Panic

Welcome to Wonderland (AiW RP)

If we're claiming character's can I go ahead and ask for the female alice?

The Sunday Group

Fiona Grant the Medium

Name: Fiona Grant

Age: 27

Appearance: Fiona has skin that is porcelain white, and that, like most of Fiona’s appearance, is by design. She often has on dark red lipstick and uses makeup to exaggerate her cheekbones for a harsher, more angular look. Her long hair is dyed black, sharp bangs sweeping across her forehead, resting just above her eyes. She only wears black, but keeps up with the latest fashion trends. If she had to pick a style icon, Wednesday Addams is the first that comes to mind. Fiona has curated her style with care and takes great pride in her appearance.

Visual Aid

Concept: It had started out as a joke, but quickly turned in a way to make a quick buck. Her friends used to joke that Fiona could talk anyone into anything. Pair that with her witchy aesthetic and you have yourself a bonafide fake medium. First it was just a party trick, something to whip out with over exaggerated hand movements and palm reading. Then, after realizing she could make money from it, Fiona started charging to tell people’s future. She claimed to talk to the beyond and tell the future. A few kitschy crystals here, and a dash of occult paraphernalia there set her stage. It all came down to watching people closely and feeding them information. They’d perk up when she’d mention something generic they mistook as more. Their head would twitch just a bit when she happened upon a detail. Micro Expressions, as she would later learn, could tell her everything she needed to know. People heard what they wanted to and the self-fulfilling prophecy would take effect. It didn’t take much work on Fiona’s part.

Fiona kept up her little con for most of college. There was nothing other-wordly going on, just a girl who knew how to read people extremely well. One of her clients, however, changed all that. A beautiful and mysterious woman came to her office one evening just as Fiona was closing up. Fiona tried to kick her out, having a party to make it to, but the woman had convinced her to do one more reading. What started out as a normal reading quickly turned on its head. When Fiona took both of the woman’s hands, pretending to contact the other side, a blinding heat burned through her head. Her entire body felt like it was on fire, but no matter how hard Fiona tried to drop her hands she couldn’t. Eventually the pain became too much and Fiona’s world went black.

When Fiona came to it was the next morning and the woman was missing. She convinced herself she was drugged when she realized all of her money was gone. But, strange things started happening. People kept appearing and disappearing in her peripheral. Voices came to her when she knew she was alone. Eventually Fiona figured out she wasn’t going crazy, she could talk to ghosts. What started out as a con became her reality through some kind of twisted irony. Fiona was a real life medium.

Powers/Skills: Fiona is a smooth talker and picks up quickly on other people’s body language and micro expressions. She can talk to ghosts when they reach out to her. She’s had some success channeling particular ghosts, but most of the time she has to wait for them to come to her.

Writing Sample:

I’ve Got Friends on the Other Side

A cigarette hung precariously in between two thin fingers. It’s smoke swirled away delicately in the icy wind cutting through even the smoker’s leather jacket. A young woman took another long drag, reveling in the nicotine rushing through her body. “You know Charlie,” she started, breaking the silence between her and the leggy blonde leaning next to her. “I was doing some thinking,”

“Oh? Something from the other side speaking to the great and mighty Fiona?” the blonde interrupted dryly. Charlie was one of the only people who knew Fiona’s secret and liked to poke fun at it every chance she got.

“I think I am going to that party after all. Fuck Sean,” she said defiantly, stomping out her cigarette for dramatic flair.

“And when you run into him at Aaron’s?”

“I ignore him.”

“You mean you’ll pretend to ignore him while pinning silently after him in the corner somewhere until you end up back at his place again, only to call me in the morning to come meet you for post hate-sex coffee and eggs.”

“You love coffee and eggs,” Fiona said, her attention being quickly drawn to the shop behind them as the familiar ding of the little bell announced another customer. Charlie just offered a half wave as she pushed herself off the wall, knowing her friend had work.

