#Eremite Records | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

m1d-45 · 2 years ago

Note

i love your sagau/imposter au fics so much (esp kazuha’s),, do you think nahida would be able to sense if the creator isnt an imposter because of her having access to Irminsul and being able to see if there are records of them? anyways okok so uh hear me out, maybe the creator tries to seek safety in sumeru while they’re being hunted? sorry if this is a lengthy ask ekwjkwm anyways thanks for reading, ur amazing !

sandy refuge

word count: 3.4k

-> warnings: spoilers for the final sumeru archon quest

-> gn reader (you/yours)

taglist: @samarill || @thenyxsky || @valeriele3 || @shizunxie || @boba-is-a-soup || @yuus3n || @esthelily || @turningfrogsgay || @cupandtea24 || @genshin-impacts-me || @chaoticfivesworld || @raaawwwr

< masterlist >

sumeru was a deadly nation.

liyue was guarded by the adepti, and inazuma’s storms tore the sea around the archipelago to shreds, but sumeru…

sumeru, the land of wisdom, headed by academics and led by scholars and sages. the nation split in two, lush forests barely a stones throw from barren deserts, believers of two (three?) separate gods walking side by side through the city. for a nation so divided, it was rare to get everybody to agree on something, every decision inevitably and invariably leaving some group of people unsatisfied.

and yet, there they were, united under one flag. eremites and the matra, the beige robes of the desert dwellers shifting in the wind besides the glittering armor of the akademiya’s soldiers, spears and swords aligned towards the same target.

it would be beautiful, if only you weren’t the one they rallied against.

you didn’t know how long you had been running when you managed to work your way past the wall, nor how long you had managed to stumble across sand dunes before finding your current oasis.

literally. trees swayed around a large pool of clear water, thick grass cushioning your knees as you barely hesitated before cupping some in your hands and drinking. it was blessedly cool, and you were tempted to swim in it and let it soothe the continuous heat from the desert sun. sadly, you didn’t have a spare set of clothes, and you weren’t keen on stripping when the matra could storm the place at any moment.

or the eremites. or the corp of thirty. or literally anybody else, since you’ve apparently been declared public enemy number one.

you splashed some water on your face and over your head, goosebumps rising where a drop raced beneath the collar of your shirt. how water was so cold when the sand was so hot, you didn’t know, but you weren’t going to complain.

after drinking a few more handfuls of the water, you finally looked around. there was a large spire of stone next to the oasis, flanked by large trees, with a thankfully abandoned hilichurl hut beside it.

you try not to think about how an archer would have had an easy shot as you were drinking.

at the base of a few of the trees is something green, and you remember the nuts that grew in the desert. you were too wary of the henna berries and the cacti they grew on to try and eat those, but you distinctly remember these being used in a few recipes.

all you could do was hope they were edible raw.

you stood—your vision blurred, the ground tilting, but you ignored it—and walked around the oasis, inspecting the green and hoping it wasn’t a fungus.

good news, it wasn’t. bad news, it was the husk of one of the nuts, hollow without any of the fruit inside. fresh, by the looks of it, the green leaves squishing instead of crumbling when you kicked at them.

great.

you sat on the curved trunk of one of the trees, holding up a hand to shade your eyes as you looked up. you could see another nut, hanging off the top of a tree, but.. the bark of the trees were smooth, and any of your athletic abilities were worn away by exhaustion and malnutrition.

you let your head drop and tried not to focus on your hunger, instead inspecting the mix of sand and grass beneath your feet. sand and grass. all of sumeru, represented right at your feet. hot, slippery sand, and cool, spiky grass. the desert and the forest, two wildly different ecosystems, and yet… both drove you out.

you tried not to cry, to push away the helplessness of the situation, but you couldn’t. what had you done, you wondered, for your very face to cause such an uproar? for two separate groups of people, divided in location, name, and faith to ally in their shared hatred of you? if somebody asked you what the millelith, matra, and eremites had in common about six months ago, you couldn’t have answered. you’d have thought about it, maybe, but drawn a blank outside of ‘defenders.’

but what were they defending? and how were you a threat?

when the first tear fell, so did something else.

you jumped at the dense thud, digging your nails—overgrown, bitten at, broken—into the bark as you searched for the source of the noise.

a large fruit had fallen, the one you were eyeing earlier by the looks of it. it sat atop the empty husk of another, magically fallen from the tree by seemingly nothing.

you weren’t going to complain.

you slid off the tree, reaching for the nut, grabbing the stem and pulling, but dropped it just as fast. a fungus was standing just behind it, large orange eyes looking up at you.

you were frozen. would it attack you? was it trying to eat? did they even need to? could you get sick from fungus spores? even if you couldn’t, getting hurt wasn’t worth the meal…

the fungus tilted to one side, then the other, bumping the large fruit towards you.

it… was giving it back?

you stared, but the fungus didn’t move. when you carefully tugged at the nut, slowly drawing it closer so you could properly pick it up, it didn’t move. it just watched you, the rim of its cap slightly falling into its eyes.

you sat back on the tree, pulling it into your lap. the outer leaves were coarse, softening as you pulled away the many layers. there was a high chance some of the inner leaves were edible, but you didn’t want to take chances. the fruit itself was a pale green, easily tearing under your fingers. it was soft, with the barest edge of sweetness that had you prying up more. it wouldn’t make for a full meal, but it was certainly far better than nothing.

you checked on the fungus every once in a while, but it just stood there. by your guess, it was the floating anemo kind, but where was its group? fungi rarely appeared alone, and part of you felt bad.

(felt bad. for a fungus. you’re in dirty, torn clothes and on the run for your life, and you still find the empathy for a fungus. at least you knew your morals were still intact.)

you offered a piece of the nut to the fungus, but it didn’t react. instead it turned, floating into the air and drifting away.

…alright.

you try to eat the fruit slowly, as to not make yourself sick, taking breaks to sip more water from the lake to dim the sweetness. you didn’t know how long the fruit would stay good now that you’d opened it, but you were trying to enjoy it. its not as if you were overflowing with excess, and you likely couldn’t linger here long. you don’t even know why you resorted to the desert anyway.. between cyno, the ruins, scorpions, the primal constructs.. to say it was dangerous was an understatement. even if you made it to the far west, the pari were there, and you didn’t think they would take too kindly to you. fontaine wouldn’t be much better, provided you somehow crossed the sea around it…

nowhere was safe. you supposed that was the point, that nobody would give you refuge, but it still hurt. you didn’t think you’d ever land in this situation when you first downloaded the game..

whatever. you’re not going to go down that path for the nth time. you hold the remains of the nut in one arm as you stand, picking off chunks as you walk toward the hilichurl hut. with any luck there would be something useful inside, or at least be a safe place to rest temporarily.

the camp looks like it’s been clear recently, which is both good and bad. good, because neither hilichurls nor patrols should come by here for a bit, but bad because it lowers your chances of finding anything useful. there’s no arrowheads or vegetables, not even embers in the fire pit, all the supply boxes long since broken.

at least it’s shelter. at least you had food today, and (hopefully) clean water. small wins, small wins…

you gather your strength and begin to drag all the rubble into the hut, using what was left of their training dummies to make a hollow pile. hopefully it would just look like trash to anyone walking by, and could maybe keep you warm. the scraps of furs littered over the camp were matted with something you didn’t want to think about, so this was your best bet.

man, you missed your bed.

you returned to the oasis for more water, scrubbing off some of the dirt from your arms and face. you wouldn’t be clean for long, what with the dirt floor you’d picked as your shelter, but it felt nice. a topical fix for a bone deep wound.

you didn’t try to clean your clothes, eyeing the sun dipping in the sky. having wet clothes wouldn’t help at night, even if it might feel good. perhaps tomorrow? yes, tomorrow. tomorrow you could scrub at your shirt—*blood doesn’t clean easily without soap*—and try to undo some of the knots in your hair, maybe even use leaves and some of the scraps of twine around the camp to bring some water with you.

tomorrow. you got this. surely.

(just ignore the fact that you don’t know where in the desert you are. or how easy it would be to get lost, or dehydrate. nope. this is a perfectly fine and normal situation that you have an okay amount of control over. you got this. you have to.)

you return to the hut, retrieving the other half of your fruit and taking it with you into your pitiful shelter. at least you didn’t have to worry about rain…

it was only slightly cramped beneath the pile of junk, but you had enough room for you and your food. you laid there for a long time, occasionally peeling off pieces to eat. you didn’t know how much was left, and you didn’t think about it, distracting yourself by thinking about tomorrow. if you were clever with some sticks you could fashion some wider soles for your shoes to get more grip on the sand, or maybe a hat to keep from burning… but there was water and food to worry about, but the area along the wall was certainly dangerous, but it might be worth it if it meant you lived a little longer…

you fell asleep at some point, the faint sweetness of your dinner lingering on your tongue.

normally, waking up to someone barely a foot from your person would be unsettling. in your situation, it was terrifying.

you immediately pushed yourself back, crawling backwards away from nahida. she was kneeling, seeming surprised at your actions. you almost wondered how she was out here, and in your survey of the area, it clicked.

you weren’t in the hut anymore. you’d missed it in your fear, but you were lying on grass, in a small meadow. you didn’t pay too much attention to it though, putting a hand to your chest to try and calm your heart.

