Lídia Costa do Carmesim

They say to me, "Cleto! Why do you not marry off your daughter?". And I always say it simply to them - she'll marry herself off, when and if she wants. Until then, be glad of her company!

— Anacleto Todaro

Lídia Costa do Carmesim is a well-known fixture of high society on Vallon, having long accompanied her father to events. Outside of these exclusive circles, she is better known as an accomplished writer of children's and young adult fiction, who has made children's education a core concern.

History

Born in 422 on Vallon, Lídia was the only child of Julieta Costa do Carmesim and an unknown partner. Herself a minor fixture of Vallonese social life, Julieta supported her daughter through creative endeavours and the support of key friends. When Julieta was killed in a spaceship crash in 425, Lídia was being looked after by family friend Tyler Seward and his boyfriend Anacleto Todaro.
Extensive discussions determined it would likely be best for her to remain with them until she was older, when Lídia could better understand the situation. In 429, the pair decided to adopt her formally, after having had her feature as the flower girl at their wedding. The happy family unfortunately did not last, as an outbreak of Pythian Flu in the 430s saw the whole family fall ill, ultimately killing Tyler. Lídia and Anacleto recovered, and with some support from Tyler's sister Andrea, worked to be secure and happy.
With her upbringing financially stable in spite of the personal turmoil, Lídia set her sights on following in her mother's creative footsteps, quickly establishing a flair for the dramatic that saw her as core cast in many school productions, as well as minor fiction writing awards. She turned down offers to study at any off-world institutions, choosing to remain safely on Vallon for her continued education. Studying a degree in creative writing for children, she has published multiple book since her graduation in 443, and donated much of the proceeds to increasing access to education for orphans and the poor.

Social Ties

Through her mother Julieta, Lídia can lay a minor claim to a productive artistic legacy, as the Costa family includes not only her mother's poetic endeavours, but also her grandmother's rust-influenced sculpture and great-grandfather's engineering talents.
Tyler Seward, one of her adoptive fathers, came from a well established banking family with strong ties to the OnRamp, and had himself multiple ties to various philanthropic endeavours on Vallon before his death. Anacleto Todaro, by contrast, is the son of two industrial employees and was not noteworthy among Vallonese high society prior to his association with Tyler. He retains strong connections to the working class, such as through Tyler's philanthropy, supporting his daughter's educational ambitions, and through continual employment as a machinist.
Lídia's "aunt", Andea Seward, has held constant employment aboard the Gersemi as its accountant and relief pilot, acting as second in command to "captain" Foster Cline. Lídia has had only passing acquaintance with members of the ship's crew, notably Foster and long-term gunner Ogawa Yuuji, and has occasionally suggested colleagues employ the ship's delivery services.

Lídia Costa do Carmesim

Also Known As
Lídia Todaro Seward Age 27 Gender F Height 1.679m Blood Type A+ D.O.B 3 February 0422 IE Place of Birth

Carmine Hospital, Vallon, Dumas System

Current Residence Dúngaile, Vallon, Dumas System Ethnicity Vallonese, Portuguese background Occupation Writer, Socialite Family Mother

Julieta Costa do Carmesim

Father

Tyler Seward

Father Anacleto Todaro Aunt Andrea Seward

I've had the pleasure of meeting Lídia before, though many years ago now. She remains a sterling conversationalist, and often the most interesting person in a room of executives and hangers-on.

— Gao Xue, Plessian Socialite

Plane Shy

Vallon is known primarily for its industry, rather than its arts and humanities, and hosts only minor events for them. Many acquaintances of Lídia have recommended she travel to Lafère, if not all the way to OnRamp Beta, in order to improve her connections to other writers and creatives.
Lídia has rebuffed all such ideas, choosing to connect to these distant events and artists digitally. By all accounts, she dislikes spacecraft immensely, and prefers to travel on foot or by wheel when navigating the Vallonese streets.