lenavvard

[lenavvard]

Lena can only laugh as her new acquaintance dubs Hell’s Gate “insane.” That’s certainly one word for it. After all the years of spending hours a night in its indulgence-cradling depths, the business has become normal for Lena. Not quite a home, and she isn’t one of the employees to consider Finn or Feary family (though she does trust them considerably more than other people) – but it’s someplace she feels comfortable. A place that makes sense and that she knows how to navigate. “Whatever you might want, you can likely find it here.” That’s what Lena considers to be the unofficial motto of Hell’s Gate: whatever your pleasure. “And if you can’t find it here, you can find someone who can for you.” Honestly, Finn ought to give her double-salary for all the marketing she’s doing with this one.

Her eyes follow the woman’s to the ring and a shiver of anticipation rattles up her spine. The taste of metal spreads at the back of her tongue as adrenaline works its way into her system. It’s almost immediate, now, just from the sight of the ring. Lena isn’t sure who she’s fighting tonight, but she hopes it’s someone big. Someone that forces her back into her body with a slam. In this mood, the mood those mothman assholes have put her in, she wants to wear marks from her fight. To remind herself that she’s here, in Burnington, a fighter. 

She doesn’t want to discourage the other woman, but Lena has to shake her head in the negative. “No, thanks. Better to keep sober right before I step into a high-stakes coordination test.” While bigger, stronger fighters might be able to get away with a drink or two before fights, Lena almost exclusively relied on her speed and smarts. “If it’s a dumb puppy of a blond at the bar,” she adds, referencing Ash, “tell him Lena said to take good care of you.”

brief anxiousness long dissipated replaced by a newfound wave of vexation, though not towards anyone else of course, but more aimed at herself. i seriously need to get out more, sloan mused internally, nearly kicking herself over just how sheltered she'd been during her past several years. the fleeting expression which'd graced the other woman's features triggered such a notion, conceiving an idea of exactly how boring she might've come off to other people beforehand. marginally trailing behind lena as they both entered further into the confines of hell's gate's pervaded grounds, sloan deliberately registers all of which lena divulges pertaining to her own first hand experiences, ceasing to deny noticeably mounting amusement in the meantime. delighted interests manageably increases by tenfold as the specialist finally gauged both parties' latest surroundings.

adorned by a plethora of various lighting, marked with a towering stair case which led up to god knew how many floors, she quickly realized her most recent acquaintance's previous statement now rang truer than ever. there was no other place like it, indeed. curls cascading down a blouse covered back as she absorbed all of the coinciding elements the amenity proactively offered, a smile tugged at both corners of sloan's lips as she returned her gaze to fall back onto lena. "looks like i owe you a thanks for showing me this place," she enunciates a few octaves higher than her typical speaking tone to avoid being drown out by the mixed music and racket, "this place is insane!" a perfect recipe in extracting her from her metaphorical shell, she'd be dishonest with one's self if she didn't admit she could imagine herself frequenting this location on a regular basis that moment forward.

an ideal setting to tour about whilst awaiting further rad infected specimens to pour in for further analyses, sloan genuinely had meant what she'd said to the elder female. hell's gate displayed as one of those kinds of locations you couldn't just merely describe, one would have to personally observe the sight for themselves to be fully capable of registering exactly what all was provided to its residents. swiveling her head to another direction, a beaming illumination descending onto a net covered ring many feet taller than herself promptly captured her attention. tilting her head in lena's vicinity - more as a minor form of acknowledgment than anything else - she comments, "found your stomping grounds. tell you what, i'll watch you throw bows but first, i'm gonna go grab a drink or two really quick. want anything before it's your turn in the ring?"

[lenavvard]

There were only stragglers left in Hell's Gate as Lena made her way toward the back exit. Never in a million years would she admit it, but she was hoping to catch Ash on her way out. It was almost comforting to be around someone she knew from way back as a teenager. Even better, now that Ash's sharp edges had smoothed off compared to how he was when he first slipped from EEA. That didn't mean Lena had to let him know he was a comfortable.

To her hidden delight, Ash is there and with food in hand, which bring the delight out. Lena's face transforms with a bright smile, the likes of which not very many people witness. Before she can thank him genuinely, though, he comments on her defense. Her smile drops and she rolls her eyes pointedly. "At least I didn't let them break my nose. Unless someone I could mention." Maybe it was dirty tricks to bring up an incident from going on 20 years ago, but Lena didn't really mean the sting anyway. And if she spares the tiniest smile to him after, well, they are old friends, after all.

