dependent multi-muse blog for @courtlieshq. penned lovingly by sage (28, she/her, gmt+3)
xu yichen — intro / threads / pinterest | lord & second in command of the night court
elara malgrave — intro / threads / pinterest | starsiren, lady & apprentice healer of the starlight court
seoyun virilion — intro / threads / pinterest | lady & emissary of the court of hybern
cassia valemore — intro / threads / pinterest | the tenebra, second spy of the council of asteri
( xiao zhan, 34 / 435, xu yichen, cismale, he/him ) Underneath the sparkling sky, did you see XIAO ZHAN being tipped by the Cauldron? No, that's just XU YICHEN, who is the LORD & SECOND IN COMMAND from THE NIGHT COURT. I heard that on most days they're PERCEPTIVE and COMPOSED but if you catch them on a dark night, they can be RUTHLESS and SECRETIVE. But if you really get to know them, you'll know that they vibe with THE HEAVY SILENCE THAT COMES BEFORE A CONFESSION, SHADOWS THAT LISTEN BEFORE THEY SPEAK & A SMILE THAT NEVER QUITE REACHES THE EYES. ( sage, eest/gmt+3, 28, she/her )
ABOUT
name: xu yichen
nickname(s): a-chen
age: 435, appears 34
gender: cis male (he/him)
species: high fae
sexuality: bisexual
occupation: second in command of the night court
hair: long, straight, black
eyes: dark brown, almost black
height: 183 cm / 6 ft
abilities: nightmare manipulation, darkness manipulation, illusion magic
skills: interrogation, information gathering, negotiation, stealth, swordsmanship, diplomacy (through intimidation), strategic planning
hobbies: strategy games (i.e. chess), reading, collecting old books, calligraphy
likes: watching the sunrise after being awake all night, herbal teas, family, old books, winter nights, stargazing
dislikes: arrogance, betrayal, empty promises, loud crowds
fears: letting down his family, becoming the monster some people believe he is
BIOGRAPHY
born as the only child of xu mingdao, younger brother to the high ruler of the night court, yichen was never meant to stand beneath the weight of a crown.
he was born close enough to power to understand it, but far enough away to never truly claim it. a cousin of the high family rather than a child of it, he grew up in the delicate space between belonging and being reminded that he was not quite one of them.
yet, behind the palace walls, such distinctions were never made.
not when he was a child running through the halls with his cousins. not when laughter echoed through rooms that would later become too quiet. not when loss came for his family, taking his parents away before he was old enough to understand the shape grief could take.
the children of the night court grew together in the shadow of tragedy, and yichen felt like he belonged.
when the blight came for his aunt and uncle, forcing his older cousin into the role of high lady, yichen never once left her side. while yiren carried the weight of the court upon her shoulders, yichen carried the weight of the shadows that followed.
he became the hand that moved unseen, the voice that whispered where others would shout, the blade kept hidden until it was needed. he never sought power for himself — he only sought to ensure that the person forced to wield it would never have to wield it alone.
some would call him ruthless. others might call him cold.
and perhaps they are right.
HEADCANONS
knows almost everyone's secrets, but keeps his own tightly locked away.
his parents both died in an accident, leaving yichen to grow up with the belief that even a moment of carelessness can cost you your life.
despite his reputation and any rumors surrounding him, he does actually know how to have fun... occasionally, at least.
he is terrible at accepting gifts, because he doesn't know what to do when people show affection without expecting anything in return.
