Character Name: Cherise Thompson
Source: Original Character
Genre: Paranormal

Personality: Cherise started life as a very meticulous and quiet child. Her parents raised her to show respect for her elders, and made sure she knew all her manners. She was polite, well-spoken, and generally quiet around others. She had a tendency to play by herself, and since her younger brother wasn't born until she was ten, she found great contentment in reading, singing, drawing, and other solitary activities. She moved with her family from Virginia to England when she was seven, so while she uses a few key British words and phrases, her accent is very mild.

The Magician's Academy was a big change for the girl. The press of more social students nearly overwhelmed the introverted Cherise, but she was lucky enough to make friends with some of the nicer, chattier girls that welcomed her with open arms. Her creativity became something the others admired, even amongst her instructors. As such, she performed very well on the more open-ended examinations and demonstrations. Slowly, but surely, she became more social as time went on. She treated people respectfully, and was pleasant to be around (if not terribly amusing), so many felt comfortable in her presence. As she loosened up, she began to reveal more of her inner self. Brief flashes of music, a quirky sense of humor, a fondness for adventure and loud-mouthed sorcerors...little by little, her true self began to emerge. She's always been drawn to extroverts, and probably forever will be.

After Cam's death, Cherise felt more unsteady in her relations with people. At first she didn't socialize at all, responding only to professional inquiries with the exception of Wolcott, her closest friend, who was also grieving. Forging new friendships is a little awkward for her, and as such, she may be a little too quick to place her trust in those with warm and gentle personalities. While it does take a while to break the ice with her, any effort invested from someone is recognized and appreciated, and she at least tries to meet the other person half way. She's well-mannered and lady-like in public, but if she gets to know someone very well, they'll see the quirks and flaws of her personal life: she loves wearing sweats around the house instead of the neatly tailored suits and pearls she sports in public; she can't cook and thus stocks up on frozen dinners, instant meals, and things that take little preparation such as fruit and sandwiches.

She also has a subdued sense of humor. She's more the type to appreciate a joke than tell one, and rather enjoys playing the 'straight man' role. Cherise can even be downright playful if someone is particularly persuasive about it.

Her confidence, at the moment, is a little unsteady. This affects the potency and quickness of her spellcasting. She's not as broken as she once was, certainly, and is well on her way to advancing to the higher ranks of the Spellcatchers. She is aware of her current weaknesses, doesn't like it, and is working on ways to improve. As such, Cherise often volunteers for field assignments and rare leadership roles when those ranked higher than Neophyte can't be spared. Her ability to stay remarkably calm and composed under extreme pressure have earned her and her teammates numerous successful missions. Her continued friendship with Wolcott has also served to heal her wounds, and if not for him, she'd probably be a bit of a wreck.

Cherise isn't really shy so much as she is reserved. She doesn't actively seek social interaction, but welcomes it warmly when offered. She isn't the sort to freely offer opinions or tales of her past. To get answers, one has to poke and probe. Cherise doesn't lie; if there's something she's uncomfortable about, or doesn't want to answer, she'll say so. She's straightforward, but polite.

She's an oddity amongst her fellow teammates, as Cherise is one of a small handful of Spellcatchers that refuses to employ the Curses in her line of work. Though they were authorized by the Head Spellcaster as this is a time of emergency, she finds such things extremely foul and dishonorable. She's not bloodthirsty, nor is she a killer. She's a 'cop' and her goal is to capture Devourers, not to destroy them unless it becomes absolutely necessary. A captured Devourer can reveal far more information than a dead one. She's not sure what she'd do if she ran into the Devourers that murdered her husband. Cherise wants to believe that she desires only justice, to see that the murderers are put away, but the heart is an unpredictable beast, and she's afraid she might very well lose control.

Letting go of Cam is something Cherise may never be able to really do. She still insists on wearing his ring, and at the moment, she has no desire to remarry or start a new relationship. She does not openly angst, especially not to those she doesn't know well. At worst, she may look a bit wistful, but even this is rare. She prefers to keep her emotions composed and in check.

