#nurturenov2024

[bardic-tales]

Nurturing November: Day 9: Interactions with Setting

Throughout this month, I’ll be sharing character-building exercises that I have completed that will bring out my ocs’ more tender sides. This can be anything from snippets to oc questions to character analysis.

In a hidden section of the North Crater, Bianca has manifested a small, storybook-like cabin as a retreat with her reality-bending powers since Sephiroth told her to practice honing her powers for the coming fight for the Planet. Bianca’s imagination built the cabin, and it almost feels enchanted. The cabin feels like something straight out of a fairy tale — quaint and timeless. Deep in the icy wilderness — a forest that she has also created — in the North Crater, the house has a rustic charm, low light, and a faint smell of cedar. Snow drifts against the windows. The cabin will become almost a secluded haven, as it is cut off from the rest of the North Crater. Tucked away in the distant corners, against the jagged walls, lies a cave. This is where Bianca’s body will regenerate after the ultimate battle against Cloud and his companions during the Meteorfall event. For Bianca, this is a place where she can offer Sephiroth a moment of normalcy and comfort.

The cabin’s interior reflects Bianca’s care and attention to detail. There is a well-worn leather couch that is draped in thick, festive, woolen blankets and a small table beside it that often has a silver serving tray with mugs of hot cocoa, complete with a hint of cinnamon and whip cream with chocolate sprinkles. While they drink their hot chocolate, he will usually read to her before the roaring fireplace. She created this place to hold these simpler moments, to show that they are more than just villains trying to take over the Planet / Omniverse and can exist without the weight of their usual personas. Sephiroth’s edges seem to soften only slightly, and he accepts her in a way that feels meaningful, even if vulnerable. He allows himself to be coaxed into these small, quiet traditions — drinking hot cocoa, having romantic getaways, and just existing with his loved one. He gives in because he was deprived of any kind of warm relationships as a child, both under Hojo’s control during his experiments. Later, as a 1st Class SOLDIER, he only allowed two or three people close to him. In this setting, even his stoic demeanor relaxes, as he’s just content to sit close to her.

Bianca treasures these snowed-in moments for the same reason Sephiroth does, as there were few people she allowed in fearing betrayal. Here, they could find something genuine and lasting. For her, creating this cabin is an act of love, a way to nurture the quiet side of their relationship. His presence fills the space, adding weight and warmth to it, transforming it into a sanctuary for both of them. And while they may share a few words beyond his reading to her, his mere acceptance of care speaks volumes. He lets her see him not as the One-Winged Angel, but simply as Sephiroth. This gesture is Sephiroth’s own way of reciprocating her affection, a subtle acknowledgeable that her effects and love have become his refuge amidst their grand destiny. It’s a silent promise of what will await her in the Promised Land.

tagging some fellow mutuals: @themaradwrites @serenofroses @megandaisy9 @watermeezer

@nightingaleflow @seastarblue @prehistoric-creatures @creativechaosqueen

@chickensarentcheap @serenofroses

[bardic-tales]

Nurturing November: Day 3: character background

Throughout this month, I’ll be sharing character-building exercises that I have completed that will bring out my ocs’ more tender sides. This can be anything from snippets to oc questions to character analysis.

Despite the grim, icy setting of the North Crater, Bianca clings to the traditions of Earth, especially during the colder months where it becomes even chillier. Growing up in a world so detached from Gaia (the Planet in FF 7), she finds comfort in celebrating holidays that connect to her memories of her past life. Even if her stepfather, David Moore, and she moved from one seedy hotel to another every six months to escape the cult of Asmodeus, they still remembered the warmth that her surrogate mother, Sarah Moore, brought to their lives around the holidays before she passed away. This practiced is now especially meaningful with Sephiroth, as it invites something warmer into their chaotic lives. It highlights her resilience: no matter how dark her journey gets that there are still moments of heart-filled honesty. For Bianca, these winter celebrations offer a rare reprieve, a chance to hold on to fragments of who she was prior to her fall into that world.

Using her reality-bending magic, Bianca has created a cozy cabin in the North Crater, surrounded by an enchanted forest that materializes only when she wills it into being. She decorates the cabin for each holiday, weaving lights, garlands, and other festive touches entirely from her magic, as Sephiroth has told her to train to control her magic. This is now a hidden retreat where she and Sephiroth — as Sephiroth assumes control over SC X — can go to get away from the barren landscape. He calls this ‘playing house’.

