✿ooc .//. Application .//. Gargleblasted
OOC:
Name: Koree
Are you over 16?: Yep! Still 28 for now. :D
Personal LJ: codenamednd
Email: fullmetalpygmy@gmail.com
Timezone: CST
Other contact: Plurk
Characters already in the game: Kushina Uzumaki, Katara
How did you find us?: Kaity (Former Minato-mun)!
IC:
Character name: Serah Farron
Fandom: Final Fantasy XIII (series)
Timeline: Chapter 13; Just around the time she'd be waking from crystal stasis on Pulse
Age: 18
~*Magical*~ abilities and strengths: Terms you'll want to know:
Fal'cie - god like protectors of Cocoon and Grand Pulse
Cocoon - the Fal'cie made world on which the bulk of the game takes place; hovers over Pulse
Gran/d Pulse - The world below in which everyone originated.
Commandos (Com.) - Offensive role with emphasis on physical attacks and related sub-skills, other roles follow Com. by default.
Ravager (Rav.) - Offensive role with emphasis on magical abilities (elemental spells)
Medic (Med.) - Defensive role, healers, can remove status ailments, restore HP, and revive fallen comrades (in game)
Saboteur (Sab.) - Offensive role, as the name suggests they focus on CAUSING status ailments to targeted enemies
Synergists (Syn.) - Defensive role, focus on giving enhancements (Haste, Enfire, Protect, etc.) and cancelling out ailments
Sentinel (Sen.) - Defensive role, focus on defense and protecting allies. Sentinels usually have high HP and are able to lessen the damage that the entire party takes.
At the point that I'm pulling Serah from she should still be a branded l'cie. As such she has access to the same six roles that the other characters in the game do (though she'll start with only three of them, and will have to gain experience to access the other three.). Her starting roles would (likely) be Ravager and Medic, followed later by Synergist, and eventually after a lot of training (level grinding /lawl): Saboteur, Commando, and Sentinel.
It should be noted too that by game canon the last three roles will take a great deal of work to acquire even the basic skills that characters starting in those roles have immediate access to (with less training). I don't know for certain that she'd realistically unlock the other three roles during her time on the Thor at all. Just noting it here in case it ever comes up.
Serah's skills as a Medic will allow her to heal others while her skills as a Ravager will allow her offensive magic for many purposes. Ravagers are able to cast water, thunder, fire, ice, and wind/air magic spells. The higher the Ravager's role level the stronger their spells become (Fire > Fira > Firaga, Thunder > Thundera > Thundaga, Water > Watera > Wateraga, etc.). The same is true for a medic's cure spell, "Cure" (Cure > Cura > Curasa > Curaja). Ravagers may also combine elemental spells and physical attacks, but are limited to four elements. These attacks are "Flamestrike", "Froststrike", "Sparkstrike", and "Aquastrike"; Fire, ice, lightning, and water respectively.
She will start at Stage One Crystarium (Link provided just explains the system in OOC terms.), with Medic and Ravager roles set at level ONE, basic spells.
How would they use their abilities?: Mostly for healing that bum of a fiance of hers, probably. Healing others, protecting herself and others, or if they can help her out with missions or around the ship then there's also that.
Appearance: Serah is a tiny little thing with cotton candy pink hair (which seems to be cut in layers at the ends), light blue eyes, and fair skin. She's 5'5", right handed, and looks pretty damn fragile though I hear she totally kicks butt in another three years.
Background: Serah was the second born daughter to unnamed parents. Her older sibling, Lightning (birth name Claire) Farron, was forced to step up and look after Serah when their parents died. It is undisclosed how old the girls were or how it happened, but presumably they were old enough to live on their own instead of being sent to some type of orphanage. From that point on things gradually began to change between the two. Lightning became an incredibly protective figure in Serah's life and it seemed to fall to Serah to be the gentler, patient one. This isn't to say that Light was abusive or rough, but as the time passed she clearly developed a stubborn, tough outer shell to the rest of the world. She became a soldier for the Guardian Corps in Bohdum, and seemed to be working quite often while Serah maintained the house and took care of most of the chores.
Sometime before the events of the game she began to date a man named Snow Villiers, now her hero fiance. His exuberant, well intended, bull headed, derpy personality seems to be a really fun balance for her mature, playful, and flexible one (It seems implied that they haven't been dating for more than a year or so given Serah's age and Lightning's reaction to the news of their sudden engagement.). This relationship has a huge impact not only on Serah's life, but the lives of pretty much everyone around them. One could pretty much reason that Serah is the catalyst that kickstarts the events of the game. Why?
