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reviewing my current total-fic word-count in Google Docs and it's sitting at almost 600k, my obsession is HORRIFIC i love it.

i'm planning to post some art here in a bit, since i've decide to mess around and come up with a Neuvi dragon-form h/c (that i love so so so so so so much), but it's gonna be a bit before i post that b/c i'm trying to find all the original artists for the things i referenced (pinterest SUCKS abt that shit and i'm HELL-BENT on thanking my inspo)

aside from that, i'm hoping i'll get the Dragon's Bane fic dropped by June, but i have no promises on that end b/c i refuse to force deadlines upon myself.

anyway this was kinda an update post, so here u go and whenever i get my art ref list completed i'll show pretty dragon :3

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this is a bit of a weird post but bear with me.

so i've been dead b/c of college + finals, right? no this is not an "i'm so sorry post" i'm going somewhere with this.

despite being dead on most social media (b/c i'm just not a social media person), i have been REALLY active on AO3 and have posted SOME fics, righT?? and like i love getting comments ALL THE TIME on AO3, no matter what they say, b/c i like hearing feedback and seeing people engage with my writing. that being said, i'm not gonna lie, i got THE FUNNIEST comment today on one of my recent fics

it was a Neuvilumi fic for Caelestium (b/c i love my sillies), and this person just goes

"How dare these scabs try to dismantle the sanctuary we've built? You walk amongst us spreading dissent as a rat carries disease."

I'M CACKLING??? DEAD ON THE FLOOR. DESTROYED. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN???????? THERE WAS NO OTHER CONTEXT. WHAT????? i love the way they said it, too. like it feels like i should be insulted but instead i'm just so curious as to where they got this from like. oh my god. please sir tell me more of why i'm a rat and how u came to that conclusion, i'm begging. i can only imagine it's b/c i mis-tagged something since i am HORRIBLE at tags but they didn't give me ANYTHING ELSE aside from this and that just makes it even better.

this post is 1000% serious. i'm not trying to mock this person or anything like that. i am just so in love with this comment that i've been thinking abt it all day at work. i'm going to be using this in my vocabulary now. i am but a feeble little rat spreading dissent like it's the plague.

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I FINALLY FINISHED THE DANG NEUVILUMI FIIICCC RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.

i was waiting to post abt it here so that i could get a few more chapters out (since it's a mystery fic and those are always more intriguing when u have more information), but let's GOOO. [link if u want it, check tags before u read guys]

meanwhile Genshin keeps dropping events that make my head spin w/ h/c's (LANTERN RITE?????????????) and to add on to it i'm now thinking abt Lumi with wings,,,, my brain does not function well guys u'd think i'd be better at this lmfao.

on top of that, the amt of writing i've been doing is ungodly??? i went and checked w/ some friends to see what my current word count is for all the fic pieces i've written for these idiots and it's like???? almost 600k??????? i'd have to do another count up but god my writing is in so many different places it's not even funny. HALF OF IT ISN'T EVEN GOOD-- I'm ONLY POSTING THE STUFF I DEEM GOOD. and i keep writing. i've got like six other fics i'm thinking abt at any given time. what am i gonna do when i go to write Clockwork Waltz??? i'm still figuring out what i add to the SNAPSHOTS--

aside from writing, Genshin itself is feeding me w/ the quests n shit. i lost my mind over Natlan Archon quests and everything (won't spoil anything in this post dw, but def considering a mini fic or two in response to some things)

i've also been debating if i start finishing fanart to post here? b/c i've noticed a lack of fanart for a very specific ship that i'm thinking of and it's killing me b/c i need more of it. anyway, i'm done rambling abt shit, i'm gonna go back to writing lmfao

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why is writing fanfic so hard sometimes,,,, third attempt at writing this and i feel like i'm always taking seven steps back and like two steps forward,,,,

ok but it's fine b/c isn't that kinda how most mystery stories be

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adventuring rambles #3

oughghahfjkehh, so in my attempt to write out Caelestium (the poly) and my fanon of Genshin, i'm currently trying to figure out what game mechanics i want to incorporate and which ones i'm gonna just set to the side (i dont know how i'm gonna make the Wishing System work but dw i'm looking into it rn)

in terms of game mechanics and such, i actually wanted to address Genshin's music in this post. b/c I LOVE,,, Genshin music. it's so good, i don't think i've ever played a game where i WILLINGLY go out of my way to listen to the in game music on my own, and then Genshin came along and i have PLAYLISTS of character music and location music. (dragonspine my beloved music location,,,,) so, BECAUSE of my love of Genshin's music, i felt like i had to find a way to include the music of Teyvat.

and how else than to pin it on Outlander Fuckery™???

specifically, my main h/c is that Lumine can hear the music of Teyvat, but no one else can. she's not from this world, and because of my previous h/c of her special connection w/ Leylines + purification + general energy compatibility, i feel like she perceives this world in a different way than others.

