#he orphaned asra and left him for dead
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I DID MATH TO TRY TO GUESS HOW OLD ARE THE MAIN 6 AND HOW THE TIMELINE WORKS
Soooo, I already made a post explaining my toughts about Julian's and Lucio's age, and I said I wanted to make another post explaining my guesses for the rest of the cast, so here I am. (WARNING: THERE ARE SOME MINOR SPOILERS!! And this is going to be looong, so if you want to jump to the conclusions go ahead).
I recommend reading at least a part of the other post, since it has important info that I won't be explaining here, but to sum up what I think it's the most important fact: Many people believe that Lucio loosing his arm and Asra's parents being imprisioned happened 20 years ago, but I think the game gives us enough hints to know that that “roughly 20 years ago” actually means 17 or 18 years ago. So, my guesses are made having that in mind.
Please, have in mind that, since there are no canon ages, there is no way to know who is right or who is wrong, all we can do is try to guess, but I think we can all agree that the game has some inconsistencies with the timeline and that, at the end of the day, everyone can have their own headcanons, so it's okay if we disagree. And, also, english is not my first language, so I'm sorry if I wrote anything wrong!!
I'm going to start from the youngest to oldest (Asra-Portia-Muriel-Julian-Lucio-Nadia) and mark in blue the facts that are canon:
Asra
• We know he became an orphan when we has a kid. The game says it was roughly 20 years ago, I already explained on my other post why I think it's practically canon that the exact date is 17/18 years ago, so Im not going to repeat myself.
• He met Muriel 17 years ago.
• He met the apprentice 9 years ago.
• He revived them 3 years ago
• We know he had a thing with Julian before the whole revival thing. If the apprentice died 3 years ago and they were brought back from dead less than a year after, then that had to happen 3 years ago too.
• We do not know exactly how old was he when he met Muriel, but my guess is that he had to be between 6-10, maybe 11, but I would not put him as more than that because I honestly think he looks too young and too short for a 12 year old kid. It's true malnutrition could have been a problem on his growth, but he ended up being of average height and Muriel, who was also homeless, ended up being over 2 meters tall so... I do not think it really stoped them?
• This is gonna sound so dumb but I tried to calculate how tall he was when he was a kid lol (yes, I was very frustrated, yes, I needed help). I used this image they posted as a reference to see how tall they were besides each other, and my guess is that he's around 1'20 meters, which is a normal height for a kid that young, maybe a bit short but not too much (btw, I know Lucio's height is 1'77, but I added 8 cm more because he wears heels).
So, having all that in mind, I'd say Asra is between 24-28 years old. I personally can't see him as older than 28 because as I said I think he was too young on his tale, but it all depends on how you see it, of course.
According to my guess, that would mean he was 6-11 when he lost his parents (which I think it makes sense, since he as an adult is able to remember that Lucio imprisioned them, and it's pretty normal to be able to remember things from that age) 15-19 when he met the apprentice (so, it was a young love, maybe his first one, and that would explain why he was so attached), 21-25 when he had a thing with Julian (to make sure he was an adult) and that same age when the whole revival thing happened (and I personally think it makes sense that he was so young when he made shuch a desesperate decision).
Portia
•We know there is a big age gap between her and Julian:
-She can't remember the shipwreck, Julian does
-She was still a kid when Julian left to become a doctor
-She seems to remember him, but vaguely
•She started working on the palace one year ago
•Since she can't remember loosing her parents, I think it's safe to assume she was still a baby
•I honestly do not remember much from Portia's route, but if I recall correctly, there's this paid option that lets you help her remember a lost memory. I personally see her very very young, and it has to be a memory from after she lost her parents and before Julian left to become a doctor, so I'd say she was 3-5.I remember it was mentioned that in the memory Julian had a big growth spurt, so, since I like to think there is an 7-9 year gape between them, that would put him at 10-14.
I think it's an age range that makes sense, it is possible to remember things from when you were 3-5 (I personally do remember some things, mostly things that had an impact on me), and Portia had visual help to be able to remember it, so it would make sense that she had this memory hidden on her mind and then she was able to remember it correctly with help.
So, having all this in mind, I would say Portia is between 25-30 years old. Maybe you could give her an extra year, but I would not make her younger than 24 because then, if we follow my guesses, she would be younger than Asra (and it's canon that she's older) and I also think the age gap between her and Julian would be too big, and if it was, then maybe she could not remember him before he left. She had to be a kid, but not so young to not be able to remember how they played.
This would mean she was 24-28 when she started working on the palace.
Muriel
(Warning: This is goning to get long.)
I've seen some confusion about Muriel's age, mostly because it seems there are some inconsistencies about his past. I will try to make it make sense, but yeah, have that in mind please.
This man has been my hyperfixation for 2 whole years and at this point I am basically his own personal wikipedia, so I hope I do not leave anything behind, and Im sorry in advance for how long this is gonna be:
•We know he had to leave his home when he was still a kid.
•In his tale, he seems to vaguely remember how he arrived to vesuvia (so, not younger than 3 when he left?)
•He met Asra 17 years ago
•We do not know the exact age gap between him an Asra, but tbh I do not think at all than he's more than 3 years older, because in his tale he says that asra only seems “a couple years younger”, and they both seem to be on very close stages of their lifes even as kids. Muriel's just a big boy.
•We do not know how much time he worked as Lucio's gladiator, but he had to break free at least 3 years ago (since 3 years ago was when Lucio “died”).
•This is all me making theories and trying to make a guess with every tiny detail of info I remember, so take it with a grain of salt because I could be completly wrong, but I personally think that what makes more sense is that he left the Kokhuri when he was 3-7 years old. The reasons:
-I know it's pretty normal to not be able to remember much from when you were that young, and the trauma could also have made an impact on his memory, but I think he had to be very very young when he left because he's not even sure if he's from the south (in the scene where they get a room on the inn, the MC asks him how he can't be sure and he says it happened a long time ago). He does not seem to remembe his parents, his language (I am assuming the kokhuri have a different language than vesuvians) and in general he does not seem to remember his home practically at all. I personally think that if he was older than 8 it would be more strange, but maybe it's just me.
-In his tale he already says that he's starting to forget his parents, and he's still a young kid. I think that can be a hint to let us know he was really really young when he left, I think it would be weird otherwise
-I am not sure about this because maybe it could be understood in other way, but he seems to remember Lucio's voice from his nightmares? And I guess that means Lucio had to be there when the Scourage of the South attacked the Kokhuri. That, or maybe his voice appears on his nightmares just because, or he recognizes that his way of speaking is similar to other people from the South or idk. But I think it has to mean that Muriel had to be at least 3 to be able to remember Lucio's voice(even if it's vaguely and had to hear it again) or the way the people from the Scourage talked. If it's the first case, it also means that Lucio had to be there, so it had to happen before he was 18 (remember that in Lucio's tale he just became 18 and that's when he left his home). That's why I think their age gap has to be big but can't be bigger than 14, because 3+14= 17. Ok this is starting to sound dumb, right? But in my mind it makes sense, I swear
-I also think he could not be younger than 3 because he had to at least be able to walk, talk and well, try to survive on his own. I know 3 is still super young, but, I mean, if I had a vision where all my family died I would also send my 3 year old kid to live on his own lol, better having a little chance than dying my boy! And we see on his tale that the orphans work together to get food so maybe some older orphans helped him and the other younger kids until he grow ? Look, listen, some weeks ago I discovered there is a japanese show in which they film 2 year old kids going to the store and shopping on their own so it's possible! I am just trying to give the lowest age possible so we know where to start from :') and to try to make it make sense, because in his route it sometimes seems like he was practically a toddler (or directly one) when he left.
To sum up, I think he had to be around 3-7 years oldwhen he left his home so everything makes sense. It would make sense that he could remember some little things, but very vaguely and had to fill the blanks with his own guesses, it would also make sense if Lucio was there when the Scourage attacked the Kokhuris and that he recognizes his voice, it would make sense that he has trouble remembering even the most crucial things (his parents, his language...) and it would be plausible that he could survive being homeless if he at leasts knew how to walk and communicatte on his own.
•I personally can't see him older than 14 on his tale. I find it already a bit hard to believe he could be 14, because I personally think he still looks prepubescent, and tbh I think that Muriel would have been already as tall or taller than Lucio if he was older. I know malnutrition is a thing, but everyone seems impressed with his height, even Lucio, so idk his genes are just that strong I guess. Maybe his parents were over 2,15 and he's the short one of the family lol. I also think it would be a streatch if the game told us that this kid is huge and then the kid in question was 15 years old and around 1.50 meters. I'm gonna use the same images as before:
He seems to be slouching a bit, so maybe we could add 3-8 cm more. But my guess is that he was 10-12 on his tale, give or take a few years if you want, at the end of the day, it's all about you own perception.
•I think it's safe to assume that, if Lucio became count 17 or 18 years ago, that means Muriel had to leave his home approximately 20 years ago, probably a bit more, depends if you see him younger or older.
So, having all this in mind (finally!!!), I would say that Muriel is around 26-31 years old.
That would mean he was very young when he arrived to Vesuvia (and it would make sense that it happened 20 years ago or more), he met Asra when he was 9-14, he left the coliseum minimum when he was 23-28, and that his age gap with Lucio and Asra makes sense. If he was younger I think it would be more difficult to make the age gaps and his past as a gladiator plausible, and as I said before I honestly can't see him older than 14 on his tale. But again, this is all a headcanon.
Julian
I already explained Julian's age on my other post, so I won't repeat it, but my guess is taht he has to be between 33-40 (or maybe one or two years older, as long as his age gap with Portia makes sense and he's still younger than Lucio)
Lucio
I explained Lucio too. My guess is he's between 37-44. I would not put him any younger or older because then the age gaps would not make sense and neither his past.
Nadia
Im going to be short with Nadia because there are not many pieces of info and since she's the oldest one there is more freedom, because any kind of age gap would make sense.
•We know she arrived to Vesuvia 9 years ago
•She was married to Lucio for 6 years. Since Lucio has been “dead” for 3 years, that means they married 9 years ago
•She's the youngest of all her siblings. We do not know the age gap between them, but I'd say they are pretty close in age, since their parents are still alive and do not look too old, and Nadia has to be older than 37 for this to make sense. I mention this because maybe it would be plausible for Nadia to be 50, but, I mean, there has to be a limit haha.
Having all this in mind, I would say that Nadia is between 37-45~years old, but it could be a bit more. This would mean she arrived to Vesuvia and married Lucio at 28-36, she was 34-42 when Lucio “died”, and her siblings would be on their 30s, 40s or maybe 50s, which I think makes sense.
So, my conclusion is:
Asra: 24-28
Portia: 25-30
Muriel: 26-31
Julian: 33-40~
Lucio: 37-44~
Nadia: 37-45~
And if you are interested on knowing how I hc them:
Asra: 26
Portia: 27
Muriel: 28
Julian: 36
Lucio: 39
Nadia: 39
That's it!!
I'm not sure if anyone would want to read all this lol but I hope it was a bit useful or interesting!
