My blind optimism to blame

[reddosmod]

APRIL 2022 EVENT

IMAGE DESCRIPTORS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Prompt One
[Image One: A large green butterfly.]
[Image Two: A woman staring in a daze at light orbs floating around her face.]

Prompt Two
[Image One: A volcano with meteors falling down around it.]
[Image Two: A ball of quivering light hovering in the dark with woman standing in front.]

Prompt Three
[Image One: A woman staring at a mirror-like humanoid being staring back at her.]
[Image Two: A woman in a field of grass with humanoid-shaped flower sculptures nearby.]

[NAVIGATION]

Prompt 1 • Prompt 2 • Prompt 3 • Plotting • Newsletter

[JUMP TO COMMENTS]

MIGRATION OF MOONLIT BUTTERFLIES

WHEN: April
WHERE: Everywhere outside
CONTENT WARNINGS: Hopelessness/corruption, heavy themes of mental trauma/health, killing of gentle creatures.

---

Excerpt from BEASTS OF DEER COUNTRY Chapter 12: Migrations:

"One of the most beautiful natural phenomena of Deer Country is the migration of the mysterious Moonlit Butterflies. These giant creatures are most often the size of a house, with exceptional wingspans. Fear not: they are not violent creatures. Most will fly well above the city of Trench, leaving trails of glittering orbs of light that fall all throughout the city. However, it is common for some Moonlit Butterflies to land and rest throughout Trench. Despite their massive size, these creatures appear to weigh very little, able to rest harmlessly on homes, lampposts, and the like. Don't be surprised to find some scattered throughout your neighborhood.

They have a gentle aura about them and are most famous for their behemoth wings which glow a radiant green. They are aptly named due to their ability to store immense power from the moon during April and are seen as distant children of Argonaut. Being near them will enchant the air with the scent of amber and fresh linen, and you may hear a soothing song emit from these beasts.

Despite their rare and incredible beauty, it is wise to not linger in their presence no matter how captivating they are...And they are captivating. Many residents of Trench have been known to stop and stare, enthralled by the wings or the orbs of light that are shed by the butterflies. Those who have been staring for too long will have an unnatural glowing green glaze over their eyes, obscuring their pupil and gaze. This is known as the Moonlit Drain.

These butterflies do not gather all of their energy from moonlight...but they gather it from hopeful beings as well. It is why they gather among populations of sentient beings. They soak up all hope in the area and the longer you stand in their presence, the more hopeless you may become. Standing in the presence of a Moonlit Butterfly has driven people to rapid, severe corruption in under ten minutes. It is best to avoid these butterflies no matter how mesmerizing they may be to look at.

The little orbs of light are actual manifestation of everyone's hope. Touching them may restore hope and they can be gathered into jars for future treatments of corruption. They do not "go bad" as they are the essence of emotion. One way to restore hope to a corrupt or beast-ridden soul is to slay one of the Moonlit Butterflies. They are incredibly easy to kill as they are naturally delicate and non-hostile.

Be warned: the one who slays a Moonlit Butterfly will be consumed with instantaneous corruption and possibly even beasthood. But once the butterfly has been slain, anyone in the surrounding area besides the killer will have corruption alleviated. Killing a Moonlit Butterfly has been known to fill people with incredible grief and guilt. Few have survived."

WONDERKIND

WHEN: April
WHERE: Everywhere outside
CONTENT WARNINGS: Possible spoilers per canon, time/vortex style presence, variety of possible monsters.

---

Excerpt from an essay titled "The Wonderkind Pthumerian" from the book The Curious Nature of the Weakest Pthumerian: Argonaut and Misconceptions:

"Most of the other Patron Pthumerians are known for exceptional strength and durability during trying times. It is only Argonaut in which people think of weakness. They believe the Patron to be a fickle, tiny thing with little worth, but there is a unique and powerful quality to Argonaut that should not be overlooked.

This is the phenomenon known as Wonderkind. It has only been known to happen once every few years and only ever during April, but those who have seen it would testify to the hidden strengths of our explorer Patron. There is much to be said about curiosity and resilience, after all. Argonaut has wandered through the lives of many without most ever realizing it. He has likely seen into your own life, curious about the odd Sleepers that show up on the shores of this world.

