Okha Soyan (b. 216 HE), also known as the Amber Orchid, was a singer and dancer in Port Caynn performing both in eating and gambling houses like the Waterlily^[1] as well as for the Rogue, Pearl Skinner, personally. She also owned a lodging house, but there only she herself and her lover Nestor Haryse lived, as well as Truda and Haden, who helped Nestor in his work and did chores.

She is a trans woman, saying that the Trickster put her female soul in a male body. Her lover was Nestor Haryse for whom she is worried on account of Pearl Skinner as Okha feared her.

She appears in Bloodhound.

Biography

Okha was born around 216 HE. Her family cast her out--probably when they realized their "son" felt more like a woman. Afterwards she studied everywhere she went, learning how to be a "real woman" by people who took her in.^[2]

By 247 HE Okha was living in Port Caynn, having a solid life there. Her lover was Nestor Haryse and she was a well-known entertainer. At some point during her life in the Part and while Pearl Skinner was the Rogue she must have lost someone dear to her through the hands of Pearl or one of her minions^[3]. Still Okha sang for the Rogue herself on a weekly basis. This was the only thing she kept hidden from Nestor, because she knew Nestor would be furious but that nothing could be done about it. Instead she tried to gather information from Pearl's courts that Nestor could use, but wasn't very successful with it. She managed to draw very accurate maps, however, which later profited Beka to bring the Rogue down.^[4]

Going under the pseudonym of "Amber Orchid", or short "Amber", in the Waterlily Okha was very popular there. Zander was Amber's servant.^[5] Amongst others she performed Carthaki songs with a flute player providing the background melody.^[6] Okha even had her own private dressing room at the second floor of the Waterlily^[7]. There she didn't only dress but she also took meals there and relaxed from her performances. When she was sought both by the Deputy Provost and by the Rogue Okha hid Beka in a closet in her dressing room.

Physical description

Okha was of Carthaki descent and had the typical light brown skin and black hair. It reached down to her shoulders and was made glossy by hair oil. From her appearance Beka estimated her to be of the same age as Nestor, making in thirty-one in 247 HE. She had large, dark eyes, a short nose, and a thin mouth. Okha was five feet and ten inches tall, of slender built and very graceful. Okha wore flashy clothes and jewelry as well as face-paint--kohl around her eyes, red paint on her lips and orange color on her nails.^[8] She had a light, musical voice.^[1] When performing Okha dressed very femininely. At those occasions Okha wore a beautiful wig and--according to Beka--moved more graceful than even a noblewoman like Teodorie of Haryse.^[2] She got at least some of her makeup and perfume from Barzun, brought to her through Hansevor Remy.^[9]

Notes and references

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Bloodhound, September 14, 247 (p. 195)
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Bloodhound, September 16, 247 I (p. 261)
3. ↑ Bloodhound, September 16, 247 I (p. 258/259)
4. ↑ Bloodhound, September 17, 247 II (p. 362/363)
5. ↑ Bloodhound, September 17, 247 II (p. 358)
6. ↑ Bloodhound, September 16, 247 I (p. 256)
7. ↑ Bloodhound, September 16, 247 I (p. 257)
8. ↑ Bloodhound, September 14, 247 (p. 194)
9. ↑ Bloodhound, September 17, 247 I (p. 311)

See also

v · d · eProvost's Dog Books Terrier • Bloodhound • Mastiff (2011) Places Corus Barrel's Bottom • Cesspool • Dancing Dove • Flash District • Glassman Square • Jane Street kennel • Lower City • Mantel and Pullet • Market of Sorrows • Mutt Piddle Lane • Naxen's Fancy • Nightmarket • Nipcopper Close • Olorun River • Sheepmire Tavern • Waterfront District Port Caynn Waterlily • Eagle Street Court • Guards House • Ladyshearth Lodgings • Merman's Cave • Rattery Prison Events Opal Murders • Dead Men's Riots • Bread Riot • Counterfeiting of 247 HE v · d · e Characters v · d · eResidents of Corus Nobles King Roger • Queen Jessamine • Lady Sabine • Sir Tullus • Acton of Fenrigh • Lord Gershom • Lady Teodorie Guards Kebibi Ahuda • Wulfric Birch • Rebakah Cooper • Fulk • Clara Goodwin • Ercole Hempstead • Hilyard • Jakorn • Nyler Jewel • Otelia • Phelan Rapp • Rollo • Silsbee • Matthias Tunstall • Verene • Ersken Westover • Osgyth Yoav Rogues Kayfer Deerborn • Dawull • Ulsa • Rosto the Piper • Aniki Forfrysning • Koramin Ingensra • Bold Brian • Fiddlelad • Lady May • Reed Katie Commoners Jack Ashmiller • Orva Ashmiller • Ashmiller children • Jungen Berryman • Diona Cooper • Fern Cooper • Ilony Cooper • Lorine Cooper • Nilo Cooper • Philben Cooper • Willes Cooper • Tomlan Goodwin • Vrinday Kayu • Ammon Lofts • Annis Lofts • Herun Lofts • Rolond Lofts • Tansy Lofts • Uta Norwood • Inman Poundridge • Deirdry Noll • Gemma Noll • Yates Noll • Gunnar Espeksra • Amaya Painter • Mother Cantwell • Myaral Fane • Ulfrec Fane • Master Sholto • Otho Urtiz • Ashmari • Garnett • Geraint Pell • Madon Pell v · d · eResidents of Port Caynn Guards Lionel of Trebond • Nestor Haryse • Terart Axman • Enno • Ives • Anglesea • Shales Rogues Pearl Skinner • Hansevor Remy • Zolaika • Jurji • Steen Bolter • Torcall Jupp • Fair Flory Others Isanz Finer • Wenna Finer • Meraud Finer • Okha Soyan • Truda • Haden • Dale Rowan • Durant Elkes • Serenity Animals Pigeons Ashes • Fog • Inky • Mumper • Pinky • Slapper • Spangle • White Spice Others Achoo • Fuzzball • Laddybuck • Pounce