“just a dream,” you breathed, and nahida’s expression fell. not into anger, more.. sadness?

“i’m sorry if i startled you.” her voice was soft, but flat, motions stiff as she stood up and dusted off her dress.

what a weird dream. first you’re lucid, then she’s here… maybe it was wishful thinking. maybe your brain had finally had enough.

“it’s fine,” you said, taking another look around the field. tall trees arched high above you, the bushes and ferns between them reminding you of the rainforest. in the center were three chairs, with various plates laid out on the table between them. you stood, automatically wiping for any grass caught on you, only to find that you were actually wearing clean clothes again—one of your favorite outfits, actually.

you mostly ignored nahida as you walked to the table, looking over the various dishes. you recognized a few as sumeru recipes, but not all of them, deciding to pick at a bowl of fruit instead. you’re not sure how dreams work here—you haven’t had many since coming to teyvat—but it feels safer to stick with a food you’ve actually tried before.

(you ignore the nut from the oasis. calculated risk.)

“i hope they’re to your liking?” nahida’s voice is hesitant as she comes to your side, sitting in one of the chairs. you don’t do the same.

“i’m surprised i remember so many of these,” you say instead, looking over the sheer variety of food laid out. your subconscious has done well.. almost a bit too well.

“eat. you need the energy.”

“i’ll just miss them in the morning, and it’s not like they’ll give me any actual nutrition.”

“…please, my god.”

your head whips to her in an instant, the fruit falling from your hand as if it was poison. it could be, considering everything.

even after all these months, you’d let your guard down. in front of the one god who had control over dreams, you ate of her food and showed that you were weak.

nahida raises her hands, and you have half a mind to grab a knife off the table. it wouldn’t do anything, but it would make you feel better. “it’s just me. there’s nobody else in this dream.”

you should have known better. “leave me alone.”

“i mean you no harm, i only-“

you put your hands over your ears and close your eyes, trying to make yourself wake up. you pictured the walls of the hut, of your makeshift shelter and the leaves of last night’s dinner. you pretend you can’t hear her voice, that the only sound is the whisper of the wind.

if only you’d remembered her powers quicker, or perhaps discovered yours sooner.

you don’t know how long it took you to break free from the dream, or if you managed to break it at all. you just knew that you woke up to the sounds of talking from outside your hut, the words were faint but still discernible from the wind. two voices, one soft and one rough, picking their way around the oasis.

you didn’t dare try to run, instead shifting some of the wood in your pile to cover the entrance. where could you even go if they found you? west was dangerous, east was deadly, north led you into either a sandstorm or a dead-end sea, and south was entirely uncharted, and that was assuming you even made it that far.

they came closer, and you reached for one of the smaller planks in your small shelter. it was still about the length of your forearm, and though the rest of the stack shifted, you felt a bit safer. maybe you could hide in a cave for a while until they left? no, that would mean you’d have to get enough of a lead to lose them, and you doubted you could run that fast.

“-abandoned.” there was a sound like a rock kicked against the side of the hut, covering the sound of your breath as you recognized the voice. “you sure this is the right place?”

wanderer.

“i’m certain, i saw it myself.”

and nahida. she probably tapped into your mind to see where you were trying to wake up to… it would be clever if your life wasn’t on the line.

footsteps drew ever closer, and it was getting hard to judge the distance. the hut was empty save for your little scrap pile, but how close was too close? could you even have a chance with wanderer’s skill? not to mention the dendro archon…

maybe you were doomed from the start. there was no good ending for you, just a constant delay of the fate that you dodged when you first set foot on this planet.

how long has it been? how much time have you borrowed? teyvat had ghosts, would you become one? would you return to earth? did your earth even exist anymore? this was not the time for this debate…

a shadow moved, and nahida’s voice was far closer than it was before. “divine one?”

you bit your cheek as to not laugh. ‘divine one.’ she already had a god, the one that had ordered this mess to begin with. the first person you ran into, ironically, who had on sight declared you a criminal. you didn’t want to be associated with that person at all, thank you. did she think that you thought you were the god? you wouldn’t be hiding if you did.

“buer. you’re talking to a pile of sticks.”

“i’m aware.” her voice grew quieter, like she’d turned around. “but we need to be patient.”

“there’s an easier way to do this, you know.”

“after all that’s happened? there’s no easy solution to this.”

“that’s not what i…” he sighed. “can i show you something?”

“what is it?”

the air hissed, your pile broken by a blade of wind down the middle. the anemo curved around you, acting as a shield as the wood splintered and flew. you quickly pushed yourself up, sitting against the wall and looking between the two of them. nahida looked terrified, and the shock on wanderer’s face is comical. looks like he didn’t expect you to actually be in there.

he removed his hat from his head, quickly dropping to one knee, nahida doing the same barely a moment after. “my god.. i apologize for my haste.”

pardon?

nahida lifted her head, meeting your eyes with a hand to her chest. “and i’m sorry for invading your dream earlier. i just wanted to find you, and when i noticed you were in sumeru..”

wanderer is too prideful to apologize to anybody he doesn’t absolutely need to, even for a plan.. jut what’s going on here?

you fix your attention on nahida and hope she’s not a good liar. “don’t you already have a god you follow?”

nahida flinched, looking away. “that… was a mistake. i should have trusted my instincts, and for that i’m sorry. i had no idea that my silence would lead to this…”

either she’s a really convincing actor, or she means it. given the severity of the situation, you don’t want to assume.

“if it helps…” wanderer’s hands tighten on his hat, and he bows his head further. “my anemo protected you. even if i did mean to cause harm, that is more than enough proof of your identity.”

“…so i’m supposed to believe you? just like that?”

nahida shook her head. “i understand your apprehension. it’s hard to trust someone after everyone else has betrayed you, and i don’t expect you to come with me to the sanctuary right away. aaru village is close by, though, and i was hoping you would be willing to go there..?”

some part of you still thinks it’s a trick, that there would be a swarm of matra waiting for you. but honestly… running is tiring, and nahida is kind. you want to believe her, even if it does end up going poorly. what else do you have to lose, really?

you drop your poor excuse for a weapon, briefly checking your hands for splinters before standing up. you kick aside the remains of your dinner and dust yourself off, walking forward. “alright. i’ll go with you.”

nahida beams.

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boundinparchment · 4 months ago

Text

Blasphemous Rumors - IX

“Marry me.” He said it with such blasé that you weren’t sure you heard him correctly. Silence surrounded the two of you and he leaned down and tilted his head, watching you like a specimen under a microscope. “Just for a year. A marriage of convenience. Consider it nothing more than a harmless experiment for the sake of curiosity.”

Il Dottore/Female reader with established personality. Slow burn. Semi-enemies to lovers. Available on AO3 here.

Obscured half-truths should have been easier to spot. Was it mere convenience that caused me to overlook such details or the notion that if she lasted this long under Pantalone’s reign, she was likely a safe candidate? Worse still, was it because I find her to be one of the only tolerable individuals to deal with?

She wasn’t lying about her father, the change in circumstance, a decision to utilize her skills away from home. Not only was it obvious merely from her demeanor at dinner the other night but she had little reason to hide such motivations to begin with. Her candor prior to this arrangement was a refreshing surprise in comparison to the layered considerations from my colleagues.

Her father’s health failed and although she did her best to keep the books tidy, they slipped into the red when deadlines were not met. Some months were just above water only for the subsequent ones to sink again. In most cases, Agents were sent to take care of such matters, but circumstances required the Regrator’s personal assessment. They were denied an appeal and had little choice but to declare bankruptcy; subsequently, their credit was ruined, financially and socially. Sneznhayan winters were bearable with a collective community, with every individual playing their part. When one could not contribute, however…

To give up one’s resources and time and energy for another. Only the Eremites showed me such sentiments provided I pulled my weight in return.

I leaned back in my chair and rested my boots on my desk, tossing aside my mask to press the heels of my palms into my eyes. Ridiculous. Had I truly overlooked her personnel and public records all for the sake of this experiment? A mistake I would have made centuries ago, not now. Emotion certainly didn’t drive this decision, for we had no such bond. And although I’ve had fleeting thoughts of what her body might feel like, I was not a creature of hungry lust.

Exploring a purposeful relationship was enticing, a new adventure, and I was never one to turn down an opportunity.

How foolish.

