#genshin loreposting

[magesmeatymuses]

The night is late in Liyue Harbour, and though the hustle and bustle of the city's people made things feel alive, Ichiban sat alone and watched the waters bob up and down in isolation.

In a sense, it's one of the greatest paradoxes one can ever experience. Despite being surrounded by so many people, Ichiban had spent so much of his life alone or with people that simply did not care about him that it was impossible for him to feel as if he were part of one "whole". There was a certain undercurrent of anxiety in his everyday life now; he was under no illusion, knowing he had nowhere in this world that he could go where he could feel safe ever again. Even when he was with Lumine's party and even when he stood alone in the presence of Ei and Zhongli, that nagging sensation in the back of his mind that he was a wanted man spoiled any kind of peace he tried to cling onto.

Rejected by his homeland to defect to Snezhnaya, only to reject the Fatui once his plan to ascend fell through before defecting to Lumine's party... His life seems to be one of constant betrayal, so it appears. It's probably only a matter of time before he betrayed them too.

"...Heh."

Ichiban couldn't help but chuckle at the futility of it all. He was once again where he was a few nights ago when talking to Xiangling. If he had to keep regressing all the time before he could get over it, maybe he ought to cut his losses and get out while he still can just to avoid the pain yet again. Sure, it'd probably end in his untimely annihilation, but no one would miss him anyway. (Part of him wondered if he "inherited" this trait from his mother.)

Just as he was about to plan it out, however, the sound of a few footsteps approaching him caused him to lift his head up. He had expected it to be the Fatui or the Millelith to apprehend him, but much to his (begrudging) relief, it was only Tighnari and Noelle, who were both looking at him expectantly.

"...I presume that this seat is free?"

Ichiban sighed, leaning back and putting his hands behind his head.

"So long as you don't pay the ultimate price of boring me to death..."

"How kind of you!"

Noelle smiled, sitting to his side while Tighnari sat on the other.

"It's just as well that we found you. We were just looking for you, you see."

"Everyone is nowadays... So what is it you needed me for, hm?"

"Collei."

And with that word, the hustle and bustle of the street faded away as Ichiban turned to look at him in surprise.

"Collei told us about how you went out of your way to save her when you didn't have to. I never thanked you properly for that... so there you go. Thank you for saving her when you did."

"...Is... Is that it?"

Ichiban rolled his eyes.

"I already told this to Lumine and the Shogun. I helped her out of pragmatism, and last I checked, it was Nahida who kept her alive once I was dethroned from being the God of Wisdom. Your thanks mean nothing to me."

"Believe what you want. I'm just not the type to leave things unsaid. You never know when they'll stay that way."

Tighnari barely even reacted, instead crossing his arms and closing his eyes.

"Also, thanks might mean nothing to you, but you should be thanking Noelle. If it wasn't for her, you wouldn't even be here right now."

"Hardly so. You make it sound as if I were the deciding factor for Lumine accepting him into our party."

"That would be because you were. Your words... Lumine felt their weight. She can be stubborn, but when she makes an effort to understand things, she can be surprisingly introspective."

Tighnari looked to Ichiban.

"Ergo... you thank Noelle. Now, preferably."

"...Thanks, I guess."

He looks up and around.

"Why aren't you guys with the Traveller, anyway? Where is she?"

"She's currently waiting for Beidou to arrive so we can use the Alcor to travel to Inazuma."

Noelle looks out to the docks.

"Though Inazuma only recently abolished the Sakoku Decree, travelling vessels that chart routes there are few and in-between due to a lack of information on the weather and the roughness of the waters. Given that the Crux is the only fleet that has strong, seaworthy ships that can traverse Teyvat's waters, waiting for the Alcor is the most logical choice."

"...Okay, that's nice and all, but that doesn't answer why you aren't with her?"

"She needs some alone time."

"Ei's satisfied after speaking with Zhongli and is simply browsing around, Xiangling is catching up with her father before she departs again, and Paimon is accompanying Lumine."

Tighnari huffs.

"Doing what, I don't know. She could be spending money, gambling it all away, perhaps flirting with anyone she fancies once again... Paimon tries, but she just gets swept along with the ride as Lumine does as Lumine pleases."

"...I see. She sounds... very unreliable."

"Far from it. On the contrary, it's that very spirit that makes her someone I trust deeply."

