commission made by  Ritoru Wolf
Character: Percival / 'Specialist' Percy by
>>First look of Percival<< >>Reference 1st part<<

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Some info:
Second part of her reference.
Actually, not just outfit examples, but insight about her look and status in different periods of life.
Can have some mistakes in the text, sorry. Also, some parts are cut off intentionally. Major spoilers hidden until she gets a complete story.

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I. ‘Sinner’.
When first spotted on the surface of Sanctuary Shard, Percival was an enigma to uncover. After capture by angelic sentinels, Percival was quite spiteful and unruly, resisting any interrogation attempts. Interest about her past was at peak. Percival was considered belonging to unknown species, still looking distantly related to Irrokka, a lizardfolk from the surface of Haat. Most important question was a way she used to actually arrive to Sanctuary Shard, as Percival got no magic affinity at all, not any personal possessions that could provide any leads. All the information she provided was her name ‘Percival’ or ‘Percy’ and some hint that she is actually a specialist in exploration. She even called herself ‘specialist Percy’ several times, as recorded from interrogation protocols. After a course of several days many methods were used, but none of them worked. Percival was keeping herself calm and smiling, almost playing fool, yet clearly being sane. She teased and joked about her arrival to Sanctuary Shard via ‘fallen star’. As Percival was keeping interactions non-aggressive and polite, interrogators were questioning the possibility to use any torture against her and moral complications of doing so. Finally, they gave up. Percival was presented to Shard’s Council, her case explained and protocols with all recorded conversations provided.

During the Council’s session Luna, Celestial Dragon of the Moon were called to probe Percival’s mind. Results were surprising, especially for Luna, who’s mentalist skills were unmatched. After half an hour of struggling, Luna got some faint distorted images of silhouettes and static, occasionally interrupted by ghostly gibberish voices. Embarrassed Luna tried to find logical explanation of not being able to breach into Percival’s mind. Council got irritated and soon called for presence of higher authority. Avatar of Elion, God of light and creation arrived. At first Council were optimistic. The moment Avatar entered the Council’s chamber, Percival fell on her knees and held her fingers at the forehead, eyes rolling up. All clearly indicated that mental assault from deity’s Avatar begun without any prelude or explanation. Yet, as moments stretched, minutes passing, Percival’s will begun to wane. Just as everyone expected revelation about her past or intentions… unexpected happened. Percival begun to stand up, motion slow, like a weight of the world was on her shoulders. Avatar intensified the mental assault, his divine aura shining bright. Yet, Percival was unstoppable, she stood up and opened her eyes, shouting with confident voice “Over my dead body!” As if proclamation wasn’t audacious enough, middle claw gestured was demonstrated to Avatar and the Council. Avatar reacted with more godly power unleashed, but all the effects were minimal. Percival was shaking a little and her nose bleeding. In few minutes she just fell on the floor unconscious, disrupting connection, forcing Avatar to stop mental assault.

Because of respect for stubborn lizardfolk or just for the reason of showing compassion, Luna stepped forward, taking Percival in her paws and healing her. Avatar with palpable irritation left the Council’s chamber without revealing results of mind probing. Whispers in the chamber turned into conversations, that eventually converged to making debates about Percival’s fate. Council took easy way – for defiance against a God, she was sentenced to taking thirty years of penance, being marked as ‘sinner’. Just to keep Percival close, she was assigned to cleaning department in Elion’s palace. Angelic sentinels took her away, to ‘new life’. Percival woke up collared and dressed in standard orange clothes, clearly indicating her as ‘sinner’. Her days were filled with endless labour, mostly cleaning the corridors and halls of Elion’s palace. She saw many beings, hundreds of angelic sentinels, a lot of Celestial Drakes, even some Celestial Dragons. Reeva and Sol just ignored her presence, Luna spoke few words sometimes, just for encouragement. Yet her fellow ‘sinners’ were eager to tell just few words too. Every cleaner got only small room, more like a closet with cleaning supplies and place to sleep. Cleaners rarely interacted at all. Some carried their penance with a pride, that they work in the palace. Others were just in deep melancholy, wonders seen in the palace halls no longer impressing them at all. As years passed, inhabitants of Sanctuary Shard waited for Percival to give up, confess… but she didn’t. Her silent defiance was silent, yet noticeable, most notable – it was constant, without any signs of regret. One day Percival were transferred to maintenance department, her life taking new turn, from bright halls of the palace to deep dark maintenance tunnels bellow it.

