The Five Senses of the Archons
—Moments with the Archons of Teyvat shines like gold in your heart.
gn! Traveler! Reader with Nahida (platonic), Furina, & Mavuika
(Zhongli, Venti, & Raiden Shogun version)
Read on Ao3
Tagging: @belovedoftheanemoarchon
Sight - Nahida
“I’ve been waiting for you for ages! Let’s go!” The little archon’s words echoed in your head as she pulled you higher and higher up the tree.
The two of you had abandoned the Sumeru pathways up the tree leading to the Sanctuary of Surasthana long ago, in favor of just climbing the massive tree instead. Below, you could see the people of Sumeru City walking around the market streets, similar to fish swirling in a pond. A wry smile grew on your face - Nahida would like that metaphor. Above, Nahida climbed branch after branch with alarming speed, and you struggled to keep up with her.
You clung to the branches, keeping your footing as you went after her. “Please, Nahida! Be careful!” You heard a soft giggle, and felt a tree branch surge beneath you to lift you up. You found yourself looking at the little Archon, smiling brightly at you. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help! And look, we’re here!” You carefully perched next to her, and after catching your breath, you gasped in awe.
Through the leaves, the sun rose over the city on the horizon. Bright, brilliant rays illuminated the land, and you found yourself shading your eyes. An incredulous chuckle left your mouth, “this is what you wanted to show me?” A giggle from your side made you turn to look at Nahida. Her bright, mischievous smile seemed to illuminate the dark green branches. You found yourself smiling back at her.
“When I was in the Sanctuary of Surasthana, I’d sometimes see the sun shining through the windows,” she said softly, touching the tree’s branches. “The light would filter through the leaves, and for a long time, I really wished to see the sun for myself.” Your eyes widened, remembering that the Sanctuary was not always Nahida’s abode. There was only so much that Irminsul could rewrite after all. Nahida’s voice drew you out of your thoughts.
“You know, what they say is true: You have to see the world for yourself to appreciate how beautiful it is,” she tugged on your sleeve, and she met your gaze with a bright look on her face that rivaled the sun’s glow. “I’m glad I can witness this together with you.”
As the sun’s golden rays washed over the two of you that morning, you could’ve sworn the colorful sunrise became even brighter.
Smell - Furina
“Ugh, bo-ring,” Furina tossed the scented paper slip into the waste basket, “surely Emilie has something new?” Being the companion of the former Archon of Fontaine was certainly not something you foresaw when you stepped foot in the nation of Hydro. And yet, despite all of Furina’s pomp and grandeur, you found yourself enjoying her theatrics.
Currently, you were ambling with her along the main shopping street, and were pushed and pulled into any store of her fancy. After her sudden retirement, Furina had been reclusive. At some point, Monsieur Neuvillette had enough, and recruited you to check up on her. Eventually, you became Furina de Fontaine’s unofficial personal companion whenever she wanted to go out shopping.
You sprayed a slip of paper and sniffed it, “hmm…” you glanced at the name: Weeping Crystal. “It’s not bad, but….” You were no expert with perfume, but it’s notes were elegant, fragrant, and mild (according to Emilie’s description on the table). You subtly glanced at Furina.
The perfume’s description reminded you of Furina before the prophecy came to pass. Only the Hydro Archon will remain, weeping on her throne. A weeping spectacle, a muted version of her true self. Your eyes wandered the display table, stopping on a perfume with an interesting scent description.
Cool, deep, fragrant. You sprayed your slip and look a deep breath. You could smell the Lumoudice bells. The musky scent of wood. A refreshing tone of mint beneath the florals.
“Hm? Is this one good?” Furina had come up to you, peeking over your shoulder, eyes sparkling. You chuckled, raising the paper slip to her nose. She sniffed the slip, eyes popping open. “Ooh! This one is perfect! Truly befitting a person such as myself!~” She hummed as she snatched a bottle off the table, calling over a sales clerk. “I’ll be taking one of these! A-and…” she quietly cleared her throat, “one for my friend, as well!”
