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| Xana |
| Birthdate: 12-21-2681 |
| Position: Old Auntie at Igen Weyr |
| Dragon: N/A |
| Craft: N/A |
| Journal: N/A |
| Played By: Dame Maggie Smith |
Description
Xana is an elegant older woman, perhaps in her seventies, early eighties at most. Her hair is gray and cut short against the hot Igen summers. Light blue eyes are the focal point of a thin and mildly-wrinkled face, her nose on the large side but her smile still quite becoming. She is not stout like some of the other aunties, nor is she particularly thin, instead showing a build of someone who is still fairly active.
She is wearing a day dress like many of her peers, though on her it doesn't look so old-ladyish. Perhaps it's tailored to fit better, or maybe she's just someone who can make anything look good. At any rate, it is a deep green in shade, and goes well with her tanned but undyed wherhide sandals. She has a pad on her left shoulder, and often as not a pale brown firelizard is availing himself of it. More rarely, a small green firelizard will be seen around her.
History
Born at Igen Weyr, Xana was a natural entertainer from the moment she could focus her eyes. It surprised no one when she apprenticed to the Harpers at age twelve, and her progression to senior apprentice, journeyman, senior journeyman, and master went as might be expected from an intelligent, dedicated pupil at first, and later a young and not-so-young woman. She specialized in oratory and acting; her singing voice was an entirely passable, even pleasant, alto. She was an indifferent archivist and could make instruments, but never produced any of note, nor was she ever any better than average at composing.
At the age of twenty-two, when barely a journeyman, she married a fellow Harper named Uldon who was some fourteen turns her senior. Tongues wagged for a while, but the marriage seemed to be a happy one. One of their wedding gifts was a pair of firelizard eggs; he impressed a tiny green and she ended up with a brown. Nor was the marriage fruitless; they were blessed with four children.
Her oldest, a daughter named Osira, apprenticed to the Weaver Hall and eventually became a master Tailor in her own right. The second, a son named Ulan, followed in his parents' footsteps, and is currently a senior journeyman Harper specializing in composition. Her third, also a son, she doesn't talk about much. And finally, her youngest daughter, Gena, was searched by Telgar Weyr and, at the age of fifteen, became green Teivath's rider there.
Xana and Uldon's marriage lasted for nearly fifty turns, though the last ten or so were spent only semi-lucid on his part; he was struck with senility in his late seventies and died of old age about six turns ago. Xana weathered most of Uldon's waning years gracefully, keeping up her teaching and storytelling while ensuring Uldon had the best of care. His death crushed her, though, and she retired within a few months.
Although the Harper Hall was willing to let her stay on, she requested to go back to Igen Weyr, ostensibly because the heat and dry air would be kinder to her old bones. She has since settled in with the other aunties and uncles, and wears the shoulder knot of an Igen resident. Anyone who brings up her former rank and craft in her presence is hushed by her.
Hooks
- Xana arrived at Igen Weyr six turns ago; few but the oldest remembered her because she'd been gone for nearly half a century.
- Xana will happily tell people all about her three children and, far more rarely, about her husband, whom she obviously misses very much.
- Although she achieved mastery in the Harper craft, Xana wears the shoulder knot of an Igen resident. She will hush anyone who brings up her Harper past.
- Xana loves telling stories of all kinds, and may help children with their teaching ballads, if asked.
- Uldon's green firelizard still sometimes shows up around Xana.
- Xana will generally play the part of a somewhat dotty old lady. Those who don't know better remain ignorant at their own peril.
