| History
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Youngest of the Barca siblings (but only by a few minutes!) Linette has spent all of her life trying to prove her strength and worth. Now, as Baroness of Caerdach, with her brother in power as Duke, she finally has her chance.
Linette spent her childhood as the daughter of the Duke of Guardian, trying to keep up with her crowd of older siblings and idolizing her eldest sister Asha, who practically raised her. She dreamed of being the first female knight, and trained as a squire for more than a year, but was expelled. She left Gateway in disgrace and spent nearly a year sulking around the Isles trying to hide from her failure and figure out where to go next. The civil war on Guardian in 504 brought Linette back to her home isle - despite the orders of her sister Asha (now the embattled Duchess) to stay away, Linette sneaked back to fight for the Barca cause. It ended in disaster, though: Asha was defeated and presumed dead, and Linette was seriously wounded.
She spent the next year recovering and agitating for the Barca cause - agitating so much, in fact, that in the summer of 505 it was suggested that it might be safer for her not to be on Guardian. She returned to Gateway, still at loose ends; her brother Philip, then Baron of Caerdach, enlisted her help in running the barony. As it turned out, he was grooming her to take over: in November Philip struck against the Conways, reclaiming the duchy for the Barcas, and named Linette Baroness of Caerdach to succeed him.
A baroness needs a baron and an heir, so Linette was quickly betrothed to her old childhood rival/enemy Leon Maritus, son of one of her chief vassals. The pair discovered that their constant fighting hid deeper feelings; for once, politics and love coincided. They were married in September 507, and their first child Justine followed soon after. Their little family was one of the greatest joys of Linette's life.
It was all shattered along with the Empire in October 508: somewhere in the disasters of the Great Schism, Leon died. His death left Linette devastated, struggling to put together the pieces of her heart as well as her stricken barony.
From a stubborn and reckless youth, Linette is starting to settle down into a more thoughtful woman - still determined, and still unwilling to back down from a challenge, but choosing her battles more carefully than she once did. Greater warmth is emerging from behind her youthful anger as well; her rough edges have been smoothed out by deep sorrow and high joy alike. She is fiercely devoted to her family and to her barony: she is still working to serve Guardian as her family always has. After the Schism and her husband's death, that sense of service and duty sustains her - something to hold onto, when everything else seems lost. If she still has her old hopeful enthusiasm, it has been buried deep under grief and duty.
Pre-505: Childhood, Squirehood, and Fall from Grace
July-December 505: Returning to Power
January-July 506: Ups and Downs
August-December 506: Rescue, Marriage, and Justice
January-May 507: Crisis of Faith
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| IC Timeline
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- 503: Linette is expelled from the squirehood
- April 504: Fights covertly in civil war on Guardian on Asha's behalf
- June 504. Escapes assassination attempt by Marukus Allaria
- July 504. Wounded in battle trying to come to Asha's aid; Asha is presumed killed
- June 505: Returns to Gateway
- November 505: Linette's brother claims the throne of Guardian; appoints Linette Baroness of Caerdach
- February 7 506: Betrothal to Leon Maritus announced.
- April 28, 506: Enters the Spring Festival tournament on Gateway; loses to Solphin Acaran in the first round.
- September 30 506: Marriage to Leon Maritus
- January 17 507: Linette is kidnapped along with her husband and several members of the Soranus family
- March 28 507: Linette's father, Damien Barca, Dowager Duke of Guardian, dies after a long illness.
- May 3, 507: Wins the archery contest at the Spring Festival on Gateway
- June 13 507: Linette's first child, Justine, is born
- October 508: Linette's husband Leon dies after the Great Schism.
- November 11, 508: Narrowly escapes injury when a fire is set in her office.
- June 16, 509: Linette's second child, Antony, is born
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| Personality
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Character traits go here.
