#nithys

I had this in my draft for ages because I wanted to make a smol picture for my babbus and eeeey - look at me, I finally did one sketchy thingy! ANYWAYZ thanks @warlock-enthusiast for tagging meeeee ♥♥♥ to:

say the first three (3) things that you think of your OC(s)! (Without an explanation, of course)!

slowly making my way through the prompts.

this time with @feylen ‘s tiefling Nithys and my wood-elf Phedre!

(sfw)

“My heart feels like a butterfly.” Phedre bit her lip. Small doses of magic erupted from her body. Without being able to stand still, every step, every movement led to flowers blooming around her. Thick, red petals, small, golden ones, vines that smelled like honey.

Revah stood a few steps aways and ignored the curious glances. “Calm down. We’re attracting quite the audience.”

“I’m trying.” She did! But her heart was beating so fast and Phedre heard her own blood rushing through her ears. She hadn’t eaten since yesterday. Her stomach seemed to grumble and ache a bit.

“We’re not in Cascant. At least try to blend in?” Another thick vince wrapped itself around her ankles.

Revah lifted his brows. “Or not.”

Ebrus’ harbour was the biggest one in all of Aesis and it showed. Everything seemed loud and smelly and Phedre’s eyes searched the horizon. They’d waited through the night and dawn slowly crept upon them. It almost felt like waiting for Draven. Her adventurous brother, who sailed the seas and raised his hoard of children with the love of his life.

Finally a galley appeared at the edge of her vision.

“There! That has to be them?” Golden figurehead, wooden snakes, black sails. A delegation send from Xanthus.

Another hour passend and Phedre grew restless again. She’d waited so long for this. Why did it take so long for them to dock? Revah took her hand a few times and made sure to get rid of some flowers, but couldn’t calm her down completely.

And then, Nithys appeared on the gangplank. Beautiful, ethereal, a rising sun coloring her in the warmest colors possible. Dressed in some silken robes, chains and jewelry dangling from her horns and ears.

Phedre ran.

Nithys looked surprised but recovered quickly. She’d seldom lose her composure and surely not because of such a passionate welcome. Phedre felt the silk beneath her skin and smelled sandalwood and rosewater.

“Nif, I’m so glad that you’re back.” Tears threatened to escape her eyes and she pressed her head against Nithys’ chest, wrapped her arms around her hips.

“I’ve missed you.” Phedre hated how small and weak she sounded. Nothing compared to Nithys’ smooth tones.  

Nithys lifted Phedre’s chin and kissed her. “If you’d asked me to stay, I would’ve. You know that, Phedre.” Warmth flooded her body and she felt like flying. After all this time, a simple kiss could reduce her to a whimpering mess.

She took a breath and a step back. “I’d never demand such a thing. You’re free to do as you please.” Nithys kissed her forehead and her smile felt brighter than every sun. “I’ve met your friends. Quite an interesting group. A bit brash at times.”

“Yes, I know, but their hearts are huge and warm.” They’d left the continent a while ago, ready to face some new adventures in Xanthus and happy to rescue a princess from certain death.

Nithys pushed some of Phedre’s hair out of her face. “I’m not surprised that you offered them a shelter. You could never leave strays out in the wild.”

Phedre took her hand and guided her down the gangplank. “You have to tell me everything. I mean about Xanthus and about their Queen and her family and the sand! Did it get everywhere?”

“I will, I promise.” Nithys shook her head and smiled.

Still laughing, she greeted Revah with a simple bow and gave orders to be careful with her belongins. Sailors had already begun unpacking them. Chests upon chests filled with wondrous things. 

fifth entry for fictober :D

my d&d druid Phedre and a borrowed @feylen ‘s Nithys <3

Phedre wrapped her arms around herself and hummed to herself. A half forgotten lullaby, which had been sung by her father and mother and the members of her clan. It spoke of an elven hero and love and bravery and helped with calming her frayed mind. Nowadays, there seemed to be sadness hidden in the melody and a note of loss. Like a thief grief had crawled into her thoughts and left its taint on everything.

“Just be brave. It’s not hard.” Her short nails dug into her skin and she wished to transform herself in some sort of animal, stronger and bigger than herself. A wolf, whose fangs tore to flesh and bone, or a raven, whose wings could carry her away. Maybe an elemental. Just not herself.

Phedre pressed her back against a marble column and watched the celebrations. All those people cheerfully sipping away their wine. She saw Alessa and Draven, close to each other and whispering and very unsure, if they were in love or not, and nobles from all regions. Not that she cared much about their names and families, or they silken robes and golden chains.

Putting one foot in front of the other helped and Phedre came to stay at a near window. Her breathing became regular again as soon as she felt the air on her face. Stars danced on a dark sky and fireworks dampened their shine. Cheerful voices and laughter filled the air and one laughter sounded brighter than anything else.