******

Staff psychiatrist’s assessment:

The first impression I obtained in the evaluation of Mrs. Thompson was that of an automaton. Her words, her actions, even her smile all seemed automatic and reflexive. She stated what seemed to be polite rather than what she felt. But upon further study, there was discovered a deep and maternal warmth to her character. She seemed very fond of those she worked with in her department, particularly Neophyte Wolcott Dunn. Nothing unusual, as she stated that they had been close friends through the better part of their schooling at the Academy. She is reluctant to discuss her personal life openly, perhaps due to her desire to keep her family safe and protected. Cherise does not voice her opinions unless asked, and seems more content to listen than to speak. While she shows little hesitation in answering any questions posed to her and seems genuinely interested in what others have to say, she volunteers very little about her own opinions or thoughts unless probed.

Review of personal records shows that she lost her husband at the age of 22. There was a marked shift in her socialization with others at this time. She became more withdrawn; while she welcomed conversation, she did not actively seek it out. She confessed to feeling a sense of alienation in her department, and her confidence has taken a decline since the death of Cameron Thompson. Though she has not stated such verbally, I suspect that she places the blame at least partially on herself at his loss, if not completely. When asked if she believed this, she became quiet and pensive before replying that she did not.

Cherise displayed higher levels of caution during training exercises, particularly regarding her teammates. Her attentions were more focused on preventing harm and damage rather than suspect apprehension. Her more aggressive tendencies did not manifest (as they had before) so readily until she believed a teammate to be in grave danger. The transformation from defender to 'mother bear' happened almost immediately, and her magical strength increased significantly. Her ability to stay cool under times of duress is highly remarkable and unchanged since the incident of her husband's death.

Cherise shows extreme discomfort in utilizing any of the Curses, and seems unlikely to resort to them unless ordered by a superior. Indeed she seems loathe causing harm to anyone, focusing her efforts on disarming and incapacitating her opponents.

Her trust is not difficult to earn as she responds well to kindness and warmth. She dislikes conflict amongst members of her department and is quick to act in the role of peacemaker when words become heated. She is uncomfortable with criticism, but accepts it and adapts in due time. Cherise is supportive of her teammates and quick to give credit where credit is due; on the flip side, she is more likely to take responsibility for not only her own mistakes when she leads, but those made by her teammates as well. Praise is happily received but not sought after. Her performance increases after receiving the proverbial 'pat on the back' so to speak.

There were no difficulties regarding the chain of command. Cherise shows unlimited deference and respect to her superiors, though she occasionally makes alternative suggestions in response to orders given. She is not bullheaded or pushy, and gracefully accepts the answer 'no' so long as she believes she was heard. On occasion, when she feels as if she has been disrespected, she can grow silently stubborn and detaches herself emotionally to become distant and cold. It is rare for Cherise to raise her voice; when she becomes angry, she becomes silent and rigid, unbending and far less likely to consider the opinions of the subject which aroused her anger.

To summarize, I find Cherise to be a very pleasant and intelligent young woman. She seems lonely quite often, but brightens significantly in the warm company of others. She functions well under stress, perhaps even better than without, and takes responsibility for her mistakes in her efforts to progress. Her character is strong and stable, assuming a type of cool logic and calculation when faced with opposition. There is very little that can effectively shake or unnerve her, though her courage is moderated with caution...perhaps a bit too much caution. This is perceived to be a minor mental block that must eventually be broken down for her to achieve full potential, though she's quite capable of performing her duties and performing them well, as a Spellcatcher.

