Barrett

For Queen and Country

𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗪

^{Running from The Daily Grind to The Capital, catching up with Blake; @Undine}

Colin Renshaw was running late.

Not literally of course, not yet. He was actually walking late, not travelling nearly fast enough for someone who was already behind schedule and yawning constantly. The day had begun on time, actually, he'd risen to his alarm, lathered some toast in marmite and made tea all in a reasonable-ish frame of time. The problems had started when he'd opened twitter, just to check up on things, and been brought low by an avalanche of messages, @s and general carrying on. Most were not at him, so much, but at The Capital or articles he'd written on their site.

It took some time to dig himself out from under all of it but he still had time to get ready and walk to work when he was finished. Then, just as he was about to put down his phone, a comment on some picture he'd uploaded to Facebook reminded him of something completely different and he'd wandered off into the living room and starting sorting through the items on the mantlepiece. He was searching for one specific picture, taken on the same holiday as the one he uploaded to Facebook. No, it wasn't not there, must be upstairs in the office somewhere or maybe in Emma's room.

Time was getting short but not having brought his phone with him and not having dressed enough to be wearing a watch, Colin didn't even notice. He moved aside some of the clutter on the windowsill behind his table, shifting some old paperbacks, a stack of bills and an ornate pocketwatch... there it was. He lifted a picture frame out from the mess and placed it in a place of pride beside another, smaller frame at the front of the desk.

The one he'd rescued from the snowdrift of paper and office supplies was a quite recent and clearly taken as a selfie by Colin. It showed him and Emma a few years ago, standing atop a hill in Scotland. They were both damp and cold but were beaming with the triumph of having scaled the slope, rain glinting on Emma's glasses. That wasn't the trip that had resulted in Emma's... condition, it must've been the one before it but it still made his gut clench to look at. Colin had slowly moved it further an further back on the desk, putting reports and mugs of tea in front of it until it had been blocked from sight completely. Now it was restored.

The first picture, the one he'd never allow anything to be put in front of, was much older and a little grainy, though the ravages of time and experience had done little to change how Colin felt whenever he saw it. It showed himself and Emma, both fifteen years younger, as well as the missing member of the Renshaw family; Carolyn. The three of them were walking down a road towards the whoever took the picture (for the life of him he couldn't remember who did it) with Emma in the middle, holding both of her parent's hands and grinning madly. She was so small that they were almost hoisting her into the air and she seemed to be loving it.

For several minutes, Colin sat in his chair and stared at the two photos, lost down memory lane.

And then, with a start, he jumped up and looked down at his wrist. There was no watch there but he knew what one would tell him; you should already be gone. He scrambled into some clothes, grabbed his laptop and some relevant notes to fill his bag with and raced downstairs. Within a few minutes he was walking at a brisk pace towards the newspaper's offices, running through the checklist of things he'd need for the day in his head. Keys, wallet, phone, large supply of patience for talking to the boss... Checks all round.

Still, the trip wasn't that far and he was only five or ten minutes behind schedule... maybe he could stop in at the Daily Grind for a coffee? If he brought Blake one too, she probably wouldn't even give him more than a bit of side-eye for coming in late so it would actually be tactical to get coffee, he'd avoid a lecture or pointed questions. Having already talked himself into it, Colin detoured towards the cafe as he untangled his headphones and inserted them into his ears. What he really wanted was some calming background music but he was yet to properly understand Spotify and Emma refused to help him unless she was allowed to pick half the songs on his playlist, an ultimatum he wouldn't even consider. So the radio would have to do.

Now standing in the line, Colin drowned out the happy mumbling of conversation from around him and focused in on the radio. It was some modern pop song, something about feeling stronger and moving on, which was a little disappointing but then he was used to On the Edge being very hit and miss. Sometimes you'd get lucky and hear a Queen track or even some Franz Ferdinand but mostly it was new bands that Colin hadn't the energy to learn all the names of. Still, he mostly listened because it was local and often the callers were people he knew.

But as the song came to an end, it wasn't the familiar voice of Louise that faded in, nor anyone else that Colin knew. It was a hard, cruel voice, tinged with a touch of excitement. It was what the voice was was saying that chilled Colin to his core though. A call to action, a rousing yell to the mob, asking them who was to blame for their problems and then pointing at one group; the Others.

Witches. Vampires. Werewolves...

And with that, Colin spun around and raced from the Daily Grind, almost knocking over a gentleman in a suit on his way out. He ran down the road, turned the corner and threaded through passing cars at a higher speed than he'd moved all morning, sprinting flat out all the way to The Capital's offices, where he took the stairs two at a time. Finally arriving at the office, he heaved open the door to stand, panting heavily, in front of his colleague. Judging by her look of self righteous outrage, she already knew about it, had maybe even heard the broadcast.

Without slowing down, Colin sprang over to his desk and got out his laptop.

"I heard the whole thing, I was on my way here and it just bloody came on! Has it been recorded somewhere? Have you transcribed it? How many people heard it?"

His fingers were already leaping across the keys, looking for the answers to those questions until another one stopped him dead in his tracks. He abandoned the latop and pulled out his phone, pulling up his most messaged contact.

Looking up, he was sure he'd just missed whatever Blake had said to him.

"Sorry, needed to check up on Emma, no reason to be worried though." he said, seemingly more to himself than to her. Focusing properly on Blake, he tilted his head to one side and observed her tired, feverish eyes. Almost like looking in a mirror, if mirrors showed you as younger, more smartly dressed and with better makeup.

"Alright, that happened. This whole... thing just got ten times weirder, ten times more dangerous. How do we write this? What do we say?"

For Queen and Country

@Silent Observer
𝗖𝗔𝗘𝗟 is accepted.

For Queen and Country

NICODEM

𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘
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Nicodem Kaminski, Nico to his friends.

𝗔𝗚𝗘
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Appears to be in his late forties, his actual age is lost to time though he guesses it's around one thousand years.

𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘
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Turned later in life, Nicodem gives off the impression of someone who has been tired for a long, long time. His face is lined and his eye sockets sunken, a few old wounds buried under the weight of wrinkles. His whole body hints at a past full of fights and criminality, in fact, faded tattoos and ancient scars jockeying for position all over his chest, back, arms and legs. Yet he simultaneously projects the air of a coiled spring, ready to unleash energy at a moment's notice. His gait says something similar, every step measured and assured, feet landing precisely where they're supposed and never moving faster than he wants to. Nicodem stands with his back ramrod straight and shoulders held high, like a man constantly on the parade ground.

In the past, Nicodem would normally wear whatever was cleanest or whatever suited his current job. But today, even those with average jobs can afford to dress in well tailored clothes, beautiful ties and shiny shoes. So he chooses to dress in nice coats, fine suits, an array of formal ties and boots or shoes that he personally cares for like children. While behind the bar, he likes a vest and tie with his shirt sleeves rolled back. It keeps the shirt clean and has the added advantage of showing off some particularly intimidating ink from his stint in the Russian Mafia, always good to encourage a drunkard to back down. Nicodem's long hair starts the day oiled back across his head and, depending on how stressful things get, slowly frees itself to swing loose, much to his annoyance. His voice is deep and earthy but his dialect an enigma. If European accents were spices, Nicodem's accent is what happens when you knock the spice rack over into a ditch; there's traces of Russian, Spanish and English in there, along with seemingly random touches of rural slur and old fashioned syntax.

𝗢𝗖𝗖𝗨𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
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Nicodem owns and maintains The Slye Fox, an old fashioned English Pub in Edgetoun. He's been behind the bar, on and off, for the past century and considers himself a damn good bartender.

𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
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Nicodem is officially affiliated with The Collective but not because he shares their ideals or wants to see them flourish. Rather, he joined them because it seemed they were the most obvious obstacles to the Methuselah's Court, at least in the UK. He has only into detail with one person on why he dislikes the Court so much but the truth is very simple; due to his own confusion over how old he is, they've snubbed him voting rights. Since then, several decades ago, he's been careful to make the lives of their agents as difficult as he can without attracting too much attention.

𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬
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Nicodem judges people with the standards that he places on himself and therefore sees them as falling into two categories; those who control themselves and are to be respected; and those who don't and aren't. For him, control is the one true measure of worth. If you can control yourself, you can do anything, be anything. And if you can't, you're not worth the time it takes to insult you. The philosophy arose from his own long history of drink and anger fuelled violence, which wrecked one stable lifestyle after another. Nicodem's self discipline manifests itself in a few ways. For one, his face and tone are neutral till he wants them otherwise. Another, he has certain schedules and rules that he follows religiously. Thirdly, he doesn't drink, not alcohol and not human blood.

He is so committed to this last one that he ritually files down his fangs every few months. It's hellishly painful but ensure that he needs to use a syringe and a glass to get his sustenance, normally harvested from a family of rats he keeps in his home above the bar. Apart from that, he's generally kind to those who need kindness and indifferent to those who don't. He doesn't like seeing people suffer and will lend a helping hand to anyone who needs a step up, whether that means giving them a sofa to stay on or helping them to find a job through his contacts at work. If you ask him for help, you better be sure you need it though. If you tell him your problem and he decides it's all your own fault, he's more likely to shake his head and walk away than anything else.

𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬
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Nicodem has no idea when he was born or for how long he had walked the earth. He knows he's seen some pretty important events, the Crusades and the Black Death for example, but when he tries to recall his birth or his parents or even his sire, nothing comes to him. He doesn't chalk it up to anything mysterious though, he's spent years uncounted as a soldier and getting hit on the head is one of the risks of the job. He's relatively sure that his first memory is sitting in a muddy field in modern day Poland, surrounded by the dead. Nicodem had only two certainties then, that he was a soldier and that he was a vampire, and if he's honest, that hasn't changed much in roughly a millennia.

