Background
Valentina's past is shrouded in mystery, and even she does not remember much of it. Born a Gaje (non-Gypsy) in rural Russia, she was orphaned very young and never knew her parents. She was taken in by a loving family in a village not far away. But while still a child, her village was raided and burned to the ground by Kazakh raiders, and she was left to die in the ruins.

However, she was to be found by the lonely and despondent Kyrill, whose own family had just been murdered. They would eventually join our Kumpania when we came across them, and Natalya soon took Valentina under her wing.

Though not born a Gypsy, she is as much a member of her Vitsa (the Midnight Sands) and the Kumpania as anyone else. Valentina has recently become a full-fledged Gypsy Wife -- a Romni who seduces Gaje men, gets their money, gives them a hallucinogenic drink that knocks them out (to leave them with pleasantly vague memories when they awake) and leaves -- after completing her apprenticeship under Natalya, but is still somewhat naive in certain ways.

In general, she is the most optimistic and happy member of the Kumpania, and often tries to no avail to mediate the many conflicts going on at any given moment within the Kumpania. More often than not she gets drawn into them!

Valentina is a pleasure to be around, and combines the best of Gaje and Romani beauty and style in her appearance and attitudes. She can charm the coldest heart, and put a smile on the sternest face. Do watch out for her sarcastic tongue, though!

Unlike most of the members of the Midnight Sands, she didn't join them on their journey west to Ireland in search of a better life. She (along with Boris) does still travel with us, and can often be seen Scarborough.