Name: Althea Jade Graham

Nickname: Thea

Age: 27

Gender: Female

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Role: Gladiator/Royal Guard

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Appearance:

Althea is quite tall for a woman standing at 5 feet and 8 inches and weighs roughly 150lbs. She is a well-built woman, and has a sloping hourglass figure, and a muscular frame, thanks to her job as a soldier. She spends most of her time training and working out which she thanks for figure.

Her hair is long and a rich, dark brown that falls in messy waves down to her waist. She doesn’t like to spend much time dealing with her hair so she almost never has her hair down. She prefers to style it with a slick bun or a low ponytail to keep her hair out of her face. On occasion she’ll put it in a nice braid.

Althea has bronze, olive skin and usually has a nice tan from spending a majority of her time outdoors. She has two large scars, one going from her shoulder to her elbow on her left arm and another going from the back of her upper right thigh to her knee. She has lots of freckles and moles spotted all over her body as well as more tiny scars from her many adventures.

She has an oval-shaped face with an angular jaw-line and high cheekbones. Her skin is almost flawless other than the many freckles that dot her slightly-upturned button nose and high cheeks. She has a few small scars near her hairline and on the side of her face from a variety of different things that have happened to her over the years though they’re hard to see unless you’re close to her. Her lips are on the fuller side with her top lip being a little bit smaller than her bottom lip. Her lips are naturally pale pink in color and very smooth. She has a very light scar on the left side of her bottom lip that came from training. She has beautiful pale, sage green upturned eyes. Her eyes always have a playful, mischievous look to them like she's planning something. She has long, dark, fluffy eyelashes that make her eyes appear bigger. She has dark, straight eyebrows that make her appear mean.

She isn’t one to spend time on her appearance or outfits and will more often than not spend 15 minutes getting ready.She can usually be seen in a tight t-shirt and loose fitting pants that are easy to move around in. She is a big fan of neutral colors and is almost always wearing black because it goes with everything. Althea is not a big fan of jewelry but usually has a pair of dainty earring in and wears a silver necklace with a small jade pendant given to her from her grandma.

Credits: Hunbloom on Picrew

Personality:

At first glance, people would describe her as confident. Althea always stands with her head high and a stern look on her face causing her to come off as mean. She isn't much of a talker when you first meet her and many people would describe her as rude and snarky. She is the definition of cold towards most people, especially when she just meets them. She can give death stares like no other and is amazing at making people feel unwelcome. She would much rather keep to herself and tries to avoid people at all costs.

Underneath her unfriendly exterior she is quite charismatic and is pretty experienced at talking her way into or out of most situations.The charismatic woman also has a strong sense of sarcasm which adds to her somewhat darker sense of humor. She is a sucker for a friendly competition, especially one she knows she’ll win.

She has a pretty nasty mouth and is quite talented at angering people and talking her way into trouble. She gets irritated rather quickly and has a very short temper which normally comes out when you take too long to do something, say something she would consider disrespectful, or just piss her off in some way. When she goes off it's like setting off twenty fireworks because she will just become the biggest bitch you will ever meet. Most of the time she lets her anger get the best of her and when she's mad she says stuff she doesn't mean.

Althea is always starting arguments with others because she likes to think she's right even when she isn't. Her ego is way too big to back down from an argument or fight and normally won't stop until she wins. She definitely isn't one to just drop something and will remember what you did to make her mad for years and use it against you.

Although she seems rude and angry, once you get to know her and break down her walls she’ll be one of the most loyal people you'll ever meet. She would never betray the people close to her and never makes a promise she can’t keep.

When she is put in a leading role, Althea may also come off as bossy because of how she envisions things. She likes to have things done in a particular way (her way) and this can often lead to her yelling and being very demanding. This can make her appear closed off to the opinions of others though Althea argues this is not true.

She is quite independent and normally prefers doing tasks by herself for multiple reasons including; she likes the satisfaction she feels when she does something without others help, she likes to prove she can do things on her own and most of all she hates asking for help. Althea is Extremely impatient which isn't that surprising seeing as how independent she is. She hates when people take forever to do something because she likes to get things done as soon as possible.

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Strengths:

-Skilled in hand-to-hand combat

-Trained to be a guard

-Good Leader

-Charismatic

Weaknesses:

-Smart Mouth

-Nasty Temper

-Not good with large weapons

-Doesn’t know when to ask for help

The sun shone very brightly with no clouds in the vibrant blue sky to create any barrier between the light and the ground. The sun was not quite straight overhead, so it was still late morning, and there was no breeze moving the still air. Peregrine sagged a little as he walked toward the Arena where the gladiator competition would be fought as he could feel sweat beading and rolling down his face.