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| Connections
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| The Barcas
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Leon Barca: Linette's former husband. As the brother of Linette's oldest friend, Portia Maritus, Leon was a presence in Linette's life since his birth - and most of that time was spent fighting. As young adults, though, Leon and Linette started to realize (as just about everyone else who knew them already had) that the intense reaction that each provoked in the other might stem from some cause other than hatred. They actually had a great deal in common, including mutual respect, affection, and attraction. Their relationship wasn't always peaceful, but as time went on, their infatuation matured into a deeper love, strengthened by trust, faith, laughter, and the bonds that come from having faced hardship together. Leon's death after the Great Schism in 508 left Linette devastated and lost - but the next spring, it was revealed that Leon had been brought back to life through necromancy. Their marriage was broken by the Emperor, and Leon condemned to servitude for his role in bringing about the Schism. Linette is still struggling to sort it all out, but when she speaks of Leon, it is with love and pain alike - a great deal of both.
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Justine Barca: Linette and Leon's daughter, born fragile and six weeks early. She seems to be healthy now, and has grown into a bright, cheerful little girl with a love of sparkly things. Linette is still fiercely protective of her, and utterly devoted to her. Every new thing that Justine does, or any mention of her, brings beams of pride.
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Antony Barca: Linette and Leon's son. His birth was a bittersweet moment since it came so soon after the breaking of his parents' marriage, but for Linette, he is a ray of hope amid the grief that followed the Schism.
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Aaric Barca: They were never close as children - they were far too different for that - but since her return to Gateway, Linette and Aaric have formed a very tight bond. He groomed her to take over Caerdach; she has returned the favor by giving him intense loyalty. She respects Aaric's intelligence immensely, and is pleased by the serious consideration that he gives to her ideas. Two Barca tempers inevitably bring some storms to their relationship, but they love each other deeply. Aaric has even been rumored to smile around her, but such stories have never been substantiated.
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Marcus, Tegan, and Lucas Barca: Aaric's children. Since Shayne's death, Linette has taken a very active role in raising her niece and nephews, whom she adores. She feels a particular kinship and responsibility for Tegan - like Linette herself, one of twins whose mother died in childbirth.
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Adrian Barca: One of Linette's closest siblings. She missed him deeply in the long years that he was off at sea, but since his return, they have become just as close as ever.
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Asha Barca(deceased): Linette worshiped her eldest sister and did everything she could to follow her example. With their mother gone, it was Asha who first started teaching little Linette how to fight, pray, and lead. Asha's death hit her hard, and for a long time Linette refused to believe that she was gone, but in time, she found a greater degree of peace with her sister's memory.
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Asheria Barca: She's technically Linette's aunt, but she's close enough in age and habits to be more like an older cousin. Linette admires her artistic talent and enjoys carousing with her, even though Asheria's idea of a good party these days is much closer to Lucius's than Linette's.
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Chloe Barca: The closest sister in age, but not in temperament - sweet tranquil Chloe and wild rebellious Linette never had much in common. Chloe's constant attempts to 'mother' Linette generally met with steep resistance - and, when Linette was recovering after the war, they were often met with thrown medicine vials. But when times get tough, Linette will always be there for her sister, and Providence help anyone else who tries to throw anything at Chloe!
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Damien Barca: Linette never had an entirely peaceful relationship with her father: she was always striving for his notice, and he never had enough attention or affection to give to his youngest child. Still, his death in the spring of 507 shook her deeply - family is family, after all.
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Lucius Barca: Her twin brother, first partner in crime, and the person who saved her life during the war. They've grown apart in recent years, though, as Linette became wrapped up in the business of running a barony and Lucius's carousing became more scandalous.
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Shayne Barca (deceased): Linette's late sister-in-law the Duchess was never a kindred spirit: they neither thought alike nor acted alike. Linette respected Shayne's intelligence and the bond that she shared with Aaric, but they never went out of their way to spend time with each other.