Noelle giggles, putting a hand to her mouth.

"Perhaps it's not the most heroic behaviour, but I have learned over time that one's actions and one's intentions can be completely different. Why, I've heard tales of Grandmaster Varka drinking on the job, and still is he one of the greatest Knights of Favonius Mondstadt has ever seen!"

"So you're saying that Lumine would be a better hero if she was drunk around the clock?"

"Good God, no! Don't give her ideas!"

"HAH!"

Ichiban clamps a hand over his mouth before he can stop himself from genuinely laughing, and this does not pass by unnoticed. Though he blushes a faint red from the embarrassment, Tighnari seems amused and Noelle can't help but nod.

"...And that principle is why I convinced her to see how the Shogun felt about you. There is no denying that you have made many mistakes, but I should like to believe that there is a place for you in this world should you wish to find one."

"...Get real."

Ichiban shakes his head, looking down at the ground and sighing.

"Do you seriously think anyone around here actually wants me around? Ei does to make up for her mistakes creating me, and Lumine barely tolerates me—and you guys are the same, just tolerating me because Lumine does. I mean nothing to no one."

"I want you around."

"W-What?"

"You heard me. I want you around, because I believe that you will find all the things that you want in this world so long as you continue seeking them. Whether it's here with us, or maybe somewhere in Inazuma, or beyond Teyvat—I have every bit of faith that you will someday. That's exactly why I wanted to believe in you."

Noelle looks up at the starry sky with a soft smile on her face.

"...One day, I want to be a real Knight of Favonius. I want to be a hero, just like Lumine is. And part of being a hero means that if I see someone that needs help, I will do whatever I can to help them. On my pride as a person... my pride as a maid, and as a prospective Knight of Favonius... I couldn't help but support the Shogun in saving you."

"...Even in spite of everything I've done?"

"Even in spite of everything you've done. No matter what you did back then, and no matter what you do in the future, there is a place for everyone in this world."

Ichiban could only look at Noelle in boldfaced awe in that moment as he soaked in her words. She didn't even look like she was lying... on the contrary, she was saying those things as naturally as she breathed. All of that, and she was a prospective member of the Knights of Favonius? Ichiban had every reason to believe that she was saying this just to butter him up, but she sounded truly genuine. It was... nice to believe in those words, for once. He felt like he had with Xiangling at camp so long ago.

Right as he was about to answer, though, the Traveller's voice broke through the air.

"HEY, GUYS!"

Lumine called out at the far end of Liyue Harbour, waving towards Ichiban and the others with Xiangling and Ei behind her.

"THE ALCOR'S FINALLY DOCKED! WE'RE READY TO GO AT ANY TIME!"

"Coming!"

And with that, both Tighnari and Noelle stood to their feet and began to walk forward. While Tighnari was busy walking towards Lumine and starting to lecture her about the state of their finances—for he noticed that Paimon's crown was suspiciously decked in bling—Noelle looked behind her and put out a hand for Ichiban to take.

"...Your home awaits. Shall we go?"

Ichiban stared at her for a moment, only to smile as he took her hand.

"Sure... Why not? We shall go together."

And the journey continued.

[ghostsnakesinmyhouse]

Like Pearls, like Swords

@magesmeatymuses

The Raiden Shogun isn’t entirely what’s come over her as of recent.

It’s evening, a warm glow setting over the mountains cradling their campsite for the night. The shoals burble and whisper with salty tide from clear beach waves, and the ruddy autumnal leaves of the great maples overhead catch the fading light like a sunbeam through water. They are, as ever, busy settling in; Xiangling is frying fresh-caught eel and churning butter for their supper, Noelle’s taken to a hum as she peels and washes shallots and leeks from their soil-stained crevices, Tighnari has his tail tucked around his slender, girlish waist to keep warm in the high boughs of the treetops as he scans for their travel route tomorrow. The Sho- Makoto (it’s taken quite sometime for her to rationalize this burning sensation in her core, that she has the wherewithal to be someone now. It’s foreign, and frightening) is meditating in seiza to steel herself as the group’s sundering vanguard, a position and station she takes to with relish and aplomb.

It’s as fascinating as it is bemusing to be allowed a preference. A freedom.

