#ariaoc

A person with bright hair stood blankly in front of the shelves, they held an open book, one that they wanted to read through for a bit before deciding to buy. But somehow, like a lightbulb going out, its mind was plunge into the depths of an eternal darkness. It felt as though their entire identity was slipping, memories they knew was just there moments ago were fading far too fast for them to grasp. What was it doing here again?

“Hey…?”

Someone tapped its shoulder, causing them to flinch, the eye on its back opened just as they turned around to face the person beside them. It was a lady with silver hair.

“You okay? You've been standing there for awhile.”

It stared at her for a few moments and then looked back at the book it was holding, then back to the lady, its mind feels so empty but it can somewhat remember that they went to this store to buy a book. Right, they traveled to Ka Bue for a visit, then they went to this store to buy a book.

“Ah… yes! Thank you for asking, m'lady!” It made a small bow as they smiled at her. That's what Lord Joséphandre would do, right? But why did it think like that?

Something is missing… And that needs to be filled.

“M-m'lady huh…?” The lady chuckled, a bit awkwardly with a mixture of amusement too, “There's no need to be THAT polite. You can call me Odette! And you?”

“I'm—” . . .

. . .

What is… their name?

. . .

I can't… remember my name…

Why can't I… remember… my name…?

. . .

It looked around, to the shelves lined with books, to the book they held on its hands, and yet no matter what they do, they can't remember its own name. With furrowed eyebrows and a slight frown on their lips, they looked back to Odette who now wore a confused and concerned expression on her face.

“Ah… Apologies Lady Odette but I can't seem to remember my name after all…”

“Is… is that so? Are you really okay?” She seemed to be taken aback by the title again.

They closed their eyes, although the eyes on its chest and back stayed open. It was an action to mimic thinking deeply, something they used to be able to do before adding another pair of eyes to its body.

When was that however?

They can't remember.

“Hmm…” They opened their eyes again, they don't need to as the eyes on their face are blind, perhaps they wanted to appear as friendly as possible, or as polite as can be, or perhaps… something is wrong… It doesn't know what, it feels as though their identity is being rewritten the more the seconds pass. “I might still be sleepy after all… Well, nothing to be too concerned about Lady Odette!”

“Ahaha… You sure are polite, aren't you?”

“Thank you! Ah! Right, are you here for something by these shelves too? My sincerest apologies if I were on your way.”

“Oh no, it's just, I noticed you pick up that book. It's one of the best philosophy books there is, in fact, a certain friend of mine and I are still on opposing debates about its topics.” Odette spoke with a slight glimmer to her eyes before she paused, “…And also, your hair… somehow reminded me of something… I can't seem to remember what it is now though.”

The person with bright hair looked back to the book again, they remember reading this moment's ago, a philosophy book in regards to Craft, written in Ka Bue's language. They studied a bit of its language before coming here yet it seemed that there are still many unfamiliar words written on the book. Right… they remembered seeing such words and wanted to study some more of the language with the help of this book as motivation.

“This book… Truth be told, Lady Odette… I can't actually understand it!” They chuckled, “I was hoping to study more until I could, although it appears that you know quite a lot about it, if it isn't too much of a bother, may I borrow some more of your time for a chat about the topics of this book accompanied with some snacks and tea on the side perhaps? My treat of course!”

“Well, I can't possibly turn down a free meal! Although…” Odette smiled and turned to the shelves beside them, “How about I pick up some more books for you too, I know some interesting books here! As payment for the meal.”

“Hahaha! So long as I pay for it! It wouldn't be a free meal then if something of monetary value is exchanged!”

“Hah! That's fair. Alright, I'll just choose then.”

The person with bright hair smiled, they'd worry about its blank mind later. It'll be alright, the ________ leads, we follow... What was it that leads though...? Where did I get that saying from again...? . . . Well! Whatever! It'll be fine!

