#little flower is being benevolent today

[chaos-magnett]

Saw this on Pinterest, def reminded me of a certain gremlin with his beloved benevolent pink flower in their free time.

Fan art credit to @golswia

[water-to-drink]

Be a Gladiolus in a Field of Belladonnas pt7

Precept

(Summary): While things seem to be going slow in Snezhnaya for you, outside of the wintry nation something more insidious is brewing

Part 1 Last Part Next Part

✧ Masterlist ✧

(Characters): Tsarita, Al haitham, Jean (she’s only talked about), & Ayato

(Warnings): Some Cursing, mention of blood, ooc Al haitham?,

(A/n): My Inspiration is back, baby!! Writer’s block can kiss my ass!!!

Italics =reader’s thoughts

─────────── ✧ ───────────

After the meeting with the harbingers and the Tsarita, things have been going slow

The Fatui only had 7 Primogems in their possession and only found 2 since then. All of which you fused with, yet you don’t feel any difference. The only difference is that you can make little sparks of energy like the twins

Maybe taking a little walk will take your mind off things, it’s very early in the morning so no one would be walking around the hallways. Once out of your room your suspicions were comfirmed, there’s no one here

Not being rushed from one place to another you can fully appreciate the artistry that was put into the details of the walls and floors tiles. You even notice plants that you didn’t realize were there before, flowers perfectly persevered in ice to maintain their fleeting bloom

After sometime of walking you found yourself in the area where the mural is. Now taking the time to closely observe the piece of art. You noticed it depicted a deep blue figure in the center, with multiple scenes of the same figure with smaller ones

“Is the mural to your liking, your Grace?”

You turned your head towards the direction of the voice and was greeted by the sight of the Tsarita. A softness present in her demeanor that isn’t on display when she meets with the Harbingers

“It’s beautiful, I’m just trying to understand what it’s showing.”

“It depicts your history in Teyvat.”

“Really, can you please tell me it?”

“Of course, your Grace.” The cryo archon pointed to a scene at the end of the mural on the left side. “You created the heavens and the earth for humanity. You taught early humans gave how to live off the land, how to make tools, you created lower gods to aid humanity.” The Tsarita puts a hand over her chest. “You established divine law and order for everything in this world to coexist.” The cryo archon looks down and a look of fondness began to grace her features. “You always said that everything has a right to exist in Teyvat.”

You looked up the cryo archon, baffled at what you just heard

“Was I really as you described me, before I… left Teyvat?”

“Though, I didn’t meet you when you when you were still alive, my mother told me many stories about you and your generosity. Along with the lesser gods’ creation, you gave humans a way to contact you and the other gods. If it wasn’t for your benevolence Teyvat wouldn’t be what it is today. It’s a lot more than what I can say about the gods in Celestia.”

You turned your attention away from the cryo archon

“If I made you uncomfortable, I do apologize.”

“It’s fine, but speaking of Celestia. Why aren’t you attacking me like the other archons?”

“The reason for that is because my Gnosis isn’t connected to my body.”

Upon seeing the look of confusion on your face, the Tsarita urge you to follow her. The silence coming from the blonde woman made you a bit nervous, so nervous in fact that you didn’t realize she lead you to a conservatory until she turned back towards you

“Now that we’re in an area where we won’t be disturbed, please take a seat.” You followed her suggestions and take a seat in one of the metal garden chairs. “As I said before my Gnosis isn’t connected to my body, thus I’m not affected by any decrees your impostor makes.”

“Wait, the Gnoses controls the archons?! But don’t you have at least 4 of them?”

“I did at one point, but I had to relinquish them on threat from that imposter.” In an attempt to conceal her anger the Tsarita clenches her fists underneath the table. “They said to hand the Gnoses to them or I’ll find my Snezhnaya in ruins just like Khaenri’ah…”

While you let the Tsarita collect herself, you take the time to think: why do the Gnoses control the archons?

“It’s about control with Celestia.” You look up at the Tsarita, not realizing you said that out loud

“After your death, Celestia didn’t like the fact that there were too many gods for them to control. Due to this they made the seven seats and thus the scramble for those seats took place, this has been dubbed the archon war…”

The Tsarita stopped once she saw the horrified look on your face

“Your Grace, are you alright?”

“I-I’m fine, I just… I just need some time to process this……”

The two of you sat in silence as you thought about the implications

That’s why Ei still attacked me when I showed her my bloody arm? If my doppelganger can control Ei, then that means we’re fucked big time. But the higher level Harbingers can go against an archon, so it’s alright. No, an archon, not all 7 together. And the Tsarita gave over the Gnoses without a fight, meaning my double is more powerful than her and her whole army…

T̶̯̖͌h̶̃͜͠ị̶̓s̵̫̯͙̈́̀͝ ̴̧͂̌̓c̴̥̃a̴̫̖̳͆͂̇n̷͓̂̆’̶̥̟͂̔̕t̸̜͔̏ ̴̢̫̩͑b̸̤̭̹̊̈́ḙ̴͐ͅ ̴̛̙̙̘r̴͓͋͝ẹ̵̠͓̇͗ạ̸̼̇͊͐l̸͙̍͊͋!̵̏͗͐ͅ

T̷̪͔̜͂̈̈́͊͊h̵̨̭͇͕̯̆͜i̸̠͈̦̤̦̊͋̚ş̸̛̩̘͙̺͕̈́̃̈́͊ ̴̫̇͗̇̊͘͝i̷̳̺̣̺̎s̵̛̩̐̐́͛͋n̷̰̖̥̫̦͉̳̔̅̈́̔̑’̵̭̱̖͈͈͊͐͊̑͋̆̐t̵̡̙̳̰͚͊̃ ̵̛̦͓͑͒̂̿̀̀b̸̹̮̯̻̻̓̽́̑ë̷͚̞̘͚̩̬́̀̐̓̓ ̷̢͔̭̞͔̟͉̏́́̈́̚͝r̶̨̞̄̈͐̑͠e̵̲͚̯͖̼̺͉̾͑̂̕ạ̸̦͛̽͆̊̈́͂̑ĺ̸̢̫͙͔̙̀͆.̵̧̖̱̇͜

.̵̨̩͆̔̽̿ ̷̤̋ ̵̧͔̬̗̃ ̴̧̀ ̴̩͖͖̜̅ ̸̼͂̂͠ ̷͚̃̈́͠ ̷̧͇͒̓̎ͅ ̴̦̈̾̈́̑ ̵̧̺̣̭̀̒̅ ̸̹̗͔͙͛̈́̏̾ ̸̫̻͗̇̈́ ̶͍̱̥̓ͅ ̵̙̫͛̂̾ ̴͚̜̺̀͊̑ ̷͎͇̝̿͌̎ͅ ̸̬̟̗̈́͝ ̴͙͇̒̌ ̵̤̭͛ ̵̨̗̹̠̓ ̵̙͝ ̶̩̳̤̺͑ ̴̱͓̈́͒̕ ̵̗̰̻̀̊̚͝ͅ ̶̨͖̻̼̇͑̃̌ ̴̡̘͇̥̔͑̓ ̶̙̠͓͕̋̈ ̷̥̍ ̸̋͜ ̷̭̪̀̀͑ ̶̨͉͍̄͋̈́͝ ̵̬̺̠̲̈́ ̷͓̿̈ ̵̼͈͛ ̴̹̹̿̐́͜͝ ̵̧͔͑̑́̇ ̵̰̮͔́̚̕͝ ̶̌̋ͅ ̷̢͕̬͛͆̚ ̵̖́ ̷̪̆̃ ̵̛̗͝ ̷̪̭̀̀̋.̵̼͌̐̌͝ ̶̦̗̄̚T̸̥̲̋͛͜͝ḧ̸̞͍̼̺́̌e̶̦̠̬̿̂̽̉r̴̫̍e̵̼̽͐’̸̫̠̗̺̓̓͂̓s̶̢̝̭͌̚̚ ̵̈̑̎͌͜n̵̰̭͠o̸͙͈̻͙̊̈́ ̷͇̫̓w��̯̜̑͛̌̚ȃ̶̡͖̓̾y̵̨͎̽͛̿̾ ̵̮͎̞́́̉̈́w̵̝̟͓̖͆e̶̞̻͈̹͒ ̷̥͝c̶͍̦͗̂̚á̶̺̽̕ň̶̮̠̈́͘̚ ̵̭̪̼̥͑̌ŵ̴͇͕̟͕̅̿̚i̸̡̪̋n̴̲͎̫͍͗́̿ ̴̥̬̫́̆̑̔ͅ.̶̰̼̹̈̾ ̴̳̳̑͛ ̸͇͇̎ ̴̮͂͆̃ ̷̫͍͆͑̑ ̴͉̋͂̊ ̸͚̬̇̒̈́͆ ̴̰̭̒̉ ̴̢̧̢̙̈́̄̅͑ ̵̢̹͙̹̓̓ ̶̫̞͇̰̊̈̀̓ ̵͈͍͎̗̅ ̴̥̟͎̜̽͛̎ ̸̯̘̕ ̸̙̖̐́͝ ̶̼͆̐͌͠ ̸̤͈͈̻͘ ̴̨̯͉̳̿̑̏̑ ̵̜̝̘̈͘ ̷̼͈̞̬͛̍ ̶̘͖̣͐̄͝ ̵̰́̀̑̕ ̶̡̛̫͒͝ ̵̝̎̓̽ ̵̰̮͎̌́͝ ̵̖̊̏ ̷̨̛̫̜̈́̈̈ ̴̮̞̈́ ̴͔̑̄ ̵̹̝̑ͅ ̶̬̼̘̞͆ ̸̧̮̱͆̏͜ ̷͓̉͆ ̵̲̮̞͌́͗̚ ̶̱̀͜ͅ ̶̥͉̔̚ ̴̦̣̙̌̇͑̚ ̷͇͇̳͕̉͂̉ ̶̡̪̩̟͒ ̴͎̖́̌ ̴̢̞͍̪̇̑ ̷̎͜ ̸̥̣̼̄̓ͅ.̵͈̊̕

.̸̪̓̉ ̷̳̿͝ ̶̞̎̾ ̶̭͌̌ ̶͈̽ ̶̹̌ͅ ̶̹̙͌ ̸̗͌ ̷͚̮̀͊ ̸͙͉̅̚ ̸͔̤̊͠ ̷̞̌ ̵̨̉ ̵̂̇ͅ ̵͚̆͊ ̵͈̪͂ ̴̩͗̀ ̸̣̽͝ ̵͚̼̕.̶̗͋̿ ̷̥̦̒̈I̷̘͛͜t̴͚̺̅’̵̙̻̓̑ś̷̘̪̈́ ̵̣̣̿̌h̶̺̓o̶̖͌͘p̷̘̥̽ë̷͕́l̴̳̐̿e̸͈̕͘s̷̠̪̈́͒s̶̳̘̎̊ ̶̲͊͗ ̷͓̟̏.̶̘̦̐́ ̸͉̿͝ͅ ̶͍̈̽ ̵̭̝͝ ̸̳͆̏ ̵̬͎͐̀ ̸̀͛ͅ ̴̝̃́ ̷̙̫̅́ ̵͇̌̓ ̴̠̅̓ ̶̦͊̉ ̸̩̌̏ͅ ̶̼͗ ̵̧̜̏̋ ̵̧͇͘ ̵̥̤̍̋ ̴̦̞͐͗ ̵̱̔.̵̨̈́͘

No…

No!

I can’t think like that

If I think like that, it will be like a self fulfilling prophecy

I need to stay optimistic!

“Your Majesty.”

The deep voice of Pierro brought you out of your spiral. You looked up to see him standing near the lush green bushes

“We’ve been looking everywhere for you, there’s been some new developments I think you would want to hear.”

─────────── ✧ ───────────

There are a lot of things that annoys the former Scribe turned Acting Grand Sage. People who talk too much, dog ears on book pages, his roommate, but nothing bothers him more than the responsibilities the being the Acting Grand Sage brings

He hates having to sit here in the Creator’s holy palace, having to make pleasantries with the other nation’s ruling figures. Normally he would just bury his face in a book and tune everything out, but he represents Sumeru as a whole and not conversing (or his pathetic attempts at it) with these figures will reflect badly on his home nation

So now he’s talking to a blonde woman from Mondstadt, who is also in his position somewhat, however the lack of deadness in her eyes say she likes her job

But he will say, she doesn’t annoy him as much as Al haitham originally thought. He even bothered to remember her name, Jean. She seems to know how to not annoy him, she must be familiar with people like him. Jean was even nice enough to gave him so advice that he might employ back home

The other attendees he felt indifference towards, such as 2 of the clan heads that make up the Tri-Commission in Inazuma and members of the Liyue Qixing. It could be he hadn’t had enough time to discern whether or not he disliked them. However he can’t say that for the rest of the attendees, a few senators from Fontaine, the head priestess of Natlan, and especially the third clan head of the Tri-Commission. Kamisato Ayato

He struck Al haitham as the type to internally dissect your personality and use your weaknesses to his advantage later on, and that doesn’t mention the possibility he had definitely brought the end to some people

All around Al haitham didn’t just didn’t like him

But it looks like Al haitham doesn’t have to suffer any longer as the guards of the Creator’s personal army began to enter the room. Along with the golden guards two servants came out each holding the end of a rolled up rug, the two placed it on the ground and rolled it out revealing its intricate designs of gold and orange

Everyone in the room held their breath anticipating the arrival of Teyavt’s beloved Creator

Well almost everyone…

Al haitham understood that without them him and the world wouldn’t exist, but he doesn’t see the point of all of the luxuries that were given to them. To him he would call it unnecessarily frivolous

As the awaited figure entered the room, all eyes were on them. The doppelganger posing as the Creator looked absolutely ethereal, wearing a yellow-orange tunic that reached their ankles and a deep orange rope lined with the softest furs in all of Teyvat draped over their shoulders. But what took the attention of all of the attendees was an orange gemstone that hung around their neck. It’s luster wasn’t of anything they seen in before, it could be say it was otherworldly

“I’m glad you all were able to gather here for this very important meeting.” Their voice brought everyone’s attention to their face and to their hallowed eyes. “As you all know there’s been an imposter at large for quiet some time, they even evaded my archons. And so I require for all of the nations’ army to unify until this situation has been resolved.”

The attendants shared glances at each other, unsure if they should put their 2 cents in

“I see all of yours’ hesitation, but this is for the sake of Teyvat. The reason being that this imposter is an omen of death and ruin, if they gain enough power Teyvat will fall. This imposter would stop at nothing until this world has crumbles, that means the wildlife will die, water will dry up, everything and everyone you know and love will meet horrible ends if they aren’t stopped.”

A tense silence hung over the room as the doppelganger’s words were fully processed by the world’s leaders. Seeing the look of shock that quickly morphed into horror the doppelganger looked around

“Are there any questions or concerns, you have for me. Don’t be shy, I’m open to any feedback.”

“I have one, your Grace.” The Yashiro Commissioner said. “Though, I am honored to be invited to this meeting, I feel that I won’t be of much service because I mainly deal in matters concerning ceremonial affairs and festivals.”

“But you are my dear Kamisato, you have the great responsibility of getting the word out there.” The doppelganger said as they walked towards the blue haired man. “You are experienced in dealing with the common people, I trust you can tell them the danger thi imposter brings.” They caressed his face, leaving the commissioner speechless

“I… I-I won’t let you down, your Grace.”

“That’s right, I know you won’t.”

─────────── ✧ ───────────

Taglist:

@chuuya-brainrot @creation-magician @transbirbboi @tartarsaucechi1de @vvyeislazzy @kokomisismpppp @aludicpoet @undecidingfate @annoying-mary @randomnatics @ventixthexanemoxarchon @bore2808 @lizzheartz @bidisasterforevermore @dxprived4-starboys @angstylittleb1tch @esthelily @yurivision @angelamelamela @d4y-dr3am3r @blackcoffex @not-the-shroom @raffaelo4ka @rebeccawinters @artwitchh @kaveh-is-pretty

[perdicinae-observer]

𓅫 𓅫 𓅫 𓅫 𓅫 𓅫 𓅫 𓅫

Return.

𓅫 𓅫 𓅫 𓅫 𓅫 𓅫 𓅫 𓅫

[*pip-pip!*] [*peep!*] [*kut!*] [*pi-pii-piii*]

Maintaining a giant château and its ever-expanding gardens all by yourself seems like a monumental task at first glance.

The first few years, you'd fret and worry about it not being perfect—about being unable to wrap up everything in one day, that perhaps it won't be ready or good enough for that certain someone you expect to return—but when you have centuries to spare with nothing but silence and birds to keep you company, however...

You'd learn to not be in much hurry.

[*peep-peep-peep*] [*pip!*] [*peep?*] [*taptap*]

The eventful week was behind him. It was back to the usual dull routine for the Iron Marshal. Perhaps for the better, for now. His head hurts. He just wanted to be alone right now.

With a trusty watering can in hand, Davout absentmindedly treaded along the various flowers and greenery, watered them individually, and made sure to not step on any of the daring soldiers of his partridge army.

[*taptaptaptap*] [*kut*] [*pi-pip!] [*peep! peep!*]

...

He was never a gardener.

He's an awful gardener, actually.

If it wasn't by some benevolent spirit of the realm or sheer luck that bought him time to hone the craft and kept most of these flowers alive, Davout wasn't sure if he could forgive himself if something happens.

Tending to these things was never a "like", but rather a "want"—a "need."

It has something to do with her. It always has something to do with her. How else could he have persevered otherwise?

Arguably though, with an afterlife this boring, paupers can't be choosers now, can they? This was something outdoors—and Lord knows he never had enough of that.

So here he was—like the tamed, senile warhorse that he is—taking care of plants that he didn't know half the names of and baby-talking chubby little birds.

…[*chuckles*] Je t'ai déjà nourri, ma chérie Louise…

Davout knelt down to coo at one of his soldiers, a particularly feisty hen named Louise that peeped ferociously at her owner, demanding more grains and affection. Of course, who was he to turn down such request and unyielding will?

With an amused smile, he rummaged his pocket for some leftovers, took a moment to feed her and others some just for being extra well-behaved today, before letting her clamber up to her throne that is his head.

(That spot seems to be a flock-favourite besides his shoulders and back, for some reason…sometimes he wished he had just a little more hair to keep them comfortable, but perhaps the exposedness of it all was what they find appealing. Not to mention that Louise *is* one of his favourites after all…)

The army seemed to be particularly appreciative of this meal however, as they began to huddle around their master, seeking his affectionate scratches, and do various things like sounding adorable and looking adorable—just overall cute.

Figuring that a little rest couldn’t hurt, Davout adjusted his position and laid down in the grass, his eyes facing toward the sky.

Louise was a little wordy about the sudden change in height, but quickly returned to socialising with her community. Others do what partridges do best: exploring, singing, pecking, sleeping, eating, et cetera et cetera.

The marshal smiled (a rare feat) as he simply let himself live in the moment, refusing to think of anything. The previous chaotic trip had perhaps restored his appreciation for the soft sensations of his abode: the wind, the little footsteps of his feathered children, and...the silence. Perhaps…this is heaven? ...

However, his eyes— his curious, wretched eyes— wandered to the wrong spot in that moment of tranquillity. A rose bush. A rose bush.

…

Something damp touched his skin, jerking him back to reality. Tears. Rain.

Pa!

Ah, it’s raining.

Papa!

Turning towards the source of the voice revealed Davout’s corvid companion—now a man—shouting and running towards him with an umbrella in hand. The boy didn’t even bother to remove his apron before coming to Davout’s rescue. Was he cooking something?