Peregrine wore a simple short sleeved green linen shirt and brown trousers as he was trying to stay cool and be hard to recognize. He realized that he was a fairly boring ordinary person and normally no one paid him much attention naturally. He wiped the sweat off his temple and was relieved to see the Arena in the distance. It would be quite a day for the gladiators, and he hoped they had plenty of water for them.

This Arena was not that large and it was made from wood which could burn. It was not meant to last a long time. It was a large oval with the outside being a wall. Once he stepped inside there were rooms around the Arena where the gladiators could prepare. The roof of the Arena was slanted because above them were the seats of the audience. He walked out into the Arena and started up some steps. He waited a moment trying to decide where he would get a good seat. He looked around the Arena realizing that with his plain clothing he would not be able to sit under the awning providing shade as it was for the nobility and he did not look like a noble. He did not carry an I.D. around with him, which was why so many nobles considered it important for no one but nobles to be allowed to wear fine clothing above their station.

He walked around the Arena on one of the rows trying to decide what was the best seat and found that it would depend on where the gladiators were fighting. None of the seats seemed particularly superior to the others. The seats of the Arena were like tall stairs and they stretched all away around the oval. He could tell that there were stairs because an extra step was provided in between the seats so the stretch up would be easier to navigate. Since he was not able to sit in the shade he would wait in the shade of the walls of the Arena. He entered back into the area before the exit and walked around the inside observing the gladiators. Most of them were men and of those men most of them were quite thick and muscular. There were thinner builds scattered in among them, which Peregrine could tell that they would hope to be faster than their thicker counterparts.

He stopped in surprise when he came along and found a woman. She had weapons near her, so he believed she must be a gladiator. He approached her and cocked his head to the side. "It's unusual to see a woman in the area where the gladiators prepare to fight. I don't think I've ever seen one. What is your name? Are you fighting in the competition? If you are, I'm curious why it would interest you." He did not carry his sword with him but he started feeling a little defenseless with only a dagger strapped to his belt.

"How do you think you'll do against these men? My guess is if someone traps you in a corner or on the ground you will wish you were not fighting in the Arena because of the injuries you will sustain. I will be quite interested to see what weapons you will wield and the type of training you have. I am very excited for this competition. This Arena does not get as much as attention as the larger more popular ones, and it is so interesting watching different training styles and different people who want to fight go against each other. Sometimes it is bloody, but it is awe inducing when skilled people combat against each other. I wish you good luck. Maybe I'll bump into you after the competition. I do know of a few jobs that could use someone like you," he winked at her as he started to walk away.

Althea nervously made her way toward the Area though you wouldn’t be able to tell by the emotionless expression on her face. She held her head high and had her hand wrapped around the knife strapped to her side. She was feeling kind of nervous about fighting these men, especially the larger guys who would have an advantage over her, even though it definitely wasn't her first time fighting guys this big. She had years of training under her belt and was prepared for anything these guys might try. She was glad the sun was out since the middle of the Arena wasn’t shaded and fighting in the rain would be much more of a challenge. The warmth of the late morning sun made her excited for the day and made her calm down a bit. While the Arena wasn't the nicest he had seen being small and made of wood, it was definitely nicer than most he had fought in.

Althea was wearing an almost knee-length red pleated skirt, which she was less than pleased about, and a black armored corset which almost made it seem like she was wearing a dress. Her boots were also black and a few inches below her knees to help keep her as protected as possible. Normally she would whine and complain about having to wear these types of clothes but the Arena would be filled with many nobles and she had gotten word that some of the royal family would be attending today’s battle and she wanted to look her best.

As she approached the part of the Arena the fighters were gathering in, her adrenaline started to kick in and she felt a surge of confidence. She made her way to where all of the other gladiators were stationed and began to prepare herself. Althea made sure all her weapons were sharpened and ready for battle as she mentally prepared. She didn’t see anyone around that she knew and was happy no one made an effort to talk to her. She sized up her components and got a feel for their personalities. Reading people was something she was skilled at and she could tell a lot by the fighter’s size and how they acted before a fight whether they were cocky and boastful or quiet and kept to themselves. She knew the smaller skinnier guys would rely on their agility and speed while the larger guys would rely on their strength.

