Memory is a complicated thing,
a relative to the truth,
but not its twin.
— Barbara Kingsolver
DESCRIPTION
A former Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. Department of State, Alain was a diplomat before she was taken. Her Durance lasted nearly a millennia in Arcadia, but only a few days back home.
The disorientation was staggering, and she suffers profound memory loss about her pre-Durance life, as well as her Durance itself. As that made it all but impossible for her to carry on in Chicago, where she'd lived for nearly a decade, so she cut ties, and moved to Philadelphia to start over again.
Although her memory was foggy, her references were sterling, and she rose through the echelons of regard and reputation in Philadelphia's high society and local political circles as a well-to-do, impeccably manicured director of a regional charity foundation with, it's rumored, deep governmental and political ties.
She has a reputation for keeping to herself when the lights go down, but is by no means unkind; quite the opposite. Prominent enough to be called a "socialite", she's cultivated a dedicated social media following and sometimes disseminates her thoughts on current events.
MIEN and MANTLE
Alain's Mien renders her almost exactly as she appears in her Mask, except her entirety takes on a frosted glass-like appearance. (Gentrified Bearing)
More than actually affecting the temperature, Alain's Mantle smells like a morning after a heavy snow, crisp and thick. Of course, there is a slight accompanying chill.
RP HOOKS
Legendary Durance: It's rumored that Alain's Durance lasted hundreds and hundreds of years... perhaps as long as a millennium.
Memory Loss: Alain's memory is broken. She can't remember anything about her pre-Durance life, and very little about her Durance itself. She is somewhat reluctant to go to the Hedge, as a result.
Friends in High Places: Alain was once a Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. Department of State. While no longer a civil servant, she carries a not-unimpressive amount of clout in political quarters, and is even more influential among the bluebloods, who fawn over her for her dignified references and philanthropic enterprises.
Gentrified Bearing: A diplomat, still, while bound in the servitude of her Durance, Alain's Mien is a little disturbing to some, hypnotic to others.
Critter Magnet: Animals love Alain. Hedge creatures lose their shit over her.
Hard to Read: As with glaciers, what's visible on the surface belies what's hidden in the depths.
Oneiromancer: She's been known to use dreamweaving to 'inspire' others. It's widely known that she was part of the group that reached Marjorie's Bastion, and less widely known that it was her cunning pivot of tactics that turned the tide, and woke the Winter Crown. Because of course, it would be gauche to brag.
GALLERY
REGULAR HAUNTS
The Statesman: A posh, subterranean bar and lounge frequented by the politically connected, or those who want to bribe, befriend, cajole or cow them. (Spheres: High Society, Government, Art & Entertainment, Media).
Cosmopolitan Club: An upper-crust women's club with a quintessential modern and art deco interior. (Spheres: High Society).
Philadelphia SPCA: She loves animals.
This is considered IC knowledge to anyone who knows of her or looks her up.
Full Name:
Alain deVahl
Pronouns:
She/Her
Occupation:
Charity Foundation Director Former U.S. Diplomat
Public Effects:
Striking Looks Gentrified Bearing Rigid Mask Presence 5, Composure 5 Closed Book 5 Winter Mantle Status (High Society): Status (Government): Status (Media): Status (Arts):
