#e. nymbostratus

[heavensdog]

dunno if this has been asked before but what kind of body types does everyone have??

Trigger warning for diet talk! Especially Lapis's. Umm, breaking it down more logically, I'd say. . . . Iri is the chunkiest -- they have a decent amount of both muscle and fat. They're pretty active, and they eat a lot. Rosewood does not have muscles. There is a line in Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incidence where the main character is trying to get on a moving train and Mr. Colfer describes him as never having lifted anything heavier than a cell phone, and that's pretty much Rosewood's activity level. They aren't fat exactly, but they do not have tone. Abaddon is tiny on all counts. They're thin and wiry to go along with their shortness, and even though they will eat constantly if you let them, they do not gain weight. This is weird spirit shit. Abaddon is always starving because no one believes in them, so their body reflects that sense of being "underfed" even if they actually eat a lot of physical food. They're probably the least comfortable with their body because of this (though like I've mentioned before, Iri is also uncomfortable with their body -- it is not a coincidence that both of the spirit characters have a hard time with the material forms they're taking on for the people they love .___.;; ) Emi is pretty toned in the sense that their work-out regime is very regular and also consists of more light reps rather than less heavy ones. They used to have a personal trainer, but depression hit them pretty hard. . . so they've lost some of their muscle and some weight. They're probably the most regular about exercise in general. Like Iri and Abaddon, they tend to eat a lot, but they're a bit pickier about the culinary experience since that's their passion. Lapis is very svelte. ._____.;;; du Mirage has them on a very strict diet, so after the series ends their body type would probably change the most, but during the story they are a little ballerina-ish. They have the most food anxiety, since that food is being used as a means to control them, and it probably takes them a while to recover after everything is over. That said, though, whatever feels most natural for the character is probably what you should go with!

[heavensdog]

Could you describe the character’s facial features in detail? I’m tempted to make fan art

Hmm. .  I can do my best, but before I do I wanna say that when I started this project, I was heavily influenced by how much creative freedom people had in the fandoms for Samurai of Hyuga, Wayhaven Chronicles and Fallen Hero and the like -- so I really do want people to feel like they have a certain amount of free reign in terms of character design.

So when it comes to the visuals for each of the characters, I have some “key elements” and touchstones that I come back to, but in terms of specific details (like narrow eyes or broad noses or the like) I don’t really have anything pinned down.

But this is what I’m working based off of!

Iriel Lovelace: Iri is supposed to be kind of bulky -- they take up waaaay more space than they used to as a rabbit, and this shows in their height (they are the second tallest -- only Emi is taller than them!) and also in their body posture -- they tend to hunch over and try to minimize themselves physically. They give off a kind of “I used to be a delinquent but now I’m reformed” vibe in their dress -- lots of casual clothing paired with comfier pieces like sweaters and the like, and they wear too many layers for the circumstances. They’ve got rose gold hair and used to have silvery gray eyes but I might change them to pink for the Rabbit Vibes; extra piercings on their ears, possible facial piercings, and they always seem really sad. With all that in mind, I imagine broader facial features would suit them, as well as wider set eyes -- things that make them seem more like “prey” than like “predator”.

Aconite Rosewood: They’re meant to feel kind of like a fish out of water, and this shows in how they dress like they’re making themselves into performance art. They give off a very Innocent Demeanor, so rounder facial features in general fit them, but they also have a very hard-to-pin-down aura. My major themes for them, design wise, are a very on/off aesthetic (they’re either Vintage Magician or Grundgy Occult Graphic Tees) and their body language tends to be very awkward and anxious. They gangle, but not as much as Emi. Dyed pink hair (it’s naturally dark brown, so they bleach it like crazy too) and brown eyes that sometimes seem red in the right light. They wear a necklace with a jeweled ring on it at all times.

Emi Nymbostratus: They’re tallest and they gangle the most. They’ve got more angular features, probably, and they tan really fast, so combined with the fact that they used to bleach their hair, they give off very beachy/surfer vibes. They’ve stopped bleaching their hair since becoming an Agent of Heaven, so their roots are growing out, and they favor a lot of blue clothing. Kind of posh vibes -- Emilio, as mentioned, has an undercut, while Emilia favors more demure partial up-dos.

