#astral express kins!

[astral-express-kins]

🩸Blade themed layouts requested by anon !

Hope you enjoy!

please do not tag as Kin/ID/Me, These layouts were requested by a member of a system requester wanted themes of red/black, ribbons, and spider lilies

[sunshinies]

Hello !! requesting from our ask blog :3 !! Kindly requesting if we can get Names and Prns for Xiao(GI) and/or Al-Haitham(GI)? And we hope you have a splendid rest of your day/night !!

(If request were not open then we deeply apologize for bothering !! /gen)

Haitham posted! Xiao posted soon! (Sorry I forgot to tag you, I was having huge troubles with the post formatting and I couldn’t edit it well.)

[the-writer-arrived]

Dan Heng NSFW Alphabet

Synopsis: let's take a peek on how your lover is in bed, shall we?

Character: dan heng.

Warnings: afab!reader; reader is part of the astral express but isn't the trailblazer; spoilers about dan heng's past and his companion mission.

A/N: in celebration for dan heng imbibitor lunae release (finally!!), i give you all this! may our dragon boyfie come home to all who wants him <3

(p.s. that mf made me lose the 50/50 💀 his light cone better come home 😭.)

(edit: IT WORKED HIS LIGHT CONE CAME ON THE 31 😭😭😭😭)

This work has sexual themes and is not suitable for minors. If you click on read more, I am not responsable for any discomfort you may feel reading this. You have been warned.

A = Aftercare (what they’re like after sex)

Dan Heng's nickname in Belobog's fight club may be "Cold Dragon Young", but he's anything but cold to you especially after sex.

After your sexual lives began, Dan Heng made sure to always have a box of tissues, a towel and a bottle of water at hand's reach.

He prefers to do the deed in your room instead of his since, you know, it's the Express databank...

Therefore, those things are usually inside a drawer of your nightstand for easier access to the both of you.

Also cuddling is a must for him.

On days Dan Heng is feeling particularly clingy, he will wrap his arms AND tail around you, not minding the feeling of your sweaty and sticky bodies.

But don't worry, he will take you to the bathroom to clean you and him in the shower/bath, before returning to bed.

B = Body part (their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

If someone had asked him that before he got together with you, he wouldn't know what to answer.

Now, however, he'd answer his hands.

Curiously enough, you've always been fascinated by Dan Heng's hands.

You loved holding it, playing with his fingers, saying they were so soft, even softer than your own!

You also loved dragging him to the sleepovers in March's room, which you would paint your boyfriend's nails while March would do the Trailblazer's.

Now, about his favorite body part of yours, it's an easy answer: your neck.

It goes hand in hand with his kink (or rather, instinct) of marking you.

C = Cum (anything to do with cum, basically)

He cums an embarrassing (to him) amount.

Although the Vidyadhara can't have offsprings, they still are a dragon species and, considering Dan Heng has a much closer conection to the water dragon he controls, his instincts are stronger than others of his kin.

Yes, this is just a roundabout way to say he has a breeding kink

It's usually thick and gooey, but when he's in heat, it becomes more watery.

D = Dirty secret (pretty self explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

When you joined the Astral Express, you were sure Dan Heng disliked you.

Although he was never outright rude to you during the (very few) interactions you two had in the beggining, he would never be in the same room as you.

Himeko assured you that the young man was just shy, but even she was at a loss at that unusual behavior of his.

Dan Heng was avoiding you, yes, but it wasn't because he hated your guts or anything.

It was because your scent was driving him crazy.

The second he landed his eyes on you, your scent invaded his system and every single fiber of his being was being pulled to you.

But he couldn't, he shouldn't. There was too much danger in his life.

But by the Aeons... He had to do something, or else he might lose his mind.

So, when everyone in the train was asleep, Dan Heng would let his thoughts be consumed by you and guide his hand to his shaft...

He would rather go through molting rebirth again than admit he did such debauchery to you.

E = Experience (how experienced are they? do they know what they’re doing?)

My guy has been in the Shackling Prison ever since he was born and after being banished from the Luofu, he had to keep looking over his shoulder for a psycho who's out for his blood.

It's suffice to say that Dan Heng doesn't have any experience in relationships or sex.

Please have patience with him, he will fumble but he really wants to make you feel good :(

F = Favorite position (this goes without saying)

I believe Dan Heng would prefer positions which he can see your face, be it directly or through a mirror's reflection.

What he must have, however, is access to your neck, his favorite body part of yours as mentioned on B.

So, if you do positions like cowgirl/reverse cowgirl, you can expect to have a restless (dragon) lover under you, squirming for wanting to have you closer in order to mark your pretty skin.

G = Goofy (are they more serious in the moment? are they humorous? etc.)

He's definitely not one to be funny in bed... intentionally, that is.

Have you seen him throwing peace signs when the Silvermane Guards were pursuing the trio in Jarilo-VI?

Or him doing that when March took a photo of him next to the High Elder statue on that short animation?

Or even the things he says with the most poker face ever?

Anyway, what I mean to say is that Dan Heng is funny without trying to and that (unfortunately to him) sometimes happen in bed.

He will huff while you're giggling with yourself, before bringing you back to the right mood with a searing kiss.

What were you laughing at again? I don't know, maybe you should focus on those hypnotizing eyes darkened with lust staring down at you.

H = Hair (how well groomed are they? does the carpet match the drapes? etc.)

As said on E, Dan Heng doesn't have much experience in relationships, therefore never really worried that much about pubic hair.

After joining the Express and having a safe place to be, he would groom himself and trim a bit just so it wasn't too much or too long.

Now that he's with you, he likes to keep his bush small and very well groomed, so it won't bother your nose when you suck him off.

I = Intimacy (how are they during the moment? the romantic aspect)

His draconic instincts aside, Dan Heng really, really, REALLY enjoys keeping you in his arms.

99% of the time you guys "make love" instead of fucking.

This is the first time in his life (as Dan Heng) that he feels utterly safe and conected with someone in so many different aspects.

When he says "I love you" during the deed, it comes from the deepest, most precious part of his heart.

J = Jack off (masturbation headcanon)

Honestly, he used to masturbate more before you two got together.

Again, he will never tell you that or, at least, not any time soon...

