i read lullabies of the wind and I'm all caught up now! i seriously can't choose a favorite chapter but i adore chapter 17, the small peek into earlier on in their relationship (still as sweet as ever) and the couple at xiao's birthday party (how-- you're so good at writing cute scenes!)
i'm looking forward to the next chapter and i can't wait to see what you come up with next, honestly everything you write is worth the wait. thank you for sharing with us!
AHHHH!!!!
Thank you so much!!! I'm happy my fic is still getting some attention even though it's been ages since I last updated.
I'm in the works of writing more! Just been a little busy with life and grad school 😵
Hopefully I can publish a new chapter soon! Thank you so much for reading my fic! <3
“it is the sworn duty of the yaksha to purge all evil but, after millennia of bloodshed, the karma takes a toll.. a moment of complacency and i, too, will succumb to the darkness; an instance of negligence, and it will turn me into one of those monsters i swore to purge.”
Sorry for the very suuuper late response, been super busy with stuff including work so haven’t been on tumble much. Anyways, I’m glad everything is okay, I’ve been tryna catch up on genshin too so I feel you, I’ve been playing it on my spare time. I’m so excited for sumeru, it looks so beautiful and that big tree reminds me of wangshu inn nsns
anyways, I hope things will continue to do well for you. You deserve it! I hope you take care as well, sending lotsa love n support for you rn! 🌸💗🌸
Hey no worries at all!
I've been pretty inactive lately too... Ehe...
Yes I'm SO excited to explore all the new things in Sumeru! Too bad Sumeru comes out on my first day of school ;-;
And thank you so much! I appreciate the love and hope you continue to be safe, happy, and healthy! <3 Much love to you
Over the past few weeks I've been working on Mingyu's mirage! I hope you all enjoy :DDD
I start my master's program on the 22nd, so regrettably, I'll be a lot less active from that point onwards.
You'll still find me posting on occasion though! Maybe if I need a break from studying (or if I procrastinate.. hehe) I'll post a story every now and then.
Hey, just checking on how you’re doing! I hope you’re doing well and having a gud day 💗
Hello hello!!!
I've been doing well, thanks so much for checking in :)
Lately I've been switching from drawing to writing, and doing all the events in Genshin before Sumeru comes out!
Hope you've been doing well too <3
JUST REALIZED SM THATS P CUTE, NOW IM ASKING THIS BECAUSE I DONT KNOW IF THIS WAS INTENTIONAL FROM U OR NOT BUT AQUILA (eagle, which is like xiao because it literally has the same thingy but I forgot what it was-) and Cygnus (swan) is next to each other NEM
UM.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING!
That is SUPER cute, but I wasn't that smart so it was not at all intentional HAHAHAHA
Birthday art for Mingyu go brr- Ahh I had some already finish but I decided to just post some of them for now, I felt bad for taking too long to post art,,Lots if busy things happening and I haven’t been active much on Tumblr like I used to, but Alas, happy birthday to the swan gorl, I hope you have an amazing day too! I forgot I could just post them here so that’s my bad 😭
Very oldish art, so I’m sorry for the quality and the anatomy-
OH MY
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ART <3 <3 <3 I LOVE IT!
And no worries at ALL! Thank you for always stopping by when you can and dropping a comment ^^ I hope things are going well for you!
No need to apologize for anything! She looks amazing in your style and I am in love.
"The morning dew is sweet, and the scent of freshly bloomed flowers is exceptionally strong today. With springtime now upon us, I decided to spend my morning walking through the bamboo forest. Funny enough, a flock of crystalflies gathered around me and made me their perch. Though it was a delightful affair, I found the only thing missing was your company.
The day is still young, so won’t you join me on a stroll? Perhaps you too, can experience the warm glow underneath the wings of those crystalflies."
Happy Birthday my bb Mingyu! (June20th)
Art by me.
Reblogs are dandy, but please don't repost!
