|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:44 am
best viewed in 1200 x 800 full screen.
otherwise its going to look pretty odd.
notes:
apologies for the length! i ended up just putting all of the conceptual ideas down without holding back.
also, sorry for the crap banner. graphics wat r they.
[ inspiration music ] xxx [ inspiration music ] xxx [ inspiration music ]
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:46 am
 
It croons to him sweetly, a haunting and melodic sort of sound.
Shhhh, Shhhh.
It rouses something painful and aching in his chest. Wraps bone-chilled fingers round and round his heart and pulls.
The bottle smells of the salt and the sky, the sand and storm, and most of all the sea. It sits pretty and waiting in its bed of sea salt and waterweeds, nestled next to the window and so far away from home. Cool, damp glass shines with the reflection of the storm, and within the finely crafted materials, the essence of the ocean stirs. He watches it every day until he is called back to work, watches until his tea goes cold and his hands are drenched in sweat. Until he cannot stand it anymore. The colors shift and warp, dull storm grey's to dark blues and vibrant greens. It is always changing, always restless, always whispering sweet nothings in the shell of his ear.
It sings to him softly, the same as that day.
Shhhh, Shhhh.
It croons to him sweetly. It calls him back to the sea.
Though there are many supernatural creatures within mythology referred to as water horses, the one that this bottle seems to draw its essence from is the Each Uisge. Known as Capall Uisce in some texts as well, this supernatural creature is closely related to the Kelpie, however, it is considered far more dangerous. Where the latter resides in streams and rivers, the Each Uisge usually occupies loch's and the sea. It is important to note that while the Each Uisge and the water horses of Celtic Mythology are similar to the Hippocamp from Greek Mythology, the two are in fact different. The Hippocamp is regarded as a creature with the front half of a horse and a coiling, fish-like back end. However, the Each Uisge ( as well as Kelpies and other such forms of water horses ) are more commonly depicted as actual horses that live in large bodies of water.
"The Each Uisge, a supernatural water horse found in the Highlands of Scotland, is supposedly the most dangerous water-dwelling creature in the British Isles. Often mistaken as the Kelpie (which inhabits streams and rivers), the each uisge lives in the sea, sea lochs, and fresh water lochs. The Each Uisge is a shape-shifter, disguising itself as a fine horse, pony, or handsome man. If, while in horse form, a man mounts it, he is only safe as long as the each uisge is ridden in the interior of land. But the merest glimpse or smell of water means the end of the rider: the each uisge's skin becomes adhesive and the creature immediately goes to the deepest part of the loch with its victim. After the victim drowned, the each uisge tears the victim apart and devours the entire body except for the liver, which floats to the surface.
In its human form it is said to appear as a handsome man, and can be recognised as a mythological creature only by the water weeds in its hair. Because of this, people in the Highlands were often wary of lone animals and strangers by the waters edge, near where the each uisge was reputed to live. Along with its human victims, cattle and sheep were also often prey to the each uisge, and it could be lured out of the water by the smell of roasted meat.
The horse's appearance is strong, powerful, and breathtaking. Its hide was supposed to be black (though in some stories it was white), and will appear to be a lost pony, but can be identified by its constantly dripping mane. Its skin is like that of a seal, smooth but is as cold as death when touched. Water horses are known to transform into beautiful women to lure men into their traps. It is understood that the nostril of the horse is what creates the illusion of grandeur. The water horse creates illusions to keep itself hidden, keeping only its eye above water to scout the surface, much like the illusion of a fish's pupil. It is wise to keep away from them."
- Wikipedia.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:48 am
  Name: Saoirse. ( pronounced "seer-sha" )
Nicknames:
xx⇢ None officially. However, when his guardian wants to annoy him, he'll call Saoirse "mare."
xx⇢ Usually with one or two colorful adjectives as well.
Meaning & Origin: Irish, meaning "freedom."
Gender: Surprisingly male.
Dust Essence: Water Horse's Mane. ( or Each Uisge's Mane, if specificity is preferred. )
Traits:
⇢ Seduction & Persuasion.
The water horse is known to lure its prey onto its back so that it may take them to the deepest parts of the sea or loch and drown them, and though Saoirse does not lure people onto his back, he certainly lures them in with his tongue. This power is weak and tiring for Saoirse to use for any length of time, and doubly so if he tries to woo away more than one persons guard. Because of this, the water horse generally opts not to use it, and will find out in time that it is even less effective on other Dusts than it is on human beings.
⇢ Sticky fingers.
Just as the water horse's skin is known to become adhesive, so is Saoirse's. A rather interesting aspect of his skin, the Dust quickly comes to learn that he can capture humans with his hands despite his lanky frame. Of course, making his skin adhesive is a rather difficult challenge that needs adequate focus... or adequate emotion to evoke. Saoirse's skin is not adhesive unless he wills it to be, and even then, it only lasts for so long before Saoirse gets too tired to keep it up.
Powers: GONNA WORK ON THIS WITH CHRYS
Hair color: ▇▇▇▇▇ White-cream with a dark grey-black underside.
