Melaina of Solaris Spring

About You
Name: Savannah, or Sav
Age: Seventeen
How did you find us: Caution 2.0
Rules Password: [Password Accepted ~Cara]

Character Basics
Full Name: Melaina
Alias(es)/Nickname(s): Mel is most common
Gender: Female
Age: Unknown, generally accepted to be around forty, however she appears in her mid teens.
Species: Naiad, specifically a Pegaeae, nymphs of springs.
Status/Title: Guardian of the Solaris Spring
Affiliation: Narnia, as she is an Old Narnian

Character Appearance
Hair/Fur/Feathers: She would have been better suited with paler hair, hair that would almost melt away in the water which she calls her home. However, Melaina was instead given hair the color of flame, rather inappropriate for a water nymph, no? It is fairly curly, perhaps more so along the lines of wavy. It falls long down her back, and can easily reach her waist. She is rather proud of her hair, and therefore has the tendency to spend long moments by her spring, combing it. However, she prefers to wear it up rather than taking it down. She enjoys the feeling about her shoulders, not to mention it makes it easier not to wear clothing, even in her usual solitude.
Eyes: A bright, youthful shade of green-blue, perhaps aquamarine would be the best color to describe them. They are soft, almost wide in a childlike wonder.
Overall: (At least a paragraph. DescPerhaps the first thing that is to be noticed about Melaina is the way that she walks. It is more of an easy saunter, but more like a constant dance. It is as fluid and graceful as the water she lives in. She has a rather delicate way to her, just as fragile and almost inconsistent as the spring in which she dwells. Her skin is rather pale, not quite translucent, as it has a healthy rosy glow to it, marred by only a few freckles sprinkled over her nose. Her body is youthful, as she is a rather young naiad, for she is only just a little spring, perhaps appearing no older than the age of sixteen. She stands at a fairly average height, at five foot four to be exact, however her body is lithe and slender. Melaina, as she spends most of her time curled up within her spring, usually is not clothed. However, she understands the rules of society, and dons simple dresses for recreational purposes.
Portrayal: rachel hurd wood

Character Personality
Likes: THE WARMER MONTHS- Spring and Summer are the seasons in which she flourishes, and is most happy. Therefore, she enjoys them.
FRUITS- As she does not consume the flesh of other beings, nor really needs to eat at all, she enjoys the taste of fruit, however, and will gladly eat it.
COMPANY- Although she’s grown used to her solitude, she prefers to be surrounded by activity, and good company of course, as she enjoys to talk.
AFTERNOONS- As they always feel more relaxed than mornings and are the warmest points of the day.
LEARNING- Although not publically educated, she has always enjoyed learning something knew, such as a skill or perhaps even a new word.
WATER- This, of course, is only natural.
SINGING- It is one of the few things that she actually does quite well, other than keep her spring.
HER HAIR- As stated before, she is rather vain about it as a whole.
Dislikes: WINTER- She finds it a rather intolerable season.
DRAUGHT- It causes her to suffer.
INTROVERTS- Due to the fact that they make poor company.
FIGHTING- Of any sort, as it is rather unpleasant. This ranges from full scale battles to simple bickering.
HEIGHTS- She has only climbed a tree once or twice before in her life, and finds heights rather unpleasant, and therefore prefers to remain grounded.
THE COLD- As it is connected to winter, which she finds horrific.

