⤷ @ I3RZ [she/they] , aroace + cupioromantic , 9teen , artist
STATUS: only active in HSR OC community !
ā” BEFORE YOU INTERACT ā I amĀ (unfortunately)Ā an awkward person , chances of becoming friends with me would be 50/50 , unless we have the same interests or eventually get closer ^^ ā [copypasted from my carrd]
ā ā ā ⤷ ā”NOTE ā I am not always online posting on Tumblr . I am catching up ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā ā on finishing commissions, personal art projects, etc.
šÆļø [INBOX] My inbox is always open. Feel free to ask questions or share your thoughts about my beloved Cursin !
š® [ ā ] more info about me:carrd - HSR cursin archives - HSR OC archives
ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ raven ā lone wanderer lost in a dream
faction : former (past) astral express member ,, now none.
element / path : wind + hunt unit.
lore : part 1 (not fully accurate but discusses present day raven.) ,, part 2 (up to date full explanation of past)
was meant to post this yesterday, but I was too lazy to annotate, and I still actually need to annotate / draw some extra stuff before I consider it a proper reference sheet so I'll update this when the time comes, but... she's redesigned !! sorta. also been studying @seravphi's artstyle during this hence the sudden change in style
past fit for reference of changes made
her overall design excluding her outfit hasn't really changed at all, wings, halo, facial features and scars all say the same minus the addition of the scar u can faintly see on the left of her leg ,, I've mentioned she has a few scars, I just always forgot to draw them.
under the cut I'll be explaining changes made + the symbolism of these changes !!
ą¼ her coat ā the back long part of her coat, previously simply just a basic design with a pinky reddish inside, has now changed shape to represent feathers and have stars on the inside. This links to two things : the back of her coat being feather-shaped like represents a replacement for her now missing back wings, like something to fill the hole of a major part she's lost of herself ,, the stars on the other hand link back to an old symbolism yap I made, and how raven often sees her family and those she's lost within the stars, she travels among the stars (travels among those she's lost) and carries the weight of the grief of all she's lost ā now carrying the stars of those she's lost upon her physical body, also linking to how she's essentially dedicated herself to carry the weight of her past and searching for the answers of it.
ą¼ the new belts on her body ā as a way to add more detail to her I thought belts would be fun to mess with as I could really put them anywhere. Here specifically they're meant to represent as a symbol of restriction (might sound a bit weird but while adding these I also made the link in my head to strait jackets ? as they restrict a persons mobility and freedom. of course raven doesn't actually have any reason to wear one.), the restriction she faces through multiple things : loss of freedom through the loss of her back wings, and even though that freedom was restored in having freedom of exploring the cosmos, it once more gets taken away by her goal being linked to her past and her being unable to escape her past until she finds answers and is only then able to step into the present/future. Meaning she is still restricted even if permitted freedom.
ą¼ the sleeve on her left ā this has no major symbolism I would say, the feather detail was simply added (with the help of @seravphi) because I wanted to give her an asymmetrical sleeve, and this design looked pretty cool. With her input I added more belts specifically on that sleeve compared to the one on the right, as the feathers once more make links to her wings ā restricted freedom.
ą¼ the bows changed to stars ā the bows she previously had now being changed to stars, I thought the bows and belts would clash, and also wanted to create more link between her coat and the rest of the outfit. The one on her torso being so close to her heart represents her loved ones being close to her heart, while the ones on her leg warmers can be interpreted as them always walking by her side.
ą¼ farmer esq details ā these don't hold any deep symbolism, just links to her farmer past. however, her cloak (?) part at the top has shifted to mainly cover one side now, as otherwise the sleeve felt awkward, and now has a plaid like pattern on it, same with the pinky-red part of her right sleeve, as I feel like that links to the sort of vibe of farmers. Her neck tie stays the same, same red colour, I simply removed the little heart that it used to have as a tie as that wasn't a symbol too noticeable by others and felt better to remove. She also has cowboy boots now for her main fit !! I was meant to draw a proper lil diagram of what they'd look like uncovered, but I'm lazy. Links to the farmer vibe and ties the belt colour in together.
day 43 drawing boothill until i stop struggling to draw his face
or is it...?
LOL THANK U SO MUCH TO MY FRIEND GUSHII MY GOAT RAHHH LETS GO ASADEN JUNEHILL !! also ill still be drawing something myself later today, so dont worry !!
Fluff scenarios of going to bed and waking up with Jiaoqiu, Aventurine, Jing Yuan, Argenti, and Dan Heng.
Jiaoqiu
š¶ļø As a doctor, Jiaoqiu canāt help but fuss over your health. If you have a habit of staying up late at night, he will reprimand you for depriving your body of necessary sleep, especially if you have to wake up early the following day. He nags at you to set aside your phone or work and go to sleep, tail swaying side-to-side in annoyance if you donāt comply quickly enough for his liking.