Lena tears into the sandwich before answering. "I won," is her summary, through bites. "How about your shift? Anyone get so drunk they had to get hauled out?"

//ext. outside hell's gate - late night. @lenavvard

Ash had finished the last shift that night, taking a little break in the cold biting air that was refreshing more than biting. It woke him up a little, still not a big fan of being awake this late, but he's adapted over the years, just a preference otherwise.

Leaning against the wall he was about to pull out food from the kitchen cooked for the staff that night when he heard the staff door open as Lena stepped through. "Hey," Ash greeted pulling out one wrapped sandwich and handing it to her, "fought well today, forgot to guard your left though." There was a tease in his words and a slight amusement, he watched her fight during his break earlier, suddenly reminded of years long gone. It feels like so much as changed for them and yet with some things, literally nothing has changed. "How did the rest of the fight go?"

[lenavvard]

Alicia Vikander as Danielle Flinders Submergence (2017) dir. Wim Wenders

[lenavvard]

hc + 🌘 for a night-themed headcanon

Before coming to Burningtong, night was a time of worship for Lena, when she felt most connected to the conduits and vessels, little messengers singing out. In the first years after leaving the cult grounds, she felt anxious at night -- as if those conduits could see her and would report back to the Dread Father.

She has since created comfort in her own night rituals: circling the ring at Hell's Gate and giving over to her body and the present, and then drifting with the flour on the air in the basement kitchen of Barley & Rye as the rich scents of baking bread unfurled around her.

[lenavvard]

That was strange – most people Lena knew practically paid rent on a stool on one of the floors of the sinner’s den. That was the whole thing about indulgence – it was hard to resist. Then again, most people Lena knew were hardly as polite and well-spoken as this woman. “There’s no other place like it,” was all she ended up saying in favor of the business. In truth, Lena was mostly just neutral about Hell’s Gate. She appreciated that she could make some money and get her aggression out at the same time, but she wasn’t as gung-ho about the property as other worker’s she knew. And she certainly wasn’t as incensed about its very existence as certain citizens, banging on about sin and iniquity and whatever else. True, Lena had never visited the third floor, dedicated to lust, herself but that didn’t mean she thought the whole place should burn down.

“They have a whole floor for ordering drinks,” she explained. “You just gotta go up to get your drink and then come back down for the fights.” As she spoke, Lena’s hand-talked the levels of Hell’s Gate. “The fights themselves are a pretty big money-maker too… But you don’t have to bet or anything. You just enjoy watching us all beat each other’s brains out.” A sliver of a smile made its way across Lena’s face, but that was the only hint that she was joking.

It appeared that she sold the woman on the allure of the business, as she turned herself toward its fiery maw. Score one for Lena’s marketing skills. Not that the Hell’s Gate was hard up for customers. But still, it was something she could brag about to Feary and Finn. She gave a scoff at the apology –too invasive– and then rolled her shoulders in a shrug. “Ah. On and off for about fifteen years?”God, had it really been that long? “Didn’t do it too often at first, because I got my ass kicked every time I stepped in the ring. Then maybe five years ago, I really got good and made it a more regular thing.” Because Dante had stepped back into her life and really amped up her combat skills. 

“Can’t believe you’ve really never checked it out. Not even just once out of curiosity.” That was the thing about Hell’s Gate – whatever your pleasure, it could provide. The basement fight ring was likely the biggest draw for those looking to make a quick buck, but there were plenty of other interests to be met on the other floors.

such a choice of words almost painted the young woman shocked upon hearing and registering them. never judge a book by its cover, sloan was repeatedly told amidst her upbringing with afterglow. and time and time again, had life managed to prove that particular phrase was indeed true, especially at this point in time. eyes flutter up to gauge the establishment's distinctive sign, by miles were it hard to miss, so it went without saying she'd noticed the business multiple times before. admittedly however? she just never took the time to assess the building and its purpose thoroughly, having constantly been preoccupied with examining irradiated specimen and the environment's effect on its current illumined state.

vermillion red glowed bright, combined with an alarming atmosphere courtesy of its barred entrance even taller than herself, hell's gate obviously entailed entertainment sloan typically wouldn't find herself associated with -- though never discriminated against, of course. diverting her gaze back towards lena, a brief shake of her head lightly bounce curled tresses about her face, responding truthfully, "not sure i've ever been inside of here." and that's impressive considering how long the specialist has resided within appalachia now, thus eliciting her next statement to resound, "but can't knock anything 'til you try it, right? plus, i'm sure they've got an area you can order drinks while fights go on, that'd be a huge money maker so i imagine they do." as if on cue, heels resume their journey, path having adjusted from the trek towards mad scientist now to the facility adjacent to her while allowing space for lena to walk slightly ahead of her. "if it's too invasive of a question then please do tell, but how long have you been fighting?" sloan couldn't help the fact her curiosity had piqued.

