Wait Venti “mixes things up in canon”? Like, confuses which time he’s in??
I don’t think I’ve noticed. If you want, could you give some examples?
Yeah! There are 1-3 examples of this: 1 that only has time-related explanations, 2 which can be interpreted that way.
The first one is these two lines from different parts of the prologue, in both scenes where we meet Venti at Windrise.
He says exactly the same thing twice and notices that the second time. The delivery is almost identical too (at least in Chinese).
It's too long and flowery to be a coincidence imo, even from him; I believe it's much likelier that he messed up a script due to stress. As he points out himself, he only says 'these things' whenever he's 'down on his luck'.
There are two explanations for this that make sense to me:
He interacts with time nonlinearly. The specific nature of that could vary from simple time travel to jumping around branching timelines to experiencing more than one point in time in parallel; at this point I have no way to narrow that down.
He's in a time loop. He's been through the prologue before and he's partly on autopilot. Maybe Teyvat gets reset and he remembers previous loops, maybe it's something shorter.
Tangentially, if loop theory is true and Teyvat's on its fourth loop then the way he introduces himself will retroactively be even funnier:
Though his infamous song line would be slightly more consistent with intepretation one, as would a text about wind and time I can't locate that describes wind as 'moving between the pages of a book' (considering Teyvat operates on story logic) vs time being more destructive. Interpretation two is still possible if he knows 'future' songs from later in previous loops.
Anyway, the other two mixups concern the traveller.
The first is his infamous introductory voiceline:
Which isn't subtle. The second is from his story quest as he flees Angel's Share:
In which he refers to the statue's hands as 'the usual place' despite us never having been there with him. The dialogue immediately afterwards confirms this is intentional, not something implied to have happened offscreen. Like the Windrise lines, he says this while not at his best emotionally.
Venti also really, really likes the traveller in general- a bit much for someone who hasn't known us that long. His voiceline about his greatest wish puts us on par with Nameless Bard.
Both of the above have a non-time explanation: Venti may have befriended the traveller 500 years ago, the traveller has forgotten everything, and for unknown reasons Venti is trying to hide this from us. However, time travel, experiencing the future and present simultaneously, or knowing them from prior timeloop resets are also viable explanations for why he knows them and has spent time with them already.
Sooo yeah! Venti's hiding something big either way, but he's not as slick as he wants to be.
So, one of the Sins of the Akademiya is not to create artificial life. Albedo goes against these laws, one by existing but 2, potentially based on what he did in the recent archon quest.
He is friends with Cyno and Tighnari after they visited for Windblume that one year.
We know Cyno really really cares about these laws, and Tighnari is willing to overlook them for his own personal set of morals (see him taking care of Karkata).
Imagine, Albedo visits Cyno and Tighnari in Sumeru. Somehow, his secret is exposed to both, inciting an ethical dilemma in Cyno and an arguement between him and Tighnari.
Albedo is injured, and really needs their help. They are trapped in some domain.
I am interested in hearing a monologue about your ideas for the uni au with Childe & Kaeya & Rosaria 👀
AUGH.. THANK YOU...
it's likely gonna be barely comprehensible, apologies in advance LMAO
edit after finishing writing: beware a lot of words below....
this is naturally not a general uni au, more like a very very specific take of mine that lacks A LOT OF DETAILS that one would expect from a "uni au" (also it's chaeya centric asf)
such as. don't ask me about their majors... i don't even know what majors exists. so i have no clue how to pick them for characters
i only have my personal uni experience and majority of the time i didn't find it all that relatable to what i hear from like... americans.... or europeans even
so idk!! it is based on my experience, uni i went to and also contains major projection on childe from me (for fun)
so if anything sounds odd... idk!
anywho
so they are going to the same uni, duh, same year and all, but different majors
first year of uni - they probably seen each other
but more likely childe saw kaeya, and kaeya was a bit busy making connections with many other people
childe - as per my personal preference - is from some russian village, he is learning to be a city boy and he is learning about himself too...
