[So it’s been a while, but I’m pretty sure this was something like No one’s seen you in 3 days, so I’m gonna hurt myself. Aka my baby Cassia who, before I decided she was going to be Ter & Braham’s Sprout, was initially me screwing around and kind of making myself in Sylvari form. So she has a lot of my bad habits... including secluding herself when she’s down.
Oops. Featuring @resonatingferns Lyr, just a couple of best friends looking out for each other ♥]
Lyr steps through the waypoint and inhales sharply, wings twitching out nervously behind him.
He casts a glance out over the vast expanse of the Guild Hall, ears pricked to catch any sounds in what might, to some, be an unnerving silence.
To him, it is familiar, almost comforting - the occasional fall of old rubble somewhere in the distance, the quiet murmurs of the Tavern Keep and Mining Operator far, far off in the central structure of the Hall.
Things he’s been accustomed to since finding and joining his Father’s and extended family - a home away from the Eye, a safe place to stay, when things are to dangerous in the North.
A sentiment that he knows - he hopes - his best friend shares.
She has to be here, there’s nowhere else to look.
Her parents have checked everywhere else - the Eye, Sun’s Refuge, the Astralarium, even the Grove - but Lyr has a feeling. He knows that she’s here.
Lyr listens for another moment - staying as still as he can, head tilted up and ears pricked, eyes closed to concentrate - perking when he catches the softest whine, like a dogs cry.
There.
He’s in the air and flying up before he’s even opened his eyes, headed straight for the sound - smiling, just a little, at the sight of the jackal pup staring back at him from the doorway far, far above the entrance.
The same place we always hid.
It’s impossible to get to, without wings or a flying mount - every time they’ve stayed in the Hall, they’ve slept there. So he’s not surprised, really.
“Hi, Dune.” Lyr alights beside the Jackal and bends to scratch his head quickly, “Where’s your master?”
Dune nuzzles into his hand before giving another soft whine, running back into the chamber with a sharp little bark.
Lyr waits a moment before following more slowly, footsteps soft as he rounds the corner and spots the other Sprout - legs held tight to her chest and head down, wings limp and glowing sword tossed on the ground behind her.
Defeated, is the word that comes to mind, a word that does not define Cassia, ever, and he hates it.
“Cassia.” he says, keeping his voice soft, trying not to startle her as he steps slowly closer, seeing her tense regardless.
Her head snaps up, staring at him, before she scowls and looks back down, scrubbing at her eyes, “Y-you found me.”
She’s been crying.
“No one’s seen you in three days.” Lyr crosses to sit beside her, not touching but within reach if she needs it, “Your parents are worried. Everyone’s worried. I was worried.”
“I’m sorry.” her voice is a whisper, so different from her usual happy, vibrant tones that it just worries him more, “I just... needed a break.”
“Did something happen?”
Cassia shakes her head, scrubbing at her eyes again.
Lyr scowls, wings twitching - brushing unconsciously against hers, making them pull in from their limp positions, “Did someone... say something?”
“Not... specifically.” she sniffles, blinking a little, “But... a lot of, non-specific things kinda just... built up, I guess. Does that make sense?”
“It does.” he shifts a bit closer, let’s their elbows bump - knowing how much physical contact usually helps her, relieved when she leans back into him - “What are they-”
“Just whispers.” Cassia closes her eyes, face scrunched a little as though she’s trying not to cry again, and he stays still when she turns to lay her head on his shoulder, ignoring the discomfort of her horns pressing slightly to his neck, “In the way, or creature, or not worthy of that sword... things like that...”
“Aurene gave you that sword, I think she’s the judge of that-”
“It still hurts.” something wet hits his skin, and Lyr realizes she’s crying, “I know you - you go through it, to, and I hate that it bother me, but I just. I can’t-”
“We’ll talk to our parents.” Lyr says, letting his hand find her back and stroking up and down, “Later. You can. Cry, if you need to. Holding it in... it doesn’t help.”
Cassia sucks in a breath, and then the tears start falling in earnest - and Lyr just rubs her back through it, trying to be the calming presence that his parents have been for him, that she’s been for him, in the past.
Eventually, the tears subside, but he leaves his arm around her, feeling her shift slightly so that her horns are no longer pressing into him, the warmth of her forever familiar and comfortable.
