`stranger in this town

[eliot greaves]

This is Eliot Greaves, a twenty year old university student at where else but the academie d'ouvard. If you have or attempted to read his history you'll notice I went maybe a little or maybe a lot into novel mode so I'll give you the summary of his history- I'll try not to write too much but I can't make promises. He was born to two crazy kids in love but eventually his father didn't want the responsibility and wanted to give Eliot up for adoption. Fortunately, his mother intervened and that was the end of that relationship. His childhood afterward was not carefree but neither was it a harsh or a pity-provoking existence. He and his mother simply moved a lot, in mostly motels until he was about the age of twelve. A year later, he was in an entirely different situation. After his mother married a lawyer, it was on to a new life where he attended a well-known private school,lived in a home many would envy and was privy to all things that comes with wealth. Money, though was not the end all to all of their problems. It brought him to his best friend and confidante who first introduced Eliot to abusing prescription pills at fifteen. Until his friend almost died of an overdose, Eliot felt he could continue and no problems would arise. After that incident he swore off the pills. However, the death of his mother two years later brought on such grief and wrath that the only option he felt he had was numb himself to the pain. At first, he took to alcohol which never leads to a good result when you're an emotional wreck like he was. Although, he vowed he'd never touch anything, he unfortunately relapsed. This time it was his step-family who recognized the signs and took the initiative to help him. Several months later, Eliot was back to being himself but the fact that he did relapse convinced him that he was not as strong as he thought he would be when it came to using again. His decision to attend the Academie came when he realized starting anew could not happen when so many memories remained in Texas. Academie d'Ouvard was far away enough and prestigious enough that it pleased both him and his step-father, a man although he never admitted it aloud considered his actual father. So now he's in France, hoping maybe this time will be different. Yes, I know it's probably the one of the longest synopsis ever but I can't help it!

Now on to Eliot's personality... Open-minded, adventurous, amicable, and genuine, Eliot's greatest strengths are in fact being the person up for a impromptu trip to Barcelona, someone without many deceptions; the person you don't need to know for long to have a good conversation with. Which is why he always found it easy to connect with others in some way whether it be minuscule or significant. Lovers are a bit tricky. There has only been one person who he's had a relationship with that did not last for mere months and even that didn't last when it was confronted by his relapse.

On the other side of the coin, Eliot's past failures has given him cynical view that mostly applies to himself. Every day he wonders if today may be the day he succumbs to his temptations and slip back into using. Besides that Eliot is blase about pretty much everything, good luck trying to get him to take things seriously when he doesn't care to or see the need to. He will never, even in a heart to heart situation ever admit to certain parts of his past. Bringing up his mother is something he would never think to do nor would he readily share information about his drug use even if it is someone who had a similar experience not only because he is not proud of it, but he doesn't want to stir up those emotions that come standard with his memories of those times.

Friends,study partners, neighbors, mutual crushes, frenemies, arch nemeses or even a stalker are needed/wanted for Eliot. I don't have any specific for him but I'd love to hear your ideas. Usually I always tend to be filled with ideas for characters even if they're not my own- so all is welcome and you never know, something awesome might come out of it. Maybe.Probably.Hopefully. (:

[myjabennett]

[eliot greaves]

all and all, eliot would think myja is this adorable and quirky person who makes him smile whenever he sees even a glimpse of her red hair.plus with them being roommates, it's a given that they'd have some type of friendly relationship. and i do like your idea. it's most likely that they could have a random conversation and it somehow ends up being about parents or whatever and maybe myja let's it slip that she has no parents and it'll give eliot some insight into who myja really is and get him interested .idk i'm a bit brain dead from this heat but i like the idea of him being buddies with someone like her. i think being around her will make him less worried about his problems and all the other crap he thinks about on a daily basis.p.s.haha, it's hard not to think so. i think it's partly- no,mainly why i picked him as eliot's pb just for those tattoos.

