#oc: corentin arceneaux

[velnica]

🎄 Happy Starlight 2023! ✨

Thank you for all your support this year as I expand my OC & bard boys lore. It’s been a blast and a half, so let’s have even more fun next year!

Love ~ Vel, Fjora, Cora and the bard unit

After the Final Days were thwarted and the various contingents returned home, the populace—soldiers and civilians alike—needed something positive to cling to. Not just hope on the ephemeral Warrior of Lights, but also something nearer and dearer to their heart: a return to normalcy. Thus for Starlight this year, the bard unit had been roped into performing on stage, and Sanson asked for every one of his team to join him and Guydelot.

They were supported by Fjora, Cora, and Haurchefant, who had settled—for now—in Gridania. To Sanson's shock and Guydelot's amusement, Commander Vorsaile had raised his hand to join the festivities, and who was Sanson to reject the chance for more merriment? Group assembled, they took to the stage, ready to share some Starlight cheer for one and all.

Individual photos and bio of the bard unit under the cut 💖

The following character bios are written to fit into my WoL's canon timeline and therefore will not reflect the game's information. Edit 25 Dec: I have updated some of their ages to a few years younger, to explain their absence from being conscripted at Carteneau.

Warrior of Lights:

Fjora Swiftmane: A Rava Viera of fourty-eight summers who left Golmore in search of freedom, only to find it eventually trampled under Garlean ruthlessness. She joined the Dalmascan resistance for a time, though Livia sas Junius' massacre ended her involvement. Fjora left Othard with anger and grief in her heart, and Hydaelyn's calling to be her champion was the start of her healing journey. She is an Uhlan, a heavy-infantry lancer whose skill is now augmented by her Dragoon training.

Corentin Arceneaux: A Wildwood Elezen bard of twenty-five summers, born to antique trader parents in Othard. He became a ward of Rasho and Tansui after his parents were murdered by the Garleans for being undercover Resistance financiers. Cora stayed in the Ruby Sea until the liberation of Doma, when he decided to travel with his long lost sister/close family friend Fjora. His weapon of choice is his giant Hingan bow and his magic-imbued Sanshin. At present he is entangled in some kind of strange relationship to one Hancock Fitzgerald, to whom he owes money for breaking a priceless vase in his collection.

The Twin Adder Bard unit:

Sanson Smyth: A young Midlander lancer who captains the Bard unit. He is steadfast with a strong sense of morality and justice, a trait that often puts him at odds with his Adder superiors. Yet with the support of Guydelot and Vorsaile, he vows to stay true to his conviction and lead Gridania to a better future. At twenty-two years of age, he still thinks himself inexperienced, despite the accolades that he is fast accumulating on his mantelpiece. He is in a long-term relationship with Guydelot.

Guydelot Thildonnet: A talented, wilful Wildwood bard who was infamous for his truancy and recalcitrance towards any kind of authority. In recent times he's seen a marked improvement in his attendance, and one might even say he's turned a new leaf into the straight and narrow, all under the stern command of Captain Sanson Smyth; a feat backed by the medal tally that the man cared little about. What most people do not know, however, is that the twenty-four year old bard owes this change to his genuine interest and commitment to this unit... and to Sanson himself.

Karinae Béringer: Sanson's second in command ever since he was made Captain, Karinae is a skilled Duskwight lancer who's ready to defend her friends and comrades at any moment's notice, no matter when or where. Usually you would find the twenty-three year old in the Druthers, hustling free drinks out of any poor souls with her captivating charm—except for Dietrich.

Perinnault Deschamps: A novice bard with brilliant aim and a keen sense of tempo who joined Sanson's unit before the liberation of Ala Mhigo. At twenty and one summers, the Wildwood Elezen is eager to learn everything there is about being a bard, and is improving markedly with every mission that he undertakes.

Dietrich Eltz: Despite his splendid marksmanship, the twenty year old Midlander is a sensitive soul who is prone to crying at the drop of a hat when overwhelmed. His voice had been likened to the sweetness of a spring bloom, and his good looks had won him the admiration of many; yet all he wants is to learn how to become confident in his own skill, and to be admired by the merit of his battlesongs.

Minh'to Zhwan: A twenty-three year old Keeper of the Moon lancer who was temporarily assigned to Sanson's unit just after the Ballad of Oblivion quest, Minh'to gained the utmost respect for the Captain after they survived and routed an Ixali skirmish. He asked to be transferred permanently and is now thriving under Sanson's leadership, which allows him to learn a myriad of combat skills from their joint Alliance training. He is fiercely protective of his twin sister.

Aemi Zhwan: Stuck in a rut at her previous unit with no pathway to improvement, the twenty-three year old Keeper of the Moon conjurer eventually asked for a transfer to Sanson's unit at the insistence of her twin brother just before Ghimlyt. After surviving the bloody battle, she vowed to support her newly-found comrades in any way she could, having been awed by Guydelot's prowess in the field. She was a sickly child growing up, and Minh'to stepped in to be her protector.