The marshal got up abruptly. Most of his partridges had already made their mad dash towards their huts while some remained by his side, staring. He rubbed his eyes furiously, trying to get rid of any evidence of his grief and took his remaining companions into his arms as he stood. He stared at the boy for a moment as he approached, seemingly disconnected. Or maybe just thinking. Really thinking—

[“ᆿ̸̨̛̳͙͚͙̞̭͓̣̤̝̜͆̆̃͋̔̿́͆̄̚͘͜Ọ̵̢̪̳͙̯̰͇̙̪̰͐͑̂̂͒̓̒͛͛̅̀̊̀ͅЯ̵̤̯͓͙̤͚̫̘̟̠̝̲͌̆̎̅͒̄̆̈́̾̕̚͝Ә̶̉̈́̿̀̀̋̾́̄̄̀͝��̢̡̧͚̟̱̩̩̘̥͕̳Ǝ̴̢̛̩̮̜͈͍͙͉̭͖͙̤̣̉̐͒̽̀̈́̈͘͘͝͝T̷̡̡̡̻̟͕̖͇͓͎͎̜͖̄̀̈́̔̌͛̌̽̿̓͌̐͌.̷̢̛̛͈̩͔̼̠̺͈̼̼̱̲́̐̐̌̆͒̄̓̉̂̚”]

A sharp pang was felt in the back of his head. Lenoir was saying something but he couldn't quite hear. He was saying something but he couldn't quite hear it either. Scolding the boy about running in wet grass, probably.

...

The roses were redder than this.

[sunbloomdew]

my olba mc timeline!

introducing my darling buttercup, Haru Nakamura :D

finally i can post this! i'm very happy to talk about a character i have been working on since may haha. does that mean they are fully cooked? let's talk about something else :) insert why do they call you babygirl meme

you don't wanna know how long was the process of making this one drawing,,,, 1/10, would do it again no question, but god did that take time. here's the sketch for comparison :]

(hopefully) short and concise description of each step below + a couple of songs that i assign to each step, from their playlist because i can and i will

ʰᵃʰᵃʰᵃʰʰᵃᵃᵃᵃᵃ ᵗᵘʳⁿˢ ᵒᵘᵗ ⁱ ʷʳᵒᵗᵉ ᵃ ᵇⁱᵗ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ʰᵃʰᵃʰʰᵃᵃʰ ⁱᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉᵃᵈ ᵃˡˡ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰⁱˢ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵐʸ ʰᵃⁿᵈ ⁱⁿ ᵐᵃʳʳⁱᵃᵍᵉ ᵇᵗʷ

now before i move to each step, i want to take a moment to talk about Haru's name. they are japanese american (their biological parents were both japanese people who moved to california) so i wanted them to have a japanese name.

first their birth name, Kaito. i picked this [快仁] way of writing it. 快 means "pleasant, comfortable, agreeable" and 仁 means "humanity, benevolence and kindness". i chose it as their birth name because of a few reasons:

first, some other ways of writing this name include a kanji that means "ocean, sea". it's an obvious connection to the setting of olba, as well as the character's deep connection with sunset bird, especially in their childhood.

the meanings assigned to the version i chose, describe haru at their core and during step 1 when they use this name. they are a comfortable presence whose greatest desire is to make meaningful, genuine connections with other people (fucking extravert). while they are pleasant they are a people-pleaser as well - part of their journey is to unlearn that.

it sounds very cute and they are the sweetest kid

now the name people actually know them for, the one they feel describes them the best - Haru. the kanji that i picked [春] means "spring, season of growth and renewal" and it's precisely what Haru's 'arc' is about. the meaning and value of their personal growth, understanding themselves and working with oneself instead of against.

a little tidbit about their name: there is a kanji with which it can be written that means "cherry blossom". those flowers are considered as a symbol of spring in japan, usually blooming between the end of march and beginning of may. another fun fact, haru's birthday is on the 2nd of april :]

Nakamura is a surname i chose instead of Last in the game. i thought it would be fun to headcanon that the family's surname is actually from Noelani's side (some Hawaiian last names are Japanese in origin, hence Nakamura). The kanji i picked to write it are [中村] - 中 meaning "in, inside, middle, center" and 村 meaning "village, hamlet". I think of it as a reference to sunset bird itself.

so once we put all of the ingredients together it already forms an image of a character. i've been reading a book by david day "the hobbits of tolkien" in which the author describes j.r.r. tolkien's process of creating the hobbits. it's very fascinating, the way in which he used his philologist knowleadge - digging up the word first and then tracing it's origins and the word family to slowly create the hobbits we know today. my process of creating haru was somewhat similar in methods, though definitely not the process (god no, i am nowhere near tolkien's level). i wanted to mention that because the words we use to describe the world, or in this case characters are important.

i like to think that haru's whole name means "spring in a village", with them being the embodiment of said season, connected to an undeniably summer town. a little bit like baxter, our resident autumn boy stumbled into a seaside tourist town. only in haru's case the lines are more blurry. i think of them as the manifestation of the spring/summer period, when the sun shines brightly and trees bloom but the wind is still chilly and strong.

in any case, let's move further! fairies know i could talk just about their name forever

Step 1: welcome to childhood folks! in step 1 Haru uses their birth name, Kaito, and he/him pronouns. Kaito is a lonely child who wants only one thing - to have a friend. he is too fat, too shy, too different from other kids his age, which leads to him being isolated from them. this plants the first seeds of his insecurities that will follow him into the future. being ignored and laughed at really impacts Kaito, who only wants to make friends with anybody. it makes this thought slowly grow at the back of his mind: "there is something fundamentally wrong with me." thankfully, he has the support of lizzie and their moms and the soothing sound of the waves and the warm sand at the beach, which make his social isolation feel less hurtful.

when it comes to his personality, Kaito is an open-hearted, open-minded kid who is quite shy. he is naive, terribly impatient and impulsive which can be a fatal combination. curiosity is another defining trait of his - not really with any things of an academic nature, but definitely about other people, so much he can be very nosy. despire that he is pretty good at reading social cues and figuring out people's feelings. if only he had enough foresight to actually confirm his thoughts with others - he is prone to assume things solely based off his judgement. he is empathetic and a good listener. his tendencies in people-pleasing are only starting to grow, but it will be a huge problem down the line.

a sidenote about his design: colours chosen for each step hold a meaning. the colour palette for step 1 is a triadic colour scheme with purple, teal and yellow. i chose those colours because they remind me of summer, and in step 1 kaito is at the beginning of his growth as a person. at this point in their life, they are connected with summer as a season the most, because they have yet to begin the process of figuring themselves out and understanding themselves.

Cove moving in is a turning point for Kaito. he changes his life by befriending him. it doesn NOT alleviate the insecurities and doubt still nestled in Kaito's heart. rather he views Cove as someone special for befriending him. the setting for their relationship is Nervous Fond. Kaito likes Cove immediately (as they do with most people, they are very open) but is very nervous about this whole making friends process.

Alright this all probably sounds very angsty but this internal turmoil of Kaito's is (for now) very much in the background. think of it like a box covered with sheets, dusted over and hidden in the attic. step 1 is mostly cute kid shenanigans (and some crying).

Songs:

hawaiian roller coaster ride - mark keali'i ho'omalu, kamehameha schools children's chorus; lilo and stitch original soundtrack

the right amount of dumb - kan gao; finding paradise (original game soundtrack)

i have a hole in my tooth (and my dentist is shut) - dodie

take me anywhere - kan gao; to the moon (original game soundtrack)

second child, restless child - the oh hellos

(the right amount of dumb is like their theme in step 1 because they are a bit of a dumbass <33 silly little kid)

Step 2: ahhh early teenage years. i think 12yo and older is the time when you start to realize how profoundly fucked up reality is and react appropriately! which is exactly what Haru is going through, on top of being obsessed with becoming popular. sigh.

step 2 is very rough for Haru. for one, their insecurities from childhood only grow. they see their inabilty to create a large circle of friends as a reflection of their worth. their self-esteem is at all time low, which is why they do everything they can to cover it up. kids are cruel so they cannot show any weaknesses. in order to cover up their low self-confidence they become very arrogant,they arrive at this conclusion: if they are so unlikable (false) then they only need to pretend to be someone else entirely to make people like them (bruh. teenage brain is a mystery).

and so begins their fabrication of themselves, altering parts of their appearance, personality even giving up and picking up hobbies just to appeal to the 'popular kids'. deep inside they know that this is futile. you cannot make people like you, you cannot make them respect you if they don't no matter how hard you try. but they are so starved for social interactions, that it doesn't matter at the moment. if they get to hang out with the cool kids, if people wave to them in the corridors then what does it matter that the person they are greeting is fake?

those purposeful but forced changes consume them. they are constatly playing a role around people they know but don't trust - they can only relax with their family, Cove and Derek. but even then, they aren't fun to hang out with that much. seeing as they can reveal their true thoughts only then, it makes them constantly angry (at everything, but at themselves the most probably) which affects their relationships with their friends and family.

to them it feels like being stuck between a rock and a hard place. they can't bear their soul to the cool kids group, because that would mean admitting that they are not a person they pretended to be - this loud, out-going, larger than life, perfect person. and in their head they think they can't reveal anything to their loved ones either - it would mean admitting defeat in making friends.

so yeah, the struggle is there y'all. despite all the harm that comes from their behaviour and their environment, they learn a couple of things too. they realize they aren't a mind reader and perhaps asking people about their problems is better than assuming you know what is wrong, even if you are like 99% sure you know. doesn't mean they won't ask in the most blunt, tactless way possible tho. their shyness as if evaporates completely - you're not gonna make it far in middle school being shy. funnily enough, they are a massive people-pleaser. you'd think that this bold, boisterous teen star would be far from it, but every action Haru performs in their school circle is for the approval of others. if there are any mild upsides to their state is that they can fulfill their innate need of connecting with other people. it's not deep or meaningful in most cases but what can you do.

as you probably noticed, the main colour of this step is green. but why? green is such a nice colour, with so many positive meanings... sike! i mean yeah it is, but you know what else green symbolises? greed and envy. i used green for this step to highlight haru's desire of becoming popular not as a genuine dream, not even as a way to connect with others but because of the immense jealousy they felt. of other people who got to have friends that liked them for who they are. of elizabeth especially, who never seemed to struggle with making people like her. in this stage of their life, green is definitely a negative colour for them.

the comfort level in step 2 is Direct Fond for both Cove and Derek. no matter which route i'm deciding on romantically, haru does not have a crush on anyone in step 2, or at least doesn't allow themselves to have.

Songs:

freaks - surf curse

kawaki wo ameku [カワキヲアメク] - minami [美波]

carnivore - starset

stand out fit in - one ok rock

remember my name - mitski

(i especially like carnivore for this step because haru starts avoiding eating meat, cause they don't like the taste that much. the choice of this song is a bit of an inside joke for me, also the lyrics fit very well)

Step 3: we enter era of healing! i'd say in step 3 haru is at a solid 3/4 way to doing better internally. step 2 was their lowest, but now they are beginning to bloom. but growing older doesn't only bring knowleadge and growth, it also brings a new lot of issues to deal with.

Haru has been confronted about their behaviour. the impact it had on others and on themselves (there was a lot of crying and broken confessions, not a good time). as they reached their limit, they finally decided to speak their feelings and accept help from their loved ones.

now, it's hard to simply get rid of one's insecurities, especially those that seemed to be reinforced by the outside world for a long time. they use a strategy as old as time to deal with (not cover up anymore) their low self-esteem - fake it till you make it. some of their arrogance stays with them, as a blanket of security in a way, but they are determined to be confident in themselves.

their growth starts with a somewhat superficial thing but one that they always cared about: their clothes. they were always interested in clothing and fashion but only in step 3 they move a bit further with that interest and begin to make clothes on their own. it's an important passion to them, not only being very therapeutic but also allowing them to express their true self, both in terms of their personality as well as gender.

a major shift in their perception of their relationships with others was caused by realizing, that gaining popularity was not going to make them feel fulfilled. they had always desired deep, meaningful relationships, and while being recognized at school was nice, it wasn't really what they were looking for. this in turn make them rethink their whole "pretending to be someone you're not" business and with their loved ones assistance they figured out that... it simply wasn't worth it.

and because haru is the most impulsive person on this side of the globe, they did not ease themselves into this realization but again forced themselves to abandon their old ways in favor of being painfully true to themselves. and then everybody smacked their foreheads.

haru is a lot kinder to themselves now, courtesy of cove and others, but they still tend to ignore themselves in favor of somebody else. their shyness returned, and they no longer try to force themselves into acting more out there than they are. since the let down their walls, they speak their mind without thinking and are prone into agreeing to things immediately, often finding themselves in uncomfortable or annoying situations.

right now their most pressing struggle is dealing with becoming an adult. they feel as if they had just got peace and stability in their life and yet their friends are leaving or staying, getting jobs, time is slipping through their fingers like sand and everything is different. haru themselves feels very lost and overwhelmed by the future, so for now they latch onto people, their friends, sister and moms and try to spend as much time with them as possible, drowning the sound of their own fear in their laughter. on top of that there is a new guy in sunset bird, who seems to have a bit similar internal struggles to them, and haru feels like they could make a connection for life. i wonder how that will go :]

step 3 colours! they wear a lot of different colours because their style is mostly inspired by the 80s, plus they like to go crazy with the clothes they make. but colours that appear the most are definitely pink and yellow, plus a little bit of green. green appears in smaller amounts and in shades closer to yellow to express it's different nature than the green in step 2. this time it represents growth, freshness and hope.

now yellow is a very important colour that i consider haru's main colour. they are simply inseparable in my head. it was completely gone from their colour palette in step 2, and in step 1 it had more of a golden shade, one reminiscent of summer, but in step 3 it brings forth thoughts of spring more. it is purposeful, as Haru is finally growing into the person they want to be. yellow's positive meanings are among others optimism, happiness, creativity and enthusiasm. but it can also be associated with fear and cowardice and that is definitely something that fits haru in this step as well.

pink is prevalent in this specific outfit, but like i said, the clothes they wear in this step are pretty colourful. still, it holds meaning, seeing as it's also visible in their step 4 clothes. pink is invincibly linked with romance and romantic feelings - something haru allows themselves to open up to in step 3. like most things about them, if they have a crush on somebody their infatuation comes fast and strong, seemingly out of nowhere. but other than romance, pink is a colour of youth and playfulness.

after dealing with all that teen angst, they are very playful. combined with the dread of the future and genuine excitement they finally feel, they are a sweet, sociable person. the comfort level is Relaxed Fond, unless they have a crush on either Cove or Baxter, then it's Nervous Crush.

Songs:

permanence - bears in trees

wishing well - the oh hellos

infinite - lyn lapid

summer depression - girl in red

what if it doesn't end well - chloe moriondo

(i didn't put this song here despite it being the first one on haru's playlist, but teenage dream by katy perry is such a step 3 haru song)

Step 4: sweet woes of adulthood! Haru has grown and grown up but of course, life is a continuous string of things happening and us having to deal with them. some things stayed the same, for example their big ego. from aiming to cover up their low confidence, to actually gaining a healthy amount of it, like in most things they do, they went overboard. and while some of it is still a little bit of a defense mechanism, they are also completely insufferable and a beast of self-esteem. you win some you lose some.

they grew into the person they were always meant to be: free spirited, open, empathetic and creative. even so, they still retain their oh so recognizable traits. their curious, almost nosy demeanor, impatient nature and people-pleasing ways. they are still reckless though not quite as impatient, they learned to be a bit more chill.

haru learned to manage their intense nature. especially when it comes to meeting new people, they realize and respect the fact that not everybody will be eager to form a deeper bond, as much as it confuses them sometimes. they have always been ride or die type of person, but growing up has mellowed them out a bit.

the most growth happened with their way of managing their relationships as well as their perception of themselves. they are a lot more mature and as such manage to maintain their relationships. even if they still sometimes assume other people's thoughts or take up too much upon themselves, they see what they have accomplished and are very proud of themselves.

their struggles now involve the usual perils of adulthood, but mostly keeping up with their friends and making sure everything is alright. other than that though, they eagerly travel and go out of their way to meet even more new people - they do need someone to anchor them, or they will get carried away and eventually step on somebody's toes (or fail to return from another state on a scheduled date).

speaking of their adult relations, baxter leaving was a huge blow to them. like traumatic event rank S type of thing. when they meet again it's a storm lol

when it comes to Haru's other dreams and goals, i picture them with a business that makes custom clothes, like handmade ones. their side job would be helping out cove with surfing lessons and his business. they like to work with other people and are a fairly good leader, but they dislike doing the simple tasks because they are so boring.

last design notes! so there is yellow and pink, a bit of blue and white, at least in this outfit. yellow, pink and white are their characteristic colours, but green finds it's place here too sometimes (to drive home the spring theme more).

like i mentioned, haru's colour is yellow. it's the colour of sunshine, buttercups, the sand and some birds and fish, and most importantly it's the colour i associate with spring (along with green). haru is a character that represents the late spring, teeming with life and joy, intense in growth and weather, downpours or clear skies alike.

i don't think there is much more to say about the colours in this step, as in my opinion yellow is most significant. pink also connects with haru's acceptance of femininity and figuring out exactly how much they associate with it. and blue is the colour of the sky :)

in step 3 they are at Direct Fond or Crush. I like their energy in relationships with other people :]

Songs:

hey blondie - dominic fike; barbie the album

everybody loves me - onerepublic

never gonna not dance again - p!nk

sick of losing soulmates - dodie

rebel rebel - david bowie

dancing with myself - billy idol

(hey blondie is such a bop holy shit you guys- also very much a haru song <3)

wow i can't believe i actually wrote this. i am very particular about my characters so now that i have this sort of "introduction" for haru posted, i can post other things about them! don't ask me how that works, it has to be chronological

if you've read this thank you very, very much <3 and if you didn't, fair i feel you lol. feel free to ask about them if your heart desires :]

toodles~

[epitomees]

[Happy birthday Sumi!]

It had taken him a bit to figure out something to get her… and to be honest, he still wasn't sure if he had made the right call… but he'd already put it together, so he might as well see if she likes it.

“Hey, Sumi!”

He greeted the girl with a smile, before handing her two carefully wrapped boxes, both somewhat flat, though one was more of a large square, while the other was a long thing rectangle.

“I made you something for your birthday. It's not much, but… I hope you like it.”

The first somewhat larger box had a leotard inside. The fabric was a vibrant purple with an intricate pattern of flowers made up of thin red-ish pink lines, wrapping around it almost like a sash.

“I've been looking into light, stretchy, aerodynamic materials for a completely different project, so I thought I'd try my hand at making this… though Ann helped with the sewing and making sure it was the right size.”

Seriously, the way Ann could just eyeball the exact size someone wore was almost like a superpower of hers.

Inside the second thinner box was a modified rapier, a rather powerful one at that, as well as a long ribbon that seemed to glimmer in the light.

“I got this idea after seeing your routine. By itself it's just your standard rapier, but if you attach the ribbon like this-”

He picked up the sword and ribbon, looping a thin wire through the tip of the blade to attach it to the hidden mechanism inside.

“-then press the button on the hilt-”

The ribbon suddenly came to life, glowing a bright blue as the fabric surged with electricity.

“-and BAM! Now you got an electric whip sword!”

He tapped the button again to turn it off, before removing the ribbon and placing them both back in the box.

“It'll take a bit to get it right, but now you can have a little bit of practice for your routine, even while we're in Mementos!”

Probably not an efficient form of practice, since she's not really supposed to hit things with her ribbon, but it's the thought that counts.

It's difficult mustering up a faux excitement in order to appease family members and close friends, even though the vast majority hadn't bothered showing their ways of appreciation towards today's birthday girl. Parents aside, Sumi didn't expect any extravagant celebrations or overzealous enthusiasm since the majority of immediate family kept to themselves for as long as the red-head can remember. They never bothered sending a simple card, either, just to acknowledge today's importance. It became the norm when the end of March came around again, and it always ended the same. No joy, no elation, nothing different happened.

Just another, unimportant day.

This most recent year, however, presented a slight change in the usual routine. Not only did Sumi's most recent friends spam her phone with text messages, or several cake emojis courtesy of one infectiously energetic blonde delinquent, but her Senpai came prepared with several gifts in tow. As per the Aaron usual. Surprises and spontaneous benevolent gestures were her Senpai's specialty. She couldn't count the numerous times a steamy, hot cup of fresh coffee suddenly appeared by her side when depression took the reigns. Or when they found each other window shopping at the same mall and he kindly offered to take her out for a light lunch. His treat, of course.

