VERÈNE, sophia denise

[melisande]

• SOPHIA DENISE VERÈNE •
i'm not scared of your stolen power, see right through you any hour.

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WELCOME TO HOGWARTS!
PLEASE, TELL US THE BASICS
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Bonjour, C'est un plaisir de faire votre connaissance.

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is SOPHIA DENISE VERÈNE, although I'd rather we drop the formalities altogether. You may address me by my first name, if that suits you? Otherwise I might suggest a nickname or some kind of affectionate moniker, but my parents were never interested in such things. Mother in particular considered petnames to be irrelevant and tacky. In any case, I was informed you had a few questions for me? That's quite alright, I'd be happy to answer whatever it is you'd like to know ... on the basis that we follow some kind of protocol of course. Mm. My age? I turn TWENTY-NINE on the ELEVENTH OF NOVEMBER. My, that isn't too far off is it? I've recently established a position in the MINISTRY and work under the head of the DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL MAGICAL COOPERATION. I tend to juggle a handful of clerical responsibilities between the offices, although I'm currently working towards a promotion of sorts. I previously attended BEAUXTBATONS ACADEMY OF MAGIC, and spent the entirety of my academic career there. It seemed the most logical choice at the time, considering I was born and raised in France. Distance didn't pose a problem and the school itself maintained an impressive reputation. It differed from Hogwarts in several ways, as we were not sorted into Houses based on specific personality traits and took our exams after six years of study and not five. I am of PUREBLOOD, and though I place little stock in the issue of blood purity I still recognize that it is quite a controversial topic in our society and plays a large part in some of the decisions made within the Ministry. In fact, it gives our Department in particular more trouble than it's worth. I do not make it a habit to judge others based on their lineage, but instead on their actions, as should be the case with every Witch and Wizard today. You'd be surprised that I DO NOT OWN A BROOM. In fact heights make me uneasy, and so I make use of my skill at apparition and the availability of floo powder instead. Lastly, my wand is a SUPPLE thing of polished ROSEWOOD and infused with UNICORN HAIR. It's exactly ELEVEN INCHES long and has served me well since I received it. Have I answered everything to your satisfaction? Oh, there's more? Well then .. let's carry on.

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THEY SAY YOU LOOK JUST LIKE
AMBER HEARD. DO YOU AGREE?

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It's amusing, but many people tell me that I resemble that famous Muggle actress. What's her name again? Oh yes! AMBER HEARD. I'd never heard of her before but she is quite lovely, so I take it as a compliment. Although I'm sure my hair is more WHITE-BLONDE and not really the yellow gold that hers seems to be. I PREFER TO WEAR IT UP OR DOWN IN LOOSE CURLS as it's my opinion that it suits the DELICATE, OVAL SHAPE of my face. My eyes? Yes, they are quite unusual aren't they? I inherited the BLUE-GREY colour from my mother's side. However when I'm riled up I've been told that they take on a green-blue hue instead, which baffles me. I've certainly never noticed the change before. I also seem to emulate my mother's TALL, SLENDER shape but - unfortunately - ended up with my father's LONG, NARROW NOSE. I often tease myself about it, as it's such a masculine thing to see on a woman! Don't you agree? One unique thing about myself however would be the SMALL BEAUTY MARK upon the outside corner of my right eye. There's another one located high on my hip that I only just noticed a few days ago. I actually also have UNUSUALLY LONG FINGERS which my father used to say were made for the piano. I've never been very interested in playing an instrument unfortunately. He was a bit disappointed at first, but seems to have forgotten about it now. As for piercings, I only have my EARLOBES done, and I find tattoos to be extremely tacky, so I refuse to pay for one. I don't think I'd look good covered in ink anyway, so I'll save that for the more adventurous sorts. As for my manner of dress, I like to KEEP THINGS PROFESSIONAL AND PRACTICAL with an ARRAY OF BLACK OR GREY PENCIL SKIRTS, TRANSPARENT BLOUSES, FEMININE TIES, SHEER LEGGINGS and NEUTRAL TONES HEELS. I wear very little jewelry and I keep my hair up and out of my face when I'm at work. I have a habit of pairing MASCULINE AND FEMININE pieces together to create a SEXY BUT SLEEK LOOK which makes me feel both womanly and business savvy at the same time.

