ć dane dehaan. thirty three. cis male. he/him. ćoh heavens, is that THADDEUS BALDWIN from SYCAMORE WAY i see roaming around mapleview? minnie mayās always calling them -SULLEN & -DISTANT. i happen to think theyāre not that bad! theyāre a pretty cool ARCHIVIST AT MAPLEVIEW PUBLIC LIBRARY and every time iāve seen them, theyāve always been +LOYAL & +COLORFUL. i hope i see them around again! @mapleviewstartersā
Hey! My name is Katie or Kat! I'm 28, live in the EST timezone, and use she/they pronouns.Ā
Full name: Thaddeus Grant Baldwin
Nicknames: Thad
Gender and pronouns: Cis male, He/Him
Sexual Orientation: Homoromantic HomosexualĀ
Birthday: Feb 14 1987
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Education: Bachelors of Arts in History, University of Alabama. Masters of Library and Information Science, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill.
Personality: The first thing people tend to notice about Thad is his sharp wit and sullen personality. He definitely has a tendency to keep walls up and while he is polite to others, itās difficult to really get close to him. Once you manage that though he will stick by you come hell or high water. He is quite protective of his books, documents and other materials in the archives he works in. Thad definitely can be sarcastic at times but as he has gotten older he has worked on tempering it so there is less potential for hurt feelings. He is not good at flirting and if you had asked him when he was younger if he would seek companionship he would have said no but now he does want to settle down eventually.
History: Thaddeus was born in Meridian, MS but spent most of his young life in Memphis, TN. He lived in a lower income neighborhood for most of his childhood but eventually moved into a more lower middle class home. Thad realized that he was gay while he was in high school when he realized he had a crush on a childhood friend. They dated up until college and they parted amicably. Thaddeus went to the University of Alabama for his undergraduate degree, ending up with a degree in history which sparked a passion for research and curating books and documents. Thad was realistic about not being cut out for being a teacher but going into library science seemed like a good solution. He moved to North Carolina to get his graduate degree from University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. He completed his internship in a library but working in the archives was his true passion. A few years ago he moved to Mapleview to fill the open position in the archives at the library. He isnāt the most social of people but he is reliable and is generally seen as a stand up guy. After living here a few years he has grown to see the town as home.
Other things:
Thad is not the most neat person but itās more of an organized chaos. It never gets out of control and he knows where everything is though.
He generally does not care too much about what he eats. He can cook but sometimes he canāt really be bothered to do more than make a frozen dinner.
He isnāt really religious, more agnostic than anything else.
Itās a shame to see that this place is closing. I have not been around much this last week but I enjoyed myself during the short time I was here. If anyone wants to keep in touch you can find me at my main blog @randomlybookish or on discordĀ randomlybookish#2747
Typically his free period gave Julien some time to decompress and breathe in the middle of the day, and sometimes he would also have students come in now and then to get some help if they were finished with assignments in their regular class. He currently had the latter at this moment, a fourth grader seeking piano instruction. And so he was seated on the bench beside the small child behind the upright piano, gently guiding and showing them along as needed. In the back of his head he knew he had another guest on their way at the moment, who was bound to arrive at any time. Jules had gotten to school early that morning, as usual, but spent the time straightening up the admittedly already put-together room; but since then he hadnāt really thought much about his guest, more focused on his actual job.
But now, though, with one-on-one time with a singular student, Jules had begun checking his watch, his phone, and the large wall clock for the timeāhad he been at his desk, he would have also been using the time on his computer as well. When he realized heād been doing it, he felt incredibly silly and instead zeroed back in on his current responsibility. He absorbed himself just enough that the sound of a third, familiar voice, made him jolt slightly on the piano bench. Leaning so he could see the door, he smiled brightly at Thad, gesturing for him to come in.Ā āPlease, please, have a seat!ā He gestured to a few chairs along one of the walls, an assortment of regular adult-sized and tiny chairs.Ā āIām just in the middle of helping someone out.ā Jules smiled down at his student,Ā āThis is, umā¦.my friend Mr. Thaddeus, he works over at the public library.ā He received an eyebrow raise in responseāit seemed that library workers were another class of adult whom children didnāt ever imagine leaving their workplaces.Ā āWeāre got just a few more minutes here before you need to get back to your regular class, okay?ā he said quietly to the student, before stretching to relay the message to his friend.Ā āShe has a few more minutes with me here, and then Iām all yours! You can take a look around in here if youād like, as long as you remember how to treat the instruments respectfully.ā He punctuated the statement with a wink, remembering the other man had been in school band way back when.
