Modern AU

[hallapologies]

COLLEGE AU BACKGROUND ONLY
-Manifested mage powers as a toddler and quickly grew to be too much for her parents to handle.
-She was Keeper Deshanna's first foster child, and her only one for six years while the government made sure Deshanna could handle raising a mage.
-Was formally adopted by Deshanna at the age of six.
-Benefited from having Deshanna's undivided attention for so long.
-When the news came that other kids were coming to the home, Deshanna conditioned Pel early to accept them, telling her "we are" fostering new children and Pel will be a big sister. She used such language as "our" new babies, making it clear that Pel was included in everything.
-Transitioned by half-adopting the new kids herself, especially Lulwen, with whom she had much in common.
-Became the "normalizer" of the family very naturally.
-Took up piano lessons early, till she reached the inevitable hate phase and gave it up, picking up a traditional Dalish instrument instead.
-Grew up very religious and chose her vallaslin at the age of twelve.
-Started spending a lot of time alone in her room as a teenager, devoted to her school work in her determination to earn the respect of her peers.
-Instead of earning their respect, her "smartness" earned her more derision, as if she was overreaching herself. Getting her vallaslin, which made her proud, only inflamed the problem.
-Got in trouble using magic to defend herself against bullies. Was transferred to a unit for delinquent mages for a year and did mandatory community service.
-Terrified of her spotted record ruining her future, Pel threw herself even more into her studies and went above and beyond to remain above reproach.
-Got into college on a scholarship at the only school she applied to that would take her.
-Took on full loads every semester and did backbreaking amounts of work towards a double major in economics and anthropology.
-Immediately started grad school, but was forced to take a long sabbatical due to persistent anxiety.
-Lost her virginity at age 22 to a human adjunct professor in another department. Dated him for a few months before dumping him for making her panic attacks worse by demanding all of her free time.
-Her anxiety was circumstantial, not a lifelong condition. It got under control during her sabbatical, but her burnout was so severe that she didn't return to school until she was 25. She started off slow with part-time grad work, and worked up to being a TA for the archaeology department.