JANUARY MINGLE

[stellafortunamods]

January Mingle: A Ballad in Goblets
Welcome to Teyvat - a vast magical world of adventure.
You open your eyes to an unfamiliar sight. A cool breeze flits through rustic buildings and sunny streets, carrying the smell of flowers and wine. The very air itself seems charged with mana, the warm pulse of the land palpable beneath your feet. This is a new world, a world where the elements compose all of reality. Before you is a bubbling fountain, and a key is entwined between your fingers. And that weight on your hip? A sparkling bauble that you've never seen before, yet it feels natural, as if it had always been there.

Asking around nets you the name of this world - Teyvat - and the name of this city - Mondstadt, blessed by the Anemo Archon, Barbatos. Your new home is accessible with the key placed in your hands, though this also brings to mind another question. How will you get money? Food isn't free, after all.

Luckily for you, there's plenty of jobs available for the enterprising Traveler. Be it taking requests from the Adventurers' Guild, or working part-time at one of Mondstadt's many food establishments, Mora is to be had when hard work is involved. The cuisine of Mondstadt is best paired with its wine, served at bars or enjoyed in private with a few friends.

And about that shining gem. locals will tell you that it is a Vision, a sign of favour from Teyvat's elemental gods. With the Vision on hand, you find yourself capable of commanding one of the seven elements. What will you do with this newfound blessing? Use it for good... or for evil?

Mondstadt's liveliness doesn't diminish when night falls. Bards sing through the wee hours of the night, and the lights of the city help keep most evildoers at bay. All seems peaceful, a pastoral idyll of a life that seems more at home in a storybook. Yet for those Travelers who venture out beyond the city's walls and into the ruins dotting the landscape, they may discover hints of a bloodier past now forgotten.

Glancing at any of the calendars in the city will tell you the current date. August 10th was the day you arrived. As soon as the last minute of August 16th slips away, the world around you changes. A blink, and time itself rewinds by seven days. Looking outside, the mown lawns have regrown, the windmill needs fixing again, and the well is once again full. Just what is happening here? It seems only you, Traveler, remembers the week that never was.

State of the World

For the first two weeks of the game, IC time will be looping from August 10th to August 16th. It's currently late summer in Mondstadt, and the trees are just beginning to turn out their autumn colours. The weather is cool and pleasant, with light showers on Tuesday (11th) and Friday (14th). It's also a good time to go out gathering berries and nature's bounty from Mondstadt's forests and valleys.

These two weeks will let us trial out our commissions and regains system and craft improvements for February onwards. There will be no activity requirements for January, so all threads started during this time period can be used for regains!

For all questions regarding January's mingle and events, please head over to our OOC post.

Comments

ganyu | genshin impact | cryo | ota

[reglaze]

a- Arrival

[Overworking is her specialty, she knows, so nodding off now and again is expected, right? Ganyu always jerks back to the waking world within a few minutes at most-- naps aside, thanks to her internal clock. It's a skill of hers developed over centuries of serving as a secretary at the Yuehai Pavilion. That, coupled with her very infrequent personal time, allows her to have the art of sleep down to a science.

So why is it all of a sudden, she jerks awake to find herself very much not in Liyue? There'd been a dream, but that couldn't have anything to do with it. Tense, she looks around quickly to take her surroundings into account. She still has her vision and bow, that's a relief. The other things that get her attention... a different style of architecture, lots of windmills, a walled city. Her eyes fall on a local outdoor eatery, so Ganyu goes to take a look and see if she can cement an idea of her location. Sure enough, the word Mondstadt jumps out at her. Well, that's a new one.]

M-Mondstadt? How did I get here of all places?! [Her cool exterior melts away, and for once, the woman looks appropriately taken aback.]

b- Exploration

[True enough to her initial discovery, things are very much windy and free, so to speak. The people are friendly for the most part, only a very few commenting on her horns, even saying they liked her hairpiece. Nice of them to assume she's a traveler from Liyue, which is somehow technically correct.

Quickly, though, she finds that trying to recall events before her arrival leave her with few recollections other than hazy images and fuzzy moments. It's worrisome to say the least. Not to mention the slight itch she feels from some sort of seal, thanks to her Adepti abilities. Ganyu does determine that at the moment, there's nothing she can do about either, other than try to make sense of things. And that means finding her way around Mondstadt-- the city and country.