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| Family by Marriage
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Ambrose Maritus: He never lived to see Linette become his daughter-in-law, which is a perpetual source of grief to her. He was more of a father to Linette than her own, and she was closer in temperament to him than either of his own daughters.
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Asha Kilgannon: Linette's niece, named after Linette's beloved sister, as if she needed any more incentive to adore her. Fond of sea creatures, stuffed animals, and playing tag.
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Athar Soranus: What started as polite respect for the cousin whom she knew Leon admired has deepened into something much more. Linette went to Athar for counsel on more than one occasion; she respected his wisdom and perception, and the two of them spent many long hours discussing Providence. He has not been seen for a long time, and Linette misses him a great deal.
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Helena Soranus: Over the years, Linette had Helena have grown to have deep affection and respect for each other. They have a warm working relationship thanks to Helena's job as Imperial Chamberlain, and they've even been seen together on the practice field training with weapons. The spring of 509 seems to have brought a cooling in their friendship, though - they've hardly been seen in each other's company at all lately.
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Joshua Dhaval: One of Leon's closest friends as well as a member of the extended family. Linette and Joshua always got along well in a general way, but they bonded in truth through their common grief at having lost Leon - each felt an obligation to take care of the other for his sake, and in that interaction, they grew into a deeper friendship and appreciation for each other.
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Karyleine Codex: At first, Linette felt only a vague benevolence for this young cousin of her husband's - she was too different in temperament and habits for Linette to spend much time with her. As time went on, though, they found that they had more in common than they thought, and they've become extremely close - Linette is closer to Karyleine than she is to her own sisters. Karyleine came out of her shell, and Linette strongly encouraged her new independence - even to the point of helping train her to use weapons. In return, Karyleine encouraged Linette's newfound faith in Providence; the two women are often seen in the Hall of Prayers at morning services.
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Parsifal Soranus: Linette hates to have to count this man as a relative: he helped orchestrate the kidnapping of her, her husband and several members of the Soranus family. His marriage to Ravelle Soranus only made it worse in Linette's eyes. Part of his punishment for those crimes was to be made Linette's indentured servant, a status which she tried to put to good use. Over the years, they have reached a measure of detente, and Parsifal has even acted kindly towards Linette. But it's still not easy for her to trust him.
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Portia Maritus: Linette's oldest and closest friend, now her sister-in-law. They shared childhood games (mainly involving chasing around Portia's younger brother Leon) and their deepest confidences; they exchanged lengthy letters (Linette's hastily scrawled and full of crossing-out; Portia's perfectly calligraphed) during the years they were separated. While Portia was always a bit quieter than Linette, they still share a deep bond of love and trust. Now that trust is being used in a new way: Portia is Caerdach's chamberlain.
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Ravelle Soranus: (deceased): Leon's inquisitive cousin made an unlikely match for Linette, but the two women became surprisingly swift friends. Linette is as willing to rise to a verbal challenge as a physical one, and found Ravelle's incessant questions invigorating. It was the kidnapping of the Soranus family that really brought them together, though - Linette was one of Ravelle's few supports left in Gateway, and in their shared struggle, the two women became extremely close. Their friendship only strengthened while Ravelle led Linette through her exploration of faith, and the two women shared the struggles of family and motherhood. Ravelle's suicide devastated Linette, and left her questioning many of the lessons of faith that Ravelle had taught her.
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Tiege Soranus: Leon's cousin and best friend; his relationship with Linette got off to a rocky start, but turned into a surprisingly close friendship. Tiege's kindness and faith helped Linette through difficult times, and the two discovered that they shared a love of adventure and travel. His death in the spring of 507 affected her deeply, and not only for the pain that it caused Leon. When Tiege returned to life two years later, it brought confusion, joy, and painful irony for its coincidence with Leon's revival. Still, Tiege and Linette seem to have resumed their friendship; she's often been seen at the Temple of Providence speaking to him.
