#strdstd // dainsleif

[dutybcrne]

|| @strdstd // Rethel for Dain! ||

Adjusting to the land of gods had been a nightmare. Bad enough that accursed place had left her mind in a blur, but it was perhaps bathed in sunlight and open air where centuries worth of fear at last made themselves known. Still, she would push past it all.

Mustering strength took time, but damned she’ll be if she didn’t do her damndest to. After all, there was a reason she’d chosen to brave the unknown beyond the darkness that had become such a comfort to her grieving soul.

Dainsleif. Her dearest friend, her brother in arms, might as well have been her own flesh and blood. The last of their brethren, bearer of a hopeless fight she’d thought long ended with the Cataclysm that damned them all.

It was his presence after that surge of agony that had flooded through the Chasm that had her unconsciously latching on. Latching onto what her still-muddled mind found safe and familiar, only realizing just why once they’d found themselves away from that place. From the odd corruption that tainted it, and here.

And now, at dusk, when she felt herself strongest…

Rethel braced herself, pulling together enough composure and strength to let her form solidify. Just enough to be seen, ideally to be heard—

“Litla stjarna…litla stjarna, can you hear me?”

[stxrsfxte]

"What if they kissed?" {For Dain & Farah? 👀}

Sunlight filtered through leaves, dappled patterns dancing across the ground and armor that caught the light just enough to reflect it back towards the sky. Helmet no longer present, replaced instead by a mask of gold filigree and rose petals of metal, Farah watches the birds flutter with an unusual sense of peace. Perhaps it had to do with the man beside them, their captain and fellow survivor. With clarity of the mind came the knowledge of the tangled emotions that often overwhelmed the knight in the dark and the moments of lost control.

A nest of the Abyss Order now cleared out, the calm after was not the cause of their smile, though it certainly helped. Knocking their head against Dainsleifs' gently, they mimicked the call of the bluecrown finch softly. Just as gently, they curled their fingers around his wrist in a loose hold. "A moment here, if you'll allow me, before we go on to the next encampment." Their low voice was smoother now, as they finally had more of a reason to speak.

Birdsong filled the air around them. Resting their forehead against the side of his head, they brushed their lips against the corner of his. Soft, lingering - hesitation and longing entangled in something too tightly woven together to be undone easily. But the first knot was loosened.

Gauntleted fingers tangled together as Farah cupped his cheek with their other hand, allowing themself the chance for a more proper kiss - soft and slow, fragile in the ways those capable of a great magnitude of violence could understand. Leaning back just enough to nuzzle their nose against his cheek, when they pulled back fully, letting their hand fall from his cheek (though their other still held his hand, if looser now) they offered him a true smile. "Onto the next, or shall we stay here a while longer?"

[mielmoto]

{From Dain. owo}

mmhm, mmhmmm, mmhm. ❝a very impressive spread, Mr. Dainsleif; of course❞ can't say she's shocked, given that... well, she has eyes and she's met the man more than once. the lack of a penchant for sweets is acceptable, she's plenty capable of making savory treats instead...

B-3, however, is a welcome confirmation. (makes her role as his self-designated hype girl all the more satisfying).

[sungracd]

━━━━━━     @strdstd   ✷  *     The stars blanket the skies by the time Adrian sets off for home.  The path is remote, like much of Mondstadt outside the city, but the silence a welcome reprieve after a long day.

Months have passed but their thoughts still drift back every now and again to that fateful encounter at Angel's Share, coming face to face with a ghost from the past.  Although the same couldn't be said for the ghost in question.  The years have been many and the curse an unbearably heavy toll on his body.  It's a miracle he's managed to survive for as long as he has, let alone the fragments of himself that remain in tact.

Being unable to recognize Adrian is but a small price to pay in the end but that doesn't make it any less painful, pretending as though they're nothing more than strangers.  Although a part of them thinks it might just be better off that way.

As their home comes into view so does a silhouette standing beside it.  This wouldn't be the first time someone's come knocking in the middle of the night for a medical emergency so they're not particularly caught off guard.  Not at first.  But they can feel him before they see him — the corrupted energy.

