Thandy Pipling

Thandy Pipling is one of the Navigators of the The Midnight Valiant, portrayed by Frillyflabbergasts (aka Iris). She is their resident crackcell, with chaotic instincts but opting for braincell-mode most of the time. A balance tipper amidst the crew, adapting to situational cues to keep things both exciting, and safe.

Thandy grew up in an isolated mountain village nestled on the peak of Mt. Prollis in Erolkloff. At five years of age, her passion for stars and secrets sewn into galaxies above took root, and flourished with the coming years. A dream of navigation, sought avidly. Born into a long line of locally adored musicians, Thandy's guardians (grandparents) trained her to continue their legacy, and so, her quest for navigation was kept under wraps as she begrudgingly adhered to their teachings. At eighteen she managed to build her first functioning spyglass, but it wouldn't be another year before Thandy could truly chase the gales and whispered tales. After an incident with some well known prats in high regard in their town, Thandy was outed and finally up and left her constricted lifestyle. She hasn't touched a violin since...

Bio
A dreamer. That’s the best word to describe wide-eyed, joyous (most of the time, but spare her from knowing if you realize otherwise) Thandy. She spends her time staring from the sky to each scrap of paper scribbled with sketches and research, guiding the Valiant and searching for answers to the Great Flood’s mysteries. She gets lost in work mode, hyperfixating on each element and going on ramb-, *clears throat* ,-long passionate expressions that’ve been labeled as awe inspiring. Though past the barrier of technical language, she feels herself to be unfamiliar with much more than she’d be comfortable admitting, in regards to everyday things at least. There is still much to be learned. Even more to be discovered. When stepping back from the universe's tapestry, maps dotted through the heavens and scattered with the gales, she retreats to the company of her bubbly crew mates. This is all she could’ve asked for. Flying again after five long years, and finding family these past six. The most home she’s ever been. Her eyesight is sharp, trained with her spyglass, lending itself to considerable aim, and her hearing is even more remarkable from all those study nights on edge, listening for her guardian's footsteps, and sleepless dusks on shift. Thandy adores making people feel comfortable and loved, the way she wished to be treated before, so she hands out genuine compliments like sprinkling snow, hypes everyone up (till the balance should be tipped from chaos to logical caution) and always tries to be a listening ear or shoulder to lean on. This can be mistaken as flirtatious behavior despite her oblivion towards the subject and complete malfunction at the realization. The Navigator doesn’t fear emotions, as long as they’re positive or in the opposite case, coming from others seeking comfort, or simply going through the motions. Her own are a different tale entirely. Through overworking, volunteering to come to anyone’s aid (regardless of type or toll), drowning herself in the company of others’ rambunctious schemes or going without sleep because of insomnia, the night sky's echoes and haunting memories she’d rather ignore, even food gets lost in her sought distractions, opting for living off of the occasional snacks or beverages during gatherings, reminders, or someone’s insistence on her eating. Despite it all, she gets the work done, and she does it well, so is there any real harm done? If she can’t think straight  for the rest of the time at least the static will surely muddle regrets’ spiral that never ceases reverberating cacophonously, waiting for a moment of silence, a crack in her feigned nonchalant smile, to pour the mounds of guilt out into the open. But it’s fine. She’s fine. Overcompensating for her inexperience, Thandy justifies it as adventurous whims, jumping into any situation head first, unless the others are taking that roll, then she’ll attempt thinking through it for the benefit of the whole first. She goes into “tourist mode” a lot for a similar reason. Thandy Pipling will not hesitate to stand for what she believes and her companions on MV, throwing both fists, and, if it comes to it… life on the line. She loves her family.

Appearance
Thandy's physique, though nimble, consists of few curves and particularly strong arms (come from offering extra muscle throughout her three year search for employment and currently working on an airship).

