Song of the Wind

Affiliated RP blog for the Wanderer, written by Jovian.

[everlastingeccentric]

"First there was this flying brat. Didn't bother asking any questions, just started throwing punches."

PLOT CALL - SEPTEMBER 2025

THEME CREDITS: background, header, mobile header. All other art used is official art edited by me. MOBILE LINKS: character info, meta info, talents, threads, application.

[everlastingeccentric]

In defense of "Hat Guy"

hi again. in the wake of 6.2, it's time for some OPINIONS to kick off this blog again, because EN fandom complaining about this particular choice is reaching a fever pitch and i feel as though i am going INSANE for actually enjoying it

I will be tackling each common criticism I've seen, in order of how much I can respect their takes.

argument 1: general dislike of the translation choice

this is the major thing I can concede on. if you don't like it as a localization decision specifically, but otherwise understand the intent behind it, that's your opinion! I don't envy the job considering how picky some fans can be, and in a case like "Hat Guy," I do get the impression they didn't realize it'd be a long-lasting nickname.

other translations are less casual and more cutesy with vibes more like "Mr. Hat" or "Hatty"; English is admittedly a little difficult for a diminutive like this. I wouldn't mind Mr. Hat myself

...but, like, a lot of the outrage I see seems to be against this plot turn entirely, failing to understand it rather than simply splitting hairs over word choices...which is why I had to type this post.

argument 2: "why can't the VO just use 'wanderer' generically like they use 'traveler?'"

take this with a grain of salt as I do not speak Chinese, but I've heard in discussions of this that the CN word for "wanderer" is more akin to "homeless person" in vibes, so like. that's a little awkward, yeah? this would explain why the script avoids identifying him this way, especially since...well, let's be real, is he actually wandering anymore now that he has a place in Sumeru?

this is different than the traveler, who is still very much traveling and is regularly identified this way even outside the nickname the player picks. for wanderer's case, I'd even argue that "the wanderer" is actually equivalent to his nameless state, thus why it's the moniker used exclusively before we give him a name. after that, it's always the name we've given him, with "Hat Guy" as the VO stand-in equivalent.

("wanderer" implying his blank slate self is a discussion for another meta post entirely, but I rotate it in my mind a lot.)

argument 3: "why can't we use 'kasacchi' or another language's version instead? it sounds better!"

look, I'm gonna be totally honest here. I'm pretty sure it only sounds "better" to the people suggesting this because they're English-only and thus don't understand how it actually sounds to a native speaker.

all of the "Hat Guy" equivalents are silly. that's the point. in-universe, it is supposed to come across as silly. characters react awkwardly, because it is silly. when I see this suggested, it strikes me less like a localization fix and more like a desire to avoid feeling silly. this is a rather close-minded idea, as it's at the behest of bilingual players who will still pick up on how the words are meant to come across. this doesn't solve the root issue they're having, which is that they don't like wanderer having a silly nickname.

I think there's a possibility of him obtaining a new title in the future as his adventures continue, but I'm fairly certain the public-facing persona of Sumeru's "Hat Guy," in all its goofiness, is here to stay.

argument 4: "it takes me out of the story every time a character says it"

related to the above, I see this one parroted a LOT. really, i'm not sure what to say about it. skill issue? anime-style plots are full of ridiculous names on any given day. maybe these people need to read jojo's bizarre adventure or something, but a silly name being spoken aloud doesn't immediately shatter my suspension of disbelief. hoyoverse has characters named Diabolic Kevin and Otto Apocalypse for crying out loud. Dr. Ratio??? ANYONE?????????

I get wanderer wasn't introduced with a funny name and thus this is a new thing to get used to, but like, you have paimon baby talking in third person during serious cutscenes every time. you have scantily-clad characters in heels running around in environments definitely not suited to their getup. surely these people got used to that, or does that bring them out of the fiction every time too?

good fiction will make you accept anything because it presents it with confidence. I thought the more we got "Hat Guy" in lore, the more folks would get used to it, but I will admit fault with the game itself--a lot of wanderer's character development, including the origins of "Hat Guy," is lost to time-limited events. if I try to imagine the experience of only knowing wanderer through the AQ, okay, yeah, it is jarring. that's on hoyo and I am not sure what to suggest at that point other than brushing up on missed lore.

but like, that's not enough of an issue to me to justify the potential retcon of it all. I've seen actual calls for that. damn.

argument 5: "i thought he doesn't like it?"

now we're moving from Doylist explanations to Watsonian ones. I get very annoyed at the takes that appear to misunderstand his character inherently, but I can forgive this one a little, as I can see why one would come to this conclusion. it's more localization issues, I think.

he likes "Hat Guy!" if he didn't like it, he wouldn't use it. c'mon. he's in his era of actually standing up for his own wants and needs now, if he truly felt offended by it he would push back beyond just groaning. given his long and storied past full of war crimes and heresies and murder, "Hat Guy" is the most understated name he could possibly ever have, especially contrasted with his personality. of course he's going to use it. it's fucking hilarious to introduce himself that way, knowing who he really is.

griping is more his way of pretending he doesn't like it, as with most things he actually enjoys doing. this is consistent behavior. he's noted canonically as being full of contradictions, and this clash between silly pen name and serious demeanor is but one more.

this is more obvious in CN from what I've heard, where his amusement at people tripping over the name's goofiness is more apparent in his speech. as much as I love Patrick's EN dub, I will admit he does leave an overly broody impression, and thus EN wanderer's enjoyment of the "Hat Guy" name is left entirely to subtext. I think this ended up colorizing this development negatively for the EN fandom, who now seems to think wanderer is using his own pen name against his will, or something.

if only complaining in surveys was enough to free him from nahida's horrible hat guy curse!!

argument 6: "they're asassinating scaramouche's character with these developments"

the opinion I respect the least of all. just tell me how little you actually care about wanderer genshinimpact, jeez. like should I even go into this. you all get me right. I don't need to get into this

(sighs) but i will anyway because I'm that annoyed

like, did they even pay attention to the things he says or does at all? he said "so long suckers" in 1.1, where he also snapped at his underlings, hinting at his issues with being personally respected. the Pale Flame set in 1.5 first showed us his conflicted attitude toward humanity and his own inhumanity. he's never been the...I don't know, deviantart-style psychopath crazy killer type some people seem to assume scaramouche was always supposed to be????? they have this idea that he's ~meant~ to be irredeemably evil, and thus the writers "inventing" emotional issues for him (that the text has always IMPLIED WERE THERE)...derailed him somehow???