[myjabennett]

[holly braur]

ELIOT & HOLLY

Reading over this, I think Eliot and Holly could be friends! She too is friendly and outgoing (probably too much so, sometimes) and she loves the sound of an impromptu trip to Barcelona! She had a pretty idillic childhood - her parents were both happy and she got along well with both her older and younger brothers. The only trouble she ever really had was the death of her heart (bad break-up, messy business, you know) and the death of a grandparent.
She loves to party (I'm not sure how into that he'd be, regarding his past...) but she's got a variety of other interests - she loves music, she LOVES dancing, she reads, a lot, she has a fluffy cat named Wiggles that hates just about everyone but her and she's at the Academy for Architecture. Let me know what you think, of perhaps a friendship between the two or if you have any ideas!

<3

[caden baynham]

Hey there! I have Caden here, who is a ball of pleasant. Okay, maybe not precisely. The skinny on Caden (and I'll try to keep it short and not go off on a tangent): He grew up in Wales with his hermit-like parents and two little sisters, but moved to Paris with his family when he was fifteen, two years after his father died from drowning, where his family still lives, and where he has a night-job playing the piano at a little bar. He's very disenchanted and assumes a cynical outlook on most things, and would much rather laze in a garden chair than go out and do something, and it's not an easy task to actually get him engaged, but he is very involved in his family and in music - specifically the piano. He's candid and can be rude, without really caring if he is. And he would like to inform Eliot that he in no way understands why anyone would go to Barcelona when there's no specific reason or need to - really, will he die if he doesn't go to Barcelona? Actually, he's still a bit skeptical to the idea, and would like to ponder it a bit in his garden chair. Rest assured that he will be pondering nothing, but staring blankly off into space, and will gladly inform anyone who wonders if he actually is pondering the possibility that no, he is not. I think he'd enjoy - to a certain extent - Eliot's cynical side, and sigh tiredly at his adventurous side, at least if Eliot ever attempted to get him involved in any adventures, which I don't know if he would. I think it comes down to how Eliot would react to Caden, since Caden is far too impassive to form a strong opinion right off the bat, but he wouldn't mind him! (Impressive stuff, that.)
Let me know if you have any ideas or desires for them! I'm pretty much up for anything.

[julianna sellenger]

Hello there! I have been meaning to post in this thread for quite some time, but life has gotten ahead of me as it often tends to do. Please forgive me. I have a fair number of characters to offer you (more to come, but with uni, the transfer of them from the old site has been delayed somewhat...).

First up is Neil Balcombe. He's nineteen and attending university at the Académie. He's a responsible, fairly single-minded fellow. While he used to be a bit of a troublemaker and daredevil, he now tends to be quite cautious. The reason for this is his thirteen-month old daughter, Peyton, who he took sole care of when her mother (after giving birth upon his insistence when she wished to have an abortion) walked out on them both. He's just a bit jaded from this, and occasionally acts more like an old man than a teenager, but he tends to be a fun-loving fellow. He loves to laugh and is generally happy, so long as Peyton is safe and also happy.

Next would be Lucas Murray. He is eighteen and in his final year of secondary. His family moved to France not long ago after he was signed as a model. With twelve children, the youngest of which is only four now, it was too difficult for his mother to travel back and forth with him, and his parents didn't want him going off alone. So, they packed up the family and moved. As it was, they were all in need of a change anyway after the death of Lucas's twin. His oldest siblings stayed in America, where he grew up, but the rest of them moved. Luc, overall, is rather broody and errs toward the side of ridiculous responsibility. In addition to being very studious and rather introverted, prone to have his nose in a book at any given moment, he takes the well-being and happiness of his family to be his responsibility. He would bend over backwards, so to speak, in order to make them happy once more. As it is, he is barely able to hold them together. He is not very expressive with his emotions, tending to remain withdrawn. He can be irritable at times, and will occasionally express this, but is an overall pleasant fellow, simply quiet and very reserved.

