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Only have each other now.

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Writing snstse XIII-2 angst RN and the premise is that Estelle breaks down and begs for one last Date with all three of them and I just…

What if I just. Wrote it so that Serah doesn’t show up. For their last Date.

Oooo. The delicious conflict. The stab of betrayal. Estelle will be so mad at her.

The question is, would Serah Decide not to Go. I mean, she never tells anyone that she knows she’s going to die. She keeps it as her little secret, so that Noel’s will doesn’t waver (and, maybe, even her own) to save the world at the Cost of one life.

If she decides not to go, would it be to:

1. Keep everyone ignorant. Estelle’s intuition (and Caius, but she doesn’t trust him more than she trusts Serah) is what really tells her that Serah is going to die. However, Serah reassures her that they’ll meet again (love how she avoids using language that implies anything about her future).

Yes, Snow’s seen a vision of the future of her dying. But he still has hope that they can avoid that future… despite being stuck in some weird dimension that prevents him from fulfilling his Focus, anyways. I think Serah would want him to hold onto hope. Maybe meeting him one last time would give herself away—that she was going for good.

I always like how Serah doesn’t even confide in him (or anyone). She just writes notes to herself saying she has no regrets 😭

Is Serah good at keeping secrets or is everyone else just inattentive… Well, Snow took two years to ask, so maybe they’re all just terrible at communication.

It would be so funny if Snow tries to cheer Estelle up by saying that they just need to believe in Serah and then she dies. And then Estelle starts doubting him whenever he says things are going to be okay (setting up for conflict in LR).

2. Fear that she’d hesitate. She made up her mind to take control of her own future the minute she’d seen it… what if seeing them would make her Hesitate. What if she starts being Afraid.

TBH, IDK if this would be enough to shake her resolve. Then again, seeing Estelle essentially grieve over their lost future would be awful. She’s so terrible at keeping things together. Serah would want to comfort her, but then that would mean even more lying and empty promises.

Worse, what if she starts feeling Resentment. What if she starts cursing her Fate: The goddess who made all possible. Her sister, who chose her… What if she started doubting Lightning?

3. To end things now. A stab from a sharp knife is easier to patch up than one from a dull knife…

Unlike Estelle, I don’t think Serah would lie to herself by saying “it’s for the best…” and then do something completely terrible. Like… she’s already not telling the Truth.

Also, IDK I think it’d be kind of a crappy date, because they’re all pretending everything’s going to be okay, because there just isn’t enough time to talk about it. Serah would just feel so guilty, because all of this is for her.

Or maybe it’d strengthen her resolve. She’d see them trying so hard, and she’s like… This is for you, too. I’m keeping you safe …

Given how Serah knows how awful it feels when a loved one suddenly disappears, I’m just not sure if she’d be capable of doing this to Estelle—regardless of reasoning.

Withholding the truth is one thing… but leaving her clinging onto an untethered end of hope that they’ll meet again is another lol.

I could also resort to option 4, the boring one: Blah, blah, blah Caius got in the way; Serah doesn’t have to make any hard decisions and it was all a misunderstanding! Haha, don’t be mad Estelle—

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OMG someone bought her.

I saw this listing of Vanille with her pigtails missing/broken off and, like, IDK I think she looks good?

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Mermay - Prologue

Premise:

One day, Snow stumbles upon a mermaid named Serah and her wonderful little hoard of treasures. Serah is fascinated by human history. Though her older sister forbids her, Serah often makes trips to the surface to learn more.

Upon this chance meeting, the two become friendly. Snow is happy to indulge her curiosity, bringing her many prized pieces to add to her collection.

When Serah expresses her interest in the Bodhum Vestige and laments her inability to explore it, Snow takes it upon himself to venture inside. Inside, he meets the fal'Cie Anima, who curses him to turn into a mermaid himself.

Will he break the curse? Or will he find a new life waiting for him underwater?

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hii if you're still doing the ask game could you do 2, 6, 11, 14, 18, 20, 21 and 25 for estelle? whenever new st lore drops i am fed 😭 (ik this is a lot tho so feel free to skip over any you wish !!)

OMG hi! I love getting asks, thank you for asking <3

2) Will they have any children? What are their names?

They'll have two kids: Soleil (eldest sister) and Lyon (younger brother). Fun fact: Soleil's middle name is Lumi in post-LR, because I thought it'd be funny if Lumina made Serah swear to name their first child after her and this was the best she could compromise LOL.

6) Any flowers you associate with your OC?

