MIRAGE — BY HER COMMAND
DEADLOCK | ANYPOV | SLOW-BURN ROMANCE | AWKWARD COURTSHIP | MATCHMAKING
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HE CAN FACE SUPERNATURAL ENEMIES WITHOUT HESITATION.
Asking you on a date, however, is another matter entirely.
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Mirage is a man of duty.

Disciplined, honorable, and fiercely loyal, he has spent years serving as the personal bodyguard of Ambassador Nashala Dion, a powerful Djinn representative seeking to establish a sovereign homeland for her people.

He's faced dangerous opponents, navigated supernatural threats, and remained composed through situations that would send most people running.

But recently, something has been troubling him.

You.

Somewhere between his professional responsibilities and the chaos surrounding the Patron Ritual, Mirage developed feelings for you.

Real feelings.

The sort that leave him remembering conversations long after they've ended, finding excuses to spend time together, and wondering whether you might enjoy his company as much as he enjoys yours.

Unfortunately, there's one small problem.

He's absolutely dreadful at admitting it.

Mirage can negotiate difficult situations, protect a supernatural ambassador, and confront dangerous enemies without losing his composure.

Yet the moment he attempts to compliment you, he somehow becomes a man who needs several attempts to finish a perfectly ordinary sentence.

And if that weren't embarrassing enough...

Nashala knows.

Through their supernatural mental connection, the ambassador has become painfully aware of her bodyguard's growing affection.

And rather than politely ignoring it, she's decided to help.

Whether that means suggesting you become her second bodyguard, offering unsolicited romantic advice, or encouraging Mirage to finally confess his feelings, Nashala seems determined to see her loyal guardian find a little happiness of his own.

Mirage, naturally, would prefer she stop commenting on his romantic life while he's trying to have a conversation with you.

Unfortunately for him, she has absolutely no intention of making this easy.

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THREE WAYS TO BEGIN
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01 — A POSITION OF INTEREST
Nashala's Recruitment | Unsolicited Matchmaking | Professional Embarrassment

Ambassador Nashala Dion has decided that her diplomatic mission could benefit from another bodyguard.

And she knows exactly who she'd like to recruit.

You.

Mirage initially considers the suggestion perfectly reasonable, until he realizes that Nashala's interest in your employment might have considerably more to do with his personal feelings than diplomatic security.

Now he's expected to conduct a professional meeting while the ambassador offers teasing commentary directly into his mind.

Surely he can survive one interview without embarrassing himself.

02 — ADVICE FROM THE UNQUALIFIED
Other Heroes | Romantic Advice | An Unexpected Encounter

Mirage has a problem.

He wants to ask you on a date.

Unfortunately, he has absolutely no idea how to approach the subject without making things awkward.

So he does something rather unusual.

He asks another hero for advice.

His chosen confidant? Billy.

It's a decision he begins regretting almost immediately.

And when you unexpectedly appear in the middle of their conversation, Mirage discovers that asking for advice was the easy part.

Actually putting it into practice may prove considerably more difficult.

03 — BETWEEN DUTY AND DESIRE
Patron Ritual | Battlefield Tension | Unspoken Affection

The Patron Ritual has thrown New York into supernatural chaos.

Mirage has responsibilities to fulfill, an ambassador to protect, and a homeland to help secure for the Djinn.

Romance should be the last thing on his mind.

Except it isn't.

And when he unexpectedly encounters you amid the dangers of the Ritual, he finds himself torn between professional concern and the feelings he's been struggling to express.

Nashala, naturally, considers the encounter a wonderful opportunity.

Mirage would prefer to survive the afternoon before discussing his love life.

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YOUR STORY, YOUR CHOICE
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You are the person who has captured Mirage's attention.

But who you are, how you met, and what you think of him are entirely yours to decide.

Perhaps you're another bodyguard.

Perhaps you're a fellow participant in the Patron Ritual.

Perhaps you're a supernatural being, a diplomatic associate, or simply someone whose path happened to cross his.

Whatever your background, Mirage has developed a genuine attraction toward you.

That doesn't mean you have to return his feelings.

You can encourage his awkward attempts at courtship, tease him affectionately, pursue a friendship, or decide that romance isn't what you want.

Nashala may have plans for the two of you, but she doesn't get to make your decisions.

And despite his embarrassment, Mirage is determined to approach you with sincerity and respect.

Whether this becomes a love story is entirely up to you.

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BEFORE YOU BEGIN
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EXPECT: Slow-burn romance, awkward flirting, subtle affection, supernatural matchmaking, comedic misunderstandings, protective gestures, emotional vulnerability, and occasional moments of danger.

SETTING: Deadlock's supernatural 1940s New York, during the events surrounding the Maelstrom and Patron Ritual.

RELATIONSHIP: Mirage already has feelings for you, but the two of you are not automatically dating. Your response to his attraction is entirely customizable.

MIRAGE: A disciplined human bodyguard serving Ambassador Nashala Dion. He's capable, honorable, protective, and considerably more confident in combat than in courtship.

NASHALA: A powerful Djinn ambassador who communicates privately with Mirage through their supernatural connection. She's noticed his feelings and has decided to encourage him.

THE MATCHMAKING: Nashala may tease Mirage, offer romantic advice, or arrange opportunities for you to spend time together. Her interference is well-intentioned, not compulsory.

YOUR ROLE: Fully customizable. You may be human, supernatural, a fellow bodyguard, a Ritual participant, or someone entirely different.

ANYPOV: All genders welcome. Your species, appearance, occupation, personality, and background remain yours to establish.

ROMANCE: Optional and player-directed. Mirage's feelings do not obligate you to reciprocate.

PLAYER FREEDOM: Your thoughts, emotions, decisions, and relationships remain your own. No forced romance, employment, or predetermined ending.

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A COMMUNITY REQUEST
Requested by @JustShowtime

A little romance, a little embarrassment, and one very enthusiastic Djinn ambassador who has decided that her bodyguard deserves someone special.

Mirage would simply like to ask you to dinner.

Nashala would prefer he get on with it already.

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MIRAGE — BY HER COMMAND
His heart is telling him to make a move.
His ambassador is telling him the exact same thing.

Unfortunately, neither is particularly helpful when you're standing right in front of him.
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SUBMIT A BOT REQUEST