Columbine

COLUMBINE The Archmage

B I O G R A P H Y Columbine was the leader of Clan AXQU until she and her mate decided to step down in favor of her son, Ajax, and her daughter in law, Ashes. The transition has been… difficult, for Columbine. She is used to being deferred to in all matters, and is having a very hard time reconciling her commanding personality with her need to let go. She is also having a hard time deferring to a younger generation, especially the son she raised. The solution to this, as many have suggested, is to keep her busy. She is still only matched in magical power by her mate, Enchant. Her duties as advisor and archmage in the clan keep her busy enough to keep from going crazy, but leave her enough free time to enjoy her retirement from leadership. Getting Columbine to learn to enjoy free time and learn how to relax are… an ongoing process, within the clan. She has softened a bit since the turnover of leadership, and her former employees now have the chance to get to know her on a much more personal level. Columbine is uptight and controlling, snappy and sharp… but she is also sensitive, and empathetic, and is learning humility. The kids are alright, and they are taking the clan in new, exciting directions that Columbine herself would never have thought of. That alone makes the transition worthwhile.

B I O G R A P H Y ”Col, what do you think about retirement?” Enchant asked one day. it seemed out of the blue… or rather, it would, to those who didn’t know him. Columbine could hear the softness in his voice, though. The vulnerability. He’d been thinking about the question for some time, apparently, and didn’t know how she would react. Columbine set down her papers. “Hadn’t thought about it. Why?” “I’m just worried about you. You’re antsy all the time, you’re stressing, Millie said your blood pressure is too high…” “Easy, Bluebird. I’m fine.” “...I miss you. I want more time with you and you’re always working and it’s impacting your health and… I miss you.” Columbine set her papers on the desk and walked over to Enchant, taking one of his massive toes in her claws. “I’ve been neglecting you that much, haven’t I?” It wasn’t really a question. She could see it in his eyes. “...I’ve been putting off the transfer. Jax is ready. Ashes is ready. And we’ll be here in case they need us.” She swallowed. “...the clan will be in good hands.” Enchant leaned down and nuzzled behind Columbine’s crests. “I love you.” “I love you too.”

OLD BIO:

Columbine is unambiguously the leader of the clan.

All decisions, from clan purchases, to which dragons ultimately get to stay, to battle tactics, ultimately rest with her. Columbine is always open to new suggestions, solutions, and strategies, but the final decision is hers. She has an open-door policy for her clanmates. Anyone can bring problems to her attention on one condition-- dragons coming in asking for help for a problem must have thought of one possible solution themselves first. Columbine is a tough leader, but ultimately recognizes that leadership is a service position, and is hyperaware that governments only govern with the consent of those governed.

Keeping her people healthy, efficient, and happy is Columbine's top priority, and her clan knows it. Putting in the work with her people, and making sure that she provides the best possible environment for them to continue to work, has earned the clan her unquestioned loyalty. High morale is the grease that oils her machine.

Members of Clan AXQU are subject to a strict set of rules, but the payoff for following them is the basically unrestricted ability to pursue their areas of expertise as work. Dragons are expected to work harder than perhaps they would in other clans (even by Lightning standards), but due to the specialization of Columbine's selection process, most dragons don't want to stop working. Advisors are treated with the utmost respect, as are craftsdragons. Columbine knows she can't do everything, so she'll defer to the advice of dragons who can.

The initiation process is lengthy and arduous. Dragons who don't like it don't sign on in the first place.

Data knows no morality, and forewarned is forearmed. Hard work is rewarded with a very high standard of living and special privileges, but treason is rewarded with being loaded into the exalt cannon. Alive. In pieces. She would not be out of place in the Wandering Contagion, though her leadership style is Lightning to the bone.


(HOLY COW look at this sketch by DivineFolly! 8D)

Look at this gijinka by Kaelum of the two of them being cute 8D)


^^^^ Check out this adoptable by FatherTime!



Kizmetto you are the BEST. Columbine + Enchant five ever.