#variott

in order they are:

Feidhelim - butch lesbian and bandit prince - he/she/they/it

Brandellyn Shay - pact therapist of my heart - she/they

Variott - bigender cartographer and college drop out - she/he

Pink Sherbet Punch - I don’t know she’s still level 2 - she/it

Molassius - steadfast and vengeful dreamer - she/her

Variott isn’t the smartest... well, by asuran standards, Variott is considered an idiot and a bit of a failure. She never did well in class and was bullied pretty badly for it. She tried to attend the college of statics, but she ended up flunking out. She’s got pretty bad ADHD, something that was officially diagnosed in her later in life, and something the colleges wouldn’t have taken seriously if she had been diagnosed sooner anyway. Asuran society and its systems aren’t built for her or people like her, so when the priory offered her a job as a scout, putting her actually pretty damn impressive map making skills to use, she jumped on the opportunity.

A coworker in the Priory was actually the one to recognize Variott’s symptoms and urge him to speak to one of the professionals on staff. The Priory was glad to accommodate Variott’s ADHD, as well as accommodating his unusually small size, even for an asura. He worked for several years as a well respected explorer and cartographer for the Priory, making good friends and finally feeling like maybe he wasn’t wrong or the problem, finally feeling welcome somewhere.

He was there the day Claw Island was reclaimed, and he was one of the first to sign on to the brand new Pact, easily settling into the role of scout. Between his experience, skill, and determination, Variott quickly rose to Head Scout for the Pact. He still gladly and proudly holds the position. He gets to know every scout who works under him, and with his team, he does solid preliminary work so everyone knows what they’re walking into for each challenge the Pact faces. Because he’s so hands on, and because he’s the one checking and delivering reports, every loss feels like a personal failing to him. It’s hard to lose scouts, and its hard to know that even though your information and work saves lives, it can’t save every life.

During her down time, Variott bakes to try and work her stress out. She single-handedly feeds the Pact with her stress muffins on some days. She’s also mindful about regularly visiting the Pact’s resident therapist, Brandellyn. She keeps in good contact with her parents, who have always been loving and supportive, and she spends time with her coworkers and friends just trying to have a little fun between near apocalypses. She also frequently invites Laighe out on walks, little area surveys that often turn into just a nice hike and a picnic together for the two of them to sneak an extra “break”.

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Despite her small stature (around 2 feet? I’m always uncertain on asura heights), Variott is incredibly strong, and quick on her feet. She can scale even seemingly impossible cliffs with a little time to think it through first. Her combat style is heavily focused on laying traps and luring enemies into them while heckling them with her bow. She isn’t the strongest in combat, but she’s an annoyance and a good distraction, allowing allies and her traps to do the real heavy lifting when she has to fight. On and off the field, she’s incredibly supportive, very much a mother to her scouts. She’s always willing to lend an ear and a shoulder to cry on, and to bake someone’s favorites for them on a down day.

     "She's like a baby bookah," a third progeny jeers, pointing at Variott, who just sniffles in response. "Dumb and ugly, but not big or scary at all!"

     "Hey!" an older asura shouts at the group of kids. "What the hell did you just say! No, get back here. What the hell did you just say to her!" The kids try to make a break for it, but the fuming adult manages to grab onto all three of the little bullies while Variott stares up in awe through tear filled eyes. 

     "We didn't say anything! We were just hanging out!" one boy cries out, trying to squirm out from under the adult's arm. 

     The other just sticks his tongue out at Variott, who's sitting on the ground with a scraped knee and dirt on her face, still sniffling and trying to not fully cry. "It's true, though. She's super dumb. What kind of asura can't do basic math."

     The adult, a vigil crusader by the looks of their clothes, lets go of the second boy long enough to knock him over the head. "You if you don't shut up." The little girl held firm in her other hand is just wailing now, and the crusader looks to be getting a headache from it. "Alright, apologize. All three of you. Apologize to her right now."

     The first boy protests loudly. "I didn't do anything! This is so unfair!"

     The second boy kicks out the dirt a bit before mumbling an apology to Variott. "I didn't mean it… and your art is kinda cool…"

     The little girl keeps wailing, managing to get an "I'm sorry" out somehow around it. She and the second boy are both let go, and after she wipes at  her eyes, she comes over to Variott and offers her a hand. Variott takes it hesitantly and stands up, smoothing her skirt a bit. The boy comes over after a minute too. 

     "I, uh," he starts, staring at his feet, "I'll help you with your math homework this weekend… if you draw me a cool wizard…"

     "Oh, sure! We can meet at the dawnside quay!" Variott smiles a bit at the boy, who smiles awkwardly back. 

     "Heyyyy! I wanna cooooome!" the little girl bellows, and Variott giggles and nods. 

     "All three of us then!"

     The other boy is still held firmly under the crusader's arm, arms crossed and frowning. The crusader is giving him a stern talking to, but he doesn't seem to be listening at all. He looks over at Variott and sticks his tongue out at her. The crusader gives him a firm shake at that. 

     "Alright, you little brat. I'm taking you home. Maybe your parents can deal with you."

     Variott giggles a little again. "Thank you!"

     The crusader waves as they turn to leave. "Any time. Just give me a shout if these two or anyone else bothers you, okay? And, don't worry if you struggle with class okay? School isn't everything."