Abaddon is a shrimp and is to be treated accordingly. I think heavier features would be a nice contrast with their build and coloring -- they’re tiny, favor incredibly frilly clothing (masc!Abaddon still wears a lot of piratey blouses) and have long silver hair with red eyes. Perpetual angry face. Touchstones for them are just the juxtaposition of their constant grouchiness with the ridiculously frilly styles.

Lapis rocks quarantine fashion, let’s be honest. Back in school, they dressed very poshly because that’s what du Mirage wanted, but they’re more of a free spirit, so if they have the opportunity to go around in boxer shorts and a too big t-shirt, they will, and they tend to really like things that bare their midriff especially around the mc which has nothing to do with them being proud of their abs. They have dark hair and reeeeeaaaaally dark lashes, and their skin is tawny -- they’re whole vibe is supposed to bring to mind lost treasures, so gold and blue crystals and obsidian and onyx all suit them.

[heavensdog]

What are the ROs’ favorite holiday?

Haha. . . ha. . .oh boy.

Rosewood obviously loves Halloween, and Abaddon tends to be mostly in agreement with them about that.

Emi loves loves loves Christmas and winter holidays in general.

Iriel doesn’t really have a favorite holiday, but they do tend to become “active” around Valentine’s day. I don’t know how to describe it, but they’re a little more affectionate around the second week of February, even if they don’t seem to notice it.

Lapis doesn’t get a favorite holiday because du Mirage doesn’t believe in them :)))

[heavensdog]

Spoiler Snippet

“We’re done here.”

Lapis’s hand on your arm pulls you back when Rosewood’s desperate pleas couldn’t; the world steadies around you, the blurry throb of bruises from the Toy Soldier’s attacks anchoring you amidst the rubble and broken asphalt.

Rosewood doesn’t say anything; [they] just stare, brown eyes wide, as Lapis pulls you back. Abaddon keeps their defense up, so all Rosewood really has to do is talk, but right now [they] aren’t doing that anymore; [their] eyes are strangely shiny, as though [they] might cry.

What do they have to cry about? Anger leaks into your muscles again briefly, but it’s a weak sort of anger; spent, exhausted, the sort of anger someone who isn’t like you might feel for something mundane, like a stolen partner or someone getting credit for a stolen idea.

“What?” you ask, “Want to finish [them] yourself?”

When you look, Lapis’s eyes are fixed firmly on Rosewood, [their] mouth drawn into a severe frown.

No — [their] gaze is drawn to the chain around Rosewood’s neck, where Delta’s ring is still strung along. There’s a tense moment, and then Lapis’s eyes move towards you.

“Maybe later,” [they] say, “But we’re withdrawing now. Harper, get ready!”

You’d forgotten about Harper, facing off against the Toy Soldier — and if Lapis is with you, then Iriel as well. Your eyes float past Harper to make contact with Iriel’s gaze, and Iriel stares helplessly back at you, emotions you don’t understand scrawled over a face that had always seemed so stoic before.

“Wait—,” Harper seems strangely desperate; he looks at you and Lapis, and then back at the Toy Soldier, and Lapis must sense something, because the power [they]’d started gathering stills, for a moment, waiting.

“You!” Harper yells, “Toy Soldier — your name is [Emi] Nymbostratus, isn’t it?”

The Toy Soldier blinks in surprised; the fury twisting in [their] face is broken for a split second, before [they] muster it again.

It must be exhausting, choosing anger like that, but you’re probably not one to talk.

“What’s it to you?” [they] demand; but the confirmation seems to be all Harper wanted, because he takes a deep breath, moving back towards you and Lapis without turning his back on them.

“We’ll meet again,” is all he says, and then once he’s in range, Lapis pulls on the two of you and suddenly the town and the wreckage is gone.

The Kingdom of Fear is as cold and misty as ever, and Harper is still staring at where the Toy Soldier and Iriel had been, even once the world around you has been replaced by slick stone and vapors.

“[Emi] Nymbostratus, huh?” Lapis asks; [their] voice is cheerful and upbeat as ever; the ghost who had stared at Rosewood so intently is gone, “Who’s that?”

Harper doesn’t look over at the two of you when he answers, “My [sibling].”