“You better show up this time Fi. I’m not going alone again.” She was already sauntering off before Fiona could respond. She closed the back door to the ally as she entered back into “The Mystic Eye”.

“I’m sorry love, but we’re closing up for the night. You’ll have to come back tomorrow. The spirits are tired and so am I,” Fiona said, making her way up to the front.

“I think they’ll have time for one more. I’ll pay double.” said a voice, smooth as butter. Fiona perked up at the offer. A quick “fortune is coming your way” and “yes grammy misses you too” and she’d be on her way. With the double fare she might even have enough to grab a cab to the party.

“I can’t make any promises, but we’ll see if they’re still around,” Fiona said, walking through a beaded curtain to the counter in the doorway of her shop. With the sun fully set behind the skyline, the only light came from the many candles Fiona had on around the room and the streetlight from across the street peaking in through the window. Even in the low light though, Fiona could tell the woman in front of her was beautiful. She towered over the psychic’s 5’9 stature in impressive heels. The black overcoat she wore looked more expensive than Fiona’s rent. Her skin was a warm caramel color and her hair laid in soft curls down her back. People like her didn’t come into “The Mystic Eye”.

“So who is it you’re trying to reach?” she asked as she ushered the woman into the back room, offering her a seat across a small circular table.

“His name was Alastor,” she said, seeming to float down into the seat, her posture immaculate.

“Okay, let’s see here…” Fiona said, pretending to take extra effort to settle into her seat, letting out a sigh. She forewent any chanting or over dramatics, figuring this woman would have seen through the act. No, it was better to keep it in the subtleties with this one. “Is there something of his you have, something to help me find him?” she asked after a few minutes pretending to concentrate. Really, Fiona was just picking out her outfit for the evening. Maybe that new little black dress she got at Benny’s. That with her black booties might be just the ticket.

“I have an old coin of his. Said it brought him luck,” said the woman, pulling out an odd looking gold coin. Fiona took it and turned it in her hands. A few of the symbols looked familiar, but it wasn’t an ordinary coin.

“Here take my hands and think of the last time you saw him. Really concentrate on the details. How he smelled, what he was wearing. That kind of thing,” Fiona instructed, offering her hands to the woman across from her. As soon she she grabbed them, the coin pressing hard into her left hand, Fiona felt a scorching pain radiating behind her eyes. It was like the worst migraine she had ever had, pressure building in her head that felt like it would pop at any moment. Fiona let out a pained cry, unable to pull away from the woman. Her vision turned white hot as if there was a spotlight being shined directly into her eyes despite how dark the room was.Just as the pain grew to the point Fiona was begging for death, her world went black.

The Sunday Group

I suppose it would depend if we want the Gotham feel to our setting... Or the mysterious, magic, voodoo-y feel... which would be in my mind New Orleans

@ihinka

Since Katrina, New Orleans has changed a lot from what it used to be. It's mostly a bad tourist trap near the Quarter and than the further you go out, really heavy slum areas. It's a lot more run down and abandoned than it used to be.

I personally think that it might be best to just create a fictional city like Gotham or Metropolis, but if we wanted to stay in the states, my vote is for Chicago or Detroit.

Panic’s Running Advanced Interest Check and Plot Ideas

Bump!

Trial by Hell-fire (Panic x Fisticuffs)

Ah guitar is actually really simple to learn, but hard to master. It helps if you already know how to read music, but tabs work just as well. I definitely suggest getting an emery board to help build up calluses, otherwise your fingers are going to hurt like a bitch.

I was going to suggest to do a collab with you, but I've already posted twice so I'm kind of taking a back seat until everyone at least gets their intro up. I'm the same way though. I'm not sure who'd I pair Nora with, no one is standing out to be as an obvious pick.

Trial by Hell-fire (Panic x Fisticuffs)

That's fine, I've had plenty of other posts that have been keeping me procrastinating from actual work.

