Genshin Fanfic - Blog Posts

» BAD (10/02) — capa teste » categoria: Genshin Impact » personagens: Zhongli & Neuvillette » recursos: psds por @.colour-source & navh (deviantart)

meimei's note: faz muito tempo que não edito uma capa desses dois e como me deu saudade, pensei: eu podo eu consego✨ spoiler: eu apanhei (demais). eu tenho esse ship em mente faz um tempinho, culpa do noro, e eu achei que conseguiria editar uma capinha lindinha deles... e esse foi o resultado :') acho que eu pequei na finalização MAS ME RECUSO refazer a capa de novo :3

» DANCING IN THE DYING SUN — capa teste

⟅24.11.2023 — é oficial gente, estou ficando mais velho hoje e isso automaticamente me diz que deveria fazer uma capinha de um casal que shippo muito e talvez seja a razão de eu querer jogar de novo (mesmo eu sendo um asno, ruim de envergonhar a própria geração). Minha ideia inicial era fazer uma capa inspirada no meu amado Freddy Mercury — pq EU fui nascer LOGO no aniversário de 10 anos da morte dele, cadê a terapia? — mas eu amo muito a banda Amarante e as músicas deles me ajudaram muito nos últimos anos. Essa não é a minha música favorita mas foi a que mais me pegou quando tava mal e sinceramente, acho que combinou com eles <3 P. S¹.: quero um bolo de vocês, dêem um jeito; P. S².: os boatos de que mudei o título da capa pq estava com preguiça de adequar o light com o título que já havia criado são falsos, eu não juro mas ces tem que acreditar em mim... P.S.: essa capa, olhando agora, esta MARAVILHOSA! É quase um dourado e combinou tanto com o Kaveh, pena que de novo perdi as configurações da capa e essa finalização jamais será repetida :")

Forgotten But Not Forgiven

(Inspired by a fic I read, I can't remember the name but if anyone finds it lmk so I can tag/credit the author)

You had been around for a long time, longer than most of the surviving gods in this era of the world.

You were not, however, credited for your deed towards humanity and its successes.

You had risen to power around the same time as Morax. It would be safe to say he would not have risen so high without you.

While you had only been a minor god, your intelligence had proven to be quite useful in the era of strength you were born into. An era of buff toddlers, you used to say.

Using this intelligence, you had decided to aid the up and coming Morax in the Archon War, as well as before it. You gained many followers due to this, as well as territory.

You did your best to protect your people, but you could only do so much against the raw strength of the power hungry deities wanting not only your lands, but your intellect as well.

Morax and his precious Guizhong had pressured you into a contract. forcing you to abandon your people to give them the upper hand in the war. You had agreed on the terms that your people would remain unharmed and safe.

This was not the end result that occurred, much to your sadness. You had been tricked by the infamous duo of the earth.

Prior to this deception, you had been close to the two gods, to the point where you could have said they were your friends and confidants. You hadn't thought of the possibility that they were using you for your power. You had thought that they were truly as loyal to you as you were to them.

You wanted to kill them both right then and there, tear them to shreds where they sat, watch as their confident body posture wilted as they passed on to the next plane of existence. But, you were not only bound by contract to see them through to a throne of the Seven, you were craving a deeper revenge, one much crueler than a quick and merciful death.

Over time, your anger concentrated onto one of the two, Morax. You had found out that Guizhong had not known that your people would be sacrificed to win the war. Once she had found out, it was too late.

Some time before her death, she had tried to reconcile with you. However, you were not so keen as to forgive her so easily. So, you made a deal, a contract.

She had to help you retrieve your lands back, as well as any descendants of what were once your people. She had agreed, desperate to regain your friendship.

The hard part was sneaking around behind the now Rex Lapis' back, as he seemed to always want the dust goddesses presence. Lucky for the two of you, he had the pressing matter of sorting out his new found responsibilities. Not so lucky for the two of you, he wanted Guizhong's help to do so.

This sparked a fight between them, pushing their already strained relationship further and further. This would be one of the last times they would talk.

Guizhong seemed to drift farther away from Morax as she drew closer to you once more.

You had to admit, you had missed her during your time apart. Her quick wit could rival your own on some topics, and her compassion was refreshing in the world of war and violence.

After regaining your land, and setting up ways for your people to prosper, you had continued to draw closer to the lady of dust.

That's why, when she perished fighting for the lord of geo, you felt as if you had once again been stabbed in the back. Deep down, you knew she had not meant to leave you all alone again, but you could not process that in your grief.

But this time, you would not publicly display your anger. No, this time would be different.

This time, you would not be forgotten and thrown away like useless trash.

After all, He was the reason she was gone. He was the reason your people had been so brutally wiped out and your lands had been taken from you.

He would pay for what he had done.

(I might work on a part two or more, lmk if I should!)

hehe, Im already interested to read this ^^

Prologue

pairing: Wriothesley x f! reader

trigger warnings: violence, blood, murder, imprisonment, suggestive, ptsd, mentions of child abuse

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The streets of Fontaine were bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun, casting long shadows and giving the city an almost ethereal glow. The meeting with the Iudex of Fontaine in Palais Mermonia had been as expected—tense and bureaucratic. Discussions about the affairs related to Meropide were never easy, but the Duke was thankful for the cooperation and support he often received from Monsieur Neuvillette.

Wriothesley’s heavy footsteps echoed against the cobblestones.  He rarely ventured to the surface, but duty had called. Now, as the golden hues of the setting sun bathed the city in a warm glow, he made his way through the bustling streets of Fontaine. The surface world, with its vibrant life and spectacle, always felt a world apart from the fortress he governed.

He exhaled slowly, a sigh mingling with the evening breeze, as his thoughts drifted to the faces of the prisoners. Each one had a story, a past, and sometimes, Wriothesley wondered if he would ever truly understand morality as a whole. Lost in contemplation, he barely noticed the few passersby giving him a wide berth, recognizing the emblem of his station and the aura of authority he carried. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he navigated through the throng of people.

He barely registered the world around him until a sudden impact jolted him from his thoughts. He had collided with someone, and the force of it sent them both stumbling.

“Oh, for the love of–!” The exasperated voice brought him back to the present. He looked down to see a young woman picking herself off the ground, brushing the dust from her garments. Her eyes, alight with irritation, met his, and she frowned deeply.

“Watch where you’re going, will you?” she snapped, not caring that he towered over her. Wriothesley found himself momentarily speechless. The setting sun framed her face, casting a radiant glow that highlighted her delicate features. Her beauty struck him, the kind that seemed to draw the light towards her, making her skin glow and her eyes sparkle with an inner fire.

“I’m terribly sorry,” he managed to say, his voice softer than usual. He noticed then the bouquet of flowers scattered on the ground, petals crushed and stems broken. Flowers? A curious pang of disappointment twisted in his chest. Did she have a suitor already?

"You should be more careful! It is a busy street!" she retorted, dusting off the last of the debris. Her eyes darted to the ground where a bouquet of flowers. "Great, just great. Now I have to remake this bouquet and I'll be late for the delivery."

Wriothesley watched as she hurriedly gathered the damaged flowers, her frustration evident. She handled the blooms with a surprising tenderness, and he felt an inexplicable urge to assist her.

"Let me help you," he offered, kneeling to pick up a few of the scattered flowers.

“These were for a customer,” she explained, kneeling down to gather the remnants of the bouquet. “A difficult one at that.” She sighed, still irritated. Her hands moved with a practiced grace, but there was a hint of urgency in her actions.

“I’m really sorry about that,” Wriothesley repeated, a hint of guilt creeping into his tone. He handed the flowers he’d picked to her and she was already on her feet, clutching the ruined bouquet.

“Don’t worry about it,” she said, her irritation giving way to resignation. “I’ll just have to work faster.” She offered him a brief, distracted smile, more out of politeness than anything else, before dashing off down the street, leaving him standing there.

Wriothesley watched her go, her figure soon swallowed by the crowd. He stood there for a moment longer, the noise of Fontaine’s streets fading into the background. The warmth of the setting sun lingered on his skin, but the encounter had left a different kind of warmth in his heart. He absentmindedly reached up to adjust his collar and felt something unusual. Pulling it free, he found a petal of a red poppy flower nestled in the fabric. He held it between his fingers, its vivid color a stark contrast to the muted tones of his attire. The petal, delicate and vibrant, seemed to carry a weight of its own, leaving him with a sense of unease. With a final glance at the direction she had gone, Wriothesley turned and continued his walk, his thoughts no longer solely occupied by the fortress of Meropide. The image of her fiery eyes and the way the sunlight had kissed her features stayed with him. He resumed his journey back to Meropide, the image of the spirited florist and the red poppy petal lingering on his mind.

Chapterlist | Next Chapter >>

This was so good...!! (I already imagine how elegant reader and wrio looked :'D)

Oh, the man he is... (Wriothesley x Reader)

Wriothesley x fem!reader; fluff, shared feelings, implied mutual pining or some sorts + Sigewinne, Furina, Neuvillette appeared as cameos!

You had agreed to extend your work in the Fortress, much to Wriothesley’s delight. However, recently, he found it harder and harder to spend time with you, and it left him feeling restless.

((The story is a sequel of my previous fic here! Although you can always read it separately, the build-up is somewhat connected to the previous one))

Words: 3.1k

Notes: 

I’ve always wanted to do the continuation of my previous stories, but I clearly went overboard for this one since I didn’t plan this to be this long. But, I mean, it’s Wriothesley, who could resist? ;) and don't judge the title pls HELP

Enjoy the story!

•~•~•~•

No, Wriothesley wasn't a jealous man.

As a responsible warden of the fortress, he remained focused on his professional duties, fully acknowledging the demands they entailed.

However, ever since you’ve agreed to extend your work at the Fortress of Meropide—with Neuvillette’s permission, of course, Wriothesley had unconsciously developed a habit of seeking you out—whether it was to hand you some documents or simply to ask about your day. 

Yet, it had been a week since he had a proper conversation with you, since the conflicting work schedules you two had left little time to spend with each other. And somehow, it was starting to bother Wriothesley more than it should. 

Wriothesley exhaled as he stood up from his office seat, leaving piles of documents sprawled on his desk. Despite his usual preference for lunching in his office, he found himself walking towards the cafeteria.

As he approached the bustling cafeteria, his hopes lifted momentarily when he saw you already seated, only to deflate when he spotted you already seated… with another young man in front of you. 

Oh. He thought to himself.

In that moment, he recalled that your latest work involved cooperation with some of the fortress’ members. Right, it was business matters and he’s the Duke of Meropide, he got nothing to worry about, right? 

So, he greeted you, asked about your day, and went back to his office.

•~•~•~•

Wriothesley surely wasn’t a jealous man...

Another day, he discovered that you were done for the day as your work for the day was finished. He was just about to step out of his office to search for you when, to his surprise, you appeared right in front of the office doors. What luck, he thought to himself. However, your sheepish smile hinted at something else.

“Oh, hi, um— I’m here to tell you that I won’t be here for the weekend.”

His plans to ask you out crumbled inside his head.

“Oh, you got called in by the court?”

“No, but I’ve got other things to do,” you replied as you gave him an apologetic smile. “Is that okay?”

Well, he couldn't just outright refuse; after all, you deserved a break too. However, his mind raced, wondering about the nature of the 'other things' you had mentioned. Was it work-related? Or perhaps it was something more private?

"Of course, don’t worry about it," Wriothesley reassured you with a smile, trying to bury his own thoughts as he mentally cursed himself for his train of thought. "I'll see you next Monday then."

You thanked him and went off. He sighed, hoping that you would be available for the weekend so he could at least ask you out. But for now, he would have to wait.

•~•~•~•

Wriothesley definitely wasn’t the jealous type... or so he believed.

But lately, he couldn't shake this nagging feeling of restlessness. You seemed busier than ever, going back and forth between the surface and the fortress. And, to make matters worse, you were spending less time with him compared to a certain assistant. This young man had been assisting you in the latest case at the fortress, and he seemed to be handling it well. In fact, it was Wriothesley himself who suggested you to appoint an assistant in order to lighten your workload—as you seemed to have some business to take care of on the surface, only to find himself now competing for your attention.

It was like his own idea to help you had turned against him, backfiring in the most frustratingly ironic way possible. 

Massaging his temples, Wriothesley groaned as his thoughts swirled in his head.

“Feeling unwell, Your Grace?” Sigewinne's soft and cheery voice interrupted his brooding as she entered his office, carrying documents from the infirmary.

“Oh, Sigewinne, it’s nothing,” Wriothesley exhaled. “Thanks for the documents though.”

“If you’re wondering about y/n, she’s already gone to the surface,” Sigewinne said softly, yet, her tone masking a hint of mischief.

Wriothesley sighed in defeat. “Right, the event tomorrow. I figured she'd be attending.”

“Didn't she tell you?” Sigewinne asked innocently.

Oof.

Wriothesley fell silent, then replied, “No, but I had a hunch.”

“I saw her heading to the surface with Antonio—the assistant, did I get his name right? I heard there’s a ball in the event, right? Maybe they’re preparing for it,” Sigewinne added, her smile widening just a bit, her eyes anticipating his reaction. 

Wriothesley lifted his head to stare at Sigewinne, at a loss for words.

Wait, were you actually planning on dancing together with Antonio?

She giggled innocently at his reaction before continuing.

“But you’ll be there too, Your Grace. And for security reasons, I don’t see any problem,” she chirped, her amusement evident in her voice.

With a grumble, Wriothesley stood up and headed straight to his room. “Security reasons, right… I’ll need to think about tomorrow's outfit then…”

Sigewinne watched him go, giggling softly to herself.

“Racing hearts, rising blood pressure, uneasiness. Yep, those are the physical symptoms of jealousy, alright,” Sigewinne mused to herself.

“Human emotions are truly interesting.”

•~•~•~•

You stared at the dress laying on top of your bed at your dwelling in the surface, mentally preparing yourself up with confidence to wear it for the event tomorrow. In fact, Furina had picked the dress together with you. Classy, beautiful, drop-dead gorgeous; was what she commented. But honestly, when was the last time you'd slipped into something so elegant? 

As you lay back on your bed, your mind wandered over the events of the past few weeks.

--few weeks before--

“A… ball, you said?” 

"Yes, in fact, Lady Furina will be hosting the event. And we are expected to attend as representatives from the court," Neuvillette explained, his tone as flat as ever. Beside him, Lady Furina nodded eagerly. “The ball will pose as the closing ceremony.”

