Post by Guest on Aug 19, 2015 1:00:02 GMT
Profile - Story
**played by Annasiel**
Name: Story Burgess
Age: 12
Gender: Female
Species: Human
Height: 5’
Weight: 82 lbs
Rank: Civilian
Basic Appearance
Story takes mostly after her mother in appearance. Average in stature, she bears the cascade of voluminous, honey-blonde hair of the stablemaster, kept tightly bound in a utilitarian ponytail almost all the time. Her wide, bespectacled eyes are a darker hue of blue than Laniz, more of a cobalt or lapis lazuli than the tinted aquamarine. Birth features, however, are where the similarities end. Infatuated with her reclusive father, the librarian Cory, she shares his passion for intellectual pursuits and hatred of the ‘dirty’ outdoors. A lack of exercise and poor eating habits have led to her being a smidge underweight for her age.
More prominently, her skin has the milky shade of those unexposed to the sun’s harsh rays, and the dark circles of incessant fatigue under her eyes stand out in sharp contrast on this stark canvas. Sleep is not important to Story, because truth be told, she is bursting with energy. Every day brings new ideas and pursuits to the savant child, and the few hours of sleep she catches each night do little to hinder her prowess. Blessed with the shared intellect of both her parents, Story holds the terrifying combination of her father’s photographic memory and a wicked cunning difficult to match. To her, the world is but a game, ready for her to impose her complex rulings upon.
Because, you see, Story is obsessed with order. A hair out of line or a stained book bring wrath untold, much to the scattered Cory’s constant dismay. At her young age, she had already pulled the library from her father’s hands, whipping up structure to the once chaotic stacks. In her mind, she is but the apprentice librarian doing her part, but her actions leave some to doubt whether or not the head bookkeeper is actually in charge. In addition to this habit, she enjoys playing games with anyone willing (or unwilling, to be honest), and takes great pride in the looks of confusion and defeat on their faces. Blessed with her natural skills, she is weighed down by a massive ego and a tendency to have little regard towards the feelings of others.
Combat Credentials
Combat Style: She’s a 12-year-old kid with a hatred towards anything inherently dirty, and a lack of physical skill whatsoever. I’ll let you fill in the rest.
Abilities: As stated before, Story has a near perfect photographic memory. She can recall any word, image, sensation, or idea she has taken the time to impress in her mind. This skill, of course, is limited by exposure time, as things long forgotten or seldom exposed to take longer to recall than the more recent and common. This still impressive ability is coupled with a terrifying intellect. Story is very cunning, making easy use of logical deduction, perception, and lightning wit. Unfortunately, this intelligence seldom keeps her out of trouble. More often than not, it does the opposite.
Profile - Alice
**played by Guest**
Name: Alice Burgess
Age: 12
Gender: Female
Species: Human
Height: 5'
Weight: 98 lbs
Rank: Civilian
Age: 12
Gender: Female
Species: Human
Height: 5'
Weight: 98 lbs
Rank: Civilian
Basic Appearance
Standing side by side with Story, Alice could easily pass for a childhood friend - even a cousin, or distant relative. Nobody guesses that the girls are fraternal twins. The girl's physiques are as different as their personalities. Alice's has a lackluster combination of brown hair and brown eyes, like her father. Her hair falls beyond her shoulders in unruly tendrils like ratty skeins of yarn, hardly pulled back or maintained unless she's venturing through the woods outside. Yes, outside. Frequently, like her mother.
More oft than not Alice is outside with her handmade leather journal, picking samples. Constant exposure has given her freckles and a sun-kissed glow, not that she noticed, too dedicated to the task at hand to focus on her skin. Course feet, taught calves, and strong thighs are also an unnoticed bonus. Physical beauty carries little weight with Alice. It's not important. What's important is the knowledge that maintains the beauty, the elements that recycle it again and again. With this thinking, it's only logical that Alice be attracted to nature.
Unlike her sister, who can devour handfuls of different subjects at one time, Alice studies a specific topic until her resources run dry. A dog with a bone, her mother says. Obsessive compulsive is more like it.
