#resolutepath

[delusionaid]

@resolutepath sent: a kiss on the forehead as the other sleeps / is thought to be sleeping ( halfdan and dain)

The roofs and towers of Khaenri'ah under the ceiling of glowing stars turn into swirls of darkness and light as Dainsleif begins to wake. He doesn't fully wake yet but lingers on the threshold of sleep, his eyes closed but moving under their eyelids, his mind clumsily stepping out of the cozy web it is trapped in. He's engulfed in the warmth of his coat, that someone must have placed over his shoulders, his head not on a soft pillow or a bed, but resting on his folded arms that lie on the desk he was working on. Ah yes, a messy pile of papers under his forearms, remnants of wet ink now imprinted onto his sleeves no doubt.

There is movement beside him but his sleepy mind does not perceive it as a threat. He knows the sound of these steps, of the whisper that tells him something he cannot hear enough to understand, the subtle scent that reaches him as he breathes in - a memory that lingers even after Halfdan walks away. And then a pair of soft lips touch the crown of his head and send a rain of warm affection down his spine. It's meant to send him off to dream on peaceful clouds but it has the opposite effect: pulls him closer to waking, to wanting to hold on to the feeling with all his consciousness, to reach out and ask for more.

But by the time he opens his eyes and moves, the coat slipping from his shoulders and onto the chair, he is alone once more and Halfdan's absence like a ghost at his side. A smile tugs at his lips, in tune with the longing that pulls at his heartstrings. Perhaps this is all they can have in this life: silent moments in between waking; but even so Dainsleif does not bemoan his fate - or fault Halfdan for going against his plea to give up on this ill-fated love. Even so he feels every moment of it to be a gift.

[iniziare]

🔥 also another opportunity for you if you want it

Aaaand credit to Ambie for inspiration yet again: duplicates. Man, I have opinions on this, and they're a little too brutally honest, I think.

Truthfully? I think the whole 'I'm duplicate friendly' thing is much more often performative, than it is honest (there are super rare exceptions, I think). I just don't think many want to admit to that, and it is causing more harm to people's anxieties and insecurities than they realize. Here's my thing with it, it's easy to say that you're duplicate friendly when the duplicates stay in their lane— when they write within their own circle, and not interacting with your partners. I would even say people are generally fine if the dupe interacts with one of your partners' other muses, but I think no one is truly 'fine' when they engage with your partner for the same dynamic. That is when I think it's impossible to avoid tension from forming. Because at that point, it's no longer just another portrayal existing somewhere in the ether. It's a much more direct point of comparison within your own sphere. And especially for those who are more... sensitive, or insecure, you'll have the realities of 'What if I lose my place, what if they prefer the other portrayal' and on, and on it goes, because my head works as follows (and I'm not particularly 'insecure'): why would they interact with another portrayal if they're happy with yours? But aside from that, I think people don't dare to say it outright, but there's an instinct to want to kind of protect your space. Because I think we've all seen it happen, whether it's in our own space, or we see it happen from the sidelines with writing partners who battle this. We see some subtly avoiding interactions, others might feel compelled to kind of outdo the duplicate, and some just get bitter, even if they don't express it openly.

Essentially, I think people want to seem open, and easygoing. Everyone wants to be nice at the heart of themselves, but I think deep down, sometimes that's prioritized over their own mental health, and security. It's okay to not be okay with things, and there's nothing wrong with saying that out loud. Here, I'll say it: I'm not duplicate friendly. I'm not duplicate friendly. I'm not duplicate friendly. It took me a long time to be able to admit to that, but since I have— I think everything is easier to navigate. I don't approach people, even my friends, who are already interacting with a duplicate of my muse because I don't want to intrude, or risk stepping on toes. Because I know that's more likely then people dare to admit. And you know what, I'm okay with making those sacrifices— I just write different things with them, and I go to other people, it also helps with variety of writing partners!

And ah, I was gonna end this, but one more thought, and this is the big one that bothers me a lot: the people who outright resent duplicates, but don't want to admit to it either, and so they try to be nice about it on the surface, while subtly avoiding interactions, or they get very weirdly passive aggressive about it. You probably know exactly what I mean, those moments when someone posts about their muse — and then a dupe, and this is easiest to spot when it comes from a multimuse — happens to suddenly focus on the same muse, even touching on a similar meta, or even imposing on your moment? Yeah. Deeply uncomfortable, that one, imagine how much easier everything would be if people were just honest about this.

