having a nice chat to catch up with her. You understand that Jing Yuan loves a lot and therefore worries for you, and that he would tear the Luofu apart to find you.

✿Jing Yuan, who sits with you pressed up against his side after a long day, and tells you about his day. When you tell him about your own, no matter how similar it was to the day before and the day before, he still listens closely.

✿Jing Yuan, who loves slow mornings, where he gets to help you decide on an outfit for the day. “Help” is putting it kindly, but he can’t help it. You just look so good in everything, he can’t decide.

“Yuan, please just pick one.”

“But it’s not that easy my dear.”

“And why isn’t?”

“Because you just look so wonderful in everything.”

It’s hard to stay annoyed with him, when he spends these slow mornings flattering you in that morning voice.

✿Jing Yuan, who just loves you far a little too much for his own good, and maybe also yours.

[materlux]

Feral smoothie

Nemophilist

Nemophilist: (n.) A haunter of the woods; one who loves the forest and its beauty and solitude.

  The script brings Kafka and Blade to a post-post-apocalyptic world, inhabited by primitive humans who believe in ghosts and monsters. But in the forest a monster really does live, but it’s not evil, just slightly stupid. The monster is you, by the way.

CW: Idk?

Honkai Star Rail | Main Masterlist

This planet had experienced a catastrophic incident many amber eras ago, this has left its remaining life forms cut off from the rest of the cosmos. The people of this planet are, what the Genius Society would label, primitive. They do not understand the giant metal structures left behind by their forefathers, they have no knowledge of the aeons, or of the place they once occupied in the vast universe. To put it simply, it’s like someone pressed the ‘reset’ button on their civilization.

   This explains why the script was so simple and short, no one on this planet knew who they were, they believed they were celestial bodies from beyond the stars. Kafka enjoyed the treatment, compared to how they normally had to avoid all open areas, it was refreshing to be welcomed. Although Blade would much prefer the usual, if only because then he’d be left alone.

   Their mission is simple: Retrieve an ancient maschine core, something this planet's forefathers used to trade for high prices, and get back. The hard part would be to locate the core, it has been deactivated for centuries and the ruins of old have become overgrown.

   The locals are of little help, only talking of wild superstitions and monsters in the forest. The village they are at now borders with a dense forest of tall trees, the locals fear it, saying it’s home to ghosts and a monster. Kafka smiles and nods along as they explain, but her smile is one of barely hidden amusement, not sympathy.

   But a local makes a comment that catches both their attention, the monster lives in the body of a giant metal box, surrounded by other metal boxes. It’s a crude way to describe it, but this planet’s people used to live in giant artificial floating cities, the machine core they were searching for must be hidden in one such building.

   Kafka comes up with a plan and uses the people's beliefs of a monster to her advantage, she promises that she and her companion, Blade, will slay the monster for them. She makes a show of telling the people of their great endeavours and heroic acts, Blade thinks she lays it on too thick, singing her own praise more than anything, but it works.

   The locals see them off as they enter the forest, creaking branches sway tall overhead, the ground is covered in plant growth. Luckily there is a passage carved through the bush, dirt and stone crunch under their boots.

   “This is like a walk in the park, it makes you wonder what the locals are so scared of.” Kafka makes idle musings as they walk, Blade pays her little mind, keeping his eyes on the surrounding undergrowth.

   “It’s been a while since we’ve had this simple of a mission.” Kafka continues to fill the silence, not expecting a reply. “Maybe we’ll even have time to stop by some of the other planets in this solar system.”

   Something fast moves between the ferns, Blade halts his movements and watches for a culprit, more ferns sway violently as it moves closer. Kafka watches with lax eyes, observing the way Blade tenses and summons his weapon; whatever small forest critter is moving its way towards them is surely going to regret it. But it’s not a small forest critter that stands at the edge of the path, it’s a small, vaguely humanoid, looking spirit thing; with wide blank eyes and stubby limbs. More gather at the edge, tilting their heads in thought.

   “These are the ghosts the locals fear?” Kafka can barely contain her amused grin. “They’re quite cute, no?” She looks at Blade, who is poking at them experimentally with the tip of his blade.