In the town of Bohdum there is an ancient artifact known as a Pulse Vestige resting in the distance. It's one of the few remnants from the war five hundred years prior with Gran Pulse, but thought to be inactive and as such harmless. Unbeknownst to Serah two l'cie awakened from crystal slumber inside, and the doors to the vestige were opened. It's because of her curiosity for the structure that Serah wandered inside and became branded by the once dormant Fal'cie, Animus. The two l'cie watched over her until she awoke and then took their leave, leaving Serah to deal with the fact that she had been marked.
One thing that needs to be understood is that l'cie on Cocoon are either revered or feared, depending on what world their Fal'cie master originates from or protects. Pulse l'cie are thought to be dangerous, cold blooded monsters that will kill your children and steal your souls, and a dozen other horrible, violent things. As if that weren't bad enough l'cie are on borrowed time. L'cie who fail to fulfill their very vague focus are cursed to become Ceith, mindless monsters who truly do know only how to kill and are filled with anguish for their failed focus. Should a l'cie succeed in their focus then they're (at that time) rumored to become crystal and sleep, dreaming for the rest of eternity. No matter what way she looks it seems that her new path will take her away from Snow and Lightning's sides. Serah is reasonably dismayed by the realization.
Luckily for her she's got a stubborn man, huh?
Serah does show a strong vein of selflessness despite how terrifying it must be to face such a thing alone. She tries to break up with Snow in order to protect him from becoming entangled with a Pulse l'cie. When he pushes for a reason (proving to be much more stubborn than her, of course) she finally breaks down and confesses that she's become a l'cie, enemy of Cocoon and danger to everyone, even those she loves. Instead of taking the offered out Snow vows to stay by her side and help her figure out her focus, do whatever it takes to help her. Later on he proposes to her as well, giving Serah hope and also the courage to try to tell her sister the news on her (Light's) birthday.
Unfortunately, Lighting doesn't take it well and assumes that it's a fabrication to get her to accept the engagement. Her harsh words towards her sister send Serah from the room in tears and seems to drive she and Snow to take matters into their own hands, or try. In an effort to dig up some clues they head for the Vestige once more, where Serah is taken hostage by the Fal'cie while Snow is helpless to watch. The game picks up sometime later and Serah is only mentioned in dialogue until then.
When Snow, Lightning, and the three others dragged along for the ride (Sazh, Hope, and Vanille) end up at the heart of the Vestige they find Serah's unconscious body. When she comes to Lightning is holding her in her arms and Snow has her by the hand. She expresses her relief and her faith that they would have both come, and that they-- if anyone --could manage to protect Cocoon. She sheds a single tear and turns to crystal, having completed her focus (though none of them know what it was at the time).
There are a lot of theories as to what that focus WAS, but I believe that it wasn't her focus, so much as Serah's defiance of her fate and the resolution of doing what she felt was right in her heart instead.
According to the game's folklore and information Serah would have been left in a dreaming state for the duration of her time as a crystal, which was the course of the whole game. It's unclear if Snow carrying her crystal tear actually meant she could hear the others or not, but I choose to believe that she could, even if she couldn't understand what was going on. Either way she was with them in spirit if nothing else. Serah doesn't awaken until after the remaining party (Snow, Lightning, Hope, and Sazh) awaken from their own slumber on Pulse. She wakes presumably alongside Dahj and the two head off in the direction they are presumably guided by Fang and Vanille. Sometime between awakening and spotting the others her brand disappears completely. Just for reference I'm going by headcanon, that her brand was initially marred and frozen as Fang and the others when they prepared to face Orphan. The reason for this theory being that l'cie who have either defied their fate or tried and then defied/failed/turned away from their focus had their brands become frozen. The same thing happens in canon to all of the main characters (one of them had this happen before the game began). It fits with Serah defying her own focus to destroy Cocoon.
Personality: (I'll end up going over some of the points in the previous section again for reference.)
