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chocoenvy · 2 years

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Two Gods (Part Six)

Part one; <;- prev ; next -> (not yet available)

Notes: Oh dear it's been a minute huh? Decided I should just post the drafts even if I'm not particularly fond of them at least this will maybe jump start my motivation for this series once more. I just want it done at this point. Either way I hope yall appreciate the continuation!

warnings: Cult behaviors, fluff

word count: ~2.5k

Beidou had seen countless treasures out at sea, most of which were shiny, all of which were extremely valuable.

Seeing her god - her two gods - smile so brightly at the sight of her, was a better treasure than anything she’d ever seen.

You and your twin barreled down to Beidou with wide grins, still gripping tightly onto each other’s hands. She blinked in surprise as you both stopped right in front of her, still grinning with stars in your eyes.

“Hi Beidou!” You both giggled, waving.

She blinked off her surprise, a smile overtaking her face, “Your graces! It’s an honor to have you on my ship!”

She bowed and the rest of her ship followed suit, including Kazuha.

“Ah, there’s no reason to bow.” T/n shook their hands dismissively, “It’s nice to meet you Beidou, Kazuha.”

You nodded, beaming, “It’s nice to meet you both.”

Excitement bubbled in your chest, you and T/n were giddily grinning.

“It’s an honor to be in the presence of your graces.” Kazuha said with a smile, “I humbly thank you for all of your blessings.”

You and T/n nodded, “It’s nothing.” You shook your hand, still grinning. Your hands were practically shaking from how giddy you were.

“Well,” Beidou puts her hands on her hips, drinking your presence in, “What brings you to my ship?”

“They wish to travel to Inazuma, and they’d like to travel on your ship.” Zhongli answered for the both of you, standing next to T/n.

Childe stepped up to your right and grinned down at you affectionately. You sent a small grin back before looking back to Beidou.

She nodded, “I see, well, of course we’ll take you to Inazuma! It’s an honor to have you both on my ship, your graces.” She laughed boisterously, causing you and T/n to laugh.

You remembered the both of you playing her hangout event together, far too excited for it to do it separately, and hearing her beautiful laugh. It was so different in real life though, with her right there, and your twin holding onto your hand.

“Thank you so much, Beidou!” T/n grinned, turning to you, their eyes wide and grinning from ear to ear, “We’re going to Inazuma on Beidou’s ship!”

You tilted your head back and laughed, gripping T/n’s other hand, “We’re going to Inazuma on Beidou’s ship!” You giggled, holding onto both of their hands tightly.

T/n jumped up, shaking your hands, “Finally! God, I’m so upset they didn’t show this in the game, but now we get to experience it in real life!” They laughed almost maniacally, vibrating from excitement.

“Hey- T/n,” You giggled, gripping their face in your hands, “Calm down.” You said, though you were still shaking with laughter yourself.

They paused for only a moment before continuing to grin ear-to-ear, gripping onto your hands to keep themself grounded in their excitement.

Beidou’s loud and confident laugh was a blessing to the ears, “I’m so glad you’re both so excited. Is there anything you both need? Are you hungry? Tired?”

“I don’t believe your graces have eaten at all today.” Childe said with a frown.

“Well in that case, Kazuha,” Beidou turned to the boy with a confident and glowing grin, “Go with their graces to get some food. I’ll be manning the ship.” She turned back to the two of you, her eyes softening ever so slightly. She bowed once more, “It’s an honor your graces, please enjoy your stay.”

You and T/n nodded, “Thank you for letting us stay.” T/n smiled and glanced at you from the corner of their eye, “Beidou, can we have a hug?”

Beidou froze, her eyes fluttered as though she couldn’t process the words, “Excuse me, could you please repeat that?”

T/n grinned, their grip on your hand tightening, “We want a hug! If that’s okay with you.”

Beidou gained her bearings and opened up her arms, “Of course, your graces! It’s an honor.”

T/n tugged you and themselves into Beidou’s arms and holy shit it was the best thing you’d ever done. Her arms were strong and secure and yet she was just soft enough to where you felt you could melt into her. You could’ve fallen asleep right then and there, no problems.

You pulled away before you and T/n came across as weird, “Thank you for the hug, Captain Beidou.” You grinned.

“Just Beidou, for your graces.” She bowed once again.

“Then call us Y/n and T/n.” You pointed to yourself and then your twin.

“Aha,” She shook her head, “I don’t think I could sully your names like that.”

