Man, I wouldn’t want to get on their bad side. Who am I talking about? That’s BEREN DURMAZ, they’re the LEADER for TOHUM. Not what you’d expect from most THIRTY-SIX year olds, right? Word has it that they’re just as CONFIDENT as they are CUT-THROAT, but I can’t help thinking about THE GLIMMER OF FIRELIGHT AGAINST DIAMONDS when I see them.
Name: Meryem Beren Durmaz
Nickname: Open to suggestions
Age/DOB: 36 (November 17th)
Zodiac: Scorpio
Gender/Pronouns: Ciswoman, she/her
Family: Ex-husband, middle sister Durmaz, youngest sister Seyda Durmaz
Sexuality: Pansexual
Relationship Status: Divorced
The eldest daughter of the eldest daughter, that should tell you all you need to know. The Durmaz family came to America from Turkey when Meryem was only a child, but despite everything said to hype the new country up, life didn't suddenly become a dream. Despite her young age, Meryem frequently acted as her mother's translator in social situations and soon learned that it was best to leave her out of them entirely if she could. Her father, it seemed, agreed with her, and the pair were divorced by the time Meryem became a teenager.
Money was tight, her sisters needy, but what eldest child doesn't think that of the younger kids? Despite the anger she felt, she still did her best to take care of them, driving them when she learned how, going to school events so someone would be there if their parents didn't show, and scrimping or avoiding spending money on herself so that her sisters had what they needed.
Eventually, working the cash register in the mall wasn't enough and Meryem became more desperate, more willing to do whatever it took. She was prideful, yes, but not so prideful as to not accept a free drink when a man offered it one night while she was trying to drown her sorrows.
And when he left money on the nightstand afterwards? She didn't refuse that, either.
She started calling herself Beren, her middle name, and started advertising herself, eventually ending up on Tohum's radar. She didn't hesitate to sign up, not caring about the legality as long as the money would still spend.
For what felt like the first time in her life, there was enough money. She wasn't just taking care of her sisters, she was taking care of herself and she was flourishing.
Eventually she caught the eye of her biggest prize yet, the leader of Tohum. People said he was soft on her because she reminded him of home. Others said she was controlling him, painting her as some manipulative, seductive witch in a time honored fashion dating back all the way to Anne Boleyn.
When the leader died and she presented a recording of him stating his wishes for her to succeed him, it nearly led to a riot. She was too young, too inexperienced, always too something, but Beren didn't let that stop her. Instead she continued to claw her way to success, fighting to keep hold of the power. Almost a year has passed since then and she hasn't lost it yet.