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vilithshaven · 3 years

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THE PRINCESS (2)

This was written a while ago already, but due to the shadowban and other asks I haven't gotten around yet to post it.

The second part of @nicebonescomrade request. :)

- Lilith

Warnings: none, this is pure fluff

Mondstadt was a pleasant change after leaving behind Sumeru. Although the knowledge the Sumerians held was impressive, the heat made quick work of (Name) and Dainsleif. Instead of attending classes, for which they'd been given a special permission, they confined themselves to their apartment. Higher-ranked scholars visited them occasionally to try and gain information about Khaenri'ah's alchemists and scientists, but she'd been taught enough by her own teachers to give them just enough information to satisfy them without saying too much.

Not that she knew about the experiments anyhow. She knew that their alchemists were working on something special, other than their automatons. That was as far as her knowledge went.

And this time around she didn't have to have a conversation with the Dendro Archon either. (Name) enjoyed the reprieve, still frightened by the Geo Archon's interest in her. Dainsleif, too, seemed to be glad about that. He'd been on edge ever since his princess met Rex Lapis.

(Name) shook her head and smiled at the sight in front of them. The City of Mondstadt was beautiful in its simplicity, compared to Liyue and Sumeru at least. Both nations favored intricate designs, whereas Mondstadt prefered wood to be the main eyecatcher of its buildings.

Dainsleif put a hand on her head to secure the hat as the wind picked up, circling around them until it disappeared into the direction of the windmills. She grinned and stretched her arms out in front, readying herself for the remaining trek.

"The City of Freedom, the one closest to our home...are you excited, Dainsleif?", (Name) mused, starting to walk down the path.

The knight let out a non-committal grunt. "They still pray to their Archon. It doesn't matter that he hasn't been seen in years."

(Name) chuckled. "What a typically you answer. But yes, you're right. They may come close, but they aren't nearly close to being like us. Perhaps one day, they'll be."

"Don't think to much on it. It won't happen."

"Yes, yes."

They passed through a small village and saw a massive tree in the distance, in the opposite direction of the city. As they moved across the bridge, (Name) checked her pockets and took out the letter that would prove her permission to enter the city.

Two guards were posted at the gate, solemn expressions lighting up at the sight of them. It seemed that guarding was a boring task these days.

"Halt! Strangers, who goes there?"

(Name) handed them the letter, aware of the curious eyes trained on them from inside the walls. No surprise there. As tensions rose in each nation, travellers were rare.

The guards held a whispered conversation, then one nodded and bowed to her. "Follow me, Lady (Name). I'll bring you to the Headquarters of the Knights of Favonius."

"No need for formalities! Please, just call me (Name). I'm just another traveller with my dearest friend Dainsleif", she said, a smile on her face.

The male blushed and coughed into his fist, swiftly turning around and walking off. The two Khaenri'ahns had no trouble following, by now used to the amount of stairs each city appeared to have. That's one thing she'd always prefer about her home; the fact that it was on even ground, the only stairs being those leading up or down into extra floors.

It sure made life a lot easier for her and the citizens.

"What's your name, sir?", (Name) asked while following the man up the stairs. "And would you mind telling me who we'll meet? Unfortunately we don't know a lot about Mondstadt and I just like to be prepared."

The guard sent them a glance. "My name is Rostam, miss. And about the second question...our current Grand Master is Arundolyn. He's the one leading the Knights. I'm sure he won't mind giving you book about us and other topics from our library."

"Thank you, Sir Rostam. I appreciate the kindness."

"No need to thank me! You're our honored guest, it's a given that we'll provide you with entertainment; if you can call studying that."

The two shared a hearty chuckle, Dainsleif just grumbling in discontent. He never liked when she got close with their 'enemies'. His attitude had always been the same.

Thankfully Arundolyn was as amicable as Rostam, and she soon found out that the two were childhood friends, having always dreamt of joining the Knights and protecting their city. An admirable dream, one she saw herself in.

As Rostam had said, she was given free access to any books in the library as long as she stayed away from the Forbidden Books, and (Name) accepted that. All she was here to do was learn their traditions and ways of living, and maybe gain some friends.

The weeks after that were mostly uneventful. Half a day was spent over books, studying their ways. The other she walked around the city, talking to one citizen or another. As it had been with the other nations, people grew fond of the foreign girl and her shadow, gushing about her always lending a helping hand to those in need.

People loved her and Dainsleif felt proud. Those people only saw the surface of her nature. If they knew just what she'd accomplished at her age already, they'd love her even more. But they didn't know, and thus she was just a traveler, soon to leave their nation again and be forgotten by its people.

Except for one.

"(Name)!", a cheery voice called out to her as she walked along a path by the stone walls, lost in thoughts.

(Name) looked up and grinned at the bard, whom she'd met a week after arriving in Mondstadt. "Venti. How may I help you today?"

Venti was one of the most intersting people she'd met during her journey so far. He was carefree, innocent, yet mischievous and an dumb alcoholic at the same time. Often enough he'd be seen stumbling around the city, a drunken blush on his face while senseless words spewed from his mouth.

People still flocked to him like moths to a flame. With his sweet voice he sang about tales of old, long forgotten by most and a great insight for the princess and her guard, who knew the bare minimum about Mondstadt's history.

There was something deep about him, something she wasn't quite able to pinpoint.

It didn't matter.

He was a good friend.

"I heard that you were leaving in two days...already? Can't you stay for another week? Or maybe a month!" The pout on his face was adorable.

(Name) chuckled and wrapped an arm around his shoulder, pulling him along to sit down on a bench. "Sorry, Venti. You know that I can't do that. I have to keep up a neutral appearance to the nations. And my parents."

The bard perked up at her words, a shit-eating grin spreading across his face. "Oh? That sounds as if you like it here more than in Sumeru and Liyue."

"I do", she hummed, glancing at her guard. "Both nations are beautiful and I liked seeing how autonomous they worked. The Liyue Qixing are handling things with honed skills, making sure everyone abided by the laws placed on the market by Rex Lapis. Sumeru has a vast amount of knowledge, incomparable to any other nations. It was interesting, but..."

"But?"

(Name) hesitated. "May I be honest with you?"

"Of course!" Venti slung his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Both people opted to ignore Dainsleif's growl. "You know you can always speak your mind to me. This is the City of Freedom after all."

She rested her head on his shoulder, a sigh escaping her lips. "Mondstadt reminds me of my home. Here, I don't feel pressured unlike in the other nations, where adepti and Gods roam free...Oh, this is a bad thing to say, right? I'm sorry, please forget what I said."

Venti looked at her, a fond smile on his face. "No need to fret. It's okay to think like that, you know? You've grown up in a nation without an Archon, watched in jealousy and hatred. It's okay for you to feel this way."

(Name) pecked his cheek, a warmth spreading through her chest at his words. She was truly glad she'd met the bard. He always knew what to say and never judged her for her naivety to Mondstadt's customs and her different way of thinking. He even seemed to glower in pride whenever she complimented anything about the nation.

"Thank you, Venti. For being my friend and accepting me."

"Well of course!" He laughed, a bashful smile on his face and his cheeks glowing red. "Hey, why don't we go to the tree and Windrise tonight? I want to show you something. Dainsleif can come, too."

Although the guard had his reservations towards the bard, Venti kept making sure to invite him, even if it wasn't needed. He'd come anyhow as it was his job. But even Dainsleif fell for his charm. He just wouldn't admit it out loud.

"If you're sure it's safe, why not."

"Perfect! Meet me at 8 by the gate. And don't be late!" Venti got up and ran off with a last cheery wave, leaving them to get ready.

The night was cold (Name) shivered. She'd opted to wear a long, flowing coat, not used yet to the colder temperature of the Anemo Nation. Dainsleif wrapped both arms around her waist from behind, pulling her close to his body that always was warm, no matter where they were.

"Thanks, Dainsleif."

"I'm only doing this so you don't catch a cold", he responded.

"Of course you are."

A loud holler made them aware of the bard's presence before he turned a corner, a bottle of wine in his hand. His eyes narrowed a bit at the sight of the two Khaenri'ahns close together, but he quickly masked that with a jovial grin.

"Let's go, my friends! I don't want to keep you awake too long."

Venti had no problem filling the walk to the tree with easy, mindless chatter. He went on and on about the rest of the day and people he met, how he'd 'borrowed' a bottle from the winery that just started business. Then he'd switch to asking her questions of Khaenri'ah again even though she'd answered the same ones countless times already.

His pure interested in her home made her heart beat faster. It had always been (Name) asking the other nations questions. They never cared to know about her home.

Understandable.

It didn't stop the sadness that she'd skillfully hidden in the depth of her chest.

They went to a spot between the tree's big roots, away from the statue's prying eyes. Venti pulled out a blanket and covered the ground with it, ushering the two of them to lay down.

"I like to come here at night, because...well, you'll see! You, too, Dainsleif. No standing of to the side. Lie down, now!"

Dainslief complied. His frown said it all.

Venti plopped down on the other side of the blanket, leaving an open space for the princess to lie down between them. Their arms brushed as they got comfortable.

"And now we wait."

Half an eternity passed until the first blue light appeared far up high in the tree's branches. Soon others followed, all in different variations of the colour blue. They danced along the bark, twirled around in the air, and sent soft breezes and sparks down to the three people hiding beneath the roots.

(Name) watched them, eyes wide open and reflecting the blue lights. Sometime during the spectacle, Venti's hand had found hers and he'd intertwined their fingers. She squeezed back subconsciously. "What are they?", she whispered, careful not to disturb them.

Venti smiled at her, then let his gaze wander back to the lights. "Some call them elfs, others wisps", he responded in the same quiet tone. "To me...they are so much more."

He didn't go into the detail, and (Name) didn't press him for more.

They stayed their half the night, watching the wisps dance and sway. Their songs reached their ears as sighs in the wind.

(Name) fell asleep to Venti humming a sweet lullaby in her ear, his arms wrapped around her pulling her close.

If she had been anyone else, she wouldn't have minded to stay like that forever. It was a dream she didn't allow herself to think of too much, for it was sure to rip her apart.

"Sleep well, my dear friend."

Oh, if she just knew what was to come in a few years.

#genshin impact #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact hc #genshin impact archons #archons #zhongli x reader #venti x reader #archons x reader #khaenri'ah #reader insert #khaenri'ahn reader #khaenrianheir #female reader #tw yandere themes

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sakuraoora · 2 years

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i'm sorry, windblume...

pairings: venti x gn!reader

characters mentioned: jean, venti, mitachurl, reader, aether, diluc

warnings: not spellchecked, reader dies, reader has a anemo vision and uses a bow, its literally canon that venti shape-shifted into his dead friend's form so he's a shape-shifter, meantions of alcohol/wine 🍷, sometimes you're in aether's pov and diluc's pov, reader is aether's triplet [w/ lumine, obviously], venti insults himself, there is a ✨funeral✨ [tell me if i missed any warnings!]

note: written for my "i don't wanna die but i don't wanna live like this..." 600 notes collab! check out the other works and maybe join while you're there?

inspiration: inspired by this youtube video!

word count: 1.3k

fanfic is under the cut!

you and venti were a normal couple. you got along amiably, but that wasn't to say that you didn't get into arguments, but they were small and over unimportant frivolous matters.

one day when you just had a small fight on starsnatch cliff, you decided to go back to mondstadt and get some commissions to take you mind off of the fight you had. it was a beautiful day, and you couldn't even remember what you were just fighting about with venti. probably something like eating the last apple again...

your mind wandered as you walked to mondstadt, thinking about what commission you were going to take. maybe something easy, like clearing a hilichurl camp, so that you could come back and apologize to venti after clearing your mind. while you were contemplating this, a rogue mitachurl with his aggressively chunky shield started sprinting at you, swinging his shield so it hit your head. you whirled around, your head throbbing from the hit it took. you quickly brought your bow out before running away- the close distance certainly didn't work to your advantage as a bow user- and started shooting arrows. but the arrows didn't pierce the shield, and the mitachurl was closing the gap at a rapid pace. you kept running, more and more. you used your anemo vision to stagger him, but the mitachurl got right back up.

it was useless.

you were going to fail.

you weren't going to be able to say sorry to venti.

while you were battling the mitachurl, venti was at the very edge of starsnatch cliff, his legs dangling off as he thought about your small fight, and how you left to "cool down", just like any time that you both got into a fight, no matter of what scale. you'd always come back, and he'd apologize to you, and you would apologize back. it didn't mean that you'd suddenly abandon him, or die all of a sudden.

but he couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom.

when he arrived back at mondstadt, he immediately asked katheryne if you took any commissions. the brunette lady behind the desk of the adventurer's guild waved at him like usual, but when he asked if you'd taken any commissions, she just shook her head, telling him that you didn't stop by today to ask for commissions. immediately after hearing that, his panic level went up- what happened to you?

he heard footsteps approaching him from behind. he turned around to see jean behind him.

"venti? we need to talk... somewhere more private. don't worry, you're not in trouble, but you need to know this."

"w-what? my windblume... is dead?" venti stuttered, his eyes filling up with tears. "its... all my fault..." he said, before standing up and walking to the door.

"its not your fau-" jean started before she got cut off by the sound of the door to her office slamming shut. ....i would blame myself too, if this ever happened to my beloved, venti, but i can only try to understand what you're feeling right now. is it agony? despair? if even someone like him, the former anemo archon, can't protect the one he loves... could i even try? or would it all be worthless?

venti sprinted out of the room, tears falling from his eyes. he could feel the pitiful looks of the knights of favonius - not meant to be condescending, but kind. venti paid no mind to them though- he needed fresh air.

he exited the knight's headquarters and immediately went to your shared home. he sobbed into his hands, his hands identical to the ones that were his friends', watching as they slowly shifted to your hands. watched as he became as tall as you were, with the same length of hair and same color of hair... but of course, with his signature green tint to the end. his eyes stayed the same brilliant emerald shade, but noticeably darker and seemed heavier, bearing the weight of more loss. without a doubt, venti would eventually wind up at the angel's share, trying to drink his problems away.

diluc, who was behind the counter, noticed venti's dark mood. and his new form, which he recognized as y/n's. it was common knowledge that venti's alcohol consumption is much higher than the average person could consume but... this was unordinary for even him to drink this much in one sitting. he noticed the reserved feeling that came from him, and recognized it as the same feeling he had when his father died. venti, he realized, had lost his s/o and now turned into them to mourn them. he looked at him, and gave him a drink... on the house. the bard, realizing he knew what happened, gave him a sad smile, and started drinking the newly filled cup of wine.

later on, when venti was kicked out of the tavern by diluc ["...venti, get out. the tavern's closed now."], aether was outside the cathedral with paimon. they casually- and nervously for aether's sibling- chatted.

"paimon is worried for your sibling! paimon also wonders when they'll come back... but what if the rumors are true??"

"...there's no way the rumors can be true. they can't die- they're probably, no, definitely stronger than i am!"

"paimon agrees! there's no way that they're dead... right?"

they both saw a silhouette, resembling yours, close to the statue of barbatos, also known as venti, as h learned a while ago. "y/n!" aether called out, "i knew the rumors weren't true, how are you..." he stopped mid-sentence, and the figure came closer, and their heart dropped when he saw them with green tinted hair... and a bottle of wine.

"what... wait, is that you, venti? why do you look like y/n..? please tell me the rumors aren't true!" aether ran up to venti, the words rushing out of his mouth. venti looked up at him, and aether saw how lifeless his eyes looked. "..no... this can't be happening..." aether cried, his hands gripping venti's shoulders that oh so felt like yours, his head lowering.

"its...my fault." aether looked up in his haze of tears. "i was the one who had an argument with y/n over something trivial. i was the one who made them walk back to mondstadt alone and get attacked on the way. its all my..." venti's voice cracked. "...its all my fault that they died..."

aether bit his lip to prevent him from saying something extremely hurtful, and the tears kept pooling in his eyes. "its... not your fault. not your fault that...that they died..." he said, blinking away tears.

"paimon agrees with aether- it's not your fault that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time!"

"....thanks for trying, but it doesn't change the fact that they went to cool down after our small argument.. the fact that it all started with me... the fact that i keep making the ones closest to me go away from me. it happened with my first friend too..." venti said, turning his head, and taking a long sip from the wine bottle. "its in your best interest to stay away from me." he said, before walking away.

when was the next time after his midnight encounter with the honorary knight that anyone saw even a glimpse of venti other than when he was at the angel's share? well, that was at your funeral, which took place a few days later. he was clearly sleep deprived, and reeked of alcohol.

everyone that attended your funeral saw him join aether at your casket and break down saying "i'm sorry windblume" over and over and over again, and everyone that attended your funeral saw how the usually boisterous bard was quiet the whole time, crying silent tears.

he missed his windblume.

he missed you.