Lumine hears the music, but no one else does; this may actually seem implausible due to the fact that in the music events, we get the ability to play the character songs (and in the recent Arataki Itto event, people hummed the ambience music), however, i like to still posit a different interpretation of that:

the musicians who 'made' the music within Teyvat were, obviously, inspired by the places they're around. what if music, in Teyvat, is just pieces of Teyvat's heart slipping out in instruments by people who can connect to it ever so slightly? they don't hear it on the wind, but they feel it, and turn that feeling into the music that is known. Lumine just so happens to be able to hear the music that musicians have, at some point, felt and recreated (thus why some songs are utilized in events).

i really like to think about this b/c i love to consider Lumine's place in the world and how it affects her. can u imagine how incredibly lonely it is to see ur twin leave u behind in a world that isn't ur own? to know that u are probably older than this world has been alive? to see this world as something painful?

and then imagine that music of Mondstadt when u first walk through Starfell Valley. how beautiful it is, and how it gives Teyvat this sense of weight. i like to think Lumine fell in love with the music of Teyvat, and sees it as something so incredible. and then she learns that she's the only one who can hear it.

because she's not from here.

it is a bittersweet realization; to know that she can experience this world so differently in a way that is beautiful, yet knowing that that experience is an inherent reminder that Lumi does not belong.

Lumi often references the music as "Teyvat's Heart" and idk man it just is such a fascinating thing to look into and i'm kind of obsessed dw abt it.

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in 1 hr, 20 minutes, 5.2 banners drop.

all Zhongli wanters will be Zhongli havers. all Neuvi wanters will be Neuvi havers.

still actually losing my GODDAMN MIND that hoyo put them on the SAME BANNER. it's a great day to be alive.

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mini rambles #2

i'm currently in the process of writing the minific anthology thing i wanted to post on AO3, but while i'm doing it i decided to add a Mini Rambles abt Inazuma (b/c i wanna get back into the swing of posting teehee)

i'm also testing out different methods of yapping that helps me skip out on ✦ quest combing ✦

[post-civil war] as always, Kaeya and Lumine spend a year in the Nation that they're helping out w/ (as much as Lumine HATES Inazuma, i'm 90% sure she feels a need to help out b/c she's got a complex abt it)

Kaeya lowkey TERRIFIED of Raiden (b/c girly almost killed him, dw abt it)

Lumine constantly on edge b/c the air is slightly electric and she's Element Sensitive so it's always like her hairs are standing on end

despite Inazuma being Kinda Stressful, they become homies w/ the trio of Ayaka, Thoma, and Yoimiya.

Ayaka is a weirdo (affectionate). she goes creek crawling to find crabs and lizards. she's absolutely fascinated by the ecosystem of the Chinju Forest so she spends a lot of time there. (also love the idea that she does a sort of dance-style meditation but she does it in the creek b/c she's weird like that. soggy socks back at it again fr fr)

Ayaka and Yoimiya are often referred to as "Lumi's Bad Influences" by Kaeya, b/c Yoimiya is feral and Ayaka is an enabler (b/c she likes to feel included) and they both rope Lumine into their shenanigans

Paimon demands to play Hot Pot almost every night and Lumine is this close to grabbing every Jueyun Chili she can find and scarring Paimon for life.

occasionally, Bennett would come hang out w/ the Traveler Trio, but at some point he almost got YEETED by one of the Thundering Sakuras so Lumine disallows him from traveling w/ them to the Inazuma wilds specifically.

Yae Miko likes to fuck w/ Lumine like 10x more ever since Lumine pointed a sword at her (dw abt it, it's a thing that happens in one of the fics)

at some point, Yoimiya introduces Lumine and Ayaka to several different Light Novel series, and Lumine discovers an adoration for the crazy ass stories that the people of Teyvat read.

Lumine is really good at Onikabuto fights, but Kaeya's even better. Paimon kinda hates him for it b/c she has NO IDEA how his Onikabuto keep beating her ass. Paimon and Itto are always sore losers abt it.

Watatsumi Island, in the opinion of the Traveler Trio, is the best island because it's the least stressful. Lumi still misses the fuck out of Teppei, tho. That was her homie, man.

they don't talk abt Tsurumi Island. Lumi was fucked up for days after they finally cleared the fog.

Kaeya doesn't want to admit it but he does his best to steer them clear of Yashiori Island. Yes, they cleared the lightning storms, but listen the memories there are still ROUGH.

Lumi feels guilty as shit about it, but she keeps count of all the work that needs to be done for Inazuma to be OK without them, and she plans on AVOIDING this place like the PLAGUE the moment she feels like she's helped them to her fullest.

She feels so bad about it though. like so bad. she likes her friends here, but she's so fucked up from this place. bisexual japan is scary

Lumi and Kaeya have so many scars from this place. the conversation with Zhongli whenever they come back to Liyue is gonna be ✦INTERESTING✦

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UPDATE

HEYYYYYYY, I'M ALIVE LMAO

ik i disappeared a while ago (i have ADHD so sometimes i just,,, dont post b/c i forget???? dw abt it)

i will also say that something that CONTRIBUTED to said disappearance was Hurricane Helene (LOVE LIVING IN WNC BESTIES IT'S SO GREAT HAHAHAHAHA--)

i WILL be returning to posting abt the poly (which! i have a name for now! Caelestium my beloved, dont @ me) and also abt h/c's w/ the Archon Quests. i was kinda losing steam on those b/c i hate combing through old quests n shit and it's just annoying (plus i DESPERATELY wanna get past Sumeru to Fontaine, but i have to Finish Inazuma SOBBING)

HOWEVER, to try and curb my enthusiasm to help push me to FINISH the Inazuma Archon Quest + Sumeru Archon Quest, i have been writing on AO3 recently! (it was a coping mechanism for a hot minute so rip me LMAO) so far there isn't a lot there; i have a fic on the Kaelumi aftermath of Inazuma (with a Teppei mention, let's GO), and honestly i might just utilize fic writing as a way to express my personal ideas on how the Archon Quests went, w/ vague character h/c's on here? i'm still deciding tho b/c i really really wanna just yap abt these losers and going through the Quests is SUCH a drag. [link] other fics on my AO3 include: Zhongkae fic from after he joins the party/poly! (18+) [link] AND Neuvili fic from after Neuvi joins the party, and him and Zhongli figuring out their shit. (ALSO 18+ dw abt it please) That's actually going on RIGHT NOW, here's the [link], i will be updating every day until the 5.2 phase 2 banners drop!! (b/c i feel that it is VERY FUCKING APT--??? KAEYA IN SHOP AND THE DRAGONS ON THE SAME BANNER???)

