[application] EMPATHEIAS

[elementalshot]

⌈ PLAYER SECTION ⌉
Player: Yukina
Contact: personas



⌈ CHARACTER SECTION ⌉

Character: Milla Maxwell
Age: 21
Canon: Tales of Xillia 2
Canon Point: Post Game

Background: HERE

After departing the human world to maintain her new place as Maxwell, Lord of Spirits, Milla continues to serve her purpose and keep watch from afar. Her dispelling the schism gave the worlds below some extra mana to continue running but ultimately the future was left in the hands of her friends. The extra mana would only last for so long, after all.

However Milla eventually begins to grow concerned about the number of fractured dimensions and the strain it's putting on Origin and the soul purification/reincarnation process. She decides she has to return to the human world and see for herself what's happened in the year that has progressed since she was there last. Unfortunately upon arriving the first thing that happens is a run in with Chronos. Without a second thought he proceeds to toss her into a dimensional rift and essentially trap her between dimensions. When Elle brings the fractured Milla into the prime dimension, it traps Milla there for good. Unable to return while the fractured Milla is taking her place, Milla is able to see (at least somewhat) through the other Milla's eyes as she drifts.

Jude, Alvin, Elle, Ludger and the fractured Milla infiltrate a ship taken over my Exodus in an attempt to stop a peace treaty between Elympios and Rieze Maxia from being ratified. They run into Rideaux there who performs a ritual to summon Milla back into the prime dimension by sacrificing the fractured Milla. Indeed Milla is able to return to the prime dimension with her fractured self gone and makes her grand entrance by making goggly eyes with Jude and then kicking Rideaux's ass. All is right again though the death of her alternate self weights heavily on her and causes a rift between her and Elle.

But she is quick to befriend and show interest in Ludger and what he's trying to accomplish. So she becomes the newest party member and journeys on with Ludger to fix the fractured dimension problem.

Milla learns of a woman in the distant past named Milla Kresnik. Apparently she was the first human to successfully summon Maxwell. She was quite rambunctious and without manners but she was also known for being an amazing singer. She sang a particular song to summon him in the first place. It becomes clear her relationship with Maxwell had been very close (possibly romantic) as Milla learns that something tore them apart and caused a great rift between them. As it turns out she was responsible for Maxwell's fondness for humans but also partially the cause of Chronos' anger toward them.

Within a fractured dimension Milla learns these things about Milla Kresnik via a fractured version of Ivar and Aska. It isn't until she meets a fractured version of the original Maxwell she preceded that she learns the whole story. He tells her that he named her after Milla Kresnik and that she was a woman always asking questions. When spyrix began to grow in number Milla Kresnik stood against them. She desired a world where humans and spirits could coexist together instead. She becomes something of an ambassador between humans and spirits, striving to put everything she had into helping both. This led to the founding of Nia Khera, a place where Milla Kresnik and her followers gathered to live in peace with spirits. This was also the start of the Kresnik clan, Ludger's lineage.

However a plot among her own people to kill her rose. This faction wanted to use spirits for profit and sought to do away with her in order to put that plan into motion. It was this that caused Maxwell to decide to create the schism. He offered to take Milla Kresnik with him but she refused. She would not abandon her fellow humans to die in Elympios even though they had betrayed her. Maxwell felt betrayed by this decision and it was what ultimately drove the rift between them. Milla Kresnik eventually lost her life to the traitors. Maxwell decided it was a sign that humans could not wield power given to them and were untrustworthy in the end.

Milla questions Maxwell's story, wondering why he didn't speak to Milla Kresnik about her decision or her intentions. She claims he must've been afraid of the answer and of finding out how much he loved her. Maxwell admits she might be right and questions Milla in return for standing with the humans despite her having seen the ugliness of their nature. Milla says it is her duty to side with humans and spirits alike and that she is not alone in this mission because she has Jude and her other companions to help. As Ludger destroys this fractured dimension Milla hums the Hymn of Proof and Maxwell comments that he recognizes the melody. Once back in the prime dimension Milla laments that she didn't really learn the full truth about Milla Kresnik. She also expresses some sadness that she won't be around to see the kind of unity between humans and spirits in the world that Jude is striving for. Jude reminds her that their dream is not a new one and that they won't fail in making it reality.

A crisis in Sharliton inadvertently allows Milla to learn the rest of Milla Kresnik's story. When rampaging weapon Golems go berserk due to a bad storm, Gaius and Rowen request Milla's assistance. The Golems need to be subdued by someone who can wield all four elements at once and that happens to be the Lord of Spirits' speciality. During the difficult battle Ivar appears with the spirit fossil of the former Maxwell. Equipped with a booster, Jude is able to summon him and wield his power. When the Golems are defeated the backlash from the booster hurts Jude but he struggles through it, wanting to communicate and not control this new power. Maxwell appears, commenting how he understands, and asks for proof. Ludger realizes he's talking about the song the Hymn of Proof. Together Milla and Jude hum it to show their resolve and prove to Maxwell that they really want a world for both human and spirit. Maxwell then reveals that the Hymn of Proof was the song Milla Kresnik sang to summon him and is impressed it has stood the test of time. He asks Jude what lyrics he'd put to the song. He states he'd use lyrics that were about humans and spirits living together to which Maxwell replies they would be a lot nicer than the lyrics Milla Kresnik actually used. Apparently the original lyrics included threats of beard pulling if Maxwell didn't show up. They all realize the song is in fact the key to the spyrite research Jude had been looking for.