Aaron always put her needs, her problems, and her well-being above his own. Though it may sound selfish, Sumi admired how much time he dedicated towards her overall happiness. Even when she fell into recession...

"..oh, you...made these?" It wouldn't matter what Aaron gifted her, be it something handmade or a rushed gift he bought before their planned meetup. Since it came from her senpai, it was rather important to her. No less after the first present rested in her hands did Sumi open up the beautifully wrapped gift, briefly pausing to stare in awe at the first item in his presentation. A brand new leotard, colored in bright cool colors complimenting the elegant floral design. "...you...made this?! For me!?" He stitched this altogether? By hand!? Entirely crafted, sketched, and planned to be used just for her!?

The second present was going to KO the poor girl in an instant. Not only a brand new weapon specifically for her usage, but one that catered towards Sumi's personal interests and abilities. The rapier appeared rather unique and alluring on its own, however the additive ribbon extension sealed this gift as the gymnast's own personalized blade. A weapon to be used by the one and only Violet. That's what Aaron must have had in mind when creating these customized gifts. Something to be used by her.

Something gifted, and made for Sumire. Not Kasumi.

"I'm...I'm not...exactly sure what I should say, Senpai..." His overall excitement, in both preparation for handing over these presents and in explaining their usage, stood out the most. Having someone so thrilled to properly acknowledge today's importance was not a common occurrence in her life. It was welcomed warmly, coupled together with a grateful smile and sprinkles of happy tears. She quickly brushed them aside though, so the moment wouldn't be ruined with a mixture of worry. "This...these are...incredible. Just knowing how much time, effort, patience, and diligence you must have poured into creating something so...remarkable..." Something with her in mind.

"I truly...can only offer you my eternal gratitude." Her arms gingerly wrapped around Aaron's taller frame, embracing him close enough so the newly-formed tears dripped behind him. They were happy tears, paired with a truly happy smile.

"...thank you for making my special day feel special to me."

[nancypullen]

What Was I Thinking?

I ended my last post by saying that I'd be back the next day. What was I thinking? I knew the grandgirl and her staff would be arriving for the weekend and I never touch the blog when they're here. So here I am, two days late. Oops. As always, Little Miss brought magic with her. Here she is (I'm not allowed to show her face) under what she calls the "Trading Tree". It's a big Crape Myrtle surrounded by flowers and shrubs, and it's where she keeps her fairy village.

She tidies up the village and always leaves a present for the fairies. Sometimes it's a flower, sometimes it's a shiny penny, whatever strikes her fancy. In the morning she can't wait to see what the fairies left for her in trade. Amazingly enough, it's always something she likes...little owls, glittery things. She also loves having a cutting garden and filled a vase for our table and made a bouquet to take to her teacher.

So it was all mermaids, fairies, and one very benevolent princess ruling over it all. Kindergarten starts in two weeks and I fear that we'll see less and less of the magic as the school year progresses. It happens. <sniffle>

Back to reality, and Sunday started quietly. This is what I see when I come downstairs in the morning. Leaf shadows through the windows of the front door, dancing on the wall of the entryway. I love it.

A soft start to the day and it seems seems determined to finish that way as well. I went on a housework strike today, I just didn't want to look at a mop or broom or sponge or toilet or dish. I'm hardly cooking. Yesterday's dinner was grilled chicken and we have leftovers, so I'm tossing it on top of salad. Easy peasey.

Earlier today I took an inventory of what clay I had on hand and after lunch we made a run into Easton for a quick pick up of additional colors. I need to spend the next month cranking out cards and earrings. I hope there are enough true crime podcasts to keep me company while I do it. I also need to get the vanity in the Halloween bathroom painted. I want to do it before the flooring goes in on Friday. That way if I dribble anything it's not cause for panic. I always use drop cloths, plastic, tape, and all of that - but it'll still be less to worry about if I just get it done tomorrow. That's the plan. In exciting (to me) news, I found two more prints that would lend themselves very nicely to being spooked up.

This one is at the auction and is sitting at $2. I'd turn it all to autumn, make the cottage witchy, turn the fence gray, and probably put a witch on that bench - maybe she's reading, or maybe she's carving a pumpkin.

I don't care for the frame, but I could always paint it.

I REALLY like this one, but it's on Facebook Marketplace for $10. I don't want to spend $10. I'd have a ball with this one. Imagine that turned into a bustling witch village! Curling glittery smoke coming out of each chimney, autumn colors everywhere, witches strolling about town, maybe even signs on each building - a wand store, apothecary, magic brooms, that sort of thing. Plus, the frame is better.

I may talk myself right into spending ten bucks. Darn it. It really would be fun. I finished the first print, or at least I think it's finished. I added a mouse, tried to tidy up some wonky spots, but didn't do much else. I can always add to it if a brilliant idea strikes. I roughed up that mauve mat and then painted it and added a bit of sparkle. I think I'll paint a little bit of glue on that mat and add cobwebs.

It's not great but the trial run of anything usually isn't. I can improve it. It's already cat approved.

That's my day so far being lazy and being crafty. The timer just dinged to let me know my earrings need to come out of the oven, so I'm off to sand them down and then give them a little gloss. Perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon, don't you think? I hope you're doing something that relaxes you. Get lost in a book, try a new recipe, go for a walk, whatever brings your blood pressure down. Who knows what the week ahead holds, might as well stockpile some zen right now. Better than entering the week all stressed out. Sending all kinds of love and good vibes out, hope they find you. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[lampthehealthminister]

A new beginning starts with a new leaf

Fandom: Genshin Impact

Characters: Al Haitham, Nahida (but only a little bit)

Warnings: Spoilers for Act V of the Sumeru Archon quest :0

-----------

When Al Haitham opens the doors to the Grand Sage's office, he is surprised to find that Lesser Lord Kusanali is not here.

He knows he's on time, because he always is, so the Dendro Archon's absence leaves him perplexed. Usually, when he enters she is sat on a chair, patiently waiting with a smile on her face as always. He quickly thinks over his schedule in his head, and concludes that he did have a meeting today, but still ponders over his Archon's absence. Still, he doesn't stay fixed on the matter, and simply guesses that Lesser Lord Kusanali is late because of some matter unknown to him. So, he decides to just pick up a book off of one of the bookshelves adorning the walls, and sits down to read while he waits.

Nothing stirs for a while as Al Haitham reads. His headset is on, yet no sound reaches his ears. His eyes scan over the text he holds quickly as if he's read it a million times already, yet each word leaves his head just as it enters it. The silence is like a weight, heavy in the hair, but he doesn't stir, and keeps reading instead. Just as he nearly suffocates in the waters of the cloudy sofa he sits in, a soft melody makes itself known. It speaks in gentle phrases, filling every nook and cranny of the room. It pulls Al Haitham up, and his book clatters to the floor. This seems to anger the soft sound, and it turns into a howling, biting wind of chill. It bounces off each wall and hits him directly each time, and his body turns and sways like a fragile flower in a tempest. He removes his headset, choking on the brutality of the element, and collides with the door of the office.

The door opens, and Al Haitham falls out, drowning in the screeching sound. Behind him, the office whirls around itself like a whirl mill, and he smells the fragrance of dandelions as the door traps the room on itself. It screams, it kicks, he can hear it, feel it in the goosebumps across his skin, even. But the sun shines a bright green light around him and he feels his chest tighten on the wild flora of the rainforest. Still the melody rings in his ears, but it is more pleasant now. It's as warm as a benevolent gaze, and as tender as a golden feather. When he looks up, he sees both a comet and a watchful eye. The latter merely stares at him, red glowing gaze dissecting his every body parts, before putting back his heart in his stomach, and his stomach in his head. The former only flees, shy and surprised at the humanly intervention, a golden dream amongst the forest of creatures. It rushes past, and Al Haitham follows the running star. The giant eye watches him.

Al Haitham turns left, right, goes a up a flight of stairs, and then down. He explores every cavity of his brain, guided by the shiny sparkle, a stranger to the neverending green of earth. Everywhere he goes is the same, and yet it's different, like trees in the forest or people in the crowd, or grass in a clearing, or clouds in the sky, or the rays of the sun, or the visions done by gods. When he feels he's reached his breaking point, he meets the inhabitants of the forest. The insects, the birds, the trees, the flowers, the Shroomboars, the mushrooms, the water, the Rishboland tigers, the Aranara, the God of Dendro, and everything else in the world. They are all singing in unison, chanting for the watchful eye, for the comet, for him, for her, for the forest, for living beings, for the divine, for the world, for the nonexistent sky they are seated under, and he feels like he's just interrupted the most beautiful chorus of the world, where all beings unite as one for the stars, and all wishes can become true.

Lesser Lord Kusanali calls out for Al Haitham first, her smile as radiant as the morning sun in the desert, with all of its light reflecting on each sand grain to illuminate the sky. He takes her hand - Had she always been that close? - and he feels nothing. The tension leaves his body, and he seems inhabited by this song he knows nothing about, and yet he knows how to replicate. He sings, but he doesn't hear anything, and yet he knows his headset is on ; he watches, but he doesn't see anything, and yet he knows everyone is here.

"It's the Rhythm of the Great Dream.", she says, her voice distorted by the green, by the chorus, and yet it sounds like a lullaby to his ears, and he almost wants to fall asleep on the spot. "You can hear it now.", she continues, her voice clear like crystal water, and watery like a clear crystal. "You'll learn the melody soon enough."

Lesser Lord Kusanali doesn't speak after that, and the silence is suffocating this time. Al Haitham lacks air, but no one seems to notice. He brings a hand to his throat, but it doesn't reach anything and only grasps at air. He feels his heartbeat ring repeatedly in his head, his blood moves in his veins, and he collapses under the brilliant light of green, surrounded by the existence of what he worships. He hears her laugh beside him, a tinkle-like sound akin to a dance of bubbles, and his chest clears. The grass under him tickles his skin, it moves like rolling waves on the ocean, dragging him along like a forgotten plank of wood, far away from the sturdy and reliable composition of his house. Or perhaps he is on a dune of sand, moving as swiftly as the smallest grain, lost and swallowed in the immensity of wind-swept minerals. It doesn't matter to him, everything has the same texture, everything feels the same at that precise moment ; the sky is like the sea, the grass like the sand, the cobblestones like the rocks, the clouds like the snow, the fire like the light, the darkness like the universe, and everything is everything else and itself at the same time.

Al Haitham feels the gaze of the watchful eye on him yet again. He is alone, faced with what could be his sins, divine knowledge, Azar, or maybe all at once? He doesn't ponder anything, the song - no, the Rhythm of the Great Dream - dancing around in his mind instead, and he closes his eyes.  The wind howls and the plants cry as their leaves fall, but he still doesn't open them. He is an animal in a world of animals. The world tears itself apart under him, for him, around him, in him, but the soft melody of renewal guides him to serenity. He waits patiently for all his senses to come back, for the palace to turn upside down, and he falls, consciously and unconsciously, into the world of the yellow, of the senses and feelings, of smell, touch, taste, vision, hearing. He is no longer in a clearing, but the world is a clearing, filled with all kind of people like trees, and grasses like children, and couples like flowers, and vines like friends, and gods like humans, and beings that exist, no matter what they are.

Still, when Al Haitham opens his eyes, the violent headache that hits him makes him wince. Any normal person would simply stay lying for a while, but he decides to sit up, and black dots fill his vision on top of the pain. A sharp wave of nausea rises up, but he forces it dosn. He feels disoriented, and looks around his room once, twice, thrice to make sure he's in the right place. When he comes to the conclusion that he is, in fact, in his room, he inspects himself. He hesitantly pokes his face, his throat, and when his hand doesn't phase through it, he realizes that he's well and alive, and definitely not dreaming. The thought itself is so unexpected, that he stops, in disbelief. When was the last time he had dreamed? He ponders over the question for a while, but no answer comes to him in his recent years. He only vaguely remembers the fairytales and made up adventures he used to dream of when he was a child, but the Akasha Terminal had prevented him from indulging in the activity, so he has never dreamed again since reaching adulthood.

Weirdly enough, this seems to shake Al Haitham to his core, and he closes his hands out of habit, except an object sits in his right one. As he lifts it up, he realizes it's not an object, but a leaf. It's perfectly green in color, while not being off-putting, and it appears to be in pristine condition. He looks over it, and notices writing on the inside of the leaf ; music notes, he concludes after a closer look. The Rhythm of the Great Dream resonates in his head at that exact moment, and he hums it without thinking as he puts the leaf away in a book. Oddly enough, he doesn't find the apparition of this leaf to be strange, on the contrary, he feels almost comforted by its presence. In the back of his mind, he reminds himself to find a text about music, to try and read the score - And maybe play it? - so that he can really participate in the singing in his dream next time.

When Al Haitham sees Lesser Lord Kusanali later in the day, he doesn't ask her anything, but the knowing smile she gives him is everything he needs to understand.

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

I have no explanation for this other than the fact that Sumeru's population rediscovering dreams must have been wild

[rcsetnted]

i am done with my graceless heart , so tonight i’m gonna cut it out & then restart !

( courtney eaton / 25 / cis woman / she/her ) — did you see HOPE MERCER’S TRUSTED CONFIDANT, FELICITY KAIHE, wandering around the mercer hollow today? i heard around town that the DRIVE - IN MOVIE ATTENDANT / COLLEGE STUDENT is EFFERVESCENT, and OPTIMISTIC, but also FANCIFUL, and CLINGY. people say that they remind them of CARRYING YOUR HEART ON YOUR SLEEVE, LAUGHTER LIKE SODAPOP, and THE FLUTTER OF BUTTERFLY WINGS, but how well can you ever really know someone in mercer hollow?

𝑩𝑨𝑺𝑰𝑪 𝑰𝑵𝑭𝑶𝑹𝑴𝑨𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵 . 

FULL NAME: felicity grace kaihe . MEANING: happiness / good fortune , luck . NICKNAME(S): fee , fliss , fifi , flick . AGE: twenty-five . DATE OF BIRTH: april 29th . ZODIAC: taurus sun , leo moon , cancer rising . HOMETOWN: mercer hollow , born & raised . GENDER: cis woman . PRONOUNS: she / her . ORIENTATION: pansexual . RELATIONSHIP STATUS: single . EDUCATION: finished high school , college student ( fine arts & education major , wants to become an art teacher ) . OCCUPATION: drive in attendant @ hermie’s . LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: lives at her childhood home with her family. had plans to move away, now stalled by hope’s death .

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

𝑨𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑯𝑬𝑻𝑰𝑪𝑺 . 

wishing on dandelions even though they’re weeds, being the sunshine in everyone else’s life, voice as sweet as honey, loud laughter than can be picked out anywhere, bare feet running through dewy morning grass, reminding everyone to wear a coat, flowers pressed between the pages of your diary, twirling around until you’re dizzy, heart shaped locket hanging from your neck, messy hair in the wind, embroidered jeans, always finding the silver lining, hello kitty bandaids always in your purse, wishing on every first star you see, polaroid pictures scattered on the floor .

FACECLAIM: courtney eaton . HAIR: long dark hair. she always has a shampoo & conditioner that match the scent of her body wash / perfume. loves clips and scrunchies, anything to add colour. she was the kid that knew how to braid and would always do everyone else’s hair. is one of those people that will put her hair up and then immediately pull bits out . EYE COLOUR: brown . HEIGHT: 5’10 . STYLE: she has a very cutesy style. lots of pink, lots of fuzzy. loves skirts & sun dresses. lots of crop tops. she’s the girl that you feel cold just looking at her in winter. had a jacket but has already given it to someone else because they didn’t bring one. 90% of her jackets are oversized so she can lend them to anyone, not just people her size. she’s mostly a natural makeup girlie. the clean girl aesthetic?? she eats that UP but she will do fun eyeshadow looks with bright colours for special occasions / when she’s going out. she’s an art student! how could you expect her to not paint little pictures on her face ? USUAL EXPRESSION: doe eyes ; a smile always on glossed lips .  

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

𝑷𝑬𝑹𝑺𝑶𝑵𝑨𝑳𝑰𝑻𝒀 . 

LABEL: the pollyanna . i will expand here, trust me . TV TROPES: wide eyed idealist , all loving hero , beware the nice ones , the confidant , nice girl , undying loyalty , the heart , good is not dumb . POSITIVE TRAITS: affable , benevolent , gentle , compassionate , effervescent , magnanimous , optimistic . NEGATIVE TRAITS: naive , clingy , airy , meek, circumspect , trusting , timid , meddlesome . MBTI: enfp . ALIGNMENT: lawful good .

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

𝑩𝑨𝑪𝑲𝑮𝑹𝑶𝑼𝑵𝑫 . 

overall, felicity has a positive home life. her parents are still married & still very much in love ( as far as she knows 👀 ? ) . she has a very idealistic, almost fairytale idea of romance because of them. they are very comfortable middle class. they aren’t one of the richest families in mercer hollow, but fliss has never had to worry about where her next meal would come from or if they could afford new clothes. she is the mom friend, one thousand percent. a soft girl & she’s proud of it ! she believes that no one is beyond a second chance and that people that are rude just need extra nurturing / patience. flip side: she’s too naive & trusting. more tba but i’m posting so i can do a little plotting.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

𝑬𝑻𝑪 . 

HABITS: humming whatever song is stuck in her head , bouncing her legs when nervous , rubbing people’s backs when they hug ( bonus : squeezing before she pulls away ) , ignoring her own feelings in favour of someone else’s , keeps multiple eyeliners and lipstick shades in her purse for anyone else that needs touch ups . SKILLS: pottery girlie , scrapbooking , cross stitching / knitting , loves to rollerskate , has always wanted to do the resin art that got really popular but never followed through . LIKES: fresh fruit , band-aids with cute patterns on them , teamwork , watching the sunrise , candles , a pretty pink blush , cooking & baking for others , clear yet scented lip gloss . DISLIKES: kindness mistaken for weakness , bullying , taking advantage of those vulnerable around you , making others feel stupid for being excited about something , people raising their voices at her .

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑵𝑬𝑪𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑺 . 

WITH HOPE: trusted confidant . hope mercer was a prominent figure in town, despite being just a girl. felicity shared many classes with hope and though they weren’t best friends, they had never been anything but friendly. their families both had roots planted firmly in mercer hollow, they had known each other since they were children. even if hope only really spent time with felicity when she wanted to talk shit, she held hope’s secrets close to her chest. felicity would give her best advice and not hold it against hope when she saw her going directly against what she had said. the next time hope was calling, she’d pick up with no hard feelings. FRIENDS: tba . ENEMIES: tba . ROMANTIC: tba . WANTED CONNECTIONS: tba .

