Post by Felicia Barrientos on Sept 28, 2008 16:05:56 GMT -5
Full Name: Felicia Adriel Barrientos
Newsie name: Ale (AH-leh)
Name origin: After the disappearance of her brother, Alejandro, Felicia knew that she would need protection, being both female and Hispanic. She now pretends to be a boy, dressed in the clothes that her brother left with her and calls herself Ale, her brother's nickname.
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Birthplace: Puerto Quepos, Costa Rica
Currently Living: Midtown
History: Born on a small farm off the Gulfo de Necoya, Felicia Adriel was the third of four children born to Americo and Mariana Barrientos. Americo, a quite, simplistic man of few words, labored heavily, determined to provide an income for his family. Although the fruits of his efforts remained frugal, he continued on as only an honest, humble man is able, and worked the unforgiving land diligently. Mariana, feeling firsthand the difficulty of feeding four hungry children, urged her husband to give up, not on his pride, but on the land that was slowly conquering the man she loved. Americo was reluctant, knowing that if he did what his wife asked, he would have to relocate his family. There was nothing left for them in the old country.
And so, after many tears and countless goodbyes, Americo Barrientos took his wife and four young children and set sail for the United States. The ship was crowded, the quarters cramped, and the food spoiled, making the voyage miserable and almost unbearable for the family as they fervently wished and waited for the land they hoped would bring them a better life. Felicia, then twelve, would station herself at the rail of the lower deck, day after day, and stare out across the vast, grey ocean, the only separation between her family and her beloved homeland, yearning for the sparkling blue coves, the white sands, and mountainous volcanoes she had been forced to leave behind. She could only hope that the United States would have crystal blue waters to wade in and beautiful sunsets to marvel at.
But America didn't have clear blue waters. America didn't have volcanoes. It didn't have palm trees, it didn't have monkeys, and, as it turned out, it didn't include her mother. A mere two weeks before the ship docked at Ellis Island, Mariana fell ill. What the cause was, they didn't know, but in four days' time, Felicia watched as her two older brothers assisted their father in building an oblong wooden box, which soon after was dropped from the side of the boat and floated away until it became only a speck against the cloudy sky, never to be seen again. Felicia did not cry. She hadn't any tears left to cry. The rest of the voyage was a quiet one, and when they finally reached their destination, there wasn't a glimmer of joy in Felicia's cold heart. She surveyed the tall buildings with disdain, the dirty, bleak waters of the harbor with an expression of contempt.
The days went by, and Americo knew that his children would need a mother. Despite the love and longing he still felt for his first wife, he decided to marry again, bringing home an American wife, much to his children's protest. The new woman, Margaret, had blond hair, blue eyes, and a dainty voice taht bore the smallest trace of a Brooklyn accent. Felicia, who possessed the quick wit and intelligence of her mother, had picked up the English language on the ship, so she had no difficulty understanding Margaret. Margaret, however, did not realize this and continually spoke in a loud clear voice, using simple words, and repeated herself multiple times, as if talking to a small child. For this reason, Felicia began to despise the language and purposely spoke only in rapid Spanish to her poor, bewildered new stepmother, taking malicious delight in her confusion. When a new daughter arrived, Felicia insisted on a Spanish name, and her father reluctantly gave in, conscious of his eldest daughter's attempt to cling to their homeland. It would not do, he decided, for his children to belong to such a rich land as America, but have their hearts still back in the old country.
Desperate for help in this new adjustment, Americo announced to this four oldest children that they would be expected to attend school, speak only in English at home, and adopt the way of the American culture. This did not go over well. Enraged at the idea that their youngest sister, Márialidia, would be learning only the language of her mother, Felicia and Alejandro made a decision of their own. Stealing away one night with only a small knapsack of clothes, they took to the streets, surviving in whatever ways they could. It wasn't long before Felicia awoke one morning, her head slumped against the brick wall of an alley, to find herself alone, her brother gone. For three days, she wandered the streets alone, dazed and shivering, with no sign of ever finding her last friend in the world. Not knowing what else to do, Felicia donned the clothes her brother had left behind in the small pack that she carried, took up his name, and began her life alone, her new image replacing the protection of her brother.
Hair Color: Raven black
Hair Style: Felicia's hair is thick, coarse, and slightly curly. She used to wear it long, tucked up under her cap, but found that it was too much of hassle. Sacrificing beauty for efficiency, Felicia chopped her hair off to chin length, still wearing it up, safely out of sight beneath her cabbie hat.
Eye Color: A very rich, dark brown
Skin Color: Tanned, fairly dark.
Height: 5'1"
Weight: 98 lbs
Clothing Style: As a means of protection, Felicia poses as a boy, wearing the clothes that once belonged to Alejandro. These include long pants that she rolls up, various plaid shirts, and a dark blue vest.
Items owned: For the most part, she owns nothing, save for a few colones she brought with her from Costa Rica. As the currency in the States is the dollar, she has no temptation to spend them, and they remain a reminder of the life she left behind.
Troubles: Although she understands the English language well, Felicia refuses to speak it unless she finds it absolutely necessary. She has learned how to fend for herself, but doesn't trust Americans. On the nights that she feels especially lonely, she likes to sit near the docks and watch the sunset, dreaming of her home.
Fears: Felicia tends to replace fear with dislike. She once found Americans frightening, but now regards them with contempt, leaving no room for fear. She does, though, live in constant fear that Mike, the leader of Midtown, knows she's a girl.
