[noctether]

Do not believe in what a history fictionologist has to say.

private, mutuals only roleplay blog, penned by Guts [ 27, M. ] with sporadic activity. this blog is multimuse & multiship, from whatever fandom I am interested at the moment. whilst I write to have fun, most of my writing contains angst & depression, sometimes going a step too far into nihilism. topics not safe to work are present, and I prefer that minors stay away from here. this applies to personal blogs as well.

a plethora of muses are present, but mainly, my focus is on JING YUAN from Honkai: Star Rail.

the rest consists of Dan Feng [HSR], Blade [HSR], Gallagher [HSR], Geshu Lin [WuWa], Calcharo [WuWa], && Capitano [GI].

tags that should be working: [ prompts ]

As a person that talks too much in real life, I like to stay quiet to recover my energy whenever I can. This means I’m not your yapper. At maximum, I will offer links to fan arts from Twitter when I find them cool enough. Please don’t take it personal if I end up not replying to your IMs.

This blog contains NSFW and ERP. I will tag it, but don’t expect me to hide it that much. ERP is fun and I like writing it, albeit expect a degree of angst to seep in regardless of the character I am writing. Likewise, violence and some darker themes will be present, such as s.a. for characters like Blade and Jing Yuan.

I love two things: shipping and plotting. Especially when the plotting comes with shipping, and then we make them break up. Unhappy ending might be my favorite thing ever. However, this doesn’t mean I’m not up for other things. Cute and fluffy things are welcome!

I’m a multi shipper and rare pair enjoyer, so, whatever character you have, we can make it work. Do pay attention that I don’t ship with OCs, though. Nothing against them, I find them impressive! Just had one too many bad experiences.

The mun is 27 years old, has a life outside of roleplay, and will take his time. Sometimes I will write quickly, sometimes it will need a while; as usual, don’t take it personal. Also, don’t drag me into dramas.

Guts has absolutely NO icons. I don’t use them, ever. The format of my posts is in the bare minimum, too. If you like styling your posts, great! But don’t expect it from me.

I also roleplay in discord! If this is better for you, let me know and we can work things out there.

Art by @/mamurica [twt]

[noctether]

Msg me or hit the heart/comment buttom who rp in discord as well 🫡

[noctether]

i'll rb this for like, 2 more times before actually deactivating

[noctether]

Msg me or hit the heart/comment buttom who rp in discord as well 🫡

[altarfates]

❛ for being someone you hate, i'm sure on your mind a lot. ❜ + [ bathroom ] sender and receiver go to a public restroom together and have a normal conversation in between the stalls (jingren)

Beset by hatred for so long he does not know how extrication might look, the harrowing echo of it sears with each breath he takes, staining the edges of his vision in a sickening red. A revenant of the past he roves through memories and his present simultaneously, at times he was uncertain to which he currently belonged. The apparition of Jing Yuan descends upon him with a terrible clarity, his voice a baritone that felt hauntingly familiar, despite the smooth lilt of it those words abrade upon his skin leaving him red and raw. He fixes his stare forward, the vacuous scarlet that coiled around his pupils is cast strange and malevolent under the shuddering fluorescent lights. He cannot ignore it, even if he confined those wraiths in the darkest reaches of his mind they would find him, they always did. The breath that falls from the grim receding of his lips is a moribund hiss, as if he were dying or already dead. He had been both of those things and neither all at once for such a long, long time.

❛ you think I could forget ? ❜ for one whose recollection transposes between being amorphous and distant to acute detail pressing in on him from all sides it was difficult to say what he did remember. This was not one of those moments of leniency where he was permitted such a reprieve. ❛ … or is it that you were hoping I would ? ❜  

[noctether]

For a ship as big as the Xianzhou Luofu, which conducts all kinds of trades with all kinds of people coming from al kinds of planets, a general welcome infrastructure is a must. They had these since long, and Jing Yuan made sure to keep it working perfectly— by setting someone to oversee it on his place, naturally. He’s too busy to know if each public toilet is in function, but he does have the general number of them in his mind and a few reports spread around his office.

To have the General sneak into one of these public toilets, however, is not a sight one can catch easily. One, because, well, Jing Yuan does have his own private toilet, both at home and at the Seat of Divine Foresight. Second, because that’s the thing about being sneaky: one’s not seen. Or at least trying not to be seen.

Ren had chosen a good moment to make his way into one, more distant and less used. Jing Yuan had caught a glimpse of him by chance, perhaps even led by one of his finches, but this is a mystery for another day. Or night, given that the automated solar system above them is already displaying the nighttime. Jing Yuan barely has to lean onto a wall to see the object of his sneakiness, seemingly a bit lost in his own daydreams. Though, daynightmares might fit better in Ren’s case.