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

[columboscreens]

Do you think Columbo is/was queer-coded? I do, and I will not elaborate.

lucky for you, i will!

let me preface this post with this: from what i've gathered, there's a pretty widespread notion today that columbo is some flavor of on-the-spectrum.

one, nothing wrong with me. two, nothing wrong with me. three...something wrong with me...

i doubt much of it was intentional, if at all. lots of old-timer fans will scowl at you if you suggest this sort of thing, but his hyperfixation, distractibility, various sensitivities, etc. all sort of compound in the eyes of today's sensibilities.

gee i wonder why

the science behind mental health is still very young and ever-changing. today, we call a presentation like this neurodivergence. tomorrow, perhaps something else.

but yesterday, very few people called it much of anything. at the risk of armchairing and perhaps pathologizing, i'll just say that some of what writers decades ago thought were quirks, some of what peter falk may have thought were just his own idiosyncrasies ("there's always a part of me that's on the moon"), could now be considered hallmarks of what some call ADHD and autism spectrum behaviors. incidentally, while ADHD and ASD manifest in countless different ways and in different capacities, a large corpus of study is beginning to compound showing the high comorbidity of the two.

well, that's all well and good ms. columboscreens, but surely you've belabored a moot point. we get it, columbo's Weird. what's that got to do with him flirting with the murderer?

a lot, apparently. shocker: research suggests that individuals on the spectrum are nearly 1.5x as likely to be queer.

now we've touched on an area of pertinence: if columbo is in fact "neurodivergent", specifically on the spectrum, then he is statistically more likely to not be completely straight. i've talked about his gender expression here and have been quoted in slate speaking to it. he's a masculine man who loves sports, beer, cars, women, and spaghetti westerns; he is confident, capable, protective, carries a knife, and embodies the highest virtues of stoicism.

yet he's also very gentle, nurturing, empathetic, and intuitive; he loves children, flowers, cooking, fashion, and shopping. columbo is a pillar of traditional western masculinity, but somehow also embodies many tenets of traditional femininity. he is mind and heart wed, recognizing that neither logic nor emotion is more important than the other, that both together are greater than the sum of their parts, and never solely ascribing either quality to either gender.

so for a man old enough to have perhaps gotten a WWII draft slip, he is very well-adjusted and in touch with himself. there is no doubt that he benefits from being a man, but defines that manlihood for himself, and he has very little of the pretensions typical of his generation. he transcends traditional gender roles, skillfully defuses conflict with black and queer people who anticipate brutality from him as a police officer, and takes a chivalrous yet distcintly egalitarian approach to the opposite sex.

when handling women, there are times when columbo will overstep his chivalry and act with benevolent sexism, most commonly by playing into notions of female vanity, emotionality, or fragility. however, keep in mind that these behaviors are almost always solely for the benefit of lulling his female suspects into a false sense of security--he never for a second considers them lesser or incapable, on the contrary. for an excellent breakdown of columbo's treatment of women (amongst other things!), see berzsenyi's columbo: a rhetorical inquiry with resistant responders.

point being, columbo is anomalous and anachronistic in so many ways that it's hard for me to not think of him as perhaps at least a little bit fruity.

happy pride, folks

now, people who don't even watch the show know that columbo loves his wife. he's obviously fond of women; it's well-known that peter falk loved practically every woman on this planet to a very real fault. and since falk and columbo are such intertwined entities, it's not an unreasonable assumption to make that columbo likes the ladies.

despite that, he has no problem getting handsy with men; he hugs, kisses, touches, cuddles with them. of course, male affection shouldn't be read as inherently homoerotic, and when this closeness isn't part of his plan to make the suspect uncomfortable, it simply demonstrates how self-assured columbo is.

xoxoxo~

in reality, most sensual of all is oddly enough the chase itself. i think there is really something to be said for the eye contact, the touch, the way columbo toys with his suspective men--particularly the ones with whom he builds a close rapport. it's not overtly romantic, but it is tangibly unique, suggestive, wrapped up in the games he plays. there is Subtext. the gotchas especially are often full of this sort of tension that seems to, at times, veer into this vaguely sexual realm. it's essentially a courtship, except instead of getting married at the end, he gets down on one knee and arrests you.

my god, i could write a whole post on just these two. watch this particular episode's final twenty minutes and tell me it isn't as close to sexual metaphor as columbo gets

tl;dr columbo as a middle-aged straight cis man is somehow better queer neurodivergent representation than what they churn out today. go figure

[dawn-moths]

“Silk robes & Jasmine tea”

Zhongli x Female Reader

word count: 9,000+

(You’ve been living with Zongli for some time now but still feel like there’s so much you don’t know about the man you love. One morning, after discovering him discussing business with a member of the Fatui, you find yourself with even more questions about who— or perhaps what— Zhongli really is. But your lover is quick to distract you with all the luxuries Liyue has to offer, keeping you tucked away in this world of wealth and perfection he’s surrounded you with. Still though, once the shimmering haze of opulence begins to fade, you can only hope that Zhongli knows what he’s getting himself— and you, by association— into.)

disclaimer/content warning: 18+ content! minors dni! fluff and smut, Childe makes a cameo, Zhongli has lowkey sugar daddy vibes, size kink, mention of virginity loss, oral (giving and recieving), Zhongli is mostly sweet to you but gets a little rough during sex sometimes, you and Zhongli are just so devoted to each other like this is some “till death do us part” kind of romance, almost 5,000 words of this is smut, again sorry if not everything is congruent to lore.

*ao3 mirror*

***

Golden sunlight spills in from the bedroom windows, one of the embroidered curtains drawn back from the tall, wide panes of spotless glass and allowing the luminescence to blanket over your resting form from where you lay tangled among the many layers of silk sheets. You begin to stir, eyelids fluttering and a soft groan humming in your throat as you stretch, wincing with slight pain as the previous night returns to you in quick bursts of color— the cool shades of twilight contrasting with the honey warm glow of your lover’s gaze as he filled your entire being with so much pleasure you could’ve drowned in it.

Zhongli always tried to be careful with you, treat you as delicately as possible like the beautiful silk flower you were, but even he couldn’t control himself sometimes. For as refined and gentlemanly as he carried himself towards outsiders, there was a beast beneath the benevolence.

A beast that only you could satisfy.

You didn’t necessarily mind though. For as much as you appreciated his gentle care and loving caress, you equally enjoyed his rougher side as well— the way he could pin both your wrists over your head with one massive fist, sucking bruises into your tender flesh as his hips snapped relentlessly against your inner thighs, forcing those adorably delectable moans and whimpers to spill from you with every thrust.

For such a common occurrence, every time with him still found a way to make itself new, to reignite your desire for one another— your need— until the passion evolved into a wildfire, consuming you both in its saccharine heat.

However now, as you rolled over to cuddle back up to your love on his side of the bed, you found him missing, the silk sheets gone cold from the absence of his warmth. Usually, after such a long love making session, Zhongli tended to sleep in just as late as you, sometimes even later, both of you rising closer to the afternoon hours. But today he was already up and about.

Perhaps he’s gone to put on the tea, you reasoned with yourself, sitting up in bed and absentmindedly combing your fingers through the gentle tangles forming in your hair, gazing out the window at the sky and the city that sat beneath it for a little while until you realized just how much time was getting away from you.

When you figured that Zhongli probably wasn’t going to return anytime soon, you wrapped yourself up in one of his many silk robes, pulling the material tighter around your shoulders and chest as a light shiver scurried over your skin, and emerged from the master bedroom, the double, gold embellished doors baring sculptures of dragons— the biggest and most prominent one being the Geo Archon, Morax— curling over the polished wood slowly sweeping closed soundlessly behind you.

As your little feet made light pitter-patters down the stairs and over the cold marble floors, you began to hear the quiet mingling of voices echoing from down the long hallway leading to the main living room. One was the deep, rich lilt of Zhongli— a sound that could always bring you comfort or excite butterflies fluttering in the pit of your stomach— but the other voice was one you didn’t recognize.

“…assure you the trade will be fully worth your while,” the unfamiliar tone promised with a practiced kind of cheeriness, “you have my word.”

The closer you approached, the better you could make out what was being said, steps slowing as you tried to catch more of the conversation yet feet still carrying you nearer to hear every last detail.

“And what will she do with it,” Zhongli asked, his tone sounding different than you were used to, all of his kindness turned to something harsh and demanding, the warm, lazy-dripping honey hardening into cold, jagged gemstone. “Once she has it, won’t she just continue to terrorize the other nations?”

You stopped short.

What could he possibly be referring to? And who was this person Zhongli was having such a serious conversation with?

“Why she wants it is as much a mystery to me as it is to you,” the stranger sighed, his confusion just dramatic enough to almost read as a cover up for a lie. “But I think the more important matter here is that she can give you what you want. And, at the end of the day, what is all of this other than just another contract?”

Inching closer, you could just barely peer around the archway that led into the room, catching sight of your lover, who hadn’t seemed to notice you yet.

Zhongli was already dressed for the day, the silky robe that billowed behind him like liquid gold as he paced the mansion halls in the morning traded for the many layers of his more formal attire, his long hair tied back with his favorite amber accessory and laying perfectly as it tended to do. Sitting on the opposite facing couch, however, was a tousled mass of auburn hair and grey clothing, a splash of red snaking over the stranger’s shoulders.

“You know she’s the only one who could ever fulfill a wish as grand as yours, right?” the unfamiliar visitor continued, baiting Zhongli on to something, but what exactly you still did not understand. It was when you saw Zhongli’s expression darken into something borderline dangerous that you truly felt fear at witnessing this interaction.

“I understand,” Zhongli replied. “I still require some time to think things over, however—”

Amidst their serious conversation, you tried to step back and press your back to the wall so you could listen in under more cover, but Zhongli caught sight of you just before you could continue to eavesdrop, one of those calm smiles upturning his lips as his gaze fell upon you and softened back into a look befitting of the man you loved. “Ah…” he began, the stranger whose back was facing you now turning halfway to glance over his shoulder at the unexpected visitor. “You’re awake.”

“I-I didn’t mean to—” interrupt, you were going to say, but Zhongli beckoned you further into the room with the assurance that everything was alright.

And you hesitated. Not because you thought you’d be in trouble for catching the confidential details at the end of a business meeting, but because of the way the ginger-haired young man studied you with that piercing blue stare of his. It was predatory— like some vicious condor locking in on its quarry before making the dive down to sink its sharp talons in deep.

Despite the fact that he was grinning, there was something about him that you didn’t trust, the expression forced and cold. You made sure to walk around the side of the couch opposite to where he was perched, his stare and suspicious smirk following you all the way to where you curled up next to Zhongli on the opposite facing sofa.

As he combed his long fingers gently through your hair, Zhongli took the opportunity to introduce you to his “friend”, “business partner”, whoever this intimidating and unfamiliar man was.

“Darling, this is Childe,” he began, your gaze flicking back to the guest across from you for a mere moment before returning to hiding in the safety of your lover’s embrace.

“A Harbinger of the Fatui,” Childe added gleefully, giving you a nod. “Nice to meet you!”

Your eyes widened a fraction then, flashing a look of fear at the Fatui before meeting the soothing amber of Zhongli’s gaze with confusion and concern. Because why would Zhongli need to be associating with someone like him? Was he in some kind of trouble? Were you, by association?

“The two of us were just coming to…” Zhongli hesitated for a moment, searching his mind for the right words as he and Childe locked eyes. “…a trade agreement,” he settled on, then quickly changed the subject by asking you, “Are you hungry? The tea should still be hot.” It sounded more like he was brushing it off, but you could try and fish for answers later. For you, it was still too early for this. So you shook your head, that minute expression satisfying your lover’s need for an answer.

Zhongli began to give Childe the usual formal farewells, all the while not seeming to notice— or at least, not seeming to mind— the way the Harbinger’s stare slowly swept up and down your figure, eyes hungry for something that you hoped was just in your imagination. You pulled the robe tighter around yourself and curled up even closer to Zhongli, suddenly feeling exposed.

“Well then!” Childe beamed as he stood from the couch and prepared to take his leave. “I look forward to doing business with you!” He then glanced your way, giving you a wink and adding on through a mischievous chuckle as he said what you were sure was meant to be directed more at Zhongli despite the deliberate eye contact made with you, “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again very soon.”

Zhongli walked him out, the two of them muttering and whispering some last minute comments you couldn’t hear until the unsettling stranger disappeared behind the grand entrance doors. You’d hung back, half hidden behind one of the mansion’s arches further down the hall and looking over at Zhongli with those puppy dog eyes of yours. 

You wished he’d just tell you something— anything— regarding his life before the two of you had met. But Zhongli was as good at deflecting probing questions as he was at keeping secrets, and anytime you’d tried to press he’d just given some vague reply about how “everyone has a past” or some such about running off to Liyue to “start a new life” before distracting you with something shiny and new for a little while.

But the cycle would always inevitably repeat, your curiosity always rising back to the surface no matter how far into the trenches Zhongli thought his expensive gifts could sink it.

He couldn’t help but give a bittersweet sigh as he turned and saw you, elegantly striding to meet you once more and slipping an arm around your waist, hugging you closer to his side as the two of you began to migrate towards the dining room. “What ever is the matter, my love?” he asked, the question sincere yet concerned.

“Nothing, it’s just…” you mumbled, little fingers nervously fidgeting with the tassels on the belt of the robe. “Why would the Fatui…?” need to be in contact with you? What do they want with you? Why was one just sitting so casually in our home? Are you going to be ok? Are we? You had so many inquiries yet none seemed to be able to form as words.

Zhongli kissed the top of your head, stroking his thumb along your hip through the thin fabric of the robe as he once again assured you that you had nothing to worry about, then changing the subject to distract you with the day’s itinerary, which would involve some of your most favorite things— shopping and nice restaurants and gorgeous views— only the best that Liyue had to offer as you and your lover walked arm in arm.

“So why don’t you go and get dressed…” he suggested with a kind smile, carefully taking your face in his hands and gazing into your eyes with all the adoration in the world, “And then we shall go out and enjoy ourselves, yes?”

At this, you decided to let the morning’s Fatui incident drift to the back of your mind and instead opted to focus on the day’s more alluring activities. You put on your favorite outfit, styled your hair to lay perfectly, and met Zhongli back downstairs where he was sipping at his third cup of tea that morning as the blown glass chandelier in the shape of the Geo Archon danced above his head, small amber light refractions scattered about the room as a glint of sunlight kissed the twisting sculpture.

“How do I look?” you asked as you gave a twirl, Zhongli taking in your appearance and gracing you with another one of those soft smiles you loved to see him wear, especially when you knew that you were the cause of such gentle joy.

“Absolutely exquisite, my dear,” he complimented pleasantly, standing from his seat to approach you, brushing back a strand of hair that had come loose during your spin and tucking it behind your ear. “Now, are you ready to go?”

You nodded, your grin one of building excitement, the kind that crept into your glittering eyes, and then, with your arm interlocked with his, you and Zhongli left the ornate comforts of the mansion and began your stroll towards the streets of Liyue.

And thus, the cycle began once more.

***

Zhongli had spent six thousand years wandering this earth.

Six thousand years to discover every beautiful flower and enchanting sunset and glittering jewel.

But still, even with an abundance of lifetimes and the pleasures that he’d witnessed within them, the day he spotted you he’d realized that he’d never experienced true beauty before then.

Even from all the way up in the heavens where only gods could reach, Morax noticed you as clearly as brilliant noctilucous jade illuminating a darkened cavern, his golden gaze glazing over with this sudden urge— this sudden want— to collect you for his own before anyone else could claim such a rarity for themselves.

And so the Archon was drawn down from his ethereal perch, forced to take on a lesser human form, in the eyes of the other gods, but willing to trade all his power and status just to walk beside you. Perhaps you were an adeptus— he speculated as he got closer, weaving in and out of the afternoon crowds to chase his sudden desire— because how could a mere human appear so perfect?

And you, so unaware of the effect you had on him, this tall, handsome man who was nothing but a stranger before that day, a face you would’ve noticed no doubt, but perhaps forgotten overtime if not made proper introduction.

You, who had simply been going about your daily errands, stolling with grace and leisure without a care in the world.

You, who’d apologized so sweetly when you’d backed away from a window where you’d been admiring a newly tailored dress by your favorite designer who you could only dream of affording only to bump into something warm and firm.

“It’s quite alright,” Zhongli had assured you once you turned and met eyes, your face beginning to burn the moment you saw him. “The fault is mine, I assure you.” He’d extended a gloved hand, the gesture gentle and inviting. “Won’t you tell me your name?” 

As you answered, you’d lightly placed your own hand in his, and, while you’d at first expected him to shake it like you saw so many business men doing with each other on the daily around the city of contracts, you instead released a small, quiet gasp when the beautiful man bowed his head, lightly clasping your dainty little hand and pressing a soft kiss to the top of it.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he grinned, his smile soft yet sincere. “My name is…” He’d hesitated a moment, just long enough to think but not so much so as to draw any suspicions from you. “My name is Zhongli.”

And so you’d then become formally acquainted, and the man who might’ve once just been an attractive stranger pacing the streets with undefined purpose became Zhongli, a gentleman who you often found yourself running into whenever you took an outing in the busier parts of town.

He’d accompany you on your errands sometimes, remember things you’d mentioned you liked when you spotted them in passing and then surprising you later on with those gifts, anything to show you— to prove— that his intentions were pure and true, and that, if you’d have him, he’d like to make you his, and in return he would become yours as well.

There were extravagant trips across neighboring nations and fancy dinners and lavish clothing— all these luxurious gifts showered over you before you could even find the time to dream them up.

And then he’d invited you to come live with him, luring the glittering jewel he so desired right into his cave to collect the treasure once and for all. But he loved you. And you loved him. So of course you’d said yes. The word had rolled off your tongue before any ounce of logic could intervene. But Zhongli did not intend to keep you like a bird in a beautiful cage. He was simply just protective over his precious treasure, wanted to ensure that you were safe and happy at all times.

After the shimmering, golden haze of your new life had dulled a little, you’d realized that everything comes with a price, even if money never seemed to be an object to someone like Zhongli.

So what was the catch, you sometimes wondered, what was the debt that was going to be due?

It became apparent that the currency of secrets and information held much more weight than Mora did, for Zhongli knew almost everything about you, yet you felt like you’d barely scratched the surface on who he was, what he’d been through in his life up until now.

You could easily gather simple facts, like how silk robes and jasmine tea were just commonplace in the ornate mansion you now called your home, or that Zhongli had a habit of taking a long, hot bath at the end of the day if he was feeling particularly stressed. You knew he was a trusted consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, but whenever you asked to know more about the responsibilities that the title required, he always gave a vague answer or just changed the subject.

You knew there must be more to it than he was letting on, and that, whatever it was, it provided more than enough funds to live this kind of lifestyle. Anytime you mentioned anything about money, even just the innocent wondering of how much something cost in one of the high end stores you two were so used to frequenting by now, Zhongli would always just remind you not to worry about it.

“There’s no need to look at price tags,” he’d told you time and time again. “Money is no object to me and I don’t want you to feel like it should be to you either.”

Again, it was easy to just bat your eyes and smile sweetly and forget about the fact that, even with such pretty, reassuring words, everything has a cost. Most of the time, that’s just what you did, at least in the moment. It would only be afterward, oftentimes when you were laying in bed beside him late at night, unable to sleep as the doubts came creeping in, that you’d realize that his lack of explanation for so many things bothered you.

But he was so sweet to you. He was always thinking of you. He had this awkward sort of charm that you knew was reserved only for private moments between the two of you when his pristine facade faltered just enough to let something a little more real shine through.

Zhongli only ever wanted to make you happy, to take the very best care of you, to reward his perfect little princess with any and everything she could ever want because, for him, your debt had already been paid.

All Zhongli had ever wanted was to love someone who loved him in return, and you’d given him that long ago.

So yes, while there was indeed a price to be paid for everything, that price perhaps was not always something that needed to be taken in order to be fulfilled, but given instead. And you were more than capable of giving all of your love to the man you truly wished to spend the rest of your life with— however short in the terms of an Archon’s experience may it be.

***

As the sun set over Liyue, pantones of peach and pearl swaying over the gentle ebb and flow of the ocean’s waves across the harbor, you and Zhongli returned home. Half of your shopping bags hung from one of your arms, the others dangling from his grasp, allowing both of your free hands to remain clasped together until he broke the touch to hold the front door open for you.

“After you, my love,” he smiled, voice calm and even like always. You hummed out a delighted giggle and walked past him, replying with a sweet and timid “thank you” before setting your bags down by the staircase and waiting for Zhongli to come inside.

As he approached you, you expected him to set the rest of your bags down and suggest you two migrate into the living room for more conversation and perhaps another cup of tea, but instead he grabbed up the bags you’d set down and started up the stairs, glancing over his shoulder at you when he didn’t hear you following and saying, “Come, now, darling. I have a surprise for you.”

Excitement and curiosity filled your chest, a beaming smile lighting up on your face as you ran up the stairs to catch up with him.

“What is it?” you asked with innocent enthusiasm. You knew he wasn’t going to tell you yet you could never resist trying to pry anyway.

Zhongli cracked a small grin and hummed a low, pleasant note. “You’ll just have to wait and see, won’t you?”

Once he pushed the doors of the master bedroom open, however, you had the answer to your question. Your eyes went wide, glee glittering in your gaze as you stepped towards the bed to get a better look.

“But when did you—” have time to set all this up?