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ohmykazuha · 3 years

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GENTIS MEDICUS SCRIPTOR | CH3.

a team is formed. part 1/part2

"What do you mean, you can't find then? Search the whole area again!" Kaeya growled, panic rising and bubbling in his chest.

"I'm calling Acting Grand-Master Jean to get help from the other areas of Teyvat, sir. She's already contacted a few people to help and they should be arriving soon. Meanwhile, our forces have been dispatched to look around Dadupa Gorge and Brightcrown Mountains. Sir Albedo and Miss Fischl will be arriving to help us in a while." Ezia reported.

"Alright. Go with the group to Dadupa Gorge and scout out the area. There's a good man."

"Sir, yes sir!" The knight ran off to join the group.

"Sir, The Millelith in Liyue have been tasked to search in Nantianmen and Tianqiu Valley, because of the recent monster sightings. The Resistance in Inazuma are helping us keep a lookout, according to Captain Beidou. She and her crew will be keeping a lookout for us at Guyun Stone Forest, but she and Kazuha may stop by to help if they have the time." Lawrence added, saluting Kaeya.

"Alright. We'll wait for them here, then." Kaeya exhaled. That was good – they had many people coming to help.

"You know, there are better ways to seek out our enemies than... well, standing here." A ginger male dropped from a tree next to them, holding his bow tightly.

"I'm sorry, who are you?"

"You mean you haven't heard of me before?" The male looked surprised. "I'm No. 11 of the Fatui Harbingers, codename Childe, but I also go by Tartaglia. And you... something tells me we're going to get along splendidly."

“Good to meet you… Childe. I assume you’re here on the business of (Y/N)’s case?” Kaeya shook his hand, Childe returning the handshake friendlily.

“Yeah. La Signora and I were placed on the lookout as well by the Tsaritsa. We’re here to help look for (Y/N). I have a few reports that may help, but I want to introduce you to someone else first, who may be of even more assistance.” The tall man replied, nodding.

The Lifebringer had helped the Tsaritsa a few years ago, and the archon had owed them her life – many people owed the Lifebringer their life. The cryo archon had vowed to help (Y/N) in every way possible. Since (Y/N) had been travelling around Teyvat, helping people and bringing them back to full health, they had made a lot of acquaintances along the way. Even one with the stone-hearted cryo archon.

“Alright. We can look them over with Jean to decide the best course of action for now. Albedo, our chief investigator, and Fischl, one of our investigators, will come with us. Your friend may also join us in the discussion – if he can bring anything to the table.”

“Captain Kaeya!” A new voice greeted – from a sauntering, blonde young man followed by a puzzling-looking girl with a raven.

“Albedo, Fischl – meet Childe. He’s here to help us with the investigation.”

“Good to meet you. I am Albedo, chief alchemist and investigator of the Knights of Favonius. This is Fischl – she’ll be assisting us with the investigation. Shall we proceed back?” Albedo smiled.

Back at the headquarters, the group, with Jean and Lisa, were huddled around the table, looking at the various reports and such. The investigation of (Y/N)’s disappearance was still ongoing – the citizens of the various nations were left shocked. (Y/N) was well known throughout the lands, and many knew of their powers and the possibility of their powers falling into the wrong hands.

“There’s no way they could have gone somewhere else in such a short period of time. Granted, teleportation does exist, but it’s impossible. It would take an extremely high level of skilled magic to teleport that quickly. You said that no one had realised that they were gone, right? Even the guards who were protecting them?” Lisa looked at the report curiously.

“Yes. The guards looked away for a split second to fight off the band of rogues who had infiltrated our camp – the next second, (Y/N) was gone. No one knows how it happened. They just... disappeared. It was as if they had never been in that tent all that while.” Kaeya furrowed his brows in thought. How exactly had (Y/N) disappeared? No one saw them leave the tent… unless...

“They didn’t leave the tent. They were ambushed within it. Someone infiltrated (Y/N)’s tent and took them from the inside.” Kaeya thought aloud, the realisation dawning on him and his cheeks paling.

“Then we need to find out who it was. Knights, friends... time is of the essence. (Y/N) is in danger, and you know what that could mean for us if their power falls into the wrong hands. Lisa, find all you can about the teleportation magic in the library. I’ll go with Kaeya, Albedo and Childe to further investigate the surrounding area. Once you’re done at the library, can you come find us?” Jean looked at Lisa, then at the others. Lisa nodded, hurrying off to the library.

“My friend will meet us there. He can help us with the investigation.” Childe added.

Meanwhile…

“What do you want? Why are you doing this? You haven’t answered my questions yet.” You growled, a low hiss emitting from your mouth.

The Khaenriah’ns stepped back, the man in the middle smiling calmly. He walked up to you, a menacing grin on his face – full of twistedness and a.. wrong sense of happiness. You could feel it. This man was evil to the core.

“We want you to revive our nation. Our fallen nation, which the gods cast their gazes away. We’ll make them see us once again. But first… oh, darling. We’re just getting started.” He held your chin tightly, turning your gaze to him.

Kaeya, our prince… we will bring you back.

oh man. tbh i was a little stuck here, but i think it was a relatively good filler chapter. what do you think of kaeya's connection to the story? :"D (p.s. @noirkkat can you spot your cameo? XD)

taglist: @eternism, @starglitterz, @oreoz-unfortunately, @lucult , @melkxsh, @solarpearl , @yua1106, @tokyii-e, @yeetmeoffjueyunkarst, @hq149, @shxnosuke, @dilucbar, @mika-zuko, @clouds-rambles, @the-gayest-sky-kid, @velionqs, @the-name-is-loser, @xingkiitty, @abyssheart, @fuhuashandholder, @almondto-fu, @cynettic, @noirkkat

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floofenstuff · 3 years

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This is not SAGAU just a self-indulgent Lumine thingy!

Symbol of a Fish

"Alright! That should do it!" Amber spoke,her voice cheery as always. "Another victory for Amber the Outrider!" "Paimon agrees with Amber!- ...Anything to get another free sticky honey roast..." Despite mumbling the last bit, Lumine could hear her tiny floating friend's words well, "You do realize I can hear you, right?" Paimon shot Lumine a glare, which she decided to ignore. "Thanks for the fire, Amber." Amber blushed, a shy smile forming on her face. "A-ah... It's really no trouble, Traveler. It's my duty as a Knight of Favonius to ensure your safety and comfort after all!" Her smile turned into a more confident grin, "You are the Honorary Knight!" Now it was Lumine's turn to blush, she giggled nervously. "Aha... N-not really, I haven't done that much..." Lumine turned her head to look at the campfire, which Amber and her pyro abilities had lit seconds prior. "Mhm... Well, I'm going to see if I can hunt down any boars for dinner, I'll be back in a few~" Amber grabbed her bow, and slung it across her shoulders, confident as could be. As she walked off, Lumine felt her eyes narrow at her retreating figure. At times, she really did envy Amber's way of fighting and confidence despite the fact Amber was human. Human...

"Hmph..." Lumine let out a heavy sigh as she sat down, resting her head on her cheek as she stared at the glowing flames of the campfire. Aether would totally have made fun of her by now... Being envious of a human! Lumine let out a puff of laughter, however, her moment soon turned sour as she remembered that he was not here. She was... Alone. In a way... She glanced over at her friend, Paimon. Who was happily snacking on one of her Chicken Mushroom Skewers. Physically, she was not alone but...emotionally. Mentally, she was. She and her brother had such a great connection that... They could feel what the other felt. But, now that he was gone, she had no one to fall back on. No one to talk to about... Their world. The world they were brought up in. No one in this world could understand her language, her culture. She didn't blame them but... It just made the feelings of homesickness and loneliness worse. Lumine glanced over a figure she spotted from the corner of her eye, oh. It was a stick. Lumine reached out for it, turning the broken branch in her hand as she examined it. Maybe...maybe she could? Hmm...

Suddenly inspired, Lumine began to dig spirals into the dirt, lines in a few places. The symbols of runes from her home, Lumine mumbled something in her home language as she did so, almost like a chant of some kind. Paimon, who had finished her skewer, watched with interest. She suddenly gasped at a particular rune she liked the look of, "Ooo! Pretty!" She floated closer to her blonde friend, and at the sound of her voice, Lumine had stopped her scrawling. "Paimon likes that one!" She pointed at the one Lumine had just finished, Lumine stared at it, a small smile beginning to form. "...That one...? It means 'Fish'." She said, ending her words with a small giggle that spurred on into full-out laughter. It took Paimon a second to realize what the blonde was laughing about, when she did she let out a "Hey!" And pouted, hands resting on her hips. "Paimon is NOT a fish!" Lumine snorted, "Maybe I really should call you emergency food!" "Oh for the love of-! FOR THE LAST TIME- PAIMON REPEATS; PAIMON IS NOT EMERGENCY FOOD!"

#lumine #female traveler #non-human lumine #paimon #amber genshin impact #genshin impact #outrider amber #camping time!#Paimon is fish #definitely #hahaha #ha #ha...

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shivada-jade · 3 years

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Timing (5)

main pairings: albedo x reader sucrose x reader

➡ mentions: diluc, venti, aether, paimon warning(s): usage of alcohol bc we're at angel's share

you can find timing's masterlist here!

notes: this has been long overdue! here you go bWAAH

Diluc watches a bard glide into his tavern like he owns the place. The Ragnvindr raises a brow, placing a wine glass back into a cupboard.

"Venti," he says, picking up another glass, polishing it. "Are you here to pay back your tabs?"

"Ah, Master Diluc!" The boy in green laughs nervously, "Oh, what a pleasant surprise, but of course I wouldn't dream to have your bills jeopardized."

The door of the tavern chimes, signaling another customer is there. Aether places his hands on his knees, heaving for breath and Paimon floats in, hitting Aether's head lightly, "I GOT YOU NOW."

Venti whistles and casually sides himself next to the traveler and wraps an arm around him, "Aether here, will be delighted to pay for my tab."

Paimon gasps and takes the hat off Venti's head. "No! We didn't come here to do that!" She flips to Aether, helping him up, "Tell him why we're here, Aether!"

The tavern owner wipes his hand on a cloth and leans forward on the counter, curious. The glass windows and colourful bottles filter the sunlight from behind the man. Colours reflect to Diluc, making him look like some sort of rainbow Angel.

Aether inhales, now standing up normally. "Lately, I've been getting a lot of commissions to gather Wolfhook for remedies, and whenever I ask what it's for they always say how it's like they..." He trails off, not knowing the best way to put it.

Dliuc clears his throat, watching Venti attempt to steal another bottle of wine. He quickly grabs the bottle from Venti's hand, who sulks sitting at the very right side of the counter.

"Like they think they have thing obnoxious sound in their head," Diluc finishes for Aether. "And when they try to remember what, it hurts them more."

Aether's head perks up, "Master Diluc, do you have these too?"

Diluc looks up, thinking. "...Yes, but it has mostly been the drunkard Knights that have been telling me these stories whilst I work here."

He breathes in sharply, "Those no use for good Knights come here more often since two years ago, which coincidentally is the disappearance of someone from the Investigation Team. I always assumed it was because that person had a huge impact on them, but when I questioned them, they don't even know the name of the missing person."

Paimon makes a face, "You sure have been doing a lot of research."

"If even the Knights are having troubles with only themselves, how would Mondstadt be protected?"

"Right! So," Venti quips. "Getting to the point. I also have been trouble remembering these... things, but one thing's for certain! The things I can't remember always leads me to this lovely tavern. Truly, the answer is under these curtains."

Paimon furrows her brows, scanning around the tavern for curtains. "There are no curtains here."

"Eheh~ It's a metaphor for, what's hiding in store!"

Diluc adjusts his gloves. "I have to admit, I do understand what you mean with the remembering and forgetting," he comments. "But what is it that you propose I do? What does this tavern have to do with anything?"

"Has there been any other... strange things going on?" Paimon floats, tilted forward. "Aether would als-"

The fae turns to Aether, only now realizing he disappeared from her side. "Aether?" She hovers over the boy's shoulder when finding him.

He stands in front of the door, observing the scratches- some new and some old. Venti hops off the stool he sits on and saunters to his friends, signaling Diluc to follow.

Aether's fingers trace the marks on the door and turns to the owner of the tavern. "Master Diluc, can I ask how long had Angel's Share been standing? When was it first built?"

Diluc ponders, scratching his chin a bit, then answering, "A few hundred years, give or take. It's been preserved well."

Aether's hand lifts from the door. "Then how is this old marking foreshadowing us meeting here?" His golden eyes scan over the names written on the door. Deep engravings, yet faded out edges let him figure it's been hundreds of years.

He looks over the words, or names on the door. "Diluc, Aether, Paimon, Venti, Albedo, Sucrose. By the time the first four meet, the other two will arrive because they're smart like that. Please, help me. There are barely any resources here. Things are yet to be mined or built."

Venti collapses again, clutching his head. He winces, looking up with one eye and waving his worried peers. "It's alright I just-" he takes a moment to pause. He grins, "I think I know who the mystery person in my memory is."

"It's just..." He tries to stand, but his knees fail him. "Remembering them changes many things."

Diluc looks to Aether, wondering if he had answers, but the blonde only shook his head, supporting Venti with his shoulder and placing him on a chair.

Paimon is still distracted by the carvings on the door. She floats closer. Her eyes are observing the door very closely. "It says Albedo and Sucrose a-"

The door flings Paimon to the cupboard Diluc puts the mugs and glass in. "gAH?!"

Albedo and Sucrose stand in front of the opened door. They both seem to be searching something and their eyes land on Diluc. Sucrose sighs in relief and pushes her glasses up to the bridge of her nose.

"Master Diluc," She says meekly, taking a thick book out of the bag she carries.

"Sucrose and I require your assistance in one of our projects." Albedo finishes for the girl before nodding to the others beside the Ragnvindr, acknowledging their presence. "I hope you can aid us."

...

Your hands are clasped in front of yourself, trying to contain your emotions. After meeting a Ragnvindr, you thought you were getting somewhere. As someone who knows the arts of science, you thought all you needed was to see a familiar presence in Mondstadt, so you searched the nobles, knowing how long they've spent in Mond.

You did not in fact gather inspiration, nor answers to getting back home, but you did befriend a wealthy aristocrat who, despite not believing your time-travel story, decided to help fund your research to going back to your time after helping him out with the latest project called "Angel's Share."

You sighed, taking a bite out of an apple while watching a few of Angel's Share's first customers. Looking around, Mondstadt still had that sort of look from the future, but everything is new and shiny. Everything is newly built.

You've been here for two years, and from those two years you watched Mondstadt quickly finish the last few touches to the city you know. It was a strange experience to say the least.

When you had first known you time traveled, you hadn't realized it until you waltzed into Favonius Headquarters and a guard seized you. You kicked and punched the guard, claiming you were one of the members of the Investigation Team but they looked at you like you were crazy. You stopped hitting them, and thought back to how the guard does not look like anyone you knew.

You asked him what year it was and the guard made a face. He grabbed your wrist harshly and was about to throw you down until a boy in green threw an apple at his head.

The green boy clutched his hat and sent a push of wind towards the guard, making him unconscious.

"Venti?"

The boy froze, and slowly turned towards you. "Goodness gracious! Haha, that is right! I must be getting popular these days for you to recognize my face." He exclaimed with a bow and a tip of his hat.

You tilted your head. You cautiously walked close to inspect his face. "But we just had wine the other day? What're you..."

Your eyes snapped to your hands then back to his teal eyes. "Are you really Venti?"

The boy lifted his cape from right to left, picking out details. "I'm sure I am he, for what else could my name be?"

"Ah.. right." You said partially scared. "Venti, do you know who I am?"

Venti placed a finger in the air, "You know... I have vision from Barbatos himself. It allows me to know if the winds of a person are new and old, but yours..." He circled you, thinking. "You have the presence of my own wind though I've never met you. How strange."

"Well I mean- we just drank together yesterday so-"

Shouts and yells came from inside the Favonius Headquarters. Venti's eyes widened, reaching for you and ran to Mondstadt's central market and hid behind a box of crates. He shushed you, pointing to the guards asking for someone wearing green.

"Darn it! Looks like I'm a wanted fugitive again."

"Again?"

