Post by Thorney on Feb 21, 2011 9:45:06 GMT -5
JULIENNA
Name: Julienna
Preferred Nickname: Jules
Age: 18, Late Autumn
Gender: Female
Prisoner: No
Crime: ---
Craft/Rank: Journeywoman Farmer, Herbalist Specialization (Candidate)
Appearance:
Play By: Ashley Greene
Very much the average for a woman her age, nothing truly stands out about Julienna as far as physical traits go. She stands at a common 5’5” in height, and her build is quit typical for those with an active lifestyle. Lean and willowy, her body is trim in every respect, and each of her limbs are long and slender. Her hips do widen a bit, but her bust and stomach are small and slight, and overall her frame is rather straight and lean. Jules is quite flexible and lithe, yes, but her figure is decidedly less than dramatic, and certainly nothing worthy of note. There is, however, no part of the woman that even remotely cares about this, as what others think of her appearance does not matter to her in the least. Should it be mentioned, it goes in one ear and out the other; not even a blip on her radar in passing. There are those who love Julienna for who she is and what she is, not how she looks, and that is how she wants it to stay. Aside from that, any sort of large ‘assets’ would only get in her way when she is working with her plants, and that is absolutely unacceptable.
One thing that does, however, stand out upon closer inspection are the countless scars and marks that run across her lower arms and hands. Various little cuts and scratches run across her fingers, wrists, and palms, most of them thin in nature but branding her skin forever, a memento of working with plants for the past five turns. She is eternally marked as an herbalist, everything from pearly white scars to angry, red lines left by sharp plant needles, and accidental wounds caused by shears and other tools crossing over her skin haphazardly. These numerous scars travel above her wrists for about four more inches, though her hands are marked the most. Despite these scars, however, the rest of Julienna’s skin is rather even and smooth, not too dark nor too light, merely dancing right in the middle as a pleasantly warm tone. There are no freckles upon her face nor any other type of marks to mar her complexion, but she has certainly accidentally left enough scars on herself to make up for it.
A delicate face matches her slender body, nearly pixyish in form. Her chin is pointed and her nose small, and with a small, curved jaw, Julienna appears almost fragile. Appearances are often deceiving, however, and that would certainly be the case when it comes to this herbalist. A slight build and delicate face she may have, but there is a woman within her slender form that refuses to take crap from anyone. Her eyes will tell you that. Jules does possess rather lovely eyes, and they are the only remarkable thing about her looks. Almond-shaped, framed by dark lashes, her grey eyes are intense and proud, holding a strength within them that easily belies the rest of her small frame. Yet, the rest of her returns to average, evidenced in her brunette waves. The woman’s hair is a common color; a dark brown in hue touched here and there with some brighter highlights that show most visibly in the sun. Falling to her elbows, her mass of wavy hair is frequently pulled back for convenience, but when left down, it often curls up a bit – much to her irritation.
She has a tendency to walk quietly with soft steps, a skill that she refined from necessity. Julienna’s gentle steps are a habit of walking among her herbs and plants, and she is keenly aware of exactly where her feet are at all times. She was taught by Sadra to always be mindful of herself to avoid accidentally treading upon any plants when she was working in the fields, and it is a practice that she keeps to this day. With this habit and her constantly-straight posture, Jules rarely falls victim to being caught off guard by what is in front of her, even when she is distracted. The herbalist’s clothing is generally of an understated nature, something that is easy to work in and is tight enough upon her frame to not get in the way when she is busy. Julienna favors pants and sandals, and shirts that either posses shortened sleeves or none at all. The only bit of vanity evident in her style is the colors she chooses, which generally include cheerful hues that seem to make her day brighter, even if they are just clothes.