Now? It's rare for him to do it.

If he's in the mood, usually you are as well.

Sure, mutual masturbation is hot and all, but he'd much rather be inside your warm and inviting pussy.

The only time he'll jack off is when you are away from each other in trailblazing missions.

You know Dan Heng will try to hold off touching himself until he can go back to the Express, but he becomes soooo snappy and with a permanent frown on his face.

So, please, send him some photos of you or audios to break his resolve and make him relax a little until he returns to your side.

K = Kink (one or more of their kinks)

As mentioned in the very begginning of the list, I am 100% sure Dan Heng has a breeding kink, even if he can't procreate.

It's such a filthy sight, your hole fluttering after he pulls out, your mixed fluids leaking from it... A voice, primal, in the back of his mind telling him he should push it back inside or, even better, stuff you with his cum once again...

He can't get enough of it.

Also, you won't leave the bed without at least a dozen marks on your skin.

Bites, hickeys, marks of his fingers for gripping you too tightly... You'll see all of that and more on the morning after.

Your boyfriend is considerate enough to not leave them on places you can't hide with your clother or make up.

...Unless you made him jealous on purpose or has been teasing him throughout the day.

I guess scent kink is also a thing for him.

You almost make him delirious with lust when you're on your ovulating period.

Praise your guy to your heart's content, it works wonders when you want Dan Heng to let loose and fuck your brains.

L = Location (favorite places to do the do)

No matter how horny he is, Dan Heng will only touch you on the privacy of the bedroom.

Preferably yours since he doesn't really have a bed on the Data Bank Archieves.

Which is fine, considering he basically moved to your room.

The reason for that is the comfort and sense of security the private space gives him.

He doesn't have to be on alert for any kind of danger and can give you his undivided attention.

M = Motivation (what turns them on, gets them going)

Call him corny, but it's when you show him you love him.

For most of his life, he has been followed by the shadow of Dan Feng and his deeds, both good and bad.

Even after Jing Yuan revoked his banishment from the Luofu, there are still many people, especially the Vidyadhara, who look at him with contempt.

Not to mention Blade hunting him through the universe to make him pay the price for his Dan Feng's sins.

So, when you cup his cheeks, stare at his eyes so softly and tell him you love him for who he is, not the shadow of his precious reincarnation...

His heart can't barely handle all the feelings that well up inside.

Dan Heng tries his best to show you how he feels by the breathtaking kisses and relentless pace of his hips snapping with yours, with chants of your name like a devotee does to their beloved deity.

N = No (something they wouldn’t do, turn offs)

If you enjoy feeling a bit of pain in bed, I'm sorry to tell you, but Dan Heng refuses to do anything that may cause even the tiniest bit of pain to you...

Okay, it's not like he'll NEVER do it if you do enjoy it, but it'll take a lot of coaxing and reassurance.

His worst nightmare is to hurt you in any shape or form.

One thing that he will not do, no matter what, is share you.

So no threesome with Blade, sorry.

O = Oral (preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)

I see Dan Heng as the giver type, to be honest.

Not that he dislikes you sucking him off, far from it!

He just adores being nestled between your thighs, your drooling cunt on his mouth...

And if you convince him to eat you out on his Imbibitor Lunae form? It's a sure way to send you to heaven.

Grab his horns like your lifeline, it will make him moan into your folds and grind his cock onto the bed.

P = Pace (are they fast and rough? slow and sensual? etc.)

On normal days, the pace is slow but deep.

No matter how much you ask, beg, demand for your lover to go faster, he won't and it drives you crazy (in a good way).

He's addicted to the way your core tightens around his member like a vice when you're so close to the edge.

Only then he will concede to your wishes, so you can cum together.

When he's in heat? Good luck walking tomorrow soldier 🫡

Each of his thrusts are so deep, so fast, so hard, but never deep enough, never fast enough, never hard enough to satisfy his desires.

I hope your bed is strong enough to survive the whole night.

Q = Quickie (their opinions on quickies, how often, etc.)

Doesn't like it.

To Dan Heng, being physically intimate with you requires a process, a moment when the two of you tune out the world and just focus on each other.

Like I said on P, he likes to take his time with you, to really feel every single inch of you.

Sure, there are times when both of you are too horny to wait until you are in the comfort of your bedroom and there's too little time to spare.

Even so, quickies don't satisfy him completely.

R = Risk (are they game to experiment? do they take risks? etc.)

Another thing that he doesn't enjoy it.

Dan Heng is a bit self conscious about the thought of other people hearing or, Aeons forbid, see you two doing it.

A spoiler for the V part, but this guy isn't exactly quiet during the fun 🤫

That's one of the reasons why doing it on a public or semi-public place is a no for him.

Using a vibrator though, especially on him, now that's something that may happen.

Again, it'll take some coaxing from you, but there's a bigger chance of him agreeing in the end.

S = Stamina (how many rounds can they go for? how long do they last?)

Even when Dan Heng is in his human form, his stamina is above average.

When he's in heat? Again, good luck walking tomorrow.

If it was up to his draconic desires, he would go all night without a break.

Fortunately for you, he can hold on to his senses enough to remember that you would not survive if that happened.

You'd die happy, but he doesn't want to lose you.

On the morning after, you two are "gently" reminded by Himeko and Welt that there are other passengers on the Express and everyone would very much like to sleep in peace ✨

Poor March had to sleep over with the Trailblazer in their room, which was the furthest from yours.

T = Toys (do they own toys? do they use them? on a partner or themselves?)

Our boy knows what a dildo and a vibrator are on theory, never tried them himself.

You'll have to be the one to introduce them in the relationship, if you want to.

I see Dan Heng as a switch, leaning to the sub side tbh.

With that in mind, I believe the toys are used more frequently on him than on you.

His favorite is those vibrators that can be controlled by a phone app, it's discreet and you can keep your partner on their toes.

His collection isn't big, maybe he owns two or three at max.

His first sex toy was one of those male masturbators, a gift from you.

Poor guy was so confused on what the hell that thing was (totally understandable, some of those look like a blender???).

Needless to say that his face turned red in no time after your explanation.

It doesn't come close to your hands and mouth, but it does a good job when you two can't be together for whatever reason.