Her gestures towards Sephiroth are intimate yet subtle. Each one evokes a sense of warmth and togetherness. She’ll find small ways to create a feeling of holiday spirit, such as creating decorations from the crystals found around the crater or humming familiar songs while she completes her duties as the self-imposed ‘High Priestess of Jenova’. Her favorite tune during Christmas is ‘Sleigh Ride’. In her gestures, she will often reflect her love languages, showing Sephiroth something real and tangible beyond his anger and the need to punish Shinra and humanity. For Sephiroth, who has known little beyond Shinra’s cold isolation starting from birth, these moments become cherished symbols of Bianca’s nurturing nature and full a desire to get her justice for everyone who has hurt her, humanity. The ability to weave warmth into their lives, even in the North Crater’s harshness, shows the quiet strength of her love and devotion, a strength that intrigues and continues to draw Sephiroth closer to her, as she shares with him the cheer Sarah instilled in her during the holidays.

I'm not going to tag the following every day for this, but I thought you'd enjoy reading about Bianca and Sephiroth more 'normal' and romantic reactions.

tagging some fellow mutuals: @themaradwrites @littleshopofchaos @serenofroses @megandaisy9 @watermeezer

@nightingaleflow @seastarblue @prehistoric-creatures @creativechaosqueen

@chickensarentcheap @serenofroses

[bardic-tales]

Nurturing November: Day 14: Quotes and Sayings

Throughout this month, I’ll be sharing character-building exercises that I have completed that will bring out my ocs’ more tender sides. This can be anything from snippets to oc questions to character analysis.

“Strength lies in what we survive, not in what we conquer.”

"To love is to protect, even at the cost of oneself."

"Even in darkness, you can spark change."

"I fell in love with you because you loved me when I couldn’t love myself."

"I have sacrificed EVERYTHING for the one I loved. Can you say the same, Strife?" 👀

"Murder is an art. An art that I have become well-versed in."

"Sephiroth, my love for you isn't something I can put into simple words. It's a connection that defies explanation, one that's grown from the depths of our shared experiences. Your strength, your complexity, your unwavering determination—all of these facets of your character resonate with me on a profound level. I see the person you are beyond the surface, beyond the darkness that has surrounded you. It's not about perfection; it's about embracing the entirety of you. You've shown me glimpses of your true self, and I believe in the potential for growth and change within you. Loving you isn't a conscious decision—it's a part of who I am, a bond that's formed as we've faced the challenges together. You've become an integral part of my journey, and my love for you is woven into the very fabric of my being."

"You are no monster. You are a murder, yes. A bad man, yes. But you are not like those monsters in the tanks in the reactor. You aren't a monster."

[bardic-tales]

Nurturing November: Day 8: fears and phobias

Throughout this month, I’ll be sharing character-building exercises that I have completed that will bring out my ocs’ more tender sides. This can be anything from snippets to oc questions to character analysis.

Sephiroth’s approach to comforting Bianca after a night terror reflects his complex protective and practical behavior that he takes with their relationship. His knowledge of fear and his cold nature shapes his reaction. While he may not be nurturing in a traditional sense, Sephiroth shows care in ways that align with his reserve demeanor. He is not seeking to manipulate her here, so hints of his personality that he has shown in Ever Crisis and Crisis Core shine through from time to time.

He never rushes to offer verbal reassurances or engage in comforting platitudes. Instead, he provides a physical presence and stability. He grounds her with his touch, allowing her to feel anchored in reality without forcing her to speak about her trauma if she is not ready. This strength shows that he understands words are sometimes unnecessary, but it also shows his own emotional limitations.

There is a darker side to his response, but he wouldn’t be a villain if there wasn’t. For Sephiroth, comforting her isn’t just about erasing her fears. It’s reinforcing her she will always be under his protection and bound to him, even if Cloud defeats him as he will not ‘die’. Rather than trying to diminish the threat her memories post, Sephiroth embraces it. He reminds her of the strength she possesses by standing with him, reinforcing their shared resilience and power.

