[character study]
[Body and Appearance]
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is she heavyset, thin, short, rangy?
Tocas is just 5'6” with a slim, if thick build. At work she has to lift other people, as well as run up and down steps, so her size is hardly a decent comparison to her strenght.
2. How old is she?
23
3. Describe her posture. Does she carry himself well or does she slouch?
Typically she wears a back brace for work, which gives her a slightly better posture than normal, it also comes from having a few rods in her back as well.
4. How is her health? Is she fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?
She would consider her lycanthropy a disability, but beyond that? No. She doesn't.
5. How does she move? Is she clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?
She is rushed, as if she doesn't feel proper in her skin, as if it's too tight. So it's awkward as well.
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does she perceive himself in the mirror?
Once upon a time, she would have considered herself attractive, pretty even. Now all she can see is the thin scars across her face and body. To most, it's something that can be easily covered with make-up. To her? It's like a neon light blaring at her from the mirror.
7. Describe her complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?
Light, and very scarred. She has two lines running across her left cheek, though at face value, that's it. No pock-marks to speak of.
8. Describe her hair: color, texture, style.
'Fluffy' and bright red. It's fine, but has over the last few years, grown increasingly thick and coarse, she can only assume it's from her... issues.
9. What color are her eyes?
Hazel
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features?
Yes, at first glance it is two thin scars running up the side of her face, the story for which go from the truth, attacked by a patient, to car accident, to abusive ex. Whichever is easier to explain away.
She also has a small scar on her right wrist, which she hides with a watch. Her other scars, the deeper ones are typically hidden below her scrubs but one peaks out on her collar bone, make-up can usually hide that one enough for her.
11. What are her chief tension centers?
Base of the head and neck.
12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian?
Scrubs scrubs scrubs!
...oh. And Jeans and tops. Comfort is what is most important here, with the ability to hide her body being second.
13. Do her clothes fit well? Does she seem comfortable in them?
While she is comfortable in her clothes, she still looks uncomfortable in herself. Most of the scrubs are a size or two too big, hiding whatever figure she might have.
14. Does she dress the same on the job as she does in her free time? If not, what are the differences?
While she often wears her work-clothes home, they're not the same.
15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando?
Boy-shorts.
[Speech]
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?
She tends to speak overly loud and clear, one of the little quirks she has picked up from work. However, it' not that high or low sounding... it's just her voice. As she thinks of it.
example!
2. How does she normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does she talk easily, or does she hesitate?
oops, loud and even. She usually speaks what is on her mind at that moment, so very little hesitation.
3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics?
Not any great accent, if one had to get specific, perhaps a slight southern or mid-western accent. Very slight.
She uses terms like 'hon' a lot though.
4. What language/s does she speak, and with how much fluency?
English all the way.
And enough Spanish to get a taco from Taco Bell
5. Does she switch languages or dialects in certain situations?
It's definitely slower and perhaps more southern at work. But you try and yell for ten hours a day in your regular voice.
6. Is she a good impromptu speaker, or does she have to think about her words?
Give her a subject, and Tosca can give you a speech.
7. Is she eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?
Eloquent enough? If someone stripped to their skivvies, and professed their love, she'd be less articulate, but so would anyone.
Also, she tends to stumble when people ask about her 'accent' or how she might have gotten a new bruise. Especially if she wasn't aware of it.
[Mental and Emotional]
1. How intelligent is this character? Is she book-smart or street-smart?
Book smart, but not in a stereotypical way. Tosca is all about popular culture. She knows who is dating who in Hollywood, and what the last film grossed.
That, and she knows her way around a medical text book.
They go hand in hand to her.
2. Does she think on her feet, or does she need time to deliberate?
Thinking on her feet.
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is she more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?
What am I to do? ->Why?-> Do I have to?-> How long til the moon?-> Hope I'm getting paid for this-> *does it*
4. What kind of education has the character had?
Full HS experience, as well as an associates and CNA [certified nursing assistant] at graduation. She's also passed the LPN classes, and looking at RN schools to apply to.
5. What are her areas of expertise? What, if anything, is she interested in learning more about?
In the long run, she wants to work as a respiratory therapist. However, at the moment she is working at a short-term care facility for individuals who need to go through physical therapy, but not to the extent of a hospital, but more than they can do at home. She's been on both ends at this point.
6. Is she an introvert or an extrovert?
Extrovert. 100% Extrovert. It's easier to be private that way.
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is she even-tempered or does she have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy?
Even tempered except for her 'time of the month' during which she has serious enough mood-swings to take time off work for the safety of her residents and co-workers.
8. How does she respond to new people or situations? Is she suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?
Relaxed and enthusiastic, though once again, during her time of the month, she's as guarded as they come.
9. Is she more likely to act, or to react?
React. Always react.
10. Which is her default: fight or flight?
3/4th's of the month, flight. 1/4th of the same month? Fight.
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does she appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks?
Really really bad puns and jokes get to her the most. Though really it's whatever is playing on comedy channel.
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does she deal with them?
Nothing diagnosable, but then... what do you call lycanthropy?
13. What moments in this character's life have defined her as a person?
1. Moving in with her parents
2. Her brothers being born.
3. Deciding to become a nurse
4. Going to college
5. Buying an apartment
6. Getting attacked.
14. What does she fear?
the moon
people finding out
hurting someone
turning during a moment of intimacy,
killing someone
doing to someone else, what was done to her
speeding cars.
15. What are her hopes or aspirations?
To eventually understand what is going on, fix it, and have a regular life.