Prompt: 🔥for an unpopular opinion. // @resolutepath // No longer accepting

[immobiliter]

❤️ + avaere and daybreakrising and resolutepath >:)

for @avaere

one of the things i most admire about aven is the creativity that he exhibits in everything that he writes on the dash, whether it's ic content or meta on his characters. i appreciate anyone who shows real confidence and conviction in the approach that they take to writing their muses, i feel like that's such a rare thing to find in the tumblr sphere, and there have been so many occasions where i will pause my scrolling of the dash to read his meta, no matter how long it is, and, in doing so, gain a newfound appreciation for a character that i hadn't really thought about or considered before. his willingness to throw together unexpected dynamics too ( especially between characters who would likely never meet in canon, though i will keep my delusions that one day itto & furina will meet in an event ) is also something that i love, particularly as someone who very much enjoys doing the same thing.

for @daybreakrising

lauri is such a fun person both to talk to and plot with, i still remember how we threw vautrin & furina together oh so casually at the start and then very quickly spiralled into realising that they had so much in common that this would be anything but a casual dynamic, instead we had a god-tier friendship on our hands, and that is honestly the mood for pretty much every single dynamic that we have talked about since then lmao. lauri is another one of those people that i know i can come to with the wildest, most unexpected dynamic imaginable and he will absolutely run with it alongside me, and throwing those sorts of ideas back and forth is truly a joy.

for @resolutepath

honestly the minute that charlie revived their jack rackham blog and we got talking about black sails, i knew i'd found an absolute gem in the rp community and they have continued to prove me right ever since. i very much need to bother them more with my genshin & hsr muses, but plotting out an entire crossover verse between black sails and genshin that not only makes complete sense but also allows us to write some wild dynamics ( jack rackham and navia declaring rebellion on the court of fontaine ? something i never knew i needed in my life ) that i absolutely adore. i also love how chill they are, the way that we can dip in and out of writing and plotting but still be just as enthusiastic is a wonderful, wonderful thing.

send ❤️ + a URL and I’ll write something nice about them/their blog! / @apocryphis

[intcritus]

❛ you're not by yourself, alright? i'm right here with you. ❜ ( kirishima to shoto )  

 Panic attacks weren’t new to Shoto – he could talk himself down, do breathing exercises and be back to somewhat normal within minutes. The fact that he can is not normal by any means, but it is what it is. He doesn’t have time for them, not when he’s still sleepy, and had gotten spooked by the thought of being in a crowd of people that weren’t his friends. Inviting them to Grandpa’s would’ve probably been better, but exposure therapy was good, right ? But if he’s being honest, seeing them will always fill him with warmth. They’re safe, war is over and sure, they might all have nightmares and are rebuilding themselves, but they’re all stronger together. And yet, crowds, people who were screaming and running toward them still made him want to clam up. 

Kirishima’s voice brings him out his head, breath softly hissing through his teeth, tension bleeding from his frame. ❝ ━ I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have had to chase after me.  ❞ His voice is quiet, a furrow to his brow, one shoulder rising and fall. ❝ ━ When we’re in the heat of battle, it’s different when we’re all together. Having people know us, come up to us and –❞ He pauses, gesturing vaguely, Shoto doesn’t continue but he’s sure Kirishma gets it.

When the other stands, Shoto takes his hand, letting his friend pull him up, ❝ ━ Thank you for staying with me? I know you’ll tell me that it’s nothing, but it still means a lot.  ❞ A small smile is given, arm gently nudging his friend the way he’d seen Bon do to Osakwe sometimes when they’re being playful, ❝ ━ I have some snacks I can share when we get back? I think you’ll enjoy them.  ❞ Shoto had learned the meaning of friendship and lasting bonds, and though he still had learning to do, he was grateful to have friends like Kirishima, it made the journey worth it. 

when he's comforted by sunshine. | @resolutepath

[daybreakrising]

@resolutepath: what would you have me believe ? [ welt to luocha ]

The space between them is like a yawning chasm, he thinks, even though they are only a few feet apart. It is the way the other man looks at him – with a mixture of suspicion, caution, and something else, something cold but undefinable. Luocha can only offer a rather neutral smile in return, his face passive, posture relaxed. "You speak as if you know me, Mr Yang. You look at me as if my face is familiar to you. But I assure you, I cannot say the same."

His tone is firm but polite, his words genuine. Whilst he cannot say for certain that they have never crossed paths in some form or other, he can be sure that he does not recall ever setting sight upon the man in front of him. "Perhaps I have a doppelganger somewhere in this vast world. Or… a lost twin, perhaps? A clone? Stranger things have happened and will continue to happen. Perhaps we have met before, but in another time. Perhaps this interaction is yet to happen for me. All I can tell you is that you are a stranger to me. It is down to you, and you alone, to choose to believe that."