Siblings: Alejandro (22), Josué (20), Luzi (14), Márialidia (4)
Parents: Mariana (deceased)
Americo and Margaret Barrientos
Newsie name: Ale (AH-leh)
Name origin: After the disappearance of her brother, Alejandro, Felicia knew that she would need protection, being both female and Hispanic. She now pretends to be a boy, dressed in the clothes that her brother left with her and calls herself Ale, her brother's nickname.
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Birthplace: Puerto Quepos, Costa Rica
Currently Living: Midtown
History: Born on a small farm off the Gulfo de Necoya, Felicia Adriel was the third of four children born to Americo and Mariana Barrientos. Americo, a quite, simplistic man of few words, labored heavily, determined to provide an income for his family. Although the fruits of his efforts remained frugal, he continued on as only an honest, humble man is able, and worked the unforgiving land diligently. Mariana, feeling firsthand the difficulty of feeding four hungry children, urged her husband to give up, not on his pride, but on the land that was slowly conquering the man she loved. Americo was reluctant, knowing that if he did what his wife asked, he would have to relocate his family. There was nothing left for them in the old country.
And so, after many tears and countless goodbyes, Americo Barrientos took his wife and four young children and set sail for the United States. The ship was crowded, the quarters cramped, and the food spoiled, making the voyage miserable and almost unbearable for the family as they fervently wished and waited for the land they hoped would bring them a better life. Felicia, then twelve, would station herself at the rail of the lower deck, day after day, and stare out across the vast, grey ocean, the only separation between her family and her beloved homeland, yearning for the sparkling blue coves, the white sands, and mountainous volcanoes she had been forced to leave behind. She could only hope that the United States would have crystal blue waters to wade in and beautiful sunsets to marvel at.
But America didn't have clear blue waters. America didn't have volcanoes. It didn't have palm trees, it didn't have monkeys, and, as it turned out, it didn't include her mother. A mere two weeks before the ship docked at Ellis Island, Mariana fell ill. What the cause was, they didn't know, but in four days' time, Felicia watched as her two older brothers assisted their father in building an oblong wooden box, which soon after was dropped from the side of the boat and floated away until it became only a speck against the cloudy sky, never to be seen again. Felicia did not cry. She hadn't any tears left to cry. The rest of the voyage was a quiet one, and when they finally reached their destination, there wasn't a glimmer of joy in Felicia's cold heart. She surveyed the tall buildings with disdain, the dirty, bleak waters of the harbor with an expression of contempt.
The days went by, and Americo knew that his children would need a mother. Despite the love and longing he still felt for his first wife, he decided to marry again, bringing home an American wife, much to his children's protest. The new woman, Margaret, had blond hair, blue eyes, and a dainty voice taht bore the smallest trace of a Brooklyn accent. Felicia, who possessed the quick wit and intelligence of her mother, had picked up the English language on the ship, so she had no difficulty understanding Margaret. Margaret, however, did not realize this and continually spoke in a loud clear voice, using simple words, and repeated herself multiple times, as if talking to a small child. For this reason, Felicia began to despise the language and purposely spoke only in rapid Spanish to her poor, bewildered new stepmother, taking malicious delight in her confusion. When a new daughter arrived, Felicia insisted on a Spanish name, and her father reluctantly gave in, conscious of his eldest daughter's attempt to cling to their homeland. It would not do, he decided, for his children to belong to such a rich land as America, but have their hearts still back in the old country.
Desperate for help in this new adjustment, Americo announced to this four oldest children that they would be expected to attend school, speak only in English at home, and adopt the way of the American culture. This did not go over well. Enraged at the idea that their youngest sister, Márialidia, would be learning only the language of her mother, Felicia and Alejandro made a decision of their own. Stealing away one night with only a small knapsack of clothes, they took to the streets, surviving in whatever ways they could. It wasn't long before Felicia awoke one morning, her head slumped against the brick wall of an alley, to find herself alone, her brother gone. For three days, she wandered the streets alone, dazed and shivering, with no sign of ever finding her last friend in the world. Not knowing what else to do, Felicia donned the clothes her brother had left behind in the small pack that she carried, took up his name, and began her life alone, her new image replacing the protection of her brother.
Hair Color: Raven black
Hair Style: Felicia's hair is thick, coarse, and slightly curly. She used to wear it long, tucked up under her cap, but found that it was too much of hassle. Sacrificing beauty for efficiency, Felicia chopped her hair off to chin length, still wearing it up, safely out of sight beneath her cabbie hat.
Eye Color: A very rich, dark brown
Skin Color: Tanned, fairly dark.
Height: 5'1"
Weight: 98 lbs
Clothing Style: As a means of protection, Felicia poses as a boy, wearing the clothes that once belonged to Alejandro. These include long pants that she rolls up, various plaid shirts, and a dark blue vest.
Items owned: For the most part, she owns nothing, save for a few colones she brought with her from Costa Rica. As the currency in the States is the dollar, she has no temptation to spend them, and they remain a reminder of the life she left behind.
Troubles: Although she understands the English language well, Felicia refuses to speak it unless she finds it absolutely necessary. She has learned how to fend for herself, but doesn't trust Americans. On the nights that she feels especially lonely, she likes to sit near the docks and watch the sunset, dreaming of her home.
Fears: Felicia tends to replace fear with dislike. She once found Americans frightening, but now regards them with contempt, leaving no room for fear. She does, though, live in constant fear that Mike, the leader of Midtown, knows she's a girl.
Siblings: Alejandro (22), Josué (20), Luzi (14), Márialidia (4)
Parents: Mariana (deceased)
Americo and Margaret Barrientos