Wonderkind appears as a meteor shower, but these are no meteors. Balls of flaming light will fall from the sky, silent, beautiful, striking, and somewhat ominous and terrifying. They rain upon Trench in intervals throughout April. They do not crash into the city so much as glide throughout. These balls of light are shimmering orbs that have split open time and space itself into unraveling cocoons, exposing portals into worlds foreign to this one.

These portals cannot be entered for they are not portals out of this world...But portals into this world. Sleepers have claimed to find beloved items and pull them out of these portals. Some may find old pets that come out to greet them. It can be a lucky and cherished event for many. Tragically, these portals do not seem to be able to bring in sentient beings applicable characters, but you may be able to talk briefly to a loved one who isn't yet in this world.

But that's not all that can crawl through these portals...Monsters from other worlds have been known to flock to these portals and make their way through. Monsters from your worlds or other worlds slip in to wreak havoc on the streets of Trench. It is during this time that it is of the utmost importance that our Hunters take up arms and protect the vulnerable. If you recognize the monsters or disasters from your world entering ours, then please, make sure to caution those against it.

The portals close after a few hours and cannot be manually closed by anyone. Nothing can be sent into portals, but one can stand by a portal and guard it for potential dangers. Portals from your world may reappear several times throughout the month, so don't let your guard down for even a moment, and always expect the worst even when hoping for the best."

Quick Facts:

1. Respect the setting. Do not bring in monsters that would be capable of destroying the world/city/etc.

2. Things like unique plants/items can be gained through these portals.

3. You do not need to engage with portals from your own canon. You can invent new worlds, engage with other canons, or alternate universes. It's up to you.

FROM WITHIN AND WITHOUT

WHEN: April
WHERE: Everywhere
CONTENT WARNINGS: Instant beasthood, corruption of soul, draining of soul, replication of soul, mistreatment of sex workers/night walkers.

---

An excerpt from a journal kept by a Night Walker named Charlotte Finch. Finch was known for being one of the first established Night Walkers and was known for her advocacy on the front of Night Walker work and its relationship to beasthood. This journal is kept in the Archives. It contains content pertinent to Beasthood yet, unfortunately, due to ongoing biases against Night Walkers, this journal is kept in the autobiography section rather than the section for beasthood. Good luck finding it.

"the job of the Night Walker is, of course, undervalued by this world. we do our best to soothe the troubled souls of this place and yet they continue to doubt our worth. what must we do to convince them? must we wield blades to show them how we fight? must we shed blood to prove our dedication? must we pick up books to show our intelligence? nei, we not do that. we sleep beside our worn hunters and rest heads upon the chests of scholars and hold the tired hands of architects. we guide the way to light in a way disciples could never.

all us are valuable, it be true, but why must the night walker be left to the wayside? why must our duties be written off? why must it be that it always a night walkers blood in the streets that leaves no tears to be shed? nei, nei, it is hatred of those who understand the soul and body have a close connection.

you know what i believe? these souls of ours change the landscape of our bodies. you cannot have one without the other. when the soul is corrupt, it only be natural that the body corrupts, turning rigid and hideous and monsterous and beastly. aye yes i have seen it myself, though none of the others believe except for other night walkers.

you see, there is a shape that comes to us in the Long Night of april, a shape much like our own. looking like a person ought to look but with no face and no features, like a mirror glimmering in the shape of you. they look like us, and they will mimic us. these odd mirror beings is the shape of our soul, you see, and once it finds you, it will copy you, and you will be driven mad! mad! how does this thing move as you move? how does it replicate what you replicate?

aye, it is your soul, my friend. your soul in a shape you can see. or something like it, may not soul be in your lexicon. it is you, as you are it. it is the Tether between you and beasthood, see what i say. the Tether will begin to soak into you if you let it, if you let it consume you, and it will consume you rapidly. people have been known to be ravaged by the Tether and turn into beasts within seconds, AYE yes, seconds, not minutes, into a vicious beast. the Tether wins.