Please do not judge me for how much time I put into shuch a silly thing lol, I know I have to get a hobby :'D
#the arcana#the arcana game#Arcana#arcana game#arcana asra#arcana julian#arcana lucio#arcana muriel#arcana nadia#arcana portia#asra alzanar#julian devorak#muriel#muriel the mountain man#the arcana headcanons#muriel of the kokhuri#nadia satrinava#portia devorak#lucio morgasson#lucio montag#nix hydra#Julian#Asra#Nadia#Portia#Lucio#arcana headcanon#The arcana timeline#The arcana theory#I dont feel my fingers help
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The Golden Handed Servant
Jayda Ronan Chidal
Nicknames
JJ was a simple nickname zahra started using as not to refer to him by his dead name when he started transitioning
Lily Pad is Juno’s nickname for him
Jazz is a fun little nickname he made for himself, and is often a name he allows friends to call him
Age: 42
Birthday: March 3rd ♓︎
Gender/Sexuality:Omnisexual {preference for men} trans man {he/him}
Astrology: Pisces Sun, Cancer moon, Pisces Rising
Patron Arcana: king of cups
Upright - Emotionally balanced, compassionate, diplomatic
Reversed - Self-compassion, inner feelings, moodiness, emotionally manipulative
Physical Attributes:
Distinguishing marks: 6 arms, extra eye, top surgery scars (if their visual, but you’ll barely see the man wearing a full shirt, its hot where he lives)
Height: 6'4
Hair:
His hair after his deal with the magician is similar to the color of a foxes mane, it's very orange.
Naturally, his hair is very curly (type 3a curly to be specific) but he commonly started straightening it after the magician's spell grew it out so long.
His hair remains to go about halfway down his back, and he doesn't intend to cut it, despite the fact he kept it short for his 20s.
Eyes: His 3 eyes are simply white, no pupil, no iris, again, another prospect of the magician's spell. But he remains to be able to see out of all of them
Face claim: Adarsh Jaikarran
{for now, I may find someone who suits his age better, but he reminds me a lot of young Jayda}
Important Relationships:
He has one child, Kita Laure, who is the product of him and Zahra being together before either of them transitioned, and Zahra discovered she was simply only into women. He’s never talked with him, as after Kita got sick as a baby, him and Zahra attempted to cure him with the local doctors. When Zahra had forgot to pick him up from treatment, the couple of healers decided to make Kita their own family member and left across the country.
Zahra and Juno remain to be the people he cares about the most, Zahra being his friend of 26 years, and Juno being his friend of 8 years. He holds them higher than anybody in the world.
He remains to be an orphan, no mother or father to his knowledge.
Favorites
Favorite food: Sashimi
Favorite drink: Chamomile tea
Favorite Flower: tiger lillies
Background/Other Info:
Jayda grew up similarly to Asra in a way, living off the streets with nobody to raise him, only learning from the books he stole and the lessons he was taught by strangers. Sure, the people of his city got to know him, and he even got many of them to give him free stuff, but nobody offered him a home. He remained on the streets until the age of 16, when he met Zahra, who had ran away from a forced marriage.
It's important to note that Zahra wasn't as open with Jayda as she is now, but her parents had attempted to force her to de-transition, when they could not make her, she was sold off like cattle, and when the man no longer wanted her, her cold dead stare every night haunting him, they DID force her to de-transition, and they gaslit her back into the closet, so ergo why she left, and why Jayda met her pre-transition. {you'll most likely see this repeated in her ref, but it's important to note that Jayda met her this way, which is why I included it here}
At the age of 30, Jayda seeks out the Magician, who offers him one wish. Jayda wishes to be more virtuous, to be a man of the people, and the magician grants him that. Of course, working with a major arcana can have its drawbacks, so Jayda is changed into an almost completely different man. The once confident man had gained the gift of awareness, which has made him hypersensitive to every single thing he does, including his actions and physical state. The gift also helps him be more on top of his work at the palace, so it's not the worst. His third eye is for sight, to be seeing clearly and all knowing, so that he can help those around him. And his 6 limbs, which are for strength, with so many arms, surely he could help out all of Roya at once? {he can but it's utterly exhausting}. His hair turning from the beautiful chestnut to the interesting orange was a reminder from the magician to Jayda, a piece of him, so that he will never forget the gifts he was given. Not that Jayda ever could, as he's lived this way for the past 12 years.
What he looked like Pre-Magician:
Style Preference/Clothing:
Semi-similar to Juno, except he likes much more vibrant clothes (unless he's trying to match with Juno and Zahra) He likes form fitting shirts and tops {though he generally just wears a vest}, and flowy pants or skirts for his bottom half. He too wears a lot of jewelry, and he adorns himself In a lot of rings and necklaces. Mind you, none of his clothes are bought, they're generally made by himself, or adjusted due to his 6 arms.
{its too hot for him to be layering, but you might find him with a scarf or some fabric tied around his waist}
Dynamic? How is he with others?
Jayda's more of a people person than most, even if he struggles to socialize with people. He enjoys talking to the people of Roya, getting to know them, giving them advice, helping them. He just prefers it to being alone. He spent most his life that way, so he'd rather not continue that.
This means it'll be a lot easier to make friends with him! Sometimes he'll start conversation, but generally it may take you speaking to him first. Jayda is the sort to enjoy both intellectual conversations and goofball sessions. He is silly, and he likes to joke around a lot. He is a bit more sensitive though, so he's not the type to laugh if you joke about his appearance or personality.
As your friend, he'll definitely go out of his way to plan things for you two to do together, he likes hosting events for Juno just so he can invite you most times {being an event coordinator has its perks sometimes}
Now Jayda, unlike some of my characters, definitely gains 'crushes'. But it's not over simple stuff, he has to have a deep connection with you for him to really develop feelings for you. At the same time, he'll be far too scared to tell you. And trust me, this man could see you 4 times over 14 years and still not tell you he's madly in love with you. It's not a fear of commitment though, just a fear of rejection.
That being said, he's probably one of my most lovey dovey characters there is. He's extremely affectionate, both physically and emotionally, he loves to praise his partners, love them unconditionally, and keep his hands on them ALL THE TIME. He's a lot more charming and bold when you give him the confidence of actually dating him, it's not just a fickle crush, you actually love him, and that makes him so much more prideful.
He'll often come cuddle up with you in his round bed with all the pillows on it, most likely lulling you to sleep so that you can take a nap with him before dinner. He's also keen on dates, and he's never one to hesitate with going all out for you. Unlike Juno, he won't spoil you with gifts bought with money, he'd rather make something for you, something sentimental. It's special to him, just like you are.
Jayda is always available for interactions, or ships, so if you're curious, feel free to send an ask!
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#ok so when people say that lucio doesn’t need the approval of the people he's wronged i get really mad#approval is the wrong word... more like forgiveness?#or at least showing he has the capacity to take accountability for his action#he orphaned asra and left him for dead#asra was stripped of his culture and his support system because lucio wanted his arm to be *unique* if I'm remembering asras route correctly#muriel was made to kill people for Lucio’s entertainment#when i see people saying that lucio doesn’t have to confront those he wronged because 'the world isn't fair' it hurts#fiction doesn’t have to be unfair#even if the world is cruel fiction doesn't have to be#fiction is controlled by the writer ITS NOT REAL LIFE#the devs chose to have those terrible things happen to poc#the devs chose to have them perpetrated by a white man#did they really forget that fiction has an effect on reality?#Lucio's route feels like a slap in the face me#how are you going to let a child seperator and an enslaver get off scot free#I swear to god it's so tone deaf#maybe I'm overreacting though#I do know that I want to cry#because once again it feels like the irl struggles of poc were used as character building#I'll delete this in like five minutes cause this is the most I've said publicly on how much I don't like lucio
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"I'll still be waiting" - Asra x reader
||Reblogs are welcome!||
||Note: you will be addressed as "you" the whole time without mention of any gender specifications.||
Special lines
+ "I'll still be waiting"
+ only readers pov
+ Mc from The arcana is included-
+ and its not you! (☞ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)☞
+ lost memories
+ death
+ a lot of angst
"I'll still be waiting!" You exclaimed to the little boy as he waved back at you with a huge smile, yelling "bye-bye!"- not once stopping his speeding pace towards the forest. Asra- only seven years old- had been a mischievous child. Always discovering ways to uncover trouble, even in the most unpredictable situations. But that's something you liked about him. Even if he was basically a "trouble-causing orphan peasant" as your parents put it and that caused conflict between your relationship with them, not that you cared to begin with." spending so much time with that brat will ruin our reputation" they remarked at the dinner table. "you have to make new friends that won't wound your image as our child." they declared another day at a gathering amongst other wealthy families. But you didn't heed, nor did you ever bring it up to Asra- too engaged in listening to him gush about how he outsmarted the count yet again.
🂡🂢🂣🂤🂥🂦🂧🂨🂩🂪🂫🂬🂭🂮🂱🂲🂳🂴🂵🂶🂷🂸🂹🂺🂻🂼🂽🂾🃁🃂🃃🃄🃅🃆🃇🃈🃉🃊
"I'll still be waiting." You said with a polite smile as he wandered out of sight, you had more responsibilities now at the age of 14. This would soon take a heavy toll on the meager time available to spend with Asra, but he was determined to find a way for you two to unwind and have fun. Whether he had to magic his way in, which could mean literal, figurative or even both at the same time.
🂡🂢🂣🂤🂥🂦🂧🂨🂩🂪🂫🂬🂭🂮🂱🂲🂳🂴🂵🂶🂷🂸🂹🂺🂻🂼🂽🂾🃁🃂🃃🃄🃅🃆🃇🃈🃉🃊
"I'll still be waiting..." You spoke to him as you watched the now seventeen-year-old grin back, dramatically tipping his mask as if it were a hat and slipping through the crowd of people. He had been dead set on selling masks for the masquerade. One he had created for you as a souvenir of sorts rested on your silky bed. The way it was formulated fit your features very well.
He had forever been an imaginative and skillful person and this wasn't a new revelation to you. You were convinced he would trade all his masks within a few twinklings and bounce back with his reward and a bag of pumpkin bread as he talked about everything that happened, the emotion radiating from him as his eyes sparkled every time he had told a tale.
Waiting was all that occurred that day, as you had refused to attend the masquerade- much to your parent's displeasure and the scolding and lecture you'd receive after they had returned. The possibility of punishment was just as high too.
"but it was worth it" you thought as you visualized his violet eyes glimmering with thrill as he picks at his fluffy white hair, the moonlight illuminating his golden-brown skin as he sat on your windowsill, speaking in a hushed tone as to not alert your parents. The thought of just such a simple situation left you giddy as a warm feeling coursed through your stomach. Butterflies.
Non of that actually happening, as you lingered by the windowsill, counting stars then switching to poking at the your lavender coloured crystal hanging on the black lace around your neck. One similar to his blue one he always wore. He had given it to you once as a gift. It was one of the main causes of the way you felt towards the oblivious magician. Receiving a gift randomly, without the reason of a celebration does that to a person.
Unbeknown to you, he had just been aqcuanted with another magician. One he had grown a liking to at first glance.
🂡🂢🂣🂤🂥🂦🂧🂨🂩🂪🂫🂬🂭🂮🂱🂲🂳🂴🂵🂶🂷🂸🂹🂺🂻🂼🂽🂾🃁🃂🃃🃄🃅🃆🃇🃈🃉🃊
"I'll still be waiting..." You flashed a quick smile, a bittersweet feeling welling up in you as you waved back at not just Asra, but his new companion this time. They looked adorable together... This had been quite an unexpected surprise the first time you heard about it. Asra ran back to you as you welcomed him with the usual polite smile- yet more natural than the ones anyone else receives.
