briar-and-ciara-hepburn

[briar-and-ciara-hepburn]

Making some sprites for Briar (#1)

Yeah, this is for my roleplay blog.

As of now, there can only be sprites for Briar - I don't think Ciara will have them for quite a long time. My game's PC client isn't working at the moment, and the quality won't be as good if I take the screenshots from the mobile version.

[briar-and-ciara-hepburn]

Briar, being the perceptive one she is, seemingly senses the guard's uneasiness. She dismisses her violin, turns around, then inspects the Essail, and notices their purple glow flickering.

"You don't... look okay. Do you need anything?"

After a short while, she has come to a conclusion that the purple glow is likely to protect the guard. The road back to her home is far and tedious, so she thinks of another solution.

"Please, wait for a moment. I will find a way to get the spell as quickly as possible."

Then, a flick of her wrist, she summons a piece of parchment and hastily scribbles in a few words:

"Mother, Can you please send me the tracking spell that you use in an instant? I am in urgent need of it."

Briar sends it away with a spell. After a short moment, a scroll of magical spell appears through a portal. As expected of Ciara, always so efficient when it comes to practical matters.

"Here, this should help." She hands the magical scroll to the guard. "I can't cast it for you, since I do not know what the texts are, so you will have to do this on your own."

She takes a step back, watching the guard closely.

A flash of blue pierces the woods. A Faithful Essail Guard steps through bathed in a purple glow. She follows the faint sound of a violin before sighting Briar.

"Glory to the Queen, sweet child. I am sent here on business for our most beautiful @high-priestess-velara, who would find great delight in your music. Would you do me the honor of aiding my quest to recover some missing texts? They are as precious to my people as your own sheet music is to you."

Briar pauses her playing upon the sight of the Essail. She can tell, this is no Lightbearer, and so far she hasn't seen any races of humans or humanoids like this. Keeping a calm face, she puts down her violin.

"Thank you for your kind words, really. Although, I believe we have not met before, nor do you look like a local here." She speaks up softly, voice just louder than the whistling of wind in Duskmire. "But... since you have come so far as to seek help from an already dead girl, it won't hurt to lend you a hand."

Tucking the violin into the crook of her elbow, she continues.

"I do happen to possess a few magical tomes regarding to finding lost items - that is, if you want to use them. They are not perfect, as there are still ways to counter the spells, but... I hope they do work for your case."

[briar-and-ciara-hepburn]

A flash of blue pierces the woods. A Faithful Essail Guard steps through bathed in a purple glow. She follows the faint sound of a violin before sighting Briar.

"Glory to the Queen, sweet child. I am sent here on business for our most beautiful @high-priestess-velara, who would find great delight in your music. Would you do me the honor of aiding my quest to recover some missing texts? They are as precious to my people as your own sheet music is to you."

Briar pauses her playing upon the sight of the Essail. She can tell, this is no Lightbearer, and so far she hasn't seen any races of humans or humanoids like this. Keeping a calm face, she puts down her violin.

"Thank you for your kind words, really. Although, I believe we have not met before, nor do you look like a local here." She speaks up softly, voice just louder than the whistling of wind in Duskmire. "But... since you have come so far as to seek help from an already dead girl, it won't hurt to lend you a hand."

Tucking the violin into the crook of her elbow, she continues.

"I do happen to possess a few magical tomes regarding to finding lost items - that is, if you want to use them. They are not perfect, as there are still ways to counter the spells, but... I hope they do work for your case."

[briar-and-ciara-hepburn]

"My tracking spells never fail, not when I am the one casting them. The trail should lead us directly to the destination, yet look at this."

Ciara gestures to the trail of magic left after casting the tracking spell. It's faintly blue, sparkling and extremely clear. However... it's cut off just a few steps away from the place the stolen paintings once was.

"The trail, for some reason, stops here. If you take a closer look, you will see that the trail left doesn't just dissipate like it's failed, but... it's cut off as if being blocked. I can sense the blockage, and it's quite clear, even."

She pauses, as if thinking. Then, curling her index finger to fix her glasses with a knuckle, she continues, voice stern:

"Someone intentionally prevents me from finding the lost paintings. And it's likely that they are the culprit, or someone in cahoots with them."

She lets out another sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I apologise, but I will need time to figure it out. I will go back home to research on this particular blockage, and should anything happen, you are free to reach out for me."

