#apprentice kelly

hi everyone!! just wanted to share this amazinggg drawing of my apprentice by the wonderful @spacegumi ♥️

Thank you for the ask, my lovely @praisingthecountessofvesuvia!! These questions are so much fun to answer. I hope you’re staying safe and healthy as well 💖

💫: What is your favorite fact about this character and why?

That’s a hard one! I’ve spent quite a bit of time world building & character building for Kelly (even if I’ve barely published any of it, oops). I think my favorite fact about her is that, as cliche as it sounds, she follows her heart no matter what. Her family has had a history of hating the Alnazars, so the fact that she fell so hopelessly in love with Asra even whilst knowing she shouldn’t just hits me so deeply. Like, she probably could’ve avoided the plague, too, but instead she did what was right in her heart and tried to save as many people as she could. She loved Asra until the very end, even though he didn’t even show up on her deathbed. I respect the hell out of her for that.

☄️: Does this OC deserve better treatment from you? Do you make them suffer just a little bit too much? Be nice to them!

Oof, this is a call-out, isn’t it? I mean, yeah, she’s totally been through hell and lost pretty much every single person she ever cared about. She was supposed to kill the person she was falling in love with. She also died. But everything ends up okay in the end, right? I am a SUCKER for some angst, but also: Kelly, I am very sorry that I created the most tragic backstory that I possibly could for you. You deserve only good things!!!

🌠: On a scale of 1-10 how Baby is your OC? BONUS: When asking the question, rate the OC yourself and see if the reply matches up!

thank you so much for the ask, @sahana-anand 💖 i had so much fun writing these!

4. If your apprentice was attending a potluck, what would they take as their contribution?

After Kelly and Asra defeated the Devil and returned to Vesuvia, Asra actually had the bright idea to invite all of their friends to meet them for a potluck-style picnic on the beach. Kelly was intrigued to learn that gatherings like this even existed--she’d never attended anything similar before, from what she could remember. Julian, Portia, Aisha, and Salim were especially enthused by the idea, and even Muriel had reluctantly agreed to attend, after some good-natured coddling from Asra. Nadia had to be convinced not to cater the entire thing herself; Kelly can still remember the way her manicured eyebrows furrowed when Asra told her that the potluck aspect was “part of the charm.” The night before their picnic, Kelly slept soundly in Asra’s arms until a jolt of remembrance shocked her awake before the sun had even come up.  

“Asra!” she’d shouted, sitting up so quickly she knocked some of their pillows to the ground.

 “Hmm?” he’d groaned noncommittally, reaching up to sleepily pull her back into his arms. “Go back to sleep, it’s still early.”

“Asra, we never made a dish for the picnic.”

“...Shit.”

And so, mere hours before the potluck, Kelly and Asra stood blearily in their kitchen, pulling spices and ingredients from their cabinets with reckless abandon. Cardamom, saffron, red wine, rice, cloves, and almonds were each promising in their own right, though not combined.

“You know,” Asra began slyly, and Kelly knew what was coming before he even finished speaking. “We could always make--”

“Asra, my love, we are not bringing roasted skink to the potluck.”

Needless to say, they ended up at the market half an hour later, with Selasi smiling knowingly as he handed them a few loaves of bread and jam. Surprisingly enough, their contribution actually ended up being one of the better ones.

“Ah, yes, Asra,” Nadia had deadpanned as she eyed Julian’s mystery stew. “Charming.”

Asra blushed all the way down to his neck. From then on, Nadia always catered their picnics. 

No one complained.