Venti frowned, looking at you, "Did I say 'again?' You make me say strange things. Well then!" He brushed the feeling off and flipped his cape inside out so he wore white instead of green. "The guards said a boy with a green cloak, but now I have a white cloak!"

"Wow, they'll never catch you now."

Venti grinned, "So... Even if you have Mondstadt's winds lingering on your clothes, I can't say I've seen you around- I should know, because this is where I'm bound."

Your lips parted a bit, still not catching on. "But Venti, we just went for drinks yesterday before I went back to camping in Dragonspine."

Venti squinted his eyes, "EHH??"

"Unless..." You muttered, thinking of the events that happened. You look at the statue of Barbatos far in the distance, then look at the boy in front of you.

"Barbatos," you said loud enough for only the two of you to hear.

To most people, it would seem nothing out of the ordinary happened, but you weren't most people. You worked with a few of the Captains of The Knights of Favonius. It is required to have a perceptive eye, (When you didn't catch on things as fast, Albedo would simply guide you to the right direction with a little mumble. Maybe he'd pull a few jabs, but it's all in good fun.) and when you whispered the archon's name, you note the way Venti makes a face. His eyes dart and he turned more giggly. He whistled like he hadn't heard what you just said.

You put two and two together and you realized that you've been friends with the Anemo Archon.

You slap a hand on your face. Shock runs up your body- not because Venti was the Anemo Archon, but because you were too slow on figuring it out.

"Archons- Venti? You're him?" You knit your brows pointing at the statue of him far away.

"Ehe~ you caught me," he held his hands up in surrender. "But how did you ever know?"

You thought back, excited. "Venti, you don't know this, but future you talked to me a day ago about my time travel thing, and it worked."

...

But of course, that was two years ago. You hadn't been exited about your discovery of time travel since then.

(part 6)

notes: crying sm venti's so hard to write like how would he react to stuff if he does or doesnt know like do i say he does know or doest ugh time travelling is so confusing especially if you're friends with the anemo archon

#genshin impact #genshin #genshin impact x reader #albedo x reader #albedo kreideprinz #sucrose #sucrose genshin impact #sucrose x reader #diluc #venti #aether

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houseisekai · 2 years

Text

House Isekai: A Realm Reborn - Part 9.5, Calm Before the Storm

For the moment, House Isekai has a moment to breathe in Fhirdiad as their next course of action is being planned.

The students take their time to get used to their surroundings as the staff finally meet the heroes who stood by them 2 years ago...

[The Ocular - Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers OST]

...

[Sara's Voice] “If VEGA’s got communications handled then…Guess I’m with the maid too. Hey, kids. Be careful alright, we need to catch up once things settle down, wanna know how your class is doing!”

(Rean) “Of course, Sara!”

(Towa) “Leave it to us!”

(Aigis) “We won’t let you down!”

[Kazuma’s Voice] “Better than what you taught us, that’s for damn sure!”

Sara's voice went offline, Rean looking to everyone in the room while the floating orb 247B disappeared, presumably into Doomguy's base.

Aigis, Mercedes, Kairos, Stefan, Elizabeth, the ODST's, Raelyn, Duvalie were accounted for.

Class VII and Towa were behind him.

Then there were these...others Rean wasn't familiar with.

(Rean) "...Where's everyone else?"

(Towa) "Actually, how did your mission go? Were you able to find Valda?"

(Kairos) "About that...allow me to explain, Professors."

As Kairos, Elizabeth, and Stefan told Class VII what happened, Aigis turned her attention to the newcomers.

Those were the exact people that she and Valimar were talking about. It was obvious from the way they spoke they knew what happened in Fodlan, and vaguely about House Isekai.

But why weren't they here with everyone else?

(Tucker) "Think she's checking me out?"

(Lest) "Is this really the time?"

Aigis blinked and bowed.

(Aigis) "M-My apologies, it's just...you all were there, two years ago weren't you?"

(Forte) "If you are referring to when the towers appeared in our worlds, yes we were. Your people made way through our town, Selphia."

Aigis turned to the Reds.

(Aigis) "And you came by for a brief moment-"

(Sarge) "Heheh, yup! Pulled your asses outta the fire! No idea who you guys are but any friend of Byleth is a friend of ours!"

(Simmons) "Speaking of which, where is he? We tried asking your students about it, but they didn't know either."

Aigis and Mercedes looked at each other with a sad look in their eyes.

(Grif) "...Oh, don't tell me-"

(Mercedes) "I'm afraid Byleth...isn't with us anymore."

(Lest) "I...I see."

The newcomers became quiet for a moment, not really knowing what to say.

Byleth was a friend to all of them, and the fact they couldn't be here for his passing was a hard one to accept.

(Sarge) "Well, I suppose that's why his mama called in help."

(Aigis) "...Come again?"

(Buck) "Yeah, he mentioned they heard Sitri's call for help and came here via a teleporter."

Aigis put a finger to her chin, then turned to face the rest of the Auxiliary members.

(Aigis) "Did you hear a voice before coming to this world?"

The ODST's looked at each other, all shrugging.

Raelyn and Duvalie eyed each other before noting that neither of them had an expression that said 'yes'.

(Aigis) "So you're just like us...If that's the case, I doubt the Knights of Favonius were able to hear Sitri. But why are you all even here?"

(Raelyn) "If I had to guess, it has to do with that floating orb that was able to finally fix your teleporting issue at a single command."

(Duvalie) "I'm gonna break that damn thing if it was!"

(Romeo) "That Rean guy talked to it right? What's he know?"

Towa and Rean nodded once the Garreg Mach Students finished their report.

(Rean) "Good work. You guys should get some rest."

Rean then turned to everyone in the room.

(Rean) "Everyone should. It sounds like it's been an exhausting day."

(Mercedes) "Please, allow me to take them to their rooms."

Towa, Aigis, and Rean nodded and went to the table where the Newcomers were.

The Auxiliary members stayed behind to talk with them as well, leaving Mercedes to guide the students out of the castle.

[Nobility Sleeps - Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward OST]

The streets of Fhirdiad's Noble District was brightly lit by lamp posts scattered throughout the streets, dimly brightening the stone streets blanketed by snow.

Kairos and Stefan were shivering while Elizabeth seemed to be the only one completely unaffected.

The Class VII students were also affected by the cold, but not to the degree of the other two.

Mercedes looked back to Elizabeth with a smile.

(Mercedes) "Elizabeth, during your time in Fhirdiad, Aigis and I have made arrangements for House Isekai's stay to be in your manor."

Elizabeth's eyes widened in surpise.

(Elizabeth) "What?!"

(Kairos) "Don't want us there?"

Elizabeth turned around, but with a smile.

(Elizabeth) "No, I'm just surprised I can be home so soon! It's only been four months since we've attended the Officer's Academy!"

(Stefan) "Heh, I guess these past 2 weeks make it seem like it's been way longer..."

(Kurt) "Um, are you sure you would not mind us in your home?"

(Juna) "Yeah, it kinda feels like we're intruding, letting a buncha commoners and-"

(Elizabeth) "Oh please, the Mcgrath's harbor no such ill intent for commoners as Kairos makes it out for you to believe."

Kairos rolled his eyes. He was about to say something but Stefan stopped him, making him sigh instead.

(Elizabeth) "And if we are to be classmates, I should not hold any biases against you."

(Musse) "Well then Elizabeth, thank you for your hospitality!"

(Ash) "Do your other buddies know we're here as well?"

(Mercedes) "I will be out to retrieve them myself, no need to worry."

After a few more minutes, they finally reached the front door, with Elizabeth going first and opening the door.

Already there was a host of butlers and maids to receive them as they all bowed in unison.

(Everyone) "Welcome home, Lady Elizabeth!"

(Elizabeth) "Hello to everyone, thank you so much for greeting us on such short notice."

She held out a hand that extended towards her fellow students.

(Elizabeth) "Everyone here is a classmate of mine, and we will be getting in more soon. Please see to it that they are treated with the upmost respect! As for me, treat me as you always have."

Everyone bowed and awaited further instruction.

(Juna) "Wow, so this is what it's like to have a buncha servants..."

(Altina) "...I do not comprehend."

(Stefan) "Hah, well...How do we even explain it?"

(Ash) "Think it's better to show than tell, Stefan. Hey!"

Ash walked up to one of the servants.

(Ash) "Mind if you can point me to one of the bathrooms here? Need a shower."

(Butler) "At once. I should recommend everyone else take one as well, you all must be freezing."

(Kurt) "Thank you kindly, sir."

(Stefan) "Yeah, thanks!"

(Kairos) "Come on, at least show some manners..."

(Maid) "Lady Elizabeth, if you would follow us as well."

(Juna) "Heck, won't say no to a hot tub!"

(Elizabeth) "...What is a hot tub?"

(Musse) "Ah, right. Sometimes I forget that this isn't our world with how similar it is."

As everyone went to relax, Mercedes went back to get Astrid, Helena, and Sitri who were in the Castle's medical facilities.

...

Sitri's eyes slowly opened as she was blinded by the light in the room.

The first thing she noted was that she was in a bed now.

The next was that no one was in the room besides Sothis.

(Sothis) "Well, could've gone worse I think."

(Sitri) "Ugh, where are we?"

(Sothis) "We're back in Fhirdiad thanks to some new third party we've never seen before. But they seem vaguely familiar to me at least..."

Sitri stood up and her eyes shot open.

(Sitri) "Wait, the kids!"

(Sothis) "-Are all fine. Not to worry. Astrid and Helena just left after getting their wounds patched. Though it's quite rude no one sent any visitors to-"

The door opened, cutting Sothis off.

It was Recette and Tear.

(Recette) "Oh, evening miss Sitri, Sothis!"

(Tear) "Thank goodness. We had just been told about what happened on your mission. It is a miracle no one was severely injured."

(Sitri) "Indeed, I am not sure I'd like to think if anything else went wrong."

(Sothis) "Anything else happen while we were gone?"

(Tear) "Kazuma and the Knights have just returned. Currently, they are all having council in Dimitri's war room."

(Recette) "Want us to take ya there?"

Sitri smiled.

(Sitri) "Please, and thank you."

...

[The Ocular - Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers OST]

Sitri opened the door to House Isekai's staff and the newcomers all speaking.

The Knights of Favonius and Auxiliary members were nowhere to be found, surprisingly.

(Towa) "Sitri!"

(Kazuma) "Yo. Glad to see you're alive."

(Simmons) "Oh, it's that Merchant kid too."

(Lest) "Recette, Tear!"

(Recette) "Hi mister Lest!"

(Tear) "Good evening to you all."

Kazuma raised an eyebrow when he saw all the bandages Sitri was covered up in.

What concerned him more was that almost nothing seemed to heal.

(Kazuma) "...Sothis, why's she all wrapped up?"

Sothis popped up behind Sitri, surprising the newcomers.

(Sarge) "WOAH! It's the green Furby again!"

(Rean) "A...Furby?"

(Forte) "I am unfamiliar with those as well."

(Aigis) "You...you mean the children's toy?"

(Grif) "Sorry ignore him, he's just fucking stupid."

(Sarge) "How about I ignore you by putting A SHOTGUN SHELL TO YOUR FACE!"

(Simmons) "Sothis? OH! The supposed Goddess that hung out with Byleth."

(Lest) "Oh! Yeah, I remember you! You always got into arguments with Venti!"

(Sitri) "Venti? You mean the bard?"

(Tucker) "Holy crap we are going in circles- CUTTING TO THE CHASE! ANYWAYS! Sitri, Byleth's mom right? Pleasure to finally meet you when you aren't uh...dead. Speaking of which yeah, aren't you supposed to be dead?"

The Reds looked at each other, then back to Sitri.

(Simmons) "Yeeeaaah, that whole incident in Abyss."

(Kazuma) "You guys know about that too?"

(Simmons) "Hoo yeah, whole clusterfuck! Wash and Carolina were super pissed fighting that Albert guy or whoever he was."

(Sitri) "His name was Aelfric...And he was a good friend."

(Sothis) "And to answer you Kazuma, I'm not sure. I noticed they're still wounded but haven't been healed at all. You think with all the advancements in magic and tech we would've had that taken care of."

(Lest) "Here, allow me to try! I'm pretty good at healing magic myself."

Lest walked up to Sitri and put a hand on her wrist, with a green glow.

Sitri yanked it back, yelping in pain making everyone jump.

(Rean) "Sitri?!"

(Aigis) "Was the magic too strong?"

(Lest) "I-I'm so sorry! I don't know what-"

Kazuma pushed Lest aside and grabbed her wrist.

(Kazuma) "Hey, who's got the most health here?"

Everyone was confused by his question.

(Kazuma) "Oh for f-WHO CAN TAKE HARDEST HIT HERE?"

(Sarge) "Grif."

(Grif) "Oh fuck you. Ugh, whatever."

Grif walked up to Kazuma.

(Kazuma) "Thanks, give me your arm now."

(Grif) "Okay, what now?"

(Kazuma) "This might sting."

(Grif) "What wIIIIIIIIIILLLL?!-"

Kazuma's hands glowed purple as Grif shook violently while Sitri's wounds seemed to disappear.

When Kazuma let go, Grif yanked his hand back, shaking it.

(Grif) "GAH, what the hell was that?!"

(Kazuma) "Life drain. A friend of mine is an undead, and we had to heal her using someone else's life force. And I remember a moment where we tried to do the same when we first met Sitri..."

Sitri looked at her hand in astonishment.

(Sitri) "...So I still have one foot in the grave after all this time..."

Sitri shook her head, then turned her attention to the newcomers.

(Sitri) "But that's a discussion for another time. You're the ones who saved me and my students weren't you?"

(Forte) "We're happy to help out anytime, Miss Eisner."

(Sarge) "Yup, Red Team's the one you can count on!"

(Tucker) "Psh, whatever. Blue Team totally carried Fodlan on our backs!"

(Kazuma) "So if I can ask, the hell are you people doing here? We've never seen you before, and you obviously know about the war and other crap you weren't here for."

(Lest) "Well honestly, the Reds and Blues were present for the events in Fodlan. All we know is that they dropped in our world for about a year, then left. That's when we met them, and then had you guys come through our town for a moment."

(Recette) "Oh, we were there too!"

(Tear) "For a very brief moment. We actually met Lest in Selphia before everyone came along."

(Rean) "I bet the Tower's behind this. There's no way this is all coincidence since we're meeting everyone we came across."

(Towa) "If I remember correctly, there's a few more we haven't seen. There was that person riding that giant bird with a cat in tow, then the child who looked like Byleth."

(Sitri) "It's all so strange...If my call meant for House Isekai reached you all, then there's no telling how far that call actually went."

(Aigis) "When I asked our other group, they said they hadn't heard anything before being transported."

(Sitri) "Did we have a chance to ask Class VII or the Favonius Knights?"

(Recette) "Mercie went to take them all to Elizabeth's house."

(Sothis) "Then we'll have to ask in the morning. But is that seriously how you all came here, hearing Sitri's voice?"

(Sarge) "Yup, we hopped in our jeep, then a portal opened up for us as soon as we said we were going. Was pretty convenient."

(Simmons) "It's a bit troubling to think on though, we don't even have access to FTL travel, let alone dimension hopping!"

Sitri's eyes widened.

(Sitri) "Then how could..."

Sitri turned to Lest.

(Sitri) "What about you two?"

(Lest) "There was a crystal tower that showed up in our world. We went through it and it popped us out into that facility you guys were in. Speaking of which, just what the heck's happening in Fodlan right now?"

(Forte) "It seems very high tech considering what we were told about the country."

(Towa) "This...might take a while to explain..."

...

[The Waking Sands - Final Fantasy XIV OST]

Mcgrath Manor, Living Room

The ODST's sat near each other, all checking their equipment on the couches while Raelyn stood near them hardly moving.

(Buck) "So no one in the city seems to know what the hell our assault rifle even is."

(Romeo) "It's gotta be someone with that Edelgard chick. That seems to be the source of all the insurrectionists in this world."

(Dutch) "Wasn't there that Claude guy too? Seems to me they had their eyes on us when we were leaving."

(Mickey) "Yes, Hilda mentioned he was the prince of the Leicester Alliance."

(Romeo) "What do you think big guy?"

Romeo asked Raelyn nonchalantly as he checked the bullet count on his sniper.

(Raelyn) "I am guessing it is with Edelgard as well. But as Dutch mentioned, the Leicester Alliance is suspicious as well."

Buck looked up at Raelyn.

(Buck) "By the way, you ever gonna sit down? You've been standing literally all day."