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

If there is someone who loves to tease to hell and back, it's you.

You can't help it! Dan Heng looks sooooo adorable, trying his hardest to keep a straight face while a pink tint warms his cheeks.

Your teasing can go two ways: you may have him whimpering and begging for more under you OR he will retaliate and have you whimpering and begging for forgiveness under him.

In any case, you see it as a win in your book ✨

V = Volume (how loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.)

*Me, speaking into the mic.* Dan Heng is a whimperer and whinier.

*The crowd boos and I leave with my head down.*

She's right! *There is a yell coming from the back.*

*It's you, with Dan Heng dying from embarrasment next to you.*

Jokes aside, I do believe our Cold Dragon Young isn't loud per se, but a whimperer for sure.

He's embarrassed by that, so he does all he can to keep his sounds at bay.

When he's in Hot Dragon Young mode, he'll do a 180°.

Embarrassed? Shy? Quiet? Not Vidyadhara Dan Heng.

He growls, he moans, he curses, he straight up purrs the more he pounds and bullies your pussy with his cock(s).

Yes, he has two, it's a consensus between writers and artists.

Please gift everyone in the Astral Express ear buds, they will need them.

W = Wild card (a random headcanon for the character)

Despite having a breeding kink, of course Dan Heng is aware his species isn't fertile.

He knows there are no chances of him creating a new life by the conventional means of procreation.

And yet... Watching you interact with Hook and the other children of Belobog... Watching you hold Bailu in your arms...

He can't help but daydream of the 'what ifs' and 'would be'.

If he could, he wonders what would your child be like?

Would they look more like you? Or him?

Would they have similar personality to you or him? Perhaps a mix of both?

Would they inherit his draconic features?

...Would they have a long life span like him?

...Would they still be by his side, after your passing..?

...Will he even be able to handle to live a life without you once again...?

X = X-ray (let’s see what’s going on under those clothes)

I am terrible at describing things, let alone dicks of fictional characters, so bear with me OTL

Okay, so, it's been established that Dan Heng has two cocks. Good? Good.

I like to think that they also change when he turns into his original appearance.

Human Dan Heng: only one dick, but still has a bit more length than average, on the thiner spectrum, slightly curved upward

Imbibitor Lunae Dan Heng: two dicks, a growth in girth to leave you full but not stuffed, the veins are more proeminent.

How does one describe a pretty dick? Idk, but it's the first thing that comes to mind when you see it.

He's a pretty guy after all.

Y = Yearning (how high is their sex drive?)

I know I've talking about his heat period like a broken record, but that's because watching aloof characters becoming crazy with lust makes me absolutely feral 🥴

But honestly? Among all the Honkai Star Rail men, I see Dan Heng with the lowest sex drive.

Not that he isn't interested in you physically, far from it! He adores your body and when you show it off to tease him, it's always very effective.

It's just that I see he has bigger emotional needs than sexual needs in the daily life.

Lover boy can go two, three days without having sex with you just fine.

It depends more on how is your sex drive.

If you ask him, he'll gladly go down on you whenever you wish.

Z = Zzz (how quickly they fall asleep afterwards)

Dan Heng will only fall asleep after you do.

It comes from a desire to protect you from anything and everything.

He won't allow himself to completely rest until you are fully comfortable and in deep sleep.

Only then, he will kiss you on the forehead and bring you into his arms, giving you a sense of security you won't be able to find anywhere else in the whole universe.

[one4shio]

Unexpected.

In which he thought it was impossible to meet you once again.

Notes: honestly, this is just me testing Aventurine character as a whole, how he would do, nothing much.. probably ooc but yeah. Grammar? What is that 🧑‍🦼

Content: SPOILER FOR 2.1!, reader is the same kin as Aventurine, childhood friends, angst/comfort.

He couldn't believe his eyes. It never cross his mind that he would see you here, in Penacony. Let alone thought that you were still well and alive after he ran away that day. Just how lucky he is right now? He thought it was impossible to meet his kin again after he was so sure he was the last one.

Aventurine meet you at the receptionist with the astral express, he's glad that there's someone who took you in, he wouldn't express it, not now at least. He don't know how to express gratitude. He don't think have a chance to express it after he finishes up with his plans in Penacony. Another gamble to make.

Eyes contacts are made with each other as he struck a conversation with the nameless, he wanted to chuckle softly as soon he saw your eyes widen at the sight of him. He didn't predict that you wouldn't be crying. It gives him chills. His heart hurts the sight of you crying. He couldn't show everyone his weak side- no no, it will be disadvantage for him.

It hurts for him to pretend he doesn't knows you. He will make this up when you two are alone together. But right now is not the time, he could see it in your eyes that you understand him even though it's been years since you two were together. You are fascinating to him.

Aventurine just laugh as you trying to make up excuses to as why you suddenly shed tears, he proceed to get his plan started right here.

As he was done dealing with Stelle, making a deals with her, and the Galaxy ranger steps in- he saw you at the corridor.

...

You two just frozen in place, no words exchange yet, you motion him to enter your room in which he nodded and follow you inside, you close the door and lock it as he is inside the room.

You both sat down, still not a single words exchange. You both look down at the floor, not looking at each other, it was awkward, but still have that sad atmosphere. You took a deep breath, trying to brave yourself.

"..how are you.. Aventurine..?" His body went stiff as he heard you not using his given name.. he could hear and feel that you didn't want to say his 'name' in your voice, "[name].. you don't have to use that name in private." He said with a sad tone and smile.

He finally look at you, aeons... You look even more beautiful. Just how lucky he is right now? He took a gamble again, close the gap between you two, carefully wrapping his arms around you, pulling you into his warmth. His breath begin to shake as he inhale your familiar scents that he so missed.

You immediately wrap your arms around him as well, burying your face into his shoulder, silently crying in his embrace, "kakavasha... Kakavasha-! I'm- I'm glad you're okay-!" You cried and cried, pouring your emotions to him.

You are still the same, of course you do. He cried as well, his shoulders are shaking, how long has it been since he cried? Let alone cried in someone else's embrace. He pull you in even closer as you two cries in silent. No words to exchange because there's no need too.

