"The memories keep coming back, right when I think things are going to be okay." He looks at his hands, fingers touching skin, pulling at digits and knuckles and fingertips. Gentle pressure of life, of self. Elouan's gaze takes in his hands and how the freckles gently rest on his skin in the room's dim lighting. The fireplace crackles in the corner and his partner's soft, steady breaths drift from the bed's other side.
But those gentle breaths, ones he finds peace in, grow harsher. Louder. Heat spreads over his skin and the fire's crackles turn to sharp clings of steel. The carpet's scorching, threatening to burn his feet if they linger a second more. He sucks in a sharp breath, blinking a few times as an all-too-familiar sight graces him.
Elouan's hands are wet.
But it isn't his.
Warm, wet, smell of iron stains his arms and fingers. Elouan runs his nails along his inner palm and knuckles, much like one would with a flowing stream, as his heart thuds in his chest. The dissonance of flee versus freeze doesn't go unnoticed. He firmly swallows, looking over to the rest of the arena. Where is the source? What about his sword, his buckler?
Eyes don't find themselves on a freshly-dead body, nor a sea of roaring faces and the licking flames of wall sconces. He's met with the attic's wood walls, moonlit window, and a sleeping blond. The sands are gentle on his feet, welcoming his hot skin against the cool, soft ground.
"It doesn't get easier. It's been getting worse. But I'm not fighting, right? Does that mean it's done something?"
A pause, before he slowly shifts onto the bed. Elouan lays down, but he hesitates to near Marcel. He can't--not yet. The man swallows and tries to steady the heavy, fast thuds of his heart. Breaths are slowly drawn in, held, and let out to the same pace as that sleeping anchor in front of him. Sleep doesn't come easy, nor does it stay long.
He's afraid to close his eyes again.
"It's all gone. I'm not there anymore. This is--just memories catching up. Nothing else." A mantra repeated time and again in his mind, some flickering light in the deep, murky dark. A gust of wind threatens to extinguish his flame, but he slowly seeks out the source of warmth within reach.
Arms wrap around his partner's sides and he pulls himself close. Elouan presses his brow at the nape of his neck, seeking his shelter, his shadow, to hide in. His arms don't feel wet and sticky anymore. Blood doesn't spread over Marcel's side, nor does it stain the bed's white linens. All that remains on his arms are freckles, scars, and heat.
His own.
He takes a single, trembling breath in and squeezes Marcel's sides. They're solid against his arms, not disappearing or collapsing under his touch. He's real, he's here. They're here. Elou swallows once again and eyes study the curves of Marcel's back, finding anywhere but his mind to drift to. "It's probably because I'm safe. They get this bad when I'm safe. Marcel--he won't let anything happen to me. I won't let--I won't let anything happen to me." A skipped beat, then he tightens his hold and tears prick at his eyes.
Coerthas gradually, over time, became more and more like home to him. He'll never forget the warm sunlight filtering through the great boughs of the Black Shroud, nor the bustling of adventurers filtering through the Caroline Canopy's open arms. He doesn't forget the warmth the Shroud manifests in the lush greenery, trickling streams, and his mother's bubbling laughter in the summer nights.
He'll never forget the warmth from the Shroud, but Coerthas has started to take him in. Perhaps not the same as his homeland, but its lamplights, crackling fireplaces, and forged friendships wrought in deep conversations and tender embraces were a start.
If not influenced by his mother's welcoming and amicable nature, then it's Romilda's friendliness and patience that forged the warmth in his heart. Acceptance, too, for what is and isn't known. He can recount many afternoons sitting in the Canopy, watching the airships do their rounds and exchange adventurers like marketplace gil. Whenever he sees the highlander's silver armor and red hair, it's like Starlight all over again.
Those Starlights have come and gone; he can't remember how long it's been since seeing his knight in shining armor.
Coerthan snow crunches underfoot, slowly giving way to the Falon Nest's cobblestone. Elouan strolls up the ramp and his side aches in remembrance, but he doesn't give it a soothing touch. Instead, he walks on with Soleil as his shadow in the growing sea of people. Elou finds himself passing House Knights and adventures, a mix of greys and coppers and golds of armor, until the glint of silver catches his eyes again.
Silver shining under the Coerthan sun, not unlike the blades and spears Ishgard's knights hold at Her gates. Instead of protecting a nation, this protects a memory. Memories, many times over, that have since been drowned and lost in sand, blood, and tears.
