[Project Cringe]
This is going to be nerve-wracking...but fun!!
Rav's PlanMo
9 posts in this topic.
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I have reserved a spot after all. As I plan to change the name of this former disaster, and I already have one [REDACTED], for now this will only be known as:
[Project Cringe]
This is going to be nerve-wracking...but fun!! -
Elevator Pitch:
It's 1894 in Oxford, England. After a grizzly murder, Lydia Rein is swept up in a police investigation, where her oddities -worsened by the shock and trauma of what happened- put the suspicious police on edge. Lucky for her, one more empathetic detective prevents her from being shipped to jail, or one of the overcrowded, under-resourced asylums in the area. Instead, he shows her case to a new and ambitious psychologist in the field, who agrees to take the poor girl in. However, upon arrival, Lydia's keen senses tell her that something is off about this place. The deeper she looks, the more the other patients seem to suffer, until she finds herself on the brink of madness as well. While questioning her very sanity, Lydia must figure out what's really lurking in this manor before she succumbs to its wicked games. -
Character & Location List:
Characters:- Lydia Carmen Rein: the main character of the story. Lydia struggled with an unusual phobia/obsession with blood and displayed traits of intense apathy. At first, her mother and one friend covered for her. But after losing both to a grizzly murder, and being swept up in the investigation, Lydia wasn't considered "stable" enough to be released. She was therefore institutionalized after Doctor Hinata took an interest in her.
- Doctor Hinata May Thorneheart: a young but ambitious psychologist, Hinata faces a lot of doubt from outsiders between her gender, age, and controversial career choice. But seeing so many people in desperate need of help, and knowing asylums are turning ever more into cruel and unusual forms of imprisonment, Hinata is determined to help as many people as she can and find effective, humane ways to treat them.
- Alice Gretta Ariette: the main friend/nuisance for Lydia in the story. Despite her troubled past, leading her to become a patient at Thorneheart Manor as well, Alice is a bright and sunny type who loves to make friends. She's quite naive and doesn't take hints well, much to Lydia's annoyance, but her intentions are pure.
- Ludovic Cyrille Delacroix: the primary red herring in the book, Ludovic is said to be the very first patient that Doctor Hinata took on. He's a very reclusive, mysterious type with a sarcastic demeanor. He doesn't take a lot of things seriously and gives off a patronizing aura, as if he looks down on the other patients. However, he is very respectful toward Hinata, even turning protective around her.
- Rune Whyte: true name "Simon Ashley Fawkes," Rune constantly insists on using this fake name, and it seems only Hinata has access to anything about his true identity. Otherwise, it is only known that Rune is a patient that was taken in from the streets. He's developed a taste for fashion, elegance, and anything high-class, but he knows how to get his hands dirty, which is a very useful tool for Lydia as she investigates the manor.
- Russet Dee McKinnon: the playful, good-spirited yet mischievous patient of the manor, Russet loves to have a good laugh and pull some pranks here and there, especially against the "duds" like Ludovic. Rumor has it that he's made the most progress in recovery and Hinata is advocating for his release.
- Elizabeth Valerie Briar: the somewhat obsessive, studious girl of the manor. She's very flat in terms of personality and never takes kindly to nonsense in her vicinity. Concerningly apathetic toward fellow patients, no less. She was brought in most recently before Lydia though, and Hinata is trying to work with her, so there has to be room for improvement.
- Rin Leo Thorneheart: patient zero in the manor, Rin is Hinata's little brother. After he was taken as a child and believed to be dead, he was rescued years later as a deeply troubled adult. He requires the most care from Hinata and is almost helpless on his own, terrified of his own shadow and years behind in education and self-sufficiency. Even though he wouldn't hurt a fly, there is something suspicious about this patient...
- Lord Victor Jake Thorneheart: the father of Hinata and Rin, Victor is an extremely reclusive widower. While he secludes himself in the upstairs section of the manor, wallowing in grief and despair over the loss of his wife and the state of his son, Hinata uses the downstairs sections to house the patients and consult with them. Victor obtained the manor and his wealth after founding a firearms manufacturing company, the models of which quickly became the envy of hunters and hobbyists alike.
- Minor characters: including the "good cop" that got Lydia in touch with Hinata, the inspector constantly looking to get Hinata in trouble, and some staff around the manor such as maids, a gardener, and a chef.
Locations:- Oxford, England: the broader range of where the story takes place.
- Thorneheart Manor: the manor owned by Doctor Hinata's family, which she puts to use for the good of patients. Most of the story takes place within its walls.
- Lydia Carmen Rein: the main character of the story. Lydia struggled with an unusual phobia/obsession with blood and displayed traits of intense apathy. At first, her mother and one friend covered for her. But after losing both to a grizzly murder, and being swept up in the investigation, Lydia wasn't considered "stable" enough to be released. She was therefore institutionalized after Doctor Hinata took an interest in her.
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Time to do a deep-dive into the characters! Needless to say, these will point toward some huge spoilers :3
WARNING: intense themes throughout. The Victorian era, especially in asylums and the treatments of mental health disorders was brutal, often inhumane, and came with a host of stigmas. The novel sits at an 18+ rating, so please read at your own risk.
Main Character:Spoiler
Lydia Rein is a deeply troubled character. She grew up in the lower-middle class as the daughter of a single mother, who owned and maintained an inn in Oxford. Lydia was always a very blunt and apathetic person, making it difficult for her to form friendships. Only one was willing to "put up" with her, a rowdy girl who often sought to get them in trouble. Lydia learned her street smarts quickly, but between her apathetic nature and undesirable social standings, she was becoming more of an outcast in her community. Then, it was made worse as it became obvious that -despite a fascination with the macabre and mystery- she had an intense phobia of blood (hemophobia). If even one drop manifested on her finger, she would freeze and stare for minutes on end, somewhere between afraid and revolted. Anything more, and she was prone to sheer panic. By 17, Lydia was stuck working in her mother's inn, swabbing floors and serving guests by day and reading through mystery books at night.
After the murder, Lydia struggles with the memory and flashbacks of such a grizzly scene. She also handles her grief by becoming even more closed-off, even confrontational or aggressive. This line of behavior continues at the manor, where she is in no mood to indulge the patients or Hinata in their games. Rather, everyone becomes a device for her to investigate the place, as well as a suspect when things start to go wrong.
Side Characters:
Alice:Spoiler
Alice lived a relatively normal life in Oxford, with an estranged father, an ill mother, and hardworking grandparents. What happened to her is still shrouded in mystery, but she was taken in by Hinata after her family reached out in desperate need of help. She had been the victim of an unspeakable crime and just couldn't resume her normal life. Hinata accepted, and Alice has been here ever since, making her the second patient overall. Currently, Alice is 19 years old and actually enjoys living at the manor, and her bubbly, friendly demeanor allows her to get along with everybody -save for the odd spat with Ludovic or Elizabeth. Overall, a very loved member of the manor. And for Lydia, this quality comes in use as Alice makes a good deputy -someone who can keep watch, cause a distraction, and help gather information.
Ludovic: Warning: death, medical mistreatmentSpoiler
Ludovic's story is among the most brutal. He grew up happy enough, with a loving father who was also a pastor. However, Ludovic was poor with an avoidant personality, and on top of that, he had epilepsy -a very misunderstood disease in this era, often attributed to insanity or even demonic possession. With that very controversial mark on his record, Ludovic got no mercy when his father was found dead, the victim of criminals "catching up" to him, and he was shipped to a local asylum. There, he was mistreated as the neglectful care, punitive measures, and cruel experiments went uncaught by inspectors. It took months of suffering before the place was closed down, but even then, Ludovic wound up on the streets, ready to die. That was how Hinata found him. Empathetic to his story, and unable to leave him in such terrible condition, she took him in and had him enlisted as her first official patient. By now, Ludovic is 21 and seems to be in much better condition. Despite his blunt and sarcastic demeanors, he's actually one of the most gentle patients in the manor. Ever grateful toward Hinata, he has no problem living here, and is eager to reach a "stable" state so he can do more to repay her. However, the sheer volume of animosity he's faced has made him closed-off to others, and he refuses to talk about anything from his past, adding to his negative reputation among the other patients.