“Wouldn’t that be the best outcome?” Sighs Jing Yuan in a reply from a conversation that maybe he shouldn’t have started. Talking to the souls lost in the past are always painful to him. Jing Yuan is such a masochist. “No records of this rage. No memories of the pain. You’d fare much better were you not to remember the road you took.”

Willingly, Jing Yuan mustn’t say. He’s not aware of how much Ren remembers, but when they all talked together like adults— well, uh, just a little bit like adults, given that soon enough two of the four began trying to kill each other— Ren seemed very lucid and in the known. As much as Jing Yuan’s heart broke seeing Jingliu striking him down, he had expected some sort of… reconciliation between Ren, Dan Heng, and their past.

His hopes have always been unfunded when it came to his friends.

“But I’m also selfish.” The General hums, his gaze downcast, set on Ren’s hands. He’s not about to confess his own heart to a man mentally ill, sick of something that only death can cure, is he? Although Ren may not remember his words come tomorrow, Jing Yuan will always feel unease. He’s the pillar, he must be steady. His role is support, assurance. He can’t start shaking just because out of nowhere, someone he thought was long gone decides he’ll haunt Jing Yuan once more. No, not Jing Yuan. It has never been him the cause behind his friends’ arrival, besides maybe Dan Heng. He’s not that important. “Say, Stellaron Hunter. What brings you here, hm? Surely not looking for a spot for a date, I presume.”

[noctether]

When he put his hand on Yingxing’s lower back to accompany him to the exit, Dan Feng had thought he was the depiction of bold. However, Yingxing easily outdoes him by kissing his cheek, and thus leaving it clear that there is no misunderstanding here: they are both attracted to each other. That’s… a good thing, right?

“I will be waiting.” Dan Feng closes the door then, watching from the window as Yingxing drives away. It seems that he may have a date soon. His alarm goes off and he notices that it was true: a date with work. The doctor shakes his head to try wave off that pretty face, the softness of his lips, and how overall good Yingxing looks. He must focus on work.

Yingxing texts him first, and Dan Feng replies in kind. Albeit, his texts are much dry, without tone tags or emoticons. It feels polite enough, he supposes. They reach a consensus about a day for Yingxing to drop by, replace the piece that must be replaced, and then they can go for dinner. If Yingxing had tried to make any flirtatious comment, Dan Feng did not notice. He’s not very good at taking hints when it comes to romance, even less via text.

When the fateful day comes, however, Dan Feng is caught up in a surgery that lasts much longer than it was planned. Thus, once he’s done, the first thing he does (after talking to the family of his patient), is call Yingxing. He tells the man that he is on his way and apologizes for the delay. Thankfully, Yingxing’s scheduled arrival was set to a few minutes ago, giving Dan Feng an idea that he didn’t let Yingxing waiting for too long.

Once he reaches his own place, Dan Feng is still dressed in white, hair tied up in a high ponytail, the only difference in color being his red earring. “I’m terribly sorry that you had to wait for me,” sighs out the doctor while opening the door to his house. He lets Yingxing in first, following right back. “Let me make it up for you by paying tonight.” His tone doesn’t give room for debate. Dan Feng goes around turning the lights, his house big but… empty. “Would you mind if I were to shower while you replace the piece? I shall not take long.”

[xianzhou-craftsman]

It's nice to have something to look forward to, and thinking about Dan Feng makes Yingxing all giddy. Even if he texts like an old man. Somehow, that's part of his charm. When Baiheng asks him about their first meeting, Yingxing can't even hide the fact that he's rapidly developing a crush, and he gets teased for it extensively. He doesn't really care though. There were sparks flying between them even in the short time they had with each other, and he knows Dan Feng felt it, too, since he was the one making the bold moves first.

So Yingxing is very confident and full of anticipation when he makes his way back over to Dan Feng's. He rings the doorbell and is left waiting for a while, but he doesn't particularly mind. He reties his ponytail and checks his appearance in his phone once more, and that's when Dan Feng does show up, looking... "You look like the love interest in one of those terrible medical dramas." The ones where there's always copious amounts of making out in the elevator. Yingxing's teenage girlfriend liked to watch them and make fun of them, only for both of them to somehow still grow invested. Giving Dan Feng an appreciative once-over, Yingxing decides he likes reality more.

And he's a gentleman, too! Yingxing certainly won't say no to being treated to dinner, even if his cheeks flush a little at the thought. He doesn't think anyone's ever paid for him on a date before, actually. He follows Dan Feng inside with a smile, but falters when he speaks up again. "You... uh, you want to shower... while I'm in the same room working?" It's not that he minds, he certainly does not, and he would be very respectful and do his best not to accidentally catch any glimpses, but the idea of it still has him blush properly. "I... uh, su-sure. I don't mind."

