GABRIELLE STIFFE
[character picture here]
played by: claire
full name : Gabrielle Stiffe
nicknames : None, she despises petnames.
date of birth : November 11th,
house : Hufflepuff
age : Sixteen
year : Sixth
wand type : 9", Cherry Wood, Chimera Scales
blood line : Half-Blood
pets : Grey Owl named 'Thelonious'
hair color : White-Blonde
eye color : Blue
height&weight : 5'4" & 119 lbs.
played by : Emilie de Ravin
full appearance : There are very few things in such a broken world that one might deem ‘beautiful’. In fact, there seems to exist nothing of the sort amongst the rubble and ruin that lay haphazardly in all directions. Waste – all of it – for miles it lays in all of its deformity, and so if there had been anything sublime to speak of; it was tarnished by the ugliness of the war-torn city. Simone, the name that ironically bears the recognition of ‘fair of face’ personifies instead the intense darkness of the home that has since collapsed around her. It was as though she were purposely sculpted to reflect the disaster and bleakness that now wholly consumed a place that had been so full of vivid colour and resilient spirit. One notable difference that separates these similarities however, is the fact that – for all of her gravity, there is no bleakness to speak of. In fact, the most appropriate way to describe her striking countenance would be to say that she bears quite a great deal of volume. A horrific refinement so utterly arresting that simply looking upon her is a beautiful agony.
With a heritage as rich as the Romijin’s, it came as a surprise – albeit not an unpleasant one – that Simone had inherited none of the stereotypical features associated with any aspect of either of her ethnicities. Instead she conveys something of a roman-esque profile, limbs abnormally long and thin; comparable to delicate bone-china liable to shatter into a hundred pieces upon the gentlest of persuasions. Her height, although it adds an air of superiority and regality, has lessened the evidence of feminine curves and steep dips commonly related to young girls her age. Unfortunately this also includes the coveted supple breasts that stand as a prevalent and sought after feature, standing as something of a landmark of womanhood. Despite her boyish figure however, it would be quiet a feat to deny that she has an enviable grace about her. Rhythmical in the way she moves and elegant in every sense of the word, Simone carries herself in a fashion reminiscent of a queen amongst her humble subjects. Subtle gestures such as the lift of her chin and the perfected frown upon her lips are expressed artistically to demonstrate as much, expressed almost artistically across the haunted pallor of her sharp, dramatic features.
Perhaps her most startling feature, the colour of Simone’s eyes stand as a metallic inky blue-green so dark it appears black at a distance, echoing the hue of the center of brittle sapphires dug from the deepest crevices the moist underground. Fringed in long, almost ornamental lashes which break like a wave across her cheek, and startling against the ashen colour of her skin, they carry the weight of her emotions within their mysterious depths. Many people have remarked that her slender nose and rosebud lips resemble that of a porcelain doll’s, eerily flawless in their placement and never giving anything away; such small details are all excruciatingly symmetrical so that staring at her for too long may cause one to wonder whether she’s alive or simply a life-size statue of alabaster and ivory. Sunken, shadowed contours, exquisite bone structure, high sweeping cheekbones and a pointed jaw do well to reflect the aristocracy coursing through her veins, rarely painted or made up in anything more than lotion and a dab of perfume.
It should also be noted, there is no uncanny resemblance to her parents, much to their dismay, save for the swirl of glossy golden curls which spill unbound over her small, sloping shoulders. It was the same blackness of her mother and grandmother’s hair before her, groomed with great care and left long and always loose, it stands as the only source of femininity about her person, occasionally dressed up in ribbons and ceramic combs.
Lastly, as it isn’t quite so relevant as some might assume it to be; Simone’s attire is very simply put, tidy. The cloth is as expensive as one Pureblooded family would dare to invest in and custom-made to suit her awkward figure, or lack of one. Corduroy, suede, silk, stiff jackets and ties compile the extent of her wardrobe, and perhaps is somewhat more masculine than one would expect from a young lady her age. Pearls are her gemstone of choice before diamonds and she adamantly refuses heels save for special occasions.
