#abirose

This is a drawing I made for @whatoatmeal‘s birthday! 

It’s Abbie, the blackjack dealer- who kind of is but kind of isn’t my OC- playing Blackjack with Emory, Whatoatmeal’s OC. They playin’ Blackjack. And Abbie isn’t doing so well but she can’t really prove if he’s using psychic powers or not to cheat so... 

She’s a salty witch. 

(AGHGHJGHJS! How?! Why?! I don’t understand…)

C: Comfort

1. how do they sit in a chair?

It depends on the company, time of day, and the portion of her life she’s in..

If she’s in the company of visiting nobles or other rulers, she has a tendency to sit as a proper lady would: her legs lightly crossed over each other and her hands clasped on her lap. This comes from her upbringing as the daughter of the Lord of Eperlan- often enforced by Maria, who claimed anything else was disrespectful and vulgar..

If she is merely in the presence of family or friends, she will sit with her legs set in the “normal” way people sit- both feet on the ground and legs apart equal to the size of her body. Probably coupled with leaning forward with her hands on her knees if she sees or hears something interesting. Another sitting position would be sitting cross legged on a sofa if it’s just family, lover included. That’s when she’s at her most comfortable- as in, you won’t see her sit like that during meetings.

2. in what position do they sleep?

Curled up on her right or left side. It doesn’t matter whether it’s with someone or not for this one. The only difference is that she tends to gravitate towards the other person. Most of the time, that person is Gascon. He tends to grab hold of literally any loose pillow that’s nearby in his sleep, so if she’s looking for late night cuddling, she’s never too late.

3. what is their ideal comfort day?

Hmm… Again, it depends on the setting. In Eperlan, it would be lounging around in the study, sprawled out over the sofa reading a novel- probably a mystery one at that. Another ideal comfort day for her there would be practicing her card playing with her father prior to his death. After, she mostly spent her time practicing alone. Her second ideal comfort day is doing something no one would believe is comfortable- climbing things.

Obviously if it’s in the Crypt Casino, a comfortable “work day” would be whenever Swaine shows up with stories about his adventures with Oliver, Esther, and Drippy or even just idle chatter about life in Hamelin (nixing the crucial details).

And then there’s later after becoming Empress and having kids. She would rather have nothing going on at the moment. She’d just like to sit and play cards with Gascon like old times. That rarely ever happens. Instead she settles for a day of minimal work and later some card play, whether it be with her sons or her partner.

4. what is their major comfort food? why?

Dark chocolate eclair cakes. They’re really tasty. She used to eat them with her father after an eventful day of getting into trouble. They call back to a simpler time when he was well and her priorities were little.

It’s one of the tells that she’s stressed out when she’s eating a whole platter of those. To bring her spirits up, Gascon will often snag one when she’s looking and make really bad jokes… Jokes worthy of a decorative pillow to the face.

5. who is the best at comforting them when down?

It used to be he father, Lord Evren. Whenever something troubled her, be it a bad scratch or someone picking on her for her hobby of climbing things*, he would hug her or hold her hand and console her calmly and gently. Sometimes he’d even read her a story to ease her worries. She misses him terribly and sometimes thinks of him when she’s feeling down and there isn’t anyone around to comfort her.

Presently, it’s Gascon. He’s rather attentive to her emotional state and can tell when something’s up- usually when she’s not feeling up to card games or chatting in general, even going so far as to ignore him and decisively bury herself in work. He’ll sit next to her and watch her carefully to see if it’s something he did. When he’s reasoned that it’s not him- probably from her mumbling under her breath- he’ll put a hand on her shoulder and ask if she’s alright. The first time he did this, she broke down and collapsed into his arms because she didn’t even realize he was there. Other times he’ll give her encouraging words or remind her just how strong an beautiful she really is, sometimes with a kiss on the cheek or a pat on the shoulder.

Marcassin is often the voice of reason between the couple- often taking a moment to advise Abbie on his brother and also to remind her to be patient when he seems irate and stubborn as Gascon needs time to cool off. He’s quick to lend an ear when the elder emperor isn’t around.

1. On a scale of “is occasionally forced to bathe” to “Instagram model with sponsors to hoe for” how involved is your OC’s Skincare routine?

She’s closer to the latter only because of the former. Abirose, as a kid, was constantly forced to bathe by Maria- one of her caretakers since her mother’s passing, her mother having died in childbirth. While her father paid no mind, if not supported how adventurous she could be, Maria would constantly hold her to keeping clean every day and after she got particularly dirty, despite having washed that day. She was constantly covered in mud and sticks upon returning home well up into her early teens whenever she wasn’t being schooled by her father- if he had the time- or Maria; she also had chores, but she found a way to get covered in dirt somehow doing that. Her favorite thing to do as a kid was hide in the fireplace, get covered in soot and pretend she was an assassin. 

