#behindtheahoge

[labascency]

Character Development Meme: Day 3

Choose a different time period and describe what your character would have been like in that time period.

The 20th Century (1900s).

Often considered the beginning of our "modern" world, the 20th century saw the quality of life improving for many people by leaps and bounds. The 1900s were not too unlike our present day, and they possessed many of the technologies -- albeit far earlier variations -- that we still use now. Communication, in particular, became easier, faster, and more wildly available. A few major advancements that come to mind are improvements in electricity, telephones, radios and televisions. Information traveled at a great rate of speed than it had in the past, and the very concept of time began to change as a result. It no longer took days, weeks, or even months to travel from place to place: the assembly line saw that the automobile could be produced quickly and cheaply. Hot air balloons, having been successfully manned by this time, offered a means of long-distance, leisurely travel. Because of phone lines, letters were no longer the primary means of communication, and so people did not need to wait weeks upon weeks to convey information. Communications grew into a more advanced network of phone lines, radio programs, and televised news reports. 

It was, in plain terms, the origins of our "information age."

Because of Barma's interest in knowledge and understanding how the world around him works, he would likely have been heavily involved in scientific funding. Though he may not directly have contributed to the physical labor, he would most definitely served as patron to those more promising endeavors. Probably moreso than his current timeline, the 20th century Barma would appear more shallow and "approachable" to those around him -- "approachable" in the sense that he dealt with people directly rather than sending Liam or his illusions to figure them out. Rufus would retain some air of mystery, though, because of his difficult personality and tendency to conceal his true nature and motives. In the long run, though, he would spend collectively more time in the public eye during the 20th century; attending parties, social functions, and world's fairs would be considered part of his "duties" as acting patron to those contributors.

Taking into consideration his manipulative streak, it would not be unheard of for him to pit inventors against each other in an effort to monopolize his profits. And, of course, these profits need not be strictly monetary gains; knowledge, after all, is his bread and butter, his main concern in the world. With so much information literally at his fingertips, he would do all in his power to secure the keys to the kingdom and create a fearsome reputation both for and worthy of the Barma name.

And, maybe even just to be obnoxious and pretentious, he would own a hot air balloon. Consider it a perch from which he might see the human race as he believes it to be: (admirable and amusing) insects.

[labascency]

Character Development Meme: Day 2

How do they usually dress? What do they wear to sleep? Do they wear jewelry?

The best way to describe his style is "East Asian-inspired." His clothing can involve elements of both East and West, but the majority of his wardrobe reflects the foreign influence of the Barma home country. Typically, Rufus is seen wearing a cream-colored cloak (often lovingly referred to as "the poncho") that sports four slits which end roughly over his chest and near his shoulder blades, creating an undecorated panel on both the front and the back. The tops of the slits are each adorned with a golden domed button and long tassel, and these decorations are connected by a black leather strap that curves over his upper arms. The entire cloaked is edged in golden thread, and the front "corners" are embroidered with red-threaded designs, most likely emblems from his family line. The collar is high and made from a stiff or carded black cloth with a golden domed button snap to keep it shut. His ascot (often either similarly cream-colored or white) peeps out of a keyhole opening in the cloak. Beneath the robe, he has been seen wearing various robes, and they are almost all exclusively created out of black fabric. His footwear is typically a two-piece, knee-high boot: they are tight across the calves with a greyish strap (almost like a bangle) about the ankles. On occasion, though, he has been known to wear slippers.

In terms of sleeping attire, Rufus can be a little hit or miss. Like all nobility, he has access to the finest of sleeping robes and pajamas, and even he sometimes wears them. In keeping with the spirit of the rest of his wardrobe, he may either wear Western-style pajamas (a two-piece set with a button-up top and pants) or the undergarment beneath his robes. More often than not, though, he often sleeps in his clothing -- particularly if he spends a good deal of the night reading or pouring over texts for vital information.

Is there anything about their appearance they wish they could change?

Rufus Barma is secretly a bit on the vain side, and he takes meticulous care of his appearance throughout his youth -- particularly when he actively sought a union betwixt himself and Sheryl Rainsworth. However, since then, he gives less thought to how he looks -- often slouching or languishing about even in the presence of guests -- so he does not give his appearance quite as much thought. He can be self-conscious about his height (which is why he's often seen sporting heeled boots), so perhaps he would wish to be naturally taller. 

How would they look as the opposite sex?

Honestly, he wouldn't look all that different. There's an element of femininity in his mannerisms and appearance already, so perhaps it might be the opposite were he a woman instead: a masculine lady. Other than having a more slender figure and a (likely) shorter height, he would still be recognizable as Rufus Barma.

What do they smell like? Why (do they wear the scent or does it occur naturally)?

Rufus' scent has actually changed over the course of his life, and this is mostly due to the fact that he's lived through the turn of the century. During his youth, those traditionally "masculine" and "feminine" fragrances had not yet come into fashion, and so the perfumes available were typically used by both men and women. As a result, his scent was far lighter, often carrying notes of citrus, lavender, and jasmine. Beginning in the early 1800s, though, men's fragrances began to carry scents of musk, tobacco, and various "exotic" spices. Throughout his life, Rufus most likely had an element of spiciness to his scent as he would have had access to resources directly from the East; it grew far more pronounced as he grew older. In his adulthood, he favors those colognes that focus on such notes, such as those that utilize sandalwood and cloves.

