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I saw a theory (more of an idea, really) on Reddit that Kaveh might become the next Grand Sage, and I just wanted to squeal about that for a hot minute.

(And for clarity cos I feel like it'll come up: Kaveh doesn't have any reliable leaks relating to his kit nor his rarity (whether he's a five star or four star), and even if he is a four star he could very well still be super important to Sumeru's chain of authority (see Ningguang and Kujou Sara if you're doubtful)).

Anyway, my squealing:

It actually makes a surprising amount of sense for Kaveh to become the Grand Sage based on quest info alone - Alhaitham says at the end of Act 5 of the archon quest that he "wouldn't be surprised if Kaveh was appointed as a sage":

While his tone sounds sarcastic, Alhaitham is typically quite honest with his words. His deceits always come by omission, not by lying. Of course, Kaveh assumes Alhaitham is being mocking here, but then in Alhaitham's story quest Kaveh says himself that he should have been made Grand Sage over Alhaitham -

So we have examples in both of Kaveh's in game scenes that convey a desire (or, at the very least, a capacity) to be a Sage. These exchanges are rather comedic though, so I think we should take evidence from Nahida herself; specifically, her "About Kaveh" voiceline:

(sorry for the poor quality)

Nahida herself praises Kaveh's understanding of their Nation and of wisdom itself, whereas she admonishes Alhaitham's viewpoint in her corresponding voiceline about him. This implies that Nahida would choose Kaveh over Alhaitham as Grand Sage.

Lore wise we know that Kaveh is an accomplished graduate of the Ksharewar Darshan, widely known and well-liked. He built the Palace of Alcarazy(?) and the NPCs there sing his praises. While his interactions with Alhaitham are goofy, he can evidently keep up with him in debates and in Alhaitham's voicelines he says that Kaveh's intellect is equal to his own.

Also, there is a pattern in the game so far: each non-archon 'leader' or 'authority' has the vision matching their archon. Jean for Mondstadt, Ningguang for Liyue and Sara/Yae for Inazuma (depending on your perspective). It seemed that Alhaitham would fill this role in Sumeru, seeing as he's dendro and did take over as the Acting Grand Sage, similar to Jean's title. However, his time in that position is incredibly short-lived since he resigns at the end of his story quest (well, technically before it even starts). It is likely that "who will be the new Grand Sage?" will be an ongoing plot thread in Sumeru, much like "when will Varka return?" is in Mondstadt.

Since Kaveh is dendro, he would suit this pattern very well.

I also do just love the vibes of what it would mean for his character, and I think it would be very fun for Sumeru to be led by someone so wholeheartedly compassionate for everyone around them. Kaveh loves the arts and cares a lot about other people, so he matches Nahida's vision of Sumeru much better than Alhaitham does. Which isn't to say Alhaitham is cruel or uncaring, but that he is (as he says himself) not suited to the responsibility of leadership.

And, speaking of Alhaitham, the way this would develop their dynamic is actually rather funny. Technically Kaveh would become Alhaitham's boss, but everyone around them would be aware that Alhaitham saved the country and that Kaveh has only received the position because Alhaitham passed it over first. Can you imagine how frustrating that would be for Kaveh? Technically in charge, but with this information looming over everyone's heads?

Since Hoyo does like to keep a certain status quo, especially in voicelines, it's likely that Alhaitham and Kaveh will remain roommates. This still works even if Kaveh is promoted, with four possible explanations:

Kaveh's debt to Dori is so huge that he's financially screwed for life regardless of his salary

Kaveh is so bad with money that even once he's paid off his debt he still fails to save up for his own house

Because technically Alhaitham's house should also belong to him, Kaveh is stubborn and refuses to move out

Alhaitham and Kaveh reconcile/figure themselves out enough that they actually want to live together even if there's no financial incentive to

Also, I cannot overstate how amusing it would be for the Kavetham dynamic shift of Kaveh getting to fuck with Alhaitham a little as payback for all Alhaitham's trolling.

Anyways, this is a theory/hc that I really like, so I hope we don't get a mystery Sumeru character in 4.6 or something that we've never heard of before who gets to become Grand Sage.

(referring o lantern rite 3.4)

I found zhonglis performance as mortal adult who doesn't know venti as satisfactory while ventis to be 100/10 (no I am not biased). performance of the century. no millenia.

there was a lot of gay shit happening we know it we know it. I like to believe that hutao knows about a bard boyfriendTM. and she finally got to meet said boyfriend (who is also friends with zhongli,,,, hmm hutao detective glasses on I bet she wasn't fooled at all)

moon(iI am still laughing at the kidsctions to these adults doing. whatever they were. like why were they making upncover sorry fr but it was theater. art

did you meet beinguang at the uhhh place where rex lapis died. (thwir dialogue makes me laugh so much. am pretty sure at this point we can safely say that chess is code for making out hornily)

I also wanted to hear ventis thoughts in more detailed but ngl. I think it's pretty neat that xvn would like to keep their relationship a secret but only venti is the one who can while xiao's affection is apparent to anyone who knows him because he is an open book. Even if he tried he can't hide it. but I also wanted to know what venti thinks of music :( I had hoped that it would be like irodori where eh doesn't say much but just watches,,, is there in the background while giving inputs once in a blue moon

