audaciious

[audaciious]

@riiese I meant to post it here, so sorry LOL. Thanks again for letting me draw her!

[audaciious]

"Seems it was fated for us to meet then!" Melisandre mused aloud. It certainly beat traversing the abandoned house alone, however, a dare was a dare and she would've gone in one way or another. She liked to think she was brave, perhaps a bit foolish with some of the risks she was willing to take, but there was something about this house. Just standing outside the gates had the fine hair on the back of her neck bristling, and while walking the perimeter, she had a subtle desire to quicken her pace.

What trepidation had managed to creep into her chest slowly ebbed away like the receding waves of low tide now that she had someone else to tag along with. So long as the floor didn't give out completely or there wasn't a demonic entity or homicidal cult lurking inside, they would likely be alright. Mel only kept her light on the lock for a moment as he withdrew the bag of tools.

"Always a good idea to have an escape plan. One of us is likely to rip their pants trying to climb over the gate if something is chasing us," she teased, sliding the light up one of the metal finials along the top of the gate's railings. While they were rounded, she could already envision the loop of her jeans snagging one and tearing a huge hole in the side of her pants if she didn't get stuck like a fly on a glue trap.

"So what's the most embarrassing thing that's happened to you on one of these excursions?" She inquired.

"Some 'f 'ems more 'n none!" Jace seems completely unbothered by the limited scope of her watching. With how small a town he lives in and how niche a field his videos focus on, a few views and interest was precious. Hell, with his focus more on the history, architecture, and memory of the location and people who lived there, it dwindled his numbers to little to nothing. His goal was to meet ghosts, while focusing on humanizing the original stories and archiving them for others to hear in a respectful way, so they weren't forgotten. Ghosts, regardless of the purported danger, were people first, and often victims. There were no gimmicks, no embellishments, no misleading thumbnails, and, despite his enthusiasm for the paranormal, in many of his videos he admitted when he believed something mundane was likely at work instead. Realism and honesty didn't rake in the views, but it was a labor of love. And anyone who could enjoy it too was aces in his book!

He laughs at her offer, though, the smile widening to the point his teeth show. "That's jus' what I was gonna offer ya, if y'were plannin' on goin' in! I'm all fer a collaboration." Another laugh. "Sides! Whether there's a ghost in there or no, walkin' old houses is plenty risky! It's better t'have someone else fer help! I've got plenty o' spare supplies!" Usually one of his friends would be here with him for that reason, but tonight most everyone had been busy. What a lucky break, meeting this nice lady right at the gate!

With that, out comes a little roll-up bag from his satchel. He shifts his camera to a band on his shoulder it clips to for a steady perch and easy light, before opening it. Out rolls a selection of picks, and he casually selects what he needs for the gate lock before stowing the rest again.

"Climbin' might be easier, but I'm curious 'bout the state o' th'gate! And if we need to leave right quick, an open door's faster." Jace bounces on his heels with an eager air, already going to work.

[audaciious]

"Disasters can sometimes be fun or amusing. Hang around the Gestrals long enough or help with one of their plans and see how quickly it becomes disastrous," Melisandre smirked. "I agreed to join one who had the bright idea of trying to take out a group of Nevs by sending a battering ram-type cart down a steep hill. Little did I know we'd be in the cart sliding into them. Now that was a complete disaster, but amusing now that I look back on it."

Of course, she knew the truth in Maelle's words. Disasters were more often moments of darkness that could siphon hope from the strongest individuals. It was too easy to allow despair to seep into every chamber of your heart and to the marrow of your bones, where it festered and gnawed at everything you once were. Knowing from her own experience how desperately you have to fight and claw your way from the depths was why she HAD to at least try to make it a bit more bearable.

"I've spent enough years out here to know all the places where you can pretend it's not infested with Nevrons. Wish I could say it gets easier, but it doesn't." Mel admitted with a soft sigh. "You sound like a Gestral. We could goad Monoco into a duel or go find some Nevrons to beat up if you want to relax."

❝ What is disaster if not doom and gloom? ❞ Maelle says with a bit of a laugh, but behind those words is a lurking shadow. A shadow that hung over, clung to them. It weighed the expedition down. How so many have already died. So many lives lost and the monolith still felt so far away. As if there was an ever expanding sea between them and the paintress. Maelle wasn't exactly losing hope, but the reality of the harsh world out here was settling in.

