#liahan

Really like how this turned out, actually. Especially since it’s been so long since I’ve seriously attempted painting something lol so this isn’t final stage Lia, it would be somewhere during her gladiator time (before she becomes a leader of the Resistance)

I want to do a shoutout to when she was a basteline/cat. So I designed the champion armour to look like a lion. it’s a common enough design for flashy looking armour apparently.

How Could You?

“It’s nice to have you back, darling.”

The cool night air brought chills to Liahan as she guided Jordain outside. Without realising it, her ears rose back up, as if grateful of the much quieter atmosphere. The stars shone brightly, providing a small amount of light that the hidden moon couldn't. There may not have been a cloud in the sky, but they had taken the moon with them, wherever they hid. Jordain laced her claws through Liahan's, and walked alongside her partner, but neither said anything as they enjoyed the evening. Though the champion wasn't exactly certain, she guessed that it was close to the break of dawn. The walls of her beautiful city blocked the horizon, but she could just make out the lighter shades of blue piercing through the indigo blanket. The ball was soon to be over, which meant Astri and her party should be arriving soon. The anxiety began crawling back up to her chest once again, shoving away the lulled senses the dance brought. As they passed by Star's memorial, Liahan paused to look up at the gentle nakmen. Not many civilians held the honour of a memorial within the Drafuen courtyard, especially one with a checkered past such as the former general, but Star had touched the lives of so many Drafuens, that not one complained when Astri and Tokki created it. The gentle painter seemed to be watching the two, the warm glow of his tail providing a light for the two bastelines; they may not have needed it, but Liahan felt comforted anyways. "I wish I could have met him," Jordain whispered, breaking the silence. Liahan gave her a puzzled look, but the other basteline didn't seem to be paying any mind as she continued looking up at the nakmen. "But he was one of the generals who raided Banatin. I'd have thought that you'd hate him on principle." "I've spent enough time with you, Astri, Tokki, and Violet to know that Star was much more than what Saundra wanted him to be," Jordain answered, giving a wry smile. "Besides, he saved my life." "He saved your life?" "Yes. In that same raid. The nakmens came into our house and killed my parents. Star investigated our room, saw me and told me to hide under the bed if I wanted to stay alive. I was scared and almost didn't listen, but it's a good thing I did. The other nakmens then entered the room, and Star said that there was no one else here. They argued that thehy could smell me, but he said that they were smelling other bastelines, and that they shouldn't question their general. When they all left, Star then told me to stay hidden and maybe when this is all over, my parents will come back to me. He was right." "Sounds like Star. He didn't much like his old life," Liahan replied quietly. She gazed up at Star, sending a silent thank you to her friend. "I probably wouldn't have been alive, if not for him. It seems that I'm just some little damsel always needing to be saved," Jordain laughed, shaking her head. "Maybe one day I'll be able to look after myself." "You're stronger than you think, Jo," Liahan countered, switching her attention to her partner. "I'm really not," Jordain argued, grasping onto Liahan's arm and snuggling into her shoulder. "You guys think I'm so much more than I am, but how many time have I fallen apart? I wasn't even useful in your blood garnet hunt..." "Bullshit. You discovered that Justein was a traitor..." "But I was too scared to admit it until Violet helped me! And when you were angry with me, I didn't push the issue, I just let it go until it was almost too late..." "Well, that's my fault for being stubborn. Besides, you also helped us escape from Daemon." "Because I seduced him." There was a bitter edge in her voice as she continued. "That's hardly worth mentioning, since it seems to be the only thing I'm good at it." "That's bullshit also." The champion looked down, but was met with only the top of Jordain's hair since she refused to look up. "It takes a special kind of courage to trick Daemon like that, and I don't think even I would have been able to pull it off. You are so much better than you think. You're brave, you're smart, and yes, you're beautiful, but that's only part of who you are. The strength that shines from inside you is enough to put Astri and I to shame. The champions of the past would be impressed with you." The little basteline began to shift, and turned her head up to face the other. "Lia..." Liahan didn't allow her to interrupt as she continued. "The way you believe in me, the faith that you hold? This is a time where most people have given up hope or have lost faith, but not you." Lifting her opposite hand, the champion cupped Jordain's face gently and stroked her cheek. "You stay optimistic, you stay a beacon of hope. Like a candle in the darkness, you're our light. You're my light." "Only you would see me as a light." There was a small hint of amusement in her tone, but the pain seemed to have mostly washed away as she smiled up at Liahan. "Yeah, well, someone's got to, because you just keep putting yourself down." "Nobody needs to look up to me," Jordain said with a shrug. "I'm too short anyways." Liahan grunted, before pulling away from the other basteline. Jordain watched on curiously as the champion knelt to the ground, mindful of her hurt leg, then tossed a grin up at her partner. "Oh hey, I'm looking up to you." This earned a laugh from Jordain as she flicked the champion on the nose with her tail. "You're such a dork, Liahan." "Oh boy, you used my full name." Slowly getting up, the warrior cocked an eyebrow. "Does this mean I did something wrong?" Jordain didn't answer at first as she stepped closer to the other basteline. Her dress trailed behind her, leaving a dark train on the grass that blended with the night as with the rest of her, but the little basteline's eyes were like tiny lanterns, capturing all of the light of the stars as they stared up at Liahan. The champion noticed how some of the fur on her back stood up, and remembered how chilly the desert air could be. "You cold?" "A little," Jordain admitted with a shy smile. Taking off the jacket, Liahan realised just how frigid the desert night was and was grateful for her fire element as she slipped the coat around the other woman. This simple action somehow made them stand much closer, so that Jordain was able to rest her forearms on Liahan's chest as the jacket was draped across her shoulders. Instead of pulling away, however, Liahan kept her arms wrapped around Jordain, willing her racing heart to settle down. Nothing was said, and though they were alone, Liahan was certain she could feel Star's presence nudging her forward, almost encouraging her. For what, the champion wasn't sure, but she could pinpoint the exact moment when both bastelines followed the same breathing pattern, due to their embrace. The little basteline continued to look up at her, and the pair of them locked gazes. The sharp sound of the trumpet forced Liahan to look away, every muscle of hers tensing. All of her previous fears broke through like a tidal wave, and immediately the champion assumed the worse. The way that Jordain pulled away and anxiously glanced towards the sound said that she thought the same. "Go," she whispered. "I'll stay back here." "Okay. I'll be back." "I know you will."