Dya Nakhiri: A studious conjurer, the twenty-four year old Highlander can often be found sequestering themselves in the corner of the Nest, surrounded by books on conjury and battle tactics. When the bards joined Sanson's unit, suddenly their horizon was expanded and now they are deep into research on how to better align the bards' songs with the conjurers' healing spells. Despite their stern countenance, Dya is quietly warm and welcoming once you endear yourself to them.

Supporting casts:

Haurchefant Greystone: Stolen away by accident to the First at the moment of his death by Crystal Exarch, Haurchefant had been living and training there for nigh ten years, all to better support Fjora when she finally comes to save them all. After a harrowing reunion, they decided to rekindle their relationship, though the plan went awry when Haurchefant became tempered by Fjora's absorbed Light. After an intervention by Hydaelyn before she departs, his soul becomes stable enough to be housed in a Hannish simulacrum, crafted personally as a gift for the Warrior of Light. He now travels with her and Cora, ever ready to defend his friends and family once more. Counting his time in the First, he is now thirty and eight summers old.

Vorsaile Heuloix: The High Commander of the Twin Adders is no stranger to challenging authority, a trait that had served him well during his mercenary days. Ever since the affair with Gylbarde's Journal, the thirty-five year old Wildwood had taken a shine to Sanson and his upstanding integrity and despite not being his direct superior, he's been mentoring the Captain to be his protégé—in defiance to every Adders protocol that keeps him employed. He still grimaces when people affectionately calls him 'Vorsie' though he might be warming up to the nickname at the slowest of snail's pace.

[velnica]

"Seiryu, Seiryu, look at his big teeth and cute little fins!" 🦈 (Cora/Seiryu)

[ aka Vel just did her very first Ocean Fishing and somehow got the 8k score that was needed for the mogtomes AND also got the achievement to get the Major General ]

[velnica]

FFXIV Romance Novel Challenge (Cora/Seiryu)

VillainValntine over on Twitter organised an #XIVRomanceCoverChallenge to create a fake front and back cover parodying those romance novels that we all know and love. This is my first entry featuring Cora and Seiryu!

The fake blurb reads as follows: (also in the alt text)

It started with a contract to assassinate the second most powerful man in Kugane… But the meticulous plan to kill the Daimyo’s right-hand man soon unravelled as the otherworldly forces of the Four Lords were summoned to protect the castle and strike down the assailants. In the ensuing chaos, Cora, a mercenary on employ of the Black Market dealer Hancock, was spirited away to the realm of the Gods where he was to be judged for his transgression against the divine order of the Emperor. Soon he found himself under the sharp piercing gaze of Seiryu, the powerful snake auspice who guarded the Eastern skies. To his surprise Cora found no swift retribution from the irascible guardian. Instead he became an instrument of Seiryu’s will by day… and lay constricted amongst his serpentine limbs by night; to pleasure the Fourth Lord as he saw fit, to take and be taken in whichever form his captor wished. It should have terrified him, sent him scurrying to escape at the earliest opportunity. Yet the feel of snake skin sliding against his body, smooth and sensual, electrified his senses, and the beautiful visage of an ethereal Elezen haunted his every waking hour. Can Cora tip the scales back in his favour and free himself, or will he let Seiryu slither deep into his heart of hearts?

[velnica]

Sightseeing (Cora/Seiryu)

"Where are you taking me?" Seiryu inquired as he felt himself tugged away from the festivities.

"To see the rest of Limsa, of course. Surely you didn't come here just to look at the Heavensturn decorations?" Cora beamed.

Sightseeing then. In truth, Seiryu had not come here with any other plan than to sate his curiosity about their culture, celebrated in a distant land. He hadn't even mean to seek Cora out—rather the mortal had found him scrutinising the makeshift stage with his usual stern countenance. Under the blue leporine suit.

Cora had guffawed at the sight before he whisked Seiryu to a nearby alcove, and coaxed him into changing his form into something supposedly less inconspicuous. Once was enough, Cora had said, it was time to not listen to Byakko's 'counsel'.

And so he had drawn from the well of aether within him, seek out a form that might be more suitable; something similar to his regal serpentine silhouette—but with less scales and more... mortal. Cora was wearing a haori, so mayhap if he donned a simple kimono to match, then he would feel less out of place in this foreign land.

When he opened his eyes again, he found Cora staring at him. Not with awe as he did when they first met, no, but with something else that Seiryu did not dare name.

They'd rejoin the crowd, and this time he felt himself blending in a little better. He was starting to enjoy the mochi-pounding demonstration, even, until Cora dragged him away.

Seiryu looked down at their joined hands. Something passed between them, like a tendril of warmth from a half-forgotten dream. His heart stirred, alive, though he make no motion to acknowledge it.

Sightseeing. That meant spending more time here in Eorzea, with Cora.

