Romeo Tempus
From Changeling Venue
| Court Goodwill | |
| Autumn | |
| Spring | |
| Summer | |
| Winter | |
| Seeming | Elemental |
|---|---|
| Kith(s) | Manikin Fireheart |
| Court | Spring Court •• |
| Motley | Fairy Tails |
| Freehold | By Any Other Name |
| Player | Brady Hold |
This thing all things devours: Birds, beasts, trees, flowers; Gnaws iron, bites steel; Slays king, ruins town, And beats high mountain down.
Contents |
Overview: The clock is ticking...
Alias(es):Mr. Tempus, The Clock, Tick-Tock.
Real Name:Forgotten... I think.
Age:20 Something
Concept:Death Clock from hell!!!
Entitlement:n/a
Physical description: In any form Romeo can be seen wearing wristwatches all up and down his forearms and has pocket watches attached all over to various parts of his body. He even has one that dances with flames. If for some reason you saw him take his shirt off you would see he has two identical tattoos on the shoulder part of his arm. It is a metal gear that is on fire. He also has another tattoo of a cloud blowing a fierce wind on his left pectoral. If asked: he says he likes what he has now, but hopes to get more someday.
Mask: More man than clock. Romeo's appearance is not just presented in the way he looks, but the rest of his demeanor as well. No one has ever seen him late for anything... ever. If he is not there when he says he will be chances are he is dead. To the world at large he is six feet tall and has short brown hair, hazel eyes and a smile to calm the most savage beast.
Mien: More clock than man. When his fellow lost see his mien they see many things that are strange. The most notable trait upon first glance is his flaming hair, dancing in the element. After a few minutes however it can be noticed that when standing near him you can hear the ticking of a clock. His eyes glow blue like the base of a flame, yet upon closer inspection a clockface can be seen on his eyes. Shifting gears can be seen moving beneath his skin if you examined him closely enough. His skin glows with a luminosity similar to if you held a flashlight beneath your fingers they glow orange except for his entire skin.
Character Information: Powered by flame...
Known History: The Clock strikes...
Basic Timeline:
- 1980-ish: Born on a warm spring night as if his destiny was calling to him.
- 1996: Early in January Romeo's brother was taken away. Only to be replaced by something...different.
- 1996: Late in the year closing on sorrow and winter Romeo after months of exhaustion ans suspicion went into the Hedge looking for his brother.
- 1492: October 12th, Columbus discovers a land soon to be known as America.
- 1997-2003: Durance. ... It sucked!
- 2003: Romeo emerges from the hedge where the ticking stops and he finds he can no longer do the things he once was able to do.
- 2003: Weeks later he meets Markus and Miss Cheif, two Changelings who help Changelings fresh out of the hedge with nowhere to go, they gave him a job as a record keeper (since it was close to his skill set) at their home and club, Fairy Tails in Sacramento.
- 2004: Was seen voting, when questioned says it was for a lost bet with Elijah Cort.
- 2006: Meets DJ Static and loses a drinking contest to him. Romeo still believes he could beat him given a second chance.
- 2007: Is seen a the gathering in Nashville. He seems to have taken the pants of the loyalist and burned them. Why? He was a liar, so his pants needed to be on fire.
- 2007: Back home Romeo is said to have sold the ashes of the pants at the local Goblin Market for a shiny token. No one knows if this token has any mystical powers. Sometimes Romeo can be seen playing with the token.
Current Activities: Bringing the Lost of Sacramento together, and being a caretaker for any in need.
Background: Romeo was young when he was taken, comparatively. He was only 16. Yet the difference between Romeo and most other Changeling who make it out of Arcadia to see another day is that he went in... on purpose.
Romeo had a brother, his brothers name was Marc. Marc was short for Mercutio, their mother had a thing for Shakespeare. As the older brother Romeo felt responsible for Marc. They were siblings that loved each other rather than the common stereotype of brothers fighting all the time.
One day Marc and Romeo were playing outside. They saw some strange lights and sounds coming from beyond their perception. Marc went running off transfixed by the lights. Romeo tried to chase after him, but lost him. Marc was missing.