There's a lot for you two can catch up with each other, but he don't think it's possible now, so he makes a brief explanations from the starts, when he runs away at his birthday, leaving everyone behind to what his late sister told him to do. You understand, you always understand him.

Before you two parts away, you two prayed together, his forehead lean against yours, he lift his left palm place it against your left one, closing your both eyes.. "May the Mother Goddess thrice close her eyes for you.. keeping your blood eternally flowing. May your journey be forever peaceful and your schemes forever concealed..."

With this, he hopes to cross his path again with you beneath the Kakava's shimmering aurora's.

[prringlecan]

Guys do you think welt will ever get his silly man arc in hsr. He’s just a silly old man. let him rip off someone’s limbs with nothing but pure gravity thanks

like will we get to hear more about VA. Will he SHOW UP. No not you luocha I want the minecraft cube in the flesh (????). What if something happens to himeko. WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO HIMEKO.

Please,,,, I need the old man to break a leg. And no I don’t mean his own but it is also very likely

also rip to the astral express if welts gay ass red blue sonadow kinning nuke making besties decide to take a trip through space to say hi to his ass they’re not ready for hurricane einsla

This is a cry for help welt fans pspspspspspspsps

[shadowcatzone]

Headcanon;

One day, someone is gonna let it slip that dan feng had like a private bank account.

And now dan heng, on account of being the "closest of kin" of, or actually being, dan feng, somehow got control over it.

And now he spends dan fengs money like, idk. Idk. But like, he's buying march and the trailblazer, everything. Bc dan feng was apparently loaded.

1.he's like "whatever after everything he put me through, i deserve this much at least." But he doesn't know what to spend it on so he lets march have a go--

2.they spend that money like it personally insulted them. Whatever. It's not THEIR money.

3.(it is very realistically dan hengs money)

4.for some godforsaken reason. And nobody knows how. Or why. But the preceptors are the ones held responsible so even if they did manage to run out of money, the account would be back to positive in an hour. (How the fuck--)

Idk i think it'd be funny. ("Yeah the account should be close to empty now-- aaand it's back")

None of the former incarnations of IL mind bc. All of them have a particular dislike for the preceptors.

rinse and repeat like 4 times, suddenly blade shows up. "Elio told me to stop you from ruining the economy" and all three (March, DH and TB) just go "eat the rich" in unison. And now they're dragging blade along. Why? IT'S THE LEAST AFTER EVERYTHING DAN FENG HAS DONE. He wasn't even told to insist on it. Just, "go ask them if they'd please stop. Nothing else :)" KNOWING FULL WELL WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN. now they're all trying to empty DFs bank account and the preceptors' coffers.

What are they buying? Lots of clothes. Jewelry. Random things the astral express may (or may not) need. Toys. Probably. Oh and- and lots of gifts. A pile of things. They're sending toys and medical equipment and things to belobog. Probably like a dozen swords to yanqing. More things to the general- none of them know what he likes (save for blade, maybe, and whatever memories df decides to regurgitate.) They're sending gifts to their "friends" from the IPC. They're sending alcohol to boothill- the expensive (and not expensive) kind. They're running out of things to buy and there's still more money. At the end of the day they don't accomplish their goal, but DH gets branded as the biggest spender and most richest VVVIP there.

Wherever they went shopping, he vows to never return there specifically. But it was fun. And everyone is exhausted. Most of all the preceptors, who spent all day justifying the high elders sudden shopping spree.

They also send a ton of vegan candy to bailu now that i think about it.

it wAS SUPPOSED TO BE A SHORT HEADCANONNN WHAT HAPPENED

[sleepyburito]

Dillon Gateway

Dillon Gateway is a playable character in Honkai: Star Rail.

A uniquely intelligent individual with several quirks, viewed with both awe and confusion.

They have been held on the pedestal of genius since birth but now wander the universe without any worries or deadlines. She believes true genius and intelligence comes when one understands their own limits and can work without stress. Despite the continuously increasing hoard in his room, this proves to be the case.

𓆩⟡𓆪 Overview Rarity: ⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡ Path: Erudition Combat Type: Quantum

Bio Real Name: Dillon Gateway  Pronouns: they/she/he Species: mutated human (warp trotter)  Faction(s): Intelligentsia Guild Astral Express World: Astral Express Messages: Dillon’s Messages  How to Obtain: The Forever Journey

Family Relatives: Dr. Ratio (adoptive brother) Nancy (Legal next of kin)

Voice Character: Gwen Stacy English: Hailee Steinfeld Chinese: Esther Yu Japanese: Aoi Yuuki

𓆩⟡𓆪

Trivia

Despite his confirmed wealth, Dillon mainly uses sales and coupons as his way of acquiring materials

This includes materials he has no need for such as rags, pillows and spare parts

Dillon is confirmed to have degrees in chemical engineering, quantum physics, engineering and biology

They have even created specialised college courses for some of these subjects 

Daffodil, their cat, was created by collecting and shaping residue left behind by warps and ‘jumps’

Her watch and glove were created especially to prevent Dillon from accidentally creating jumps in the fabric of reality 

Dillon is a night owl and usually is awake during the late hours of the night working away in their lab or relaxing in their room

They do however attend dinner with the express crew

⋆

Etymology 

In Irish heritage, Dillon is a name meaning ‘Like a Lion’ or ’Loyal’ 

Gateway originates from Old Norse “Gat”. the literal meaning of the word is ‘an entrance or passage that may be closed by a gate’ 

It is implied Dillon chose their own name in Dr. Ratio’s voice lines

@star-rascals one of the promised other 2 oc's : )

took a while to post cuz I had to iron out some details about this one but hope ya'll enjoy!

[nightmaretist]

TIMING: Current, after this PARTIES: Leila @amonstrousdream and Inge @nightmaretist LOCATION: Leila's home SUMMARY: Inge shows up to comfort Leila, but the other ends up comforting her in stead as they speak about motherhood. CONTENT WARNINGS: Child death

Though the role of supportive friend often saw Inge dragging her people out to a club or something else indulgent, she knew tonight was not the night for such things. And so in stead she found her way to Leila through the astral, bringing along a bottle of a sweet white wine. She was polite enough to knock on the door of the room Leila was in, to not just pop in completely unannounced.

She wished, not for the first time, that Cassius was here. He was better at these sensitive things.