Maxwell accepts this proof and comments that a human like Jude appears every so often, accompanied by a spirit (Milla in this case) that believes in him or her. Milla asks Maxwell what the proof even is to begin with. He tells her it is the hearts of man and that realization surprises her. However she chuckles quietly to herself in understanding as she observes Jude, amazed that something so obvious was the answer they were seeking all along.

Personality: Milla is a very proud and strong individual. She stands with her head held high and her gaze ever forward. Looking at her and listening to her speak it would appear she never doubts herself, her ideals or her mission. And Milla is just all about her mission.

First and foremost Milla holds her position in this world above all else. She is Maxwell, Lord of all Spirits, and she takes this duty very seriously. She knows it is her responsibility to protect the world and all the living things on it. Spirits and humans alike are important to her. She even states that humans are her "favorite animal". The noble sense of duty she has is quite admirable but her focus on it keeps her view a little narrow. She has a bit of a tin ear for the feelings and thoughts of others. Although her ultimate duty is to protect it doesn't mean she's any good at listening to others. Milla does what Milla wants and ain't nobody gonna tell her otherwise! Which basically means she's quite independent and is more than capable of following through with whatever she decides she has to do. Once her mind is set changing her mind is downright impossible. She just simply won't ever give up.

Her determination to play her role as world protector and savior never wavers. Even when she loses her powers of the The Four Great Spirits and then later her ability to walk, Milla never stops striving to reach her ultimate goal. The lengths at which she'll go for her mission can be downright suicidal and she has risked her life for it on more than one occasion. Although she wants to protect the world and complete her task Milla shows little regard for her own life at times. Additionally she shows a disregard for people too so long as it's for the greater good. Her resolve is just that strong. As she earns the friendship and respect of the party members, however, Milla comes to value individual life much more and becomes much less willing to jeopardize anyone else. Even if it'd for the greater good. This becomes especially apparent when she chooses to sacrifice herself to save her friends even if that jeopardizes what she has to do.

Being a spirit and having lived in (mostly) isolation for all twenty years of her life in Nia Khera, Milla is a bit awkward. Her knowledge of humans and how they live comes strictly from books which means she has several… strange… insights about human behavior. She's also a bit socially inept as a result and a bit clueless on how having a human form works. She collapsed from hunger not realizing she needed to eat herself and had to get use to sleeping and needing rest. Additionally her clothing is some cause for discomfort among most people but Milla sees little reason why. Milla also has a heavy love for food to the point where the mere mention of it sends her drooling. Her delight in eating is a bit over the top. She's quite the glutton and is often wondering when the party will stop for food. She often pauses to muse about human behavior and how she will never truly understand it despite all her book based knowledge.

Oddities aside Milla is also quite smart and adapts easily to new situations. Her ability to simply stay focused on her goal allows this but it also hinders as well. She is more than willing to part with her companions numerous times in order to pursue her mission when they wanted to pursue more personal goal, such as uncovering Elize's past. She can be downright uncaring in situations like this. During Elize's distress she pushes her away and continues wanting answers to pursue the culprits rather than to stop and help Elize repair Teepo. Eventually Milla does come around and learns that the mission isn't everything but remains no less focused on it. Her will is strong and her determination to simply not let things unfinished even stronger. Milla is quite intelligent otherwise though she isn't much for strategy either. She'd rather charge forward and come up with a plan as the situation calls for it. She's a skilled fighter and a natural leader, using her fierce determination to inspire others. Usually never on purpose.

Milla is surprisingly preceptive as well. She was able to catch on to Alvin's shifty behavior earlier than the others and she noted quickly that she was being followed. She has been known to be able to read the reactions and expressions of others, such as knowing that Leia knew what spyrix was already based on her level of surprise. Milla can sometimes be too blunt and has little hesitation speaking her mind, for better or for worse. She'll outright criticize or compliment people and does not mince words. If she has something to say to you about you she will say it and by golly you will listen. She often gets aggravated when others fail to do the same and beat around the bush.

In Tales of Xillia 2, Milla's convictions and mannerisms have not changed much. She's still the proud and strong Milla Maxwell, Lord of Spirits. She still strives to do whatever it takes to protect the world she loves so much. Unlike before she has a better handle on how to human. Sort of. She retains her blunt and sometimes harsh way of speaking but it's very clear she's gained a softer side. She is certainly more sympathetic. Unlike once in the past where she cold shouldered Elize's upset when the truth about Teepo was revealed, Milla actually tries to earn Elle's trust and respect when the girl becomes upset over the other Milla's death. Even when that doesn't have to do with her mission in the long run. She feels a heavy weight of guilt about what happened to the fractured Milla, which might be a part of it. But another part of it is simply that she has a better understanding of how Elle is feeling whereas in the past she had no inkling (nor need to care) how Elize felt. She even brushes of Elle's harshness toward her with calm and wise understanding.