"Dainsleif? I didn't think I'd see you back in Mondstadt so soon. Couldn't stay away from the dandelion wine, could you?"  Adrian approaches, any trace of a smile vanishing once they catch sight of the grave expression on his face.  "Is… everything alright? You haven't been waiting here long, have you?"

[howthesleeplesswander]

❛  life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone.  ❜ {From Dain for Kaeya!}

Songs from the 80s Sentence Starters | Accepting! | @strdstd

((now that poor Dain has been subjected to Kaeya's nonsense he will never know rest again asjfdf X'D))

"And why is that?" The question was light but immediate, the lilt of his tone veiling the hypocrisy it carried. In truth, Kaeya agreed with Dainsleif's statement, but it'd be a shame to waste the opportunity for some fun by pushing back.

"'Must' is such a strong word. Perhaps you should take a page out of the Knights of Favonius' book." A hand resting atop his heart, his shoulders squared in a caricature of pride. "We Knights stand together in the face of mystery and adversity. Should one man not be strong enough on his own, he can always fall back on his company."

It took a conscious effort to resist rolling his eyes as he let his posture relax. "I'm often reminded that being alone is a choice. Although..." he trailed off on a chuckle, glancing sidelong at Dainsleif with his eye dancing. "Admittedly, there can be times when that choice is taken away from us: like right now, for instance. I'd wager you wish you were alone and that you weren't saddled with my company."

[evervita]

Incorrect Quote Generator | Accepting!

@strdstd asked: ✏️ {From Dain!}

Dainsleif: Surgery is basically just stabbing someone back to life.

Magnolia: ... please never become a surgeon.

[strlstd-m]

a notsfw sideblog for strdstd ★ do not follow or interact if under 18 ★ multi-verse & multi-ship ★ oc & crossover friendly ★ low/sporadic activity ★ written by kit (24 & they/them)

𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒅 - 𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓 - 𝒊𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 - 𝒑𝒔𝒅 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒔

available muses below cut

Argenti - Honiai: Star Rail

Kamisato Ayato - Genshin Impact

Boothill - Honkai: Star Rail

Blade - Honkai: Star Rail

Childe - Genshin Impact

Cyno - Genshin Impact

Dan Heng - Honkai Star Rail

Dainsleif - Genshin Impact

Diluc Ragnvindr - Genshin Impact

Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd - Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Gallagher - Honkai: Star Rail

Gepard Landau - Honkai: Star Rail

Gorou - Genshin Impact

Jing Yuan - Honkai: Star Rail

Kevin Kaslana - Honkai Impact 3rd

Luka - Honkai: Star Rail

Luocha - Honkai: Star Rail

Percival De Rolo - The Legend of Vox Machina

Tenko Shimura - My Hero Academia

Teppei - Genshin Impact

Tighnari - Genshin Impact

Thoma - Genshin Impact

Wriothesley - Genshin Impact

Yingxing - Honkai: Star Rail

[grislyintentions]

"i don’t need your help." {Dain for Natasha!}

Meme || Accepting || @strdstd

"Don't be stubborn," her reprimand is sharp and instant. The healer does not appear to have any intentions of leaving anytime soon regardless of his refusal. Silence fills the air briefly before she speaks again, evening out her tone. "I know you don't. I'm not deluded, Dainsleif. I know I cannot cure you of your ailments." If he cannot be healed, then at the very least, she wants to make sure he can be as comfortable as he get in his times of suffering. There was no reason to make it worse for himself.

"But that doesn't mean I'm going to leave you to suffer alone. I know my own limits and I know I can help manage your pain. So let me help."

[dutybcrne]

『 @strdstd​ // Plotted Starter for Dainsleif!  』

          ・⊱ It was easy to get caught up in the thrill of battle again. To MOVE and fight with his all, and in service to such a kind innkeeper too! Mr. Zhu was truly a blessing to allow him to stay there and even a small salary in exchange for little favors. Which served Halfdan just as well, he could train up his skills again against those pesky bandits causing trouble nearby. And...train up that shiny new gem of his. That definitely was a stark change...how ironic-

            “Hoo, boy am I glad no one saw any of that...!” Out of practice as he was, Halfdan was quite proud to find his skills sound enough to put up a decent fight, dull blade in hand or not. Once he felt himself ready, maybe he ought to take Mr. Zhu’s advice and apply to that Adventurer's Guild in the harbor. And...see if he would be allowed to forge himself a new weapon while he was in the area, too. That would certainly be nice.