š¶ļø If you remain stubborn in your habits, Jiaoqiu will find a way to coax you to bed. As a healer specializing in food medicine, he knows the effects of a vast variety of herbs and spices and concocts a special blend of tea for you to drink around bedtime. Itās sweet aroma and soothing flavour help you relax enough for your exhaustion to take effect and urge you to go to bed. If youāre not a fan of tea, Jiaoqiu could whip up a cup of steamed puffergoat milk with honey to induce a similar effect or come up with another unique drink to suit your preferences.
š¶ļø Aside from baiting you with consumables, Jiaoqiu also has another ace up his sleeve to get you to sleep at a decent time. You like massages, right? How about he gives you a back rub before bed? Jiaoqiu knows all the most common spots on the neck and back that tend to suffer from tension, and his skilled hands do wonders to relieve any muscle knots or discomfort that you may have in those areas. He may even give you a leg massage and a foot rub if you ask, or even a full body massage if he feels like you deserve one. Jiaoqiu enjoys watching you melt and grow drowsy from the kneading of his hands, and feels accomplished if you do end up falling asleep because of his massage.
š¶ļø As fussy as Jiaoqiu could be about your bedtime, heās much more lax with his own. Sometimes his duties to General Feixiao force him to work overtime, much to his dismay. Heād love nothing more than to spend this time cuddling with you in bed, but here he is, poring over a stack of urgent documents. He usually sends you text messages telling you he will come home late and to not wait for him but will be pleasantly surprised if you stay up late to welcome him home. He lightly chastises you for not going to bed without him but will feel touched if you say you couldnāt sleep well without him by your side. Youāll get brownie points if you cooked him dinner. It may not be on par with his own cooking, but he does appreciate you looking out for him. Besides, coming home to a warm meal after an exhausting day can do wonders for oneās mood. Jiaoqiu rewards you with a kiss and a compliment on your cooking, which is high praise coming from him.
š¶ļø When it comes to sleeping, Jiaoqiu generally likes to do so while holding you close. His most preferred position is to spoon you from behind but heās also happy to let you spoon him instead. When he holds you, he likes tucking your head under his chin and draping his fluffy tail over you, ensuring you are completely wrapped up in his arms. Itās a great position during colder temperatures, but heāll reluctantly let you go if you get too hot.
š¶ļø If youāre the one spooning him, just know that Jiaoqiu knows whenever you stroke his tail. He sometimes pretends to be asleep during your āsecretā petting sessions, letting you run your hands along the soft fur before suddenly tickling your face with the tip of his tail. His stifled laughter gives away that heās not sleeping, but he can never contain himself when he hears you squeak and sputter in surprise at getting a face-full of fur. Pranking aside, Jiaoqiu does enjoy the feeling of you lightly combing your fingers through his tail. If you do it gently enough, it can lull him into a relaxed state and even make him drowsy. You can get a similar reaction out of him by rubbing the base of his ears where the fluffy part meets his head. Rub gentle circles against the fur with your thumbs, and Jiaoqiu will turn to putty in your hands, leaning his head into your touch.
š¶ļø Jiaoqiu is used to waking up early. When he was younger, he would wake up early to gather herbs to use in his cooking. Though that habit was disrupted during his time on the battlefield, he picked it back up when he ran a restaurant. Once he became Feixiaoās retainer, Jiaoqiu woke up early to cook her breakfasts since Feixiao also had a habit of getting up early to train, or to take care of some important duties. As a result, Jiaoqiu tends to wake up earlier than you. He spends a few minutes just basking in the warmth of your body, admiring how peaceful you look while asleep before slowly getting up. Heās good at being quiet so he usually slips away from you unnoticed.
š¶ļø If you have to wake up for an occasion like work or a meeting, Jiaoqiu will make sure you get up on time. If youāre the type to laze around in bed for a while or hit snooze repeatedly, Jiaoqiu will be there to serve as another alarm clock and nag at you to get up. Heāll start off by gently coaxing you to wake up, trying to bribe you with comments about having made your favourite meal for breakfast. If you continue to be lazy, heāll put on more pressure, like tugging the blankets off of you and opening the curtains to let sunlight in, chiding you about being late if you donāt get moving. Jiaoqiuās nagging can be annoying, but heās only doing it to look out for you. He doesnāt want you to stress about being late.
š¶ļø If you have time to sleep in, by the time you wake up, youāll be greeted to a delicious aroma of sizzling food. Jiaoqiu makes the two of you a balanced and hearty breakfast. He often goes on about the importance of a balanced diet and eating three meals a day, and will be aghast if he finds out you have a habit of skipping meals or eating poorly. He will personally make it his mission to make sure you eat three meals a day (no skipping breakfast on his watch) and that your meals are more balanced (eat your veggies!). He just worries about you, both as a doctor and your boyfriend. On the plus side, all your meals are guaranteed to be delicious.
