Birth:
The only planned child, Oliver Sebastian was delivered nine trials late, much to his mother's chagrin. Determined to be a pain in the ass, even then, Oliver could not be induced and came when he was ready. Hot on the 14th trial of Saun, his mother laboured, pouring sweat for nineteen breaks before the boy was brought into the world. His first cry was short and sweet, the fire of oxygen searing his previously fluid-filled lungs. That was the trial his parents knew they were prepared for the rigours of parenthood.
Early Childhood:
Groomed from the time he could understand etiquette, Oliver knew he was bound to take over the Barony from his mother and father one day. Taught to read within an arc and two seasons, Oliver showed promise with words and numbers. He could count before he knew the numbers to count that high, just saying, 'One more', but keeping count with small round stones. He was given a wooden rapier for his fourth birth-trial, and immediately took to the practice of the weapon, wanting to be the flourishing swashbuckler that the bards of Venora sang about. He swung that wooden sword everywhere he went, oftentimes to the chagrin of the servants and his family.
School:
Beginning his traditional schooling at his seventh arc, Oliver excelled in his studies. The first arc, he was regarded as one of the brightest children of his age, and many of the teachers made a fuss about the potential the Venora boy had. An arc after he began school, his parents brought home Darcyanna, and things changed. Oliver became more reserved, quieting down and remaining to himself. He stilled excelled in his marks, but did so without much participation in the class dynamic.
Misattributed to jealousy, this withdrawal was something of a true character point growing in Oliver. Upon seeing Darcyanna for the first time, the eight-arc old boy knew that he would one trial be her protector, and he began grooming himself then. Darcyanna was small and precious, and he would defend her every trial of her life, if it were the last thing he did. He began to focus his attentions more on practical knowledge, such as his swordplay and the politics of the realm, wishing to ensure that he was prepared to keep her, and the family as a whole, safe. Eight arcs old, and he found his place.
And then came Pythera. He did not feel for his as he did Darcyanna. It was as if he could tell, even at such a tender age, that Pythera was different. She was silent, strong and observant, and that put Oliver off. He would hold Pythera, and she would just stare into his eyes, her eyes nearly as black as his own. And the stare disconcerted him, so he left Pythera to her own solitude much of the time. Instead, he spent time with Darcyanna, reading her bedtime stories and teaching her how to count.
The final years of his traditional schooling were the most influential, though. Finally coming into his own with the politics of the realm, Oliver figured out how to persuade others to see his way, and could inspire those around him to follow him in his actions. Armed with his rapier and rapier wit, he set into the world of Rynmere politics to defend his name and the name of the Venora the best he could.
Adult Life:
Of course, that was not to be. The political system of Rynmere lent itself to ebbs and flows, and he would find out quickly that family name was not everything. Throwing a gala at 18 arcs, he spent more money than he was allotted, and spent the next arc making good on promises and repaying debts to keep the rumours of Venora's overspending extravagance to spread from the fort. Humbled in his hubris, Oliver determined that he would never make the mistake again.
Over the next few arcs, he sat in on the political meetings of his parents, taking notes in order to be a better statesman. Alternating between politics and swordplay in his spare time, Oliver became a powerful politician in his own right. Learning to negotiate deals, he began conducting small meetings on the behalf of his parents, under the reasoning that he should have the experience should he take their spot.
And he intended to take their spot.