[noctether]

Contrary to Dan Feng, who couldn’t take his time to get ready properly, Yingxing had done a nice job cleaning up. His hair was gathered behind himself, with bangs framing his face in a beautiful way. Dan Feng doesn’t think any term suits Yingxing better than beautiful. The man isn’t clad in dirt anymore, something that Dan Feng doesn’t mind in general, but is open to complain in case he plans to take Yingxing around, especially if ‘around’ means bed, because while he’s not neurotic with cleaning, he likes to sleep on clean sheets.

Dan Feng is about to compliment Yingxing’s look when the man casts a… was that a judging gaze? Or is it just appreciative? By the way he’s looked over with lust in Yingxing’s eyes, he supposes the latter, then. “Wouldn’t it make you the main character?” Dan Feng cocks an eyebrow up, the lines of his face not displaying much, but the softness of his teal eyes are enough to tell on his playfulness.

Yingxing doesn’t discuss on who’s paying and Dan Feng is pleased with it. He doesn’t like to repeat himself, and there isn’t room to discussion when he sets his words— because Dan Feng is a little stubborn shit. He’d never admit being wrong unless something serious might occur from it, and honestly, rarely does he offer that olive branch. As they make their way deeper into Dan Feng’s home, the doctor has to pause on his tracks, cocking an eyebrow towards Yingxing once more. This time, he’s serious, no tone of concealed mirth or even flirt. “Yingxing, the piece you need to replace is from the sink of the kitchen. I assure you I’d never impose that you have to be present while I shower.”

Maybe other people would make fun of it, maybe they would be sly and take advantage of the situation. Dan Feng thinks that Yingxing is being genuine and thus, replies accordingly. He did get Yingxing’s agreement though, and so heads towards the second floor where his room and a few more adjacent rooms are. Such a big house for only one occupant. Before disappearing, though, he adds, “make yourself at home, please.”

Dan Feng makes a short work of cleaning up, deciding to wash his hair again tomorrow instead. He did it last night so it should be fine. It takes less than ten minutes for him to come back to Yingxing, hair down and face slightly flushed from the warm shower. The doctor decides to let his locks rest today, so he’s going to let them free. Dressed on baggy jeans and a skinny black turtleneck, fabric hugging the muscles of his body, Dan Feng barely shows off the skin of his hands and face. He’s lean, but he can pack a good punch.

“I’m ready.” Announces him with finality once he picks the keys of his car. Dan Feng has red lines under his eyes, a soft make-up he passed on quickly. He likes the way it makes his eyes display their colors more intensely. That, plus the earrings, is what he carries on himself. Not many would take him for a rich and famous doctor when he’s dressed like this. The man offers a hand for Yingxing to take, his features showcasing a slight smile. “What is your opinion on Chinese food, Yingxing? I plan to take you to a new filial of a chine restaurant of my liking. Do let me know if you have preference for something else.”

[shards-of-the-lost]

Continuation of [this] @noctether

⋆˙⟡ Jing Yuan and Jien YueXia

Bowing her head slightly and closing her eyes for a moment Jien expresses her gratitude to the agreement to postpone this meeting with the Marshal. A night of dreamless sleep is what she needed and a clean day afterwards, free of work, that alone would suffice in recharging her to take on a braver and more jaded face for the Marshal. For a brief moment she indulges in questions of the character she is yet to meet, the potential temperament she may hold, the lines of her face and her way of speech. She has never met her, yet she had already made a dozen faces for her and a dozen more stories and personalities.

“An ending.. As such, immortal or not, we will all meet our end and so will that tree that has caused you so much trouble. As long as we don’t think ourselves trapped in checkered boxes, we’ll find a way” she told him, smiling her tired, yet no less genuine smile. Those words seem to have exhausted her vocabulary on the particular matter, even if a sea of thoughts could be spewn between them both on the meaning of life and death and battles, the topic ended there and then.

His answer to her question was one she expected, but she found herself caught off guard all the same. Owlishly blinking at him was the only answer she could muster in the moment as though he had suddenly spoken in a language she barely knew the words of. The people, that was his answer and such an honorable one at that, selfless as well. Jien couldn't help but envy him in the slightest at that moment. He had his fire, his reason, and it was as firm as the foundation of a house. Her tail embraced the leg of the chair tighter as if to soothe her nerves. "You make me proud to simply be around you, General.." She smiled at him and felt her cheeks hurt a little from that, failing to put more praising words to voice, but she truly felt pride as well. It made her happy to hear him say that.