History: Cherise DuVallon was born 30 years ago, and grew up during the days where the Demon Eater, Jaxon, held the countryside in a fearful grip. She's the oldest of two children, the other her younger brother by ten years. Magical potency hasn't been particularly strong for the DuVallons, but cleverness has always marked the family. She attended the Magician's Academy as most children did, from age 5 to 18. At first she was held in wary regard by her peers, for she was prim and proper and polite. No one really knew what to think of her. But as time went on, she was well-liked by her classmates, and she treated everyone fairly. Cherise never lost her temper, nor did she display particularly strong emotions. Her homeroom teacher also taught Divinations. While Cherise feigned little interest in the class and avoided it because it might make her seem 'foofy', she very much admired the instructor and spent eight hours a week working as a student assistant. It wasn't long before she had to confess that the subject of divinations was interesting. If she hadn't been slated with a full schedule already, she would have opted to take it for a grade.

During her fourth year, she met Cam Thompson and Wolcott Dunn, who had been best friends since they were beginners in the Academy. Cam had been itching to work up the nerve to speak with her, and on a windy day, he got his chance when a sudden gust snatched her hat off her head and sent it within a pen of mischievous bad-tempered gnolls that had been gathered for the Defensive Combat class. He dragged Wolcott after him to 'save' the hat, and emerged bruised, but victorious. Cherise found them instantly endearing, and never did mention the fact that a summoning spell to retrieve the hat would have worked just as nicely without enduring any beatings. Wolcott never told either.

All of them had their reasons for wanting to become Spellcatchers, the magical equivalent of police officers and enforcers. Cam was the classic hero, and had always wanted to save the day. He wasn't too bright, but he possessed a good heart, and had a strong passion for justice. Wolcott was brainy, a natural detective, and his talents were well-suited for such a job. He was eager to follow in the footsteps of his family and ancestors, all well-regarded members of the Spellcatcher history. Cherise felt she owed it to her mother, who lost a younger brother to a thief who threw a deadly curse at him when he was only 19. After the three students graduated, Cam worked up the courage to ask Cherise to marry him. It came as a bit of a shock since they'd never officially dated, but she was very fond of him, and he of her, so she agreed. Wolcott wholeheartedly supported the union, and at age 20, she was married to her high school sweetheart. The trio began as trainees shortly thereafter, and were often matched together as a team since they worked so beautifully with one another. Unfortunately, Cherise's marriage scarcely lasted two years.

Cam liked to smoke. Cherise hated the smell. She always insisted that he smoke outdoors on the porch, and he would sheepishly oblige with a tender smile. While taking his nightly cigarette, he noticed a green flash across the street in the window of a well-known old witch. It wasn't long before he spotted four Devourers exiting the house, hooded and masked, and they seemed to be heading in his direction. Not wanting to involve Cherise, he decided to meet them on his own, and immediately set off to challenge them before they could reach the house they shared. As a trainee, he was no match for the four Devourers. He was stripped of his magic, tortured, and killed. But he never cried out, not once, because he didn't want Cherise to come after him and fall into the Devourers' hands. His body was found twisted in an unnatural position, hanging from a street lamp with his wand rammed down his throat.

Cherise was horribly shaken by the loss of her husband. Wolcott, too, was deeply affected. She took a six-month leave of absence, while Wolcott opted to work through his emotions by continuing his duties. When Cherise returned, the change in her demeanor was subtle, but sure. Very few recognized the blow to her confidence, save for her direct superior Adelaide Stark and her friend Wolcott. Her usual tactics experienced a sharp decline in offense while spiking upward in defense, particularly for the sake of others. Nonetheless, she was determined to mend from her emotional scars, and wants nothing more than to find her husband's killers and make them rot in prison for their heinous crimes.

Powers/Abilities/Unique Items: Every spellcaster has their strong points, as well as their weaknesses, in certain subjects and pursuits. Cherise's strengths in spellcasting are her defenses (protective shields, reflection charms, counterspells and counterjinxes) and her desire for perfection. Though this may cause her spellcasting to be a bit slower, it ensures that the spells are not MIS-cast, which can result in explosions or hitting the wrong target. She's well-known for taking common spells and using them creatively to attack her opponent. Once, for instance, she caught a thief by using a summoning charm on a vase that was just behind his head, and succeeded in knocking him out cold. When a Devourer began firing killing curses into a crowd of people, Cherise summoned a flock of birds to serve as living targets, taking several of the blows themselves to absorb the deadly spells.

