Eir'a Holmen

Eir'a Holmen
"Snow cat with daddy issues"
Gender	Male
Race	Miqo'te
Clan	Keeper of the Moon
Citizenship	N/A
Age	19
Sexuality	Pansexual
Occupation	Culinarian and owner of the Bistro Fork Inn. Lancer in training
Height/Weight	5 fulms 2 ilms / 131 ponze
Diety	Halone
Relations	Gervannant Holmen (Father ; adopted)

This page is under construction! Some things may change here and there. Thank you for your patience

Basic Info

Eir'a (pronounced AIR-ah) is a young miqo'te male who is still trying to discover himself and the world that he's steadily becoming more accustomed with. After years of being secretly raised in Ishgard, completely out of sight, only to be smuggled back out two years ago, he has much to learn about Eorzea, living on his own and just who he is/what he wants out of life.

Due to his lack of social interaction, brought up on radical beliefs, the constant fear of being discovered and a strict upbringing, he's developed into a rather skittish, people pleasing individual with a lack of self worth. Despite the unhealthy levels of negativity directed at himself, he has a strong moral and belief code that he rarely ever wavers from, making it both a strong positive and--in certain situations or with certain individuals--negative attribute. His deepest wish is to one day run a café somewhere in Limsa Lominsa; the Bistro Fork Inn a precursor and test to see if he could handle such a thing. Eir'a believes this to be a vapid dream though so, while he focuses on it as a means of business (or so he tells himself) he is currently also practicing in the art of lancing so that he can be--what he considers--useful and, personally, attempting to prove himself to Halone and his adopted father as well.

Likes ■ Hard work and cleanliness ■ Discipline and/or forces that keep him focused ■ Gathering supplies for his inn ■ Flowers and plants ■ Silence and occasional solitude ■ Fishing ■ Tough meat ■ Small talk (whether he's part of the conversation or listening in) ■ Sea air ■ His pet dodo (Milon), sheep (Mint) and chocobo mount (Megane) ■ Rainy nights ■ Generally being involved with others or the prospect of being wanted ■ Being useful

Dislikes ■ Disappointing others/his father ■ Being the center of attention or standing out ■ Failure by his own hands ■ Uselessness ■ Long snow storms and the cold ■ Dravians, dragons and heretics ■ Inquisitioners ■ Empty hearths ■ Eels/eel pie ■ Himself

Hobbies ■ Illumination and calligraphy ■ Gardening skills + research ■ Cleaning ■ Training

Skills ■ Culinary skills, mostly dedicated to meal related recipes (breakfast, lunch, dinner) rather than drinks or desserts ■ Healing skills (though he refuses to recognize them at the time being) ■ High patience levels ■ Unhealthily keeping things bottled up ■ More tolerant to the cold; though this doesn't mean he likes it ■ Endless poor self-esteem

Appearance & Personality

Though he often tries to keep out of sight, Eir'a is noticeably short for a male of his race. He has a small frame that is usually hidden under puffy, warm clothing; generally those with turtle necks. While he is small in stature he is well toned in both his arms and legs, developed from the many gathering trips he takes to obtain ingredients used back at the inn. He has very pale skin--which easily gets burnt when exposed to the sun--with off-white hair that almost matches his skin tone; it is a slight shade darker. His hair is cut short with tufts of curled locks that messily seem to organize themselves in a fashionable-enough style, sporting two scruffy ears with black tips. Under a cushion of bangs one can notice his more startling feature, his violet eyes, that sit above his natural miqo'te markings and light hints of freckles that began to appear once leaving Coerthas. He has a straight nose that perks just a bit at the end. Like any Keeper of the Moon, Eir'a also has a sharp set of canines but it's rare to see them aside from when he talks. He does his best to keep them hidden from sight; perhaps a reason for his usual mumblings. The only trait left over from his original clan are the golden tattooed markings on both sides of his face, connecting downwards from the sloping pattern of his miqo'te markings. His tail is rather long with a very thick, fluffy texture to it. When highly upset Eir'a will hold it tightly to himself for comfort (though by the way he holds it too tightly or wrings it from worry one wonders if the term 'comfort' is correct).