In his own way, he uses his dark presence as a shield, not by promising safety from the world but by affirming his role as a constant presence in her immortal life. This shows Sephiroth’s value of power over vulnerability, but it allows him to support Bia while respecting her strength.

His approach to comforting her isn’t about rejecting the darkness that terrorizes her, rather he and she accept it as part of their shared reality that they inhabit together. In allowing Bianca to feel her fear and her connection to him in the aftermath, Sephiroth acknowledges her own autonomy and her power. He fosters a bond that embraces their darker nature, where he is not a savior but an unmovable presence.

tagging some fellow mutuals: @themaradwrites @serenofroses @megandaisy9 @watermeezer

@nightingaleflow @seastarblue @prehistoric-creatures @creativechaosqueen

@chickensarentcheap @serenofroses

[bardic-tales]

Nurturing November: Day 7: dreams and goals

Throughout this month, I’ll be sharing character-building exercises that I have completed that will bring out my ocs’ more tender sides. This can be anything from snippets to oc questions to character analysis.

It has always been Bianca’s dream to have a family with Sephiroth and to celebrate the holidays with him: the way Sarah used to celebrate with her. This is her cherished dream.

Winter brings a cherished tradition. I haven’t thought of the name for this holiday yet. Memories of her surrogate mother, Sarah, inspire it. Though Sarah was a human and Bianca holds little affection for humanity, so much that she rewrote the Omniverse to remove their presence, the warmth and love that her mother figure brought to the season left a mark. Now, with her children and Sephiroth by her side, Bianca is determined to carry out the tradition. Not for the sake of humanity, but to foster a sense of belonging and wonderment within her own family.

On this specific holiday, Bianca gathers her children and Sephiroth beneath the starlit sky and is often in a place of profound significance, such as the Ethereal Nexus, the boundary between all dimensions. She tells them stories that blend myth with reality, recounting tales of ancient beings and cosmic forces that shaped the old Omniverse. Celeste and Lucien, each carrying part of her divine essence and Sephiroth’s Jenova cells, listen with wide-eyed wonder as she shares these memories, reminding them that even amid the abyss and celestial realms that the children will rule in the future, that there is a bind that ties them all together. With Sephiroth nearby, she lets the spirit of her childhood memories soften her usual intensity, creating a safe space of warmth. Through these stories, she hopes to instill in her children a sense of heritage beyond their circumstance — a heritage that is rooted in love, legacy, strength, and unity.

Bianca brings a physical element to this tradition: one that Sarah taught her when she was young. A mother always gives an ornament for a gift to her children. She manifests small, crystalline orbs filled with shimmering stardust, each one holding a memory and blessing that both Sephiroth and she wish for their children. As Lucien and Celeste receive their orbs, Bianca secretly wishes that these gifts will remind them of their family and place in the vast omniverse she had recreated, knowing how her own mother figure would have adored moments like this. By celebrating this holiday, Bianca ensures that even in darkness, her children and family feel cherished and connected to something greater than themselves.

I introduce Bianca and Seph's children here. I love this idea of her creating these orbs every year for Celeste and Lucien. ☺️

tagging some fellow mutuals: @themaradwrites @littleshopofchaos @serenofroses @megandaisy9 @watermeezer

@nightingaleflow @seastarblue @prehistoric-creatures @creativechaosqueen

@chickensarentcheap @serenofroses

[bardic-tales]

Nurturing November: Day 4: character arc

Throughout this month, I’ll be sharing character-building exercises that I have completed that will bring out my ocs’ more tender sides. This can be anything from snippets to oc questions to character analysis.

Bianca’s arc with Sephiroth transforms her from an isolated, guarded soul into someone who embraces vulnerabilities. She has always been capable of intense loyalty, but it’s with Sephiroth, which she finds the ability to give without reservation. While this is not healthy, Bianca’s softer personality traits emerge. This challenges the pain that has defined most of her life.

Amid the harsh environment of North Crater, they learn to nurture each other. Sephiroth will always keep an eye upon Bianca and will ‘possess’ SC X to intervene if Bianca is in danger of hypothermia, as she develops it faster than a human and can’t feel her body freezing or developing symptoms of it. She likes to brush the frost from his hair or share in quiet conversations on long, winter nights. I tend to headcanon the northern continent’s days and nights to be like Antarctica: 24 hours of daylight and 24 hours of nighttime. It shows that even in the pursuit of chaos and annihilation, there is space for love and tenderness. In these moments, she allows herself to be both a protector and a partner, as she tries to balance strength and compassion only for Sephiroth and, to a lesser extent, Jenova.