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SO. TELL ME SOME OF YOUR LIKES AND DISLIKES.
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Ten of the things I like and ten of the things I dislike? That's a strange question to ask, but I suppose it's meant to break up the monotony right? Haha. Alright, well I'll do my best. We should start with my likes. There's so many I can't even organize them in list form in my head!

I thoroughly enjoy CLASSICAL AND OPERA MUSIC for a start. They seem able to soothe me when I'm feeling restless or anxious about something. I also love SHOPPING, especially for clothes. I'm very much a girl in that way. HOT CHOCOLATE ON A CRISP WINTER DAY is always comforting, as is A LONG HOT BATH WITH SCENTED CANDLES. You simply can't beat that after a long day at work. I love THE COLOURS OF AUTUMN, SWIMMING and CHRISTMAS PARTIES. I spend a lot of money on EXPENSIVE, LACY LINGERIE and find HUNTING FOR ANTIQUES extremely fun, albeit time consuming. See? Most of these sound completely frivolous. I do manage to be productive sometimes, I swear! Let's see. I like to TRAVEL and CURL UP WITH A GOOD ROMANTIC BOOK on my window seat and absolutely adore MY CAT, LADY. And I suppose we should move on to what I dislike now? Which is going to be a bit more tough, since there isn't a lot of things that make me cringe. I abhor BAD TABLE MANNERS for a start. It's just terrible, and I've seen so many cases of it. I also dislike BEING INTERRUPTED OR IGNORED, which is very rude in the midst of a conversation. I don't particularly enjoy HOT, STICKY WEATHER or SLEEPLESS NIGHTS for that matter. ROCK MUSIC isn't quite my taste, and HEIGHTS AND SMALL, ENCLOSED SPACES make me very uncomfortable. People with LOUD, OBNOXIOUS ATTITUDES grate on my patience, and I find COWARDS AND CHEATERS to be extremely pathetic. One more? Oh alright. I also hate THE COLOUR ORANGE. What can I say? It just looks terrible on me.

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WHAT ARE YOU GOOD AT? AND TO GO
WITH THAT, WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?
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Ah, this question always seems to crop up when I'm in the middle of the interview. It's also the one that takes a bit more thought and consideration.

Well, I like to think that I'm a GENEROUS sort of person. In fact my parents always criticize my giving spirit. But I feel as though, if I have a little extra, why not share it with someone less fortunate? I'm also quite ORGANIZED to the point where it infuriates me if someone messes with my things. It's like that for a reason! So that I know where it is when I need to find it. I'm a RESOURCEFUL person, and have several connections which allow me to obtain specific information whenever I need it with little fuss. Thanks to my mother's grooming, I'm also considered DIPLOMATIC AND ARTICULATE. I tend to know the right things to say at the right time, and have perfected the art of chitter chatter. Would I say that I'm also fairly INTELLIGENT? Yes, though I prefer the words perceptive and intuitive. I do have my fair share of flaws as well. No one is perfect after all, and I'm certainly nowhere near achieving that kind of standard. I've proven in the past that I can be extremely ARGUMENTATIVE and OPINIONATED. I'm not afraid to stand up and voice what I'm thinking, although it can sometimes be a bit harsh. I'm CRITICAL and definitely something of A PERFECTIONIST. I CAN'T TOLERATE FAILURE on my part or even someone else's and have the tendency to be both TEMPERAMENTAL and UNFORGIVING. It's safe to say that I'm more than capable of holding a grudge for as long as it takes me to get over it, and my emotions get the better of me when I'm in a particularly stressful situation. I admit I can also be a bit VAIN and MATERIALISTIC, but I suppose growing up in the lap of luxury does that to most people. Though I commend those who didn't end up as superficial as I have. Can I be UNPREDICTABLE AND BITCHY? Why yes, usually I am. And it puts all of my coworkers on edge, which I feel awful for.