[nvrcmplt]

"Don’t   test   me   right   now." ( Qi Rong to Yin Yu)

One thing that came tot he mind of Yin Yu was that… he understood this hatred and disgust the Crimson Rain had for the Green Ghost. It was akin to sewer rot that dripped through the rusted, manure dried and piss riddled vents being in the air whenever they were present in the Ghost City… or well, anywhere really. As much as he held respect for some, /some/ evil ones in his time working for the Crimson Rain, he wasn't always at ease with those that ooze like puss through an infected wound. Ah, what a wretched thing it was to stare upon as he stood with a crowd of monsters, quivering, others jeering and steering aside, running to the shadows or stalls that hung meats of various sins.

Yin Yu though stood fast, after all, he was under oath, a duty given to him by Hua Cheng from something he wouldn't understand to be anything but misplaced pity. Though he wasn't to beat himself up about it too much it was still present, that he was here simply because Hua Cheng allowed it on his whim and hunt for the Beloved Flower that made up half his name.

At current though, the Warden could only do as tasked from the get go. Get rid of the riff-raff that stank up the entrances of the Ghost City and so, he didn't think twice upon taking hold of his Yī Bǐng Yuèyá Chǎn and though he knew everyone could tell what it was from the get go, he wasn't to announce it. Not as he span the pole within his grip and proceeded to press its shovel shaped blade into the Earth until it was fully submerged. It still shocked him at how easy it was, the pulse of power throughout the spiritual device and the Earth cracked then shot forward. A sudden pit, a shudder was all the warning Qi Rong would get as a circle beneath the green ghosts feet, would shatter like sand and in hopes of making them plummet…

To fall and fall and fall some more, as the hole would squeeze itself tighter, refilling with its earthen structure to crush the nuisance in whatever worm tunnel he landed within as per orders.

@resolutepath

[guhamun]

@resolutepath said (inbox):

“Can you help us?” The girl sounds pragmatic, too much so for her age as she stands before the leader of the ghost hounds, one hand clasped upon a broken sword, the other holding tightly to a boy no more than five years of age, a thin whelp in scrappy clothing with dirt marks on his face and a horror in those eyes that marks seeing thing no boy ought to. There is a small dot of crimson upon her cheek, perhaps missed in a hasty need to scrub her face clean so as to avoid causing fear in her young charge. “The General told me you could be trusted, and I haven’t the weapons to care for him all the way to the city.” Alone she would be fine, Danjin knows, but without her sword intact she cannot look out for another. “I can pay for any help, that won’t be a problem in currency or resources, whichever you prefer…”  

CALCHARO KNEW ABOUT THIS one. Danjin, he believed her name was. General Jiyan had told him about her skill, but there was hardly a need to do so when he had seen her handiwork for himself. It was impressive for one so young, but he too had been much like her as well around that age. Blades had never lasted long in his hands, and even now, sometimes he was privy to breaking them (an unfortunate aspect of his aggressive fighting style). Coming to a stop before Danjin, his attention drifted from her to the little boy holding onto her as if afraid to be anywhere else but at her side. His gaze softened, albeit so small that one would have to truly have the eyes of a hawk to catch sight of that slight shift. ❝You can pay me a shell credit now as down payment for the time being. The rest can be given at a later date when you have the opportunity.❞ Turning slightly, he dug into the small pouch by his side and pulled out a piece of candy, holding it out for the small child in an attempt to show that he was trustworthy.

     They were in shock – understandably so. Danjin was their safety, and thus, the thought of moving away from someone who protected them was frightening. Calcharo hoped that his small offering would soften them enough to gently release her hand rather than them simply being given to another stranger. At first, the child seemed hesitant, but eventually they slowly released Danjin’s hand, carefully, delicately, accepting that small piece of candy. Once he was sure that the little boy’s nerves were calmed, only then did he shift his focus back to her. ❝Before we finish our transaction, you’ll need something other than that broken blade.❞ He leaned over a little, tugging forth a thick, serrated knife from its sheath strapped to his leg, and turning it so that the handle faced the Midnight Ranger. ❝Factor this into the payment for later as well.❞ Since he knew that she was more than likely going to break it like every other blade that has touched those hands. Sure, he could easily buy another knife of the same make and same quality; however, that didn’t mean that he wanted to.

     ❝Don’t be too rough.❞

     Bring it back so it could be fixed, at least…

[starshinc]

@resolutepath said; keep it safe for me just until i come back. ( rody to izuku )

izuku’s protests had started the second the taller had stated that he was going to leave him. if izuku was more rational (sadly his foggy and burning forehead meant that had gone out the entire window-), then he’d know that rody was only stepping out for a good reason. which happened to be getting some medicine and other basic items.

however, izuku was not rational at the moment. the thought of rody leaving was apparently unacceptable, and the hero had made his thoughts very well known about that.

eventually, izuku’s fever induced rambles cut off when something soft smacked him in the face. pulling the item down - he realised what it was. rody’s jacket. that was certainly something izuku would be content with. so his job was to keep it safe until rody got back…?