Do they have an accurate mental picture of their appearance (how they see themselves versus how the world sees them)?

What varies most is how Rufus sees himself entirely versus how the world sees him, and it's less about his appearance and more about his motives for acting as he does. In terms of how he looks, both his perception and the world's perception are more or less in-line -- at least now that he's matured and grown up as the Duke of his household. In his youth, he was more outwardly haughty and self-absorbed, even in those matters that pertained to how he looks. Being rejected time and time again by Sheryl Rainsworth when other men and women their age only ever sought to curry favor with him began to shift where he directed his time and energy. Though it may be difficult to believe considering how childish or selfish he conducts himself even now, he has actually come leaps and bounds from the days of his boyhood at Lutwidge Academy.

[labascency]

Character Development Meme: Day 1

[ Basics and cosmetic: ]

Age?

Physically 37. Mentally 67.

Date of Birth?

April 1st, 1773.

Hair color?

Scarlet.

Eye color?

Slate.

Skin color/nationality?

Quite pale. Though the Barma family hails from a foreign country, Rufus was born in Reveille after the Dukedom had been established for a time (and thus Arthur, Rufus' grandfather, and Rufus' father all proceeded him). He keeps the physical characteristics of his heritage, but some other genetic qualities have been bred out of the nobility. The best estimate for the Barma home country is some fantastical equivalent of Mongolia, considering Arthur asks Jack to play a morin khuur (not strictly a horse head fiddle as people often mistake) which is a Mongolian instrument. Considering, though, he was born and raised in Reveille, his own nationality is most likely a fantastical equivalent of French during the transition between the 18th and 19th centuries.

Accent (if any)?

Similarly with his nationality, Rufus lacks the "exotic" accent that both Arthur and Miranda Barma would have most likely had. If anything, he would probably have something similar to a French accent. As someone of high birth, his pronunciation and command of the language -- and, likewise, the likelihood one would be able to understand him through his accent -- is exceedingly excellent.

Height?

5'9".

Weight?

151 pounds.

Tattoos?

None. (Though, were he born where the Barmas originated, it would not be unlikely that he would have had a few significant to his house and culture there.)

Piercings?

When he reached adulthood at the age of 15, he pierced his ears as customary of those recognized by the nobility. Since then, though, his piercings have closed, and he can no longer wear earrings. The earrings he once used he bequeathed unto his servant, Liam Lunettes.

Birthmarks?

None.

Disfigurements?

None.

Scars?

Nothing notable. Probably a few from his adventurous youth, but he suffered no traumatic injuries growing up. (Though, taking into account his wounds afflicted by Glen in the recent Retraces, his arm will likely scar rather prominently.)

Do they have any nicknames? Where did they come from?

"Bird-Brained Duke" via both Alice and Break, and Break sometimes calls him "Idiot-Haired Duke." Alice seems fond of referring to him as a "meatball" because of his illusionary form, and recently she has even once called him the "Lobster-Haired Duke." Both Dodo and Sheryl have been seen calling him "Ru-Kun," and it's most certainly a nickname reserved for the both of them.

[labascency]

♡ /Hands you one (i found this hard for Sheryl as well x_x)

[ Odd as it may sound for one who likes to keep relationships and humans in tidy packages, something that catches Rufus’ attention is a somewhat difficult personality. ]

[ Perhaps it’s a bit narcissistic of him to think such a thing, but he admires that quality of defiance that he finds in himself in the people around him. Even if he gives the impression that such behavior is “selfish” or “bratty” — as he calls both Sheryl Rainsworth and Oz Vessalius — he secretly feels a kinship with that person. Demure ladies strike him as women who lack individuality or a sense of identity; to him, it reeks of someone who cannot think for themselves or would dare not to. Outwardly, he often touts that a women ought to know her place if he squabbles with one, but it’s a form of test. If the lady in question stands her ground and holds her own against him, it raises her in his esteem in a curious way. Such was the case with Sheryl in their youth and even into their adulthood together. At every opportunity, she turned him down and matched him intellectually, and even though it once drove him up the wall, he has come to love her most of all. ]

[labascency]

[♡ /wink wonk]

[ Intelligence and learnedness. ]

[ Rufus does not like those who are empty-headed, least of all flighty women. (He would not take a shine to, say, Ada Vessalius because she comes off as a bit spacey and easily lead at first glance. It’s the sort of personality that he cannot stand.) Frivolousness is not to be tolerated, and those shallow topics that are often the talk of most social functions tend to bore him. Most interactions with upper-crust ladies leave him wanting for any shred of decent conversation; though he does consider them, sometimes, a source of information — as, after all, word travels quite quickly in gossipy groups — he cannot stand their company for long. Talking circles around people is entertainment; meaningful conversation is sustainment. If someone hopes to catch his eye, she would need to be versed in many areas: politics, philosophy, literature… At the very least, she should be able to keep up with him and make the interaction worth his while. ]