   “Cute is not the word I’d use,” Blade mutters as the small ghostly figures grab at his sword, unfazed by the threat. Kafka huffs a quiet laugh as she begins back down the path, Blade follows her, the small ghostly figures hot on their heels a few hanging off his sword.

  The path narrows the further in they go and the trees seem to grow in size, more of the ghostly figures gather around them, creating a long trail behind them. Until the ghosts break away from the path to effortlessly climb a tree, Kafka pays them no mind and neither does Blade, at first.

   But something large moves in the canopy above, Blade stares unblinkingly up at it, but there is nothing to see and the movement stops, the wind rushes through the leaves.

   “C’mon Bladie,” Kafka calls from up ahead, “it was probably just the wind, or a bird, or something.” He glares at the leaves for just a moment longer, before he follows after Kafka.

   Maybe if he had stood there for two moments longer, he would have seen you, but luckily for you that lady distracted him. The small ghosts gather around you, they clamber their way up your sides, and hang off your arms and antlers. An abomination of the abundance some would call you, although you were no child of a God, simply an oddity created in the chemical fallout of the apocalypse; not entirely plant, not entirely animal, not entirely human, but wholly alive and curious.

   His striking red eyes had pinpointed you immediately, even though you were certain you were hidden behind the branches, could he perhaps sense you. You slink off further into the canopy, the small ghosts ride along on your back, you move from branch to branch, from tree to tree with ease.

   In a clearing of flowers you lounge, limbs, human and not, stretched out in the soft grass. The small ghosts watch you from the shadows, unlike you, they are not immune to the sun’s rays. A patch of striking red flowers catches your gaze, they remind of the man, Bladie the lady called him, he’s been stuck on your mind for the past hours. It’s not often anyone wanders into the forest, and something about these two told you they weren’t like the locals.

   Maybe this would be your chance to find some company, as mean as it sounds, maybe you could even leave, you love the ghosts really, but they don’t make for great company. Compared to the newcomers who spoke and weren’t frightened of the monster in the forest, they were far better company. 

   But you had to make a good first impression, especially on the man, Bladie, he was the one most on edge, even threatening the small ghosts. Your eyes land on the red flowers again and an idea pops into your head, the locals give each other flowers as a sign of good intention, right?

   Grabbing a handful of flowers, you move up a nearby tree with ease, the ghosts happily follow after you as you weave along the canopy.

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

   Kafka sits perched on a rock as Blade walks the edge of the small clearing, large branches overhead creates some shade. After looping around one last time he too settles down, he keeps his sword out and eyes alert, flicking around the canopy.

   “I doubt whatever you heard has followed us,” Kafka reasons, but Blade pays her little mind. A hoard of small ghosts tumble out of a large tree, gathering at its base and watching the canopy expectantly. Something larger and humanoid surprisingly elegantly makes its way down the trunk, Blade stands at attention like a guard dog, sword drawn and pointed. Kafka on the other hand leans back on her hands, curiosity in her eyes as she watches you move into the grass.

   You watch the man as he watches you, he’s threatening you, if you were smarter or maybe more skittish you’d have turned tail and run. But you weren’t, you had a plan and a handful of flowers, so calmly you walk across the clearing.

   You stand a sword’s length away from him, he is far taller than you and more noticeably built, for a moment you do consider turning tail. But you muster up the courage and extend your arm, red flowers shake in your hold. The two of you just stand there, staring at each other, it’s actually the lady that makes the first move.

   “Bladie, lower your sword, they just want to give you some flowers,” she coos, making her way through the grass. She stands by your sides and gently lowers his sword for him, he relents and sends it away, you watch perplexed as it disappears into thin air.

   “Red flowers, why red?” The lady asks you, if she expects a verbal reply, she’s sure to be surprised. Blade is, when you step up close to him and hold the flowers up to his face, right beside his eye.

   “Oh I see, those do match his eyes quite well,” she agrees, it makes you feel a little giddy. You don’t often get praised, it’s not often you have any social interaction at all, the locals are terrified of you.

   The lady, who introduced herself as Kafka, has now spent the better half of 30 minutes teaching you how to say her name. You kinda get there, but you only really make half the sounds before giving up. The two let you tag along as they explore the forest, reiteration; Kafka lets you tag along, Blade tolerates your presence at best.

