#phenriel

I really wanted something super clean and cartoony, so Phenriel and Bushels!

It seemed strange in the dark, sitting side by side with someone who’d tried to kill them not a few years ago. One Dreamer, one...not so concrete, so certain in where she stood in the grand scheme of things.

The discussion hadn’t started easily and it continued heavily, topics and questions that had to be asked. Nightmare and Mordrem and choices.

“I can’t believe I’ve been so foolish.”

The ranger looked over, a warm cup of herbal tea in her hands steaming slightly in the cool waste’s air. She didn’t offer any words, hoping to let the Courtier fill the silence.

“I thought...I believed I would become more powerful. I would be stronger. I would be what I was meant to be but-” Varyllis looks out from their watch point, her own hot drink sitting by her feet, “But instead it was slavery. Forcefully torn from freedom. Forced to become something I am not. To obey. To turn against everyone and everything...”

This time Phenriel spoke up, her voice oozing bitterness, “Sounds awfully familiar, doesn’t it Countess?”

“If you’re implying-”

“Conversion pods. Kidnapping. Brainwashing. Violence. Hateful, mindless aggression. Are you telling me that your court were all there of their own accord?”

Varyllis opened her mouth to object, but the ranger silenced her quickly.

“No. Not everyone was born like you. You have done the same vile things the Dragon has. Maybe you should think about that during your existential crisis.”

With no retort, the engineer turned her attention to her feet, eyes wide an unblinking as the ranger’s words repeated over in her head. She knew it wasn’t the same. Not exactly but...was it different enough to separate them? 

“Phen...”

She hadn’t heard the other leave, light on her feet from years of practice. 

The way the tactician rubbed her hands, a gleefully wicked smile on her lips, Lyaeris was beginning to think bringing the other Sylvari straight to the Silverwastes, into the arms of the Pact, was a bad idea.

“No! No, sapling. This...” Phenriel gestured widely, Bushels peering under her arm from his curled position behind, “This could not be better.”

Varyllis looked sour at best, mouth down turned, brow furrowed. Before she could get a word out, the other began again.

“Countess. What do I owe this pleasure to?”

A second of silence passed, Varyllis looking towards the healer for answers.

“Varyllis is here t-”

Bushels stood abruptly, Phenriel holding her hands out suddenly, “Let her speak for herself. She’s so good at it.”

More silence. More awkward shuffling. More sour scowling, “I want to join the Pact. I want to work with the Pale Reavers.”

The ranger’s hands lowered slowly, face a picture of shock, “I wasn’t ready for that. That’s uh...That’s a heck of a turn around.”

No reply.

Ateyla and Caerthys The most obvious and straight forward. Caerthys is a mother figure to Ateyla. They don’t often see eye to eye and Ateyla is more than a handful, but their devotion and bond with each other is unbreakable. 

Ateyla and Klivvik Started out a researcher, turned mentor and now her second parental figure. Klivvik is softer than Caerthys and is most affected by Ateyla’s harsh attitudes but Kliv loves the sapling dearly. Much to Caerthys’ dismay, Klivvik is most likely to be the doting parental figure in their own way.

Caerthys and Klivvik A little bit of a mystery. It’s blatant that they adore each other in ways many people can’t even fathom and that much is mutual. Klivvik very much views Caerthys as her ‘other half’ although in a non-romantic way. Caerthys on the other hand harbors a lot of romantic feelings for the Asura but is content in the relationship they have. She just hopes that should she find someone else, being polyamorous, that Klivvik doesn’t think that her feelings would have changed. Whether Klivvik knows about these feelings isn’t certain.

Klivvik and Eskke Ex-labmates, ex-partners and now currently Krewemates. A huge mess of romance and possession that ended on a sour note for Klivvik but never seemed to dawn on Eskke. Despite her continued advances, Klivvik is certain they’ll never take Eskke back. Eskke is still aggressively possessive of the other Asura and even slightly delusional, always trying to win Klivvik back.

Phenriel and Caerthys They’re soulmates through and through. The easiest way to fully understand their relationship is by saying that they would definitely pilot a Jaeger together.

Tasia and Caerthys Tasia definitely views Caerthys as something along the lines of a Primus/Legionnaire; some kind of leading figure with whom she shares a close connection whereas Caerthys sees Tasia as a younger sister.

Tasia and Ateyla Since being assigned to each other for a research exploration in Sparkfly Fen and later on before Ateyla went AWOL, Tasia and Ateyla have been fond of each other in a quiet and private way. They happily spar, trek and roam together and during missions the Charr is always there to pick the Sapling up and run with her when Caerthys isn’t around.

Torva and Ateyla As a curious and adventure driven Norn, Torva would have almost certainly rustled Ateyla’s leaves, but she knows when she doesn’t stand a chance and when it would be rude to intrude and so she has nothing but faithful, friendly intentions. Ateyla thinks dearly of her Norn companion and knows she probably owes her survival to her.