You laughed, despite the fact she was completely serious, “You could never sully our names, Beidou. It’s you.”

Beidou didn’t understand what you meant by that. She was just Beidou, captain of the Alcor. You were a being above everyone and everything, in the grand scheme of things, she meant nothing to you. Didn’t she?

She smiled fondly at the two of you, her eyes soft, dark emotions swirling deep within them. Ones that caused the hair on the back of your neck to stand on edge, but you ignored it. It was Beidou, one of the characters you loved without question.

“That’s very high praise from your graces. I hope to hear more from the both of you soon, but I should get going so we can set course for Inazuma.” Her eyes were obsessive, “I’ll see you soon your graces. Kazuha-”

“Yes Captain Beidou.” Kazuha nodded, swiftly making his way to your sides, “I’ll take care of them.”

She nodded and waved as she turned to leave, Kazuha sent you both a small but warm smile, “Follow me, your graces.”

He led you, T/n, Childe, and Zhongli down under the deck, where the kitchens were located. “Take anything you’d like.” He offered, nodding towards the food with a smile.

The chefs were stiff as you and T/n picked through the food. You didn’t grab anything big, but there were some plates already prepared with simple fruits and foods that you and T/n took.

“Thank you.” You and T/n muttered, grabbing a plate of simple fruits and vegetables.