Strengths: HER GENTLE NATURE- This is not to say that she cannot have a temper, however there is an easy going way about Mel. This makes it rather easy for others to talk to her.
HER SPIRIT- Although relatively gentle, she is rather stubborn and had the tendency to be a bit more independent than expected. However, this can be credited to her living alone for the vast majority of her life.
HER OPTIMISM- It keeps her upbeat, relatively unfazed by the ‘bad’ in the world.
HER INTELLIGENCE- She is learned in her letters, however is a quick learner and has a witty tongue.
HER INNOCENCE- Unspoiled by the world, she possesses a wide eyed, childlike wonder that makes it easy for most to dote upon her.
Weaknesses: HER CURIOSITY- To put it simply: curiosity killed the cat.
HER NAIVETY- She had not experienced the ‘outside world’ and therefore knows little when it comes to who to trust.
HER JUDGMENT- Although not necessarily a bad judge of character, she judges people far too quickly for her own good.
HER GULLIBLE NATURE- She believes many things she hears, and often does not check her sources.
HER HONESTY- To say brutally honest is an understatement. She is not a skilled liar and never will be. She allows her emotions to shine through at almost every moment. To say the least, she’s as transparent as the water she dwells in.
HER SPRING- She is bound to it, and therefore if it is to be harmed, she will be harmed.

General Personality: Perhaps the first thing that should be said about Melaina is that she is very, very, young. Although one cannot assess her true age, it can be assumed that she hasn’t been long for this world. Perhaps its that childlike curiosity, or the general naivety that she possesses. She is innocent, to say the least, un-spoilt by the beast or man, instead living mostly by herself in the wilds of the woods. And perhaps it’s her rather childlike demeanor that has caused her to long for the attention of others. She enjoys talking, and is as much as a ‘bubbling brook’ as the natural waterform. However, it’s rather difficult for her to find people, or creatures for that matter, that are willing to pause and speak to her, rather than just drink from her spring. None the less, she has the tendency to be rather sociable, if not entirely welcoming and friendly to those around her. Mel has learned to appreciate the company that ever comes her way, as she has not been entirely socialized with her people, naiads. Why may you ask? Because she was born after they fell asleep, and therefore, has been in this world, entirely alone, for quite some time (however this time is direly insignificant in comparison to the age of many other naiads). Her overall attitude is amicable, enthusiastic, and optimistic, as she hasn’t really experienced the cruelty of others due to her rather sheltered life. It is to be noted that springs spend most of their time beneath the ground, only surfacing during the spring.

Of course, springs have the tendency to be rather temperamental, flighty things. They have the tendency to be rather inconsistent, perhaps a little fickle and unpredictable. However, it is the unpredictable nature of Melaina that has kept her out of harms way. You see, springs can easily change the direction in which they flow, burrowing beneath root and stump and flowing down the land before exiting to the sea. They collect the rainwater and melting snow, their lifeblood, and therefore the strength of a spring is determined by the amount of precipitation. However, Melaina is not unpredictable because of simply the fact that she is bound to a spring, but because she simply was born and independent soul. You see, springs are not fed by rivers or streams, but they are fed by rainfall and groundwater. Therefore, Melaina does not owe her existence to another naiad, but to the rain. She has grown slightly wild, as she’s aged, becoming a little more than a wide eyed flower child, instead she has a ferociousness that may come out at the most random of times. You see, all nymphs are jealously protective of their bound body of water, as it is the only reason as to why they survive. They suffer when the water suffers, they thrive when the water thrives. So, Mel has learned to become quite protective, if not jealous, of her water. Not to mention that she has become rather self sufficient due to her occupation as the keeper of her spring. She is alone, and no one is out there to protect her, and so she has become rather disdainful of asking for, or allowing help to be lent to her. Her pride would be hurt too much if she asked for others to care for the spring that was charged to her. Therefore, Melaina has a certain prideful demeanor to her.

