Post by Garnet Andreu on Dec 27, 2009 18:21:26 GMT -5
Character name: Garnet
The Basics
Full Name: Garnet Marie Andreu
Nick Names: Bijou
Age: 21, born January 5th, 1988
Sex: Female
Species: Human
Hometown: Sault, France
Ability: Seeing as she is human, Garnet does not have an ability per se...however, her fragile and childish appearence, large eyes and sweet nature make her incredibly appealing, both romantically and maternally. It is yet to be determined, however the attraction she holds for seemingly everyone she meets (and even the resentful jealousy which results from less kind personalities) does seem a little....unnatural.
Physical Appearance
Height: 5'5"
Weight:130
Hair: Dark, deep red with natural thick curls, inherited from her father, which she generally wears down or tied back in a low ponytail, tied with a ribbon.
Body: Average height and weight with an oval shaped face, she has a very soft appearance to her, rather like the statues of girls in Greece. Like many redheads she doesn’t actually tan, so although she works out of doors for part of the year her skin is still very pale. She has a young, sweet and very pretty face which gives her an air of feminine innocence, the type of girl who makes heads turn without even trying. Her light coloured eyes change slightly to reflect what she is wearing, but remain in the blue-green spectrum. They are large, doe like, and full of expression, framed by long lashes. Her hands are worn and she has a tendency to take ill slightly more often than the average person, but more often than not she can be found with a healthy blush and naturally petal pink lips.
Clothing: Garnet is a very feminine girl, and prefers to wear skirts and dresses to pants and t-shirts. Because they don’t have a lot of money all of her clothes are hand-me-downs, bought at discount stores, or occasionally things which she makes for herself, if she comes across spare fabric somehow. When working out in the field she will wear a handkerchief tied over her hair, and a long sleeved, white cotton blouse to avoid being sunburned. She dresses reasonably modestly and sensibly, but she’s still a girl- she likes light, soft colours either plain or with a slight floral print and ribbons in her hair. Overall, Garnet fits into her town very well- she doesn’t look like many of the other girls, with dreams of moving to the city and outfits to match, but maintains a very classic feminine style. Her most prized possession is the silver and garnet cross she always wears- a gift from her brother for Christmas.
Basic Personality: For the most part, Garnet is a very sweet, quiet, loving girl. Because she has few friends (for reasons which will be explained later) she has few people on whom to share this love with, and tends to become devoted to a fault- she will be utterly loyal to that person, even if it hurts her. She is very affectionate by nature, both physically and otherwise, and hates to be alone for very long. At the same time, she is somewhat shy, blushing frequently and never knowing quite what to say. She’s a bit naive and a bit of a dreamer because she has little real experience in the world- she’s never traveled farther than Marseille in her whole life. She’s been over protected and sheltered her whole life -both by her brother, her father, and simply the society in which she lives- which has left her rather innocent and too trusting. Perhaps it is for this reason that an unusual amount of people, often strangers, will come to her and offer their assistance. When she is with someone she cares about and trusts she will become more outgoing, and even quite playful. Beneath this quiet and charming exterior however is a boundless strength which has yet to be tested: An intelligent, determined tigress which will stop at nothing to protect the ones it loves, or from avenging them if necessary. A dark, powerful side which has hardly ever been seen, and if her brother has any say, never will be.
Identifying Features: Light scattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose and her cheeks from working out in the sun
Likes:
~ Her brother. Even though her father does what he can, he’s a busy man, and at a young age Gareth stepped up to take his place. Gareth means the world to her, and she will do just about anything to make him happy.
~ Stories. She’s a bit of a slow reader because the schools she attended weren’t the best, but that doesn’t stop her from reading like mad, even if it’s just the 5 or 6 books her family owns for the umpteenth time. When she was little she would make Gareth act the stories out with her; now that she’s older she dreams of seeing them on stage, or of occasionally going and seeing one at the cinema. She adores the arts like this and has acted in school plays before, but doesn’t really have the drive to become serious with it, or the money to get to travel and see more shows, although her father will buy her production posters to put up on her walls at home.