In ancient Liyue folklore, it is said that when the spirits of departed children are unable to move on from the land of the living, the Guardian of Lost Souls will guide them to the afterlife through story, play, and song. Over the millennia that has passed however, the original tale of this benevolent being has long been forgotten. Instead, it now serves as a cautionary tale used to keep children from misbehaving. “Do not linger at night for too long.” They say, “For the demon will come and snatch you away.”
Note: This chapter was supposed to come out on Xiao's actual birthday (oops).
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Ch 17: Birthday
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The shores of Guyun Stone Forest were calm.
The wind seemed to hum in tune with the gentle crash of the waves as two adepti companions walked across the coast, footprints etched into the sand.
This was a route all too familiar to Xiao – for it was one he walked dutifully day by day, night by night.
…Only this time, he had someone beside him.
How times have changed.
Centuries after losing his fellow yakshas, the only constants that remained at his side were the voices of the slain Gods and his trusty polearm. To think that he now had a romantic partner…
He mentally shook his head free from the thoughts, reminding himself that he was currently on patrol – not on some merry stroll along the beach.
But before he could fully transition back to his usual serious demeanor, he heard a question come from beside him, stopping him in his tracks.
"You wish to know the day of my birth?” Xiao glanced at Mingyu, brows furrowed in confusion. “For what purpose?"
"No purpose in particular." Mingyu stopped a few steps ahead of him, glancing over her shoulder with a smile. "But what kind of lover would I be if I didn’t know these little details about you, hm?”
At the mention of the words ‘lover,’ Mingyu could make out the faint traces of pink rising across the yaksha’s cheeks.
A brief moment of silence passed before Xiao let out a sigh, “The mortal realm really has influenced you in the most… peculiar of ways.”
Mingyu giggled before turning to face him, leaning forward with a cheekiness that set his heart aflame. “So… are you gonna tell me or not?”
“April 17th.” He answered, then paused, seemingly processing his own thoughts before continuing, “And yours?”
“Oh, interested in me now, hm?” Amused, Mingyu stepped closer, watching as he turned his gaze away from her.
“As you’ve stated, lovers should be privy to these details, now matter how trifling.” He closed his eyes, taking in a breath before returning to face her. “I am inexperienced with matters concerning the heart, but… I am willing to learn more.”
Amber eyes fluttered open to meet soft green ones, and the sincerity held within his irises had Mingyu practically melting underneath him.
She smiled up at him, moving her fingers to lace together with his. “I’m no expert either but... we can continue to learn together.”
Moving to the tips of her toes, Mingyu placed a featherlight kiss onto Xiao’s cheek, feeling the heat quickly rise to his face from her actions.
“By the way…” She whispered, placing a gentle hand against his cheek, “It’s June 20th.”
Without another word, she pressed her lips against his in a firm, passionate kiss.
—-
It was a fond memory Xiao held deeply within his heart; one he thought back on often whenever he returned to the shores of Guyun.
The once visceral memories of slaughter that plagued his mind were slowly becoming overridden by new memories – memories of warmth. It was as though the moon and the stars had finally pierced through the clouds of a lightless night - showing him that the hope he yearned for was not just an illusion.
He watched as cranes took to the skies, flying towards the direction of the plains he so diligently guarded. Perhaps it was mere coincidence, but the very act reminded him of the commitment he was coerced into making with a certain green-eyed adeptus, just a day before.
“Tomorrow at nightfall, you’ll be spending time with me in Wangshu Inn’s kitchen. No ifs, ands, or buts about it!”
Even now, he could hear her voice clear as day – her “request” coming in the form of a command. Before he realized it, a quiet chuckle escaped his lips.
Truly, only she would have the audacity to speak to him in such a manner.
As the silhouettes of the cranes grew further and further away, he lowered his gaze, eyes now transfixed on the rolling waves in front of him.
Nightfall, she said.
Best he got going.