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

   As the sun begins to set over the horizon, you wander off into the forest, making your way back to your home. A nest-like structure hidden away in some metallic ruins, you, who was here when they fell out of the sky, remember what the locals forgot. The only problem is, you don’t have a universal translator, and you cannot for the life of you remember more than a word or two in the universal language.

   “Where are you going?” Kafka asks as you stand before a tree, you tilt your head over your shoulder. You try to make sense of what she said, as well as come up with a proper reply.

   “Home?” You croak, your vocal cords having gone unused for years are straining to form just one word. Kafka smiles and nods, you relax, you think that means you picked the right word.

   “Can we go with you?” She looks amused, you think, by your little predicament. You decide to just copy her head movement, a nod.

   It’s not a long walk from the clearing, you make your way up the creaking metal structure, and make yourself comfy among the old fabrics you’ve scavenged. Kafka and Blade stay on a lower level, you hang slightly off the ledge to peer down at them, they start a fire to keep warm.

   In the morning you’re awoken by the sound of rummaging, you follow the sound to find Kafka and Blade, mostly Blade, Kafka wouldn’t want to dirty her nice clothes, looking through the wreck. You tilt your head at them as Blade moves a piece of metal with ease, he huffs when he finds nothing but more debris.

   “Good morning,” Kafka greets you, “I put Bladie to work.” She smiles.

   “Bladie,” you mimic her speech, the man in question freezes and then throws a glare over his shoulder, Kafka only laughs.

   “They’re like a parrot,” Kafka muses.

   “Parrot?” You tilt your head in confusion, but Kafka just smiles like you just proved her point exactly.

   As the day goes by and they continue searching for something, Kafka watches amused as you observe Blade, you mutter ‘Bladie’ at him a few times only to be met with his glare. You are very confused, when you mutter ‘Kafka’ at Kafka she just smiles, why does he seem so upset?

   At some point Kafka makes use of your curious nature and obvious understanding of this place, she shows you what they are looking for, a look of recognition passes over your face before you disappear into the wreck.

   A couple hours later, while Kafka enjoys the tranquil atmosphere and Blade continues to be ever vigilant, you stumble less elegantly out of the crash site. Something cradled in your arms, you settle before Kafka and offer it to her. Before her feet now lay the exact machine core they were looking for, and it’s still in good condition.

   “I told you this script would be easy,” she smiles at Blade, who only huffs. “Well thank you.” Her hand gently rests on your head.

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

   Helping them was easy and you got praise out of it, it made you feel good to help them, but now there is a new problem; they are leaving. You don't want them to leave, or rather you don’t want them to leave you. You offer them more flowers and other things, you hope to convey your message, but Kafka only coos at you and Blade pays you no mind.

   By the edge of the forest you make a sudden decision, Kafka stretches out in the sun, but before Blade can leave the shade. You latch onto his arm, he very nearly cuts your head off.

   “Stay,” you croak quietly. He tries to free his arm, but you don’t let up your grip. Kafka looks over the scene in amusement, but she interjects before Blade can actually hurt you.

   “We can’t stay.” She places a gentle hand on your head. “Why do you want us to stay?” She assesses the stressed out look on your face as you try to make sense of her words.

   “Alone.” Is the best response you can give with your limited vocabulary, Kafka coos at you again.

   “Sure, you can come along.” Blade makes a noise, but keeps his opinion to himself.

   The small ghosts gather by the edge of the forest, it’s they’re way of saying goodbye, you figure. In all these years you never thought you’d see the universe again, but before your eyes stars stretch for miles, you are now a member of the Stellaron hunters, or more like a glorified pet.

[materlux]

Nemophilist

Nemophilist: (n.) A haunter of the woods; one who loves the forest and its beauty and solitude.

  The script brings Kafka and Blade to a post-post-apocalyptic world, inhabited by primitive humans who believe in ghosts and monsters. But in the forest a monster really does live, but it’s not evil, just slightly stupid. The monster is you, by the way.

CW: Idk?