Hope was not lost however and after a few weeks Marc returned with little recollection of his trip. Everyone was happy. Except something was different. The same brother he once had would now snap back at him, out of no where. He began to be disrespectful of his family and even his brother. Romeo even asked Marc about their time together, and he could recall everything. His memory wasn't the problem. There was just something inherently different in Marc now. He just wasn't the same brother he grew to know and love.
Taking matters into his own hands Romeo began to go back to the places where he and his brother would hang out. Finally Romeo trekked back to the mysterious place his brother had gone missing. Romeo searched until he heard those mysterious noises and those strange lights. He saw an entrance that he had not before, he walked in. He felt as though he was falling, he braced himself but found himself standing completely safe.
Romeo had entered the hedge. A deep, dark, mysterious place. It was all so foreign to him. The thorns pricked and his mind couldn't grasp the strange wonders the befell him.
Lost in the wilderness of the hedge he found the survival instincts that helped him survive the elements. He had the biggest difficulty just adapting to the strangeness of the weather not the extremes. One minute it was hotter than death valley and then it was a murky swamp, just as quickly it could be colder than the arctic.
As does happen eventually to everyone that enters the hedge, he was captured. Dragged off to Arcadia. He put up a good fight, but he was no match for the true fae.
Once in changeling he was kept in what he considered hell. It was on fire all day all night. If there even was a night. People were being tortured left and right. The scariest stuff he had ever seen was here, did he do something wrong? Why was he here? Romeo was put to good use: as new people came in he would log them into the book he had a clock with him at all times. Eventually overtime he didn't need the clock and then the book. He grew this innate ability to remember the exact time and person that came in. Even years back.
The fae sought to put this to good use. They had a theory that they wanted to prove. If true he would be much more useful than planned. They began testing him. "When will this person die?" they asked over and over again as they brought him to new people. Romeo didn't understand what they were doing to him.
Thats when he started to hear the ticking. Like moving parts in his brain. He began to understand the entire universe and all of existence as it related to this exact moment in time. He knew when people would die.
He was unwise and told the fae of his new ability. They feared it as much as they wanted it. THey decided to use him as a new tool for torturing people in their last moments. They would train him to meet people tell them when they would die then drag them off to hell. Nothing like the direct sense of doom, paralyzing someone with fear.
Romeo did not want to be their "death clock" but as with all things, time kills all. Romeo could not stand against the force that killed kings, tourned mountains to sand, dried up oceans, and killed entire species. After much torture and pain the fae got exactly what they wanted: They trained him to tell people when they would die when he met them. It was reflexive now there was nothing he could do to help it.
Finally Romeo was sent into the rest of Arcadia to do the fae's bidding. Romeo was shocked and horrified that the first victim he would be facing would be his own brother. He was elated to see him still alive but saddened that he was stuck in Arcadia as he was.
Without hesitation the clock struck. "6 years. 3 days. 9 hours. 32 minutes." Romeo was shocked that this reflex had been trained so well into him that he couldn't even hold it back when he saw his brother. Marc was just as bewildered at Romeo's greeting as he was elated to see him. They talked and caught up.
Then romeo finally explained his new curse. Marc was shocked. They didn't know what to do. .... Marc's face lit up and he told Romeo of how he had heard reports of other people in Arcadia whom have escaped. They talked about it, and then decided now would be the best time to do it. As Romeo was away from his captors and so was Marc. They tried to escape.
It was just a quick hop skip and a jump and they were at the entrance. Almost to easy. They knew it would be a trying struggle one that would rip at their very souls. The thorns were unforgiving. They stood at the gate of a great stone maze that stretched on endlessly. The ending of the maze was possible freedom through the thorns.
Romeo and Mercutio proceeded ever so cautiously. They didn't want to waste time by moving to slow or checking every odd corner. But they couldn't be too careful. One slip and they could be impaled on spikes or stuck in the maze forever.
