I. THE CAPTAIN.

[taichxu]

"WHAT USE IS THE GNOSIS IN YOUR HANDS?"

INDIE, CANON DIVERGENT IL CAPITANO

WRITTEN BY IO / CARRD

[taichxu]

"WHAT USE IS THE GNOSIS IN YOUR HANDS?"

INDIE, CANON DIVERGENT IL CAPITANO

WRITTEN BY IO / CARRD

[taichxu]

((

so some of you who are still actively following this blog may be wondering what i'm going to do with cap with regards to the loredump from 5.1

well, honestly, as much as i'm really attached to my interpretation of him as the fallen bloodstained knight, i'm open to writing him with the new canon we have for him now. i'll be adding his canon as a verse on the carrd soon enough, and if anyone wants to write it with me just let me know.

also, i redrew him with the new information in mind :3

[taichxu]

∗ 1oo﹕ sender  has  just  died ,  receiver  finds  out . (from rosalyne)

nonverbal prompts

"The Fair Lady has been executed by the Raiden Shogun's Musou no Hitotachi."

He should have known that the end would come for Rosalyne sooner or later. She was living on borrowed time even with Pierro's enchantment that tempered her liquid flame body, and she had grown quite arrogant after taking two Gnoses. Enough so that she insisted on joining in on the Inazuma chapter of their plan, despite Scaramouche already being sent in to handle the Delusion production and pot-stirring between factions. But to finally perish at the hands of the Raiden Shogun, after making a bet on her life? "Though her methods tarnished her honor, Lohefalter's sacrifice is a great pity. Her loss shall not hinder our progress."

His words at Signora's funeral spoke enough about how he honored her as a fellow Harbinger, and the work she had done towards their main goal. But after everyone had departed from the ice-ensconced coffin and the chamber in which it had been left, Capitano found himself returning. Pierro was still there, and as one of the few living people who knew his past, he nodded silently to the First before ultimately leaving the massive hall. He sauntered up to the coffin after a long silence, laying a hand over the thick ice coating it.

"...Did you regret it in the end, Rosalyne?" He murmurs half to himself, head dipped as he reminisced. How she'd once been so happy with the one she loved, how she looked at him as a friend once, and then with worry as his armor grew darker and darker with monster's blood. And then, the lack of recognition in her eyes when they met again as Harbingers. He truly wondered what she was feeling in her final moments, if her life flashed before her eyes...if she ever wanted to take it all back.

[taichxu]

∗ 22﹕ sender  finds  receiver  [ injured / bloodied ] . BUT REVERSED !! (from rosalyne in an au where she survives raiden's fight)

nonverbal prompts

When he learned of the fate that Signora was consigned to after her bet with the Traveler against the Raiden Shogun, he didn't expect the Harbinger to survive her ultimate technique. None had, not even great cursed beasts like Orobashi, and not even the earth of Teyvat itself could endure its strike. A small part of him mourned, having known her in her prime and known that had her lover not died, she might have lived a happier life. They all might have, had the Cataclysm not been instigated. Yet to his surprise, he was summoned to Dottore's offices not long after the news broke out. And there, on one of his segment's operating tables was the Fair Lady herself. She could have been mistaken for dead, with her ashen skin and the myriad of scars and burns covering her body, if it weren't for the faint rise and fall of her chest. The segment prattled on about the Prime Build saying something about letting him see her, but Capitano was hardly listening.

Signora...Rosalyne survived. "...Leave." He commanded the segment, who grumbled, but ultimately left the room. Hesitantly, the Harbinger reaches out a hand to his comrade, pausing once, twice, and then moving it to lay atop her own. For a moment, he feels like he's that young man again, that gutsy knight who wanted justice for those who could never have had it. He remembers the day they said their farewells to Rosalyne as she left for Sumeru...that was the last time he saw her until he joined the Fatui. "...Live, Rosalyne. If not for him...for me...for yourself."

