Aquarius had departed, and Aurelia had spent the rest of the flight alone. If her interaction with the girl proved one thing, it was that she still had a long way to go to become more sociable. Still, she figured she could just focus on her teammates; she didn't have to interact with every person that crossed her path, right? Then again, it felt more like an excuse, and as she watched the people around her interact with one another, she isolated herself out of habit. The rest of the day was uneventful, so to speak. Ozpin's speech did strike a chord with her; she did want to improve. She did want to stick to her convictions. But to do that, she would have to take that first step, something that seemed so simple and yet she kept hesitating.
For now, she would resign those worries to tomorrow, laying down her sleeping bag at the edge of the hall. Admittedly, she was slightly put off at the idea of sleeping with so many people around. Even the bathrooms had thrown her off! Her upbringing was quickly becoming a disadvantage, a discomfort being surrounded by so many in situations where she was used to her privacy. She certainly never imagined having to be seen in her nightgown--a simple, sleeveless silk hanging off her though only reaching her mid-thigh--and she was admittedly self conscious as she did her best to not show more than she needed to. Had she known, she likely would have brought pajamas like some of the other girls.
Letting out a shiver, Aurelia sat with her back to the wall, legs flat on the ground. She had decided to do a little reading, having brought her Properties of Dust as a refresher. If tomorrow was initiation, she needed to get her head in the right place. No need to worry about other people there--she'd be in her home turf on the battlefield for sure.
As a well-known songstress, Aria is a bubbly, charismatic young woman. She's very open and welcoming, able to communicate with nearly anyone while keeping a bright smile on her face. She's curious about others, always wanting to delve into her thoughts, though she is quick to put up her own walls when inquired about. Despite her sunny appearance, she tends to get lost in thought a lot, and is on the forgetful side of things. She seeks to avoid fighting and arguments, though understands they're inevitable. Often, she prefers to keep her insecurities and fears to herself, though once in a while she'll let her true feelings slip.
Public Biography:
The House of Eldoris is one of knowledge, as their patriarch Lorenzo Eldoris pioneered Dogma research, and it is rumored that the Eldoris line were once royalty. These days the latter is forgotten, but the family of prominent scholars and researchers ensured that the name Eldoris would be recognized world wide and revered in Escain. The family has amassed great wealth due to their contributions and has grown wide, though the family secrets are kept tight under lock and key. Born the third child of Vivace and Lirit into the branch family Cadewyn, Aria grew up in wealth and lavished in knowledge. When her proficiency for magic was discovered, the family was able to hire a mentor from Raelin and she was able to study privately. Her parents would also make sure to groom Aria into a woman of faith from a young age, cementing her belief in the gods and had her tutor include lessons about the gods in her education. Perhaps it was because of that faith that Aria would blossom into a talented summoner, her white magics on par with those years ahead of her. The pressure was insufferable, though she found her escape in music, often escaping her home to go perform on the street. Her voice attracted many, and with her summoning talents revealed to the public as well, Aria's celebrity status was all but cemented. She earned her freedom at last, traveling around the world to put on performances wherever and whenever she was asked. At first, she relished the freedom, though she would realize soon that she traded one prison for another. She couldn't so much as walk down the street without being recognized, and there was more than a few occasions where she was hassled. Still, she chose to embrace her glided cage as well as her many fans--she truly loved to perform and reach out to people.
She has two elder sisters, Cadenza and Sonata. She has little contact with her family, though they write to one another on occasion.
The House of Eldoris has long been experimenting on any child with any sort of magical ability, wishing to raise an army of artificial summoners, their goal of bringing forth Alexander being their endgame. As the bloodline has produced many prolific mages, they were deemed the perfect candidates. Their experiments have resulted in many deaths, though they believe their success outweighs the downfalls. While it was mostly those of the main house--those who were believed to be the 'purest'--with whom the experiments were performed on, it was discovered that the branch families also held just as much potential. After the success of Vivace summoning at a tender age, they wed her to Lirit, another summoner, in hopes their children would all inherit their power.
