#The Arcana headcanons

[vesuviaweekly]

Vesuvia Weekly: November 20th - December 4th

You voted, so here it is!

"Remind me why we have stairs"

With that, the "Familiar Swap" prompt is officially closed!

The tags are the usual #vesuvia weekly and for this specific prompt, #stairs. The masterlist for all works submitted for this prompt will be under the poll for next week :D

MASTERLIST

[blackered]

ever seen these people?

idk they seem familiar, but I can't quite put my finger on it...

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jokes aside I've been wanting to do this for a loooong time! I can't believe it's finally done.

below you will see the updated state headcanons that I reviewed with my friends from other states. 🇧🇷

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also sorry for the multiple watermarks, but that's just the way it is nowadays.

if you haven't seen it before, here is the whole list of headcanons I managed to write for this AU. they're probably mostly outdated but it might be a nice read. 🤠🇧🇷

[lordedlady]

who let the rat out 😔?

[taduki]

Fun-Sized HCs: M6 walking in on MC hugging a pillow in their sleep

Asra: “IT SHOULD’VE BEEN MEEEEEE”, sobbing at the doorway before promptly spooning you. Honestly, Azz probably does the same thing too. It just hits different seeing you do it now that they know you might be imagining it’s him. 💕

Julian: Flustered for a moment before clasping his hands and watching you. Debates whether to leave you to rest and pester you about it later or join you. Do this when he’s very deprived of sleep and he might just give in!

Portia: Zero hesitation to remove the pillow and replace it with herself. Does so very carefully, as excited as she is. She’s so warm, you might not notice even if you’re a light sleeper. Teases you about it later.

Nadia: She’s used to being out and about, so she opens the door to her chambers secretly hoping to see you like this every time. It warms her little romantic heart! Starts spritzing a bit of her perfume on the pillowcases when you aren’t looking.

Muriel: As if you weren’t already beaming with cuteness… Fighting the urge to nap next to you in fear that he might wake you. He catches himself staring and goes to occupy himself until you’re awake. Is way more inclined to give you hugs now. 🥰

Lucio: Covers his mouth and hunches over the mantle, trying not to squeal. Gently gives you a kiss on the cheek either holds you or removes the pillow and snuggles into your arms. He claims he can’t do magic, but the pillow has disappeared after that…

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

The Arcana HCs: When M6 are forced to attack MC

-- to set the scene --

It was a nightmare.

Thick clouds of miasma hung over the city as you and your lover confronted the sorcerer in the fields outside its walls. Between a series of traps and some well-placed taunts, you had successfully cornered them, which meant that while victory was in sight your opponent was down to their last desperate measure.

The measure in question, it seemed, was for the most horrifying three minutes of your life as you watched your lover struggle against a vicious spell before suddenly turning on you. Their usual loving gaze was replaced with a cold glare and they didn't hesitate to lunge at you with the intent to kill. You ended up choosing to take the hits and focus your energy on dealing the last blow to the evil sorcerer instead, not wanting to waste time hurting the one you love.

As the dust settles, you're too relieved to see cognizance return to your darling's face to notice their horrified expression, or to feel your own blood soaking the ground below you.

Julian

Too busy focused on trying to keep you conscious and heal you to do anything else at first. He's already crying, tears leaking from under his eyepatch as he gives you frantic first aid

Can barely bring himself to look at you once you're safely tucked in at Mazelinka's and being tended to by visitor after visitor. You will need to remind him day after day that it's not his fault

And, yes, convince him not to leave you because of it

Still won't be able to find any peace with it until you tell him you've forgiven him, and even then struggles to believe he's worthy of it

Tends obsessively to your wounds, in a weird combination of torturing himself by constantly checking them and redeeming himself by being the one to help his uncontrolled actions heal

Is able to hold it against himself less the less he sees you suffering. Once you're fully recovered and back on your feet, it feels more like a distant nightmare

Has a new interest in learning magic, if only enough so he can protect himself against behind hijacked like that in the future

Asra

Completely numb and on autopilot. You're hurt. They're going to do whatever it takes to fix that. Just hold on, it'll be okay - it'll be okay

Refuses to leave your side or sleep for very long at a time while you're recovering. It's like his world has narrowed to your survival