With a polite incline of her head, she disappears into a puff of blue smoke, teleporting away, as silent as her footsteps.

(The front door creaks open to neither a human nor a Graveborn, but an enchanted teapot and an enchanted everbloom—Ludovic's attendants, no doubt. They immediately reach for Ciara's study, and call her.)

"Greetings, Lady Ciara." (The teapot speaks first, then inclines his head.) "If you have the time, can you please do us a favor?"

"A few things have been stolen from His Lordship, you see." (The everbloom attendant continues.) "I heard you are adept at practical magic, so naturally, we would think of you. Can you please help us track down the stolen belongings, and the culprit too, if possible?"

@ludovic-valesa

"What did you two just say?!"

Ciara's expression immediately twists into something that indicates she's genuinely pissed off, instead of just the usual grumpiness she has on her face.

"Someone dared to steal from Lord Ludovic?"

Then, taking a deep breath, she calms down.

"Fine, I will see if I can help. Tell me first, in details - which of his personal belongings were stolen?"

[briar-and-ciara-hepburn]

"Self-portraits, you say?"

Ciara lets out a sigh. Out of everything, and that thief decided to steal paintings. The quality of Ludovic's works are always impeccable, and they can always be sold for a fortune. Or, it could be displayed or be used for other purposes. Either way, the thief benefits too much from acquiring those, or so she thinks.

"If you may," she continues while skimming through her grimoires. "I will need to go to Everstill. Best if I cast the tracking spell right where the paintings had been before they were stolen."

--------------------

At Everstill Manor.

Ciara arrives and is standing right where the paintings were put. With a murmur of incantation and a flick of her hand, a trail of magic can be seen. She closes her eyes for a moment, as if sensing...

"..."

"This is... odd."

(The front door creaks open to neither a human nor a Graveborn, but an enchanted teapot and an enchanted everbloom—Ludovic's attendants, no doubt. They immediately reach for Ciara's study, and call her.)

"Greetings, Lady Ciara." (The teapot speaks first, then inclines his head.) "If you have the time, can you please do us a favor?"

"A few things have been stolen from His Lordship, you see." (The everbloom attendant continues.) "I heard you are adept at practical magic, so naturally, we would think of you. Can you please help us track down the stolen belongings, and the culprit too, if possible?"

@ludovic-valesa

"What did you two just say?!"

Ciara's expression immediately twists into something that indicates she's genuinely pissed off, instead of just the usual grumpiness she has on her face.

"Someone dared to steal from Lord Ludovic?"

Then, taking a deep breath, she calms down.

"Fine, I will see if I can help. Tell me first, in details - which of his personal belongings were stolen?"

[briar-and-ciara-hepburn]

(The front door creaks open to neither a human nor a Graveborn, but an enchanted teapot and an enchanted everbloom—Ludovic's attendants, no doubt. They immediately reach for Ciara's study, and call her.)

"Greetings, Lady Ciara." (The teapot speaks first, then inclines his head.) "If you have the time, can you please do us a favor?"

"A few things have been stolen from His Lordship, you see." (The everbloom attendant continues.) "I heard you are adept at practical magic, so naturally, we would think of you. Can you please help us track down the stolen belongings, and the culprit too, if possible?"

@ludovic-valesa

"What did you two just say?!"

Ciara's expression immediately twists into something that indicates she's genuinely pissed off, instead of just the usual grumpiness she has on her face.

"Someone dared to steal from Lord Ludovic?"

Then, taking a deep breath, she calms down.

"Fine, I will see if I can help. Tell me first, in details - which of his personal belongings were stolen?"

[briar-and-ciara-hepburn]

"The Perpetual Concerto"

Another impressionism study.

Featuring Briar Hepburn - @briar-and-ciara-hepburn

[briar-and-ciara-hepburn]

AFKJ OC - TO: MAGISTER CIARA N MISS BRIAR...

. . .

This is my first art trade with the Author of Magister Ciara n Miss Briar !

Some reactions of my Merlins and I after receiving the Author's artwork for this little art trade of ours! Their art is sooo ✨

I think of posting here so... At least the tag "my arts <3 " could be... Slightly... Alive..? And these Artworks aren't lost... Somewhere... In my blog...

Below are the genderbend versions of Magister Ciara and Miss Briar!

