Character Avatar: Esme Creed-Miles
Player: Imaginos
Character Name: Cyrielle Alaman
Age: 18
Birthday: June 1
Height: 5'7"
Rank/Title: Handmaiden
Race: d'Angeline
Country/Province: Camlach
Appearance:
Cyrielle is of slightly above-average height and often wears her chestnut brown hair tied back in a loose tail. She favors practical clothing and always has a satchel of 'stuff' nearby that could be just about anything - stray keys, seeds, pins, coins, and the like - a habit from seeing to her lady charge's every needs since childhood. Cyrielle's eyes are a strikingly dark color of blue, and they're a very notable feature on a person who has always preferred to be unseen in the background.
Personality:
Who is the real Cyri? For most of her years, life has been dominated by her Lady's wants and desires (and her own personal sense of pride at keeping Fleurette alive for that long), so she's really only now beginning to feel the need to explore herself. She can be subtle as needed, but prefers to be direct and plain-spoken with a strong dosage of sardonic, dry wit. As a maid she has a mind like a steel trap, is a decent hand at sewing, and fairly masterful in the kitchens. Languages are a major passion, especially the swear words, of which she is always ready to learn more. She also absolutely loves bats. Dunno why, she just does.
Additional Information
Marital Status: Single
Known Languages: Native d'Angeline, passable Caerdicci, some Skaldi words and phrases.
Strengths and Weaknesses:
Sharp: Cyrielle notices things, even that which most would let pass unobserved. She has a head for names, dates, and heraldries, and has a rudimentary formal education.
Determined: She can be relentless like a dog with a bone when going after answers, and has a strong core of resilience that tends to be like a stone in the middle of a river.
Kind: Cyri will always go out of her way to help the less fortunate, or to show kindness to a stranger. That doesn't mean she's a pushover, though - her trust is something that needs earned first.
Dependent: Having been a handmaiden since the age of 8, Cyri has never really experienced much of a world without Fleur beside her. In fact, the idea that her Lady may one day not need her anymore is scarier than Cyrielle would like to admit.
Family Members/Important NPCs:
Josette Alaman: Mother, household seamstress and weaver.
Leon Alaman: Father, Seneschal of the Lavigne Estates.
Fleurette de Lavigne: Her charge and duty.
History:
Ten or so years ago, a nobleman and his retinue were traveling the roads across the mountains from Caerdiccia to Camalch when they were set upon by highwaymen. As the noble moved to protect his family, his footman Leon took up a spare boar spear from the wagon and charged the robbers. The man actually succeeded in chasing them off, earning him the lord's gratitude and a place of honor in his household. About a year later, Leon Alaman was named Seneschal of the Lavigne Estate, ensuring that his act of loyalty secured his family's immediate future.
Cyrielle had already been living in the household, of course, working in the kitchens as a child while her mother kept the family's clothing intact. It was not an extravagant household in comparison to nobles in the City, but it was a comfortable life. Initially, Cyrielle only knew the family's daughter by reputation, as it always seemed like she was surrounded by a retinue. All Cyri knew was that Fleurette was about her age, even if she looked years younger in size.
When Cyrielle's father became the head of the household affairs, she then found herself with a new charge. Cyri's mother set her aside and told her that she would now be the Lady Fleur's companion, and that it was a great honor, to which Cyrielle agreed with all the wide-eyed earnestness that an eight year old girl could summon.
It was the same life, but somehow completely different. As Fleurette's handmaiden, Cyrielle was to see to her every need and want, make sure what she reached for was within grasp, and (as told to her in secret by her father) to make sure the Lady Fleurette de Lavigne didn't fall down a well and break her godsdamned neck or something.
Cyrielle spent the next decade as Fleurette's shadow. She learned early on how to best keep her charge out of danger, and from people who might hurt or take advantage of her, so much so that it became almost like a divine directive. Together they learned letters, numbers, riding, and the more practical sciences and histories, although Cyrielle tended to be the more careful student.
Naturally, when Fleur came of age, the girl started to talk about seeing the outside world. It took no small amount of convincing for her parents to allow her out, and Cyri's continued presence at Fleur's side was probably the only thing that made it happen. The City of Elua was a safer place than many in the world, or so Cyri had always overheard from passing merchants. Whatever the City held for them, Cyri knew that she would be at her Lady's side for it.
If the smooth side of her tongue doesn't work, the rougher one will. That, or the slim short sword of Camlach steel she keeps hidden. Watch out, world!
Updates:
Approved by Janet, 20th March 2025
