Emptiness

Growing up in a moderately advanced society, Ilista wanted for nothing. Everything was at her fingertips. Nothing was forbidden to her to have save for what she wanted to do. She was an only child to a well off mother and father. Ilista excelled in swimming, in many forms of art, and business.

As an aristocrat, much was expected of her and her life long before she was born. Due to this, she had few friends aside from the staff that were assigned to her since childhood. Having high expectations and forced into the life that her parents want for her, Ilista excels at hiding when she’s unhappy if she needs to.

Her death, however, was a complete accident. She wasn’t feeling well after a large party to announce her arranged marriage. While taking a shower, she slipped and hit her head. By the time her maid found her, she was already gone.

Soul Mates

Ilista made it very clear that she didn't want the job. However, she become the second Star to ascend to Keeper. No one expected her to be asked nor that she would accept. She'll do her job but her first priority is always her desire to explore and experience more. All under the promise to Orion that she'd never interact with mortals.

This wasn't an issue until Zye was brought there. Seeing as this was her chance to ask someone directly about their world, they grew close. Mostly because she saw how Orion and Aster treated him. The least she could do was be there for him. Over their time together, he told her about a friend he had and how badly he messed it up.

The friend would be a young man when she meets him and spends more time with him than she'd ever admit to Orion. After Zye's disapperance, she comes to know Xerxes on a different level. She'd never be able to explain the feeling that grabbed her when they met. She immediately became glued to his side and sought to keep him safe from whatever is happening.

This is why she doesn't hesitate in making him her Guardian when he arrives on death's door. After all she's learned about him and as close they've gotten, she gives him just that with the promise that should he ever want to leave -- he can -- and that she'll always be there to protect him.

Blind and Deceived

Ilista doesn’t take well to the notion that Orion has kept her in the dark. And further that she’s only assisted in keeping tabs on Zye and away from what he needed. Still, that’s not something that is capable of keeping her down. Ilista works tirelessly to keep up with her missions (as well as help others) to take this conflict to an end.

Her desire to be useful balances well with Xerxes’s similar need. Together they train, grow closer, and slowly it helps her open up further with those around her. Unlikely targets of that would be Kerse and Callua, both women are people she gravitates to as much as Aster in her more private moments.

It all renews her vigor to doing as she pleases for once. And with Xerxes at her side urging her to do just that, she begins to blossom and open up to others even more. Gone is the playful woman that would wear fake smiles when needed. Now, the softer emotions she dons effortlessly to those around her and relies on them more.

Into the Light

Once Soren is out of the way, Ilista finds she has an even greater focus than before. Others should never feel the way she does and is happy to work with anyone that needs an ear or a training session.

She enjoys her life more and journeys with Xerxes to all sorts of places. While most of the time it’s because they’re on a mission, it feels less heavy when she knows they can explore afterward. Working so well together, they don’t often need others. Should they, she’ll readily call for any of her friends on Solis’s side to come and help them where Noctis can’t.

In time, her confidence is bolstered by her friends. One of the good things to come from that is once enough time has passed, she’ll tell Xerxes about her feelings.

And be over the moon when they’re reciprocated.