#so glad I finished this only after scara's quest

[evelynpr]

How IN LOVE are the Genshin cast with the Traveler? An ANALYSIS of the cast's affinity for them based on voice lines, events and other media!

This goes for both Aether and Lumine, and even Paimon occasionally for the friendship/family tier! If there is anyone or smth I missed please feel free to add I love studying character relationships!!! Of course you are free to interpret these differently, or see it as "something more" if you wish hehe ;)

Lowest Tier : Friendly-er

These characters are here because they are not the type to have many friends, but traveler is special to them, not romantically

Raiden Ei - I interpret their relationship as one that is trying to build a stable friendship, but still recovering from past events slowly. Ei has done a lot of harm both directly and indirectly at the traveler, but has gone through the events of the quest to re-center herself in which the Traveler helped greatly. Deeply thankful is what I'm lead to believe, but casual is still iffy because of Ei's acts of cutting off all close connections in the past.

Shenhe - She is very protective of the traveler, because they were her earliest friends (yes Paimon too) and her story does revolve around her learning to fight for others (I find their friendship very sweet, but not romantic at all since Shenhe has a much longer way to go in understanding social relationships) (I'm kinda surprised I've never seen someone ship this romantically actually-)

Diluc - Definition of a Gentleman when it comes to the traveler. He always offers his support, gives his hand-picked grape juice to them for free, etc. He always sees them in high regard and trusts them greatly (but you could probably say he does the same for Kaeya, Jean, Adelinde, Elzer, basically anyone he sees as family)

Ningguang - She says herself that she keeps her friends few because of the dangers her enemies pose on those who are close to her, but as Liyue's protector she puts great trust in the traveler. Her hangout imo shows that she generally trusts us more than a business partner but as a friend (very wholesome, but nothing more than that and that's cool!)

Razor - Traveler is Lupical. Razor is inherently very protective of the people he cares about because of feeling like he failed to protect his lupical in the past (I believe that's the story behind his vision). So obviously it is not romantic, but his interactions with the Traveler, Paimon, his family and friends are just so special and heartwarming especially in his latest event (SO SWEET I LOVE FOUND FAMILY)

!! SPOILER FOR WANDERER'S STORY QUEST !!

Scaramouche/Wanderer/babygirl/whatever you named him - He clearly doesn't have that many companions (or even any at all), even less those who he shows any sign of vulnerability to. Personally I see it as one of the most interesting traveler relationships in the game yet because they both do not fully trust each other, nor fully accept the other as a friend, but because of him revealing his trauma and past to him, and also the traveler also revealing a part of their own mind and longing, they have an understanding of each other like no one else does. (I do not see this as romantic, but more like a camaraderie which may lead to a deeper connection in the future)

Side note: Most of the playable cast are friends with the traveler, I point out these people specifically because they don't show vulnerability often, or already have other of friends so these relationships have another level of importance to the character.

Middle Tier : Flirty~

These guys are sweet talkers, may or may not be into the traveler

Kaeya - He kinda just talks like that if you ask me. He genuinely cares for the traveler and the other Knights and his family, but his language is just one of the ways he puts on his persona (As Razor would put it, his "fake smile")

Lisa - "Hey cutie-" makes me feel things, ok. Other than that though, nothing tells me she's into the traveler any more than a flirty way? I mean she appreciates them for their skills and support but I think it ends there?

Kazuha - man is a sweet talker honestly. Of course he also cares for the traveler deeply, but his poetic and colorful language is from his own nature, and the traveler generally has a special presence (His language IS very pretty if you ask me haha) (I feel some would say its more *suggestive* than others so that's up to you already lmao)

If there's anyone else you think has a rather *flavorful* way of speaking to the traveler, please do let me know :> If you think these have deeper meaning though, that would be interesting

Above Average Tier : Very sweet, could be something more?

