I was wondering why Phil giving Dan head pats in post-HL videos (especially when reassuring him) felt so familiar…🤔
and I realised… it’s because of Phil’s solo part during TIT — specifically when he talks about Dan expressing how he needed a mental health break and in turn how Phil was ‘of course very supportive’ towards Dan at this time. As Phil says ‘ok buddy’ here, he mimes basically the same head patting gesture as above… 🥹
It’s now so easy to assume… or just 🥰 imagine 🥰 back then (pre-interactive introverts?) a guilt-ridden Dan talking about needing his break from everything… only to be met with Phil in return not hesitating to be there for Dan, through of course comfort and support —but also through much needed reassuring head pats 🫂❤️🩹✨
Author Notes: Happy MerMay Twisted Wonderland fandom!! This ended up shorter than I actually wanted it to, but it is what it is. I actually have wondered if switching between forms might hurt for merfolk. It seems like it possibly would to me, but then magic can also be funky so it might not. But that's the inspiration behind this fic. As per usual, reader is gender-neutral. I hope you enjoy!
You sat with your chin resting in your hands and your elbows braced on your knees by the side of the pool. Watching Jade and Floyd swim around lazily as you let your thoughts idly drift.
There were a great many things you were curious about when it came to the lives of Azul, Jade, and Floyd in general and, more specifically, pertaining to their status as merpeople. And while there were some of those questions that you were comfortable asking, there were also those you were more wary of. Like the Leech family business that the tweels had alluded to in the past.
It was always possible that Jade and Floyd were just messing with you, or that you were overly reading into some of the things they’d said. But it was also just as possible that both they and their family were into some seriously shady stuff. After all, all three of the young men from the sea certainly didn’t have very many if any qualms about delving into more shady work.
Which was why you didn’t ask even if you were curious. There were some things you were probably better off just leaving be. And if it did become important, you were confident they would let you know.
But, by the same token, there were also random inane questions you’d find yourself posing. Often to the amusement of all three of them.
Which was probably why you found yourself tilting your head at Jade, your mere look causing both him and his brother to look your way with matching amused expressions. As if they were fully expecting you to question them. And you did not disappoint.
“Does it hurt when you switch between your mer-form and land-form?”
Azul looked up from his book, an utterly confused frown on his face as he looked your way, “What on earth would make you think that, Angelfish?”
You lifted your shoulders in a vague shrug, glancing his way as you spoke, “It’s just something I’ve wondered about for a little while now. After all, you are switching from tail and/or tentacles to legs, or vice versa.”
Jade rested his arms on the side of the pool where he’d swam over while Floyd continued to swirl through the water in an oddly thoughtful fashion, “It doesn’t hurt, no.” He paused, a smile curving across his face in a perfectly cruel fashion before he continued, “Though I have read that if the transformation were to be forced upon you by another it might.”
Azul let out a hum, glancing back down at his book and flipping a page as he nodded in an almost absent-minded fashion, “Yes, I think the original potions could lead to some unpleasant side effects as well.”
He paused, glancing your way with a distinctly wheedling smile before continuing, “Of course, if you truly are curious, I could make a potion and you could see for yourself.”
Your nose wrinkled almost immediately and Floyd let out a snicker, “You don’t wanna play underwater with us, Shrimpy?”
There was a lilt to his voice that almost made you snort. But you could already picture him harassing you if you ever did actually try such a thing.
Though, even with that in mind, you couldn’t deny that a small part of you was tempted. After all, breathing underwater and being a merperson… It was like something right out of a youthful fantasy or a fairytale.
Still, you shook your head with a slight smile. Waving your hand vaguely as you glanced over at Floyd, “I was just thinking about the price that would probably be attached to that.”
Jude chuckled slightly even as he nodded, not actually denying your words to your mild surprise, glancing pointedly towards Azul as he spoke, “Some of the ingredients are quite expensive….”
He trailed off, and Azul didn’t miss his opening for even a second as he closed his book with a quiet snap. Offering you one of his very best business smiles as he gestured airly to the side, “But can you really put a price on such an experience?”
You outright snorted that time, almost shaking your head at their antics even as Azul’s smile softened before he continued in a distinctly indulgent tone, “Keep it in mind, Angelfish. For you, my doors are always open.”
“Yeah, we’ll take good care of you, Shrimpy," Floyd winked as he spoke, and you could feel yourself smiling even despite yourself. Because leave it to these three to find an angle where they could pitch a deal.
But even knowing that, you nodded slightly. Smiling at all three of them as you tilted your head, “Thanks guys.”
After all, there was no denying the genuine fondness that was mixed with teasing in their eyes.
Emmrich has mild anemia from being a vegetarian, so his hands are always cold to the touch and he gets cold easily.
