Ship questions for Loira Winford and Severin Dolle, in their initial incarnations as Undead in the World of Warcraft universe. Their story started nearly two years ago and it took nearly that full two-years to reach the starting line of the ‘dating’ part of their relationship! Severin was created by and is written by Janni. Questions grabbed from Tumblr.
PRE-RELATIONSHIP
How did they first meet?
They first met at a disreputable bar (Wards Calling) which was very in-character for him, and spectacularly out-of-character for her! Dolle was there working as a bouncer for the night and Loira was putting feelers out for a new lab assistant as her partner for the last few years had been called away on family business. This was a public RP event being hosted by Janni, and out of character I was there to scope it out and see if it was something my guildmates could attend in future. It’ll be two years on Feb 6th since they met.
What was their first impression of each other?
The nice thing about their story being done entirely by text is that this information is easily available! Reflecting on their first meeting, Severin stated his impression was:
Dolle nods, smirking. “Mmh. How I looked at you from across the bar and I just thought-” He sighs, shaking his head. “That woman is gonna be a massive pain in my ass. And here you are.” Dolle grins. He had had the entirely wrong impression of Loira, even if he’d liked the first impression too. But it’s easier to joke.
And I very conveniently have a journal entry Loira wrote the night of their first meeting (about the outing in general, not just him), so her impression of Dolle was as follows:
Severine Dolle: A disreputable looking Undead. Red eyes, black hair. Employed as a bouncer, apparent skill with throwing knives. Willingly entered a deal to provide me with body parts. No skill with first aid. Motivated to find work. […] Though I regret to report that no limbs were collected, I did collect a strange blood sample which I look forward to studying further. Severin Dolle’s willingness to make this deal, despite his evident surprise, gives me some slight hope for a potential partnership of greater benefit to us both. Time will tell.
Did any of their friends or family want them to get together?
I think ‘want’ is a strong word for it. I think on both sides their friends were happy to see them apparently finding contentment, even if nobody understood the choice their friend was making in company. It’s worth noting that when they were appearing in public they weren’t dating – the story had been going in that direction, but they hadn’t gotten their respective houses in order yet.
I know on Loira’s end some weren’t a fan of Severin himself as he consistently presented himself as a goon. He also has a prominent jealous streak, prompting questions of what exactly she saw in him. Those who knew him thought he was a good guy.
Similarly, some friends of Dolle’s who knew Loira looked at this menace of a woman known for being cold, detached, no-nonsense and deeply unfriendly and went “her, really?” All the fish in the sea and he wants the emotionally unavailable salmon.
Who felt romantic feelings first?
Dolle. If I recall correctly he confessed his feelings to Loira no less than three times. He got turned into a cat the first time as Loira thought he was making fun of her and took immense offence to being used for his entertainment. It took Loira much longer to admit to herself that she had feelings of affection for Dolle, and even longer to verbalise – to some extent- that she cares for him that way. It doesn’t help that they’re both immensely stubborn and can’t communicate for shit.
Did either of them try to resist their feelings?
Dolle did after Loira turned him down the second time. He didn’t think it was appropriate to keep feeling the way he did about her when she didn’t feel the same. Loira, meanwhile, had basically been dragged kicking, screaming, and blatantly lying to herself (and others) about her feelings for Dolle. She didn’t want to feel them for a lot of reasons, including a fear of being made a fool of.
If you had told one of them that the other would be their soulmate, what would they think?
Initially, Dolle would have scoffed and Loira would have stared at you for a long moment before ‘suggesting’ you leave. He was a serial monogamist, dating women just as awful as he was and Loira hadn’t had a romantic inclination for over five years.
I think if you were to tell them now, Dolle would get quiet about it because ain’t that a thought, and Loira would tell you not to be ridiculous in a way that lacked conviction.
What would their lives be like if they had never met?
Part of Dolle’s story over the course of them getting to know one another was this whole experience of caring about other people, and that being novel – Loira wasn’t the only person he came to care about, and he wasn’t altogether pleased to realise he had friends he genuinely cared about. I don’t think his ‘opening up’ would have changed without meeting Loira. I do think he’d still be jumping from relationship to relationship, though maybe his friends would have sat with him to talk about his dissatisfaction with his romantic life at some point.
Loira’s story, meanwhile, was much more closely tied to the wider politics of her people. I don’t think the actions she’s taken since meeting him would have been all that different, she just likely would have been doing some of these things alone. It’s unlikely that she would have become romantically involved with anyone again. Though who knows! Maybe with enough years she would have reconnected with her ex.
GENERAL
Who initiated the relationship, and how did it go?
I don’t think either of them initiated it, it is something they’ve both (slowly) walked into together. I think an important shift for them is actually when they said goodbye after having spent months working together on various charity projects benefiting their people. They went down to the docks, had a nice conversation and held hands on the way back.
Their proper reunion came on a battlefield where they had actively been trying to kill each other, not knowing who the other person was. The realisation came when Loira reached into Dolle’s mind to kill him after he had run her through with his sword. It was after almost losing each other after several months apart that they were both able to admit how much they wanted the other around.