Honkai Star Rail | Main Masterlist

This planet had experienced a catastrophic incident many amber eras ago, this has left its remaining life forms cut off from the rest of the cosmos. The people of this planet are, what the Genius Society would label, primitive. They do not understand the giant metal structures left behind by their forefathers, they have no knowledge of the aeons, or of the place they once occupied in the vast universe. To put it simply, it’s like someone pressed the ‘reset’ button on their civilization.

   This explains why the script was so simple and short, no one on this planet knew who they were, they believed they were celestial bodies from beyond the stars. Kafka enjoyed the treatment, compared to how they normally had to avoid all open areas, it was refreshing to be welcomed. Although Blade would much prefer the usual, if only because then he’d be left alone.

   Their mission is simple: Retrieve an ancient maschine core, something this planet's forefathers used to trade for high prices, and get back. The hard part would be to locate the core, it has been deactivated for centuries and the ruins of old have become overgrown.

   The locals are of little help, only talking of wild superstitions and monsters in the forest. The village they are at now borders with a dense forest of tall trees, the locals fear it, saying it’s home to ghosts and a monster. Kafka smiles and nods along as they explain, but her smile is one of barely hidden amusement, not sympathy.

   But a local makes a comment that catches both their attention, the monster lives in the body of a giant metal box, surrounded by other metal boxes. It’s a crude way to describe it, but this planet’s people used to live in giant artificial floating cities, the machine core they were searching for must be hidden in one such building.

   Kafka comes up with a plan and uses the people's beliefs of a monster to her advantage, she promises that she and her companion, Blade, will slay the monster for them. She makes a show of telling the people of their great endeavours and heroic acts, Blade thinks she lays it on too thick, singing her own praise more than anything, but it works.

   The locals see them off as they enter the forest, creaking branches sway tall overhead, the ground is covered in plant growth. Luckily there is a passage carved through the bush, dirt and stone crunch under their boots.

   “This is like a walk in the park, it makes you wonder what the locals are so scared of.” Kafka makes idle musings as they walk, Blade pays her little mind, keeping his eyes on the surrounding undergrowth.

   “It’s been a while since we’ve had this simple of a mission.” Kafka continues to fill the silence, not expecting a reply. “Maybe we’ll even have time to stop by some of the other planets in this solar system.”

   Something fast moves between the ferns, Blade halts his movements and watches for a culprit, more ferns sway violently as it moves closer. Kafka watches with lax eyes, observing the way Blade tenses and summons his weapon; whatever small forest critter is moving its way towards them is surely going to regret it. But it’s not a small forest critter that stands at the edge of the path, it’s a small, vaguely humanoid, looking spirit thing; with wide blank eyes and stubby limbs. More gather at the edge, tilting their heads in thought.

   “These are the ghosts the locals fear?” Kafka can barely contain her amused grin. “They’re quite cute, no?” She looks at Blade, who is poking at them experimentally with the tip of his blade.

   “Cute is not the word I’d use,” Blade mutters as the small ghostly figures grab at his sword, unfazed by the threat. Kafka huffs a quiet laugh as she begins back down the path, Blade follows her, the small ghostly figures hot on their heels a few hanging off his sword.

  The path narrows the further in they go and the trees seem to grow in size, more of the ghostly figures gather around them, creating a long trail behind them. Until the ghosts break away from the path to effortlessly climb a tree, Kafka pays them no mind and neither does Blade, at first.

   But something large moves in the canopy above, Blade stares unblinkingly up at it, but there is nothing to see and the movement stops, the wind rushes through the leaves.

   “C’mon Bladie,” Kafka calls from up ahead, “it was probably just the wind, or a bird, or something.” He glares at the leaves for just a moment longer, before he follows after Kafka.

   Maybe if he had stood there for two moments longer, he would have seen you, but luckily for you that lady distracted him. The small ghosts gather around you, they clamber their way up your sides, and hang off your arms and antlers. An abomination of the abundance some would call you, although you were no child of a God, simply an oddity created in the chemical fallout of the apocalypse; not entirely plant, not entirely animal, not entirely human, but wholly alive and curious.

   His striking red eyes had pinpointed you immediately, even though you were certain you were hidden behind the branches, could he perhaps sense you. You slink off further into the canopy, the small ghosts ride along on your back, you move from branch to branch, from tree to tree with ease.

