Name:  Savvy
Nicknames:  NA
Voice:  Bellamy Blake (Bob Morley) from The 100

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Age:  24 Years
Height:  18.3 HH
Gender:  Stallion
Orientation:  Unknown

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Breed:  Friesian Clydesdale
Coat Color:  Black Pintaloosa (EE/aa/nSb/nLp; EE/aa/nT/nLp)

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Herd Affiliation:  Serora
Rank:  Iron Hoof
Familiar:  none
Patron god:  Alya

Cautious

• If there's anything I've learned over the course of my life, it's that you can't be too careful.  Don't confuse my respect for trust.

Quiet

• Unless we're friends or I've reason to do otherwise, I won't usually talk unless I'm spoken to.  I generally try to stay out of other
  horses' business, and don't pry unless I feel like what they're hiding is putting them in danger.  I won't talk about myself unless I'm asked or required to.
  

Romantically Oblivious

• Call me stupid, but I am not in any sort of head-space to receive tokens of affection.  Giving out affection is equally challenging.

Rhythmic

• Singing was something I started doing when my father was away on duty.  I found that it could be really relaxing, especially
  when I was stressed out from his absence

Reliable

• You can count on me unless or until you give me reason to do otherwise.

Skeptical

• I don't believe everything I hear.  Rumors don't fly with me, and I won't be one to feed them, either.  I'll investigate the legitimacy of any rumors that
  prove to be threatening or dangerous to the sultan or his herd.

Protective

• I may find it difficult or challenging to express myself at times, but putting my life on the line for those around me is a behavior that's second-nature to me.

Blunt

• I may tend to be quiet, but I promise you I'll speak honestly and truthfully...unless I'm being sarcastic; in which case, I must be comfortable around you.

Guarded

• I've developed a tendency to close off any emotional display that would expose how I feel about myself: uncomfortable.  I still carry the burden of blame and guilt from my mother's turn and absence.  In fact, being guarded is a lot of the reason why I've practically rendered myself incapable of receiving tokens of affection.

The Early Years...
Against the odds, my parents - a Talorian horse and a dedicated Alya-worshipping Seroran pegasus - came together, and I am the evidence.  My mom, Kalea, was a Talorian rogue en route to trade in Valore when she crossed paths with my father in Sirith.  They were both fairly young and took to each other quickly.  They came together and then continued their separate ways.  Kalea had never stepped hoof in Sedo before, and my father let her know where to find him should she ever like a tour, or to see him again.  An adventurous spirit at heart, my mother's desire to see Sedo with her own eyes overwhelmed any instinct she'd had to return to Aquore.  From what I've been told, her initial plan wasn't to stay, but she'd fallen in love with my father.
I believed my mom was precious, something my dad called her often.  I adored her: her smile, the gleam in her eyes, her laugh...the joy she had was contagious and rubbed off on my dad and I constantly.  Although my dad was off doing his duties as a heavy hoof often, it was always most comforting when the three of us were together.  He would train me every evening when he returned from his duties.  My father was my idol, and I still look up to him to this day; I aspired to become a warrior just like him.  

Time Goes on...
All the great things I loved about my mother slowly began bursting at every seam.  I'd seen it developing earlier, but I just kept doing whatever I could to keep her smiling and happy...there was nothing I wanted more than for her to be happy.  Sadly, my efforts appeared to be all in vain.  I couldn't help but wonder what I was doing wrong.  Some days, she'd be OK, but more and more often, the sad face, that I'd only ever seen her express when she wasn't aware anyone was looking, disfigured into chastisement towards me.  I tried asking her about it a few times, but I learned to keep it to myself; consequently, this placed a weight on my shoulders I couldn't slough off...as though I was carrying part of her pain.  As I grew older, my skin grew around the invisible chains that'd been carrying all the pain and guilt I felt for every frown and tear that pulled on my mother's face.  I'd give her her space; sometimes I was lucky enough to find her break out of her mental prison and soften up to me like the good old days every once in a while...but these emotionally peaceful moments didn't last.  I'd been training hard, and I hate to admit that part of the reason I was soo determined to push myself was because it was easier to burn off the emotional turmoil I kept buried inside. 
At first, it'd only happen when father was away; that didn't last, and he began to take notice.  When he confronted her about it, she just broke down into tears and apologized profusely.  As much of a right I felt I had at resenting her, I couldn't help but wish I could comfort her. 

It took only a month or so after father confronted her for us to awake to her unexpected absence.  After two days of non-stop searching, we covered less ground as our pace slowed.  'If she wants to come home...she'll be there,' I said.  She wasn't, and she never did.  My mind danced through all the things I could have done to help her, to stop her tears; but, the more my mind went over it, the more I blamed myself for her desertion.  My father didn't speak in the house for a week, but he was still there for me, and I was there for him.  I found that I couldn't cry over her anymore.  Although we settled on the idea that she'd returned to Aquore, my father and I prayed to Alya that she was safe wherever she was.  I continued training with my him, but there was a motivation that was lost in doing so.  I didn't feel hopeful about being a warrior anymore; how could I be a protector if I couldn't protect my own parents from pain?  Something kept telling me that the pain my mother left in her wake was not as great as the pain I saw her put herself through almost daily for far too long.