Rune:Spoiler
Rune is the youngest member of the manor at just 15 years old, and it shows. In his early teen years, he found himself caught between two identities; one the forced golden child of a successful-yet-bitter father, one the young thug causing havoc in the streets with other mischievous youths. The latter was how he got his fake name. However, when their bullying went too far, leaving a wake of terror in the community and witnessing a traumatizing crime, Rune suffered a breakdown. After being rejected by both his friends and family, he was institutionalized. However, the private house was low on funding and running out of space, and it didn't take long for it to shut down. Other patients were shipped back to family or other institutions, but Rune had nowhere to go and wound up staying in the abandoned place, spending over a year of formative time on his own with no idea who he was supposed to be. Eventually, when the former owner returned, he found Rune barely cognizant of his own name and put him in touch with Hinata. At the manor, Rune embraced a new identity, but retained what he learned on the streets. An asset that Lydia is very keen to use, as long as she takes the fall if things go wrong.
Russet: Warning: death, discriminationSpoiler
Originally from Ireland, Russet was sent to a seaside English village with his little brother at 12 years old. His grandfather was already an established fisherman in the area, and his poor parents hoped he would find success there. Instead, he faced a host of problems and discrimination that led to him being rejected by schools and tutors. In the end, he only got the bottom of the barrel, and the only way he could make himself useful was by helping his grandfather on fishing trips. Due to the rough nature of their lives, Russet loved to make his family laugh, and also used mischievous pranks to get back at the people in the community. However, some years later, something went wrong while they were out at sea. As the ship fell apart with his injured grandfather unable to swim, and his brother disappearing amid the chaos, Russet clung to a crate to stay afloat. He drifted alone, hypothermic and delirious, until he eventually hit land and got picked up by locals. Between his inability to defend himself, and the dim view of his heritage, Russet was deemed a character of extreme suspicion and shipped alongside other criminals to the Oxford region. There, a kind detective caught onto his case and talked the authorities down from any serious charge, then led him to Hinata. Now, Russet is 16 and is recovering very well. He has dreams of being an actor and comedian, and regularly practices his material with fellow patients.
Elizabeth: Warning: blood, references to animal mistreatment and medical mistreatmentSpoiler
Coming from a successful family, Elizabeth's mother was a funeral worker, while her father was a medical doctor focused on surgeries of the brain. Elizabeth was a very curious and nosy child who often listened in on stories -sometimes catching glimpses- of her parents' morbid work. Combined with the "research" she did in her downtime, reading through medical texts and even some particularly graphic horror novels, she quickly became desensitized to blood, pain, injuries, and other such matters. Unfortunately, her sense of empathy was also growing dim, and her morbid curiosity growing stronger. As a teen, she began "experimenting" on animals, until it culminated in exploiting an injury on her sibling to move onto a human. As her brother fell comatose and suffered catastrophic damage, investigators were shocked and wanted her locked up. However, with their money and influence, her parents managed to talk them down to institutionalization. In their research, they found out about Hinata and pushed for Elizabeth to be sent there. Though hesitant, Hinata agreed to take the case. Now the most recent patient (before Lydia), at 17 years old, Elizabeth is an odd character around the manor. She spends her time reading and refusing to engage with the other patients, and she is constantly giving Hinata trouble.
Hinata: Warning: deathSpoiler
Hinata is the sweet, bubbly child of Lord Victor and has lived in the manor almost her whole life. When she was five years old, her little brother was born, but at the cost of her mother -with whom she was very close. As her father fell into a state of grief and despair, Hinata was pretty much raised by the house servants, and had to step up as the only role model for her little brother, Rin. By ten, she was carrying her own demons; not only for the troubles she had faced thus far, but because the girl had been wrapped up in a kidnapping/ransom scheme, and lost Rin to the criminals responsible. Still, Hinata managed to prevail. And seeing the pain that her father was enduring, she wanted to find a way to help, which led her to the field of psychology and neurology. Through the doubt and obstacles thrown her way, she got her practitioner's license and started charting her career.
Not too far into said career, Hinata was called in by an "old family friend" at the station, who had dealt in the kidnapping case all those years ago. Hinata was confused, only to find out that -by a miracle- they had found Rin. Her brother was deeply damaged, but ecstatic to see his sister again. Hinata immediately got him listed as her patient, and got the manor approved as appropriate housing for patients. Later on, Hinata found Ludovic, and with that, she expanded her operations to include other select patients. Now Hinata is 25 and well-established in her job. As a doctor, she is always trying to keep a boundary between herself and the patients, and she can sometimes come across as the "bad guy" because of that. Yet still, it's easy to see that many of the patients have befriended her and look fondly on her.
Rin: Warning: death, child a**seSpoiler
Rin is the younger child of Lord Victor and was challenged from the beginning, since his birth killed their mother and sent Victor into a state of despair. Rin didn't get to know either of his parents very well because of that, but he did have his older sister, Hinata, who was always helping him out. However, at a young age, Rin was wrapped up in a kidnapping scheme to get ransom out of Victor. In the ordeal, he was separated from Hinata and sold as a slave to the manor of a shady businessman. Rin grew up in horrible conditions, exploited and abused until he became but a broken husk of a young man. It took years before anyone caught on, and authorities finally raided the manor. After that, he was removed and reunited with Hinata, soon becoming her patient as well.
Now Rin is 20, and he is like a ghost in the manor. Due to his very fragile state, Hinata isolates him from the other patients and keeps information about him very discreet -if not completely hidden. This is why Ludovic is considered the first patient around the manor, when in actuality, Rin was the first patient Hinata ever took into the manor.
Victor: Warning: death, depression, alcoholSpoiler
Lord Victor started as an ambitious working-class ironworker. As a young man, he had a passion for working with metal and wood, and other natural elements. He often made blades and tools with a home forge, but one day, he took it a step further and forged the first Thorneheart rifle. Seeing the high quality and gorgeous craftsmanship, friends begged him to make another, then another, until he had enough recognition to expand his operations. Eventually, he was wealthy enough to afford and renovate the old place that would become Thorneheart Manor, and in visiting London on a business trip, he met his wife, a second-generation Japanese citizen named Hana Yamazaki. They lived very happily in the manor, and Victor was known as a keen businessman, an outgoing gentleman, and a loving husband/soon-to-be father.
However, after Hana died during Rin's birth, Victor was devastated by her loss, suffering a deep depression that he self-medicated with alcohol and isolation. Eventually, even his two children were taken in a ransom scheme, where it's said any possibility for him to be happy again was lost. Even though Hinata was returned, and years later, so was Rin.
Now Victor is a very bitter shut-in in the upstairs section of the manor, barely kept together by his daughter's intervention. The rare visit from the current heads of Thorneheart Firearms Manufacturing is the only proof that he even exists, at least for the patients of the manor, none of which have ever seen his face.
Most Challenging Character: Lydia herself, most likely. As the main character, I'll have to focus on her struggle to remain sane and convince herself she's not mad, while mad things are happening around her. Also, finding the balance between a character who's apathetic and just a "flat" character, in my experience thus far, is a bit of a challenge and takes extra thought and planning. -
Vibes:
A little moodboard for Thorneheart Manor:
A moodboard for the characters:
A playlist!!
