The Rain

Eldest child born to the Snow and the Scoundrel, everything about her early life was typical for one of her station. The Narrator called for a new actor to be brought to his stage and one was provided, though there was no Role in mind for her at her birth. Though Weather Roles were the norm in her family, the Scoundrel was a Supporting Role and could have opened the door for a child of his to step into the spotlight as well, even if only as a side character. Though in the culture of the Stage Snow had technically "married up" in the social hierarchy, she quickly grew unhappy in the relationship. The Scoundrel's Role was more than just his character, it was an apt description. Still, the Narrator had approved this story and now she was stuck playing it out. The children were the one thing she did not regret, and she had the support of her entire family bringing up her brood of three without much of her infamous spouse's help.

Growing up, Rain grew very close to her grandmother who was the Rain at the time. This Rain was not a lone Role, as she was training up her son as her Understudy to take her place when the time came for her to at last retire. A Thespian who retires from their Role does not last very long, so our Rain did not know for some time that she was brightening the final years of her grandmother who had been faithfully providing the rain for decades. The Rain doted on her granddaughter and on the siblings that followed after, opening her door to them whenever their mother had to help with weather preparations. Much of her housekeeping skills were learned during these days with her grandmother, and helping care for her siblings fostered a maternal fire in her that she carries to this day. Rain was nearing her teenage years when her grandmother finally stepped down and left the Role of the Rain to her son, Rain's uncle. Rain visited her grandmother every day after that, watching as her once vibrant grandmother withered away. As the End neared, her grandmother gave her a family heirloom to care for; a tiara and a silk veil that she had painstakingly sewn the glass bead fringe from the original veil to. It had been in the family for untold generations and she had hoped to see Rain wear it should she ever marry...but time had other plans. The same night that the former Rain passed down this mask she fell asleep and never woke.

Rain was also close to her uncle, the replacement Rain. He would often invite his nieces and nephews up to the Loft to see the Stage from above under his careful watch. Rain never aspired to become his Understudy; the heights made her dizzy and it was too cold and lonely for her tastes. She was content to remain one of many Fogs, keeping low to the ground and still playing an important part in setting the mood for the Stage. Still, she loved learning about the job from her uncle and asked him many questions about his Role whenever he was free, even getting to watch him in action a few times. It was lucky that she did, because this Rain would not have the Role for long at all. The plan was for him to start training up his then-infant son or one of the younger children in the family if they showed interest, but only three years into his career he fell to his death from the Loft. Before they could mourn the tragedy the family pulled together and scrambled to fill the suddenly empty Role. No matter what, there must always be a Rain.

The children of the family were gathered together, as they were still young enough to learn a new Role without too much trouble. They were not told why, there was no time, but Rain was old enough to pick up that there was something wrong. Each child was called to draw straws, but when Rain drew there was no reason to go on. There could be no straw shorter than one that breaks apart in one's hand, leaving only a tiny sliver pinched between one's fingers. It was a sign, and they followed it. They changed her costume, sent word to the Narrator about what had happened, and then sent her to present herself after a change of costume. Snow followed her daughter to the gate of the castle, which was as far as she could go before Rain had to make the rest of the trip on her own. It was the first grown-up moment in the Rain's life, and she would never forget the image of her mother clinging to the gate, watching...her father was nowhere to be seen.

Shortly after assuming her new Role the Rain's relationship with her father crumbled at last. She had always strived to please him, craving the paternal affection she so rarely got, but all too often her efforts backfired. She annoyed him, she got in his way, she cramped his style. Her siblings fared little better in this regard, all the while the Scoundrel stole, cheated, and lied all across the Stage. He finally went too far when he broke into the Rain's home, which she now lived in alone, and stole the silver tiara that her grandmother had given her. He didn't get far with it and the dashing Hero was quick in returning it, but the damage was done. From then on she did not bother to hide her contempt and took pains to get between her father and the rest of her family, an unmoving wall despite her usual cowardice.

It was fortunate for her that this heirloom was saved, because not long after this incident it became an official part of her costume. Her original mask, an inherited extra of her uncle's, had always been ill-fitting and uncomfortable. They didn't have the funds or the daring to approach the maskmakers for a new one, so she was stuck with the one she had for some time. She always hated this mask. Aside from being uncomfortable and awkward she thought it made her look like a clown with a blue nose and a beard. That alone was not enough to warrant a change, but when her mask fell off her face from the Loft and shattered on the Stage below. Hurrying home she had no replacement, but she did have the tiara and veil her grandmother had entrusted to her years ago. The silver was slightly tarnished but it would cover her face for the day. Unfortunately for her, the Narrator noticed her costume change and berated her for it - and then strangely asked her to make the new addition permanent. Rain didn't question it, she was just happy to excape a more severe punishment, and the veil was much more her style anyway.

When the Narrator was driven off the Stage, Rain's life didn't change all at once. In fact, it didn't change much at all for some time. She still took orders from the castle, she still watched out for the Stagehands (though they had strangely dispersed), and she stayed far away from these Travelers from Offstage, watching from afar. She might have stayed that way if the Curtain Fall hadn't driven her off the Loft in the middle of a workday and she had to spend the better part of a month making clothes with these strangers to drive it away. Suddenly, the world was opened up, there were places she couldn't dream of just a short walk away, and a lonely Thespian could have a trusty Ally at her back for those long, lonely nights. Suddenly, she could believe that her life was her own. She now strives to learn about new people and new places, and in building up a network of friends she can rely on in times of trouble.