At any rate, her bathing became so routine that she would get uncomfortable if she didn’t bathe within the day. While not super involved, she tends to try and keep her face clear with old skin care remedies taught to her by her mother figure. 

12. What perfectly-normal-to-them-thing does your OC do that confuses/pisses off/terrifies their neighbors? 

Climbing! Her favorite hobby growing up! She once mentioned casually to Gascon about how when she first saw Hamelin, she wanted to climb up to the top and look over the land. But then she saw a piece of mining equipment but even taller and wanted to climb that. She was 6 and traveling with her father to meet the previous Emperor of Hamelin- whom she barely remembers because she only saw him once. Her father stopped her, of course, considering he knew what kind of mischief she’d cause. 

She also once said that she’s wanted to climb to the top of the palace ever since that day. Gascon promptly told her that there’s a good chance that if she had tried before their union, she’d probably have gotten detained or shot at. Then he corrected himself and said that that would probably still happen if she tried now. 

She’s usually pretty nice to the public in Hamelin which can come off as a bit… odd. Most people have things to do, places to be- then there’s this sweet girl with a pension for climbing things and talking with people taking too much time to make conversation. (Remember, she’s great at communicating with people when it’s not a formal event, but horrible at speeches and meetings. There’s more pressure there.) 

Even so, there are times where her catty nature from the Casino comes out. She’s pushed away a few people with it and it’s not always something she’s proud of. She actively tries to conceal it. 

She sometimes “forgets herself” in the sense of roughhousing and get too pushy with whoever she’s playfully teasing, sometimes badly bruising her unintended victim. She used to get in trouble all the time as a kid for it, especially when she got older and had more experience climbing up buildings and stuff. Her father would often get complaints from parents. Maria would scold and punish her for it, much to Abirose’s misfortune. 

She’s given both Gascon and Marcassin a bruise or two out of excitement. The guards often exchanged worried looks. This was who Gascon chose to be his empress, after all. 

18. What’s the trashiest item in your OC’s wardrobe, when was the last time they wore it and why do they still have it?

Are we going with the “indecent” form of trashy or the “garbage” one? 

Because she has both. 

She once bought a two-piece bathing suit from a seafaring vendor prior to working at the casino. It was too small, but in the way of still slightly fitting, being too tight, but not covering… enough. There are two reasons she even still has this- she forgot it existed or she plans on using it for something else. She never says what. Just… something else. She does know how to sew so it could be a modified swimsuit. But it could be also used for “other things” if you catch my drift.

If we’re talking “garbage”, it would be a rather poorly made witch’s hat made by Gascon. She lost her old one sometime after their kids were born, so he tried to make her a new one. Let it be known, it was some sort of hodge-podge patchworked creation made out of an old outfit- not his thief one- that had a lot of loose and poorly secured stitching. Parts started falling off the moment she tried it on. She loves it regardless and keeps it in their room. He tried… but he admitted he was less of a hatter and more of a mechanic. 

20. What’s your OC smell like?  no, not that “Vanilla and Anxiety” evocative stuff, realistically.  Body odor? what have they been touching all day? When was their last shower? Did they put on any kind of artificial scent?

Oddly, her regular body odor is similar to that of what you smell entering a mechanic’s garage. She doesn’t work with machines, but for some reason or other, that’s the scent. Otherwise, she tends to wear scents of Angula and Rings a Bell. That, and considering the daily bathing, mostly done before work or in the morning, she often smells of soap as well. 

In the past, it would range from mud- and the stone of buildings and structures she climbed all over- to textbooks and then eventually official papers for managing her section of the kingdom to the cards used at the Crypt Casino and the chips that she would exchange between customers- Swaine being one of them and the one she remembered most fondly. As her life progressed and she became more in charge of the empire as a whole, her hands would mostly touch legal documents of requests, contracts, and treaties… and the clothes of her partner whatever activity they may be doing together, explicit or otherwise. After having kids, it didn’t change much- just whatever was needed to raise a kid, be it their clothes, toys, or lesson books. 

So in theory, she smells like a mechanic’s garage, mud, stone, and paper, and flowers. What a lovely combination when you’re not paying attention to the timeline… 

Hamelin guard holding a handcuffed Abbie by the shoulders, to Gascon: Sir, we found this- wait!

Guard, turning her around to look at her: Are you the Empress?!

Abbie: Hehe. Yeah. Hi, guys.

Guards: *exchanging nervous glances*

Guard, quickly turning her around: So... Your wife was trying to scale the castle...

Gascon:

I couldn’t help myself! A little Fit for A King sweetness here. ^_^

(Edit: I’m reposting this for it to be easier to find.)

—–

He opened the door to his room and looked to his right. There, on the magenta sofa sat his dearest Abirose.