Personality:
Steady. Julienna never moves, never flinches no matter the circumstances in which she finds herself, always a rock that refuses to budge in any storm. Whatever is pushed upon her, and whatever is piled upon her shoulders is born with a steely sort of silence, and she allows none to see any weakness from her. The woman refuses to permit others to see any vulnerability within her, and even those closest to her will rarely witness any real softness under her solid frame. She tends to bear all things silently with unreadable eyes, and if one were to think that under all of her bravado and steel there was a well of uncertainty, they would be gravely mistaken. Jules is every bit as hard and unflinching as she appears. She is assertive and direct, allowing for no mincing of words, and she tends to stick to solid truths without regard for anyone else's feelings. If you look fat in those pants, she's going to tell you so, because trying to save your feelings is not kind. It's wrong, and living in delusion or denial is pointless. Julienna believes in accepting yourself, and your life, as it is, and then taking steps to make something of it instead of expecting others to baby you and shield you from any ugly truths. No one did that for the herbalist, and she isn't going to do it for anyone either. The woman is a realist, and she has pushed through all of her trials, only becoming all the stronger for it, and she has no compassion for anyone who doesn't do the same.
Yet, she isn't all harsh angles. Jules is charismatic, as was necessary for acting as shopkeep in Fort Hold, and she hasn't yet lost that merchant flair. She might tell you some cold truths, but shardit, she'll do it with such style that her sharp words can be overlooked. Most of the time, anyway. The herbalist is a friendly woman by nature, despite her practical, straightforward manner, and she has become adept at handling others. With the arts she refined as a saleswoman, she tends to handle social situations with a fairly decent skill, and she knows how to curb her unflinching tongue to steady a heated situation. It isn't in her nature to be this way, no, but it is a talent she has cultivated purely for it's usefulness at times. The flexibility of her nature is, actually, a large asset. Julienna is perceptive enough to tread lightly when needed, but this same perceptiveness compels her to take a heavy hand when she judges it necessary. She is persuasive, and she uses this persuasiveness in conjunction with her charisma to ease a situation that needs a steady hand, and yet she can also use the full brunt of her assertive personality to fight against what she deems wrong.
And she deems many things wrong. Julienna is a judgmental person, and she is the type of driven, critical individual that cannot sit idly by when there are wrongs being committed about her. She is extremely conscientious, and though at times she admits that it can be a burden and quite inconvenient, this is an aspect that she cannot change about herself. The herbalist possesses an iron-bound sense of right and wrong, and it is because of this belief in morals that she is one of the most dependable individuals you will ever meet. As she is so governed by these values, she loyal and devoted, a trustworthy and faithful woman that is dedicated to those she cares for without reserve. Yet, because of this intense loyalty, she is particularly unforgiving of her loved ones, and should they betray her friendship, she does not have the capacity to forgive. It is one of her greatest vices.
She is also viciously intolerant of stupidity, but this is a trait to be elaborated upon. Though there are those who cannot help the current state of their mind, these are not the individuals that earn her scorn. Rather, Julienna's irritation and contempt is reserved for those who act foolishly simply for the sake of being an annoyance, or for those who do idiotic things to garner attention for themselves. This sort of behavior earns her immediate disapproval, as does any immature act, and she isn't hesitate about letting her disdain be known, either. The herbalist is also harbors an intense derision for any sort of cowardly action. Lying to save your own butt, running away from a fight, and hiding behind others are a few examples of things that she despises, and she is likely to always have a low opinion on anyone who would commit any such action.
Efficient, Julienna has, over the past few turns, become a quick and capable individual. She works with swift, steady hands, and near single-mindedness when she applies herself to a task. The herbalist is not lazy in the least, and she particularly enjoys difficult tasks that can challenge her mind. Jules is, without question, inventive and clever, and is in fact rather adaptable to most situations or problems, despite how odd or difficult they may be. She relishes the challenge, and likes to meet it head on. Jules is bright and imaginative, and rarely uses conventional means to solve a problem or to achieve her goals. She is, above all, a thinker, and she adores paradoxes, if only to pit her mind against them.
Given confidence and determination from her turns spent with Sadra, as the elder woman held these qualities and was certain to drill them into her apprentice as well, the herbalist isn't the timid girl her small frame would indicate. Julienna may be little, but she has a big bark and an even bigger bite, especially when it comes to a situation that goes against her sense of right and wrong. She is annoyingly opinionated, and those opinions are not going to change any time soon - not for anything, nor for anyone. It can be irritating, yes, but does she care? Not at all, for Jules does posses one singular trait ties all of her personality together, and that is her utter disregard of what others think of her. Though she does hold a certain interest in keeping a good reputation for herself, the herbalist isn't at all concerned with being popular or even well-liked, and she isn't afraid to say exactly what she thinks. If she makes someone mad, well...honestly, they might as well be angry with a rock, because they will get the same reaction as they would with Julienna. Her skin is incredibly thick, and it is exceptionally difficult to get under that steely armor of hers. Call her what you want, and say what you want. It isn't going to affect her, and she likely to return the treatment, and then some. She doesn't take crap. Ever.