Eye color: ▇▇▇▇▇ Dark oceanic blue.
Overall appearance: Saorise is built tall and lanky as a child, with gangly limbs and too-long legs that constantly seem to get in the way. Like a colt growing into a stallion though, as he gets older, he will fill out into a more lean, well rounded Dust. Saoirse is quite pale, and though he doesn't seem to burn easily, nor does he tan. His skin is cold to the touch and almost unnervingly so, but at the same time, it is extremely smooth, resembling a seals skin just as the Each Uisge's does. Curiously enough, Saoirse's skin fades from its normal pale tones to a unique dapple grey coloration along his forearms, shoulders, hips, and ankles, with darker rings forming circles around lighter, near-white skin much like that of a horses.
Saorise's hair is a brilliant white-grey, tinted through with tawny strands and grey-black on the underside. As a child, the Each Uisge's hair is long and folded into a braid to keep it away from his eyes, managing to reach his knees at its longest point. His bangs are long and parted from the right, sweeping low just above his left eye, though Saorise has made a habit of pushing his hair back and away from his forehead as a result of daily dips in the sea. Saoirse's hair is also constantly tangled with some sort of waterweed, with the most common victims seaweed and kelp. It is often used by him as a makeshift tie for his braid, though at times it just seems to find its way into a knot or tangle after a swim. Whenever bothered about this strange little detail, Saoirse can get rather snappish. He's not exactly used to describing why he likes his hair that way, and he's certainly not used to having to defend it either.
Perhaps a stark contrast to the brightness of his hair, Saoirse's eyes are nearly black, tinted with a vibrant oceanic blue, especially around the rims. As it is, Saoirse's eyes are more sensitive to light than most, and he prefers stormy days and early nights to the brightness of the sun. The Dust is more sensitive to motion than he is to anything else, and its not uncommon for him to spook much like a horse when approached from a blind spot. While Saoirse follows no set dress code, he is often times seen in dark fabrics accentuated with blues and greens that are easy to remove; however, Saoirse is also quite outlandish, and at times, so is his clothing. It mostly takes on a gypsy and tribal reminiscence, with bones and loose fabrics to outline his lithe frame.The water horse is extremely opposed to formal wear, and while he does not mind wearing form fitting pants and the like, trying to put him into a tightly buttoned vest will go nowhere fast. Saoirse is often freshly out of the sea or a storm, and it is not uncommon for the Dust to run around with his hair damp and skin beading with saltwater. While he wears no particular outfits, he is rather attached to a few certain things, such as shell bracelets and ocean trinkets threaded into necklaces and anklets. Saoirse has a particular fondness for accessories, and it is uncommon to see him without one or two on any given day.
Distinguishing features:
xx◆ Saoirse's most obvious features are his animal-like appendages. Just like a horses, the Dust's ears are long and dapple grey, pricked nearer to the top of his head than a normal humans. As well as that, Saoirse has a tail to match; long and thick, it is usually listless, though Saoirse is rather unconscious of the fact that when his moods swing, so does his tail. And it can swing pretty fast, and substitute for a rather painful whip to anyone who's unfortunate enough to be close by at the time.
xx◆ As noted before, Saoirse's skin fades into a dapple-grey coloration from his ankles down and his forearms to his fingertips, as well as his shoulders and hips.
xx◆ Saoirse's hair is usually tangled with water weeds of some sort, reminiscent of how Each Uisge's are usually identified by humans. Whether it is used as a tie or simply tangled up in his hair is completely up to the artist.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:50 am
xxx⇢ The sea.
xxx⇢ Being barefoot.
xxx⇢ Raw & roasted meat.
xxx⇢ Storms & cold days.
xxx⇢ Stringed instruments.
xxx⇢ Trinkets & jewelry.
xxx⇢ Running & chases.
xxx⇢ Secrets & lying.
xxx⇢ Night swims.
xxx⇢ Skin contact. ( apart from the throat )
Dislikes:
xxx⇢ Asphyxiation.
xxx⇢ Sunny days.
xxx⇢ Boring conversation.
xxx⇢ Being dry.
xxx⇢ Iron & most metals.
xxx⇢ Sweet things.
xxx⇢ The color red.
xxx⇢ Being manipulated.
xxx⇢ Crowds & the city.
xxx⇢ Livers.
Fears & Phobias: Strangulation. He will become violent if someone tries to touch his throat. He also fears being immobilized or held down in any way from seeing so many horses in the city attached to carts or being used by humans. Saoirse shares a close affinity with them, even though he is very much a predator to them, and as such, he hates the idea of being controlled like that. While not quite a fear, Saoirse will also get extremely fidgety and nervous if he's dry for too long. Being in the sea, or simply in water of any sort is an extreme comfort to him, so the opposite, being on land and being dry drives him nearly out of his mind.
Hobbies: Saoirse's main hobbies include swimming in the sea, whether it be day or night, rain or storm. If someone can't find Saoirse anywhere on land, their best bet is to look along the shoreline until they find discarded clothes and a dark shadow cresting through the waves. Apart from this, Saoirse spends time exploring, though only the parts of Aimes not so crowded by people, as the Dust has little to no interest in the city itself. Saoirse's close affinity with horses also leads him spending a lot of time within the stables with them, though he regards the use of tack with disdain, and tolerates ill treatment even less.
