hosaki
One Thousand Club
Tristan Thaddeus Sinclair
"The Road to Dance is a Road of Roses"
Desired Position: Prince of Greedo"The Road to Dance is a Road of Roses"
Country of Origin: Greedo
Gender: Male
Age: 22, born on the 15th of Betulary (Aerasae)
Hair color: Golden blonde
Eye color: Brown
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 152 lb.
Other Distinguishing Traits: A mole on the inside of his right elbow
Romance and Partners:
Never having been in a position to think on matters of love, he is unsure of what exactly he wants out of a romantic partner. Though a favorable match with another royal (particularly the Euthalian princess) would secure his position as Crown Prince of Greedo, his father's less than amicable marriage has him privately questioning whether or not such a path would be suitable for either parties. On the ballroom floor, he is used to dancing as the leader; due to his royal status, it is unlikely for him to ever dance as a follower in public -- though he does harbor a curiosity of what it would be like. At the moment, he has no designated partner.
Position on the Rebellion:
Greedo is quite removed from the arien uprisings in Lepumir, so Tristan is unused to the idea of arie revolting and killing humans. However, since a sizable portion of Greedo's agricultural output is managed by arie, he is doing his utmost to ensure that the citizens are happy and no rebel supporters are sowing the seeds of radicalism amongst their country's population. Needless to say, he is anti-rebellion, though his lack of firsthand interaction with the Lepumir rebels means that he doesn't feel comfortable making any sweeping judgements on the rebelling forces as a whole.
Personality:
By nature, Tristan is earnest and sensitive. He is highly attentive to the needs of his family, friends, subordinates, and subjects. The flip side of this is that he has a tendency towards neuroticism; he can be overly anxious at times over the smallest of things. However, scrutiny from those in the court who wish to see him fail has necessitated adopting a comportment more befitting of his regal status. He seldom loses composure -- externally, that is. The strange circumstances of his birth have also engendered enough black rumors for him to develop a wariness of people not of his immediate social circle. In the public eye, he speaks carefully lest any words be misconstrued and used against him. He is more comfortable with one-on-one private interactions, but opportunities for such are few and far between.
Tristan harbors a great deal of insecurities when it comes to his ability to lead his country, but he believes hard work can overcome all obstacles. He frequently shadows the advisors of the court and obtains instruction from those who are more open to the idea of him succeeding his father. On days when he does not have lessons, he works with the church to aid the poor living in the slums of Elora. Currently, he is working on a plan to improve the quality of life for lower class citizens within the city. His father has also entrusted him with management of the military, with oversight from the Minister of Defense. This department is rather small and insignificant, but may grow to be of increased import with the current tensions between Euthalia and Rameria, as well as the tensions between humans and aria. This busy schedule has provided him with adequate excuse to avoid social gatherings, but has garnered him a reputation as a workaholic.
Those who are close to him will come to know that when speaking outside of his role as crown prince, Tristan is rather awkward at expressing his emotions. He is used to using formal and (at times) overly convoluted language, which is why his more heartfelt words can often come across as stilted and artificial. This is something that he has been attempting to fix, but progress has been slow. Due to this problem, romance and friendship are difficult for the prince. Not to mention, he is often too distracted by other concerns (such as whether or not he is making a good impression) to recognize when someone is interested in getting to know him more intimately as a person.
Biography:
Within the Greedan court (and any court really), intimate relations between servant and master are the ultimate taboo, not barring the Greedan faith's emphasis on purity and marital fidelity. Still, some who are less scrupulous about such traditions and powerful enough to stop any wagging tongues may have an affair or two with a handsome stable boy or a pretty maid. What is rare is the development of any serious romantic relationship between servant and master. Young Bertrand Clement Sinclair fell in love with a lowly chambermaid of Elora Castle and he was, of all things, born the Crown Prince of Greedo. After two years of correspondence and clandestine meetings ended with the discovery of their relationship, the two of them decided to elope. The maid, Mary Ellwood, was pregnant. Faced with a choice between his approaching kingly responsibilities and a life with this new family of his, Bertrand chose the latter. The two of them fled under the cover of night into the darkest parts of the Gildleaf Forest with no solid plan, only the desperation to realize their dream of happiness. It seemed as if the stars were smiling upon them when the came upon the hovel of an old crone, right as the hour of delivery approached. Starved, thirsty, feet swollen from the long and arduous journey, Mary was not in the best state to endure the physical stress of birth. The herbalist helped deliver the baby, but even her best efforts could not save the mother. Mary Ellwood died after hours of prolonged labor, leaving only her child behind. Bertrand Clement Sinclair, stayed by her side even as the light left her eyes and the warmth fled her body. In his arms he cradled their infant: the child of his sorrow, a life that came into this world and in doing so, took another. For weeks, he did his best to raise the child with the help of the knowledgeable old woman, but even this had to come to an end. Knights of the Lilium Order expressly ordered to take him back to the palace by force soon tracked down his location and surrounded the place.
Bertrand returned to the castle for his coronation on the condition that his son be raised as the heir to the Greedo kingdom. His elopement was covered up as an "unexpected trip the Royal Highness had taken to interact with the common people." Mary Ellwood's existence was erased, and any person knowledgeable of the incident was bribed or threatened to keep quiet. Bertrand married a suitable match and went through the motions of an eager groom and a loving husband. He was pressured into siring a child as soon as possible with his new spouse and he did so, with the private fear that the infant would be a male with greater claim to the throne. Luckily, Iris Lavinia Sinclair gave birth to a baby girl.
