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Name: Avali
Age: 16
Sex: female
Sexual Orientation: heterosexual
Weyr: High Reaches Weyr
Rider Rank: Weyrling
Previous Rank/Craft: none
Physical Description: Avali hates how she looks, believing that she's not even slightly pretty. Standing at 5'7", she's slender, but still as flat-chested as a boy. Shoulder-length hair of an indeterminate shade of brown frames her long face with loose curls, though it has no gloss to it. Easily, her best feature would be her sparkling blue-grey eyes. More noticable, though, is what she calls a "wherry beak" nose. Her mouth is small, and when she smiles you can see a dimple to the right of it.
Long of leg and small of waist, finding clothes for her growing height has been a problem for Turns. Long, slender fingers grace her hands, making them appear delicate. Her feet, though, are definitely not delicate... they're larger than she likes, making her feel awkward.
Personality: Generally, Avali is rather quiet and shy, though she wishes frequently that this were not the case. If given the chance, she would prove to be friendly, once she managed to get over her uncertainties of how others might perceive her to be. Of course, there's always someone who she discovers that she can't get along with, and those people she simply tries to leave alone or ignore. If the person has authority over her, or someone gets in her face and yells, she gets nervous and upset, resulting in a poorer quality in her work. After all, no one likes having someone yelling in their face, and if a journeyman or master is giving her problems there's not much she can do about it except fret (with doesn't help at all). Though she's not aware of it, Avali can be extremely stubborn and determined. She never noticed, though, because she's only really aware of the shy, quiet side of herself. If she has to defend herself, she finds it nearly impossible to do so, due to a combination of her low self-esteem and her uncertainty of what to do. However, if one of her friends is in trouble, or if someone tries to get her to do something that she disagrees with, she'll put her foot down and will refuse to budge an inch on the matter, without giving any conscious thought to what she's doing. There are, after all, certain things that she will NEVER do (such as jumping into bed with someone just to gain their favor) and she cherishes her few friends (namely because she has so few). Afterward, if asked, she'd shrug and say that she didn't know why she did it (which she honestly wouldn't) and change the subject, back to being her usual, quiet self.
Avali always strives to do her best in anything that she does. Unfortunately, she's still hopeless when it comes to basic chores, like cleaning or making her bed. She's also a dreamer, and has been found daydreaming instead of working on more than one occasion (much to her embarrassment, and oddly only when she's supposed to be cleaning). She likes to help people, even if they're not aware that it was her that did so. For example: if someone needed to be cheered up, she would try to find them a gift that they'd like... and if that failed, she'd try to make one. She will listen to what she's told, and follow orders until they clash with her own judgement. If she's told to do something that she disagrees with, she'll ignore what she's told and do what she believes is right, even if she knows that it will anger someone in authority (again, there are things that she'd never do, no matter who tells her to do so). She has learned that, sometimes, there was a good reason for what she was told, though she learned this the hard way (such as when she was 4, and climbed on a table that she was told to stay off of... and them promptly fell off of, hitting her head). If the one whose orders she disagrees with wanders off, fully expecting that she'll do as she was told, she'll simply not do it (or do something else that she deems more appropriate). If the person sticks around to see her do it, she'll duck her head and quietly tell them no. If given the opportunity, she'll try to explain her reasoning why; if not, she'll simply continue to shake her head, and wait for the expected blow. Better that, in her opinion, than to be dishonest to herself.
Having been made fun of for so many Turns growing up, Avali has grown to be uncertain and hesitant around people that she doesn't know. At times, she even suspects that others are talking about her behind her back. She's certain that they do it because she won't do anything to stop them, which only encourages them to continue without fear of reprisal. She's equally certain, though, that there are folks who are better than that (after all, she doesn't do anything like that... and she can't be the only one, right?). The problem is finding out which type of person someone is: the type who'll insult her and pick on her for fun; the type who would ignore her as if she were beneath their notice; or the type who would be willing to talk to her and discover for themselves what she's like. To test that, she uses her looks... the only good thing about her appearance, in her opinion. She's learned that most people tend to prefer girls who range from pretty to downright beautiful, and she firmly believes that she's plain (at best). So if someone insults her appearance, she avoids them. If they look at her and keep walking, she leaves them alone. If they try being friendly, she'll make an effort to overcome her natural shyness enough to talk to them.
Positive Traits: Respectful, determined, friendly, thoughtful, honest
Negative Traits: Shy, stubborn, dreamer, low self-esteem, a little messy
History: From a family holding in Telgar, Avali is the second of three daughters. Being the middle child, Avali was occasionally accused of having done things that her sisters did. Since, in her parents' eyes, her older sister was "old enough to know better" and her younger one was "too little to have done it", she ended up taking the fall for them a few times... but only when their was something in it for her, like a ribbon that she wanted. Otherwise, she found a way to prove that it was them that did whatever it was. This ended when she was 8, when her parents caught the older sister in the act of doing something... and even after being caught still trying to pin the blame on Avali. Despite this, the three of them mostly had fun together. The other youths in the area, though, tended to pick on her, mostly due to her less-than-ideal appearance. Due to this, she grew to have little in the way of self-esteem.
