Isabella continued

1. Does your character have siblings or family members in their age group? Which one are they closest with?

She had a sister a year younger than herself, but around the age of eight, she vanished. Her parents told her that someone took her to a better place. To this day she doesn't know if her sister was sold or simply died and they didn't have the heart to tell her. In any case it was so long ago that it's long been put of her mind, and she hasn't deigned to dredge up old, painful memories.

2. What is/was your character’s relationship with their mother like?

Isabella often worked alongside her mother in the textile factory - she was taught the ins and outs of sewing and expected to keep an adult's pace - though the latter bit was no fault of her mother's. They have been on friendly enough terms, though their relationship was strained briefly during the time that Isabella received Peitho and announced her intent to quit her job and take a loan.

3. What is/was your character’s relationship with their father like?

As her father was a con artist struggling to help them get by, her feelings towards her father are mixed. She considers what he did to be worse than thievery - at least thievery is honest to your face and doesn't wear a smile - but at the same time, he was trying to support their family. To this day, she grants her parents a small piece of property with their needs taken care of, but on the condition that her father volunteer for charity work of her choosing.

4. Has your character ever witnessed something that fundamentally changed them? If so, does anyone else know?

At first, Isabella's reputation as an employer was one of compassion and forgiveness - Slow to anger and reluctant to punish - but when she witnessed first hand one of her own factory's managers beating a worker for some perceived offense, her demeanor quickly changed to that of the 'iron doe' she now has a reputation for being, and the manager was flogged by Isabella in front of the entire factory. Her strictness now knows few limits for the privileged among her workers and she is a harsh taskmaster. Now few dare to cross her, less they bring her hand down on them.

5. On an average day, what can be found in your character’s pockets?

A box of matches, assorted coins from several countries, a passport, several hundred lira, and a gold plated pen.

6. Does your character have recurring themes in their dreams?

Her dreams are often romantic in nature but leaving her melancholy on waking.

7. Does your character have recurring themes in their nightmares?

The sensation of drowning in an ice cold lake, coughing and sputtering for the surface. A hand reaches down to lift her out, then laughs as it withdraws and she sinks under.

8. Has your character ever fired a gun? If so, what was their first target?

Farfetch'd! A business acquaintance offered to take her on a hunting trip, and she accepted. She missed the duck, unfortunately.

9. Is your character’s current socioeconomic status different than it was when they were growing up?

I see you haven't been paying attention! Born a pauper, now a member of the social elite, her background remains a mystery to most of her peers, often leading to speculation. She has bribed officials before to mask the details of her childhood, and paperwork has been forged to imply she may be the bastard daughter of a now dead banking mogul.

8. Does your character feel more comfortable with more clothing, or with less clothing?

More is better. She revels in clothing, especially her own designs. Hats, gloves, jewelry, expensive dresses and more.

9. In what situation was your character the most afraid they’ve ever been?

Possibly when she applied for the loan that would allow her to break through the dirt ceiling between poverty and the world beyond. What if she was rejected? What if her investments didn't pay off? It was a terrifying time in her life.

10. In what situation was your character the most calm they’ve ever been?

Probably the first time she stood on the observing platform in her first purchased factory, looking down on what she now owned and the instrument of change that was now within her grasp.

11. Is your character bothered by the sight of blood? If so, in what way?

Yes. It's terribly difficult to clean out of clothes.

12. Does your character remember names or faces easier?

Faces by far. Names are a simply a descriptive label one applies to themselves, while faces are far more indicative of a person.

12. Is your character preoccupied with money or material possession? Why or why not?

She hoards wealth and is constantly making new acquisitions and investments to further her gains. In her eyes, while ideas and ideals are nice to have, money is the lifeblood that fuels the change she desires - and what she keeps, she tends to spoil herself with luxuries.

Money is the power to create action through motivation. The more she uses that in a positive way, the more positive effects on the community, or so she thinks. And for what's left, why shouldn't she reward herself?

13. Which does your character idealize most: happiness or success?

She has trouble differentiating the two. To her, if you're not happy, then you are not necessarily successful.

14. What was your character’s favorite toy as a child?

A cloth doll she fashioned with ruined scraps of fabric discarded to the factory floor.

15. Is your character more likely to admire wisdom, or ambition in others?

Ambition. Wisdom is for those who have already achieved success. Ambition is the ladder you climb to reach it. Wisdom in the absence of ambition is simply arrogance.

16. What is your character’s biggest relationship flaw? Has this flaw destroyed relationships for them before?

She tends to be cold, detached, snarky, or over-assertive at times, which has caused her to be abrasive to others. She has had many relationships, but almost none of them seem to last.

17. In what ways does your character compare themselves to others? Do they do this for the sake of self-validation, or self-criticism?

She tends to look at a person's status and what they're doing with themselves. Those who do a lot with only a little earn her highest regards and she likes to think herself among those ranks. She considers herself superior to her peers in high society who merely inherited their wealth and in that case it can be a form of self validation.

