I love Lethoriel but you're right, this would be rocky 😅
Well. I was never in touch with any of my elven ancestors. My great grandfather went back to Kyonin and cut off all ties, even when my mom tried to contact him. Elves are always a bit of a mystery. They live at a different pace from the rest of us; they have a deep and ancient culture it would take a human’s lifetime to even learn to navigate. All right, yeah, I’m avoiding the question. Lethoriel is aloof, like a lot of elves.
I always had the impression she looks down on me as a half-elf. All right, maybe also for what she thinks of as frivolity. Too proud to just relax to a guitar song or laugh at a silly story. She prefers Daeran’s company to mine and I guess I can see why. No accounting for taste, haha.
She’s a storm cloud. Cool, dangerous, unpredictable, but also refreshing in a way. She has her principles and when she’s on your side, you can really count on her. I don’t like the cold light in her eyes these days though.
Here's the continuation of this, "I'd write it if I could".
Restoring Heaven's Edge, and dealing with its ghosts. Daeran's excitement mixes with grief, but they slowly work through the rooms, the gardens, and the memories. The place will become their home, a refuge at heaven's edge, true to its name.
I've been building the residence in the sims, but it's still unfinished.
The journey to Kyonin. Lethoriel shows Daeran her home, her favourite places, However it also means reuniting with her parents after over 4-year absence. It may be not long for elves, but she was, after all, declared dead in that timespan; they must have been informed.
It might be here where the lifespan issue is brought up. Lethoriel coming back at them with some "we already had a funeral, I'd think once is more than enough" - and with the mythic reality-shaping powers and balancing on the edge of godhood, it's not that out of reach to... not die (inspired by "Trickster deciding not to die if you don't close the worldwound" - Lethoriel closed it, but she also had 7 crystals and all the pieces to ascend)
...or it's that I don't want to think about the prospect of Leth outliving Daeran by decades or centuries (I have no issues with Astano outliving some past lovers (she already has) or even Tristian, but Lethoriel and Daeran? That'd break her so badly, either of them, to be fair).
The balls. Daeran takes Lethoriel to some during the crusade, under the pretext of introducing the commander to mendevian nobility, for the sake of crusade, of course; They're not open about their relationship, so they steal glances and smiles across the room, and only Daeran knows the meaning of the key-shaped pendant the commander wears. Daeran feels oddly uneasy with Lethoriel's attention and playful banter with some noble, but then he's also surprised when she shares her wary opinion of said noble on the way home*. He starts picking the subtle undertones in her getures and words, and learns to appreciate her measured cautiousness and observations.
*I think here of some vehement Galfrey-opponent, who tried to test Lethoriel's attitude towards the queen, whether she's a grateful loyalist or just a person caught up in a bigger problem. Both dancing around their words, daggers hiding between the pleasantries, both recognising the game. Lethoriel obviously didn't trust him enough to expose any of her doubts about queen's decision, with time the rift between the commander and the queen became more obvious, even if properly contained. Years later, the noble would become one of Daeran and Lethoriel's supporters when it came to passing down the crown.
It's an opportunity to show off Lethoriel's wardrobe. Daeran enjoys her style, different from her everyday attire - which is still elegant, but more practical and comfortable. He's enticed with the idea of removing the meticulous layers from her himself - not only clothes, but even more so = the poise.
Once they almost got caught in the act in some corridor, but they laughed it off. Some time later Lethoriel takes revenge, spicing up some outing to the opera, and catching Dae completely off guard but thrilled. Other than that, they usually prefer to keep sex confined to the privacy of their bedroom.
Leaving some party early due to a crusade emergency. Lethoriel expects to leave alone, and is surprised with Daeran's readiness to join her. She promises to make it up for him. Much later it almost becomes a habit - sneaking out together from the parties when they've had enough, preferring each others' company to that of the stones. They'd acquire quite a lot of inside jokes like this.
Another party, probably the Worldwound Victory Feast, when tipsy/drunk Lethoriel strolls over to Daeran with the silliest question - if he likes her. It's such a stark contrast to her usual aloofness and composure, and Daeran can't help but laugh, but not really at her. He's free and happy, and he does like her, and he wants the world to know.
I may be currently running across Faerûn, but my heart remains on Golarion, and these two are still on my mind. Here's an assortment of some headcanons, bits of trivia, and other scenes that I'd write if I could, but at least I can note them down as a list. Some were scattered in the tags and I'm in the process of gathering them in one place.
Daeran's birthday after the return from the Abyss. The return happens in early Rova, which places it just around or even after Daeran's birthday. It's a small, private celebration, no grander than not-a-date (and probably not on the walls of Drezen, given the circumstances). Dae is touched that Lethoriel remembered and made an effort to prepare anything at all - with Drezen and the crusade in shambles.
It takes place before the visit from Liotr, so Leth doesn't try to put any distance between them yet, to make what's to come more believable. At this point she has already known for quite some time and without a doubt that she loves Daeran more than anything. It's bitter-sweet, like the whole beginning of Act V
An extended post-Other conversation, including Lethoriel's explanations and apology. It's always seemed to me that it's Daeran who'd have more questions than KC, or that he'd want to slowly get some things off his chest - later, in private, when he can finally allow himself to be completely vulnerable with his loved one.
