legendia cmo - jay & shirley

[scallopstrategist]

SHIRLEY FENNES
Shirley is the latest incarnation of the Merines, a legendary figure whose presence throughout history has changed the face of the world she lives in. She was born to lead her people, the Ferines, out from hiding in the margins of society and into a new era of prosperity. She has spent the last three years of her life in near complete isolation, hiding from the violent military powers on the Mainland who want to use her power as a tool of war.

Despite this, Shirley is a kindhearted and gentle person at heart who hates to see others suffering and wants to bring happiness to the people around her. Although she's shy and somewhat awkward around others, she yearns for connection and companionship beyond her role and responsibilities as the Merines.

JAY THE UNSEEN
In Werites Beacon, everyone knows about Jay the Unseen: he's who you contact if you want information about the Legacy, its ruins, and the people who have come to call it home. But he's incredibly cautious, communicating strictly through anonymous letters, so nobody has seen him face-to-face. In actuality, the most reliable source of information on the Legacy is a strange young boy and the village of talking sea otters who took him in. Jay considers himself the de facto guardian of the Oresoren and, although he's loath to get involved in the Mainland's messy politics, he will do anything and everything in his power to protect them and ensure their safety.

Incorrigibly nosy, insatiably curious, and remarkably intelligent, Jay always tries to stay several steps ahead of the people around him as a matter of principle. Because he keeps his own cards so close to his chest, he often comes off as fickle and capricious-- especially in the way he likes to manipulate situations in his own favor, or just for the satisfaction of it. While Jay can be cold and callous when it comes to strangers and he has a downright caustic personality, he is also incredibly loyal and deeply devoted to the people who have managed to earn his trust.

WELCOME TO THE LEGACY
Rediscovered by chance some 15 years ago, the Legacy is a miniature continent (complete with mountains, rivers, lakes, and several unique ecosystems) that drifts aimlessly through the oceans of MelFes. It was once the home of the mysterious Kingdom of Terises, an ancient civilization of people known to modern civilization simply as "the Radiant" lead by the legendary Merines. It is covered with ruins of that past era and is completely overrun with monsters, many of them unique to the Legacy itself. As dangerous as it is beautiful, the Legacy is at the center of building conflict between the major powers of the mainland: the Crusand Empire, the Holy Kingdom of Gadoria, and the Holy Rexalian Empire.

What brought you to this strange place? Are you an iron or crystal eren come to seek your fortune as a treasure hunter? A scholar hoping to study one of the many ruins of the Kingdom of Terises, or the unique ecology of the Legacy? Or perhaps your goals are more ordinary and down to earth: you hope to escape the wars of the Mainland and build a new life for yourself in the growing town of adventurers, Werites Beacon.

Or maybe you have no idea what any of this is, because you are a stranger washed ashore from another world...

CANONPOINT CONSIDERATIONS
Shirley in particular comes in two distinct flavors. Early or pre-canon Shirley is cut off from her abilities as the Merines, a crystal eren, an Ferines. She also has a peculiar but potentially deadly allergy to the ocean that causes her to fall deathly ill when exposed to sea water, which can only be dispelled by submerging her body in fresh water. This Shirley is more withdrawn and fearful, willing to let others make most major decisions for her, although determined to fulfill her duty as the Merines despite being little more than a powerless figurehead. Post Main Quest, after Shirley accepts the title and responsibilities of the Merines on her own terms, she becomes much more open and sincere with others. Determined to create a world where Ferines and Orerines can live peacefully side-by-side, Shirley stubborn pursues her own happiness rather than solely living for the sake of others. She's learning to live on her own, make decisions for herself, and what it's like to make friends with people who see her as a person.

Jay mostly is just a sliding scale of "slightly more socialized". What a punk! Okay, it's a bit more complicated than that. But by and large, Jay is more wary and distrustful of other people during the earlier parts of canon and has been eased into the concept of friendship with actual people rather than just the Oresoren.

PROMPT/AU SUGGESTIONS
In addition to doing things on the Legacy I'm open to other settings, including creating AUs to fit Jay and Shirley into your character's canon. I'm also glad to play around in a fake jamjar setting; we can either come up with one of our own, or riff off of something we're both familiar with. Pokemon AU? Holy Grail War/FGO AU? Modern day? The sky is the limit!! Just hit me up on Plurk or the plotting comment below.

TEXTING
Don't worry about it. They have smartphones now. Isn't it incredible how 69G wireless coverage includes other dimensions???

Comments

[prayingone]

[Chloe's hand is warm. Which is a silly thing to think. Between Shirley's own mittens and Chloe's gloves, the warmth she feels is almost certainly just her imagination. Even so, Shirley's cheeks are quite rosy when she turns to smile at Chloe-- and not just from the cold.]

I'm not used to it at all. It's a little trickier than I expected, especially with the ice. But, um... [She gently squeezes Chloe's hand.] I think I'll be okay, if you're here to help me balance.

1/2

[stabbingone]

[That gentle squeeze has a stronger effect on Chloe than Shirley's full-power slap. She shifts slightly, trying to straighten up despite already having excellent posture all the time, and puts her free hand to her chest in a salute.]

I will never let you fall, Shirley.

[stabbingone]

[But when she hears her own words and thinks about her actions, she realizes a salute and such a declaration is A Little Much as a response to helping someone keep their balance on ice, even for her. Her cheeks find more red beyond the rosiness she shared with Shirley as she grows embarrassed, and after a moment, she lets out a short awkward laugh and drops the salute.]

Or something like that. At least, I am confident in my balance on snow.

[prayingone]

[Shirley's smile brightens and, with some effort, she manages not to giggle. It's really difficult, though. Chloe's declaration is a little much for what amounts to, "yes, I'll help you keep your balance". She's so gallant and charming, without even thinking about it, and then she gets flustered by her own words. The contrast is as sweet as a cup of hot chocolate.

Not for the first time, Shirley finds that she can't blame Elsa at all for getting attached to Chloe so quickly.]

Thanks, Chloe. I'll be relying on you, okay? [Shirley squeezes Chloe's hand again, then playfully swings their arms together.] And if you trip, I'll help keep you balanced too. Hopefully.

[Not that Chloe is likely to stumble. Even in conditions like this, Shirley has a hard time imagining Chloe tripping over her own feet. She's so elegant and poised, in tune with her own body and what it can do.]

"gap moe" ~ shirley

[stabbingone]

[Chloe would have understood the giggle, but she appreciates Shirley's restraint, smiling despite her embarrassment. She returns the favour by not questioning whether Shirley could do much to hold them up if Chloe did trip or if they'd just end up in a pile.]

Then I will rely on you as well, if it comes to that.

[She tentatively squeezes Shirley's hand back, as careful as if Shirley's hand were made of delicate glass, letting herself be caught up in the rhythm of the swinging arms. It's making her feel unreasonably giddy for reasons she refuses to investigate right now.]

But of course it would be best if we leave sliding on ice to skating.