Faith Anastasia Barbic

Faith has changed a lot of things over the years, her room most notably. She still enjoys colors but she opts to keep

her furniture pretty conservative, saving her love of colors for her clothes. She has several practice gis that she

uses which are made of various types of cloth and all kinds of colors. She also has taken a liking to the Japanese

cultural style, thus her bed changed to be closer to the ground. She's looking for an actual futon but for now, likes

the nest bed.

Faith's lovely cat Snowflake has regrettably left this world. She lived a long life but old age caught up to her

fairly early. Faith was upset but not too terribly. She hasn't lost her love for animals though but given that she is

fairly busy training lately, especially as she approaches her final test in karate to earn her black belt, she opted

for some animals fairly simple to care for. She's named them Tai-Chi, Judo, and Jujutsu.

Bought from The Adamante Orphanage

JOURNAL

2002 in Brief

Faith spent the remainder of the year of 2002 getting accustomed to a great many things, most notably her new family and siblings. She and Mitchen did not initially get along very well, in fact, I had to break up many a fight within the first month. Them being so close in age was the driving factor but mainly it was Faith's distrust of his race. Mitchen, as he's mentioned multiple times, wants nothing to do with his birth race and tried to communicate this with little success. They remained at odds for months, even through the holidays.

Faith took to her younger siblings, instantly, especially the Thunderian ones. She found herself a little cautious around Charity, I think because as I understand it, the lion clans are primarily those through which nobility lines are passed. So, she was stuck on the idea that she was being raised amongst royalty much to my dismay and Charity's manipulative delight. Had to intervene a bit on that end, to bring a stop to Charity's slightly bossy attitude.

Faith seemed to take her recent loss of her family particularly well. She hasn't mentioned them very much, though I know she had two brothers. Their memory seems to cause her the most pain. She wouldn't speak much of them, not even giving me their names as of yet. Occasionally, especially around the winter holidays, she would go off on her own and just sit alone. She never seemed upset when she came out but she didn't seem fully content either so it's something I'll need to keep an eye on. From what I understand, it hasn't been that long since she lost her family and her way of life entirely so I'd like to keep an eye on her behaviors, especially since panther clans are known to be very stubborn...well, so are Barbics!

2003 in Brief

Lots of new adopted kids this year! I went a little nuts and took in a lot more children, mostly gummi. Since establishing the Gummi Bears Adotpion Agency, so many gummi cubs had been screaming out to my heart that I had to take some in. Faith took to them like a snap, especially the smaller ones. She and Mitchen have patched things up thanks to these little ones. I call them my bond-menders. They came in and Mitchen and Faith really stepped up the plate for me, taking care of the babies, keeping an eye on the younger ones and when I had to go out for a bit, they were into a forced team-duo.

At first, this created conflicts, with Faith asserting herself as eldest and Mitchen asserting himself as having seniority in the house. However, when I adopted my four barbic quadruplets, who had such a violent and disturbed past, it really seemed to override those two's previous convictions. Made them address their petty differences I suppose. So, instead of being enemies, the two have joined forces to help the younger ones settle in.

The beginning of friendships spurred as well. I had Jade and her children over at my house for a sleepover, and numerous other meetings. We even went out for Halloween together with SilverFox's kids this year. Faith seems to take more with the younger kids, that's probably the big sister in her. Though she and Eiza seemed to have a brief connection of sorts. Most likely, their closeness in age. Though, Faith is into different interests, which is fine by me. Helps her to explore different avenues.

Big news...Rogri, while in Thunderscouts, informed Faith he saw her brothers there! Apparently they survived the attack that rendered her an orphan. Needless to say, I've stepped up the efforts to get in contact with their new home and see how they are and if they have any recognition of her.