Such circumstances in life naturally led to the decisions she has made for the rest of her career. The Fatui, while hardly beloved, offered enticing pay and there were plenty of enemies to sell information to. She had gone to the postal service before the bank that day I saw her in town and she has a knack for searching for details beyond her station. It was the only thing that made sense.

She was hardly the first I have observed to turn to such desperate measures. Treason was reserved for the betterment of the people at the cost of oneself, but if she were to be arrested or killed, who would care for her loved ones? Given previous conversations, she hardly expected anything from me in this regard. Which meant she gave little thought to the consequences of her actions or had terrible foresight.

There was little else in the file. The Regrator would have approved her resume and background and thus must know she may not be as trustworthy as others. I, for one, preferred to have different minds on various projects to identify other ways of thinking. But the Ninth was not one for dissonance, and either he hired her out of ironic pity or he gave no second thought to those he financially fucked over.

Somehow, the latter would not be surprising in the least.

Despite it all, I found myself intrigued. Did she have a plan? What was her endgame?

“This is rather amusing, Prime,” Omega crooned, papers fluttering as the Segment tossed the files back onto my desk. “I would have thought Zeta to be the one to be wrapped up in such a dramatic tale.”

“I resent that,” came a second voice, off to the right of my desk. “Besides, we need a little excitement amongst ourselves on occasion.”

“Neglecting a background check on a future spouse you barely know outside of a professional capacity is careless. I am aware all of us manage to get along with her but you must not be thinking,” Omega continued.

“All of us know what he was thinking when he caught her touching—”

“Enough,” I barked, splaying my hands out as I glared at the two Segments. “This is a golden opportunity if managed correctly. Insight into a common life experience and gaining information not first disseminated from the Marionette or the Regrator. She’ll be an asset if used correctly.”

“She’s either the stupidest person in existence or the bravest,” Zeta chimed in, gleeful. “Treason right under a Harbinger’s nose for years and now she’s gone and married said Harbinger’s higher ranked colleague.”

The silence of my inner mind was deafening as every part of me came to the correct conclusion: we stood to lose a great deal if she flew too close to the sun. Setting aside Pantalone’s bet and putting everything at face value, the spouse of a Harbinger found to be a spy would cast my own credibility into account. And I have worked far, far too hard over these centuries.

Damn it all.

“A solution will be found,” I stated, the familiar confidence settling the stirring of the Segment network.

I rose to my feet and straightened my sleeves, erasing the traces of uneasy thoughts. Before me, Omega and Zeta remained unconvinced, their own arrogance and perception too sharp, too much like my own.

But it was not them I needed to concern myself with. My meeting with Pantalone this afternoon was more pressing.

As I dismissed the others and locked my study, Omega turned back and said, “This is your experiment, Prime. But do let us know if you need a…helping hand. She’s our wife, too.”

I gritted my teeth, fighting back the urge to remind Omega that I created all of my Segments as tools of perception, functioning individuals separate from myself. A waste of breath. Whatever eventuality was inevitable with my Accountant, there was little reason for it to include being woven into a web of my Segment’s antics.

The office was quiet when I arrived upstairs, the faint sounds of a group lunch mingling with those of a client conversion and a series of clicks from a typewriter. Boring and slow and enough to stir my mind to madness if I were subjected to such an environment; the briefest stint in the Akademiya archives sorting organizing copies of theses with little to no consequence on the greater world was enough to solidify that.

Her old office was nothing but a series of file boxes and a bookshelf, not yet re-occupied. It seemed far smaller than I recalled it being. An observation worth analyzing later.

The Accountant was now found in the office just outside of Pantalone’s double doors, a wide vista spanning out behind her and room enough for a small sitting area, tucked out of view from the half-windows that lined the front of her new office. So far, she had only managed to place a few of the familiar knick-knacks from prior business trips as personal marks. She was deep in conversation with an Agent, their hood down as they stood just inside the threshold, speaking. Something in my ribcage ached at the sight of her, sun painting her from behind as she idly played with the letter opener. Distantly, I could still smell her perfume, a testament to its quality. The scent had lingered in the dressing room this morning, warm, a little musky, sweet in afternote.

Rationality kept its hold on me but memories of pressing her against the wall, impulsive and opportunistic, burned my eyes every time I blinked. Such need would be dealt with later. It held no place now.

Briefly, I considered her high shoulders and legs ankles as she feigned casualty, leaning against her desk. Part of me thought to rap my knuckles against the wood paneling and startle the rambling Agent. Just as I raised my hand, the Accountant’s head turned slightly, eyes shifting and meeting mine. She gave the smallest shake of her head before returning her attention to the Agent, as if nothing had happened.

I bit back a smirk. How well she knew my curiosity for reactions.

Not bothering to knock on the Regrator’s door, I slipped away and shoved all thoughts of her soft skin to the recesses of my mind.

Pantalone barely looked up from his desk at my presence, bemusement sitting in his brow. A chill ran through the office, the window behind him cracked open despite the whipping snow dancing down from the rooftops. He claimed it was for fresh air, regardless of the season. I once argued the inefficiency of such behavior and, upon my next visit, he’d purposefully gone out of his way to make it colder fully knowing one such as myself was used to cold desert nights.

I contemplated pacing to keep the rampant thoughts of frustration at bay but instead settled into one of the nearby sofas. The leather was supple, more giving than at first glance, disarming. Propping my elbow up on the back, I rested my head on my fist before crossing an ankle over my lap. This meeting would be a waste of time, as it usually was, and the Segments were not helpful in sorting thought priority.

“You appear to have returned from an expedition, not a honeymoon, old friend. Don’t tell me marriage doesn’t suit you already,” the banker crooned.

Already laying landmines? How droll. Beneath my mask, my eye twitched. This meeting was supposed to be about several other matters, the most important of which was gauging how much he knew already regarding the topic the Accountant dropped in my lap. He had to be aware of the pattern, but whether he intended to do something about it...

I waved a hand. “Unexpected occurrences in the lab in my absence. We had a fine time away.”

Pantalone chuckled as he rose from his desk, picking up his walking stick as he went, the thing little more than a prop.

“I would have expected you more…relaxed, is all. You’ll need to be a little more convincing than just watching from a distance, Zandik.”

Amused, I tilted my head. “Whatever are you talking about, banker?”

“You played your role at the wedding well enough. But what about the bedroom?”

Pantalone took his time, the tip of his cane thumping into the plush carpet as he went. He was practically in time with the ridiculous clock in the corner, ticking away. Truly, he was wasting both of our times prying?

“Get to your useless point already,” I glowered.

“Apparently, the both of you were never quite out of sight, seemingly glued to one another but not in the…traditional sense. More like friends than eager lovers.”

With a smile, Pantalone continued, pacing as he went.

“That was not the tell, though. It may have been beneficial to let the staff do their job instead of insisting on making the coffee yourself. The housekeeper and cook might be in your pocket but they do enjoy chatting with the groundskeeper.”

“What happens between my wife and I is no one else’s business.”

The words were pure fact but that was yet another blind spot I’d overlooked. Beneficial, perhaps, to the farce of a happy marriage on the surface. To any outsider, it might appear that way. But it was unlike me to forget my position, one I had overcome death itself, in a sense, to achieve. In the depths of my mind, Omega chuckled.

Pantalone ceased his peacocking and finally settled onto the other end of the couch, thumb idly playing with the design of the cane’s metal top. “It is when you’re a Harbinger, my friend. We might above the nobility but that does not mean people won’t talk.”

My mind lingered again on unspoken expectations, the peripherals that mattered little to an experiment focused on a single goal but were imperative to a proper union befitting my station. Even if this agreement was only for a year at minimum, eventually we would need to tackle nonsense such as intimacy, at least feigning it, let alone legacies…

They wouldn’t, not if this didn’t last. And she…why would she agree to more than a year with me? She’d practically thrown herself at me but that didn’t mean much in marriages such as this. He was not entitled to her physicality, nor was she to his.

And only a fool would consider throwing children into a paper-thin union. Genetics was always such a fascinating field, the potential born from random sequencing in a particular order, uncovering the result only as the subject grew…

Just long enough to win the bet. That was all they needed. Nothing less, but nothing more, either. She would get what she was owed from their agreement and even as a divorcee of a Harbinger, she would be a viable candidate for another, purely out of a strategic alliance.

She would be fine.

“You certainly put on a show at the wedding but now it’s time to continue proving it,” Pantalone said, his golden eyes boring into my mask. “And distantly watching your wife or allowing ridiculous rumors to circulate about her is not in your best interest. Nor is an unsatisfied partner. At least for your sake. You look as if you’re going to snap in two. Get it over with, would you?”

“Why don’t you concern yourself with your own affairs, Regrator? It’s not as if you fare any better in solitude.”

“Touche. As you said, no one else’s business.”

“Then drop it. I came to discuss something else.”