š¶ļø While Jiaoqiu waits for you to wake up, he also makes you a lunch to bring with you to work. It gives him something to do and also serves as a peace of mind knowing youāll at least have a healthy lunch, or so he says when you ask him why he goes through so much trouble for your sake. Truth is, he just wants to do something nice for you because he loves you. Cooking for you is one of the ways he shows he cares, plus it boosts his ego to hear you compliment his cooking. If heās in a good mood, Jiaoqiu will make cute little faces on the sausages or egg rolls, or write a message on the rice with sauce or seaweed such as āYouāre doing goodā or a cheesy āI love youā to brighten up your day. Heās true husband material.
š¶ļø On the rare days you wake up before him, Jiaoqiu likes coming into the kitchen to find you busy cooking breakfast. As mentioned before, he appreciates you going out of your way to take care of him. Heās so used to taking care of others that he can sometimes neglect himself, so having you there to do that for him makes him fall in love with you all over again. While youāre busy at the stove, he quietly sneaks up behind you, only revealing his presence with a teasing remark about your poor cutting technique. The way you huff at him for nitpicking at your cooking skills just makes you all the more endearing to him, and Jiaoqiu hugs you from behind and nuzzles into the crook of your neck, tail swishing in joy. He may not say out loud how touched he is by your care, but he lets you know through his actions.
š¶ļø Depending on your cooking skill, Jiaoqiu will either sit back and idly watch you cook with a happy grin on his face or offer to assist you. If youāre proficient in the kitchen, he will be content to watch you work and quietly anticipate the moment he gets to try your cooking since itās not something he gets to eat often. While sampling your dish, heāll compliment you on the things you cooked well and give feedback on what you could do to improve your method if something isnāt quite right.
š¶ļø If cooking isnāt your strong suit, Jiaoqiu offers to help. Though he prefers to work alone in the kitchen, he can make an exception for you. Besides, he can use this as the perfect opportunity to teach you some cooking skills and bond with you over a shared activity. Jiaoqiu loves cooking and also loves you, so as far as heās concerned, heās getting a two-for-one deal. He also finds it cute the way you pay such careful attention to his instructions and try your best to carry them out, even if you still lack the skills to do it perfectly.
š¶ļø Regardless of whether itās you or him making breakfast, Jiaoqiu will be happy just to start his morning off by sharing a meal with you. Thereās something domestic about cooking for each other, eating around the same table while still dressed in pajamas, and kissing each other goodbye when you both leave for work. He could get used to this, Jiaoqiu notes with a smile. Though you jokingly call him your husband now, heād like it if that title became a reality one day.
Aventurine
š Due to Aventurineās busy schedule, itās difficult to have a set bedtime routine. He does try to get off work on time to have a few extra hours to spend with you, but sometimes meetings run late, or he gets saddled with missions that force him apart from you, so he has no choice but to message you to let you know heāll be coming home late. His texts are light-hearted and teasing to try and soften the news for you, but he feels guilty for being unable to spend time with you even if itās not his fault. Aventurine only hopes you donāt hate him for being too busy to see you. He may not say it out loud, but one of his fears is you leaving him because he doesnāt make you feel loved enough. He does love you, very much so, which is why he spoils you with expensive gifts and excursions to all kinds of luxurious or VIP places, but he knows money doesnāt make up for neglected emotions.
š On the nights he makes it home on time, Aventurine likes to spend his free time with you. You guys can do anything, he doesnāt have a strong preference as long as he gets to be with you. If you like, he can take you out on a date. Heās wealthy enough to land a spot at a fancy restaurant. You could dress up and let him wine and dine you, and then maybe go on a walk along one of the more scenic places belonging to the IPC.
š Alternatively, Aventurine is content to stay home and relax with a movie. He lets you pick what to watch since heās not as interested in the movie as he is in you, but he delights in seeing the excited shine in your eye when you choose something youāve been looking forward to watching. Aventurine likes it even more when you cuddle with him on the couch while watching said movie. Feeling your arms around him, your hands absentmindedly combing through his hair, and the rise and fall of your chest under his head soothes him. After a gruelling day of sifting through reports, putting on fake smiles, and making dangerous gambles to outwit his opponents, your gentle touch works wonders to help Aventurine relax. Itās not often that he feels safe and comfortable enough to let his walls come down but being enveloped by your warm and tender caresses makes him want to give in and let go for a bit. As soon as he does, his exhaustion washes over him, and Aventurine could easily fall asleep if heās not careful. Do forgive him if he falls asleep on you during the movie session, but your presence is simply too calming for him to resist.
š When it comes to sleeping in bed, things can get a bit cramped. Due to having slept in a big bed by himself for a while, Aventurine tends to sprawl his limbs out. He can unintentionally hit you with an arm or trap you in an embrace in his sleep if youāre within reach. His cat cakes also join you in bed. A couple will settle at your feet while another will sleep beside your heads. Some shameless ones will even lay on top of you as if you were their pillow. Itās not rare for you to wake up in a tangle of sheets and limbs, your attempts to break free accompanied by annoyed meows.
