#assassin's teapot

[madsciencepottery]

Feeling like I've made enough conventional pottery for now, I'd like to try a weird lil guy.

[saberamane]

@teecupangel AC plot device???

[roboticchibitan]

While looking into the other stuff the sneapot artist had available, I got recommendations for some other teapots and ended up down a small rabbithole of teapots, so for your enjoyment and rating purposes, in no particular order, I give you:

Train:

Artichoke:

Vaguely cursed cats:

A cute orange I'd actually use:

Second vaguely cursed cat (his face!):

Assassin's teapot:

Cute little house:

Little hill:

Fox:

Owl:

(Image ID under cut due to length)

Man, these are fun! The train is so shiny. It looks like a steam engine, complete with steam! The... artichoke... forgot the word for artichoke for a second and had to scroll back up to where you linked it, is fun and along with the orange one (or is that a peach?) would make fun collector's items for someone with a food themed teapot collection. I think it's funny that the vase on the dresser with cats one is knocked over cuz like. Yeah, cats will do that. The black cat looks like they were going to blep and ended up with cursed. Also... I kinda want an assassin's teapot. Just for the hell of it. Might look up how much those cost. The house and the hill are cute and look very scenic but what the heck is that creature on the hill one? Is it a mouse? Or? The fox has such tiny eyes. And the owl such large ones. I like that the owl one the spout is the branch it's sitting on. That's clever.

Image 1: a black and gold steam engine shaped teapot with grey ceramic smoke coming out it's smokestack

Image 2: a teapot shaped like an artichoke head on its side

Image 3: a teapot shaped like a clothes dresser with several drawers open, and a small porcelain cat on top. There is a knocked over vase of flowers sitting on the lid.

Image 4: a teapot shaped like an orange, with a leaf on the lid

Image 5: a black cat teapot. The face is the lid of the teapot, and the spout is an arm. The cat's mouth is open.

Image 6: a teapot shaped like an old man. There are measurements listed on the image. It is 7.1 inches wide and 5.12 inches tall. This teapot is the assassin's teapot.

Image 7: a teapot shaped like a cottage with flowers out front and a thatched roof

Image 8: A round teapot shaped like a hill with a well at the top. There are ceramic shapes of as mall girl and an animal I can't identify, as well as a picnic basket painted onto the side of the teapot.

Image 9: A teapot shaped like a fox in a waistcoat. The fox is white and has small eyes. Its head is the lid of the teapot.

Image 10: A teapot shaped like an owl sitting on a branch. The owl is brown and has large eyes and very defined eyebrows.

[airandangels]

Something similar was done with the medicine bottle in the Disney film of Mary Poppins, so that it poured out different-coloured liquids into the spoons one after another. The children playing Jane and Michael weren't told about it beforehand so their surprised reactions were real and natural. I wonder whether the props people sort of reinvented the wheel, figuring out how to do this, or knew about the Revolving Heart Vase and adapted the idea for their purpose.

The Assassin's Teapot

The assassin’s teapot is a cleverly designed container that can pour from different reservoirs depending on how it’s held. Steve Mould digs into the physics in this video, and he builds a transparent cutaway version of the pot to show exactly how it works.  (Video and image credit: S. Mould) Read the full article

[lilianaart]

Blerb: guys I was just researching torture methods and assassination techniques

Halt: (nods unfazed) good for you

Gilan: as one does

Will: makes sense

Horace: what is wrong with you people?!

Will: we are rangers, we research this stuff on the regular, and shes Blerb. Are you really surprised

Horace:… I guess not

Halt: (turns to Blerb) so what did you want to tell us?

Blerb: the assassins teapot!

Halt: (nods because he knows what it is)

Gilan: ah yes (knows what it is)

Will: (has no idea what that is but wants to impress his peers) a classic

Horace: what’s that?

Blerb: you can pour two different liquids from the same pot you switch which one comes out by a slight of hand

Horace: that’s genius!

Will: I know right? (Still trying to pretend that he knew this all along)

Halt: I have one

Gilan: I can confirm

Blerb: (practically vibrating) can I see?

Halt: (hides a smirk behind his coffee cup) I can’t show you, then you’ll know what it looks like. That would ruin any plan I have to poison you.

Blerb: you wouldn’t dare

Gilan: (grim nod) he does it all the time with valerian root, which causes giggles, or laxatives, or melatonin, there was that one time-

Blerb: (stares) I’m drinking from a hip flask from now on

[chronically-a-bacteriophage]

£50 *is* too much for a water bottle.... right? Right?

[silly-sampo]

I myself would like to make an offer for an item. I have this lovely, totally normal teapot. If you would like to put it up for sale of course. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/18084835995620246/

https://www.tumblr.com/wand3r1ng-m3rchant

@wand3r1ng-m3rchant

hmmm interesting thing you got there! What price are ya thinkin?

[reniadeb]

🫖@reniadeb🫖

[randomnameless]

In a way, I always wondered if Annette's song about the dead dying with regrets wasn't something from Faerghus that was taken from the CoS, then developped on a bit more - Rhea's death threats to Billy in CF heavily imply she wants them to regret what they did to Flayn'n'Seteth in death - but it would be tied to Relic overusage, sure, the game's dgaf about relics, but Cat's mention that using Thunderbrand too much "wears away" at her soul always made me wonder if, in some way or another, Relic Users with matching crests can't share/suffer from the regret/hatred/torment/negative thoughts the Nabatean turned relic had and still has...

But that's a bit HC heavy and anyways, the game dgaf about relics so down to the "10k years of lore" this theory goes.

Re-watching AM's ending and comparing it to AG though....

I get that Nopes doesn't want to have a "relatively" good ending that would make Byleth's role irrelevant, but both in AG and AM, Dimitri takes a last look at Supreme Leader, and ultimately decide to leave her be.

In AG, she's not dead (we could rant all day long about the plot mandated brainwashing) but she's no threat anymore and in relative better health than how he ends up in Houses, let it be in CF when he's on his knees or during his boar phase.

Whatever happens to her is left unanswered, but where I suppose, AM!Mitri would have tried to reach his hand out to her - and I ranted I guess enough about that lol - AG!Mitri doesn't do it which could make us realise he's not the "Savior King" yet...

But this Supreme Leader is, thanks to Kaga, I mean, Kusakihara's writing, not the one who started her war against him.

She's not the Emperor who might or not have engineered Duscur, not the one who invaded and destroyed part of his country - besides, in this game, she turned against Uncle'n'pals early enough for people not to believe she was on Cornelia's side from the beginning. So sure, we could call him callous for not basically picking up what ultimately became a red unit turned green on the battlefield, and yet, given how she always represents the past he is tied to, I thought that similarly to AM, AG!Dimitri leaving her behind to join his comrades and his army was, in a way, a sign that Dimitri now prioritises the present instead of whatever ties he used to have with the girl who once called him "Dee".

As for the punitive campaign against the Empire,

Courtesy of Houses completely eluding this fact because each map means you return to Garreg Mach for tea time, we won't know what will happen to Adrestia or its people - you mention Adrestia was manipulated, and yet, especially in Nopes since we can see more Adrestian NPCs and generals, they were pretty happy to follow the MAGA and "let's unify Fodlan under our banners !" plan. The "I was manipulated" or worse, the "I was only following orders" only works to a degree, and post war reparation and trials are never kind to the ones who hide behind those excuses, at least, irl.

