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And so great was the change wrought in her person by her repentance that all who witnessed it marveled.
- Thomas Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur
.the mundane;
» Name: Cristina
» Age: 16
» Journal: con_spire
» Contact: purpleandgreenjunk@gmail.com
.the myth;
» Pantheon: Celtic (Arthurians)
» God(dess): Guinevere/Gwynevere
» Reference: x x x + have read Thomas Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur
» Family: {father} King Leodegrance ; {spouse} Arthur Pendragon
» Played By: Miranda Kerr
» Human Alias: Geula "Sin" Sinclair
» Human Age: 23
» Ability: Induced Fealty. Men are strongly inclined to be loyal to her. (To her dismay.)
» Occupation: Secretary to the Mayor
» History: Guinevere was the beautiful daughter of King Leodegrance. Arthur once visited the king's home, whereupon he was immediately besotted by Guinevere. Though their relationship did not immediately come to fruition, Arthur never forgot her surreal beauty. Much later, when times demanded that Arthur take a queen, he called upon his old friend to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage. It was, in fact, via marriage to Guinevere that Arthur gained the Round Table.
Guinevere is often remembered for her indiscretions with Arthur's most famous knight, Sir Lancelot du Lac. Their love was an intense, passionate one, that Malory is quick to describe as true and genuine. Unfortunately, given the circumstances, not much could come of their overwrought and tumultuous affair. If anything, it is through this relationship that Guinevere shows both her ugliest and most beautiful sides. She was very much inclined to throw tantrums at Lancelot, sometimes for even the pettiest of reasons. Her anger at Lancelot's siring Sir Galahad was such that it drove Lancelot mad for a few years. However, upon Arthur's death, inconsolably grieved, Guinevere retires to the nunnery. When approached by Lancelot, she remains firm in her decision to redeem herself, refusing the knight even one last kiss and demanding never to see him again. It was at the nunnery that she died, and her body was laid rest next to Arthur's.
Another recurring theme in most portrayals of Guinevere is abduction. Guinevere is repeatedly stolen away by some villain or other, whom Arthur or Lancelot must save her from. Though this is perhaps meant to demonstrate the prevalence of chivalry during the time, to the modern reader this is a distasteful illustration of a weak-willed woman. Truly, it is often forgotten that Guinevere was a strong political figure whose advice Arthur valued exceedingly. Neither Arthur nor Lancelot quite come close to her mastery of diplomacy, being knights and advocates of resolutions won by the sword.
Truly, Guinevere is among the most complex and misunderstood characters in Arthurian legend. While it was likely easier for the mostly male authors to flatten her, making her either shallow or serene at turns, her value as both queen and woman must not be discounted. As Arthur once reigned and shall reign again, Guinevere, too, is the once and future queen.
» Reincarnations: Guinevere has only been reincarnated once, and that was as Geula Sinclair on 6 May 1987 to Edward and Alicia Sinclair. Her parentage is questionable, as Alicia had a long-time paramour whom she truly loved. Edward, though heartbroken by the affair, tolerated his wife's misdemeanors. The burden of his sorrow was thus placed on the child; the name "Geula" meaning "redemption". Owing to her beauty, she was given the nickname "Sin", from her last name, and she prefers to go by this to strangers, fearful of the weight of her given name. She, in fact, rarely introduces herself by her first name. To address her as such is a privilege granted to a select few.
The Sinclair family was an upper class one in Weybridge, Surrey. Geula was raised learning how to behave like the perfect lady, even when under fire. However, as it did her father, Geula was greatly pained by her mother's infidelity. While her mother insisted that true love could not be stifled, Geula could not help but cultivate a fear of men and a fear of love, gaining a deep understanding of how easily a woman's emotions could corrupt her.
Unable to resist the pull of politics, Geula took the Politics, Psychology and Sociology course at Cambridge University. She got in more out of diligence than any latent intelligence. While certainly not stupid, Geula is no surpassing intellect. Her forte is a natural political savvy. (Naturally, as in quite a few instances in her original life, Guinevere was shown to have more political suavity than either Arther or Lancelot.)
On her 21st birthday, the latter memories of her previous life returned to her. The pained and regretful life at the nunnery is her most vivid memory, and the pain of having disappointed Arthur at the cost of his death haunts her persistently. Her returned memories have only exacerbated Geula's fear of men, yet have ushered in a new resolve - to make amends with Arthur in whatever life he may be living.
Using her family's social pull led her to New York City, where perhaps she may find Arthur and bring about her redemption. Unable to resist the compulsion for politics, even in a country other than her own, she finds employment as one of the mayor's secretaries. (Wildly unnecessary, given the size of her trust fund.)
» Personality: Guinevere (she prefers Gwynevere), though she attempts to be otherwise, has not changed too much from her previous self. She is spoiled rotten and regal in manner, having been accustomed to every comfort life can offer. She refuses to get dirty or look an inch less than polished. At all times, she must look perfect, sound perfect, and be perfect.
