[Rider] Iden of Gold Asalijath [Approved]

[Meepfur]

Name: Iden (short for Idenna)
Age: 29
Nameday: 3547.10.19
Sex: Female
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual? Mostly? idk
Craft: None
Rank: Wingrider
Location: Western Weyr
Physical Description:
Iden's naturally pale skin has darkened a shade or two under the Western sun, and she keeps her slightly wavy medium-brown hair at waist-length. Her eyes are a soft gold, and she stands at an unimpressive 5'2" in height.

Personality:
Naturally accomodating and in want of better self-confidence, Iden is generally a follower, and will look to others for direction or confirmation even when she knows she knows what she's doing. She struggles constantly with her own agency, wanting to be more, wanting be be better, but forever doubting her abilities, knowledge, and potential. She's just Iden, and for much of her life, believed that to be really not very much at all. Even now, while Asalijath has seen to it that she no longer feels out-of-place and without belonging, she sees herself as mostly unremarkable; concisely put, she has no ego. A mostly-imagined need for guidance, coupled with her people-pleasing nature, renders her easily taken advantage of. If someone were to put enough time, effort, and careful lies into it, and especially if they reinforced it all with some affection, she could well be manipulated into things she might later be ashamed of, if removed from the situation...or perhaps she'd be too deep in, and remain loyal. Such would be very possible, if she were infatuated enough.

It follows that she is hopelessly attracted to bad boys - both the ones who wear it openly and the charmers who hide it well - making her prone to ill-advised crushes that, if they ever do evolve into relationships, are practically destined to go down in flames. She simply craves affection, and if given it, won't question the source; her desperate need to be loved will blind her to red flags that would send other individuals running. She will endure, forgive, and make excuses for poor and even abusive behavior. At worst, she will believe that she deserves it, and at best, that she can change someone. A normal, healthy relationship is what she wants, and she can't help but be a touch envious of the ones she sees...and on the rare occasion she falls for someone who's not bad news, it will likely be someone taken or otherwise completely out of reach.

Iden wants to believe the best of everyone, and as such can get along with almost anyone. She forms attachments quickly, though she is always cautious never to intrude or push her company on anyone, and for all her want of affection, isn't outwardly clingy or needy, and if anything may overcompensate and give more space than necessary, assuming that she most likely not wanted or needed. Forever worried about being dead weight, Iden is as hard a worker as you could ever want to find, and will put herself to any task she's given without complaint. If she has trouble, she will try and try again, until she accomplishes what she's set out to do, even if it leaves her exhausted or injured. Dedicated and deeply loyal, she will be devoted to any wing she's placed in, and will give everything for friends and lovers without question. If ever forced to choose between friends and a lover, however, she would almost certainly choose the lover, regardless of what they've done.

Positive Trait List accomodating, persevering, loyal
Negative Trait List easily manipulated, self-doubting, blind to faults in anyone she likes

History:
An unwanted child, a 'mistake' made by a good girl from a good, upstanding family, Iden was never outwardly admitted to be her mother's child. Enthenia just went away to visit relatives for awhile, and some time later, it just happened that some cousin had passed and left a child behind that needed caring for, and the family was good enough to take it in. It's a story that Iden herself actually still wholeheartedly believes, and has not the faintest inkling that her family has lied to her all her life. They were so very kind and gracious to take her in, and she is deeply grateful to them for doing so, even though she was a terrible inconvenience, often in the way and hardly any use at all, barely worth the trouble of raising her.

She was never physically abused, but very often put down, and always given the menial tasks that no one else wanted to bother with, clothed in worn hand-me-downs and never properly educated. And she accepted it all, because every once in awhile there might be some scrap of praise or affection, though often with an accompanying barb, and because they were her family. After all, where would she be without them? All manner of terrible things could happen to someone like her, without the wits or experience to know what was best for her.

It was an utter shock to them all when, at 17, she was Searched to Western, and a greater shock still when she Impressed at her first clutch. Iden, who had had little time indeed to even settle in and fully get her bearings - let alone make friends - in those few days, had had no one she felt she knew well enough to Stand with, and as a result had felt rather lost on the Sands. She reminded herself what a great honor it was to be there, of how lucky she was to even be in the presence of the young dragons, and kept her thoughts positive. Only in her wildest dreams had she even imagined one might choose her, and so now and then if one passed by in its search for its rider, she beheld it only with awe, not covetousness. Eventually, against all odds, one that had passed by paused, considered, and turned to regard her with rainbow eyes. You seek no more than what the world sees fit to give you, IdennaMine, but you are worth the world to your Asalijath. Come. My family, my home, is now yours, and I will let no one judge you lesser again.

Asalijath wanted a rider who did not need more, who chased neither power nor material desire, who would serve beside her without complaint, and was a match for her in loyalty and devotion. The woman may often need support and reminding of her own worth, but Asalijath's own quiet confidence can hold her up when necessary, and there have been a few times over the Turns the gold has had to intervene to keep Hers from being taken advantage of in one way or another. She hasn't always been able to keep her from heartache, but has grown ever-more vigilant with time, and now guards Hers' hearts as fiercely as she guards her home from Thread.

It broke both their hearts when the menace returned, casting not only their family and home into danger, but all of Pern, and they are stalwart in doing everything in their ability to protect as many as they can, as best they can. Between a combination of luck and being a bit less at risk than fighting dragons and their riders, neither has suffered significant injury, though they each bear relatively minor scars. The scars on their hearts from dragons and riders lost, some of their own classmates among them, run far deeper.

Other:

DRAGON - - - -
Name: Asalijath
Age: 12
Color: Gold
Size: 83'
Physical Description:
On the small side for a gold, but with everything in good proportion - her tail perhaps just a little long - Asalijath is a fine example of a dragon, and not particularly notable beyond that.

Personality
Hatched composed and wise behind her years, Asalijath is an old soul, and much of what life might try to throw at her will simply roll off her hide like water. There is little that can truly find its way under her skin, as she is not only naturally calm, but has always been well aware of her purpose, place, and role in life. She loves her home and her family, and is devoted to both with every fiber of her being. She has and will never question Western's way of doing things, as she exists very happily within it. If she were ever called upon to lead, she would be honored to serve in such a way, but it does not chafe at her that she may well never be. She has no inherent desire for power, and sees leadership and rank as service, things to be borne with utmost respect if and while they are required, then set aside when the time comes.

That said, dutiful servant of the Weyr that she is, she is not subservient. Just as she does not place herself above others, she does not place herself beneath them. Though she does not swagger or grasp at prestige, she has full confidence in her own abilities, and knows well that she stands on equal footing with all other faithful wingdragons of Western. Those who outrank her have her utmost respect, and will find orders and tasks given swiftly completed - though if on the off chance she objected, she would calmly make it known and hope for clarification or resolution.

Asalijath can at times seem aloof, but nothing could be further from the truth. While devoted to duty and often serious, her words and bearing formal more often than not, she is absolutely full to brimming with love for those she holds dear. She is happiest in the company of family - whether of the same bloodline or family-of-hearts - and will spend all the time she can with those she loves.

When it comes to romantic love, she has yet to give her hearts in such a way; she remains fond of those who have caught her in the past, as at the very least they now fall under the wing of family, but thus far has not felt compelled to take a more permanent mate. Truth be told, she hasn't looked, and if it ever happens, it will very likely be something that grows over time without her noticing.

Dragon Art or Proof of Obtainment: x  

[Uta]

Approved!