Physical Description

Yet another casualty of the Gonchar genes, Ksenia is a tall girl (6’1, to be exact)—a fact made readily apparent by a swan-like neck, fearless posture, and proportionately long limbs. Full cheeks and even fuller lips round out a longish face, and doe-like brown eyes only cement all impressions of beauty.

But any pretense of softness ends there. Though undoubtedly the apple of her family’s eye, Ksenia is every inch the athlete her brothers are; she is strong, sturdier than than her form suggests, and those sharp reflexes are the result of years of practice and conditioning. Her skin is speckled with scars from wounds deemed too petty to heal, and that adorable, slightly bunny-toothed smile has, at some point, needed a tooth (or three) regrown. There is a surety to her movements that comes with being comfortable in her own body.

While she is no stranger to dressing nicely, she prefers clothing that allows for athletic movement—sweats, leggings, cropped shirts that hang off the shoulder and tank tops underneath. Any pair of sneakers she owns is eventually worn down by constant use. Honey brown hair is either pulled back into a ponytail, a messy bun, or left to spill down her back.

Personality

Almost from the very first day she could string together a proper sentence, Ksenia has been for her family a source of both pride and despair.

On the outside, she appears every inch the confident, capable young witch. Good at sums and retaining facts, and even better at putting what she knows into practice, school and sports have never been a problem for her. Neither has been socializing; though she has never felt as compelled to be kind or nice as her brothers or their parents, she is almost as patient as she is perceptive, which makes it relatively easy for her to come off as friendly enough, if a little distant. The only thing faster or more certain than her wits are her reflexes; athletic and agile, she is a very active person, with a fair love for the outdoors if not necessarily the creatures found in them.

(She does like creatures, she does, she just – isn’t as big a fan of them as Grigory.)

To those who truly know her, though, Ksenia is stubborn and a bit of a hothead—just like her brothers. Unafraid of confrontation (especially when family is involved), she will dig in her heels even when she thinks she might be wrong. Telling people ‘no’ is the easiest thing; she might even do the exact opposite of what is wanted, just to make a point. Her good will is largely determined by her mood, and if it’s bad she takes things very personally. It also determines how much she takes an interest in other people’s business and whether she does anything about it. Of her siblings she is simultaneously the easiest and most difficult to reason with, in that she both understands what is trying to be said but may not care anyway.

And it is that very same confidence that makes her so intense. When her attention is fully engaged, the youngest Gonchar has a powerful, almost palpable stare. Combined with the ease with which she enters a space and makes it irrevocably hers, it has a way of making a person feel as though they are the only one in the room—or, if she dislikes them, oh so very alone. For the object of her attention – or affections – that singular, laser-like focus can feel like a gift or a curse; likewise its absence can come as a relief or a snub.

Politically, Ksenia is quite opinionated, but one who keeps her opinions to herself unless explicitly told to do so, is directly confronted or thinks a question bears asking. Otherwise, she has been known to be ‘inquisitive’ and will share them without mercy. She is especially critical and suspicious of witches her brothers are attracted to, since they seem to follow a certain type: rich, spoiled and pureblood—entirely unsuitable.

The youngest of three and the only daughter, Ksenia quickly found herself in that frustrating position of being coddled, yet easily dismissed. It wasn’t that they ignored her, exactly – they all adored her – but she was, well. Small. And a girl. Younger than her brother Vasily and even shorter than her brother Grigory, Ksenia wound up with the brunt of their parents’ attention, particularly their mother’s. With her arrival, a gentle line was drawn and solidified.

After her brush with a werewolf that she almost didn’t survive, they only became even more overprotective.

But even back then she was a fighter, and after watching her brothers leave without her for what felt like the hundredth time, Ksenia strapped on Vasily’s gear and ran away to the lake. Her disappearance quickly noticed, her parents found her not long after, but her point had been made clear. The next day she was gifted with Vasily’s very first set and brought along for her very first practice. She was not the fastest player, being only seven years old, but she took to it with as much enthusiasm she could show. Boris and Vasily were patient teachers, and when she began showing a preference for smacking the quaffle away instead of passing it, they started focusing on her Keeping skills. When Grigory returned in the summer, he took over so their father could focus on work.