š Despite his cocky and suave attitude, Aventurine doesnāt come onto you unless he knows you want him to, even in bed. He remains respectful of your personal space, at most allowing himself to hold your hand while you chat about your day or drape an arm around you. His heart skips a beat when you press yourself closer to him and rest your head on his chest or pull him down to lay on yours. It makes him feel a complicated type of way to be this intimate with another person, to know you want to be that close to him, and to feel so cherished by you. Heās gotten more used to receiving your affection compared to before, but it can still overwhelm him sometimes. If you pet his hair, stroke along his back, or give him kisses, it helps him relax and accept your touch. Aventurine hasnāt felt this kind of affection in a very long time, which is why he needs some time to get used to it, but he does enjoy it. He likes being pampered and held by you.
š Aventurine finds that he sleeps better with you by his side. He sometimes has nightmares about his past and wakes up in a cold sweat. He doesnāt like disturbing you, but he feels relieved whenever you wake up alongside him. Just hearing your voice and feeling your touch helps ground him. Aventurine doesnāt like showing his vulnerabilities so easily, so he tends to brush off your concern and tell you to not worry. He just had a bad dream, itās nothing for you to concern yourself with. Heās unlikely to share any details about his nightmares with you until he feels 100% comfortable with opening up and being vulnerable, but he appreciates your attempts to comfort him, nonetheless. Just feeling your warm embrace and hearing you say things are okay and that what he saw was just a dream helps him calm down and drift off back to sleep easier than when he had to deal with these feelings alone. Aventurine notes that in general, heās been having less nightmares ever since he started sharing a bed with you. Perhaps feeling the warmth of another person by his side eases his mind on some subconscious level, or whatever other scientific explanation the Intelligentsia Guild offers on the matter. All Aventurine knows is that you bring a soothing presence into his life.
š During his business trips, Aventurine likes to call you while getting ready for bed. It's an opportunity for you to catch up and find out how the other is doing. Even if all you have to share are mundane things, he wants to hear them. Just hearing you talk about your day gives him a sense of normalcy and peace, taking his mind off the demanding tasks that await him the next day. Even if youāre not much of a talker, Aventurine will find topics of interest that he knows will get you to talk just so he could hear your voice. Itās not rare for you to talk at length about something only to realize that Aventurine fell asleep on the other line because your voice lulled him to sleep. He teases you all the time about missing him, but the truth that he doesnāt want to admit is that he misses you just as much, which is why he makes these frequent phone calls. Your voice provides him with a bit of comfort and reminds him to finish his mission as quickly as possible so he can see you again.
š Aventurine tends to wake up on time most mornings when he has to go to work. Some days he wakes up earlier than you if heās got an important meeting to attend, but usually he wakes around the same time as you do. He never gave much thought to the act of getting ready in the morning, but itās become one of the highlights of his day ever since you started living with him. Something about the act of waking up in each otherās arms, laughing if one of you tripped over a cat cake while getting out of bed, and eating breakfast at the same table is comforting. Such moments make him think of home, back when his sister was still with him. Being with you is not the same, but the feeling of contentment and happiness he feels in sharing his living space with you are similar.
š Aventurine is usually good at ensuring his appearance is impeccable, but even he has moments of letting a detail slip. The first time you pointed out that his tie was crooked, he reached to adjust it, but you beat him to it, retying his tie and carefully smoothing it down. The act surprised Aventurine but he found that he liked it when you fussed over him like that. From then on, he sometimes purposely tied his tie a little crookedly just so you would adjust it for him. While your eyes are directed at the tie, Aventurineās are fixed directly on you, his gaze softening with a subtle smile. Just when he thought he couldnāt fall in love with you more, you prove him wrong by showing your undying loyalty and care for his wellbeing. Aventurine doesnāt feel deserving of it, but he does appreciate you more than he can say. Later that day, expect to receive a bouquet of your favourite flowers and a card with an invitation to a restaurant as a thank you for helping him with the tie.
Jing Yuan
š¦ Jing Yuan tries his best to come home at a decent time, but being the Luofu General sometimes means he has to stay behind to deal with important matters for the safety of Luofuās citizens. Such is the burden he must bear as the one with great power. He wonāt blame you for going to bed without him, but heāll be saddened about not receiving a welcoming kiss from you. If he sees you already snoozing away cuddled under the sheets, heāll join you after going through his bedtime routine, pulling you close to him and quietly apologizing for waking you in the process. After a long and tiring day, he just wants to hold you and breathe in the comforting scent of your hair while drifting off to sleep. He doesnāt ask for much, so please grant him this simple wish.
š¦ Whenever Jing Yuan gets to go home on time, his mood is usually lifted at the prospect of having finished all work for the day and having the chance to relax at home with you. He sometimes makes a little detour to buy you some snacks for tea, already picturing in his head the tranquil moment heāll share with you while drinking tea and eating delicious pastries fresh from a bakery.