In stead she gave a half-hearted smile as the door opened, reaching in for a half-hug and a kiss on each of Leila’s cheek. “Alright,” she said, “Let’s wallow in our misery together, shall we?” She wiggled the bottle. “With this guy.”

Everything hurt. Not a single blow had been landed on her, and yet Leila felt as if she was a breath away from dissolving into that fine shimmering dust that she was composed of. For as valuable as they were, sometimes it was a curse to have feelings. She thought she knew pain, thought she knew fear, too, but now both sensations felt entirely new and a million times worse than they ever had. 

When the knock at the door came, the mare didn’t know whether she should feel relieved or miserable. At two hundred and twenty-six years old, she should have been able to handle situations like these alone. After all, she’d spent two centuries in solitude. But when she forced herself up and opened the door, it took her strength not to burst into tears. 

She hugged Inge tight- probably tighter than she ever had before. “You are a saint,” Her voice wobbled slightly as she pulled back. “Thank you for coming so quickly…”

Leila pulled her into a hug and Inge returned the gesture after half a (not-)heartbeat, tucking a curl behind the other’s ear as the embrace ended. She took the other in properly, noting the wobble in her voice and the expression on her face. 

“Come on,” she said, moving in and closing the door, pulling the other along towards the couch. The bottle of wine was discarded and ignored for a moment as Inge sat the other down and sat next to her, taking Leila’s hand. She was better at the physical proximity than knowing what to say — she was enraged, that much was certain. But that anger was best not acted upon, considering how she’d ended up stuck on a wall last time she’d tried. 

She gave a soft squeeze. “I think you’re putting the weight of the world on your shoulders, Leels.” Responsibility had never fit her well. She preferred to breeze to life, to skip away at the sight of trouble, but here she was. In Wicked’s Rest, still, with more hunters closing in on her and her kin. “Do you want to talk?”

At least she wasn’t alone anymore. Hurt was a close cousin to fear, both finding ways to crack the mind and soul into nothing but shards and fragments of themselves. It was worse, being alone. But she was lucky to have a friend in Inge. Leila wished that she’d met the woman decades ago… maybe then she wouldn’t be so fragile. 

She let herself be pulled back across the room to the couch. The house had felt so deathly quiet for weeks. Most of the time she didn’t mind the silence, the solitude. But today wasn’t that time. The mare was grateful to have company, grateful for a hand to hold in the midst of the category five shit storm that had unleashed itself on the family she’d pieced together in Wicked’s Rest. 

If she were in a better state of mind, she might have chuckled at the little nickname. Instead, the mare’s dark eyes were fixed on some distant spot as the words churned deep inside her. It took a moment before Leila could force words to come out, her throat clenched so tight to keep tears away. “I finally have a family here… I have wonderful people in this town. And two young women who call me something like a mother. Something I never thought I would get to be. I died and became this. One I can’t keep safe at all, she keeps getting nearly killed by the slayers who see us as monsters that don’t have souls… and another who told me to leave when I tried to check on her. After I promised I wouldn’t leave her. She insisted I leave and I left to give her space, and now she’s… she’s blocking Metzli, and she’s ignoring Ariadne, and I feel like I can’t breathe because nothing I say or do can help- I can’t help… I can’t-” The dam broke, and the sob that Leila had been holding in swallowed up the mare and her words. 

Two hundred years and all she had amounted to was a monster and a failure. Ironic, that she could have all the time in the world and still not be enough.

Leila spoke of motherhood as something that had been robbed from her after she had died and that she had found again in Cass and Ariadne. Inge was not sure what to make of the statements, what to say to console her, especially not when she started to cry. So in stead she pulled her close while her own stomach contracted, pulling Leila’s face to the nook of her neck and shoulder so the other mare would not have to see her expression.

It took a while for her to form a response, to push pass the rock that formed in her throat at the topic at hand. “You know, Leila,” she began, “That’s what I think it is to be a mother. You cannot always keep them safe. You cannot always protect them.” And she was not thinking about Ariadne or Cass or any of the younger people in town who had to face hunters — but she thought of Vera. A young Vera, crying inconsolably. An older, teenaged Vera wrought with heartbreak. An old Vera in the hospital. “Most of the time it feels like falling short, but that’s what it is. The most you can do is be there.”

And Inge had not been able to do that. She’d grown distant and absent, had traveled the world once Vera was old enough – or so she thought – to stand on her own two legs. She had lied and kept secrets, in the name of protection, but had driven a wedge between herself and her daughter. To even start thinking of Ariadne as a child of hers would be preposterous, an insult to Ariadne and herself. She wanted to shake Leila and tell her to stop doing that exact same, to save herself from this self inflicted curse. She swallowed in stead and reached for the bottle of wine, letting Leila go. “It’s never enough, what you do. But you do it. And that counts for something.”

She hardly noticed herself being pulled in to rest against Inge’s shoulder. This strange heartache was like being human all over again. It was like she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, and every cell of her was unraveling itself. Leila had been given some… strange gift, a second chance by the universe, and yet seemed to fail over and over again. But there was comfort in the crook of Inge’s neck, in the gentle embrace of a friend… of a sister. 

And then, Inge began to speak.

She forced herself to steady her breaths just so she could listen. The words that left the other mare’s mouth were a surprise. Each one seemed to have a deeper story attached- one that was not spoken of and yet persisted as a part of Inge. As if motherhood was not simply a concept to Inge, rather, it was something she had experienced first hand. Leila slowly lifted her head from the crook of Inge’s shoulder, sniffling (like some pathetic little thing, Leila, really-) as she studied her expression… her words…

“It counts for something…” She repeated those words, trying to taste them on her tongue. She hoped that, somehow, her failures still counted for something. But it felt like it counted as a loss. With a push to her feet, Leila trudged to grab some glasses that she had abandoned nearby, knowing the promise of company and drink were coming soon. “You… you don’t have to answer this, but it sounds like you’re speaking from experience…”

“It does. It matters,” she confirmed. Leila got up and somehow it was cold, for a moment, as if there had been any bodily heat shared between their bodies before. Inge was relieved for it, for the absence of the other mare and her proximity. She’d undressed a part of herself that she preferred to keep clothed, a side of her that had truly died years and years ago and then died again in that hospital.