Serah is a very sweet girl by nature, curious, sensitive, eager to learn, but mature, soft spoken, and gentle. She's the kind of person that seems to have wisdom beyond her years as well as an unspoken inner strength belied by a sweet and fragile looking exterior. She has a lot of patience and generally she's very accommodating of others, but she shouldn't be mistaken for being a doormat. Not even her sister has seen the true depths of Serah's strength. There would have never been a need before the events in the two games and it seems unlikely that Serah showed it till then either. It's hinted at in FFXIII, but according to the introduction for FFXIII-2 Serah didn't know how to fight with weapons until learning in the sequel (though she's also apparently a very fast learner, as most video game heroes are). She's pretty much accustomed to being protected and rescued, simply because the two most important people in her life are always there, always jumping in or showing up to save the day.
Before the events of the game Serah had an interest in studying history. Her interest in the Vestige would suggest that her interest specifically lies in architectural history (or perhaps the history of artifacts, ancient history, or Pulse artifacts and Pulse itself instead) in particular and had plans to attend university at Cocoon's largest city (Eden). Later on she contemplates becoming a teacher in order to teach the recent history of Cocoon's fall to survivors (now settlers).
She and her older sister were orphaned, and they've relied on one another for support and care ever since. While Lightning (as she's calling herself now) seems to be acting as the provider Serah would be the one that acts as the support. She knows her sister works hard for their well being, hers (Serah's) more than her own. Serah is the type of girl that would work hard to pull her weight in other ways.
She seems to understand the loss, sacrifice, and personal changes that Lightning has endured following the death of their parents and tends to give the elder female room to do what she feels like she needs to do while still looking out for her as well in her own way; actually, the same could be said of anyone that Serah befriends. She's practical and thoughtful, and so long as her head is clear she's often looking out for the well being of others ahead of herself. Lightning's gift from Serah was a very nice survival knife to help protect her while on duty. It was also Serah's plea that convinced Light to take her own birthday off work.
Really, it doesn't seem like Serah asks for very much, either, perhaps in lieu of all that's happened in their lives she's simply learned to be grateful for what she has and what she can attain by her own strength.
She's clearly accustomed to Lightning's straight forward way of dealing with things with complete finality, and as close as they are because of their loss even Serah still feels fear of her sister's rejection. Though Serah understands Lightning rather well it doesn't SEEM like it's mutual. The air between the two seems to be one of patience and protection, with Serah often times following what Lightning thinks is best and Serah avoiding being willful or difficult. I think that her fear of being rejected stemmed more from the nature of the truth. Becoming a Pulse l'cie is the worst possible thing that could happen for so many reasons, just announcing the engagement alone would have been far easier. I can't begin to imagine Serah being afraid or even nervous about THAT, given that it was her decision, and something that made her happy. Light did, after all, either consent to Serah and Snow dating or had accepted that Serah was going to make her own choices in life (my money is on number two).
As to the proposal-- Admittedly the timing of announcing her engagement to Snow could have maybe been better, but upon being told of the proposal and Serah's being branded Lightning's flippant disbelief and scolding words are enough to send Serah fleeing from the room in tears. It's already bad enough that Lightning's career puts them on directly opposing sides. After agonizing for days over whether or not she SHOULD tell her sister, then HOW to tell her sister, to be dismissed so quickly proves to be too much in too short a time. Between being branded, trying to face her frightening focus, and telling Lightning it all happens within the span of around a week, a week and a half (the "first 13 days" according to the game). It's not long after she was branded in the first place. The shock of the event, and the emotional roller coaster that followed led to a string of events that changes the course of all three of their lives, as well as that of two others that were dragged into their mess.
Like most other people Serah needed a little help to come around and face the situation, but I think it still speaks volumes of her character that she was able to. To face all of this with seemingly only one person willing to stand by her side demonstrates character for her in ways that I think she didn't expect. In the course of one week she's confronted with becoming a Fal'cie slave (a l'cie), and the terrifying likelihood that she's expected to destroy her home world and kill everyone she loves. There's also the realization that either way, either failure to or succeeding in completing her focus means that she can never be with her loved ones again. With help from Snow she accepts the reality of her situation and then bravely challenges it, and wins. She didn't know if she'd become a Ceith or crystal when she defied her focus, but she did it anyway, prepared to accept the consequences for her choice, even if it meant doing it alone. At the same time I doubt she ever considered herself to be truly alone after that talk with Snow, and his proposal-- a reminder that she had people that cared about her no matter what her fate turned out to be.