“i can do that.” izuku decides after a moment or two of thinking, holding the jacket like it was something precious. to izuku, it was. “you’ll be back soon though, right..?”

[lebn]

[yingren]

♡ for Nilou and Ren (if you have ideas / want to of course! )

send me a ♡ plus a ship and i'll tell you / @resolutepath

who asked who out first ? hear me out here, i think ren would try to ask her out several times but in the 'we should grab a coffee' or 'oh? the tavern? maybe i'll see you there later' etc. until he is exploding internally because he isn't getting the message across and eventually just asks her out on an actual date.

who went in for the first kiss ? i think ren? i can also see nilou being the first to initiate kisses on the cheek but ren i think it'd be cute if she kisses him goodbye like that and he pulls her back for a proper little kiss on the lips. he'll try to act cool about it but he'll fail miserably.

who gives the other nicknames ? i don't know how nilou feels about nicknames honestly but i know ren rarely ever uses them, when he does it's somewhere down the line because he is the type of person to want to find a unique one that is just for her. not that he thinks anything is wrong with the more common ones, but just saying her name would be enough for him until he finds that one special nickname.

who cooks the meals ? a little bit of both. ren is not the best at cooking but he would like to help out when he can. like, preparing a snack or a meal for her to have if she's going out to spend the day working. likewise, if she ever came to visit him then he would show her around so she could cook something while he's out, maybe offer to meal prep with her. although he likes food, he probably eats only once or twice a day. breakfast and dinner, kind of?

who has better taste in music ? nilou, hands down. although, i am not fan of how this question is worded because i believe there's no 'bad' music taste in particular, i think hers is more versatile and broader so to speak. i imagine ren to stick to, well, what you'd typically hear in social contexts like playing in a restaurant, on the ratio, on the street even.

who hogs the bed ? wouldn't it be a little bit funny if it was her? i mean, imagine this smaller girl spreading out like a starfish. but alas, i know you said she doesn't sleep like that so i shall refrain. it would most likely be ren then but mostly based off his god damn size. he'd feel bad, probably make sure to purposely leave room for her and apologize if she ever asks him to scoot over. he's not huge, don't get me wrong, but just stretching one arm out is enough to claim a looot of space.

who wakes up first ? oh this one is interesting. since i don't know exactly when nilou wakes up, i'm going to guess it's ren. he usually gets up around 5am and is out the door exactly 40 minutes later. all he needs is a shower, a coffee and at least five minutes to sit on the edge of his bed wondering why he tortures himself like this. no, but, really. he follows a rather simple routine that allows him more time in the afternoon to do whatever he likes. think yingxing, right, but slightly less 'stays up for 3 days on end' yeah? ren is slightly less intense in that way, he also likes to have many hours to work during the day because that means he can take his time and in case some red headed little dancer wants to grab him for lunch, he'll gladly join because he does have the time to spare. granted he might have to cut down on distractions in the afternoon because he spent all his extra time with her, it'll be worth it.

who makes the coffee ? i think both of them! especially because we know, although this could've been assumed anyway of course, from kaveh and alhaitham's little adventure to try different coffees that there are many variants in teyvat. i imagine they're also prepared differently. ren would show her snezhnaya coffee though i imagine the beans have a stronger flavor in sumeru for some reason. even if it isn't coffee, i think they'd both gladly prepare and share with the other. as for the morning coffee, ren would make that for nilou in the case that he wakes up first. even if they wake up around the same time, he'll tell her that he can get it done. maybe he'll bring it to her in bed.

who is the big spoon ? i think ren likes to be big spoon most of the time but he also wouldn't be against it if he's half asleep and nilou curls up behind him with an arm around his middle. he is a bit of a sucker for that feeling of having her in his arms though, it feels safe and good. oh, he'd like to put his head on her lap too. unrelated to the spooning, i know, but a cute little detail.

who stays up the latest ? since ren gets up early in the morning i think he goes to bed pretty early too. somewhere around 10pm maybe, except he usually doesn't fall asleep until midnight anyway. i imagine there are some things nilou might do that keeps her up later, or if you have her written as a night owl of course the answer depends on a lot of different things. if they're living together for some time, even if it isn't permanent and one is just visiting the other, i think ren would at least stay awake until nilou is home or until she comes to bed. after that, he can fall asleep comfortably.

who reaches for who's hand ? a little bit of both. in private, i most certainly see ren being more comfortable inching closer or reaching for a hand or initiating these things. even in public, and dare i say it might even have something to do with jealousy at times, he would reach for her hand because it's a simple but effective way to show people his intentions. not only to show others, but to show her. that is what actually matters to him.