She unscrewed the bottle of wine and let the other’s words hang in the air. This was when she was meant to confess, to lift the veil once more, but in stead she waited for the glasses to be placed down so she could fill them. Leila offered her the room to not answer, to keep her memories and past lives close to her chest. Inge wasn’t sure what to do — because to not answer, to evade was to confess all the same. She filled the glasses of wine and took one, taking a sip and letting the bubbly, sweet-yet-sour liquid pass through her esophagus.

“I had a daughter. Before … I died and came back. She was eight, when it happened.” She pulled her legs close, ankles hitting the ridge of the couch. “I tried, to be good. To be good a mother. Sometimes I think I was. Sometimes it was … you know, how it is. To become what we are.” The nights filled with terrors and then having to dole out that same terror to continue living. “But I don’t want to blame my shortcomings on that alone. Because I did, you know? Fall short. I think sometimes it was inevitable.” She took another sip. “She was magnificent, though. Despite it all. Not because of, not — I would never think myself so arrogant. But I think I did good, in some areas.”

The glass of wine in her hands felt sharply cold, and Leila clutched it closer like it would shock her out of her foolish tears. It was her sole focus until the moment Inge’s voice filled the space once more. Only this time, she did not offer advice. She offered the story behind the advice. 

Had. Had a daughter. Not have. 

Oh. 

The mare pieced the puzzle of Inge together slowly as she recounted bits of her tale. A mother who lost her life and then returned to her daughter, trying to raise a girl when her own existence had changed so dramatically. Eight was so young to lose a mother. When she had been eight, Leila had still been hiding behind her mother’s skirts or escaping into the orchard to be hidden in trees. Even if Inge had come back, it couldn’t have been easy for either party… especially on nights where her little girl's mind wove terror instead of sweet dreams. But that sort of loss… it was unimaginable, what Inge had gone through. And yet, she still persisted. And yet, she was still here. 

She wanted to say she was sorry. Or that she was sure Inge had done a good job, that she had been a good mother, that she had done her best. Instead, Leila rested a hand gently on Inge’s arm. There were no good words. When words did come out, “I’m sure she was spectacular… what was her name, if you don’t mind my asking?” 

Leila did not argue with her. Leila did not apologize for her loss. Leila let a small silence linger and then asked a question that was like a soothing warm drink after a cold winter day. A comfort, a mercy. Inge took it and sat with it for a moment, resisting the urge to drain her glass and fill it a second time, and this time to the brim. Memories were sharp and jagged. Vera had died in a hospital room. Ariadne had been almost murdered recently. Failure was even sharper. 

“Vera,” she said. She leaned into the touch for a moment. She wondered what Leila would make of it, this past she kept sheltered. If she would take it as a warning. It could happen, after all. Ariadne could die. Cass could die. And though they were less likely to slowly wither away of disease, there were plenty of other threats hanging over their necks. 

And no, Inge would never claim that they would have to stop loving. To live an immortal life without love was impossible — but the risk of loss weighed heavy. “Her name was Vera. She was … yes, she was spectacular.” She did drain her glass now, taking hold of Leila’s hand. “I did not come here to speak of her. It’s you tonight is about, no?” 

In the life of a mare, memories were a gift. What were dreams and nightmares- the natural ones- more than a tangle of thought and memory weaving themselves together in a tapestry that could only be seen by one? Leila did not need to share in a dream or a memory to know the love and loss that Inge kept locked up deep inside. It was an honor to know the past. An honor to hear the name. And it was a beautiful name… Vera. It meant faith, or truth, if she was remembering correctly. It occurred to her as she listened that perhaps to know Inge’s truth was to know Vera, if not in person, then in memory. 

There was pain in being a mother. To love was to know pain- it was an inescapable truth. But it was better to have loved… far better to love than to shield oneself from the scars. She gave Inge’s hand a tight squeeze, words having abandoned Leila for the moment. She loosened her tongue with a long sip of bitter-sweet, slightly effervescent wine. “I think…” The mare leaned forward, taking the bottle and refilling Inge’s glass, “I am very lucky to call you my friend, Inge… Very lucky.” Without another word, Leila tucked herself back in beside the woman, letting her head rest on her shoulder. 

To be a mother was to know heartache. But at least it did not have to be something carried alone.

Leila refilled her glass without her needing to ask and then tucked herself close to her. Inge still felt that warmth, the one that was akin to the hot chocolate after a cold winter day – this too was a memory, a sensation of a life long passed – and she pulled up her legs, wrapping one arm around the mare. Words fell short, as they often did, but she had this. It seemed Leila understood that, too. 

“Well,” she said, drawing a circle on the point of Leila’s shoulder, “I consider myself quite lucky to call you a friend, too.” And perhaps tragedy would strike either of them. Maybe a hunter would inevitably chop off one of their heads before the decennium turned, or maybe Ariadne would finally be caught in a trap she could not get out of. But for now there was this, and that counted for something. Much like motherhood, this was the best they could be — there, for one another. She let out an exhale that served no purpose, took another sip from her glass of wine and squeezed Leila’s shoulder. “Thank you, for asking and listening.” 

[saunne]

You know what babe? M gon ask u about yingheng now cause they 💯💯 need the spotlight as well and i WANT the world to know how crazy u are about them. Go fuck shit up dear spouse

*looks at inbox* *looks at ask* *looks at date*

WELL GUESS WHO FORGOR TO ANSWER. I did the XingRen one here but I guess ADHDon't then got in the way and since I open my inbox like, once every three month I just. Forgor. We're kinning Acheron in this house baby.

So. Heart is big cause So Many Thoughts but I think indicating that it could have taken off like a rocket from the top right corner towards distant horizons was also a possibility.

So, YingHeng. YingHeng as "HCQ Era Furnace Master Yingxing" and "Dan Heng of the Astral Express" (and for once it's fixated dynamic). It is a rareship and even more, it is a crackship cause there is absolutely no way for them to ever fucking meet in canon.

Doesn't mean I won't try tho.

(Long babbling under the cut)

It doesn't make any sense because they do not belong to the same timeline at all (700 years apart more or less) and because the only way for them to meet (and do more than that) would actually break the space-time continuum OR involve some really strange and fucked up revival/reincarnation with the existing possibility of destroying/replacing Blade in the worst case scenario process.

