Senator Turned Survivor

Before the apocalypse started I was actually a senator. Not some conservative asshole like you'd normally expect out of Georgia, but someone who actually believed in rights for all human beings. Now I'm just a guy trying to keep his family alive in all this madness. [Independent The Walking Dead OC RP Blog]

[angieflynns]

Titus Welliver in a short film called The Clearing from 1997

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Shades of Gray [Charley & Rodney]

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Charley shook the woman’s hand firmly. She wasn’t usually one to meet a stranger. Her past as a teacher opened her up to meeting several new people a day, but she was very out of practice. She still offered the kindest smile in which she could muster and gave a slight nod. “Most men are, aren’t they?” she teased Rodney. Every hero had his kryptonite, right?

She returned her attention to Julie and said softly, “I was likely to have passed out straight away had he not helped me inside and offered me a drink. I could never repay all the kindness I’ve already received, but I’d like to try and help earn my keep. If you should let me stay…” She chewed a little at her fingernail again. Dirty old habit that it was. 

At Rodney’s mention of a shower, her knees went weak again. “I’d love that. A shower and somewhere to curl up and sleep for a week,” she stated softly. Her hunger was long forgotten.

Rodney wasn't about to deny Charley's tease about his kryptonite, but he also wasn't about to bare his soul to someone he'd met only a few hours earlier.  It was odd enough that he was possibly allowing her into his dwelling place, but there had been something about her, a sort of paternal instinct developing and he hadn't wanted to leave her to die.  Still, more than anything he was nervous about how Julie felt about their potential guest and would leave the choice up to her.

Instead of giving him any direct indication of her decision, Julie continued to talk with Charley, "Of course, unless they've been bitten or are a danger to the group as a whole Terminus doesn't turn away newcomers.  Everybody here has been through enough shit with those things out there, so there's no reason to add to their problems."

After a few minutes of conferring with Charley, Julie turned back to Rodney and he found himself relieved to see she didn't seem angry with his offer, although he found something almost passive aggressive about her next comment. "Why don't I show our guest where the showers are and you can get Laney to help you clear a place for her to sleep."

Rodney was fully willing to admit he deserved to be forced to do the heavy lifting, still he wanted to reassure Charley that he wasn't completely abandoning her and that she was safe to go with Julie. Nodding towards the two women, he responded "I guess I'll be seeing you both back at the shed later." as if he'd been meeting associates at a fancy diner instead of discussing accommodation plans for new refugees he added "It's been a real pleasure" before walking off again.

[senatorclark]

30 Days of Character Development

25.) Describe your character’s hands. Are they small, long, calloused, smooth, stubby?

Rodney has very artistic hands with long slender fingers.  However, they do have a few callouses from working with his hands in recent years.

[senatorclark]

Headcanon

Although he'd never accept the title of leader, Rodney is probably the unspoken leader of the Terminus group and everybody in the camp respects and looks up to him.

[senatorclark]

30 Days of Character Development

24.) What might your character’s ideal romantic partner be?

Most of Rodney's romantic partners have been smart, sensitive yet strong women so maybe that would be his type.  Although he doesn't really think of it as a type.

[senatorclark]

30 Days of Character Development

23.) Is your character superstitious? 

He has a little bit of belief in the supernatural because over the years at times he's had dreams about his dead wife where it seemed like she was almost guiding him.  Also, some people might consider walkers supernatural and obviously he believes in those.

[senatorclark]

30 Days of Character Development

22.) If your character could time travel, where would they go?

Rodney would just want to travel back far enough to see his father again.

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Shades of Gray [Charley & Rodney]

[senatorclark]

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Charley was grateful when Emily finished with her. She was just adjusting her clothes after being examined in her almost birthday suit. She took a shaky breath as she looked at the doctor and smiled. “Thanks.” She pushed herself to stand once again after securing her boot strap.

She brushed her dirty hair back out of her face. All she wanted was a place to clean up and to sleep. She wasn’t even hungry anymore. Her lips felt a thousand times better with the thinly applied layer of honey to her dry, cracked lips. She moved toward the medical bay doors, not feeling threatened to stay put.

