Post by M'kel on Mar 4, 2009 19:28:52 GMT -5
Character Name: Retivor (REH-ti-vore) Will shorten to R’tivor (R’TIE-vore)
Age: 16
Gender: Male
Preference: Males
Previous Position: Apprentice Herder
Current Position: Candidate
Appearance: Soft, amber-coloured bangs fall across Retivor’s pale forehead, while the rest of his golden-brown hair settles at just below his ears. Below the bangs is a pair of deep blue eyes, their colour reminiscent of the vibrant sky on a bright spring day. The rest of his features are small and delicate, with no hint of boldness in either his narrow chin or slightly pointed nose.
Retivor has a slender build, which matches his rather unimpressive height of 5’6” quite well. Along with his soft, warm features, it is no surprise that the lad’s appearance has often been described as somewhat feminine. His shoulders are not broad, and his limbs are not well-muscled. Instead of strength, he has been granted agility, and speed if he needs it.
Personality: Just as there is nothing hard about his features, Retivor’s manner is anything but unapproachable. He is a very light-hearted lad, joking easily with strangers and friends alike, and he is always open to company. Despite his kind nature, though, Retivor has few close relationships. He has many companions he would call friends, but there are few that he forms deep bonds with. He is an amazingly private person in that regard, taking time before investing his trust in others.
There is also an innocent side to Retivor, in spite of the darkness he has seen. Although his self-confidence has been thrown into question by recent events, he still has hope that others will return his friendly appeals. At times, the lad may be mistaken for shy, due to his quiet exterior, but he is always ready with a smile when others approach.
Those who do spend more time with him will discover that Retivor is a bit of a romantic. While alone with the herdbeasts, watching for wherry flocks that might fancy a meal from one of his charges, the lad often takes out a scrap of canvas and his small set of paints to capture Rukbat while it sets or a pond as it ripples in the breeze. Unfortunately for Retivor, he is liable to fall in love with crushes as quickly as nature scenes, and the lad may suffer a number of heartbreaks due to his overeager affection.
History: Retivor was the first child born to Master Herder Reklin and his wife Tivia in the small mountain village of Winddance Hold. In the mountains, little could grow except shrubs and grass, making the Minor Hold ideal for raising ‘beasts of all kinds. Reklin had grown up in the Hold and sought out an Apprenticeship at the Herder Hall at a young age. After achieving his Master status, he promptly returned to Winddance Hold to improve the Hold’s stock and make the area famous for its tough yet fat herdbeasts. He brought his new wife, Tivia, whom he had met during his time at the Hall, back with him.
From the day that Retivor could walk, his Father would take him out to watch the ‘beasts. The growing population had been divided into manageable herds, each of which was sent off with one of the Hold’s boys to range the mountainside for vegetation. His father quickly began teaching Retivor everything he knew about ‘beasts, even insisting the boy be present to watch his father assist in births. Retivor grew very close to his Father over the Turns, relishing the time he was able to spend with him and eager to depart each morning for the fields.
His younger brother, Taniva, was born when Retivor was four Turns old. Soon, his Father was bringing the younger one along on his and Retivor’s forays, and the older boy couldn’t help but feel a little jealous of his Father’s divided attention. However, Taniva was vivacious and bubbly, and Retivor soon came to enjoy having his brother along.
Both boys easily made friends with the other lads at the Hold, taking off on their free days to explore the countryside with their ‘pack’, as they called it, and otherwise getting into trouble around the Hold. Retivor became fast friends with Daikri, the Minor Holder’s oldest son, in particular. The pair formed the core of the ‘pack’, always together even if the others weren’t around. On occasion, they’d even sneak off without the others to explore on their own.
By the time Retivor had 12 Turns, he was assigned a herd of his own to watch, and suddenly found his days far more lonely and isolated. Leaving at dawn with the herdbeasts, he would make his way to one of the many valleys and lakes surrounding the mountain Hold and settle there for the day to watch the ‘beasts graze. It was on these lonely forays that he developed his interest in painting, bringing along supplies to wile away the candlemarks. Some days, Daikri would join him, for the Holder’s son wasn’t given the chores of other lads. So long as he attended to his Father for lessons in managing the Hold, the boy was basically free to go where he pleased.