while he was under impression that he is in fact a cis hetero, and even to his roommates/friends he met at uni he was just that, kaeya is here to mess with this
perhaps some of his friend may have suspected that his weird interest in making friends with kaeya but total refusal to go and talk to him is smth more complicated than him just being weird (as childe clearly is extraverted enough, and would always make quick friends with others.. so why won't he just talk to kaeya? hmmm?)
anyways so phase one... perhaps for entire first year, is that childe is aware of kaeya, thinks he is very cool, wants to interact with him but for some reason feels hesitant (aka shy)
with my major bias for kaeya i will also say he is popular enough, totally has plenty of fellows in other groups/majors, goes to hang out with people especially after classes, he is cool like that
which adds to absurdity that childe somehow doesn't manage to even introduce himself to him
however childe still hears about kaeya, sees him around, definitely follows his instagram/whatever other social media, and just gets to develop a lil crush
perhaps from there till the start of 2nd year, or 4th semester, whatever is funnier here, childe gets to reflect on his feelings a bit
mostly i'd like to think there is at least part of genshin cast there, and most people are very queer
and childe gets to learn a lot of things he never heard about, which likely makes him consider how he never had a real crush on girl despite always assuming he is attracted to them somehow and will end up with one
(sorrey everything i touch ends up on ace spectrum hehe)
and for the sake of good vibes, i don't want childe to take these news negatively / go into denial, i'd like to say he realises this part of himself, feels oddly at peace, and he is just happy that his confusing feelings aren't "wrong" / something unheard of
while i don't think he comes out to anyone in any way, maybe he establishes that he is for sure not exactly heterosexual with some of his closest friends
but that's that on that. he still mingles with ladies just fine, he is also popular enough to get attention from them sometimes.
i will be crazy and say he is in some sport team of that university... which sport. uh. i don't know. doesn't matter. some sport. he is on the team, he trains and plays games. gets excuses to skip classes once in a while because of that
this is me making a point that he is a former normie cishetero jock, who now starts to figure out he may be not that hetero
and like it may be very obvious kaeya is very helpful (he is doing nothing, he just exists)
NOW BACK TO "PLOT"
3rd/4th semester hits - they got elective classes, something stupid and annoying that you simply must pass but it doesn't even relate to anyone's major
all these elective classes apply to the entire year of students, not each majors, meaning once the groups for each class is formed - it will be a mix of different majors
that is my forced meet cute for chaeya AKJSHSAKJD
they end up in the same class, it's something horribly techy/science related, neither of their majors match it at all, it's hell on earth
and ofc for the sake of plot - when everyone were choosing the courses the site crashed like 50 times, so many students sorta had to choose the worst options/didn't manage to stick by their friends
which is ofc the case for chaeya here, and they are both solo
there is some big project for this class everyone must do, that is the sort of requirement to pass it
luckily you can do the project solo or in pair
yeah u guessed it childe asks kaeya to pair up, and while they both say they don't get this new subject at all kaeya agrees
childe is over the moon because he is FINALLY talking to kaeya, and now has a whole exuse to even SIT NEXT TO HIM once a week, not to mention the whole project thing -> they totally gotta text each other omfg
im sure this is where childe's homies look at him knowingly. bc who on earth keysmahes into their groupchat about kaeya like that.
anways i think initially kaeya is very ... distant . like he isn't unfriendly, he just doesn't give a fuck? he has close friends already, this class is a complete chore, he just wishes he can be done with it quickly u know
and childe seems fine??? well. as i sorta mentioned before childe has violent normie cishetero energy, and kaeya to me is none of that
just for the sake of my own entertainment, kaeya is 1. kinda popular 2. kinda goth.