It wasn't long before the horn was blown, the gentry were coming. Marc and Romeo scrambled to the exit, they could see the thorns getting closer. A billowing voice came from the sky "Did you think you were not being watched? You are never safe!" Romeo and Marc finally reached the end of the maze. There was a giant door at the end. It was a heavy metal gate.
Romeo knew what had to be done, yet he couldn't bear to tell Marc. "Marc, quick get on the other side." And as quickly as Marc was on the other side. "What about you.." Romeo closed the door behind him. Saving Marc and setting him free, while Romeo was forced to bear the brunt of the Fae's attacks.
While still a Hero, he was sent back to his living hell. And tortured for what seemed like a millennium. Romeo knew however that there was hope still left in the world, if Marc could make it. Then all was well.
After time passed; as it always does; the true Fae set Romeo back on their path to making him be their harbinger of death. Ever the fighter he tried, but eventually was set out to the world.
When he told people, your going to die. They got rather defensive. Romeo was forced to hone his combat potential. A strange thing happened, when he told someone they had 6 hours to live: they fought as if well their life depended on it. Romeo was bested, he however was able to track the same person down the same evening, before his clock was up. Romeo knew instinctively his time had changed. He blurted out "6 years". naturally the man was still just as frightened by Romeo's presence as he was before. But Romeo became more vexed by this than the man was. Was it possible for someone to change their time of judgment? What had the man done in those six hours that extended his life by years.
Could this be true of all Romeo's predictions? Even Mercutio? As time went on he found that if he simply told people rather than fighting them back to hell and back, sometimes their time was changed. Some more time, others less time. It was a strange phenomenon that Romeo had no way of explaining. At first he didn't feel to bad about the job he was doing because most of the people he met were going to die anyway. But now that he knew the fates were not written in stone, it shattered his entire existence.
After some years Romeo decided to try his escape again. This time he was going to be more clever about it. He had honed his skills in larceny, he began stealing from his captors. He opened their havens when they slept at night and stole the keys that kept all the prisoners in their cages. He then honed his skill in the crafts and over time was able to cast a metal copy of the keys. Over time Romeo was able to steal and copy all the keys.
One night he unlocked all the cells and shackles while remaining clueless to the prisoners. He then rigged an alarm system of sorts involving a candle, an old sock, a rooster, rope, and a ladle. It was very complex. Romeo was sure to get out before the alarm went off. By the time he was halfway through the maze, his captors would be to busy with the pandemonium to notice 1 person gone. And even if they did they were to busy to go out and get 1 person. Tossing the keys behind him Romeo entered the thorns.
Romeo struggled as the thorns ripped him apart. He could see the light on the other side.
He made it out.
The ticking stopped. He just felt it. Gone. He no longer could tell time as it related to one person. He always knew when people would die, except for him. But now it was gone. ... In sad way Romeo almost missed it. He still would spout random times when he met people, simply as a reflex. Yet without feeling his gift of time in him anymore he knew it simply was nonsense. Or was it? Could he still be right and predicting the death of everyone her met?
Once back in the real world the life he once knew was gone completley. He tried looking for his old family, they were no where to be found. The world was different now. It didn't make sense.
In his confusion he was able to find shelter. In the name of Marcus. Marcus ran a club, that dabbled in desires of sorts. He took him in, gave him a job and cared for him. Romeo now knew that other people had gone through the same things he had gone through and some worse. They formed societies to protect themselves from the ever looming fear of the true fae that may come again someday.
Romeo chose to align himself with the spring court. He had lived a hell that he never wanted to see again, he had to fill his new life with desire and intrigue. With so much death in his past, all he wanted to do was live in the now.
Romeo worked at the faerie tales club owned by Marcus. He joined his motley. Romeo took care of all the record keeping at the club, anything of that sort of nature.
He still wonders what happened to his brother Mercutio and hopes to see him again another day.
Since Then
Romeo is very active in changeling society, and has made quite a name for himself... for well being himself.