Sometimes, they just sat and talked, watching the animals wander about. Other times, Retivor would paint while Daikri looked on. He was one of the few Retivor felt comfortable sharing his art with, for Daikri always complimented the pieces and confessed his wish that he was as talented.
By the time Retivor was 15 Turns, his attraction to other boys had become quite well known to him, and the lad found himself hopelessly in love with Daikri. Ashamed of his feelings and certain they would be poorly received, he hid them away, acting as normally as possible whenever his friend was around. They still spent much of their free time together, despite the growing demands on all of the boys to assume more responsibilities and chores. Reklin had even begun to pressure Retivor to make his way to the Crafthall to complete his training, but Retivor was loathe to leave just yet, although he kept his main reason hidden.
On one of his days off, Retivor made his way to the Hold proper to visit Daikri. Upon arriving, he found a frantic Daikri just rushing out the door. His friend grabbed his arm and hauled him through the corridors, ignoring Retivor’s protests and inquiries alike, until they reached his room. There, Retivor’s surprised gaze fell upon a wriggling egg, its surface riddled with cracks. Before he could ask his friend what was going on, however, Daikri had stuffed a meatroll into his hand and pushed him forward. Retivor fell to his knees in front of the small egg just as the two halves of the shell split, and a glistening green fire lizard fell onto the floor.
“Feed her, quickly!” his friend had urged, and Retivor complied with shaking fingers, eager eyes locked upon the sweet creature. Once she was sated and curled in his lap, Retivor finally looked up at Daikri. His friend was seated beside him, smiling at the fire lizard and then at his friend when their eyes met.
“Why?” was all Retivor could ask, the gratitude raw in his voice.
“My father brought back a few eggs from his last trip to Green River Hold. He gave me one of them, but I thought you could use someone to keep you company, when you’re out with the ‘beasts all day.” Daikri was positively beaming as he looked back down at the sleeping flitter.
Retivor, still caught up in the swirl of awe and love he felt for his new fire lizard, caught his breath at his friend’s words. Daikri had been given a fire lizard, a pet every lad in the mountains, where flitters did not nest, dreamed of. It was the kindest thing anyone had ever done for him.
Before he knew it, Retivor had leaned forward and was kissing Daikri.
His friend was still for a moment, and then, with a flickering heart, Retivor knew he was kissing back…
…When the door burst open, and three of their friends came pouring in.
Instantly, before he could even react, Retivor felt hands against his chest, and Daikri pushed him away.
“Get off me!” the other boy cried, leaping to his feet.
Their three friends stood in stunned silence, staring at the pair. Daikri stared down at Retivor with an alternating flash of pain, fear, and anger crossing his face, before he turned to the others. “What a freak!” he exclaimed, striding forward and past them. His head was kept low, to hide his expression, but it didn’t matter, for the three were now staring at Retivor.
“That’s disgusting,” one murmured.
“Poor Daikri!” another muttered.
“You stay away from me, freak!” the third cried out, as the other two nodded their agreement and turned to follow Daikri.
In that moment, Retivor’s life was over.
He returned to his home, numb, and lay in bed staring at the ceiling. The green fire lizard snored easily on his stomach, unaware of the chaos enveloping her new person’s life. He ignored his mother when she knocked on the door to let him know it was supper time. He didn’t move, even as night began to fall, staring up at the wooden roof as if it could provide all the answers. His heart thudded a painful tempo in his chest. Taniva would know, soon. The others were sure to tell him. What would his brother think?
“Retivor, dear,” Tivia called from the doorway, concern evident in her tone. “One of your friends just left a note for you. I’ll leave it here if you want to read it.” He heard her set the note on the side table but refused to look at her.
Agonized, terrified of what it might hold, Retivor stared determinedly at the ceiling for some time more. He was sure it would be the final condemnation, the casting off of all friendships. He couldn’t bear to face that pain.
And then he was fed up, tired of the fear that coursed through his veins, and Retivor shifted the flitter onto his bed, striding over to the note and tearing open the seal. Immediately, his eyes sought the signature, and his heart spasmed at the name. Daikri.
Quickly, his gaze flitted over the brief, one-line message. Meet me at the lake tonight.
