History
Star was born Margaret Mary Houlihan and raised in a suburb of DC, neither in the wealthiest bracket nor yet in the poorest. She went to a private high school and dated a young man who just happened to be the stepson of a senator in his 50s. She kept in touch with the boy at college, going to school in New York and coming home sometimes for long weekends, but eventually also struck up a relationship (read: had an affair) with the father. Through his largesse she realized she could make a business out of this, and decided to.
She's never told her parents what she does, nor has she ever formally declared her profession except on her tax records. She lists her profession as an escort, but is careful to keep records that only include things such as dates or appearances, or photography sessions (being photographed somewhere with someone to drive their status up). The sex, while certaily what she's being paid for, is taken out in trade. For jewelry, or a new computer, or a car, or a dress, other such things.
Two years ago she stopped her business for about six months, notifying her clients that she would return at the end of that time but needed a break, and became a virtual hermit in her parents' Bethesda home. While her parents thought her boyfriend had left her upon hearing that she was pregnant, it was in actuality the child of a client. She believes she knows who, but is still deciding whether or not she wants to know for certain. She legally signed all rights to the child over to her parents, but still sees the child at least once or twice a week, usually more often.
Mythology
Ishtar is a mother goddess, fertility goddess, the goddess of spring, a storm goddess, a warrior goddess and goddess of war, a goddess of love, goddess of marriage and childbirth.
As the goddess of love, Ishtar was irresistible. Her lovers were legion and she was the matron of courtesans and prostitutes. Ishtar herself was the 'courtesan of the gods' and she was the first to experience the desires which she inspired. Sovereign of the world by virtue of love's omnipotence, Ishtar was the most popular goddess in Assyria and Babylonia.
She is often described as the daughter of Anu, the god of the air. In most of the myths concerning her, she is described as an evil, heartless, women who destroyed her mates and lovers. Her greatest lover was the farm god Tammuz, who is similar to the Greek Adonis. After he died she went into the underworld to retrieve him but her efforts were vain and she returned to the living world alone. Her twin sister is Ereshkigal, the Goddess of Death, but her dominant aspects (for the purposes of this character) are as the goddess of compassion and love, and their opposite numbers of fury, wrath, and war.
Later, in the great epic of Gilgamesh, she tried to make Gilgamesh her husband, but he refused her and reminded her of her former lovers, whom she mercilessly killed or left injured. She reported this to her father, Anu, and he gave her the mystical bull of heaven to avenge herself. Gilgamesh and his friend Enkidu stopped and killed the mighty creature and threw its headless body at her feet. They also insulted her, and she responded by sending disease to kill Gilgamesh's best friend Enkidu. She is one of Aphrodite's counterparts.
Society
Sen. Jonah Matheson She met the Senator at a charity function of one sort or another, and while she was not so much instantly drawn to him as fascinated by him, he was drawn to her. She suited a purpose, although she still isn't sure what. He engaged her for several occasions both in her public profession and clandestine, and then introduced her to his son. She still doesn't trust him, but she remains fascinated.
David Matheson Senator Matheson's son seemed little different from the rest of her younger clients at first. Cocky, arrogant, charismatic (though he at least probably was as handsome and charming as he thought he was) and slick, he, too, at least was aware that his father had some agenda behind introducing them. They never discussed what it was except once, when somewhat drunk. For a long time their relationship was strictly business, until one night they found themselves being somewhat more truthful than usual, and things began to change. She knows some of what he can do and what he is now, more than before, that he turns into a raven. She isn't quite sure what that means, but she will keep his secrets as carefully and closely as she keeps all her clients' secrets, if not more so. She considers him a friend, but refuses to admit a deeper relationship or interest in one with him.