Anxious, overtly humble and dedicated follower of Halone, Eir’a’s personality is a complete product of his upbringing. Due to the intense restraints he was put under while growing up, Eir’a has a hard time being social or at least interacting what could be considered 'normal', often apologizing far too much, speaking and addressing others too formally or acting more like a third rate citizen than an equal. Even if he fails completely at it, he does enjoy meeting others and learning about them, even if it means just listening from afar instead of being part of the conversation. While some of his own developed personality may shine through, most of his decisions are often--if not always--based on the ideals he believes others have towards him. This leads him to have an odd balance of self loathing but high standards for himself, such expectations set so high that he can't possibly reach them, resulting in a feeling of failure. He hates to admit it but deep down Eir'a finds himself coveting those with strong personalities, believing he might have none at all. While he finds himself a lowly being, finding Elezens and Hyurs the standards of high class (due to where he lived and coming to the conclusion on his own as a child), if ever faced with a dragon or those with dragon blood in them, his normal civil and polite behavior will be replaced with that of disgust and hostility. Miqo'tes are still a race fairly unfamiliar with him but he finds himself more comfortable in the presence of women of that race rather than men, taught at a young age that they were territorial and often rude, uncivilized people. While he's met many men of his own kin at this point and has learned they are not what he was taught (at least as a collective) there still lingers a slight fear and prejudice against his own race.

Known Biography

The Beginning

There is not much that Eir'a remembers of the clan he was born into, but he remembers vividly when they were all slain in the Coerthas Highlands. At the age of 3, during one of the cruel winters that hit the land--a precursor for what was to come in the future--his family was attacked by native beasts roaming the land. Hidden away by his mother in the uplifted roots of a dead tree, Eir'a was kept out of sight, keeping him safe while the others were slaughtered. It wasn't until well afterwards that he was discovered by an on-duty Ishgardian Temple Knight; Gervannant Holmen. For reasons Eir'a has never discovered nor been told, the man hid and smuggled the boy into the holy city under his coat. While successful in their trickery, Gervannant's loyalty to his country was too strong to just leave it at that, requesting a private hearing with a few members of the Houses to discuss the matter, hoping to gain their support--along with a few resources-- to raise the child. After enough coxing, Eir'a was allowed to stay but it was decided he was to be raised completely out of sight from the rest of the city, as well as figuring some means to contribute to society 'lest he simply become a parasite to our sides.' No one was to know lest the two face repercussions.

Growing up was not the most enjoyable experience for both parties. Gervannant, a man who had never considered nor actively looked into being a family man, was not the warmest or most sensitive person to raise a child. Not only that but the man, being a Temple Knight, was often needed to perform his duties meaning most of his time was not spent at home. Eir'a, an outsider growing up in a very dangerous situation, now had to deal with the burdens of high expectations and paranoia at a very young age, not helped by Gervannant's passing statements to keep Eir'a from the temptation of letting himself be seen (such as stating those of the Inquisition could storm in at any moment and shove them both off Witchdrop if they were found out). Even with the unintentional anxiety planted into his adoptive son and other well intentioned but misguided parental decisions, the two developed a bond between one another to the point where they could call themselves the loosest form of father and son. Of course, due to lack of communication, the relationship was still strained and to this day Eir'a is still met with unanswered questions about it.

Living behind closed windows, the Calamity, and the opening of the door

13 years passed for the two. Eir'a was taught to be a worthy follower of Halone and, after showing skills in calligraphy while growing up, was encouraged to become a scribe. Being a Keeper of the Moon and naturally more comfortable with the night than those native to the land, the boy was assigned the job at age 11, working in the dark hours of the night illuminating various holy scripts commissioned to him by the very few who knew of his presence. It was a lonely job--in an already lonely life--but it granted him time to at least still interact with his father when the man returned from his shifts. This was his life; uneventful and generally boring, only to be shaken up by the sudden event of the Calamity and the chill that permanently swept his homeland. It wasn't until he had turned 17 when Eir'a was given the opportunity--nay, the order--from his father that he would be leaving Coerthas to seek his fortune. Of course he was heartbroken, taking such an announcement as his father's ways of wishing him out of his life due to some unknown failure on his part. Nevertheless Eir'a was left to simply obey, leaving under heavy disguise when escorted to Gridania. For a boy who lived a practically isolated life it was difficult for him to cope with his new lifestyle but, with the guidance and help of strangers plus a blossomed eagerness to experience the newly introduced world, he managed to find one road that captured his interest: conjury. Survivor's guilt still lingering from his childhood, Eir'a wished to take on the class that would allow him to help protect and bring life to those around him, also hoping to become talented enough to prove himself an attribute to Halone.