There’s a beat where Lapis doesn’t seem to know how to respond; you carefully avoid looking at [their] face, focusing on Harper, “Doesn’t du Mirage prefer you to eradicate your family before she takes you in?”

Harper shrugs; he finally stops looking at that one fixed point, drawing in on himself under his jacket, “Mom left before [they] were born . . . [they] look so much like her though. I recognized [them] immediately.”

He looks over at the two of you, and there’s something strange in the way he smiles, “Let’s talk about it some other time, though, okay? I don’t know that here would be good.”

[heavensdog]

Toy Soldier E. Nymbostratus (♀️♂️ versions)

Ready for battle!

[heavensdog]

Gonna post some Nymbostratus doodles before I start work today~

I don’t think I’ve ever disclosed their first name on here: E. stands for Emili(a) or Emili(o); their mother’s name was Emiliana, so they were named for her before her death, and they plan on eventually opening a Mexican style cafe (so like, Mexican food but focused on snacks and drinks, preferably in a college area to help revive all the struggling students out there . . . ! I have not researched what would be on their menu, but I don’t think they’ve thought on it much past the things their mom used to make lol) and were working on their business degree before their mom’s death; becoming an Agent of Heaven is helping them work through their grief.

. . . I’m actually super excited to flesh out and tell their mom’s story lol.

(Enby!Nymbostratus just goes by Emi!)

[heavensdog]

A trilogy means more Lapis content :) Also, wholesome ask: ROs reactions to MC calling them pretty?

Huhuhu though they might introduce themselve a bit later, since you’ll all have Rosewood and Abaddon to play with too, and I want to give Lapis the introduction they deserve.

And oooh, that is wholesome!

Iriel: I think I mentioned somewhere that canonically Iriel is the prettiest of the ROs (angel rights) so they’re used to being complimented on their looks by strangers. Complimented by the MC? Not so much. It takes a few moments for their brain to start working again, and then when it does they don’t know whether to look at the MC and earnestly compliment them back, or hide in a ball so no one can see them ever again. They don’t get anything coherent out and are reduced to covering their very red face in their hands for like half an hour.

Rosewood: Do you really think so? They turn red and immediately whip out any and all compliments they have stored in their head, for anyone. The MC is pretty too! So is the sky! Also did you know that you’re super strong and cool and also that lady over there has a really pretty dress and this coffee tastes amazing and -- Abaddon could probably cover and uncover their mouth several times through the diatribe without Rosewood noticing.

Abaddon: . . . Tch. Whatever. They guess you don’t look so bad yourself, either. (Secretly, they’re very pleased, and you might catch them smiling to themselves periodically for the rest of the day, when they think no one’s looking.)

Nymbostratus: NO WHAT NO YOUR FACE IS THE PRETTY ONE too bad it doesn’t make up for your COLD DARK SOUL and MAYBE if you weren’t SMILING LIKE THAT in a way that CLEARLY LIGHTS UP THE ROOM they’d be able to believe you but AS IT STANDS??? Obviously you’re just FLAT OUT WRONG and making up ABSURD LIES because no one can compete with someone who’s FACE COULD REPLACE THE SUN IN THE SKY WITHOUT ANYONE KNOWING YOU AGENT OF EVIL.

Lapis: Yes, they are pretty, thanks for noticing. Do you know who else is pretty? They’ll let you have three guesses and if you don’t get it right in any of them they’re punishing you with kisses. (Though a lot of this is just blustering because their brain is short circuiting and all they know how to do is flirt with you and hope you don’t notice.)

[heavensdog]

Maybe this is spoilers or it has been asked before, (I couldn't find it if it was.) How would the ROs handle the death of the MC? Would they never be the same afterwards?

Oomph! Give me that angst. . . .

Iriel would definitely feel a bit like a part of them died, and I can’t see them “recovering” any time soon -- by which I mean, like, no one really gets over a loved one dying, but I don’t think they’d be functional for a long while afterwards. Luckily, their family in Heaven’s Manor would be able to take care for them, but I imagine a nice thousand year nap would be in order. . .  and then probably another millenia just like. Lounging around staring wistfully outside of windows doing nothing. Eventually someone in Heaven’s Manor would have to take matters into their hand, but due to the timelessness of the spirit world (and some other factors), I think Iriel would forever become a sort of melancholy, distant figure . . . they might also take on the MC’s last name afterwards, so as to never forget. (Not that forgetting is really a problem.) I’m not sure quite what that means in the long run, metaphysically, though . . .  Hmmm. . . .

