West of Mercy Interest Check [Western, Supernatural, Horror]

[Blythe]

@Blythe I'm thinking my Sheriff's Deputy is going to be a regular at the saloon. Girliepop's got a bit of a drinking habit.  D:

Works for me! Sue's been running the Revelry about...ten years or so, so I'm totally open to plotting a bit of a friendly connection if you're open to that, depending on how long your gal's been a regular! <3

[RainyHigh]

If you look long enough, something will drag ya in

Hmmm... I wonder what... or who that could be, lol.

[Amaris]

@RainyHigh

[Hades]

*Busts through the ceiling stealthfully (while playing the Jaws theme through the room's speaker system) and plants a flag of interest*

[Amaris]

Hades! hey, how are ya?!

[Sofia Grace]

Aurelia James, resident bird at the Nightingale House and Sadie Mae Williams, Sheriff's Deputy for Abbadon County have entered the game and are open for connections 

Aurelia James

Pronouns: she/her
Age: 32
Job: Bird at Nightingale House
Type: Hallowed; Skinweaver
Sexuality: Bisexual
Face Claim: Madalina Ghenea

Personality: Charismatic | Confident | Intelligent | Observant | Nurturing
Manipulative | Shameless | Restless | Insatiable | Vain

History:
Before I was Aurelia James I was Cora Weston.

I think I was 'bout nine or ten years old when my momma first told me I wasn't ever gonna find somebody who'd love me.

"Not like I do," she said. "You got a face only a mother could love. And Lord knows we ain't never gettin' grandchildren."

My momma was full of shit, but that's a story for another day.

See, there was an accident. Wasn't nobody's fault. I was out in the barn tendin' to the horses and one got so damn spooked by a mouse - you heard me right, a mouse - that it hauled off and kicked me straight in the face. Damn near killed me. Hell, when I was a kid I remember wishin' it had.

Daddy said I was plum knocked out for just short of a week. Still breathin', just far, far away. I still remember the day I woke up feelin' like I'd been run over by an angry stampede of lord knows what. I ain't never had a headache like that. Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. When that doctor handed me that little mirror... boy, I damn near shit twice and died right then and there.

Before the accident, not a day went by when my momma and daddy didn't call me beautiful - and they was right, I was. I had my momma's eyes and my daddy's smile, with gorgeous dark hair my momma used to love to brush for me before bed. But once that horse was done with me, goodness. 'Disfigured', my momma called it. 'Hideous' was another one I'd hear her whisper to daddy when they thought I couldn't hear 'em. She just didn't get why the Lord was punishin' her. Daddy never looked at me any different. Treated me the same. I think he just felt sorry for me. But momma? She never got over it. Far as she was concerned, her beautiful little girl died that day and she was left with a monster. An embarrassment.

The only place I was allowed to go was church. Even there, momma got worked up over how much people stared. And boy, did they stare.

When I was a young woman I fell in love with the preacher's son. He was a sweet gentleman, a couple of years older than me and my, oh my was he handsome. I couldn't believe he would even look at a girl like me. We'd sneak out to meet each other all secret-like and for the first time since the accident I felt like maybe momma was wrong. Maybe someone could think I was beautiful. It took me a long time to believe him. Eventually though, I did. As much as I could, at least. We even made love a few times before... well, you know.

Her name was Esmeralda.

I ain't never seen a woman as beautiful as she was. Lookin' back, I can't blame him for what he did. Funny how your mind works differently when you ain't in a fit of rage. I saw 'em out in town one day and I didn't even try to fool myself; he was romancin' that woman. Really romancin' her. Out in the open, for all the world to see. I still remember the way he looked at her; like she was a piece of meat and he was a starvin' animal. He ain't never looked at me that way. Not once. Once I saw it, it was all I wanted. For one person, just once to look at me like they really wanted me.

I wanted him to look at me that way.