The other man raised a thin eyebrow in silent query, leaning back into the arm of the sofa.

“You’re aware that Northland is not the only source of my funding,” I began.

“Naturally.”

“A few of my investors happen to be within the nobility. Recently, Omega reported that some of them are claiming financial hardship and they’re unable to come up with the rest of their capital. I’m curious if the same has occurred for Northland itself, if there’s been increase in bankruptcies or other defaults as of late.”

Pantalone raised his head slightly, eyes leaving mine for a moment in consideration. So, Northland’s capital, which came from the very money deposited by its customers, was more vulnerable than it seemed. Had he done a poor job of hiding it? Or was it intentional?

“I imagine they’ve been crumbling under the new tax laws and tariffs as of late,” the Ninth supplied. “But they must understand that their roles as nobles are to take the higher ground and sacrifice for those with fewer means than themselves. How else are we meant to bridge the gap, hmm?”

And yet, the Accountant made it seem so…

His words were too dismissive, too easy. I may not dabble in economics but for her to be so concerned, to consider it information critical enough to examine, there had to be more to it.

But it was clear that was all I was going to get, even if I resorted to pushing back against him by pulling rank. I rose to leave, ready to be done with this waste of time, and Pantalone did the same, closing the distance between us. As I neared the door, he put a hand on my shoulder.

“Omega will receive his funding, one way or another,” the banker smiled, his eyes closing in congeniality. “I’m sure Tartaglia would be more than happy to manage a few small collections, the Rooster said the boy is going stir-crazy as of late.”

“I’ll consider it. Such actions may not be necessary.”

He patted my back, the action patronizing. “You need only ask, dear friend. Moving forward, another will be handling your accounts and budgets; can’t have your wife balancing your books, can we?

“Surely you didn’t move her merely because of her change in station? She’s not one for taking credit where none is due,” I replied, glaring over my shoulder.

“Since it needs to be said, her promotion was both earned and acts a way to keep her from the rest of the nonsense. There’s a betting pool for her resignation, another for when she begins to take sick days and wears looser clothing. Her colleagues are just as vicious as ours, I saw no need for her to be subjected to it.”

“Betting pools started by you, undoubtedly,” I shot back. “Considering your prying nature.”

“I’m wounded, old friend,” the Regrator pressed a hand to his chest, his expression sullen. It changed as suddenly as it began, his usual stoicism settling in. “But do consider what I’ve said. Showing up to your own dinner party with this much tension will undoubtedly raise more speculation than quell it.”

Easy for you to say, you don’t have multiple versions of yourself in your head, I thought bitterly, opening the door and slamming it behind me.

I attempted to ease the tension in my jaw by focusing on the corridor and not the motion off to my left. The slam caused her to flinch and look up, unused to the proximity of those whose blood pressure rose leaving the Regrator’s office.

Looking at her did nothing to help with that. The expression on her face was too similar to what I remembered from that morning, lips parted in ecstasy she thought was private…

Taking her on her desk, where Pantalone could hear every sound, would shut the other man up for good. Would shut everyone else up for good. But that required him to be a different man, one driven by base desire alone, with no respect for the set-up of the experiment.

And she wasn’t mine to have. Not really, marriage laws be damned.

The experiment needed to continue unclouded. Marriage was more than lust, more than sex, more than physical intimacy. Her suggestions for trying to get along and know one another, as much as he would let her, would certainly lead to more success in that regard.

The moment passed as quickly as it came when I entered her office, her hand still poised mid-calculation.

“Thank you for not interrupting earlier,” she said, returning to her work. “They were rather informative, all things considered. And I shouldn’t have to say that I don’t need a knight in shining armor.”

“I never claimed to be one.”

“Wouldn’t suit you anyway.”

Selfishly, I allowed myself the thought that kissing her would feel sublime, regardless. Not an hour went by where I didn’t feel her lips on mine, a ghost of the stolen kisses from weeks ago. If I was struggling with this, it stood to reason she might be as well. And with the new information from this morning, I’m beginning to understand just what kind of position she put herself in, marrying me: she was not unlike Tyr, putting her arm in the mouth of Fenrir, as the old Khaenriahn myths went.

“Take an extended lunch and come to my workshop,” I said. “We need to discuss a few details.”

She watched me, wary, but as I walked away, I heard her shuffling papers and gathering her belongings. I did not pause in my stride when her office lock clicked and I felt her keeping pace beside me.

Resting my hand at the small of her back, I ushered her along amid her colleagues’ glances. My skin burned. Not even the thoughts of her being a political problem, a traitor and the biggest wrench in my plans, kept the sensations at bay.

I needed to get this experiment back on neutral ground as soon as possible.

#dottore #il dottore #dottore x reader #il dottore x reader #dottore x female reader #il dottore x female reader #fic: blasphemous rumors #arranged marriage #marriage of convenience #enemies to lovers #dottore/female reader #il dottore/female reader #yeah yeah yeah it's been fifty million years I have plot to get to

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sleepyorchidmonster · 14 days ago

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So, considering Genshin's latest trend of revisiting past storylines that had been mostly glossed over for the past 4 years or so (seriously, I remember freaking out over these things back in 2021)....

Since they've focused on Liyue (Hu Tao's role as a Director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor), Inazuma (Raiden's dead friends, especifically Chiyo, that was MIA) and now Mondstadt (Albedo's fear of turning evil and destroying the nation + hints at whatever the fuck Venti is hiding), then they'll probably set their sights on Sumeru soon enough.

Sumeru and its unresolved issues of *checks notes* Collei having a vision of Dottore literally BURNING DOWN IRMINSUL at the end of Winter Night's Lazzo.

And, since we're talking about Collei, why don't we address the fact that she wasn't given a major role in the region's Archon Quests, even with her connections to Cyno, Tighnari and Dottore, or her ability to directly empathise with both Wanderer and Nahida, not to mention that line in her trailer "Even if it's a life-or-death situation, I'll never need to rely on their power again" that's not foreboding at all what do you mean haha...

Almost as if the Sumeru Archon Quests we got were a way to save Nahida, redeem Wanderer and heal Collei's Eleazar, establishing key players and setting up the board for what's to come in the future.

And about the whole "Burning of Irminsul Thing", like, I get that it's the fastest way to "Burn the old world for me", as per the Tsaritsa's words in the Shivada Jade Gemstone lore, but what would happen to Nahida?

Since she is a branch of Irminsul, is she technically safe from the flames burning away said branch? Will Mini Durin and Wanderer have to frantically locate the branch that represents Nahida and remove it from Irminsul while the others frantically try to keep the flames at bay?

(I've kind of always interpreted Rukkhadevata's (and Nahida's) connection to Irminsul as something akin to a dryad, so she's an avatar of the tree, and said tree is also directly linked to her life force, so if Irminsul dies, they die.)

Either way, letting Irminsul burn to the ground is all kinds of bad for Teyvat's lore and record-keeping (even if said lore can be easily edited via Irminsul), so everyone will do what they can to stop Dottore while Nahida is preparing for the worst and creating a bunch of fables (Venti has also saved some important details via songs and poems).

Anyway, while we probably won't be getting Sumeru that soon, since we're still in Mond and will probabky end up crash-landing in Nod-Krai soon enough (also you can't just turn such an important detail as the Burning of the WORLD TREE into a flagship event) here are some predictions and rambings:

- We might get a special appearance fron Albedo, Muni-Durin, Amber and maybe Ragbros, both as a nod to the manhua being placed i Mond, as well as Mini-Durin and Wanderer's connection;

- Collei and Wanderer friendship over their mutual dislike of the Doctor;

- Candance and Nilou, Sumeru's only hydro characters that were also heavily featured in the event "Chromatic Ode to Candies and Roses", where they took on the role of both Deshret and Nabu Malikata at Nahida's birthday party, now make up the main line of defense against the flames, once more representing the God-Kings of Sumeru;

- Eremites. Just the eremites. It's been almost 3 years since we've freed Nahida, so I want at least part of the quest delving a bit into how things have improved over this short amount of time. Like, it's impossible to fix so many sistemic issues in so little time, but Nahida has the determination and wisdom to pull it off, so it'd be nice to see the general public's opinion of their archon, especially considering how the eremites went from hating her to being qbsolutely crucial to the success of the 3.2 quest;

- LAYLA ARCHON QUEST APPEARANCE! I still can't fathom how in 3.2. we got a new character that we had never met before, not to mention a student from Rtawahist, A.K.A. the same Darshan as AZAR. Like, can you imagine if Layla's somnambulism somehow confused the Akasha system, to the point where they're technically still capable of dreaming, which allowed Nahida to befriend Night Layla? And Layla's erratic night behavious were part Night Layla shenanigans, part actual reconaissance for their archon? 3.1. Ending but Night Layla crashes the party by showing up at Aaru Village with a bunch of classified documents she stole from Azar? Day Layla being convinced she just traveled there for a project, but also helping Candance defend the village while the others are out?