I'm doing well though! Could not be more happy that its Friday! Plus Destined finally got up and running so I'm a happy camper for sure. I was positive it was DOA with all of the silence from the GMs. What about you? Any big weekend plans?

The Destined (Soulmate RP)

Nora and Etienne Cont.

@Sterling

---

The carter gestured for Nora to come along with him, easing out of the main flow of the crowds and towards a less populated (But by no means empty) street. “Well my mother says I was born ass first...So perhaps that is something special. Not many can claim such a feat.” Etienne chuckled at his own joke and fate. But he felt as he weren’t answering the real question. The unspoken one.

Licking his fingertips of the last little tastes of apple fritter Etienne tilted his head examining the interesting girl before continuing. “I’m not really special. I mean...yes I have a mark but really in this city, at this point that’s not special. So, my mark is the only particularly interesting thing about me… And of course my abilities but I’ve never really used them.”

Nora perked up a bit at the mention of abilities. She had only gotten so far with self-teaching, never having met another with the mark before. It was disappointing to hear that Etienne had not worked on his abilities before. Half of the reason she came to the Royal City was to learn how to improve and do more than the pitiful lightning pulses. “Well I find that hard to believe. I’m sure there are things that are interesting about you,” Nora said with a warm smile as she put a gentle hand on his arm reassuringly. “I’m still learning how to use my own ability. I’m hoping I can find someone at the festival who knows how,” Nora said as the pair idly walked down the street. “So you’ve never really used yours? Do you know what it is at least?”

Etienne frowned slightly, his face mirroring the remorse in Nora. “I’m the only marked one in my village so… I’ve not met anyone else to compare talents. I know I’m marked but…” He shrugged self consciously before nodding towards Nora. “I’m sorry to disappoint you. What is your talent then?” He asked, trying to steer the conversation back into more upbeat venues.

It was all Nora could do not to sigh or frown. It seemed she was wasting her time after all. The first marked guy she came across wasn’t from nobility and definitely wouldn’t be able to help train her ability. Despite her irritation though, she decided not to find an excuse to cut and run. There was no telling how many marked individuals there would be, and giving off bad impressions to someone who was so friendly could mean trouble down the line. No, she would continue to befriend Etienne, but she doubted that there would be much she could use him for. Maybe connections later on, but she had to be careful not to waste her time. The festival wouldn’t last forever.

“Oh you could never disappoint me,” Nora said with a cheeky smirk, nudging the man playfully a little bit. “I’m still learning, but I can play around a bit with lightning. Little sparks and such,” Nora said, more than happy to talk about herself. “I’d show you, but I’m afraid that might cause a bit of a riot.”

Etienne felt a wave of confliction before smiling. They could be friends surely. “Lightning? That sounds very exciting and dangerous…” He winked. “It suits you Ms. Bellwood. If I ever find out what my power is I doubt it will be as alluring as yours...As for riots…” He let out a breath looking around at the crowds of people pressing in on them, the city so full. “I doubt you need lightning to do that. Looks, charm, or vastly outrageous and untrue rumors should do you just fine.” He teased.

“How long have you been in the City? Do you already know some good places to steal a meal or just recently arrived like myself?”

“How quickly you can go from complimenting me to wounding me. Stealing? I’ll have you know that I’m not a petty thief. Stealing is for those not clever enough to get what they want through other means,” Nora said, feeling a bit defensive. “I merely convince individuals that they want to help a poor girl out.” Nora realized her tone had turned a bit harsh, and she gave a small chuckle to try to lighten the mood. “I’m afraid I took the last room at the Ivory Inn down across town. But, we already found the best place for food. I plan on living entirely off those apple fritters for the duration of my stay,” Nora joked. “I just got into town though. Took the most awful boat ride here.”

Touched a nerve. Etienne was glad that she was keeping things headed towards a better direction. “I had heard as much, about the inns all being full you know? I suppose I should have planned ahead more. Oh well…” He’d slept in worse places than a stable loft or on the road outside the city. He’d be alright.