Bear in mind that in an AM verse, the Empire still relied extensively on Crest Beasts - "but those mages gave them to us!" nope mate, disregarding the knowledge of those crest beasts were made, anyone closely related to their making and usage should fear for their lives if Fodlan was like Tellius and gave a fuck about people being experimented upon against their wills.

Ultimately, if Adrestia having to reap the consequences of the war they started would be seen as "justice" by anyone who comes from the lands they trampled, I guess Dimitri, especially Dimitri, will not call for violent and undiscriminate retribution against Adrestia and its people.

Gleam!Dimitri imo feels a lot closer to CF!Dimitri - the Tempest King instead of the Savior King, and yet, Moon!Dimitris writing regarding Supreme Leader is so out of place (but I guess that's something inherent to Fodlan's writing in general) that I can't really get behind him.

IDK if you're reading Vinland Saga, but Moon!Dimitri's basically Thorfinn during his "talk" with Knut after the Ketil war, except that while Thorfinn can have the leeway of being able to run away to find a place where he will never find war, Dimitri's still responsible for every Faerghan random out there and can't bail out by letting Knut bring war to conquer the world and the land his people live in

(i'm pretty sure Thorfinn will ultimately have to deal with this too in the current arc!)

Anyways back to the "justice" angle, if the "fight for what you believe is right" echoes the CoS' tenets, Houses basically hands us Lonato as a perfect counter example of what this motto can bring, even if the verse is really in love with Earl Grey and bringing shades of kindergarten "morality" where there's none, like Lonato believes trouncing monks and villagers to get back at Rhea is "justice" and we're hammered with sad uwus about how tragic his decision was, then we get the Kleiman guy puffing his chest about Duscur claiming he did it in the name of "justice", and Dimitri doesn't execute him because, uhh, he has to "consider this man's definition of justice"??

If only Elincia, Ike, Micaiah or even Tibarn were so level-headed when it came to dealing with Izuka, or Corn stayed his hand to consider Hans'n'Iago's definition of justice before killing them ! /s

We can only headcanon about what happen after the war, but I doubt Gleam!Mitri or Tempest!King!Mitri, if CF's plot armor never existed, would go all fire and blood on Adrestia in retribution and see people needlessly massacred in the name of revenge, or as mere "sacrifices to be made for their ideals or their vision of justice".

So I guess Gleam!Mitri, even without Billy's guidance, would never become someone similar to Supreme Leader or Wildfire!Fraud.

It’s just all clicking into place.

The Kingdom’s culture promotes the idea of living without regrets. As @randomnameless pointed out, in the Japanese script the way of it’s renowned knights is to follow your heart and the justice that you believe in, and Annette will point out in Wind how there’s a belief there that people who die with regrets will suffer underground from them.

Now think about Dimitri. Dimitri knew the people of Duscur were innocent, that what the Kingdom was doing to them sure as fuck wasn’t justice. Even the Church’s teaching about it being okay to kill with reason wouldn’t work here because Dimitri knew there was no real reason to go after Duscur. But Dimitri lacked evidence. He was sent by Rufus to help put down a rebellion while fighting a general involved in the Tragedy. But at the same time, Dimitri did something he viewed as wrong by killing others even if it was punishing bad guys. This is where something in Dimitri broke and he scared Felix into pissing himself. Dimitri came to Garreg Mach in order to investigate the truth and bring the real perpetrators to justice and clear the people of Duscur’s name. But Dimitri is still suicidal in part because of this past and his actions, believing himself a monster because of them. His character growth in Moon is him learning to not live for the dead but for himself, doing what he believes is right. He attempts to talk to Edelgard about the war to solve things peacefully, and on top of that realizes that he actually wants the duties and responsibilities of a king in order to help people.

And it’s not just Dimitri in the BL house. Felix and Ingrid have different endings in AM than the rest of the game. We know Felix in Flower views himself as a monster over his father’s death and will mourn Dimitri while wondering if he could have saved him, and Ingrid doesn’t follow her dreams of being a knight and instead manages her family’s territory and it’s noted in her ending with Ashe she isn’t received warmly by the people she left, spending her life working for their sake. Felix loses his sword-arm in their paired ending in Moon saving her, and is said to not regret it.

Dedue returns to Duscur without the sadness caused by Dimitri’s death in SS and VW.

Sylvain regretted what lacking a Crest did to Miklan, so he worked towards making it so that Crests and Relics weren’t seen as necessary. In addition, he improves relations with Sreng, which makes sense in light of Hopes revealing they killed Miklan’s mother.

Annette can only bring her father home in Azure Moon.

Mercedes gets an extra scene during Emile’s death only in Azure Moon, making it so he doesn’t die as the Death Knight with his helmet removed. Kinda like Darth Vader dying as Anakin Skywalker at the end of Jedi.

Ashe quits working for House Rowe when they become a vassal to the Empire according to his bio, so he isn’t recruited as a turncoat. (randomnamless: His ending with Caspar confirms they hold the same views on justice, and Ashe is trying to live up to his ideal as a kingdom knight. Just more proof that Caspar is what the kingdom knights idolize). In his AM ending with Ingrid, they both go down in history as peerless knights serving Dimitri.

Rhea won’t die under any circumstance in Moon, so Catherine and Cyril are able to save her.

(Also this tidbit about Catherine’s solo ending if Rhea dies really shows that she isn’t the monster people accuse her of being “Catherine left the Knights of Seiros and set out to travel across Fódlan. With Thunderbrand in hand, she wandered the countryside, seeking always to defend the innocent and punish the wicked. Her many years of heroics ensured that she would always be remembered by the people as a beloved folk hero.”)

AG wanting to look at the Knight culture of the Kingdom also makes sense of the ending. Dimitri was a hero until the defeat of Thales, as evidenced by the light symbolism (or rather, Shez’s influence not bringing about a dark dawn). But his dawn of darkness is coming, he’s going to wage a punitive campaign against the Empire over the war, believing that it’s justice even though they were manipulated. And when you consider what happened to Duscur when they were accused of killing Lambert and now the people knowing that forces within the Empire were involved? And Rhea isn’t going to be around to broker a peace if Claude manages to assassinate her. Despite being the One-Eyed Demon post-timeskip in Houses (Bar Flower), Dimitri was still seen as a folk hero for his actions against the Empire. Dimitri is always a heroic figure of sorts within Houses, but in the ending of Gleam he lives long enough to see himself become the villain because Dimitri is going to end up doing what he believes is right.

In a sick way, he becomes like Edelgard in this regard just like how GW sees Claude become like Edelgard as well.

[arisewanekosuki]

TLH -Extra-: A Novel - Yae Miko (Feat. Inazuma boys x Fem!Reader)

Finally finished this idea ٩(๑❛ワ❛๑)و Sorry for any mistakes. ------------------

Miko lately was bored, whenever she would come to your TeaPot there would be something going on, but lately… It's too peaceful for her liking.  It seems many boys have been very busy the past few days, so she can't watch how they are fighting against each other for your affections.  But she came up with a plan. A plan that can bring some chaos and mora to her pockets at the same time.

