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ineedsomesleeptoday · 2 years

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In the recent episode of Revice , Hiromi got exhausted lifting a trunk and bringing it to the 2nd floor.

But in dear gaga we saw that he could carry his gaga easily and didn't seem to be exhausted at all.

Is Hiromi's health deteroriating day by day?

#kamen rider revice #revice #revice spoilers #kadota hiromi #dear gaga

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my-rose-tinted-glasses · 4 months

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Time the Series - Episode 1

Another time traveling show. This time by expectations are basically on the floor.

So before I say anything here's the official synopsis: Foam, a famous actor, saw Chris, the lover, killed in front of him by the police. But fate gives Foam a chance to go back and correct the past for what he did wrong, causing Chris's death. When a mysterious man gives a clock that can travel back in time to Foam, will Foam be able to fix the past and save a lover's life? Only time will prove it! MDL You can watch it on YT, Gaga. Uncut on WeTV.

I watch the cut version, if anyone watches the full version please let me know what I missed. Not that I'm all that invested but still. This is basically a "I watched it so you don't have to" type of review so obviously, all spoilers from here on. Skip to the end for my short review.

We begin with a police chase that ends with Chris being caught but then there's a sniper and he gets shot. Very exciting already.

Cut to Foam waking up in bed and promptly pouring himself red wine while he cries and reflects on his lost love. Warning for singing and guitar playing in flashback.

The next day he's passed out and won't answer his phone and everyone is very upset, cause he's an actor and there's a lot of people waiting for him to shoot a commercial. There's already a war of managers happening btw. The one in pink is Foam's manager, the other one wants to be his manager. I'll be calling her the bad manager from here on for reasons which will become obvious.

So eventually he arrives and they shoot a commercial for some skin product that is amazing for the skin if we believe the people that show up to help Foam with his lines, cause the boy is struggling.

And apparently it's his birthday and he makes the weirdest call to his mum to ask her to wish happy birthday and the subs have the mom saying "Hello, dear" but there's actually no sound from the other side of the conversation. Amazing.

After this the drama really begins. And I mean there's so much happening and none of it is good.

So really quickly: - Birthday party where Foam is the DJ and there is some really bad dance acting happening. - The bad manager drugs Foam and assaults him and is interrupted by the good manager. - The two managers insult each other in front of passed out Foam and a physical fight ensues. Slap, screaming, slap, insult, slap, begging, more slapping. This is all very dramatic btw, almost lakorn level dramatic. Glass on the floor, bad manager picks it up and stabs the good manager. - Bad manager's bodyguards take her and Foam wakes up with the bloody glass shard on his hand.

Panic sets in, everyone comes and for some reason some dude is filming this whole thing. And we get our second police chase of the episode. This time Foam is the one doing the running.

Foam hides in a dark ally where he meets a stranger with a shining pink necklace that invites him to his place and of course he goes, because why not?

Then he recognizes the necklace/watch because he gave his boyfriend one that looks exactly like it. And then this:

Guy in alley - gives Foam pink shiny watch - dead boyfriend appears.

They immediately jump each other, as you do when all of a sudden your dead boyfriend is in front of you again, and Foam wakes up thinking it was all a dream. But was it? I have no idea.

Foam wakes up, hits himself, hurts himself and wonders why he's in his old apartment. He goes outside and it's five years before Chris died. The end.

So... to recap. I don't even know what to say. This is from MFlow, the same company that brought us the mess that was Beyond The Star so my expectations were really low.

With that said, I can't in good conscience tell any of you to watch this. It's not good. From the previews it seems Foam is going to meet Chris all over again except he won't remember him. Fun times all over again. I'll be honest. I probably won't be watching this, but come next tuesday if I have nothing better to do I might check it out. Depends how much I remember the experience and how curious I get about how they will deal with the time traveling. I obviously have not learned my lesson.

If anyone watches it please let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading.💜

#time the series #thai bl #bl drama #rose rambles

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wanderlust-in-my-soul · 2 months

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Currently Watching - March

aka The Masterlist

Because I love a good little list - in alphabetical order! 😊

Regularly updated during the month, latest update 30.03.2024

A little link to my favorite bl-tropes-collection 💙

I am happy about gif-requests 🌼

Here you can find all of my gifs.

Tracking: #josistag

At the end you can have a look at what we can expect in January with a MDL link and a link for a trailer (if avaible).

This is guaranteed to contain spoilers!

1. Cityboy_Log (11/? on Youtube - Korean)

Soon-to-be Idols, actors and models vlog their days of photo shoots and meetups and how they fall in love with each other. It is surprisingly good and the acting is excellent. It really feels like a "real" vlog and that is what we are all here for. I really enjoy those four men on my screen.

2. Deep Night (3/8 on iQiyi - Thai)

This is everything I was expecting, so it didn't disappoint, I guess. To be honest, I watch this for First. I guess he would have chemistry with a stick, soooo this is nice. And I hope the story, at least stays like this and won't get worse... Update: This show is a mess 😂 there is so much going on all at once and at the same time nothing really happens? It is so confusing, yet very entertaining. But Wela, my dear, it is totally okay to be pissed if one fucks with you, while you are so drunk you can't remember shit the next day... Just a thought.

3. Jazz For Two (2/8 on Gaga - Korean)

I love bls about music and about traumatic pasts. I really enjoyed the first episodes and I like the characters. Especially because they tricked us in believing something was going on in the practice room. I am really curious about the character developement and story! I know all the episodes are out on iQiyi, but because I can't watch it there (VPN does not work for me), I have to wait for GagaOOLala to air the episodes weekly...

4. Koi wo Suru nara Nidome ga Joto (4/6 on Gaga - Japanese)

Guess I am hooked and wish I just waited until it is finished airing, because I want to watch their story now! I want to know what happend in the past and how they both deal with each other in the present and what brings the future and will poor little Yuto find his happy ending too! Because I love him, but he is just a support and needs to keep his hands away from senpai!

5. My Strawberry Film (6/8 on Gaga - Japanese)

This is what I call a love triangle. And the fact that the screenwriters worked for Eien No Kinou or Jack o'Frost is promising some heartbreak and teenage angst. The acting is good, the story for me interesting. I feel so bad for Ryo. The heartbreak is so real and he still manage to do things for his best friend and his first love, just for him to be happy. I really don't know how this will end.

6. Only Boo (1/12 on Youtube - Thai)

I don't know what to think of this one right now. I cringed a lot during the first episode and at the same time it is cute? My emotions are very conflicted about this one. I don't know if I can keep up with this weekly or if I just wait and binge it. What is it with these sunday shows that they are this awkward lately.

7. Unknown (7/12 on Youku, Taiwanese)

The story about found family, childhood trauma and struggling topped with a lovestory between "brothers". They aren't really brothers so I really don't care and just enjoy this forbidden and hurtful lovestory to the fullest. This is exactly what I hoped for! The longing, tension and hurt is so good! I feel the pain in both of them and I can't wait for the next episodes!!!

Finished in March

Series

Perfect Propose

I liked this one very much! I enjoyed the episodes, the chemistry between the couple and the whole story and it wants to tell us. Work is not everything a good and healthy meal is important! Kai was my little favorite and I was happy seeing him vulnerable in the end. I don't know what it is, but this type of japanese series are always hitting the right spot in my heart and I can't see any flaws (I now there are some, but I decide not to see them). A 10 out of 10 for me.

Cherry Magic

I do love the japanese version very dearly and I tried not to compare these two with each other, because it wouldn't be fair. This was such a wholesome watch! Those two talked to each other and solved their "problems" with a good communication. All of them are total green flags and it was a delight to watch the main cp and the side cps falling in love. It was funny and heartwarming and, I am honest, I never thought we would see the chemistry chemistrying like this between TayNew! I am still in awww with episode 11! And the whole proposal was the sweetest, most perfect shit ever! A clear 10 out of 10 for me!

Dead Friend Forever

Usually I don't watch horror-stuff, but this was quite okay, nothing really scary, but it was an intense ride nevertheless. The story was good and the acting was good too, most of the times. I needed some time to find a way into it, but in the end, I had a great time and there was Ta's naked ass on my screen, whic was unexpected, but I don't complain, because it was a nice ass! The only thing I really hated was what they did to White... I give it a good 7,5 out of 10.

Sukiyanen Kedo Do Yaro ka

This one was a fine show, but nothing special. If you want to get hungry and crave some delicious-looking japanese dishes, you're not going to be disappointed! If you want a nice romance story with two handsome and kinda quirky guys fall in love with each other, go ahead, this is yours! Something was missing for me, but that is just me and I can't really pin out, what exactly was missing. But because of that missing feeling I can't give this more than a 6,5 out of 10.

Kimi ni wa Todokanai. aka I cannot reach you.

This was such a wholesome and fast watch. Really a sweet little show about first love and best friends and being true to yourself. I had such a good time watching it. It is well written and well played and the characters are very lovely. I enjoyed this very much. It is funny how easy and wholesome some of japanese bls are and how flawless in my eyes. I give this a sweet little 10 out of 10.

Anti Reset

The premise was promising and I love how obvisiously attracted both were to each other. The story about the AI Ever Nine who turns the life of an emotionless professor upside down has a really nice start. But after a while it got boring and they overpowered the romance aspect a little bit. I love romance, but this was not my kind of show. It was too heavy and the show itself was too clean and to sterile. I don't know how to explain it, but it feels a little bit too artificial. I get why some might like this, but for me it is a 5,5 out of 10.

Short Film

Movie

Dropped in March

1000 Years old (2/13 on Gaga - Thai)

Let's be real for a moment, I won't catch up with this. I keep this to binge watch later, so I can fast-forward the boring parts. It started quite cute, but lost my interest on its way. For now, it is on-hold.

Looking forward to in March

Koi wo Suru nara Nidome ga Joto aka Love is Better the Second Time Around (March 5th)

Born to be Y (probably cancelled) - Trailer (March 6th)

Deep Night - Trailer (March 7th)

23.5 - Trailer (March 8th)

Two Worlds - Pilot (March 21st)

High Demand (March 23rd)

The Star (March 28th)

Only Boo - Trailer (March 31st)

Wuju Bakery - I don't know how many times this was on this looking forward list... I don't know if we will see it sometime soon... But for the moment it should be out in March...

Blossom Campus - sometime in March...

Jazz for Two - Trailer (March 27th)

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pandasmagorica · 6 months

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First watch: Kiseki: Dear to Me episodes 1-10

Damn you, Gaga. Okay, it's my own fault for not cross-checking on MDL. And for that matter, for not clicking on the last episode Gaga shows (11) and seeing even that's not showing until next week.

On the other hand, now that I've caught up, I can join the Tumblr conversation on this series. Yay! So once I've added my thoughts, I'm going to unblock the tag for this series.

So first off: I very much enjoy this series. While it is totally a crime drama QL, which is not my favorite genre, there is humor sprinkled throughout the series. I wouldn't call it a comedy, but on some levels it's lighter than dark. It's no 3 Will be Free or History 3: Trapped, but it's well worth watching.

There are more than enough coincidences and plot holes. I notice them, and still like the series.

Content warnings

Violence - hello, it's a crime series - dubcon and age.

While I'm not a fan of dubcon, it is at least met here with consequences: confrontation from the victim, regret from the violator - nobody treats it as if nothing happened.

While one character in the main couple is not an adult, they are of the age of consent in Taiwan (16 and over) and the actor is actually an adult (20). Actually, perhaps not in the context of the story, since the adult member of the pair is posing as the other's substitute teacher at the point they finally get it on. (And remembering this is acting, they're not actually having sex, and we don't see the NC-17 part.)

At this point, with either one or three episodes to go, I give it a thumbs-up with reservations.

If you want to avoid spoilers, skip to episode 11.

See also Getting to be a kid in Kiseki: Dear to Me

Spoilers and nitpicks follow

Thoughts about the series

While there were moments that made me uncomfortable, this is an intelligently written series, the acting is good, there is humor, and some good twists. I watched nine episodes the first day, with some time between each episode, and found it quite watchable. I could picture watching it again.

The actor playing Bai Zhongyi does a good job showing the awkwardness of the character. Both leads gradually fall for each other naturally while living a forced odd-couple existence. Just because Bai Zhongyi is young doesn't mean he's passive.

We have the accidental fall trope.

It takes a while for the shit to hit the fan, but when it does, it's intense.