So for the next however long, she'll be found all around the city, making her way into random alleys, poking her head into shops, even entering the cathedral and knights' headquarters. Springvale also gets her attention, as does the Dawn Winery, and Thousand Winds Temple. Poking around and asking questions is bound to catch someone's interest, right?]

c- Daily Life

[Between making her way around and questioning everyone, Ganyu finds herself in another new situation: she has time on her hands. Lots of it. It's almost unnerving to her. Normally up to her eyeballs in paperwork, she sometimes finds herself looking at her empty hands like she's never seen them before and flexing her fingers to make sure they still work properly. It takes her a couple days to settle down and come up with a new activity to pass the time.

People watching. She can be found sitting outside the Angel's Share or Good Hunter, idly watching the passersby. If they make eye contact, she'll offer a polite smile and nod.]

Hello, lovely weather today, isn't it? [Yes, that includes the drizzly days. That's what awnings are for. If she's caught around mealtime, there'll be a salad on the the table before her. A silent thanks to Rex Lapis goes unheard that she isn't found without a supply of mora here. Sit down across from her, and she might even offer to buy a meal for her new companion.]

d- Commissions/Wildcard

[Got a commission or another idea? Let's go for it.]

c

[whiteshroud]

[Jun meanwhile hadn't been so fortunate to arrive with any money. At first it didn't occur to him since there was so many other pressing problems to deal with. But as the day wore on, the fact grew ever more apparent as he grew hungrier. He was probably staring at the Good Hunter's offerings a bit too long, not realizing he was looking in Ganyu's general direction as well, when he's spoken to.

Quickly, he tries to recover and offer a smile. Wasn't salivating here, oh no siree!]

Oh, yeah! Very lovely!

[reglaze]

[And well, would you look at that. It's lunch time now! Well, a little after lunch. Close enough. There's a plate in front of her with a large piece of bread covered in pieces of vegetables. Seems like someone's about to eat.

But she stops to chat. How kind.]

It's not too warm to enjoy the outdoors today. I find it quite pleasant. [Yep, this random patron is perfectly content to literally chat about the weather.]

[whiteshroud]

[Jun is doing his best to be polite, so he'll try real hard not to openly stare at her food. Come on Jun, just remember endurance training you can do this...]

Oh? Does it usually get hot here? [She seems so calm about the situation, maybe she's a local?]

a

[petiote]

[Tio arrives disoriented. The town near the fountain isn’t anywhere she recognizes, but as far as she can tell, nothing seems terribly out of place, either.]

[She makes it her mission to stand by and gather information when she catches sight of Ganyu. At first glance, the other girl seems lost like her. But she seems to know something and Tio will take any lead she can get.]

[Tio approaches Ganyu, her expression neutral. Cool bluenette, meet cool bluenette.]

Do you know where we are?

[reglaze]

Oh! [The newcomer speaking to her catches Ganyu a little off guard, and she turns slightly quicker than she normally would, bell around her beck tinkling with the movement.]

Um, yes, more or less. Are you... new to the area as well?

[As of now, she's thinking perhaps Fontaine or Sumeru. Another world altogether isn't quite in her mind yet.]

[petiote]

Yes.

[Tio pauses. Just how much should she reveal here? Are there likely to be others in the same predicament as her?]

I seem to have gotten lost.

[Better to play it safe.]

c

[extinctive]

[ the clouds are looming over the walled city, which already contradicts ganyu's friendly greeting. still, this certain man in doctor's garb will return her smile with one of her own. ]

Well, a little rain won't hurt anybody. [ rain can be lovely. ] Are you waiting for someone?

[reglaze]

[Late morning, but not quite lunch time. Sitting at the table alone definitely seems like she would be.]

It's refreshing, I think. [Her friendly smile never leaves as she answers.] Oh, no. I'm just passing the time. It's nice to people watch sometimes. It lets them know they're not alone.

[Which is definitely one way to put it. The statement could definitely be strange in nature, but somehow, coming from her, it seems as sensible as anything else.]