“Do you like it?” your lover asked, gently resting his arm around your waist, a gloved thumb stroking tenderly at your hip and sending you back to this morning for a moment.

“Do I like it? I…” You looked from him to the bed back to him again, the incredulous expression painted across your pretty face bringing slight amusement to Zhongli, causing him to stifle a calm chuckle. A big, beaming smile spread across your lips once more, a giggle as delicate and beautiful as the jingle of bells bubbling up in your throat. “Can I try it on?”

“It’d be a shame not to, don’t you think?” Zhongli gestured towards the bed where your gift lay spread across the silk sheets, the skirt of the dress you’d been eyeing dreamily a few months back— the one you’d given up on owning once you noticed the intricate and elegant garment absent from the prestigious dress shop’s front window— splayed perfectly in all it’s warm gold and rust and umber shades.

One of the reasons you’d admired it so much was because it reminded you of Zhongli.

“Look!” you’d pointed out as you two passed the window, halting to a stop before the fashion that captivated you. “It matches you!”

Zhongli had studied the dress, his fingers gently gripping his chin in thought as his amber eyes contemplated the hand stitched embroidery and ornate beaded designs adoring the fabric— a wearable piece of art.

“Yes…” he’d nodded pensively. “I suppose it does…”

The two of you had continued on walking then, you glancing over your shoulder a few times to catch a fleeting glimpse of the gorgeous dress growing smaller and smaller in your vision.

You’d sulked a little when you noticed it gone on your next outing, though eventually were able to convince yourself you had more than enough pretty dresses already filling your closet. Never would you have thought the reason it was missing was because Zhongli had bought it. He’d been saving it for a special occasion, really waiting for this particular bought of business he’d been dealing with as of late to pass so he could return to focusing on you, but after the morning’s meeting with Childe, Zhongli figured now was as good a time as any.

“May I?” he asked, placing a hand lovingly on the small of your back and looking from you to the dress. You felt your cheeks heat and a shy smile crook up on your glossy lips. He was asking if he could dress you. You loved it when he did that. You felt so taken care of, so pampered— his most special, favorite little doll.

“Of course,” you nodded, sitting on the end of the king sized bed so you were positioned a little higher off the ground, allowing him easier access to unbutton the shiny cor lapis clasps that fastened the front of your current garment together. They glimmered honey bright, just like Zhongli’s entrancing eyes.

Once he slid the sheer, flowing sleeves from your shoulders, Zhongli helped you step out of your skirt, carefully peeling off your stockings and untying your shoes, folding and placing all your clothing neatly on the chest that sat at the end of the bed where blankets and pillows transformed it into a makeshift bench.

He couldn’t help but appreciate you the way you looked now— in nothing but the expensive satin and lace lingerie that hugged the soft curves of your breasts and hips, this set an alluring shade of merigold.

Something in Zhongli’s usually stoic disposition shifted, his mouth falling slightly open as if realizing a mild epiphany. His hands fell upon your shoulders, his light grasp engulfing your form, fingertips grazing over your collarbones, tracing over the delicate lines of you and landing over your fluttering heartbeat.

You watched him closely, noticed the way he appeared to worship you like you, yourself, were a rare work of art.

To him, you were.

He knew there had never been one before you, and that there would never be another after, who captivated him in this way, caused him to experience such intricate emotions that made him feel all the more human.

To love someone is to cherish them. To come to know every flaw yet still choose to view them as perfection. To be willing to make the greatest sacrifices for them no matter the cost. That, Zhongli had learned, was true devotion.

As a mortal, you were imperfect by nature, you’d heard people say. You knew this about yourself the same as most humans did, whether they chose to lean into or ignore those specific cracks and tears in their own flesh and minds.

Zhongli had been a god, once. Still was, in your eyes— a benevolent being to be worshiped and respected for all he did for you. And while you weren’t aware that the man you shared a bed with, who surrounded you with all of the finest things in Teyvat and revered you as his own divine deity, was one of the Seven Archons, the way you looked at him— whether in the silver moonlight or the early, golden hours of dawn— made him feel holier than even the most devoted of disciples.

He pulled his touch back from you just long enough to remove his rings and peel off his gloves, setting them on the chest beside your clothes and flexing his fingers before caressing the sides of your arms once more.

“Perhaps… Before we get you dressed again…” Zhongli began, words steady and serene, gaze tracking from where his bare touch rested upon you, traveling across your chest, along your neck, then landing to meet your awaiting eyes. He cracked an apologetic grin. “Forgive me, my love… But I’m afraid I just can’t help myself…”

He leaned forward slowly, his lips merely ghosting yours before you pressed into the kiss a little more, the taste of him still unlike anything you could compare it to.

There were hints of his preferred tea, yet something smokey and earthy mingled in with the subtle sweetness.

It was uniquely his, the same way the flavor of your kiss was uniquely yours.

Zhongli lifted you from the bed, firm hands secured under the plush of your thighs as strong arms cradled you, carrying you around to the other side of the bed so as to not disturb where your gift patiently waited to be worn. He lowered you back down to the bed, the fluffy goose-down enveloping you— a pillowy nest of leisure and comfort or the perfect pedestal for love-making.

He leaned down over you, deepening the kiss as he cradled your face in both his palms, touch so tender and vigilant as if he were handling a newly bloomed silk flower, petals fragile. Vulnerable.

In the beginning, it was something Zhongli was constantly reminded of— just how delicate you were compared to him, how weak human beings could truly be.

He knew what would happen if he gave in to his more primal desires, allowing the rougher parts of him— the ones that had sharp teeth and glinting scales, razor talons and a bellowing roar— to slip into the routine the two of you had built over time.

He’d scare you away.

He’d risk losing you.

He’d return to being the lonely Archon, damned to wander the rest of his eternity in a solemn isolation.

So he tried to hold back.

He tried to retain this facade of mortality for the sake of his most precious treasure.

The first time you’d given yourself to him, decided that you would be his if he would be yours, Zhongli had been terrified.

Because what if he hurt you?

What if he couldn’t control himself once he was inside such a tight, wet, warm place and got carried away? Became selfish?

For the Geo Archon, sexual desire had never been something he’d had much time to indulge in.

There was always work to be done. Always a new contract to sign. A war to be fought. Territory to be conquered or protected. Enemies to eradicate or imprison.

He’d divulged only when it became absolutely necessary, when the urge began to distract him from his duties.

But every partner before you had also contained the blood of a god in some capacity, whether by equal power or lesser than his own status, but never a human. Never a girl with a smile like the break of dawn’s light and the kind of careless laughter that came with not knowing the true atrocities the world could behold.

He’d known upon first contact that you were worth protecting. That the velvety softness of your skin, the way your body bent and arched to his touch, the lilting mewl of your delectable moans, the adorable way in which you trembled in his arms— all of it was reserved just for him. His eyes and ears and touch. Only for him, forever and for always.

The man would move heaven and earth for you, reshape mountains in your image just to bestow your beauty upon the lands that he’d come to know, the lands he’d watched rise and fall and rise again through the passing centuries.

It was truly one of the world’s wonders, Zhongli thought, how someone so small could grant him a pleasure so great, could make him forsake his supreme power to walk beside you and experience life at the same pace as you.

And even now, after so many times of holding your wrists in his firm yet tenderly attentive grip, pressing your form down further into the mattress, swallowing your meek little whimpers and whines with another languid yet passionate kiss, Zhongli knew that he’d never get tired of this.

He wished there was some way to preserve you for centuries like he’d lose the ability to upkeep in just a few short days, immortality disappearing like a coin of Mora tossed into the harbor, gold sinking down into the blackened depths of the lapping sea until it was lost to the salty waves.

But because you didn’t have such an option, Zhongli had taken it upon himself to reverse his own lifespan, placing a limit on the years that had once simply felt like days.

He wondered if the sunsets would last a little longer, appear just that much more vibrant, now that the number of them he had left to witness was fleeting.

“Zhongli…” you murmured in that sweet, soft little voice of yours, exhaling out a shuddering breath as his mouth sucked gently at the tender flesh of your throat, tongue teasing at a slow blooming bruise, nursing at the darkening spot as he savored the salt on your skin.

He pressed his lips to your ear after kissing your temple, whispering in that low tone that made you melt, the thick, sticky desire heating from within you and coating your insides with sugary lust, dripping through your veins like an arousing elixir.

He asked, “What is it, my love?” as you felt his hands sliding from your wrists to travel up the underside of your arms, making you let out another satisfied sigh at the sensitive touch, his fingertips grazing down the peak of your breasts, feeling your stiffened buds beneath the fabric of your bra, teasing at your ribs where he knew made you squirm before migrating back upward to knead at your chest.

“Love you…” you barely muttered before he had you gasping, the rush of cold air over your exposed breasts sending a chill through you after he removed your bra. That too was placed aside with care, as Zhongli knew how much you valued your things.

They had all been gifts from him, at one point or another, and whether the oldest item of your collection or the newest object of affection, you regarded them all with equal importance and consideration.

“And I love you…” he replied, shrugging off his coat and dropping it to the floor, quickly loosening his tie to pull over his head, “more than you’ll probably ever know.”

He climbed up onto the bed to reposition himself over you, shedding his shirt to expose the pale expanse of his toned chest.

Your eager little hands reached for him, grabbing with want— with need— to feel the enveloping warmth of his body on yours again. There were fires burning within both of you, the flames flickering and dancing through every shaky breath or bout of panting that puffed out from either of your lungs.

He placed a knee between your legs as your thighs attempted to clench together, anything to give just an ounce of satiation to your aching core. You knew it would be worth the wait. It always was. But Zhongli had a habit of making it last, as he seemed to do with most things.

His way of savoring things had become a thorough process with you, having long abandoned the rapid rate at which he’d once been keen to chase his pleasure.

You continued to reach for him, little hands trying to palm towards where you could see his length straining against his trousers.

“Zhongli, pleeeeeaaaase…” you whined, pathetic little pleas sending more of those electric sparks through your lover, another one of those charming yet wise grins pulling at his lips.

“Patience, darling,” he reminded you, though began to undo his belt upon your unspoken request. He let out an audible sigh after unzipping his pants and allowing his erection to spring free, the tip of his hard cock blushing pretty pink and already dripping pearly beads of pre-cum. “All in good time…”

Your mouth was practically watering at the sight, insides coiling tighter in anticipation for how good he was going to feel once he was buried inside you, nestled deep like you were the only home he’d even known— the only home he’d ever want to know.

He was halfway through trying to push down his trousers, kick them to the floor, no longer having the patience within himself to keep things in order like he’d been so intent on doing before, when he sucked in a sharp hiss, your roaming little hands wrapping around his cock and giving a light squeeze.

The weight of it in your grasp was a familiar thing, the way the veins ran along the underside, winding like vines through the girth of him.

You were still surprised sometimes, when you held him like this, really got a good, long look, that you could take him as well as you did.

Zhongli was so much bigger than you in so many ways— his large hands with long, lithe fingers, the broadness of his shoulders, his silhouette enough to envelope your entire being— but the one aspect that had brought the both of you concern when the first time had arrived was the initial insertion.

You’d been a virgin, back then. Even more delicate and sensitive than you remained to be now.

And Zhongli could see it in your eyes. That first pang of fear. Excitement too, of course. The nervous, jittery kind that made butterflies bat their wings from the bottom of your belly all the way up into your ribcage. But the way your throat bobbed with a thick, hard swallow, body quivering slightly, already trying to anticipate the pain, the stinging stretch of your tight little cunt as he pushed his way inside, had made your lover feel a spike of guilt mingling with his own growing arousal.

You’d cried that first time. Still did, if he didn’t keep himself in check— allowed the merciless and inexorable Morax to break through the considerate and gentlemanly form of Zhongli— and he’d immediately feared he’d ruined things before they’d barely had a chance to start.

You’d tried to be strong, in your own quiet and resolute way, biting back your pained whimpers while Zhongli had tried to go as slow as you needed him to, allowing you to accommodate his girth and adjust with every inch.

But he’d be lying if he said it hadn’t tested his will unlike anything he’d faced for a long time.

He fought the urge to bury himself to the hilt with one quick, harsh thrust. You’d yelp, cry out in pain as the tears fell from your eyes and wet the pillow under your head, but then the worst would be over and he could try and make it up to you from there.

But he hadn’t.

Archons were accustomed to being selfish, to being overindulgent. Living hundreds upon thousands of years with such immense and unchallenged power could do that to anyone, despite their nature.

Zhongli had defeated monstrous foes, sealed away incredible adversaries with his cosmic strength and brute force. He’d been feared and revered by all living creatures, but never loved by them in the unconditional way in which you’d introduced him to.

He’d vowed never to hurt you, even when you started to tell him through choked sobs that it was ok, that you were stronger than you looked (a lie) and that you were starting to embrace the pain more and more each time (the truth).

It had been a hard thing for him to accept in those first months you two had begun sleeping together, but the more you guided him to learn what you liked, he discovered that perhaps his more dominant side could suffice, in small increments.

“C-can I…?” you asked, face flushing red as you licked at your lips, staring hungrily at his cock.

Now it was Zhongli’s turn to blush a bit, tripping on his words momentarily before leaning back against the headboard, settling comfortably into the many pillows after fully discarding the rest of his clothing.

You lay on your stomach now, gingerly taking his cock in one hand while the other kept you propped up on one elbow, placing little kitten licks to his tip and pulling a satisfied sigh from him, his amber eyes fluttering shut as he leaned his head back further, weaving one of his hands through your hair while the other clasped behind his own neck.

“Good girl…” he praised you, causing your core to constrict a little more as you moaned soft and sweet against him, slotting your lips over his length and beginning to suck, the tangy salt of his pre-cum coating the back of your throat the further you worked him into the warm, wet cavern of your mouth.

You loved to please him, just as you knew that he loved to please you.

It was one of the many reasons why the relationship that the two of you shared worked so well.

“Good— Hng—! Such a good… Good girl…” Zhongli continued through a few shallow, panting breaths, the hand in your hair turning into a fist and tugging slightly when you hollowed your cheeks around him, feeling him nudging the back of your throat, tears beginning to prick at the corners of your eyes from the light asphyxiation.

Once the initial wave had subsided, his grip on your hair loosened and he returned to thumbing gentle, stroking motions on the back of your neck, muttering more kind praises to you as you teased along his shaft with your tongue, pulling back until your lips kissed his leaking tip only to slide back down his length as far as you could go without choking.

Zhongli’s breath was quickening again, his pulse hammering behind his broad chest as a thin sheen of sweat began to shine on his forehead and body.

You could feel him twitching in your mouth, his body’s reactions encouraging you to keep going, to suck harder, force him deeper every time he hit the back of your throat, but after his next strangled groan, you found yourself being pulled off of him, another needy whine lilting in your throat as your puffy lips pouted, Zhongli holding you by the shoulders until he caught his breath.

“You spoil me, my darling…” he breathed, opening his eyes to take in the sight of you, your lips shining with saliva and cum the same as his cock. He ran his thumb along your mouth, wiping away some of the sticky wetness. “But don’t forget…” He was sitting forward now, nudging you to turn onto your back as he lowered himself between your legs, your sex fluttering in anticipation, panties already soaked. “It’s my job to spoil you.”

He kissed the inside of your thigh, sending another shiver up your spine as you arched into the ghosting touch of his lips. He held you down when you started to squirm, two firm hands digging into your plush flesh and making you wince, suck in a short, quiet hiss of your own when he nipped at you.

“Now…” he began with a low growl, teasing at your clit through the thin lace fabric and watching as you jolted when he applied just enough pressure. “Allow me to return the favor…”

He first slipped one of his slender digits in through the side of your underwear, pleased to find how wet you were as he ran his finger along your drenched slit, and hummed out a dark chuckle as he removed the last piece of fabric from you to join him in being completely bare.

You were gripping the sheets, twisting the expensive silks in your trembling fists as he continued to massage skillful circles on your sensitive bundle of nerves, swiping up more of your slick as it dripped out of your needy little hole only to go back to attending to your most tender area.

Your whimpering continued, breath hitching as your body tried and failed to writhe away, the pleasure already bordering on too much.

At this, Zhongli paused, allowing you to calm down a little before lowering his head between your trembling legs, his long tongue lolling out to press flat against your cunt, lapping up your juices and releasing another satisfied hum at the taste of you.

Your thighs tried to squeeze around his head, stomach muscles contracting as you felt your walls clenching— still around nothing, desperately wanting more— but he forced them back apart easily, with nearly no effort at all, pinning your legs open under his splayed palms and kneading at the warm flesh beneath his hands to try and further soothe you.

When his tongue dipped inside, pushing deeper and deeper into you, you cried out and clawed at the pillows, your nails snagging and nearly ripping through the fabric on one of them.

It was ok if you ruined things. Broke them. Tore them. Shattered them across the floor.

Zhongli would just buy new ones. Better ones. He’d replace all these useless things as many times as he needed just to watch you scratch and bite and cry out into them while he had you like this.

“Zh-Zhongli, please—!” you yelped, your manicured nails biting into the muscles of his back now, actively trying to push him away despite how close you were to your release. “It’s—” too much!

You cried out, a stifled, high sound that rang through the room, vision spotting with stars as you felt your entire body tense and quake before slowly starting to relax.

Zhongli raised his head, face shining obscenely with your burst of arousal. Your eyes rolled back into your head, feeling like you could pass out at the sight of him swiping his tongue along his own lips, collecting more of your taste before wiping the rest of the remains away with one of his expensive handkerchiefs. You could barely catch your breath, all your limbs laying heavy against the bed while your heart continued to hammer.

“Look at you…” he cooed, clicking his tongue in that borderline patronizing way of his. He brushed some sweat-damp strands of your hair away from your face, pressing the back of his hand lightly to your cheek as if testing for a fever, smiling contently when he felt the heat radiating off of you. “Such a mess…”

You locked eyes with him, your pleading gaze laced with a fraction of frustration. At this, he chuckled a little, always finding you so adorable when you started to grow impatient.

Impatient for him. 

“Worry not, my love,” he assured you, adjusting the pillows under and around you so that you could remain comfortable for what was to come next. “We’re only just getting started…”

He lined himself up with you, his stare flicking back to meet yours in order to gauge your reaction before beginning to press his tip in, always pausing when he heard you draw in a sharp hiss or a pained little whimper slipped past your lips. But you were so wet, fully prepared to take him, so it didn’t take long until every inch of him was nestled inside, splitting you in two with the pleasurable sting of the stretch.

He gave you a moment to adjust, peppering tender kisses along your neck and jaw until he felt you relax a little around him, and then he began to move, his first thrusts languid and rhythmic.

The more he felt you clench around him, his cock dragging against that spongy spot deep inside you just right every time once he found it, the faster his hips began to meet the insides of your thighs. Even with his increased speed, the drag of him felt eternal, so much of him trying to stay inside you, inside a space that you’d both once feared wouldn’t be enough to take him.

But you two fit together just fine, you’d been relieved to discover. In fact, sometimes, when he was buried to the hilt and you were squeezing him tighter than he could’ve ever imagined possible, a thought crossed both your minds amidst the haze of pleasure…

One of you must be holier than human, must be of a higher power, because if mortals, by nature, were so imperfect, how was it that what your two bodies created when joined together like this was the very definition of perfection?

“So good for me—” Zhongli praised through stifled groans and jaw-clenching grunts, now rutting into you with sharp, hard thrusts that would’ve inched you up the mattress if not for him holding you down. “So— so good…”

Your mewling moans continued, also gaining in their pitch and volume, the most beautiful music to Zhongli’s ears, a song to rival all the bards in Teyvat.

You wrapped your trembling legs around his slim waist, securing yourself to him and allowing him to drive himself deeper, the head of his cock kissing your cervix a few times and making more tears prick at your vision.

But you were both so close now, dangling right over the edge.

As the end was approaching on the horizon, Zhongli brought one of his hands down between you two to rub at your pulsing little bundle of nerves, your back arching even more as breathy moans escaped you with every exhale.

All it took then were a few more thrusts and muttered praises for his perfect little princess to constrict around his cock one last, relentless time to have the both of you letting go, mingled arousal staining your bodies as the musky scent drifted through the air and mixed with the ever present perfume of freshly cut bouquets placed about the house.