(Raelyn) "I would, but I'm afraid the weight of any of this furniture could not withstand an Astartes."

The ODST's eyed Raelyn up and down.

(Dutch) "Man's got a point. He'd break anything the moment he squatted."

(Romeo) "Guess that's why he didn't go to the showers with the others either."

(Raelyn) "Well, that and I think I would break it too with my height."

(Romeo) "Heh, can't catch a break can ya?"

(Lamenters) "It is not in my Chapter's nature too."

(Buck) "Yikes, and it seems you can't lighten up either."

(Dutch) "Ease up a little, you're scaring the hell out of the butlers."

Raelyn turned around to a maid and she jumped the moment his helmet stared at her.

(Maid) "P-Please pardon me, milord!"

She quickly ran upstairs as the Helljumpers heard Raelyn sigh through his helmet.

...

(Venti) "Aaaah, now this is refreshing!"

Venti sunk into the tub as everyone else did the same.

It was a massive hot tub with a giant divider separating the men and women's sections.

The divider was so massive that they couldn't even hear each other through it.

Everyone's towels wrapped around them comfortably as they enjoyed the feeling of the hot water melting away their stress.

(Diluc) "I should thank Elizabeth again for letting us use this."

(Stefan) "Yeah, like Venti said this feels great!"

(Kairos) "I'm surprised she let me use it, considering."

(Kaeya) "Who knows? She may hold a soft spot for you."

(Ash) "Kinda doubt that."

(Kurt) "Er, I think it may be out of politeness for the group. Though it's good to see her being so cooperative with the Class."

(Venti) "Yeah, usually her type is super pompous, "YOU WILL FOLLOW MY NOBLE ARCHETYPE, OR I WILL HAVE MY VENGEANCE UPON YOU!"

Diluc couldn't help but crack a smile at that.

(Diluc) "Wonder who that could be."

(Kairos) "...Judging from that tone, you know someone like that from your world?"

(Kaeya) "Ah, the Lawrence girl right? She does it ironically, I believe."

(Stefan) "She says it that loudly?"

(Venti) "Nah, it's a lot more refined."

(Ash) "It'd be kinda hard to imagine anyone who'd say that seriously anyway."

(Kurt) "I don't know, Instructor Rean does know quite a few characters..."

(Venti) "Yeah, like that Kazuma guy! He's a total jerk."

(Diluc) "Hm. Seems like he's got it out for you in particular."

(Stefan) "We should really ask the others why he's a teacher to begin with..."

...

(Juna) "Wow, you all look really pretty...!"

(Elizabeth) "O-Oh, thank you!"

(Lisa) "Aw come on now, ol' Lisa isn't anything to fawn over."

(Altina) "Juna falling heads over heels over women again has been detected. Vomiting is imminent."

(Amber) "Hah, this happen often?"

(Musse) "Oh, more than you know."

(Helena) "We know the feeling."

(Astrid) "...Hey, what's that look for?"

(Jean) "As do we."

(Lisa) "Jeez, I thought we were all supposed to be relaxing, not calling each other out."

(Juna) "Hey, I'm nowhere near as bad as Instructor Towa's friend!"

(Elizabeth) "Professor Aigis?"

(Amber) "Weird, I've always thought she was a bit too formal. Never took her for a pervert-"

(Musse) "Oh, not Aigis. She means someone from our world, Angelica."

(Lisa) "I've heard her say that name before. Who is she?"

(Altina) "A menace."

(Astrid) "Wow, the way you said it makes it sound like she's relentless."

(Helena) "Judging by their expressions, I think they just might be..."

(Jean) "Your class must lead a very interesting life."

(Elizabeth) "Well, we're not too normal ourselves, miss Jean!"

(Jean) "Hah, fair enough."

...

After their time together in the baths, they all went their separate ways and were taken to guest rooms for resting.

Meanwhile, the staff did the same as they headed for the Mcgrath estate while the newcomers stayed at Dimitri's castle.

In the morning, they had to be prepared to move again...

#House Isekai #House Isekai ARR #crossover #fanfic

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hellonoblesky · 3 years

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I just realized that I don’t nerd out about Genshin lore that much on Tumblr so here’s a list of My Favorite Teyvat Historical Figures And Why, followed by my Least Favorite Teyvat Historical Figures And Why:

Favorites:

Kunwu: Literally found the sundial (in the petra set) and went “wow Rex Lapis sure is a good craftsman, I’m literally going to be as good as him” and he. He was. Solar Pearl literally got a Devine blessing or something when it was finished?? He’s cool, what a guy

Parsifal: Literally Eula’s ancestor and I think this is where she gets it from ngl. Dude literally stole a Sword, a Catalyst, and Bow, left the Aristocracy, and be came such an icon for the revolution that the Favonius set is styled after his weapons?? Also he was in love with the spear witch and after Eberheart killed her and then orchestrated his funky trap thing on Dragonspine, he left for Liyue and joined a ship. He also owned Iron Sting and the Heart of Depths artifact set belonged to him. He’s kinda like a historical Kazuha imo

Skipper: If Parsifal is a historical Kazuha, Skipper is his historical Beidou. The guy literally slayed sea monsters as a hobby and commandeered a ship with ease, both feared and adored. 10/10 very cool, his weapon was Serpent Spine, I think he’s neat :)

Vennessa: If you’ve seen any of my The Falcon and the Peacock stuff you know. I simply find her story very interesting and love her dearly <3. Actually though I would like more content for her please and thank you I love her

Guha: A favorite more for lore intrest to be honest? I think he’s neat and he’s the second record of a Celestia ascensio, so. Lore :)

Durin: I love him ver much and he makes me sad :(. In all the weapons where we get lore of his thoughts he’s just a little guy,,, he just wanted to see the world and fly with Dvalin and Venti and tell them about his homeland,, :( mad at Gold/Rhinedottir for corrupting him via some sort of dreamstate. He was just a little guy,,,, :’(

Rhinedottier: I know I just said I was mad at them but oh my goodness the lore this person carries on their shoulders? Immaculate please tell me everything they are so interesting to me <3

Rostam: Also makes me sad but he may have been secretly running an unnamed secret organization that I very much would like to know more about also I think he’s neat </3

Bloodstained Knight: Went from monster slaying to defending post-cataclysm Khaenri’ah, and if that isn’t An Arc I don’t know what is

Dawn Knight Ragnvinder: Literally what is up with that library, I’ve read Favonius Codex Lore buddy what was up with that fire??? Overall only a favorite because he and that one Ragnvinder (who was in the Venti cutscene, you know the one, the one with Decabrian and the Unnamed Bard) really interest me, especially with Freedom-Sworn lore and such

Blue Spear Witch: She didn’t deserve to die Eberheart what the hell, she was good :(. Her story makes me sad and I love her dearly

Pervases: He also makes me sad :(. I had one of my mains using the Fillet Blade for a while and I swear, every time I get bored and start looking through weapon lore this one Hurts. He just wanted Grilled Ticker Fish for one last time :(

Boacious: Yea the trend here is that the Yaksha make me sad, I did not expect their world quest when I stumbled upon it, and it kinda hurt man :(

The Chi: Funky snake dragon dude? Idk what’s up with ’em but I hope we can learn more some day, also the fact that they had a whole little section of Liyue and then Zhongl just killed him makes me kindaa sad,

Crimson Witch of Flames: Does she count as a historical figure if she did actually end up being a Harbinge? I think yes

Pierro: Jester man of the Cataclysm :)

Least Favorites:

Eberheart: I hate this man. The peak of Lawrence Tyranny is this man right here. He learned the spear from the Spear Witch, then killed her. He lured his half brother and friends out onto Drgaonspine with the full intent of killing them. Literally if you want to get mad about Lawrence tyranny, don’t yell about Eula, yell about this guy. Because Eula takes after Parcifal. Eberheart is terrible and I hope he rots for eternity.

#genshin impact #genshin lore #I don’t know what I’m doing but I’m Bored #And lemme tell you when I say Genshin lore is giving me life I mean it #if you’re one of my friends irl I am so sorry i keep spamming the ramble chat with wiki screenshots #tw death mention #Turtledove thinks

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elleonmybeloved · 4 years

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The weather on the day of the competition was perfect, nary a cloud in the sky and a warm fresh smelling breeze blew throughout the city of Mondstadt. Everybody was gathered around the archon statue, in front of which a raised wooden platform has been placed as a makeshift stage. The person in charge of the event is just a person who owns an instrument shop in the city, but the real weight behind regulating the event is the group of knights of Favonius that stand guard in the area and enforce safety as well as the rules of the proceedings. There’s no panel of judges. It’s the audience who chooses the winner by writing the name of the bard who gave their favorite performance and placing it inside a wooden box to be counted by the host.

“Ooh, Paimon can’t wait! When are they gonna start already?” Lumine’s floating companion gives an impatient wiggle. “Oh wait, look, here comes the host now!”

The host steps up on the stage, and after a minute the swelling chatter from the crowd dies down to a murmur.

“Greetings citizens of Mondstadt, and welcome to another battle of the bards! It is my pleasure to announce that we will be treated to fifteen performances today. Each contestant will be performing two songs, one preexisting song of their choice, and one of their own. After they have all given their performances, you, the audience, may cast your vote for whoever most greatly moved your heart with their music.” He gives a break for applause.

“May the anemo archon watch over us all! Let the contest begin!” The host steps down off the stage and the first bard takes his place.

One performance after another, the city fills with music. Some chose upbeat, joyous melodies, others slow and mellow ballads, and even some that take a jazzy tune and encourage clapping and dancing from the audience. Lumine is amused to witness what she guesses is a bard commissioned by Stanley to make a song about him and his famous adventures.

By the end of that song, she and the crowd have already memorized the repetitive words and are joining in to shout-sing the great adventurer’s name.

“Good for him, I guess.”

“Paimon thought this was supposed to be emotionally moving music! Geez.”

“They never specified which emotion.” Lumine points out, but before Paimon can quip back, a hush falls over the crowd again as the next bard comes up.

The lanky teen in bright teal that takes the stage is surely Venti, but his prescence feels so different from what she’s used to. Lumine swallows dryly. He’s the one on stage about to perform, so why is she the one feeling nervous all of a sudden?

Venti begins with the first song- Lion Heart, the one about Venessa, the great hero of Mondstadt. The melody flows like the wind but the sound grows and flares like a fire in a grand way that makes her feel as if she herself has been transported back in time and is standing in the middle of a raging war. His voice is strong and unwavering as he effortlessly tackles difficult notes, and his lyre sounds more like the herald of a trumpet than some little church house harp.

When it’s over, the audience whistles and calls out loudly with applause. The man next to her is exclaiming that he has “-Not heard that classic song so masterfully done in decades!” And Lumine has to agree with the sentiment. He could end it right now and still be the one to go home with the prize.

“Oh wooow, who knew the tone-deaf bard could do that! And to think, Paimon didn’t believe him when he said singing was the only thing he did well.”

“Yeah.” She says, squinting at the stage. Venti is setting down his lyre and is taking... something, up to the stage. It looks a bit like a lute, but it’s curved in swirling angles and with it there’s a... straight bow? Nobody else seems puzzled by this, so she figures it’s an instrument native to Teyvat.

He gets into position and Lumine’s heart begins to pound in her chest. Here it comes!

It starts with a deep, resounding hum in a minor key, tamely going above and below the starting note of the chord. The instrument makes a beautifully layered, rich sound that supports the higher and lighter tone of his voice in such a nice way that she instantly understand why he chose to use this instead of his lyre. The melody begins mysterious, and she strains her ears to make out every word.

Venti tells the tale of a forest, ruled by a bird king, a white dove. His voice flutters like the flapping of wings.

The bird king loves his forest, but invaders keep coming in and threatening it. The kings friend, the lizard, drives off the invaders, but the venom of his attack drips to the ground and poisons the forest, causing all the plants to slowly wither and die. The bird king tries everything, but cannot cure the poison, and resigns himself to die with his beloved forest instead of abandoning it, and becomes poisoned as well.

The deep thrum of the stringed instrument waxes somber.

Then, a star falls from the sky, crashing into his forest with a great flash. To the bird king’s surprise, out from the crash site flows light that purifies the poison in the forest, eventually even himself, and the great lizard. He goes to thank the star, but encounters instead a lake of tears and ash.

The bird king asks the fallen star why it laments so. The star says she has lost her ability to fly, and cannot rejoin her friends that soar the heavens. Not being able to fly sounds like the most painful fate the bird king has ever heard, and his heart is moved to help the fallen star.

Lumine recognizes a theme that resembles her song in this part, and then the instrument and Venti’s voice swirl up to a new sound.

The bird king plucks a feather from his own wing, and plants it in the now purified ground. A flower grows, and from it, he plucks a fruit.

He offers the fruit to the fallen star, telling her it is a magical fruit that can restore her power to fly, but it will cause her much pain. She eats the fruit, and is engulfed in a great flame. From the ashes of the fire, she rises, no longer a fallen star, but a phoenix.

The music soars to a climax, shifting from a minor to major key in the last few notes. Then it’s over, and Venti lowers the instrument to take a bow.

The crowd is silent a moment before erupting into applause. Lumine doesn’t know how to feel. She can’t even begin to unpack the meaning of what she just experienced.

Another bard, the next contestant replaces Venti on the stage. Lumine somehow tunes back into the present.

“-and so before I begin my performance I have something to say.” The woman on stage couldn’t be much older than Lumine. There’s something familiar about her. “Unfortunately the song I was about to play has already been played.”

A confused murmur passes through the crowd.

“I got the idea to write a song about a magic forest after being rescued by some adventurers in the Whispering Woods. I worked really ha-“ Her voice breaks on the word. “Worked really hard on it and I was so excited to show it you all today. But I can’t, because he,”

She is lifting a finger at Venti. “Stole my song.”

The host steps forward with an uneasy expression. “That’s quite the accusation. Do you have any proof, Miss...?

“-Solia. Of course I do.” She says, and hands him her notebook. “Here’s where I wrote it. You can even see the drawing I made of the bird who inspired the Bird King.”

“This... does resemble the white cranes in the Whispering Wood.” He admits. Gasps and whispers come from the crowd. Somebody says they always knew Venti was a thief and several others hear that and murmur to each other.

Lumine cannot believe her ears. She can’t see Venti’s expression from here, and she pushes through the crowd to get closer.

“Is what she is saying true, young man? Please be honest.”

Lumine pushes through to the front just as Venti answers him.

“Uheheh, no. If this is meant to be a jest, I’m afraid I must protest.” He just looks really confused. “It’s not that funny.”

“Liar!” Solia cries. “It’s my song!”

Lumine realizes where she’s seen this woman before. Sitting at the base of a windmill, writing in a notebook, a week and a half ago.

“Actually, it’s my song.”

The host looks even more confused as Lumine climbs into the stage and strides over to stand in between Solia and Venti.

“And by that I mean, he wrote it for me while you sat underneath him by the windmill and copied what you heard word for word.”

“Uh, who are you?” Solia is thrown off beat by the exposure, face flushing rapidly. “His -his girlfriend?”

“Enough of this.” The host insists. One of the knights of Favonius is saying something to him. “This young lady is an honorary knight, appointed by Acting Grand Master Jean herself. Miss Solia, if you don’t intend to play your songs, please exit the stage.”

“Huh? But-“ Solia splutters through several half formed protests, but the knight steps towards her and she raises her hands. “I-I’m going.”

Lumine turns to Venti. He looks dazed, like he still can’t believe what happened. “Come on Venti.” She grabs his hand and pulls him with her off stage. “Let’s go.”

They’re a block away before she stops. She is still holding his hand.

She’s at a loss for words. “I can’t believe she did that.”

“It’s okay, Lumine.” He’s already soothing her. “I’m not angry! Eheh... but wow, I should’ve been more careful. I hope it didn’t ruin the song for you.”

“No, not at all!” She shakes her head vehemently, clasping both his hands in hers now. “It was really good. I was really moved. You were so good!”

“Hehe. Thanks.” He’s looking at her grip on his hands.

Lumine realizes and drops them like she’s been burned.

Venti retrieves them and presses one against his cheek and rubs against it.

The question she was about to ask sputters out at the bold gesture.

“You’re so cute.” He croons, and tugs her closer to him. His blue eyes shine with mischief and happiness. “Wanna play a game?”

“Play a- uh yeah, okay!”

“Close your eyes. Open em and you lose~!”

The way he is petting her is very distracting. Lumine closes her eyes and hopes she doesn’t look dumb. She can feel his breath on her face. Her heart lurches in anticipation.

“...”