2004 in Brief

I cannot say how much help Faith has been this year. While traveling one day, stumbled upon an orphanage with Thunderian, Mutant, Lunatac, Gummi and dozens of other species. But it would be more accurate to call it a slave camp. The Barbic in me came out and I raided the place, bringing the gummi children to my own orphanage and sending the others to appropriate services. Faith spent a lot of time with the younger children, getting them settled in the routine of my orphanage.

Faith was a huge help with the Thunderian children, making some friends in the process. It was Faith who first drew me to Ivory. The poor girl was petrified of pretty much everything and Faith never left her side, unless she couldn't help it. Tha treally helped Ivory calm enough to allow some of my mind healers to help her...and yes, I took her home before the transfer request to Al's Adamante Orphanage was completed. I owe it to my Faith.

Faith and the older kids started public school this year. Mainly, it was to allow me to work more with the quadruplets who have really needed the additional attention. Faith's twelve this year so she started her last year of junior high and she adapted pretty well. There were lots of different Thunderians there. She's made a few friends, a panther named Ash and a lion named Lyn. Not too many out of school functions yet but they have been working together in study hour and free time, finding out common interests, might start some home visits before too long.

As for her brothers, Faith finally got to see them again. I'm happy to say that they remembered her and were ecstatic to learn she had survived as well. They were adopted out of a different agency and into a black panther family, which suits them fine. They seem happy enough though they miss their sister. At least now, we have a means to communicate.

Although, I'm sad to say their adoptive parents and I don't really get along very well. They don't seem to mind her brothers visiting but they avoid me like the plague. Seem to deem me unworthy of raising a Thunderian. They're slightly unnerving me but Faith has assured me and them that she considers me every bit as Thunderian as she is. It really helps to have that support.

2005 in Brief

Faith's relationship with Lyn has developed into a fairly close knit friendship. They even started some martial arts classes together. Faith had been doing it for a while and Lyn was interested. So three times a week, the two join up together and go to class. Recently, Faith's been going to her home on weekends to continue the practice.

Lyn doesn't quite have the passion that Faith does but she does seem to enjoy it. Faith seems to find more in common with Ash than with her but they still have fun together. She and Ash have begun to experiment with different weapons, mainly foam and wooden ones for now but they both show a lot of talent with it. Ash has been using weapons since he was really little so Faith is really interested in what he has to offer.

Faith's brothers have been coming over more and more. From what I understand, their planet is slowly easing towards war and they feel safer over here. Unfortunately, their adoptive parents still don't like me and have even accused me in court more than once this year of trying to steal them away. Luckily, I have more than enough evidence, including her brothers' word that they just like visiting. Still, it reminds me of how stubborn and prideful some people are. I just pity Faith. She tells me several times that she would snatch her brothers from such prideful and arrogant people if she had the ability and I sympathize with her. It would be a lie to say such thoughts had never crossed my mind.

Faith's cooking skills continue to amaze me. Though she always visits her friends now, she's become my permanent chef. I usually just sit by and watch now. Every week she tries something new, sometimes with failure but more often than not, with success, even with her picky siblings. Seems her goal is to please the pickiest sibling. Makings of a great chef with that kind of attitude! Though she seems torn between becoming a chef and martial arts master. I suggested she be both and she seemed pleased with that but there are plenty of years remaining to see where her heart lies.

Faith and Ash are "officially" a couple as of now. It's mainly small dates, given their ages. Little trips to the mall, movies, etc. She started to grow out her hair and play with it in different styles, mainly to attract his attention. So far, it seems to have worked.

She and Ash have been coming over a lot to me, requesting that I teach them Japanese. Learned it myself growing up because there were lots of travel requests for some barbics as gummi clans all over got reestablished in a new found peace and several trips involved Japan and China so I picked up both languages fairly young. I asked Faith why the sudden interest and she informed me that she'd been trying to teach herself since she started martial arts. Ash had taken two years of it in school but with little advancement. So, it seems that I've been elected to be a tutor. I think as Faith rises through the ranks (she is nearly a master in jujitsu, as she took it before she came to me though they called it a different name on her planet) her interest in Japan grows though I can hardly blame her. Her martial arts instructors are beginning to tell me that as she approaches the final rank, exposure to the culture is essential. I think exposure to other cultures is essential anyway!