[lenavvard]

Fine. Sure, he was fine, just like Lena always insisted she was to anyone who might ask. Which wasn’t a long list – at least not of people who actually cared and wanted to know. Fine, the words bitten off and bitter, angry at nothing and everything in the world around you. Fine, with the underlying message of fuck off, would you? Lena could relate, but that didn’t mean she had to like it. Helping neighbors wasn’t high on Lena’s list of priorities, particularly not when they didn’t want the help. But she knew, more than most maybe, just how badly vision dust could fuck you up. It wasn’t safe to be wandering around under its influence, particularly not with the Children fluttering through the night streets. Who knew what assholery they were willing to pull, in the name of their precious Spring Equinox?

If it weren’t for all that, Lena absolutely would have shoved Archer off with a few choice swear words. Still, her shoulders tensed and her hands curled into fists at her sides.

Lena’s history with the Children of Mothman was a closely guarded secret – and she was willing to do most anything to keep it that way. Even something as simple as admitting to knowledge of the cult’s drug of choice could be enough to ping someone’s radar – wonder what exactly she knows and how she knows it. “Sleeping it off should be enough, yeah,” she finally commented. “It’ll just be a hell of a trip until then.” She sighed, looking back to the glow of Hell’s Gate. “Will you be able to get home on your own?” There was still plenty of time before her fight was called. The last thing Lena wanted to do was babysit some asshole on vision dust, but she would be able to. If it came to that, if Archer let her.

Dry, humorless laugh escaped his lips. Strange, wasn't it? How the vision dust managed to distort reality but still keep one's sanity untouched for the most part. It almost felt like perfectly elaborated drug, but then again what did Archer knew of drugs when he'd never felt the urge or temptation to give in to the vice. Funny, right? Considering not so long ago he voluntary made the decision to join a group who made profit off of manufacturing and trading drugs. But the Jackals were far more than yet another criminal organization. There were family. A word Archer had barely got the chance to learn the meaning of during his childhood and teenage years.

"I'm fine," he replied, his words laced with irritation. "Thanks for asking." It took a moment for Lena's face to come to focus. She didn't deserve it - his current asshole-kind-of behavior - in fact, whoever stood before him wouldn't deserve it. Well, maybe unless they were one of the freaks roaming the streets at dusk, spreading vision dust in the air and inviting anyone they meet to follow the light. "I guess I'll just have to sleep it off." He shrugged.

[lenavvard]

send ACHIEVED for a scene from my muse's past in which they completed / achieved something they were proud of

The basement is a raucous cacophony around her. Behind it all is a tinny ringing welling up and ebbing away from the cheap shot her opponent got against her ear early in the fight. Most of the crowd is jeering and cursing. Because they lost their money betting on her opponent to win. Because Lena is the long-shot with a record beginning with an 0.

Or at least, she had a record like that. Now there was a single notch there in front. She won. And all the crowd around her lost their money and her odds are shifting.

"Shock of all shocks!" A booming voice cuts through the swearing and shouting. "It looks like the Shrew has some life in her after all!"

There's blood dripping in her eye, sweat stinging that gash on her brow and she's covered in bruises but Lena won. In the dingy half-light of the fight club, Lena lifts her chin. Stares at the crowd. And grins.

[lenavvard]

If she evaluated the situation honestly, Lena might be able to admit that the collision was at least partly her own fault. She was still stood in more or less the middle of the street, attempting a kind of self-soothing before entering Hell's Gate. Of course, she didn't allow any of that grace to enter her encounter with the man who shouldered against her. "Watch where you're going."

She recognized the blond moptop, Archer -- she knew him vaguely, just from around Burnington. And after a moment of peering into his eyes, caught ablaze in the reflection of the light beams and blown wide, Lena recognized that he wasn't exactly sober. She had seen eyes like that far too often in her youth. So it wasn't her fault, them knocking into each other, but it wasn't entirely his, either.

Blowing out a rough sigh, Lena laid her hand to Archer's bicep, hoping to settle him. "Are you all right? You look a little..." She circled a finger up by her temple to indicate his altered state, "fucked up."

