Name: Shadiya
Stage: Prentice
Race: Earthling - Fire
Gender: Girl
3 Base Traits: Loyal, Bold, Alluring
Personality: Shadiya is a very loyal character in the fact that once someone has earned her trust she’ll be one of the best friends to ever have as she’ll be the first one to catch you if you fall. Of course that doesn’t mean you’re safe from her fierce temper which changes at the drop of a button, but that does mean at least your enemies won’t have it easy picking on you. Unfortunately this means that it takes a lot for her to doubt someone that she’s always relied on and one day it might mean that someone can easily stab her in the back if she’s not careful…
Her bold approach to life makes her a rather strong character who doesn’t mind speaking her opinion. You piss her off? Well you’ll definitely realize that you’re suddenly on her bad side (that is if you can keep up with her sharp wit and aggressive actions). This also means that she doesn’t mind a challenge and will easily conquer any contest or dare. Adventures are her life blood and anything with excitement and action is sure to gain her interest.
Much like a spoiled lady she won't dare back down when there is something she wants. She believes just like her father did that if something is worth grabbing you better reach out and make certain that no one else lays claim. This involves her own freedom which she eagerly clings to as no one can keep her tied down.
As bold and wild as Shadiya can be she has trouble with the fact that her personality and looks just appeal to others. With such an allure it easily becomes the case that her dance will fascinate others and trap them into wanting her. She doesn't think of it often, but a lot of the time her walk has a seductive step to it and with her swaying hips she seems to be an illusion of the desert. Without meaning to she has gotten several hearts and broken them all in a single day.
Others may love the attention and the desire that others have for them, but Shadiya secretly loathes it. She would much rather be the regular tomboy or street urchin than the lady that she is. How can one have adventures in their lives if they're always being chased by others? Many times marriage offers have come for her, but the young fire girl has always danced her way around them. ((Yes that means sometimes dumping wet sand on the future in-laws, sneaking itching herbs or insects into meals, having an identity crisis with the voices in her head, dragging her delicate beaus through dangerous terrain, and etc....if it seems crazy and creative then she's probably done it. Most common were the hard tasks that would drive her potentials crazy as the list of chores would never seem to end. "He must do this like this or move a certain way or get me this certain item...or even better yet out dance me, something someone still has yet to do this day.))
It also makes blending in with the crowds harder since she has a beauty not easily forgotten. Despite the rumors of her challenging tasks and trickster ways the lady still is seen as a beautiful prize.
Description: She has dark chocolate skin nearly black with one long gemstone on each shoulder that trails into smaller gems along her collar bone. On her forehead is a triangle of gemstones making a unique design while if possible there would be three more gems on her hip bone. She has scarlet hair which is long and elegant with waves and often is pulled back from her forehead with side bangs and a ponytail that touches her lower back. Both eyes are fuchsia in color as well.
Body type wise she has an hour glass figure with slender limbs, elegant neck, and all the right curves that boldly show.
Clothing: As seen in the picture to the side she loves wearing light and loose silk clothing (the desert is too hot for modesty in her opinion.) So showing skin is no biggie for her and often there will be only a short top covering her gracious curves. On days when she can she has light silk pants but before under her family's watch she would often be in skirts and dresses fitting a lady. Always though there is a sash tied around her side decorated in swirls and normally golden in color. (It's easy enough to hide a purse or a dagger there after all)
Accessories: A silk scarf from her mother is always wrapped around her waist. It is golden in color with intricate designs that her mother actually made for her with a sun gemstone latching it in the center or towards the side near her hips.
She does typically also wear golden hair pieces and armbands, anklets, bracelets, and etc.
History:
Shadiya had a rich childhood. Her father was a wealthy merchant in Oba who was married to a young lady from a lower noble family. In truth the family only married their daughter to a "lowly" merchant due to the lack of funds in their own family registry. Their desperation for money led them to the young Eskel who was born into nothing and had climbed his way up the ranks in the markets. His wit and charisma had won him much and even Shadiya's mother the Lady Irissa had fallen hard for him.