When one is alone too long, one becomes selfish, perhaps a little vain, and has the tendency to cling to company. Annoying habits are abundant in all creatures, and Melaina is not acceptation to this rule. It is true that she is an incredibly proud creature, knowing that she is one of the few of her kind that has managed to come out of her deep sleep. Although, now that she thinks of it, he was never really asleep, she was simply born. She has an air of selfishness to her, namely because she really has not been able to care for anyone but herself. She raised herself, and therefore has not been ever scolded, nor really told that she was wrong. So, to say the least, she has the tendency to be a tad condescending if not rather stuck in her own ways. She doesn’t like to admit that she is wrong, nor does she really find it necessary for others to tell her otherwise. Melaina is also quick to judge, she rarely allows people to make a ‘good’ first impression. Instead, she prefers to simply make her own assessments, and tends to over think simple situations. Despite the fact that she really isn’t entirely learned, as most nymphs never receive any sort of training, Mel has a certain amount of intelligence to her. She has a sarcastic, rather blunt wit to her, and enjoys nothing more than saying something completely unexpected. However, because of her childlike innocence, she is quite naïve, and tends to be too trusting for her own good. She’s gullible, faithful to the old ways to the point of archaic-ness, and has an undying deep curiosity for all things human.

Humans, although decidedly rare until the appearance of the Telmarines, have always been relatively curious creatures to the young Melaina. They are neither creatures she would like to toil with, nor would she like to entirely befriend them, as she has not yet known a human. What she knows about humans are told by a wandering badger or a faun or perhaps a centaur that pauses to drink at her little pool. At this point, she doesn’t know whether or not to fear them or to be in awe of them. Quite honestly, it is a little of both. They are simply another curiosity in a world of curiosities. She would like to, perhaps someday, venture a little farther from her spring and view the world. From the little bits of bravery that she has managed to collect throughout her entire life, she has managed to peep in on the on goings of the world, hanging on the fringe of society. Although curious, she is young and a being that has the tendency to be a little too reckless for her own good. She is young, and therefore still really considered a child, despite the fact that she is perhaps middle aged in human years. Never the less, Melaina has much to learn of the world, as she has only been there for a very short period of time, and that time has been sheltered. So, all in all, she is just a simple child. To put it simply, Melaina is a creature that is most comfortable in times of peace. However, due to the unusual circumstances, she has become rather wild, in the sense that she is spirited enough of fight for a cause. None the less, if she were forced to partake in a fight, she would more naturally sit and help the wounded rather than participate in the wounding.

Character History
Family: N/A

General History: There once was a river in the forest, and that river had many streams that flowed off of it and into the wilds of the wood. However, these streams had the tendency to dry up, and there was one that disconnected as a whole, leaving a long groove in the ground. That naiad was dead, and when winter passed and spring came, a new one was born. The rains and the snow provided enough water to supply the birth of a new soul. Water ran down the side of the mountain, cultivating in a small spring and later a small pool. And from that underground spring came forth Melaina, who does not know how she was named, nor really does anyone. It is a theory to some that nymphs end up naming themselves, as they do not have parents. The stream and the pool collectively are her home, as at one point, the underground spring does come aboveground to briefly show it’s clear self in the tiny pool, which is seemingly fed by magic. Melania was born, perhaps forty years ago, after the time of the conquering of Narnia. Therefore, she has not known a time that was not ruled by the Telmarines. Instead, she sees it as a hard fact of life, that she is one of the few of her kind that is actively observing the world.

The birth of a naiad is generally hard to explain. It cannot be heard, seen, nor really recorded. It’s simply felt by that naiad. It is as if one is feeling a splash of cool water on a hot summer afternoon, a waking burst of cool morning air. It can only be felt. And then, one is just there, a being, a creation, essentially born. However, never really a child. Melaina, as stated before, does not have parents. She was not raised by men, nor woodland creatures, but primarily by herself. Naiads are born to be rather self sufficient creatures, as otherwise they would die within the first year of their lives. As they are not born to a mother nor a father, they therefore have to care for themselves. Melaina is no exception to this rule. It is not hard for her to remember her early life, as there really wasn’t much to it. She spent most of her days alone, seemingly sheltered by the tall trees and the stones. She was only rarely visited by creatures of the forest, some of whom would speak to her, others who would simply growl. If that was the case, she would willingly melt away into her spring, and hide beneath the ground before the intruder left. She was a child of the forest, untamable and as innocent as the tiger lily blossom. She was entirely harmless, and because of this, she was not bothered by beast or man. The woods protected her from man, and the beasts let her be, most of them mesmerized by the fact that they had met a naiad (as most of them were sleeping).