I killed 'em both. Even at the time I knew it didn't have a damn thing to do with her. She coulda been anybody. It was him. He was the one I'd wanted. And if I couldn't have him? No one was gonna.

I know, I know. It was prob'ly all bullshit from the beginnin'. After all, he made a point to never be seen in public with me. I was his lil' secret and that was how he liked it. Wasn't no romance in what we did. I was a heart an' a hole to him, and nothin' more.

Anyway... I shot 'em both with my daddy's revolver. Didn't even realize I'd actually done it until the sheriff came and collected me - it was like one minute I saw 'em, the next I was marchin' back home to get the gun and and then... well, the details get fuzzy from there. I ain't never been that mad in my life until then. Didn't even recognize myself.

When momma found out she told daddy to leave me there. And he did. Last time I saw both of 'em was the day they hanged me. When they put that noose around that neck I saw the way my daddy was lookin' at me - and I kicked the stool out from under my feet myself. He was lookin' at me just the same way momma always had, like I was a damn monster.

Maybe in the end, momma had been right all along.

I dunno how long I was down there. One minute I was gettin' hanged and then the next minute I felt like I had fire in my veins. And the screams - the screams were deafening. Ain't nothin' like it. I can still hear 'em if I close my eyes. I guess I deserved to be there. I wish I could tell ya I woulda stayed if given the chance but that ain't how it went. When that rift tore open, oooh-ee you best believe I clawed my way out like I had every right to be walkin' the face of the earth like nothin' had ever even happened.

That ain't the way things like this work, though. I ain't gotta tell you that.

It took me a while to find a host. I didn't want just any body. I wanted to be beautiful. Not just beautiful; I wanted to be everythin' I never got to be. The woman I found was a Kalderash Romani gypsy who had gotten robbed, beaten an' left for dead. She was hangin' on by a thread. Right as the light slipped from them gorgeous eyes of hers I saw my chance.

I ain't never looked back.

And I ain't gonna lie to you: lust is addictive. Addictive. That first night I was wanderin' around, tryin' to figure out what the hell I was gonna do I spotted the Nightingale House and walked right inside. Asked for a job. And would ya believe it? They gave me one. Miss Delilah calls us birds, which is precious as all get out. Folks pay for my time by the hour - men and women. They pay to touch me, to kiss me, and to fuck me. Some of 'em can't keep their damn hands offa me. And boy I tell ya, I got most of 'em wrapped around my finger.

How 'bout that? Me. With folks linin' up and payin' for my attention.

Anyway, it's nice feelin' wanted. Desired. Lusted after. Made everythin' before now worth it. Sometimes it gets lonely, I won't lie. Sometimes I feel sorry for myself, knowin' this is all it's ever gonna be. Ain't no man wanna marry a woman like me. But I'll tell ya what; ain't nobody ashamed of me anymore.

Not even me. 


Additional info:

Powers:
Addictive Aura: Those who fall under Aurelia's influence may find it difficult to be aroused or comforted by anyone else afterward, leaving them addicted to her presence or touch.

Allure Incarnate: She an unnatural beauty that bends perception itself. Those who gaze upon her struggle to think clearly, often confusing their own thoughts with desire or infatuation. Even the cautious find their hearts racing. A direct look from Aurelia can send waves of heat, lust, or desire through the target, leaving them overwhelmed and often struggling to access thoughts that are not focused on her.

Kiss of the Succubus: A power she is able to switch on and off at will. If she is in need of energy, healing, or is simply feeling indulgent Aurelia has the ability to siphon life force - or sanity - from a target. Oftentimes she will build a target up to the point of restless obsession and then utilize this power, as lust itself is the most viable source of energy for her. Though she is able to do this with a simple touch, it's most successful if it's through a kiss. Aurelia can also siphon energy from one individual to another, affording her the ability to heal others if she so chooses - at the expense of someone else.

Lust's Leash: Once Aurelia has awakened intense desire and lust within a target she is able to track them regardless of their physical distance from her. Should she feel the need to do so, a simple use of her Whispers of Want power allows her to beckon them to her through their subconscious.

