The Happy Smiler
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Tolus Axum Waebo | |
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| Born | 17-6 55 PC |
| Nationality | Joye |
| Other names | The Happy Smiler |
| Occupation | Master (performance) |
| Predecessor | Pyrcon Magum Minun |
| Parents |
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The Happy Smiler (born Tolus Axum Waebo) is a Joye Master and activist. She is a notable proponent of Gleeism.
Early life
Tolus Axum Waebo was born to two stone-carvers in the town of Surcamaes, a mountainous town far from The Heart. Both of her parents were victims of a rockslide when Waebo was six years old; her father was killed and her mother was left physically debilitated, requiring constant medical care. At her father's funeral, Waebo encountered Ponifix Paius Tewefil, a family friend educated in the performance arts. Tewefil saw potential in Waebo, and offered to take her under his wing. Waebo's mother accepted, on the condition that all of Waebo's training was to take place in Surcamaes, so that Waebo could always visit her bedridden mother if she needed to.
Waebo has spoken little of her time under Tewefil's training, stating it to have been an uncomfortable period in her life. It is known that she participated in monthly performance exhibitions for the duration of her training, which lasted three years. She frequently requested visits with her mother, but claims to have been denied this privilege, only seeing her mother twice in the three years. She fled Tewefil's home in 64 PC at age 9, finding shelter in an orphan school in the nearby town of Ym. She spent a year attempting to learn the discipline of music, but displayed little natural talent for the art, continuing to study performance afterwards.
At age 12, Waebo passed through The Heart for the first time in her life as part of a group field trip. She was enamored by the public celebrations and demonstrations of the arts. She would visit once a year afterwards, diligently preparing herself for the upcoming Festival of Color in the months between. At age 16, during her yearly trip to The Heart, Waebo's mother passed away, and she was forced to return to Surcamaes to grieve. At the funeral she saw Tewefil for the first time since she fled his home; the two performed a Final Dance together to honor Waebo's mother, then agreed to part ways forever.
Master
Waebo traveled to The Heart immediately upon reaching adulthood, having rented a furnished tent for herself to live in. She stayed in The Heart for the months leading up to the Festival of Color, attending stage performances daily. When the days of the Festival arrived, Waebo began exhibiting her skill for performance at every chance she had. She caught the eye of Senior Master Pyrcon Magum Minun, who confided to her that he had already made up his mind about his successor, and that he could only be swayed if Waebo could capture the attention of an entire midday crowd in the city center. The following day, Waebo climbed atop a building in the city center, and mimed stabbing herself with a large blade. The crowd that had amassed was transfixed by her subsequent scream, which became an operatic song that ended with Waebo slumping down and rolling out of sight. That evening, Minun declared Waebo his successor, making her Junior Master.
After attaining the role of Master, Waebo decided to stay in The Heart permanently, performing for crowds often. She became an advocate for Gleeism, and began weaving the subject into her performances. This attracted criticism; some accused her of spoiling the art form for selfish reasons. She was given the moniker The Happy Smiler for her penchant for ending her performances with a large grin, regardless of the emotions her character was feeling.