However, the first thing one notices when laying eyes on Thandy is the bright smile perking up her tired eyes that still manage to retain their spark despite endless nights of work-abuse, the beckoning galaxy’s thrall and insomnia’s tricks. Her black lipstick draws more attention to the wide inviting grin, accompanied by a seemingly ever-present blush, gifted by their chilly environment. Her hair’s tamed in a braided side bun, mingled with green ribbon as to not cause distraction through focused navigation, for the winds brisking past the Valiant are playful at best. She wears wrist-bracers that help shield from frost-bite, rope burn and throwing punches if need be. There’s a smudge across her nose from her spyglass’ permanent position she feels will never leave, yet despite darkening on overloaded days, she’s grown quite fond of it. A similar mark rests on her bottom right cheek from the tendency to lean on her graphite-covered fist while studying and correcting maps with Nathaniel. A white bandage covers a scar on her left cheek, though she never takes it off, mentions, or really seems to care for it.

For everyday she wears a frilly cream-colored shirt with puffed short sleeves (she doesn’t really mind the cold, unless it gets extra bity), corset-like button-up vest in the color black, brown belt with fake-golden accents, brownish jacket she wears as an apron (and puts on if the temperature severely drops), long ankle-length skirt that shimmers bronze in the sunlight, tough black-leather wrist-bracers curling around her knuckles and warn lace-up leather boots. A greenish-yellow ribbon, small gray feathery headpiece, black and silver earring in the shape of a person or doll, little silver necklace with two intersecting circles (one smaller than the other) are her constant accessories. Nightclothes consist of her dayclothes (removing accessories and shoes, obviously. She doesn’t sleep much anyway). Alternitavely, a pair of fuzzy, gray pajamas the crew gifted her for her birthday once with a star-print and socks (she may not mind the chill, but gets very cold feet)

Thandy smells like the embodiment of vellichor (if it were a smell). The comfort of old parchment and slight hint of smoke from her lantern while working late nights. She also has a swirl of light dew, that kind of moisture that comes from hanging outside a lot in the clouds with a little bit of that salty tinge from the sea air. And if you get a really tight hug you can sense cinnamon, since it’s her favorite tea and she spends a lot of time in its steam.

Ties
The Midnight Valiant crew and passengers. Recently, Thandy has become the adopted sister of Nathaniel, her adopted brother (Though it has yet to be established legally, the pair have low regard for paperwork and have claimed each other as official siblings)

Background
Thandy Pipling grew up on a secluded mountain village on Mt. Prollis in the far Isle of Erolkloff. She loathed every second of it, well, almost every moment. Sure their little oasis of surrounding snow-covered nature was a gift not many had the opportunity to witness, yet she felt chained to the earth when she longed to follow the stars. That yearn began in 77 A.GF (age 5) and only grew as the seasons changed.

She lived under her grandparents guardianship and thumbs, spending nineteen years adhering to their way of thinking. Crafting her to be the perfect violinist, following their long family lineage with instrumental and musical prowess. Thandy did not agree, but complied, for the most part. They made empty promises, only acknowledged her and gave words of affirmation when she did as they pleased and did not tolerate mistakes (at present, she has no idea how to react towards genuine kindness or care because of it. Also turns into a flustered mess if complimented). This only slightly changed in their important company, to which they would boast with Miss Pipling's achievements and exalt themselves in the process.

She was referred to, by them, as nearly nothing but Miss Pipling, her actual name, apparently a reminder of her parents that she had heard nothing about and never would. She didn’t go searching after that. It didn’t matter. What would it change after all? Especially when there was a whole world to be ventured through just past the brink of Prollis’ crest.

At fourteen, she'd been delivering some newly composed sheet music and few related books to her guardian's other pupils (culture-fond folk of Erolkloff's high society/ associates of her grandparent's) when Thandy ran into a music loving, lonesome archivist by the name of Monsoon. The young archivist, only few years older, took instant interest in her company and introduced Thandy to Erolkloff's only archives. A run down, wooden building on top of their mountain, that practically non-frequented. The only reason it was still open and Mons (Thandy's nickname for the archivist) made a living, was Erolkloff's high society's insistence, badgering Mt. Prollis' committee into financially supporting them for keeping the library running. In reality, they pocketed most of the incoming coin, investing the bare minimum in the archives in order to secure comfortable living. Monsoon invited her to attend for as long as she'd like and gave Thandy access to all their material upon navigation, climate, and celestial reference. They were complacent, satisfied with their earnings for dusting off shelves and organizing the rare new additions, but the first that listened. Or at least pretended to, letting Thandy babble on till they'd get tired of it and request inside voices. In return, Thandy taught Monsoon about music’s regards and relayed a portion of her violin-related knowledge. They formed a friendship, or more of a mutual agreement, beneficial to the both of them.

