Name: Terra Orion
Age: 23
Residence: Mars. Born and raised in Taleon, moved to an abandoned biodome on the outlying districts of Dangaus
Occupation: Was a medical student, transferred to sanitation after being jailed for stealing censored books from the city's archives.
Appearance:
Terra wouldn't consider herself a self-conscious individual. She is confident in her skin and her body, but she hates the attention that she gets for her looks. She'd rather be known for her skill or ambition rather than something she has no control over.
She stands at 5’5" and weighs 115 lbs, most of her weight sitting on the lower half of her body. Tattoos are scattered across her pale skin, all hidden by pants and long sleeves. She has a long, raised scar that trails down her back from Jaro, and another scar on her right cheek from a fight. She has blue eyes and pouty lips, often gnawing on her bottom lip when deep in thought. Her hair is almost black, long, and pin-straight. If she's nervous or under stress, she'll often twirl it in her pale, nimble fingers. Her normal attire consists of dark, comfortable, or practical clothing. She hates getting dressed up or wearing any form of make up, but if she does, she'll usually just apply eyeliner.
Age: 23
Residence: Mars. Born and raised in Taleon, moved to an abandoned biodome on the outlying districts of Dangaus
Occupation: Was a medical student, transferred to sanitation after being jailed for stealing censored books from the city's archives.
Appearance:
Terra wouldn't consider herself a self-conscious individual. She is confident in her skin and her body, but she hates the attention that she gets for her looks. She'd rather be known for her skill or ambition rather than something she has no control over.
She stands at 5’5" and weighs 115 lbs, most of her weight sitting on the lower half of her body. Tattoos are scattered across her pale skin, all hidden by pants and long sleeves. She has a long, raised scar that trails down her back from Jaro, and another scar on her right cheek from a fight. She has blue eyes and pouty lips, often gnawing on her bottom lip when deep in thought. Her hair is almost black, long, and pin-straight. If she's nervous or under stress, she'll often twirl it in her pale, nimble fingers. Her normal attire consists of dark, comfortable, or practical clothing. She hates getting dressed up or wearing any form of make up, but if she does, she'll usually just apply eyeliner.
Terra truly cares about other people but isn’t quick to show it. Due to past relationships, she has built a hard shell around herself to avoid getting hurt. She finds it easier to live alone than to make herself vulnerable to potential heartbreak. She constantly finds herself questioning what she’s told, sometimes hating this part of herself, as she gets pushy when she’s searching for the truth. She is completely independent and self-motivated, though she will often jump the gun on things before completely thinking it all the way through.
Reading, writing, drawing, learning.
Terra never felt like a black sheep in Taleon. She thought of most of her coinhabitants as cattle; always doing what they’re told, staying in their designated place, keeping the peace. Her parents were part of the ruling party on Mars, and they often reminded her of the mold that they so desperately craved for her to fit into. She remembered vividly, as a little girl, being stuffed into ridiculous outfits and getting her hair pulled back so tight it would make tears come to her eyes, being carted around by her parents as some sort of photo prop as opposed to their child. In school, she always question her teachers, as she had a gut feeling that something was being left out. When her grades began to slip, her parents called her an embarrassment to the government of Mars and that she needed to be an example for the other children. Terra couldn’t complain too frequently. Due to her parents’ political status, she had access to things the otherwise minimalist nation wouldn’t even be privy to, and although Terra was grateful, she always had the burning feeling of guilt in the back of her mind.
The extensive process of career testing led to Terra being placed in the medical academy. Part of her hoped that maybe they had chosen her for her skills and ambition, but the other part knew that her parents wanted to keep her in Taleon to monitor her behavior. The small glimpse at freedom she had tried to reach for had been batted away and replaced with the reality that they would always keep her close. The thought alone was exhausting, so Terra tried to remain busy with friends and extracurricular activities. She began to draw and paint, often spending days out near the biodome’s edge to try to recreate the landscape outside, but reading was her favorite hobby. She could spend hours curled up with a book without once looking up to see what was happening around her. Since creative hobbies were not encouraged, she often spent time in a dimly lit corner of a library to enjoy the old books that had been moved their due their age or unpopularity. Terra couldn’t imagine why no one would like them; she loved the smell, the way that the pages felt so real and magical with time, and the chill she would get when she found the dog-ear she made the last time she was there.
