Proxima Bisenoire

Proxima Bisenoire
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Gender	Female
Race	Elezen
Clan	Duskwight
Citizenship	The Holy See of Ishgard
Age	27
Marital Status	Single
Occupation	Customs Officer
Height/Weight	6 fulm 1 ilm
Family	Undecime Bisenoire (mother, deceased) Renardault Bisenoire (father) Sondaine Bisenoire (sister)

Proxima Bisenoire was born in The Holy See of Ishgard. She previously served as an astrologian at the Observatorium in Coerthas for three summers after The Calamity. Though presently she works for Melvaan's Gate as a customs officer at Aleport and Limsa Lominsa, she considers herself first and foremost an astrologian and only second an arcanist.

Basic Information

Likes ■ Ishgard, Halone ■ Lominsan Cuisine ■ Intellectual pursuits ■ Helping others (will deny) ■ Creating solutions ■ Observing Carbuncles ■ Fine clothes ■ Being left alone

Dislikes ■ Dravanians ■ Sailors and Merchants ■ Feeling helpless ■ Being unproductive ■ Unnecessarily chatty or loud people ■ Wasting time ■ Hot Weather ■ Working at Aleport ■ Gridanian Elezens

Traits & Flaws ■ Presents herself as distant and impersonal ■ Hubris (the reason for her current plight) ■ Fiercely dedicated (mostly to Ishgard) ■ Empathic (which she considers a flaw and hindrance to her completing her duty to Ishgard) ■ Still holds some prejudiced views despite living in Vylbrand for two summers

Skills ■ Navigation by reading the stars ■ Observation and critical thinking to a fault. ■ Arcanima ■ Ishgardian Astrology

Appearance & Personality

While shorter than the average Elezen, Proxima still manages to stand out, quite literally, in the average Lominsan crowd. She lacks physical strength and is not the least bit muscular, owing her slim, lanky stature to years of purely academic pursuits. Though Proxima's ashen, grey skin reflects her Duskwight ancestry, she has no personal attachments to their culture and history, simply identifying herself as Ishgardian. She also inherited her father's rose-colored eyes, giving her a seemingly piercing gaze, accented by her dark lashes. She has dark blue hair that she keeps short to accommodate the warmer winds of La Noscea.

Proxima has two identifying marks– a mole under her lips and a scar on her face. It was the result of an incident involving a smuggler trying to escape routine inspection. Her manner of dress is what gives her away as a foreigner, being almost always overdressed for La Noscean weather. Even despite the heat, she frequently wears long dark-colored robes, often with golden embroidery, and pairs them with dark leather boots when she works on the docks for practicality's sake.

Efficient and focused in work, Proxima spends little time in the company of others. This, combined with her cold and aloof responses, has won her very few friends over the course of her stay in Limsa Lominsa. Although she speaks in a courteous manner, and is never outright cruel, others who might want to approach her are discouraged as she keeps her distance from others and largely prefers finishing tasks and researching in her free time. Her negative responses are easy to catch, as her facial expressions betray her perceived stoicism. She is difficult to converse with, being civil to the point of impersonal. Insistent efforts have been met with a roll of the eyes and an abrupt exit. Discussions about aether and the stars, however, will surely keep her engaged. She is an admirer of hard work and noble causes and, though sparingly, compliments others on their accomplishments. She tends to be impatient with and is put off by enthusiastic people, which, much to her chagrin, Limsa Lominsa has no shortage of. During her life in Ishgard however, Proxima was notably less withdrawn. Though she was largely solemn and reserved, she took pride in working in the name of The Holy See and amongst others who did the same. Despite her exterior, she does extend aid to others willingly on occasion, but does not act without visible, sufficient cause. This stems from her work as a customs officer, being the recipient of all sorts of honeyed words to circumvent an inevitable inspection.

Biography

Early Life

Proxima was the secondborn child to a knight of House Durendaire, Undecime Bisenoire (née Aubriques) and half-Duskwight, Renardault Bisenoire. Though not of noble birth, Proxima was fortunate enough to grow up close to The Pillars, owing to her maternal family's long history in serving the High Houses. The Bisenoires live on the edge of The Pillars, just shy a few fulms of a generous view of the Jeweled Crozier. The desire to uphold Ishgard's honor seemed to run strong in the family, with Renardault working as an external auditor for lesser houses, and with Undecime guarding outposts such as Whitebrim and Dusk Vigil in case of a Dravanian attack. Even her elder sister had resolved to become an inquisitor. Sondaine was inspired to seek out heretics after one of her childhood friends had been taken away by his fleeing heretic parents. Raised in the midst of a strong sense of purpose within Ishgardian society, Proxima was especially influenced by her elder sister and mother’s efforts against Dravanians at bay, but was not adept at either field of inquisition or knighthood. And though she had admired her father's work and had a similar gift for numbers, she felt that the cause she ought to devote herself to was the more imminent threat, which to her, meant the external one.