In the tunnels, Percival’s work became more meaningful, being not just whim of some divine being. Not endless and menial mopping the floors to pristine condition, but actually keeping the palace operational, for real. To the contrast, Percival were assigned to a shared room with five others ‘sinners. Social interactions weren’t just opportunity, they were mandatory for effective work as a team. Percival found her place. At first, she offered only assistance – carried supplies to distant tunnels and sometimes carried exhausted or injured engineers back. Then finally, after rather short training, she begun to contribute towards repairs. Possibilities were endless: maintaining ladders and catwalks, repairing leaking pipes and burned-out conduits, checking and replacing parts in various arcane machinery.

Most gruesome task was containing the growth of raw mana crystals. Sometimes there was a minor malfunction in colossal arcane batteries that provided power for Elion’s palace and city around it. Any minor cracks in outer casing quickly escalated into raw mana leak. Substance was extremely dangerous, being able to harm living beings in case of exposure. After few minutes outside protective casing, raw mana liquid was starting to crystallize, turning in less dangerous form. Still caution was needed, any unprotected contact with crystals were prohibited.

‘Sinners’ adorned in protective isolation suits handled raw mana crystals with care, removing them from the leak location and putting into shielded containers to be carried away to processing. Wearing the isolation suit were difficult, both mentally and physically. Once suit is sealed and came into contact with the crystals, ‘sinner’ was effectively trapped inside until proper decontamination procedure is complete. That was happening after crystals are cleared and task is completed. In rare cases, decontamination commenced as ‘sinner’ passed out in the isolation suit or panicked to the point where he can no longer complete the task. Sweating heavy inside the suit, having to breathe through filtering apparatus, having no food and very little water supply to sip wasn’t the most comfortable working conditions. Even raw mana crystals were dangerous, as sharp edges could rip suit joints and cause injury, negative exposure effects were an added ‘bonus’, such as nausea and headache. While suit could be patched up right on the task place, vomiting results could only be cleaned after suit removal. All of the factors combined resulted in persons to wear the suit to be strictly volunteers. Each task completed brining a day off and small sum of local currency – ‘Lumens’. Special ‘Keep’ cylinder were provided, acting as wallet for tiny sparks of light. After person got ‘Keep’, any earned Lumens were just simply added to the amount inside the cylinder.

Percival was taking any opportunity to take such tasks. Feeling trapped inside the isolation suit wasn’t scaring her. On the contrary, she endured the hardships to make great use from any day off presented. For Percival effects of exposure from raw mana crystals was far more dangerous that just being hungry and dehydrated, as she got a special way to deal with them. Percival’s tail held a lot of water and nutrient stored, allowing the body to tap into those reserves. By constantly volunteering herself, she protected the others ‘sinners’, so they didn’t have to wear the suit and risk their lives. Overall, that ensured not just having ‘Keep’ full of Lumens, but respect from fellow ‘sinners’ too. Day by day, year by year, Percival was getting to respected position of actually being a leader for all her co‑workers in the maintenance tunnels.