We have to wait until episode 9 to catch up with the opening scene of the series, so be patient. The series doesn't drag.

Nice touches

Fan Jherui's father, the gang boss, has a gay lover.

There doesn't seem to be homophobia.

Taiwan having same-sex marriage is acknowledged and celebrated.

Ai Di looks adorbs in (Red Riding Hood) drag. Okay, he looks cute without drag but there's something funny about a violent gang member dressing up in drag for Halloween for the benefit of his colleague's budding boyfriend.

It's pretty clear without spelling it out that Fan Jherui's father knows the Bai family's every move: Chen Yi and Ai Di have no problem tracking Fan Jherui down at Bai Zhongyi's place and Fan Jherui's father knows Bai Zhongyi's father needs a heart transplant and is on a long waiting list for it.

Fan Jherui's father follows through on the deal for Bai Zhongyi's father to get a heart transplant and medical care if Bai Zhongyi takes the fall for Fan Jherui after Fan Jherui kills a member of a rival gang who was about to kill both Fan Jherui and Bai Zhongyi.

Nitpicks about plot holes

Supposedly, Fan Jherui has supposedly not been accepted into his father's gang because he's not ready to die for them. But when we first meet him, he's obviously been in some kind of battle - which so far we haven't learned anything about - and has a bloody knife that could serve as evidence against him. So, is he in the gang or not?

When Ai Di pretends to be a student, he uses a name that is very close to his real name, which would seem to be not a very bright move for someone who is acting undercover.

How do gang members get to go undercover in a high school with the adminstration's consent anyway?

When Bai Zhongyi goes to prison, he is almost immediately attacked. We learn that someone in Fan's father's empire is responsible. Yet somehow he makes it out of prison four years later without apparent further attacks and further opens a pastry shop without further attacks, at least as of the end of episode 10, even though we learn he is still under threat.

(However, it's not a plot hole that Bai Zhongyi was attacked. I can see the Fan family wanting to ensure Bai Zhongyi never revealed the true story or that the friends of the guy who was killed would want revenge.)

Gang member Ai Di chooses to take the rap for the attack on Bai Zhongyi. How? He wasn't anywhere near the prison. Still, I suppose he could have taken credit for ordering the attack. But somehow, he manages to be assigned to the same prison so he can keep an eye on Bai Zhongyi's safety and somehow he gets released on the same day as Bai Zhongyi four years later.

I don't have a problem with Bai Zhongyi and Fan Jherui having a random encounter in Taichung. The show is going to show us the interesting occurrences that happen during the story line. It's not going to show us all of the times when nothing happens. Still, if you don't like coincidences, you won't like this one either.

Continue with episode 11

See also Getting to be a kid in Kiseki: Dear to Me

#taiwan bl #taiwan ql #taiwan yaoi #yaoi #bl drama #ql drama #kiseki: dear to me #kiseki dear to me #pandasmagorica

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lirondellee · 1 year

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I guess it’s time to tell a bit more about my OCs and the universe my stories take place in. All of this info (and more) is already on my Twitter (for now only in Ukrainian, sorry) but now I’ll also post it here, on Tumblr in ua and eng

ENG

I’ll start with the New Age Inc itself

So… in short, there is the mortal dimension, that is our generic normal Earth and other normal totally not supernatural planets, and there is the Veiled World (the subtle world), where all kinds of creatures from various mythologies and legends live, as well as half bloods (children of Immortals x mortals or Immortals x Immortals of another species) and souls of the dead (who also become inhuman creatures with time, they’re called neo-immortals: neo-demons and neo-angels).

All this mad house is ruled by the so-called Immortals — basically the local elite, that is, angels, demons and gods from various mythologies, who one wonderful day concluded the "Non-interference Treaty". The mortal dimension was fenced off by the Veil, which cannot be crossed by either mortals or Immortals (later the latter will ofc find a way to do it tho) they made peace and no one from the Veiled World can now directly influence people and openly show themselves to them (why they had to do it in the first place is a long story, there was a whole series of absolutely crazy events, but ooof, that’s spoiler zone).

The universe still needs to be controlled somehow. And that is why they built Mythopolis. That’s a huge metropolis that unites all the dimensions of the immortals (Heaven, Hell, Asgard, Vyriy, Olympus, and many others, and these are all separate states with their own government, infrastructure, economy, legislation, etc etc etc), except for Purgatory, because thaaat, my dears, is a whole separate topic (and it kinda looks like a huge suburban weirdcore-ish landscape with the vibe of Will Wood songs). And then all these guys cooperated and built the Citadel, a skyscraper, each floor of which is a portal to one of these dimensions, and created New Age Incorporated. It controls destinies, where each department (domain) is responsible for something from people's lives (like really anything, from the weather and natural phenomena to feelings and some material things), and one of these beings is responsible for each such thing and has respective abilities.

That’s just the suuuuper basic lore info but I’ll get into more detail later, I guess :>

Отже, якщо вже розповідати про свій всесвіт, почну з самої Корпорації Нью Ейдж.

Якщо зовсім стисло, то є вимір смертних, тобто наша рідна звичайна нормальна Земля та інші звичайні нормальні планети, а є Потайкрай (Світ за Завісою, тонкий світ), де живуть всякі істоти з різних міфологій і легенд, а також напівкровки (діти Безсмертних і смертних, або Безсмертних різних видів) і душі померлих (які також з часом стають нелюдськими істотами — нео-безсмертними: нео-ангелами або нео-демонами).

Заправляють всією цією дуркою так звані Безсмертні — місцева еліта, тобто ангели, демони та боги з різних міфологій, які в один пречудовий день уклали між собою «Договір про невтручання», тобто по-перше, вони укладають мир і більше не мають права між собою сратися, по-друге, ніхто з Потайкраю тепер не може напряму впливати на людей та відкрито показуватися їм, а по-третє, вимір смертних відгороджується так званою Завісою, яку не можна перетинати ані смертним, ані Безсмертним, хоча пізніше останні таки знайдуть спосіб це робити (для чого це все — довга історія, там ціла низка всратих подій, але то вже спойлери).

Та всесвіт же ж все одно якось треба контролювати. І тому був побудований Міфрополіс — місто-метрополія, яка об’єднує всі виміри безсмертних (Рай, Пекло, Асґард, Вирій, Олімп, та інші, і це все окремі держави зі своїм урядом, інфраструктурою, економікою, адміністративним поділом, законодавством і т.д, т.п, ТАК, Я ЗАМОРОЧИЛАСЯ, ДУЖЕ ЗАМОРОЧИЛАСЯ), окрім Чистилища, бо то окрема тема (і все це чудо природи виглядає як величезне вірдкорне передмістя з вайбом пісень Вілла Вуда). А потім вся ця різнобарвна тусня скооперувалася і побудувала Цитадель — височенний хмарочос, кожен поверх якого — портал до одного з цих вимірів, і утворилася Корпорація Нью Ейдж. Вона контролює долі, там кожен відділ (по-місцевому, домен) відповідає за щось із життя людей (реально будь-що, від погоди й природних явищ, до почуттів і якихось матеріальних речей), і хтось із цих істот відповідає за кожне таке явище і має відповідні здібності.

Це тільки супер базова інфа, пізніше розповім детальніше :>

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asknarashikari · 2 years

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I'm starting to think that Holy live is a downgrade because of the Ls Daiji's taking :p

It's why I don't think Holy Live's his final form. It's been outclassed way too quickly and way too often for it to be a final form.

I suspect that his final form is firmly under wraps due to it being a huge spoiler for the endgame.

Honestly, they've been getting better at keeping stuff under wraps lately. For example, we knew Hiromi was coming back but we had no idea he was coming back this episode, or this soon even- we all thought the earliest he'd return to the series was August, after Dear Gaga Part 2 came out. And while we did get an early look at Over-Demons, they managed to keep the identity of the wielder a secret until the episode itself.

#kamen rider revice #igarashi daiji #ask #puwaasuru

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righteousness-and-tea · 1 year

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Hii mod Celeste, welcome back! Hope you you're well.

🎼 + Celeste

The song's Bloody Mary from Lady Gaga

Have a good day ;)

Hey anon! This song is actually PERFECT for Celeste, in my opinion. I actually hadn't heard it before now but I do like Lady Gaga. Hopefully this captures her essence well! It's a bit different from my usual writing.

-Mod Celeste

(Danganronpa THH spoilers below!)

200+ Followers Event: Celestia Ludenberg- Bloody Mary

Celestia Ludenberg was a woman with ambition. She knows what she wants, and how to get it-- money, of course.

Emotions were flying high in this situation. So much betrayal, heartbreak, and needless strife in this hopeless school. What was the point?

Love is just a history they may prove

This "game" she was trapped in was no different than every other one she's played before. Laid before her were pieces and pawns to play and position as she pleased. Sure, life and death were now on the table-- but the stakes aren't so different to her.

Two murders had occured since her time here. They hadn't fazed her as much as her fellow classmates. She did, however, feel as though the motives in place were simply... lacking. Why would you commit a heinous act to protect yourself, your ego? It just wasn't up to snuff.

I'm ready for their stones

Now, she was presented with the greatest incentive yet: money, and a lot of it. That would be the key to her dream-- her lavish lifestyle, perfect down to the very shoes she wore. And of course, she, the Queen of Liars, could win.

Celeste knew all of her players well. Their ambitions, the things that kept them up at night. It wouldn't be hard at all to simply play the cards right.

I'll dance, dance dance

With a smug expression, she waltzed into the bathhouse. Celeste found the laptop, everyone's current obsession, and stowed it away. "How silly it was," She thought, "to keep it virtually unprotected as a sign of good faith." Those feelings cannot exist in a world like this.

After her first step, she began to plot. Who would be of use? What could be done to make this as seamless as possible? Decisions, decisions.

We are not just art for Michelangelo to carve

It all became very clear to her what the course of action would be. She'll play them all. Make it all shift in her favor.

She knocks at the door. "Hello, Hifumi? How do you do? I have something I wish to discuss with you..."

He obliges, letting her in with curiosity evident on his face. She begins the very first act of the plan, the initial deception.

I won't cry for you

I won't crucify the things you do

He falls for it, of course. What a simpleton, that one. She could've told him anything to do with his current waifu and he wouldn't taken the bait.

Forgive him before he's dead because

Things go smoothly, as they usually do for dear Celestia Ludenberg. It was as if she could taste her dreams coming to fruition. This would not be difficult, not to someone like her.

The consequences? Loss of life? Ah, so be it. Just another cost of the game.

When you're gone I'll still be Bloody Mary

#danganronpa #danganronpa imagines #celestia ludenberg #danganronpa oneshot #danganronpa fanfic #danganronpa headcanons

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tsuki-sennin · 2 years

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Welcome to Episode 37 of Kamen Rider Revice~! Or as I call it, "Kamen Rider Live Gets His Cheeks Clapped - Episode 7". So uh... Kinoshita, when you gonna give Daiji his due? I'm waiting~!

For now though... Spoilers, I guess...

-They just gave Tamaki a headband, I'm :sob:

-Wow, they're really multiplying.

-We're really

-Oh, Akaishi's alive! Yay~!

-"Have you ever heard of our lord and savior Gifu-sama? He gave me a res and said 'Hide-chan... in times of sadness, at the lowest points in your life, where you could not see my footprints in the sand... it was because I carried you.' Anyways, we're cancelling Kamen Rider Revice and replacing it with me doing cool skateboard tricks in honor of Gifu-sama~!"

-Ah, so it's not like a weird anti-vaxxer thing, it's just like... DNA gathering.

-"We did it, Daiji-kun. We successfully scared all of humanity. :)"

-Ohhhhh, there's a maximum. Thaaaat's concerning.

-Daiji, you really need to go apeshit.

-How was your Weekend~?

-Ehhhhhhhhhhh, like, I'm trying not to read too much into something that could've just as likely been totally unintentional, but Kinoshita's on Twitter and there's an extreme excess of stupid and horrible people on there.

-Ah, yep, Akemi-san's hint.

-"Daiji, you're really jobbing right now."

-Just standing back and letting things play out isn't gonna do a damn thing, Daiji.

-Oh there he is...

-So, George thought his dad was dead his whole time.

-Ohhhhhhhhhh, that's harsh.

-Giffdemos. Our target.

-Ahhhhh, we freezin'?

-Barid Rex? Ohhhhh, we increased its freezy power~! Epic.

-Oh great, demons...

-Yeah, good luck Sakura.