Since then, he's had a lot of jobs. He ran a tavern in Sicily and market stall in Madrid. He collected debts in Istanbul and scars in St Petersburg. He fought for money in Poland and for revenge in the New world, now called America. In fact, there are few cities on the face of the earth to which Nicodem is truly a stranger. Equally, there are few jobs that he hasn't tried his hand at once or twice, from banker to bouncer to butcher. There was only ever really been one constant in his life; violence. When he was a mercenary, Nicodem wouldn't think twice about killing a man. That was the job. And after a few centuries, when the job changed, somehow the man didn't. He gave scaffolding a go, working on the construction of a great cathedral in Italy but left within a month after a barroom brawl turned bloody. He tried again with different jobs in different lands but the outcome was always the same.

For a time, Nicodem simply accepted that it was his lot in life to be stained in blood, perhaps because of his Vampiric nature. God wants what god wants, he used to say, and the devil will get his due. But eventually he could no longer blame the blood on circumstance or or fate. It was unpleasantly clear to him that the only reason people died around him was his own lack of control. A spilled drink, an unkind word, a nasty look, anything was enough to set Nicodem off in those days, especially when he was drunk. And he was drunk more than he was sober. The truth came to him after a particularly bad night in Warsaw that left half a dozen men dead and Nicodem's fledgling career as a blacksmith, a profession he'd been rather enjoying, in ruins. It seemed that if he was ever to have more to show for his existence than scars and old tattoos, he would have to cultivate self control.

Since this revelation, Nicodem hasn't touched a drop of alcohol (this was somewhere in the 1700s) and has dedicated almost every waking hour to learning indomitable discipline. It started with small things, ritual exercises and the like, before moving to tougher endeavours, like holding hot coals, before progressing to the big ones, filing down his fangs and weaning himself off of human blood. Today, Nicodem's will is an iron bastion and his daily routines are engraved in stone. He works on his body and form, running every morning and exercising every evening, as well as his mind with regular classes on everything from economics to learning Persian. There's so much to see and learn, even as an immortal, that you're only liable to get bored if you're a boring person.

The Slye Fox started as a nostalgic purchase to relive the good old days but over the years turned into an extension of Nicodem's own philosophy of control. There are rules in the Fox that are broken on pain of having parts of yourself broken and few in recent years have dared test them. The first one is simple; no fights. If anyone so much as raises a hand against another in the Fox, they can expect to be ejected with extreme prejudice. The second is likewise; if the bartender says you've had enough, you walk. No arguments. The third is only for those that share the owner's bloodthirsty nature; no one drinks from a mortal on the premises. The forth and most recent was instated by Nicodem's most reliable employee, Eve; Dhampires drink free.

𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗦
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The Slye Fox - Nicodem's pub, run with brutal efficiency and frequented by almost as many Others as mortals. It's got a relaxed, calm atmosphere as troublemakers leave quickly and never return. The first two rules are written on the wall, the third and fourth are common knowledge to those that they concern.

Prospect Park - Every morning, almost since the park was opened, Nicodem has run circuits through it. If it weren't this park then it would probably be another but you can't know a place for that long without developing some sentimental attachment to it.

Richmond's - When he wants to be reminded just how good service can be, Nicodem visits this exclusive establishment. And for a vampire with legendary self control, Nico has something of a sweet tooth and wouldn't like to share how much money he's spent on cakes over the years.

𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗦 & 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬
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His family are long gone and his friends are their own people, not his.

RELATIONSHIPS

𝗘𝗠𝗠𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗪
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"Little wolf girl, in the Fox but rarely."

Werewolves are easy to spot to a Vampire, or at least easy to smell. As far as Nicodem thinks about it, and it isn't very far, it's a shame to see one so young already forced to navigate the pack system and all its attendant politicking. Still, he can't take in another stray, the last one has only just moved off his sofa.

𝗞𝗔𝗟𝗜 𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗗
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"... No. Don't know her."

N/A

𝗟𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗟 𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗟𝗘𝗬
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"Half-life, looks lost and smells panicked. Don't think I know his father..."

Dhampires are fine by Nicodem, he was never one of the Vampires who thought they were abominations to be exterminated. He's never made one of his own, granted, but that's not got anything to do with a distaste for their kind, it's for personal reasons. He feels pity for them, especially as one quite so advanced in years, but as there's not much he can do for them, he contents himself with serving them free beer.

In Laurel's case specifically... It's a shame to see such a well mannered and obedient boy go off the rails after learning his nature, a real shame. If he were a more regular customer, Nicodem might give the boy a talking to, teach him the value of discipline and self respect. But if the boy's determined to be a loner, then a loner he can be.

Most loners don't even last as long as Dhampires.

𝗝𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗟𝗔𝗭𝗔𝗥𝗨𝗦
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"Witch. Smells of soap and animals."

Jack's no regular but Nicodem doesn't easily forget a name, face or scent.

𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗢 𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗬
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"Eve's friend, Witch and stripper. Winked at me once."

Not one for strip clubs, Nicodem only knows Inigo from when she comes around to drag of his star employee for a night on the town, normally already excited and ready to go. He doesn't resent her for that, Eve seems to like her and having fun is what mortals like to do most, but it doesn't really build the foundation for a friendship either.

𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗡
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"Not one I know."

N/A

𝗔𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗬𝗫
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"Faerie, smells like heather and rosemary. Always smirking."

Even to Nicodem, who hasn't drunk the blood of anything sentient in several centuries, faeries smell like temptation and debauchery. It's their blood, it calls to Vampires in a sweet song that promises an experience you'll never forget... But Nicodem has no time for it. No humans, no faeries, nothing that can think. Once you start, you'll never stop.

Evens so, perhaps it's for the best that the 'retired banker' doesn't come to the Fox often, especially given the number of elder Vampires that spend their time there.

𝗦𝗜𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪
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"Little witch girl, plays with fire. Brought her girlfriend in here once."

Nicodem doesn't have any prejudices against witches (though one did try to burn him alive once) or gays and both are welcome in the Fox. Fire, however, is banned.

𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗥 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗡
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"A good man, for a monster. Works hard to be independent... by attaching himself to everyone."
Description of relationship here.

𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗪
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"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗔𝗢𝗜𝗙𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗬
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"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗬𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗚
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"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗞𝗘𝗜
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"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗟𝗨𝗞𝗔 𝗣𝗔𝗩𝗟𝗢𝗩
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"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗘𝗞
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"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗟𝗢𝗞𝗜 𝗩𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗚
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"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔 𝗔𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗢
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"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗘𝗩𝗘 𝗟𝗨𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗥𝗘
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"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗟
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"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗢
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"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗚𝗨𝗬 𝗟𝗘𝗘
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"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗖𝗔𝗘𝗟
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗬𝗣𝗦𝗢 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗬
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗬
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗔 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗡
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗜 𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗛𝗘
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"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗔𝗦 𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗢𝗗𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗔
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗭𝗢𝗘𝗬 𝗔𝗟𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗡
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"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

𝗥𝗬𝗟𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛 𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗘
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"Optional - character's own words."
Description of relationship here.

For Queen and Country

RENATO

_{▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬}

^{▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬}

𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

Renato Carvallo

𝗔𝗚𝗘
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Thirty-eight years old.

𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

At 5'11" and rake thin, Renato generally cuts striking figure whether he's striding through the corridors of the Old Bailey or strutting from one Night Club to the next. He's careful about his appearance, grooming his moustache almost every morning and gelling his hair constantly. It's his opinion that if you're going to go outside and people are going to see you, you might as well give them something to really take in. His eyes are what people always remember though, they slice through you like scalpels and drill down to your core until you're struggling to remember what you were going to say. As a Prosecutor, a steely gaze is one of his favourite tools.

Renato wears suits like the models do, making you simultaneously admire his svelte form while wishing you could find a suit that was tapered to your body like that. His secret is that he, like many of London's hard working professionals, rarely wears anything else. These days, he feels uncomfortable in casual clothes, they're like someone else's skin. So even on weekends or those long Friday nights, Renato wears a stylish and expensive suit. The only concession you'll see as the hours drag by in merriment is that his tie will slowly go from noose-tight to barely on his neck.

𝗢𝗖𝗖𝗨𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
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Renato is employed by the Crown Prosecution Service or CPS to represent the State in legal cases where the defendant is accused of a major crime. He specialises in Murder cases and has 39/4 ration for cases won/lost, which didn't come easily. He's there before almost everyone else and leaves last on every working day but Friday.

𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
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N/A

𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬
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Renato is the sort of man who works so hard that he gradually coils himself up into a compact ball of irritation and nerves, starting off as a discerning and demanding but intrinsically likeable boss and devolving into a twitchy, waspish man who'd shout at you for bringing him coffee at all and then again for not doing it fast enough. This normally reaches its peak on Friday afternoons, around five. That's when he stands up, takes a deep breath and seems to just... let it all go. His co-workers watch him walk out of the office with a spring in his step and the bars, clubs and alleys of old London town welcome him with open arms. Renato has heard the phrase 'high functioning alcoholic' but didn't think it sounded stylish or classy enough to describe himself.

That's how he unwinds after working every hour god sends and then some for the week. He unleashes and uncoils by drinking too much, barely sleeping and enjoying himself in any way that takes his fancy. It's highly choreographed debauchery, however, as he never shows up on Mondays with a hangover and never allows someone from his professional life to see him out on the town. Even ten drinks under the table, some part of Renato reserves the right to subtly steer him out of sight should a fellow Prosecutor wander into the bar. So who Renato is all depends on when you catch him. He begins the week as charming and cheery before slowly dropping down the rankings of charisma into a complete boor, before turning into the wildest and freest spirit you ever did see over the weekend. His only problem is that as the job only gets harder, a simple night of binge drinking no longer suffices to relieve the stress and he is forced to escalate one of his lives to match the other. Slowly, the tension that's wound and then released is ratcheting up and Renato can feel his bones starting to creak with the pressure...

𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

Renato's parents were both of Chilean descent, spoke Spanish at home and were teachers themselves so Renato had two languages under his belt by the time most children were still learning how to read. They pushed him hard and he responded well, leaping through his lessons and asking for more, seemingly without ever looking for a pause. Looking back though, Renato can see that as a child, he was able to unwind in the playground or after school, laughing and playing with the other children. As an adult, the options are a little different; no playground, more stress and fewer government mandated breaks.