Elouan's breath catches in his throat and his heart skips multiple beats. Is--she's still--?
She's here?
"Romilda?"
The name escapes his lips before he can close them, voice soft and easily lost to the wind. Part of him hopes it's forgotten, mistake left in the past like his memories, but emerald eyes flit from a Durendaire knight to him. Elouan swallows. He freezes.
"...Elou? Mister Elouan, is that really you?" Her voice braves the cold, bringing warmth to the highlands that the Calamity eradicated. If the scar on his side is one he wants to forget, her voice redeems the area in its stead.
He doesn't feel any braver in this moment, but feet propel him forward on the innate need to know, to understand and hopefully realize what isn't a dream and what might very well be fantasy. It starts as a tepid walk and turns into a heartfelt, anxious jog over to his childhood hero. When he finally stops a fulm before her, he's no longer looking up to him. Rather, Elouan's looking down to meet her eyes. "I--I didn't know if I'd see you again. I, and--"
Romilda reaches, grabbing his hand in hers and brings him in for a hug. The paladin gives his hand a squeeze and he's wordless, swallowing whatever stammering thoughts that surface in his head.
"You did it."
"I'm proud of you, Elouan. Or should I say Ser Elouan."
She looks up to him, smile lifting her cheeks, and wraps an arm around his side for a solid, firm hug. Elouan's muscles initially tense, but those words take all the worry out of him. He melts into her hug and holds that hand like a lifeline; if he lets go, he'd not be standing. The elezen wraps an arm around her shoulders and hides his face into her hair, holding back tears as much as he can. He fails, ever the emotional thing, as they run down his cheeks.
You did it.
He did, didn't he? After all these years, he's become a paladin. All it took was one highlander and many, many afternoons at the Caroline Canopy. Elouan tries again for words, but his lower lip quivers and his breath comes out in shaky, soft draws. She just hugs him tighter, a soft chuckle leaving her lips, as she speaks once more.
"You've gotten so tall, but you're still a soft thing. I'm so proud of you, but you need to tell me your own stories, you hear?"
๐ฏ HUNDRED POINTS SYMBOL โ share three random facts about your oc that others may not know.
Details about OCs [Not Accepting]
๐ฏ HUNDRED POINTS SYMBOL โ share three random facts about your oc that others may not know.
Elouan is right handed! Yes, he writes, draws, et cetera with his right hand. He has cousins in Ishgard that he is not on good terms with, however, if only due to being from the Shroud. Don't talk about 'em? Don't know 'em! He enlisted the help of a trainer in Ishgard to teach his chocobo, Soleil, how to fly. She's the standard variation imported to the major city-states, leaving her to learn what her Ishgardian kin innately know.
๐ CHRISTMAS TREE โ what is your oc's favorite holiday?
Details about OCs [Not Accepting]
๐ CHRISTMAS TREE โ what is your oc's favorite holiday?
As answered in a previous ask: Elouan's favorite holiday is Starlight! It should come to no surprise given his friendly and kind nature. He has fond memories of helping his mother get the Botanist's Guild and all of Old Gridania set up for some snowy, starlight fun!
๐ DOWNCAST FACE WITH SWEAT โ is your oc open-minded or stubborn? are they inquisitive or do they prefer to keep to their bubble of knowledge?
Details about OCs [Not Accepting]
๐ DOWNCAST FACE WITH SWEAT โ is your oc open-minded or stubborn? are they inquisitive or do they prefer to keep to their bubble of knowledge?
Elouan is open-minded when it comes to knowledge, learning, and otherwise discovering what there is. As a wayward soul, being open-minded is a must in order to truly appreciate his travels. However, his stubborn streak can arise when relationships, work, and feelings are involved. Nonetheless, he enjoys learning for learning's sake and loves to hear others' experiences!
๐ CHRISTMAS TREE โ what is your oc's favorite holiday? + ๐ค WHITE HEART โ what are three of your oc's neutral/questionable traits?
Details about OCs [Not Accepting]
๐ CHRISTMAS TREE โ what is your oc's favorite holiday?
Elouan's favorite holiday is Starlight! It should come to no surprise given his friendly and kind nature. He has fond memories of helping his mother get the Botanist's Guild and all of Old Gridania set up for some snowy, starlight fun!
