Ilyana Elin Teann Atanya, and soon to be a Boleyn!!
Name Given at Birth: Ilyana Elin, they are the only names I recall from my days before the Fae. I cannot begin to imagine what my surname is!
Nicknames: The fae gave me the name Teann, and I acquired the name Atanya from a dear friend of mine who works at a small, but grand, stable in Spain. He is the one who gifted me with my fine black stallion, Cabe. The gypsies have taken to calling me Yoko whenever they wish to blame me of something. Typically in jest, I do not mind the name.
Hometown where you were born: Some would guess Northern Italy, due to my looks, and I do not mind the thought. The Fae did not bother to remember where the woods I wandered from were located.
Current Residence: My kompania (gypsy family) have just arrived to Canterbury a fortnight ago for the upcoming Harvest Festival. I have been traveling this earth alongside the Boleyn Kompania for the past ten moons, and before that just over a year with Troupe Festivale.
Age: What should be a symple question turns difficult in my case. The Fae believe I was close to three or four summers when I wandered to them. I resided with the Fae for fifteen summers (by their closest guess), and I have traveled with the gypsies for two summers now. I believe that would mean I have seen twenty and one summers total.
Class: Once a faerie child, now a gypsy princess
What do you do, your main function in life/society: I dream up new dances for some of the chavos (the gypsy boys) as well as my own troupe. I gather fruits and vegetables for our kompania… which are often difficult to find save in the pantries and gardens of the gadje (the non-gypsies). I also tend to the broken one left of Troupe Festival, Cosmina, as she is recovering from Cezare’s terrible mishap. And Teodosa has recently returned and is in my care.
Have you ever gone skinny-dipping/do you know how to swim: Of course!! It is commonplace for gypsies to cool off with a swim, and there is no other way than without the cumbersome burden of our raiment, less we wish to sink straight away!
Do you make fun of people: Only my familia, and always only in jest!
Favourite colour and why: A beautiful blue-grey, the colour of the skye before a storm, the telling of soon-to-be rain, which I adore, and also the colour of my beloved’s eyes.
Have you ever been committed of a crime: Maestro prides himself in raising honest gypsy children. I try to hold true to his wishes. We only steal that which we need to eat. The rest that could be considered crime is paid work.
Closest friends/How did you meet: Cosmina and I have a strong bond, as we are of like-spirit. She is a sweet girl, one with whom I can sit in silence and be perfectly content. Also in these silences, can we sometimes get the most communicated. We are truly linked, sisters, if not something stronger.
Luciana is my partner in schemes and trickery. We are becoming closer each sun that sets. Her fire-filled spirit is contagious, and I enjoy learning from her the skills of cooking and sewing, as well as other useful skills most humans know.
Theodosia is one I do not know very well as of yet, but I think we will become to be friends after she becomes used to being back with the gypsies again. She was in Vulgaria studying their ways and culture, only to rejoin Troupe Festival and have to experience the horrible, terrible downfall of Cezare.
Esmerelda has also become a fast friend. She keeps me versed in all things womanly. Sometimes I wonder how it is she tolerates the life of a gypsy. But she certainly knows how to be a distraction when we are on assignments from the Maestro!! It is in these times that I am certain she was born into the right place.
Nadia I greatly miss! The leader of Troupe Festivale in years past, she is now… unfortunately… away. The thought of her brings tears to my eyes, and I send up a prayer to Great O’Dell (God) for her swift and safe return.
Fern, my faerie sister, I miss dreadfully now that I am with the Kompania. She and I love to make mischief together, whether it be playing tricks on unsuspecting mortals, throwing pebbles at Puck while he is napping, or laughing at nothing at all, we enjoy our time together.
One pillow or two: Esmerelda has gifted me with a comfortable pink pillow from her journeys to Asia with Adonis. I usually keep it in Luciana’s vardo (gypsy wagon), for that is where I sleep when the weather is not fair.
Pets: I have a great fondness for furry creatures and I enjoy their companionship. Esmerelda allows me to keep the occasional small, cute and furry one in her vardo so Maestro will not find them and make me set them free. I have recently made friends with a little stray dog named Dijo. I also have my stallion that Maestro allows me to keep since he is my transportation to and from towns we may be trading our textiles with or other business we need to attend to.