Quirks & Mannerisms: Though he only has two legs and quite a human-like form, Saoirse is still much like a horse. As noted on before, the Each Uisge can and will spook when people approach from blind spots or out of nowhere. And though usually its a rather harmless display, Saoirse can get violent too, even though he's only got two feet and an inability to buck properly. As well as that, the Dust has a curious habit of sleeping standing up when if he's tired and there are no beds nearby. Lying down and sleeping deeply makes Saoirse feel extremely vulnerable, and sadly, his guardian has the bad luck of trying to teach him that beds are not all that bad. Because of this, Saoirse often rests through short naps taken all throughout the day, much to the inconvenience of few and far between company.
Apart from his terrible sleeping skills and his rather uncanny ability to buck with only two legs, Saoirse is also terrible about his food. A carnivore with an extreme distaste towards anything that isn't, raw, roasted, or comes directly from the sea, the Dust is rather picky towards his meals. Attempting to feed him liver will be the last thing you ever do. Saoirse severely dislikes the idea of bridled horses and the idea of anything being put into his mouth that isn't food. This little quirk wouldn't be so odd if it wasn't that Saoirse didn't like it enough to forgo normal eating utensils entirely, instead opting to pick apart his meat with his fingers no matter what Berkley says.
The one quirk that Saoirse has adopted that Berkley has yet to find an explanation for - despite his seemingly endless knowledge of horses - is his habit of finding people's pulses. Almost a comfort to him, Saoirse will often curl up next to Berkley and simply wrap his fingers around the mans wrist, thumbing over the pulse in absent minded thought. And while its not an intimate gesture, he surely doesn't do it with anyone - only the people he develops a liking towards.
Keywords: Volatile, Persuasive, Instinctual, Carnal.
Personality: The world is easy to understand. Simple, even. One plus one is two, men marry women, women have children, the sky is vast, the oceans untamed. He is a predator, and they are all lambs. Saoirse's personality is simple at first when he is 'born.' Carnal, predatory. The outside world doesn't interest him so much as the moving things in it, the prey, but the sea always calls him back in the end. Saoirse is an instinctual creature out of habit. When he needs to eat, he eats, and when he needs to sleep, he sleeps. He doesn't worry about others concerns or emotions, needs or wants, and in that respect, he can be considered rather self-serving. Self-reliant, even. But don't mistake Saoirse as an animal in humans skin. A quick learner, the Dust understands language and communication from a young age, picking up a talent of tongue soon enough. Saoirse is a manipulator by nature, a trickster that is born from a predator that lures people onto its back and drowns them in the sea.
Saoirse is a Dust that takes pleasure in fascinating conversations and bores quickly to ones that seem mundane. Though a very persuasive creature, Saoirse wastes no extra words, and likes to keep his own secrets to himself. Sadly for Berkley, Saoirse has also grown fond of seeing how many compliment-sounding-insults he can sneak by the man's company in one sitting. The slow realization and the way their faces seem to turn so, so red amuses the Dust to no end, though he is usually out of the door by the time the ticking bomb is down to zero. The dust isn't fickle in that he'll abandon things and people so quickly if they lose his interest. However, Saoirse is extremely impulsive. The slightest want or craving that touches on his conscious will become the center of his attention, and he'll abandon whatever he was doing in order to pursue it. Even if it is a simple dip in the sea, or a midnight snack. Even if it is as complicated as tricking an unfortunate soul into something stupid, or stealing horses away from their stables in the night. Saoirse doesn't think so much as he acts, and only relies on his quick tongue and sure footing to get him out of a tight spot - should he ever slip into one at all.
Saoirse is an inherently possessive dust. Whats his is his, and if you touch it without his permission, you are sure to get on his bad side. Saoirse is particularly possessive of what he considers his herd, or his humans. Really, that only consists of a tiny number of people now, but hurting any one of them will not earn brownie points in Saoirse's mind. Quite the opposite, actually. Saoirse is a controlling dust partly to do with his affinity for horses and the amount of ones bridled and tamed he's seen. Saoirse refuses to take orders from anyone but himself, barring Berkley's orders on a very, very bad day. The Dust becomes highly nervous when put in situations he can't control, and will often try to escape them. When he can't, his attitude only worsens into a silent ball of aggravation, only a few nerves away from snapping into violence. The Each Uisge is not one to lash out with words, that is not how he acts. Saoirse is actually a rather silent Dust, who's pleasure lies within quiet manipulation, not in bold and flavorful acts of conquest and heroism. In fact, the Dust finds those that do that kind of thing rather annoying.