BUT AEONS IT DOES COMPEL ME SO MUCH and you would know cause I shoved at least 4 WIPs about them right in your face lmao.

I like this ship because it compels me and scratches a itch in a way that classic RenHeng never really managed to do except for certain fics.

I will admit that I sometimes have troubles with the RenHeng ship and the way their dynamic can be/is portrayed despite loving the ship. RenHeng has a common past involving Yingxing and Dan Feng their past-self/incarnations (whether one agrees or not with the theory/system of thought that DH = DF for that matter) and their ship is based on acceptance/rejection/reflection around this common past, the idea of responsibility and above all an idea of healing of trauma (for BOTH OF THEM).

The main thing is that RenHeng often involves violence (canonical and/or added one) and more or less toxic relationship tropes that I don't always have the desire or energy to deal with, even if the writing of the fic is of exceptional quality (I have a lot of RenHeng fics like that in the waiting list fir when I'm in the mood for it tho) . Sometimes I just want something that's still as emotionally charged but a lot simpler and that's where YingHeng came in.

The biggest problem for YingHeng is to "bring" Yingxing back into the picture and there are several solutions for that :

time travel (him coming or Dan Heng going)

dimensional travel (Curios are very practical for this kind of stupid plot)

Yingxing's memory having survived in one way or another (in an object, in Dan Heng's memories inherited from Dan Feng, sealed outside or inside of Blade)

Alternate Universe (it's easier to make him appear in a modern AU settings than in sorta-canon HSR settings lmao)

I like the third option the best, because it allows me to be able to keep Blade in the picture if I want (whether to do a YingHengRen or just an opposition/comparison study between Yingxing and Blade) or not ( by "killing" Blade by retransforming him/rewinding him back to Yingxing).

My two mains thoughts paths about YingHeng are “longing for something you never had” and “mourning for something you never thought you would have to mourn”.

"Longing for something you never had" is mostly Dan Heng centered. I like to start from the idea that Dan Feng's surviving memories can be a curse because they blur the separation line between their respective identities, but that it can also be a blessing. I like the idea that fuzzy and imprecise surviving memories of XingYue's passionate love could have been one of Dan Heng's greatest comforts during his imprisonment in the Shackling Prison. I like the idea that Dan Heng fell in love with the idea of Yingxing or at least fell in love with the idea of Love and Being Loved because of these memories of Yingxing.

All of this while being intimately aware that they were never intended for him.

I like the idea of Dan Heng longing for something that doesn't belong to him. Of being unable to let go of this feeling of "wanting/desiring/missing" Yingxing's love he felt in Dan Feng's memories despite wanting to separate as much as possible from Dan Feng and the burden of his unintended inheritance. Which can lead to a feeling of shame/embarrassment due to being sorta "voyeuristic" and yet attracted to it. Or on the contrary, a sort of defiance with a "these memories have been imposed on me against my consent so I don't have to feel guilty about anything, let alone my feelings about them".

For Yingxing, it was the idea of how he would deal with grief that interested me. Firstly the mourning of his life/friends (and what they became) if it's a time/dimensional travel scenario. Secondly, if his memory is forced back into Blade's body or stuffed in a newly created body to "re-alive him", the mourning of his past death and having to continue / start living again (whether or not he is immortal after said resurrection). If Blade remains alive it adds yet another level of mourning/philosophical reflection on identity, on what makes someone unique and all the tropes around "what would you ask/would say to your past/future self if given the opportunity". I like the idea of exploring the grievance of the one who died/should have died first ending up mourning the one who should have lived/who was supposed to live.

I like the idea of how Yingxing and Blade might treat differently the whole "is Dan Heng = Dan Feng ?" and "does Dan Heng has to pay for Dan Feng's mistakes/errors/crimes ?". I like the idea of Yingxing being "excuse me I was married to/in love with Dan Feng and I can tell you that Dan Heng is definitely not him" compared to Jingliu and Blade's "Dan Heng is Dan Feng" motto. I like the idea of exploring the theme of the difference between Dan Heng and Dan Feng through Yingxing's eyes rather than Blade's.

I like the idea of Yingxing bringing emotional and identity stability to Dan Heng by falling in love with Dan Heng not for his similarities with Dan Feng but for his differences with him. Because Dan Feng was irreplaceable and nothing could take his place in Yingxing's heart, especially not what would appear as a poor copy of his former lover. I want Dan Heng to feel comfortable asking Yingxing about Dan Feng, because Yingxing never compared them as a before/after or past/present but always kept talking about Dan Feng as if he was Dan Heng's deceased brother or distant relative.

Also, I'm sorry but I find Yingxing more aesthetically pleasing to the eyes than Blade, even more when you put him in the Artisanship Commission uniform and next to short-haired no Vidyadhara features 4-Stars Dan Heng. Also, Yingxing should have wrinkles like crow feets and smile lines. And not completely white hair, but more like a salt and pepper hair with mostly grey/white hair but some surviving black hair.

I think they should hold hands and cuddle in the Archives Room while Dan Heng updates Yingxing on what happened while he was dead and asks him about crafting and Zhuming to add to the Express Database.

*gestures* I'm nowhere near the term "sanity" when it comes to them.

[astral-express-kins]

🕸️Kafka themed layouts !

these layouts were requested by @xiaosboyfriendz ! Hope you enjoy!!

When using them, please remember to credit us! and apologies for the wait friend :3 !!!

requester wanted dark themes and pink...

[backwaterscum]

@polyodynos // from here.

Yumina's offered kindness is a stake through his heart, and a part of him wonders just when it was that such opinions began to matter to him.

Which is a decent question, sure, but ultimately a pointless one. Daryl already knows the answer, after all-- when Shane Walsh made you join that group, when that little girl went missing, when you were there to hold your people as they cried, when you carried that baby in your arms and named her Asskicker-- and try as he might to become the man he was before he met them, he knows that's pointless, too.

Love changes a person. Family, kin-- once you learn that it doesn't always have to be terrible, they become almost impossible to live without. If only he could show the family he made now that he was on the Astral Express; despite the death of Akivili, it really was still going, and the absentminded dreams of the children around the campfire had been real all along. If only he could have taken more than the memories of them with him. If only...