The first thing he mentioned was how he had come upon someone who had owned a magic shop, which was nice- delightful even. He was finally branching out and making more genuine friends other than you and Muriel, which you were also acquainted with.
This was all terrific until you caught a glimpse of how he glowed brighter when he was talking about mc, how a darker shade of golden brown tinted his cheeks as he brought up their response to something he had said that night. He was... Quite fond of them wasn't he...
🂡🂢🂣🂤🂥🂦🂧🂨🂩🂪🂫🂬🂭🂮🂱🂲🂳🂴🂵🂶🂷🂸🂹🂺🂻🂼🂽🂾🃁🃂🃃🃄🃅🃆🃇🃈🃉🃊
"...I'll still be waiting" you muttered to yourself, understanding full well he hadn't given attention to your reply as he scurried out of the library- heading to another. He had confessed to you about mc's unfortunate passing a few weeks ago because of the plague and you had comforted him to your best abilities. Not familiar with death of someone you cared about to begin with just yet.
Countless nights you had stayed over at the shop as you let him bawl his eyes out on your shoulder, wiping his tears away as he had cried himself to sleep. This had gotten you punished numerous times but, "Asra deserves better..." You thought as you recalled his tearful Amethyst shaded eyes.
It had become a routine for him to suffer like this. Moving around from library to library, searching for books he refused to reveal to you and to always end with his head on your lap as you ran your fingers through his soft hair, tear-stained face now dry as you worked on gently wiping them away.
This caused your heart to ache as your chest felt tighter every time you had witnessed this. He was depressed. Broken even. You didn't like seeing him like this. He deserved better. He had the right to happiness, and you could barely do anything about it.
🂡🂢🂣🂤🂥🂦🂧🂨🂩🂪🂫🂬🂭🂮🂱🂲🂳🂴🂵🂶🂷🂸🂹🂺🂻🂼🂽🂾🃁🃂🃃🃄🃅🃆🃇🃈🃉🃊
This time you did not say anything as you observed him leaving, having a voyage of your own. Discovering what he had been up to was not a troublesome thing as you were somewhat gifted when it came to things like this and picked up and pieced together things almost instantly, quicker than any typical individual could. He was setting in motion, a ritual of sorts. Looking into Lucio was even simpler as you easily found out most of the rules like how he needed 22 willing people and only had...five...
A direct approach to something this complicated was not an option as this evolved a lot of obvious change and conflict in the future and the only thing left to do was help indirectly. But you'd do anything to catch a glimpse of him smiling and recalling something he and mc had done together while you listened in silence just one more time. As bittersweet as those memories still are for you- he was happy. "And that's all that matters"
"Pomegranate juice..." You mumbled, a tired smile slowly growing as you silently shook your head at the thought, inspecting the huge wine decanter further. Your reflection caught your attention as you looked into the glass. You appeared tired. Dark circles under your eyes and hair between the lines of disheveled and decent.
You had drawn a syringe out of your sleeve and over Asra's glass as you watched it dribble into it. The lavender- yet water-like liquid mixes with the pomegranate juice.
Already feeling more strain on your limbs, you sauntered out of the room in a involuntarily slow pace. He had found trouble yet again, but you'd be always there for him, watching his back from afar. After all, he was worth it.
🂡🂢🂣🂤🂥🂦🂧🂨🂩🂪🂫🂬🂭🂮🂱🂲🂳🂴🂵🂶🂷🂸🂹🂺🂻🂼🂽🂾🃁🃂🃃🃄🃅🃆🃇🃈🃉🃊
"I'll still be waiting." You grimaced as you waved his worried glance off, closing the window of your bedroom as a coughing fit took over you. You had been intentionally keeping distance from anyone at all, much to the maids, especially Asra's concern. It could not be helped as they would know something they shouldn't know.
About three days ago he come back to you with a new circumstance. One you understood more about than he did but you feigned ignorance nonetheless. Mc was back in Asra's life and he was feeling much more optimistic. Somewhat at least. Knowing a plenty about the ritual, you had taken account to the memory loss fraction. He didn't remember much himself but mc was way worse.
Not as disastrous as they could've been, the light-purple liquid had been a tremendous undetected help on their portion. This enabled mc to have a better connection to their assigned Arcana Card. The fool. This also assisted them further as they now could not be threatened by the same menace twice in a lifetime.
This was not a regular element to hand out causally, as it had taken an immense toll in the core of your mystic abilities and soon, your body. As days pushed by, you showed up to be even more sickly, gazing up at the stars with a light smile as you reflected on how Asra was doing at the moment.
"He wasn't crying anymore" you muttered to yourself with a bitter laugh as you ran your hand through your disheveled hair. Silence soon came, drowning your thoughts as you perched at the vacant terrace in a lull silence.
Closing your eyes, the wind gently brushed against your face as you listened to the trees brush up against each other, calmness being disturbed as you started desperately panting for air and coughing more violently from time to time.
There was a little secret you had never confessed to anyone just yet though, not your parents, the few friends you had, or even Asra himself.
The secret was...You were slowly dying thanks to your little concealed stunt.
A pained smile was all you could muster as the moonlight illuminated across your face, wind gently shifting trees around. Weak ends of your clothing moving along at the peaceful pace.
It felt pleasant to you, unaware of how this would be your last night on the terrace, last night gazing at the stars, last night worrying about him.
Last night being alive.
You'd always be there for him though, after everything that had happened, nothing changed as the same line was the last line you'd ever recite.
"...I'll still be waiting..."
🂡🂢🂣🂤🂥🂦🂧🂨🂩🂪🂫🂬🂭🂮🂱🂲🂳🂴🂵🂶🂷🂸🂹🂺🂻🂼🂽🂾🃁🃂🃃🃄🃅🃆🃇🃈🃉🃊
#Asra#asra x mc#asra x reader#asra x reader angst#angst oneshot#angst#the arcana#the arcana x reader#asra route#one sided love#heres some tissues :
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Name: Eris Zaramoza (chosen name); Yin Abo (birth name)
Age: 26 years old
Sex: Female
Sexuality: Pansexual
Zodiac sign: Scorpio
Birthday: November 5th
Patron Arcana:
Death (Major); Queen of Cups (Minor)
Occupation: Magician and Shopkeeper; Former Necromancer
Height: 5'7" (1.71 m)
Weight: 64 kg (141 lbs)
Relatives:
Sethos Abo - older brother
Nuwa Abo - mother (deceased)
Kek Abo - father (deceased)
Xié Dongmei - aunt (deceased)
Origin: Born in Venterre, but grew up in Vesuvia
Race: Half chinese, half egyptian
Powers: Blue (astrology) and purple (divination) magic. Also has an affinity for controlling and summoning water
Intelligence Level: On a scale from 1 to 10, she's a 7
Backstory:
She was born in a small home in Venterre. Her father was already dead at the time of her birth, her brother only 5 years old and her mother deadly sick.
Only two days after her birth, her mom passed away, from the lack of proper medication. Sethos knew that she was way too young for him to take care of, so he tried to seek out their aunt, who lived on the other side of the city.
That night, he sat under a makeshift shelter with his baby sister, but he was so hungry that he had no other choice but to leave her there and try to find some food. Eventually, Yin started crying, which a passerby heard and when they found her, they took her with them.
Sethos was utterly crushed when he came back and she was gone... He tried to look for her, but he was so exhausted that he passed out in the middle of the street. Luckily, he was found by a woman with children and brought to her place.
When he had woken up, he explained his situation to her. The next morning, the woman helped him travel to his aunt's home. But by the time he got there and told her what happened to his sister and mother, Yin was already on a ship heading towards Vesuvia.
There, she was brought to an orphanage, in the South End, where multiple kids and babies from different places had been found, to be taken care of by people whom founded the building. She grew up a rather lonesome troublemaker. The caretakers were kind people, but the kids were mean. So she had no friends.
Soon enough, the adults had realized that most of the kids had no names, couldn't remember them or never knew them. So they took to liberty to name them, but because there were about 30 children and 15 adults, there was a lot of confusion and mis-naming.
They decided to teach the kids to read and write when they were old enough to understand the concepts, and on their 7th birthday, they'd choose their definitive name, something that they felt represented them.
And so, Yin Abo became Eris Zaramoza.
On that day, she met two kids that both looked younger than her. One was small and frail. Porcelain skin, black hair, mismatched eyes. Her name had been Saiya. The other was slightly taller than her. Umber skin, magenta eyes, jet black hair. The caretakers often called him Sykes. They were both known troublemakers and apparently, best friends.
They offered her to become friends and although she'd been sketchy about it, she agreed. They were her first friends, after all.
Years later, the three of them became inseparable and two new children joined their group, both of them noticeably younger. One had skin the color of limestone, ashy blond hair and silverish eyes. The other had dark espresso skin, curly chestnut hair and jade green eyes.
They were often referred to as "accidental troublemakers" because they did naughty things without even realizing it. These four kids became her kin, her family. For years upon years, the five of them brought migraines to the entirety of Vesuvia with their shenanigans. They were known as "the southenders".
The orphanage had a set rule. Despite the caretakers doing their best and raising the kids as their own, by the time Eris reached her adolescence, the amount of kids had doubled.
The set rule was that, once the kids would turn 17, they'd have to seek a home of their own. Eris is the eldest between her and her friends, so she had to leave first.
Heartbreaking as it was, they'd anticipated this for months. They'd made plans to try to find their roots. Upon talking with the adults, the one who'd found her so many years ago told her she'd been born in Venterre, near the west-coast.
After a couple of tear-filled fair-wells, she promised to visit from time to time, and then left to find her bloodrelatives. A couple of days later, looking through her instructions and map, she stood in front of an old, small house.
On the porch, a young man who looked to be in his early twenties, was seated there. She called to him, asking if he could help her out. When he looked up, shock was written on both of their faces.
He had grey-ish short hair and sapphire blue eyes. His skin was just a little bit lighter than hers, scars on his nose and lips. Same round nose, same almond eyes, same strong eyebrows. The resemblance was groundbreaking, almost like looking into a mirror.
Though she never met him, she knew, deep down, that they were related. He was utterly convinced he was dreaming but she reassured him he wasn't. They didn't hug, for they barely knew each other, but they both cried. She was invited in his home, where their aunt had been preparing dinner. Eris' presence brought her to tears.
In the next few hours, while they dined, she learned that their names were Sethos and Dongmei, and that they were her older brother and aunt, respectively. She learned of her parents and their unfortunate fate, of the night Sethos lost her.
It was a relief to learn all this, and although she wanted to head back to Vesuvia, to her friends and find a home, she spent a couple of days with them. Dongmei mentioned that she had an abandoned magic shop in Vesuvia from her youth, close to the center of the city. Giving Eris the key, she told her to make her home there.
Once back home, it was time for Count Lucio's yearly Masquerade. There, she met Asra, whom she soon became close with. When she learned that he was an orphan, and had no place to stay, she offered him to live with her in the shop. It needed some repairs and a lot of cleaning but it was a start.
Years passed and they became closer. Unspoken feelings hanging in the air, but something stopped them from confessing. The Red Plague had arrived and it was taking anyone it could grasp. Eris and Asra, while discussing the situation one night, had an argument.