Despite her family's shame at having to rely on a common man to carry them through their hard times the young couple blossomed in love. Eskel always dotted on Irissa and gave her everything her heart ever wanted. Even when she was found to be pregnant the man was delighted to see that he would have a daughter rather than a son.
"Another beautiful woman in my life to love? I'm delighted to hear the news~
When Shadiya was born they said the sun broke through the clouds to celebrate. Even as a baby she was a fiery beauty who took the hearts of all who knew her. Despite her mother's family trying their hardest to raise a lady of worth and elegance Shadiya found herself wandering from the beaten path. She was always learning books from her father and the ways of the lower markets from the slaves and servants. She played with everyone who caught her interest and held no disdain over anyone for their status.
She truly was a gem in a struggling world.
One important part of her play time was with the Matori. It was through a slave, only slightly older than she, that she learned the first steps of dancing. For her family's slaves a good past time was dancing when they had a free evening and from them Shadiya first learned about her talent. Her father's travels of course only brought more news of dancers and in the rich markets of Oba she witnessed even more to bring about her passion. Dancing for her was a way to express that freedom she always longed for. Her parents loved her dearly, but the strain of living up the family name drove her restless. Through dancing when her mother's family was gone the girl found a form of happiness that could truly be her's. Sneaking out into the streets to dance among others also filled her with joy and she would often do this during festivities and such.
Unfortunately things could not always stay happy.
When she was yet a child tragedy struck. Her father was out in the markets and suddenly collapsed. Shadiya to this day still does not know what it was that exactly took her father from her, but the mystery does haunt her heart. ((They say it was over stress from work and a weak heart, but it does tend to wonder that such a healthy man suddenly developed such a disease...) Her poor mother, truly already frail from birth, lost all strength when her heart died that day. Shortly enough a year passed and so did Shadiya's mother as well from grief and sickness. (She refused to eat barely a meal a day despite her daughter's best wishes)
Lost in a suddenly dark world the young beauty was quickly taken under her uncle's wing. In his house the rules became strict and her streets ways became "tamed". Often she was guilt tripped by her uncle who spoke about how her parents had been shamed by her old wild ways. For a time she became meek and mild, easily controlled by her guilt while mourning the loss of her parents.
Still it was two years later that she finally snapped after reading over some old notes between her parents (love letters and other correspondents) that she had found in a hiding spot shared between her mother and her while she was growing up. Often it would be a game to hide treats and other such toys there for each other to find. This time, however, her dying mother had left this gift as a ray of hope for her daughter's future. Shadiya found no shame in any of the letters, but only love from her parents for her and each other.
With this revealed all of the frustrations and depression collapsed inside of her and she had to get out. She had to find fresh air and to see those who had known her parents. Her uncle's words were only poison to her memories....surely an old slave could reminisce with her. When she went down to the kitchens the girl was surprised to see changes and slaves in worse condition than she had ever known. It was then that secretly (save for rare market days out with her uncle and other diplomatic visits) Shadiya started to wander around when her uncle's back was turned and took to wearing scarves and cloaks to disguise herself in the marketplace.
It was a cruel thought to see how her uncle took the love and the happiness that her father gave all who worked for them and turned it into fear and dread. For the past two years Shadiya had lived with him and taken all of his lies for granted. When she finally managed to get out of the prison her uncle had built around her the girl was in shock.
Nothing was right...nothing was the same.
Her desperation to get out lead to Shadiya's slow plan for escape. Day after day she would manage to sneak away savings (in a hidey hole by her window that she had used as a child for smaller trinkets, now her most cherished belongings were there from her uncle's sight) and to build her resolve and supplies. Once the war happened and the water earthlings and Matori was freed she found a chance. In the chaos that distracted her uncle who was desperate to keep as much profit as possible the girl slipped away. His worry and concern over keeping his caravan took him out of the home on business. It was then that some willing (former) slaves easily slipped her out before heading back to their own homeland. Now she lives on the streets (dancing from town to town) with the few gems and gold she managed to steal away with.
So far she has just taken to wandering around and learning more about the land while avoiding any that may be looking for her. Dancing seems to be a good passion of hers and she hopes to find a teacher to help her to learn how to live off of this art that fills her soul with fire.