6. Does your apprentice enjoy dressing up or would they prefer to just wear what’s comfortable?

Kelly was never able to dress up as a child, as her family wasn’t the most financially sound. It never bothered her much--she wore what was needed to get the job done. And it was just clothes, after all. She hadn’t even considered dressing nicely to be a realistic option for her until after Nadia’s summons to the palace, where the Countess was almost desperate to pamper Kelly with the most exquisite pieces she could find. On the night where she was to meet Nadia’s sisters in the ballroom, Kelly’s breath caught in her throat at the stunning violet gown laid out across her bed. The fact that Nadia had crafted this beautiful outfit specifically for her made her feel like royalty. She carried herself differently through the hallways, and she could feel everyone’s eyes following her. It was indescribable. 

thanks so much for the ask @praisingthecountessofvesuvia 💖 i’m super stoked to share some details about Kelly, as i haven’t published much about her yet. (sorry, this is quite a long post!)

3. How does your apprentice take their coffee? Do they even drink coffee? If not, what do they drink instead to put pep in their step?

Kelly has never been much of a coffee drinker, as she was pretty much raised on tea. When she was very young, her and her mother would always start their mornings by sitting at the table together and sharing a pot of tea. The brew was, more often than not, her mother’s favorite blend--Lapsang souchong. Kelly was never a fan of the intense smoky flavor, which was understandable for a six year-old, but she loved spending time with her mother so much that she could bear it (with a generous spoonful of honey). Once her mother died, she often found herself absentmindedly brewing the tea, for sentimentality's sake more than anything, just to let the familiar smell fill her empty shop. The lingering scent on her skin was one of the first things that drew Asra in. Now, every morning (at least when he’s home), he helps her carry on her mother’s tradition. Kelly can't possibly imagine a better way to start her days.

7. Is your apprentice happy with their physical appearance? If so, do they flaunt it? If not, what do they want to change?

(possible tw body dysmorphia)

Before her death, Kelly was never the most confident in her body. Most of this insecurity could be attributed to her aunt’s awful pestering, as well as the constant fluctuation of her weight depending on whether or not said aunt was even around to feed her. She never liked the pocket of fat under her navel, or the way her thighs swelled and flattened when she sat down, or the way her nose stuck out just a bit too much. Naturally, these were Asra’s favorite things about her, and he didn’t hesitate to let her know. It made her feel a little better, but sometimes he’d still catch her gripping her stomach and frowning deeply at the mirror when she thought he wasn’t paying attention. After the plague, when Asra realized that all of Kelly’s memories were gone, he decided to make the most of the situation and use it as an opportunity to help Kelly learn to love all of the little things about her that she didn’t feel so confident about before. Now, he makes sure to give her extra nose kisses, or compliment the way her legs look in her new pants, or simply tell her how much he loves her just the way she is. She’s much more confident now.

18. How does your apprentice feel about Consul Valerius?

When Kelly first met Consul Valerius, she had to bite her tongue to keep from calling him an insufferable prick straight to his face. She’s never been afraid to speak her truth, and she could sense his lack of respect for her the moment their eyes met. Still, she wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps they’d met before, and she didn’t remember? Or perhaps Valerius was just having a really bad day. She surely couldn’t deny the pangs of sympathetic curiosity that’d bloom in her chest when she caught a glimpse of him sitting on his balcony with a bottle of red wine night after night, solemn, alone. He’ll never be her favorite person, but perhaps she’ll ask him about it someday. 

20. Is your apprentice friends with any other fan apprentices?

Thank you for the ask, my dear @sahana-anand! I absolutely adore the questions you chose. Sorry I took forever to answer, classes have been particularly rough this week! 😅

🌹: Where in the world does your OC feel most at home? Is there any reason why? If it’s not the place they were born, where were they born? Is there a certain somebody who makes them feel at home wherever they may be? What does home mean to them?

Kelly has always felt drawn to the water. As she was born and raised in Vesuvia, it’s fitting that the Vesuvian beaches have always felt like home, even if she can’t exactly remember why. Her favorite days as a child were ones where her parents would pack a picnic and take her on a surprise trip to the beach. She’d frolic in the sand until sundown, smiling brightly as her cotton sundress billowed around her tiny legs and the sea breeze carried her delighted giggles. Over the years, young Kelly gathered quite the collection of shells, rocks, sea glass, and other treasures to display proudly on her windowsill at the shop. Now that her memories are long gone, these treasures are all that remain--uniquely beautiful facets of nature that connect her to her lost childhood. After the plague, whenever Asra was away, she’d visit the beaches, night after night. She’d lie back, her chestnut locks billowing around her, her toes buried in the sand. As she looked up at the velvet sky, she’d wonder if Asra was looking up at the same stars. She’d pray he was somewhere safe, and that he’d return to her soon. Maybe he was even thinking of her, too. 