Overall, roguish, intense, dark and mysterious are all attributes that would fittingly describe this peculiarity of the Romijin lineage. Yet for all of her outward flaws there is a commanding aura that surrounds her, beckoning for one to venture closer and take a better look. Not all is what it seems after all, and though her features are much too hard and foreboding to be compared to the softness of her siblings’, there is no doubt that she possesses an eloquent left forgotten and underappreciated.
likes : | sexy lingerie
| being admired
| men’s cologne
| rainstorms
| subtle perfumes
| orchids and exotic flowers
| long bubble baths
| turquoise and red
| rough foreplay
| dominant men
| older men
| winning
| attention
| morning walks
| the ocean
| peppermints
| sleeping in
|old books
| intelligent conversation
| lounging by the fire
| candles
| the ocean
| visiting europe
dislikes : | petnames
| having her freedom threatened
| being interrupted
| being ignored
| backstabbers
| gossip
| whiny girls
| pushovers in general
| having her intelligence doubted
| misconceptions about herself
| having to repeat herself
| defeat or failure
| being crossed
| losing friends
| disappointing herself or others
| white chocolate
| astronomy
| her father
| not meeting expectations
| rejection
| losing sight of a goal
| being distracted
strengths : | resourceful
| loyal
| intelligent
| perceptive
| honest
weaknesses : | flirtatious
| devious to an extent
| sarcastic
| blunt
| unforgiving
habits/quirks : | painting
| the violin
| reading anything and everything
| baking
| wizard's chess
boggart : Any one of her family members dead or hurt.
patronus : A doe. Her happiest memory was when she and her family were travelling Europe one summer vacation.
dream job : Working in the Ministry alongside her father; preferably in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement
overall personality : Some people seem to believe that things come in black and white, especially regarding a society that has been thrust into the precarious balance between a blood-thirsty tyrant and a flimsy, unstructured government. You’re either born noble or kind, or you’re born completely rotten. There is no gray area, no in-between that allows for a change of heart. Morals and ideals are burnt into the souls of parents’ children, those of pure blood executing this process with less tolerance than their Half-breed counterparts. There are rules, expectations and sides. Allegiances must be chosen carefully and followed through until the end, even if that means sacrificing more than any one person might be willing to give. Some are in it for the glory and recognition, believing that once they’ve seen life through to the end, even if they’ve fallen into the wrong crowd, their pain will be adequately recompensed. Others fight for the ones they love, or to achieve a sense of flourishing individuality, proud that they did not succumb to the cowardly way out of things. They do it in the name of a better future. The truth is though; there exists a colourful range of desires and quirks that makes up each and every person. There is no template to follow with rigid, predictable answers in their creation. The only validity to this is that children this day and age have a tendency to take after their parents, though not as enthusiastically as one might think. They mold themselves after them as infants but as they grow they develop and hone their own sets of what is right and what should be. They harbor their own fears and inhibitions. But because rules are so strictly reinforced, because it is such a crucial point in time, they have no direction. They have expectations to fill but they have no will to do so. They want to please themselves, be proud of what they’ve made for themselves not for filling out a life that was already created for them. Not for successfully playing the role of someone they never were, or wanted to be.