Pseudo-canon material (the comics and hangouts are great man)

Thoma - You give him flowers in his hangout, and in another ending he gives you his omamori which is very sentimental to him. Thoma is generally an incredibly sweet person, so interpret it as you please haha <3

Heizou - This is pretty romantic if you ask me (depending on your taste). He keeps saying how much he wants you to be his "partner" (technically in the investigation sense), and has dialogue about how he feels comfortable around you, it's very sweet and has potential. Not to mention "Traveler, you are so dreamy~" (I swear this guy is 80% fanservice but do you see people complaining?)

Noelle - Her hangout was really adorable, it had a very innocent and young long vibe throughout it and it's just cuteness overload :> (What I would call a babyship)

Childe - Chilumi (not counting Aether) is basically canon in one of the side comedy comics, but in game, it's implied they do battle for fun, traveler does still keep their guard up around him, but his story quest shows he puts great trust in the traveler despite their differences.

Highest Tier : VERY interested, in love even

These are all in game, and pretty canon events (Teapot lines may still be questioned on how canon they are, but further reinforce the mindsets and affinity for the traveler these characters have) (of course it still has headcanon and my own stupid simp heart but bear with me okay?)

Albedo - He always talks abt how interested he is in you (not just scientifically anymore lmao), and suggested for you to live (totally not with him) in Dragonspine. He also trusts them more than others quite explicitly. He is, I believe, deeply enamored by them because of their kindness, strength, intelligence and reliability because the traveler is the person he is most comfortable with. They are the reason he wants to interact with others more as well (Shadows Amidst Snowstorms +Teapot highlights this). The teapot lines are just the icing on the cake, man is making a MOVE on the traveler for REAL by asking him out and showing how he wants to spend more time with them.

Xiao - I feel like despite how common this pair is, it's quite overlooked just how much Xiao trusts and admires the traveler. Xiao is very sensitive about people calling him by his name to use it to control him (that is what his old master did to him) so the fact that he tells only the traveler (not just suggest mind you) to call him anywhere anytime using HIS NAME, are massive displays of vulnerability, trust and protectiveness. (I believe that protection is his main way of showing affection because others are currently an anomaly to him) Xiao also both literally and emotionally feels a calming presence around them because of their healing ability and kindness. He also just can't say no to them, and wants to understand the traveler more even if it means in partaking in "dumb human activities"

Ayaka - She sees so much freedom and beauty in the traveler it is so sweet, and it's quite obvious how much she wants to spend time and be closer with the traveler emotionally (maybe I am just a simp but please she is so tender and sincere) It is also mentioned repeatedly how much she talks about them in very high regard. Once again the teapot lines are just the sugary coat on top with "May I...hold your hand?" being one of them (I screamed like I just won 50/50 in one pull with that line)

!! SMALL SPOILER TO WANDERER'S STORY QUEST !!

The old lady of the Kamisato Estate also mentions how thrilled Ayaka is every time they're around, and also talked about how talented and admirable they are. She also implied that they are Ayaka's "Knight in Shining Armor" and that she talks about them all the time. Idk if you need anymore convincing at this point of how much Ayaka likes the traveler after that.

SIDE NOTE : I find it refreshing and fascinating how the genders actually seem quite mixed and what relationships characters have with the traveler are varied. I really appreciate the writing team for the amount of detail they put into them!

AND THAT'S IT FOR NOW!!! This is my longest post yet soooo THANK YOU SO MUCH IF YOU MADE IT THIS FAR AND ACTUALLY READ THIS!!

[scarasun]

It’s been going okay with the assignments! I’m almost done with 3 so far but I still have to finish the rest by Friday or I’m doomed 😞

Yeah I agree! Tbh Yae is not my favorite character. She may be sly and interesting but I guess the fandom ruined her for me, including on what she thought of Scara. You’re not the only one who dislikes her for that 🫂

And really? This is the first time pulling for a character after a while with someone! I think it’s been 8 months? Or a year, I forgot.. 😭 but im really excited! Don’t mind me if I screenshot the nice moment though <3 Memories are important to me!

ahh well you still have quite some time to finish them!! good luck! my last day of school is tomorrow so i don't exactly have any assignments to work on

yeahh true, but i'm glad we have some morally questionable characters in genshin ig 😭 im also really glad they didn't mess up scara's personality, and he's still a grump, thankfully.

