Post by Jolene on May 7, 2008 23:39:42 GMT -5
STATISTICS
Full Name:
Jolene.
Nickname:
She prefers Jolene and Jolene only, although the Princess gets away with a variety of nicknames (Joley, Joey, Joe)
Your age now:
154
Your age when you were changed:
19 (1873)
Power:
None.
Coven:
N/A. Travels with Princess Violet.
BEAUTY
Hair Color:
Dirty blonde.
Eye Color:
Always a light shade of citrine. Jolene’s diet is that of a vegetarian one, under the Princess’ command, and she often keeps her satiety in check. The only time her eyes ever darken in color is when food must be conserved for Violet.
Overall Appearance:
Jolene is of average height, with a skinny figure that lacks definitive curve. With long, spindly limbs, Jolene’s posture is always straight and poised, signifying her pride in serving the Princess. Her face is very much circular with wide set eyes, a long nose, and a mouth that seems too big for her. Despite her most favorable feature, her thick lips seem to be set in a permanent frown although a smile would truly accompany her features better. Also, on the upper left side of her lip, she has a tiny, brown birthmark.
Most of the time Jolene is clad in her traditional, servant wear. As a lady-in-waiting, Jolene had constantly been clad in conservative maid attire, although the Princess had often seen to decorative revisions. Jolene had nonchalantly allowed this, and wears the outfits up to this day due to Violet’s insufferable insistence on keeping her noble attire. That way, the Princess and her Lady-In-Waiting are able to attract very little attention from passer bys, giving the impression that they work for a company specialized in old fashioned entertainment. However, when Jolene is on her own (which is very rarely), or forced to adapt to the modern environment, she wears the simplest of contemporary fashions: t-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes or sandals. Most of the time her hair is woven into a tight braid in order to provide her clarity in vision, otherwise left down in a lazy mess of blonde frizz.
Over the past one hundred and fifty four years, Jolene has traveled through many cultures, never staying long enough to lose her Croatian accent. She did, however, tend to pick up certain dialects, and contemporarily hosts a strange, lilting voice that makes it impossible to distinguish her origin.
Likes:
The Princess.
A good ‘adventure’ every now and again.
Peace.
Reading.
Solitude.
Order.
Good hygiene and cleanliness.
Politeness and mannerisms.
Traveling, but having a nice, cozy home to return to!
Embroidery, knitting, sewing.
Dislikes:
Loud noises/people.
Rude, discourteous people.
Disruption.
The Princess when she’s being demanding.
Modern Fashion.
Strengths:
Helping others with simple, trivial tasks and even the most taxing of problems.
Organizing, from simple household chores to planning out the daily agenda.
A great listener to vent and rant to.
Very good at reading others’ emotions, especially the Princess’.
Good at disappearing.
Weaknesses:
MOSTLY VIOLET (and her ‘shenanigans’).
Pessimistic, often sees the world a disastrous place that is totally inhabitable for a Princess.
Feels superior to most people and vampires because she serves the Princess, who is royalty.
At times can be overbearing with her negativism, insisting upon Violet not to do things.
Controlling.
A great listener, who picks up even the smallest bits of gossip and secrets.
Refuses to change from her old ways.
Habits:
Jolene’s worst habit has nothing to do with herself, but rather Violet. Most of the time, Jolene is content with standing perfectly still, though if she is paired with the Princess she will nitpick her appearance and most of the time groom stray wisps of hair and specs of dust that mar Violet.
First Impressions:
Most of the time, Jolene appears as an extremely busy young lady without any time to stop and converse. Still, she is unexceptionally polite in her haste, but does not allow people to see past her busy body demeanor. While Jolene is attractive, she does not seem to be aware of her beauty, concerning herself mainly with Violet’s stature and well being. Because of this, others’ might observe Jolene as being obsessive and even a bit too old for her age (although that’s far from the truth).
Personality:
Jolene is oftentimes and unfairly perceived as… mean. To those who do not know her, even stand off-ish and snobby. The truth is, because of the way Jolene was raised, coupled with her relationship with Princess Violet, she doesn’t really seek companionship out of fear of her organized, little world being disrupted. She absolutely, positively loathes dramatic situations, which explains her annoyance with Violet’s persisting ‘adventures’. She could even be defined as having a ‘Type A’ personality, what with her precise time-consciousness and avid alertness, but Jolene truly wants nothing more than to relax.
Growing up with four older brothers has definitely taken its toll on Jolene, despite the one hundred and thirty five years that have passed since she has seen them. Jolene observed her parents teach her brothers to conceal their emotions with constant claims of showing weakness, and the youngest sibling followed suit. Because of this, Jolene has trouble expressing herself and come off as passive-aggressive with her pent up feelings. Fortunately, Violet’s power prevents the Princess from growing too irritated with the introverted Jolene, who is able to inform her brunette companion of how she feels with mere touch rather than words.
Additionally, her brothers made a tomboy out of Jolene, constantly rough housing around her and venturing out into the woods. Eventually, however, Jolene grew tired of having to clean up after the constant, destructive path she was always commanded to clean up after, developing an irritation for all things messy despite her own rambunctious nature. In this day and age, Jolene is the same still, although incredibly more anal about cleanliness and so forth. She absolutely despises when the Princess returns to their home, tracking mud past the threshold from the torn dress clinging to her body in scraps. Yet, if Violet manages to convince Jolene rather than force her into an adventure, the latter vampiress proves to be a worthy and resourceful companion, whose company is actually pleasant.
While Jolene is far from being self-conscious, she can become extremely defensive about herself and those she chooses to associate with. She isn’t exactly cut out for fighting, knowing of no technique or tact that could help her in a dangerous situation, but won’t hesitate to protect Violet in any way, shape or form. Even if means punting a bag of vegetables (or whatever else she has at hand!) at her attacker!
