Thank you for the opportunity to apply for Odgerel. Their name is beautiful and unique, and I found myself draw immediately to it.

I was looking up information on the name, and found information that inspired me - "The name Odgerel is derived from Mongolian roots and holds the profound meaning of Starlight. This name is deeply rooted in the history and culture of Mongolia, where the vast expanse of the starry heavens has played an important role in the lives of its people. The Mongolian nomads, who have historically trekked across the vast landscapes under the open sky, have always been captivated by the celestial wonders above. Thus, the significance of starlight has been celebrated through the name Odgerel, representing a connection to the celestial realm. Throughout Mongolian history, the name Odgerel has been utilized to evoke a sense of grandeur and awe. It has frequently been bestowed upon individuals with great aspirations, highlighting their determination to reach for the stars and illuminate the world around them. It symbolizes spiritual illumination, guidance, and serves as an embodiment of hope."

I'd love to write a story for Odgerel that tells of a tribe of nomadic wanderers who navigate using the stars. Odgerel is a celestial being - the stars and starlight alive - who loves the wanderers and guides them intentionally and benevolently. The imagery that I have in my mind to shape the story holds personal meaning; growing up (and even now at times) I would go outside to the quiet street or to the beach at night and just listen to the ocean waves, stare at the stars sparkling against the dark blue sky. I always felt safe and at peace, like there was something bigger watching out for me and giving me space to think and feel outside my own little world. I think I'd like the story of be told with description that hopefully evokes some of these feelings in others, and reads like a conversation between one of the wanderers and Odgerel, but the two are speaking to each other with the nomad not truly knowing that someone (Odgerel) is truly there listening and speaking back, Odgerel in turn knows the nomad can only hear pieces through the feelings in his heart, but speaks back anyway because he loves the humans so much.

I think a galactic pet is the best option, and I may keep Odgerel as a galactic kumos but am considering a celinox or yaheera.

I have three pets - Feyne, Mirio, and Kotori - who I've been working on a joint story for. I'm trying to challenge myself a bit and do some more expansive world building for these characters. I adopted Feyne for his name, but he sat for a while and I couldn't decide what to do for him. When I found Mirio, I began to put together the pieces. I really like the little name quirk that unites these pets (the repetition of the same vowel in the name Feyne, Mirio, Kotori) and have been looking for a name with the letter A that fits this theme. Ayasha fits so well! I really like this name on its own, and wouldn't adopt her if I didn't! The meaning of her name - "little one" (Cheyenne), "one who lives well" (Arabic) - gives me a lot of inspiration for a character. Specifically, someone younger and / or softer of nature who is often underestimated. Her quiet demeanor is often mistaken for being boring or weak, when in reality she has an immense zeal for life, a deeply zesty and bright personality, and is fierce. I'd like to make her a reborn keeto as this pet matches this personality / character perfectly.

Yasha Eyne Rio Tor

I'm still shaping out the characters, world, and their joint / individual stories. I've been reading the last of the Sarah J. Maas series, and have to admit I'm a huge fan. My best friend (we've been best friends since we were 2 years old!) got me into them because they're her favorites, and so I wanted the four pets to have a strong bond of friendship so that I can pepper their stories with tributes to my friend and to the power of true friendship. The world I'm starting to build draws some inspiration from the Maas books - especially the magic in her worlds. Each character is a shifter, but they have different magics that are deeply rooted in different systems within their world. Feyne is a nature spirit, Mirio is actually a reaper's assistant who has magic of starlight and shadows, Kotori has the magic of light (think spectrums of light versus a switch on and off), and Ayasha has a power related to fire magic but it's a deeper magic - like a well, a magic that gives life and destruction, a magic that shifts like wind. The personalities I've planned align well with the magics I've chosen for each character, as well as the pet I've chosen as their representation, but I've got some wiggle room left because as I write their stories I may find out more about them. Right now I'm working on my general outline for the whole story, which will then help me decide how I want to split / shape stories for each pet. I'm thinking of each pet having two "parts" to their story, one is focused solely on them so I can show their personality and give backstory and the other is a piece of their joint story. I'm planning matching profiles that each feature their pet image and artwork of their human and shifter form. Their TCs will come after the stories, since I'd like to pick items that connect with their stories and give off their individual "vibe".

I know it will take me longer to complete these pets than my single stories or pets I've had longer and am already further along with, but I'm really excited to challenge myself and to invest in my creativity.

Thank you for the opportunity to apply! She's a great pet with a lot of potential.