The creature... So first things first is some info about them pre- disappearance of The Country. They're a loyal follower and avid worshipper of The Country. They love the Universe sooo much that they made a wish to be able to read the stars, and the Universe answered. I like to think that the stars are talkative, some can predict what will happen in the near future, some are just "chatting" to each other about the stuff happening in the world they overlook. It's a somewhat useful ability that Soleil used to use to be able to either predict someone's future (rarely though, the stars hold many different futures and it's hard to figure out which is whose) or use it during funeral rites to have a more reassuring experience to the ones mourning that their loved one arrived safely among the stars.

And then they found out about The Cursing of Chateau Castle-- they kiiiinda got Really obsessed with the book series that they wanted to know more about it but there wasn't any more copies of it in the Country's language so what better way to deal with that but teaching itself how to understand the Vaugardian language, and by doing that they got to learn more about the Vaugardian culture and was really amazed by it (considering that they spent most of their life with the Country's culture instead, learning about a different culture is a great feeling). One thing led to the other and it also led Soleil to travelling to Vaugarde (something that their family wasn't all that happy with but they stay silly).

And so we're back at the present time! Now to talk about some details on its appearance.

Its Craft type is Scissors! The eye on the center of its chest and the eye by its nape are in fact EYES and not just accessories (although they did try to make the eye on its chest appear to be like a mix between a star shape and the Change Symbol).

After spending some time in Vaugarde, they learned about Body Craft in which case they decided to experiment with it in regards to its eyes.

Since being in Vaugarde, there wasn't much use to its star sight and there also isn't a way to "turn it off." So instead, they decided to separate its Normal sight from the Star sight by adding another pair of eyes on its body.

The eyes on its face are blind. They can't see through it anymore but they Can still see the stars (they can't read it anymore however cuz of the Country's disappearance).

If they focus on the stars using those eyes, they'd get a REALLY bad headache and a star sign appears on its eyes. Nothing to be afraid of probably, its head just Really hurts.

The glass covering the eye on its nape is a one way mirror. You won't be able to see the eye but the eye can still see you.

With its vision split, it actually took them awhile to get used to that. It takes a lot of concentration and focus to see both from behind and from the front. When Soleil gets tired from doing that, they either close the eye on its nape (if the place is safe enough) or unfocus it enough to the point that most of its vision becomes blurry with only being able to see blobs of shapes and shadows which helps them be alert enough in case something comes running at them from behind.

All the round objects you see on its body are Bombs. They found out about Bomb Craft in Jouvente and was so fascinated by it that their inventor brain (inventing, crafting, and repairing stuff is a special interest of theirs). They now like making bombs and inventing new ones (only they have the recipe of those).

The bombs they invented only detonates via a Craft spell, it's basically as safe as an ordinary ball to handle unless detonated. Also the scissors at the top of their head has a cover on its tip. It's Very Sharp. They mainly use that (either the tip or the scissor blades itself) to cut the bombs dangling on its body.

Despite the multitude of bombs they carry, they aren't actually much of a fighter (they just like bombs). Most of its Craft spells are basic/beginner level. The one and only Powerful Craft spell they have is a shield/defense spell that they practiced several times. It's capable of negating all damage for 2 turns with a 5 turn cooldown, they wanted to master that spell to make it so that bombs won't hurt them no matter the close proximity.

Its hand signs are "broken." They used to mimic the hand signs that the Universe (I'm mainly referring to my design of the Universe) makes. But after forgetting about everything in regards to it, they can't remember what hand signs they used to make but the familiar feeling was still there.

A huge fan of The Cursing of Chateau Castle, to the point of practically making it part of its identity now that a HUGE chunk of its memory is missing. Its outfit is a modified version of what they think Lady Irene-Janine-Karine wears.

Its personality is a mixture of Lord Josephandre, Pierre-Jacques-Erneste, and Lady Irene-Janine-Karine (aka the Chateau Trio!!! Love those three...).

Characters: Halcyon and Felicity

Halcyon stood atop the step ladder with arms outstretched as he fixes the positioning of a rather large painting.

“How does it look now?” He called over his shoulder as he glanced back to his helper, Felicity, that'd be his eyes for this small task. It was going to be the birthday of Felicity's grandfather, so they're preparing the room for a surprise.

“Hmm, a little to the… left.”

