Iva Mavros

* Iva (Human)
* Iva (Alt)
* Gorgon Form

## Appearance

Iva has an almond brown skin complexion, a gentle mesomorph frame, stunning amber eyes (sometimes narrow-slotted on occasion), and hair mostly in a slightly multi-colored array of dreadlocks, which are in reality, a daedal of snakes. Iva's fashion is usually casual with a few high fashion pieces.

## Personality

Though she has allowed more people to socialize with her compared to a year ago, Iva tends to come out with a strong, cold dignified presence that more natural to her.  Her simple life on the island and her experiences with the personal groups going horribly wrong has made her nature socially nonconforming and assertive. She does have a caring nature that leaks out through that begrudging persona.

However, her cold nature was never meant to be a show of arrogance or superiority. It’s usually her protective measure, making sure people understand that they should not get close if they intend to use or hurt her. She’s aware of her monstrous nature when her trust is betrayed, knowing that she would destroy anyone in her way, and deep within, she would enjoy it.  The incident in the past has confirmed this, and she’s fully aware.

## Powers

Though the curse of the original gorgon sisters placed by Athena, Iva is born with snakes as her hair and a snake-like form, which she has full shapeshifting control between the two. Her snakes can revert back to hair, but their sensitivity and senses are available to her. (Note: Because of this, she uses her own special shampoo that is gentle to their eyes and skin.). This has strangely given her a strong affinity with snakes and they tend to heed her whims willingly. She can sometimes connect to their senses to an extent. The snakes of her head are extremely venomous, and she might have some control of the nature of the venom and possibly a magical control of poisons.

Her face and eyes can curse beings into rapid fossilization or petrification who looks at her. She can control most of the time when this happens, and not affected by this power herself. She can usually make this temporary and as long as nothing happens to them, the effect usually wears off and the subject would just remember nothing of the experience. Gorgon-created statues that getting shattered usually stay statues.

Her blood has chaotic properties. The legends and myth say that blood taken from the right side of a Gorgon has strong healing properties, while blood taken from the left side was a deadly poison. The blood of Medusa from her head had spawn monsters as it dripped. She does not know how her blood would affect others yet.

#### **Further Information on a Gorgon's Petrification**

When the subject is petrified by the Gorgon’s gaze, both the physical, mental and/or spiritual bodies are put in a form of supernatural stasis. The stasis of three bodies is condensed into a solid form which is indicated the classic stone statue that is created.  The victim can’t move, take-in sensory information, or have conscious thought.  When or if they revert to normal, they would resume from the moment prior to being petrified.

Most Gorgon would usually keep their use of this curse on a time limit, to prevent actual casualties, and leave their victims with little recollection or ability to pursue a Gorgon. However...

*If the statue is broken*, the subject cannot revert back to their normal state unless repaired and set properly for at least 30 minutes. All large and major fragments must be put in their proper place. A Gorgon vision can determine if a major fragment is missing. Miniature fragments are forgivable but usually manifest as flesh wounds or scars.

*If the status is shattered*, things become more dangerous as there is a time limit as it's dangerous for the spirit and psychic to be dispersed for too long. After a long period, the spirit and mind will seek to reform itself outside of the body...which is basically leads to death. The time limit varies from individual and ranges from 24 to 72 hours with humans having the lowest time.   It would require all the pieces and the original gorgon that cursed the subject or a stronger one to undo it, the chance of success is being lower than normal and not without its complications. Sometimes mutations have occurred during the attempt.

Gorgons would usually use this curse for their enemies and threats, but most of the time rather not kill the subject unless they displayed themselves to be an actual threat. However, Gorgon’s petrification has been refined among the sisterhood. Some of the more experienced among Gorgon can perform variations like only putting one type of body, like the psyche in a petrifying stasis, leaving the body mostly normal.  The more potent and powerful Gorgon does not require the subject to look at their eyes or face at all and can mass-petrified anything in its vision.

## Background

#### *Growing Up*

**(CW: Minor depictions of Murder, body horror, and manipulation)**

Iva was born and raised on the island of Tinos, in the Cyclades, Greece, which was home to a little-known sect of the gorgons descendants that existed since the island was known as *Ophiussa* in Ancient Greece. However, the true nature of her family never made an impact on her childhood. For example, her mother's pet snake was a part of her mother in every truth to the word, but Iva assumed it was a specially gifted animal.

Her daily life was a carefree and simple one. She went to school by ferry during some years of her life, life on the island was pretty lax in terms of socializing. Surfing, restaurant, and the internet were most of her key entertainment. Her mother and her sisters had historic ownership over a section of the island, but she never understood the reason behind it until much later.