(Because I'm more comfortable with drawing... Men...)

. . .

Note: M!Ciara named Ciarán Sullivan while M!Briar name remains the same... Briar !

Sadly... I can't use colour so... Yeah...

. . .

Note: Young version of M!Ciara... Because... Why not..? XD

. . .

[briar-and-ciara-hepburn]

A blue portal appears on top of Magister Ciara's table. A light orange letter slowly lands on the table, followed by a small paper bag with some dark and white chocolate cookies in it...

The content of the letter is as below...

"EVENING, CIARA n BRIAR! Little scamp asked me to send a letter to you with their drawings. They said--

"What if... Magister Ciara and Miss Briar accidentally... Using the shapeshifting scrolls..? Magister Ciara will be quite... a charming... while... Miss Briar stays as adorable as always..."

"SO-- YEAHHH. ANYWAYS, DON'T FORGET TO EAT THOSE COOKIES THAT I JUST BAKED TODAY! Y'all can eat cookies, right? WAIT-- DO GRAVEBORNS EAT? AHAHAHAA-- DANG IT-- I FORGOT-- SORRY--"

"Nevermind, just-- give it to mortals if you don't eat it! DON'T THROW IT AWAY--"

~ signed, Eva

Below are the artworks included in the envelope...

. . .

. . .

After some time, a letter sealed with bluish black wax in the shape of a raven carrying a rose arrives at Magister Kafka, his caretaer and Magister Evangeline's place. Inside is a sketch and a letter written by Briar. (Because Ciara's handwriting is crap, of course!)

"Dear Magister Kafka, your caretaker and Magister Evangeline, I have received your letter, and I would like to express my gratitude to you all. I do not have much skills in art, but I would say that the drawings are both nice. Mother teased me about how... adorable I look as a boy, but I couldn't quite counter her. Of course, it would be rude of me to not give you something in return. After some time, I managed to sketch out something for the two Magisters. The same theme as the drawings sent to us, of course. I hope you all would find this pleasing enough to the eyes. Sincerely, Briar Hepburn. P/S: Oh I forgot to say, Graveborns can still eat, so we can both enjoy the snacks you have delivered to us. Thank you a lot, truly."

The drawing in the letter:

[briar-and-ciara-hepburn]

A blue portal appears on top of Magister Ciara's table. A light orange letter slowly lands on the table, followed by a small paper bag with some dark and white chocolate cookies in it...

The content of the letter is as below...

"EVENING, CIARA n BRIAR! Little scamp asked me to send a letter to you with their drawings. They said--

"What if... Magister Ciara and Miss Briar accidentally... Using the shapeshifting scrolls..? Magister Ciara will be quite... a charming... while... Miss Briar stays as adorable as always..."

"SO-- YEAHHH. ANYWAYS, DON'T FORGET TO EAT THOSE COOKIES THAT I JUST BAKED TODAY! Y'all can eat cookies, right? WAIT-- DO GRAVEBORNS EAT? AHAHAHAA-- DANG IT-- I FORGOT-- SORRY--"

"Nevermind, just-- give it to mortals if you don't eat it! DON'T THROW IT AWAY--"

~ signed, Eva

Below are the artworks included in the envelope...

. . .

. . .

After some time, a letter sealed with bluish black wax in the shape of a raven carrying a rose arrives at Magister Kafka, his caretaer and Magister Evangeline's place. Inside is a sketch and a letter written by Briar. (Because Ciara's handwriting is crap, of course!)

"Dear Magister Kafka, your caretaker and Magister Evangeline, I have received your letter, and I would like to express my gratitude to you all. I do not have much skills in art, but I would say that the drawings are both nice. Mother teased me about how... adorable I look as a boy, but I couldn't quite counter her. Of course, it would be rude of me to not give you something in return. After some time, I managed to sketch out something for the two Magisters. The same theme as the drawings sent to us, of course. I hope you all would find this pleasing enough to the eyes. Sincerely, Briar Hepburn. P/S: Oh I forgot to say, Graveborns can still eat, so we can both enjoy the snacks you have delivered to us. Thank you a lot, truly."

The drawing in the letter:

[briar-and-ciara-hepburn]

AFKJ OC - "IT ARRIVED-- AND THEY LIKE IT, MAGISTER KAFKA !"

. . .