She seems to be a good balance for Snow, like him trying to look on the bright side, see the good in people instead of the bad, and content with being swept up in his energetic attitude and in many instances she seems to be his moral compass. In some ways she already acts like his wife, scolding him teasingly when he's late or reckless, not at all afraid to rely on him, trusting, too. She loves that big lug and seems to take strength from that bond that they share. Really-- all in all Serah cares deeply for all of the people around her. She'll always try her hardest to do right by them and her own heart.
Why should that character be in this game: n/a
Why do you want to continue their history here: n/a
For applicants considering an alternate version of a character already in game, please use this as your chance to explain the key differences between your character and the one already in play: n/a
Have you read up on how the game works?: I have! Of course! The plugin application used on the Guides is called FlamingFerret, and there are still people who either bum off of others, steal, or do missions and jobs for a living!
1st person sample: (Note: I figured it wouldn't hurt but I went with these samples as if Snow would also be on the Thor since we both applied this cycle. I can submit a new sample if that's a problem at all.)
[ The video feed has opened to a young woman in her late teens wearing a modest, almost slip of a dress. It looks like she's gone shopping recently if one is judging by the bag sitting nearly out of view. With her free hand Serah waves at the guide with a smile. ]
Hi guys. [ She doesn't seem at all shy about addressing the network publicly. There's not an ounce of awkwardness in her body language or tone. ] Hope, Fang? When you two see this would you mind calling me back? I have something for you both.
[ She reaches off screen for said objects now, then turns back to the guide without actually revealing what they are yet and instead just smiles brightly. There's an excited look in her eye this time. ]
Snow, are you free? I have something that I'd like to give you, too. Can you meet me in your room in an hour? I'll be waiting to hear from you, so don't keep me waiting!
[ Another bright smile, a teasing one this time, then the feed cuts off. ]
3rd person sample: A young woman sat in one of the refugee rooms on her bed. A box sat beside her atop the covers and she beside it with the wall acting as a brace for her upright position. In her hands appeared to be some type of project she had been working away at for an hour already. Her thoughts were quiet, a one sided conversation that she thought to keep within her head. Some people had a tendency to speak out loud, but Serah wasn't one of them. Though she had a lot of questions in life and was often seeking answers she rather enjoyed finding them on her own, and there was no better place for finding those answers than in the quiet sanctuary of her head.
She hadn't been aboard the Thor for long really, just long enough to speak with the others from home and find out what had happened in the times they were from. That was, of course, why her thoughts were on the brighter side of things.
"It's not really gone (Cocoon, and Pulse)." That's what they kept assuring themselves. It was partly out of need and part genuine belief. It couldn't really be gone, right? She had come to the ship long after Hope and the others had been on the Thor, wormholes or not, even for Fal'cie it seemed impossible, though perhaps not beyond their penchant for smoke and mirrors to get what they wanted.
Another bead was added to the string.
But supposing some power, maybe this "Maker", some entity even more powerful than the Fal'cie... supposing someone like that had stepped in and messed things up for everyone. What would they do then?
A lilac colored bead followed the milky white down the wire next. Her hand stopped to hover over the small box of beads, then, a voice ringing in her ears loud and clear in response to her mind's questions. No one else was in the room with her, yet still Serah began to giggle as if someone had just told her some secret joke. No one would know by that alone but it had been her fiance's voice that answered, jumping into her conversation just as if the blond were right there with her. What did he say? The answer to that was Serah's secret, and it showed in the way her eyes crinkled and her lips smoothed into a smile.
As the laughter faded she added the blue bead into the bracelet anyway, followed by a yellow, green, warm pink, and deep red. Each bead was accompanied by a tiny silver clasps, almost like placeholders between each color.
Snow, Hope, Sazh, Vanille, and Fang. The first hook already held an emblem of lightning: perfect for a good luck charm. She had nothing of her sister's there on the Thor, but she felt like this way she'd be able to keep her close, keep the hope alive that the rest of their loved ones would return to them and they'd all get back home together. It was a reminder. She'd keep adding charms until that day came, and when that bracelet became full she'd make another one and give it to each of the others to pass on that hope and remind them all.
Carefully tying off the end of the bracelet wire she slipped the completed jewelry around her wrist and held it up to look at.
"We'll all go back home, together this time, right, sis?"
Questions?: So if the answer to the meaning of life is 42, what's the meaning of death?
Did you put your characters name and fandom in the subject: LJ permitting, God I hope so.