(another meta post I could write is my grand conspiracy theory that kazuha's SQ is a repurposed first draft of scaramouche's arc, before the inazuma writing crunch shifted priorities for the dev team, and thus scaramouche was always intended to undergo positive character development...Husk of Opulent Dreams was 2.3 and already hinting this, too.)

I don't know man. I don't know. the way I see it, his personality has barely changed from his first appearance, he just obtained differing perspective. he's still wrapped up in a lot of toxic thinking he needs to unpack, which fuels the crueler things he says. he just doesn't see humanity as an enemy anymore, and he's no longer surrounded by the hostile, dehumanizing environment that was the Fatui, for him. that's all that's changed!! he was always this guy! he will continue to be this guy!! he's still here!

I will note that him becoming playable has obfuscated this somewhat, like, a lot of his combat lines are intense and aggressive, much like his character was introduced as! but since he's playable, that side is shown via, well, playing as him, rather than in cutscenes, etc. there is a mental block that forms when the player becomes used to playing a character in-game, where they no longer consider the combat a part of their characterization. it doesn't matter to them that wanderer is stomping on enemies' heads all the time and mocking them, because he isn't doing it to other playable characters or in cutscenes, I guess.

and like, I get that, I want more badass cutscenes of my boy for GIF purposes, but that doesn't mean that characterization is gone.

if folks just don't like the development of "scaramouche is allowed to be a little silly now" then they might be the same kinds of people that just don't like 3.3/"wanderer" in general, which is a whole 'nother can of worms. like, these people will legitimately consider "wanderer" a different character entirely, one that symbolizes the plot-mandated death of their favorite one-dimensional killing machine, in favor of him becoming uwu soft, or, SOMETHING?????????? and "hat guy" is evidence of this???

I really don't have much more to say other than they've completely missed the point, and seemed to be attached to a character that never actually existed. I don't think I'll ever be able to convince those people. I'm just here to roleplay and spread the word where I can.

bonus: why i personally love "hat guy"

a stranger suddenly appeared in town one day, wearing weird clothes, behaving oddly, and just generally attracting attention. we all called him a funny name based on this, but now he's refusing to identify himself as anything else. the townsfolk love him for these quirks, even if his past is shrouded in mystery. he's an obvious outsider, but he's our local weird outsider, because he's helpful too.

now...

am I talking about hat guy, or am I talking about the kabukimono?

history repeats.

[everlastingeccentric]

i know the hat is impressive

(but i'm really not all that special...)

three years ago | sumeru city | @reachforthetruth

[everlastingeccentric]

The nameless wanderer's days often blended together. Living as aimlessly as he had for centuries, with no purpose, how could they not? Encounters with others were always fleeting, and the scenery of the continent could only remain interesting for so long before boredom overtook him.

Today he was in Sumeru City. He had been here before, naturally, but something about this recent visit felt off in a way he couldn't place. His thoughts swirled, trying to grasp this uncanny mood welling inside him, but all they returned was an empty dread. Jnagarbha Day was nearing--was this just an anxious anticipation? He doubted it. A puppet didn't have connections to the Akademiya's special occasions. A puppet didn't have connections to anything.

Yet, the kind merchant told him to take the day off, to rest up before the scholars' all-nighters increased demand. The vagrant protested, but the man insisted with pleading eyes and a soft heart, feeling bad that the puppet was trying so hard, knowing not that the favor did nothing for one without human limits. And so he found himself wandering once again.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ ݁. ݁₊ 𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖࿐ ࿔*:༄｡°༄｡°𓇢𓆸‧₊˚❀༉

Adjusting the hat upon his head, he strolled out of the bazaar, merchants and customers' conversations fading into distant echoes. He passed a toymaker, a blacksmith, and a cafe, all with a sigh. Humans truly didn't know how good they had it--to them, idleness was a gift, a reward for hard work, but to a discarded puppet, it was his personal hell.

It must be nice, having a heart.

While he couldn't recall how he got there, he found himself in the middle of the dirt road at the bottom level of the city, staring up at the Divine Tree, spacing out. Its gnarled branches cast a shadow over his mind. Though it was a venerated symbol of knowledge in the Land of Dendro, it, too, made him uneasy.

[everlastingeccentric]

September plotting.

Get in touch via the group Discord or my Askbox.

Wanderer's pretty backed up on drafts right now, so I'm going to focus on the commission board only next month after the expansion. HOWEVER, a non-commission idea struck me a few days ago.

Past Encounter: I've always wanted to play around with the different periods in Wanderer's life, so why not roleplay some of it? There are a lot of possibilities due to his storied history, so this plot call is open to anyone, indefinitely! Details for interested parties below.

CHOOSE YOUR CHARACTER:

The Kabukimono, gentle, naive, good-natured but a little odd, would only be encountered in Tatarasuna (as the village's favorite weird little guy) or in Koseki Village (taking care of a sick child), though post-Tatarasuna, he'd be a bit warier of strangers. Note that this is FAR in the past, so either your muse needs to have existed around 500 years ago or have some other way to be there.

The nameless puppet, the transition between him associating with humans and the Fatui, has always fascinated me because it's a big blank space in his backstory. We don't even know how long his aimless wandering lasted, so let's put this ~400ish years in the past? He can be anywhere in Teyvat you need, recklessly testing his limits because he doesn't have much else to do. He's something of a troublemaker, on his way to a superiority complex because he outclasses most he comes across.

