What if the culmination of Astrie's draconic nature isn't her reclaiming her second eye after being shown by Nidhogg. What if it was accidentally consuming Ysayle's aether when Ysayle sacrificed herself. So Astrie is literally carrying Ysayle with her but she doesn't know it until a little later.
Maybe Nidhogg points it out when he's possessing Estinien. Or maybe it's even later, when they meet Vrtra.
And now Astrie has to consider that maybe she killed Ysayle. And she hates herself for it. And then Ysayle/Shiva possesses Astrie for a bit.
And then she wonders if she also absorbed Haurchefant and that's why he couldn't be healed. And she wonders how many people has she devoured in this way.
Some dark topics below, only warning. Also some mentions of sex lol. Not described in detail.
Astrie & Nidhogg - at a few points during Astrie's dragoon training Estinien gave Astrie the Eye. During those times Astrie heard a voice. It was faint but quickly became stronger. The voice told her he was a former dragoon and his spirit became one with the Eye. He always praised her skill in battle, and she would receive glimpses of a red dragon. Astrie very quickly became enamored by the spirit who seemed to reciprocate her feelings. It was only after her fight with Estinien that he revealed she was talking to Nidhogg. Still the bond remained and every so often Nidhogg would whisper to her to join him, how she was not like the mortals around her. He tries to abduct her when they storm the aery and when he possessed Estinien tried to seduce her. Astrie very nearly fell for him but was only stopped by Ysayle's voice warning her. (And before all that, Astrie's other soul half, Sirje, had feelings for Nidhogg and those feelings dulled little it seems).
Astrie & Ysayle - Probably Astrie's first proper crush. Not based on a lie, at least. Astrie was smitten when she saw Ysayle turn into Shiva. Ysayle ignored any romantic feelings for Astrie and convinced herself she saw an ally in Astrie. Someone who could be swayed to the Dravanian side. Ysayle feels further vindicated in this belief when it's revealed Astrie's got half of a dragon's soul in her. In some ways it turns to Ysayle idolizing Astrie and Astrie becoming uncomfortable with it. Ysayle also tells herself that she merely finds Astrie cute (like a moogle) and that is all she feels about the vierelezen. It's not love, just admiration for a cute (sort of) half dragon.
Astrie & Estinien - The first person Astrie feels sexual feelings for, not just romantic. Not that she never had sexual thoughts before. Just never felt them (or perhaps so strongly before). At first she thinks she's a pervert and seeing him as only a lust object so she tries to avoid him. Estinien, however, is purposefully tailing her and finding excuses to be near her. He wanted to throw her against the bed the night he visited her room. He only resisted due to her touch aversion. Everything is calm on the Star now, he knows she's fine with touching him now. He's making a move. Or trying to. She's skittish after all. He's her first, and she's completely frazzled by what happened and even that she's in a relationship. Although in the beginning even after the first time they're kind of a bit of a her running off and him chasing her down, kind of thing. One thing Estinien developed after Nidhogg's possession was a taste for chasing. So he very much enjoys the hunt.
Celestin & Ysayle - Met at Tailfeather, both orphans due to the war and both looking for comfort. However Ysayle became sure of her role as Shiva reborn and carried a sort of guilt for the genuine feelings she had for Celsie. In her mind she was betraying Hraesvelgr by loving another. She ends things before becoming Lady Iceheart. The last time they're together is after she left Ishgard with her followers. She tells him everything that happened and then after a night together she leaves. Her death hits him hard. Leaves a mark in his mind. If (when) she came back... it's hard to say what their relationship would be. Celestinaux is taking things one day at a time.
Celestin & Heustienne - Heustienne travels around Dravania and Celestinaux spends the aftermath of Ysayle's death and the end of the Dragonsong war trying to assist the other heretics adapt. At some point they'd cross paths. Maybe a heretic who wasn't happy with the outcome of the war went on a rampage and they both went to stop them. Very much just a casual hook up(s). Both being lonely (yes Heustienne has Orn Khai but he's a dragonling). (Maybe he even helped her escape the Bloodbearers before fucking off).