๐ค WHITE HEART โ what are three of your oc's neutral/questionable traits?
Three of Elouans' "questionable" traits are hard to pinpoint, let alone think on. I'd have to say one is very-well from his Bloodsands days: bloodlust. Elouan did what he had to do to make it in the Sands and stay afloat in Ul'Dah. Even so, there comes a point where the disgust and horror fades away for something more...cruel.
Another would be, ironically, his loyalty. He proves himself a steadfast ally for those he cares for. He'd do all that he can to protect and guarantee their safety, even when it means straying from cultural or social norms. Case in point? His best, closest friend is a heretic in Ishgard, someone time and again that proves what they both are in their core could get them killed.
Third trait? Most likely his kindness. If not for the reasons he is kind, but for how people approach it. Many people view it as a tool or a means of manipulation. When will the mask fall? What could possibly hide behind such a caring, selfless visage? In the end, however, the reality that he really is kind could be more disconcerting than comforting.
send an emoji/description of emoji to learn more about a writer's oc! many of these are taken from my munday asks meme, because i thought it would be fun to make a version for characters too! the prompts are categorized by emoji type and given descriptions in case anyone can't see the symbols. can be used for roleplayers and any general writers alike! for roleplayers, these can also be used for your interpretations of canon characters if you so desire as well!
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐.
๐ญ THOUGHT BALLOON โ what is your oc's MBTI, enneagram, and/or other personality aspects (if known/interested in)?
๐ CAR โ does your oc have a driver's license? can they drive/operate any automobiles/machinery besides cars?
โ๏ธ AIRPLANE โ does your oc like traveling, or do they consider themselves a more homey person?
๐ฎ VIDEO GAME CONTROLLER โ what are three of your oc's favorite hobbies?
๐ RING โ does your oc have any piercings? do they want any (more) piercings?
๐๏ธ BALLPOINT PEN โ does your oc have any tattoos? do they want any (more) tattoos?
๐ BOOKS โ what level of education has your oc most recently completed/is currently in (GED, undergraduate, grad school, phd, etc)?
๐ป VIOLIN โ does your oc play any instruments? what is their skill level (beginner/intermediate/advanced/virtuoso/etc)?
๐ฉน ADHESIVE BANDAGE โ does your oc have any physical and/or mental disabilities?
๐ฉธ DROP OF BLOOD โ what is your oc's blood type?
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐.
๐ถ MUSICAL NOTES โ what type of music does your oc like? do they listen to music very often?
๐ฏ HUNDRED POINTS SYMBOL โ share three random facts about your oc that others may not know.
๐ค SLEEPING SIGN โ is your oc a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? how are their sleeping habits?
๐ฑ TRIDENT EMBLEM โ can your oc swim? do they enjoy swimming?
๐บ RED TRIANGLE POINTED UP โ does your oc know how to use any weapons?
๐ถ LARGE ORANGE DIAMOND โ does your oc know cpr? do they have any other medical expertise?
๐ซ PROHIBITED โ does your oc drink/smoke? do they do it regularly, or is it more on occasion or for special events?
๐๐๐๐๐๐.
๐ RAINBOW โ what is your oc's sexual orientation/gender identity? what pronouns do they use?
๐ CHRISTMAS TREE โ what is your oc's favorite holiday?
๐ถ DOG FACE โ does your oc have any pets?
๐ CAT โ does your oc prefer a wide circle of friends or a few close friends?
๐ท PIG FACE โ what is your oc's favorite animal?
๐ DRAGON โ what is your oc's favorite mythical creature?
๐ LEAVES FLUTTERING IN WIND โ what is/was your oc's favorite subject in school?
๐ด PALM TREE โ does your oc have a green thumb? do they enjoy gardening?
๐ RED APPLE โ where was your oc born? do they still live in/around their place of birth or do they live somewhere else? how do they feel about their birthplace?
๐๐๐๐๐๐.
โค๏ธ RED HEART โ what are three of your oc's positive traits?
๐ค WHITE HEART โ what are three of your oc's neutral/questionable traits?
๐ BROKEN HEART โ what are three of your oc's negative traits?
๐ HEART WITH ARROW โ what and/or who do(es) your oc consider the most important to them?
๐งก ORANGE HEART โ does your oc tend to prioritize family or friends?