The emotional intimacy that grows between Bianca and Sephiroth helps Bianca confront parts of herself she once feared and despised. While she sees her nurturing nature as a weakness in their world, Sephiroth’s presence compels her to view it as a strength. It is only through their relationship and Sephiroth’s immortality that she comes to understand that love is not about being betrayed or having loved ones taken from her, but it can be about stability in the face of chaos. This shift allows her to express her overwhelming devotion to Sephiroth in ways that she previously wouldn’t have been able to. Even post-Nibelheim Incident, the love she feels for him shows her she has a capacity for affection that she didn’t realize she had.

Her journey with Sephiroth is a story about learning to embrace her complexity. Through him, she understands she can embody both sides of her celestial and demonic heritage: a fierce, destructive force and a source of warmth and comfort. She will carry this over to their children -- Celeste and Lucien -- once Bianca recreates the Omniverse. Sephiroth comes to represent both her wildest ambitions and her most cherished dreams. In growing with Sephiroth, she redefines her place in Gaia and the Omniverse, itself, as they build towards a shared vision where, even in darkness, there is room for gentleness and care.

[bardic-tales]

Nurturing November: Day 13: Plot Threads

Throughout this month, I’ll be sharing character-building exercises that I have completed that will bring out my ocs’ more tender sides. This can be anything from snippets to oc questions to character analysis.

Content Warning: Abuse, Betrayal, Body Horror, Captivity, Child Abuse, Death, Death of Loved Ones, Gaslighting, Gore, Horror, Human Experimentation, Mental Health, PTSD, Psychological Trauma, Self-Harm, Torture, Violence, War, and Wounds.

Bianca’s story is marked by powerful, life-altering events that shape her journey towards self-acceptance and unity with her mirrored soul. Her surviving the horrors that Asmodeus unleashed upon her and escape from Shinra’s lab represents more than survival. It’s a turning point that helps her realize her own strength and resilience. Through the trials of captivity and trauma, Bianca emerges with a new sense of purpose: a devotion not only to Sephiroth but also to a vision of rebirth and transformation.

Her experience becomes a sense of empowerment. This deepens the bond with Sephiroth as they share in each other’s pain and resolve, through their soul-link that binds them together. Together, they build a path towards a new reality where they can accomplish their goals: a world and a Omniverse without humanity.

As they support each other through shared struggles, her nurturing side heals the wounds of her past. While her traumatic experiences with Asmodeus and Shinra might suggest an unending darkness, Bianca draws strength from those memories. She sees Sephiroth not as a weapon of revenge, but as a partner in a shared journey towards a new creation. Her aim to reshape the Omniverse reflects her belief in renewal and growth, albeit without humanity. Her fusion with demonic and Jenova cells, as well as her celestial blood once it reawakens, becomes a catalyst for rebirth rather than destruction, as she seeks to create a space for both her and Sephiroth’s complex natures to coexist in harmony.

Bianca’s journey symbolizes her evolution from trauma to purpose. Her nature was once the source of her suffering, but it now becomes a balanced source of power and acceptance. By channeling her past into constructive but destructive change, she finds self-worth and fulfillment not just in her role beside Sephiroth, but in the potential for a recreated reality free from the cruelty of humans and their past. Her journey is one of love, resilience, and transformative strength that comes from truly knowing one self. I hope my readers will take away that even the darkest experiences can build something beautiful.

tagging some fellow mutuals: @themaradwrites @serenofroses @megandaisy9 @watermeezer

@nightingaleflow @seastarblue @prehistoric-creatures @creativechaosqueen

@chickensarentcheap @serenofroses

[bardic-tales]

Nurturing November: Day 12: Personality

Throughout this month, I’ll be sharing character-building exercises that I have completed that will bring out my ocs’ more tender sides. This can be anything from snippets to oc questions to character analysis.

