Here is one of my newer OCs! Some of the details aren't clear on her yet, but when it is, I'll upload it!

Alrighty! Here's a bit about Ristai! She's part of a race called Varubain (that's her ethnicity; you know like Vietnamese, Ethiopian, Africa American, that sort of thing.) Physically, Varubains tend to have dark skin tones, vibrant hair colors, and bright eye colors that clash with their skin. The result of this is them being exotically beautiful. Not only are Varubains known for their exotic beauty, but they are also known for having high intelligence, being master scholars, and overall just being impressive people.

However, because of this more than a few Varubains are pretty reserved because they don't want to be bothered by others (throughout history there were numerous accounts of Varubains being kidnapped for their intelligence and Varubain women being taken hostage to become brides. Even after this, the Varubains were often sought after for guidance. You can see how the culture could get fed up.) While the Varubains now commonly/openly integrate with other races, cultures, and regions, most don't like being outside of their groups. Although there are many who live away from other Varubains, the culture still sticks rather firmly too them.

For example, the women are taught to keep their hair long, mostly never cutting it, and to keep it in a braid. Or at least have a braid with their hairstyles. Having long hair for them signifies elegance, pride, unity, ect. The only acceptable reason for them to cut off their hair is if a loved one has died. It is a symbol of deep sorrow and a physical reminder of what they had lost. The cut hair represents the time they had spent with the loved one and how it was now gone, and while it might be replaced would never be the same again.

But if a girl were to just cut off her hair and there wasn't a death of a loved one, it would be seen as a "How dare you" act, and be discriminated and judged by it.

For men there isn't any specific boundary for their hairstyle, but they are usually expected to have on a flower crown(or at least a flower). You might be thinking "Well that's dumb. Why do the men have to wear flower crowns?" Good question! The men wear flower crowns to signify their personality or likeness and such. For example if a guy had on a flower crown made of white daisies it might symbolize that their personality was innocent and pure. Or if he had a flower crown made of violets, that they were modest, faithful and full of virtue.

However, their flower crowns could be switched out for different reasons. If a loved one died, they might don a wreath of white lilies to show that they are in mourning, or if they put on a crown of honeysuckles it might be to show a girl their affections. If a guy is interested in someone, he would put on a new crown of flowers to show/flaunt their best attributes in hopes of gaining their attention. Or if they want to tell someone their feelings they could put on a flower crown with that significance in front of them. Say a guy put on a crown of red roses in front of a girl- that'd be the same thing as him confessing he's in love with her.

Some girls wear flower crowns as well, but it's not required for them. There are multiple Varubain communities scattered around, most of them having only Varubain inhabitants (mixes as well. If you have even a sliver of Varubain blood in you your welcomed in the community. And even if you aren't part of one you are most likely expected to follow Varubain traditions.) I should also mention that some Varubain and Varubain mixes don't follow the traditions strictly like they are expected too. And while this may bring a lot of criticism too them from the Varubain community, they are always still allowed to be in them. Ristai's native village is in the tree tops. Literally. The village is suspended above ground by a series of wooden platforms and they get around by bridges, pulleys, and bouncing. Bouncing is a form of teleportation they invented. Basically they'll leap off of platforms and onto a bouncy slime, sorta like a trampoline and then jump over to where they want to go.

It's not for the faint of heart, and is very risky. But it's an easy way to stop nosy people from bothering you.