Shailaja Jhammat
(shay-la-jah shzah-maht)
Lakelander, Weaver, Shop-Owner,
Survivor
The girl torn between worlds
18+
"Your existence shall be that which I weave for you out of sorrow and woe."
- A crumpled bit of parchment found in her shop stall.
Shadowbringers spoilers inside
The first thing you notice about this hume is the look in her eyes; it mirrors the expression on her face. Hard. Tired. Done. When she speaks, it's a chore. When she moves, it's a bother. Is it apathy? Is it lethargy? Yes? Or something greater? Maybe it doesn't matter. She's tired. She wants to go back home. She wants to take a nap. And she's going to make it your problem.The second thing you notice is her raven-black hair. It was a perfect contrast to the everlight of the First, and it still stands in beautiful contrast with the vibrancy of her emerald eyes - which seem to glow, even with the absence of the light that made... well, everything glow.
The third thing you notice is just how fragile she looks. Despite the sharpness in her eyes and the angled dagger-like points of her facial features, Shailaja is still a small woman. She stands at only four-fulms, 10-ilms. She's small. Curvy, but slender, as if a stiff wind could lift her off and carry her to parts unknown. Her fragility is ever at odds with the harsh looks she gives the world.The fourth thing you notice are her fingers. They're rough. Calloused. Poked at a thousand-and-one times by sewing needles. And they're wonderfully dexterous, able to thread the tiniest of needles and construct the beautiful and most intricate of garments.
Name: Shailaja Jhammat
Race: Hume
Sex/Gender: Intersex/Female
Sexuality: Homosexual
ERP Friendly: Yes, but not always up for it. Please ask first.
Height: 4'10"
Age: 24
Handedness: Left-handed
Hair Color: Black
Eye color: GreenPlace of Residence: The Crystarium
Occupation: Weaver. She takes commissions - just ask.Family: Whereabouts unknown
Relationship Status: Single
Favorite Color: Red and blue
Favorite Drink: Apple juice and pineapple juice
Skills: Weavery, singing, enchantment-threading (ask about her special on an enchantment for more durable threads.)
Quiet. Soft-spoken. Keeping to herself. The opposite of the traders plying their wares in the Crystarium's Musica Universalis. She won't announce her deals or her product, she won't come to you. You'll have to come to her.One of the many displaced in the wake of the Flood of Light, and the Warrior of Darkness' eventual returning of the night, she found herself taking residence within the safety of the Crystarium. The eventual return of night may not have softened her notoriously prickly disposition, but the twinkling night sky did awaken a keen interest in astronomy within her.She's a bit of an enigma, operating out of a rinky-dink store stall yet wearing beautiful and intricate clothing. She projects an aura of nobility at first glance, but her harsh disposition and quick dagger-tongue suggest anything but. She's a shrewd and scheming merchant, but a lack of willingness to be conniving kept her from acquiring any inroads in Eulmore society. Some might consider that a plus. Others may just grit their teeth as they pay an exorbitant price for an admittedly beautiful piece of craftsmanship.However, despite her antisocial tendencies Shailaja is a staunch ally, and a steady friend... if you're able to crack through her tough exterior and worm your way into her good graces, at least. Her loyalty is hard won, but once it has been acquired, Shailaja might even hook you up with a proper deal at her shop.
A World Away: "The weight of memory. A sea of fire. The history of the world."
A world away from her long-lost home and from the Crystarium; situated somewhere between two homes, two cultures, two sexes, and a myriad of other valleys to fall between. Shailaja's existence resides firmly within the borderlands of many worlds away. La frontera, if you will.Static on the Radio "The only thing I think I know is..."
What does Shailaja use to enchant her threads? Is it aether? Where does it come from? Why is this thread Light-aspected? Why is that thread Void-aspected?Be Brave: "Despite it all... here we are."
No matter how perilous or bleak a situation is, Shailaja always has a look of defiance in the face of adversity.Scent of Love: "From now on that's what I'll wear - the scent of our love."
Shailaja's a die-hard romantic. She loves romance stories - as loathe as she is to admit it to anyone else. When she falls in love, she falls hard, and it's easy for her to grow jealous.Challa: "Dhup de pairi chale, chhawaan di lai doli..."
Shailaja's lineage comes from a land long since consumed by the Flood of Light. She keeps the memory of home alive with her unique style of clothing and songs.Oneirophobia: "Breathe deep. Be thankful I can do no more than this."
Shailaja is a very light sleeper. Moreover, she doesn't sleep as often or as long as she should.
✦ Shailaja is meant for long-term, character/story-based RP with room for plot and character progression (however, one-off character interactions are enjoyed in their own right - not every conversation at a bar has to blossom into some sort of grand relationship!) As a result, I haven't listed everything - her backstory, her motivations, her hopes and dreams, etc. - down here for the sake of RP buddies discovering them for themselves! Of course, some things may be easily disseminated from what I've written - the thought process behind this is that this is what friends and acquaintances of Shailaja have figured out about her. It may be true, or maybe only some of it is true. Who knows for sure?...✦ I can't stress enough how much I hate it when someone calls Shailaja chocolate, mocha, caramel, etc. Please don't do this. It's a quick and easy way to make me not like you.✦ I like RP to unfold naturally - I don't mind planning or talking about things, but ultimately I want things to feel fresh and natural. With that being said, however, I do favor darker, introspective topics and themes. Not to say that I don't enjoy cute or slice-of-life themes either - just know that for long-term RP, things may occasionally have an introspective flavor.✦ I try to write Shailaja as an evolving character, and thus FF14's own unfolding story may change Shailaja, too. As a result, the woman you encountered months or years ago may be completely different from the woman she is now. Life is funny like that, right?✦ I type slowly and can sometimes be very verbose with my writing. Sorry if it takes me an age to respond.✦ I often have to run AFK and I usually feel bad about not responding to PMs. I will definitely let you know if I have to go AFK if we're RPing, however, OOCly if you PM me and I don't respond please don't take it personally - I might simply be AFK. Or I might've fallen asleep at my desk. I'm a very sleepy person.✦ While I'm not opposed to ERP, that doesn't mean I engage in ERP at the drop of a hat. I like it to punctuate character situations; growth such as relationships, or situations where it would make sense. Walking up to her and grabbing her butt with the hopes of ERP will most likely result in a firm slap in the face. With that said...