“It’s our pleasure.” Was all they said.

~~~~*

T/n and you leaned over the edge of the ship. Childe, Zhongli, and Kazuha were next to you two. Beidou was steering the ship but you could tell she was staring at you.

The ship ride was hella fun. T/n was talking about lore the entire time, the crew thinking it was some ancient proverbs or something (which was hilarious when they started quoting all of the memes T/n put in there). Then you, of course, were fussing over Kazuha’s artifacts.

“We have nothing else to do,” You shrugged, your fingers crossed praying for good rolls, “Might as well do some spring cleaning.”

Kazuha was procuring some poems about you two, “Why pass up this golden opportunity when I have the perfect inspiration, your graces?”

“You’re too nice.” T/n chuckled with a disbelieving shake of their head. “-Y/n what’re you doing?”

They whipped their head over to you and you smiled sheepishly, a pile of artifacts in front of you.

“Leveling artifacts…” You said, holding an anemo goblet, “This is actually probably really good for Xiao.” You held it up with a grin.

“Of course it’s Maiden’s Beloved,” They scoffed with a grin, “What’s it got on it?”

“Double crit, flat attack, and def percent.”

T/n hummed, “Have you rolled it yet?”

“Yeah it’s rolled into crit damage twice.” You grinned, “We just keep that up and it’ll be perfect for him.”

Xiao and the rest of the crew blinked at all of the trinkets on the ground, all of it going over their heads. You and T/n spent a good chunk of the day cleaning out your artifacts (that you’d been hoarding for months now so it was much needed).

Beidou had come to find you two when the sun started going down. Her eyes, after staring at you two with a star-struck smile, caught onto the artifacts.

She hummed at the familiar objects, “Are those artifacts, your graces?”

T/n nodded and Beidou hummed with a dangerously fond smile as she watched you level the artifacts, “It’s amazing your graces, the power you two possess.”

“It’s nothing.” You said, crossing your fingers, praying for crit rolls, “Just taking care of ya’ll.” You shrugged with a smile.

Beidou faltered, but sat down next to you along with your other party members. She laughed heartily, “That awful kind of you, your graces.”

“19% crit dmg and 8% crit rate.” You grinned, “Here you go, Xiao.”

He brought out his artifacts and you placed the goblet down, setting his old one beside you.

“Fodder?” T/n asked, glancing at the piece.

You nodded, “It was trash, we shouldn’t have kept it for so long.”

T/n hummed, and the rest of the characters stared at you two in wonder at the shiny and dull artifacts in your laps.

Zhongli, ever the curious to information he hadn’t yet obtained, inquired you two about the nature of artifacts. What everything you just said means. Who has the best artifacts and why did you give it to them?

“It’s all luck.” T/n explained over the sound of the waves, “But our luck is shit so our artifacts suck.” They shrugged, “The fact that Childe and Kazuha have any good artifacts at all is a miracle.”

“No it’s bullshit.” You huffed, “I”ve done those domains enough times I could defeat them with my eyes closed. And yet still only barely a full set of decent artifacts.”

Beidou frowned, “Your graces, if there’s anything you wish for just ask and we’ll put our all into getting it to you.”

You hummed, “I guess… but I don’t know how artifact domains work outside of…”

“Artifact domains?” Zhongli inquired, “Those domains scattered around?”

T/n nodded, “Yep, they’re full of stuff to make you guys stronger. Artifact domains are probably the worst, and the ones we’ve done the most.”

“Just tell us the location and we’ll make a stop by there to get you what you need your graces!” Beidou grinned proudly.

You grinned, “Bet, I’ll show you. Artifact domains are tedious though but we need to do them to make y’all stronger.”

Beidou grinned, pleased with herself, “I’d be happy to do it for you, if it’s what you need.”

“I’d appreciate it a bunch!” You grinned as she called over someone to go and give her a map.

When you were given the map, your heart practically stopped. “T/n! T/n! Look!” You grinned, grappling their shoulder to pull them over.

They stumbled into you, “Hey! The heck-” They looked down at the map you were showing them with a bright grin. They blinked.

“It’s the map of the entire Teyvat!” You had stars in your eyes, grinning up at your twin.

They grinned, matching your excited expression, “It is! We need to go everywhere on this map!”

You nodded fervently, “Yes! You’ve always been so excited to see the rest of Teyvat!” You shook their shoulder playfully, “Now we can do so and not wait a year for each region! There’s so much to explore too! Haven’t you wanted to go to Snezhnaya for a long time now? We could meet the Tsaritsa! Like you’ve always wanted to do!”

T/n grinned, “Yeah! We can go together too! Instead of just one of us playing and the other watching. It’ll be fun!”

“Do your graces like Snezhnaya?” Childe asked with a prideful smile.

“Of course!” T/n answered, “It’s so pretty and interesting, and now we can go and explore it.”

You shook them excitedly, “Yes! I can’t wait!” You giggled, grabbing a quill and marking the spots on the map of the domains you needed. You grinned at all of Teyvat that you hadn’t explored, excited to explore it with your twin. Excited because you knew they loved Teyvat.

“Y/n! Y/n! Wake up!” Your form was jostled around, and you groaned as T/n’s shoulder disappeared from under your head and their arms attempted to pull you up from the ground.

“No…” You mumbled, weakly tugging your arms away from them.

“Y/n!” They whined, “We’re in Inazuma, come on!”

“What?” You groaned, a bit more awake now.

Your eyes peeled open to the cool night, your twin grinning madly, and the crew bustling around quietly with flames lighting up the ship. You heard Beidou issuing orders and the idle chatter of you and T/n’s “team” next to you.

T/n tugged on your arm and you stood up with their help. You stood up shakily, rubbing your eyes as you held onto their hands.

You looked out over the ship as it turned, nearly stumbling as the ship docked in Ritou.

“Holy shit.” You whispered at the beautiful scenery, the red trees and dark wooden houses lit up in the night. And the crowd waiting at the dock, including all of the playable Inazuman characters (even some unreleased that you definitely hadn’t looked at the leaks for).

T/n clutched your hand tightly, grinning from ear to ear, “There they are.” They whispered.

“Your graces are excited,” Childe mused, “I’m glad.”