But no matter what, Milla is still Milla. She loves her food more than ever (and got Muzét in on adopting gluttonous habits of her own) and apparently made the Four hold several meetings with her over what kind of clothing she should wear (and yet still she managed to make an outfit not unlike bondage attire). She's still fascinated by humans and everything they can (and can't) do. Most of all she's fascinated that humans still find ways to surprise her. All the new technology of the world has piqued her interest though she isn't quite sure how to use most of it. She has a new love of trying out idioms and forcing them into conversation as well, much to everyone's chagrin. She additionally attempts to use words that don't actually exist in a poor attempt to describe emotions. (But that's okay, everyone just goes along with it because it's Milla and it's just easier that way.)

She's definitely more aware of herself and how she behaves, lamenting she still isn't very considerate of human feelings when she upsets Elle and Jude. Speaking of Jude and her being more aware of things, Milla has seemed to grown a more flirtatious side to her when it comes to him. She had no problems pinning him to a couch (to treat his injuries no really...) or speak very highly of him whether asked for it or not. She tends to worry about his well being more openly and scold him more firmly for being reckless. Truth be told they are sort of sickeningly adorable around each other. It makes everyone sigh a lot. Regardless she acknowledges how important her relationship with Jude is to the both of them and to their dream of wanting to create a world for both humans and spirits. She seems to hold their bond as a promise to improve the world.

Milla also seems much more relaxed. Her mission drives her, always, but it isn't front and center of everything she does and she is more willing to take a moment and smell the roses before continuing with the journey. She even takes time to sidequest about the origin of her name! She certainly doesn't go on and on about needing to hurry on with her mission as much though she isn't any less determined to see it through. But it's nice that she also enjoys some relaxation now too. She has a bit of an overzealous need to experience more human things now too. Even when she doesn't... entirely understand it. Such as bathing in the hot springs ("Naked merriment" indeed, Milla...) or contemplating putting job posting up for all the world's finest foods.

Although Milla can sometimes be a bit cold and standoffish she is not cruel. She does truly care deeply for life and values her duty to protect it. She has learned what true bonds of friendship and comradeship can be like and has grown from them. Though she still might have further room to grow Milla is certainly a steadfast pillar of strength to those she meets.



Abilities: Milla specializes in using Artes like most of her comrades. However unique to Milla is the ability to summon the Four. They can aid her in battle with a single attack based on their element: Undine for water, Efreet for fire, Sylph for wind and Gnome for earth. Her Spirit Artes can be used without the need for an incantation, meaning she can throw her spells around a lot quicker. Her attacks in general are quick and precise. Although she can use all four elements she focuses primarily on wind and fire based attacks. She can also use lightning and light based spells.

She excels in aerial combat and most of her skills have an aerial use to them. When Linked with other characters in the party she can use a technique that binds enemies in place with a magic circle. It also temporarily disables their attacks. Her spells are balanced for both long range and short range. Her physical attacks are short range as she uses a traditional sword.

Other: N/A

⌈ SAMPLE SECTION ⌉

First Person Sample: From the Test Drive

Third Person Sample:

The wind carried with it a sense of urgency. It swirled around Milla's feet before rushing past her, pulling flower petals and grass blades with it. Her long bangs fell across her eyes and she pushed them back impatiently. Perhaps the wind really did have a sense of urgency because that's what she was feeling at the moment. The whole idea that her emotions could cause a reaction to the outside world was still something she was trying to understand. For now she had to make sense of this place. Next she had to find a way back home. There was no time for her to be milling about a place like this.

The wind picked back up and she sighed. Is weather only controlled by emotions here? How inconvenient.

For so many reasons. There had to be more than one emotion running high at any given time. If so then which emotion would this place pick up on? On that thought, there were many people here. How did this place choose which person it was to read and react to? Was the weather perhaps more isolated so that it could pick up on multiple feelings? Did it always react to emotions at all times or was it only reacting to particular strong ones?

Milla shook her head and continues her journey forward. None of that was particular important right now. Certainly things to dwell on... perhaps to even discuss with the other people trapped here like she was. For now the more important thing was to make sure her powers had not been set back again by being in a whole new world. She could not feel spirits here at all and that made her feel isolated in a way she had never known before. It reminded of her of when she had lost the Four. Even now she wasn't sure if they were there or not however the fact that she did not feel a hole in her where they should've been indicated they must be. They just seemed very faint. Perhaps the lack of spirit presences here was the cause?

She finally stopped at the edge of a cliff. The drop wasn't particularly steep. She could probably survive a jump or fall if she landed right but normal humans would most likely perish. Milla glances around to be sure she was alone. For that reason she needed to be careful. She needed to test her abilities but she didn't want to catch anyone unaware. It's why she had traveled so far out as well.

Staring into the clear blue sky and shielding her eyes from the sunlight, Milla knew she could feel some kind of magic here. There was something here she could utilize for her powers maybe. Not spirits but something else. She couldn't say what... but she could find out.

Taking a deep breath Milla lifted her arms up, palms forward. She closed her eyes and silently hoped this worked.

Questions: N/A