Scaramouche/Kunikuzushi: The Sixth Harbinger everyone loved to hate, more accessible to present-day muses but also the nastiest of all of these. Awful to his subordinates and barely tolerant of his colleagues; while he may put up a friendly front when he's gathering information, he'd turn on an instant as soon as the informant lost their usefulness. Has a very low opinion of humans, so human muses beware especially.

If your muse is from Teyvat, please keep in mind that they will have forgotten what we end up threading, but...hey, there's always a chance for a followup thread that's only awkward on Wanderer's end!

THERE'S ALSO THE BONUS ROUND:

The nameless puppet (TIMELINE 2 EDITION), after he erases himself from Irminsul. I'm just as fascinated by the lack of elaboration on THIS part of his life as I am the first go around. He appears to have something like the Kabukimono's personality, but he's been wandering with no purpose for his entire life this time. Expect him to trip over himself trying to help, a little confused, but he's got the spirit. He can be anywhere in Teyvat, at any point from 500 years ago till now, and your muse will remember it this time!

[everlastingeccentric]

the heart of the matter

(...and some unexpected guests.)

swirl | wyrmrest valley | @balemouns

[balemouns]

diminishing returns on her fire was always to be expected, until it could be refreshed once more -- but with the assistance of the young man here with her, the mage eventually falls and leaves the scene around durin's heart quiet, save for the soft rumbles of movement from the red, radiating core.

the young anemo-weilding man's response pertaining to the team of agents scouting the area around durin's remains is not very helpful. marked eyes narrow with a soft breath --- but before she has a chance to really press more, he asks a question of his own.

arlecchino spins the dark red scythe to dismiss it before replying. if they had more mages to fight, they at least had some time to see them coming for now... "the abyss order has its ways, does it not? always managing to locate all sorts of dark corruption across the lands, and tries to make use of them... perhaps it would just be odd that they did not act centuries prior if durin's remains were of interest, considering the dragon fell so long ago. perhaps something has changed... but without the scouts I'm hoping to locate in this area, I have no way of saying if that is truly the case."

the scouts who had been studying the structure of durin's remains had been able to confirm that these bones and this heart had been here for quite some time, that much was certain in the information she'd received. though she had never personally seen the particulars of their reports regarding changes in the heart, if those could be the reason why the abyss order was showing interest in the dragon's remains now. "so, what interest is the heart to you...? what is your background? the case of that vision of yours looks sumeruan. is that correct?"

[everlastingeccentric]

Right on time, there are the questions he doesn't want to answer. Still, the Wanderer doesn't want to get on the Knave's bad side in the middle of nowhere like this, and it would be idiotic of him to expect information without giving information in turn.

He folds his arms and says with confidence, "I'm just a vagrant that took a more roundabout route while passing through." A simple answer full of absurd implications he chooses to ignore. "You're right, though; currently, I've been staying in Sumeru. I'm sure whatever's happening here will be of interest to those scholars, so I thought I'd have a quick look."

Thus ends the Wanderer's woefully meager elaboration.

As if recalling something interesting, he huffs a little laugh in the next moment, his breath curiously failing to produce a cloud in the cold air. "You know, the Fatui really shook things up at the Akademiya a couple years ago. A lot of sages were exiled for collaborating with them, aiming to replace the Dendro Archon. Someone calling himself 'the Doctor' was in charge of it, though I can't say I know what happened to him since."

The Wanderer grips the brim of his hat, adjusting it. "Guess if your scouts have discovered something, I could linger here a little longer, but forgive me for being hesitant to trust your organization."

Though he omitted all of the personal details, his concern is the same.

They're not going to experiment on Durin's heart, are they...?

[everlastingeccentric]

are you lost or just stupid?

(and do you want to be rescued or not?)

vaporize | the great red sand | @huuuugestmoney

[huuuugestmoney]

"Hahaha, mhm, like what?" came the immediate response, teasing... mostly. Probably. A rhetorical question, in any case, to which Sampo doesn't expect an answer, so he continues: "One man's junk is another's treasure, don't they say?"

And schemes? C'mon man, that is sooo uncharitable.

“Okay okay okay, wait—” so, he’d erred in the wrong direction. The business approach had sure sounded like a good idea at the time. Here he stood, alone, now. Quite the evidence to the contrary. Man...

He couldn't just let things end like that, could he?

Of course not.

"Wait!" He started after the other.

Click.

The space before the Wanderer, who was still vanishing down the hall at a surprisingly quick pace, had been empty. Then, bars shuttered downward with deadly force, slamming shut the exit that-a-way. Aha! Opportunity! Or even, perhaps...

fate?

Sampo jogged the rest of the way to catch up best as he could before Mr. Wise Guy got any other smart ideas about escaping this destined team of theirs.

Never mind that Sampo had maybe sorta likely accidentally trapped him there by stepping on that tile back there. Oopsie daisy.

“Fri— err. Dear acquaintance, I think we got off on the wrong foot, maybe. Seriously, I meant it when I said some of this stuff is treasure. Maybe not to you, but I know a lot of good folks who’d be interested in it. But! Hear me out before you whizz off down the other end of the hall,” hands were raised in placating manner, “I know it’s gotta be worth your while, too. Is there really nothing at all in here that’d pique your interest, not even the slightest bit?”

He sighed. Hands settled on hips. “I may have looked a fool back there but… I am stronger than I look. I admit it, okay! Fine. Silly ol’ Sampo ain’t as hapless as he might like others to belive. Sorry for pretending back there,” and poorly, at that. Apparently. That or this guy’s bullshit detector was somethin’ else.

“But surely a fellow such as yourself has some sense of romance to him.” Hands wring together before the salesman’s torso folds forward into a bow. “Sampo Koski appeals to the adventure in you~! Please!”