Being an extremely patient hard worker, Jolene allows little to distract her, although should something actually capture her interest, the vampiress will become entranced. If Violet is lucky enough to ensnare Jolene when she is in such a state, the blonde’s inner tomboy seems to show.
HISTORY
Life:
Born in 1854 in the country of Croatia, Jolene was bred into a middle class family of nobles. Due to the impending controversy between Croatia and the Austria-Hungary monarchy, however, Jolene’s family began to fall lower and lower in society. Although the royal family of Croatia had little power at this point in time, they were influential with many subject matters, including tradition and politics. Jolene’s father, an older gentleman who had always been close with the King, was granted living arrangements in the King’s castle if his children were to fulfill certain roles. His four sons, all very close in age, were assigned to the King’s private guard and trained in swordplay and fight tactics, while the younger daughter was to eventually serve as a mere maid. Because she was young at the time, however, Jolene generally did nothing for the first ten years of her life in the castle, that is until she turned twelve.
With the birth of Princess Violet, Jolene’s role ultimately changed. On the Princess’ tenth birthday, she would be assigned a handful of maids to constantly attend to every needs, relieving the governess of some of her duties. Up until Violet’s birthday, Jolene had paid little attention to the Princess, choosing instead to play outside with the servant’s children in the Castle grounds and rooftops. Though only slightly older than Violet, Jolene never particularly found the Princess very interesting, until the day she saw the girl creeping about at night. It was then she realized how cooped up the Princess must have felt, and how courageous she was to sneak out of the guarded castle. The two soon became close friends, and oftentimes either one of them could be found tapping at the other’s door or window, whispering to come out and play in the darkness. The pair even developed a secret way of transporting messages to one another, such as writing a message with breath on the window panel, penning a note on a piece of ribbon, or even something as simple as leaving the huge encyclopedia out on a library table, opened to page eight hundred and eighty one.
The adventurous friendship Violet and Jolene shared severely dwindled when Violet turned ten and Jolene became her official lady in waiting. At first, the two believed it would be great fun, only to be met with disappointment. Because of her upbringing, Violet was at times bossy, a trait that was magnified with Jolene in her employment. And Jolene had grown weary of venturing with Violet, now extremely conscious of the Princess’ health and so on. Should anything happen to the Princess because of an adventure Jolene accompanied her on… Jolene wouldn’t be able to live with herself! And not only that, she’d be putting her whole family at risk. True, the relationship she had with her parents was strained due to their old age, and her brothers were too mature and busy beginning their own families. Still, Jolene felt an enormous amount of pressure was being placed upon her shoulders and soon began to refrain from risking her status with outlandish games.
Still, Jolene and Violet remained close, despite daily arguments and bickering. The more years that ticked by, the more reclusive Jolene became, using her spare time to perform tasks that often seemed tedious, though she relished in the relaxation. Jolene did not bother with romance, seeing as how Violet’s life full of drama had leaked into her own as it was, and often shunned servant boys attempts to woo her, thought she took small interest now and then. However, Jolene made no friends apart from Violet and dropped ties with old companions, her focus entirely directed toward the Princess.
Things really began to change when the Princess met a man by the name of Silus. Jolene knew of his presence long before Violet had actually made the introductions, and could see why the Princess had kept the matter discrete. Silus was… strange. Almost inhuman. Regardless, Jolene didn’t like him-- something Violet had at the time placed due to jealousy. The friends were often engaged in debate over the subject; Jolene deducing that Silus was nothing but trouble while Violet valiantly defended him. Jolene began to remain in Violet’s presence for longer and longer, although emotionally they were growing distant due to the controversial subject.
There had been one night, however, where Jolene had left the Princess in a fit of rage, again because of Silus. Jolene had once again voiced her suspicions of the man when Violet had admitted his proposal of marriage. Sweeping herself from the room, Jolene declared that she would inform the King of her suspicions, but nearly half way their Jolene recognized the terrible cries of her mistress. The floor in which Violet’s room was located was unusually barren that night, though Jolene didn’t notice that until she was running back toward Violet’s chambers. Usually, half a dozen guards stood astutely through the hallways keeping watch. It was strange indeed.
But what Jolene found beyond the threshold of Violet’s stranger was far stranger than she could have imagined. Not only strange, but frightening and disturbing as well. There was Silus, looming above a bloody Violet, looking as though he were biting…
When the crimson eyes met hers, Jolene let out a wail of dismay and disgust. She was certain Violet was dead at the hands of this… demon! And soon, Jolene would be next! Cowering away from him, Jolene picked up whatever her fumbling fingers fell upon- a powder case, a hairbrush, a stool- and threw it at Silus as he neared her. He punted these trivial objects out of the way with ease, however, laughing as he descended upon the fearful lady-in-waiting. And then blackness fell upon Jolene as she crumpled to the ground, blood running from her neck.
Afterlife:
Fortunately, Jolene’s story did not end there. Nor did Violet’s. After Silus had left the room, a pain more intense than he had delivered to Jolene enveloped her, and for what seemed like a lifetime Jolene curled up like a cocoon on the floor, unable to suppress the pain. But once the pain had simmered, Jolene gathered the courage to pluck herself up and inspect Violet. The Princess was alright… in an eerie way. It was obvious they had changed in some aspect, those the reasons were hardly definitive. Had the old legends been true? Of demons and incubi and vampires?
Violet and Jolene realized they could no longer remain in the kingdom they loved and quickly began to scheme. As always, Violet was the creative genius while Jolene was the flawless organizer. Together, they devised a plan to fake their death, and therefore escape. It was a clever, complicated little trick, but somehow they had managed to pull it off. First, they stowed away the most valuable of belongings, intending to live of them, and hid the bags away deep in the palace gardens where no one could find them. The next parts required exquisite timing and a great deal of nervousness on Jolene’s part. The pair painted a scene of robbery in the Princess’ room, where royal blood had been spilled in a quest for fortune. Jolene was required to remain “alive” for Violet’s funeral, although it take a great deal of willpower to prevent herself from shielding the Princess’s coffin from pounds and pounds of dirt. That night, when all the Castle was asleep but for the constant guards, Jolene used her newfound stealthy to relieve the Princess of her artificial grave. Jolene wondered how her friend how managed to remain so content after a whole day of entrapment, but realized there was much beyond her comprehension at the moment. Jolene’s body and mind were changing in various ways, and she had no time to think on them.