He'd lived a thousand years, he could spare an afternoon.

Mayhap more.

He squeezed Cora's hand, and hastened his steps to keep up with his companion's longer strides. The smell of the sea wafted around them. The chirps of seabirds whizzed overhead. Another noisy crowd at a yonder stall beckoned his attention.

"Let's see what they're selling, I hope it's food," Cora said as he rubbed his belly, boyish grin on his face.

A smile graced Seiryu's lips at last. "If we must."

[velnica]

Love, hugs and kisses for every male Elezen with the Styled for Hire hairstyle 💜💋

[velnica]

One Last Kiss (Cora/Seiryu)

Can you give me one last kiss? 忘れたくないこと

I love you more than you'll ever know

— One Last Kiss, Utada Hikaru

[velnica]

🎵 I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was 🎶 (Cora & The Four Lords)

[ ID: A set of FFXIV Pokemon Trainer portrait parody images. The first image is a young 14 year old Cora and his four starter auspices: L-R Suzaku the red bird, Seiryu the snake, Byakko the tiger cub and Genbu the tortoise. Cora holds Byakko in one arm like a kitten, and Seiryu is so small he has to perch on Cora's head or he gets lots. The second image is an older 24 year old Cora and his four evolved auspices: L-R Seiryu the serpent, Suzaku the firebird, Genbu the tortoise and Byakko the white tiger. They are in their full auspice animal form and looking extremely fierce... Except for Genbu who is still cute and tiny but will Hydro Cannon you to the face if you tease him. ]

[velnica]

Gaze (Seiryu/Cora)

He is always gentle when it comes to Cora. A continued penance, mayhap. Cora teases him about it before pulling Seiryu's tail tighter around himself. Seiryu hisses, hesitant, but Cora's disarming smile coaxes him to follow the lead. He doesn't regret it.

[velnica]

My brain is vibrating at a speed unknown to man...

This is for the Modern AU spinoff lmao (yes I am getting way too far ahead of myself but I don't care xD)

Also you know the brain rot is terminal when you add another quick tags set into Xkit...

[velnica]

Offering (Cora/Seiryu)

Continuation of Sightseeing

Seiryu took a seat on a ledge overlooking the Aetheryte plaza as the afternoon sun started to leave its peak; the perfect spot to watch the hustle and bustle of Limsa Lominsa from above. He let his eyes wandered idly for a while. People with all manners of stature and clothing slithered and weaved through the crowd, with no shortage of them wearing Far Eastern outfits not unlike the ones Cora and himself were wearing.

Mayhap Byakko's counsel was best ignored from now on.

Suddenly an apple landed in his lap, and he only had a split second to catch it before it rolled off into the abyss below; an easy feat for someone who was no mere mortal. He scrutinised the fruit in his hand, confused.

"I thought you might be hungry," Cora answered, as if reading his mind. With a loud thump he took a seat next to Seiryu, grinning mischievously.

He regarded his companion, and decided that he liked this version of Cora better; the one that carried neither loneliness nor grief in his eyes, the one who smiled, wide and toothy and handsome, the one who looked at him without fear—

"Are you ever going to take a bite or did I just waste three gil?"

Seiryu snapped out of his reverie. He didn't need indulgent sustenance as humans do, and Cora knew this, keenly. So why?

The grin widened, nearly ear to ear now and Seiryu got his answer. He brought the apple close and took a deep breath of its fresh scent. His memory stirred, dredging an image of the selfsame red fruit long ago, held aloft in taloned hands as a starving man devoured it in desperation; a lifeline offered between bouts of frenzied passion.

He turned towards Cora again, and saw the expectant look in those golds...and the trepidation underneath. Without breaking their gaze he extended his hand; a different kind of offering.

"Would you care for a bite?"

Cora leaned forward, hovering over the proffered fruit. His breath was warm against Seiryu's fingertips.

"I thought you'd never ask."

[velnica]

Afternoon Snack [ Cora 💜 ]

[velnica]

I can't believe there's only two years difference in between these pics 💀 Elezen is truly the most baffling race in ffxiv. [19 vs 21]

[velnica]

Look, I always put Cora's purple and aqua into Seiryu's accent colours and to me this is practically on the same level as Seiryu wearing his boyfriend's jumper kind of intimacy.

[velnica]

FFXIV Write 2023: #28 Blunt

T | Corentin (Cora) | 1103 words

One lapse of judgment was all it took for Cora’s nightmare to begin.

[CW: brief mention of human trafficking business and physical violence against a teenager]

[velnica]

New hair!

*buzzing at a speed unknown to man*

[Image ID: A new modded hair for Cora that's an unbound version of his usual hairstyle. The last picture is a comparison between his ponytail and the unbound hair.]

[velnica]

Romantic Flight (Cora/Seiryu)

[Image ID: Cora balances on one of Seiryu's snake as they float high above Yanxia. They are gazing affectionately at each other.]