Stumbling, Retivor returned to his bed and sat down, hard. The green fire lizard chirped once before falling back asleep. Daikri was probably going to yell at him, to demand he give back the fire lizard and leave the Hold immediately, so he would never see him again…
And yet hope bloomed in his chest. He had felt Daikri kiss back; he knew he had. So maybe his friend was going to tell him he felt the same way, that he had just been scared in front of the others.
With that, he was decided. Gathering his sleeping fire lizard into his cloak, Retivor slipped from the house. He knew what lake Daikri was referring to. It was one they had often gone to without the others, to talk alone.
By the time he arrived, there was no hint of light left in the sky, and the world was still. Anxiously, Retivor waited for the arrival of his friend, pacing back and forth along the shoreline as he did so. Suddenly, a dark figure appeared on the hill above, and Retivor froze, gazing up at him. He was silent, waiting. The figure was equally silent, gazing back.
And then three other figures appeared behind him.
Retivor felt a lump form in his throat, choking off his voice and his breath alike, and he remained frozen. The four figures made their way quickly down the hill and arrayed themselves in front of him. He waited for them to speak first.
They didn’t.
One of them suddenly charged forward, hitting him in the chest and knocking him to the ground. Retivor cried out in surprise, and claws scrabbled against his torso as the green flitter tore her way free from the cloak and screeched between. Two others moved forward immediately, and they all began kicking him. The other stood, watching, and Retivor knew who it was, though he could not see his face in the gloom.
“Daikri!” he gasped, trying to roll away from the hard boots that were thudding against his sides. “Make them stop!” A kick to the head cut off further protests, and Retivor raised his hands to try and fend off more of the attack, while another boot stomped on his stomach and caused him to double up in pain.
Hands grasped his raised arms, and he was drug into the lake. “No!” he managed to cry, before he was pushed under the water. Hands and feet alike held him down, while he struggled, his screams muffled by the water. The last image that still burned in his mind was the still figure on the shoreline, looking on. And then everything went black.
He probably would have died, had it not been for the green fire lizard. After the boys had left, she came flitting back to the place where hers had last been. He was lying face down in the water, so close to shore, and the green immediately dug her claws into his tunic, flapping her little wings and trying to pull him out. When that didn’t work, she dug her claws into his neck instead, rousing the lad enough that he coughed, pulled himself forward just enough to breathe, and passed out again.
When he woke up the next morning, the green fire lizard curled up on the back of his neck, Retivor lay still for a moment. Then he rose, carrying the sleeping green that had saved his life, and returned to his home. His parents were horrified at the sight of him, dried blood and bruises all along his face (and more hidden by his cloak), but he refused to answer their questions. Instead, he told Reklin that he was ready to go to the Herder Crafthall.
He left that day. He never learned what Taniva thought of him now and was glad of it. Retivor wanted that memory left untouched, needed to believe his brother would still love him.
It took a while, but Retivor gradually began to heal, both physically and emotionally. Sprite, as he’d decided to name the flitter, was there with him at all times to help him through, with bottomless love and affection for hers. He began to make new friends at the Hall and received the admiration of his instructors, who were impressed by the amount of knowledge he had gained so far. Life had pretty much settled back to normal, as different as it now was. The lad ignored the incident that was now his past, for he had learned that other places were more tolerant of who he was.
When he was chosen on a Search, Retivor was ecstatic. He had the chance to be a dragonrider, which was thrilling enough, but he also knew that there would be others like him at the Weyr. There, he would find acceptance, he was certain of it, and so he looked upon this new life with great hope. His spirit was restored at last.
Position in Family: Oldest of two boys
Pets: Green fire lizard Sprite
Alignment: Rebel
Dragon Colour: N/A
Dragon Personality: N/A
Dragon's Name: N/A
Relation to Existing Character: N/A
Special Requests Application reason: Fire lizard who is necessary for his history.
RP History: 8 years
Familiarity with Pern: Read all the books except the newest
How you found out about our site: Maaade it
Candidates Only Section:
Desired Dragon Colour: Green
Reason for this Preference: Because he couldn’t possibly suit anything else!
