#popi asks

[popi-the-fatui]

I'm confuse, what is the deal with Scaramouche and Baal? Please don't take it as rude but I just don't see why...

It isn’t rude at all comrade!! But you just opened a Pandora Box made of my incoherent thoughts, theories and love for the Harbingers 😈

So, first things first: in update 1.5 there is gonna be a new artifact set which is called “Pale Flame”. Among it, there is one key piece which is called “Surpassing Cup” which its description reads the following:

Now lets dissect some important parts of that description, shall we?

He was born with a face fairer than any other, destined to a long life and a hollow will. He was a transcendent being, divinely created, but he was cast aside like worthless dross.

I don’t know if you have heard of Honkai Impact (another game developed by Mihoyo), but one of the protagonists is a woman called Raiden Mei. She is the Herrscher of Thunder and she looks like this:

Getting back to Genshin, we know that Inazuma is the nation that worships Baal, the Electro Archon:

So people have speculated that Baal and Raiden Mei will be similar as Mihoyo has already done that to other characters in the game (please search Wendy Honkai Impact in Google and you’ll see what I’m talking about) and even though Baal has not been released yet, we are already are seeing some similarities between them as in the tittle Raiden and the element they use.

Not only is Baal the Electro Archon, but she is also the goddess of Eternity, and in Zhongli’s words, she is, apparently, obsessed with the idea of it.

Now, let’s look at a picture of Scaramouche:

See any similarities? Because in my eyes those two are the same person in different fonts.

I think it makes sense that a divinity obsessed with eternity would create another divine being that looks just like her (i.e. catholicism: So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them)

My theory is that Scaramouche developed a will that was not part of Baal’s plan and that is why she casted him aside. Something went wrong and he was no longer hollow, but sentient in a way that would defy Baal’s rule. This is also why I think the name of the artifact is SURPASSING CUP: I think Baal felt threatened.

Now, to the next part:

Yet, due to an error that cannot be known, he roused himself from slumber, and began to wander the mortal realm. Before the Fatui found him, he had drifted for countless years

This tells us that the person behind the artifact description is, indeed, a male Fatui. But which one? It is not my husband Childe, as we already know his origins and backstory. Probably not Dottore either (I also have a whole theory behind his backstory if anyone wants a post for another day).

Now, I ignore the reasons that woke this person up from his slumber, but the words wander and drifted for countless years remind me of a certain introduction to a character:

What is a vagrant, if not a person that wanders from place to place, without a home?

I think that kinda explains itself. Next part:

And in that time, this is what his experience had taught him:

"I am a human who surpasses all others."

"Even the gods daren't meddle in my fate."

"Neither mortal nor god, nor fate itself, is qualified to be my judge."

"I am free to choose how I wish to spend the remainder of my days."

If you were lucky enough to be in Genshin Hell by the time his event was released, you would feel that his whole persona and dialogue resembles a lot that kind of thinking:

It adds up to me.

And last, but not least:

“Since these mask-wearing people are so fun to be around..."

"I think I'll become one of them."

This is just a tiny easter egg for me but...

Scara is the only Harbinger we know that doesn’t wear a mask. So it is kinda funny and accurate that he calls the other Fatui as “these mask-wearing people”.

So in short:

The artifact description is talking about Scaramouche. I think he was created by Baal but things turned wrong and instead of a loyal, hollow servant she made a divine being with a will and she felt her eternal realm threatened so she casted him aside hoping he would die or something. But Scara, being the brat he is and we adored, survived out of pure pettiness, joined the Fatui to steal her gnosis and sent this to his mom/creator:

[popi-the-fatui]

My sister once commented to how Dottore looks like he has chubby cheeks and now I can’t stop about squishing him and kissing his face all over

Your sister is 100% right, I don’t make the rules. That’s why he uses a mask that fully covers one cheek and partially covers the other one.

Also, I relate to you fully: i want to pinch his cheeks when he is being his sassy self and squish them to make him look like a fish when he is muttering and going in circles (imagine how cute he would look when he keeps rumbling about something, eyebrows knitted in confusion and all he says comes out as gibberish 🥰)

Now, if we are being extra soft like suavitel, I also want to gently guide him to a coach or bed after I’ve noticed he’s been working for several hours. I take his coat, sit him down, put his mask down, hold his chubby cheeks and give him feather-like kisses all over that handsome face.

[popi-the-fatui]

dottore would probably die if you cuddled up to him in bed while asleep. you bury your face in his nice warm chest and he gets all blushy but holds you anyway, stiffly at first. He comes to enjoy it as time passes and starts getting clingy when asleep. ~ 🍠

He is not even a tsundere about it, just.... very VERY awkward. At the beginning he will be big spoon so you won’t see his blushing face but once he gets used to it, sometimes he will DEMAND being the little spoon, facing each other and he hides his face in your neck (I’m self projecting again someone send help I want to hold somebody 😭)

The first time you cuddle him in your sleep he will get stiff as a table and red as a tomato, but after 5 minutes he is able to relax and he thinks “wow this feels good). And when you cuddle him further he is like “NICE”

Favorite position?

