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Writer: Laura H.
E-mail: lhelfrich@compuserve.com
Age: 36
Name: Evangelina (Lina) Rarti-Moore
Character's Age: 30
Nature: human, Romani shuvani (witch)
Description: Barely five feet tall, Lina is a bundle of energy in a small package. She wears her long brown hair in a bun at the back of her neck. Her green eyes seem always to be in motion, assessing situations. She always wears something black with a splash of color somewhere. She is on the thin side of shapely.
Abilities: Lina has studied Romani witchcraft and magic. She is adept at casting spells, particularly those involving human and animal healing. A gifted storyteller, she is the author of a book about Romani folk tales.
Lina was born with the ability to understand, just by touch, the history of inanimate objects. This ability led her to her current profession as an antiques dealer and appraiser.
Weaknesses: Unfortunately, the ability to understand by touch does not extend to human and non-human sentient beings. Others' intentions are basically a mystery to her, which means that she can be taken advantage of.
Personality: Lina is basically shy, although most people consider her to be a "people person." Lina the storyteller is a far cry from the insecure Lina she knows herself to be. She is a master at deflecting personal questions, deftly refocusing attention on the questioner. She knows many people well -- knows their secrets -- but no one (living) knows her equally well.
History: Lina is a poshrat (a half-blood Romani). Her father, who was not Rom, was an English literature professor, and her mother oversaw the large Rarti family. Of the nine children born to the family, Lina is the only one with magical abilities. She was apprenticed to a shuvani when she was 13 and studied with her until she went to college. Thereafter, she studied on her own. She met her husband, Nathan Moore, in college. After their marriage they traveled extensively while Nathan studied and wrote about folk music and Lina compiled Romani folk tales. Lina and Nathan finally accepted positions in a college in Ohio. They settled there, ready to face the new challenge of teaching and preparing to start a family.
Lina came to Sanctuary literally seeking sanctuary. Five months after they arrived in Ohio, Nathan was killed in an car accident. Unable to stay in a place that was not yet home to her, she resigned her position, packed up what she could take with her in the car, and drove with no specific destination in mind. She found Sanctuary. With the money that she and Nathan saved, along with the benefits from his life insurance, Lina is ready to open an antique and vintage clothing and jewelry shop. Sanctuary is, for her, an opportunity to start again.