Standing side by side with Story, Alice could easily pass for a childhood friend - even a cousin, or distant relative. Nobody guesses that the girls are fraternal twins. The girl's physiques are as different as their personalities. Alice's has a lackluster combination of brown hair and brown eyes, like her father. Her hair falls beyond her shoulders in unruly tendrils like ratty skeins of yarn, hardly pulled back or maintained unless she's venturing through the woods outside. Yes, outside. Frequently, like her mother.
More oft than not Alice is outside with her handmade leather journal, picking samples. Constant exposure has given her freckles and a sun-kissed glow, not that she noticed, too dedicated to the task at hand to focus on her skin. Course feet, taught calves, and strong thighs are also an unnoticed bonus. Physical beauty carries little weight with Alice. It's not important. What's important is the knowledge that maintains the beauty, the elements that recycle it again and again. With this thinking, it's only logical that Alice be attracted to nature.
Unlike her sister, who can devour handfuls of different subjects at one time, Alice studies a specific topic until her resources run dry. A dog with a bone, her mother says. Obsessive compulsive is more like it.
Combat Credentials
Combat Style: Alice doesn't study any form of combat. She's had no training of any kind, and hasn't sought any. If - Divines forbid - she was attacked or approached in a malicious manner, she'd flee the scene as fast as she could using her only asset. Her strong legs.
Abilities: Alice has no outstanding physical ability. She can ride horses, however, as long as her mother is present.
Abilities: Alice has no outstanding physical ability. She can ride horses, however, as long as her mother is present.
Bio/ Background - Story & Alice
A young girl broke through the trees, her voluminous ponytail bobbing behind her. She paused a moment to push her oval glasses back up her nose, and turned around with a giggle.
"Come on, daddy, we're almost there!"
Another figure came slowly down along the path, his breath coming out in ragged wheezes. He returned the smile of the young girl.
"Alright... Story... alright. I'm... coming," he replied breathlessly.
The child turned back to the cottage, and ran to the door. Already, she could smell the wafting aroma of a home cooked meal drifting through the air, mingled with the sharp scent of straw and the sweetness of wildflowers. This was home. A modest house surrounded by the birdsong and breeze. Nature was dirty, smelly, scary... but here, it wasn't too bad. Here, it was almost welcoming.
"Daddy, can we tell momma about that book we found on Gremish battle tactics? It was so fascinating, and I'm sure she'll enjoy it. Oooh, do you think she'd let us make a mock battle with figurines? We could map out everything from the Farling War!"
Her father gave a weary grin, running his spider-like fingers through his unkempt hair.
"I'm sure she'll... she'll be fine with... that, but we need to eat. I don't want... want... your mother accusing me of starving you," he replied.
"But daaaddyyyy," Story moaned, "I'm not even hungry! This is exciting, we could make a socio-political discovery!"
Cory merely shook his head. With a frustrated groan, the child flung open the door, and ran inside.
"Momma! Quick, give us dinner! Daddy won't let me make important contributions to the scholarly community until you do!"
"Your daddy's got it right," Laniz answered without taking her eyes from the cutting board, in a way that sounded like she'd said the same thing dozens of times before.
Behind the small kitchen another little girl sat at the end of a large wooden table, paying little attention to the entrance of her sister. Her nose pointed toward the pages of a thick leatherbound book, and the rest of her face was buried beneath a mop of dark hair, brushed only because of her mother's insistence. One hand traced text while the other seemed to caress the surface of a bush-nut.
At the center of a the table was a black pot with steam rising from it in thin, wispy arcs. Around that, four empty bowls with spoons on either side, waiting to be filled. It was a simple dinner, stew made with red meat and vegetables that Laniz had bought from their elderly neighbor.
"Put the book away while you eat, Alice." Laniz made the comment in passing as she set the sliced bread next to the stew. Then she tucked a stray gold tendril behind her ear and smiled at her husband. "Welcome home, Mr. Burgess."
"Mum, bush-nuts take an entire year to germinate once they're planted," Alice said matter-of-factly. The girl grumbled. "How tedious."
"I'm glad to... to be back, Mrs. Burgess," Cory replied, sitting heavily on a chair. "I just... I just need a moment to catch my breath."
Story strode over to her sister, hands suddenly menacingly on her hips. She took a haughty air, with her eyes squinted and nose held high.
