Born as the youngest of four, Willow was the cherished child of her family - loved and cared for by all. Of her three older siblings, two were brothers who always picked on her, but were at her side the instant someone else might think to call their precious sister a name or make her cry. All of the other children in the Arborenin Woods knew to not mess with Willow Byrche unless they wished to face the wrath of all Byrche children. And so Willow grew up knowing how special she was.
There was just something about Willow that everyone loved. Maybe it was the innocence that always spilled from her, or the gentle caring nature that she didn't even seem to acknowledge in herself. She always spoke a mile a minute, making people wonder at how she could even keep up with her own mouth, but then people had the chance to see that when she was on the move, she worked even faster than her own mouth. It was a shock that people really couldn't believe at first.
When Willow was five, she was taken to the movies by her older sister, River, who was sixteen and really wanted to see the movie despite parents saying no since she had her sister with her. But the pair went anyway. And Willow was absolutely fascinated by the acting, calling it her favorite movie of all time. While most criticized "The Underdark" as being awful, Willow would carry that flick with her for years to come for it gave her her life's ambition. Become the glamorous actress just like Jane B. Wyre had managed to become. She went back five more times, blackmailing her sister and then brothers to take her. And each time, she was more entranced. After the sixth time, she marched home, stood in her family's kitchen and loudly (and slowly) announced that she was going to become an actress.
Being the cherished baby, of course her parents wanted to avoid crushing her dreams, even though they knew how unlikely it would be. Since both parents were successful enough scientists working on in the Arborenin Woods with others to find a way to increase resources without causing damage to the environment, they invested some of their hard-earned money in dance, singing and acting lessons for their little angel. Most older siblings would have been jealous of the extra attention their baby sister would have gotten from their parents, but all they could do is worry that it would all come back and bite them in the butt later on. What would become of their sweet, bubbly sister if she didn't succeed as an actress? Would it crush the innocence that all of them had worked so hard to protect? Though talented and beautiful in their eyes, how would she measure up to all of the others who had connections?
And so Willow grew, never doubting her future or her own talents. But she tried to not be conceited about them. In school, she was always the first to perform when it was required, and took part in every school production. Her desires were only growing with age, instead of dimming like her family had hoped they might. It wasn't about the spotlight for her. It wasn't about the fame and glory. It was about… that moment of perfection. When everything clicked and the audience was forced to gasp audibly from the sheer power of it. That is what Willow wanted. And all of that took the form of perfection in her continued acting idol, Jane Wyre. In every way, Willow tried to act more like her, holding her poise and fashion sense, but always somehow failing to ever measure up.
Willow was a dreamer and an idealist to the core, which was dangerous when combined with her innocence and naivety. She loved looking to the past and the histories of worlds and times long gone. What was earth like? Would they ever have a chance to see it? Her dream was to star in a movie that would take place on old Earth, bringing that history to life for the people of Haven.
In her years of training and learning, Willow was taught the basics of many skills that could possibly come up in her acting career. Weapons use, riding (which became one of her favorite hobbies) and more. And yet she excelled most as a singer and dancer, embracing the artistic forms of expression readily. From her siblings, she learned the basics of hunting and using a bow. They wanted the very best for their sister, but they also understood that she would very likely never become an actress, so having a back up plan would make them feel just a little bit better. She never took to weapons as she did the arts, but very grudgingly, she learned how to hold them and use them if necessary. But she kept her fingers crossed that it would just be a skill she could add to her resume one day.
When Willow was fifteen, her parents had reached a decision. She could never receive the attention she needed from the safety of the Arborenin Woods. Using all of their connections, they got their daughter an audition with the same agency that represented the likes of Ms. Jane B. Wyre. They were impressed by the fresh face and raw talent the girl had and believed they could mold her into something of value. Accepting her, however, meant that she needed to live closer to the action. Starting out in Landing, she lived with close family friends and continued her education there. But this life was so very different from the one she had always led. It was frightening. but Willow refused to give up so easily. Her idol wouldn't have ever given up. And so for the next three years, she fought hard and got cast in a few commercials here and there.
People say that the only way to break into the business, unless you know someone, is to be willing to compromise yourself. Willow learned that lesson the hard way. A casting call led to inappropriate remarks. To a seventeen year old, that was beyond frightening and appalling to the sense of honor she had been instilled with. Did she have to sell integrity to make it somewhere in this universe?
But Willow chose to hold strong, and suddenly found herself locked out of the audition room. With no where else to go, she turned to her agency. Several of the office workers had grown fond of the stormy eyed girl with the ready-for-trouble smile. She had the talent, but she didn't have the resolve or knowledge to handle these types of people. When an opportunity presented itself, however, they jumped to help her.
Shortly after her eighteenth birthday, Willow was given the biggest surprise and thrill of her life. Summoned in to the agency, she was given an option. Clearly, she wasn't going to be able to break into the business as she was. But with the right mentor, maybe she could go somewhere one day. Go work for Jane Wyre. She'd just fired yet another assistant and was in need of someone loyal and reliable. Willow was quick to take the job, knowing she would be working for her idol. It would be wonderful.
And so, she packed her bags to join her new employer, hoping only for the best.
