August 5, 1858 - First transatlantic telegraph cable completed
"After several unsuccessful attempts, the first telegraph line across the Atlantic Ocean is completed, a feat accomplished largely through the efforts of American merchant Cyrus West Field.
The telegraph was first developed by Samuel F. B. Morse, an artist-turned-inventor who conceived of the idea of the electric telegraph in 1832. Several European inventors had proposed such a device, but Morse worked independently and by the mid 1830s had built a working telegraph instrument. In the late 1830s, he perfected Morse Code, a set of signals that could represent language in telegraph messages. In May 1844, Morse inaugurated the world’s first commercial telegraph line with the message “What hath God wrought,” sent from the U.S. Capitol to a railroad station in Baltimore. Within a decade, more than 20,000 miles of telegraph cable crisscrossed the country. The rapid communication it made possible greatly aided American expansion, making railroad travel safer as it provided a boost to business conducted across the great distances of a growing United States.
In 1854, Cyrus West Field conceived the idea of the telegraph cable and secured a charter to lay a well-insulated line across the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. Obtaining the aid of British and American naval ships, he made four unsuccessful attempts, beginning in 1857. In July 1858, four British and American vessels–the Agamemnon, the Valorous, the Niagara, and the Gorgon–met in mid-ocean for the fifth attempt. On July 29, the Niagara and the Gorgon, with their load of cable, departed for Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, while the Agamemnon and the Valorous embarked for Valentia, Ireland. By August 5, the cable had been successfully laid, stretching nearly 2,000 miles across the Atlantic at a depth often of more than two miles. On August 16, President James Buchanan and Queen Victoria exchanged formal introductory and complimentary messages. Unfortunately, the cable proved weak and the current insufficient and by the beginning of September had ceased functioning.
Field later raised new funds and made new arrangements. In 1866, the British ship Great Eastern succeeded in laying the first permanent telegraph line across the Atlantic Ocean. Cyrus West Field was the object of much praise on both sides of the Atlantic for his persistence in accomplishing what many thought to be an impossible undertaking. He later promoted other oceanic cables, including telegraph lines that stretched from Hawaii to Asia and Australia."
- History.com
This week in History:
August 2, 1776 - Delegates sign Declaration of Independence
August 3, 1958 - Nautilus submarine travels under North Pole
August 4, 1944 - Anne Frank captured
August 5, 1914 - First electric traffic signal installed
August 6, 1965 - President Johnson signs Voting Rights Act
August 7, 1782 - George Washington creates the Purple Heart
August 8, 1988 - Chicago Cubs host first night game at Wrigley Field
This commemorative piece of telegraph cable can be found in the online collection of the Portsmouth Athenaeum.
3. What is the meaning behind their name? Do they have any nicknames? They don’t know why they were named Cyrus, although Garin did some digging in some history books and it relates to kings. Everyone calls them Cy. I named them Cyrus because of their one eye, and it can be related to ‘Cyclops,’ the creature they are bound to become! The name Cyrus, while associated with Cyrus the great and other rulers, also means ‘far sighted,’ yay for eye jokes!
4. Do they have any siblings? How many? Are they older or younger? Which sibling are they the closest with? They have no clue where they came from, so any siblings are unknown. They don’t like to think about it still, but it’s something they’ve opened up to Garin and Ril about. Cyrus has 4 siblings. Three are all older than them, but Cy is the older twin.
5. What’s their relationship with their parents like? What about other relatives? Cyrus resents their birth parents because they do not understand why they wouldn’t raise them. They feel a bittersweet love for their adoptive parents, but would not like to see them again. Misses their grandmother dearly. See #17.