Maybe have a family and kids and all that.
16. What is something she doesn't want anyone to find out about him?
That's pretty obvious, isn't it?
[Relationships]
1. Describe her character's relationship with her parents.
Good, she visits them on holidays and when she gets time off. More cordial than best friends. She knows she was a mistake, and while they tried, they weren't the best.
She's forgiven them.
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?
Two brothers, who are both eight. They idolize her, and while she was still in HS, she hated them, they were annoying, snot-nosed boys.
They still are, but there is less hate anymore.
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom she is close? Are there ones she can't stand?
Yes, an aunt, but not even she knows about Tosca's.. condition. They grew up together, after all, Hannah was only nine years older than Tosca.
Her grandmother is more of the maternal person to her than her mother, so a lot of her strained relationships are with her, and not her mother. Of course, she's also a lot close to her grandmother than her mother as well.
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom she considers part of her family? What are her relationships with them?
There are a few short-term residents, who are a bit more than short-term, she even goes to visit them when they reach a more permanent facility. They're her friends, and her family- just as much as she is theirs.
5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet?
Christina, the supervising nurse at work, and yes- they met at work. She's the one who showed Tosca the old room in the forgotten part of the building. Though- she honestly believes that Tosca uses it to get high during work.
6. Does she have other close friends?
Tosca isn't the best at making close friends, too risky and all.
7. Does she make friends easily, or does she have trouble getting along with people?
Drinking buddies? Easy.
Best friends, those whom she'd do anything or, and hope for the same?
...not so much.
8. Which does she consider more important: family or friends?
Family.
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has she been married more than once?
Single, there was a book she got from the library a while back, about theories on her condition. It said that when a person looses control of themselves, that they can turn.
There is no way in hell she is willing to risk that.
10. Is she currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?
Nope.
11. Who was her first crush? Who is her latest?
Eddie Vance, from school when she was 4.
Recently? Well... there is this visiting doctor..... but nothing will come of it.
12. What does she look for in a romantic partner?
a lack of romance. :'(
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does she relate to them? If no, does she want any?
No, and she can't. In the attack, her reproductive organs were damaged to the point where they performed a double hysterectomy. She can't have children, and is glad of it.
14. Does she have any rivals or enemies?
Tosca knows that one of her co-workers is filching supplies.
But that's it.
15. What is the character's sexual orientation?
Straight? It's not really an issue anymore.
16. How does she feel about sex? How important is it to him?
It used to be important, used to be fun.
...now it terrifies her.
17. What are her turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?
If she can find a guy who will okay with just holding her hand, and not risking it- that'd be amazing.
She doubts he exist.
[Beliefs]
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does she fit type?
Aquarius is one of the hardest signs of the zodiac to understand. Aquarius are often felt to be unfathomable when in reality they live almost entirely on the surface.Aquarians will not reveal their innermost feelings no matter how hard others may try to persuade them, simply because they are unable to do so.People of this sign have a reputation for being enigmatic, difficult to understand, and different from everyone else, and cleverly play on this to gain power and attention.They are extremely friendly yet detached at a personal level, sociable in large gatherings, but unsociable at smaller meetings and parties which require greater intimacy.They are helpful and compassionate when involved with charities or group activities.
...yeah.
Pretty damn well.
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in her life?
Her parents didn't really do the church thing, but her grandmother tried.
She has a crucifix, because once, a resident told her to never wear an empty cross, for if Jesus is already there, you can't put yourself there instead.
It really hit a nerve with her.
3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it?
Yes- mostly how all children's starts, and as she has grown it's become 'keep others safe. Period.'
Unless Tosca isn't herself- there is nothing to keep her from that.
4. How does she regard beliefs that differ from his? Is she tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?
She's seen enough people die, seen enough last rights that she can only hope that there is more. Whatever it is though, probably doesn't care about her. So- she doesn't care about others.
5. What prejudices does she hold? Are they irrational or does she have a good reason for them?
None, except for others she has heard about with her issue.
If they even exist.
[Daily Life]
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is she rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?
She's an LPN. What do you think?
IE: comfortably poor.
2. What is her social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him?
Middle class, moving from the middle-middle to lower-middle as she got her own place and job. It's not the worst.
3. Where does she live? House, apartment, trailer? Is her home her castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does she share it with others?
A duplex on the east side of town.
She and her neighbors don't get along.
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does she spend her money on?
School! D: She really wants that RN after her name.
5. What does she do for a living? Is she good at it? Does she enjoy it, or would she rather be doing something else?
Currently she's an LPN at a short term rehabilitation facility for people after surgeries. She think she's good at it, but wants her career to advance as much as possible.
6. What are her interests or hobbies? How does she spend her free time?
Going to the movies is on the top of the list, drive-ins even moreso than that.
Of course, there is the typical places for a woman her age, bars, clubs, bookstores.
A hundred places.
7. What are her eating habits? Does she skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?
She tries to eat healthy... but when that moon grows... it becomes erratic. Not eating, over eating, spending a months worth of groceries in a day.
It's unhealthy, but she doesn't know how to stop.
[Associations]
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is her favorite:
Favorites:
1. Color? Cerulean
2. Smell? blood, wood, forest Vanilla
3. Time of day? midnight day-break
4. Season? Winter
5. Book? Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin
6. Music? I'll make a list later.
7. Place? The Park.
8. Substance? Coffee
9. Plant? Jade
10. Dogs. Wolf Bull-Dog
[here be the code to do it yourself]