who's a fan of pda ? i think nilou might be more comfortable with it initially? ren is fairly unused to it. he wouldn't shake her off if she grabbed his arm or leaned against his side but he'd initially be a little surprised. i think, with a little bit of time of course, he would find it easy to reciprocate. although i don't see them as the couple that needs to sit on top of each other in public spaces, i also don't see them as avoidant of any public displays of affection. it could be an arm around her shoulders or the guiding hand against her back, these smaller things he would do for her but not anyone else. a kiss? maybe to say hello or goodbye, i don't think he would lean over and kiss her randomly but definitely when they meet up or see each other off.

who snores ? ren. i wish you could see the deadpan look on my face right now but i am just saying this with full honesty. it's ren.

who gets annoyed more easily ? i think ren is more prone to those random small moments of feeling irked or annoyed. although i don't see him ass some aggressive, on edge type of guy. i believe he might seem irritated but that's just not the truth. he's more serious, sure, but it takes a lot for him to actually be annoyed. what usually annoys him a little is when he's falling behind at work or if he's having a bad day and small things begin to bug him.

who initiates sex ? i think it might be ren again. hear me out, not in some edgelord sexy dommy way like come here sit on my lap type of deal. but. ren is comfortable expressing his sexuality and his desires, even though it might take a while to get to that point because he is adapting to whatever pace they're taking things in, the first time will always be a little special and different. but, as an established couple, he wouldn't hesitate to initiate something like that. this, of course, also depends on what he learns about nilou. maybe her sex drive isn't that high, maybe she doesn't like when he initiates and would rather be the one to initiate? while he does enjoy sex and finds it to be a natural part of how things usually escalate, he is not one to push it. in fact, he could easily survive without it and be just as happy.

who asks who for their hand in marriage ? for some reason i can see this being discussed before anyone even proposes. the two of them talking about that kind of life together, trying to iron out the finer details and going over how to make it make the most sense. ren would then, most likely at least, ask her to let him propose if he thought there was a chance she'd want to do it. he can be somewhat sentimental and old fashioned, he would want to plan something for her.

my muse's favorite memory of yours: as much as he treasures every moment he's witnessed her on stage, that would probably not be a favorite. if anything, his favorite would be really simple? like, the first time he made her snort while laughing if that is a thing. that one time she sneezed four times in a row and laughed so hard her cheeks turned red. something like that.

a regret my muse has regarding yours: none that i can think of and trust me i tried.

if they could change one thing: i don't think ren would ever want to change anything, he kind of believes that things happen for a reason and there would be no point in wanting to change either one of them because that would somehow feel.. fake? like, he likes her for who she is and he would want her to like him for the same reason.

their love languages according to my muse: quality time, for sure. because it'd be long distance for a while and they'd both have to be very patient regarding that. i think honoring the fact that certain time is meant to be theirs would be very important. whether they spend this time having a picnic somewhere or going out to explore things, i think the focus would have to be on the fact that this is time they set aside for each other. also, sharing parts of their lives with each other? important as hell. ren would tell her about what he is working on or the stray cat he's been feeding or just anything that he can think of because he wants her to feel like she is part of his life even when they are apart. he'd only feel distant if they ran into someone asking nilou 'how did the show go yesterday?' and he had no idea about it. he'd much rather be aware, feeling as though he hasn't missed too much because they do have good and open communication even when they are apart.

[delusionaid]

@resolutepath sent: a kiss shared between enemies during combat. ( eyes for tartaglia and diluc )

(In case you want my background music for it that I listened to while writing 🤭)

He's in a state of exception; every nerve in his body is set ablaze but the adrenaline coursing through him like a wildfire shuts out any pain he should feel from the countless cuts that make him bleed and the exertion tearing at his limbs. He is raw force and violence and revenge in human form and in this moment it doesn't matter who falls under his blade - or whether he burns out in the process of taking it all down. It feels like the culmination of all his efforts, the moment that will decide if he's made from the right stuff or if he will fall like his father has.

Diluc fights with reckless abandon, all the rage and misery and pent-up grief he's harbored since the day he left his life behind erupting from him and causing every strike to turn out harder and more lethal. The fire inside him screams for an outlet but his vision is far away and out of his reach, so it flares inside him threatening to burn him from the inside. The sweet tempting whispers of the delusion on his arm have long turned into loud calls and it happily fills the void his vision has left, drawing from his emotions and channeling them into a deadly force while injecting its poison right back into him, like thin tendrils crawling through his veins in search for his heart.