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II. Leader.
Everything changed one day. It was usual day off for Percival, she took a shower, dressed in clean, yet still orange clothes and tried to leave the palace for a short walk into the city. Her permit to exit the palace gates were suddenly revoked. Angelic sentinels turned her away and asked to return into the maintenance tunnels until further notice. Being stubborn, Percival argued for some time, but then left silently, just as after gates were opened to allow some Celestial Drake to enter the palace. Just a few moments of looking at the sky and square before the palace revealed more that angelic sentinels were willing to share. Sanctuary Shard was at high alert, Elion’s legions already lining up on the square. Arriving angelic sentinels swarmed the sky. Percival considered that it’s not ordinary training, nor the parade, something was about to happen, something bad. She rushed back to maintenance tunnels and started to call every available ‘sinner’ to mess hall. In calm voice Percival informed that she got suspicions about possible unfortunate events that may happen soon. As a way to give meaning to any actions that may occur, she offered to cut rations and make emergency stash of food supply. But angelic sentinel arrived and interrupted that order. Instead, rations were doubled and ‘sinners’ informed that they will become a part of the penal battalion tasked with protecting the palace.
Fear was palpable, gatherings nominated Percival as their commander, position that gave her a lot of opportunities, but placed responsibility on her shoulders too. Problems started to rack up fasts: for obvious reasons, angelic sentinels didn’t prepare an arsenal of weapons or protective clothing that were suitable for ‘sinners’. Even with tools sharpened and a lot of materials salvaged turning ‘sinners’ of the maintenance tunnels into combat ready force was a logistic nightmare...

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III. Unwilling serving.
Percival got hard time waking up on next day, after battle was over. For several minutes she just stared at the wall of medical tent, then gathered her will and begun to move. Scars all over the body and just one of eyes still able to see. Cuffs on her wrists made from celestial alloy and linked together by long chain was clearly meaning one thing… Her style of command and decisions made during the battle wasn’t appreciated by members of Sanctuary Shard hierarchy. Day that followed bought even more unpleasant experience. Her ‘sinners’, her penal battalion were ordered to line up on the square before Elion’s palace. Every ‘sinner’ that took part in the battle was rewarded with full citizenship, their collars removed and new clothes presented. Battalion took losses, nearly one third of have lost their lives. Small rear-guard that were kept in the tunnels didn’t contribute in combat, nor took losses, now they looked jealously at their comrades being set free. As for Percival, her position was rather wobbly and fragile. Not free from the penance, but not executed for her deeds, Percival looked disappointed, yet waited. As last ‘sinner’ was freed, she made audacious walk across the square, right to angelic sentinel that held the list. Left with only one intact eye and covered in scars, Percival was looking intimidating enough even for him. She argued, as she always did. Yet, this time facts were on her side, Percival didn’t plead or asked, she demanded, not just words, but actions. Eventually angelic sentinel agreed and statistics were gathered. By the end of the day, it was clear that Percival’s penal battalion performed better than others, not just taking less losses, but having an impressive score of defeated enemies, while in fact holding their position during whole battle, without retreating in panic. Some actions were indeed necessary.

As Percival were brought into the Council’s chamber, despite cuffs on her wrists, she tried to take the initiative, speaking first and in demanding manner. ‘Sinner’ that once were judged to taking penance for defiance against a deity, now was effectively putting the Council on defence. Bravado didn’t last long, as Reeva, Celestial Dragon of the Storm and Sol, Celestial Dragon of the Sun arrived to the chamber. Percival got hard time explaining her ‘invaluable’ role in palace defences and victory over the enemy right in front of two Celestial Dragons that also fought, but at much larger scale. Council’s session was exhausting for Percival, yet got her small victory, not exactly what she wanted, yet better than nothing. Cuffs were removed, but her status as ‘sinner’ remained, penance time unchanged. Percival bargained herself a right to actually change her outfit, stepping away from mandatory orange clothing. New limitation on attire was almost silly for her ‘nothing too bright or colourful’. Percival asked for more, some tasks with meaning, not just fixing the pipes or moping the floors in the palace. She was assigned as message courier for the Council. On that time for hearing her out were over.

