Poecai's life has not been much to remark on, nor does she pretend it is. She was born at High Reaches Weyr and raised in the creche and eventually graduated to the candidate dorms, where she now resides and is being trained. She hopes to eventually be a guard or a watchwoman of some sort, though she would not mind – of course - fighting thread atop a dragon. She feels the chances of that are not high enough to base her future on and her plans for herself do not include that specifically, just in case.
While at the creche, she found that her sense of injustice and right vs wrong exceeded her physical maturity, and she was often in fights. However, they were not her fights: she stood up for people she felt could not stand up for themselves, and for causes she believed in, so frequently her fights were with bullies and other sorts of unpleasant people. Crechemates soon found that she could be counted on for protection and soothing hugs, bullies soon found that they had to be very careful about their prey. Her creche caretakers found her a handful, as did her candidate masters later.
Though a dedicated student, she was no genius. She worked hard at most things, struggled at many of the more scholarly subjects, and did well enough at fighting. She stayed away from most vices, followed most of the rules, didn't complain about the work, and tried not to cause trouble.
However, her sense of righteous justice – and the laxness of the rider she was squiring under - continued to get her into fights that were not necessarily hers from the beginning. Her protective instincts were encouraged, but her fighting was not. Although it was acknowledged and well known that she only fought people that 'deserved it', they still had to make a point about the rules.
In the course of the five clutches she has been old enough to Stand for, she has had a spotty record. She has been banned from hatchings and touchings. One time was not her fault: she was unable to Stand due to injuries sustained in a non-fighting related accident that had her out of commission for a while. She recovered well from that, and has since been banned from two touchings and one hatching (Hiraeth's Literature clutch) for fighting. She has been warned that if she somehow doesn't get her impulses under control or finds some other way to deal with her fighting (or at least stop getting caught) she will no longer be allowed to be a candidate at all.
It is achknowledged that some of the blame rests with her squiremaster, Wingrider M'ka of Green Stoth, who – while a capable rider on her own - is terrible with children and clearly not a good match for Poecai. There is some talk about trying to find a rider more capable of handling the otherwise promising girl and directing her energies away from fighting. So far, though, other events have taken precedence...
Poecai is of average height and unremarkable, though muscled, in body type, with just enough curves to her to tell that she has them. She certainly doesn't flaunt them, wearing simple untailored beige cloth tunics and worn oft-patched pants. To protect against the cold she has mildly decorated wraps which she wears in a very cloaklike fashion. From the moment she was old enough to carry one, Poecai has worn a beltknife with her always.
Her thick, shiny brown hair is usually very straight, almost flat. It is very easy to manage and does not tangle easily, which is good because she bothers very little with it and ignores it until it bothers her. Then, she cuts it off into a short, careless, self-trimmed cut and ignores it again. When it is shortened this way, it has a slight curl to it. Currently, though, it is shaved down in the traditional candidate style, which she is good about maintaining, and it doesn't bother Poecai either way.
Her face is smooth and long, with an angular nose and large eyes. It is soft featured, suiting a stern expression very well, as well as the occasional meaningful smile. Her eyes are brown, though depending on the observer and the light, they have also been called 'Hazel'. Her skin, though pale from the snowy weyr she hails from, has yellow and cinnamon notes to it, hinting that she would brown very easily and not burn.
She has had the good luck to avoid major hatching-related injuries thus far, but she does have some small scars that she could tell stories about, if she was the storytelling type. She also has a few marks from fights she's gotten into, though shes usually good at protecting her face.
Personality:
Ever since Poecai was very young, she stuck up for her crechemates, be it against bullies or the 'unfair demands' of adults. She is not a violent person – in fact, she is both outwardly and inwardly calm. She would prefer to mediate something peacefully with words than with injury. However, she is stubborn and reluctant to back down once shes made her position clear. When all else rational fails her, she will turn to fists.
She feels very strongly about specific things, and is very solid in her ideals. She believes in the basic importance of teamwork, and that humans (and dragons) must look out for each other regardless of who or what they are. In particular, she believes that the strong should protect the weak, and that actions speak far louder that appearances or color. She is stubborn about these core ideals, but not rigid.