Lena didn't make it a habit, shepherding around lost puppies. But she couldn't help but feel a kinship with someone the Children of the Mothman had fucked over.

His fascination with the stars and the movement of other celestial object across the night sky was something Archer rarely spoke of out loud. It didn't align with his current position and affiliation, nor was any of his parents keen on the idea in the first place. It was passion that grew within him without any explation as to why. It was passion revolving around the science of it rather than the frantic beliefs spreading like venom across the street the same way the smell of rotten fruits was spreading right now.

Each year for the past decade he tried to withstand the effect of vision dust shimmering in the air around Burnington. And failed. Maybe if his body was used to drugs, his system would grow immune over time, but drugs were never his poison of choice. Nor was he willing to change it. He knew of people either needing to numb whatever was wrong with them, or enhance it, but he fell in neither of these categories. Though filled with uncertainty, his childhood was a happy one or at least he thought it was. And now more than ever he needed his mind and senses sharp and clear. Something which he couldn't count on with the toxin spreading through his bloodsteam and making things, which weren't real, feel so.

Walking like mad man, he accidentally bumped into a figure he believed to be yet another mirage. "Shit, sorry." A murmur and a curse falling from his lips.

[lenavvard]

ALICIA VIKANDER  as Mira Harberg in Irma Vep (2022)

[lenavvard]

hc + 👻 for a headcanon about supernatural occurrences

To this day, Lena has a deep, deep connection with the natural world. It's taught, within the Children of Mothman, that animals can be messengers from the Dread Father or Night Mother -- conduits. When she was young, Lena thought she mighrt be a kind of conduit. She imagined that she knew what animals and insects and even plants around her were thinking and feeling.

— Is this a true exrasensory experience? Or just indoctrination from a cult left to bloom in the fertile gaps of a child's imagination? Whatever the true cause, Lena nurses this kinship with the natural world, but keeps it to herself. She's only shared it with those she's very close to and that's a pathetically short list.

[lenavvard]

Eyes locked on her figure, scrutinizing her face, always trigger some reflex in Lena. Deep-seated, from the knowledge that the wrong person recognizing her could spell trouble for her, and the life she so carefully constructed over the lie of her past. Lena half-expects to find that she's piqued the interested of some be-robed former sibling of the night when she turns.

But no, it's just a normal woman. About her age and decidedly not dressed as one of those initiates. Difficult to tell as it is in the night, Lena's mostly certain she doesn't know her. Not from the Woods, at least. The question is innocent enough -- apparently Lena's pause to gather herself was long enough to cause concern. Or arise suspicion.

She has to bite back on the instinct toward aggression, wanting to spit out Do I know you? To turn the suspicion back outward. No one ever actually cares how Lena is -- aside from Dante, that is. But this woman, stranger though she may be, has done nothing to earn such a response.

"I'm fine." Lena makes an attempt toward a reassuring smile, a carefree shrug. "Just gearing up for the fighting ring, I guess." Not entirely a lie, just not the whole truth. Jerking her thumb toward the door to Hell's Gate, she asks, "Are you headed in there too?"

what was her business to be meandering about within the depths of the night? especially such a generous distance away from the compound. had another individual popped that question to sloan, then she potentially would've found herself tongue tied for words, nor could she have been truthfully bothered to falsify a reasoning anyway. funny how rebellion creeped its way into her everyday lifestyle just little by little. yet, there she was aimlessly wandering about, except not so much. the woman's travels were indeed meant to stop at none other than the mad scientist's locality, an incessant need metaphorically gnawing at her to take a much desired edge off. work hard, play hard. a phrase as old as time, however the brunette hadn't been allowing herself said luxury. shame on her. throughout all the 20 years of devoting her existence to her studies and career at afterglow, it was only right that she presented herself with a well deserved treat... right? and the quintessential confines of the supposed safe haven were anything but at this rate, another minute there and she would've become nauseous without the aid of alcohol.

absentmindedly disregarding the throng of mothman enthusiasts moderately sprinkled throughout burnington, having grown accustomed to the almost ravenous behavior the admirers exhibited, sloan traipses a path towards the nearby bar until the surfacing of an incredibly familiar face halted her tracks. where have i seen this person from? the needling annoyance of faint recognition was nearly enough to launch the radiologist over the edge into continuing her initial pursuit, yet her feet only happened to carry her towards the fellow female instead of her intended trail. unfeigned concern etched into her words, sloan advanced only by a couple of more steps before she paused once again. "you alright?" wasn't a crime to display compassion towards another being, albeit the universe certainly had funny ways, burying the afterthought in the back of her mind sloan was mindful to maintain preparation for the worst.

