Post by Lurai Sren on Mar 31, 2020 22:49:01 GMT
Physical Description
Name: Lurai Sren
Species: Betazoid
Gender: Female
Age: 27
Height: 170 cm (5 feet 6 inches)
Weight: Approximately 55 kg (121 lbs)
Build/Body Type: Hourglass, agile
Complexion: Olive, tans easily and doesn't burn easily.
Hair Color: Black/very dark brown.
Hair Style: Reaches a little past her shoulders, worn up when on duty, down in loose waves when off duty.
Eye Color: Black
Voice (optional): Soft, melodic
Off-Duty Clothing Preferences: A-line dresses, flowing skirts. Alternatively tunics and tights. Prefers walking barefoot.
Distinguishing Features: Dark eyes and wide smile.
Face Claim: Priyanka Chopra
Character Image:
Personal History
Lurai's telepathic and empathic abilities manifested themselves early on, she's had them for as long as she can remember. When manifesting early in a Betazoid's life these abilities have a tendency to grow strong, and also to cause mental problems over time. On a good day when she's in balance, she'll hear thoughts and emotions as a background buzz or white noise, random thoughts and feelings popping out more clearly when someone gets close or is having a strong emotion, but she can usually tell her own feelings from those of her surroundings.
On a bad day, when under a lot of stress, exhaustion or in physical or emotional distress, she loses control and can't tell her own thoughts and feelings from those around her, hearing and feeling things whether she wants to or not. During these instances it feels like she's being bombarded with thoughts and feelings and she'll suffer anything from confusion, dizziness and fainting spells to delirium depending on the circumstances.
Unlike most of her people, Lurai isn't fond of large gatherings of people since that means a lot of minds she can possibly sense. While she yearns for social contact, her tendencies to pick up unwanted thoughts and feelings have made her unusually reserved for a Betazoid. Someone of her own species would definitely describe her as shy and timid.
She's very aware that non-Betazoids are uncomfortable with mind reading, and therefore makes an effort not to read people's minds if she can help it. Her biggest fear is that she'll somehow lose control over her telepathic abilities and mind control someone and causing them harm. Keeping her abilities in check takes a lot of discipline and focus and during stressful times it can get exhausting. In order to relax she enjoys meditating, doing a Betazoid equivalent of yoga as well as playing soothing music on her harp.
Early Life/Pre-Starfleet Career: Born and raised on Betazed. When Lurai was 9 years old her dear older sister Kilana was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder affecting the function of her inner organs and that without treatment would prove to be fatal. At the time, there was no effective treatment for the disease, so for the first two years Kilana's life was sustained by medicines slowing down the progress of the disease. There was, however, medical research going on and on the third year Betazoid scientists managed to come up with not a cure, but a medicine that would keep her condition in check and as long as Kilana took it continuously for the rest of her life, it would allow her to live a normal life with a normal life expectancy.
Seeing her dear sister recover and get her life back seemed like a miracle to Lurai, and ever since that day she was dead set on becoming a doctor and medical researcher so she too could help cure people. During her school years she worked very hard and studied with focus on the natural sciences. The year she turned 18 her grandmother Xuliana, a retired physician, suggested that Lurai apply for Starfleet Medical Academy. Although Lurai didn't believe for one second that she'd actually be accepted, she took the necessary tests and sent in her application.
Academy/Technical Academy: Starfleet Medical Academy, Earth.
Previous Assignments (if applicable): This is her very first assignment post-graduation, and she's equally excited and terrified.
Birthdate: 2353
Birthplace: Southern Betazed
Marital Status & spouse name(s): Single
Siblings Names and Ages: Older sister: Kilana Sren, 31, wine producer in the family business on Betazed.
Older brother: Jalun Sren, 29, wine producer in the family business on Betazed.
Parents' Names: Mother: Raxula Sren
Father: Loxion Sren (married name, birth family name: Anor)
Parents' Status: Parents own a vineyard and winery, their own wine brand is called Izreda and they make high quality wine that's also exported to other planets. They are still married and living on Betazed.
Other Important Relatives: Maternal grandmother Xuliana Sren, deceased.
Pets: None.