Time at the Athanaeum Astrologicum

Renardault noted his daughter's inclination for books from an early age, and, with some suggestions of his own astrologian acquaintances, encouraged her to study at the Athenaeum Astrologicum. Though many concepts were intricate, she discovered that she was quick to learn astrology Knowing her work is utterly vital in minimizing casualties, Proxima toiled to serve at the Observatorium, and spent many summers familiarizing herself with the nightsky– the properties of the Dragon Star most of all. She found a kindred spirit in Guillarmine Faulvair, a highborn knight stationed at Dzemael Manor, across the athenaeum. Though Guillarmine is not learned in astrology, both shared their ideals to strengthen Ishgard and found comfort in each other. Proxima eventually started a relationship with her, and they saw each other each morning.

Her initial sense of fulfillment as an astrologian, however, began to wane when she'd realized that she still longed to offer more than a warning of impending disaster. Her mother had raised her sword against Dravanians and guarded remote outposts, while her sister had weeded out some heretics in Coerthas herself. It was not quite envy that stirred Proxima's unease, but a sense of urgency. The threat was real, and more effective measures had to be taken. Astromancy, though seemingly promising, was out of the question. She shares the opinion of many astrologians that Sharlayan Astrology should benefit Ishgard very little and that it is a reckless pursuit to draw aether from the stars. There is little surprise in this, given that her only encounter with Sharlayan Astrology had been with the Viscount de Durendaire.

The Calamity

At the onset of The Calamity, Proxima had yet to be stationed at the Observatorium despite having completed her studies as a novitiate. The consistent, abysmal weather that befell Coerthas following the fall of Dalamud made it nigh impossible for any reading of the stars, and delayed most of Ishgard's own affairs. Slowly, a sizeable amount of Ishgardians had begun to retreat and abandon their posts due to the impossible weather. News soon broke that the knights of Dusk Vigil refused to leave their post, and that they still attempted to man the stronghold against all odds in case of attacks by the Dravanian Horde. Admiration grew to horror, as over time it grew apparent that all was lost for the Dusk Vigil. The weather was unrelenting, and despite protests from families of these knights– the Bisenoires included– naught more could be given than fervent prayer. The knights of Dusk Vigil had laid down their lives for their duty. Proxima's resolve wavered even more. There were countless brave men and women took arms for The Holy See, and yet none of their deaths were foreseen by watching the stars. And in the endless, unforgiving blizzards that followed, reading the stars would never be as easy as it once was. The inevitable passiveness that astrologians were doomed to for what seemed like an endless number of days did nothing to quell Proxima's concerns. Despite encouragement from Guillarmine and reassurances that the tragedy was no fault of hers, the tragic loss of her mother caused Proxima to throw herself further into her studies, doubting her place and contribution, but persevered in hopes of preventing tragedies of a similar caliber. She spent the next three years working quietly at the Observatorium.

Learning Arcanima

Proxima became acquainted with a Lominsan arcanist searching for leads on a smuggling ring in Coerthas. Though initially considered a nuisance at the Observatorium, the arcanist passed the time by aiding and learning rudimentary astrology, assisting the astrologians. The two exchanged their views on their respective practices and almost immediately, she is intrigued by the principles of arcanima and its use against the Dravanian Horde. Given that it deals with manipulating the aether of a subject, instead of dangerously drawing aether from stars, Proxima thought the practice might appeal better to her peers than astromancy would, as many were against meddling with greater powers, citing the devastation in past civilizations. Before she could inquire more about arcanima, however, the arcanist had left, following another lead to her case at Revenant's Toll. Believing she might find answers at the Arcanist Guild, she began to muse with the idea of resigning from her post at the Observatorium. She soon sought Guillarmine's counsel and approval. Unfortunately, the idea of separation and allowing the Observatorium to lose an astrologian in tumultuous times was not received well, and became a source of disagreement for the couple. Guillarmine tried to dissuade such a drastic and unsure path, understanding that the decision was a culmination of Proxima's grief and frustration over time. Upon further reflection however, and determined that a more effective means of combating any future invasions was to be found, Proxima remained adamant and ultimately accepted that leaving meant parting ways with Guillarmine.