“Yes,” Zhongli agreed with a small smile, “It’s a lovely sight to see you two so happy to be in Teyvat.”

You jumped in excitement, the ship stopping entirely, the crew rushing to lower anchor, and Beidou shouting orders.

You perched your feet up on the edge of the ship.

“Y/n…” T/n narrowed their eyes.

“I’ll be fine!” You giggled, your feet dangling over the edge of the ship, “I’m a professional.”

“A professional at getting your ass hurt.” T/n huffed, tugging lightly on your shoulder, “Don’t do it, it’s stupid.”

“And since when have I listened to you?” You chuckled, prepping yourself, swinging your feet and staring down at the dock.

T/n shook their head incredulously, “Never,” They scoffed, amused.

“Your grace?” Zhongli questioned. You and T/n turned your faces to him. He smiled, “It’s time to go. Are you both excited?” He asked as he turned to lead you both to the piece of wood that was propped up for you to walk off of.

T/n gasped, clutching your arm with an iron grip, staring out at the sea of people with wide, awe-struck, and nervous eyes.

“Owch- T/n the fuck-?”

“Pretty fish lady, she’s here,” T/n covered their mouth, muffling their scream, “She’s here!”

You whipped your head around to look out at the crowd of people. Sure enough, standing tall and graceful near the front, with her general Gorou beside her, was Kokomi.

A Cheshire grin erupted onto your face as you grabbed T/n’s hand tightly, “Do you wanna go and meet her?”

#sagau #genshin cult au #cult genshin au #self aware genshin #twin au #sagau twin au #n e ways expect part seven out sometime soon #and then part 8 who knows #and then part 9 or part 10 will be the final i think #either way IT'S GETTING DONE #no more lying and saying soon soon soon im just finsihing it lol #i suck at finishing series if u couldn't tell

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coquelicoq · 1 year

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i completely solved a cryptic crossword for the first time the other day! this is huge for me because i've always been so annoyed by them lol. but i kinda get it now, it is very satisfying to figure them out.

that said, there are several answers where i still do not totally understand the clues. if anyone who is familiar with cryptics (sometimes just called "crosswords" outside of the US) wants to help me out, i'd be very interested to hear your take!

this cryptic was in the 2022 puzzle mania edition of the nyt (released at the very end of the year), so if you are planning to solve it and haven't yet, i guess don't read this? lol. since i waited five months to do it i feel like that will apply to no one, but just in case.

i realized after drafting this post that the answer key is available online (here), but it did not actually answer my questions in every case, so i've kept my original text but added the answer key answer after each one in case it makes more sense to you than it does to me.

13A. Has misgivings about deception to an auditor (4): RUES. so "has misgivings about" is the definition of "rues". but i don't know what "deception to an auditor" is doing. could it have something to do with the fact that "rues" is a homonym and anagram of "ruse", a kind of deception? but i still can't figure out what "to an auditor" is for.

the answer key gives "homophone ruse" for this, so i guess i was right about the deception part, but i still don't get the auditor thing.

14A. A con almost grabs actor's awards left unbalanced (10): ASYMMETRIC. so EMMYS is hidden backwards in "asymmetric", which takes care of "actor's awards" and "left", and "asymmetric" means "unbalanced", i guess. so that leaves "A con almost grabs", along with the A and TRIC of the answer. i can't figure out how to make those relate to each other.

answer key says "a(symmE)trick – k (rev. Emmys)". fuck does that mean?? why are we subtracting the k? and i'm still not really sure what the con is there for?

26A. Concentrate for spare and strike (5): THINK. "concentrate" is the definition of "think". what is the "for spare and strike" doing??

answer key: "thin + K". okay i see how thin = spare but wherefore this K? does K stand for strike in baseball? that sounds vaguely familiar...

28A. African country returned Los Angeles family inheritance (7): SENEGAL. senegal is an african country, and it's also an anagram of angeles. i'm guessing the "returned" is a clue for the anagram? but what is "family inheritance" for? oh wait, senegal backwards is LA genes!! but then is it just a coincidence that "angeles" anagrams to "senegal", or is that indicated in the clue somewhere???

answer key: "rev. L.A. + genes". okay so it does sound like angeles being an anagram of senegal is a coincidence, or at least not covered in the clue?? seems like a missed opportunity but what do i know.

5D. Largely moderate Arizona city (5): TEMPE. tempe is a city in arizona. what's "largely moderate" doing here?

answer key: "temper – r". am i to understand that this is saying moderate = temper and the "largely" part of the clue is telling me to keep most but not all of "temper"?

#the big-ass american crossword was not that interesting i'm sorry to say. the actual solving was too easy and the logistics were #very annoying. it was so huge (four newspaper pages & almost 800 answers) i had to do it on the floor #which was uncomfortable #and looking up each clue in the list took so long because there were so many #i was interested to see how long it would take so i timed myself and it took me 2h04 (though it felt like it took 10 hours #based on how sore my neck and back and legs were lol)#and i could have finished in under 2 hours but i didn't realize that i didn't have to do anything special with the super mega words #in order to solve the crossword. like i figured out what the words were but putting them together according to the instructions #is only necessary for solving the metapuzzle and so could be done separately. so i wasted a few minutes trying to do that #the other puzzles were p cool except the word search bugged me for reasons that were mostly the fault of my own poor planning #but psy is a one-named singer!! so technically there were 8 one-named singers not 7!!!#i actually haven't solved the metapuzzle final answer yet #i have all but one of the letters but then they have to be put in order and i have no ideas for what the order is supposed to be #cruciverbs #my posts #but anyway very exciting that i solved a cryptic for the first time! maybe now i can get past my mental block about them

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