Favourite Type of Music: The beat of drums or the call of a faerie pipe is all it takes to stir me into dance, and how I love their call!
Hobbies/Pastimes: I especially enjoy dancing, of course, but as Evgeny has said, dancing is the way of life for us Romani. In the event I have a free moment, I enjoy hearing stories of the world, or just sitting with a mora (a friend) in quiet conversation, or even go exploring the area around me, seeing what mischief I can get into.
Personal Hygiene: The Maestro likes us to keep clean, to look presentable at all times, and I have no objections to this. I have taken a liking to scented oils, I have traded for many scents. It is much easier to… entertain… when I smell sweet!!
Favorite Food: Though many in my kompania think me mad, I choose to refrain from eating meats, save fishes, because I care for animals greatly, as well as my faerie upbringing. They have taught me to love and respect all living things, so I try to take only that which I need to live. I have a great fondness for sweets, my favourite being the sweet cocoa candies we are sometimes able to trade for.
Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: I know not if my birth mitri (mother) and patri (father) still live, for I was quite young when I was lost from them. I only recall them and an older brother. My dear Ivan, who I call my brother, also lost his sister at an age near mine. We have bonded as a brother and sister would. But much to my dismay, he has vanished, off and away adventuring the world, no doubt. Luciana, his wife, seems convinced that I have my hands in his disappearance, but truly it was not my doing!!
Favourite place to relax? When there is time to spare, I do love to travel into the woods to find a stream and just sit and watch the life about me go about living. I also take my horse out for rides frequently. He quite enjoys galloping through villages late at night!
Favourite Holy Day/Why: Living with the fae, I absolutely adore Beltane! It is a time for love, life, growth of flowers, knowledge, trees, beasts, everything!! And celebrating!! There are many a revel to be found during this time!
Favorite Drink: Though it is difficult to obtain, Elvish wine is most magnificent!
What is your bedtime: Only when my chores are done and I’ve seen that my chava (girls) are out of mischief am I able to find a place to curl up and dream the night away, to rise with the sun and ready myself for another day.
But if it be the night of a revel, I am sure to be found dancing and singing till I am too weary to continue. Those nights you will find me collapsed near the fireside.
What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: When I lived with the fae, I had no need for shoes so my feet grew accustomed to being bare. But Maestro insists I wear them in the harsher lands. I have my bejeweled sandals and fine slippers.
Are you married or single: I am quite happily betrothed to one of Maestro’s eldest sons, Nikolai. He is fulfilling his desire to travel this great earth alone before I join him in his adventures and we are wed.
Do you have a family/who are they: My birth familia is nowhere to be found, but many have proven to be familia stronger than blood through the length of my life.
The first familia I recall were human, my birth family. I remember my mother, father, and an older brother. I was lost from them at a young age and found wandering fearlessly through the woods by Cobweb, the faerie.
Cobweb was touched by my bravery, the ease at which I was able to wander the dark, unfamiliar wood. She always told me I carry magick in my blood, for no other child would have made it as far as I. She was like a second mother to me, the one I remember most clearly. She took me to clean up, then presented me to King Oberon and Queen Titania, and requested I be allowed to stay, to learn the ways of the fae, and further my skills in magick. She has taught me most of what I know, I’m ever in her debt.
The other fae I also hold dear, they are my brothers, sisters, childhood friends and playmates. They all had a hand in my upbringing, teaching me the ways of nature, of the world, of the fae. I see my world differently from most mortals because of them.
The Maestro found me with the fae when one of his sons wandered too close to a faerie revel. He thought it high time I learned the ways oh humans, my own people, and brought me to live with his gypsy kompania. He truly is my second Papa. He has taught me much these past two years about responsibility, love, values, our trade, even more than he likely realizes he has.
I feel a close kinship to Ivan. Because of our similar stories and family-like bond, we have declared ourselves brother and sister. He did marry my dear mora (friend) Luciana at the last Harvest Festival. He vanished shortly after, as he is like to do, no doubt adventuring somewhere. I do wish he would return soon, I miss him so.