Julianna Sellenger... oh dear... where to even begin...
She is the most broken of my characters, without doubt. I hesitate to plot her with anyone because of how broken and difficult she is. She was born and raised in France. Her mother died during childbirth, leaving her with a guilt she bore even as a child. She felt somehow responsible for her father's moments of sadness, though he was a generally happy, fun-loving man. She learned early on to do what she could to please him (and others), finding that this pleased her as well as them. She was also very invested in art from the moment she was old enough to hold onto a crayon or any other tool. After her father died when she was ten, she and her older brother, Jared, moved to Paris to live with their aunt and uncle. Julianna became even more reserved and helpful, also throwing herself into her art with renewed fervour. Her cousin sexually abused her for a few years rather regularly, until Jared was shipped off to the academy and she insisted on going with him. At this point, Raymond only bothered her on trips home, which she made sure were infrequent. When she was fifteen (yes, it does go on... because I am an awful person) her brother died in the Paris earthquake. After this, she gave up her art and completely withdrew herself from everyone around her. Especially after Raymond sought her out and ended up physically hurting her, she determined that she was simply not worth anyone's time and fell into a pattern of pushing her closest friends away. So... Juli is just slightly unplottable because she is so withdrawn. But, if you have any ideas, just let me know.

Alexia Kingston is twenty-one and attending university. She was very responsible as a child, having been forced to take care of her mother during this time. Her father was never very present in her life, but disappeared altogether when she was five. Her mother was incredibly irresponsible, preferring to follow her whims rather than take care of her daughter or hold a steady job. Alexia, in some ways, became the adult figure at an early age. After meeting her best friend when she was thirteen, she began to open up more, learn to have fun and such. When she was sixteen, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She spent the next two years in and out of hospitals, convinced that she was going to die. Of course, she didn't, and ended up deciding that life was too short to waste it away being cautious. She came up with a "bucket list", and makes a point of taking one item off the list every day. (She adds items as well.) She moved from England to France for uni after a trip there with her best friend. Now, she remains quite adventurous and spontaneous. She loves to have fun and smile. However, she tries to keep herself distant from others, at least emotionally, in case she should come out of remission. Her greatest fear is leaving someone she loves in pain.

Last but not least is Ewan. He is twenty-five and works as a butcher in St. Michel. He moved there recently after falling in love with the town on a business trip for his father. His wife died only about a year ago, leaving him a very young widow. He has always been a quiet, inquisitive fellow, but can be very fun at times as well. Alternately, he is also a bit cynical and jaded, depending on his mood. He became extremely reserved after Camilla's death, as he spent the second half of his life (with his father, after moving from his mother's house in a nearby town on his own choice and their approval) in a rather small town. He couldn't stand the pressure of everyone watching him and pitying him. Now, however, he is coming more out of his shell once more, being that inquisitive, kind-hearted fellow he always has been.

That's it in general! Feel free to read their apps or plot threads for more info. =)

[eliot greaves]

it's official I'm am so terrible at responding. I am so so sorry but life has the habit of being distracting if its not one thing it's another, you know. But hopefully this is the last time I'll be mia for long since i gotten used to the idea of school but sorry again guys.

Holly & E-money. Of course Eliot and Holly should be friends, it would be a travesty if they weren’t. I mean Holly is exactly the type of person who Eliot would be really good friends with . She’s friendly and outgoing, and so is he. They’re both spontaneous people who would travel to Barcelona on a whim so this only strengthens the argument that they can be friends. And yeah Eliot did not so great of a past as far as his issues with prescription pills and then with his mom, but Holly will probably never really see it. So if there is a party and Holly is involved, it’s a sure bet that Eliot will probably be tagging along. As far as their relationship goes I think for now friends is good although I’ve had a long time to think about it. Like most of my ideas, I’ll probably spontaneously think of an idea one random day and share it with you.