[everlastingeccentric]

The Wanderer stopped short and growled, the dust cloud left in his wake drifting between the bars that weren't there before. He whirled around with urgency, trying to find the source of the trap--he wouldn't have been so careless, surely--until his eyes landed on Sampo.

He sneered. He had no proof, but he had his intuition, and his intuition rarely trusted anyone so cloying in such circumstances. Persistent humans were some of the most annoying ones, doing whatever it took to get their way. The Inazuman vagrant sighed, hovering midair, looking as if he wished to say something, but graciously allowed the man to plead his case without interruption.

He returned to the ground as he deliberated, his hat reappearing on his head just for him to pull it down over his eyes once more. When enough silence filled the hall, the Wanderer finally muttered, "Fine. You're really laying it on thick, but I appreciate your honesty, and I'll offer some of my own in exchange."

"First of all, I'm no 'adventurer.' Opportunistic types like you see newly unearthed ruins and can only think of the gold, but those constructs have given you a small taste of the danger you should expect. You don't look like you're from here, so I'll enlighten you: the civilization these ruins belonged to was destroyed by the hubris of their own God-King," he said, crossing his arms. "The chaos their ruler wrought those thousands of years ago still clings to the desert. Before this place starts crawling with mercenaries and scholars, I'm just making sure there's nothing here that could cause the apocalypse."

It was a ridiculous statement by itself, but the Wanderer was deathly serious, unblinking. Lesser Lord Kusanali had purified the forbidden knowledge from Irminsul, but who's to say there wasn't a dormant source resting in the depths of King Deshret's realm? Sumeru didn't need another regional crisis, Hat Guy thought, especially not a second one involving him.

He kept his eyes trained on Sampo, as if anticipating a trick. "It would be worth my while if you stayed out of my way while I investigate, and didn't do anything foolish with the treasure you want to plunder so badly. If something's dangerous, it needs to be destroyed. Got that?"

[dream-of-butterflies]

an escaped convict and a nepo baby go to a festival.

commission: destruction | starter for @everlastingeccentric

[dream-of-butterflies]

Seele was wading through Port Ormos, trying to find her way to a vessel set to sail its way to Inazuma (soon, dreadfully). She was a bit panicked, getting ever so easily lost in the unfamiliar port town. “Shit,” she cursed under her breath. I did not buy this boat ticket or this pretty yukata just to get lost on the way… 

She kept trying to ask around, asking for directions to the port proper, but no one seemed to pay her any mind. It was annoying, for once, for Seele to go unnoticed; stealth may have been a specialty of hers but it was wholly inconvenient in this very moment. An anger slowly brewed in her form, until she spotted a younger looking man walking around with an impressive hat. 

Worth a shot- “Excuse me? Sir, with the cool hat?” Seele cursed herself for calling him out in such a way; is that rude??? That’s disrespectful and rude, right? “Sorry, sorry,” apologies flowed without difficulty, filled with stress all the while. “I’m a bit out of sorts right now. See, I’m trying to get to Inazuma. I bought a ticket for a boat going from Port Ormos to Ritou, right? I got a bit lost,” he doesn’t need to know I’m not from here, “and ended up in Sumeru City at first. Now I found out how to get here, in Port Ormos, but I don't know how to get to the docking area! Could you help me, please??" 

When the words flowed from her mouth in a panicked stupor, Seele understood just how idiotic and asinine she sounded. That damned professor would probably be making fun of her right at this moment. Such thoughts wouldn’t bog her down- she already embarrassed herself enough as is, may as well keep up the trend. “I-I’m trying to go to the Kondo Festival…and..and…maybe you could come with me??? Like, so I don’t get lost any further, y’know???”

Ugh, what am I saying! This is a waste of time. He's gonna ignore me like the rest. 

@everlastingeccentric

[everlastingeccentric]

It may be no surprise that the Inazuman was in Port Ormos with intentions on catching a boat to Inazuma, but the Wanderer had other things on his mind than parties when some weird girl stumbling around called for him. Pairs of eyes from the crowd sought who in the area apparently had "a cool hat," and in response, he pulled the kasa in question over his face with a grumble. It wasn't quite "the hat guy," but it was just as irritating.

When she approached, he spared her a glance, raising a dismissive eyebrow. The annoying profuse apologies, the messy yukata, her pathetic sob story--the vagrant let out a laugh. "Ha, is your sense of direction normally this abysmal? Do I look like a tour guide to you, or are you just that desperate?" he barked, a friendly first impression as always.

The Wanderer folded his arms; the flares of red at the corner of his eyes sharpened his stare into a dagger. His insults hung in the air for an awkward moment before he became sick of looking at the stranger's embarrassed face. "Still, I just so happen to be headed to Ritou myself, though it's not for the Konda Festival." He emphasized the syllable she pronounced incorrectly. "I have other business."

(After Ritou, he planned to take off to visit Tatarasuna by air.)

Without waiting for her reply, he walked off toward the docks. He kept talking, knowing she'd follow. "By the way, the knot of your obi is all messed up."

[everlastingeccentric]

August plotting.

Get in touch via the group Discord or my Askbox.

SO HOW ABOUT THAT NOD-KRAI TEASER TRAILER HUH!!!! Only a couple prompts this month, trying to keep it simple.

Konda Village Festival (TAKEN, THANK YOU!): This prompt gets top billing because I am a big fan of having Wanderer on the outside looking in when it comes to festivities, especially Inazuman ones. Will YOU take the plunge and try to convince Hat Guy to have a little fun for once in his life? Or will he disappear once you float the question? Only one way to find out...

Empyrean Cleanup (requires honkai muse): Wanderer wasn't a part of lore, but he did visit the planet, so hearing the news of what happened after his visit comes as a genuine surprise. A good mystery with a hint of danger is just the thing he would be sticking his nose into on any given day, and he would be doing it with zero protection. Which, of course, makes him stand out amongst the rescuers…

[iustitians]

Who Let the Akademiya Cook || Neuvillette & Wanderer

[iustitians]

Though the illness of the world's depths began to wear down on him, he was nevertheless more resistant to it than an average human - enough, at the very least, to hold his own against a group of enemies. As the largest of the foes crumbled into dust, Neuvillette strained his senses, casting them around the area akin to a net, in search of the same power signature as before.