"Ah, I see... so the event about three weeks away," you replied, your confidence faltering slightly. "To be honest, I'm not exactly skilled at dancing..."

"Oh, nonsense! A Fontainian lady must know how to dance!" Lady Furina interjected, her voice brimming with determination. "Fear not! I'll personally train you at least twice a week until the ball. How does that sound?"

You swallowed nervously, anticipating her rigorous training methods. You glanced to Neuvillette, only to found him nodding in agreement. 

"Um... alright, thank you for the offer, Lady Furina. I'll try to make time during the weekends."

"Excellent! It's settled then!" Lady Furina exclaimed with a wide smile, her hand clasped in front of his chest. "Meet me in front of my house this weekend!"

You closed your eyes, recalling the training sessions with Furina as you tried to gather your confidence for tomorrow. Although you could safely say you were doing okay-ish with the training, your mind kept wandering back to a certain man in the fortress, leaving you longing for the interactions you shared with him.

•~•~•~•

The next evening, the venue began to fill with people, the atmosphere bustling with liveliness. You positioned yourself near the Palais Mermonia members, keeping Neuvillette in your sight as you glanced over at Furina, who was already engaged in conversation with other people.

As you talked with various guests, your thoughts often drifted to whether Wriothesley would attend the ball. The idea of dancing with him crossed your mind, but so far, he was nowhere to be seen.

Come to think of it, you hadn’t told him a thing about your secret dancing lessons. 

“You haven’t found a dance partner??” Furina's panicked tone was evident as she approached you, her arm linked with Neuvillette's, signaling that they would dance together. 

“Um, well, not yet…” you mumbled, feeling a bit flustered.

“Oh, my! I won’t allow you wasting your skills today! Let me see…”

Furina pondered for a moment before suggesting a few Palais Mermonia attendees as potential partners. However, none of them really piqued your interest. If you want someone, it would be– 

“Wriothesley is also attending this event too, in case you are wondering,” Neuvillette added suddenly, catching you off guard.

Your eyes widened slightly at the unexpected mention of Wriothesley's presence. You knew Neuvillette must be offering his personal opinion, perhaps based on his own observation of your close working relationship with the Duke, in addition with Wriothesley's request to extend your stay at the fortress. However, the comment had caught you off guard, and you went silent, a faint blush tinting your cheeks as you hid your excitement.

But your reaction had caught Furina’s attention as her smile turned into a mischievous grin. “Ah, the Duke of Meropide! How could I forget?” she exclaimed dramatically, holding her hand up to her face. “I saw him near the gardens earlier. You should go check him out!”

Although you realized her attempt on teasing you, you found yourself nodding hastily and made your way outside to the place she had mentioned. 

“And the ball is starting in fifteen—!” Furina added rather enthusiastically, her voice trailing behind you. 

And so, you went outside. The atmosphere was less crowded than indoors, but there were still plenty of people mingling about. You paced around in search of Wriothesley when suddenly, a young man intercepted you from the side, introducing himself.

“Good evening, m’lady. You're as lovely as a fresh rainbow rose. Would you do me the honor of a dance?”

“Thank you, but I’m actually looking for someone…” you began, trying to politely decline.

“A dance partner, perhaps?” he persisted, holding out a real rainbow rose this time.

“I’m sorry, but I really should— ,“ you attempted to excuse yourself, but he wasn't taking the hint.

“The ball's starting soon. It'd be a shame not to enjoy a dance with such a beautiful lady…”

Feeling pressured but unable to escape his persistence, you were about to step away, but a reassuring hand suddenly clasped your waist, holding you close from the side.

“The lady clearly indicated she wasn't interested.”

Relief flooded through you as you immediately recognized the voice. Looking up, you saw Wriothesley standing with a polite – or perhaps, intimidating – smile on his face, standing rather menacingly in front of the persistent man. The young man went off immediately, clearly taking Wriothesley’s cue.

After the man had hurriedly retreated, Wriothesley released his arm from your waist and turned towards you, his gaze lingering for a moment, a small smile playing on his lips as he took time to admire your delightful appearance. He then bowed slightly towards you, lifting your hand with a gentle touch and pressed a small kiss to the back of it.

“M’lady,” he murmured, his voice low and husky. 

You were stunned by his gentlemanly gesture, as you just felt a flutter of butterflies inside your stomach. “Wriothesley…” You found yourself momentarily at a loss for words, struck by how incredibly charming he appeared in his formal attire.

“You look stunning,” he complimented, his warm gaze met yours, a stark contrast to the coolness of his icy-colored eyes. You shyly thanked him for his kind words, feeling a warmth spreading through you at his sincere compliment.

As the two of you were lost in the brief moment of admiring each other, he cleared his throat, subtly regaining his composure as he glanced around. “…Are you perhaps, waiting for someone?” he asked as his curiosity piqued. 

“Oh, well, I was…”

Wriothesley immediately caught onto your choice of words.

“You… were?”

“Mhm, but not anymore,” you replied with a warm, sheepish smile.

A hint of confusion flickered across Wriothesley's face, his thoughts momentarily jumbled. Wait, so you weren't waiting for Antonio, which meant…

You sensed his slow realization and couldn't help but let out a small laugh as you added, “You, Wriothesley. You’re the one I’ve been searching for.”

Your words came out cheesier than intended, and you felt a blush creeping up your cheeks as you scrambled to explain. But Wriothesley did not seem to care as his smile grew wider. It was what he had hoped to hear. 

But then, before he could say anything, your attention shifted to the direction of the building, with the music began playing from inside the hall, signaling that the ball had already begun as people started flocking into the building.  

Observing the dwindling crowd, Wriothesley turned to look at you. “As much as I want to dance with you, I don’t think we’ll make it in time inside.”

You returned his smile at his eagerness to dance with you. You looked around, taking in the serene atmosphere of the nearly empty garden. “It’s fine. Instead… I’d hate to miss the beauty of the moon tonight.”

He gave you an affectionate smile as he seemed to understood the hint, and extended his arm towards you. “Well then, m’lady, may I have the honor of a dance?”

With a nod, you gladly accepted his hand. “Of course, Your Grace,” you replied, earning a small chuckle from him at your sudden formality.

As the music played softly in the background and the moon cast its gentle glow upon you, you and Wriothesley began to dance. The waltz you had practiced with Furina proved its worth as you both moved gracefully under the enchanting night sky. You realized that you had been longing for his company for this whole time.

As you danced, you became acutely aware of the close proximity between you and Wriothesley. Your faces were just inches apart, and his eyes seemed to be locked onto yours with an intensity that made your heart race. His hand rested firmly on your back, providing a reassuring support, while the other held yours with a gentle yet firm grip. 

“You dance well,” you whispered softly, breaking the silence.

“I could say the same about you,” he hummed, his eyes affectionately locked on yours as you two transitioned into a slower dance. “Have you been practicing in secret? Or were you just naturally gifted?”

You gave a small laugh at his remark. “Actually…” You paused, shying away for a bit. “I’ve been attending dance lessons with Lady Furina these past few weeks.”

“Oh? Is that why you've been going back and forth to the surface?” 

“Mostly, yeah, since I agreed to return her favor,” you explained with a sheepish grin. “But she also roped me into helping compile some data for this event. I must thank you for offering me appointing an assistant to help with the job though. He really did his job well.”

“Wait, I thought he’s also coming to this event?” He stopped the slow dance momentarily, still holding you in his arms as he processed the new information.

“Antonio? No, he’s taking care of my duties today in the fortress, as I instructed him yesterday.”

Wriothesley went silent as everything seemed to click inside his mind, a chuckle escaping his lips, amused by his own thoughts. You looked at him in confusion, but he waved off your concern with a dismissive smile.

“Never mind, it’s not the time to dwell on petty things,” he said, his focus returning to you. “I don’t want to spoil the moment dancing with you tonight.”

You stared at him for a second, before nodding in agreement, letting go of any lingering questions inside you as you both resumed your dance under the enchanting moonlight. It felt like you were dancing without a care in the world, lost in each other’s embrace.

As the song reached its conclusion, you both stopped gracefully, locked in a gaze neither of you wanted to break. A warm smile played on your lips as you looked into his eyes, feeling the warmth of his gaze that he returned to you.

In that fleeting moment, as the night air wrapped around you like a gentle caress, there was a subtle shift in the atmosphere. His eyes began to flicker between your lips and your eyes. You were ready to surrender yourself into the silent invitation as you slowly leaned forwards, feeling his breath brush against your skin as your noses almost touching.

Seeing you responded to his silent cue, a faint smile tugged at the corners of Wriothesley's lips as he too began to close the gap between you, inching closer. Finally, his lips met yours as he kissed you gently, sealing the moment carefully with a tender embrace.

Despite your racing heartbeat, you melted into his soft kiss, feeling his hand cupping your cheek gently that made your heart flutter. As the air around you seemed to grow warmer with the intensity of the moment, you pulled back slightly, needing a moment to catch your breath. Your cheeks flushed with a rosy hue as you met his gaze with half-lidded eyes, the heat of the moment still lingering between you.

He leaned in closer, as if to pull you into another kiss, but then abruptly halted, his body rigid as his eyes widened slightly. He then quickly turned his head to the side facing the bushes, while his hand remained protectively on your waist.

“Who’s there?” he asked, his voice a bit demanding.

Slowly, a small figure behind starting to emerge behind the bushes, revealing Sigewinne who slowly tiptoed out.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Your Grace, I thought I was hiding well,” she said with a sheepish smile. “I didn’t want to bother, so I waited.”

Wriothesley immediately released his hand from your waist, bringing it to his face to hide his embarrassment. “Ah, it’s you…, what brings you here?”

“Monsieur Neuvillette was searching for you, and I happened to spot you here,” she explained, her tone light and playful. 

Wriothesley let out an exasperated sigh, his hand falling to his side. “Right.”

Then, Sigewinne glanced at you with a mischievous gleam in her eye. “Looks like your jealousy was a tad unnecessary, Your Grace,” she teased.

“Huh, where did that come from?” Wriothesley responded with a bemused expression.

You stood there, momentarily stunned, before Sigewinne’s words finally sank in. “…Jealous? Of whom?” you asked, glancing between them in confusion, before it dawned on you as you recalled your lingering questions from your mind.

Wait…could it be? 

A smile tugged at the corners of your lips as Sigewinne continued, “Ah, you see, this big man was actually jealous that new assis–”

“Ugh, spare me…” Wriothesley groaned, turning to walk away, not wanting to hear the rest of Sigewinne’s teasing. You laughed softly as you followed behind with Sigewinne as she started to explain her observationsfrom the past few weeks.

As you walked, you caught Wriothesley stealing a glance back at the two of you, a playful smirk tugged on his lips. It seemed like he was content with how things had turned out.

And so, the rest of the night unfolded with cheers and laughter, with everyone by your side. Despite the lingering feeling of a certain unfinished business, you couldn't wipe the smile from your face for the entire night.

After all, you now know that the feelings were mutual, right?

hold on! I'm putting my two brainrots, genshin and lu, in a blender! bthpbthpbthpbthpbthpbthpbthpbthpbthpbthpbthpbthpbthp 👁👁

k now imagine this as some sort of book given to the chain:

Ancient Teyvat History

Long ago the kingdom known as Hyrule broke into the seven nations we know today. The three goddesses who rule over Celestia– Din, Nayru, and Farore– created the Archons. Semi-immortal beings granted a seat on the elemental thrones, and a Gnosis to rule their nations with.

Anemo, Geo Electro, Dendro, Hydro, Pyro, and Cryo. Mondstadt, Liyue, Inazuma, Sumeru, Fontaine, Natlan, and Snezhnaya.

Now, the Triforce is still present in our current world, but it has faded. Perhaps been hidden, if you will. Gannon is no longer a threat. The sacred name of Zelda is not passed down, as the royal family is no longer about. The Hero needs not arise. We unfortunately do not have much information on The Heros, no names, no mention of family or home have been mentioned in the records. But it is undeniable the link they have to the Triforce of courage, their adventures forever remembered. 

Barbatos' Envoys

Genshin au idea:

Barbatos' envoys. Lookalikes, appearing every now and then, meant to help the people when the archon couldn't. Reintroducing old songs to remind them of any forgotten pasts, and crafting new songs to tell them of the future. They often take it upon themselves to also keep people from putting words into barbatos' mouth, and debunking any false information. Just like any citizen, an envoy is free to do as they please. It would be weird to chain down a symbol of freedom with unnecessary duties if they do not wish to do it. They may look human, but so does barbatos. The people have decided envoys are basically spirits. No one has ever seen an envoy look younger or older. No one has ever seen one be born or die. They simply appear and disappear with the wind.

The origin of this is that people long ago (before cannon/ in-game time) noticed that venti is practically identical to barbatos. Rumors started to spread, and to keep people from guessing his true identity, Venti came up with the envoy idea. He didn't want to make the people feel stifled by the presence of their archon, to walk on eggshells around him and offer their first born when he trips.

A Farmer, a Chef, an Actress, and a Mechanic decide to live together.

Four random souls find themselves in the world of Teyvat, and decide that suffering for something as stupid as the plot was not worth it.

Raiden Mikoto | Ajax | Furina de Fontaine | Mary-Ann Guillotin

Other Parts to be added...

Mikoto had no idea how she got here.

One moment she was running away from her shitty father. Well, fake father would be precise. That's right, all those manhwa fake daughter and real daughter tropes were real. Then when she got on the road, a truck suddenly slammed into her, and she died.

No seven minutes of best memory. No seeing her loved ones.

Just death.

The next thing she sees is purple eyes, violet hair, and a sword in her hand. "What the fuck?" were her first words, much to the surprise of her creator and her bitchy fox wife.

She discovers she's the Raiden Shogun. Not Raiden Ei, but the puppet itself. As her creator activates her protocols and retreats to her realm, and the pink fox leaves with a small scoff, Mikoto begins to plan.

She knows she couldn't leave now, that would be unwise. She would have to wait until the Traveler came and the Inazuma Arc was completed. It would take a long time, but patience had its perks after all.

She waited, and waited, and waited some more. Untill the day of the 100tn Vision was obtained, and she saw familiar blonde hair and the pixie from the moon. "Finally." She said out loud, and ignored the questioning look on the Travelers face and dragged them to meet Ei.