Unusually quiet. As in, barely speaks unless you speak to them first, and yet hyper-observant to the point that they're bringing you what you need before you even realize that you need it

Neglects everything beyond his own basic self-maintenance in the process. It's easier to forget himself and save his own pain and guilt to be processed until after he knows you're safe

Itching to heal over any scars left over and terrified of suggesting it and seeming like they just want to brush the whole thing aside

Has to be pushed to talk about it and won't open up until after you're completely back to normal, at which point he breaks down and spends an afternoon hiccuping "I'm sorry"s into your chest

Regresses to a lot of their previous boundaries until you can tell them that you still feel safe with them physically and emotionally

Nadia

She has no doubts about you being a strong person. While she's horrified at what her body was used to do to you and the injuries you sustained, she's most upset at her losing control so easily

She feels guilty for you getting hurt, because she's convinced that she should have been able to withstand the sorcerer's spell

Surely, if she loved you as truly as you deserve to be loved, she would've been able to break free or stop it from working

Carries you back to the Palace herself and sees to it that you have everything you could possibly need, before effectively avoiding you for the next few days. She's convinced your relationship is over

Either because you're leaving her for not being able to protect you, or because you've lost your respect for her as a partner

It's also tapping into her own trauma of being trapped inside her body for a three year coma, which doesn't help the frustration

Genuinely unsure what to do with your forgiveness, understanding, and continued love and admiration for her

She doesn't know what she did to deserve you but she loves you

Muriel

The first count he holds against himself is that he hurt you. The second count is that he was so horrified and traumatized by what just happened that he froze while you were still bleeding out

Thankfully there were other people present to help you out, and you didn't have to find out what could've gone wrong

Refuses to touch you for days. If anybody else had caused the damage he sees on your body, he'd be wishing hell on them. Except not only was it his hands that did it -

He was controlled that easily. He's spent years reclaiming control and ownership of his body after being made a spectacle of in the Coliseum, and in a flash it was all taken away from him again

And it was used to hurt you. None of his nightmares adds up to the combination of violated, afraid, and horrified that he just felt

Relegates himself to being your bodyguard and keeping you provided for, but terrified that you're not safe around him until you're able to convince him otherwise

It's still a reoccurring nightmare for years to come

Portia

So angry at you for not fighting back

Already crying and scolding you while she's putting pressure on your wounds to stop the bleeding and helping you get back home

Did you think she couldn't take it? Did you think she wanted you to get hurt at her hands? Why didn't you fight her back if it would have spared you so much pain?

Why didn't you help her enforce what you knew were her own wishes, and at the cost of your safety and well-being too?

Simultaneously dedicating every fibre in her body to taking care of you. If you so much as breathe a little differently she's checking you over and bringing you whatever you need

Eventually able to find her own healing by being able to accept your love and by beating the absolute crap out of the sorcerer in question until she gets an "I was wrong" out of them

Determined to learn defense and protection magic to makes sure neither of you is left that vulnerable, ever again

Still cries when she sees the leftover scars, sometimes

Lucio

Pale from the shock of what's just happened and trying not to panic as he gives you all the first aid he's picked up through years of battlefield injuries and experience

Frantically muttering "don't leave, don't leave" through clenched teeth and pouring tears while he tries to get the bleeding to stop

Rushes you to the nearest doctor and won't leave your side

Convinced that you're not going to be able to love him after this

He knows he's done things worse than this in the past. He knows that you know that, but the thing that's made a better life possible has been his commitment to not being that person any more

And now he was that person. Event though it wasn't his choice and technically not his fault, he still did it. To you. You experienced it

Also worried that you won't understand that it wasn't his fault this time and wondering if maybe it was his fault, somehow

Able to accept your love and forgiveness pretty easily, but has a much harder time believing that he didn't lose all the progress he's made so far in making good use of his fresh start on life

[fogfaerysblog]

Asra sketch I’m working on + his sprite edited to fit my headcanons!!

Asra my beloved.

[kvtexee]

transfem Julian anyone?

[mjart12699]

MC: one of the roosters ran up to me, gave me a pebble and did a flirty little dance while making happy noises. Which is the rooster equivalent of a proposal. A truly devastating blow to my boyfriend (Muriel), the man who helped raise him.