Estinien & Ysayle - What else but enemies with benefits. The two start off hating each other. But Ysayle yearned for companionship. She has needs. Her options were limited. Astrie was too dangerous because Ysayle likes her. Celestinaux is equally dangerous for the same reasons. Estelle seemed too prudish to Ysayle. Estinien was the best choice. And yet there's comfort to be found with him. It's not quite romantic but he's no brute when they're together. It's as if he too needs something from her as well. Had things been different. Had there been no dreams of Hraesvelgr or Shiva, maybe they could have been something different. Who knows...
Estelle & Aymeric - Met as children, Estelle's mother working as a seamstress for Aymeric's mother. She left Ishgard to study at the Studium before her growth spurt and when he sees her again at Camp Dragonhead he's taken aback for a moment on how she has grown up and filled out. He tries to keep things very courtly, and she can't help but tease him. Only slightly, as she's painfully aware of their differing social classes. He gets very jealous when he learns of her ex fiance and her father's attempts at finding her a new one. The only reason he doesn't make a move is because he wants to see Ishgard's safety first. And with Ishgard's safety secured he still hesitates, if only because she has her own duties to Eorzea. But when he gets the chance to fight by her side, afterward he shoots his shot. That's when Estelle's teasing stops and she becomes absolutely flustered. A lady in all senses it seems. For her it's one thing to have a knight act courtly with her, it's another when he makes a romantic overture and she fancies him as well.
Estelle & Charibert - One sided on Charibert's end. He becomes obsessed with her. Hears of her healing the soldiers and civillians on the Steps of Faith and is intrigued that one of the Warriors of Light focuses heavily on healing that hurting. She's his opposite, soothing pain rather than causing it. At first finds her a foolish lowborn woman. But he can't get her out of his head. He wants to dissect her. To learn how her brain works.
Estelle & Ysayle - These two argued a lot. Possibly more than Ysayle did with Estinien. Really there isn't much to say. Perhaps some mutual begrudging respect for the other's abilities. They probably would have made out if they were alone...
Sellenei & Estinien - Never more than friends with benefits and only for a short time. Pre Carteneau they met when some dragoon stole the Eye. The two hooked up after that was solved. They hook up again when they cross paths in Kugane. He calls her by the wrong name during (was it Ysayle's name, or Astrie's? Or maybe he said both at different points. Neither will tell for different reasons). She does not let him live it down. But she refuses to ever sleep with him again.
Sellenei & Haurchefant - Sellenei was wary of Haurchefant. She's always been wary of those in power. He may be a bastard but he's still a noble's son (is she a hypocrit for implicitly trusting Astrie who is in a similar position to Haurchefant? Yes, but she'd argue it's different). His flirtatious words and overly friendly attitude also put her off at first. In her mind she assumed he was sexualizing her as many do to duskwights. It isn't until he shows up at Witchdrop that her opinion changes. And then he helps with furthering the goal of finding the airship. Truly a man of his word. She's not quite enamored but... she trusts him. But they cross paths and work together a few more times and she starts flirting back. Before she just corners him and asks him what he wants to do to her. And then they have sex. And he starts courting her, apologizes for not doing things properly but admits he listened to his other head too much. She's kind of taken aback by how romantic he starts acting toward her. Not put off but most treat her as a lust object, he's giving her gifts, romantic diners and talking about meeting her father to properly court her. He's not her first love but he's special. He makes her feel special. His death almost breaks her. Almost makes her want to give up. But she persists, because she must. And she's happy she did as she finds out not soon after the war that she's pregnant with his child. Some documents may have been drawn up that claim Sellenei and Haurchefant got married before his death. A private ceremony, you see. Although she still goes by her own surname she still mentions she's the widow of ser Haurchefant. If (when) he came back... many tears would be shed and he'd never let Sellenei or his son go. And they'd make an army of duskwight Fortemps. If Artoirel never has children the Fortemps eventually become known for their blue complexion.
