Post by jing on Nov 7, 2011 8:23:11 GMT -5
M I N L A R A
Play-by: HURD-WOOD, Rachel
Age:
Seventeen (Born April 3000)
Gender:
Female
Sexual Orientation:
Heterosexual Holdergirl.
Rank:
Journeyman Dolphineer I (Just walked the tables.)/ Dual Candidate
Location:
Blossom Hold
UPDATED: December 27, 2011
A P P E A R A N C E
Pause for a moment, would you, and take a glance- a short look- at the young woman seated down the Dining Hall, there, over at the far table. Do you see her? She's the one bent almost studiously over a hide-bound set of scrolls, cracked open upon the table with scribbles as its pages' decorations. If you were to take your time as you look at her, as if she were your choice of model for a painting, you might notice a sloping neck- perhaps her most defining feature- with an oval, sprite-like head the starting point, though that pretty head is currently being cradled in her slim-fingered hands. Sparkling, wide blue eyes stare wanly at the set of hides before her, scribing implements poised to add or remove accordingly, soft, full lips pursed in a pout. When she stands, she comes to a rough five foot and six inches, not including the slight bump of her long, auburn hair. She's not the shortest of girls, nor the tallest, but she is, at least, slender.
It had always been Minlara's wish that she would be petite, running about like a young waif, or a slim child... she's instead blossomed into something more like a mature young lady should be. She is, by enjoyment and by craft, an avid swimmer, and her appropriately curvy body displays the long, lean muscle of one such athlete with just as much glory as she tends to display herself... particularly in the nude. Her thighs and calves are curvy and strong, indicative of her powerful strokes in the lake. Her legs seem to overwhelm her body at times, but she is proportionate enough not to cause too many stares, though her father used to say she was "all legs." There is a noticeable curve of a bosom, not to the extent of the stereotypical Brazilian beauty, but enough so to conform to the oft quietly used handful rule.
Her body and its potential limb-accented awkwardness pale in comparison to the thought-provoking postures of her face, however. Some say her face is average, others might comment on how nicely arranged everything is despite her high forehead, the rest tend to comment with various opinions in both the positive and negative light. One thing is certain- Minlara has a very mobile facade. Clearly red hair frames heart-shaped face in soft waves, reaching comfortably to her shoulder blades in length, though these locks tend to be up in a loose bun or runnertail than not. Gentle cheeks display a youthful roundness common to her age category, the soft curve barely hiding her high cheekbones. Her lips are full, naturally a pale pink color that she enhances like the average girl with a flattering lip gloss. They are usually either slipping past each other as she recites Harper tales or far apart in a wide mouthed smile she often displays for the general public. After her mouth is the nose. It's an average one, neither detracting from, nor really adding to the overall mural of her face. Her ears are pixie-ish, slightly pointed at the tops, but otherwise, quite normal. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Her eyes, last for a reason, are striking in the sense that they latch onto their subject of study. Can't you see it as she flips the page? Their attention never wavers. Bright and attentive, they remind one of a child seeing things for the first time, taking in every detail as if she were going to write a book or paint of picture completely and wholly about that one thing. Her eyes are a dark, cerulean blue, inherited from her Blossom Hold native father, and framed by long, thick lashes. Slightly above her eyes-- the true performers on any face- are curved eyebrows that naturally grow thick; she plucks and arches them herself to conform to beauty standards. Each feature on its own is as common as a blade of grass in a field. Together, though, they create a masterpiece of emotion. The same attentive watcher takes the inspiration and morphs it to form a dance of their own one is lucky enough to witness.
And yet, her clothing choices tend to be a mixture between practical and promiscuous. Minlara is known for being flirtatious, and it shows in how she dresses- even if it isn't as pointedly skimpy as some. Her tops tend to be loose, but form-fitting, generally without sleeves or with short sleeves. Her slacks are cut off at the calves, or perhaps just a little higher at the knee or sometimes even higher at the thigh. She loves to show off her form, and that can include soft, flowy sorts of skirts and dresses- the kind of things her dear friend Deirdre would have loved to make. Min is, put simply, an athletic girl that knows what she has and how to play it up, when to play it up, and tends to play it up as naturally as she can manage. No use ruining her skin with make-ups or her hair with dyes- she likes herself just the way she is.
P E R S O N A L I T Y
flamboyant, flirty, forward, silly, cuddly, playful, laid-back, shameless, clever, thoughtful, intuitive
As you watch her, you may consider the way she holds herself in her chair, the bright laughter in her blue eyes, the amused curve to her lips as she reads something particularly silly. There are a number of pieces to the puzzle that is Minlara, some more complex and profound than others, and yet overall the image portrayed in the combined pieces is simple. Minlara, called Min by her family and Minnie by only her dear friend Deirdre, might first strike you as keenly intelligent, the way she is poring over those scrolls, but alas, that would not be true. Though she certainly is no dimglow, Min is no Pernese rocket-scientist either- she is clever, bright, and brims with common-sense. An enviable social tact can sometimes grace her silvery speech- she is not a cold-hearted child, out to spurn the world with her observations- but more often than not Minlara far prefers to say it like it is and leave it at that. Min is an energetic young woman, you come to see, and often rather unabashed in terms of speech.