You were sitting on the sofa, looking through some artefacts. You already told others how you can see stories in them or see if the artefacts are good to make others stronger, but for them it just looks like you're intensely looking at the piece you're holding with serious expression. Yae Miko chuckled at that, you didn't even notice her approaching.  -"There is my little helper~" she said, placing both of her hands on your shoulders from behind. -"Ah?!" you screamed and turned to see the Kitsune lady. -"M-Miko! You surprised me!" Miko chuckled at that. -"You should be more aware of your surroundings little one~" -"Huh? But here is the safest place in whole Teyvat?" -"Hmm?~ Are you sure about it?~" She smirked "Anyway I was hoping you can help me with something, do you have time now?" -"Oh sure! Should I go get Aether?" -"Ah, there is no need, only you can help me with this anyway~" you looked confused at her but still agreed, but this was something you never expected you would be doing.

At Narukami Shrine, stood you and Miko with another Shrine Maiden that was looking through Kamera. -"Is this really necessary?" you asked, feeling embarrassment. You are wearing a Shrine maidens' outfit with cat ears on your head and tail. -"Of course! Our model got sick and we can't wait till she will recover." Said Kitsune Lady, smiling at you, while other Shrine maiden took photos that will be used as references for artists... or so you were told. "Can you now change your pose? Hmm, maybe some cute cat pose?"  -"Something like this?" you held one hand a bit higher than your head, while the other closer to the chest. -"Yes! That's a good one!" clapped Miko. After more poses and taking photos you thought that would be it. -"Now please change into this~" Miko said, handing you a very lovely looking kimono. -"Oh what is this for?" you asked. -"It's uchikake… traditional Inazuma wedding Kimono." -"HUH?!" -"This is for novel about ninja lady who assassinated her 'husband'" -"You… have very interesting novels here haha…"

It was evening when you came back to TeaPot. Paimon was the first one to welcome you and ask where you have been. -”Ah, with Miko, she asked me to help her with… something… But! Look! I got mora from it!” You showed the bag filled with golden coins, proud that you earned mora without help from anyone. The rest of the evening you spent with Paimon wondering what you two should buy with it.

Some weeks have passed, you even forget about this whole thing but you become unaware of what started to happen in Inazuma because of your little job.

Thoma was the first to notice it. While passing the stall of Yae Publishing house he saw something… or rather someone on one of the covers of novels. Coming closer he was sure, the person on the cover was you! The cute cat ears atop of your head added to your adorableness. He quickly took the novel and asked how much it was. -”Ah it's a special limited edition so it costs 15 000 Mora.” Kuroda smiled. Thoma couldn’t help but gulp. -”Alright… I want to buy this one!” He placed a bag of mora, knowing it will hurt him financially this month. -”Of course! Ah, would you want to check the other special limited edition of another series as well?” Kuroda placed the other novel in front of the housekeeper. On the cover you wear beautiful uchikake. Thoma’s cheeks became red, seeing you in a wedding kimono makes wonders to his heart. -”H-how much…?” he asked, scared of the price. -”This one has more extra illustrations, so 20 000 Mora.”  the editor smiled devilishly. Thoma sighed, thinking that this month he will have to eat less but for this limited novel with you on the cover it’s worth it. -”I’m buying this one too!” 

Itto was chilling with Genta and Mamoru when they suddenly saw Akira running towards them. -”Haha what got you in such hurry? “ Itto laughed, looking at Akira who was trying to catch his breath. -”B-boss… there… Yae Publishing House…” he tried to say while catching his breath. -”What’s up with that?” the gang leader asked. -”There is a novel with (Y/n)’s image on the cover!” he finally said. -”WHAT?! AND YOU DIDN'T BOUGHT IT?!” Itto shouted. -”Well… It's a special edition so it’s expensive- Oi Boss wait!” Itto didn’t wait for his gang member to finish sentence and rushed towards the city. …  When the guys reached Yae Publishing House, they saw Itto pleading with Kuroda . -”Don’t be like that, man! I will pay! Just I need time to get mora!” -”No, the only thing I can do is save those two copies for now, but you have one week to pay, if not I’m selling them to the next person!” Itto smiled after hearing that. -”Thanks man! Don’t worry! I will pay it soon!” With that the Oni went to his gang.  “Did ya hear? Time to gather 35 000 Mora!” His gang sighed, knowing where this would go…

Heizou caught another criminal, because he was working alone he had to bring the guy to the police station himself.  When he was passing two men he couldn’t help but notice something in one of the guy's hands. A novel… with the image of you. -”Excuse me sir, may I ask where did you get this from? “ the self proclaimed detective stopped to ask. -”Oh, um, from Yae Publishing House, it's a limited edition.” -”Humm, I see~” Heizou looked at the criminal. “Well some walk will do you good, after all you will spend some time in jail~” he smiled, the criminal looked at him confused. -”Huh?” … -”Thank you for your patronage, good sir!” Kuroda said, giving Heizou two novels. Heizou chuckled, looking at the covers.  -”Ah~ She is so stunning, don’t you think?” Heizou asked the tied up man. -”Uhh.. yeah…?” -”You didn't say it with conviction… Take a better look!” Heizou brought the novel closer to the guy’s face. “She is soo dreamy~! Such a beautiful, wonderful woman!-” -”Um… can you just take me to the police… please…”   … -”What took you so long?” Sara asked Heizou, who just came back to the police station with the criminal. -”I had to take a small detour~ Now excuse me, there is something I have to do~!” He said with a big smile. Before the Tengu warrior could ask where he was going he had already vanished. She looked at the door and then the criminal, confused. “Did he solve another case?” she wondered. Heizou of course wanted quickly to come back home and enjoy his new treasures.

Gorou came to bring the responses for the That's Life column, he hates meeting the Guuji so he prefers to bring it to Yae Publishing House himself. -”Thank you Gorou-san, Aratani will take care of them.” Kuroda said. -”No problem! …Huh?” the Watatsumi general saw the novel behind the editor. On the cover was someone very similar to you. “Is this (Y/n)? Impossible… why would she be on the cover of some novel.”  -”Ah, are you interested in this one? “ Kuroda placed the novel in front of him. The boy took a better look at it. -”Wait… it is (Y/n)!?”  He was shocked. Not only is it's image of you but you have cat ears and tail, being in a shrine maiden outfit too. He covered his mouth with his hand, face red already. You look so cute to him.  -”I can tell you’re interested in this one, don’t you?” the man smirked, seeing how General tail started to wag. -”...Y-yeah, how much?” “It's a special limited edition so… 15 000 Mora.” Gorou grumped at the price. -”Alright-” -”But wait! There's one more!” Kuroda showed the novel with you wearing uchikatte. Gorou gasped. “This one is for 20 000~” Gorou tried to tell himself that he doesn't need it, but with one look he couldn’t help himself. -”I will take this one too…” -”Haha thanks Gorou-san!” Gorou held both novels close to his chest, ears flat on his head and cheeks tainted with red. “I just hope this Kitsune won’t see me like this…” What Canine Warrior didn’t know was that Kuroda will tell Miko about his and others' reactions.