ahh yes! it havent pulled in a while (since beginning of september when i pulled on zhongli's rerun) so i'm kinda excited to blow everything i saved 😭 not excited to be broke after though

and i don't mind if you take pics at all! i think i'll be pulling, levelling, taking some pictures and then going to sleep after because i have school,,,but i'll start the archon quest tmrw though! for now, i have to avoid social media at all costs because i don't wanna get spoiled ;-;

[catcze]

So um. I guess I was right about Tomo and Kazuha HAHAHA. Fr though a lot of this archon quest felt so.... predictable and rushed. My very first thought after finishing the archon quest was not about how great the cutscenes were or about the storyline and all the reveals.... it was rlly just "That's all?".

I don't want to be a debby downer, but Mihoyo could have at least revealed more about Scaramouche through Baal instead of Yae. And the whole "twin gods" thing felt like they just shoved that in there for no other reason than shock value. Again, thats a reveal we get through Yae instead of Baal herself which is,,,,, Anyways, the cutscenes were phenomenal and I'm glad they sort of gave Kazuha closure. But, I still can't help but be disappointed about how fastpaced everything was, from La Signora down to the new Sumeru lore (lesser lord???? Tf is goin on in Sumeru why are they worshipping a lesser lord instead of the archon??)

On another note i am both ecstatic and anxious about how dark things are sure to get now that we finally saw an actual MURDER. The traveler is getting more and more invested in the world of Teyvat and its people, and i feel this will cause so much inner turmoil in them throughout their journey considering the fact that their end-goal is to leave with the twin. Just what will become of those two i wonder

Genshin Spoilers !!

I do agree that this quest felt more fast-paced than the previous one did. I,,, honestly, I wasn't expecting to go from merely showing Sara the Kujou clan's corruption, to fighting Signora then immediately going in to the boss fight with Baal. My phone was having a whole fit screen recording it HAHAHAKSJDN I kind of wish we had more interactions on Sangonomiya that prompted more exploration of the place, maybe ? Something that involved Kokomi + Gorou + Kazuha.

But yeah I think that the twin gods thing was... out of left field, to say the least. I mentioned in one of my asks before that I thought that it would be difficult to 'redeem' Baal after all she's done, and do it in a way that melds enough with the story. I think this is one such thing done to try and 'humanize' her by giving her loss in the form of her sister + friends, bc the twin gods seemed to lack any sort of exposé from the beginning, from the characters, the weapon + artifact lore + character voice lines + clues hidden in the landscape. Bc if you ask me, the 'twin gods' thing feels like an attempt to give Ei a reason behind why she's so desperate to hang onto eternity that kind of feels,,, cliche. I don't think I'd be as unsatisfied if more clues had been presented that hinted towards the twin gods thing, tbh.

And yeah imo the lore and cutscenes here were very centric on closing the Inazuma story quest, and not so much on building and giving hints or clues to the other sources for genshin lore. Although I do appreciate them giving some scara lore, I wish it was less,,, optional ? Because you only do learn about it if you choose a skippable piece of dialogue. And I,,, I don't know, I'm unsatisfied by how it was revealed that Scara took Baal / Ei's gnosis ? It felt really,,, underwhelming i guess.

But there were deffo some memorable scenes in this update ! I'm glad to see Kazuha gain closure like you said, and hopefully we'll get more info on why his friend's vision lit up (fingers crossed that it's more than just a 'power of friendship' thing.)

I'm also super excited bc of the traveller's personality shift! Like, this was really the first time we saw them angry enough to challenge Signora to a fight, knowing that it could end with Signora dead because of them. And their initial impatience to see the Raiden Shogun at the start of 2.0, too–– Idk, I just find it interesting how the traveller seems to get more,,, testy ? Snappy ? Impatient ? to finish everything and maybe reunite with their twin. It was also p cool to see genshin go a little darker, too. I just wonder how much the traveller is gonna change as the story progresses, tbh. If we'll see them become more and more ruthless (?) / goal driven like their sibling as time goes on.