Vibes and lyrics:
[media=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP6xn8kZTeg][/media]
Vibes and lyrics:
[media=https://youtu.be/SdIJfsLk8iY?si=Myc35HLLzzWCW-k9][/media]
Vibe and...kinda lyrics?? (they're translated from German so they're a little on the nose at points lol)
[media=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SonKpSoIETo][/media]
EVILLL vibes >:D
[media=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDGUvMBQg1c][/media] -
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A bit late, hopfully not too late! I also have some character questionnaires filled out by now (very helpful for expanding on the characters -thanks Mint!) but they're largely unfinished and I don't know if I'll post them :3
Spooktober Questionnaire
1. What does the setting of your novel look like in the fall? Does it even have seasons?
- Actually, Delirium [the decided new name for the novel] does take place in the fall --August of 1894. The place in the book, described as being in range of Oxford, would have large swaths of greenery that would turn beautiful shades of yellow, orange, red, and brown in the fall. The weather would be slightly chilly on average, a little bit windy and/or humid, and sparsely rainy.
2. If your main character existed on Earth in a place that celebrates Halloween, what would they do? (Ex: go trick-or-treating, give out candy, hide in the house with the lights off...)
- On Halloween, Lydia would most likely take the day off to spook-ify her room a bit and stay up reading gothic/horror/mystery novels.
3. How do each of your side characters feel about horror movies?
- It’s not an era where movies are very available, if at all. However, pertaining to the horror genre in general, here’s a breakdown…
Alice: “Oh dear, how could anyone read such gruesome content?!”
Ludovic: “Eh…I could take it or leave it. There are some popular works from Stoker, Shelley, and Poe, right? I don’t mind them at all.”
Russet: “I couldn’t sit still long enough to read a whole book by myself. But an especially gruesome one? I could see myself narrating that, then perhaps pulling a trick or two on the audience…”
Rune [possible name change pending]: “The stories aren’t bad, but so painfully drab to imagine! Where’s the color? Where’s the vibrancy? Give me something that will inspire me!”
Elizabeth: “I’ll read anything, and I do like horror. I enjoy judging them based on their realism.”
Hinata: “Goodness, I don’t have much time to read anything that isn’t work-related anymore…Although, I don’t mind a little spook here and there in good faith, especially around the October season.”
Rin: “No! T-Too much…”
4. Choose a character and describe a fall outfit of theirs, or how they would dress up for Halloween.
- Hinata would probably love getting into the Halloween spirit with an even more dramatic Gothic dress, likely featuring patterns and layers reminiscent of Alice In Wonderland. I could imagine a primarily-white dress with a low-cut neckline and bell sleeves. There would be a black belt at the waist, a deep red underlayer visible down the front, and multiple layers along the skirt, each featuring vibrant red harlequin patterning or a row of black spades/clubs/hearts/diamonds, and lace along the borders of each layer. With enough coaxing, she could likely get Ludovic to join her, though he would likely opt for something more subtle -a mostly black suit featuring pinstripe pants, a seafoam green vest, a very dark purple shirt, boots with slightly higher heels, and a tophat with a dramatic harlequin-patterned sash, part of it draping off the side.
5. Pick two characters with some kind of relationship (family, partners, enemies) and describe an activity they'd do in the fall.
- Tbh, this is hard because few people in the story are particularly close (or one party would have trouble doing anything). I’m going to rewind the clock and say a younger version of Victor and Hinata (father and daughter). Back in the day, Victor likely would have taken her out to the gardens or on a carriage ride through the countryside to see the fall leaves and autumnal flowers.
6. Are there any spooky or suspenseful moments in your novel? Share a line with us if you have one!
- MANY. I don’t have any specific lines yet, but there’s going to be a lot of distorted, hallucinogenic-style spooks and labyrinthine contortions of the manor.
7. Is there a special food that people in your novel eat or a drink they drink in the fall?
- In the Victorian era, fall and winter goods often went hand-in-hand. These seasonal dishes were largely savory, hearty, and meaty. Soups and stews would be a popular choice. Main dishes could include things like meat pies, potato pancakes, and savory sandwiches. Desserts with autumnal fruits, like apples and quince, would start popping up. Gingerbread would have been a staple by this time as well. -
Character questionnaires!! (this was awesome, Mint!)
I focused on the six most crucial characters in the story, so not all of the ones listed above will pop up here.
WARNING: mentions of blood, discrimination, and references to mental health issues -mainly outdated diagnoses/practices. Everything about this subject has been exhaustively researched, leans into historical accuracy, and is not meant to be offensive. Please read at your own risk.Spoiler
Name: Lydia Carmen Rein
Pronouns: female (she/her)
Age: 17
Height: 5’5
Eye colour: Dark brown
Hair colour: Icy blonde
Physical appearance: A woman of English and estranged German descent. She is average height and has a slightly underweight build. She has very fair skin and tends to wear simple clothes with neutral colors. Combined with her very light hair and dark eyes, people often compare her appearance to a moth.
Favourite clothing style/outfit: Simplified or “peasant” dresses in gray or neutral tones. If she has to attend a more formal space, she may bring herself to wear a desaturated blue, green, or purplish tone, but nothing vibrant -and never any shade of red. She’ll also wear white or off-white stockings, and the standard bases of the Victorian layers (corset, chemise, petticoat, etc). She tends to avoid accessorizing, save for gloves perhaps on a chilly day, or other practical situations like that.
Favourite shoes/footwear: Something practical and not flashy, preferably black or dark brown ankle boots with low heels.
Defining gestures/movements: Lydia is always noted as having “unnaturally flat” expressions yet hyperactive mannerisms. She has a somewhat monotone voice that’s easy to take as emotionless or blunt. Meanwhile, she tends to fidget often and will follow an atypical series of habits throughout the day, which others take as her being anxious, paranoid, or possibly deceptive.
Things about their appearance they would most like to change: Nothing really on a surface level. Lydia doesn’t put much thought into her appearance beyond whatever will help her blend in to the background. But… [Mentions of blood and body modification]-->
[spoiler]On a deeper level, Lydia is extremely uneasy around blood --she hates it when she gets cuts, and even scars and bruises will make her queasy if she overthinks it. So, as well as internalized issues with womanhood due to the bars placed against her, it would probably be obvious that menstruation causes her severe, oftentimes irrational panic and distress, and if she could change one thing about herself, it would be that -even if it means the drastic measure of a hysterectomy (gnarly on its own, but especially in the Victorian era, that was A LOT).
Physical health: Physically speaking, Lydia is pretty healthy for a Victorian Englishwoman. It’s her mental health that’s a concern, albeit severely misunderstood.
Pet peeves: Lydia tends to get easily annoyed by other people for a variety of reasons, the most common being that they’re overly friendly or bubbly with her. Lydia can never match the energy and doesn’t like her personal space being invaded, so it’s always an annoyance.
Fondest memory: Lydia’s fondest memory would likely be something humble yet personal, such as a certain birthday or Christmas where her mother gave her something special.
Hobbies/interests: Lydia enjoys simple pastimes that are easy to do solo, such as darts, taking walks, or solitaire. However, one more complex passion is with puzzle-solving and mystery stories, to the point she fantasizes about being an investigator or detective. However, her social standing, struggle to relate to people, and fear of blood often make that dream seem impossible.
Special skills/abilities: Lydia is pretty good at staying calm and rational in most situations, and she is very good at digging up clues and putting them together. Despite her humble origins, she always comes across as well-educated to her peers, and she has a knack for improvising.