You started, “Y’know, Furina, I can pay for your-” A bag was thrust into your hands by a rather determined Furina. “W-well, I do treat my friends well, after all! Consider it a token of our friendship!”
The two of you walked out of Chioriya Boutique. It was later than you’d thought, it was starting to get dark. As you walked Furina back to her home, you noted that she was less chatty now. More pensive.
“Having second thoughts on the perfume?” you joked quietly to her. She looked up at you, shaken out of her thoughts. “I love it,” she said softly, a small, shy smile on her face. She slipped her arm into yours, and you walked on in silence.
At last, you reached her home. Furina clutched the bag, hugging it to her torso. “Thank you for being with me,” she said quietly. You felt yourself smile, “there’s no need to thank me. I wanted to be here.” Furina looked relieved. “Then… perhaps we could… do this again?” She looked at you, hope in her eyes, pleading. You nodded, gaze softening as you held your bag, “of course, Furina. We will.”
As you walked to Hotel Debord by yourself, you found yourself wanting to smell the perfume again. You slipped the bottle out and uncapped it, breathing in the scent. As you did, the label caught your eye. The name of the perfume made you smile - Everlasting Promise.
How fitting.
Sound - Mavuika
You could barely hear the thudding of your heart over the roaring crowd of the arena.
You stepped off of Mavuika’s Flamestrider and did a slow turn, taking in the shouts and cheers of the people. It reminded you of the thunderous praise you received when you and Mavuika returned from the Night Kingdom, triumphant and proud. You would never forget the feeling of sheer, hard won victory, sinking deeper into your chest with each clap and cheer from the people of Natlan. But this moment came quite close to it.
You were still coasting on the wings of popularity after that moment. It seemed wherever you went, you were met with a sparkling eye and heartfelt thanks of saving Natlan. You’d smile bashfully and thank them in return, but remind them that it wasn’t only you who helped. Your attention flashed to Mavuika. Her hair glowed bright yellow as she passionately addressed the crowd:
“People of Natlan! Our victory has been hard won, but it has not been in vain! Let us celebrate our triumphs!” Even through the raucousness and hear hear!s of the crowd, her voice could still be heard: loud, victorious. A song amidst the chaos.
“No one fights alone!”
The crowd burst into even louder cheers. The energy in the arena was so high, it made your hair stand on edge.
You pressed a hand to your chest, breathlessly watching the audience and turning in a slow circle. You felt something grab your other hand, and your attention flashed to Mavuika. Her smile was infectious - sunny and bright as all the stars in the sky. You found yourself grinning back at her.
“We couldn’t have done this without you, Traveler,” She said, eyes gazing at you warmly with gratitude. Your face felt hot under her gaze, but you responded in earnest. You held her gaze smiling, “And I couldn’t have done this without you either, Mavuika.” Her eyes widened, and her smile widened. The sounds of the arena seemed to fade into background noise as the two of you took in your victory together.
At last, you turned your head and pumped your fist into the air, teeth bared in a grin. Mavuika turned her attention back to the audience, raising your enclosed hands upward in triumph. “For Natlan!” You roared back in response with the audience, “For Natlan!”
The cheers of the Natlanese enveloped you. Fiery, fire-hot, like it would ignite your heart with the passion of a people undying. You glanced back at Mavuika, and saw that she was already looking at you, relief and happiness in her eyes.
A warm feeling flooded your chest. To win any battle was already rewarding enough, but sharing the triumph, hand in hand, sword with claymore, next to an archon felt like a blessing from this strange world. But as you met Mavuika’s sunny eyes, you knew you could endure anything that Teyvat threw at you.
After all, no one, not even an archon or a mere Traveler, fights alone.
—🌱🌊🔥
The mini-series is done!! The Tsaritsa will get an installation once her character is released. Until then, hope you enjoyed the fic!!
Comments likes and reblogs are forever appreciated!! Thank you for reading~
Xoxo Calci~