As soon as Lucanis realizes this, he makes it a point to always add something high in iron to their meals. “It’s good for everyone,” he’ll argue. He often times take his hands into both of his to hold close or breathe against. He’ll make Emmrich tea or hot chocolate, something to warm both his hands and body.
I also think Lucanis would knit him a sweater, maybe with some skull color working. He wants it to be a surprise, so he estimates the size, but doesn’t want it to be too small, so he goes a bit bigger than he needed to and it ends up being a bit baggy on Emmrich’s thin form. Lucanis is a little embarrassed and apologetic, but Emmrich passionately insists that he loves it and find the looseness of it to be quite comfortable and cozy. Plus I think he would look adorable in an oversized sweater.
Lucanis’s Antivan blood always has him running really warm, a living heater, which Emmrich loves. This leads to many hugs and slipping his hands under his partner’s jacket or shirt to warm his hands. This also leads to many startled swears and gasps from Lucanis, who should honestly expect to have ice cold hands touching his sides at this point, but still jolts every time. Emmrich is not sorry and will continue to do this.
Though sometimes Lucanis enjoys the touch, like on hot summer days when they’re out and about. He’ll take Emmrich’s hands and place them in either side of his face or against his neck and hum a pleased purr. And the necromancer can’t just not kiss his cute satisfied expression when he’s standing right in front of him.
Harbinger names and the Commedia dell’arte Analysis (Part 11: Tartaglia)
This will be the last post for this series. So I did an analysis a long time ago regarding this very subject which can be read here, but since then more information has come out, so I wanted to revisit this topic. This analysis will be more in-depth than my previous one, and I’m going to take this Harbinger by Harbinger, starting with Pierro and going down the list in order of rank (Please note: I know Pierro is probably not actually ranked save if you say he fills the role of 0). This series will also contain a fair bit of theorizing due to the fact we haven’t actually met a fair number of the Harbingers in the Genshin Impact storyline yet. Each post will also start with a brief explanation of the Commedia dell’arte and the role the harbinger’s title usually fills. As such, due to length and fears of potential spoilers, the rest will be under the cut. I hope you enjoy.
So, real quick, the commedia dell’arte is a very early form of professional theatre, that involved specific stock character roles which are largely reflected by the Fatui harbingers via their titles/codenames. Notably, the story of these plays always revolves around two actors that are not reflected by the Harbingers, the Innamorati (lovers), whom the story follows. Our Harbingers are found within the other three classes of actors though. The Zanni, which are the lower class (the harbingers from this group are Pierro, Pulcinella, Scaramouche, Tartaglia, Arlecchino, and Columbina); the Vecchi, which are often wealth and/or older characters (Pantalone and Dottore); and the Il Capitano, who are self-styled captains and braggarts (Capitano himself, La Signora, and sometimes the Scaramouche character).
Our Tartaglia, also known as Childe or by his actual name, Ajax, is Rank 11 within the Fatui Harbingers. Within the commedia dell’arte the Tartaglia character is typically placed in the same area as the characters who have a higher high social status (The Vecchi) along with Pantalone and Dottore, or as a variant of the Innamorato (male lover) of the story. His precise social status can range from low, middle, to high income with his occupation and role within the story, though he is frequently a salesman. The Tartaglia character is also often far-sighted and has a minor stutter. This stutter often results in him being quick to anger as he also often has a large number of lines arranged so that he is frequently giving long speeches that he stumbles through. One of his primary emotions, in his most basic role, is that of frustration. Interestingly, the Tartaglia character is often put in a group with the Scaramouche and Pulcinella characters as being notably Neapolitan in terms of his character’s mask style.
In regards to other levels of characterization, when placed in a more important role such as the Innamorato, the Tartaglia character is often socially awkward and may even have a lack of confidence. He is also sometimes a bumbling character and, in some cases, his bumbling serves to get in the way of the Innamorati in some way whether he is the Innamorato or a side character.
It is worth noting that, for the most part, the Tartaglia character appears to fill roles as he is needed. Sometimes replacing the Il Dottore, as a secondary older man to Pantalone’s Vecchi role, the male Innamorato to the female Innamorata, or simply as a bit of a gag character for added comedy to the story.
The Genshin Impact Tartaglia is probably the Harbinger that differs the most from his commedia dell’arte stock character, though this is not to say that he doesn’t share some similarities. Our Tartaglia doesn’t really have a stutter, which is arguably the most notable aspect of the stock character. He does, however, feign being a salesman and can be somewhat bumbling, as noted in the way he has created some messes for the Fatui (i.e. his behavior in the Liyue and even the Fontaine archon quests). Similarly, he has quite the temper when things do not go according to plan for him, as shown in the Liyue archon quest.