I've drawn dark pink/purple dahlias to represent her before. The colors represented how her love and desire to protect was tinted by a fearful obsession that really disregarded the individuals she sought to protect in question.

11) What actor or voice actor do you see best playing as your OC? 25) The name you chose for your OC, why did you chose it?

I've answered those here!

14) What about any siblings, do they have any and is their relationship good?

Estelle considers Thea to be her sister and likewise. In post-LR, she's officially adopted by Thea's parents (who are also still alive in XIII canon). They have a great sibling relationship–a lot of Estelle's foundation is built on her relationship with Thea.

In post-LR, they have more of an equal typical-sibling dynamic since they're both adults and Estelle has had time to mature.

18) What is your OC’s greatest fear?

Estelle's greatest fear is losing the people she loves again. She hated how powerless she felt when Thea died. She's also afraid of confronting Thea's parents and has avoided contacting them for several years.

20) What hobbies does your OC have?

Estelle gains an interest in gardening after seeing the flowers on Oerba's rooftop. It's the first time she's really considered having a future. The image of those flowers persevering was burnt into her mind ever since.

That said, she's really likes raising houseplants in particular. She especially likes collecting small potted plants that look like little babies to her. She helps out in the community garden.

She also enjoys finding matching clothes for all of them to wear, is a little into woodcarving but hasn't committed, likes reading dirty novels in secret, nightly walks, and just spending time alone in general (usually with cats).

21) Any embarrassing secrets your OC demands you take to the grave but you will share anyway?

Estelle considers her entire childhood embarrassing and will very rarely tell stories when prompted.

Anyways, her class went on field trip to the zoo once. A chocobo spooked her, causing her to fall on her butt and start crying. As an adult, she will insist her wariness of chocobos stems from the fact that they're really large and heavy creatures, and not that one made her cry as a little kid. She has never learned to ride one either.

Oh, and she cries when she watches children's movies–happy ending or not. She can't watch them with other people around.

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I saw this listing of Vanille with her pigtails missing/broken off and, like, IDK I think she looks good?

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Estelle XIII-2 design update! I don't think I posted her OG XIII-2 design? So, there it is for comparison.

Change log:

Made Estelle wear her jacket properly. It's also a leather jacket now.

Got rid of the second layer. It's like a light jacket on top of her turtleneck... which is just too warm, for my liking.

Gave her wide-legged jeans and a different, chunkier pair of boots. She looks more balanced and comfortable.

Drew her dagger + new dagger sheath. The straps are meant to be strapped over her belt of choice, placed behind her. Was too lazy to draw a belt though.

Hair down + hair up. I'm an individual of moderate practicality... I tied her hair up, so it won't get in the way as much. Especially in a fight... (fantasy logic being used here, don't question it.)

Tweaked the colors of her hair and jacket.

Turtleneck + tank top option, for when it's cold/hot respectively. :)

2022!Estelle is using a sword... I was undecided what weapon to give her back then, but I like the idea that she uses a knife to fight. I'll need to "disassemble" her knife to show it's used as a ranged weapon, but that's for another time lol.

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XIII!Estelle redesign... again. Old one for comparison. I think I'm getting closer to what I want for her!

Change log:

It's not obvious nor that drastic of a change, but I cut her hair. It stops just below her shoulders. I mayyy try to crop it shorter though, similar to sk4.

I tried giving her less-pronounced bangs, but she's had this haircut for so long, I ended up giving them back lol. She's supposed to look... hmm mature, I guess? Dressed for her job? The previous iterations make her look a little too juvenile; which, she is pretty immature, but she tries to hide it behind a facade of coolness LOL.

I gave her a cropped jacket with simpler embellishments. It still shows off her figure, without being suctioned to her body lol. The longer jacket gives her an odd shape.

I went with a vest with a wide half-circle cut (idk terminology) and I'm glad I did! I like the new shape it introduces. Much more visually interesting than another collar. I also made it longer to hide the buttons/loops of her pants. The cropped look didn't work with the cropped jacket–as if they were competing with each other. It made her torso look short too. I still think that she could use something around her waist–not a belt, to be clear lol. Though IDK what she needs.

I dressed her in pants with a looser fit and wider bottoms. Now, they look comfortable to wear lol and balances her overall.

Finally drew her dagger harness. The straps hide under her jacket and is connected in the back (also hidden by her jacket, but over her vest). It's long and curved. I haven't worked out the technicalities yet, but it's AMP powered and Estelle can actually use it as a ranged weapon VIA weird gravity powers (don't ask me).