“I’ve never been on a boat before.” Etienne admitted, glancing up at the sun before coming back to level his gaze on Nora. Looking closely at her clothes he wondered at the mixed messages. Attractive clothes but claims of no money.

“Well… If you know of a second best place for a meal Nora I would be happy to share one with you. I don’t have enough to pay for two full meals but we could share a plate. I’m skinny and you’re a lovely little thing...Surely we’d be doing well enough?” Brushing his locks out of his eye the carter smiled invitingly. This was a gesture of goodwill on his part for bruising her pride.

“Perhaps meet for a dinner or lunch or something?”

“I’d be honored to,” Nora lied, returning the man’s smile. In truth, Nora was feeling antsy, wanting to go find other marked individuals, perhaps one that could afford two meals. But she kept reminding herself not to be rude. She had to be smart about the friends she made, and her time. “Why don’t we meet for dinner tonight. Let you get settled in to find a place for the night. I can meet you by the pastry stand at sundown?” she asked. She wasn’t sure if she would return, especially if a better offer came her way, but a back up plan never hurt.

“Perfect.” Etienne seemed delighted by the prospect, offering his hand for Nora to shake goodbye. It wasn’t until he was walking away from the woman that he had a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach. With no reason to explain this Etienne glanced over his shoulder at Nora’s retreating form.

The Destined (Soulmate RP)

Wow, so that was a lot longer than intended, but I hope it gives better insight into Nora.

The Destined (Soulmate RP)

Nora Bellwood

---

---

“Oh it’s just perfect Nora! You look like royalty! There’s no way anyone, even the prince, will be able to look away,” gushed a young woman, as she spun her friend around. “I mean the color and the shape. I’d hate you if I didn’t want to be you so badly,” she added with a giggle.

“Stop, you’re going to make my head too big. How would I get the crown on then,” Nora responded cheekily with a playful wink. “Are you sure you can’t come with me…” she said with an added pout. Nora knew Lady Brooke would never be able to, but by asking she would be secretly encouraging her newest friend to live vicariously through her. That meant more dresses, and perhaps that gold necklace she had her eye on for a while. The one with ruby insets and silver detail. Lady Brooke was one of the richest families in Bellmare, and after many months and endless parties, Nora had finally become a confidant of the young woman.

“You know I can’t. My father probably would have even locked me in a tower if I even had the mark. You’re just so lucky,” said the younger woman as she smoothed out the flawless shoulder of the elegant gown she insisted Nora have made for the festival. “Can I see it again…” she asked sheepishly, looking up through her lashes- a look Nora was sure she had picked up from her.

“It’s just a birthmark silly,” Nora said already pulling out her wrist for the other girl to gush over more. Lady Brooke ran a soft hand over the small dark patch of skin.

“I know, but it’ll be the last time I can see it like this. After the festival it’s going to change, you’ll be royalty…”

“If I find my destined you mean…”

“When you find the prince,” Brooke insisted. “You’re perfect, everyone will love you.”

Nora gave the lady a small shy smile, feigning a humble demeanor. “It would be so much easier if I had you there, you know a friend to help me build up the courage. Then again, I wouldn’t be able to compete if you were…” Nora lied as she made her way in front of the large mirror, examining herself. She knew she was much prettier than the Lady Brooke. Money might have bought her friend many dresses, and her upbringing kept her skin a pretty porcelain complexion, but she still couldn’t compete with the natural beauty of Nora. Brooke’s nose was much too large, her eyes too far apart, a bit of pudge around her arms from too many feasts in the great hall. No, even if Brooke had the mark, Nora still wouldn’t have seen her as competition, but Brooke didn’t need know that. The young lady just blushed and tsked half-heartedly. Nora knew she had believed her.

