Teagan Selby
Name Given at Birth: Teagan Ambrosia Selby. But please, call me Teagan as that is the only name I will answer to. Unless it is Master Leonardo calling me.
Nicknames: Tea, TeaGee, Tea Rose (though only my mother is allowed to use this), and however else Master Leonardo manages to destroy my name.
Hometown or where you were born: In the countryside of Devon, England, is where I was born. In a cart on the way into the city. The long ride put my mother into childbirth early and they were yet a ways from the nearest town. As I would no longer wait, my sisters were there to aid in bringing me into the world.
Current Residence: Firenza, Italy, in the region of Tuscany, with my Master, Leonardo.
Age: During the Harvest Festival, I shall be turning two and twenty years!
Class: Though I am female, I believe myself to be a Scholar. By my parents, however, I am of the middle class. By my Master Leonardo, also am I of the middle class.
What do you do, your main function in life/society: I aid and assist Master Leonardo in a variety of theories and ideas he has. I also aid him in keeping track of the things being worked on and remembering his ideas.
Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: Whether or not I have gone swimming without clothing is something that only I need know about. I do, however, know how to swim, which is very good, considering some of the ideas that Master Leonardo gets. I have had to wade in water much deeper than I am comfortable with, and were it not for knowing how to swim, I would have quite easily drowned.
Do you make fun of people: Not at all. Wait, that is untrue. But only if Master Leonardo has begun it!
Favorite Color: My favorite color is the hue of the ocean at mid-morn, the beauty of a lagoon at the dawning of the sun. I also favor the blue and yellow mixture of young grass.
Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: I have never committed nor been convicted of a crime. However, I believe I was being accused of one when Master Leonardo came across me. I had no knowledge of what the Italian sailor was saying to me.
Closest friends/How did you meet: I consider Master Leonardo to be my closest friend, despite our age difference. We met because of the Italian sailor I have mentioned. Master Leonardo came down from the ship to find out what was going on. He was able to smooth things over and later told me what the man had said. As he escorted me back to my home, he asked me if I would like to be one of his assistants, and I agreed.
One Pillow or two: I always have one small pillow. It is small so that it is not a burden and takes up only a small amount of space when we travel. When we are home, though, I occasionally manage to obtain a second.
Pets: When I was much younger, I had a cat. Unfortunately, now, I have no pets, for she passed on several years before I met Master Leonardo. Her name was Thyme, because I found it amusing to tell people I was looking for Thyme when they would ask me what I was doing.
Favorite Type of Music: I do find the toe-tapping, hip-swaying rhythm of the gypsies most enjoyable, but a good bagpipe is also wonderful.
Hobbies/Pastimes: I enjoy sketching the world around me, as well as ideas that my mind does create. There are occasions whereon my mind will not stop, and I must sketch what is there.
Personal Hygiene: I bathe every few days. Or more frequently, if Master Leonardo has me assisting with something quite messy or involving water.
Favorite Food: I do enjoy a good soup in a bowl made of bread, but even better is the frozen milk treat that I believe is called ‘Iced Cream’. The soup is wonderful on a chill day, but the frozen treat is most welcome on days where it is too hot to move.
Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: My parents are yet living. Gladly both. I have not seen them in several years, but we do exchange letters. I believe that I have made them both proud, though I have not married to do so.
If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: Thankfully, they are both still amongst the living.
Favorite place to relax: If it is sunny, outside, beneath a tree with my sketchbook in hand. Inside, on a cushion before a fire with a book if it is raining or cold.
Favorite Holy Day / Why: Candlemas is my favored Holy Day, for though it is the darkest of the days, the lighting of the candles that takes place upon this day entices the light and the warmth to return, warming my heart in the process.
Favorite Drink: There is little else that does away with thirst quite like water. Though, every now and again, I find I do not mind a drink with a little more bite and alcohol.
What's your bedtime: Where upon the sun has set and all of mine chores have been completed, I will oft retire to my bed to relax. My mind is in a constant state of motion, so I must calm myself and my mind so that I might drift off into the land of dreams.
What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: Though I prefer nothing, I oft wear shoes. There are many things in the dwelling Master Leonardo has, that all of we apprentices and assistants share, that could quite easily cut into our feet.
Are you married or single: As it stands this day, I am unwed. Fear not, for my parents have several grand children upon which to dote and they do not mind that I will not be granting them yet more.
Do you have a family / who are they: My father is a Textiles Merchant who is oft times away doing business in other countries. My mother does stay at home to assist with the raising of the children and the running of the small estate they do live in. I have also three younger siblings, two are my brothers and the youngest is my sister. Married off are my two older sisters; married to merchants, both of them. My eldest brother follows in my father’s footsteps and will certainly inherit the business whereupon the time comes.