2006 in Brief

Whoa...big busy year this time. The first half was rather nerve racking. Faith's brothers stayed for a few days, which pleased her just fine but then I come to find out that they had only had permission to stay for a handful of hours! Usually, they are so truthful...Faith gave them an earful and I got an earful from their adoptive parents. Oy! Every time I deal with those people, they become more and more irritable. They accused me of kidnapping and threatened to cut off all contact which of course reduced Faith to tears. Her brothers as well. It took about three months of court battle to snap some sense into them, though now relations are more stressed than ever.

I'm happy to say that for the summer of 2006 however, Faith was very happy though I was nervous as a parent can be. Given her and Ash's high rank in their martial arts' school, the school sponsored a trip to Japan for the summer for them. Faith begged me for days and even raised enough money to pay for the trip although the school said they were paying for all travel and stay accommodations. Well, she _is_ 14 and when the officials assured me that while some freedom was allotted, they would be closely monitored. I agreed finally.

Oh, Faith contacted me nearly every day. Talking about all the temples, festivals, lessons she got to experience, the food and especially the scenery they got to experience. I guess for one week, they went on a cross country trek and she got to see the bamboo fields, Mount Fuji and all sorts of rivers and falls. She really sounded like she loved it. I noticed she spoke a lot about Ash though! Doesn't surprise me that they have hanging together. I rarely see them apart. She told me that they climbed several of the mountains together. Went sailing on the ocean together, went to Japanese ceremonies together, went to some martial arts tournaments together. Heck, she said she even got him to come up and sing karaoke with her and that boy does NOT sing as she and he have said many a time.

Man oh man, I got a surprise when I picked Faith up though in August! She cut her hair while she was over there, up to her chin. It looks good but it still surprised me. Got her ears pierced, not a big deal as I gave her permission a long time ago but man, all these changes at once. I thought I was going to have to pry her and Ash apart with a crowbar though. How many times can two people kiss in five minutes?

Oh, and it took Faith about two weeks to adjust to using common again and instead of Japanese! I suppose it is true, the best way to learn a language is to be submerged in it.

2007 in Brief

Oh boy...lots of stuff happening this year, namely between Faith and her boyfriend Ash. He's been with her for about three years, there were off and on for one year but now, it's becoming more and more serious. Faith asked me about birth control about June and while I emphasized to her the importance about waiting, I don't know if it sank in. I trust Ash, more than I do most people who are involved with my kids but I know all too well what teenager emotions do. Faith's already asking me when they can get married! I told her I'd prefer not until she's in her twenties but law requires she be sixteen. I have the feeling she's counting down the days.

News on her brothers is not so good. Their home is being caught up in a territory war as of late. Luckily, there has been no fighting near their home yet but it worries Faith. She's going to see them more and more and I can't very well blame her. She wants to make sure they're safe and I'm more than willing to let her. Here's hoping the war is settled before too long.

UPDATE AS OF DECEMBER: Lots of changes this December. As of the first, I added one more child: Sakura. She was an anger filled little girl when I rescued her from the "orphanage" that used children as little more than slaves. I've been fostering her for quite some time, about 6 months and I finally decided to just take her. It was official the first.

And in other news:

Ash did it...he proposed to Faith, on the Night of the Burning Stars, which is the Barbic equivalent of Christmas. Oh, there was much squealing and planning and phone calling. Faith called Jade's place at about 6 AM which I'm SURE they LOVED. Babbled on for an hour and a half, probably mostly to Jade, Tii and Eiza. As of now, the wedding is planned for mid summer next year. While I still think they're young, I also trust Faith's judgment. If Ash is this dedicated so far, I don't think I have anything to worry about...but still! As of January 3 next year, she'll have met my requirements...16 years old and a bride...yikes!

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