In the years he'd taught her magic, she'd also taught herself necromancy and wanted to help the plague doctors with the dead, possibly reverse their fate. But Asra didn't agree, "magic isn't supposed to work that way" he said.
So she ran away, found Julian and became his apprentice.
Soon died from the plague...
And the rest is history.
Personality: curious, caring, bold, kind, polite, calm, patient, self-less, motherly, gentle, open-minded, truthful, loyal, trustworthy, out-spoken, honest, stubborn, too forgiving and can never hold grudges for long
Interesting facts:
The small scars on the right side of her jaw, left collarbone and left shoulder are all from fainting while trying to get back her memories. Every time, she had the unfortunate luck of hitting something and scarring her skin.
She has a huge scar on her left thigh but she doesn't remember how she got it.
She also has an "apple of discord" tattoo on her right shoulder.
God forbid you ever make her wear gold, she cannot stand it. She only wears silver.
Although she's an ambivert, she leans towards introvert.
Hates lying and liars in general.
HAAAATES Lavender. Do not put her near those flowers.
Appearance: Sienna skin tone, wavy waist-length silver-white hair, bright ice blue eyes, pear-shaped fit body, B cup breasts.
Familiar: Kage, a sarcastic silver fox that can actually talk.
Voice claim: Margot Robbie
Full sprite:
Lmao sorry for the backstory being so long but.. My inner writer kinda jumped out. 😅
ANYWAYS I FINALLY DID IT, I MADE ERIS' BIO AND SPRITE!!
By the way, HUGE PROPS to my lovely beyotch @sahana-anand for giving me her bio template, it helped me SO MUCH. Thank you, love, couldn't have done it without you!
Hope you'll show some love to my girl Eris!
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Thinking about… Muriel and Vida’s relationship
Muriel and Asra were two orphans Tía Duende took a liking to. She saw their potential with magic and while she didn’t take them in herself, she’d always give them odd jobs around the shop. Muriel built the chicken coop that she kept, replaced shingles on the roof, handyman stuff that she’d always say she was too old to handle anymore.
He’s very close with Asra, who is in love with Vida, so he’s mostly there as a stick in the mud keeping them from goofing off a reasonable young man keeping them from getting swept up in each other. (yay earth signs!) Tía Duende calls the trio “Los Expósitos” her little foundlings.
Vida cares for him a lot, and they have a lot of the same traits (hermit bros). One of the ways they bond is just sitting quietly near each other, each doing their own thing, and sharing food.
Muriel lives in the woods for most of the pre-canon events, and isn’t there when Duende and Nica die, but his runes tell him that he needs to go to the shop shortly after it happens.
Duende was the closest thing to a parental figure for Muriel, but the feelings are complicated because she Was Not A Good Person. She used Asra, Vida, and Muriel for her own benefit, but she also gave them shelter, taught them a lot of their magic, and loved them.
Asra’s left, Duende is dead, and during the plague Muriel and Vida only have each other. He helps them clean out the house, and the two of them talk about their grief and feelings of isolation.
And then they kiss and Vida pegs Muriel sometimes idk grief is weird.
Ultimately a romance doesn’t work out between them. They stay close friends emotionally but Muriel returns to the woods and Vida goes to the palace. The two are always concerned about the other’s wellbeing, but they stay away from each other because neither wants to leave the comfort zone they made for themselves (hermit bros).
I think Muriel will be one of the few people Vida actually tells when they get the plague. They won’t tell anyone at the palace; they just kind of ghost everyone. Except Muriel. They give him as proper a goodbye they can because they feel they owe it to him. He’s the last one left from the little family they made over the years and they can’t leave him in the dark about the fact that they are going to die. Asra left when things got to be too much and Duende hid her sickness as long as she could. Vida wants to do the right thing for Muriel, knowing he’s the last of Los Expósitos.
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Hande Kuura: Anastasia AU
Thanks to @nvvermore, I’ve hopped on AU bandwagon. I realised that Anastasia film and musical both have excellent character dynamics in order to create this AU for my characters. I grew up watching the animation from 1997, and have been a geek of the last Romanovs stuff since I was a child. Because of these facts, I’m going to combine the film, the musical and some real life stuff left out from the adaptations to my alternative universe.
I’m probably going to write even fics about this AU in the future, but for now, I introduce the characters and their roles in it.
Warning: spoilers for Anastasia 1997 film and Anastasia musical - and well, the real events, but I wouldn’t call them spoilers.
Thank you, @juliandev0rak & @leechobsessed for positive feedback when I told about my idea!
Hande Kuura as Anya/Anastasia
crown princess Hande of Thesa (a country I’ve created around Karnassos, which is the capital of it)
in the AU her surname is Gul, after her father
though Anastasia was youngest of her sisters, I wanted to keep Hande’s age and the age difference between her and Salma the same, so she’s still the oldest child
vivacious, curious, proud, stubborn and kind
normally the crown of Thesa is inherited by the oldest son of the shah, but since Sardar and Helena don’t have any sons, Hande becomes the crown princess and heir-apparent of Thesa
in this AU Hande doesn’t have her magical abilities
like Anastasia in the musical and in real life, Hande is 17 years old, when her family is murdered - survives the shooting, but loses her memory because of it
gets the name Hanieh at the hospital she wakes up in
has a necklace with a pendant with a carving: “Together in Vesuvia” - it opens the music box
Hande is 27 years old when most of the story takes place
Julian Devorak as Dimitri
a young con-man, a former medical apprentice
in this AU Julian is only 4 years older than Hande, which makes him 31-year-old during the story (in my canon he’s 9 older than Hande)
orphaned, used to be an urchin, until his sister took him in
during his teens he was an apprentice of Nazali Satrinava, the personal physician of the royal family
only saw some glimpses of Hande during his time at the palace - dealt more with Salma since Nazali mostly treated her and sometimes even took their apprentice with them
after Sardar II abdicated, Nazali recommended Julian to leave and never tell about his work at the palace - Nazali stays with the royal family
saves his sister from execution, and they become con-men in order to make a living
Portia Devorak as Vlad Popov
due to technical and moral reasons, I’ve made Portia Julian’s big sister in this AU
she’s 12 years older than Hande, so she’s 39 years old in the story
orphaned, but as a child was separated from her brother and she got adopted by a noble, so she was introduced to the court
later managed to find Julian, got him out of the streets and offered him education and arranged a medical apprenticeship for him
as a young adult and before the revolution, she had an affair with countess Nadia Satrinava, a married woman
manages to avoid execution thanks to her brother
Lucio/Montag Morgasson as Gleb Vaganov
originally Montag Morgasson, changed his name to Lucio after the revolution
I also made him a little younger than he is in my canon: he’s 8 years older than Hande, which makes him 35-year-old during the story
in this AU part of the Scourgelands belongs to Thesa
from the family of soldiers: his father Lutz was a member of royal army and his son followed in his footsteps
later, he was promoted to be one of the body guards of the princesses
his father was a part of conspiracy against princess Afsoun (Rasputin of the story), got executed, which filled Lucio with bitterness
ends up betraying the royal family, joins the revolution
in contrast to the musical, Lucio is part of the execution group himself
becomes general after revolutionists gain control of Thesa
Nadia Satrinava as Countess Lily Malevsky-Malevitch
countess Nadia Satrinava, lady-in-waiting of empress Helena
was married to count Satrinava, a Prakran diplomat
befriends dowager prince Armas during his stay in Karnassos
when the second revolution (irl “October revolution”) starts, she manages to escape from Thesa to Vesuvia - Armas takes her under his wing and hires her
later finds out her husband is dead
during her time as a lady-in-waiting, had an affair with Portia Devorak
like in my canon, she is 41 years old when the story takes place
Armas Vuorimaa as Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna
dowager prince Armas of Fintrike (a country I’ve created around Hjalle, which is the capital of it)
Mielikki Kuura was queen Mielikki I of Fintrike, died like in my canon
royal family of Kuura governs the country - an ancestor of Mielikki, part of the Forestian minority, was chosen by election, but they changed the system. so the title was given to their issue after their death
after Mielikki’s death Armas becomes a regent, until their oldest child, Paavo, becomes of age
in Fintrike the crown is inherited by the eldest child regardless of their gender
after Paavo becomes the king, Armas first stays in Hjalle as his son’s adviser - after the birth of his first grandchild (Hande), Armas moves to Karnassos
has a house in Vesuvia, moves to there permanently when Hande is 8 years old, gifts her the music box - their lullaby is sung in Hongas, so the language is one of the key elements in this AU
Afsoun Gul as Grigori Rasputin
princess Afsoun of Thesa, adviser of Sardar II
first child and daughter of shah Kourosh V and empress Aytan (in Thesa the crown is inherited by the eldest son)
strong-willed, refuses to marry anyone, and searches for magicians in order to practice her own abilities
has huge influence on her brother, who trusts her about almost everything
has her magical powers, and is called “the witch” by her enemies
uses her magic to treat Salma during her numerous illnesses and ailments
unlike Rasputin, Afsoun isn’t womanizer (she’s still aroace in this AU)
though, she is rumored to have an affair with her brother’s wife
is assassinated at the age of 49 by some members of the court, including Lucio’s father Lutz - this happens a few months before the first revolution (irl “February revolution”)
Sardar Gul as Tsar Nicholas II
shah Sardar II of Thesa
second child and first son of shah Kourosh V and empress Aytan
becomes the shah at the age of 26
falls in love with Fintrikean princess Helena - at first his parents oppose the marriage (they didn’t like Fintrikeans), but after Sardar’s father’s health declines, he allows his only son to propose
though, unlike Alexander III, Kourosh gets to see his first grandchild before his death
Sardar is a loving husband and father, but mediocre, indecisive and conservative as a ruler (like Nicholas II)
is executed alongside of his family at the age of 43
Helena Kuura as Empress Alexandra Feodorovna
empress Helena of Thesa
second child and first daughter of queen Mielikki I and prince consort Armas of Fintrike
falls in love with the heir-apparent of Thesa, prince Sardar
like empress Alexandra, Helena is shy and reserved which is seen as arrogance by common people of Thesa
is fascinated by magic, relies much on Afsoun’s abilities when it comes to Salma’s ailments
has great influence on her husband, especially when it comes to the officials of the court and government, also manages to carry through the exceptional law which makes Hande the crown princess of Thesa
is executed alongside of her family at the age of 42
Salma Kuura as Anastasia’s siblings
princess Salma of Thesa
I decided I won’t create other siblings for Hande, so Salma is still the only one
she doesn’t have tsesarevich Alexei’s hemophilia, but is otherwise sickly
very close to Hande, also friends with Asra
becomes acquainted to Julian when he’s apprenticing with Nazali, sometimes tells Hande about “a nice boy” who kept her company when she was sick
is executed alongside of her family at the age of 15
Asra Alnazar as “himself”
there wasn’t a suitable role for him in the film or in the musical, so I created my own, is still a year younger than Hande, like in my canon
a childhood friend and later a companion of crown princess Hande
his parents were part of service staff (Aisha was nanny and tutor, and Salim tutor of the princesses)
Aisha and Salim are part of the few staff members of the palace who voluntarily stay with the royal family during their imprisonment, and Asra being a teenager comes with them
Asra loses his parents, because they are executed with the royal family
is ordered to help the soldiers to get rid of the bodies, and notices that Hande is actually alive
hides her and brings her to a hospital
is the one who tells the hospital staff that Hande’s name is Hanieh
in order to protect Hande and himself, leaves and tries to rebuild his life on his own
Muriel as “himself”
there wasn’t a suitable role for him in the film or in the musical, so I created my own, like in my canon, is 5 years older than Hande
orphan and former urchin, has supported himself as a street fighter (among everything else)
meets Hanieh after she arrives to Karnassos with amnesia
the duo becomes friends, and they help to support each other
Muriel arranges work for Hanieh, also teaches her to fight
is supportive of Hanieh’s dreams to travel to Vesuvia one day
doesn’t trust Julian, but hears that he can arrange a visa for Hanieh, so he tips Hanieh on the opportunity
Muriel doesn’t know Hanieh is actually a princess
If you’re not familiar with my other characters, here are some links to help to understand this AU:
Hande’s family tree
introduction to Hande’s immediate family
introduction to Hande’s paternal family
introduction to Hande’s maternal family
#The Arcana#fan apprentice#Hande the Apprentice#Asra Alnazar#Julian Devorak#Portia Devorak#Lucio#Montag Morgasson#Muriel#Nadia Satrinava#headcanons#Anastasia au#my writing#my work
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Don’t Shut Me Out (Salice x Asra) Day 11-Defining Moment
@arcana-echoes
A peek through the lens of Salice’s defining moment while her, Asra and Muriel were teenagers (long before the events of the game) in Asra’s point of view. Inspired by this writing prompt list.