There have been ups and downs since, and they hadn’t had a conversation to say “we are dating” which recently led to a massive amount of pain for both of them as both took actions that deeply hurt the other.
More recently they made the decision to end an adventure early as the danger was more than either remained willing to face. Any potential knowledge to be gained, mystery to solve, or foe to overcome was not worth the risk of losing the other person. They agreed to head home and spent the next few weeks exploring this new dynamic in a quiet town for maximum winter cozy. They deserve it! (And are now a couple!)
Did they have an official first date? If so, what was it like?
They did, even if it was only acknowledged as being a date halfway through. They went to The Dastardly Disco, which is part of Hit Point Press’ Heckna setting. Were they expecting to fight? No, but it made for a “memorable date” as Loira put it. Dolle called her ‘darling’ at the end, and they had a conversation about that. (It went along the lines of “why are you calling me that?” “I shouldn’t, should I.” “…”)
What was their first kiss like?
They haven’t had one! Dolle has been struck by the desire to kiss her several times, however.
Were they each other’s first anything (kiss, relationship, etc.)?
They are not, no. Both have had various types of relationships before, though Loira’s mostly happened when she was alive and Dolle’s mostly took place after his death.
What’s their height difference? Age difference?
Loira is 5’5” and Dolle is 6’6”. There’s three years between them, and Dolle is the older of the two (Loira turned 39 in January, Dolle will be turning 42 in March).
What’s their relationship with each other’s families?
Loira has no relationship with her surviving family due to her being Undead and, as such, Dolle has no relationship with them either! Dolle is still in touch with his family, and while this hasn’t been written Loira is going to get on fine with them. The experience is surreal to her because she can’t quite wrap her head around them being so accepting. She’s very emotional over having the opportunity to be an aunt being returned to her after she was cut out of her niece and nephew’s lives.
Who takes the lead in social situations?
It depends on the situation. Dolle is the more social of the two of them and in most cases Loira prefers he takes the lead. Dolle, meanwhile, tends to look to Loira first to take his cue.
Who gets jealous easier?
Definitely Dolle, and he would – and has – agreed to this point. Loira cannot abide bad manners and will remove herself from situations she is uncomfortable in, which include people fawning over Dolle. Dolle very much views Loira as his person and gets glowery when others try to get her attention.
Who whispers inappropriate things in the other’s ear?
They’re equally guilty of this, though the inappropriateness comes in the form of dry, sarcastic remarks that Dolle struggles not to laugh at, and Dolle are funny observations about the people around them that she likewise needs to take in stride.
LOVE
Who said “I love you” first?
They’ve been telling each other they love each other for nearly a year but nobody has said it yet. I think it will be Dolle.
What are their primary love languages?
When Dolle has loved it has been by holding the door for them. This whole dynamic with Loira is entirely different and he is much less distant from it. On Loira’s end, the last time she was in a relationship she was a whole other person.
Interestingly, I do think both their love languages were acts of service (with an added physical touch for Dolle). On Loira’s end, this was manifested through her ongoing, unfaltering dedication to the safety and security of the Forsaken. Everything she did was for them.
Now, however, for both of them I think it is quality time. Throughout their friendship the constant was that they simply enjoyed spending time together, and while they were both at the Sepulcher would sometimes share a workspace. Physical touch isn’t something Loira does, and Dolle is completely fine with that and, while they’ve gotten each other gifts in the past… It’s quality time. That’s the big one.
Who uses cheesy pick-up lines?
Dolle, absolutely. Loira was never impressed by them, but they’ve grown on her because they’re coming from him. He really doesn’t need encouragement.
How often do they cuddle/engage in PDA?
The most PDA that Loira will ever stand to be seen engaging in is holding hands or, in very specific circumstances, dancing. They agreed a long time ago that their relationship – a friendship at the time – was for them alone, and not anyone else’s business. The attention makes Loira uncomfortable, and Loira being made uncomfortable upsets Dolle, so they just don’t and are both happier for it.
Who initiates kisses?
They haven’t kissed yet. I think, eventually, they both will. At first this will look like immense caution from Dolle, as he’ll be worried about startling her, and also about her vanishing from his arms – she’s a mage with a noted talent for teleportation, she could do it. For Loira it will look like uncertainty, except for when she isn’t uncertain at all and asks him to lean down for her. This delights him.
Later on, in private, their gesture of affection will become more casual. For Dolle this will, I think, look like kisses pressed into her hair, while for Loira it will look like kissing the back of his hand. They’re the parts of each other that they can most easily reach.
Who’s the big and little spoon?
Neither needs to sleep, and while Dolle has developed the habit of sleeping, Loira hasn’t. That said, Dolle would love to be the little spoon. Would he enjoy how small Loira would be when he was the big spoon? Absolutely. But the first time she’s the big spoon it would unlock something in his brain and he would be a very happy man.
What are their favourite things to do together?
They enjoy talking about their respective challenges with one another. Right now that would look like talking about the latest difficulties in plant, and mechanic related work respectively.
Walks in the woods, exploring places new to them, uncovering trouble, sitting in silence… honestly so long as it is together there isn’t much that’s off the table here.
Who’s better at comforting the other?