Zhongli stayed inside of you for a little while, keeping you close to him as you felt him slowly start to soften, pulling you in to press your chest against his as he trailed his fingers gently down your back until your trembling subsided.

Once he pulled out, laying you back down against the many plush pillows littering the bed and making sure you were comfortable before going off to fetch a fresh towel to clean you with, you were drifting off into a dream-like daze, eyelids fluttering and energy spent.

Perhaps if your entire body hadn’t just been wracked through with such passionate pleasures, you’d be inclined to revisit the morning’s conversations and speculate further into what secrets Zhongli was hiding this time.

A Fatui Harbinger was trouble no matter which way you looked at it and, like you knew so well, everything has a price.

And you loved Zhongli. Loved him more than the sun and the sea and the moon and the stars. You felt like lucky didn’t even begin to describe how you felt about meeting him, falling in love with him, getting to spend your days by his side.

Blessed was slightly closer, yet what you two had was more sacrosanct than any cause involving the Archons.

However, with the former part of that equation weighing heavy on your mind, you truly couldn’t even begin to guess what debt your lover was about to owe— maybe already did owe, after the ginger-haired stranger had departed with such high spirits— if he went through with the mysterious deal.

“Don’t fret, my love…” Zhongli’s low, soothing voice came back to you as you felt his weight resettle on the end of the bed. You cautiously opened your eyes to find him wrapped up in one of his many silk robes, a damp washcloth in hand as he carefully began to wipe it along your skin. “After you’re cleaned up, we’ll get you into that beautiful new dress of yours. Don’t think I’ve forgotten…”

You glanced over to the other side of the bed where your gift still lay. Where the skirt had been perfectly splayed had gotten a little tousled from the pull and shift of the blankets, but otherwise it remained on an alluring display. 

You reached a hand forward cautiously until it landed on one of his own. Zhongli stopped his gentle worship of cleaning you for a moment, face morphing back into a subtle concern as he asked you what was wrong.

“Promise me…” you asked— begged— in a near tearful little whimper, batting your lashes to try and blink the tears welling in your glossy eyes. “Promise me that you’ll never leave me, Zhongli… Never, ever…”

Your lover’s expression of worry deepened then, as if you even having the faintest notion of such a thing had been a catastrophic failure on his part.

He cleared his throat and then said— swore to you— “I will never leave you, darling. Not until the day I die. And I vow to stay alive until you, yourself, have passed…” He came to lay beside you, propped up on one elbow as he wiped some of your fallen tears from your cheeks with his thumb. “Only then will I be able to leave this world in peace. I swear to you, you shall only have to live without me for a single day, for I shall join you shortly in the afterlife when the time comes.”

Such a sincere, intense pact only caused your tears to multiply, leaning into his palm and choking out the last of your sobs until he comforted you back into his touch.

But you believed him.

You believed him when he promised you that you’d never have to live without him, that his life wasn’t in any danger, and that he’d move heaven and earth, crawl through hell and tread through high water, just to be by your side.

So you melted back into him when he carried you with him into a nice, warm bath, your worries soaking off of your skin as you rested against his chest, dozing off in the safety of his arms.

You chose the believe that, despite being a Harbinger, the ginger-haired Fatui was perhaps not the worst of his kind.

And as you modeled your brand new dress for Zhongli, a picture perfect, pretty little smile painting your face the entire time as you twirled in the center of the bedroom, admiring how absolutely divine you two looked together as he came to embrace you from behind before the full length mirror, you knew that, no matter what happened, you’d always have someone, god or human, who was going to love and look out for you.

***

(Hello! Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed! Honestly when I first met Zhongli in the game and heard him speak my mind just went “daddy 👀 daddy 👀 daddy 👀 daddy 👀” so I sorta couldn’t help myself haha

Anyway, I’m also in the middle of writing for some of the other genshin men— specifically, Thoma, Ayato, and Itto— so please do look forward to those in the future! In the meantime, there’s a rather long Kaeya fic that I posted a little while ago you can check out if you’re interested.

Genshin really has taken over my brain tho like oh my god, so many beautiful and charming characters, I want them all…

On that note, thank you so much for reading again and I hope I’ll see you next time!

Bye~)

[pidayforpi]

Lilium / Sorriso

Under the grey, cloudy sky, two brothers walked along the grassy path, although only one pair of footprints was left on the nature's trail.

Abner Duck carried his younger brother on his back, the yellow duckling deep in slumber against the teenage drake's head. Fethry's short arms were wrapped around his elder brother's neck, while Abner supported those short dangling legs with his own pair of arms.

Usually, the siblings would go home hand-in-hand. But today, Fethry had been especially drowsy after school, the homeroom teacher carrying a sleeping Fethry in her arms with an amused smile, when Abner arrived to pick his brother up.

Abner tried to imitate his father, when Eider Duck would carry a sleepy Fethry on his back, and walk home while avoiding shaking the fragile duckling awake.

Although Fethry was light, and Abner was somewhat strong, it was still the first time he had given someone a piggyback ride while moving. He constantly looked over his shoulders, and made sure Fethry wouldn't fall over or be woken up. Tiring it might be, just a look at the yellow duckling's innocent smile would make Abner forget all the fatigue in an instant.

Seeing as the sky slowly turned into a darker shade of grey, Abner slightly hastened his pace, hoping the rain would kindly wait until they had arrived home. The wind picked up as well, rustling the tall grass on either side of the country road.

"Os iusti meditabitur sapientiam

Et lingua eius loquetur iudicium

Beatus vir qui suffert tentationem

Quoniam cum probatus fuerit accipiet coronam vitae"

("The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom

His tongue speaks judgment

Blessed is the man who endures temptation

For once he has been tested, he shall receive the crown of life")

Unconsciously, Abner started to hum. Being in the vast countryside and embraced by the wild, Abner always had the urge to sing a little song. He reckoned he took that characteristic from his mother. Lulubelle Loon would often start humming, in the midst of picking wild flowers or tending the gardens. Abner never questioned why his mother would do that, but he wouldn't complain either. His mother's singing voice was soothing to listen to, more so than his own hoarse voice. Abner admitted he wasn't a good singer, after all.

"Kyrie, fons bonitatis

Kyrie, ignis divine, eleison"

("Lord, fount of goodness

Lord, divine fire, have mercy!")

Even the hymn he was humming had been learned from his mother. Abner didn't know the exact words,

let alone the meaning of those lyrics, written in an unknown language. He merely copied his mother's tongue, from having heard Lulubelle sing the song for so many times.

Abner liked the sound of the song, its melody almost like a lullaby. He remembered his mother had a wooden music box that played the exact song. It was a gift from his lumberjack mentor, handcrafted by the family friend as a birthday present for Ms Loon. Since then, she had placed the ornament in the living room, winding the musical instrument up from time to time, letting the calming melody be heard throughout their lovely, homely wooden cabin.

"O quam sancta, quam serena

quam benigna, quam amoena esse Virgo creditur

O quam sancta, quam serena, quam benigna, quam amoena

O castitatis lilium"

("Oh, how sacred, how serene

How benevolent, how pleasant this Virgin who believe

Oh, how sacred, how serene, how benevolent, how pleasant

Oh, lily of purity!")

Abner especially remembered his mother singing that song while carrying Fethry on her back, just like what he was doing now, as if the song was dedicated to his innocent younger brother. He specifically remembered, that his mother had once hummed the song to a sleeping Fethry, on a white lily field. It was a beautiful scene, with his mother's long white dress swaying in the wind, along with countless lilies of pure white dancing in the zephyr. The long tail of Fethry's red stocking cap, as well as the black furball at its end, were flowing in the breeze too, although their owner remained fast asleep.

White lilies were his mother's favourite, which was why Lulubelle had dedicated a portion of the flower farm to growing a sea of pure white lilies. When looked from a distance, it was as if someone had hung a large piece of white velvet cloth in the middle of the farmland.

It formed a stark contrast, with a patch of white among the colourful sea of flora. However, that's what made Lulubelle love the colour white so much.

"When everything else has colours, having no colour is a kind of uniqueness."

"White is such a fragile colour, so easily stained by dyes. This is what makes purity so precious."

Abner remembered his mother's words.

Looking at his slumbering younger brother, Abner too hoped Fethry would forever stay pure.

Pure as the white lily, never to be tainted.

"Kyrie, fons bonitatis

Kyrie, ignis divine, eleison

O quam sancta, quam serena

quam benigna, quam amoena esse Virgo creditur

O quam sancta, quam serena, quam benigna, quam amoena

O castitatis lilium"

("Lord, fount of goodness

Lord, divine fire, have mercy!

Oh, how sacred, how serene

How benevolent, how pleasant this Virgin who believe

Oh, how sacred, how serene, how benevolent, how pleasant

Oh, lily of purity!")

(27-6-2022)

[The song in the story is Lilium ("Lily"), the anime OP of Elfen Lied. The lyrics (in Italic) and the title are actually in Latin.

Although I like the original version as well, I wrote the story according to Erutan's arrangement of the song.

Do give it a listen if available. Erutan is an amazing artist, and that arrangement of Lilium is what inspired this song story, too.]

https://youtu.be/lV4EGBHadFg

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

[Mention of Loss of Parents, Fatal Car Accident]

Ludwig Von Drake held the gosling in his arms, gently stroking the child's soft blonde hair.

Although Gladstone was by no means a "gosling" at that point - now that his yellow down coat had been fully replaced with snow-white feathers - the young gander would forever be a little gosling in the old duck's eyes.

Right now, Ludwig was standing by a cliff, the snoozing goose being held close to his chest. The professor chuckled to himself, when the sleeping gosling twisted and turned in his embrace. He really wanted that moment recorded, but he knew he would always have that scene remembered, more strongly than any piece of knowledge he had learned as a lifelong scholar.

On a certain Saturday, Gladstone went on a field trip with the professor. It was a long ride to the destination, and Gladstone, however enthusiastic he was, had exhausted his energy being excited for the expedition. Half way through the ride, the gosling had fallen asleep on the back seat, in slumber even after arrival. Ludwig, ever careful and thoughtful with Gladstone, had decided to let the child wake up naturally.

The venue was a grassy cliffside, its ground a coat of lush green with a few oxeye daisies interspersed, ending with a cliff overlooking the milky, milky sea. The weather had been overcast, however, but it gave the nature's scenery another kind of beauty.

Wind howled from the waters, blowing towards the vegetation and the two visitors. Ludwig's grey hair was ruffled by the gale, as were his neatly ironed coat and dress shirt, but he did all he could to shield the fragile gosling in his arms from the wind.

Though the young goose was blessed with paranormal good luck, even the knowledge-hungry Ludwig wouldn't think for a second about studying Gladstone's magical abilities. All Ludwig cared for was his well-being, his happiness.

He would do anything for the gosling, after all.

In this turbulent world, Ludwig would do anything to protect Gladstone from the storms of destiny. Ludwig wouldn't let cruel fate take away his smile. Not again.

"Se di noi due uno solo potesse ricever l'amor del mondo

Io sarei felice di donarlo a te"

("If only one of us could receive love from the world

I would be happy to give the chance to you")

Ludwig had never thought about being a father, nor had his wife, Matilda McDuck. Ludwig had only foreseen himself to live the rest of his life surrounded by books and paper. Despite a loving couple, Ludwig and Matilda had never planned to have a child of their own. Ludwig was good at a lot of expertises, but child-caring was one field he couldn't say anything about. One field that his sister-in-law Hortense McDuck would know much better in.

But of all the things the wise professor could predict, the child in his arms was not one of them. Then again, no one could have predicted the future, no?

"Accettalo senza esitazione, te ne prego

Io ti stringo dolcemente nell'abbraccio del mio amore più sincero"

("Please accept it without hesitation

I will gently embrace you, with sincere love from my heart")

Gladstone was a wonderful boy, more than everything a parent could hope for their child. Polite, bright, kind...and blessed by the goddess of luck, protecting him from all sorts of woe and misfortune.

At first, Ludwig had always worried about Gladstone getting hurt, for his four-leaf clover attracted quite a number of green-eyed monsters. He would ask Gladstone to stay vigilant at all times, giving him advice on how to protect himself. Gladstone was obedient, yet dangers would sometimes still reach the young gander. However, whatever perils might happen, Gladstone would always reach home unscathed. Ludwig knew it must have been the work of the little goose's blessing, and he thanked the gift for that.

"Te ne prego, va avanti per la strada che tu credi

Prego perché tu non perda mai la tua anima pura e sincera"

("Please, go on the way you believe in

I pray that you will never lose your pure and sincere soul")

With the gosling in his life, Ludwig had done many things he didn't think he would ever do. He remembered going to the children's boutique for the first time, confident that he could make the gosling look smart and handsome...only to end up holding his hands up and letting the shopkeeper pick out the clothes for little Gladstone.

Or the first time Gladstone had a fever, to which Ludwig responded by immediately rushing the child to the hospital. He had forgotten he was also a licensed, professional physician, until he saw the sheepish look of the doctor on-call, obviously puzzled as to why the professor was panicking over a common cold.

Also deep in his memories was the first parent-teacher meeting. The primary school principal had remarked Gladstone's excellent behaviour, which made the student blush in shyness and the parent smile in pride. Somehow, hearing someone praise the gosling under his wing made Ludwig feel the proudest. He thought he couldn't be prouder of himself anymore, having been the most respected scholar in the entire world, the bearer of countless degrees and honours. Yet, being praised a good father made all those other titles feel no longer important. Right now, he was the father of the little goose, and he took utmost pride in that and that alone.

The parents' meet-up afterwards was also quite the experience for Ludwig. He had been nervous about meeting up with a lot of parents, who would undoubtedly be much more skilled in parenting than the senile geezer. However, when the event commenced, Ludwig felt his parental instincts kicked in, and he quickly blended in with the mothers and fathers in the venue. He listened to many funny stories of the parents and their chicks, and shared his own with his beloved Gladstone, to which the gosling pouted in embarrassment. Though, Ludwig must have been oblivious to the curious gazes of the adults there, wondering why the world-renown Professor Ludwig Von Drake suddenly had a child of his own, or why an old drake was even raising a young gander in the first place.

The elderly duck thought he knew everything, but the little gosling proved him otherwise.

Ludwig had never thought about being a father, but he did not regret becoming one, too. It was a surprise, of course, but a welcomed one nevertheless.

Ludwig only hoped Gladstone felt the same as well.

"Se uno di noi due fosse scelto per il regno della morte

Io sarei felice di offrirmi"

("If one of us were chosen to leave for the kingdom of death

I would be happy to sacrifice myself")

When Ludwig Von Drake received the tragic news, it was as if a dagger had pierced through his heart.

Matilda had already broken down, sobbing in a chair next to her husband. Ludwig held the telephone in one hand, a balled-up fist in another. His normally cheery expression was all gone, replaced by a deep shade of melancholy. His usual bubbly bill remained shut. His quick mind was at a loss for words.

Still, Ludwig remained calm. He needed to, when everyone was devastated by the unfortunate accident happening at the worst time possible. He was the Professor Ludwig Von Drake. He had to come up with a solution when no one could. He had to be the problem-solver when no one would. There was no time for him to panic or be sad. There shouldn't be.

But for the first time, Ludwig just stood there. He said nothing, but his mind was blank. He shed no tear, but his heart was cold. He needed to do something, he must. But he didn't know what to do.

For the first time, Ludwig didn't have a solution.

He hung up, without saying anything. He ended that day, without saying anything.

"Ti prego, non essere triste

Perché io già ricevo da te tanta felicità da non meritarla"

("Please, don't be sad for me

For I have already received from you so much more happiness than I deserve")

The next day, Ludwig and Matilda visited the Gander household, now the home of only one little gosling. It was a cold winter day, a morning in early January. The day after Gladstone's big day.

Hortense McDuck and Quackmore Duck had volunteered to accompany their nephew for the night of the incident. When Hortense welcomed her sister and brother-in-law, she immediately embraced Matilda, crying over her sister's shoulders. Quackmore, like Ludwig, said nothing, but grief was clearly visible in his eyes.

Everyone knew bad luck would befall Gladstone yesterday, but no one could have predicted how cruel fate could be to the poor little gosling.

Gladstone had always been a lucky fella. His supernatural good luck would always protect him from sorrow while bringing him smiles. But luck had its price, and the goddess of luck would always collect her debt, on a specific day every year: Gladstone Gander's birthday.

It was on this jolly day that Gladstone would experience all the misfortunes he should have encountered throughout the year. It was on his birthday, that Gladstone would become the unluckiest goose in the world for a day.

And that year, that fateful year...Luck had decided to claim Gladstone's parents as his payment, in a tragic road accident.

"Il mio cuor ti sarà per sempre vicino

Prego perché quel tuo sorriso gentile non si oscuri mai"

("My heart will always be close to you

I pray that your gentle smile will never be clouded")

Ludwig had known why he and his wife were called to the now-empty manor, as the four adults sat in the dinning room after a difficult discussion. He was never prepared for the option, but he understood the decision. Hortense and Quackmore already had two children of their own, as did Lulubelle and Eider, while Scrooge had a business to take care of. Ludwig and Matilda were the only ones who could possibly take in their orphaned young nephew.

Ludwig went upstairs to the gosling's room, where Gladstone had hid himself ever since the grim tidings had been disclosed. He was sitting on his bed, looking out of the small open window. Gladstone didn't speak to anyone, didn't shed a tear. He merely stared into the distance, hoping to wake up from this horrible nightmare. But his heart was on the verge of breaking, and Ludwig knew that. Because he was feeling the same as well.

Ludwig knocked lightly on the white wooden door, before sitting next to Gladstone on the children's bed. They didn't say anything, nor was there any need to. Gladstone had already heard the conversation downstairs, and the fact that his Uncle Ludwig came into his room afterwards only proved it further. Even if it had been a wild guess, it would have been correct as well. His dumb luck was back, after all.

The uncle and nephew sat there without a word.

Until the gentle snow suddenly fell, landing on the window sill. Gladstone's eyes widened, as pure white precipitates kept floating down from the cloudy sky. His body started to shiver, but not from the temperature. Tears started to form, but not from the wind.

Almost immediately, the mask of toughness shattered, when he remembered the terrible blizzard that took his parents away from him, on his very own happy birthday.

Gladstone threw himself into the embrace of his uncle, burying his head into the old duck's chest. He cried as much as he could, wails of grief and pain echoed throughout the once-homely abode. Drops of tear stained Ludwig's vest, and the professor's coat became wrinkled as Gladstone held firmly onto his uncle, letting all his bottled emotions out. It wasn't that Gladstone and Ludwig shared a particularly close relationship at that time. The bereaved gosling just wanted a warm, comforting hug, somewhere he could freely cry in. After all, he was just a child. A sad, confused, helpless child.

Ludwig gave his devastated nephew a big, heartfelt embrace in response, allowing the hapless gosling as much time as he needed. Ludwig held the weeping child close to himself, gently brushing the back of his soft feathered head, stroking his trembling back lovingly.

"Se di noi due uno solo potesse ricever l'amor del mondo

Io sarei felice di donarlo a te"

("If only one of us could receive love from the world

I would be happy to give the chance to you")

And then, for the first time since he had picked up the telephone yesterday, Ludwig felt himself sobbing. He had tried to stay strong and calm, but witnessing the heart-wrenching expression of the gosling broke his already cracked heart. The professor silently wept, bitter tears falling down his cheeks, as he whispered Gladstone's name with his shaking, raspy voice. It wasn't professional at all, but Ludwig didn't care. The professor comforted Gladstone, not as a child psychologist, but as his uncle, and his new guardian.

That day, Ludwig found someone only he could protect. Someone whose smile only he could protect.

Right here, in his arms.

"Prego perché quel tuo sorriso gentile

Sorriso, non si oscuri mai"

("I pray that your gentle smile

Your smile, will never be clouded")

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

Gladstone rubbed his drowsy eyes, struggling to open them against the sleepiness and the relatively brighter environment. The young goose let out a big yawn, opening his bill to the largest before exhaling. When his vision became clear enough to see, he was greeted with the smile of an old duck.