i have more fics planned up; most of the larger ones are kinda sad / hurt/comfort (i love tormenting these sillies), but i'm also working on a MasFic of MiniFics where i write glimpses into the poly as they go through out their lives and deal w/ Teyvat's story. i'm still figuring out how to get all my thoughts down (i'm VERY scatterbrained, do forgive me lmfao) so i hope y'all don't mind! i will try and figure out a good way to rework a lot of this (maybe write mini fics of Key Moments to add to the "How I Think X Archon Quest Went" series? also maybe already re-do that series b/c i've decided i no longer like them >:/)

anyway! thanks for peeking at this, dw abt me if i disappear on here, i'm SURPRISINGLY consistent on AO3 at least rn who knows if that'll stay that way forever LMFAO also look i learned how to do the 'keep reading' thing, which means i can go back an edit my old posts so they're not text walls

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thoughts on how the Inazuma Archon quest went [4]

Lumi and Kaeya prep for their travel to Inazuma, and are waiting for Beidou's intel. They talk to their old friends in Liyue, they visit Zhongli one last time, and I always saw this as a little tense in terms of goodbyes.

I mean, Lumine just recently learned about Aether's position in the Abyss Order, and she's currently grappling with that and the thought that the Raiden Shogun might be the Unknown God (i mean, Paimon made a brief connection, i don't doubt that she's been thinking about it.) Lumine feels like the sort of person who always maintains a cheery disposition no matter what if she can help it, but Kaeya and Zhongli know. They can feel it.

My personal headcanon is that Zhongli offers them words of ease before they leave to ask Katheryne about their intel. I already have written abt this in personal stuff, but I will share any mini fics I write later on (probably will put it on AO3 eventually, but it's also optional. i just really like these idiots and am considering sharing some of the writing i've already done for them lmao).

Anyway, Kaeya and Lumi have to go to Inazuma!!! (and subsequently suffer in an electric HELL)

Thoma, upon arrival: well if it isn't the Traveler from afar and-- Thoma: Kaeya: Lumine: ? Paimon: ?? Thoma: aaaaaaaaaaanyway. proceeds to yap

the entire intro quest to Inazuma was kinda interesting since it touched on how blatantly fucked up the Ritou situation was to outlanders. Lumine also throwing shade at Zhongli's relationship with Mora made me giggle.

I also liked the part where we got to reflect on Mondstadt and Liyue by reminding that one Werner guy about the places he'd come from. I feel like Kaeya would be the one to really get into him about Mondstadt, and Lumine handles Liyue incredibly well.

Unfortunately, the intro quest to Inazuma also holds one of the things I disliked most about Inazuma; and that is the almost cruel refusal to help when Thoma inevitably asks Lumine for assistance. In the actual game, the way the responses are short and incredibly stiff made me genuinely feel... gross? Like it doesn't feel like something Lumine specifically would say (I can't vouch for Aether players, but I'm sure there have been times where the dialogue options have been off for them, too.) I don't hate the dialogue options we got, especially if people perceive her or Aether as more reluctant and unwilling—my main issue has always been that we never had the option to react ever so slightly differently; even if it was just a way to rephrase a refusal.

So, in my interpretation of Inazuma, I opted for a more hesitant reluctance when Thoma inevitably asks for Lumine's help (something that, I feel, makes FAR more sense, and falls in line with the rest of the Archon quests in Nations after).

Thoma: so... with your help... even the Vision Hunt Decree— Lumine: hold on. Lumine: ... I... didn't really offer to help with that, you know. Lumine: I'm in Inazuma to talk to the Raiden Shogun, after all... Thoma: ... Ah. Yes, of course. I'll do my best to set that up for you.

GAHHH I really should write more about Inazuma and reworking it into something I have more of an interest in. The potential of this story really haunts me, I was just so put off by the approach. I genuinely have envisioned many a discussion between Kaeya and Lumine about this reluctance—I'm of the sound mind that Kaeya's surprised by her reluctance, but at the same time they both know this is just a flimsy attempt to try and focus on meeting Raiden.

I just don't think she would deny it so quickly and coldly; it feels like she would find ways to compromise, rather than shut people down. Something I desperately wish we got, because it feels more compassionate than what we did get. (and not to mention that this is the ONLY time the Traveler shows such a vicious reluctance to helping people. Like in Sumeru, there was VERY little reluctance to help people from what I remember, and Fontaine??? FONTAINE??? Yeah.)

Like, for example, when she goes to Hiiragi Shinsuke, he quite notably points out "One other thing I heard about you is your great zeal for helping other people." It is constantly noted how the Traveler is willing to help others; even if she, herself, sees it as merely a normal and proper thing to do. AHGHH the characterization of the Traveler in Inazuma killed me guys.

Anyway, we all know that Lumine and Kaeya help out Chisato b/c ofc they would (something I feel like is brought up between her and Kaeya when discussing the reluctance to assist with the Decree), and they head off to Narukami Island.