[taichxu]

“I promise you, nothing will happen to you.” (from rosalyne [signora], mb pre-fatui?)

love and war

"Shouldn't I be the one saying that to you, Rosalyne?" The redheaded Knight snorts as he sets his arms on his hips. They were about to say goodbye to her as she left for the Sumeru Akademiya, having just taken a photo with him, her, and Rostam to remember their time together as friends while she was away. "Besides, I think those words would be more fitting for Sir Rostam, don't you think so?" Well, regardless of who those words were meant for, Roland lays a hand on her shoulder, his signature smile beaming at the blonde. "Mondstadt will be okay, I swear, and so will Sir Rostam and I. As long as we fight under Arundolyn, we won't falter. So, Rosalyne, go ahead and leave for your future without regrets, okay?"

[promptfairy]

𝐅𝐑𝐔𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐒   ♡   𝐒𝐘𝐌𝐁𝐎𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐄

    send the corresponding symbol(s) for headcanons surrounding the given topic(s)!

🍍  :    how comfortable is my muse in their body?  how do they feel about their height,  weight,  strength,  and body type?  how important is being attractive to them?   🍅  :    how does my muse feel about plastic  /  cosmetic surgeries   &   procedures?  is it something they have done or would do?  do they mind if others do it?   🍏  :    how stable is my muse’s physical health?  do they go for regular or semi-regular checkups by a physician?  do they have any diagnosed illnesses and / or take any medication?  how often do they get sick? 🍎  :    how stable is my muse’s mental health?  have they been diagnosed with any mental illnesses and  /  or conditions?  do they have any undiagnosed mental illnesses and  /  or conditions?  do they or should they attend therapy?   🍑  :    how meticulously does my muse look after their physical appearance?  do they spend a lot of time on their hair,  makeup,  grooming,  and clothing?  is there a particular reason why they do or don’t?   🍒  :    how much does my muse value companionship?  do they constantly keep people around them,  or do they prefer to be alone often?  do they have or desire to have many friends?  do they see every meeting as an opportunity to make a new friend?   🍇  :    how would my muse describe their childhood?  how much has it impacted the person they are now,  or will become as an adult?  around what age did they or will they start to mature,  and why?  do they wish to go back to their days as a child,  or have they embraced adulthood?   🍐  :    how intelligent is my muse overall?  are they smarter than the average person,  or less than?  are they primarily self-taught,  or did they acquire most of their knowledge in school?  are they more street smart or book smart?   🍉  :    which of the four seasons suits my muse best,  and why?   🍌  :    is my muse inclined to help others,  or will they only do it when it benefits them,  if at all?  what makes them this way?  has it ever gotten them into trouble,  or inconvenienced them?  🍊  :    does my muse desire romance?  is it something they would actively seek out,  or prefer to happen more  ‘  naturally?  ’  what is their love life like?  do they have any exes or past flings,  or crushes?   🍓  :    how is my muse typically seen by others?  does it ring true to who they really are?  does their reputation matter to them?  🥝  :    does my muse have any  ‘  unusual  ’  habits,  interests,  and  /  or talents?  do they hide it,  or are they proud of it?   🍋  :    what kind of diet does my muse have?  do they eat regularly,  or the standard 2-3 meals a day?  do they have to be reminded to eat,  or are they likely to remind others?  do they cook,  or have others cook for them?  do they eat healthily,  or not so much?   🥭  :    how important to my muse is their hometown,  or where they’re from?  are they proud of it,  or considered a hometown hero?  did they move away,  or do they wish to?

[divinetwilight]

" some times i think about Capi and wonder how the fuck i landed one of the strongest and most handsome men in Teyvat... "

[taichxu]

"It's because you were more than worthy of earning someone like me, my dear." He comes up from behind Natalee and hugs her, resting his head atop her own.

[taichxu]

closed starter / @evervita

The monster was heavily wounded as it stumbled its way through the Abyss, having just come off of a fight that turned out to be too much to handle. It won, thankfully, but not without some losses incurred. Well, they would become more scars, but there was a still a chance they could turn out to be mortal wounds. Black blood speckled with white like the night sky dripped from it at each step, leaving behind a trail for any other beasts to track down and make a meal out of it. Eventually, it became too much to keep walking up straight, and then after some leaning against a wall, the beast slumped to the ground, panting heavily. The sensory antennae atop its head twitched as it picked up the vibrations of distant footsteps, the sound making its way to its ears shortly after. Far too light sounding for any average Abyssal beast, but who knows? It was just going to die here, as far as it was concerned, may as well accept that fate.