~ Spring. There is nothing more perfect to her than the lavender fields just as they are starting to bloom, with a warm sun after the cold of winter and a gentle breeze which carries the scent for miles.
~ Christmas. Not so much for the religious connotations, but because every year at Christmas there is a huge festival in town. She absolutely adores the food (which is never available during the rest of the year somehow) like mincemeat pie and mulled cider, the little masquerade which is put on in the town square, the Christmas pageants, and especially the dancing under the stars. Never is she happier than when she can wear a mask and join in the traditional dances, meeting all the strangers who travel to the town just for this.
Dislikes:
~ Beer, or other hard alcohols. She grew up with wine in the household and drinks on a regular basis with meals, and finds beers and whiskeys disgusting.
~ Tourists, and by extension, some of the countries they come from. Americans are the worst. They are loud, rude, and expect you to stop the work you are doing and let them take a picture with you. Not to mention the American men have more than once tried to take her back to their hotels with them for drink...something she very much didn’t appreciate.
~ Intense heat, and therefore the height of summer. If it wasn’t for the heat she’d like it quite a bit, however she has a tendency to get ill at this time of year for whatever reason, and has passed out more than once while in the field.
~ People who think that they are better than you because they have a lot of money. Her family has worked very hard for the things that they have, and when people (especially the other girls at her old school) flaunt things they were given or say nasty things about her because of what she doesn’t have, it makes her angry and hurt.
~ Gossip. Nothing is more deadly.
The little things
Strengths:
* Whether it’s at her job or something she is doing for someone else, she is an incredibly hard worker.
* Resilience. No matter what is happening to her, she’ll push through it till the very end.
* Brave. She’ll enter nearly any situation she needs to in order to protect what’s dear to her.
* Caring. Whether it’s strangers, animals, or people who are mean to her, Garnet is pretty much a sweetheart to everyone she meets.
* A quick wit. Garnet lives in the moment, which means that if something unexpected happens or plans change, she can easily change with them in a fluid manner, and is therefore only minimally affected.
Weaknesses:
* Trusting nature. This has it’s good points too, to be sure, but if she’s not careful she can be taken advantage of, and she’s rarely careful.
* Reliance on others. She’s not very independent, and likes to be taken care of. All well and good, until the time comes that she’s on her own for however long.
* Has a tendency to let the nastiness of others get to her. If someone says or does something cruel to her she becomes like a small wounded animal, licking its wounds. If the same person does this to someone else she cares about however...caution may be needed.
* Naive. She has this sense that everything will always be alright.
* Often acts rashly. She is a creature of emotion, and does not often stop to think things through.
Hobbies:
* Embroidery. She finds it very relaxing, and likes to see all the pieces of the picture come together. It’s also something for her hands to do while she and her brother talk.
* Exploring the small wooded areas around her home, something she and Gareth do together and always have. Once they used to play make-believe games as they did so, and now they use them as a way to be alone and talk freely about anything.
* Dancing, more the traditional folk-dances of her people than any other sort, although she only gets to do this at festivals and holidays.
* Day dreaming, either of the stories she’s heard of or things she wishes she could do with her life.
Occupation: Garnet works two part time jobs- Year round she is a shop girl at ‘Bon Savon’, a small boutique which sells handmade, natural soaps, their specialty of course being soap infused with Sault lavender. For several months of the year (roughly late spring to early fall) she works alongside her father and brother in the lavender fields. It’s hard work in the hot sun which often leaves her ill, but she does her best to hide this and not cause her family to worry, as she knows they need the money. The money she makes from working she mostly gives to her father to help with expenses, and the little bit which she keeps goes into a secret savings, for herself and her brother both, although he doesn’t know about it.
