Been thinking about the Adepti being shapeshifters.
It's stated that they can take whatever shape they want, but I think there's limits and some are better at it than others.
Cloud Retainer said that taking human form is "a simple task for one", but Ganyu confirms that this is the same form she took thousands of years ago, so it's not new. And we also see other instances of the limitations of her shapeshifting in her story quest. Instead of simply shapeshifting into a white crane (you would think changing your colour when it's already pretty close would be super simple) she paints herself white. And when giving Yuandi the medicine she made to preserve her facade instead of shapeshifting into another person, she wore fake facial hair and physical clothes to disguise herself (If Yuandi hadn't already been sick/out of it, she DEFINITELY would have seen through that nonsense)
It makes me think that there are some forms that are more "natural" and easy for them to take. Even the most adept (heh) shapeshifters we know can't change certain things about themselves. Zhongli, for all the forms he's taken, can never seem to change his eyes. Which has allowed people to clock him when he's gone incognito throughout history (I know Rex Incognito is semi-fictional, but Zhongli admits to the behaviour so it's based in some truth).
Half-adepti seem to have some shapeshifting ability, but not a lot. Like, Ganyu is evidently hiding a tail that she displayed when she was a kid, but she can't freely control her weight and struggles to keep it off.
So I don't think the sentiment that "They can be whatever they want" is entirely true.