But there's a reason he'd been alone when he stowed away, and the grief he feels is as vast and endless as the universe laid out before him. Survival instinct runs hot in his blood, but so does guilt. Before Yumina had come in, Daryl had been staring at the wall across from him, an endless loop of it should have been me running in his head.

If she leaves, the words will return. The voices. This alone is what makes him open his mouth before she crosses the threshold, saying--

"You can stay."

Don't leave sounds too weak, even to him.

"I don't..." His brows furrow, hand lifting to ruffle the hair at the back of his head. "No offence, but I dunno if I can even finish this spread. Haven't eaten food this rich in..." Daryl doesn't finish the thought. It's beyond him, now.

"Food shouldn't be wasted, is all I'm sayin'."

[fictionkinfessions]

kinda sucks being a sunday kin because i want to apologize for the harm ive done but i dont regret it. i firmly beleive i did the right thing and astral express crew im sorry but it just wasnt your place to get involved. i firmly hope that we never meet again. the only prople i actually would apologize to is robin and aventurine. im sorry to both of you. aventurine, it wasnt personal. i shouldnt have pried so hard and im sorry. robin, i tried my hardest to keep you safe. i still failed. im sorry.

-sunday (honkai star rail)

x

[cremavia]

red eyes. are an obscure and rare trait that signifies noble blood & an indicator of immense magic abilities among the empyrian families. outside of the unholy & daimonic forces red eyes are commonly linked to the kin of the scarlet eyed god ' Vermeil ' they are known to be chaotic forces exihbiting unparralleled power with their fire & explosion magics. there are no true negative stigma against the color , but due to higharchy it is highly respected.

Dovina's eyes are her most expressive trait , tending to shout the things her mouth dare not say in the moment. weather it be anger , annoyance , or sadness her eyes will always tell. Dovina also inherited a unique trait , due to her 'anguis' heritage she has gained their dragonic anatomy & physiology to her arsenal as a DRAKONIST. agreeably named the Dragon's Sight , her eyes much like a dragon's eye has  a large iris and a vertical pupil bringing her unbridled instincts to new heights. a power that synchronizes with the spirits of all things , thus giving the user prescience that allowes them to see anywhere in the past , present , or possible futures. as well the ability to commune with the dead , astral projection and the use of psychometry with their dragons. known for the capacity to consume mana indefinitely, sustaining this form for too long can cause dovina to ultimately lose consciousness.

Despite these pivitol things, dovina loves her eyes; from their color down to their shape & makes it a point to enhance them with either makeup or accessories. they say that the eyes are the windows to the soul , what will you see when you look into hers?

[astralexpresskin]

All aboard the astral express!

Are you 18+ and wanting to talk to other people who kin from Honkai: Star Rail? Look no further, as we're a server for just that! We offer: - A doubles and fictive/system-friendly environment - Organized roles and channels - Channels for discussing and playing the game with fellow members - Canon emojis! - A ticket system for reporting issues - Mods that aim to provide a comfortable, safe community!

You can read more at our rules page, and meet the mods here! The server can be joined at this link! Please be spiritual kin friendly. We don't allow endo//genic systems.

[blackvahana]

Trinity mask pt1:

(insert screaming here) (end post)

I hope you know how much it took to not press post and actually start writing

So. I keep pleasant forms around others (generally). Caring less about it now. Ive been taking a form around Lev though a lot lately that's... Varied as all my forms are, but the feature that keeps appearing is what I wanted to talk about. Lovely lovely lovely pinwheel of a face - of. three faces. It feels so natural. It's fantastic. I realised a little while after that my ex showed up in a similar form before but. you know. we're. very similar spirits. gross. Don't care. I'm older than him I've been like this since before he was like this he got it from me thanks end of topic.

Anyway! Ahhh. Yeah. Mechanical cycling of faces and clicking into place, like a mechanical little cuckoo clock on the wall the pieces slide and click. My little ole alchemical mix of incernating selves has left me with a set of faces that is absolutely Sheogorath vibes I realised way too late lmfao, if you see me posting about him on my main no you don't ignore me his vibes are just relevant AF rn. I would kin him if I still skinned. I would - thanks autocorrect I mean kinned - be a fantastic Sheogorath. You would all be so jealous.

Faces! Distracted. Trinity of faces which rotate and have various expressions on them. Happy. Sad. Angry. Which is... I'm pretty sure, hence the realisations, what Sheogorath has on his Wabbajack in Skyrim. Whoops! Relatable I guess.

The whole switching faces thing is so much easier than human expressions and so much more natural than I ever would've consciously expected... So I decided to just make a (literal) mask for it to be expressed without the big black Void mass of hands and wall crawling urges and inability to talk without screaming and laughing alongside it. I need to be somewhat human here thank you. I love veiling, I really should get into doing it in the astral, and veil and mask combination.... Delicious.

So. I tried making one. More so I have it floating in mid-air and mid-moment waiting to get to it.

It's something that sinks into reality autimatically in gold. Metal gold. Heavy. Gold is a symbol of sovereignty, the archetypal King's rule, blood of gods, and the solidification of the lightning spear, which. I was hoping this would be a little more well-rounded, it's supposed to be veiling not a goddamn crown. Shouldn't have expected any different, yet I did.

I am dragging in the sky and Ocean into it, but I'm a little stuck. It's supposed to be a mask and yet there's so many aspects of self I could pour into it, so many symbols, so much power. I should talk to Lev about it

[romaritimeharbor]

so tempted to make oc blog url something like "mr yang's notebook" for several reasons...... first i like this man a lot second literally almost everyone (including ppl online, two irl friends, and two kin quizzes, one for hi3 and one for hsr) kin assigns me him (it's so funny people just seem to look at me and go yea.ur a grandpa) third iirc in th3 game in one of his character stories?? i think?? like in one part of it there are like "notes" about people and pretty sure they're about the astral express crew and,,,,

I LOVE THAT URL IDEA that is so real and cool and valid........ you should definitely go for it if you like it!!!! liking your blog (and any sideblogs) is very important i think. i like my oc blog a lot so i get very happy and excited when i have something to post on it!