It was not long before the result presented himself. This time, he was in luck - the signal did not come from atop the tree, but rather right next to him in the nearby bush. Perhaps the perpetrator simply did not have the time to position it in a less accessible spot. Having located the troublesome item, he disposed of it with a single blast of Hydro, the blade formed from Sourcewater cleaving it clean in two. And just like that - the last Rifthound Whelps disintegrated on the spot, and the sickly red and olive covering the trees gave way to healthier and more vibrant shades of green as the Withering Zone quickly dissipated.

Dismissing his cane, Neuvillette inhaled and exhaled slowly, before finally giving in and letting out a few coughs as his body worked to purify the toxins he had absorbed. He felt better soon after, just in time for his sensitive ears to hear the shrill echo of distant pleading.

"NOOOOOO!! P-PLEASE SPARE MEEE...!!"

... It would seem that the Wanderer had caught the perpetrator.

Having mostly recovered, Neuvillette gathered the remains of the device and set out on his way. A few warps in between quick steps soon saw him approaching the two - the man that had been attempting to run now cowering in front of the hat guy.

"Impressive speed," he complimented. "Though I doubt a regular human could ever outrun you. Now then," facing the cowering scholar, he frowned. "I believe we deserve an explanation."

[everlastingeccentric]

When Neuvillette arrived, the Wanderer had his leg raised above the culprit, threatening a kick. He glanced to the Iudex and said, casually, "You made pretty quick time, too," as if there wasn't a shivering student wearing Spantamad's colors underneath him right now.

The student interjected with a sputter, "P-please, Hat Guy!"

Hat Guy??

He put his hands over his head defensively. "Please, spare me...I-I had a good reason! It's...! It's a research project! If we can understand, just, uh, h...how the elements interact with the Withering--"

"Shut up!" Hat Guy snarled, driving his heel into the student's back, flattening him on the ground. "The Withering was extinct. You seriously expect me to believe Rifthounds are part of a simple 'research project?'"

The would-be researcher whimpered incomprehensibly in response, his pleas known only to the grass.

"You even got the Iudex of Fontaine wrapped up in this, you know. Ha, it's going to be quite the story once the Akademiya learns what happened...You should consider how you'll beg the Sages for mercy."

"I'm sorry Hat Guy it'll never happen again Hat Guy I promise--!!"

The Wanderer ground him further into the dirt. "Stop talking already."

[flower-of-oblivion]

Nothing Drives You Into Nihility's Embrace Like Bureaucracy

[flower-of-oblivion]

She's back here again.

Back in this city, this nation, that reminds her far too much of long-lost Izumo.

Just like before, those old, dormant shards of grief awaken, digging razor edges into her soul. Just like before, everyone she passes avoids her eyes. A couple attempt to hesitantly approach her, but seemingly think better of it and flee.

The woman who shares her face, whom she'd so briefly encountered last time, must have quite the terrifying reputation. Whoever she is.

She's wandering through the main street - passers-by once again nervously leaving several meters of space around her - when she's approached by a very harried-looking clerk in the uniform of the local law enforcement. "You there! Adventurer! May I see your gliding license?"

"...my what?"

He stares up at her, and adjusts a pair of cracked, slightly cloudy glasses. "You are an adventurer, yes? Dressed in such outlandish clothes as you are? Which means that you must have a gliding license per Guild regulations, and per recent ordinances, that license is now up for renewal!"

No one else moves or speaks in the entire street. After a moment, several people begin quietly edging away from the clerk.

"I think there's been some mistake-"

"Since you cannot produce a valid license, I must insist that you come with me at once to be recertified!"

There's no one left standing in the open but them now, and everyone who hasn't very quietly and politely fled as fast as they can watches nervously from behind stalls, the corners of buildings, and in once case, one of those odd glowing statues that feel like the Astral Express's Space Anchors. Almost no one, she realises - the young-looking warrior she'd dueled in Empyrea's fight club before everything went to hell wanders out of a side street.

@everlastingeccentric

[everlastingeccentric]

The Wanderer tried to keep his trips to Inazuma brief. Sure, he had sins to atone for, but that didn't mean he had to make himself known to the public, now, did it? He preferred to visit these dusty, forgotten corners of his past alone, in reverent solitude, and if he had to stop by anywhere populated, he would lurk in the shadows or on top of buildings, like a ghost, or a youkai, or however else the ordinary humans would regard him. He couldn't care less.

Flitting above Inazuma City, intent on picking up some specialties to take back to Sumeru, he double-takes when a particular shade of purple hair enters his peripheral vision. The surrounding commotion, that sword, those peculiar clothes--

--Oh, huh, it's the one he sparred with in Empyrea.

Out of all the strangers that reminded him of that particular god, she was the oddest one. He had evaluated her might for himself, but now she appears lost and confused as some guy badgers her about some technicality--what can the Wanderer do but laugh?

There's only so much embarrassment he can witness before it starts becoming secondhand, though. The vagrant goes in for a soft landing in an alleyway, pretending he just so happened to be there. "Excuse me," he begins, stepping out into the main street with a smirk under obscured eyes. "She's with me. I'll take her."

Before the man can interject, the youth slides up to Acheron. To him, "We were just about to head over when she got distracted." To her, "Try to stay focused, huh? How are you going to learn to glide if you can't practice with some Anemo?" He punctuates his claim by motioning to his Vision, the curious amulet glowing gently on his chest.

These were excuses, naturally. He had a lot of questions for this woman, if only he could have a moment alone.

