#Celeste Stiel

[dracoqueen22]

Work in Progress

Universe: Tethers, Pre-Canon Characters: Celeste Stiel, Tyrael Ashborne Rated: K+ Desc: Celeste has been searching her entire life, and she’s still not sure what it is she’s trying to find. She's eleven, knobby-kneed and awkward, her hair a short poof around her head, her face streaked with dirt, her pinky toe broken, and she's missing a tooth. Auntie and Uncle sit her down, they tell her that if she wants to, now is the time. She should choose a god to serve, or let one choose her. She can wait another year, if she wants, but the longer she waits, the harder it'll be. "I want to serve Cyrillus," Celeste tells them, with the innocence of a child who has no idea how cruel the gods can be. "Just like Tyrael.”

Auntie and Uncle look at each other. Behind her, Tyrael snorts. "You can't," he says, thirteen years old and a know-it-all. He's already getting broad in the shoulders, and tall, taller even than his father. "Cyrillus already picked me, and he's not gonna pick anyone else." "Tyrael, hush," Uncle says. "Go play with Junie," Auntie says. Tyrael scowls and glowers, and thinks to protest, but Uncle lifts his chin and narrows his eyes, and Tyrael sighs like he's been given some great burden. "Fine," he says, and stomps out of the room, because he's thirteen and Celeste is his cousin-little sister, and as much as he loves her, he kind of hates her a little. Celeste crosses her arms and pouts. "Why wouldn't Cyrillus want me?"

(Read More)   

[dracoqueen22]

For Maia - A smutty Celeste/Rathi Tethers piece involving them having fun with magic in the bedroom... or maybe outside it. A surreptitious magehand teasing during dinner perhaps?

Under the Table 

Celeste squirms, steals a glance at Rathi, then pretends full interest in the meal set before her. It’s a decent meal, edible and filling, though lacking in flavor. It’s the best this small village has to offer, and anyway, Rathi isn’t too picky. 

Tyrael has complained at length and refused to eat everything save for the freshest bits of bread they were brought. He’ll be hungry later, and Rathi won’t hesitate to tell him ‘I told you so’ but anyway. Tyrael’s fussiness isn’t what has Rathi’s eyes. 

Celeste does. 

She’s squirming, a bit red-cheeked everytime she glances at Rathi from across the table, and her gaze skittering away again. If she’s trying to hide the new aspect of their relationship from the rest of the group, she’s doing a poor job of it, and Rathi can’t help being charmed by her timidity.

It kinds of makes her want to be a little naughty. 

You have a cantrip useful for this, my dear, Firenya whispers in her ear, smoky voice sending a little thrill down Rathi’s spine. I taught it to you earlier today.

Oh. 

Rathi hides her smirk behind a long gulp of the warm ale. Tempest is being loud beside her, gesturing with both hands, flicking meat juice in all directions as she loudly regales the table with some adventure. Nym is rapt; Easton hides behind a book. 

Tyrael looks like he wants to escape. Dakota looks like he’s considering sneaking away from the table. 

Celeste looks at Rathi again, and Rathi winks. 

Celeste flushes and shoves another bite of roast carrot into her mouth, cheeks puffing up from her efforts. Adorable. 

Rathi shifts into a long stretch and lets her fingers dance through the air, murmuring the incantation behind Tempest’s boasting to hide the subtle cast. She feels her magic take shape -- as invisible as it is, and when she lowers her hand, the spectral hand follows her command. 

It floats across the table. It floats down beside Celeste, into the space created by Easton trying to make himself very small and Celeste trying to hide her attentions. It drifts beneath the table, and Rathi knows it has found its mark when Celeste squeaks and drops her spoon back into the bowl with a splash. 

Tyrael instantly bends his attention on her. “What’s wrong?” 

“Nothing,” she says, picking up the spoon again, a bit too quickly to be believed. “Eat something, Tyrael. You’re no good for your quest if you pass out from hunger.” 

Tyrael sniffs. “I’ll eat once there’s something worth eating.” He seems mollified by her answer at least. 