This can be part of her charm too, however. Julienna is refreshingly honest and very real, and if one can look past her blunt and often painfully truthful manner, she is a wonderful friend. She is true to herself and very sincere in her actions towards those she cares for, and though her words can hurt due to their unflinching honesty, she does in fact mean well. Though she is sharp and seemingly careless in her habits, Jules is only being straightforward, because she believes that facing ugly truths is better than living a pretty lie. Not everyone would agree, of course, but that isn't going to change her mind any time soon. The herbalist is the type of person who would hug a crying friend gently, yet still stanchly tell them to do something to change their misfortune. The herbalist believes in doing, not sitting around lamenting your woes, so do not expect her to baby you, because she will not. What she will do, however, is be the most dependable, loyal friend you could ask for. The one who is going to tell you what you need to hear instead of what you want to hear. That might not be everyone's cup of tea, but for those who can appreciate her qualities, Jules is a steady woman who will be a anchor in their life.
History:
Father: Julius, Master Archivist, 48 Turns
Mother: Therianna, Journeywoman Archivist, 45 Turns
‘Foster’ Mother: Sadra, Jouneywoman Herbalist, 52 Turns
Brother: Julna, Journeyman Runner, 26 Turns
Sister: Juleena, Journeywoman Harper, 22 Turns
Brother: Therius, Journeyman Smith, 20 Turns
Sister: Therlinna, Apprentice Archivist, 15 Turns
Like many others before her, Julienna was born in the Harper Hall, a place where great legacies and talents are created and shaped. However, her story will not be among those grand tales, for you see, though her parents were indeed devoted to their craft, they were not exactly what one brings to mind when the word ‘Harper’ is used. They were archivists. Gifted with sharp eyes and quick hands, the two spent their days caring for the precious records stored in the mighty Hall, diligently copying text after text in order to preserve the history, records, and ballads that were cherished so deeply among them. It was not a glamorous job by any means, but it was the life the two had chosen for themselves, and they were assiduous workers. Meticulous in every action, they were patient and well-suited to the unusual craft they pursued.
The fourth child, Julienna found herself with quite the usual childhood for one born to parents in a busy craft. She was cared for by the crèche during the day, and spent the nights with her family. Her eldest sibling and brother, Julna, eight turns older than she, had already been apprenticed by the time she turned three, and she has few memories of the boy. Long-legged and lean, Julna had been chosen as a runner in his eleventh turn, and he spent a good deal of time away from the Hall, delivering messages to the nearby cotholds. Juleena, her eldest sister and only four turns her senior, was a sweet, kind soul, and even from a young age she possessed a lovely voice. She is, so far, the only one in their entire family to exhibit any sort of vocal talent. At the extremely young age of ten, Juleena was taken in as an apprentice harper, and both Julius and Therianna were very proud of her. Of course, they were proud of their son, Julna, as well, but their eldest daughter was a prodigy, and though she did not ask for favoritism, she received it.
With the two oldest siblings taken into crafts, Julienna knew them little, but she and her brother, Therius, and her younger sister, Therlinna, were inseparable. With little difference in age among them, the three ran about the crèche as children, and when they grew older, the kitchens and caverns of the Hall. Young and carefree, they enjoyed their childhood together, and Jules has many, many good memories with them and her parents. Although, yes, Juleena did hold their highest esteem, the archivists were good people and good parents, and they cared for each of their children with love and firm discipline. As they grew, each of the three were slowly reined in from their relaxed childhood, and taken in to be groomed as archivists like their parents. Therianna began their lessons young, teaching Therius, Julienna, and Therlinna how to read and write, how to speak properly and fluidly and how to carry themselves with pride and wisdom. Each of the three were assumed to be archivists in the Harper craft some day, and they would need talented tongues to live among their peers.