Her quest for more, for navigation as a means to explain the anomaly that swept the world under, less than a hundred years ago at the time, went all but appreciated. Thandy dared to voice her excitement toward the possible answers to the why's left by the Great Flood, and perhaps even a solution to undo it, or at least remedy water's excess and make ground livable again. It was vague and messy but she expressed her thoughts clearly and confidently (once she'd made sure to be in company contrary from her guardian's circle), though her ire for Erolkloff simmered at the rude wakeup call of a response. Ridiculed, mocked, shot down time and time again she found no comfort, only great divides. Even Monsoon showed no sympathy, thinking her as silly as the rest of them, but waving the topic aside in favor of another. Concealing research became more trial than triumph as her guardians began questioning her growing absence, excuses running short.

Throughout the years of relentless, stealthy self-study, still fulfilling daily tasks and practice as to not raise suspicion, the two managed to fix up the old archives just a bit, even adding a balcony to the attic where Monsoon slept so Thandy could get to test out her recently built spyglass to the fullest, since the archives was perched on Mt.Prollis' summit. The pair even ran into an old, raggedy, barely-legible book riddled with warnings concerning a dormant Ice Worm settled in the glaciers near Erolkloff Isle, while getting lost in lore. Monsoon laughed, comparing it to the old wives-tale the resident elders mumbled on about, and Thandy joined in their chuckle against her better instincts and judgement. The notebook was tossed in a corner and forgotten.

With her first spyglass built, functioning, and four years of a navigational deep dive under her sleeve, Thandy convinced herself nothing would keep her chained anymore. Moony shrugged at her conviction, claiming she'd be better off where she stood and she knew it. That the aspiring navigator was all talk, disregarding her efforts in hopes she'd stick around and they'd gain more mastery over the instrument.

Nineteen was strained and teeth-gritting. Scrutiny kept her on her toes. Her time at the archives grew scarcer for fear of discovery, yet she still squeezed every spared moment into rereading what material she'd gone through for the hundredth, as if she'd missed a piece to the puzzle that'd finally make everything gain new meaning. On a particularly slow afternoon, Thandy had offered to keep watch on the archives as she studied while Monsoon went into town to run an errand. Poured over her volume, she hardly noticed a trio enter through the creaking door. At their rummage she'd politely informed them the archives were closed for the moment, before recognition shifted to dread. The trio easily identified Miss Pipling, since their parents were part of the pompous circle, and Thandy'd placed her peers just as seamlessly. The Sevadons. Leveraging their discovery of her side-struggle, the prats demanded the archivist's stashed coin, not because they needed it, far from the fact, simply as an act of spite to their higher ups and institution. The three hadn't expected anyone to stand in the way of their easy win. After some threat-filled back and forth, Thandy grabbed a hidden chest and bolt. The Sevadon teens chased, swung and scarred her, snatching the chest from her grasp only to find it empty. In an act of self-defense one of the three ended up shoved off a cliff. The other two ran from Thandy in terror and avoided her at all costs. The third scraped by with a broken leg, but, playing the victims, they outed Thandy's navigational aspirations to her grandparents. Confrontation followed...

With nothing but a cloth bag holding her jacket and spyglass slung on her shoulders, she stopped by the archives one last time. Thandy begged Monsoon to come with her, but they'd dug their heels in. Moony's attempts at keeping her there, despite everything, their resistance to change, refusal to reason, broke the two out into a heated argument. She smashed her violin during their fight and grabbed her first navigational book (a green, leather-bound tome with scratched up, gilded detailing).

And she left.

As Erolkloff's shores faded to her memories, Thandy was faced with the real world for the first time. One failed job application after another turned persistence to desperation. She aided in several cargo-moving, catch-gathering and random tasks calling for extra muscle, to get some grub in her hands. Even though she could've made easy money performing in a tavern she'd starve before she commanded a bow across those four strings again. Her eager attempts never ceased all the while, port hopping to both avoid the churlish sailors who'd declined her, as well as keep her options open and continue her search at the next dock. The star seeker learned her way around throwing punches in the scuffles accompanied with some of the less understanding and impatient employers, utilizing those skills against handsy folk who knew no boundaries. Three difficult years passed, and to little surprise, no one wanted a self-taught, inexperienced navigator who talked too much too quickly with troublesome excitement... until Erikk. Until The Midnight Valiant.