-Daiji... hurts to watch, not gonna lie.

-Hello,

-Ergh... I absolutely do not want creepy-ass Akaishi as my stepbrother.

-Oh yep, there she is. Akemi-san, and the Super Giffterian or whatever it's called.

-Yeah, Sakura's got that guy.

-Ohhhh, regens.

-"Most impressive, George. All we need now is for the Igarashi children to-"

-"Shut up Daddy, it's time for backstory."

-All of George's sinister moments are traced back to his crippling daddy issues.

-...quite relatable, to be honest.

-Ohhhhhh, he's got Shroud face!

-Ohhhhhhhh, Daiji's mad!

-Oh finally, Hikaru has another character trait. It ain't much, but hey, at least his brazen overconfidence is something. Hana's definitely not amused, so at least there's room for debate.

-Ah, fnally,

-Ohhhhh, Gifu's own essence.

-"Heeeeey, Akemi-san, do you wanna come back?"

-Ahhhh, finally, more space.

-Yeah, you're worried, huh Akaishi?

-Yoooo, Ikki, it's about time to Bari-Bari~!

-Ayyyyy! ...I assume Volcano works just the same though, right?

-#NiceGeorge

-btw, I saw somebody somewhere complain about Aguilera's knifey thingies being repaints of Ichigo Arms's kunai? And like... yeah? Sure, it might be lazy, but are you really jonesing for Ichigo Arms to come back? They can just make new ones!

-Oh cool, Hikaru can Genomix. Epic.

-And he also can't count! Epic!

-Wow, he's working Daiji to death.

-Oh no, misunderstanding.

-I thought those were suspiciously light in Donbrothers so far.

-Oh shit, Sakura lost!

-"Bye bye, Akemi~!"

-Nooooo... we're losing her!

-Aaaaaand, he's here!

-Be a real man, Dai-chan!

-...please don't misinterpret this in the worst way possible.

-OHHHH!

-Hiromicchi's here!

-Hiromi-san... things are bad, man.

-I'll probably watch Dear Gaga Part 2 later, on my own time.

-Fuck, dude... I think I'm mostly just getting really sad whenever I watch Revice now lol

-I love the new suits tho, holy fuck.

-This show, i stg

-Uhhh... I guess I'll see you next week.

#kamen rider #kr revice #kamen rider revice #revice spoilers #revive the vice: imprinted like stamps and fossils #NiceGeorge

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natsumi-no-hotaru · 2 years

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There and back again: a megane-ko’s adventure

Part 2: Romance of the Rock

AKA. My love letter to Ningguang, Zhongli, and all that Geo goodness.

[Previously: Part 1 - I went back to make some changes, mostly at the beginning to give non-GI gamers some information about the game’s premise - the Traveler’s backstory]

[Spoiler warning for the Liyue Archon story line and relevant character stories. Also, I may use “he/him” when referring to the Traveler simply for convenience’s sake, as I picked Aether as my protagonist.]

It is now late of June, with barely 10 days left. Soon enough, 8 months will have passed since I took the first step (and fall) in Teyvat. It’s absolutely absurd (and come on, kinda hilarious too, right?) to think that right now GI is a quarter of the way through patch 1.6, and I have yet to recount the best part of my patch 1.1 experience! I could give a slew of reasons as excuses for my slowpoke writing but the fact remains that I really, really need to catch up on my storytelling, before forgetting at which point in the story I have stopped like Tea Master Liu Su, or being too busy to explore the new region coming in patch 2.0 to even go on tumblr to write! And I would hate it to still tell stories of my Liyue adventure when everyone else is going gaga over the new land of Inazuma, especially when I hold many Liyue characters dear to my heart - most of all, my ever-reliable and wonder duo of Ningguang and Zhongli. So without further ado, dear readers, allow me to pick up from where I left off…

A panorama of Liyue city and harbor, as viewed from a nearby peak

*clears throat*

Having just recently arrived in Liyue, our Traveler was immediately embroiled in a most serious and dreadful matter - the deicide of Rex Lapis, Liyue’s archon of many epithets. To clear his name from being a suspect of this gravest crime, the Traveler reluctantly accepted the help of Childe, a smooth-talking Harbinger of the antagonist Fatui. Childe advised him to get his story straight with the adepti, enlightened beings in the departed archon’s service, and arranged a meeting with the person who could give him the opportunity to see the archon’s vessel. After Childe’s interestingly-worded introduction about his associate’s work in-the-shadows (that totally misled Paimon into thinking that they were to meet an assassin), this was revealed to be Zhongli-sensei, a consultant working for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Since the Geo Archon was essentially the first adeptus, he was to receive a memorial service in his honor, and there was no better candidate for the job than the very organization versed in performing send-off ceremonies for the adepti for ages. As access to the divine vessel was barred to all by orders of Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Qixing and de facto leader of Liyue, Zhongli-sensei invited the Traveler to join him in the preparations for the Rite of Parting.

A view of the harbor at dawn

While accompanying Zhongli-sensei on a glorified shopping tour for necessary items, the Traveler was immersed in the customs, culture and way of life in Liyue. Commerce and fair trade are at the heart of Liyue and it was no other than the God of Geo who laid down the bedrock of her prosperity through the minting of Mora (the currency of Teyvat, named after Rex Lapis’ actual name, Morax) and the long cultivation of respect for contractual obligations in all forms. In return, the people of Liyue show deep reverence towards Rex Lapis, who, as the God of Contracts, had always held up his end by protecting their safety and supporting their livelihood. For this reason, while the savvy merchants and craft artists were all keen on driving hard bargains, they quickly gave the Traveler and co. a discount (or even gave away their goods) upon learning about the intended use of their products - their tribute to the departed God and their oldest patron.

My two favorite claymore users, Razor and Chongyun, by the busy shops and food stalls of Liyue

The preparations for the Rite of Parting also offered many windows into the fascinating character of Zhongli-sensei, the Traveler’s Liyue tour guide. From the beginning, he showed himself to be single-mindedly bent on ensuring that Rex Lapis would receive a farewell proportionate to the grandeur bestowed upon him in life. Since the Liyue Qixing was occupied with finding the killer and thus less than interested, Zhongli-sensei had to look for funding from elsewheree, which was how Childe came to have a role. As long as Liyue’s thousands-year-old traditions lived on, Zhongli-sensei had no reservation about involving the Fatui, despite their tense relations with Liyue’s ruling elite and ulterior motives.

Zhongli-sensei by the stall selling kites, an item on the shopping list

Yet, sensei was no snobbish stickler for traditions, even while conducting himself as an erudite gentleman who asked for quality goods but somehow had not a single Mora in his pocket (and always forgot about it at payment). Indeed, great care and thought went into the preparations, for every item in the shopping list harkened back to the profound historical, cultural and even personal bonds between Rex Lapis and the land, adepti and people of Liyue. The Noctilucous Jade was top at the list because the departed archon hewed Liyue from the rocks and stones over which he held command. Next up are the perfumes freshly decocted from three varieties of Silk Flowers, a traditional offering to Rex Lapis but now long-forgotten, the Cleansing Bell obtained from the adeptal realm contained in an innocuous teapot, the kites decorated with symbols of the Seven, and the Everlasting Incense obtained after a hilariously failed peer-to-peer transaction with Qiqi. At every turn, the Traveler was intrigued by Zhongli-sensei’s wealth of knowledge and experience, his curious adeptal connection, and most of all, his lack of familiarity with spending money given his gentile background, and bargaining despite his “poverty”.

Childe: I see Mr. Zhongli’s the same as ever. When paying— Well, when getting others to pay for him, he neither looks at the price tag nor his wallet. He knows a great deal about money, and about the trials of the common man. He just doesn’t consider poverty to be something that could ever happen to him. Or perhaps you could say that he cannot imagine himself lacking money.

Zhongli-sensei at the Third-Round Knock-out, being regaled with stories about Liyue past and living legends

As the Rite of Parting preparations were more or less in place, it was time to turn to the tug of war between the Fatui and the Qixing, and subsequently, the tug of power between the Qixing and the adepti. On the Fatui’s side, Childe needed information to make his next move. Cautious as the Traveler was to not provide him with any ammunition, “the walls have ears” and word about the Qixing’s deployment of additional security to the Golden House, the one and only mint of Teyvat, still got out to Childe. Being no fool, he quickly figured out that only the guarding of Rex Lapis’ vessel would warrant such forces.

Keqing: The time of the adepti has long passed. If even the Liyue Qixing don’t want to face that truth, then what future is there for Liyue?

In the meantime, it was the Qixing’s turn to make a move. An invitation from Ningguang to the Jade Chamber was delivered to the Traveler, just as he was to partake in a meal at Zhongli-sensei’s treat (the one time sensei actually brought mora, too!). On their way, the Traveler and Paimon encountered Keqing, the 2nd most important person in the Qixing, who gave them the directions that Ganyu, the emissary, accidentally forgot. She helpfully informed them of Ningguang’s intention, that is to request the “savior of Mondstadt” to take a more neutral stance. Interestingly enough, Keqing made no mention of the Fatui and chose to voice her discontent with the adepti’s condescension towards the humans under their protection, including the Qixing. Her belief in self-reliance over dependence on Rex Lapis and the adepti, left a strong impression on the Traveler, who made his way through this world without a Vision - the Archon’s blessing that allows wielder to use an elemental power.

Ningguang: The departure of Rex Lapis will be no small test for both the Qixing and the city of Liyue. Seldom has any matter kept me tossing and turning at night like recent events. Nevertheless, I shall not lose sight of my goal. There will come a day when the shadow cast by the Jade Chamber reaches every end of Teyvat.

The Traveler, after painstakingly preparing a Sugar-frosted Slime, a greeting gift that is totally “boom shaka-laka“ in Paimon’s words, finally ascended to the Jade Chamber. It was a veritable palace, floating higher than all the peaks of Liyue, from which one could look at the entire land of Geo. Greeting them cordially, the Lady told them of the laborious construction of the Jade Chamber and her ambition for it to “overshadow” the whole of Teyvat. She had heard quite a bit of the Traveler, from her eyes and ears at Wangshu Inn where he met an adeptus, to her communications with Jean, the Acting Grand Master of Favonius Knights. Seeking to gain the Traveler’s support, she began by dispelling all notions of the Qixing plotting Rex Lapis’ death in an attempt at usurpation. Referring back to how Archons fought the long and bloody war to maintain their dominion and become one of the Seven, she spoke of the Qixing’s concern over the scenario of Liyue being up for grab by another Archon, and what it might mean for the former subjects of Rex Lapis. To root out chaos and defend Liyue, hiding the Rex Lapis’ vessel was a bid to gain control of the situation, while allowing the Rite of Parting would give the Qixing more time to act. She then deftly turned the Traveler’s attention to the enemy long hidden in the harbor, a “him” that could have meant no one else but Childe. The difference between her take on the situation and Keqing’s became quite apparent- her concern lied with the Fatui’s maneuvering, not the adepti’s lack of recognition of humanity’s strength.

View from the Yujing Terrace

Iron Tongue Tian: The saying goes, the rarest treasures in the land are the words brought by the paper snow. For the words of the Tianquan have the power to move mountains and all throughout the land know it. These are but scraps of paper, and yet they guide Lady Ningguang’s hand — such is their value.

Hospitality and food for though were not the only things that their eloquent and charming host offered. Upon Paimon’s point-blank inquiry after a present in return for the greeting gift, Ningguang laughed in genuine amusement and invited them to take any object in the Jade Chamber. True to her materialistic tendency, Paimon asked for a piece of paper from the legendary wall containing intelligence documents collected for Ningguang’s deliberation on important mercantile and state affairs. The papers on this wall made for a famous sight in Liyue, for after Ningguang made her decision, they would be shredded and scattered in the air, resulting in a “paper snow”, and no merchant would not pay a fortune to know what the Tianquan had in mind. It was no coincidence, as the Traveler conjectured, that the paper they chose had information on the Sigils of Permission, the very same talisman Childe gave them for passage into Jueyun Karst, the adepti’s land. It was time to learn the truth for themselves.

