( PLAYER ★ INFORMATION )

NAME: Linds
AGE: 30
CONTACT: bettiebloodshed @ gmail, plurk, aim
CURRENT CHARACTERS & LATEST AC: none

RESERVATION LINK: http://fairyfoes.dreamwidth.org/2216.html?thread=885928#cmt885928

( CHARACTER ★ INFORMATION )

NAME & AGE: Vanessa Ives ; Unknown. Most likely mid to late 20s.
CANON & CANON POINT: Penny Dreadful, end of Season 1
CANON INFORMATION: here

PERSONALITY:

We all have our curses.

Vanessa Ives, above all else, is a person who struggles with her nature, and the choices she has made in life. When we first meet Vanessa, she is praying fervently, as if it is the only thing that can save her--and yet, before the end of her prayer, spiders appear, and she seems to slip into some possession. She looks wild, and without control. In contrast, her very next scene has her enigmatic and beautiful, teasing and playing games with Ethan Chandler, determined to entice him into helping her and Sir Murray. It is these two scenes that set up the frame of Vanessa’s personality -- the cool, careful mask she wears towards the outside world, and the wild, passionate, troubled creature that lays underneath.

There is also an intense loneliness within Vanessa, desperately seeking out companionship, to find like minds, that will accept her as she is, and share the same sort of joy in the world, as she does. She shares poetry with Victor, flowers with Dorian, and conversation with Ethan. She is genuinely someone who wishes to be friendly with those around her, if she thinks that they will be friendly in return. She has sought this out since she has been a child; always feeling a bit of an outsider, the unofficial third child of the Murrays, it is clear she is jealous of their life. As she gets older, she becomes even jealous of her best friend, Mina (I will cover this later in the app). She seeks out love from her, and wishes to keep her with her, always--which leads her to the mistake that curses her. It can even be seen in her friendship with Peter Murray. It isn’t that she grows to love him, in the end--but she doesn’t wish to be alone; she wishes for love, for attention, to connect from someone, anyone, as Mina is slipping away. And Peter, too, rejects her. Despite her own madness, when Peter visits her, the last time, Vanessa still attempts to give him warning of his impending doom, still caring for him despite his rejection. CThis shows, again, that while Vanessa wars with the more selfish aspects of herself, she is attempting to be a person who sacrifices for friends.

Unlike Sir Murray, who seems to value people for their usefulness, Vanessa looks past that, to seek the creature underneath the mask. Sir Murray uses this to his advantage, manipulating and using Vanessa to get at others, as much as he does it to get at her. She is his bait, his whipping boy. It is unclear how much Vanessa realizes it-and how much she allows because of her own guilt. He tells her to unbutton her dress, admits to using her as bait, and is willing to allow her possession to torture her, if it means bringing him closer to gaining Mina back. He is bitter and angry towards her, asking her to pay her pound of flesh, again and again, for her hand in the current situation.

By the end of the series, though, he has learned to love her, and eventually chooses her life, over Mina’s.

I would not tell Miss Ives this. After all, who wants to know they're hunted by the devil?

Vanessa is a woman who is literally hunted by the devil. It is alluded to that she may be the incarnation of Amunet (a vampire refers to her as ‘mother’, even), and if ever joined with Amun Ra, could bring about a world in darkness, ruled by the “hidden ones” --basically demons and other creatures of darkness. This is why she is both gifted, and incredibly vulnerable to outside forces.

As a child, she observes Sir Murray having sex with her mother. This immediately creates a frame within her mind of sex as something potentially sinful and destructive. Vanessa mentions that she prayed over what she saw, and instead of God answering, something else did. This can be an inference that she has always been open to spirits--and it is simply a dark one that answered, instead of a good one. Vanessa mentions that after that moment, she started to do little wicked things, such as steal little things from Mina. However, this could be read as simply a reaction to a traumatic sight, and not an actual sign of evil. As a Victorian, and a Catholic, she would see it as evil, not a natural reaction. She struggles with those sides of herself, often stating her relationship with God is complicated. Her Catholicism is a deep seated part of her, something she states has made her different from her best friend, even at an early age. It's clear that it bothers her, but despite this, she shows a great force of will (and perhaps habit), that she continues to pray throughout the series.