NOT TRULY. but he's fashionable enough to pass, he has mad strong vibes of the hottest guy you ever seen + he hangs out with rosaria a lot
and i think they def look like 2 gothic besties that are out of your league (bisexual awakening for normies)
(as a less relevant sidenote that is just for me and can be ignored, i wanna say they are both trans and that just gives them more aura okay. and adds to why kaeya would be extra hesitant to befriend someone so cishetero-passing)
so like i said kaeya is a little reserved at first, friendly enough not to hurt childe, mostly focusing on the fact that he needs childe for this project (i imaigne they both pulling their personal connections to other majors so someone else entirely does it for them LMAO)
but as he gets to experience childe as a desk partner and someone who walks with him out of class until kaeya meets his friends... he starts to notice that childe's behavior isn't very typical for some 'jock' who simply wants to get this project done
objectively speaking they don't need to talk that much, but childe is very clearly eager...
and also he is . silly as hell. he for sure makes kaeya laugh by whispering dumb jokes to him during the lesson
showing him weird memes he found on his laptop while they are pretending to be working
perhaps asking him to help with his solitaire games LMAO
also constantly taking the lead/answering to the prof if they are caught slacking off (what a hero)
it's very chill and cute, kaeya starts to slowly change his opinion, become a little bit more open
then some exposing events happen
like childe blurts out that he knew about kaeya for ages, and followed him on social media (kaeya was under assumption they both didn't know each other at all)
which likely would make kaeya question why he never spoke to him, and ofc childe chooses the worst way to express himself (it's the most truthful) he basically says he thought kaeya was too cool looking
and kaeya is like 'oh.'
kaeya is definitely smart enough to put the piece together and start to see that childe for sure trying to impress him, and wants to hang out a lil too much for someone only seeking fellowship
and oh my. kaeya likes it. he can pull any bitch but this russian jock got him CURIOUS okay.
it certianly helps that childe is funny, kinda cringefail in his attempts to rizz him up (he succeeds sometimes tho). Kaeya def followed childe back on some sites, saw the stuff he was posting on his private acc, and got a glimpse at more childe lore (some casual picks of family/friends/places he's been to)
so yeah Kaeya is now interested in childe back, WOW. he is probably the one to initiate their first date... well it was meant to be a simple hang out after class to work on their project, but they just ate and talked and it was cute.
kaeya for sure was straight up flirting with childe and childe was trying to survive.
somehow that made kaeya develop feelinds fr (personal take kaeya likes a cringefail guy who is very honest about the way he is simping for him)
ermmm fast forward, semester is over, project is done (neither kaeya or childe know wtf it is about still, but they both have good enough social skill to bullshit their way thru a presentation and any questions from the prof)
technically that's where they can pretty much stop interacting, but ofc they wooont ehheahdfjksfhdsjfhksd
bc after that childe is very dedicated to walking kaeya to his dorms/nearest metro/bus station
OFC childe's dorms are at a different location, he is NOT going the same direction he just wants to hang out with kaeya even if their classes literally can never match anymore
kaeya is gay enough to let this happen and literally ditch his friend just to let childe meet him after class. iam sure they are judging him hard. all of that for a white boy?? unreal
eventually they will date. DUH. no cool details on that. i didn't think of it
i do think of them as a couple tho
that's where the whole joke of childe pestering rosaria comes from
like kaeya's friends (kindly) judge his taste in men and the fact that he got with some Guy(tm)
kaeya can't really argue but insists childe is good and to the very least funny
rosaria is the least thrilled about some extraverted jock being around, and kaeya definitely relishes in the moments she has to witness childe's energy
mind you childe is scared of her. to him it's kaeya's very cool and very scary bestie that he must make happy or else she will tell kaeya he sucks or smth
so he tries to be extra friendly towards her, genuinely wants to be on her good side, while rosaria just want to kill both him and kaeya for bothering her
it's pure sitcom shit okay
and the other aspects of them dating :
i think it's just hilarious how kaeya is this gothic baddie while childe is just a jock, aestetically this makes me happy okay
also simple things like childe always staying in the uni building/going to a different one (if he has the time) just to (once again) hang out with kaeya after classes
forcing his roommates into labor if kaeya needs help with some class
childe for sure cooks sometimes, and i KNOW he would bring his cooking for kaeya to eat instead of cafeteria food
on the other hand kaeya is starting to do crazy shit like .. idk going to watch childe train/play his sport. he never did anything like it, he doesn't even like sports, now he is willing to go watch his bf do some shit at like 7 pm. rosaria thinks he is nuts
another delightful thought for me, connected to childe's lack of experience/generally not being very well versed in queer culture... kaeya gets to teach him slang and stuff. and he is getting an insane kick out of it when childe uses 'slay' correctly or smth JKDSHFJKLDHDSLJKF (rosaria hates it btw)
i think childe is barely active online, at least his insta would be private and he doesn't update it too often
but kaeya for sure got him all over his stories and occasionally in posts too... you would think it's just some couple-y cuteness, not. it's opression, kaeya is making you feel bad for being single or not being with a hot guy like childe. HA
uhm. HM.