Insecurities: Though she is someone who almost constantly analyzes and judges others, Lydia hates when others do it to her. Especially since very few people can see through her apathetic guise. In more simplified terms, if she doesn’t have some level of control over what others get to see in her, she gets anxious, sometimes even combative.
Philosophy of life/motto: “Humans, much like machines or livestock, are a cost-benefit type of product. And if your cost outweighs your benefit, why on earth should I take a risk to invest in you?”
Positive traits: Lydia is clever, cunning, and very capable of weeding out problems or threats. At her core, she has a good moral compass despite her problems engaging with other people.
Negative traits: Lydia doesn’t form friendships easily and has almost no sense of empathy for other people. Especially those she perceives to be in her way. This can make her stubborn, even combative in some situations.
Things that upset them: When people make impulsive decisions based on emotion, even if they would make sense to everybody else, Lydia gets annoyed and may snap a bit. This is good for helping dissolve fights and keep panic in check, though it risks escalating the tension just as well.
Things that embarrass them: When Lydia is deep into a problem, and she misinterprets a clue or gets something wrong, she may get a bit flustered. She would also have a very hard time making herself apologize or talk it out.
Things that make them happy: Lydia is most content dwelling in her memories. Around the manor, she would take best to a quiet, empty room or the open space of the gardens, where she can space out and relax. A walk around the surrounding nature would also pique her interest for sure.
This character is highly opinionated about: Since she’s been stuck in it, the systems of asylums, psychiatry, and the treatment of those deemed “mentally unsound” at large. She would also likely take issue with women’s rights in this area, given that’s one of many bars keeping her from the job she would dream about.
Any phobias? -- Hemophobia, as mentioned.
Superstitions: Lydia is not superstitious. She’s barely even religious, another thing that isolates her from others in this era.
Deepest, darkest secret: As of now, it would be witnessing the crime scene of her mother and friend’s murder, and knowing that she too was a target and only avoided the same fate by pure luck.
Where do they live? What is it like there? -- Lydia comes from the common areas of Oxford, England. Even back then, this city was an educational and industrial hub, and it had great historical significance with landmarks like Britain’s oldest university and the world-famous Boldleian library.
Description of their home: Lydia lived in a lower-middle class section of the city, where her mother owned and ran a local inn and pub, connected duplex-style to their house. She now lives among the lower floors of Thorneheart Manor (the dedicated space for patients).
Description of their room: Lydia’s room is always going to be very mild in terms of decorations and kept very tidy. Save for her desk space, which usually winds up being a little more sporadic and “optimized for practicality.”
Family (describe): Lydia is an only child. Her father was estranged from the family and she didn’t know him well. Her mother, though troubled and not having great social standings herself, was devoted to her daughter. She wanted to raise Lydia right while also showing her all the empathy and love she deserved. Especially as she grew older, and they came to see that not many other people would be willing to give it to her.
Any pets? -- Nope. Ever since a cat dragged a rat carcass into her room, Lydia is not fond of animals.
Other people's opinions of this character: Very mixed. Most people will either disregard her as someone of little consequence, or they will see her as odd, proceeding to mock and judge her in secret. Some rare types see her with intrigue or curiosity, and are willing to give her a chance.
Favourite bands/songs/types of music: Lydia probably wouldn’t be a musical type, but something about classic English folk music -something that could be played and enjoyed in the pub- would likely strike a nostalgic chord with her.
Favourite books: Mystery, fantasy, and something macabre every now and again.
Favourite foods: My guess would be a warm stew with hearty, rustic vegetables.
Dream holiday: Possibly a beach trip, or a mountain trip, or something to do with nature like that.
Three words to describe this character: curious, straightforward, cunning.
If a song played every time this character walked into a room, what song would it be? -- Blackbriar, The Seance[/spoiler]Spoiler
Name: Hinata May Thorneheart
Pronouns: female (she/her)
Age: 25
Height: 5’7
Eye colour: Golden-brown
Hair colour: Warm-toned black
Physical appearance: A woman of average build, slightly on the tall side for the time, with mixed English and Far East features. She has a glowing complexion with a fair olive skin tone. Her hair is long and straight, and she tends to keep it braided with mild amounts of accessories. She’s said to have a pretty face with a sharp gaze capable of reading your very soul.
Favourite clothing style/outfit: Hinata has a habit of wearing wild dresses. The cuts are moderate enough to not get in the way, but the patterns and coloring can really make them pop (or make them an eyesore). Her favorite is a red dress with very faint golden patterning, an off-white section down the front, and a black cloth belt at the waist. She’ll wear all colors and patterns of stockings, and accessories heavily. It’s not uncommon for her to blend English and Japanese features in her clothes, as a nod to her roots. She also wears the typical Victorian layers (corset, chemise, petticoat, etc).
Favourite shoes/footwear: Heeled corset boots are her go-to. They go just under halfway up the shin, and they’ll have tight laces down the front and roughly one-inch heels. Hers tend to be black, white, or some neutral -whatever matches her outfit.
Defining gestures/movements: Though her appearance may be jarring to some, Hinata is very charismatic. She is always very aware of her body language and tries to come off as welcoming as possible -though she can just as easily swap to interrogative and somewhat intimidating, depending on the situation.
Speaking style: Her tone is bright and cheery, but not so much that she’ll startle whoever she’s meeting. She is always trying to make it clear that she is in charge, but she won’t bite.
Things about their appearance they would most like to change: Nothing much really. After all the trials and tribulations she’s gone through to get where she is, Hinata has learned to drown out any noise and focus on more important matters.
Physical health: Hinata is healthy for a Victorian Englishwoman.
Pet peeves: Hinata frequently gets annoyed when her patients try to prod into her past and personal business, but she always handles it with grace and understanding.
Fondest memory: Hinata’s fondest memory would be hard to pin down. She was close to her mother before she passed away, so memories with her are undoubtedly precious. Likewise, she takes great care in being an older sister, so remembering when she first met Rin or how they played as children would also be good contenders. Either way, Hinata values family more than anything.
Hobbies/interests: Hinata has a therapeutic hobby of calligraphy and painting. While she’s no expert, she also knows the basics of dance, and could easily enjoy a waltz with *someone* she knows.
Special skills/abilities: As a trained psychologist/mental doctor, Hinata is very good at reading, understanding, and relating to all sorts of people. This allows her to help when there’s conflict or someone is struggling in the group. Likewise, as someone of noble class, she has a good amount of influence over others.
Insecurities: Hinata starts to get insecure when her patients aren’t seeing her in a “professional” manner. Of course Hinata can relate to her patients and befriend them to a degree, but at the same time, she has a responsibility as their doctor and is always trying to keep a boundary in place. She’ll also get defensive if her family is questioned or slandered.
Philosophy of life/motto: “Just like a surface wound, an injury to the mind requires time, rest, and a tender hand. Things increasingly strained or even lost in the modern asylum. I am determined to change that and prove that humane care is the route to helping these people, not incarceration.”
Positive traits: Hinata is bright, kind, and has a very high degree of empathy for others. She loves to help others and make friends. She understands human nature and psychology very well and is good at coaxing others into opening up.
Negative traits: After fighting tooth and nail to prove her worth, Hinata has developed a very bad habit of overworking herself and not communicating when something is wrong. She also has a bad habit of keeping secrets, stemming from her protective nature.
Things that upset them: Hinata gets upset when patients seem to be making backwards progress of course, and she hates it when conflict begins to break out in the manor. But what annoys her more than anything would be the fellow doctors, inspectors, and sometimes even authorities that doubt her methods and try to interfere -sometimes even trying to coax a mad reaction out of her patients just to prove her incompetence.