It is not, however, until she is older, that things become uncontrollable. After the rejection of Peter, and the potential loss of Mina, that Vanessa commits an act of betrayal, and has sex with Mina’s fiance--and loses her own virginity in the process. She seems to go mad, afterwards, and is sent to a sanitarium soon after. She is hearing voices, becoming possessed, but she has not let the darkness in fully--not yet.

After her release, Vanessa has the demon visit her in the disguise of Sir Murray, quoting Keats. She does her best to resist, but eventually she does give in, and has sex with the creature, letting him in. It is interesting, that it chose to take the guise of Sir Murray. It could be that Vanessa, at that time associated him with sex. The next time we see the demon, it takes on a different guise. Vanessa has her weaknesses--she has always considered herself the strong one, and her moments of weakness tend to to be her undoing, very often. With the demon, with Mina.

It should be noted that the demon seems to hate men. It is unclear how much of this is Vanessa’s own internal workings, or the workings of Amunet within her--but the demon seeks to lash out and dominate the men that exist within Vanessa’s purview, especially Sir Murray. In that way, could be seen that the creature within her seeks to free her from the confines of a society that allows men to womanize and cheat with impunity, while punishing women for the same acts. It knows of things Sir Murray has done that Vanessa would never have known about--and hates him because of it.

We here have been brutalized with loss. It has made us brutal in return. There is no going back from this moment.

By the end of the season, a family has been made. Ethan, Vanessa, Sir Murray, and Victor have become friends of necessity, and family by choice. Each fills certain roles, but overall, there is a sense of comradery, of willing sacrifice, and care. It is clear, when Vanessa makes the above statement, she is attempting to bring these people with her, to understand her needs, and her nature. She is a damaged, wounded creature, forced to be hard. She still manages joy and playfulness (enjoying flowers, plays, etc), but it is few and far between. Again, the confines of the Victorian culture put her apart where otherwise she might be included. She causes scandal due to her gifts, and has no real sense of propriety; perhaps she once did, but long gave it up, knowing she would not be accepted, anyways. In a society where gloves for women were almost always required, she only wears them when the weather is cold, instead choosing at all other times to leave her hands bare, to reach out and touch, and feel the world around her. It is an example of her tactile nature, her desire to use all her senses to experience life.

Mina
Your father loves you very much and would do anything to save you. But I love you in a different way. I love you enough to kill you.

The relationship between Mina and Vanessa is one steeped in love, but is more complicated than meets the eye. While initially a very positive one for everyone involved, it is clear that Vanessa is the odd duck; she is not of the Murray family, but seems to spend most of her time there. However, things would most likely have continued on in a happy, positive way, if Vanessa had not seen Sir Murray having sex with her mother. After that, Vanessa felt she had knowledge that Mina did not--and while she states that she felt it gave her power, it is clear that it separated her more, and started her jealousy.

While Mina was everything to Vanessa, Vanessa was not everything to Mina. Mina had her brother, and eventually, a fiance. She was going to start a new life, away from Vanessa, filled with all the adventures that she thought they would share, together. She coveted Mina, and wished to keep her for her very own. It is one of the reasons that she chose to have sex with her fiance, knowing that Mina would find them. It could be thought, however, that Vanessa also wished to prove to Mina that he would not be faithful--for Vanessa did little to seduce him. It is something she regrets immediately, and despite her repeated attempts to mend the damage she has caused, she is not allowed the chance. She never sees Mina ‘alive’ again. It is this act that sends her into a spiral, and towards her ultimate decision to let the creature possess her.

