Welcome, reader, to the latest Character Development Thread! These shared story exercises help budding writers develop their characters alongside the characters of other budding writers. No formal sign-up is necessary; one can simply jump right in. Just make sure to review the OP and the last few pages first.
If the length of the thread has become a bit daunting and you need a recap, or if you simply need another question about the threads answered, just post in the discussion thread
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This particular thread focuses a bit more heavily on character interaction than usual. It is recommended, though not required, that your characters come with specific goals in mind.
Many thanks go to nrjxll, Killer Clowns, SolipSchism, Corvidae, electronic-tragedy, Darkblood Carnagefang, Strix Obscuro, Gault, Night, and gameknight102xx, among others, for helping to prepare the thread.
Somewhere in the vastness that is the multiverse, there lies a great city. Born from a mix of modern technologies and ancient magic, it has become a crossroads between many different realities, resulting in a wonderfully varied populace and a mostly near-futuristic cityscape.
This shining Capital prides itself on being a place of opportunity. It’s up to the inhabitants to make something of it.
- Current Time: Night (~10:00 PM)
- Current Weather: Cloudy
edited 12th Oct '15 12:20:03 PM by Yomegami
[THE SPIRE-BASEMENT]
Blindman nodded at Kyana. "In fact, I insist I go first." He turned to look out at the other rafter, already having figured out how to bridge the distance.
Again, he raised his wrist to shoot the zip-line, and then paused. Unexpectedly, he let his wrist down and turned his face to Kyana again. "I meant to tell you. Name's Joshua Rent."
Seconds afterwards, he continued to launch the zip-line.
[MOREENA'S LAIR]
Lara cooled down her display of power and retrieved her cup and sipped. "And here, I thought I was the only one." She joked in a light mock.
She made a quick glance at one of her bracelets. "What kind of trouble? Something like that weirdo Genocide?"
Ted's Canteen
You frown at Sascha, then turn to Cecile. "No encryption, very well. You best be going. I'll stick around here and wait for you. Keep me updated and don't take too long."
I'll post for Varnas tomorrow. As stated in the Discussion thread, it's late, I'm tired and feeling bad, so I'm not very motivated to make a long soliloquy.
"Life is eternal; and love is immortal; and death is only a horizon; and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight." - R. W. Raymond[New City - Xhpjit's Insectivorium]
Trekesser's initial instinct was to comment on how odd it was that no one had been able to get a straight answer out of the vencarans on something as simple as that, but after a moment he realized it was unfair: given the existence of the zaran and cthwui in his own reality, he could hardly judge any other one for having similar problems.
Before he could decide on what to say, though, he was interrupted by even odder news. "I guess we just lost track of time," he said, knowing it was a somewhat feeble response even as he said it, but feeling like it'd be more useful than just dwelling on the impenetrable weirdness of the places between the Gates. "Are you two close to done? I pretty much am."
Sorry it's not much - I couldn't really figure out what for him to say here.
Visitor's District - Karaoke Bar
Sir Archibald beamed. "Teaching us to fish, exactly so. I foresee no problems with inducting some of our people into the Collaborative nor with abiding by the rules and I dare say a number would jump at the chance to learn and also to do further research at the Collaborative's behest that would ultimately benefit all parties."He sipped some more of his gin and tonic and noticed that Kris' song seemed to be building up to a climax. "As to stories we can sell, we have people still living who remember when Henry VIII was king; people who saw the plays of Shakespeare, and those of Kit Marlowe, when they were first performed, or read Robinson Crusoe when it was first published. The dawn of the Age of Steam is living memory for some of our inhabitants, as is the Age of Reason and the American War of Independance. We have explorers, hunters and soldiers from every war that has involved the British from the Battle of the Spurs to the Iraq War. If you wanted to interview someone who was there the day they hanged Dick Turpin or when the first Coffee Shop opened in London, we could probably find them for you - and that's just the tales they bring from Earth. Those same people have shaped the culture of Terra Nova and made it unique, which is a source of even more stories."