- Amurta and Vahumana collaboration (they're trying to see if they can use Shouki no Kami to transplant Irminsul, results are still inconclusive);

- The fight plan would basically be Alhaitham, Dehya, Cyno and Sethos vs Dottore, while the others attempt to save Irminsul from the flames. Nahida is protecting Aaru Village with Faruzan, Layla, Jeht, the Pari and some other eremites while offering remote support (the last thing anyone needs is Dottore setting her on fire as well);

- Collei using the Archon Residue to suffocate the flames, which ends up killing two birds with one stone, since the fire may also weaken said Archon Residue;

- Apep appearance (let's say part of her agreement with Deshret involved assisting his allies in dire circumstances, also she is just repaying a favour);

- Dottore versus Aranaras (he's somehow losing).

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falling-star-cygnus · 10 months ago

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❗4GGRAVATE NATION❗ come get y'all's food, i have another headcanon :D [semi-supported by canon, once again]

anyway, i was rewatching Alhaitham's trailer bc of a fanfic i read, and i realized that he's probably the most flexible out of all of them. -> think about it:

Tighnari and Kaveh both use weapons that require a lot of arm strength [even if Kaveh levitates his with Mehrak, he's still got those creaky old man artist joints] which somewhat limits the range of motion in the shoulder area that doesn't nix Tighnari from being quick on his feet, just for the record, i am aware of his acrobatic abilities. But a lot of his gameplay is focused on footwork and jumping

Cyno, on the other hand, despite having a weapon that allows for more of a lithe build- fights like a claymore user. He's a very heavy hitter, and his attacks focus more on relentless force rather than the precision of other polearm characters which is kinda cool if you look back at Kaveh, who DOES fight with precision despite having a claymore

and then you have Alhaitham, who in his original gameplay would arc almost completely into the splits to kick his sword down [i'm still so distraught that they lowered his leg, BRING IT BACK-] it is impressive that he can kick his sword whilst in a mid-air flip though, and still maintains a very aerial style of combat -> also, he can teleport- why don't more people talk about that?

Kaveh comes home to find Alhaitham sitting on their divan, reading one of his books like usual His hands are full of blueprints, with his charcoal balanced precariously on top, but he manages to close the door and start towards his room to set his stuff down. The charcoal hits the ground Alhaitham, glancing down at it: ...hm? Kaveh, pausing; ah- shit, Alhaitham can you grab that for me? My hands are full. Alhaitham, looking back down at his book: Yes, I can see that. Regardless of his 'disinterest', he shifts as if to stand up. And then doesn't. Alhaitham arches over the backrest of the divan to pat at the floor until his fingers brush the charcoal. He places it back onto Kaveh's stack and settles back into his book Kaveh: ....you could have just stood up- Alhaitham: I could've not grabbed it at all.

Cyno and Alhaitham get caught up in a fight with some Eremites on their way back from a ruin exploration or smth [idk i have a headache] It's a pretty evenly matched battle for most of it, but one of them manages to pin Alhaitham with his blade. Cyno makes to help him, but is quickly blocked by another enemy Cyno, scowling: Alhaitham-! The scribe dismisses his blade in a flurry of golden sparks, only to wrap his thighs around his foe's neck and twist to have the advantage- now having the Eremite pinned, he resummons his weapon Both Cyno and his opponent freeze mid-clash Cyno's Enemy: ...you wish that was you, huh- The general mahamatra attacks twice as viciously

Alhaitham had gone to Tighnari for some minor medical assistance, having been closer to him than the Birmastan [and also just generally not trust it more than his friend] Tighnari had suggested that he rest a little bit before heading back home, to which the scribe easily agreed and settled down on his friend's couch for small nap When the fox goes to wake him before it gets too late to safely travel back, Alhaitham blearily stretches backwards over the armrest until he's nearly in half- sighing a little as it works out a few kinks in the small of his back Tighnari blatantly stares Alhaitham, pausing as he works his boots back on: ...Everything ok? The fox covers the lower part of his face and offers no more than a thumbs up

#this was supposed to be 4ggravate and then it ended up being a review of their fighting styles and alhaitham acting like a cat #cest la vie #genshin impact #sumeru #4ggravate #kavetham #haikaveh #haikavetham #cytham #haino #hainari #alhaitham #kaveh #cyno #tighnari

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jazznoisehere · 3 months ago

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Onilu: Onilu (Eremite Records, 2025)

Skulls by Watumbe Noble

Design: D.NORSEN (Darryl Norsen)

#album covers #onilu #watumbe noble #skulls #dnorsen #graphic design #sculpture #artists

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pocket-luv101 · 11 months ago

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Have We Met Before? // Chapter 1

Fandom: Genshin Impact Ship: CynoNari

Summary: In ancient times, Hermanubis’s priests and warriors worked together to suppress Forbidden Knowledge. Among the Tighnarians, one stood out. Cyno decides to investigate Tighnari and whether he could be a spy for Gurabad. (CynoNari, Reincarnated Soulmates AU)

(Ch.1) //

In Tulaytulah, the City of Sapphire, a verdant tourmaline caught Cyno’s eyes. He sat in the stands and his eyes followed Tighnari across the amphitheater. He stood out among his fellow fox hybrids in the Tighnarians. His fur was a rich green rather than the golden hue of a desert fox. He carried a tall stack of books in his arms yet they remained perfectly balanced as he weaved through the crowd. He had the pose of a warrior despite claiming to be a mere doctor.

Tighnari came to Tulaytulah only a few months ago yet everyone he passed happily waved to him. His growing popularity was due to how he helped the citizens with their research, no matter the topic. Could there be more though? There had been whispers of an eremite uprising after the fall of Gurabad. Tighnari could be a spy for a rogue group of mercenaries. His tall ears could be a disguise to gain their trust.

Cyno sensed a powerful presence descend towards him but he didn’t take his eyes off Tighnari. The ground trembled when Dehya landed beside him. Her expression was hidden beneath her lion mask but he could hear her teasing smile in her voice. She addressed him with the title that King Deshret gave him. “Has the wise Hermanubis decided that the desert is finally at peace and he should take a mate? You won’t look away from him to greet your old friend.”

“Last month, Tighnari came seeking shelter in exchange for his medical expertise. We already have doctors but we couldn’t turn him away. Since then, he has involved himself in the Temple’s record keeping and the farmer’s harvest. For him to take such interest in Tulaytulah’s infrastructure… He could be a spy or planning a coup. I should’ve been more prudent before inviting him into the temple. King Deshret left Tulaytulah in my care.” Cyno bit his lip. “What should I do, Shesepankh?”

“You’re too harsh on yourself.” Dehya gently placed her hand on his shoulder. Almost a century had passed since King Deshret sacrificed himself. Despite the time that passed, the loss still laid heavy on the heart of his seven sages. The weight was further exasperated by the duty left to them. To suppress the lingering Forbidden Knowledge, Rukkhadevata created seven towers. Each sage was tasked with maintaining a tower and fighting Forbidden Knowledge.

Tulaytulah was created from Nabu Malikata’s tears and was deemed the City of Sapphire. King Deshret cherished the kingdoms that his lost lover built. Cyno had never been in love before but he saw how deeply a single emotion ran through his king. As Hermanubis, he was the one to lay their king to rest. King Deshret held a flower and thought of her even in his last moments.

Cyno vowed to honour King Deshret’s final wish and protect Tulaytulah with his life. The city held memories of both King Deshret and Nabu Malikata.

“The Temple of Silence holds duels to welcome new members. Sparring with someone will help you learn more about them. You can challenge him to a duel.” Dehya suggested. “The least you can do is speak with Tighnari as yourself. No matter whether he’s truthful with you or not, you can judge his intention directly. You’re able to sense when someone lies to you.”

“Humans are more open with Shesepankh than Hermanubis. The lioness who fulfills King Deshret’s will is easier to approach than a god who follows death.” Cyno sighed. He never tried to change his reputation as a death god because it deterred humans from attacking Tulaytulah. Now, he worried that it made his own people fearful of him. How could he approach Tighnari without making him uncomfortable?

Dehya slipped off her mask and smiled down at him. “King Deshret gave me the title of Shesepankh but I still treasure the times when he called me Dehya.”

“You call me a Valuka Shuna but I am not a desert dog. I am a fox. While our ears are similar, it’s important to record things accurately.” Tighnari’s voice reached Cyno from across the empty courtyard. He scanned the garden from where he sat on the stone gate. He found that they were the only two present. Who could he be speaking to?

Tighnari sat on the ledge of the fountain and flipped open a book in front of him. Cyno caught a glimpse of a green creature rising out of the fountain to meet Tighnari’s hand. However, it returned to the water before he could see what it was. “Here is a picture of a jackal and this is a fox. Can you see the difference in the ear shape? Wait, don’t move too quickly, Arama. You’ll make the pages wet with how you’re splashing water everywhere.”

