CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONS: HARD MODE
1. Does your character have siblings or family members in their age group? Which one are they closest with?
Alexandra: "My brother is about 8 years older than me and I don't have any cousins, unfortunately. We were never close, but he always looked out for me."
Cassandra: "David isn't really a family member, but he was a family-friend? But he isn't part of my family. His mom is just tight with my mom… So yeah, no."
2. What is/was your character's relationship with their mother like?
Alexandra: "I remember my mom being very sweet on me. She used to read to me often and she was always kind. She was the devil if you disobeyed her, though." *laugh* "I was upset when she passed away. I still miss her from time to time."
Cassandra: "My relationship with my mother is… Strained. We're on good terms, but we don't talk. She was always sweet to me, but she was very cautious and I think that messed me up."
3. What is/was your character's relationship with their father like?
Alexandra: "My father once screamed at a colleague that told him that I should "learn my place." It's quite a good relationship, I think! I love Father very much."
Cassandra: "Same with my mom. I think he instilled a lot of good morals in me, but he didn't like it if I ventured too far out."
4. Has your character ever witnessed something that fundamentally changed them? If so, does anyone else know?
Alexandra: "When Edward came back from the war… I was devastated. He was so shaken, afraid, and reclusive. Yes, he looked scary, but it was only at first! He's still my brother. The war didn't take my brother, but it didn't give him back, either."
5. On an average day, what can be found in your character's pockets?
Alexandra: "Probably some matches, lipstick, and a hankercheif."
Cassandra: "A tumbled garnet stone and jade stone. Oh, and some mint leaves and peppermint! I could go through my purse, but it wouldn't be the same."
6. Does your character have recurring themes in their dreams?
Alexandra: "I see a lot of trees in my dreams. That, or I'm back in New York or Cairo. Sometimes I'm in a field or a park."
Cassandra: "Uh, I don't think I have dreams as much as I do nightmares?"
7. Does your character have recurring themes in their nightmares?
Alexandra: "In frightening dreams, there are a lot of shadows and moonlight. Sometimes I'm in a tomb and the bodies come back to life."
Cassandra: "Oh god, yes. I keep seeing shadow people when I suffer from sleep paralysis. Sometimes I dream that I'm walking down the road at night, and I wake up afraid that I've been sleepwalking again."
8. Has your character ever fired a gun? If so, what was their first target?
Alexandra: "Father once had me shoot a gun when I was twelve! I aimed for a hawk that kept going for the crows, but I hit a tree branch instead."
Cassandra: "WHY THE FUCK WOULD I HOLD A GU- Oh right, guns are legal everywhere else except for California. Haha, yeah, no. I'm never touching a gun."
9. Is your character's current socioeconomic status different than it was when they were growing up?
Alexandra: "I understand that means are tighter, but it's all just business, really. Now the main difference is that I'll be running things."
Cassandra: "I don't think it has changed, honestly. The only difference is that I live on my own and not with bunches of other people."
10. Does your character feel more comfortable with more clothing, or with less clothing?
Alexandra: "More clothing, unless I'm at a speakeasy."
Cassandra: "More clothes, 100%."
11. In what situation was your character the most afraid they've ever been?
Alexandra: "When my mother died, when I almost fell in front of a train in New York, when I almost died from heat stroke in Cairo, when Edward left for the war, when Edward came back to the war, when I thought the Beast was going to kill my father and brother…"
Cassandra: "I once thought that kids at school actually thought that I was a witch, I once almost drowned, when Helena died…"
12. In what situation was your character the most calm they've ever been?
Alexandra: "My boat ride back from Cairo was strangely calm. I quite enjoyed being at sea."
Cassandra: "I find myself at peace whenever I do yoga. I understand that it's a very hippy thing, but I think it gives me something to focus on."
13. Is your character bothered by the sight of blood? If so, in what way?
Alexandra: "PFFFFFT, blood. Please. I suffer from "flea bites" once a month, you know."
Cassandra: "Well, I don't like gore."
14. Does your character remember names or faces easier?
Alexandra: "I would think both, honestly."
Cassandra: "Neither are an issue for me."
15. Is your character preoccupied with money or material possession? Why or why not?
Alexandra: "God, I would hope not. I realize that I do have a lot more than most these days."
Cassandra: "I don't think so. I make a good amount of money for myself and I'm really proud of what I do."
16. Which does your character idealize most: happiness or success?
Alexandra: "Success of sorts can bring one happiness."
Cassandra: "You can't really obtain happiness. It just comes to you."
17. What was your character's favorite toy as a child?
Alexandra: "I had some beautiful dolls, but I loved books the most. I once got a hold of a gardening shovel and had a lot of fun digging!"
Cassandra: "I didn't have a lot of toys, really. I jumped around and did things like gymnastics."
18. Is your character more likely to admire wisdom, or ambition in others?
Alexandra: "I equally admire both."
Cassandra: "I admire wisdom the most."
19. What is your character's biggest relationship flaw? Has this flaw destroyed relationships for them before?
Alexandra: "I think… I think I get too hopeful. That is my biggest flaw."
Cassandra: "I… Um… I'm sure that I can be a little harsh. I broke up with someone that I loved very much because I knew it wasn't meant to be."
20. In what ways does your character compare themselves to others? Do they do this for the sake of self-validation, or self-criticism?
Alexandra: "Well, I don't need to compare myself to anyone."
Cassandra: "I find myself comparing myself a lot to my friend Emily. She's very sweet and open; I want to be able to share my life as easily as she does."