Warning: This contains blood, gore, and a Devil worship ritual. So it might not be for you. If you decide to read or repost, I really appreciate you doing so!
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Asra jolted upright, violently coming out of his sleep. Sweat slicked his bare chest and his pants were sticking to him. His breaths were ragged and sharp. He had just awoken that horrible nightmare... He always saw the same thing. She was naked, drenched in blood, drowning in pyre, screaming his name. But he was sure now that it wasn’t just a nightmare.
It was a prophecy.
He scrambled out of the pallet on the floor, flinging the blankets away. He didn’t bother to put on clean clothes. He just grabbed the nearest shirt and struggled to get it on; in his haste he didn’t realize it was inside out. Asra scanned the dark room, finding some boots and hopping into them.
All his racket woke Muriel, who had lain on the floor next to the teenager. In the dead of night, he had crawled out of bed and had asked Asra to put protections on him, snuggling up to him and quickly falling asleep. This was not uncommon for them around this time. Asra had put his arms around his large friend, left to decipher what was happening to the girl that lived miles away in the city.
“Where are you going?” Muriel wiped the sleep from his eyes and stared up at the lanky, handsome orphan. He was hardly an orphan anymore, just about grown. Him and Muriel both.
“Salice is in trouble.”
The blankets fell around Muriel as he sat up and frowned.
“What kind of trouble? She can take care of herself.”
Muriel had always disapproved of Salice. Ever since they were kids, he sensed something off about her... evil inside of her. He didn’t want Asra around her. He felt like she would hurt him. Asra would always say that she hasn’t hurt him yet. Muriel knew different. She was hurting his heart.
Asra yearned for her all the time, his heart seemed to break every time he visited her. She would push him away. One time after the next, she would just push him away. ‘It’s not her fault,’ Asra would say, accrediting her inability to be reached and to be loved to everything that she had been through, what she was going through right now. ‘She wasn’t always like this,’ Asra would say. Muriel knew better.
She would never love Asra in the way that he has. The way he wanted to.
Asra looked at Muriel with a certain desperation that Muriel despised. Why was he so hellbent on rescuing this girl?
If his friend was going to travel miles and miles for some strange girl, he wouldn’t be doing it without a coat. Muriel helped Asra into the fur cloak that he had made, slipping it over one shoulder, then the other.
“That’s what I’m trying to save her from.”
Asra was nearly out the door when Muriel had grabbed him by the hand. He placed a little charm of herbs in Asra’s palm, beseeching him with frightened green eyes.
“Don’t get hurt over her.”
Asra was speechless. He didn’t know whether to thank Muriel or to feel insulted by him. That’s all Asra was willing to do. He wished he could take some of her hurt away from her. He couldn’t no matter how hard he tried.
He took the charm anyway, giving Muriel a firm nod of determination. Then he was out the door.
The night was clear and very, very cold. December was finally here. Asra was thankful that this blasted year would finally come to an end, but the trouble wasn’t over yet. The Devil was strongest during this cold winter time. How foolish Asra was to think that he would leave Salice alone. This wasn’t the first time she had seen him in her dreams. Why wasn’t he there to protect her?
The angry wind whipped at Asra’s nose, turning it pink as he tore through the forest. He had never run so fast in his life. Something was very wrong. Salice was closer to death than she had ever been. He felt it.
Soon trees gave way to small cottages as he approached the outskirts of the city. Asra leaned down on his hands and knees, the icy knives of crisp night air ripping through his lungs. He still had a mile or two to go before he was at her shop.
Vesuvia was still busy on this night, and carriages and rikshaws bumbled through the streets clumsily. He didn’t have any money and even if he did, he could run faster. So that’s what he did. He ran.
Asra pushed passed people on the road, squeezing through them expertly. A few of them fell, but he didn’t have half a mind to care. Salice was the only thing in the forefront of his consciousness. He could almost smell her singed hair, her metallic blood. Something was very, very wrong.
Asra could see the sign of Dabney’s old surgery center. The porchlight was off, and the only indication that someone was inside was a faint glow coming from the upstairs bedroom. Salice’s bedroom.
Asra rattled the door and managed to open it without needing a key. She hadn’t locked up after closing?
He walked inside. Things were pristine and in order down here, the counter clear of any messes. The only thing that made Asra nervous was a stack of old books on the table. They had been neatly set aside, almost methodically. They were old, the leather peeling off like dead snake skin. The pages were yellow and well worn, making the books rise like molding bread. He had never seen these books before.
He shook his head, running up the stairs. “Salice!” He calls, coming up on the door to her room. There was a oppressive stench of wormwood mixed with something Asra hadn’t smelled before. He felt the heat coming through the door. There seemed to be some type of forcefield, like a vacuum seal. It kept whatever atrocity inside, Salice trapped with it, and everything else out.
Asra jerked the knob. The metal seared his hand, it was so hot. He cursed to himself. The door was locked anyway.
“Salice! Open the door!” He calls.
There was no answer. Asra knew she was in there. He heard her breathing. It was labored, tired, desperate. He heard her soft voice, raspy. She didn’t answer him because she was having a whole other conversation with somebody else.
“I’m trying. I’m trying, okay?”
This whisper didn’t sound like Salice at all. It was her voice, sure, but it was hollow and empty. It sounded so hopeless, like she was on the verge of tears. Who was she talking to? She had to be possessed. Asra didn’t like this.
“Salice!” He shoulders the door, trying to break it down. His voice goes stern. “Whatever you’re doing, you need to stop it. Let me in!”
“What do you mea-” she says. She sounded like she was pleading with her mystical accomplice, like something wasn’t fair. She was interrupted by it. It spoke in a low and unpleasant racket, like the garble of a demon. Asra couldn’t understand the guttural noise, but she clearly did. She snapped.
“I’m doing it!”
Asra becomes more violent, throwing his body weight against the door. Over and over, it shook and rattled, resisting his manic attempts to get in. The energy inside was holding it up, bulwarking the door to impassable strengths. Otherwise, Asra would’ve splintered it a long time ago. Whatever was in there with her was talking her through something... and Asra knew now what it was.
She was trying to communicate herself, back into the hands of the Devil.
“Salice! Please!” Asra’s voice broke.
Tears filled Asra’s eyes. He knew that this door and this blasted forcefield were the only things between saving the love of his life. How could he be so helpless against it?
Asra took a step back, mentally flipping through all the magic that could break through hell’s wall. His eyes glowed white as he shot bouts of water from his fingers. The magical forcefield evaporated it on contact. He tried lighting next, the spell fizzling out right as it left his fingers. Asra tried everything, even took to scratching the fading oak wood, his hands bleeding by the time he was finished.
Asra slumped against the door, his bleeding fingers leaving streaks down the from of the glowing wood.
“Salice... Don’t shut me out. Please.”
“Asra?”
This time, Salice’s voice was shocked, pitiful, but nonetheless a little more normal. Asra’s eyes widened and he clambered up, pressing his mouth against the door. He yelled her name, trying to reach her over the thickness of the Devil’s aura.
“Salice, can you hear me?”
There wasn’t an answer. She must’ve sensed me, Asra thinks. There has to be a way I can reach her. Then he has an idea.
Asra frantically searches through the house, looking for her pendant. She had a necklace, Asra remembers, one that she said her sister gave to her a long time ago. It carried Salice’s magical energy in excess. She’s had it all her life and it had become a special magical item for her, since she’s never had a familiar. Asra needed this pendant... then maybe he could reach her.
Asra comes before the Lifthénta altar on the mantel over the counter. She had put it up a few days before, it seemed like, along with some herbs and candles alongside it. She always puts her most valuable possessions in the altar, as an offering to her parents and perhaps this time, to the Devil.
Asra spots the old necklace, piled up next to the altar. He also sees something else:
A broach he had made for her a few years back.
He and Muriel made masks and sold them at the Masquerade, but she didn’t want a mask. She thought they were pretty, so she had bought one for Dabney, but she didn’t really want one. Asra asked her why.
“Make me something I can wear all the time. That way I can always think of you.”
He thought for weeks about what to make for her. So he decided that he would make her a broach to wear on her dresses and blouses. She was absolutely ecstatic when he gave it to her. She would always tell him how many compliments she got on it from the customers and the patients and even in town. Every time someone would ask where she got it, she would brag and say it was one of a kind. “Almost as handsome as the person who made it for me!”
This was before she sunk into this manic depression, shutting everyone out. This was before she became obsessed with her past. This was before she distanced herself from Asra. To know that she still held this broach dear to her, dear enough to put on her Lifthénta altar... It let Asra know she still cared.
His eyes softened. That’s all the attention he gave it before gabbing the necklace and running back up the stairs.
“Salice, are you still there?”
There was no answer. This made Asra fearful.
Asra took a deep breath held out his arm, wielding her pendant in one hand. It dangled from his fist, swinging like a pendulum. Salice’s aura, the beautiful color of Orasan coral, swirled about the necklace. It was strong, stronger than Salice’s own presence inside the room. Asra could feel her fading on the other side.
Asra combined his power with the power of Salice’s pendant, concentrating it into his other hand. He laid it on the burning door, the heat no longer affecting his skin.
He willed the barrier to crumble. He willed it to disappear. He willed it to be so.
And it was.
A wave of heat escaped the room, battering Asra, causing him to stumble back. An unnatural screeching came from the inside of the room, and Asra was sure he had banished the accomplice along with the forcefield. It sounded deafeningly loud, then quickly dying out into nothing. The heat dissipated, leaving the hall as cold as the air outside.
The barrier was broken, only leaving a normal bedroom door.
This was his chance.
Asra scurried to his feet, barreling into the door and breaking it down. He knew it was bad... but he didn’t know how bad.