Things that embarrass them: Hinata is pretty humble and won’t get embarrassed by much, but with a shunned yet romantic tension brewing between her and *one of the patients,* she may get more easily flustered around him.
Things that make them happy: Family, of course, even in its current broken state. Being able to help, in general, is always a good way to boost Hinata’s spirits. Checking in with the patients and conversing over dinner can be the highlight of her hectic day. She also enjoys taking time to look through relics of the manor that remind her of her childhood and her mother.
This character is highly opinionated about: A lot, but most prominently, the stigmas and treatment of those branded insane, and the state of asylums in the era.
Any phobias? -- Hinata doesn’t have any specific phobias, but she sometimes gets afraid of the dark.
Superstitions: Hinata is very practical-minded and not a religious type, so this wouldn’t much apply to her.
Deepest, darkest secret: Either the fact that her long-lost mad brother lives on the third floor of the manor, or the fact that they were both kidnapped as children in a ransom scheme, which costed her *said brother* and several years of grief.
Reason they have kept this secret for so long: Hinata doesn’t talk about her experiences because she’s afraid that displaying her own struggles will make her seem weaker -when she’s trying to be strong for her patients and her family. It also has a lot to do with those “professional boundaries” she keeps between her and patients. As for Rin, she doesn’t talk about him because she doesn’t want the patients to get nosy or provoke him (a VERY easy thing to do). A very sad reality of the time is also that someone with Rin’s reputation would be a heavy mark on the family’s record and social status, which could affect income. And while running an institution full of patients in need, a sudden crash in funds would be among the worst things that could happen. Hinata doesn’t play much into this aspect, but Victor -the head of the manor and primary source of Hinata’s funding- does.
Where do they live? What is it like there? -- Hinata lives in Thorneheart Manor, on the outskirts of Oxford, roughly thirty minutes away from the city. This has been her primary home for her entire life.
Description of their home: A beautiful old manor with three stories, a sublevel, and ample garden space. The architecture is a fine blend of traditional Queen Anne styles, with symmetrical wings and a simple base, and Gothic Revival, with features like lancet windows, fine stonework, and decorative spires/finials. (Note: American “Queen Anne” architecture is different from British “Queen Anne” architecture). The Walls are a medium-dark, olive-tinted shade of gray at the base, a darker shade of shingles along the roof, and grayish near-black wood for framing and other details. Many of the windows have decorative dark iron bars and come in lancet shapes, and some -such as the ones beside the door- are formed from stained glass.
Description of their room: Hinata’s room is large and befits a noblewoman. Unlike her wardrobe, it is kept a bit simpler and calm. The primary shades throughout are sage-green, with accents of white, black, porcelain blue, and a wide array of neutrals and wood tones. There are relics from her professional life, such as items to remind her of the patients she’s helped, as well as family relics like old photos or childhood trinkets.
Family (describe): Hinata has only one brother, Rin, who is five years younger than her. She loves him unconditionally and has always been a sort of role model for him, which continues today as she is responsible for his treatment. Hinata’s mother, Hana Thorneheart, passed away when she was young, but Hinata looked up to her and strives to be like her. As for Hinata’s father, Victor Thorneheart, Hinata has a complex relationship with him. Ever since Hana’s death and Rin’s capture, Victor has been stuck in a state of despair so bad that he won’t even leave the third floor of the manor. Hinata grew up with this, always worrying and desperate to help him, but with such little success -and years of stubborn refusal to work with her- she is reaching her limits.
Any pets? -- Nope. Hinata likes animals, but never knowing which patients will take kindly to them, she tries to keep the manor a no-animal zone. There are some horses for transportation though, and a couple of sheep toward the back of the gardens that she got for one of the patients.
Other people's opinions of this character: Somewhat mixed. The skeptical types like Lydia and Elizabeth can get easily annoyed with Hinata and her secretive nature, so they are unlikely to cooperate with her. Others may point to her controversial social standing. However, many adore Hinata and befriend her easily.
Favourite bands/songs/types of music: Hinata has an ear for music, and her favorite would likely be classical. Master works by Beethoven and Mozart were well-established by now and beloved by many.
Favourite books: Hinata loves any book she can learn from, so educational and theory genres would be high up there. She also has a soft spot for fiction though.
Favourite foods: Anything with strawberries, I would guess. Sweet, but not too sweet (much like her).
Dream holiday: Traveling anywhere, even other countries, where she can explore and learn from other experts in her field (or a field that intrigues her).
Three words to describe this character: Spirited, kind, compassionate.
If a song played every time this character walked into a room, what song would it be? -- Blackbriar, Lillith Be GoneSpoiler
Name: Ludovic Cyrille Delacroix
Pronouns: male (he/him)
Age: 21
Height: 6’0
Eye colour: Blue
Hair colour: Cool-toned black
Physical appearance: A tall man of French and English descent with an average build. He has a fair complexion, broken in some spots by scars. His hair is slightly on the fluffy/wavy side, hanging a bit over ear-length. The front often falls over his face.
Unique physical attributes: Ludovic has a slit-type scar across his left cheek, and scars riddled across his body, mainly from bloodletting, prods, overzealous shock therapy, and other “treatments” done unto him. His fingers are also heavily scarred from a past encounter with frostbite, to the point that he struggles with chronic numbness. He is missing half his left pointer finger and the top knuckle of the middle finger. He conceals this with gloves and built-in prosthetics. His feet are both intact, but likewise heavily scarred and numb.
Favourite clothing style/outfit: Ludovic tends to prefer dark colors that help him to disappear in the background, and clothes with high coverage. His go-to is a cool brown vest over a black shirt, black dress pants, and a thick black trench coat. His only accessories are his gloves and a silver cross passed down by his father.
Favourite shoes/footwear: He’ll typically go for a laced leather high-top boot, black.
Defining gestures/movements: Ludovic’s typical demeanor is very reserved. He often puts up a defensive front when engaging with people, leading to minimal body language. However, when speaking naturally, his body language includes random yet subtle fidgeting, repetitive and habitual shrugging of his right shoulder, and sweeping/pulling hair when anxious, upset, or otherwise overwhelmed. He may also have more trouble maintaining eye contact or reading nonverbal cues.
Speaking style: Though very monotone, his voice is slightly on the deep side and even satisfactory to the ear. Having grown up in a half-French household, certain words or triggers may cause a Romantic inflection, but nothing distinct enough to be considered a full accent.
Things about their appearance they would most like to change: On the surface, you wouldn’t expect him to care. But on a deeper level, everything. The scars across his body, the damage to his hands, the cracked state of his psyche, and just enough to look less “ghastly” or off-putting. At least for one person…
Physical health: Ludovic could be better. As well as the numbness in his hands and feet, he suffers from random, chronic pains after enduring inhumane treatment and illegal experimentation in a corrupt asylum. He has Photosensitive Epilepsy, something he’s struggled with from a young age --it has grown milder over the years, but still leaves him sensitive to certain triggers and prone to seizures. These are typically hard to notice (tonic type), but sometimes escalate (up to tonic-clonic type).
Pet peeves: Ludo struggles to engage with people and gets annoyed when people try to rope him in to social situations. A fellow patient also has a habit of mispronouncing his name as “Ludwig Deli-Crocs,” which annoys him on a smaller level.
Fondest memory: Ludo’s fondest memories would most likely be something that hits close to home. Something like a trip or a particular holiday with his father.
Hobbies/interests: Ludo enjoys calming, quiet activities that can easily be enjoyed alone, though he does have a knack for cards and chess. Walking around the gardens is a common pastime for him. He’s fond of working on models, though it’s a harder hobby to maintain in the manor. In secret, he also takes a liking to poetry.
