Willow Tree

## Backstory

Willow Tree has always loved horses ever since she was little. They grew up around them and started competing in competitions at an early age. People would sometimes nickname her "Crazy Tree" for her crazy love of horses.

They had known about the island of Jorvik and how much its population loved horses there. When she was old enough she visited Jorvik and eventually decided to move there.

Her life was pretty typical. They were one of the top competitors in Eventing. She gained a good reputation for consistently helping out the people of Jorvik.

Everything changed immediately once she found out about the Dark riders, the Druids, and the Soul Riders.

Willow was approached by the Druids to join their cause. Although her first response was reluctant, hence her signature quote: *"I don't have time to save the world, I got horses to train."* Because what could they possibly do? She was just one person.

But after a bit of consideration, she agreed and joined the Soul Riders.

After all the missions, all the times she's almost died, friends, she loves being put in danger, and their first Soul horse, Nova, unexpectedly dying, she's burnt out.

Willow doesn't want to accept it, but they've been burnt out and depressed for a long time. All the pressures of her life resting on her shoulders.

It became worse when Nova passed away. They think a part of her soul died along with her horse. Which makes sense considering how connected they were.

One day they were browsing horse advertisements. Not seriously but just to see if any horse caught her eye. Maybe to be a project horse.

She ended up finding out that before they had owned Nova, she had a foal. And that horse had a foal of her own; making Nova technically a grand mare.

The horse she found was a gelding named Lucky. And Willow could see some resemblance to Nova.

They knew she had to get him. With Nova gone, at least some part of her lived on.

To Willow's surprise, Lucky was also a Starbreed like Nova. And he became Willow's new Soul horse.

It did take a while for them to bond but eventually, it worked. Willow didn't admit it but her bond with Lucky felt different than with Nova. It's not as strong, but both she and Lucky know that they do need each other. Despite the circumstances.

They're a bit resentful about the Soul steed situation because of her strong bond with a horse who isn't a Starbreed, Moonlight.

Willow has had Moonlight for almost as long as they had Nova. And despite him not being her designated Soul horse, it doesn't stop her from considering him to be.

Willow continues to do their Soul Riding work but feels less enthusiastic about it than she did before. She's starting to just feel like a pawn in a game but can do nothing about it.

Their bond with the other Soul Riders has lessened as well but that wasn't a shock to her. Willow never really felt like she quite fit in with them. They weren't all friends, to begin with, and she was late to the game. It makes her feel like an outsider.

She's the closest to Linda and might even have a crush on her but doesn't want to admit it to themself. She doesn't have time for romance.

If she just focuses on her work, everything should work out in the end. Hopefully.

## Appearance

Willow has fair skin with a few freckles on their cheeks. Her eyes are light blue and her hair is a light brunette, preferring to keep it short and wavy. She's somewhat lanky and athletic from all of her time riding horses. She usually wears sweaters and t-shirts (stuff she can wear around the barn mainly) equestrian clothing or something more casual, and prefers a more masc look.

## Personality

She is kind, thoughtful and quiet; mostly keeping to themselves. Her strengths are that she's selfless, Intelligent, and a dedicated worker (most of the people of Jorvik have no complaints when it comes to Willow's work. Though she also is a bit of a people pleaser, can be blunt (mostly due to missing social cues rather than any malicious intent), and pushes themself too hard a lot.

Her habits and mannerisms include messing with the straps on her riding gloves a lot, fiddling with a strand of hay if they have one in their hand, and likes to make sure her helmet is good and snug.

Like most people, Willow has her own secrets and regrets. Sometimes they wish she had never gotten involved with the Druids and Soul Riders. She regrets not paying more attention to their original Soul Horse before she died.

Their skills and talents are being a good eventer, excellent horse trainer, and writer on occasion.

Their defining moment was leaving in the middle of a horse show to help the Soul Riders.

## Miscellaneous

Currently lives Near Golden Hills Valley, near Golden Hills Stables. She likes it there because it's usually fairly quiet and peaceful.

## Trivia

* Their sense of humor is mainly memes (particularly gen z-esc memes)
* Gulity pleasure is watching old but funny Gmod YouTube videos.
* Collects model horses and has been since they were a little kid.
* Their accent is probably average American accent but mixed with a slight Swedish accent from staying in Jorvik for a long time.
* Songs that remind me of Willow are: *A Burning Hill* - Mitski, *Lights Are On* - Tom Rosenthal, *Surface Pressure* - Encanto, *Seventeen* - Ladytron
* Willow is autistic and has ADHD.
* Willow is asexual and bi-romantic. Their gender is nonbinary and they lean towards transmasc.
* One of their pet peeves is when people only refer to them with "she/her" pronouns; ignoring the "they/them" that is preferred.

## Quotes:

*"I don't have time to save the world, I got horses to train."*

Will and MarcWill moodboardWill and MoonlightWill picrewWill sketch