As she was about to leave the library after a long afternoon of lying on the floor in a pile of books, she discovered the truth about “The Selections” by finding a tome titled “22/22.” After she read the first few pages, she became obsessed, perusing book after book about what life was like on Earth before her people came to Mars. She read about how they lost electricity and running water, how they were basically left behind without the means to survive. It made her stomach turn whenever she thought about it; leaving them behind to fend for themselves while people in space were living comfortably and peacefully filled her with rage. She began to ask her parents about it, who told her it was fiction, but she didn’t believe them. How could she? She knew one day she’d go back down to Earth, to live with the people that were abandoned by the people meant to lead them.
When Terra turned 16, she was introduced Jaro at a party her and her friends had crashed after she snuck out of her pod. He was the stereotypical bad boy: Tattoos, dark long hair, and a cool, mysterious demeanor. Although there was not much chemistry at first, she longed for the freedom she knew that he could give her, and they became exclusive soon after they met. Things were fine at first; he was a charismatic and smoothing-talking twenty year old that not only won over her, but her friends as well. But after the first few months, his true colors began peeking through the dark and cool disguise he had made for himself, and he became aggressive. Often, Terra would threaten to leave him, but he would either make it physically impossible for her to escape his room in one of the biodomes in the Jungle, or revert back to the sweet, caring guy he had originally convinced her he was and persuaded Terra to stay with him.
She soon met Nya at one of the medical student gatherings. The girl had tanned, caramel skin and dark eyes the made Terra feel completely enamored the moment she laid eyes on her. She was a bit older than her; Terra was 17 now, and she 20, but the chemistry between them became apparent almost instantly. They quickly became close as she began to tutor her so that she could join the field. A few months after they became friends, Nya spotted a large bruise on Terra’s back as she bent over, and immediately began to question her. When Terra finally admitted that is was Jaro, Nya kissed her passionately. At first, Terra began to pull away from her in pure shock, but soon found herself embracing her and returning the affection given to her, feeling sensations and having thoughts that Jaro never came close to instilling in her. Nya was everything she wanted for herself, and Terra decided that she deserved a love better than what she was receiving. They parted and Oli firmly placed her hands on Terra’s shoulders.
“You have to leave him, Terra”
“I can’t, you’ve seen what he does to me. What if he kills me?”
“I won’t let him.”
Terra left that night to stay at Jaro’s flat, knowing that he would think something was wrong if she didn’t show. When she got there, he was sitting in the dark on his chair. She could already tell that something was off. “J-Jaro?” she asked him, “What’s wrong?”
He stood up from his chair and walked over to the window, placing his hands on the glass and sighing loudly. “I know you’ve been seeing that girl, Terra. Don’t you fucking lie to me. Tell me.”
Terra’s heart began to race as he began to turn towards him. “Jaro, I –“
“What can that bitch give you that I can’t, huh? What could –“
“Jaro, please. Listen –“
He backhanded her causing her cheek to begin dripping bright red blood. “No, you fucking listen. You’re going to make this up to me right now.” He grabbed her hair and began to drag her to his bedroom.
“Jaro, please,” Terra sobbed, “Please don’t do this. Please, let me talk to you.” Jaro pulled her up and threw her on his bed. “I’ve done enough talking, baby. I need you,” his voice turned soft and sweet, barely audible over her cries. “You know how to make this better.” He began to kiss her neck, and Terra’s cries grew louder. “No, Jaro, please, please.” At that moment, there was a knock on the front door. He looked to her. “What’s this, babe? You don’t trust me? Is that you girlfriend out there coming to rescue you?” He hit her one time, causing her vision to fade to black. She was unconscious.
Terra woke up in her bed with Nya kneeling next to her. “Nya,” she muttered as she gulped and rubbed her head. “How did I… where is he?” Oli shushed her and began to stroke her hair.
“Don’t worry about him anymore, Terra. He’s promised he’d leave you alone. I spoke with him,” She explained with her eyes scanning Terra’s face. “How are you feeling?”
Terra’s finger went up to Oli’s lip, where it was split. “I’m okay,” Terra sighed, “He was so mad.” Tears began to stream from her eyes as she looked into Nya’s.
Nya leaned over and pulled her head into her chest. “I know, Terra, I know,” she whispered as she tried to calm her. She propped Terra’s chin up and kissed some of the tears off of her face. “He’s not going to hurt you anymore. I’m here to protect you.”
For the next year, things between Terra and Nya blossomed into something she could only describe as true love. Terra tried to tell her parents, but they would not approve of their relationship, with their excuse being that they’re lives were always in the public’s eye. Although their relationship had to be kept off the radar, Terra couldn’t be happier with the time she spent with Nya, even if it was only for an hour before Terra had to rush back home. They often talked about moving to the Jungle together, but Terra knew in the back of her mind that her parents would never let that happen.