Sure enough, the three first-born showed promise. However, Harmonia showed signs of instability and an ineptitude at actually controlling her powers. Despite their attempts to seize control, a summon resulted in the deaths of many, and the destruction of one of the facilities. Cadenza and Sonata, the two eldest, had their memories sealed away and were monitored closely, although it would result in all the sisters losing the memory of Harmonia. When Aria was shown to have an aptitude for magic, they used a more subtle approach, using the excuses of gifted jewelry in a way to both monitor her and quietly give her the ability to summon. It was much more successful, though they showed concern when Aria began to gain popularity as a songstress. Rather than make any unneeded risks of exposure, they chose instead to gift her a pair of bangles, hoping they would amplify her powers.
After all, Alexander will only answer the call of their best...
-COMBAT-
Level: 25
Class: {Divine Songstress} A fancy title bestowed upon Aria during her surge in popularity, it combines both her summoner and white mage aspects.
{Angelic Voice} - Enhance curative and supportive spells by singing {Divine Summoner} - Beckons the gods to hear her prayers and grants her the ability to summon them {Maiden's Resolve} - An awareness of her allies' health and physical condition
Main Weapon: {Goddess' Bangles} Bracelets created akin to those believed to have been worn by Shiva herself. Adorned with several small crystals, they serve as a means to channel magics. Offers the blessing of the gods themselves.
Off-Hand: {Priestess' Shawl} A shimmering, silky shawl. Said to have been crafted by the high priestess. Wards away dark forces and cleanses the mind. {Cat-Ear Hood} A white, fur-trimmed long cloak whose hood has cat ears. A novelty item, although it helps Aria blend in with the crowd. It is said the cat ears distract people from looking at her face.
Armor: {Silken Robes} - Enhances amount of healing given to party members Robes crafted with the finest silk availible. A popular item amongst noblewomen.
Spellbook - {Cure} -[P1]- Single target heal {Cura} -[P3]- AOE heal {Curaga} -[P5]- A strong, single target heal {Curaja} -[P9]- A strong AOE heal {Regen} -P6]- Restores HP over time {Protect} -[P3]- Erects a barrier to lessen physical damage {Protectga} -[P6/D3]- Erects a barrier to lessen physical damage over multiple targets {Shell} -[P3]- Erects a barrier to lessen magical damage {Shellga} -[P6/D3]- Erects a barrier to lessen magical damage over multiple targets {Esuna} -[P4]- an AOE cleanse that removes status effects {Dispel} -[P4]- Removes beneficial effects from target {Raise} -[P9]- Resurrect a fallen ally {Arise} -[P15]- Resurrects a fallen ally with full HP {Aqua}-[MP5]- A single projectile spell with water element {Holy} -[P10/M5]- An AOE light-based spell {Pray} -[PDS1]- Restores a small amount of HP to the entire party. {Miracle} -[PD5]- Restores a moderate amount of HP and MP to the entire party. {Luminiferous Aether} -[PDM5]- Recovers MP {Divine Seal} -[PD5] Boosts Piety by 25% temporarily. {Benediction} -[P9]- Instantly heals a single target's HP to full. Has a 25% chance of missing. Can only be used once per battle.
Limit Break - {Summon} [L1] A call to the gods, bringing forth a brief, mighty strike of their power. The strikes are lesser versions of the deities' ultimate attacks, their strength coming from Aria. A majority of her summons come from her home country, although she picked up Carbuncle after visiting Songdae for a concert. Despite Ravana's status as an exiled, his noble intentions to protect the country struck a chord with Aria. Although, she admits she doesn't quite remember when she first reached out for his power. Despite her allegiance with Escain, she wishes to eventually learn more. -Diamond Dust [Shiva]- A cold frost zips through the battlefield, encasing enemies in ice, and then shatters them. An ice-based AOE attack, causes Freeze effect on unwary enemies. -Shinkansen [Hashmaal]- Bolts of lightning rain down from the heavens. A lightning-based AOE attack, causes Paralysis on unwary enemies. -Sacred Inferno [Agni]- A pillar of flame erupts from the ground. A fire-based AOE attack, causes Burn on unwary enemies. -Violent Torrent [Rudra]- A mighty storm eclipses the area. A water-based AOE attack. -Ruby Light [Carbuncle]- A brilliant light protects allies. Casts Protect, Reflect, and Regen on all party members. -Souls of War [Ravana]- Multiple butterflies litter the field, all turning into blades that attack the enemy. A non-elemental scattered attack, best focused on a single target. {Angel Feather} [L2] A prayer that results in all allies recovering health, as well as resurrecting any who have fallen. {Divine Summon} [L3] Brings a deity into the battle to command, able to flaunt their strength. Their power does not rely on Aria herself, though their time on the field is determined by her magic. [Lakshmi] - Summons Lakshmi [Hashmaal] - Summons Hashmaal [Shiva] - Summons Shiva
Opportunity - {Cry} - Throws the enemy off guard, momentarily stunning them. Does no damage. {Second Chance} - Can protect an ally from taking an attack that can result in death (KO). Can only be used once per battle. {Once More} - Lives through an attack that should have resulted in death (KO) with 1 HP remaining. Can only be used once per battle.