There are two missing and unaccounted for as the sun of Teyvat slips down into restful slumber- Ei is sleeping, the Archon’s concerns and stress leading her into a state of drowsiness that Makoto is more than capable of making up for. That leaves Ichiban, who cares little for the nightly rapport and prefers to hover at the edges of their encampment until the moment they start walking again…and Lumine.

It’s an odd thing to not have Lumine bouncing around the tents looking for something to do, for someone to tease and flirt and laugh with. The Traveler is just such an unavoidably bright presence that Makoto sometimes needs to look away from the golden brilliance that she exudes. The warmth is, however, incredibly welcome, and her mood feels poorer for its absence.

Makoto stands from her rigid kneel, artificial joints silently sliding across each other like a seamless mechanical puzzle. “I intend to find Lumine. Might you know where she has ventured off to?” She calls up to Tighnari, watching his ears twitch in acknowledgement. He points forward and to the right, which by Makoto’s internal compass means near south-southeast. 

“Said she had to go figure something out. I didn’t want to push when she’s been so wound up lately, but…” He runs his teeth along his lip. “I’m worried about her. Stay safe, and don’t do anything rash, alright?”

Makoto finds the notion that she’s some kind of rowdy blood knight (like some sort of Traveler) so ridiculous that she can’t help a snort. It’s frighteningly human. “Your concerns are appreciated and entirely unneeded. I will, for your mental comfort, endeavor to return before Liyue Harbor sleeps.” The man looks over the horizon, where the lanterns of the city glimmer like a mirage, and nods. As she’s about to leave the clearing, she hears a decidedly ungraceful noise like a goose honking and turns.

Xiangling runs into Makoto’s replete rack like an airbag, bouncing off with a jolt. She’s carrying a large rucksack that she holds up to the Shogun- Makoto, in turn, takes the bag without a word. It’s heavy, at the very least a dozen kilograms, possibly double or more. “This is supper for Lumine!” The cook beams at the unasked question. “I won’t have her skipping meals on my watch, so get her chowing and give her a stern talking to for me, alright?”

Makoto gives Xiangling an amused look and a slight upturn of the mouth that could potentially be a smile. “As ever, Xiangling.”

---

It’s not hard to find Lumine at all, really. A brisk walk some fifteen minutes away from camp and Makoto already hears the telltale sounds of earth-crunching carnage. The area is marked by jutting spires of stone and paralyzed wood, worn smooth and thin by the erosion of thousands of years of wave action. The Electro-wielder steps gingerly onto the silvery sand seemingly just as the fight has ended, though her free hand remains ready to draw her blade. In front of her is Devasation- the timeworn beach is a smoking crater of Lector remains, limbs and fabric torn apart by a sword that sundered more than it cleaved. The figure left standing has their shoulders hunched, heaving breaths coming out in steaming clouds against the briny air. Golden blonde hair almost seems to spark and sizzle in the dim light.

Makoto unconsciously takes a step back, placing her bag down, as if the Traveler’s very existence is a warning not to intrude. There is something that cannot be put into words about her, but Makoto knows instinctually to tread lightly. “Lumi-”

There is a space between seconds where the Traveler is some few meters away, and in the next Makoto bars the Musou no Hitachi across her vision to block an impact that feels like a mountain falling upon her. The Traveler is almost entirely wreathed in shadow within the secluded sands, but her eyes seem to cast Makoto’s senses into frenzy. White hot, burning amber soaked in blood, pupils shortened into feral pinpricks, her bared snarl hissing steam that immediately boils and evaporates the moment it escapes from clenched fangs. Makoto grunts as her entire being roars with the sound of chirping lightning, and kicks the Traveler’s knee out from under her. The blonde beast stumbles for a fraction of a second, diving between the falling katana and the Shogun’s outstretched knee before jabbing the sword edge into the sand, turning on the hilt as a fulcrum to spin and slam her leg into the puppet’s shin. Makoto falls to one knee with a jolt, but her intense focus doesn’t let up, and the barrage of bladed strikes are parried with all the strength she can muster. Her sword finds purchase after a sloppy turn, throwing the Traveler’s weapon away, and she pushes off her downed leg to stab- and the Traveler’s hand grabs the legendary sword with bare fingers. Makoto attempts to wrench it from the woman’s grasp, but it’s like attempting to pull herself from the vast pressure of an entire ocean. The Musou no Hitachi is pulled like a string to one side, the Traveler’s other hand slams Makoto down into the soft earth. Supine on her back, the puppet stares into gleaming, dripping fangs, the razor teeth of an apex predator, lips peeled back in rage. And the eyes drift closer, the haze of a light so searing space seems to melt around it. The fangs close in, Makoto’s artificial breath hitches-