A short story after I realised that a bouquet of flowers and a letter that Magister Kafka delivered to Magister Ciara and Miss Briar arrived safely ! Thank you for the quick response ! I didn't expect it-- Thank you !

I like your artworks ! Both of their designs are soo pretty ! I'm not good at digital arts so... Yeah...

In the Quaint Mystical House of Magister Kafka...

(I knock on the door of Magister Kafka's room countless times to annoy him-- actually... To tell him about the items that he sent to Magister Ciara and Miss Briar arrived safely !)

Me: Magister Kafka... Open the door~ I've something to tell you~

(No response. I place my ear at the door and... There's no sound inside... My eyes wide open, feeling slightly panicky at no response and no sound from Magister Kafka... I immediately turn the doorknob and thank goodness it's not locked ! I enter his room and... ... Magister Kafka is gazing upon the clear starry night sky from his room in silence. He blinks slowly and sighs, wiping his tears. I walk slowly towards him and tap his shoulder, causing him to yelp a bit and turn to look at me.)

Magister Kafka: Ahh... My dear... You shouldn't sneak up behind me like... That...

(he covers his face and shakes his head. I sigh and shake his shoulders slightly.)

Me: I've been knocking on the door lots of times but you didn't respond... I afraid that you might...

(I pause as I watch Magister Kafka slowly sit at the edge of his bed and lower his gaze.)

Magister Kafka: My apologies... I... Lost in my... own thoughts again... ... Is there anything that I... can help you... My dear..?

(his voice trails off, he slowly takes the Faramor plushie and pats it gently)

Me: Well... I have good news for you, Magister Kafka ! The Flowers that you made AND the letter that you asked me to write for you are safely delivered to Magister Ciara and Miss Briar !

(I giggle and nudge his shoulder a bit. His eyes wide open, as his face turns red in embarrassment. he looks up at me and slowly takes my hand.)

Magister Kafka: Are... You sure..? I... Just sent it today...

(I nod my head quickly and smile. he covers his mouth and closes his eyes.)

Me: Both of them like the flowers and Magister Ciara said it's okay if you want to ask more about them !

(I chuckle after saying that... Able to convey what I've seen to Magister Kafka. He nods his head and sighs in relief.)

Magister Kafka: I'm... Glad to hear it... My dear... Thank you for telling me about... this wonderful news... May Dura Above... Bless them with happiness throughout their lives...

(A small smile forms on his face then squeezes my hand. ...)

[briar-and-ciara-hepburn]

aren’t you afraid of losing yourself ? Losing your memories until being a shell of yourself ? Losing so much you don’t recognize the one you love ?

"Why... why would you ask that?"

For a moment, Briar's eyes are tinged with something else, almost unreadable. But then, she quickly regains her composure, and continues.

"I... I am afraid, of course. Afraid I would lose myself. Afraid I would forget everything - my friends, my family, the individuals I love. Afraid I will harm people I swore I never would."

"..."

"...Apologies, I... have something I have to attend to. I'm afraid I would have to leave."

And with that, she disappears.

[briar-and-ciara-hepburn]

Do you both enjoy puzzles, riddles and logic problems? Or do you find them frustrating or tiresome? You heard of the special event at Madam Gerda's, right? Would you have liked to participate in that? (Biar/Ciara)

"Oh... Mother likes those things a lot. Logic has always been one of her strengths, after all."

"I, on the other hand... I am fine with puzzles and logic problems, but... I have to admit, I cannot be as good when compared to Mother."

"And the event... I believe you meant the Ghostly Getaway? I have heard of it, but have not participated before, since... well."

"Mother enjoyed the event, so... I think it would be nice to give it a try next year."

[briar-and-ciara-hepburn]

((Context can be found here - please read before proceeding.))

@briar-and-ciara-hepburn

A gust of wind suddenly blows towards Everstill Manor, carrying the scent of roses and rose petals - more like the petals are created in the wind. Those petals morph into a humanoid shape, then finally, to Briar.

"Apologies for any possible interruptions," she murmurs, then bobs a curtsy - a habit from her human days that she can't quite get rid of. Then, she takes out a flower crown with a note attached on it. "I believe that this is yours."

A pause, then her lips quirks up a little. "I didn't expect you to have met Nika too. But then again... coincidences happen, do they not?"

Briar, you rarely come unannounced, let alone teleporting here. Is something the matter?

