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[b]Full Name:[/b] Mariana Paola Carmena Guerra (Formerly Guerra-Barnett)

  [b]Nicknames/Aliases:[/b] Mari; But also answers to: Mom; Mommy; MOOOM; We're Out of Milk; Have You Seen My Left Boot; etc

  [b]Age:[/b] 47

  [b]Gender:[/b] Female

 [b]Primary:[/b] Defense

[b]School Nurse[/b]

[b]Secondaries:[/b] Toxins and Healing


 [b] Description:[/b] Mariana is a medium-tall woman with a soft, slightly curvy build. Her facial features are gentle and pretty, if not showing some signs of age, with very expressive brows. She has kind brown eyes, medium olive-toned skin, and wavy black hair that falls to her mid-back when not tied up.

   [b]Personality:[/b] Mariana is a mother, with the patience and wit to match. She is quick to mentor and take those in distress under her wing, and is always willing to lend and ear or a hug to someone in need. While her kindness is bountiful, her trust is hard-earned. She is cautious of strangers, and while not mean, will keep them at a healthy distance until she can gauge their intentions. 

When it comes to protecting those she cares about, she has a fierce streak parallel to none. No means is too extreme to protect her loved ones, and her morality can become clouded in do-or-die scenarios. She
    
  [b]Skills:[/b] Very strong defender, specializing in shield work; ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practicioner); Well-controlled toxin user and healer; basic combat and marksmanship ability; good judge of character; strong willed; expert cleaner of both spilled milk and tears.

   [b]Weaknesses:[/b] Quick to make impulsive decisions when someone is in danger; easily swayed by the well-being of her children; not typically a hand-to-hand or melee fighter

  
  [b]Brief History:[/b] Mariana was born to the Guerra family, a modest Defender line living in Cuba and Miami, known for inconsistent descendants. Some were decent shielders, about a quarter were very strong, and a quarter were born with no magical ability at all. Mari was one of lucky ones. 

In her late teens, she was courted by Martin Barnett, a young idealist from a considerably more prominent Defensive line than her own. At twenty, she was married and gave birth to her first son, Luis. 

Shortly thereafeter, Barnett pressured her into joining an "elite organization" fighting for the future of the magical community. They spoke of a better world for magical children, and Mariana was more than happy to oblige her husband's wishes. By the time it became clear that this utopia was to be achieved by the mass genocide of anyone in opposition, it was too late. Mariana was afraid for her life and the life of her son if she chose to flee.

Barnett grew more fanatical in his fascism as time went on, becoming first verbally and then physically abusive toward Mariana. She dealt with it, keeping up the front of the loyal wife to protect Luis. 

When her son turned ten, however, there was still no sign of magic in his blood. Barnett dragged him before several other members of the cult and forced him to undergo a ritual beating in the hopes of forcing his Defensive primary to manifest, to no avail. 

Mariana was told by Roderic Montana, a man who had come to be a close confidant among the increasingly unfriendly crowd. 

Martin Barnett was murdered in his sleep that night, and Mariana and her son left the cult along with Montana, who made a very timely appearance in aiding their escape. 

Mariana subsequently left her child in the care of her parents in Miami, and went off to aid in the war effort, providing vital intel based on her insider experience. She served alongside Montana on and off for the remainder of the Civil War, though she was bounced between bases whenever another shielder was needed elsewhere. Her friendship with Montana grew both during and after the war, though the two were frequently pulled in different directions over time. 

After the end of the war, Mariana became pregnant with a second child, and moved home to live with her family. She completed a master's degree in nursing, and took up a modest life away from anyone and anything having to do with the war.

Mariana was offered a nursing post at Marchand as an emergency replacement, and took it so that her youngest son, now thirteen, could attend the school within the next year without having to be far away from her.
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