Their romance was cut short when Nya was caught stealing food, water and medical supplies for those who lived on the outskirts. Before her trial, Nya was held in the Taleon’s jail. Terra convinced her parents to pull some strings so that she stay with her the night before her execution, which after nearly a full day of begging and pleading, they finally approved.
“You can’t leave me, Nya, you can’t… I can’t make it here without you.” They were lying next to each other, both glistening with sweat and breathing heavily.
Nya chuckled and looked back at Terra. “Then leave, Terra. You and I never belonged here. We aren’t like them. You know that.”
“What do you mean leave? I just can’t leave.” Terra shot her a confused look.
Nya sighed, “I didn’t want to get you too excited before I figured it all out, but I’ve been coming up with plans on how to go back to the ground.”
Terra’s eyes widened. “The….the ground? Earth? Are you fucking crazy?” Although she acted surprised, a wave of adrenaline coursed through her body reminding her of the dream she had for years of making it to Earth.
Nya laughed, closing her eyes slightly. She took a deep breath of Terra’s scent and smiled. “In my room, in the locked drawer in the closet, you’ll find what I’ve been working on. It’s still incomplete, but I’m sure with that big head of yours, you can figure it out.” She laughed. “It was a lot of my dad’s old plans. He passed before he could finish them. You have to go, Terra. You’ll get executed like me, or worse.”
She sighed, knowing what Nya was telling her was complete truth. Terra couldn’t stay on the planet that had always felt like a prison to her. “Fine, you idiot,” Terra giggled as she fought back the tears forming in her eyes.
Nya wiped away the small stream that ran down Terra’s cheek. “You’re going to be fine without me. I promise.” She smiled and leaned in to Terra, beginning to passionately kiss her.
“I’ll do it. For you, not for me, Oli. For you,” Terra said between breaths, giving into the moment as Nya caressed her.
On the day of Nya’s execution, citizens of Taleon and other neighboring provinces came to view the spectacle as if it were live entertainment. Terra pushed her way through the crowd hoping to catch her attention before it began. Nya was kneeling on the ground with her hands and feet bound behind her with magnetic cuffs, but her face was completely expressionless. This confused Terra the moment she had locked eyes on her and dropped to her knees. She wanted to call out to Nya, to tell her that it’d be okay, but all she could do was manage to not throw herself onto the platform and charge at the officer guarding her. Once she saw Terra, Nya smiled slowly and nodded as if to tell her she loved her. Terra began screaming, and to this day she couldn’t remember what she was saying, but eventually the officers managing the crowd decided to remove her. She fought tooth and nail for them to release her and was eventually struck by the butt of a gun into unconsciousness.
One night, years after first learning the truth, Terra broke into the library's safe room and stole the censored books and manifestos that detailed the migration, and she was caught with half of her body hanging out the window. She lost her spot in the medical program and was moved to Sanitation as punishment. Usually, crimes of this degree would be considered reason for execution, but her parents were able to pull some strings so that she only had a quick stay in jail. She was moved to Dangaus with the rest of those in Sanitation & Maintenance, but eventually relocated to the Jungle after seeing how regimented the province was. Terra’s parents begged her to move back in with them and to turn her life around before she ended up dead, but Terra declined. Now that she knew the truth, she couldn't go back to living like it never happened.
She swore to herself since the day Nya died that she would make it down to Earth, no matter how long it took or what obstacles she would have to face. She spent the next five years nearly obsessing over her plans on how to do so, using any available resource she could find. She befriended ex-pilots and mechanics from The Jungle who she'd often question after a night of drinking. She didn't want anyone to know her goal of leaving Mars; The information she had getting into the wrong hands could either mean the authorities finding out, or someone stealing her craft to try to carry out the mission themselves. Both scenarios frightened Terra.
The extensive process of career testing led to Terra being placed in the medical academy. Part of her hoped that maybe they had chosen her for her skills and ambition, but the other part knew that her parents wanted to keep her in Taleon to monitor her behavior. The small glimpse at freedom she had tried to reach for had been batted away and replaced with the reality that they would always keep her close. The thought alone was exhausting, so Terra tried to remain busy with friends and extracurricular activities. She began to draw and paint, often spending days out near the biodome’s edge to try to recreate the landscape outside, but reading was her favorite hobby. She could spend hours curled up with a book without once looking up to see what was happening around her. Since creative hobbies were not encouraged, she often spent time in a dimly lit corner of a library to enjoy the old books that had been moved their due their age or unpopularity. Terra couldn’t imagine why no one would like them; she loved the smell, the way that the pages felt so real and magical with time, and the chill she would get when she found the dog-ear she made the last time she was there.
