“In favour of ease, disloyalty Obedience holds the body” — Near Vision (Heriot)
Haelenne Mahlvar is a woman of calculated control, moving through life with a poised elegance that hides her true complexities. Raised in an environment steeped in manipulation and power struggles, she learned early to read others like scripts. Her interactions are strategic, as she adjusts her behavior to align with the expectations of those around her. Haelenne wears charm like armor—not to dazzle, but to deflect and, when needed, to manipulate. Beneath her carefully crafted exterior, her true intentions remain veiled, known only to herself.
Her demeanor is deliberate and calm, marked by dry wit and a knowing half-smile. Haelenne’s voice is rarely raised, and even in moments of anger, her words are delivered with cutting precision, veiled in sarcasm and subtle venom. When guarded, her conversational style is cryptic and elusive, but it becomes clearer as she begins to open up and trust. To her, sincerity is a currency, something to be spent carefully and only on those who have earned it. However, even in her rare moments of openness, Haelenne remains calculating—her affection is an investment, and trust is never given lightly.
Though adept at thriving in social environments, Haelenne keeps most people at arm's length. Raised amidst manipulation, she is acutely aware of how to influence others. Her insight into human nature enables her to anticipate desires and motivations, utilizing this knowledge to orchestrate interactions with ease and effectiveness. She does not rely on deception but rather on a subtle mastery of influence, manipulating situations to her advantage while maintaining the appearance of being charming and composed.
In matters of love, Haelenne is all-consuming. Her affection is intense and sincere, though it often borders on obsession. Her devotion to Vyonna was overwhelming: tender, possessive, and heartbreakingly genuine, even in the face of rejection. In contrast, her relationship with Arasne, while magnetic, was tempered by caution—Haelenne sensed the dangerous undercurrents beneath the attraction and was careful not to let her guard down entirely. Her love is unwavering, yet tempered by a sharp awareness of the risks involved.
However, Haelenne’s control is not without its cracks. The drugs she was given as a child, disguised as treatment, have eroded her ability to maintain the poised demeanor she so carefully curates. In rare moments of vulnerability, when her inhibitions falter, Haelenne becomes raw and unguarded. Her sarcasm gives way to brutal honesty, and emotions, long contained, surface with a primal intensity. These rare episodes expose the inner chaos she works tirelessly to keep hidden, revealing the fractured woman beneath the surface—a woman who refuses to be broken, even as she struggles to maintain control.
Touched by opulence, tempered by cruelty. She thrived in velvet-lined cages, collecting secrets sharper than her knives. Control was her religion. Even in death, she remained curated — stitched into silence, embalmed in a life that was never fully hers. Beauty clung to her like decay does roses: slowly, reverently, then completely.
[ a dagger resting on velvet ✦ dust on an untouched vanity ✦ blood wiped from a mirror, not cleaned ✦ perfumed gloves in a locked drawer ✦ an unfinished letter with a wax seal ]