21. If something tragic or negative happens to your character, do they believe they may have caused or deserved it, or are they quick to blame others?
Alexandra: "I will admit that there is a lot that I have done that has caused me strife. Many of my misgivings have been my own fault. I don't feel better about things, but I have to take responsibility for my own actions."
Cassandra: "I think there are two sides to every story, but I'm not about to just deny stuff that I've done! Like, if someone tells me something is wrong, I'll own up to it. Still, I don't know if I deserve… What's happening right now."
22. What does your character like in other people?
Alexandra: "I value valor, intelligence… And lately, kindness. But anyone that has a good story will always have my ears."
Cassandra: "I like it when people show understanding, even when they don't ask questions. I think it's a sign of kindness that is very under-valued."
23. What does your character dislike in other people?
Alexandra: "I don't like… Well, I am a lady, but my sex does not determine if I am weak or not!"
Cassandra: "I hate it when people overstep boundaries. Ugh. Just… Ugh."
24. How quick is your character to trust someone else?
Alexandra: "I would say that I approach people with a cautious optimism."
Cassandra: "Not at all, no way."
25. How quick is your character to suspect someone else? Does this change if they are close with that person?
Alexandra: "I am very observant, so I'll notice things before they do."
Cassandra: "I kind of always have to be on alert. It comes with the whole territory of being me, you know?"
26. How does your character behave around children?
Alexandra: "Children are darling! Their minds are so open and they're always to eager to ask questions, when allowed."
Cassandra: "Kids are cute when they're young and not mine!" *laughs* "I always try to be sweet to kids."
27. How does your character normally deal with confrontation?
Alexandra: "I think I deal with it… Quietly."
Cassandra: "I admit that I still have trouble with it, but I have gotten better over the years. I still get a little nervous, though. It's hard!"
28. How quick or slow is your character to resort to physical violence in a confrontation?
Alexandra: "I'd much rather not use violence of any sort! Goodness!"
Cassandra: "If I'm threatened for my life or backed up, fuck everything. I'm going for their eyes and their teeth. I'll punch a hole through their sternum. I don't give a fuck."
29. What did your character dream of being or doing as a child? Did that dream come true?
Alexandra: "You know, I wanted to explore new places when I was a child. I was able to do that!"
Cassandra: "I… This sounds pathetic, but I just wanted a normal life where I could be free."
30. What does your character find repulsive or disgusting?
Alexandra: "I can't stand leeks or onions."
Cassandra: "I really don't like meat. Like, I feel like I should have been over a vegetarian diet when I left my coven, but meat… Just… Grosses me out."
31. Describe a scenario in which your character feels most comfortable.
Alexandra: "In an arm chair with a drink or cup of tea and swapping conversation with an interesting person."
Cassandra: "Sitting at home or in a park when it's quiet."
32. Describe a scenario in which your character feels most uncomfortable.
Alexandra: "Debutant balls."
Cassandra: "Gross and loud clubs."
33. In the face of criticism, is your character defensive, self-deprecating, or willing to improve?
Alexandra: "… I'm defensive, I'll admit, but I'm always willing to be better!"
Cassandra: "I want to improve… But I'll admit that I may put myself down first."
34. Is your character more likely to keep trying a solution/method that didn't work the first time, or immediately move on to a different solution/method?
Alexandra: "I may try once or twice more."
Cassandra: "I'll typically try again."
35. How does your character behave around people they like?
Alexandra: "I'll chat them up, of course! I'm happy they're around—why wouldn't I want to see how they are or what they're thinking?"
Cassandra: "I tend to be mom-ish. I can't help it! I just want to take care of them!"
36. How does your character behave around people they dislike?
Alexandra: "I try to be cordial. Well, I try."
Cassandra: "I don't even fucking bother, dude."
37. Is your character more concerned with defending their honor, or protecting their status?
Alexandra: "My honor is directly connected to my family. I'll protect it with all of my life."
Cassandra: "I don't know if there's an honor or status to protect? Well, I have to protect the fact that I'm a witch."
38. Is your character more likely to remove a problem/threat, or remove themselves from a problem/threat?
Alexandra: "I will remove a threat."
Cassandra: "I used to run away. Not any more."
39. Has your character ever been bitten by an animal? How were they affected (or unaffected)?
Alexandra: "Fortunately, no."
Cassandra: "I haven't, actually."
40. How does your character treat people in service jobs?
Alexandra: "Well, they're doing me of service. I would hope that they're treated well!"
Cassandra: "People that are rude to waiters or waitresses piss me off."
41. Does your character feel that they deserve to have what they want, whether it be material or abstract, or do they feel they must earn it first?
Alexandra: "If I worked for it, then I should have it."
Cassandra: "I don't take anything that I didn't earn."
42. Has your character ever had a parental figure who was not related to them?
Alexandra: "Not that I can recall, no. I was always lucky to have father."
Cassandra: "No, but my dad was always a good dad, despite his issues."
43. Has your character ever had a dependent figure who was not related to them?
(Nada for both)
44. How easy or difficult is it for your character to say "I love you?" Can they say it without meaning it?
Alexandra: "If I mean it, I will certainly say it."
Cassandra: "I think it would be harder for me to say if I didn't feel it."
45. What does your character believe will happen to them after they die? Does this belief scare them?
Alexandra: "Death doesn't scare me, honestly. I hope that my choices will allow me to leave my family behind with good means."
Cassandra: "I'm not afraid of dying as much as I am afraid of how I will die. There will be several things that happen when I do die, though. It's difficult to explain."