First Person Survey for: Xavier

Name Given at Birth: Xavier

Nicknames: Baxtalo (Given to me by my mother), Pakvora (Given to me by my grandmother before she was burned for her religious belief!

Hometown or where you were born: Mother told me I was born on our way to the Harvest Festival somewhere in the Baltics!

Current Residence: nywhere my Gypsy Troupe stops for the evening, but I personally consider Canterbury the closest place to a residence.

Age: 26

Class: Lowest of the low, but with the help of the gaji's money we live fairly well!

What do you do, your main function in life/society: I am an entertainer but I was learning the trade of a blacksmith by my father before he was also killed for his religious beliefs!

Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: Yes, Esmerelda and I were only around the age of ten when we left our wagons early one morning and went swimming in the ocean.

Do you make fun of people: Only my fellow gypsies when they act up, the only one I choose to mention is Adonis!

Favorite Color: It is a very Dark, Deep Purple. It has a certain spiritual significance with my family! My Grandmother always said it was the color of Spiritual enlightenment and Divinity!

Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: I've quite frequently stolen food, money, clothing but only what I need to get by! Never been convicted!

Closest friends/How did you meet: Esmerelda and I have known each other ever since we were old enough to suck our toes and fingers. The first encounter I can remember was when we were at a Patshiv on the eve of Saint George. My eyes fell upon hers and I knew that we would be together for life, whether it be in marriage or friendship. I grabbed her scarf while she was dancing and hid the rest of the night with it in hopes that she would find me. She found me when the light of the morning broke through the night sky. She kicked me for taking it and took it back.

One Pillow or two: I do not use a pillow since the day my family was put into the ground by the gaji. They do not rest until I have found the ones who murdered them so I do not rest as well.

Pets: I have a beautiful Fruit Bat given to me by a sultan while dancing in his palace. I have named him didikai!

Favorite Type of Music: I am quite moved by my peoples folk music. The Drums, ocarina, lute and pan pipe always make me want to dance!

Hobbies/Pastimes: Most of my time is spent fixing the wagons or looking for food. When I have a moment of time I write music for my troupe!

Personal Hygiene: I try to keep as well groomed as I possible can considering I sing and dance for food and such. My Troupe travels so water is not as hard to come by as it is in Canterbury!

Favorite Food: Bokoli-Pancake with chunks of meat inside!

Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: My parents were killed when I was young.

If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: A band of Gaji males invaded our camp believing we were causing the overwhelming death toll of children in their town. They thought my grandmother was cursing them so they drug her out of her wagon and into the middle of their town and burned her at the stake for for her beliefs. They also took my mother, father, brothers and sister screaming into the town and bestowed the same fate upon them. I was out with Esmerelda wandering in the woods exploring when we came back to find our camp almost empty of my people. Only a few were left with wounds and memories of the horrible day.

Favorite place to relax: by the campfire late at night with Esmerelda when the rest of the camp has gone to bed.

Favorite Holy Day / Why: St. Georges Day! For being victorious over evil and never falling at the hands of oppression.

Favorite Drink: Rakia- Plum Brandy

What's your bedtime: I frequently stay up until the early hours of the morning resting by the fire keeping an eye on the wagons so as not to be bested by the gaji again.

What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: Worn out boots or sandals. Boots for dancing and working, sandals for relaxing.

Are you married or single: I am single but the only person I'm looking for is Esmerelda. She is my one true love but it will never be.

Do you have a family / who are they: My family is the gypsy troupe. They may be loud and obnoxious but they are the only family I have.

Favorite Entertainment: I enjoy singing with Esmerelda. We make light of our hardships.

Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: I was quite fond of learning about the many types of animals and sea creatures!

Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: I did not like learning the gaji language. Too many thees and thous!

Favorite Sport:  It would have to be wrestling with my fellow gypsies or dancing competitions.

Most Humiliating Moment: I was barely old enough to know what the drink was but I found it in my families wagon. It was a big jug. I remember always seeing my grandmother and father drinking out of it but never knew what it was. I just knew we were not allowed to drink from it until we were older. I was alone was evening and decided to try this unusual smelling liquid. I took a drink and found it to be quite refreshing but I did not know how good I would be feeling by the time my mother found me. Grandmother was laughing at the way I was walking and father told me to go walk outside to keep from destroying the wagon. I finally fell in a pile of leaves and did not wake up until the next morning. Esmerelda came out to see if I was alright but before I knew it The worst feeling came over me and I threw up all over her beautiful dress. I did not talk to her for the rest of the day.

Proudest Moment: I was bathing in the river when I heard a gaji screaming that her son had fallen into the water. He was trying to keep from going under but it was not working. I went to my father to get help for the boy but my father said we could not deal with the problems of the gaji. I ran back to the wagon that holds all of our supplies and found some rope. I went back to the river and tied the rope around the tree. I went into the water and drug the boy out by myself. I was never thanked for helping the boy. His mother called me a thieving pile of horse dung and went back to the town.

Craziest Person or silliest you know: Adonis-His mouth is the biggest and often gets him in the most trouble.

What do you look for in the opposite sex: I look for strength, independence, passion, compassion, hope, intellect, beauty, friendship.

In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord" Maestro!

Favorite Sport to watch: Wrestling Gypsies

Do you remember your first kiss: Esmerelda asked me to go walking with her to collect eggs for morning breakfast. We went into the woods looking for nests that's when I decided to lean in and kiss her. So I pulled her close and Kissed her lips. She slapped me then laughed and pushed me on the ground and kissed me back! As we have grown our love for each other has turned into a beautiful friendship with a bond that can never be broken even in death.

Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: The only childhood friend I have is Esmerelda!

Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: The Baltics, or New Egypt

Have you ever been overseas: Yes, quite frequently to Madagascar to visit the Empress!

Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone:  I have a wooden floor in the wagon.

What is your bed made of: My bed is usually made up of tent bags, and the wooden floor of the wagon. or dirt depending on the warmth of the evening

How many people sleep in your bed: Depends on who wants to sleep in the wagon with me that night. Usually 3

1. I have the biggest heart when it come to Esmerelda but will never be able to love another.

2. I hold the gypsy troupe together with my inner strength and love for my people. even though we fight with each other and are loud and wild.

3. Typically I do not give gaji the time of day unless in Canterbury where they are warm and welcoming of my people.

4. I am usually alone unless needed for rehearsals or to fix things!

5. I was given a necklace by my grandmother for scrying. It also helps people see their futures! I also have a ring passed down in my family for when I find the right woman to marry but I have not given it out yet.

6. I have never been fond of traveling. I want to settle down and start a family but probably never will.

7. I give off the impression that I am not in the mood for talk but I am always ready to listen and help with someone's problems.

8. I am a passionate kisser and my hugs are always warm and inviting.

9. I make my own costumes for dancing. I also make my own shoes.

10. I have the power to see into the future, and talk to the dead but I have never told the other gypsies. Not even Esmerelda!