Distrustful of nearly everyone apart from his guardian, at least at first, Saoirse's favor is hard to gain. Rather dangerous to be around given his essence, Saoirse finds neither pleasure nor sadness in solitude. He is... open to the idea of "friends", though by no means interested in seeking it out himself. He is not approachable, and will make conversation if interested, but to actually earn Saoirse's like and compassion is extremely difficult. And even if someone were to gain it, they'd learn the more faulty details of Saoirse's personality before they'd see the best. Saoirse's possessiveness extends to friends of any sort, seeing as they are so few and far between. Even enemies are considered his. If one sticks around long enough though, they'll find that Saoirse doesn't show affection through words or gifts. Instead, the Dust is highly physical, and though he has a talent of tongue, he prefers not to use it to dote. Actually, he finds it incredibly... ah, embarrassing. As he grows older of course, that tongue will easily be used as a weapon, even as a seduction, but even then, true affection is hard for Saoirse to express in words. So he uses his body instead. Usually it is simple things. Curling up next to a person, or finding their pulse, or simply nuzzling against them - a tendency horses seem to have. Saoirse has just as much a physical nature as he does a wordy one.
And sometimes that is not for the best.
Though not violent on whim, Saoirse is not the best at being gentle, especially when provoked. Born of the essence of a predator, one that devours humans whole, and more importantly a stallion, Saoirse can become incredibly feisty in his own way. Lowering his sureness of his situation, or cornering him will do no one any good. Saoirse might have a thin and lanky frame but his legs are strong enough to make a mans important parts feel dead for weeks. And he will kick, punch, and bite his way out. Though there are only two surefire triggers to his violence - touching his neck and pinning him down, - if Saoirse becomes to agitated or nervous, he'll lash out. If he's confined to a stressful space for more than he can handle, he'll fight his way back to home and the sea if he has to. And if he's dry for too long, something as simple as touch can aggravate him into an instinctual retaliation. Saoirse is not someone that finds pleasure in hurting others, but he's not against violence to keep himself safe, and keep others away.
Saoirse is an extremely graceful Dust, containing raw power in his bones and walking with a careful, elegant step. He's both deadly and balanced, primal and ethereal all at once. Saoirse favors quiet approaches and nighttime visits to anything. He is not, by any means, an explosive Dust in terms of words and tantrums. In violence perhaps, but only when provoked. Saoirse holds a slightly otherworldly personality, in that he is balanced somewhere between humanity and instinct, the drive of a predator and that of a dust, who's reason for being created is to defend all that is good. There is no telling what small action, what tiny little thing could tip Saoirse into one side or the other in any given situation. Saoirse is a volatile creature. Whether you meet him as a beast or a Dust is entirely up to his emotions that day. Whether he favors the call of the sea or the ties he's made on land cannot be determined by anything other than his instincts and his wants alone. Saoirse is both a predator and a lamb. What he ultimately becomes in the end... well, that is something that no one can predict.
Anything else: Saoirse's bottle would be found near the sea. The idea is for Berkley to find it either during a ride on the beach, or exploring a cliffside cavern. Though it largely depends on the writing itself, the location of the bottle might be close to a place with some sort of relevance to the Each Uisge myth. Within a cavern, Berkley might find old cave paintings detailing the myth's that surround the water horses or something of the like. Apart from this, I think it would be fascinating to explore the more instinctual side of Saoirse's personality through growth quests and the like. The Each Uisge's are extremely dangerous to ride on, but away from the sea, they are not known to harm humans. As soon as the catch scent of it however, there is no safety for the rider, and the water horse is driven to go back to the sea. I think it would be interesting to explore Saoirse being affected by this; by the sea and by the want and need to go back to it while living on land, and especially the struggle of his character between his instincts and his humanity as he grows more accustomed to life with his guardian and others.
Notably, Saoirse will develop more personality wise through potential IC entries and roleplay. While his personality now is chaotic and most of his traits neutral if not negatively based, living with Berkley and encountering others will begin to build up his humanity and put his mind at war between the two sides of his mind; the more instinctual side, and the one that is built and nurtured from living with others and learning from them as well. Though starting out, Saoirse will be extremely self-inclined, he'll (theoretically) later develop a strong ability to be loyal to others and not just possessive. Not only that, but Saoirse will also become less self-centric. He won't abandon his manipulative tongue, nor his somewhat impulsive nature, but he will begin to learn how to think of others first instead of simply going along with whatever whim he has at any given moment. Of course, this is all just guessing, and will be developed and refined and up to change ICly, if ever given the chance!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:51 am
Nicknames:
xx⇢ He tends to go by his middle name Berkley.
xx⇢ However, his younger family members call him Bear.
Meaning & Origin: Greek, meaning "he who does not flee."
Gender: Male.
Age: Thirty-four.
Occupation: Fencing instructor. ( works other odd jobs on and off however )
Orientation: Bi-curious. Willing to try anything once.
Marital status: Single, and fine with being that way.
Date of birth: December 1st.
Hair color: ▇▇▇▇▇ Smoky black.
Eye color: ▇▇▇▇▇ Olive green.
Overall appearance: Hailing from an ancestry that boasts strong men and proud women, Berkley does not disappoint, at least not within the physical department. Lean and muscular, Berkley is neither a tank nor a noodle-armed wimp. Handsomely tall, Berkley has smoky black hair, the same as his fathers. Short and usually shoved back on most days, the weapons master usually doesn't pay much attention to it until its time for a cut. When that happens, he usually just shortens it again on his own. Years of unwanted but rather necessary practice has taught Berkley how to do it properly too, though his sister is usually the one to barge her way in through his door and cut it instead.
