#Fionnuala Lonraigh

[the-shiniest-plant]

CW: Depression, Self-Hate

One may look at Fionnuala and think “Wow, that girl’s just an endless source of optimism, isn’t she?”

They’d be wrong. Sure, she’s optimistic in public, yes, but she feels she has to be. It wouldn’t do well for Aurene’s image for one of her champions to be anything but happy as her public representative, right?

She has plenty of time to feel her negative emotions and deal with her traumas on her own, away from the public eye. The only ones who have ever seen her vulnerabilities in any way, shape, or form are those closest to her - Mother, Sitheach, Grumpen, Laranthir, Elspeth, and of course, Aurene herself.

There are days when her thoughts turn sour, storm clouds threatening to rain on what would otherwise be a wonderful day. “You’re not good enough.” They say. “You’ll fail to protect Aurene just like you failed to protect Mother when she needed you most.”

She tries to fight those thoughts off, defy them, tell them they’re wrong, but they’re persistent. They slip through her self-worth like water through cracks in a dam.

There are times when the dam breaks, when the thoughts become too much. Her beloveds come to her, Grumpen burying her in a big furry hug, Laranthir speaking soft reassurances and handing her a mug of warm, calming chamomile nectar. It’s difficult to stop the flood of tears, but they manage.

Laranthir insists on taking over as Commander for a few days during these times, on top of his Vigil duties. She feels she’s imposing on him when her emotions take hold, but he always smiles and reiterates his insistence, adding “As Commander, I order you to rest at home for a few days, let Grumpen and I take care of you.”

His “orders” are always tinged with playfulness, and Nuala knows she can always refuse, but his smile… she knows she can’t resist that. Grumpen and Larry know it too. Damn tacticians, the both of them, using her weaknesses to their advantage. But that’s what she likes about them - they know exactly how to get under her leafy skin and make her feel better.

“Yer worth it, Sparkly. Ye’ve got us righ’ ‘ere, an’ we ain’t goin nowhere til ye’re back t’yer sparkly, smilin’ self, y’hear me?” Grumpen rumbles, his grin full of crooked teeth that jut out every which way, care and concern behind his eyes as he buries her in his soft fur.

She can’t stay sad for long around those two… thank the Blessed Source for them both.

[the-shiniest-plant]

Nuala has a new name! I had her as “Warden Fionnuala” since her creation, and I thought to myself “That doesn’t really fit anymore…”

So, knowing that Sylvari names come from Irish, Scottish, and other Gaelic languages, I basically put “Sparkly” into a translator and, looking through the definitions, “Lonraigh” stood out as the best fit.

She pretty much fits all of those! I’d say that’s a good use of 800 gems!

[the-shiniest-plant]

I wasn’t asked for this, but I felt like doing the Ask List for Nuala, so here it is!

1. Full name: Fionnuala Lonraigh

2. Best Friend: Elspeth Fómhar

3. Sexuality: Pansexual

4. Favorite Color: Sky Blue

5. Relationship Status: Taken!

6. Ideal Mate: Kind Nature, Considerate, Supportive, Likes to cuddle

7. Turn-Ons: Cleverness, Smooth Flirts, Kisses to the Back of the Hand, Classy Lewdness

8. Favorite Food: Mild Elonian Butter Moa Curry over Rice, as well as red grapes, watermelon, and apples.

9. Crushes: Grumpen Embertail & Laranthir of the Wild

10. Favorite Music: Pop Music, Hip-Hop, Rock, Anything from Metal Legion

11. Biggest Fear: Dying and leaving those she loves behind

12. Biggest Fantasy: Helping Tyria Achieve Everlasting World Peace

13. Bad Habits: Nosiness, Tends to eavesdrop on conversations (Habits she developed in Whispers)

14. Biggest Regret: Leaving Tybalt to die on Claw Island

15. Best Kept Secrets: Are Best Left Untold

16. Last Thought: “I should probably get some lunch, and pick something up for Grumpen - Wait, no! Lunch Date! Where’s my QDC?”