They had met years ago in a Casino. He, guised as a lowly thief, came for the blackjack. She, guised as a witch, dealt it.

They had both crossed paths during the ball of his coronation and ever since did they ponder the duplicity of their identities.

It would be almost right to say fate had led them together. It would be amusing to say they simply got lucky.

Neither of which held them together for as long as it had.

The conversations over blackjack. The fact that she had managed to trap him with the experience of playing specifically with her dealing the cards. The laughs, the dancing, and the silly little things they had in common. The singing she would do and the chords he would play with them.

They were the glue that held them together.

She sensed his presence. She looked up, her curly brown hair shifting with the motion. Her brown eyes met his and she couldn’t help but smile fondly at the man before her.

He chuckled, a wide smile gracing his lips. He almost looked like a cat whenever he sported such mirth.

“A game of blackjack, my rose,” he inquired, motioning at the table covered with agreements regarding various districts of the nation.

She sighed and stretched. She heaved a grunt as she raised her hands in the air and intertwined her fingers. She lowered them and released a yawn.

By this point he had approached the coffee table in front of her, standing on the bright teal rug underneath it. “Well, you’ve certainly made some headway,” he commented, motioning at the papers.

She grinned happily up at him once more as she put a hand on one of the papers. “They never end, Gascon.” She yawned again and rubbed her eyes.

“As I asked before, blackjack?”

She stood up. “I’m too tired for blackjack…” She sauntered over to the bed and threw herself at it. She wrapped herself in a cocoon of blankets and looked blearily at the emperor thief. She looked grim for a moment, almost agitated.

“The casino is closed for today. Come back after we’ve taken a nap or two,” she joked. She cracked a sleepy smirk.

“H-hey!” He walked towards the bed. He slid his dark green shroud off of along with the pig-nosed shaped pendant that signified his power and carelessly let them fall on the floor. All that was left was the dark blue pants, small golden belt, and plain short sleeved red tunic.

“I need blankets, too, Abbie!”

She stuck her tongue out but moved aside. She clung to the blankets tighter. “I’m already warm!”

He paused at the side of the bed. “I can’t keep you warm?”

She went silent. She looked down for a moment then back up at him. “Would you?”

He scoffed. “Please. It wouldn’t be the first time.”

She grabbed the hem of one of the blankets and held it open for him.

He crawled underneath and wrapped left arm around her back, pulling her close with his right. He kissed her nose before he rubbed his forehead against hers. “God, I missed you,” he sighed.

She rested her hand on his right shoulder. She gripped it lightly and let her thumb stroke down his arm idly. “I did, too.” She let out a short laugh. “What happened, today?”

He groaned audibly.

“You wanted to play blackjack,” she reminded him.

“I also wanted to just chat without bringing up the empire,” he complained.

She squeaked. “Ah.” She pressed her face into his shoulder. “You just wanted to be Swaine, this evening, hmm?”

He chuckled. “I guess my comment about the agreements sent mixed signals, eh?” He raised his hand and rubbed the back of her neck.

She laughed into his shoulder. “You silly old thief.”

They were silent for a few minutes.

“Abbie…?”

“…Hmm,” she barely answered.

“Just checking to see if you’re still awake.”

“Well I was almost asleep,” she groggily replied. “What is it?”

He smirked. “I love you.”

She tiredly glared up at him before shaking her head. “I love you too.”

Another round of silence.

“…Swaine…? Gascon?” She glanced up at him. There had been a question eating at her for a little bit now. She had no idea why she wanted to ask it now.

It seemed like he was asleep. She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder once more, giving up.

“…What is it…,” he mumbled.

“Oh. You’re awake.” She didn’t lift her head. Instead, she turned it so he could hear her. “D-do you think we’ll have kids one day?”

He sighed. “Sure… I don’t know.” He yawned. He pulled her closer.

“…Abbie…”

“Yeah,” she whispered.

“I don’t care… what happens… Just…” His gripped tightened as he rubbed the side of his face into the side of hers. “I want you to be there for it… I sure as hell will… I promise that…,” he sleepily finished.

Chapters: 11/11 Fandom: Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (Video Game) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Jairo | Swaine & Lars | Marcassin, Jairo | Swaine/Blackjack Dealer Characters: Jairo | Swaine, Lars | Marcassin, Blackjack Dealer - Character Additional Tags: creating something new, Brotherly Love, Brothers, Brotherhood, Brotherly Bonding, Brother Feels, Gambling, Eventual Romance, Friendship, Adventure, Fit For A King, Masterthief's Magnum, working together, Friends to Lovers, Inspired by Music, Secret Relationship, Secret Identity, Secret Identity Fail, Secrets Series: Part 13 of Nymph Hugs Summary:

A gun fit for a king. A gun that starts it all- that brings an emperor to power. A gun that connects lives just by merely being created. That's the only gun fit for a king, an emperor thief.