It is feasible that he is filling a more Innamorato (male lover) role, but this is rather doubtful due to the notable lack of any Innamorata (female lover) character to go with him. As such, it is difficult to make any predictions about our Tartaglia’s storyline or place within the Fatui or overarching plot of the game based on his corresponding stock character. Nonetheless, it is worth mentioning that he could be acting as somewhat of a gag/side character in the way he keeps showing up all over Teyvat and is arguably the reason most of the Harbingers know so much about Traveler since he seemingly won’t stop talking about them. Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that he is largely portrayed to be sympathetic, if mildly problematic, within the Genshin storyline in regard to the Traveler and thereby the audience’s perspective.
I would love to hear other’s thoughts on this entire situation with Genshin Harbingers vs. their Commedia Dell’Arte counterparts, and where Genshin writers might take these characters in the future, so feel free to comment and share!
POV: You look adorable and he needs to pet you. Now.
🐼
"What's the matter?" You finally asked him after noticing his restrained movements as you turned your head up at him. The dark, fluffy bangs covering his eyes made it hard to guess his normally aloof demeanor, but the way he had been fidgeting lately was enough to tickle your confusion.
"...It's nothing." He replied, although you noted the forced control in his strained tone while he acted nonchalant. You doubted him, eyeing him up and down.
He nearly took a step back at your narrowed gaze and stubbornly stayed silent, refusing to elaborate on his weird behaviour.
You lightly shrug in response, failing to realize that he was actually focusing on your hat. The panda hat... It looked too cute not to notice!
The knitted panda hat comforts you and it kept your head protected from the chilly day. Your hand patted the black, wooly ears after you readjusted it, completely oblivious to the tall man's inner struggle at your actions.
He gritted his teeth and clenched the fabric of his sweater in frustration. His pointy ears reddened slightly as he heavily fixated his gaze on your adorable knitted panda hat resting on your head.
By sheer impulse and an aggressive urge to express his feelings, he cleared his throat and grabbed your attention. Once he caught your gaze, his lips parted. Closing them awkwardly and grunted sharply in annoyance before he spoke up.
"May I... pet you?"
He muttered out hesitantly, his fingers trembling by his sides with a frown on his face. A flicker of emotions was shown on your face— bewilderment, thoughtful and finally understanding. A small realization and a small grin widened on you.
Without a word, you stepped closer to him and lowered your head, showing more of your knitted hat to him.
His breath hitched quietly at how easily you went along with his request, gulping dryly as he reached out to you slowly with a trembling hand.
You stood there patiently. Until a comforting warmth was laid on the top of your head. It moved carefully and gently as his big hand stroke your head. The soft wool beneath his palm sent a shiver down his spine as he imagined himself petting a real panda, and the sight of your knitted panda hat was encouraging it.
The two of you stayed there for quite a while, and you were stifling back your giggles as you watched his body trembling with excitement. His lips quivered at this tender moment and a small blush dusted his cheeks.
Whumper is suddenly right behind Whumpee, body close enough to feel his body heat, hand curling around his naked hip.
Whumpee jerks, but is unable to escape and the digits dig into his flesh.
He can’t muffle a noise, and Whumper presses in close, shirt touching his hot and sticky back, grating his fresh hurts, and – something hard poking into Whumpee's backside.
Ice hits his chest as Whumper nuzzles his hard cock against him.
Humiliation twirls hotly, intertwining with anxious trepidation. Lips kiss his shoulder, travelling up his neck, coarse beard rough over his skin.
A lingering kiss is pressed to the delicate skin right behind Whumpee’s ear.
“Oh, yes, Whumpee. So very delicious.” He mumbles into his ear.
I lost my password and wasn't able to log in for aaaaages. I'll get to answering my dms after my exams this week. In the meantime... i'd like to shamelessly plug some Ghost (band) fics i've been writing. They're mostly focused the twin bros in the Ghost lore.
🪽 Pieces of What Could Have Been (longfic)
A fic where Copia and Perpetua, twin brothers but estranged, meet for the very first time. Except Perpetua is a little mysterious, and suddenly there's a murder mystery that Copia really does not want to deal with. Link
🚚 Copia, the V, and the truck (oneshot)
This is a oneshot that I intend to expand upon further. It focuses on Copia's recovery process after he gets hit by a truck. He wakes up from a coma after three years, and gets visited by his stupid estranged brother. Bonding ensues. Link
______
If you have any ideas for oneshots, small fics, or anything, feel free to put them in an ask! I'll write about Ghost or Phantom of the Opera. I prefer writing Gen fics but idm writing anything.
I love you in a way
that makes me want to tell everyone.
I want to shout your name
into the open air,
want the whole world to know
that my heart found yours
and never wanted to leave.
But love like this
must live in quiet places,
held in quiet corners,
hidden in the way I look at you.
Still, it is there,
so full inside me
it aches.
Because loving you
does not feel small.
It feels impossible to contain.
It feels like devotion
too big for secrecy,
too bright for whispering.
And if I cannot say it loudly,
then let me say it here:
I love you deeply,
fully,
more than these quiet hands
and careful words
will ever know how to hold.