Whispers of Want/Touches of Temptation: She can send thoughts directly into the mind of a target, beckoning them to her - a decision they will believe is made of their own free will. In addition, Aurelia can send physical sensations to a target; typically physical arousal but the sensation can be pain or pleasure, soothing or distressing depending on her goal.


Connections:
Delilah Whitlock - Employer
Abel Mercer - Regular client

Ons & Offs: Everything's negotiable for the right price. But if you must know, click here.

Aurelia's Wish List
• I'd be interested to see one of her powers backfire. Open to discussion on which one.
• An obsessed client is always a fun plotline for roles like this, so that would be fun to play around with.
• Nurturing by nature, I'd like to see Aurelia connect with another woman - whether another girl at Nightingale House or somewhere else in town - and take her under Aurelia's metaphorical wing.
• She wouldn't come out and say as much, but Aurelia just wants love. Lust is nice, but the poor woman hasn't experienced actual love. Even demons deserve love, amirite?

Sadie Mae Williams
 

Pronouns: she/her
Age: 26
Job: Sheriff's Deputy, Abbadon County
Type: Halfdamned
Sexuality: Pansexual
Face Claim: Eva De Dominici
Personality:
Tenacious | Loyal | Confident | Perceptive | Quick-witted | Patient (until she's not)
Impatient (see above) | Possessive | Headstrong | Self-loathing | Has questionable coping mechanisms

History:
I wanna start by lettin' y'all know from the jump that I did not fuckin' ask to be like this. I might have sin in my blood but it ain't mine. I don't claim it. Best parts of me came from my momma and I'll die on that hill.

See, my mother fell in love with one of the Hallowed. Who the hell knows; maybe it wasn't love at all. I adore the woman, but she just don't use her head sometimes. Far as I'm concerned, the man's no better than a barrel of trash sittin' in the afternoon sun. He left as soon as he found out she was pregnant. Fuckin' coward. Ain't never been heard from again. If I had to guess, he's still lurkin' around Abbadon County like a parasite, just in a different body.

But he's stuck here. Can't leave county limits. Them's the rules.

Very sad. Anyway, I'm the only one outta the Williams kids that came from him. At least I know momma learned somethin' from all that. She's happily married to a man - a human - who worships the ground that woman walks on. They been together since I was a kid and she's given him five children. They're my half-siblings but none of 'em know I got a different daddy. What they don't know won't hurt 'em.

My whole life I been called a walkin' contradiction. By this point I wear it like a badge of honor because ain't nothin' else to be done with it. Can't change it. I can't stand the damned on principle, ya see? Way I see it, they all just as despicable as my daddy is and you ain't gonna change my mind on that one. I can smile and be civil; my momma didn't raise me to spit venom unless provoked. But I'd be lyin' if I said I offered them the same grace I give anyone else. They don't deserve it. Simple as that. There's a reason they walkin' this earth plagued by their sins. Let 'em suffer.

"But Sadie Mae, you one of 'em!"

You think I don't know that? I did not fuckin' ask to be like this. I ain't sayin' it again.

The parts of me that came from him? If I had it my way, I'd cut 'em out with the nearest sharpened blade. Some Halfdamned, they know which parts of 'em come from the damned. Me? I ain't been able to figure it out just yet and that in itself pisses me off.

So that's it. Durin' the day I prowl around town with the Sheriff ensurin' the good people of Abbadon County are mindin' their manners and at night I drown my own self-loathin' with whatever liquor ol' Sue at the Revelry fills my glass with. Sometimes I do my drinkin' durin' the day and wield my badge at night, dependin' on what Gideon sees fit. It's a damn shame that man got caught up with one of them.

What a waste. He's lucky I respect 'im too much to ever tell 'im he's a damn fool for gettin' caught up with her. Nope. I just smile and nod. Momma always told me if ya can't say somethin' nice, don't say nothin' at all.

