"I will never, ever turn my back on people who need me!"
- Katara
BASICS
RETIRE INFO:
Katara: Adopt
NAME: Katara
GENDER: Female
PRONOUNS: She/her/hers
ORIENTATION: Heterosexual
BIRTHDATE: Early Spring 2750
AGE: 17 as of Late Spring 2767
LOCATION: High Reaches Weyr
OCCUPATION: App Healer, Candidate
WING: N/A
APPEARANCE
EYES: Sapphire blue
HAIR: Brown, intricately styled
HEIGHT AND BUILD: 5’4, curvaceous and toned
PLAY-BY: Katara (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
FULL APPEARANCE:
A solid frame carries strength and femininity in surprising measures: Katara might seem delicate, but she is a force to be reckoned with when angered, and a picture of radiance when she dons her Gather finery. With dark skin, deep, blue eyes and tresses of resplendent cocoa, she draws the eye through a combination of grace and beauty. A heart-shaped face and a gentle smile for most might disarm the less cautious, but her eyes are a mirror of her emotions- and boy can Katara get mad. She is especially proud of her hair, which she takes great efforts to manage and style- including her trademark ‘hair loopies’, occasional plaits and frequent brushing.
The young woman prefers to dress in her Hold’s traditional colours of blue, but will wear what is required of her. She likes looser clothing- particularly flowing skirts, fisherman trousers and tunics. Katara has lost the majority of her wardrobe since making her way to High Reaches, but has kept a heavy over-cloak that serves well in the cold climate. Her prized possession is a traditional betrothal necklace from her Hold, gifted to her by her mother, and her mother before her. It is the material possession she fiercely and jealously guards. Katara isn’t often seen without belts and pouches- which she stocks with healing herbs.
PERSONALITY
PERSONALITY:
Beneath those dark looks lies a woman with a fiery heart: Katara is filled with passion, led by strong emotions and desires. She is a sensitive soul with a lot of love to give, a kind and caring nature to offer. Enthusiastic, as well as a staunch ally and friend to those who earn her trust, Katara will never want to hurt or disappoint her loved ones in any way- in fact, she goes out of her way to ensure that everybody is doing okay. She falls, naturally, into the role of surrogate-mother of her friend groups. Reliable, responsible, kindly and compassionate.
This young woman may choose to be led by her heart, but she is also capable of clear and rational thinking when the situation turns to crisis. Unlike her brother, whose creative thinking sees him strategizing escape in the direst of situations, Katara keeps the group together with a near-limitless wellspring of hope, positivity and selfless care for others. She has a great deal of emotional capacity for shouldering the burdens of her friends, and can be both a good listener and a dispenser of (unwanted) wisdom. Her mothering, nurturing instincts don’t come with an off-button- and Katara can occasionally become a bit smothering and over-protective towards those she deems fragile.
Deeply romantic, Katara is the kind of person to nurture crushes and fan her feelings in private. She loves love- the idea of romance, of marriage, of happiness, children and families has long been one of her dreams for the future. Though she is quick to remark to her friends on the appeal of certain men in her life, she is also extremely loyal and attached during official courtships.
Like most folk, Katara has a dark side. She is quick to anger when things don’t go her way, or when people do the wrong thing according to her moral compass. She practically embodies the expression ‘Between hath no fury’, and is not afraid of getting into fights or raising her voice if she feels wronged. Enduring, resilient and stubborn, Katara will fight until she can stand no longer- and even then, if she can crawl, you can be certain she’ll go for your legs or ankles. She practices a combat style that allows her to use her enemies’ strength and weight against them; she also meditates on a daily basis, allowing herself to compartmentalise her anger so that it becomes honed and ice-cold. Katara’s fury becomes the sharp blade of revenge, and she will gladly wait Turns to finish orchestrating the downfall of those who cross her.
Due to her mothering instincts, and her desire to see people walk the straight and narrow, Katara can present quite a bossy side. She is an intelligent woman who does not suffer fools easily, but it also lends her a certain belief that she is always right, and it comes across in her treatment of others. She will push people into doing tasks that might not be entirely necessary, and she will reorganise groups if there are more efficient combinations in her opinion. This places her in opposition with certain authority figures, who might not appreciate her ‘assistance’ in micromanagement.
