[hider=Kestrel][center][hr][hr][img]http://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjcyLmVhNzk0My5TMlZ6ZEhKbGJDQlRiV2wwYUEsLC4wAAAAAAAA/pwfluidhand.medium.png[/img][hr][hr] [img]http://99px.ru/sstorage/53/2016/05/tmb_166449_9198.jpg[/img][h1][i]The Second Bird Sister[/i][/h1][/center][hr][hr] [b][u]Gender:[/u][/b] Female [b][u]Age:[/u][/b] 17 [b][u]Race:[/u][/b] Human [b][u]Personality:[/u][/b] Kestrel is usually very grey. Be it in her morals or her overall presence, she typically doesn't stand out too much most of the time, often sitting on the fence when it comes to any decisions that might be directed at her. Her strikingly center-bound compass points her in the lane of indecisiveness, realism, and a skill set that covers a great many things, yet excelling at none. Raised in a household where her opinion was often silenced by an older and younger sibling, Kestrel has become something of a shadow: forever observing, but never doing anything. At least, that's how she appears on the outside. Inside, her head is a labyrinth of tales, tactics, and tolerance for others. Once opened up, the young lady can be quite talkative, and willing to admit her loneliness. She connects well with animals when not in the presence of others, and her horse, Greg, is fiercely protected by her. Needless to say she's a bit over the place, though in a world infested with demons, who isn't? [b][u]History:[/u][/b] Kestrel is an orphan. Her blood parents, mother a knight and father a merchant, both died under circumstances she does not know. What she does know is she was taken in by a family of smiths, from where her surname was born, and the only connection to her former life is a simple, yet priceless ruby necklace. The unofficial middle child of the Smith family, Kestrel was the pretty one; her hair a golden blonde like her adoptee father (before he turned grey), whereas both her sisters took their mother's brunette. Because of this, she was treated a little roughly by her other sisters, however it wasn't anything too harsh. The lot of them were tomboyish, even Kestrel, having learned how to wield a wooden sword before she could tie her shoes, leading to some very unfortunate accidents. With her older sister Robin being the responsible one, and her younger sister Allouette being the boisterous one, there wasn't much of a place for Kestrel to fill. She was quiet, and enjoyed reading and smithing in her own time, or tending to the animals. By ten she forged a dagger all her own. It took her another year to make her own blade. Pretty soon, Mister Smith had an assistant in the forge, and Missus Smith was teaching a young Kestrel how to work not only with animals, but with nature. She picked up some handy skills at home, which have since come in use over time. Her older sister, Robin, went to join the war effort after The Failed Battle, being the most able potential soldier of the family. However her parents grief over what may happen to Kestrel's older sister has given her reason, too, to venture beyond the walls of her small town. With a fresh set of armour, supplies, and her trusty hand-and-a-half longsword, Kestrel left home to find her older sister, and to drag her back there. [b][u]Equipment[/u][/b]: [list] [*] Hand-and-a-half Steel Longsword - Recently reforged of better quality steel, with better quality skill behind it. It's sharper than most knives. [*] Supply Backpack - The kind with supplies in it! Able to hold, at most, five days worth of food and water. Currently has two days of each. [*] Steel Banded Armour - Basically the same as in the image but with a proper steel breastplate. She has a simple grey, long-sleeved cloth tunic under her armour, with blue cloth trousers. [/list] [b][u]Example post:[/u][/b] It was dark, but morning. It was agreed upon by her ma and pa that she would be sent off before the dawn, as it would give her more time to find a safe spot to set up camp the following night. The air was crisp and clear, a light rain from moments before having cleared up, yet leaving a river of puddles in its wake. Kestrel was thankful she would be riding Greg for most of the trip, if for nothing else. At her side was her sword, and on her arms, her armour. "You can never be too careful out there," her father warned. "Sleep with it on if you're using a fire. You may need it." "I'll be fine, pa." She told him; a petty white lie, whispered to the wind. "Ma's told me everything I need to know about sleeping in the wilderness. And you've told me everything I might need to know about defending myself. You know I'm capable." "As much as Robin?" Kestrel flinched somewhat. "I know you want me to have confidence in you, Kes." His words came like that of a sage - unwavering in tone and forever wise. It always astounded her how her father didn't always act this way. "But I want you to have caution. This won't be a simple task; what you're asking is something no daughter of mine should ever be forced to face. If I were in better condition I-" He winced, groaned, and Kestrel gently rubbed his leg to soothe the pain. Apparently hammering yourself in the shin really hurts. "Are you alright, papa?" He chuckled, gruff like the beard her bore. "You always call me that when you're worried about me..." He took a deep breath. "Yeah, I'm OK. And before you ask, yes, you can call me papa like you used to. I'm not that grumpy." He shifted his foot so it rested upon a nearby chair, a little more comfortably than before. "But as I was saying, if I were in better condition, I would be going after her. I just can't imagine what that girl is thinking. Just running off with little more than a letter! I bet she figured out we wouldn't have let her go..." "Then she's already figured out I'm coming after her." "Mmmmh..." Her father nodded slowly. Before he could speak, the door behind them opened, and out came two more familiar faces. "Ma, Allouette," said Kestrel, surprised. "I didn't think you were going to... see me off." Allouette smiled with a tired sheepishness, whereas her mother a much more deceiving one. "No matter how terrible I am in the mornings, I wouldn't miss seeing you off, sis!" Exclaimed the youngest sister, before quickly being silenced by her mother. "R-right, sorry. But yeah, I wasn't going to miss this over some sleep. After all, I'm going to miss you... You better find Robin, OK?" Kestrel could only offer a half-hearted chuckle and a nod. "I will, Ally. You be sure to take care of ma and pa for me, yeah? You'll have to pull your weight in." "I will." Was her response, simple and short. As she turned to address the other person, she found arms wrapped around her chest and a face buried in her neck. She felt tears, but didn't comment, knowing it would upset her in a different way. "Mother, my ribs." Her warning was ignored but a few moments longer, till her mother finally pulled away, wiping her eyes. "Ma..." "I'm still not likin' it, Kes. You, goin' out there, after Robin. It ain't right. But I'm not trustin' Ally, and I'm not trustin' John. And I can't use a sword, so it ain't like I can go. But..." She pauses, and tears threaten her eyes. There's a silence, and soon Kestrel is the one with her arms around her mother. They stay like that for awhile, though Greg's whinny of discomfort caught the attention of all who were present. "You should get ready, Kestrel." Her father said. Kestrel only nodded in reply. Her backpack of supplies settled on Greg's back, and she on the saddle in front. Few words were exchanged; their goodbyes had been said, and everything had already been put in place well before the moment had come. All that was left now was to leave. Dawn broke before Kestrel left that morning... [b][u]Other:[/u][/b] [hider=Greg][img]https://straightfromthehorsesmouth2you.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/bay-horse-2.jpg[/img] He's a bit of a dope; not the smartest horse you could ask for. But he's fast, strong, and awfully protective of Kestrel. Hard to communicate with at times, though. [/hider] [/hider]