After verifying the suspicious activities of the Fatui, the Traveler and Paimon went to meet Zhongli-sensei at Dihua Marsh for the final addition to the Rite of Parting - fresh wild Glaze Lilies. The pair shared their impressions of Ningguang, with Paimon liberally praising her kindness and generosity, and the Traveler taking a more skeptical view of her “friendliness” while noting her intelligence and ambition. Zhongli-sensei agreed that contrary to the bold and frank Keqing, Ningguang was a self-made businesswoman at heart, whose true intention was harder to discern. After advising the pair to exercise caution toward the Fatui, Zhongli-sensei showed them the tradition of picking Glaze Lilies - singing to the flowers to release their fragrance. Their exploration of the marsh was not very productive, but serendipitously, they met with a grieving Ganyu, now the Qixing Secretary, who gave them the flowers in honor of the ancient lord she served.

The Dihua Marsh

At the city, the situation rapidly took a turn for the worse. The adepti had arrived at the outskirts of Liyue and some of the Qixing went to meet them, in fact to stall them outside the city, as the adepti did not recognize the Qixing’s authority and chose to act on the basis of their contracts with the Geo Archon. Meanwhile, the Millelith was given orders to rein in the Fatui. Before leaving to check on Wangsheng, Zhongli-sensei advised the Traveler and Paimon to find the fuse first if they wished to help defuse the situation. And the fuse could be nothing else but the divine vessel and no one was more interested in it than Childe.

The pair arrived at the Golden House, where the vessel is kept, only to find the guards all unconscious and Childe up to no good. Like the previous time with Barbatos, the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt, Childe acted under the order of the Tsaritsa, the Cryo Archon, to steal the Gnosis, the source of an archon’s divinity. The Traveler crossed swords against Childe, who momentarily outwitted him to get at the vessel, only to find out that the Gnosis was no longer there. Believing that the Traveler got it before him, the enraged Childe brought out his ace card.

Childe: The battle has already left me satisfied. Anyone who strives as I do to grow stronger shall be called a friend, even if our friendship can only be shown in battle against one another.

After an arduous battle (but seriously fun and adrenaline-pumping), the Traveler defeated Childe in his Delusion form. Childe, while acknowledging the Traveler’s strength, still had a mission to do. Since the Gnosis was not in the vessel, the only explanation possible was that the corpse was faked, and a certain god might not really dead. Desperate times called for drastic measures: if the god had not deigned to make an appearance yet, then it was time to up the stakes. And Childe had one more trick up his sleeve for that - the Sigils of Permission, conduits of divine power once used by the adepti and Rex Lapis himself. Combined with the power bestowed by the Tsaritsa, he would be able to briefly release an old enemy of Rex Lapis, Osial, Overlord of Vortex, from the seal imprisoning him in the Guyun Stone Forest, thus allowing Osial to unleash his anger upon the entire population of Liyue. And so thwarted mayhem and mischief were taken up several notches to reach mass murder and destruction.

The Guyun Stone Forest are but the remnants of the stone spears thrown by Rex Lapis to subdue an ancient god…

Lost as to what to do, the Traveler and Paimon came upon the Jade Chamber flying by the Golden House and reunited with the adepti and the Qixing. Facing the dire threat of Osial, the two parties called a truce and pooled their power in defense of Liyue. It was on the Jade Chamber where they made their stand against the Overlord of Vortex, and where one got a glimpse of the full extent of Ningguang’s power. Through a series of hand commands, the Tianquan used her Geo power to raise a translucent platform of light, on which the Guizhong ballista, offensive adeptal mechanisms, were mounted and manned by the adepti present. The ballista quickly launched a volley of attacks on Osial, but came under attack themselves when waves of Fatui teleported onto the platform. Blessed by the adepti with enhanced offense, survival capability, and speed, the Traveler fought alongside Keqing and the Millelith in getting rid of the Fatui, while evading attacks from Osial himself. Just when the adepti could finally focus on raining fire on Osial without the meddling Fatui, the Overlord concentrated his attacks and took out all the ballista, along with the platform.

The Lady Ningguang activating the platform mechanism, turning her Chamber into a veritable flying fortress.

The loss of the ballista may well have spelled instant defeat for the Qixing and the adepti, had not been for Ningguang’s quick thinking and unwavering will. As the fate of Liyue was hanging by a thread, Ningguang, with not an ounce of hesitation, decided to sacrifice the Jade Chamber, the fruit of her tireless efforts and symbol of her power. All took to evacuation, while the Chamber flew closer to the ancient god, plummeted and exploded upon collision.

Madame Ping: I’ve heard that when Ningguang began learning to do business, she had already started setting aside part of her then-limited income in preparation for building the Jade Chamber. At first, it was only the size of a small room. But with continued expansion, it has become the palace that lies before you now.

Now that the immediate threat was done and dusted, it was time to get back to the Qixing vs. adepti debate - who should take over control over Liyue, now that Rex Lapis was no longer in charge. Among the adepti, Madame Ping, who kept the Cleansing Bell earlier, was the only one who still lived among the people of Liyue and had the most balanced perspective of the Qixing and their efforts. After all, it was no small feat for Ningguang to sacrifice the achievement of her mortal lifetime in a blink of an eye, and still retain much collectedness to make her case to the adepti in a courteous yet unyielding manner. While recognizing the extraordinary contributions of the adepti in upholding their contract with Rex Lapis to protect Liyue from all foreign, often godly, threats, for thousands of years, she gently but firmly reminded them that Liyue and its lands, while still immovable as stone, had changed much since its founding, and so should the approach to and means of protection. Some adepti took offense at what they saw as a criticism of their way of doing things and scoffed at Ningguang’s request for the adepti to see the Qixing as their inheritors. Yet, once again, Ningguang’s power of persuasion prevailed, this time not via a show of power, but a confession of heartfelt humility.

Ningguang: In the dream, I yearned to tell him that we Qixing, though mortal, are equally bound to the contract. Each passing generation of the Qixing leaves many things of value to be inherited by the next generation.

I also thought to tell him how the past generations of Qixing had strove under his rule to survive in our mortal world, establishing a network of contracts which has since come to be known as “trade.“

But I dared not speak. I could only gaze at him in silence until the moment I awoke.

Skeptics of Ningguang’s sincerity might argue that her words were well-aimed manipulation in the guise of modesty, that she knew how to best sell herself and give way when needed, as befitting of a self-made businesswoman. Perhaps. But since they were her final words on the matter, one can give her some benefit of the doubt. As a holder of a Geo vision, how could Ningguang not appreciate and be awed by all that Rex Lapid did for Liyue? Her silence, in dream as in reality, spoke louder than words, than any promise she could have made.

Liyue from above

The power struggle between the Qixing and the adepti came to a conclusion with the Traveler’s remarks on the importance of harmony between a land’s guardians and those under such protection, in light of Mondstadt’s recent painful lesson. Further reparation to the ties between the adepti and people of Liyue came in the form of the debt of gratitude expressed by the Millelith for the adepti’s grace and strength, and the joy of innocent children upon seeing the legendary heroes who saved the day. Realizing how out of place and out of time they are in the modern Liyue, the adepti bid their farewell and left their beloved land of Geo in the hands of the Qixing and mortals.

Paimon: Yeah, you don’t think you went a little bit too far with that whole fake death thing!? Everyone was preparing the ceremony for you when splat, this big dragon falls out of the sky and all of Liyue goes into an uproar. Talk about a disaster!

All was well that ended well at the harbor but the Traveler and Paimon still needed answers as to a certain archon’s death. So to the Northland Bank they went to find Zhongli-sensei. In addition to the expected sight of Childe, there was another unexpected familiar face - Signora, the Fatui Harbinger who stole the Anemo archon’s Gnosis. While there was no love lost between the Traveler and Signora, Childe still hoped to stay on the Traveler’s good side, and quickly pointed to his “colleague” and Zhongli-sensei as the true masters of deception. Without further ado, the Traveler became a witness to fulfilment of the “contract to end all contracts”, as Zhongli-sensei handed over the Gnosis to Signora, the Cryo archon’s emissary. While the revelation of Zhongli-sensei as the earthly vessel of Rex Lapis was shocking enough, to see him giving away the Gnosis, even for some yet-to-be-revealed super mysterious benefit in return, was outta this world, even for the Traveler (pardon my pun). And as Paimon put it very eloquently, the Geo archon (more like ex-archon now) had quite a lot of explaining to do with the funeral drama he directed, gathered the cast, and played a role himself.

Zhongli: I stood motionless among the crowds, asking myself, "Have I already finished my duties?”

Being the oldest archon of the current Seven and the one watching over Liyue for millennia, he had never thought to take a break from his divine role. Until one day, while visiting the harbor incognito, he heard an employer telling his worker to rest up after a day of work and the question started haunting his thoughts. Yet, it was no easy thing to just relinquish his role, for the road to the present Liyue of incomparable peace and prosperity was lined with blood, sweat and toil. A test was needed to make sure that Liyue’s guardians and inhabitants were ready to take on the mantle in his absence, with the Gnosis that he held on till the last minute as insurance. The script unfolded more or less to his expectations, with the ancient adepti doing their best to adapt to the changing times and people, and the Tsaritsa’s emissary Signora keeping his plan under wraps and far from the prying Childe. The one plot twist that surprised and pleased Zhongli the most was the Qixing’s bold and decisive move to gain complete control over Liyue, in place of her adeptal protectors. After all, it was the time for mortals to take over the contract of Liyue and what could be a better parting gift for the ex-archon than the Qixing’s tried and tested readiness to lead them in the new era?

Ningguang: Now that we have awoken from our dream, we must learn to say farewell.

The Rite of Parting finally arrived, amidst much speculation about Rex Lapis’ death, the Fatui’s involvement and the now-twice-defeated Osial. To the Traveler’s and Paimon’s great surprise, the Qixing announced that Rex Lapis was not murdered but died after failing a divine trial. The pair then deduced that since the Qixing dropped the search for the murder, the truth about the God of Geo’s departure was somehow made known to them. After the ceremony, the Traveler and Paimon got to bid a personal farewell to the ex-archon himself, who was very much enjoying his life as the mortal Zhongli. While adjusting to being no longer able to make Mora whenever and wherever continued to be a work in progress for the ex-archon, he considered it as part and parcel of living a mortal life and thus tried to “rehearse” for it during his journey with the Traveler, with shall we say, limited success, given his access to Childe, the Northland Bank ATM. The Traveler’s conversation with Zhongli confirmed his suspicion of the Qixing’s knowledge of the truth to their Archon’s death and revealed Zhongli’s high regard of Ningguang’s ambition to govern Liyue and Keqing’s likely role as the person who advised the seizure of power. As the end of one journey opens another, it was only a matter of time that the Traveler would need to leave Liyue to other lands in search of his lost sister. But that is a story for another time…

(even though it is already the first week of August as I’m writing these lines, and parts of Inazuma have already been opened for exploration.)

*put down the fan*

Now that I have finished playing Tea Master Liu Su, it truly amazed me how long it took to recount the story, despite my best effort to be as succinct as possible. There was so much to unpack in this chapter of the Archon storyline and there were things that only after revisiting the text did I pick up on. Notable is its cyclical nature: the story ended at the same place where it began. The Traveler’s journey began with Zhongli-sensei’s question as to which place he preferred more - Mondstadt with the prone-to-absent Barbatos or Liyue under the more involved Rex Lapis. Regardless of which answer the Traveler gave, Zhongli-sensei would remark on Liyue’s rich and millennia-long history as an experience that the Traveler should not miss. And if the Traveler was to talk to people in Liyue around this time, most of them could not imagine living under an absent Archon for as long as Mondstadt did. In the end, Liyue ends up not so different from Mondstadt now - both are now archon-less lands, both led by strong female leaders (who stay in regular contact with one another no less). The conclusion of Liyue’s chapter more or less mirrored that of Mondstadt’s chapter (the Prologue). And if one is to go back a little further, the cyclical nature would become even more apparent - this chapter began with the Rite of Descension at the Yuijing Terrace, and ended with the Rite of Parting, carried out at the very same place.

I feel like this would be my fellow bookworm’s favorite place in Mondstadt, should he ever come by to visit the land of Wind.

I’m sure if you are patient enough to read this far, the question that you must be burning to ask will be why I devoted so much time to telling the Archon storyline in Liyue, when I didn’t delve much into it in my previous post on Mondstadt, and more importantly, what’s the point of doing so?

The reason for my going to such length is to remind you (or immerse you in, if you are new to GI) of the circumstances and events through which we get to meet the cast of Liyue and I fall head over heels for Ningguang and Zhongli. I could just launch into tirades upon tirades of how awesome they are but that would not be quite as persuasive as leading you into making them yourself, right? I think this archon quest is a good starting point to understand and dig deep into their character and motivations, all the more so with Ningguang, since that is the most that we’ll see of her thus far.