[extinctive]

[ ah. on one hand, figaro understands the sentiment somewhat - he's a lonely person himself, so knowing that someone out there is looking after him can be reassuring. but at the same time it'd feel a little odd if he's being watched by a stranger...

well, he can fix that. ]

May I join you, in that case? Someone who looks after the people in this world would need someone to look after them as well. [ and ganyu's certainly not bad to look at, tbh, ] I'm one of the new arrivals of this world, and I'd like to get to know other people who have this on their person.

[ namely, the cryo vision hanging off his hip. ]

a

[eclipsingstar]

[Of the many individuals coming to here, Ganyu stands out the most-- not for the more obvious reasons, but as someone familiar. Ningguang makes her way through the crowd quickly but carefully to greet the Adeptus.]

Ganyu. What an interesting development.

[She smiles, though she is not without her concerns.]

It is good to see you.

[reglaze]

Ah, Lady Ningguang! [There's a definite note of relief in Ganyu's voice as she's greeted by the Tianquan. Her smile betrays her feelings as well.]

It's good to see you as well. My apologies, I seem to have misplaced the itinerary for the trip to Mondstadt. But don't worry, I'm sure it's around somewhere.

[Because this is clearly the reason they're here, right? Some Qixing business Ganyu's shamefully forgot about.]

[eclipsingstar]

[A trip to Mondstadt. Well, there are stranger things. Yet... she can recall thinking nothing of the sort. But then again, her memories to seem to be quite hazy past a certain point. So it seems the matter of why they are here will simply have to wait. It would be careless to make assumptions at this point.

Well. One thing at a time.]

...think nothing of it. I am sure you will have one put together in no time.

b

[sufferean]

[Poking around and asking questions is sure to catch someone's interest, indeed!

Rean's uncertain of what he'll actually be able to do for Ganyu, but it's clear she's looking for something, and his instinct to help is too strong to ignore.]

Ah, hello there. Couldn't help but notice you seem to be looking for something... any chance I could help? I don't know this place too well, but...

[reglaze]

[It's been a few days now, and this guy looks a little out of place like some of the others. Still, it's somewhat difficult to make the call from appearances alone, so she'll play it safe for the moment.]

Hello. No, nothing specific. I'm from out of the area and was trying to... find the best place to rent a room! [It would be a convincing story if her tone didn't betray how proud of herself she is for coming up with it like that.

And the fact she's in an alley nowhere near the residential area of Mondstadt.]

[sufferean]

[Oh... oh, that's cute, actually? Rean's not so stupid he can't tell that's a blatant lie, but at the same time, she's so proud of herself he doesn't really have it in him to snark at her about it.]

Oh, are you? Well, I'm from out of the area myself, but I've been doing some scouting. I think they typically have better rooms back toward the residential area. Do you know how to get back there?

d

[pragmatism]

[ Zhongli should probably have sought out Ganyu earlier, but he had other matters to attend to. As far as he could sense, he was the only one out of all the outlanders to bear the black seal - fortunate, for he would not wish it on anyone else, yet it brings to mind the question of its purpose and creator. These are not questions that will be answered simply by sitting around, so he had ventured to Windrise in an attempt to restore his power. Unfortunately, it seems the black seal prevented that as well.

It will be late afternoon by the time Ganyu sees him coming into Mondstadt by the main gate. He doesn't call out to her from a distance - it would be impolite - but he's definitely coming this way. ]

[reglaze]

[Perhaps he should have, but Ganyu isn't one to hold a grudge. She finds time to explore and converse, realizing others are as lost or moreso than she is. Among her discoveries is the fact people appearing from parts unknown suddenly have visions. Too strange.

It might be a sort of sense, or simply good timing that she's at the flower shop right by the gate. Whatever it is, she finds herself turning for some reason, only to see him entering the city. The wrong city. She excuses herself and heads over with a quicker stride than normal.]

Re-- Um, Zhongli. Hello. [Once they begin talking, it will dawn on her, she doesn't quite know why she's aware it's him. But that's for a future tag.]