Despite all this, her love for Mina continues strong. Since their parting, she has written letters--enough to fill a trunk or two. It is her desire to find her, to save her, that sets all things in motion. She lives with Sir Murrray, allows him to use her, sacrifices a great deal, all in the endeavor to find Mina and save her--even if saving her means killing her.

Ethan vs Dorian

Vanessa’s relationships with Ethan and Dorian are perfect examples of the war within her. One wishes for her to set herself free, without limits, while the other, wishes for her to cling to her humanity. She makes a choice, at the end of first season, which makes obvious Vanessa’s determination to be a better person.

You are no longer unique.
But you are no longer alone, either.

From the moment they meet, Dorain and Vanessa are drawn to one another. He is the first person who seems to cultivate her darker side, to see it, and see no problem with it. They are drawn like opposite sides of a magnet, to press together, to struggle to draw apart. Dorian sees a similar soul in Vanessa. It is because of this, that he actually seems eager with her, determined to keep her attention, and be genuine in his affections. With Brona, with Ethan--there is an affectation, a desire to grab ahold of something because he wants it. With Vanessa, however, he seems to genuinely like her, and wish to hold a conversation with her. It draws Vanessa to him--for Vanessa has been seeking someone like that in her life, since her early years. He makes Vanessa happy--she shows such joy and excitement over going on a date with Dorian, and spending time with him.

It is not a good thing, though. He brings out the darker sides, wishes for her to let go of her control, and fan the flames--and in doing so, she becomes fully possessed, once more.

Once Vanessa becomes better, again, she realizes that despite her attraction to Dorian, despite her need to be around someone who truly accepts her...she can’t be around him, for her own sanity, and the safety of others. So she rejects him. It’s bittersweet for her, (and may cause a downward spiral for Dorian) but she makes the choice to focus on the control in her life, instead of wild abandoned.

She chooses Ethan’s way of life, instead of Dorian’s.

I’m with you.
And I’m with you, Ethan.

One of the most defining aspects of the show is the friendship between Ethan and Vanessa. Without Vanessa, Ethan would not be involved with the little ‘family’ the group of them have created. He is the one person that knows Vanessa, and truly wishes to look out for her--to protect her. Vanessa sees this, and wishes to do the same for Ethan. She pushes him, tries to tug him out of his shell. There are selfish reasons for her to do this, of course--initially, she needs his help, and sees him as a means to an end. But as time goes on, it is clear that she genuinely grows to care for him, and his happiness. When he speaks of Brona, she seems happy for him...but also sad, knowing that the person he cares for will eventually die. She is also genuinely happy to meet Brona, despite the awkwardness that ends up resulting from it. She pledges her loyalty to Ethan, and he to her, in their endeavours to find Mina.

When possessed, Ethan is the one person who is determined to do what is best for Vanessa, even if it means killing her--which is what she wishes for, if she cannot be saved. When the demon comes to visit her again, it is in the guise of Ethan, a clear sign of her care for him. She speaks that he is the only true kindness she has known, and that she may be a bit in love with him--a true statement. She reaches out for him, sees the goodness in him...and wishes to be better in turn.

It is their bond that ends up saving her. He finishes the Catholic rights on her (the fact that he knows them means that he is a fellow Catholic, as well), and pushes the demon back under.

Their final meeting in Season 1 shows her touching Ethan, thanking him for his kindness, and expressing sorrow for his loss of Brona. She touches his hand, clasping hers over his, in a similar fashion that Dorian first clasped her own hand, once.

She chooses her humanity, her goodness, in her friendship with Ethan, creating a bond with him. She will help him, as she can, as he once helped her.

COURT ALLIANCE & REASONING: Unseelie. Vanessa is a person at war with herself. She feels constrained by the Victorian world, and fights against it in subtle ways. She covets the things she cannot have (full attention from Mina, someone who loves her for who she is). There is a darkness within her--something that exists before she lets the demon in. Above all else, she struggles with being unique, and not wishing to be so. The false chivalry and honor that surrounds her in her world is despised. She wishes to be her own creature, even if she worries about the cost.