“I feel like I’m missing something...don’t you?” asked Nora over her shoulder as she let her hand lightly run across her collarbone absent mindedly as if she was thinking. She was hoping her hint was subtle enough even Brooke would pick up on it.

“Oh! I have just the thing!” cried out Brooke with excitement as she ran back into the closet. Nora smirked, knowing it had worked.

---

The color was worse than the smell. Which was saying a lot considering the smell was a putrid mix of fish and tomato. Nora dry heaved again, her whole body wracking in pain as she tried to empty her already empty stomach.

“Here, try this Miss. The ginger is good for those who don’t take well to the sea,” a man offered Nora a small brown root.

“I hate this damn boat…” Nora complained as she looked darkly up at the sailor. She was currently sailing down to the kingdom of Orewyn which meant taking a boat for five days. Five long days. Not taking well to the sea as an understatement.

The man just offered her a short chuckle as Nora bit into the musty root, making a sour face as her stomach flipped again. Her uncle had used ginger many times in his apothecary, but Nora had never eaten it raw like this. “Sorry, that’s not very lady like is it. Have you always been a sailor?” Nora questioned, filling the silence that threatened to fall over the cabin.

“Since I can remember. Walk better on a rocking boat then on land,” he explained.

“Ugh...don’t say rocking,” Nora moaned, fighting off another wave of nausea. That thought gave her an idea though. “You don’t think the storm is going to make it worse do you?” she asked sheepishly, looking up at him through her lashes as her left hand went to clutch a small pendant necklace. It was an old scam she’d run down at the docks. The worthless trinket cost her little to make, mostly scraps from other projects.

“Storm? It’s nothing but blue skies?”

“Oh! No, there’s a storm coming within three days,” Nora lied confidently. “I’m certain of it.”

“I’ve been on the sea’s for years, you can feel one coming. I promise you, there’s nothing but smooth waters ahead.”

“Hmm…” Nora said furrowing her brow, looking down at the pendant. “It’s never been wrong before…” she said to herself, still loud enough though for him to hear.

“What’s never been wrong before?” the sailor asked intrigued, moving in a bit closer.

“My grandfather gave me this pendant when I was just a kid. He used to be a sailor just like you. Said it always told him when a storm was coming so he could get to port safely. Anytime there’s a bit of lightening in the gem, a storm will hit within 3 days. I know, I know! You don’t believe me…” Nora said realizing the skeptical look he was giving her. “It’s never been wrong though…” she said again, looking only at the pendant.

“Lightening you say? In that little thing?”

“Look, come here. I’ll show you,” she said unclasping it and holding it out. The sailor leaned in close as Nora was concentrating. In between the two clasp prongs holding a clear bead, Nora forced herself to concentrate. A small arc of lightning flickered, seemingly caught in glass bead. Nora knew she had him as he gasped, his eyes widening. “I’m telling you, a storm is coming in 3 days time.” By then, Nora would be long gone, the boat ride already more than halfway through. “My grandfather used to say it was his most prized possession when away from home. I think he gave it to me hoping I’d have the same love of the sea. And well...you see how well it agrees with me,” Nora said motioning to the bucket in front of her.

“I imagine he was right. Something like that would keep an entire crew safe…” the sailor said, never taking his eyes away from the pendant. This was the tricky part. Nora had him hooked, but she had to get him to make the offer. If she was too pushy, her ruse would be blatantly obvious. She quickly closed her hand around the bead, moving to place it around her neck again.

“I miss him, you know,” she said, making her voice soft with just a hint of sadness. “Sometimes I think I should just hop on a boat so it and his memory doesn’t go to waste. But I think that might just kill me…” she said with a sad chuckle. “I should have given it to my brother after all…” she finished with a sigh.

“Brother? Is he a sailor?”