Based on this post

[pandemoniclucio]

Julian: [Leaning over the counter] Hey beautiful, come here often?

MC: Is this the part where I remind you we’ve been married for 6 years or do I play along?

Julian: Play along!

MC: Alright. Sorry, I’m not interested, I’m married.

[iridescent-solstice]

I might not know much about Julian but ngl he seems like the person who’s so used to treating others that his heart would burst from happiness if his partner ever had to tend to his wounds. Wdym you want to take care of him?!? Someone like him doesn’t deserve your touch . . . You’d have to coax him into it and when that doesn’t work, scolding sure will! It could be something as small as a paper cut, but just seeing you narrow your eyes in concentration as you apply the disinfectant would make him speechless with heart in his eyes. He is such a soft boy 😭

[biblicallyaccuratefangirl]

✤ Asra headcanons: walking in on you changing ✤

Absolutely mortified. Yk the horrified blushing face he makes. That's the one

Leaves IMMEDIATELY, might slam the door on accident and forget to say sorry

He's terrified he's lost some of the trust you have in him or that you'll feel less comfortable around him now. Sits somewhere and just disassociates while he waits for you, thinking of the right way to properly apologize

When you come out he watches you as discreetly as he can to figure out your reaction/mood. It's pretty obvious

He's quiet for a moment or two before apologizing, "...I'm really sorry, I should have knocked or something before just barging in, you'd think I'd know by now how to respect your privacy—" (he'll keep going unless you stop him. please stop the poor man)

He'll want to move on as quickly as possible, but depending on your reaction he may still tiptoe around you for a while

If you're clearly less bothered by this, he'll relax and let it go. Later on, however— maybe when you're already settled in bed for the night— he'll get closer and casually mention, "you really are stunning, though~"

Delighted regardless of whether your reaction is to playfully scold/hit him or just succumb to his sweet words in a blushing mess

He just adores you ♡

[vesuvianhermitcrabs]

The Arcana Characters As Old People:

(It's only Portia Muriel and Lucio..)

Portia:

SWEETEST OLD LADY IN EXISTENCE

Her handbag is absolutely enormous. Why? Because it's full of secrets, MC! Okay in all seriousness it's actually full of lollies and stolen napkins and spare change and yarn balls and her calendar with all her grandbabies' birthdays on it and probably a couple jars of soup

There are grandkids. So, so many grandkids. It doesn't matter what barriers there are, there are grandkids. Portia will find a way. Even if you have to pick some up off the street

Muriel:

This man's back problems are unfathomable

You would think he'd have become grumpier in his old age, but getting old morphed him into an even bigger softie than before. Goes to the docks often to give the kids there candy and sweaters he's made for them (he crochets a LOT now)

The children living at the docks adore him. Whenever you go with him to visit you see him dishing out hugs and pats on the head and it probably sends you into cardiac arrest (again) (rip MC)

He built two wooden lawn chairs so you and him could sit in front of the hut and sip tea and do other old people things

Even more of an animal whisperer in his old age, birds land on his shoulders, young deer curl up on his lap, and you've seen bears politely sit next to him when he's fallen over in the woods and can't get up

You think it's because he's spent his whole life caring for the woods and now it's caring for him back

The two of you visit Khamgalai a lot more nowadays, just to catch up (and you can relate to her more now, you oldies)

He has a wooden walking stick which sits next to the door

Lucio:

Every five minutes he remembers aging is real and looks at you with the most shocked look before going "I'M OLD." in the most despaired voice

Owns 576 skincare products (they don't work, he's literally like 80)

He's still kind of entitled but he's less of an ass nowadays. I mean, don't get me wrong, he hasn't changed much, but he's certainly a lot wiser than he once was

You're not sure what his father looked like. However, now that he's older you can see that he really takes after his mother Morga. I mean, he always had, but especially now. This revelation makes you all the more attracted to him (which you aren't quite sure how to feel about)

Tells complete strangers not to end up like him if they even remotely resemble him when he was younger

[therowdymagpie]

Arcana M6 and Halloween Headcanons

A/N: Basically small 5min. headcanons about how the main 6 and other characters would celebrate Halloween if it was a thing in Vesuvia.

Julian:

OK so we all know he is spending his day at the clinic because most accidents always happen on seasonal holidays.