Best Friend: Maisie Michaels
Personality
Department Preference: Medical
Commissioned, Enlisted or Civilian: Commissioned
Reason for joining Starfleet or moving to a Federation base: Wishing to work in medicine and medical research, and to see the universe.
Academy/Tech Majors and Interests: Starfleet Medical Academy, majored in medicine, biomedicine and biochemistry. Also took an engineering course.
Hobbies: Playing the Betazed-style harp, meditation, Betazoid equivalent of yoga, dancing, singing, herbalism.
Short-term Goals: Do a great job at her assignment.
Long-term Goals: Get her telepathic abilities under control.
Defining Characteristic: Her determination not to be a burden on others. With her being the youngest child in her family as well as her telepathic abilities causing problems, her family have always been rather protective of her, and she's determined to show that she doesn't need to be protected.
Sense of Humor: Dry, sarcastic, has developed gallows' humour as a coping mechanism.
Phobias or Fears: Losing control over her telepathic abilities and causing harm to someone else, being driven to madness by her abilities.
Favorite Things: Tea, her harp, dancing, warm baths, a glass of fine wine (growing up in the wine business, she's a bit of a wine connoisseur).
Least Favorite Things: Crowds, loud noises, sleepless nights.
Bad Habits or Vices: Is a neat freak and has an aversion to dirt that borders on phobic. This doesn't apply to messy medical procedures, though, she's completely fine with those as long as she gets to wash off after.
Achievements (personal or professional): She considers graduating from Starfleet Medical Academy her greatest achievement to date.
Disappointments: That her grandmother, Lurai's greatest supporter, didn't live to see the day her granddaughter graduated.
Illnesses: Suffers from insomnia when unable to screen off background telepathic noise.
Strengths: Determined, hard-working, loyal
Weaknesses: Not skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Has a hard time asking people for help even when she needs it, as she's so worried about being a burden.
Prejudices: She tends to be wary of those whose minds she can't read (like Ferengi and Changelings). She finds it a bit scary not being able to know what's going on inside their heads.
Please write a brief answer to 3 of the following (a sentence or two for each is fine):
Your character's most painful experience
The day she realised that her beloved grandmother Xuliana was losing her battle with her telepathic abilities and had been driven insane. It also terrified Lurai that if she can't get her own abilities under control, she might face that very same fate.
Your character's best or favorite experience
Graduating from Starfleet Medical Academy. After years and years of working her ass off with studies and residency and whatnot, she finally did it.
Your character's most crucial experience
Her sister regaining her life through the medicine created by Betazoid scientists. This made 12-year-old Lurai decide to go into medicine rather than the family business of winery, and she never once regretted it.
Who is your character's role model and why?
Her grandmother Xuliana. Granny Xuli was quite the character, a no-nonsense lady with a sharp tongue who could stare down a Klingon if she put her mind to it. She was always there to offer a warm hug, sage advice and a glass of Betazed wine. Unfortunately, Xuliana's telepathic ability was, just like Lurai's, too strong for her mind to control. Grandmother and granddaughter bonded over this, supporting each other, and a lot of the mental discipline that Lurai possesses she learned from Xuliana.
Granny Xuli struggled valiantly for control over her telepathic abilities her whole life, determined to live a full life and never give up no matter the adversities. Over time, however, the constant barrage of telepathic information drove her insane. By the time Lurai got accepted into Starfleet Medical Academy, her grandmother's mind had already gone to the point where she was unable to keep her grip on reality, let alone keep a normal conversation. She wouldn't sleep or eat, constantly plagued by telepathic noises and impressions she was unable to block out. She passed away shortly before Lurai's graduation.
Please write a brief sample post from your character’s perspective:
Lurai sat curled up on the plush velvet sofa, her bare feet tucked in underneath her, eyes closed while listening to the slow and free piano music played by her grandmother Xuliana. The last notes fading, Lurai opened her eyes and smiled.
”Beautiful, Granny. Like soaring over Betazed mountains at sunrise.”
Xuliana, the composer of said piece of music, smiled and stood up.
”Thank you, dear. Now, I have some herbal remedies to fix. Will you help me?”
They went out into the garden and the large greenhouse that Xuliana and her late husband, Lurai's grandfather, had built themselves. Lurai breathed in the familiar scent of the flowers and herbs. Her grandmother was a lady of many talents: A retired wine producer, she was also a talented composer and skilled in the use of medicinal herbs.