6. What would they give their life for? Garin and Ril.
7. Are they in a romantic relationship? With who? How did they meet? Yes! Garin and Ril are their girlfriends! The three met shortly after Cy came to the kingdom of Nucifera as a traveling merchant. They sold old trinkets and collectibles and approached the then-couple Garin and Ril. The three hit it off with easy banter to a point where Garin encouraged Cy to stay overnight at the kingdom’s inn and pay a visit to their tavern the next morning. Cy did so and the three became close friends. Cy encouraged Garin to open her tailor shop, Ril encouraged Cy to settle down (even offering a job at their tavern), and after a while, the couple approached Cy about a polyamorous relationship! They all spoke about their boundaries and the three are still happily together 4 and a half years later! Fun fact: at the start of the story, the three spoke about marriage. Cy has been the most hesitant with commitment, followed closely by Ril, but the three all agreed that they’d be ready to be married! They all have an idea of how they’re going to propose, but someone’s idea is ready now.
8. What do they believe will happen to them after they die? Does this belief scare them? They believe that nothing with happen, and they’ll just no longer be alive and their body will eventually go into the dirt. Although the belief troubles them, they ultimately accept it begrudgingly because they consider it the only truth.
9. What is their favorite color? Favorite animal? Their favorite color is purple, their favorite animal is a mink.
10. What are some of their talents/skills? They are amazing at crochet. Also, a master when it comes to gambling... luck seems to always be on their side (Along with the aces in their pocket).
11. If they could make a mark on history, what would they like it to be? Ideally? Stopping the infection. Other than that? Finding some kind of hidden treasure?
12. How old are they? When is their birthday? Cyrus is 24, and although the calendar for double bloom is different than ours, their birthday in our world would be October 28th.
13. What do they do for fun? Cause trouble in the kingdom.
14. What is their favorite food? How often do they get to eat it? Their favorite food is tiramisu, and they typically only eat it on special occasions or as a surprise from Ril or Garin.
15. What was something their parents taught them? Their adoptive parents taught them that it’s important to learn how to defend themself.
16. Are they religious? Not anymore.
17. Where were they born? They don’t know. Cyrus was born in the Kingdom of Oculi Semoto to the family Maed. Their parents struggled to take care of them, their twin, and three other siblings. Cy was given to a couple who had just recently married that couldn’t have children. They were open to Cyrus about the fact that they were not their birth parents, however, Cy still has their adoptive parents’ last name (Field), and held the first name their birth parents gave them (Cyrus). When they were twelve the couple was having marital issues and Cyrus stayed with their grandmother on their adoptive mother’s side. Cyrus was rebellious during most of their youth, but this was the only point in their young life when they seemed to calm down and take responsibility. They took care of their grandmother and became very close to her. Just after their sixteenth birthday, their grandmother passed away. Cy decided they wanted to travel the world, and set out only a day later. They traveled for two years before they came upon Nucifera.
18. What languages can they speak? Where did they learn these languages? There’s not multiple languages at this point, so Cy speaks common.
19. What is their occupation? Works at both the Nucifera tavern and tailor. Local chaotic bastard. They’re on the guard watchlist.
20. Do they have any titles? How did they earn them? Nope. They are sometimes referred to as the “ex-trader” for their previous work as a wandering trader. Also known as the kingdom’s general troublemaker.
Personality:
21. What is their favorite thing about their personality? Their cockiness.
22. What is their least favorite thing about their personality? Their want for reassurance
23. Do they get lonely easily? More than they want to admit. They put on a good persona to hide this.
24. Do you know their MBTI type? Cy is ESTP
25. What is their biggest flaw? Their denial that it would be beneficial to trust and rely on others
26. Are they aware of their flaws? Yes.
27. What is their biggest strength? Their confidence
28. Are they aware of their strengths? Yes.
29. How would they describe their own personality? “The best.”
30. When frightened, will they resort to “fight” or “flight”? Fight.
31. Does this character ever put somebody else’s needs before their own? Who do they do this for? How often do they do this? Only if the person is very close to them. This only includes Garin and Ril, and they’ll put their girlfriends’ needs first when feeling like they should... but for anyone else, not at all.
32. What is their self-esteem like? They’re really cocky, but with the infection taking its course, their self-esteem drops when they are alone and quiet.
