[ FEMALE / SHE-HER / POPPY DRAYTON / 26 ] — darkness calls to ( PENELLOPE “NELL” REGWYN ) of ( GULLIVERE ). the ( PRINCESS/PRIESTESS ) has been in welkin for ( 3 MONTHS ) and still works towards their goal of ( PEACE ). the watchers see ( ripe peaches and faded flowers; the smell of earth after it rains; misty sunrises seen through open windows; echoing laughs in flower crowns ) when ( SHE ) is mentioned, and their ability to ( HEAL ) may be of interest to the council. ( NELL ) has been said to be ( CALM, GRACEFUL ) and also ( NAIVE ). will power consume or control? only time will tell. —
info:
name: penellope regwyn.
nickname: nell.
birthday: april 23rd.
age: 26.
star sign: taurus.
gender: cis female.
pronouns: she/her.
orientation: bisexual.
occupation: priestess of gullivere.
height: 5'3".
about:
the youngest of the regwyns (only just), nell clung to that childhood innocence, believing that everything can be fixed with the right attitude or if you simply want it bad enough.
this has greatly contributed to her need to not let people down, she has always been a people pleaser, but only so much as it won’t get her in trouble. no that was left for her brothers whom she absolutely adores.
thankfully she still posseses the ability to use her magic, a blessing really as that is what she clings to most, without that she isn’t really sure who she’d be. but all magic comes at a cost, healing minor injuries and ailments is easy for her, but the greater the injury, the greater the strain it put on her. unfortunately she doesn’t like turning people away, so she has a habit of pushing herself too far, to the point of exhaustion, occasionally even collapse.
she has been a practicing healer for as long as she can remember, it first started with animals when she was a child running through the woods and things that other children would find and bring her. at a younger age than most other healers she began working on people, but every challenge she was given she overcame, she was and still is very serious when it comes to her studies.
nell wasn’t supposed to have come to the summit, she’d been asked to stay at home and continue helping people there, seeing as everyone else was leaving for the negotiations. there was much begging and pleading to let her go, she’d never left gullivere before and she so desperately wanted to see other places and meet other people. the soldiers that had made their way through their realm during the war had filled her head with such wonderful stories of sprawling seas, underground cities and cities that floated on water, of magic and creatures she’d never seen before. nell wasn’t a rule breaker, she was always well behaved and did what was asked of her growing up, the doting daughter, the sweetheart of a sister, but this was one rule that she couldn’t help but break.
she’d followed a few hours behind the precession of people that had marched to welkin, making sure to stay close enough to not get into trouble in unfamiliar territory, but far enough away that she wouldn’t get caught immediately.
ah, her mother. mal always was intimidated a bit by brid; something about her held all the strength his mother never did. his mother was an anxiety-ridden woman prone to dramatics and he very rarely missed her, but did feel a twinge in his heart when he thought of her.
“i am, thank you for asking.” he liked nell, despite his inclination to scorn those who were kind. he had a feeling that nell’s sentiments weren’t shallow. “and i trust you are enjoying yourself as well? despite the attack, the negotiations are going quite… swimmingly. i met the lovely princess of njoran the other day.”
Nell was indeed enjoying herself, despite the setback of the attack, things were starting to resemble normalcy again and she was getting to once again explore Welkin and meet all its guests. “I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her in Welkin, but I believe we met once when I was very little. Far too long ago to remember but I’ve met some of the other Njorans and they are remarkable. Everyone kingdom is.”
“I’m having dinner with her this evening, perhaps you’d like to join her afterwards...” Leaning in she grinned, somewhat reminiscent of a child stealing sweets from the kitchens, “... she is much more agreeable after a good meal.” She supposed that everyone was, but she’d learnt long ago not to ask for things that should have received a no, until after dinner.
in the days following the attack, bran had ever intention of following up with nell but that proved to be a bit more difficult than he anticipated since they had only traded first names. perhaps he should have asked her what kingdom saw her welcomed to welkin but bran was not really one to ask too many questions. unless he was trying to annoy the shit out of frey. while nell was not exactly a common name, he still found it a bit difficult to track the pretty girl down. after not having much luck in the corridors of feyre’s people, bran took a stab at trying out gullivere. he knew next to nothing about the kingdom but after running into an angry looking fellow with a big scowl on his face, bran got more information about nell than he originally thought he would.
not only was nell from gullivere but she was also their princess. it seemed fitting in a way but he had no idea who she was that night so it was still a bit of a shock. part of him thought perhaps it was best for him to go back to his own quarters and forget all about how he promised to train the princess how to use a sword but he didn’t really like the idea of going back on his word. at the end of the day, that was the only thing people had. he waited outside their corridors, seated outside by some rose bushes. she had to come out sometime.