Thoma: sorry about that other little "test" haha Lumi: riight... so, how'd we do? Thoma: I'm guessing you've always been skirting the rules from the very beginning, haven't you? Kaeya: yep. Lumi: yep. Paimon: yep.

also, again; we're learning about the selfishness of the Vision Hunt Decree, and I feel like Lumine hearing the voices of everyone's ambitions would likely be what starts her attempt to compromise. Also "a Vision symbolizes ambition, and not power" is so interesting. i'm kinda obsessed with it—also Lumine 1000% looking to Kaeya as she sort of has this realization, and her just being like "no, I have to at least compromise. I can't deny them assistance."

Ayaka: Traveler, lend us your power, and we can— Lumine: I must meet the Raiden Shogun. Lumine: that is, first and foremost, why I am here. Kaeya: ... Lumine: ... but... once that is done, I don't doubt that I could still help. Ayaka: Oh... Thoma: I told you.

THIS is how I wanted this conversation to go. A compromise; to meet the Raiden and then offer to help after. A completion of a goal and a promise to help. Because it never felt right to me that it was just so cold and harsh. Let there be compromise, plEASE. It still makes it such an interesting story, and it also shows so much more of the compassion that the Traveler has, and just makes it feel more connected when the Traveler meets and develops relationships with other characters in the game, whether NPC or Playable, canon or fanon.

Anyway, Ayaka still offers to get them to meet the Raiden Shogun, but she still has them do the three wishes thing; which completely breaks Lumine. After already showing willingness to help after, Lumine just accepts that she can't watch these people suffer—what if that was Kaeya? what if it was her brother? Show us the trepidation beginning to fade. Show us the wall cracking. Show us Lumine crumbling before she breaks, I'm begging.

I'll be continuing this later, again, dw! I do have a few other things I'm excited to touch on now that I've finally been able to put my disdain for Inazuma into words. Rereading this quest really has reminded me of how fascinating I found some of the points they brought up—like the Visions being physical representations of ambition and what life is like to lose your ambition and memory of it. It has so much potential, and I'm definitely wondering if I should write on it some...

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thoughts on how the Inazuma Archon quest went [3]

OK, ACTUAL QUEST TIME NOW, I'M DOING IT I SWEAR [COLLEGE PREP IS ENDING MY LIFE]

Lumi: alright, we need to find a way to Inazuma. we've been in Liyue for a W H I L E, and i'm tired of waiting for some sign of needing to head out. Paimon: but isn't it like a closed nation? Kaeya: Atsuko's from Inazuma Lumi: Kaeya, ur a genius. Kaeya: I know~ Atsuko trying to DESPERATELY convince them to just give up on Inazuma should've been my first notion that Inazuma was going to make me rip my hair out, but no i figured it was just a story beat and that i wouldn't actually suffer!!!! no. no, it was real. suffering is real.

I also love Kazuha popping in like "you two give off the essence of wind and earth but also stars" and all i can imagine is he looks at Kaeya and goes "oh, the essence of snow and sorrow is here too". Kaeya: and this must be your bard-for-hire? Beidou: uh,,, no. Lumi: still snickering at "the essence of snow and sorrow"

Beidou: so u signing up for the Clash? Lumi: the fuck is the Clash? Beidou: Beidou: sigh and here i thought u came to sign up.

one long explanation later

Beidou: so, ya wanna win a Masterless Vision? Lumi: to be quite honest. no. i do not care. Kaeya: but we could go for a trip to Inazuma, hmmm? Lumi: ??? Beidou: done. Lumi: ... Kaeya: :) Lumi: u just wanna see me in a tournament, don't u Kaeya: what are u talking about, i'm trying to get us to Inazuma.

whenever they go to check out the competition, Lumi and Kaeya are thoroughly unimpressed, but Kaeya spends the whole time with a shit eating grin on his face. like he already figured it'd be an easy sweep b/c c'mon it's Lumi we're talking about here.

his shit eating grin only gets worse when Lumi signs up and everyone freaks out about her name.

Zhuhan: y-you know only people without a Vision can enter.... Lumi: yeah i don't got one of those. he does, but he's not joining in. Kaeya: i'm here for moral support <3 Paimon: SO IS PAIMON

Zhuhan: what other, uh... qualifactions do you have...? Lumi: uh... I'm an Honorary Knight of the Knights of Favonius? Paimon: she also beat up Childe and also helped save Dvalin after beating him up! Kaeya: that is a Fatui Harbinger and an Elemental Dragon, respectively Zhuhan: intense sweating i-i think that's plenty....

Kaeya and Paimon take bets the whole time on how quickly each opponent flops. Turns out they're both gamblers at heart, but inevitably Kaeya won the most Mora out of her (much to Paimon's dismay). ALSO??? I adore how Kazuha's like "I did notice u withholding strength so as to not harm ur opponent", which is so spicy and good and tasty and i will eat Strong Bad Bitch Lumine any day of the week and still hunger for more.

I do find it interesting that Lumine very clearly is unused to not using elements—something I've pondered a bit about, since she technically had some kind of "element" before she began to borrow the elements of Teyvat. I, for one, am obsessed with this theory and have done some fun deep dives into the animation frames of her and Aether using elemental abilities (i mentioned this before). I wanted to mention this thought because I have a personal h/c and kind-of theory about elements and their dangers, especially to people who are not protected by Visions. Because I do believe certain elements are dangerous.

Also I should doubly clarify that when we get to Inazuma the actual bit, things are gonna be a little different I suppose? I won't be following my original way of doing this, b/c I ,,, really couldn't connect (and personally didn't like) the Inazuma Archon quest, so I'm going to be tweaking it and modifying it to my own needs.