Her days are not entirely numbered, as all nymphs are as immortal as the river or the tree that they are bound to. Therefore, Melaina has been greatly carefree with her days. Time is simply blurred to her, as she understands day an night, however because she does not really age, nor does has she done anything else than remain close to her pool, she has no conception of the passing of time. The woods, in her time, have remained the same. They have been silent ever since Aslan and the Kings and Queens of Old left. She knew very little of the world, or of it’s ongoings until she was graciously visited by a very grizzled old badger, Plumpaw, who was affectionately called Plum by Melaina. Plum was the closest thing the young naiad had as family, the elderly badger came often to sit by the pool, and reflect on her very long life. The badger, of course, was of the talking sort, and made quite good company to Mel, who was more than pleased when the badger took up residence in a hill that was not far from the little pool. Before she knew it, Melaina had a neighbor. Plum had promptly hollowed out that said hill, having a son of hers come in and make sure that structure was sound. The old female badger made herself quite at home, jealously guarding over the quiet little spring and it’s pool. The old badger enjoyed sitting with Melaina and eventually crafted the young naiad her first clothes (as nymphs are always born without a set of clothes). It was Plum that taught her how to read and to write her letters. However, she was never schooled in anything fine such as art or philosophy. However, perhaps the most important thing that Plum ever taught Mel was of the Kings and Queens of Old, as of the species of Men, and of Aslan.

None the less, Plum was not long for the world. She spent her last four years beside Melaina, who appreciated every ounce of precious time the badger gave her pupil. However, it was a lovely spring afternoon when Plum called to Melania to set her affairs, the badger explained that it was time for her to pass, and that she had already picked out a place not too far from the spring where she would be buried. The badger told her that she was to visit the grave often, and leave flowers. Mel, of course, tearfully complied. The naiad knew that when the badger did not come to drink at her pool the next morning, that Plum was dead. She dressed herself and carried the body of the old badger to the little clearing in the wood. With her bare hands, she managed to tear up the soft earth and dig a suitable grave, before wrapping the body in a quilt and laying it respectfully beneath the ground. She covered it over with earth, before collecting enough flowers to create cornice atop of the grave. It was a few days later when the rest of Plum’s family came to bid their farewells. They did not disturb her home, as there was nothing they wished to have. Melaina has found herself inside of the little den often, as it is far more house like than a den. She sits on the tiny bed, still covered in a quilt, and from time to time even cleans it. She desperately misses her friend, Plum the Badger, but knows that she will not return.

It has been six years since the demise of Plum, and thus far Melaina has remained greatly alone. She, although isn’t quite shy, fears leaving her pool for large amounts of time, although knows that it will remain untouched by the rest of the world. She has often found herself contemplating leaving, although not forever. Just long enough to perhaps find others of her kind, as the loneliness is starting to get to her. However, she has since been warned by several little birds that the time is dangerous and that there have been strange on-goings in the world. She is fearful that while she is gone that the spring will dry up and she will be killed in the process. However, she is also thirsty to explore the realm outside of her pool and the old badger set. None the less, all relies on her actually willing to leave. However, there has been talk of an army beginning to rise up against the Telmarine invaders. None the less, she isn’t entirely sure if she is ready to leave her home. But it is ever so tempting…

Other/Notes:

- I tried to make the reason for her being awake as plausible as possible. If it is unacceptable, I could try to think of something better.