Percival considered that courier job wasn’t a paradise she envisioned for self. Distances to walk and run were great, some scrolls and tomes simply enormous, clearly being made for Celestial Drakes and Dragons. Percival worked hard for several months, enjoying relative freedom of taking long walks across Sanctuary Shard’s surface. Once each delivery were complete, Percival received a temporary rune on her limb or shoulder, a proof of delivery. She needed to return to the Council and show the rune. Sometimes clients were nasty or in bad mood… Percival had to endure humiliation of rune being put on her forehead. Normally forehead was a place for much more powerful runes that could grant boons, like great health or limited immortality. Any rune bearer shown it with pride… covering forehead with mere proof of delivery were exquisite mocking. But Percival endured, until her next delivery was a scroll with some urgent message for Reeva. With stoic expression, she attached a scroll to a shoulder belt and walked to Reeva’s tower. Path was long, but tower clearly visible on the horizon. Eventually with sore and aching feet, Percival arrived and knocked on the front gate. Unfortunately for Percival, Reeva wasn’t in good mood and acted rather in dismissive manner towards her. Even audacity and defiance of simply dropping scroll on the floor didn’t get Celestial Dragon’s attention. With Reeva busy in her thoughts, another being of power, Reeva’s subordinate – a Celestial Drake named Tar-Ra took the scroll and tried to explain urgency of the message. Percival waited, only to witness Reeva in rage as she examined scroll’s contents. Percival found herself in trouble: scroll being turned into ash by Reeva’s lightning bolt, following by hastily departure of Celestial Dragon not just from the tower, but from Sanctuary Shard. Percival exchanged looks with troubled Tar-Ra and waited. As hours stretched and Percival still didn’t get any proof of delivery, she asked Tar-Ra for some food and water. Situation became complicated, as without the scroll or proof of its delivery, Percival couldn’t complete her assignment without being accused in losing or intentionally hiding the scroll. While Tar-Ra can potentially testify that scroll was indeed delivered, he won’t do that until Reeva’s return just to prevent any political consequences from the Council. And if something goes wrong it’s Percival’s word as ‘sinner’ against words of two powerful beings in the higher echelons of Shard’s hierarchy. Having no other options, Percival just stayed in the tower, spending her time in conversations with Tar-Ra, attempting to bridge the gap between them. Finally, as day ended, Percival asked to deliver her directly to Reeva, she would ask for a proof of delivery and won’t bother them again. Reluctantly, Tar-Ra agreed, took Percival and walked outside. He spread the wings and took off into the sky, flying higher and higher, until air became cold and thin. Soon Percival found herself gasping for breath, but not for long – protective celestial aura activated around Tar-Ra and quickly covered Percival too. Being protected from elements and provided with constantly replenished air, Percival enjoyed flight through the void towards Haat, being gently held by Tar-Ra. Question was clear… would be angry Celestial Dragon a biggest problem or something larger and more dangerous lurks in the shadows… Silent night in a jungle was disrupted by sound of heavy steps and Reeva’s roaring. But exact situation wasn’t clear, any sight of events unfolding on the surface were obstructed by unusual and otherworldly looking red mist. And Tar-Ra flew directly into it…

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IV. Free citizen.
After events that happened on Haat’s surface, Percival asked Council for her penance to end. Not just shorten it, but complete, redemption granted without any more tasks or obligations. During the Council’s meeting all four Celestial Dragons were present. Despite the audacity of request, Reeva pledged the Council to actually grant Percival freedom and citizenship. Surprise was that Luna, Celestial Dragon of the Moon, stepped in too, advocating Percival’s actions during her time as penal battalion commander. Sol, Celestial Dragon of the Sun wasn’t impressed and turned away, but didn’t argue against the decision. Noctua, Celestial Dragon of the Night, enigmatic as always, approached Percival with loud screech and nuzzled to her shoulder, a clear gesture of approval. But Percival took that more personal, than any one anticipated. With Council’s approval ‘sinner’ collar removed. A small sum of local currency, Lumens, added to what Percival already accumulated earlier. She was finally ready to begin her free life. Reeva and Luna got almost instantly disappointed, and Sol just laughed at them… Percival asked to form a Covenant pact with Celestial Dragon… but not the Celestial Dragons that involuntary got her into trouble. Instead, she asked Noctua for help with. With soft hooting, Noctua made a bow, clearly agreeing. That almost instantly solved problem with accommodation… as Noctua were solitary in her tower. They left the Council's chamber together, first step in uneasy relationship with Celestial Dragon of the Night. Later in dark halls of Noctua’s tower Percival finally found her place to stay on Sanctuary Shard. With Noctua’s inability to speak or write down her thoughts, there was much in common between her and Percival – they both was hard to understand by others and kept their past and secrets well hidden from the world…