Syllable Numbers for Name: 2-3
Preferred Starting Letters for Name: R, S, T
For Dragonriders and Candidates to Fill Out:
Preferred Dragon Ability: Search, Creativity, Agility
Age: 16
Gender: Male
Preference: Males
Previous Position: Apprentice Herder
Current Position: Candidate
Appearance: Soft, amber-coloured bangs fall across Retivor’s pale forehead, while the rest of his golden-brown hair settles at just below his ears. Below the bangs is a pair of deep blue eyes, their colour reminiscent of the vibrant sky on a bright spring day. The rest of his features are small and delicate, with no hint of boldness in either his narrow chin or slightly pointed nose.
Retivor has a slender build, which matches his rather unimpressive height of 5’6” quite well. Along with his soft, warm features, it is no surprise that the lad’s appearance has often been described as somewhat feminine. His shoulders are not broad, and his limbs are not well-muscled. Instead of strength, he has been granted agility, and speed if he needs it.
Personality: Just as there is nothing hard about his features, Retivor’s manner is anything but unapproachable. He is a very light-hearted lad, joking easily with strangers and friends alike, and he is always open to company. Despite his kind nature, though, Retivor has few close relationships. He has many companions he would call friends, but there are few that he forms deep bonds with. He is an amazingly private person in that regard, taking time before investing his trust in others.
There is also an innocent side to Retivor, in spite of the darkness he has seen. Although his self-confidence has been thrown into question by recent events, he still has hope that others will return his friendly appeals. At times, the lad may be mistaken for shy, due to his quiet exterior, but he is always ready with a smile when others approach.
Those who do spend more time with him will discover that Retivor is a bit of a romantic. While alone with the herdbeasts, watching for wherry flocks that might fancy a meal from one of his charges, the lad often takes out a scrap of canvas and his small set of paints to capture Rukbat while it sets or a pond as it ripples in the breeze. Unfortunately for Retivor, he is liable to fall in love with crushes as quickly as nature scenes, and the lad may suffer a number of heartbreaks due to his overeager affection.
History: Retivor was the first child born to Master Herder Reklin and his wife Tivia in the small mountain village of Winddance Hold. In the mountains, little could grow except shrubs and grass, making the Minor Hold ideal for raising ‘beasts of all kinds. Reklin had grown up in the Hold and sought out an Apprenticeship at the Herder Hall at a young age. After achieving his Master status, he promptly returned to Winddance Hold to improve the Hold’s stock and make the area famous for its tough yet fat herdbeasts. He brought his new wife, Tivia, whom he had met during his time at the Hall, back with him.
From the day that Retivor could walk, his Father would take him out to watch the ‘beasts. The growing population had been divided into manageable herds, each of which was sent off with one of the Hold’s boys to range the mountainside for vegetation. His father quickly began teaching Retivor everything he knew about ‘beasts, even insisting the boy be present to watch his father assist in births. Retivor grew very close to his Father over the Turns, relishing the time he was able to spend with him and eager to depart each morning for the fields.
His younger brother, Taniva, was born when Retivor was four Turns old. Soon, his Father was bringing the younger one along on his and Retivor’s forays, and the older boy couldn’t help but feel a little jealous of his Father’s divided attention. However, Taniva was vivacious and bubbly, and Retivor soon came to enjoy having his brother along.
Both boys easily made friends with the other lads at the Hold, taking off on their free days to explore the countryside with their ‘pack’, as they called it, and otherwise getting into trouble around the Hold. Retivor became fast friends with Daikri, the Minor Holder’s oldest son, in particular. The pair formed the core of the ‘pack’, always together even if the others weren’t around. On occasion, they’d even sneak off without the others to explore on their own.
By the time Retivor had 12 Turns, he was assigned a herd of his own to watch, and suddenly found his days far more lonely and isolated. Leaving at dawn with the herdbeasts, he would make his way to one of the many valleys and lakes surrounding the mountain Hold and settle there for the day to watch the ‘beasts graze. It was on these lonely forays that he developed his interest in painting, bringing along supplies to wile away the candlemarks. Some days, Daikri would join him, for the Holder’s son wasn’t given the chores of other lads. So long as he attended to his Father for lessons in managing the Hold, the boy was basically free to go where he pleased.