Clever as she is, Min is by no means quiet, or dare I say it... shy. "Shy? What is this shy of which you speak?" Says a humour-laced voice, and as you look up to the speaker, you might be a touch taken aback. Minlara stands there, above your seat, cerulean gaze roving your relaxed posture while her lips curve into a slightly wicked smile. "You're pretty cute..." She says then, happily taking a seat beside you though one was not offered. A conversation unfolds, as Minlara is likely to strike up a chat with anything that stays still long enough, about anything from the weather to the time of day. She is blunt, bold, adventurous, and seemingly oozing confidence... including while she's tearing someone apart to a confidante. If she disagrees with something the Lord Holder does, she won't say it to his face, but will certainly make sure someone knows what she thinks. This same tactic of talking someone's ear off works in reverse- Minlara will happily sit there and listen to someone else talk her ear off. She loves to chat and joke and tease and flirt, and tends to be very easy-going in her relationships. But, when you get up to leave, politely excusing yourself for the remainder of the scenario, her unalterable stubbornness has the girl chasing after her quarry when they are no longer still.
She doesn't do anything unless she wants to do it, including chasing someone around the Hold or Weyr a few times. Minlara loves to work, adores exercise, and is known to enjoy the thrill of the chase - and you, her quarry, are indulging that as you attempt to escape her, though she is still talking your ear off. Eventually though, she does finally grow bored of you, and, excusing herself, flees to the Vineyards of her Blossom Hold home, someone there having caught her attention. As you scurry away, you can her her starting up another conversation, though this person seems less inclined to rather observe than participate. She is a loyal friend, and always thinking of those important to her first it seems, and the short blonde girl that she decidedly starts chatting up is no doubt one of them. Dierdre her name is, and after a little reconnaissance, you come to find out this shy, hat-sporting young lady is Minlara's best friend. Talk about a conflict of personalities.
Min is never egotistical in her personal and work relationships, though, giving more than asking with her friends and loved ones- she is actually a rather delicate lover. She is passionate, unabashed and unbothered by running about in the nude, and she has a grand old time flirting with men who may catch her fancy, sure... but her ideal personal relationship is when the partner's mind and spirit rather than body resonates with hers- much like how she hopes impression will be. Once committed, she will be intensely loyal and home-loving and will remain faithful, even if her significant other proves to be of a much less delicate demeanor than she first thought. Such a thing may never be noticed, however, as she tends to keep these sorts of things bottled up, hidden beneath that naturally easy-going nature of hers.
Her adoration and comfort with any one person can, however, be monitored by how much she drapes herself over them. Minlara is a cuddly beast, and loves to lay her head in people's laps or pretend to under a sudden increase of gravity atop a friend. She is a playful thing, after all, and some of the best ways to play are attached to jokes and other silliness. And what better vantage point to grin and laugh than comfortably arranged in your quarry's lap? Fun is something Min continuously pursues, and though she tends to find it in the form of her dolphins and swimming nude in the lake - much to the initial shock of her master and the other apprentices - she prefers to go hunt it down in other venues of personal interaction, from flirting and teasing to playing pranks and being utterly ridiculous. Well, if one thing is for certain, she's no timid, shy Dierdre, as much as she loves her little Dee.
H I S T O R Y
A time when things were new... [3000-3005][/u]
Ah, Blossom Hold. A rich, glorious jewel strung on the necklace that was the Southern archipelago, nestled close to the breast of Selenitas Weyr and home to the ever famous Dolphincraft Hall. Minlara and her friend Dierdre were born on the same rainy, miserable day in April, starting off as something closer to enemies than to the dear friends they would later become. Their differences fell to the sidelines in light of the situations they came into- Min and Deirdre lived in cotholds right on the edge of a profitable vineyard located just outside the main circle of the Hold. Their early childhood was full of stealing berries off the vine and running before the person on watch caught them, running through fields of golden-headed grain and sweet wildflowers, collecting flowers and swimming in the nearby lakes and rivers. It was a wonder Minlara and Dierdre hadn't gotten hurt in those early years... but that was not to last. It was Dee's older brother Reldis who met with the tragedy the two girls so often escaped, drowning in Blossom Lake. The dolphins tried to rescue him and even brought him ashore... but it was too late. Here began Min's fascination with Dolphins, the creatures that, though they were obviously too late, still tried, still persisted on, to return the limp child to his family.