Name: Koree
Are you over 16?: Yep! Still 28 for now. :D
Personal LJ: codenamednd
Email: fullmetalpygmy@gmail.com
Timezone: CST
Other contact: Plurk
Characters already in the game: Kushina Uzumaki, Katara
How did you find us?: Kaity (Former Minato-mun)!
IC:
Character name: Serah Farron
Fandom: Final Fantasy XIII (series)
Timeline: Chapter 13; Just around the time she'd be waking from crystal stasis on Pulse
Age: 18
~*Magical*~ abilities and strengths: Terms you'll want to know:
Fal'cie - god like protectors of Cocoon and Grand Pulse
Cocoon - the Fal'cie made world on which the bulk of the game takes place; hovers over Pulse
Gran/d Pulse - The world below in which everyone originated.
Commandos (Com.) - Offensive role with emphasis on physical attacks and related sub-skills, other roles follow Com. by default.
Ravager (Rav.) - Offensive role with emphasis on magical abilities (elemental spells)
Medic (Med.) - Defensive role, healers, can remove status ailments, restore HP, and revive fallen comrades (in game)
Saboteur (Sab.) - Offensive role, as the name suggests they focus on CAUSING status ailments to targeted enemies
Synergists (Syn.) - Defensive role, focus on giving enhancements (Haste, Enfire, Protect, etc.) and cancelling out ailments
Sentinel (Sen.) - Defensive role, focus on defense and protecting allies. Sentinels usually have high HP and are able to lessen the damage that the entire party takes.
At the point that I'm pulling Serah from she should still be a branded l'cie. As such she has access to the same six roles that the other characters in the game do (though she'll start with only three of them, and will have to gain experience to access the other three.). Her starting roles would (likely) be Ravager and Medic, followed later by Synergist, and eventually after a lot of training (level grinding /lawl): Saboteur, Commando, and Sentinel.
It should be noted too that by game canon the last three roles will take a great deal of work to acquire even the basic skills that characters starting in those roles have immediate access to (with less training). I don't know for certain that she'd realistically unlock the other three roles during her time on the Thor at all. Just noting it here in case it ever comes up.
Serah's skills as a Medic will allow her to heal others while her skills as a Ravager will allow her offensive magic for many purposes. Ravagers are able to cast water, thunder, fire, ice, and wind/air magic spells. The higher the Ravager's role level the stronger their spells become (Fire > Fira > Firaga, Thunder > Thundera > Thundaga, Water > Watera > Wateraga, etc.). The same is true for a medic's cure spell, "Cure" (Cure > Cura > Curasa > Curaja). Ravagers may also combine elemental spells and physical attacks, but are limited to four elements. These attacks are "Flamestrike", "Froststrike", "Sparkstrike", and "Aquastrike"; Fire, ice, lightning, and water respectively.
She will start at Stage One Crystarium (Link provided just explains the system in OOC terms.), with Medic and Ravager roles set at level ONE, basic spells.
How would they use their abilities?: Mostly for healing that bum of a fiance of hers, probably. Healing others, protecting herself and others, or if they can help her out with missions or around the ship then there's also that.
Appearance: Serah is a tiny little thing with cotton candy pink hair (which seems to be cut in layers at the ends), light blue eyes, and fair skin. She's 5'5", right handed, and looks pretty damn fragile though I hear she totally kicks butt in another three years.
Background: Serah was the second born daughter to unnamed parents. Her older sibling, Lightning (birth name Claire) Farron, was forced to step up and look after Serah when their parents died. It is undisclosed how old the girls were or how it happened, but presumably they were old enough to live on their own instead of being sent to some type of orphanage. From that point on things gradually began to change between the two. Lightning became an incredibly protective figure in Serah's life and it seemed to fall to Serah to be the gentler, patient one. This isn't to say that Light was abusive or rough, but as the time passed she clearly developed a stubborn, tough outer shell to the rest of the world. She became a soldier for the Guardian Corps in Bohdum, and seemed to be working quite often while Serah maintained the house and took care of most of the chores.
Sometime before the events of the game she began to date a man named Snow Villiers, now her hero fiance. His exuberant, well intended, bull headed, derpy personality seems to be a really fun balance for her mature, playful, and flexible one (It seems implied that they haven't been dating for more than a year or so given Serah's age and Lightning's reaction to the news of their sudden engagement.). This relationship has a huge impact not only on Serah's life, but the lives of pretty much everyone around them. One could pretty much reason that Serah is the catalyst that kickstarts the events of the game. Why?