"Hello 'dere! Mein kleine Gans!"

Ludwig patted the gosling affectionately, who had just woken up from the long sleep in his arms. Gladstone struggled in the elderly duck's embrace, puffing up his cheeks and pouting in protest.

"I'm not a kid anymore, Uncle Ludwig! And honestly, what does that even mean?"

Ludwig merely chuckled.

"Guess you'll have to find out yourself!"

To which Gladstone rolled his heavy eyes. He then noticed the breathtaking cliffside they were on, gasping lightly in astonishment.

"Oh, we are already there?"

Ludwig slowly sat down on the grassy field, the gosling still in his tender embrace.

"Yes, my dear Gladstone. Ready to explore the unknown, eager mind?"

Gladstone pondered for a while, before shaking his head subtly.

"Sorry...May I have a few more minutes...? I'll surely be ready to go after that..."

Ludwig smiled kindly, as the gosling was already failing to keep his eyes open. Half a minute later, Gladstone was once again asleep.

"Sure, my little goose..."

Gladstone leaned against the old duck's chest, snoring softly in his arms. Ludwig gently stroke the gosling's soft blonde hair, as Gladstone whispered in his sleep.

"Thanks, Dad..."

(4-7-2022)

https://youtu.be/HHuVWG-Pv-4

[Sorriso ("Smile") is an Italian song performed by Akiko Shikata, one of my favourite musicians since I was little. Shikata's folk music caught my heart when I first stumbled upon it, and since then has become a great inspiration to me.]

[translations-by-aiimee]

The Husky and His White Cat Shizun - Chapter 7

Original Title:  二哈和他的白猫师尊

Genres: Drama, Romance, Tragedy, Xianxia, Yaoi

This translation is based on multiple MTLs and my own limited knowledge of Chinese characters. If I have made any egregious mistakes, please let me know.

Chapter Index

Chapter 7 - This Venerable One Likes Wontons

The scorching sun was blazing.

The veranda of Life-Death Peak stretched for mile.

As a rising star among immortal cultivators, it was quite different from the other famous clans of the immortal world.

Take the most prosperous Rufeng Sect of Linyi. The main hall of the sect was called the "Six Virtues Hall", which intended to encourage disciples to be "wise, faithful, holy, righteous, benevolent, and loyal" in accordance with the six virtues. The area where the disciples live was called the "Six Behaviours Gate", which warns the disciples to practice "filial piety, friendship, harmony, marriage, responsibility, and compassion." The place where classes were taught was called "Six Arts Platform", which meant that disciples needed to be proficient in the six skills of "ritual, music, archery, riding, calligraphy, and mathematics".

All in all, its elegance was endless.

On the other hand, Life-Death Peak came from a poor background. Its names were hard to explain. "Danxin Hall" and "Platform of Righteousness and Evil" were alright. Perhaps it was because Mo Ran's father and his uncle weren't scholars and couldn't determine any better names. After a while, the names started to get more nonsensical, naming things "Xue Ya" -sounding names left and right.

Therefore, there are many plagiarised names from the underworld on Life-Death Peak. For example, the room where disciples practiced self-reflection was called Yanluo Hall.

The jade bridge connecting the resting area and the teaching area was called Naihe Bridge. The dining hall was called Mengpo Hall, the martial arts field was called Mountain of Daggers and Sea of Flames. The forbidden area of ​​the back of the mountain is called the Ghost Room, and so on.

These weren't too bad, but there were other places simply called "This is a mountain", "This is water", "This is a pit", as well as the famous "Ahhhhh" and "Wahhhhhh" cliffs.

The elders’ dormitories naturally did not escape, and each has their own nickname.

Chu Wanning was naturally no exception. He liked peace and didn't want to live near others. His residence was built on the South Peak of Life-Death Peak, hidden in a sea of ​​bamboo. There was a pool in front of the main hall, and the pool was red from lotus petals blocking the sunlight from reflecting off it. Because of its abundance of spiritual power, the lotus flowers were in full bloom all year round in the pool, like red clouds.

The disciples secretly called this beautiful place--

Red Lotus Hell.

When Mo Ran thought of this, he couldn't help but laugh.

Chu Wanning wore a terrifying face every single day, and the disciples who saw him thought he was the devil himself. Therefore, shouldn't the place where the devil stays be called hell?

Xue Meng interrupted his daydream: "You laugh even though you were scolded! Hurry up and eat breakfast. After eating, follow me to the Platform of Righteousness and Evil. Shizun will punish you in public today!"

Mo Ran sighed, and touched the whip mark on his face: "Hss. . . ow."

"You deserved it!"

"Hah, I wonder if Tianwen has been repaired. I hope he doesn't try it out on me again before it's fixed. Who knows what nonsense I might say."

In the face of Mo Ran's sincere concerns, Xue Meng's face flushed, and he angrily said: "If you dare to speak out indecently in public against Shizun, I'll rip your tongue out!"

Mo Ran covered his face and waved his hand faintly: "No need, no need, if Shizun ties me with willow vine again, I will end myself on the spot to prove my innocence."

When the hour came, Mo Ran was brought to the Platform of Righteousness and Evil according to customs. He looked around, and there was a deep blue sea of ​​people below. The disciples of Life-Death Peak all wore the sect uniform; blue so dark it was almost black armour, the lion's head belt, wrist guards and the silver threads gleaming on the hems of robes.

The rising sun, below the Platform of Righteousness and Evil, the sea of armour shone.

Mo Ran kneeled on the raised platform, listening to a chief elder list off a long list of the crimes he'd committed.

"Mo Weiyu, disciple of Elder Yuheng, arrogantly disregarded teachings, disobeyed the rules of the sect, and abandoned morality. You have violated the fourth, ninth, and fifteenth mandates of this sect. As punishment, you will receive 80 strikes, copy the sect rules a hundred times and reflect in solitude for a full month. Mo Weiyu, is there anything you have to say in your defense?"

Mo Ran glanced at the white figure in the distance.

That elder was the only member of Life-Death Peak who wasn't required to wear the standard blue and silver rim robe.

Chu Wanning's robe was made of snow-white satin, an outer robe made of cloud-patterned silver silk, like he was dressed in a heavenly frost, but the person wearing it seemed far more frigid than either snow or frost. He sat quietly, far enough away that Mo Ran couldn't see the expression on his face, but he knew that this person was probably completely unphased.

Mo Ran let out a deep sigh: "I have nothing to argue."

According to customary practice, the chief elder asked the disciples below: "If anyone is dissatisfied with the verdict, or has something else to say, this is the time to make such a statement."

All the disciples began to hesitate and averted their gaze.

None of them expected that the Yuheng Elder Chu Wanning would actually send his disciple to be punished publicly on the Platform of Righteousness and Evil.

To put it nicely, this person was impartial, but to word it differently, was also called a cold-blooded demon.

The cold-blooded demon Chu Wanning faintly propped his chin and sat in the position. Suddenly someone shouted with amplifying technique: "Elder Yuheng, this disciple is willing to plead for leniency on behalf of Young Master Mo."

". . . Plead?"

This disciple obviously felt that since Mo Ran was the nephew of Life-Death Peak's lord, even if he had screwed up this time, his future prospects would still be bright, so he decided to take the opportunity to win Mo Ran's favour. He began to talk nonsense: "Although Junior Brother Mo is at fault, he loves his fellow students and helps the weak. Please treat consider being lenient for the sake of his kind nature!"

Obviously, he was not the only one hoping to please Junior Brother Mo.

Gradually, more and more people spoke up for Mo Ran. They threw out all sorts of arguments, it made even Mo Ran embarrassed to hear; when had he ever had "an innocent heart, pure and open-minded"? This was a disciplinary meeting, not a commendation meeting, right?

"Elder Yuheng, Junior Brother Mo once helped me exterminate demons and killed deadly beasts. I would like to beg on Junior Brother Mo's behalf. His merits will offset his demerits, and I hope that Elder will lighten his punishment!"

"Elder Yuheng, Junior Brother Mo once helped me dispel my demons when I experience qi deviation. I believe Junior Brother Mo made a mistake this time and was only momentarily confused. I also ask Elder to please be lenient on Junior Brother!"

"Elder Yuheng, Junior Brother Mo once gave me an elixir to save my mother. He is a benevolent person. Please, Elder, punish him lightly!"

The last person’s remarks were based on the previous disciples', and he was at a loss for words. Seeing Chu Wanning's frozen eyes sweep over, the anxious disciple didn't hesitate to say: “Elder Yuheng, Junior Brother Mo once helped me dual cultivate--”

"Pff." Someone couldn't help laughing.

The disciple immediately blushed and retreated.

"Yuheng, calm your anger, calm your anger..." Seeing that the chief elder was not happy, he went to his side and hurriedly persuaded him.

Chu Wanning said coldly: "I have never seen such a shameless person. What is his name? Whose disciple?"

The chief elder hesitated a little, then bit the bullet and said softly, "My disciple, Yao Lian."

Chu Wanning raised his eyebrows: "Your disciple? Save face*?"

(Pronounced the same as Yao Lian's name)

The chief elder couldn't help but feel embarrassed, and his old face tried to change the subject with a red face: "He's talented at singing, and he can be useful when he receives the offerings."

Chu Wanning scoffed and turned away, not wanting to waste time talking nonsense with this shameless chief elder.

There were thousands of people on Life-Death Peak. A couple flatterers were nothing surprising.

Seeing the conviction in the faces of his sect brothers, Mo Ran himself almost trusted their words. Very impressive indeed. It turns out he wasn't the only person in this sect that knew how to concoct wild stories in broad daylight. There were many talented people here.

Chu Wanning, who had heard "Elder Yuheng, please be merciful" countless times, finally spoke to the disciples.

"Pleading for Mo Weiyu?" He paused and said, "Yes, all of you may come up."

Those people didn't know what would happen and went up tremblingly.

A golden light flashed in Chu Wanning's palm. Tianwen appeared as commanded, and wrapped around the dozens of people together with a whistle, and tied them firmly in place.

Not again!!

Mo Ran was beginning to get desperate. Just the sight of Tianwen made his legs weak. He really didn’t know where Chu Wanning got such a perverted weapon. It was a good thing he had never taken a wife in his previous life. The poor girl who would marry him, if she didn't get whipped to death, she would be questioned to death.

Chu Wanning's eyes were quite mocking. He asked one of them: "Mo Ran helped you ward off evil spirits?"

How could the disciple resist the torture of TIanwen? He immediately howled: "No! No!"

He asked another one: "Mo Ran helped you overcome your qi deviation?"

"Ah! Never! Never!"

"Mo Ran gave you an elixir?"

"Ah—! Help! No, no! I made it up! I made it up!"

Chu Wanning loosened the hold, but then raised his hand and waved the weapon fiercely, it crackling and blazing, Tianwen suddenly lashed out and hit the backs of the lying disciples.

There were screams instantly, blood splashing.

Chu Wanning's eyebrows furrowed, and he scolded: "What are you calling? Kneel down! Disciple attendant!"

"Here."

"Deliver the punishment!"

"Understood!"

As a result, instead of reaping the benefits of defending Mo Ran, each of them was beaten with ten strikes each for violating the mandate of deception, plus a bonus willow vine lash gifted by Elder Yuheng.

After nightfall, Mo Ran lay on his bed. Although he had been given medicine, his back was covered with staggered scars. He couldn't even turn himself over without almost crying from the pain. He sniffled.

He had been born, so whimpering like this made him look like a fluffy, abandoned kitten. But it was a pity that his thoughts didn't match that cute kitten image.

He gripped the bedding and bit into the sheets, imagining that this was that bastard Chu Wanning. He bit! Kicked! Stomped! Tore!

The only comfort is that Shi Mei came to visit him with a bowl of wontons. He stared at him with those gentle and pitiful eyes, and Mo Ran's tears fell even more fiercely.

He didn't care whether men were supposed to hold in their tears or not, he loved to act spoiled in front of the person he liked.

"Does it still hurt a lot? Can you sit up?" Shi Mei sat on the edge of his bed and sighed. "Shizun, he. . . he was too cruel. Look at your back. . . there are several wounds. Some are still bleeding."

Mo Ran's heart softened, a warmth gradually rose in his chest. His teary eyes lifted from the bedding and he blinked.

"Since Shi Mei cares about me so much, I, I'm not in too much pain anymore."

"Oh, how can it not hurt if you look like this? You know what Shizun's temperament is like, will you dare do something like this in the future?"

In the candlelight, Shi Mei looked at him a little helplessly and a little distressedly. The amorous eyes were gleaming, like warm spring water.

Mo Ran's heart moved slightly, and he cleverly said: "Never again. I swear.

"Does anyone believe your promises anymore?" Even though he said that, Shi Mei also smiled, "The wontons are getting cold, can you sit up? If you can't get up, just lie on your stomach and I will feed you."

Mo Ran had already climbed up halfway, but immediately collapsed back down when he heard this.

Shi Mei: ". . ."

Whether it was this life or his previous one, Mo Ran's favourite food was Shi Mei's handmade wontons. The dough was as thin as a cloud of smoke, and the filling was tender and moist, melting in his mouth after every bite.

Especially the soup, the milky consistency, sprinkled with green onions, tender yellow egg wisps, and topped with a spoonful of spicy chilli peppers fried with garlic. It made whoever ate it feel so warm that they would never be cold again.

Shi Mei carefully spoonfed him. While feeding him, he said: "I didn't put any chilli oil today. You're badly hurt. Spice isn't good for recovery. Just drink the broth instead."

Mo Ran stared at him and he couldn't look away. He smiled: "Spicy or not, as long as you made it, it's delicious."

"Smooth talker." Shi Mei also smiled, picking up a poached egg lying in the soup, "Here's your reward, I know you like them."

Mo Ran laughed, a small tuft of hair curling on his forehead, like a flower blooming: "Shi Mei."

"What's happening?"

"Nothing, I just felt like saying your name."

". . ."

The hair tuft swayed back and forth.

"Shi Mei."

Shi Mei held back a smile: "Just felt like it again?"

"Hmm, just saying your name makes me happy."

Shi Mei sat silently for a moment then gently touched his forehead: "Silly boy, do you have a fever?"

Mo Ran let out a laugh. He rolled over, looking at him sideways, his eyes bright, as if full of fine stars.

"It would be a dream if I could eat Shi Mei's wontons every day"

He truly meant it.

After Shi Mei died, Mo Ran had always wanted to try the wontons he made again, but it is what it is, and he wasn't coming back.

At that time, Chu Wanning hadn't completely broken off all relations with him. Whether it was out of guilt or something else, he didn't know, but when he saw Mo Ran knelt in front of Shi Mei's coffin in a daze, Chu Wanning went quietly to the kitchen, kneaded dough and minced the fillings, carefully folded a couple wontons. But Mo Ran saw what he was doing before he had finished. With the loss of the love of his life, Mo Ran just couldn't bear it. He felt like Chu Wanning was doing it to mock him, a botched attempt at imitating them, a deliberate insult to injury.

Shi Mei was dead. Chu Wanning could have saved him, but he refused to help. Afterwards, he wanted to replace Shi Mei and make wontons for Mo Ran instead? Did he think that this would make him happy?

He rushed into the kitchen and knocked over all the utensils. The round wontons fell out of his hands and all over the floor.

He screamed at Chu Wanning: "Who the hell do you think you are? You think you're worthy of replacing him? Of making the food he used to? Shi Mei is dead, are you satisfied? Or do you have to torture your disciples until they go mad or die before you're happy? Chu Wanning! No one in this world can make those wontons anymore. You can try but you'll never be him!"

Now he was eating this bowl with such deep joy. He slowly ate them, savouring them. Although he was still smiling, his eyes were a little moist. Fortunately, the candlelight was dim, and Shi Mei couldn't see his subtle expression clearly.

Mo Ran said: "Shi Mei."

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

Shi Mei froze for a moment, and then smiled gently: "Isn't it just a bowl of wontons? No need to be so formal about it. If you like them, I will always make them for you in the future."

Mo Ran wanted to say, the thanks wasn't just for the wontons.

Thank you also, whether in the last life or in this life, for being the only one to look out for me, not caring about my origins, didn't care about the fourteen years I spent scavenging around.

Thank you, because if it weren't for the sudden thought of you, after being reborn, I'm afraid I would not be able to stop myself from killing Rong Jiu. I would've made a big mistake, and walked the same path I had before.

Fortunately, in this life, I was reborn before you die. I will definitely take good care of you. If you are sick, and that cold-blooded demon Chu Wanning is unwilling to save you, I will.

But how could he have said these words aloud?

In the end, Mo Ran just drank the soup, leaving not even a single green onion behind. He licked his lips unconsciously, his dimples prominent, and he was as cute as a very fluffy little cat.

"Will there be more tomorrow?"

Shi Mei couldn't help but shake his head: "You don't want something else? Won't you get sick of them?"

"I'll never get tired of your wontons, as long as you don't get tired of making them."

Shi Mei shook his head and smiled: "I don't know if there's enough flour left. If there's not enough, I'm afraid I can't make it. If I can't, do you think the eggs in sweet soup are alright instead? They are also one of your favourites."

"Okay, okay. As long as you make it, anything is okay."

Mo Ran's heart surged. He was so happy he could roll around in the blankets.

Look at caring Shi Mei is, Chu Wanning, you go screw yourself! I get to lie in bed with a beauty taking care of me, hehe!

Thinking of Shizun, a rush of anger mixed with the tenderness he had been feeling.

Mo Ran started to dig the bottom of the headboard with resentment again. He cursed, what Yuheng of the Night Sky, what the Beidou Immortal, it's all fucking bullshit!

Chu Wanning, just wait and see!!

Previous Chapter Next Chapter

[carnegiemuseumnaturalhistory]

Survival of the Fishiest: Astonishing Adaptations of the Aquatic World

by Shelby Wyzykowski

For Charles Darwin, all sorts of species—from birds and large land animals to flowers and tiny invertebrates—captured his interest and encouraged him to explore the great diversity of life. After years of observation and research, he published his famous book On the Origin of Species in 1859. In it, he presented his revolutionary and controversial theory of natural selection, which is also commonly referred to as “survival of the fittest.” His theory suggested that individuals of a species are more likely to survive when they inherit traits from their parents that are best suited for their specific environment. Essentially, beneficial adaptations give an organism the greatest chance to live and carry on its genetic line. This well-known theory is in part rooted in Darwin’s early experiences with and on the ocean. In 1831, he embarked on a five-year journey on the HMS Beagle, serving as their on-board naturalist. As the crew surveyed and mapped the South American coastline, Darwin marveled at the wonder and beauty of the sea, observing and collecting surface plankton as well as theorizing how coral reefs form. Unfortunately, with no photography and limited technology, studying ocean life was difficult even in shallow water. So, in Darwin’s time, little if anything was known about life far beneath the waves. But if he were alive now, Darwin would no doubt delight in all of the incredible underwater discoveries that have been made by modern-day science. And he would more than likely be awestruck by the many amazing adaptations that sea animals employ to survive.

Aquatic Adaptations: Antarctica

Image by Andrea Spallanzani from Pixabay.

When one thinks of an environment in which adaptation is of the utmost necessity, Antarctica may be the first spot that comes to mind. The Southern Ocean, which encircles Antarctica, is an unforgiving and inhospitable place to live. Rotating currents almost completely isolate these waters from the rest of the Earth’s much warmer seas. This keeps temperatures low…it can drop to 28.6 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter! To combat the cold, Antarctic icefish produce and carry special antifreeze proteins in their blood and body fluids. These proteins bind to ice crystals, dividing their crystalline structures and therefore inhibiting crystal growth. Without this antifreeze, microscopic ice crystals would form in their bodies, severing nerves and damaging tissues to a deadly degree. It’s an incredible adaptation, but it did not happen quickly. About 25 million years ago, the Southern Ocean, flowing around the isolated Antarctic continent, began to cool. Aquatic life in this area had to evolve the special antifreeze proteins, find some other way to adapt to the cold, or go extinct. Today, thanks to their special cold-water adaptation, icefish make up more than 90 percent of all fish species in the Antarctic!