Canon is a white board and I'm scribbling all over it, ok.

ALSO, noting the elemental thing; I find it interesting how Kazuha describes Lumine's ability to utilize multiple elements as "the echoes of nature". Like he just hears the sounds of nature coming from her, and how her scent is complex and strange??? I am beyond fascinated by it, and I REALLY,,, REALLY need to dig into that kinda thing (but i already have 17 different rabbit holes i'm falling down PLUS school is starting tmrw)

Anyway, see u in the next one, where we WILL be in Inazuma (AND WE GET TO SEE THOMA, THOMA IS REALLY SILLY B/C KAEYA'S THERE LMAO)

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thoughts on how the Inazuma Archon quest went [2]

still yapping abt the Interlude b/c it's the best way for me to not procrastinate.

Shenhe: i'll take this rock back Lumi: ??? this thing weighs a bajillion tons??? Shenhe, picking up the rock: i can handle it Kaeya: oh shit, she can handle it Paimon: SHE'S TOTALLY AN ADEPTI, LOOK!!!!!

Cloud Retainer: i see u met Shenhe Paimon: yeah! what's her adeptus name, btw, it feels a lil rude to call her Shenhe. Cloud Retainer: ??? Shenhe's a human. Lumi: FUCKING CALLED IT. Paimon: aw, man... Cloud Retainer: explains Shenhe's past Lumi: so she's not a pilgrim, either... you just adopted her. Lumi: WAIT UR HER MASTER???? Kaeya: i don't think even i expected that.

anyway, Shenhe's officially the Trio's friends (and because both Lumi and Paimon were wrong, Kaeya obtained the winnings from the bet.)

looking back on this quest, it felt very much like "check out these characters that are in Liyue that you haven't met yet!!!" which i don't have a problem with, but even now looking at it i'm like "so many characters,,," (little did i know)

i really really like, though, that Beidou and Yun Jin just popped in and were like "lmao let's fuck up the competition and work together". iconic, tbh.

Also i mentioned that Kaeya's into the arts n stuff, so I like the idea that maybe he knows who Yun Jin is and is like??? pleased to meet her b/c of her Opera. like Zhongli introduced him to her Opera performances, and obviously they both enjoy that kinda stuff, so he's like a bit of a fan but is really good at hiding it / being chill abt it.

i'm dying on that hill, no one can change my mind.

side note, "the Divine Damsel of Devastation" ngl is kinda fire. I loved the entire mini story-line abt it and how it's not as glamorous as everyone says??? it's amazing. Shenhe's entire thing of "i wasn't being selfless, i was trying to survive". ough,,, good soup. delicious.

anyway, when it finally comes down to everyone getting the stuff and earning their questions for Ningguang, I feel like Kaeya probably uses his question to set up a link between her and the Knights. Something like "would you be willing to set up a meeting with the Acting Grandmaster hmm?" and Ningguang's like "i knew u'd ask that." Kaeya's such a good envoy, look at him go.

and then Beisht ruins the party :(

AND KNOCKS OUT LUMINE. WHICH IS RUDE.

but it's fine b/c she and Kaeya go to help Shenhe when she comes to, and they kick Beisht's ass. ALSO SHENHE JUST BEING LIKE "I wasn't trying to be the hero, I just wanted to protect you" IS SO CUTE AND PRECIOUS, Y'ALL SHE IS SO BABY.

i am so tempted to pull up the Opera cutscene after this too b/c i fucking LOVED that shit SO MUCH. it was so good, and Yun Jin really did her best to try and capture the tale as truthfully as possible and yifskjhFGsejkhgfkasjefhkejsrfhsjkFHJKFHSJKEFHJKSEFH

Kaeya and Lumine probably feel the same way i do abt the Opera, too, but they can't be as feral b/c bitches gotta make sure Shenhe doesn't murder a man.

ANYWAY,,, INTERLUDE CHAPTER IS DONE, I PROMISE TO DO ONE (1) INAZUMA TODAY, I SWEARRR

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thoughts on how the Inazuma Archon quest went [1]

i'm including the interlude chapter here b/c tbh i need to have no more procrastination excuses. SO!

Kaeya and Lumi've been in Liyue for a bit now, doin their thing. Lumi's doing a lot of exploration / learning about this nation, Kaeya's helping her out while also expanding his connections, etc etc.

So then Ningguang drops the whole "who wants to help rebuild the Jade Chamber~~" so ofc the Traveler Trio is like "well obviously this is a great idea". like who wouldn't want to ask Ningguang a question ????? so cue the Trio deciding to take it upon themselves to help fix the Jade Chamber

i feel like when they first stumble on Shenhe, Lumi and Kaeya have a moment of like "well she gives off Vibes(tm)" and immediately debate if she's an adepti. ofc, even if she is an adepti, getting harrassed on the street isn't cool. Kaeya gets the Millelith, and everything's aok.

Lumi: you okay? Shenhe: Shenhe Lumi: bless you. Shenhe: my name. Lumi: OH.

i'm like 90% sure Kaeya is Concerned that Shenhe doesn't know what laws are, but Lumi is like unfazed b/c she, too, had to learn the laws of this world. however, EVERYONE is bewildered by Shenhe's choice to eat medicinal herbs. like,,, girl,,, u live like that?

