#cera posts

Cera has five half-siblings that she didn't meet until she was in her mid-twenties and finally tracked her dad down. Her mom had told her an absolutely WILD pack of lies with just enough truth that Cera's dogged persistence in looking for him finally paid off. Not remotely the way she expected, but she actually gets along well with his wife and her younger siblings. So that's something. She has not met her other sister yet, but maybe one day!

That question itched at the back of Cerathil's mind as she watched the crew below finish settling the Lovely Spriggan’s final supply run of the year. In a little less than a month they’d conclude their tour of the Lavender Beds and break for the winter season. Cerathil could feel the change in the fall air already, as many of the crew braced themselves for a shift in the dynamic of the boat. Many would stay on, but she and Mhaelou and T’svaih had already made plans to go their separate ways, as had many of the other performers that had been hired on for the year. This final supply stop at a sleepy little farming port was more than just a chance to stock up on apples and barrels of pickled vegetables, it was one last chance for the performers to rest and adjust their acts before their cycle of performances and sailing began again. A number of the performers, including herself, had taken rooms at the shabby inn by the docks. It was little more than a tap room with a few rough bedrooms above it, but it wasn’t a hammock in a swaying hold and that was something Cera was looking forward to enjoying before committing to another month on the water.

That seemed to settle something, and in a moment Cera had stood, tucking the letter away within her songbook. She leaned down over the railing, her dark hair catching the sun and flashing a brilliant blue in the afternoon light as she raised her voice, “Dhemoenwyn, if you’re quite finished I have an idea for our next show I’d like to discuss.”

Mhaelou raised her gaze, shielding her bright blue-green eyes from the sun as she looked up toward Cerathil's perch. She had known the elezen was there, of course; that was the reason she'd made herself so readily available to help with the rigging. But the woman's use of her last name was curious. With rare exception, Cera only seemed to do that when she needed something from her. Lou flashed the woman a wide grin and waved a hand in acknowledgement. Her eyes lingered briefly on the tumble of Cera's dark hair before she turned back to finish what she was doing, tying off a coil of rope and looping it over a hook on the banister.

She took the stairs up to the highcastle two at a time, wiping the sweat off her brow with a rag as she sprang up to where Cerathil was waiting for her. "Hey, songbird," she said, favoring the woman with another crooked grin as she dropped heavily down on the floor and leaned back against the rail, taking the opportunity to rest and catch her breath. "This better not be about Nara doing a striptease again," she joked in a deadpan about her ursine co-star, turning her attention to folding the rag in her hands. "I refuse to submit the old gal to the leering of these lustful Gridanians." She glanced back up to Cerathil, pulling a small apple from her pocket and holding it between her teeth while she tucked away the folded rag.

"Ah, yes. Still trying to keep her all for yourself, I see," Cera smiled as she settled herself back down on the railing, crossing her long legs as she looked down at Mhaelou. "Lou," she dropped the joking air to her voice as she set her songbook in her lap, "Have I offended you?"

The uncommon directness of her question was not reflected in her relaxed posture as she sat on the rail looking down at the roegadyn. Only the way her fingers toyed with the bent edge of her songbook gave away any sense of nervous energy as she awaited the larger woman's response.

Lou's eyes widened at Cera's question and she stared at her in bewilderment. "No," she said easily, the reply somewhat muffled by the apple in her mouth. She finished tucking away her rag and then pulled the half-bitten fruit from between her teeth, her brow knit in confusion as she took in the woman's posture and the nervous attention she was paying to the edge of her songbook. "Why?"

"I'm glad," Cera seemed to relax slightly, "If a little confused." Her gaze lingered purposefully on Lou's face as she smiled with more of her usual easy warmth. "I had only noticed that you've been saving your flirtations for Nara alone, and I thought perhaps I'd upset you. I have grown accustomed to a certain level of attention and found myself wanting too often this past week. Have you and the bear made things official? Or have I made myself unworthy in some other way?"

As she spoke she shifted her skirt slightly, so it bunched around her crossed knees, exposing the curve of her calves.

"Oh!" Lou said, her cheeks purpling as she dropped her gaze to the floor, laughing in spite of herself at Cera's joke. "That. Yeah. Ah..." She reached up with her free hand and rubbed the back of her neck, her expression abashed as her gaze traveled back up toward the elezen, wandering rakishly over the curve of the woman's legs on its way. "No, it's nothing you did. Uh, after our game with Svai last week, when I learned you'd had your marriage bust up, I got to thinking." Her eyes unfocused and she gestured with the apple as she began expounding on her inner dialog. "I've been making my interest known to this woman for months now, and she hasn't taken the bait. Not that I have any expectations -- I'd been assuming she just liked the sport of dragging it out, as I have. But after learning about that breakup... well."