Leaving school with top notch grades, Renato was able to take his pick of prestigious law schools to attend, for his grandmother had imperiously told him that while his parents had failed her by throwing their lives away as teachers, at least one of her descendants was going to be a lawyer. It was in University that Renato, coming from a strict and religious family, finally discovered alcohol. He took to it like a duck to water, if that duck is intent on drinking all the water and then partying with the other ducks. But as much as the student nightlife sucked him in, Renato was a dutiful son and grandson. He wasn't about to throw away his academic achievements for a few weekend benders, not when even his less friendly lecturers were grudgingly admitting he was a prodigy in the field. It took time, practise and several missteps but Renato honed his ability to balance the call of the night with the long work hours of the day.

University was a long time ago, however, and Renato has been a working lawyer for just under fifteen years. He came back to London, got a position as a junior clerk in a Prosecutor's office and climbed the ladder with almost unseemly haste. As a Prosecutor, he's won some of London's most famous cases in recent years, always on the side of the state against whoever was accused. Sometimes it was harder to sleep at night, wondering whether they were as guilty as he'd made them seem but that's the job and he'd be damned if he wasn't good at it. Nevertheless, there are four black marks on his record and with his latest case, the infamous Nick Bloodfang, Renato is determined not to accept another one. Nick Bloodfang will go to jail for his crimes and, as far as Renato is concerned, nothing short of a miracle will change that...

𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗦
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Edgetoun Prosecutor's Office - Where Renato can be found early in the morning and late into the night on every day except on Fridays. Depending on when you catch him, he'll welcome you in for a chat with an inviting wink or bawl you out for distracting him.

Ace of Spades - The latest club Renato has taken to frequenting, though last time he was there he was too drunk to notice the... odd atmosphere. Perhaps this Friday he'll arrive their earlier in the night and realise it might not be quite the place for him.

Yelena - Another one of Renato's regular stops on his weekly trips around time, Yelena is his sort of area. Not being particular when it comes to the gender of his partners, Renato has found many a friend and many a lover in the crystal covered halls of this club.

Kitty Corner - It is a perhaps sad fact that during almost every pub and club crawl, someone will suggest visiting a 'gentleman's club' regardless of company or appropriateness. Weekday Renato would never be seen in such a place but on the weekend, the man just can't say no.

𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗦 & 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬
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Bartholomew Morrison - Renato's junior and right hand man at the CPS, Bart is in awe of his boss and his ability to work such long hours without cracking. It's up for debate whether he'd feel the same way should he meet Renato after the working day is done.

Johann Hornby - A not dissimilar type to Renato, only ten years younger, Johann works in an accounting firm by day and spends his nights arm-in-arm with the older man as they stumble from pub to taxi to club to Uber to bed. There's nothing sentimental between them, just a mutual need for company and someone to validate their actions.

RELATIONSHIPS

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𝗞𝗔𝗟𝗜 𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗗
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"When I've the time or the inclination, I like a trip to the art museum and this lady is the one running the show."

It only really ends up happening when he's not working a case, because otherwise Renato's schedule is full but when he's de-stressed and sober, Renato loves to take in some art, especially at a vernissage. He's not around often enough to really be a friend to Kali but they're acquaintances at least.

𝗝𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗟𝗔𝗭𝗔𝗥𝗨𝗦
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"I've seen his face now and then, very handsome, but awfully quiet."

Still, given that he's seen him most often in Yelena, there's a fair chance Renato would enjoy getting to know Jack better.

𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗢 𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗬
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"Officially, I've never seen her. Unofficially... I won't forget her any time soon."

Many a misspent weekend ends in the early hours of the morning at the Kitty Korner for Renato. It's not his favourite venue but he can't deny the appeal when some of the dancer look like Indigo, though they've probably never exchanged words.

𝗦𝗜𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪
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"Hmmm... The name's familiar. Causing a public disturbance, maybe?"

Renato isn't a hundred percent but he feels like he's seem that hair before...

𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗥 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗡
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"Nightclub owner and landlord, I only know him from hitting on him at the Ace of Spades last week..."

Renato saw Alistair surveying the bar and liked what he saw. Of course, he didn't see fangs and didn't know that the man in front of him was old before his grandmother was born. If he had, he would probably at least have straightened his tie before going over and laying down some pick up lines.

𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗬𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗚
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"The officer from America, I remember. He hasn't brought any juicy cases to me yet, we'll see how I feel about when he has."

Renato tends to assume the worst of officers until they prove otherwise to him and Lang has yet to. It's not that he dislikes the Police but he's met a fair few that were crooked as the day is long and doesn't want to end up assuming someone is more innocent than they are.

𝗟𝗨𝗞𝗔 𝗣𝗔𝗩𝗟𝗢𝗩
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Handsome enough in his way, though he can't pull off the stubble, and he owns my favourite nightclub. What's not to like?"

It's quite possible that they've ended up with their tongues down each other's throats more than once but Yelena is far enough off the beaten track that Renato never arrives without at least a skinful so his recollections of the place and the things that have happened in it are hazy at best.

𝗟𝗢𝗞𝗜 𝗩𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗚
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"Hmmmm... I remember the name. Public indecency, wasn't it? I'm sure he was pulled in for something."

If only Renato knew Loki's dealings, there'd be enough litigation there to keep him nice and tightly wound for several years.

𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔 𝗔𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗢
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"The secretary down at the station, I remember her. I shouted at her once and got her flowers to apologise, I hope it worked."

Normally Renato is a charming and friendly boss (though not too friendly, best to keep things professional) but Aila happened to catch him on a bad day and caught the wrong end of his temper. The flowers were Yellow Roses and the card explained they were meant to symbolise the deepest regret and most heartfelt apology. They haven't crossed paths again yet so Renato has no idea what effect they had on the young woman.

𝗘𝗩𝗘 𝗟𝗨𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗥𝗘
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"A devastatingly sexy french woman who serves you beer? If only the Fox had more of an atmosphere, I'd be there every week."

It's just a bit too dead for Renato, despite the charming scenery.

𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"She did some time for stalking, I believe, and got out recently. Let's hope she's learned her lesson."

He really means it, Renato would prefer for every criminal who goes through the prison system to come out perfectly reformed. Unfortunately, he ends up seeing most of them again in the courtroom, on the other side. Eleanor seems, to his judgement, to have some good sense so he has every hope that she won't end up like that.

𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗠 𝗞𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗞𝗜
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"A scary bartender with a list of rules? I'll take a miss on that one, thanks for asking."

Most of the reason Renato doesn't go to the Fox stem from its owner. Rules and restrictions are not, in his mind, conductive to a good night out.

𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗔 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗡
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"One of the workers down at the Coroner's office, right? Yeah, I think she was an expert witness in one of my cases."

Renato likes people who know their stuff and project an honest air, makes juries so much more malleable. Other than that though, he remembers very little of Olivia and would probably have difficulty spotting her in a crowd.

𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗔𝗦 𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Detective Inspector Black, I hear he's highly strung and difficult to work with. What can I say, I relate to that."

Black's another one of those officers that Renato knows of but hasn't really needed to get to know because he hasn't prosecuted any of the cases Black has worked. Renato's high opinion of himself generally leads him to conclude that any officer who hasn't brought him a well constructed murder case to lock down can't be all that important but that's not necessarily true.

𝗭𝗢𝗘𝗬 𝗔𝗟𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗡
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Another from the Coroner's office, dresses better than the other but seems just as distracted."

Renato would likely be distracted too if he was constantly receiving visions of death from the people and items around him but of course, Zoey can hardly make that excuse in company. So at least as far as Renato goes, she's labelled as flighty.

For Queen and Country

The classic For Queen and Country experience; you complete the relationship sheet for one character, go to sleep and wake up to find not one, not two, not three but five new characters.

For Queen and Country

COLIN

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Colin Peter Renshaw

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Forty-two years old.

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• Perpetually scruffy, Colin would rather spend outfit preparation time in bed, picks his clothes on a 'first to hand' basis.
• Only ever puts in effort to make sure he looks dishevelled rather than messy, which is the same only with more style.
• shaves when he remembers, often sports roguish stubble for days before remembering to restore his boyish good looks.
• A healthy Scottish accent, especially on Rs and CHs, amps up when he's stressed, angry or in the presence of another Scot.

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Journalist

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N/A

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There used to be a perpetually look in Colin's eyes, something that told you he was plotting a story or an adventure behind his eyes. The head of the Renshaw family seemed never to have more than a passing focus on the mundane tasks that occupied his time, preferring to wander off to some other plane of imagination. At least, that's how he put it. Carolyn, his late wife, called it 'being a dozy day dreamer' and more besides. Generally he'd give a rueful smile and get back to whatever he was supposed to be doing and for a while after her untimely passing, there was nothing to bring him back to earth. He was a listless daydreamer, floating off until life exerted itself on him, dragging him back down to the ground with crushing force.

And now, to put it mildly, Colin has a few things on his mind. His daughter's new condition, his uncertain job prospects, his geriatric parents, his drunken sister, his daughter's upcoming A-Levels, the complaints of their aged border collie, Jack, and the nagging itch in the back of his head that it's time to move on and find someone new to call him a dozy ponce. They all combine to force a man used to daydreaming the days away to be a , and perpetually about the future. And all around him, things seem to be getting darker and meaner, like the whole world's going through a rough patch. Hardly the time for dreamers or, perhaps, the time when they are most important.

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When he was a young man, Colin was concerned with being a good friend and then, when he was lucky enough to find someone who'd put up with him, a good boyfriend. He remembered birthdays better than exam dates, favourite foods better than deadlines and put more effort into planning parties than studying. It made him well liked and won him many friends but lecturers tended to label him as lazy or, if they were feeling generous, underachiever. Somewhere along the way, those labels stuck and went on to define how he saw himself, rather than how others saw him.

When he was a husband and a father, Colin thought only of his ailing partner and young daughter before he put much thought into his work. Predictably, his professional life went nowhere fast and he never really got past the level of freelancer in the world of journalism. And unfortunately his personal life was no better, as despite all his attention and devotion, his dearest Carolyn died and he was left to care for their daughter alone. And while he mostly thinks he did a pretty good job of it, there was that little... hiccup six months ago that left her in the ICU and gave a new meaning to "that time of the month".