- At the international gathering in Nashville, TN Romeo was seen grasping the pants of the loyalist. Why? When Romeo heard that a loyalist was in the midsts of the gathering and chained up and being dragged around in chains Romeo knew what had to be done for the greater good. He quickly found the Loyalist who for some reason kept proclaiming he wasn't one, maybe it's because everyone wanted to kill him. Meh go figure. He approached the loyalist and said "Excuse me, but may I have your pants?" Perplexed the loyalist replied: "What is this one last fuck before I die?" Romeo corresponded "Sir, I have no interest in having sex with you I simply want your pants." .... "ok." Some time passed and a large gather went into the hedge. There it was revealed that the loyalist was a liar. He was in fact working for the others. Romeo knew it, while more worried by the imminent threat of the others he still felt a small joy in being right that the loyalist was a liar. The now dead body was quickly taken back to the larger gather when the group was able to escape the hedge. There the body was presented before some stuffy looking people sitting at a desk somehow Romeo was sly enough to snatch the pants off the dead loyalist. Romeo carried them around as a badge of honor. Finally the time came and Romeo channeled his elemental power and used it to burn the pants of the loyalist. Proclaiming that he was a "Liar, Liar" and his pants needed to be on fire. Now with the ashes of the pants of the loyalist Romeo gathered them in a jar and took them back to Sacramento even against the winter queens wishes. He then was lucky enough to sell the ashes at the local goblin market for a shiny coin. He can still be seen playing with the coin today occasionally flicking it people. Romeo still does hope that the coin has some untapped power that he is unaware of.... but nothing yet.
- When a terrorist cell of Pirate changeling's infiltrated Sacramento the Fairy Tails motley responded with action. They no longer would take their vagrant disregard of the rules of the freehold and put the pirates in their place. Romeo and Juke worked closley together with this. The details are really boring and a sum was paid, but in the end the Pirates have sworn to the freehold and have effectively given up on the bad things they were doing. They are being watched with close scrutiny. Oh and as a sidenote be wary if a tolltaker knight calls a toll upon you for $0.25. They apparently will do that for 'first blood.'
- After Juke left him in Modesto (its okay their good buds) Romeo would have normally taken the Limo back to Sacramento but was forced to take a trod. Unfortunately Romeo isn't the best navigator through the Hedge. He got lost. It was quite a scary feeling reliving that all over again. He kept moving through the hedge searching for a way out. There was a lot of water and then the path got clearer, it seemed illuminated almost. Hesitantly Romeo followed it. He felt compelled to it, finally Romeo stepped out of a Rainbow. In Hawaii. He was confused at first but with the help of a kind old Teluric there he was able to find the local freehold society. It was very relaxing for Romeo. He rather enjoyed his stay there and was living up the power of spring. He was amazed to find the Directional courts were the norm there. He knew about the directional courts well enough as his motley mate Alex was one. Seasonal members like Romeo were not the norm. He however found an Autumn King named Baranabus and Winter Queen named Ophelia. Romeo was happy to see Ophelia. ;) However pleasing his stay was he quickly heard of changeling's inability to escape the island. All gates to and from the hedge did not work. It was a miracle that Romeo got there at all. Romeo had to say goodbye and used common travel and bought a plane ticket back home.
The Keepers
Romeo was one of those few "fortunate" Lost to have more than one keeper. It is believed that his nomadic experience in Arcadia is what makes him so different. Each one leaving their own unique mark upon him crafting him into what he is known as now. In what order they came in can be argued over but in the end is quite trivial - Chicken or egg?
The Machinist
Absorbed into the machine, Romeo believes this is where he got his mechanical nature. He was a failed prototype. Later the Machinist perfected what he wanted when he made Hush. Hush is said to be Romeo 2.0 or some kind of evolution of the mechanical nature that the Machinist preferred over Romeo. Romeo was sold by the machinist to another. Romeo later adopted more upon himself than what he left the machinist with. Is it possible he is now a better model than before?
