Description

Name: Ninavai
Called: Nina (but she prefers people don't)
Gender: Every inch a lady
Species: Kougra
Color: Halloween
Hair Black with a faint tint of purple; curly; down to the middle of her back
Fur: Black with pale lavender stripes; very short and silky
Eyes: Silver
Height: Five feet, eight inches
Build: Sensual
Features: Large leathery black wings
Clothing: The finest of Neovian attire; when need arises she wears sensible trousers and sturdy boots
Adornment: A mix of expensive antique jewelry and mystical charms

---------- Ninavai is, whatever else she may be, a true lady and she expects to be treated as such. She is graceful and very beautiful, almost a living gothique porcelain doll. She is always gracious and generally she is kind as well.
---------- However, there is a dark side to Ninavai's nature that doesn't take much provocation to surface. She may be a lady but she doesn't tolerate dung from anybody.

Lady Ninavai Alesandra da Calderara

Necromancer, Tea Connoisseur

----------The sounds from the deserted Fairgrounds had faded a long time ago. The little Usul couldn't see any lights, either. Her knees and elbows were skinned up from tripping over rocks and roots, and she was so dirty. The cold had soaked into her bones and numbed her to the sting of it. For some reason she didn't think this was a good thing.
----------A fog was creeping in. It slunk around the trees, so thick that what little visibility she'd had was just gone. It brushed against her skin like seeking fingers trying to pull the very life out of her. She cringed away from it but there was no escape. She wailed and plopped down on a fallen log. The lost, trembling child pulled her knees to her chest, wrapped her arms around her legs, and bent her head to cry.
----------But now it was the fog that cringed away, curling back on itself, slithering back the way it came. The girl looked up, bewildered. Then she let out a little shriek. It seemed as if a lantern were floating in mid-air and moving steadily toward her. She tried to get up and scramble away but she tripped on the stump and landed flat on her back.
---------- Shhh… it's alright. Nothing will hurt you now.
----------The fog and darkness disgorged the Kougress who was holding the lantern aloft. It was small wonder that she'd gone unseen to this point. She seemed to be woven of shadow and mist, herself. Her hair was darker than the darkness that surrounded her. Her short, well-groomed fur was only slightly paler than that. She wore a sensible walking skirt and a warm shawl, both of Spyder web gray, and practical boots. Her silver eyes glittered in the lantern's light.
----------I… I'm lost. The tiny Usul's voice quavered. She'd fallen pretty hard but still didn't feel it. In a way her lack of pain was more frightening than the fog.
----------I know… The Kougress sighed as if she were sad, but if she was indeed sad she shook it off quickly. She offered her hand to the child in a no-nonsense manner. Come, then. Let's get you where you need to be.
----------The child hesitated a moment, then put her small hand in the Kougress'. Warmth seemed to seep from the Kougress' hand into hers, then up her arm, on and on until she was almost warm again. She got to her feet and brushed herself off with her free hand.
----------My parents and brothers are at the Deserted Fairgrounds. I… I guess I wandered off.
----------I guess you did, indeed. The Kougress moved along down the path, her steps slow to accommodate the child. She only glanced down now and then. Her eyes were mostly on the path, looking ahead and all around.
----------The little one's courage came back with the warmth in her body and she skipped along beside her rescuer. My name's Kerli. What's yours?
----------I am Ninavai. The fog pulled back harder as the Kougress spoke her name, as if she'd uttered a dire magic word.
----------Ninavai. Do people call you Nina?
----------The Kougress smiled slightly down at her, some of the sternness leaving her lovely face for a moment. Some do.
----------The girl – Kerli – managed to dance a little jig without tripping or falling behind. Then I'm going to call you Nina. Do you live in the Haunted Woods, Nina?
----------Yes, I do.
----------The way was getting smoother, easier to traverse. Ninavai still kept a hold of Kerli's little hand but they moved along more quickly now.
----------Neat! I like the Haunted Woods. Well, I did until I got lost. Kerli's good cheer was definitely returning. Do you ever get lonely here?
----------Ninavai looked down and smiled again. No. I'm never really alone.
----------Before Kerli could inquire into that – and she surely would have – the fog and darkness lightened. Up ahead was a silvery glowing mist, like Ninavai's eyes. Look there. Is that someone you know?
----------The child peered into the mist, squinting. The mist thinned just a little bit. The shape in the mist became more visible, an elderly lady Usul in an apron. She knelt and opened her eyes wide, beaming in joy at Kerli.
----------Grandma! The girl let go of Ninavai's hand and started to run to the woman. Then she hesitated. Understanding was dawning in her large innocent eyes, but she couldn't quite grasp it yet. Is the rest of my family coming?
----------Nina caressed the girl's tangled hair. They'll be along, child. It's best that you go.
----------Kerli needed no further urging. She ran into her grandmother's arms. The silvery mist enfolded them. When it dissipated both were gone.
----------Ninavai sighed and blew out the lantern. It was almost dawn, and she was a necromancer who'd had enough of ghosts for one night. The children were always the hardest...

Waldenberg

----------Waldenberg is a tiny Meepit, no longer than Lady Ninavai's forefinger from nose to rump. He likes to ride down the front of her blouse and he's prone to pop out suddenly and scare the bejeezus out of whomever Ninavai happens to be talking to at the time. This tiny pink ball of evil cuteness is probably the most useless familiar ever but Ninavai tolerates him with fond good humor.

Dilettantism

----------If Lady Ninavai is like her father, the incorrigible vampire Prince Alesandro da Calderara, in any way it's that before she became a Necromancer she dabbled in too many career paths and skills. Unlike her father she actually mastered some of them.
----------She was born with the power to heal and she trained to use it. The study of modern, scientific medicine enhanced her skill at healing. She worked hard to become both an MD and a midwife. When she became a necromancer and could no longer heal living people she let her skills as a physician grow rusty. Lately she's gone back to school to brush up on those skills.
---------- When she was young Ninavai was fascinated by alchemy. She used her father's books to teach herself. She did alright but she could certainly have done better. She basically quit using alchemy when what she considers to be a tragic accident occurred. Something went wrong when she tried it again later, too, so she leaves it completely alone these days.
---------- One thing that Lady Ninavai excels at is witchcraft. She isn't the best at it, but her spells and potions are nevertheless effective. Witchcraft works quite well in conjunction with necromancy so she continues to hone her skills.