Special skills/abilities: Ludo is just a generally handy and helpful person -when he wants to be, and usually only to people he trusts. He doesn’t mind heavy lifting or getting his hands dirty. Like Lydia, he can be cunning in a tight situation and has learned how to thwart anyone who may be trying to invade his mindspace.
Insecurities: Generally speaking, Ludo gets insecure when people start poking around in his history or getting too deep in his personal business. Around Hinata though, he’ll get insecure about a lot more, from appearances to talking about his history.
Philosophy of life/motto: “I believe Hell does exist on Earth. The downside to that is that I’ve been there. The upside is that angels must also exist, and by a miracle, I was saved by one.”
Positive traits: Despite his surface demeanor and occasional breaking of the rules, Ludovic is a very loyal type of person with a strong moral compass. He is quite faithful and cares about fellow man, even though he has trouble expressing that.
Negative traits: Ludo is very reclusive and has deep-seated trust issues, sometimes driving him to go behind peoples’ backs to get answers.
Things that upset them: Ludo will get upset when having to be addressed as a patient and being reminded of his position in the manor. Likewise, apart from Hinata, he gets very anxious around doctors. He is definitely someone of habit, so he’s also prone to getting upset when there are certain changes in the manor or his schedule.
Things that embarrass them: Ludo can get very flustered when people call him out on his scars or his atypical habits, and he is also a lot more self-conscious around Hinata.
Things that make them happy: Ludo enjoys decompressing in calming, quiet atmospheres away from the busier areas of the manor, like the gardens or the tea room. It’s not uncommon for him to retreat into his room throughout the day, usually engaging in one of the aforementioned hobbies. However, he’s not completely antisocial and will enjoy periods with the people he trusts.
This character is highly opinionated about: Medical mistreatment and malpractice, in both psychiatry and physical health practices.
Any phobias? -- No particular phobias, but he has an extreme discomfort and wariness around doctors, and his greatest fear is losing his place at Thorneheart and going back to an asylum.
Superstitions: Ludovic is pretty faithful (the root of a lot of Victorian superstitions), and as religion vaguely connects to his trauma, sometimes he can get a little superstitious. Nothing extreme, but let's just say he wouldn’t be the most shocked person in the manor if you started telling ghost stories.
Deepest, darkest secret: Most of his backstory, and the reason for his father’s death.
Reason they have kept this secret for so long: A sense of secrecy, hyper-vigilance, and defensive habits picked up due to trauma and past treatment.
Where do they live? What is it like there? -- Ludovic comes from a (fictional) village in Oxfordshire county, quite far from Thorneheart but still in the general range of the city. After the tragedy, he was sent to a corrupt asylum in another town slightly closer, and when finally escaping, he finally made it to the city, wandering deep enough to be discovered by Hinata.
Description of their home: His former home was a humble -yet pretty- brick vicarage at the edge of town, conjoined to his father’s church. The town itself was a nice blend of urban and rural elements, and the mostly friendly residents sported more humble lifestyles, which is what he’s more accustomed to (manor life was very much a culture shock).
Description of their room: In both his past and present rooms, he keeps things very tidy and neatly organized. Decorations are never fussy, and there aren’t too many loud colors or patterns. He does tend to collect random things --one such collection existed more in his former room, and it involved spiral objects like tops, thaumatropes, and some marbles. In his current room at Thorneheart, he has another growing collection of gears and small mechanical contraptions, among other oddities here and there.
Family (describe): Ludovic had a good relationship with his mother until he was about seven or eight, at which point she started leaving the family on long trips for “church purposes.” It soon became evident that she was just searching for thrills and likely having an affair, and divorce was too much of a hassle. Bitter about being essentially abandoned, Ludovic stopped trying to keep in touch with her, and eventually lost all contact. On the flipside, he was very close to his father, who was not only the village priest, but a highly respected man who took up charity work and odd jobs around the village. The only other noteworthy family would be his younger sister, Mathilde, but especially after their mother left, the two were constantly fighting and had a very ugly relationship.
Any pets? -- Ludovic does like animals. Formerly he would’ve been a farmhand, and his family would have some large-breed dogs good for the countryside. However, nothing currently due to the rules of the manor.
Other people's opinions of this character: Mostly negative. The common consensus is that he’s uncharming, uncharismatic, and downright rude at times. Even those who get to know him, like a fellow patient, will see him as somebody to poke fun at and be the butt of their jokes. It takes a few special people who can look past it and get along regardless.
Favourite bands/songs/types of music: nothing in particular, but hymns would likely hit close to home.
Favourite books: Educational, action, and mystery.
Favourite foods: Something nostalgic and homey, such as treacle tart or blackberry pie.
Dream holiday: Definitely not somewhere too crowded or too far from home. Perhaps a spot secluded in the woods, where it would be easy to indulge in nature.
Three words to describe this character: Introvert, loyal, clever
If a song played every time this character walked into a room, what song would it be? -- Shiv-R, AsylumSpoiler
Name: Alice Gretta Ariette
Pronouns: female (she/her)
Age: 19
Height: 5’3
Eye colour: Green
Hair colour: Golden-blonde
Physical appearance: Alice is a relatively short Englishwoman with a thin frame. She has a medium-tan complexion with modest freckling along the cheeks. Her hair falls in tight curls and is usually tied up in pigtails.
Favourite clothing style/outfit: Alice will take the standard clothes offered by the manor and do them up as colorfully as possible. Her favorite is a dress with a neutral-colored base and simplified cut, with faux flowers along the collar, a pale pink sash at the waist, and ribbons/more faux flowers decorating the skirt. She also has on the typical Victorian layers (chemise, corset, petticoat, etc).
Favourite shoes/footwear: Alice is always caught between the elegance of a ballet pump and the practicality of ankle boots, swapping between them often.
Defining gestures/movements: Alice is a very friendly and bubbly type of girl, and she can be very expressive about it. She has a habit of getting in people’s personal space and talking a lot with her hands, trying to have a bit of fun.
Speaking style: Alice keeps her voice light, cute, and friendly, always hoping to lift someone's spirits.
Thing they would most likely change: There’s not much in terms of specifics, but Alice can get extremely self-conscious with her body at times, likely due to internalized qualms with womanhood.
Physical health: For a Victorian Englishwoman, Alice is quite healthy. It’s her mental health that poses a concern, albeit severely misunderstood.
Pet peeves: Alice gets easily annoyed when other patients tease her, or when the more mischievous types pull a trick on her, like sticking a toad in her pillow.
Fondest memory: Likely something exhilarating, akin to visiting famous parks or landmarks, natural wonders, or even a journey via train or ship.
Hobbies/interests: Alice has a soft spot for nature. She is always trying to help around the gardens and tend to the only animals -the horses and some sheep. She enjoys reading poetry, as well as fantasy and fiction novels. Baking hits close to home and she has a passion for it.
Special skills/abilities: Alice is good at reaching out and lifting peoples’ spirits with her cheery energy, and as she enjoys helping a friend, she can make a good sidekick or wingman.
Insecurities: Under the happy guise and layers of cute clothing, Alice is deeply uncomfortable with her body and hates to see herself in the mirror. Part of how she wound up in the manor was due to her lashing out as a result of this. This often fuels her self-consciousness.
Philosophy of life/motto: “Man has made some beautiful things, but it will never be a match for the glory of nature!”
Positive traits: Alice is an optimist and loves to befriend others. She seems to lift the spirits of anyone else she engages with, even when it impacts her negatively. She is quite open-minded and good at getting along with everybody.
