Ivan Alexandrevich Sakharov
Name Given at Birth: Ivan Alexandrevich Sakharov
Nicknames: Smelly Ivan. I feel I’d better explain. Tibor & Slavvo know this tale because they were there. Of course they both prefer to let people draw their own conclusions about my rather unusual nickname, so they won’t tell you the real story. Shortly after I joined the Boleyn kumpania, the three of us were asked to sneak into a minor lord’s estate to steal…er…procure some supplies for the kumpania. While Tibor & Slavvo got to work inside, I was posted in the courtyard as a lookout. Unfortunately, the lord returned to the manor earlier than we had anticipated. I was able to signal the Maestro’s sons in time for them to escape without notice, but I was trapped in the courtyard. After hiding for hours behind some empty barrels, I saw a cart approaching the gate. It was the simplest of matters to hide in the back of the cart and then just ride to freedom. Unfortunately, it just so happened that this cart was carrying manure. The kumpania was overjoyed to see me returning unharmed….that is, until I got close enough for them to smell.
Hometown or where you were born: Petrograd, Russia
Current Residence: Wherever the Boleyn kumpania happens to be…at the moment in Canterbury.
Age: 26
Class: Gypsy
What do you do, your main function in life/society: I am a master of distraction. My job, along with the rest of Troop Festivale, is to keep the Gadje entertained while the Maestro and his sons conduct "family business". I sing, dance, drum and can spin a tale at a moments notice.
Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: Of course! There is no other way to swim…as a matter of fact, I’ve found it to be an incredibly effective way to distract the Gadje.
Do you make fun of people: Nothing beyond some lighthearted teasing. Gypsies know what it feels like to be made fun of.
Favorite Color: Blue, which symbolizes loyalty & conviction.
Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: Next question, please.
Closest friends/How did you meet: I have become very close with all the members of Troop Festivale, but especially Nadia. I must admit, she was actually one of the main reasons I stayed with the Boleyn kumpania after meeting them at the Gypsy Revel a few seasons back. Beautiful, smart & able to hold her own in a fight with any of the chiavo…what was not to like??? If only I knew at the time how much of an effort it would take to win her affections! Iliana too holds a special place in my heart. At the same time I lost my parents, I was separated from my baby sister and have not seen her since. I know it’s not very likely that Iliana is that same little girl, but she WAS raised by the Fey…and the age IS about right…so I very much consider her my little sister. I’m also very close with two of the Maestro’s sons: Cezar, who performs with Troop Festivale and Slavvo, simply because it’s fun to fight with him (completely in a teasing and joking way, of course).
One Pillow or two: When I’m actually in a bed, one pillow is more than enough. Most often when we’re on the road I sleep on the ground under one of the vardos with only an old blanket.
Pets: No pets! As the Maestro says, the only thing pets are good for is creating more work for us.
Favorite Type of Music: Gypsy drumming, of course! There is no better night than when we all gather in a circle to drum & dance by the light of the fire.
Hobbies/Pastimes: I find that I have less and less time for a hobby, but whenever I have a free moment I like to assist the herbalists with their work. I had a very close call the last time I was in Spain & had to leave in something of a hurry. I had a rather nasty knife woun…uh…I mean…cat scratch on my belly and was amazed by the work the herbalists did for me. I have a whole new respect for their poultices & teas now!
Personal Hygiene: Contrary to popular belief, my nickname has nothing to do with my personal hygiene habits…Nadia says I smell quite nice (ok, most of the time).
Favorite Food: Anything spicy…bland food is a waste of time. Eating should always be an enjoyable and entertaining time.
Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: See below.
If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: My parents, Sergei & Ludmilla Sakharov, were circus performers in Moscow. When I was a small child, there was an accident at one of the performances. For some reason, one of the animal trainers lost control of the elephant he was working with. The beast went on a rampage, killing my parents & 4 other people before it was brought under control. In the chaos, I lost track of my baby sister who I was watching at the time. I have not seen her since that day & do not know what eventually became of her, but not a day goes by that I do not think of her. I was taken in by the traveling kumpania that was in Moscow at the time and I lived with them until I met the Boleyn kumpania at the Gypsy Revel 3 years ago.