           Halfdan wiped the grime off his face as he hefted his sword ( not a claymore, Stars, how he missed wielding a decent claymore, but this was all Zhu could spare him ). That was the last of them. That big one with the shovel had been especially troublesome while he’d fought the man’s comrades...but he’d taken worse than getting clocked with some digging tool and having dirt thrown in his face. The potion burns, now those were going to be a pain...

         He huffed and turned, starting back to the inn. Or...maybe he should take a detour and clean up first. Yeah, that was a good idea-

          Along the way, he caught sight of a lone figure. In spite of his weariness, a grin spread on his lips briefly, a hand scarcely moved in greeting, before the Vision at his collar pulsed. His breath caught, that very hand closing over the teal gem as his gaze locked onto them. No, that...that couldn’t be-

         He stumbled forwards, one step, another, then broke into a run, no matter how his muscles protested. To hell with that. To hell with it all, the person there...that person was,

         “D...Dainsleif...!”

[stxrsfxte]

“I’m fine. This just happens sometimes. It’s normal for me.” {Dain for Farah!}

@strdstd

A worried sound caught in their throat. Farah knew signs of the Abyss, bore it upon their own skin. And yet…never had they seen it act quite like this. Uncertainty did not keep them from gently resting their hand on his lower back, offering support and ready to carry him if his legs gave out. “Just because it is normal, does mean I will stray from my worry. You are…too important to me, for me to brush this aside.” Sometimes, when the Abyss was present, and the past a little too close behind, they would slip into a more formal form of speech, yet they were more likely to say such vulnerable truths more openly. Of course, they also had less to worry about now, as rank and social standings and their duties were not under scrutiny anymore, except for by ghosts.

“Is there…anything I can do? Would being….” No, the fountain was also a bit too dangerous to trust. Perhaps the only reason it hadn’t taken their own mind fully was because of their vision. Such a strange thing to protect them, considering the archons punishment of their home. Shaking the thoughts from their mind, Farah held their other hand out, in case he felt inclined to hold it, for whatever sort of support he was in need of the most. “Please, Dainslef, I am here. I am happy to…able to be of use.”

[mielmoto]

TUMBLR TEXT POST SENTENCE STARTERS | accepting

@strdstd said {From Dainsleif. Hi! ^^}:

“I think my dark under eye circles are adding to the aesthetic, actually.”

...oh! oh? hey now! that was a joke! and even a wane smile from the man, to boot. when she'd made the little comment off-hand, ('ooh, rough day?' or something like it; almost nothing at all), she'd expected anywhere from no response to, at most, a sharper exhale through his nose before they presumably went on to enjoy their drinks in separate peace.

it was far from the first time she'd seen him taking up at the tavern: usually alone, and always quiet; incorrigible as she may be, Honey'd mostly had the good sense not to try and bother him.

But, hell, when opportunity knocks, she won't make it knock twice.

"Mmm, the 'tall, dark, mysterious & brooding' look, you mean? because, like, sure; absolutely. it completes the 'darkness never sleeps, neither shall I' vibe." her voice drops to mimic the grizzled heroes in storyteller's tales, for a moment, before a couple bell-like chuckles bring her lightness back. "Enigmatic charm notwithstanding: I'm sure you'd still be just as handsome without; so, like, don't go denying yourself a little R&R purely for the style points, yeah?"

[lyriccl]

"I'll Keep You Safe" Prompts | Accepting!

@strdstd asked: ⋆ “this place is dicey at the best of times. just take my hand until we’re clear of it, yeah?” {From Dain- owo}

A commission from the Adventurer's Guild had taken her to the mountains of Liyue to find some Cor Lapis. Initially, Emma had expressed unease about some of the monsters that may be there. Besides the assortments of slimes and hilichurls, Liyue had Geo Lawachurls and Geovishaps. At least in Mondstadt the Lawachurls stayed confined to Dragonspine, but here there was a small chance they'd just be... roaming around. And Geovishaps were a nasty bunch on their own.

