#salice bourbeau

[ilyeahdevorak]

rare pic of cozy salice

yes she wears glasses. yes she hates them.

made using this picrew

[sisi-halloway]

Prentiss aesthetics for

@apprentice-isolde Isolde

@scribblingella Isabella Zieragh

@ilyeahdevorak Salice Bourbeau

I hope y'all like

[ilyeahdevorak]

My oc Salice Bourbeau, colored 🧡

[ilyeahdevorak]

Introducing: Salice Bourbeau

Full Name: Salice Edelynn Bourbeau

Pronouns: She/her

Nationality: Joint Vesuvian/Eparalian

Zodiac (sun) sign: Cancer

Rising sign: Sagittarius 

Moon sign: Taurus

Familiars: Twin cats named Louisa and Liesel. Louisa is a white cat with black paws, ears, and tail while Liesel is a black cat with white markings in the same places. 

Talents:

Magic: Salice has a strong connection to the metaphysical aspects of magic. Her talents in alchemy and artifacts are subpar, but she excels in divination and transmutation. Surprisingly, she also makes excellent potions- but that has to do more with her ability to imbue potions with her intent rather than actual potion-making.

Languages: Since Salice’s father was an ambassador, he made sure Salice was well-versed in languages so that she could properly represent her family. She can speak French, Italian, English, Arabic, and Hindi fairly well. She also has a little knowledge of some of the Steppeland languages, but didn't complete her training in them before leaving to Emfiteuza.

Others: Again, with traditional parents, Salice was brought up with the knowledge that she would be representing her family. Thus, she was taught how to sew, cook, dance, draw, sing, and play a few musical instruments (although she was dreadfully bad at them). Generally, Salice disliked the visual arts (except for, perhaps, baking). However, she found herself drawn to literature. Additionally, while Salice despised the stiff ballroom dancing lessons her parents made her endure, she found that she quite liked dancing on her own terms.

Favorites:

Favorite Drink: Spiced Chai Latte

Favorite Food: Beignets with honey

Favorite Flower: Lily

Favorite Season: Winter

Favorite Color: Purple

Favorite Activities: Reading, writing, cooking/baking, dancing, swimming

Other things about Salice:

Her aesthetic

Her past:

Salice was born in Vesuvia to Ilarial and Claude Bourbeau. Her father, Claude Bourbeau, lived in Eparale- a small country on the southern coast of Venterre. He amassed his fortune and power as the Eparalian ambassador to Vesuvia. With his silver tongue and talent for subtle manipulation, he quickly secured a trade deal between Vesuvia and Eparale. He met Salice’s mother, Ilarial, who was Vesuvian by birth, while visiting the city-state. Ilarial and Claude were drawn together by their equally traditional values. They courted quickly and were married within four months- not necessarily for love, but for the fact that neither thought they would find a better match.

Salice was Ilarial and Claude’s first child (for most of Salice’s life, she was their only child- they had Salice’s brother after Salice disappeared from Emfiteuza). Having very traditional parents, Salice was raised to be a “proper young lady-” so she was thoroughly educated on proper etiquette, singing, ballroom dancing, sewing, drawing, and cooking. Her father also made sure she was able to speak an array of languages; Salice often accompanied her father and mother on trips to foreign countries and, as the ambassador’s daughter, was required to make a good impression in a variety of languages. 

Salice was by no means the perfect ambassador’s daughter. She was clumsy in ballroom dancing, her voice warbled in singing, and she couldn’t play a tune on a violin to save her life. Perhaps worst of all, she questioned everything.

Whereas her parents were structured, Salice found no clear reason to follow the beaten path. She had an insatiable curiosity that often bothered her by-the-book, unquestioning parents. Claude and Ilarial had a difficult time convincing Salice to do anything she thought wasn't worthwhile. This is partly what encouraged Salice’s love of literature and all things intellectual- she found her curiosity validated in books. 

Neither Ilarial nor Claude had any strong magical ability- and they didn't want to have any. So, when Salice’s magic appeared when she was 15, they tried to tame it for as long as they could. Salice’s magic, just like her books and writings, were repulsive to her parents. But Salice was nothing if not persistent; eventually, when Salice accidentally leveled a whole section of Ilarial’s precious rosebushes, her parents knew they could not ignore Salice’s magic any longer. Salice’s cousin, Amelie Cortot, was also a magician and was learning magic at Emfiteuza, a magical academy off the coast of Eparale. So, at the age of 18, Salice’s parents decided to send her to Emfiteuza- which had a reputation for rigidity- in hopes of taming her out-of-control personality.

Emfiteuza was exactly what Salice’s parents wanted. It didn’t just tame Salice- it broke her.