[lenavvard]

who: OPEN where: just outside Hell's Gate

The Spring Equinox always plucks at Lena's mind, itching between her shoulder blades where wings might sprout, if humans grew wings. She remembers stories of the great pilgrimage that occured in the before-times. But for all her life they were only that: stories. Tales of a ritual that, though mourned, was left behind.

Until, of course, this year.

If her financial situation weren't teetering on a knife's edge, Lena would consider passing on her other jobs and sticking to the Crow's Nest. It's impossible to avoid initiates or their handiwork throughout Burnington. Always some scattered offering to trip over, a robed figure with bobbing antennae to bump elbows with, or vision dust shimmering in the air. Lena is endlessly thankful her immunity to the toxin is holding up. The last thing she needs is a drug-induced trip down memory lane.

The heady, crystalline-sweet smell of rotting fruit that seems to follow her is doing enough to thrust her into pockets of childhood memory. Maybe tomorrow she'll visit Dante. The older man is usually able to clear her mind, especially when it's plagued with flashbacks to her time with the eclipse.

Tonight, though, Lena is set to fight at Hell's Gate. A good distraction, if not as kind of one as Dante. Fighting would at least serve to get her out of her mind and back into her body. Just walking up to the lurid, glowing entrance of the den of indulgence helps. Lena is still carefully vigilant as she treks toward the building, loathe to get ensnared in any gossimer-threads of her history.

[lenavvard]

Thematic Headcanons. A series of subject-specific headcanons you can ask your favorite blog and muse.

hc + 🤝 for a headcanon about a connection with one of the receiver's mutual

hc + 👪 for a family-themed headcanon

hc + 🧡 for a friendship-themed headcanon

hc + 💌 for a romance-themed headcanon

hc + 💕 for a loved-themed headcanon

hc + 💔 for a headcanon about a sad experience

hc + 🤥 for a lie-themed headcanon

hc + 😶 for a headcanon about a secret they know of / keep

hc + 😴 for a sleep-themed headcanon

hc + 🌇 for a headcanon about morning- or evening rituals

hc + 🧼 for a hygiene-themed headcanon

hc + 🏠 for a home-themed headcanon

hc + 😃 for a happiness-themed headcanon

hc + 😨 for a fear-themed headcanon

hc + 🤕 for a pain-themed headcanon

hc + 🚶‍♂️ for a habit-themed headcanon

hc + 👍 for a headcanon about things they like

hc + 👎 for a headcanon about things they dislike

hc + 💪 for a sport-themed headcanon

hc + 😡 for a headcanon about something that makes them angry

hc + 👻 for a headcanon about supernatural occurrences

hc + 🥣 for a food-themed headcanon

hc + ☕ for a drink-themed headcanon

hc + 🐈 for a pet/animal-themed headcanon

hc + 🌸 for a plant-themed headcanon

hc + 🌄 for an outdoor-themed headcanon

hc + 🌍 for a travel-themed headcanon

hc + ��� for a weapon-themed headcanon

hc + 🎡 for a hobby-themed headcanon

hc + 🚗 for a transportation-themed headcanon

hc + ⏳ for a time-themed headcanon

hc + 🌘 for a night-themed headcanon

hc + 🌞 for a day-themed headcanon

hc + 🪐 for a universe-themed headcanon

hc + 🌂 for a weather-themed headcanon

hc + ⛄ for a season-themed headcanon

hc + 🎉 for a celebration-themed headcanon

hc + 🏆 for a goal-themed headcanon

hc + 💯 for an achievement-themed headcanon

hc + 🚬 for a headcanon about a bad habit

hc + 🎭 for an arts-/crafts-themed headcanon

hc + ✂️ for a hair-themed headcanon

hc + 👗 for a clothes-themed headcanon

hc + 💍 for a jewelry-themed headcanon

hc + 💄 for a makeup-themed headcanon

hc + 🎓 for an education-themed headcanon

hc + 📿 for a faith-themed headcanon

hc + 🎵 for a music-themed headcanon

hc + 📱 for a media-themed headcanon

hc + 🎥 for a film/tv-themed headcanon

hc + 📔 for a reading-themed headcanon

hc + 💰 for a money-themed

hc + 💼 for a job-themed headcanon

hc + 💉 for a medical-themed headcanon

hc + 🛒 for a shopping-themed headcanon

hc + 🔞 for a nsfw-headcanon

hc + ❓ for a headcanon of the receiver's choice

[lenavvard]

