Physical Description
Seri stands about 6'0", with a slender but muscular body. She has the blue eyes of the Svefra and long red curls, which are usually tied up in a latticework of braids and beads. She has a solid tan from constant sun exposier, and often opts out of all clothing but a blouse when working on deck. Her ears are decorated with excessive piercings, and she wears an assortment of rings on both hands. Seri's arms are covered with oceanic tattoos; one arm is dedicated to the waves of the Suvan and her pair of Tavan sea otters, and the other is for various porpoise and dolphin.
Her clothing is rather plain, but well used and practical. She wears a white blouse, dark pants with knee-high boots, and the dagger her Lia gave her for her 15th birthday is always tied on her thigh.
Personality
Seri is a very hot headed and raucous person. She voices her opinion without restraint to all but respected elders, and tends to get herself into trouble because of it. Strong drink, good food, and wild parties are her favorite things. Too her, every night should be spent dancing around a fire. She's extremely clever and is a notorious kleptomaniac. Over the years she's become quite adept at collecting trinkets to use for haggling. Anyone who knows her keeps their belongings tied to their person or locked up tight whiles she's around. Other than that Seri can be quite the charmer, though tends to flirt a lot. She has strong leadership capabilities when she can keep her temper in check, and is oddly skilled with children.
Tavan  Jasper and Jess are an inseparable, mated pair of sea otters. They are getting along in years, and have been with Seri since she was still young. They chanced upon her while her pod was anchored at a small island in the Southern Suvan; Seri had been sculpting with sand on the beach a ways away from the rest of the pod. Jasper and Jess were diving for mollusca close by, and they just happened to come ashore right next to her. It was as simple as that. It always appeared to be coincidence, for the meeting seemed to happen so randomly, but the trio quickly took to each other and have never been apart for long since, so maybe it was fate. Just in case, Seri often thanked Laviku for such good fortune and companions. Though only Jasper is her Tavan, Seri is attached to both of them as if Jess were as well. They both are similar in size and appearance, about 3' tall, as brown as chocolate with creamy underbellies, and starting to gray in the face. The two accompany Seri almost everywhere, including into towns. They fish and swim with her, as well as sleep with her at night. Despite their age, they are very playful and in obvious good spirits most days.
Pardisa  When Laviku blessed Seri with the title of Lia, the physical manifestation of this honor took the form of a Queen Conch. Seri found the shell in the shallows of the same island which her Tavan had appeared to her during her childhood. She was drawn to the conch like a moth to a flame, and as soon as she touched it, she knew what it meant for her. The shell was a beautiful thing; a creamy yellow outer body, with an inside a shade of pink she'd never laid eyes on before. The most magnificent thing about this shell though, was that when Seri held it to her ear, she could hear the roar of waves against a shore, and occasionally the creaking a ship's timbers. This was a constant occurrence inside the conch, no matter where she was, on land or at sea. It is her most prized possession, and whenever she leaves her ship, she usually has it swaddled in soft materials at the bottom of her backpack for safe keeping.
History
Childhood
Seri was born into the Admiralty pod on a clear night at sea. The pod was known for their wide expertise of skills. Sailing, fishing, fighting, the lot. If you were an Admiralty, there was a good chance you'd be competent in something by your 15th year. They didn't push their youngsters though, only guided and encouraged them to be their best. The family was a large and happy one, always celebrating and in good spirits. Their Lia, Jarsha, was an old and wise women. At 67 years of age, she was close to ancient by Svefra standards, and an obvious favorite to Laviku. Seri revered her like she was a Goddess on earth.
Seri's childhood was a very happy one. Her family filled several ships to the brim, 3 Palivar and a handful of Casinor. There was never a boring day with so many people around. Her mother, Leane, was an amazing sailor and taught her all the basics at a young age while her father, Kile, balanced the scale by teaching her fishing. Her mother's mother taught her a little of weaving, but passed away before she could really get her education of it going. Death didn't bother Seri; it was a normal thing and was always close by, whispering in the back of your mind, especially when you live a life at sea. If the Gods wished for your life, they would take it.
Many days were spent in the shadow of her Lia. Seri respected her more than any other, and would've jumped overboard on command without the slightest hesitation. Jarsha taught her a little of fighting with a dagger and other small things, like how to tell if there's a storm brewing. Secretly, Seri prayed every night to Laviku that someday she could be like her Lia.
Years went by rather slowly. The Admiralties had a few sea clashes with groups who thought they could get away with piracy in Svefra waters, and the family themself also committed a few pirate acts. Most of their business though was ferrying travelers. Seri saw many places and things around the Suvan; port cities, beautiful islands, massive storms, and all sorts of sea animals.
Of all the animals and fish she had met, none had ever bonded closely with her. She tried and waited, but never did they seem to take to her. Around her 14th year, her pod was anchored off a small island to the south. She had wandered off so she could make sand sculptures in peace; the other children kept kicking them down or throwing water on them. Seri had actually knocked one of the boys in the face with a bucket and gotten a good tongue lashing, so no one objected when she said she was going to go further down the shore.
She hadn't been by herself for long though; she was settled down and working on a small castle when a pair of sea otters washed out of the surf, covered in kelp with mollusca in their little mouths. One of them, the male, came right up to her, rolled in the sand a little, and started eating. The second, a female, followed shortly after. Seri had just sat and stared. It was one of the oddest things she'd ever seen, but she was still instantly head over heels for them. It just seemed to happen, but worked out in the best way.The two followed her all over the beach that evening, and she decided on calling them Jasper and Jess. After that, unless they absolutely couldn't be, they were always close by Seri.
Adulthood
Coming soon. |
by Seri Cartwright on February 22nd, 2012, 2:31 am 