[evervita]

Magnolia was an unusual sort in the Abyss, unable to defend herself and unwilling to fight. This was a place where beings toiled almost endlessly, why would she want to contribute to it? Instead, she would scavenge and hide if needed, and if she ever got in trouble... Well, it wasn't like she'd die.

It was another day of walking and foraging when she came across a heavily injured Abyssal creature on the verge of death. The poor thing... She felt awful that it was suffering. Magnolia had the vague thought that she may regret her next actions, but she never had the heart to see someone or something suffer. Carefully, she walked to the beast's side and knelt down.

"I don't know if you can understand me, but... I'm going to help you." She places her darkened palms against its side, letting her magic flow into the wounds and knitting them shut at an impossible rate. If another being could regenerate this quickly, they would be nigh unstoppable.

Once the physical wounds were no longer visible, Magnolia pulls her hands away. "There we are... Feeling better?"

[taichxu]

It was slowly slipping in and out of consciousness by the time that it sounded like whatever was coming had finally found it. At least, it wouldn't have to suffer when it perished. The thing that found it was making some sort of noise, but it sounded so far away and muffled as the beast was falling into the deep black of unconsciousness. And there it stayed...until it felt its body starting to flow with vitality once more. The beast's fur remained sticky with blood, but it stopped flowing as the wounds were effectively stitched shut with...with whatever the stranger was doing. Eventually, its many eyes slowly blink open, vision clearing until it could see the stranger. They looked...human? But unmistakably, they were tainted by the Abyss, and as soon as their hands had left it, the beast scrambles to its feet and backs away quickly, growling low with ears flattened and teeth bared. Clearly, it was defensive as it had no good experiences with other creatures within this place, and whoever this is, they were probably keeping him alive for some nefarious reason. It couldn't risk anything.

"Grrgh..."

[taichxu]

closed starter / @constellaris

This was a rare moment. The most recent Harbinger meeting had actually gone rather smoothly, as there was little to no fighting or bickering between any of them, even before the Jester had taken control over their conversation. But it was still welcome nonetheless, as Capitano had no love for the infighting among them that was so common. He merely wanted to play his role n the Tsaritsa's plan, because that was all he had to him now. But eventually, he feels an approaching presence, and the helmeted Harbinger turns to face them, wondering just who had decided to come to him. Was it one of his fellow Harbingers? Or just a simple Fatuus? Or...something else? Regardless, he's ready to form his blade.

"...I will have you know that I am still quite busy. What have you come to me for?"

[constellaris]

Few and far between were periods of respite for the Tsar, yet whatever time he managed to scrounge up? There was always one individual he would make a point to seek out - and that was his Captain, his favourite, and his secret lover. Seeing just how busy the other was still, however, brought a deep chuckle from the feline as he reached a hand out to run gloved digits along the metallic jaw of his helm.

" I came to check on you , simply put . I know you will be leaving for Natlan within the next few days . " The Tsar chuckled softly, tail swaying slowly behind him as he openly admired the Harbinger.

" How are you doing ? Do you need anything at all ? "

[taichxu]

It was-gods, it was his Tsar. Capitano abruptly spins around to face the Archon properly, nearly about to kneel and apologize for his words. But he catches himself before he could, knowing that the Tsar would only tell him to stand back up. Their relationship was...well, it had gone far beyond an Archon and his Harbinger, but he had been used to existing beneath him for hundreds of years by this point. Still, a small shiver runs up his spine at his Tsar tracing the jawline of his helm. "Ah...Mikhail." Being that it was only the two of them in this spot, he feels...a little more comfortable being more personal with his Tsar, his lover. "I am...I am fine, my love. It is just that dealing with more meetings with the others is exasperating, if I can be frank." Capitano was getting used to speaking his mind around the Tsar, even if Mikhail was trying to help him do so for so long. "And if I can continue to be honest...I will miss you."