Highest Education Level Achieved: Garnet graduated from high school with mostly B’s, which was fairly impressive considering she started working as much as possible as soon as the law allowed. She’s never attended college, not having either the money or the belief that it would benefit her in some way, but she secretly wishes she could help support Gareth so he could go.
History
Garnet Marie Andreu was born on January 5th, 1988 in Sault France just over two hours after the birth of her twin brother Gareth. They were the bastard children of Leonard Andreu and Raquelle Dechire- Leonard had long been a foreman in the famous lavender fields of the town, and Raquelle (only recently arrived) was one of numerous field hands, it being her first season. When Leonard found out about the beautiful, vivacious Raquelle’s pregnancy he insisted upon marrying her, yet time and again she refused. Both the children when born greatly resembled their mother, yet they were unmistakably Leonard’s as well, having inherited their father’s flaming red hair...indeed, the only resemblance, save for Garnet possessing the wild, unruly curls as well.
Still Leonard pressed Raquelle for them all to be joined as a family and still she refused, her reasons for why seeming to change each time. Finally, when the twins were three months old, Leonard awoke to their cries only to find Raquelle gone, the hastily scribbled note leaving no satisfactory reason for her departure. (Six years passed before Leonard learned what happened to the woman he had loved: One evening after putting the twins to bed he turned on the news and watched a report detailing the murder of Raquelle Buchard, a socialite, by her husband in an apparent fit of jealous rage after she tried to leave him for a wealthier man. This was how Leonard learned why she would not marry him- he was too poor. This has left a deep resentment of the ‘fortunately wealthy’ in the man, and he praises the virtues of hard work and frugality. Moreover, he has still never told his children what happened to their mother, only becoming more anxious and determined to protect his daughter as she grows older, and seems to attract more and more attention, of both the positive and negative variety.)
As Garnet never had a mother figure in her life, she was pitied by half the women in town and yet shunned by all of them. No one wanted to associate themselves with the daughter of the flamboyant Raquelle, who by the time Garnet was three had apparently slept with half the husbands in town, if gossip was to be believed. Her isolation only worsened as she grew, it becoming apparent that she had inherited both her mother’s great beauty and her ability to attract the village boys. She was a ‘bad influence’ on the other girls and a ‘horrible temptation’ to the boys, despite the fact that Garnet herself did very little to actually merit any of this- she only had one serious boyfriend in high school, and that relationship ended violently...Gareth’s doing. He was always there when she needed saving, always ready to threaten and disperse the inevitable Italian, Swedish, or American tourist who would try and whisk his sister away every summer, and always ready to connect his fist with the face of any man who tried to compromise her. If anyone in town had a reputation which could possibly match Garnet’s own, it was Gareth’s.
Leonard, as foreman, was already a busy man- add two extra mouths to feed, plus his depression over Raquelle’s abandonment, and the poor man threw himself into work and religion to make up for it. Once a heavy drinker he now forswore alcohol utterly (although it being France, wine somehow doesn’t seem to count as an alcohol there...) and although he could be a very strict man, he is not unkind. He loves both of his children very much, but is sadly unsure how to show it. Garnet especially leaves him anxious and uncertain as a young woman, and seeing as how he often leaves at dawn for work and returns late and exhausted anyway, more often then note he leaves her care in the hands of her brother, and the housework with Garnet herself.
Each does their job well. Starting at a very young age, Garnet taught herself the more traditional aspects of housekeeping, such as sewing and cooking, and inevitably played the mother to both herself and Gareth. With Leonard so often away, Gareth is both older brother and father figure for Garnet, and she looks up to him more than anyone else, and will nearly always do as he says. The two have always been together whether at daycare, school, play, or working in the fields as well starting at 14. After graduating high school Garnet took a second job at the soap shop to help out her family and start a little bit of savings. Between the shop, the lavender once the season arrives, and running the household she is very busy, but dreams of leaving Sault with Gareth, and seeing the world. Finally ready to live her own life, happy and free from the stories which plague her.