“Yes, he left over a year ago. I was going to give it to him you know. But I was mad at him for leaving me alone. I’d give anything to get it to him. Give him a piece of me to keep safe…”

“Well…” the sailor started. That’s it. She had the sale. “I’ll tell you what. Let me take it, and if I come across your brother, I’ll give it to him”

“You’d do that?” Nora asked, making her eyes wider, lightening her voice so it was hopeful. She felt them watering just a bit before she smiled brightly at him. “That’s the sweetest thing someone’s offered to do. His name is Peter. Peter Norwood, a sailor with the ship Clearwater,” Nora explained. “Have you heard of it?” she asked hopefully. She already knew the answer though. There was no ship Clearwater, no Peter Norwood.

“No, but I’m sure we’ll come across it at some port. All ships cross paths at some point,” said the sailor.

Nora began to undo the clasp but stopped. “I don’t know. It means so much to me. Maybe I should just wait until he comes home...I mean, it seems wrong to just give it away,” she said unsure.

“Well what if you’re not giving it away? What if I rent it from you?”

“Rent?” Nora asked.

“Let me pay for it, until I meet your brother. We stop at the same port you joined us at least once every three months. If you meet us there in a year and I still haven’t crossed paths, I’ll trade it back. Think of it as a loan,” he bargained.

“Well…” Nora said uncertain, biting her lip. “A loan?” she asked skeptically.

“You can trust me. Here, I’ll give you...all of this. Please, let me help you out with this,” he said, pulling out a pleasantly pregnant coin purse.

“Oh I couldn’t do that. That’s too much. You’re doing me a favor…” she said now holding the sailors hands in hers. She let her thumb softly run over the back of his hands while she maintained eye contact. Take the bait, do me the favor she silently willed. “If my grandfather knew I was selling this…”

“Renting. Not selling,” the sailor corrected.

“You promise?” Nora asked biting her lip, holding back a knowing smirk.

---

“I told you, no rooms. We’re all booked up already for the festival. You should have sent word, made plans,”

“Mom..but what about the festival! She has to go!” said a younger voice peaking around The Ivory Inn’s keeper’s waist. Out popped a little girl, her hands still bunched up around her mother’s skirt as she hid half behind her. Nora hadn’t noticed her when she first started bargaining for a room. The inn keeper didn’t seem to be budging, but maybe Nora could use her daughter to help her out.

“Oh hello there,” Nora said with a warm smile as she bent down to the young girl’s level. She pressed up further against her mother’s leg. “Are you going to the festival too princess?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.

The little girl gave a little giggle and shook her head, pulling her thumb out of her mouth. “I’m not a princess silly.”

“Oh! You’re not? Well you sure look like one!” Nora exclaimed, making the little girl smile again. “I bet you are one, just hiding from the castle for the day aren’t you,” she said with a cheeky wink.

“Nuh uh…I live here.”

“Well, I still think you are. And my mother always told me, when you meet someone important, you get them a gift. Now, let’s see here…” Nora said quickly looking through one of her bags. “Ah here we go…” Nora said, clipping a small porcelain flower pin in the little girl’s hair. It was one of many in a set Nora had made years ago that she liked to pin within her braids. “Now you keep that safe little princess. I got it from a fairy,” Nora warned with a playful wag of her finger.

“A fairy?” asked the little girl, her eyes going wide.

“A fairy,” Nora confirmed. “She gave it to me after I helped scare off a racoon from her fairy ring. Fairies and racoons don’t get along you know.” With that Nora stood up, collecting up her bag as if she actually was going to leave. “Thanks again for trying, I know how busy you must be…” Nora said with a warm smile. “Bye little princess!” Nora said with a small wave to the little girl before turning towards the door. The little tug at her skirt made Nora smirk.

“No wait! You can’t go. Mom she’s friends with fairies. You have to let her stay here!” the little girl pleaded. “She can stay with me, I’ll share my bed!”

Nora gave a warm laugh, rustling the little girl’s hair. “Well aren’t you sweet. I wouldn’t kick a princess out of her bed though!” Nora said, making sure to only talk directly to the little girl.