Kelly has never been sure of what home truly means to her, since she can’t remember ever having anyone or anything she can rely on that much. But Asra has taken a permanent residence in her mind, heart, and soul. How could he not? When she awoke, his face was the first she saw. He taught her everything she knows, and she learns more every day just being with him. He’s the kindest, most gentle, most generous person Kelly has ever met. When she hears his laugh, her days get a little brighter. When his arms are around her, she finally believes that everything will be okay, as long as they’re together. Looking into his eyes is the safest she’s ever felt. Maybe that is what home means, after all.

🍄: What are your OC’s favorite snacks? Their favorite comfort food which always cheers them up when they’re down? Favorite meal to make? Do they enjoy baking and cooking and are they any good in the kitchen?

Kelly has always favored all things sweet, but she was very rarely allowed such delicacies when her aunt was looking over her. Her favorites were always the sweetest fruits, like dates and grapes, but of course those were reserved for special occasions. She was shocked when Asra told her such fruits were readily available, and that she could have them whenever she wanted. Now, he always likes to pick them up for her when he heads to the market, and it’s common occurrence for the two of them to snack on fruit and almonds together after a particularly rough day at the shop. They’ll share a kettle of Lapsang souchong and massage each others’ shoulders with scented oils until they both settle into a comfortable sleep.

Now, as much as Asra and Kelly appreciate a good meal, neither of them can cook for the life of them. Once, Asra expressed interest in a pasta dish with pesto and sausage that he’d had in Prakra. Kelly took it upon herself to surprise him by cooking it for his birthday. That morning, she sent Asra out on a roundabout errand, and headed to the market to find the highest quality ingredients. She planned to have the dish finished by the time he returned. 

Simple, she thought. How difficult can pasta be?

As it turns out, pasta was very difficult. When Asra came home, he found Kelly (and the rest of the kitchen) covered in a gooey mix of oil, pesto, and flour. He was shocked, of course, and tears welled in Kelly’s eyes as she tried to stutter out an apology for ruining his birthday. When Asra realized what she’d been trying to do, he softened, folding her into his arms and planting a kiss on her nose. Seeing that their dinner truly was unsalvageable, he promised Kelly that they’d visit Prakra soon, and try the dish properly together. Kelly agreed that this was a much better idea, and they settled for a simple vegetable stew instead. 

(It was Asra’s favorite birthday yet.)

🌻: What little things do they notice about people or the world around them that make them happy? What tiny little treasures do they find in the normal every day that makes the world seem a little brighter for them?

Kelly has always been fascinated by the little things in life. Since learning about her tragic past, she’s come to appreciate simply being alive in itself. She loves the way the sun glints off of the crystals on her windowsill in the early morning. She loves the way the faint scent of Selasi’s pumpkin bread can make her stomach rumble, even from the other side of the market. She loves the way the rain gathers in the crevices between cobblestones in the road, and the way that she can’t distinguish her own awestruck tears from the drops cascading in rivulets down her cheeks. She loves the sound of birdcalls echoing in the forest as her boots crunch autumn leaves with every step. She loves the feel of Asra’s hand in hers as they cross fields and forests alike, a thin sheen of sweat covering them both in the blazing August sun. The feel of the ocean lapping at her sandy toes. The sight of a vibrant sunset, blending orange and lilac and radiant pink. The scent of the delicate rose perfume Asra brought her back from one of his many journeys. The taste of freshly cooked meals, shared amongst friends. The sound of Asra’s quiet breath as he sleeps next to her--the sound of home.