Lucianna Boleyn

What do you do, your main function in life/society: I am slowly carving out a place in the family business. Papa never forgets that I am not a boy, which can limit my opportunities. As our magnificent queen proves herself more than capable in a man’s profession, my opportunities increase. Mostly I have done lots of cooking and cleaning for my brothers. Papa gives Martino more responsibilities with a caravan of his own, so I have been learning some of Martino’s old duties. Now I manage deliveries, track inventory, and plan routes for trade. I am glad to be breaking out of my traditional role, but I do not want anyone to think I am overstepping my bounds.

Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: certainly

Do you make fun of people: Making fun of people is not practical.

Favorite Color: All colors have aspects to be appreciated. Orange and blue and green are currently most delightful to me. I don’t think I could pick just one.

Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime? Convicted? No

Closest friends/How did you meet: I seem to have a great many friends. Some are closer than others. Esmerelda is my adopted sister, but have become close friends over the last year or so. We have similar personalities and much in common. Martino and I have worked closely together as I learned his jobs, and I enjoy his company most of all the brothers. I traveled with and worked for Sir William of Whitehall for a while, and we became fast friends. I know things about him that many ladies who swoon over him would not believe. Sapphira has one of the kindest hearts of anyone on this earth. The more time we spend around each other, the better friends we become. She is also quite a cook. The Queen of Vulgaria might seem like an odd companion for a gypsy, but she is very tolerant of all classes. We found ourselves bumping into each other in the same shops and markets. It seems we have the same eye for color and the same love of laughter. The Lady Elizabeth Borden has known me since I was born, and I admire what she has done for herself. She gives great advice and has been like the big sister I needed when I did not have a mother to turn to.

One Pillow or two: One is enough for me, and perfect for sharing when there is more than me.

Pets: I have too many responsibilities to care for animals in addition to my brothers and father. While there are several horses and goats and a few dogs around, I do not consider any of them pets; they are for practicality. Horses are my favorite animal, however, and I go to see the jousting steeds whenever time permits.

Favorite Type of Music: There is something about the Greek Bazouki that resonates in me. I also love the Gypsy violin; I am trying to learn to play it..

Hobbies/Pastimes: When there is time, or the weather forces us indoors, I enjoy talking and anything that involves merriment. I know several dice games, which I sometimes let my brothers win.

Personal Hygiene: Smelling bad is the surest way to keep people away from you, and that is last thing I want to do. Though that might be a good way to find some time to myself. I wash my hands whenever they get something slimy or dirty on them, and the rest of me as necessary to keep friends.

Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: My mother, like my other siblings’ mothers, died too soon. My papa, the Maestro, is very much alive. I cannot escape him, not that I would want to.

If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: My mother, Valentina, died in childbirth.

Favorite food: The delicate crepes served here in Canterbury. The cinnamon and chocolate one was invented just for me!

Favorite place to relax: The entryway to the tilt-yard through the barbican has the best breeze in all of Canterbury.

Favorite Holy Day / Why:

The Yule lets me spend time with my big family without the pressures of work. I do not mind work, but the resting and celebrating is sublime, especially at Highgate Manor. Now that I am older, I find myself enjoying more than just the wonderful gifts and food. I like to watch my brothers and papa reveling in relaxation, I love to listen to and tell stories near the fire, but most of all, I cherish celebrating the joy of togetherness.

Favorite Drink: Perry is lovely in the evening when sitting by the fire after the work is done. Water during the day.

What's your bedtime: When the work is done, I sit by the fire for an hour or two, then go to bed. When I actually go to sleep often varies.

What if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: five button leather boots or sandals.

Are you married or single: Single, still. Who would want to marry a girl who has a dozen men to take care of already? I have, however, experienced more in my 26 years than most people experience in three or more lifetimes, even if I have not known what it is like to have a husband.

Do you have a family / who are they: I have a large family.

• The Maestro, my papa, is the most wonderful man and father there could be.
• I have many brother whom I love (even if that is sometimes difficult) in their own way.
• Martino is smart, strong, and capable of anything he sets his mind to. Papa has entrusted him with many important responsibilities. I hope I can ease the burden on papa now that Martino is not here to help as much as he used to be. I also hope that Martino does not forget us now that he has a whole caravan to look after.
• Santiago is Martino’s twin. While he is always reminded that he is the younger of the two, he is a good man in his own way.
• Nikolai has the confidence of Adonis, and the following of royalty. He can do the work of three men if he wants to, and some days he does. I think he needs inspiration, and I am prepared to find it for him if I must.
• Evgeny, Gen, needs to be watched, and can be found causing trouble with Nikolai or painting in a tree if ever he is lost. He does good work and I try to appreciate him for the artist within. He is a hard worker, and has many fine talents.
• Alfio is brilliant at finding just the right words, especially with papa. He wants to be adored, and of I course, I do adore him. He works hard and speaks well, so there is no reason he should not be liked by everyone he meets.
• Mario does anything that is asked of him. He is not always on top of things, but is always willing to help. He does tend to lose things, sometimes items of great value. Mario can seem distracted, but I think he is thinking up grand schemes in that brilliant little head of his. I’m not sure why, but there is something about him that makes me favor him just a little more than the others,
• Guiseppe is nearly the opposite of Mario, which may be why they get along so well. Guiseppe is usually the first to volunteer, and is athletic (not that Mario isn’t). He shows amazing loyalty to the caravan, and I can always count on him.
• Radu has great ideas, but does not always consider the consequences of his actions. He has gotten into trouble more than his share of times, and papa has to watch him closely, which means I have to watch him. He has useful talents that I hope he utilizes more fully than taking the easy way out.
• Benvolio is quiet and young. I have all the faith in the world that he will grow to be a great man one day. He will never want for a thing once he establishes himself.
• Djali brought me joy as I finally had a sister, but papa has sent her to the church to be educated. I really do not have the time for enjoying a little sister anyway, so maybe it is for the best.
• Esmerelda and Xavier are my adopted sister and brother, and have been part of our family for a long time. Their talents lie with song and dance.
• Of course there are also my grandmother, the Lady Esmerelda Highgate and her husband Sir William Highgate.
• Belladonna and Rodrigo are papa’s youngest siblings (twins), and my aunt and uncle, though we are really more like friends. We are virtually the same age.
• Elizabeth Borden’s first husband was my uncle Angelo who died in a tragic fire along with my first grandfather, Radu. I consider her my aunt even if she has been married to several other men since then.
• Lenora is another aunt who has the most angelic singing voice I have ever heard. It is easy to see why so many people are proud of her.
• Hope, papa’s other sister, tries hard to make the family proud.
• Then there are my uncles Victor and Zindelo, who I am never sure how to take. They are capable men, but sometimes odd. Odd can, of course, mean fun.