Was the creature a messenger animal from Old Gurabad and his suspicion of Tighnari were true? He leaned closer to the ledge and tried to see it better. Cyno couldn’t move from where he sat without alerting Tighnari that he was watching him. He slipped off his jackal mask and his eyes gleamed. The sand at his feet took the form of a scarab and became his eyes. With his alchemy, he could control the scarab to collect information on Tighnari.

He was focused on the fountain and he didn’t sense someone approaching him. A powerful force against his back made him lose his balance and he fell from his hiding place. Cyno cursed beneath his breath and tried to summon his spear to stop his fall. A fog clouded his mind and he couldn’t gather elemental energy into his hand.

He crashed into the ground and a dull pain ran through his body. Luckily, as a divine spirit, he was able to recover quicker than a human. He started to push himself to his feet and faced the person who pushed him from the wall. A panicked voice made him pause. “Are you okay? Don’t move while I check where you’re hurt. I’ll give you first aid and then find someone to help move you to the hospital.”

Tighnari knelt next to the man and he placed his hand on his shoulder to stop him from sitting up. A person who fell from such a tall height would inadvertently have broken bones and moving would worsen those wounds. With that thought, he tore the hem of his long robe to make a splint. He examined the man’s body and became confused when he found him unharmed. He lightly ran his finger over his toned arm and traced his muscles to search for broken bones.

“There’s no need to fret over me. I wouldn’t be hurt from something so trivial.” Cyno pushed his hand away and sat up. He turned away from him but Tighnari caught a glimpse of his reddening cheeks. He wondered if he was blushing due to embarrassment.

Tighnari’s attention was pulled away from him when his green companion jumped onto his lap. He quickly tried to push the Aranara back into its hiding spot in his tail. It became impossible to hide Arama when it yelled: “Why did you push the Nara, Aranakin? He has a pure heart. The Valuka Shuna said we can only use our ararakalari on bad Nara. Do you want to return to Vana?”

“I don’t like being here in Valuka. Sand is coarse and rough and irritating.” Aranakin argued and crossed its tiny arms. “You may sense a good heart from this Nara but I was him watching Tighnari! He must have bad intentions. I was protecting both of you.”

“What are you?” Cyno’s question made the two Aranara stiffen. Realizing that they had accidentally revealed themselves, they scurried to hide behind Tighnari. However, it was already pointless. Tighnari reached behind him and placed a light hand on their small head. He thought of how he should tell him about the Aranara. He could feel the suspicion in Cyno’s gaze.

“They’re not dangerous.” He quickly reassured him. He lifted Aranakin into his arms and then held him out to Cyno. Their adorable appearance was unlikely to dissuade him when they had attacked him “Aranakin, apologize to him. You’re here on behalf of Rukkhadevata and your action will reflect badly on her. Arama confirmed he has a pure heart and he’s wearing a Temple of Silence uniform. He’s…”

Tighnari’s voice trailed off and his eyes narrowed. He didn’t recognize the man. Though he moved to Tulaytulah only a month ago, he knew most of the priests. His friends didn’t mention a new priest joining the Order either. The Temple of Silence had a rite where new members would duel with Hermanubis to be accepted. The outcome of the fight was insignificant. Hermanubis claimed that he could determine a person’s character from a simple sparring.

“Who are you?” Tighnari asked. The man was a stranger yet a vague memory played on his mind. He couldn’t say that they met before. He was certain that he would remember someone with pure silver hair and striking red eyes. “Have we met before?”

Cyno could hear the suspicion beneath his question and became confused. Most would recognize Hermanubis immediately from his mask. He touched his cheek and realized that he wasn’t wearing his mask. He started to answer but then Dehya’s words echoed in his mind. Perhaps, this could be his opportunity to investigate Tighnari closer and learn his intention.

He quickly thought of a lie: “I am the priest, Cyno. I have been away from the Temple of Silence for years due to a pilgrimage. It seems like a lot has changed since I left. When did Lord Rukkhadevata send envoys to the City of Sapphire? The Temple of Silence has been able to maintain Forbidden Knowledge on our own. Is there a reason she sent them?”

“No, these two wandered into the desert by themselves. They got lost and eventually found me. They saved my life.” Tighnari curled his dark green tail around the two Aranara. Cyno could sense that there was more to their meeting but he didn’t push him to explain. “It’ll be difficult for Arama and Aranakin to travel back to the rainforest alone. So, I’m taking care of them. I told them to stay hidden. The ruling elite of the Eremites are distrustful of people from the rainforest.”

“But Lord Rukkhadevata was the one who helped restore our kingdom. She sacrificed so much for us. Has no one taught our own history to the people?” Cyno’s brows furrowed in confusion.

“A lot has changed during your pilgrimage away from Tulaytulah. I will tell you more while we walk to the infirmary. You don’t appear injured but I’ll feel better if I can give you a proper examination in my office. You fell ten feet.” Tighnari was still suspicious of how Cyno could survive the fall and Aranakin’s spell. For now, he was a patient and he would treat him.

Tighnari stood and held out his hand to help him stand. He took the opportunity to study him further and try to discern more about the stranger. Cyno had the uniform of the Temple of Silence yet he appeared far from a simple priest. He forgoed armour and wore the scars on his chest. What did his pilgrimage entail for him to return so battleworn?

“There’s no need to fret over me. I heal quickly.”

Tighnari rolled his eyes. He proceeded to examine his body and checked if he had a concussion. Cyno could’ve easily pulled away from him but he allowed him to continu. Sitting close to him, he could smell the rare scent of orange blossom in Tighnari’s fur.

“Why is everyone in the Temple of Silence so stubborn? A check up will only take five minutes and then you can return to your books.” Tighnari’s gaze shifted to the Temple of Silence that stood proudly above the palace. “Though, the ruling elite can be more diligent in their studies like you. The only knowledge valuable to them is what can expand their rule. Humans are fickle things.”

“The Temple of Silence has been preoccupied with Forbidden Knowledge. We entrusted the city’s governance to the nobles of Tulaytulah. They go to Hermanubis and his priests for guidance but they never mention a power struggle with the other kingdoms.”

“I work for both the Temple of Silence and the palace. I overhear a lot of conversations.” Tighnari was initially a record keeper for the Temple of Silence. Due to the lack of doctors in the desert, he also became the village’s healer. His two positions allowed him to watch each fraction within Tulaytulah. “The Temple of Silence is loyal to King Deshret but the kings wish to have a new era of rulership. Do you think they would voice those thoughts to the priests?”

“I have to report this to Hermanubis.” Cyno groaned to himself. The Temple of Silence was strong but they needed to focus on quelling Forbidden Knowledge. An internal struggle with the ruling class of Tulaytulah could stretch them thin and threaten to break them.

A warm touch against his cheek made him look up. Tighnari’s fingers moved through his hair. Their eyes met and Tighnari quickly dropped his hand back to his side. “Sorry, I wanted to check if you hit your head during the fall. It’s not swollen nor do you have a bump. You appear fine but I want to stay with you a little longer in case you have a concussion. If we’re going to spend the day together, may I ask you a question?”

Cyno nodded in answer. He assumed that his question would be simply about his pilgrimage. Then, Tighnari asked: “Have we met before? You feel familiar to me even though we’ve never met before.”

“You must be mistaking me for someone else. I only returned to Tulaytulah today.” He hoped that Tighnari wasn’t suspicious that he was Hermanubis. Valuka Shunas had sharp senses so there was also a chance that he knew that he had been following him for his investigation.

“I guess you’re right.” Tighnari relented but there was a hint of disappointment in his voice. “Let’s go to the Temple of Silence where you can rest properly.”

“I am the Scribe of Scribes. Do you honestly expect me to forge fake documents for you? You’re the last person I expected to make this request, Hermanubis. We served King Deshret together. You’re the most righteous of us. Moreover, you know I don’t enjoy extra work. It’s troublesome.” Alhaitham sat across from Cyno and pushed the stack of paper back to him. “Why would you pretend to be a simple priest for the Temple of Silence when you’re their leader?”

“It’s for an investigation. People will be more open to tell their secrets to Cyno than Hermanubis.” The Temple of Silence kept an extensive record of King Deshret’s knowledge and his followers. They would easily discover his lie once they discover that ‘Cyno’ had never been a part of the Temple of Silence.

Cyno repeated Alhaitham’s words to him. “We served King Deshret together. You should know that I wouldn’t break my own principles unless necessary. This is to investigate something that a Valuka Shuna told me about Tulaytulah’s rulers. I must confirm if they’re a threat.”

“I hope that you have thought through your plan.” Alhaitham said as he signed the documents.