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HOW ABOUT SOME OTHER NITPICKY THINGS?
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Mon oh mon, il y a tellement à dire!

You do ask a lot of questions don't you? And these sound as though they're going to reveal quite a lot of personal information about myself. But you've been a gracious interviewer thus far, so I suppose it won't do any harm. Just as long as you're not intending to sell this information to some shady tabloid! Haha. I'm teasing of course.

Let me see, three quirks or habits that I might have. Well it might seem very silly but I'm very PARTICULAR ABOUT MY HAIR and it's upkeep. To be more specific, I REFUSE TO USE ANYTHING BUT A SPECIFIC KIND OF SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER and WILL GO TO ONE SALON THAT I'M FAMILIAR WITH. I wash it in water scented with rose petals and then brush it thoroughly. I NEVER BLOWDRY IT, BUT USE A TOWEL TO SOAK UP THE DAMPNESS INSTEAD. Does that sound overly fussy? You might be right to laugh, but it's something that produces great results. I receive many compliments on my hair daily. Another habit of mine is TAPPING MY FINGERS when I'm waiting for something. Whether it's on the arm of a chair or the surface of a table. I suppose I like the sound my nails make when they click against something. It seems to be a common habit nonetheless and not nearly as ridiculous as the first one I admitted to! Lastly, I tend to DROP RANDOM FRENCH INTO MY CONVERSATIONS and I never really realize it until someone asks me to translate. I have made the transition from a primarily french-speaking country to an english speaking one rather well, but there are times when I forget and it just sort of happens. I can't control it, only practice and correct myself whenever possible. I haven't done it whilst answering any of your questions have I? Oh .. I have? Sorry about that. I'll try to be a bit more observant.

And now we've moved on to my worst fear, correct? Well I've sort of touched on them earlier but even more than heights and small spaces I'm terrified of the unknown. Or more specifically, GROWING OLD AND DYING. It strikes me occasionally ... the thought that someday, no matter what I try to do to prevent it, I'm going to become weak and dependent. I'm going to wither away from the strong woman I am today and pass away. It's a sad fact, and I dislike not knowing what is in store for me. I'm also afraid that I might die young, or with regret. It's the scariest thing, not knowing what to expect and being unaware of exactly when it's going to happen. I still have so much left to do and see and experience! There's just not enough time and that's what unsettles me. Moving on to a less depressing topic, yes? Aha but if I told you my best kept secret, it wouldn't be very secret now would it? Besides, it's another sad sort of sob story. Promise to keep it in confidence? Well ... MY FATHER HAS INDULGED IN NUMEROUS AFFAIRS AND I'VE CAUGHT HIM IN THE ACT. It disgusts me that he'd act in such a pathetic manner and so I've taken it upon myself AND PLAN TO RUIN HIM SOCIALLY. That's what a cheater deserves isn't it? I respect my mother too much to allow her to suffer such humiliation without realizing it. How am I planning on accomplishing this? Just wait and see. It'll be all over the front page, of that I can assure you. That is probably why I've decided to remain SINGLE for the time being. Of course I'll entertain a fling or two, but nothing serious. I don't have time for that to be honest, although I think it's safe to say that I do enjoy the company of MEN and men only.

Ah, my patronus? I've never really discussed it in detail with anyone before and I haven't had the need to use the spell just yet. When I practiced it in school it resembled a gorgeous FRIESIAN HORSE. In order to conjure it I merely recall THE WEEKEND I SPENT IN PARIS WITH MOTHER. We went shopping and had long conversations about life in general. It was the happiest I'd felt in a long time, being able to confess certain things and learn much about my grandmother. We became very close in a short amount of time, closer than I'd felt to anyone before. And since then we've regarded one another as more than just a mother and child, but as great friends who are set to remain by one another's side until the end. I'd do anything for her. She's the one who helped me transform into the strong and intelligent woman I am today after all, and I don't know where I'd be without her.