She remained oblivious to her true-gorgon nature during most of her life. It never came up, and she lived most of her life as a normal human teenager.  Her father mostly traveled abroad because of their job, coming home when he could, but they loves to send rare flowers and anything can get past customs back to their wife and daughter.  Her mother worked remotely from home with a cosmetic company that promotes naturally based products. She was known to coerce Iva to test out some of the products with her, leading to a healthy but unusual relationship between mother and daughter  Selina, a very large boa constrictor, always acknowledge Iva while they are at home, and young Iva couldn’t help but indulge the snake with extra snacks when her mother wasn’t watching. As a teenager, she was prone to trouble like any other. The island had limited entertainment amenities, and her neighbors tend to make their fun, and she was apt to join them.

She had plenty of childhood friends but was always found with her besties, Olivia and Nikolai. They were joined at the hip through various schools and as time, they explored various things together while growing up. Some discoveries were intimate than most.

It was until the night before her seventeenth birthday. She went out to one of many little usual ferry raids, a party that’s usually put on rented out ferries. The party went as usual until a group of armed raiders attacked and held all the party-goers hostages. Iva was the target behind the attack, unknown to her.  One of their specialists pointed her out and used some form of magic to force her to transform for the first time, unknowing that she had no knowledge of being a Gorgon.

Her first time was painful as a she was unaware of magical spell used to keep her human. While Iva was being forcefully subdued, she watched Nikolai and Olivia, not captured and arguing. She was listening to them about money, the gorgon blood, and the admission of manipulation to get a useable product. The pain of betrayal, being taken for granted, and the pain of transforming into a creature she doesn’t understand. Her blood boiled, and the mercenary made a mistake of not covering her eyes before he turned to stone. The rest of the event was a blur.

By the time, she came into realization of herself. She was being held by her mother Zahara on the ferry. The proud hard-working owner of a major cosmetics company was in her revealed gorgon form. Everyone else, the attackers and party-goers, were turned to stone.

Though, a long painful series of admissions and revelations. Iva learned that her mother planned on using some magic she learned to keep Iva from ever becoming a gorgon. She also learned that the group that attacked the party was a mercenary group called EDICT, and Nikolai was one of the mercenary leaders. Zahara was decided to give her a few lessons about being a gorgon, which included shattering several mercenary statues. When decided what to do with Nikolai, Iva had a hand in throwing the statue of Nikolai to the bottom of the sea and undid the petrification when it hit the bottom. Despite allowed to give in to her rage and at Zahara’s rebuttal, she had spared Olivia. The remaining party-goers were allowed to go home after her mother hired someone to blink memories.

The next day, Iva was admitted to the hospital, after a false report of a ferry accident. A lot of her friendliness and easygoingness had departed her by the end of the night. When Olivia visited her to apologize, Iva got up from her hospital bed, shoved a folder, with receipts indicating that Olivia’s father’s debt was paid, before completely burned the bridge, indicating strongly that she never wanted to see her again.

Iva spent the rest of her high school alone...shutting herself away from all her friends. The act of betrayal had left her traumatized, giving her a series of underlying trust issues.  She became a bit more distant towards others, even more so when they attempt to get too close. She had confided with her mother about learning her powers and transforming so she can live normally. She took to various hobbies alone, rather do group projects solo, including learning her mother’s business and took to having a cold, standoffish persona.

In the meantime, her mother made quite a few preparations to allow her daughter to study abroad and 'expand' her horizons elsewhere.

#### *Since Enrolling at Monsterhearts University*

Her first year at MHU was rough, for the most. She was basically withdrawn and defensive for anyone trying to get along with her. She gave her roommates Didi and Burgundy a hard time during the first few months. After the first year, her aggressive defenses had softened through the fact she wasn’t the only monster on campus, a series of psychological counseling at the school, and certain individuals that would refuse to leave her alone to this day.

## Relationships

#### *Family*

**Dr. Amari Mavros**

Good doctor and dad? Tends to send me random items during their care packages. They broke up with mom while few years back, but it never seemed hostile or out of strife. Maybe reluctance?

**Zahara Mavros**

My mom and the matriarch among Gorgons. Always told me that I would need become firm and strong. Her words are vague and I’m unsure what she means. She has been slowly feeding me with a lot of information about the sisterhood and introducing me into supernatural life. She controls a major conglomerate in the cosmetic world. *Vélo* Cosmetics is one of her personal companies.

#### *Friends*

**Sebastian Blythe**

This annoying little shit.  Met him during my first year, and can't get rid of him no matter how much I seethed at him.  Tends to drag me off to parties, knowing how little I care for them and to places only Hades knows where. Half of my complications on campus happened because of him. Do I hate him? No. He has done nothing earning that or any form of dislike. He's just troublesome, and not boring.

**Didi Hunter**

One of my former roommates in Carter Hall.  Staying with her eventually allow me to lower my guard for once in three years.  Yes, I know what she is and that was by happenstance.  Mostly, because she borrowed one of my custom-made shampoos (the snakes smelled it on her), and her wolf form took a shine to it, maybe some extra fluff too.  Tell you the story another time..