Emfiteuza was a school without morality. It valued perfection above all else; they made perfect magicians who cast perfect spells and brewed perfect potions. And to be perfect magicians, they had to be all-powerful. At Emfiteuza, power was a necessity; there were no limits to what the students were allowed- and encouraged- to do to achieve their “true potential.” The ends always justified the means. And if you couldn’t stomach the rigorous curriculum, you were transferred to the mysterious lower levels of the castle to be used as a conduit.

Emfiteuza was Salice’s own personal hell. It was a constant reminder that she was not living up to expectations; she wasn’t as calloused, practiced, or obedient as the other magicians. She was, as her cousin had put it, “soft”. But Salice knew she couldn’t fall behind. If she did, she’d disappear to the lower levels, never to be seen again. She didn’t want to be the cruel magician the others had become, but she didn’t want to fail- above all else, she wanted to make it out of Emfiteuza alive, and make her own life for herself away from her parents.

But as time went on and Salice was forced to sink deeper and deeper into darkness, a voice grew in her head telling her that what she was doing was wrong. With each day that passed, it became clearer and clearer that Emfiteuza was corrupting her; and if she didn't escape from its influence, she would be crushed.

One year before her graduation, bone-tired and emotionally spent, Salice made a desperate decision: she decided to leave Emfiteuza. 

In the hours of an early morning, Salice made her escape to the nearest city that would harbor her: Vesuvia. She bartered passage on a pirate ship by pretending to be a doctor, where she met her first friend: another pirate/doctor named Julian Devorak.

To say that life in Vesuvia has been an adjustment for Salice would be an understatement. However, her talents have not gone to waste- and with the upcoming Red Plague, Salice will need all of her strength to conquer what lies ahead.

[ilyeahdevorak]

Beneath the Waves- Prologue

Mermaid!Julian Devorak/OC

Chapter 1

summary: After seven years of pupilship at Emfiteuza Academy in Eparale, Salice Bourbeau only saw one acceptable ending to her education: she had to flee. However, when a storm ruins her escape off the coast of Vesuvia, she’s rescued from certain death by a mysterious creature.

alright y'all this is entirely self-serving and will be a wild ride so pls enjoy

My feet slipped on the sea-and-rain slicked stones as I ran in the cover of dawn. My thin night slippers were ill-equipped to navigate Emfiteuza’s studded shoreline, but they were quiet in the castle. That had served me well; I’d slipped out the servants’ door and traversed the narrow pathway to the docks unnoticed. Still, my heart was like thunder as I ran. If the sea spray lessened for a second, if I didn’t reach the schooners before the sun was fully risen, if someone intercepted me before I’d cast off the docks, I would suffer much worse than a traitor’s brand.

Suddenly, a burst of ocean water crashed against the rocks and doused the rocky trail. My slick shoes slipped against the rocks and I fell with a gasp. My pack slipped from shoulders, various items tumbling out to the rocks. A few apples went rolling into the ocean, bobbing back towards the castle like a crimson trail. I glanced towards the sun rising on the horizon and cursed; I'd have to leave them behind. Gathering the little supplies close enough to reach, I stuffed them into my sack and continued my mad dash for the docks.

Across the misty bay, Mistress Diana Hallewell watched a figure dart in and out of the fog with narrowed eyes. Her hands clasped in front of her tighter than normal, her body poised with unnatural stillness. Beside her, Amelie Cortot fidgeted nervously. “Should we- should we perhaps signal the Council?” She whispered. 

“No.” Mistress Diana replied without explanation. She kept her steely eyes trained on the figure until, bobbing through the mist in the stormy ocean, came three red apples.

Mistress Diana Hallewell smiled. She raised an elegant hand, ice-blue magic curling around her fingertips, and shot a flare into the stormy sky that exploded into red. She breathed deep, the red light casting her face in bloodied shadows, and smiled.

As the flare rose, my stomach dropped. For a moment I just watched it rise, but then it exploded in a burst of red and all I knew was that I had to run like my life depended on it.

Small sparks of red began to fall towards the ocean. I dodged the sparks best I could. They were one of Mistress Hallewell’s best tricks- If the sparks touched your skin, the spell caster could locate you wherever you were.

I let out an involuntary yelp as a red spark hit the ground next to me and skittered across the rocks. Where are the docks?!

There! Through the mist I spotted a cluster of small schooners bobbing in the storm. I stumbled towards the nearest boat, fingers reaching for the nearest rope, and froze.

I realized I didn’t know how to sail.

A spark landed in the water next to me and I let go of the rope. It was no matter; I’d make do. My hands glowed citrine and my magic flared out across the boat. The sail dropped, buoys flew from the water, and the boat lurched away from the dock.

Suddenly, a fierce whistle pierced the air. I smelled the bitter tang of acidic smoke and flung up a shield just in time to meet a red spark.