Negative traits: Alice is prone to panic, so as easily as she can boost positive emotions, she can boost negative emotions at the worst times.
Things that upset them: Alice doesn’t like being alone very much, which is hard with so many people in the manor who do. She tends to get extremely anxious and hyperreactive around men she doesn’t know, or when men start yelling/getting aggressive in her vicinity.
Things that embarrass them: Alice is easily startled and a bit afraid of the dark, which can fluster her when called out on it. She can also get flustered, sometimes to the point of distressed, when called out on particular looks about herself.
Things that make them happy: Alice loves animals, nature, and anything colorful. She’ll collect things like bows, and help tend the flowers across the garden. She even convinced Hinata to invest in two lambs, which she visits every day.
This character is highly opinionated about: As well as asylums and the treatment of those deemed “insane,” Alice has some strong opinions about industrialization and the pollution in English cities.
Any phobias? -- Alice gets spooked by a lot of things, but nothing that could be classified as a specific phobia.
Superstitions: Only to a mild, somewhat silly degree. Things like believing old ghost stories, breaking a mirror bringing bad luck, or knocking on wood for luck.
Deepest, darkest secret: The specific crime that led to her deteriorating mental health, but she refuses to share what it is.
Reason they have kept this secret for so long: It’s too sensitive and surrounded by a host of Victorian-age stigmas. In unison with her own self-consciousness and struggles to talk about herself, it’s easier to keep quiet.
Where do they live? What is it like there? -- Alice, like most here, hails from Oxford.
Description of their home: Alice formerly lived in a pretty average section of the city, in a flat above a bakery that’s been in her family for three generations. The bakery is quaint and also sells teas, herbs, jams, and other such ingredients. The flat is on the second story and is a bit cramped, but well-kept and homey, with bright colors and lots of floral patterns.
Description of their room: Alice’s old room was very colorful with several relics of her childhood, like her old dolls and a customized kaleidoscope. She also loved to keep houseplants. Now, Alice does try to replicate this with her room in the manor, but it’s harder with less materials immediately accessible, and Hinata having rules against painting or anything permanent. Instead, she collects bows, tinted glassware, custom pillows, and other trinkets to spruce up the place. She does have a couple of plants, but nothing huge.
Family (describe): Alice lived with her mother and grandparents primarily. Her grandparents ran the bakery, while her mother was ill and oftentimes bedridden, yet still tried to contribute through sewing. Alice’s father lived in the area, yet visits were infrequent, and he had a very poor reputation as a drunk and a cheater. She also has a little sister that was previously acting as a caretaker for their mother.
Any pets? -- Formerly, Alice had a family Corgi pup and a couple of cats, all of which she adored. Now, she only has the lambs behind the manor.
Other people's opinions of this character: Most everybody loves Alice, or at the very least, they have a neutral opinion of her. Sometimes her energetic nature can wear on some people’s nerves, but she doesn’t really have any rivals.
Favourite bands/songs/types of music: She’ll probably listen to anything, as long as it’s got energy.
Favourite books: Alice loves fantasy and anything whimsical.
Favourite foods: Something sweet! Such as treacle tart.
Dream holiday: Somewhere featuring nature, like a seaside or a famous garden.
Three words to describe this character: Bubbly, energetic, kind
If a song played every time this character walked into a room, what song would it be? -- Evanescence, HauntedSpoiler
Name: “Earnest Whyte” (Simon Ashley Fawkes)
Pronouns: male (he/him)
Age: 15
Height: 5’3
Eye colour: Deep brown
Hair colour: Light golden blond
Physical appearance: Earnest is an English boy who stands on the short side, even for his age, with an average build. He has a fair warm-toned complexion and smoothed-out features. His hair is straight and falls roughly to his shoulder blades, and he usually keeps it in a ponytail.
Favourite clothing style/outfit: Earnest wears very neat clothes -even neater than the fellow patients. His outfit can change drastically throughout each day, but the default would be a dark royal-blue, open-front morning coat with black lapels, a desaturated purple vest with damask patterning, a pale blue undershirt and cravat, and black dress pants. The coat and cuffs had silver buttons, as a side note. He’ll keep a lavender-colored rose or a pale blue handkerchief in the breast pocket.
Favourite shoes/footwear: Earnest keeps a decent selection on hand --oxfords, brogues, and other styles. But his default would be black high-top boots with modest heels, silver buttons, and royal blue bows on the back.
Defining gestures/movements: Earnest is quite expressive with slightly eccentric body language to emphasize his rambles. He speaks very well, like someone from a higher class, with a softer yet mellifluous voice. All of which works together to give off a charming, trustworthy aura. The downside to that demeanor is that he can easily turn into a drama queen.
Things about their appearance they would most like to change: Earnest is slightly egotistical and quite nitpicky, so the only things he would change would be minor -if not utterly miniscule to the outside eye. The biggest thing that gets on his nerves is his short height, which he tries to compromise for with heeled boots and shoes.
Physical health: Earnest is pretty healthy for a Victorian Englishman. His mental health is the primary concern, albeit very misunderstood.
Pet peeves: Earnest gets extremely annoyed when people enter his room without permission, even if he’s present. He’ll also get frustrated when somebody interrupts his work or interferes with his work station. On a lower degree, he can get picky about manners and etiquette.
Fondest memory: Earnest…doesn’t really have a lot of memories from before Thorneheart, having dissociated so heavily that it all fades into an enigmatic blur. His fondest memory could easily be meeting Hinata, or a recent, seemingly minor project that he takes pride in.
Hobbies/interests: Earnest has a passion for tailoring, needlework, small-scale crafting, and pretty much anything that involves fabric or sprucing up a wardrobe. Likewise, he is fascinated by colors and patterns, which leads to occasional hobbies like painting and collecting stained glass curios. Cunning and light on his feet, he also has a knack for chess and fencing.
Special skills/abilities: As mentioned, Earnest is very good with fabric and needles. He’s good with his hands, even with small things and spaces, and can improvise well. For being such a drama queen, he’s also not half bad with self-defense, between fencing knowledge and a history on the streets.
Philosophy of life/motto: “Who needs to bother with the past or the future? Look around the present! Look at the vibrancy and the contours, marvels both organic and manmade, and be inspired!”
Positive traits: Earnest is clever and always willing to strike a deal, and he’s not afraid to break the rules for the greater good. In a tight situation, it may take a lot of pushing, but he’s willing to step up and be a protector.
Negative traits: Earnest can -understandably- be vain sometimes. He can be very sly, sometimes crossing the line into manipulative territory, and rarely takes the blame for anything -even if he had a hand in causing the trouble. In other words, he’s handy -but he comes with a price.
Things that upset them: Earnest is easily upsetted when somebody tries to address him by his real name, or remind him of his real identity/past.
Things that embarrass them: Earnest is easily flustered when forced to “break composure” in public.
Things that make them happy: As long as he has his craft and enough opportunities to socialize, Earnest is a content person.
This character is highly opinionated about: a lot of things you may expect a Victorian to be opinionated about, but especially asylums and the treatment of the “insane” now.
Any phobias? -- Nope.
Superstitions: Earnest is faithful, and may follow through with some popular superstitions for the comfort of others, but otherwise, he finds most of that stuff ridiculous and childish, and won’t “indulge in it.” Especially since he wants to separate himself from the “mental” aspect of being a patient and get out of the manor ASAP.
Deepest, darkest secret: What his past life was, and what his family was like.
Reason they have kept this secret for so long: In large part, even he can’t remember. But it is a sensitive subject for him, and can easily link back to traumatic experiences that he wouldn’t want to talk about anyway.