Up on stage, Kris powered out the last few words of the song's climactic ending and bowed. There was a round of applause from those drinking at other tables and Karl and Sir Archibald joined in.
Kris came back to the table, collapsed in the chair, lit a cigarette and took a swig of her drink. "Fuck, that was fun."
Karl looked around to see if anyone else was getting up then headed up himself. The machine seemed simplicity itself to operate - a keypad enabled him to type in the catalogue number of the song he desired, the screen enabled him to see the words - not that he needed them for this song - and the microphone was waiting on the stand where Kris had put it.
He keyed in the number, unclipped the microphone from the stand and smiled as the introduction started. It was an old Swabian folk song - his mother was Swabian and her father had taught him this song many years before - sung by young apprentices to their sweethearts before going off to learn their trade and he had sung it to his girlfriend the night before he departed for France.
"Muss i denn, muss i denn
"zum Städtele hinaus, Städtele hinaus,
"Und du, mein Schatz, bleibst hier?"
"Wenn i komm’, wenn i komm’,
"wenn i wieder weider komm’,
"wieder wieder komm',
"Kehr’ i ein, mein Schatz, bei dir."
His voice was a pleasant baritone. As he sang, his eyes glistened with tears.
"Kann i glei net allweil bei dir sein,
"Han i doch mein Freud’ an dir!
"Wenn i komm’, wenn i komm’,
"wenn i wieder wieder komm’,
"wieder wieder komm',
"Kehr’ i ein, mein Schatz, bei dir.
Hotel Fantastique
Wolfe removed his jacket and gave it to the robot to hold while he struggled out of the tight-fitting mesh-and-armour undersuit. "I'm happy to wait here while you go and book your rooms."
He wondered why Adam was concerned about him getting his suit wet as it was still dripping water on the pavement after the ride. Besides, the walk to the pub was under cover all the way. He put the jacket back on, perfectly content to wander around in motorcycle boots, leggings and jacket, and handed the armour to the robot.
"I assure you, my clothes have endured far harsher conditions than this," James said to Adam.
Teri had nothing to add to the robot's load so Wolfe sent the robot off to put his armour and James' purchases away in their rooms and recharge itself.
Teri rubbed her hands with anticipation. Once the "not-Chaos-Hunters" returned from booking in, they could head off to the pub for a night off and some serious revelry.
edited 5th May '15 3:18:34 AM by Wolf1066
Old City - Moreena's Lair
Moreena looked up from her teacup, holding back a chuckle. "I'm afraid that 'two girls with enchanted jewelry' might not be a specific enough description if you wish to find someone in this city."
She prepared a second cup. "But surely there must be something special about them if a group like the Bleaksteel find them troublesome."
Still a great "screw depression" song even after seven years.The Spire - Basement
Kyana nodded to Blindman's agreement to go first and would follow him, looking down and gulping at the height. When Blindman said what his real name was, her green eyes widened. So she was right, when Genocide mentioned Joshua he was talking about Blindman. Smiling a bit she said, "Pleased to know you by your real name. And um... of course you know mine I believe." Kyana blushed a bit at that, not remembering if she introduced herself to him at all, or if she had been using her hero name.
Zan's Diner
As a waitress came by, the girls ordered before turning to Samantha at her question about the Party Ninjas. Kiyumi grinned and answered, "Why...we provide entertainment with our ninja skills of course! I love parties so I decided our little ninja group would be called the Party Ninjas! But that's not all we do, do we girls?" She looked to the others. Midori blushed a bit and looked down and Naoko simply nodded. "We do everything! Need detectives to figure out a murder? We can do it! Need singers for a small concert? Call on us."
This was all slightly bogus of course. The three weren't trained in anything but being ninjas, but Kiyumi believed they could do anything. Despite dragging the other two into her crazy schemes, the others actually had fun pretending to be whatever they were asked to be. It was a fun game to them, after all they were all young teenage high school ninjas.
"Can you imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie?"[Fournier's (Lobby)]
Angua stepped out of the elevator with the rest of them. "Aright, sounds like we got ourselves a plan!" She said to Garkin, observing him as he walked away and took a seat.