“My reason?” She echoed, hoping the words would buy her just a moment longer until she could think of a response herself. Her arms folded over her chest and one hand rose up to rub its fingers against her chin. “...I don't know..” she was no longer looking him in the eye, but rather the mole just below it, or perhaps it was the stray hair that fell over his face. For a moment she sounded like a child saying it, lost and unsure, but her smile made up for it well enough. “I don't think I found that reason yet, I just keep going forward. There's no way back, just forward. No reason” she concluded plainly, not finding the flowery words to decorate her speech with. She had her reasons once, she remembered the feeling of purpose, the strength and the fire of it, but she had lost it with age. It was meaningless, but the people around her, the people she watched pass and grow, they were full of it. It was good to see, perhaps that was her reason? To see growth? Perhaps.

“I suppose it boils down to discipline for me, well - habit more so" she pushed her glasses up to adjust them on the bridge of her nose "When I was younger I fashioned for myself the future of a soldier. I was young, naive, full of ideas. Heh, yet that wasn't what fate had in store with me and but all the training and routine stayed with me. Every soldier rises as if yesterday's battles didn't happen, right? And so do I”

[noctether]

Strads of white hair move according to their own will as a head shifts to the side. Some go against gravity, while others decide that it would be better to shift to the other way. There isn’t a more unruly thing than Jing Yuan’s hair; even his pet lion, Snow Lion, behaves better than these strands of his. How very fitting, for a General that doesn’t follow the rules imposed by his predecessors. From the very number of years under his belt as General to his way of doing things, Jing Yuan is a completely different man from his peer— and this is exactly what turns him so hated, not only just around the cosmos but also around the Alliance he claims to love with passion. A bunch of contradictions and unruly behaviors, that is Jing Yuan for certain.

The look of surprise in his friend’s face is by no means unexpected, which doesn’t mean Jing Yuan won’t laugh from it anyways. The sound of rich, even but deep voice engulfs this little bubble of theirs, real joy expressed oh so rarely when coming from this man in particular. Why does he find it so hard to be honest with these around him? Obviously, it is the ranks! As the General, Jing Yuan is restricted to particular patterns of behavior, and only when in the presence of his most trusted friends— friends, not subordinates, although sometimes the line mingles— does he share the truly, fleeting feelings of his old heart.

Yes, that’s more like it… he didn’t come here to hear about serious topics, nor did he come here to work, either. All what the General wanted and waited for was a friend returning home, to welcome and to shat away in the limited time they possess. “Next time we reunite, we should do so around a jar of wine, my friend.” Mirth is still in his voice, and his expression doesn’t change at all as he hears the answer to his question. Why, not everyone must have a reason to keep going, not everyone has a big purpose beyond existing. Jing Yuan’s was a choice he made for himself, one that brings him joy whenever he can see the people around him living happily— even if at his desk, a lot of paperwork is waiting. He can, too, feel the truth in her words, knows that she means it when she says he makes her proud of joining the Alliance. And he’s certain that it won’t be something easy to find, her purpose that is, but as long as she’s looking for it, isn’t it the beginning?

“I’m certain you heard the stories of the travels of Akivili the Trailblaze, correct?” A rhetorical question, and as such, he doesn’t wait for her answer before he keeps going, “the crew of the Express has never been set in stone. For some travels, a few were present, and in the next, different faces join— while familiar faces leave. That is the nature of the path of the Trailblaze, to find your purpose amongst the stars, no matter how far from home are you.” It is not something only present in the path of the trailblaze, of course. But this doesn’t belong to this story, and thus, Jing Yuan leaves it aside. Jien is someone that doesn’t belong to this world, someone that was sent here through other means, however—

“As long you keep searching for your place amongst the stars, my friend, I’m certain that someday you will find it. Perhaps it will even be somewhere you left.” This last part has him smiling mischievously, because well, he does mean the Xianzhou Luofu.

[shards-of-the-lost]

Laughter made her cheeks flush, for a splinter of a moment feeling as if she said the wrong thing or didn’t control her physical language as the Guild matters sometimes required - but this was not a meeting with the Guild nor was he a stranger. Even if she had uttered something terribly embarrassing, she had trust he wouldn’t go about and speak of it. Looking away for a moment she huffed, feigning anger and frustration in the mild ways she knew, however short lasting that little act was. She had forgotten how nice it felt to be next to a friend, someone this close and familiar. 