17. Worst Romantic Experience: N/A

18. Biggest Insecurity: As much as she loves her Crystal Bits, she’s afraid people will be scared of her and loath to trust her intentions because she’s Dragon Corrupted, not that she regrets the Corruption at all.

19. Weapon of Choice: Dual Swords, and Shortbow/Hammer when range is needed

20. Role Model(s): The Pale Tree & Trahearne

Hopefully, with this, you’ve gained some insights on our favorite shiny salad!

[the-shiniest-plant]

I was tagged by @uselessidiotsquad to do this, so of course I’m doing it for Nuala first! Let’s see how this goes! Thanks for the tag, Ruby! Big hugs!

FORMATTING RULES: Always, Sometimes, Never

SUN — egotistical • melted wax wings and fingers • stretching sunburnt skin • the most generous soul • blood in the fruit • halos • anger on fire • high vitality • thunderous laughter • is pride really a sin? • halogenic aura

MERCURY — • expansion of the mind • silver-tongued • an everlasting wanderer • polyglot • high dexterity • handwritten letters • innately critical • en vogue • eyes in the trees • hidden libraries • there’s always room for improvement

VENUS — • in love with strangers • iridescent waters • love potions for your mirror • selfless devotion • shattering crystal • seafoam upon sand • the golden ratio • drowning in your own passion • material value & high principles • luring • plush lips

EARTH — • fresh springs • tree hugger • we can start again tomorrow • a blazing rainforest • respects survival of the fittest • nature’s adversity • lazy bones • constantly evolving • flowers sprouting from wounds • a granite altar • fossilized remains

MOON — illusory • silver shimmer off the ocean • secrets and gossip • cycles of reincarnation • a crybaby • physically ethereal • shared glances with a stranger • cat eyes • mistrusting their intuition • fear is a prison • ornate magic wands

MARS — • healthy competition • attraction and repulsion • magma and rubies • a blade being forged • wrath wrath wrath • malefic • intense eye contact • cannon fodder & fireworks • blood floods • copper taste on your tongue

JUPITER — • red robes and a suit of armor • beacon of stability • leader by birth • thunderbolts and lightning • guilty but can’t stop • secret rich kid • golden touch golden tears • innate optimist • failure isn’t an option • constantly reaching for more • unfinished symphonies

SATURN — • traditional • overbearing energy • a sculptor of reality • this existence is a karmic one • has a heart it’s just. way down deep • law, order & justice • avoid all necessary risk • the sound of shackles clanging • sisyphus’ struggle • grappling with the reality of time • self-governing

URANUS — • psychedelic funk music • overflowing cups • a rebellion with skin • looking good in photo id • oblivious but caring • middle fingers in the air • double rainbows • icy diamond exterior • holographic • afraid of their own mediocrity • pearlescent smoke

NEPTUNE — • an elegy for the lost • dissolving boundaries • white horses • the burden of mystical conditions • deceptive • escapism is their reality • a polarizing entity • artists soul • paranoia • searching for the unseen • a siren’s swan song

PLUTO — • angel statues over graves • power • the cycle of necrosis • transformative • unfathomable depths • an ivory tower toppling over • screaming at the sky • violets and irises • eclipsed darkness • speaks with their shadow • sex, death, rebirth

TAGGING: @moonlit-grove to do this next! Maybe for Sitheach (It’d be nice to see the differences between the siblings), unless she wants to do Vie or someone else!

also @elismistscorner because I love their beans

And @uselessidiotsquad again bc GIVE ME BOG BOI I care him so much

Also anyone else who says “Hey this looks fun, I wanna do this! But not unless I’m tagged!” Consider this you being tagged!

[the-shiniest-plant]

Was recently talking to @moonlit-grove about the Commander!Nuala AU I’ve got brewing in my head, and I wanted to share a little brainstorming I did in her DMs regarding the end of HoT.

[the-shiniest-plant]

BABEY ACHIEVED~!

[the-shiniest-plant]

Okay so now that I’m hyperfocusing on Laranthir x Nuala, pls send me somft asks and I will do my best to answer them!