[taichxu]

closed starter / @draconicfool

Never did he imagine a trip to Liyue, in all honesty. What with the status of the Geo Archon's Gnosis covered, they had no more need to remain in that nation aside from the random Fatuus to watch over things, and the Northland Bank. But with the news delivered to them by scouts who managed to sneak into the Chasm that there were...familiar ruins and figures found lurking within, the Jester himself decreed that there should be an official investigation, and elected him as the leader for that mission. Capitano supposes it was due to his...relative normalcy among the higher-up Harbingers, but it was probably because the Doctor and the Damselette were too preoccupied to leave Snezhnaya. So he embarked to the Nation of Contracts, making an agreement with the Geo Archon himself to investigate the strange objects found within the Chasm. Now, he stood before the gaping hole in the earth, staring down from the heights of Cinnabar Cliff, when he noticed a...peculiar figure looking down into the Chasm as well. Pink hair, horns, a tail...some kind of vishap?

"...Quite the sight, isn't it?" He murmurs, hardly bothered by their presence.

[lovesfolly]

The Chasm was...a sore subject for the tiny Sovereign. For when he had awoken from there, it had been different than what he'd remembered when his mother put him to sleep. And the world had been different. And the earth within the Chasm had been tainted. And he found that he disliked it more and more as he thought about it. As he remembered waking up and stumbling out of it. As he remembered the need to take a human form just to get out and not get stuck. And how now he could hardly remember how to return to himself.

But more than that, he remembered being scared. For whatever lay within and for the ruinous taint he had felt inside. And it was for this reason that he finds himself perched up on a rock, almost like a gargoyle. Staring down into the Chasm quietly. His ears swiveling towards the stranger he had yet to notice until he spoke. So preoccupied were his thoughts. But he doesn't jump, merely looks over at the other curiously. Quietly.

"I do not like this place...the earth here...is crying out for help." He replies softly, ears swiveling downwards now. "I do not know how."

[taichxu]

Good, the stranger didn't seem to be frightened by him. He was, in all honesty, an imposing figure even for those who didn't know about the Fatui (and very few people in Teyvat didn't), so he would understand if they were put off. But they weren't, so Capitano can at least speak to them without the worry of scaring them off. He was more curious about the way that they were crouched upon the hill and looking down into the Chasm, and then...their reply, when they give it to him.

"...So you're also aware of the danger going on here." The First murmurs half to himself. This person seemed well-attuned to the nature of Liyue's geography, so they were probably native to this place. In fact, could they have been an adeptus? "Mm...in that case, I wonder if you could help out with my mission. I need someone familiar with Liyue." Not that they really needed one since there was a possibility of finding Khaenri'ahn architecture and artifacts in there, according to Pierro's word. But the more help, the better. "Though, you should know if you agree, you would be helping the Fatui. I'll understand if you want nothing to do with that." As long as the stranger didn't attack, then the relationship between Liyue and Snezhnaya wouldn't crumble any further than it was already.

[taichxu]

o captain, my captain.

[taichxu]

📼

captain's memories

The Kamera was set up to take the picture-all that was left to do was begin the timer and get in position for the photograph. The trio was ready...mostly. Rosalyne had been fidgeting behind the two Knights of Favonius for a while with her acceptance letter in hand, until Roland finally turned around to face her. "...Rosalyne, what's wrong? Aren't you ready to take the picture?" The redheaded Knight raised an eyebrow at the blonde, seeing her fidget in place as she tightly held on to the letter.

"...Oh! It's nothing, Roland, just...I'm still shocked that the Akademiya actually wanted me to join them. What if it ends up not being the right fit for me?" "Nonsense, Rose." The third figure and second Knight then approached her, settling a hand on her shoulder. "You're more than worthy of being a student. Besides, after how long you've been studying to go there, I don't think that anyone would doubt that you belong." Rostam lifted the student's cap off her head and kisses the hair beneath, making Rosalyne fluster briefly. In the meantime, Roland had gone to set up the Kamera timer. "You got this, Rosalyne, we promise! Once you graduate, me and the rest of the Knights are gonna hold a big party for you! Isn't that right, Sir?" The redhead looked eagerly up at Rostam, awaiting his approval. "...Of course. Everything for you, my love." Rosalyne was surprised for a moment, before she broke out into giggles, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "You two...you're going to give me cavities with how sweet you are!" She squeals, peals of laughter still leaving her as eventually, the Kamera went off and took the picture.