Though not anything near exotic, Berkley does have his fair share of intriguing aspects. In the rare chance that one sees him without his gloves on, they'll notice a thick web of scars that look as though they've been created by talons. Which is probably because they have. The man hosts his fair share of other scars, but these are the only ones he actually seems interested in hiding, if only because they are so obvious to the eyes when uncovered.
As for Berkley's choice of clothing, one can easily divide his wardrobe between two types. Work clothes and formal-only-worn-once-a-year clothes. Hailing from a family of old wealth, Berkley can easily provide himself with good wear. However, he is usually found in riding pants and tall boots, vests and the like. Berkley likes to wear clothing he can move and fight easily in, as his occupation is teaching young brats how to fend for their honor, and more importantly, their lives. Sadly though, Berkley's life also calls for formal events, which he despises just as much as his young dust. When forced to attend things in a matter worthy of a sun of a wealthy family, Berkley dresses in fine silks and fitted outfits that are probably worth more than an average mans entire worth. However, these clothes barely ever see the light of day, and Berkley is pleased to keep it that way.
Distinguishing features:
xx◆ Extensive scarring on his hands from training Senga without proper equipment. He covers this with gloves on most days, more to avoid questioning than because he does not like seeing them. He also has a prominent scar on the right side of his face, traveling up from his jaw to his cheekbone from his training as a child.
xx◆ Berkley, though rather adamant against piercings and tattoos, possesses a select few. His upper right shoulder is marked with a small tribal tattoo that forms a sun, though not many who ask where it comes from get an honest answer at all. Berkley's left ear has been pierced three times, once in the cartilage and twice on and near his lobe.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:52 am
xxx⇢ Hunting.
xxx⇢ Winter.
xxx⇢ Rainy days.
xxx⇢ Sweet things.
xxx⇢ Good novels.
xxx⇢ Bar fights.
xxx⇢ Drinking games.
xxx⇢ Proper duels.
xxx⇢ Falconry.
xxx⇢ Horsemanship.
Dislikes:
xxx⇢ Liars.
xxx⇢ Being underestimated.
xxx⇢ Baking.
xxx⇢ Babies.
xxx⇢ Apples.
xxx⇢ Cats.
xxx⇢ His grandfather.
xxx⇢ Flamboyance.
xxx⇢ Uneducated people.
xxx⇢ Bratty kids. ( aka all of his students )
Fears & Phobias: Berkley's most uncommon and downright ridiculous fear is his fear of cats. While not a phobia that will drive him straight up a wall, Berkley is not a great fan of a the feline variety, and tolerates them even less. Offering one to him will likely get you thrown out of his house or hit very soundly over the head. Throwing one at him will get you a sword hilt to the face. Berkley is extremely irritable when anyone comments on this strange fear of his, and stubbornly tries to stand his ground when submitted to being in close quarters with the source of his phobia. If you want to see the man fidget endlessly, all you have to do is put a cat in his house without letting him know where it is. Apart from this, Berkley is not overly fond of anything underground. This includes caves and caverns. Thankfully, there are not any of them around, and thankfully no one has tried to bury him alive yet.
Hobbies: The rather obvious hobby of Berkley's would be swordsmanship. Trained from a very young age, the man duels even when he is not teaching his students. While also tutored in archery, Berkley much prefers stiletto's and swords, and he is incredibly fond of anyone who offers up an interesting match. One way to win Berkley's approval over is to match him in sword fighting. Apart from this, Berkley is also extremely keen on falconry. His home is adjacent to a small building now used to house his equipment, and though one might expect him to keep plenty of birds in his home, that is not the case. Instead, Berkley only keeps one; Senga. A Saker Falcon, Senga was caught and trained by Berkley on his own, resulting in the scarring on his hands.
Berkley was raised in a high-standing family of old wealth, and as such he was trained in many things, but the one hobby he took to most from there aside from dueling was horsemanship. An avid rider, Berkley often raced his older brothers through the acres surrounding the family house, and as he grew older, began to win the lot of them. Extremely comfortable in the saddle, Berkley rides just as much as he practices swordsmanship, and will often hunt small game in the wilderness, and often makes small excursions into the Whi Forest. He has even been paid to bring back ingredients from the woods on occasion, though he does not make a habit of it, and is rather irritated when asked for that sort of thing.
Apart from that, Berkley has also become very good at cards. He doesn't play very often, but he definitely knows a thing or two about poker faces, and isn't above using the lessons taught to him by both a friend and a card shark to win extra trinkets. Berkley is not unstable financially, and as a result, he usually doesn't give a rats a** whats being added to the pot, but when he sees something shiny and unusual, he'll pull just about any string to win it. A lesser known interest of his, however strange and uncanny, is reading. Berkley's house is filled with books, however, as soon as one opens a few, they'll find that the man doesn't read fiction. Instead, he interests himself in histories and biographies. Text's from ancient times and recounting's of myths and legends regarding the gods. Berkley doesn't care for romanticized fiction and things of the like. He is much more fascinated by far off lands and cultures, histories and wars and the things that have shaped the world he lives in now.