Having nearly drowned after sprinting from the Gallivant Glider's crew, who hadn't taken kindly to Thandy's warning and then help through a rough air current that froze their engine (Help that, in fact, saved their lives, but they were too proud and in a tizzy from her hopping in the cockpit uninvited), sinking the young captain's supplies in the process, the twenty two year old was both confused and immensely grateful to finally land a job as an official navigator aboard his airship.

094 was the happiest she'd ever been. Finally flying. A part of something bigger. Of a family.

Short lived as the Valiant docked in Alaska only a year after. Dejection spread like the plague at the loss of Erikk's license, but Thandy's morale stayed strong. They still had duties to fulfil, an airship to run, even if it was ground-bound. There was still hope as long as they stayed together. She was right. First, a soul seeking passage over the Vast Sea, then two and more flooded the Valiant, with word of a crew just as scruffy as their tin can of an airship, and just crazy enough to go through with it, igniting scoffing in most, but hope in those who mattered.

The clouds graced her metal structure once more. Freedom finally coursed through the crew's veins.

Thandy picked a fiddle up again for the first time in years, switching out those classical chords for rambunctious shanties, even beginning to write some with the help of their resident passenger and writer Lenore and talented musician Theo.

Adventure awaits. And the tale has only just begun. Onwards!

Tiktok intro
Thandy's first appearance on screen. Non canon to the storyline, her arc or acts.

Thandy's introduction to the viewer. (Dt. 2020-11-13)

~Act 1
Act 1 is the first story act of The Midnight Valiant saga (a pov movie/ tiktok video series) created by Verdana (tiktok username: xverdanax). Thandy's edition and arc follow the main storyline with interlinking plot elements, enriching her branch of the storyline.

Prologue/The story begins
Prologue=>

Narrator’s Transcription

Xverdanax presents: THE MIDNIGHT VALIANT (An open POV/RP adventure)

A hundred years have passed since the Great Flood nearly destroyed civilization. Since then, most land has been flooded with water, while the rest is covered in ice. Humankind took refuge in the sky, building ports in the clouds and villages in the mountains. [Your] journey begins when [you] run into a scruffy pilot in the floating port of Alaska. The pilot goes by the name Erikk Einhertt, and [you] somehow end up as a passenger on his airship, The Midnight Valiant. Whether this was an accident or not doesn’t matter, as [you] are stuck with each other ‘til [you] reach [your] destination across The Vast Sea. Only time will show what [your] story brings. And thus the adventure begins!

The story begins=>

Narrator’s Transcription

After leaving [your] old life behind, [you] now find yourself in the busy midsts of Alaska Port. [You] need to find a pilot to fly [you] across the Vast Sea, but that is easier said than done. So far, it seems no pilot in their right mind would be willing to travel that far, and [you] have begun to loose hope. However, just as [you’re] about to give up, [you] cross paths with a pilot, who might turn out to need [you] just as much as [you] need him...

~Context

(Meanwhile) 

Thandy’s POV:

[The new passenger] brings a hint of hope aboard as they request The Valiant’s aid in travel, having not left port for longer than anyone would’ve liked. The Vast Sea’s as much of a turmoiling swell of tumultuous waves as it is a mysterious shadow streaking sparse frozen shores. A challenge. One Thandy is more than willing to tackle. The navigator welcomes [you], wanting to make [you] feel as at home as possible during [your] stay, and [you] can’t help the electric spark of excitement rubbing off on [you] from her buoyant energy. Along with her crew mates, Thandy dusts off their navigational equipment, rearranging their logs beside Nate’s mapping trajectories, readying to trace through each sway of the course ahead. The promise of air’s icy embrace amidst the clouds brings a smile to her face. It’ll be quite the journey, but thrilling adventure brightens every sense with renewed vitality. Flying again. Finally.

