#so she didn't have support or money. but she had a connection to the guild because his dad's old sword teacher is a member (hmm)

[liquidstar]

Between commissions I finally managed to finish this OC set of parent characters! If the looks aren't enough to show you who their kid is, the background colors match them ^_^ but of course more details below!

Name: Thuban

Name origin: The former pole star, before the north star (Polaris), it's name means "Large snake" and is referred to as the “Dragon's tail”

Pronouns: He/him

Age: N/A

Relation: Raised Polaris, though they're not related by blood and have a somewhat distant relationship, until he suddenly went MIA

Weapon: Spear (Same as Polaris's)

Ethos (Power): N/A

Flaw power is based on: N/A

Notes: Make no phallic jokes about the large snake thing and you'll be rewarded

Name: Ananke

Name origin: A moon of Jupiter, named for the mythological spirit of necessity, inevitably, and compulsion

Pronouns: She/her

Age: -

Relation: Bella's mother, she raised her to be a warrior

Weapon: Bardiche

Ethos (Power): Indomination (The ability to freeze the movement of objects and people, and lock them in place)

Flaw power is based on: Her strict enforcement of obedience through authoritarianism, and a lack of concern for the wishes of others

Notes: She believes in tough love. It's better in the long run to give your kid strength rather than affection.

Name: Rhea

Name origin: A moon of Saturn named after the Titan known as the mother of the gods

Pronouns: She/her

Age: 38

Relation: Saiph's mother, though she gave him up to the guild when he was very young

Weapon: None

Ethos (Power): None

Flaw power is based on: N/A

Notes: Was unable to take care of a baby at the time, and gave Saiph to the guild. She wishes she'd visited beyond that but it's probably too late now...

Name: Arche

Name origin: One of Jupiter's moons, it's name comes from the muse of new beginnings and is associated with springtime

Pronouns: He/him

Age: 7

Relation: Saiph's half-brother. Neither currently knows the other exists

Weapon: None

Ethos (Power): None

Flaw power is based on: N/A

Notes: He's just a little guy. He likes flowers and playing with toys. He wants to be a cool hero like his dad

Name: Poerava

Name origin: A star in Tucana, the Maori word for a black pearl of mystical beauty and perfection

Pronouns: She/her

Age: -

Relation: Al's mom. She mostly raised him on her own while her husband was with the knights.

Weapon: None

Ethos (Power): None

Flaw power is based on: N/A

Notes: Probably the best parent of the bunch if we're being real.

[pandapupremade]

New Years Fireworks

SHIP: Baptiste / Eira (self insert) (xe/xem/xyr pronouns)

WORDS: 2,406

WARNINGS: mention of alcohol, smoking, and sloppy writing because I rushed this so much to get it done by tonight

AUTHOR NOTE: i got it done with like 10 mins to go baeby <3

Reblogs okay and appreciated, but not at all required! Happy New Years 2023!!!!

------

It hadn't been a full year since Eira arrived in Rafta, but it actually felt a bit longer. Xe had shown up months and months before, not aware of how xyr life would end up. Xe had nothing. Xe had no connections, no family or friends or money...

...But now before xem was the Heroes' Guild hall, a place xe viewed as not only their place of employment, but xyr home. And what a busy home it was! People were bustling even more than usual around Rafta, though, thanks to New Years Eve being upon them all. Eira was having a hard time keeping up!

Everyone was helping out. For instance, Muktuk and Saffron had joined forces to create a giant ice sculpture of a slime, with Muktuk's artistic expertise and Saffron's way with ladders and supports while he worked. Another example was Roxanne helping decorate with Quinn - it seemed they were at a bit of odds, though, with what was actually a decoration and what was just disgusting shock humor.

That said, not everyone was busy out in the hall. Someone like Corsac was staying behind the scenes, teaching Mint further survival first aid in case the heroes got too rowdy that evening. Mint was all about first aid, but perhaps even she questioned using seaweed to tend to a wound...