After faking her own suicide, Jolene was soon set in the ground, the silent tears of her family heard only by her heightened senses. She knew they would move on and that Jolene had never exactly been a special part of her family’s lives, and besides, it was her duty to protect Violet at all costs… and Silus had already ensured her failure. But as the dirt pounded on her coffin, burying her alive, fright consumed her. She knew Violet would come for her, but the situation itself was deathly frightening. For hours Jolene lay restless, unable to move and inch, the damp, rank air practically suffocating her. But the six feet of dirt separating her from Violet gave her time to think and analyze her new body. Soon, Jolene discovered that it was not necessary to breathe- it was in fact relieving not to. She also found it rather difficult, no, impossible to sleep. Whether out of fright or some inexplicable force, Jolene did not know, but would discuss such matters with Violet after her revival.
As Princess and Lady-In-Waiting traveled the dusty roads of the unknown world, they learned from experience how their novel bodies functioned. It was strange to live as a myth, a legend. Jolene watched and waited for her skin to fold, to crease. For her bones to bend and creak. The day never came, and Violet and Jolene alike both retained the beauty of youth. What was more, they couldn’t continue to do certain things they had done as humans, the biggest concept involving food. There source of nutrition? Blood. Directly from a living being. How they had discovered this? When Violet had fervently attacked a deer two days after running away. Jolene thought the Princess was going positively insane, but when that scent hit her nostrils… she had dropped to the forest floor beside the Princess, moistening her lips with the crimson sustenance the deer had provided.
The pair had decided to track Silus down and avenge their lost lives, vowing not to kill nor live as he had. This lead them to acquire the vegetarian diet and adaptive human lifestyle. For years the Princess and her maid hunted Silus, only ever a single step behind. Finally, they cornered him in modern day Seattle, where they beat, killed, and burned him. Three (the infamously magical number) years they waited, watching the urn which held his ashes, preparing to battle the blood sucking ghost only ever mentioned in the old Croatian folk tales.
The Princess had grown weary of the city and as three years drew to a close, declared a change in scenery. Jolene agreed and pleaded for a small, nice community to reside in for a while. She needed the rest. Thankfully, Violet agreed and off they set for the nearby town of Forks, completely oblivious to the vampires and wolves that resided there.
Despite the lateness in the school year, Jolene and Violet are incognito, pretending to be students studying environmental science abroad for their senior year. A small cottage on the outskirts of town is where they call ‘home’, backed against the dense forest. A large, fenced enclosure resides at the back of the house, containing healthy deer, presumably for the foreign students scientific studies. So far their ‘research’ has come up as inconclusive, due to the unfortunate, inexplicable escape of the animals.
Coven Info:
Princess Violet.
ALL ABOUT YOU
Name: Ashley
Age: 19 >_>
Other Characters: The March Hare (on & off hiatus), Lucy Westenra, Felix Deschain, Arianna.
Other Sites: Visions of The Night & Pentamerone (Inskome… it’s a journal game).
Experience: 5ish years?
Example1:
Hmmm…
This one!
Only 11 posts in, but I really like it so far.
I’m playing Lucy.
My favorite post of hers is definitely the second to last (HER second, so technically third to last)!
Example2:
((This is in accordance with Nessa’s example with Violet))
“Again?” The King roared as the spittle which flew from his mouth landed in his frizzed, graying beard.
The servant did not say anything at first, standing with hands clasped and head bent down slightly in the typical maid format. “Yes, you’re Grace.” The young servant replied in the same Chakavian dialect as the King, giving a somber nod.
“You’re not to rest until Princess Violet returns, Jolene. I want to see her when she has.” The King demanded finally after a stressful silence, turning on his heel on sweeping out of the room.
“Of course, your Majesty.” The woman, Jolene, called after him in reply. The moment the King was out of sight, however, Jolene’s passive, concerned face drooped into one of utter distaste. Turning, the lady in waiting made her way to the window, her plain skirts rustling at her ankles. “Damn Violet!” She cursed under her breath, balling awkwardly large hands into fists and slamming them on the window sill. From Jolene’s high perch, she could see nearly all of western Castle grounds, which she knew to be Violet’s favorite haunt. The Western Lands were full of active scenery such as the gardens, the knights’ quarters, and especially the forest.
Large, clear blue eyes narrowed as they swept pass what could be seen of the forest, growing dark with the instant knowledge that Violet was in there. And for how long, heavens knew! Once the Princess had ‘escaped’ from lessons, it was impossible to know when she would return. And who received Violet’s punishments? Jolene, naturally. The head servant of the Princess always did. Fortunately, the floggings were never too bad, after all, the were essentially for the Princess and therefore delivered as soft, feeble blows of the whip. And in the nineteen years of growing up with four, brawly older brothers, Jolene had suffered much, much worse at the expense of their playfulness. It was more out of concern for the Princess that Jolene became annoyed with her bouts of running away, rather than the punishment that was to come.
Leaning her forehead against the glass panel, decorative curtains hanging limply at either side of the window, Jolene contemplated going out into the forest and dragging Violet home herself. She knew the forest as well as any hunter (or even Violet) did, given she hadn’t been through there in quite some time. Still, it would be impossible to track her down the massive lush of shrubs and Jolene decided to leave the finding up to the guards (when they would be dispatched), though they were painfully oblivious to Violet’s little tricks, unlike Jolene.