Shipfish with no ship [3005-3010]
While Dierdre started to shy away from the waters of Blossom lake after Resden's death, Minlara frequented the shore and lapping pool more and more. Dee's increased sense of caution was warranted, certainly, but Min did start to get a little miffed after a while of hearing, "Be careful! Don't go too deep!" She knew it was because Deirdre cared, but really. Min swam like a dolphin to start with! And so grew the routine - assist her mother with the chores, run down to the lake and stare at the once-named shipfish, then strip down and swim with them when Dee finally arrived. There were days the pair would instead go into the Hold and see the women working on the beautiful silks until Min would get bored and dash back off to the lake, either leaving Deirdre there to enjoy herself, or pausing when she started calling for the taller girl to slow down. Life was wonderful in those years, unaffected by anything more than a child-like fascination with life. Even Thread didn't dampen her spirits when it began falling again in 3006. New as it was, the experience of watching dragonriders flame the silvery menace out of the sky, flashing in shades of blue, green, brown, and metallic bronze. It wasn't scary so much as intriguing for the young water-loving girl - they flew through the air almost like the dolphins swam in the lake. It was amazing, really, and in the stories Min and Dee made up when they played, all dragonriders were gallant men and women of impeccable character. And, if for only a short time, Minlara wondered.
What would it be like to join them?
To swim or not to swim, that is the question. [3010-3012]
At last the turns of decision came, the time when Minlara would be choosing a craft and pursuing it with the newfound zeal of a fresh apprentice. Min was allowed to do most anything the self-sufficient hold had to offer, from harpering to healing and back again. What she wanted to be was a dolphineer. Since she was a young babe on the cusp of her preteens, the girl had always wanted to learn how the dolphins worked, what bell meant what and how one knew who to call. She was absolutely giddy when the Hall accepted her, and pleased to find that Dee would be studying weaving with her uncle only a short stroll away. Not only would she be able to do what she always wanted, she could still go bother her dearest comrade whenever she pleased!
Or, at least, that had been the plan. The sudden reversal of Deidre's choice of craft was, to say the least, startling. Min was upset, to say the least, but Dee seemed to be set in her decision... and she didn't want to make her friend feel badly. So, after a gigantic hug, Minlara left her dear friend behind in the fields.
Dolphineering. [3012-3015]
Each day started the same - get up, strip down, and go leap into the lake to learn. Minlara cared not that her master disapproved of her usual manner of undress, and none of the other apprentices complained about the view either, as she grew older. The evenings would herald the occasional visit from Dee, though sometimes the other girl was obviously too tired to make an appearance. Min understood that, and on those lonely eves she would shower, eat, and go to bed, imagining the first days of thread, when she and Deirdre would watch the dragons flame just within their field of vision. The days when they did nothing but dream and have fun, the days when joinings were far from their minds and farther from the world they had to live with.
And then there were dragons. Massive beasts, glorious in shade and intelligence, the creatures captured Minlara's attention each time they were called to the Hall or stopped in for Search. Once in awhile, she would wonder, wonder what it would be like to impress, to have someone share your mind for the rest of your life. She heard of all the terrible things that happened to Selenitas, sure- but she was often undeterred in her wonderings, musings, about the possibility of Search. The attacks, the siege, the poisonings... they didn't seem to faze the Weyr itself from her outside view, their persistence a feat in the eyes of the young girl. And the dragons were still flying. Then, one day in 3015, they received the news that northerners had taken over Selenitas. This time, the event affected her thoughts- and her attentions went directly to her craftwork. She no longer imagined herself astride a dragon, but instead astride a dolphin. This was the turn she excelled.
Earthquakes and Dreaming Drakes [3015-present]
Then, things started to change. One day, Dierdre didn't appear at the lake, though she had promised and planned on it, causing Minlara to worry. Was she alright? She didn't get hurt in the fields, had she? The following day, the short blonde appeared at the crafthall on her own, and Min was left unsure. Dee hadn't ever been the best liar, and though the budding dolphineer accepted her sketchy explanation, she always did wonder what the real reason might have been. Things seemed to return to a relative normality after that, though Dierdre didn't quite seem as comfortable with their swims as she used to be. Sure, she had heard of post-traumatic stresses affecting a person's usual activities, but Dee's sibling had died so long ago... his drowning finally affecting her now seemed... out of place. But then, Dee had seemed less inclined to swim almost immediately after her brother's death.
It would have been worse sooner, right? She puzzled over this for a while, but eventually, the thoughts slipped out of her mind. Minlara had to get ready to walk the tables, Dierdre had an arranged joining coming up, and Selenitas had finally become Selenitas again. The dragons returned, following an earth-moving quake, and things seemed to be all right with the world again. And so, once more, Minnie quietly dreamed of dragons, of the chance to be a dragonrider, and of the days her life was simple and clean - and the world wasn't throwing her curve balls.[/blockquote]
C A N D I D A C Y
Queen Only? (Females Only):
Not queen only.
Desired Dragon Color:
Anything. :3 Jing likes surprises!
Dragon, Wher, or both?:
Both. :3
P E T S
Name: None.
Color: None.
Age: None.
Physical Appearance: None.
Personality: None.
[x] By checking this box, I am saying that I have read the Rules and History, and will follow them.
The images used here were made by
Jenn @ CAUTION 2.0
Jenn @ CAUTION 2.0