With a pestle Lurai crushed small dried flowers in a bowl while Xuliana ground some dried kernels.
”So, how are things at Starfleet Medical Academy, Miss They-Only-Accept-200-Students-A-Year-And-There's-No-Way-They'd-Accept-Me-And-If-They-Do-They'd-Kick-Me-Out-During-The-First-Week?”
”It's going well! I'm at the end of my residency now. It's so much fun, I learn so much every day. Though I think I really made a fool of myself during that last autopsy, I'm still not sure I got all the blood off the ceiling...”
Xuliana laughed.
”When you screw up, just own it. What is it that I always say?”
”'Be the first to laugh at yourself, but also be the first to stand up for yourself. And when gallows' humour doesn't help, a few glasses of Betazed wine usually do. And rules are meant to be broken'.” Lurai laughed. ”Don't think those last two would fly with Starfleet, though.”
”Then they ain't had enough wine.”
Lurai smiled.
”Nothing. I'm just so glad I get to be here with you. You have no idea how much it means to me.” She sighed. ”I love you, Granny. I wish I could still talk to you like this.”
Her granny gave her a confused look.
”Of course you can, love. You know I love meddling in other people's affairs! You can always talk to me.”
”Yeah”, Lurai mumbled sadly.
There was the sound of a chime. Time was up. Lurai sighed.
”Goodbye, Granny”, she whispered. ”Computer, end program.” Her grandmother, the greenhouse and everything disappeared and were replaced by the grey grid of the holodeck. Picking up her discarded shoes by the door, Lurai left the holodeck wiping the tears off her face as discreetly as she could.
Do you have previous experience with a role-play forum? Yes, been playing on and off for several years.
What brought you to the Frontier? Being a Star Trek-fan.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us? Nope!
Name: Lurai Sren
Species: Betazoid
Gender: Female
Age: 27
Height: 170 cm (5 feet 6 inches)
Weight: Approximately 55 kg (121 lbs)
Build/Body Type: Hourglass, agile
Complexion: Olive, tans easily and doesn't burn easily.
Hair Color: Black/very dark brown.
Hair Style: Reaches a little past her shoulders, worn up when on duty, down in loose waves when off duty.
Eye Color: Black
Voice (optional): Soft, melodic
Off-Duty Clothing Preferences: A-line dresses, flowing skirts. Alternatively tunics and tights. Prefers walking barefoot.
Distinguishing Features: Dark eyes and wide smile.
Face Claim: Priyanka Chopra
Character Image:
***
Personal History
Lurai's telepathic and empathic abilities manifested themselves early on, she's had them for as long as she can remember. When manifesting early in a Betazoid's life these abilities have a tendency to grow strong, and also to cause mental problems over time. On a good day when she's in balance, she'll hear thoughts and emotions as a background buzz or white noise, random thoughts and feelings popping out more clearly when someone gets close or is having a strong emotion, but she can usually tell her own feelings from those of her surroundings.
On a bad day, when under a lot of stress, exhaustion or in physical or emotional distress, she loses control and can't tell her own thoughts and feelings from those around her, hearing and feeling things whether she wants to or not. During these instances it feels like she's being bombarded with thoughts and feelings and she'll suffer anything from confusion, dizziness and fainting spells to delirium depending on the circumstances.
Unlike most of her people, Lurai isn't fond of large gatherings of people since that means a lot of minds she can possibly sense. While she yearns for social contact, her tendencies to pick up unwanted thoughts and feelings have made her unusually reserved for a Betazoid. Someone of her own species would definitely describe her as shy and timid.
She's very aware that non-Betazoids are uncomfortable with mind reading, and therefore makes an effort not to read people's minds if she can help it. Her biggest fear is that she'll somehow lose control over her telepathic abilities and mind control someone and causing them harm. Keeping her abilities in check takes a lot of discipline and focus and during stressful times it can get exhausting. In order to relax she enjoys meditating, doing a Betazoid equivalent of yoga as well as playing soothing music on her harp.