There had been many stories floating around her tribe on how grand the city of Ba Sing Se was, how it was so cultured and the pinnacle of the Earth Kingdom's culture. But upon entering, the city was suffocating under oppression. Sure, the citizens' forced smiles and withdrawn nature could have come off as being weary to outsiders, but it was more than obvious that they were absolutely terrified. What should have been a lively city was little more than a group of quaking individuals huddled together in an attempt to survive a metaphorical earthquake.
Her lips parted to let out a sigh, blue eyes temporarily unfocused as she pondered her next step. Information gathering wasn't something she expected to be easy, but the way the people praised the Warlord gave her a feeling that the walls had ears. She hadn't been stupid enough to ask about the Avatar directly, instead inquiring about the warlord himself. The one thing she gathered was that anyone previously in power was sent away, An himself occupying the palace. She had briefly entertained the idea of a visit, but ultimately decided against it.
One thing was for sure, a ceremony of some sort was going to be happening soon. At least, that's what Nadia had understood. A coronation for the Earth Kingdom's new ruler, or rather, new dictator. Going straight to the source was how Nadia had hoped she could find a clue or hint, but she wasn't expecting much. Making sure her blue hood was still secure on her head, she wondered if hiding her face was such a good idea. Not that she was expecting to get recognized, and she still stuck out like a sore thumb compared to the Earth Kingdom natives. It was probably habit at this point, but she felt just a little more secure with it than without it.
"Here you go," The voice of the merchant snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Thank you," She replied, taking the crab puff from his hands. As she bit into it, the foreign taste surprised her. It was fluffy and crisp, but she ultimately decided to liked it. She chose to continue to wander the streets as she ate, ultimately deciding to wander until the ceremony would begin.
With Hunter in tow, they were off. The ride itself was uneventful, though Rosalinda was more focused on trying to keep up with Anna. She must have really wanted to get there before the boys. Not that she didn't understand, but there was no way she was going to match her crazy driving. There was about two seconds of awe followed by Rose having to slowly catch up, and as Anna's car came to a halt, Rose managed to softly pull up next to her, giving the girls in the other car a thumbs up.
"I'm sure you're glad you rode with me," She joked to Hunter as she turned off her car, climbing out and letting the wind hit her face. Her hair was starting to stick to the back of her neck, and she would toss it behind her as she would grab her tiny, waterproof case. Sticking her keys in it, she watched the crowd, looking around the beach at nothing in particular. Dancing certainly seemed to be popular, but she still had an itch to hit the water. Once she had unloaded everything, she would peel off her shirt and shorts, carefully folding them and putting them in her bag. She put a chain onto the case, hanging it around her neck, and she inspected herself in her car's leftside mirror.
Her black monokini exposed a little more skin than she was used to, and she certainly felt the wind on her back. Still, she had to strut her stuff once in a while, so once she felt she was ready, she approached the shore line. She stopped just where the water hit her feet, her brain trying to remember if the water was deep at all.