And that isn't even the sum of his problems.

For most of his life, Colin has worked for one paper or another, writing culture pieces and reports on local events. He never had the drive to claw himself into the big leagues and report on murder most foul or international corruption but the job suited him and the work was steady. But now papers are downsizing fast with the rise of online news outlets, trimming those who can be trimmed or won't be missed and then a few more on top. These days, he's lucky to get more than one opinion piece a month, hardly enough to support his little family.

For the moment, Colin's found a somewhat stable place to work at The Capital, reporting on the Other situation, but he can't stand his boss and doesn't know how long he'll be able to bear working for such a bastard, not to mention the paper's unmistakably right-leaning viewpoint. It would be a shame to throw away a reliable income over dislike and principle but then Mr Crane did compare werewolves unfavourably to rabid dogs and suggested they might need put down, so maybe the day Colin can freely give him a piece of his mind can't come soon enough.

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- Colin is certainly older than the normal clientele of this particular establishment, so much so that he's sure he stands out, but the coffee is good and it's a convenient distance from both The Capital's offices and his house so he's stuck there. At least Emma seems to like the place and they let Jack in and give him a bowl of water.

- Not Colin's favourite paper to work for by any means but the one that has put him on a full time salary to cover the unfolding events of the Other crisis, The Capital is newspaper and website focused on London events, from politics to garden shows. It has a glorious past but, given new management, perhaps a less respectable future.

- Every dog owner needs a convenient park to walk regular circuits around and Prospect is Colin's. He can be found there at irregular hours, accompanied by his geriatric but still energetic Border Collier, Jack. Sometimes they play fetch or Jack chases the pond's ducks but mostly they walk a slow circuit then go home.

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- The Captial's newest owner, Nigel is an abrasive man who seems to not care much about his employees or even his readers but seems thus far to be a savvy businessman and is steadily shifting the paper's resources online. For Colin, it was when he heard the man describe werewolves as "unquestionably the worst of these repugnant others" that he decided he detested the man. Still, who doesn't hate their boss?

RELATIONSHIPS

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𝗘𝗠𝗠𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗪
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"Emma? Never heard of her. Her father? Who told you that... Oh alright, you've got me, she's mine. What's she done now?"

His pride, his joy, his worry, his fear, his daughter. Colin spends at least as much time thinking about Emma's new condition and her new problems as he does about his job at The Capital and probably more besides. Half of that is sensibly planning for the future, noting down phases of the moon and trying to find a particularly good place to stash fresh pairs of clothes for after a change. The rest is intense regret and burning guilt over putting her in the position that got her bitten, as irrational as that might be. Colin didn't know that a little camping in the Borders would put her (or himself) at risk of a werewolf bite, he didn't even know werewolves were real, but guilt over that night is still eating away at his insides every night and every quiet moment.

But pride is still what he feels most strongly. Pride at the woman she's grown into (it seems like just yesterday that she needed help to walk and couldn't eat solid foods) and of how much of both of her parents there is in her. Carolyn's single-mindedness and bravery, his stubborn nature and ability to laugh off things that aught to make you cry, they're both there along with traits that Emma must've grown herself. She hasn't been bowed by this, hasn't given up on life and still seems mostly sane, despite a bigger burden on her back that Colin has ever carried, and all before her eighteenth birthday. Some days, the worries barely even show through the glow of admiration. Those are the best days.

On most days, however, Colin is the dad who's too much of a dad to be cool, funny or totally comfortable to hang out with. He knocks out puns, dated references and "in my day"es at the drop of hat, never failing to produce a groan from his daughter. Maybe it's the old Stiff Upper Lip but neither of them let on much at their worries, fears and other emotions. They prefer a constant trade of friendly banter and bad jokes to end-of-the-world speeches or constant affirmations of painfully cherished love.

𝗞𝗔𝗟𝗜 𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗗
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"Museum curator, I think? I don't go down there much at the moment, not my beat anymore but I'm sure she's doing a good job."

Colin's been off the culture column of newspapers for just long enough to have never really gone to any of Kali's exhibits and isn't much of an art museum person on his own. He used to take Emma to them sometimes but they'd generally end up skipping out before they'd completed the exhibition and go for a wander with Jack instead.

𝗟𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗟 𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗟𝗘𝗬
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"Ah, Laurel's a good kid. The best, really, he gets Emma out of more scrapes than even she can possibly get into."

Laurel has spent so many nights over at the Renshaw place and Emma so many nights at the Binley household that Colin can't help but think of Laurel like an extra child, only one he never had to change nappies for. The boy is quiet, sensible and humble so it's still a mystery how him and Emma became friends. He's glad that they did because he can't really imagine his daughter without the calming, restraining influence of her best friend, given that she's far from calm or restrained even now.

It might seem corny or sentimental to others but Colin mostly does think of Laurel as the son he never had (not that he's dissatisfied by the daughter he's got, not by any means) and sometimes tries a little bit too hard to be a dad or at least dad-adjacent figure in Laurel's life. Any time Jane needed shelves put up or furniture assembled, Colin would cheerily volunteer himself and Laurel for a few hours of manly construction work, for instance. To this day, Colin's not sure whether Laurel humours that sort of thing because he likes it or doesn't want to offend.

Recently, though, Laurel's been distant. Not just to him but to Emma, which is obviously more worrying. Maybe it's teenage stuff (Colin's own adolescence seems so far away but he vaguely remembers being moody and sulky) or perhaps it's something darker. As soon as he has a moment away from work, he'll find Laurel and has a chat with the lad. Whatever it is that's bothering him, Colin's sure it can be resolved with a heart-to-heart and a nice cup of tea.

𝗝𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗟𝗔𝗭𝗔𝗥𝗨𝗦
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"Lovely man, very friendly and good at his job. Our Jack would probably be chasing squirrels in doggy heaven without him."

Colin and Jack aren't close (how close are you to your local vet?) but Colin's fond of the other man. He's steadfast, competent and quietly confident in a crisis, what more can you ask for? They've run into each other a few times outside of the vet clinic and Colin always insists on buying Jack a beer if possible but it would probably be a stretch to call them friends.

𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗢 𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗬
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"Hmmmm... No, I think I'd remember a name like that."

Neither a purchaser of arcane ingredients nor a patron of the Kitten Korner, Colin hasn't had the pleasure yet.

𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗡
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"My rookie partner, new on the beat, full of big ideas and idealism, she makes me feel old. Wait, does that make me Danny Glover?"

If Colin's too old for this shit, a tired working cop whose seen too much to be much moved anymore, Blake's definitely the rebellious, principled young officer, the Riggs to his Murtaugh. She's frightfully opinionated and sometimes a little too willing to browbeat people into submission but then she is a journalist, so at least she's chosen a career where both of those things are considered assets. And at least she understands the myriad complexities of modern social media, all of which Colin can barely navigate for himself, let alone for work.

Honestly, for all Colin's jokes about Blake being "angrier than a box of hornets" or "greener than an Irishman's eyes", he admires her. She's got fire hasn't let it be smothered or even dampened by working at The Capital under the odious Nigel Crane. Blake cares about a hundred-thousand different causes, all with equal passion, and while Colin's too tired to do the same, he's glad there's someone like her in the world, speaking up for those that have no voices.

They work well together, currently tasked with covering the unfolding Other situation in London. Colin does ground work and finds interviews with respected local figures (most of which he knows from years working the culture beat, you'd be surprised how many people a restaurant reviewer gets to know) while Blake makes new friends and gets community members directly involved in incidents to open up to her. They still have to sneak anything that isn't staunchly anti-Other past their editor but it's better than the alternative, especially in this economy.

𝗔𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗬𝗫
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"Eddie the retired banker, right? Always glad to see another Scot down here but I've never been able to stand bankers."

Who knows whether Colin would like the other man (or, well, not man but you get the point) if he knew the truth? What with all the news about the different types of Others getting around, there's inevitably been the idea of faeries living amongst humans bandied about but Colin hasn't given it much thought. After all, what sort of threat could a faeries pose...

𝗦𝗜𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪
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"If my daughter was anyone other than herself, I'd accuse that girl of being a bad influence. As it is, maybe it's the other way around."

Obviously not as longstanding or frequently seen a guest at Hotel Renshaw as Laurel, Simone is nevertheless not an uncommon sight at Colin's house. Generally she's giggling with Emma at something that he never hears or talking quickly and excitedly with Laurel or all three of them are snuggled up in front of a movie. Colin's not sure when exactly the dynamic duo became a troublesome trio, nor exactly what the relationship between his daughter and the girl with the orange hair is, but they all seem happy so who is he to interfere?

𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗥 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗡
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Alistair's a mate and a very good neighbour. We go out for a drink every now and then, less nowadays unfortunately."

Obviously not aware of his neighbour's supernatural nature or his position in the community beyond local landlord, Colin just likes to hear another Scottish accent around the place. He's far too old to go gallivanting off to the Ace of Spaces but him and Alistair sometimes slip off to the Fox for a couple of pints and some complaining about the English. Sometimes, Colin thinks the other man is a bit off, especially whenever the topic drifts to history, but he's mostly assigned it to general eccentricity rather than immortal vampirism. Though who knows, now that the cat's out of the bag, whether Colin will not question Alistair further the next time he lets slip a suspiciously well informed opinion on the Jacobite revolution?

𝗔𝗢𝗜𝗙𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗬
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"Uh... Works at the bookshop, right? Seems nice enough."

Colin barely feels he has time in the day to do all the writing he needs to, let alone reading enough so he's by no means a regular at Grandville. On the few occasions he's popped in (because everyone ends up at a bookshop now and then) the young worker has seem remarkably friendly and perhaps a little too knowing.

𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗬𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗚
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"The big blonde policeman? I've seen him around but we've never talked."

A holdover from his misspent youth, Colin maintains a general distrust of Policemen.

𝗞𝗘𝗜
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"I did a piece on her charity a few years back, it's inspirational stuff she's doing there."