The blonde, whose hair was kept back in a simple braid, began to pace back and forth, brainstorming ways to get Violet out of trouble this time. Despite her overwhelming irritation with the Princess, Jolene really only concerned for her well being. She was not worried about the Princess remaining lost, knowing she would show up in due time, but rather her well being. Had she suffered any scratches? Had her dress been torn (again)? Had some rabid or angry animal attacked her? Jolene stopped her frenzied walk and shook her head, knowing full well the Princess’ white mare would allow no harm to come to the rider. And besides, animals in the western part of the King’s forest were generally considered passive and fearful of humans, steering out of their paths at all costs.
With a sigh, Jolene resumed her place at the window smugly, staring out into the sunlit horizon. She had not told the King her suspicions in the hesitant hopes of giving Violet a little more time of peace before her next lesson. The Princess hated them so, and Jolene couldn’t blame her. Most of the material was covered by dull, brooding tutors who succumbed to every whim of the King, although at times Jolene found the subjects interesting. At times, Jolene’s situation was a very influential one. As the main lady-in-waiting, she was to follow the Princess at almost all times, which included sitting through lessons. While Violet sat nonchalantly before her instructor, Jolene would remain quiet in a corner, doing embroidery or sewing to pass the time, but all the while gleaning every word she heard. She was lucky to be able to listen to this lectures, and often found herself reprimanding Violet for her lack of studious attention. It went without saying, but Jolene probably added a great deal of tension and annoyance to Violet’s life as well, what with her constant nagging. But Jolene couldn’t help it. She had been instructed as a child to ‘play nice’ with the Princess and had been plucked from her status in order to serve Violet, once her family had sunk into financial debt.
But serving the Princess wasn’t all that bad as Jolene made it out to be. Not only was her family allowed free room and board, but Jolene was treated to hot baths and meals and the softest of fabrics, even if they were for servants. She was even allowed her own bedchamber, which was decorated numerous bookcases, an atlas, a vanity and mirror, and spindles and sewing needles here and there, although most of the time Jolene would sleep on a cot in Violet’s room. Jolene’s father had been granted retirement and lived a peaceful (but often loud) lifestyle with his wife, having been rather close to the King in the past. As for her brothers, they had been granted entry into the King’s private guard and trained daily in the large fields of sword play.
Because her brothers were so much older than her, and her parents somewhat distant due to old age, Jolene had never become truly close with her family, although she was glad they were living comfortably. Truly, however, Violet was her family. Or at least, the closest person to it, due to Jolene’s constant worrying over her. And it was because of this concept Jolene grew so annoyed at the present time: because she cared for Violet and wanted her in sight at all times. Normally she accompanied Violet with lessons, but today there had been an incident concerning fires in the kitchen, and all servants had been called to help. It hadn’t been a very feral fire, and nearly everything had been salvaged, but such threats could not be left unattended to. It was the perfect scenario for Violet’s escape! Almost as if Fate had helped the Princess plan it.
Jolene’s trimmed and even nails tapped anxiously at the window sill, while her chin rested in the other hand. Stories below, she observed several of the guard (including one of her brothers) set off toward the forest, soon swallowed by the green depths. Jolene wished them all the luck in the world, knowing should Violet choose to hide she would do so magnificently. But Jolene would remain at her position, still as stone until she saw the Princess make her discrete exit from the forest, presuming to be seen by no one but oh so wrong. Jolene would see her, and Jolene would come upon Violet like an enraged harpy when she did.
Moments passed, and the only activity that came from the forest was the stirring of birds, flapping their wings gently up and above the canopy. Jolene watched their graceful movements for a few moments, until a flash of white caught the corner of her eye. But the Princess had not been wearing white that day, Jolene knew for a fact for she had dressed her. Quickly, her eyes dropped down to the right corner of the window, spying the Princess’s white mare gallop hastily out of the forest and in the direction of the stables. As Jolene took in the sight, she suddenly vowed to kill that horse! For all it bore was a fine, leather saddle and fastenings, but no rider to control the pace at which it moved. The Princess was not there!
Jolene left the room with haste, hitching up her dress in order to hurry down the intricate, marble staircases. After she had descended to flights, however, she caught a glimpse of the guards leaving the forest, hurrying to the stables. Damn! It would be useless to investigate the mare herself, if the guards would be attending to it. No doubt they’d shoo the pesky maid away, besides. So, Jolene turned and clambered up the stairs she had just fled down, but rather than climbing the castle higher, turning and rushing down an extremely fanciful hallway, full of busts and portraits and soft velvet carpet above beautiful stone. Soon, she had made her way to the Princess’s bedchambers, her hand reaching for the door handle and tugging. The door opened to reveal the Princess’s sitting chamber, which Jolene fled through when she did not spot Violet, and resumed her tugging at a second doorknob, which to her annoyance- she found to be locked.
Jolene spent no time calling out to Violet, instead reaching into the depths of her apron to retrieve a circular wire set with keys. The key the Princess’s innermost rooms was easy enough to find, being the largest and most ornate of the devices, and was soon being shoved into the hole beneath the door handle. As Jolene withdrew the key, having unlocked the door, she threw the door open wide, storming in.
“VIOLET!” She began, her voice hoarse in its anger. “How da--” However, Jolene’s words wavered into nothingness as she glimpsed something at the open window… had it been a person? But no one was there now, other than the bewildered looking Princess.
“Who was here?” Jolene demanded, approaching the window to peer out. She could see absolutely no trace of a human being, given there was very little room to seek safety on the brick Castle walls. Stories below the Princess’s room lay grassy floor, and should someone decide to jump in all likeliness they would soon be nursing a broken bone. Jolene straightened from her inquiring, slumped posture and turned on Violet, rising to her full height. It wasn’t an impressive move on her part, however, given the three inch distance Jolene grieved at the height of the Princess. “Who was here?!” She demanded again, perhaps a little more urgently and this time fearing for her own sanity.
Quote:
“I want a break/I want to put this stress aside/But above all things I wanna lay by the Oceanside“(Authority Zero)
Full Name:
Jolene.