She cracks an eye open, wondering what’s going on.

“Hey! Come on, you didn’t even last ten seconds!” He complains. “I’m good at this but I’m not that fast.”

The long parts of her hair are in his hands, one side half braided. She realizes he is giving her the same style as him.

“Oh sorry.” She says, and closes her eyes at his pointed look. Lumine holds very still. She feels repetitive little tugs at her hair one side, then the other. Is he finished? Feels like it.

“We match.” His voice is very close.

Pressure pulls her head forward by the braids in a gentle motion. And then there’s a swell of warmth as soft lips press firm against hers and a hand presses against the small of her back.

Lumine was sufficiently fooled into not expecting it, and a chorus of butterflies rise in her stomach as Venti pulls back and kisses her again.

Elation fills her at the confirmed prospect of his feelings and her cautiously withheld affection for him breaks free. Lumine presses a hand to the back of Venti’s neck to bring their lips even closer together.

They take turns swapping sweet kisses until they are both breathless and love-drunk. Venti isn’t there to hear himself win first place.

#genshin impact #venti #lumine #venti x traveler #good evening to my fellow venlumi shippers and them only #just kidding lol but anyways may I offer you some cuteness in these trying times?#I did my best with the song don’t drag me please

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dreamerhideout · 4 years

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enhypen genshin impact!au hcs

characters: enhypen

word count: ~200 words each

warnings: mentions of alcohol for jay’s part, lore inaccuracies (i haven’t caught up on dragonspine event lore yet), spoilers for mondstadt + liyue main quest

a/n: i’m supposed to be working on something else but this brainrot got to me first... anyways, i’m assigning their visions + weapons based off a few fan theories i’ve read~ please enjoy my word dump! :D

more under the cut!

jungwon

okay so we’re starting off with our leader! hmm... i’d say that he has a geo vision

why? idk, i’m half sure it’s based off how calm and composed he is; i do kinda think jungwon is a picture of maturity and elegance (he literally has to take care of six children wdym)

it was kinda hard for me to choose a weapon because i kept going back-and-forth from sword to polearm, but my final pick for him would be polearm

yes this would mean that he is zhongli

a polearm would probably suit him because i see him as the kind to want some kind of control over his weapon (not saying he can’t control a sword). at the same time i feel like he’d want something lightweight which won’t bring him down

i think he’d work with the knights of favonius. working with the liyue qixing could also work for him, but considering the tension between the adepti and the qixing + the social climate of liyue makes me think that he’d want somewhere more calm

acting grandmaster jungwon? i’m down for it

spends time near the mondstadt church; he likes the peace and quiet of it

heeseung

from the get-go i knew he’d have a hydro vision

this one theory i’ve read says that hydro vision users have a strong sense of morality and justice (i guess i also interpreted it as balance) and heeseung seems like the kind of person who does

for weapon, i think he’d prefer to use a sword. we see that he’s good in a lot of areas when it comes to being an idol, so he’d perhaps want that versatility in the weapon he uses as well

hello xingqiu (wait i kinda think this fits)

i don’t see him particularly associating himself to any organization, so i think he’d simply be a wanderer. he goes from country to country as a vagabond, battling monsters along the way in order to perfect his skills

at the same time, i also see him making a lot of friends and having a bunch of connections from just about any corner of the land (more to acquaintances i suppose? heeseung doesn’t seem like the kind to let people in very quickly)

is probably very curious on elemental reactions and might be studious in a way; he would want to learn alchemy

likes stopping by mondstadt’s library when he needs to look up on something. probably keeps in contact with alchemists too

jay

oh man this is going to probably be very stereotypical

pyro vision, hands down. i was considering an electro vision for him at first but the amount of passion he has in doing the things he loves (primarily hip-hop) screams pyro to me

he would also have a claymore because let’s be real, he’d want something to get the job done quick; claymores are literally the weapon that causes the most damage

yeah he’d be diluc. or xinyan. whatever your pick is

bonks monsters for fun, fight me on this

association... i think he’d be a part of the adventurer’s guild. he strikes me as the kind of person who’d want some kind of reward for something he does for fun (in this case, mora. and a bunch of other items you can get from katheryne once you complete your daily commissions)

this is probably how he meets all his friends. if he wasn’t a part of any association, i don’t think he’d have many (not saying that he’s unable to make friends, he’d choose not to unless necessary)

strives to be a well-known adventurer, probably takes up more commissions than the average one

likes spending time in places with good ambience, food, and booze. probably is a regular at angel’s share and liyue’s street food stalls on days he comes to town

jake

i think he’d have an electro vision. it’s something about the way he fiercely cares for other people that makes me think that this suits him best

okay hear me out but i think he’d be amazing with a bow and arrow. he seems to have the tenacity and upper body strength for it, and i don’t think he’d particularly want something that could do a quick kill, like a sword or claymore per se

uhh... yeah he’d be fischl, i suppose. idk this realization was a bit weird to me but it doesn’t seem so far off from happening

sometimes uses his skills to shoot at fruit from trees; it’s a pretty good party trick

association-wise i don’t think he’d wanna join any, tbh. he’d be an “everyone’s friend” kinda guy. unlike heeseung who’d have acquaintances from all around, jake would generally want to befriend different kinds of people (helps around wangshu inn sometimes because of this)

still though, i think he hangs with members of the adventurer’s guild a lot

don’t be surprised if you catch him befriending a member of the fatui-

i also see him really immersing himself in the culture of each country he visits

he’s the guy who pets all the animals, especially the dogs

also seems like the kind to purchase or collect raw meat just to give to the stray animals he meets on his travels

sunghoon

oh boy am i excited for this one

okay so i know this is stereotypical but... cryo vision. honestly, having a geo vision would also be possible but remember that one time childe said something around the lines of the goddess of cryo having such a warm heart and she loved so much to the point it froze? yeah i think i’m basing him off the tsaritsa-

weapon would be a sword. i considered choosing a polearm for him but i think he’d want something slightly heavier that would get the job done, but not necessarily a claymore. do i think he has the capacity to use a claymore if he wanted to, though? sure why not

hello kaeya (or qiqi, if you’d wish)

okay okay this is where it gets fun... imagine sunghoon as a member of the fatui

mmm villain!sunghoon we love to see it

he’d honestly probably be on the road to becoming a harbinger? like, we see how he works very hard at ice skating and idol training, who’s to say that he won’t climb up the ranks real quick?

yes jakehoon brotp agenda is still on so they would be friends (though honestly their friendship is kinda uncanny)

when i thought of stuff to write for him i kinda think that he’d like liyue a lot; the tradition and order feel like home to him. this also fits lore because there’s more fatui appearances in liyue compared to mondstadt

also seems like the kind to wander around the city when things start to calm down for the day; if he’s not being tasked on a mission, he sometimes likes to head out to huaguang stone forest

sunoo

sunshine baby

okay i think he’d have an anemo vision (and this is not because he reminds me of venti). there was another theory that said that anemo vision-holders are hard workers who sometimes don’t give themselves enough rest, and sunoo seems to make the cut. he’s crazy hardworking at things he know he’s lacking at and strives to improve

i think he’d have a catalyst (yes!! we need male catalyst characters!!); i can see him absolutely fascinated by the way catalysts work like... “there’s no solid object engineering the attacks so... what is that? it seems so cool!”

so yeah he’d be sucrose, hello

i also think he’d want to be a part of the adventurer’s guild! it keeps him busy plus he likes helping people :D

would then be introduced to jay (and possibly jake) when he’s assigned to do a commission with him. honestly he’d prefer doing commissions with others rather than doing them alone

has a hard time killing monsters because he finds them cute (especially slimes). i think he’d also empathize with hilichurls to a degree

i see him residing in mondstadt most of the time; he’d also like talking to the locals a lot (has a high rep because of this)

loves trying out local cuisine, some of his favorite dishes include sweet madame and zhongyuan chop suey!

ni-ki

oh i’m also kinda excited for his too

so i initially thought he’d have a pyro vision, but after some time i figured he’d have an electro vision instead. i think it’s this weird sentiment i feel that he’d protect his passions with his life (in this case, dancing; he’s literally inseparable from it), so there’s that

totally looks like the kind to have a polearm. he definitely would want something lightweight that he could lowkey flex with

sadly he doesn’t have a genshin character twin yet :(

would also not have any affiliation whatsoever; he just traverses the land like the free spirit he is

occasionally would tag along with some adventurer’s guild members, but doesn’t like the idea of people telling him what to do; he creates his own adventures instead

am i the only one here who thinks that he’d honestly run really fast here (hehe speedy boi)

he’d love dashing through mondstadt’s plains (particularly springvale), sometimes slashing monsters left and right (he likes liyue’s scenery but the terrain is way too mountainous for him)

one thing he does like about liyue though is playing with the kids in the harbor. he’d get them toys with the extra mora he receives when helping people (big brother ni-ki agenda hmm)

#enhypen #enhypen imagines #enhypenwriters #yang jungwon #lee heeseung #park jongseong #sim jaeyun #park sunghoon #kim sunoo #nishimura riki #enhypen jungwon #enhypen heeseung #enhypen jay #enhypen jake #enhypen sunghoon #enhypen sunoo #enhypen ni-ki #jay park #jake sim

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girlmaster132 · 3 years

Text

Rosaria x Female Reader: Hidden In the Shadows

Rated: Mature

Words: 4k

Warning: Kidnapping, Death

First-Person POV:

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Mondstadt is such a beautiful place, the kind people, the breathtaking views. It is known as the city of wind and freedom. And for someone like me, it's the finest place to steal.

The Windblume festival has also begun doubling the number of people in the streets. My excitement reached its peak. I strode inside Mondstadt, flower wreaths and decorations welcomed me. I walked on a smooth blue carpet that reached the center.

Relief rushed through me knowing that this place has bad security. Knowing that most members of the Knights of Favonius are incompetent and lazy asshats, stealing here would be a breeze.

I smirked and watched the crowd form in the town center. Good Hunter has released a new dish and everyone's going crazy. I wore my hood and approached the nearest table. Golden Chicken Burger had a fragrant smell that could reach all the way here.

I sat in a chair and observed the potential victims. My other "friends" were doing their own business in the corners of Mondstadt. I wasn't on heavy duty today, so the simplest thing could be the greatest treasure.

I shifted my view to different people studying their clothing. A child wearing a flower headband, a man with booze, I saw a woman with a pouch of mora just hanging at her belt. I laid my eyes on the price and studied a route in this massive crowd. I stood up and quietly approached her.

I pretended to whistle and accidentally bumped into her. I swiftly swiped the mora on her belt and grinned hastily hiding the heavy pouch in my jacket.

"I'm sorry dear, I apologize for being ever so clumsy," I bowed down.

"Oh, no worries! A lot are excited for the food a lot of people bumped into me already."

"Well of I go, hope you have a nice lunch!" I winked and strutted away. I felt the bulge in my jacket symbolizing my success. I stretched and got ready to go back to base, I left Monstadt while giving empty smiles to whoever passed me.

My boots crunched at the grass, I strayed off the path and entered the woods. Boars and birds roam around. The sun was starting to set and after a few more steps I arrived at our camp. Some greeted me and when I entered the tent, I was met with devious smiles. The smiles of sinners, "Welcome back capt. Got anything worthwhile?"

I threw the pouch of mora and he clumsily caught it. "I did most of the work last raid, better not expect me to give you more than that." The rats rapidly took the pouch and fought over it. The coins dropped like heavy rain, clanking on the table, some even fell on the ground. They scattered around the room collecting the precious mora.

"This would be 5000 Mora. Nice catch capt."

She handed me a few coins, "Nah I don't need that, keep it for yourself. I'm fine with the food and shelter y'all provide me," I yawned and stretched. I walked around the room and observed the map of Mondstadt.

"Where are you going? It's night, the best time to get treasure. But you already did your share for this week?" I scoffed and

"You don't need to know." I sighed and stood up, "I'm going to the usual. See ya lads."

...

The moon glowed amidst the dark sky. The breeze was gentle and the town was silent. The lights gave a warm atmosphere as I walked to the cathedral. Thieves are sinners meant to be punished. It's ironic that I visit the church every night. I walked around the entrance and looked at the mountains.

Dragonspine was seen, I wonder how my fellow Treasure hoarders were holding up there.

I reached the back and stared blankly at the graves, there was a man singing lullabies. I eyed him and sat down at the stairs and waited for my friend to come. I blanked out and leaned at the huge door. The door opened quietly and I met with her.

"Tsk, stop sitting there like a homeless person and come in already." I blushed and laughed. A light blue color sparkled on her clothes.

Cryo Vision

...

The floors creak as I slowly approached the room. The windows glistened the moonlight. I tiptoed through the hall and kept looking back at the window I went in.

Desperate for a place to stay in, the treasure hoarders are my last chance. I strained my breaths through my pounding heart. In the hall were three rooms. I chose the door beside me, my hand wandered to my pocket and took a pin out. I knelt and unlocked the door. There Infront of me is an empty and dusty room. There were boxes stacked against each other and a sole table inside.

I walked towards the boxes and opened them. Coughing from the dust. Inside were broken bottles and cans. I pushed the box away, there needs to be something worthwhile here or I'm dead. I scanned the boxes and crawled to the table.

I ruffled at the table contemplating if I should hurry up or take this slow. I opened the drawers, piles of paper were in there. I stumbled and covered my mouth. I looked back and there were still no signs of people coming in. I gazed back at the table

The light from the window reflected a circle orb that caught my eye. I scrambled to it and took the papers above it away.

A Pyro Vision

It had no color or life, its owner must be dead. I sharply inhaled and grinned. I took the vision and fiddled with it. Relief surged through me, I'd finally get home and be able to attain Mora once I sold this.

"Oh, sweet mother of the archons! I'm saved!" I looked up into the ceiling and kissed the vision. Suddenly I heard stomping noises from the first floor. I quickly pushed the vision into my pocket and ran outside. I locked the door from the inside and slowly closed it. My heartbeat was faster as the footsteps were getting close.

I hastily jumped out of the window and harshly fell to the ground. My knees trembled and I stumbled. I picked myself up and stared at the pyro vision in my hand. I took a headstart and ran away passing the homes of Springvale.

I reached the forest, took out the map the treasure hoarders gave me. I followed the location running through the trees in the dark. I advanced and found the location. It was an empty camp with no sign of life or a fire source. I saw a girl a little bit older than me sitting under a tree staring at the darkness.

"Do you need help?" I whispered. I saw the table had food, cold but still food. I took a piece of bread and handed it to her. Getting near I got a better look at her. She was frail and her body was skinny. Her mouth had blood on it.

"I think you'd be needing that more than I do kid," She said with a raspy voice. I gazed upon her empty eyes. "You also shouldn't be here... I think you got the wrong location kid."

"Why not? The Treasure Hoarders led me towards here," I took out the map and showed it to her.

"Get out of here now those assholes tricked you!"

"Tricked me! W-what are you talking about?"

"You are nowhere near the Treasure Hoarders land. You're in the territory of the Ace Onyx if I were you I'd take this bread in my hand and have your last supper here." I paled when I heard people near us.

"Well, well, well what do we have here? You caught a new bitch?" I shivered and looked back. A punch met with my face and I fell down. I rubbed my face as my eyes got watery. The girl watched silently. "I wonder how this one would sell in the market." He loomed over me holding my face as he observed me.

"It'll be worth a fortune boss!"

He let go of my face and raised a hand. I covered my eyes and waited for the inevitable. The girl ran up with unbelievable speed as she roughly pushed him forward making him stumble. I gulped as the devilish eyes surrounded us.

"Lay a hand on her and I will kill all of you worthless scum!"

"Ya' talk big for a slave that knows no remorse and has killed countless innocent lives. You've taken all my dirty work and followed all my orders like a dog on a leash. Are ya' sure that you aren't part of this so-called worthless scum?" He smirked. I shakily stood up and walked backward, I looked back ready to escape.

"I am sick and tired of following your orders, getting innocent people involved just to survive and live a life. I'd rather die right here right now."

"K-kid let's go!" I took her hand pulling her towards me, yet she stood there unwavering. She glared at them with fire coursing through her soul.

"Fleeing makes you a traitor, and traitors can only earn their freedom through victory in combat," He raised his hand signaling the other bandits to stop. He took a dagger and threw it at her feet, she glanced back at me. Even if that hate wasn't towards me, it was enough to freeze to the core. "Well, come on then! Kill me, and you can leave this place. I'm long in the tooth now, while you've got youth on your side. You can do this, can't ya?"