The Crux stopped in Inazuma for a week. After helping Beidou, Kazuha thought of going for a walk to enjoy the scenery of his homeland. Before leaving Beidou’s side, one of the sailors came running towards him. -”Kazuha!! Isn’t this your lass?!” he showed the novel. Both Beidou and Kazuha with curiosity looked at the cover of it. The capitan whistled. -”I didn’t know (y/n) became a model! Where did you get that?” Beidou asked, smirking at Kazuha whose cheeks clearly became a bit red. -”They are selling it in Yae publishing house, I won the lottery so I got this one for free but I saw there is another one too! If you want to get it, better go now! They don’t have that much left!” -”Alright, thank you, Drake.” -”No problem! Just go!” With that Kazuha ran towards Hanamizaka. Beidou then looked at his crew mate.  -”I never saw him run that fast. Do those have more illustrations?” -”Oh yeah! There are plenty of them!” -”Hoo~! I wonder if Kazuha let me read them too.” Beidou laughed.   ... After buying the novel Kazuha found a quiet place to read it. Every time there was an illustration he couldn’t help but admire it. There were moments that he got so immersed in your beauty that he forgot what was happening in the story. The character wasn’t anything like you but this doesn't stop him from imagining the stories where you in other circumstances both meet and fall in love with each other. The samurai sighed and closed the novel. “That should be for today or next time I see her I won’t hold back from confessing.”

In the evening Thoma was reading one of the novels he bought. In this one the Heroine is a half Yōkai that wanted to become Shrine Maiden. At some point in the story she fell in love with a commoner boy. The housekeeper couldn’t help but imagine you two in those scenarios. When there was a moment in the story where the maiden saved the boy from bandits showing her true nature, Thoma heard a knock. -”Thoma-san, Ayato-sama is asking for your assistance.“ after this sentence Thoma’s blood went cold. -”Alright, thank you.“ With nervousness he left his room and went towards Ayato’s bedroom. After knocking and asking if he could come in, he heard the permission. -”Ah Thoma! You're probably wondering why I called you at such an hour.” Ayato smiled, placing something at the table.  They were both special limited novels. Thoma tried to not show nervousness, pretending to be surprised. -”Is that…?”  -”Yes, (Y/n) was the model for this and I wanted to share it with you. Here.” Ayato placed two more books. “From your reaction I can assume you didn’t know about this right? So I got those for you.” Thoma was surprised, he wasn’t sure what game Ayato now plays. -”Thank you very much, my Lord, but I’m not sure if I can accept those.” -”Of course you can, I’m sure you’re interested in them.” -”Then thank you. Is there something more you need, my lord?” Thoma took both novels and smiled at the head of the Kamisato family. -”No, you can go… and enjoy the present I gave you.” Ayato mischievously smiled. Thoma excused himself and left the room. “He knows that I got them already! For sure!” Thoma was panicking, last time Ayato made him work so much that every night he was knocked out from exhaustion. Now he wonders what kind of ‘punishment’ he will face now… Meanwhile Ayato smiled, he was a bit angry that the housekeeper didn’t inform him about the novels but it’s alright now. After all, he bought all of the limited editions that were available. He doesn't want any more people to see your lovely image in these novels. As for Thoma… Ayato won’t do anything, he knows that his servant is panicking now, wondering what the head of Kamisato will order him to do and this is his ‘punishment’.  Young lord took one of the novels looking through the pages he couldn't help but let out a chuckle. -”Guuji -sama is a really mischievous person. I wouldn't be surprised if others got their hands on other copies.” Ayato continued reading where he stopped before. Looking at illustrations he thinks about buying you some more lovely clothes that will suit you. 

In the morning people could hear someone shouting from excitement. -”Thank you Shinobu! You’re the best!!!” Itto said holding both novels in his hands while the boys were victorious dancing around him. The gang’s deputy only sighed.  -”Don’t forget that you still have work to do.” -”Yeah yeah don’t worry!” The Oni already stopped listening to the person who helped him get those novels. Shinobu glared at him, she swiftly took the novels from his hands. -”O-oi I haven't seen everything yet! Ugh-!” Itto took a step back after seeing the young woman's eyes. -”After you finish your work I will give them back to you.” With that she left. -”Shinobu! Don’t be like that! Hey!” Itto and guys followed after her, hoping they would persuade her to give back the novels. She didn’t. 

At some point it became lively in TeaPot. You noticed that guys from Inazuma started to visit it frequently. There is one thing that bothered you. Heizou and Kazuha would give you big smiles when seeing you. At first you thought they were just in a good mood. When you asked what made them smile so much they mysteriously would respond with “Nothing~! Just good to see you!”  Then there was both Gorou and Thoma. When they would see you both of them would blush and excuse themself. You wondered if you did something wrong but when confronted them Gorou would sutter and find excuses just to leave, while Thoma would awkwardly smile at you saying that you did nothing wrong. You are sure you saw Thoma slapping himself when he thought you weren’t looking.  Itto seemed like he wants to talk to you about some novel, but whenever he tries other guys would stop him, distract him with TCG and beetle battles. Ayato on other hand started to shower you with pretty kimonos and yukatas, it wouldn’t be that weird if you didn’t find a shrine maiden's clothes in one of the presents… 

Miko was drinking tea with Ei, enjoying the chaos she created. -”Miko… you did something didn’t you?” Ei asked, enjoying her dango. -”Me? Why you think so?~” -”You make that face again. Don’t make problems for (Y/n). ” -”Oh Ei… I’m just helping her and some of your subjects~” Ei looked confused at her friend. Miko continued. “It’s like in those novels you read too, if they want to win someone over they should do their best~.”  Ei looked at you, you were smiling while playing TCG with Oni, other guys watching the match and complimenting you. The Electro Archon was in deep thought. -”Like in this one where the protagonist had many wives?” she asked suddenly. Kitsune couldn’t help but chuckle. -”That would be even more interesting~ But not sure if the guys would like such an idea.” 

--Extra-- -”Oh is that (Y/n)?! She has cat ears!” Klee exclaiment looking at the photos. Albedo smiled and nodded. “Uwaa!! So many paintings! Albedo, will you show (Y/n) them?” The Spark Knight asked innocently. -”Not yet, Klee, but maybe one day I will.” Yae Miko commissioned Albedo to draw illustrations for two novels. He didn’t expect to see your photos in the letter he got from her. At first he thought about declining but after reading that you agreed to be a model for it, that it will be only for limited editions and he can keep the photos, he eventually agreed. Normally it takes longer for him to finish illustrations but painting you brought inspiration and finished all needed drawings in two days, with some extra ones he didn’t need to send to Miko.  Next time he will meet you he will ask if you want to be a model for his painting.

[kaylynnwilde]

Research is never quick. You go to google to look up one tiny little thing. And three hours later you are deep in a rabbit hole learning about assassin's teapots. (Yes those are real, I wrote about them once but not in my Fae series. And unsurprisingly, you can buy one on Amazon...)

