Yolanda

Origins

Yolanda was hired after Mayor Llama approved twelve overlapping infrastructure plans in one afternoon—including a floating town square, a rotating sidewalk system, and a “whimsical aqueduct” powered by interpretive dance.

She arrived with blueprints, a clipboard, and a very concerned expression.

Upon reviewing the town’s existing systems, she sighed and said:

“Okay. We’ll start with not dying.”

Within a week, she had reinforced three bridges, updated the sewer enchantments, and gently told the mayor that dreams were not blueprints. She’s been running the town’s infrastructure ever since.

Species & Appearance

Yolanda is an anthropomorphic giant anteater, tall and graceful, with sleek gray fur, a white streak down her elongated snout, and sharp, attentive eyes behind rectangular glasses.

She wears durable utility uniforms in soothing earth tones, a reflective vest (always), and carries a tablet loaded with plans, notes, and emergency engineering spells. Her tail is fluffy but functional—it’s been used as an umbrella, blanket, and once, a makeshift ladder.

She speaks calmly, thinks quickly, and moves with the confidence of someone who’s rebuilt a bridge during a snowstorm while swatting away bureaucratic nonsense.

Personality

Yolanda is friendly, focused, deeply intelligent, and unfailingly practical. She has a dry wit, a warm presence, and a strong belief in function over spectacle—unless the spectacle includes safety rails and structural integrity.

She’s the type to:

  • Listen to your idea

  • Sketch a way to make it safe

  • Then tell you you’re still not allowed to do it

She thrives under pressure, prefers early mornings, and has an uncanny ability to calm people just by entering a room.

Profession

Yolanda is Snowdrift Bay’s civil engineer, responsible for:

  • Maintaining all physical infrastructure (bridges, roads, parks, sewers)

  • Translating Mayor Llama’s “artsy dream-doodles” into functional diagrams

  • Approving or rejecting magical building enhancements (like teleporting bathrooms)

  • Protecting the town from collapses, floods, and airborne carousel accidents

She also manages a rotating team of apprentice builders and teaches a monthly workshop:
“How Not to Create an Unstable Monorail: Lessons for the Imaginative But Reckless.”

Relationships

  • Glenn (Husband): The town’s power couple. Where Glenn wrangles legal chaos, Yolanda wrangles physical chaos. Their partnership is built on shared respect, late-night checklists, and the ability to hold hands while redirecting disaster.

  • Samuel Abernathy: Yolanda was thrilled when Samuel opened his construction company because she found a collaborator who was A) skilled and B) not clinically diagnosable. She’s still trying to help him not scream in terror when he sees a power tool in operation, but they’re getting there.

  • Brenda: Yolanda appreciates Brenda’s no-nonsense attitude and once fixed her apartment’s plumbing in under ten minutes. They now have a standing agreement: Yolanda gets early podcast access in exchange for occasional mechanical critiques.

  • Philip: He’s both intrigued and terrified by her. She once helped him childproof their kitchen because he kept knocking over saucepans “with dramatic gestures.”

  • Mayor Llama: A walking structural hazard. Yolanda alternates between maternal fondness and restrained exasperation. She once said, “You’re not allowed to build anything unless I see the plan first.” He responded by throwing glitter in the shape of a blueprint. She reinforced it with steel.

Notable Lore & Moments

  • The Floating Gazebo Fix:
     When Mayor Llama insisted on a floating wedding platform, Yolanda added anchors, a stabilizer ring, and an anti-drift charm. The wedding went off without a hitch—until the confetti ignited the mist. She was ready with a fireproof canopy.

  • The Sewer Catastrophe:
     Discovered a poltergeist living in the drainage grid. Bribed it with calming meditation music and sealed it inside a containment tank that doubles as a bench.

  • The Bridge Standoff:
     Saved three residents from falling into the gorge when they tried to host a picnic on an unfinished overpass. She showed up, caught the entire blanket with her tail, and muttered, “This is why we test.”

Quirks and Secrets

  • Has a secret folder of “blueprints that were too cursed to build” but keeps them for fun

  • Can hear a structural imbalance from across the street

  • Once yelled “That’s not load-bearing, it’s lying!” at a sentient gazebo

  • Keeps a mini chalkboard in her vest for emergency diagrams

  • Her favorite sound is a level spirit level

Likes and Interests

  • Favorite Beverage: Green tea with a hint of lemon.

  • Favorite Cocktail: Mojito, with fresh mint leaves.

  • Favorite Colors: Emerald green and soft pastels.

  • Favorite Desserts: Lemon meringue pie and panna cotta.

  • Favorite Foods: Fresh salads with a variety of greens and grains, and gourmet sandwiches.

  • Favorite Hobbies: Urban gardening and sketching architectural designs.

  • Favorite Ice Cream: Pistachio with a swirl of dark chocolate.

  • Favorite Movie Genres: Documentaries, particularly those about nature or architecture.

  • Favorite Music: Jazz and classical, especially for relaxing after a long day.

  • Favorite Part of Snowdrift Bay: The serene, scenic views from the cliffs overlooking the bay, where she often finds inspiration for her designs.

  • Favorite Qualities: Precision and attention to detail, both in her work and in others.

  • Favorite Sandwich: Turkey and avocado on whole-grain bread with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

  • Favorite Scent: Freshly cut wood and the earthy aroma of soil.

  • Favorite Season: Spring, when the flowers bloom, and the world feels full of possibilities.

  • Favorite Sports: Yoga and hiking, appreciating the balance and calm they bring.

  • Favorite Literature: Non-fiction books about engineering, architecture, and design.

  • Favorite TV Shows: Enjoys documentaries about great engineering feats and travel shows that explore different cultures.