While mid observing the many men gathered around her, a tall guy who appeared to be about 6 foot with curly brown hair started to make his way towards her. He was wearing a simple green shirt and brown trousers so she knew he wasn’t one of the gladiators and just assumed he was a commoner or someone with a low status. Althea was hoping he wasn’t coming over to talk to her and to try and avoid conversation she turned her back to him and began to re-polish her armor and weapons so they would appear expensive and new.

Her attempt to avoid the guy failed as he came up next to her and started up a conversation, asking how she thought she'd do and talking about the Arena and his excitement for the competition. Althea did what she did best and ignored him, giving him an eye roll as he finished talking and gave her a wink. She hated cocky men, that was part of the reason she entered this battle, to bring down the egos of guys like him. When the guy turned to walk away she confidently replied to his starting question, “I think I will do better than every guy here. And don’t bother looking for me after, I’m not interested in any job that you have to offer. And I don’t need luck, I have skill and talent”

He continued to ask her questions trying to draw her out, but he got minimal reactions from her. Eventually, he started to give up and was ready to leave. Also, he did want a seat somewhere even if it was going to be in the sun. He felt a throb of annoyance at her eye roll, and reminded himself there was a reason he hadn't told her who he was, so he needed to get over himself. She was not deliberately insulting a prince. He didn't have to be touchy. He needed to try to blend in. "I bet I can get you interested," he shot back in parting. He didn't feel a need to respond to her last comment. Maybe she did have as much skill as her cockiness indicated she should. Although, she did have a point. If she didn't want to be found afterward, maybe he should leave her alone.

He headed out to the Arena and found a seat in the direct sunlight. He sweated and knew he smelled. He also cheered along with the other observers. He stood up when certain moves demanded an enthusiastic response which generated annoyance from spectators behind him. He blanched in surprise as a woman wearing a richly embroidered green gown approached him. She was middle aged and had grey in her hair. There was a man accompanying her and he looked to be about ten years older. He was wearing a sumptuous outfit as well.

“There you are Prince Peregrine,” she curtly gave him a knowing look observing his plain clothing. He was always a little surprised by how his parent’s spoken authority caused such a visceral physical reaction as the spectators moved to the side not eager to get in the way between a noble and their object of interest. “Mother, you could have interrupted me earlier and then I could have sat in the shade with you.” He reproached her. He could see the realization dawning in many eyes who had not fully comprehended who he was. "I had not noticed you over here. Perhaps if you acted like the prince you are, you wouldn't have to sit out in the heat." She started to return to her canopied seating expecting her entourage to follow. Peregrine frowned as he followed and took the seat beside her.

He was not nearly as active of a spectator now that he had resumed his role as acknowledged prince. He stopped paying attention and sulked in silence. After many fights, the judge requested that a member of the Everard family do the honor of announcing the winner and presenting the prize. His father, the man who had accompanied the woman, went down the steps and stood near the winners circle where there were blocks to elevate the recognized winners. "The third place goes to George Steward." There was an appropriate amount of cheering. "Second place goes to Solomon Pierce." More cheering. "And now, please give it up for the champion of the tournament, Althea Graham!" his father raised his voice trying to mimic excitement. The loudest and longest cheering or perhaps it wasn't that loud because many had not bet on her and lost money. Medals of different values were presented to the competitors on the blocks with the number they had placed inscribed on it.

Peregrine's eyes widened in shock when his father bestowed the winning metal on the woman he had met earlier as he had stopped paying attention to how the competitors were placing. He wanted to swear that she had won the tournament to spite him. He was rather disgruntled after his mother's quiet chastisement. He expected he would get an earful when they were in private back at the castle. She hated how he managed to sneak away so easily. He found that he wanted to spread the bad mood and perhaps prove that the girl would take his job opportunity. He doubted he could make her want it if she knew he was involved. There was no way she could tell who he was from so far away.

When his father returned he leaned over, "Father, if she is so skilled perhaps you want her working in the palace as a guard. She would be able to be a secret guard and they wouldn't expect her to be so skilled." His father nodded thoughtfully, "I will suggest it to Helen your mother, and let her suggest it to the young lady. I wouldn't want her to get the wrong idea." Peregrine wasn't sure if it would happen unless his father did it. His mother generally didn't approve of his schemes and would find the whole thing suspicious, but not for the right reasons. When his father, William suggested it to his mother, she gave Peregrine a dubious look but waved a servant to bring Althea to them. Peregrine inwardly groaned knowing that Althea would put up a fuss even if it was passive-aggressive. There was no way he could trap her in a job he planned to make unpleasant now. He watched trying to remain unobtrusive as his mother suggested the job to Althea.