Abaddon’s outward reaction is probably something like “Hmmm. That was interesting. Let’s never do that ever again.”

After which, they break off all ties with anyone ever (including abandoning Rosewood) and go back to what they were doing before Rosewood found them -- which was trying to survive and not talking to people, which for a spirit means preying on humans like a bogeyman. A tiny angry bogeyman of murder. Anyway! They’re totally okay! Don’t talk to them about anything ever! They don’t need people! People just go and die at some point anyway!

Rosewood would be racked with guilt, because at this point being racked with guilt is sort of their natural state and definitely not because of anything else. The MC’s death would just be another thing in Rosewood’s “box of things you could have fixed, but didn’t” and then repressed. From the perspective of Lapis, Nymbostratus and Iriel, it would definitely seem like Rosewood just ~didn’t care~ and was really that kind of cold hearted jerk; Abaddon would know better, but since at this point they’ve decided never to talk to anyone ever again, I imagine Rosewood would be on the outs with those three, and left to nurse their grief for the MC on their own . . . but I think they’d keep going, too. Rosewood’s a survivor.

Nymbostratus would avenge the MC; definitely overkill, but the Kingdom of Fear, Rosewood and anyone else who could conceivably be involved with the MC’s death is going down, and no, it’s not like Nymbostratus cared or anything, it was just wrong -- it was wrong for the bad guys to win, it was wrong for the MC to die, it was wrong for whatever happened to Iriel, it was all very, very wrong, and they’re not having. I think once they’d exhausted their need for revenge, they’d then go home like nothing happened -- not the MC’s death, not the Agent of Heaven thing, not Iriel -- and go back to being the black sheep of the family, grieving their mother, and just generally . . . living as though they were already dead. Nymbostratus isn’t equipped for grief.

Lapis is probably the only one who would actually die, though. If they lose the MC, they lose their will to live; the MC can hate them, but if the MC dies that’s it. They wouldn’t have it planned out, but it wouldn’t take them too long to figure out how to go, and they’d just disappear one day without a trace. 

[heavensdog]

Hi! ❤️ What if MC have some really, really persistent "secret admirer" who leave MC gifts and love letters, but like really creepy way. Like many times in day and would in letters tell things about MC what anyone would not know normally. And these would always "appear" inside of house (in bedroom or kitchen or something). How would ros react to that situation in crush or relationship stage? Have a nice day!! 🙂

Rosewood & Abaddon would have that dealt with in under a week -- they both specialize in sealing magic and barriers (since. . .  Abaddon is kind of Rosewood’s mentor they share a specialty haha); Lapis also wouldn’t have any problem with making this “secret admirer” disappear under mysterious circumstances.

Nymbostratus and Iriel would both have more hesitation; Nymbostratus wouldn’t want to hurt someone who wasn’t like. . . already possessed by a shard of darkness? And Iriel is trying very, very hard to be good. But they would also both have a limit to how much of this kind of nonsense they can handle.

If the MC got to the “secret admirer” first . . . Iriel would be the most prepared for hiding the body, followed by Lapis. Rosewood might, ironically, have a few qualms about the matter, and Abaddon would just be like “What, you’re living off the grid already, who cares? :/” attitude (mostly because, uh, dead bodies are gross, and . . . yeah.) Lapis would be more concerned with the well being of the MC at that point than the practicalities of getting away with murder, though.

Nymbostratus might also be the one who just like . . . straight up calls the cops about the matter? Complicating everything.

Honestly, none of their reactions would change based on being in a crush/relationship vs being friends. None of them would want someone they cared about having to deal with a stalker, and all of them (except Nymbostratus) have a vested interest in the MC’s safety from early on.

Thanks for the interesting ask! (Sorry for the late response!)

[heavensdog]

How would the ro’s react if the mc passed out in their arms like after a hard fight or or something?

. . . As though the MC would ever let down their guard that much . . . .