She’d been kept beyond busy in the days following the attack, healing and when she was unable to provide more help, she simply sat with those that were confined to their quarters, keeping them company when they weren’t able to go about doing things. Nell had collapsed into her bed in the early hours of the morning and hadn’t stirred once till the early afternoon. Thankfully her mother had been kept occupied with discussions and hadn’t chastised her for sleeping into the afternoon.
After spending some time getting ready, she slid the blade she’d been given into the side of her boot. What would her mentor think of her carrying a weapon, would she be disappointed that Nell was considering violence? Pushing the thought aside she finally had some time to herself and thought where better to spend it than the gardens. Leaving the halls that she’d come to call home she spotted a familiar face. She had half a mind to try and sneak up on him but thought it wasn’t the best idea given he was a warrior and how the last few days had one. “Well at least I know you are a man of your word Bran.”
Iwan had long ago convinced himself that everything in life was a chore and Gullivere was a chore as well. The only thing he didn’t find tiring, the only thing he loved with all of him was Carric and Nell. She, of course, held a special place in his heart as the youngest. The love he had for his siblings was the only way Iwan knew he wasn’t totally and completely far gone. There was a dash of hope for him yet and that all was thanks to them.
Her words pained him slightly. She was too young to be so wise and to know all the things she did. How he wished she was still a baby, playing with dolls. He could protect her better then. Now he felt like he couldn’t do that. At any moment Carric and Nell could be taken from him and then what would he do? “No,” he laughed, giving her a slight squeeze. “Gullivere is far prettier than here.” He admitted. He never thought in all his years he’d be homesick for a place he claimed to hate. “I miss home. I miss it being just us.” Sure, there were some good people here but there were also suspicious types roaming, waiting.
There was a grin of pride spreading across her lips, “You are right of course brother, this doesn’t compare at all.” Tipping her head back she looked up at the trees rather nostalgically, the shadows dancing across them and the ground, as the leaves moved in the light breeze. “Yes everything here seems a lot more .. dramatic and intense. It’s rather stressful.” While life back home wasn’t always smooth sailing, there weren’t attacks and stress like this.
Leaping to her feet she shook her head, “No this won’t do. It’s such a lovely day and we sound like a miserable pair.” Reaching her hands out she waited for him, intending to pull him to his feet. “Lets go and see what mischief we can get up to.” A slight devious grin tugged at her lips, while she didn’t compare to her brother in terms of getting into trouble, in fact she was normally the opposite, she had her moments where a little mischief was good for the soul. “Maybe a cheeky drink or two.”
“i am glad, my dear. i was worried you may have had lingering thoughts as i have had, but you seem all the more stronger.” her lips curled into a warm smile as she nods slowly; although her mind was plagued by such images, being in the presence of the woman that had saved her seemed to calm her greatly. as if nothing could harm her in that moment.
“i fear my skills with a serving knife offered much to be desired, nell.” a laugh pushes passed her lips, quite different to the demure ladylike holding thya had, it was followed by that sound of a pig snort. how ladylike.
“Lingering thoughts ... sometimes, but only as far as i’m worried its going to happen again. I don’t think the peace negotiations would survive another attack.” While she trusted the guards and knights of every kingdom gathered here, it would certainly put a strain on all of them.
Waving a hand she shook her head, “Nonsense, you looked positively fearsome. But I fear it is unfortunate that young ladies aren’t taught to fight. Well at least not in Gullivere.” Giggling with her companion she couldn’t help but admit that it was a sound seldom heard these days, and it genuinely made her feel better.
he looked down at her tender display and smiled best he could. “that is good to hear, but one can’t help but worry anyhow about those they care for.” though he did believe in the healers. “would you count yourself among those great healers, nell?” he hoped she did, any healing seemed great to him. “i’m not so sure, i’ve been trying to keep busy, to perhaps avoid bad news.” he admitted, soup still in hand. he began to follow her, at her insistence. “right, of course.” he was worried they’d find her injured but he’d rather have her hurt than not at all.