Her moral compass is incredibly strong: Katara is very principled and honorable, and expects other people to behave similarly to herself. Her perception of rules and values are quite black and white- there’s little room for areas of grey. Everybody must receive justice at some stage or another- and why shouldn’t she be the one to mete it out, if she is in a position to see clearly, and to do so in the first place. She has not yet been confronted with her own hypocrisy, though she lives by high standards and would (if not graciously) accept her failings if pointed out to her.
Gifted with a light and jovial sense of humour, Katara has ‘fun’ days as well. She’s not all revenge and love- sometimes, she just wants to have a bit of fun. This often takes the form of water-based activities, feeling a strong affinity for the element. She also takes joy in harmless practical jokes- especially if Sokka becomes an incidental victim. Katara also enjoys dancing and Gathers, and has a very strong social side that loves idle gossip and conversation.
Her skills and prowess in healing were praised as a child, and as such became part of her identity. She feels responsible for the welfare of others, and their pain and misery becomes her mission to fix. Careful, conscientious and meticulous in her work, Katara relishes the day she may walk the tables, although candidacy has made progression a little more complicated. Her compassion and bedside manner have no equal: she is a doting and patient healer.
HISTORY
FAMILY:
- Father: Hakoda {Holder of a minor cothold beholden to Ista)
- Mother: Kya {deceased}
- Grandmother: Kanna ‘Gran-gran’ {Healer}
- Brother: Sokka {2747 - Greenrider} of Green Wintrath {2764} {Played by Arcane}
BIRTHPLACE: Cothold beholden to Ista
HISTORY:
Born the youngest of two in a small, coastal cothold near Ista Weyr, Katara’s early life was peaceful and filled with love. She took an interest in healing at a young age, as her mother and grandmother performed their duties around the Hold itself. Healing herbs and home remedies was knowledge passed from generation to generation, and Katara was eager to learn.
Everything changed when High Reaches riders attacked. She hadn’t known war- not until that day- but it brought her whole world crumbling down. Her mother was killed, and many of her fellow holders were stolen. Her father rallied some of the other men of the Hold and launched a rescue operation, and both Katara and Sokka were told to stay behind, the eldest of the children who had survived. Sokka, as their father’s heir, was given the mantle of leader. Katara helped him when possible, whilst continuing to study healing with their gran-gran.
Their mother’s death, Katara stored away in her heart, like a bitter shard of ice growing colder and angrier with each passing day. She was twelve when their father returned- with noting to show for his venture. Dead, or unwilling to return out of fear- that was what he said about their fellow Holders. That shard of hatred intensified, and Katara grew very introspective. Sokka had plans- big plans- to go take down High Reaches with a dragon of his own. Katara was different. She had death on her mind- and felt herself the only person capable of dealing it. She was going to make forsking sure there would never be another goldrider in charge of High Reaches Weyr- no matter the personal cost.
Sokka left for Ista Weyr when he was fifteen. Katara bided her time, patient and resourceful. High Reaches felt the same way she did about gold dragons, it seemed. They had elected a democratic council to lead them… but would it be enough? When she turned fifteen herself, she arranged to be Searched by a High Reaches dragon and was found acceptable as a candidate.
Her brother was already there, and she was glad to be reunited with him. Katara’s resolve became steely. It didn’t matter that those damn riders were trying to change- if they put one toe out of line, she would kill anybody who looked to grab power and misuse it. There was no forgiveness. There was no bringing Kya back. She couldn’t make Golre pay… so others would have to atone for her sins.
And then, Sokka Impressed. True enough- she was a candidate, but her heart was not set on dragons as such. She used candidacy as an opportunity to observe the riders, and to ensure peace wasn’t going to be broken. But Wintrath was a beautiful green- in a way that went beyond mere colour of hide. Her personality was well-suited to Sokka, and Katara saw how he healed and became whole from their childhood experience. Would Impressing a dragon change her that much?
Slowly, over the course of Turns, her heart has begun to open once more. Katara is less guarded and less willing to condemn strangers; now her laugh and smile are genuine, and her care for her High Reaches patients sincere.