   In a clearing of flowers you lounge, limbs, human and not, stretched out in the soft grass. The small ghosts watch you from the shadows, unlike you, they are not immune to the sun’s rays. A patch of striking red flowers catches your gaze, they remind of the man, Bladie the lady called him, he’s been stuck on your mind for the past hours. It’s not often anyone wanders into the forest, and something about these two told you they weren’t like the locals.

   Maybe this would be your chance to find some company, as mean as it sounds, maybe you could even leave, you love the ghosts really, but they don’t make for great company. Compared to the newcomers who spoke and weren’t frightened of the monster in the forest, they were far better company. 

   But you had to make a good first impression, especially on the man, Bladie, he was the one most on edge, even threatening the small ghosts. Your eyes land on the red flowers again and an idea pops into your head, the locals give each other flowers as a sign of good intention, right?

   Grabbing a handful of flowers, you move up a nearby tree with ease, the ghosts happily follow after you as you weave along the canopy.

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

   Kafka sits perched on a rock as Blade walks the edge of the small clearing, large branches overhead creates some shade. After looping around one last time he too settles down, he keeps his sword out and eyes alert, flicking around the canopy.

   “I doubt whatever you heard has followed us,” Kafka reasons, but Blade pays her little mind. A hoard of small ghosts tumble out of a large tree, gathering at its base and watching the canopy expectantly. Something larger and humanoid surprisingly elegantly makes its way down the trunk, Blade stands at attention like a guard dog, sword drawn and pointed. Kafka on the other hand leans back on her hands, curiosity in her eyes as she watches you move into the grass.

   You watch the man as he watches you, he’s threatening you, if you were smarter or maybe more skittish you’d have turned tail and run. But you weren’t, you had a plan and a handful of flowers, so calmly you walk across the clearing.

   You stand a sword’s length away from him, he is far taller than you and more noticeably built, for a moment you do consider turning tail. But you muster up the courage and extend your arm, red flowers shake in your hold. The two of you just stand there, staring at each other, it’s actually the lady that makes the first move.

   “Bladie, lower your sword, they just want to give you some flowers,” she coos, making her way through the grass. She stands by your sides and gently lowers his sword for him, he relents and sends it away, you watch perplexed as it disappears into thin air.

   “Red flowers, why red?” The lady asks you, if she expects a verbal reply, she’s sure to be surprised. Blade is, when you step up close to him and hold the flowers up to his face, right beside his eye.

   “Oh I see, those do match his eyes quite well,” she agrees, it makes you feel a little giddy. You don’t often get praised, it’s not often you have any social interaction at all, the locals are terrified of you.

   The lady, who introduced herself as Kafka, has now spent the better half of 30 minutes teaching you how to say her name. You kinda get there, but you only really make half the sounds before giving up. The two let you tag along as they explore the forest, reiteration; Kafka lets you tag along, Blade tolerates your presence at best.

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

   As the sun begins to set over the horizon, you wander off into the forest, making your way back to your home. A nest-like structure hidden away in some metallic ruins, you, who was here when they fell out of the sky, remember what the locals forgot. The only problem is, you don’t have a universal translator, and you cannot for the life of you remember more than a word or two in the universal language.

   “Where are you going?” Kafka asks as you stand before a tree, you tilt your head over your shoulder. You try to make sense of what she said, as well as come up with a proper reply.

   “Home?” You croak, your vocal cords having gone unused for years are straining to form just one word. Kafka smiles and nods, you relax, you think that means you picked the right word.

   “Can we go with you?” She looks amused, you think, by your little predicament. You decide to just copy her head movement, a nod.

   It’s not a long walk from the clearing, you make your way up the creaking metal structure, and make yourself comfy among the old fabrics you’ve scavenged. Kafka and Blade stay on a lower level, you hang slightly off the ledge to peer down at them, they start a fire to keep warm.

   In the morning you’re awoken by the sound of rummaging, you follow the sound to find Kafka and Blade, mostly Blade, Kafka wouldn’t want to dirty her nice clothes, looking through the wreck. You tilt your head at them as Blade moves a piece of metal with ease, he huffs when he finds nothing but more debris.

   “Good morning,” Kafka greets you, “I put Bladie to work.” She smiles.