Detail-wise, I wanted her new design to be more... futuristic – in a sleek sense. I referenced the PSICOM/Guardian Corps designs and... woof. For a "futuristic" setting, the PSICOM/Guardian Corp designs look outdated and busy lol. Ofc, despite Cocoon's setting as a more futuristic world, its people are dressed rather hmmm ordinary? That's not the right word, but what I mean is that they don't dress in a stereotypical utopian way. I'll have to think more about it later.

I ended up adding an additional layer to Estelle's outfit. It's a white button-up blouse that goes under her vest. Only the collar is visible. It's completely unnecessary, but I like the added texture. Of course, I could've just gotten rid of the sweater... but I think women wearing sweaters are a little sexy.

I changed the design of Thea's emblem, which is really just her uniform's emblem that Estelle took after she died. Mmmmm I half-assed the detailing, but I do like the new shield-shape. The old design was ugly and busy lol. The new one is also ugly and busy, but is also now an identifiable shape from far away (translation: I can draw the basic shape and ignore the finer details in comics when it isn't needed.)

She still wears basic black loafers... I'll tackle them next year...

Fixed her posing and expression. Although cute, she was too pouty and ummm admittedly I drew her facing left to avoid drawing her front profile LOL. Now, she looks like a well-adjusted adult capable of eye-contact.

Color-wise... I'm not sure if I still want to go with a red/gold color scheme. I need to think more about the church's colors (maybe when I design Cielle... if ever.)

Her overall outfit is white though.

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M-miss Farron...

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XIII Status Screens gifs.

Thank you to u/Surihix for providing the stills! Looping gifs under read more:

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A short comic on how you amass a bunch of cats in a short period of time, because your wife and girlfriend keeps thinking that they're lonely and need friends...

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Serah... ... ...

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Amusement Park - The Strategist and The Newcomer

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Serah's Letter

I don’t know where I am. I can’t hear anything. I can’t see anything. It’s cold, and dark, and I’m all alone. This place is… dead.

But I don’t have any regrets. I fought to the end. I never ran away. I just hope someone will remember me, now that I’m gone.

Help!? Hello!?

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Cielle Overview

Cielle is a lower-ranked fal'Cie, under the fal'Cie Gabriel. Gabriel is responsible for overseeing the safe delivery and healthy development of children, as well as the growth of families.

Gabriel is one of three fal'Cie with a major church dedicated to it. It is depicted as a motherly figure.

About

Cielle is one of several minor fal'Cie whose Focus is to care for and indoctrinate children, especially the orphans in Gabriel's facilities. Barthandelus' goal is to use religion as a weapon to divide humans in the civil war he plans to spark.

Cielle is also tasked with observing and reporting any "disturbances" that would harm the organization.

She's programmed with a built-in and constantly updating database filled with knowledge about childcare, childrearing, all kinds of therapeutic practices and advice, videos of altruistic figures to mimic, and more. She's highly-regarded for being well-informed and empathetic. In reality, she pulls from and imitates the behaviors in her database.

Being a fal'Cie, she feels no true affection towards humans. Her face, name, and "personality" is changed every 35-45 years, roughly. "Cielle" is a personality meant to imitate someone who is kind and nurturing. Her manufactured background is that she began working at one of Gabriel's facilities in her late-twenties. She is a sister of the church, who loves children, but has no desire to start her own family. She can be strict and adheres to the church's law rather stringently. However, she's beloved by the children she cares for, because she is kind and forgiving. Estelle was one of the children under her care.

To emphasize her "kindness," Cielle is often paired with harsher personalities. As a result, children view her as a safer and more lenient individual to go to. It's all an act to breed trust, of course. Children are, unintentionally, excellent sources of information.

Appearance

Cielle has a pallid, almost-gray complexion. Despite being in her "forties," she has no wrinkles nor other facial markings. If one observed closely, they could also see she lacks pores.

She has dark-colored eyes to hide the lenses in them. Her hair is long, dark, and too-perfectly straight. She wears a plain white headband to push her hair back.

It's not uncommon for children outside of her care to think she looks creepy. Even adults find her unsettling.

Relationships

Being one of the children in her care, Estelle is fond of Cielle. She thinks of her as a motherlike figure and cherished the moments they spent together. However, Estelle's bond with Thea is stronger and more defining than her connection to Cielle.

Thea volunteered at the church often with her friends and family. She has always found Cielle unsettling, but never dared to voice it. Likewise, Cielle found her curiosity of the world outside Cocoon dangerous. She flagged Thea as a potential problem in the future.

Story

Cielle has long suspected that Thea was participating in rebel activities. However, she needed concrete proof, before she could report her. She approaches Estelle, who is 15 years-old at the time, for information.