Google search history for writers would get most of us taken in for questioning if anyone were to stumble upon it accidentally.

"Really officer! I wasn't planning on using that information in real life. I'm trying to kill off one of my characters."

[bulkyphrase]

WinterIron Rec List

Some of my favorite Bucky Barnes/Tony Stark fics!

Mind the tags, some of these are pretty dark.

This is a gift for my beloved @cloudbells who definitely asked for a WinterIron list specifically.

Mutually-Assured Destruction by Sineala (@sineala) (Explicit, 108,711 words)

Note: Most of the fic on this list is MCU, but this one is 616!

Summary: It's 1966, the Cold War is well underway, and the Winter Soldier has escaped his handlers. He makes it to the United States and shows up at Avengers Mansion. He'd like to defect to the west and join the Avengers. Tony isn't the only one to wonder if the team can trust an ex-Soviet ex-assassin, and yet he finds himself falling for this mysterious stranger, a man who has a shadowy past, who has done a great many things he regrets, and who won't talk about why he doesn't want to be in the same room as Captain America. Over the years, the Winter Soldier has gathered quite a wide variety of secrets. And the secrets the Winter Soldier and Tony learn about each other could bring them both down.

Found Assets by hobbitdragon (@bittylildragon) (Rape/Non-Con, Explicit, 11,927 words)

Summary: What happens if the Asset's cryo-tube was stored in a Stark facility, found by non-Hydra Stark personnel, and turned over to pre-Iron-Man Tony Stark as a curiosity? What happens if this is the second time Tony Stark has defrosted a man, having continued his father's hunt for Captain America and thus found him early in the Arctic? Trash. That's what happens.

More below the cut!

Temptation by The_Winter_Writer (@the-winter-writer) (Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Not Rated, 5,418 words)

Summary: Tony would rather be anywhere but sitting in a cemetery, alone, waiting for vampires. It was cold, creepy and this whole thing was entirely Howard's fault for trying to force the family legacy on him.

The (Not So) Great Pretender by RayShippouUchiha (@rayshippouuchiha) (Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Teen And Up Audiences, 19,587 words)

Summary: “What,” Tony says softly but with a great depth of feeling, “the actual fuck just happened?” “I believe, Sir,” JARVIS pipes up from the phone in his pocket, an unnecessary amount of what sounds like glee in his voice, “that you’ve once again managed to maintain your closely guarded secret identity. Truly your subterfuge skills know no bounds." “You’re an asshole J,” Tony mutters back as he reaches up to rub at his temple. He either has a headache coming on or a blood clot. At this point he’s honestly not sure which he’d prefer. "I did learn from the best, Sir,” JARVIS tells him sunnily.

Tempest in a Teapot by AvocadoLove (@awesomeavocadolove) (Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Teen And Up Audiences, 30,742 words)

Summary: Or, how Bucky watches his best friend die in his place, wakes seventy years in the future, takes up Captain America's shield, joins a group of super heroes, and finally begins the process of forgiving himself.

If I Was Gonna Haunt Somebody, It Would Be You by Linedragon (Sameshima_Shuzumi) (Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, General Audiences, 20,507 words)

Summary: A creepy house they can't leave. A blond giant who can't stay. A promise that they'll be fine if they stick together. One little problem: his name's not Bucky.

Take My Hand (Don't Fear the Reaper) by dracusfyre (@dracusfyre) (Major Character Death, Not Rated, 6,693 words)

Summary: For the ITAB prompt: After Afghanistan tony became a part-time grim reaper assigned to the winter soldier, since Bucky has a messed up head he can see tony.

The Road Less Traveled at the End of the Line by NarutoRox (@muteelfmoonmoon) (Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Teen And Up Audiences, 27,889 words)

Summary: To say Steve is surprised to wake up haunting his loved ones after sinking his plane into the ocean would be an understatement. To say he enjoys it would be just plain cruel. For starters, there’s the ‘minor’ problem of said loved ones being unable to see or hear him, which is bad enough. Things only get worse when he finds out Bucky is alive, but held prisoner by the very people he and Steve had fought against, leaving Steve to watch as HYDRA slowly tries to unmake his best friend. Then there’s Tony, Howard’s genius son, whom Steve loves dearly and may or may not be a little protective of after watching him grow up under Howard’s less-than-stellar care. Steve doesn’t know if they keep him sane or drive him crazy, but he does know that Bucky and Tony are the two most important people in his world. He also doesn’t know if it would make his life easier if they knew each other or not, but it doesn’t matter; they’ve never met, are on opposite sides of the world, and other than being cared about by Steve, have nothing else to do with each other. Until Tony is kidnapped by the Ten Rings…and HYDRA thaws Bucky for a mission…And Steve decides it’s about time these two met.

Unconditionally by Potrix (@potrix-the-queerschlaeger) (Teen And Up Audiences, 5,479 words)

Summary: “Hello,” Steve whispers quietly, carefully brushing some of the tears away from the baby's cheeks. Giving a sniffle, the baby latches on to Steve’s hand, then whines unhappily, hiccuping wetly. “I don’t know how to, you know,” Steve explains helplessly, making something that vaguely resembles a cradling, rocking motion with his free arm. The baby is less than impressed with that, though, and takes a noisy, stuttering breath. Steve’s eyes widen in alarm. “Oh, no. No, ssh, no. Here, c’mon, it’s all right.” Very gingerly, Steve slides one hand under the baby’s back, cups its neck with the other, and slowly lifts the squirmy bundle out of the crib, and against his chest. “There, ssh. That’s better, isn’t it?” In answer, the baby tucks its damp face into Steve’s neck, apparently content to stay where it is. Steve glances around the room, a little lost, but the baby just gurgles, and doesn’t start crying again, which he decides to count as a success.

tell me i'm your national anthem by lanyon (Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death, Mature, 3,829 words)

Summary: Alternate Universe: Steve Rogers falls from a speeding train and Bucky Barnes is left to carry the mantle and the shield. In the twenty-first century, the Winter Soldier is brought in from the cold and there can be no redemption.

[thedeafprophet]

hi! your FL OCs look cool and I want to know more, can you drop some of your favorite facts about each one?

Oh!!! Hi!! Thank you 👉 👈  it always makes me ve happy when folks like my ocs!!

Every time im asked about oc facts i suddenly forget everything about my blorbos oh no-

But here's a few that came to mind for the main four!

Jamie Awnings/The Boisterous Author

Jamie is the current Poet Laureate of the Neath- novels, poems, plays, you name it. Their work leans heavily into the gothic, the scandalous, and the... erotic... so to speak, which often puts them on the enemies list of the Ministry of Public Decency.

Jamie is hard of hearing, and while they began often trying to hide this in social space, they use devices such as bone conduction fans as a time period hearing device~

Jamie is a foundling, their last name 'Awnings' coming from the door awning they were left under

They have a long, tangled, and ever so complex dynamic with The Manager of The Royal Bethlehem, as well as a very uh... complicated, we shall say, toxic dynamic with The Captivating Princess

Alexander 'Alex' Hastings/ The Vitriolic Thief

Alex did not earn the title 'Vitriolic' for nothing - he’s gruff, irritable, and does not pair well with strangers. With his chronic angry resting face and his sharp tongue, most assume he's just rude. But for those who earn his trust, Alex is fiercely loyal. He cares deeply. He just doesn't always know how to show it. [He's the one you'd call in the middle of the night. He'll show up. Just don't ask how he got in]

He's a Silverer, working in dream-weaving, but his style is far from graceful. Where others craft delicate illusions, Alex’s magic strikes blunt and sudden. Abrupt, but effective.