Nithys.

Clad in a tight dress and with her hair woven into elaborate braids, she looked more beautiful than ever. When she closed her eyes, she could still feel the soft hair between her fingers and the slender neck beneath her palm. Flower petals on the ground.

Phedre waited and watched people come and go and she saw Nithys’ shoulder stiffen more than once. The palace brought a lifetime of memories back to light. Time flowed throught her fingers. Her feet started to hurt and her throat got dry. She drank a wine or two and felt the blush creeping into her cheeks. Though, it dulled the nervous fluttering in her stomach.

“Are you enjoying the evening?” Nithys’s smile was warm and a welcome. Phedre put her arms in front of her chest, as if trying to protect herself from an unseen foe. Nithys on the other hand, acted as graceful and polite as always. Not a single strand of hair out of place. 

Phedre’s heart seemed to burst at any given moment. With her sweaty palms and quivering voice, she’d never fit in. Not here.

“No.” Phedre shook her head, before correcting herself..

“I meant… yes… yes, of course. I’m sorry. It’s all very grand?”

Nithys hid her laughter behind her hand. “But the food is very tasty. You have to applaud their love for small details. ”

“Yes.” Phedre didn’t trust her own stomach and had only nibbled on a bit of cheese and fruit. Combined with the wine, it seemed to cause her lightheadedness. 

Maybe now was a moment to be brave? They stood out of sight and most of the guests looked too deep into their cups, swaying on their feet or dancing to the tunes of the gathered bards.

“Once, just once. I promise.” And Phedre got on her tiptoes and kissed her. Nothing more than a quick peck on the lips and a second of regret and butterflies. Nithys tasted like honey. And wine. All traces of bravery left her then and a sudden chill made her shudder. Sshe didn’t dare to look into the tiefling’s face.

Short filler moment for my D&D campaign.

Totally made my druid bb Phedre a NPC, leader of the woodelves, and still totally in love with @feylen ‘s Nithys. 

My players really upset her. Twice. 

Phedre held the mirror close to her chest. It helped her with the shaking and feeling of unshed tears. Familiar Magic pulled at her consciousness, crossed waters and mountains, and her heart felt light just thinking about seeing her face and hearing her voice.

“Nithys. Please be awkake.” It sounded like a prayer. Not that gods had ever answered her calls.

It took a moment, but she received an answer. “Phedre?”

Her face seemed lit with candlelight. Skin dark with shadows but her eyes bright. And so, so beautiful. It still took her breath away. Not a single beauty of the Feywild, or their own reality, could compare to her.

And Nithys’ eyes looked tired, as if woken from sleep. “Are you alright?”

“No. I’m not.” Phedre considered lying but her love could read her like an open book. There weren’t any secrets between the two of them, and with the strange illness killing and enslaving her people, being alright wasn't a priority any more. Survival was.

“It’s a long story. Revah and I found some people in the wild and we took them in and they asked too many questions.” Phedre bit her lip. “Made me remember things.” And she heard the screams of her clan, smelled burning bodies and wood, felt heavy chains around her neck. And his face. So full of glee and bloodthirst. Her family had been nothing more than spoils of war. Captured and sold and tortured. 

How the Avenuris family ever got to claim the throne in Ebrus. They sat upon the bones of their victims and lies. 

A long sigh escaped Nithys’ lips and for a few seconds, she seemed on the edge of cursing some strangers half a world away. “I’m sorry that I can’t be there for you.”

“Don’t be.” Phedre missed her every single moment, but they followed different paths. Maybe one day, they’d share a peaceful future together. When all of this was over.

When they had time.  

Her heart felt a bit fractured and she took the mirror with her as she climbed into her bed, propping it on her pillows. “How are things with A’shadieeyah?” She might have wandered beneath the stars of the Autumn Court and danced with the leaves of its ruler, but Xanthus was far away. A land of its own magic and mysteries and a sun brighter than their own.

Nithys smiled. “She’s been, well, excentric. You should see how she presents herself and how openly she displays her lovers.” She shook her head, rolled her eyes a bit. Phedre remembered Nithys’ stories about Xanthus’ sole ruler. 

A queen more fierce and beautiful than any other and never tired of displaying her wealth and cunning. Never gentle but generous and a lover of laughs. 

Nithys had been a part of her court for a while and sometimes Phedre dreamed about her in the lavish and colorful clothing. Right now, she seemed in her part of the palace, face frowning. “And you look tired. Have you slept at all?”

“Not much.” Some nights, Revah slept at her side. Just to fill the silence and emptiness of her bed. He’d lost as much as she had and that sadness had formed a bond stronger than most. “I will back with you soon, love. Just hold on a bit longer. Protect your people and yourself.”