As for my worst memory, it would likely be the FIRST TIME MY HEART WAS BROKEN. I was only sixteen years old and I knew from the very beginning that it was inevitable. After all, the man was twice my age and lived in a different country! But the fact that he stole my heart and then left without a word was what hurt me the most. It was as though I hadn't been worth a goodbye and I felt extremely demeaned. Especially considering the fact that I was an impressionable young girl! My emotions had been running wild and my moods were constantly up and down. It just felt like nothing else was worth it anymore and I fell into a mild depression. My self-esteem plummeted and I began rebelling against my mother and father. Of course mother understood immediately what was wrong and helped me through it as best as she could. All I needed was time, and eventually I grew out of it. That being said, I'll never forget that dismal feeling of being abandoned. In fact I'm sure it's something that will remain with me for a long time to come.

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WHAT ABOUT YOUR OVERALL PERSONALITY?
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Well this is a fully-loaded question, don't you think? I'd never be able to clearly and concisely enough describe myself to you in such a way that would satisfy me. Why? Well because, like anyone, I'm a complex human being with a plethora of emotions, opinions, passions and ambitions. As eloquent as I have the ability to be, I'd never be able to find the right words to truly describe the being that I am. But I could attempt to summarize myself as best as I can for the sake of this interview.

Where to begin? I've already touched on a few of these points before but now is the time to elaborate. I'm an extremely hard worker. When I put my mind to something, or I determine a goal that I need to work towards, I put every ounce of my soul into the motions of getting there. I'm a capable and confident leader and I know enough not to allow someone to take advantage of me. Although my methods may sometimes be questionable, they often produce favorable results. I realize that I may be harsh and very forward, but that is only because I can't stand beating around the bush. I prefer being given a straight answer to things and don't appreciate being bullshitted. Might as well get to the point and move on so as to avoid wasting time. In this way I can't stand mind games and the psychological warfare that is seen especially amongst competitive coworkers. I am not the type of person who enjoys being tied down in a relationship. I value my freedom and wouldn't know how to function if I didn't have time on my own. I work towards my own agenda and try not to concern myself with the progress of those around me. I try to be as efficient and accurate as possible and tend to sulk when I've failed. I become easily irritated by people who invade my personal space, are loud, obnoxious and ignorant, by individuals who have no concept of time management and those who take the easy route in life. I thrive off of the challenges that are presented to me and make every effort to overcome them quickly and fearlessly. I don't allow my vulnerability to become apparent to those who might use it against me. I am ambitious and relentless when it comes to my work, as I take great pride in the position I have secured for myself. I can be very prideful and I don't take well to criticism despite putting on a brave face and pretending to take it in stride. I can be sensitive in that way, although it's a flaw that causes me great embarrassment.

Unfortunately I'm also someone who can hold a grudge for a surprising amount of time. I don't forget when someone has wrong either myself or someone close to me. I do make it obvious to them that we may never really see eye to eye after such an incident, even if the individual were to make a sincere apology. I'm the first to admit that I can be a bit childish when it concerns men, maintaining a feminist outlook on life and sometimes even generalizing men if I'm in a foul enough mood. I find petty gossip to be extremely juvenile and don't participate in it when someone else brings it up, even if they meant for it to be harmless. I've also been told that I have a dry sense of humor and don't appreciate sarcasm unless it's being used in a humorous manner. I can be argumentative and confrontation if I'm provoked enough and my remarks can be sharp and merciless. Despite all of this, I am a driven and independent woman. I am able to easily provide for myself and dislike having to lean on someone else for support or resources. I am also highly adaptable and can change to suit a variety of environments and situations, though I don't necessarily like to.

As for future dreams and ambitions, I'd like to have a family of my own one day. Years ago I thought that I would have accomplished it by now, but I haven't been happy in any of my recent relationships. At least to the point where I would consider it long-term. I do find joy in being around children. Their innocence and curiosity is infectious and an important reminder that there is always something be learned.