Content Warning: abuse, captivity, complex trauma, dark themes, experimentation, graphic violence, manipulation, medical trauma, moral ambiguity, obsessive love, PTSD, self-destruction, torture, trauma bonding, vengeance

Bianca is a complex figure whose celestial and demonic traits blend into a unique mix of intense loyalty, resilience, and even cunning. Her devotion is all-consuming in an almost Hades-and-Persephone dynamic that drives her to adopt dramatic behavior and histrionic tendencies. Though this attachment is a significant flaw, leading her to sacrifice her moral compass and justify harmful actions, it also reveals her deep capacity for love in commitment. Her motivations stem from this devotion: her desire to protect and elevate Sephiroth into the godlike being he sees himself goes hand in hand with her quest for vengeance against those who have wronged both of them.

Her greatest fears are losing Sephiroth and reliving the torture she endured at the hands of her father, Asmodeus, and Shinra’s labs. These fears make her hyper-vigilant and protective, with a strong, almost unbreakable resolve. She’s convinced that Sephiroth’s actions and plans for Gaia are justified, arguing that humanity who is prone to corruption, doesn’t deserve a place in the new Omniverse Bianca creating.

Despite her traumatic past, Bianca’s strength lies in her ability to continue fighting for her goals — as misguided as they may be — and staying true to her bond with Sephiroth. She embraces her power, even in its darker aspects, to stand firm in an Omniverse that has tried to break her time and time again. While she may be deeply wounded, she is very relentless: living a life that can be full of contradiction, as she is both a terrifying and tender character.

[bardic-tales]

Nurturing November: Day 11: Mental and Emotional Health

Throughout this month, I’ll be sharing character-building exercises that I have completed that will bring out my ocs’ more tender sides. This can be anything from snippets to oc questions to character analysis.

Content Warning: abuse, confinement, genetic manipulation, medical trauma, mental health disorders, PTSD, psychological trauma, self-identity crisis, severe physical trauma, vivisection

Bianca Moore’s mental and emotional health is shaped by a brutal past filled with trauma that affects her to her core. Her experiences with Shinra’s Project N, an offshoot of Project S and the Jenova Project, left her deeply scarred physically and psychologically. The experiments, which included vivisection, genetic manipulation, and exposure to both S and Jenova cells caused her to fall from Grace. These traumas contributed to Bianca developing severe PTSD, with symptoms that include panic attacks triggered by medical settings and a deep-seated fear of confinement. The severance from her celestial blood, brought on by the fusion of demonic cells with Jenova and S-cells, destabilized her identity and introduced new psychological complexities, such as heightening her vulnerability to Sephiroth’s own influence.

Bianca’s coping mechanisms reflect her struggle to balance self-preservation with an intense attachment to Sephiroth. Her devotion to him became an emotional anchor, helping her avoid complete despair, but also amplified his control over her psyche with her demonic blood, vying for control and asserting dominance over the alien cells in her bloodstream now.

Her attachment to him took on a histrionic quality, as Bianca’s actions often became dramatic and intense, as she focused on maintaining his attention and approval. Her coping is a blend of clinging to Sephiroth for emotional stability and fueling her desire for vengeance against humanity and Shinra, for what they did to her and Sephiroth, which helps channel her trauma into purpose, albeit one driven by darkness.

[bardic-tales]

Nurturing November: Day 5: character design

Throughout this month, I’ll be sharing character-building exercises that I have completed that will bring out my ocs’ more tender sides. This can be anything from snippets to oc questions to character analysis.

For Bianca’s winter look, she wears an oversized, chunky-knit sweater in grey. The longer sleeves add to a cozy feel when paired with her cable-knit mittens. She wears cream-colored slacks. Bianca trades in her signature cream-colored trench coat for one that has a detachable faux-fur collar and cuffs for extra warmth.

Her makeup is soft. She uses a rosy blush and a neutral eyeshadow base with a wash of light champagne or ivory on the eyes. She uses a few coats of mascara, giving her lashes a natural lift. Her lower lashes feature a silver eyeliner. Bianca applies a fine silver glitter to her eyelids that shimmers when the light hits her just right. For her lips, she uses a soft, nude pink gloss. Finally, she finishes her makeup with a light dusting of glitter across her cheeks.

