Two parents, one brother.

My childhood memory is a photograph not fully developed.

I am the boy in red lips,

I am the girl with no hair.

With secret words hidden under my tongue,

I attempt to script my life.

I am a painting kept in a human shell.

My life has been a journey to find my gender,

But I return empty-handed.

Instead I have found simply

Raphael.

I want to be the girl with a flat chest and deep voice

Sir, you look absolutely ravishing in that shade of lipstick

Madame, that bowtie matches your sideburns just perfectly

Prince in the most beautiful sparkly gown at the ball

Princess who rescues the fair damsel in distress

I’m precise

I’m a mess

This isn’t quite right for me

This is everything I’ve ever been

-

I dress the way I please.

I’m not a boy and I’m not a girl.

Gender-neutral; I refuse to conform.

Deal with it.

I don’t have to explain myself to anyone.

————————————————————————————-

I was overjoyed to be able to see a beloved relative of mine after my own death.  The cousin, Sophia.  But her eyes did not share my same happiness; instead, hers tried desperately to hide her encumbering sadness.  My mind questioned this, but as I opened my mouth to ask, she raced to interrupt me.  “You have somewhere you need to be.  My Mistress needs to speak with you.”  She lifted her open hand towards me, and I quietly accepted it.  Then she led me down the long hall before we arrived in an enormous, foreboding room.  Sophia immediately released my hand and turned her body away from mine, perhaps to avoid eye contact.  I was puzzled at such bashfulness from my own family member, until I heard her speak up:  “My Great Mistress, your guest, Victoria, has arrived at your command.”  Her voice lacked emotion and confidence.  She then proceeded to sit on the wooden floor and envelop her face into her hands.

“Loyal work as always, Sophia,” a startling voice boomed.  My hand darted to the handle of the sword on my hip.  I turned my head around and looked in vain for the owner of the voice.  “Don’t bother,” it continued, “you will not find a body attached to my mind.”

“Who are you?” I barked.  In the midst of a stranger, I was eager to reaffirm my authoritative status.

“Sophia must have already introduced me.  I am known as Mistress Entity.  I do not entirely exist in this realm.  But that is about to change; I must thank you for your kindness.  I was quite looking forward to meeting the famous angel Victoria.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Cursed without a body, I am simply a gathering of thoughts, energy; and pure, feared power.  However, without a completed existence, I am incapable of extending my powers to its true potential.  But you shall help with that.”

My hand still at my sheathed sword, I called back towards the ceiling: “You misunderstand who I am.  My name is Victoria, yes, but I am merely an angel of death.  My only ability and duty is to redirect the souls of the deceased to their desired heaven.”

“Neither do you understand a thing about me,” the Mistress voice echoed.  “You see, a creature of death is the key that will unlock my inanimate soul into freedom.  But, in my expanded wisdom, I predicted your persuasion would be close to impossible.”

“You would be correct.  I refuse to assist you; I have no doubt of your corruption.  Bringing you to exist would cause only harm.”

Suddenly, a bellowing explosion of laughter crashed upon me from all directions.  I shuddered in its wake.  “So stubborn!  Not surprising, from the legends I have heard about you.  But despite that, also so naïve!  You must still be a child.  Yet you face quite serious consequences at the moment.  In my prediction, I acquired something that would ensure your submission.”  A quick wisp of a breeze reached me from behind and continued in its targeted direction.  “Look here, angel.”

I complied with the Mistress.  My eyes struggled to adjust in the dim light of the room, but they followed the wind as it ran across a deep pit and landed on solid ground.  What looked at first like a pile of ash and garbage, I soon realized, to my horror, was actually my darling Florid collapsed on the floor.  It was difficult to recognize him behind a face of shame and helplessness.  I faceted my jaw shut just to keep myself from screaming.  His body laid weakly in a bundle of steel chains and his own blood.  Just then, he opened his eyes and struggled through aching pain to do as simple a task as lifting his head to look at me.  It was too difficult to tell if seeing my arrival had brought either hope or sorrow for him.  My eyes bled uncontrollably with tears of utter heartbreak, and somehow I felt responsible. 

That was the first time I saw genuine, raw fear in Florid’s eyes; terrified either of dying, or worse, that I would betray him.  Through my own tears I witnessed him disappear—the overpowering creature that had once attacked me—and instead regress into the small child he was so long ago.  I could imagine the vulnerable baby crawling through the dark forest and wailing out to the mother that simply was not there.  I saw his tiny claws scratching at the dirt, desperate to find even the faintest scent remnants of his siblings, who each had run away into their own loneliness.  I saw the frail child that was going hungry because no one had yet taught him to hunt.  And I heard the weeping from every cold night.  I heard the sobs because no one else ever had.  This was the real Florid that I never met before, and I was concerned that this encounter would forever be tainted by Mistress Entity’s treachery.

