I've spent so much time
throwing rocks at the window
that I never even knocked
on the front door.

Her life before the vanishing had been an exercise in duality. School years had been spent learning
in foreign ports, studying the arts, a life of opportunity.  The girl everyone wanted to be. The
summers were the flipside. She'd spend months with her Romanian kin, living the hard life of the
gypsy. They were thought no better than the gajos' dogs, and Grace had to work as a part of the
kumpania to have enough to eat. Her home life was unconventional at times, but filled with
much love. She grew up away from all the trials and tribulations of the political world which
would line her future with inherited wealth.  Her biggest worries seemed to be what clothing
to wear that day, or finishing her chores in the stables. Despite the solid foundation, the
coltish young girl was quick tempered and prone to recklessness. The world
was going to be her playground, and the little diva had plans to do things her own way..

~
 

It had been a year since the vanishing.  Grace showed up in the middle of a rainstorm, shivering
and wet to the core. Life on the run had been hard on her, sable eyes always looking over her
shoulder, a dagger tucked always within reach. Hair that had once been a deep brown clung to
damp skin in golden tendrils. Even her eyes had changed, from ocean blue to this darker hue.
She had lost so much, and had only pieces and shards of the life she once knew in memories.
It was time to ask for help.  A time to compromise.  A time to end the pain. Gracefire didn't
know who she was anymore, but it was time to start over, and discover for herself.

~
 

New beginnings weren't always easy to accomplish, but the blonde with the stunning smile
and exotic kohl lined eyes was determined.  Time and fate would lead her almost full circle.
The past was a thing of the shadows, and the world was her playground. All the anger and
 temper were no longer more sustaining that food.  It still flared occasionally, but such
as it was with a flame that burned so brightly. Now the hereditary Duchess of Nethyrin,
and heiress to a share of the family fortunes, the burgeoning arts patron
 had life in the palm of her hot little hand.