Also I did replay my own recording at yess!!! venti did blink a lot??? was it him going 'play along play along' hahaha idk

venti could go to an improv comedy club and absolutely sweep the competition; that man KNOWS how to play along and do so with SUBTLETY. probably bc he spends most of his waking life playing pretend and has done so for centuries, but then again, zhongli has also walked amongst mortals, who see him n go, "it couldn't be... is it??" so he passes with juuuust enough grace to leave them wondering lol. venti absolutely the best out of the three tho. xiao's acting skills found dead in a ditch lmao

OH but smth else i did remember is that i found it interesting that zhongli chose to call xiao by alatus. i know a lot of people tend to subscribe to the hc that alatus is xiao's true name (it's a pretty strongly supported hc that i refuse to subscribe to, personally) n that his weakness is his true name (also pretty supported by the text in canon n a hc i do subscribe to), so i find it interesting that, if alatus is xiao's true name (and secret weakness), zhongli would address him by such. one could say it's just his way of being more polite to someone who served in the archon war, but like idk. i just find it a bit odd and worth noting

a while back i was chillin w/my friends n making one of those alignment charts that's like "distinguished/functional/disaster" vs. "gay/bi/lesbian" (except we also added ace/pan/straight for a bit more nuance) n it was like "well, we have charas w/straight vibes from mond, inazuma, and sumeru. what abt liyue? do any of the liyue characters have straight vibes?" and the answer was no. liyue gay as hell.

and yes i DID see the beiguang over on yujing terrace!!! i was like "omg beiguangs" n i talked to them n i was like "is... is the chess a metaphor for sex???" bc WHAT WAS THAT?? HELLO???? last lantern rite was very much their wedding and so this year they get to sit back n be the stable established couple

also i can't believe hu tao met xiao's bf n then instantly went, "we will have an immortal pact of mischief, a solemn vow of fun written in silly poetics" she knows what she's doing. she knows EXACTLY who venti is; those dots were hardly even disconnected in her head.

i can absolutely see xv keeping their relationship a secret just bc xiao is a very private character, n venti would respect that. it's just so funny to see them fail bc xiao has difficulty maintaining a separation btwn his public n private lives. ofc he doesn't tell anyone if they don't ask, and he never drops any hints that would prompt people to ask normally, but in this particular type of situation where he has to explain himself and his relationship to someone, he's probably so unused to having a public social life that he has absolutely zero skills when it comes to answering questions truthfully, but with respect to his own privacy.

venti opinion on music.... that would've been nice to see :c though i don't think we asked xiao for his opinion either! hmm hmm... i wonder if they keep xiao's character development behind the ephemeral event quests specifically bc they're ephemeral n there's (maybe) gay shit going on behind the scenes.

but also omg so it WASN'T just my computer choking from the constant abuse i make it suffer venti was fluttering his lashes or smth at xiao. i'd personally interpret it as ~smug flirtations~ where he's just like, "ah, yes, how is xiao going to explain me away? :3" but who knows!!! i have brainworms lol

“Why do you keep repeating this name, guys?”

My headcanon is that Venti doesn’t remember Rukkhadevata, but his winds do.

I mean, she existed and people were talking about her, but after they just forgot about her. However, people’s words are remembered by winds of time.

And we know that Venti can summon winds of the past, even if he didn’t hear personally some words, he still can find them in his winds.

I believe he forgot about her as well, but still knows about her and the whole situation, because his winds tell him that. Those sneaky bitches.

So many friends and yet,

Not a single one a normal human being

celestia granting kazuha’s wish for a travelling companion 

ok but what if Vox aired the footage of Alastor getting his shit rocked by Adam thinking haha i'm so evil he'll be so EMBARRASSED except it backfires and Alastor becomes an overnight folk hero in Hell which he actually hates even fucking more and now neither of them are happy

//From Parade of Providence event Day 1

Sumeru Akademiya championships out of context

(it's not exactly what happened, with the swiftflies at least, buuuut--)

Gonna consider this a WIP but wanted to post it soooo errmmm more AU art YAAAAAAYYYY!!!

This one includes symbolism of some basic stuff, yet I’m still working on the story n everything overall, I’m just thinking about it too much

I rarely render art too, when I do it’s usually things I’m very obsessed with at the moment.

its been.. So Long since ive posted, but finally i snagged some spare time to draw this...... on GOD

for context, this is mainly for a hc of mine where zhongli is actually long the permanence from hsr, and i know i sound crazy, but trust me, i have many thoughts and points of interest that make me very Happy to think abt so shush shushsushushushs

*In the jungle outside Vimara Village*

Fatui Agent stalking Vimara Village Kids: …

Scaramouche, shadow-babysitting: …

Scaramouche’s Aranara Supervisor: …

Fatui Agent: The- The Balladeer—!

Scaramouche: >:)

Aranara Supervisor: (ツ)/🔪