I held back my sobs just enough to roar at her in my obvious fury.  “Let him go!”  I then continued to release my sword from its scabbard and pointed it straight up into the air.  “Or else I’ll…”

“You’ll what, angel?  Your threats are hollow.”  The Mistress scoffed.  “I am a non-physical being.  Metal weapons are useless against me.  But what I do have is authority.  I commanded my followers to track down and capture your partner.  He is nothing more to me than an object with which to trade for your life.”

I slowly brought my sword back down to my side.  Then I looked back at Florid, who was still fixated on me—with those eyes still screaming of infantile innocence.  “And if I refuse?”

“Then I will trade your freedom for his death.  You expect any less of me?”

In truth, I did not.  Another tear rolled down my cheek and into my open mouth.  I was the teenager who never completed physical maturity.  Florid was 38 years my senior.  And yet, in this moment he had become the helpless child, and I was the mother upon whom he depended for every bite and breath.  He was standing defenselessly in the dark woods hoping not to be abandoned again.  His lifetime of fear was epitomizing into this present moment; not one of the bleeding gashes or bruises on his adult body could bring him as much pain as what was evident in his stares.  I answered with my own gaze.  In my mind I battled the inevitable, torturous heartbreak: I could choose either to abandon him by dying at Mistress Entity’s hands, or to forsake him by allowing him to die in my place.  Eventually I realized that, despite the fame that fell upon me for my triumph in the war, it was a battle I was never able to win.

I dropped by sword onto the gray floor, shut my eyes tight, and raised my head to the ceiling.  “Mistress Entity,” I called out painfully, “I submit.”

————————————————————————————————— 

Character Profile

Full Name: Self explanatory.

Literary Role: E.g., protagonist, antagonist, background, analogous.

Canon: What is the name of the story they are from?

Aliases/Nicknames/Titles: Do they have any separate identities?  What do they prefer to be called?  Do they have any titles, such as Lord, Queen, Doctor, Professor, General, etc.? 

Age (Range): If their canon takes place over a period of several years, provide the range.

Sex: Their biological sex, determined by chromosomes, if they have any.

Gender: What is their preferred gender identity, if any?  What pronouns do they use?

Aesthetics

Ethnicity/Species: If they are human, provide their race.  If not, tell us exactly what they are!

Eye Color: Self explanatory.

Skin: Describe color, quality (if not human), and anything else relevant to appearances.

Hair: Describe hair color, style, length, quality, etc., if any.

Build: Are they muscular?  Frail?  Athletic?  Slender?  Fat?  Voluptuous?

Distinguishable Marks: Do they have any tattoos, piercings, scars, markings, or other unique features?

Height: If you don’t know exactly, specify the general assumption.

Clothing: What style of clothing do they typically wear?  Any specific outfit?

Some Traits

Religious/Political?: Specify their affiliations, if any.

Education: Describe their education history.

Linguistics: What languages do they know?  Are they literate (in them)?

Skills: What special skills and abilities do they have that set them apart?

Powers/Abnormal Abilities: Do they have any supernatural powers or abilities that no one else has?

Occupation: What do they do for a living?  This can be officially or unofficially.

Weapons/Tools: Do they use any weapons?  What other unique tools and objects are necessary for their daily life?

Citizenship: Where do they currently live?

Birthplace: Where were they born?

Social Traits

Friends?: Do they have a lot of friends, or just a few?  Do they have any friends at all?

Closest Friends: Who are their closest and most trusted friends?

Confidant(s): With whom do they trust with their problems, secrets, or thoughts?

Mentor/Role Model: Do they have a mentor?  Whom do they look up to most?

Protégé: Are they anyone’s mentor or role model?  Do they have an apprentice or student?

Parental Units: Who are their parents or guardians?

Siblings: Do they have any siblings?  This includes adopted and half siblings.

Offspring: Do they have any children, adopted or biological?

Other relatives: Do they have any other relatives that are relevant to the canon?

Introverted, extroverted, or both?: This does not have to be a black-or-white characteristic.  They can be any mixture of both, if applicable.

Do they act much different in private/public?: This is pretty self explanatory.  Do they have a significant separate personality in private that is much different from their public self?

Relationships

Sexual Orientation: Self explanatory.

