Hello, All, and New Character! Marquise Alain Christophe Baptiste.
For those I have not yet met, hello! (And to those I have, for that matter, hello again!)
I play Dr. Morgan Michaud-Carre, and Reverend Mother Michael-Therese (The nun). I'm also introducing a new character, one a good deal more dark than my others. Now, I've not been in since the 'old' game, but I'm back, and I'd very much like to tag with all of you again, and with all you new folks, too!
So, without further ado, I guess, my new character, Marquise Alain Christophe Baptiste.
-Scary-
Player Information Name: Little_Scary Age: 39 E-Mail: Moniquedelacroix@aol.com AIM contact: Moniquedelacroix Sample Role-Play: Eesh. I can't think of anything much that's not in a locked forum (and especially nothing anywhere near current). Might I send over a transcript of something, or an alternate writings sample?
Character Information Name: Please allow me to introduce myself...Alain Christophe Baptiste (Marquise) Birthdate: 1905, officially. Actually, he himself may not be entirely sure, or maybe he just doesn't admit to it. At any rate, the 'blessed' event most likely occurred at some point after AD 500. Most likely. He might claim otherwise. Age: 35, officially. Citizenship: Officially, French, though actually, other. He's been many things over the years. Loyalties: Other, assorted. Occupation: Officially, a gentleman of liesure, and lesser nobility (Marquise). Actually, a black marketeer.
Background: Alain's had many names, and many homes. A couple decade back, he managed to take on the identity of a lesser noble who'd gotten himself killed while touring the continent. The gentleman's father hadn't been too difficult to convince, though the deceased and he had little in common looks-wise beyond basic colouring. Having a certain amount of honor, or perhaps simply a bizarre sense of humor, he ensures that the old man is taken care of as if by a son, acting most dutifully in his presence, though he is definitely the one in charge. During his time playing Marquis (and now sole heir, save for a 'sister', Justine, who may get a trust fund, but won't really count, although he is most dutifully attentive to her as well) , Alain has added to his sizeable holdings by quietly and secretively having taken over portions of the Parisienne underworld. In short, he's a crime boss, and right now, his major moneymaker is black marketeering. He uses assorted others under his direct and indirect control to front for him, and officially, comes off as clean, if a bit of a womanizing party-boy type. Few know what he's really into, and if they can't keep it quiet, they won't be living for long. None so far (save those completely in his thrall) know what he truly is, though a couple of the more superstitious who are close to him might suspect something dark ,and fear him all the more for it.
Special Skills/Abilities: Alain is very good at staying alive. He's also played many, many roles over the years. Rich man, poor man, beggar, thief, soldier, son, father, lover, husband, businessman, student, artist, musician, just to name a few. Currently, he's become head of a portion of the underworld of Paris, wishing to maintain the sort of lifestyle that he's come to enjoy, but also enjoying very much the thrill. Life, when it is so long, can, after all, become terribly boring. His particular drug of choice, so to speak, for the moment, would be black marketeering. Not gray, but black.
He'll run anything anywhere if there's profit to be had, and the risks don't make it completely impossible. Of course, saying he runs it is more like saying he commands those who do. Quietly. Secretly. Alain is very, very good at keeping secrets, and playing roles. He also speaks a multiplicity of languages (Current and dead). He's been all over Europe, The Russias, and the Middle East. He likes to read, and certainly can come across as quite educated, though it's unlikely that any of it beyond the Rennaisance might be formal. It is reasonably certain that at one time he must have studied with a master when it comes to painting, and he can play piano, organ, and harpsichord with nigh-unto unbelievable skill. He can also play the violin fit to make statues weep for the beauty of what comes out of it. His voice is quite lovely, too, deep, though capable of hitting some rather incredibly ranged notes at the same time.