“Thanks, Lyr.” Cassia says after a while, voice just the tiniest bit more like herself. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“What are best friends for.” Lyr tilts is head to look at her, trying to mimic his father’s stern look - he’s not sure who’s he’s going for, because they both have impressive glares, but he tries - and asks “Just... don’t do that again. Please? If it gets to much... you’ve got me.”
“Okay.” she manages a smile at that - much more Cassia then she’s been since he found her - and hugs him tightly, “I promise. No more disappearing acts.”
"Someone, I tell you, in another time will remember us."
Her whisper, passed along as a roar
we cling like dust between the cracks of the mosaic
I knew you before I knew my own name
Perhaps 26, 30, and 45 for the Character Dev Questions for whomever you desire?
Character Development Questions: Hard Mode
You know who hasn’t been brought up in a while? Strair! Bringing my blu bitch back in~
26. How does your character behave around children?
Abysmally! They absolutely hate children. Kids are a nuisance, they can’t drink around them, can’t swear around them, and the conversation never goes anywhere they’re remotely interested in. If you put a child in the same room as them that child will be ignored and will pick up 5 new crass phrases they shouldn’t know. The only exception to this rule is @ascalonianpicnic’s Wrelia who was left with them so many times and as a sylvari looked old enough to be taken to bars, that she inevitably rubbed off on Strair enough for them to not absolutely hate her.
30. What does your character find repulsive or disgusting?
Romance and fluff. Not their forte, not something they like receiving. You would not believe how many times they’ve had to turn down romantic dates or gifts, eugh. No idea how most people not only enjoy it but actively go back and forth on gushy romance with each other.
45. What does your character believe will happen to them after they die? Does this belief scare them?
They’d been told that upon death they’ll return to the Dream. And they think it’s absolute bullshit, especially as a soundless who’s near constant consumption of alcohol leaves them just enough on the far side of tipsy to hardly hear the Dream even if they try. They have no idea what awaits them after death, likely the Mists if the common belief is real. They’re a bit of a skeptic though and, while they wouldn’t admit it aloud, they’d like the peace of a nice nothingness whenever their time is up.
Hey, @intern-seraph, full disclosure: I wrote about Cat Dad because I saw the tags you wrote on a post with screenshots of him and thought “Well I am not alone in loving huge cat dad so let’s do this”
Last night the Mistspread Guild finally got around to trying for a Guild Hall in Gilded Hollow. It was a great experience, and we did a pretty darn good job. Spent the rest of the nice exploring the place, and HOLY COW is it huge. I had no idea how big it was. I physically got lost in such a way that has not happened since Tangled Depths.
I’ve tagged everyone I can easily identify (I’m still learning who is who is who, if you get me. Discord v Character v Tumblr profile (if they have one)). I apologize to anyone I haven’t tagged, or tagged incorrectly.
This was so great for me. I’ve been playing since about six months after launch...and this was probably the first real time I’ve felt like I’m part of a guild. Like, the concerted effort thing. We planned for this, we got together, did our research, and then got it. And then spent like, 4 hours doing a high-speed turnkey upgrade to everything. LoL.
@lesbiancharr, @canid-slashclaw, @phnx-rosemary, @intern-seraph, @mavelleofdawn + others I don’t know the screennames of.
She’ll bake things, or cook if there’s time - otherwise with small touches, or whispered thank yous and quick hugs.
🧺— Random domestic headcanon
Related to above, she is 100% the cook of the house - and she’s dang good at it too. No way are Braham or Cassia going hungry when she’s around - homecooked meals and fresh pastries are a given, once she decides to retire.
intern-seraph replied to your post “braham-is-bi replied to your post “Hey so, totally stealing this...”
I believe that's a book you can read during hidden arcana? It addresses sylvari reports of seeing the Shadow of the Dragon during their Dream. If you're not playing a sylvari commander, the book will say that none of these claims really have any weight to them, but if you *are* a sylvari commander, it will specifically name you as the most verifiable report? may be wrong abt my guess tho
Oooh! Well I know what I’ve doing today! :O
(also, I wonder if the fact that we’re the Commander is what adds weight to that? Like it’s a lil messed up that a bunch of sylvari mention the Shadow (which later comes to fruition), but the scholars presumably go ‘pfft saplings am I right’ til the Commander walks in like ‘oh yeah that’s what kicked me upside the head!)