Unfortunately, Mikoto had forgotten about Story Quests, and found herself fighting her creator over something she honestly didn't care about. Eternity? Fuck that shit. Staying stuck in the past was one of the worst things to do. It was better to move on and leave all the pain and trauma one had behind. It was better to grow and learn from the past so you wouldn't have to suffer in the future.

That was something Mikoto believed, but the beliefs and protocols shoved down her body refused to listen, and so her body fought and fought until she lost.

Weeks later, Mikoto woke up in a body that wasn't her own. Well, that wasn't her creator's. Her creator had made her a new body, and she nervously stared at Mikoto. "I hope. . . .that you can find the true meaning in your life, without me pushing down my own beliefs. You are now free to go."

Mikoto continued to stare at her, ignoring the way the Traveler sighed with exhaustion next to her. "You suck at this. No wonder big brother hates you."

An Anemo Vision hung on her hip as she stepped on a boat heading to Liyue, her now shoulder length hair swaying in the wind as she gave Inazuma a final middle finger.

Fuck everyone else, she was going to Liyue to become a farmer archons damm it.

A little silly idea I had a while back. Hope you all enjoy!!

Writing Masterlist

┍————- /ᐠ｡ꞈ｡ᐟ\ ————┑

Genshin Impact

Diluc Ragnvindr:

You're all I need

Collage AU!

Daisy's Diner Cut

Dinner indoors

Zhong li:

A walk would be nice

»—————————–✄

Twisted Wonderland

Nothing yet....

»—————————–✄

Obey me!

Nothing yet...　 　

┕————(..)(..) ∫∫————-┙

Dinner indoors

Note: I am not a writer, this is simply just for fun or to pass the time, If I use punctuation incorrectly, make spelling errors, Bad grammar, or the format is off that is why.

Y/n for this story:Filipina/Filipino

Warnings:Non since ya”ll ignore me

Contains: Fluff, pet names, author’s easter eggs

Tagalog: {Mahal=Love}

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆　　 ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

You were in your shared apartment with Diluc you were sitting on the couch talking to Diluc on the phone having you doing most of the talk until you heard a light thunder sound, you look at the window and saw raindrops on the window.

“Ahhh noooooo!!!-“

Y/n yelled in frustration

“What’s wrong?”

Diluc questioned

“It’s raining! You’re gonna get soaked and possibly get sick and we might have to cancel our picnic date, haaaaaaaaayyy…..”

You complained

“Hey now a mahal come down, don’t worry we can think of something else.”

“I…ugh…I don’t know I guess we could think of something else….hmmm…I guess we could get some take out from jollibee, or maybe I can cook some sinigang na bangus, or maybe I can use those microwaveable pizza’s…”

You went on and on while Diluc was on the phone listening to you, and then when you were done with your suggestions he said he”ll get some take out and you agreed. You noticed your phone was almost out of battery so you told Diluc that you needed to end the call but told him what you wanted. After you two said your goodbyes you went to your shared bedroom and grabbed the charger on the nightstand and plugged your phone in. You laid on the bed and looked up at the ceiling and thought of taking a quick nap before Diluc comes home.

After awhile you awoke to someone coming into the room, you sat up and rubbed your eyes quickly and then you heard a chuckle

“Sorry did I scare you mahal?”

Diluc asked

“Yeah but it’s fine”

He walked closer to the bed and kissed your temple

“The food is at the dinner table you go ahead I”ll take a quick shower first”

“Ok”

You stretched a little and he went to get his towel and went to the bathroom, you looked at your phone and you saw you fell asleep for almost 47 minutes and you also saw your phone was about 78%, you sighed and unplugged your phone you wore your slippers and went to the dinner you saw the paper bag with the familiar mascot plastered on it. You went to the table and opened the paperbag and you saw a carton with the name of “Jollibee'' on it, you took them out and noticed a smaller paper bag you took it out and opened it and saw it were fries, you took a fry and ate it and continued your scavenge in the paper bag. After a while Diluc was already done taking a shower and went to the kitchen and saw you on the table on your phone he walked up to you and he leant down and then you looked up and he kissed your forehead.

“Hahaha hey”

You laughed

“Here”

You grabbed a fry and held it up to Diluc’s face, he ate it he giggled a little and went to take a sit on the chair, you opened the paper bag and took out 2 cartons of jollibee chicken joy you handed one to Diluc, then you grabbed 4 plastic spoons and forks gave the other two to him you opened your carton and thankfully the the food was still hot you unwrapped the rice placed the chicken on the top part of the carton then you immediately put gravy on the rice, you took some skin of the chicken and combined it with the rice and ate. A smile came to your face and Diluc chuckled a little you chewed and swallowed your food then look at him with a smile.

“Hey Diluc….”

You started

“Yes mahal?”

“.................”

“Mahal?”

“.................”

“.................”

“Please..let me go”

The sounds of loud thunder with a flash of lighting followed when you said those words before disappearing, Diluc’s eyes widened looking at were your sitting to see an empty seat with a unopened carton after Diluc’s shock went away he looked down and saw a picture of you on his phone the last picture when he had you in his arm before your unexpected demise.

“......I need a drink….”

He said whilst he got up to the refrigerator to get a beer to ease his pain”

“But.. I love you so…”

“Please…let me go…”

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆　　 ｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

Author: HEY EVERYONE SORRY FOR BEING GONE I HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO WRITE SO I STOPPED POSTING EXCUSE ME EKEKKEKEK

Daisy’s diner cut

Note: I am not a writer, this is simply just for fun or to pass the time. If I put the punctuation incorrectly, make spelling errors, bad grammar, or the format is off that is why.

Y/N for this story: Non-binary and pansexual

Warnings: Some cursing, name-calling, catcalling, Misgendering

Contains: Fluff, pet names, authors’ easter eggs

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

You started your shift and already want to go home, Early in the morning and you already encountered a wild Karen complaining that her coupon hasn't expired yada yada..the same bullshit all over again. After Karen finally left the other customers came and finally ordered their drinks, And then you see the same red-headed man who ordered the same drink over and over you asked if he was gonna order the same drink and he nodded. After you took the order you gave him his receipt and walked to his table to wait for his drink.

“Have a good day sir!”

You said

“Mhm..”

He said in return leaving a tip, you always wondered why he chose this cafe

After your shift was done it was around 2 pm you decided to go eat at the new diner that recently opened called “Daisy’s diner cut”. You heard from your co-workers that the place had good prices with good food, so you decided to go check it out. When you exited the backdoor you felt someone watching you, you started walking fast until you were already on the sidewalk with people you started walking till you felt a tap on your shoulder. You turned around and saw a scrawny-looking guy with a beanie and he even smelled like alcohol.

“Hey…there..pretty..lady~”

He said slurring his words you smelled the alcohol and made a face of disgust and he noticed.

“Now..now am a nice guy..am not gonna hurt yea...let me treat you to lunch haha?.. I know a few places with really nice food~”

“No, am not interested”

You said bluntly

He gave you an annoyed look and said with a now aggressive tone

“Listen am trying to be nice here you should be *Hic* grateful I even looked the way you bitch”

You rolled your eyes and said again that you weren’t interested.

“For the last time, I am not INTERESTED”

He was about to grab your wrists but someone grabbed his hand, the redhead looked at the creep and gave him a death glare, the creep said sorry but then the redhead spoke.

“You don’t apologize to me, apologies to THEM, not me, I wasn’t the one you were harassing a while ago now was I?”

The creep gulped before turning to you and said a half-assed apology and you just told him to go fuck himself and he mumbled “fucking slut” under his breathe the redhead heard it and hardened the grip on the creeps wrist, and the creep yelp in pain and said a someone genuine apology to you and the redhead, the redhead let the creep go and the creep winced in pain before running away. You looked at the redhead who had driven away from the creep and you realized it was the same guy you took his order from every day you remember his name “Diluc”

D:“Are you alright?”

He said with a softer tone, you were taken aback by the much softer tone

Y: AH!? HUH! Ah!..y-yes thank you…sir Diluc? Was it?”

D: “Please just call me Diluc”

Y: “Oh uh ok”

Y: “Well uh thank you for helping me”

D: “No problem”

Y: “Please uh- let me repay you”

D: “Oh there’s no need for that”

Y: “No don’t worry I insist”

D: “Well uh if you insist then..”

Y: “There’s this new “Daisy's diner cut and if you interested we could try there”

D: “Oh I also heard about that I wanted to try it out myself actually”

Y:” Well come on before the place is the pack”

After that, you both started walking in the direction of the diner and you both talked to each other and got to know each other a bit more.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

.

.

.

“And what happened after that papa?”

The child asked with food in their mouths

“Hey now what did I say about talking with your mouth full”

Diluc scolded

“Sorry but what happened to you and pom pom?” (Pom pom a combination of Papa and mom)

“Well we went to the diner and ate the food we ordered we both talked about our interest and then after that day we satrted seeing each other then again and again…you know your favorite food there is actually the food pom pom ordered when we arrived at the diner”

“AWHH!!! REALLY??!!”

“Eheehehe yes my child”

Diluc grabbed a napkin and wiped his child’s face

“Let’s go home now”

“Awh…but…I wanna stay a little longer with pom pom”

Diluc looked at his child then smiled

“Alright let’s stay a little longer”

Diluc looked up at the tombstone and smiled a little seeing a butterfly fly on it

“Papa am gonna fix pom pom’s flowers okie?”

“Ok arrange them beautifully ok? Pom pom always made sure the flowers are arranged properly”

“Okie Okie”

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Author: Ya” ll I have no idea where I was going with this story am so sorry if it looks a bit rushed and a little confusing

Collage AU! Diluc x Y/N

Collage AU! Diluc x Y/N

Note: I am not a writer, this is simply just for fun or to pass the time. If I put the punctuation incorrectly, make spelling errors, Bad grammar, or the format is off that is why.

Y/N for this story: Non-binary

Warnings: Non since ya” ll ignore me

Contains: Fluff, pet names, authors’ easter eggs

• • • ✎ • • •

-You guys became partners for a project and you were not on board at first but after you talked to him and listened to his suggestions it felt nice, you’ve heard rumors about him from a handful of people and you felt a bit bad believing the rumors.

-He recommended doing the project at a café and you agreed, both of you exchanged numbers and said your farewell to each other and went on with your day, once the day you agreed on the date of the making of the project you went to the café called “Angel’s mocha café”, once you entered the café you started to look for Diluc, seeing you, he waved to know where he was. After settling down and having a little chat, you excused yourself to buy yourself [insert favorite coffee], he nodded and you went to the counter to order, after ordering you returned to your seat and started doing the project.

-You both were doing your work quietly. Sometimes you ask him for his suggestion and he gives you some suggestions after you both are done you let out a sigh and stretch a little and he looked away you were confused but decided to ignore it. You asked if he could stay a little to chat before leaving. He was hesitant at first but he agreed.

-You talked about your interests and in return, you also learned of his interests tho he listened more, you didn’t mind it was nice having someone listen to you while you talked, you talked and talked until you lost track of time, once you noticed the time you apologized for keeping him in the café for so long, but he said he had a good time. You blushed at his words and tried to hide it

“Sorry, did I make you uncomfortable?”

“Oh no no i-it’s uh…fine really I didn’t mind”

“That’s good I was worried if I did”

-After that, you walked out of the café together and before you bid your farewells he asked if you were up for a coffee again at the same place and same time, you agreed and went back to your dorms/homes.

-After a week or so of getting coffee with Diluc you both started talking after classes, going to the park with each other, and even went to the movies, you fell for Diluc it was hard to keep a straight face when he’s next to you and in return, he also left hints he liked you but you chose to ignore it.

-The time came when you finally told your feelings to him and he also told his feelings to you, he took your hand and kissed your fingers and your face was flushed he laughed a little and put the palm of your hand on his cheek and kept kissing it you covered your face with your free hand while blushing profusely.

-After that you guys started dating which has the perks of Diluc tutoring you with subjects you struggle with, the two of you cuddling in your dorm, getting lunch together, and one time going to a beach party Jean invited the two of you.

-He’ll start calling you pet names like Darling, Love, Beloved, Hun bun, etc. And he’ll just see your face flushed and he’d laugh a little

-Diluc introduced you to some of his friends (like Jean, amber, Lumine, Aether) and introduced you as his partner, and made sure he’d say your pronouns if anyone ever say something bad to you like “you look like a boy so you should use he/him” or “You’re using they and them wrong” or even “There are only 2 genders” he’d step in and tell them off or just threaten them. After the people leave he’d hug and say sweet things to you like “don’t listen to them it’s not their life it's yours” or something like “you are you don’t let people tell you what you should and shouldn’t be” and give you kisses to make you feel better.

• • • ✎ • • •

Authur: HEYA! The name angel’s mocha café is my idea for my OC’s story I wanted to add a bit of an easter egg here because I can ಥ∀ಥ

A walk would be nice

A walk would be nice

Note: I am not a writer, this is simply just for fun or to pass the time. If I put the punctuation incorrectly, made spelling errors, bad grammar, or the format is off that is why.

Y/N for this story: Female

Warnings: Non since ya” ll ignore me

Contains: Fluff

You were walking back to Liyue to get a quick snack. It was a peaceful day, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, the flowers were blooming, on days like these you would be walking with your brother like you did before, but now it’s like a distant memory. You shook your head to get the image of your brother out of your mind and continued your way to Wanmin restaurant.

You saw a familiar figure talking to Xiangling and Gouba

“Ah! Zhong li”

You said with a surprised look

The three of them looked up and saw you

“Awh! Traveler, you’re here!”

“Yeah…I wanted to get a quick snack before I start my commissions”

“Well since you’re here I can take your order”

“Awh…thanks Xiangling”

“Eehe! No problem”

You ordered her special dish, she went inside and started cooking with gouba you looked at Zhong li and said your greetings to him

“Hey Zhong li, how have you been?”

“I have been well Y/n, I was just passing by but I saw my old friend and wanted to chat a little before I continued my walk…care to join me after your food is done?”

“I would love to!”

You said with a smile

He studied your beautiful brown eyes, your dark skin, and your messy yet beautiful hair, he coughed a little and smiled you smiled back and you two started talking after awhile Xiangling came out with your order

“Here you go Y/N”

“Oh…Thanks, Xiangling”

“Well...I need to go now I have a feeling XIngqiu is pranking Chon Yun again”

Xiangling let out a sigh and started jogging in the opposite direction. You laughed a little and offered Zhong Li to walk with him since you can spare a few minutes.