All the furniture had been pushed up against the walls, clearing the center of the bedroom. The rug had been rolled up and stashed in the corner. There were salts and herbs scattered all over the wood floor in strange patterns, homemade candles were burning in a circle. A small sacrificial altar was in the middle of that circle and a pile of ashes next to it... probably what Asra had just banished: The thing that Salice was talking to. The smell was terrible. What Asra noticed next almost made him sick.
The blood.
Asra couldn’t believe how much there was. It was everywhere. It dotted the floor in splatters, covering the most of it, like Salice had been dripping in her preparation. Deep red streaks were smeared all over the wallpaper. Gory handprints stamped the curtains and the bedsheets and almost all the surfaces in the room, like there was a battle. Like there was a struggle.
Then Asra saw Salice in the center of the floor.
Her bloody hands gripping a shining amputation knife. There were gashes all over her arms and chest. Her nightgown stuck to her, drenched. Her hair was held back by a ceremonial pin. She had been draining her blood into a silver goblet on the floor, studded in jewels. Her hands were shaking, and hardly any of the blood made it into the cup.
“Stop it!”
Asra issued a gust of wind that extinguished the candles and blew the tumbling herbs and salts into piles at the corners of the room. Salice didn’t try to stop. She only got more frantic, more urgent, cutting herself again.
Asra was on her in a moment, grappling with her over the knife. She resisted, struggling against him with a strength that Asra didn’t know she had. Asra’s hands slipped against her wet wrists as he shook her violently, trying to get her to stop. She managed to cut his hand, causing Asra to reel back in pain.
“Let me do this, Asra!” Salice screamed. Her voice was back to that strange cacophony of despair. She was crying hysterically, her tears mixing with the blood dappling her face. Writhing back and forth, kicking, struggling. Those were the only things she could seem to do. She was entranced. “I need to do this!”
Her green eyes met Asra’s purple ones. They were normal. Asra’s heart sunk. She wasn’t possessed. This was how she really felt.
This scared Asra more than he had ever remembered.
“No you don’t!” Asra sternly yelled, shaking the knife out of her hand. It clattered to the floor and he kicked it away, sending it underneath her armoire.
Salice wailed, reaching for the goblet of her blood. Asra kicked that too, sending the precious liquid rolling across the wood, seeping into the cracks between the floorboards.
“What are you doing? I need that!”
She ripped away from the magician and planted her hands in the blood. She tried to scoop it up, save it from being wasted. She looked like a fiend, deprived of her last hit. Convulsing, reckless, not in her right mind.
“No you don’t!” Asra grabbed her shoulders firmly. She didn’t even notice how his hands squished against the open wounds. The pain didn’t affect her.
“Yes I do!”
Asra got on his hands and knees with Salice, continuing to shake the fight out of her. Her head rolled in agony, in pure neurosis. Asra thought her neck would break. Still he didn’t stop shaking her.
“I need you! I do! I need you, Salice!”
Asra drilled this into her head, his own tears welling up. All of his anger, his sadness, his relief that he had gotten to her in time. It was coming out of him almost as freely as her blood. His words seemed to reach little part of her that was still sane. Asra brought her back to herself, however much of it that was left. She lost her resolve, little by little, until she was a bawling mess.
“I need it Asra...” She repeated. She looked at the overturned goblet, then looked away like it hurt her too much to do so. Her voice was heartbreaking. Asra had never heard such anguish before. He’d never be expecting to hear it from her.
He wrapped Salice in his arms as she cried. He couldn’t do much but lay with her, the both of them out of breath from their wrestling.
“I’m sorry... I- I’m- Asra... I’m so sorry....” She whimpered, turning to liquid in Asra’s hold. She knew what she had done. How much she had hurt Asra, the foolishness of her actions.
Absolutely none of her was working anymore. She was completely broken.
All Asra could think about was the possibility of losing her. How close she was to being in the Devil’s grasp. How could she feel like this was her only option?
“Salice... you don’t owe them anything, do you understand me?”
He looked into her eyes, shattered glass gems, shining the color of peridot. Salice just nodded silently. She didn’t have the will to speak.
“Your family... you can’t give them anything more. Your life is not some kind of offering. It was a gift...” Asra nods with her to make sure she understands.
“A gift that you need to cherish. We’ll do that together, okay?”
Salice folded into Asra’s arms again, crying into him. She was so relieved. If she hadn’t had Asra in her life... who knows what might have happened. She knew she had been grasping at fleeting straws. She knew that whatever she was doing with the Devil... it wasn’t going to help her.
She knew that Asra is the best thing that ever happened to her. He was showing her that her life was valuable... that she mattered.
“I love you so much, Salice.”
The Orasan girl’s words were unintelligible through her sobbing, but she had told him. She had told him that she loved him too.
Asra didn’t know how long they stayed there, crying together. The scene was an absolute mess. All that mattered is that he had saved her.
Asra had saved her.
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Love Like Yours Fest 2020
Ch8: Free Style
A lot has happened the last year. After Ramona woke up, she found her magic gone. She tried to do even the most basic things, but no. It was gone for good. She began to work with plants, growing them for Asra to dry or work into potions. She had a lot of help from Muriel and Julian, who helped inform her which plants would be most beneficial to help people, where she could find them in the forest, and how to cultivate them to help them flourish.
When Ramona had fully regained her strength after curing the plague, she and Asra had gone and eloped, only telling their friends after they returned from the honeymoon with matching gold bands on their finger.
Upon their return to Vesuvia, they learned that Lucio had been replaced as Count, banished from Vesuvia and her surrounding territories. Nadia had taken up the role as leader and was favored by the people.
Another surprise was that Ramona's effects on the chains binding Lucio worked all the was back to their source. Whatever was being bound by those chains were now free, including a very familiar-looking couple.
It happened when Asra and Ramona had been at the shop, though they were closed. Asra was busy upstairs when there was a knock at the door. Ramona answered and found two people standing there.
"Hello, my name is Salim and this is my wife, Aisha. We heard this is where we could find Asra?" The man said. Ramona stood there with her mouth agape. Their resemblance to Asra was so uncanny, there was no mistaking who these people were.
"Yes, one moment." Ramona ran upstairs, a big grin on her face. She popped into the kitchen where Asra was making lunch.
"Hello, Lovely. Taste this and see if it's good?" Asra said.
"That'll have to wait." Ramona said. "There's someone here to see you."
"Who is it?"
"You'll see." Ramona pulled Asra away from the stove and down the stairs. Upon reaching the bottom if the stairs, Asra froze.
"Asra?" Aisha breathed.
"Mom? Dad? Is it really you?" Asra asked. Faust poked out of Asra's scarf and noticed the snakes wrapped around Aisha and Salim.
Snarents?
Asra stepped forward, then ran into his parents' arms. They hugged each other tight, all smiles and tears. Ramona found herself tearing up at the sight. Asra glanced at her and opened the hug to include her. She eagerly ran right in, not one to skip out on affection. They were warm and snuggly and everything she'd hoped parents were. They parted and Ramona remembered her manners.
"Oh! Please come in. We were just about to eat lunch. Would you like something to drink?" Ramona asked. They all moved up to the living area upstairs. Ramona started some tea, while Asra finished their lunch.
"So, Asra, are you going to introduce us to this lovely lady?" Aisha asked.
"Oh, right! Um... Ramona, these are my parents. Mom, Dad, this is Ramona. My... My wife." Asra introduced.
"Oh, my. We really have been gone a long time." Salim responded.
"Welcome to the family, Ramona." Aisha pulled Ramona into another hug. "You really must catch us up on everything we missed."
"Yes, how did you two meet?" Salim asked.
Asra and Ramona retold the tale of their meeting over their meal. Everything from meeting at his makeshift fortune telling booth, to eloping.
"I'm so sorry we couldn't have been there through any of it." Salim said, putting a hand on Asra's shoulder.
"Where were you?" Asra asked. "You left for work and... You just never came home. I waited and waited, but you never came back." Ramona stayed silent, simply reaching over and holding Asra's hand. Asra had never mentioned his parents, not even once. Considering he lived at the docks with the other orphans, she just assumed they were dead, so she never asked. Meeting them now, she's so glad she was wrong.
"We were working in the palace, creating the Count's prosthesis." Salim began. "He was upset about this and that, and eventually he just threw us in the dungeon."
"After a while, he had us sent to the Devil's realm, locked behind a door with fiery chains." Aisha added. "Though, just recently, out of nowhere the chains obliterated and we were free. We didn't hesitate to escape with our familiars and find our way to you."
"We had no way of knowing how much time had passed here." Salim explained. "You've grown so much. And you're quite the talented magician, from what we've heard." There was pride in Salim's voice. Asra smiled shyly.
"Not as talented as Ramona. She's the one who broke those chains across realms. She stopped the plague from ever returning." Asra replied. "Though, her magic hasn't quite been the same since that day."
Talk of magic evolved into magical mishaps that Asra got into as a child. Ramona absolutely lost it at the story of the Teapot Incident™. Aisha and Salim didn't miss the look of pure love in Asra's eyes as he watched Ramona cry-laugh in a fit of giggles. They regret not being in Asra's life, but they were happy that their child found love, especially in such a charming young lady.
After quite some time of catching up and getting to know the in-laws, Ramona offered to let them stay at the shop with them.
"No, no. As newlyweds, I'm sure you wouldn't want us hanging around. We can find a place of our own." Salim replied.
"But we promise to visit again, soon." Aisha added. They said their goodbyes and Asra and Ramona were left alone in the shop.
"How are you feeling?" Ramona asked.
"Still in shock, I think." Asra answered. "Part of me feels like their return is just some kind of dream."
"But it's not. This is real." Ramona replied. Asra smiled and kissed his wife.
"It's been so long... But I'm glad they're back. And I have you to thank for that, Mrs. Alnazar." Asra kissed her again. And again. And again...
...
It was a lazy afternoon, where Asra and Ramona spent the day simply cuddling in bed. Ramona hadn't been feeling well the past few days, so just to be safe, they decided to spend the day resting.
"Asra?"
"Hm?"
"Remember when you went to visit Muriel the other day?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Well, while you were out, I went to see Julian about my illness."
"And?" Asra asked, leaning up on one elbow to get a better look at her. "What did he say?"
"Well..." Ramona played with a lock of her hair, avoiding eye contact. It made Asra nervous. "I haven't been feeling well because... I'm... Expecting." she finally looked over at Asra. She could practically see the wheels turning in his head, a light in his eyes when everything snapped into place.
"Expecting?" Asra asked.
"Yes."
"As in... A... Baby?"
"Yes."
"We're gonna be parents?" Ramona nodded. Asra teared up. He let out a laugh as tears streamed down his cheeks.
"Please don't cry, mi amor. That's gonna be my job." Ramona said, wiping his tears away.
"I'm sorry, it's just... I have a family. I spent so long alone and now... I finally have a family. You, then my parents, and now... a baby! I..." Asra was at a loss for words. So, he held Ramona close. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her neck. She wrapped herself around him in turn, giving back as much love and attention as she was receiving.
A thought struck Asra and his eyes widened.
"What is it?" Ramona asked.
"We have to hide all the teapots." Ramona erupted into giggles. It was like music to Asra's ears.
⋆✴☽◯☾✴⋆
@lovelikeyoursfest
This was fun. I hope we have another event like this in the future! 💖
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Reunion (MC/Asra)
Summary: Asra goes to the Lazaret, following the magic of his lover he separated from after they chose to stay and search for a cure to the plague. Painful memories of their life drive him to search for a way to bring them back as he drives himself to the farthest points of exaustion.