   “Bladie,” you mimic her speech, the man in question freezes and then throws a glare over his shoulder, Kafka only laughs.

   “They’re like a parrot,” Kafka muses.

   “Parrot?” You tilt your head in confusion, but Kafka just smiles like you just proved her point exactly.

   As the day goes by and they continue searching for something, Kafka watches amused as you observe Blade, you mutter ‘Bladie’ at him a few times only to be met with his glare. You are very confused, when you mutter ‘Kafka’ at Kafka she just smiles, why does he seem so upset?

   At some point Kafka makes use of your curious nature and obvious understanding of this place, she shows you what they are looking for, a look of recognition passes over your face before you disappear into the wreck.

   A couple hours later, while Kafka enjoys the tranquil atmosphere and Blade continues to be ever vigilant, you stumble less elegantly out of the crash site. Something cradled in your arms, you settle before Kafka and offer it to her. Before her feet now lay the exact machine core they were looking for, and it’s still in good condition.

   “I told you this script would be easy,” she smiles at Blade, who only huffs. “Well thank you.” Her hand gently rests on your head.

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

   Helping them was easy and you got praise out of it, it made you feel good to help them, but now there is a new problem; they are leaving. You don't want them to leave, or rather you don’t want them to leave you. You offer them more flowers and other things, you hope to convey your message, but Kafka only coos at you and Blade pays you no mind.

   By the edge of the forest you make a sudden decision, Kafka stretches out in the sun, but before Blade can leave the shade. You latch onto his arm, he very nearly cuts your head off.

   “Stay,” you croak quietly. He tries to free his arm, but you don’t let up your grip. Kafka looks over the scene in amusement, but she interjects before Blade can actually hurt you.

   “We can’t stay.” She places a gentle hand on your head. “Why do you want us to stay?” She assesses the stressed out look on your face as you try to make sense of her words.

   “Alone.” Is the best response you can give with your limited vocabulary, Kafka coos at you again.

   “Sure, you can come along.” Blade makes a noise, but keeps his opinion to himself.

   The small ghosts gather by the edge of the forest, it’s they’re way of saying goodbye, you figure. In all these years you never thought you’d see the universe again, but before your eyes stars stretch for miles, you are now a member of the Stellaron hunters, or more like a glorified pet.

[materlux]

The Priestess and The Swordsman - Chapter 3: A thousand forget me nots.

Some how the last chapter is the shortest, coming in at only 1k words.

Did I kinda just wanna finish it? Yes, do like the ending? Also yes.

CW: Angst, death, mentions of: Blood, body horror? Grief, it's just pain honestly.

Honkai Star Rail | Main Masterlist

It’s been only a few days since you met Yanqing, in the meantime your condition had taken a turn for the worse, a lot worse. The tendrils have cracked open further up your arm, blood flowing freely down your arm, you’re basically eating and drinking every hour to make up for the blood you’re losing.

   The part that really made it worse, was a new symptom. You’d woken up to a stinging in your arm under the bandages, a healer undid the bandages and a plant with blue flowers started standing up. The healer looked at it for a while, before they almost ran out of the room.

   The healer returned with Lady Bailu in tow, they both took to inspecting the odd occurance. You complained about the pain, and the two decided to see if it were possible to remove it.

   With a pair of tweezers Lady Bailu gently pulled at the base of the plant, with some careful movements and a lot of breaks, the plant comes out in one piece. Long roots soaked in red drip blood on your arm and the floor, she places the flower in a tray and the healer starts cleaning and wrapping the wound.

   As days go by, this happens more often with more flowers, if they are left alone the roots appear to wrap around the bone, and Lady Bailu theorises that it might be able to crack the bone.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

   This has become a daily routine; you wake up to stinging pains, the healers carefully removing the plants and rebandaging your arm, then you have breakfast. Yanqing comes by on his patrol to check on you, and Jing Yuan comes by during lunchtime. He shares Luofu delicacies he picks up on his way with you and Yanqing, if the young lieutenant decides to join you.

   As days go by you lose energy faster, most of your time is spent asleep, only waking briefly to eat. The black tendrils creep up your neck and over your chest, breathing becomes a chore. Lady Bailu suspects that flowers are growing below the surface of the tendrils, within your lungs.