As with so many of the Others in Edgetoun, Colin's encountered Kei and thought no more of her than that she's an eccentric human. Her charity is doing good work, as he said in his article, but he's unlikely to be receiving anything from it or to end up working for it so there's not really any reason for him to think about it, or her, again.

𝗟𝗨𝗞𝗔 𝗣𝗔𝗩𝗟𝗢𝗩
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"Scruffy looking bloke, one of Alistair's friends? Yeah, I ran into him once, seems alright, lays it on a little thick."

It was in the Slye Fox and Colin would probably have been very surprised to learn that, between his friend, the newcomer and the bartender, there was almost three millennia worth of wisdom surrounding him. Though he'd probably not really know what to do with that information had he been told.

𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗘𝗞
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"I swear, some days I'm sure that I'm the only person who listens to the radio, Emma doesn't even know how to work it."

Over the Edge is good to listen to in the background or when you're out walking the dog but Colin wouldn't really call himself a fan. If he understood how to work Spotify or if his walkman still worked, he'd probably use one of those instead.

𝗟𝗢𝗞𝗜 𝗩𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗚
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"Slimy fellow, gives me the creeps, but Alistair seems to like him."

And a recommendation from Alistair goes a long way in Colin's book. As it is, he's not out on the town enough to run into Loki and doesn't go in for the substances that would allow him to encounter the vampire's criminal underlings. So their relationship is reduced to the odd encounter at the Fox, where Colin tends to crack a few jokes then excuse himself and call the night a write-off. There's just something about Loki...

𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔 𝗔𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗢
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Always be nice to the receptionist, especially at the Police Station. When you need to talk to someone, they're the one you need."

Not that Colin has much need of contact with the Police, he's doesn't cover crime stories for the most part. Still, he's made a point to be polite to Aila whenever he ends up at the station, normally because of something to do with Emma.

𝗘𝗩𝗘 𝗟𝗨𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗥𝗘
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"Why a lady like her is working in an old fashioned watering hole like the Fox is a mystery worthy of Holmes."

Colin's never been much of a lady's man and wouldn't flatter himself enough to believe that she was interested in a scruffy buffer like himself but he's got eyes. How it was that the scary bartender persuaded her to pull pints behind his bar must be a hell of a story...

𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗟
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Always nice to know a doctor, though you always hope you won't see them too often."

If he knew Suriel better, he'd probably try to make some sort of joke about her name being 'white' but as it is, they're barely acquaintances. Colin's brand of journalism doesn't get him injured and Emma seems to be healing too fast to take to the doctors these days.

𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗢
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"I reported on a few of his cases or know people who have. Highly strung I hear, but works very hard."

Bah, lawyers, who needs them? This one might be one of the good ones but that's not excuse for the profession itself.

𝗚𝗨𝗬 𝗟𝗘𝗘
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"Give me a moment... Ah! The barista down at the Daily Grind, right? I'm awful with faces, you've got to give me a few seconds."

Colin's in the cafe fairly often but he's not the sort to get to know the servers in a place that seems full of young, Blake-like types. He lets her make friends, he just focuses on writing whenever he's there.

𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Nope, no idea. The family name doesn't endear her to me though, I'll tell you that much."

Protective parents both but Colin and Eleanor don't really have anything in common that would cause them to cross paths.

𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗠 𝗞𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗞𝗜
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"He gives me the heebie-jeebies but he runs a damn fine bar so I think he's allowed to."

Colin's heard all the rumours about the blank faced Russian (or Pole? Or Ukrainian? No one's quite sure or bold enough to ask) and half believes them but he's got no inclination to break the Fox's rules so he feels pretty safe from Nicodem. So long as the Fox keeps a few good beers on tap, Colin will keep dropping by, tattooed vampire behind the bar or no.

𝗖𝗔𝗘𝗟
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"Uh... another barista, right? They all sort of blend into one for me, sorry."

Nothing much to say, Colin orders his coffee (black with plenty of sugar) politely and is always courteous to the serving staff but doesn't know any of them past a first name basis.

𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"The new photojournalist down at The Captial? Haven't talked to her yet, I've already got a young friend."

It might sound like a joke but Colin really doesn't have that much time in his life for friends, especially new ones, right now. Blake got away with it by being the person he had to work with when the paper hired him and on general charm but Colin's pretty much out of his allotted time and energy for palling up with coworkers.

𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗬𝗣𝗦𝗢 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗬
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Who?"

Not much cause for journalists at the University.

𝗖𝗔𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗬
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Alright, now I'm sure you're making up names."

Colin doesn't have much reason to buy flowers these days.

𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗔 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗡
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Her down at the Coroner's? I called her for a statement once, seemed polite."

The statement wasn't actually related to a murder, Colin was following up on a rumour of general misconduct at the Police Station for a story that didn't end up running but still.

For Queen and Country

COLIN

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Colin Peter Renshaw

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Forty-two years old.

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• Perpetually scruffy, Colin would rather spend outfit preparation time in bed, picks his clothes on a 'first to hand' basis.
• Only ever puts in effort to make sure he looks dishevelled rather than messy, which is the same only with more style.
• shaves when he remembers, often sports roguish stubble for days before remembering to restore his boyish good looks.
• A healthy Scottish accent, especially on Rs and CHs, amps up when he's stressed, angry or in the presence of another Scot.

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Journalist

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N/A

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There used to be a perpetually look in Colin's eyes, something that told you he was plotting a story or an adventure behind his eyes. The head of the Renshaw family seemed never to have more than a passing focus on the mundane tasks that occupied his time, preferring to wander off to some other plane of imagination. At least, that's how he put it. Carolyn, his late wife, called it 'being a dozy day dreamer' and more besides. Generally he'd give a rueful smile and get back to whatever he was supposed to be doing and for a while after her untimely passing, there was nothing to bring him back to earth. He was a listless daydreamer, floating off until life exerted itself on him, dragging him back down to the ground with crushing force.

And now, to put it mildly, Colin has a few things on his mind. His daughter's new condition, his uncertain job prospects, his geriatric parents, his drunken sister, his daughter's upcoming A-Levels, the complaints of their aged border collie, Jack, and the nagging itch in the back of his head that it's time to move on and find someone new to call him a dozy ponce. They all combine to force a man used to daydreaming the days away to be a , and perpetually about the future. And all around him, things seem to be getting darker and meaner, like the whole world's going through a rough patch. Hardly the time for dreamers or, perhaps, the time when they are most important.

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When he was a young man, Colin was concerned with being a good friend and then, when he was lucky enough to find someone who'd put up with him, a good boyfriend. He remembered birthdays better than exam dates, favourite foods better than deadlines and put more effort into planning parties than studying. It made him well liked and won him many friends but lecturers tended to label him as lazy or, if they were feeling generous, underachiever. Somewhere along the way, those labels stuck and went on to define how he saw himself, rather than how others saw him.

When he was a husband and a father, Colin thought only of his ailing partner and young daughter before he put much thought into his work. Predictably, his professional life went nowhere fast and he never really got past the level of freelancer in the world of journalism. And unfortunately his personal life was no better, as despite all his attention and devotion, his dearest Carolyn died and he was left to care for their daughter alone. And while he mostly thinks he did a pretty good job of it, there was that little... hiccup six months ago that left her in the ICU and gave a new meaning to "that time of the month".

And that isn't even the sum of his problems.

For most of his life, Colin has worked for one paper or another, writing culture pieces and reports on local events. He never had the drive to claw himself into the big leagues and report on murder most foul or international corruption but the job suited him and the work was steady. But now papers are downsizing fast with the rise of online news outlets, trimming those who can be trimmed or won't be missed and then a few more on top. These days, he's lucky to get more than one opinion piece a month, hardly enough to support his little family.

For the moment, Colin's found a somewhat stable place to work at The Capital, reporting on the Other situation, but he can't stand his boss and doesn't know how long he'll be able to bear working for such a bastard, not to mention the paper's unmistakably right-leaning viewpoint. It would be a shame to throw away a reliable income over dislike and principle but then Mr Crane did compare werewolves unfavourably to rabid dogs and suggested they might need put down, so maybe the day Colin can freely give him a piece of his mind can't come soon enough.

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- Colin is certainly older than the normal clientele of this particular establishment, so much so that he's sure he stands out, but the coffee is good and it's a convenient distance from both The Capital's offices and his house so he's stuck there. At least Emma seems to like the place and they let Jack in and give him a bowl of water.

- Not Colin's favourite paper to work for by any means but the one that has put him on a full time salary to cover the unfolding events of the Other crisis, The Capital is newspaper and website focused on London events, from politics to garden shows. It has a glorious past but, given new management, perhaps a less respectable future.

- Every dog owner needs a convenient park to walk regular circuits around and Prospect is Colin's. He can be found there at irregular hours, accompanied by his geriatric but still energetic Border Collier, Jack. Sometimes they play fetch or Jack chases the pond's ducks but mostly they walk a slow circuit then go home.

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- The Captial's newest owner, Nigel is an abrasive man who seems to not care much about his employees or even his readers but seems thus far to be a savvy businessman and is steadily shifting the paper's resources online. For Colin, it was when he heard the man describe werewolves as "unquestionably the worst of these repugnant others" that he decided he detested the man. Still, who doesn't hate their boss?

For Queen and Country

AEDNYX

𝗙𝗨𝗟𝗟 𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

Aednyx, though he generally goes by 'Eddie' to avoid the attention of young Others and mortals.

𝗔𝗚𝗘
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

Appears to be in his middle fifties but is actually 1027, give or take a few years.

𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

Like all fae, Aednyx's visible face is a glamour, held in place this past millennia. It's textured, aged and weathered, a deeper illusion than any but an old faerie would be capable of producing. Nothing short of a grievous iron wound would persuade Aednyx to drop it, so tightly is it wrapped around his body, and even he isn't entirely sure what he looks like beneath it.

• Medium height with a light build, pale skin, long clever fingers and a face lashed by laughter lines.
• Dresses to impress even when alone, so long as you're impressed by tweed and tartan suits.
• Wears different watches, rings, earrings and necklaces, with no attention paid to fashion or common practise.
• Has a high voice and a slight northern accent, gestures flamboyantly and freely in conversation.