Now that she was alone with Qrlil, Angua turned to her and offered a smile. She nodded once. "-And yeah, I'll do that. As best I can."
There was a certain quality to her voice that was hard to place. Somber, but reassuring.
Angua lingered for a moment more, as if unsure of whether she should do something further. before nodding again and setting off.
yey[City Center - Fournier's (Lobby)]
Qrlil watched Angua leave, trying not to worry too much about her (and also, if she was honest with herself, trying not to stare too much at her legs). She felt it was vaguely patronizing somehow to be more worried about Angua than herself, especially after she'd complained about Angua doing the reverse. If anything, the kasuar was probably much more able to deal with this type of situation.
Shedding it off, she turned her attention back to Zerrimus, walking over towards the bench where he was sitting. "Well," she said, her tone and posture hovering somewhere between amused and nervous, "this was not exactly the way that I expected events to go tonight." Hopefully, there'd still be a chance for them to improve afterward, though that was sort of assuming that there would be an afterward.
When did I become so... humorously pessimistic?
Oh, right.
She hesitated. "Are you ready to head out?"
City Center - Fournier's (Lobby)
"Me neither," Garkin said, standing up. Truth be told though, ending up in a different universe without some strange things happening would have been even... stranger. He hadn't expected a kidnapping though. Especially not one that would interrupt a dinner date with an attractive qrtxian.
"Yeah, let's get going. Embassy Row is just north of here, isn't it?"
Still a great "screw depression" song even after seven years.[City Center - Fournier's (Lobby)]
"Correct," Qrlil said. "It-" She paused. "That's slightly problematic, actually. I hadn't considered how closely together the Commonwealth embassy and my hotel suite would be located. Hmm."
She stood silently for a moment, debating whether that meant they needed to change the plan. But at this point it was probably too late, and the Alliance 'embassy' still had all the reasons she'd considered before for it to be safe. "Never mind. I think we should still be able to make this work as planned."
Pulling her hood up over her head against the storm, she stepped towards the door. One good thing about the weather tonight was that it gave her a perfect excuse for trying to conceal her appearance.
And off that thought...
She stroked the sleeve of her robe in a tactile command, signaling her smartcloth to begin altering its appearance again, this time to a very dark gray color. She stepped towards the door again, then paused and looked back at Zerrimus, a thought nagging at her. "By the way, I am sorry if I... seemed to be, er, neglecting you in favor of speaking with Angua just now."
[THE SPIRE]
"Yes. Kyana Aeira." Blindman confirmed, taking aim again at the rafter, "That's your name isn't it?"
At that, he shot a grapple-line, and then he did something a bit stranger: he shot another line onto the rafter they were standing on. Blindman detached the two cartridges they came from and seemed to hook them together. After that, both lines began retracting into their cartridges, until the two lines went taut, forming a way to cross.
"How good are you at tightrope-walking?" He asked as he worked on this.
City Center - Fournier's
"Don't worry," Garkin said in a way he hoped was reassuring. "If an old friend shows up and needs your help dealing with a Kren-damned kidnapping, you're um, sort of allowed to focus on that."
He smiled in the typical Cravyn way, before following Qrlil towards the door and heading outside.
Still a great "screw depression" song even after seven years.Visitor's District - Zan's Diner
Sophie and Samantha didn't order food immediately, instead opting to look over the menu first. They did, however, order drinks. Sophie got herself a root beer without any ice, while Samantha went with the simple option of a glass of water.
Samantha listened to Kiyumi's explanation as she read the menu. "You certainly sound confident in yourselves. I just hope that isn't overconfidence." She looked up from the menu at the other three briefly. "Or to put it another way, I hope the 'ninja' part is just as capable as the 'party' part. Simply put, if you are truly willing to help us, there's going to be quite a bit that's going to be expected of you, and I want to make sure that you're actually up to it all."
She turned her attention back to the menu. "So, next question: Just how highly would you rank your skills at fighting? And I mean what you honestly believe, not what you think would sound good to us."