Bianca’s accessories include her mirrored sunglasses that she always has on and a woolen beanie with a fluffy pom-pom. She wears sheepskin boots with fur trim. When she is inside, she wears thick cabin socks. She still styles her hair in a half-updo, securing it with the white ribbon that symbolizes her bond with Sephiroth.

She wears a necklace with a black angel wing trinket that serves as a reminder of Sephiroth around her neck.

[bardic-tales]

Nurturing November: Day 10: Likes / Dislikes / Hobbies / Unique Quirks

Throughout this month, I’ll be sharing character-building exercises that I have completed that will bring out my ocs’ more tender sides. This can be anything from snippets to oc questions to character analysis.

🎃 Autumn

Likes: Crisp air, pumpkin spice, deep conversations, cozy firesides, falling leaves, haunted forests, leather jackets, Halloween, spiced cider, vintage candles, full moons, Gothic novels, midnight walks, graveyards, tarot readings, witchy aesthetics, silent films, black cats, overcast skies, autumn storms, enchanted amulets, mysterious libraries, spiced apple, Sephiroth’s autumn scent, nostalgia.

Dislikes: Bright orange hues, pumpkin carving mess, loud Halloween parties, crowds in haunted houses, plastic holiday decor, kids’ trick-or-treating noise, candy corn, leaf blowers, sudden cold snaps, sticky caramel, crowded bonfires, plastic witch hats, artificial pumpkin scents, bright LED lights, tacky Halloween decorations, noisy hayrides, costumed mascots, Halloween pranks, candy apples, overly cheerful fall decor, burning leaves, overly commercialized Halloween, loud trick-or-treaters

Hobbies: Carving intricate designs into apples, night bonfires, collecting fallen Sephiroth feathers, moon-gazing, gathering herbs, reading classic horror tales, spell crafting, graveyard strolls, seasonal tarot readings, leaf pressing, gothic poetry writing, charm-making, potion brewing, drawing eerie autumn landscapes, collecting vintage spell books, writing letters in sepia ink, walking on misty paths, creating spooky story collections, candle-making, exploring haunted lore, knitting with indigo yarn, arranging fallen leaves, visiting abandoned buildings, stargazing.

Unique Quirks: Whispering incantations at dusk, leaving mysterious symbols near forest paths, singing to the moon, murmuring to leaves as they fall, gathering shadows on misty evenings, polishing her nails to blood-red stiletto for the season, always carrying an autumn-scented satchel, letting smoky eyeliner be more intense in autumn, watching thunderstorms, covering mirrors on Halloween, watching for foxes at night (before Gaia).

❄️ Winter

Likes: Snowflakes, silence of snowfall, vintage wool coats, starlit nights, the quiet of deep winter, Sephiroth’s voice in the middle of the night, midnight skies, fur-lined gloves, frozen ponds, hot mulled wine, Victorian ghost stories, roaring fires, candle-lit rooms, snow-covered forests, shadows cast by moon on snow, whispered secrets, celestial observances, cold air against her skin, lunar halos, frost-covered roses, moonlit snow trails, deep quietness, nostalgia for another life, ice patterns on glass.

Dislikes: Sudden winter storms as she develops hypothermia quicker than mortals, loud winter festivals, overly sweet treats, artificial winter decor, bright Christmas lights, forced holiday cheer, wet slush, crowded town squares, garish holiday colors, overly bright reds and greens, loud holiday music, crowded shops, plastic ornaments, wool that’s too scratchy, icy sidewalks, holiday parades, open fires in close rooms, bright winter sun on snow, Christmas carolers, ice on eyelashes, sticky candy canes, forced cheeriness.

Hobbies: Snow walking at midnight, crystal scrying, collecting snowflakes on black silk, polishing Noctemaris in moonlight, freezing herbs in ice trays for spells, sipping hot herbal teas, reading ancient tomes by candlelight, singing softly under snowfalls, creating “frozen” spell bottles, knitting scarves and gloves, making hot ciders, meditative breathing in frigid air, practicing spells that “crystallize” the air, writing eerie winter tales, sketching frost patterns, collecting animal tracks in snow, meditating under starlit winter skies, crafting snowflake-shaped charms, watching snow-covered landscapes, visiting frozen lakes, collecting small icicles, observing Sephiroth’s quiet form in winter light.