Simone Anemone Romijin was not particularly like her parents. In fact their unusual leeway compared to most other families’ gave her the opportunity to test out the waters without much restriction. Because of this freedom, there was never any need for her to rebel. Unlike her sister, though that could have amounted to the fact that Emma’s mind was never as open and that it was a natural instinct of hers to seek attention by whatever means. Simone always reassured herself that deep down her older sister’s soul was just as bright and questioning as her own, and was eventually rewarded when the older of two children began to act upon her creative spirit. Some might have classified Simone as whimsical. Throughout her youth she would spend endless hours in the fields, simply sitting beneath a tree and reading or humming or sleeping. She loved the outdoors, there was space for her to utilize. As she grew older she began to romanticize and daydream. Her mother’s laughter always put her at ease and there were many rainy days they would spend in the sitting room by the window, Lona’s long fingers braiding her daughter’s hair as the little girl spouted nonsensical stories. Instead of dismissing them as an overactive imagination however, Lona was able to take these tales and ask serious questions. Where had she come up with these? How would she feel if she learned that, suddenly, these fantastical places were very much real? It was in this way Simone and her mother connected on a level that most others couldn’t. Because she had so much support, the youngest Romijin found that it was easier to lead a peaceful, open-minded existence without fearing ridicule. However this was nearly tarnished as Emma began to resent the closeness of her mother and sister that had been born during her absence. Her mind was so closed that it must have been frustrating for her not to have been able to relate in the same way they did. Simone would later reassure her that it wasn’t her fault, and that she had her own qualities that made her unique and special and strong. This did not satisfy unfortunately and Simone was disappointed that Emma had begun to fall in with the common standard.
As a teenager, Simone has found that her imagination has softened. Of course that doesn’t mean to say her interest has faded in the more abstract things around her, but in a way these fantasies have matured so that an undertone of realism has been added to keep her from losing touch with the world around her, as a sad a state and it’s in. Though she isn’t the most knowledgeable person her age, she has a heedful of common sense and combines it with her instincts. This has helped her to rid her mind of what the other students could be saying about her behind her back, what they might think or how she’ll do on the next exam. To put it plainly she is content with whom she is and has very little doubt where her capabilities are concerned. With an effortless charisma and kindliness it’s easy to befriend the girl. She may at first seem unconcerned with current issues or may come off as a little air headed but that truly is an awful misconception. In truth she is very mindful of her environment and will put forth the effort to contribute and give her opinion. As a friend she is perpetually loyal and would give her right arm to ensure their happiness. Because she keeps laughter in high esteem, she often will tell silly stories or cheesy jokes simply to enliven someone who has been having a rough day. She also knows when it’s time for a serious discussion and will not hesitate to go out of her way to treat anyone with the respect they deserve. House rivalry for instance has never really hindered the light in which she views others. If Slytherins actually had the audacity to befriend a Gryffindor – there is one notable exception – she was sure she would have given them the chance without being conscious of first impressions. She is as generous as they come and very soft-spoken and well-mannered. Her Professors have marveled at the way she offers to stay behind and help them with any small tasks that might need doing. The strange thing is, her peers do not consider this an exaggerated attempt at getting into the faculty’s good graces. It just always seems to come naturally and genuinely for the girl. All she ever wanted to do was make others happy, and though that might seem a tad far-fetched, she’s demonstrated it time and time again without fail.
Perfection is not particularly achievable, even for someone as seemingly innocent and naïve as Simone. Her faults are as evident as anyone else’s and though she doesn’t like to consider them, she has come to accept them as things that have built her character and who she is. For instance, as mentioned earlier she isn’t the brightest bulb in the box. That doesn’t mean to say she’s stupid, of course not, but her good grades are mostly attributed to the fact that she makes an honest effort and does not give up. The single subject she’s ever been particularly good at is Charms and even then the class is recognized as something of a joke. Her ambition is unmistakable in this way, though nothing to rival the supposed standard the Slytherins consider ideal. She is extremely paranoid and a notable worry-wart when it comes to her friends and family. Constantly asking where people are or what they’re doing, where they’d last seen her sister and whom she was with. This has been the reason for many of their arguments in the past, though Emma seems to have come to terms with it and even now lavishes in the attention it provides. She is incredibly sensitive and will take things to heart if they are significantly negative. Any talk of death or torture to animals or children for example will have her reeling and sulking. Her attention is never fully undivided and she finds it difficult to sometimes concentrate in class. She can become rather snappy when her things are touched and she cannot tolerate untidiness in any form. Of course those that know Simone well would find it hilarious to see her angry. Rarely does she speak just above a whisper and her frail, petite figure does not lend much to an intimidation factor.