Their blades clash, sparks flying from the unnatural force exerted on them and they're so close Diluc hears the Harbinger's heavy breathing that matches his own. The crazed look in the man's eyes would have sent anyone else running, the expression on his face one of pure exhilaration - and if Diluc didn't know better he'd say there's a smile on his enemy's lips. It doesn't feel as misplaced as it should. This moment, this fight, it's like a drug that numbs his pain and all thoughts that hold him down. All he has to do is exist and not hold back and Tartaglia responds with the same amount of energy. They're so close a single push of his arms sends drops of sweat and water from the Harbinger's weapons flying and fall on Diluc's face. Lightning crackles in the sky above and Diluc knows he has to back away fast or be struck, but their sword are locked and neither of them is willing to withdraw first.

It is instinct as much as a counterstrike would be, or a headbutt, when he pushes forward above their blades and presses his lips against Tartaglia's in a violent kiss that temporarily robs him of his breath. It lasts only a heartbeat before he bites down hard until the coppery taste of blood fills his mouth and something short-circuits in his brain. He pushes back with new-found strength, a scream erupting from his throat as they stumble apart, soles sliding on the slippery ice - just before lighting strikes the very spot they stood on a moment ago, scorching the snow down to a blackened patch of dirt.

Diluc takes a breath and rolls his shoulders. Readying his claymore he licks the blood off of his lips and nods towards Tartaglia.

"Come on."

[iniziare]

🔥 this is for a thing

I'm really tired of people placing responsibility with everyone other than themselves, really. All of my salt kind of comes from, well, that. When I see people's notes empty, and then seeing that followed up with 'I get no engagement, so I have nothing to write', or they promo their new blog, 'I'm here now', which likely has everything to do with their lack of engagement from people on this previous one— but then I also don't ever see them in anyone else's notes at all? I've never seen them in mine if we're mutuals, I don't see any engagement from their side at all. You won't get people to reach out to you, if you don't reach out to them, guys. It takes two to tango. And I don't just mean by sending easy prompts, or only one-liner sentence starters— that's all 'easy' and that doesn't show proper engagement. That's just putting in a coin of minimal effort, and hope you luck out with the maximum outcome jackpot. It doesn't work that way, and then writing posts of 'I want to be here, but people don't interact' is really rather unfair to put on everyone who follows you back. Although, those posts are just a simple and much lesser form of the much greater evil, which is jumping the gun, and labeling people, which has become an incredibly huge problem in today's society.

Are your OCs not getting interaction? That's not elitism. Are your female characters not really getting any interaction? That's not misogyny, nor sexism. Does the writer of a male character not want to ship the popular M/M ship with you that's entirely based within fanon instead of canon? That's not homophobia (though you might just be bi-phobic, just a casual little note to show how easy it is to point fingers, albeit with probably more ground to do so). Granted, I will have people know— if you dare to even think of labeling anyone with any of these things, I'd better be seeing you interacting with every OC in the book, especially female ones, don't want to be misogynistic now, would you? On that note, is your OC shipping with female characters as well? If you point the firmest finger and shout the loudest, rest assured you will be judged the firmest. Practice what you preach, and not just in words— no no, in action. If you want to point the little social political finger as a judge, jury and executioner, rest assured that I'll hold you to the absolute highest standard. And I'm pretty certain that you'll fall pretty quickly, and pretty hard.

But to return to the original point: engagement is a two way street. If you follow someone, you essentially have taken it upon yourself to 'introduce yourself', and to engage with them, no matter how shy, or socially awkward of a person that you may be (guys, it's a social hobby— I need you to get it together, many of us did and still do). It's not up to someone else to welcome you onto your blog by offering you twelve threads— they may shoot you an ask if they're nice, but it's not really up to them. It's like when you move into a new neighborhood in life, people can come and welcome you, sure, but that's them extending you a courtesy, it's not up to them to make you part of your new neighborhood that you chose to move into.

Prompt: 🔥for an unpopular opinion. // @resolutepath // Selectively accepting

[immobiliter]

@resolutepath sent: "A lumitoile out of familiar waters, how auspicious this day is!" A giggle follows her words as Hu Tao skips to Furina's side, glad that the impulse to venture towards Chenyu Vale was one she had followed, the need for rest and peace after Lantern Rite loud enough to be heeded. The Funeral Parlour is safe in Zhongli's hands in the interim, she trusts him implicitly.

As she comes to stand beside Furina she's quick to smile, adjusting her bangs to hide the dark stain that still mars her skin faintly. "If I had known I'd run into you I would have worn my other outfit. I'm the owner of some Fontainian fashion, don't you know? I'd have loved your opinion."

Her hand finds Furina's own, impishly latching on as she begins to walk, leading towards a fine confectionary shop that she knows Furina will love. "Tell me you're staying the day at least, perhaps longer? I could take you to the harbour and show you Yunjin's show. She's our finest performer and you'll love her opera!"