Unique Quirks: Always carrying a vial of dark winter air, leaving small feather prints in the snow, running fingers over Sephiroth’s feathers for warmth, polishing blood-red nails against black silk, weaving shadowy patterns into fresh snow, humming winter lullabies, wrapping her scarf like a ritual, reading under winter stars, whispering into icy breezes, adjusting her trench coat against wind, murmuring old spells that “freeze” moments, melting ice with her fingertip.

🎄 Winter Holidays (Christmas and Other Winter Holidays)

Likes: Antique holiday decor, silver bells, vintage holiday cards, velvet ribbons, candlelight, Sephiroth's reflection in snow, dark evergreen trees, quiet holiday mornings, solitude by a roaring fire, the scent of winter spices, moonlit snow-covered forest paths, vintage holiday songs, quiet exchanges, ancient holiday tales, wreaths made of real pine, handmade gifts, secrecy in gifting, stars shining brighter on holidays, dark holly berries, fallen snow glistening in lantern light, seasonal spiced cider, silence of holy nights, Sephiroth’s voice in winter air, mysterious holiday lore.

Dislikes: Tinsel, gaudy holiday decorations, too-sweet holiday treats, bright holiday lights, noisy gatherings, loud jingling bells, synthetic holiday scents, forced holiday cheer, fake snow, modern carolers, crowded markets, overly cheerful greetings, glittery ornaments, sticky candy canes, gift-wrapped boxes with plastic bows, plastic poinsettias, overly warm fireplaces, bright decorations, holiday-themed commercials, crowded holiday parties, holiday cheer parades, loud New Year’s fireworks, plastic Christmas trees.

Hobbies: Gathering fresh pine, handcrafting holiday wreaths, leaving gifts under moonlight, quiet holiday prayers, writing short tales by firelight, visiting dark, quiet groves, filling small vials with “holiday essence” scents, listening to winter winds, reading old holiday folklore, mixing spiced cider blends, hand-stitching indigo scarves, creating herbal-infused hot drinks, painting winter holiday scenes, arranging Sephiroth feathers in evergreens, quietly singing dark lullabies, sketching Sephiroth by holiday light, hiding small trinkets, carving charms in the frost, tracking snowflakes on glass, wrapping candles in holiday colors, keeping rituals around midnight, quiet meditations near the fire.

Unique Quirks: Writing her wishes on ice with a single feather, humming holiday songs and sharing them with Sephiroth, keeping holiday nights darker than usual, capturing frost in small vials, keeping her nail polish deeper red, dancing by firelight, sketching small snow charms in the dark, faintly scenting letters with winter herbs, crafting silent charms, staring at winter stars longer, lighting small fires.

[bardic-tales]

Nurturing November: Day 6: dialogue and speech

Throughout this month, I’ll be sharing character-building exercises that I have completed that will bring out my ocs’ more tender sides. This can be anything from snippets to oc questions to character analysis.

Bianca’s voice undergoes a subtle transformation when she lets her guard down in rare, vulnerable moments. This usually happens around Sephiroth. Her usual tone is rich and dripping with seduction, but it softens when she is vulnerable. In these intimate moments, her voice sheds some of its calculated seduction and adopts a warmth and sincerity that she only reveals to him. This change is very slight, but it is also unmistakable. For someone like Bianca, who is used to controlling her tone, allowing a gentler inflection reflects upon her trust and connection with Sephiroth.

This softer tone is evident when she expresses how much she loves him or she relates to his past with her own tragic past, revealing a side of her that is painful to acknowledge. The huskiness in her voice is remains, but it has a certain vulnerability to it: often sincere. Her words come slower. She lets her voice drop to a near-whisper. This gives her voice a gentleness that contrasts with her typical strong, commanding presence and reminiscent of Sarah, her surrogate mother, used to talk.

In these moments, Bianca yearns for a connection. Her voice reflects this. While her natural smokiness is there, she allows honesty to creep into it. It is a tone that few will ever hear. Sephiroth’s presence seems to disuse her usual defenses, allowing her to communicate feelings to him that she has never felt before. With this and the knowledge that she reserves this tone only for him, he glimpses into her inner world — one that is shaped by pain, betrayal, longing but often softened by her love for him.