She felt the rest of her uneasiness flee when she saw his familiar face. He was accompanied by a red haired woman. She figured this was the person that he’d spoken of. Her fingers came up part of the way and gave him a small wave. “Hey there. Clean bill of health. No bites. No scratches.”

Rodney smiled and waved in return, still holding Julie's hand with the hand he wasn't waving with. "That's good news."  he turned slightly to gesture towards Julie, "This is Julie, my girlfriend." 

Julie let go of Rodney's hand and stepped forward to greet Charley. "Rod seems to think well of you.  Normally he tries to play tough and hide that he's just a big teddy bear."

"Well she needed help." Rodney found himself almost blushing.  Normally he wasn't like this, especially around people he wanted to make a good impression around, but Julie comparing him to a teddy bear made him feel awkward and uncomfortable.  He hoped Charley wouldn't judge him to be weak in his girlfriend's presence, but in a way maybe he was.  After all, he'd felt guilty when offering her the room without asking Julie first.  Now, despite his years campaigning to become senator and all the charisma he thought he'd had he wanted nothing more than to shrink into the shadows and leave the two women to talk.  Still, he knew Charley would be more comfortable around him than around Julie so he couldn't just leave.

Finally Rodney regained his composure, "I suppose somebody needs to show you to the community shower."  

[senatorclark]

30 Days of Character Development

21.) What would your character’s  cutie mark be?

Maybe the scales of justice or something of that sort.

[senatorclark]

30 Days of Character Development

20.) Does your character have any irrational fears? 

It probably seems odd, but thanks to a childhood experience being chased by one in a park, Rodney is afraid of ducks.

[senatorclark]

30 Days of Character Development

19.) What’s your character’s preferred means of travel? 

He prefers to travel by car, although when near the camp he travels on foot.

[kezzierpsbadly]

[kezzierpsbadly]

[senatorclark]

30 Days of Character Development

18.) Is your character a good cook? What’s their favorite recipe, whether they’re good or not? (Microwave mac-and-cheese applies.)

Before the apocalypse Rodney usually "cooked" Chinese takeout, although sometimes he would make his mother's old lasagna recipe which actually was considered edible.

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Shades of Gray [Charley & Rodney]

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  Charley had long since given up the hopes and dreams of anything remotely resembling real privacy. Even in Woodbury things weren’t always as they seemed. She gave him a sheepish grin and lowered her hands to her lap. She gave a slight shrug. “So-sorry.” She looked back up at him and then added softly, “I just need somewhere to lay my head. I don’t really have anything of value. So anywhere will do. So long as I don’t put anyone out…” she added softly.

Her eyes moved around to the others that had gathered. They all kept their distance, but it felt like she was still on display. Her nose wrinkled up and she gave a soft chuckle. “Privacy went out when the dead moved in. I’m used to it.”

Rodney stopped watching Charley for a moment and turned to regard the figure pushing through the crowd.  It was Dr. Emily Barrow, now that he felt Charley would be in good hands it seemed okay to address the issue he'd accidentally bought up, the place for Charley to rest that he'd offered.

Pausing to reassure Charley before walking away he spoke, "You're in safe hands now.  I have something to take care of right now."

As soon as he entered the courtyard it took mere seconds to find the mane of fiery red hair that defined Julie, his girlfriend.  He immediately felt a pang of guilt for offering the room to Charley without first asking her.  It had been over a year since she had been raped, but he was still extremely protective of her and knew he'd move heaven and earth if it were necessary to make her feel comfortable, and now in a moment of weakness and pity he'd invited a stranger into their private dwelling.  Julie, however seemed understanding and listened as he explained Charley's situation and how he'd offered her their spare room.

Finally, she stood up facing him "I need to meet her before I decide if I want to let her stay with us."

[senatorclark]

30 Days of Character Development

17.) What’s your character’s desk/workspace look like? Are they neat or messy?

Everything had a place in Rodney's senate desk.  Now he doesn't really have a work place, but he enjoys keeping everything in place in his living space.

[senatorclark]

30 Days of Character Development

16.) Are there any blood relatives that your character is particularly close with, besides the immediate ones? Cousins, Uncles, Grandfathers, Aunts, et cetera. Are there any others that your character practically considers a blood relative? 

Of course his sister and daughter are the obvious ones, but he considers his sister's partner Lisa almost like another sister.