Paimon: she's totally an adeptus Kaeya: nah she's got the vibes but she's not an adeptus Lumi: maybe she's one of those pilgrims Xiao mentioned once. like the ones that go into the mountains for adeptal blessings? Kaeya: oooo, that's a good guess. how much Mora u wanna bet? Lumi: let me see what i got on hand... Paimon: why are u two like this. Kaeya: you not betting? Paimon: ... 500 on her being an adeptus.

anyway, Shenhe joins the club and they have to convince her not to murder everyone. Lumi's already a little bit feral, so poor Kaeya's got a lot to juggle between Shenhe's "dispose of the competitors" and Lumi's "kinda tempting ngl".

another highlight from this quest: Xingqiu: so that thing ur looking for is like 500 million mora Lumi: wh....at.... Xingqiu: oh, I said it's 500-- Kaeya: no, don't repeat it, you might kill her. Xingqiu: ... well, it's not worth it anyway, so don't worry about it!!!

since Paimon, Kaeya, and Lumi have a bet on Shenhe, i feel like Shenhe yapping abt the adepti keeps making Paimon go like "heheh i'm gonna wiiin" and Lumi and Kaeya are just like "hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm". they probably started doing bets like this b/c of Zhongli, tbqh.

ok i gotta scramble the next part out b/c i have work soon, but i swear i'll continue this when i can.

[xstarlightxstarbrightx]

mini rambles #1

LISTEN I GOT COVID DON'T @ ME RN ALRIGHT.

okey cool back to me yapping as i continue to procrastinate Inazuma b/c FuCk InAzUmA

[ The Dainsleif Quest ]

Kaeya met Dainsleif here b/c he goes w/ Lumi just abt everywhere

yes i know they actually canonically meet later, dw abt it, i've already thought through e v e r y t h i n g

i'm just gonna say it. dainsleif doesn't help us as much as everyone says he does. he told us just as much abt our sibling as anyone else, the only difference is that he's actually met our sibling.

lumi has emotional turmoil abt 90% of the time whenever she hears abt her sibling, once again, being apart of the abyss order. it succ. why is this happening, bro

also the inverted statue was Fucking Terrifying(tm) to Lumi due to how she vibes w/ the world (and how i've h/c'd it so far), so yeah, that was a tummy twister right there.

[ Outside of Dainsleif Quest ]

while waiting for a Sign(tm) abt Inazuma, Lumi and Kaeya proceed to do the following:

solve a Ruin Guard problem in Liyue

somehow managed to keep Klee out of trouble for the most part in Mondstadt

run into and meet Mona (who found them both Particularly Interesting)

hang out a lot w/ Zhongli now that he's free to do things

discover that Third Round Knockout has discounts at 3pm b/c Zhongli likes to go there like every fuckin day. very nice.

meet Yun-Jin, Beidou, and Shenhe

fix the Jade Chamber

made a lot of pirate jokes abt Beidou (and Kaeya, on Lumi's part)

broke a mechanism in Liyue three times, much to Cloud Retainer's annoyance (don't ask)

became probably the most yapped abt duo in Liyue and Mondstadt combined (not for the reasons u'd think, they're known as "the Brats")

became well-known in Treasure Hoarder circles for a completely different reason from being "the Brats". if u mention the Traveler or her Mondstadt envoy around them, they either break out into a cold sweat and start shaking or they actively disappear. no one is sure why. Lumine and Kaeya do not elaborate.

have had to keep Paimon from breaking into the Golden House (four times, now).

obtained the Serenitea pot. Lumi couldn't figure out how to utilize it for a hot minute, which prompted a three day long journey into figuring out JUST what the fuck they needed to make a fucking bed.

[ Other Bits and Baubles I wanna Mention ]

Kaeya has had to keep Lumine from falling for like seven different scams. not b/c she's an idiot, but more b/c she likes to see how far the scammer is willing to go and tends to go overboard.

Lumine has become an insane penny pincher in a short amount of time. Kaeya is slightly intimidated by this; he's not sure how she keeps track of the Mora they get so meticulously--it's not like she's taking notes every time she collects a coin??? how the fuck does she know exactly where that 49 Mora came from????

Zhongli is often working at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor rn, giving the whole "normal dude" thing a try. He goes to Third Round Knockout every day at like 3pm (b/c they have discounts at that time and it's peak story telling time), and Lumi and Kaeya never miss a chance to sit in with him.

Paimon is a feral toddler who's OBSESSED w/ food. Lumine struggling to keep up w/ her demands but it's fine she's discovered the Frozen King Pig in Dragonspine. Also Xiangling sometimes stops by to cook for them now (Mondstadt was wild y'all).

Kaeya and Lumi work to build up their very tiny teapot abode during the small moments they have between adventuring and helping people out. It's ain't much but it's honest work.

[xstarlightxstarbrightx]

adventuring rambles #2

idk how much i mentioned abt certain things i've h/c'd abt the world, but i should mention how i believe the waypoints work in Teyvat.

mainly, i feel like Lumi is purifying the Statues and waypoints. in Monds.'s quest, there's that whole bit where Traveler purified the tear (i think it was the tear. it was either that or like blood???) after it got corrupted; now the thing abt that is that the tear was red (similar to waypoints / Statues when we find them) and when it showed up as purified, it was blue (like the waypoints / Statues after we unlock them!) i'm sure there's a lot of ppl who are already theorizing abt that, but i don't really feel like digging through paragraphs and paragraphs of things and would much rather have a silly time figuring things out on my own. BUT b/c of this, my h/c is that Waypoints, ages ago, were used as they are now but got corrupted. People nowadays see them as lil gimmicks or just normal weird things leftover (like ruins), but then Traveler shows up and purifies them!