“Wine.. how about I bring us a cask of a fine red from these summer islands I visited on a planet far away? ‘Harbour red’ they call it. The smell alone is rich enough to get you dizzy” she smiled, cheeky this time, as if fighting back a bigger smile than the one she was wearing now, her previous embarrassment still not having let up. Her tail had gone back to hugging the leg of the chair like a snake climbing up a tree trunk. There was no real feeling in her tail like in that of a real organic limb, but she had it for such a long time, the feeling of it was phantom, so real, what once was premeditated actions and sways of the tail had long since melted into a display of her own inner mind. Especially in times where she found herself in safe bubbles like these. Laughter and drinks and food and good company. “I don’t drink usually, but I’d be more than glad to try this sort with you, hmp- if you’d like I’d be more than glad to give you the full cask” she added, words rolling from her tongue effortlessly without much of a forethought in the moment. Seemingly caught on to her mindless ramble she breathes in and shakes her head, shaking off the simmering and bubbling words that nearly fell from her lips. For a moment, the air tasted of early summer and golden fields again, it smelled of freedom. That thought, along with his own mirth, brought a smile up on her face once more. 

She nodded at his question about the Akivili. A better question would be - who hasn’t heard of the tales of the Trailblaze? It sounded like a fairytale in various lights, she had heard some short retellings from a merchant whom she traveled with for a time, others she read from so many books and heard from street story-tellers. Akvili was gone now, yet so many still followed in THEIR footsteps. Although many stories about THEM are not exactly something Jien would believe, there was hope to be found in the silver rails that made pathways throughout the universe. Hope is the last to die -  one little proverb from her own home that was applied well to the Express and its trailblazing crew. And as such, perhaps there was hope to be found for her as well. 

“Hm..” she looked down, at nothing in particular and in thought of his words. She gave a nod. “I have no doubt the path will lead me somewhere I can call home..” she told him, feeling warm from within. There was a home here already for her, the cozy little place she could never stop thinking about when the expeditions took her far from the Xianzhou Luofu and when all seemed lost and hopeless. Is that not what home is? A place your heart cries and yearns from when so far apart? “I think you gave me a sweet little idea for a short story now..” she suddenly muttered, remembering a children’s book she read about a similar topic of travels and finding a place to belong. “It will be a bit more.. childish from my usual works, I think, but no less meaningful. Going far from home only to find your way back to the same place you started at” she mused. It wasn’t so much a new idea, but the conversation had sparked that primal instinct of an artist yearning to touch the canvas and paint again. Inspiration had seeped into her bones like warmth, making her feel even more alive in his presence.

“Hey.. what if I make you the muse of it? Hm? I’m thinking of making it a more illustrated story. I’d say you’d fit the face of the main character, although perhaps I should use a reference from your younger days?” she let a tease slip by, words dripping with something playful and much more relaxed than their previous jests. Home, her idea screamed, and making Jing Yuan apart of it only felt right. He has helped her time and time again - it would be one of her ways to repay him, subtly and discreetly by slipping his character through the pages that would see days even after she was away or gone.

[noctether]

Jing Yuan wouldn’t consider himself a man that drinks a lot, although he does know his way through the jars and cups. However, he’s more in the known of Xianzhou’s own beverages, alongside the beverages from the trades that come to his ship. Ever since young, the white-haired male has been rounding his way into the Cloud Knights, trying to catch the glance of the Galaxy Rangers in the meantime. However, whilst his rank in the Knights grew, so did his responsibilities, and when he took notice of it, Jing Yuan was already a far more valuable resource for the Alliance than for the Rangers. Thoughts of his youth self, though. Aside from the worlds he helped to save and the battlefields he frequents constantly, Jing Yuan hasn’t traveled much. He loves discovering new things and is curious about them, but when the High Cloud Quintet faded, so did his aspirations. He had much more important matters in between his hands, after all.

“Are you planning to test my half-millennia tolerance to alcohol, my friend?” Truth being told, Jing Yuan no longer drinks that much. You can’t call a jar a day much, either. Wine to accompany his daydreams, wine to help him sleep. Even the Healer Lady had given him prescriptions of warm wine for the night. So, while Jing Yuan wouldn’t say he can tank all and any wine, he can puff his chest to the blatant defiance. It soon fades though, the quirk of his eyebrow softening, the challenging expression coming back from the normal. Jiyan is not doing it out of malice, and it would be nice to receive something that isn’t poisoned for once. “Mm, but my interest is picked, I must admit. How much of this alcohol is able to get down an elephant, and how much more of it would be needed to get the General of the Xianzhou Luofu drunk?”

Truth being told, Jing Yuan fears— if only a little— the outcome of his drunken stupors. Feixiao had shown him pretty clearly just how bad a situation could get, making Jing Yuan a little wary. It would be a good battle to test Yanqing, that’s for sure, but could Jing Yuan face Yanqing while drunk? Memories of fighting his Master would surely resurface. Mm, maybe he should take pre-emptive measures before enjoying himself. Just a little part of his brain was saying that this would likely result in him sleeping like the dead and waking up only three days later with a headache, but better be safe than sorry.

