#character: knight commander mino

[spyridonya]

Rebel vs Royalty...

[silversiren1101]

Inspired by a post from @commander-lariel

What *would* Mino’s dream be in Areelu’s lab? 

I think there’s a case to be made that what is shown to each person there is pretty surface level in terms of what they truly desire. For instance, why show Daeran the Galfrey scene instead of a world where he is free of the Other and his mother is alive? Why show Woljif on a throne instead of surrounded by people that truly love him for who he is? It’s not a perfect portrayal and it seems more superficial than true heart’s desire.

Mino’s core wants are relief, rest, safety, and of course a genuine loving relationship with her favorite Paralictor, but what would a ‘superficial’ view of this look like? You’d get Field-Maralictor Arangeir, low ranking but not a complete no one, taking orders from Paralictor/Lictor/Knight Commander (higher rank title than her) Derenge who is now in charge of operations. It’d be a scene of her approaching the war table to turn in a report of her latest mission. They’d accidentally brush hands, and a flicker of a glance would pass between them conveying more. He’d thank her for the hard work, with a single sprinkle of praise, and then order her to get some rest before the next mission.

That’s it.

Her core wants are addressed in the worst possible ways: she’s not in charge, she’s getting crumbs of attention from him, and she’s being ordered to rest rather than being granted actual relief. It’s not what she truly, actually wants in her heart but rather a bastardization of it.

As for what the others would think?

Regill: A shake of the head. He knows her opinions on command and she avoided it when they were both in the civil war. She’d shrug and blush in embarrassment and simply say he was always meant for leadership and she was not, they both know this. She just wishes the more capable of them was in charge. He wouldn’t see anything more in it but feel a certain offness.

Seelah: “Even your dreams involve work and the Hellknights? Remind me to ask Irabeth if we can schedule you some days off.” 

Camellia: Contempt. “You are powerful and respected, can get away with whatever you want, and you wish to go back to being a nobody.”

Lann: I think it would throw HIM for a loop. Lann’s whole character shtick is that of an unprepared boy being shoved into leadership and so he’s looking at every ‘leader figure’ around him for inspiration and guidance. Seeing the Knight Commander want in her dreams to be NOT a leader anymore? Crisis of faith incoming.

Wenduag: Mixture of fear and contempt like Camellia. If her current master is craving submission and relinquishing her power, then that’s a threat to her safety. “You WISH to grovel?! All that power is wasted on you!”

Ember: Probably the only one that would see the actual intent in the vision. Mino wants rest and relief. She doesn’t want to be in charge, she wants a pat on the head and a warm bed where she can sleep without waking up screaming and sobbing into her pillow each night. “You’re tired, Minnow. It’s okay. The sun will set for you some day soon and you will be able to sleep. It will for all of us. Then it will rise and you can start a new day.”

Woljif: I think he’d understand in a way, he doesn’t like the spotlight being on him and gets uncomfortable when people actually do rely on him. “Chief, be honest here, have you ever considered just running away? We can still do that hustle in Razmir!”

Daeran: Dae is the first one that figures out she has real feelings for Regill, and has by this point. He doesn’t say much, aside from something like: “Have some respect for yourself Mino... going back to taking commands instead of giving them? Absurd. You look much better at the head of the table than at the side.” He pivots to a different subject at the last second, as he does genuinely feel sympathy for her unrequited love. 

Sosiel: Discomfort for himself and also comforting to her, and I think he’d miss the meaning and assume it’s a self-confidence issue first rather than a stress/desperate for escape one: “You sell yourself short commander. I am glad you are leading us, and not putting us into the hands of a devil. You haven’t led us astray yet.”

Arueshalae: This is where she would realize Mino’s feelings, because a succubus (ascending or not) would lock into that desire there above all else. She’d looked alarmed, eyes flitting between both of them, heart aching with a quiet “Oh... Minovae.” 

