KUROBIS

More Nicola&Melanie interactions set in Mel’s hometown. Eventually these interactions will actually focus on their relationship and it’s development, right now it’s bland generic bits.

Melanie’s father, Henning. Mel first came to Nicola’s country because her father is an ambassador. They aren’t nobility in their own country, there isn’t much class distinction beyond who’s the most respected and successful. Standout citizens are often assigned positions like his, or called to represent their communities in the national government. Her country’s society is extremely utilitarian, inherited wealth and status don’t fit into their ideals. The higher learning Melanie achieves isn’t impressing anyone at home, either. She’s expected to learn a more practical trade or marry into another family’s business. She has six siblings (she’s the third oldest), and two younger half-brothers, and most of them have achieved or are developing useful skills and applying them.
Her father has humored her in letting her finish her studies, but he still believes she’ll be satisfied with that and will come home to prove herself and hopefully take over his profession.

I think Nicola imagined him as a hardass and braced for that, he’s actually pleasant and casual. He’s still a working man, and while he’s honored to be assigned the post, the two countries are allied and don’t stand to gain anything from conflict (or have much of a need to interact much at all, they don’t even share a border), so he doesn’t spend much time away from home.

I’m preparing the first few days of the 30-day character development meme I reblogged earlier, so there will be a detailed post about Mel’s relationship with her parents.

I’m not looking forward to naming the nations and towns on the map that I also need to draw