“The entire cask is certainly too much, though I appreciate your offer. You bought it for a reason, did you not? Besides, even if you hadn’t, it would be much funnier to trade some with Lady Fu’s morning tea than spend it all on me.” Is Fu Xuan in danger? Maybe. She should watch out for herself a little thoroughly during this week.

Thankfully, Jien seems to understand the words coming from Jing Yuan’s mouth, and he can’t help but offer her a soft smile. He feels weirdly useful like this, able to help his friend at least a little. This sensation might as well be the real reason behind his choice to ascend rank and take Teng Xiao’s vacant position after the sedition of Imbibitor Lunae. What he did not expect was to suddenly have her turning this ‘proposal’ of viewpoint in a story, but isn’t it very fitting? Jien is a storyteller of her own right, and although Jing Yuan is much more a fan of her works narrating real-life situations, especially these where strategy and action is included, he knows that all kinds of works striking in her mind are worth-while. However, when she suggests using a younger version of him, Jing Yuan can’t help the mirth that clings to his eyes.

Oh, she’s in for some teasing, alright.

“Is this General too old to partake the journey as your main character, my friend?” The challenge is back to his face, a knowing smile plastered on his lips. Somehow. He looks much fiercer, the gold of his irises now shining with a threatening edge to it. Of course, he means no good, but it’s an invitation and a dare all the same; ‘do you dare talk such a thing of me?’ Most people would be excusing themselves right now. Jing Yuan reserves himself the right to not comment if these kinds of reactions bring him amusement.

With a deep, fake sigh he keeps going, resting his chin on the palm of his hand. “And old heart, unable to chase its dreams. Would it be due to its old bones? The gray hair seems to match this picture of an old man you have of me, my friend, but I must inform you that it was here from the very beginning, contrary to the old age found in short-life species.” A finch suddenly jumps out of his hair and Jing Yuan’s face turns into surprise for a moment before he goes to play with the finch, getting it to jump onto his free hand. “Tease aside, it would be an honor for me if you’d like to use my figure in your writings. I just have one condition, aside from using my name plainly” his golden eyes flick from the finch to Jien, a somewhat naughty expression passing over his face. “Do give me some thick waist, hm?”

What does it have to do with this?! Well… Jing Yuan was somewhat reminded of a grumpy, prideful, and actual old man that graced his days when he was younger. Yingxing did had a pretty thick waist, but Jing Yuan supposes he was thick everywhere, given his profession.

[mintyisms]

MacDoesIt Starters

taken from random videos

"Go do something else. Damn, just let me murder in peace!"

"I lost my clothes in a crypto bet last night."

"I was literally just wearing an entire Ravenclaw pajama set that I got for Christmas last year because apparently people think I'm way more into Harry Potter than I actually am."

"I'm too sexy for therapy. Therapists can't handle this much sex. My sexiness is too sexy for mental health."

"Our connection has just been really lost over the past years, and I just don't understand why my trust is just gone, and I don't feel like I can tell you the truth anymore."

"Oh, you want me to spend money? Hahaha. No thank you."

"I know the freaks come out at night, girl, and I don't want to be one of them."

"I just wanna make a house and be cute. The American dream!"

"Why just cry at home when you're not invited to the party when you can just force yourself in?"

"Who needs real life when you have delusion?"

"Someone that dresses like this for Halloween is the type of person that thinks drinking White Claws is a hobby."

"Weed? What? No, I'm sorry, I believe in Jesus."

"I feel like I look terrifying in the worst way possible."

"Don't gatekeep me right now. I'm just trying to have fun. Let me enjoy myself, okay?"

"There are things you can do on the internet to get things you need. Because it's the internet."

"I already forgot what song I was singing."

"Am I stalling because I'm scared? Maybe."

"Do it one more time. Do it again, please. One more time for the family, please? One more time for the kids? Can you do it for the kids? Do it for Obama?"

"I didn't even wanna go to prom with you in the first place. I was just asking because I was being nice."

"All you need in life is someone that knows how to work wires and then suddenly your cat will come back to you."

"Have you seen those Furby snake things? Who though that was okay?"

"I'm afraid of everybody who has ever invested in a Furby."

"It knows what it's going to eat for dinner tonight, and it's me."

"Who needs to spend millions of dollars recreating Squid Game when you could watch a guy with a couple thousand dollars in his bank account scream at a Furby instead?"

"I don't think I should be saying the word abort around children. Is that not allowed? Honestly, probably not in this political climate."

"My niece does not like me."

"I probably shouldn't be calling a baby a bitch."

"You sound like a drunk toddler who can sing."

"The world is dying and ya'll still going to the beach."

"Yes, I did take an edible and watch a bunch of performance art videos."

[noctether]

Rest in pieces, Till.