As she grew older and started assuming more household duties around the hold, her folks noticed that she tended to 'slack off', stopping whatever she was doing to daydream. Asking the local harper about it, he tested her, and discovered that while she was, indeed, a dreamer, there might be a reasonable outlet for it. Recommending that they allow her to try an apprenticeship at the Harper Hall, they tentatively agreed. To everyone's surprise, the dragon who arrived to transport her announced that she was suitable as a Candidate, and she chose to go to the Weyr rather than to the crafthall
At her first hatching, she was startled when the eggs decided to start hatching in the middle of the night. When an egg rather near to her burst, the girl found herself covered in sticky egg goo and itty bitty fragments of shell. Shortly after, another Hatchling stumbled into her, and she fell to the Sands. Though unhurt, she was embarrassed to be standing there covered in sand, shards, and goop. When a green hatchling stopped long enough to reassure her, it cheered her immensely.
And then another green hatchling stopped before her...
Oh, my poor Avali! What's happened? Can your Zyreth help?
Other: Avali and her sisters were all given a firelizard egg each for Turnover at the end of 3574. Due to it also being her Nameday, Avali received a larger egg. It was much to her surprise (and her sisters' disgust) that her egg hatched a gold flit, while theirs were only blues.
(art pending, the gold flit is a shop transfer)
DRAGON
Name: Zyreth
Origin of Name: Her name is taken from the Tyrol region (where the breed was developed), and combined with the practice of giving fillies a name beginning with the first letter of their dam's name.
Color: Green
Inspiration: The Haflinger, also known as the Avelignese, is a breed of horse developed in Austria and northern Italy (namely Hafling in South Tyrol region) during the late 19th century. Haflinger horses are relatively small, are always chestnut with flaxen mane and tail, have distinctive gaits described as energetic but smooth, and are well-muscled yet elegant. The breed traces its ancestry to the Middle Ages; several theories for its origin exist. Haflingers, developed for use in mountainous terrain, are known for their hardiness. Their current conformation and appearance are the result of infusions of bloodlines from Arabian and various European breeds into the original native Tyrolean ponies. The foundation sire, 249 Folie, was born in 1874; by 1904, the first breeders' cooperative was formed. All Haflingers can trace their lineage back to Folie through one of seven bloodlines. World Wars I and II, as well as the Great Depression, had a detrimental effect on the breed, and lower-quality animals were used at times to save the breed from extinction. During World War II, breeders focused on horses that were shorter and more draft-like, favored by the military for use as packhorses. The emphasis after the war shifted toward animals of increased refinement and height.
In the postwar era, the Haflinger was indiscriminately crossed with other breeds and some observers feared the breed was in renewed danger of extinction. However, starting in 1946, breeders focused on producing purebred Haflingers and a closed stud book was created. Interest in the breed increased in other countries, and between 1950 and 1974, the population grew, even while the overall European horse population decreased. Population numbers continued to increase steadily, and as of 2005, almost 250,000 Haflingers existed worldwide. Breeding farms are in several countries, although most of the breeding stock still comes from Austria. In 2003, a Haflinger became the first horse to be cloned, resulting in a filly named Prometea.
Haflingers have many uses, including light draft, harness work, and various under-saddle disciplines such as endurance riding, dressage, equestrian vaulting, and therapeutic riding. They are also still used by the Austrian and German armies for work in rough terrain. The World Haflinger Federation, the international governing body that controls breed standards for the Haflinger, is made up of a confederation of 22 national registries, and helps set breeding objectives, guidelines, and rules for its member organizations.
Personality: Though generally quiet, Zyreth is definitely intelligent, and make no mistake. She's quick to catch onto things while training, and easy to work with. If a behavior is encouraged (or not discouraged), Zyreth is likely to pursue it further. Her rider will need to keep that in mind as she grows. Being this bright means she's likely to get into mischief though, whether it's by stepping beyond the boundaries of her station as a green, or something as silly as trying to sneak out late to play in the snow.
She can also be rather stubborn at times. If Zyreth believes that she knows more than her rider, or that her plan is better, it can be difficult to convince her to listen. For example, if she has decided that doing drills in a rainstorm is unsafe, she may be very reluctant or refuse to go. She's not doing this to be vindictive or problematic, she's simply decided that it might be dangerous and that the wisest course of action is to stay out of it. In such cases, it's better to just show her that it's ok, by having someone leading the example.
Perhaps it's not too surprising, though, to learn that with her friendly nature, she's likely to make a good Searchdragon when she gets older. However, she might well unnerve some of the more nervous candidates with her tendency to nuzzle them while doing so.
Positive Traits: quiet, friendly, intelligent
Negative Traits: stubborn, wary, inquisitive
Size: 21'
Physical Attributes: Though she's not particularly tall, Zyreth will always have a slender look to her. She's well muscled, her back slightly longish, and her wings a little wider to accommodate that. Her legs are perhaps slightly longer than the average.
Additional Notes: Endurance might not be her greatest strength, but with her lighter build Zyreth will be a touch faster, and maneuverable. Her tolerance for pain will be high, though naturally she'll still try to avoid it. It will definitely help if she ever needs the assistance of a healer, though.
Why Me: Really, none other would do, and this green knew that the moment she sensed the girl. The two are remarkably alike, though they're just different enough to be able to help one another. In Avali, Zyreth has found a quiet mind who is not likely to try to force her to do something before she's ready. The girl offers patient explanations and examples to help her new winged friend to learn what she needs. Likewise, though the girl is rather shy, this green's tendency to be friendly will lead Avali into situations where she must learn to interact with others, and over time help her to feel more comfortable when speaking with people, and increase her self confidence as well
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