[hider=Ihana Ongelma][center][img]http://data.whicdn.com/images/192699874/large.jpg[/img][/center]
[color=f9ad81]Name:[/color] Ihana Ongelma
[color=f9ad81]Age:[/color] 19
[color=f9ad81]Role & Kingdom:[/color] Political Pawn of Hiertania

[color=f9ad81]Skills:[/color]  Ihana is skilled at listening, at blending in, at table manners, and at poetry.

[color=f9ad81]Personality:[/color] Ihana is bright but passive, preferring to observe as things run their course rather than to actively step in.  She knows more than she lets on (and often finds amusement in the silliness of it all), but who would ask the input of the "political princess" (as the buttler had called her to the falconer)?  Even her Uncle Adrian, who is always kind to her when he is around, still treats her as a child.  But no matter.  She is a good, respectable girl who does as she is told, and knows just how valuable this reputation is.

[color=f9ad81]Biography:[/color] Ihana's story began over thirty-six years ago, with the birth of her mother.  The squalling infant had raven-black hair like the queen, and those who heard held their breath in fear that another witch had been born.  But their fears were soon forgotten, for a few minutes later a twin was born: a handsome baby boy with hair like his father.  The babes were named Adrian and Ariana.  As they grew, Ariana showed a wild side: consorting with stable-hands, riding bareback, hiding in a cupboard to eavesdrop on the kitchen workers, even splashing about in a lake.  The rumor was murmured among the courtiers: "witch."

When Ariana's older brother took the throne, he quickly sent his sister off to a small summer house far from the capitol.  His mother had left days before, and he would not chance letting a witch remain in his court.  And so Ariana stayed there indefinitely, with a handful of servants and no real company.  The king heard nothing more of her until her death.

The accounts differ at this point.  Some say Ariana was seduced by a scoundrel.  Others romanticize it as true love.  In either case, at age 17, Ariana died bringing a baby into the world.  The father was young Joku Ongelma, the second son of a nobleman who was heavily involved in foreign trade.  He swore the two had been secretly married before the child was born, and named her Ihana.

The accounts differ on this point as well.  Those who say Joku was a scoundrel declare that he ran away to escape responsibility.  Those who say it was true love say his father insisted that Joku leave to manage one of his enterprises in another kingdom, and that one man's greed tore father and daughter apart.  In either case, a note was dispatched to the king telling what had transpired.  The courier of this note was intercepted along the way by Captain Adrian de Hiertania, who was returning home after routing some brigands.

The king did not hear of his sister's death until Captain Adrian barged into his brother's study and demanded they take in their niece.  Needless to say, the king was in no state to refuse.  And after little Ihana arrived, the king considered how harmless the brown-haired infant seemed.  There was no confirmation of the mother having been a witch, and the girl was a close relative who could be married off to gain an alliance.  So he accepted her presence, yet paid her no mind.

And thus Ihana was raised in her uncle's court: with all the fashion, tutelage, and servants befitting a princess, but only what deference would be due a noble's daughter.

[color=f9ad81]Appearance:[/color] Ihana is a comely woman with sleek brown hair and eyes to match.  She is tall for a woman, but not absurdly so.  Her voice is clear and refined, with warm undertones.  Her face is usually calm and unemotional, but for the few who have seen her smirk it was as peeking into a flowerpot and having a viper meet your gaze.[/hider]