Other notable supporters of the celebration included Luna (who promoted the event), Salt and Pepper (who brought in extra funds for the event, although they didn't exactly specify where those funds came from), and Xid (who was setting up her guitar for some BGM for the event).

Everyone was busy, either way - except for Eira. Xe didn't know where to start helping. Xe didn't know crafts and sculping, décor and first aid weren't xyr calling, and all those other things weren't much use to xem either. Still, xe chose to check in on everyone.

"Um...How's it going, Saffron?" Xe attempted, approaching her where she stood in front of the ice sculpture. It towered over, but was notably intimidating up close.

Saffron's goatish ear twitched, and she turned to Eira with a smile. "Hello Eira. It's great work, isn't it? I didn't think we had so much access to ice here in Rafta...I suppose I'm just used to the forest. Who knew there was an whole arctic region as well?"

Eira gave a small smile. "It really came out so nice."

"That it did." She hummed, then took a whiff of her pipe. "That said, Muktuk is insistent it can be improved more." She hummed. "I can't fault him without sounding a little hypocritical though, can I?"

"You do like to fix things..."

Saffron chuckled now. "I do. I won't deny that. Oh, but..." She glanced around a bit. "Have you seen Baptiste?"

It was natural Baptiste, as the spokesperson administrator type related to the guild's affairs, was also involved. But Eira couldn't tell you - or Saffron - where he was or what he was doing right now. Xe shook xyr head, and Saffron got the message. She sighed, and took another breath of her pipe.

"I see...Well, I'm sure he'll turn up. In the meantime, I've got to get to replacing some of the tables around this place..." She frowned. "Between Mint grinding down the edges for safety and Baptiste constantly cleaning the surfaces, the wood's been worn down."

"I'll leave you to that," Eira tilted xyr head. "I would offer my help, but..."

"But...?"

"I've got a bit of a record of being ...clumsy." Eira's tail curled around xem a bit, tapping xyr fingers together.

"Got two left paws?" Saffron gave another soft laugh. "I don't think that's so bad. But..." She smiled. "You might want to find Baptiste for us. He's got to be around here somewhere."

"Right, right. I'll do that then!" Eira's tail unwrapped, xyr ears perking up with determination. "Thank you, Saffron!"

"What are you thanking me for?"

"For giving me something to do!"

With that, Eira left an amused Saffron to her work, and xe worked on finding the guildmaster...Who doubled as xyr boyfriend.

It wasn't too worrying a concept to have to search for Baptiste, it must be said. As the barkeep was a big part of the Heroes' Guild, Eira  knew he was just busy with all the preparations, and that he likely was planning something big and got distracted by whatever it was. Maybe it was fireworks...Eira's ears lowered a bit nervously at that thought, but then returned to their normal position. No matter what he was doing, xe was given a task. And xe would perform it well!

...As soon as xe found a lead to his whereabouts. For that, there was nothing to do but ask the other vendors and volunteers.

......

"Baptiste?" Xid looked up, the fingers of one hand strumming a few acoustic chords, the fingers on her other hand tuning the head of the guitar to perfect the melody. "No, sorry. Can't say I've seen him. Maybe he's practicing his poor ventriloquism act."

"You think?" Eira blinked. "At a time like this?" Xe didn't deny the act's quality, also.

"No, not really." Xid laughed, "I'm just joking. I don't know where he is. But good luck finding him, yeah? I think he ought to be on a leash sometimes, if I'm gonna be brutally honest..."

"A leash wouldn't do us any good," said the voice of Quinn, who was hunched over their clairvoyance orb as usual as they slowly approached. "Well, not unless it's one of those child ones."

"A child leash for Baptiste?" Eira giggled, but then paused. Xe paused a little longer. "...Actually, it...might not be such a bad idea. Oh, but - if you two haven't seen him -"

"He's out with Sylvia, I think." Quinn revealed, leaning on their floating orb.