“Oh…very well then let us go”

You two walked and talked to one another while you take a few bites of your food you offered Zhong li some but he declined, you laughed at his flustered face and he just looked away

You both found yourselves at Bubu pharmacy, walking up the stairs, and then you stopped at the bridge near the waterfalls you both stopped and looked at the waterfalls listening to the water, hearing the birds sing, and enjoying the cold breeze blowing toward the both of you you both were silent sometimes hearing bites and chews from you since you were still eating.

“Hey, Y/n?”

“Hmmm?”

You looked at him while chewing your food trying not to speak with food in your mouth

“Can I have a bite of your food, maybe on bite wouldn’t hurt”

You beamed and giggled you handed your food to Zhong li and he took a bite

“hmm…it is delicious once I have enough mora I”ll buy two for the two of us”

You smiled at him and he smiled back, then he returned your food to you and you started eating again while watching the waterfall.

Then Zhong li heard Hu tao’s shout

“AIYA!! MR. ZHONG LIIIIIII!

“Hiiiya! It took me a while to find you!”

“Ah…Hu tao sorry I lost track of time”

“Hiiiya! Come on! I still need your help back at the funeral parlor”

“You go on ahead I will be there soon”

“Hmmmph…you better”

With a huff, Hu tao turned her back to Zhong li

“I-…I miss her too you know…it was hard to lead her to the afterlife so early”

And with that, she ran back to Bubu's pharmacy to wait for Zhong li there trying not to shed a tear.

Zhong li went out a loud sigh he looked next to him and looked at the food he bought on the railing of the bridge he grabbed it and reopened the wrapping revealing a small bite made by him…only him…..then he started walking towards the stairs then he heard your voice echoing behind him

“Zhong li thank you for taking me on this walk. I enjoyed your company. Let's do it again next time!”

He stopped and turned around only to see a butterfly fluttering around, he looked at the food that you offered him that day and he started eating it with tears coming down.

“…It doesn’t taste the same…”

You're all I need

Note: I am not a writer, this is simply just for fun or to pass the time. If I put the punctuation incorrectly, make spelling errors, Bad grammar, or the format is off that is why.

Y/N for this story: Female

Warnings: Little angst

Contains: Fluff, pet names, and a plot-twist

Diluc just got back from Angel's share he was tired and just wanted to go back home when he reached his house, he went straight to his bedroom but when he opened the door, he saw you on his bed reading a book.

“Y/N?”

You looked up from your book and looked at him

“Oh! Diluc you’re back!”

You greeted as you closed your book and got up from the bed

You walked towards him and gave him a peck on the cheek, he smiled to himself seeing you, your hair in a do-rag, your beautiful dark brown eyes, and your chocolate brown skin, and your adorable smile he couldn’t get enough of you.

“Hah…good to see you again my beloved”

He gave you a kiss on the forehead and wrapped his hand around your waist

“Ehehehe….so! how was work? Did anything happen? Did Kaeya, Venti or Rossaria do anything?”

You asked while he frowned a little

“I guess you already know how, Venti is he tried stealing another bottle of Dandelion wine…”

He said with an annoyed tone, you sighed and grabbed his coat and started taking it off.

“Anything else?”

You asked while you put his coat away

“Thankfully no after I kicked Venti out it was a rather peaceful night…that is until Kaeya came in and started annoying me”

He huffed in annoyance you giggled a little and grabbed his hand and signaled him to get on the bed he did so and you crawled behind him and untied his hair

“Lay down on my chest and you can keep talking “

“Oh! thank Barbatos, you are an absolute angel”

He stretched a little before slowly laying on your chest, when he finally settled on your chest, he let out a sigh of relief.

“So…what else happened?”

You asked while massaging his head

“Well while I was just minding my own business and then he started to talk to me even tho I am not even interested to talk to him”

And with that he ranted while you massaged his head and listening to him, it went for about 30 minutes and after he was done, he let out a groan and he closed his eyes for a while you were confused as to why he stopped.

“Diluc? Hon? Are you ok? Why did you stop are you ok? “

He opened his eyes and signaled you to look at him, you lowered your head to look at his red tired eyes.

“Come closer hun bun”

You lowered your head and he gave you a bunny kiss and giggled

“AH! PFttttt- eheheheheh…Diluc!”

“Ahhh…am sorry I couldn’t help it you looked so pretty”

The two of you laughed a while giving each other bunny kisses

After a while, he sat up and looked at you

“Hey, how can I return the favor.”

“OH! Urm…well-”

“You sound surprised? Did I say something wrong?”

“Oh no! Uh- not at all I was really surprised are you sure?”

“Yeah, like I said it’s the least I can do for always listening to me complain”

You thought about what you wanted from Diluc and you came up with an idea

“OOO! I know you can cuddle me by the fireplace like we used to do”

He nodded in agreement

“Ok then it’s settled”

You both went downstairs and Diluc started the fireplace you sat a little close to the fireplace once it was lit, and then Diluc ordered his maids and butler to leave you two alone and they obliged. After they left Diluc went to you and sat next to you.

“Come here, hun”

You scooted closer to him, so he was behind you this time and he wrapped his hands around you and placed his head at the crook of your neck and smelled your scent, a scent he dearly missed all-day-everyday. You chuckled at his actions and you started to rub his head while he relaxed.

“Hey…y/n?”

“Hm?”

“Thanks for putting up with me and my rantings, you don’t know how much it means to me.”

After he said that he kissed your neck and you blushed a little

“It’s ok am just glad you trust me enough to open up even if it’s just a little bit”

“Thank you… you're all I need I love you y/n”

His voice echoed again and again and again until it was just pitch black…then…silence...Diluc opened his eyes he found himself in bed he looked to the side and saw a picture of you on his pillow he sat up and grabbed the photo in his hands he felt warm tears dripping down his cheeks.

“*Hic*Please…*hic*my love…g-give me*hic*a sign*hic* I *hic* miss *hic* you….”

⁺‧₊˚ ཐི 𝑲𝑰𝑵𝑲𝑻𝑶𝑩𝑬𝑹 ཋྀ ˚₊‧⁺

—༉‧₊˚. “ Whatcha watching? ”

featuring. Childe from Genshin impact MAU | kink. peeking

synopsis. You were heading toward your friend childes dorm room to give him some college hw he missed out on in one of your early morning lectures. When you go to his place however he doesnt respond leaving you no choice but to let yourself in.

authors note. I think I hate this one…but that may just be me…

You knock on Childe's apartment door, waiting to drop off his college homework. After minutes later of no answer, you reached out for the door handle to find out the door was unlocked. Since the two of you knew each other for a while you thought it wouldn’t be that much of an invasion of privacy letting yourself in his apartment without him knowing.

Opening the door, you step inside and head towards his bedroom. As you approached, you heared moans coming from some type of device.

Peeking around the corner of the halfway opened bedroom door, your eyes widen as you saw Childe sitting on his bed, pants around his ankles, stroking his hard cock while watching porn.

The video plays on repeat, showing a girl who looks exactly like you in a skimpy outfit, moaning and pleasuring herself. Childe's eyes are glued to the screen, completely absorbed in the lewd scene. His hand moving rhythmically along his shaft, squeezing and stroking it with increasing intensity.

You watch him for a few moments, mesmerized by his focused expression, the way his muscles flex with each movement. How his orange hair falls messily over his forehead, and how his blue eyes shine with lust as he continues to touch himself.

Noticing your presence, Childe jumped, startled. His face flushed red with embarrassment as he quickly closes the laptop. He scrambles to pull up his sweatpants, trying to hide his still-hard member.

“[Y/N!] What are you doing here? I didn't hear you come in...”

He stammered, clearly flustered by being caught in such a compromising position. His blue eyes dart around nervously, unable to meet your gaze.

“It's not what it looks like, I swear! I was just...uh...researching for a project...”

As he spoke, you noticed a wet spot forming on the front of his pants, betraying his obvious arousal. The sight made you feel all warm and you find yourself getting turned on by what you just saw.

You decide to play along with his story, not wanting to make him feel too uncomfortable.

“Oh, research? That's interesting. What kind of project could possibly require that kind of research…”

You asked with a playful smirk, watching as Childe squirmed under your scrutiny. His cheeks turn an even deeper shade of red, as he fidgets with his hands.

Childe shifts uncomfortably, avoiding your gaze as he tries to come up with a believable excuse. He clears his throat and runs a hand through his hair, messing it further.

“W-well, you know how I've been working on that short story for my creative writing class? I was just trying to get some, uh, inspiration for a particularly steamy scene...”

He trailed off, his voice wavering slightly. His eyes flicker towards you briefly before darting away again, as if he's afraid to look at you directly.

You raise an eyebrow, amused by his state. A mischievous idea began to form in your mind, and you decide to have a little more fun with the situation.

“Oh, I see. Well, since you're in need of inspiration, maybe I could help you out. After all, I am your muse, aren't I?”

You take a step closer to him, your voice taking on a teasing lilt. Childe's eyes widen, and he swallows hard, his Adam's apple bobbing visibly in his throat.

“Y-you? My muse? What..makes you think that?”

Despite his words, you notice his gaze lingering on your curves, taking in the way your clothing hugged your figure in just the right ways.

“Come on, Childe. You know Im not dumb..”

“If you have a thing for me just say it already.”

You reach out and trail a finger along his jawline, feeling the heat of his skin. Childe shudders at your touch, his breath hitching in his throat.

“I... .. fuck.”

Encouraged by his reaction, you press closer to him, your breasts brushing against his chest.

Childe's breath became faster now, his pupils dilating with desire. He seemed to be fighting against his own urges, torn between his shame and his growing need for release.

“What's wrong with a little harmless fun? I promise, it'll be just like in the porno you were watching earlier.”

You let your hand slide down his chest, tracing the contours of his abs through his shirt. Childe's muscles tense under your touch, and a low groan escaped his lips.

“We shouldn't...”

But even as he protests, his body betrayed him. His erection strained against his pants, making it so he can no longer hide his arousal. You can see the internal struggle playing out on his face, as he grapples with his desires and his sense of propriety.

Sensing his weakness, you decide to push him further. You lean in close, your lips brushing against his ear as you whisper.

“Don't you want to know what it feels like? It’ll help tons..with your ‘research’ ”

You nipped gently at his earlobe, Childe shudders, a soft gasp escaping his lips. His hands come to rest on your hips, and you can feel the tension in his body slowly dissipating as he gives in.

“ God, [Y/N]... I want you so bad...”

He finally admits, his voice thick with lust. You smile triumphantly, knowing that you've broken through his defenses. You pull back slightly, your eyes locking with his as you both acknowledge the raging desire between you.

“Then why don't you show me what you've learned from all that research? I'm sure you can teach me a thing or two...”

With that, you press your lips against his in a passionate kiss, your tongue delving into his mouth to taste him fully. Childe responded eagerly, his hands roaming over your body as he explores every curve.

You break the kiss, panting heavily, and start to undo the buttons of your shirt. Childe's eyes widen as more and more skin is revealed to him, and he licks his lips in anticipation.

“You're so beautiful.”

His voice is filled with awe and desire, and it sends a thrill through your body. You finish unbuttoning your shirt and let it fall to the floor, leaving you in just your bra and skirt.

Childe leans in, his lips trailing hot kisses along your collarbone and down to the swell of your breasts. He reaches behind you to unclasp your bra, freeing your breasts from their confines. He groans appreciatively at the sight, his eyes dark with lust.

“Touch me, Childe...”

You guide his hands to your breasts, encouraging him to explore and caress them. Childe doesn't need any more encouragement, and he begins to knead and squeeze your breasts, his thumbs brushing over your nipples, sending jolts of pleasure through your body.

As he continues to worship your breasts, you reach down and start to lower his pants, freeing his rock-hard erection. You wrap your hand around it, stroking him slowly as he groans in pleasure.

“Oh god, [Y/N]... That feels amazing...”

He thrusts into your hand, his hips moving in time with your strokes. You can feel the heat emanating from his member, and it only fuels your own desire.

*You release him from your grip and push him back onto the bed. Straddling him, you grind your hips against his, feeling his hard length pressing against your clothed sex. Childe's hands grip your hips, helping you move against him.

The friction between your bodies builds as you grind against Childe, your clothed sex rubbing against his hard length. Moans of pleasure escape both of your lips as the sensations become more intense.

“Fuck, [Y/N]... You feel so good... I need to be inside you.”

His voice is rough with desire, and you can feel his hips bucking up against you, seeking more contact. You reach down and unzip your skirt, letting it fall to the floor, leaving you in just your lacy panties.

Childe's eyes widen as he takes in the sight of you, his gaze focused on the damp patch on your underwear. He hooks his fingers into the waistband and tugs them aside, exposing your wet folds to his hungry gaze.

You position yourself over him, the tip of his cock brushing against your entrance. Slowly, you sink down onto him, inch by inch, until he's fully sheathed inside you.

A deep moan tears from your throat as you feel him stretching you, filling you completely. Childe grips your hips tightly, his fingers digging into your skin as he fights the urge to thrust up into you.

“Oh fuck, [Y/N]... You're so tight... So perfect...”

He starts to move beneath you, his hips rising to meet your downward motions. The rhythm building between you, growing more intense with each passing second.

You lean forward, bracing your hands on his chest as you ride him harder. Your breasts bounce with each movement, and Childe reaches up to cup them, his thumbs rubbing over your nipples once more.

The combination of sensations is almost too much to bear, and you feel your climax building deep within you. Your inner walls start to flutter around Childe's cock, and he moans in response.

“I'm going to cum, Childe... Don't stop...”

Your words spur him on, and he thrusts up into you harder, faster, his own release approaching. With a final, powerful thrust, you both reach your peaks, crying out.

As your orgasm crashes over you, your body trembles with the force of it. Wave after wave of pleasure washes through you, and you cling to Childe, your nails digging into his chest as you ride out your climax.

Childe's grip on your hips tightens, and his body goes rigid beneath you. With a guttural moan, he releases inside you, his hot seed filling you up. The feeling of his essence pulsing within you sends another shockwave of pleasure through your body, prolonging your orgasm.

For several long moments, you both remain still. Finally, Childe loosens his grip on your hips, and you collapse onto his chest, both of you panting heavily.

You giggle softly, nuzzling into his neck. Childe wraps his arms around you, holding you close as he catches his breath.

“Round two?” Childe joked suppressing a laugh.