[yahinata]

[noctether]

Yingxing has laid down beside a napping Jing Yuan and is gently stroking his hair, fingers tracing his cheek every once in a while, amethyst eyes watching him with more warmth than even his furnace could ever muster. He doesn't try to wake him, but he does lean in to press his lips to his forehead, just once, before settling back in to continue gazing at him like an absolutely lovestruck fool.

It’s common knowledge that Jing Yuan can sleep anywhere— but he’s also a very light sleeper. Especially so when outside of his home, waking up with minimal effort. The fact that Yingxing can sit by his side, and watch him, touching him from time to time, just reveals how much ‘home’ has become a person nowadays. Even while sleeping, the General lets out some kind of pleased noises whenever Yingxing’s fingers stay on him, going as far as leaning against the man when his touch is gone. When Jing Yuan wakes up, he feels Yingxing more than sees him. His lover’s warmth is accompanied by the scent of firewood and steel, chalk and oil. The corners of Jing Yuan’s mouth lift up before his eyelashes do, but outside of it, he doesn’t make an effort to change their positions. “Liking what you see?”

[skipdu0]

sketch of my general <3

[noctether]

[text: future #1 husband 🦁] You're the one who brought up marriage without already having a ring!

[text: future #1 husband 🦁] My finger is naked, Jing Yuan! Naked!

[ to: future wife ] I admit that although I love you clad in anything, and even more clad in nothing, this is a situation that should be resolved.

[ to: future wife ] However, beloved, allow me to remind you that I did not propose yet.

[ to: future wife ] Maybe exactly because I don't have the rings ready!

[ to: future wife ] But this is, obviously, only an hypotesis. You will never know.

[ to: future wife ] Unless you want me to improvise? I could make us paper rings with the documents in front of me, though you'd have to deal with Qingzu on your own.

[noctether]

[text: Future #1 Husband 🦁] I'm making you a ring.

[text: Future #1 Husband 🦁] But I'm absolutely not making one for myself. You better get your ass in gear and request one from Master Huaiyan. You know my standards.

[to: future wife] Yingxing, beloved, would you please set the hammer down alongside your impatience? You are about to ruin something here.

[noctether]

[ planned w/ @protectivemuses ]

To all intents and purposes, Dan Feng does not like this woman. Sure, she’s good at what she does, but this doesn’t instantly put her in his good graces. Especially because he was the number one in this gods forsaken college, and now he has someone trying to get his status all for herself. As if!

Starting from the very beginning, Dan Feng had moved into this land because of a friend of his. He wasn’t more than eighteen years old when he met her at first, in the beach, by chance. As a sea dragon, a very powerful lineage flowing through his veins, Dan Feng can shift his body at will between a human and a dragon, sometimes staying in the middle, especially when into the sea. Contrary to the mermaid magic that goes around, he can control it at his own will, albeit in some situations such a thing is more dangerous than the other way to go about it. For example, while he won’t turn just by being splashed with a bit of water, intense emotions can disturb his disguise, ending with him turning even kilometers away from seawater.

After becoming Baiheng’s friend and entertaining her proposal of housing him if he ever wished to learn about human society, Dan Feng has had lessons on human etiquette and history, enough to be accepted in a college with a scholarship for athletics. His naturally good condition is somewhat restricted due to his body working better in the shape of a dragon instead of a human, but naturally, it is more than enough to keep him in the top of the athletics course, which he partakes in much more than just one team here and there, being present in lots of them. Physical activities are easier to follow, and well, he did join this university so he could stay by Baiheng’s side.

Pride, however, is a two-edged knife, as he has come to learn.

Jingliu is the name of his current nemesis. Not only she has herself getting on top of Dan Feng’s scores, basically kicking him to second place, but she also has Baiheng’s attention, which turns out to be even more stupefying than how she’s better than Dan Feng in swimming, which should be that kind of sport he would never be second at. And yet.

So, yes, Jingliu is his nemesis. The object of his vengeance, the destiny of his fury. It’s interesting how this is a side he reveals only to her, the flame of competition burning bright within the teal eyes of the sea dragon. That’s also why he’s so set on winning this current competition they are in, which already ended with the two crossing the line of arrival together. They are competing in kayaks, leaving all the other students behind, but they persist even though they know they crossed the arrival line together— because of it. They don’t talk, just trading heated, angry gazes at each other, because the winner of this competition is going to be the one that loses strength first and Dan Feng is not going to be the loser!

The river they started this competition ends on the sea, and at this point no one should be following them anymore, except, maybe, Baiheng. Dan Feng’s kayak shifts, much like Jingliu’s, when they flow out into the sea with the fresh water, and it forces their oars against each other. Quickly their kayak competition turns into something much uglier, with them drifting further into the sea whilst trying to get the other off their kayak. It’s just a question of time until the worst happens, but Dan Feng is too focused on his own pride, on outdoing Jingliu to care about it.