She is willing – if reluctant – to make compromises, and willing to listen and be convinced of other opinions, and may well concede a point or bend to a well-presented case. She does enjoy discussion, and can be fairly erudite in voicing and questioning her opinions and the opinions of others. She does not, however, like arguments. Though a fighter, raised voices and firey tempers are not her way. She would rather use violence as a matter of last resort, though in her mind that happens more often than it ought.
Surprisingly, she is very good at taking orders. She won't blindly follow commands, and her opinions do effect her, but as long as the order doesn't feel morally 'wrong' to her, she does what she's told. Which means, as a candidate, whatever is asked of her.
Poecai has very strong morals and is very protective of those morals. She likes to take people under her wing, usually younger or less-advantaged people that she feels she needs to protect. Although she is kind and helpful, she has a narcissistic and elitist streak to her: She believes she is, if not the best, then better than most others. As one of the greater few (that is, weyrborn and bred, and well trained at that), she has an obligation to help those who lesser. She tends to be bossy and overbearing, even though her intentions are kind.
She definitely does believe that being weyrborn puts her on a very different level than holdborn candidates, and that it is her duty to help bring them up to par. As a candidate, she Stands because that is what she was born and raised to do. She does not expect to Impress – it's not likely that she woudn't, but she prefers not to get her hopes up and be dissappointed. She would, thus, not be upset if she aged out. Nor would she be dissappointed if she did Impress.
Poecai sees many avenues as being open to her – dragonrider, wherhandler, guardswoman, mercenary, nonriding police... any of those would suit her fine. Give her any job and she will happily do it, gender-related payment barrier or no. As long as she is doing something active she is happy, and as long as she is happy with what she is doing, that is what matters the most to her. In addition to these career goals, she hopes to be a mother someday, with children of her own. Even that job, she feels, is something she could handle.
Poecai's interests may be in 'manly' sectors of Pernese life, but is not adverse to 'womanly' tasks, and she is happy to do them when the need calls for it. As long as she is out and about, she is in her element. In other words, coop her up in the caverns doing laundry, and she will not be happy. Along this vein, she cares about her appearance, but not to an extent where she wants to look specifically 'pretty'. She goes for 'decent' and 'presentable' and otherwise she does not see this as a subject where she should put in any effort.
She enjoys her martial training. First aid, she understands, strategy she understands. Math and science and philosophy, she has trouble with. They are subjects that are far too airy for her taste. Still, she tries to do her best and not disappoint the candidatemaster, who she respects highly.
On a lighter note, Poecai may seem stiff and stubborn, but she actually adores cheer and good nature in others. She holds herself to such a high standard that she finds it hard to let go and have fun, even if she wants to. So, if her friends break discipline and have that elusive thing called 'fun', and it hurts no-one, she won't be the one reprimanding them. In fact, she won't mind acting as a lookout, or standing up for them. She is happy to enjoy herself vicariously, through others.
She also loves surprises of all kinds, finding them, at the very least, a challenge if not a delight.
Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 3:52 pm
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Name: Goliath
Sound of voice: An overwhelming tower of strength, a chest-bursting hug, the laughter of children.
Personality:
Like many too-big people, Goliath is incredibly gentle. He’s aware of his size in relation to smaller dragons, and makes a very careful effort not to harm those smaller or larger then him. He moves carefully, acts thoughtfully, and almost never does anything until he’s sure it’s what he wants. Though the muscular blue could quite easily hurt others, it will simply never occur to him to want to - and indeed, if he ever harms anyone by accident, he will be horrified and quite inconsolable.
He is a pacifist in thought and deed, and will try to get the same promise from his rider, as hard as that might be. Violence from Poe will be almost as distressing as that inflicted by himself, and may make it difficult for them to take a more combat-orientated role. However, when it comes to physical tasks like moving earth or trees, Goliath can really shine: he has a strong work ethic and will keep going for hours, to the extent where if no-one is keeping an eye on him you may end up with a Wizard’s Apprentice scenario. As far as Goliath is concerned, if some is good, then more is better in all things, from work to food.
All things considered, this blue is not the sharpest pencil in the box. His memory is short, and he will need constant reminding of important events and goals. He is also not strong on logic, tending to operate more on gut feeling and a strong sense of right and wrong (usually based on fairness and not being mean or cruel). He will always seek to stop cruelty or meanness where he sees it, something which may get him injured or send him crying back to his rider or Evmeth. When upset, he will sulk for some time, especially if he doesn’t understand why someone is upset with him - but in the end, he always forgets.