       “ You are? ” Furina's eyes lit up as Hu Tao bounded over to her side. Since when? She couldn't recall her friend mentioning her new wardrobe in any of her recent letters, so this must have been a recent development indeed. Her mismatched gaze was fixed on the other young woman as her hand was seized and she was led down a nearby street. “ Oh you must show me! Fontainian fashion would look beautiful on you I am sure — was it one of Miss Chiori's designs? From Chioriya Boutique? ”

       Who was the dear friend or even admirer ( why did the prospect of that second one make her stomach twinge a little strangely? ) that had treated her to a new outfit? How come Furina hadn't heard anything about it? So many questions, too many questions, come on Furina, you don't need to know the answer to all of them. She gave herself a mental shake, putting it down simply to the excitement of running into her friend unexpectedly here in Chenyu Vale.

       “ I was only planning to stay for the day but... did you say opera? ” The prospect gave Furina pause as they turned the corner and the confectionary store came into view. As much as she tried to be spontaneous sometimes, particularly now that her life was free to live as she saw fit... it would have been a lie to say that she was particularly good at it. The day-to-day structure of a routine had helped her immensely over recent months. It helped her get out of bed in the morning, it helped her ensure she completed all of her chores around the apartment, it helped give her the courage to start collaborating with theatre troupes and being seen out in public again...

       But... could she really turn this down?

       “ I would love to see her perform! ” she answered honestly, mentally running through her diary for the week — something she now had to do herself instead of relying on someone at the Palais to manage. What harm was there in being a little spontaneous? “ I could see about extending my stay here in Liyue. I don't have any commitments this week that require me to return to Fontaine. So long as... so long as you don't mind showing me around? ”

[intcritus]

"What is it like...?" Shi Qingxuan flutters a fan before his face before allowing it to snap shut, leaning his head instead on his closed fist, hanging onto Xie Lian's every word. It is a welcome change, to be able to speak so candidly with another who allows them the space to be as they wish without rebuke, and to see him occupy life the way he wishes. To have a best friend, perhaps is a better explanation. The smile on their lips is curious, their gaze sincere as they finish the question:

"...To be so entirely and utterly besotted and have such feeling returned?"

What is it like? Xie Lian mulls on that as he thinks about his life before and after Hua Cheng, before that devotion and love that has made his life so much vibrant. ❝ ━ When I think about my life thus far, it was like living on the edge, where every turn was akin to me tipping off the edge of the realm, with no safety cushion to save me from harm. That no matter what I did, I had become so accustomed to pain, to heartache, to a cramping stomach that it became the norm. The way I could simply sleep it off for a week or so, and then deal with it when I could finally stomach the pain enough to breathe again. Now though?  ❞

A warm smile curves across his features, gaze twinkling with the shine that had been absent for so long, ❝ ━ There’s comfort for the must inane things. I can watch the stars without worrying a rock will strike the back of my head. I can joke and be silly and talk knowing nothing I say will be ignored. ❞ And gods, he’s been alone for so long that being heard feels so foreign. Xie Lian looks down at his hands, thumb brushing over the red thread with something fond in the quirk of his lips, ❝ ━ Like the clouds finally parted and I can feel the sunshine on my face after so long. It feels like safety, like I belong, that I can finally let go of any burdens weighing me down. If I wanted to, that I can soar through the sky because I know he’d be there to catch me when I came down.  ❞

Soft laughter escapes Xie Lian, looking at Shi Qingxuan, ❝ ━ There are no adequate words for loved and being loved in return. But it’s everything I couldn’t have hoped for but everything I feel like I finally deserved.  ❞ If someone told Xie Lian that Hong-er would become Wu Ming then Hua Cheng, Xie Lian wouldn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but now ? He’d never really been alone, had he? Hua Cheng had been there every step, even the one where Xie Lian had become a Calamity in his grief and anger. ❝ ━ Loving him is the easiest thing, there are no expectations, just knowing he’s there, knowing I can reach out, I can call for him and I never have to worry about a thing. He spoils me endlessly. It’s taking some getting used to.  ❞

He can’t help but giggle at the thought. Goodness, being showered with the finest of materials just because he’d asked was crazy but it felt like it was okay to do so because it had been encouraged. ❝ ━ Being loved is knowing he wants me to be safe, to be happy, to ask for things because he’d happily give me anything. Being loved…it’s priceless and all at once, overwhelming. He’s everything, his love is so much more and I know I worry him, and he gets angry for me, not at me and even when I can’t love myself, he continues to love me, to hold me.  ❞

Ah, he has to stop to wipe at the tears gathering in his lashes, ❝ ━ It makes me feels deserving, loved, protected…like I’ve ascended to a realm where no one but he and I exist.  ❞

besties chatting about xie lian's husband. | @resolutepath

[nvrcmplt]

“Well now, if it isn’t the famous Rover, come to check in on the poor, defenceless prisoner…” The lilting tones only exaggerate his maniacal smile as Scar sits up upon his bed within the room he is confined to, seemingly at ease despite his situation. “I was beginning to think you’d forgotten all about me, the way I’ve been wasting away in this boredom… but I see now you enjoy our quality time too.” He alters his stance, drawing one foot up to rest on the frame of the bed so that he might lean elbow on his knee and head against his arm, studying the other.