[noctether]

aight askbox clean now i'll finally get to these 3 weeks old starters i promised then imma finish my drafts lets goooo (ends up going to bed to sleep, terrible behavior its the jingnyan in me keeping me sleepy.)

[noctether]

" hey boss, " aventurine hums as he takes the center stool at the bar. " wanna make me something from the top shelf? maybe from the secret stash? it's been... quite the night. " he says with a small chuff as he puts his sunglasses on the table and loosens his tie. " i promise to make it worth your while~ " with that, the blonde slides a wad of cash across the table, a plethora of bills he doesn't care to count. interesting, isn't it? how one can sound rather playful in the moment, but still wait for the bigger man to turn around before he rests his elbows over the table with a sigh, and starts rubbing the figurative sand from his eyes. maybe it was... quite the night. (for gallagher!)

In the world of dreams, anything can become something. The process of transformation is what has Gallagher most interested in it, how flavors mix together to generate others, sometimes outwardly in comparison to the simple ingredients used in their making. Mixing drinks is much like cooking, an art that brings both satisfaction and expectation, where you are your own witch near a potion’s flask, giving birth to your imagination. Since in the dreamscape one can add one’s own feelings to shift the taste of the drink, he has even more freedom— not like he knows how it is outside of the dreamscape, anyways.

The gambler that drops somewhat defeated on the stool in front of him is not a new face, though he doesn’t know if the same can be said about Aventurine. Gallagher has kept a keen eye on the people invited by the Family (he was the one to send the invites, even), and has a deep knowledge when it comes to Penacony’s history. Safe to say, he knows what Aventurine wants out of his visit to the land of dreams. Is counting on it.

When he’s working in the bar, Gallagher is the picture of a perfect mixer— well, if you excuse his lack of care when it comes to appearance. It doesn’t really matter, anyway. To everyone else, he’s just more one worker that can share the woes of a capitalist system even in a dream. They usually open up quick enough, be it for his friendly approach or the alcohol making their minds more relaxed.

“Rough night?” asks him as he goes about flasks and spices, smashing the lemons by himself, then carefully mixes it by dousing the whiskey and syrup and ice. The lemon zest comes in the end, a bird decorating the top of the thick glass. It’s yellow but fresh and easy on the tongue, the pang of comfort and care on the back of each sip, feelings mingling so well with liquids. “Though, no need for all this cash. It may not look that way, but I’m a fair man, y'know.” A lie, because Gallagher has nothing of fair in him, from the beginning of his story to where he’s now. Not like anyone can discern what comes out of a history fictionologist’s mouth anyways. “This one is a classic, not all that sweet but fresh on the tongue and has a good impact, ‘specially if you are lookin’ to get yourself drunk.”

It is said that bartenders can also work as therapists, though Gallagher is more curious than wanting to help. He leans his forearms over the counter, red eyes peeking at the golden-haired boy, a glass in his own hand. Do they allow a worker to get drunk? The answer is yes. And no. Depends on who you are talking about. “So, what gotcha all pouty, peacock?”

[noctether]

✏️ for Jing Yuan and Jien 👁️👁️

[ incorrect quotes / accepting ]

jien: I don’t think we can mansplain, manipulate, or malewife our way out of it this time. jing yuan: *cracks knuckles* Manslaughter it is!

jien, near tears: I have the sex appeal of a math book! jing yuan: I don’t know, Jien, I’ve never met anyone that opened a math book and didn’t say “fuck me”. Except maybe the Master Diviner.

jien: If I die, you can have what little I own. jing yuan: Wait. What do you mean "if" you die? jien: My unending existence is fuelled by pure spite, that of which the painful experiences of life have rendered me full. jing yuan:jing yuan: *Sighs* Let me call your therapist again.

jien: jing yuan? What are you doing here? jing yuan, wearing a hawaiian shirt, sunglasses and holding a gatorade: My best.

jing yuan: Alright, so the vampire's gravestone is— jien: Cenotaph. jing yuan: What? jien: It's only a gravestone if it marks the location of a body. A monument honouring someone whose body isn't present is a cenotaph. jing yuan: I'm... not sure that's how it works if the body gets up and walks away on its own. jien: There's a precedent for gravestones being reclassified as cenotaphs if the body is later removed and reinterred elsewhere. There's no rule that says the body itself can't do the removing. jing yuan: Okay, but the body is very much coming back. That's kind of what we're here to accomplish. jien: So it's a temporary cenotaph. jing yuan: And naturally our greatest concern here is avoiding semantic ambiguity. jien: Semantic ambiguity is how vampires get you.

jing yuan: I've connected the two dots. jien: You didn't connect shit. jing yuan: I've connected them.