He moved it to the left.

“Ah, actually! The other left!”

Halcyon moved it to… the other left. He paused to look at her with a raised eyebrow, “Feline… You work as a guide. What do you mean 'other left'?”

“You know! My… left? Or is it your left? Wait a sec…” She raised her hands in front of her, inspecting which left it really was, Halcyon couldn't help but just let out a small chuckle at her confusion. For a guide, she sure is still not that good with her lefts and rights.

“MY left is YOUR left, feline. I have my back turned to you.” Halcyon sighed a bit, it was more out of adoration than annoyance.

“Eheh… The right? The right side then. It's a little bit crooked on the right side.” Felicity pointed to… the left side.

“Feline… That's left…”

“Agh! Whatever! You already saw where I pointed, it's there! It's crooked right there!”

Halcyon laughed loudly then, he just couldn't help himself anymore.

She's just so cute.

He drowned out those thoughts with his laughter.

“Don't laugh at me!” Felicity huffed and tapped her foot in a feigned annoyance.

“I'm not, I'm not!” Halcyon stole a glance at her before returning to fix the painting, she was pouting.

Adorable…

He pushed that word away with Felicity's complaints.

“Even though you just did?” Felicity's voice sounded unimpressed, although Halcyon can still hear the small hint of a smile in it.

“Nuh uh!” Halcyon playfully teased as he stuck his tongue out at her.

Felicity placed her hands on her hips, “Oh you're so gonna get it once you get down from there, mister!”

“Well, I guess I'm stuck here now.” Halcyon shrugged.

Felicity pouted again before making her way to the ladder and grabbing it, “I'm going to shake you until you fall if you don't get down from there! We still have more things to do!”

“Ah! I got it, I got it! There's no need for that, feline!”

Felicity smirked at him, proud of her triumphant victory. Her smirk didn't stay long however as Halcyon jumped down nearby and playfully flicked her forehead in a smooth motion before immediately running away.

“You—! Get back here!” She chased after him, who giggled and stuck his tongue out at her again.

“If you can catch me that is!”

Halcyon allowed the sound of his laughter and her complaints to bury the three words threatening to make its way his mind. Just as how he always had before. For now, this moment was all he need. For now, this will be enough.

Character: Seers

Time: In the near forgotten past, as the world meet its end

A young girl ran as far as her legs can take her. It didn't matter to her,

the exhaustion,

the heaviness,

the pain,

and the looming death creeping upon the world in its every corner. None of that mattered to her, her body grew numb, her surroundings blurred, all that was left was static in a world meeting its end. And yet the young girl continued to run as she had,

a goal,

“I need to find my mom.”

a wish,

“I can save her.”

a prayer,

“Even if it's just her.”

and the light of hope peeking through the darkness,

“I can save someone.”

The cruelty of the world is contained within her mind and its proof was held tight between the palm of her hand. A gem, a jewel, a crystal, or a pearl, whatever the item may be called, it was the answer to her fervent cries for the pain to stop.

For this bad dream to end.

So the little girl ran, her ears rang from the chaos, her eyes darted across her surroundings, to dodge left, and then right, to duck behind debris, to crawl under rubble. The young girl persevered and fought, for her remaining hope to shine through this darkness.

But the cruelness of the world is this:

With one's fate set in stone.

Nothing can be changed.

Oh how merciless must the gods be, to bless the people as the world meet its end. Oh how ruthless must the gods be, to bless a little girl of foresight, for that she may bear witness to a future that can be changed.

Yet was completely out of her reach.

The young girl stood, wheezing and panting, her body covered in sweat, and dust, and dirt, it didn't matter to her, none of it mattered to her. She merely stared at the remains of what was once,

a building,

“Why is this happening…”

a house,

“What did we do wrong for the gods to be so angry…”

a home,

“Where is… my mom?”

The young girl fell to her knees, all the strength drained out from her. Her lungs burns as her eyes stung, a hot liquid dripped from her cheeks to the ground, along with something clearer.

Pitter,

The young girl sat unmoving.

Patter,

The world seemingly stilled.

Pitter,

The noise grew muffled.