Heart hammering, I let the shield drop as the spark slid into the water. I plunged my hand into the water and my magic surged forth again, propelling the boat away with a sudden jolt towards the open ocean. I looked back towards Emfiteuza and caught sight of two figures standing resolute on the rocky shore: A nervous blonde- my cousin- and Mistress Hallewell, whose icy gaze seemed to capture my gaze despite the harbor yawning between us. I shuddered.

Mistress Hallewell raised her arms. The harbor seemed to shudder as if under a tremendous weight. A faint light began to shine in the water below Mistress Hallewell’s feet. For a moment, all was silent, until the water exploded with a force like a great beast and a tidal wave raced across the harbor directly towards me.

I desperately pumped magic into the water in a last ditch effort, pushing the boat forward with a burst of speed. I had just cleared the end of the bay when I dared to turn and look, just in time to see the inevitable wave of crushing blue come crashing on my head.

Read Chapter 1

[ilyeahdevorak]

Beneath the Waves- Part 1

Mermaid!Julian Devorak/OC

summary: After seven years of pupilship at Emfiteuza Academy in Eparale, Salice Bourbeau only saw one acceptable ending to her education: she had to flee. However, when a storm ruins her escape off the coast of Vesuvia, she’s rescued from certain death by a mysterious creature.

read the prologue

Mistress Hallewell raised her arms. The harbor seemed to shudder as if under a tremendous weight. A faint light began to shine in the water below Mistress Hallewell’s feet. For a moment, all was silent, until the water exploded with a force like a great beast and a tidal wave raced across the harbor directly towards me.

I desperately pumped magic into the water in a last ditch effort, pushing the boat forward with a burst of speed. I had just cleared the end of the bay when I dared to turn and look, just in time to see the inevitable wave of crushing blue come crashing on my head.

I kept my eyes firmly closed against the compulsion keeping my limbs firmly glued to my sides. Each breath was a tremendous, painful effort. Waves of Mistress Hallewell’s magic washed over me continuously, forcing me to stay still- completely still- unless I was strong enough to resist.

“Open your eyes.” Mistress Hallewell’s steely voice commanded.

I found myself unable to. “I- I can’t.” I replied, a slight waver in my voice.

“You can,” Mistress Hallewell snapped. “You’re not trying.”

My fingers twitched at my sides, a pitiful shadow of the way I commanded my body to move. I gasped as the pressure on my chest suddenly tightened.

“How about now?” Mistress Hallewell sneered.

“Come on, Salice, you’re making us all wait!” My cousin whispered furtively from my side.

“I’m- I’m-” My words were cut off with a soft gasp as Mistress Hallewell’s magic compelled me to stop every movement, every slight muscle twitch- every rise and fall of my chest.

“Salice!” My cousin hissed.

“Any day now, Miss Bourbeau!”

A strangled scream tore through my throat and I summoned every ounce of strength I had. Wrenching open my eyes, I saw... nothing. Just blue sky. For a moment, I just lay there- wherever that was- and let my lungs refill with air. I was shaking, my breathing coming in heaving, shuddering gasps that prevented the panic from leaving my bones.

I closed my eyes, forcing a deep breath of air through my nose. I wasn’t at Emfiteuza anymore. I never had to see Mistress Hallewell and that wretched castle ever again if I chose.

I spent a quiet moment pushing the memory to the side, then opened my eyes and pushed myself up to a sitting position. I found that I was laying on the edge of a pristine beach, waves gently lapping at my toes. White sand stretched around bends on either side of me, backing up to a lush jungle of massive trees and thick foliage. I returned my gaze to the water, eyes skimming the horizon for any sign of civilization, but found none.

It was strangely humid. I wondered if I’d washed up near Prakra... Eparale was fairly close to Prakra’s southern sea ports, and the climate was fairly similar to that of Prakra’s (although, I hadn’t been to Prakra for many years, so my judgement may have been off). If I I really was in Prakra, I could make my way to the nearest port town and make my way to the capital to plead for asylum. If anyone would be sympathetic to my cause, it would be the famously benevolent Satrinava family.

I pitched forward, ignoring the dull ache in my chest, and stood. My legs wobbled slightly in the uneven sand. However, I knew I couldn’t waste time waiting for my body to catch up with my brain; Mistress Hallewell was likely already sending out scouts to catch me. Escaping Emfiteuza was only the first act of my escape- I had to leave Eparale completely, disappear into a nearby country that could protect me from Emfiteuza and its ruthless Council. If I did not secure my safety, the council would surely track me down and drag me back to that jagged castle. I’d once again have to wander its dark hallways, cloudy with the souls of the damned...