𝗢𝗖𝗖𝗨𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

Officially, Aednyx has retired from his position of Archduke (right hand of the monarch) of the Summer Court after several centuries of dedicated service. This should make his time free and his schedule light but there does seem to be a different faerie noble, ambitious courtier, befuddled spy, old friend or old enemy (sometimes both in the same individual) in his kitchen every morning, asking for advice, favours or information.

To his mortal friends or those significantly younger than himself, Aednyx introduces himself as 'Eddie' and claims to be a retired banker.

𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

A long standing member of the Summer Court, Aednyx has been active and effective for more than nine hundred years. His parents were minor figures on the Court's periphery but his ambitions were a little grander and by the time he was four hundred, Aednyx was the public right hand and occasional consort of Queen Titania IV and was eventually made Archduke of the duchy of Lost-Hope. Since then, he has spent his time rooting out Unseelie plots, disposing of anyone who tried to move against his Queen and deftly fending off those who coveted his position.

Until last year, that is. Seemingly with no cause, Aednyx announced to the court and Queen Titania that he would be stepping down from his position and leaving for the moral realm to live in solitude. It caused quite a stir and any number of rumours but only a knowing look passed between the Queen and her Archduke before she accepted his resignation. Officially, Aednyx is not only retired but no longer associated with or loyal to the Summer Court. But you'd have to be blind and foolish to believe that.

𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

One doesn't survive a month at the Summer Court without a shrewd wit, a sharpened sense of paranoia, a talent for deception and a certain ruthlessness. And Aednyx didn't just survive, he thrived for nearly a millennia, so one can assume that he possesses those traits listed above in spades. For all that the fae can be tricksters and manipulators, most stick to their word and consider their integrity, or at least their reputation for it, to be of paramount importance and Aednyx is no exception. He is loathe to be forsworn, is as careful not to lie and he is not to tell the whole truth and considers his loyalty to Queen Titania to be unbreakable.

However, he is as paranoid as they come, which is only a healthy and logical reaction to an environment where every subordinate needs you dead to advance. Aednyx doesn't drop his guard or make friends easily and as as a result is trusted by few people and trusts even fewer. That he would bare his back to only a handful of individuals for fear of finding a knife in it is something that he is acutely aware of but it didn't used to bother him. It was, he felt before, the price of doing business. Lately though, he has found himself in want of a relationship not based in mutual benefit or for the good of the Summer Court. A friend, a lover, a partner, he's not sure what he wants. Only that it needs to come soon.

𝗛𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

Born on the edge of the faerie realms in a backwater province, Aednyx grew up on the stories of the Summer Court's legendary intrigue and the monstrous crimes of the Unseelie. His parents were minor nobles who took rare trips to court to make sure their were not forgotten but otherwise steered far away from politics. They were not cowards exactly but simply saw no reason to gamble with their lives for greater power. This worldview was not successfully imparted on their firstborn child, however, and Aednyx grew up with wide and eyes and a thirst for recognition and glory.

Aednyx spent his first century of life learning all the things a young fae should, how to duel and dance, the principles of illusory magic and the finer points of deception. There was no school for such things but any older fae could be persuaded to hand out lessons... in exchange for a promised favour or two. And of course, there were always the mortals to practise on, if you were fortunate enough to obtain a writ of passage to their realm or find an unfortunate soul who had crossed into Fae country. Still, Aednyx learned patiently and carefully limited his debts by trading lessons with other youths, sometimes for secrets but more often for promises of alliance when they both reached Court.

And on his hundred-and-first birthday, Aednyx decided he was ready for the Summer Court and set off to present himself to his illustrious monarch, Queen Titania IV. For many years, he was just one eager young politician among the crowd, jumping at any scrap of attention or chance to prove himself. His chance came when he just so happened to be tailing a Baron, more for the practise than any suspicion of sedition, when he overheard him plotting with a cloaked and frosty individual on the edge of the royal forest. They spoke of plans within plans and murder most foul.

It took months and much effort to manoeuvre the Baron into the position Aednyx needed him to be in and several high ranking courtiers were assassinated in that time on Unseelie orders. Aednyx considered it well worth the cost however for within a year, the trap was set and baited. The Baron would be go to a courtyard under the full moon to meet his hooded Winter Court contact and discuss their next move, or so Aednyx's carefully forged letter said. Meanwhile, Aednyx had persuaded the current Archduke to go to the same courtyard in a hooded black cloak and promised that anyone who met him their was a traitor to the throne. By morning, there was a new Baron and Aednyx's star was on the rise.

And so it continued for nine centuries. Trickery, subterfuge and skulduggery, all to serve the fortunes of the Summer Court and its sun-drenched Queen. Aednyx was good at what he did and took great pleasure in doing it, especially his eventual disposal of the Archduke and usurpation of his position. Almost all at Court expected him to continue serving Queen Titania until some assassin or duellist eventually got lucky, so it was a surprise to all when he announced his retirement not a month ago. Whispers circulate that the Queen has sent him out to the mortal realm as a spy or that this is some elaborate trap laid for an enemy but none have so far been bold enough to ask him.

𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗦
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

Prospect Park - Perhaps not the most charming of locales, what with its rundown play-park and thoroughly unattended to hedges, but Aednyx finds the place oddly homely. Many a morning can you find him strolling through the park with a cane or umbrella in hand and his eyes roving in search of mischief.

The Daily Grind - The cofffee isn't to his taste and the baristas are young and often sleepy but Aednyx doesn't frequent the cafe for its traditional services. No, he goes there for entertainment, to listen in on conversations and enjoy mortal angst and, should the mood take him, to push people one way or the other. Lord, what fools these mortals be!

Richmond's - Now here is a place to go for service. Every waiter is immaculately trained, dazzlingly well dressed and knows better than to talk to a patron beyond getting their order. Their meals are delicious and their wines superb but it's the view that's most important, a charming overlook into St. James Park. Aednyx likes to come here for the experience and, on occasion, to conduct a meeting with a fellow Other.

𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗦 & 𝗙𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗬
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Pherakna - The New Archduke of the Summer Court and a regular visitor, delivers gossip and leaves with advice.

Charrade - A young niece whose parents have decided that visiting her old uncle would do her future no harm at all.

RELATIONSHIPS

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𝗘𝗠𝗠𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗪
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"The wolf without a pack dies first when winter comes."

The arrival of Winter and its attendant forces is one of Aednyx's areas of expertise, not that he'd be inclined to lend advice to some washed up werewolf with barely a friend to their name.

𝗞𝗔𝗟𝗜 𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗗
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Some people are born to violence, some achieve it and some... some have it thrust upon them."

Aednyx, of course, makes every effort to avoid violence but can spot it behind the eyes. That and the anger, the sense of being wronged, robbed and left high and dry. Not someone you'd want to corner...

𝗟𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗟 𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗟𝗘𝗬
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Half the life of a mayfly, barely even time enough to catch your breath, very sad."

Aednyx has seen the boy around, here and there, and knows the scent of a halflife. If ever there was a worthy target for a little life enriching mischief, obviously with a suitably happy ending, there is one here.

𝗝𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗟𝗔𝗭𝗔𝗥𝗨𝗦
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Still waters run deep. Deep enough to drown in, or so they say."

The alliance between the Brythonics and the Summer Court is older than most forms of written language but rare is the Fae that sees it as more than one of temporary convenience. Perhaps if they all had Mr. Lazarus's agreeable condition and healthy respect for the unknown, the Fair Folk would probably be much more fond of them.

𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗢 𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗬
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Would that we all were so dreamlike, in countenance and approach both."

Still, if there's anyone a Fae might respect, it's someone not too concerned with the rules of polite society and what the masses deem acceptable. The human masses, that is.

𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗡
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Always moving, always talking, always engaged in themselves, a mortal of the age."

A faerie, of course, could never be accused of the above. Their speech is eloquent, necessary and beautiful, their movements graceful and themselves so radiant that it would be madness not to be self centred.

𝗦𝗜𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Those of fiery dispositions are usually the quickest to burn, especially amongst witches."

Still, best to watch Witches. Some of them are quick to bring out the iron and others, the worst kind, try to spring out deals. Most of the time it's just a tedious waste of a Fae's time but even master's have stumbled and ended up bound to a mortal's whims. The indignity of it...

𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗥 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗡
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"A worthy and most useful contact, though I shall not be frequenting his ghastly nightclub anytime soon."

Aednyx and Alistair have something of an understanding. As the Vampire functions as something of a focal point for Others in the area, Aednyx has asked him to keep an eye out for any particularly strange or suspicious figures and to alert him if any other Fae should announce themselves. In return, he has agreed to owe Alistair one medium sized favour, to be cashed within the next century.

𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗪
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Oh dearie me, another journalist with rings under their eyes and excuses on their tongue, this town is suffering a plague of them."

There are no newspapers in Avalon, news spreads by the far more useful mediums of gossip and rumour, and Aednyx is thankful for that. If he has to overhear one more conversation in the Daily Grind about journalistic integrity, the moral standpoint of The Capital or the plight of dying print media, he will feel forced into drastic magical action.

𝗔𝗢𝗜𝗙𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗬
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Never was their one so smug nor one so sure of themselves as an angel on a mission."

A neutral observer might suggest that of the humble young woman and the preening older man, only one could be accused of smugness but they'd be unwise to do so in Aednyx's presence.

𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗬𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗚
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"A magistrate should have iron in the mind, not doubt and confusion in the heart."

The two have never spoken but Aednyx's hears all the best gossip and word of Lang's presence in the pubs of Edgetoun on Friday nights, along with his signature outbursts, has gotten around. At least Aednyx will know where to find a policeman with knowledge of the Others, should he ever need one.

𝗞𝗘𝗜
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Speak not to me of the solitary ones, cowards and dullards to a Fae, with no more principles than they have spines."

A lifelong (and long lived) patriot of the Summer Court, Solitary Fae are considered beneath Aednyx's notice.

𝗟𝗨𝗞𝗔 𝗣𝗔𝗩𝗟𝗢𝗩
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"He has the right idea, from what I've heard, but no subtlety or craft. I suppose that's what politics has come in this dreary age."