33. What is their biggest fear? How would they react to having to face it? Losing control, and losing Garin and Ril. They’re already facing it, and they’re trying to smile through it.
34. How easily do they trust others with their secrets? With their lives? Cy doesn’t take trust lightly, Garin and Ril are the only ones who know anything, and they don’t know EVERYTHING. When others tell secrets to Cy, nothing’s a secret unless it’s life-threatening. If it is? With their lives. If Garin and Ril really are serious about them keeping the secret, then they’ll keep it.
35. What is the easiest way to annoy them? Generally targeting personal details about them, and continuously bothering them to do things they refuse to do.
36. What is their sense of humor like? Give an example of a joke they would find humorous. They generally enjoy insults, specifically at anyone other than themself of their girlfriends. Or if someone other than those specified get hurt (if you’re starting to grow on them and they ask if you’re alright instead, you know you’re in).
37. How easy is it for them to say “I love you”? Do they say it without meaning it? It’s VERY hard for them to say I love you. When they do say it, it means a lot.
38. What do others admire most about their personality? Their quick humor.
39. What does their happily ever after look like? Being able to live life without worrying with Garin and Ril. Maybe be married?
40. Who do they trust most? Is that trust mutual? Garin and Ril. Yes.
Physical Profile:
41. What does their laugh sound like? Do they snort when they laugh? How often do they laugh? They have a loud, almost snarky laugh. They don’t snort when they laugh but will laugh at anything that can be harmful to others.
42. What is their favorite thing about their physical appearance? Their hair, although to others they’ll say “My everything, of course.”
43. What is their least favorite thing about their physical appearance? Their single eye. Before that, it was their nose.
44. Do they have any scars? If so, what are the stories behind those scars? They have many scars, most are from fights they picked.
45. How would they describe their own appearance? “Cool as hell.”
46. How easily can they express emotions? How easily can they hide emotions? They have trouble expressing emotions sometimes, however, they can hide emotions very well!
47. What’s their pain tolerance like? High.
48. Do they have any tattoos? What are the stories behind those tattoos? They don’t have any tattoos.
49. Do they have any piercings? They pierced their ears and nose, but they have since healed, but the place they were pierced are still visible.
50. How would you describe their style of clothing? How would they describe their style of clothing? I’d describe it as edgy but neon, some stuff worn for comfort, others uncomfortable. They’d describe it as “Cool as hell”
51. What is their height? Weight? 5′10″ and 142 lbs
52. What is their body type? Are they muscular, chubby, skinny, etc? They’re skinny.
53. What is their hair color? Eye color? Skin tone? Their hair is light purple, their eyes are brown (turning grey), and their skin tone is dark (dulling).
54. What is their current hairstyle? What have been some of their past hairstyles? Which was their favorite hairstyle? Their current hairstyle is self-cut. Shaved on one side and cut to about their eye on the other. In the past, they used to cut their hair to their shoulders but never liked it. Their current is their favorite.
55. What is their alcohol tolerance like? What kind of drunk are they? How bad are their hangovers? Their alcohol tolerance is pretty high, and they don’t get drunk often, even if they might joke that they will. Hangovers are pretty bad.
56. What do they smell like? Why do they smell like this? (Is it the things they’re around or a perfume they wear?) They’re stinky because they hate showering. I refuse to describe it.
57. How do they feel about sex? Are they a virgin? Cy has fucked, and will fuck again.
58. What is their most noticeable physical attribute? They have one eye. Before the infection, it was their hair.
59. What does their resting face look like? Do they have RBF? They constantly look like they’re thinking of something that’s really funny
60. Describe the way they sleep. When sleeping without their girlfriends, they sleep in the fetal position. With them, Cy tends to spoon them (insists on being big spoon).
Environment:
61. Which season is their favorite season? Winter. If they’re lucky, it’ll snow, and then they can close up shop and not have to be bothered by customers. Ril also makes some mean hot cocoa and Garin always cuddles.