Old City - Moreena's Lair
Eliza shook her head. "I'm not actively trying to find them. In fact, I hope they don't show up here at all, because if they do that's going to complicate a lot of things. I'm just being wary of the worst-case scenario."
She frowned. "I don't know exactly what they have against us, exactly. I believe part of it is that we're looking for a certain something that they also want, but otherwise they apparently just like picking fights with us. So far most of us have just been regarding them as a nuisance rather than anything resembling a threat. They've put up a good fight against our drones, but drones are expendable." She sighed. "But I have a feeling it's only a matter of time before they become an actual threat. I just hope the situation's dealt with in some manner before then."
Icon by Civvi the Civilian![City Center - Fournier's -> Street]
Qrlil blinked briefly, her posture relaxing slightly in relief. "Oh. Good." She'd worried a little about whether she was coming across as rude - to say nothing of the possible awkward undertones that could have come from the fact that she still self-evidently found Angua rather attractive - but since the cravyn, or at least Zerrimus, seemed to be reassuringly straightforward, it sounded like there was nothing to worry about after all.
Hmm, this could actually work better than I thought. It's a shame it can't last.
She stepped out into the street, shivering slightly and pulling her robes tighter against the miserable weather. Beneficial or not, the rain was very unpleasant - especially the cold of it. Still, under the circumstances she felt certain she could endure it.
Though this is still very much not the type of thing I'm well-suited for...
Walking north towards the direction of Embassy Row, she glanced sideways at Zerrimus. As far as things I am well-suited for... "I am curious," she said softly, "and I don't think I have asked yet: who or what is Kren, if it's not impolite to ask?"
City Center - En route to Embassy Row
The cold was uncomfortable, but Garkin wasn't to bothered. His species was good at dealing with extreme temperatures, and his military training certainly helped as well. He shuddered slightly at the memories.
"Kren?" he said, turning his head towards Qrlil as he walked. "Oh, he's just an old god from Anwyn. Still sort of popular among the military and the fleets, but there's not much left of him other than a few traditions and um, curses. It's almost a bit sad in a way, I guess."
Going to bed soon. See ya.
edited 5th May '15 1:59:13 PM by Corvidae
Still a great "screw depression" song even after seven years.[Visitor's District—Karaoke Bar]
David listened to the music with one ear and Sir Archibald with the other, nursing his drink as he did so. It was getting late, but... well, it obviously wasn't going to be difficult to establish relations with the colony; they sounded like they were in need of assistance he could provide (well, the Collaborative could send other representatives, but it was unlikely that any would be needed), and David knew they wouldn't be asked for much in return. All in all, he was more interested in Sir Archibald's allusions.
"I confess I'm unfamiliar with the events you describe," he said, "but from the sound of things, you seem to be describing historical events—distant ones at that. How is it that you have survivors of such events? Is it advanced medical technology? Or time travel, perhaps?"
The Spire
"Right yep. That's my name." Kyana answered with a smile. She was beginning to feel strangely calm despite the fact they were running away from the police for whatever reason. She even watched as Joshua was hooking his grappling hook up and thought for a moment he was going to Tarzan them across. But that wasn't the case and her calmness disappeared when he asked how well she could tightrope. Looking across at how long the rope was she turned back to him with widened eyes.
Of course Kyana loved to climb up buildings and even run across them, why was this any different? "I think I have good balance." she replied, hoping she could balance on a grappling hook as well as she balanced around on the edges of sidewalks and parking blocks. There was still some adrenaline in her that was saying she could anything, so she decided to go along with it.
Zan's Diner
The three girls nodded simultaneously in understanding to Samantha. When she asked about fighting Kiyumi grinned. "I not only know some ninja skills but also basic martial arts. I like to think I'm a strong fighter." she said this with confidence. "It's true. She is pretty good at fighting. As for me...well.." Midori shifted a bit and her cheeks turned red. "I've been practicing hard. I'm just a tad...clumsy." she said with a pained voice. Kiyumi looked to her and smiled. "Yeah but we've learned to work around it." she commented, putting a friendly arm around the younger girl.