Amelie would call me selfish. Her brother, Antony, would call me cowardly. But they were corrupted with thoughts of power. Morality was no longer a thought in their magic. Mistress Hallewell was finally making them like her- cold, calloused, and willing to do whatever necessary to get what they wanted.

I grit my teeth. I didn’t have the stomach for that kind of magic. Perhaps I was simply too soft, as Antony claimed, but a part of me couldn’t help but find that a good thing.

I hardened my jaw reflexively and banished all thoughts of Emfiteuza. If all went to plan, I would never have to think of that wretched place again.

I decided to head along the beach to the north. A breeze swept across the beach, cooling my skin, and I felt my body start to relax. For now, I was completely alone. 

I peeled off my grey Emfiteuza pelisse, the fabric slightly brittle from the seawater, and dropped it to the sand. The air was warm enough to keep me comfortable without it, and the lost weight felt like releasing myself from a pair of shackles I hadn’t realized I was wearing. 

Next came my boots. I tied the laces together and slung the shoes over my shoulder, sinking my bare toes into the surprisingly soft sand. My spirits lifted with the sudden lightness. I breathed in the salty air once more, letting it harden into steely resolve in my bones, before I exhaled and set my sights on the beach in front of me.

By some incredible chance, I had escaped Emfiteuza. The Arcana had decided I was someone who deserved to survive. Even if it meant I had to drag myself to Prakra on one foot, I wouldn’t waste the chance I was given.

I set off down the beach.

~~~

An hour had passed and it seemed I had made it no closer to any sort of civilization. The shoreline seemed never-ending, curving around the jungle in a forever ongoing spiral. I marked my path as I went with markings left in the sand near the jungle. The only thing that pushed me onwards was the knowledge that I hadn’t rounded on any of my previous markers- meaning, I had to trust that I wasn’t going in circles.

However, something was distracting from keeping track of the markers. I kept catching glimpses of a strange black shape in the water. It was only for a moment, only out of the corner of my eye, but I was sure there was something there. Sometimes it would be a flash of black, or a shadow under the waves, but it gave me the eeriest feeling that I was being watched.

I kept my eyes trained on the sea as I walked, hoping to catch a glimpse of whatever was following me. I was so engrossed in my search that I didn’t even notice my next obstacle: a hulking pile of rocks, at least 3 heads high.

I stopped, surprise flitting over my features. A huge rockslide had cut through the landscape, trailing all the way from a large mountain to the sea. I could see traces of black magma embedded in the stone- so it was an eruption, then, rather than a rockslide?

“Are you going to try and climb that?” A voice suddenly called from behind me.

Panic flared through my chest and I whirled around, magic flaring to my fingertips defensively. I raised my hand, a fireball brewing in my palm, and fixed the figure before me with the meanest look I can muster. “If you’re here to take me back to Emfiteuza, don’t even think about it.”

The man before me raised his hands defensively and fixed me with a quizzical look. “Is that where you’re from? Empesuza?” He asked. His face was sharp, built of beautifully sculpted cheekbones and a sloping nose. Curly auburn hair haloed his face beautifully. Under his hair, one grey eye twinkled at me- the other was covered with a black eyepatch. He had the beauty of a sharp-cut gem and the swagger of a pirate.

I narrowed my eyes. “Emfiteuza.” I corrected him. “And if you think that’s going to fool me, you’re sorely mistaken. There’s no point in lying to me- we both know there’s only one reason why you could be here.”

The man cocked his head. “I assure you, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I washed up here a few weeks ago- I was shipwrecked. Like you, I assume.”

His words made me pause. The flame in my hand faltered. “A few weeks? Why haven’t you reached the nearest village yet?”

The man looked confused, and then suddenly sorrowful. “Ah, I see. That’s why you were...” He caught my eye, guilt simmering in his gaze, and sighed as if defeated. His shoulders slumped and he pushed a hand through his messy hair. “There aren’t any towns near us. There’s nothing near us- we’re on an island in the middle of the ocean.”

My heart skipped a beat and my flame died in my hand. A soft “oh” escaped my lips. 

A remorseful expression painted the strangers face and I quickly straightened my posture, rearranging my features into a look of nonchalance.

“Well,” I swallowed uncomfortably, clasping my hands behind my back. “That certainly explains a lot.”

The man cracked a smile. “I was wondering when you’d figure it out.”

My face flushed with embarrassment. “I was simply exploring my surroundings- there’s nothing shameful in that.”

The man laughed. “Who ever said anything about shame?” He extended a hand, an amused glimmer in his eye. “I’m Julian.”

Tentatively, I shook Julian’s hand. His large hand enclosed my small one in a warm embrace, gripping me with a grounding steadiness. “Salice Bourbeau.”

Julian bent down slowly, keeping eye contact with me as he raised my hands to his lips and brushed a soft kiss over my knuckles. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Madame Bourbeau.”