GLIMPSES OF THE PAST: a headcanon / prompt collection because sometimes it's not enough to write about your muse's past and how it affects them, you just gotta write a little scene. these prompts are designed to be a little writing prompt related to your character's past, essentially!

send FORGED for a scene from my muse's past that they think made them stronger in the long run

send REMINDED for a scene from my muse's past in which they encountered something that reminded them of a difficult experience / trauma

send CONFESSED for a scene from my muse's past in which they revealed a secret about themselves to someone

send TRICKED for a scene from my muse's past in which they misled, tricked, or lied to someone

send IMPRESSED for a scene from my muse's past in which they tried to impress someone, successfully or not

send ACHIEVED for a scene from my muse's past in which they completed / achieved something they were proud of

send CHANGED for a scene from my muse's past that represented a turning point in their life

send DIFFERENT for a scene from my muse's past that they feel changed their outlook / personality / etc, for the better or worse

send CRITICAL for a scene from my muse's past in which they thought about / were reminded of something they're insecure about

send SCOLDED for a scene from my muse's past in which someone told them off, justifiably or not

send STRAINED for a scene from my muse's past in which they interact with someone they have a difficult relationship with

send SOBBED for a scene from my muse's past in which they broke down in tears

send LOST for a scene from my muse's past in which they felt lost, literally or figuratively

send BLINDSIDED for a scene from my muse's past in which they were betrayed or shocked by what someone did

send INJURED for a scene from my muse's past in which they sustained a significant injury

send AFRAID for a scene from my muse's past in which they were scared / under threat

send HELPED for a scene from my muse's past in which someone helped / saved them

send CAUGHT for a scene from my muse's past in which they were caught doing something they shouldn't

send BLUSHED for a scene from my muse's past in which they received a compliment that really got to them

send VICIOUS for a scene from my muse's past in which someone said something cruel that really got to them

send SWOONED for a scene from my muse's past in which they were infatuated with someone

send PINNED for a scene from my muse's past in which they were stuck somewhere, literally or figuratively

send GRIEVED for a scene from my muse's past in which they had recently lost someone / something

send MORTAL for a scene from my muse's past in which they had a brush with death, either themselves or someone close to them

[lenavvard]

“There are days when my heart feels like it’s swallowing itself, when the lonely feels like both the problem and the cure.”

—

Javon Johnson,

Building

(via

nyclocale

)

[lenavvard]

selene lena ward ; 35 ; burnington inspo ・ images ・ wanted/established connections ・ pinterest

( general stats. )

— name : selene lena ward — pronounced : lay-nuh — nickname(s) : lay, shrew — date of birth : january 10th ( 35 years old ) — occupation : waitress @ red line ; baker @ barley & rye ; fighter @ hell's gate ; odd jobs @ crow's nest — nationality : east atlantean — ethnicity : white  — religion : child of mothman ; atheist — residence : burnington, crow's nest motel — gender : cis female ( she / they ) — orientation : bisexual — status : single

( physical & mental characteristics. )

— height : 5'5" — body type : petite but muscled from both early military training and doing minor manual labor for most of her life — hair colour : dishwater brown ; past shoulders & naturally wavy ; often down in a tight braid or bun — eye colour : brown — dominant hand : left — tattoos : none — piercings : none — scars : multiple small/shallow scars along her legs and arms from when she was alone in the wilderness ; thicker starbursts over her knuckles from her time fighting at hell's gate ; scattered burn scars along her forearms from baking at barley & rye

( personality stats. )

— qualities : resourceful・ adaptable ・ charismatic・ curious・ independent — flaws : guarded・ moody ・ stubborn・ resistant to authority — mbti : ISTP — moral alignment : true neutral — temperament : phlegmatic — enneagram : 4 - the individualist — zodiac : capricorn sun ・ sagitarius moon ・ scorpio rising

( background check. )

— birthplace : northern eastern atlantic ; the woods of the children of mothman  — family : lena is the middle child of 5. the second child, foster, died when she was young. all the siblings and both of lena's parents were born into the children of mothman and continue to live there — intelligence : generally average ; above average for survivalism & nature — skills : ・ fighting・ survivalism・ foraging・ baking・ above average memory・ fighting — languages : english — pet (s) : none

( facts. )

