*

* introduction.

NAME(S) Alabaster Baidur TITLES Warrior of Light. Warrior of Darkness RACE Xaela Au ra AGE 18 (ARR) | 23 (EW) | 42 (DT) BIRTHDAY September 3rd GENDER Cis Male (he / him) ORIENTATION Bisexual

Now I am quietly waiting for the catastrophe of my personality to seem beautiful again,
and interesting, and modern.
- Mayakovsky by Frank O'Hara

* appearance.

Alabaster is a tall, imposing Xaela man, one of the very few that even reside in Ul'dah. As if his muscular body wasn't intimidating enough, his missing left eye is usually covered by a simple black eyepatch. He is rarely seen in informal clothing, there are some who've never even seen him in less than two layers of clothes. Alabaster has a neutral or angry resting face, leading many to believe he will yell if disturbed or annoyed.His horns, hands, and tail are almost always adorned by golden jewelry thanks to his connections to the Goldsmithing Guild and his own affinity for the arts.Alabaster's voice is deep and gravely after years of struggling to speak. Most people are shocked to learn he is so young, as he carries himself with the air of an older man. While many people believe his hair is prematurely graying, the Bardur family actually has a rather unique quirk: their hair becomes darker with stress and whiter over time the more at ease they are. With the responsibilities of the Warrior of Light, it's no surprise that Alabaster's hair would be mostly black.After the events of Endwalker, the tip of his right horn was broken during his fight with Zenos. He has also taken a liking to wearing a red gem inside his empty eye socket during formal events in place of his eyepatch.

* personality.

Alabaster is an extremely serious man, sometimes to a detrimental degree. He speaks in a very formal manner, often too formal for the situations he's in. Rigid conversational and social expectations make it easier for him to understand what he's supposed to say, but he becomes incredibly anxious the instant the structure is broken or bent. Humor and sarcasm is often lost on him, even if he can sometimes use sarcasm and tell (mediocre) jokes.His expectations of the outside world were greatly tinted by the descriptions in the romance novels and fairy tales he adored. He is very romantic and dramatic. His anxiety makes him pessimistic, but after the events of Shadowbringers, he's working extremely hard to have a more optimistic view on things. Even his anxiety has lessened somewhat, though the idea of public speaking still makes him nauseous.He is a very private man, there are things that he can easily take to his grave. He prefers the company of a few very select people. When he isn't saving the world, Alabaster is reading, training, or enjoying fine tea. He collects silverware and enjoys the act of polishing and preserving it. He's also a talented goldsmith and enjoys making jewelry for others. He recently took up baking, which he is not very good at, much to Nero's dismay.The initial excitement of being a heroic figure was all but ruined by Minfilia's death, and made worse after Zenos died in front of him. He sees the title of the Warrior of Light as a burden that he can not escape from. Nor does he want to. There are people who look up to him, people who want to be just like him. Alabaster would rather be dead than to ever let them down.[Note: Alabaster has autism and generalized anxiety disorder. He was selectively mute as a child, and struggled with agoraphobia after the events of Stormblood.]As of Dawntrail, Alabaster has managed to calm his anxieties as he takes on the role of the former Warrior of Light. While he's proud that Onyx can take on most of his work, he still grows restless at the thought of not being able to help as much as he did. He's a workaholic by nature.

* history.

CHILDHOOD
Alabaster Bardur was born as the sole heir of Bardur Teas & Spices, an incredibly wealthy Ul'dahn company that's been owned by the Bardur family for generations. He was primed to be a future businessman from birth, being taught arithmetic and the art of trade from the moment he could sign and read. Alabaster was an odd child, with specific fixations and an incredibly difficult time speaking, and a tendency to throw fits and outbursts that drove his parents mad and confounded his nannies and tutors to no end. None of them knew about the man in his head, nor did they understand how difficult it was for him to understand the world around him, and was punished for it ever since the incident that embarrassed his parents and cost him his left eye.He came to know the man in his head as Prometheus. He rarely spoke to him, he could only ever see him in the corner of his eye. A passing shadow. A figure watching him sleep. Whenever he did speak, he offered Alabaster little words of advice. He taught him how to fight, he helped him pronounce the words he could not understand in his books, he offered an odd sense of company when he felt lonelier than usual.Alabaster didn't see his face until he was eleven summers old. It was like any other party that he was always forced to attend, and Alabaster wanted to hide and tell the world to be quiet. He was so angry, and adults kept saying hello and asking him questions. When he did run, he was met by a large mirror in an empty hallway. He saw Prometheus in his reflection instead of himself. The next thing he knew, his hand was bleeding and covered in shards of glass. So was his left eye. He recalls it as the only time his mother comforted him for an entire night, and his recovery was the longest time he'd ever seen her sober.No longer allowed to attend school and mingle with the other rich Ul'dahn children, Alabaster dedicated himself entirely to his solitude. He found friendships with the characters in his books, he studied piano, and managed to release his anger through learning martial arts. He told himself it was fine. He was safe from the wreckage of a slowly healing world here. He told himself that he didn't need friends, he would be far too busy for them someday anyway.The words Prometheus offered in his head slowly became angrier and angrier. He was fed up with being in a boy's head, and constantly tried to convince him to run away. Alabaster refused, but the desire to see the world properly, beyond just parties and galas and the occasional business trips his father would take him on.It wasn't until his eighteenth summer that he was finally convinced to leave. He was a man now, Prometheus told him. Commanded him. He told him to join the pugilist guild and make something of himself. To leave the world that was so ashamed of him. He was destined to be stronger. To rule. He wondered if Prometheus knew his words were an echo of his father's. Alabaster was too frightened to say no.