Her eyes widened a little in surprise, “Great, not yet. Perhaps good, but greatness is what we strive for.” She’d always greatly admired their high priests and priestesses, and while objectively her skill was remarkable, she always thought she could do more, which is why she often pushed herself so far into a burnout. “When we find her, if she is in need of healing, i’ll not leave her side. That is what friends are for, no?” Smiling sweetly she was rather fond of Kore.
he chuckled and waved her off. “it’s no matter. it’s better you didn’t recognize me at all. you’re of gullivere, yes? by all accounts, you must be nell. i– knew someone from gullivere once. one of your maids. lovely kingdom.” he had to swallow his feelings when he thought of layella. while there were none at first, he did hold a sort of affection for her and her softness. all the more to ruin, he supposed. “i should go into talks with your queen as some point: ceren nouv would do well to hold gullivere as an ally.”
It only just dawned on her that perhaps she might not be the only one that wished for anonymity whilst out and about in Welkin. Curious. “Correct Sir. Oh who? Perhaps they have come here?” Now that she was staying with the rest of the Gullivere constituents she was keenly aware of who had travelled and who had returned home merely as an escort service.
“My mother would be delighted I’m sure, my brothers might not be so fond, but I’m sure they will come around. Two strong nations, it would certainly be something to behold.” Her brothers had dealt with a lot of the responsibilities of Gullivere, much more so than herself, a benefit of being the youngest she thought. “Other than the unfortunate end to the celebrations the other evening, are you enjoying yourself in Welkin Sir?”
he swept into a short bow, knowing them to be of similar titles, but it seemed as if she didn’t recognize him at all. “i am malachai ironbark, soon to be king of ceren nouv.” he did not like to brag, but he could feel his new title coming every so much closer with the passing days. “hopefully, i can help to rectify this situation to the best of my ability.”
The breath left her as she realised what she’d done, eyes wide she dropped into a deep and somewhat formal curtsey. How could she have been so foolish, she’d seen him there the night of the attack. “Forgive me, my mind is half a world away.” Not entirely inaccurate, she was occupied with thoughts of home, an innocent smile gracing her lips as she wished she’d been more attentive. “I don’t think you can blamed for the actions of a radical few. Besides, your sister and her new King were unharmed.“ There was a naivety to her that was only made from being raised more sheltered than her counterparts from other kingdoms.
When she laced her arm through his own and rested her head on his shoulder, it broke Iwan’s heart. Nell was as sweet as could be. Always had been but she was a terrible liar. He knew that she was keeping busy, yes. But doing well? Not as much. Still, he didn’t have the heart to call her out on it. Iwan never had the heart to call his brother and sister out. Especially since they were such kind and gentle souls. “Have you been eating okay?” His own way of asking her to please take better care of herself.
“No, it is not. Everyone feels that way, little one. You shouldn’t feel bad for caring for your family. Ever.” He placed a kiss on her forehead. It was uncharacteristically sweet of him but Nell and Illes were his only loves. They had been there for him always and supported him. As much as Iwan was a grump, his family was everything to him. He wasn’t sure how to answer her question though. The truth seemed too blunt and yet, he couldn’t lie to her. “I think it might but if we stick together, there is nothing that can hurt us.”
Chewing on the inside of her lip, Nell didn’t have the heart to lie again, not to mention she knew deep down that perhaps he already knew she was lying. Squeezing his arm reassuringly, it was her own way of saying that she would try. Being on the fringes of war had taught her a lot, healing those that needed it regardless of where they were from, but nothing could have prepared her for the fear and panic she’d felt the night of the wedding. How did people do it all the time?
Giving him a gentle poke in the ribs she smiled warmly, “It does not do well to dwell on such things.” Taking a deep breath she simply wished away the negative thoughts, or perhaps pushed them away until she could deal with them later, this was new to her and she wasn’t sure how to deal with it. Staring at the small garden around them she found herself staring at the trees, “Doesn’t this remind you of being back home?”
malachai inclined his head towards nell in appreciation. he appreciated that most people didn’t seem to blame him for the attack the same way that halius did. he did blame himself in part; he should have been more vigilant. he should have had james run all of the possible scenarios and account for the ironbloods. now they had a dead watcher on their hands.