Sample
RP Sample:

It was hard not to admire the day from her window high above the streets of London. Chimney’s sprouted smoke that was a pale silver instead of charcoal and the alabaster clouds floated by lazily, carried on little wind. The sky, and impeccable cornflower, was unmarred by neither passing rain clouds or a thick fog. Instead, it was clear as a crystal vase, illuminated by the sun which sat low in the eastern sky. It was only just morning. However, the promise of a glorious day pleased her, and Eleanor Norwood managed to rouse herself early in order to catch the first rays of sunlight which were completely necessary in order to complete her umpteenth painting. It was, of course, not exactly the plan of her mother to produce a child that adored to paint, however, it was better than having her running rapid through the city. However, the Duchess never liked the fact that Eleanor’s hands were almost constantly covered due to the fact that they were splattered with paint and her daughter didn’t have the patience to scrub them clean, red and raw. Not to mention, the house staff weren’t exactly fond of the strenuous task. Her latest rendition was a copy of a portrait painted of her mother. It was intended to be a gift for her mother on her birthday. However, Eleanor wasn’t exactly sure her mother wanted another painting as a present. The last few had been packaged away and sent to their home in the country. Eleanor winced at the thought of her works being shoved away in some musty attic, they were practically her children! However, the pain dulled when she realized what little appreciation her mother had for the fine arts, getting the woman to go to the theater was like asking a child to sit through a particularly boring lecture. Therefore, it was a feat that her mother even complimented her work. So, she sat in one of her least appreciated morning dresses (dappled in paint tones such as mint and peach mixed with a few grays and blue) as she sat and waited for the arrival of anything interesting. Her brother, she noted, was to be expected. He would either visit and regal a list of nightly escapades to her sisters and herself. Arielle, she supposed, would leave halfway through his recount, as she was rarely interested in his less than honorable activities. Tabitha, however, would sit and ask questions and she herself would listen graciously before asking about future travels. As in meaningful travels….such as India. She would very much like to return to India.

However, Eleanor managed to wait as a pair of maids entered to escort her to the bath, where she was properly scrubbed down, head to toe. Of course, the paint on her fingers remained. They would be promptly scrubbed at the start of the season, the debut of the daughter’s Norwood was anticipated. Being the sisters of a Duke, they were somewhat of commodities. Just the sort of young ladies that mothers wanted their sons married to. Why? Mostly because of good breeding and connections to wealth, one never knew when the family fortune was to run out. The Norwoods had prided themselves in the ability to keep themselves scandal free. However unruly Emory may credit himself to be, Eleanor always noticed the fact that he had yet to sire a bastard child nor gamble his money away nor cause his mother any real grief. It was, of course, only to be expected. Emory had been raised a gentleman, and he was expected to act like nothing less when in public. Of course, he had his minor downfalls, the fact that he was uninterested in marriage and that he constantly defied the matches his mother made for him. Never the less, Emory was not an embarrassment to the family name, no matter how much their mother procured him to be. Of course, all of the children had their own mishaps, it was to be expected. No amount of education nor good breeding can solve personality traits that develop during childhood. It was a minor infraction when Arielle was discovered to have feelings for a commoner, a soldier or something of the like ( Eleanor couldn’t remember at this precise moment), and her mother made it act like it was the end of the world. It was dreadful when her mother discovered Eleanor’s taste for thespians and intelligent people of no rank. And, it was greatly devastating to the Duchess to find out that Tabitha idolized her elder brother. It was a blessing that the girl had not yet become part of society. There was still time to ‘refine’ her. It was an hour before Eleanor had been dressed in a morning dress, her hair pulled back from her face, and skin perfumed. She wore slippers on her feet that would be appropriate for walking, as she was anticipating the arrival of her elder brother. It was almost a matter of time until he showed up at the Mayfair home, she would have much preferred to be in some distant country, but Eleanor was beginning to acquire a taste for society, as the spring tended to be the start of a lovely season. However, it was also the start of her mother becoming the bane of her existence. It would mean gentleman callers and promenades in the park and being taken to the theater and balls and less formals dances. It would mean courtships and proposals. Of course, her mother would orchestrate all of those things, therefore, they wouldn’t be the least bit fun. None the less, Eleanor was beginning to mature about the fact that she was growing up and that it was perhaps time for her to find a suitable man to spend her life with.

