#padira

Commission for @birras0 of their very fashionable pand. She's here to unionize spaceship operators and look great while doing it.

The little Pandaren cub sat enraptured by the stylized map of Pandaria adorned with depictions of the August Celestials at their corresponding cardinal directions. Her father’s finger tapped the crane in flight drawn in red at the bottom of the page. “And of course, we have Chi-Ji the Red Crane, spirit of hope.”

Padira’s tail flitted to and fro restlessly. She looked up eyes wide. “...What’s that?”

Daolain smiled warmly as he lifted his daughter into his lap. “Hope is...Hope is believing tomorrow will be better than yesterday. That bad times won’t last forever,” He playfully tousled her hair. “In my mind, Chi-Ji is the strongest Celestial of all...”

Padira’s face scrunched up, eyeing her father like he had just spoken Hozen. “Whaaaat? Stronger than Xuen? But we saw him break that big rock with just one claw at the Festival!”

The older pand chuckled. “I know, little bean, I know... Xuen is very strong, but strength of body, strength of will, strength of mind. None of these mean anything if your spirit is broken. That is the strength that the Red Crane grants us.”

Padira clung desperately to the hunk of driftwood keeping her afloat. She had no idea where she was, or how long it was since the mage’s portal dumped her in the middle of the sea. All she knew is there was a speck of land on the horizon. West, if her wits were still intact. She had given up kicking to speed along her process, a hundred kicks could be undone or outmatched with an errant wave or whim of an undercurrent and would only serve to exhaust her. So she clung, being swept along as the hot tropical sun beat down on her fur.

The only thing she could do is think. Think about Dawsons. Think about his survival. Think about what that meant for her thoughts the past half year.

“You believed he was alive at the start,” said one voice, warm and comforting as a crackling hearth.

“Yet you came to lose your faith in him. And yourself,” said another, softer and tinglier, like the air before a thunderstorm.

“They poisoned your mind with doubt! The dragon and the draenei, poisoned with lies...”

“You accepted those lies willingly. How could you not? Calline and Hasun were closest to him. If they lost heart, how could you still have hope?”

“They took that hope. Made you believe Angela’s hope was madness. They stole and lied and kept him from being found sooner. You need justice!”

“You allowed yourself to be vulnerable to their machinations and they took full advantage of that. You need to get even.”

“You need to get back to shore,” the voices said in chorus, “and make them understand what they did.”

Padira gritted her teeth, claws digging into waterlogged wood as her weary legs started to kick against the water once more. “They stole the hope out of my heart...When I needed it most...” A flickering flame burned in her eye as the sword at her side illuminated the water around her with an orange glow.

She was getting to shore. It wasn’t a hope. It was a vow. She needed to have a talk with Calline and Hasun.

Three things they would do to your character if they were alone.

Calline: Boop the snoot. Hug. Make her a big meal in thanks for all she’s done for me. Including teaching me how to make said meal.

Crevia:

What they define their relationship with your muse as: Dear Friends!

Something they like about your muse: She is just so kind to everyone, and fiercely protective of her friends.

Something they dislike about your muse: Difficult to say…she is so adaptable, it would seem that she doesn’t let many weaknesses show. 

Their first impression of your muse: Friendly, if gossipy.

Their impression of your muse now: Loyal, invaluable.

How they feel about your muse: I both trust her with my life and feel very protective of her. 

Something they are hiding from your muse: Nothing specific…but part of me does still feel like I should shield her from some things and I know that’s incorrect.

Something they wish they could to tell your muse: I’m so sorry for the times I haven’t told you the whole truth, even when it wasn’t my place.

.

Wynn:

What they define their relationship with your muse as: Coworkers and friends, I hope!

Something they like about your muse: She’s so kind and welcoming, and always asks how you’re doing. 

Something they dislike about your muse: I don’t know if I know her that well yet…

Their first impression of your muse: A little intimidating! Everyone seemed to be her friend, and hold her in high regard. But she included me right away. 

Their impression of your muse now: Trustworthy, attentive, brave.

How they feel about your muse: Padira is one of the first people in the Company I’d go to for help.

Something they are hiding from your muse: …Only what I hide from everyone. 

Crevia: “Loving”