Name: Lakshmi Opal Datta Aliases: Formerly Lakshmi Bhatt when she was married. Was affectionately called Opal by her father before his passing. Age: 27 Nationality: British Ethnicity: Indian Current Residence: Currently settled in a quaint apartment in the London Borough of Newham, England. Gender: Female Education: Graduated with a Bachelor's in Nursing from the Victoria University of Manchester. Job: Started as an aspiring nurse, formerly a bored housewife, now a slightly less bored nurse for a small doctor's office. Role: Nurse / Risk-Taker i.e. that one person who will do all that crazy jumping around kickin down bad guyz
Appearance
Height: 165 cm Weight: 49.9 kilo Build: Pint-sized, toned Eyes: Hazel Hair: Black Skin Tone: Dark Olive Tattoos/Scars/Piercings: Has various Henna markings on her left hand, upper right arm, and both feet. There's an oddly shaped burn scar on her left shoulder blade. Personal Style: Preferring the finer things in life, Lakshmi is very used to gorgeous and rather expensive clothing. She usually calls them 'simple' garbs, but even those who know nothing of fashion know that anything she wears is probably worth more than anything they have in their houses. Simplicity is usually her aim, preferring using her curves to bring out the beauty in the garments.
She likes to look elegant at all times, her waist-length raven hair usually in a low, loose ponytail tied by a girlish white ribbon. Her round, upturned hazel eyes are likely her most striking feature, closely followed by her plump lips usually sporting a shade of red lipstick. Her 'adventuring' outfit consists of a short sleeved beige romper with a white collar, accompanied by a pair of brown mid-length boots. She'll usually try to wear more form fitting clothing on the trek, as the last thing she wants is to get caught on something.
Psychology
Sharp-tongued ♢ Polite ♢ Fearless ♢ Thrill-seeker
Sexuality: Heterosexual Relationship Status: Widowed Personality: Lakshmi tends to give the impression of a graceful, exotic, submissive woman. Indeed, as soon as she opens her mouth, people are confronted with that image changing for better or for worse. While she always remembers to remain perfectly polite, sarcasm is her first language with English and Hindi a close second. She tries her damnest to prove herself, often getting irritated whenever her skills are in doubt (not that she can entirely blame them; her short stature leaves much to be desired). Ever the optimist, she looks for the silver lining even in the worst of situations. She knows to keep an open mind, although has a bad habit of 'act first, think second'. But hey, better to take a priceless vase and smash it over an intruder's head rather than freeze and yell for a man to save her, right?
She loves danger and the rush that accompanies it, an adrenaline junkie at her core. Whether it's climbing a mountain or scaling a building, if she thinks she can, she will. Despite her devil-may-care attitude, she tends to get offended when her abilities are in doubt. Her head is always thinking of what's happening in front of her, the future forever a mystery. She gets anxious if she thinks too hard on what she doesn't know and is determined to expand her horizons as a result.
Habits:
Has a tendency to keep one hand behind her back. Said hand is usually playing with the ends of her hair. Bites her index finger when she's nervous about something or trying to think. Either can't or won't remember people's names, instead using pet names for everyone. She'll learn their actual names eventually.
Hobbies:
Rock climbing, the view of a conquered mountain makes it all worth it. śastra-vidyā, specifically Platha--the art of unarmed combat, having learned it from her father. Studying several languages. Is fluent in English and Hindi, dabbles in Spanish, Italian, and French (strictly entry level though the three being similar has helped).
Fears:
Getting buried alive does not seem like fun.
Ironically dying of catching some disease despite her profession.
Leaving the world with no one to remember her is probably the reason she takes so many risks in the first place. If she dies, she'll go out with a bang.
Likes:
Seeing the world
Adrenaline rushes
Stargazing
Dislikes:
Doing nothing and getting bored
People who don't take her seriously
People who don't believe in her skills
History
A Memory:
Whether it was the sound of glass hitting the floor, a woman's scream, or the multiple shouts, Lakshmi was awake.
Sitting up, the young lady swung her legs off the bed, trying to listen carefully. Something was happening in the manor, her heart racing as she would stand. Carefully approaching the door, she could hear multiple footsteps outside. Realizing they would likely come bursting through at any second, she immediately turned around, ducking underneath the bed as she heard the doorknob turn. Carefully shifting herself quietly to get a better look, she watched as three pairs of boots stomped into the room.