“Oh.” The spell breaks. There is a long moment of silence as the blonde’s head pulls up and away, viciously scrubbing at her eyes, and when Makoto sees those golden irises again, they’re full. Slits faded, and no longer did the Traveler pin her prey to the ground…Lumine was on top of the Shogun. “I…sorry, lemme just, sorry-” The girl frantically skittered off the taller woman and scurried to help her into a more comfortable position. “I really didn’t mean to-” Makoto held a hand up to silence Lumine. “It is nothing I was not expecting. I know intimately your state of mind, after what happened in your duel with Ei. When you saw me, you were in a state where I was indistinguishable from friend or foe, and your victory brought you back to your senses. I do find some fault in myself for losing yet again, but you are okay now.”

Lumine didn’t look relieved by the assurance; if anything, she looked perturbed and upset, her eyes pinched with worry and guilt and distress. “But- but you shouldn’t have had to! It’s not okay, right? That I get like that, that I just get so mad that-”

“That it takes over?” Makoto guesses, and Lumine nods in a sedate manner. “For what it is worth, you are not the only one that experiences such volatile emotions. I should well know- Ei’s grief has caused univoltine thunderstorms in the distant past. What matters is that I am present now when you need me most.”

Lumine looks unconvinced, but at least partially calmer. They sit in silence for a stretch, kneeled in the sand as the waves lap at the shore. Makoto is loath to broach the topic again when Lumine’s emotions are so raw, and there is something so much more pressing on the puppet’s mind. Something that slithered in her stomach as she looked at the golden-haired girl sitting next to her. It was something she’d suppressed since the moment that she’d watched Lumine, half-dead, roar and growl like a wounded wolf as Paimon begged for her life.

“Lumine. I want you to look at me.” Hesitantly, she did so, and was met with Makoto’s thumb entering her mouth for the trouble. Unable to do anything but gawp, Lumine’s stunned surprise only burgeoned as the puppet opened her mouth for her, running her fingers all along her teeth. “You have fangs.” Makoto said matter-of-factly. “Even your normal molars are sharp, and your canines are akin to that of a wolf or dog.” “Ahhih-” Lumine tries to interrupt, but Makoto shushes her gently, and the blonde sits back on her haunches obediently. The Shogun hums. “As I have learned of my own likes and wants and desires, the call of a life…and seeing you, as I have, in our day-to-day, has certainly affirmed something. I have something of an oral fixation, it seems- the mouth is an instrument vital to our expression. The way you talk, the way you eat, the way you react with my digits in your mouth. It fascinates me. Pardon for the inquiry, but Xiangling requested I bring your serving of the evening meal to you- may I feed it to you?”

It’s something of a challenge for Lumine to refuse, considering Makoto’s five free fingers were stuffed in her mouth and running softly along the points of her teeth. The puppet looks entirely sincere, her imperious gaze locked onto Lumine with a surety like steel. Slowly, quietly, Lumine nods, and Makoto makes a small noise of pleasure. She fishes in the bag for a moment, and a strip of braised eel dangles from her fingers, and she angles Lumine’s jaw, thumb on the lip, to chew on the savour of well-seasoned seafood. It’s delicious, expectedly, but just as the blonde relaxes, another strip enters her mouth. It’s a steady pace, Makoto watching severely as Lumine chews, her fangs slicing through meat fiber like hot knives. The sun is gone by now, the moon starting to show its pale face on the horizon, and they are silent for some time. At some point, Lumine’s head is nestled in Makoto’s lap, and she’s cradling her bloated stomach in her hands.

“Mff…alright, you can stop now.” Lumine mumbles, her vision of Makoto’s face obscured by the latter’s chest. “Really, genuinely. I’ve had enough.”

Makoto hums and begins to move Lumine off her lap, but the Traveler stops her. “...We can stay like this for a while.”

“I was under the impression that you were uncomfortable with your emotional outburst from earlier. Suffice to say you’ve relaxed?” Makoto asks rhetorically, but makes no motion to shift Lumine off her thighs. “I apologize if my interest in your teeth was untoward.”