No, just kidding! More seriously, though:

Iriel would feel guilty, and cover it up by lavishing them with breakfast in bed and lavish gifts over the next few days -- Heaven’s Manor pays really well, so even though neither of them have a Real Job, both Iriel and the MC have plenty of money to just  . . . use. . . and Iriel thinks it’s best used on the MC anyway.

Abaddon would be anxious, and hover around the MC until they felt reassured again -- though not in a concrete way. They’d skulk around the MC being grouchier than normal, but the point is that they’d be there if the MC suddenly felt weak or anything, even if they were irritated that the MC was pushing themself so hard in the first place.

Rosewood & Nymbostratus would both be on the front lines to begin with, so if the MC is pushed to the point of passing out, they’re unlikely to be in a position to catch them -- except maybe if they worked together, and the three of you all ended up in a pile of awkward limbs. Rosewood would feel guilty and apologize endlessly; Nymbostratus would quietly vow to become stronger.

Lapis is kind of a difficult one to picture . . . since there’s a high chance the MC would have been fighting them haha. But they’d probably take the opportunity to kidnap the MC and tuck them somewhere away from the fighting, if they could. Otherwise, they’d make sure and return the MC somewhere safe, and watch over them from afar . . . .

[heavensdog]

I can't tell if this has been asked before, so here it is: how would the ROs react to a grievously injured MC? Try to take care of them? Or shut down seeing them in that state?

Iriel has healing abilities, and they would use them. They’d probably be perfectly calm and composed until the MC was stabilized, and then they’d quietly kick everyone else out of the room and curl up next to the MC until the MC woke up. They might watch them for a while … it would certainly be hard to sleep, but if the MC was unconscious for a long time, Iriel would probably eventually doze off next to them, holding their hand.

Rosewood would not handle it well. It’s fine and dandy to see blood on the screen of a movie … another thing entirely when it’s someone important to you. They know a little bit of first aide, but they’d find their hands shaking too much to do anything, and all they could really do would be to flutter around helplessly, wringing their hands, while Iriel or Abaddon did all the important stuff. When it was done, and they knew the MC would be okay, they’d sit by their bedside and cry until they finally passed out.

Abaddon would dislike this immensely; they would get whatever first aide was needed done regardless of how much their hands were shaking, but they’d probably also bite through the inside of their cheek with the enormity of how much they don’t like that human beings are capable of dying, and after it was done they would excuse themselves until the MC was capable of talking again, at which point they would scold them. Do you not realize how fragile you are? Being an Agent of Heaven isn’t the same thing as being immortal.

Nymbostratus would seem the most composed; they’d look at this as another battle and do their best to remain calm and collected, and be a soothing and optimistic voice in the group. You’ll be okay – you’ve got them looking after you, and you’re strong, and you know what you’re capable of and wouldn’t put yourself in danger needlessly. Afterwards, they’d sit by your bedside, reading or playing games on their phone until you woke up. It does not matter how much coffee they would need to drink or that Rosewood was the one making it. They were going to stay up until you woke.

Lapis is probably the coldest about this; they drop you off with whoever can take care of you and go do something to wait out the time until they knew you’d be fine. They’d probably go into a little bit of denial – of course you’d be okay eventually. There’s no way you’d let a thing like grievous harm stop you from anything. But they also find that if they stop moving for too long, doubts start catching up with them, and that they really don’t like where those doubts are leading. If they can’t do anything to help it’s better that they stay out of the way, and maybe work on being strong enough that they can protect you next time.

[heavensdog]

Hi! 🙂 What ROs would do when they get jealous of MC? For example if they see someone flirting to MC or the other way around? Or if MC having a crush of someone other? If you do not can/want do this for all ROS then even Lapis and Iriel are just fine. Thank you for this awesome wip! ❤️ I'm sorry if I sound rude, it's because english isn't my first language.

I love jealousy headcanons huhu~ It’s not a problem to do this for all the ROs at all~~ (And you don’t sound rude at all, your english is wonderful – what’s your first language, though, if you don’t mind my asking?)

Rosewood -- Aconite gets petty and a little childish when the MC is interested in someone else -- they’re also the type to try digging up dirt on their romantic rival, though I wouldn’t say their detective skills are really good. They also get a little touchier -- to the extent that the MC is okay with it -- going from “respectfully maintaining their distance” to “as touchy feely as possible” the minute they realize they have a rival.

