Ariana Farren

Ariana was born on the streets of Mistral. Her parents weren't exactly the responsible type and her birth could easily be chalked up as an "accident". Shortly after she was able to function on her own, they left her. Not a trace or word from either of them ever again. She grew up in the underbelly of Mistral where thieves, murders, black market brawlers, and various vagabonds hung out to carve out a living. She stole, begged, and traded just to survive.

At the age of 8, Ari discovered her semblance after slipping into the shadows to escape a pissed off shopkeeper she had stolen from. While she eluded the store owner she was quickly discovered by a boy slightly older than her. He apparently had "seen the whole thing" and said her little "magic trick" would be put to good use if she came with him. Ari had nowhere else to turn in life, she never did, so she followed him. He led her further underground where he introduced her to a group that had dubbed themselves a "family". Their leader was a lanky and tall man by the name of "Raju" and boy said he was "Cedric". Once Cedric explained Ariana's semblance Raju accepted her in. He laid down the simple ground rules: follow his orders, don't get caught, don't snitch, and enjoy your wealth from your efforts. It was a pretty much anything goes kind of lifestyle.

Because of their now friendship, Ari and Cedric stuck together most the time on jobs for many years. In exchange for said jobs, Raju hooked the pair up with a basic education, food, water, shelter, and clothes on their backs. Of course, they kept 50% of whatever they stole as well.

By the time the two of them were 17 and 20 respectively they had become some of the best of their group. However, one night Cedric had overheard Raju talking with another senior member. They wanted to cash out Ari and him, the two were a benefit but with them growing up they were also quickly becoming a threat. Cedric would head to the authorities with the plan of ratting out the whole group. A plea deal could be made since he and Ari kept their hands clean of murder unlike most in their "family". Together with that factor in mind they could at worst serve a minimum sentence and at best be let go in exchange for any information they had.

Over the next week or so, Ari ran all of her jobs solo as Cedric was nowhere to be found. After a particular job went south and resulted in her almost being caught she stormed back to home-base with the intent of finding Cedric and giving him an earful. When she arrived she found instead was him battered and barely alive. She would make an attempt to rush to his side only to have a knife placed at her neck and her hands bound. Raju had found out about Cedric's betray from an informant inside the police force and taken action into his own hands. He forced Ari to watch as he killed Cedric, his last words were him confessing his love to her and apologizing. Raju then turned his blade on her but luckily he had found out about Cedric's deal a tad late as the authorities had shadowed Ari back to the hide-out under Cedric's request. They moved in and arrested everyone. Raju screamed that he would find and kill Ariana whenever they met again. Unfortentletly, Cedric was beyond saving.

The authorities kept their end of the deal with Cedric and offered her an "out". For exchanging all known information on the underground dealings and for names she would be allowed to enroll in a Huntsman Academy where her skills could be put to good use. Being in Mistral, Haven Academy was the likely choice but Ariana declined and wished to travel away from Anima. She had read about a small kingdom just north of the continent called "Bellmuse". She opted to go there which was arranged after she told them everything they had asked for.

Now, Ariana is 19 and has spent a full two years almost at the academy. She is still undecided on her major and enjoys the formal studying and training of the school...however, she always fears the past threats and or promises...

These moments were never easy, it was a pain that wracked her heart whenever they came about. It was the pain of loneliness. Ever since it had happened, the following days, weeks, months, and now years...she had felt it. There was no real way to describe it besides maybe just an extremely hollow like feeling. Just emptiness…

Ariana sat on top of a building on campus. It was late and the moon was shining down casting a soft glow on the grounds below her. She swung her slightly exposed legs idly and her eyes were a bit puffy from the tears she had let out earlier. Nightmares had awoken her in the first place and now they also placed a barrier of fear to go back to sleep. She would probably spend the remaining hours of the night up here, alone. Eventually, sleep would call and force her to face the terror of dreams that awaited her when she closed her eyes...but for now...she would let another tear drop fall. Then another, another, and another...You don’t know what you have and love...

"...until they’re gone..." Was what she ended up whispering to herself before she once again started softly crying into the otherwise silent night.