   She visits more frequently now, checking your vitals almost hourly, from the way her expression sours you guess the results aren’t good.

   “General.” She addresses him one day while you sleep. “I fear they do not have long left.”

   “I figured as much,” he responds solemnly.

   “They will fall asleep soon, and I fear they won’t wake up again.” Her voice quiets as she speaks.

   “How long until then?”

   “A few days at best.”

   They spend more time by your side, every hour if they can. Lady Bailu explains, you should probably be sad, maybe even scared. But the thought of death, it fills you with a sort of impatient giddiness, you hope relief finds you quickly.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

   Jing Yuan was still sitting by your side when you made your request; “Yuan, can you fulfil a wish for me?” You had asked, your voice hoarse and barely audible. He looked at you with solemn eyes and nodded.

   “Thank you” You were tired, time was running out. “I want to see the stars again before I sleep.” He was trying, you could tell, trying to stay strong for you.

   “I can do that, don’t worry,” he whispers, voice wavering and thick with emotion.

   He pulled some strings, and now you were laid in his arms, you barely weigh anything to him now. He holds you up before the giant window, outside the vast galaxy stretches out, billions of stars reflect in your eyes. You reach out, palm pressed against the glass, it’s just the two of you.

   Jing Yuan’s lower lip trembles softly, you can see it in the reflection. Your arm grows heavy and your eyes start to droop, you lean into his arms, curl up against his chest, content. It’s odd, you think, to be this happy in the face of eternal sleep, but you’re almost giddy for relief.

   Beyond the window a shooting star flashes, you forget to make a wish, but you hope Jing Yuan made one. Your breathing is slowing, the world is becoming fuzzy, his arms tighten around you.

   “Hey, Yuan?” You call quietly. “I have one last wish.”

   “What is it?” He sounds like he’s choking.

   “I want to stay in the garden forever.”

   “Okay.”

   Finally, you close your eyes and let sleep carry you away. The world fades away, for the first time in a long time, you feel no pain. Everything is at ease as you fade away into eternity.

   Distantly you hear Jing Yuan cry, feel him crumble to the floor. You wish you could comfort him, reach out and hold him like the stars beyond the glass, but you can’t. You are both the most powerful person and completely powerless; you single handedly brought the mighty General of the Luofu to his knees, without lifting a finger, but your body no longer responds to you.

   Sound fades into nothing, the world is quiet and empty, it’s comforting and eerie. You find peace in the empty black expanse behind your eyelids.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

   A day and 2 hours, your body remains alive for a day and 2 hours. Jing Yuan stays by your side, he holds your cold hand and cries, and whispers words of comfort to your sleeping form. He doesn’t know if you can hear him, or feel his war palm against your own cold skin.

   A day and 2 hours go by, and Lady Bailu declares you dead. The General has refused to do anything but stay by your side in the time frame, a group of cloud knights have to pull him away for Lady Bailu to feel your pulse and check your heart.

   A day and 2 hours, and Jing Yuan orders a flowerbed in the garden be dug up for your grave.

   Two days and 3 hours, Jing Yuan, Lady Bailu, Yanqing, and the many healers who stayed by your side, gathered to bid you farewell.

   Two days and 6 hours, items are being gathered and loaded onto a starskiff, it is sent out of the Luofu into the vast galaxy.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

   Many arms gently cradle the starskiff, many eyes look over the gifts. Flowers grow and bloom from the floor, more beautiful than any ever seen by mortal eyes. A gentle kiss is placed on the front of the starskiff; “welcome home,” Yaoshi softly says, before letting the starskiff go, and watching it disappear into the void.

[materlux]

I was writing a paper for my danish class, and I had a thought. I referenced the painting by Alexandre Cabanel “The Fallen Angel”, that depicts Lucifer just after he is kicked out of heaven and continues to remind me of why God isn’t good. The version of Lucifer’s myth, that I was told by my mother, says that Lucifer was God’s favourite angel and God told him; “You do not bow before anyone but me.” But then God creates the humans and tells all the angels to bow before them, and I can’t remember if Lucifer did or did not bow, but in the end he gets kicked out because fails to do as God says. I don’t blame Lucifer for becoming the devil, for being God’s opposite, no matter what option he chose he would have lost.