#genshin impact #cynonari #cyno x tighnari #genshin impact cyno #genshin impact tighnari #cyno and tighnari #fanfiction

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wolfiafuntime · 2 years ago

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About The Cultists IV

How some members of the Temple of Sumeru joined the cult, what they do at the cult, and where they went when they were told to leave.

Ft. Alhaitham, Candace, Collei, Cyno, Dehya, Dori, Escher, Faruzan, Kaveh, Layla, Nahida, Nilou, Tighnari

Tw: Cults, kids being in cults, near-death experiences

Published: October 14, 2023

Words: 1,169 (1,142 w/o the names)

Pages: 3.5 (3.4 w/o the names)

Alhaitham Scribe: Was introduced to the cult by Rukkhadevata, and joined shortly after; curious to know how the false religion grew so quickly. He quickly worked his way up to the job of Scribe, in which he recorded every major event within the Temple. He refused multiple offerings to become one of the Priests, and even the Grand Priest, despite the disdain it got for him each time. Currently works as a court stenographer. Currently lives in an apartment with his fellow believer, Kaveh, who constantly berates him for 'not worshipping Their Grace enough'.

Candace Aaru: Joined the cult when she was young, when her uncle convinced the majority of her family to join. As she grew, she was elected to become one of the Temple's youngest Matras, and after taking the position, she quickly became one of the most-liked ones. Spends most of her time being the only Temple's only contact to the outside world; getting groceries, letters, etc. After being told to move out, she got herself a job as a Teyvat City Police Officer, and moved into an suburbian house with her family.

Collei Eleazar: First joined the Church of Mondstadt branch of the cult when they 'saved her from starving to death as an orphan'. Later, she moved to the Temple of Sumeru to get around-the-clock medical help for a just-then-identified desease. Spends her time taking care of the plants within the Temple, and the forest surrounding part of it. Due to how severe her condition is, she didn't have to leave the Temple. But she decided to move in with her main caretaker, Tighnari, when he offered. Currently lives in a suburbian house.

Cyno Mahamatra: Learned about the cult from Cyrus, not long after becoming his foster son, but only joined shortly after meeting Tighnari. As he grew up, he worked his way up to the position of General Mahamatra. Spends his time either hunting down sinners, or playing Genius Invokation TGC with anybody willing to play with him. Due to his position, he was one of the few permitted to stay, and thus he never moved out of the Temple. He's also one of the few members without a job after moving ou, so he can dedicate more time to the Temple and Their Grace.

Dehya Flame-Mane: Was introduced to the cult when they saved her from homelessness in her teen years, and joined shortly after. At first spent her time training to become a Matra. But she later shifted gears when she learned the Temple had only a dozen people donating money to it, and she got herself a job at Eremite Security. Currently works as a manager there. When she was told to move out, she convinced multiple of co-workers to get an apartment with her close to their place of work, so she could give most of her paycheck to the Temple. Gives a 40% discount to all members of the cult.

Dori Sangemah Bay: Was introduced to the cult by Alice Hexenzirkl, and joined when she learned they could help her take care of her older sister. When she learned that the Temple of Sumeru was the poorest of all seven branches of the cult, she decided to spend her time making money for it. Somehow founded both a mall and shipping company, both named Alcazarzaray, and both extremely popular, and gets 45% of all financial proceeds. When she was told to move out, she got a penthouse in Teyvat City, which somehow didn't make a dent in her monthly donation to the cult.

'Escher Doctor': Was introduced to the cult when he and his team were told to investigate it. Originally 'joined' through a contact in the Church of Sneznhaya, but later transferred to the Temple of Sumeru, where he learned his lost daughter was a member. Spends his time treating sick members of the Temple, and using their weak minds to gain information from them. Currently works as a paramedic for Bimarstan, and currently lives in a suburbian house not far from Collei's.

Faruzan Haravatat: Was introduced to the cult by Tighnari and Collei, whom she not long after waking from a decade-long coma, and joined shortly after. Spends her time teaching the children and teens of the Temple both english and literature. When she was told to move out, she finished getting her doctorate in education, and took up a job teaching college kids english and literature. Currently lives in a studio apartment in Teyvat City, not too far from Akademiya University-- her place of work.

Kaveh Light: Was introduced to the cult by Dori when she hired him to build her mall, but didn't join until the project made him broke. Spends his time trying to find ways to sneak art in the Temple of Sumeru; finding it insulting that a place dedicated to The Creator doesn't have any creations of it's own. Currently works as a renowned architect, who is still broke on account of him donating all money he gains to the Temple. When he was told to move out, he tried looking for a place of his own, but eventually settled for Alhaitham's offer to live in his suburbian house.

Layla Rtawahist: Was introduced to the cult by Dori, but didn't join until three major events happened: Losing all of her scholarship money, gaining major insecurities and anxiety in college, and learning that her two idols (Mona and Lisa) were a part of the cult. Spends a lot of her time at the cult either sleeping or studying.

Nahida Irminsul: Was the first member born into the cult, and is believed to be the reincarnation of Their Grace's fourth-born: Sumeru. Due to this, she was granted the position of Dendro Archon. Mostly spends her time in solitude, being taught by Grand Priest Azar and the six priests below him. Due to her position, she's one of the few permitted to stay.

Nilou Zubayr: Was introduced to the cult by her idol, a man with the same last name as her, but didn't join until after meeting Dehya. Was shocked to learn that the Temple saw all forms of art as illegal, and only allowed it for people like architects and engineers. Spends her time trying to convince the Priests to allow art during bigger events held in Their Grace's name. Secretly works as a dancer at Zubayr Theatre, as the Temple doesn't allow artistic jobs. When she was told to move out, she got a studio apartment close to her job.

Tighnari Avidya: Was introduced to the cult when they saved him from a heat stroke, and joined shortly after. Spends his time taking care of the plants in and surrounding the Temple, and taking care of sick individuals. When he was told to move out, he got himself a job as a park ranger at a place named Gandharva Park, and moved into a suburbian house with Collei.

Link to series masterlist

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plumblossomcafe · 3 months ago

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Ch.84: As by a God's Side (2/2)

At the Grand Bazaar at 7:00 pm

Alhaitham: Alright, everyone is here.

Dehya: How did everything go? Any luck with your missions?

Alhaitham: Let's each report back one by one. I'll start first. We have made the necessary modifications to the Akasha Terminal. In addition, the props required are also ready.

Dehya: I'll go next. Aether and I went to Pardis Dhyai. The situation was a bit complicated, but we found Tighnari. Unfortunately, he was wounded during a fight.

Cyno: ...Who was behind it?

Dehya: Uh... Well, that's the tough part... What should I say, Aether? "The Fatui" or "The Balladeer"?

Aether: Let's go with "The Balladeer."

Cyno: ...

Dehya: After some back-and-forth, we confirmed that The Doctor has left Sumeru by boat. He has something urgent to attend to back in Snezhnaya. So, we've successfully removed The Doctor from the picture. Also, Tighnari's already resting, so he'll be okay.

Alhaitham: Good.

Paimon: Oh, Tighnari also asked us to tell you this message! "Trust your own senses and experiences."

Cyno: Alright... I'll remember that. Everything also went smoothly on my side. The Eremites should have arrived at their destination by now. To avoid alerting the quarry, they will stay there for now.

Dehya: I can't believe you actually got so many Eremites into Sumeru City!

Cyno: It's all thanks to Rahman and his brave team, as well as their bold strategy.

Alhaitham: It appears to have been very effective. I'm glad to hear it. Well, is that everything? Okay, this meeting is adjourned.

Dehya: Huh? Wait, you mean that's it?

Alhaitham: Well, what else is there to discuss?

Dehya: Shouldn't you end with some words of encouragement? You know, to fire us up now?

Alhaitham: Personally, I'd rather we all go home and get some rest.

Cyno: ...

Dehya: Alhaitham, you... *sigh*

Alhaitham: Oh, and if you wanted someone to say something to that effect, then I must reiterate that I'm here to strategize, not to lead. So you should find someone more suitable to do that.

Dehya: But I thought all of you Akademiya big-shots were great speakers?

Alhaitham: Then I should remind you that I'm the Scribe.

Dehya: I know that, so what?

Alhaitham: A Scribe is responsible for recording meetings, not speaking.

Dehya: ...Fine, whatever. Well, Cyno doesn't seem to be much of a talker, either. I guess that leaves it to my "employer."

Cyno: Employer?

Dehya: Yep, Aether hired me.

Aether: *sighs* She asked for a smile as her payment.

Dehya: Haha, that's right. So c'mon, boss! What do you have to say for the team?

Paimon: Yeah! Say something to boost morale!

Aether: Hmm... let me think...

???: Huh? What are you all doing here?

Paimon: Oh, it's Nilou!

Nilou: Hey everyone! I'm not disturbing you, am I?

Dehya: Not at all. I was actually just about to go find you.