Greybor: Dreaded Greybor, what would you think? This is still so early with him joining up, he doesn’t know too much about her yet nor the others. “There’s no shame in just wanting to do what others tell you. I’ve made a whole career of it. Mine just pays better.” I legitimately don’t know for him at this point, his relationship with Mino is way more concrete later on.

Nenio: Doesn’t even pay attention. Goes on a stream of consciousness rant about the magical mechanism behind the dream trap.

[eclipticis]

example of how i’d write a character | for the anon that requested the judges.

** i had to delete because your ask was accidentally published without me finishing lmao **

   — ⊰ ❛☪ ⊱    Quill in hand and a smile glided over his features. Elegance was in every stroke he made onto the parchment, writing down the sins and the life of the souls that entered and motioned to the jury after every sentence he’s given, allowing them to exercise their power to imprison. Lune was thankfully assisting him with sorting out the books and organizing. The man wasn’t the most disorganized Judge in the Underworld but extra sorting was welcomed. Minos twirled the black feathered pen in his hand. He glanced over at the Underworld Maid next to him and brushed his knuckles against the side of her face. No one would know of her face beneath, but that was fine. The poetic Judge could imagine what she looked like. Once, she could’ve been beautiful but then she became scorned by her people. The possibility of that tragedy was beautiful. Graceful.               Deserving, even...               Why else would she be in Hell with him? Minos followed Hades because of his sadism. He was never the kindest of the three; he was rude to his intruders and anyone that interrupted him and his work, even if they were his own subordinates. He enjoyed looking at the misery and pain of others The worthlessness and helplessness of humankind needed to be cleansed and Emperor Hades was the only god he’d follow; the one that represented his ideologies the best. The only one he’d call his ‘Emperor’. The sound of a chair’s foot scratching against the marble tiles broke the deafening silence as he withdrew his hand from the woman’s veiled face. Minos closed Hell’s Bible and he motioned for his second-in-command to take over for now. It was time to have an audience with Emperor  Hades’ ‘cherished’ sister, Pandora, as she finally summoned him now.

   — ⊰ ❛☪ ⊱    Aiacos nodded to his subordinates, a glint in his eyes that made the men quiver with fear and flinch like cowards. Ah, yes---the strongest bond was that of fear. Men would be too cowardly if they bothered to try and overthrow their General. Lord Hades perfected that method of oppression. That cruelty beneath the calmest exterior. He could mock Minos and Rhadamanthys and compliment the god’s undeniable elegance and strength. He didn’t follow Hades for any of that. He followed because he was curious about this new world that the god promised. He wanted to be present to see that bond that Hades had perfected among his army. He followed for the promising chaos. It was a wonder why the god kept him.

He approached the desk that had a single sheet of paper on it. Violate must’ve been training somewhere to get stronger. Or terrorizing someone. Either way, it didn’t bother Aiacos in the slightest so long as he got any important notice in the end. He didn’t pick it up. Instead, he pressed his knuckles onto the desk as he read it once, twice, thrice. So Pandora wanted to see him? What a pleasant surprise! He’s enjoyed seeing the woman’s choices dwindle and become few but he would still respect her as a Commander.  A small ‘ha’ escaped the Judge’s lips as he continued to stare down at it. Very well, he wanted to know what it is that was so urgent.   ❝ ...Perhaps it has something to do with Lord Hades’ vessel. Or, a briefing. ❞   Aiacos murmured.

   — ⊰ ❛☪ ⊱    Deep breaths. He could only do what he was reported to do. If Pandora had summoned all of the judges, then there was no time to waste. Rhadamanthys thought of himself as Hades’ vassal; whatever was commanded from the lips of the Divine, he would do with honor and nobility for he was the Emperor’s knight. He’d prove to Hades that his devotion was truest among the army and surpassed even that of Pandora’s. Tossing the note aside and brushing past some of his most loyal subordinates, Rhadamanthys already trekked to his destination. He didn’t tolerate his Commander’s mistakes as of late. Her emotions got the better of her from time to time and she could have risked their Lord’s precious life on Earth.