That won't deter him from being the most thematically accurate person in the room. The man already has a getup perfect for the day and the Drama for it, but he's just going to play it up even more adding more things.

Tries especially hard to cheer up or make his child patients smile on the day putting a funny accent or being generous with the treats.(Throwing caution not to eat too many)

We all know his pumpkin carving skills are canonically atrocious (sorry but it's true) so you'll have to take over for the decor.

Will most definitely take you out to the Raven to celebrate and have fun.

Asra:

First thing's first: They Live for the mischief and the scares.

He plays extremely into the TRICK part of the trick or treat tradition. For him it might as well be a second April Fools honestly with the pranks he might pull on less than pleasant customers or people who sour the holiday.

They make sure that no matter how busy the day is, they go to the docks and try to find kids who need some cheering up or someone to take them trick or treating. It doesn't matter if the kid doesn't have a costume. They can make one for them!

Faust is rocking an amazing handmade costume Asra knitted for her and she is living for it, going about and spooking people (WITH her knife, Julian beware).

Muriel:

Doesn't really get affected by the spooky vibes and he's pretty indifferent to the dressing up part.

This would be prime time for people to be out and about so, predictably perhaps, you two spend the day quietly in the hut with warm drinks and plenty of furs.

He doesn't really like to take part in the festivities but he does do Pumpkin carving and you realise that regardless of material, his carvings are always extremely elegant and detailed(It's almost sad that the pumpkins will rot and the designs won't last...).

Of course some kids venture out into the woods to get candy or because they want to see if there's a witch living in the hut ;). Regardless, you two give them candy and they are on their way, Inanna making sure they make it back home safely.

Nadia:

Unexpectedly enough she makes it her business to have the Palace doors open for the kids during the holiday (with parental supervision obviously). She feels like they should get to have enough fun and plans all sorts of entertainment for them.

Also makes sure there's a party for the actual adults themselves on the after hours.

Dresses immaculately obviously and has the best and most elegant costumes. For the ones closest to her, just in case.

Please, please, please take the opportunity to bring her to town festivals and taverns to have a first hand experience to celebrate and cut loose like everyone else.

Portia:

HALLOWEEN Baking Time Baby!!! This woman will not let ANY PUMPKIN parts go unused. Whether she'll use the carved ones as fertilizer or the extra pieces and insides to make pie or cookies, she is not throwing anything away.

You two are wearing costumes and going out to celebrate…no she won't take "No" for an answer.

Do you remember the PSL Tale? This woman lives for haunted houses and spooky fun so prepare for a LOT of fairs.

Kids somehow find out that she has the best treats to offer and just pile up in front of her cottage (she somehow never runs out of candy to give them, she has too much power).

Lucio:

-> Count Hcs:

Oh HECK YES, this is his second favourite time of year aside from his birthday.

He just plans an essentially a Bigger And Better version of the Masquerade open to everyone.

Loves the costume aspect and he's going to show up in something revealing, over-the-top and vain with a BUNCH of glitter.

Holds a costume contest which he rigs just to give a himself an award and show off to everyone else(input sound of Nadia pinching her nose in the corner sighing)

-> Upright ending Hcs:

It can be SUCH a fun time with him when you two travel and pass through multiple towns and go through the many ways people celebrate.

Not to mention the festivals and parties and fun times that honestly give him a glimpse of his old life, but better now since he feels an actual connection with the people he meets and well...having you around to celebrate.

You WILL, however, have to look out for his sweet tooth and restrain him from taking too much candy.

and make sure he doesn't sass little kids' costumes

That is all, Happy Boop season everyone!

[sxftkxssxs]

If you are free and in the mood, can you write about the M6 or just Asra, lucio, and Nadia reaction to MC donating third of what they make from working in their magic shop, like they donate it to charities or families that need money.

I can never resist adding the slightest bit of hurt to Asra's part (he makes me violently ill.)

I don't really know how I ended up having all of them giving to charities themselves but they all definitely would at one point or another.

M6 with a MC who donates to charity

Asra

He'll offer more ideas on how to donate or give to the charity of MC's choosing. He'll try to slip some goofy things in if they're donating to kids, he wants them to have fun!