—-
Mingyu pulled back, placing her hands on her hips as she admired her handiwork displayed on the kitchen table.
“It looks lovely.” Verr spoke from behind her, smiling at the thoughtfulness behind Mingyu’s actions.
Hearing this, Mingyu turned to her and nodded, “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without your help. Thank you for sending the chef away for tonight. And of course…” Mingyu continued with a wink, “For asking him to prepare the tofu before he left. I would have tried it myself, but unfortunately, I simply lack the finesse required.”
Verr shrugged, chuckling lightly at Mingyu’s comment. “It was hardly any trouble. I’m sure he’ll enjoy his short vacation.” Just then, she caught a flash of blue zipping through the grocery stands, feeling an amused smile rise to her face. “Besides, I think it’s better this way too.”
“If he’s as frightened as you say he is, I can see why.” Mingyu chuckled, eyes trailing after Verr as she made her way towards the staircase.
Choosing not to linger on the topic any further, Verr instead glanced over her shoulder with a smile, “Xiao should be arriving soon, right? You know where to find me if you need anything.”
As the soft clatters of Verr’s shoes faded away upstairs, Mingyu turned back to the table, finger placed against her chin in thought. Although she knew he would appreciate the gesture, she wondered if this display would be too much for him.
As if sensing her concern, Dusky Ming peeked out from behind a basket of fruit with a grin, “Don’t worry. I think he’ll be happy no matter what!”
The corners of Mingyu’s lips curled upward, but as she opened her mouth to speak, a haze of black and green materialized at her side, prompting Dusky Ming to leap up in excitement.
“Adeptus Xiao!”
Seemingly unfazed, Xiao turned his head towards Dusky Ming, acknowledging her with a curt nod before his gaze wandered to Mingyu, then to the display on the kitchen table.
“This is…”
“A present for you!” Dusky Ming exclaimed, giggling as she ran to the side of the table. “Do you like it?”
Laid across the table was a plate of almond tofu, along with various trinkets and objects, some of which Xiao could not identify. Not wanting to hurt the young girl’s feelings, he turned to Mingyu in a silent plea for help.
Chuckling, Mingyu peeked over his shoulder, explaining the origins behind each item.
“This is a paper bird folded by Fei. She was a 4 year old girl who ascended last week.”
Xiao picked up the delicate, crudely folded paper bird and tilted it over, seeing the words “happy birthday” messily scrawled onto it. His eyes widened at the sudden revelation as he scanned the table, taking note of the trinkets laid on its surface.
“They’re all gifts from the ones who have been under my care.” Mingyu explained, continuing to walk through each object.
As Mingyu continued to speak, Xiao felt his heart clench and swell with so much unfamiliar emotion, it threatened to overflow. It was strange, really.
How could these poorly constructed, childish crafts stir up such strong feelings within him?
“And this is a crown of silk flowers made by none other than our little Ming here.” Mingyu smiled, gently lifting the flower crown from the table. “Won’t you try it on for her?”
Folding his arms across his chest, he huffed and shook his head. “No need. I can admire it as it is.”
“Aww, please?” Dusky Ming pleaded, swaying side to side with her hands locked sheepishly behind her back. “I worked so hard on it…”
“...”
With an eventual sigh, Xiao lowered his head towards Mingyu, allowing her to lay the freshly weaved bundle of silk flowers on top of his head. As he moved to straighten his spine, the sound of Dusky Ming’s cheerful laughter and clapping filled the kitchen, echoing through the empty halls.
“And this is from Smiley Yanxiao.” Mingyu smiled, carefully presenting him with a plate of his favorite almond tofu. “Happy Birthday, Xiao.”
And although he did not outwardly smile, Mingyu could see from the softness in his golden eyes that he was filled with gratitude. And as she watched him take a spoonful of tofu into his mouth, only one thought was present in her mind:
“Tonight, we celebrate you. My golden-winged king.”