"Yeah, come to think of it, I hadn't seen Sylvia here either." Xid glanced at Quinn. "...Wait, wait, can I borrow that sphere thing you have?"

"...What?" Quinn held it a bit protectively, pulling back. "What would you need it for? Don't get too close, you'll get glitter on it..."

"I don't use glitter in my stage productions!" Xid shook her head, "Anyway, I thought it might make a good disco ball."

"No way." Quinn scoffed, "That's as bad as the wardrobe demon suggesting we cut it into earrings."

Eira cleared xyr throat. "Um...I think you should both go back to your jobs." Xe was hoping to avoid altercation here. It did seem to settle them both down pretty easily.

Xid bit her pierced lip. "True that. I've only got a short time to write a song for this gig."

"Meh, I'm taking a break. Roxanne is fun, but she's so freakin' picky..." Quinn shrugged. "I don't see why we can't just throw some squid vine around and see how it plays out."

"Tentacles are a bit....much, Quinn." Eira shivered at the thought.

"It's vine, not tentacle."

"Even so...Uh. You said Baptiste was with Sylvia?"

"Last I saw, yeah. He told me not to tell anyone, though...Bragging about the end result being a surprise."

"He asked you to keep it a secret?" Xid raised an eyebrow. "Sounds kinda weird."

"Yeah. He's a weird guy. Still not sure what you see in him, Eira." Quinn grinned in a relaxed, knowing and smug way.

"But he asked you to keep it a secret, Quinn." Eira's tail puffed a little, as xe became a little offended. "You betrayed his trust!"

"Weren't you the one looking for him? I'd feel bad lying to you Eira, cause I don't dislike you. I can't care if Baptiste refuses to sell me his slime earnings...I know he'll come crawling back anyway." Quinn didn't seem malicious about this, but they did seem to have quite the racket going here. They waved their hand though. "Anyway, I never told you what exactly he was doing. Just that it's gonna be a surprise."

"Mh, well...Don't tell me anything else, okay?"

"I won't tell you...Not for free, anyway."

Eira calmed at that, giving an exhale of air xe didn't realize xe was holding in. Xyr fur smoothed out now, as well. "Thank you."

"I just hope his surprise is worth the fuss." Quinn shook their head.

"If not, I'll make up for it with some tunes." Xid gave a big smile, jumping to her feet with her guitar in hand. "Time to plug this baby in and test it out..."

"Time to leave, then." Quinn didn't wait for anyone to comment. They just walked off. It was just their style to enter and leave at their own pleasure...Or displeasure. That too.

Xid looked to Eira, then. "You wanna stay for a song or two?"

"Hm..." Eira frowned, considering it, before nodding. "I think a song wouldn't hurt..."

"It won't hurt a bit, I promise! As long as these amps are volumized well..."

......

Soon, Eira excused xemself due to a headache due to the amplifiers' unnecessary reverb, though the song itself was nice. Xe sat down at the bar counter despite nobody being there, and sighed... Xe could've gone for a smoothie or something, but Baptiste wasn't there to make anything.

What was this surprise Quinn mentioned he had, though? Eira swung xyr pawed feet in excitement (said feet not touching the ground very fully due to xyr shortness) as well as in anxiety. Sylvia was a friend, a potionmaker who was even newer to Rafta than Eira, but was very talented at her brewing...What could Baptiste be doing with her?

Eira would've gotten up, debating dropping in on other friends around, but instead xe was distracted by a gloved hand slipping a glass of colorful liquid xyr way. Eira blinked, and looked up to meet the eyes of a dark-pink haired young lady.

"Sylvia?"

"I thought you looked a little thirsty." Sylvia smiled.

"How long have you been here?" Eira was surprised, eyes widened ever so slightly. "I though you were with - um...That is..." Xe flushed, looking away now.

"It's fine, Eira." Sylvia laughed, "I'm sure Quinn let it slip a little, right? Of course they did. Baptiste is outside. Why don't you go see him?"