“I don’t mind really! You can take me to the festival too! The real princess will be there!”

“Oh I wish I could, but you heard your mom. There’s no room. I’ll just have to check the next town over.”

“No! Mom please! What about Giselle’s room? I’ll sleep there and she can sleep in my bed! Please!” the little girl begged.

“Hush. Fine. I’ll make you a deal, I’ll let you stay in my old maid’s room in the servants quarters, full price of a normal room mind you, if you will take Cora here to the festival at least twice,” the innkeeper bargained.

“I’d be more than honored to,” Nora said with another warm smile. “That is a very kind offer, thank you.” Nora had no intention of taking anyone anywhere though. A quick slip of dried serenoa and the girl would be stuck home sick. Nothing major, just a little bit of an upset stomach, maybe a touch of nausea and vomiting.

“Give me a bit to get it suitable for you. I’ll have Henry set it up if you can find something to keep yourself busy for the afternoon,” the innkeeper said, waving over what Nora assumed was a stable hand.

“I’ll come back a bit before sundown,” Nora agreed before bidding her goodbyes to the inn keeper and handing most of her bags over to Henry. Her stomach growled a bit and Nora figure a quick bite to eat was in order. Certainly a city of this size must have something worth eating.

The Sunday Group

Here we go! Hopefully this is the kind of character you're looking for!

Fiona Grant the Medium

Name: Fiona Grant

Age: 27

Appearance: Fiona has skin that is porcelain white, and that, like most of Fiona’s appearance, is by design. She often has on dark red lipstick and uses makeup to exaggerate her cheekbones for a harsher, more angular look. Her long hair is dyed black, sharp bangs sweeping across her forehead, resting just above her eyes. She only wears black, but keeps up with the latest fashion trends. If she had to pick a style icon, Wednesday Addams is the first that comes to mind. Fiona has curated her style with care and takes great pride in her appearance.

Visual Aid

Concept: It had started out as a joke, but quickly turned in a way to make a quick buck. Her friends used to joke that Fiona could talk anyone into anything. Pair that with her witchy aesthetic and you have yourself a bonafide fake medium. First it was just a party trick, something to whip out with over exaggerated hand movements and palm reading. Then, after realizing she could make money from it, Fiona started charging to tell people’s future. She claimed to talk to the beyond and tell the future. A few kitschy crystals here, and a dash of occult paraphernalia there set her stage. It all came down to watching people closely and feeding them information. They’d perk up when she’d mention something generic they mistook as more. Their head would twitch just a bit when she happened upon a detail. Micro Expressions, as she would later learn, could tell her everything she needed to know. People heard what they wanted to and the self-fulfilling prophecy would take effect. It didn’t take much work on Fiona’s part.

Fiona kept up her little con for most of college. There was nothing other-wordly going on, just a girl who knew how to read people extremely well. One of her clients, however, changed all that. A beautiful and mysterious woman came to her office one evening just as Fiona was closing up. Fiona tried to kick her out, having a party to make it to, but the woman had convinced her to do one more reading. What started out as a normal reading quickly turned on its head. When Fiona took both of the woman’s hands, pretending to contact the other side, a blinding heat burned through her head. Her entire body felt like it was on fire, but no matter how hard Fiona tried to drop her hands she couldn’t. Eventually the pain became too much and Fiona’s world went black.

When Fiona came to it was the next morning and the woman was missing. She convinced herself she was drugged when she realized all of her money was gone. But, strange things started happening. People kept appearing and disappearing in her peripheral. Voices came to her when she knew she was alone. Eventually Fiona figured out she wasn’t going crazy, she could talk to ghosts. What started out as a con became her reality through some kind of twisted irony. Fiona was a real life medium.

Powers/Skills: Fiona is a smooth talker and picks up quickly on other people’s body language and micro expressions. She can talk to ghosts when they reach out to her. She’s had some success channeling particular ghosts, but most of the time she has to wait for them to come to her.