“Oh, but this is no social call… I see that you’ve met one of my friends. If you want information, it will cost you. I’m not the type to tell tales without reward… And it has been so long since I saw an ounce of sunlight.”

It never sat right with Rover, staring upon them so relaxed, so at ease, it wasn't at all the sight of a person left to the darkness of these walls and in the know of a possible demise once they've extracted what was needed. The unease in his gut told him plentiful things the moment he heard that tone, saw that smirk, witnessed Scar - being Scar. As much as he knew this monster in human skin, Rover wasn't at all within the headspace to play games and yet, it seemed this was the first time they've seen each other since that day. The battle wasn't grandiose, wasn't even hard when Rover things about what he's capable of doing now since Rinascita so it made it all the more terrifying.

The higanbana woman, the red clad scribe… The performance and story weaving of these lands held more significance that just; whimsy. Thus - it made him stare upon Scar with a glint of desire to know just what was going on in that head of his. As Scar got himself comfortable, as did Rover - a chair and table were provided in front of the cage that held this strange entity and though it wasn't as if Rover approved of methods of just sitting and watching things as tests, it was hard to fathom his sympathy for an enemy…

"Then tell me nothing." He wasn't sure where that came from personally but it felt right to speak. Such, Scar was important, but it wasn't as if they'd never find the answers. Unraveling this world as a newborn was a long and tedious process of trial and error… it was just lucky for Rover to be strong enough to solve most, if not all, issues that arise from being one step or one tale a bit late. Though Rover knew not to take it on arrogantly, he wasn't the only being at risk here - which was the hardest part of all this.

It didn't make sense for Scar to be here, to be sealed and trying nothing to escape. As if he is to be here, to be a beacon, to do something like a pin point of a quest. It was bothersome, it was making Rover think of the worst possible outcomes and being here was one of those dilemmas. Scar was a strange being, he wasn't at all sure as to why this man was so talkative to him after meeting but that's just how things were now.

Inhaling again, Rover rose his gaze, but not to look upon Scar's features, but his body language. "I think you've been abandoned… is what I'd like to think, but they performed with deliberate means and that means you being here, as you are… is also a plan plot succeeding. Something is in the works and you've yet to be told to act upon it. Since you are the brute of the plan, I doubt you've been told much of anything useful to us - but you've been told to act like you do so when taught, we'll put you right where your people want you to be for this... play."

Now, Rover was just thinking out loud, some hesitance in his tone an ad lib to feed into the narrative that he wasn't completely sure, completely confident in his mind but still strong enough to follow through with his first statement. After all, he wasn't asking - he was thinking... loudly.

@resolutepath

[guhamun]

continued from [ x ] || @resolutepath

CALCHARO HUFFED, LIPS QUIRKING just slightly at the ends. Always so cheeky. He’d pretend he hadn’t heard their tease and focus on the other uttered words. ❝You and Encore make quite a team. I always told you that going at things alone was the worst thing you could do. I’m glad you listened to my advice.❞ One would think that Calcharo was exclusively solitary due to his personality, but that wasn’t truly the case (not completely). A single growling and barking dog was just a minor threat. However, if they had a pack with them all doing the same thing, even the largest of predators would balk at the thought of attacking. This was something that he had learned quite young, and though his fangs hadn’t been sharp enough to protect those around him, they certainly were now.

     Aalto was skilled at what he did.

     There would never be any denial of that. He had gone far on his own, yet he had gone even further by allowing others to help him rather than believing that he had to do things himself. He heard that telltale coin toss, the sound of it hitting the fabric of his gloves, but he didn’t turn his head to look at them until he heard that soft rustle of fabric, the other’s form looming just a little closer. Calcharo could practically feel the mischief emanating from them in droves. Finally, he turned his icy gaze back to them, already feeling exasperated by the way those golden eyes gleamed in his direction.

     Honestly…

     ❝Nothing of note has transpired. My routine remains the same since the last time we spoke.❞ He omitted the fact that he occasionally assisted Verina with finding rare seeds during his travels in exchange for her knowledge, or discussing edible plants one might find in certain regions. There were also some other minor shifts from his usual work, but none of that was important or worth mentioning either.