Chapter 1 summary - Business as usual
Buildup

Days have merged together in such a manner that the memory of flight is almost as faint as it is fleeting. Having finally managed to convince Erikk to attempt the license renewal again, the crew is briefed on usual daily tasks before their captain’s temporary absence.

Suddenly, the gangplank is flooded by a mob of angered individuals. Whether they were mockers of the tin can, suggesting the spot on port be utilized for more dockside markets/ be claimed by a ship more fitting, or, reasonably enraged folk in regards to a potentially failed attempt at sneaking some supplies free of charge by a sticky-fingered crew member or two (in all fairness, they’d been fairly low on coin since docking all those years ago, scraping by to even continue keeping the ship in a somewhat livable shape), they were there and they meant business.

Thandy is sent to warn the rest, gathering reinforcements while Erikk futilely tries to reason with them on deck. With the crew at the ready they settle it in a face off, cutting it close, but managing to overpower the trouble-seekers in their own turf. As the crew celebrates, Erikk says his goodbyes and slips off to try once more to regain his license.

In the meantime

(Main storytime)

A narrator describes [you] searching for a pilot willing to take you cross the vast sea - but no one wants to fly you. Just when all hope seem lost [you] see Erikk getting thrown out of a building - dropping something as he storms off in anger. [You] pick it up and discovers that it is a pilot license with the word "INVALID" marked across its surface, thus, realising that Erikk is a pirate. (At least what society today considers to be such, regardless of his disdain to the title and correction when [you] use it)

As [you] return it, [you] ask him to take [you] aboard as a passenger. Erikk is at first reluctant, but gives in when [you] promise to pay him enough to renew his licence.

[You] follow Erikk to The Midnight Valiant. Erikk beams with pride as he shows off the airship, but the narrator describes it as a rusty tin can. Yet, [you] have a good feeling about it and board the ship with Erikk. On the ship, you're greeted by the rest of the crew, all waiting for Erikk. Erikk quickly informs the crew about [you], the passenger, and orders them to get to work -

The Midnight Valiant is finally taking flight again!

Chapter 2 Summary - What happens in new Athla
Hustles of takeoff preparations have the crew busy and bustling, realizing, despite their well-coordinated chemistry and familiar cooperation, they’ve gotten a bit rusty from the years of stagnation. The party died down hours ago, but their victory combined with the captain’s return, and a new passenger on top of it, has spread a wistful energy that resounds through the hectic start to their flight. With the Valiant in the skies again, Erikk lets autopilot take over as he sorts through a checklist, making sure everything is on the right track and that their supplies will suffice with the extra passengers (once word spread that there was a crew crazy enough to cross the Vast Sea, interest grew and so did the number of people requesting to join).

With Thandy in proximity, Erikk asks her to check on the fuel tanks, since he’s swamped. Though she thinks it’s a job fit for a mechanic instead of a navigator, Thandy isn’t one to disagree with her Captain. A misplaced wire’s adjustment causes a malfunction, flickering the lights off in the engine room and causing smoke enshroud Thandy’s growing panic. Sure the now tipping airship hadn’t moved in a while, but she’d expected her to hold up a bit more.

Erikk manages to get the lights back on after rushing in and avoiding a spark or two, but the cooling system is jammed. Thandy suggest the aviation store at their nearest port, so it’s off to New Athla. Throughout the flight, the topic of first loves floats around, and Erikk mentions Ophelia, his first crush... and heartbreak.

Once they dock, Thandy and Erikk head to town with a handful of crew in search of tank mending items, as the rest stay behind with the ship. New Athla is a huge port with plenty of distractions, and Thandy’s tourist mode clicks on, wandering off and finding a nifty tavern. She coaxes the rest to join for a break, since they’ve got plenty of time and have all been a bit high strung with the stress of keeping everything in order and organizing new passengers to their respective quarters. Erikk’s on edge.

Their enjoyment’s short lived as an insufferable individual doesn’t take no for an answer or appreciate Thandy’s eloquent, snarky comebacks. A gun glints her way and Erikk takes a stand. The navigator fight or flight kicks in with her friend getting involved, so if they’re doing this, they’re doing this. With a look they both jump em’. Thandy elbows the gun out of the other’s hand as Erikk socks them in the face.