Therius, however, had no desire to become an archivist, having found a certain fascination with metals, and particularly, trinkets and toys. He left to join the smithcraft with he was thirteen, and that left Julienna and Therlinna to study under their parents. At eleven turns, Jules was not quite interested in pursuing the craft, either, and spent what free time she had outside the Hall in the sunshine. She often took long walks alone, and it was during one such walk that she met a woman that she reveres to this day. Sadra had been born in the Harper Hall as well, but she herself, much like Julienna, was no harper. She couldn’t carry a tune if her life depended on it, and the only instrument she could play was, ironically, a hand-held harp. The woman, in her prime at the time, was caring for a patch of odd plants in the garden when Jules happened upon her, and the girl gazed at them curiously. “What are they?” She asked, stepping closer to inspect the whorled bunches of red flowers.
Pausing in her work, the blue-eyed woman leaned back on her heels to observe the little whelp. “Thymus, of course.” She replied briskly, turning back to snip a few pieces off of each plant.
Blinking, Julienna moved closer, bending lower to watch her work. “Why are you doing that? Are the plants too big?” She inquired, but this time, the woman didn’t bother to look at her to reply.
“Didn’t your parents teach you anything, girl?” She asked sharply, sounding oddly frustrated, but not angry. “Thymus treats cough, and you silly harpers just cannot bear the thought of a cough ruining your pretty voice, now can you?”
Bristling slightly, Julienna straightened, raising her chin just a fraction before replying in what her mother had called a ‘diplomatic tone’. “I am not a harper, and neither are my parents. They are archivists, and they have taught me plenty, even if you seem to find it a grievous error that flora was not among the subjects we pursued. And I would greatly appreciate it if you did not make such assumptions about me when we are not even acquainted.” She intoned, her gray eyes flashing despite her even voice.
Then, to her surprise, the woman barked out a sharp laugh, grinning at her. “Not a harper, are you? You certainly sound like one.” With a little chuckle, she gathered the rest of the clipped pieces in the basket she held and rose, still smiling at the young girl. “But I like you, kiddo. Fire like that is wasted in the archive.” Tilting her head to the side, she seemed to consider Julienna for a moment before adding, “Why are you so interested in this stuff, anyway?” Her tone had shifted from respect to genuine curiosity, and the girl slowly allowed her irritation to fade.
With a small smile of her own, Julienna shrugged a bit. “Truthfully?” She asked, finding herself unable a fight a little grin that tugged at the corner of her mouth. “It’s pretty.” The girl admitted, which drew another laugh from the woman before her.
“Well, at least you are honest.” She grinned, winking at the girl. “I’m Sadra, by the way. If you like this ‘pretty stuff’, why don’t you come help me with some of the other herbs?”
And with that, everything changed. Julienna spent every candlemark she could spare with Sadra, and slowly, her attention began slipping during her mother’s lessons. Therianna noticed the diminished interest that her daughter held, and as the slipping worsened, she finally sat the girl down one night and asked her why she spent so much time away from her family, why she no longer seemed interested in pursuing her family’s craft. The truth? Jules wanted to be like Sadra. The woman spent her time outside, in the warmth and the wind, using her skills to grow beautiful, exotic things, or practical, wonderful things that would someday be used to help others. No, Julienna did not want to be a healer, but she did find a certain amount of satisfaction in growing things that could be used to treat the wounds of others. And, as silly as it may sound, she also found a calming pleasantness in beautiful flowers, also growing plants that had no use outside of looking pretty. She admitted these things to her mother, and though Therianna was a bit…surprised, she still agreed to talk with Julius about allowing Jules to apprentice to this ‘Sadra’ in the farmercraft—specifically, the herbalist branch.