Past Romantic Interests?: What past romantic interests have they had, that they might not have anymore?  This includes exes.

Current Romantic Interest: Are they in love with anyone?  Do they lust after anyone?

Partner: With whom, if anyone, are they in a relationship?

Role: What romantic or sexual role do they fill?  E.g., top, bottom, dominant, submissive, switch, mistress, vanilla.

Relationship Status: What is the status of their relationship?  E.g., dating, open, under-the-rug, friends with benefits, on-the-verge, engaged, married, (widowed?).

Issues: What issues put a strain on their relationship?  No couple is immune.

What do they see in said partner?: What is the reason for the character’s attraction?  What do they love most about them?

Any fetishes?: We’ve all got ‘em.  What turns them on?  What is their wildest fantasy?

A Brief Background

Birth & Childhood: A character’s childhood is usually a pretext for their personality.  Describe any events relevant to their canon/personality.

Relevant history before canon: Describe anything that happened in their adult life prior to the beginning of the canon that would be valuable to know.

Canon: Briefly describe everything (everything you’re willing to give away, atleast) that occurs within the canon.

Personality Intro

In One Word: Just one word that summarizes who they are.  Use a thesaurus if necessary.

Intelligence level: You don’t need to be as specific as an IQ number.  Provide the basics.  Are they above, below, or at average?  Are they left- or right-brained?

Cultural level: This can also be known as “street smarts”.  How experienced are they with the world, with life, and everything inbetween?

Hobbies: These are the actions that they partake in for pleasure.

Interests: These are the subjects that they are curious about or from which derive pleasure. 

Positive Personality

Unique quirks: What unique, positive personality traits do they possess?

What do other people like best about them?: These is what other people consciously identify with them.  If this character is an unsung hero, this may not apply.

Which of the seven virtues fit best?: The seven heavenly virtues are Chastity, Temperance, Charity, Diligence, Patience, Kindness, and Humility.

Favorite trait: What is their (or your) favorite trait of theirs?

Strengths: What are their greatest positive traits?  What can they do better than others?  What strengths help them most in life?

Pride: What do they pride themselves in most?

How do they see themselves positively?: Self-image is important for a character.  Describe how conscious they are of their positive personality.  How do they see themselves and their role with the world?

Social service: How do these traits affect, either directly or indirectly, other people around them?

Literary service: How do these traits serve the themes and story of the canon?

Negative Personality

Greatest flaws: What unique, negative personality traits do they possess?

What flaws do other people see?: These are what other people consciously identify with them.  Other people might be blindsighted or ignorant in accordance with this characters flaws, so this may not apply.

Which of the seven deadly sins fit best?: The seven deadly sins are Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and Pride.

Greatest insecurity: Which of their traits do they hate the most?

Weaknesses: What are their worst personality traits?  These are usually constitued by traits that impair the character immensely from attaining any desirable goal.

Any mental/personality disorders?: Self explanatoy.

Phobias?: What are they afraid of most?  Any irrational, psychological fears?

Any secrets?: Do they keep any shameful, embarrassing secrets from the rest of the world?

How do they see themselves negatively?: How do they judge themselves?  Do they feel guilty?  Does their guilt override their pride?  If they have an ego complex, this may not apply.

Social service: How do these negative traits affect, directly or indirectly, the people around them?  Do these traits harm anyone other than themselves?

Literary service: How do these traits serve the themes and story of the canon? 

Anything else?

Do they have a theme song?: Is there any song that either lyrically, melodically, or thematically fits this character?  How does it?

Can you provide a picture of them?: Self explanatory.

Any more information you’d like to provide?: Mention anything you think is relevant or interesting about your character that was not already requested/brought up in this profile.  Perhaps describe your own creation/development of this charcter.

In the last scene of the film, when Mindy (spoiler?) decides to stay in Titannia to live thereafter, she finally works up the courage to write her beloved sister a letter to explain her absence.  The letter, which becomes a voiceover in this scene, I hope can adequately express the mood and significance of the rest of the two-hour-long film:

“My dearest sister, Ebona.  I’m sorry that I haven’t written you up until now, but I’m sure this letter will make up for it.  While I apologize for my decision to move away from you, I’m sure you’d be happy to know I’ve found a wonderful new home elsewhere.  I have an entire community that loves and supports me.  Not to mention, I’ve fallen in love!  Not to brag, but you can tell mom I have somebody tall, dark, and handsome.  However, where I live now, the inhabitants are very different from the rest of the world.  And while we cannot return to the rest of society, it will not stop us from wanting to remain somewhere in its shadows.  We’ve given up on our war against society, as it is a fight we cannot win.  We choose instead to protect all that is still precious.  We’ve all been shown that there is, indeed, some hope yet for humanity, and though they are rare, instances do exist in which humans show good over corruption.  And now, we can only do so much as support those instances and allow them to continue and prosper.  Can’t we?” 