62. Have they ever been betrayed? How did it affect their ability to trust others? Yes. It caused them to never trust people’s respect of their boundaries.
63. What is always guaranteed to make them smile? Finding a way to make Garin and Ril laugh after a bad workday.
64. Do they get cold easily? Do they get overheated easily? They get overheated easily, and they carry a paper fan with them wherever they go- mostly for the dramatic air of it all.
65. What’s their immune system like? Do they get sick often? How do they react to getting sick? Cy gets sick often and makes an effort to whine about it so much that Garin will help them. Being infected was the one thing they didn’t whine about.
66. Where do they live? Do they like it there? They live in the attic of the tavern Ril owns and operates! Cy enjoys it because when they’ve grown tired of everyone else, they can simply go back upstairs and wait for the workday to be over.
67. Is their bedroom messy? What about their bathroom? Kitchen? Living room? Their side of the bed’s pretty messy, but the rest of their living space is clean because they share it with Garin and Ril.
68. How did their environment growing up affect their personality? They continue to be very brash with a hesitant approach to stability and responsibility.
69. How did the people in their environment growing up affect their personality? Because of their parents, they tend to resent others for small reasons. Along with that, they gained a lot of trust issues.
70. How do they feel about animals? Do they have any pets? CY LOVES ANIMALS... It’s a bit of a secret until they find a lizard or snake and try to bring it into the house or wherever they go.
71. How are they with children? Do they have any? Do they want any? They’re not... gifted with children, but with patience and learning, they’d be good with ‘em! Maybe a bit of a bad influence but as long as they aren’t alone for too long. They don’t have kids but they’ve discussed with Garin and Ril that WAY into the future... maybe.
72. Would they rather have stability or comfort? Stability.
73. Do they prefer the indoors or outdoors? Outdoors.
74. What weather is their favorite? Do they like storms? STORMS, Cy likes storms because it means their girlfriends’ stores are closed and typically it’s a cuddle day.
75. If given a blank piece of paper, a pencil, and nothing to do, what would happen? They’d make a to-do list or sketch the area around them and see what they haven’t explored yet.
76. How organized are they? NOT AT ALL, Garin and Ril always fix things for them so it’s more organized.
77. What is their most prized possession? A picture of them with Garin and Ril. There’s a sweet message from Garin on the back.
78. Who do they consider to be their best friend? Garin and Ril, of course, but Ril is better at understanding Cy’s emotions. Garin is better at bringing them out.
79. What is their economic situation? They get by... they have taken multiple jobs other than the tavern and tailor to earn extra pay.
80. Are they a morning person or a night owl? Night owl.
Miscellaneous:
81. Are they bothered by the sight of blood? Slightly, but they won’t admit it.
82. What is their handwriting like? Chicken scratch.
83. Can they swim? How well? Do they like to swim? They can swim very well, but they tire easily. They think it’s fun though.
84. Which deadly sin do they represent best?
Aalto - Wrath
Kadence - Greed
Mochi - Pride
Vel - Envy
Cy - Gluttony
85. Do they believe in ghosts? No.
86. How do they celebrate holidays? How do they celebrate birthdays? They don’t like to celebrate their own birthday, but they have been getting accustomed to the idea of enjoying specific days by celebrating festivals in the kingdom with Garin and Ril. Though that usually ends up in thievery and a night in a jail cell.
87. What is something they regret? Never looking for their siblings.
88. Do they have an accent? Slightly, although they specifically cover it up by speaking louder and with specific enunciation. They have been working with Ril to achieve this.
89. What is their D&D alignment? Chaotic neutral.
90. Are they right or left handed? Left
91. If they were a tweet, what tweet would they be?
92. Describe them as a John Mulaney gif.
93. What’s the most iconic line of dialogue they’ve ever said? (There’s no definite script written out yet so I’m going w the only thing I’ve got so far.) “Cranky ‘cause you’re a twink aren’t you?”
