[hider=Ara/Sini] Name: Aresiniken Santerae Alias: Ara, and Sini to those close to her Race: sylph Court: Spring Position/Occupation: Sini has no official rank, but she is an advisor to the Archon Nyx Age: ~900, appears to be early 20s Personality: Sini has always been rather solemn, especially for a spring fey. She is level-headed in most cases, keeping control of herself well. She does her best to keep emotions from clouding her judgement. That is not to say she doesn't display feeling, for this is not at all the truth: her smile is bright and her anger flares hot. But she recognizes that such things have an effect, and does not rush into action. She prefers to take her time when presented with a choice, determining the different options, weighing the outcomes and taking the one that is most likely to give the most benefit. Duska was similar, a mindset that served her well as the former Spring Guard Captain, and her daughter learned much from her. Sini sees those who let their feelings compromise them as silly, though she does not forget that emotion can be a powerful motivator. Her first priority, however, is always what is best for herself, her Archon, and her Court, and any personal attachments or grievances must come second. Publicly she tries to be guarded. She knows that she is still young, for a fey, and doesn't want to endanger the respect she's worked hard to earn. Privately she is more open and carefree, though still grounded. Sini refuses to let fear hold her back, and if something makes her hesitate she takes steps to overcome it. It helps that she has something of a fascination with things that might be considered dangerous, though not enough that she'd take unneeded risks. She has always been drawn to the strange and forbidden, notably humans, and she does her best to keep this in check. Pride and overconfidence are also shortcoming she avoids. She tends to be humble naturally, but it takes effort to keep from misjudging others. Add her preference for stability and her loyal nature, and it becomes clear why she has not sought any official position. When it comes to court intrigue, rank can be taken, and makes one a target. It is better to be the trusted, if unofficial, lieutenant than the one with the title, or even the designated second. She serves her ruler faithfully and well, out of respect for him as her Archon, regard for him as a person, and because it ensures her own position. She is not suited for intelligence work but Sini recognizes the importance of such measures, and she listens to the words of those with expertise in a matter when making plans. She herself will not agree with someone simply for the sake of agreeing, though when questioning her superiors, especially Nyx, she tries to do it quietly. She is honestly respectful of those she likes, and those she does not still receive courtesy. Making enemies is never productive, and those that think well of your are far more useful than those who do not. The tendency of others to refuse to work with those they dislike for no other reason than that frustrates her no end. Appearance: Sini's hair is long and straight, a pale strawberry blonde color she inherited from her father. She prefers to wear it down or in a loose and simple style, though for formal court affairs she will sometimes have it woven into something fancier. Her slightly tilted blue-grey eyes change like the sky from clear to shadowed, though it is a subtle difference at best. Her face is fair, as is to be expected of the fey, though perhaps a bit rounder than most, but it suits her well. Her nose is small and snub, and her ears come to delicate points that are almost hidden by her hair. Her wings are usually visible, relaxed so they hang down her back like a shimmering cape. Spread for flight, they are paired sets of translucent membranes covered with a pattern of swirls and veins. Sylphs tend toward a lithe body type, and Sini's figure too is thin and not particularly curved. Her hips are only slighty wider than her waist, and she has just enough of a bust to be noticed but no more. But as with all fey, especially those of Spring, believing that a delicate appearance means a lack of strength is a deadly mistake. Her armor is a familiar sight to those in Spring's fighting forces, and her blades and magic cut down those that oppose her. Of her it is said she strikes like the lightning she calls forth, her tactics shifting to match the situation as easily as the wind shifts direction. When not in her armor, she wears modest clothing. She'll show some skin, but never too much, and never any midriff. Her style is simplistic, with flowing fabric and gentle colors. If she wears jewelry it is delicately worked but not flashy. Her glamour is nearly identical to her normal form, giving her features a bit less of the fey feel and concealing her ears and wings. She changes her clothing to match that of the mortals as well, though she has a tendency to wear things that are several years out of style, if not more. Family: mother Duska, former Captain of the Guard under Cerunnos, Ceridwen, and Nyx Competent and loyal, much like her daughter, Duska served three different Spring rulers. It was she who gave Nyx the title of Songbreaker. She was clever, and she'd seen him grow from a young boy alongside the Archon now dead at his hand. When her daughter showed signs of maturity she encouraged the girl's efforts and guided them, quietly presenting her with opportunities to prove herself and eventually win the trust of the Archon himself. She wouldn't jeopardize her people for her daughter, but there