Late night converations, and then staying late in the bed in the mornings. Sharing dreams freely, and stories, but also sharing doubts, as an extension of Daeran sharing his fears in the Abyss. For example, Lethoriel reluctantly admitting she expected from the start he'd toss her away when he grows bored of her. Daeran, his heart sinking, vowing to himself to make sure his beloved Lethie knows how much he appreciates her. ("Lethie", she would smile, no one else calls her that)
Daeran's early ideas may have contributed to Lethoriel keeping her bedroom locked at all times. She values her privacy, after all. When they start sleeping together (that includes sleeping in the literal meaning of the word as well), she gives him the key. None of the irony, the sentiment or the trust behind the gesture are lost on Daeran. (He doesn't overuse it, however, that also meant he has found her asleep at her desk or even crying, when the burden of Aeon was too heavy. Not a side she would like to show anyone)
A discussion about children; not unlikely indirectly caused by Galfrey's plans to pass the crown. Both agree earnestly to 'defnitely not yet, maybe one day'. Neither wants the child to be an investment or an obligation, or an outlet for ambitions (which was actually the case for Lethoriel and her brother). They share the 'having a real mother/father, not Countess Mother/Count Father' sentiment.
...speaking of which - Daeran's father. That he was not alive during the tragedy in Heaven's Edge is obvious. Maybe it was a valiant, worldwound-related death? He probably had been dead for some time at that point, and he's not mentioned even once(?). For some reason, I'm currently leaning more towards the idea it was the late Count Arendae who was related to Galfrey, not Silaena. He doesn't seem to have left any impact on his son, but maybe it's also a conscious, if not even an easy choice for Daeran to not acknowledge him, to not want to learn about yet another person lost in the past. And to put another thorny chasm between himself and his cousin.
Daeran could never cross out Silaena from his memory the same way, nor would ever want to. He misses her, but tries to avoid thinking about her. It usually circles back to the same questions - what would she think of him now, how his life would turn out.
35. Do they believe in fate or do they believe they are in charge of their own destiny?
44. Who, if anyone, would they trust with their deepest secrets?
Thank you so much! 💕
10. Do they have any regrets?
Oh, yes, of course. She tries to not let them hinder her, move on, and do better in the future. She regrets not doing more for Camellia, but she keeps an eye on her. Sometimes she even regrets how terribly her relationship with Galfrey deteriorated, but the lingering (not so unfounded) hurt and bitterness float to the surface. The one sorrow that haunts her most? Hmm...
35. Do they believe in fate or do they believe they are in charge of their own destiny?
She doesn't really believe in any sort of a higher power, and she's never been the type to go with the flow. Her past attitude on the matter was more passive - she worked towards her goals, refining her magic, but she felt there was only so much she could do. It's only around the aeon-trickster shift she becomes in charge of her own fate (and reality around her too) and takes the reins of her story.
44. Who, if anyone, would they trust with their deepest secrets?
The fewer people know about your secrets, the better, right? She shares some things with Regill or Woljif, she confides in... her cat. But it's only Daeran Lethoriel trusts with her deepest secrets. She knows she can be open and vulnerable with him and he would understand, and she fully returns it too. After the things they went through, they don't really wants to hide anything from each other, but they also respect their privacy to keep things to themselves.
💎💎💎 Lethoriel should get a chance at a comeback (no pressure though!)
A comeback it is, then 😁
"Sia is a quicksilver, isn't he? So quick-witted, full of life and songs. Always moving from one idea to the next, drawing attention and creating some commotion. I'd like to see him commit this energy to something", she smiles gently, yet her next words are tinged with sarcasm. "He... takes great interest in people. Surprisingly intense and shallow at once. Not everyone will appreciate that." I certainly don't. Truly getting to know someone takes time.
"Maybe I do envy him his optimism, belief that things will work out, one way or another. It's a light-heartedness of a person who has never burnt themselves on anything significant. A rare and precious occurence these days."
"She's... intriguing, although she probably wouldn't say so herself." Lethoriel tilts her head, pondering. "Sparrow doesn't want to draw attention to herself so much it's almost palpable. It seems to have become her second nature. She's mindful of her surroundings, as if she's on the run. She's observant, but unfortunately for her, so am I.
"The Sparrow that peeks out of this safe shell is a resourceful, determined woman. One that still remembers how to laugh and find some joy in the world. I'd love to see the day she fully spreads her wings."
"Ah, Ariadne... She certainly stands out from the crowd. That confident and warm smile wins people over when she fills a room with mirth, jokes, and chatter. She's very... spirited and not afraid to show who she is. No wonder they make friends so easily, everywhere they goes. And I'd assume she does get around. Didn't she belong to the Pathfinder Society? If so, she must have so many anecdotes and adventures to tell!"
"I...", Lethoriel deflates a little, almost unnoticeably. "I doubt she doesn't mean well, but... truth be told, I don't think we really feel comfortable in each others' company. Please, excuse me"