Physically, Cherise isn't terribly powerful. Not many spellcasters make it a point to pursue athletic talents, simply because it isn't needed. She's fast on her feet, though, and adept at dodging and putting up magical barriers to protect herself and her comrades from harm. She's particularly skilled with disguises and transfiguration, although she's not skilled enough to assume animal forms. She knows her potions well, and is knowledgeable in the realm of poisons and antidotes most commonly used by spellcasters.

Physical Description (OCs only!): Cherise is a pretty brunette, standing 5'8" tall. Her figure is trim and slender. Her dark hair is cut short, and either curled inward in a bob, or feathered outward. She tends to prefer the latter style when she's off-duty. Her skin is a little on the dusky side. Her brown eyes are almond-shaped, and usually inexpressive, though they do crinkle when she's genuinely amused or laughing. Most of the time her facial expressions don't vary much, as she prefers to keep her feelings to herself, and it's considered unprofessional to crack under pressure. Even around Wolcott and Adelaide, her posture is perfect and her countenance is calm. Ordinarily, Cherise dresses in tailored suits with skirts, always professional and spotless. She tries to keep it classy and feminine, with a preference for a simple string of pearls about her neck and black pumps on her feet. She never wears jeans, and her idea of casual wear around town are pressed black slacks and a nice blouse.

World/Setting Description (OCs only!): Cherise lives in an alternate version of Earth, where almost everyone has at least some magical talent or gift. Such gifts are commonplace, though some people are better in some areas (charms and enchantments, transmogrifications, mind-reading and psionic capabilities, potion brewing, etc.) than others. In the past forty years, dark sorcerors and sorceresses have been on the rise, rumored to be led by a man who drank demon's blood to amplify his might. His name is Jaxon, and those who follow him are referred to as Devourers. When they perform their crimes, they do so in disguise, either magical for those who are adept, or by cloak and mask. Crime is held in check by the Spellcatchers, a magical peacekeeping agency spread throughout the world. Though the situation isn't yet catastrophic, there are rumors that Jaxon is close to achieving his ultimate goals -- but what those goals might be, no one knows except the very highest political authorities. Whatever those goals are, they're close enough to being realized that the Counselors (the equivalent of the United Nations) have authorized Spellcasters to use Curses and even kill Devourers if they are discovered.

The Curses could easily be classified as 'black' magic -- anything solely devoted to harming another person. Some spells of this nature fall into a gray area, as a spell could be harmful if used in a hazardous way, but be useful in a conventional way. For example, a sorceress working in a beauty salon might be fully authorized to change a person's appearance with his or her permission. However, changing someone into stone or a small creature is absolutely forbidden -- the components of these two form-changing purposes is the same. The big three Curses, which can earn a lifetime prison sentence, execution, or being stripped of magic abilities entirely are as follows:

1. No killing spells or curses
2. No spells that cause severe pain or harm to another person (bone-snapping, inflammation, etc.)
3. No stripping another person's magic

The last Curse isn't an easy one to pull off, but it can be done if planned in advance. The ceremony takes about five minutes, and at least four potent spellcasters (although if they aren't very good, more can be added). During that time, the target in question can't be allowed to move from the spot or speak. Victims are usually unconscious when illegally stripped of their magic. Once stripped, a magician is seldom able to regain their old abilities. It would require a very powerful force, which Jaxon has sought to provide in return for loyalty and devotion to his goals. Most of those who are under his employ were recruited from those whose magic powers were previously nullified.

While most spells can be cast without a hitch, there are certain defenses and fallacies that can occur. Spells directed at a person can be deflected by that same person, or another close by with the proper concentration and focus. It isn't uncommon for sorcerers and sorceresses to physically dodge incoming spells. Running water also has the ability to dissolve charms, enchantments, and magic-based disguises. Cherise once had her cover blown by an unexpected downpour on a California beach, which melted her buxom bikini-clad blonde disguise on the spot.