She was out of her depths here, but still, she continued on. She took the oath just like everyone else. Even if her day was nine years away.

❝ I think you're the only one that can stomach a picnic out here. Although I am getting a little hungry. ❞ Maelle admitted shaking her head as she observed the monolith, still feeling rage and confusion both over all the events of their expedition so far. The beach, the nightmares --- it was all wearing her thin but not breaking her resolve.

Maelle stretches before dropping her hands to her sides. ❝ The only thing that relaxes me is a good sparring match. ❞

[audaciious]

"I've never really invited anyone over," she admitted. Her home was just comfortable enough for one person, maybe two if the inhabitants got along well together. So little time was spent within its walls — nightly sleep and the occasional meal — that she didn't find it necessary to have anything larger. Plants, most fake and those not on the verge of wilting, covered most of the shelves and windowsills, while a Hextech visual display that had only been used twice sat across from a sofa that had small rust colored stains on some of the cushions.

She had done her best to scrub them out after waking from a night in the pits, but the blood had soaked in too deep. At least the rest of the house could be presented as homey and lived in on the rare chance she did invite someone over.

Melisandre didn't need to be inside Caitlyn's head to see the maelstrom raging inside her. It was like watching her drift further away in an endless sea with treacherous currents that consistently pulled her away any time she got close enough to reach for her hand. She bit the inside of her lip when Cait's hand slipped from hers, and she slowly forced herself to speak. As maddening as it was to watch how the words caught on her lips like barbed wire, she was eager to learn what was going on with her, especially if she could find a way to help her through whatever she was going through.

The moment she saw the scars, Mel wanted to scream. Not at Caitlyn for what she had done, but because she had felt there was no other choice except to mutilate her body. Pain was a powerful and addictive drug for someone in a vulnerable state like Cait had been. She was all too familiar with its siren's call and the ephemeral relief it brought. At first, she didn't speak, letting her hands fall when Caitlyn pulled her legs up to her chest as she patiently waited for her to get out what she could in the moment. Only when she was certain she had finished did she stand and encompass her in an embrace, her cheek resting on the crown of Cait's head.

"If there's one thing you're not, it's weak." Despite the empathetic agony wanting to taint her tone, she kept her voice soft and steady. "You're suffering enough, and as sweet as the physical pain is compared to the pain squeezing your heart, it is only a temporary relief. It will never be enough, and you are so much stronger than you may feel you are. You've been given such a horrendous hand to play, but trust me when I say you can get through this. You deserve to, and I won't leave your side if you don't want me to. I will stay with you and do everything in my power to keep you from any more harm." Mel didn't know who this other entity was that Caitlyn had mentioned, but she knew they'd have to kill her before they did anything else to Cait.

Her emotions flipped up and down, unable to fully attached to a single emotion except the fear of the truth staring her in the face. Just as Caitlyn could lean back forward and delve into her work, something touch her shoulders. A breath left her lips gasping for the air that left her lungs. Her fingers left the work and grabbed onto Mel’s arms for comfort. She squeezed firmly to hold her closer to her and leaned her head against her arm.

However, she moved, and Caitlyn let her go before staring down at her. Her cheek leaned into the touch, a bare purr before it faded and looked up to her. “I don’t remember ever visiting your place,” The admittance slipped her lips as she reached up and rubbed her palm against her cheek. Faded blue eyes looked down at her palms, the way Mel’s fingers brushed over them distracted her from her thoughts. The sensation comforted her thoughts and drowned out the brief thought of scratching herself.

“I don’t... know how to tell you,” Caitlyn whispered, not because she didn’t want to, but she couldn’t figure out how to express the words. Fingers clenched tight, pressing into her palms and closed her eyes. “Its... it’s this... I don’t know, but...” Caitlyn pulled her hand away from Mel’s palm and tapped her fist against the side of her head a few times. “I... did things I’m not proud of,” Caitlyn slowed her words, deliberately trying to phrase it properly. “I...” Her hand pressed to her lip and then reached over toward the collar of her turtleneck shirt. She always wore them, long sleeve covering her body. Slowly she pulled it down to reveal an array of scars, slashes at the side of her neck, bit marks and claws. “That’s not all of it,”

Releasing the top, she rubbed her hands against her tears with exhaustion heavy on her brow. “Sometimes, I want to do it again. To... feel the pain on my back, the blood against my skin...” Her body drooped with the truth and stared down at her lap humiliated to look at Mel. “I want to right now, to wake myself up, so I don’t sleep. To punish myself for being so weak. Just, just a hit, so I can control this,” Caitlyn pulled her hands away from Mel and pulled her legs up to her chest in the chair. She wrapped her arms around her legs and buried her head into her knees.