(Don’t @ me I know this is from wikihow)

Sometimes he is on top, sometimes he is not. But in this position he gets to feel better your heartbeat and breathing and the doctor inside him really appreciates it.

[popi-the-fatui]

hiii its meee~ So Dottore loves it when you run your fingers through his hair, he probably sticks his head in your lap at the end of the day and tells you to pet it and kiss his forehead. I don’t know if I said this before? He also takes off his mask and lets you see his face under it too. ~ 🍠

Hiii Camote I’m so happy to see you in my notifs 🥰

Dottore is a cat: he is wary of strangers and hisses at them. When it comes to people he knows, he either ghosts them for hours or will be his own type of affectionate towards them (depending in the level of intimacy he has with them).

Now, when it comes to his s/o, sometimes you’ll try to approach him but he will ignore you (specially if he is deeply concentrated while working in his lab). Other times, and you said it well, it’s not that he will allow you to pet him: he will TELL you to do it. You’ll be sitting in the coach working in your own thing and he will come, take his coat, take his mask (he only does it with you and in closed doors), put his head on your lap and take your hand and put it in his head. You could play dumb and give him head pats and then returning to your work and it is always amusing because he will do that again and if you still neglect him he will WHINE:

You: “What do you want, love?”

Doc: “don’t play dumb, you know exactly what I want”

You: “mmm you want me to put my hand in your head?”

Doc: “yes! Wait no, I mean yes, technically, but no that’s not what I meant”

You: “i’m confused now... yes? No? Why don’t you just tell me?”

Doc: *blush reaching his ears, hiding his face on your tummy* “I want you to run your hand through my hair”

You: “what was that? I couldn’t hear you well, dear”

Doc: *now facing you, embarrassment evident in his expression* “RUN YOUR HAND THROUGH MY HAIR DAMMIT!!”

You: *stares at him unimpressed, eyebrow raised*

Doc: “please?”

Of course you don’t deny him anymore because he is adorable when he is relaxed and his hair is only second to “smoothest and fluffiest hair in Teyvat” after Diluc.

[popi-the-fatui]

I feel like if you pointed out how dead his eyes were he’d flinch and laugh, saying that he has a lot of hair so of course you can’t see them! his eyes are just as shiny as yours! but you know thats a lie so you just hold his face and press your forehead against him and ask him if thats really true. and he flushes and doesn’t answer because he can’t really lie to you when you do that. ~ 🍠

If you are careful enough, you will be able to catch him dissociating from his surroundings. Empty eyes looking at nothing in particular and hollow expression that doesn’t give anything away. You’ll find yourself calling him out once, twice, only reacting when you softly put your hand in his shoulder. He gets startled and turns to you like whiplash, but he quickly catches his composure and gives you his signature smile that you realize doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Are you ok, love?”

“Everything is fine, ojou-chan! I just thought I saw something...”

But in your mind you know that’s not it. You know that his mind was reliving the pain and helplessness he felt and has been feeling ever since that fateful day he fell into the Abyss, and your heart aches once again for his. You want to reach out to him: to his body to hold him. To his heart to mend it. To his soul to save it. Buy you also know there are some things in this unfair world that just can’t be said out loud. At least not now. So you cradle his face in both of your hands, and rest your forehead against his.

“I’m here, you know? For whatever it’s worth, and for as long as you want me to, I’m here”

Ajax sighs and closes his eyes. He knows that if he keeps them open he’ll expose his vulnerability to you, and he doesn’t know if he is ready for that yet. Not because he doesn’t trust you, but because it’s been too long since the last time he opened his heart to someone and he is scared: what will he do if you judge him? If you pity him? If you realize how messed up he is and leave him?

He knows he shouldn’t doubt you. You have been nothing but caring and loyal to him. But he can’t help to have the slightest bit of apprehension: it wouldn’t be the first time the world has laughed in his face. But when you hold him and talk to him like the way you are doing now, like he was your most precious person (and he is, he just have to get that through his thick skull), he can’t help but to be selfish for once, and ask:

“What if I want you here with me forever? Would your offer still be up?”

You chuckle a bit and gently move his hair from his forehead to leave a soft kiss there.

“Then forever it is”

[popi-the-fatui]

Comrade, do you think Rengonku would be the type to wake you up with breakfast in bed 😊

Comrade, it’s to early to make me blush like that.

Anyways, I have the headcanon that Rengoku would be the best and worst house husband. Best, because he has the energy and will to take care of you 24/7, and nothing brings him more happiness than being able to help around the house and be your perfect husband. Worst, because he ABSOLUTELY sucks at it.