Sample Roleplay
- 400-600 word minimum . Make it good.
Shivering slightly Garnet pulled the worn, oversized man’s coat closer about her small frame and ducked her head, trudging the last few meters up to her home. The coat was her father’s, or had been, but it was much more warm than the threadbare jacket she’d had (and repaired) for years, and so he had finally given it to her, scrounging up something less suitable from somewhere. She had felt a little bit guilty, taking his nicer coat when he himself needed it as well, but papa had insisted, and gratefully she had finally agreed. Not just because it meant she was warmer throughout the winter, but also because it was proof that he loved her. Her papa loved her, that she did know...he simply had trouble expressing it somehow.
She had just gotten off work from the store in town, and not even the chilly December weather or last minute holiday shoppers (amazing how many people put off their purchases till Christmas Eve) could dampen her spirits tonight. Inside the pocket of her coat, sheltered from the dampness of melting snow, was her paycheck and a very small holiday bonus. Hardly enough for anything really, or at least it never seemed like it. But she had stretched, and scrimped, and saved, and even gone without whenever she thought she’d get away with it (not that she often did, Gareth was very watchful) and bit by bit her savings grew, until tonight, with just this measly little sum, she had something she could be proud of. It wouldn’t get them very far, but it was certainly a start. Either she and Gareth could travel nearly anywhere they chose, and start a new life somewhere, together, or she would be able to send her brother to whatever college he was accepted to, as long as he received financial aid of course, and for Gareth that would be easy. The decision was his...the money she had saved for him. Whatever made him happy, whatever life he wanted the most, was more than enough for her. All that she asked in return was that he love her more than anyone.
Something she never doubted she had.
Hurrying through the door and into the living room of the little house she shook her head vehemently, freeing much of it from the tiny flakes that had become stuck there like diamonds. She looked up and smiled, her joy illuminating her face when she saw Gareth there, waiting for her. Stamping her boots free of the by the door she giggled, tilting her head at him slightly. “Mon Dieu it’s cold....Don’t you love the snow? It’s as though it freezes the whole world, and time itself...as though nothing exists at all, except for us.” She snuggled against him for a moment when he hugged her, delighting in the warmth and in being home, before Gareth pulled away and reached into his pocket, exciting both her surprise and the strength of her curiosity. “Joyeux Noel, Garnet. It isn’t anything special, but I couldn’t resist, it was too perfect for you.”
Her eyes widened as she took the box, and with a tentative, almost shy glance up at him she opened it, eliciting a soft cry when she sees the cross. It was beautiful. It was truly delicate, and elegant, and lovely in every way. And it was hers. She had seen it before in town, once or twice, as she hurried to and from the shop. Not more, because she had done everything in her power to avoid looking at it, to not glance that way. She had wanted it, more than any trinket or feminine charm she had ever known, and almost for that reason alone had known she couldn’t buy it. After all, she didn’t need it, Gareth was more important, she had to help him in anyway she could, even if he didn’t know it for the time. So she had ignored the little thing, pretended that it didn’t exist so she wouldn’t even be tempted to give in and buy it, and yet now here it was, inexplicably, in her hands. She stared at it for a moment before throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him brutally hard (it was a good thing he was so much stronger) her simple joy overwhelming her utterly. After a moment she handed it to him and turned around, lifting her hair out of the way and begging him to help her put it on, positively glowing when she felt the cold metal hit her neck. Spinning around again she seized his hands, wanting nothing more than to share her joy with him, and only praying that it would do so.
“Maintenont cher, I have something for you too, only it’s not in a box like this. Oh please, I’ve worked so hard, I hope you like it!” Her blue-green eyes danced in the dim light as she finally told him about the savings she had started for him, and had managed to make grow, bit by tiny bit. And she knew, with some utter conviction which she had always possessed that no matter what his choice, she would love him just the same.