When he didnāt immediately spot Julien at his desk and heard the sounds of a piano lesson, Thad began to worry that he may have gotten his times mixed up somehow but hearing that he was welcome to step inside was a weight off his chest. He offered a small smile to the student at the piano and rested his bag on one of the chairs that he was directed to.Ā āOh, donāt rush on my account. Take all the time that you need,ā he replied, debating on taking a seat before deciding to indulge in his nostalgia a bit and take a closer look around the room. The reminder about treating the instruments respectfully got a quiet laugh out of him and he jokingly snapped his fingers.Ā āOh dang. There goes all my fun.ā He let Julien return to his lesson as he made his way around the room, looking at the various posters on the walls and the instruments offered to the younger students with interest. A peek at some of the beginning band books summoned a wave of memories to when he was learning the basics of music a long time ago. Once he replaced the book back where it belonged he glanced over at Jules to see if things were wrapping up.
Thaddeus glanced at his watch as he stood outside the doors of the elementary school, trying to figure out if Julienās free period had started yet or not. His friend had made sure to tell him when he would be available to visit during a school day and it conveniently lined up to when Thad liked to take his lunch. Normally he would not go far from the library when it was time for the midday meal but the archivist had not seen Jules for a few days and he missed him. It also wasnāt fair that Julien came to visit him at the library quite frequently but he had yet to return the favor. Something he was planning on rectifying soon.
He shifted his bag onto his shoulder and walked into the school when he heard the bell announcing that the next period had started. With stop by the office to see if he needed a visitors badge or something along those lines and some verbal directions to the music room he began making his way through the halls to go see his friend. As he walked he noticed all the artwork with varying degrees of skill on the walls and it struck him just how small some of the furniture seemed. Something that shouldnāt have surprised him in retrospect.
Once he found the music room and noticed the door was ajar, he peered inside and noticed that Jules was sitting at his desk, working on something. Thad knocked quietly and stuck his head in the door.Ā āExcuse me, Mr. Rosenthal? Am I interrupting anything?ā
Poppy looked around, unsure if she was the only one who could hear the whimpering ofā¦ what? Still undecided if the noise were real or if she were merely going insane, she followed the sound to its source only to find a dog. Its collar had gotten caught on something, effectively imprisoning them to the hidden spot they had been whining in.Ā āOh, no. You poor thing,ā she said quietly as she squatted down to unhook its collar from the thing that had snagged it, but then stopped herself. What if the dog ran off once she detached it, she wondered. Standing back up, she searched her surroundings again, catching the eye of someone a couple of yards away.Ā āHey, excuse me!ā She called out.Ā āDo you have a leash?ā She asked once they came nearer, trying to not look as wacky as the request she were making.
Thaddeus buried his hands in his pockets and tried to ignore the bitterly cold wind that seemed to seep into his bones as he began to head towards his home. The weather had been mild enough when he began his walk to try to clear his head and get his feelings sorted out but in the last half hour it seemed like the weather was making a turn. Still, he supposed that the walk had been a productive one. Further along his route he noticed a familiar figure squatting down by some kind of animal and he slowed down to see what was going on. As he got closed he realized he definitely recognized the woman when she caught his eye. It was Poppy. It took him a moment to realize that she asked him a question and he sheepishly shook his head.Ā āNo, Iām afraid I donāt. What is going on? Is there a particular reason you needed one?ā
birthplace: Technically Meridian, MS but he grew up in Memphis, TN
length of time living in mapleview: Three years
occupation: Archivist at the Mapleview Public Library
relationship status: Single but has his eye on someone
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
hair color: Dirty Blonde
eye color: Blue
height: 5ā² 8ā³
tattoos/piercings: N/A
birthmarks/scars: N/A
other notable features: N/A
FAMILY
mother: Jennifer Baldwin
father: He has never been in Thadās life except for intermittent child support payments.