— Lena’s favorite thing in the whole world is freshly baked white bread, still warm from the oven, slathered in butter. After clocking out at Barley & Rye but before leaving, she can often be found having a near religious experience with a hunk of just-baked bread as her breakfast. — The nickname given to her Shrew is ironic as Lena is afraid of shrews. During her time alone in the wilderness, she suffered a bite from a shrew. It wasn’t all that bad, but alone and already suffering, the rash frightened her. It seemed like a sign that she was no longer in harmony with the Earth and the Woods. Now, Lena tends to be wary of anyone who keeps the animal as a pet. — She also, for quite obvious reasons, avoids the Mothman Museum and any of the shrines.  — Though she doesn’t hide her identity while fighting at Hell’s Gate, they have taken to calling her Shrew in the ring and she hasn’t stopped anyone because honestly she thinks it’s kind of funny.

( wanted connections. )

— burnington denizens: Lena came to Burnington in 2102, when she was just 13. It was, and still is, assumed that her family were just some of the many who didn’t survive the return to Appalachia. Anyone who was growing up in Burnington at that time would remember her as something of a street urchin. Deemed unsuitable for the military, Lena mostly scrapped by on her own (and still does). But there’s ample opportunity for existing connections from the town. — military: Those Lena’s age or older in the military may remember her as a wholly uncooperative and short-lived recruit, discharged before graduation at the age of about 15.  — former family: Lena is a runaway from an isolated eclipse of the Children of Mothman, who existed on the outskirts of Devil’s Elbow, in the wilderness. She left behind 3 siblings and countless eclipse members who may or may not remember her. While not exactly on the run or in hiding, Lena really would rather not encounter anyone from her past life. — interested parties: Despite being something of a loner, Lena is known for being capable and resourceful. I imagine some of the factions (such as Shamrocks, Jackals or Silving Lining) could be interested in making use of her. Or, alternatively, someone nosy who just wants to know the real story of where Lena came from all those years ago.

[lenavvard]

THE WILD & WONDERFUL APPALACHIA WELCOMES... lena ward as written by chayya ( she / they ).

✱ affiliated with NEUTRAL ✱ working as WAITRESS @ RED LINE DINER; BAKER @ BARLEY & RYE; FIGHTER @ HELL'S GATE; HOUSEKEEPER @ CROW'S NEST MOTEL ✱ has taken up residence in BURNINGTON ✱ born on JANUARY 10TH ( 35 ) ✱ identifying as CIS WOMAN ( SHE / HER ) ✱ known to be RESOURCEFUL, ADAPTABLE, CHARISMATIC, INDEPENDENT, CURIOUS ✱ also know to be GUARDED, MOODY, STUBBORN, RESISTANT TO AUTHORITY ✱ portrayed by ALICIA VIKANDER

DIGGING DEEPER.

TW: child death

2090 - Selene is born in The Forest, into the Children of the Mothman. In the coming years, she will gain two more siblings, for a total of five in her family. Though her family isn’t just her mother and father and siblings, of course. It is the whole teeming life of the eclipse and, further on, the Woods. They’re all connected, and Selene feels it with every day that she wakes and lives in the glow of their Dread Father and Night Mother. 

Selene is a happy child, taking to life within the eclipse easily. She delights in the natural world around her, often disappearing with her older brother, Foster, to explore. Her parents are both Enlightened, respected members and true believers – both of them born into the cult themselves. 

(TW: death of a child) 2100 - When Selene is 10, Foster dies. Though she’s nearly a mile away, she feels it the minute it happens. A searing pain that radiates from her heart all the way out to her fingers. She all but collapses in the middle of the Forest, staggering home once she regains herself. But he’s gone by then, taken swiftly by some fever that no one knew how to remedy. The grief moves through her family quickly as they’re able to find solace in the Dread Father and his teachings. Even the worst nightmare gains meaning, through Him

Selene is not so easily comforted, though. She stays curled into a rocky crag near Foster’s Sky Burial for hours, listening as birds and bugs unmake the body that was once her brother. Her favorite brother. It is a comfort to know that Foster has gone back to the Earth, to the Woods, but something about the reaction from her parents and siblings – or rather the lack thereof – sinks deep in her. Festers and rots, like the fruit of an offering. In the year that follows, Selene withdraws. She is no longer the vivacious epitome of a Child of the Mothman. Whispers follow her and her parents are made aware of the community’s worries. 