Quirks & Mannerisms: Berkley is a habitual nester. If you ever see him in his own bedroom, you will automatically think that he has adopted a strange bird-like quality to the way he arranges everything. The man is rather fond of keeping an abundance of pillows and extra blankets around, and so his room often seems as though its one step away from a world within a fort made of bed materials. Apart from this however, Berkley is strangely fond of sleeping with his covers covering him entirely, even his head. This is partly due to the extent of traveling he's done, and the weather he's had to deal with. Berkley hates sleeping exposed, and he'll be a solid rock with an iron grip if you dare try and steal his covers from him
Berkley will also habitually worry his bottom lip or his tongue between his teeth when he is deep in thought or deeply aggravated. This is a rather old habit given to him through plenty of times when his father told him not to talk back. Berkley's other physical habits tend to include rolling his shoulders back whenever he's been standing in one place for too long, and habitually reaching for his hip when threatened, as though to grab a sword, though he rarely carries one around with him in the city anymore. After all, its a rather odd sight, and one he's not exactly patient enough to be bothered about. Berkley habitually sleeps with a concealed weapon nearby, and its extremely dangerous to try and crawl into bed with him - not that many would try. Unlike Saoirse, who is a deep sleeper as soon as he lays down, Berkley is an extremely light sleeper, and it doesn't take much to wake him up.
Personality: Berkley is stubborn man with stubborn opinions and a stubborn dust to top everything off. Obstinate to a fault, Berkley is nothing short of a fighter, though many seem to underestimate his abilities - most likely because most of them usually pick fights when they see him without his sword. However, Berkley seems to adopt two very different personas, depending on where he is. At work, or out at night. Berkley is a strong man. About as movable as a mountain when he's fighting for his own cause or defending his own belief's, Berkley can come off as callous to some. Conversation of grandiloquence is not his forte and never will be, no matter the background he comes from or the wealth he might inherit some day. Despite this though, Berkley can provide good company, if one isn't against gruffness and a lack of talent when it comes to the finer arts of flirting.
Despite his stubborn demeanor, Berkley is also a man of great self-control. He knows when and where to release his anger, and knows most of all that it is not in public. Sadly, this is not something he seems to be able to teach that damned kid. The swords master knows just how to tame his inward anger, and when to allow just enough of it out. Patience is also a virtue of his, though to his students, it may not seem that way, since he is perfectly capable and fine with making them do the same technique over and over again until they have learned it the right way. Though a man of extraordinary self-control, Berkley is not one to hide his emotions, and he'll be the first to tell someone when they've offended him. The man is not a secret-keeper, and he hates wordplay and games of manipulation just as much as his sister loves to play them. Berkley is not a cruel man, but he is bluntly honest, and sometimes the truth hurts.
A man who prefers the simpler games of life, Berkley can be an extremely lively man when given a pool table and a good drinking buddy for the night. However, this is a side of him that none of his students have seen, as they are quite used to the stick-up-his-a** training master that they've all been sent to for lessons. Berkley is not easily wound up, but he is certainly relaxed when given a tavern and enough games to ease away his deep thoughts. Oh, didn't think Berkley was one for deep thinking? Wrong. Berkley is a very thoughtful man. He could spend hours in his head if he was given both silence and time. However, he is rarely granted either, and as such, his nearly meditational bouts are unknown to most but him.
Berkley is a perfectionist. Unlike Saoirse, who will run from one thing to another when the impulse calls for it, the man is set on making sure one thing is as perfect as it can be before moving onto the next. This means that his students are put through hell learning the basics before they're even allowed a taste of whats to come next. This means that Berkley doesn't settle for second best, and that training for him, whether in swordsmanship or riding, falconry or a pool never ends. Thankfully, Berkley is also good when it comes to observing and picking up on things. He's a quick learner without needing to be walked through it, and can often teach himself things on his own. Of course, this doesn't exactly entitle Berkley's non-existent aptitude for picking up on people's emotions - apart from his students patience meters dropping to critical lows. In fact, while Berkley does not mind the once in awhile affectionate kiss, he is very hesitant and rather reluctant to pursue relationships. Especially ones with rocky footing. Berkley is a natural at avoiding physical contact of the more flirtatious sort, and he rather hates being advanced on when he's not asking. Which, of course, he rarely is.
The swords master is a man of passion, and he isn't afraid to show it if someone gets him talking in the right direction. Berkley is extremely excited by the prospect of proper duels and worthy opponents. He loves history, and he will spend hours discussing it with a historian if he can find one. Berkley doesn't coat his words in sugar and he doesn't try to tame them into short, curt sentences. He'll rant and ramble and get into heated debates if he wants. But turn the conversation in a direction boring to him and he'll try his damnedest to keep it alive for all of two seconds before bluntly saying its not to his tastes. Berkley may be a man that knows to open doors for women and pull their chairs out at dinner, but he sure as hell never said he was any sort of elegant with words. Berkley is also a bit of a hard-a**. Though patient, he'll not extend compassion to brats who complain about a bit of dirt under their nails or getting kicked once or twice in the shin. The hunter isn't interested in spoiled kids who get their panties in a twist over trivial things. And he especially isn't going to lie and say that he is.