As she was about to leave the library after a long afternoon of lying on the floor in a pile of books, she discovered the truth about “The Selections” by finding a tome titled “22/22.” After she read the first few pages, she became obsessed, perusing book after book about what life was like on Earth before her people came to Mars. She read about how they lost electricity and running water, how they were basically left behind without the means to survive. It made her stomach turn whenever she thought about it; leaving them behind to fend for themselves while people in space were living comfortably and peacefully filled her with rage. She began to ask her parents about it, who told her it was fiction, but she didn’t believe them. How could she? She knew one day she’d go back down to Earth, to live with the people that were abandoned by the people meant to lead them.
When Terra turned 16, she was introduced Jaro at a party her and her friends had crashed after she snuck out of her pod. He was the stereotypical bad boy: Tattoos, dark long hair, and a cool, mysterious demeanor. Although there was not much chemistry at first, she longed for the freedom she knew that he could give her, and they became exclusive soon after they met. Things were fine at first; he was a charismatic and smoothing-talking twenty year old that not only won over her, but her friends as well. But after the first few months, his true colors began peeking through the dark and cool disguise he had made for himself, and he became aggressive. Often, Terra would threaten to leave him, but he would either make it physically impossible for her to escape his room in one of the biodomes in the Jungle, or revert back to the sweet, caring guy he had originally convinced her he was and persuaded Terra to stay with him.
She soon met Nya at one of the medical student gatherings. The girl had tanned, caramel skin and dark eyes the made Terra feel completely enamored the moment she laid eyes on her. She was a bit older than her; Terra was 17 now, and she 20, but the chemistry between them became apparent almost instantly. They quickly became close as she began to tutor her so that she could join the field. A few months after they became friends, Nya spotted a large bruise on Terra’s back as she bent over, and immediately began to question her. When Terra finally admitted that is was Jaro, Nya kissed her passionately. At first, Terra began to pull away from her in pure shock, but soon found herself embracing her and returning the affection given to her, feeling sensations and having thoughts that Jaro never came close to instilling in her. Nya was everything she wanted for herself, and Terra decided that she deserved a love better than what she was receiving. They parted and Oli firmly placed her hands on Terra’s shoulders.
“You have to leave him, Terra”
“I can’t, you’ve seen what he does to me. What if he kills me?”
“I won’t let him.”
Terra left that night to stay at Jaro’s flat, knowing that he would think something was wrong if she didn’t show. When she got there, he was sitting in the dark on his chair. She could already tell that something was off. “J-Jaro?” she asked him, “What’s wrong?”
He stood up from his chair and walked over to the window, placing his hands on the glass and sighing loudly. “I know you’ve been seeing that girl, Terra. Don’t you fucking lie to me. Tell me.”
Terra’s heart began to race as he began to turn towards him. “Jaro, I –“
“What can that bitch give you that I can’t, huh? What could –“
“Jaro, please. Listen –“
He backhanded her causing her cheek to begin dripping bright red blood. “No, you fucking listen. You’re going to make this up to me right now.” He grabbed her hair and began to drag her to his bedroom.
“Jaro, please,” Terra sobbed, “Please don’t do this. Please, let me talk to you.” Jaro pulled her up and threw her on his bed. “I’ve done enough talking, baby. I need you,” his voice turned soft and sweet, barely audible over her cries. “You know how to make this better.” He began to kiss her neck, and Terra’s cries grew louder. “No, Jaro, please, please.” At that moment, there was a knock on the front door. He looked to her. “What’s this, babe? You don’t trust me? Is that you girlfriend out there coming to rescue you?” He hit her one time, causing her vision to fade to black. She was unconscious.
Terra woke up in her bed with Nya kneeling next to her. “Nya,” she muttered as she gulped and rubbed her head. “How did I… where is he?” Oli shushed her and began to stroke her hair.
“Don’t worry about him anymore, Terra. He’s promised he’d leave you alone. I spoke with him,” She explained with her eyes scanning Terra’s face. “How are you feeling?”
Terra’s finger went up to Oli’s lip, where it was split. “I’m okay,” Terra sighed, “He was so mad.” Tears began to stream from her eyes as she looked into Nya’s.
