| “Humans were so circular; they lived the same slow cycles of joy and misery over and over, never learning. Every lesson in the universe had to be taught billions of times, and it never stuck. Maybe it was good that the world forgot every lesson, every good and bad memory, every triumph and failure, all of it dying with each generation. Perhaps this cultural amnesia spared them all. Perhaps if they remembered everything, hope would die instead.” - Maggie Stiefvater, Blue Lily, Lily Blue
A Fae-Touched Beginning
As a teen, Sylvianne Layton fell deeply and madly in love with another girl, her best friend Deanna. Beneath the twinkling majesty of the forest at night, they made a pact to love each other always, first and foremost, no matter what. The two were nearly inseparable, sticking together through thick and thin as they grew into proud, passionate women, until one day Sylvie knew that something was different. Wrong.
In their freshman year of college, Deanna became aloof, wouldn't seek out her touch the way she once had. Their other partners didn't notice the change in her. Some thought she was merely jealous, as though such a petty emotion could rear its head between them. Her skin lost its unique softness, a feeling that had practically written itself into her very DNA through consistent exposure. Through subtle clues, Sylvie became convinced that her Deanna had been replaced. An imposter. So Sylvianne did what she does best: she picked up her books and she searched for the answer. While she had never felt directionless before, the course of her life began to unfurl before her as she delved deeply into folklore, searching desperately for anything that could help her figure out what happened to her friend and how she could fix the gaping hole left inside her that was exactly Deanna's shape.
By the time she finally discovered the Hedge, she had already obtained her PhD in the subject, and felt it woefully lacking in terms of practical application. She's been into the Hedge more times than she would care to admit and has yet to see hide or hair of her beloved Deanna, but she feels Deanna in her dreams. Knows, without reservation, that she'll find her there one day, waiting for her. So she bides her time, gathers evidence, knowledge. Stores it in her personal archive, a secret she keeps from all but the Lost she trusts.
“If you never saw the stars, candles were enough.” - Maggie Stiefvater, Dream Thieves
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| Folklorist |:| PhD folklorist, has all the knowledge on mundane folklore, and if she doesn't already know it, she has the research skills to find the answer. Sylvie is a published academic and well respected by her peers.
Collector |:| Sylvie has several collections from books to Victorian Hair Work, and yes, it's all organized in excruciating detail. Her collection includes what she refers to as The Archive of the Hedge, a collection of information about active Fetches, changeling goings-on, Hedge activity, and anything she could scrounge up on Arcadia and its denizens.
Unique Fashion Sense |:| Sylvie has made her own clothes for as long as anyone but her mother can remember. These days, her fashion sense is heavily inspired by Victorian garments. No, she won't sew that thing for you.
Queer |:| Sylvie, despite being somewhat insular, is a poly-amorous bisexual, and proud. Though she has never been the type to wave a flag or wear a t-shirt, she does her best never to let people think she's anything else.
Accomplished musician |:| After the disappearance of her most treasured love, Sylvianne picked up the harp as a way to self-soothe and get out of her own head. There are an elite few who have ever had the pleasure of her performance.
Unconventional Combat |:| Sylvianne has never held a gun, never learned a martial art, and doesn't relish the idea of getting into a fight, but they do occasionally find her. Ever since she first ventured into the Hedge, she knew it would be vital that she gain some kind of combat experience. It was wildly important to her that she never be caught without a way to get herself out. Now, Sylvie can improvise a weapon out of almost anything.
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| Culture |:| Sylvie always appreciates an opportunity to sample whatever culture she can. Art, music, performance, comedy. Nothing is too high or too low.
Drown Your Sorrows |:| She's a gin girl.
Request Access |:| Are you doing any research on the Hedge or Arcadia? Perhaps you'd like to see what's on offer.
Fight Me |:| Just like...for fun you know? Keep our skills sharp.
Camping |:| The dark wood is a dangerous place, but at least you can see the stars there.
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| PRONOUNS: She/Her
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| AGE: 32
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| BIRTHDAY: 03 January 1990
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| HEIGHT: 5'6"
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| OCCUPATION: ISAW Librarian
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| DISTINGUISHING MARKS: Green thread tattoo on right forearm (matches a needle tattoo on someone else)
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| LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English, Russian, German, Gaelic, French
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| CONCEPT: Folklore Archivist
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| COURT: Autumn
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| MOTLEY: None
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PUBLIC EFFECTS:
- Court Goodwill: Autumn
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