Ceremony of the Rising Wind
The day before I was to turn 14 was a day I'd been looking forward to.  Fasting and staying awake was an easy task for me, considering I didn't do much sleeping after my mother left, and food wasn't something I particularly jumped through hoops over.  I hadn't noticed until this day that I'd become quite detached from the world around me, and the herd in general; something I'm sure developed after mother left.  I was irrationally nervous that this would have a negative effect on my ceremony, and had my father pray with me, that I'd have a fruitful experience, before I left.

I wandered in the wilderness for about 12 hours before anything happened.  I thought I was going to collapse...it'd been such a hot day, and I'd had nothing to eat or drink for more than 36 hours at this point.  My knees buckled under me and I put my muzzle against the cooling sand, reminding myself that my journey isn't over and I needed to stay awake.  Pain seared my throat as my mother's face flashed across my mind, and I pushed the image away as quickly as it'd come.  The sun was about to set, and I'd seen no signs nor symbols that gave me any sort of clue to what my next step was.  I was growing hopeless.  Had Alya rejected me because my mother didn't solely worship Alya?  Had I done something to offend Alya?  Questions I couldn't answer.  I lied there for what felt like an hour before I decided I should get up and start back home.
Just before I could pull myself back up, I lapsed into a dream-like state.
Suddenly my surroundings had completely transformed.  I saw my mother on a high cliff before me, and I could feel my muscles flexing as I raced towards her.  My hooves thundering across the ground, I stared desperately after her, hopelessly trying to reach her; I was too anxious to question why she bore wings on her shoulders, each wilting and breaking away from her body as though they were too heavy to carry.  Horror and anxiety surged through me at the sight and I tried running harder, but it felt like every step I took was another step backwards.  Suddenly, she leapt off the edge of the cliff, and that's when I was  right there on the edge, jumping after her without a second thought into a deep blue galaxy below.   Nothing else mattered, just that I wanted to save my mother - my joy and my comforter.  Time seemed to stand still as we fell in slow motion, and I gazed upon her face at the familiar sight of an old grin that sent chills through my stressed body.  Just before she should have hit the surface, she sprouted four wings just as a strange face began to throw itself from the dark deep beneath him.  I squeezed my eyes shut as a blinding light flashed before me.  I gasped and suddenly I was gazing at the four wings again, only this time they were attached to who could only be known as Alya.  I stood on the ledge of the cliff I'd just jumped from, mouth gaping and speechless.  She had a gentle smile on her face, one that reminded me of my mothers'.  Her presence commanding the atmosphere.  I felt a calm envelope me; her presence seemingly freeing my mind from the weight of what I'd just witnessed moments before.  She said nothing, but instantaneously I was reminded of an old hope and desire - the desire to be a protector and comforter to those in need.

Just as quickly as the vision began, Alya and our surroundings vanished, and I was back to where I'd been in the dusk of the desert lands.  Already at my feet, I felt an amplified sense of purpose.  Recalling the smile on my mother's face, not wishing to push this one away, a smile crossed my own, something I hadn't done for a while.  I could think of nothing else for a week, and the motivation to train and work harder than before was more powerful than ever.  I got my hope back.  With my new-found confidence alight in me, I went straight home, determined to pursue an old dream.  I allowed myself to become more active amongst the herd as well; talk of my mother had ceased, which made it easier to move forward.

Present
Becoming one of the highest ranked warriors of the Seroran herd has been a surreal experience.  Even after all these years, as much as I try to push down the memory, I can't help but think of my mother, and how badly I wish she could see where I am now.  She used to encourage my training...would she be proud of me?  The urge to go out and look for her myself has come and gone, but my duty is to my herd and my sultan now.  Besides, I couldn't possibly leave my father, nor the hope that she'd return someday.  I pray to Alya almost every day that Kalea is finally happy, even if it means I'll never see her again.

I have pledged my life as protection to Osprey, my Sultan, and he couldn't be a more deserving individual.  He is exceptionally well mannered and polite, treating others with a kindness and fairness that should be found in any leader.  He used to be an extraordinary flyer, too, until an unfortunate accident took away his flight over a year ago.  Ever since then, there are moments when I notice a shadow in his expression, or in his voice, and I can't help but be reminded of the pain I've tried for soo long to keep buried.  In a weird way, it's help drive my desire to protect him.  I'm happy Abram is around to help lift his spirits.  That's something I can't even do for myself, and I suppose constantly focusing on my duties is a tool I've used to keep myself from trying.  

I only hope the burden of sorrow doesn't become too great for either of us.



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Character and Character Artwork © Ashley Brooke (aAshleyB)
Reference Sheet © Queerly