Effort begets success. Sometimes. Maive and her siblings were born on the opposite end of that phrase. While her family had once owned a successful engineering firm, it had since fallen to bankruptcy and legal proceedings. Her parents never quite told her the details of what happened, but her earliest memories were of a small rented apartment instead of a family home.

With parents both working all hours to support them, Maive quickly took on the role of caring for four siblings and three cousins. It wasn't exactly easy for her, but she loved them all to the point where any pain was worth it.

Music was the only solace that the young Maive had. In a way, it was the thing that connected. She sang lullabies and nursery rhymes to the youngest. She discussed and listened to songs on the radio with the eldest. She played band along with the middle children. Of course, they could never actually afford any instruments. The rattle of rocks in plastic cups, the striking of any flat surface with sticks, and air guitars at the park were enough for Maive and her siblings.

Of course, one such outing had been recorded and posted online The video went viral and she suddenly found herself in the middle of a morning news media circus. While she didn't enjoy the media attention and the requests to sing on national syndications, the compensation meant that she could buy gifts for her family. That outweighed any discomfort she had.

It wasn't exactly a story of a starlet found and elevated to the skies. Her life didn't change after her moment of fame. To a label, a pretty voice that sang covers were a dime a dozen. Maive didn't have a connection to break into the industry. But connections are a strange thing. While backstage, the only thing she could speak about with others was music. Her grasp of music theory was weak, but for someone who sang in a park to entertain her siblings? She could intuit an impressive amount. One of the people trapped in her nerve-wracked conversations was someone involved with Harbour Academy. From a single conversation stemming from a young girl trying her best to not throw up on the morning news, she received an offer for a scholarship to study abroad.

While she initially wished to remain with her family, the opportunities to network with people in the industry convinced her. If she could somehow use her voice to help her family, she would -- even if it meant that she was alone.

Name:

Orlando Pedrosa Da Silva

Arcana:

Magician

Birthday:

July 6th

Appearance:

Orlando stands at a noticeable 6 feet tall, which, combined with his olive complexion and green eyes, makes him stand out among his peers. Always with a smile on his face, onlookers might describe him as a sunny individual, but if one were to look closer, they would see loathing hiding in his eyes.

His love of capoeira has led Orlando to possess a strong core and lower body, although not one that could be defined as "ripped" by any means of the word. Nevertheless, when he's not using the school uniform, he prefers swimmers' trunks and Hawaiian shirts but doesn't have any preference outside of that, combining colors and attires in a way that someone with an eye for fashion might get offended for it. The only constant in his clothes is that each one has at least two to three pockets in it, ideal to hold his beloved spices.

Reputation:

For the majority of the school, Orlando is clearly the guy who knows a guy. The number of that cute drama girl, the favorite food of that hot jock, or even the answers of that hellish maths test, he can get it for you... if you have the money that is. Such a reputation is not one easily earned, and Orlando has worked hard for it: slowly becoming acquaintances with people from all over the school, doing small favours for free, and gaining the right contacts, it would not be wrong to say his name is the first one that comes to mind when you have a problem that requires some bending of the rules to resolve.

Yet asks any of his peers something about him and the most they would be able to say is that he's from Brazil and that he's in the school with a scholarship. An observant person would notice that in truth, if he already got what he wanted from someone, he will use excuses like "too much homework" or "not enough time" to avoid spending more time with that student until he has a need for that particular person again that is.

Yet even taking that into consideration, his exotic looks, natural charisma, and services he offers have made him somehow of a celebrity in the school, something he is well aware of and isn't afraid to use in his favour.

Background:

Growing up in the claustrophobic, maze-likes favelas of Brazil teaches kids from an early age a few hard-hitting lessons: never get attached to your neighbours, never ask too many questions and always look out for yourself. While Orlando was fortunate enough to avoid the truly dangerous part of that life, he still had to work from an early age to help the economy of his household, but the affection and love he received from his family were more than enough to make up for it.

Such life has more downs than ups, yet one of the highlights of every year had to be the Carnaval, a truly tremendous celebration of Brazil's rich history and culture, and a place where Orlando could show off his one true passion: capoeira. Each year he would get better and better at it, using the characteristic martial arts of his land as an outlet and a way of expressing himself, his life, and his struggles, like his ancestor did in the past. It would seem God smiled on him, as one of his performances got uploaded on the internet, where it gathered a respectable amount of views, and an opportunity of a lifetime: a scholarship at the exclusive Harbour Academy.

After much debate and only after earnestly promising his family he would come back and get them a better life, Orlando embarked 6 months before classes officially started, to not only learn the language but to acclimate to a foreign land and get a very intensive course to get him at a somehow respectable academy level. The little free time he had he used to sharpen his craft and earn as much money as he could to send to his family. Due to how the exchange rates worked, even spare change could make a difference, and those rich kids he would study with never wanted for anything. Wealthy and pampered, he was sure he could make quick bucks out of them: sell favours to those who looked like they could give him troubles, and rip off the spoiled idiots who didn't know better.

Far from his family and their warmth, far from his country and its culture, in an unfamiliar and distant land, yet it was a small price to pay for a chance at a better future. He knew he was at a disadvantage from the get-go, so he would not hesitate to lie, cheat and steal to stay ahead of his competition in Harbour Academy. The rest of the students already had the upper hand in terms of resources and knowledge, so it would be only fair to tip the scales in his favour a little, right?.

Misc. :

Part of the Arts program.

Is familiar with most of the staff in the school, knows them by their name, and helps them on occasion.

Always has a variety of spices with him. Thinks English cuisine, while good, is sorely lacking in condiment.

Has a heavy accent and tends to utilize Brazilian words when he doesn't know how to say something in English, but also tends to overdo it to maintain an affable image.

Is not afraid to scam a fellow student if he thinks it will not be traced to him. Has done it in the past.

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Weapon:

A pair of heavy steel cap boots.

Persona: Odysseus

A greek hero best known for his guile and wits, qualities that saved him a number of times in his 10-year journey back home after the Trojan War. Yet if it wasn't for his pride and hubris, many of his problems could have been avoided.

Moveset:

A Persona specialized in both close combat and using the strength of his enemies against them in the form of status ailments. If the situation were to call for it, he can also utilize a bit of wind magic, but it's obviously not his forte.