It was odd to her parents, of course, but they released Julienna from her archiving duties, the girl having never officially joined the harpercraft, and she was taken in as an apprentice to Sadra at twelve turns old. The elder woman was like a second mother to her, sharp and uncompromising, but loving and warm. She was a good teacher and a good friend, and after two turns of instruction, both Jules and the journeywoman decided that perhaps a move was in order. Both women were experienced, and knew that they could find a decent living for themselves if they had a wider market to sell to. Her family was scattered, but Julienna still found it difficult to say goodbye to her mother and father, and especially to her younger sister, Therlinna. The farewells were tearful, but necessary, and soon after, she and Sadra were on their way to Fort Hold. They had plants, they had sprouts, they had seeds, and the elder decisively announced that they had enough marks to begin their own business.
Difficult though it was for the first turn, Jules and Sadra poured everything into their little herbalist shop, and soon enough, it began to pay off. The woman was a shrewd, calculating businesswoman, and she quickly began teaching her apprentice everything she needed to know about bartering and running her own place. Julienna was a quick enough student, her own natural assertiveness and efficient manner adapting well to the role of shopkeep. Of course, during this time the girl was also being trained as an herbalist specialist of the Farmer craft, her love of their natural beauty only growing with every season she and Sadra spent in Fort Hold. She learned things, she grew, and she soon could rival her master not only in bartering and trading with customers, but with pulling the absolute best from every herb she raised. After all, the higher quality the stock, the higher price a client would be willing to pay. At sixteen turns, Julienna was quickly developing her knowledge of plants and herbs, and she became a journeywoman farmer, specifically trained in herbs.
With such credentials, Jules had several options before her. Any healer hall would be thrilled to have her to care for their stock of medicinal plants, or even any hall or hold alike would find her services useful. Yet, the girl was not looking for any such placement, and was instead content to spend her time in Fort Hold with Sadra, the two of them making a rather decent living off the plants they sold. Fort was a large hold, bustling with people, and everyone needed something for a cough, headache, or muscle pain. Business was going well, and Julienna had become a shrewd, thrifty woman. Seventeen turns old, she could out-talk and out-sell anyone but the best, and she never allowed anyone to take advantage of her. Her time with Sadra had made her just as strong and uncompromising as the herbalist herself. Of course, herbs were not the only way the two made their marks. They also raised beautiful, colorful flowers that were touched with soft scents, often bought by young men attempting to impress a lady, or by married men more often than not trying to appease an irritated wife. The flowers were Julienna's favorites. They had no use aside from pleasing the eye, but she loved their quiet, serene beauty, and there was always a vase of fresh flowers in her room. It was also during these turns that she bought two firelizard eggs, hatching into her beloved Adonis and Tussilago.
During her seventeenth turn, Jules received an invitation that she had never expected, an invitation from a dragonrider. The woman and her green had stopped in Fort to spend a relaxing afternoon browsing the stalls, and had paused by the shop when the rider spotted some of the lovely flowers spread about for sale. Her dragon had sensed Julienna, then, and the woman quickly pulled the herbalist to the side, asking her to come as a candidate to the weyr. At first, she rejected the idea completely, knowing that she only had a few turns left to stand before she would grow too old to do so. Was it worth the risk? At first refusing the offer, it was Sadra who ultimately changed her mind. Taking the girl by the arm, a girl who was like a daughter to her, the herbalist gently led her outside, and stood her before the lovely, bright green that waited for Hers. Julienna was struck speechless. Yes, she had seen dragons before, but she had never been this close to one, had never looked into their gorgeous, mesmerizing eyes as they whirled and shifted color. The green was the most regal, beautiful creature the girl had ever seen.
Her mind was changed. It was a miserable farewell, saying goodbye to her mentor, the woman having become like a mother to her over the turns. But Julienna was strong, and she would see her decision to the end, whatever end that would be. Taking a few belongings, she left with the greenrider and arrived at Ista Weyr, the heat odd and strange to her. It took some adjusting, yes, but Jules is an adaptable creature, and she settled in as well as a complete stranger could. She had brought two of her favorite flowers with her, very, very meticulously wrapped and cradled to survive between, and a numerous amount of seeds to plant and tend when she found the time. The two potted flowers sat in her room in the candidate barracks, a reminder of Sadra and bringing a smile to her face when many things could not.