She halted me from running away. I saw a smirk on her face. Like she was confident she was about to win. I sat back down on the ground as I watched the fight begin.

The girl twirled the dagger on her hand as her eyes were fixated on their leader. She inhaled and was quick on her feet; she struck upwards, slashing his shoulder. He prepared a jab which she dodged and elbowed him in return.

She ripped through his clothes, striking every opportunity she got. Every attack is driven by hate and rage, showing no remorse. This didn't even seem close to a fair fight. The leader was bleeding through several wounds. She didn't stop there, Her strength was admirable; she flipped him over and he roughly collided with the land.

She took him by his hair and brought him up. She stabbed him right in the heart, taking the knife out. The leader coughed out blood as she hit him in the face with the hilt of the dagger. She pushed his head down and didn't hesitate to stab him at the back of his head multiple times before he fell to the ground. She breathes out slowly, not even a single sweat dropped from her forehead.

She smeared her hand over the bloody head and disgustingly licked it. An eerie silence as everyone watched in horror. I breathe out and fog is released out of my mouth. I saw that the place was starting to get cold. The sky darkened and clouds swirled above her.

Something glowed in the sky. I squinted and gasped. A cryo vision slowly descended from the sky. My eyes widened as it fell into her hands. The bandits stood there trembling and terrified. They have no chance of winning against a person that has killed their leader. Let alone received a vision from the gods.

"Anyone else?" She pointed the dagger at them. Cryo manifested on the weapon.

Knights arrived at the scene and the bandits fought them. The girl took my hand and attempted to flee. We ran as fast as we could until we were out of sight, giving me enough time to do something. I crouched down and started digging in the ground.

"What are you doing?"

"None of your business—" More knights came in surrounding and trapping us. I hurried and threw the unused vision on the ground. I quickly stood up and stomped on it hiding it from the knights.

I hyperventilated and felt arms wrapped around me. I looked at her, she wasn't scared or startled at all. Men pointed their swords at us and instead of attacking us the knights just kept us in place. I covered my ears at all the screaming happening. Knights against the bandits, I saw sparks of different colors appear, symbolizing that the vision holders arrived and wiped everyone clean.

"Come on you two," The knight calmly said. Rosaria didn't falter, mostly because we're surrounded by knights and vision wielders far more superior and stronger than us. They locked up our hands with chains. They led us to a carriage in front of us. I gasped at the result of the fight.

Pools of blood surrounded them, huge deep cuts with oozing ichor out. Some were burnt and others had their eyes opened. The lifeless figures made my stomach churn as I stopped the non-existent food from going up out of my mouth. I froze with fear as the knights opened the carriage and helped us in.

I sat there traumatized that visions of those poor souls kept popping up in my head as if it won't leave me alone until I die.

"Rosaria," She quietly said.

"What?"

"My name's Rosaria." Silence overtook us, the carriage door closed and it started moving. "The nearest place we can stay is at Mondstadt. It's our only way of surviving. So if I were you, I'd like you to stay put and accept your fate."

Everything went hazy and I felt lightheaded. I relaxed and laid down on the floor. Everything has been so exhausting that I fell asleep.

...

I opened my eyes blinking multiple times with the sun blinding me.

We were both in the same cell, Rosaria was quietly fumbling around her newly acquired vision. And I was playing with my chains. Her wounds healed up quicker than I thought. I had a bandage up on my face after that punch.

We heard the door open and clanks of armor echoed around the cells. Knights escorted a tall man with them. He was looking down at us and I felt a tinge of intimidation radiate from him.

One of the knights took the key out and opened the rusty gate of our cell. Rosaria tensed as the man walked in. He crouched down to our level and surprisingly gave a warm smile.

"I am Varka Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius. I've heard about you two caught at the site of the Ace Onyx last night. You two seem young—"

"I'm talking to no creep."

He chuckles, "oh no you got it all wrong. I would never do anything bad to you children. Instead, I suggest that you go to the Cathedral and be cleansed by the light of our archon. You still have the chance to turn your fate around and live a normal life," Varka said.

"And what exactly— you want us to be nuns?"

"Indeed, I believe with all my heart you two would be reformed."

I noticed he was more inclined towards Rosaria. I have a feeling He deemed her more dangerous than me for having a vision.

I'd do anything to give me a temporary home.

"We accept."

...

A few days later I returned to the site of the fight. Everything was empty now, the bodies, the camp are gone. The place has been cleaned and a few animals were roaming around. I dug up the ground and found the vision I hid. I glared at it not knowing if I should feel happy that I saved a soul or to sell it to get back to my old ways.

"You all tricked me!" I yelled surprising the assholes.

"How the fuck did you survive?"

I tossed the unused vision at them. Their eyes widened, visions are hard to get. Unused ones are rare, and being able to steal them is rarer.

"W-what happened to the Ace Onyx group?"

"Whatever the fuck that group is they're gone! I was there to witness the Knights of Favonius kill each and every one of them!"

"They're gone?" They said with shock plastered amongst their faces.

"What? What's so special about them?" I asked while shifting my view to each one of them.

"They're our enemy faction, we've been battling for territory and power ever since. If they're gone that means..."

"We're the strongest faction in Mondstadt and Liyue."

"Does that mean?"

After the oh so meaningful conversation they immediately accepted me. They even paid a huge sum of mora for the unused vision I gave them. They celebrated that night and I rose the ranks quicker than I thought I would.

This is the life.

3 Years Later

It was a busy day, I walked up the stairs headed to the cathedral. I wonder how Rosaria is? Balancing my life as a treasure hoarder and commoner. I walked up the stairs.

"Miss Rosaria, please, show a little more circumspection in your actions! You are a member of the Church. How is it appropriate that you simply never turn up for hymn practice?" I overheard sister Ophila shouting.

"Please calm down, Sister Ophila. Miss Rosaria, I'm told that you have never attended a single one of your compulsory classes. Is that so?"

"Yes," Rosaria deadpanned.

"Mother Maria, please look at this... Rosaria's theological essay is an utter mess!" A sister chided while showing her a piece of paper. Sister Ophila took it and read it with a contorted look.

"Miss Rosaria, if I may ask frankly... do you intend to do any work at all here at the Church?" She asked while looking melancholic.

"No. I've already found other work." The sisters sighed in unison. Rosaria never showed so much as a hint of anxiety in any of these exchanges.

"Fine, miss Rosaria we'll let this pass this time but please take your next duties seriously." Rosaria bowed and the sisters left. I stood there as awkwardness filled the air.

"Hey Y/N I know you've been watching there. I could hear you a mile away," She glanced at me. I laughed at their antics. "Sorry, you had to see that. That was embarrassing."

"No, it's fine! I'm just worried maybe with all this work you're doing, you might not be feeling well," I said while scratching my head.

"You ask me that as if you didn't leave the church. I should be asking how are you?" She trudged away and I followed her.

"I'm fine really, I don't understand why they won't let you leave but here I am strolling around Mondstadt freely. Also, the additional fact that you're the one with the vision and I'm a useless person."

"You're nowhere useless to me," She muttered. Rosaria was forced to stay in the church by Varka. I still have no idea why he was so hellbent on the idea that Rosaria would be a nun and would reform. It's been three years and she's the same as ever.

We both reached the edge of the cathedral and sat at the edge of the cliff. We watched as the moon rose and the city turned calm. Rosaria took a cigarette out and started to smoke.

"What do you plan to do with your life?" I stretched.

"If the church wasn't so disdainful and bigoted I would like to do many things. I'd also want to spend my life and be with..." she trailed off.

"What did the church do again that's stopping you from doing what you want?" She glared at me and I scrunched my brows. "What?"

"You're denser than the dense. Stupid even. Whatever," She stood up and rolled her eyes.

"Hey?! Don't say all of that and then leave me hanging! Did I do something wrong?!" I ran up to her and grabbed my hand. She pulled me in and kissed my cheek.

"That kind of dense, you blundering buffoon," She scoffed and walked away. My mouth was wide open and I was dumbfounded.

...

Present

We entered the church and I yawned.

"How are you and what did you do today?"

"Oh you know, the usual. I was roaming around Starsnatch cliff to watch its amazing views."

"Was it a lovely sight?"

"Yeah—"

She used her elemental skill and teleported behind me. She hit my feet and I fell down. She tugged my shoulder and tossed me, sending me flying to the wall. I hit the wall with a thud as I groan and rub my back. The ice crawled up behind my back and my body slowed down. Her hand grabbed my neck and pulled me up. She glared at me with a burning hatred that pierced my soul.

"Treasure hoarders always get on my nerves. I can't believe you're the infamous Y/N. The brat that leads the group of treasure hoarders that terrorized Springvale for an entire month. I can't believe you're a vicious rat that's been hiding under our noses. How dare you betray me and my trust?"

I struggled to breathe and felt her hand trembling. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. If she was trying to make me feel bad, she was doing the right thing.

"Are you that "thing" my fellow treasure hoarders kept talking about?"

"It seems like you misunderstood me from the start. I may have been a friend to you, but I've been working for the church at night. Skewing and finding the threats of Mondstadt." I held her hand struggling for freedom, "Though I'd kill them the moment I catch them." She leaned in and we were face to face.

"Well, what are you going to do? Are you going to kill me now?"

"No, I'm going to do something better." She opened her mouth and I felt fangs bite into my neck and I wince in pain. She held me in place while she sucked on my blood. I breathed heavily and the world around me went hazy. Lightheaded, she pulled out and licked my neck. Chills ran down my spine and body. She shoved me down to the floor and smirked. "What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?"

I panted heavily and lifted a hand up to my neck. To check if I was dreaming or not, I smeared blood across my neck and looked at my hand.

"Y-you're a vampire! I thought they died whenever the rays of sunlight hit them! Does being inside a church not hurt you?"

"Oh, poor kitten do you seriously believe in those silly fairy tales? You've been my friend for a few years by now, yet a dense idiot like you hasn't caught on to the fact that I wasn't a normal human at all."

"How long did you know that I was part of the Treasure Hoarders?"

"I've known since the past month you've led your little buddies to attack Springvale. I am quite impressed that you've deceived me. But you've also angered me! But I can give you the luxury of freedom, I can spare you," She chuckles. "I'm quite starved. I would surely like to drain you right here right now. I've been waiting for a reason to do this." I gulped and looked at her eyes as she licked her lips.

"No... I will give back everything! Everything I stole! Just spare me!"

"How about we make a deal? I won't turn you into the Knights of Favonius. In exchange for something."

"I'll do anything! Calm down!"

"For someone as sinful as you, every night we meet here and I'll take a little bit of you."

I panted heavily and dreaded the future.

"So what's your choice? To rot in a cell for the rest of your life, or to give me something of yours every night? I promise I won't take much and you'd live." She smiled sadistically.

"Fine... I'll do it."

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Author's Note: I uh post in wattpad too- https://www.wattpad.com/story/264619512-genshin-impact-oneshots-x-readers-x-characters

#genshin impact #genshin impact rosaria #rosaria #genshin impact x reader #fanfic #fanfiction #rosaria x reader #genshinimpact #genshin_impact #genshin x reader

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glassworkspiderlilies · 4 years

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the earth shudders at the tower asunder (2/4)

Genshin Impact | Lumine & Venti (+ Mondstadt Chapter Cast) | AO3 Summary: Lumine arrives in Mondstadt and becomes willingly entangled in its affairs. Notes: Chapter 2 of the primordial!travelers AU, approx 7.5k words. Follows the events of the prologue. :)

They look at her oddly, these knights of Favonius.

Lumine supposes she can understand why; in the months she had been alone, struggling to gather the bits of herself together enough so that she could start moving and find Aether, she has grown…very quiet. Lumine had never been loud to begin with, but…her control over herself is tenuous at best now, and the more she speaks, the more she feels as though she will crumble. So she doesn’t, or as little as she can.

She suspects she looks as fragile as she feels.

Paimon, bless her soul, is chatty enough for the two of them. She picks up where Lumine falters, which is often, and her manner is so cheerful and innocent that Lumine is able to feel marginally more grounded as she is integrated back into civilization.

(She is so grateful for Paimon; she doesn’t think the fairy will understand just how much.)

Are you a new ally…or a new storm?

Kaeya had asked this, when Lumine had descended safely from the sky after Stormterror’s winds had whipped her upwards after finally setting foot in Mondstadt—and could Amber understand too, how grateful Lumine was to receive the glider and feel the delight of being in the skies once again?—but she didn’t have an answer to give him. She is neither; she merely is.

The true question is what he will deem her.

I understand the anguish of being separated from family, he’d said too, and she had met his eye and softly asked, do you?

It had not been asked derisively, but as a true, honest question, because she wanted to know if he could understand the cavernous emptiness inside of her. It would be a relief if he did.

But his eye had widened slightly, and he said nothing more. His gaze had only grown a little more piercing after that.

Even know, he is watching her with more scrutiny than the others.

“Lumine? You’re spacing out again,” Paimon says, floating in front of her to draw her attention.

Lumine blinks, and she touches her own cheek, as if she is returning from far away and assuring herself she is still corporeal.

“I’m sorry,” she says, and Kaeya’s lips lift in a smile.

“Were you distracted by my good looks?” he teases, “I must say, receiving such attention from the Hero of Mondstadt isn’t so bad.”

She blinks at him, tilting her head a little in thought. She is no hero, and as for Kaeya’s looks…

“A pretty man can be no secret,” she says absently, “But secrets are what you’re made out of nonetheless, isn’t it?”

A silence.

But then Lisa and Jean chuckle, the latter hiding it behind her hand, while Amber puts her hands on her hips and grins.

“Wow, you’ve just met him and you’re spot on!” Amber says cheerily, “It’s true, Kaeya’s always up to something.”

“It’s part of what makes him one of our most excellent knights,” Jean adds, with a smile.

“Hey now, she never said it was a bad thing,” Kaeya says, but there is a deeper curiosity about him as he looks back at Lumine. “But enough about me—let’s move on, shall we? Will our esteemed traveler sojourn in Mondstadt while we put word out for her brother, and lend us her aid?”

Lumine looks at him, then Jean, who inclines her head in question.

She stares at her for a long time, caught up, suddenly, by wisps of memory. She cannot recall them clearly, but she thinks about sweet faces turning malicious, and the scent of iron.

“Lumine,” Paimon prods gently, once more.

“I’m sorry,” she repeats, then focuses on Jean again. “My help. Will you accept the responsibility of taking it?”

Jean’s eyebrows rise, perplexed at the wording, but reaches out her hand resolutely.

“I will,” she says, voice firm, and Lumine graces her with a faint smile before pressing her fingers against Jean’s in the briefest of handshakes.

“So be it,” Lumine murmurs.

The four Favonius knights exchange significant looks, and Lumine excuses herself to let them speak without her.

Paimon bounces excitedly when they are outside, her eyes glistening, already used to Lumine’s odd way of speaking and finding nothing of note remiss.

“Let’s get this done and have the Sticky Honey Roast Amber promised!!” she exclaims, and Lumine smiles.

Simple pleasures and small goals—yes, she can handle these. Paimon is with her, and those knights…they’ve accepted responsibility for the price of her aid.

(But what price is that? She no longer quite remembers, and wonders about the pooling uneasiness inside of her.)

The bard feels like home.

Each pluck of his lyre soothes her; she closes her eyes and for the moments that the notes sweeten the air, she feels like she is back in the early days with Aether, running through fields and collecting flowers at their leisure. Before…before everything (everything?), when they were together and playing around without a care in the world.

Their separation already feels like eons, though surely it cannot be that long.

Tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she opens them. The melody changes then, and the tone of the bard’s voice shifts to a deeper, more somber tone, drawing attention for a dramatic ballad.

He tells a story, of friendship between fair bard and curious dragon, and the tragedy that split them apart: a desperate war with a price perhaps too high to pay, venomous blood inducing a long slumber, the denouncement that followed once the dragon awoke…and the damning absence of the only voice that could reach him thereafter.

Lumine’s tears do fall then while the bard ends his tale, sweeps a bow, and scans his eyes over his audience. He looks startled when he meets her dewy gaze, and almost wary when Paimon leads their approach. Lumine wipes the wetness on her cheeks away with a brush of both hands, and the bard tilts his head in slight recognition.

“I can’t say I’ve never had anyone cry at my performances,” he says, running his fingers over the strings aimlessly, “But I confess I was surprised to see you weep so openly while everyone else was quite dry-eyed.”

“I was lost in thought,” Lumine admits, “But your tale too was…sad.”

