Verena Lorak is no ordinary Dynasty lady, not when most women in Kenash are so charming and sweet. She is perhaps the exact opposite. Having little care for social finesse, Verena will say what she thinks bluntly and with no consideration of what others might think. At first, her family thought that it was just her nature to be rude. It was only later that her brother, Zorane, realized a different problem. As she finds social niceties a waste of time, Verena rarely pays any attention to conversations unless it was directed right at her. When she did pay attention, the Lorak lacks the empathy to read and understand other people’s expressions and emotions, often puzzled at their reactions to certain things. Verena will be surprised when told that her words often offend people, for she is simply laying out the truth. Or maybe even puzzled when she took sarcasm in its literal meaning. Despite her efforts, understanding people is always mentally exhausting.
This problem also manifests itself physically, for it is noticeable that her mannerism is odd. Verena avoids eye contact in most conversations and stares to intensely the rest of the time. Her expressions are impossible to read, showing nothing at all. It is very difficult to tell whether she is pleased or upset or even she felt anything at all.
Clearly, socialization is not an art she mastered. But that was not a choice for a member of a Dynasty where politics are unavoidable. With the help of Zorane, Verena retains a thin mask of normalcy. She smiles when she has too, holds back her tongue if she remembered, and even strike up a conversation in a conversation. Still, all of it felt like an act to her and at times, her discomfort can be clearly visible. Unfortunately, this means the general populace of Kenash thinks she is somewhat mad.
There is one good thing Kenashians can say about Verena though, that is her skill as a healer. The young woman is truly dedicated to her line of work, spending hours and hours burying her nose in a book or holing up in her lab for some experiments – always trying to improve her skills. The Lorak will be most often found either at her work or in her room, experimenting with various herbs and medicines.
People often question what Lady Verena Lorak is really like, for almost no one can understand her. There are a few qualities that stick out – such as her stubbornness and her intelligence. Straightforwardness is always prominent in her character. What is often missed is her genuine to be good, to be understood, to be accepted – all of it hidden a wall of aloofness.
Verena Lorak is not what she seems, but neither is everyone.
Born as the daughter of the Head of House's second wife, Verena had always been secluded and singled out in her childhood, even without her oddity. Nevertheless, the whole family tolerated her once they saw the Mark of Rak'keli on her skin, as soon as she was out of her mother's womb. After all, who could waste such a gift? As a child, Verena was taught almost everything everyone could possible think of about the medicinal practices and it was clear she was intelligent. Verena would spent bells upon bells in the library, swallowed by a massive velvet armchair, a thick leather-bound book resting on her skinny laps. The little girl rarely spent her time with other kids, if at all, or anyone really. She didn't talk much, seemingly constantly distracted.
Stepping into her adolescent years, her odd mannerism became more noticeable, even disturbing to most people - so much that her brother, Zorane, decided to step in and teach her the skillful art of socialization. Image
is everything in Kenash. In front of strangers, Verena will seem like a shy girl who preferred to be alone, while the Loraks knew better. When the girls her age started to fall in love and faun over boys, she barely regarded them at all. Almost like she possessed no heart.
However, as the culture of her people, Verena is supposed to be married before she hit the age twenty. Tough luck on that. No men seem to be interested to this indifferent, work-obsessed young woman - as pretty as she is. At least for a while. It was her 16th birthday when she came to know Caedmon Paille.
When the girl turned 18, her family got even more desperate, searching through their list of friends and allies, well anyone, to be a husband for her - completely unaware of her relationship with Caedmon. At long last, they found a suitable match - not much as a suitable match as it was a last choice. A Paille, Cassius, not far too old from Verena, and a notorious pleasure-seeker who seems to be having the same trouble as the Lorak did. As the world loves irony, it was Caedmon's own brother. There, a perfect match to both families. A woman who cared almost nothing if her spouse is dallying out in the brothels and a man who appreciate the lack of attention from his partner. Despite Caedmon's protests, Steven Paille insisted that Cassius was the one to marry Verena, figuring that Caedmon will be more suited for a proper lady. Forced to drift apart, the two rarely ever seen each other anymore and kept their past a secret. As honorable as he was, Caedmon kept his distance, respecting his brother's betrothal.
Not long after that, Verena decided to open up her own business. It was simply an outlet for her talent - it beats sitting and gossiping on a mansion porch. And to distract herself from the whole romantic ordeal she was tangled in. The simple clinic located on the Dry Island Plaza was becoming a second home to her.
*subject to minor changes![[Verified by Banickle]](./images/checkmark.png "[Verified by Banickle]")
And I will be prioritizing the quest I am currently involved in! So, sorry everyone!