š¦ What he loves most about coming home is being welcomed back by you and his cat. Seeing the white feline running up to the door with you following in tow as soon as he walks in is the cutest sight. Jing Yuan also developed a routine of receiving a kiss whenever he comes home, and heāll lean down with the expectation of getting one from you. Never mind that he hasnāt taken off his shoes or jacket yet, he wonāt move until he gets his kiss.
š¦ Evenings with Jing Yuan are generally lazy. He eats dinner with you while discussing the dayās events, complaining to you about the amount of work piled up on him, reminiscing about past memories, or making plans for the future so he can book a day off in advance. After dinner, heās content to spend time with you doing nothing. His favourite is resting his head on your lap and feeling you comb your fingers through his messy hair. He finds your touch comforting and loving, just the thing he needs after a hard day. Of course, he wouldnāt be the Dozing General if he didnāt fall asleep on your lap, but he canāt help himself. The tranquillity of the moment makes him sleepy, plus your thighs make a good pillow to take a nap on.
š¦ Sometimes Jing Yuan invites Yanqing over to spar or play a game of star chess. He likes watching you get along with his apprentice, especially when you both team up against Jing Yuan during board games after he sneakily steals a piece from the board. Your outraged reactions are too amusing, so the Luofu General canāt resist from purposely getting a reaction out of you and his apprentice.
š¦ It sometimes surprises Jing Yuan when you compliment him on his fighting prowess or cunning chess play during his spars and chess games with Yanqing. The General doesnāt do these things to show off, but he feels flattered that you pay attention to him and recognize his talents. He has a reputation of being lazy and laidback, and his frequent ābreaksā to come visit you instead of doing his paperwork do him no favours. However, he isnāt the Luofu General just for his good looks, and he appreciates you recognizing that. Jing Yuan internally preens at your praise while trying to play it cool in front of Yanqing, but will later wrap you up in a hug and nuzzle against your neck like an affectionate cat, overcome by a surge of love because of your compliments.
š¦ Another one of Jing Yuanās favourite evening activities is bathing with you. Heās got a large tub that can fit both of you comfortably, so why not make use of it? He enjoys the non-sexual intimacy that comes with sharing a bath. He enjoys the moment of closeness when youāre both at your most vulnerable. Just soaking in the warm water while holding you against him feels cozy to Jing Yuan and helps him relax. He also enjoys making silly little games using soap foam, such as constructing foam horns on your head or dabbing some foam on your nose to make you laugh. Additionally, he likes letting you pamper him by washing his hair or scrubbing his back. Something about being taken care of by you is soothing to him, and he makes sure to return the favour by washing you in return if youāll let him.
š¦ When it comes to sleeping, Jing Yuan likes positions where he can feel your body against his. Whether youāve got your head on his chest or heās spooning you from behind, he doesnāt care as long as he can feel you. It helps him fall asleep easier knowing youāre beside him. His cat also joins you in bed, usually sleeping by your feet or next to your heads. Itās become a routine for it to curl up and sleep with your pair.
š¦ Before actually falling asleep, Jing Yuan likes to chat with you about everything and anything. Nighttime is when you have a moment strictly to yourselves, away from the responsibilities that weigh down on you during the day. To Jing Yuan, nighttime is when you can forget about the things that happened that day and the things that await you tomorrow and just live in the present moment, even if just for a few minutes. He finds it to be the most comfortable time for philosophical discussions, revelations about your pasts, musings for future ambitions, or quirky questions and answers that make you both laugh. Itās a time when you can both be yourselves without any pretences or expectations and bond on a more intimate level. Furthermore, Jing Yuan has developed a habit of wishing you goodnight and kissing your forehead before going to sleep. Even in situations where you fall asleep before he does, he still lightly kisses your forehead before joining you in dreamland.
š¦ Mornings with Jing Yuan are even lazier than the evenings. After his alarm goes off, heās in no rush to get up, preferring to stay cozied up under the sheets for another few minutes. If you try to shake him awake before heās ready to get up, Jing Yuan will just wrap an arm around you and pull you close, sleepily mumbling to give him five more minutes while nuzzling into your hair. Despite him being only partially awake, youāll be immobilized by his sheer strength. It can be a hassle getting him up, but if you nag him enough, Jing Yuan will reluctantly get out of bed.
š¦ When the Luofu General has no pressing matters to attend, he will get ready for work slowly. Everything he does is unhurried, whether it be brushing his teeth, getting dressed, or eating breakfast. He takes his time with each task. Heād like it if you could slow down and savour these moments with him but wonāt force you to match his pace if itās not your thing. Heāll only sigh in disappointment if you rush about the house, scrambling to get ready, and lament about being unable to enjoy a slow morning with you.
š¦ As a General, Jing Yuan usually has his meals prepared for him by professional chefs under his employ, so you and he get to eat a big and delicious breakfast each morning. However, if you offer to make breakfast for the two of you, he can make arrangements to hand over breakfast duty to you. Even if the things you make arenāt as grandiose as what his chefs could make, Jing Yuan still looks forward to eating your cooking. How could he possibly turn down the opportunity to eat food made specially for him by the one he loves? If anything, having you cook for him would make Jing Yuan feel spoiled and loved. Heāll smile like a happy cat while chowing down on your cooking and thank you for the delicious meal with a hug and a kiss.