So going back to your question: yes, he is definitely the type to wake you up with breakfast in bed, but expect a burnt toast, a coffee that has salt instead of sugar, avocado that has the skin and not well-done eggs.

It’s the intention that counts, though ♥️

[popi-the-fatui]

thinking about scaramouche having to deal with the fact that you dont love him. of course you wouldnt, it makes sense, why is he so upset over you? why does he care so much? he’s got everything he could ever want as a harbinger, and yet he could never have you. its just one little thing, and yet, he could never ever be happy. the idea of some worm making you happier than he can hurts him. ~ 🍠

Hello, dear Camote. Fancy seeing you here in my asks (and, as always, a pleasure). Because I now consider you a friend (even though it should be illegal for you to be an anon because you come up with the best stuff and if you have a writing blog please DM it to me or something), you have unlocked a new achievement: Scara WIP (well, a part of it)

He learnt that you were from Fontaine, but had lived for a long time in Sumeru as part of your training. You were a little younger than him and had managed to graduate from the Academy a year earlier than anticipated. In one of your research trips you had met Dottore, who had offered to help you with your research in exchange of becoming an “Honorary Fatui” as he liked to call you, helping him in the infirmary and joining in some missions as support.

“... and don’t be fooled by their healer status. I once, apparently, made a “disrespectful” joke and I still have nightmares from the punch they gave me” Scaramouche couldn’t help but snort at that. His warm, eloquent healer giving the mad man a punch? He would have paid for that. Wait, his?

“Ok, that would be all for today! You are free to go now little man” Scaramouche was quick to go. His? His?! What was he thinking? He had only met you twice and he already was feeling mushy for you just from a few exchanged words? He knew that he had some issues, that he wasn’t a people’s person and that he didn’t like being close to anyone (not that anyone wanted to be close to him either way) but was he really that vulnerable to some soft touches and kind words, enough to have a weak spot for the first person who had allowed him to feel those sweet gestures? Is he, the most feared Harbinger, the most hated person amongst the fatui, touch-starved? In his inner turmoil, he hadn’t even realized that Dottore had called him “little man”.

He also remembers how he tried to be stern with you the following weeks. Key word: tried. Because he failed miserably: his eyes would not leave you if you were both in the same room. Every other sound was immediately background sound when it was your turn to talk. He soon started rescheduling his missions so his check-ups would take turn when you were in the infirmary, only to answer your questions with a few words in fear he would sound like a pathetic fool. Because when you looked at him with those warm eyes, and when you touched him with those soft hands, and when you treated him with such gentleness and care he would never have allowed before, he was certain that he would not be able to give you a proper answer. So yeah, he would only give you a few words even if it meant that everyone noticed he treated you differently. Everything for you to stay close to him.

And that is what brings him to the present day. He no longer is wary of you nor your intentions. Well, he is. But not in the same way anymore, as he is now cautious of the power you unknowingly have over him. You see, through his life, Scaramouche has mastered the art of building walls around him. He has trust issues, and these walls allow him to be in control of the perception others have of him. Of course, life has hardened him, but not as much as he has led the people around him to believe.

But it also took you 10 seconds to find a hole through these walls and get under his skin, so Scaramouche is now afraid that those trust issues had been directed to himself.

He is also angry at the world, for a plethora of reasons not even himself can begin to count. But it only takes the sight of you for the Harbinger to have this anger dissipated, giving place to foreign feelings that made him uncomfortable at the beginning, but that now he can’t let go of.

All of this has led him to have mixed feelings regarding you: he longs and craves for you and the things you make him feel, but he also wants you three nations apart from him because, when it comes to you, he can't recognize himself anymore and that scares him.

All he knows is that he is a man in a mission, and that you will make it very hard.

[popi-the-fatui]

okok i had a cute idea, going on a hunting trip with tartaglia for food! you could cuddle with him when it gets cold! targalia could be talking to you and then pull back his bow and shoot a boar right behind you. another time tartaglia disappears for five minutes and then comes back with a huge amount of food on his back and tells you he’s cooking tonight with a big smile on his face. he took you mostly because he’s a big showoff and wanted to impress you the whole time. and alone time. heh.~ 🍠

That would be Childe’s personal heaven: he gets to impress you AND spend time with you? Just... yes

Even if you are not a fan of camping, the nights would compensate for it. Imagine laying down with your head on his belly while one of his hands is gently carding through your hair, the only source of light is coming from what remains of a small bonfire you made hours prior to cook his hunt, and you can hear the crickets and the rustling of leaves in the background, and even if you are outdoors the atmosphere is homey. He is talking your ear off while he points at you the constellations he has familiarized with in his countless journeys, and each one has its own story behind it. Some of these stories remind him of home and he allows himself to feel nostalgic for a minute, but once he sees you’ve fallen sleep in his arms he can’t but think that you make the distance far more bearable, if not enjoyable❤️