Much of Tristan's childhood was spent with the servants, without input from Queen Iris. His nanny was spartan in her discipline and Tristan quickly learned that children should not speak unnecessarily, especially in the presence of adults. However, it was during these younger years that he also received kindness from those who saw past the complications of his title. Tristan's best memories from this period were the times he sat in the kitchen, watching loaves of bread rise in the oven as he savored a pastry the chef has snuck to him. When he was old enough to be tutored, such improper familiarity with the staff could not be overlooked any longer. When not enduring his lessons, he was encouraged to befriend those of noble blood who were close to his own age. Though his status meant that other children were required to treat him with the utmost civility, he found that they spoke badly of him behind his back and repeated the vilest things they'd picked up from adult conversation. He no longer looked forward to these "play dates" and opted to slave through additional coursework to avoid the other children. Instead, he derived pleasure from the rare company of his tutor's son, Booker, and the rarer company still of his younger sister.
In this way, Tristan grew up with a singular focus on his studies which was only spurred on by a growing understanding of the way other court officials perceived him: a taint in the royal bloodline and a product of an impure union. He could not remedy what had already been done, but he could give them the ease of mind that despite the circumstances of his conception, he was the most suitable candidate for the throne and thus worthy of carrying on his father's name. Not only did he excel in the academic subjects required of him, he also became proficient in physical activities such as fencing and horseback riding, though these did not come as naturally to him. In working diligently for the welfare of the less fortunate, he gained rapport with the clergy, a highly influential sector on the public opinion. The only area he shows severe neglect in is his social connections with others in the world of politics. The Cendrillion Ball will be his first time participating in such an extensive event and he is apprehensive about how he will manage.
Family/Relationships:
Bertrand Clement Sinclair
Tristan's father and King of Greedo, age 42. He is known as Bertrand the Merciful by his people for lightening punishments for petty theft and crimes of poverty, as well as for reforming the corrupt criminal justice system in Greedo. In response to the rebellion in Lepumir, he has strengthened labor protections for the arie, a controversial action that excited dissent from some of his human constituents. In other issues such as foreign affairs and the national economy, Bertrand is not as distinguished. He has maintained a cordial relationship Greedo's long-time ally, Euthalia, but historically speaking, the two countries have grown more distant. Regarding economic policy, Bertrand takes a moderate position that would have sufficed during more prosperous times: unfortunately, he succeeded the throne during Greedo's decline. Overall, his rule has been received with mixed opinions.
Bertrand's high cheekbones and pointed chin paint a portrait of a severe man, but no harsh lineaments mar his features. Rather, most members of the court describe the king's appearance as melancholic, whether it be because of the perpetual furrow of his brow or the sighs he heaves in his moments unoccupied. Though he rarely smiles, it is clear that Bertrand was once handsome in his youth: his nose slopes down gracefully to lend his face a classic profile, and his cornflower blue eyes, though lachrymose, remain unclouded by infirmities of the mind. However, the years have made their mark on him, particularly in the wrinkles around his eyes.
As a father, Bertrand dotes on Tristan and often lavishes him with extravagant gifts as a way of making up for the time they do not spend together. The relationship is strained on Tristan's side; he is grateful to his father, but has no need nor want for the trinkets foisted upon him. Moreover, Tristan often feels that his father does not see him as a person unto himself, but rather as a living memento of his mother -- a discomforting notion.
Iris Lavinia Sinclair
Tristan's stepmother and Queen of Greedo, age 39. Iris is what most would call petite. Standing at a height of five feet, she is dwarfed by her six-foot-one tall husband. This contrast may not be immediately apparent as the two rarely appear together side by side. Her brown hair is usually tucked up in a modest braided bun and she wears little to no jewelry except for a pendant of a fleur-de-lis, the symbol of Greedo's national faith.
Even in public, Tristan and Iris do not appear to be mother and son; though they perform all the necessary pleasantries, there is a notable detachment and mechanicalness in their interactions. Tristan has always felt a strange sort of apprehension around the woman despite her consistent apathy towards him.
Booker Elliot - A royal tutor with a knife-sharp tongue and a sarcastic humor, six years older than Tristan. His jabs are usually in good spirit. Tristan and Booker have been friends since childhood, but the impropriety of such a relationship means that they do not interact in such a way in public.
Dance Level: 2
Tristan often avoided social events like the plague because he would inevitably hear whispered rumors of his questionable legitimacy as an heir, so there was never a pressing need for him to refine his dance skills. He is also uncomfortable with the close proximity required by the activity. What little he knows has been taught to him by Tutor Elliot.
Last Year's Cendrillion Ball:
Tristan's father fell ill and Tristan remained by his side to aid in managing the country's affairs.
Goals:
Obtaining the Euthalian princess's hand in marriage would benefit Greedo greatly, especially in its current state of decline. It would also be ideal if he were to succeed in building a stronger rapport with the royals of other countries to ease the way of future trade partnerships. Other than the politics, he has no interest in the ball itself.
Extra:
- Tristan's favorite food is hot cakes, particularly the ones sold in Elora's street stalls. Unfortunately, his station prevents him from buying any without being recognized and thus shamed, so Tutor Elliot usually sneaks some to him after he's worked particularly hard on his studies.
- He is an accomplished violinist and a love for the instrument has pushed him to continually perfect his artistry and technique. He has an equal love for baking -- or rather, collecting dessert recipes since he's never even been allowed to touch the flour.
- The only gift from his father that he has kept is a plain silver band his birth mother wore. He keeps it locked away in a small chest, along with a letter that his mother had written to tell her sister of the news of her pregnancy.
*Names Iris and Sinclair credited to
Aster
, as well as the national crest being the white lily
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