   This is the reason I don’t believe God, if real, is good. It reminds me of a quote we discussed in ethics once in school; “if God is all good, he is not all powerful; and if he is all powerful, he is not all good.”

   Adam and Eve ate from the tree of wisdom, that means that now they could differentiate good from evil, and so God kicked them out. But why the hell have a tree in Eden that bears fruit you can’t eat? And if God created all, wouldn’t that mean he created the snake like that? It was on purpose. If God is good, then why?

   The one thing that separates us from God, is compassion. Because if God is all powerful, like it is implied, then he cannot emphasise his creations. This all circles back to the story of Lucifer, because favouritism doesn’t mean love. The most obedient dog is favoured, but it also has the shortest leash.

"The Fallen Angel" - Alexandre Cabanel, 1847

[materlux]

✿Under the oak tree✿

“Under the oak tree where we met, we carve our names; my love, if humanity will not remember us, then the forest will forever sing our praise.”

Nemophilist. (Blade & Kafka)

Cynefin (Jiaoqiu & Moze)

Waldeinsamkeit (Argenti)

Psithurism (Jing Yuan)

Werifesteria (Dr. Ratio)

Honkai Star Rail | Main Masterlist

[materlux]

Little Lion Man

Jing Yuan gets injured and is pouty about it, that's it, that's the fic.

Have some soft fluff Jing Yuan, because the last chapter of "The Priestess and The Swordsman" is going to be rough.

Still CW: Metions of injury and blood.

Honkai Star Rail | Main Masterlist

The general of the Xianzhou Luofu had been injured, as morbid as it sounds the dramatic headlines brought a small smile to your face, they made it sound like he had been severely injured and was barely clinging on to life, although that is how he was acting.

   The injury was caused by him getting grazed by the end of a spear, the cut was long and bled profusely, but Lady Bailu had assured you it was not deep enough to warrant stitches. All the Alchemy Commission did was clean and bandage it, then sent him on his merry way home, right into your arms.

   You huffed a small laugh as you put your phone down. Jing Yuan emerges from your shared bedroom, having changed out of his uniform and into something more comfortable, he has been given a week of bed rest at minimum by Lady Bailu.

   “Yuan, I thought I told you to get changed and then rest?” You observe the slight pout on his lips.

   “I did get in bed and I waited, and waited, and waited for you.” He looks at you with his best puppy eyes, you have to use all your strength not to crack a grin.

   “I was unaware my presence was needed for you to rest.” Your amused smile bleeds into your tone of voice as you answer him.

   “I always need you,” he replied sleepily, the admission tugs at your heart and your lips.

   You get up from your chair and lead him back into the bedroom, a large white cat lies stretched out on the bed. You get into your side of the bed and Jing Yuan follows, laying down on his stomach. He buries his head into your stomach and lets out a dramatic sigh, you giggle as you pull the ribbon from his hair.

   You gently run your hands through his hair, white strands gliding smoothly through your fingers. But you can’t help but notice that he’s still awake, blinking blearily, your hands stop and your fingertips settle just barely ghosting his nape.

   “I have said it before,” you start, “you don’t have to be the great general of the Xianzhou Luofu with me.” You make a funny voice as you say his title, you can feel the small rumbles of quiet laughter in his chest.

   “I just want Jing Yuan,” you whisper softly, cradling his head against you.

   He lets out a long sigh, tension subsiding from his shoulders as he presses his weight into you. You lean down as best you can to plant a kiss on his hair, continuing from where you left off, untangling his mane. He lets out a content, if not a little bit tired, hum.

   “Sleepy?” You ask, he hums in response, it’s muffled into the fabric of your shirt. You giggle as you gently massage his scalp, and run your nails over his skin.

   “Then rest my little lion man.” The nickname that you once used to tease him with, now flows sweetly from your lips and warms his heart.

   The white cat stirs from its spot, and comes over to join you as Jing Yuan drifts off into slumber. You sit for a while, observing his resting features and marvelling at his soft hair. Smiling to yourself, you keep one hand busy in his hair, the other reaches for the book on your bedside table.