2102 - Selene leaves. It’s easy enough (Too easy, really) to slip away from her family and the rest of the eclipse. She spends over a year on her own, in the wilderness. She knows, has long known, how to take care of herself. How to pull from the land to take care of herself. But she is, still, a 12 year old, and before long, she’s overwhelmed.

2103 - Selene is found wandering on the Southeastern bounds of Devil’s Elbow. She was malnourished, dressed in rags, and covered in wounds. She doesn’t speak during her first years at Burnington and it’s assumed that she is merely the orphan of some unlucky bastards who didn’t survive the return to Appalachia. Selene never corrects them. 

Assessed as deeply (scarily) capable, Selene is shuffled into military training, like most orphans are. She impresses quickly in physical and survival aspects of training but is a complete brick-wall when it comes to anything else. Because she still won’t speak. Beyond that, she’s moody and uncooperative. Sometimes she’ll breeze through a written exam, sometimes she’ll stare blankly at the page, not writing a word, until time is called. She’s given the contemptible nickname of Shrew and that follows her until she finally finds her voice. LENA, she states firmly to a warrant officer one day. My name is Lena. And from then on, it is.

2105 – Despite her initial promise, Lena quickly proves to be more trouble than she’s worth in the military and she’s discharged. She earns her keep through odd jobs, sleeping wherever she finds a place before finally striking up a deal at the Crow’s Nest. She lets people believe the story they assumed about where she came from. If anyone asks, she just returns to her mute behavior, clamming up or simply shaking her head. 

2125 - Lena has held onto the habit of working a slew of mismatched jobs. Most days start with her waking around noon. She still lives at the Crow’s Nest and will often handle some maintenance or housekeeping before heading out to wait tables at the Red Line. When dark falls, though, she heads to her real money-maker, taking fights at Hell’s Gate. She’s a vicious contender there and what she lacks in brawn and brute strength, she makes up for it in agility and pure scrappiness. When she leaves (or limps away from) Hell’s Gate, it’s to Barley & Rye, to spend the pre-dawn hours baking. She’ll fall into bed after sunrise, sleep a few hours, and then generally do it all over again. Cobbling together all these jobs allows her to live mostly comfortably without having to rely on anyone but herself.

EXTRAS.

headcanons

Lena’s favorite thing in the whole world is freshly baked white bread, still warm from the oven, slathered in butter. After clocking out at Barley & Rye but before leaving, she can often be found having a near religious experience with a hunk of just-baked bread as her breakfast.

The nickname given to her Shrew is ironic as Lena is afraid of shrews. During her time alone in the wilderness, she suffered a bite from a shrew. It wasn’t all that bad, but alone and already suffering, the rash frightened her. It seemed like a sign that she was no longer in harmony with the Earth and the Woods. Now, Lena tends to be wary of anyone who keeps the animal as a pet.

She also, for quite obvious reasons, avoids the Mothman Museum and any of the shrines. 

Though she doesn’t hide her identity while fighting at Hell’s Gate, they have taken to calling her Shrew in the ring and she hasn’t stopped anyone because honestly she thinks it’s kind of funny.

connections

Burlington Denizens - Lena came to Burnington in 2102, when she was just 13. It was, and still is, assumed that her family were just some of the many who didn’t survive the return to Appalachia. Anyone who was growing up in Burnington at that time would remember her as something of a street urchin. Deemed unsuitable for the military, Lena mostly scrapped by on her own (and still does). But there’s ample opportunity for existing connections from the town.

Military - Those Lena’s age or older in the military may remember her as a wholly uncooperative and short-lived recruit, discharged before graduation at the age of about 15. 

Former Family - Lena is a runaway from an isolated eclipse of the Children of Mothman, who existed on the outskirts of Devil’s Elbow, in the wilderness. She left behind 3 siblings and countless eclipse members who may or may not remember her. While not exactly on the run or in hiding, Lena really would rather not encounter anyone from her past life.

Interested Parties - Despite being something of a loner, Lena is known for being capable and resourceful. I imagine some of the factions (such as Shamrocks, Jackals or Silving Lining) could be interested in making use of her. Or, alternatively, someone nosy who just wants to know the real story of where Lena came from all those years ago.

astrology chart

Capricorn Sun – ambitious, persistent, and deeply practical. Lena is prone to bouts of moodiness that can be sudden, intense, and unpredictable.

Sagittarius Moon – longs for freedom and independence, tends to seek adventure and new experiences.

Scorpio Rising – intense and deeply in tune with her own emotions and those around her. Though Lena prefers to keep to her own company, she is able to connect with others easily.