Early Life/Pre-Starfleet Career: Born and raised on Betazed. When Lurai was 9 years old her dear older sister Kilana was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder affecting the function of her inner organs and that without treatment would prove to be fatal. At the time, there was no effective treatment for the disease, so for the first two years Kilana's life was sustained by medicines slowing down the progress of the disease. There was, however, medical research going on and on the third year Betazoid scientists managed to come up with not a cure, but a medicine that would keep her condition in check and as long as Kilana took it continuously for the rest of her life, it would allow her to live a normal life with a normal life expectancy.
Seeing her dear sister recover and get her life back seemed like a miracle to Lurai, and ever since that day she was dead set on becoming a doctor and medical researcher so she too could help cure people. During her school years she worked very hard and studied with focus on the natural sciences. The year she turned 18 her grandmother Xuliana, a retired physician, suggested that Lurai apply for Starfleet Medical Academy. Although Lurai didn't believe for one second that she'd actually be accepted, she took the necessary tests and sent in her application.
To her great surprise, she was accepted. Leaving her homeworld for Earth was the biggest step she'd ever taken and the furthest she'd ever been from her family. The Medical Academy was everything she'd ever dreamed of, and more. It was hard work, and she was tired but happy.
She was 21 years old and studying on Earth during the Battle of Betazed 2374 during the Dominion War. When the planet fell she was worried sick about her family, feeling helpless because there was nothing she could do for them. It further opened her eyes to the vulnerability of their world, and that there's strength in unity.
Academy/Technical Academy: Starfleet Medical Academy, Earth.
Previous Assignments (if applicable): This is her very first assignment post-graduation, and she's equally excited and terrified.
Birthdate: 2353
Birthplace: Southern Betazed
Marital Status & spouse name(s): Single
Siblings Names and Ages: Older sister: Kilana Sren, 31, wine producer in the family business on Betazed.
Older brother: Jalun Sren, 29, wine producer in the family business on Betazed.
Parents' Names: Mother: Raxula Sren
Father: Loxion Sren (married name, birth family name: Anor)
Parents' Status: Parents own a vineyard and winery, their own wine brand is called Izreda and they make high quality wine that's also exported to other planets. They are still married and living on Betazed.
Other Important Relatives: Maternal grandmother Xuliana Sren, deceased.
Pets: None.
Best Friend: Maisie Michaels
***
Personality
Department Preference: Medical
Commissioned, Enlisted or Civilian: Commissioned
Reason for joining Starfleet or moving to a Federation base: Wishing to work in medicine and medical research, and to see the universe.
Academy/Tech Majors and Interests: Starfleet Medical Academy, majored in medicine, biomedicine and biochemistry. Also took an engineering course.
Hobbies: Playing the Betazed-style harp, meditation, Betazoid equivalent of yoga, dancing, singing, herbalism.
Short-term Goals: Do a great job at her assignment.
Long-term Goals: Get her telepathic abilities under control.
Defining Characteristic: Her determination not to be a burden on others. With her being the youngest child in her family as well as her telepathic abilities causing problems, her family have always been rather protective of her, and she's determined to show that she doesn't need to be protected.
Sense of Humor: Dry, sarcastic, has developed gallows' humour as a coping mechanism.
Phobias or Fears: Losing control over her telepathic abilities and causing harm to someone else, being driven to madness by her abilities.
Favorite Things: Tea, her harp, dancing, warm baths, a glass of fine wine (growing up in the wine business, she's a bit of a wine connoisseur).
Least Favorite Things: Crowds, loud noises, sleepless nights.
Bad Habits or Vices: Is a neat freak and has an aversion to dirt that borders on phobic. This doesn't apply to messy medical procedures, though, she's completely fine with those as long as she gets to wash off after.
Achievements (personal or professional): She considers graduating from Starfleet Medical Academy her greatest achievement to date.
Disappointments: That her grandmother, Lurai's greatest supporter, didn't live to see the day her granddaughter graduated.
Illnesses: Suffers from insomnia when unable to screen off background telepathic noise.
Strengths: Determined, hard-working, loyal
Weaknesses: Not skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Has a hard time asking people for help even when she needs it, as she's so worried about being a burden.
Prejudices: She tends to be wary of those whose minds she can't read (like Ferengi and Changelings). She finds it a bit scary not being able to know what's going on inside their heads.