[everlastingeccentric]

you couldn't pay me to ride that

(so...how'd I get roped into this?!)

harmony | clock studios theme park | @argentiil

[argenteell]

As dazzling as Penacony is, the attractions are a bit... bewildering at times. Despite the fact that both the hotel planet and the IPC have been at odds for so long, this is one thing that they appear to have in common; granted, the Dreamscape is regulated to just one system, unlike the IPC, but both of them can get overwhelming at times. Still, Argenti rallies himself with the mindset that this, too, is a trial of some sort, one he must train and learn to overcome. Surely if he works hard to the point where he is no longer phased by such things, he will have succeeded?

(Perhaps, in some ways, he is still that little boy with an ocarina and a dream of justice from a remote, wartorn planet, that child who could hardly even imagine what traveling amongst the stars must be like.)

So it is that he finds himself in front of Clockie Studios Theme Park's latest attraction, the Tunnel of Love, with an inquisitive spirit. The billboard advertising the ride claims that the attraction "creates a delightful customized fantasy by pulling from your sweetest memories," a curious method considering the dream bubble and Dreamweaving technology that abound in Penacony. What will it take from a Knight of Beauty? Perhaps the most beautiful images collected throughout one's life? I wonder if that really might be the case... now I simply have to test it out. He steps forward, about to enter the line for the ride, when a streak of teal up above catches his eye. Argenti glances up and spots something—someone—winging their way above the crowds, darting from roof to roof. One of the lights flashes upwards underneath the figure's wide brimmed hat and reveals an incredibly lovely face. The redhead gasps at the sight and slips through the crowd in pursuit of the fairylike person. "Wait! Fair sprite with the magic hat, wait a moment! Are you by chance a scion of Beauty Themself?" For what else can they be, as beautiful as they are, other than a child of Idrila? I hadn't heard whether They had descendants, but if that really is true—! They could be the most valuable lead we have to finding our Aeon!

[everlastingeccentric]

The Wanderer was just about to leave for another random destination in this noisy place when he overhears someone pestering him from the crowd. It's not unusual for him to stand out; he accepted this long ago, but the strange man seeking his attention actually stood out worse.

That manner of speech, that full suit of armor--was this a cosplayer or something? That didn't look like the style the Knights of Favonius would wear...

Despite his beautiful visage, the face the vagrant makes in response to being called a "fair sprite" can only be described as an ugly sneer. "...I have no idea what you're talking about, so it seems you're mistaken."

Despite his dismissal, he jumps down from the rooftop, slowing his fall with a soft breeze. The odd amulet pinned to his chest glows the same cyan. As if by reflex, the mysterious youth pulls down his "magic hat" over his face, denying any weirdo from beholding it, or perhaps just blocking out more of the garish, colorful lights.

He has to admit to himself: he's completely lost. Ordinary folk may ask for help when faced with such trouble, but the Wanderer just sighs in frustration. "Look, I'm not from here, and I'm no 'scion' of anything. I don't know how I got here. I'm just looking for a way out."

So, if you could be useful instead of causing a scene...

[everlastingeccentric]

What Makes a Personality

A template for analyzing features of a personality.

Self-Concept

View of Self: He wouldn't really call himself a "multifaceted individual," but his view of himself is more or less that. He's a naive puppet, a gullible wannabe human, a craven fool, an infamous schemer, a failed god, a nameless wanderer...and, uh, an Akademiya student, HE GUESSES. All these identities are him, ever-changing, yet still the same "self" at the core.

View of Others: He considers relationships transactional, with everyone out to take advantage of everyone else. Even though his view of humanity is softening in recent years, he's still pessimistic about them; he accepts that there are perhaps genuinely "nice" individuals, but those are the ones that would be the prime targets of monstrous ones. Anyone wonderful will be crushed under the heel of this inevitability, and being long-lived, he finds it hard to get attached, knowing he would witness that moment.

View of World: "An elaborate tapestry of lies," to use his own words. To him, people tell lies to feel better about their insignificant presence in the universe, to downplay harsh events, to deceive one another, etc., which all weave this tapestry. The fact Teyvat seems to have layers of obfuscation about its own true nature is just icing on the cake, like a cruel joke of fate. Even Nahida was surprised about the false sky--if there are areas of understanding even outside the gods' own knowledge, what can you do but laugh?

Motivations & Goals: To make up for his past mistakes. Each identity he's used is defined by a different "purpose," and this is his current one. More deeply, he also wishes to find a sense of belonging, though he's not banking on it.

What they Value Most: Utility. This contributed to the toxic mindset he's slowly breaking out of, but there are upsides of fixating on utility. If you have power, he'll encourage you to use it, and might even provide suggestions for how, almost like a tactician.

Emotional Reactions

Reaction to Stress: All his emotions are transparent, and for stress, Wanderer doubles down on his attitude. The villain persona comes out in full swing; blunt honesty becomes anger; teases become insults... Expect him to raise his voice and maybe even growl. The angrier he gets, the more impulsive he becomes, and thus stress might lead to a dire mistake.

Reaction to Fear: Unafraid of combat, it instead takes a whole heap of personal stakes for Wanderer to start feeling genuinely afraid, but if it happens, it's an entire 180 in comparison to the stress response. His mask completely falls away, and he becomes pleading and desperate. It's alarmingly out-of-character...and yet perhaps his true nature all the same?

Reaction to Success: Perhaps most indicative of his various issues, his reaction would be muted. If he anticipated it, he'd act like it was just a logical conclusion to his hard work; if it was an unexpected positive development, he'd greet it with nothing but skepticism. What goes up must come down...so, when is this turn of fate going to come crashing down on him like every other time? If given praise, he'd just rebuff it, or downplay events entirely.

Reaction to Failure: Of course, though he would act like he "knew it," he'd still be pretty damn upset. Instead of appearing visibly sad, though, he's trained himself to laugh it off instead...but it's the bitter kind of self-deprecating laughter that reveals his true emotions all the same. C'mon, it's funny, right? Why did he ever think it'd turn out differently? Depending on the nature of the failure, though, he may also nosedive into the kind of disoriented anger that would have him do something really impulsive. Regrettably impulsive.