[the following was written prior to the Moonchase festival]

The moonlight pales in comparison to the radiance of My Lady Ningguang

It’s easy to misconceive Ningguang as purely a ruthless, manipulative, Mora-loving businesswoman, whose only ambition is personal aggrandizement. And while she exhibits these qualities, she is so much more than this simplistic understanding, which disregards the complexity and nuances of her character.

Undoubtedly, she is ruthless in dealing with the threat posed by the Fatui’s schemes, as evidenced by her swift and unforgiving declaration to make all Snezhnayan diplomats answer for the Fatui agents’ attack upon Childe’s orders after the summon of Osial (and My Lady kept her word). Such relentless pursuit stems from the fierce competitive spirit that defines her approach to business and enables her to triumph in the harsh mercantile world. Yet, it is this very ruthlessness, business- and politics-wise, that brings wealth and prosperity to Liyue, and more importantly, defends her shores against those who seek to bring her people to their knees. As a savvy businesswoman and the powerful Tianquan, she is well aware of how prosperity can only last with peace and order, and the benefits of aligning her interests with those of Liyue.

Zhongli… Of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. He’s very versed in a great deal of affairs. Although… such excellent pawns are of no use to me until I know their weaknesses.

[Ningguang, “On Zhongli”]

Manipulation is certainly one of the tools that My Lady uses to great effect. Her mastery of it is showcased at the meeting with the Traveler at the Jade Chamber - how she skillfully convinced him of the Qixing’s innocence in the death of Rex Lapis and well-meaning intentions, then redirected his attention to the real foe, and even roped him into finding out about the Fatui’s scheme on the Sigils of Permission. Though the Traveler saw her friendliness as part of her subtle maneuvering to get him on the Qixing’s side, after her earlier persecution of him no less, he did not begrudge it and even helped to reconcile the adepti to the Qixing’s vision for the future of Liyue. All things considered, subterfuge is not part of her arsenal, given her willingness to tell the Traveler straight up how she gathered information about him, and mutual benefit is her go-to motto.

SImilar rocks with green plaustrite ores were used to keep the Jade Chamber afloat in mid-air.

Ningguang’s first and foremost love of Mora is well-noted by other characters, not least Zhongli himself. One of the in-game character briefs (Story 3, to be exact) speaks of her glee in winning over wealthy merchants, despite how rich she is already. To use her own words, “Vast wealth is a wonderful thing. Adding another Mora to the pot can hardly make it any less wonderful, now, can it?” After all, given her modest beginning, every Mora she earns is a credit to her industriousness and business acumen, a testament to how far she had come since the days of collecting shells on the Yaoguang shoal, as recalled by Zhongli. Nonetheless, her limitless passion for Mora does not blind her from doing what’s needed for the common good. After 2 and a half Archon quests (yes, counting the ongoing one in Inazuma), nothing has yet moved me as much as Ningguang’s resolved visage to sacrifice the Jade Chamber, the ultimate manifestation of her lifelong toil and triumph, in exchange for the safety of Liyue and all her people. Certainly, not all of her wealth went along with the Chamber but her readiness to give up what she held so dear is just inspirational.

By the Yaoguang Shoal of her earlier days of entrepreneurship

While the archon quest chose to highlight Ningguang’s unshakeable resolve, acute mind, and tremendous power and ambition, there’s still much about her that only comes to one’s notice through better acquaintance with her and finer grasp of her background. Perhaps one of the most surprising and striking traits of Ningguang is her intolerance of pretentiousness. This down-to-earth approach (no pun intended) is likely rooted in her humble background, which she does not shy away from or conceal beneath a veneer of grandeur. Her status and position make her a frequent customer at the fancy restaurants of Liyue, but she has no qualm about preferring a simpler fare. To her, there’s no sense in making a show of wealth by demanding Golden Crab everyday, when staple dishes like “a slow-boiled soup of leftover chicken and pork bones drenched over some cabbage leaves“ are more to her taste.

Here at Aocang Mountain the Traveler came upon the adeptal abode of Cloud Retainer and learned the recipe of Mora Meat, a common offering to adepti in the old days of yore. It bears the association to Morax, and to Mora, his “flesh and blood” manifested as currency, and the “guarantor of the people’s hard work, wisdom, and future”. What significance does this dish indicate, as the Tianquan’s specialty?

Even her specialty dish, the Qiankun Mora Meat, harkens to a time of more modest means, when it’s important to have a filling meal that does not take her away long from work. True to its name, it’s a round-shaped, Mora-stamped pastry filled with minced meat that you can conveniently eat without cutlery like a burger, and eating it is like making a wish for fortune. I can’t help smiling on thinking how Ningguang would make one of these lovely pastries after a long day of work to “revive” herself and become even more driven in her pursuits. A delicious Mora Meat is said to be so good that not even Mora placed in front of you can distract you from enjoying it, thus making this meaty saucy sizzling bun the perfect food for the hardworking Tianquan.

Ningguang complimenting on how much the “Glittering Street” furniture set (in the Traveler’s teapot realm) resembles the streets of Liyue and embodies their “lack of discord”. I’d like to think that her eye for such meticulous details comes from a place of devotion to Liyue and all its people, regardless of background.

Her aversion to displays of snobbery makes her approachable to the common folk in Liyue. As shown in the cutscene after Osial is defeated, a little girl named Changchang cheerfully approached the heroes who saved the day, with little care for etiquette, even toward the powerful Tianquan. To the children at the harbor, Ningguang is but a kind and friendly “big-sister”. Of course, her attention to children can be read as a kind of manipulation, for she does give them treats in exchange for their information on all goings-on in Liyue. They are Ningguang’s eyes and ears, and between them and other sources of intelligence, there’s little that could evade her. Indeed, there is always some benefit to her in keeping relations with a certain party, but it is a two-way road and does not necessarily exclude genuine feelings on her part. Personally speaking, I choose to take a leap of faith in her fondness for children’s smiles, regardless.

I presume you mean the girl whom Ganyu has taken under her wing. Do not worry, I have no plans to make this matter public. I am content to extend some leniency to the odd bit of mischievous maneuvering by that boat captain. One thing, though — Yaoyao seems to have become somewhat enamored with seafood lately. You should try to convince her to include some more fruits and vegetables in her diet.

[Ningguang, “On Yaoyao”]

On her peers and notable residents of Liyue, Ningguang’s opinions (as voiced to the Traveler) are often more revealing about herself than about a particular character or the nature of her relations with them. The lesser the acquaintance, the franker she is in voicing her thoughts. With Xingqiu and Xiangling, who are clearly not very fond of her, she finds it perfectly fine to live and let live, despite their differences. Since Xingqiu’s chivalric ideals of justice are irreconcilable with her material approach, she simply accepts that their personalities do not work well together and moves on. Xiangling’s “suspicion” and wariness is no secret to Ninggguang, but that has no bearing on her willingness to financially support Wanmin Restaurant. A good deal is a good deal, and she does enjoy a good rivalry (and even finds ways to gain from it), as proven by her assessment of Yanfei’s deftness in making use of legal loopholes in her client’s interest. She values Ganyu’s indispensable work but that does not mean she is going to leave all her affairs in the hands of her very capable secretary.

An off-the-record meeting between two formidable women of Liyue?

I absolutely love that Ningguang’s most fleshed-out relations are with powerful, independent and opinionated women - Beidou the larger-than-life Captain of the Crux Fleet, slayer of the sea beast Haishan, and Keqing, the uber-efficient, pragmatic workaholic Yuheng of the Qixing, who’s in charge of the administrative and civil side of things. From Ningguang’s side, her voiceovers barely let on about the extent of their relations. Beidou seems to be no more than a thorn in her eye, given her proclivity to break rules (especially when the one makes them now is Ningguang herself) and her popularity with the common folk, to the point that she asks for Beidou to be kept out of her sight, as if she couldn’t care less. However, reality is more nuanced than that, as Beidou’s story would tell us. Whether Ningguang is actually Beidou’s boss or not is up for debate, it’s clear that they do have a partnership that works well on a personal basis, regardless of either character’s affiliation. Beidou is trusted by Ningguang to do the so-called “dirty work” for her, in spite of their personality clash. She called Beidou the “most reliable person in Liyue”, in response to her advisers’ comments on Beidou’s unpredictability, even saying that this is always the case as long as Beidou is given the whole picture and made known of the benefits for her. Even Beidou appreciates Ningguang’s rarely-seen frank side, be it her direct criticism or explicit trust, and praises for her good work in the Qixing.

Keqing recounting her blunt reply to a person’s inquiry on “gift suggestions for Lady Ningguang”

While there is much more to say about Ningguang and Beidou, let me quickly jump over to the less discussed relations between Ningguang and Keqing, which is not easy to do as there are much less materials to go on. Nonetheless, as they are incredibly key members of the Qixing and run into each other often enough in their work, their relationship certainly deserves a mention. Ningguang is purposefully vague when speaking about the Yuheng. Remarking on Keqing’s recent change, she wonders if they are better off with the new Keqing or her old self. While this doesn’t give us much to work with, it’s noteworthy that she picked up on Keqing’s newfound appreciation and respect for Rex Lapis. As shown in the archon quest, Keqing has always been a bold, self-assured person, openly skeptic of the idea that the gods have all the right answers. After the Qixing officially took over Liyue and she took on management of more Liyue’s affairs, it dawned on her that she could learn much from Rex Lapis’ hard work over the last millennium. And such appreciation is further extended to Ningguang, who Keqing has very strong opinions about; she’s the sole person with 3 voice-overs about Ningguang! She used to be much more disparaging about the Tianquan, deeming profit to be the Tianquan’s only principle. That is now changed, since the departure of Rex Lapis. She is now more aware of the common grounds they have and how she was too judgmental of Ningguang, even going so far as to call her a “comrade in arm”. This kind of growth in their relations is nothing short of amazing, all the more so given the intra-competition in the Qixing, their personality clash, and the occasional stepping-on-each-other’s-toes.

“Ningguang” means “condensation of light”, which is such a poetic way of describing precious stones and their sparkle. Her name is even more apt, considering her attack is literally a barrage of Star Jades, rocks that resemble light condensed by her Geo power.

Like a well-cut gem, Ningguang is a lady of many facets, of which most people are only privileged to a glimpse. This is not the case for the Traveler, who is given the opportunity to learn how to “observe” and invited to “observe [her] right down to [her] very core”. More importantly, she expects him to form his own judgement, free from the influence of rumors and hearsay. With his deeper understanding and changing impressions of her come the revisions in her view of the Traveler’s role. She deems it right to forego “pretentious formalities” - the cordial facade she adopted in their early acquaintance, for he is now a “[partner] bound by contract”. While others can hardly discern her true intentions, there is a distinct sense of openness and lack of reservation in her voiceovers with the Traveler. She prefers asking him directly for worthwhile intelligence as the kind she would get from the kids at the harbor, rather than mincing her words about it. Just when it seems like the Traveler’s relations with the Tianquan would only go far as a mutual benefit deal, granted with both sides growing more appreciative of one another’s capabilities, the Lady surprises me with how “invested” she is in the Traveler and what it truly means to gain her trust.

An environment can't be judged purely on its size or opulence. I sense the time and effort that you have put into this place, which reminds me of the time and effort when constructing the Jade Chamber.

[ Ningguang, in a conversation about the Traveler’s own adeptal realm]

With every friendship level gained, Ningguang pays greater and greater attention to the Traveler, wishing to gain further insight into him, in a way that far exceeds a mere transactional partnership. She shows herself to be fully aware of the fact that as much as she invests in her relations with the Traveler, so does he in return (well, if a player is fond of her enough), especially to aid the growth and ascension of her combative power. Despite her initial disdain for using violence (when Mora is at disposal), she soon grew intrigued by the potential of “cashing in time and mora for power”, and even more by “what [the Traveler holds] so dear” that makes him so “persistent” in this pursuit. What is so noteworthy about her interest in the Traveler’s motivation is her earnest desire to find it out on her own, not by hearing it from him. To have a lady like Ningguang asking to “give her more time to understand you better” is one hell of a boost to your ego and self-esteem, and it really goes to show that Ningguang considers the Traveler a partner on equal footing. It seems only fair that she would put in her own work to understand the Traveler, after she asked him to do the same through his own observations.