The Basics
Full Name: Garnet Marie Andreu
Nick Names: Bijou
Age: 21, born January 5th, 1988
Sex: Female
Species: Human
Hometown: Sault, France
Ability: Seeing as she is human, Garnet does not have an ability per se...however, her fragile and childish appearence, large eyes and sweet nature make her incredibly appealing, both romantically and maternally. It is yet to be determined, however the attraction she holds for seemingly everyone she meets (and even the resentful jealousy which results from less kind personalities) does seem a little....unnatural.
Physical Appearance
Height: 5'5"
Weight:130
Hair: Dark, deep red with natural thick curls, inherited from her father, which she generally wears down or tied back in a low ponytail, tied with a ribbon.
Body: Average height and weight with an oval shaped face, she has a very soft appearance to her, rather like the statues of girls in Greece. Like many redheads she doesn’t actually tan, so although she works out of doors for part of the year her skin is still very pale. She has a young, sweet and very pretty face which gives her an air of feminine innocence, the type of girl who makes heads turn without even trying. Her light coloured eyes change slightly to reflect what she is wearing, but remain in the blue-green spectrum. They are large, doe like, and full of expression, framed by long lashes. Her hands are worn and she has a tendency to take ill slightly more often than the average person, but more often than not she can be found with a healthy blush and naturally petal pink lips.
Clothing: Garnet is a very feminine girl, and prefers to wear skirts and dresses to pants and t-shirts. Because they don’t have a lot of money all of her clothes are hand-me-downs, bought at discount stores, or occasionally things which she makes for herself, if she comes across spare fabric somehow. When working out in the field she will wear a handkerchief tied over her hair, and a long sleeved, white cotton blouse to avoid being sunburned. She dresses reasonably modestly and sensibly, but she’s still a girl- she likes light, soft colours either plain or with a slight floral print and ribbons in her hair. Overall, Garnet fits into her town very well- she doesn’t look like many of the other girls, with dreams of moving to the city and outfits to match, but maintains a very classic feminine style. Her most prized possession is the silver and garnet cross she always wears- a gift from her brother for Christmas.
Basic Personality: For the most part, Garnet is a very sweet, quiet, loving girl. Because she has few friends (for reasons which will be explained later) she has few people on whom to share this love with, and tends to become devoted to a fault- she will be utterly loyal to that person, even if it hurts her. She is very affectionate by nature, both physically and otherwise, and hates to be alone for very long. At the same time, she is somewhat shy, blushing frequently and never knowing quite what to say. She’s a bit naive and a bit of a dreamer because she has little real experience in the world- she’s never traveled farther than Marseille in her whole life. She’s been over protected and sheltered her whole life -both by her brother, her father, and simply the society in which she lives- which has left her rather innocent and too trusting. Perhaps it is for this reason that an unusual amount of people, often strangers, will come to her and offer their assistance. When she is with someone she cares about and trusts she will become more outgoing, and even quite playful. Beneath this quiet and charming exterior however is a boundless strength which has yet to be tested: An intelligent, determined tigress which will stop at nothing to protect the ones it loves, or from avenging them if necessary. A dark, powerful side which has hardly ever been seen, and if her brother has any say, never will be.
Identifying Features: Light scattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose and her cheeks from working out in the sun
Likes:
~ Her brother. Even though her father does what he can, he’s a busy man, and at a young age Gareth stepped up to take his place. Gareth means the world to her, and she will do just about anything to make him happy.
~ Stories. She’s a bit of a slow reader because the schools she attended weren’t the best, but that doesn’t stop her from reading like mad, even if it’s just the 5 or 6 books her family owns for the umpteenth time. When she was little she would make Gareth act the stories out with her; now that she’s older she dreams of seeing them on stage, or of occasionally going and seeing one at the cinema. She adores the arts like this and has acted in school plays before, but doesn’t really have the drive to become serious with it, or the money to get to travel and see more shows, although her father will buy her production posters to put up on her walls at home.