Rathi grins and pretends to gnaw on her bread chunk while a tilt of her head sends the invisible hand back to work -- palm flat on Celeste’s belly before it strokes down, sweeping along the crook of her hips. 

Celeste looks at her, eyes blazing. She opens her mouth to speak, shuts it, opens it, shuts it again. It’s like she can’t make up her mind what to say that won’t give away the game. 

Rathi winks and the hand caresses upward, and she’s relieved it doesn’t visibly dimple the fabric of Celeste’s robe, meaning Rathi can grope one of those lovely breasts without anyone noticing. Celeste squeaks and covers it up with a cough, the tips of her ears darkening with heat. 

“The stew isn’t too spicy, is it?” Rathi asks with feigned concern. 

“No,” Celeste manages and downs her ale in several quick gulps. 

Rathi is kind enough to let her finish before she twists her fingers and lets her invisible hand start to wander again, downward this time, nudging between Celeste’s thighs -- which open for her, so Celeste must not be too opposed. She manages a few light strokes, teasing Celeste through the thick fabric of her robe. 

Celeste hunches into herself a little, one elbow hitting the table with a dull thud as she rakes her hand through her hair. “Why do they have a fire in the hearth? It’s warm enough in here already.” 

“Actually, I think it’s pretty chilly,” Tempest says. 

“No, it’s definitely hot,” Rathi says, her hair flickering to a brief burst of flame before settling again. She smiles, showing a bit of fang, and her spectral fingers press firm and wanting against Celeste’s center. 

Celeste drags her bottom lip between her teeth. She gives Rathi a pleading look, and Rathi isn’t sure if it’s meant to be encouragement or a request for mercy. 

Either way, the spell expires before Rathi can torment her further. Pity. 

Rathi takes the last swig of her ale and pushes her chair back. “Think I’m going to turn in,” she says with a feigned yawn, a stretch of her arm over her head. “Long day and all that.” 

“You should probably lay down, too,” Tyrael says, giving Celeste a look that somehow blends brotherly concern and leaderly command. “You look as though you're catching ill.” 

“I’ll help her,” Rathi says cheerfully. 

“Please do,” says Tyrael. 

Oh, but to be as clueless as Tyrael. Sometimes, Rathi wonder how he’s survived so long. 

“You are evil,” Celeste whispers as they head upstairs, and Rathi’s glad she missed Tempest’s knowing wink. 

Rathi chuckles. “Oh sweetheart, you have no idea.” 

***

[dracoqueen22]

Port in a Storm

Title: Port in a Storm

Universe: Tethers, Pre-Canon

Characters: Rathi, Tyrael Ashborne, Celeste Stiel

Rating: T (for fantasy typical violence)

Description: On her way from one landmass to the next, Rathi meets two very interesting mortals, and finds herself with two new friends.

This is part of my original fiction series Tethers, and here we have another addition of the pre-canon/pre-main story introductions that I’ve been writing to give me practice with the characters and help introduce them to readers as well.

Feedback is absolutely welcome and appreciated so please let me know if you enjoyed it!  

[dracoqueen22]

For Eph, who requested Rathi and Sinoun’s challenge to make the team look fashionable

Makeover

They had three days before the ship would be safe to sail again. 

While Tyrael had suggested they spend those three days in the best inn the port had to offer, Celeste managed to talk him down to a mediocre inn which would save their coin, but still provide comfort. 

When Tyrael suggested they all remain in their rooms for the three-day period in order to get some rest and keep a low profile, Rathi had firmly put her foot down. In fact, everyone save Dakota and Easton had loudly protested the suggestion of hiding themselves away for three days, when they would have to spend the next two weeks in cramped quarters while they crossed the ocean. 

Tyrael nearly had a mutiny on his hands. 

“I have a better idea,” Sinoun said as he looked over the assembled group with a smile on his face and his hands on his hips. “We’re going shopping.” 

“We have all the supplies we need,” Dakota grumbled. 