Just like anyone else she has her own downfalls but has since embraced them in order to move on. Her heart and intentions have always been and will always be good, and she will be sure to leave a long-lasting impression even after she’s gone.
ethnicity : Scottish
hometown : Edinburgh, Scotland
mother and father : Mikal and Lona Romijin
brothers and sisters : Emma Romijin
other relatives :
overall history : Everyone is born pure of heart and of good intentions into a world that thrives on corruption and greed. Many consider this unfair, that something so beautiful be tarnished without even having provoked such a distasteful fate. Futures may be predicted at that point, some blatantly obvious from the start. However things don’t necessarily always go according to plan but whether or not this has anything to do with a higher power is a dismissible. Over time there have been great stories of those who accomplish great things. There have been tales passed along from generation to generation about great people who do terrible things. They’ve left a land-mark; an imprint within society that is either admired or frowned upon, living on through distant memories. What remains to be acknowledged is the fact that despite these significant deeds, adventure, drama, acceptance and unique experiences are overrated. Civilization as a whole has watched with bated breath for years the defamation and distress glamour and fame brings to the youth of the modern world, the supposed beacons of light for the future, stepping stones to something they haven’t yet seen, something fresh and new and above all, promising. So many reach out and hold these possibilities with fervor, so focused on what could be that they remain blind to the plain and often painful truth. No one has a set plan in mind, there isn’t some fairytale ending written up waiting to be executed. It’s all irrelevant in the end. Succumbing to the hands of chance and circumstance it seems all optimism is lost with only the shells of those once vibrant few littering the crevices of what they called paradise, one or two still harboring their dreams and desires, stuck on the ‘what ifs?’ and finding no salvation.
If there was anyone born to remedy this however it would have been Melisande Verene – the most unlikely candidate for restoring warmth and vivacity – if not to the gray streets and lifeless skies – than to whomever would take the time to listen.
It would only have been appropriate for the young, flighty girl to have been born to a pair of dreamers. Of course those that know the Verene’s personally would never have even considered that either of them should be classified as such. To be painfully honest with the risk of sounding cliché, they were made for one another. They were the type to believe in the concept of soul mates, of making the most of one’s life and living it to the fullest, that there is no such thing as coincidence. In short they fought against all of the ideals society at that time had fallen into. The dreariness of it was mind-numbing and so it should have only been expected that someone would have eventually broken the mold. Then again, things never follow through as smoothly as anyone might anticipate. That is why there really is no solid explanation as to their chance meeting. Mikal Verene had just finished an interview with one of the biggest financial branches in London. Young, handsome and ambitious he had a slight and quite understandable spring in his step, turning into one of the golden-plated elevators and tapping the first floor button with a smile. Suddenly a woman’s voice echoed about the halls, requesting that they halt the doors. Everyone else crammed into the small space rolled their eyes and sighed but Mikal extended his arm and grasped the young girl’s hand firmly in his own, effectively pulling her into the empty place alongside him just as the heavy panel slid shut. She thanked him with a sheepish grin which he found exceedingly charming and then a few moments of small talk before they reached their destination, sparing parting glances before being swept up in the hustle and bustle of the lobby.
It was the last he thought he’d ever see of her and attempted to put her out of his mind. However it proved more difficult than it should have and he found her sparkling eyes and long, blonde hair materializing before his eyes everytime he stepped through those doors everyday the following week. It was exactly eleven days later, the evenings had arrived that would change his life forever. It was lunch and though he could have opted for one of the vending machine’s surprises he felt that it simply wouldn’t suffice and so grabbed his overcoat and made his way downstairs and outside. A fountain bubbled despite the rain and he watched it curiously, not noticing a woman sitting there without any means of shelter from the silvery curtains of it. Under any other normal circumstance he would have simply left her to her own devices, but something about that gleaming, golden hair persuaded him otherwise. As if by an invisible rope he was drawn towards her turned back, gaze fixated upon her, examining every curve exemplified by the tight fit of her suit and her long, slender neck.