In many ways, Goliath is somewhat childlike in his speech and mannerisms, and Poecai may end up as the ‘parent’ in the relationship… though that isn’t to say that Goliath himself will not care for his rider. He is extremely self-confident and trusting, a combination that will always be ready to buoy his rider up - he will be just as confident in his rider’s ability to make good decisions as he will be in his own.
Goliath loves people and other dragons, especially children. Perhaps this is because he is in some ways an overgrown child himself, but it doesn't stop him from playing - very gently - with creche children, or as an adult joining in Weyrling's reindeer games. He's a sociable creature who feeds off of interaction and affection, and it's unusual to find him by himself unless he's asleep.
Appearance:
Goliath is huge. He comes up to the size of a medium brown, and some might question if he's actually just painted blue. He's also extremely strong and muscular, something he'll carry with him right into middle age - where, if his rider isn't careful, it may turn to fat.
Why me?: Poecai is strong where Goliath is weak, and weak where Goliath is strong. Together, they are much stronger then either could be alone - Goliath will remember to take her down a peg or two from time to time, and Poecai can strengthen and defend Goliath. Together, the two of them will form a strong force to fight for what is right.
Written and Coloured for by Con
Inspiration:
The Gentle Giant
Volstagg
Excuse us...but we heard...we heard there was cake, and, well...what unfortunate day's events are not made gladder by cake?
He's big, muscular and angry looking. He might even be an actual monster. People are often fearful of him. But he's got a heart of gold. He loves children and puppies, and frequently abhors unnecessary violence. He probably has a few unexpected hobbies. He's the Gentle Giant. However, when push comes to shove, he's great to have on your side in battle.
This is a subversion of common sense that has become an archetype in its own right. We are all used to thinking of big people and giant creatures as frightening and mean. Starting back as far as Frankenstein's Monster or earlier, the seven-foot shambling hulk of a man is almost always gentle inside, and misunderstood by society at large.
Determined to make Asterix an anti-hero flying in the face of the established order of the world of comic books, René Goscinny certainly did not want to give his main character a sidekick who would play the classic role of stooge. But Albert Uderzo, somewhat frustrated at not having made Asterix a beefy Gaul like he dreamed, could not resist placing at his side a big strong warrior, more akin to the impressive muscle-bound characters he already excelled at drawing.
Although he had only a minor role in the first adventure, Obelix quickly became an essential character that his authors developed as they went along. He is actually the readers’ favourite hero: all opinion polls place Obelix at the top of the list of favourite village characters. One survey among young adolescent girls even made Obelix out to be the “sexiest” character amongst the Gauls!
In the adventures penned by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, we find him by turns easily offended (who’s fat?), sensitive (we have seen him cry at a romantic happy ending), and definitely a glutton. An overgrown child who grew up too quickly and who is not yet aware of his own strength (in his defence, it must be said that not everyone falls in a cauldron of magic potion when he’s a little boy!), Obelix is an inexhaustible source of gags.
An eternal klutz, he is irresistible, whether he is fighting, falling in love (which happens often!), finally catching on to something long after the others, or when he overdoes it on the alcoholic drinks (“Zigackly!”)… As far as he is concerned, it is always playtime (well, at least once snack time is finished!), and nothing really matters, because it’s all the others who are crazy. Does the magic potion bless people with the innocence of childhood? It’s not certain that the Romans see things this way…
In the weyr: Poecai has few posessions that are hers alone, and she likes it that way.
Usually carried/Equipped: A Candidate knot with a green thread sewn through it, but maybe that will change?
Carried on duty/Equipped: None
Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 3:59 pm
Relationships
Name – Rank (NPC or not?) - Description What she thinks of them What Goliath thinks of them
Positive:
Poecai - Herself -
Goliath – Her Dragon –
Neutral:
M'ka – Wingrider (NPC) – Poecileth's previous squiremaster, she was not so much lazy as distracted and was not very good at managing the child. She has since agreed –with relief– to be replaced. I rarely properly talked to them, so I can't say much for or against them...
Stoth – Green Dragon, looks to M'ka (NPC) - Stoth is not an interesting dragon. Her interests are food, sleeping, her rider, and fighting thread in that order. She also bores easily herself. No Opinion
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