She had even tolerated some of my failures, including the one that somehow made her fur a rainbow? Never could replicate that one. I thought it was kind of cute when it happened, and maybe...changing the subject. Now.

Always visits my apartment to take a break, provide security and good cooking, which is something I treasure, and I admit I might be bit vengeful to anyone harming her.

**Burgundy Adisa**

Also one of my former roommates in Carter Hall and another who probably seen me in a less cold state. We usually hit the same salon and stylist each day because dreads require love and not everyone can do them correctly.   Never did tell them that I might know a little surfing since Tinos is a known surfing location. I want to, but it's tied to a lot of bad memories. Tends to keep in touch more often as we get our dreads touched up.

**Xander Crossman**

Fellow man of the scales. It's just something about that allow us to connect well, and in a strange way. He might be a freshman, but I would recommend that one does not underestimate him if he sets his mind on something. Hate that he has to deal with his grandmother, but probably want to stay out of it due to the fact that I know my mother would be delighted to know that...well, won't get that story out of me. My mom is scary.

He's currently my campaign manager, because I have more confidence in his ability. However, putting him though the paces about trying introduce me. Most people would love to be regally introduced. I'm not one of them.

#### *Acquaintances (Good or Ill)*

**Dakota Pascal**

This one is a mystery, and in a way that don't set off my usual alarms (considering that I'm super on-guard all the time, that is an achievement) It's strange, but I'm glad they are usually on my side most of the time.

**Selene Hellian**

We talked recently, and communicated in a level that most wouldn't understand, I feel like we're going to become fast and good friends. If not, dangerous allies against to anyone who fucks with us.

**Tamzen Shaw**

I know her from hooking up with Xander, and decided to give her a hand with a clothes emergency. She seem content with my quick emergency work. We talked about helping Xander with some of his bad, but hilarious habits. She seems good, but I only know so much.

**Laura le Fanu**

My classmate in a few course for a time. I know she has the charms, (cute to boot) but I don't think I can engaged with her in something beyond a friendship. It's not her fault, just that she reminds me of old ex-friend...I do enjoy our little nights out on the town though.

**Joseph Marlowe**

Has the caution instincts of a lemming, at one. I know that Sebastian had a thing with him, and might have an idea what happened to him. However, I kind of wish there was a way I could help with his current situation.

**Lavish Valentine**

Sometimes, they are tolerable and interesting to be around. Most of the time, I find them pretty annoying, especially obvious about the cards and games they play. I won't really show that to them. I have been around the game longer. Will I let them have a win? I don't know. Depends on what I get out of it, while they learn a very dangerous lesson about handling things they can't control. Besides, I have bigger problems to deal with. However, if they get me on my bad side with their mess...

#### *Significant Others*

**No one yet.**

but it's bound to happen some day....probably won't be soon though.

## Group Affiliations

**HMU Medical Club**

Usually based in the MHU Infirmary, the club usually meets once every two weeks and takes shifts are part of the infirmary staff. They focused on providing ways for potential medical students to gain real experience and guidance from professionals. The CPR and first-aid training courses are provided for free on periodic scheduled times.

## Journal Entries

**A Slithering Voice Log** - A lavish gift of her mom. Connects to her phone and records her voice and stores it in a micro-SD inside a snake monolith. Where did she get this thing?

## Additional Scenes

* It takes a Snake.... - A Private Twitly between Iva and Lavish after Iva's outburst in the study hall. (March 3, 2021)
* Snake Charming - The return from the hot springs between Iva and Didi... (March 6, 2021)
* Worried Wolf and the Comforting Coils - A worried Didi, and even protective Iva. (March 9, 2021)
* Revelations, with a chance of Rain - Iva learns some disturbing things about the incident at the job fair (March 10, 2021)
* In the Grass - Iva and Arsling, confronting in the forest ♪ (Afternoon, 2pm, March 11, 2021)
* Let Out, Let Go, Let Loose - Iva and Burgundy, girl's weekend after a few stressful admissions. (March 13, 2021)
* Drawing Sidewinders and Bulleyes. - Iva and Xander, meeting outside during archery practice. (March 20, 2021)
* Cozy In Her Den - Didi visits Iva as they catch up on current happenings. (March 21, 2021)
* Serpent in the Garden of Sweets - Selene and Iva - They finally meet to aquatint each other over sweets and beginnings. (March 29, 2021)
* Self Sentenced To Stone - Iva and Arsling - Arsling makes an unsettling request. ***content warnings.*** (April 4, 2021)
* Protective Camouflage - Iva meets Tamzen for another emergency wardrobe adjustment, and a matter of survival ( April 4 and 5, 2021)
* Pain beneath the cold - Iva / Selene - A pair sharing their painful pasts behind their vengeful anger (April 11, 2021)