Sellenei & Zephirin - One sided on Zephirin's end. Although she finds him attractive looking, she was with Haurchefant by the time they meet and had no interest in him. And he's not supposed to have interest in her, obviously. Yet he can't help but admire her skill in battle. Her dedication to helping his people end the war. He's enamored by someone he can't have. Tempted. He may have intentionally aimed for Haurchefant. Or maybe he meant to cripple Sellenei, turn her into a doll who cannot fight. A good, submissive woman to become a wife.
Other mentions
Artoirel felt attracted to both Estelle and Sellenei. More so Estelle.
Emanellain felt attracted to all three ladies but his heart belongs to Laniaitte so of course he won't try with any of them. It would be rude to waste their time.
Magnai felt attracted to Estelle. Believed she was his dancer in the moonlight (being a astrologian and dancer she fits the image he posits). She tactfully turned him down (unlike Y'shtola who in my canon nearly started another fight the scions would lose)
Polycule AUs
Yep. Sometimes I like to imagine my blorbos in a polycule. The main one is a vampire AU/Halone and the Twelve being true deities and much more active after awakening. Halone (and/or primal Shiva but not a primal, long story) basically wanting her favorite "children" to get together. Maybe a weird, they're also married to Halone/Shiva as well as her consorts as well vibes.
Astrie. Celestin. Estelle. Sellenei
Aymeric. Estinien. Haurchefant. Ysayle.
And also Heustienne, Foulques, and Vrtra/Varshahn as well. Depending on the AU and also AU dependent is if they're on and off or not.
The poor children's surnames are a hot mess...
Dangoulain Dubelois Serrecelle Varlineau de Rosierre de Borel de Fortemps
Considering changing Astrie's in game model to miqo'te since I prefer the miqo body to the viera one. Although max height fem miqo is shorter than Asttie's canon height (5'8") so it'd be a trade off. But the miqo facial features can be eerily close to her viera ones and that's very important to me.
And whether that means she'll stay half viera or I'll make her half miqo (and thus her mother's people be miqo or rather hhetsarro adjacent). She'd still be half duskwight elezen. That will never change.
Alternatively her mother's people, the Uka, are all hhetsarro-shetona mix...
(So Astrie would be 1/4 miqo, 1/4 viera, 1/2 elezen and 1/2 dragon). I don't even care if that sounds ridiculous, kinda dig it.
But before I decide I'm going to check out the miqo'te animations and see how I like miqo'te Astrie by making an alt first and then fantasiaing if I like it. And also doing a coin flip three times since doing that always guides me in the right direction.
I did Astrie as an elezen but also here's her as a moon catte. Actually looks scarily the same. Would almost have made her half Moon Keeeper Miqo'te instead if the lips could be thinner/smaller. Most importantly she must retain the "dead inside" look in her eyes.
I have this headcanon that viera who descend from those who left Golmorre lack some of the viera traits seen in them in ffxii. Like a Golmorre viera will have the long nails, the rabbit-like feet, and sensitivity to mist but their children born outside are born without those traits even if both parents are first gen Golmorre expats and have the features. Maybe these changes can even happen to the first gen viera as well over time.
And I think of how my own viera might either be either born inside of or born outside of it and how that might affect their views on vieran culture and their identity. Or how some viera might view them as non viera because they left or were never part of a viera village.
Actually Sirje's (and by extention Astrie's) draconic form would look something like mizutsune (monhun). Sleek, mammalian-esque face, little fins shaped like ears. But rather than fox-like would be more stoat-like. But in general mizutsune's playful, dancing behavior is very coded to Sirje/Astrie. And as far as dragons go Sirje was a goofball at times.
Also at least it would mean Hraesvelgr isn't a complete oddity looking dragon among his kin
(Then again Sirje might not actually be descended from Midgardsormr and may have fell from the sky. Still adopted by Ratatoskr)