this will be the end of my word vomit, i am sure i have more tiny situational bits but this is already long and unhinged enough
thank u for reading to whoever was crazy enough to get here. mwah
Gods Can Get Sick? - AlbusLebron - 原神 | Genshin Impact (Video Game) [Archive of Our Own]
Available here on Tumblr and on ao3!
Illness was not an issue he ever had to reckon with as a wind wisp. He envied his siblings in that regard. The Thousand Winds were unable to related to his sickness, so they tried to comfort him in their own ways. Some of them stayed with Venti, while others scoured the continent in search of a solution. They snuck into the Akademiya’s libraries, swept through Cloud Retainer’s blueprints, and even searched the remains of the Fontaine Research Institute for a cure to a divine cold. He had gotten sick plenty of times before, but each time, some wind wisps searched Teyvat. They hoped that, in the centuries since the last time he was sick, someone had come up with something that could help him recover faster.
Meanwhile, Venti was sorely rethinking his decision to live outside. Normally, he loved the outdoors! He loved laying on a high branch at Windrise, feeling the way the breeze shakes the trees, and occasionally feel the cool rain on his skin. Now though, his whole body ached, and the roots of Vennessa’s Tree simply felt uncomfortable.
While his old friend’s Tree was normally his go-to healing spot, that was more for magic issues, such as alchemical corruption or losing some of his power. Against a regular (divine) cold, the Tree was unfortunately unable to help.
Venti didn’t want to risk infecting Dvalin, and Andrius was never too comforting. He would love to rest in the hands of his (friend’s) statue, but his stronger-than-a-human’s sneezes would attract unwanted scrutiny, and likely bother the people in the plaza. And then the Sisters would notice, and insist on trying to heal him or having him rest in the cathedral’s recovery wing. And then he’d be stuck listening to choir songs singing praises he didn’t deserve, while all the sisters prayed to himself so he could get better!
So, he stayed at the roots of Vennessa’s Tree, trying to make himself comfortable, while several wind wisps tried to comfort him. He closed his eyes, and tried once again to relax.
“Oh! Apologies, I wasn’t expecting you to be out here.”
He slowly opened his eyes and looked in the direction of the voice, where Grandmaster Jean was standing. She looked concerned.
“Grandmaster Jean!” He mouths the word ‘acting’ as she goes to correct him, “What a pleasant surprise! What brings you to Windri-Achoo!” Venti groaned.
“I often visit Lady Vennessa’s Tree to clear my head. Are you alright?”
He winced at the thought that he was adding more stress to her plate, “Of Course, Grandmaster Jean!” He wished his voice didn’t sound as hoarse.
Jean looked conflicted, then took a few steps towards Venti and sat down next to him, “I hope I’m not being too presumptuous, but… I wasn’t aware Archons could get sick.”
Venti sneezed again, then looked at Jean, “Oh, it’s just something I have to deal with every few centuries. Alas, even gods are not immune to colds,” He sighed dramatically, “Perhaps this is my punishment for stealing Master Diluc’s wine…”
She looked at his lap, where several wind wisps were currently resting, “Then are the… wind spirits also sick?”
He followed her gaze to the sleeping wind wisps, “Ah, no, they’re just trying to make me - Achoo! - feel better.”
“Is that why you’re spending more time at the Tree? You mentioned before that it helps you heal.”
“Alas, Valiant Vennessa’s tree only helps heal ailments of the magical kind. Such a mundane problem cannot be healed from a magical source.”
She looked down at her own lap, “I know it’s not my place to question your judgment…”
He placed a hand over his heart and closed his eyes, “Grandmaster Jean, you wound me! I can take any criticism you have to throw at me!” He let his hands fall to his sides, opened his eyes and looked at Jean, “I value your opinion, really! Whatever it is you have to say, please don’t let my status as an archon keep you from sharing!”