“I- I don’t think it was that bad. It was…intimate. I kinda liked it.” It comes out of her mouth gently, but it feels like a flood when she says it. “Reminds me they’re not just for, y’know. Biting, killing.”

“They are good for that.” The Shogun agrees easily. “Your bestial way of fighting is a dangerous match for your strength. But you are a dear companion, and it eases my worries knowing your fangs bare for us rather than toward us.”

Lumine’s not entirely sure why, but it feels like she’s about to cry. Her eyes turn left, out at the distant swarm of billions of glinting stars in the sky. They feel so close in this moment, like they could fall into her open hands and she could hold them close.

They stay like this for a while. Eventually, Makoto urges them to return.

Paimon ribs Lumine over her stuffed state. Noelle and Xiangling titter like housewives at the way Lumine and Makoto come back holding hands. Tighnari sighs in relief before turning back towards the night sky.

Lumine looks up at Makoto. Makoto looks down at Lumine. Lumine grins, her fangs making her look like a pleased Golden Retriever. Makoto smiles awkwardly, rusty with disuse.

It’s a good night.

[notmydayblog]

Lumine Defeated and Deflowered!

@magesmeatymuses’ Fallen Stars! Lumine has successfully defeated my version of the Abyss Princess Lumine in NotMyImpact! Her reward? To top and dominate her! To spoil and love her! The Abyss Princess has successfully been defeated by the Blond Haired Traveler!

[magesmeatymuses]

SUNDAY - 10:55AM

Ayaka, having returned back to her side of the table, could now speak to the rest of the party properly.

"...So! I have heard that you have gone on adventures most fanciful, Traveller! Would you care to regale me on them?"

"Don't forget about me! I've got to hear whatever you've been up to while you were gone!"

"Well... sniff..."

Tighnari's sinuses are no longer irritated on account of the teahouse being open and not having a bunch of incense blown up his nose all the time.

"Shortly after we left Inazuma, we went to The Chasm in Liyue, and also assisted Liyue itself in fending off Osial's wife, who had returned for revenge."

"Yeah... I remember that..."

...The mental image of those hilichurls gracelessly waiting for death is still a bit upsetting for Xiangling. (She really needs to sit down with Hu Tao and ask for a gravestone for them sometime.)

"Indeed. Once that was cleared up, we quickly headed into Sumeru, in which Lumine did as Lumine usually does and ended up toppling the corrupt Akademiya regime."

"...It was a pretty intense episode of our journey."

Paimon says, speaking up even if she doesn't look at Ayaka or Thoma still.

"I can only imagine... I'm certain it wasn't as simple as you all make it sound, but we have plenty of time to comb over the finer details, do we not?"

"..."

Lumine's kind of grateful that they didn't have to elaborate, because she doesn't think she could reveal Rukkhadevata's existence to them just yet.

"Yeah, we've got time. Uh. How about back here in Inazuma? Has it been tough since the Shogun left her post?"

And just like that, Ayaka and Thoma both looked extremely uncomfortable as they glanced at each other. Thoma stopped pouring tea into Tighnari's cup, and Ayaka gently put her hands on the table as she struggled to find the right words to say.

"Yeah... About that... We actually wanted to ask you a question."

"...Why did you ask the Raiden Shogun to come with you for your journey?"

"...Because I do what I do because I want to do it?"

"I'm being serious."

Ayaka shakes her head.

"After everything she had done to you and all she has done to Inazuma, I just don't understand why you would want her of all people to have come with you on your journey. I mean... Don't get me wrong, everyone in Inazuma still reveres her wholeheartedly, and I, myself, still worship her as the Electro Archon... but why? Why did you bring her with you?"

"..."

Lumine sighs, looking at her cup of tea.

"When we fought in the Plane of Euthymia—that place that she sucked me into when I tried to save Thoma—I didn't hold back at all. I was fully intending to kill her, because I didn't see any way where Inazuma would be free if she was still in power."

"...You planned to kill her?"

"...That would have been problematic for quite a fair few reasons. I want to say that I doubt you could have done that, but you are a miracle worker in many ways."

Thoma nods.

"Well, we can't talk about what happened if that came to pass, primarily because it obviously didn't. What changed?"

"...She looked so lonely."

Lumine softly murmurs.