In order to cast magic, a spellcaster must have an item of focus (usually a wand, a ring, or even a small silver cross) to direct the flow of the spell, and speak the words in another language. The exact language matters little, and one can even speak a spell in his or her native tongue, but the spell can be unpredictable in its potency -- being either too strong or too weak depending on the caster's emotions. In a pinch, a spellcaster can use primal magic, which is what happens without a focal object. As long as the words are spoken, spells can still be slung. The downfall to primal magic is that it is often wildly unpredictable, unfocused, and it can possibly burn up the caster's soul if the spell is violent in nature. As such, it should only be used if the circumstances are extremely dire. A spellcaster unable to speak cannot cast any magic whatsoever.

Communicator Sample: Things went down surprisingly well tonight. It was heart-warming to see everyone working so closely together, and completely pasting those Devourers. We bagged several of them, at least ten to fifteen. I didn't get a proper count before Wolcott shuffled me out the door so he could enjoy his work. Anyone who wonders why that man has never married needs only to see how happy he is sweeping the area for clues and evidence.

My part was to remove the spell trap from the window in the women's bathroom. It was a tricky piece of work, very professional. I perspired quite a bit trying to untangle the weaves, but I managed, after several close calls. Ms. Chase Monaghan and myself were the first Spellcatchers to enter, whereupon we set up a portal to allow the others entrance. I no sooner turned my head away for a moment than to have Ms. Monaghan vanish! It worried me so, since she's still a trainee. But after seeing her work, I have no doubt that she's just as competent as any neophyte, maybe even enforcer. While waiting for the darkness spell to sweep the area, I nicked a lid from the loo and placed a protection charm upon it, so to protect myself from any flying dark spells that were wont to fly in my direction. I'm happy to say that my unconventional shield held up fairly well.

Thanks to Wolcott's enchanted goggles, we benefitted from the same darkness spell that put everyone into chaos at the charity ball. I'm half-tempted to write the Devourers a letter of thanks for the idea. We swept in, and we conquered. I managed to take out four, including one I found unconscious on the upper level. The bloke seemed to have hit his head while attempting a leap out the window, the remnants of a featherfall spell still lingering on his person. He was bound and left for incarceration. Sadly we were unable to round up the leaders of the situation, but I have every confidence that it will not be long until we manage to do just that.

That's that, then. A hot bath, then I'll put myself right to bed.

Prose Sample: In Cherise's line of work, she has to do a lot of traveling. That means moving from town to town every few years, sometimes more frequently for special assignments.

In this instance, she's taking a one year hiatus to see if she can actually remember what it's like to live like a normal person again. She knows she's let herself become absorbed by her work, because it kept her too busy to grieve, and enforced the idea that it would be perilous to show any kind of weakness that a criminal agent could exploit.

But her best friend Wolcott, perceptive bloke that he is, gave it to her straight: she was using work as a crutch, not a balm, and she wasn't going to heal unless she actually allowed it to happen.

The first two months were the hardest to get through. First there was an underlying restlessness of not having a case to work on, and the feeling that she should be out there, putting the criminals away so the decent people of the world could live a pleasant, unhindered life. She scrutinized everyone she passed as if to uncover some secret agenda they were maliciously hiding while plotting their next moves.

Once the cynical paranoia passed, there was an aching loneliness. She began to realize how much she hated coming home alone to nothing but her owl for company. Wolcott helped, but it was uncomfortable to come to the conclusion that her entire life...friends included...revolved around her work. She didn't even know how to strike up friendly, casual conversations in the checkout line.

Perhaps that would change, she thought, as she started for the express lane with brisk, determined strides. It wouldn't be difficult. She could say hello, perhaps comment on the weather. This time she would--

Her train of thought ended abruptly as she bumped into a man's shoulder as she stalked toward the express lane. "Unh," she grunted in surprise, backing up swiftly. The basket of frozen dinners and fruit in plastic bags swung on her elbow as she regained her footing and offered a quick, slightly embarrassed smile. "Please, you go first," she offered.

Progress? Progress.