i also h/c that only those w/ Visions / connection to the elements can use them. the reason being is that i think that the waypoints are linked by leyline veins, and a lot of the lore insists that intense leyline energy isn't Good(tm) for common people (and i feel like, to traverse the waypoints, it probably involves a lot of leyline energy).

however, while i AM canonizing waypoints in my personal thing, i ALSO h/c that u can only USE waypoints by activating them through touch (i also believe that's the only way Traveler can resonate w/ elements, through touching the Statue of the Seven). this is why Portable waypoints are super important, and also why Lumi and Kaeya got trapped in Dragonspine instead of teleporting out!

this ranting is just another way for me to set up more understanding of how i h/c / fanon Teyvat, and i feel like i need to establish this for later h/c's and silly things like that

after purifying and figuring out the waypoint thing, i like to think that Lumi decided that she would work on unlocking every waypoint she could find to help people out. so like when she unlocks things, she immediately tells people who need to know / can utilize it (like Jean in Monds. or Ningguang in Liyue). i also feel like the first time Kaeya finds out abt this, he's kinda spooked b/c it's back when he's first getting to know her, and it's kinda terrifying to know she can just teleport places???

side note, i don't think she automatically tells like,,, Childe or specific Harbingers, but i feel like the Fatui already knew abt this and probably utilize it anyway. it's kinda like a double edged sword, but at the same time it's really helpful so Lumi just has to suffer the consequences,,,

(this also explains why people had to ride boats back to Snezhnaya, b/c those waypoints are still corrupted >:))

and my last h/c regarding waypoints and such, is that u can't just teleport all over the place willy-nilly. like, when using a waypoint, u can only teleport to other waypoints that are adjacent to it, OR a Statue of the Seven. Statues are like incredibly strong, so they're like beacon towers of energy essentially, so u can teleport to Statues of the Seven from any waypoint, AND vice versa. But if u want to teleport from, like, Cape Oath in Monds. to Sumeru City, u'd have to go through a Statue of the Seven first.

idk if that makes a TON of sense, but i SWEAR it makes sense in my head lmao.

[xstarlightxstarbrightx]

thoughts on how the Liyue Archon quest went [9]

LAST ONE I SWEAR.

i feel like the Rite of Parting takes place a day or something after the Northland Bank confrontation, but again i'm too lazy to check. either way, Lumi and Kaeya ARE still kinda injured from the whole fight w/ Childe, so they DO have to rest at least for like a day??? idr the timeline in the actual game, but i. Do. what i. want. these scars are prolly gonna last, too,,,,

the rest of this is just my personal h/c of the Rite of Parting. specifically the bit where Keqing asks Lumi what they can do in thanks, and Lumi's like 'how about some missing persons posters?'

and this time i feel like it's fine if they do just do missing persons posters here. like genuinely Lumi's like 'well, so far i've got the companions i need, so there's no biggie', but even then Ningguang and Keqing prolly have eyes all over the place looking for her brother. but still, Lumi strolling up after saving the harbor from an ancient god and just being like 'how abt helping me put up posters' is just so FUCKING FUNNY???? LIKE GIRL,,,

anyway i think it's the literal coolest, literally the silliest goofiest thing. meanwhile Kaeya's like 'well dw i can at least utilize ur hero status to do my job as an envoy', which he does.

the conversation with Zhongli is a little less tense, since time has passed since their confrontation w/ him and Signora in the Golden House (and also b/c neither Harbinger is there at the moment, fyi).

i feel like Lumi is a little more open to hearing his side of things and how he explains things, and Kaeya's mostly just wary of Zhongli (but still empathetic b/c man, this guys been alive for an unfathomably large amt of time). i like to think that the conversation starts out pretty tense, but then they get to the topic of Mora and Lumi and Kaeya are once again amused by Zhongli's complete and utter Mora blindness. Kaeya's a little concerned abt the whole 'no more Mora' thing, until Lumi points out that the Leylines blossoms kinda give up Mora so maybe it'll be fine.

also i feel like Zhongli probably tries and gets them to go rest after a little while, b/c again,,, they're still a bit injured,,, and he is Concerned(tm),,,

(side not: speaking of Leyline blossoms, i genuinely have a thought abt this. b/c Mora is both money and a catalyst, so when u use it to upgrade things, i feel like it's just put into the Leylines and u can just obtain it that way??? but idk how much stock ppl might put into that)

anyway, this is the end of my h/c's for the Liyue Archon quest, but trust me when i say that the Adventuring Rambles are silly :)c

also Inazuma IS next, but,,, again,,, curse that damn place,,,, (no offense to Inazuma lovers)

[xstarlightxstarbrightx]

thoughts on how the Liyue Archon quest went [8]

so Lumi and Paimon go to inspect the Sigil stuff, while Kaeya meets up w/ Zhongli and essentially just chats w/ him while they wait for Lumi, right? i feel like Zhongli, at this point, totally sees this as an opportunity to learn more abt them, since Kaeya's a primary source. definitely feels like he'd make a comment about Kaeya's pupil being a unique shape—but i also feel like this would put Kaeya on edge, b/c i feel like Kaeya,,, knows? like he probably knows the Archons destroyed Khaenri'ah, and since Zhongli's very clearly the Geo Archon (and also once a War God), it probably puts him on edge a bit? Very much like 'ur not gonna kill me if u find out i'm Khaenriahn, riiiiight?'