(The question immediately gets its answer when Ludovic takes the flower crown and reads the notes on it.)

...This explains why she kept staring at my head when she was about to leave last time. How thoughtful of her.

I cannot guarantee that I would come, but if she insists on it, I will.

Ah, forgive me, I forgot to tell you how I got to meet Nika—although I would have to admit, it was not a pretty story at all.

Mr. Teapot has, in fact, snatched the flower crown that little girl made for you, which led to her arrival at Everstill Manor in an attempt to retrieve it. But it seems, she does not mind him coming along, despite everything.

Very well, I will ask him. Do tell me when Nika wants to meet up.

[briar-and-ciara-hepburn]

*There is yet another flower crown hanging in the tree branches. Again, a small paper is attached to it and it reads as follows:*

"For Ludovic. Your head looked empty and this should fit you perfectly. You can wear like a prince. Maybe you can join Briar and me when we go to Petalia Plains for even more flower crowns, my singing, her violin playing... and you can paint!

Yours, Nika P.S. Your teapot can come too. It was cheeky but funny!"

"Hmm?"

The flower crown catches Briar's attention - who is taking a stroll around Whiteridge for composing inspiration. Curious, she approaches the thing.

Upon reading the note, her eyes widen slightly. It's for Ludovic. Nika has met him. The realisation strikes her.

Ludovic isn't one to go outside often, so she takes the flower crown with her instead of leaving it there. Summoning her violin then pulling the bow across the strings, she dissipates into a flurry of white rose petals, disappearing along with the gift.

To Everstill Manor.

[briar-and-ciara-hepburn]

"Oh... Mother isn't home right now." Briar shakes her head, looking towards the garden's gates. "She's likely out to find potion ingredients, or meet up with Lady Shemira. The mini version of me last time was Lady Shemira's craftsmanship. It's impressive, isn't it?"

"Well... I would be more than willing to sit for you. Let's go, shall we?"

And then, she leads Ludovic towards the gazebo in the garden. Moonlight pools like liquid silver on the leaves and the flowers, turning the overgrown garden into something ethereal. She sits down amidst the roses, the same moonlight casting shadows on her face like a chiaroscuro.

(There's a soft knock on the front door—not from the gates, a sign that it's someone close to either of the individuals residing in.)

(Upon opening the door, a Graveborn with silver hair stands there, one hand behind his back. Upon the sight of Briar, he softens his expression slightly.)

"Briar," (he speaks softly, inclining his head.) "I believe that you have read my reply to your letter. Would you be so kind as to let me see your progress today?"

@ludovic-valesa

"Ah, Ludovic." Briar's lips quirks up in a small smile—hard to tell if it was on others, but to her, it brightens her face to a degree. "I was expecting you today. Please come in—I'll show you the spiritroots."

She then leads Ludovic towards her garden.

"Mind the bushes," she reminds him on the way. "The thorns might snatch on your clothes." She says so, yet still carefully parts the overgrown rose branches away for him.

"Here we are." She says at last.

The branches seem to move on their own upon Briar's words, revealing a patch of blue spiritroots—all near mature and growing well.

"You won't have to worry about going to find these plants anymore," she turns around, and says to Ludovic. "These are all yours."

[briar-and-ciara-hepburn]

(There's a soft knock on the front door—not from the gates, a sign that it's someone close to either of the individuals residing in.)

(Upon opening the door, a Graveborn with silver hair stands there, one hand behind his back. Upon the sight of Briar, he softens his expression slightly.)

"Briar," (he speaks softly, inclining his head.) "I believe that you have read my reply to your letter. Would you be so kind as to let me see your progress today?"

@ludovic-valesa

"Ah, Ludovic." Briar's lips quirks up in a small smile—hard to tell if it was on others, but to her, it brightens her face to a degree. "I was expecting you today. Please come in—I'll show you the spiritroots."

She then leads Ludovic towards her garden.

"Mind the bushes," she reminds him on the way. "The thorns might snatch on your clothes." She says so, yet still carefully parts the overgrown rose branches away for him.

"Here we are." She says at last.

The branches seem to move on their own upon Briar's words, revealing a patch of blue spiritroots—all near mature and growing well.

"You won't have to worry about going to find these plants anymore," she turns around, and says to Ludovic. "These are all yours."