Fluff/Angst
Feat. Apprentice Pomme (They/Them)
Word count: 3,230
“I’m sorry,”
The words echoed in some kind of space. Sorry for the pain, sorry they couldn’t do anything, sorry for the argument, sorry they didn’t just listen.
Asra felt it, though he couldn’t hear it. He felt the remnants of their fleeting magic clinging to the putrid air of the Lazaret and he knew he was too late.
The last pieces of his lover’s magic led him to their remains. If anyone could even call them that. Ashes mixed together from so many others, bones splintered and black that were crushed underfoot and buried unceremoniously by thin layers of other people’s remains.
The feeling of willow leaves brushing against his skin told the magician he was there, standing amid the remainder of them.
He fell to his knees, clothes stained with the ashes of those lost to the plague, gripping at the blackened sand as he dug. They had to be there. There had to be something left of them, something for him to hold onto or… Or say goodbye to.
Asra’s fingers bled and itched as the sand and ash mixed together over his cuts, but he didn’t wince. There was too much at stake for him to take even just a second away from his pursuit. They had been in much worse pain than he was, he owed it to them to keep going.
Something foreign poked just barely out of the earth beneath his hands and the magician dug as if his own life depended on the discovery of the treasure.
A single leaf from a willow tree twirled between his thumb and forefinger and he knew exactly what it was. Nothing green or pleasant grew on the cursed island where the sick were sentenced to die. Everything was charred black and dying on this disgusting piece of land in the middle of the sea, but not this.
This one green leaf shone so brightly in the dark decay of this world that Asra knew exactly what it was. A final manifestation of his lover, their favorite tree, the place they took Asra for their first kiss, the solid form that their magic took whenever they conjured or reached out to touch Asra’s mind.
His watering eyes were so focused on the leaf that he almost missed what else was unearthed in his frantic assault on the beach. A bit of yellow tassel sewn onto magenta fabric, the same he worn slung around one shoulder.
“It matches your outfit and travelling cloak! Come on, Asra, I’ll wear it too, if you’d like. There’s only four left and he said he would give us a discount! Think how nice it would be in the shop!”
A memory, a phantom tugging at his mind. So painful now he screamed as the tears fell down his cheeks. His heart pounded and ached, threatening to burst away from his ribs and tear itself apart.
Still, there was something else in the dirt. Asra didn’t want to pick it up, he didn’t want to see it, or know it still existed. If it wasn’t there, wasn’t real, then his lover would still be here, still be alive.
With trembling fingers he scooped up the last remaining piece of them and touched the gem that hung from his neck. A golden earring with a blue crystal dangling from the end, the crystal a near perfect twin to the one on the cord around his neck.
He remembered this earring so well, remarking at the clumsy craftsmanship that brought it together. He made it so many years before; before he thought any of this life was a possibility.
He sat behind a magic shop trying to sell masks and jewelry he made for extra coin. The night of the Masquerade would certainly bring him more business than usual. And it did! He already made enough money to buy he and Muriel a few decent meals and some fruit from the market.
Things might have been looking up for the orphan when a slender shape fell into his makeshift stall, swearing at the crowds just outside for pushing them around.
Asra stared in wonder at the stranger, never seeing anyone so beautiful in his entire life. When they noticed the dirty boy, they smiled and apologized for their harsh language and Asra knew he was lost at the way their bellchime of a laugh circled around his heart.
They looked at the things Asra sold and their face lit up as they noticed his simple necklace, the first he ever made. Asra offered to give it to the stranger, but they declined with a gentle chuckle.
“I would love some earrings with that same gem if you ever happen upon it again,” They had said and Asra eagerly agreed. The stranger slipping a hand into their pouch and setting more than enough coins on the tattered fabric the trinkets laid under. “I hope I can see you next year, your creations are beautiful.”
A down payment he hadn’t even asked for, all for some earrings. But he made them, dozens of them, just so the stranger would stay longer and Asra could just listen to them, talk to them.
They saw each other for so many years after that it seemed only natural that Asra would move into the magic shop the stranger (No longer a stranger, now) shared with their aunt. Great Aunt Fleur gave Asra a job immediately, complete with a room and meals and a safe spot to practice magic. The stranger he fell in love with had been known to use magic as well, making them an easy favorite at the theater where they lived as a dancer and performer.
They fell in love. And everything seemed wonderful. Their magic melded so nicely with Asra’s it was almost insane to think they weren’t meant to be. The stranger… No. Pomme. Pomme was a light Asra never thought he needed, and dare he imagine… He was happy and life could be happy, and he would continue to be happy.
Until life said otherwise.
The plague that chased through town after town finally took hold in Vesuvia and Great Aunt Fleur was one of its first victims. She tried to beat it, tried to mix remedy after remedy to beat it away from her Vesuvia, but she just couldn’t fight it anymore.
Great Aunt Fleur was all Pomme had left. The same plague ripping their family apart one by one until they were the last with the name Monell.
Asra was scared-- terrified-- of losing Pomme, too, and he begged them to run with him, to leave Vesuvia and find somewhere where they could live together away from the looming cloud death cast around them.
But Pomme said no.
Their whole family was gone and everywhere they looked, they saw other families being torn apart by the same disgusting sickness.
There was a group of doctor’s who were studying the plague, trying to find a cure, and a Doctor Devorak had agreed to take Pomme as an apprentice.
They weren’t a healer, but maybe their magic could do something.
There was yelling.
There was crying.
There was begging, bargaining, pleading.
And there was stubbornness.
And then there was a door slamming and the sound of rain on the roof.
Asra would always regret that night. He could have stayed. He could have made them leave. He could have done a lot of things.
But now he would have to live with his choices as he dragged himself from the beach and into the boat that would take him back to his life.
The empty magic shop groaned in the night as Asra stepped through its door, still covered in ashes, still clinging to the last pieces of Pomme he found.
There had to be something he could do, something to reverse time, or the plague, or… Something to let him be with Pomme again.
It took time but Asra found Julian Devorak and learned that the Count Lucio had hired the doctor to cure him of the plague. Rumor had it that Lucio had brought the plague from some far distant land that he laid claim over in his pointless wars. Maybe if Asra couldn’t bring Pomme back, he could at least get revenge for them and their family.
Asra joined the doctor and marketed himself as an entertainer for the Count and a spiritual counsel, “Someone from beyond may have an idea how to stop this plague,” Asra had said. No amount of magic was needed to convince the dying Count, desperate to save his own disgusting life.
It took even longer for Asra to learn the patience he needed to deal with Lucio and Julian. Both whiny, both needy, all in different ways. His only solace was Countess Nadia, a level head to confide in and trust.
Days and weeks passed before Asra had found a solution. An old ritual talked about in an even older book stashed in the oldest part of the library of the palace. It was risky to say the least, but any chance he could take to bring back Pomme was well worth it.
It was difficult to convince Lucio to proceed with the ritual to contact the Arcana, but the dying man listened and forced his wife, doctor, and courtiers, to participate in whatever way the magician needed them to. Julian was making no headway with his science, and so magic seemed the best possible choice from there.
The night came and Asra tried his best to feign his nervousness. Any chance to be with them again, any chance to be with them again, any---
“It’s possible, but I’ll need something in return.” The Magician ran a nail through the hair on his chin, a sly smile dancing across his face.
“Anything,” Asra was almost too eager to reply. All caution thrown to the wind in his hunt for resurrection.
“My, my,” The Magician laughed. “So quick to make a deal before you know what I want. Then I’ll forgo my usually monologue and get right to the point,”
Asra watched as his teacher paced around the space between them.
“You’ll need to give up someone in exchange, not necessarily an equal just---”
“Lucio.” Asra wouldn’t hide the disdain in his voice and the intensity made the Magician laugh.
“Very well,” The fox continued. “And then you’ll need to give up something for Pomme to return, to live. It’s harder than you think to bring someone back from the dead.”
Asra felt his heart drum in his chest, pounding against his bones and sending blood rushing through his veins. His hand flitted up to cover the spot his heart was and felt the vibrations beneath the skin and muscle.
“The deal is struck.” The Magician cooed without Asra even needing to say a word. A brilliant light flashed before Asra’s eyes, blinding him, and a searing pain ripped through his chest, like his heart was being torn apart by greedy hands.
Asra woke on the floor of the magic shop a dull throb in his temples as his eyes stung against the morning sunlight. People were shouting in the streets about the palace, and nothing good was being said. A fire broke out mysteriously and the Count was dead, burnt so fiercely that nothing but ashes remained and settled in his chambers. Doctor Julian Devorak was to blame but he was nowhere to be found and the Countess--
Asra shut the windows, blocking out the sounds of the world.
Lucio was dead and Asra was still alone, no matter what he did or sacrificed. Pomme would never return to him.
The magician had given up, lost his lust for a future and delved into the darkness of his depression, thoughts occupied by memories of his lover and plans on how to join them in the afterlife.
But then… Then something happened. Faust slithered along the countertop of the shopfront and hummed eagerly until Asra looked at her. He felt something and could tell Faust felt it too.
The snake swayed anxiously, tail pointing towards the stairs until Asra woke enough to pay full attention to her.
Friend! She urged. Friend!!!
Up the stairs? Friend upstairs where Pomme’s things were? Pomme? Up?
Asra’s feet drove him to the stairs and up the cracking wood two at a time until he nearly fell face first into the wall of the small living area. The small bed was closed off from view by a woven tapestry hanging by a low hanging beam and Asra took hold of it roughly and ripped it from its resting place to reveal
Nothing.
Just the bed and mountain of pillows and blankets and thin layer of dust. Asra nearly collapsed as the icy grip of realization pulsed through his veins.
Faust slithered along the floor of the living space, tongue flicking as she went, he path clearly set to the small window facing towards the docks.
“Faust don’t do that.” Asra grumbled, a sob choking his words. “Don’t get my hopes up. Pomme isn’t here, they’re--”
There!!! The little voice of his familiar screamed in his head as she pressed her tail forcefully against the glass, pointing towards the docks.
No, past the docks. Out on the water. Out to the Lazaret.
Heart! Oh, if only the snake could communicate in complete sentences.
“Faust, do you mean?” He didn’t have to finish his sentence as the snakes head bobbed furiously up and down.
Pomme was there. Faust could feel their heartbeat, Asra’s heartbeat calling through the wind. Asra felt something familiar, too, and opened the small window only to feel a full force blast of the magic he would recognize anywhere. Leaves tickling his face and hair so urgently that he swatted at the feeling with no relief.
The sensation petered out but was still there, a faint trail that Asra could follow.
And follow he did.
The tapestry was still clutched in his hands as he ran full force to the docks, jumping in the first empty boat he found and setting the ocean into a frenzy as he forced the tides to carry him out to the island coated in death. The gondolier yelled obscenities at the young man from the dock but made no attempt at chasing the magician, especially when he realized the course his boat was set towards.
The sense of magic grew stronger the closer to shore Asra got and the boat had just barely touched the sandbank when Asra lept from the vessel and ran across the black sand, into the forested land, and out again onto the sandy plain he had been led to before.
What he saw made him drop onto his knees once again.
Covered in ashes and curled into themselves was the naked form of his lover, in the flesh, alive, breathing, trembling.
