you called?

Thank you very much for the compliment 💞

I have expressed one or two things about them during my hardcore fan days lol (I'm still standing by those) so there isn't much to add to that since canon doesn't go too far :c most of what I enjoy thinking or drawing about them has become a what if kind of scenario.

(contains spoilers also I'm a little hater)

I really want to like Natlan as it was one of the nations that I was more curious about (second to khaenriah), pyro is my favorite element and the premise was so good being a secluded nation with dragons and volcanoes, you know what I mean (and also as a Latina, I was pretty excited to see the cultural elements) But so far I have mixed feelings on the story, leaning more to a dissapointment more than a sucess..

The characters are good, but they are not charming. There is a certain appeal missing that others did have (in contrast with Fontaine cast for instance, Natlan´s just bland) but maybe that´s just me.. or they get overshadowed by the design quality. I fail to see uniqueness when it comes to the personalities and that makes me not care for them as much? I´m really trying to though, but so far it´s only "I guess this is happening now" kind of situation and following along until it takes off (hopefully).

I gotta say despite all criticism regarding her design, I did like Mavuika a lot from the PV. She looked promising and I´m all in for the baddie look, but upon meeting her I´m just not quite convinced. I´m torn between "we just don't know her well enough yet, there must be some revelation" to " she is just a good archon". There some aspects that leaves you 🤨 like the fact she was so open and trustworthy from moment 0, we get to look into her plans, even though she did pretend at some point it was quickly cleared up... I wonder if this Good Archon thing is just them setting up her eventual death so it hits deeper? One thing I liked a lot: Her human background (it was so funny when they brought up the fact that humans can ascend to Gods, like.. I haven´t seen it mentioned since fricking Mondstat) getting to take a peak into her life as human and her family was just!! I love this!! There is definetely a lot of potential for her in this regard which hopefully won't get wasted so we will have to see. My only fear is if it´s another I sacrifice my life for my people again... please give something else I swear 😭

On the other hand Capitano was a treat for the most part! I'm curious about how the whole fighting for Nathan plays out since he is so fond of it for some reason. The fight was pretty good. Please don't ever reveal his face.

Notes on the overall aesthetic: This is more of a nitpick but since I´ve seen a ton of people talking about it, the clash between medieval/fantasy and scifi and traditional is just a no for me. It does feel Original, it stands out, but I would much more prefer it if it was another game?? a stand alone? I feel like the differences with previous nations is just abbysmal in a way that feels out of place. There are some settings you would look at and think even if it's not aesthetically pleasing in the whole picture is still "on brand" but I just can't get used to it. I would understand if this was an universe like star rail where there's interestellar travelling, you can expect to see a wide range of technology and fashion and so on. But genshin's just.. they are all on the same continent with literally no barriers except Inazuma Why are you like this lol. I'm thinking about how Khaenriah would be portrayed as the peak of technological advancement when Natlan gets to have all this flashy fashion and motorcycles 😭 (I get that the genshin concept of modernity doesn't comply with our irl concept of modernity but it's still aughjhh) the sight of rider Mavuika is just crazy.

Likewise with Fontaine the landscapes didn't cause me an impression so I don't have much to say about it other than it's ok overall, but when I got to see Ochkanatlan it was.. now this is it!!! I'm not sure I can be objective bc I'm a sucker for abandoned and eerie places, being a whole different vibe from the tribes I think I would have preferred the whole nation followed this aesthetic instead (maybe more lively since people live there) It sparks a good balance between ancient and modern, with just a good measure of the genshin fantasy. Also the music goes particularly hard here?? Completely biased but the world quest here entertained me more than the archon quest so far so I don't know how to feel about this fact. Please consider @ writer team.

I can´t talk much about the representation bc this is a very personal matter being inspired from several countries and cultures, what I saw it´s interesting and I guess novel? but since the story and characters don´t follow it just feels empty (overall, I try not to give much attention to this aspect bc it would completely ruin the experience for me) I'm just tired.

Thank you regardless of the answer!

Okay so, I've seen your venlumi art and omg its BEAUTIFUL!!! Like Genuinely their dialogue is also so...beautiful and charming!!! And I really want to know more about what you see in them, and what the game says about them for this analysis I'm doing if that's alright with you :>>

Hi! Thank you for your kind words ;; I´m glad you enjoy my art.

As for my venlumi analysis, I´m not the most canon based person but I like to take what I can and feed myself.

(For the record, I play traveler Lumine)

First, what drew me in it´s the chemistry between Lumine and Venti, they are very fun together and somehow very sweet a the same time! One of the things that caught my atention was that Lumine could be flirty with him ( see the dialogue option "The color of your eyes is like the sky in my hometown.") and in restrospective analyzing this phrase, you have to know Lumine doesn´t get many flirty dialogue options, like, ever (I can not recall any other ocassion when it is evident to be honest). Also the fact that she talked about her hometown, a topic that is barely tackled was a little wow ok.. I like this. Feels like Lumine opening her heart a bit, as if she trusted Venti enough to let him known something personal.

Something that fluels my love for them is the fact that apparently Venti knows her from another time. We still don´t know the reason behind this and why Lumine doesn´t remember, though she is somehow aware, at one moment she recognizes Venti´s voice like a voice she heard before they met. It seems like Lumine does not give it much tought, since it is not brought up ever again but to me this just further strenghtens why Lumine trusts Venti, they already knew each other, perhaps were destined to be friends.

I also just really like Venti as a sort of self-appointed guide to Lumine during her journey. Despite his playful personality Venti makes it clear he is always there for Lumine, whether to cheer her up or console her (teapot lines win these.. I seriously can never get over it). During Weinlessefest Venti says that Lumine´s happiness it´s very important to him!! He´s happy to be by her side, and there is no wonder that those feelings can be reciprocated, as Lumine also likes to bring up Venti when he is not there, or invite him to join her into whatever ocassion.

I believe this happens a couple times during quests. With all this I mean we all can agree that they are very dear to each other, I would dare to say in contrast with other Lumine´s friendships, the one with Venti feels the most intimate. Even when they are distanced, Lumine still thinks about him.

Another tiny detail that I like it´s that Venti and Lumine/ Aether (or traveler if you might) are the only ones who depict human figures in their constellations... again, something that differentiates them from the others. Could it mean nothing? yes. Will I make it about venlumi? Of course. I mean, even the figures look alike! I´m very inclined to believe there is a deeper meaning about this that will be revealed some day.

And please let´s not forget about the birthday letter with the most eerie vibes ever. What does this even mean? Why is this a birthday message? Is it an allegory to Teyvat and "the traveler"?

"You are the only one I want to bring here" I wonder if he is also opening his heart a bit to Lumine with this phrase. In any case, it makes you wonder. An apple core, the fruit associated to venti, two halves of it, one for traveler and one for Venti like they are meant to go together. A secret world to which traveler is invited to, to take a stroll in this hidden world, which only they know about... much to think about but all I can gather is that their relationship should not be overlooked.

I´m probably forgetting to mention one or two things, but these were some things on top of my mind about venlumi in canon events, I´m sorry but not really if I got some details wrong :P

As for what I see in them.. the personalities combined are just delicious. They have a good chemistry from the start, and I just really like a Lumine that is introverted, with a secret crush on Venti. And Venti who is extroverted but soft, a little oblivious to Lumine´s crush. He still loves her but Lumine is not sure it is romantically. That is my favorite flavor.