š¦ Jing Yuan isnāt a sloppy man, but his sleepiness can affect his appearance. When getting dressed, he might forget to button the cuffs or tie a ribbon crookedly, so he greatly appreciates you coming to his rescue by pointing out when things look out of place. He may be called the Dozing General and have a reputation for being lazy, but he canāt afford to appear dishevelled in front of his subordinates. Likewise, Jing Yuan keeps an eye on your outfit too, pointing out if you put on something backwards or if your socks donāt match and things like that. Heās also got a good memory and helps you find items youāve misplaced, like your keys or phone. He finds mutually helping each other a natural part of living together.
š¦ Jing Yuanās morning wouldnāt be complete without a goodbye kiss from you. Regardless of which one of you leaves the house first, it became a habit for you to kiss the other goodbye. Jing Yuan will even drag himself out of bed while still half-asleep just to see you off if you leave earlier than him. Itās not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but he finds it heartwarming to wish you a nice day and get the same sentiment in return. He likes being able to see you one more time before being whisked away to his mountain of duties as a General and will be a little brat if you deny him a kiss. Jing Yuanās day feels brighter just knowing you care enough about him to see him off, and he looks forward to seeing you again after work so he can feel your lips on his once more when he returns.
Argenti
š¹ Having a set routine with Argenti is difficult because he travels so much. The only way you could consistently see him is by traveling alongside him through the universe on his One and Only, and even then, he could disappear on a planet for extended periods of time. As a chivalrous knight, Argenti was notorious for getting wrapped up in strange incidents or rescuing people from monsters and catastrophes. Itās not rare for you to not see him for several days before he returns covered in bruises and scratches and a lengthy apology for leaving your side for so long. It makes him happy whenever you welcome his return with a hug or a kiss after a long absence because he dearly misses your affection.
š¹ Your evenings with Argenti are varied. If he comes home injured, you know to get the first aid kit to treat any minor wounds. Argenti reassures you that you donāt have to trouble yourself on his behalf, but heās thankful for your kind heart and desire to care for him. He makes sure to express his gratitude by taking your hand and kissing the back of it while saying his thanks.
š¹ If he sustains heavier injuries and must get treatment from a doctor, Argenti makes sure to message you the first chance he gets to let you know he wonāt be able to see you until he recovers. It breaks his heart to leave you alone, but he knows youāll be more upset at him for not getting the treatment he needs, so he stays put. In events like these, he makes sure to message and call you every day until he gets released, wanting to know how youāre doing.
š¹ On most evenings, Argenti comes home with little gifts. Sometimes it a piece of a monster he defeated that he found interesting and wanted to show off to you. Other times itās things from planets he visited, like a trinket that caught his eye or a delicacy he wants you to try. Argenti enjoys learning about other cultures and exploring the unique things the universe has to offer, and he wants to share that joy with you. Since you canāt always join Argenti on his adventures, he uses these items to connect you to them and let you experience a tiny fraction of his journey.
š¹ Argenti also likes to spend his evenings polishing his armour and lance. Youāre welcome to join him if you like, Argenti will show you how to do it properly. As a Knight of Beauty, he is particular about his appearance. How can he relay the magnificence and importance of his beloved Idrila if he lets his armour and weapon grow dull and rusty from neglect? He would bring dishonour on his Aeon and his title as a knight, which is why he polishes his armour until it reflects your faces like a mirror. If you manage to come close with your polishing, Argenti will be proud of you and will praise you for your hard work and dedication to beauty.
š¹ The Knight of Beauty has always been fascinated with all kinds of dances, be it ballet, tango, contemporary, hip-hop, and many more. Pretty much anything is appealing to him as long as itās not crass and sexual. While he could learn some solo dance styles, a few others required him to have a dance partner which he didnāt have until he started living with you. He suggests for you to learn a dance together and will be happy if you agree, but disappointed and understanding if you turn down his offer. Argenti isnāt a perfect dancer but heās eager to learn and improve. Having you as his dance partner is perfect because he can improve his skills while simultaneously doing something romantic with you. He doesnāt mind if you have two left feet or step on his toes, he just wants to spend some quality time with you.
š¹ In general, Argenti lets you choose what you guys will do in the evenings. Heās happy to join you on your hobbies and watches you with a soft look in his eyes. Argenti thinks youāre at your most beautiful when youāre talking about the things you love. The way your expression lights up in excitement makes his heart melt. He may not understand the appeal behind some of your hobbies or be bad at them, but heās determined to learn all he can about them simply because they make you happy.
š¹ If he comes home late and finds you asleep in the lounge while waiting for him, Argenti feels immense guilt. He doesnāt like keeping you waiting or making you worry about him, and while he wishes to apologize immediately, he swallows his words in favour of letting you sleep. He carefully picks you up and carries you to bed, silently promising to make it up to you in the morning.