“If Lady Vennessa’s Tree can’t heal your cold, then why are you still sitting outside? Fresh air and exercise is imperative to a quick recovery, but so is proper rest. I can’t imagine it’s easy to make the trip to Windrise every day. Surely there’s a park closer to your house.”
“Oh, I don’t actually have a house in the city! I usually just sleep outside.”
She looked horrified, “Lord Barbatos-”
He quickly interrupted, “It’s fine, really! I love the outdoors!” His smile didn’t seem to convince her.
“I cannot in good conscience allow a citizen of Mondstadt, archon or otherwise, to remain outside while they are recovering from an illness. I can offer you my house’s spare bedroom.”
“That’s really not -Achoo! - necessary, Grandmaster Jean. Really, this just happens sometimes. I’ll be fine in a few days… ah… ah… Achoo!”
“I insist, Lo- Venti. We don’t want whatever you have to get worse. And I’m sure you wouldn’t want myself, your other friends, and all your… wind spirits to worry you aren’t taking care of yourself.”
He gasped, “I can’t believe you Grandmaster Jean! Using my compassion against me,” he draped his hand over his forehead, “Oh, woe is me if- Achoo!... Ah… Ah… Achoo!” He dropped his hands back to his sides, “... I’ll go, if only to give you peace of mind. You may have a point about proper rest.”
She smiled, “I’m glad to hear it,” she held a hand out to help him up. As he stood up, several wind wisps roused from their sleep and floated up beside his head.
“There’s plenty of room for the wind spirits too.”
He took her hand, and smiled earnestly, “Thank you, Grandmaster Jean.”
***
An hour later, he was laying on her spare bed, which he had to admit was much comfier than a tree. He was still sneezing every few minutes, but he was as relaxed as he could be in present conditions. Several of the Thousand Winds floated next to him. 4 were trying to sing to him, 3 were nuzzling against him to provide comfort, and others were playing with his hair.
One of his braids was dangling over the edge of the bed, and 2 wind wisps were quite entertained by watching it sway in the small breezes they created. The other braid had come undone entirely, and 3 wind wisps were trying to rebraid it for him.
Each time he sneezed, they lost their grip, the half-done braid fell apart, and they had to start over again. It would be a few sneezes before they learn to braid his hair quick enough. They don’t seem to mind having to start over. In fact, they seem to really enjoy constantly braiding his hair. Venti suspects that if his sneezing didn’t regularly undo their progress, they would’ve redone the braid several times by now.
Venti doesn’t want to think about the chaos the other 988 winds were out causing. Instead, he thinks about how nice Jean was to give him the bed even though he probably caused more work for her. He would have to repay her somehow once he got better.
For now, though, he was content to doze off, safe in his old friend’s house.
Remember when I said I'd write a fic inspired by your thoughts about so many smart people preferring to live and study in Mondstadt instead of the literal Nation of Wisdom?
Here it is!
It's a bit short right now but I will continue it and hope to have a weekly update schedule!
Rewriting the Akademiya - Chapter 1 - AlbusLebron - 原神 | Genshin Impact (Video Game) [Archive of Our Own]
Hello! Sorry to bother you but I stumbled over your blog the other day and just wanted to ask how you feel about writing Dainsleif from Genshin Impact?
Hi! Not a bother at all! I love getting asks about my writing and Genshin Impact and especially my Genshin Impact writing.
The short answer is: yes, now I do feel more confident writing Dainsleif.
I first wrote my list-of-characters-I'll-write-for before I played Bedtime Story.
But now that I have played Bedtime Story, and we heard a little bit more about Dainsleif in the 5.1 Archon Quest, I've changed my mind. I think I could now come up with more things to say from Dainsleif's perspective.
So yes, if you have an ask for Dainsleif, send it in! I'll update my pinned post to reflect this.
I actually checked out your ao3 and really like that fic you posted where Dainsleif meets Venti! I think their interaction NEEDS to be explored more, both in canon and fanfic.