In Faerie, the framing of a rival is considered a piece of art on parallel with any song or painting. Here in the mortal realm, it seems that people just... do it. Frightfully primitive.

𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗘𝗞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"A voice in the dark, holding back the night for listeners everywhere, how terribly romantic."

Now radio, there's a mortal innovation with some real purpose to it. To have a service like that with a charmer like Louise at your beck and call... what mischief could be wrought, bother here and at home.

𝗟𝗢𝗞𝗜 𝗩𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗚
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"This one stinks of debauchery, deception and self interest... I like him."

Like attracts like, though Aednyx would doubtless argue that he's been far more successful in his chosen career than the Vampire, conveniently not mentioning his early retirement.

𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔 𝗔𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗢
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"This one need not worry about the Winter, she looks like she knows the burn and sting of it well enough."

One not to bother or test, it would seem, to judge from the look in her eyes and scars on her knuckles.

𝗘𝗩𝗘 𝗟𝗨𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗥𝗘
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"It might seem perverse but I've always felt a certain kinship with Demons. The smarter and more beautiful ones, at least."

And Eve is certainly among that group, though Aednyx has deigned to introduce himself to her. She might be something of a kindred spirit as she seems to take as much enjoyment from interfering in the lives of mortals as he does. But her attentions are usually more benign and, as a demon, she has more reason to act that way so perhaps not.

𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗟
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"A beautiful angel who heals the broken mortals? Even I would call that something of a cliche."

Faeries often find that the older they get, the less they care about mortal life. And Aednyx is very old...

𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗢
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Where it not for his love for the rule of Law, this one would fit right in back at Court."

Just another mortal really but at least one who has some understanding of the need to balance politicking with frolicking.

𝗚𝗨𝗬 𝗟𝗘𝗘
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Such a happy face for such a sad fate. Commendable."

Aednyx has seen the young man at the Daily Grind but doesn't know him well enough (or rather, has not stalked him thoroughly enough) to know whether the happy face is a mask or how the Dhampire feels. Either way, it's a very fae reaction to imminent death.

𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"New in town, or so I hear, but with big plans to shake things up in a town already in an unstable condition."

Vampires at least can make plans that take into account the next few centuries of their continued existence, making them more interesting to observe than mortals. They don't have the artistry of the fae, however, and often lack... subtlety.

𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗠 𝗞𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗞𝗜
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"It's one thing to have your past written on your face but all over your body? How dreadfully gauche."

That said, Aednyx appreciates somehow who keeps out the riffraff and the (other) troublemakers, though he's never much liked rules that apply to himself in the same way as they apply to the common man.

𝗖𝗔𝗘𝗟
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Uneducated, unsubtle and dreadfully dressed... but there's potential there."

Oh yes, potential indeed.

𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"One to watch, or so the little birds say, one to watch most closely."

Of course, no word of the Winter Court's actions could possibly slip to the ear of a retired and now officially Solitary Fae in the mortal realm, could they? There'd need to be a turn cloak among the Unseelie and someone bringing Aednyx regular updates on gossip and freshly gathered information from the Summer Court regularly, someone who would have to be highly ranked enough to have access to the mole and the freedom to travel back and forth from Avalon. No, patently ridiculous, far too unlikely.

For Queen and Country

SIMONE

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Simone Scarrow

Eighteen years old.

• 5'3" but more like 5'6" when her hair's done right, favours combat boots with thick soles to add another inch or so.
• Styles her hair to be ever more intricate and eye-catching day by day, keeps it fiery and red with copious dyes.
• Loves punk fashion, owns an impressive array of leather jackets, docs, dungarees, badges and safety pins.
• If there's an excuse to go all out with makeup, she'll take it in a heartbeat, raves and parties are favourites.

To pay the bills, Simone works in an Edgetoun bookshop called Grandville.

In her free time, she studies Witchcraft, specialising in Elementalism, with the Circle of Sorcery.

A proud and active member of the . During her evenings, she attends classes or adds to the online resources and tutorials. On the weekends, she sometimes runs 'Elementalism 101' workshops or helps out fellow Circle members to prepare classes. Simone is also one of voices calling for more... 'direct action' to expand the libraries of the Circle.

Simone could accurately be described as two-faced, as she maintains something of double life. During the day, she works in a bookshop and acts . She's attentive to the books, helpful to the customers (even the rude ones) and is generally a model employee. At night, she's a rabble rousing member of the proudly disruptive coven, the Circle of Magic, and about everything she does. She learns, teaches and pushes for more radical (though preferably not violent) methods of expanding their libraries and membership base.

Simone is as a student and demanding as a teacher but not particularly patient as either. She likes to see results and reactions as soon as she acts and can't stand time wasters. She understands the importance of following those rules that are enforced (so long as there's someone watching) but if there's a chance to break one, even a small one, that doesn't come with a penalty, she'll do it in a second with a grin. That goes double when it comes to social norms and the rules of 'good taste', one need only look at her wardrobe or her hair to understand that.

Simone's mother, Ada Scarrow, had her young and with her father out of the picture, worked a full time job and took night classes to make sure she could provide for her daughter while continuing her own education. It was a long road and often a tiring one but eventually Ada had a PHD in English Literature and Language in one hand and a seven year old daughter in the other. Her graduation ceremony is still one of Simone's fondest memories, dressed in her smartest pair of dungarees and watching her mother have her back patted by all and sundry.

Her mother's obvious hard work, her constant studying and the piles of textbooks in their flat were all formative for Simone. She was a hard worker even from a young age and loved books more than anything else in the world, reading voraciously but also taking special care to never wear a book out or damage it. You might expect it to follow that she'd be a star-pupil but Simone was too difficult a student to be any teacher's pet. As a hard as she worked at her studies, she seemed to work just as hard to make sure she'd get called to the headteacher's office several times a week.

They were little things, really, not major disturbances and most of the teachers accepted them as the cost of having such a gifted and dedicated student. Simone refused to wear a uniform, for example, and not only dyed her hair against school regulations but styled into a cascading bouffant. And all through Primary school, her personal acts of rebellion were quietly ignored by all but the most stubborn teachers, helped by her mother's diplomatic overtures during Parent-Teacher Conferences. In Secondary School, however, there was far less tolerance of deviance.

It took several suspensions, the threat of expulsion and finally a tense talk with her mother to persuade Simone to tone it down. Rather than teach to stop being herself, this experience taught her to make sure she obeyed the letter of the law until that law couldn't apply to her and to bend the rules to her purpose as often as she could. Small rebellions, like smoking on the very border of the school grounds, only a hair's breadth over the line, replaced her previous style. Rather than remove the dye from her hair, she shaved it all off and slowly regrowing it, only to dye it again on the first day of the Summer Holidays, and so on.

Things went on like that until Simone was ready to leave Secondary School, much to her and her teacher's relief, where she decided on a gap year or two before committing to a new institution of learning. Besides, she was currently more interested in an arcane area of study, having gone out with a witch for a few months and found the occult to her fancy. Now she spends her days with books and her nights with a pentagram and a runic knife. Still learning, still studying, still (in her own way) rebelling.

Grandville - The musty old bookshop where Simone works and can be found most days, owned by a Mister Moore. It caters to the sort of bibliophile who likes their elderly books a little musty, a little dusty but most certainly all in one piece and with minimum foxing.

The Crypt Cafe - Good cakes, better company and a place where no one bats an eye at her fashion choices? As good as a second home. Simone is on first name terms with all the staff and posts dates for the Circle's open lessons on the noticeboard regularly.

Yelena - Simone's not affluent enough to be a true regular, not when most of her money is spent on mandrake roots, toad's eyes and other spell components, but Yelena is Simone's favourite club and where she can normally be found the night after payday.

Ada Scarrow - Simone's mother, Doctor of English Literature and all round busybody, equal parts proud and exasperated.

Alice Garner - Simone's ex-girlfriend, an active member of the Circle of Sorcery. Currently on speaking terms.

Edgar Moore - Grandville's owner, second in command of the Mutandum Coven, unbeknownst to Simone.

RELATIONSHIPS

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𝗘𝗠𝗠𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗪
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"We call her hook 'cause she's always playing hooky."

One third of the trio but six thirds of its heart, Emma is the kind of friend who'd happily take a punch for you but would be much happier to give one out. She's all wroth and energy, swirling around under the surface until it overflows in a sudden, impulsive action. She's honest to a fault, loyal to the ends of the earth and probably the coolest person Simone's ever met. Not that she'd ever tell her that, that would be like showing your hand in poker. No, obviously better (or cooler?) to leave it all unsaid.

For Simone, meeting Emma was like finding another source of light in the black and joyless halls of the British education system. Another person more than willing to sidestep the rules just to make sure they could be dodged, another rebel to bunk off with and spend the day carefully selecting the most provocative shade of red to dye their hair before the coming assembly. They egg each other on and until neither can think of anything more outrageous to do or are paralysed in a fit of giggles, generally under Laurel's half amused, half worried gaze.

Over the past few months, though, things have seemed to cool off between them. Maybe it was Simone leaving school or having to spend much of her time at the bookshop but they never seem to hang out as much, never laugh as hard. Could it have been Alice? Maybe Emma didn't like her? Or... Is she jealous? No, surely not, she's not... is she?

𝗞𝗔𝗟𝗜 𝗔𝗡𝗔𝗡𝗗
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Miss Anad down at the Museum? She put one of Alice's pictures up, I like her."

Even in a brief interaction with Kali, it's hard not to like her.

𝗟𝗔𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗟 𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗟𝗘𝗬
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"He's sinker, to rhyme with sucker. Or because he's too dense to float? I forget why."

Laurel's one in a million for so many reasons. He's sweet without being cloying, quiet without being boring and a straight-As student without being a snitch or a teacher's pet. If someone had told Simone that Laurel not only existed but would soon be one of her best friends before she'd met him, she'd likely have laughed but now she couldn't imagine getting through the hell of Crowley High School without him. There was something so reassuring about his watchful, often worried gaze, like he was the mother hen of the trio despite being a year Simone's junior.