Of course, given their relationship with Abaddon, there might be a few complications . . . though if their new “rival” is Abaddon, they’re the one to suggest an OT3.

Lapis -- Lapis pretends not to care, but takes every opportunity to knock their rival down a peg. Is it probably good for the MC to be interested in someone else? Yes. Can this other person take better care of the MC than Lapis? Probably. Does Lapis have the maturity and skill to deal with this like an adult? No. Depending on their past relationship with the MC, things might get pretty personal pretty fast -- though they’d probably try to distance themselves from the MC, and pine from afar rather than risk letting themself actually ruin things between the MC and their rival.

Abaddon -- Plays edgy jealousy songs as loudly as possible and pretends not to care. Especially if their rival is Rosewood, because that’s a mess and a half. If Rosewood is not their rival, they get extra lovey dovey with them, much to Rosewood’s embarrassment.

Nymbostratus -- Nymbostratus has complicated feelings about the MC in general; these get more complicated if the MC likes someone other than them or Iriel. They’ve built up this idea of the MC and Iriel as a Tragic Starcrossed Couple so that they can pretend they don’t feel a connection to the MC, so if the MC is . . . not a tragic starcrossed love for Iriel, then . . . why does Nymbostratus care about them so much, and what exactly are they feeling? They’re probably the only RO who would take their jealousy out on the MC, since they’re simultaneously processing that they have a crush . . . and they’d tend to blow hot and cold because of it.

Iriel -- Iriel is twice as childish as Rosewood and probably three times as clingy. The MC is leaving to go see their new crush? Iriel wants to come with (even though they know it will be painful). The MC is out late? Iriel *will* drink as much coffee as necessary to stay up waiting for the MC to come back (and then probably fall asleep anyway.) They should be able to handle this, since they went through the MC’s relationship with Lapis anyway, but they kind of dread being alone like that again, and also they’re not a rabbit anymore and things are different . . . . Worst case scenario, the MC will find themselves buried in work, if that’s the only time Iriel can see them . . . though if the MC decides they’ve had enough and tells Iriel to back off, they will.

[heavensdog]

how would the ros react to a mc who slept with a childhood plushie?

afjwfke this is cute! Iriel would definitely be a little jealous, but they suppose they can’t say anything, since it’s not like they’re a rabbit anymore. . . but if the MC was sleeping with a plushie before they came along, I imagine there were probably some secret battles while the MC was asleep. . . .

Lapis would think it was adorable, and would probably buy the MC plushies as a gift at some point.

Abaddon wouldn’t . . . get it . . . .like, they wouldn’t care or be mean about it, but  ? ? ? Pillows already exist?

Rosewood would also have some jealousy issues. If you need someone to hold they are right there.

Nymbostratus probably also sleeps with plushies, so they’d understand.

[heavensdog]

Do any of the ROs (especially Iriel and Lapis) know about the bad home life the MC had while younger? And will it ever be addressed more in the story?

Iriel knows, but doesn’t have any context for it -- as far as they know, the MC’s home life is what constitutes as normal; this may change over play, or it might be something that is never fully explored, but outside of the MC, they’re most likely to figure it out when they join up with Nymbostratus. Since they’ve been staying with the MC the whole time, they know how much the MC has been hurt, but as far as they know that’s just how human lives are. Since they were a rabbit, and the MC’s parent(s) thought they were a plush toy, they’ve mostly been spared any bad things, but part of the reason they fret over the MC so much is because they’ve spent a lot of time wiping their tears.

Lapis suspects; they have a similarly terrible family life (pretty much no matter what option you pick in the prologue, some part of Lapis’s home life echoes that) and they figure that’s part of the reason it’s so easy for them and the MC to connect, but they’ve never confirmed it. They’ve been careful about the topic -- they never pushed the MC to break rules or do anything that might piss off an abusive parent, they made sure the MC ate during school if they noticed the MC not getting lunches, that kind of thing -- but they’ve never fully broached it, just like they’ve never talked about their past or their life with Phantome du Mirage with the MC.