"You heard momma. Put the book away. You better not get a speck of food on it! In fact," the girl grabbed the book from her sister's hands, setting it off to the side, "sometimes I wonder if you know how to properly take care of things! Books aren't like animals, you know! They care if you get them dirty, and you can't give them baths!"
Story smirked arrogantly, as if she had just said something incredibly clever.
Laniz brushed her husband's tangled hair from his face and planted a sweet kiss on his forehead. It was quick, but it was something she'd done for years.. and only for him. In the background, Alice sat silently through her sister's monologuing. She wasn't the least bit happy about her book being snatched away by Story's hoity-toity hands.
"Books don't need baths, Story. That's ridiculous," Alice said dryly. "Besides, I take care of my things. I don't get them dirty. You, on the other hand," she continued mischievously before quickly licking her hand and dragging the palm down Story's arm.
"Alice, that's rude! Apologize and go wash your hands. You, too, Story," Laniz interjected with an exasperated sigh.
"She started it. I'll apologize when she does," Alice replied on her way to the kitchen, feeling clever now.
"I will not apologize!" Story shouted, holding her hand askew like it was contaminated. "She salivated on me! I could get germs, like herpes or mono! She could have killed me!"
The frantic girl pushed past her sister, scrubbing her hands violently in the sink while grumbling in an ominous tone.
"If I get sick and die, I'm blaming Alice. And then Miss Theo would send her guards out, and arrest you for murder!"
Story wheeled around to face her sibling triumphantly. In her head, gears were already churning, wondering if it was worth getting sick and dying to get Alice incarcerated. It wasn't, of course; Story was no idiot, but it was still delightful to fantasize about.
Cory was merely staring at the two children, a mix of amusement and apprehension on his unshaven face.
"Girls, please... please don't fight," he said, before deciding he had no hope in quenching the conflict. He turned to Laniz pleadingly.
Alice only snickered in the face of Story's sureness. She knew that the girl had no grounds for charges of any kind, and she was probably still bothered by the saliva on her arm - even after washing it away.
"We're children. Miss Theo doesn't have time for your-"
Their father interjected. Alice swiveled her head to face him, looking wrongly accused. He looked worn by their conversation, and a pang of guilt reigned her childish emotions back into check. Her father's health ruled even more than her mother's strict stare - for Alice, anyway.
"Yes, Daddy.."
Laniz gave one deliberate nod as Alice took her seat at the table without fuss. She looked to Story with her arms crossed, expecting more of a fight, but prepared for it if it came.
"Will you follow suit, love?" Laniz asked her question sternly, but lessened its weight with terms of endearment.
Story opened her mouth as if to protest, then closed it again. She held this humorous pose for a few seconds, her azure eyes bugging angrily at her sister, before she closed her lids with a bitter sigh.
"Fine. I'm sorry I treated you like a ninny," she said, a bit of her tone suggesting the ninniness was well founded. She crossed her arms, head held low.
"And... and... I'm sorry for saying I was going to have you arrested." She raised her head, eyes open again. "But you have to apologize too! I mean," she cast a sideways glance at her father and mother, "it would be mature of us both if we make a joint apology. Please reciprocate?"
Cory gave an offhand chuckle, leaning back into his chair with his arms dangling at the side. Such rich words his children used, even in the depths of altercations. He could see Story as a lawyer later in life, if she wasn't so adamant about inheriting the library.
"I'm sorry you ARE a ninny," Alice replied almost too quickly.
"Alice."
The girl huffed a short phlegmy sound under her breath, but bit her lip and turned to face her sister. Alice was stubborn but she wasn't unreasonable.
"I'm sorry that I licked your arm," she said cooly, her eyes slightly laxed as she turned back to the table. "Now that you've received your obligatory apology, I'd like to eat.. before the guards come to apprehend me, that is."
Laniz was already ladeling soup into Cory's bowl, choking down a light chuckle. Alice had a way of making her mother laugh; they were so similar, sometimes. But her spunk and curt sense of humor would make it difficult to find friends - if anyone made it through her reserved public exterior, first.
"What kind of girls have you given me, husband?" Laniz asked in jest after sitting down in her own seat.
Cory shook his head, cheerful crinkles in the corner of his eyes.
"What... whatever it is, I'm sure it comes from your side of the family."