She didn't quite recognize the dialect they spoke, but their intentions were clear when she caught her name in between some words she recognized. Slowly, the three split from one another. Great, it would be a manner of minutes before she would get discovered. The room was large enough, sure, but there were only so many places to hide. Biting her finger, she tried to think of what she could do, though her heart raced as one of the men approached the bed. The other two were turned away--if she chose to, she could probably take the closest one down. But what about the other two? Sure, she had practice fighting, but it was very different from using it against people who actually wanted to bring her harm.
The sound of a gun rang through the walls, and Lakshmi decided it was now or never. Inhaling quietly, she used her elbows to drag herself closer to the edge of the bed, her mind made up. As soon as she saw the man begin to bend, she shoved his foot away. As he toppled over she scrambled to get out from under the bed, managing to get to her feet as the other two noticed what was going on.
Without waiting to see if the one she knocked over would get up, she raised her leg, stomping down on his groin. He let out a howl of pain as the other two attempted to converge, and at this point, Lakshmi sprung into action. Sweeping her leg down behind the second man's knee, he toppled over once her knee came back up and connected to his jaw. Turning to the third, she noticed his hesitation, and took full advantage. Rushing forward, she spun around, a high kick to his shoulder. As he staggered she drew her open palm back and thrust it forward and up, connecting with his chin. She could hear something crack as took a step back, watching the last man fall to the ground.
Her knees were now shaking, but she managed to keep herself up. She did it. She took them down! By herself! Never in her life had she felt so alive, so much so that despite the situation, she actually found herself grinning. Biting her lip, it dawned on her that there were probably more in the rest of the manor. The thought alone revitalized her, and without a moment's hesitation, Lakshmi would run out of the room, eager to see exactly what she was capable of.
History:
Since she was a child, Lakshmi was told that women should be seen and not heard. Since she was a child, she determined that phrase was bullshit.
Her parents were convinced a demon had possessed their child, as in her youth Lakshmi was rebellious, loud, and had an unfounded vendetta against being told what to do. Her mother was a self-proclaimed free spirit who liked to do as she pleased, her father a martial artist who enjoyed play fighting more than scolding his daughter, so realistically her destructive nature was due to a lack of discipline. Age and maturity would eventually mellow her out, reducing her to a quieter teen, though she never did give up her quips and remarks.
She doesn't remember much of the place she was born, though she was aware her paternal grandfather had a hand in traditional medicine, specifically those called Siddha. Her family's money had come from their practice, but the family was uprooted when her grandfather squandered it all on an affair with a younger woman who plucked every cent she could take. The scandal was considered huge in their community, with Lakshmi's parents deciding to start over in another country entirely, choosing Great Britain as her father had an uncle who could help them until they got on their feet. Lakshmi's mother loathed their living conditions but put no effort into working. Luckily for her, her husband was more than willing to work for his family, however modest, and became a factory worker.
When she did hit the age of eighteen, she wasn't surprised her mother would marry her off to some rich man in order for her family to regain the wealth she had wanted. Lakshmi's husband's willingness to marry her came from lust, mostly, though he was less than pleased at her rather outspoken and sarcastic nature compared to the more submissive women of her culture. Most men would likely beat their wives' smart mouths, but this man was shocked when she would beat him back--having learned much from her father.
Their marriage was cut short when his parents' manor was robbed one weekend, with her husband's life taken in the scuffle. She found herself unable to mourn, but life went on. Her father eventually passed away after suffering an accident in the factory he worked in. As a result, Lakshmi decided to study medicine in an effort to live up to his wishes for her. Additionally, her mother hoped she could find another husband in college and was shocked when she ended up graduating with no intention of getting married to anyone. After a falling out between the two, Lakshmi took whatever she could get her hands on and moved out on her own. She found a job shortly after, and used that job for her little adventures: traveling, discovering the thrill of climbing up mountains and cliff-diving, all that good stuff. But it never seemed to be enough, she wanted something grand, something better.
And then that letter came.
It was a surprise; Lakshmi had long since lost contact with her family, more concerned with satiating her boredom by throwing herself into her work. There was also the matter of being unaware of the Baron, almost believing it to be a scam. It was only after the courier's insistence that she realized what it entailed. She had hesitated for all of a minute before throwing several belongings into a bag, withdrawing funds from the bank, and hopping on the first train she could get to.