[taichxu]

📼

captain's memories

Roland's baby brother was in his crib, sleeping peacefully despite the rough manner in which he'd been born into this world. Not only was it determined he would be a weak child, but he was also born blind...he'd never get to know how the world or his family looked. The young redhead looked down at him, his mother joining him at his side where she rubbed a hand up and down his back. "Mom, I'm...I'm scared for him." Roland confesses, looking down at the floor. He had already been teased and harassed enough for his mixed heritage by the people of Mondstadt-he didn't want his little brother to go through the same traumatic experience he had growing up. Especially not when he was so...so sensitive. "Oh, Roland...you're going to be an amazing big brother for him. I know that you'll protect him as much as possible, and be a good role model for him as he grows." Suzanne gently rubbed circles into her child's back, smiling softly down at him as he looked up at her. "You're such a good kid, and I also know you're going to make an amazing Knight of Favonius one day." "Really?" Roland sniffled a little, and in response his mother leaned down to press a kiss to his cheek. "Truly. You fit the bill of one in every way, darling. Now, will you feel better if I sing to you and your baby brother?" Roland silently nods, and his mother pulls him close to lean against her, softly humming a song for her sons.

[taichxu]

It was a quiet morning, in which the couple didn't have to work. Magnolia was tucked against Capitano's side, fingers idly tracing the scarring on his chest or playing with the strands of his hair. After a while of the comfortable silence, the woman tilts her head up and presses a soft kiss to his lips. "I love you, Roland..."

unprompted

Today was a good day; both he and Magnolia had essentially a day off, considering all the work that they had been doing for the past few days. The Tsaritsa had noticed, and seemed to have granted them some mercy by letting them have this day to relax. Perhaps it was just another way of keeping the Captain and his subordinates loyal to her, but he didn't mind. Not when he had the opportunity to spend the morning in bed with his beloved.

So Capitano was finally getting some rest, sleeping lightly as he usually did. Though, it was also because of Magnolia's idle, loving gestures that he was staying partially awake, basking in her affection. When she moves to kiss him, however, is when the Harbinger finally opens one of his eyes to look back at her, before moving to hold her close with a soft rumble in his chest. "My Magnolia....my beloved... such a sweet thing, I love you too." He hums, shutting his eye again and snuggling up against her.

[taichxu]

            she wonders if he knows . . . she had put up a front when she hunted him down and forcibly confined him in the chains of fire  ,  but that was after her sacrifice to the sacred flame  ;  having used her remaining power to subdue the already injured harbinger  .  she should be more suspicious at the ease of his capture  ,  but she never looked a gift saurian in the mouth . . . mavuika stares at capitano from her seat just feets away from the shackled male  .  she had dismissed the guards  ,  she wonders . . . if he can sense the change in her  .  that she no longer harbored the great strength she used to . . . that she is just as mortal as the next natlanian  .  she wonders if he's ever felt HUMAN  .

            ❝  why did you let me capture you  ??  ❞  mavuika asks  ,  finally breaking the silence  .  he managed to get away earlier  ,  and yet so demurely allowed her to take him in  .  she knows that he's STRONGER than her right now  ;  if he revolted  ,  she'd be helpless to fight back  .  if they were on the same level of strength  ,  he'd outpower her right now . . . if they were on the same level  ,  capturing him wouldn't be so easy  .  ❝  is obtaining the gnosis that important you'd submit to me in such a humiliating way  ??  ❞  she questions  .

unprompted

It was unmistakable that the Pyro Archon had a completely different air about her after she had confined him. It wasn't one of regretting her decision, that was for certain, but more so that she just seemed...different, overall. Something that Capitano couldn't quite pick up on yet, as he hasn't gotten her measure since the fight they had. Regardless, he allows her to keep him locked up like this as a necessary step on his road towards claiming the Gnosis. But the Captain wasn't about to divulge his entire, rethought plan to one of the Seven.

"I have my secrets, and you have yours, Archon." The Harbinger says lightly, his words dripping with contempt. "All I will allow you to know is that working under the highest honor of the Tsaritsa means that we must obtain the Gnoses by any means necessary." He was no Dottore, of course, he would never go so far as he did to reach his goal, but if allowing himself to be captured and locked up got him closer to it, then he would allow himself a defeat. Whatever meant that his Archon could be another step closer to her goal of taking down Celestia and the Heavenly Principles. "If that will be all of your questions, then I have no reason to speak with you further."

[kuzcosources]

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