His hands formed fists as hallways echoed his footfalls. The silence was welcoming, his thoughts could be sorted and his emotions could be in check. Unlike Pandora, he would allow his love and faith for his lord shine brighter than the stars in Elysium. There’s one issue that Rhadamanthys had trouble with as he walked the final stretch to the grand doors where Pandora and Hades’ throne waited. The uneasiness in his heart and soul wasn’t easy to shake off...

[spyridonya]

"Happy Valentine's Day, Kadee, Lann, and Daeran!

I hope this letter finds the three of you well, it's been some time since I've seen everyone! Meaning, I hope Lann and Dae haven't gotten to each other's throats too much, but I trust you've been keeping them in line.

I heard Lann went on a short trip out to sea for a bit but he is home now? He must have missed you dearly - he always spoke about how if he went out to be a pirate as he dreamed of he would never return. Hearing he came back tells me all I need to know about how smitten he is with you and Dae.

Which... you have a kid now! The thought of Daeran being a father shook me to be totally honest, but I think with you everything will be quite alright. I've sent along a few things for the baby. I know Dae is king and all but please accept these gifts? They may not be fit for royalty but they are fit for a friend.

I've also sent along some things for just the three of you to have a nice date night: some amaretto and wine from Westcrown as well as some cheeses from the surrounding areas. I know you and Lann appreciate nature and such, and Lann has always been quite the hunter - you should come visit us at Citadel Darvhage sometime! We're right next to the Barrowood. I'd be happy to clear out a room for you all to spend a few days with of is possible, you just need to stomach hanging out with us stuffy Hellknights for a little while.

Enjoy the Valentine's night! -Minovae"

Dear Minovae, I absolutely extend the same well wishes towards you and and Regill despite time's delay! I trust that your husband has treated the day accordingly and with proper reverence for tradition. I expect no less from him! (If he hasn't, let me know!)

It's that very rumor that keeps the two boys from strangling each other. Though Daeran and I joined Lann for the first few trips to port cities, we separated and expected Lann to return to us within three years. The news of the baby brought him back far sooner than he planned... or he feared he might 'age' on Daeran and I. He's a delightful tan and grown out his hair, but Lann looks no older than any man his age.

Silaevus Cayden Arendae is now five months old and it's been established that he has the most perfect blue green eyes. Having a child would have been a eventuality for Daeran, we hadn't planned it so soon. Never tell him I told you this, but Daeran was deeply worried despite informing him he had one of the best examples of parenthood with his late mother - whom Sil is named after.

The gifts are absolutely fit for a prince! Silaevus is enchanted by the stuffed dragon and he sleeps under the blanket every night. Neither Daeran nor Lann have objected with the toys, so I think the toys might be played with by another siblings.

(Oh, who am I kidding? Sil won't ever let go of that dragon.)

We had to sneak the wine past the Inquisitors that still have a concept of a far more united Cheliax than what you have brought to my attention. I don't think they could do much more than note it to allies, but they can take a look of how I've handled Andoran and Cheliax's unfortunate current governance. The cheese was delightful with berries and the first loaves of bread that Mendev has baked from it's own in near a decade! (I've so much to say about that pilot program.)

However, the berries I've sent with this letter should be ripe and delicious regardless how long it takes. I promise. While we are taking steps in recovering farmland and growing out own, I'm afraid we don't have much that's of extraordinary quality - yet. I've sent on two cloaks with my latest attempt at beaten jewelry. Always feel free to use the excuse the Order doesn't permit such things if you don't feel the need to wear it!

Daeran might have misgivings to such a trip, but Lann expressed interest after he catches his breath. I've enough teleportation spells and tuning forks to arrange a visit. I dare say growing infant may add a little more purple to your husband's hair.

Enjoy and well wishes! We threaten to bring a infant soon and a rematch to your door when Silaevus can sleep through the night.

- Kadira Arendae