But you need not let it be a victor, my friend. you see, we proved it, we did, us night walkers, we proved to lay with the Tether is to soothe the Tether. Allow yourself the kindness of another soul, another companion. touch and feel and express companionship. holding the hand of your lover or your friend or your brother or sister will cause the Tethers to weaken before ye very eyes! i do swear it, my friend, i should not lie on a subject i hold so dear.

you see, when we hold one another dear, when we cherish one anothr truly and wholly, we abate the darkness in our souls. listen to your companions, my sweet friends, and let your souls heal, and you can stop the Tether from consuming. you see, you see. surely you see. this is what it looks like. the Tether is always with us, but only in April under this moon can we see it always and will it be vicious and invasive. do not allow it.

do not allow it."

Quick Facts:

1. Tethers will take the exact body shape/size of you and mimic your moves. They may follow you around for several hours/days. Once they decide to "consume" you, it will be quick. It will essentially look like your body is turning metallic and then you become a beast.

While Charlotte states it happens in a matter of seconds, this can happen in several hours/days as well. Depends on the character and their general resolve.

2. People can be pulled back from this through emotional support whether verbally or physically and general acts of kindness. It's the sincerity that matters here. You do not need to be familiar with the person to help them.

3. Everyone can see each other's Tethers so you can determine how severe someone's Tether has become. The more severe the Tether, the more silvery the impacted person will look.

4. Tethers cannot be destroyed with weaponry/attacks. Trying will only hurt the person they are mimicking. You could actually kill someone by trying to "kill" their Tether. The tether will vanish with those who died but reappear once they have reincarnated.

CODING

Comments

[monoceroscaeli]

[He rolls across the ground, unable to even contemplate that the Lector is able to enter their world. Though, he debates heavily on 'throwing him back in there', since he's not sure if once you come through, if you can go back in...not that Childe is interested in such a thing. He's ready to kill it, and to jump at the chance to kill someone so important in the Abyss hierarchy, well...

Can't miss an opportunity like that.

The Harbinger's eyes go wide as he watches Manabu attempt to tackle the Lector. He hadn't mentioned that it's not so easy, as it's defying gravity and all the move has done is push him back rather than take it to the ground. That was a bold, stupid move, he thinks, looking at Manabu clinging onto the Lector. Well, he never said Manabu was a coward. He will never say that, ever.

Childe's moving immediately, as the Lector concentrates energy as its core. The blast was coming, he knows it-]

Manabu-! [He grabs him, using his Vision to glide across the ground as water flies up every which way. The jolt of electricity that explodes from the monster sends them both flying forward, Childe losing his grip on Manabu and lands face first right into the ground. Ouch...]

[siriusly]

[this may as well happen, and it's not like Manabu had any way to expect anything more or less. he eats shit just as Childe does, but he doesn't lie low long; clearly he's not big or heavy enough for a tackle to have done anything so he won't do that again, but he's not going to wait around for another explosion.

he scrambles up to his feet, stepping over Childe while he's recovering from the rescue - no time to say thanks, sorry! - and brings out his saber, safety off and firing a few laserblasts at the ominous figure, a bit of electricity sparking off the metal. if anything, should another blast come their way, Manabu can serve as something of an unintentional lightning rod and draw it his way as opposed to lighting up Childe.]

[monoceroscaeli]

[He snaps back up onto his feet as well, the laser blasts slamming into the armor of the Lector, pushing it back- and it turns out that Manabu's plan will work. The abyss creature turns its attention to him, waving its hands in front of the book that floats ominously in front of it.]

Peace be with you! [It chants, as chain of lighting bolts rains down from the sky in a line directly at him. The sound is deafening, electricity slamming into the ground and sparking outwards.

He takes this opportunity that Manabu has given him, moving swiftly to the side to come in and brandish his blades, slicing at the Lector with all his strength. The blows land, and Childe's eyes widen with excitement now that he's finally getting to the nitty gritty of this battle. The next part though, that's going to be the fun part.]

[siriusly]

[now, just because he can draw lightning safely doesn't mean he knows he can, so when that shower of electricity starts, he's rolling and trying to duck for cover, or at least keep some of himself pinned down as a grounding effect. but seeing Childe moving prompts him to move, too, not wanting the other to get hurt. that's when his saber catches a number of those bolts and startles him with how they seem to knot up and coil around the metal instead of discharging.]

Childe! Look out!

[because he's meaning to swing and throw this lightning ball right back at its maker. as the kids say: YEET.]