š¹ Argenti is a gentleman, so when you sleep in the same bed together, he tries his best to respect your boundaries. Unless you tell him itās okay, he will keep his hands to himself and stay on his side of the bed. It may seem like he doesnāt want to be close to you, but in reality, heās just worried about invading your personal space. Kissing and hugging when youāre out and about it one thing, but sleeping all cuddled up isnāt for everyone, and he knows that. Nevertheless, heāll be really happy if you express a desire to be closer and let him hold you. Even then, he tries to be respectful by simply wrapping an arm around you but will hug you more if you tell him to. If you want to cuddle him, he lets you, relishing in your affection. The scent and warmth of your skin soothe him, and Argenti finds he grows sleepy quicker when you hold him.
š¹ The red-haired knight is an early riser, so he usually wakes up long before you do. Heās used to waking up early to go training, but itās been harder for him to get out of bed ever since you started sleeping with him. Waking up to the sight of your sleeping face never gets old for Argenti. Even when your hair is messy and thereās drool dripping out of the corner of your mouth, Argenti still thinks youāre the loveliest view he has ever seen, and he takes a moment to admire how beautiful you look in your sleep. If he wakes up to find your head on his chest and your limbs wrapped around his body, his heart skips a beat. Thereās something so endearing about you using him as a pillow and pressing close like that, that Argenti struggles to summon the will to leave you. How could he when you look so cute? Alas, he regretfully parts from your side to start his day, but he shelves that memory to fondly reminisce over later that day.
š¹ Argentiās mornings usually start with training. He wants to be in top physical condition and keep his skills sharp to handle any situation that comes his way, especially when it comes to slaying monsters. Heās lost a few people dear to him because he wasnāt strong enough, so heās determined to improve and grow stronger so he can protect others and most of all you. If you express an interest in exercising in the mornings, Argenti would be happy assist you in any way he could. Heāll wake you up early, make you breakfast, and help you with your workouts if you need it. Heās always up to spar with you, eager to help both of you improve your fighting skills, but he can also assist you with stretches or keep you company for cardio exercises if those are more your thing.
š¹ If you prefer sleeping in, Argenti tries to surprise you with breakfast in bed. Itās nothing fancy as heās not the best cook, but he tries to make it look appetizing. He wakes you up and gives you a good morning kiss before placing down a tray sprinkled with rose petals on your lap. On the tray you can spot a hearty sandwich, some scrambled eggs, coffee or tea, and a red rose perched in a vase. Itās not much but he hopes it makes you happy. If you praise his efforts, Argenti will light up like the sun, proud for having pleased you and helped you start your day off right. Nevertheless, he wants to surprise you with more elaborate dishes which is why he takes up practicing some recipes in secret. His attempts arenāt always a success, but he keeps at it until he succeeds because he wants to impress you.
š¹ If you offer to cook breakfast instead, Argenti will look forward to whatever it is you make. It can be an elaborate dish or something lumpy and a little overcooked, he will eat it all simply because you made it. Regardless of whether youāre a great or bad cook, Argenti will always give your food and yourself a compliment because heās touched by the effort you put in to make something for him. He also offers to wash the dishes afterwards, claiming you did your part by cooking breakfast.
Dan Heng
š When you joined the Astral Express as a pathstrider of the Trailblaze and Dan Hengās lover, Pom Pom was in a bind about where you could sleep on the train. The Express didnāt have enough bedrooms for this many people, so Pom Pom was relieved when you agreed to share the archives room with Dan Heng. For his part, Dan Heng tried to convince you to look for a proper bedroom because it would be more comfortable than sleeping in the archives, but ultimately accepted to having you move in with him.
š March 7th teased you for sharing a room, commenting how you and Dan Heng were like a married couple, but in truth, Dan Heng treated you more like a roommate than a romantic partner. He got you a spare futon and placed it in a free corner of the archives, designating that as your personal spot, and reassured that you will get used to the hum and lights of the machines. His attitude might seem aloof and almost cold, but he is just trying to respect your personal space.
š Thoughts of sharing a bed with you did cross Dan Hengās mind, but he brushed them off, thinking he would make you uncomfortable if he asked so soon. Sharing a room is already a huge step and he didnāt dare cross the line by asking you to sleep with him. If you want to share a bed with Dan Heng, you will have to make the suggestion yourself because he wonāt think to do so anytime soon.
š Dan Heng doesnāt mind how you choose to spend your free time in the evenings. A lot of the members of the Astral Express are eager to spend time with you, so he understands if youāre too busy playing chess with Welt and listening to him rave about animation or helping March take photos and shop for cute items to spend time with him. If you do decide to spend time with Dan Heng, expect to do something productive. Since heās read a lot of data entries in the database about all kinds of things out there in the universe, Dan Heng naturally wants to test a few things out for himself. He lets you join in on his experiments if youāre curious about them, all the while explaining the theory and science behind the project in a way that you can easily understand.