"When I had her dead to rights, and when I told her to at least give Inazuma her blessing to proceed, she just said... she didn't want to let go of the memories that she had of Inazuma. I was too blind to think of a world where we could both live, and... I just couldn't help but feel that she needed saving."

"Even in spite of what she did to you?"

"...When I was in Sumeru, I... had a talk with Noelle. She told me that even sinners need a saviour, and everyone deserves a second chance. It's been a hard lesson for me to learn, because my instincts always tell me otherwise—but I guess that's what made me want to bring the Shogun along way back when. She wouldn't have done any good, still being in the same place as she always was for hundreds of years."

"I... suppose that I understand..."

"Regardless of what she did with the Vision Hunt Decree, the fact still remains that she's our Shogun. If it hadn't been for her strength and her protection, we'd probably have been overrun by foreign forces a long time ago. At the same time... it's been hard thinking about the lives that we've lost as a result of the civil war."

"...But maybe that's why you're the Traveller and we're not. Someone's got to be a hero for everyone to look up to, right?"

"..."

Perhaps not the best thing to say to someone who is emotionally compromised by virtue of literally everything that has happened to her so far. She solemnly nods in response.

"...The Shogun is back in Inazuma, by the way. She's probably going to be staying here for the week, and she might come back with us on our journey throughout Teyvat."

"I don't really know what she's doing right now... Hopefully, she's not gotten into any trouble..."

[magesmeatymuses]

I found completely real (and definitely not stolen) banter dialogue for Fallen Stars...!

(My agenda of Genshin Impact being a Xeno game in disguise will continue!)

[magesmeatymuses]

SUNDAY - 11:00 AM

Ichiban was not pleased in the slightest. Actually, he hadn't been anywhere near close to even ambivalent the moment he found out where they were going.

Being honest, he had an inkling that this location was where they were planning to go from the start, but he had no idea what Ei was thinking at all. It was fun watching her unleash her inner fury on any helpless fool who genuinely thought they could get the drop on the Raiden Shogun herself, but walking all this way just to find out that their pilgrimage was to this place? Half of him had the mind to just turn around and walk away, but Ei insisted that this was necessary.

In hindsight, he should have trusted his better judgment.

Two voices could be heard as they ascended the steps to the Grand Narukami Shrine. One belonged to a kitsune as wise as she was incredibly old, and the other belonged to a little naive hatchling that was a professional asskisser to the Shogun.

"...I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about this upcoming Wednesday."

"What's there to be concerned over? The arrangements have been made already, and all you need to do is simply show up. Hardly a difficult affair for someone of your position, I should imagine."

"There have been a lot of things happening in Inazuma recently, that's all. There have been thefts and kidnappings, and two people have gone missing—"

"Thefts and kidnappings... Ah, yes, done by that oni friend of yours. You keep quite the bizarre company, miss Kujou Sara."

"We're—! That's not the point I'm trying to make, Guuji Yae! I'm just... on edge because of the situation since the Shogun left Inazuma. All of this and having to stabilise the Kujou Clan is a bit much to deal with..."

"...Ei, this is a really bad idea. I'm telling you—"

"Perhaps so. However, Yae would find that I brought you here one way or another, and we may as well get that out of the way while we're here."

Slowly, they walked up the stairs, and the ones talking came into view properly...

"...There's nothing to fear. All you can do is focus on the world in front of you that only you can change. Worrying about the extraneous details you cannot control will only make things worse."

"But these are things that I must concern myself with while the Shogun is away...! Anything that could destabilise the peace we've found ourselves in could prove catastrophic if left unchecked!"

"There is little time to worry about 'ifs' and 'coulds'. Someone who deals in absolutes like the Shogun would prefer you direct your concerns towards more tangible things. Why, if she was here, I can imagine her saying something along the lines of—"

"'The pursuit of eternity can only be upheld when one finds peace within themselves.'"

Finally, Ei walked forward, startling the two of them as they looked towards her.

"Yae. Kujou Sara. I hope you both have been well."

"M-My Shogun?!"

Kujou Sara squawked, eyes widening to the size of dinner plates as she looked at her in surprise and reverence.

"You—I—if I had known you were coming, I would have prepared a gift—!"

Yae blinked, looking at Ei with an equal amount of surprise.

"Oh? Well, isn't this a surprise. The Raiden Shogun, and—"

"..."

Any good mood that Yae had as a result of seeing Ei immediately vaporised in thin air as she saw who she had brought with her.

