Difference between revisions of "Doña María Teresa Alvarado"

Revision as of 02:05, 20 July 2016

Tessie Santiago as Doña María Teresa Alvarado

Tessie Santiago as Queen of Swords

Example of period Spanish noblewoman's attire

• The Name is ...

Doña María Teresa Alvarado, "Tessa"

• Where Do You Come From?

Spanish born, but raised in Mexico

• Phsiognomy & Physique? What Do You Look Like?

Raven black silky smooth straight hair, lightly olive complexion, modest curves, pretty face, average height

• What Was Your Youth & Childhood Like?

Raised as a Spanish nobleman's daughter in the Mexican colonies, very well-to-do. She was given the chance to learn anything and everything she wanted, and she wanted to learn it all, including the real state of the people, which has inspired her to want to make things better.

• What Are Your Virtues?

Bright and inquisitive, she is a problem-solver; determined and strong-willed, she does not give up on something that matters to her. She wants to improve the lot of the common man - and WOMAN - and is willing to do what it takes to accomplish that.

• What Are Your Vices?

She is sometimes too inquisitive, and she generally does not truly respect the boundaries that polite society seeks to place on its women, especially its young and unmarried women. She pushes the boundaries, even if she does so politely and charismaticly. She is also quite proud, and can be twitted into unwise actions.

• What's Your Style?

She dresses and carries herself with a variation on the fashion of the day for young unmarried noble daughters of her day, but she insists on outfits that allow her more freedom of movement, and she resists the overuse of corsets; she'll wear them to fancy dress occasions, but almost only then.

• Are You Dashing or Demure? (two words)

Bright and Independent

• What Do You Like?

She loves languages, getting to know people, causes and history

• What Do You Dislike?

Oppression, dismissiveness, arrogance, boundaries out of mere habit or social convention

• What Really Matters to You?

Helping others; learning new things; proving herself

• What principle do you value most in life?

The freedom of self-determination and opportunity.

• What is your most treasured possession?

Her fencing sabre, a gift from the teacher she managed to convince to teach her in Madrid despite the usual limitations on women.

• Who do you value most in the world?

Her parents, and her fencing instructor (Señor Manuel Indigo).

• You Stand With Me, Or ...

• Who or What is your nemesis?

She has a rival, a young nobleman from school who was constantly baiting her, pushing at her, and insisting she couldn't - and shouldn't - keep up. He also just happens to have been her equal, or nearly so, in the fencing training. It doesn't help that he's very handsome and knows it. Baronet Rupert Bond. Has a nasty habit of getting himself kicked out of schools, which is why he's been shipped all the way to Spain where his family's money could buy his place.

• What are your Alliances?

She is friends with one of the nuns at the local abbey, and apparently has earned the fondness of the Abbess, who tolerates her presence perhaps more than she strictly should. She also has her fencing instructor, a good man with a proud tradition, a reputation as an excellent swordsman who has trained some of the best of the next generation, including her rival (and herself, though that is not commonly known).

• Ah, Love!

Tessa has been very determined about not becoming romantically involved while at school, and her education is still incomplete. She has every intention of marrying someday, having children of her own and continuing her noble lineage. But she has so much else she wants to accomplish before that happens. It doesn't help matters that the one guy who most interests her is also her rival and a jerk she is sure would never let her be the independent force for change she wishes to be.

• And Ambition!
  • Social: To affirm her family's place as nobles, and win the authority to lead over the territorial governors or influence their selection.
  • Professional: To graduate from University and return home to lead the people of her family's lands in Mexico.
  • Romantic: To find someone who can be her partner in her efforts, shares her views and loves her, and make a life together.
• What Are You Good At? Poor At? Exceptional At?
  One Great; Four Good; One Poor; the rest Average; extra Great by reducing an Average to Poor; for an Exceptional, two additional Poor; for any Extraordinary, three additional Poor.
• And Last ...

• What event or action in your life do you regret most?

Revealing a hint of her disdain, and her fencing skill, to her rival when she allowed herself to be goaded into dueling with him, even if it was interrupted.

• What event or action in your life are you proudest of?

Winning her fencing instructor's respect and proving herself worthy as his student despite her gender.

• Now, Tell Your Story