Luciana, my dear phrals (brothers) wife, and my close mora (friend), has taught me what it is to be a woman on the road. Some nights, we stay awake talking and laughing in her vardo. We know each other’s secrets and we are partners in our own schemes as well as the family business alongside Esmerelda.
Nikolai, my soon-to-be-husband, is one of Maestro’s eldest sons. He first caught my eye at my first gypsy revel. He is a magnificent dancer, one who easily matched my rhythms. It was in that dance I knew we would be close, though I never would have guessed Maestro would allow his son to marry a fae child, but strange things are always happening where I am involved. Now my heart flickers each time I hear the drums pound and see him catch my eye for a dance. He, too, is unfoutunately traveling the world. Mostly for his own enjoyment, some for work. I patiently—but anxiously—await his return, and our wedding!! He visits when he can, and I cherish those moments we are allowed together before he must depart. Luciana has set him to find my brother Ivan, but I believe it to be a fruitless cause, for that man will stay gone as long as it pleases him!
Evgeny is also a fine dancer, one who I enjoy dancing with. To him, life is mostly play, and it shows. I enjoy watching him paint, seeing him put in every last detail on his works. I admire his heart for O’Dell, and I like to sit and hear him teach on his beliefs. He has a great desire for adventure in all aspects of life, which can get him into trouble.
Alyoshia (Sasha) is of a like spirit to my own. He is loud and rambunctious but also has a more reserved side. We understand each other well, and we can often be found tending our chores but speaking of all things under O’Dell’s sun.
Slavvo is our kompania’s weapon’s master. While living with the fae, I had little use for weapons, but in the life of a gypsy, it is a needed skill. Slavvo has patiently and graciously taught me well.
Adi is often away delivering messages or else he is stuck to Maestro’s side like mud. He looks up to Maestro, and I can see Maestro’s traits rubbing off on the boy.
Milosh is a talented singer and has a great passion for dance. He and I have practiced dancing, and have especially bonded in these moments.
Netotsi has just joined our kompania though it is evident that he belongs with us. He has a fine gypsy spirit and wants to impress, most of all, his Papa. He has a connection to the big animals, especially the wolf. His ease of interacting with them astounds me for one not of fae blood. He is also a skilled dancer, and by none of my doing! Maestro has noticed this and has made an example of Netotsi on more than one occasion.
Hariim very much enjoys the bitter cold of winter, a trait not shared by me. He has taken over the training of the big cats. I enjoy curling up in a pile of these felines on cold nights. It is quite the experience to have a litter of tigers snuggling next to me!
Reynaldo (who I sometimes call Reyn) has a great eye for the lay of the lands (and also for shiny objects that are close to his reach!!). He is often able to see subtle differences others do not. I am certain he will be a great asset in the Boleyn family business. Until that point in time, he is enjoying life wherever he is able. A jokester, to be sure, it is him you should look to if something goes oddly amiss.
Cezare is a close companion, as he spent a year with Troupe Festivale, perfecting his singing, dancing, and acting skills. Our small group grew close during that year, until Cezare’s terrible happening occurred… we will speak no more of it, for the mere thought of it brings me to tears!! Cezare is the eyes and ears of the kompania, watching the gadge (non-gypsies) go about their business, they not taking notice of him since he is but a lowly gypsy. This works greatly in our favor.
Benvolio is our quiet brother. I have learned much from him, as his quietness almost never means he has nothing to say, but get him in a one-on-one conversation and he will reveal what is on his mind. Whenever his mouth is shut, his ears are always open, allowing him to pick up on things others would miss. We share this trait. I am certain he knows much more than he leads us to believe.
Luca is the night to Benvolio’s day, as he is in constant trouble for his excessive talking, though most of it is light-hearted jest. He is an intelligent chavo (boy) when he wants to be, though he is often found making mischief. His dance skills are growing, I enjoy dancing with him from time to time.
Favourite entertainment: I am drawn to any sort of revel, be it gypsy, fae, or court! Watching the gypsy chavo dance is always great entertainment. A decent duel also captivates me.
Favourite subject in school or chore growing up: I have always had a desire to learn languages, and I study them as often as I can. I enjoy cooking with Saphira when I get the chance. I also marveled in learning to ride horses.