[bardic-tales]

Nurturing November: Day 2: Alignment and Morality

Throughout this month, I’ll be sharing character-building exercises that I have completed that will bring out my ocs’ more tender sides. This can be anything from snippets to oc questions to character analysis.

Content Warning: abuse, betrayal, death, emotional trauma, isolation, loss, mental health struggles, self-reliance, toxic relationships, trauma.

In moments of vulnerability, Bianca wrestles with the dissonance between her steadfast beliefs and the grim realities that define her existence. Her past, marred by betrayal and loss, had shaped a rigid worldview where self-sufficiency is paramount. This independence shields her from the pain of reliance on others, yet it isolates her in a world full of emotional peril.

As she confronts her fears and the harsh truth of her life — particularly the betrayals that led her to distrust even the most sincere relationships — she often finds herself at a crossroads. The moment forces her to reflect on the walls she has erected around her heart, recognize that while those walls may be protective, that they are also her prison.

Despite her instinct to maintain a stoic front, the weight of her experiences compel her to acknowledge her longer for the connection that every being in Fantasy Worlds Collide feels, including celestials. In her heart, she years for the warmth of intimacy and the solace that comes with truly knowing someone else. As she often recalls the emotional bonds she forged with Krista and Mordecai, the memories often evoke an ache within her. The betrayal by Krista particularly serves as a painful reminder of what happens when one opens their heart to someone, but Sephiroth and his devotion to her, even in his madness, illustrates the depth of her own capacity to love.

In Fantasy Worlds Collide, it is forbidden for celestial beings to fall in love with mortal beings. As Bianca fell in love with Sephiroth when he was a mortal, she was exiled from the Celestial Realm. This ethereal space becomes a testament to the possibility of love and trust, helping Bianca reconcile her beliefs about independence, understanding that connection can foster resilience and growth rather than weakness.

Ultimately, these moments of introspection leads Bianca to a tentative acceptance of her vulnerabilities. She recognizes that allowing herself to be open with others is a pathway to healing and becoming stronger. Though few, her relationships are profound, and she learns that each connection carries the potential to transform her from a being of isolation, even though the later Final Fantasy 7 arc has her in complete isolation with only Sephiroth as company, to a narrative of mutual support and trust.

This realization will ignite a glimmer of hope within her, motivating her to confront her fears and embrace the complexities of loving someone like Sephiroth and all of his villainous tendencies, knowing that true strength lies in resilience and the vulnerability she shares with him.

[bardic-tales]

Nurturing November: Day 1: Abilities & Powers

Nurturing November is a month dedicating to exploring the more softer and heartfelt side of my OCs. This event is all about diving into the gentleness, warmth, and small acts of kindness that may go unnoticed by me and others amid the larger story arcs.

For me, this is a chance to discover more of their positive traits and what makes them a well-rounded character. It's a month that is just open for my ocs and only on @bardic-tales.

About Nurturing November: Throughout this month, I'll be sharing character-building exercises that I have completed that will bring out my ocs' more tender sides. This can be anything from snippets to oc questions to character analysis.

In theory, Arial Ascension embodies the essence of hope and empowerment. As Bianca unfurls her wings -- white with inlays of gold -- an atmosphere of tranquility engulfs the battlefield and her allies. At the height of her ascension, her presence radiates a soothing aura that transcends mere physical support. It penetrates the hearts of all who witness it, and, as a result, it fills them with renewed courage and confidence.

Each powerful flap of her wings generates invigorating gusts that brush against skin and feels like a warm, summer’s breeze. In this moment, these are not mere soldiers or warriors in a fight but participants in a larger purpose. They are inspired to fight to their fullest under the protective light of Bianca’s ascendancy.

The psychological impact resonates deeply within Bianca’s companions, offering not only a tactical advantage, but it nurtures their spirits and fortifies their resolve. As she soars gracefully above the battle, she becomes a beacon of hope. Allies feel an unexplainable bond to her, a sense of shared strength that fuels their determination to fight against the demonic darkness of Asmodeus and the other demons.

However, as she is still learning her powers throughout all of Fantasy Worlds Collide, she can only keep up this ability for a short amount of time. At the time of her crossing dimensions, she was in training for 3 years.