And Lord, I'm tryin'. But every day I swear, my tongue bleeds a lil more from bitin' it so much.


Additional info: Listen, I done told y'all a lot up there. Let's keep it between us. I ain't the type to spread my business like some folks. Oh, and you should prob'ly know - I'm a hell of a shot. I got that feline quickness bigger folk can't quite master. And with all this rage packed into this lil' body you best believe I can deliver an ass whoopin' like you ain't never seen. It'd behoove you not to piss me off.

Powers:
Devotion Leech: Sadie Mae can induce obsessive devotion in others — not just admiration, but a deep, compulsive need to praise, protect or please her even against their own better judgement. The more someone fixates on her (willingly or unwillingly), the more power she draws from them. The more a target attempts to resist or suppress their obsession the more energy they lose, making them weaker while she grows stronger. Prolonged exposure makes targets crave her presence; without her they grow sick, unstable or experience intense feelings of emptiness - creating a cycle of dependency.

Connections:
Sheriff Gideon Whitlock - Boss/Friend
Susanna Cassidy - Friend
Abel Mercer - Thorn in her side


Ons & Offs: I'll try anything once. That being said... I'd wanna know if I were you, too.

Sadie Mae's Wish List

• Since Sadie Mae is Halfdamned by way of an unnamed Hallowed father, I would love for there to be a plot line where she actually figures out who he is and confronts him. I built her where her father could be either a Glassmouth or Pitbelly. If anyone is interested in playing her father, please let me know!
• She has some strong opinions about the damned, as you can tell - but I would love to see those opinions/beliefs challenged through relationships/encounters with others.

[Hellion]

Really loving the Characters that you all have created so far!

Hoping to have my Blacksmith CS done and sent over to the GMs by later today!

I hate when work gets in the way of playtime :/

Oh, also, @Deamonbane, I'd love to have a connection with Abel. Something along the lines of him breaking her heart, and now every time she sees him, she imagines plunging a hot iron bar through his skull.

You know, the usual stuff I'm sure he deals with on a daily

[Wulfspire]

Really loving the Characters that you all have created so far!

Hoping to have my Blacksmith CS done and sent over to the GMs by later today!

I hate when work gets in the way of playtime :/

Oh, also, @Deamonbane, I'd love to have a connection with Abel. Something along the lines of him breaking her heart, and now every time she sees him, she imagines plunging a hot iron bar through his skull.

You know, the usual stuff I'm sure he deals with on a daily

Looking forward to reading your sheet!

[Deamonbane]

Oh, also, @Deamonbane, I'd love to have a connection with Abel. Something along the lines of him breaking her heart, and now every time she sees him, she imagines plunging a hot iron bar through his skull.

You know, the usual stuff I'm sure he deals with on a daily

Lol sounds about right for Abel

[Hellion]

Sent my sheet in earlier for review, but figured I'd kick off Cora's view on a couple of the playing characters I've had a chance write up about. This helps me to understand the characters a little better and interact with them in story.

@Deamonbane Abel is up first. This one was was entertaining :)

Abel Mercer: To Cora, Abel is a bitter reminder of a moment of deep vulnerability and misplaced trust. Their brief fling felt like a genuine connection at first, which was something she hadn't let herself feel in years, but it ended in manipulation and heartbreak when Abel revealed himself to be just another charming drifter chasing pleasure and applause.

Despite the fact that it's been months, his betrayal cracked open wounds she thought had long since scarred over, and now, just the sight of him is enough to churn her stomach. She masks her disdain with cold civility, but her sharp glances and abrupt tone make it clear: she’d sooner run fiery nails through his eyes than let him near her heart again.
And @Blythe (hopefully I summarized Sue well)

Sue “One-Shot” Cassidy: Cora and Sue would likely frustrate each other at first. Cora, with her discipline, work ethic, and need for order, would see Sue’s laziness and avoidance of responsibility as a moral flaw, while Sue would probably view Cora’s intensity as exhausting and unnecessary.

