| The third of three children, all daughters, Ivani was born to strict, traditional parents. Devout Hindu, they were a moderately well to do family and had chosen a husband for her at birth. Although conservative in their political, social, and religious stances, they did believe in allowing their daughters to achieve at least a good, basic education. She was expected to finish her schooling at eighteen, then marry her betrothed and make a house and home as well as bear children.
Ivani didn't particularly care to accept this fate. She was expected to remain chaste and pure, but she and her intended were allowed to meet from time to time. He, however, was arrogant, rude, and obviously had no intention to allow her to further her education, despite her desire to do so.
When she was fourteen a young man who had just entered into the University arrived in Delhi. He was striking to behold in the young girl's eyes and she'd caught his attention. The two ran into each other several times in various places in the city. On one of these occasions, they struck up a conversation. After that, they began to coordinate meetings, usually with other friends. Had her parents discovered her intentions, they would have forbidden her to go out to meet him, or even force a chaperone on her.
Alagarasu was several years older than Ivani. After his schooling came to an end, he joined Starfleet Academy. The two kept in touch. Even if they could not chat face to face over video, they wrote letters to each other almost every day.
As Alagarasu's Academy days came to a close, Ivani's own days were numbered. Her parents began to make preparations for the wedding between her and the man they had chosen. It was then Alagarus returned. He had just finished his Academy training and expected to hear about his assignment any day. He knocked upon Ivani's parents' door and then officially asked for her hand.
Her parents refused and Alagarasu was physically thrown out. Because of his appearance, her parents realised she'd been going behind their back and severe fight ensued. In the end, Ivani was told she could not leave the house without her mother or an adult of their choosing present.
Alagarasu wasn't about to give up. He asked a female friend to visit and she passed along a message. A few days later, Ivani managed to escape her house arrest and met the waiting Alagarasu. The two were married and almost immediately the newlyweds moved into quarters on the USS Thunder-A where Al had been assigned.
Ivani attempted to make contact with her family, but they refused to have anything to do with her. She had been disowned. While this upset her, she took solace in the knowledge that she had her husband and her new family.
Hew new life afforded Ivani the opportunity to further her education. She took advantage of it. The Cardassian culture especially piqued her interest as well as the Breens. She could never explain why, simply felt drawn. During her time on the Thunder, she earned accreditation as a teacher with a specialisation in Cardassian and Breen history, though she'll admit to having far more knowledge of the former rather than the latter.
Alagarasu served on the USS Thunder-A for eleven years as a Tactical officer. He was present on Duronis II when the riots broke out and was a casualty. His death sent Ivani spraling into a deep depression. It took six months for her to to get to the point where she could function beyond the most basic motions to keep herself alive and even that was done with a lack of emotion that would have impressed even a Vulcan.
Slowly, thanks to the support of friends and a particularly insistent counselor, she drew out of the shell and started confronting her grief. In some ways, it was worse than simply wallowing it and Ivani admits she still struggles greatly today.
Ivani went back to Terra but found it almost unbearable. She then made the decision to enlist in Starfleet. Alagarasu had been dedicated to it and in some strange way it made her feel as if she could get just a little closer to him by being a part of something he loved. After going through some training, she was placed aboard the USS Mercury as a Teacher for the civilian children and a ship historian.
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