He has pyromania, and a strangely in-depth collection of lighters and matches. It’s not exactly a healthy trait, but you’ll never be without a flame if Alex is nearby, especially in a crisis.

Alex didn’t grow up safe. For him, so much comes down to fear, survival, and the weight of past violence. His story is about breaking the cycle. About choosing softness, even when it terrifies him. About building a future that doesn’t echo the pain he came from.

In a weird situationship with Mr Fires but don't worry about it

Professor Josephine Ashwood/The Percipient Scientist

Josephine is constantly pressing against the edges of what science is supposed to do. From a self-heating teapot to a skeletal bird rebuilt with metal and Correspondence sigils, Josephine is determined to uncover which laws of the universe were forced upon it- so she can break them.

Josephine has fairly severe EDS, and wears a set of braces she engineered herself for support. She’s not always diligent about using them, but she knows her body like a system of load-bearing equations.

Her comittment to those she loves is unwavering- but conditional to her personal sense of truth. She will fight for those she loves, absolutely, its just that her version of “right” is deeply specific and often terrifying.

Josephine does not know what the term 'letting go' is. She will hold onto everything, forever. If you tell her she needs to move on, she will dig in harder.

She is married to September of the Calendar Council, and they have a daugther together, Maighread!

Aurora 'Rory' Winn/The Malignant Assassin

Rory is a licentiate, and a very, very committed one. Violence is like a second language to her- fluid, instinctive. If you’ve been marked as her target, you don’t stand a chance.

Aurora used to fence competitively on the Surface, back when she was still a society girl. You can still see it in her movements: the poise, the precision, the ghost of grace beneath the blade.

She has a complicated relationship with her mother. There’s resentment- for the expectations, the emotional neglect, the suffocation of high society. But Rory brought the teddy bear her mother gave her the day she was adopted down to the Neath. Drafts countless letters that she never sends. She misses her.

She struggles with humanity, with the idea of selfhood at all. For so long, she came to see herself only as a weapon, a monster, a creature soaked in blood. It’s only through the few people who genuinely care for her that she’s been able to claw her way back, even a little, from being lost to the violence entirely. She still doesn’t know who she’d be without the blade. But she’s starting to ask the question.

[sadlynotthevoid]

I'm not sure if I told you guys about the time I dreamed that 20ish Jason Todd died yet again and Death was pissed off because "really? Again? Wtf Batman. The universe doesn't keep reviving your son just so you can see how much he lasts!" And "He has a work to do you know?!". Besides, she's fond of the bright young soul.

So, she calls her uncle to help him. And what you know? Her uncle is the God of Death (because yes, my brain is like that sometimes). They sit to talk and come up with a solution.

First, taking advantage of the effects still present of the last time-space crisis and the spirits protecting the soul, they regress the time of this universe to when Jay had just left All Caste, way before he had came back to Gotham.

Then, Death places Red Hood!Jason's memories on the soul of his younger self. Not too harsh to force his soul to crack, but not too light to let them fall. Just deep enough so he finds them when he meditates.

And by last, God of Death tells the spirits where they should guide the boy to. The perfect place for him.

Where is the best place for a soul who craves for home and safety? Of course, that's with someone who has the heart to care and accept a new loved one and the determination to protect them.

That's how Jason Todd, teenage assassin in an existential crisis, ends up waking up in the softest bed he has ever been in some foreign country. At his side there's a redhead teen sitting in a sofa, a book in his hands and other boy— this one with black hair and pajamas— lying on his lap.

The redhead— Cale, as he presents himself— is mysterious but kind hearted guy. He also knows things. So much so that if he weren't as he is, Jason would suspect. As things are, he knows he's just used to collect information. A bit like a bat, but not quite. A bat would plan how to use it against the possible enemy. Cale? Well, he doesn't even bother to hide what he realized about him. He's also ridiculously casual about it.

Who offers an assassin if they want their hidden weapons back? This guy, apparently.

Jason only knows he's not totally unconscious because at one point an old guy entered with tea and pastries for the three and Cale, the little shit, choose that moment to reassure Jason.

"Don't worry. My butler is an assassin too and we don't treat him different for it."

The old geezer almost let got the porcelain teapot to the floor. Though, points for him for recovering so fast.

"Young master? May this Ron know who you would be talking about?"

"Hm? Who do you think? Hans? The only thing he can kill is Rok Soo's humor. It's you, obviously."

"..."

Rok Soo, the sleeping beauty complex guy pretending to be asleep on Cale's lap, was sweating badly. If everyone in the room weren't already aware he was clearly pretending, someone may had thought he was ill.

Later on, he realizes there was a reason Cale had said that at that moment.

He's looking at the butler subtly terrorize the boys to behave, treating the siblings like two particularly mischievous puppies. Then he turns around and uses the same tune to advise him to be careful with his wounds. And that's when he thinks 'Oh. He doesn't see me as a menace'.

Of course he doesn't. His employer just confirmed he's aware of his identity— at least partially— and his own nature. The biggest advantage of an assassin is their secrecy. After their identity is exposed, the only reason they won't attack is if the assassin believes the risk is worthy. Telling the assassin he knows he's an assassin was his way to show Jason's own intentions: none.

Jason didn't intend to end up in that field where these teens find him. He didn't intend to be brought in their vacation house. He definitely didn't plan that the people to found him passed out would be whoever these rich guys were.

But he didn't have anything against all of this either.

Well, maybe the wound. He could make it without the blood loose and the soon-to-be scar to add to his collection.

Either way, at least he had a safe place to stay and think. Just think. Because, the memories he saw— what is he supposed to do now that he has his answer?

His da— Bruce. Bruce didn't care for him as much as Jason does for Bruce. Bruce obviously didn't love him as he thought. And certainly, Bruce was way more willingly to harm him than he believed.

And Jason— well, Jason couldn't waste a second life on a man who didn't put hin even at the same level than the Joker of all people. But maybe his expectatives were too high? He hadn't planned what to do if his life was meaningless to him.

So, Jason needed time. Time to ponder and heal. Those things are better done in a safe place.

That's what Jason has in mind when Cale offers him to stay with them.

[youronebraincell]

Suit yourself

Captain Carter x Fem!SHIELD worker

Warning: established workplace relationship, teasing, fluff and humor, no angst

Word count: 1065

You’re assigned with making your girlfriend’s new suit. Her original one is ‘outdated’

You’re trying, genuinely trying, to be professional.

There’s a work-issued tablet in your hand, fabric swatches spread across the table and a highly detailed schematic of a new combat-ready suit projected midair in front of you. This is real work. SHIELD-level, world-saving work.

You even skipped lunch for this. Unfortunately, your girlfriend is not taking it nearly as seriously.

