(( Figured I'd get her accepted to roleplay after the event. ))Name: Shakuntala Tischendorf.
Age: Seventeen.
Gender: Female.
Facial expression: Smug.
Hair: See left.
Eye color: See left.
Skin color: See left.
Outfit: Standard (buttoned-up shirt).
Personality:
Tala displays a "wooden" facade that appears cold and demeaning; as if she is a woman who would judge you directly on the spot. Many stray from her because of this, but in actuality, Tala is soft with a personality akin to a small, bashful girl. While her shyness prevents her from being an outspoken member of her squad, she puts a hundred and ten percent forward towards any goal and always does what is asked of her. Her domineering fault is her inability to say no even when a task is humiliating or near impossible. Her will oversteps her pride always and it is because of this Tala gets sulky when others have a condescending opinion about her.
Most of these complaints arise from her weak stomach. Tala is known to get motion sickness and lose her meals time and time again when it comes to blood and gore. She couldn't even slay livestock in her own home without feeling queasy. She has trouble hurting something living (even titans) because of slaughter, but Tala herself has a steel forbearance when it comes to pain. She can keep marching if it hurts, but will fall to one knee if it means wringing the neck of a chicken and gutting it.
One lesson Shakuntala learned from her father and won't ever forget is frugality. Despite growing up in one of the higher income neighborhoods of Shiganshina, the trainee was taught at a young age that nothing should go to waste and a life of extravagance and lavishness could have deathly consequences. Even her home was of the modest necessities and never decorated with all of the baubles, trinkets, and things that would certainly make the eye pop. Though Kamla complained to her daughter about it from time to time, Tala thought it was the right way to live. Even as a member of the military, the girl believes that being prudent with resources is a must. As long as every mouth is fed, extra bread should be saved. As long as no one is dying of thirst, extra water should be stored. Tala never overindulges and is actually more open to sharing her food then keeping it.
Many have related Tala to a mother hen. When the young woman comes to care about someone, she will nitpick and peck at them for small things -- especially if the choice or action will bring dire consequences to that person. The soldiers throws her entire concern onto an individual and nurtures them with her soul because it is the only way she knows how to care for someone. Her arrogance is to blame for this; she thinks others can't take care of themselves unless she is there to lend a hand. Yet, despite coming off as an annoyance because of this trait, her squabbles with others is just a sign she cares and is comfortable with another person. Around them, she can spread her wings and have her feathers ruffled.
Tala has only known the company of herself for a very long time. Besides herself, the next person she knows thoroughly is her own mother, Kamla. Since she became her child, Tala has dutifully completed what was instructed of her without any complaint or interaction with anyone. Due to her little socialization, the trainee is terrible when it comes to talking to others. She's uneducated in the ways of proper civility and has a tendency of bringing up terrible topics at the wrong time. Because of this, the girl tries to be careful of what she says and mentally rebukes herself when she says something out of line.
Contributing to a cause is what fuels Tala's current desire in the military. While her inspiration was her uncle, Barnabas, it shifted after the girl saw how the years took their toll on him. At first, she only sought out this reason to justify all the time spent training, but it became truth when Tala realized how satisfying it was becoming a pinprick of light during a rather dim age and serving and protecting civilians behind the walls. While she doesn't have much tact when it comes to calming panicking masses like more open souls, seeing how children look up to her in awe and how others express fond gratitude and respect for her service is enough to keep Tala going.
When it comes to asking for help, Tala seems incapable of doing so vocally. Getting a word out of her is a toughie. She tries to relay messages via body language rather than through word of mouth, so most of the time, what she has to say may be undecipherable. When she does talk, her speech patterns are very precise and broken. Tala speaks carefully, as if reading from a book, and has a tendency of correcting herself or restating something if her thoughts come out as jumbled or what she said sounded vague or could be misinterpreted. Despite being inexpressive vocally, Tala's a bit more open with her other emotions, although they warrant both awkward and embarrassing moments. For example, when she spews tears, she sounds like a whimpering mutt. Since this draws attention to her, it supports her desire to remain stiff-faced, but even Tala has her limits.
Tala is very finicky and has a hard time being content with something. She picks at little things and fusses over the details until whatever it is she is working on fits her acceptance. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of effort to ever please her and most throw their hands up in frustration trying to do so. To the Tischendorf, allowing deviation from a standard only leads to failure. By remaining rigidly accurate, a person is more inclined to find success and, thus, happiness. She tends to frown upon those rebellious souls who try to think outside the box because she believes they are walking the fine line between future success and sorrow.
History:
Tala is the second of two girls born to Kamla and Abram Tischendorf. Unlike her sister, Sita, Tala kept to her family home and worked on embroidery designs or drawing daily. She was typically at the side of her mother as she did so and, for most of her life, her parent was her only friend. Kamla taught her everything the girl knew, from cooking to cleaning to even the language from her side of the family. Abram, who kept to the slaughterhouse and their butcher shop most of the day, could only observe his daughters from afar. Noticing how mirthful Sita was in comparison to his second because she was identical to him in terms of personality, he tried to force her from their home so she wouldn't turn out like him: aloof and distant from most. Abram dragged Tala to the slaughterhouse, thrust a knife into her hands, and ordered her to kill a pig.
When she refused out of fear, Abram grew frustrated and snatched the knife from her. He slaughtered the pig himself in front of her. Shaken by the sight, the girl panicked, and fled from her father. For two days, she went missing. Kamla lashed out at her husband for what he did and was so overwrought with guilt and worry that she dedicated her time to searching for her daughter. Sita overtook the woman's chores during this time because Kamla was so busy. Eventually, Neil came forward to Abram and admitted he was sheltering Tala. When she turned up on his doorstep, he let her in, and allowed her to stay. However, her shaky state worried him, and he felt the need to get her help and turned to his uncle for that. After returning home, Kamla was in a complete state of relief. Since then, the woman never allowed her daughter to leave the house, and Tala was completely imprisoned to her home; much to her delight.
After a few years, Sita revealed to her parents her hopes to get married. At seventeen, she had fallen in love with a neighborhood boy. Kamla happily gave the girl her permission and blessing. Abram had no opinion on the matter. After the wedding, Kamla requested that her daughter try and learn more of Tala and find her a suitable match. Sita tried to get closer to her sister, but couldn't break the girl's defenses. She gave up on her and shifted her concentration to her husband after finding out she was pregnant.
Soon, Shakuntala began being pressured by her mother that she should do something with her life. Yet, according to the woman, the only thing her daughter could and should turn to was an early betrothal. Unfortunately, the girl didn't want to marry, but explaining to her mother her choice took an arduous effort that came to no avail. Recalling the stories her father told her as a child of her uncle as a reputable man in the military inspired her. A few months after Sita turned eighteen and had her first child, Tala broke the decision to her parents that she wanted to join the military. Kamla was absolutely distraught with the situation, reflecting on the possibility in the future where she might die. Abram, again, had no opinion on the matter but feigned anger at his daughter to suit his wife. When Neil, her cousin and childhood rival, heard of her choice, he too decided to join the military, but Abram prevented him because of a promise he made with his brother: Don't make Neil decide anything foolish. Kamla stopped talking to Tala after she left for training -- coming to the decision she was already dead to her.