Eliot & Caden I love Caden, he’s just this awesome ball of cynicism. Despite this I think Eliot will think the same too. He might not adore Caden but he’ll definitely find Caden amusing. He’ll only laugh at his candidness and shrug off his rudeness. If Caden cynically wonders why would anyone want to go to Barcelona, Eliot would retort is there any reason that Caden has to ponder on his garden chair? Does his thoughts come to him better on a garden chair? Why not the ground or perhaps a bench? Although Eliot is new to the whole school of cynicism I think they’ll get along fine, quite well actually. Caden is different than most people that Eliot tended to hang out with back in the States. And like I said, he finds Caden’s personality amusing and will enjoy trying to get him to do some adventurous things like take a trip and debate with him until he agrees which I imagine would make some interesting conversations . So yup those are my ideas.

Neil. In most cases, Eliot has a habit of bringing out the more reckless, fun-loving side out of people. The magic of peer pressure but in this case, maybe it's better that Neil is the one to influence Eliot and maybe a little bit around but mostly I'd see Eliot changing to be a little more mature then he usually is because of Neil. We can't have Eliot getting too crazy. I think it would be so funny that if they hang out along with Peyton.But I wouldn't trust him to babysit. It would definitely be an experience for Eliot especially since he can be a child himself. But at least they'd be good for each other.

Lucas. Not really sure if these two would be friends. Acquaintances, maybe??? Don't really know. Lucas might roll his eyes at Eliot and his Eliotness. (:

Julianna. It’s not hard to feel bad for Juli and when I was thinking of a plot with Juli, I didn’t think of Eliot at all or of Rose, my other character. Though Rose will probably be interested in Juli for the sake of her book which kinda sounds bad, but that‘s Rose. But my point in this was that I have another character in the works in fact the first person I thought of plotting her with was Juli. But when I done with her, we’ll talk more yes?! But with Eliot, he’s the type of person who would take an interest of anyone unless they’re terribly arrogant or horrible which Julianne definitely isn’t but Juli does push friends away so I maybe it’ll just be my other character for now. Sorry for my rambling.

Alexia. I love the fact that she has a bucket list and no, it’s not because of this that I figure Eliot and Alexia could and should be friends. After everything that’s happened to him, meeting someone like Alexia who decided to take hold of her life after a traumatic time in her life ,would definitely totally give him respect for her. I don’t even know if she would tell him about her bout with cancer but even if she didn’t he’d admire regardless for being so adventurous. Adventurous people always get love for Eliot. He would probably volunteer to help her complete her bucket list items and even suggest things . Or if they’re in the mood, they could try and drag Caden to be adventurous with them, yes? But out of everyone he knows, Alexia may be the sole person he might consider revealing a bit of the bad parts of his past. Idk, I just see that being something that her being who she is would be able to extract that out of him. So whatdya think?

Ewan.Probably the only time their paths would pass if Eliot decides to go to the butcher which would be unlikely. So those are all of my ideas though I might have more in the future.

[julianna sellenger]

Neil & Eliot
Neil would find him refreshing, I think. He'd remind him of some of his old friends, and Neil would happily reminisce... while simultaneously reminding himself to be responsible for Peyton. And he would be. I think it would be fun also for the three of them to spend time together. Likely as well, as Neil is never without his daughter, if he can help it. As for baby-sitting, no worries there! Neil is extremely picky on this front, and generally relies on his parents when he really needs a sitter, though then do live in Paris, so it's a bit of a trip. Any students that he trusted would have to be VERY responsible and he'd have to know them quite well. He's a bit over protective, you know?

Lucas & Eliot
I think you are probably correct here. I don't see them becoming the best of friends, really.

Julianna & Eliot
I would love to hear about this new character, or see her once you are finished. Juli can be quite difficult to plot, so any and all ideas are welcome!

Alexia & Eliot
I really love the idea of these two. She isn't very secretive about her cancer, but she doesn't bring it up out of the blue either. It might come up somehow, and she would have no qualms telling him in this case. She probably would not share her fears about relapsing and leaving people behind, though. That's something she tends to keep to herself. I think they would have great adventures together, and could possibly become good friends. She is up for dragging Caden along as well. xD And, if he opened up to her, she would listen... though she would never ask him to or try to pressure him.

Ewan & Eliot
We'll keep him on the shelf, then, in case something comes up.