ABILITIES:

Clairvoyance/Tarot Reading: While some might consider these two different abilities, for Vanessa, they are one in the same. Whatever exists within her, whatever called to the demon that she currently struggles with, also allows her the gift of foresight. The tarot cards help hone this, allowing her the ability to give her insight into others, and into the near future, and the current 'now'.

Supernatural/male attraction: Whether due to her own natural inclination, or due to the demon within her (it isn't clear, yet), dark things (as well as men) are drawn to Vanessa. Dorian Gray is inordinately interested in her, and shows a genuine eagerness towards her that he does not show towards others. A young vampire refers to her as "mother", while other such creatures seem unwilling to attack her, or pause at the sight of her. She also attracts spiders in large amounts.

Possession induced super strength and telekinesis: While this is not necessarily a power of her own, whatever demon exists within has the capability of telekinesis, and a strength that appears to be two to three times Vanessa's own abilities.

Possession induced knowledge: The demon within her knows a great deal more than Vanessa does--of people, of places. It can be omniscient, in some ways. However, again, this only appears when she is possessed. Possession is usually temporary, and has only occurred in extreme forms twice, after having sex that induces either a) guilt or b)dark feelings. So capping this ability, I feel, may be unnecessary, due to it simply being highly unlikely to occur within game.

INVENTORY: this outfit

1 cross/rosary

2 decks of tarot cards

Last letter she wrote to Mina

( WRITING ★ SAMPLES )

NETWORK SAMPLE:

[The device turns on, revealing a young woman, her pale face a mask of careful control, while her green eyes seem alight, curious and intelligent. Her dark hair is bound up in an intricate hair style, though some strands are free, as if she did not take as much time as usual to place on finishing touches. When she speaks, her voice is crisp and cool.]

I can see why some might think this madness, brought on by some sort of fit. But it is not, is it?

[She looks up, eyes darting along, seeing something in the background. Something that makes her smile for a moment, a small curl of the lips, before turning her attention back to the device.]

It is the true demimonde. Though it seems far kinder than the version I have known, for most of my life.

[Her eyes slip slightly closed, looking away. She licks her lips, and shakes her head, as if trying to decide to continue, or not.]

I once had a discussion, that to be unique, is to be alone. That to be around others, such as yourself, is to no longer be unique. I wonder how that stands, here?

I would be curious to hear your answers.

LOG SAMPLE:

What is there to do now, with Mina gone?

So much.

Vanessa knows that that is the answer, to the question that has plagued her. There are still demons to be fought, creatures to be found, hearts to heal. Sir Malcolm, against all odds, chose her, in the end, when her life was at stake. Still, sometimes, she struggles to understand that; that after all the use, the distrust, the hurt caused (on both sides, she has to admit)...that he chose her. It feels as if a long rift in her heart has started to close, because of it--though it has not healed entire. It cannot. Not with Mina dead, not with the creature who has done this to her, still to be found.

Not with her own curses still curled tight around her, it’s grasp upon her soul still tight as a python squeezing at prey. The priest had been right, of course, though. If she knew of a way to remove the demon, if it meant losing the things that have always made her different, apart from the rest of the world, unique, she is not sure she would do so.

Perhaps that makes her wicked.

But as she looks out her window, watching the fog-bound world of London at night, she can’t help but think that there has to be a greater purpose to it all. It is a terrible, horrible thing--but she has been touched by the back hand of God. He would not make her suffer so, if there were not a reason.

Without her suffering, her horrible gifts, she would never have met Ethan, one of the few people she has ever met who has seen the darkness, and seeks to help. Not like Dorian, who wishes to cultivate and set her wild (she can’t afford that, not now, not ever). Ethan seems to want her to find both sides of herself, to settle them into a balance, something controlled. It is something the young man struggles with, as well. But they have both suffered so much loss, as of late...she can only hope that their friendship will remain, still.

Despite all odds, it seems a family has been made. One of their own making. And she would not lose any of that, for all the world.