Nya leaned over and pulled her head into her chest. “I know, Terra, I know,” she whispered as she tried to calm her. She propped Terra’s chin up and kissed some of the tears off of her face. “He’s not going to hurt you anymore. I’m here to protect you.”
For the next year, things between Terra and Nya blossomed into something she could only describe as true love. Terra tried to tell her parents, but they would not approve of their relationship, with their excuse being that they’re lives were always in the public’s eye. Although their relationship had to be kept off the radar, Terra couldn’t be happier with the time she spent with Nya, even if it was only for an hour before Terra had to rush back home. They often talked about moving to the Jungle together, but Terra knew in the back of her mind that her parents would never let that happen.
Their romance was cut short when Nya was caught stealing food, water and medical supplies for those who lived on the outskirts. Before her trial, Nya was held in the Taleon’s jail. Terra convinced her parents to pull some strings so that she stay with her the night before her execution, which after nearly a full day of begging and pleading, they finally approved.
“You can’t leave me, Nya, you can’t… I can’t make it here without you.” They were lying next to each other, both glistening with sweat and breathing heavily.
Nya chuckled and looked back at Terra. “Then leave, Terra. You and I never belonged here. We aren’t like them. You know that.”
“What do you mean leave? I just can’t leave.” Terra shot her a confused look.
Nya sighed, “I didn’t want to get you too excited before I figured it all out, but I’ve been coming up with plans on how to go back to the ground.”
Terra’s eyes widened. “The….the ground? Earth? Are you fucking crazy?” Although she acted surprised, a wave of adrenaline coursed through her body reminding her of the dream she had for years of making it to Earth.
Nya laughed, closing her eyes slightly. She took a deep breath of Terra’s scent and smiled. “In my room, in the locked drawer in the closet, you’ll find what I’ve been working on. It’s still incomplete, but I’m sure with that big head of yours, you can figure it out.” She laughed. “It was a lot of my dad’s old plans. He passed before he could finish them. You have to go, Terra. You’ll get executed like me, or worse.”
She sighed, knowing what Nya was telling her was complete truth. Terra couldn’t stay on the planet that had always felt like a prison to her. “Fine, you idiot,” Terra giggled as she fought back the tears forming in her eyes.
Nya wiped away the small stream that ran down Terra’s cheek. “You’re going to be fine without me. I promise.” She smiled and leaned in to Terra, beginning to passionately kiss her.
“I’ll do it. For you, not for me, Oli. For you,” Terra said between breaths, giving into the moment as Nya caressed her.
On the day of Nya’s execution, citizens of Taleon and other neighboring provinces came to view the spectacle as if it were live entertainment. Terra pushed her way through the crowd hoping to catch her attention before it began. Nya was kneeling on the ground with her hands and feet bound behind her with magnetic cuffs, but her face was completely expressionless. This confused Terra the moment she had locked eyes on her and dropped to her knees. She wanted to call out to Nya, to tell her that it’d be okay, but all she could do was manage to not throw herself onto the platform and charge at the officer guarding her. Once she saw Terra, Nya smiled slowly and nodded as if to tell her she loved her. Terra began screaming, and to this day she couldn’t remember what she was saying, but eventually the officers managing the crowd decided to remove her. She fought tooth and nail for them to release her and was eventually struck by the butt of a gun into unconsciousness.
One night, years after first learning the truth, Terra broke into the library's safe room and stole the censored books and manifestos that detailed the migration, and she was caught with half of her body hanging out the window. She lost her spot in the medical program and was moved to Sanitation as punishment. Usually, crimes of this degree would be considered reason for execution, but her parents were able to pull some strings so that she only had a quick stay in jail. She was moved to Dangaus with the rest of those in Sanitation & Maintenance, but eventually relocated to the Jungle after seeing how regimented the province was. Terra’s parents begged her to move back in with them and to turn her life around before she ended up dead, but Terra declined. Now that she knew the truth, she couldn't go back to living like it never happened.
She swore to herself since the day Nya died that she would make it down to Earth, no matter how long it took or what obstacles she would have to face. She spent the next five years nearly obsessing over her plans on how to do so, using any available resource she could find. She befriended ex-pilots and mechanics from The Jungle who she'd often question after a night of drinking. She didn't want anyone to know her goal of leaving Mars; The information she had getting into the wrong hands could either mean the authorities finding out, or someone stealing her craft to try to carry out the mission themselves. Both scenarios frightened Terra.