Now, kicked out and with time to kill, out of spite they decide to look for another, having been robbed of the chance to even taste their drinks. The Captain’s unease is ever growing and doesn’t go unnoticed, as Thandy tries to comfort him, but Erikk turns it around into flattery, throwing her off for a little.

Their next bar has just the drinks they need, bringing that familiar buzz to Erikk with some persuasion while Thandy giggles at his looser dancing, mostly unaffected by the booze because of her high tolerance. The fun comes with some unexpected company. “Old friends” of Erikk. Handsy ones at that. Thandy is having none of it, grabbing their shirt’s collar the second they lay a finger on her Captain. They all decide to take this outside, preferring not to be kicked out of a second tavern in one night, and her spyglass is put to good, lesson-giving use. After dealing with the less-than-polite adequetly, Erikk and Thandy have a playful heart to heart till she finally lets him help with her bloody nose. They head back inside and finally convince the innkeeper to rent them a room for the night. There is one bed. Friends share, right? They/re comfortable with each other after six years to shrug off some layers and get ready for rest. Erikk mentions a secret but doesn't elaborate. Thandy slips up by reaching for his headband, making him flinch. It's nothing personal. Drifting to dreamland takes a detour to flickering figments of passed and potential future. Guilt, regret, blood, pleads and fractured promises. Erikk jolts awake, glancing over relieve to see Thandy still asleep, snuggled next to him.

Chapter 3 Summary - Daybreak Distance/ Luring Legends
Morning brightens New Athla and the two roll out of bed and back into their vests and coats. Strapping their bags on, not much is said, the remnant tension from the end of their evening, lingering. The narrator senses a change of sorts, one not even they've noticed. The captain and navigator pay for their room but are asked for Erikk's license. Seems those are essential everywhere these days. Thandy remembers how much easier it was back when it was valid. Then again, they'd simply been running a cargo transportation routine, and now, the new adventure shows so much promise, its hard to long for time's backtracking turn. The wait is excruciating, but in a matter of time they're told to pay more than their due. "Pirates" have to pay an extra protection fee. Thandy argues against the prejudice, expressing the unfairness of the situation and correcting the title. Erikk exhaustedly moves on, beckoning the other, lagging behind for a moment when spotting a shady figure sat in the tavern's corner. Disregarding it at Thandy's query, they move on.

On their way back to The Midnight Valiant, Erikk decides to lighten the still fairly tense mood. It works, though feigned annoyance is splayed.

Finally reaching the airship again-

Tension and story time

Filler Summary
You get to fly the valiant

Interlude Summary
angst bb (sprinkle of backstory)

Chapter 4 Summary - Free fall (Finale)
Airship but without the air

~Act 2
Act 2 is the second story act of The Midnight Valiant saga (a pov movie/ tiktok video series) created by Verdana (tiktok username: xverdanax). Thandy's edition and arc follow the main storyline with interlinking plot elements, enriching her branch of the storyline.

Chapter 5 summary - Recover, Take cover
retreat from the rubble, coming to conceous, caring for each other

Chapter 6 summary - On thin ice
Figuring out where the flip they are. Navigator struggles. Travel rabble/repair rapscallions. In search of a town for supplies. Frozen lake.

Chapter 7 Summary - Untitled
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Chapter 8 Summary - Untitled
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Chapter 9 Summary - Untitled
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~Backstory
Backstory videos are a blast from the past, portraying events teased and sprinkled through the main storyline, and a crucial part of Thandy's arc

Chapter 1 summary - The Beginning
Lorem

Chapter 2 summary - Trial(?)
The

Chapter 3 Summary - Memories of Mons/Monsoon
Lorem

Chapter 4 Summary - Confrontation
Lorem

Chapter 5 Summary - Three years (?)
Lorem

Chapter 6 Summary - Joining MV. Finding Home
new beginning

~Side Arcs
Side arcs are mini adventures or side stories sprinkled throughout the tale of The Midnight Valiant saga. Side arcs in which Thandy's participation is present or even centric are enlisted below.

MV Misadventures:
Spice snatch and dash

Chapter 1 summary
The

Dinah's Rescue
Lorem

Baron's interviews
Lorem

Etc
Lorem

~Life aboard
Other videos concerning MV, domestic, one shot shenanigans, jokes, interactions, etc