They definitely kept this tradition up if MC started it before the Plague, since it was something important to them. Though, he'll always be a little teary eyed while he does it.

Once MC is able to walk and talk on their own, they'll ask them to pick charities every so often to give to. If they pick one they used to give to a lot he gets a sad look on his face they can't understand.

When they go on their trips they make sure to bring enough supplies back to donate a good amount and still have some for themselves.

Asra likes to donate to charities that focus on kids. Especially ones that include orphans.

Julian

He'll mostly tease at first.

Even though he's teasing, he gets a warm feeling in his chest seeing you be so kind to all these people.

Julian gets somber when he sees families struggling to stay together. It reminds him of having to leave Portia.

He'll absolutely want to be part of it but uh, MC, what do you expect this man to give?? He's been on the run for years!!

He likes to donate to medical related charities, but still varies often. His second most donated to is family charities.

Nadia

She loves that MC cares so much for her (and possibly, eventually, their) people so much.

She knows that the time she was asleep and with Lucio, she neglected her people. Even if she never meant or wanted to, it happened.

It warms her heart that they still cared enough to help others less fortunate.

She'd love to join! Just, tell her not to overwhelm these people. Please.

Muriel

He's honestly not thought about charities for...a long time.

Before him and MC get close he'll be on edge about it. He doesn't trust apperances.

Once he gets closer and realizes MC just wants to do it to be a good/nice person, he relaxes.

We've seen this man be so kind when he's finally allowing himself to be his own person. Apply here!

He likes to make things for charities. Blankets, Furs, etc.

Muriel would likely want to donate to charities that focus on family or orphaned children.

Portia

she is ecstatic!!

This woman has donated since she got herself into a good stable position and you cannot tell me otherwise.

She's been donating to charities that revolve around keeping families together or children. She understands the pain of losing family more than they realize.

She would want MC to donate to wherever they wanted, give as many people a chance as you can!

Pre-Upright Lucio

He's genuinely confused

They'd rather give that money away?? They could've spent that on something extravagant for him themselves!

The whole idea confuses him immensely.

Once MC starts dragging him through the magic realms and lovingly forcing him to face his own consequences, he'll start to grasp the concept much more.

Post-Upright Lucio

This is a new and improved man right here!

He'll even participate with you! if you help him decide on what all to give? He's still lost on what is best there

Surprisingly, he's the one to suggest donating to families or children.

He still holds so much guilt over his actions. He knows that he's gonna live with that the rest of his life, but at least he can do something good with his second chance, right?

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

Hello! Could you please write full headcanons on the M6 getting home one day to find MC dead? They're not actually dead, their body is just vacant after a spell went horribly wrong, but M6 have no way of knowing that.

Thank you!

The Arcana HCs: When M6 think MC is dead

~ @arson-the-ace oh, this. this is going to hurt, isn't it. ~

CW for descriptions of panic attacks, bodies that seem dead, references to past trauma, and your beloved in lots of pain

-- to set the scene --

It was supposed to be an experiment, to see if it was possible to put your body in a preserved or frozen state when you left it behind to visit the magical realms. You did not expect the result to be your body looking and acting like a fresh corpse, or for the spell to have a three hour cooldown time before you could reinhabit it. Your incorporeal self sighs and sits next to your body, resigned to the boredom of waiting it out.

Until, minutes later, the door opens and your beloved walks in, and you have no way of telling them what happened.

Julian

Already fears the worst as soon as he sees you sprawled on the floor - his plague doctor experience with visiting the sick has his instincts fine-tuned for recognizing an unrecoverable patient

Trips over himself in his scramble to get to you and gets a nasty bump on his knee, but doesn't register a thing because he's finally reached for you and he's looking for a sign of life

A pulse. An exhale. The twitch of your eyes moving below your eyelids, anything, anything to tell him that you can be saved

He rolls you onto your back and tries to give you CPR, but he's breaking down too much already for any of it to be effective

Chest compressions turn into him ripping his gloves off, trying to find any of the warmth you've shared with him

Mouth-to-mouth turns into a choked sob against your cold cheek

He can't bring himself to keep going. Each failed attempt at reviving you gets his hopes up only to rip them to shreds again

He doesn't want to move forward. He doesn't want to go ahead with laying you to rest. He doesn't want to leave this drafty wooden floor, without a blanket or a pillow to keep you comfortable