Upon reaching her and before he could say anything she’d turned around and stared him straight in the eyes, remaining like that for several minutes as the rain pounded the pavement relentlessly. They said nothing, but they both felt the wordless understanding that had passed between them in the elevator that day. It was positively electric and nothing he had ever experienced before, the air had left his lungs and he felt even the simple act of breathing had become an alien function. When he realized what was going on he felt an indescribable sensation; the feel of her soft lips against his own helped him to plant his feet firmly on the ground. There was something so enchanting about it and yet there were no words eloquent enough to adequately spell it out. When he regained his trademark cool, calm composure, he gripped her shoulders gently and pulled her to him, promising that they would have the chance to relive this impossibly blissful moment for the rest of their lives. What he hadn’t taken into account that day was the fact that, though she had been sitting in the rain apparently for hours waiting for him, she had not a raindrop clinging to her hair or clothing. She had asked him in the past whether that would have changed anything, and his answer was always a resounding no. When they married three months later, Mikal had secured a well-paying job at the bank where they’d initially met and Lona had revealed the secret that would have either finalized or destroyed their union for good. Of course it was a shock to the system, something he’d had to get used to, but over time he convinced himself that it didn’t change a thing, nor his devotion to her. Her father’s connections ensured that their life would be a comfortable one and with this added reassurance they conceived their first child. She was a rambunctious little thing with quite an attitude, but they were immensely proud. Having previously agreed that they would send her to a private school for the best education possible, they moved off to Perth in Scotland, referred to one of the most privy establishments that were situated there that would suit their daughter’s temperamental needs. It might have been a tad early, but they found the premature preparations appropriate, especially considering they were expecting a second child at any time and would not need the added stress. It was then Melisande was born. Immediately her mother knew she was something special. With lively blue eyes and a tuft of strawberry blonde hair, she was as gorgeous as they came. The two girls eventually attended school together with Melisande one year behind her sister. For a long while they did not get on very well, though the younger of the two tried desperately to reach out to Emma – never giving up until the other finally admitted that their siblingship could be something powerful. One turning point in their relationship occurred when Emma received her letter to Hogwarts. Melisande was so proud, as were her parents but when she was gone for the year, it seemed this only gave Lona more time to bond with the quieter of her two children. This did not escape Emma’s attention upon her return and that old rivalry resumed between the two for another year until Melisande also received a letter. Having been sorted into the same house gave them the opportunity to set their differences aside.
It wasn’t long after both girls had spent approximately a year each in Hogwarts did the Verene’s decide to move back to England. For one it would have been much less of a hassle getting the children to the Hogwarts Express and secondly because Mikal had been offered a promotion which required that he return to the city if he wanted to remain with his family for longer than a few days at a time. With the money and means to do it, they found it the best option and uprooted Melisande from the home she’d grown accustomed to, replacing it with something more fast-paced and exciting. However the effect quickly wore off and she found herself longing for the rich Scottish countryside and the fresh air. The people here were far less friendly and she’d noticed that her parents had become less and less attentive since they’d returned. Since her father’s hours had increased ten-fold, he rarely spent time out of his office and her mother busied herself with preparing dinner parties for his privileged clients. It was during this rough patch that she came to depend for the first time upon her older sister, and Emma did not let her down. At least not to begin with. They provided one another with the needed emotional support but as Emma grew continuously more wild, Melisande found herself standing in her sister’s shadow. She didn’t know where to turn when he parent’s fought or what to do when a long period of loneliness had ensued. The former vibrancy in her mother’s eyes had faded and no longer did they derive joy from one another’s presence as they used to. There was only duty and expectations and standards. They all adapted over time of course, as people do when they are forced into such a disagreeable situation and Melisande has attempted with all her might to continue to be the prime example of what a child of hope should be. She wanted to give her parents something to look forward to when they retired, to admire when they had a moment and for her sister to consider as a healthier option to her superfluous ways.
