Mara Dhalaphari

That Blooms

• Mara was born in Gramurr'tz, the only child of her two merchant parents. She had a fairly happy childhood living in the small village. Most days, when not busy helping her parents, she found herself getting lost in the beautiful scenery around them. She had an intense love of nature and was a rather curious child, never afraid of getting too close to animals and never too cautious of venturing too far. It drove her parents crazy, really, but she could never really bring herself to stop. She loved learning about the world around her, had a nearly insatiable desire for knowledge. Her parents didn't discourage her lust for knowledge, though; they were happy to see their child striving for higher knowledge, the just wished she didn't run away from home to avoid chores and other such things. But kids will be kids, of course. There wasn't much they could do to keep her from running off when she wanted to.
  
  At a young age Mara began keeping notes of the plants and animals living in their area. Her parents always kept an eye open for books about plants being sold by other merchants or travelers for her; she wanted everything and anything she could about all of it. She had her own collection of books and journals in no time, and she treasured it more than anything else. It really didn't surprise anyone who knew her when Praq-huykl' became her chosen deity to worship. It just felt right to her, like she had been born to be one with nature and with the deity associated with it.
  
  When Mara was 2 Tam'nýer—a''n Years old she left home home to make a life for herself. It wasn't too surprising that she gravitated to Fawzia-Kedet, a place she had only visited a few times before with her parents. Her parents had saved enough money to help her get her own little, comfortable place in the city while she established herself. For her first few months she lost herself in the overwhelming, intellectual city. There was so much to do, after all, and she wanted to try it all. She found herself drawn to the Great Library, Laðărul, and spent a lot of time with her nose in books. It was because of her time in the library that she met a botanist who worked and studied in a greenhouse in the city. They were in need of more help and Mara showed a great deal of potential, already so eager and curious. So they gave her a chance, invited her into the greenhouse to see what she could do and if she could fit in along side them there.
  
  Mara felt at home almost instantly. She was surrounded by plants and nature. She had access to countless journals and books about plants from all over, places she had never been before! It was as if her entire world opened up the moment she stepped foot into the greenhouse.