And he can't stand up

He sits cross-legged on the floor, lifting your head onto his lap and laying his coat over you in lieu of a quilt

You watch him droop over your body, shivering in the drafty room without his layers, voice catching and breaking on quiet sobs as he sings you the lullaby his parents sang him before the shipwreck

By the time your eyes flutter open, his voice is gone

He's happy to see you - he's so, so happy to see you, but he keeps hovering over you like he never knows if you're about to collapse for good next time

If you love him, you'll wait a long, long time to do any more magic

Asra

They thought you were playing some kind of game, at first

He walked into the upstairs apartment to see you sprawled on the floor and teasingly called out your name, playfully asking what new mischief you were up to as he hung up his coat

And then you didn't answer them

As soon as he felt that old dread seize his stomach, he was hurrying across the room and asking you what was wrong

They can feel their own body growing cold as they touch your frozen one, pressing a trembling hand to your chest in search of the heartbeat they moved heaven and hell to give you

He's panicking, breaths coming quick and short. The motions of his arms trying to pull you closer to him are far too similar to his frantic digging in the ash filled sands of the Lazaret

They don't know what's worse - the images flashing across their eyes of your charred bone fragments splintering in their bleeding fingers, or your lifeless face lying heavy against their knees

His heart can't take it. The tears give way to an ongoing numb tremor. He places a preservation spell on your body as his last conscious thought before he lies down next to you on the floor

They put their arm under your limp neck and cuddle up to you like it's just another day's end, just another snuggle before sleep while they lay their head down on your icy, silent chest

You watch him hold your body in shock. He seems like he's caught between worlds, alternating between staring at your unmoving stomach while his shaky tears land and pool on your shirt

And reflexively whispering apologies as they mop up their tears with their sleeve, asking if they're squeezing you too tightly

He's quick to check your memories when you wake up, but no matter how healthy you are, he can't leave your side for a week

Nadia

Her intuition is telling her something is wrong as soon as she's approaching her chambers. Seeing you on the ground is her worst nightmare coming true

You're cold to the touch. You don't respond to her voice. You don't respond ... at all. She needs help, you need help, you need help now, she's going to get you everything you need, just hang on

She lifts you into her bed, and the chilly deadweight of your body is more than she can take. When she throws open the door and yells for a doctor, every servant in earshot hears her panicked sobs

She hasn't had a panic attack like this in years

Servants rush in and out in a blur, hurried murmurs and muffled exclamations fading into the background. She feels like she's been plunged underwater, unable to scream as her lungs fill with salt

She sits by your side with your hand in both of hers, clinging to the only part of you she's allowed to touch while the closest physician pokes and prods at your lifeless body. She can't see you anymore

And everyone else? They can't see their Countess at all

They see a broken-hearted woman holding steadfast to her lover's limp hand, breaths jagged and unpredictable as she wails through her teeth. Mercifully, her hair comes undone and hides her wrenched face and streaming tears behind a curtain of purple

You woke her, first from her dreams, then from her apathy, and finally from her loneliness. Watching you succumb to a sleep far stronger than the one that trapped her is wretched beyond words

When you finally stir awake, she refuses to leave your side as the doctors work to ensure that your vitals are stable and to try to figure out what happened and if there are any repercussions

She's glad you're back, but she can't stop herself from waking you in the middle of the night to make sure you're just sleeping

Muriel

He's already convinced of the worst before he can prove it

He knows what a body collapsed in sudden death looks like. He's seen them countless times on the sand of the Coliseum floor, slaughtered at his own shackled hands, but now it's you

Now it's the only person he trusted to never leave his side

He can't register Inanna beginning to whine and pace, he can't register the sounds of the forest outside, he can't register the fire slowly burning down and out in the back of the hut

A lifetime of trained alertness, muted, because his subconscious has decided it can't take paying attention to a world that doesn't have you in it any more

He's finally able to move again when he takes his first shuddering breath in minutes, and he begins to walk and reach towards you in the vague hope that all is not as it seems

But that's when some small, sick part of his brain starts up its tiny chant that he deserves this, that this is the effect of giving in to your misguided desire for his touch, that this is somehow his doing