***
Please write a brief answer to 3 of the following (a sentence or two for each is fine):
Your character's most painful experience
The day she realised that her beloved grandmother Xuliana was losing her battle with her telepathic abilities and had been driven insane. It also terrified Lurai that if she can't get her own abilities under control, she might face that very same fate.
Your character's best or favorite experience
Graduating from Starfleet Medical Academy. After years and years of working her ass off with studies and residency and whatnot, she finally did it.
Your character's most crucial experience
Her sister regaining her life through the medicine created by Betazoid scientists. This made 12-year-old Lurai decide to go into medicine rather than the family business of winery, and she never once regretted it.
Who is your character's role model and why?
Her grandmother Xuliana. Granny Xuli was quite the character, a no-nonsense lady with a sharp tongue who could stare down a Klingon if she put her mind to it. She was always there to offer a warm hug, sage advice and a glass of Betazed wine. Unfortunately, Xuliana's telepathic ability was, just like Lurai's, too strong for her mind to control. Grandmother and granddaughter bonded over this, supporting each other, and a lot of the mental discipline that Lurai possesses she learned from Xuliana.
Granny Xuli struggled valiantly for control over her telepathic abilities her whole life, determined to live a full life and never give up no matter the adversities. Over time, however, the constant barrage of telepathic information drove her insane. By the time Lurai got accepted into Starfleet Medical Academy, her grandmother's mind had already gone to the point where she was unable to keep her grip on reality, let alone keep a normal conversation. She wouldn't sleep or eat, constantly plagued by telepathic noises and impressions she was unable to block out. She passed away shortly before Lurai's graduation.
Please write a brief sample post from your character’s perspective:
Lurai sat curled up on the plush velvet sofa, her bare feet tucked in underneath her, eyes closed while listening to the slow and free piano music played by her grandmother Xuliana. The last notes fading, Lurai opened her eyes and smiled.
”Beautiful, Granny. Like soaring over Betazed mountains at sunrise.”
Xuliana, the composer of said piece of music, smiled and stood up.
”Thank you, dear. Now, I have some herbal remedies to fix. Will you help me?”
They went out into the garden and the large greenhouse that Xuliana and her late husband, Lurai's grandfather, had built themselves. Lurai breathed in the familiar scent of the flowers and herbs. Her grandmother was a lady of many talents: A retired wine producer, she was also a talented composer and skilled in the use of medicinal herbs.
With a pestle Lurai crushed small dried flowers in a bowl while Xuliana ground some dried kernels.
”So, how are things at Starfleet Medical Academy, Miss They-Only-Accept-200-Students-A-Year-And-There's-No-Way-They'd-Accept-Me-And-If-They-Do-They'd-Kick-Me-Out-During-The-First-Week?”
”It's going well! I'm at the end of my residency now. It's so much fun, I learn so much every day. Though I think I really made a fool of myself during that last autopsy, I'm still not sure I got all the blood off the ceiling...”
Xuliana laughed.
”When you screw up, just own it. What is it that I always say?”
”'Be the first to laugh at yourself, but also be the first to stand up for yourself. And when gallows' humour doesn't help, a few glasses of Betazed wine usually do. And rules are meant to be broken'.” Lurai laughed. ”Don't think those last two would fly with Starfleet, though.”
”Then they ain't had enough wine.”
Lurai laughed. Dear granny, as outspoken and devil-may-care as always. She fell silent, just watching her grandmother for a while. How she missed her.
Xuliana looked up at her granddaughter.
”What?” Lurai smiled.
”Nothing. I'm just so glad I get to be here with you. You have no idea how much it means to me.” She sighed. ”I love you, Granny. I wish I could still talk to you like this.”
Her granny gave her a confused look.
”Of course you can, love. You know I love meddling in other people's affairs! You can always talk to me.”
”Yeah”, Lurai mumbled sadly.
There was the sound of a chime. Time was up. Lurai sighed.
”Goodbye, Granny”, she whispered. ”Computer, end program.” Her grandmother, the greenhouse and everything disappeared and were replaced by the grey grid of the holodeck. Picking up her discarded shoes by the door, Lurai left the holodeck wiping the tears off her face as discreetly as she could.
***
Do you have previous experience with a role-play forum? Yes, been playing on and off for several years.
What brought you to the Frontier? Being a Star Trek-fan.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us? Nope!
