Elegy

**“For all of its pervasiveness ... the 'elegy' remains remarkably ill defined: sometimes used as a catch-all to denominate texts of a somber or pessimistic tone, sometimes as a marker for textual monumentalizing, and sometimes strictly as a sign of a lament for the dead.”**

The sole worker of Bookvine, besides The Emperor themselves. The singular member who understands Galactic fluently, like the back of their hand. Elusive like an unread mystery, an unpublished secret, Elegy takes orders with almost a deathly silence and returns with books in tow. Conversations are often not spoken, or merely one sided unless Ele has a reason to open his mouth.

Elegy is roughly over nine feet tall, with berry red hair and charred umber toned skin. Long, muscular jointed legs like a feral animal hoist them above most others, clawed fingertips and feet with hooks along the back. Horns protrude from his head, smooth and taken care, strong as obsidian. It seems that most of one horn was grown back during experimentation, and the shorter one completely new. Along their back, hidden away under a cloak typically or folded as if they were one is dark, leathery wings. It is uncertain if they can actually fly with them or if they are for show. Much like a dragon, there are hooks at the wing tips and spikes at the top joints. Elegy has two dark wine eyes, one with a golden pupil and the other blood red. A jaw much like an enderman or even a ravager, with teeth hidden away inside.

Their appearance is almost reminiscent of the fabled Ender Dragon, however it is unsure what they are a mix of, and their true heritage.

Long elfish ears are occasionally adorned with golden jewelry and piercings. Ele often dresses in very formal, royal attires with fine fabrics and rich materials. It is clear they take a lot of pride in their looks, and even the loose ponytail that they tie their hair in is carefully mastered and placed. Typically, their clothing is darker, warm colors, to fit both their own and Bloodvine's aesthetic.

### Said I Look Mad, She Said I Look Wasted

Elegy's initial, and first appearance outside of the tightly sealed secrets of Bloodvine laboratories, was during the Bloodvine v. TPE war. It was a bit of a trial run for their newest member- to see how Elegy would behave on a longer leash. However, though spiteful and restless, Ele was not dumb enough to bolt as soon as they were given the taste of freedom. What fun is that? Yes, of course, these people may have taken him, however, they were at least providing some sort of entertainment and that being the kind that involves a bit of fire, a bit of adrenaline and a bit of chaos.

It was almost enough excitement to wake someone from the dead.

Elegy did not get too much action- mostly working on breaking into Solis and defending claiming beacons that would allow them to advance into the center of the city, like a game of chess. However, they did get a breath of fresh air, a bit of joy, and something to begin to journal and write about.

As soon as the war begun, it ended, Bloodvine rushing in like a flash and infecting everything in it's path. Within hours, rubble was ruined about and the members had already retreated back home. Solis had not been able to slow them down much more than a few minutes, and the remains of the once former City of the Sun looks less bright and beaconing as it once was.

### Dead Flowers in the Sand

Elegy and The Emperor, Hossenpheffer, received news of this new.... vine of sorts appearing in Everglow. Of course, the two Vineborns were curious on this possible.. competition? Enemy? Nuisance? And so the two made their ways to Banana Republic to take a look around.

*"Not a huge fan."* Hossenpheffer begun as they arrived. *"But I got word of something you'd want."*

*"Oh? Competition perhaps?"*

*"Competition seems doubtful. Look at the spread."* The Emperor replied, *"The vine had a whole town within a day."*

Both were met with black tendrils laying over the surface of the earth, in an unimpressive display compared to the glory of their own Bloodvines.

However, Hossenpheffer had brought along Elegy for another purpose. Leading him through the Void Vines, they headed to the Banana Republic Museum to take a peek around.

The glass containers were conveniently labelled "Do Not Break." Inside sat a small origin chunk of VoidVine, resting on a small display in the blatant open for anyone to look (and in this case, to take).

*"This, is what we're here for."* Hossenpheffer began, followed by a hum of acknowledgement from Elegy.

Hossenpheffer proceeded to easily smash the thin glass hiding the vine inside, shattering pieces all over the ground and leaving the item exposed.

*"You've shown resistance to infection, I was thinking you could take it safely. Contain it."*

*"....Pardon? Just... take it?"*

Obviously, Elegy was not fully certain of this plan. Last time they had messed with weird vines, it made them regrow forgotten limbs and now they were stuck under the wing of said vine's leader.

*"Why ever not? Epicenter will want a look at it."*

Begrudgingly, Elegy listened, sticking their hand inside with a few mumbles of protest before grabbing the vine with their clawed hand.

*"Nothing."* They stated blankly, pulling it out and rolling it in their palm for a moment. The vine was not struggling, and Elegy felt no urge or connection from this new source. Thankfully.

*"To be fair, not completely sure how I feel about being the test dummy for this."*

*"Not a test dummy, just the safest hand we had. Let's take it back to the lab."*

*"Hmm. Alright."*

Making their way back to the Aureus Laboratory, Elegy was thankful to get the stupid block into Epicentre's mailbox before the Bloodvine could get any funny ideas of beheading him or something along those lines. Let that scientist bastard get beat up, Elegy had enough.

*"Do you think the Vine is going to react to this? I'd prefer to keep my head intact."* Elegy grumbled, as they approached the Lab and of course, the massive amounts of Bloodvine tendrils creeping out of the facility. Reassuring as always, Hossenpheffer asked Elegy if there was any new reactions in which they replied no to. That seemed to be good enough for the leader, and Elegy made a mental note to maybe rearrange one of his chests or move some objects a few feet over just to get back later.

*"If it's sentient the vine may react. Then we'll have issues."*

Elegy stared at the Voidvine in their hand, watching it shift around in his palm. *"Reassuring that I'm the one possessing it."*

*"Let's just say we're testing the new armour."* Hossenpheffer, not making Elegy any more comfortable with the situation though it was very unlikely there was an attempt to do so in the first place, commented.

More grumbling from Elegy, as they put the vine down into the mailbox and hoped that maybe it would perhaps grow teeth and bite Epicentre once or twice for him.

*"Epicentre's worked with worse."* Hossenpheffer further stated, as Elegy returned back to his side, dusting off their hands.

*"I would be surprised or concerned if I hadn't have firsthand experience."*

*"You're the afforementioned Worse my friend."*