Watching Demi getting dragged by Luke into Gryffindor Tower with a stony face, Kalder didn't respond. He highly doubted saying anything would have quelled her anger; it was too late for that anyway. But as much as he wanted to just move on, as he walked through the halls he found her words looping over and over in his head. It was stupid. Everything was stupid. The situation was stupid. He was stupid, Demi was stupid, Noel and Beatrice and--this mess of emotion only served to give Kalder a headache.
Rubbing his temples, he let out a sigh, turning the corner and walking into an equally distracted Caleb. The two bounced off one another, though Kalder was too annoyed to match Caleb's amusement. "Surviving so far?" Caleb asked cheerfully, further souring Kalder's mood.
"If you want to put it that way, yes," Kalder replied dryly. "Coming back from studying?"
"No, I had to speak to Professor Blackthorn about something," He said. "Though I'm more curious as to why you'd be coming from the Tower. Trying to get a gaze at your beloved?"
"That's not funny, Caleb," He snapped. "I was walking Beatrice back because Noel apparently has it out for her since she discovered his love affair."
Caleb stared at Kalder for a moment, his previously cheerful deposition dropping slightly. "Love affair...'love' is a pretty strong word, you know."
"Hate is, too."
He couldn't help but laugh. "I wouldn't go that far, but if that's how you feel, then I can't really change your mind. Just try to keep an open mind, okay?"
"Another prediction?"
"Nope, just some friendly advice!"
Kalder rolled his eyes as Caleb bid him farewell, continuing on his path. He would find that even as he would go to his room with his friends all sound asleep, the only thing he could think about was Demi's words.
"You're what?"
Benjamin scowled at Blake, who was already annoyed at him. "I'm x! How do you not know this?"
Kalder looked up at Benjamin. "I thought you were an inferi," He admitted, adjusting his own robes.
"Have none of you even seen a dementor before?" He asked, annoyed as he pulled off his hood. "None of you have any spirit of the holidays!"
"Aren't you a little old to be dressing up?" Noel asked him.
The five were gathered once again in the common room, students abuzz. Kalder didn't think time would fly so quickly, but before he knew it, the day of the party had arrived: Halloween. Benjamin had come out of their room completely garbed in long, black robes and a hood that mostly covered his face. Kalder always found Benjamin's childish spirit admirable, and every year he always insisted on dressing up as one thing or another. Admittedly, his personal favorite costume had been last year, when he had successfully looked like an overgrown Hinkypunk, but he never found the heart to discourage him.
The others, however, were less kind. Coco scratched his head as he looked at Benjamin. "I always thought it was better when just the girls dress up," He said, nudging Blake. "I'd love to see you with some animal ears."
"Absolutely not," She refused, swatting his arm away. "Anything with ears and a tail is practically inviting Benjamin to prey on them. I refuse to be a victim."
"It wouldn't kill you to be a little sexier," Benjamin grinned, bracing himself for Blake's glare, though letting out a yelp as she punched him. "You're no fun!"
Kalder chuckled. "Let's get going then, shall we?"
Noel raised an eyebrow at him. "Someone's eager to go."
It was true. Kalder normally found parties rather dull, but this one was probably the first time he had actually looked forward to one. Whether it was the promise of butterbeer or getting the chance to relax for a good time with friends, he wasn't sure, though he also enjoyed Noel's growing irritation for him. For some reason, Noel found it incredibly annoying that Kalder had begun to hang around Beatrice a lot more these past weeks, often at the expense of Noel's time. The two friends had some friction, whether they knew it was about Demi or Beatrice or not was in the air. Their tension was lessened with their other friends around, but usually peaked whenever the two were alone together. But they were very alike, as neither seemed to be able to bring either of the women up in conversation.
But Kalder was getting confirmation from Noel tonight. As much as he continued to deny it, Noel was definitely seeing Demi. Her outburst no longer haunted him, but he had basically thrown himself into his studies in an attempt to move on. It was difficult, but the more time he spent with Beatrice, the more he wanted to give her a fair chance. And having her compete with Demi was something he didn't want. Well, not that Demi wanted him anymore. Since she was with Noel.
Neziul
MaeB
Lemons
Altered Tundra
Raijinslayer
Xiro Zean
WXer
Taka
Achronum