The bard looks at her with a faint smile, plucking out a simple melody, and something in her stirs at the tune. His gaze is open and curious as he looks between her and Paimon.

“I know you, don’t I? You were the ones that scared Dvalin away.”

“Dvalin…?” Paimons wonders, and as she and the bard argue over names, Lumine studies the boy.

“The dragon. He is your friend,” Lumine says, and Paimon looks startled. “You were speaking to him, when we interfered.”

The bard smiles.

“That you did, and the price to pay was not a pretty one,” he says, but offers nothing more.

“Your song, too, was about him,” she continues, but the bard continues to smile in silence. “Your name?”

“Venti the bard. Three time winner of ‘Most Popular Bard of Mondstadt,’ to be precise. What is it you need from me?”

“That is not your real name,” Lumine muses, sure of this somehow as she ignores the question, and Venti raises an intrigued brow.

There is a second where his gaze sharpens, but Paimon interrupts impatiently.

“Nevermind that, Lumine, show him!” the fairy insists, and Lumine obediently brings out the red crystal—though it is no longer red.

Venti looks surprised at the sight of its blue glow; his face grows soft, and sad as he speaks once more to Dvalin’s anguish. He puts another red crystal into her hands with a request for purification, and Lumine stares at the tear resting atop her palm.

Lisa had said it stung, when the first one had been brought to her—hurt even to come close. But it simply sits heavy in Lumine’s hand, and she can feel the pain and sorrow contained in it. Filled with impurities, Lisa had said of the crystal, but while the power has been twisted, the emotions are not. The strength of it pulses red, and Lumine—Lumine understands.

Her fingers close around the tear, she closes her eyes, and she sighs.

Come back. Come back to me, back home.

She hears Paimon and Venti gasp, and when she opens her eyes and hand again, the crystal glows a calming blue.

Venti’s eyes are wide and luminous as he stares at her.

“You…” he begins, eyebrows furrowing a little as he puzzles something out. “…Really do have some wonderful abilities. Someone like you is going to end up getting written into a bard’s poem.”

He hums a few rough lines, but Lumine is faraway again. Songs and poems dedicated to her, once upon a time…there were things like that, weren’t there?

“Anyway…even if Dvalin is not taken down, his life will still wither away in the breeze…he’ll burn himself out in the flames of anger.”

Lumine blinks, coming back to the present. A breeze blows through the square, and though the bard isn’t playing, she hears a faint keening melody.

“Save him,” she says, looking up at the sky, voice distant, and Venti smiles.

“I’ve a plan,” he says, “So one must be going. You’re coming too, right? To the symbol of Mondstadt’s Hero.”

“Hey! What makes you so sure we’re just gonna follow you around like that?” Paimon pouts at the presumption, and Venti inclines his head.

“Didn’t you come looking for me in the first place? And, somebody did interrupt me when I was trying to communicate with Davlin,” he says, running his fingers across his lyre again, “And now I’ve got the same poison running through my veins for the trouble.”

Paimon wilts a little, letting out a soft “oooogh…” at his argument, then floats back up again once she fully processes what he’s said, her eyes wide.

“Wait—poison?!”

“Yes, so one must be going,” Venti repeats patiently, then dashes off this time without looking back.

Paimon and Lumine look at each other, and follow.

“Your presence seems to help quite a bit,” Venti greets amicably, as Lumine and Paimon come to stand beside him underneath the great tree.

Lumine blinks at him, then holds out her hand. Venti blinks back, then grins.

“That’s not necessary, but if you insist…”

He takes her hand, and they stare up at the tree together.

“I’d like to know more about the God of Anemo,” she tells him, and he looks at her, eyes wide.

“Barbatos? He already disappeared from Mondstadt a long time ago. Liyue and Inazuma’s gods are still present, but it has been many a moon since Mondstadt saw theirs.”

Lumine looks at him now too, her face impassive.

“Do not lie to me,” she says.

It is said gently, not at all unkindly, but Venti’s eyes widen again marginally as he observes her. There is a faint power in her words, like an old talisman whose ability has faded, but is still recognizable as an object that once held it.

“It’s not a lie,” Venti smiles, tilting his head inquisitively as he lets her hand go, “…Merely carefully worded.”

Lumine repeats what he said in her mind carefully, and concedes to this truth. She smiles faintly back, then takes back his hand to his amusement, and looks up again at the tree.

“What do you need us to do?” she asks, and Venti laughs delightedly at this free offering of help.

“You could come with me to claim a certain Lyre de Himmel,” he says.

“Isn’t that stealing?” Paimons queries, and Venti grins at her.

“Not quite. I said claim, did I not?”

Paimon grumbles at him, but Lumine squeezes his hand gently before letting go.

“Will it save him?” she asks, and Venti inclines his head.

“It might,” he says, but she isn’t looking at him anymore, eyes turned to the blue sky instead.

“Then let’s go,” she murmurs, and Venti wonders just who or what it is she’s really looking to save.

Events swirl around her without abandon. She becomes more and more entangled in Mondstadt’s affairs, but she doesn’t begrudge it, either, willingly letting herself be swept up in them. There’s a pull, a want to right the wrongs that have been done—and she is somewhat afraid of the outcome, because she cannot control the results that could be devastating, but she does want to try.

(Why is that, she wonders. Is it pity? No. But she likes the smiles on everyone’s faces, feels glad to have offered her help when their relief shows. She may be without her powers, but this, too, is a kind of power as well, is it not?)

It feels very mortal, to want to try. Even if she herself is not human, the feeling is…warm.

They sit in Angel’s Share, after the fiasco with the Fatui stealing the lyre and having to explain the situation to Diluc and Jean. Having failed at pilfering alcohol, Venti—whom they all now know specifically as Barbatos himself—wheedles a very patient Diluc for wine. Jean has her hands folded and brows furrowed in thought over a glass of Berry & Mint Burst as they all consider their next step on retrieving the lyre.

Paimon, meanwhile, sucks up apple juice at an alarming rate.

Diluc eventually slides a glass of grape juice towards Lumine, who sits without a drink for some time whilst lost in thought. She looks up at him, mildly surprised at the gesture. He raises a brow at her but says nothing, so she also says nothing before sliding it closer to herself and taking a sip.

The flavor blooms in her mouth; it is sweet and slightly tart, full-bodied and bursting with life. She smiles, and Diluc looks satisfied.

“What a shame you’re underage!” Venti exclaims when he notices, swirling a glass of dandelion wine that he has somehow managed to procure. “You’re really missing out on Angel Share’s finest.”

Lumine takes another sip of juice, not breaking eye contact.

“Underage?” she murmurs, trying to think back. It’s no use; she and her brother had never measured time by proper mortal standards. “Is…that how I look to you?”

Everyone stares.

“…And how old are you, Traveler?” Jean asks politely, and Lumine shakes her head at the question.

“I can’t remember,” she murmurs, and Paimon hmphs before the situation becomes too awkward.

“What’s the big deal? Paimon doesn’t know how old she is, either! And anyway, wine is gross! It’s all weird and sour…Paimon doesn’t think Lumine is missing out at all!”

Lumine smiles.

“An order of fried radish balls for Paimon,” she says to a Diluc, who motions to a waitress, and the fairy cheers.

“Yesss! You’re the best, Lumine!”

But the other three continue to stare, though Diluc returns to polishing glasses, and Venti sips his wine thoughtfully as he scrutinizes her.

“Could you be another Archon, somehow?” he muses, tilting his glass towards her, “But if you were a god, it’d be strange that I couldn’t tell. And yet…I hesitate to say you feel...hm…normal. But not abnormal, either?”

“I’m not a god,” Lumine demurs, “I’m just…me.”

Venti laughs, and Jean smiles and nods in approval.

“I’ll drink to that,” Venti says, gently clinking his glass against hers and following his words.

But his eyes remain thoughtful, and wondering.

Diluc and Jean are looking at her oddly again when she purifies the remaining crystals they have gathered, amazed and pleased with the results, yet also curious.

Lumine says nothing, for she can no longer speak to what she is, anyway.

They infuse the Lyre de Himmel with the tears’ powers, and make their way to Starsnatch Cliff. Lumine shivers as they approach, reminded of the aching, lonely days beneath its tall crags, and Paimon plops herself on top of Lumine’s head comfortingly. She reaches up for the fairy’s small hand, and feels a little better at the touch.

The view atop the cliff, however, is unfailingly beautiful, and Paimon voices her thoughts in awe.

“Lovely for a fated reunion, isn’t it?” Venti grins. He breathes in deep as he stands at the tip of the cliff, just short of dangerously close to falling. “Well—we must be prepared for a fight.”

Always for a fight, Lumine thinks with an ache in her chest, but everyone seems to be rather optimistic, regardless.

Venti takes his position, and begins his melody.

The notes are crisp in the cool air, and she recognizes the same song he had played in Mondstadt’s square when they had first spoken to him. But so too can she tell that what he plays now is different, the music infused with a particular quality that only the God of Anemo can achieve. A tale of friendship and wonder…like the first time, she can feel the tears welling up in her eyes, the emptiness inside her even more present in the face of this performance.

Before Venti’s song can break her, Dvalin surges up from underneath the cliff, the ensuing wind nearly too strong for them to withstand as they attempt to shield themselves with their hands. Only the bard stands undisturbed by the violent wind.

Home, home, come home—

“You have come…what has been done…cannot be undone…”

Lumine’s heart aches at the sound of the dragon’s voice. She watches as Dvalin slowly descends, and dragon and bard finally confront each other.

“Then why do I see sadness in your eyes?” Venti counters, his voice carrying clear despite the wind, “Sadness that speaks of your yearning for this song…”

For a moment, the dragon’s glowing eyes grow less harsh as he hesitates.

“They’re communicating…” Jean murmurs in fascination, and Lumine turns to her for a brief, damning second.

An arrow flies true. The Holy Lyre is shot from Veti’s pale hands, the instrument’s arm shattering further as it hits the ground, strings snapping with strident, discordant twangs.

“No! Tone-Deaf Bard!” Paimon shrieks with concern as they all rush to his aid.

An Abyss Mage floats from behind Dvalin’s neck tauntingly, its poisonous voice rooting its lies.

“Do not be fooled by him, dear dragon…he left you to rot alone. Now he attempts to deceive you once more!”

“No!” Venti cries out, and Lumine’s heart cracks at the desperation in his voice, “Listen to me!”

“Barbatos…” Dvalin breathes, wavering as if unsure.

But not unsure enough. Too many years between them, and too many years under the influence of the dark blood that taints him.

“Let your wrath fester! Mondstadt has already turned its back on you!” the Abyss Mage screeches, and Dvalin roars in anger.

Lumine acts, summoning her sword. Diluc and Jean’s eyes widen as she throws it with terrifying speed—but she misses the Mage by a breadth, and Lumine clicks her tongue as her blade returns to her hands. The Mage cackles at the miss, and Dvalin loops the air before rushing forward.

“You! You planned this all along, to have me slain?!”

He does not yet attack, only intimidates. But he is so close. His maw is open, the wind is strong, and even Venti stands helpless without any tools to reach his friend.

“The time has come for the dragon to serve its true master!” the Mage shrieks, waving its staff with glee, and Lumine—Lumine walks forward.

“Silence,” she commands, seething at the Mage’s arrogant tone.

And for a second, the world stands still.

“You serve no master,” Lumine says, reaching for the dragon’s jaws. Her voice is soothing, calm, almost akin to the quality of Venti’s music. “And if you do, it is of your own choosing. Who is it you wish to listen to? Whose voice is it you want to hear? Where is it you want to go home to?”

Dvalin closes his maw, and she lays a hand on his snout. He growls loud and low, but Lumine stares into his eyes, and for a second, she feels the energy shift.

Not enough.

The Abyss Mage shakes itself out of its stupor; despite its confusion at what transpired in that brief moment, it still knows what it must do. It mounts Dvalin’s back, digging its staff into his flesh; the dragon cries out, his howl metallic in his pain. Lumine feels someone jerk her back by her dress with astonishing speed; she stumbles to the ground hard as the dragon lunges and narrowly misses hitting her.

“Bewail your pathetic selves and watch the world tremble with fear!” the Mage yells, and Dvalin pulls back from the cliff and nearly blows them all away before flying off.

Lumine watches him get smaller and smaller in the distance from the ground, and Diluc peeks down at her from overhead.

“What the hell was that?” he says, surprised, and Lumine looks up at him then down at her hands.

“You almost succeeded,” Venti says wistfully, and somewhat pityingly, as he comes to stand beside her.

“Simply astonishing,” Jean adds, her tone wondering.

Paimon says nothing, but floats into Lumine’s lap.

“Are you okay?” Paimon asks, and Lumine’s face crumples as she hugs her tight, burying her face into the fairy’s hair.

Paimon makes a soft noise.

Lumine feels a hand sit gently on her shoulder. She lifts to face to meet Venti’s understanding gaze; she isn’t crying, but her eyes burn. The others gather behind him, looking at her with kindness on their faces too.

“…What next?” Diluc finally says, tone businesslike, and Lumine turns to look at him again.

He is resolute, as are the others as she meets each gaze, and so she steels herself. Next, she thinks. We must keep going.

Venti offers her his hand to help her rise from the ground.

She takes it.

“Are you ready to take to the skies, Traveler?”

Lumine tears her eyes away from swirl of clouds and fog she sees through the hole in the roof of Stormterror’s Lair, her eyes glittering with a savage light. Despite the challenge of the impending fight, the thought of flying unencumbered again like she used to be able to fills her with joy. Venti raises an eyebrow at her expression.

“I confess that was not the reaction I was expecting,” he says with some humor, and Lumine gives him a wry smile.

“Flight,” she says shortly, turning away, “I miss it. But yes. I am ready.”

They have too little time to spare for conversation, but Venti squirrels that bit of information away for later. The plan is simple; the bard and Traveler will bring Dvalin down from the high skies, and then Diluc and Jean will join the fight where they can from the platforms at the Lair’s tallest point. Paimon awaits on the sidelines where it is safe, prepared to shout warnings or throw potions.

“Let’s go, then,” Venti says, and both the air around him and the tips of his braids glow green as he strums his usual lyre. “May the thousands of years of wind that have blown through Mondstadt go with you.”

Wind bursts forth underneath them; Venti spins upward and Lumine opens the wings of her glider, and the two are airborne—high, high, higher until they are well into and above the clouds.

While Venti concentrates on channeling the Anemo energy for her, Lumine aims the power at the poisonous blood clots they’ve identified on Dvalin’s back from their vantage point.

Dvalin screeches when the second one shatters, staggering in the air before recovering and descending down to his lair. Venti and Lumine drop after him, the bard ensuring that their landing is safe; Diluc and Jean come to their sides as they stare down the center of the tower from the platforms. Fog swirls violently, a tornado of energy shooting up and blowing their group back before Dvalin reveals himself by dispersing it from the center with a few violent beats of his wings.

He roars, harsh and grating and anguished, and the fight begins in earnest.

“Now we can fight Dvalin on equal grounds,” Venti winks, though Lumine can still see the concern creasing his brow. His lyre glows green in his hands then rematerializes as a bow, the arrow that he nocks bright with Anemo energy. “The grandest bard is here to help!”

A smile ghosts Lumine’s lips at his persistent cheer despite the gravity of the situation.

Diluc and Jean take their positions while Venti fires off his arrows with remarkable speed and precision at the weak spots in Dvalin’s armor. Lumine is no archer, but she picks her shots and throws her sword with as much precision as she can, attempting to control the trajectory. She senses the surprise from the others as they watch her do so—Paimon had remarked before that watching this summoning ability of Lumine’s never got tiring, and it seems to hold true for the others too—but she must use what she has at her disposal, and she is in no danger of losing her weapon.

Periodically, Dvalin lands on the stone and lunges, scattering the team before the sword-wielders close in. Diluc’s bright fire singes the air, while Jean’s cool breeze heals their accumulating wounds.

It’s slow going, the battle. Dvalin peels away from the platform after some time and howls, white-hot energy irradiating the sky before dropping and fissuring the stones around them.

“Watch your step!” Venti cautions, and spreads his arms to bring up a wind current.

Diluc and Jean flounder a little as they surge up; they have their own gliders too, of course, but they are not able to maneuver so effortlessly in the air so suddenly. Lumine grips Diluc by the arms as they fly, while Paimon darts close and assists Jean to the next platform. They narrowly miss a swipe from the dragon’s teeth as they do so; and Venti lets out a deceptively airy laugh at their close brush with instantaneous death.

“Lucky for us, huh?” he says, and Diluc shoots him a nasty glare before nodding his thanks at Lumine’s aid.