The Incident

With the development of his conjury skills, his travels eventually pointed him in the direction of Limsa Lominsa and, not soon after, the Maelstrom after a call for healers was issued for their ranks. Wanting a means to help direct his life and aiding those in need, the young man joined the free company. The experience went well enough at first, his skills allowed to improve with each job he was given and confidence slowly rising with each one. Of course, despite his hard work and positive results, high expectations towards himself and even higher expectations he assumed his father would have from him kept the boy from acknowledging his impressive growth in the art of conjury, considered his skills sub-par at best and pushing to do better.

Whether it was simple bad luck or a product of his pride as he believes to this day, the last mission he took part in for the Maelstrom resulted in the death of a party member. Those part of the party reassured the miqo'te that the results were far from his fault but Eir'a, feeling responsible for not acting quick enough and for putting his party mates in danger by accepting a mission perhaps too difficult for someone of his skill, retired from the Maelstrom. Eir'a turned his back on conjury completely as well, taking the death as failure and a sign from Halone that his decision to study under the subject in the first place had been made out of pride and a sick means to forgive himself for his clan's death, rather than a sincere wish to protect.

Unsure what to do then and driven only on the need to survive, Eir'a tried his hand at the culinary arts, a field familiar for him after years of creating meals for his father back home. What had once been an accepted chore came a realization for his love towards the craft, discovering his own natural talent in the field and the peace and satisfaction it brought him; a passion to keep him going again. A new door opened to him, Eir'a began to dream of opening his own café, a dream he was given a chance to try a when obtaining a run down shack which he cleaned up and named the Bistro Fork Inn.

Now 19, it wasn't long after that Eir'a grew uncertain with his choices yet again, this time feeling his wishes to be more selfish than before; a stray from the original path he intended to travel. A 'failure' in white magic and a chef seeming like insults to The Fury and his father, both serving no grand purpose in the long run. It was this that he took up a lance, hoping that an interest in the class both his father and Halone took in might prove his dedication. Due to his shame though he often practices out of sight from his wards.

With the recent events surrounding Ishgard, Eir'a has been more anxious and emotional. While he's never considered Ishgard an actual home--given he was never allowed to actually experience it and knowing how he would be treated had he been allowed--he does hold emotional and loyal attachment to it. More importantly towards his father. Unsure whether the man is safe after the first Dravian's wave of attack and unable to go out and ask about his well being, the boy is feeling more helpless and useless than ever.

Miscellaneous

• His most prized possession is a rosary carved and given to him by his father. He always has it on hand and constantly checks for its whereabouts in fear of ever misplacing it. He'd rather die than lose it
• It was never determined just why his original family was in Coerthas to begin with or what it was that killed them (tracks suggesting aevises and snow wolves visited the death site) but the end verdict chose the dragons. Because of this--and just because of the location he was raised in--it made it easy for Eir'a to develop deep loathing towards the creatures
• The name 'Bistro Fork Inn' was created by Wyra'li Polaali, claiming the word 'bistro' would make his place seem more high class and adding 'inn' would make it more coxing to weary travelers passing by. Eir'a considered this good advice at first but now often wonders if the name seems ridiculous
• Eir'a is quite sure that his adoptive father does not love him BUT feels the man does/did at least care about his well being. While not confident that they share a true father-son bond, Eir'a does look up to his father and wishes to someday see the man again. After becoming someone more accomplished that he is now, of course
• Even with his devotion towards Halone, he does not agree with how those under suspicion are often dealt with in Ishgard. Because of his interaction with various religious scripts, he's developed his own view that the Fury herself is more fit to bestow punishment on non-believers and blasphemers and will do so with her own means. He does not agree with the methods Inquisitioners use as it leaves too many opportunities for errors (of course, he would never openly admit this in fear his views might be seen as disagreeing with the general belief)
• He will generally add some form of title before saying someone's name. Men are given 'ser' while women are given 'madame'. You can request him to be less formal but it may take multiple reminders before he actually gets out of the habit
• Eir'a has horrible fashion sense. He may occasionally buy and/or wear something ridiculous and not realize it's just that
• He use to have a fear towards Chocobos, their size highly intimidating to him. But, after spending time with his own mount, Megane, he's come to enjoy the creatures
• He's strangely talented at the Moogle's Paw crane machine