Favorite place to relax: I honestly don’t have one particular spot because we travel so much, but anywhere with a flowing stream suits me fine. I love to lay back, close my eyes and listen to the sound of water flowing over rocks.
Favorite Holy Day / Why: Probably Beltane, the fire festival, because of all the revelry. The most important part of any Holy Day for me is the time spent enjoying family and friends.
Favorite Drink: I have a terrible weakness for meade. And vodka.
What's your bedtime: HA HA HA HA HA!!!
What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: Whenever possible, nothing at all. I do have a pair of sandals I wear when the ground is especially rough or if it’s been raining.
Are you married or single: Officially still single, but I’m working on it. Nadia cannot hold out forever.
Do you have a family / who are they: My kumpania is my family. I would give my life for any one of them without hesitation…and I know they would do the same for me. I do consider Iliana to be my little sister and am even more protective of her than the rest of the kumpania
Favorite Entertainment: I am generally a part of the entertainment, so I don’t get to watch a lot. I do, however, love to see belly dancers perform. Probably my most common form of "entertainment" is drinking a cup of meade or ale with my fellow Gypsies and telling tales.
Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: I never had the opportunity to go to school, but I have a love of languages. I try to make a point of learning at least a few words of the language, wherever the kumpania happens to be traveling. And there is no such thing as a "favorite chore".
Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Anything dealing with animals…any animal…anywhere…any time. They stink & most of them are rather dumb. And they are all very good at making a mess.
Favorite Sport: I am TERRIBLE at it, but I find archery to be great fun. Perhaps I can get Nikolai to give me some pointers…
Most Humiliating Moment: See "Nicknames".
Proudest Moment: When I FINALLY got Nadia to confess that she has feelings for me! Now if I can just get her to agree to marry me.
Craziest Person or silliest you know: Anyone who is familiar with the Boleyn kumpania will tell you that this is a tricky question to answer. I have seen Evgeny put leaves in his hair and try to pass himself off as a tree. Sasha actually ENJOYS working with animals that can eat you. And do not even get me started on Tibor. I do, of course, love them all but I think we have crazy covered.
What do you look for in the opposite sex: Strength and skill. There is nothing more attractive than a woman who is confidant and holds her head high.
In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord" My immediate superior in Troop Festival is Nadia, but we all answer to the Maestro.
Favorite Sport to watch: Jousting! You could not pay me enough to participate, but I do love to watch.
Do you remember your first kiss: I am Romany! I remember every kiss, every woman, and each one of them was beautiful in her own right. My first kiss was with a girl by the name of Antonina back when my parents were still alive and we were living in Moscow.
Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: Unfortunately not. I barely remember my early childhood friends from Moscow & the only time I get to see my friends from my first kumpania is at the big Gypsy Revel every year.
Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: Ummm…what is this "vacation" thing you speak of?
Have you ever been overseas: Not yet, but I am very excited by some of the stories I have heard. I hope to someday see this "New World".
Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: My bardo is my home, so wooden floors. Unless of course I am sleeping on the ground.
What is your bed made of: Usually mud, rocks & twigs. We do have bags stuffed with straw in the vardos, but I usually sleep outside.
How many people sleep in your bed: When we camp for the night, the chiavo usually all sleep outside on the ground and we let the women have the vardos. Unless of course Nadia begins to feel a bit more…generous…towards me.
10 Things Everybody Should Know About Me:
1. I am not Romany by birth, but have lived as a Gypsy ever since my 7th year.
2. I consider Iliana to be my long lost sister & can be fiercely protective of her.
3. I am completely and totally smitten with the lovely Nadia (even though she can be…difficult).
4. When traveling through Spain, I must be heavily disguised so as not to be recognized.
5. Though I am a drummer with Troop Festivale, I also love to dance whenever possible.
6. I know a few words in several different languages.
7. I have traveled to the Far East many times. The tattoo on my back is written in the language of that land.
8. I am skilled with a staff and can use it to disarm almost any opponent.
9. I have a very strong dislike for most animals, but I find rats & frogs especially disgusting (just ask Cosmina)
10. Unlike most Gypsies, I have a deep respect for the Fey and most other creatures of the Magical Realm. It is my belief that they saved my little sister all those many years ago and raised her so that she could grow into the beautiful young woman we now know as Iliana.