[monoceroscaeli]

[He reflexively moves at the call, as the lightning ball is hurled right back at the lector and slams right into it, getting a taste of its own medicine. Electricity mixed with the water that had come from Childe's own weapons seem to stutter its movements, and the Harbinger looks on with satisfaction at their combined attack. That will give them precious seconds to launch a counterattack, and he's got the perfect idea to take this monster out with a few decisive blows in the coming moments.]

Manabu, stay back get that sword ready with some fire! We're going to try something!

[But first he moves. He moves so quickly that the lector doesn't even realize that the young man is already on top of it, making sure that the electric attack doesn't go to waste. It senses its demise on the horizon, and electricity seems to mount at its core once again, blowing Childe back as it now glows a distinct shade of purple, like a light upon its body.

Good. This is what he wanted. All he needs Manabu to do is to strike it with fire and set up their attack.]

[siriusly]

[huh?! oh--]

O-okay!

[sure! yeah! he can...he can do that. just...picture the candle. the flame...

Manabu grits his teeth, steadying his stance and tracking the Lecter with the saber. he's the candle, the saber's the wick...

after a few errant sparks off his shoulders and down his wrists, a few pop up and finally shudder into flame - flame which races down the edge of the saber, and soon it looks more like he's holding a goofy flamethrower than anything.]

Ready-!

[monoceroscaeli]

Now that's what I'm talking about.

[He grins devilishly at the saber that now had flames licking across the metal of the blade, even if it may look strange to him. It doesn't matter. It's the final ingredient they need to take this guy down.]

Hahahaha, with me, now!

[It's now that Childe beckons Manabu to join him, racing to meet Manabu at his side. They are going to charge the Lector and take him out before he has another chance to fire off something even more dangerous.]

Strike with me at the same time, and don't hesitate-!

[The Lector doesn't move fast. It's a weakness of theirs, one that Childe is more than aware of. More balls of lightning are summoned to rain down on the two men, but they're easily dodged, and his double bladed polearm comes out to slice through the lector, while giving Manabu's weapon the chance to use his water to his advantage to sear all the way through their enemy.]

[siriusly]

[at this point, it's really on Manabu to be at all bothered by the way Childe acts up in a scrap. in his defense though? this is the first time they're fighting someone, and not just something. there's moral layers to this kind of thing, okay?

in any case, Manabu's not in a position to think too far ahead, so his adrenaline-fueled action brain falls into step with the command - he needs to hit the Lecter anyway, so why not on Childe's call?

as lightning drops, Manabu swings a horizontal arc to flash a wave of flames that catches and explodes on impact with the water and residual, crackling energy.

he is not immune to this, either: where water splashes, lightning sears, and he's prompted to stagger back himself and shield his face.]

[monoceroscaeli]

[What a brilliant display- the fire mixing in with his own hydro creates a cloud of billowing steam that sears through the lector, the electricity adding a nice touch as well. The lector cries out in pain before its body begins to fleck away in the wind, practically disintegrating in blue and gold flecks of an extinguished life. The Harbinger isn't sure how the rules of death work here in tandem with Teyvat, but it seems like that electro barrier isn't as strong here.

Which, in a sense, is a good thing for them, even if Childe would have fought it all day if he could.

But now, he only laughs, impressed with Manabu and nodding to him.]

You alright? That was quite the display. A job well done, if I do say so myself.

[siriusly]

[panting, Manabu shuffles a step backward before lifting his head up and surveying the steaming battleground for sign of the enemy. gone...? vaporized?

after a blink, his focus moves to Childe. smiling, laughing Childe.

this guy...]

...

[he exhales, arms dropping away from his face as he straightens.]

That person... Were--they really...human...?

[monoceroscaeli]

No.

[He says, the laughter subsiding but his attitude is still nonchalant and relaxed as he explains.]

That, was a monster from the Abyss. In my world, they only seek to destroy the world. And that was a Lector, one of the Abyss's more powerful creatures. They lurk in that darkness and feed off its power, intoxicated on it. And there's a lot more where that came from.

[He glances over towards the portal, but thankfully he doesn't see anything.]

Don't worry. You just did my whole world a favor by vanquishing that monster.

[siriusly]

[errant flecks of purple lightning sparks off his shoulders and wherever water still lingers from the splashback of Childe's attack and the steam that was created from it. they don't really register anymore, especially since he's still wired from the sudden attack. instead, his attention is back on the portal, frowning with concern.]