Favorite Entertainment: I enjoy watching the graceful movements of the gypsies when they are in full dance. It causes my mind to wander and nearly causes me to wish to be one of them.
Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Of all the subjects I have both read about in books and that Master Leonardo has taught me, I have a penchant for sketching and mathematics. Numbers appeal to me, as does the way in which they formulate equations. Yet sketching allows my mind to wander into areas more colorful than the world around me.
Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: I have never fully understood the concept or usefulness of Chemistry. It leads my mind to the pathways of Alchemy, which I believe to be a less than satisfactory source of answers for the world around me.
Favorite Sport: When I have been able, I enjoy letting arrows fly. To watch the fletched shaft imbed itself into the target brings with it much satisfaction. On the times I have been able, I have also enjoyed riding a horse. The rhythm of the horse’s movements is soothing and it calms my over active mind.
Most Humiliating Moment: Once, and only once, many months ago, my sketchbook was pilfered by one of the young men who was being tutored in a few subjects by Master Leonardo. It did not take me very long to discover the theft, but by that time my Master had discovered it himself and retrieved the book. When he returned it to me, he gifted me with a new sketchbook with a leather tie so that I could bind it closed with knots only I could open.
Proudest Moment: For the anniversary of my Master’s birth, I gifted him with one of my better sketches. I know, though he has not mentioned it, that he keeps it safe and looks at it often.
Craziest Person or silliest you know: There was once a youth who Master Leonardo was attempting to instruct in the ways of art. I thought him mad then, and do so now. He would often scream quite random words or profanities I should not have heard at the empty air.
What do you look for in the opposite sex: The ability to comprehend that I have a mind of my own and intend to make full use of my mental capabilities. A willingness to understand and allow my independence. The inability to condescend to me, as I will most likely be more learned in our topics of conversation.
In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord" : Master Leonardo, whom I adore. Even for all that he cannot seem to get my name correct. I am beginning to think he is doing it purposefully, to play with me.
Favorite Sport to watch: I find it enjoyable to watch the guards when they are practicing with their swords. Perhaps this is not a sport, but I do find the joust to be extremely boring.
Do you remember your first kiss: I suppose I can divulge this information, as it is rather sweet. When I was but five years of age, another little girl challenged me to go up to one of the little boys I was oft playing with and kiss him. I accepted the challenge and went right up to one of them and kissed him. It was quick and we both wiped our mouths briskly with the backs of our hands after, but no other child dared to challenge my bravery again.
Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: No. And for that small miracle, I am most grateful. My childhood friends were cunning and shifty when we grew older. I could not abide by the games they wished to play with one another then and I cannot abide by them now.
Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: Taking a ship from one port to another in travels. Not only is the sea quite beautiful in all of her faces, but she is also quite calming. My mind does not oft quiet, so I treasure the times when it is such.
Have you ever been overseas: I was born in England, yet now live in Italy. I would think it safe to say that yes, I have been overseas. Quite frequently, actually.
Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: Depending upon whom it is that is my Master’s patron, they could be stone or marble. It would also depend upon which room. As it is now, our current home has stone floors on the first floor and wood on the second. Both of which can be very cold on the bottoms of the feet!
What is your bed made of: My bed is made of straw tick. It is comfortable enough, though I’ve oft fallen asleep upon my hearth rug, a book in hand.
How many people sleep in your bed: As I am yet the only female assistant to Master Leonardo, I am quite lucky to find myself the only one in my bed. It would be quite improper to have any of the male assistants sharing my bed with me.
10 Things Everybody Should Know About Me:
1. I have a sharp mind, or so Master Leonardo tells me. I’m often catching problems in his plans before they are put into action.
2. I despise being dirty in any form for any length of time. No matter how dirty I used to get as a small child. Perhaps that is the source of my despite.
3. There are shadows at the edges of my vision that move, yet when I turn to see them, they are either gone or nothing is there.
4. I am not fond of summer and it’s ill-gotten heat. It is improper to strip down to my chemise in order to get cooler, though the heat oft makes me wish I could do just that.
5. My father taught me how to read after repeatedly finding me in the Library with my nose in a book without pictures.
6. I taught myself how to write. And surprised my father with a note once I had mastered it.
7. I have an insatiable curiosity. Even though Master Leonardo tells me it will cause me much trouble, I know it is the reason we get along so well.
8. I have a wicked wit. Master Leonardo is often the recipient of it, but he returns any verbal barbs I might throw his way eagerly. Oft times, he even begins our verbal battles.
9. There have been nights where sleep has eluded me due to my mind being unable to quiet and rest. I tend to spend those nights at the small table in my room with a lamp lit and my sketchbook before me.
10. Though we do not often let it be known, Master Leonardo is mine Uncle. My father, however, encouraged me against calling him as such when in a position of Apprenticeship, lest the others think he favor me above them for reasons other than mine intelligence.