Rosewood has no idea; as far as they know, that kind of stuff doesn’t really happen. Like sure, some people have dead parents; statistically people get abused or neglected, divorce rates are always on the up -- but that’s all very distant. Their parents were very loving and accepting (though their peers were a little more judgemental) and very married and very alive, though Rosewood did almost lose them at one point . . . hearing about the MC’s backstory would almost definitely make them cry, and they’d want to comfort the MC in any way they could.

Like Lapis, Abaddon suspects -- the MC just has that extra edge to them that Abaddon suspects goes further than the child soldier of justice thing, and they have been around the block long enough to know both that suffering happens, and that there are people like Rosewood who are mostly sheltered from it. They’re probably the most blase about it, but they’d also be the first to lose it if the MC had to face their past in any way -- if an abusive or neglectful parent showed up, for example (though this won’t happen in the story, and is headcanon territory lolol). They would not let the MC just weather through it anymore. Their MC now.

Nymbostratus realizes it unconsciously -- it’s part of the reason that they feel immediately drawn to & comfortable with the MC, and they can kind of put it together by knowing what Half Sleeping Heart is caused by, and how young the MC was when they became an Agent of Heaven  . . . it doesn’t paint a pretty picture. But they also shove this realization back as much as possible in order to focus on the task at hand and to not interfere with the MC and Iriel’s relationship.

It will probably come up mostly in flashbacks, but there might be some instances where the MC can talk about it with one of the ROs/dwell on things, and there will be points where you can flesh in the details a little bit more  . . . it is part of the MC’s trauma, but I haven’t plotted out the exact beats yet.

[heavensdog]

I've been loving the number of asks lately! I have just a simple cute one: what would it take in a romantic sense to make the ROs blush? I can't imagine it being easy to make Lapis blush.

I have too! I’m really excited to be talking about everyone so much!

It’s actually pretty easy to make Lapis blush, just . . . they’ve got that perfect skin tone for hiding it lol. But basically anything that reaffirms that the MC is seeing them for who they are makes their heart pound . . . so commenting on things that you’d observed about them (like that they always keep their foods from touching during dinner or that they are clingy when they sleep, or that they dog ear pages in their books) would make them blush and look away. The key to telling that Lapis is blushing is that they’ll always try to casually cover their face when they do . . . though sometimes they’ll cover their face even if they’re not blushing, and just because they’re embarrassed.

Iriel is actually the hardest one to make blush, as they are both unphased by everything after living with the MC for over a decade, and also oblivious to come ons . . . but dressing in something sexy or revealing and then like. . . doing chores or something moderately active would get their attention and they would not know how to cope. . . .

In short. . . Iriel probably has a maid/butler kink . . . . (Typing that was embarrassing @_@).

Abaddon also is hard to phase, but simple acts of affection are more likely to affect them -- holding hands suddenly or suddenly cuddling with them while they were ostensibly doing something by themselves. They’re not really used to physical touch with anyone but Rosewood, so it generally catches them off guard, and they’re an Angry Gremlin so they always get flustered by cute stuff.

Rosewood will just quit and walk out of the room if you say or do anything that makes them that flustered. They’re most deeply affected by words of praise and people doing nice things for them, so if they overhear you talking about them and saying nice things like that they’re reliable or that they’re kind or that they work hard they’ll definitely turn red, and if you like . . .hold the door for them or offer to carry their things, they’ll get flustered too.

Nymbostratus will blush at anything, all the time. Say something nice to them? Blushing. Catch them when they were falling? Blushing. Got ice cream on your nose? Blushing while they wipe it off for you. Existing within a five foot range of them? Angry blushing. They’re getting more tsundere by the day.

[heavensdog]

What could the MC say to hurt the ROs the most?

This one’s a little hard to avoid spoilers for most of the ROs. . . the MC will probably have the opportunity to say the worst things possible to each of them . . . .

But as things stand. . . . here are some innocuous comments that might linger in the ROs heads~ I know it’s not quite what you asked, but secrets are secrets!

Abaddon: “You really don’t take good care of your things, do you?” 

Rosewood: “Can’t you take responsibility for once?” or “Can’t you clean up your mess yourself?”

Nymbostratus: “You know better than that.”

Iriel:“You’re different from others”

Lapis: “Don’t you like it? If it’s no good you can throw it away.”

Most of these will hurt the ROs even coming from a complete stranger, by the way~