Favorite Entertainment: I enjoy playing board games when there is time, but what I truly love are stories. Mitri tells the best stories.

Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Reading maps and grooming horses. I started to appreciate real distances when I was able to see on a map how far we traveled. When I got good enough at reading them, I was allowed to "guide" the caravan. That does not seem so thrilling now, but it did when I was a child.

Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: I never have liked packing up camp when we are ready to move on. I like to go, but not the getting ready to go.

Favorite Sport: Riding; Sir William has allowed me the pleasure on rare but special occasions. I also enjoy archery.

Most Humiliating Moment: During my time away from the caravan, I worked as a squire. I would prepare the horses and equipment for the joust, then helped run the tournaments. In order to test the field for the footing of the steeds, the knights would lance at thrown rings. My job was to throw the rings into the air to be caught on the lances, but I could not seem to get it right. In the middle of one such test on a tournament day, Sir William got off his horse, walked over to me, threw a ring as an example, and humiliated me in front of over one thousand people. He did not mean to hurt my feelings or my pride. That event caused me to do some thinking, and I realized that the work I was doing for the knights was no different from that I did for my family. I was still cleaning up after and cooking for a group of men, only joust fields and horse manure were dirtier than vardos and cook fires. I could do the same work for the same food and better revels if I returned to the caravan. Papa was happy (and gracious) to have me back, and I have never been more blessed since my return. My experience with the knights was wonderful, but I am glad to be home.

Proudest Moment: Realizing the kind of faith my papa has in my ability to take care of important aspects of his business. It turns out he has known all along that I could do more than take care of my brothers.

Craziest Person or silliest you know: Sour Jack, you may know him as James Swetenham, is by far the craziest person I know. I do not know him well, but I cannot be near him for more than a minute without laughing out loud. He thinks he is sly and tricky, but really he is just silly. He also thinks he has some sort of competition going on with gypsies, but we are in two completely separate businesses. Actually, Mr. Da Vinci is pretty crazy too, though in a much different way.

What do you look for in the opposite sex: Kindness, strength, and sweet lips.

In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord": My papa, the Maestro

How Do You Feel about that person?: I adore his frankness, honesty, and work ethic. I also respect his ability to make things happen. He has one of the kindest hearts of anyone on this earth, too, but I’m not allowed to tell anyone that.

Favorite Sport to watch: DaVinci or tennis

Do you remember your first kiss: Yes. It just sort of happened one night during a revel. I had walked away from the noise and lay on the grass looking up at the stars. Suddenly Alonzo was lying next to me, our temples touching. I didn’t know where he came from or when he had arrived. We lay there silently, watching the sky for almost an hour, then our faced turned toward each other, and our lips met.

Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: I had many friends throughout my childhood, from many different places. My brothers have always been around, and I see them all of the time. When I travel, I try to meet up with as many friends as I can.

Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: When have I time for vacation? The Yule is the only time for more than a few hours rest, so I suppose Highgate manor is my favorite spot. Somerset is one of my favorite places to travel when I am away from Canterbury; it is delightful in the spring with purple and orange flowers painting the hillside. I also love the sea.

Have you ever been overseas: I was born far from here and have crossed many borders in my lifetime.

Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: When the world is your home, you have all types of floors, but mostly I have dirt (outside) and wood (in the vardo).

What is your bed made of: I have a bedroll made of 5 blankets which provide a delightfully soft pad as temperatures rise and welcoming warmth when the weather turns cold.

How many people sleep in your bed: It depends on the weather and what sort of festivities have taken place earlier in the evening. I try to find a spot away from the boys where I can enjoy the stars in peace. In bad weather, we sleep close together.

10 Things Everybody Should Know About Me

1. I love to laugh.

2. I expect much of myself and others.

3. My place is with the caravan, and I have no desire to be anywhere else.

4. I encourage every potential match for my brothers so that I may be married one day as well.

5. I believe that fairness and good-will go a long way towards gaining respect.

6. Papa had better get busier finding wives for my brothers if he wants 100 grandchildren.

7. I am in need of good sources of chocolate.

8. I need freedom to be happy, and adventure.

9. I am confident and self-reliant, but I worry that such qualities translate to egoism. I do not wish to be seen as self-centered, I merely wish to have a great many friends.

10. I love the rain, even working in it.

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