Reaching her fifth year, Melisande has done incredibly well for herself. Attending class on time and prepared, ceaselessly friendly and helpful to those around her and incredibly self-motivated she shone brightly within her Professor’s eyes and she only continues to strive to do more. Things this year however might take a turn for the worst with the birth of a forbidden love and exposed secrets that fall into the wrong hands, uncertainly is the only seemingly valid expectation.
your name : Claire
contact : PM me.
other? :
roleplay example : It was a bright, sunny afternoon but the chilly breeze that swirled about the neat, manicured courtyard had left Simone windswept and rosy-cheeked. The cheerful smile that seemed eternally etched across her lips remained in place however and she ran a few long fingers through her mussed hair, patting some of the stray pieces back into place after removing her favourite hat and smoothing out her ruffled robes. A few Hufflepuff girls she’d met in the Great Hall two years ago waved and called out to her and she returned the greeting in her usual upbeat manner, easily ignoring a sneering Slytherin who looked to be a year ahead of her. Honestly she couldn’t understand how anyone could be so sour on such a lovely day.
Streams of sunlight fell like ambivalent ribbons across the marble tiled corridor and caused the silver suits of armor which stood proudly at random intervals to gleam as though freshly polished. Secretly she hoped she wouldn’t run into Peeves but that was hardly a guarantee she’d invest much hope in. Her steps were lively and quick as she headed toward the first sets of stairs, gray skirt swishing with the movement and the scarf looped loosely about her neck bouncing jovially to create a sight that was almost comical. The girl was almost too giddy for her own good, but in her opinion there wasn’t anything wrong with maintaining an optimistic outlook on things. After all, focusing only on the negative would do nothing but hinder her progress at whatever she set her mind to and that was the very last thing she wanted to do; especially when her marks counted as much as they did.
Suddenly someone else was calling her name, only this time it was less recognizable and deeper than that of the girl’s she’d passed earlier. Turning around to search out the narrow hall for the source of the voice, she spotted one of her Professors beckoning her toward him. A pile of books sat gingerly within his arms and a sympathetic look had been directed to her at her approach. He apologized profusely for the inconvenience and then asked whether she’d be willing to take them up to Madame Pince. Apparently he’d had them ordered specially but she’d sent him the wrong copy. In other words she wouldn’t be very happy to know that she’d made such a mistake especially when such an occasion rose very rarely. Though it wasn’t her duty to face the moody librarian, Simone felt obligated to ease the extra pressure that he would have had to worry about on top of getting papers marked and supervising the rowdier students for detention and accepted in as amiable a manner as she could muster. It seemed to have worked anyway, for he thanked her numerous times before shuffling with a remarkably lighter step back into his office, leaving her standing there and hefting the surprisingly heavy load back towards the staircase she’d intended to climb before the interruption. Halfway up she was wishing she’d thought to bring along her wand. Afraid that she might have lost it during her short jaunt outside, Simone had left it sitting in its box upon her desk. It took far longer than it should have to reach the fourth floor and by that time she’d had to set the pile down on the ground to collect herself. A gaggle of younger years passed – one even turned and looked as though she had been about to offer a hand – when the rest of her friends took her hand and pulled her away.
She didn’t mind. They probably wanted to help as much as she’d wanted to upon first spotting the ridiculous size of what had become her burden. They nearly toppled to the ground and wavered precariously as she lifted them again, wrapping her arms securely about the bottom of the pile as best as she could before moving on, this time finding it difficult to see exactly where she was going. Heading in the general direction of where she knew the library doors were located, the petite girl forged on and the next thing she knew, the mountain of thick volumes exploded and crashed to the hard floor along with a highly distressed Simone and the stranger she hadn’t seen before it was too late.
“Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry! Please … I wasn’t watching where I was going. Are you alright? You’re not hurt are you?” She was babbling incoherently now, terrified that she’d injured the other student whom did not look familiar but sported the badge of Ravenclaw upon the front of his robes. Holding out her hand, she stared earnestly down at him, her front teeth catching her bottom lip in anguish. If anyone was more paranoid than Simone Romijin, she’d love to have met them.