Cosmina
Name at birth: Being an orphan for as long as I can remember, I do not know what my given name was. Most people just called me "Hey you," or worse. Nadia named me Cosmina when I joined Troupe Festivale. I very much like having a name.
Nicknames: "Cosmina Piranha" is the most common, although "Hey you" still seems to be popular with the gadje, although now they often tack a "gypsy" onto the end.
Where were you born: As an orphan, I am not really sure where I was born, but the first place I remember is Canterbury, so it was most likely there. I suppose it is possible I could have been moved as an infant, but that is unlikely.
Current residence: With Ilyana with the Boleyn Kumpania. We’ll be going back to Canterbury for the Harvest Festival soon. It will be both good and bad to be home again. Perhaps I can find some of my old street companions and share with them some of my good fortune.
Age: It is impossible to know for sure. I look very young (and am frequently teased for it), but I feel older, perhaps due to my difficult childhood. As such, though, I have decided that I am nineteen, which is somewhere between what I look and what I feel.
Class: Gypsy. I find this much more to my liking.
Main function in society: To entertain! Nothing is more satisfying than bringing a smile to a forlorn face, which usually brings a smile to mine. I am an accomplished pick-pocket, and still find use for my skills from time to time, but I am trying to limit myself.
Have you ever been skinny-dipping? Do you like swimming: No, I do not know how to swim. I was never around a big enough pool of water to learn as a child. Now, though, I do enjoy wading in water but am afraid to go very deep. When bathing, I will go shoulder deep, but no further.
Do you make fun of people: I tease people I am well acquainted with frequently. It’s a sign of affection. When I am nice is when you should worry. As for people I don’t know…well, I only tease those that appear to be slower than I.
What is your favorite color: Orange, because it’s so bright and cheerful, but Nadia does not let me wear much. She says it hurts her eyes. But now, I can wear as much as I like, because Nadia’s traveled off to…uh…Vulgaria.
Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: My smart mouth has gotten me into trouble a time or two. I’ve never been convicted of a crime (I am quite quick). As for committing them, I am a thief. There are few other ways for an orphan to earn a living, and I refused to take other, less savory paths.
Who are your closest friends and how did you meet:
- Nadia – Two summers ago in Canterbury, Nadia was swarmed by a flock of orphans. She managed to give them all away except me, because I promptly hid every time she tried. She became somewhat of a mitri to me, and I am very attached to her. I miss her greatly. She left to, um…join a convent.
- Ilyana – I met Ilyana when she joined Troupe Festivale. Now that the troupe no longer exists, she has taken me under her wing into the Boleyn Kumpania. We love to sing and dance together, although recently I have discovered a likeness for drumming, so sometimes I drum while she dances. Either way, we usually end up having much fun together.
- Theodosa – I actually do not know how I met Theodosa. I think it was shortly before the demise of Troupe Festivale. That whole period of time I can’t seem to recall. I do know, however, that she is a very sweet girl, and probably a better dancer than I. We have fun together flirting with gadje boys.
- Cezar – I met Cezar when his papa, the Maestro, sent him to Troupe Festivale to learn to dance. We became very close, and remain so, even if he did abandon me to be betrothed to Canterbury’s crepe girl. I don’t think I like her very much. Nonetheless, Cezar and I still seem to act exactly the same. I really don’t think anything has changed at all.
- Tibor – I have always enjoyed spending time with Tibor. He is quite the individual. I have especially enjoyed drumming with him.
- Ivan – Ivan was a part of Troupe Festivale, but he has vanished. I miss him very much. I have no idea where he has gone. Perhaps he is with Nadia…
One or two pillows: One, unless I steal someone else’s. I think my record so far is five by morning.
Do you have any pets: Sadly, no. I had a frog once, but Ivan screamed when he found it on his pillow. Nadia made me let it go, and I haven’t been allowed near a frog since.
What is your favorite kind of music: I love all music…unless the person performing it is really bad.
What are your hobbies or interests: I like drawing people, but materials are hard to come by, and most people do not like to be stared at. Dancing is fun, but music is my favorite.
Personal hygiene: Hy-what? Bathing? Of course! After spending my entire childhood wallowing in filth, I take much pleasure in taking a cleansing bath in whatever convenient pool of water I can find.
Favorite food: Yes, please. Much like a horse, if you give me food, I will love you forever.