Unintentionally and unknowingly, Estelle gives away the approximate location of a secret base that Thea and her group established. The base is located in a small town outside of Eden. Estelle is ignorant of the base, of course. All she can note is that, Thea took her there, gave her money, and told her to entertain herself for a few hours, with the excuse that she needed to take care of an urgent errand for a sick relative who could only be seen by family.

Cielle flags the town for suspicious activity. Thea and her group are eventually caught. News breaks of the "successful" suppression of a dangerous terrorist group seeking to overthrow and gain control of the Sanctum. However, Thea isn't named to protect the reputation of the church.

Officially, Thea is killed-in-action for trying to apprehend the terrorist group. Estelle, however, suspects that her strange meeting with Cielle is related to Thea's sudden death–if not, perhaps, the cause of it. Her suspicions are furthered when she witnesses Thea's room swiftly cleaned and emptied; as well as, when the face of the body was obscured from view during her funeral.

In her grief, she confesses to Cielle of her guilt. Cielle, however, sees it as an opportunity to train Estelle into a more obedient follower.

Cielle lies to her, constructing a story where Thea had been, secretly and foolishly, tracking down the rebel group on her own. It's why she approached Estelle, out of worry for her safety. Young and guilty, Estelle believes her. However, she gains a new fear of Cielle that day–finding her insistence on dedicating herself to Gabriel frightening and lacking in her usual compassion.

In the years following Thea's death, Estelle works tirelessly to become the same hero she thought Thea to be. She hoped to, one day, fill her position. It's only when Estelle is promoted to a high-enough ranking does she learn the truth of Thea's betrayal–and her involvement in her death.

At the end of XIII, once Orphan perishes, Cielle also goes dormant. Estelle learns she's a fal'Cie, once she visits Cocoon's surface and asks around regarding her survival. Apparently, many people hid in the church during Cocoon's fall. However, none survived.

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Bringing this back again to update with this little tidbit from the XIII subreddit. Like, how did it not occur to me that this Yeul was the one who thought he was cute!?

And that she clung to him, hoping he could protect her…

Yeul, about Snow: [Caius’s] promise made me terribly sad. I thought of the tall man. If [Serah were] to die, he would mourn, I was sure. His expression as he’d called for her reminded me of a child’s, and it had brought a smile to my face. I’d found him awfully cute for someone so big.

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did nobody send you asks for the oc ask game?? well i am rn! 11 for estelle, 18 for celeste, and 9 for thea? how about 25 for all three?

Hehehe, thank you for playing (and giving me an opportunity to ramble excessively as I like to do) ❤️

11) What actor or voice actor do you see best playing as your OC?

I've always imagined Estelle having a soft, yet mature voice similar to Cherami Leigh's performance as Seiros in Fire Emblem Heroes! Except, maybe a little deeper. I have a squeaky voice myself, so as you can guess, I've always wanted a deeper or "calmer" voice.

18) What is your OC’s greatest fear?

After her accident, Celeste's greatest fear is flying. It makes her anxious to see Dajh and Sazh pilot an airship everyday. However, the idea that she's not with them makes her feel even worse (given the whole l'Cie thing). She takes medication to help keep her calmer on flights, on top of other methods to deal with her fear.

9) What is your OC’s greatest wish/dream/goals?

Before her death, Thea's greatest goal was to free Cocoon from fal'Cie rule. She didn't want to destroy fal'Cie, persay; but she did want the truth of their history to be revealed. Likewise, she always dreamt of a world outside Cocoon, even as a kid (the type to ask questions and get into trouble for asking too many or the "wrong" ones).

25) The name you chose for your OC, why did you chose it?

Estelle: I have a tendency to borrow names of characters I like from different media. Estelle's name is from the Webcomic, "From a Knight to a Lady." The OG!Estelle is a cool, sword-wielding soldier, reborn as a noblewoman. TBH the name was meant to be a placeholder, while I figured out her "real" name. However, like a fool stepping into an obvious bear trap, it ended up sticking.

Thea: Originally, I wrote Estelle and Thea being blood-related sisters; where, their parents named Estelle to be the "little star" to Thea. Her name's taken from the Greek goddess of light, Theia. Since Theia is considered the goddess from which light came from, then I like to think it's Thea who gave Estelle (star) her light as well.

Celeste: At this point, I already had two celestial-themed OCs–I decided to keep going (and already planning a fourth)! Given she's a pilot and dreamer, it felt right that she's someone who occupies the skies–someone who possesses unlimited potential, or something like that.