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SO, YOU PROBABLY HAVE
AN INTERESTING FAMILY. TELL US!
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My family? Well, there aren't many of us. The Verène's refuse to focus solely on producing as many children as possible and I don't know of any illegitimate children that my father may have conceived. Ah, my father. You would know him as JONATHAN PIERRE VERÈNE. He's FIFTY-SIX years old and is a WELL-KNOWN POLITICIAN in France. He and I have always had a sort of TUMULTUOUS RELATIONSHIP. He approaches things with a very chauvinistic, selfish attitude which put us AT ODDS as time progressed. My mother is EVANGELINE LUCIA VERÈNE, formerly known as Evangeline Dubois. She's FIFTY YEARS OLD and spends her time as a DEVOTED HOUSEWIFE AND SOCIALITE. At one time she was actually a very famous model, but that ended when my father became possessive and forced her to reconsider her career. I am an ONLY CHILD and have no blood siblings, and the only other person that I feel is a significant part of my life would be my GRANDMOTHER VIVIENNE for the simple reason that she knew from the beginning my father's intentions and his false love for my mother, attempted to separate them throughout the beginning of their marriage. She and my father argued often and she only came to visit when she knew he would be away on business trips. I respect her almost as much as my mother and consider her another independent woman that I draw much of my strength from. Sadly, SHE PASSED AWAY about two or three years ago.

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HOW DID YOU GROW UP?
TELL US ABOUT YOUR HISTORY.
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Ah, my childhood. It really was picturesque. We lived in a Victorian-inspired home alongside a winding river. I used to skate on it when I was a toddler. In the summer my mother worked her magic to bring to life a gorgeous garden of wildflowers and fresh herbs, their scents intermingling and floating up through my bedroom window with the warm breeze. As lovely as it was however, it was also very isolated and lonely. Being an only child I could have benefited from a few neighbors but living just outside the city meant that, that wasn't a luxury I had at my disposal. I was quick to learn to entertain myself and had no choice but to subject myself to my mother's lectures and lessons on etiquette. This was why I was so excited to receive my invitation to Beauxbatons. It would finally give me the opportunity to meet other girls my age and spend some time away from my parent's dysfunctional relationship.

And just as I'd predicted, my years at the academy proved fruitful and exciting. In that time I'd managed to fall in and out of love for the first time, I grew into my awkward body and features, I became more confident and sure of what I wanted from life and I began to appreciate, once more, the many opportunities that were unfolding for me where my future was concerned. At that time I felt absolutely nothing could stop me. I was prepared to overcome any hurdle in an effort to shape my life the way I so desired it. I had become wholly independent and vivacious. My mother and father could barely believe the transformation I had undergone. Of course father wasn't nearly as enthused about it as mother, having realized that I wasn't about to tolerate his abuse and neglect any longer. That's about when I discovered his affairs, having bothered to stick my nose in where it didn't belong.

To this day I haven't told anyone about it, instead keeping it to myself and preparing to use it as a way with which to control father and keep him from destroying the family further. What he doesn't realize is that - regardless of whether or not he behaves himself - I intend to destroy the reputation he has built for himself and move on with mother. We'll finally be able to live peacefully without suffering his tyranny. Until that opportunity presents itself to me however, I'll continue striving beyond the expectations others have of me and prove to both myself and to anyone that doubted me that I am as capable and skilled as the next person. I'm living this life for myself and no one else. Unfortunately, it took quite some time for me to realize and accept that. But it was worth it.

I'm not that timid, uncertain little girl anymore. I'm a fiery and confident woman who knows what she wants and will go to any lengths in an effort to accomplish my goals. And I hope everyone else comes to acknowledge the same. I'm not someone else's puppet. If I decide that I want to pursue another career path I will do so, if I decide that I simply want to settle down and become a doting wife like my mother, then it will happen. I have so much ahead of me and I'm not going to waste it by dwelling on the past or mistakes I may have made. I live for the moment.