Lou’s gaze focused back on Cera and she tapped the apple against her chin as she continued. "Guess I started wondering if maybe there was another reason she hadn't taken things further. That maybe she’s still recovering from all that and doesn’t want what I’m offering at all, and she just isn’t shutting me down out of... I don't know, pity or something. Then I started feeling a little guilty about being so forward." Pausing to take a breath, Lou pushed herself back up to her feet, bouncing the apple on her palm. "Well. Sounds kinda silly, now that I say it out loud." Hooking the thumb of her free hand behind her belt, she rested her hips back against the railing, giving Cera a shrug and a wry smirk, albeit with a hopeful glint in her eye.

Cera continued to fiddle with the edge of her songbook as she listened to Mhaelou’s reasoning, before at last laughing gently, “That’s actually quite sweet, Lou.” Despite her laugh her expression looked pinched as she stared off at the water beyond the starboard side of the ship. After a moment she sighed and looked back at the larger woman, “And a bit more perceptive than I suppose I had anticipated. Neither of your guesses are entirely wrong. I am still recovering, but I have also quite enjoyed our sport. Had I not then I would have made that clear far earlier.”

A warm smile spread across her face at last, then curved into a grin as she tilted her head and wrapped her slim hands around her knees, “I suppose I also worried that if I gave in too soon and things did not go well our act would be compromised. Which I admit I am far less concerned over now that the show is coming to a close.” She returned the roegadyn’s shrug and stared up at her, “So as long as you’re not looking for a quick engagement I suppose I could see myself wrestling you away from Nara’s clutches for a night. If you’re still willing.”

Lou raised her eyebrows. “Could you, now?” she laughed, pushing off from the railing and strolling closer to where Cera was perched. “My, my. If I had known you were so interested in spending the night with big hairy animals, I would have offered to share Nara with you much sooner.” She took a bite of the apple then, pausing to chew as she looked off over the water in the direction Cera had been staring moments before. “Seems like we were both overthinking things,” she said, turning her eyes back to the elezen as she drifted closer to where she was sitting, pressing a few more steps into the woman’s personal space than she typically did and lowering her voice. “But if you’re game, then you know I am as well. So,” she drew the word out, bouncing the apple on her palm again, her eyes fixed on Cera’s face as she hovered over her, “what would you say if I offered to buy us some drinks tonight?”

As Lou drifted into her space Cerathil bounced one foot in amusement, then stood fluidly. With one swift movement she snatched the apple out of the air before it hit Mhaelou’s palm and brought it to her own lips, taking a small bite out of it before stepping back again.

“Mmm,” she hummed around her bite of apple, making a show of chewing and thinking it over before finally responding. “I’d say that sounds lovely, though…” she tapped the apple against her bottom lip and took a step forward, a playful smile creasing her face, “you do know it’s not Nara I’m interested in? Just so we’re perfectly clear, I expect you to show up for drinks smelling like something other than musky bear and fish guts if you want to get into my bed.” With that she took a step away and tossed the apple back to Mhaelou, a wide grin spreading across her face.

Mhaelou caught the apple with the hand that was still upraised from missing its landing earlier. Her eyes hadn’t strayed from Cera since the woman had slipped off the railing. Even now, as the elezen stepped away, Lou drifted slowly toward her again, as if pulled magnetically toward her presence. “Ah, that’s just fine,” she said with a wicked grin. “I have so many perfumes at my disposal. Will it be sweat and river muck tonight? Maybe add a dash of stale tobacco.” A call from the main deck caught Lou’s attention, and she peeled her gaze away from Cerathil with great reluctance to see what was afoot. “Seems I’m needed elsewhere. Better get hopping if I’m to bathe before dinner.” Rolling the apple between her palms, she turned back to the bard, eyes sparkling as they roamed over the woman’s body. “I’ll find you later, then. Don’t skip town on me, will you?” Flashing Cera another broad grin, Lou took another bite of apple and started backing toward the railing.

“Room’s already paid for,” Cera grinned as she watched the roegadyn go, her gaze lingering over the woman’s shoulders and arms once again. “I’ll wait for you at the inn. Seventh bell. Don’t make me start drinking without you.”