Rumours Some of these rumors are untrue or are greatly exaggerated. Please feel free to add your own rumors under PC! ◢ Common Rumors (Easily overheard) ■ "He's always mumbling in-between his answers. I can't tell if he's crazy or insulting me under his breath." ■ "Don't have someone to keep you warm at night? Try his stew. Yeah you don't get something to hold but you'll go to sleep warm, fat and happy." ◢ Moderate Rumors (Moderately difficult to overhear) ■ "Bringing up Halone as if that means something to him, what kind of miqo'te worships such a deity? He's probably doing it for attention..." ■ "Don't bother hitting on him. Kid wouldn't know flirting if it came up and threw him out the door." ◢ Rare Rumors (Very difficult or rarely overheard) ■ "What's with his chocobo having a girl's name? Boy realizes we only have males running around these lands, right?" ■ "I hear he uses the droppin's from that dodo of his to help his garden grow...ain't sanitary is it? Should he be doin' that if he plans on preparin' meals afterwards?" ◢ PC Rumors (Rumors from the character's of other players) ■ "Best I've eaten in my whole life -- working with Eir'a. He lets me eat the burnt stuff he wont serve to customers. He's good in my book." -- Marlon'to Menai ■ "Sweet kid, I've gotten rather fond of him. While he's amusing to watch in a state of flustered panic, I must admit that underneath all that cantankerous nervousness is a very hardworking and caring individual. I can't wait to see what becomes of him...No, literally, I can't wait. I hope I live long enough to see him bloom." -- Wyra'li Polaali ■ "He's dedicated and brave for someone so young. There's something innocent and endearing about his eagerness to serve his nation, even if that nation would not readily accept him." -- Tiergan Vashir ■ "Anyone who rids me of sun lemons is good in my book. Hell, if he ever shows up again, I can make him more lemon tarts on the house. Seems a decent fellow, and at least the damnable citrus won't go to waste." -- Annouille Andouillant

Current Relations ♥ Sexual Desire ♥ Romantic Interest ♥ Platonic Love ● Good Standing ● Neutral ● Poor Standing ♥ Gervannant Holmen: Eir'a feels like he owes his father a great sum for taking him in and wants nothing but to make his father proud and prove his worth despite being a miqo'te. Because the man is fairly hard to read, Eir'a isn't quite sure where they stand with each other nor does he want to assume that Gervannant might love him like a father would his actual son. The fact Gervannant allowed him to stay in his home for as long as he did is enough to make the boy content and he treasures the gifts and special moments each shared in the past, as few as they were. He hopes the man has not perished in the recent attacks against Ishgard. ● Wyra'li Polaali: Considered one of his closer acquaintances, Eir'a came across Wyra after staying momentarily at a trading company. After finding him afterwards in a more sickly state, he tried to help by bringing meals to the man. Since then, Wyra has been a supporting force that has led Eir'a to create the Bistro Fork Inn. Eir'a still doesn't consider himself close with Wyra but is grateful that the man talks and sticks with him ● Marlon'to Menai: Still considered a stranger, Eir'a has no qualms towards his newest ward. The man keeps to himself and, when working for the inn, does his job well enough thus Eir'a views him in a very positive light. Eir'a wishes he knew just what exactly Marlon does in the basement of his inn but he hasn't seen, heard or smelled anything suspicious so, for now, he's fine not knowing. Eir'a does wish the man wouldn't stalk those who give him a hard time though (as flattering as the notion is...perhaps)

Footnotes

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