“If I go home alone, I might do it. Or she’ll find me, and finish her meal and kill me,”

[audaciious]

@etoileobscure Thanks for letting me use your boy for practice~

[audaciious]

HINOKAAAAAA for @healingbrews. I can never resist the chance to draw her, so thank you for letting me use her as practice <3 <3 <3

[audaciious]

|| Beautiful Ollie for @amused-bouche

[audaciious]

|| ok I know I already did the perma art call, but feel free to give this a like/comment if I can use your character for some style practice. Gonna try something and I may unintentionally butcher characters trying to go more stylized. They'll likely be colored sketches.

Multi muses feel free to say who you'd like, or I'll do one at random.

[audaciious]

@beastlyarcane:

Vi moved around the bed, fluffing up the pillow around Caitlyn's head. Lyra, Caitlyn's personal healer, spoke of Caitlyn's increased healing capabilities. The bruises no longer dotted her face and her neck, though scars lingered everywhere. Vi had learned from Lyra how to properly change the bandage on her face so that her eye could continue to heal. Still, seeing Caitlyn's eyes closed with no real movement troubled Vi. Didn't matter, though, as she would take care of her as long as she had to til she woke up. with careful gentle movements, Vi brushed the cloth over her cheeks, the wound along her eye looked oddly just like the magic they had been trapped in. The weaving pattern of the arcane that branched from the slash of the blade Ambessa slammed against her eye. she only knew the details cause she got them from Steb and the others. Naturally she questioned herself. IF she had been there, if she had been faster, stronger, better... Lyra always cut her off and told her not to think that way. Gently she lifted up Caitlyn's head to wrap the cloth around her head and covering her eyes once again. It was better for the eyes to stay in darkness, to give them a chance to recover with no external stimuli. The sound of the door made Vi hiss instinctively and glanced over to see the Blond. "Mel," she whispered, finishing off the bandage and leaning back against the intable. "i‘m not gonna get much sleep tonight, am i?" She tried to joke but it came off flat, unable to find any real joy standing here next to Caitlyn's bed while she laid in a coma. "Is everything okay?"

Happiness and peace always seemed to crumble in her hands, slip between her fingers like shifting grains of sand. The tighter she tried to hold on, the harder it was to keep everything together. It was nauseating to watch her loved ones spiral and slip away in their personal aches and sorrows, but what more could she do than try and be the formidable pillar that would break the waves and wind that tried to wash away everything she had grown to love. She inhaled deeply and held her breath as she entered the room.

The scene was worse than she had imagined, the air wheezing out like a deflating balloon. Cait, stiff as a corpse with Vi looming beside her like a fierce and protective hound, and eyes that almost glowed in the dimly lit room, was enough to make her exterior falter. A smile would not find its way on her face even if her life depended on it. Slowly, she walked toward the bed, staying on the side Vi was on.

"No, I'm afraid not," she reached out, offering her hand to Vi. As much as Mel wanted to, she didn't want to draw Vi into a hug unless she was in the mood to be touched and held. "You're probably not going to get any sleep until I finally sneak something into your drink. Or knock you out myself."

Now her jokes were falling flat. Mel glanced down at Cait, her chest tightening until it felt like she'd never be able to take in a breath again. When she did, it felt like glass, her heart aching and tears beginning to sting the corners of her eyes. "What have they said about her condition?"

[audaciious]

CHARACTER DEBRIEF. bold what applies, italicise what sometimes applies, strikethrough what never applies.