No matter how much it irritated her.

It was perhaps eleven o’clock by the time a sleek, dark carriage halted before their home in Mayfair. Eleanor smiled expectantly and watched as the top hatted head of her brother clambered out of the carriage and was escorted by his man as well as a nervous butler into the mansion. He would be expecting to leave fairly swiftly, she was well aware of how much he adored to speak with their mother. The woman had become more sour and concerned with the futures of her children by the day. Eleanor rose from the stool she used to paint and exited the small upper parlor, where the women spent most of their leisure time, a grand piano was in the corner and rows of books lined the walls. A chess set was at a table by the window, the pieces aligned as if someone had set them up to play. However, her mother had done that, as she enjoyed for things to have the appearance of ‘life’. The maids disliked the very particular Duchess, however did her bidding, as she paid quite well. Three maids entered the room before Eleanor could even call for them, her mother had undoubtedly sent them up the stairs. It was only a matter of moments before they decended upon her with a mint colored dress, a pair of dainty white gloves and a matching shawl, as well as a bonnet adorned with little flowers in the ribbon. She was dressed and prepared for the day silently, as it was useless to protest the tightening of the corset strings and the stuffing of the fichu into her top. She rather liked the look of her dress, however knew that her brother would be buying her strictly evening gowns, as those were the most needed. None the less, he wouldn’t deny her anything she wanted. It was his apology to his sisters for their sex. If they had been born boys, he was quite sure that the four of them could have enjoyed bachelorhood together. But because of the fact that they were women, it was nearly impossible. She stiffened slightly before the door opened once more, expecting her mother to walk through the door. Instead, it was Tabitha, who glared furiously at the sight of her eldest sister getting ready for an outing. It had only been a year since Tabitha had lost the company of Eleanor, and she had not taken it lightly. “Why can I not come with you? Just for the trip?” she asked, blue eyes widening, loosing their harshness almost immediately. “Because you have lessons today. Arielle and I have already suffered through all of that, you only have two more years of it…and then you can join us.” Eleanor responded evenly, as a maid placed a choker around her neck. Pearls. They did look lovely with the mint… “Two more years and you and Arielle will be gone! Married. And I will be all alone!” she cried. And with that, Tabitha stood up and exited, no doubt going to her room to sulk and plan the next time she would infuriate her mother. Perhaps she would step on her dance partners toes.

Eleanor rose, pleased with how she looked. Although she wasn’t particularly vain, nor particularly careful with how she looked, the maids always seemed to put her in a better mood. She liked to be fawned over. She crept out of her room before almost running down the stairs. Although her mother wouldn’t be pleased with the childlike manor, Eleanor galloped out into the foyer before flinging her arms around Emory and crying, “What took you so long? I was afraid that Mother would have me trapped in the tower for days!” She released him from her clutch before taking a step backward an eyeing him, her brow wrinkling slightly before the stream of words came bubbling from he mouth, “You must tell me some stories. Exciting ones about your life…as it has been dreadfully boring here. Have you received your invitation to Lady Thorley‘s ball? We got ours yesterday. Tabitha is terribly cross with Mother for not allowing her to debut early….she says that she will be all alone stuck in a dark home while we are all basking beneath the light of chandeliers! She is terribly dramatic, isn‘t she? Oh, I‘m sorry…I‘ve spoken too much, haven‘t I?” For a moment, she paused, a tad embarrassed by the fact that she had allowed her mouth to get the better of her yet again. Words tended to come easily to Eleanor. Perhaps it was her infallible self confidence that disallowed her to become awkward in situations. Or, it was simply because she was still rather childish and spoke out of turn. She smiled brilliantly at her brother before saying, No matter. Arielle should be down soon…”

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