Jura

Not everyone's cut out for Jura's job. Not everyone proves they're worthy of it. And even if they are... most don't agree to it. After all, being the vessel for a goddess, tending to the needs of a growing deity while containing them within their body, is a rather difficult thing. Eternal life, or rather, very, very much extended, is something difficult to deal with, and intelligence was a major qualification that the Goddess looked at when choosing her daughter's guardian.

No one thought to ask WHY she needed a guardian for her daughter, or why she couldn't care for the young deity herself. It's not a good idea to question a goddess... particularly a pregnant, irritable goddess.

Simara showed up out of the blue, one day, in Jura's village. The goddess was heavily pregnant, and seemed... rather weary. She was well-dressed, but her feet were red, and bleeding, while her hair was loose and tangled. How a goddess got into this position wasn't something her worshipers asked. They immediately did all they could to make her at home, to tend to her needs and meet her requests.

The timing could not have been more perfect for the goddess' needs. She had come to find a vessel for her unborn daughter, someone who would be capable of taking care of herself, and of the young deity, and someone who was willing to do it as well. As well, it was time for the winter festival, when there would be many tests of strength, agility, and cunning. The best and brightest of her worshipers were already gathered... and she would find the best among them in Jura.

Jura, at the time, was eighteen. Her parents were talking about marrying her off(they really needed the help, and whoever she married would help on their farm, for sure), but she wanted none of that. She was a free spirit, and would not be confined. When the games came, she concealed herself as a traveler, disguising her voice and mannerisms, and then she proceeded to win the vast majority of the games. She was stronger than anyone expected(and knew exactly how to set her feet), more cunning than any of the men, and very, very fast.... which she proved especially well when she was found out.

Fortunately, the goddess intervened. She'd known all along, of course, and as greatly amused. She ordered Jura brought before her... and, well, things got interesting. The rest of the villagers thought she'd be punished for her impudence, but what the goddess had in mind was something far different.

Simara was impressed, and pleased. Jura's little misadventure had demonstrated the girl's qualifications, and the goddess had made up her mind. She made her offer... and Jura accepted without hesitation(though she did ask that her family be taken care of). The next moment, there was a flash of light, and neither Jura nor the goddess was there any longer.

Now, Jura's changed. She's matured a bit more, physically, and her hair, which had been brown, has since turned blue. Her eyes are a rather similar shade of blue, and when combined with her lightly tanned skin, the effect is rather striking.

Of course, she wasn't allowed to take on her duties then and there. Basic abilities is one thing, skills are quite another. And, well, it wouldn't do not to protect one's investment, either. Jura was first taken to a small, isolated temple, to learn how to fight, and defend herself, as well as to toughen her up. She spent ten years there, without aging, learning discipline while retaining her basic self, her cheerful, clever personality and her lust for life.

She spent another five years learning more. Languages, math, how to read and write... all the things she'd need to know. It was discovered that she had an aptitude for learning languages, in particular, and for understanding them, which only increased her value in Simara's mind. Jura would live long enough that she'd need that skill in particular, after all.

After that... two years service as a temple maiden, tending to the goddess herself... still heavily pregnant, but much better off, or so she seemed to be. Jura learned how to tend to a deity's needs there... and after that, she was summoned before the goddess to begin her duty.

Simara simply placed her hand on Jura's head, and a feeling of warmth flowed from the goddess into the young mortal, as Simara blessed her, increasing her stength, speed, reflexes, and durability to incredible levels. At the same time, Simara's belly deflated, flattening out, as her daughter was stored within Jura's flesh, until she should be old enough to manifest herself outside of the Chosen Vessel. And with that, Simara told Jura to go and do as she pleased, within reason, mindful that while she is more than human now, she has a much larger responsibility.

And now you know as much as anyone about what she's done. What's happened in the intervening time is a story for another time... though, if you feel bold, you can always ask her and find out.

OOC notes: She's suited to any setting, really. Fantasy to scifi, with variations on those themes. As for her abilities... well, she's qualified as a superhero, and with good reason. As well, she's capable of tending to the needs of the growing goddess within her, nutritionally and physically. PM if interested, but please, not ICly.

Just... well, be forewarned, working for a goddess has some very interesting perks.