You can learn from me, and use Mora to make things a little easier on yourself. But remember, relationships built on Mora can only be relied on for a time. Hehe... And that is why I have never brought Mora into our relationship.

[More about Ningguang: IV]

Together with her growing desire to learn more about the Traveler and count on his insights, Ningguang also seeks a relationship rooted in genuine fondness and familiarity. Much as she loves the infinitude of Mora, she well understands its limits in forging meaningful personal connection. It is precisely why the companionship she enjoys with the Traveler is so precious, for it is “something that Mora cannot buy”, to use her very same words. Unlike the merchants and bigshots seeking an audience with her only to further their interest and influence, the Traveler has no such ulterior motive in asking for “a simple chat” on anything that she likes. It would not be an exaggeration to say that his offering of "a carefree, honest chat” truly moves her, as keen as she is to ask him to stay and talk with her about the “simpler things in life”. And in return, getting to see her in the rare moment of letting her guard down, to see her as just Ningguang, and not the mighty Tianquan, makes one feel so special in a way that no amount of Mora can compare.

Doesn’t My Lady look like she is covering her yawn here? eheheheh *squee*

After many an adventure, one would achieve the much coveted pinnacle of friendship with Ningguang, that is to merit her full and complete trust. For a self-made woman who has built everything up from scratch and still prefers to take a hands-on approach in her career, it makes sense that she would find it hard to trust someone, immersed as she in the battleground of commerce and politics. Yet, she finds herself placing her trust in this mysterious outlander who she has not known for long, happily convinced that she has made "put [her] money” aka. her time, “on the right person”. While her language of friendship and partnership is shaped by mercantile vocabulary, it does not mean that she treasures the Traveler in any way less profound than others would. Her material greed does not blind her to his true value and what he means to her, on a personal level.

...You’ve done splendidly. If only I had more like you... No, perhaps you alone are enough.

[Feelings about Ascension: Conclusion]

To hear that you are so indispensable to someone else (hopefully in a non-creepy, non-obsessive, and non-stalker kind of way) is often enough a lovely thing, but to hear such an admission from My Lady is incredibly rewarding, for lack of a better word to describe that sensation of being validated in all the right ways. As an equal partner in important decision-making, the Traveler has proven himself to her and is asked to stand beside her and share in her dream - her raison d’être. Her offer is not phrased as a sort of honor to be bestowed on a worthy person, simply a demonstration of her confidence in the Traveler and admiration for all that he is now and to be. For when Liyue is “due another paper snowstorm”, the Traveler will be the one to cause it.

When the time comes that [the Jade Chamber] hangs above all of the seven nations, you shall stand by my side on that day too.

[About Us: Jade Chamber]

And while my Lady’s birthday was already some moons past (aye, it’s already the beginning of October...), let me gush about her wonderful message to the Traveler on this occasion. It is so heartwarming to read because it is literally the best of her condensed in less than 100 words, and unapologetically so. I absolutely adore that she decided to do away with all the nonsense of hosting guests (most are just suck-ups anyway) and goes for what she really wants - “simple” time with “one or two of [her] best friends”. Her preference for the little pleasures of life shine through, in the way she gifts the Traveler with her homemade Mora Meat and shares with him the blessings of her promenade outside the city - the blooms she dearly loves. There’s something earnest, and dare I say it, even awkwardly endearing, in her slightly roundabout way of showing appreciation for the Traveler. You may chalk it up to just my wishful reading (and the translation from Chinese to English); nonetheless, the succinct words of the first two paragraphs are exchanged for the more drawn-out language of narration, as she took a little longer to arrive at the key message. A hefty sum may come from selling the wild Glaze Lilies, handpicked by the Tianquan no less, but the value that the Traveler holds as her “good friend” trumps any material gain. And you might brush it off as common sense, perhaps with a dismissive “only Ningguang may consider otherwise”, but for someone so knowledgeable in all the ways to turn profit to show high regard for a friend, not just in word but also in action, it does matter.

Last but not least, if all of these reasons have yet to inspire love or admiration from you for My Lady, all I can say is *cough* legs *cough*.

Ahem. Inappropriate ogling aside, I must confess that it was her on-point design that got me so attached to her right off the bat. From the way she looks, how she moves and conducts herself (aka her idle animation), to her combat style and moves, everything about her exudes effortless grace and understated elegance. From the first glance, her sumptuous patterned-silk robe, a stylized version of cheongsam, immediately draws one’s attention, with its long brownish-black sleeves and gold-ivory body trimmed with thick curlicues, a bold fan-like decoration bearing her Geo vision and attached at her left hip which highlights her hourglass figure, and a white fur collar that both imbues the outfit with class and gives Ningguang that commanding air, even while at rest. Upon a closer look, the cut of the sleeves, front skirt, and flared back skirt is meant to evoke the image of a bird’s wings and tail, which is perfect for Ningguang, who’s often compared to a phoenix herself, having remade herself into the Tianquan of present days.

Ningguang in motion is truly a vision in every shot. When she walks, her long white hair, demurely secured by the hairpin adorned with gingko leaf charms, softly flutters in the wind along with her robe’s sleeves and back skirt. The high slit of her robe on the left side that I used to find so scandalous (and yet could never take my eyes off) would ride up a little, giving teasing views of the kickass dark red dragon tattoo winding up her thigh. When not in combat, Ningguang would balance the long pipe on her gloved fingers, making a show of examining the antique, or twirl little star jades on her palm, perhaps wondering why this power was bestowed on her or how it would be of use to her. There is literally nothing in her design that is out of place, not even her rather plain black shoes whose simplicity serves to draw attention to the golden bands decorating her lovely calves. It’s truly no exaggeration at all for fans to lovingly dub her as the Geo Goddess.

Now that I have more or less done singing praise of My Lady, it’s good time to move to the next part, my shipping manifesto for Zhongguang.

I’m joking. Okay, no, I am going to talk about Zhongguang but it’s not gonna be that long. I hope.

So, why Zhongguang, right? A cursory glance at Zhongguang would immediately let you know how this is far from the most apparent of ships. Story-wise, there’s barely any material for one to draw from because Zhongli and Ningguang have never personally talked or interacted with one another onscreen thus far. Digging a little deeper, you may come across the wishful theory of Ningguang being the reincarnate of Guizhong, the Archon of Dust, Zhongli’s trusted friend and long-time ally who perished in the devastating Archon War. As fascinating as this theory is (and I will speak more of it later), it was not what drew me to this ship in the first place, nor what kept me being an ardent fan of Zhongguang ever since.

Instead, shipping Zhongguang came to me as natural as twirling Star Jades to My Lady - no exertion is necessary, no intricate case is required. How is this possible? It all began with aesthetics.

Or to put it more colloquially, they just look damn good together. Standing side by side, their outfits are a perfect match in both style and palette. Decked out in formal wear, they are dressed to impress in sumptuous shades of gold, ivory, burnished bronze and onyx. Bold decorative motifs highlighted their association to oft-paired mythical creatures. If Ningguang’s robe gives off the impression of a soaring phoenix, the patterns on Zhongli’s long jacket call to mind his adeptal dragon form and command over Geo. Subtle but no less striking is the similarity in their silhouettes, created by the cinching of their robes at the waist. All in all, as two characters from Liyue and both Geo wielders, their visual designs complement one another so seamlessly to the point that speaking from a purely aesthetic perspective, they are just made to be together.

Already off to a good start, it’s on the field that Zhongguang press the advantage and show their complementarity to the fullest. No longer just aesthetically pleasing, their chemistry takes on a whole new dimension in combat and transforms them into a veritable tour de brute force. Their mechanic is incredibly simple (aye, perfect for a dummy like me), comfortable and hassle-free, partly because Geo does not involve any reactions besides the Crystallize shields, to the point of that some would call it braindead. But to me, it is the epitome of ruthless elegance and stone-cold efficiency. Allow me to give you a play-by-play breakdown. First, Geoda- I mean, Zhongli would take out his Jade Shield and ere- plant his pillar. Next, Ningguang would use her E (elemental skill) to put up the Jade Screen for blocking projectiles if needed, but more importantly, for her to pass through and gain that lovely 12% Geo damage bonus. She would then fling her rocks gems at enemies, gaining Star Jades for charged attack and generating energy for both her and Zhongli’s Q (ultimate attack). At full energy, switch to Zhongli, walk him through the Screen and let him throw his meteor (Planet Befall) to petrify enemies (literally turning them into stone). Lastly, switch back to Ningguang, use her Q (Star Shatter) which would collapse the Screen and give her extra Star Jades. Rinse and repeat.

For a duo that does not have any reaction to augment their attacks, Zhongguang still deals a staggering amount of damage, all the more so after the buff to Zhongli’s shield and multipliers, and changes to the Geo resonance that give bonus to both damage and shield strength. While the recent rise of enemies with elemental shields does reduce my use of this duo (as well as new additions to the roster), Zhongguang still is my go-to team when it comes to weekly bosses (okay, except for Azhdaha). It feels darn satisfying to hurl bunches of rocks Star Jades at Signora’s condescending face every single time, lemme tell you. All in all, Zhongli and Ningguang go so well together, especially by the way their attacks are designed, visually and combatively speaking. I absolutely love that they share the same modus operandi of throwing things at opponents and both of them excel at making it look so effortless. Even the names of their Geo constructs and talents mirror each other: Jade Shield/ Jade Screen, Rain of Stone / Sparkling Scatter (normal attack), Planet Befall/ Star Shatter.

Only after Zhongguang won me over with their visual chemistry and combat synergy, did the little pieces of lore hold real appeal to me. Most fascinating is certainly the significance that Glaze Lilies hold for both of them. In her birthday message, the lady spoke at length about her fondness for wild Glaze Lilies - not those cultivated in mass at Yuijing Terrace. Valuable as this rare gift is in material terms, it pales in comparison to the friendship offered by the Traveler. This night-blooming flower is popular enough as a present choice, considering that Zhongli also gifted the Traveler a dried Glaze Lily that bloomed on the latter’s birthday. It conveys Zhongli’s blessing, for the people of yore believe the flower to “bear the weight of the beautiful memories and prayers of the land”. Perhaps the gift is also to remind the Traveler of the painstaking search in Dihua Marsh for these same blooms, of the memories they share in preparing for the Rite of Parting.

You may pass this off as me reading too deeply into this but it can’t be mere coincidence that Zhongli and Ningguang choose the same flower to show how much they treasure the Traveler. The Glaze Lily symbolizes a lasting, intergenerational link with people, be they alive or dearly departed, and by the same reasoning, it serves as a connection between Zhongli and Ningguang, two people who have never spoken to one another but are intimately associated with this blossom.

Essential as these flowers are to Ningguang in the form of ascension materials, they, more importantly, are a poignant evocation of Zhongli’s ancient past, as recounted in the lore of the Memory of Dust catalyst. It was at a field of wild Glaze Lilies where he met Guizhong, the young Archon of Dust and later his partner, for the first time. These delicate flowers were in bloom when Guizhong presented Morax with a stone dumbbell with all her wisdom locked inside, as both a challenge to him, the mighty God of War, and as a token of their “pledge” of partnership for the sake of their people. Together they oversaw the rise of Guili civilization (a portmanteau of their names) with the adepti, protected their people and fought in the Archon War. With her brain and his brawn, they had a good long run until Guizhong was slain during the Archon War, the Guili Assembly falling into ruin, and Morax leading the survivors down south to found the present-day Liyue. The story and alliance of the 2 Archons ended where it began - among the wild Glaze Lilies.

"If you can unlock it—" Many years passed, and he was never able to unlock that dumbbell, nor would he ever learn what might have followed that sentence. Over the years, the wild Glaze Lilies, too, dwindled till they were no more.

It is hard to tell with any measure of certainty what Guizhong meant to Zhongli from such a brief account. Doubtless, she is a close and valued ally of Morax, as evidenced by the stone seats with their names inscribed at the stone table on top of the Aocang Mountain, where they partook of offerings with the adepti, with Mora Meat (remember Ningguang’s specialty dish?) being part of the usual fare. However, the wistful tone of the narrative and Zhongli’s attachment to the Glaze Lilies after all these years (for them to feature in his own Rite of Parting) hint at Guizhong being more than just a partner in nation-building to him. In one of his idle animations, Zhongli strikes a pensive pose with crossed arms and eyes closed, while a flying object that looks very similar to the Memory of Dust circles around him. Perchance he is lost in thought, trying to unlock the dumbbell Guizhong left behind? It seems that whoever Guizhong might be to him, she was nevertheless someone he truly cared for.