"..."

And indeed, the feeling was likewise.

In that brief moment, all that existed was the two of them as they stared at each other with varying degrees of contempt. The kitsune gazed upon the puppet with the warmth and familiarity of a doctor identifying the many ills that plagued a beloved patient, and the puppet glowered upon the kitsune with the joy and adoration of a man on death row looking at the judge who handed down his sentence. To Yae's credit, she managed to control the barely-disguised disgust on her face—but Ichiban himself was not pleased at all.

"...My Shogun?"

Kujou Sara looked upon Ei's companion with a quizzical expression.

"Who is the boy you brought along with you?"

"Why, I'm very glad you asked. You see, this boy is—"

"Baal."

Yae firmly spoke, disregarding the fact that Kujou Sara was here at all. She did not like what she was seeing one bit.

"I presume that your next few words will adequately explain why this thing is here right next to you."

"...The 'thing' you are referring to is my son."

Ei said, pulling Ichiban close to him.

"Y-You have a son?!"

Kujou Sara exclaimed, her wings flapping involuntarily as she looked about ready to have a heart attack.

"S-Since when? How old is he? Where—where is his father?! What kind of man abandons the Raiden Shogun in her time of need—?!"

Walking forward until she was a short distance away from Ei, Yae was practically growling.

"It seems that you have gotten a lot more careless since you left Inazuma. I had hoped that being with the Traveller would have inspired some semblance of common sense in you—clearly not. This must have been your decision, because I know full well that she would have rather killed him than let him accompany her."

Ei's gaze becomes steely, and she narrows her eyes at Yae.

"It was indeed my decision. I could not have made it without the Shogun showing me the path I needed to take—"

"Of course the puppet felt kinship with another puppet. It must be quite convenient that you yet again get to make decisions without considering the consequences they have upon other people."

"Hey!"

Ichiban barked, causing the kitsune to look at him with a sneer that he promptly returned.

"You can talk about me however you want, but you leave the Shogun out of this!"

"...I believe I can refer to you both however I deign fit after the damage you have done."

Yae scoffs, looking back up to Ei.

"Following on from that train of thought, why did you bring it here to me knowing full well what I told you you should have done when you first made it?"

"...I knew it would be a matter of time before you found out I brought him here. As such, I came to you to let you know that my son, Raiden Ichiban, is under my care while he visits Inazuma."

"'Ichiban'? You gave it an actual name? Well, at least the fact that it's 'visiting' Inazuma means I can look forward to the day where it leaves."

Yae's voice drops to a deep, ominous growl as she makes sure Ei can hear what she has to say.

"The next time we meet, I expect to see that puppet gone. Do you understand me? I'll look the other way and pretend that this never happened."

"...I understand you."

Ei turns her nose up.

"And that is why I will tell you right now that he's not going anywhere."

"...Of course. I expected this kind of behaviour from you. Have fun explaining to the people of Inazuma that you willingly bought a Fatui Harbinger upon Inazuman soil—and God help you if they find out that your beloved 'son' is Kunikuzushi."

Well and truly displeased, Yae turns around on her heel and walks right past Kujou Sara, who herself seems quite frazzled as she caught bits and pieces of the conversation.

"...I'm sorry, did I hear something about a Fatui Harbinger?"

Kujou Sara looks at Ichiban in apprehension, keeping her hands close to her weapon reflexively. She looks quite uneased.

"My Shogun... What was that conversation about? Yae seemed quite on edge..."

"...I knew this was a horrible idea."

Ichiban whispered, looking down and clenching his fists.

"I should have just left when I had the chance. This isn't going to end well at all—"

"That's enough, Ichiban."

Ei put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him from getting swept up in his emotions before looking up to Kujou Sara.

"...Kujou Sara, I would like to request that you accompany us back to Tenshukaku. I... have a lot that I would like to discuss with you."

"I..."

Kujou Sara stood up straight and nodded.

"Of course. Wherever you go, I will go. I will put my faith in you, as I always have."

"...Very well. In that case, we shall be off. I will brief you as we go along."

And so the journey continued.

[magesmeatymuses]

SUNDAY - 10:30AM

After a lot of walking and a bunch of time spent beating up any monsters that came their way, Lumine and company finally arrived to the Kamisato Estate. It was, as to be expected, just as beautiful as the last time they had visited.