๐ YELLOW HEART โ how many languages does your oc speak? what language(s) are they learning, if any?
๐ GREEN HEART โ does your oc prefer being inside or outside?
๐ BLUE HEART โ does your oc have any cool/special powers and/or abilities? how are they with magic, if it exists in their world?
๐ PURPLE HEART โ what is your oc's ancestry/genetic background?
๐ค BLACK HEART โ has your oc killed or seriously wounded anyone before? have they broken someone's heart and/or broken someone's trust?
๐ ๐๐๐๐.
๐ BIRTHDAY CAKE โ when is your oc's birthday? how old are they? what are their sun, moon, & rising signs (if known)? what about their tarot card, ruling planet, & ruling number (if known)? do they fit the typical traits of these sun, moon, & rising signs?
๐ SPAGHETTI โ what is/are your oc's favorite food(s)?
๐ฐ SHORTCAKE โ what is/are your oc's favorite sweet(s)/dessert(s)?
๐ฆ SOFT ICE CREAM โ what is/are your oc's favorite ice cream flavor(s)?
๐ HAMBURGER โ is your oc good at cooking? are they good at baking? which one do they prefer?
๐ฅฏ BAGEL โ what does your oc's typical breakfast look like? do they usually eat breakfast?
๐ฅช SANDWICH โ what does your oc's typical lunch look like? do they usually eat lunch?
๐ CURRY AND RICE โ what does your oc's typical dinner look like? do they usually eat dinner?
๐ธ COCKTAIL GLASS โ what is your oc's favorite alcoholic drink, if they can drink?
โ๏ธ HOT BEVERAGE โ does your oc prefer coffee, tea, hot chocolate, milk, water, or some other drink? how do they like to take this drink (ex. coffee with milk, hot chocolate with whipped cream, a specific kind of tea, etc)?
๐๐๐๐๐๐.
๐ SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES โ what are your oc's career/general life desires? what do they want to get the most out of life?
๐ CONFOUNDED FACE โ is your oc an introvert, an extrovert, or an ambivert? do they let people in easily, or are they more reserved?
๐ค THINKING FACE โ what are some of your oc's quirks/mannerisms?
๐ง FACE WITH MONOCLE โ is your oc more logical or emotional?
๐ค SMILING FACE WITH GLASSES โ is your oc chatty or quiet? are they at ease in social situations, or are they more shy?
๐คฉ FACE WITH STARRY EYES โ is your oc a planner, or are they more spontaneous in their actions?
๐ฅ SAD BUT RELIEVED FACE โ is your oc prone to getting stressed out, or is it easy for them to keep their cool?
๐ DOWNCAST FACE WITH SWEAT โ is your oc open-minded or stubborn? are they inquisitive or do they prefer to keep to their bubble of knowledge?
๐ DISAPPOINTED FACE โ does your oc attract others, or do they tend to be left alone?
๐ค FACE WITH THERMOMETER โ does your oc get sick easily?
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ FAMILY WITH MOTHER, FATHER, SON AND DAUGHTER โ how many people are in your oc's immediate family? how many people are in your oc's extended family? do they have aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc? who in their family are they closest with? are they close with their birth family, or do they have a found family?
[WAIST] - sender rests a hand against receiver's waist.
already answered here!
[NUZZLE] - sender nuzzles into receiver's neck.
Touch is instinctual to Elouan. Be it handholding, hugging, or butterfly kisses all over skin or hair or lips, connecting on a physical level is what he does best. And, what he thrives best from. The room's dim lighting soothes his sore muscles from their day of work, while Marcel's arms support him at the waist. He drapes his own like a warm, comforting shawl over his shoulders and sighs. A few kisses here, a few there, and lips roam on cheeks, jaws, and mouths alike.
Elouan tilts his head back as warm breaths grace his neck and a soft kiss marks one of his many scars. He twitches his ears, breath puffing out in a pleased sigh. They sway along to the sound of the crackling fireplace nearby and the idle whispers of the Coerthan wind beyond. Three more kisses trail down his neck until Elou feels him nuzzle into the crook. Elouan chuckles, leaning his head over to protect his partner from the world. "Ah, you best be careful, I'm a little ticklish...are you tired already, Marcy?"
theartofmadeline
origamiaround
kianamaiart
turnnoffyourmind
