Saliqa

Description

Slightly under average in height, Saliqa has what is considered the physique of a preteen boy, though her smoothly curved shoulders and the existence of at least some chest save her from complete masculinity. Her roundest feature is actually her eyes, wide but deep in brown color; they offset a slightly long, definitely flat nose and a small mouth that is full-lipped but not necessarily womanly. Though her face is long, her cheeks are full, and her short-cropped hairstyle helps to flatter both of these aspects. Black, her hair is parted in waves across the top of her head and forehead then layers out longer around her ears, just after which it ends. All of this complements what is a naturally bronzen skin tone, not made so by the sun.

Her clothes are a combination of comfort and style, including a long-sleeved blouse that hugs her in all the right places - as much as it can on this body. The dark purple color is interrupted once in a while by swirls of frivolous white patterning along the sleeves and front. On top of this is a sturdier, darker vest. The truth of the matter is that it's this article that keeps her looking as flat in the chest area as she does. Meanwhile, the vest is long and hangs over the top of her cream skirt. Sometimes there's a coat, when called for. Her ears are stuck with long silver hoops, each with three ovals to them and then a glimmering purple gem towards the top.

WYSK

• The Cromite fashion group "Fancy That!" has been around for a few odd months now, selling a bit of goodwill luxury to the females of High Reaches Weyr and quietly noting on their behavior behind their backs like polite ladies. The others are experts in fancy dresses (Freyna), make-up and hair (Delita), and shoes (Asani) -- they recently went home.

• Saliqa, herself, was the resident jewelry-maker before she was unceremoniously searched by K'del's Cadejoth at the clutching party.

History

The family line started out honest and humble, with both mother and father living the lives of farming in the outlying Crom boundaries. Her mother was a midwife, a job for a woman's touch, but not for a squeamish lady. It was a hearty but traditional home where the men did the hardest labor and the women did their own parts; they didn't necessarily do no work, but certainly kept to the "womanly" tasks that were proper for them. The father was kind, fair, and liked to have his family around him. There were eventually three girls and one boy. Saliqa was the youngest girl of these, subservient to her sister's more learned advice, and loving but playful with her little brother.

Living on the farm gave the girls' experience in working each day, but the expectation was that they would eventually marry off and carry on their family lines as mothers and keepers of the household. That was "settling down", and it was expected of everyone. Even Saliqa, who set out to spend her pre-courtship days learning a trade. They were cozy for a long time, often visiting Crom and enjoying the gathers there. Here, Saliqa's interest in handcrafted earrings peaked, and she began to take studies of precious gems and other materials for jewelry-making.

After some time, Saliqa's eldest sister was nearing a good time for marriage, and had a few possible prospects. Because of this, when a Search dragon from Fort Weyr came around and asked if she would like to Stand, she refused in order to pursue her proper life of settling down, instead. It was a model by which the others would hold themselves. Frivolities must always give way to marriage eventually.

When Saliqa turned sixteen, tragedy struck: her father fell ill and rather quickly died, allowing for little arrangements for the farm. A distant cousin moved in to help with the living and to continue teaching the younger brother the work. It wasn't long, however, before a new solution arose in the form of the Steward of Crom Hold asking for Saliqa's mother's hand. They were married, and the whole family moved to Crom Hold and to a higher standard of living.

Saliqa's craft for jewelry thrived in this busier environment, surrounded by fine ladies, while her second oldest sister began to be courted for her own marriage. Their new Steward father was much more keen on making sure the girls married into the right channels to keep him in a place of influence. So it was a combination of this influence and Saliqa's talent that got her selected for an assignment to visit High Reaches Weyr as an emissary offering some finery at bargain prices. Saliqa wasn't pleased with the idea, but she accepted her duty, as she always had.

Arriving at the Weyr was the culture shock it was expected to be, but Saliqa kept her head high and was surprised to find there were people there she could talk peaceably with. After several months of good business, she began to feel like she wanted to have a hand in the well-being of the convicts stationed at the Weyr. Planning and executing a break night for them, she also embarked on an odd quest to befriend the female she'd started out bickering with.

Sometime during this -- and, in fact, during the celebration of Iovniath's clutching -- Saliqa was suddenly asked by Weyrleader K'del to stand for the eggs. She accepted by making a trade. Now she's sworn to do her best at this endeavor like she would any other; the fact that a letter came to her personally from Lord Aughan himself may have had some effect on this turnaround.

Relationships

TAIKRIN

IDKMYBFFTAI?! Really, these two have no business hanging out together. Yet they have somehow managed to become friends-- whether or not the former convict will actually admit that relationship is another hurdle. After their first more hostile meeting, the two found a way to work together for the convict break night Saliqa was planning. Since then, Sal's continuously opened up to the older girl, showing a desire to learn more about her at every turn, and despite protests. Sal has great confidence that Taikrin will be able to have a better second chance at life than her former stint as a criminal. She's become recently suspicious as to Taikrin's intentions, however, after several awkward conversations-- though "awkward" seems to be a norm.

K'DEL

Oh Weyrleader, My Weyrleader Stuff stuff stuff.

GUSTAV

The Pet... Project

Hooks

• She's from Crom. Despite appearances, the two places don't seem to hold all that much trust or respect for one another.

• Although she's now a candidate, Saliqa continues in her trade of taking earring and other jewelry commissions when she can.

• Rumor milling suggests that she can often be spotted surrounded by the convict candidates and others of their ilk -- what's up with that, from a girl touting "proper manners"?

• She's wildly afraid of illnesses that can spring up at you with no warning signs; being sick scares her greatly. After all, her father...

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