Establishing shot, a closeup of the small, rosy lamp illuminating Mindy’s dark bedroom. Sevlu speaks.

Sevlu: Mindy, are you feeling alright?

Scene cuts to a closeup shot of Mindy’s head and shoulders only. Key light is very dim and low in angle, illuminating her face softly. The rest of the backdrop (her room) behind her is almost completely dark, creating high contrast against Mindy’s form. She is sitting on her bed, slumped over, head in her hand, bearing a ponderous expression, until she hears Sevlu speak. Her delayed reaction signifies her having been lost in her own thoughts. She slowly turns her head and looks up at him to answer.

Mindy: I honestly don’t know how I’m feeling.

Cut back to Sevlu, with a rather depressed look on his face.

Sevlu: Is it…is it something I did?

Cut back to Mindy.

Mindy: No! No. I mean…this is a problem that has been hurting me since before I ever even met you.

Cut away to Sevlu’s reaction shot. He is slightly confused, but silently wanting to know more. Cut back to Mindy. She looks away from him, only momentarily.

Mindy: For a little while, I thought I was so upset was because I was shocked at how bloodthirsty you really are.

Cut away to Sevlu, who bears an expression of pure sadness.

Sevlu: Mindy…

Cut back to Mindy, who interrupts him.

Mindy: Don’t lie to me. I know better than that. I know you’ve tasted human blood before. Not only that, but you’ve enjoyed it.

Cut to Sevlu’s reaction shot of sadness. Cut back.

Mindy: Nevertheless, that’s not why I’m upset. I am the one that makes me depressed. I feel like I should care more when I watch you murder and draw the blood of humans. I am a human. I should feel horrified! Still…when I watch you do it, I’m not ashamed of you, nor do I feel pity on those humans. I feel pity on you that you are forced to endure such a role.

Cut away to Sevlu, looking very distrught to hear her last sentence.

Sevlu: You pity me?

Cut back to Mindy, who completely disregards Sevlu’s comment.

Mindy: I know how you feel though. (She pauses, looking away for a moment.) The reason I don’t feel sorry for the humans is because I hate them. I always have. Every day I see people and their actions of cruelty towards one another. Humanity is obsessed with being corrupted, and nothing good can ever come from being one of them. That’s why I do whatever I can to seperate myself from the rest of the world. (Pause) I know you think I’m completely stupid right now. But it’s true. Often I keep myself from things that could make me happy…so long as I don’t become what I might be.

Cut to Sevlu, who is watching and listening to her intently. Cut back.

Mindy: I’ve always believed humanity was a curse. Still, I can tolerate the corruption. To some extent, I can get over the greed, the pride, the gluttony, the wrath! But what I have no tolerance for is when corruption exists, and no one ever seems to give a damn. (Exhales slowly) And that’s why I force myself to feel this way.

Mindy hangs her head in shame and disappointment. Cut to Sevlu, who is looking at her, then finally speaks up.

Sevlu: Apathy…is the root of all evil.

Cut back to Mindy. As she listens to him, she slowly brings her head back up to look at him hopefully. Cut to Sevlu, who continues.

Sevlu: Isn’t it?

Cut to Mindy, who only nods quietly and without confidence. Cut to Sevlu.

Sevlu: However, when I listen to you, Mindy, it is clear that you are very passionate about life. Far from apathetic.

Cut to Mindy. She is still looking at him, then finally chokes up a smile and nods slightly.

Mindy: (weakly) Thank you. (she pauses for a while to look away, somewhat bashful) I think I just need some sleep.

Cut to Sevlu.

Sevlu: Then…I will see you in the morning?

Cut to Mindy. She turns her head back and looks at him again. She nods and answers.

Mindy: Of course. (she shifts around on the bed until she is able to lie down) Good night…Sevlu.

Cut to Sevlu, who is smiling sweetly.

Sevlu: Sleep pleasantly.

Cut back to Mindy. She rearranges herself so she can lie down in bed as soft music begins to play. Then, pulling the covers over herself, she stares into space, thinking, until finally she closes her eyes and goes to sleep. The screen fades out to black, and the music fades away, as well. The scene ends.