š Another way he likes to spend time with you is playing board games. Chess is his go-to but he can play others things like cards and whatever else you suggest. Dan Heng usually wins in most of your games but he can make a tactful loss if it means making you happy. If there are games you want to play that require more people, March 7th and the Trailblazer get roped in to play. Having them around usually makes the games chaotic yet fun, but Dan Heng makes sure to keep an eye on everyone lest things spiral out of control.
š His absolute favorite activity to do with you is reading. Settling in a quiet corner of the train with a good book and a cup of hot tea in hand is Dan Hengās preferred way to unwind. He enjoys it when you join him with a book of your own or another quiet activity so you can spend some time together just doing your own thing. Dan Heng is also happy to discuss any books with you. Though he usually reads scientific literature, heās willing to read things you like so you can talk about it and share your impressions. Heāll be happy if you try to do the same with his books and will be understanding if his reading material is difficult for you to grasp. In such an event, he will explain what his book is about and basically teach you the material if youāre willing to hear him out.
š Dan Heng also likes to read before bed. When everyone is settling in for the night, he stays up to read in bed with his nightlight on. He doesnāt mind if you ask him to read aloud to you even if he finds it awkward at first. His books are dry, so he wonāt blame you if you fall asleep while listening to him, but heāll be touched and a little flustered if you say you like the sound of his voice. He never thought much about his own voice, but itās flattering to hear you want him to read out loud just because you like listening to it.
š When sharing a bed with you, Dan Heng likes to drape an arm around your waist or hug you against his chest. He also barely moves in his sleep unless heās having nightmares, so youāll find him in the same position he went to sleep. Heās a light sleeper and will easily wake up if you move around too much or make any noise such as going to the bathroom (but heāll wait for you to return before going back to sleep). Times when you manage to get out of bed without waking Dan Heng are rare, and usually only happen if heās extremely tired.
š Sharing a bed with another person and being so physically close is foreign to Dan Heng, but he doesnāt mind as long as its you. He did feel a bit awkward at the start but has sense grown used to having you so close. He found he even likes feeling your presence beside him because it reassures a subconscious part of him that youāre safe. In fact, he grows so used to it that he becomes unable to fall asleep without you as easily because he has a constant sense as if something important were missing. Dan Heng also developed a habit of kissing your forehead and wishing you goodnight right before going to sleep, but if he canāt do it because youāre separated for a mission, then he makes sure to at least send you a text to check in on you and wish you goodnight.
š Though he doesnāt get nightmares as often as he used to, Dan Heng still experiences occasional bad dreams about his past life. He became better at coping with them ever since he came to terms with his identity, but some of the scenes in his dreams still leave him rattled and he struggles to fall back asleep. If his thrashing wakes you, Dan Heng apologizes and tells you to go back to sleep while he steps out for some air. If you follow after him with questions and worries about what happened, heāll share his nightmares and confide in you, trusting you as his partner to reveal that information about his past. Dan Heng doesnāt require comfort since these scenes are all in the past and theyāre not technically āhisā memories either, but he appreciates you being willing to hear him out. Talking to you about his dreams can sometimes help him sort out his feelings and feel at ease again.
š Chances to sleep in on the Express are rare since Pom Pom ensures everyone is up on time for breakfast. As a natural early riser, Dan Heng seldom has problems waking up early and getting out of bed and will wake you up too, so Pom Pom wonāt yell at you to get up. If youāre someone who struggles to wake up early, Dan Heng wonāt force you to get up if youāre reluctant to get out of bed, but heāll warn you that the conductor wonāt let others eat unless everyone is gathered at the table. As annoying as they are, such are the rules at the Astral Express. Whatever Pom Pom says, goes.
š Much like everyone else on the train, you are also a part of cooking duty. Everyone must do their part to help keep the place running, as Pom Pom explained. Even if youāre not the best chef in the world, if youāre better than Himeko then thatās more than enough reason to keep you on the schedule. If you really struggle with cooking, then Dan Heng will help you prepare breakfast. He knows a lot of recipes and is an adept cook, arguably the best on the Express, so he knows his way around the kitchen. Rest assured you will be in good hands with him in charge, and something delicious will be ready for the crew to indulge in regardless of how much you screwed up in the process. If you like, he could even teach you how to prepare some basic dishes.
š If youāre a good cook, then Dan Heng will ask you to teach him some of your recipes, particularly ones from your home planet that he hadnāt encountered before. He likes learning new things and finds it valuable to learn more about your culture and customs. Itās a part of your life, and Dan Heng wants to know you as best he can both as his partner and as a person.
š When itās his turn to cook, Dan Heng will accept any suggestions you might have about what he should make for breakfast. Sometimes he takes your preferences into account and either makes one of your favourite dishes or incorporates one of your favourite foods into whatever heās making. He doesnāt do it all the time though, so the rest of the Express crew wonāt think heās showing favouritism (March knows and rats him out).