In the town of Bohdum there is an ancient artifact known as a Pulse Vestige resting in the distance. It's one of the few remnants from the war five hundred years prior with Gran Pulse, but thought to be inactive and as such harmless. Unbeknownst to Serah two l'cie awakened from crystal slumber inside, and the doors to the vestige were opened. It's because of her curiosity for the structure that Serah wandered inside and became branded by the once dormant Fal'cie, Animus. The two l'cie watched over her until she awoke and then took their leave, leaving Serah to deal with the fact that she had been marked.
One thing that needs to be understood is that l'cie on Cocoon are either revered or feared, depending on what world their Fal'cie master originates from or protects. Pulse l'cie are thought to be dangerous, cold blooded monsters that will kill your children and steal your souls, and a dozen other horrible, violent things. As if that weren't bad enough l'cie are on borrowed time. L'cie who fail to fulfill their very vague focus are cursed to become Ceith, mindless monsters who truly do know only how to kill and are filled with anguish for their failed focus. Should a l'cie succeed in their focus then they're (at that time) rumored to become crystal and sleep, dreaming for the rest of eternity. No matter what way she looks it seems that her new path will take her away from Snow and Lightning's sides. Serah is reasonably dismayed by the realization.
Luckily for her she's got a stubborn man, huh?
Serah does show a strong vein of selflessness despite how terrifying it must be to face such a thing alone. She tries to break up with Snow in order to protect him from becoming entangled with a Pulse l'cie. When he pushes for a reason (proving to be much more stubborn than her, of course) she finally breaks down and confesses that she's become a l'cie, enemy of Cocoon and danger to everyone, even those she loves. Instead of taking the offered out Snow vows to stay by her side and help her figure out her focus, do whatever it takes to help her. Later on he proposes to her as well, giving Serah hope and also the courage to try to tell her sister the news on her (Light's) birthday.
Unfortunately, Lighting doesn't take it well and assumes that it's a fabrication to get her to accept the engagement. Her harsh words towards her sister send Serah from the room in tears and seems to drive she and Snow to take matters into their own hands, or try. In an effort to dig up some clues they head for the Vestige once more, where Serah is taken hostage by the Fal'cie while Snow is helpless to watch. The game picks up sometime later and Serah is only mentioned in dialogue until then.
When Snow, Lightning, and the three others dragged along for the ride (Sazh, Hope, and Vanille) end up at the heart of the Vestige they find Serah's unconscious body. When she comes to Lightning is holding her in her arms and Snow has her by the hand. She expresses her relief and her faith that they would have both come, and that they-- if anyone --could manage to protect Cocoon. She sheds a single tear and turns to crystal, having completed her focus (though none of them know what it was at the time).
There are a lot of theories as to what that focus WAS, but I believe that it wasn't her focus, so much as Serah's defiance of her fate and the resolution of doing what she felt was right in her heart instead.
According to the game's folklore and information Serah would have been left in a dreaming state for the duration of her time as a crystal, which was the course of the whole game. It's unclear if Snow carrying her crystal tear actually meant she could hear the others or not, but I choose to believe that she could, even if she couldn't understand what was going on. Either way she was with them in spirit if nothing else. Serah doesn't awaken until after the remaining party (Snow, Lightning, Hope, and Sazh) awaken from their own slumber on Pulse. She wakes presumably alongside Dahj and the two head off in the direction they are presumably guided by Fang and Vanille. Sometime between awakening and spotting the others her brand disappears completely. Just for reference I'm going by headcanon, that her brand was initially marred and frozen as Fang and the others when they prepared to face Orphan. The reason for this theory being that l'cie who have either defied their fate or tried and then defied/failed/turned away from their focus had their brands become frozen. The same thing happens in canon to all of the main characters (one of them had this happen before the game began). It fits with Serah defying her own focus to destroy Cocoon.
Personality: (I'll end up going over some of the points in the previous section again for reference.)