Could there be any kind of connection between Guizhong and Ningguang, something that might suggest that the latter is the former’s reincarnate? Frankly speaking, it’s a lot more conjecture and linking the dots than clear evidence. Both of them have meaningful connections to the Glaze Lilies - for Guizhong, they bear the memories of her time with Zhongli and the civilization that they gave rise to; for Ningguang, they symbolize the treasures that no Mora can buy - friendship and genuine connection. Memory of Dust, the stone dumbbell of Guizhong, is now a weapon/catalyst that Ningguang can make put to good use, despite not being her best-in-slot. Its amber and gold tones also go exceptionally well with Ningguang’s outfit, making it almost worth getting, if only for fashion’s sake. Both ladies enjoy close ties with the adepti. Guizhong, when alive, took her meals with Morax and the adepti at Mount Aocang and collaborating with Cloud Retainer in the construction of the Guizhong Ballista (later mounted on the Jade Chamber platform in the fight against Osial - how propitious, right?). My Lady Ningguang of course can’t run Liyue without the help of Ganyu, her adeptal secretary, relishes her professional rivalry with the half-adeptal legal advisor Yanfei, and gains the recognition of Madam Ping, Cloud Retainer, Mountain Shaper and Xiao after dropping the Jade Chamber on Osial. One should also not forget how the Wangshu Inn was founded to support Xiao in his duty to subdue evil, and is run by 2 agents reporting directly to Ningguang. Last but certainly not least, if the dissolution of Guizhong’s form into the “finest dust” equates to her death, then why not the one and only phoenix of Liyue, aka. my Lady Ningguang, be her return to life?

There’s nothing that confirms Ningguang as the reincarnate of Guizhong but there’s naught that wholly rejects it. I am quite fond of this theory and the rich lore behind it, but candidly speaking, it is a little too wishful. In the end, this life matters more than any previous life. Considering Zhongli’s decision to let go of his Gnosis (souvenir from his Morax days) and live like a human instead, I don’t think it’s a terribly great loss if the 2 ladies are revealed to have no connection whatsoever down the line. Ningguang does not need to be Guizhong reincarnated for her to be special to Zhongli. To him, she is already a “rare gem” purely by virtue of her tenacity and drive to “press on”, albeit the “multitude of affairs” she handles. He has watched over her for a long time, ever since her days of walking barefoot and hawking wares from the Yaoguang Shoal to the south wharf, and for some reason, has quite the knowledge about her teacup collection (check Sal Flore’s 2nd part - Vortex’s Wake), despite not having much contact with her.

Okay *haha* maybe the latter is more the result of deduction than actual knowledge, as the teacup is found close to the Jade Chamber’s ground zero and Zhongli’s expertise in antiques would allow him to distinguish between the real ancient stuff and the more recent ones. Nonetheless, this seemingly insignificant detail reinforces the continuity between the 2 story lines: the Archon quest that culminated with Ningguang’s defense of Liyue and Zhongli’s own character quest, and in turn, gives prominence to the threads that tie the two characters. Ningguang’s act of bringing down the Jade Chamber upon Osial is not just a case of “history repeats”, but more significantly, also is a perfect mirror of Morax’s hurling of stone spears to seal the same enemy. The eroded remains of the spears then became the Guyun Stone Forest, the place where Ningguang’s teacup was incidentally found, making this circle, millennia-in-the making, finally complete.

Beautifully matched in aesthetics and combat, intricately linked by the Glaze Lilies and a deep love for Liyue, Zhongguang is truly a kick-ass ship to die for (and yes I am strapping myself to it, come Osial or new lore revelation). With all that transpired during the Archon quest - Morax’s visitation on the Tianquan in her dream, her contribution to subduing Osial, and the aftermath of said battle, Ningguang is set to be the inheritor of Zhongli’s will. And that for me, is the sweetest thing about this ship. Regardless of their completely different and, for the most part, unrelated lives, they are bound by the same dream, same vision. Who knows, Zhongli may end up being a consultant for the Tianquan on a certain matter, and they may have their first on-screen interaction for us thirsty Zhongguang shippers? I’ll live in hope, at least for them lol.

To bring this long-winded love letter to an end, there’s something about the element of Geo and Geo characters that I can’t help but being drawn to. They are reliable in both personality and combat, often portrayed as incredibly driven and persevering in their convictions. They take great pride in their work and pursuits - like Noelle with her maid duties and quest to become a knight, Albedo with his alchemy, Gorou with his duties as Kokomi’s General and side gig as Ms. Hina, and Itto with his earnest desire to promote respect for Oni (and in playing with children lol). Their mechanics are also on the easier side so they are wonderfully friendly to new players. I absolutely adore them all and can’t wait to get them all -- please come home soon, Gorou!!! Itto is waiting for youu and so am I, so come home, Gorou!!!

And so here concludes part 2. I really thought I could get this one out at least a month earlier and way before Christmas, but truly man proposes, God disposes. I still have so much to say about my dear Geo characters, especially the storylines of patch 2.3 aka. Geo Impact, but alas, that will have to wait. Next up is a bit of a late anniversary post for GI and more importantly, a tribute to last winter - and yes, definitely to the Samaritan in the snow. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone! Thanks for reading and don’t hesitate to message me about anything on this tumblr!

#genshin impact #zhongguang #geomanifesto #zhongli #Ningguang #natsumi rants

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scoups4lyfe · 2 years

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What a way to start the episode of Hiromi’s spinoff

With Ikki looking perturbed

shEEESH Vice

You popped up so quick almost scared the life right out of me LOL

“Midlife” crisis huh,,, that’s a concerning statement considering Ikki’s in his early 20s.

(Esp cuz we ALL kno his ACTUAL mid-life crisis was when he was like 11–) 🔫🔫🔫🔫🔫

🤡 ooP

#I thought we were thinking about smthn important #LOL!!!#but ikki was fr just like ‘salt or pepper’ stop laughing! this is imporTANT #my thougts #kronthescoup #kamen rider revice #dear gaga #Gaga my hero #dear one #revice #ikki why is ur demon so cringe #revice spoilers #revice spin off #igarashi ikki

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miraclesabound · 3 years

Text

Helluva Boss Episode 3 - Reaction and Thoughts (Spoilers)

I've got the episode pulled up and I'm gonna be keeping a running commentary of my thoughts. See everything below the cut!

- The episode description reads - "When Blitzo's ex girlfriend steals his parking spot things sure do happen." I'm intrigued, but it does sound right for Blitzo, for all that we love him, he's a petty asshole.

- Ok, so the Imp Van is gonna remain a thing, I like it! Poor Loona, she looks so embarassed.

- "Buck You Flitzo" on one on the signs in the parking lot...

- Verosica? Is that her name? Love her pink and bubblegum aesthetic.

- Oh shit - I don't know if Blitzo's sister is *actually* in rehab, but the idea that Blitzo's family would have substance abuse issues never occurred to me.

- Loona has an almost fangirl look in her eyes seeing Verosica.

- Horse riding lessons, huh? Why does that sound familiar *cough cough Instagram cough cough*

- Huh, I wouldn't think that Loona would be into pop enough to know Verosica, but famous is famous I guess.

- Damn, even Moxxie is getting into the roast! And I love that Moxxie's "exception" would be Michael Crawford from POTO.

- "Shut up, Da - Blitzo!" I heard that, Loona!

- Huh, Vortex seems ok so far. Is Loona seeming a lot more vulnerable than usual or is it just me?

- Moxxie, no! Your only kiss marks should be from Millie!

- A demon duel with Spring Break as the battleground? I dig the concept!

- Heh, I like the aesthetic of the plan - is this how Blitzo draws?

- Ok, the fourth wall break about the "freaks" who are crazy about Loona is when I burst into laughter.

- I know people have been wondering about how much the humans know of the demons, so it's interesting to know that Loona thinks going up top without a disguise is a terrible idea.

- Loona can identify the list by smell? Awesome!

- I forget sometimes how young Loona is supposed to be, but in her human form, you can't mistake that she can't be older than 20.

- I give the IMPS points for creativity on those kills.

- Ok, so it's spelled Verosika with a K, I'll remember that for the future.

- For a song about boning, this music is a lot more chill than I expected. Took me a couple seconds to recognize V's goons out in the audience in their human forms.

- "Where's my baby!!" I'm pregnant with my first child, a little girl, and I'm sure I'm gonna be an overprotective wreck when she's Loona's age, even though she's certain to be taller than me.

- Ok, so it's not just a sex potion, it's some sort of mutation formula?

- Poor Loona, I think we'd all go gaga for a handsome guy like Vortex, and yes, Tex is an easier name to remember. I hope he sticks around, Loona *is* pretty lonely.

- "Conversation leads to HPV!" Blitzo, Tex is actually being a gentleman, do you not know what that looks like?

- Hell yeah, Team M&M!

- "I was almost 18!" - ok, THAT puts a lot of things into context. Sounds like calling Blitzo "Dad" would be difficult for Loona even *if* she wasn't antagonistic towards him.

- If "Beer Possum" is a real game, I want no part of it.

- "I'm glad you can stick up for yourself at least - takes guts!" - huh. Wonder if that means that Tex puts up with more crap from Verosika than he should.

- "When did you get four heads? I wanna kiss 'em!" - Ah Moxxie, still nuts for his wife even when he's at 50 % ABV!

- LOVE the design of the Catfish Kaiju!

- So it's improvisation that makes Millie so good at her job! As for pegging, wasn't that what we were all assuming anyway?

- "My girlfriend throws some crazy house parties" - oh dear, poor Loona! In all seriousness though, if she can meet some other hellhounds, that wouldn't be a bad thing.

- I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't take the extra opportunity to flip off my ex in Blitzo's shoes.

- "All right sluts, get ready to suck some pig dick." I would laugh, but unfortunately, we all know there are officers who accept or extort sexual bribes.

- OH! James Monroe Iglehart from Broadway as Vortex! I knew he sounded familiar! I know he had a one-off line in the Hazbin pilot, I hope he can come back every now and then.

- "OMIGOD I just went through puberty twice!" And that's why not everyone is a metal singer, Blitzo!

Ok, that was really fun!

#helluva boss #spring broken #heavy spoilers

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lifeandtimesofpineapplehead · 3 years

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I was going through my Instagram, and I came across a video. And let me tell you, it was refreshing. It's sort of like a coming-of-age story with a gay main character who has mild cerebral palsy.

Short explanation: it's about self-exploration and taking back your power, carving out your space in this fast-paced world. I'm yet to start it, and spoiler alert: it has this specific scene that I hold so dear to my heart for reasons I do not yet understand.

It's about your first time, but with gay characters! I am both stunned and impressed at how we're making strides that we can include LGBTQIA+ identities in mainstream media and tell their stories fully, letting them take control of the narrative.

Sort of like seeing the world through their lens. Being Pride Month, I'm so proud that even though it may feel or seem like a drop in the vast ocean that is the misrepresentation, discrimination, and overall mistreatment of our community, I'm proud that little strides are being made.

Before I get all poetic and start making a speech, I'm going to go watch the show, then I'll be back with a careful and thorough analysis. Wish me luck, beloved, and Happy Pride Month today and every other day.

(shit, I forgot to mention the name of the show, it's called Special. And it's on Netflix. There are seven episodes at the moment, and I'm about to begin.)

In case I am inaccurate or offend anyone with my words, I apologize. It's not my intention. I'm no expert in matters pertaining to our community, but I am open to learning and correction. Lots of love.

And again, Happy Pride Month!

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wanderlust-in-my-soul · 9 months

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Currently Watching - August

aka The Masterlist

Because I love a good little list - in alphabetical order! 😊

Regularly updated during the month, latest update 31.08.2023

Here you can find my weekly roundup that goes into a bit more detail about each episode.

And a little link to my favorite bl-tropes-collection 💙

I am always happy about gif-requests. If you want a special scene, just let me know.

Here you can find all of my gifs.

And if you want to show me something you think I might like, just let me know with #josistag

At the end you can have a look at what we can expect in August with MDL link and a link for a trailer (if avaible).

This is guaranteed to contain spoilers!