Emma was assured that she'd probably only find hilichurls and slimes, and maybe a Geovishap hatchling if it was a bad day. The bard remained dubious, but she did need the Mora...

Things had gone south very quickly after she gathered about half of the Cor Lapis needed. She almost rounded a corner when she saw something very out of place. That was not a Geovishap hatchling.

She was frozen behind the rock formation, desperately trying not to make a noise lest the Geovishap decided it needed a human target. It was barring a clear shot out, and the rocks around her were too smooth and steep to get a decent hold of, so climbing was out of the question. Emma could try to backtrack, but a sudden noise would alert it to her presence and she could not fight that thing.

She wanted to joke to herself that her starry-eyed savior would come to her rescue yet again, but that would only get her hopes up. Maybe she could try climbing after all- he's right there.

She dared to look around the corner, and the Geovishap had been slain. Archons, Dainsleif was strong. And when he told Emma to take his hand until they were out of there, her heart skipped a beat out of pure delight.

"I wish the commissioner had told me this place was dangerous after all..."

[howthesleeplesswander]

starter for @strdstd || ((lets go lets goooo 👀👀))

"Why, look who it is." Kaeya's sing-song voice drifted from a narrow alley before he stepped into the glow of a nearby streetlamp. Sunset was falling on the city of Mondstadt, and he'd taken it as his cue to finally approach the familiar figure he'd spotted in the street a few hours prior.

A smile adorned a pleasant, open expression. But his single, starlit eye was far sharper—watchful and alert. He wondered if Dainsleif could say the same, or if he hadn't noticed the Captain tailing him.

"Ever since our encounter in Sumeru, I've been wondering when I would see you here again. Welcome back to Mondstadt," he said with a grand flourish of his arm. "Are you here to take me up on my offer to buy you a drink? You're in luck; I've just finished my evening patrol, and was thinking that a glass of wine at the Cat's Tail would be a perfect way to end the day. Why don't you join me?"

[xamassed]

⟬ meme / @strdstd ⟭

🦄: suggest your own - May I offer... enemies on Dain's end for Venti? 👀

That's fair, honestly.

And it won't be at all mutual because Venti will wholeheartedly believe that it's entirely Dainsleif's prerogative to feel how he likes. Hate, disappointment, distaste, or even just plain dismissive. He wouldn't want to take that away from him, so he won't take it personally.

We need to have them interact. c:

[dutybcrne]

@strdstd​ replied to your post:

Dain’s just… gonna come up in front of her, look down, & say, “Are you… alright?” {I had to-}

         ・⊱ She looked up quickly, shoulders squaring a bit. Oh, it was the other weird grownup. Wait–he was super good friends with Jean-

          “Klee fell!” She scrambled to her feet, dusting herself off as she kept her eyes on him. But...it didn’t look like she was in any trouble, so- “But it’s okay. Me and my treasure are a-ok! So don’t tell Master Jean, okay?!”

[dutybcrne]

『 @strdstd // Plotted Starter for Dainsleif!  』

          ・⊱ It was ironic that in addition to frigid cold, she was able to sense and truly resonate with the emotions of others since her ascension. However it was quite the aid when it came to her goals, so the humor of it all would be hers to mull over at her leisure.

          Why distract the others with such a trivial little thought, after all?

          Right now, however, she was most intrigued by the approaching surge of emotions. Emotions so strong and heavy ( most of all grief, such immense, powerful grief ), they were palpable even behind the barrier of the heavy oak door before her. It was curious—enough to have the sentiment flickering across her own features and her rising from her seat. How far were they? Was it proximity or intensity that she was able to feel it all so? Perhaps a mix of both? Surely the person’s feelings couldn’t be THAT strong.

          As the first booming knock would resound, she would swiftly school her features. Right—The Tsaritsa was needed. Dwell on this phenomenon later. Or…perhaps mid-audience-

          “You may enter.”