Sometimes, they just sat and talked, watching the animals wander about. Other times, Retivor would paint while Daikri looked on. He was one of the few Retivor felt comfortable sharing his art with, for Daikri always complimented the pieces and confessed his wish that he was as talented.
By the time Retivor was 15 Turns, his attraction to other boys had become quite well known to him, and the lad found himself hopelessly in love with Daikri. Ashamed of his feelings and certain they would be poorly received, he hid them away, acting as normally as possible whenever his friend was around. They still spent much of their free time together, despite the growing demands on all of the boys to assume more responsibilities and chores. Reklin had even begun to pressure Retivor to make his way to the Crafthall to complete his training, but Retivor was loathe to leave just yet, although he kept his main reason hidden.
On one of his days off, Retivor made his way to the Hold proper to visit Daikri. Upon arriving, he found a frantic Daikri just rushing out the door. His friend grabbed his arm and hauled him through the corridors, ignoring Retivor’s protests and inquiries alike, until they reached his room. There, Retivor’s surprised gaze fell upon a wriggling egg, its surface riddled with cracks. Before he could ask his friend what was going on, however, Daikri had stuffed a meatroll into his hand and pushed him forward. Retivor fell to his knees in front of the small egg just as the two halves of the shell split, and a glistening green fire lizard fell onto the floor.
“Feed her, quickly!” his friend had urged, and Retivor complied with shaking fingers, eager eyes locked upon the sweet creature. Once she was sated and curled in his lap, Retivor finally looked up at Daikri. His friend was seated beside him, smiling at the fire lizard and then at his friend when their eyes met.
“Why?” was all Retivor could ask, the gratitude raw in his voice.
“My father brought back a few eggs from his last trip to Green River Hold. He gave me one of them, but I thought you could use someone to keep you company, when you’re out with the ‘beasts all day.” Daikri was positively beaming as he looked back down at the sleeping flitter.
Retivor, still caught up in the swirl of awe and love he felt for his new fire lizard, caught his breath at his friend’s words. Daikri had been given a fire lizard, a pet every lad in the mountains, where flitters did not nest, dreamed of. It was the kindest thing anyone had ever done for him.
Before he knew it, Retivor had leaned forward and was kissing Daikri.
His friend was still for a moment, and then, with a flickering heart, Retivor knew he was kissing back…
…When the door burst open, and three of their friends came pouring in.
Instantly, before he could even react, Retivor felt hands against his chest, and Daikri pushed him away.
“Get off me!” the other boy cried, leaping to his feet.
Their three friends stood in stunned silence, staring at the pair. Daikri stared down at Retivor with an alternating flash of pain, fear, and anger crossing his face, before he turned to the others. “What a freak!” he exclaimed, striding forward and past them. His head was kept low, to hide his expression, but it didn’t matter, for the three were now staring at Retivor.
“That’s disgusting,” one murmured.
“Poor Daikri!” another muttered.
“You stay away from me, freak!” the third cried out, as the other two nodded their agreement and turned to follow Daikri.
In that moment, Retivor’s life was over.
He returned to his home, numb, and lay in bed staring at the ceiling. The green fire lizard snored easily on his stomach, unaware of the chaos enveloping her new person’s life. He ignored his mother when she knocked on the door to let him know it was supper time. He didn’t move, even as night began to fall, staring up at the wooden roof as if it could provide all the answers. His heart thudded a painful tempo in his chest. Taniva would know, soon. The others were sure to tell him. What would his brother think?
“Retivor, dear,” Tivia called from the doorway, concern evident in her tone. “One of your friends just left a note for you. I’ll leave it here if you want to read it.” He heard her set the note on the side table but refused to look at her.
Agonized, terrified of what it might hold, Retivor stared determinedly at the ceiling for some time more. He was sure it would be the final condemnation, the casting off of all friendships. He couldn’t bear to face that pain.
And then he was fed up, tired of the fear that coursed through his veins, and Retivor shifted the flitter onto his bed, striding over to the note and tearing open the seal. Immediately, his eyes sought the signature, and his heart spasmed at the name. Daikri.
Quickly, his gaze flitted over the brief, one-line message. Meet me at the lake tonight.