[pragmatism]

[ Ganyu is not someone he expected to see in Mondstadt. The outlanders should be only coming from other worlds. How would the Qixing fare without their secretary? This is a lot of trouble... he wouldn't have retired if he knew such an anomaly would happen. Then again, divination is not one of Morax's many talents, so he can only try to remedy the situation. ]

Good afternoon. Did you come to Mondstadt for a visit?

[ In case the Qixing had some other plans... ]

C

[joies]

[And today Ganyu will meet the eyes.... eye of another horned woman, though the strangers are of intertwined vines and flowers. Nodding in return as she smiles warmly, the sun shining brightly above them.]

Yes, it is. I do always love a sunny day. [Considering all the... flowers on her, it would make sense why.

But then Persephone blinks, glancing over Ganyu's table before fixing her eyes on her once more. Her smile doesn't falter, though there's a more questioning shade to it now.]

Though, are you alone?

[reglaze]

It's warm and peaceful. I sometimes find myself nodding off if left idle. [There's a hint of good humor in her voice.] Ah, for now, yes.

[She gestures to the chair across from her in an invitation if the newcomer would like to take it as such/]

You're more than welcome to join me if you'd like.

b! cryo pals, activate...

[masking]

[truth be told, kaeya much prefers to spend time outside of the knights of favonius headquarters as opposed to inside of it? there always seems to be something for him to do when he's in the building, you see... some new request to see to, or a new piece of paperwork that requires his attention...

or: it's boring, generally! and there is no wine, horror of horrors—but sometimes, just sometimes, there is something and/or someone interesting, and today it just so happens to be a horned woman wandering about the library. he's fairly certain he saw her by the fountain earlier, possibly speaking with others he's since learned are from liyue; it stands to reason, then, that he should at least learn her name, which is why he loiters by one of the doors leading back to the entryway? waits until she's very nearly reached it before he steps out from behind a stack of books, pretending that he's so very interested in the (imaginary) thing he's searching for that he doesn't even see her. bam! time for a meetcute—jkjk. time for a carefully crafted collision, with kaeya laughing, almost ruefully, as he reaches out to place a steadying hand on her arm.]

Careful, now! We Knights are always in such a rush, these days...

[just, you know. dropping that hint that he's trustworthy as he steps back, respectfully putting distance between them as he gives her a quick, artfully concerned once-over.]

You're not hurt, are you? [hmm—] Or lost, for that matter?

[reglaze]

[Ganyu is over three thousand years old with centuries of wisdom and experience under her belt. Countless battles fought and won, civilizations rising and falling with her there, unchanging. She's seen things no ordinary human could hope to comprehend.

Too bad it means jack shit when it comes to spotting people with sketchy ulterior motivations. Or just Kaeya. Either way, really.]

Ah, thank you. My apologies, I didn't mean to run into you like that. [Duh.] I'm perfectly fine. What about yourself?

b

[flamesofdawn]

[ Whether he's in Mondstadt at Angel's Share working or at the Dawn Winery, Diluc was always generally busy but also tended to be observant. Especially when it came to the people that showed up, so the one afternoon he was at the Winery, he heard some of the workers speaking of an odd woman wandering about the vineyards.

It had his attention so he excused himself to find the source of this himself. There didn't seem to be any harm, but it was his duty to look into it incase it changed.

After a bit of searching, he'd spotted it. A woman with vivid blue hair and clothes that distinctly did not at all speak of Mondstadtian attire in the slightest. Couple that with the horns and it was enough to have him coming closer, his gait calm but entirely assured. ]

We don't normally tend to get arrivals from Liyue unless they were here on business.

[ Once he's close enough, red eyes calmly take her in a bit, though never once seeming invasive. His expression almost hard to read. ]

Is there any particular reason you're wandering around like that?

[reglaze]

[Ganyu turns, a little startled, but not bothered by the sudden appearance of the man. She offers a friendly smile, seemingly eager to speak to him.]

Oh, yes. I've never seen a winery up close before, so I wanted to take a look. The grapes look splendid, very well cared for, and-- Ah. [Her enthusiasm gets the better of her, but she realizes that this... might not be the best way to go about it.]

I apologize. I see now how it might look. I've never really traveled before, and this is my first time in Mondstadt... My name is Ganyu! I hope I'm not disturbing anything.