Peggy Carter, Captain Carter, technically, although you’re the only one who calls her Peggy to her face and lives to tell the tale (aside from a certain redheaded ex-assassin), is currently standing on your platform wearing a glittery Union Jack cape that looks like it was stolen from a pageant contestant. And not even a good one.

“I think this one says leader” Peggy declares with faux-earnestness, spreading her arms out dramatically like she’s about to levitate.

You glance up.

The cape is sparkly. Her smirk is worse.

“Peggy”

“Yes, darling?”

“Why are you like this?”

She shrugs innocently. “Because you get that little crease between your eyebrows when you’re focused. It’s adorable. I’m helping”

You squint at her. “You’re helping the way a cat helps with a puzzle by sitting on it”

“Oh, you love it” The taller woman says breezily while stepping down from the platform with the kind of grace that only people enhanced by super-soldier serum can manage. The cape flutters behind her like a flag waving surrender.

“I’m removing glitter privileges” You mutter, swiping her ridiculous hologram aside and pulling up the real prototype.

“Unwise” Peggy teases, walking behind you and resting her chin on your head. “You gave me full creative input, remember?”

“I gave you the illusion of creative input. Like those toy steering wheels you give toddlers in the back seat”

“Ouch”

“If you had your way, you’d be in a trench coat and a pair of brass knuckles”

“Well, trench coats are classic”

“Trench coats don’t deflect plasma fire, Peggy”

She hums in acknowledgment and runs a hand over the table, stopping at a dark blue mesh swatch with embedded armor threading. “This one’s nice. It feels solid”

You pause. Real feedback? From Captain Distracted by Biscuits?

Then, just as you’re about to praise her progress, she adds, “But can we put a tiny snack pocket inside the sleeve? You know, for emergencies?”

And there she goes again.

You sigh, pinching the bridge of your nose. “Yes, fine. Emergency biscuit storage. Anything else you need, Your Majesty? Maybe a teapot holster?”

She gasps like you’ve read her mind. “That would be brilliant, actually”

“I was joking”

“I wasn’t”

You’re not sure whether to laugh or cry, but the smile that creeps across your face makes the decision for you. You glance at her sideways. She’s already looking at you, grin softening into something warmer.

“I want this one to feel like me,” Peggy says quietly, more serious now. “Not just the flag and the shield and all that. Me. You know?”

You nod. You know exactly what she means.

After everything, being pulled from her universe, from her time, from her life, Peggy’s had to carry more than just a shield. She’s carried the weight of identity, of belonging, of always performing the role people expect her to be.

But here, in your tiny corner of SHIELD HQ filled with fabric bolts and body scan holos, she can be a little selfish. A little silly. A little herself.

“You want something functional,” You say softly, “but still you. Durable, versatile, not too flashy, but bold enough to make a statement. Something classic but modern. Strong, clean lines. No nonsense”

“Exactly” She says, leaning in with a smile. “You always get it right, darling”

You give her a crooked smile and wave your hand at the floating projection. “Then no capes”

Peggy points a finger at you like you’re preaching gospel. “Absolutely no capes”

You blink. “You.. agree with me?”

“I’ve read the incident reports,” She says solemnly. “Jet turbines, elevator shafts, automatic doors.. It’s a deathwish. And I’ve seen The Incredibles”

You bark a laugh. “You did not just reference a Pixar movie during a uniform design consultation” You grin and shake your head, scrolling through more design elements. “Okay. So we ditch the cape, keep the classic Union Jack motif, but tone it down to a darker blue base with reinforced paneling. We’ll embed a kinetic energy dispersal mesh in the torso, flex-weave in the joints, stealth coating on the gloves”

Peggy whistles low. “You talk nerdy to me like that and I’m going to have to kiss you”

“Promises, promises” You murmur, distracted by adjusting the collar details in the hologram. “Also, reinforced knees for all the times you jump out of things you shouldn’t be jumping out of”

“One rooftop and you never let me live it down”

“You didn’t even check the landing”

“I was checking. With my feet”

You snort, setting the tablet down and tucking your hair behind your ear. “Okay, I think we’re close. Let me render the mockup. Want to see it?”

She nods, then grabs the back of your chair and spins you to face her. “Only if I get to model it first”

“Oh, so now you’re suddenly interested in cooperating?”

“I’ve always been interested. I just like watching you work more than wearing skin tight fabric in front of people”

“You literally led an airborne assault team in spandex”

“Yes, but you weren’t there to make me blush about it”

You look up at her, your heart doing a little somersault. For all her teasing, there’s something genuine in her gaze now, affection, admiration, trust. It always catches you off guard a little. Like you’re not entirely sure what you did to deserve being the soft part of Captain Carter’s world.

“I’ll print the suit tomorrow” You say quietly, almost like a promise. “You’ll look amazing”

She leans in, just close enough for your noses to bump, and murmurs, “I already do”

You roll your eyes. “You are so full of yourself”

“I’m full of biscuits. And love. Mostly love”

Before you can make another sarcastic retort, Peggy kisses you, soft and lingering, like you’ve got all the time in the world.

For the first time that afternoon, you forget about deadlines, suits, and specifications.

You remember, instead, that even superheroes need someone to hold the measuring tape. And maybe to sneak them snacks between missions.

[kamisatomay018]

My devotion and my love is all for you, Rex Lapis

A Zhongli version of the legend of the Red String of fate cuz why not! Very fluff with lots of love!

Zhongli x female reader

Please note that for this fanfic, your powers will be like Ningguang so there won’t be any confusion as you read ahead, and the artwork is not mine. Enjoy!

The chirping of birds, the sweet scent of your favourite Qingxin flowers, distant chatter of the people of liyue along with the sounds of carts moving through the lanes was what you could observe as you sat atop the mountain near the Lisha region. You were seated besides the Statue of the Seven, which was of your beloved Archon, Rex Lapis. While liyue kept moving ahead, you were forever stuck in time, perhaps right beside the statue of your Archon. For reasons that you yourself could not explain, you always felt a connection to Rex Lapis, an undeniable sense of devotion, admiration and love was filled in your heart for the God of Contracts. Perhaps it was because you were a citizen of Liyue, or perhaps because you were half adepti, or maybe because you held a vision of his element, a very minute part of his own powers that he had felt you were worthy of.

Due to the presence of adepti blood in your being, your life was way longer than an average human’s. You were almost a hundred years old now, yet you looked as young as a woman in her mid 20s, beautiful and graceful, with golden eyes and brown hair just like your Archon. You were a very famous painter, your paintings were demanded all across teyvat, though you made sure your identity was kept hidden. You liked to live in seclusion, away from mortals, especially the people of Liyue whom you had started to now despise deep down. Why? Because in your eyes, they were nothing but ungrateful. Months had passed since the news of Rex Lapis’ death was announced, and yet you saw not a single sign of remorse on the faces of these people. When Rex Lapis had died, people did not mourn truly, for merchants were worried about their businesses, the predictions of trade, the formation of mora. All they cared about was their own selfish desires, and not the fact that the great Archon who had built this city, protected it for over 6000 years had passed away. Only a single Right of Parting and everyone forgot him?