[the-shiniest-plant]

Hi! So, I was playing around with the Wardrobe and I decided that this would be Nuala’s LWS3 outfit. Granted she has the lighter hair and purple eyes in this picture which she doesn’t have until after she becomes a Crystal Bloom… still, I’m trying to show off the outfit, not an accurate screenshot of what she’d look like in Season 3.

I think I did a pretty good job!

[the-shiniest-plant]

She loves his softness. His gentle, happy purrs. His warmth. His big ol toothy smile. The way he makes her laugh. That he doesn’t mind that she’s “Corrupted”. The adventures they go on. The soft, affectionate nose boops. The cuddles as they read together during the stormy nights.

Fionnuala loves Grumpen for all of him, and he for all of her.

[the-shiniest-plant]

15, 27, 39, 40 for Nuala & F,G,H for you?

Thank you for the ask! Here’s the questions for Nuala!

15. How do they speak? Is what they say usually thought of on the spot, or do they rehearse it in their mind first?

Nuala often prefers to speak her mind in day-to-day conversation, unless what she’s thinking could cause offense, then she considers what she says carefully before she speaks.

27. What causes them to feel dread?

The thought that the Mother will never be truly healthy again after Mordremoth’s attack. Scared that the next threat will come after her again and finish the job Mordremoth started.

39. How easy is it for them to ignore flaws in other people?

She prefers to see the best in people, so ignoring the flaws of others is fairly simple. She does acknowledge said flaws, but she also helps them to do better, if they’re friends.

40. How sensitive are they to their own flaws?

Nuala acknowledges her flaws. She realizes they’re there. She knows she can be a bit nosy when it comes to the problems of others - even complete strangers. She knows she has good intentions, but also knows that others may not want her help, as much as she wants to help them.

And the questions for me!

F. What do you feel when you think of your OC (pride, excitement, frustration, etc)?

I’m really proud of Nuala and how far she’s come in the little time it’s been since I created her. From Warden to Slayer to Branded Crystal Bloom… she’s been through a lot, and I’m proud of her for finding joy and having hope even in the darkest times.

G. What trait of theirs bothers you the most?

Oddly enough, it’s her constant, intense connection to the Dream. It’s naturally a part of her, and she would never go Soundless, but if it were me, the constant stimuli would get me into sensory overload real quick!

H. What trait do you admire most?

I really admire her constant optimism, extrovertedness, and ease of comfort in social situations. The last two are qualities I lack in real life, as social as I am online. In those ways, I wish I could be more like her.

[the-shiniest-plant]

The OC Ask Cupid shoots you and inquisitive arrow:

your OCs main/current L.I. did not exist in their story, who would they be most likely to end up in a relationship with?

Oh wow, I’ve been thinking of this for a few days now! Yeah, I’ve been thinking that if Grumpen didn’t exist, Fionnuala would definitely end up with Laranthir. They would be such prescous beebs together, and he would help her through all the sad bits of her story.

And all the somft floofy parts of that… I’m smiling just thinking about it!

I still have yet to come up with a ship name… I’ll figure it out.

But for now I’ll just keep thinking about them and smiling.

[the-shiniest-plant]

Character Lineup

Morrigan the Black, Lesbian Sylvari Necro Cat Lady

Luciano di Angelo, Wannabe Minister Idiot Dork

Ophelia di Angelo, Blind Force of Chaos Revenant

Aurelia Wolfrider, the di Angelos’ “dead” older sister, Lesbian Ranger Ebon Vanguard

Alastair Dorchadas, Babey Gay Gun Nut Salad

Fionnuala Lonraigh, needs no description by now

Arcadia Scrapshot, Iron Legion Gunsmith Kittycat

Innovator Vledda, Married Smart Magic Rat

Rhiannon, Angy Tsundere Nightmare Courtier

Tremaine Ó Mordha, Dorky Good Boi Pale Reaver

Satarruna Wildspirit, Floofy Olmakhan Nightwalker Kittycat

Kanaan Ahmadi, Istani Sunspear Fugitive because Fuck Joko

Elspeth Fómhar, Soft Autumn Sylvari Guardian Mom-Friend, Nuala’s bestie

Golemancer Iann, Vledda’s son, cute robit obsessed babey ratte, smol boi