and then when Zhongli notices him dodging the question, he probably just pivots to asking abt traveling w/ Lumine and Paimon b/c he recognizes that yeah, Kaeya probably knows. idk, i think abt this conversation a lot, b/c it's essentially just the unspoken acknowledgement between both of them that Kaeya knows who Zhongli is, and Zhongli knows who Kaeya is. it's just interesting to me.

and then Lumi shows up and they're both kinda relieved b/c MAN was it getting a lil bit awkward haha—and then Zhongli hears abt the Sigils getting reproduced by the Fatui (this is like the ONLY thing i remember from the Sigil bit ngl) so he's like 'mmm be on your guard around them.' i personally think this is when he kinda starts developing a desire to protect these people, which is,,, incredibly precious.

it only gets better when Lumi has to sing to the Glaze Lilies??? b/c listen, guys, LISTEN ok, i feel like Lumi is a decent singer. like she's not Pro(tm) but she's definitely a lil above average yk??? anyway i like to imagine Lumi singing to the Whopperflowers and for like the brief moment of her doing it, both Kaeya and Zhongli are like 'oh,,,,,' b/c who doesn't love a pretty song????

anyway the whopperflowers are assholes and interrupt the very cute moment, and then Ganyu shows up as a one-two whammy :( but it's fine b/c Glaze Lilies and also Zhongli warns Lumi and Kaeya abt the wear and tear of working. i love it a lot b/c Zhongli's whole thing is trying to relax, and it just feels like he already sees these scars growing on these two and he wants them to not earn any more.

unfortunately, upon their return and everything coming to a head, Lumine's like 'well we can't just stand by and do nothing'. i really love how Zhongli warns her to think this through and to be careful. i just think it's so bbgrl of him guys please.

pretty sure that from here, it's just the Golden House fight. that fight actually does leave scars on Lumi's leg and Kaeya's arms (b/c he blocked a nasty sword slash at some point), but generally the fight is over and done w/ pretty quickly (b/c Lumi a tough bbgrl and Kaeya's got her back <3)

They barely have time to like, bandage their wounds before they have to go and help the Qixing, and then they have to deal with THAT WHOLE DEBAUCLE. genuinely, that entire thing was just Lumi being a badass ok. i literally would do anything for her (and so would Kaeya b/c he was also incredibly awe-inspired by how much bad bitch energy she exuded in helping w/ the fight).

and then her being a mediator??? and then her being so wise and smart??? guys please let me gush abt her more i love her so fuckin much GUYSSSSSSS

which is why it sucks that Lumi and Kaeya have to see Signora again after Signora kinda traumatized Lumi a lil bit (yknow, attacking Venti outta the blue, sending Paimon flying away, knocking Lumi out, etc). personally feel like Lumi and Kaeya are a little wounded to see Zhongli just,,, willingly offering his Gnosis up to her??? when he explains it, it kinda makes sense, but also Lumi just,,, very much feels Danger from being around Signora, so she's still tense and wary.

it doesn't help that Zhongli couldn't tell her what the Tsaritsa promised him in return for his Gnosis. b/c that kinda just left a sour taste in Lumi's mouth for a bit.

[xstarlightxstarbrightx]

thoughts on how the Liyue Archon quest went [7]

the quest for the Cocogoat is 10/10, can i just say.

like it's literally just Qiqi: Cocogoat please Zhongli, who has never ever heard of a Cocogoat in his entire existence in Liyue: checks out, let's go.

when they fix up the Guizhong Ballista, the more Zhongli yaps the more Kaeya's like "oh, maybe i was wrong", but it's with the "we should focus on Qiqi's contract" that makes Kaeya go "oh, no, i was wrong. he IS the Geo Archon. whack."

also Lumi being a total Mom and having to sit w/ Qiqi and explain that coconut milk comes from coconuts and not a Cocogoat adepti beast??? 10/10. i love her sm, please

also??? Zhongli treating????

Zhongli: i've decided to treat you to a meal. Lumi: Zhongli. Treating. Kaeya: like paying for food. for us. and not the other way around. Zhongli: i won't forget the Mora this time.

i feel like at this point, Zhongli is kind of curious abt the Traveler Trio b/c he's a lil more focused. especially b/c, like, y'know, one of them is a Khaenriahn and the other two definitely aren't human.

obviously tho, he can't glean too much b/c, y'know, they're there to relax and then Ganyu shows up and askes the Trio to head to the Jade Chamber, and Zhongli's like "oh okay."

also speaking of the Jade Chamber, favorite bit has to be how Ganyu just,,, forgor to tell them how to get there. also, b/c of Keqing's spiel about the time of the Adepti passing, i kinda feel like Lumi and Kaeya kinda figure out like "oh, is that why he's stepping down?" and them being confused why he didn't just,,, step down.

current h/c for the Jade Chamber thing tho is Kaeya kind of nudging Paimon towards a very specific antique box from the Jeweler's b/c he's like 'I doubt the snacks will do shit, but this antique might be a different story'. also he and Lumi are incredibly impressed by Ningguang's reach in Liyue; very much a moment of "wowwwww, lotsa power u got there" meanwhile Paimon's freaking out b/c "OH U CAN JUST,,, KNOW THINGS"

and speaking of knowing things, Lumi and Kaeya figured that, w/ all of Paimon's yapping, Childe has already moved to betray them. i mean, this happened in Kaeya's quest for a reason, so they're not unaware, yk?

anyway, after the whole thing in the Jade Chamber and getting steered towards the Sigil stuff, i feel like Lumi sends Kaeya to meet up w/ Zhongli and essentially buy her and Paimon some time before they meet up to complete the Rite.