Then, just as dreams of playing with her brothers began to take root, they were quickly dashed. After Grigory’s accident, Ksenia was almost forbidden from playing then and there, were it not for the fact that it kept her away from the aftermath. While he recovered, she would continue. It felt almost… selfish, had it not been clear that Grigory would have never forgiven himself if she had stopped.

His departure to Altai Sanctuary and Reserve was yet another terrible blow, but after a solemn promise to keep giving her best she continued to play even after he was gone. With Vasily only three years older, he would be around for a while yet, and by the time he left for the NIQL she had her own friends and teammates to keep her company. Days that had once been filled with quidditch, letters and visits, now consisted of quidditch, letters and outings.

She still keeps tabs on her busy siblings (one in particular, given his very big heart and historically, gloriously bad ideas), but for the most part she is fairly busy herself—busy working on a fierce, relentless desire to make it big in the NIQL as well. At present she plays for the school team, Koloss Koldovstoretz.

An aspiring ice quidditch player, teenage werewolf and overprotective younger sister, Ksenia can be sweet, but for the most part she is the youngest, smartest and meanest of the Gonchars. Her stubbornness leaves her with the eternal hope that one day Grigory and Irina will realize that they are perfect for each other and get married (or that he will fall in love with someone like her).

WEREWOLF

Characteristics & Abilities

• • Heightened senses (notably smell and hearing), strength, reflexes, agility and speed (though much of this largely depends on personal fitness).
  • Improved healing factor and overall health. She doesn’t heal rapidly and can still get sick and scar, but she is sturdier than the average human.
  • Night vision. Her eyes flash when hit directly by light (and may be easily blinded).
  • Retractable claws and fangs.
  • Increased vulnerability to various strains of wolfsbane.

Every full moon, Ksenia turns into a slender brown wolf, gangly and long-limbed much like her human form. She takes Wolfsbane Potion every full moon, but paperwork must be renewed and resubmitted every so often, and her supply is strictly observed and allotted, as per Russian policy.

For the rest of the month she makes the most of what perks the curse has given her. She uses her keen hearing to eavesdrop, block shots and avoid collisions; her sense of smell to identify and track down acquaintances and errant possessions; her strength, speed and stamina to keep up with teammates and overcome opponents; and her night vision to practice in the dark when she has to.

Describe how this influences their life and what happens to them.

If being a werewolf in the UK is hard, then being one in Russia is twice as difficult with even greater consequences; two categories of werewolves are officially recognized – ‘oboroten’ (“dark” aggressive wolves who “let” the curse go their heads and display wolfish characteristics and behavior) and ‘wawkalak’ (“good” law-abiding werewolves). Both come with different expectations and advantages (oboroten are regarded with more suspicion and are usually convicted, wawkalak are generally treated better), but they are strictly policed and punished when deemed necessary—which is usually the case.

As a wawkalak, Ksenia is officially considered safe in the eyes of the government. As such, she is entitled to a monthly dose of Wolfsbane Potion, “moon days” and technically welcome at public establishments. Her physical abilities earn her favor and consideration among her athletic instructors and visiting quidditch scouts. She may use private safehouses (if she can afford them) and can attend or submit suggestions to the werewolf legislative body.

But although her status grants her certain advantages, it does not provide true protection. These advantages are privileges rather than rights, leaving her still very much exposed to certain threats and discrimination. Her physical abilities are dismissed as easily as they are admired, and with the right amount of money and influence someone can change her classification behind her back. Many wawkalak have lost their lives to oboroten hunting because the government turned a blind eye.

How did they become a creature?

A childhood brush with a stranger. She had been playing out in the forest while a hunt was taking place, and her family had been notified too late to bring her inside before the werewolf found her.

Status

Ksenia has not committed or been convicted of any crimes.