"As for Naoko.." she continued and shifted her gaze to the shortest girl in the group. Naoko closed her eyes in concentration and made some hand gestures causing a shadowy aura to form around her. The shadows of the group suddenly disappeared from their owners and formed into multiple shapeless figures around her. She made another hand motion and they disappeared and returned to being normal shadows. "I can do that as well as any simple ninja techniques." she explained in a monotone voice and blank expression. "When we first met her and didn't really know her name, we nicknamed her Nightshadow for that ability." Kiyumi added.
"Can you imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie?"[Hotel]
Marie nodded. "We'll be back in a second." Before she went inside, she promptly hit Nick in the back of the head, making him almost drop his umbrella.
"Ow!" Nick said, "What the hell?"
"'Are you aware that they can talk?' Asshole."
The 'not-chaos-hunters' went inside the hotel. After a couple of minutes, they came back out to where Teri and the gang were.
"Ready when you are." Jackson said, "Just make sure no one offers us any alcohol."
[THE SPIRE-BASEMENT]
Joshua noticed the nervousness in Kyana's face. Waiting a second, he set his foot on the line and put more and more pressure on it. Pulling it back, he looked at the girl, giving his hand. "Hold on if you have to."
[MOREENA'S LAIR]
Lara scoffed at Eliza's explanation. Sounds familiar. She thought to herself.
Her attention to Eliza rised a little when she mentioned the drones. She found it a little strange to go out of her way to describe their being expendable. Anyone could guess that.
[Arch Center]
Echo remained mostly impassive, but her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Too many people. Too many unknowns. Working with four of her fellow chi blockers? She could buy that. Working with three cops? (And Kommissar, but he'd earned her respect, so she didn't mind that part.) This was rapidly straining her patience. "Fine," she said. "Split up. Less obvious." She looked over at Roderick and the newcomer. "You two?" She motioned to Roderick and the detective. "Stay outside. Target might jump out window. You two?" She pointed to Kommissar and Nero, "scout inside, watch halls."
"Me?" She pointed to herself. "Will go in. Least likely to spook. You three," she glanced between the police officers, "too much cop-stink." Here she referred to the metaphorical attitude and professionalism that even off-duty officers occasionally betrayed, not a literal scent. "Shake it off, still strange men in seedy motel." Then Kommissar. "You, no offense, look like thug. Me? Could be maid, contact, anything."
edited 5th May '15 6:30:52 PM by KillerClowns
[Arch Center]
(Kommissar)
A thug ? It's the scar, isn't it? The German scratched at the irreparable skin. He though, too, was worried about the cop situation. It was why he and Echo were involved, after all. Splitting up sounded like it would tone down the possible clutter, but if anything went wrong, a lot of people would go down. The bounty hunter brushed it off as a small chance. He knew he and Echo were capable.
"Whatever it may be, staying apart is the only way to go. Echo's plan is good."
(Kevin)
Right. Seedy.
The detective nodded. His role was fairly simple. "I think I can manage not sticking out." Kevin recalled actually faking being in the Mafia for a short while until his cover was blown. (They seemed to buy it, at least.) "Like I said, I'll try not to be involved too much."
Life is hard, that's why no one survives.Hospital
Brave. Foster liked that word.
It caused something to warm up in his chest, like he'd done his part for the group, that he wasn't just standing in his more outgoing partner's shadow. He gave a curt nod to Gwion, although his attempts to not seem cheesy and keep the excitement out of his eyes were failing.
He was Brave now. Brave people can do anything.
When the nurse offered to translate, he nodded again, and before he could re-sign his last message, the boy cut in with some words of his own.
Rani wasn't happy, apparently, and he cast a glance at the floor. Her kindness was one thing but her scorn was another.. She had this strange balance about her emotions, and it must have been the fight that sent her into the deep end. Lord, he hoped she wasn't mad at him too.
He signed his response to the nurse by his side.