Development

Ideal Self: While Wanderer would love to see himself punished for his crimes up to and including being killed for them, I know that his ideal self is instead a respected member of a community. He wouldn't admit this, or perhaps doesn't even realize that this is part of what he yearns for, but he can be helpful in so many ways--immortal, inexhaustible, possessing knowledge of many practical skills, both a witness to history and a student of it...he has a lot of talents he just doesn't give himself credit for, BUT HE SHOULD!

Areas of Growth: If he ever hopes to find that sense of belonging, he has to learn how to actually articulate his feelings to anyone. Admittedly, opening up is hard for one who's been betrayed so many times, not to mention the secrets surrounding his existence that may be risky to divulge. Still, he should take the plunge eventually after warming up to someone, because he's not getting anywhere until he learns how to trust and be openly vulnerable again.

Barriers to Growth: His attitude is a defense mechanism due to his trust issues, but boy, it really doesn't do him any favors at present. Those that might otherwise enjoy his company could have a hard time recognizing that it's just a facade; even if they see through it, they may still have trouble breaking through the walls he's built. Not everyone is willing to be patient for a stranger that's only rude to them...that's what he's banking on, to push them all away.

Tagging: You. Again

[everlastingeccentric]

July plotting.

Get in touch via the group Discord or my Askbox.

It's wandering time. Just a couple for now as I recover from Lore™:

Wind Glider Exam (TAKEN, THANK YOU!): Wanderer obviously wouldn't be participating in something like this, but if someone wants to practice, I have the perfect guy to encounter you midair. ...And probably make fun of you. But hey, establishing connections is just like that sometimes! He could cave and give tips; he had to get used to flying, too...

Empyrean Cleanup (requires honkai muse): Wanderer wasn't a part of lore, but he did visit the planet, so hearing the news of what happened after his visit comes as a genuine surprise. A good mystery with a hint of danger is just the thing he would be sticking his nose into on any given day, and he would be doing it with zero protection. Which, of course, makes him stand out amongst the rescuers...

[everlastingeccentric]

[FIGHT CLUB] - Maybe you so happen to hear the rumors, or maybe you stumble upon it yourself. Welcome to the underground– place your bets and make a friend, or an enemy. There aren’t rules here, after all.

Once again, Acheron's aimless wandering and poor sense of direction have gotten her lost.

Once again, she's ended up in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and gotten herself into a fight.

Though, this fight, at least, seems less lethal than her usual misadventures.

It had started when she stumbled into a dingy underground bar, whose main attraction seemed to not be the alcohol or the questionable-quality food, but the fighting ring in the centre - and, naturally, gambling on said fights. And, perhaps, her response to a large, burly drunk leering at her had been a little threatening, violent even - but instead of turning on her as she feared, the crowd had cheered, shoved a drink into her hands - and ushered her into the ring.

And so, with the quiet patience of a blade waiting for the moment to strike, she sets her sword against a chair, takes off her blazer and hangs it over the edge, rolls up her sleeves, and turns to face her opponent, a short, wiry youth with a dangerous gleam in his eyes. And, strangely, there's an unfamiliar sense of familiarity about him; almost like gazing into a clouded mirror of her past...a shadow of thunder, a ghost of lightning, just like her.

Where others might see a scrawny kid, an easy target, Acheron recognises the well-trained stance he drops into, the determination in his gaze - and, further still, the subtly inhuman lines of his body. Despite the chaos of the situation, a slight smile slips across her face as the heady rush of combat begins to settle in. She's not one to fight for its own sake - but a sword she remains, and she never feels quite so alive as she does in battle. She fights the Nihility in her mind and soul, every moment - a battle of the physical, by contrast, is an invigorating reminder that not all things are futile. This should be an interesting challenge

"It appears our new friends want a show," she calls out across the ring, stepping into a guard stance of her own. "Shall we give them one? Show them what real skill looks like?"

Finally, some action! As soon as the Wanderer heard the rumors about an underground arena, he knew where he was going next. Maybe this miserable place had an activity worth his time, after all.

The worthless onlookers may have mocked him when he walked in, but he shut them up quickly when he revealed he could lift a man twice his size with one hand and throw him across the bar. The excitement for his appearance onstage was immediate, though he snarled if any dared push him into the ring. He quirks an eyebrow at his opponent's appearance.

Again??

The vagrant almost wants to interrogate this, ask if she's that other one, ask why she's even here, but there's something vacant in her expression that tells him that he wouldn't receive a satisfactory answer. At least she isn't sassing him, but he can't help but speculate if this is fate's latest way of messing with him. Is it wrong he almost feels used to this by now?

Well, at least it keeps him on his toes; he'll take out all his ontological frustrations on her. He smirks, sizing her up. Something tells him he won't be disappointed, be it her calculated stance, that impressive blade she walked in with, the fathomless depths of that look in her eyes, or the fact she even has the decency to show him respect. He hasn't really had much opportunity to spar with someone on his level since leaving the Fatui. Maybe he could get excited about this.

"Heh. As far as I'm concerned, it's just the annoying buzzing of a cacophony of insects. It's my honor to be your opponent--the 'show' will come naturally as a consequence of our battle." All mere mortals could do was dream about this level of power.

The bell rings, and the Wanderer charges at Acheron with blinding speed, winding up a punch.

[everlastingeccentric]

[SPARKLING WATER]

mei wasn't one to often treat herself to any fancy name brand , likely overpriced things , she felt no need , if she enjoyed things at an affordable price ? she had no reason to complain about it , but she'd figured since she was on some special trip , why not go and treat herself ? she'd always been curious about all the hype around sparkling water , but never really gotten the chance to figure out why .

so she'd bought herself one, finally opening it , taking a sip and realizing -- it was . . . nothing grand .

yet , out the corner of her eye , she saw a face, one that seemed almost a little familiar , buying one more before walking over , the sealed glass bottle held out to him from behind , a voice accompanied .