* relationships.

NERO TOL SCAEVA
When Alabaster tells the story of how he met Nero, he insists he was obviously suspicious of the Garlean man who had propositioned him out of nowhere. Nero will back him up, telling whoever has to listen to the story that Alabaster knew all along that he was an imperial spy, that the Warrior of Light is obviously clever enough to recognize an obvious trap when he sees one. They both know that's not quite true, but no one needs to know that the Warrior of Light isn't exactly clever.Alabaster didn't even know Nero's name all during the times they slept together. All he knew was that the stranger was handsome, charming, and surprisingly knew enough Eorzean Sign Language for Alabaster to feel comfortable communicating with him. It wasn't until the night he entered the Praetorium that he realized who he had been sleeping with this entire time, and as his fists met the crimson metal of Nero's mask, it cracked just enough for him to catch a glimpse of those familiar periwinkle eyes. The sight alone made what would've been a killing blow falter just long enough for Nero to escape. Alabaster likes to think it was quite a romantic moment. Nero says he's just glad he got out alive.Alabaster regretted being so blatant with his worries and feelings about his newfound responsibilities. He could barely speak to the scions at all, yet he found it so easy to tell this complete stranger that maybe being the hero wasn't what he thought it would be. His anxiety was made worse when Nero seemingly returned from the dead. Then, just later that same day, he returned from the void.He couldn't turn away a man who'd arrived at his doorstep after just facing horrors beyond his own comprehension, thus Alabaster found himself back where they left off. No matter where Alabaster was, Nero could find him and they would always find a way to keep their affair secret. Once again, Alabaster would always spill his heart to Nero. He never expected the Garlean to reply nor did he want any advice, he just wanted someone to listen to his worries without platitudes related to him being the wondrous, string hero that everyone was counting on. Nero would just listen. So would Alabaster in return. It was all they ever wanted and not once did anyone before them sit down and listen to what they wanted to say.But they had to stay a secret. Alabaster knows just how ruthless the press could be, and he had no doubt that the public would be equally as unnerved by the Warrior of Light consorting with former elite Garlean spy. Not even the Ironworks knew, though he had a feeling that Y'shtola could sense he was hiding something. Prometheus assured him that keeping their relationship private was the best route to take, though Alabaster was never at ease when the voice in his head agreed with him. Thancred knew from the very start, most likely by spying into the wrong room at the wrong time. Thankfully, no matter how much they disliked each other, the rogue never said a thing.Their arrangement stayed the same for a while. A secret rendezvous at an inn where they wouldn't be disturbed, one of them would leave in the morning before the other woke up, then a few days or weeks would pass before Nero found him again. Nero insisted that it had something to do with his tomestone and linkpearl's "traceability", but Alabaster hadn't the slightest idea what that could mean.Things took a turn for Alabaster's psyche when the Prince of Garlemald took his own life in front of him, combined with the horror of the war and the looming threats of further Garlean atrocities, Alabaster found himself unable to speak once more. All the progress he thought he had made for himself came crumbling down, made worse by witnessing the tragedy of Yotsuyu's fate. He secluded himself in an inn in Kugane, barely able to leave even to get himself something to eat. He could have asked for help but he was too embarrassed about his breakdown, too ashamed to show even Alisaie who he thought he truly was: a lonely, quiet hermit who was far too troubled and selfish to be a hero.But Nero found him once more, just like he always did.Nero was surprisingly gentle while he took care of Alabaster. He was sure that the Garlean wouldn't have a lot of patience for such a pitiful display, but strong, slender hands washed his hair, while his confident voice reminded Alabaster of his place in the world. He might have to be the Warrior of Light to Etheirys, but he will always just be Alabaster Bardur to the people who truly love him. Alabaster thought it was a confession. Nero never confirmed nor denied it.Slowly, he managed to get the young hero from his agoraphobic seclusion and back into action. He helped during the trials of Omega, and sat beside Nero's bed as he recovered from his injuries. When it was all over, Nero took his bounty from the Ironworks and enjoyed a short time of luxury with Alabaster. All seemed perfect, at least for a while.Alabaster was miserable when he was pulled from the Source and into the First. Not only had the twins been separated from him for so long, but he was away from Nero for months, far too ashamed of his own light poisoning and growing apathy to return to the source and see him. He knew it would've only been a week or so for the older man, but he was far too busy stopping a world ending at the hands of a man he thought he could love.He did not tell Nero about Emet-selch. That could stay between him and the ancient soul living within his own mind.After yet, another close encounter with death, and after finally gaining the approval of his ancient self, Alabaster returned to the Source with a more optimistic outlook on life. Unknown to most of the scions, he also learned of the fate of the Ironworks in the Black Rose Timeline. Nero's utter dedication to his return, even if it was in another timeline, became the most romantic act of devotion that Alabaster had ever heard of. He immediately took Nero in his arms upon his return, revealing their relationship to the scions and the public at large. Nero had no idea what Alabaster was talking about, but enjoyed the attention all the same.Saying that people were surprised, scandalized, and even angry was an understatement. For once in his life, Alabaster couldn't care. He only explained himself to the Leveilleur twins, and while young Alphinaud was understanding, Alisaie… well, she would tolerate it in due time. Tataru could handle the press just fine.His latest adventure was surrounded in grief and the exact sort of suffering and loneliness he no longer wanted to feel ever again. Despite all the loss and frustration, and a rather confusing trip to the moon, Alabaster found Nero uncharacteristically staring at the wall despite the fact he had worked nonstop building a ship that would take Alabaster to the farthest reaches of the universe. He fully expected Nero to be not only celebrating his own genius, but enjoying a much needed cigarette. Then Nero broke the news: he was expecting. Alabaster doesn't recall what happened after he fainted and slipped into the cold Sharlayan waters, just that he was carried into the ship with his clothes still slightly damp.Alabaster wished he could have taken Nero to the end of the universe. He would have loved meeting Sir, and all the other odd creatures around him. The sight of other intelligent worlds that were lost to suffering and decay would have left Nero speechless. Dynamis, hope, his own stubbornness from refusing to die before he gets to meet his child – whatever brought him back, Alabaster is forever thankful he could return to the arms of the ones he loved. And that he could finally take a much needed break.Nineteen somewhat blissful years passed and they both raised their daughter, Onyx Baidur-Scaeva, a beautiful and highly intelligent but demanding and utterly spoiled girl who became an equally demanding, genius, and spoiled young woman who has taken on the mantle as the new Warrior of Light.