FULL NAME: Melisandre Dumas

NICKNAME(S): Mel, Melly

FLAWS.

moody  |  short-tempered  |  emotionally unstable  |  whiny  |  controlling  |  conceited  | possessive  | paranoid  |  liar  |  impatient  |  cowardly |  bitter  |  selfish  |  power-hungry  |  greedy  |  lazy  |  judgmental  |  forgetful  | impulsive |  spiteful  |  stubborn |  sadistic  |  petty  |  unlucky  |  absent-minded |  abusive  |  addict  |  aggressive  |  childish  |  callous  |  clingy  |  delusional  |  cocky  |  competitive  |  corrupt  |  cynical |  cruel  |  depressed  |  deranged  | egotistical |  envious |  insecure  |  insensitive  |  lustful  |  delinquent  |  guilt complex  | reclusive  |  reckless  |  nervous  |  oversensitive

STRENGTHS.

honest  |  trustworthy  | thoughtful  |  caring  |  brave  |  patient  |  selfless  |  ambitious  | tolerant  |  lucky  |  intelligent  |  confident   | focused  |  humble  |  generous  |  merciful  | observant  |  wise  | clever |  charming  |  cheerful  |  optimistic |  decisive  |   adaptive  | calm  |  protective  |  proud  |  diligent | considerate  |  compassionate  |  good sportsmanship  |  friendly  |  empathetic  |  passionate  | reliable |  resourceful  |  sensible  |  sincere  |  witty  | funny

SKILLS & HOBBIES.

art  |  acting  |  astronomy  |  animals  |  archery  |  sports  |  belly dancing  |  bird watching  |  blacksmithing  |  boating  |  calligraphy  |  camping  |  candle making  |  casino gambling  |  ceramics  |  racing  |  chess  | music  |  cooking  |  crochet  |  weaving  |  exercise  | swordplay |  fishing  |  gardening  | ghost hunting  |  ice skating  |  magic  | engineering  |  building  |  inventing  |  leather-working  |  martial arts  |  meditation  |  origami  |  parkour  | people watching |  swimming  |  puppetry  |  pyrotechnics  |  quilting  |  reading  |  collecting  |  shopping  |  socialising  |   storytelling  |  writing  |  travelling  |  exotic dancing  |  singing

TAGGED BY: the lovely @healingbrews

TAGGING: @dimensionalspades (Sova), @fatedmuses (Julien), @etoileobscure @beastlyarcane (Cait), @townofcadence (Jace) & anyone else who wants to!

[audaciious]

Jacks'.

The name tickled her mind like an itch just below the surface that she couldn't quite scratch. Perhaps she heard it as a whisper on the wind or overheard it mentioned while passing an inebriated group of friends. Mel stared curiously at Ollie, scrutinizing the air around her and noting the hint of something supernatural. It wasn't powerful like a glamour or veil, but clung to her skin like ribbons blowing in a gentle breeze. It was something she had only seen happen if a human spent time around a paranormal creature, and only after an extended period of time. Ollie continued to fascinate and enrapture her.

"I think I've heard of Jacks, though I couldn't tell you a thing about it," she admitted, unable to take her eyes off the woman. "I've only ever visited Italy once when I was very young. I'd love to go back and see if it's like my memories! Must be exciting to be able to have a family home to visit frequently!"

A small tinge of envy threaded through her heart hearing Ollie speak of her father's cooking. She had failed to learn any recipes from her parents before their demise and had never managed to find a recipe, even an authentic one, that ever got close. It was always missing some secret ingredient. Or maybe she was just that bad at cooking. Both were possible.

"So tell me more about Jacks', must be unique if not just anybody knows about it. Almost sounds secretive and like it's for a certain kind of crowd."

"It's a just a little place called Jacks'." Ollie turned to the side a little to face her company a little more. One elbow on the bar with the her chin just barely resting in her hand, making sure Mel knew she had her full attention.

She didn't mind telling her the name of the place. Though Jacks' wasn't so little as Ollie made it seem, she played it down just for the club's own protection. If she was meant to find it, she would. Hell, if she was inhuman, maybe she would have heard of it already. If she was a normal human, she'd just be run around in circles with the veiling magic used to hide the place. No harm done.

"Oh! I've always wanted to go to Iceland! That sounds so lovely." She grinned. As if Ollie wasn't enthusiastic enough herself, Mel's was certainly still more infectious. "I have a whole list of places I'd like to travel... Though I've ben to Italy more times than I can count. My Papa still has family there."

She smiled so wide it crinkled her nose. "You know, when they say real Italian food is so much different than what they do in America, they aren't exaggerating.... Okay, I can't count my Papa's cooking. He makes everything from scratch. It's the most authentic you'll get without actually going to Italy."

[audaciious]

Starter for @obscurchroma

The world around Melisandre slowed to a crawl, her thoughts and movements sluggish as though she was wading through chest-high water as she stared at the teen. Of course, she was bound to come across another living human; her expedition had failed and more would come as long as there were capable people in Lumière. It had just taken six years to finally cross paths with one of them. The stranger's words fell like foreign gibberish on her ears until her mind finally sped back up and pieced the sounds together, shock dissipating.