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Ysora Kilgannon: Ysora was Asha's best friend when Linette was Portia's, but now they have become as close as sisters themselves. Some of it stems from the shared bond of having loved and lost Asha; some from their common experience of family and motherhood. Through their long conversations about family and faith, Linette has come to love and respect Ysora a great deal; her caring, patience, and humor have helped Linette through difficult times and given her inspiration for a new way of looking at Providence.
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| Friends and Others
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Bastien Arx: The stoic ex-knight isn't an easy man to get to know, but over the years, he and Linette have come to consider each other friends. Their common training in the chantry gives them a deep trust in each other's fighting instincts. Bastien's service to Linette's brother the Duke only strengthened their trust, and it lasted even after Bastien left the Duke's service and became a Venator.
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Bathsheba Corinthus: Linette does not have a peaceful relationship with this mage - even though she doesn't have quite as much distrust of magic as some Guardians do, Bathsheba kissed Leon at their wedding in full view of all of their guests. AND she called Justine ugly. Still, in recent months, Linette's hostility towards Bathsheba has faded. There's a little less bristling at the mention of the mage's name, and a little more trust. A little.
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Cael Kilgannon: Nobody was more surprised when they became friends than Cael and Linette themselves: Cael's support for the Conways in the civil war made Linette distrust him for years. But time eased those wounds - along with Cael's eternal friendliness, love of dogs, and kindness towards Linette's children.
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Caspian Fernwick: They met when they were both in training as squires, and quickly became friends - and then more than that. When Linette was expelled, she broke off her relationship with Caspian at the same time - both of them buried their grief at leaving each other under the guise of a horrible argument. She never wrote back to him, and never told anyone how proud she was when she heard that he had been made Sheriff. After her return to Gateway, Linette and Caspian found their way back to some kind of friendly accommodation, and even closeness. Yet something changed that. They have barely spoken since Linette became Baroness of Caerdach, and now they're both married to other people. Linette hardly ever mentions him, and when she does, it's with sadness.
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Charlotte Noir: Linette's new healer; Charlotte got Linette through her difficult second pregnancy. The two women have also become friends, thanks to Charlotte's warmth and kindness.
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Cynara Dhaval: When Linette first met this young woman, when both were about 14, she took her for a young man - for Cynara was hiding on Guardians in disguise, calling herself Brad. As time went on (and after an awkward incident in which Linette tried to get poor destitute Brad hired on as a kitchen boy in her family's castle), Linette came to know the real story behind Cynara's arrival on Guardians. They quickly discovered a shared love of mischief, horseback riding, and archery, and became fast friends and partners in crime. These days, they're still riding partners and close friends, but they're more often partners in fighting crime.
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Gwyneth Fiedach: This warrior woman is not easy to get to know, with her gruff manner and eccentric and difficult speech patterns. But somehow - through shared stints in the infirmary, mutual respect for fighting skills and straightforward manners, and a love of chocolate - Gwyneth and Linette have become close friends. Now each is among the first people to whom the other will turn when good or bad news needs to be shared. Or chocolate. Linette also adores Gwyneth's son Gaelan, and he returns the favor.
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Iain Arx: Their old acquaintance revived into a curious friendship when Iain returned to Gateway - touched with rivalry, sardonic taunts, and tension of all kinds, but with a shared love of challenge and adventure, and honest respect on both sides. He has since left for parts unknown, but Linette still counts him as a friend.
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Imani Paggion: It started as a very odd sort of friendship. Linette rescued Imani from being kidnapped; Imani gave Linette all sorts of unwelcome news about her health. But as time went on, the two women grew extremely close. Imani brought Linette through her pregnancy with Justine, and there was no healer that Linette trusted more. Linette has done her best to bring Imani out of her shell with friendly overtures - and Imani, in her quiet way, has shown genuine warmth towards Linette in return.