1. Dangerous Romance (Ep 2/12 on Youtube)

I really liked the first episode. Well, I hated most of the parts, because of the whole bullying, but it feels like a really good enemies to lovers story and I am weak for this shit. There is way more bullying than I thought would be and it is really hard to watch at some points, but I love Sailom! He is such a clever badass!

2. Hidden Agenda (8/12 on Youtube)

Okay, I can smile a little bit watching this. Both of them have a hidden agenda and I kind of like Joke and his attempts to make Zo fall for him. And I like that we already know that Joke likes Zo. That makes everything...I don't know...a little bit cuter. And after the third episode I was finally all catched up and I am invested now! I like this show!

3. I feel you linger in the air (2/12 on Gaga)

Okay, I wanted to wait to binge watch, but I couldn't resist to sneak into the first episode and now I am obsessed! This time travel drama looks just so good and I love all the interactions between Jom and Yai! I am here for the fluff, but I guess I stay for the angst...

4. Jun & Jun (7/8 on Viki)

An office drama about Lee Jun and Choi Jun, who were childhood friends and who meet again after being seperated for years. The one an intern and the other one the director. I like those combinations, so I am looking forward to it. And the flirting is strong in this one! Just learned that it is rated PG 16...that explains a lot!

5. King the Land (10/16 on Netflix, no bl)

You know the feeling, you wake up in the morning and you're craving some good korean romance drama? That happend to me one day and so I just thought to give this a shot and it is good. Cheon Sa Rang works as a concierge at the King Of The Land Hotel and there she always has to wear a smile, fake or real doesn't matter. She meets the new boss in town Gu Won, who just can't stand fake smiles, but I guess her beautiful and real smile will make him fall head over heals.

6. Kiseki: Dear to me (3/13 on Viki)

The start is quite promising. I am looking forward to see more of the second couple. But for now I am pretty satisfied with this series, the plot and the characters.

7. Love Class Season 2 (6/10 on Viki)

I just wanted to watch one episode and see if I like it and now I am invested! This looks as this could be a really interesting story. I like the acting and the dialogues. I am curious how every story will progress. And yes, the epsiodes are way too short!

8. Minato Shouji Coin Laundry Season 2 (9/12 on Gaga)

Minato and Shin are dating for three month now and it feels like we are back at the beginning of the first season. Minato is always surprised when Shin wants to exchange some affection or when he just wants to know if Minato likes him. And to be honest, if I was in his place, I would ask too, because right now it doesn't feel like Minato likes Shin. But with the second episode we finally get some of Minato's thoughts and it is cute and sad at the same time. The second episode totally got me and I am excited what there is to come!

9. Only Friends (3/10 on Youtube)

I have the deep urge to call it Only Fans... Can't see the difference. It is cringy... and funny... and yes, very hot. It was a wild start that just promise a wild ride! The most surprising thing for me: the plot wasn't that bad.

10. Stay Still (1/5 on Youtube)

Well this first episode was a little bit confusing. It felt like you've been thrown into the middle of the story. Perhaps I should watch episode 0, but why not make it the first episode? So Damien and Hayden start a new, complicated relationship and Archie and Kelvin restart their high school love. I like the flashbacks. Archie and Kelvin were cute together.

11. Taikan Yoho / My Personal Weatherman (2/8 on Viki and Gaga)

This has a very interesting vibe. Yoh is a manga-artist. Because his work is not that popular, he accepted a deal by his senior in college, now a well known weatherman. Yoh accepted to be Mizuki's slave. He does everything at home and obeys to the weatherman's wishes. And everytime there is a sunny forecast, they sleep together.

12. Wedding Plan (7/8 on iQiyi)

I knew I am going to have a problem as soon as I finished the trailer. And here I am...totally obsessed with this show! And we are on episode 1! Well, what happens when the Wedding Planner and the groom fall for each other? I don't know either, but I can't wait to find out!

13. Why R U (4/8 on Viki)

The korean version of the thai series Why R U that is so different than the original one. And I really like it! The characters are fun, the story is, well, not that special, but I like it, and over all I like the vibe of this one.

Finished in August

Series

1. Sing My Crush (8/8 on iQiyi)

Han Baram wants to quit making music after confessing to his first love and he got rejected. But he meets Im Hantae, who manage to befriend him and push him back on his way. The story skips a few years and lfe becomes complicated with plagiarism and a second wind. Such a beautiful story! I loved every minute of it! I love stories about arts like books, writing, dancing and of course music! And this is really good! A wholesome 10 out of 10 for me!

2. His Man Season 2 (14/14 on Gaga)

The korean dating show for gay people! I loved the first season and the second was so much better. There was so much drama, but also so many wholesome moments and discussions. And yes, I was and am a fan of the roommates! I loved how their relationship developed and the fact that those two are still dating is just 🥰 And thank you @leonpob for our weekly discussions about the show! I am looking forward to the third season 🥰 This is a 10 out of 10 for me.

3. Shigatsu no Tokyo wa... (8/8 on Gaga or Viki)

Kazuma and Ren were close friends during middle school and now meet again years later after their ways parted. This was a turbulent ride for us, but it was so good. I like the darker tones this bl had and how close it was to the original webtoon. This bl made me sad and happy and the ending was just so wholesome. It deals with some difficult topics, so watch with caution. But for me this is a 10 out of 10.

4. Be My Favorite (11/12 on Youtube)

When Kawi tries to travel back in time to change his life, it doesn't necessarily go in the direction he had in mind. But this series is so much more than just a time travel story. Kawi is like our inner voice of insecurities and inadequacies. And it is like healing a little bit watching him gaining a little bit more self confidence and self love. And the same goes for Pisaeng. His journey in self-acceptence and starting to live the life he wants and deserves is just so beautiful. This series just screams in your face to live the life you truly want like you would never want to travel back in time and change a decision. And that is such a strong message! And I love all the characters and their decisions and the growth all of them were going through. And I love that it is shown that we can't help everyone, because some things can't be changed. But we can try to be the best support, the best friend, the best child and also the best parent we can be. For me one of the easiest 10 out of 10!

5. Stay with me (22/24 on Gaga)

Okay, I was sceptical at first. This new adaptation of Addicted came out of nowhere for me. I really like the original adaptation, despite its flaws and toxic traits. But Stay With Me managed to be such a great show! I am lost for words at this point! The characters are all so well written, the story is so good and the actors really remind me of stubborn highschool students which is quite nice. The chemistry is off the roofs! It has an open ending, but more because the second season is confirmed and I can't wait! The dance the show had with the chinese censorship was beautiful! This is really not a bromance, it is a bl and I love it so much! One of the best watches this year! Yeah, this is a total 10 out of 10 for me.

Movie

1. Red, White and Royal Blue (on Prime)

I haven't read the book, yet. It sits on my Pile of Shame and wants to be read someday. The movie was... wobbly and rushed. Alex and Henry were cute together, later in the movie. In the beginning of their relationship, they were most of the times horny. But I liked them together. And at the same time it felt a little bit bland. I don't know how to express it... the chemistry lacked of emotional connection for me. There was not really character in the characters. They felt a little empty. So I will read the book soon, to get the emotional impact of everything going on. Don't get me wrong, I liked the movie. I had fun and was well entertained and the love story was cute. A 7,5 out of 10 for me.

Short Film

Rewatched in August

Dropped/On-Hold in August

1. See you in my 19th life (7/12 on Netflix, no bl)

It was so good when I started it, but I couldn't keep up with it and so I lost interest over time. I guess it would be different if I binge watched it. I know I won't come back here soon, so I just dropp it for now.

2. Low Frequency (3/8 on iQiyi)

Well, I really don't have the urge to watch this anymore. Perhaps I will come back to it, when it is finished airing, but right now...no thanks. The story is interesting, but I think it is a little bit to exhausting for me right now.

3. Dinosaur Love (8/10 on iQiyi)

Well this was a dumpster fire. It was fun to watch in the beginning, but after a few episodes it wasn't funny anymore. It was exhausting and nothing I was looking for in my weekly schedule. So, the conclusion was I dropp it. And I am fine with not knowing how it ended...

Looking forward to in August

Stay Still - Trailer (August 1st on Youtube)

Sing My Crush - Trailer (August 2nd on iQiyi)

Heartstopper Season 2 - Trailer (August 3rd on Netflix)

Taikan Yoho (My Personal Weatherman) - Trailer (August 11th on Gaga)

Love Class Season 2 - Trailer (August 11th on Viki)

Red, White & Royal Blue - Trailer (August 11th on Prime Video)

Only Friends - Trailer (August 12th on Youtube)

Dangerous Romance - Trailer (August 18th)

Love in Translation - Teaser (August 19th)

My Universe - Trailer (August 20th on iQiyi)

Kiseki: Dear to Me - Trailer (August 22nd on iQiyi and Viki)

Why R U? Korean Remake - Trailer (August 24th on iQiyi)

Man Suang - Trailer (August 24th in Thai Cinemas)

I Feel You Linger In The Air - Treaser - Pilot - Trailer (August 19th on Gaga)

Crazy Handsome Rich - Trailer (August 28th on Gaga)

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pandasmagorica · 13 days

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Rewatch: Kiseki: Dear to Me

Interesting how even though I've seen this before and know how it comes out I still get scared for the mains. Fine acting!

What triggered the rewatch was to see the differences between the Gagaoolala and the Viki subtitles, after reading (and commenting on) a post on subtitles by @absolutebl. I actually only re-watched episode 1 on both services (and noticed multiple subtitle differences between the services - noted on the linked reblog) and re-watched the rest on Viki. My first watch was on Gaga.

Episode 2

7:20-7:24

Ai Di: "You coward drink cold water" (Translator's note that it refers to a children's rhyme.)

Chen Yi: "It should be 'cheapskates drink cold water'"

Cute comedy noise.

I don't view Kiseki: Dear to Me as a comedy, although there is no shortage of comic moments. But I don't recall there being cute sound effects the way they are littered all over Thai comedies.

Noting the comfort plushie at 8:42. Nice to have autism rep/normalization (and wish I had the nerve to have one when I was in school - actually it wouldn't have even occurred to me that I could have done so).

Episode 5 (I think)

Okay, there's the rooster sound when Jherui, in his sleep, gropes Bai Zhongyi and Zhongyi wakes up with an erection - or at least that's what the sound effect and Zhongyi's actions afterwards are presumably meant to represent. I guess technically this is a comedy. But its a very dry comedy with plenty of drama.

Episode ???

Then there was the cat meow when Zhongyi's classmates asked Zhongyi whether he had brought home a cat or a dog and Zhongyi flashes back about Jherui's behavior.

Yeah

Jherui = cat

Zhongyi = dog

Episode 6

8:35-8:38

Boss: We wanted you to be vicious, but you couldn't. We wanted you to be ruthless, but you are full of righteousness.

And yet in episode 1, Jherui has apparently just murdered someone and plants the evidence on Bai Zhongyi.

How ruthless do you need to be?

Good to see Jherui question his attraction to a 17 year old. (For the record, the actors are adults and 17 is of legal age in Taiwan, although it's questionable at the moment with Jherui pretending to be Zhongyi's teacher.)

Actually, I'm questioning a 17 year old being in an apartment on his own while he goes to high school. That was the first thing I questioned.

Good cries

Three places I remember crying:

When Zhongyi sits down to dinner with his family for the first time after getting out of prison

When Zhongyi rings the doorbell at room 703 and says Jherui's name when the door opens

At the end

Content warnings

I love this series and do need to give some content warnings:

Age gap with one partner legal but minor

Dubious consent due to drunkenness of otherwise legal adults

Violence

Plot holes

After the jump because spoilers

Way too many coincidences

Did Jherui's grandfather or anyone else in the Fan family do something to make Zhongyi's father need emergency heart surgery?

Who sent the text that the Fans had Zhongyi attacked in prison?

Don't they know that text messages aren't secure? Or are they secure in Taiwan?

Jherui's brother doesn't seem to know about text message insecurity either, does he?

How did Ai Di get into prison and, presumably, the same cell as Zhongyi?

How did Ai Di get a release date the same as Zhongyi?

If Sining thought Zhongyi actually killed her brother, why didn't she off him?

If, more likely, based on her actions, if she was trying to find out who really killed her brother, what tipped her off that it likely wasn't Zhongyi?

How sweet were the strawberry cakes in Zhongyi's patisserie?

#yaoi #taiwan ql #taiwan bl #kiseki: dear to me #kiseki dear to me #kiseki: dear to me meta

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