© yammpi3 2024. All work belongs to @yammpi3. You can repost if you want to support my blog/writing! Please don't modify, translate, or plagiarize in any way on ANY platform.

Pawn Takes King

Pairing: Zhongli/Childe

Rating: Explicit

Chapter: One Shot

Word Count: 11425

Additional Tags: Rough Sex, Emotional Manipulation, Lovers to Ennemis, Angst, Hurt/No Comfort

Link to AO3:

Summary:

“I despise you.”

The Harbinger quirked an eyebrow, staring directly into the pool of molten gold eyes, the purest shade of cor lapis. It was a cold, but challenging gaze.

“Oh, do you now?” He sneered in dark amusement. His grip dangerously tightened around the Archon’s throat.

“No, Zhongli,” he smiled sweetly, hideously, “You love me."

-

For the sake of his mission, Tartaglia had been patient with Zhongli, slowly coaxing the good consultant into trust, into love.

And now it was finally time for him to claim his rightful due.

Chapter 2

The Fatui Harbingers

TW: Dottore, amnesia (tell me if there is anymore.)

Chapters: Prologue | Chap 1 | Chap 2

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I walk beside Childe. I was looking down, trying to process everything. Even trying to think of anything before I woke up in the snow. Nothing.. There’s a gap in my memory where I was home, and when I was in the snow.

“Your Holiness, we’re here.” Childe says, as I look up to see two very large ice doors. They were like 5 times my height!!

“Wow..” I say. I could tell I was beginning to get nervous, well, more nervous then I already was. Two Fatui Skirmish open up the door. Inside was honestly so beautiful..

“I believe my comrades are going to start a meeting soon, which means that you can make an appearance if you wish, Your Holiness.” Childe says, looking at me. I only nod a bit. Though, I was still worried..

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.

I was right to be worried. The second I walked in, every single one of the harbingers were glaring and on guard.

“Childe, what is the meaning of this?” Arlecchino asks, coldly. I just stood there, scanning the room of all of them.

I could see everyone of who they were. Though..all 11 were there. Which means Inazuma hasn’t completed yet. I can’t tell whether that’s good..or absolutely horrid.

“Why did you bring the imposter here? Such filth shouldn’t be in this room and should be killed.” Arlecchino continues.

“Come now, you should all be able to tell that this is her Holiness. She isn’t an imposter.” Childe says, almost just as coldly.

I stopped listening, as I continue to try and remember what happened before it. It only lead to headaches. It’s like the memory is locked away behind layers of locks.

This was frustrating..I can’t just be fine with not knowing what the hell happened before it. But..now isn’t the time.

I look up and noticed one that I should’ve kept my attention to most..wasn’t standing where he was at. I felt a hand on my shoulder..

“Well now, why don’t we give a little test then~ See what type of blood she has, as we know, the Creator should have golden blood.” I hear from behind. I look over my shoulder, in pure terror, to see Dottore.

“A…A test..?” I say, shaking almost a little bit. I can’t tell whether I’m shaking from the cold, or from fear. I got tugged away though, pretty quickly.

“If you harm her, and she is the creator, she may cause harm to the Fatui. Order that things go down hill. I say we wait and watch her until she messes up, or at least gets herself injured. You mustn’t jump straight into the idea. If Childe is so sure of it, and is that sure to even bring her here, it may mean something.” Pierro says.

I couldn’t tell what was happening, as I was still shivering. But..at least I wasn’t close to Dottore..

“Hm, I have a suggestion. Why don’t we take turns watching over her.” La Signora says.

“I do agree. That may be the best solution, plus we can make sure she doesn’t try anything…drastic.” Sandrone speaks.

…….

….

I’m doomed..

I was prey surrounded by predators.

There was no escape…

Chapter 1

Please..Don’t hurt me.

Trigger Warning: Mentions of death, cold (please tell me if there is any more)

Chapters: Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

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I hear foot steps coming closer. I begin to try to run before being grabbed by some of the village people. “H-Hey!!” I yell out. I try to struggle, but then I stop in fear..

They were here…

They were here and they all looked very, very unhappy.

Especially Harbinger Number 11, Tartaglia.

“Well, well, well, Thank you towns people for, keeping her here. We shall take it from here.” he says, malicious intent in his voice. I was shoved forward by the two people who grabbed me. I stumble to the cold floor, and I sit up.

Tartaglia switches to his swords, and started to walk forward to me. I sat there, in fear. “Please…Don’t hurt me.” He lifts up his swords, and I close my eyes tight…waiting for him to strike..

Waiting for him to kill me…

….

…

..

.

Nothing.

Nothing happened.

I slowly open my eyes to look at him. He was stopped, one of his water swords raised, but a shocked look on his face.

“You…” he says, his voice almost in full disbelief.

“Y..Yes..?” I say, staring at him, voice small and in pure fear. He quickly goes out of his sword and kneels. I can hear gasps everywhere.

“Your Holiness, I am so sorry for how this village has treated you.” He says. I was in utter disbelief. I looks around to everyone, who also was in disbelief, before looking back at the ginger.

“Uh…I’m..very, very confused.” I say. I could tell all the other Fatui Skirmish and Cicin and just..the lower members in general, we’re in shock. Tartaglia stands up, before holding out his hand. I slowly take it, as he helps me up.

“Your Holiness, we had thought you were an imposter, and we’re going to kill you. I apologize on the behalf of the Fatui for this fact. Please know that we did not mean to harm you.” He says.

“Alright..?” I was very confused, as I just slowly nod. I was still shivering at this point. He seemed to notice this.

“Your Holiness, shall I lend you my coat? This cold I can handle, plus the village is not too far away from the base.” He asks me.

“No, I’m fine. I’ll be okay, I’d rather you keep it.” I say, still shivering. He doesn’t argue, but immediately starts bringing me to the base.

“We’ll get you some much warmer attire at the base then, Your Holiness.” He says, as all the Fatui soldiers follow behind him and me.

What…

What just happened..?

Prologue..

TW: Cold, Unknown places (please let me know if there is something I missed.

Chapters: Prologue | Chap 1 | Chap 2

POV: My own POV

The start of the Journey..

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Cold…

That is all I felt…Cold..

What happened? Why do I feel cold…? Why is the ground so..so very cold..?

I sit up carefully, as I begin to open my eyes… It..It couldn’t be real, could it? The cold ground couldn’t be for the fact that it is covered in snow. The temperature as well..it’s way below freezing.

Nothing like I felt before..

‘Where…am I? This isn’t my home….’ I think to myself, as I start to stand up.

I was shaking so much because of the cold. I need to find an area where I can be warm. I start walking forward, and find a village in the snow. People started staring at me as I walk through it.

This place..I don’t recognize it. It hadn’t come out in the game yet, did it? I could hear the people whispering to themselves. This was the last thing I want..

“Call the Fatui.” I hear a person whisper. Fatui? No..that can’t be right. The Fatui-

“You! How dare you try to impersonate the Divine One!” A person yells at me. I was completely taken by surprise.

“H…Huh? What are you talking about?” I say, talking through my clattering teeth. Footsteps..far away, yet are running closer. I become terrified.

“Just you wait! The Tsaritsa will strike you down!” Another person yells. “The Fatui are sending over their Eleventh Harbinger!” Another yells.

Oh…

Oh no…

No no no no…

I’m so dead…

SAGAU Imposter AU but the higher the character friendship level, the easier it is for them to recognize you as the divine god without having to see your golden blood.

So following the typical SAGAU plot, who and how will your characters help you? I'll start!

Mondstadt

I'm doomed at Mondstadt considering Klee is my highest at friendship level 9. No one would probably take her seriously? But maybe she can convince Albedo (as a non-albedo haver) to hear me out first, he's pretty perceptive.

If Albedo can't help then Barbara (f.level 8) might just help me escape. She can probably convince Jean (f.level 2) to not kill me and just exile me from the city?

I like to believe that Fischl and Bennett could also help me enter Liyue (both f.level 7) as adventurers but they're probably doubting themselves, but not enough to kill me

Liyue

Liyue is definitely the safest place for me to go to. I have both Ningguang and Keqing at friendship level 10! Both big authority figures.

Although it would be hard to meet them immediately, I could probably reach out to Chongyun and Hutao first (both f.level 10 too).

Sad to say it could take a while to convince Zhongli, he just came home at f.level 1, and we all know how dangerous he can be in cult!au

It'll be even worse if he orders Xiao, as a non-Xiao haver. So I really have to reach the Qixing before the yaksha catches me.

Inazuma

An even more difficult place. My highest would be Sayu at f.level 3 and it would be hard to meet the sleepy ninja in the first place.

Thoma and Itto might just take pity (both f.lvl 2) and turn a blind eye though.

Otherwise, I'm dead in Inazuma

Tagging a few SAGAU writers to know their thoughts. This is open for anyone though and I would love to read everyone's sagau experience! don't think it's a relatively new concept! I just rly like how this gives us all a unique sagau experience based on our own efforts at being their friend! @dewdrop-writes @neetra @saryneid @chocoenvy

Oneshot -Killing Butterflies

Fandom: Genshin Impact

Ships: Aether x reader ; Childe x reader ; Childe x Zhongli

TW: Aether x reader ; reader x Tartaglia ; Tartaglia x Zhongli (if you squint) ; Major angst ; character death ; hurt no comfort ; Aether loves reader, reader loves Tartaglia, Tartaglia loves Zhongli ; reader dies ; implied death ; gn reader-no gender is given to reader

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This is a whole bucket full of angst so have fun lol. Also, for context i would recommend reading this post of mine. Anyways enjoy reading! (*^▽^*)

Aether couldn't bear to see you like this. To watch you through yourself at him when he no longer loved you. It was pitiful really. How you begged for him to stay. You were attached to him while he moved on. Tartaglia didn't hate you, he simply didn't love you anymore. Tartaglia moved on and fell in love with someone else; his best friend. You couldn't do anything about it but simply accept what had happened. Though you could never move on from him as he had done.  

And so Aether watched as you fell deeper into despair. He tried to lift you up, to show you how much you were loved and that you didn't need Tartaglia to feel loved, that there was someone else who loved you dearly. You were too blinded by your sorrow to notice how Aether thought of you.  

As much as Aether wanted to do more for you he couldn't and so he let himself be a shoulder to cry on for you. Hoping. Praying. That one day you would see how much he cared for you. 

You had been going to Aether nearly every day for about a week just to cry. He was your dearest friend after all.  Until one day you stopped.  

Aether thought you simply needed a bit of space to get over your heartache.  

That was a week ago though. 

It had been two weeks since he last saw you, and he was getting worried.  

He stood outside your home, knocked, telling you it was only him and that he was worried because he hadn't saw you in two weeks. 

Silence 

He knocked again. 

Nothing 

He wasn't fond of entering without your permission but he had to make sure you were alright. He needed to make sure. 

He went to open the door to find it was unlocked already, though it wasn't uncommon for you, it seemed to unnerve him for some reason. Your home was dark, the curtains were all closed and no light was on. The lack of light only made him worry more. You always had light in your home whether from open curtains or candles lit at night so for your house to be so dark in the middle of the day was worrisome. He walked around your house looking for you until he came to your room. 

The door was closed and at first it seemed deadly silent from within your room as it was in the rest of your house. He stood there silently until he heard what sounded like a sob come from within your room. He opened the door to find you curled in on yourself in the corner of the room on your bed.  

"Y/n are you-" 

However you were surrounded by butterflies. 

Red butterflies. 

Blood Red butterflies 

"Aether?" 

He knew what was happening. He had seen this before. A friend from another world had died the exact same way, but he hadn't heard of it happening on Teyvat. He didn’t think it was possible here. He didn't want to believe it.  

"How long has this been going on for y/n?" Aether inquired while walking over to your side. 

"A-about two weeks now," you paused, taking a breath. "Aether do you know what's wrong with me?" 

The look in Aether's eyes told you the answer to your question. It hurt Aether to see you like this, to hear you sound broken. It seemed that at the very least the disease wasn't well known in Teyvat if at all. 

You didn't have much longer. It was obvious with how pale you were and the number of butterflies around you. Most people barely survived a month with the disease. Typically the victim died within three to four weeks of obtaining it. So it was easy to tell you would be dead soon. 

He stayed by your side, tending to you as you slowly grew weaker and couldn't perform simple tasks let alone even walk. The only time he left your side was to inform Tartaglia of your condition and what was going to happen as well as ask Albedo if he knew anything of the disease. 

Aether was told that while it did exist in Teyvat, it was extremely rare. 

The moment Aether got back he was immediately by your side again. 

You died in his arms five days later. 

He laid you down on your bed as the butterflies landed on and around you to rest peacefully alongside with you.  

Aether sat on the ground next to your bed, closing his eyes only to start coughing. He looked at his hand only to be met with flowers. 

Red flowers. 

Blood Red flowers. 

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I've come to realize that while I'm not the biggest fan of reading angst, I sure do love writing it.

CHAPTER UPDATE:

One Day You‘ll Love Me Again

Ch5/? of my tartali/chiLi 💧🔶 story on AO3

— bottom Zhongli, top Childe (balanced)

— pining

— melancholy

— they’re both bad at feelings

— reconciliation

— slow burn

— light angst

— sick Zhongli, hungover Childe

— +50k words

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30050613/chapters/93322468

I posted my first Genshin Impact/TartaLi story on AO3

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30050613/chapters/74001786

teatime

⋆ ࣪. zhongli x reader

contents Ⳋ fluff fluff fluff, mutual pining, zhongli is so smitten ohhhh

a/n : felt nice to write sum fluff for a change :3 i hope you guys like it !!! i had fun writing this lolol

word count: 869

a faint tune played in the background of a teahouse tucked away in qingce village; tea and an aroma of incense clouded your senses.

