Name: Robertus 'Bob' Yosifovich Smythe
Age: 39
Ability: Knowledge Absorption
Faction: CIVILIAN as an ASSOCIATE
Faceclaim: Will Smith
Availability: OPEN
Robertus’ father was a strange British Vila with the ability of telepathy. He moved like a shadow, convincing others to do his bidding as he saw fit, seducing, and manipulating. In his late twenties, it would have been incorrect to assume that he fell in love with Robertus’ mother; perhaps ‘fell in obsession’ would be more accurate. When she died in childbirth, Robertus’ father became obsessed with his son. Rather than blaming him for the death of his mother, he cherished him … especially after the discovery of his ability in toddlerhood. Raised by his father and his father’s many girlfriends, Robertus grew into an extremely bright boy who was intimately familiar with methods of persuasion and coercion. His ability of knowledge absorption assisted in learning vital information and powerful secrets. Following his fifth birthday, Robertus and his father became a covert team that specialized in blackmail. They became rich.
With the elder Smythe using his ability for the sake of influence on society, Robertus was able to touch a great many people; he learned a variety of skills, proper etiquette, languages, computer hacking, first aid, navigation, engineering, marksmanship, acting, etc. It was easy for a child to absorb this information because no one suspected Robertus, all big brown eyes and dimpled smiles, as he took their hands and shook. His father identified this, and would continue to stick his son into many more informational opportunities. What he didn’t expect was for Robertus to also learn of the abilities of the Vilas he touched. Though he was unable to use those abilities himself, he understood how they worked, and when in his teenage years, he met a girl having difficulty controlling her pyrokinesis, Robertus mentored her in improving her skill. For the first time in his life, Bob felt as though he had a sense of purpose outside of his father’s schemes. Helping other Vilas reach their full potential was rewarding for him, but his father disapproved. There was no money in the endeavor, and Robertus’ relationship with the lowly street urchin of a girl was beyond embarrassing.
And so, using the information that Robertus had obtained through the years, he finally broke off from his father and traveled to Moscow to begin his own life. It wasn’t until his emancipation from his father that Robertus realized just how much control his father had had over him by using his telepathy; he spent several months discovering who he truly was outside of his father’s influence, and now Robertus is independently wealthy due to hacking and blackmailing, but thanks to his pyrokinetic friend, he garnered a quiet reputation among Vilas (specifically Rosteks) for being an excellent trainer.
Despite being charming, intelligent and an excellent conversationalist, Bob is a somewhat reclusive workaholic. He does not have many friends, but those he does have, he cherishes and protects to no end. However, he is untrusting of many because he knows just how corrupt a person can be. It’s nearly impossible to be in his “inner circle,” but at least he is helpful and knowledgable when tapped for assistance from anyone, regardless of affiliation. Those who know him would describe Robertus as a kind and compassionate man, but a snarky and annoying know-it-all. Seriously. The guy knows everything. He’s a walking library.
Ilona Leonidovna Zoltova - The two met when Ilona nearly burned down an entire block due to being unable to control her ability. He coached her to become a master at her craft and she became the first friend he ever had; it was because of this friendship that he became a liberated teen and moved away from his father. Inseparable since then, Bob adores his “little thief” and sees her as a younger sister; the two have each other’s backs and now work as a perfect team in obtaining wealth and intel.
Dmitri ‘Kholod’ Yosefich Tolmachev - It happened as a chance encounter in a library; Bob had been there to obtain information when he saw a man packing up to leave in a hurry and a journal fell from his belongings. Upon handing it back, Bob knew everything within, and the two held a very long and understanding stare, practically holding an entire conversation with silent looks. The friendship seemed nearly instant when Bob gave a warm smile and handed Dmitri his card without a word. He will always answer when Dmitri calls, be it for assistance with research or the need for a ride. Regardless of time spent apart, the two are able to pick up as though no time has passed at all.
Davyd 'Dave' Sergeyevich Loban - When Dmitri introduced him to Davyd, Bob didn’t really know what he was getting into; after learning he was one of the few test subjects for Project Kudzu, Bob knew he was in for a challenge when it came to helping this hot-headed, irrational drunk of a human-turned-Vila learn how to control his super strong ability.
Darya Mironovna Markovna - What a darling. Truly. She may be that spunky, street-hardened, drug-dealing hoodlum, but deep inside? Bob knows she’s got her soft spots. And weed. Losta weed. Can’t blame a guy for enjoying a bit of the green, eh? They have a pleasant arrangement. She supplies him with the REALLY good stuff, and he not only pays well but also tosses in a few good books on the side. Always willing to help feed young minds with knowledge!
Valeriya Viktorevna Ikasheva - Several years ago, a young woman came to Bob for help with her ability; at the time, he had thought of Precognition as a fairytale, but after meeting Val, he believed otherwise. As with all of his students, he keeps their training encounters confidential, especially considering her ability and just what her profession is within the Lesyas. She has confided in him a great many things, especially her fear regarding her older brother … and just who he really is.
Due to his ability, Robertus is fluent in most languages, is an excellent marksman, pianist, mechanic, EMT, pilot and hacker.
He doesn’t like to read; it wastes time. He’d rather just absorb the information and move on. The sole exception are hieroglyphics. Because hieroglyphics are cool.
Once upon a time, he had aspirations to be a psychiatrist. It didn’t work out.
With his wealth, Bob has bought and furnished two apartments – one for himself and the other for Ilona. He has several modes of transportation, but his favorite is his SUV… for off-roading purposes.
Despite being horribly tone-deaf, Bob loves to sing along with the radio on car rides.