“thank you very much, my lady,” he said. “ceren nouv appreciates the sentiments. we must now choose a new watcher, which may help prevent something like this in the future, and i hope our alliance with wheldrake is not damaged now.”
“I do hope that things haven’t been too hard for you.” She’d seen so many new faces, especially at the wedding now that she wasn’t sneaking around. But this one was one of the Knights from Ceren Nouv, that much she knew. “Please there is no need for such things, Nell will be just fine, but I’m afraid I don’t know your name.” There was a small wince, as though not knowing had caused her some pain, she felt that she should have been more studious and known each person from each kingdoms travelling party.
“Things might seem troublesome now, but they will no doubt work themselves out no?” Blind optimism was one thing, but she genuinely believed that if everyone at the summit truly wanted peace, then nothing would interfere with that, no matter how many people attacked them. Their strength and resolve would only grow as they united.
WHO: @regwynbrid Mother
WHEN: A day or two after the attack
WHERE: Gullivere quarters
Nell in part wished that she had remained in Gullivere, however, she knew that if there was any news of this attack that reached her back there, she would have been worrying needlessly. There was a small common area in the Gullivere parties quarters, something like a courtyard with a small garden attached. It was here that she now sat, fingers toying with the ends of her freshly washed wet hair, her nails bitten down in anxiousness as she tried to recover from her exhaustion of overusing her magic.
It was only when she saw her mother that she felt an overwhelming sense of everything, it all came crashing down on her, making her chest ache with relief that she was safe. Gathering her deep green dress in her hands she ran across the courtyard, bare feet padding on the stone tiles. “I’ve been so worried about you Mother. Are you okay? Do you need anything?” Throwing her arms around her mother she held her tightly, wishing the two of them were back home. All of them really.
WHO: @godsworn Nik
WHEN: A day or two after the attack
WHERE: Gullivere quarters ( non specific )
Nell had been keeping herself busy since the attack, not wanting to dwell long on the fact that people died, there was an attack, and that it might jeopardise future peace negotiations. After the attack she had been told not to go anywhere without one of the Green Knights by her side. She might not have listened to orders to stay home in Gullivere, but this was one order she was happy to oblige, especially as she wasn’t given much of a choice, since ditching her responsibilites back home, there had been more pressure on her to do as told. They’d spent most of the walk back to the quarters their party had been given for their stay in Welkin, “You know Nik, if you continue to look so serious you’ll get frown lines.” Grinning from ear to ear, she was never one to worry about such vanity, but she knew it might make him relax, maybe even smile. “I’m in one piece, you can stand down.”
She’d grown up around the Green Knights, not in the sense that she trained or fought with them, but rather that she was around as a medic for them, their on call healer for whenever they got into training accidents. In truth all she wanted to do was relax and she didn’t need a babysitter for that.
he recalled the young woman before him, she’d been the one to drop her flowers and he’d helped her pick new ones. she’d been kind and it struck him that she was a healer, as he also had seen her going from person to person, what a beautiful gift she had, he thought. “i lost her in the chaos and while i know she can fend for herself i’d — “ he broke off, he wasn’t sure where to go with that thought, because he wanted to embrace kore, be grateful she was alright but worry still clouded his mind. his jaw worked taught as he thought about it more. perhaps she was tending to libitina, he hadn’t checked on the royals yet after all. “she’d help if she was able.” he said with some confidence. “are you alright?” he added as he looked about the room they were in, hoping to see a head of white hair soon.
Gently placing a hand on his arm she shook her head, “I’m sure she is well, some of the best healers are working around the clock.” With a reassuring smile she took a deep breath, “If something had happened, you’d know by now.” That was what she had been telling herself for the last few hours, telling herself that everyone she cared about was well and safe. “I am well enough.” Waving her hand dismissively of the own worry for herself she started tugging on his sleeve. “Come, lets go find her.” She prayed and prayed that the young Wheldrakian was well, Nell might not have known her long, but there was something in the white haired girl that she liked.