[eliot greaves]

Neil && Eliot. Neil, Peyton, and Eliot- love that picture. I like it so much because it would be something totally different for Eliot. And that's what Eliot is, an amusing person. But they could also hang out of this arrangement, like if Eliot suddenly decides they should just go clubbing in Paris and be wild and free. It wouldn't be planned, just a spur of the moment outing or something. And they'd just have a short adventure that they could tell when surronded by their buddies, the whole male bonding thing. So yeah.

Juli && my mystery girl. And I can’t wait to share her with you! I have her completely formed in my mind and all that remains is picking a pb really. I’ll probably be able to tell you more on aim, so my aim is megthethird. And whenever I’m on we can just chat about it. (:

Alexia && Eli. So do I! Good friends some really good but the more I think of them, the more ideas that I find are stewing in my mind right now. Like right at this moment these ideas strike me. I was simply thinking how Eliot's probably sharing of certain things in his past leads to Eliot seeing Alexia differently, you know? Idk, I'd have to explain it with rapid im messages for me to make it coherent. Sorry for leaving open ended but my mind is just thinking of sleep at this moment.

[callum lamontagne]

Hahahaha, I love Eliot turning the tables on Caden with logical questions XDD I can imagine Caden's reaction to him a lot of the time would be a sigh and an incredulous "Eliot. Please." as though he's just being ridiculous (when really, Caden is probably being the ridiculous one). If prompted to, though, he would argue that the garden chair is FAR preferable to benches and the ground, but he'd probably have to drag every single word out of him, with Caden sighing with exasperation over and over XD I think they could be REALLY amusing together, really!

I also have Callum Lamontagne now to offer you, though! He grew up in England, but moved to the US when he was seven, and this is his second year at the academy. He's veeery adventurous and really can't stand to stay in the same place for too long without some new experiences thrown in to mix things up, and he's extremely curious and has a hunger for knowledge and experience - even the negative experiences. He's mellow and unflappable, but rather eclectic and random, with sudden bursts of creativity and energy that usually result in absurd behaviour and general climbing of things (he likes climbing things). He also has a pretty analytical mind, and his field of choice is engineering, which he has a tendency to obsess over. He's also really fascinated with people, though, and really loves to be around them and meet new people. He goes with the flow and just likes to see where life takes him, and can be pretty reckless in most aspects of his life. He's also flirtatious, and entertains a practice of dating multiple people at once - very openly, of course. Annnnd I think he'd adore Eliot and see him as a kindred spirit! He loves impromptu trips to places and adventurous, open-minded people. That Eliot in addition has that cynical side would really interest Callum, though, and I think it would be very likely for Callum grow to care quite a bit for Eliot. Just let me know what you think!

Oh, and if you want to talk about stuff like this on AIM, my sn is vikingbirthe

[eva garnet]

Neil & Eliot
It all sounds great. A little spur of the moment would be good for him. Though... he might fight it.

We'll discuss the rest on AIM? =)

[eliot greaves]

CadenXD. Just thinking about future arguments/ mock debates between Caden and Eliot brings a smile to my face. So we have to do something for them even if it’s a phone convo or an IM thread. Whichever and whatever comes to mind I guess.

Callum Cal would definitely remind Eliot of his old friends back home, especially his best friend who was super adventurous and enlisted Eliot as his partner in crime in all of his crazy schemes. They could be kindred spirit based on their free-spirited attitudes. I kinda love the idea of them just like I like Caden and Eliot who are opposites but then we have Callum and Eliot who are very similar. In the beginning Eliot would probably find him interesting but later on see him as a good friend. Maybe talk more on aim?

[callum lamontagne]

Hahaha, an IM or phone convo thread between Caden and Eliot sounds like loads of fun! If Eliot would be likely to call Caden, it could be a phone thing, and Caden is likely to sit around (probably in someone's way) with a computer on his lap and doing aimless chatting... XD

Yay friends for Callum and Eliot! Definitely talk more on AIM!