Patter,

The skies mourn for those who were lost.

The little girl screamed then. Tears mixed with blood from countless of wounds she did not realize she had. She didn't about it, it didn't matter what became of her, she only ever cared to save her mom. She wanted to save someone, she prayed for this nightmare to end, she wished for everything to return to normal, she cried for the pain to go away.

(purposely didn't colour in Feli's tie and Hal's glove, it's like they're subtly trying to match :3 while also seemingly missing a piece of one another). Honestly though, in regards to Hal's sexuality, he's like that one tweet: "I'm probably nonbinary but I have a job so idrc bout that rn." He's definitely queer, but he's too busy with getting in danger his job to even bother with that so he just gets the queer label!

Neither of them confessing orz... They love each other so much yet neither of them are confessing... Hal being overprotective of Feli but in a way where it isn't even all that known by anyone but Feli and her the people really close to them. Hal doing his job is half-wanting to keep their city safe and half-wanting to keep Feli from any harm. He aint letting anyone hurt her that's for sure.

Here in Day 1 and we immediately see THREE DEAD

Rozalynda btw is a human oc that's a parent figure to a nonhuman oc (that I didn't include here) She's very sweet actually, very mom coded, so seeing her team up with Alerik to drown Cas is insane. Mel being a boyfailure and steps on a landmine, you tried your best, Mel...

One, it's VERY FUNNY how a 13 year old kid snatched a mace from me. And two, Crystal finding a bag full of explosives is VERY IN CHARACTER.

Night 1

Alec just straight up killed the dude, didn't even gave him a chance to be in the situation longer, scary...

Now this is just... really sad. Marcie and Seph are BESTIES!!! WHY DID YOU DO THAT MARCIE???

Also btw Clarissa is Ray's younger sister.

Day 2

Seeing myself and Alerik teaming up for a short time to split up and search for resources is very on brand, I think. Considering Alerik's situation (his self-awareness) so I can see him arguing with the simulator Aria honestly. Also, you'll be seeing Rozalynda be VERY MURDEROUS throughout this whole thing.

And here's Ray questioning his sanity, very in character, I am so sorry Ray.

Night 2

There's so many things happening in this chunk. First, Crystal dying from a landmine she's trying to set up is REALLY POETIC in a way since Crystal is a Bomb Expert, her special interest are bombs, so the fact that she died from one she was trying to arm is poetic in its own way. Second, Aria girlfailure. Third, Felicity ambushing someone is in character for her but Man... Cedany is dead... (Cedany is Cressida's older sister). Fourth, seeing Alerik fighting Alec is honestly so insane to me cuz that's Alerik, my highly self-aware oc, and Alec, my baby, my favourite (Saying sorry to all my other ocs, excluding Ray cuz he became favourite by association).

So it's actually REALLY in character for Alerik to just have some Intense Beef with simulator Aria and Alec. Lastly, fifth, *Them, it's a lil sad that there's no nonbinary option for this but alas... Also Pharaoh is a nonhuman oc beefing with a human oc, like OFC YOU'D WIN! YOU'RE A DEMON! Honestly would be so funny though if Pharaoh lost that.

Day 3

RETRIBUTION! My sins towards my ocs has caught up to me via simulator Aria's own Stupidity cuz REALLY GIRL??? You got your mace snatched by a 13 YEAR OLD at the very beginning, why did you think fighting ANYONE is ever a good idea? Also very fitting that Alec's sister got to participate in the killing. She deserves it, as a treat, for all the torture I put her own brother through-- WAIT!!! I just realized the doomed yuri of that, Cressida is Ely's future partner... Cressida is... she's dead 😔 OH! I cannot believe! that even in her dying moments, simulator Aria decides to bring upon pain towards the ocs anyway (ngl it's kinda fitting for me).

Also yeah time to address the elephant in the room that is Odessa attacking Alerik cuz 1. Odessa is a human oc (she's Pharaoh's partner) 2. It's both SO INSANE and SO IN CHARACTER of her to just fight with a GOD. It would've been soooo funny had Alerik died by her hands.

Night 3