Hot tears rushed down Asra’s flushed cheeks as he crawled towards the form, each step brought Pomme’s name to his lips as he sputtered and grasped at their arms, shoulders, waist, anything he could feel to know they were real.
Their body was cold from the night in nature and Asra’s vague realization of the fabric in his hand came quickly as he covered their body in it, rubbing their arms to start heating them.
He was so excited to see them alive that he hadn’t noticed that they hadn’t noticed them. Pomme hadn’t lifted their head, hadn’t moved their arms, legs, body, anything even as Asra touched them.
Cradling their torso and head in his head, Asra lifted them into his arms and moved their long curls away from their face to see them, preparing for the worst. But what he got was somehow more terrifying than when he learned they had died in the first place.
Pomme was staring at Asra, awake and something that Asra would describe as alert, but their eyes were glazed over, staring at his face with no recognition of who he was.
“Pomme, are you alright? It’s Asra. It’s me, Pomme. Do you hear me?” Eyes searched the dirty face as empty eyes stared back, inspecting, analyzing.
They were alive but they were not much more than a shell. Their memories were gone, they couldn’t speak, couldn’t walk, couldn’t do much more than blink and breathe.
Asra carried them to the boat, set them in safely, and carried them up and along the docks towards their home.
People who knew the dancer gasped and hurried away from the sullied magician as he walked the streets of Vesuvia. They had never seen anyone return from the Lazaret, especially when they heard that no one on the island was alive anymore. But there they were, just as if they were never sick.
When Asra closed the door of the shop, he wasted no time taking Pomme up the stairs into the living space they shared. Asking the salamander in the stove to heat the kettle and some water as he balanced the form of his lover on their feet in front of the bathtub.
Barely did Asra even release his grasp on Pomme did the latter stumble and fall into Asra’s arms. He noted that they gripped his shirt for help, refusing to release the fabric even as Asra steadied them into the tub and lowered them to sit in the warm water.
For weeks the magician was patient and slow. He spoke to Pomme often, almost nonstop as he waited and hoped that they would reply. He helped them wash and feed themselves as the use of their arms and legs slowly returned to them.
When Pomme was sleeping, Asra would sit in the dark shop trying in vain to contact his teacher, the Magician of the Arcana, seeking answers and solutions. But the cards were silent, so the white haired magician poured over every magical text he had gotten his hands on.
No help would come from the books or scrolls, and Asra had pushed the heels of his hands into his eyes to fight off the overpowering exhaustion that plagued him, an irritated groan escaping his throat as he sighed in defeat, his patience for their recovery stretched to its breaking point.
Nothing would help and maybe Asra had done the wrong thing after all.
The creak of the stairs startled him out of his thoughts as he whipped his head to look at them, a dizzy spell causing his vision to blur momentarily.
Blinking the spots from his eyes, though, Asra saw something he never thought he’d see again.
Pomme stood at the bottom of the stairs, wearing nothing but his shirt, and bracing themself against the wall as they stared on in confusion and concern.
Asra had already stood from his seat and crossed the room to the beautiful figure, wrapping an arm around them to steady them as he cupped their cheek with his free hand. Tears filled his eyes as Pomme looked into his face with recognition of who he was, the person who cared for them in their lame state of being, the first face they saw, the first sensation of love they knew.
“As… Asra,” Pomme’s voice broke, sounding hoarse from months without use and Asra felt his breath stop, a smile pressing the corners of his cheeks as he kissed Pomme gently.
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Name: Libelle Abrams (chosen name); Varda Lesedi (birth name)
Age: 22 years old
Sex: Female
Sexuality: Demi-homosexual
Zodiac sign: Libra
Birthday: October 7th
Patron Arcana: Justice (Major); Queen of Swords (Minor)
Occupation: Magician, healer, painter and gardener
Height: 5'9" (1.76 m)
Weight: 194 lbs (88 kg)
Relatives:
Briella Lesedi - mother (deceased)
Abanus Lesedi - father (deceased)
Gushvin Basu - distant family friend
Origin: Born in the Catclaw Desert, grew up in Vesuvia
Race: African-American
Powers: White (purification) and healing magic, as well as telekinesis and precognitive dreaming
Intelligence Level: On a scale from 1 to 10, she's a strong 8.5
Backstory:
During the beautiful sunset of the Catclaw Desert, little Varda was born not far off from their home, where her parents had built their sculpture selling stand.
About 7 months later, while they were enjoying their time at home, their friend, Gushvin, hurried to tell them that an unexpected aggressive sand storm started heading their way.
They made sure to give Varda to him as he was faster and went ahead of them. They tragically got swept away by the storm and inhaled too much sand. They were found without breath or pulse hours later.
As selfish as it was of him, Gushvin didn't want to take care of a child, so he made sure to find someone willing enough to do that, soon running into a person who said they specifically searched for orphaned children that needed care.
After a couple of days of traveling, they arrived in sunny Vesuvia, where Varda was brought to the orphanage in the South End. There she was cared for and raised like promised.
She grew up to be one of the sweetest but most naive kids there. One day during lunch, she noticed a kid was sitting alone at his table, sulking and not eating. She approached him and offered to eat with him.
He had silverish eyes and ash-blond hair and the kindest smile she'd ever seen. She'd heard the adults call him Lucas and she knew he was kind of a troublemaker, but he seemed so lonely. They became best friends almost instantly, and always spent time together.
Some years later, when both of them were around 5 years old, they befriended three other kids, all significantly older than them. She learned that their names were Eris, Syro and Morana, and immediately became worried.
They were the biggest scoundrels in the entire orphanage, and quite honestly, all of South End. But Lucas insisted that they join their group. And she trusted him.
She didn't think that these four kids would become so important to her, that they'd become her family. But they did, and she couldn't be more thankful.
When it became clear enough to the adults that they couldn't raise nameless kids, the more capable ones took to teaching them the importance of knowing how to read and write and then they could choose a name for themselves, on their 7th birthday.
Soon enough, her sweet 7th rolled around and after months of searching, she found a name that would complete her.
And so, Varda Lesedi became Libelle Abrams.
Lucas, not much later, also changed his name, to Calyx. Libelle thought it was such a beautiful name for him.
Many years passed by with the four causing as much trouble as possible, to her unfortunate luck. But once she approached her preteens, devastating news came with them. When they'd reach the age of 17, they would need to leave, one by one, and search for a different home.
They discussed about it, made plans and set goals to find their homelands, their roots and possibly their families.
Obviously, Eris was first in line to leave as the eldest between them. Then Morana with Syro. It was only her and Calyx left. She made the promise to not abandon him there and take him with her when the time would come.
And she did. After celebrating her 17th birthday and talking with the one that had found her so many years ago, they set out to travel towards the Catclaw Desert. The journey was a couple of days long and it took them almost as much to find the one who knew about her parents.
Gushvin was sat on the bench in front of his home when they approached, and when Libelle called out to him, he recognized her immediately. There was some confusion with her name at first, but they quickly caught onto everything.
He told her everything that had happened the day she became an orphan and although he was hesitant, he confessed how selfish he'd been back then, something he regretted deeply and hadn't let him sleep properly since then.
All of the discoveries shocked her beyond belief, so much so that she wanted to go back to Vesuvia right away. After a while of mulling over everything she found out, she decided to focus on helping her best friend.
Luck had seemed to smile upon them, because Eris insisted on tagging along with them. After all, they had to travel across the sea all the way to the Macawi Port.
After even more shocking reveals about Calyx' parents, none of them wanted to know anything more, so at dawn they started back home.
Now, Libelle could focus on the things that she wanted to do most. She learned how to become a professional healer and magician, so she would help people in need. Around that time, her secret powers slowly surfaced as well.
She realized she could move objects with the will of her mind and at night, she would have visions and dreams of the future. After consulting with an expert in healing magic, she discovered that most people have these gifts and adviced her to learn to control them.
Everything was fine in her life until the Red Plague rained upon them and they each made the decision to leave Vesuvia. Well, all except for Eris. She wanted to help the doctors with the dead, confided to Libelle that she'd taught herself necromancy and wanted to reverse their deaths.
Eris had been too stubborn to listen to reason, so they had no choice but to leave her behind. Syro and Morana left for the Southern Spines, while Eris specifically told Libelle and Calyx to go to Venterre and find her brother, Sethos. He would shelter them until the nightmare would be over.
So they did, they took the first boat straight to the west coast of Venterre, where they ran into the young man in question.
When they finished explaining everything to him, he insisted they go back and get her too, but there would have been no use in doing so. His sister would have been way too stubborn to listen to anyone.
Days later, a letter arrived in their mailbox and all three were devastated to find out Eris died from the plague. Libelle and Calyx were sobbing messes and Sethos almost thrashed the room before collapsing too.
They informed the other two through a letter as well, but they figured there would be massive delays because of the distance, so they didn't expect an answer right away.
Suddenly, about 6 days later, Libelle had a dream, of Eris being alive. It had felt so real she woke up in a cold sweat and with tears in her eyes, she went to wake up the other two, shaking them hard.
She couldn't form clear words but Calyx caught onto it right away, and while with shaky hands, Libelle explained that she could sense Eris' aura and presence in the real world.
Although Sethos was very skeptical about it, he would have rather held onto the tiniest string of hope that she was indeed alive than live with the thought of losing his sister a second time.
So they wrote another letter to Syro and Morana and immediately packed their things and headed back to Vesuvia in plain midnight.
True to everything Libelle said and sensed, Eris was alive. How, they didn't know, until they spoke to Asra, one of her older friends and apparently, the one who brought her back. She was shocked to find it involved a deal with the Devil. She'd heard of the sacrifices needed to make such deals.
After about 3 years of total absence, Syro and Morana also arrived in Vesuvia and the shock cycle began again.
Not much later, when Eris got assigned to solve the mystery of Count Lucio's murder and catch his fugitive murderer, everyone offered to do something to help her out.
Though she was shy about it, she could sense that the Countess, Nadia, needed help as well. So Libelle suggested assisting her in whatever Nadia would need.
She didn't expect to catch feelings, but she didn't complain either.
Personality: shy, sensitive, kind-hearted, gentle, imaginitive, creative, generous, loyal, honest, trustworthy, observant, reliable, cheerful, too forgiving and sometimes naive
Interesting facts:
Although it isn't very noticeable, she does have a white lotus tattoo on her left middle finger.
Her wrists are littered with past self-harm scars, which the others love to kiss just to make her feel better about them.
She is very insecure about her body, but she has the others to lift her moods up when she's down.
Has an entire collection of earrings, but her favorites are the peacock feathers.
Even though she wakes up early in the morning, she usually takes a nap in the afternoon.
Her thighs and hips are full of stretch marks.
Has the biggest sweet tooth in the world.
Can play the clarinet, but you would have to really indulge her to get her to sing on it for you.
Appearance: Dark espresso skin tone, neck-length curly chestnut brown hair, dyed periwinkle blue halfway down, jade green eyes, chubby slight hourglass body shape, D cup breasts
Familiar: Lumi, a cute and sweet stoat but a sneaky little thief all the same
Voice claim: Dana Gourrier
Full sprite:
WOOOHOOOO I FINISHED ALL MY MCS' BIOS AND I'M SO HAPPY!!
My girl turned out so damn beautiful too and I'm just hhnnnnn- 😖💜
PLEASE SHOW HER SOME LOVE AS WELL!!! ✨
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