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SO WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE CHARACTER,
HOW ABOUT THE PLAYER?
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My name is MELISANDE but you can call me MEL for short. I've been roleplaying for approximately TEN YEARS and I'm TWENTY-THREE YEARS OLD. I live in EASTERN CANADA and you can reach me through PMS OR MY E-MAIL ADDRESS: [e-mail]. I currently only play SOPHIA who could be classified as an OTHER ADULT. I found this site by browsing PROBOARDS SUPPORT. The password is ADMIN EDIT. YAY!

It was set to be a long and grim winter season, especially for Cainhelm’s poor. Naturally the slums weren’t a particularly pleasant place to dwell due primarily to the cramped, dirty quarters and scarcity of clean water. But with the heavy drifts of snow and biting winds blowing in, it seemed everyone had simply succumbed, unable to keep up. In fact it felt as though they’d sooner let the storms carry them away to a place far from this one than put up any kind of a resistance. Why fight something you had absolutely no control over? Melisande had pored over that very thought every day during her initial stay in the capital. There had been several occasions during which she’d gone hungry or slept amongst the vermin of the street, wondering why she didn’t just end it all then. At that time there had been no hope, no prospect … nothing that might have convinced her that her life was a precious thing. That – in time – her situation would change for the better. And yet there she stood nine years later, healthy and strong; at ease with the way everything had fallen into place. Granted, she wasn’t pursuing the most commendable lifestyle. But her gratitude had instilled a strong obligation to the common folk of Cainhelm. She pledged whatever resources or skills at her disposal to the countless victims of poverty, and would make every effort to inspire morale.

Thankfully she was not the only individual with the interest of the people at heart; otherwise it would have proven to be an extremely trying and drawn-out battle. Budding heroes had begun to acknowledge their own power, appearing out of the woodwork and contributing where they could. It was quite an amazing spectacle, watching as those who had been treated with nothing but unkindness offer their aid, and asking only for the same courtesy in return. That was true courage, and reasserted her faith in humanity when she had nearly given up all hope.

Melisande had salvaged a heaping pile of thick, woollen material from one of the privatized tailor shops that catered exclusively to Cainhelm’s nobility. She would never have stolen from one of the lower-end establishments after all; they were struggling to make a living just as much as any other humble middle-class citizen. Having spent the past few days sewing and stitching with deft, practiced hands, she’d managed to throw together a few makeshift quilts and blankets. Of course they weren’t the most attractive or expensive looking things, but that was hardly the point of it to begin with. Having noticed that the onset of cold was a bit premature this year it seemed inevitable that the upcoming frost would be twice as unforgiving in comparison to those previous. The children and elderly would need something far more substantial than what they currently used to keep themselves warm, and so Melisande had graciously obliged. The sight of youngsters attempting to warm themselves by huddling together greatly upset her. Body heat alone would not keep them alive this season.

Moving briskly along the icy cobblestones and through measures of wet snow, the tall brunette was particularly relieved when she came to realize her thick, sturdy boots were what was keeping her toes dry. She’d swiped them from a sailor who’d left them on the docks to wade through the shoreline one summer afternoon. In her defence he was quite a nasty piece of work and tended to harass any young women working the evening shifts at local taverns. Obviously they were overly large for her, but making a few crude alterations was enough to keep them from slipping off unexpectedly. Her first stop was the orphanage where she was greeted with surprising enthusiasm from a throng of toddlers. Their cheerfulness was infectious, and she quickly offered a few of the blankets thrown over her shoulder, waving goodbye and winking to the head mistress before departing.

With only a few more detours left to make, Melisande stopped short as she caught sight of a familiar face. Could that have been Chryste? Upon closer inspection the other woman’s pretty face became more recognizable and confirmed her suspicions. Opening her mouth to greet her friend however, Melisande was caught off-guard by the woman’s unhappy expression. “I have a strong feeling you need to vent,” she observed, taking the last few steps toward her with caution. If she slipped, Chryste would likely go down with her. “Tell me.”

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AND TO FINISH, WHO MADE THIS?
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this entire application was made by HARPER BELLE?! of caution.

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