But you certainly did not. The day you heard that Rex Lapis was gone, you had felt your heart shatter into a million pieces, and you had cried bitterly for days, leaving the city and hiding away in the mountains. It took a week for Madam Ping to find you, and she was full of pity at your state. You seemed inconsolable, refusing to believe that the strongest Archon had passed away, that too assassinated. That was the day you decided to stop living in Liyue Harbour, and madam ping respected your wishes, gifting you a teapot made out of adeptal magic. You were so grateful for her, after all she was the one who had raised you after your father abandoned you when you were just a small child. Since then, you had refused to go to liyue harbour except for the days you visited madam ping and Yanfei, who was like a little sister to you. You spent most of your time in your teapot, painting endlessly for hours, and when you would come out, you would sit right here, besides the statue of the seven.

People barely hiked up this mountain, which gave you the peace and tranquility of spending time with the Archon. And no, although it may seem like it, you weren’t obsessed with Rex Lapis, you just felt an overwhelming sense of love and devotion towards him. Deep down in your heart, something in you told you that he was still alive, and you prayed that wherever he was today, he was at peace. He deserved it after all. And just like every other day, you now sat with your back against the statue, using your elemental powers to summon some glittering rocks, which floated above your palms. You loved your vision dearly, it was the best gift you had ever received. You were a strong fighter, not even needing any weapon for you could conjure rocks according to your wish.

You felt truly at peace when you sat near the statue of the seven, and you would occasionally rant about all your worries and feelings, as if Rex Lapis was there, listening to you. Maybe, maybe not, but what mattered to you was that you felt calm after doing so, getting some sort of reassurance that everything would one day be alright. You had never seen Rex Lapis, and despite how devoted you were, you never attended the Rite of Descention, because you absolutely hated being among greedy merchants and rich businessmen who did not care for their Archon but only for his divine predictions. Sitting alone in the peaceful silence, you unknowingly fell asleep, completely unaware of how much your life was going to change when you would wake up.

“Rise!”

You frowned, waking up to hear the sound of someone fighting. you opened your eyes, spotting a tall man with long hair fighting against two Stonehide lawachurls. You gasped, immediately standing up wishing to help him out, but were stopped by a geo barrier all around you. Even more perplexing was the fact that he immediately defeated the monsters, seeming unfazed and simply dusting off his elegant suit. Who was this man? Sensing that you were awake, he turned around to face you, and that’s when your entire world stopped. As both your eyes interlocked, gold meeting gold, a beautiful Red String of Fate revealed itself, tied around your pinky finger and his. He was your soulmate, your partner for life. The geo barrier around you faded away, as the unknown man walked towards you, seeming rather calm and unfazed by this revelation, as if he already knew.

“Are you alright?” The words seemed to slip past your lips without your consent, making the man in front of you chuckle softly. Oh gosh, his smile was so pretty. “Indeed I am, you needn’t worry about me. I am glad I reached here on time, otherwise the situation would’ve been worse.” His words were so gentle, his voice as deep as an ocean that you could listen to him talk endlessly for hours. “Who are you..?” He smiles once more, his golden eyes scanning your surroundings as he walks towards the statue, placing his hand on it. You gasped, your eyes widening as you saw his clothes transform into something similar to what the statue wore, his white and black clothing seeming so majestic, his arms now being the shade of the geo element itself. You couldn’t believe your eyes. Rex Lapis himself was standing in front of you, in all his glory and might. You bowed onto the ground in respect “Rex Lapis..” you then felt a gentle hand holding yours, making you stand up and look into his eyes. “You needn’t bow in front of me, you needn’t bow in front of anyone. You are my mate, you are my equal.”

You had so many questions, so many thoughts and so many emotions that you could not process anything. Tears fell from your eyes, as you looked at your soulmate, your Archon standing in front of you. How lucky you were, to be fated as the soulmate of Rex Lapis himself. As he moved away from the statue, his mighty form dissipated, making him turn back to his more human form, with the same suit he wore when you first saw him. He gently wiped your tears away, letting you take your time. He knew all of this was way too overwhelming for you, but he could not keep his identity from you a secret. “I…how…My Lord..please, I cannot understand what’s going on..” Zhongli now chuckled, embracing you protectively, and in an instant you calmed down, just the way you would when you sat beside his statue. You closed your eyes, cherishing his warmth, listening to his heart beating.

“Forgive me for taking so many months- no, years..to find you, many things stood in my path of finding you, a lot of which would’ve caused harm to you. I had to be away to protect you..as for my death, as you can see, it was all a lie. I have always been able to sense your presence, your voice, your thoughts and emotions. But I did not know who you were, and where you could be..It is thanks to my old friend Madam Ping that I was able to finally find you today.”

You listened to him carefully, nodding against his chest, making him chuckle softly at how endearing you seemed right now. He had been searching for you for so long, but he would be stuck at work at the Wangsheng funeral parlour, and then he wouldn’t feel your presence near the statue, nor could he find anyone with your voice in liyue harbour. Whenever you were near his statue, Zhongli would be able to hear your thoughts, your sweet honeyed voice filling the empty void in his heart. For so long, he had been alone and suffering. But now he had found you, his better half, his companion forever. “I know that all of this is very overwhelming for you, and I would be completely fine with giving you all the time and space you may need.” You immediately shook your head, acting on impulse as you hugged him tight. His warmth was too soothing, the eternal bond of the red string between you both making you crave his presence even more. “Please don’t go..”

He smiles at those words, hugging you ever so protectively, one hand on your head while the other wrapped around your waist. “I will never leave you, my beloved.” You smiled so much, still being in such disbelief that Rex Lapis himself was embracing you and calling you his beloved. “In my heart, I always knew you weren’t gone..but..if I may ask..why did you choose to do this?” A very expected question, and a justified one. Zhongli knew he couldn’t reveal the entire reason as to why he gave up his gnosis for he was bound by a contract, but he told you what he could. “One day, I was walking among the streets of Liyue, and I heard a conversation between two men. The first man told the second, “you have done your job, now you can rest” this made me wonder, have I finished my duties as the Rex Lapis? I realised that the people of Liyue no longer needed an archon, and that it was about time that I too, chose to rest.”

You understood the depth of his words, and knew that he deserved this. He had protected liyue for countless millennia, and now he was tired, now he wished for some normalcy in his life. “I understand…and even if the people have forgotten, I will never forget how much you have given to this land, to this city, to its people..I’m so thankful for everything that you’ve done Rex Lapis..” Oh, what a rare gem you are. No one had ever said these words to him, no one had ever been as devoted towards him as you were, no one had loved him as much as you had. He placed a gentle kiss on your forehead. “You are a rare gem indeed my beloved..but you need not address me as Rex Lapis, you can call me Zhongli, which is the name I’ve taken since I adopted the life of a mortal. Or if you wish to call me by any names of endearment, I would not be opposed to those either.”

You giggled at that, hugging him so close. You had found your happiness, the answer to all your prayers, the fruit of your endless devotion and the one who owns your heart and your love. Now you had a new reason to look forward to each day, but this time, there would be no need of going to the Statue of the Seven.