At this point I think they are about equal. Which isn’t to say either of them is particularly talented at it, as neither of them has much recent experience offering genuine comfort to another, but they are trying.
Who’s more protective?
Oh they’d both burn the world down for the other. Dolle is more outwardly, visibly protective and Loira is the one who works in the background and plans ahead to ensure his safety.
Do they prefer verbal or physical affection?
Right now I think physical if only because they’re both still very much in this stage of “if we talk about it the universe will hear us and break it”. Anytime they’ve spent relaxed, quiet time together something has gone wrong so I think they’re both still waiting for that other shoe to drop. Verbal affection is more difficult for them. Talking about their feelings isn’t something they’re great at.
So! I think physical affection. It is what Dolle is accustomed to, but it has been with a purpose and rarely “just because”. I know he gets jittery when he and Loira hold hands, and has had instances of wanting to hug her or scoop her up – he’s resisted because he knows she won’t appreciate it.
Loira used to be physically affectionate! She’d hug her friends regularly, and hadn’t yet curated this persona of “keep your distance and do not even think of touching me.” Privately, at least, a return to that is possible but right now everything is scary, new, and feels big.
What are some songs that apply to their relationship, in-universe or otherwise?
In terms of ‘the journey so far’ I think Empire & The Sun, Muddy Waters, I Found, and Cut Your Teeth are all solid choices. Never Let You Go is probably my favourite.
From Dolle’s perspective Haunted, I Can’t Lie, and Fallin’ (Adrenaline).
For Loira Inkpot Gods, Illusion, and Everlong.
What kind of nicknames do they call each other?
We’ve got nothing for this yet! Dolle is big on nicknames so she will get one eventually but for the better part of two years it has been “Mister Dolle” and “Miss Winford” almost exclusively.
Who remembers the little things?
They both do, but Dolle is more consistent!
DOMESTIC LIFE
If they get married, who proposes?
Dolle will be proposing and he’s probably going to be nervous about it for months beforehand, having this whole thing planned out in his head because Loira deserves it. He will actually ask her in some quiet moment with just the two of them when the light hits her in a certain way and he’s struck by that now well-familiar longing. She’ll say yes after just a long enough pause to make sure she heard him properly, and he will be walking on air for a week.
What’s the wedding like? Who attends?
We’ve talked about them having a biker wedding, as Dolle is a member of a motorcycle gang who have heard many stories about how amazing Loira is well before she meets them. So they would definitely be there, and Loira would send invitations to several members of Fence Macabre and other residents of Vagrant’s Respite. The guests would primarily be Undead, and others who Loira and Dolle have come to know over their respective adventures would also be in attendance.
The ceremony itself would see elements from the Cult of Forgotten Shadow, which Dolle doesn’t particularly care about one way or another, and that matters to Loira. They’d ask Toulouse and Sid to cater. Dolle would be full of bright-eyed excitement because that’s his wife! Loira would be more subdued about it, as is her way, but her happiness would be quite clear.
How many kids do they have, if any? What are they like?
As they’re both Undead, children aren’t really a possibility and even if they were neither of them believe that it would be responsible for them to be parents. At day’s end they are both animated corpses, and neither believe it is a good idea for a child to be raised in that environment.
Do they have any pets?
Loira has her ghost cat!
Who’s the stricter parent?
I think Loira would appear to be the stricter parent because the breadth of subjects her strictness covers is broader. Dolle’s is more narrow, but has harder boundaries.
Who worries the most?
Dolle, easily. He has full faith in Loira, it’s other people he doesn’t believe in. Will she survive despite their incompetence? Yes, because she’s incredible, but he would still rather be there. His worry is more acute, while Loira’s is more broad: she worries about the return of war, and a renewal of interest in persecuting the Forsaken. Loira thinks Dolle is too stubborn to die, and also knows that she wouldn’t rest until she found him if he did.
Who kills the bugs in the house?
I think Loira is the one to bring them outside.
How do they celebrate holidays?
For Hallow’s End, Loira insists on them attending celebrations at whatever the central hub for the Undead becomes. Dolle doesn’t particularly care on his own, but knows this is important to her and because of that it is important to him. Winter’s Veil likely involves a visit to see his family.
Who’s more likely to convince the other to come back to sleep in the morning?
I don’t think she ever would, see again “she doesn’t sleep” but Loira convincing Dolle of this would be as easy as her saying “return to bed”. That’s his wife, who is he to say no??
I’m not sure, at this point, if sleeping is a habit she will pick up or not.
Who’s the better cook?
I genuinely don’t know! Loira bakes and is very good at it, she used to sell cookies and turnovers at markets alongside her potions. Cooking isn’t a skill either has made use of since being raised, really. I know before their deaths, Loira would have been the better cook – not a good one necessarily, but she didn’t view it as a chore and had more experience doing it.
Who likes to dance?
They both do! Dolle’s enthusiasm for it far eclipses his skill and their first times dancing together he was very worried about stepping on Loira’s feet. He enjoys it very much. Loira is an average dancer, who benefitted from a few years of kitchen dances with a proficient dancer whenever that particular friend came to visit her in the early years of her Undeath.
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