~ Spring. There is nothing more perfect to her than the lavender fields just as they are starting to bloom, with a warm sun after the cold of winter and a gentle breeze which carries the scent for miles.
~ Christmas. Not so much for the religious connotations, but because every year at Christmas there is a huge festival in town. She absolutely adores the food (which is never available during the rest of the year somehow) like mincemeat pie and mulled cider, the little masquerade which is put on in the town square, the Christmas pageants, and especially the dancing under the stars. Never is she happier than when she can wear a mask and join in the traditional dances, meeting all the strangers who travel to the town just for this.
Dislikes:
~ Beer, or other hard alcohols. She grew up with wine in the household and drinks on a regular basis with meals, and finds beers and whiskeys disgusting.
~ Tourists, and by extension, some of the countries they come from. Americans are the worst. They are loud, rude, and expect you to stop the work you are doing and let them take a picture with you. Not to mention the American men have more than once tried to take her back to their hotels with them for drink...something she very much didn’t appreciate.
~ Intense heat, and therefore the height of summer. If it wasn’t for the heat she’d like it quite a bit, however she has a tendency to get ill at this time of year for whatever reason, and has passed out more than once while in the field.
~ People who think that they are better than you because they have a lot of money. Her family has worked very hard for the things that they have, and when people (especially the other girls at her old school) flaunt things they were given or say nasty things about her because of what she doesn’t have, it makes her angry and hurt.
~ Gossip. Nothing is more deadly.
The little things
Strengths:
* Whether it’s at her job or something she is doing for someone else, she is an incredibly hard worker.
* Resilience. No matter what is happening to her, she’ll push through it till the very end.
* Brave. She’ll enter nearly any situation she needs to in order to protect what’s dear to her.
* Caring. Whether it’s strangers, animals, or people who are mean to her, Garnet is pretty much a sweetheart to everyone she meets.
* A quick wit. Garnet lives in the moment, which means that if something unexpected happens or plans change, she can easily change with them in a fluid manner, and is therefore only minimally affected.
Weaknesses:
* Trusting nature. This has it’s good points too, to be sure, but if she’s not careful she can be taken advantage of, and she’s rarely careful.
* Reliance on others. She’s not very independent, and likes to be taken care of. All well and good, until the time comes that she’s on her own for however long.
* Has a tendency to let the nastiness of others get to her. If someone says or does something cruel to her she becomes like a small wounded animal, licking its wounds. If the same person does this to someone else she cares about however...caution may be needed.
* Naive. She has this sense that everything will always be alright.
* Often acts rashly. She is a creature of emotion, and does not often stop to think things through.
Hobbies:
* Embroidery. She finds it very relaxing, and likes to see all the pieces of the picture come together. It’s also something for her hands to do while she and her brother talk.
* Exploring the small wooded areas around her home, something she and Gareth do together and always have. Once they used to play make-believe games as they did so, and now they use them as a way to be alone and talk freely about anything.
* Dancing, more the traditional folk-dances of her people than any other sort, although she only gets to do this at festivals and holidays.
* Day dreaming, either of the stories she’s heard of or things she wishes she could do with her life.
Occupation: Garnet works two part time jobs- Year round she is a shop girl at ‘Bon Savon’, a small boutique which sells handmade, natural soaps, their specialty of course being soap infused with Sault lavender. For several months of the year (roughly late spring to early fall) she works alongside her father and brother in the lavender fields. It’s hard work in the hot sun which often leaves her ill, but she does her best to hide this and not cause her family to worry, as she knows they need the money. The money she makes from working she mostly gives to her father to help with expenses, and the little bit which she keeps goes into a secret savings, for herself and her brother both, although he doesn’t know about it.