Least favourite subject in school or chore growing up: I do detest math. I leave that for Benvolio.
Favourite sport: I absolutely love to ride!
Most humiliating moment:
Proudest moment: One fine evening I was drawn to the gates of the Lord Mayor’s estate by the call of some overly enticing musics. I couldn’t fathom how a party of nobles could possibly be making use of such melodious notes. I climbed a tree to peer over the garden wall to view the ball. I was so enthralled with the dancers’ movements, I forgot that I really should not have been spying on such a gathering. I was pulled from my enthrallment when I heard a voice call: "Gypsy girl, come, let us see you dance this set!" It was King Henry himself that did realize I was watching!! I could tell by the snickers of the court that they held little assurance in my abilities and were hoping to make a fool of me. I pranced to the front of the dance, determined to prove them all wrong. The musicians began their haunting melody, and I danced every step magnificently! There were some eyebrows raised and astonished faces as I skipped happily out the front gate and back to my kompania.
Craziest or silliest person you know: Puck is quite silly. Always playing tricks and making mischief, often getting himself into sticky situations, it is interesting to see how he get himself out of them!!
What do you look for in the opposite sex: I look for one who cam match me in dance, who has a strong mind and thinks for himself. One who can challenge me, encourage me, and stand beside me and let me be myself. One who will take my hand and just hold me close. One who enjoys the adventure of the road, and wants me to join him in these adventures.
Who is your immediate "overlord": The head of our kompania, the Maestro.
How do you feel about this person: I love him as my Papa, I look up to him and respect him immensely.
Favourite sport to watch: A sword fight, where the opponents are equally matched, is most enthralling!
Do you remember your first kiss: I was just a young chava, mayhap twelve or thirteen summers. I was in the middle of dancing at a faerie revel alongside my fae friend, Rowan, when he and I both spun about and stopped closer than either had planned- with lips touching for but a brief moment. I turned and began dancing with Moth, embarrassed. But later Rowan and I met in a small glade to practice our dance again!
Do you keep in touch with childhood friends: My childhood friends are the fae, and they are around as often as they please, which, lately, has been quite often! I enjoy seeing them greatly!
What is your favourite "vacation" spot: during the week of Yule is our only true vacation. We travel to see our mitri and patri (grandmother and grandfather) the Lord and Lady Highgate and to celebrate at their estate. There is feasting and gift-giving, and of course a good bit of dancing and merriment. I make frequent visits to their stables to ride and get to know their horses. It was here that I first rode upon a horse and I instantly loved it!!
Have you ever been overseas: Since joining the gypsy kompania I have journeyed many times overseas. Luciana, Esmerelda, and I are often sent ahead on horseback to find which towns are friendly toward gypsies, where we may find work, and other such tasks. I have grown to love these adventures for oftentimes they bring many surprises.
Do you have dirt/mud floors or stone: Gypsies have no floors of our own save the ground we travel upon and those of the vardos which are wood.
What is your bed made of: Often I sleep on the ground next to the fire. But when it is especially cold, I sleep in Luciana’s vardo.
How many people sleep in your bed: When in a bed, I sleep with Luciana and sometimes Cosi and Teodosa. Around the fire is open to most anyone.
Ten things everyone should know about me:
I sometimes like to venture off by myself. You need not worry for me, I will return safely! There are symply times I need to have adventures of my own.
I live life with a song on my lips and a dance within easy reach.
I am naturally attracted to power, whether it be the power of an object, the power inside a person, or the power of a song or dance.
Though I am anxiously awaiting the return of Nikolai and our wedding, I am still a shameless flirt.
I am learning that I enjoy drumming more and more. I am sometimes torn between dancing and drumming!
Dancing in the rain will brighten my spirit from even the darkest demeanor.
I respect life and use only what I need and try to give back as much as I am able, a lesson taught by the fae.
I am a woman of many guises. Beware, I may just turn up as someone you least expected!
I am quite a curious creature and often get myself into trouble for this.
Though I miss my life with the fae, I am glad that I was found, and by the greatest Gypsy kompania, no less!!