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Iseldis Vasala: After Linette's disgrace and departure from knight training in 503, she spent several months traveling around the Empire, some of which were spent on Green Fields camping near the Vasala farm in Brewer's Crossing. Iseldis stumbled upon the campsite, and the two young women spent many long hours out in the forest talking about dreams and aspirations far into the night - but it wasn't until they met again on Gateway in the summer of 505 that Iseldis learned Linette's last name and family history. Even with this new revelation, they have picked up their friendship right where they left off, and have become even closer. Each seems to know when the other is in trouble, and (almost always) exactly the right thing to do to help; even in the dark days after the Schism, Linette and Iseldis comforted each other. Linette is immensely proud of her friend's new position as Duchess Regent of Green Fields, and is a close political ally as well as a personal one.
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Khalani Claremont: The Duchess of Draught has become another one of Linette's close friends over the last few years. Linette admires Khalani's artistic talent and likes her friendly manner; the two women have shared many congenial conversations. Through a happy coincidence, they've recently shared more: Khalani's daughter and Linette's son were born on the same day.
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Marek Paggion: Partners in fighting crime, riding horses, and all other manner of adventures. Linette likes Marek's intelligence and sense of humor, admires his accomplishments as a Venator, and thinks that he might possibly be good enough to court her friend Portia, as he's been doing.
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Mathis Cardiff(deceased): Mathis and Linette briefly crossed over in their training at the chantry, and shared friendship and trust - on occasion, Linette even played the role of something like an older sister to Mathis. His death saddened her greatly.
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Melissande Chevalier: Another recent friend, both political and personal. Linette and Melissande have had friendly and productive dealings in their capacity as baroness and ambassador, but their shared devotion to their children has created a deeper friendship too.
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Mihovil Pasternak: Linette's chief trainer in arms in the year before she became a squire; his skill with a crossbow made him a natural match for her when she joined the chantry on Guardian before moving to Gateway. She saw less of him when she was on Gateway, but he remained one of her teachers. Unfortunately, her career as a squire was brief and unsuccessful, and in the end Mihovil was also the one to throw her out. Literally. He carried Linette bodily to the stables, gave her a horse, and told her to leave. She fought back, of course, and actually bit him in the course of her struggles. He'd never been in favor of her unconventional fighting style.
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Niamh Cavanagh: Fate keeps conspiring to throw danger into Niamh and Linette's path whenever they are together. Linette respects Niamh's knowledge and resourcefulness, and the explorer's willingness to take risks appeals to Linette's sense of adventure - as do Niamh's stories of faraway places. Niamh has now left Gateway, but Linette still dreams of someday being able to see those distant lands through something more than Niamh's words.
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Solenne Allaria: Another one of Linette's childhood friends, who constantly aided and abetted each other's wilder natures. The relationship was strained nearly to the breaking point during the civil war, when Solenne's father Marukus was uncovered as the person behind a plot to assassinate Linette and her siblings. But Solenne's own loyalty never wavered, and she proved herself as true as ever by saving Linette's life at the end of the war. Their friendship slowly repaired itself, and when Linette became Baroness of Caerdach, she restored Solenne to her place as Lady Cliffrun. Solenne is now a trusted vassal as well as a dear friend.
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Tanwen ap Bedwyr: This enigmatic woman - at various times a sailor, a soldier, and a city guard - developed a surprisingly swift friendship with Linette. They're often seen in each other's company, and they've made a good fighting team on the occasions when danger threatened them both.
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| Trivia
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Trivia and rumors go here.
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| Linette Barca of Guardian
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| Baroness Linette Barca
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| Linette Barca, Age 24
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| Baroness Caerdach
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| Investiture
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28 November 505 - Present
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| Predecessor
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Philip Aaric Barca
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| Successor
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Justine Barca
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| Background
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| Formerly Married To
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Leon Barca
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| Offspring
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Justine Barca
Antony Barca
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| Full name
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| Linette Amber Barca
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| Titles and Styles
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Baroness Caerdach
Formerly: Lady of Caerdach
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| Household
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House Barca
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| Father
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Duke Damien Barca of Guardians
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| Mother
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Duchess Chloe Norvan Barca of Guardians
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| Born
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December 8 484 (484-12-08) (age 24)
Caerdach, Guardians
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| Occupation
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Baroness
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| Biographical Information
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| Species
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Human
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| Gender
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Female
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| Height
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5'2"
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| Weight
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115 lbs.