Aquatic Adaptations: Mariana Trench

But Antarctica is not the only harsh environment that demands extreme adaptations. You’d be hard-pressed to find living conditions that are more punishing and severe than in the Mariana Trench. Located in the western Pacific, it is considered to be the deepest part of the ocean anywhere on Earth. Near the trench’s bottom, the lunar-like landscape is pitch-black, and the pressure of the freezing cold waters would instantly kill any land animal. But, amazingly, sea animals have found remarkable ways to thrive.

In most places in the trench, the temperatures are between 34 and 39 degrees Fahrenheit. This extreme cold would not be good for most animals’ bodies because it would damage their cell membranes. These membranes are of a fatty consistency and must stay liquid to function properly. The Mariana Trench’s frigid temperatures would make the fat in a land creature’s cell membranes solid like butter. But deep-sea animals have evolved in a unique way that enables them to avoid such a chilly catastrophe. They have lots of unsaturated fats in their membranes, and these kinds of fats remain liquid at low temperatures and keep their membranes loose and intact.

Besides the bone-chilling temperatures, these aquatic creatures must contend with the pulverizing pressure. Extreme pressure can have a devastating effect on a body’s proteins (these are the molecules that do much of the work in a cell). To keep their proteins healthy and working well, sea life collect tiny organic molecules called piezolytes in their cells. These piezolytes prevent water from distorting and damaging the proteins. The deeper in the ocean an animal lives, the more piezolytes they need to have in their cells. One type of piezolyte, called TMAO (Trimethlyamine-oxide), gives fish their “fishy” taste and smell. Since TMAO increases with depth, being “fishier” is crucial for survival in the deep-ocean environment!

But food is also crucial for the survival of any organism; how is it possible to hunt in a world of darkness? Sea life have found many ways to deal with the lack of light. The stout blacksmelt, for example, has giant eyes that can capture the faintest glimmer of fleeting prey. The tripod fish has such unreliable vision that it mainly relies on sensors in its pectoral fins to detect the movement of a potential meal. And the anglerfish actually emits its own light by a process known as bioluminescence. The light from their built-in “headlight” will actually attract the prey to them!

Aquatic Adaptations Near the Ocean's Surface

Marine life that live a bit closer to the ocean’s surface have also developed ingenious ways to search for food. The Great White Shark could very well be thought of as the bloodhound of the sea. Its sense of smell is so good that it can detect one drop of blood in ten billion drops of water! But, if the prey is close enough, it need not spill one drop of blood for the Great White to detect its presence. This is because these sharks are experts in electroreception, which is the ability to detect weak electric fields in water. Unlike in air, the ability to conduct electricity in water is extremely easy. This scientific fact allows many underwater species, including Great Whites, to sense the weak electrical fields of biological sources (such as their prey). These sharks are known to react to charges of one millionth of a volt (for reference, a tiny AA battery has a mere 1.5 volts of stored energy). This acute sensitivity to electrical fields can be traced to electroreceptors in the shark’s skin. Pore openings peppered over its head receive minute electrical signals from the water and channel these signals into tubes of highly-conductive gel. Each tube ends in a bulb known as an ampulla of Lorenzini. Sensory nerves are activated in the ampulla and send the message to the shark’s brain. Their electrosensitivity is so precise that they can detect prey hiding in the sand bottom!

With such an extraordinary adaptation, Great Whites can be a formidable and terrifying predator. But sometimes even the hunter can become the hunted. If a Great White is foolish enough to go after a sick or young Bottlenose Dolphin, they might find themselves biting off more than they can chew. Living in groups called pods, dolphins have tightly-knit family groups with complex social structures. They actually have their own cultures and display positive cultural behaviors such as compassion and cooperation. So when one member of a pod is targeted as prey, the others will come to its defense and work in a coordinated effort to combat the Great White. They’ll surround the shark and attack it relentlessly. Some use their sturdy, bony snouts like battering rams and slam into the shark’s underbelly and gills, causing massive internal injuries. If the shark is lucky enough, it can make a quick escape, but pods have been known to actually kill sharks. These incidents involving selflessness and cooperation have also crossed the species barrier from time to time when pods of altruistic dolphins have come to the rescue of humans in distress. There have been many reported cases of dolphins encircling and protecting swimmers as they work to successfully fend off a shark’s persistent advances.

The altruistic and cooperative behaviors of dolphins are adaptations that exemplify the true meaning of Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection. Believing that compassion was the key to evolutionary success, Darwin was in fact frustrated with the way many readers misinterpreted the phrase “survival of the fittest” (a term that he himself did not even coin…biologist Herbert Spencer did so in 1864). This phrase implies the use of selfishness, ruthlessness, and callousness to ensure survival. There’s certainly no denying that these actions have definitely played a part in evolution and in the realities of life. But Darwin chose to believe that sympathy, benevolence, and cooperation played even greater roles in the survival, flourishing, and evolution of a species. In the end, it’s the positive adaptive traits that determine as well as define the overall success of life on Earth.

Shelby Wyzykowski is a Gallery Experience Presenter in CMNH’s Life Long Learning Department. Museum staff, volunteers, and interns are encouraged to blog about their unique experiences and knowledge gained from working at the museum.

[tchallasbabymama]

Troubled Waters Prologue

Hey y’all! Some of you may have seen this already, but I took it down and reworked it a little bit. Check out my masterlist to read my other stories, and let me know if you want to be tagged in anything. Enjoy!

Word count: 1,723

Aziza [a-zee-za] noun: A benevolent magical species with moderate stature, pointed ears, colorful wings, and deep brown skin that always has a slight glow. They enjoy music, dancing, and frolicking with human children. They also have a propensity for plant magic and hunting and tend to dwell in or around the rainforest.

Long before humans ever stepped foot in Wakanda, the aziza were appointed guardians of the land by the panther goddess, Bast. Aziza lived in harmony with the other magical beings, with a few exceptions, and the queen of the aziza ruled over all of Wakanda. That is until these strange, magicless creatures stumbled into the forest one day and were immediately accosted by some of the more malevolent beings that inhabited the land. Several aziza sprang into action to protect the newcomers and were able to stop the evil obambo from possessing them and driving them mad. When the heroic team of aziza brought the defenseless humans to the queen, she welcomed them into her kingdom with open arms and gave them their own plot of land that was locked between her forest and a dangerous mountain range.

When left to their own devices, the humans began to fight with each other over resources and the right to rule. Queen Ani grew tired of the fighting and called on Bast to help end the constant wars. The goddess instructed her to find a man named Bashenga and bring him to her garden. Apparently, her favorite flower had a strange effect on humans. To all the other beings under her rule, the flower simply acted as an ointment of sorts, but it made humans powerful. Queen Ani followed Bast’s instructions and ground up the petals for Bashenga to consume. She buried him in the rich soil, and when he emerged minutes later, he was a new man. He was a leader, a champion, a king.

Humans and magical beings lived in harmony in isolation from the outside world for centuries until a strange thing started happening on the continent. People were disappearing from the western coast, and when the queen of the aziza heard about it, she brought it to the human king’s attention. King Amir refused to help out of fear of exposing his kingdom to the world, and Queen Onara became incensed. She couldn’t believe he was turning his back on his own kind. The queen wanted nothing more to do with him and his cowardly people, so she called on Bast again. The goddess made another realm within Wakanda for the magical creatures to live in. Onara assumed it would be difficult to get the other species on board, but, as it turned out, most of them were eager to get away from the humans. It seemed the only ones that actually liked them were the aziza, but that quickly changed upon hearing of their negligence. A few even chose to travel to the new world in disguise to help the humans that had been taken. The aziza operatives did their best to help them, but there were just too many for them to save. Their numbers were few, but they were able to perform small acts of magic to help where they could.

Over the years, magical creatures became a thing of the past to the Wakandans. They became bedtime stories and folk tales, but nobody truly believed in their existence anymore except for the children the aziza would occasionally visit when they felt like being playful.

————

One sunny afternoon, a little aziza was playing down by the river when she sneezed, and her surroundings changed. Everything looked almost the same but slightly less vibrant despite the bold greens and blues around her. She turned around and couldn’t see her village in the distance, but instead, she saw a boy about her age splashing in the water.

She emerged from behind the bushes and called out to him, “Sawubona!”

The boy looked up, and his eyebrows furrowed. He was sure he had been alone.

“Um, mholweni...ungubani?”

“I’m Nia. Who are you?”

“You speak Xhosa?”

“I speak a bunch of languages,” she giggled. “You speak Zulu?”

“Yeah. I bet I speak more languages than you,” he challenged her.

Nia’s face scrunched up as she counted up all the languages she knew.

“I speak thirteen so far, but I’m only eight,” she shrugged.

“Wow, thirteen?! I can only speak five.” He looked dejected, and she hated seeing the look on his face, so she quickly changed the subject.

“Can I swim with you?”

“Sure, but...where did you come from?” the boy asked as he looked around. “You just sort of came out of nowhere.”

Nia was young, but she knew she was in the human realm. She had visited plenty of times with her ubaba and knew it well. She just wasn’t sure how she got there this time. However, she knew not to tell him exactly what she was, so the little aziza tucked her ears under her colorful headband as she stepped closer and tried to think of a good explanation.

“My ubaba says I’m sneaky like that,” she shrugged. “Want to play tag?”

“You’re it!” he yelled as he splashed her and swam away as fast as he could. She cut her eyes at him and wiggled out of her clothes before jumping in after him. She quickly caught up to him, much to his surprise, but he stopped when it was his turn to chase her. The boy noticed something strange on her back as she swam away, and he grew concerned.

“What happened?”

Nia quickly turned around, confused by the tone of his voice, “To what?”

“To you. The scars,” he pointed to her back.

“Oh,” Nia had to think fast again. “It’s just a really big birthmark.”

“Really? That’s so cool! It looks like two wings,” he mused before his eyes lit up and he gasped loudly. “What if you can fly?”

“I wish,” she said with a certain sadness to her voice that confused him. He noticed the heaviness in her eyes and decided to lighten to mood a little by splashing her in her face. It worked, and they were off again.

The two of them spent the afternoon splashing away in the river, laughs echoing loudly as they played until a deep voice called out, and the boy froze.

“T’Challa!”

“Coming, baba!” he yelled back before turning to his new friend, who had just figured out that she had been playing with the Crown Prince of Wakanda this whole time. “I have to go. I’m not supposed to be out here.”

Nia’s face deflated until she looked at the shadows and realized too much time had passed since she left home. She nodded solemnly, and they swam to shore. They begrudgingly got dressed in silence until T’Challa spoke up.

“Can I see you again? I had fun today… I don’t get to have fun often,” he looked at the ground, and she hugged him tight to make him smile.

“I can come back tomorrow,” Nia said, making his face light up.

“Deal!”

The two kids said their goodbyes, and Nia watched as T’Challa ran through the trees towards the disembodied voice. She turned around to leave the same way she came and jumped at the sight of her father.

“Did you have fun?” he asked with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Nia nodded enthusiastically, “I made a friend!”

“I saw,” he chuckled. “How’d you get over on this side?”

“I sneezed,” Nia shrugged as she grabbed her ubaba’s hand, and they shimmered back over to the magic realm. That night, he began to teach her how to clear her mind and travel between the realms intentionally. Nia took to it quickly, and she was excited to explore the human realm, her mother’s realm, more than ever before.

Amare, an aziza, and Celeste, a human, met and fell in love while he was stationed in New York for his first tour as a secret operative. When Amare heard about what the human Wakandans had allowed to happen to their kin, he jumped at the chance to make a difference. It was a dangerous job, dealing with humans and the occasional fae, but he loved it. Almost immediately, he met and fell in love with Celeste, a vivacious and opinionated brown-skinned beauty from Harlem. They lived together for two blissful years before they found out they were expecting a child. Celeste was over the moon, but Amare couldn’t help but worry. There had been very few half-human, half aziza babies over the years, but they always took a massive toll on human mothers. Amare knew then that he might have to say goodbye to the love of his life. Sadly, he was right. The baby’s higher need for energy to fuel her growing magic drained her mother dry, and Celeste was even too weak to push. She didn’t survive the cesarean.

Amare brought his baby girl back home to Wakanda, and they lived in a small home near the rainforest on the outskirts of the Border province that he had enchanted to straddle both realms. He raised Nia the same as any other aziza child, but they often traveled to the human realm so she could be among her people. Before popping over to the other side, he’d always cast a glamour spell to hide his wings, making them lay flush against his back so that they looked like intricate tattoos. Nia was always jealous of her dad’s bright orange wings since she never got hers, just the giant wing-shaped scars that covered her back. She always felt a little broken, like she wasn’t as good as the other aziza kids, so when she met T’Challa she was excited to have her first human friend. Or so she thought.

Nia went back to the river the next day and waited for T’Challa. She waited and waited, but he was nowhere to be found. She tried again every day for a week, but he never showed. His absence started to weigh on her, and Amare hated to see his little girl look so sad. After day seven, he put a stop to it and Nia eventually gave up on her so-called friend. However, the pain of his abandonment never really went away.

Next Chapter

Taglist: @maddeningmayhem, @theblulife, @motheroffae, @love-mesome-me, @toni9, @bribrisback, @impremenior, @ljstraightnochaser

[sunnyvicky]

Continuitation to

Requested by @annablogsposts

Original prompt by @some-messed-up-writing-for-you

It's been a few days now and Supervillain still hasn't shown Civilian that they aren't just a little bird, but they have their reasons, those reasons being that these days have actually been really pleasant.

Civilian set up a big box with a nest made from a blanket, at first Supervillain found it a bit embarassing to be in there, but soon realised it's actually really comfortable.

The fluffy, pastel-coloured nest is pleasant, even if Supervillain's aesthetic is usually more dark.

Civilian is also really gentle, they give Supervillain plenty of food, which it seems they researched, because all of it is food that's healthy for most birds. Supervillain still misses eating pizza though, who wouldn't?

Though honestly the best part is the amount of cuddles, petting, and affection. Usually nobody does that around Supervillain, they think the big scary shapeshifter will bite their hand off, which is actually definitely a possibility.

Either way, the last few days were really pleasant, but Supervillain is starting to worry. They will need to tell Civilian that they aren't just a critter at some point, but then Civilian will just kick them out, or reluctantly let them stay but it won't be the same. They don't want to terrify Civilian, but they also can't just stay here forever in Civilian's house forever, there are crimes to commit.

Maybe they should stay until their wing, or well, arm, is healed? Supervillain can't exactly just stroll into a hospital and Civilian is basically free health-care that won't tell the police about the criminal, very cute and endearing health-care too.

The way Civilian gently picks them up, scratches the back of Supervillain's neck and says reassuring words that they will take care of Supervillain...

It's a good feeling...

If crows could blush, Supervillain's face would be redder than the raspberries they get as treats. Civilian is just so caring and endearing, but that makes the shapeshifter just feel worse about keeping secrets from them.

They will show Civilian the truth this evening, when they're back from work.

___

Civilian's shift was finally over, they enjoyed selling flowers, but the retail part of it was really tiring, the weather could also be better.

Their walks home are usually pretty pleasant, they like to buy some cocoa or a milkshake from the cafe nearby the flower shop and sip it while strolling through the park.

The cafe has the best drinks, today Civilian bought a mint flavoured milkshake from there. After they finished it they carried it to a dumpster and threw it in, before continuing going home.

When they got home, they went to their room but immediately paused at the doorway. Supervillain was in their room, questions we're racing in Civilians mind.

Why? How? Are they going to get hurt?

In panic the civilian just bolted towards the bathroom, closed the door and spun the lock. If Supervillain wants to hurt them it won't help much, but it still makes Civilian feel safer.

They hear rather light footsteps walking towards the room they're in, Civilian is terrified. The sound stops at the door and they hear Supervillain sit down on the floor, and then they start talking.

"Hello, Civilian..."

Civilian can't supress a nervous chuckle before they reply:

"That sounds ominous coming from you."

"Sorry, uhhh... I'm not exactly good at socialising, but I need to tell you something."

Supervillain's tone seemed weirdly benevolent, but it was still THE Supervillain behind the door.

"You see, I was kind of.... the bird?... This is really awkwarrrd..."

Civilian continued listening.

"I'm not planning to hurt you, and I can leave... If you want me to of course, but honestly you seem pretty nice."

"And?"

"And maybe, if you feel okay with it, we can get coffee or a snack together sometime?..."

"Are you asking me out?"

"Well kind of? Of course you don't need to agree If you don't want to... I'm not going to hurt you."

Civilian was internally debating whether they should decline and possibly anger Supervillain, or agree and have an awful evening.

"Can I think on that?"

"Mhm."

"I think I'll think on it, but for now could you leave?"

"Of course..."

They hear Supervillain get up and then their footsteps heading towards the front door, and leaving. Civilian finally unlocks the door and leaves the bathroom, only to find a note on the floor.

"You can contact me by texting or calling, here's my number

-### ### ####

-Supervillain"

Civilian really shouldn't have gotten involved, but now they have, though Supervillain sounded genuine when they talked.

Maybe Civilian should meet up with them? Not as a date, but just to discuss the situation.

[noravidal]

On the morning of February 14th, a note is left on Nora’s pillowcase with @ibrahim-ziani ‘s name , reading: 

Ibra, mi amor, mi ladrón precioso, 

Lo siento, but I have to ditch you on Valentine's Day. Duty calls, you know how it is. At least Beastie will keep you company today-- he’d love it if you took him with you on this adventure.

I used to celebrate the holiday just because everyone else did, with expensive red roses and cheap chocolates, but this year I’ve decided to do something else (no, you aren’t getting a giant teddy bear, hope you can forgive me). I think it’s time we picked up where we left off at Christmas-- with our treasure hunt.

All sorts of clues, riddles and notes are left on various locations around New York-- such as: a tea bodega in the neighborhood, Beast’s favorite meadow in Central Park, Ibrahim’s go-to gym and hardware store, the gas station where he buys gas most often and eventuallyhis parents’ house, where Catherine hands him over a final note. 

Congratulations Ibra(g)him, 

you’ve solved the last puzzle and therefore earned your prize. It’s an address, and there you will find a charming little cabin upstate. It won me over the first time I set my eyes on it, and it is my gift to you. I hope you make it your next project. It’s in a pretty bad condition, that’s why I got a good deal, but the foundation is solid (I’ve checked with several professionals). You will have to restore it to its former glory, though. You will have to fix it up, repair... Pretty much everything, refurnish it, paint the walls (I know Audra is looking forward to helping you with this part). Before you leave me for being a horrible girlfriend, let me tell you a bit about the interior. 

There’s a bookshelf near the window where I think all your books and comics would fit perfectly, plenty of closet space for jerseys and soccer equipment. A large kitchen with a floor-length shelf which, I imagine, would make a great spice rack. The space itself isn’t overwhelmingly large (there’s little space for dancing. ;)) but there is some space on the fireplace for a certain cherry figurine. There’s a garage, and a bike which needs to be restored as well. The property comes with a small piece of land in the back where you could grow whatever your (or Catherine’s, let’s be real) heart desires. There’s a patio which could become a marvelous reading place in nature. Not to mention a couple of great hiking trails and camping sites nearby. 

I hope this place becomes a sanctuary of sorts. I hope you make it a place where you can go to escape the rush and noise of the City, I hope it becomes a place where my masterpiece learns how to master peace. ;) Where you learn about yourself, where you learn how to love, respect and fully accept yourself-- just as much as I do. I hope it becomes a home. 

Cabrón, I forgot to leave the key with your mother. I hope you find some other way to get in. ;)

Stay for as long as you’d like, but know I’ll be home at around eight, and I’d very much love to see you later today and hear what you think. Besides, I do need help making dinner, I might need to borrow some spices from my benevolent neighbor. ;) Also, I might need your opinion on this new set of lingerie I bought, I just can’t seem to get a good view of my 🍑 in the mirror. Qué pena, mi amor.

Happy Valentine’s day! 

Tuya, Nor *a clumsy doodle of a flower*