Name: Valentine
Age: 18 turns
Gender: Male
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Craft: Minecraft (Subcraft: Excavator)
Rank: Sr. Apprentice/ Candidate

History: Born and raised in Telgar, Valentine’s parents were simple craft folk. His mother, Ana, was born and raised in the Weyr and followed the tradition of her mother, aunt, and grandmother to follow them into the Bakercraft. His mother had the specialty of a Bread Baker. Val would love when she came home because she would smell so good, and that she would sometimes take a loaf or two home with her. His father, a Hold-born fellow, named Radley, was in the Minecraft with a Surveyor specialty. He could spend days or sometimes sevendays away from home, depending what was needed of him. They weren’t wealthy, nor were they impoverished. They got on well with what little they had. In time, Ana and Radley had two more children, two daughters, Laira and Misha. Sure, sometimes things got tough and sometimes everyone seemed so busy that they scarcely shared a conversation, but at the end of the day, their family enjoyed each other’s company.

Around the age of ten, Val started to go with his father to start up within the Minecraft. He found surveying to be boring and tedious, as a young lad anyway. It seemed to be nothing but maps and arguing. One day he noticed a group of men working on digging a tunnel. When he asked his father about it, Radley explained the different subcrafts, which definitely held the boy’s attention. He seemed most eager about excavation, even though Radley clearly stated that it was, more often than not, a thankless job. It didn’t matter. Young Valentine insisted that he would someday show everyone how important it was. He worked hard and did his best to learn everything that he needed to.

Shortly after turning sixteen, one evening Valentine was working at digging a tunnel in the mine and something went wrong. A length of the tunnel collapsed, trapping several inside, Val included, but not his Master. Val was one of the lucky ones. He wasn’t deep in the tunnel and the rubble formed a pocket, albeit a very small one, around the boy. A Watchwher dug him out fairly quickly and he was taken outside for his wounds to be assessed. He got pretty badly banged up, cut, and scraped, but nothing life threatening. A pretty young Healer tended to his wounds before being called away by her Master. He got her name and heard her laugh, which was enough for him. In time, that healer would become his girlfriend; after all, he is a determined fellow.

His wounds healed well and before long he was ready to get back into the full swing of things, but he was searched by a Brown Rider on his second day back. A candidate in his home Weyr! He was excited but he worried about his Master’s feelings on the matter. His Master groused that he would have to train a new apprentice all over again, but clapped his apprentice of several turns on the back and wished him well in whatever endeavor he set himself to.

Appearance: Standing at five foot seven, Valentine has well tanned skin and a sturdy build from his labors as an Excavator apprentice. His skin bears the scars from the accident in the tunnel, mostly on his arms, on various places on his shoulders, back, and sides, with a few on his legs. His hands are rough from his work in general. Thick, dark reddish brown hair is normally trimmed short, but currently seems to be a bit scruffier than usual. If it gets too long, the thickness of his hair tends to hold heat close to his neck, which has been known to make him grouchy. Valentine’s eyes are green gray in color, their hue or intensity can vary depending on the lighting.

His clothes tend to be easy to move in and breathable, mostly neutral and earth tones with a few exceptions if it is a special occasion. Val prefers long sleeves to cover most of the scars on his arms, but often rolls the sleeves up past his elbows, which tends to defeat the purpose for them. The places on his elbows and knees tend to have an extra patch over them to make them more durable.

Personality: Valentine has always been energetic and protective as a boy, which usually meant having to apologize for playing too rough with his sisters or knocking something over. Once he considered something his, he would find a hiding place for it to keep it to himself and only take it out to share if he felt like it. As he got a bit bigger, he learned how to channel himself better. His energy was put into his chores and he finally became the protective big brother to his younger sisters. When he got into Minecraft, his energy diverted there and would leave him well ready for bed by day’s end. He is determined and doesn’t like to do or leave things halfway. Whenever a task is appointed to him, Valentine will work until the job is done, which can even mean pushing himself beyond the point of tired. There has been more than one occasion of him falling asleep in his workspace after working himself too hard.

When around those of merit, which can mean anyone from someone with a higher rank, more turns, or someone who has just done something which earns his respect, Valentine is polite and helpful if he can be of service. He listens intently to what is being said and follows instructions to the best of his ability, although he would question them if something seems amiss or if he has an idea that he feels that would makes sense.

He is warm and welcoming with those around his own age, particularly other males. With them, he’s more likely to pal around and be rough. But, when around ladies, he tends to be more reserved, especially if he is really outnumbered. Val knows when to be serious and when to joke around. His protectiveness can most plainly be seen if he catches another fellow casting eyes at his girl. If the proper buttons are pushed, namely his sisters, his girlfriend, and his scars, he may lash out.

Other: There is no spoon?

His scars can get itchy if the weather has been particularly muggy.