Serah is a very sweet girl by nature, curious, sensitive, eager to learn, but mature, soft spoken, and gentle. She's the kind of person that seems to have wisdom beyond her years as well as an unspoken inner strength belied by a sweet and fragile looking exterior. She has a lot of patience and generally she's very accommodating of others, but she shouldn't be mistaken for being a doormat. Not even her sister has seen the true depths of Serah's strength. There would have never been a need before the events in the two games and it seems unlikely that Serah showed it till then either. It's hinted at in FFXIII, but according to the introduction for FFXIII-2 Serah didn't know how to fight with weapons until learning in the sequel (though she's also apparently a very fast learner, as most video game heroes are). She's pretty much accustomed to being protected and rescued, simply because the two most important people in her life are always there, always jumping in or showing up to save the day.
Before the events of the game Serah had an interest in studying history. Her interest in the Vestige would suggest that her interest specifically lies in architectural history (or perhaps the history of artifacts, ancient history, or Pulse artifacts and Pulse itself instead) in particular and had plans to attend university at Cocoon's largest city (Eden). Later on she contemplates becoming a teacher in order to teach the recent history of Cocoon's fall to survivors (now settlers).
She and her older sister were orphaned, and they've relied on one another for support and care ever since. While Lightning (as she's calling herself now) seems to be acting as the provider Serah would be the one that acts as the support. She knows her sister works hard for their well being, hers (Serah's) more than her own. Serah is the type of girl that would work hard to pull her weight in other ways.
She seems to understand the loss, sacrifice, and personal changes that Lightning has endured following the death of their parents and tends to give the elder female room to do what she feels like she needs to do while still looking out for her as well in her own way; actually, the same could be said of anyone that Serah befriends. She's practical and thoughtful, and so long as her head is clear she's often looking out for the well being of others ahead of herself. Lightning's gift from Serah was a very nice survival knife to help protect her while on duty. It was also Serah's plea that convinced Light to take her own birthday off work.
Really, it doesn't seem like Serah asks for very much, either, perhaps in lieu of all that's happened in their lives she's simply learned to be grateful for what she has and what she can attain by her own strength.
She's clearly accustomed to Lightning's straight forward way of dealing with things with complete finality, and as close as they are because of their loss even Serah still feels fear of her sister's rejection. Though Serah understands Lightning rather well it doesn't SEEM like it's mutual. The air between the two seems to be one of patience and protection, with Serah often times following what Lightning thinks is best and Serah avoiding being willful or difficult. I think that her fear of being rejected stemmed more from the nature of the truth. Becoming a Pulse l'cie is the worst possible thing that could happen for so many reasons, just announcing the engagement alone would have been far easier. I can't begin to imagine Serah being afraid or even nervous about THAT, given that it was her decision, and something that made her happy. Light did, after all, either consent to Serah and Snow dating or had accepted that Serah was going to make her own choices in life (my money is on number two).
As to the proposal-- Admittedly the timing of announcing her engagement to Snow could have maybe been better, but upon being told of the proposal and Serah's being branded Lightning's flippant disbelief and scolding words are enough to send Serah fleeing from the room in tears. It's already bad enough that Lightning's career puts them on directly opposing sides. After agonizing for days over whether or not she SHOULD tell her sister, then HOW to tell her sister, to be dismissed so quickly proves to be too much in too short a time. Between being branded, trying to face her frightening focus, and telling Lightning it all happens within the span of around a week, a week and a half (the "first 13 days" according to the game). It's not long after she was branded in the first place. The shock of the event, and the emotional roller coaster that followed led to a string of events that changes the course of all three of their lives, as well as that of two others that were dragged into their mess.
Like most other people Serah needed a little help to come around and face the situation, but I think it still speaks volumes of her character that she was able to. To face all of this with seemingly only one person willing to stand by her side demonstrates character for her in ways that I think she didn't expect. In the course of one week she's confronted with becoming a Fal'cie slave (a l'cie), and the terrifying likelihood that she's expected to destroy her home world and kill everyone she loves. There's also the realization that either way, either failure to or succeeding in completing her focus means that she can never be with her loved ones again. With help from Snow she accepts the reality of her situation and then bravely challenges it, and wins. She didn't know if she'd become a Ceith or crystal when she defied her focus, but she did it anyway, prepared to accept the consequences for her choice, even if it meant doing it alone. At the same time I doubt she ever considered herself to be truly alone after that talk with Snow, and his proposal-- a reminder that she had people that cared about her no matter what her fate turned out to be.