Writing Sample:

I’ve Got Friends on the Other Side

A cigarette hung precariously in between two thin fingers. It’s smoke swirled away delicately in the icy wind cutting through even the smoker’s leather jacket. A young woman took another long drag, reveling in the nicotine rushing through her body. “You know Charlie,” she started, breaking the silence between her and the leggy blonde leaning next to her. “I was doing some thinking,”

“Oh? Something from the other side speaking to the great and mighty Fiona?” the blonde interrupted dryly. Charlie was one of the only people who knew Fiona’s secret and liked to poke fun at it every chance she got.

“I think I am going to that party after all. Fuck Sean,” she said defiantly, stomping out her cigarette for dramatic flair.

“And when you run into him at Aaron’s?”

“I ignore him.”

“You mean you’ll pretend to ignore him while pinning silently after him in the corner somewhere until you end up back at his place again, only to call me in the morning to come meet you for post hate-sex coffee and eggs.”

“You love coffee and eggs,” Fiona said, her attention being quickly drawn to the shop behind them as the familiar ding of the little bell announced another customer. Charlie just offered a half wave as she pushed herself off the wall, knowing her friend had work.

“You better show up this time Fi. I’m not going alone again.” She was already sauntering off before Fiona could respond. She closed the back door to the ally as she entered back into “The Mystic Eye”.

“I’m sorry love, but we’re closing up for the night. You’ll have to come back tomorrow. The spirits are tired and so am I,” Fiona said, making her way up to the front.

“I think they’ll have time for one more. I’ll pay double.” said a voice, smooth as butter. Fiona perked up at the offer. A quick “fortune is coming your way” and “yes grammy misses you too” and she’d be on her way. With the double fare she might even have enough to grab a cab to the party.

“I can’t make any promises, but we’ll see if they’re still around,” Fiona said, walking through a beaded curtain to the counter in the doorway of her shop. With the sun fully set behind the skyline, the only light came from the many candles Fiona had on around the room and the streetlight from across the street peaking in through the window. Even in the low light though, Fiona could tell the woman in front of her was beautiful. She towered over the psychic’s 5’9 stature in impressive heels. The black overcoat she wore looked more expensive than Fiona’s rent. Her skin was a warm caramel color and her hair laid in soft curls down her back. People like her didn’t come into “The Mystic Eye”.

“So who is it you’re trying to reach?” she asked as she ushered the woman into the back room, offering her a seat across a small circular table.

“His name was Alastor,” she said, seeming to float down into the seat, her posture immaculate.

“Okay, let’s see here…” Fiona said, pretending to take extra effort to settle into her seat, letting out a sigh. She forewent any chanting or over dramatics, figuring this woman would have seen through the act. No, it was better to keep it in the subtleties with this one. “Is there something of his you have, something to help me find him?” she asked after a few minutes pretending to concentrate. Really, Fiona was just picking out her outfit for the evening. Maybe that new little black dress she got at Benny’s. That with her black booties might be just the ticket.

“I have an old coin of his. Said it brought him luck,” said the woman, pulling out an odd looking gold coin. Fiona took it and turned it in her hands. A few of the symbols looked familiar, but it wasn’t an ordinary coin.

“Here take my hands and think of the last time you saw him. Really concentrate on the details. How he smelled, what he was wearing. That kind of thing,” Fiona instructed, offering her hands to the woman across from her. As soon she she grabbed them, the coin pressing hard into her left hand, Fiona felt a scorching pain radiating behind her eyes. It was like the worst migraine she had ever had, pressure building in her head that felt like it would pop at any moment. Fiona let out a pained cry, unable to pull away from the woman. Her vision turned white hot as if there was a spotlight being shined directly into her eyes despite how dark the room was.Just as the pain grew to the point Fiona was begging for death, her world went black.