Chandra was born nearly a full hour after her twin brother Ryan. Quietly and unassumingly (so she was told later) On April 19th . Her mother, Lady Sir Adanta Arboren, neice to High Lord Edan (former HoH) used to joke that that Chandra seemed to have rather remained where she was than be born and bring attention to herself.Ryan and Chandra grew up in a loving home.
Chandra's mother was always there for her, be it confidant, supporter, teacher, what ever Chandra needed her mother was there. But it was her father, Lord Jean Claude Volen, cousin to Lord Archaeus Volen, that could get the reluctant Chandra to smile. With barely a glance, a wink, a single word, Chandra's mood would instantly brighten no matter the circumstance.
Her persona, starting from the moment of her birth and continuing on for her years, was one of quiet, never seeking attention, content to fade into the background. Some would comment that Chandra always appeared to have a secret, one that she would never share, due to that sly smile that would show it's self and her reluctance to make close friends or share much abut her self to anyone. Outwardly she, when noticed by others, appeared confident, strong, self assured. But inwardly she was anything but. She wanted to reach out and make friends, but something held her back. She wanted to share her self and thoughts with others but could not. Her natural talents, those that came so easily to her such as shooting a bow, the ability to fade right before your eyes (in a manner of speaking), her ability to perceive her surroundings with but a momentary glance, were kept hidden from others and when they did show themselves she always passed it off as luck, or some fluke, or the other was just having a bad day. Never was it ever accepted as being a skill she possessed. This was intensified in her early teen years, as the other girls of her age flowered into young women, Chandra remained that gangling pre-teen. Further pushing her to seek even more solitude and wishing not to draw any further attention to herself.
She was no push over though. For she made it a point, in her own way, to retaliate against those that choose to torment her (as children will do). As an example in training there was one girl that was stunning, all the boys liked her and she was Chandra's chief tormentor. And thus the prime target for Chandra. During shooting of the bow, Chandra would always try to be paired opposite of this girl. When she was she made sure that she always outshot her, and she always did. Chandra would just smile, shrug her shoulders, then turn and walk away, smugly.
It is with her brother, Ryan, that she holds the closest bond to. When they are together she is the most content. He is the only person that she can be her self with, never having to prove anything to him. Many times, when the two are together, she finds that they had not spoken for hours yet she always seemed to know what he was thinking, feeling. They do not have to speak to share this with one another. A single glance, a move of one's hand, the way the corners of his eyes would wrinkle up at times all speak volumes to her. Her mother used to tell Chandra, when she shared this with her, that it was not uncommon for Twins to share such a thing. That it had been said by many thee was some special bond between twins that no one else, but another twin, would understand. What ever it was, it was only when being with Ryan that Chandra felt complete, whole.
They both were squired to a pair of twins. Knights from House Peake. The Knights were fair but demanding of the duties that were assigned to Ryan and Chandra. But she did have a favorite. For as identical as the two Knights were, there was one that was a tad more gruff, a tad more demanding and it was to him that she gravitated to. It was under the tutelage that Chandra started to grow into her own. Both as a person but as a woman as well. The two Knights trained the pair to work as a team, showed them how their natural talents complimented one another. They also understood about that special bond that twins share and this was strengthened as well.
When Chandra's parents died during a freak diving accident her world as she knew it crashed about her with such a devastating force she was left in a daze. For weeks she collapsed her world about her. She just went through the motions with little thought or care of anyone or anything.
The turning point was when the gruff Knight found her in one of her hiding spots, which was no small feat for Chandra was good at hiding when she wanted to. He came in, sat and said nothing. Chandra broke. She weep'd, she cursed her anger, her whole body shook with the gut wrenching crying. When no more tears would come, the Knight nodded, stood and turned to Chandra. The words he spoke she can repeat perfectly to this day "There, you got that out of your system. Not get off your *ass* and get back to the living, Chandra! Your brother needs you, I need you, your House needs you. There are people counting on you Chandra and yet here you are hiding while you wallow in your sorrow. You are no Knight! But I will give you fifteen minutes to pull yourself together and then be about your chores. The first is to go tend to the horses and muck the stalls." With that said he turned and left.
How cruel! How can he be so heartless? Did he not realize her parents had died? What the hell does he know anyway? But then another thought started to take hold. Small at first and then growing by the minute. There were people that needed her, that counted on her. From that moment on a new resolve began to form within Chandra. Her focus was honed to a razor's edge, her intensity doubled and then grew some more. Her dedication to others became her mainstay. It was at that moment that Chandra's life changed. Not only as a person but as a woman.
It all came together for Chandra - her childhood, her training, her resolve - at age 18. She and Ryan were tasked to help out on a hostage situation. For a Senator had been taken captive. Together the pair soundlessly moved in, taking out the posted guards as a well practiced team. When all was said and done the criminals were dead and the Senator was freed.
For their action both Chandra and Ryan were Knighted. Together as it should as a team. But it was the big bear gruff Knight that did the honors for her. With a smile, a tear in his eye, he did his duty Knighting her. Then, with out a thought of decorum (and probably a shock to those present), he picked her up in his arms, her feet well off the floor, and gave her one big hug and whispered to her "I knew you could to it."
After knighting at 18 Chandra spent time, along with her brother, working with the house military. Most of their days were filled with drills and training in preparation of the return of the hostiles and the fifth. Chandra and Ryan continued to hone their teamwork as they spent their days practicing side by side with the soldiers of house Arboren. Much to her chagrin Chandra was pushed by Ryan to break out of her shell and was dragged along to participate in small plays. When the twins took time for just themselves, Chandra would be caught reading and even trying her hand at sketching, which proved that she really had no eye for such things.