In the end, Berkley is a man that is extremely down to earth, though whether he is relaxed or in teacher-mode, or forced to play the polite hand at a formal event is all up to the occasion. Berkley isn't a master of masks. He just knows what is expected of him in different places, and what he feels like offering to his many different companions during both the day and the night. Though no matter where one finds him, they'll know that he is the same person as before. Conversational and blunt, gruff and self-controlled. Stubborn and subtly arrogant, with just a hint of wryness beneath it all. Berkley is many things, but he's not interested in defining what that is.
Short History: Berkley grew up the middle child of five and in a house full of wealth. It was understood from a young age that the siblings of the Lockwood family would be raised with private tutors and everything they could ask for, and when they grew up, they would all become proper young gentlemen and ladies of societies upper crust. Or at least that is what Berkley’s parents thought their children understood. Raised with two older brothers and two younger sisters, Berkley quickly became the middle ground for fights and the judge of all sibling-related crimes in the household. When his older brothers got into a duel, he would be the one who decided who won. When his younger sisters fought over toys, he somehow managed to pry them both apart and make them forget their squabbles with trinkets and stories.
Berkley grew up feeling like the eldest of five instead of the middle, and it is no wonder that he handles kids so well today, even though he claims to despise them and all of their treacherous little schemes. From a young age, Berkley was taught proper etiquette and everything a young gentleman should know. Dancing, dueling, hunting, riding; they were all just things for him to exceed in, as a future man of high society. And of course, Berkley learned them all, and he learned them passionately. But the moment he picked up a sword he was sold. After a few months of begging, his father finally relented into allowing Berkley private lessons with a sword instructor. While his brothers favored fox hunts and archery, the middle child took to fencing and competitions, participating in them all and earning a reputation as a young sword prodigy in the making.
The young adult grew up spoiled, as much as he would later come to hate the word. He was given everything, and all he was expected to do was smile and nod in return. The Lockwood family was of old wealth, and while the proud men and women of their family either took up positions of political power or ones as researchers and doctors, they could always fall back into the safety of their family’s power. That was when Berkley began to feel the weight of his family’s expectations on his back, opposing what he knew he wanted to do with his life since the day he’d picked up a sword. Where his eldest brother, Alecto, was already studying at university and earning grades that Berkley himself blanched at, Berkley couldn’t see himself sitting pretty either pulling someone’s body apart to fix it, or walking straight into the maw of politics either.
This made him grow restless of his life at home by the time he was sixteen, and slowly, Berkley began to search for a way out of the monotony. After all, a life of wealth and status could provide a lot, but providing what he wanted was an entirely different matter. In the end, Berkley proposed traveling to his father, and was – after a very long and explosive debate between the two - given acceptance to pursue a life on his own. Berkley took to the roads, letting jobs come and go for money, taking up whatever he could in small towns and villages to earn his bed and breakfast for the night and day. People didn’t know him as Adrastos Berkley Lockwood anymore. He wasn’t of old wealth and status out in the world. He was just another penniless wanderer, trying to earn his keep. Traveling and learning, the different regions quickly entranced Berkley, and more importantly, the different styles of swordsmanship they had. He spent years in different places, training and being taught, finding new hobbies and new people to come to know. He became fascinated by history and the cultures, and when he was finally satiated, he returned to Amies.
Of course, there was the question of where he would live once he came back. His parents offered him an invitation back home. His sisters had not yet left the house, and his brothers visited from time to time. But Berkley declined. Having traveled on the road for so long, the man returned home wanting to start anew. Wanting to create something for himself without his family’s old wealth getting in the way. So he purchased land and built using money he'd earned over the years. On the edges of the coast, near to Siren's Shore and near to Aimes as well. While not grandiloquent, and by no means a great house like his parents, Berkley's new residence was large and spacious, a manor in all honesty, grand enough for him and just small enough that he did not keep getting lost.
More years went into making his name known as a swords master, with many duels and competitions attended and won. Despite his family’s wealth, Berkley had grown used to earning his own keep, and never broke from the habit of it either. He sustained himself with odd jobs such as hunting and scavenging in the Whi Forest, selling game to the markets and training birds for the interested man. He did this until there was interest, interest for him to teach. Berkley's true passion was with the sword, and though most of his students seem to be high-to-do brats who think waving a pointy object around is just for show, he secretly enjoyed the idea of teaching them what he knew, and waiting for one with as much passion as himself to come along.