"I...But -"

"It's fine, this isn't actually for human consumption I'm pretty sure." Sylvia took the drink back when she noticed Eira's gaze fall to it. "Baptiste made it, so..."

"Ah, uh...Say no more, then." Eira sighed... "He's getting better...I think...But...He's outside, you say?"

"He is. You need to get a coat, though, it's kinda chilly out there. The last thing you need is to start the year with catching a cold, I'd say."

"I'll be okay." Eira giggled, and slid off the barrel upon where xe sat. "Thank you, Sylvia." Xe thanked xyr friend, then moved to go outside.

...It was actually colder than Eira expected, but xe could still handle it; it came in handy being an arctic fox and all. Xe was just glad it wasn't windy, too. Xyr eyes settled on a man eventually though upon glancing around. His blue hair shined in the snowy atmosphere, his body bundled in warm clothes.

"Bappy?" Eira called out to him excitedly, beginning to approach him. However, before he could find himself turning around, Eira had reached him - xe didn't know xyr own speed sometimes.

Wrapping xyr arms around his torso and burying xyr face into his chest, Eira sighed with relief. "You're okay..."

Baptiste was surprised by the sudden embace, but didn't resist. He gave a chuckle that shook his shoulders, a feeling Eira felt being so close. "Hello to you as well, my rose!" He slipped his arms around xyr shoulders. "I am in fact here and okay...Truthfully, I'm here, and more than okay. I'm feeling spectacular."

"Mmh...Come inside with me, Bappy." Eira hadn't let go, and xyr mumble was against his fluffy coat.

"Oh, we should certainly go inside - you don't even have proper wardrobing for this weather, beloved." He rubbed xyr shoulders with his gloved hands, generating some heat for xem.

"I'm fine..." Eira held him tighter. "You're warm enough. Um...But ..." Xe finally pulled back a tad. "What have you been doing?"

"Hm?" Baptiste blinked. He seemed genuinely surprised. "...Quinn didn't let the secret out? I'm impressed."

"Um...They did a little, but...They only said you were out with Sylvia."

"Ahh. Well, my rose...I am thankful they did not spoil the surprise."

"What surprise?" Eira stepped closer again, and Baptiste replied by pushing xem back slightly and giving a soft huff of amusement. "Bappy, let me -"

"Inside, my rose. My rose, whom I wish not to wilt in this chill..."

"Baaaappy...."

But Eira puffed xyr cheeks and admitted defeat. Inside the two went, though Eira was hardly a few inches from him. Finally, Baptiste came to a stop and turned towards xem - a hardly necessary action, but regardless...

"Now then." He brushed some snow flakes off his hair, giving a shiver as they fell. "I have a delightful surprise for you."

Eira's ears lowered slightly. "You didn't set up fireworks, did you?"

"Hmm...A trick question, that one." Baptiste reached to pet xyr ears. The scritch-scratching pressure, even though gloves, was enough to make Eira's tail wag and for xem to just generally relax. "I am aware you are startled by fireworks, so I didn't opt for them..."

"Then ...?"

"I opted for Sylvia's potion making ability, instead, and decided to see if she could help make an explosive concoction of similarity to a firework....Without the sound."

Eira blinked. "...Explosive...Concoction?"

"In simpler terms, we - and her uncle, too - invented a firework we can dowse Rafta's skies in quietly. No disruption to the neighbors, the sky, nor you, my rose..." He lifted his hand and took Eira's, kissing the top of xyr knuckles softly. "Thank you for your patience. I assure you, that tonight shall be a night to remember..."

Baptiste didn't need to wait for the night to fall, actually, for the day to be memorable - for Eira jumped into his arms then, and he swung xem around lovingly before dipping them into a kiss.

This was New Years for Baptiste and Eira in Rafta, and for the rest of the guild too, probably, as they were watching the happy couple indulge...Quinn would probably wish they got a room, but despite their gagging, they'd enjoy the peace and quiet of the "fireworks" as well.