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Character Name: Aislin
Age: 21
Gender: Female
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Craft/Rank: Bakercraft, only ever reached Apprentice.

History: Aislin came from nothing, the Weyrbrat daughter of bakecrafters at Benden Weyr. She was raised to follow in her family's traditional craft, trained to someday take over such a position. Afternoons were spent in the kitchen, grinding flour and rolling out dough. Evenings, she would serve bread to those who came to converse with men and women of higher authority in the Weyr. However, such a simple life never suited Aislin. There was always the nagging feeling that she was destined for something more, something big. As long as she can remember, Aislin has found herself dreaming of becoming a Lady Holder, a dragonrider, or something else of importance. Many evenings she would lay outside the Weyr, staring up at the evening sky and simply... waiting. Waiting, because she knew there had to be something more to life than serving bread and preparing banquets. Waiting, because she knew that somewhere out there was a greater purpose.

One meant only for her.

These humble origins are the cause of Aislin's ambition. She is so desperate to escape the fate bequeathed to her by her origins that she will do anything to do so. Like a wild animal running to escape a cage, she is reckless in her pursuit of a meaningful life. She will not, can not grow to be just another baker in just another Weyr. Aislin dreads the idea of being just another person to live and die on the face of Pern, leaving not so much as a footprint on the surface of the bigger picture. The idea of a life without meaning is perhaps her greatest fear.

The day she came of age to become a Candidate, Aislin knew her purpose; she was destined to become a dragonrider. She was not hesitant to leave behind everything she had known in pursuit of a better life, and her parents received only a letter of farewell before she submitted herself for Candidacy. The letter was left on their door the morning of her twelfth birthday, and she has not seen them since. From the moment she set foot in the Candidate's barracks, she threw herself into the lifestyle of a candidate with almost feverish focus. Her studies come second to nothing, as Aislin understands that her new life will not just be handed to her, it must be earned.

Aislin has stood, and failed, at every Hatching since she turned twelve. This fact is a sore spot for Aislin, one which she rationalizes with the “saving the best for last” mentality. Nevertheless, beneath that smooth, confident exterior, there is a young woman who is terrified that she just might end up with her hands back in a pot of flour.

Description: From the neck up, Aislin has a rather striking appearance, if not necessarily a pretty one. Her face is composed of high cheekbones, full lips, and straight nose. However, her features are too angular to be considered “pretty”. Her nose is pointed, her chin sharp. Her jawline is angular and strong for a woman, and her features are not “cute” or welcoming. Those full lips are almost always set in a sneer or a smirk, never a genuine smile. Her eyes are a bit too small, and the kind of boring dark brown that makes them look almost black in low light. Every expression is carefully calculated, every sideways stare planned well in advance. Aislin is all about control, and every inch of her is a part of that.

From the waist down, Aislin cannot even claim to be mildly alluring. Standing tall at 5'9”, her body is straight as a tree trunk, lacking feminine curves both in front and in the back. She is certainly fit, the product of a strict fitness regime and selective diet, but no amount of exercise could grant her the type of figure that would cause men to give a second glance.

Personality: Aislin is ambitious, prideful, and sarcastic. While she will talk to almost anyone she can find a use for or finds entertaining, her words are rarely ever honest. If she thinks it will get here where she wants to be, she will tell you anything and everything you want to hear. Aislin's bonds with others are usually very superficial and thus easily cut. While she hides this rather well, it is not uncommon knowledge that Aislin thinks herself to be generally “better” than most people.

Aislin is quite sure of her own intelligence and ability to handle whatever is thrown her way, even when she isn't properly prepared to do so. This can make a conversation with her a tiresome experience, depending on the subject. Her opinion is usually the right one, and only a sound and logical argument is going to prove otherwise. Even then, Aislin has a difficult time admitting her own faults. No gold or bronze waving here, boys and girls; it's going to take a lot more than a shiny dragon or a position of authority to talk Aislin down off of her pedestal. If presented with a sound rebuttal, Aislin will listen. If presented with an attempt at flashing authority or putting her in her “place,” Aislin will rebel. She will rebel loudly and with a great deal of stinging commentary. This is a tendency which has gotten her into hot water more than once in a place such as a Weyr, where authority often counts for more than intelligence or personality. Aislin has since learned to keep her tongue in check and bide her time until she is the one calling the shots.

Competitive to a fault, Aislin takes it quite hard when others excel where she has failed. She has stood at previous hatchings and failed to Impress. When others try to comfort her with thoughts of “next time” or “someday”, Aislin has waved off their words as unwanted pity. Each time, the failure has pushed her to be better, stronger, more ambitious. Her dragon must be out there, and out of incredible fear of failing to Impress and returning to her life as a baker, Aislin will not stop searching until she is forbidden to stand.

When it comes to people, Aislin sees purposes, not faces. People are (generally speaking) only as good as what they can do for her. Aislin cares about one thing: Aislin. She will play whatever games, step on whatever toes, and do whatever she must to get where she wants in life.