Welcome to Elene's polycule carrd!This polycule includes but is not limited to:
-WoL x Aphinaud in a romantic context
-Implied Estinien x Alphinaud in a romantic context
-Age gap
-Mentions of depression and addiction
-Vague PTSD mentionsIf you've read and acknowledged the above, click the button below to proceed onward.
welcome to poly hell
We have white hair and emotional baggage.A guide to Elene's polycule because everything happens so much with these guys.AGES AS OF 6.0:
ELENE: 22
ESTINIEN: 35
ALPHINAUD: 19
THANCRED: 35
Elene and Alphinaud
“...It’s nice to know that I don’t always have to be strong around you. Even if you’re the reason I’m strong in the first place.”
"I'm rarely strong around you. I'd be more than happy to allow you the same liberty."
ROMANTIC: YES
SEXUAL: NOT REALLY
PLATONIC: OBVIOUSLY
Neither of them realized another person could become their entire world.
Despite their rocky start, the two came to an understanding and Elene's loathing for the elezen subsided when they realized that their upbringings gave them quite a bit in common. From the freezing corners of Ishgard all the way to the end of creation itself, the two learned much about each other and what started as an awkward working relationship very slowly turned into friendship, then love. Though Elene once saw Alphinaud as something fragile to protect, he's proven to her time and time again that walking side by side with her instead is no struggle for him. The two of them bring out the best in each other - raising each other up, bringing each other back to reality, and helping each other learn to laugh and lighten up when needed. If you need to find Elene, simply look for Alphinaud.
Elene and Thancred
"Man, we're not just friends with benefits after this one, are we?"
"I suppose not."
ROMANTIC: YES
SEXUAL: DEFINITELY
PLATONIC: YES
A no-strings-attached agreement to kiss (and do way more tbh) and not tell didn't become anything resembling a relationship between Thancred and Elene until well after Ala Mhigo and Doma's liberation. The two had become friends with benefits not long after Elene's initial journey from Kugane to Eorzea, and would continue to see each other privately until Thancred's dip into the lifestream. When Elene began to fall into a depression following Alphinaud's decision to travel to Garlemald, Thancred was there to comfort her and the two quickly realized that they cared way too much about each other to simply remain as they were. Though Thancred didn't cave to the idea of a relationship until well after night had been returned to Norvrandt, he doesn't regret Elene's insistence one bit. Much like Alphinaud broke down Elene's walls, Elene's persistence and not-so-gentle reassurance eventually made its way to Thancred's heart. The two have become an inseparable support system for each other.
Estinien and Elene
"This is my idiot, so I'll take responsibility for him."
"Yours?!"
ROMANTIC: SUPPOSEDLY
SEXUAL: IF ELENE CAN HELP IT, YES
PLATONIC: YES
What started off as a heated rivalry between Eorzea's two known Azure Dragoons accidentally turned into flirting after a long talk during their trip through Dravania. After rescuing Estinien from Nidhogg's clutches, Elene insisted on "nursing him back to health" herself, though how well she did is up for debate. Though Estinien left without so much as a goodbye after recovering, he couldn't help but follow Elene's adventures from the shadows. It wasn't until a fateful reunion in Othard that Elene would confess to Estinien just how much he meant to her. Though the elezen is more often than not groaning about Elene's overt displays of affection, he seems to keep coming back for more at the end of the day. Though he finds it difficult to admit, Estinien appreciates the joy and spontaneity that Elene brings to his life with her antics.
Estinien and Alphinaud
ROMANTIC: ??????????
SEXUAL: GODS NO
PLATONIC: YES
After becoming closer through their journey with Elene to end the Dragonsong War, Estinien and Alphinaud found a family in each other. Estinien was the older brother Alphinaud never had, and Alphinaud was an almost painful reminder of the little brother than Estinien lost. Though Estinien's exterior is often cold, he would (and has tbh) commit murder to protect Alphinaud. Though he can't deny the younger elezen has grown a lot in his time on the first, it won't stop the dragoon from roasting Alphinaud, who still can't help but look up to Estinien in wide-eyed wonder. Though the two certainly stand on slightly more equal footing than before, it won't stop them from bickering just like a real pair of siblings. Elene has started a "fight jar" that both elezen have to contribute 100 gil to each time they fight, but it has done literally nothing to stop them. Not even close. Attempts to tease each other about their respective relationships with Elene just ends in both of them imploding.
Thancred and Estinien
ROMANTIC: THEY'LL SAY NO BUT IT'S A YES
SEXUAL: OCCASIONALLY
PLATONIC: YES
What do you get when you put two stubborn, emotionally-constipated assholes in a room together? These two. After the Scions' return to the Source, Elene had already made things official between herself, Alphinaud, and Thancred. After much convincing, Estinien warmed up to visiting more often at least, but couldn't get over Thancred's knowing smirks in his direction - the tsundere act wasn't going to work with someone who was just as familiar with it. A pairing that never would have interacted of their own volition if not for Estinien joining the scions quickly turned from a quiet curiosity into a lighthearted friendship - and if you insist that they're flirting with each other they will vehemently deny it, no matter how obvious and slightly embarrassing it is to watch. Their time spent together as scions served to bring them closer and break the ice.
Alphinaud and Thancred
ROMANTIC: PROBABLY NOT
SEXUAL: BRUH
PLATONIC: YES
Family by proxy and not necessarily by choice at the beginning, Thancred and Alphinaud barely interacted with each other one on one before realizing their common ground: Elene. Though things initially kicked off very stiffly and awkwardly, and the two would probably never see each other in a romantic light, there's definitely a special bond between the two that could only be born of the solidarity that comes with putting up with Elene's bullshit. Their relationship is more platonic than anything, but would not be complete without the occasional friendly jab about each others' past cringe. They are known to occasionally team up to roast Estinien, too.