Though the urge to travel passes through him time and time again, Berkley has settled into his lifestyle without regret, waiting for what is to come next. Waiting for another adventure, or perhaps something else entirely this time around.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 7:53 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2012 8:04 am
MARCH 23RD 2012
thread put up & open for crit or acceptance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 9:49 pm
MAY 1ST 2012looking for acceptance of water horse's mane quest from staff! ( or crits, if something needs to be changed! ) u v u Aric Val I hope quoting here is alright for notification! q v q Chrystali QUOTING YOU TOO SINCE youarenotonskype
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 2:30 pm
Hi! So, crits!
I really love the detail into the appearance, really makes me visualize it in a very lovely way. I especially like how you described his skin and the detail of how his eyes are. I just am more curious about how you mean by him dressing up in outlandish clothing? Since that's very relative. I do get that he has pretty loose clothing since he's in water so much--does that make his clothing style rather scarce too? But yeah! I do like the descriptions but also if I do ever get to draw him out, I may change minor things c:
Powers--yes, work on that with Chrys' suggestions eventually. CAUSE SOB I'M NOT AS GOOD AS HER. But with the traits we both agree that it shouldn't really be easily controlled. And varied with how strong willed or weak willed the person he is trying to manipulate is. And less effective on dusts. --Definitely make it more subtle and weaker because him lowering an entire group of men easily should even have some sort of negative effect on him. But the sticky fingers work! I like that.
The variety in likes and dislikes give me a really nice perspective into how Saoirse is as well as his phobias and quirks *U* The touches and little details of how he lives are great. And while I don't really have any major problem with the personality--I mean, this is more of just suggestions rather than telling you to change anything--cause the traits are well-written and explored. That perhaps you should give him a bit more redeeming qualities? But on the other hand his personality does very much connect with the essence that he has and I appreciate that very much. He's very much more creature than a being/dust right now which I don't mind BUT perhaps the development lies later on as he mature for sure. (Okay now I'm rambling) But yeah, great written personality.
As for the guardian! I actually really love his character and his job. It's very interesting to see how he and the dust will get along, their dynamic would be interesting --they are both pretty strong-willed people haha. Again I love the quirks, phobias etc, they make him pretty real to me. Just perhaps have a short separate paragraph of his history? I read some bits and pieces of it around his posts but I'd also like to hear how he ended up in Amies--or if he doesn't actually LIVE there, why is he there? If you want more info about other places though--and are waiting on that, then it's fine just to put that in later till I fill that out.
Anyway yeah, that's all for now *u* good luck <3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 3:48 pm
Hi, thanks for the crits! *U*
I left his clothing vague generally because istillwasntsurewhatiwantedhimtowear I had a lot of ideas that I couldn't really put together well in my head at the time. But yes, his clothing would probably be scarce! That's not to say he'd run around without like, a shirt or anything, but his clothing might leave lots of exposed skin ( shoulders and stuff, I'd probably want the clothing not to cover the dapple-grey coloration of his skin if possible ) and would be easy to remove. As far as outlandish goes, I imagine more a gypsy/tribal feel than anything, if that makes sense? My other Dust is already asian-influenced, so I'd rather have a sort of different feel to him. He'd probably wear more trinkets than clothing, even bells and the like, or bones and things such as that. But he's all yours to change appearance wise if you ever do draw him out! Anyways, edited in a few lines about this, but feel free to change him up however you'd like if you ever draw him! C:
I changed the first trait to make it far more weak. > v< It makes sense that it wouldn't be easily controlled and a lot less powerful, I just completely forgot while I was writing it LMAO q v q I hope thats better! Otherwise I can take it out and come up with different traits later on. C:
And as for personality, that makes sense! n u n He does actually have redeeming qualities ( loyal, protective, etc etc ) in my brain, but they're ones that would develop via ic things, since I'd planned Saoirse to begin as more a creature than a being when he starts out, and then develop icly more into a human/dust as he grows (andthestrugglesthatcomewiththatofc) EDIT: Updated the second part of the profile under "other" with a note on possibilities for his future personality development and the like. u vu
& I'm glad you like him! q v q And oh! I actually wrote out his history, I was just afraid it would be way too long and put people off. XDD I've added it in, for your convenience! n u n As mentioned in his history, he has traveled around for a few years, but I can wait to fill in the details about where he's gone/what he's done until after more information is revealed about the other regions/places. CX
I hope thats all satisfactory and fixed up? n u n <333
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 20, 2012 10:24 am
Sorry for the late response but regarding the outfit--that's great, no worries there, I was just confirming just to make it clearer *nods* I can see that fitting in well with him. n vn
Just--yeah, gonna have to discuss the powers later on. And if you want, add more traits eventually since it doesn't need to be very detailed at the moment, just as the dust grows c:
And yes, that was my only concern with the personality. It does make sense that it'd develop later on in his life and I appreciate you listing the possibly future personality developments. Everything looks fine to me!
Ah I SEE LOL. That's great then 0v0 So, I have no qualms about the guardian now, the information looks great and--yeah, you can add it whenever you want WHEN I put all the information up LOL.
But yeah, on my side, this is pretty much approved sans for the information on the guardian to be written later on and the possible powers to be worked on c:! Probably will just keep it unlocked for now since there are parts (the ones mentioned above) want to edit later on, but yep, Saoirse is approved for me. u vu
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