Ateyla Mmhm. You certainly could. And man, if you didn’t know this tiny, bite sized fern you’d probably think it might even be a good idea. No. She fights violently, relentlessly and without mercy. And when she lays down her ground rules as ‘One killing blow allowed’ it might be time to reconsider your options. 

Who wins: Ateyla.

Caerthys If you knew she was the one that raised Ateyla and had to calm her temper, you’d understand why fighting Caerthys is probably not a good idea. Not only is she tough, but she’s brave and sometimes reckless. On the other hand, why you’d want to pick a fight with such a chirpy plant is beyond me.

Who wins: Probably Caerthys.

Phenriel If you can find her, you can fight her. With 18 years of experience in her profession and most of that alongside the Vigil, she’s a formidable foe to anyone. Not physically strong, but agile and excellent with a bow, as soon as you lock her in melee range she’s out for the count. Except...did I mention the enormous brown bear?

Who wins: Bushels.

Klivvik Please don’t fight Klivvik. They like to boast about their fire power but they’re a small nerdy bunny that likes books and plants. It would be mean and you’d have Ateyla and Caerthys to deal with after.

Who wins: You, but now you have to deal with two angry plants.

Eskke Punch her in her eye. Do it. You’d be doing a service to Tyria by fighting this tiny assrat. She sasses big and she’s got a lot of guns but she is trash and trash needs to be put out. Please, fight her. Sure, she’s an Inquest Champion but she’s also a cocky asshole. I believe in you.

Who wins: You, hopefully.

Varyllis If you like pain and being beat up, fight Vary She’ll love it. Probably a little too much. She’s hot stuff with a rifle and has a lot of nightmare hounds at her disposal. She fights absolutely filthy but isn’t likely to last long in a fair fight. Besides, she has better things to be up to. That’s why she has Knights, you know.

Who wins: Whether she wins or she’s delightfully beaten up, I’m afraid Varyllis takes this as a win/win situation. Good luck dealing with that.

Fyianna There’s a glorious satisfaction to be taken from punching this slimy Courtier in her smug sneaky face. Problem is, she plays her role too well, so if you can bring yourself to beat down on such an airy, soft Sylvari then go for it. Much more a diplomat than a fighter. Sure, you’ll beat her silly but you’ll probably have to sleep with one eye open for the rest of your life.

Who wins: You, a least for now...

Maisy Purcell Why would you pick a fight with Maisy? Perhaps you’d prefer some tickets to see her performing? No, you want to fight? Oh. Please mind the face then, she has a performance tomorrow.

Who wins: You because she has other things to be doing.

Norris Knave I know she’s a warrior. I know they’re fighters but man, come on, look at her. What a tiny cinnamon bun. She doesn’t want to fight you. She just wants to chill with her sister and play with the local cubs and gather and bake. What’s wrong with you?

I made Phenriel into an actual fairy. I’m so proud. Fairiel. 

Each of the Sylvari mentors have a specific thing they have to learn for themselves to teach their apprentice.

Phenriel had to learn to stop having regrets about her past actions and move on and she taught Caerthys to live life without regret.

Caerthys had to learn how to live her life to it’s fullest, and in turn teaches Ateyla how to make the most out of the living and how to love life.

Ateyla is on the path to learning stability and will eventually teach her apprentice the value of having something constant and balanced.

“I want to learn to fight with a greatsword.”

Caerthys stops in her tracks, prompting both Klivvik and Phenriel to copy. The three look around at the Necromancer, bundled up warm in her white fur cloak, each a questioning expression on their features.

“We’ve been through this Ateyla, you’d be sacrificing all your skills with necromancy just to use a specific weapon,” sighed the warrior, a wide shrugging hand gesture following her words, “It’s not worth it.”

“I want to protect people though-”

“And you do that just fine with your staff and daggers and everything else you have practice in, Blossom,” explained Phenriel softly.

“It’s not-” the Necromancer gestures sharply under her cloak, “Caerthys uses a greatsword, Phenriel uses a greatsword, Tasia uses a greatsword-”

“Klivvik doesn’t-”

“Klivvik can summon a greatsword. And I have to rely on dark magic and death to protect the people I love. They don’t deserve to be surrounded by that.”

The Asura and Sylvari look to each other, all of which understood the underlying gesture in the Sapling’s words. The warrior rubs her temples and huffs out a breath, shaking her head slowly.

“Ateyla, you passed out on the breakfast table this morning. You’re not strong enough to train with such a large, heavy weapon. You’ll exhaust yourself even more.”

“I’m fine-”

“I had to redress you before we came out to collect these bounties. Before that I had to carry you to your quarters because you weren’t strong enough from a night studying to walk there yourself. Until you get a good few days sleep and food in you and prove to me you’re healthy enough, then we can think about it.”

Phenriel and Klivvik nodded sagely behind.

“I can fight, Caerthys. I’ll be fine.”