And that was it, really, he was just so damn mature. Not in the sort of mature that lectures and gripes at you when you're having fun but the sort that can see the line between acceptably rebellious and A Bad Idea™. All the teacher's used to grumble that Simone and Emma must be a bad influence on their darling Laurel but if it went in any direction, it was a balance that kept them all on the right track. Laurel was stabilising, calming and comforting. The best kind of friend you could ask for...

Until about six months ago. Since then, they've stopped talking, stopped laughing and practically stopped meeting. On the one hand, Simone's anxiety tells her that it was something she did but on the other, reports from associates still incarcerated in Crowley High School tell her that something has come over Laurel. As his friend, Simone knows it's her job to go and shake some sense into him but it's been a busy few months, even with the guilt of not talking to him eating away at her. Maybe this week...?

𝗝𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗟𝗔𝗭𝗔𝗥𝗨𝗦
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"He's in with that Brythonic Coven lot but he's alright, he looked after our cat and Emma's dog a couple of times."

Perhaps biased by her own involvement with the Circle, Simone is unimpressed by the Brythonics but Jack's unassuming helpfulness and quiet care for the animals in his charge is pretty charming.

𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗢 𝗕𝗥𝗔𝗬
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Don't know the name... Is that that tall woman who owns the Occult shop? She's gorgeous..."

Simone's arcane components are normally bought online or homemade so she's not a frequent customer of The Blue Haze. But you don't forget someone who looks like Indigo in a hurry.

𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗡
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"She's seems nice, I read her blog posts sometimes. They're always super angry, which I dig."

Simone has read any number of articles, opinion pieces and hot takes on the Other situation but few have resonated with her as much as Blake's. She doesn't really know her personal but has seen her around a few times and wouldn't mind buying her a coffee sometime. Just as a show of solidarity, of course.

𝗔𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗬𝗫
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"He told us to call him Eddie when we ran into him at the park once but couldn't think of a second name, pretty weird."

But of course, Simone would be the last person to condemn people for being too weird, at least not while wearing heavily patched dungarees, her mother's old bomber jacket and a pair of Doc Martens older than she is.

𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗥 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗘𝗡
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"The landlord who owns a nightclub? Down with The Man™."

Nuff said.

𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗪
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Emma's dad, he's cool, in that totally not cool way that dads are. Or so I'm told."

Having spent countless nights over at the Renshaw place and having borrowed Colin's daughter just as many times, Simone and Colin are on pretty good terms. He's a bit too dozy and distracted in Simone's opinion but he looks after Emma and never batted an eyelid when Hook, Line and Sinker clattered into his house and started making a ruckus and never told them to pack it in, even if their antics went on late into the night, so he's got his good points.

𝗔𝗢𝗜𝗙𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗬
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Aoife's really sweet, always trying to make sure everyone's having their best day and all that."

When the girl first came to Grandville, Simone instinctively assumed that the other young woman's generosity and all round kindness were some sort of front or trick. After all, no one could be quite so genuine, kind and friendly without secretly wanting something, could they? Well, no one but Laurel that is. A few weeks of working together proved her wrong because Aoife was every bit as nice then as she had been on her first day. The girl still seems too good to be true, almost like some sort of... angel.

𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗬𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗚
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"I see him at the Slye Fox sometimes, always drinking alone, didn't know he was copper till he blurted it out."

Chances are, Lang will probably end up booking Simone one day so she's not too keen to start making friends wit the man.

𝗞𝗘𝗜
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Gotta love a girl who owns a charity."

Being neither a child nor an elderly person, Simone is unlikely to be a recipient of the Shining Star Foundation any time soon but it's always nice to know what someone is working hard to make the world a better place.

𝗟𝗨𝗞𝗔 𝗣𝗔𝗩𝗟𝗢𝗩
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"He's a bit creepy, kind of throws himself at people. Yelena is a cool club though, if I had more money I'd be there every Saturday."

Luka's tendency to overact on the suave and charming vampire front is hard to miss, even at a distance, but anyone who owns an LGBT bar with such good cocktails can't be all bad, can they?

𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗕𝗥𝗢𝗘𝗞
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"I've heard of her but I don't listen to the radio at that time, really."

N/A

𝗟𝗢𝗞𝗜 𝗩𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗚
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Who? Oh, that prowler that hangs out at the Slye Fox? Yeeeesh, yeah, I get bad vibes from that one."

Simone's not in the pub all that often but then you don't need much exposure to Loki to know whether you're absolutely mad for him or would like to keep a healthy distance from him. And yeah, it's generally one or the other.

𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗔 𝗔𝗧𝗟𝗘𝗢
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Oh my god, Aila is the cutest, saddest customer we have. I always feel bad when we have to close up but she's still reading..."

Aila hangs around Grandville enough to be a familiar face to everyone that works there and you'd have to be heartless to no feel some sympathy for the girl. She's got a worried air to her, like she's about to take flight, that speaks to the big sisterly impulses in Simone but Aila's just shut off enough that it's not easy to make friends with her. Still, maybe next time she's in the shop they'll strike up a conversation.

𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗟
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Dr. White? She put my arm in a cast after that wild night with Hook and Sinker, she's a little.. eerie? Nice though."

Simone's not far along enough in her Witching to be able to spot an angel but she's attuned enough the paranormal that she can tell there's something not entirely human about Suriel Anne White. Still, nothing wrong with that, some of Simone's best friends aren't entirely human, not that she knows it.

𝗘𝗩𝗘 𝗟𝗨𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗥𝗘
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Listen, it's a slanderous rumour, I didn't embarrass myself when I first went into the Fox and saw her, not at all."

Simone isn't much one for bars but everyone in Edgetoun ends up going through the Fox once or twice and similarly, everyone in Edgetoun ends up charmed by the demonic bartender, or scared by the Vampiric one if they come on one of Eve's night's off. Nevertheless, Simone has had to endure an almost endless stream of ribbing over having to pick her jaw up off the flaw during their first encounter.

𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗢
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"Uh... I think I've heard his name on the news? Maybe?"

N/A

𝗚𝗨𝗬 𝗟𝗘𝗘
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"I don't go in for the Daily Grind much, it's mostly hipsters and college kids, but Guy seems like a sweetheart."

It would be hard to describe him as anything else, given his earnest (and sometimes thoughtless) way of acting.

𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"... Who? Is she new around here?"

N/A

𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗠 𝗞𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗞𝗜
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"There are a bunch of stories about him breaking people's legs for swearing in his pub. Probably not true but you never know..."

Simone's a rebel, not a hooligan, so she's never broken any of the Fox's rules. Still, just one look at the man's tattoos, scars and dead eyes are enough to put her off drinking in there for weeks, only to return when she's absolutely sure it's on of Eve's solo shift.

𝗖𝗔𝗘𝗟
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

"I always like to see other people with cool hair, there's nothing so lonely as being a fashion revolution of one."

Not much more to say, Simone's not stopped by the Daily Grind enough to get to know the young Fae, to her he's just another hipsterish barista.

S.Y.C.E.P.: The Adversary {Members Wanted!}

Patrick Cross

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Name:

Patrick Cross

Nicknames:

Cross, Sheriff

Age:

Forty-nine

Gender:

Male

Sexuality:

Heterosexual

Occupation:

Retired County Sheriff

Appearance:

Stocky, grizzled and weathered, Patrick looks every inch the hardened country cop. He doesn’t have a tan exactly, it’s as his skin looks like old leather that was treated by a particularly unskilled tanner after years of standing in the sun. There are a few scars here and there, mostly faded with age, which only add to his air of weary menace. There are also innumerable frown lines that spread out from his his like an impact crater and twist into their most comfortable shape whenever Patrick feels more annoyed or angry than tired. Which, it must be admitted, is getting more and more rare as he ages.

While he looks sturdy and capable, Patrick doesn’t look like the average fitness enthusiast or gym lover. He’s built like a barrel or a tree rather than a greek statue, with a thick trunk of a chest that’s barely sagged with age and arms that don’t look like much but have a grip like iron bands. His once auburn hair is now a stubborn grey and as he’s never been much one for styling his own appearance, it’s in the same unkempt style as it has been for years. His voice, however, is as deep and carrying as it ever was, simultaneously supportive, reassuring and a little scary whether it’s talking to his colleagues or a collar.

It only softens for his children, the lucky little devils.

Personality:

Since boyhood, Patrick has liked to do things directly, a true straight shooter. If you like someone, tell them, if you don't like someone then make sure you tell them that too. Where other people tried to manoeuvre and position themselves in conversation, he preferred to barge straight on through to whatever it was that he wanted. As he's gotten older and hopefully wiser, Patrick has learned to refine this approach a little. Now he's more conscious of the best way of getting to his objective but less determined to go there via the most direct route. In short, age has taught him nuance.

When he was a sheriff, Patrick was the hard man with a heart of gold, the sort that gave you a hard time when you were starting out because he knew damn well you'd be getting a hard time from everyone else in this job and he didn't want you going out there unprepared. Not many came to thank him at the time but almost everyone saw what he did to the next rookie with a new perspective and quietly understood. Patrick didn't mind being a little disliked, he wasn't much one for socialising anyway. A classic workaholic, he was always the first one in and the last one out, pursuing a schedule that would've tired out any three of his subordinates without batting an eyelid, so now that he's retired he's feeling a little... lost.

Because Patrick isn't a sheriff anymore, he isn't really anything. Except a father, of course, a role that he worries he may have neglected for his son, Alex, but one that he's now positioned to fill almost too well for his daughter, Jack. After mentoring dozens of rookies, he feels he knows a thing or two about how to teach but there's no part of him that could bear giving tough love to his own flesh and blood. So instead he's haltingly, unassuredly kind and open to them. When out in public it's even harder to act as a proper parent, as his instincts kick in and the walls of stoic machismo kick in.

Other Parent:

Suzanna Cross, Wife

Other:

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Jack Cross

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Name:

Jaqueline Cross

Date of Birth:

13th of April 2012

Special Ability:

Telepathy

First shown:

Has not shown, other than perhaps being the cause of advanced reading and comprehension for her age in tests.