"Wait, wait, wait! I'm from an expedition!" Her eyes lit up when she grinned. She jerked her left shoulder into view and pointed at the golden thirty-nine embroidered on the patch. Stray threads frayed out from around the hem, and the golden cloth the patch had been sewn onto was discolored with various dark splotches.

"I can't believe I've actually run into another expedition! How many of you are there?" An uncontrollable giddiness bubbled in her chest. If memory served her, it had been at least three days since she had spoken with a merchant. "Oh! I've completely forgotten my manners. I'm Melisandre...or Mel...or honestly, whatever you feel like calling me. Could not care less right now."

[audaciious]

@healingbrews continued from here (x)

The air in the bar felt stagnant, hot, and sticky like a noxious cloud that had formed over a bog. Intoxicated patrons, crammed inside the narrow walkways, continuously bumped her with bony elbows and shoulders against her back. Only one in three apologized with beer-laden breaths that often choked her before shimmying down the walkway.

"Yeah, beats drinking alone while feeling like a sardine in a tin," she grinned. As far as she was aware, her new friend was there alone and likely wouldn't have an APB put out on her the second they left for a late-night meal. Her eyes lit up when she agreed, eager to get out of the stuffy building and into the night air.

"No worries! Pizza will be on me. We can split one," she offered, hoping to keep her enticed. "There's a place just down the street called The Upper Crust! They can make just about any kind of pizza you'd like and also have other things like sandwiches and quesadillas!"

[audaciious]

I don't feel like working on this anymore so here we go.

[audaciious]

@twlghtdnce said:

"you know you're just about the worst liar i've ever met."

She wasn't wrong. There wasn't a time in recent history that Mel could recall where she successfully told a lie and got away with it. Lies did nothing but sow distrust and misfortune like weeds in a garden, sometimes appearing beautiful with vibrant flowers, if only to distract from their parasitic roots. The bigger the lie or the more someone did it, the worse the retaliation would be, with the truth inevitably coming into the light. It had never been an appealing risk to her and likely never would.

"I know," Mel dropped her head for a moment before lifting it, a small smile on her face. "It's why I despise two truths and a lie. I never know if I just go too outlandish with my lies or if I have too many tells." She laughed, shrugging her shoulders.

"I hate losing, but I guess I hate lying more. So yes, I have never beaten Golgra with one arm tied behind my back. Actually, haven't even managed to beat her in a duel once. She gets all powered up and then I may as well be a wet paper bag. It hasn't deterred me yet, though," she continued smiling and leaned toward Sciel. "Your turn! Two truths and a lie."

[audaciious]

@dimensionalspades said:

this is not worth your life. (from Sova)

Sweat beaded on her skin like rain droplets on a window, the largest guided by gravity along the contour of her body. While most of it was absorbed by her semi-saturated uniform, the rest merged with small creeks of vibrant blood. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, each breath strained from the kick she took to her solar plexus.

"It very well could be," Melisandre argued, slowly turning to look at Sova. "We never know when the turning point will be in this war. I know there's radianite in that container. We have a better chance to get it now that those agents from Omega Earth are kind of distracting the guys working for Kingdom." Holding a hand to her abdomen, she peered around the metal crates they were using for cover. The battlefield remained just as chaotic as they had left it. Smoke blanketed the partially enclosed space, flashes of light, blue, gold, and orange, accompanied by gunshots or battle cries, momentarily gave away enemies' positions. They constantly shifted through the slowly dispersing smoke.

"I'm going try and run in before the smoke completely disappears. I remember where the case was, and it may be our only chance to grab it before someone remembers we exist. Care to watch my back?" She was already shifting, removing her chakrams from the clips on her belt as she crouched.

[audaciious]

|| Some tidbits about Melisandre no one asked for:

Having dealt with the grief of losing everyone she loved in under a year, Mel wants nothing more than to take the pain away from others if she can. It's why she always tries to smile and be there for others.

She's a bit of a natural flirt, but typically does it in a friendly/platonic way. However, as soon as she realizes she has a crush on someone, she quickly and easily becomes a clumsy, flustered mess that can't even say a simple pickup line to save her life.

She considers herself a "protector" and will fight to be the big spoon when cuddling is involved.