Name: IshlanAge: 48
Gender: Female
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Craft/Rank: Baker (Master)
History:
Ishlan is a baker from a family of bakers, who learned the craft from both of her Journeyman parents and grew up in the family bakery. Her parents had her relatively late in life, several turns after they'd resigned themselves to never having children, but though they were overjoyed to have her, were still careful not to spoil her too much. They encouraged a strong work ethic and instilled in her a sense of pride in the family trade, fully expecting her to take over the business one day.
Once she made Journeyman status at 23 turns of age, she began to do just that, gradually taking on more and more responsibility as her parents got older. She wanted to do more, however, to take things to that next level, and at 27 left to apprentice under a Master, knowing that if she waited much longer, she wouldn't be able to leave her mother and father to run the bakery themselves while she was away. Five turns later, her studies were cut short when she received word that her father had passed away in his sleep. She opted to return home to be with her mother, and between taking care of her and running the bakery, it would take Ishlan some time to earn her Mastery.
While she was working towards that goal, she met a strapping, handsome bluerider named L'don when he came into the bakery for a meat pie...and stayed until it got cold. After a drawn-out courtship, the two became a committed couple, though they continued to live separately - Ishlan at the Hold and L'don at the Weyr. L'don, for obvious reasons, couldn't move to the Hold, while Ishlan had her bakery to run, an elderly mother to care for, and her Mastery to earn. Nonetheless, they were a true couple (despite not seeing each other as much as they might have liked), with plans to start a family of their own. After six turns, however, they had no children, and this weighed heavily on Ishlan, who had dreamed of a child of her own one day running about the bakery as she had.
Seeing his wife's sadness, L'don resolved to do something about it. Since he couldn't give her a child, he was determined to give her something he could raise. Living in the Weyr as he did, he knew plenty of people with whers, and landed upon the thought that she mgiht like a wher. She was skeptical at first, but underwent the training, and when a friend of an old friend's gold wher clutched, L'don purchased an egg and presented it proudly to Ishlan. She was still not entirely convinced, even after her training, but the gesture was a sweet one, and she kept the egg warm near the oven. When it hatched some time later and a gangly, adorable-ugly bronze baby tumbled out, all of her reservations disappeared. He was her Ishsk, and while he'd never be a baker, she loved him anyway. Despite all the trouble he made at first - a baby wher in a bakery can get into quite a bit of mischief! - she adored and doted on him, and with many treats and plenty of tough love, he grew into a well-behaved companion, puller of carts, and unofficial bakery 'mascot.'
Their odd little family was a busy, happy one, and life went on peacefully, with Ishlan earning her Mastery at 41. Shortly thereafter, Ishlan's mother passed away during the night. It was sad, but not unexpected, and within the turn, Ishlan decided that it was time to close up shop and sell the bakery. It was then that she finally made the move to Trine, moving in with L'don and taking up work in the kitchens. Again, life went on, and all was well...until three turns later, when L'don and Piarzeth fell victim to First Fall.
It was the greatest tragedy of Ishlan's life. She had lost her mother, and her father many turns before that, but losing her weyrmate was completely different. The loss stunned and shook her, and she all but locked herself away for weeks. Eventually, she did emerge and return to work, slowly but surely. She wasn't completely back to her old self, but as time went on, it gradually got easier to go on with life.
...until the Revolution went and upset everything. Ishlan and Ishsk did their best to stay well clear of any fighting, and aside from one incident where they were forced to defend themselves, were successful. Not all was well, however - as a wherhandler, Ishlan as subject to suspicion, just as the other loyalist handlers were, and she didn't take it well. She still becomes rather upset with anyone who expresses disdain for or suspicion of herself or Ishsk, and is prone to lauching into defensive lectures about it. Additionally, she disapproves of recent hostile activities on both sides, and doesn't try to hide that she's become dissastisfied with life at the Weyr. She is considering returning to Eron.
Description:
Ishlan looks exactly how any good baker should: like she's been eating what she's baking. She's a short but large woman, pleasantly full-figured and soft. She has dimpled cheeks and her fair share of laugh lines and the beginnings of crow's feet. She looks as cheerful as she is, and possesses the kind of beauty that only happiness and kindness can give someone. She has honey-colored eyes, and her hair is wavy and medium-brown with lighter highlights.
Personality:
Ishlan is, in many ways, exactly as her appearance and profession might lead you to expect: she will dote on you, stuff you full of food, and call you adorable pet names. She's warm and friendly - often to the point of being over familiar - and a very motherly, matronly sort altogether. She cares deeply for others, and concerns herself with the wellbeing of everyone she comes into contact with, whether they like it or not. She wants to know everything about everyone: Who are you? Where are you from? Do you have family? What's your story? Ishlan will attempt to extract this and any other information with polite but nosy questions, and pass it off as getting to know her customers better (or, failing that, the prerogative of an older woman - they are supposed to be nosy, after all).
As a Master running her own small business, as well as having the occasional Apprentice, Ishlan is used to being in charge. While she's not the type to actively lord authority over others, she's confident, knows what she's doing, and everyone would be better off and things will be much easier if they just listen to her, in her opinion. She doesn't become mean, but she is what many would consider bossy, and would agree if someone pointed it out to her. Someone needs to be in charge and see that order is maintained, so it might as well be someone capable: her! She is aware, however, that she isn't an expert in all matters, and will cede to someone she recognizes as being better-qualified in a certain situation or field.
Despite her bossiness, she's not a stern woman. She's only as strict as she absolutely has to be, and any reprimands or punishments she dishes out will be half-hearted even at their very worst. She just doesn't have it in her to deliberately hurt someone's feelings, and will later soften any necessary blows with kindness and goodies. Ishlan can be rather self-indulgent as well, and very much appreciates good food, good drink, and fine things, usually in that order. Whenever she has the marks to spare, she will almost always spend them on herself...and sometimes on Ishsk! He has several very nice collars.
Other: Ishlan loves pies! Fruit, meat, chess, anything - if it's a pie, Ishlan can make it and make it well. She can make anything, from meatrolls to bread to elaborate wedding cakes, but pies are her very favorite, and the staple of her business. Formal cakes and fancy pastries are a hassle to make, in her opinion, but she can be persuaded into making them when the need arises.
Wher
Name: Ishsk
Age: 9
Colour: Bronze
Description: x
Ishsk is of average size and build for a wher, with one distinct exception: he's fat. Living with a doting baker has led to a rather pudgy wher.
Personality:
Ishsk is a very docile beast, having been raised by a kind hand that was stern when necessary. He is largely indifferent to people and other creatures, and unless they overtly threaten him or His, he mostly ignores them. Pettings will be accepted, and treats will be welcomed and happily devoured. There is little this wher loves more than food, leading him to beg for it with pleading eyes like a canine...but he knows better than to steal it when Ishlan's not looking! That would get him in Trouble. He's an extremely talkative wher, as well - he's no better at mental speech than any other wher, but he vocalizes almost constantly. If he's awake, chances are he's making some kind of noise, narrating his life with some kind of running, nonsensical wher monologue.
He's also quite lazy, and spends most of his time dozing on the floor while his bonded works. Ishsk is her baby, and anyone who takes exception to him and bothers to voice it may find themselves regretting the choice.