Personality: A#1 sharp, manipulative, crafty bastard. He does have a queer sense of honor, but it's an entirely personal one, and not something he's not willing, perhaps, to put aside, for the sake of expediency. Machiavellian would be putting it lightly. He comes across as the complete gentleman, smooth, refined, when he desires to do so, though he's not beyond managing a coldly sadistic streak, or even playing the role of someone far more rough, or even someone rather harmless, foolish, just out for a good time. Alain is not entirely averse to men if it gets him something he desires, but he prefers women, and prefers them regularly. Alain certainly has a sense of humor. Those who oppose him, in particular, would probably not find it particularly amusing, however.
Appearance: Quite attractive, trim, fit, tall, darkly handsome, and sometimes just a bit scruffy in the sort of way that a wealthy man who plays well into the night might be. Also, perhaps, just a bit dangerous-looking, though he often will play that down. He can dress anywhere from as if he were slumming it to in the latest fashions, to the finery of bygone days, depending.
Portrayed-By: Richard Armitage.
Character Journal: little_scary
Sample Third Person Roleplay:
"Why yes, father, I have gotten in the figures for the vineyards for the year. The tenants have payed their rent, though I've lowered it a bit, all things considered. I'd not wish them to starve. You've taught me better than that." He took the old man's hand, and patted it comfortingly. "Things are going well, you need not fear. At least for us and ours. The state of the rest of the world, well, that's another story, is it not?"
Alain pulled the covers up more firmly about the elderly gentelman's neck. "Let me put a bit more wood on this fire. It's far too cold outside to skimp." He stoked the flames carefully, being sure to add enough to keep it going well into the night, then checked the curtains about the windows carefully for drafts, adjusting here and there. The old stone mansion was large, and tended to be cold. 'father' also was quite infirm. "I shall have cook prepare a good beef soup for luncheon tomorrow, and roast for dinner tomorrow night, with that bread you like. You are too thin."
"I am old, Alain. All things do tend to grow old."
"Of course father. All things." Alain quirked a sardonic smile.
"And tired."
"You simply need a good night's rest, and perhaps an end to this dratted winter cold. Yes, come Spring, you shall see. You'll feel ever so much better."
"One can hope, son."
"Yes, father, rest now. I shall see you come tomorrow evening. I have some business to which I needs must attend. Sleep well."
"And you, son."
*********
"And you are awake because, Justine?"
"I'm simply tired of being STUCK here. I can't go out, I can't go dancing. And I just can't SLEEP!"
"Well, we can't very well have you wandering Paris at night, my dear sister, during an occupation. What would Father think?"
"Can't YOU take me out, just for a little bit?"
"Perhaps tomorrow evening. I have some business to which I simply must attend tonight, I fear."
"Business, business, always BUSINESS!"
"Why yes, Justine, business. How else do you think that we eat, stay warm, and dress in such pretty, pretty things?" He smiled, then, and drew her into his arms. "We would both rather be dancing, I assure you..." He twirled her around. "Perhaps once I am done, I can play for you for a short time, if you still cannot sleep?"
"I will be in the library, reading. I would like that." She smiled, seemingly in spite of herself.
"That's my good girl." He said, and kissed the top of her head, before turning, twirling her once more, and stepping off down the hallway, then down the stairs.
**************
Alain's smile went cold as he hit the cellar doors. It went even colder as he made his way to the passages beneath the house, to where an erstwhile 'business associate' who apparently had a very big mouth was being held up mostly by the power of a pair of Alain's 'servants'. "Msr. Le Claire." Alain's voice came out almost urbanely, though there was a hint of something else just about the edges, something that promised that worse things were to come.
Le Claire managed to raise his head. He'd apparently taken quite a beating already. That was not unanticipated, nor unwanted...certainly not unwarranted by Alain's way of thinking.
"YOU?" Said Le Claire.
"Moi." Alain nodded. "You have caused me much difficulty, Msr. Le Claire. I do not appreciate it when things go...less than smoothly."
Alain stepped forward, then. A few moments later, the screaming began.