ALISAIE LEVEILLEUR
While many people might think Nero is the driving force behind Alabaster's heroics, Alisaie is the sole reason Alabaster has not retired from the title of Warrior of light. While he is very fond of her brother and sees him as his own younger sibling, Alisaie might just be the most important person in his life. Her encouraging words have saved him time and time again. Her belief in him is what makes him want to be a better man. Alabaster always wished for siblings, he's forever grateful his destiny led him to find the perfect little sister.RAUBAHN ALDYNN
Alabaster sees Raubahn as a father figure. He latched onto his words from the very moment they met, and has always admired his strength and loyalty. He trusts Raubahn completely, even if they don't get to catch up as often as they were able to now that he's busy with the restoration of Ala Migho.MR & MRS BARDUR
To say that Alabaster's relationship with his parents is strained is an understatement. His father is an extremely distant, judgemental, and unsympathetic man, who is either working, gambling, or spending his time with muscular men he can entertain himself with. His mother is an alcoholic who cares little about others, and often doesn't entirely seem to be present with the world around her. After the birth of his daughters, he cuts off communication with them entirely unless they choose to change. When they pass, he's surprised he's still in the will as the sole heir. Perhaps it's their odd way of apologizing.MINFILIA WARDE
Alabaster's first love. He fell for Minfilia instantly, admiring her leadership and mesmerized by her golden hair. He was far too nervous to ever act on his feelings, though he had a suspicion Minfilia knew about them. He was never a subtle man…Her loss broke Alabaster's heart and confuses him even to this day.ESTINIEN VARLINEAU
Alabaster's drinking buddy. While he didn't think much of the Azure Dragoon at first, he finds Estinien's company very comforting. He's one of the few people he can enjoy sitting in silence with, and Estinien's deceptively keen sense of other's emotions consistently shocks Alabaster, but he's always grateful for the man's help. If they aren't sharing a drink, he's quietly listening to Nero and Estinien rattle on about their upbringing with farming in the frigid countryside.EMMANELLAIN DE FORTEMPS
Mortal enemy, not that Emmanellain knows about it.HILDIBRAND MANDERVILLE
Mortal… frenemy? Hildibrand and Alabaster grew up in the same social circles, and since the Manderville heir was only five years older than him, Alabaster was constantly forced to befriend Hildibrand. His parents also thought it would be a good idea for Hildibrand to later babysit Alabaster while they were at the grand saucer. Alabaster refuses to acknowledge that his fondness for silly, ridiculous men might have a very specific source.KOANA
Nero and Alabaster's new boy toy who they spend time with and occasionally sleep with after the events of Dawntrail.