From a distance, you see a lovely vision of ivory, traced with a rich gold, a swath of feathers and flowing curls. Upon closer inspection, she is an average sized mare, though a broad wingspan adds considerable height and breadth to her graceful form. Deep gilded flecks are strewn about her satin, snowy coat. The same tawny tones perfectly line her cat-like jade eyes. Framed by abundant curtains of wavy curls, her muzzle fades to a soft rose blush. Ribbons of pink scars encircle and blemish each fetlock, beginning to tell you of a darker past. As your eyes raise, you note that planted on each shapely hip is a large, flowery brand.
Her expression is most often frigid and severe, ears almost permanently twisted backwards towards the crest of her refined neck. She is lean and well muscled, usually tensed and ready to strike out or dash into the air at a moments notice.

POSITIVE

Loyal - Fierce - Thoughtful - Observant - Protective - Empathetic

NEGATIVE

Reserved - Standoffish - Critical - Quick-Tempered - Fiery - Bitter - Vindictive

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Unsurprisingly, the branded mare endured a past that has left her skeptical and cold. She is immediately standoffish and watchful, observing and internally judging more than talking. She is quick to decide whether or not she likes you, and is much more apt to trust other Pegasi, mares, or foals. You can feel the smoldering rage within the depths of her viridian eyes, crystallized from years living in chains. Thoughtful and calculating, she's not afraid to fight for a cause she deems worthy but also has no qualms about nimbly escaping from trouble if the situation calls for it. Being pulled from a normal life at a young age, she's still learning how to be comfortable in society. It will take her time to warm up and lower her walls with most. For a select few, she will be quicker to give her trust, the lack of affection breaking through her cold resolve from time to time. When she does let her guard down, she is fiercely loyal to her friends and will care deeply for them. She is protective and willing to defend those that are deserving.
Affection is strange, almost painful to her, though it would be a lie to say that she doesn't crave it. Romance is largely an uncharted sea for the freckled dove, though she has nearly dipped a hoof in a few times before, and almost always with the wrong sort.

Orabella comes from a land called Veldgard, far from Novus. She was born into a small band of Pegasi who had built a haven within the protected, rocky altitudes of the Belan mountains. Memories of her early foalhood are vague and happy, days of playing on the grassy steppe and napping in the bright sun. Her parents were kind and watchful of their filly. All was as it should have been, until a time came that she was met with the dark side of fate.

In Veldgard, Pegasi had become a minority. A history of war and a nationalist movement of unicorns and equines had left them considered the lowest class species, and the non-wingeds had been driving them to dwindling numbers for decades. The last few groups of Pegasi had retreated high into the mountains in hopes that they would be safe there. And most did live safely for many years. Unfortunately for Ora's herd, their haven was discovered. It happened in a flash of noise, hooves clattering on the rocky ground and the flapping of many wings taking flight. She was only about 6 months old, not yet confident in the air. Most of the adults were able to escape, but Orabella and a few other young Pegasi were captured and dragged down down the sides of the mountains. She can still see the image of her family and friends slipping away into the clouds.

Pegasi that were allowed to live were kept as slaves, forced into labor for the rest of their lives. As fate would have it, Orabella was dealt more luck than most. Being a pretty, quiet young thing, she was delivered to the palace of Emperor Vorkalth, in the capital city of Tebora. There she was branded with the nation's crest, shackled and kept within the palace as a living trophy, pulled out to be shown off at different court events and paraded behind the royal caravan. She learned quickly to do as she was told and keep her mouth shut, or suffer the consequences. There were some perks to being the slave of a royal house, at least in comparison to being a common slave. As she grew and her feathers filled in, she was allowed to practice flying while still tethered to the ground - Vorkalth enjoyed fully functional trophies. She received mostly the same education that the royal heirs were given and often enjoyed the same meals. She was kept in a modest room on one of the upper palace floors, with two large windows overlooking the city and the wilderness beyond. There were those within the palace who treated her kindly, and there were others who took any chance to torment her. As the years went on, she grew hateful and began to yearn for escape more and more. Several opportunities came and passed, always left un-taken for fear she would ruin her only real chance.

Late one night, she awoke to the faint sound of hoof-steps coming into her chambers. It was Clara, the newest palace maid. She was young and quiet, but always looked at Ora with a sadness in her eyes. Pity?
Without a word, Clara was fumbling with her shackles in the dark. Before Ora could ask what she was doing, there was a click and an easing of the iron around her heels. Then the maid was shuffling to the windows and pulling them open.
"Go, quickly!" The girl urged her in hushed tones. Without thinking, she had slipped out of her shackles and was standing at the window's precipice. She turned and nodded to Clara, shocked and unable to find the right words to repay her. With a shaky leap she was off and rising feverishly into the still night air, terrified that the sound of her wings would be enough to alert the guards. She flew until her wings nearly gave out, and until there was no trace of Veldgard left to be seen in the distance. She had spent nearly 5 years as a slave.

Since finding freedom, the speckled mare has roamed many lands, hoping to put as much distance between herself and Veldgard as possible.