Sylve (called Syl by family and friends) is the oldest daughter of the king of Athulia. As such, her future will be determined by the kind of match she can land. Finding this match is her obsession, for it must be one that will not cause her to fall in position. She flirts shamelessly with any man that will come near, and many do, drawn by her chameleon nature as well as her beauty. Her chameleon nature enables her to adapt her methods of flirting to match what a particular man desires. She can be serious and studious when she has to, or empty headed, or caring. She reads her victims easily and can give them the temperament they want. The Athulian court is full of hearts she's played with and broken.

As a child, Sylve saw through the superficial way courtiers act toward their sovereign and his family. She wanted desperately to be loved and appreciated for who she was, rather than her station, so she began to change herself to match what each person wanted. She began to manipulate people into liking her, but this only caused her to feel guilty and angry, because she knows the person they like/love isn't really her. This causes more manipulation, and the vicious cycle continues.

Sylve's greatest desire has become power. A proud woman, she wants a good marriage to someone who will raise her in position and give her even more power over people. As a result, she turns to Alaen, the king of Nalycia. She modifies herself to appear caring, which is exactly what he needs, and so entraps him. He falls in love with her, but she cares only for the title of "queen" that he can give her. She doesn't believe she can ever truly love.

Sylve's relationship with her family is distanced. She knows they're the only ones she can't fool, so she keeps them at bay. Saen drives her crazy, Nenith is perceived as being jealous and always lecturing. She is a little bit fond of Corithazon.

(lists, again)

Character:
- Lack of authenticity
- Dramatic
- Poor self-esteem
- Devious/Manipulative
- Attention-seeker
- Competitive
- Vain
- Self-justifying
- Deceptive
- Craves control
- Articulate and compelling
- Can make others doubt their gut hunches that they're being taken advantage of
- Takes advantage of vulnerabilities
- Relationships are a game
- Terrified of failure
- No responsibility
Strengths:
- Able to read other people
- Flexible, able to change approach to gain what is desired
- Extroverted
- Has taken natural empathy and twisted it into being able to say just the right thing to manipulate
- Emotionally detached from "victim"
Weaknesses:
- Hides a lack of self esteem
- Afraid to fail at her "game."

See also: essence map, picture, quote

Please direct your questions to Sylve so I can develop her voice. Two birds with one stone, you know.

(Note for Juliet if she reads this: You may be wondering why Sylve [and the others] are so different from what you read. Everyone's getting a massive overhaul, thanks to you. )

Are you aware of what you've done to those seeking your hand?

Are there any specific qualities you look for in a match?

*shrugs and tosses her hair simultaneously* Sure. Do I care? Not really. It's just a game, everyone knows that. I can't help it if they take it too seriously.



Money, power, handsomeness and adoration. What else is there?

Why does your family not fall for your little "game"?

What would you do if someone manipulated you in the same way?

*blinks innocently* What game?

Me: Sylve typically doesn't care as much what her family thinks of her. She tends to drop her pretensions when they're alone.



*eyes narrow* I do not manipulate. I flirt. There is a difference.

Me: She would be very, very angry, and probably look for some sort of revenge.

Sylve, you know how difficult Alaen's kingship is turning out, how do you know that marrying him won't ruin your life? What if he
becomes outcast, or gets killed? Have you considered that?

What's your favorite outfit of clothes?

Who's the handsomest man you've ever met? Who adored you the most? Who was the most powerful? Who was the most wealthy?

What's Alaen like?

Did you get along with you siblings better when you were younger?

*small, crafty smile plays around her lips* A marriage between two royals is more than a personal alliance. It creates an alliance of countries. My brothers would be forced into supporting Alaen in order to protect me. They'll give him the manpower he needs to stage a coup and gain complete control of his country. And if he dies, no matter. The status of a dead king's queen is equal to a live one's.



My future coronation dress, of course. It'll be water elemental cloth and cloth of silver, with the biggest sleeves you've ever seen and a nine-foot train.



*twirls a piece of hair around her finger as she thinks* *face suddenly closes* Let's not go there.

Me: When Sylve was thirteen, there was an older courtier (early twenties) who Sylve thought was the best man she had ever known, and not just in the area of looks. She had a crush on him, but no matter what young Sylve did, he took no more notice of her than of the other women in the court. This refusal only made her fall hard for him. The courtier's father died, and he left court to take possession of his patrimony. She never saw him again and became ashamed of her failure. She shut away her feelings and taught herself not to love.



I forget his name, but he died fighting a duel for me.



Alaen, of course. Do you really think I'd go after him if I had the opportunity to marry an emperor or a king whose country's military prowess comes close to rivaling Athulia's?



Doras, I think. You'd think it would be Alaen, but he doesn't tax his people enough.



*shrugs* He's well-enough to look at. Tall, but not too tall. He'll look well beside me. He can be rather obtuse, but then Nalycia is rather backward, so you can't really blame him. *tosses hair* He reminds me of a little sheep that's lost its flock.



They never really understood me. Nen might have, if she'd come out of her books for a minute. Saen was always too busy bashing things with his sword. And Cor was always with Father.

(I don't know if I feel more sorry for her, or mad at her... )

Who out of all your family would you say loves you the most? Do you like children or animals? What animal is most like you?

Then I have begun to succeed.

Perhaps Cor. He's not constantly judging me like Nen is.



*shrugs* Children are distracting to other people. They get in my way. I like my horse well enough. She's a good racer.

Me: A random internet personality quiz says she's like a weasel.