Nickname:
She prefers Jolene and Jolene only, although the Princess gets away with a variety of nicknames (Joley, Joey, Joe)
Your age now:
154
Your age when you were changed:
19 (1873)
Power:
None.
Coven:
N/A. Travels with Princess Violet.
BEAUTY
Hair Color:
Dirty blonde.
Eye Color:
Always a light shade of citrine. Jolene’s diet is that of a vegetarian one, under the Princess’ command, and she often keeps her satiety in check. The only time her eyes ever darken in color is when food must be conserved for Violet.
Overall Appearance:
Jolene is of average height, with a skinny figure that lacks definitive curve. With long, spindly limbs, Jolene’s posture is always straight and poised, signifying her pride in serving the Princess. Her face is very much circular with wide set eyes, a long nose, and a mouth that seems too big for her. Despite her most favorable feature, her thick lips seem to be set in a permanent frown although a smile would truly accompany her features better. Also, on the upper left side of her lip, she has a tiny, brown birthmark.
Most of the time Jolene is clad in her traditional, servant wear. As a lady-in-waiting, Jolene had constantly been clad in conservative maid attire, although the Princess had often seen to decorative revisions. Jolene had nonchalantly allowed this, and wears the outfits up to this day due to Violet’s insufferable insistence on keeping her noble attire. That way, the Princess and her Lady-In-Waiting are able to attract very little attention from passer bys, giving the impression that they work for a company specialized in old fashioned entertainment. However, when Jolene is on her own (which is very rarely), or forced to adapt to the modern environment, she wears the simplest of contemporary fashions: t-shirt, jeans, and tennis shoes or sandals. Most of the time her hair is woven into a tight braid in order to provide her clarity in vision, otherwise left down in a lazy mess of blonde frizz.
Over the past one hundred and fifty four years, Jolene has traveled through many cultures, never staying long enough to lose her Croatian accent. She did, however, tend to pick up certain dialects, and contemporarily hosts a strange, lilting voice that makes it impossible to distinguish her origin.
Likes:
The Princess.
A good ‘adventure’ every now and again.
Peace.
Reading.
Solitude.
Order.
Good hygiene and cleanliness.
Politeness and mannerisms.
Traveling, but having a nice, cozy home to return to!
Embroidery, knitting, sewing.
Dislikes:
Loud noises/people.
Rude, discourteous people.
Disruption.
The Princess when she’s being demanding.
Modern Fashion.
Strengths:
Helping others with simple, trivial tasks and even the most taxing of problems.
Organizing, from simple household chores to planning out the daily agenda.
A great listener to vent and rant to.
Very good at reading others’ emotions, especially the Princess’.
Good at disappearing.
Weaknesses:
MOSTLY VIOLET (and her ‘shenanigans’).
Pessimistic, often sees the world a disastrous place that is totally inhabitable for a Princess.
Feels superior to most people and vampires because she serves the Princess, who is royalty.
At times can be overbearing with her negativism, insisting upon Violet not to do things.
Controlling.
A great listener, who picks up even the smallest bits of gossip and secrets.
Refuses to change from her old ways.
Habits:
Jolene’s worst habit has nothing to do with herself, but rather Violet. Most of the time, Jolene is content with standing perfectly still, though if she is paired with the Princess she will nitpick her appearance and most of the time groom stray wisps of hair and specs of dust that mar Violet.
First Impressions:
Most of the time, Jolene appears as an extremely busy young lady without any time to stop and converse. Still, she is unexceptionally polite in her haste, but does not allow people to see past her busy body demeanor. While Jolene is attractive, she does not seem to be aware of her beauty, concerning herself mainly with Violet’s stature and well being. Because of this, others’ might observe Jolene as being obsessive and even a bit too old for her age (although that’s far from the truth).
Personality:
Jolene is oftentimes and unfairly perceived as… mean. To those who do not know her, even stand off-ish and snobby. The truth is, because of the way Jolene was raised, coupled with her relationship with Princess Violet, she doesn’t really seek companionship out of fear of her organized, little world being disrupted. She absolutely, positively loathes dramatic situations, which explains her annoyance with Violet’s persisting ‘adventures’. She could even be defined as having a ‘Type A’ personality, what with her precise time-consciousness and avid alertness, but Jolene truly wants nothing more than to relax.
Growing up with four older brothers has definitely taken its toll on Jolene, despite the one hundred and thirty five years that have passed since she has seen them. Jolene observed her parents teach her brothers to conceal their emotions with constant claims of showing weakness, and the youngest sibling followed suit. Because of this, Jolene has trouble expressing herself and come off as passive-aggressive with her pent up feelings. Fortunately, Violet’s power prevents the Princess from growing too irritated with the introverted Jolene, who is able to inform her brunette companion of how she feels with mere touch rather than words.
Additionally, her brothers made a tomboy out of Jolene, constantly rough housing around her and venturing out into the woods. Eventually, however, Jolene grew tired of having to clean up after the constant, destructive path she was always commanded to clean up after, developing an irritation for all things messy despite her own rambunctious nature. In this day and age, Jolene is the same still, although incredibly more anal about cleanliness and so forth. She absolutely despises when the Princess returns to their home, tracking mud past the threshold from the torn dress clinging to her body in scraps. Yet, if Violet manages to convince Jolene rather than force her into an adventure, the latter vampiress proves to be a worthy and resourceful companion, whose company is actually pleasant.
While Jolene is far from being self-conscious, she can become extremely defensive about herself and those she chooses to associate with. She isn’t exactly cut out for fighting, knowing of no technique or tact that could help her in a dangerous situation, but won’t hesitate to protect Violet in any way, shape or form. Even if means punting a bag of vegetables (or whatever else she has at hand!) at her attacker!