Don't get too upset with her, alright? She's a belligerent person and she hates to admit it, it makes her feel evil and wrong. She doesn't like to hurt and her guilt must be eating her alive but at the same time she must be upset with you all for not picking a less violent option. Don't get me wrong, I know there was no other way to resolve the conflict, but she doesn't want to face that. Rani fears herself more than anything, and it can make her difficult sometimes.
He sighed to himself before adding, She'll get over it soon enough.
He'd been waiting for the nurse to finish relaying the message, when the kid cut in again about a ghost, his blood ran cold and he got about as pale as someone with his skin color could get.
But then again, he already knew anyways. He signed nothing in response, and color flooded back before anyone could tell it was gone to begin with.
Visitor's District - Zan's Diner
"For what it's worth, I'm kind of new to this whole thing myself and I don't think I'm the best at it either," Sophie said to Midori, looking up from her menu briefly. "So I think I understand where you're coming from."
"From my time with you, you seem to be adapting well enough," Samantha interjected, "Your fighting style is just...kind of inelegant rather than completely ineffective."
At that point Naoko demonstrated what she was capable of. Sophie's response was to tilt her head to one side curiously with a slightly confused expression on her face, clearly unsure of what to think. Samantha, on the other hand, looked very intrigued.
"Now that's interesting," Samantha commented once the display was over, "That's the sort of thing a magical girl would have to transform to do if she was capable of it, and yet you're pulling it off without even a power amulet. I'd love to see what you could do with it if you had one...."
She shook her head. "But that's something for later. Right now, the more important thing is letting you know just what you potentially will be up against."
At that point the waitress returned with Sophie and Samantha's drink ordersnote and to take their food orders.
"...Right after we order our food," Samantha finished, before she and Sophie made their orders.
edited 5th May '15 7:07:38 PM by Yomegami
Icon by Civvi the Civilian![Arch Center]
Nero managed not to scowl. He knew what Echo meant, but she could've phrased it better. "Fair enough," he said. "We should get going s-"
"I've been thinking," said Roderick, "and going tonight might not be the best idea. Given our party, tell me, how safe is it going to the bad side of town after dark?"
Nero thought it over, and repeated, "Fair enough. So, what, you thinking of going early tomorrow instead?"
"Yeah. 6, 7, something like that. She'll probably still be asleep then, but..." Roderick shrugged. "I don't know how paranoid she is. She might be up."
Nero chewed his lip. "Hmm. Yeah, yeah, that's probably for the best. We get a hotel, I'll pay, we get up early to get to the motel at the right time. Or, actually, if another group thinks you can stay the night at that motel, get to her extra early, we can stop by an ATM and I'll give you some cash to cover the cost. We've also got radios if you need to contact us, I'll give you one of those."

Visitor's District - Zan's Diner
Sophie and Samantha both looked around as they entered the diner.
"This place is ridiculously fifties," Samantha said after a few moments of silence, "Though I really wasn't expecting one thing or the other, really. At least it seems peaceful enough."
Afterwards, they followed Kiyumi and the others to the table. Sophie sat herself on the opposite side from the other girls and scooted over to give Samantha a place to sit before wriggling around a little to get a feel for the seat.
Samantha stretched first before plopping herself down next to Sophie and facing the other three girls. "Now that we're here, let's get down to business shall we?" she asked, "First question: You called yourself the 'Party Ninjas.'" The way she said "Party Ninjas" had a noticeable tone of incredulity to it, though otherwise her voice could be best described as professional. "What, exactly, does that entail?"
Old City - Moreena's Lair
Eliza nodded in response to Lara's display. "Quite, if not exactly what I was expecting."
She took a sip of her tea. "I ask because lately we've been having trouble with some girls that I think are around your and my own age that also make use of magical artifacts. From what I've heard though, what they use are pendants rather than bracelets, and I also don't think they use them in the same way you do." She frowned. "I'm not trying to say that you're at all affiliated with them or even know what I'm talking about. If nothing else, you didn't try to pick a fight with me or that drone. But it's been something I've been on the watch for."
Icon by Civvi the Civilian!