Although, beneath their clashing temperaments lies some thread of understanding. Cora might eventually see Sue’s “Sloth” as a defense mechanism rather than pure apathy, while Sue might recognize Cora’s tireless drive as a way to avoid falling apart. Despite their differences, a quiet respect might grow between them, built on the mutual recognition of how each woman has learned to survive.

More characters to come!...

[Sofia Grace]

Abel is about to have an angry mob of scorned women staring daggers at him around town xD 

[Amaris]

Delilah thinks he's quite nice. I don't know what you're on about.

[Hellion]

Abel is about to have an angry mob of scorned women staring daggers at him around town xD

haha, that's pretty much what I imagined.

Also, I skipped down to Sadie Mae, bc I think her and Cora are a bit more alike. Here's what I wrote about what my character would think about her. Also, they could be drinking buddies!

Sadie Mae Williams: Cora, with her deep respect for personal integrity and spiritual balance, would likely feel a complex mix of empathy and wariness toward Sadie Mae. She would see the torment behind Sadie’s harsh exterior and recognize the pain of someone caught between two worlds. Their shared drinks at the Revelry aren't just about whiskey, but rather moments where two hard-edged women let down their guard just enough to breathe. Cora doesn’t judge Sadie’s drinking or the sharpness of her tongue, but she does worry about the hurt Sadie’s inflicting on herself in silence.

[Sofia Grace]

haha, that's pretty much what I imagined.

Also, I skipped down to Sadie Mae, bc I think her and Cora are a bit more alike. Here's what I wrote about what my character would think about her. Also, they could be drinking buddies!

Sadie Mae Williams: Cora, with her deep respect for personal integrity and spiritual balance, would likely feel a complex mix of empathy and wariness toward Sadie Mae. She would see the torment behind Sadie’s harsh exterior and recognize the pain of someone caught between two worlds. Their shared drinks at the Revelry aren't just about whiskey, but rather moments where two hard-edged women let down their guard just enough to breathe. Cora doesn’t judge Sadie’s drinking or the sharpness of her tongue, but she does worry about the hurt Sadie’s inflicting on herself in silence.

I love this!

[Deamonbane]

Abel is about to have an angry mob of scorned women staring daggers at him around town xD

Just the women? He must be losing his touch.

[Sofia Grace]

Just the women? He must be losing his touch.

His brother hasn't returned just yet, give it time 

I believe in him. 

[Hellion]

I love this!

Thank you! Also, I just noticed that Aurelia's former name was Cora (which is what my character's name is), so this would actually be kind of funny. Perhaps Aurelia simply despises her because of a name she was trying to forget...? Or tends to poke fun at the name. Might be a fun exchange between the two.

[impishcharm]

Just the women? He must be losing his touch.

I'm sure there's a scorned guy out there too.   

[Hellion]

I'm sure there's a scorned guy out there too.   

Well so far in the CS lineup, women beat the guys like 3 to 1 I think, so he'll def need to work harder

[Wulfspire]

We have a board! Please refer to: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?board=749.0

Very excited to get our IC kicked off. @Amaris and I will be working hard to get the various IC threads built and ready for you all!

[Hades]

I'm going to work on my character tomorrow in between work runs or over the weekend at the latest.  But I'd like to reserve Idris Elba as my face claim please for my prideful hollowed character.   

[Wulfspire]

I'm going to work on my character tomorrow in between work runs or over the weekend at the latest.  But I'd like to reserve Idris Elba as my face claim please for my prideful hollowed character.   

We got you, partner. Welcome to Abaddon County.

[RainyHigh]

@RainyHigh

... Dammit, I'll reserve an FC for now. Varada Sethu, please~ 💜

[Amaris]

... Dammit, I'll reserve an FC for now. Varada Sethu, please~ 💜

Of course!

[Sofia Grace]

... Dammit, I'll reserve an FC for now. Varada Sethu, please~ 💜