Being an extremely patient hard worker, Jolene allows little to distract her, although should something actually capture her interest, the vampiress will become entranced. If Violet is lucky enough to ensnare Jolene when she is in such a state, the blonde’s inner tomboy seems to show.
HISTORY
Life:
Born in 1854 in the country of Croatia, Jolene was bred into a middle class family of nobles. Due to the impending controversy between Croatia and the Austria-Hungary monarchy, however, Jolene’s family began to fall lower and lower in society. Although the royal family of Croatia had little power at this point in time, they were influential with many subject matters, including tradition and politics. Jolene’s father, an older gentleman who had always been close with the King, was granted living arrangements in the King’s castle if his children were to fulfill certain roles. His four sons, all very close in age, were assigned to the King’s private guard and trained in swordplay and fight tactics, while the younger daughter was to eventually serve as a mere maid. Because she was young at the time, however, Jolene generally did nothing for the first ten years of her life in the castle, that is until she turned twelve.
With the birth of Princess Violet, Jolene’s role ultimately changed. On the Princess’ tenth birthday, she would be assigned a handful of maids to constantly attend to every needs, relieving the governess of some of her duties. Up until Violet’s birthday, Jolene had paid little attention to the Princess, choosing instead to play outside with the servant’s children in the Castle grounds and rooftops. Though only slightly older than Violet, Jolene never particularly found the Princess very interesting, until the day she saw the girl creeping about at night. It was then she realized how cooped up the Princess must have felt, and how courageous she was to sneak out of the guarded castle. The two soon became close friends, and oftentimes either one of them could be found tapping at the other’s door or window, whispering to come out and play in the darkness. The pair even developed a secret way of transporting messages to one another, such as writing a message with breath on the window panel, penning a note on a piece of ribbon, or even something as simple as leaving the huge encyclopedia out on a library table, opened to page eight hundred and eighty one.
The adventurous friendship Violet and Jolene shared severely dwindled when Violet turned ten and Jolene became her official lady in waiting. At first, the two believed it would be great fun, only to be met with disappointment. Because of her upbringing, Violet was at times bossy, a trait that was magnified with Jolene in her employment. And Jolene had grown weary of venturing with Violet, now extremely conscious of the Princess’ health and so on. Should anything happen to the Princess because of an adventure Jolene accompanied her on… Jolene wouldn’t be able to live with herself! And not only that, she’d be putting her whole family at risk. True, the relationship she had with her parents was strained due to their old age, and her brothers were too mature and busy beginning their own families. Still, Jolene felt an enormous amount of pressure was being placed upon her shoulders and soon began to refrain from risking her status with outlandish games.
Still, Jolene and Violet remained close, despite daily arguments and bickering. The more years that ticked by, the more reclusive Jolene became, using her spare time to perform tasks that often seemed tedious, though she relished in the relaxation. Jolene did not bother with romance, seeing as how Violet’s life full of drama had leaked into her own as it was, and often shunned servant boys attempts to woo her, thought she took small interest now and then. However, Jolene made no friends apart from Violet and dropped ties with old companions, her focus entirely directed toward the Princess.
Things really began to change when the Princess met a man by the name of Silus. Jolene knew of his presence long before Violet had actually made the introductions, and could see why the Princess had kept the matter discrete. Silus was… strange. Almost inhuman. Regardless, Jolene didn’t like him-- something Violet had at the time placed due to jealousy. The friends were often engaged in debate over the subject; Jolene deducing that Silus was nothing but trouble while Violet valiantly defended him. Jolene began to remain in Violet’s presence for longer and longer, although emotionally they were growing distant due to the controversial subject.
There had been one night, however, where Jolene had left the Princess in a fit of rage, again because of Silus. Jolene had once again voiced her suspicions of the man when Violet had admitted his proposal of marriage. Sweeping herself from the room, Jolene declared that she would inform the King of her suspicions, but nearly half way their Jolene recognized the terrible cries of her mistress. The floor in which Violet’s room was located was unusually barren that night, though Jolene didn’t notice that until she was running back toward Violet’s chambers. Usually, half a dozen guards stood astutely through the hallways keeping watch. It was strange indeed.
But what Jolene found beyond the threshold of Violet’s stranger was far stranger than she could have imagined. Not only strange, but frightening and disturbing as well. There was Silus, looming above a bloody Violet, looking as though he were biting…
When the crimson eyes met hers, Jolene let out a wail of dismay and disgust. She was certain Violet was dead at the hands of this… demon! And soon, Jolene would be next! Cowering away from him, Jolene picked up whatever her fumbling fingers fell upon- a powder case, a hairbrush, a stool- and threw it at Silus as he neared her. He punted these trivial objects out of the way with ease, however, laughing as he descended upon the fearful lady-in-waiting. And then blackness fell upon Jolene as she crumpled to the ground, blood running from her neck.
Afterlife:
Fortunately, Jolene’s story did not end there. Nor did Violet’s. After Silus had left the room, a pain more intense than he had delivered to Jolene enveloped her, and for what seemed like a lifetime Jolene curled up like a cocoon on the floor, unable to suppress the pain. But once the pain had simmered, Jolene gathered the courage to pluck herself up and inspect Violet. The Princess was alright… in an eerie way. It was obvious they had changed in some aspect, those the reasons were hardly definitive. Had the old legends been true? Of demons and incubi and vampires?
Violet and Jolene realized they could no longer remain in the kingdom they loved and quickly began to scheme. As always, Violet was the creative genius while Jolene was the flawless organizer. Together, they devised a plan to fake their death, and therefore escape. It was a clever, complicated little trick, but somehow they had managed to pull it off. First, they stowed away the most valuable of belongings, intending to live of them, and hid the bags away deep in the palace gardens where no one could find them. The next parts required exquisite timing and a great deal of nervousness on Jolene’s part. The pair painted a scene of robbery in the Princess’ room, where royal blood had been spilled in a quest for fortune. Jolene was required to remain “alive” for Violet’s funeral, although it take a great deal of willpower to prevent herself from shielding the Princess’s coffin from pounds and pounds of dirt. That night, when all the Castle was asleep but for the constant guards, Jolene used her newfound stealthy to relieve the Princess of her artificial grave. Jolene wondered how her friend how managed to remain so content after a whole day of entrapment, but realized there was much beyond her comprehension at the moment. Jolene’s body and mind were changing in various ways, and she had no time to think on them.