“His armor’s almost cracked!” Paimon shouts, pressing potions into their hands before floating back to safety, “Go, go!”

Venti and Lumine aim true, and with their next hits, Dvalin collapses onto the platform entirely.

“Aim for that blood clot on his neck!” Venti shouts, and the three swordmasters scramble up the dragon’s neck as the bard aims his next arrow.

Six hits, seven, eight, quadrupled by their combined attacks—it feels too long, but the last crystal finally, finally shatters.

Their relief is short lived.

Dvalin rears, thrashing from side to side as the three hold on for dear life. The wound underneath begins to glow purple, tendrils of murky light spidering out to the rest of his body.

“What’s happening?!” Jean shouts in alarm.

“The wound,” Diluc grits out as he nearly slips, “It’s festering.”

“A curse,” Lumine says quietly, “Venti had said the Order had cursed the wounds.”

The bard in question shoots up from the platform, maneuvering expertly as he avoids getting slammed by Dvalin’s head. He joins them on the neck, as close to the wound as he possibly can, hovering a hand over it. His palm glows green, but the light disappears rapidly; he tries again with the same result—then a third, and fourth with no difference—and the look in his eyes is both desperate and ashamed.

He is not strong enough.

There is no second chance. At this stage, if the Abyss Order cannot control Dvalin, their magic will kill him.

Dvalin screeches, and even to those who do not understand his words, it is a sound of only pain and anguish as the evil light pulses. The brilliant blue of Dvalin’s scales begins to turn dark and muddy as the curse takes and takes, and Venti lets out a choked cry.

It’s that sound—so crystalline, so pure in its unhappiness and helplessness—that kindles something inside of her. She feels herself rushing through the years, back, back, back—

(“And us? What is there to challenge us?”

“Each other?”)

Lumine thinks of her brother, her conversation with him long ago, when gods aplenty had come to test their mettle against them to no avail.

(“Bewail your pathetic selves and watch the world tremble with fear!”)

Lumine remembers the Abyss Mage’s parting words, gritting her teeth at the swell of anger that crashes against her ribcage.

What challenge?

You are not Aether.

What world, trembling with fear?

Lumine grabs Venti’s hand, who startles at her touch; his braids go green, and she holds her other hand aloft, positioning her fingers—

“You are not the one who tells me what to do,” she hisses, and plunges her hand into the wound.

The others watch with wide eyes and open mouths; it lasts only a few heartbeats, the brutality of the moment. Lumine digs deeper and then rips something out of the wound and crushes it in her palm; the purple light recedes, then fades, any remainder of the coagulated blood along Dvalin’s body shattering into dust.

For that brief moment, they all forget where they are as they stare, Lumine’s eyes glowing with a faint golden light as she blows the offending residue from her hand, the particles sparkling white before disappearing.

Then Dvalin thrashes once more, the four falling from his body and rolling back onto the platform with the assistance of a carefully timed breeze from Venti; the dragon screeches, body seizing for a second—and at that moment, the proper color starts coming back into his scales—before plummeting down, down, down…

None of them have time to react further before the stone underneath them begins to crumble, and all of them instinctively reach for purchase before they plunge. The debris rains down all around them, and the storm-heavy air of the Lair grows more oppressive with the fall of its occupant, weighing them down so much that not even Paimon can remain afloat.

Whatever Lumine manifested earlier is no more, and does not help her here. A scream bubbles in her throat as she drops; she is not used to falling, not like this, and the nightmares so especially prevalent from her days under Starsnatch Cliff come bubbling to the surface. Fear clouds her mind and she squeezes her eyes shut—

And she hits something hard, but warm.

She opens her eyes to the blue sky, wings beating solid around her, and it takes a moment to realize that she and the others rest safely on Dvalin’s back.

Diluc and Jean look a little shaken but recover quickly, awe at their location taking over. Paimon crawls forward to hold Lumine’s hand, far more distressed at their sudden descent.

And Venti—Venti smiles gently as he sprawls at the base of Dvalin’s neck.

“It’s been awhile since we last flew like this together, huh?” he murmurs, and the dragon lets out a low rumble.

“Why…why did you not ask me to protect you…like the last time?”

“Me not wanting you to listen to the Abyss Order doesn’t mean you have to listen to me,” the bard chuckles, “Can freedom, mandated by the god of such, really be considered freedom at all?”

Lumine blinks at the question, and Dvalin does not answer, or at least does not do so now.

“It has indeed been a long time…Barbatos…”

Venti smiles.

“Welcome back, old friend,” he says.

The sky is a brilliant, brilliant blue, the view even more breathtaking from the back of a dragon. Venti looks remarkably relaxed, a smile lifting his lips, and after a moment, he begins to sing. Even unaccompanied, his voice is beautiful and pure, and Dvalin’s body illuminates with Anemo energy as the bard graces him with power once more.

“We really did it,�� Diluc says wryly, as they soar through the air, and Jean chuckles.

“I believed we would,” she replies confidently, looking to Lumine.

Lumine’s lips crack into a smile, and then she laughs, perhaps a little hysterically, before realizing that tears are rolling down her face. She touches them with surprise, baffled by her own reaction; she hurts just as much as she feels exultation.

“I’m glad,” she mutters, unable to say anything else.

She looks to Venti, who lifts his head just enough to give her a blinding smile as he continues to sing.

This time, when she laughs again, the pressure in her chest is lighter.

Now go, with my blessing…

The air blows cleaner and sweeter when the curse upon Dvalin is broken and the much of the poison purified from his body.

Still, there is much to clean up upon their return to Mondstadt. Venti and Dvalin fly elsewhere for a while to catch up. Diluc returns to his own affairs. Jean handles the politics and diplomatic relations back in town, and Amber takes care of a mounting hilichurl invasion. Somewhere along the way, Kaeya has unearthed intelligence of the Abyss Order, enough to learn that there is now a Prince who heads the organization.

Amidst all this, not a single sighting of Aether despite numerous flyers and questions. The days following the fall of Stormterror and the return of Dvalin are busy for the others, though Lumine is free to come and go as she pleases.

In the end, she spends much of it with fair bard and curious dragon.

Dvalin comes to land every so often by the Hero’s Tree, curling around its base. Lumine approaches him slowly at first, but he already seems quite used to her presence—as perhaps one might, if they had another’s hand dug into their very flesh before. In any case, Venti would vouch for her. She and the bard lean against the dragon’s side, and both Dvalin and Venti sigh contentedly at the purity her presence seems to add.

“You…” Dvalin says, turning his head to sniff Lumine’s hair. “You feel…familiar…and yet, your powers are not that of I’ve seen…”

Venti plucks at his lyre, humming in agreement. She had taken…no, channeled was perhaps the better word, for what she did during the battle. She had channeled his powers, but there had also been some of her own present, of course. It had been a startling feeling, yet not strictly unpleasant.

“Not an Archon, and supposedly not a god, but just you. And yet…you are not mortal, are you?”

Lumine says nothing for a while, but Venti seems content to wait.

“No,” she says, “But I cannot answer the question you are not asking.”

He laughs.

“Well of course not, for how will you know what I am asking?” he says, and she gives him a pointed look which makes him laugh again. “Come, why don’t you tell me about yourself, Lumine, Traveler of Worlds?”

She blinks at him, leaning forward a little.

“Me?”

“Isn’t that what I said? Your favorite flowers, favorite foods? Or…what you do if you can’t sleep, or what you like to do if it rains?”

She leans back again, and reaches over to pat Dvalin’s neck absentmindedly. He makes a pleased sound, then stops abruptly as if such a thing is beneath him.

“I like all flowers,” she finally begins, “And all foods. There’s nothing in particular I do if I cannot sleep…I sleep as I need to and wake as I need to. There is nothing in particular I do if it rains, either.”

“Tough crowd,” Venti murmurs, but doesn’t seem deterred. “Alright, then, how about your brother? What about him?”

“Aether? Hmmm…” Lumine tilts her head, thinking, but answers far more readily. “He likes all flowers, too, but…I think he’d be particularly fond of the lamp grass and windwheel asters here. If he cannot sleep, or if he is bothered, he flies. If it rains, he flies then, too.”

“Sounds like he likes to fly, then,” Venti says, and Lumine smiles.

“We both do, but Aether…Aether liked the acrobatics. He liked tricks. And the thrill of plummeting. He was not afraid of falling.”

Venti plucks his lyre, debating on what to say next. How interesting that she can hardly speak of herself, yet so much of her brother. He wonders if she knows what it is she does.

“How would you describe yourself, O Hero of Mondstadt?” he asks, and she furrows her brows.

“Not a hero,” she replies, “And just what is it that you hope to achieve from these questions?”

“Oh, humor a bard,” he grins, and she sighs.

“Aether was better at speaking, I think,” she begins again. “I am not so angry as he. But he accepts more than I do. The sun, the flowers, the air. Isn’t that enough to live for? That was his answer, when I asked why we were here. He won many arguments with his simple, easy logic. I queried more than he, perhaps. He was more…relaxed, about forgiveness. And I was not so ready to love things as Aether was; for me, it was pity that came first.”

Venti strums a tune as she speaks, half-composing as he changes chords based on her answers.

“Do you know—when asked to speak of yourself, you tell me of Aether first, and define yourself by what he is not?”

Lumine tilts her head.

“Is that so strange, when we were born together, and have spent our lives in each other’s company?”

Venti inclines his head in acknowledgement.

“And yet…is it so strange to define yourself in other ways?” He doesn’t expect her answer, however, for the question is…too difficult for her to do so at present. “I should like to meet your brother, and hear what he says about you.”

Lumine watches as a crystalfly comes close, and opens her palm for it to land. It hovers only for a moment, and she closes her fist the moment it flies off.

She leans back again and closes her eyes, folding her hands in her lap as she lets her mind wander. Eventually she opens her eyes again, looking up at the tree, her brows furrowed in thought.

“Can freedom mandated by the god of freedom be considered freedom at all? I am still considering the answer to the question you asked of Dvalin.”

The dragon peers at her at the mention of his name.

“I chose,” he rumbles, “If I chose to choose….that is an answer…”

Lumine considers this. Venti smiles and draws his fingers across the strings loudly, then begins a new song.

She leans back and listens, feeling at peace.

She curses how weak she’s become when Signora plunges her fist into Venti and steals his precious core.

Lumine screams; the sight evokes a distant memory that she cannot recall clearly, but she is terrified suddenly of Venti disappearing entirely. He had not been lying before when he called himself the weakest of the Seven; his powers were just enough to provide aid in the fight against Dvalin, and are no match against the freezing ice the Harbinger had trapped him in.

(And her own…where? Where was it now?)

“At last, Mondstadt’s rodent ruler in the flesh. Scurrying through the streets, looking for leftovers…Mondstadt calls this a god?” Signora had drawled, gripping Venti’s face and turning it to and fro.

“Resident rodent beats invasive vermin,” Venti spat, and Lumine could have commended his cheek if not for the additional violence it brought against him.

His body falls to the ground, and Lumine is relieved that his body does not disintegrate into the air. He taunts Signora once more before she kicks him unconscious, and Lumine lunges forward despite her captors’ vice grip.

“We have what we came for,” Signora says, the core’s green glow disappearing as her fingers close around it. “Leave nothing for our dear Favonian friends to find.”

Sharp pressure strings at the back of the neck, and Lumine too topples to the ground. Before her vision fades, she reaches out; the scene is familiar, too familiar. Black and red at the pinpoint of her vision, her hand reaching for what has been stolen…

She had told Venti that it was Aether who was more prone to anger, but as she watches Signora walk away, the last thing she feels is rage.

After the Deaconess Barbara’s healing (and a hurried word of gratitude), Lumine makes a mad dash for the Tree, skidding through the streets with fervor.

The moment she spots Venti underneath its branches, she nearly tackles him as she wraps her arms around him for a second, then holds him at arm’s length to inspect him.

“What did she do to you?” Lumine demands, and Venti blinks at her in astonishment at this rare display of such intense emotion.

“Your concern is touching, but your actual touch is quite bruising at present,” he says, and Lumine lets go immediately with a frown. He smiles. “A bit down on my luck nowadays, aren’t I?”

“What was it she took from you?” Paimon repeats, “That…gnosis of yours?”

Venti inclines his head, looking at Lumine, who also waits for his answer with creased brows.

“Perhaps something like a god, and yet unknowing of gnoses…how curious,” he murmurs, but answers Paimin’s question anyway.

Without his gnosis, he has lost much of his elemental powers, but not all of it, and can still subsist. Lumine stores the information he is willing to share with them away; gnoses, Celestica, Visions, allogenes, the Tsaritsa and her Harbingers, a catastrophe from 500 years ago...there is so much she does not know—or remember.

But when Venti suggests her next destination as Liyue, she does realize that it is time to go. She has grown to like Mondstadt and the air that Venti has encouraged; already she is a little wistful, but she will not stop searching for Aether.

Venti smiles at her expression, and when he speaks again, there is a different quality to his voice.

“Traveler,” he says, and as Lumine breathes in the air is both sharp and sweet, “As you set off once again, remember that the journey itself has meaning. The birds of Teyvat, the songs and the cities, the Tsaritsa, her Fatui and the monsters…they are all part of your journey. The destination is not everything. So before you reach the end, keep your eyes open. Use the chance to take in the world around you.”

She feels…guilt. She has lived a long, long time, and there are things she has purposefully let go, as well as things she has not.

“Yes, Barbatos,” she whispers, and Venti’s eyes are just a little sad.

“Right! That’s enough of the Anemo Archon’s admonishments. Back to Venti time!” he exclaims, eyes brightening as he claps his hands together. “Say—we’ve become a great team during this time, don’t you think? Once you find your brother…how would you like to become one of the new Four Winds?”

Lumine blinks at him, then lets out a small laugh, much to both Paimon and Venti’s surprise.

“Perhaps,” she says, and Paimon makes a doubtful noise.

“You don’t seem too into it, Lumine…but if it means free food, you can consider Paimon!” she exclaims, turning to the bard with an excited wiggle.

Venti lets out an insincere chuckle, rubbing the back of his head, and Lumine covers more laughter with her hand while Paimon pouts.

“Thank you, Venti,” Lumine says, and he gives her a sweeping bow.

“Well then, best be off to Liyue,” he says with a wink, “If the descension ritual you fail to tally, then another year you must dally.

When he straightens again, however, she cannot quite tell which identity he is speaking with.

“And go,” he says, “With my blessing.”

Regardless, Lumine sweeps a returning bow. But before she leaves him, she holds out her hand, and after a moment, a cecelia shimmers into her palm. Venti blinks, and in another second she is tucking it behind his ear.

He laughs delightedly at the gift, and she smiles at him before making her way back to Mondstadt.

“Well then, shall we go too?” Venti asks, and surges up to where Dvalin is waiting.

They watch from above later as she leaves the town after making her goodbyes.

“The winds are changing at quite the rapid pace,” Venti murmurs to his friend.

Dvalin rumbles low in agreement.

“She smells of sorrow, and of age-old memory…” Dvalin says, and Venti furrows his brows.

“Yes, it’s very curious, isn’t it? I can only think that she too is a god. And yet…of what, and where?”

Neither have an answer.

Rain begins to fall, a couple hours after she’s left Mondstadt.

Lumine stops on the road, looking up at the grey sky, closing her eyes for a moment and letting the drops plop onto her face.

“We should look for shelter!” Paimon exclaims, putting her hands over her head, and Lumine considers it.

Instead, she puts out her hand, and an umbrella manifests in it. She opens it, the blue-green fabric patterned with dandelions, and rests the handle on her shoulder.

“I’ll keep going,” she says quietly, “But I’ll not ask you to stay out.”

Paimon looks at her, then also takes shelter under the umbrella.

“No, I’ll stay,” she says, “Paimon is your guide!

Lumine smiles faintly, and the two continue onwards.

After a while, she begins to hum softly, absently. The tune rises and falls, and speaks to the wind, and traveling through worlds. Paimon eventually comes to rest on her shoulder, hanging sleepily.

“What’s that song?” she murmurs, already dozing off, “It’s nice.”

Lumine stops abruptly, blinking, the notes dissipating like wisps of smoke.

“…I’m not sure,” she says softly, with a slight frown as she resumes walking. “I seem to have already forgotten it.”

#genshin impact #genshin lumine #genshin traveler #genshin venti #mondstadt #genshin impact fic #fanfiction #i spent too long thinking and then gave up on the chapter summary #maybe i'll come up w something better later LOL

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