“And we don’t really have the coin for shopping,” Celeste said, though there was a light of excitement in her eyes that suggested she very much liked the idea of it. 

Sinoun waved a hand. “Honestly, I can’t be seen with all of you looking like this.” He pointed to Dakota. “You especially.” 

Dakota rolled his eyes. 

“Are you offering to be our sugar daddy?” Rathi drawled, lips curved in a smirk, one Sinoun returned with equal smugness. 

“If you wear whatever I buy for you, I will foot the bill,” Sinoun said. 

“Oh, you are so going to regret saying that,” Rathi said as she grabbed Celeste by the arm and hauled her to her feet. “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s drain him of every coin he’s worth.” 

Celeste flushed and looked down at her robes. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” 

Sinoun frowned. “You look like you walked out of some backwater village and never looked back. That robe does nothing for you except hide you when you deserve to shine.” He looked Celeste up and down. “Brighter colors for you, I think. I know just the place.” 

“Count me out,” Dakota said. “I have no problem staying in the room.” He held up a balled bundle of clothing. “I have work to do.” 

“And leave me by myself?” Tempest demanded, hands on her hips, lower lip jutting out on the way to a pout. “Besides, he’s got a point. That tunic’s been patched so many times, I don’t think it’s the original color anymore.” 

Dakota glowered. 

“Oh, it’s been ages since I’ve been clothing shopping,” Nym said with a bright smile. His tail swished excitedly behind him. “Especially with others. My sisters have no sense of taste.” 

“I have no interest in being your doll,” Easton said from the corner where he curled in a chair, book in his lap. “I’m content to spend the next three days in this room.” 

Sinoun raised his eyebrows. “The brooding vampire look went out years ago, pretty.” He planted his hands on his hips and looked around the room. “And did I happen to mention this wasn’t optional? Because it isn’t. We’re all going shopping, we’re all getting new clothes, so that when we arrive in Veboya, none of us stand out.” 

“He has a point,” Tyrael said with a sigh. He dragged himself to his feet, moving with all the energy of a man who had been sentenced to death. “If we hope to pass through Veboya without attracting too much attention, we’ll need to be as unobtrusive as possible.” 

Tempest mouthed the word, and looked up at Dakota who explained, “We need to blend in.”

“Oh,” she said. 

Sinoun clapped his hands. “On your feet, everyone. We’re losing daylight, and we’ve got places to go.” He eyed the assembled group of excited and less so adventurers. “I think we’re going to start with whoever needs the most work.” 

Rathi snorted a laugh. “So is that Easton or Dakota?” 

“I am not agreeing to this,” Dakota said. 

“Fine,” Easton said, marking his place in his book and setting it aside. He leveraged himself out of his chair, sweeping stray strands of hair out of his face. 

Dakota shot him a look of betrayal, since he would be unable to refuse if he was the last man standing. 

Easton shrugged. “Free clothes,” he said. “So long as it’s not my coin we’re spending, I don’t see why I can’t take advantage of the situation.” 

“Can I get new leggings?” Tempest pointed to the multiple patches in her current pair. 

“Everyone is getting something new,” Sinoun declared. 

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure that whatever we get you will look amazing,” Rathi reassured Celeste, who ducked her head, trying and failing to hide her flush behind her hair. 

Nym was already at the door, holding it open. “Come on, everyone. Let’s go!” 

Dakota sighed. 

It was going to be a long three days. 

***

[dracoqueen22]

Title: A Likely Story  

Universe: Tethers, Pre-Canon

Characters: Celeste Stiel, Rathi of the Cinders, Tyrael Ashborne, Dakota Sorrel, Tempest Teapot

Rated: K+

Warnings: Fantasy Typical Violence

Description: A single pilfered purse introduces Tyrael and his crew to Dakota and Tempest, inspiring a team up none of them could have expected.

a/n: It’s 11k words so I opted not to post the whole thing here on Tumblr, but I linked to my AO3. Please feel free to read and comment! I’d love to know what you think of my characters. :)