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| Eye Color
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Dark Brown
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| Hair
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Dark Brown
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| Roleplaying Logs
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| Playlist
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Times and Places
“Simple Joys,” Pippin.(video / lyrics)
Being expelled from the squirehood
"He ran from all the things he'd done; he ran from things he'd just begun. He ran from himself, which is mighty far to run..."
"It's Not My Time," Three Doors Down.(lyrics / video)
The Barca defeat
"All the plans that we made and the dreams that we had, I'm in a world that tries to take them away...this could be the end of me and everything I know, but I won't go."
"Long Way Around," Dixie Chicks. (video / lyrics)
Returning to Gateway
"Long years now since the top of the world came crashing down...Guess I could have made it easier on myself, but no, I could never follow."
“Space,” Achinoam Nini.(lyrics)
Her favorite activity: riding
"With the sun and the rain in my hair and the wind in my face...no pain, no fear."
People
“The Bramble and the Rose,” traditional.(video / lyrics)
For Leon, at the beginning of their betrothal
"We have been so close together. Each a candle, each a flame..."
"The One Who Knows," Dar Williams. (video / lyrics)
For Leon, in the spring of 507
"All the things you treasure most will be the hardest won. I will watch you struggle long before the answers come...I'll shine the light that guides you down the road you're walking on."
"So Close To My Heart," Dar Williams (video / lyrics)
For Leon, in farewell.
"I never had a friend as close as you, so close to my heart...It held my will in its infinite dreams...So now you're gone...and we'll wonder if what we make survives."
"I Will Not Forget You," Sarah McLachlan (video / lyrics)
For Leon, in farewell.
"I was so scared and so in love then, and so lost in all of you that I had seen...So I ran like the wind to the water. Please don't leave me again, I cried. And I threw bitter tears at the ocean, but all that came back was the tide. Oh, I will not forget you..."
"Evermore," Alison Krauss.(recording)
For her daughter Justine.
"Though nothing's as certain as seasons and time...evermore I will love you, evermore I will stay."
"Best Day," Taylor Swift. (video / lyrics)
From Justine's point of view
"I don't know why all the trees change in the fall, but I know you're not scared of anything at all...I know you were on my side even when I was wrong." (Thanks to Leon for pointing me towards this song!)
"Fare Thee Well," Indigo Girls (video / lyrics )
For her sister Asha
"That which I looked up to and clung to for dear life had to burn itself up just to make it alive. I caught you then in your moment of glory..."
"Eyes of Mercy," October Project (video / lyrics)
For Cynara
"The noise in the street will soon disappear...I will stay with eyes open to watch over you."
"Wall of Silence," October Project (video / lyrics)
For Caspian
"Now we're strangers to our past.How did I lose you along the way?"
Crisis of faith
- “Carry On My Wayward Son,” Kansas
(video / lyrics) "On a stormy sea of moving emotion, tossed about like a ship on the ocean..."
- “Everything In Its Own Time,” Indigo Girls
(video / lyrics) "A lesson learned, a loving god, and things in their own time...the weightlessness of us as things around begin to shift."
- “Ready for the Storm,” Deanta
(video / lyrics)"And when the sky begins to clear, the sun it melts away my fear...oh, I am ready for the storm."
Irrepressible optimism, blind and otherwise
- "When I'm Up," Great Big Sea
(video / lyrics) "We'll keep the good times rolling, wait and see, wait and see..."
- "Better Things," Dar Williams
(video / lyrics) "Here's wishing you the bluest sky, and hoping something better comes tomorrow."
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