After faking her own suicide, Jolene was soon set in the ground, the silent tears of her family heard only by her heightened senses. She knew they would move on and that Jolene had never exactly been a special part of her family’s lives, and besides, it was her duty to protect Violet at all costs… and Silus had already ensured her failure. But as the dirt pounded on her coffin, burying her alive, fright consumed her. She knew Violet would come for her, but the situation itself was deathly frightening. For hours Jolene lay restless, unable to move and inch, the damp, rank air practically suffocating her. But the six feet of dirt separating her from Violet gave her time to think and analyze her new body. Soon, Jolene discovered that it was not necessary to breathe- it was in fact relieving not to. She also found it rather difficult, no, impossible to sleep. Whether out of fright or some inexplicable force, Jolene did not know, but would discuss such matters with Violet after her revival.
As Princess and Lady-In-Waiting traveled the dusty roads of the unknown world, they learned from experience how their novel bodies functioned. It was strange to live as a myth, a legend. Jolene watched and waited for her skin to fold, to crease. For her bones to bend and creak. The day never came, and Violet and Jolene alike both retained the beauty of youth. What was more, they couldn’t continue to do certain things they had done as humans, the biggest concept involving food. There source of nutrition? Blood. Directly from a living being. How they had discovered this? When Violet had fervently attacked a deer two days after running away. Jolene thought the Princess was going positively insane, but when that scent hit her nostrils… she had dropped to the forest floor beside the Princess, moistening her lips with the crimson sustenance the deer had provided.
The pair had decided to track Silus down and avenge their lost lives, vowing not to kill nor live as he had. This lead them to acquire the vegetarian diet and adaptive human lifestyle. For years the Princess and her maid hunted Silus, only ever a single step behind. Finally, they cornered him in modern day Seattle, where they beat, killed, and burned him. Three (the infamously magical number) years they waited, watching the urn which held his ashes, preparing to battle the blood sucking ghost only ever mentioned in the old Croatian folk tales.
The Princess had grown weary of the city and as three years drew to a close, declared a change in scenery. Jolene agreed and pleaded for a small, nice community to reside in for a while. She needed the rest. Thankfully, Violet agreed and off they set for the nearby town of Forks, completely oblivious to the vampires and wolves that resided there.
Despite the lateness in the school year, Jolene and Violet are incognito, pretending to be students studying environmental science abroad for their senior year. A small cottage on the outskirts of town is where they call ‘home’, backed against the dense forest. A large, fenced enclosure resides at the back of the house, containing healthy deer, presumably for the foreign students scientific studies. So far their ‘research’ has come up as inconclusive, due to the unfortunate, inexplicable escape of the animals.
Coven Info:
Princess Violet.
ALL ABOUT YOU
Name: Ashley
Age: 19 >_>
Other Characters: The March Hare (on & off hiatus), Lucy Westenra, Felix Deschain, Arianna.
Other Sites: Visions of The Night & Pentamerone (Inskome… it’s a journal game).
Experience: 5ish years?
Example1:
Hmmm…
This one!
Only 11 posts in, but I really like it so far.
I’m playing Lucy.
My favorite post of hers is definitely the second to last (HER second, so technically third to last)!
Example2:
((This is in accordance with Nessa’s example with Violet))
“Again?” The King roared as the spittle which flew from his mouth landed in his frizzed, graying beard.
The servant did not say anything at first, standing with hands clasped and head bent down slightly in the typical maid format. “Yes, you’re Grace.” The young servant replied in the same Chakavian dialect as the King, giving a somber nod.
“You’re not to rest until Princess Violet returns, Jolene. I want to see her when she has.” The King demanded finally after a stressful silence, turning on his heel on sweeping out of the room.
“Of course, your Majesty.” The woman, Jolene, called after him in reply. The moment the King was out of sight, however, Jolene’s passive, concerned face drooped into one of utter distaste. Turning, the lady in waiting made her way to the window, her plain skirts rustling at her ankles. “Damn Violet!” She cursed under her breath, balling awkwardly large hands into fists and slamming them on the window sill. From Jolene’s high perch, she could see nearly all of western Castle grounds, which she knew to be Violet’s favorite haunt. The Western Lands were full of active scenery such as the gardens, the knights’ quarters, and especially the forest.
Large, clear blue eyes narrowed as they swept pass what could be seen of the forest, growing dark with the instant knowledge that Violet was in there. And for how long, heavens knew! Once the Princess had ‘escaped’ from lessons, it was impossible to know when she would return. And who received Violet’s punishments? Jolene, naturally. The head servant of the Princess always did. Fortunately, the floggings were never too bad, after all, the were essentially for the Princess and therefore delivered as soft, feeble blows of the whip. And in the nineteen years of growing up with four, brawly older brothers, Jolene had suffered much, much worse at the expense of their playfulness. It was more out of concern for the Princess that Jolene became annoyed with her bouts of running away, rather than the punishment that was to come.
Leaning her forehead against the glass panel, decorative curtains hanging limply at either side of the window, Jolene contemplated going out into the forest and dragging Violet home herself. She knew the forest as well as any hunter (or even Violet) did, given she hadn’t been through there in quite some time. Still, it would be impossible to track her down the massive lush of shrubs and Jolene decided to leave the finding up to the guards (when they would be dispatched), though they were painfully oblivious to Violet’s little tricks, unlike Jolene.
