app for Scorched

( and they lived happily ever )

player name: Lyan
player livejournal: ly_chan
playing here: soryshudatoldya | supernatural, sworntovalor | Merlin
where did you find us? blame Adi.
are you 16 years of age or older?: why yes I am

In Character Information

character name: James
Fandom: Once Upon A Time
Timeline: Episode 1, moments before the curse hits.
character's age: Unknown, approximated to mid-twenties.

powers, skills, pets and equipment: James is a fearsome swordsman and bowman, a skilled hunter, and has been educated in all aspects concerning rule and command.
James always fights to defend – his kingdom, his people, his true love, his daughter. So I would like for him to develop protective abilities – the ability to put up a shield or protective barrier around a limited area. Of course it doesn't have to be impregnable, for instance at first before he'll get the hang of it most anything could pass through with enough effort, but with time, it should be enough to protect against all but powerful magic, if that's ok.

Equipment – his sword.

canon history:
James was born on a farm to poor parents. His twin brother was sold as a baby to Rumpelstiltskin who gave him to the childless king, while James grew knowing nothing of the matter. He spent his life working on the farm, until his brother - the crown prince - had died. The king needed his son to slay a dragon that plagued king Midas's land in order to salvage his kingdom which stood at the brink of financial ruin, and so Rumpelstiltskin returned for the second brother so that he could take the place of the fallen prince.

James's family's farm was in deep financial trouble as well, so he agreed to take his brother's place for the sake of his mother and the farm. His role was meant to be limited to staying outside the cave while the king's knights handled the dragon, and delivering the head of the beast to king Midas when the deed was done. Things however did not go as planned and when the dragon proved too much for the knights to handle, James charged in to rescue them and slew the beast.

He believed he would be able to return to his farm and his life after the task was accomplished, but king Midas, and his "father" had other plans; it's clear that the king never intended to let him go, and king Midas wished to marry him to his daughter. He had no choice but to accept the offer as the fate of the realm was on the line, and the king had threatened his and his mother's lives.

While accompanying his new fiancé to her father's palace, he was robbed by the wanted felon Snow White. Chasing after her, he eventually caught up with and forced her to take him back to his belongings which she had sold to trolls. He fell in love with her during their short yet eventful time together in which they had both saved each other's lives and gained each other's respect. It's yet unknown how he rid himself of his fiancé, but when Snow White was put to sleep by the evil queen, he rescued her with a kiss and they married.

On their wedding day, the evil queen came to threaten them that she will put a dark curse upon them, that she will take away their happily ever after. James refused to accept that and give in, and had searched with all his might, fully prepared to go up against her in battle if all else fails. Snow White made a deal with Rumpelstiltskin for a way to defeat the curse – his answer was that upon her 28th birthday, their unborn daughter Emma will be their salvation. They carved a nook inside a magical tree for Snow White who was with child so that they could be safe from the curse, but on the day the curse struck, she went into labor. James took the baby and fought his way to the tree where he managed to safely hide her before the queen's soldiers subdued him and he collapsed, badly injured.

Also, it should be mentioned that James is probably his brother's name; but as no other name was given to him and he himself uses it, that is the one I'll use.

personality:

James always believed in true love and its importance; no matter how poor he was, he clung to his right to choose and never settle on the one thing in life that mattered. When he came into his new royal role he had to sacrifice that very thing for the sake of the kingdom and his mother; even though he was not raised a prince he came to act like one instantly – he understood what was at stake for the kingdom should he refuse. Despite the fact that he was separated from all he loved and all he wished for, and forced to marry someone he had absolutely no feelings for other than perhaps exasperation, he didn't give into despair. He put on a brave face and moved along, trying to make the best of a bad situation.

The term 'give up' does not exist in James's vocabulary. No matter what life throws at him, whether it's the search for a single felon who is in possession of his mother's wedding ring in a huge enchanted forest, or defending his kingdom and his family from an evil curse, he never quits. No matter how dire and hopeless the situation becomes, he does not lose hope – an eternal optimist through and through. When the curse looms over their head, James wants to fight against the queen, defeat her, even after his wife had given into despair ("No, I refuse to believe that. Good can't just lose." – episode 1).

James is an honorable person and as such, strives to keep away from questionable actions such as consulting dangerous felons like Rumpelstiltskin. At those times however, if Snow White disagrees with him he is unable to refuse her. He trusts her completely – her wisdom and her goodness are what he turns to when he can't see the path ahead, even if what she has to say goes against his better judgment, for example sending his newborn baby alone into the unknown in a desperate attempt to keep her safe.