“it seems as if my invitations to you have become a habit of mine. i hope it isn’t grueling for you,” zhongli speaks, his golden orbs cast upon you. he delicately lifts his teacup to his lips. you shake your head. “nonsense,” you smile, “i’d not rather be anywhere else.” you follow suit, lifting the teacup to your lips and taking a sip. the taste of sugar and tea leaves swarm your mouth; a wonderful taste.

his eyes never ceased to fixate upon you. he was enamored — though his eyes were calm — as if he was gazing upon the moon and the vast night sky, or basking beneath the sun. “would you like another cup?” zhongli’s voice was soft, almost as if he weren’t human. his eyes were filled with a gentle gaze that made you feel warm. his lips curved into a thin upturned smile.

you nod, your eyes shining upon is. “i’d much appreciate that. thank you, zhongli.” his name flows off your tongue like butter. as if it was always meant for you to say. “of course.”

zhongli sets his empty cup, then quietly poured another cup from the kettle, steam rising to the ceiling. zhongli was incredibly focused on the task at hand, but also extremely conscious of your presence. he would glance at you from time to time. you watch his movements with precision, and you wonder how his actions always seemed to be so graceful and flawless.

he hands you your cup, his fingers gently grazing against yours amidst the action. “thank you,” you say, your voice quieter. you didn’t want to distract him, he seemed focused. he notices the shift in your voice, his gaze back to remaining on your face. the way his fingers brushed against yours wasn’t accidental; he didn’t mind the contact, in fact, he was comforted by it. “you are welcome.”

the moment went on quietly, until he cleared his throat and sat back in his chair. he sipped on his tea, his gaze lingering as you set the teacup down on the silver plate that matched. you take a cube of sugar and drops it into the seething liquid, stirring it with the tip of your finger before bringing it to your lips with a hum. you pick it up carefully and take a sip, a sigh. “your tea is always amazing, zhongli.”

he smiles. he doesn’t mind being complimented so regularly, as long as it is from you. “the art of making tea is something i’ve perfected over the eons,” his voice was deep and soft — warm — and a light chuckle leaves him. “tea brings life to the table. i hope it isn’t too strong for you.”

your lips curl into a gentle smile. you love the sound of his voice; baritone and rumbling. comforting. you shake your head. “i’d never refuse tea, especially brewed from the hands of you,” you chuckle. he couldn’t help the way his heart tendered at your words. he chuckles in return, a gesture he had heard from you multiple times before.

your heart beat is ringing in your ears, unbeknownst to him. the way he never fails to extend an invitation toward you for a cup of tea always had you giddy, no less with his voice, his gentleness and his entire being. the way he looked at you had you melting every time. you couldn’t help but wonder — was there something more to this? or were you being delusional?

“how does it taste?” he inquires, his voice gentle as his eyes remained glued to yours, not daring to gaze anywhere else, just in case he would not be met with yours again. you snap from your little daze and clear your throat a bit. “it’s delightful,” you smile, your voice a bit softer as you look at him.

a beat of silence goes by.

“you are beautiful.”

oh. oh. was this happening? were you hearing things correctly?

he watched your cheeks heat up a little, and he smiles. he gazes at you as if it was the first time he’s seen you, as if he wanted to commit these moments to memory. “t—thank you,” you mutter, unknowing of how to go about this.

he smiles and begins. “since we’ve been drinking tea together in the evenings for quite a while, i’ve come to notice something about myself.” he speaks, and you hum. “what may that be?” you ask with a tilt of your head. you feel your heart in your throat. there’s no way.

he hesitates for a moment. it was as if he was trying to find the right words to say; but he decides to express his words with conviction, just as he spoke before. “i feel a deep sense of attachment to you,” he begins, his hand extending to yours and gently placing it atop your skin, “as if you’ve become… a part of me.”

you smile, your eyes sparkling with a glimmer of joy. “im glad im not the only one who feels that way, then.”

© marimisses on tumblr. all rights reserved. do not cross-post, translate, copy in any way, etc.

The Master of Shadows

In the bustling heart of Fontaine, where the laughter of children mingled with the symphony of splashing water, a sinister undercurrent flowed beneath the city’s pristine surface. It was a place of wonder, but also of secrets—secrets that Pulcinella, the enigmatic Harbinger, thrived upon. His cunning and resourcefulness allowed him to navigate the shadows, manipulating events to suit his needs.

You had recently arrived in Fontaine, a curious soul drawn to its vibrant life and intricate waterways. However, beneath the glimmering facade, you sensed an unsettling tension that seemed to pulse through the streets. Rumors whispered of a figure that moved unseen, a puppeteer pulling strings from the shadows—none other than Pulcinella himself.

One evening, while exploring the winding alleys of Fontaine, you found yourself entranced by a street performer. The way he danced and twirled captivated the crowd, but your gaze kept drifting to the dark figure lurking just beyond the lantern light. His presence was almost magnetic, yet shrouded in an unsettling air. As the performance drew to a close, the crowd erupted in applause, but you felt an inexplicable pull to the shadows.

Before you knew it, you had followed the figure into a narrow alley, the laughter of the crowd fading into the distance. The atmosphere shifted; the air grew thick, and the shadows seemed to stretch and twist around you. You caught sight of him then—Pulcinella, his features partially obscured by the darkness, a sly smile playing on his lips.

“Curiosity can be quite the double-edged sword, wouldn’t you agree?” he said, his voice smooth as silk. “What brings you to my domain, little moth?”

You took a step back, heart racing. “I—I was just watching the performance.”

“And yet, you chose to venture into the dark,” he mused, stepping closer. “Not many dare to tread where shadows linger. You must possess a spirit of adventure.”

“Or foolishness,” you replied, summoning your courage. “What are you really doing here?”

His smile widened, revealing a glimpse of the cunning mind behind those sparkling eyes. “Ah, the eternal question! I am but a humble observer, a collector of stories, if you will. But every story has its secrets, and every secret has a price.”

“What price?” you asked, intrigued despite your better judgment.

He tilted his head, studying you. “Knowledge, dear one. The knowledge of what lies beneath the surface of this grand city. Fontaine may appear idyllic, but it harbors darkness, secrets that can be used to your advantage if you know where to look.”

“What do you mean?” you pressed, feeling a mix of fear and fascination.

Pulcinella stepped closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Imagine the power of invisibility, of slipping through the cracks of society unnoticed, manipulating events from the shadows. Would you not want to know how to weave your own destiny?”

You hesitated, the allure of his words tugging at your heart. “And what would I have to do for this knowledge?”

He chuckled softly, the sound echoing against the brick walls. “Nothing more than a simple favor, a small act of courage. Help me retrieve something that has gone… astray, and I shall share with you the secrets of the unseen.”

“What is it you need?” you asked, curiosity burning brighter than your trepidation.

He gestured with a flourish, and a small, intricately designed box appeared in his hands. “This box contains a device—a tool of invisibility, crafted by the greatest minds of Fontaine. But it has fallen into the wrong hands. Retrieve it, and the knowledge will be yours.”

Though a voice in your head warned you against the path he proposed, the thrill of adventure was intoxicating. “I’ll do it,” you agreed, steeling your resolve.

With Pulcinella’s guidance, you set out into the night. He led you through the winding alleys, instructing you on how to move with stealth, to remain unseen. You felt his presence behind you, a dark shadow guiding your every step. The thrill of the chase consumed you, the pulse of adrenaline racing through your veins as you approached the hideout of the thieves who possessed the box.

The thieves’ lair was a crumbling warehouse, illuminated by flickering lanterns. You could hear their raucous laughter mingling with the clinking of bottles, a sense of bravado hanging thick in the air. As you crouched behind a stack of crates, you could see the box, gleaming under the dim light, resting precariously on a table surrounded by drunken revelers.

“Now,” Pulcinella’s voice whispered in your ear, sending shivers down your spine. “You must be quick and clever. Distract them while I retrieve the box.”

With a nod, you prepared yourself. Stepping out from your hiding place, you let out a loud shout, your voice echoing in the hollow space. “Help! Someone’s after me!”

The thieves jumped, startled, their laughter cut short. In the chaos, you darted to the side, watching as Pulcinella slipped into the shadows, his movements fluid and silent. The thieves scrambled to their feet, trying to grasp the situation.

“Get her!” one of them shouted, but Pulcinella was already moving, a blur in the night as he made his way toward the box.

You caught a glimpse of him as he deftly retrieved the device, his expression one of triumph. But just as he turned to leave, one of the thieves spotted him and lunged forward. Without hesitation, Pulcinella reached out, pulling a string from his pocket that shimmered like silk. The string danced through the air, ensnaring the thief’s feet and sending him crashing to the ground.

“Now, let’s go!” Pulcinella urged, his voice filled with urgency. You both dashed back through the labyrinth of streets, the sound of angry shouts fading behind you as you made your escape.

Finally, you reached the safety of the shadows. Pulcinella halted, catching his breath, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Well done, my daring accomplice! You have proven yourself more than capable.”

You felt a rush of exhilaration. “What now? What do we do with the device?”

He held the box up to the moonlight, a gleam of mischief in his eyes. “Now, we reveal the truth of the unseen world, but first, allow me to show you how to use it.”

With deft fingers, he opened the box, revealing a small orb that glowed with an ethereal light. He gestured for you to take it. “This will grant you the power of invisibility for a time. Use it wisely.”

As you grasped the orb, a strange sensation washed over you—a heady mixture of power and responsibility. “What will you do with it?” you asked, intrigued.

Pulcinella’s smile faded for a moment, replaced by a flicker of seriousness. “I will continue to operate from the shadows, influencing events in ways that many cannot comprehend. There are forces at play in Fontaine that require a careful hand.”

You felt a shiver run down your spine as you realized the extent of his ambitions. “And what about me? What role do I play in this?”

“Ah,” he replied, a glimmer of mischief returning to his eyes. “You shall be my eyes and ears, my little partner in crime. Together, we can weave a tapestry of influence and intrigue.”

As you considered his offer, you felt a spark of excitement. The thrill of adventure, the allure of the unseen world—it was intoxicating. With Pulcinella at your side, the possibilities were endless.

“Let us begin,” you said, determination igniting within you. “Show me the way of shadows.”

And with that, you stepped into the darkness together, ready to manipulate the world around you from the hidden corners of Fontaine, where secrets thrived and the invisible danced just out of reach.

The Strings of Deception

The fog hung heavy over Sumeru, cloaking the landscape in a shroud of mystery. Your small cottage, nestled on the edge of a tranquil grove, had once been a sanctuary—a place where you could escape the chaos of the world and find solace among the trees and whispers of nature. But lately, an unsettling presence had settled in your mind, a creeping sensation that you were no longer alone in your secluded haven.

It had begun with the arrival of a peculiar letter, an invitation to a gathering organized by Sandrone, the elusive Harbinger known as the Marionette. The townsfolk spoke of her in hushed tones, warning of her mechanical creations that danced and moved with eerie precision. Whispers circulated that she could manipulate not only the lifeless but the living, bending them to her will with a mere flick of her wrist. Curiosity got the better of you, and against your better judgment, you accepted.

The night of the gathering, the sky above was shrouded in deep indigo, the moon a ghostly glow against the vast expanse. As you approached the destination—an abandoned mansion perched atop a hill—you felt an unsettling chill in the air, the atmosphere thick with unspoken secrets.

You stepped inside, the door creaking ominously as you entered. The grand hall was dimly lit, shadows playing against the walls. The flickering of candles cast moving patterns, resembling the delicate movements of the marionettes you had heard about. A shiver ran down your spine as you took in the room, your heart pounding in your chest.

Sandrone emerged from the shadows, her presence commanding. Clad in flowing garments adorned with intricate patterns that shimmered in the candlelight, she seemed to blend seamlessly into the ambiance of the mansion. Her porcelain skin and striking features captivated you, but there was something unsettling about her gaze, an intensity that seemed to pierce through your very soul.

“Welcome, dear guest,” she purred, her voice smooth like silk. “I trust you’re ready for an evening of wonder and revelation.”

“I… I’m not sure what to expect,” you admitted, trying to keep your composure.

“Expect the unexpected,” she replied cryptically, her lips curling into a smile that held a hint of mischief. “Tonight, you will see what lies beneath the surface.”

As the evening unfolded, you were introduced to her creations—mechanical marionettes that moved with an unsettling grace, performing elaborate dances that captivated the few guests who had gathered. The air was charged with an energy that felt almost alive, and you couldn’t help but be drawn into the spectacle.

But as you watched, a nagging feeling gnawed at you, a whisper in the back of your mind that something was amiss. The marionettes, while enchanting, seemed to carry an undercurrent of menace, their movements almost too precise, too controlled. It was as if they were merely shadows of something darker lurking beneath the surface.

“Do you see their beauty?” Sandrone asked, her voice a melodic whisper in your ear as she leaned closer. “They are an extension of my will, reflections of my artistry. But they are also more than that. They hold secrets, truths that the living often overlook.”

“What do you mean?” you asked, your curiosity piqued despite the growing unease in your chest.

“Life is an illusion, dear one,” she replied, her eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light. “We are all puppets on strings, manipulated by forces we cannot comprehend. My creations remind us of that, of the fragile line between control and chaos.”

As the night progressed, the atmosphere shifted. Laughter and music faded into a low hum, and the guests seemed entranced, caught in a trance-like state. You glanced around, noticing the blank expressions on their faces. It was as though they were no longer participants but mere spectators in Sandrone’s grand design.

“Join me,” she beckoned, her hand outstretched, a marionette string appearing in the air, shimmering like silver. “Let me show you the truth of your existence.”

A shiver ran through you, an instinctive warning. “What truth?”

“That life, as you know it, is but a performance,” she murmured, her voice dipping low, almost hypnotic. “You fear the strings that bind you, yet they are what give you form, what allow you to dance.”

As you stepped forward, drawn to her like a moth to a flame, you felt an inexplicable pull, a connection that defied logic. The air crackled with tension as she grasped your hand, and in that moment, the world around you shifted.

Visions flooded your mind—images of puppets and marionettes entwined with memories of your own life, the moments you had felt manipulated by unseen forces, the times you had danced to the tune of others’ desires. The lines between reality and illusion blurred until you could no longer distinguish between the two.

“Do you see?” Sandrone’s voice echoed in your mind. “You are not the master of your own fate. We are all marionettes, controlled by the hands of fate.”

Your heart raced as the realization settled in. She was right. You had spent so long trying to escape the strings that bound you, striving for freedom, yet had never truly confronted the depths of your own manipulation.

“Join me,” she urged, her grip tightening, the marionette string weaving around you like a serpent. “Together, we can break free from these illusions, redefine our roles in this performance.”

But a flicker of defiance ignited within you. “No! I won’t be a puppet to your whims!”

With a surge of determination, you pulled away from her grasp, the string unraveling as you took a step back. The room seemed to tremble, shadows flickering like dying embers. The other guests blinked as if awakening from a dream, confusion filling their eyes.

“You dare defy me?” Sandrone’s expression darkened, a flicker of something dangerous sparking in her gaze. “You would choose the chains of reality over the freedom I offer?”