Nilou: Heehee. Uh, judging from the group and all your serious faces, you were discussing something important, weren't you? But you also look like you're up to no good... Haha, seems pretty interesting.

Alhaitham: Welcome, Nilou. Would you like to join us?

Nilou: *confused* Huh? Join you? You mean... you also want to discuss something important... with me?

Alhaitham: Yes, something very important. Nilou, are there any breaks in your performance schedule in the upcoming days?

Nilou: Huh? Wait, you're seriously inviting me?

Alhaitham tells Nilou of the plan on Jnagarbha Day... Nilou is shocked at first, but it isn't long before she's bubbling with excitement and anticipation

Nilou: I... I can't believe my ears! You are truly the bravest and most passionate people of Sumeru, well, that... I've ever met!

Paimon: Ahem!

Nilou: Oh, right, Aether and Paimon are not from Sumeru, but you are awesome as well! Including Y/n even if she's not here right now

Paimon: Hehe, that's right!

Nilou: I... I must admit that I'm a little scared. But I'll try my best for Lesser Lord Kusanali. If I can somehow use my abilities to help you, then count me in.

Cyno: Remember, believe in yourself.

Nilou: ...Okay! I'll get my friends at the Grand Bazaar to help us tomorrow!

Dehya: Just remember not to say too much. Be discreet.

Nilou: Yep, you got it!

Alhaitham: All the preparations are done. Now, can we finally conclude this meeting?

Aether: Yeah. Tomorrow, we are going to save two gods.

Dehya: So, have you thought up what you'd like to say, boss?

Aether: It's hard to believe everything that has happened till now... And our actions will bring change to many things tomorrow.

Paimon: Yep, yep! It's a grand plan, and we're all super awesome!

Aether: That's right, so... Just get a good night's sleep, everyone!

Dehya: Hahaha!

Cyno: Well said. A good night's rest before an operation can be the difference between success and failure.

Alhaitham: ...Thankfully, I've had my place to myself recently. It's been nice and quiet.

Dehya: ...Huh?

Alhaitham: Oh, huh, nothing.

Paimon: Alright, let's all go home and get a good night's sleep, so we can be up early tomorrow!

Nilou: Okay, so I guess that means it's time to say goodnight now.

Paimon: Yep! Goodnight, everyone.

#yandere genshin impact #calamity: yandere genshin impact x reader

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musicollage · 1 year ago

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Joshua Abrams ‎– Represencing. 2014 : Eremite.

! listen @ Bandcamp ★ buy me a coffee !

#jazz #world music #ambient music #Joshua Abrams #natural information society #2014 #eremite records #jeff parker #Tomeka Reid #Chad Taylor #orchestral jazz #2010s #2010s jazz

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dustedmagazine · 3 months ago

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Listening Post: The Ancients

The zone of music that Isaiah Collier, William Parker, and William Hooker inhabit has been around for quite some time, and one could point to mid-20th century sax-bass-drum trios led by Sonny Rollins, Ornette Coleman, and Albert Ayler as precedents for what they do. But if you A-B-ed their version of free, ecstatic jazz with earlier models, you’d not only hear the considerable energy that they generate together but its difference from earlier models. And given their diverse activities outside the trio, they might envision impacting all manner of cultural and spiritual action.

Drummer William Hooker (b. 1946) first recorded in 1977, and while his music sometimes sounds like full-on free jazz, he has frequently recruited his fellow musicians from the rock realm or based on a shared enthusiasm for the spoken word. He’s usually heard leading bands, or occasionally in equal collaborations like his duo with Lee Ranaldo, but he’s made an exception to drum for William Parker. Parker (b. 1952) has been a part of the New York free jazz scene since the mid-1970s, when he played bass on Frank Lowe’s E.S.P. release Black Beings. He’s since written books, wielded a vast array of wind and stringed instruments, led big and small bands employing a myriad of improvisational and compositional methods, collaborated with singers and dancers, and backed eminences including Cecil Taylor, Peter Brötzmann and David S. Ware. Both men are based in New York. Saxophonist Isaiah Collier (b. 1998) is from Chicago. Like Parker, he things big; his recent multi-media work The 400 Years, is a thirteen-part consideration of African-American history from the slave trade to the present as told through music and movement.

Parker had worked separately with the other two musicians prior to their formation as a trio for three concerts in Los Angeles and San Francisco in May, 2023. Their debut LP, The Ancients, was released by Eremite in the USA and Aguirre in Europe in January, 2025. It offers four side-long excerpts from the May concerts that showcase their purposeful synthesis of energy and expression.

Bio by Bill Meyer

Ian Mathers: As one of the Dusted folks less familiar with/knowledgeable in the many facets of jazz, I admit I was a bit intimidated here; 90 minutes of free jazz seems a lot more daunting to me than, say, listening to the almost-as-long Water Damage LP from last year. But this afternoon I had a sustained burst of editing to take care of at my day job, so I threw on The Ancients as I got going, and that hour and a half practically flew by. I know I've tried listening to free jazz sporadically before (generally with pleasure, although for whatever reason it's not something I tend to reach for) but this is just about the easiest it's ever gone down. And yet the sets here don't feel diluted or entry-level at all (as far as I can tell as a neophyte). I was mostly paying conscious attention to Collier's sax, but all three trio members felt like they kept my attention. Am I just finally at a point in my life where jazz is starting to click more, or can those more already attuned to the nuances here tell me the ways this is exceptional?

Bill Meyer: Ian, you have gone straight to the point. In any genre, there's stuff that's good, stuff that's just okay and the rest. This album is the good stuff. It is accessible inasmuch as this music, while improvised, is played with a deep commitment to stating the groove. I think that's partly a function of the Hooker-Parker relationship. In his own bands, Hooker leads from the front and the rest of the musicians have to catch up. With Parker, I think he understands himself to be performing a different role and so the two of them are really locked into each other's playing. Another aspect contributing to accessibility is that I think that Collier is is in touch with song forms even when he's not playing a song.

Bryon Hayes: You both have managed to articulate my thoughts on this recording. The groove and the pacing of the Parker-Hooker rhythm section, and the way that they distribute their combined energies throughout each set, really kept me riveted. I've heard both of these gentlemen in different settings and with different collaborators but never together, and they seem deeply in tune with each other here. I'm also not an expert in the free jazz world, so I usually go by how a recording impacts me when deciding if I like it or not: whether I'm getting punched in the guts or whether I'm being probed in the emotional center of the brain. This one falls in the latter category, as it feels rooted in soulfulness, especially Collier's playing - even when he's blowing his lungs out, there are little snatches of melody that really sing. I really dig it.

Bill Meyer: I’m certainly not an expert on Collier’s work, but because I live in Chicago I’ve had some opportunities to see him in diverse settings. Aside from the bands he leads, he sometimes sits in with other people; I’ve seen him with ensembles led by Hamid Drake and William Parker, where he does some AACM-style little instrument coloration as well as play saxophone. And I once saw a very curious solo concert where he mainly played sampler, coming up with something that sounded like a collage of some basement noise and solo keyboard fragments of contemporary r&b.

In this trio, he seems very clear about his roll. He’s the spearhead, the focus of the rhythm section’s energy as well as his own.

Jennifer Kelly: Okay, with the usual disclaimers about my not-super-familiarity or comfort with free improv, I’m finding that I like the third track the best, “2023-05-13 LA Set II.” Maybe that’s because it lets the bass and drums lead for an extended opening, at first a barely audible rumble of low-end and hands on drums, and then more of a conventional swing on cymbals with Parker’s bass bubbling up in synchrony and Collier, just sort of growling on sax. His first long tone blows in like a fly swooping over, the tone dopplering against a swaggering rhythm. And then you get the sort of song part of the piece, which is most of it, and I like the way the three principals meet, but very loosely, coming at the groove from different directions, everybody on his own trip but swerving suddenly back into the thick of it. I hear them all echoing the same rhythm but not at the same time, one long note then a couple of short ones, daaah di di daah di di daah di di, and it works like machinery warped subtly out of true, volatile, intersecting, not quite making a monolith.

Tim Clarke: I'm glad you mentioned the third piece, Jenny, as it's definitely my favorite on the record. It harnesses a particular feel between the players that really caught my ear. Noir / spy movie perhaps? The rest of the music, though clearly executed with sensitivity, frustrated my relatively straightforward ears. Just when the players seemed to be coalescing into something resembling a unified theme or groove that they could all dig into and explore thoroughly, someone would break away and the potential would be lost. I can hear the appeal of this music, but either don't have the patience to let it roam freely in the way it does, or simply need to be more familiar with the ways in which jazz musicians can flex song forms.

#the ancients #listening post #dusted magazine #isaiah collier #william hooker #william parker #jazz #free jazz #improvisation #bill meyer #ian mathers #bryon hayes #jennifer kelly #tim clarke

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