Stumbling, Retivor returned to his bed and sat down, hard. The green fire lizard chirped once before falling back asleep. Daikri was probably going to yell at him, to demand he give back the fire lizard and leave the Hold immediately, so he would never see him again…
And yet hope bloomed in his chest. He had felt Daikri kiss back; he knew he had. So maybe his friend was going to tell him he felt the same way, that he had just been scared in front of the others.
With that, he was decided. Gathering his sleeping fire lizard into his cloak, Retivor slipped from the house. He knew what lake Daikri was referring to. It was one they had often gone to without the others, to talk alone.
By the time he arrived, there was no hint of light left in the sky, and the world was still. Anxiously, Retivor waited for the arrival of his friend, pacing back and forth along the shoreline as he did so. Suddenly, a dark figure appeared on the hill above, and Retivor froze, gazing up at him. He was silent, waiting. The figure was equally silent, gazing back.
And then three other figures appeared behind him.
Retivor felt a lump form in his throat, choking off his voice and his breath alike, and he remained frozen. The four figures made their way quickly down the hill and arrayed themselves in front of him. He waited for them to speak first.
They didn’t.
One of them suddenly charged forward, hitting him in the chest and knocking him to the ground. Retivor cried out in surprise, and claws scrabbled against his torso as the green flitter tore her way free from the cloak and screeched between. Two others moved forward immediately, and they all began kicking him. The other stood, watching, and Retivor knew who it was, though he could not see his face in the gloom.
“Daikri!” he gasped, trying to roll away from the hard boots that were thudding against his sides. “Make them stop!” A kick to the head cut off further protests, and Retivor raised his hands to try and fend off more of the attack, while another boot stomped on his stomach and caused him to double up in pain.
Hands grasped his raised arms, and he was drug into the lake. “No!” he managed to cry, before he was pushed under the water. Hands and feet alike held him down, while he struggled, his screams muffled by the water. The last image that still burned in his mind was the still figure on the shoreline, looking on. And then everything went black.
He probably would have died, had it not been for the green fire lizard. After the boys had left, she came flitting back to the place where hers had last been. He was lying face down in the water, so close to shore, and the green immediately dug her claws into his tunic, flapping her little wings and trying to pull him out. When that didn’t work, she dug her claws into his neck instead, rousing the lad enough that he coughed, pulled himself forward just enough to breathe, and passed out again.
When he woke up the next morning, the green fire lizard curled up on the back of his neck, Retivor lay still for a moment. Then he rose, carrying the sleeping green that had saved his life, and returned to his home. His parents were horrified at the sight of him, dried blood and bruises all along his face (and more hidden by his cloak), but he refused to answer their questions. Instead, he told Reklin that he was ready to go to the Herder Crafthall.
He left that day. He never learned what Taniva thought of him now and was glad of it. Retivor wanted that memory left untouched, needed to believe his brother would still love him.
It took a while, but Retivor gradually began to heal, both physically and emotionally. Sprite, as he’d decided to name the flitter, was there with him at all times to help him through, with bottomless love and affection for hers. He began to make new friends at the Hall and received the admiration of his instructors, who were impressed by the amount of knowledge he had gained so far. Life had pretty much settled back to normal, as different as it now was. The lad ignored the incident that was now his past, for he had learned that other places were more tolerant of who he was.
When he was chosen on a Search, Retivor was ecstatic. He had the chance to be a dragonrider, which was thrilling enough, but he also knew that there would be others like him at the Weyr. There, he would find acceptance, he was certain of it, and so he looked upon this new life with great hope. His spirit was restored at last.
Position in Family: Oldest of two boys
Pets: Green fire lizard Sprite
Alignment: Rebel
Dragon Colour: N/A
Dragon Personality: N/A
Dragon's Name: N/A
Relation to Existing Character: N/A
Special Requests Application reason: Fire lizard who is necessary for his history.
RP History: 8 years
Familiarity with Pern: Read all the books except the newest
How you found out about our site: Maaade it
Candidates Only Section:
Desired Dragon Colour: Green
Reason for this Preference: Because he couldn’t possibly suit anything else!
Syllable Numbers for Name: 2-3
Preferred Starting Letters for Name: R, S, T
For Dragonriders and Candidates to Fill Out:
Preferred Dragon Ability: Search, Creativity, Agility