“I choose to face my own truths!” you declared, your voice steadying as you stood your ground. “I refuse to be your pawn in this twisted game!”

A silence fell over the room, tension hanging in the air like an electric current. For a moment, it felt as though the world had paused, caught between illusion and reality. The marionettes froze, their movements stilled, and for the first time, you saw Sandrone’s true self—a woman who had lost herself in her quest for control.

“Then you leave me no choice,” she said, her voice low and resonant, laced with both admiration and frustration. “If you wish to walk away, then you must sever the strings entirely.”

With a flick of her wrist, the marionettes sprang to life, their movements now more menacing, their eyes glowing with a fierce intensity. Panic surged through you, but a newfound resolve blossomed within your heart. You had come to understand the power of choice, the strength that lay in defiance.

“Stand with me!” you shouted to the other guests, your voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “We can break free together!”

As if awakened from a trance, the guests rallied around you, their collective strength pushing against the force of Sandrone’s control. Together, you faced her, united in your resolve to reclaim your agency.

“Enough!” Sandrone’s voice rang out, the marionettes hesitating as they sensed the shift in energy. “You think you can resist me? I am the master of this illusion!”

But the resolve in your heart burned brighter than the shadows around you. “We will not be your puppets!”

With that declaration, you and the guests reached out, intertwining your hands in a circle, a barrier of defiance against her grasp. The marionettes faltered, their movements stilled as the power of your collective will surged forward.

A blinding light erupted from your joined hands, washing over the room, and in that moment, the illusion shattered. The marionettes crumbled to the ground, lifeless and still, as Sandrone’s expression shifted from fury to realization.

“No… what have you done?” she breathed, her voice barely a whisper.

“We’ve broken the chains,” you said, your voice steady as the light enveloped her. “We will not dance to your tune any longer.”

In that moment, the mansion transformed, the shadows receding as the truth emerged. The once-oppressive atmosphere shifted into one of liberation, the lingering darkness replaced by the warmth of newfound freedom.

As the last vestiges of Sandrone’s control faded, she stood before you, her porcelain features softened, vulnerability shining through the remnants of her facade. “You… you have taken everything from me.”

“No, we have taken back our own lives,” you replied, a sense of empathy washing over you. “You have your own strings to cut, Sandrone. Find your own truth.”

And with that, you turned away, leaving the mansion behind. The fog began to lift, revealing a world unshackled from the chains of illusion, where each step felt like a reclaiming of agency and truth. The night was still, but it was no longer filled with the haunting echoes of manipulation.

As you made your way back to your cottage, the stars twinkled overhead, and a sense of hope blossomed within your heart. You had faced the darkness, and in doing so, had discovered the light.

The Legend of Capitano

The evening mist rolled through the quiet village of Liyue like a whispered secret, shrouding the cobblestone streets and thatched roofs in a spectral embrace. Lanterns flickered dimly, casting shadows that danced along the walls as villagers hurried home, eager to escape the encroaching darkness. Tales of a fearsome figure had spread through the town like wildfire—an enigmatic warrior known as Capitano, one of the dreaded Harbingers of the Fatui. The stories spoke of his martial prowess, of battles won and enemies vanquished, but more than that, there were whispers of something supernatural, something that sent chills down the spines of even the bravest souls.

You had come to Liyue seeking peace, a place far removed from the conflicts that plagued the rest of Teyvat. Yet, as the tales of Capitano reached your ears, it became clear that even this tranquil village was not immune to fear. The villagers spoke of shadows lurking in the woods, of a great figure clad in dark armor, and of an unseen terror that stalked the night.

It was on one such misty night that you found yourself wandering the outskirts of the village, drawn by a strange compulsion. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, and the moon hung high above, illuminating the path ahead with an otherworldly glow. You had always been captivated by the unknown, by the tales that stirred the imagination, and now you found yourself drawn into the very heart of one such legend.

As you ventured deeper into the woods, a sudden rustling caught your attention. Your heart raced as you turned, expecting to see a mere animal, but instead, you found yourself face-to-face with a figure draped in shadow. The imposing silhouette loomed before you, armor glinting in the moonlight, a dark helm obscuring his face. It was Capitano.

“Lost, are we?” His voice was deep, resonant, and sent a thrill of both fear and intrigue through you. There was an authority in his presence, a strength that made your pulse quicken.

You swallowed hard, your voice barely a whisper. “I was... curious.”

“Curious?” He stepped closer, the light catching the edges of his armor, revealing a fierce expression beneath the shadows. “Curiosity can lead to peril, especially in these woods. Many have wandered too far and have never returned.”

There was something almost hypnotic about him, a magnetic pull that drew you in despite the warnings echoing in your mind. “What are you doing here?” you asked, your curiosity piqued even more.

He tilted his head, a glimmer of something—perhaps amusement—flashing in his eyes. “I am the guardian of these woods, or perhaps a specter, depending on who you ask. The villagers fear me, as they fear the unknown. But fear is a double-edged sword. It can protect or consume.”

His words lingered in the air, heavy with meaning. You sensed a depth to him that transcended mere martial prowess—a complexity that made him both fearsome and fascinating. “Why do you stay here, then? If they fear you so?”

“Because I am bound to it,” he replied, his gaze piercing through the veil of night. “These woods have secrets that must be guarded. My duty is to ensure that those secrets remain hidden. There are forces at play that even I cannot fully comprehend.”

The tension in the air thickened, and a chill ran down your spine. You wanted to ask him what he meant, but something in his demeanor warned you to tread carefully. “But what about the villagers?” you ventured, your heart pounding. “Don’t you wish to show them you mean no harm?”

A shadow passed over his features, a flicker of sorrow mixed with determination. “They would not understand. To them, I am a monster. They see only the surface—the armor, the darkness. They do not see the burden I carry. To break that perception would require more than mere words.”

You stepped closer, feeling an inexplicable connection forming between you. “What if I could help?” you offered, your voice steadying. “What if I could show them that you’re not a monster?”

Capitano studied you for a long moment, as if weighing your resolve against the shadows that cloaked him. “It would not be easy. Fear runs deep, and once instilled, it is not easily erased. But should you choose to tread this path, you must understand the risks.”

You nodded, a surge of determination coursing through you. “I’m not afraid of you.”

“Perhaps you should be,” he replied, a hint of a smile breaking through the darkness. “But bravery often lies in the face of fear, does it not?”

Over the next few days, you returned to the village, emboldened by your encounters with Capitano. Each night, you would meet him in the woods, sharing stories, learning of his past and the weight of his role as protector of the secrets hidden within. As you grew closer, you realized that beneath his fearsome exterior lay a soul burdened by duty and loneliness.

With each passing night, you formulated a plan—a way to bridge the gap between him and the villagers. You spoke of Capitano’s virtues, of his bravery, and the purpose he served, hoping to dispel the darkness that surrounded him in their eyes. But skepticism ran rampant. The villagers were too entrenched in their fears, too quick to dismiss your words as folly.

“You’re risking everything for a man you barely know,” one villager admonished. “He is nothing but a specter, a harbinger of death.”

But you couldn’t give up. You felt a connection to him that you couldn’t explain, a shared understanding of the burdens that came with their respective paths. “He is not a monster! He is protecting us from the true dangers that lurk beyond our perception!”

On the night of the harvest festival, you finally devised a plan to reveal Capitano’s true self to the villagers. You invited them to the woods, promising a spectacle that would dispel their fears once and for all. You hoped that, if they saw him not as a shadow but as a man, their perceptions might change.

As the villagers gathered, whispers of doubt filled the air. You stood before them, heart pounding in your chest. “Please, trust me! Capitano will show himself.”

With a wave of your hand, you called out to him. The silence thickened, the air electric with anticipation. After what felt like an eternity, he emerged from the shadows, his armor gleaming under the moonlight.

Gasps echoed through the crowd. Fear was palpable, yet there was also intrigue. Capitano stood tall, imposing and formidable, yet there was a softness in his gaze as he looked at you, urging you forward.

“Fear not,” he called, his voice steady. “I am not here to bring harm. I am bound to these woods, to protect that which is sacred.”

But the villagers remained wary, their fear outweighing your efforts. “You’re a monster!” one shouted. “We know what you are!”

At that moment, you felt the weight of their fear pressing down on you, but you refused to falter. “He is not a monster! He has protected us, hidden us from true danger! You cannot let fear dictate your lives!”

Capitano stepped closer, lowering his head as if to bring his presence to their level. “Listen to your hearts,” he implored, his voice echoing in the silence. “I am but a guardian, tasked with a purpose you do not yet understand. Embrace the truth, and you shall find peace.”

Slowly, the atmosphere began to shift. Some villagers took tentative steps forward, curiosity igniting where once there had only been fear. But others remained entrenched in their distrust, their eyes darting between you and Capitano.

“Who will stand against me?” he challenged, his voice rising above the murmurs. “Who will join me in the fight against the darkness that threatens to consume us all?”

In that moment, you felt a flicker of hope. One brave villager stepped forward, heart pounding yet resolute. “I will,” they declared. “If he truly protects us, then I will stand with him.”

With that, others began to follow suit, stepping out of the shadows of their own fear. And as the realization spread through the crowd, Capitano’s presence shifted—no longer just a figure of dread, but a symbol of hope.

As the night wore on, you watched the villagers engage with Capitano, their laughter mingling with the whispers of the night. The fear that had once held them captive began to dissolve, replaced by an understanding that had once felt so distant.

In that moment, standing beside Capitano, you felt a warmth blossoming within you. Together, you had shattered the chains of fear that bound the villagers, transforming dread into camaraderie.

Yet, as you looked at him, a thought nagged at the edges of your mind. You knew that even now, the specter of fear was not entirely vanquished. But perhaps, together, you could face whatever lay ahead—whether it be darkness or light.

Capitano met your gaze, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. In that moment, you understood that legends could evolve, that they were not merely stories of fear, but of the courage it took to confront it.

And perhaps, just perhaps, the legend of Capitano would transform from one of dread into one of resilience, a tale of a guardian who stood steadfast against the night, with a heart that beat fiercely beneath the armor.

The Masque of Columbina

The air in the grand palace was thick with the scent of incense and the distant hum of whispered conversations. The moon hung heavy in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the sprawling ballroom where masked guests twirled in an endless waltz. Opulence dripped from every corner—the walls gilded in gold, chandeliers sparkling with a thousand jewels, and the attendees dressed in extravagant silks and velvets, their faces hidden behind intricate masks.

It was a masquerade unlike any other, a night meant to banish the specter of death that loomed ever-present outside the palace walls. You stood at the edge of the festivities, uneasy, even though the laughter and revelry echoed around you. For beyond these walls, the Red Plague ravaged the world, an unstoppable force that devoured villages and cities, leaving only death in its wake. And yet, inside this haven, a fortress of privilege, it was as though the world had forgotten its suffering.

Your fingers tightened around the stem of the wine glass in your hand, the dark liquid inside reflecting the light like blood. No matter how much you tried to lose yourself in the grandeur of the event, you couldn’t shake the weight that pressed on your chest—the sense that something was terribly wrong, that no amount of gold or velvet could hold back the inevitable.

And then, as though your thoughts had summoned it, a figure emerged from the shadows.

She appeared at the far end of the room, as if from nowhere. At first glance, she seemed to be one of the countless revelers—a woman in a flowing gown of deep crimson, a mask obscuring her face. But there was something different about her, something that drew your gaze and refused to let go.

Her mask, unlike the others, was pale and delicate, like the face of a porcelain doll. Her eyes, though hidden beneath the shadows of her mask, seemed to gleam with an unsettling light, as if they saw through the façade of the masquerade and into the heart of every soul present. Her movements were slow, deliberate, almost like a dance—ethereal, haunting, and yet utterly hypnotic. The music swelled, and as if on cue, the other guests parted to make way for her, though they did not seem to notice her approach.

You found yourself rooted to the spot, unable to look away as she glided across the floor, closer and closer, until she stood before you.

"Why do you linger at the edge of the party, dear one?" Her voice was soft, lilting, as though she were singing rather than speaking. It sent a shiver down your spine. "Surely, on a night like this, you should be dancing?"

You swallowed, trying to ignore the way her presence seemed to fill the space around you. "I... I don’t feel much like dancing tonight."

The woman tilted her head, as if considering your words. Her lips, painted the color of blood, curved into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Ah, I see. You’re afraid, aren’t you?"

You stiffened. "Afraid of what?"

Her smile widened, and she leaned closer, her voice a breath against your skin. "Afraid of what waits outside these walls. The Red Plague. The death that no mask, no walls, can keep out forever."

A chill ran through you, and you took a step back. "Who are you?"

She laughed softly, the sound low and melodic. "I have many names," she said, brushing a delicate hand against her mask. "But tonight, you may call me Columbina."

The name sent a wave of unease through you. Columbina, one of the Harbingers of the Fatui, a woman shrouded in mystery and darkness. You had heard of her, of course—whispers of her ethereal beauty and her deadly power. It was said that she moved through the world like a ghost, untouched by time, untouched by the pain and suffering that gripped the rest of Teyvat.

"I didn’t realize you were... invited," you said cautiously.

Her eyes glittered behind the mask. "Invited?" She laughed again, this time louder, the sound echoing through the ballroom. "I don’t need an invitation. I go where I am needed, where I am called."

She reached out, and before you could react, her fingers brushed against your cheek, cold as ice. "And tonight, I am here for you."

Your breath caught in your throat. "For me? Why?"

Columbina’s smile softened, though it did nothing to ease the growing dread in your chest. "Because you are not like the others. You see the truth, don’t you? You know that no matter how grand this masquerade may be, no matter how many walls they build, death cannot be kept at bay."

Her words wrapped around you like a vice, tightening with every breath you took. She was right. Even now, you could feel it—the creeping, suffocating presence of something inevitable, something inescapable. The Red Plague had not yet touched the palace, but it was only a matter of time.

"That’s why they wear the masks," Columbina whispered, leaning closer still. "They think they can hide from it. But death is not so easily fooled."

Your heart pounded in your chest as she pulled away, turning her gaze to the rest of the ballroom. "Look at them," she said, gesturing to the swirling mass of dancers. "They laugh, they drink, they dance. All the while knowing that their time is running out. They are all trying to escape, but none of them will."

The room seemed to blur, the laughter and music fading into a distant hum as you stared at her. She was right—there was no escape. This masquerade, this charade of life and luxury, was nothing more than a distraction, a way to pretend that death wasn’t looming just beyond the doors.