Are your parents alive? Do you get along with them: I do not know. Maybe. Nadia is my mitri and sister now. I get along with her. At least, when she’s not being bossy. But now I’ve been abandoned by her as well. Am I really so unlovable?
If your parents are dead, how did they die: I like to think it was in a heroic fire rescue attempt, or something equally noble and dramatic. Nadia had to go away to…erm…wrestle…unicorns? Yes, I said wrestle unicorns.
What is your favorite place to relax: Anywhere near natural water, although running water is best. In a pinch, I find throwing water on somebody else very relaxing.
What is your favorite holy day: All Hallow’s Eve. My tarot cards tell me especially strange things on this day.
What is your favorite drink: Warmed chocolate drink. It is delicious.
What is your bedtime: Whenever I choose…unless Nadia is around. Luckily, she is far, far away in…Scandinavia. With her husband. And five children.
What do you like to wear on your feet: My toes. Upon my toes, I like to wear slippers. I find them more comfortable for dancing than sandals, and boots are quite expensive. I would rather spend my coin on sweets.
Are you married or single: …Single, because I am, apparently, unlovable and destined to forever be abandoned for unicorns and crepe girls. Although…now that I think about it…I think I may be married. But I’m not certain it was legal. In fact, I’m quite sure it was not legal. I think. Perhaps I should find him and check…
Do you have a family? Who are they: Troupe Festivale is the best family I have ever had. I miss them all, but I am forming a new family. Hopefully I will not be abandoned yet again by this one.
What is your favorite entertainment: Stealing from rich gadje. But, like I said, I am trying to lessen this activities. I will have to find a new activity to capture my interest.
What was your favorite subject or chore growing up: When I was still an orphan, I pretended to be blind so people would have pity and give me more coin. It was very fun to run into them so they would drop things, like…more coin!
What was your least favorite subject or chore growing up: Running away from the shanglo, the constable, after they discovered they had dropped coin.
What is your favorite sport: I do not know if it is my favorite, but the one I do the most is running away from angry people. Oh, and hiding. It seems to happen very often. I can’t imagine why.
Most humiliating moment: Just thinking about it almost makes me want to cry, but, suffice to say, it involved a gypsy boy who may or may not have been called Cezar, a gadje girl who may or may not sell crepes, and the throwing of several mushy, rotten tomatoes which may or may not have been thrown by me. But that is all I will tell you.
Proudest moment: When Nadia stopped fighting the evitable and stopped trying to get rid of me. Although, looking back now, perhaps this was all just part of her plan so that she could bide her time and abandon me at a later date. Because I am unlovable.
Who is the craziest/silliest person you know: Ilyana. I love Yoko, but she has done some very, very crazy things.
What do you look for in the opposite sex: A kind heart, a handsome face, and…lowe! (That’s coin, to you gadje).
In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them. Who is your immediate "overlord": Nadia, although she says I am not very good at being an underling. But with her gone in…China, I suppose it would be Ilyana, since she is in charge of taking care of me. Apparently I’m injured in some way I’m not aware of.
What is your favorite sport to watch: Anything done on horseback. I adore horses.
Do you remember your first kiss: I’m not sure. The first kiss I can remember was from the man who may or may not be my husband. We were both fairly young, and some of the other children dared us. I distinctly recall both of us making a great show of spitting afterward and thoroughly scrubbing off our mouths with the backs of our hands.
Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: No, because Nadia gave them all away. Any others I had have died or been lost.
Where is your favorite vacation spot: Anywhere on the coast. I love the feel and smell of the sea.
Have you ever been overseas: Not yet, but someday, I hope.
Do you have dirt/mud floors or stone: I have no floors, only the land I stand on at the moment. It is, naturally, made of dirt, though.
What is your bed made of: What ever happens to be underneath me after a long day of Maestro’s slave-driving when I am too exhausted to care.
How many people sleep in your bed: Only myself.
Ten things people should know about me:
1. I am never serious, so never take anything I say seriously
2. I would never harm a fly…unless it was being a pest.
3. Sometimes I lie just for fun, but never about anything important.
4. I wish I knew who my parents were.
5. I do not, in fact, know where Nadia has gone, but I enjoy making up answers when people ask.
6. I am touchy about my childhood, and very defensive.
7. I am sometimes overdramatic.
8. I have an overactive imagination.
9. I love to play in the rain.
10. I cannot tell a straight story. I require at least three tangents.