I have long been fascinated by cicadas. The idea of a long life (for an insect) spent underground in the dark followed by shedding their nymph exoskeletons and rising on wings in the sun. That sort of metamorphosis seems a lot more meaningful than that of butterflies, but cicadas are far less pretty so they are less talked about. But imagine, 17 years spent in the dark damp ground, and for a week or two in the last of their lives they see the sun, fly, and mate.

Cicadas also have rich mythos attached to them. In the Ancient Greek myth, Tithonus eventually turns into a cicada after being granted immortality, but not eternal youth, by Zeus.

Dalibor is based on a friend of mine from Bosnia.

★★★★★★★

Dalibor Rudarović (Dalibor means "Fighting far from home" and Rudarović means "Miner's son")

• Born Feb 2, 1968 (46 years old)

• Cicada nymph

• Male

• Bosnian War refugee come to America.

• Dalibor was a young man, full of ideology and ambition. He grew up a fervent Nationalist. He believed so strongly in a free Serb state that he joined the Army of Republika Srpska. He thought he was fighting for feedom, for good, for children, and homeland, and the security of the future of his people during the crashing of the Soviet Block.
  War is however not what he had imagined. Blood, death, panic, and rape. Dalibor followed his orders. Took part in the violence and genocide. Was present during the Seige of Sarajevo.
  After a comrade killed a child Dalibor defected. He returned to his pregnant young wife and escaped through Turkey to Germany. After his first son was born in Germany he came to America to start anew and forget his past.

• Doesn't talk much. Learned English from watching cartoons on TV. Heavy accent. Really, really, quiet. Most people think he's a mute.

• Mellow and upbeat, really enjoys food, and very physically affectionate (manly back slaps for all!)

• Large hand gestures for when he talks and when he doesn't talk. Lots of rude pointing.

• Dalibor has terrible views on women; very sexist and gender role oriented.

• Despite his history, and current beliefs he is still a nice man. HE keeps most of his misgivings to himself and has a "Boli me briga" (I don't give a fuck) attitude towards much of what others choose to do. He would give you the shirt off his back, the last food at his table, and shelter you in a storm. And even his sexism is because he believes that it's best for women. He honestly believes that Deo would be happier to be married and at home with children, mainly because that's all he knows. All the women in his life are happier at home with their husbands and children. Dalibor loves his wife and dotes on her as "my breath and my heart". And he has three sons who he cherishes. Dalibor has some backwards beliefs that cause trouble among the crew, but not because he's a bad person.