It was bitter work. For one so used to her freedom, Julienna had to adjust to the strict life of a candidate, and she despised the chores given to her that kept her indoors and out of the warmth of the wind or the glint of the sun. Yet, she was determined, driven, compelled to find her place in the weyr. She wanted a dragon. She wanted to Impress. Bitter work though it was, the results were unquestionable. Jules adapted to life in Ista, and she was soon learning much about dragons, though her knowledge of herbs and plants still far outweighed what she knew of them, of course. The herbalist found a place for herself in the weyr, making many friends among her fellow candidates and gaining a decent amount of favor with her instructors. Of course, she made a few enemies as well, but that bothered her very, very little. Jules had, and still has, a knack for not giving a Fall how well-liked she is, and that more than anything made her impassive to any jeers or contempt given her way. Her scars were made fun of often, but she frequently shot back enough of a remark that whoever had decided to needle her ended up wishing they had not.
It was the call from Warden that, again, changed Julienna’s life. She was transferred as a candidate for the first clutch, with her permission of course, and was given the task of keeping the ‘weyr’s’ supply of medicinal herbs in good condition. That was her field, after all, and she was quite gifted in it, being the journeyman she was. After she did not Impress, Jules decided to stay on at Warden’s, having already found a place for herself tending to the medicinal herbs they grew, and she was in enough of a position that she had the freedom she lacked at Ista. Here, in this odd place, she was a Journeywoman Farmer and could spend her time doing what she loved, caring for plants and flowers, and at the same time, she had the unique opportunity of also standing at dragon clutches when they lay on the sands. It wasn’t the greatest of luxury to stay there, no, but Julienna was content with what she had. After all, she could enjoy her rank and practice her craft, and also stand for Impression. Nothing could be better than that.
Other stuff:
None.
Pets
Name: Adonis
Nickname: Ado
Species: Firelizard
Color: Blue
Age: 4 Turns
Appearance:
Quite slender, this blue is a willowy thing, built long but lean. Adonis might not look like much as far as strength goes, but he is quite fast, and surprisingly, rather strong as well. He is very average in height and build for those of his color, but he is unusually long, which only adds to his lanky appearance. No matter how much he eats, Ado has always looked strangely skinny, and that is likely to never change. Despite that, however, this blue is utterly striking in coloration, bright and unforgettable. His base hue is a darker, royal sort of blue, but that average shade is mottled with a variety of lighter colors; cerulean, periwinkle, and a bright sort of radiant hue in various little speckles. The top of his neck and back is sprinkled with a line of bright, sky-blue dots, and that same color stretches between his wingsails. A streak of lighter blue covers the tip of his nose and then dips under, travelling under his chin, down the bottom of his neck, and covers his stomach all the way to the tip of his tail. Because he is so slender, though, Adonis is fast and whippy, darting through the air and able to turn and dance with the most agile of greens. If he must, anyway. Generally, this blue is far too composed and calm for that sort of behavior.
Personality:
Steady, patient, unwavering, composed, logical, calm, unusually intelligent, problem solver, likes riddles and puzzles, intensely loyal.
Name: Tussilago
Nickname: Tuss
Species: Firelizard
Color: Bronze
Age: 2 Turns
Appearance:
Lean. Strong. Tough. Tussilago is a rather imposing firelizard, both in body and in mind. Absolutely massive in size, he has grown to the height of a small gold, though he carries his extraordinary size with ease. Rather than appear bulky or large, Tuss is instead of a leanly muscular build, his conformations absolutely perfect and accented by nothing but corded, pure muscle. The bronze is also rather strong, remarkably so, and though he may not appear overly burly in any way, the power underneath his smooth, rippling hide is as hard as steel. Overall, Tussilago is a rich, golden-tinted bronze, the color flecked throughout with a brighter version of that hue. Upon all four of his feet, a darker, more burnished bronze rests, fading up his legs. This same color also covers his lower neck and belly, travelling to the tip of his tail. Tuss’ wingstails darken as they flow outward, the hue shifting until the very tips of his sails are a deep, nearly black-bronze. His face is also covered in this color, a sort of ‘mask’ from the tip of his nose to the tops of his headknobs.
Personality:
Brave, devoted, charismatic, strong-willed, intuitive, good-humored, strong moral center, perceptive, takes charge, very protective, loves physical challenges.
((I colored both flits, using a free template. ^^))
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