Indrid Cold
In the land of Dreams Indrid Cold is the ruler. He constantly kept Romeo in a state of flux, Romeo still fears Indrid to the extant that he fears sleeping. As all changeling's are Oneiromancers if they so choose - Romeo has drawn away from this power and tries to never sleep. Surely thats ridiculous, yet with the help of his spring powers Romeo can stay awake for weeks on end. Indrid kept a map of all time, if this is where Romeo got his clockwork timing some may never know.
more coming soon...
Motley
The Fairy Tails Motley is a group of changeling who work and own the Fairy Tails strip club.
Groups
- The Exalted Guild of the Fae-Touched Artisans Romeo joined the group after an encounter with Malic Stitch. Romeo is an accomplished photographer in the guild.
Romeo's Gallery
Time is immutable. The one thing in the entire universe that is a constant. It ticks by at a rate of one second: by one second. It is truly impossible to change this. We are merely slaves of time and space. Romeo once saw the entire workings of time, he understood the vast beauty it had. Spring is about beauty and desire. The saddest thing about beauty is that it all fades. There is only one way to beat the system, to capture beauty in the world and to freeze time and hold on to that one moment forever.
This is why once out, Romeo took up photography. To capture the beauty in the moment, step outside of time, and be free of the shackles of time and the world around you. Romeo began with small things like a flower or a bird, but now his work can be seen all over and he frequently has exhibitions of his work. His work is also in The Exalted Guild of the Fae-Touched Artisans.
OOC: Most of these are photos that are not mine but are freely available over the internet. I always try to give credit where it's due. If you find a pretty picture go ahead and add it.
Allies and Friends
- Chavi- Met her in Nashville and was fortunate enough to receive some tattoos from her. It is rumored they give Romeo mystical protection.
- DJ Static- Good source of humor, companionship, music, and... drugs.
- Elijah Cort- I don't know if he has two backs, but he is certainly a beast.
- Cosmo- Just a big fan of the way he handles the stick and puck.
- Malic Stitch- One of Romeo's few that survived having his fate foretold. Malic is said to have changed his time somehow. Now Romeo often buys Malic's exclusive Hedgespun clothing.
- Pawn- Helped set Romeo up with a new identity when he got out.
- Jamilah Rose - She helped Romeo once out of the Hedge. She is motherley to him and teaches him many things from botany to medicine and all that jazz.
Enemies
- The True Fae.
- Loyalists.
- Privateers.
Character Inspirations
- Dr. Manhattan - From the comic series Watchmen by Alan Moore.
Transformed by the forces he worked with. Warped into a being of time and space. He understands all of existence as it happens at once, he sees it all. Yet he is so disconnected from humanity that even though he knows all, he wont stop anything. He grows increasingly disinterested in human affairs, despite his importance in the Cold War, and is unable to connect with others, especially his love interests. He doesn't understand death, as the bodies simply contain the same atoms to him. Life is something that is alien to him.
Soundtrack
- Hells Bells - AC/DC
- Prelude 12/21 - AFI
- Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd
- Bike - Pink Floyd
- Come on Closer - Jem
- Mad World - Gary Jules
- Hotel California - The Eagles
Quotes
- "Her time is almost up. The clock is ticking." -Romeo, in reference to solving the mystery behind the monarchs of Sacramento dying.
- "Tick Tock, Tick Tock, does he know how to stop?" ~Nycto Feraz
- "Wanna give me a cookie?" ~ Romeo, to a new spring motley.
Rumors
- Similar to "that time of the month" You never want to see Romeo during daylight savings time.
- Is a master of the contracts of Hours and Omen.
- Has for some reason offended a certain member of the summer court, and now he takes great pleasure in 'enraging' him into violent acts.
- Due to his cold and clockwork nature some have said the rumors are true that his keeper has ripped out his heart and replaced it with a mechanical clock. Keeping his still palpitating heart by her bedside to rouse her in the mornings as it beats ever faster due to the fear she made him feel of his 'home away from home.'
- Never sleeps. Ever.
OOC INFO
Player: Brady Hold US2007049713
Location: Sacramento, CA
"It ain't broke it simply lacks duct tape."