How...do we close this, then? If more of those things come through...

[not everyone has the neat teamwork they do.]

[monoceroscaeli]

I don't know.

[He shakes his head, though he doesn't seem upset that he can't. In fact, he'd love to continue fighting the Abyss for as long as they find the portal and come through it. It would be a great day for exercise and quite frankly, the very idea gets him pretty excited.]

I've never been able to create the portals the Abyss Order uses to move from Teyvat to the Abyss myself, let alone close a portal that this world has created.

[That admission to his abyssal origins is a slip up on his part, one that he doesn't notice.]

But even if they do come through, we'll just vanquish each and-

[And as if Manabu had asked the magic question, the portal suddenly snaps shut.]

[siriusly]

...

[for a beat, there is silence. except for Magnet growl-whining and sniffing at the air where that portal was.]

I guess...that answers that, huh...

[bark.]

[monoceroscaeli]

[He blinks a few times, as the Abyss disappears from view just like that. Uh. Okay?

Magnet's bark is what brings him back to reality, looking down at the dog before looking to Manabu.]

Guess we won't be having more fun after all.

[That's too bad, but is it really a bad thing...?]

Huh...oh, now that I think about it. How are you feeling? You did just get exposed to the energy of the Abyss, after all.

[Sick? Drunk? Manabu, if it even reached him at all, should feel sick, given it's toxic to humans.]

[siriusly]

Eh?? [exposed?? Manabu gawks, then looks himself over. singed in places, sure, but this coat is pretty heavy-duty! and Wu would kill him if he trashed this one...]

Was it all in the static and lightning? How would I be able to tell?

[monoceroscaeli]

Hahahaha, no no, it's just a dangerous power that radiates from the Abyss.

[He waves a hand, he hadn't meant to give him such a scare.]

You should be feeling a little sick if it had seeped into you at all. Though, I'd say that probably didn't happen.

[siriusly]

And--what, [he squints over at Childe, judging.] you're just immune? Overexposure? [why is that a thing? you can't just get used to some dangerous forces! imagine if it was like, radiation!!]

[monoceroscaeli]

[He stays quiet for a moment. Manabu has absolutely called him out, and he sighs. He doesn't have an answer.]

I had to adapt, or it would have killed me.

[He looks down at his hand, the mental image of his own hand as an armored, clawed hand appears in his mind.]

My master taught me move about in the Abyss unhindered. How nice it would have been to see her again, instead of that lector.

[siriusly]

[by now, the danger's well and truly gone, and Magnet's set to sniffing at Childe's shoes and pawing at his ankle. attention please. the dog is here.

Manabu, ignoring this, is just frowning at Childe.]

Your master... She's in there? That dark place.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Childe smiles softly down at Magnet, scooping the pup up off the ground and beginning to give some satisfying head and ear scratches.]

She is indeed. Don't worry, she's fine. She's lived there for a long time now. And if you think I'm strong, wait until you get to meet her someday. I still haven't been able to get her to use both her hands to beat me.

[He seems relaxed at this fact- like he knows no matter what happens, his master can beat anything the Abyss throws at her.]

[siriusly]

[he is none too reassured.]

You're...from Tevyat, right? Like Diluc?

[in all the time working at the Roost, murky evil abysses were not brought up.]

[monoceroscaeli]

I am. Why do you ask?

[Curious, but he did mention before that Diluc was teaching him swordplay, if he remembers correctly.

But he's sure Diluc didn't mention the Abyss. No reason to. He hopes he hasn't thrown a wrench between them now.]

[siriusly]

[Manabu doesn't answer right away, instead dusting off the sleeve of his jacket, frowning in thought.]

I'm just trying to get a read on it. That planet of yours... It has so much going on, seems like.

[monoceroscaeli]

[He looks back to Manabu, wiping his expression clean of anything that might give away that Childe knows far more than he'd ever let on concerning their world.

Diluc doesn't even know the depths of what Childe knows.]

You could say something like that.

[Not sus at all, Childe.]

It's a world at war, even if most of its citizens don't realize it. The Abyss Order is just all that's one part of it all. They're all of our enemy. Master Diluc too, is well aware of this fact. And if they should show up here again, they'll be your enemy also. Be prepared for that day.