James is a born leader. He is strong minded, opinionated, and is not shy about it. Despite that, he rules with a council - cooperating with others around a round table, with all its Arthurian symbolism. He is a beloved leader – the kind people serve because they truly believe in rather than for duty or his power. He gives every man and woman on his council the same right to speak as himself and shows them all respect. He is a hands-on type of leader – for instance when his carriage was attacked by Snow White, he chased her himself instead of simply sending his men after her.

It was no chance that James gained the nickname 'Charming' of all things. At first, Snow labeled him as such with the intent to tease and insult him, but he proved that the name simply honestly fit him; even though Snow robbed him and pushed him into the river, he still risked his life to defend her. Despite the fact that he had the excuse of needing her to lead him back to his mother's ring, it's clear that it's not for the ring that he had almost died; when later on they came to trouble yet again at the troll bridge he told her to run and save herself, while he continued fighting to enable her escape. James doesn't hesitate to sacrifice himself for the greater good, or for the good of a single person; especially if said person is Snow White - even while she is practically a stranger, who robbed him no less.

James has a healthy sense of humor, and enjoys dipping into playful banter, especially with Snow White. He knows how to tease and poke for reactions, but despite that he will never push too far as to actually insult a person intentionally – and if that does happen, he will feel immensely guilty for it and try to make it up to that person.

Despite all his charm, belief and honor, James is still realistic – he knows the world is full of dangers and that if he should hesitate he could be lost, which is why he doesn't hesitate – when the queen's men invade the palace and come after him, he fights to kill. When the choice lies between kill or be killed, or even more so – kill or let your loved ones down – he will kill.

why do you feel this character would be appropriate to the setting? James is a seasoned warrior, hunter and politician. He lives through challenge after challenge without losing faith.

Writing Samples

Network Post Sample:
[Anatole. You are being stared at most seriously. But if you look closely you can tell that there's more than just determination in the face looking at you – there is much effort going into simply staying conscious. You only see a face; but it's pale, covered with perspiration and clearly belongs to a man lying down, looking sideways. From the looks of him you might guess it's because he lacks the ability to move. Despite that, his voice never wavers.]

Magic Mirror. What is this place? Where am I? Where is my Snow? My Emma? Is this the curse?

[He speaks quickly, urgently. As if he doesn't know how long he could hold on to hear the answers, breathing heavily the whole time]

Third Person Sample:
Light was streaming on his face warming his skin, and he could hear faint voices coming from somewhere to his right. Was this death? How strange - it felt remarkably like life. Does that mean he had survived? The pain in his shoulder and his abdomen pointed to yes.

Moaning painfully, he tried to pull himself up, but his head fell back against the pillow, a pained gasp escaping his lips at even that slightest of efforts. His eyes flickered open and he struggled to focus them, his head leaning to the right, towards the origin of the voices. For a long moment, all he could see were blurred shapes and colors, until at last he could make out an unfamiliar room. Was this the queen's curse? He couldn't think of anything else it might be but…it didn't seem right.

The room was simple, but warm and comfortable. Why would the queen supply him with any comfort? He thought back at it all - those final moments - his kingdom, the curse, Snow, and beautiful little Emma he had only held in his arms for a heartbreakingly short precious moment. What had happened? He remembered the empty tree – and that gave him hope. Emma had gotten away, so if this was in fact the curse, she would break it.

Again, he found himself contemplating whether he was even alive – what other explanation could there be? But the immense pain he was in seemed to mock that idea. True - he has never been dead before, but this seemed to be as far away from resting in peace as anyone could ever come. Perhaps it was the curse after all? Or perhaps – some power of goodness swept him up and rescued him – some miracle of old powerful magic they knew nothing of. Yes, that was the option he was most comfortable with considering.

But now what? How should he proceed from this point? He couldn't get up and from his limited view of the room he could see no one around.

"Snow?" he whispered; his voice hoarse and strained with pain. Those faint voices that seemed to be emitting from a strange shiny object on the dresser by his bed were his only reply, and he felt a hint of panic creep into his heart at that. He knew Emma had gotten away, but he knew nothing of what befell his beloved Snow White. At that thought, he felt a surge of adrenaline rise within him, giving him a moment of strength. He stretched his arm as far as it could go, until at last his hand wrapped itself securely around the object and pulled it back into his grasp. He was panting heavily, sweat dripping all over his body at the effort, and his wounds gushing blood vigorously, protesting his efforts. But he didn't mind any of it; he simply focused on the object in his hands. It didn't look like anything he had seen before, but a smooth clear object that emitted voices – that, he had heard of, although it looked nothing like he envisioned it.

He could not move, could not come to anyone. But magic mirrors could give advice, could see all. Even if he was trapped here to die in this room, perhaps he could at least have the comfort of knowing what had happened to his Snow.

Anything else? James was badly injured at the canon point he's from, and had fallen unconscious. I hope it's ok to assume that the move to Anatole woke him?