–Getting to know the account

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO TAKE ON THIS MUSE:

Cerathil: Cera started out as a Night Elf in WoW, and I was still really pumped for her when I hopped over to FFXIV. I struggled mightily with adjusting her character for the game partially because I didn't know much about the FFXIV lore, but mostly because in WoW she had a lot of very WoW specific problems (demon hunter wife, anti-magic nelf stigma, fel addiction fears) so I ended up developing Lir and coming back to her later. She's almost a completely different person from WoW Cera, but this is mainly due to timeline differences. FFXIV Cera got out of the military and embraced her true passions while WoW Cera was stuck in a job she hated fighting a war she never wanted to be part of. Consequently FFXIV Cera is a lot happier, more fulfilled person. This makes her solidly outside of the type of character I usually play so I'm struggling a little with staying connected to her current story.

Dove: I really wanted to play a monk. I mained monk in WoW for years and Dove is partially inspired by an old Tauren monk of mine, although she's much more scholarly than Maha was. I haven't gotten hugely into her yet as I'm still developing her but I'm very excited to have a big buff bruiser lady again! Also I adore Roe ladies so it was high time I settled on one for myself.

Lirene: I wanted to make a criminal character to play with some friends that do crime shenanigans (/wave) but I also wanted someone that didn't have crime as her ultimate goal. Enter Lir. Who is inspired by any character with noble ideals and practical executions. She ended up being waaaaaaaay softer than I expected but that could be because her main plot line so far has revolved around meeting her wife, albeit through the manipulations of the cartel they're both involuntarily working for. I don't think she's worked out terribly well for crime shenanigans at least in part because she's so terribly protective and ended up liking playing by the rules too much. Oh well. I still love her tho!

Tristan: Machinist is fun, pewpew. I need to work on developing her more.

Hfyrn: I honestly just wanted a botanist before I realized I'd also have to level her adventuring class, but I love her aesthetic so she's staying even if I don't play her much. Enjoy the flowers and fluffy soft posts she brings this blog.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE ASPECTS OF YOUR CURRENT MUSE:

Just gonna answer this for Cera and Lir since they're my main gals at the moment!

Cera: I really like how versatile Cera is in roleplay situations. Because of her job as an entertainer and something of a spy she's always looking to either blend in and observe, or else command and direct attention to where it best serves her needs. She can be manipulative and deceptive, but she's almost never intentionally cruel about it.

I also adore the delightful relationship between her and her wife, Mhaelou Dhemoenwyn, because theyre' such glaring opposites. Lou is a huge, raucous, beast of a pirate woman that loves fighting, chaos and mayhem, but is generally against outright killing people. Cera is refined, elegant, thoughtful, and while she's a day-to-day pacifist she's also perfectly willing to kill if doing so will keep her family safe. Neither of them want to change anything about the other, and they adore one another in a way that's stupidly cute and soft.

Lir: Oh, Lir. I love Lir because she is good hearted, and strong, and capable in interesting ways that she doesn't fully realize. She thinks of herself as a lost cause. Someone that's not really worthy of the things she's gotten in life so far. She thinks she's defined by her failures and all the ways she's sacrificed her ideals on the alter of survival and practicality. She's just so fucking stupid about herself and can't see what makes others love her.

Lir is also a character that wants things and is afraid to reach for them, but has recently been given a big helping of motivation in the form of her amazing wife. (There is a trend here.) Shay doesn't seem to have any problem with reaching for the stars and Lir is gonna be damned if she's gonna let her wife down.

WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION WHEN IT COMES TO WRITING:

Talking with my wife and friends about roleplay stuff! I'm certainly inspired by other things, movies, games, mythology, art, etc. But talking through potential plot ideas or bouncing things around with my friends is just... *chef kiss* The. Best.

Some of my favorite plot things we've done have evolved out of "OMG wouldn't it be funny if" conversations with my wife in particular. Then we have our characters end up in hilarious/ridiculous situations and they make us cry because they're so sweet and stupid and lovable.

FAVORITE TYPES OF THREADS:

I like juicy character development stuff. Just yeet my characters into a situation where they have to poke outside their comfort zone, or else confront head-on something they've been struggling with. Doesn't matter what the setting is. It could be an action packed situation where they have to confront their unsustainable relationship with violence, or it could be a quiet moment of introspection that leads them to a big revelation later on. I want my characters to be like plants - they always need to be growing!

Tagged by: @luck-and-larceny Thank you again, this was another great ind interesting ask!