18.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?

Credit where credit is due. Karma doesn't exist. If a thief steals your best jewels, it's because you were careless, not because you deserved it. If you invest in a company that fails, then your own judgement is to blame. In general, however, the world is a massive chaotic ball of actions and reactions. You cannot possibly blame yourself for every ill that befalls you.

19. What does your character like in other people?

She likes decisiveness, compassion, and generosity. She also adores clever and witty behavior.

20. What does your character dislike in other people?

She abhors greed for the sake of itself, arrogance without merit, or dismissal of the underprivileged.

21. How quick is your character to trust someone else?

She takes at least some time to judge a person's character, no man can have their heart laid bare in a day.

22. How quick is your character to suspect someone else? Does this change if they are close with that person?

Depends on the evidence against them. Accusations without merit are poison, but so is blind trust. If something seems likely, she's quick to suspect unless given reason otherwise.

23. How does your character behave around children?

Children are among her favorite people, and she'll often gifts nearby for those she feels deserving. Snotty kids, on the other hand, she treats with the unbiased sternness of a schoolteacher.

24. How does your character normally deal with confrontation?

In social situations, she opts to use her leverage decisively. If she's outmaneuvered completely, however, and she has a low opinion of the one who has bested her, she may arrange for misfortune to come their way afterward.

In a physical confrontation, she's content to let her bodyguards or Pokemon handle things first, keeping a reserved but alert watch on the battlefield. If pressed, she retaliates with a viciousness that doesn't become a lady.

25. How quick or slow is your character to resort to physical violence in a confrontation?

She will always defend herself without hesitation - though her personal involvement is something she carefully weighs as a battle moves on.

26. What did your character dream of being or doing as a child? Did that dream come true?

I think I've answered this! It's pretty much the point of the character, right?

27. What does your character find repulsive or disgusting?

Abuse of power, especially if it involves mistreatment and especially unwanted sexual advances.

28. Describe a scenario in which your character feels most comfortable.

Navigating a social gathering, clad in her best makeup and clothing designs, casually getting a read of everyone in the room and plotting how to best make new contacts and leverage her assets for favorable propositions.

29. Describe a scenario in which your character feels most uncomfortable.

Sudden disasters. A wrecked train, a sinking ship. A place you can't make plans for.

30. In the face of criticism, is your character defensive, self-deprecating, or willing to improve?

If she doesn't feel the criticism is warranted, her most likely reaction is flat dismissal or ridicule. However, if a problem is brought up that she recognizes, she's willing to try and improve.

31. 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?

Contingencies on contingencies, on contingencies. To succeed is not to foolishly call time and time again and hope for luck. Improvise and surprise yourself. Adapt or die.

32. How does your character behave around people they like?

She's surprisingly warm, letting her outward steel exterior fall away, even showing weakness. She tends to be generous, spoiling them with her wealth much as she does herself.

33. How does your character behave around people they dislike?

Passive aggressive, dismissive, sarcastic, or sometimes outright hostile. She is not beyond petty vengeance, either.

34. Is your character more concerned with defending their honor, or protecting their status?

Honor? Isabella is willing to be underhanded if it means securing what she considers to be a victory for the greater good. She protects her reputation as much as she can, but her status is the more ironclad. In the end, it doesn't matter as much if someone doesn't like you, as long as they fear or respect you. And she knows that often the poor get no respect.

35. Is your character more likely to remove a problem/threat, or remove themselves from a problem/threat?

Problems left unchecked are simply liabilities. They must be dealt with.

36. Has your character ever been bitten by an animal? How were they affected (or unaffected)?

I'm sure she was bitten by rattatas or insects or something as a kid, it was a pretty shitty neighborhood. You got used to shit like that.

37. How does your character treat people in service jobs?

Like old friends. She's patient, tips generously, and even arranges gifts to be delivered for those who perform an outstanding job. Anyone in her company who mistreats service employees is immediately escorted out of the establishment by big burly men who suddenly found themselves a bit richer.

38. 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?

Of course she deserves it. Hasn't she already earned it? She continues to do so even now.

39. Has your character ever had a parental figure who was not related to them?

Peitho could possibly count. She spent a great deal of time bonding with the bug, who taught her much about social intrigue.

40. Has your character ever had a dependent figure who was not related to them?

Thankfully no.

41. How easy or difficult is it for your character to say “I love you?” Can they say it without meaning it?

She has difficulties saying it. It's one of the final gates she's barred shut on her heart, and to get to that point she must well and truly be in love. Even someone of her guile would stumble over those words if she were to fake it.

42. What does your character believe will happen to them after they die? Does this belief scare them?

You get buried and then you rot, leaving behind only memories and your life's works. Her disdain of fate is also a disdain for religion, and she sees her eventual death as a challenge to overcome. A high score to reach. She intends to leave behind a beautiful legacy.