"Come with me," Columbina said suddenly, her voice pulling you from your thoughts. She held out her hand, her eyes locking onto yours. "Let me show you the truth."

You hesitated, your mind spinning. There was something about her, something you couldn’t explain. She was terrifying, yes, but there was also a strange allure to her—a beauty intertwined with doom, as though she were both the angel of death and the one who could save you from it.

"What truth?" you asked, your voice barely a whisper.

Her smile returned, soft and knowing. "The truth that there is no escape. That death is not the end, but a beginning. That I can give you peace, if you are willing to see it."

The weight of her words settled over you like a shroud, and for a moment, you considered it. What if she was right? What if there was something beyond the fear, beyond the endless running? What if there was a way to face the inevitable and emerge unscathed?

Before you could make a decision, the clock struck midnight.

The sound reverberated through the ballroom like a death knell, and in an instant, the atmosphere shifted. The laughter ceased, the music faltered, and the dancers froze in place. The room was silent, save for the slow, deliberate footsteps of a figure at the far end of the hall.

It was a man—tall, cloaked in black, his face hidden behind a mask the color of blood. He moved with the grace of a predator, each step purposeful and slow. And as he approached, the guests began to back away, fear etched into their faces.

Columbina watched with a smile, her eyes gleaming with a strange light. "Ah, the final guest has arrived."

You stared at the man, your heart pounding in your chest. There was something unnatural about him, something that set your teeth on edge. And then, with a sudden, sickening realization, you understood.

The Red Death had come.

The man stopped in the center of the room, his gaze sweeping over the silent crowd. Slowly, deliberately, he reached up and removed his mask.

The room erupted into chaos.

Guests screamed and fled, their masks torn from their faces as they tried to escape the inevitable. But there was no escape. The doors were locked, the windows barred. And as the Red Death moved through the crowd, his touch bringing swift and terrible ends, you realized that Columbina had been right all along.

There was no escaping fate.

You turned to her, your heart racing with terror. But Columbina was calm, serene, as though she had known this would happen from the start. She met your gaze, her smile soft and haunting.

"Do you see now?" she asked quietly. "There is no need to fear. Death comes for us all. But I can offer you peace."

Her hand extended once more, and this time, you didn’t hesitate.

As you took her hand, the chaos around you seemed to fade into the background. The screams, the terror, the inevitability of the Red Death—all of it vanished, leaving only Columbina’s gentle presence beside you. She led you away from the madness, away from the fear, into the quiet stillness of the night.

And in that moment, you understood.

She had been right all along.

The Island of Sandrone

he mist hung thick over the ocean as your ship approached the remote island. Your heart raced with both anticipation and unease. This place—this isolated stretch of land, shrouded in secrecy—was known only to a select few, whispered about in hushed tones across Teyvat. The island belonged to none other than Sandrone, the Puppet Tinkerer, one of the enigmatic Harbingers of the Fatui. It was said that here, far from the eyes of the world, she conducted her experiments—pushing the boundaries of life and death, of human and machine.

You were sent by your nation’s scholars to investigate the rumors. Word had spread of Sandrone’s mechanical creations—beings who looked like people, but weren’t. Puppets that moved, thought, and acted with eerie precision. It was unclear whether they were mere machines or something far more disturbing.

As the ship docked at the desolate shore, a chill ran down your spine. The island was a bleak, inhospitable place—rocky cliffs and twisted trees bent against the ceaseless wind. But it wasn’t the landscape that unsettled you. It was the silence. No birds, no animals. Just the sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the faint hum of machinery in the distance.

A small figure approached from the mist—a woman in white, flanked by two tall, mechanical beings whose joints creaked as they moved. As they drew closer, you recognized the woman from the descriptions. Sandrone.

She was younger than you expected, her delicate features framed by an elegant, yet utilitarian outfit. Her eyes were sharp, like a craftsman studying their latest creation. There was an air of cold detachment about her, as though she existed on a different plane of existence from those around her.

"Welcome," Sandrone said, her voice soft but commanding. "You’ve come to see my work, I presume."

You nodded, feeling the weight of her gaze. "I’ve heard... rumors," you said cautiously. "About what you’re doing here."

A faint smile tugged at her lips, though it didn’t reach her eyes. "Rumors," she echoed, turning away from you and beckoning you to follow. "People always fear what they don’t understand. But I assure you, my work is far beyond mere gossip."

You followed her deeper into the island, the mechanical beings flanking you both like silent sentinels. The terrain shifted as you approached the center of the island—what had once been wild and untamed gave way to carefully constructed pathways and towering structures. The air buzzed with the sound of machinery, and as you looked around, you caught glimpses of Sandrone’s creations—mechanical puppets, each more intricate than the last, moving about their tasks with eerie precision.

"They look so... lifelike," you murmured, unable to tear your eyes away from them.

Sandrone glanced at you with a hint of amusement. "Lifelike, yes. But they are not alive. They are my creations, my masterpieces. Machines, nothing more."

Her words were cold, clinical. But as you continued to follow her through the winding pathways, you couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of unease. There was something unsettling about the way these puppets moved—something too smooth, too perfect. They walked, spoke, and gestured like humans, but their eyes were empty, devoid of any spark of life. It was as though they were merely imitating humanity.

"How did you create them?" you asked, curiosity getting the better of you.

Sandrone stopped in front of a large, glass-walled structure—her workshop, it seemed. Inside, you could see more puppets being constructed, their bodies in various stages of assembly. The sight was both fascinating and horrifying.

"The process is... complicated," Sandrone replied, her voice taking on a tone of pride. "It requires a delicate balance of mechanics and... biology."

Your stomach twisted at her words. "Biology?" you echoed, feeling a knot of dread form in your chest.

Sandrone’s smile returned, sharper this time. "Oh yes. Machines alone cannot mimic life. There are certain... qualities that must be taken from living beings. Tissue, nerve endings, sometimes even organs. Only then can they truly function as I intend."

You recoiled, the weight of her words hitting you like a blow. "You’re using... people?"

Sandrone’s gaze remained calm, unbothered by your horror. "Only those who no longer have use for their bodies. Criminals, the condemned, the forgotten. They are given new purpose in my creations. It’s a kindness, really. To transcend the limitations of human flesh, to become something greater. Isn’t that what we all desire?"

Her words chilled you to the bone. There was no remorse, no hesitation. To her, this was science, progress—nothing more. But to you, it was something far darker. The lines between life and death, between human and machine, had been blurred beyond recognition. What she was doing here on this island was unnatural, an affront to the very essence of what it meant to be alive.

"You’re playing with forces you don’t understand," you said, your voice trembling with a mixture of fear and anger. "This... this is wrong."

Sandrone’s eyes narrowed, her expression hardening. "Wrong?" she repeated, stepping closer to you. "Tell me, what is wrong about pushing the boundaries of science? What is wrong about creating something perfect, something that transcends the frailty of human life?"

You stumbled back, your mind reeling. "But they’re not alive. They’re puppets, machines—soulless."

"Souls are irrelevant," she snapped, her calm demeanor slipping for the first time. "What matters is control. Power. Efficiency. Humanity is weak, prone to failure. My creations... they are flawless."

Her words echoed in your mind, filling you with a deep sense of dread. She wasn’t just reshaping life—she was destroying it, twisting it into something unrecognizable. And worse still, she believed she was doing the world a favor.

"What happens to the people you take?" you asked, your voice shaking.

Sandrone’s smile returned, colder than ever. "They cease to be. Their bodies become vessels for something far greater. They live on, in a sense. Isn’t that a form of immortality?"

"No," you whispered, backing away from her. "It’s a nightmare."

Sandrone watched you, her eyes gleaming with an emotion you couldn’t quite place. "A nightmare?" she repeated softly. "No, my dear. You’re mistaken. This is the future. And soon, the world will understand that. Whether they wish to or not."

You turned, your heart pounding in your chest as you fled the workshop, the sounds of the island’s machinery ringing in your ears. But as you ran, the truth of Sandrone’s words settled into your bones. There was no escaping this island, no escaping the horrors she had created.

And as the mist closed in around you, you realized with growing terror that you were already too late. You had walked into the web of a woman who saw herself as a god—and now, there was no way out.

The Banker’s Thirst

The sprawling estate of Pantalone, known far and wide as the Regrator of the Fatui, was a place of beauty and terror. Its cold, marble halls stretched endlessly, its opulence and luxury flaunting wealth and power beyond imagination. There, in the heart of Snezhnaya, it stood like a fortress, casting long, foreboding shadows over the snow-covered landscape, a symbol of untouchable dominance.

You had arrived at Pantalone's estate after weeks of correspondence. It had started innocently enough—formal letters exchanged between you, a representative of a foreign business, and the notorious banker. He had expressed interest in expanding his influence beyond the frozen borders of Snezhnaya, his ambition stretching out like an unseen force. You had been tasked with handling the negotiations on behalf of your nation, unaware of the dangerous game you were about to play.

From the moment you stepped foot onto the icy grounds of his estate, you could feel it—a sense of dread, lingering beneath the surface. The cold seemed sharper here, the air heavier with unspoken words and hidden intentions. And as you approached the grand entrance, the massive doors opened, revealing a figure that commanded attention.

Pantalone was waiting for you.

He was a man of refinement and elegance, his every move calculated and precise. His clothes were tailored to perfection, his demeanor one of quiet control. But it was his eyes that drew you in—sharp and dark, like the endless depths of the ocean. They seemed to see through you, reading every thought, every fear that flickered across your mind. His smile, polite and welcoming, held a dangerous edge, as though he were a predator preparing to devour his prey.

"Welcome," he said, his voice smooth and unhurried, as if he had all the time in the world. "I trust your journey was pleasant?"

You nodded, though your heart raced in your chest. There was something unsettling about him, something that made the fine hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. But you pushed the feeling aside, reminding yourself that you were here on business.

"The journey was long, but manageable," you replied, doing your best to match his calm demeanor. "Thank you for receiving me on such short notice, Lord Pantalone."

His smile widened slightly, though it never reached his eyes. "It is my pleasure," he said, stepping aside to let you enter. "I am always eager to meet those with... potential."

As you crossed the threshold into his home, you could feel the weight of his gaze on you, heavy and penetrating. The estate was as grand as you had imagined, its walls lined with priceless art and artifacts, the very air humming with the wealth and power that Pantalone had accumulated. But there was something else here, something you couldn’t quite place. An undercurrent of darkness that seemed to seep into every corner, every shadow.

"I must commend your reputation," Pantalone continued, leading you through the labyrinthine halls. "It is not often that I find someone so... intriguing. Your letters were most informative."

There was a pause as he glanced at you, his smile still present, but colder now. "But I imagine you know that already."

You swallowed, trying to ignore the unease that twisted in your gut. "I’m here to discuss the details of our agreement," you said, hoping to steer the conversation back to the business at hand. "Your interest in expanding your operations is well-known, and I believe we can find mutual benefit in—"

"Mutual benefit," he interrupted, his voice a purr. "Yes, I’m sure you believe that." He stopped walking, turning to face you fully, his eyes narrowing slightly. "But I must ask... do you truly understand what you are dealing with? Do you know the nature of what you have stepped into?"

There was a threat in his words, subtle but unmistakable. You met his gaze, trying not to show your fear. "I understand enough to know that this partnership could be lucrative for both sides."

Pantalone chuckled softly, the sound sending a shiver down your spine. "Lucrative, yes. But there are other... considerations." He stepped closer, his presence suffocating. "Power, for instance. Influence. Control. These are things that cannot be measured in mere currency."

You found yourself backing up, instinctively retreating from his looming presence. But there was no escape from him. His eyes were locked onto yours, his gaze piercing, as though he could see the very essence of your being.

"You are here because I chose you," he said quietly, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "I have seen countless individuals come and go, each one thinking they could strike a bargain with me, that they could outwit me in some way. But none of them truly understood the nature of the game they were playing."

He reached out, brushing a gloved hand against your cheek in a gesture that was both intimate and terrifying. "You, however," he continued, his tone soft and almost tender, "are different. I can sense it in you. There is something... pure. Untapped. And I find myself drawn to it, like a moth to a flame."

You wanted to pull away, to run, but his gaze held you captive, his touch sending a strange warmth coursing through your veins. There was something about him, something otherworldly, that made it impossible to look away. His voice was like silk, wrapping around your mind, clouding your thoughts.

"I can give you what you desire," he murmured, his lips curling into a smile that was both seductive and sinister. "Wealth, power, influence—everything you could ever dream of. All you have to do is... trust me."

His words hung in the air like a dark promise, and for a moment, you considered it. The temptation was there, undeniable. To have everything you ever wanted, to rise above the constraints of your world, to be free from the limitations that had always held you back. It was an offer too good to refuse.

But there was a price.

You could see it in his eyes, the hunger that lurked beneath his calm facade. He wanted more than just a partnership, more than just an alliance. He wanted you. Your mind, your body, your soul—he wanted to possess you completely.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about," you whispered, though even you could hear the tremor in your voice.

Pantalone’s smile widened, his teeth gleaming in the dim light. "Oh, but you do," he said softly. "You know exactly what I’m talking about. And you know that there is no escaping it."

His hand moved to your chin, tilting your head up to meet his gaze fully. "I am offering you immortality," he whispered, his breath warm against your skin. "A life free from the chains of time, from the decay of the mortal world. Together, we can transcend it all. You and I—eternal, unstoppable."

Your heart raced, your mind screaming at you to run, to escape before it was too late. But your body refused to move, held in place by the sheer force of his presence. There was no escape from him. No way to break free from the web he had woven around you.

"I... I can’t," you managed to say, your voice barely audible.

Pantalone’s smile faded, his expression darkening. "You can," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "And you will."

He leaned in closer, his lips brushing against your ear as he whispered, "Because if you don’t... I will destroy you. And everything you hold dear."

The threat hung in the air like a blade, poised to strike. And you knew, in that moment, that you had no choice. You were trapped in his web, bound to him by forces you couldn’t understand. There was no escape from the Regrator’s grasp.

With a final, trembling breath, you nodded.

Pantalone’s smile returned, cold and triumphant. "Good," he murmured, his hand sliding down your arm in a possessive gesture. "You’ve made the right choice."

As he led you deeper into the shadows of his estate, you couldn’t help but wonder what you had just given up—and what dark fate awaited you now that you had fallen into the grasp of the Banker.