Yet as before, Guinevere's chutzpah does not deter from her warm-heartedness. In making big decisions, Guinevere is well-meaning and always considering the greater good. She is constantly guided by her inborn sense of nobility, striving to be a better person. Her time at the nunnery has only served to intensify this longing. She is spiritual and religious: upon her memories' return, she immediately converted to Catholicism (as she was Catholic in her original life).
Surprisingly, though a graceful hostess and conversationalist, Guinevere's nature is reserved and introverted. She often has much running through her head, though prefers not to voice her many opinions. When her two cents are of use, she will speak her mind, often surprising everyone with her level of insight (and sometimes biting sense of humor). Though she has no qualms about making female friends, she shies away from men, knowing how destructively she can love a person.
Yes, the destructive nature of her attachments has not changed. With the people she loves, particularly her mother, Guinevere has an explosive, unpredictable temper. She may throw a tantrum or give the cold shoulder, and this can last anywhere from a quarter-hour to a month. She is fearful of how much worse she can get in a romantic attachment (given her mother's nature and her own tyrannical behavior with Lancelot), avoiding the possibility as much as in within her power.
She does, however, acknowledge that her past love with Lancelot was true and genuine, its longevity being more than enough proof of its authenticity. While part of her does secretly want to love and be loved once more, Guinevere is determined to exercise more caution this time around. She allows herself to succumb almost blindly to her fear instead of addressing her own deep-seated desires.
Guinevere has a strong grip on even the subtlest political nuances. (During her second life's college days in Cambridge, she could often be seen curled up in bed, highlighting and making notes on the day's newspaper.) She is a greater diplomat and mediator than even Arthur, and in her first life her opinions on political affairs were of much value to him.
Difficult situations intimidate Guinevere, and she often feels the inclination to seek aid. However, determined to redeem herself, she attempts to be independent and self-reliant. (In her previous life, it was not uncommon to see her relying on Arthur, Lancelot, or the other knights for aid.) She is not very good at being on her own, having grown used to a fleet of servants at her beck and call, though she is getting better. This desire for independence and redemption leads her to question her every move, feeding her already pervasive insecurities.
On her quest to redeem herself, she has been led to New York City. She hopes that Arthur himself has been reincarnated, yearning to make amends with her former sovereign. She cannot help a trickle of foreboding at the possibility of finding Lancelot as well, though she dismisses the idea as silly.
In summation, Guinevere is shallow, spoiled, temperamental, and fearful yet kind, just, soft-spoken, and noble: every bit the queen she once was and will be once more.
» Journal: eternallyqueen
» Sample Journal: Bloomberg really needs to get off the fence about fiscal policy. Yapping about conservative finance while spending as much as he does? Not very decisive, if you ask me.
In more pleasant news, I spied a new pair of boots at Prada today. Gorgeous little darlings, I must say. Though, I assure you, dear reader, that I will not look like the slaggiest slag to ever walk the streets of New York City. (Really, it's not like I endeavor to speak to men, anyway.)
» Sample Roleplay: Geula flicked the tap open, washing her hands for the nth time that day. The other girl in the loo with her laughed. In response, Geula rolled her eyes. "I know, I know - ruddy weird of me."
Her friend shook her head. "Sin, love, I promise, you are the most particular person I know."
Geula laughed, turning around and leaning against the counter. "I'll thank you for not using the word anal."
Her friend's smile turned sly. "So, I saw Michael the Manslag giving you the look over this morning..."
Geula cringed. While she adored being beautiful and graceful, her efforts were never for the benefit of men. If there was a possibility she could hide herself under a huge, man-repelling rock, likely she would. Were there not more important things for her and Michelle to talk about, anyway? Geula cared for her friends, yes, greatly, in fact. But she had more than enough with their fascination for blokes. "Yes, and Britain was called the 'nanny state' yet again in the papers today."
Michelle clucked her tongue. "It's a dominantly capitalist world."
Thank God Michelle was humoring her. Geula considered how to best respond to that. Personally, she really loved all the potential socialism had, finding it an intriguing balance between capitalism and communism. In fact, socialism did much good for many people in Britain. However, the issue was not whether it did good or bad, but how much good was too much. "I don't think that's the problem," she pointed out. "There just needs to be more incentives for people to do more than rest on their laurels."
"Indeed, but what do you say about the disparity in our population's age distribution?"
Bloody hell, was Michelle really going to insist on taunting Geula? There increase in the concentration of elderly citizens and the decrease in that of the young was definitely a growing concern for the British government, but Geula knew that wasn't what Michelle was getting at. Knowing Michelle would only be satisfied with a crude, slaggy answer, Geula steeled herself up for her next statement. "People should just shag already," she whispered, blood flooding her cheeks as she did so.
Michelle only laughed sharply in reply. Pouting, Geula reached for her friend's sides. Damn it, she would have her revenge.
Even if it was just in tickling.