Sample First Person Journal Entry: Written backward in an exquisite, looping hand, with quill and ink, and in a mixture of several languages, two archaic, in an entirely ancient looking tome normally kept upon a shelf of histories in the library:
Tonight, I took care of a problem. Le Claire. Not only had he been skimming, he'd been playing both ends against the middle, and finally crossed the line. He sold out some very useful comrades to the Nazis. Before, he was a nuissance, but one that could be monitored. The ones that skim not at all are the ones I truly worry about. This latest made him a liability, and not one that I am prepared to suffer. I fear that it is time for a bit of housecleaning overall. At least I shall not want for sustenance.
As for the Nazis in question, I believe that we have managed to keep them from reporting in the worst of what they'd been told. It is truly lovely when so very much can be blamed upon the resistance, rudimentary though it is so far.
The shipments of guns are going well. I've managed to trade in on some rather extraordinary luxuries, and a goodly amount of family gold on that. I won't say that I don't enjoy the profits of war, but considering just how...thorough our current invaders are in some ways, I might not mind seeing them go. Still, until they do, and until we manage to arm every peasant in the countryside, every Parisienne with a grudge, I must say that I don't mind the accumulation of wealth at all. Of course, I might also come to miss the challenge. Life can be so terribly dull without it.
Place in the World:Elder, master, reasonably powerful, and used to dealing with the necessities of having to set up identities, hide out during the day, etc. Parisienne playboy made this rather simple, really, until all those dratted curfews, anyway. He's accumulated and lost wealth and various forms of position several times over, though this time, he's managed to set himself up (just after the last war) as the last heir to a reasonably sizeable holding just outside of Paris. Within the city itself, he keeps a rather large and elegant home, one with interesting subterranean access points, and a back garden shed that sits right off the Seinne. It's great for both being a vampire, and his other dubious workings. In short, he's a power to be reckoned with in the underworld of Paris, and most certainly has a major hand in smuggling, black marketeering, and other unsavoury yet lucrative practices. Generally, Alain avoids others of his kind, though if any were to encroach too far into his territory, or cause him any form of grief, he'd certainly become aware of it quite quickly, and take measures that, to put it mildly, one would call ruthless.
Powers: Telempathy (read thoughts, emotions, speak over distances mentally, command and change thoughts), mental domination (the stereotypical mesmeric abilities), shapeshifting (Rat, bat, wolf, mist), ability to go into the ground in a crisis, a bit of PK (Can slam a door, move a small object, deflect projectiles, manipulate molecules to speed up and cause a candleflame to light, etc). Can endure overcast days, and even some indirect sunlight, though must stick to shadows and concealing clothing if it's very bright. The invention of sunglasses was a godsend. Heightened senses, including taste. Can eat and drink normal foods, but anything too strong or rich may come back up again. Alain can create servants and other vampires, though he prefers to do more of the former than the latter. His feedings need not have permanent effect (unless he wishes it so), and come with either intense pleasure, amnesia, or pain, as is his wont. Alain does not exactly sleep, though he does spend the majority of the brighter part of the day resting, reading, and in relative darkness most of the time. Alain must feed at least every few days to feel at his best, but seldom needs to do real harm to do it.
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A note to fellow players about Alain's powers: I will not read anything from your mind of consequence unless you allow it. If you say no, or have not given me express permission, in fact, he may pick up that you think the wine is good, the stew less than tasty, or that it's a nice day, or something equally and completely fluffy and harmless, but will NOT pick up the location of the secret bunker, who your family members are, who you're trysting with, etc, etc, etc. If your character is bright, driven, etc, he will assume their mind is too strong unless he expends more power than it probably warrants, if your character seems ditzy, fluffy, etc, he'll simply presume that their mind is too disorganized to sift through, and not bother, as it's unlikely they know anything worth the trouble. I do want him to be wonderfully scary, but I will not stomp all over you with him, either, in short. :)