But the larger part of him, the part of him that loves you and aches for you and is dedicated to you, leans past the furious pain and lifts your head and shoulders off of the floor, enough so he can lower his head and listen for a heartbeat, feel for breath on his cheek

And there isn't any. Your body is as still and lifeless as his hope for something better, and he can't breathe. He can't breathe, and he's curled up in a ball with you in his arms, and he can't breathe

It takes a few hours before he can master his thoughts enough to think. This has happened before, and it was possible for you to come back. Asra, he has to bring you to Asra, he'll give anything

You wake up as he's carrying you through the woods, and it's the first time you've seen his body go so completely weak with relief

Portia

At first, she thinks you're feeling a little silly and sleeping on the floor just to mess with Pepi. Though the way you're lying, you almost look like you've collapsed. That can't be comfortable

It's when she crouches down to wake you up that she can tell something's wrong. Your shoulder is cold - way too cold

She's already got tears running down her face, but never in her life has she let her sadness stop her from caring for those she loves. She shakes you, back and forth, calling your name over and over

At some point she realizes that it's too late, there's nothing she can do, and that's when she starts wracking her brain for someone who can do something. Anything. She's not giving up on you

She's small, but she's strong and she's in pain. She lifts your body and begins to stumble through the Palace garden with you. She leans into the volume of her wails, using them to call for help

First through the gardens, then through the Palace halls, unable to recognize the blurry faces through her tears, but determinedly blubbering out what's happened and how she needs help for you

When someone who might have been the Countess informs her that the physician is out, she walks out the front gates of the Palace. Her ears are deaf to the offer of a carriage into town

Vesuvia still remembers its plague. It has never before heard cries as anguished as the ones Portia sent echoing down the canals as she ran and stumbled with your body to Mazelinka's house

Mazlinka will be there. Ilya will be there. They both know plenty about medicine, they should be able to help, just hang on. Hang on, she tells your cold body, hang on for me

You stir awake just as she crosses the threshold into the basement dwelling, and the emotions she feels are so overwhelming that she almost punches you for scaring her. She can't stop crying

Lucio

When he walks into the room in the inn after his trip to the outhouse, he avoids the sinking feeling in his gut by telling himself you're just napping. On the floor. Without moving

And then he can't take the way his conscience is nagging at him, so he snaps and (not unkindly, but brashly) tells you to get up and get moving already, we're wasting daylight!

But you don't move. You don't give him a disapproving look. You don't grumble when he shakes your shoulder, or open your eyes when he pats your cheek, or smile when you hear your name

He doesn't understand. You're brave, you're strong, you're loving, you're good, you're full of goodness and you're better than anything he ever deserved after what you suffered because of him

Because of ... him

This must be his fault. This must be his actions catching up with him. This must be the fallout of all those rash deals, some forgotten deity must have run out of patience and come to collect

Of course this would happen. It would take a hundred lifetimes to sift through the pile of selfish bargains, of course he missed one, of course he failed to make up for his past deeds, of course ...

Of course an oversight like that would cost him you

But he's not going to let this go. You deserve better. He hauls you into his arms, ignoring the way he chokes at your dangling limbs, and rushes out of the inn and into the deep, deep woods beyond

He screams and cries and yells and threatens and pleads and begs until his voice falls silent and he can taste blood in his throat

He calls out to any angry being listening to tell him, tell him what this is in payment for, tell him what he can put on the bargaining table that would pay back the debt that demanded your soul

You wake up before he can do anything rash, but he squeezes you in his sleep now, as if to challenge any more soul thieves

[fogfaerysblog]

old video I made at the heart of my arcana phase, would probably change a few of these around now but for the most part this is still how i envision their voices!!

Asra would have a soft breathy voice for sure

Muriel’s is deep and gravely (but the british accent isn’t necessarily my favorite)

Nadia’s is my least favorite of these, I feel like her voice would be smoother and heavier, but the command in Emma Thompson’s voice still fits her somewhat.

Julian’s is perfect for when he’s being more serious, but generally I imagine him to be more theatrical. Sort of Flynn Rider esque, but not quite. Idk, it’s good.

Portia’s voice would be peppier, but it’s still cutie.

Lucio’s literally couldn’t be anyone else.

And I’m absolutely confident in all the courtier voices.