Highest Education Level Achieved: Garnet graduated from high school with mostly B’s, which was fairly impressive considering she started working as much as possible as soon as the law allowed. She’s never attended college, not having either the money or the belief that it would benefit her in some way, but she secretly wishes she could help support Gareth so he could go.
History
Garnet Marie Andreu was born on January 5th, 1988 in Sault France just over two hours after the birth of her twin brother Gareth. They were the bastard children of Leonard Andreu and Raquelle Dechire- Leonard had long been a foreman in the famous lavender fields of the town, and Raquelle (only recently arrived) was one of numerous field hands, it being her first season. When Leonard found out about the beautiful, vivacious Raquelle’s pregnancy he insisted upon marrying her, yet time and again she refused. Both the children when born greatly resembled their mother, yet they were unmistakably Leonard’s as well, having inherited their father’s flaming red hair...indeed, the only resemblance, save for Garnet possessing the wild, unruly curls as well.
Still Leonard pressed Raquelle for them all to be joined as a family and still she refused, her reasons for why seeming to change each time. Finally, when the twins were three months old, Leonard awoke to their cries only to find Raquelle gone, the hastily scribbled note leaving no satisfactory reason for her departure. (Six years passed before Leonard learned what happened to the woman he had loved: One evening after putting the twins to bed he turned on the news and watched a report detailing the murder of Raquelle Buchard, a socialite, by her husband in an apparent fit of jealous rage after she tried to leave him for a wealthier man. This was how Leonard learned why she would not marry him- he was too poor. This has left a deep resentment of the ‘fortunately wealthy’ in the man, and he praises the virtues of hard work and frugality. Moreover, he has still never told his children what happened to their mother, only becoming more anxious and determined to protect his daughter as she grows older, and seems to attract more and more attention, of both the positive and negative variety.)
As Garnet never had a mother figure in her life, she was pitied by half the women in town and yet shunned by all of them. No one wanted to associate themselves with the daughter of the flamboyant Raquelle, who by the time Garnet was three had apparently slept with half the husbands in town, if gossip was to be believed. Her isolation only worsened as she grew, it becoming apparent that she had inherited both her mother’s great beauty and her ability to attract the village boys. She was a ‘bad influence’ on the other girls and a ‘horrible temptation’ to the boys, despite the fact that Garnet herself did very little to actually merit any of this- she only had one serious boyfriend in high school, and that relationship ended violently...Gareth’s doing. He was always there when she needed saving, always ready to threaten and disperse the inevitable Italian, Swedish, or American tourist who would try and whisk his sister away every summer, and always ready to connect his fist with the face of any man who tried to compromise her. If anyone in town had a reputation which could possibly match Garnet’s own, it was Gareth’s.
Leonard, as foreman, was already a busy man- add two extra mouths to feed, plus his depression over Raquelle’s abandonment, and the poor man threw himself into work and religion to make up for it. Once a heavy drinker he now forswore alcohol utterly (although it being France, wine somehow doesn’t seem to count as an alcohol there...) and although he could be a very strict man, he is not unkind. He loves both of his children very much, but is sadly unsure how to show it. Garnet especially leaves him anxious and uncertain as a young woman, and seeing as how he often leaves at dawn for work and returns late and exhausted anyway, more often then note he leaves her care in the hands of her brother, and the housework with Garnet herself.
Each does their job well. Starting at a very young age, Garnet taught herself the more traditional aspects of housekeeping, such as sewing and cooking, and inevitably played the mother to both herself and Gareth. With Leonard so often away, Gareth is both older brother and father figure for Garnet, and she looks up to him more than anyone else, and will nearly always do as he says. The two have always been together whether at daycare, school, play, or working in the fields as well starting at 14. After graduating high school Garnet took a second job at the soap shop to help out her family and start a little bit of savings. Between the shop, the lavender once the season arrives, and running the household she is very busy, but dreams of leaving Sault with Gareth, and seeing the world. Finally ready to live her own life, happy and free from the stories which plague her.