" thirsty ? i wasn't a huge fan , but it seems to be all the rave around here , Shadow . "

a clear teasing tone in her voice , paired with a smile . " i'd almost think you're following me with how much we end up running into each other . "

The Wanderer was in his natural environment--that is to say, lurking off to the side during the goings-on at the resort. He reflects upon the display of bottles with his hat pulled low over his face, arms crossed. They even have fancy water here? Truly, vain humans who only care about their own status have nothing better to do with their time, inventing luxuries for the sake of luxuries... How utterly pointless.

He's taken out of his contemplation by a voice that's becoming all too familiar. He looks up at Mei with his typical flat stare, greeting her with an equally-typical "You again? I could say the same thing, you know." (Seriously, was she stalking him?) "And my name's not 'Shadow'--that was just the title they gave me for that idiotic movie. Did you forget already?"

He does not offer an alternative, holding out his palm in a stopping motion. "Anyway, keep that drink to yourself, I'm just looking around."

He didn't really seem to be looking around...and now he's just looking at Mei. There was always something he couldn't shake about her, that uncanny resemblance that made no sense... She couldn't be another prototype, could she? She would have mentioned something by now, right?

Her friendly smile, unaware of the storm in his mind, only serves to irk him. Tch. He glances away.

[everlastingeccentric]

[FERRIS WHEEL]

"Huh? What the--" He's seeing things. Surely, Boothill thinks, as he scrambles to the front of the capsule and clasps the edge of the big, wide window. Not to peer down and admire the stretch of pristine white sands below, like a normal person, but to look up toward the wheel's apex. Just a second ago, he thought he'd seen someone nestled in a crook of the scaffolding near the top, and he catches another glimpse of them as his capsule draws steadily nearer.

"Some jackrabbit's left their dadgum kid up here!"

Obviously, that's the only explanation, against all the odds. A slight build, bobbed hair, fair skin, shorts - this couldn't be anything but a child, and how he'd gotten up there, at the top of a Ferris wheel some couple hundred feet tall? Well, Boothill was about to find out. Smashing his elbow through the window sends an eruption of startled, muffled screams from the capsule behind him as the shards of glass rain down over it. But he couldn't care less about making a scene at this very moment. He pops his head out, long hair hair whipping in the wind, and peers up at the place he'd thought he'd seen the kid sitting just a second ago.

"Yo!" He whistles, and then starts clambering out of the hole he's made. A metal body is good for these sorts of things, and the glass hardly fazes him as he climbs deftly onto the top of his capsule.

"How'd you get up here, kid?!" he shouts over the wind, and then leaps, catching himself on the center scaffolding that the whole wheel is hung on. Like rescuing a cat from a tree, he thinks, and little does he realize this one has claws like one.

"Y'best get down now. One wrong step 'n the folks waitin' at the bottom will be flippin' ya over like a flapjack on a griddle."

The Wanderer regarded the imposing wheel on the beach as an interesting vantage point more than anything else. Do humans really think they can touch the sky through this thing? Quietly enjoying the view in his own way, he didn't expect anyone to spot him on the scaffolding--aren't they supposed to be gazing out at the sunset, or whatever?!

Resistant to frivolous entertainment on any normal day, he creates his own amusement out of this ride, taunting the concerned guests inside by sticking out his tongue, disappearing the next second to torment a different cabin. He snickers, knowing this was the furthest thing from the "fun" Lesser Lord Kusanali wants him to have, but the game is violently interrupted with a cacophony of breaking glass.

Oh, maybe some of the other visitors aren't ordinary humans, either. He balks at Boothill's sudden appearance, the least appreciative of this "rescue mission" he apparently thinks he's on.

"Are you crazy?!" the vagrant shouts back, glaring down at the cowboy as the wheel rotates him above. Being called a "kid" fazes him less than the commotion this weirdo is causing--people on the beach were now taking notice, pointing and staring. "Don't you think I'd be calling for help if I needed rescuing?"

Ugh, time to get out of here. He leaps off of the wheel, one final scare for his audience. He slows his fall using a gust of Anemo, redirecting the wind to thrust him forward into flight, his hat disappearing in the process. Answering his question without words, the Wanderer blows a raspberry as he zips by Boothill, gravity no longer holding him; his laughter lingers in the air as the shocked bystanders are left to wallow in their confusion.

[everlastingeccentric]

[WINDOW SHOPPING] - You can’t miss the biggest shopping district this side of the stratosphere, chock full of any and everything your heart could desire! Stalls full to bursting with exotic fabrics and cheap bags branded with BUCCI and PARDA, knicknacks and souveniers for miles, overpriced streetfood at every corner… There’s something to be found for everyone!

Nahida stares up at the Wanderer with the largest, most pleading eyes she can manage. Beside her, her two aranara companions mimic her expression.

"Won't you come with me? We can grab some food we've never tired before, find some nice souvenirs, stuff to decorate our workspaces with, make some fun memories..."

A smirk flashes across her face next, mirth dancing in her eyes. "You do remember I told you to have some fun before we left, right?"

The Wanderer groans from his perch on a rooftop, glancing away from the sopping wet stares, arms firmly folded. Lesser Lord Kusanali was bad enough on her own; why'd she have to bring the beansprouts with her?! No one else here can even see them--this was a tactical assault on him alone.

"Your definition of 'fun' is different than mine," he retorts. "Fun" for the puppet was the opportunity to wipe the smug smile off of a troublemaker's face. "I have no need for food or useless trinkets. Besides, I'd just bring the mood down."

He looks back down at the trio, a huge mistake--they obviously don't agree, their adorable, pleading expressions still on their faces.

"Ugh, just don't go overboard, alright?" he finally concedes, riding a gentle breeze down to the street level. "I don't want to carry a bunch of junk on the way back to Sumeru."