Of masks and dances - Chapter 16: New verse, recurring theme

Of masks and dances

Chapter 16: New verse, recurring theme

In which a much delayed conversation happens and Kaeya gets some needed respite.

I like writing scenes in which people confess feelings. I really do, even though you need a hella lot of running around before in order for it to feel important in the story. Have I landed it properly? No idea. What I do know is that next time it'll be easier.

It was very much a choice to put Albedo's confession in Kaeya's POV and then the actual sweet scene from Albedo's POV. Basically, I wanted to underline the fact that Kaeya was absolutely sure he had no shot there. The stupid misunderstanding (promptly solved because I am not THAT melodramatic) was just this, his own mind sabotaging him. So when I switched to Albedo it was so that the reader knew he was steadfast in there, he actually wanted it.

I hope I hit the sweet point instead of falling into corny with that last line of his, btw. Love is kinda corny.
 

Perception, manifestation, sublimation and exaltation

I went a bit into this on the end of chapter note, but I'll explain further here. Without going into any specific TTRPG's rules, what I have in mind when I say levels is this:

1. Perception: the first ability anyone needs to develop while working elemental magic is tapping into the ley lines and sensing the flow of the elements. Perception isn't necessarily visual, different people perceive in different manners. The player should be encouraged to define how their character perceives the elemental forces. Perception can be used to track, locate wards and magically sealed doors and identify magical items.
2. Manifestation: at this level the allogene is adept at actual energy manipulation, both gathering and expelling it. The effects are limited to aura range, which is touch plus the area of an arm's length around the individual. Manifestation can be used for simple attacks, infusing weapons, and a range of more practical uses (manifesting anemo under you as you near the ground in a fall, for an instance), such as healing. Also permits teleporting as long as it is within the waypoint network.
3. Sublimation: the allogene can harness the elemental energy, condensing it into a shape or moving it. The effect range doubles from the last level (listen here, you need to check this on the system you're using. Assume it's the range of Ganyu's elemental burst and calculate). It is now possible to manifest elemental shields (those made without a Geo reaction), infuse wards, create major constructs, create complex constructs (moving parts and the such. Think Albedo's elevator) and generally do more damage. I would also stick all wind tunnel applications in this level, as well as hydro weaponry and electro totems.
4. Exaltation: fine control of the elements both inside and outside the body. Group healing, group shields and elemental form applications (like Mona's sprint or Keqing's teleport) fall here.

These are allogene levels, of course, a god would have another step, an archon yet another. Immortals (adepti, yokai and the such) follow similar levels, though they might use additional magic from whatever is their origin. Remember, Genshin Impact has several magical systems and they all coexist very happily. If you need your kitsune to be extra spicy, just give her some onmiyoudou.

And now I seem to have exhausted my ability to think, so I'll go have a snack and play some videogames.