She seems to be a good balance for Snow, like him trying to look on the bright side, see the good in people instead of the bad, and content with being swept up in his energetic attitude and in many instances she seems to be his moral compass. In some ways she already acts like his wife, scolding him teasingly when he's late or reckless, not at all afraid to rely on him, trusting, too. She loves that big lug and seems to take strength from that bond that they share. Really-- all in all Serah cares deeply for all of the people around her. She'll always try her hardest to do right by them and her own heart.
Why should that character be in this game: n/a
Why do you want to continue their history here: n/a
For applicants considering an alternate version of a character already in game, please use this as your chance to explain the key differences between your character and the one already in play: n/a
Have you read up on how the game works?: I have! Of course! The plugin application used on the Guides is called FlamingFerret, and there are still people who either bum off of others, steal, or do missions and jobs for a living!
1st person sample: (Note: I figured it wouldn't hurt but I went with these samples as if Snow would also be on the Thor since we both applied this cycle. I can submit a new sample if that's a problem at all.)
[ The video feed has opened to a young woman in her late teens wearing a modest, almost slip of a dress. It looks like she's gone shopping recently if one is judging by the bag sitting nearly out of view. With her free hand Serah waves at the guide with a smile. ]
Hi guys. [ She doesn't seem at all shy about addressing the network publicly. There's not an ounce of awkwardness in her body language or tone. ] Hope, Fang? When you two see this would you mind calling me back? I have something for you both.
[ She reaches off screen for said objects now, then turns back to the guide without actually revealing what they are yet and instead just smiles brightly. There's an excited look in her eye this time. ]
Snow, are you free? I have something that I'd like to give you, too. Can you meet me in your room in an hour? I'll be waiting to hear from you, so don't keep me waiting!
[ Another bright smile, a teasing one this time, then the feed cuts off. ]
3rd person sample: A young woman sat in one of the refugee rooms on her bed. A box sat beside her atop the covers and she beside it with the wall acting as a brace for her upright position. In her hands appeared to be some type of project she had been working away at for an hour already. Her thoughts were quiet, a one sided conversation that she thought to keep within her head. Some people had a tendency to speak out loud, but Serah wasn't one of them. Though she had a lot of questions in life and was often seeking answers she rather enjoyed finding them on her own, and there was no better place for finding those answers than in the quiet sanctuary of her head.
She hadn't been aboard the Thor for long really, just long enough to speak with the others from home and find out what had happened in the times they were from. That was, of course, why her thoughts were on the brighter side of things.
"It's not really gone (Cocoon, and Pulse)." That's what they kept assuring themselves. It was partly out of need and part genuine belief. It couldn't really be gone, right? She had come to the ship long after Hope and the others had been on the Thor, wormholes or not, even for Fal'cie it seemed impossible, though perhaps not beyond their penchant for smoke and mirrors to get what they wanted.
Another bead was added to the string.
But supposing some power, maybe this "Maker", some entity even more powerful than the Fal'cie... supposing someone like that had stepped in and messed things up for everyone. What would they do then?
A lilac colored bead followed the milky white down the wire next. Her hand stopped to hover over the small box of beads, then, a voice ringing in her ears loud and clear in response to her mind's questions. No one else was in the room with her, yet still Serah began to giggle as if someone had just told her some secret joke. No one would know by that alone but it had been her fiance's voice that answered, jumping into her conversation just as if the blond were right there with her. What did he say? The answer to that was Serah's secret, and it showed in the way her eyes crinkled and her lips smoothed into a smile.
As the laughter faded she added the blue bead into the bracelet anyway, followed by a yellow, green, warm pink, and deep red. Each bead was accompanied by a tiny silver clasps, almost like placeholders between each color.
Snow, Hope, Sazh, Vanille, and Fang. The first hook already held an emblem of lightning: perfect for a good luck charm. She had nothing of her sister's there on the Thor, but she felt like this way she'd be able to keep her close, keep the hope alive that the rest of their loved ones would return to them and they'd all get back home together. It was a reminder. She'd keep adding charms until that day came, and when that bracelet became full she'd make another one and give it to each of the others to pass on that hope and remind them all.
Carefully tying off the end of the bracelet wire she slipped the completed jewelry around her wrist and held it up to look at.
"We'll all go back home, together this time, right, sis?"
Questions?: So if the answer to the meaning of life is 42, what's the meaning of death?
Did you put your characters name and fandom in the subject: LJ permitting, God I hope so.