The blonde, whose hair was kept back in a simple braid, began to pace back and forth, brainstorming ways to get Violet out of trouble this time. Despite her overwhelming irritation with the Princess, Jolene really only concerned for her well being. She was not worried about the Princess remaining lost, knowing she would show up in due time, but rather her well being. Had she suffered any scratches? Had her dress been torn (again)? Had some rabid or angry animal attacked her? Jolene stopped her frenzied walk and shook her head, knowing full well the Princess’ white mare would allow no harm to come to the rider. And besides, animals in the western part of the King’s forest were generally considered passive and fearful of humans, steering out of their paths at all costs.
With a sigh, Jolene resumed her place at the window smugly, staring out into the sunlit horizon. She had not told the King her suspicions in the hesitant hopes of giving Violet a little more time of peace before her next lesson. The Princess hated them so, and Jolene couldn’t blame her. Most of the material was covered by dull, brooding tutors who succumbed to every whim of the King, although at times Jolene found the subjects interesting. At times, Jolene’s situation was a very influential one. As the main lady-in-waiting, she was to follow the Princess at almost all times, which included sitting through lessons. While Violet sat nonchalantly before her instructor, Jolene would remain quiet in a corner, doing embroidery or sewing to pass the time, but all the while gleaning every word she heard. She was lucky to be able to listen to this lectures, and often found herself reprimanding Violet for her lack of studious attention. It went without saying, but Jolene probably added a great deal of tension and annoyance to Violet’s life as well, what with her constant nagging. But Jolene couldn’t help it. She had been instructed as a child to ‘play nice’ with the Princess and had been plucked from her status in order to serve Violet, once her family had sunk into financial debt.
But serving the Princess wasn’t all that bad as Jolene made it out to be. Not only was her family allowed free room and board, but Jolene was treated to hot baths and meals and the softest of fabrics, even if they were for servants. She was even allowed her own bedchamber, which was decorated numerous bookcases, an atlas, a vanity and mirror, and spindles and sewing needles here and there, although most of the time Jolene would sleep on a cot in Violet’s room. Jolene’s father had been granted retirement and lived a peaceful (but often loud) lifestyle with his wife, having been rather close to the King in the past. As for her brothers, they had been granted entry into the King’s private guard and trained daily in the large fields of sword play.
Because her brothers were so much older than her, and her parents somewhat distant due to old age, Jolene had never become truly close with her family, although she was glad they were living comfortably. Truly, however, Violet was her family. Or at least, the closest person to it, due to Jolene’s constant worrying over her. And it was because of this concept Jolene grew so annoyed at the present time: because she cared for Violet and wanted her in sight at all times. Normally she accompanied Violet with lessons, but today there had been an incident concerning fires in the kitchen, and all servants had been called to help. It hadn’t been a very feral fire, and nearly everything had been salvaged, but such threats could not be left unattended to. It was the perfect scenario for Violet’s escape! Almost as if Fate had helped the Princess plan it.
Jolene’s trimmed and even nails tapped anxiously at the window sill, while her chin rested in the other hand. Stories below, she observed several of the guard (including one of her brothers) set off toward the forest, soon swallowed by the green depths. Jolene wished them all the luck in the world, knowing should Violet choose to hide she would do so magnificently. But Jolene would remain at her position, still as stone until she saw the Princess make her discrete exit from the forest, presuming to be seen by no one but oh so wrong. Jolene would see her, and Jolene would come upon Violet like an enraged harpy when she did.
Moments passed, and the only activity that came from the forest was the stirring of birds, flapping their wings gently up and above the canopy. Jolene watched their graceful movements for a few moments, until a flash of white caught the corner of her eye. But the Princess had not been wearing white that day, Jolene knew for a fact for she had dressed her. Quickly, her eyes dropped down to the right corner of the window, spying the Princess’s white mare gallop hastily out of the forest and in the direction of the stables. As Jolene took in the sight, she suddenly vowed to kill that horse! For all it bore was a fine, leather saddle and fastenings, but no rider to control the pace at which it moved. The Princess was not there!
Jolene left the room with haste, hitching up her dress in order to hurry down the intricate, marble staircases. After she had descended to flights, however, she caught a glimpse of the guards leaving the forest, hurrying to the stables. Damn! It would be useless to investigate the mare herself, if the guards would be attending to it. No doubt they’d shoo the pesky maid away, besides. So, Jolene turned and clambered up the stairs she had just fled down, but rather than climbing the castle higher, turning and rushing down an extremely fanciful hallway, full of busts and portraits and soft velvet carpet above beautiful stone. Soon, she had made her way to the Princess’s bedchambers, her hand reaching for the door handle and tugging. The door opened to reveal the Princess’s sitting chamber, which Jolene fled through when she did not spot Violet, and resumed her tugging at a second doorknob, which to her annoyance- she found to be locked.
Jolene spent no time calling out to Violet, instead reaching into the depths of her apron to retrieve a circular wire set with keys. The key the Princess’s innermost rooms was easy enough to find, being the largest and most ornate of the devices, and was soon being shoved into the hole beneath the door handle. As Jolene withdrew the key, having unlocked the door, she threw the door open wide, storming in.
“VIOLET!” She began, her voice hoarse in its anger. “How da--” However, Jolene’s words wavered into nothingness as she glimpsed something at the open window… had it been a person? But no one was there now, other than the bewildered looking Princess.
“Who was here?” Jolene demanded, approaching the window to peer out. She could see absolutely no trace of a human being, given there was very little room to seek safety on the brick Castle walls. Stories below the Princess’s room lay grassy floor, and should someone decide to jump in all likeliness they would soon be nursing a broken bone. Jolene straightened from her inquiring, slumped posture and turned on Violet, rising to her full height. It wasn’t an impressive move on her part, however, given the three inch distance Jolene grieved at the height of the Princess. “Who was here?!” She demanded again, perhaps a little more urgently and this time fearing for her own sanity.
Quote:
“I want a break/I want to put this stress aside/But above all things I wanna lay by the Oceanside“(Authority Zero)