was no harm in small nudges. She knew that one who he could rely on might go far, especially with the way he was keeping himself busy, and bringing balance to those under Spring's rule would go a long way toward helping Sini establish herself. She stepped down as Guard Captain following the birth of her second daughter. father (absent) summer fey younger sister Kinna (less than 100) Still a child, Kinna is bright and cheery. She likes nothing more than a good laugh, though hurting another to get it isn't something she enjoys. This doesn't keep her from making comments at the expense of others, but she stops short of deliberately hurtful. She's still learning her way around the intricacies of court, and doesn't always consider before she speaks. For now, she's sweet and carefree, unconcerned by the darker side of the fey. assorted cousins unofficial boyfriend Altan A metalworker, though not able to touch iron, Altan is talented in his craft and known for his intricate designs. He prefers making ornamental pieces and jewelry, though he has worked with other smiths to make arms and armor. The two have been seeing each other semi-regularly for almost a century, though without any stated commitment on either side. He is gentle and thoughtful unless angered. It's hard to set him off, but if he loses his temper he is violent to the point of bloodthirsty. He's not the most clever, but Sini finds that they understand each other well, and simply spending time near him makes her happy, even if neither one of them says a word. Ambition: stability for herself and those she values, brought about through the security of Archon Nyx's reign. Strength and respect are also nice. She'd love to have a thorough understanding of humans, and some of the clever things they've come up with (did you know they trap lightning and make it do all sorts of different tasks?), possibly use some of it for the benefit of the Spring Court, but that's more an idle fantasy than anything else, as it's very unlikely. Background: Born a century and a half before the end of Ceridwen's reign, the court of Sini's childhood was a deceptively cheerful place. While she was too young to have the Archon target her directly, the young fey was affected by siren magic all the same. Certainly the subtle taste of fear left a mark on her, as she grew from a solemn but intensely curious child into an adult that considered her actions carefully. She's always had a fascination with things that are supposed to be dangerous or forbidden. Nyx himself has been the target of this interest, though after a few rebuffed attempts to approach him she learned to merely watch quietly instead of trying to talk. In her second century, her interest shifted more to humans, and she went off a few times into their world, hiding behind her glamour and watching them, or even daring to approach lone mortals. Her curiosity lead her into disaster during the first war for Scottish Independance, and she was severely injured. A healer, one of Maxwell's distant ancestors, saved her life and demanded her name in exchange. Injured, angry, and disillusioned with humans as a whole, Sini returned home to the Spring Court. She was no longer truly a child, though not yet an adult, and after her close call she realized that she needed to be more cautious. She began devoting serious effort to improving herself and her position among the fey, determined that she wouldn't be left at someone else's mercy again. Her childhood training under her mother served her well, and her new appreciation for consequences was reflected in her choices. She became a valued member of the guard, eventually winning a small command position, but she didn't care for advancement within the structure of the guard as much as she did her reputation in her own right. Trusted by her mother, who still served as Guard Captain, Sini had begun attending significant meetings, and gradually began to speak there, first through discussion with her mother, then directly. Her focus on weighing the risks and benefits of different options and shrewd strategy earned her respect, though she refused further promotion. By her fifth century she was known to be skilled, reliable, and above all loyal, and had managed to win a measure of the Spring Archon's respect. Her further efforts only increased this, especially as she accepted the blame for her mistakes and errors and judgement. When her mother stepped down as Captain of the Guard, Sini was offered the position but declined. She still has the Archon's respect, and now his friendship as well, and she works hard to protect and defend both Archon and Court. She's been seeing a certain fey smith now and again for the better part of a century, though neither of them has yet decided they wish it to be a permenant affair. She has also kept tabs on the mortal realm, moreso now that they are advancing so rapidly, though she is particularly cautious in this matter. Her fascination with humans remains, but it is tempered by wary respect. They may have forgotten the fey, but like many creatures they have the potential to be extremely dangerous, especially if underestimated. She has has spirited away the occasional human to the realm of the Fey, selecting those she thinks will be useful for various skills. A couple years ago she was infuriated to find herself summoned to the defense of a mortal man, threatened by two thugs. She slew both attackers and for want of a better solution brought the one who called her back to the Fey Realm. He has the potential to be of use, but she has yet to find a good purpose for him.[/hider]