siblings: N/A
children: N/A
pets: Does a plant named Charlie count? N/A
PSYCHE
mbti: INTJ
character archetype: The Mentor/Sage
ennegram: Type 5, The Investigator
moral alignment: Neutral good or True Neutral
THIS OR THAT
coffee or tea: Coffee but he likes both
morning or evening: Evening
sweet or savory: Sweet
cake or pie: Cake
cats or dogs: Both (likes dogs a bit more though)
baths or showers: Showers
MISCELLANEOUS
character aesthetics: leather bound books, dust motes floating in the air, parchment rustling, rain hitting a window pane, steam rising from a mug of coffee, hand knit scarves, an old used bookstore, wind blowing through maple leaves, a log fire crackling in the hearth
highest level of schooling: Masters of Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
what they do do relax: listens to jazz or classical music, flips on a historical documentary, reads historical fiction or fantasy novels, takes a walk through nature
favorite season: Autumn
favorite places around mapleview: the public library, the walking trails around town, Farmerās Find Market, Grocerās Groceries, The Southern Bean coffee shop
āOhā Thank you, thank you! It was a foreclosure so it wasnāt left in the best state, so Iāve had to do some work to make it feel a little less dated and all. If I end up not staying around, at least it will be a little nicer for the next occupant, eh? And itās the first time Iāve lived in a house on my own, as opposed to an apartment, so Iām making the most of it.ā Julien calmly but firmly commanded the dogs in French to pipe down and be quiet.Ā āIf these two are good, maybe later they can get some treats. Let me show you around quickly!ā He walked through the living room, in which the fire was crackling and to which the tiny kitchen opened up to, and towards the guest bedroom.Ā āHereās where youāll be, if youād like to put your stuff down. The washroom is right next door. Iām over there if youāll need anything.ā He pointed across the house to the other hallway, where his own bedroom and bathroom resided.Ā āIām in the middle of doing up the meal right now, actually, itās simmering on the stove. I hope you donāt mind waiting a little longer, but it shouldnāt be terribly long.ā
He made his way back into the kitchen and washed his hands once more, then grabbed some of the ingredients he needed to chop up and add to the pot.Ā āYou can sit where youād like,ā he offered, nodding towards the barstools in front of the outer portion of counter space. Jules had just begun cutting up cabbage when his cell rang, unsurprisingly. He answered the call and immediately put it on speaker so he could continue working.Ā āAllĆ“, maman,ā he called out to the receiver, sparing an apologetic smile to Thaddeus for the obtrusion as his mother began to speak in French over the phone.
āWell, from what I have seen so far I can tell you have done a good job. This place feels more like a home than mine does... although some of that is my own fault.ā Thad complimented. He fell into step behind the Canadian as he took in the sight of the fire in the hearth, the small but functional kitchen, and the room where he would be staying. When Jules pointed out to where his own room was, Thad nodded and gave a small smile.Ā āI will keep that in mind. I probably will be fine but itās nice to know just in case. I could smell the meal when I first came in actually. It smells absolutely delicious. I can be patient for it to be ready donāt worry.ā
He sat his bag down in the guest room and followed Julien back out into the kitchen, sitting on one of the barstools as directed and settling in to watch the other cook curiously. He would be the first to admit that he wasnāt the strongest in the kitchen but just spending time around Jules made him more at ease. When the phone rang and he realized who was on the other end he offered a reassuring smile. He pointed into the living room and mouthedĀ āI can go in there if you want?ā in an attempt to offer privacy.
ā yeah, that makesĀ sense, ā zara said, nodding her head at the words coming from the maleās lips about how resolutions usually put too much pressure on making big changes and often leading people to getting overwhelmed and eventually giving up. i think for me i will try to be more social. i amā¦ quite the homebody really.iĀ ā that isnāt necessarily a bad thing, but i get you, love. thereās obviously a balance you need to find. where you can be a homebody, but also be social. iām sure youāll figure it out though. that youāll find that balance somehow. ā
āThe biggest step is actually wanting something to change. And I know Iām more willing to do that kind of thing now than I was a year ago.ā He paused and checked his phone for the time.Ā āI hope Iām not keeping you from anywhere with this conversation?ā
āI never really thought about it. I do think I would need a partner first and it would be a conversation I would have to have with them. Iām not opposed to children even though I donāt have a lot of experience with them.ā