"And here we are! Milady's been awaiting your arrival since we heard word you were coming to Inazuma, so it's an honour for us to host you during your stay, no matter how long it may be."

"It's very much appreciated, Thoma."

Tighnari nods towards him.

"You'll have to forgive us for not preparing any gifts in advance. I could perhaps gift Ayaka some tea from Sumeru as a courtesy, if that's preferable?"

"Don't sweat it, Tighnari! Seriously. You have no idea how much Lady Ayaka's grateful for all you've done during the Inazuma Civil War—and I think that she's just going to be happy to meet you again, honestly."

"Hey, I can't wait to see her again myself! Being able to just hang out without having to worry about being Public Enemy No. 1 would be awesome!"

"Ah, yes. You did have an outing with Lady Ayaka when you were here last time, didn't you? Something about going on a quest to find an old friend of her mother's?"

"...Yeah."

Paimon crosses her arms, looking down at the ground.

"Paimon remembers that well, herself. We ended up going to a festival with Ayaka after the fact, but that was before..."

"...before Thoma got arrested and almost had his Vision taken away."

Thoma crosses his arms.

"...It was lucky that things progressed the way that they did. I'm lucky that you saved me in the nick of time—and we're also lucky that you managed to bounce back from what the Raiden Shogun inflicted upon you. I know it mustn't have been easy."

"Yeah, it definitely wasn't easy. You know, considering the fact that she died."

Paimon abrasively huffs, turning away from Thoma.

"Paimon..."

Xiangling shakes her head, looking at Thoma and nodding.

"Thoma, is Ayaka here? We'd be honoured to meet her if she's free."

"...And maybe we can play that hot pot game of yours again! You won't beat me this time, Thoma!"

"A challenge, huh? I'll hold you to it, then!"

Thoma looks towards the entrance to the Kamisato Estate.

"Milady is just inside, and she's been waiting for this all day. Shall we go?"

"Sure!"

Lumine smiles, beginning to walk inside.

"Let's go, everyone!"

"Of course!"

Noelle nods.

"I'll be sure to thank Lady Ayaka for her hospitality!"

"I suppose I'll be the one giving gifts... Thank goodness that I didn't have to spend what limited Mora we have on anything too extravagant."

Tighnari looks over her shoulder at Xiangling and Paimon.

"Are you two coming?"

"Actually, Paimon would rather stay here than step foot on—"

"Ahem."

Xiangling clears her throat, looking to Tighnari.

"...Can you give us a second? I need to have a word with Paimon."

"...Of course."

Tighnari nods.

"Take all the time you need. We'll be waiting inside."

And so Tighnari went inside with the others, leaving Xiangling and Paimon alone to talk amongst themselves...

[magesmeatymuses]

I'm hijacking the Fallen Stars tag again so I can talk in-depth about my thoughts for Lumine's character development in terms of the future.

In my head, I think that Lumine is someone that desperately wants to be like Aether. Aether, in her mind, was the ideal hero, and heroes always stood up for what's right. Evil is evil, and good is good; therefore, whatever the Fatui is doing is wrong and must be opposed morally.

But as has been discussed many times, the world is not that simple. Lumine's faith in herself is what keeps her grounded, but once that faith is tested or outright shattered, her awful self-esteem is revealed for all to see. It's really sad to see that the Traveller just wants to mean something to someone as proof that her existence is inherently worth something.

My belief is that, once Fontaine happens and once Natlan comes to pass, Lumine will finally understand that the Fatui is just one of the symptoms of the underlying disease that plagues Teyvat at its core. Once she finally understands that everyone is just the pawn of a game initiated by a larger player, Lumine might just finally become the hero she's always wanted to be—and her neverending love for Teyvat is what propels her forward to make sure there's a happy ending for everyone.

There is a place for everyone in this world, and even sinners deserve a saviour.

"I... I understand it now. I... could never forgive the Fatui for their cruelty... but the only reason we're like this right now, fighting an endless war... is because we're forced to fight in the first place! The Abyss against Celestia? The Tsaritsa against Celestia?! This war only exists because of the Heavenly Principles in the first place!"

"So if I have the choice between choosing which side to fight... I won't choose either at all! If this war exists because of the Heavenly Principles, then you can bet everything you've got that I'll take that fight to them myself! Then, and only then, can we live in peace—all of us, TOGETHER!"