Where do they live? What is it like there? -- As with many characters here, Earnest hails from Oxford.
Description of their home: Earnest originally lived in a slightly high-end area of Oxford, in a decent-sized house with enviably dramatic features. Then, in a gap between then and the manor, he stayed in an abandoned private house for mental patients, slightly deeper into the city. It was a relatively large building that was humble and neat at first, but started to deteriorate even before closing.
Description of their room: Earnest’s original room and his room in the manor are starkly different. In the manor, he keeps his workspace very tidy. As he likes to show off his projects, there are a couple of mannequins with formal and party attire, boxes on the wall with preserved butterflies, and shelves with some small, random crafts and things like stained glass vases or statuettes.
Family (describe): Earnest’s real father was a very bitter and strict man who was known to be rough and very demanding with his only son. His real mother was more empathetic, but nevertheless, turned a blind eye to it. Earnest had no siblings or other relatives worth noting.
Any pets? -- Nope. Earnest doesn’t take kindly to animals due to the ruckus and mess hazard.
Other people's opinions of this character: Nothing extreme one way or the other. Most are neutral and can regard him with little consequence. He is good with socializing and handy to have around for most, so they do appreciate that.
Favourite bands/songs/types of music: Anything dramatic, with a focus on classical and opera. Beethoven would likely be his favorite.
Favourite books: On the rare occasion he reads, it would be something that could inspire him in his actual hobbies.
Favourite foods: Not many would be surprised to know that it’s something either exotic or dainty --a dish like kedgeree, crepes suzette, or a classic Victorian sponge cake.
Dream holiday: Traveling to a prestigious area and attending a high-end ball.
Three words to describe this character: eccentric, crafty, confident
If a song played every time this character walked into a room, what song would it be? -- Nightwish, ÉlanSpoiler
Name: Russet Dee McKinnon
Pronouns: male (he/him)
Age: 17
Height: 5’9
Eye colour: Hazel
Hair colour: Dark ginger, almost auburn
Physical appearance: A young man of Irish descent, with an average height and build. His hair is very fluffy and usually a bit messy. His skin tone is a warm “sand” sort of shade, and his complexion is clear save for a couple of freckles under the outer corners of his eyes. With big eyes and pronounced dimples, he gives off a very youthful and playful sort of aura.
Favourite clothing style/outfit: Russet dresses casually without fussing about anything. His go-to would be a simple shirt, vest, and trousers in gray or neutral colors, maybe a pop of subtle green or blue.
Favourite shoes/footwear: Simple yet practical, like high-top boots. His would be a bit rugged and dark brown.
Defining gestures/movements: Russet is very expressive and frequently tries to inject humor into whatever he’s doing, through inflections in speech as well as dramaticized motions.
Things about their appearance they would most like to change: Nothing really, he’s not picky ~
Physical health: Russet is healthy for a Victorian Englishman.
Pet peeves: Russet doesn’t get irked by much (since he’s usually the one doing the irking), but he does get annoyed when inspectors or authorities try to disrupt things in the manor.
Fondest memory: A lot to choose from. Could be something close to home, like a particular day out with his grandfather and brother. Could be something to do with his aspirations, like making a crowd laugh or landing a minor role in a local performance. But most likely, it would have to do with meeting the childhood friend and love of his life, Abigail Williams.
Hobbies/interests: Russet gets bored and can drop things quickly, so not much. One thing he does a lot is take the time to write out funny short stories or poems to see if he can glean material. He also has a knack for music and can play a fiddle/violin. Horseback riding was once something he did often, though it’s harder around the manor due to Hinata’s restrictions. Sometimes, in secret, he also likes to act out parts of books or plays that he knows.
Special skills/abilities: Russet, much like Alice, is good at lifting spirits and keeping morale up around the manor. He’s good at putting up an act, even when tensions are high and things seem uncertain. As the patient who made the most progress and is closest to being approved for release, he also has an unspoken “status” in the house and people seem more inclined to believe him. Russet knows a lot of practical skills as well, like first aid and how to improvise with tools.
Philosophy of life/motto: “Laughter itself isn’t a joke. It’s an important part of our society. A medication to keep the gloom of daily life away -and let’s face it, we all have that to some degree.”
Positive traits: Pretty much summed it up already! Russet really is just a lovable goofball who wants to get his stuff straight, leave the manor on good terms, and pursue his dreams.
Negative traits: Sometimes, Russet can focus so much on other people that he forgets about himself, which can lead to some moments of recklessness or struggling with personal identity.
Things that upset them: Obviously, water makes Russet uncomfortable, so things like rainy days or suddenly being splashed will upset him -even though he tries to play it off as nothing. By extension, Russet is so eager to make progress and get out of the manor that when he starts to feel like he’s making backward progress, he’ll get very frustrated with himself.
Things that embarrass them: Russet is not easily embarrassed; he can almost always take a joke, or spin an awkward situation into something funny. Although, any sort of romantic advances would likely make him uncomfortable.
Things that make them happy: Russet loves getting reactions out of people -sometimes the more squeamish or annoyed types of reactions, but for the most part, good laughs and claps. He also enjoys being able to socialize and meet new people, and loves to explore.
This character is highly opinionated about: Not a lot, except for the conditions of asylums and those deemed “insane.” Likewise, after his childhood, he takes issue with the treatment of the Irish by broader English society.
Any phobias? -- Thalassophobia, an intense fear of deep, dark, and/or murky water, especially the ocean. As a matter of fact, Russet can get unnerved if he overthinks stepping into a bath, and if he is submerged any higher than his shoulders, he may start to panic.
Superstitions: Just a few common things for the era, like the broken mirrors and knock on wood types of things.
Where do they live? What is it like there? -- Russet originally came from Southampton, England. A seaside city with many ports.
Description of their home: Russet lived just a bit outside the city, along a rocky cliff with very scattered houses. His was the furthest from the road, and it was an old, somewhat decrepit cabin that had been ravaged by years of salty winds.
Description of their room: Russet’s old room didn’t have much -it was a small space more like an attic, that he shared with his brother. He only kept some personal things like a notebook, some childhood relics, a hand-me-down fiddle, and a photo of his parents. In his current room, this carried over and Russet still doesn’t have much. Though he does have a new journal, a violin, and things like postcards or scraps from books of places he thinks about traveling to.
Family (describe): Russet’s parents live in Ireland and they are essentially estranged from him, though he does try to send letters here and there. At a young age, Russet was sent to live with his grandfather -the owner of the aforementioned cabin- in hopes that he would get better resources and a better education. Russet’s grandmother had already died of natural causes. Russet also had a younger brother named Duke who lived with him.
Any pets? -- Maybe a family dog in the past, but nothing else.
Other people's opinions of this character: Mixed. Some find him annoying, some find him funny. Some like him despite the annoyance, some just can’t stand him regardless.
Favourite bands/songs/types of music: Russet enjoys music, and his primary genre -for listening or playing- is folk.
Favourite books: Russet usually doesn’t have enough patience for books, but he will sometimes read memoirs or biographies, usually of actors, comedians, traveling performers, etcetera.
Favourite foods: Something hearty and homey, preferably featuring fish of some kind.
Dream holiday: Russet would love to travel to some famous cities and explore --with Abigail of course. Not just around England, but back in Ireland, and even far-off lands like the States or Egypt. That would require getting over his fears enough to brave a boat though, which at least for now is not the case.
Three words to describe this character: Kind, funny, optimistic
If a song played every time this character walked into a room, what song would it be? -- Blackbriar, Arms Of The Ocean -
(ugh stupid spoiler code botched the beginning, sorry XP)
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