| The eldest 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 and she fought it at every turn. She earned a scholarship to the University and left her home, severing ties with her parents. While there she began to run into him at various places and eventually the two began to seek each other out. A turn later, Alagarasu was accepted at the Starfleet Academy. He asked Ivani to come with him and the two were married. While Ivani held no desire to enter Starfleet, Hew new life afforded Ivani the opportunity to further her education in avenues out of reach had she stayed on Terra. 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. After Alagarasu graduated from the Academy, the couple moved into quarters on the USS Ranger-A where Al had been assigned.
Alagarasu served on the USS Ranger-A as a Tactical officer. He was transferred to Starbase 118 and remained there until 2388 when he was called to serve at the Duronis embassy. By that time, Ivani had earned her 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. When the riots broke out, he served Starfleet well, to the point that he sacrificed his life. His death sent Ivani spiraling 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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