Name: NalinaAge: 23
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Craft: Weavercraft - Tailor
Rank: Councilman
Appearance
Nalina is not your typical beautiful goldrider. She has a rather wide nose that kind of throws off the rest of her face, squinty eyes that too often have dark circles and lines under them and a figure that, while thin, better represents a stick figure than some womanly hourglass.
Her skin is a tanned color by birth and further darkened by endless hours in the sun. Her hair is light brunette, short and tends to tangle of its own accord even if she's doing nothing more than standing there. Her eyes are a light blue.
At 5'8, she is taller than many of her female peers - and a number of the males.
History
Nalina's history is as plain as her looks. Her parents were tailors whose parents were tailors and chances are their parents were tailors, too. She spent most of her time, like most Ghezans, working hard with a lot of socializing on the side.
At age 17, she Impressed to Sojayeth and became more withdrawn to her friendships, albeit she also began to work harder. Nalina was elected onto council at age 20.
Both parents, an elder brother and two younger sisters are still in Ghenza. She rarely seems to speak with any of them, though.
Personality
Nalina's a visionary with an eye to the future and foresight as clear as a cloudless sky. As a proficient planner, she regularly sets goals for Ghenza and outlines how to get there. Until she is without breath, she will never be without a plan of action. And, she has the aggressive self-confidence to help carry them out. Of her peers (those joining her on the council, mostly) she is demanding and critical, holding them to no higher a standard than she holds herself.
This stern young woman is not an emotional rock, but her house of decisions is built by bricks of concrete fact, not feeling-based judgments. She applies sound reasoning to situations that request of her an emotional intimacy. A weeping girlfriend whom was just left by her lover of five turns may be told she's better off since he did have an affair that once -- actually, wasn't it twice? And Nalina will truly feel like this is an adequate means of comforting her woeful friend.
The few liberal-minded that reside in Ghenza find themselves frequently stumped how someone so logical fails to question authority. Nalina is, of course, authority herself these days, but even as young as six turns she seldom challenged her parent's decisions -- nor those of past council, teachers or any authority figure. The thought of 'stepping out of bounds', as it were, creates a sickening knot in her stomach.
So, it comes as no surprise she has grown to respect and honor traditions and laws to the fullest. She attends every meeting of every group when possible, involves herself with any union (including the Wher Union in spite of not having one) and considers attendance to every funeral, party and so forth obligatory. Her beliefs are not to be questioned and in doing so the offender will find themselves in very hostile company. Patience for non-traditionalists? On a scale of one to ten, it's about a three.
Nalina is no stranger to the idea of a good time. On the contrary! In her younger years, prior to Impressing, she was known for being known. A chat with every farmer she passed; a gift for every birthing day of her friends. Although, same as with her respect for authority, from a young age Nalina was formal in her manners and most at ease in polite company. Carefree sorts with no regard for being 'proper' she finds somewhat bewildering.
Deep down, she still likes to have fun and enjoys interacting with people. Her rank as a councilmen and constant pressure from her brute of a gold have led her down a road of further solitude, however. It isn't that Nalina doesn't love Sojayeth; she loves her very much. Yet, she can't help but wish their relationship was more affectionate and less political. She may just be a wee bit envious of other riders.
The recent events involving other Weyrs - High Reaches in specific - has worsened this negativity. Stress leads Nalina to feel isolated and unappreciated for her hard work. She will swear up and down the Ghenza-born transfers are misled traitors not worth their weight in wher droppings, but in truth the loss of her people deeply wounds her.
Nalina will be much less tense the day she learns to value differing opinions. Until then, she continues to dismiss issues she does not see as important. Issues she does, on the other hand, she will stand by until the end. She'll work hard for them, too, and is exceptionally generous with her time and efforts for the sake of the people.
Be they on good terms or not, Nalina would do anything for the welfare of her homeland and any and all of its residents.