Sacrificing the comforts and life she'd known in the name of Ishgard, she set out despite the disapproval of her peers (who had called it folly unlike the Viscount de Durendaire's own). She arrived in Limsa Lominsa confident in her desire to contribute to both the field of arcanima and Ishgard. Melvaan's Gate offered her both employment and a chance to learn arcanima, giving a significant start to Proxima's goals. As positive things had seemed, from then on, things did not go quite as Proxima expected. Almost immediately after taking her duties, a routine inspection turned sour when a merchant attacks her in an unwise attempt to hide his goods. This left a gash on the left side of her face, mere ilms from her eye. The man was apprehended immediately, but the encounter had left Proxima a lasting impression of Limsa Lominsa.

Furthermore, although she had grasped the basics from the arcanist at Coerthas, arcanima proved to be far more complex than she'd anticipated, asserting the idea that it is, though suited for her, still an entirely different field. Her learning reaches a plateau, and she spent the next two years simply attempting to master the most foundational concepts and spells, and only in present day does she confidently identify herself an arcanist. She is yet far from truly mastering arcanima, however, and is unable to make major contributions to the study thus far. Though her work earns her enough coin to return home, and though she knows she might resume her post at the Observatorium for Ishgard's safety, she'd remained in Vylbrand out of pride, refusing to acknowledge her time as being spent in vain. Though her studies had allowed herself potential against the Horde, she has yet to find a way to extend this ability to others, and effectively deal a more devastating blow.

Miscellaneous

Rumors Some of these rumors are untrue or are greatly exaggerated. Please feel free to add your own rumors under PC! ◢ Common Rumors (Easily overheard) ■ "She seems the stuck up sort, lookin' down on people discreetly tryin' to make a livin'. *snort* A tattletale, if you will." -- Merchant caught smuggling. ■ "Bisenoire? Lass works hard, but pays no mind to folks 'round 'er. If aught has 'er attention, it's a tome." -- Senior Customs Officer at Melvaan's Gate ■ "Yeah... she's... not much of a talker. Not much of a listener either." -- Sailor at Aleport ■ "Ishgardian through and through, that one. Hardly surprising, considering her family. Odd that she left at all." -- Instructor at the Athenaeum ◢ Moderate Rumors (Moderately difficult to overhear) ■ "Oh, her! Yeah, she comes by every week. Real polite. Pastry fish, every time. Seems real busy, though. Doesn't stick around to chat. Always rushing off." -- Culinarian at Hawker's Alley ■ "Promising critical mind. Worked well when she was here. Next thing I knew, I hear she couldn't stand working here. Can you believe that? The nerve..." -- Astrologian at the Observatorium ■ "I hear she ran off after breaking the heart of some lesser noble's daughter." -- Forgotten Knight patron ◢ Rare Rumors (Very difficult or rarely overheard) ■ "Not as good an arcanist as you'd think. Been nary a twelvemoon since she'd first successfully summoned a Topaz Carbuncle, and she'd been here two summers. Imagine! Two summers and a Topaz Carbuncle!" -- Lominsan Arcanist ■ "The Calamity changed her. At least, that's what Faulvair usually says. I don't really know Ms. Bisenoire." -- House Dzemael Knight ◢ PC Rumors (Rumors from the character's of other players) ■ "I engaged with the arcanist once by the Moraby docks. Tied with a situation not to her wills, but as she had taken it to her hands, the lady certainly dedicated her full efforts. And within preference, if I recall, she would rather be addressed straight by name..." - Ruadh Trystine

Relations ♥ Sexual Desire ♥ Romantic Interest ♥ Platonic Love ● Good Standing ● Neutral ● Poor Standing ● Ruadh Trystine : He approached Proxima and expressed concern over sailors' rumors about The Isles of Umbra during a brief conversation. She doesn't share his concerns but offered to aid him, should he find proof of the disturbances. She hasn't heard from him since, and assumes he'd resumed sightseeing.

Gallery

Trivia

• Her paternal grandfather was a Duskwight merchant from The Shroud, who'd eventually married an Elezen woman from The Brumes. Their differences led them to separate, and he raised and supported Renardault alone.

• At the request of a colleague, she sometimes fills in and assists an engineer at the Moraby Drydocks.

Trivia