Sample Roleplay
- 400-600 word minimum . Make it good.
Shivering slightly Garnet pulled the worn, oversized man’s coat closer about her small frame and ducked her head, trudging the last few meters up to her home. The coat was her father’s, or had been, but it was much more warm than the threadbare jacket she’d had (and repaired) for years, and so he had finally given it to her, scrounging up something less suitable from somewhere. She had felt a little bit guilty, taking his nicer coat when he himself needed it as well, but papa had insisted, and gratefully she had finally agreed. Not just because it meant she was warmer throughout the winter, but also because it was proof that he loved her. Her papa loved her, that she did know...he simply had trouble expressing it somehow.
She had just gotten off work from the store in town, and not even the chilly December weather or last minute holiday shoppers (amazing how many people put off their purchases till Christmas Eve) could dampen her spirits tonight. Inside the pocket of her coat, sheltered from the dampness of melting snow, was her paycheck and a very small holiday bonus. Hardly enough for anything really, or at least it never seemed like it. But she had stretched, and scrimped, and saved, and even gone without whenever she thought she’d get away with it (not that she often did, Gareth was very watchful) and bit by bit her savings grew, until tonight, with just this measly little sum, she had something she could be proud of. It wouldn’t get them very far, but it was certainly a start. Either she and Gareth could travel nearly anywhere they chose, and start a new life somewhere, together, or she would be able to send her brother to whatever college he was accepted to, as long as he received financial aid of course, and for Gareth that would be easy. The decision was his...the money she had saved for him. Whatever made him happy, whatever life he wanted the most, was more than enough for her. All that she asked in return was that he love her more than anyone.
Something she never doubted she had.
Hurrying through the door and into the living room of the little house she shook her head vehemently, freeing much of it from the tiny flakes that had become stuck there like diamonds. She looked up and smiled, her joy illuminating her face when she saw Gareth there, waiting for her. Stamping her boots free of the by the door she giggled, tilting her head at him slightly. “Mon Dieu it’s cold....Don’t you love the snow? It’s as though it freezes the whole world, and time itself...as though nothing exists at all, except for us.” She snuggled against him for a moment when he hugged her, delighting in the warmth and in being home, before Gareth pulled away and reached into his pocket, exciting both her surprise and the strength of her curiosity. “Joyeux Noel, Garnet. It isn’t anything special, but I couldn’t resist, it was too perfect for you.”
Her eyes widened as she took the box, and with a tentative, almost shy glance up at him she opened it, eliciting a soft cry when she sees the cross. It was beautiful. It was truly delicate, and elegant, and lovely in every way. And it was hers. She had seen it before in town, once or twice, as she hurried to and from the shop. Not more, because she had done everything in her power to avoid looking at it, to not glance that way. She had wanted it, more than any trinket or feminine charm she had ever known, and almost for that reason alone had known she couldn’t buy it. After all, she didn’t need it, Gareth was more important, she had to help him in anyway she could, even if he didn’t know it for the time. So she had ignored the little thing, pretended that it didn’t exist so she wouldn’t even be tempted to give in and buy it, and yet now here it was, inexplicably, in her hands. She stared at it for a moment before throwing her arms around his neck and hugging him brutally hard (it was a good thing he was so much stronger) her simple joy overwhelming her utterly. After a moment she handed it to him and turned around, lifting her hair out of the way and begging him to help her put it on, positively glowing when she felt the cold metal hit her neck. Spinning around again she seized his hands, wanting nothing more than to share her joy with him, and only praying that it would do so.
“Maintenont cher, I have something for you too, only it’s not in a box like this. Oh please, I’ve worked so hard, I hope you like it!” Her blue-green eyes danced in the dim light as she finally told him about the savings she had started for him, and had managed to make grow, bit by tiny bit. And she knew, with some utter conviction which she had always possessed that no matter what his choice, she would love him just the same.
