OUT of CHARACTER


Name: Ema

Other characters: Revas Tabris


IN CHARACTER


Name: Rochelle

Alias: None

Fandom: Left 4 Dead 2

Canon point/AU: Right after the end of the game

Journal: somegrimshit

PB: Rochelle, possibly Shanola Hampton, her face model, as well.

Age: 29 years old.

History: [Rochelle's wiki page]

Presentation: One of the first things noticable about Rochelle is her ability to remain level-headed in rough situations. While she is clearly shocked and horrified by the apocalypse raging on around her, she manages to keep herself together, and thinking clear. She's rarely seen in game yelling, and the first time she faces zombies, she seems to be more in disbelief at the absurdity of it ("Okay, now I'm killing zombies") than actual fear. Her first goal is usually to assess the situation--Which she is realistic about, making it clear when she believes that the chances of the group is not looking good. She'll then try to make a plan, taking into account the information, and what would be the best path to survival.

One of the few times that she looses her cool is when her teammates go down. She cares for all of her teammates, and treats them with care. Her kindness is repaid by her being the only one among them who seems to get along with everyone. Her good attitude doesn't just win friends with her teammates, Rochelle generally tends to get along with everyone they meet along the way (as seen with her general friendliness among the survivors of the original L4D). She tries to take others into consideration as they move along--encouraging the group as they go along, and takes on a nurturing role, reminding them of what they're slogging around for, and mentioning places in New Orleans that all of them are looking forward to.

Rochelle has a sharp sense of humor, that's not afraid to dip into the morbid side of things--Hardly surprising, considering the world falling down around her. She's quick to deliver sarcastic remarks, but isn't afraid to throw in more light-hearted jokes, either ("Axe me a question, I dare you"). She enjoys it when other people pick up on this humor, and joke back with her. She does not, however, appreciate humor that insults other people, and when someone (Nick) picks at other people, she's quick to respond with biting words of her own.

She is not one to hold back on her opinions, though she'll usually try to soften the blow if they're aimed at other people. When Ellis is getting too chatty, she's the one who politely suggests that this really isn't the best time for a Keith story, but she is sure to let everyone know just how she feels about inanimate objects, pop culture icons in the south, and their general situation. Rochelle does not take shit, and will not allow anyone to try giving it to her. She's got a line she tolerates, and those who are getting close will be told in certain terms.

Her praise comes as quickly as her criticism, and Rochelle is free with her compliments, never one to hold back on what others have done well.

Rochelle is a practical person, but she still pays mind to some things that others might consider frivolous, trying to take good care of herself and her appearance, despite the situation. She would never do anything that threatened her life, health, or other people in order to try to maintain her appearance. She will, however, grouse about situations that are gross and dirty--Being vomited on by boomers, and wading around in waist deep muck, for instance.

Motivations: When the zombie apocalypse first broke out, Rochelle's first thought was this is my break. She took a news crew and went straight to one of the major evacuation centers. That gives a little information on what kind of motivation Rochelle feels in general. She's enterprising, creative, and not afraid to get messy in order to get her goals accomplished. Even as she chugs along, through mud and worse, pursued by zombies, she doesn't forget her goals, wondering what kind of story this is going to make, when she's finally out.

She cares about others, and will protect them--going after her friends when they fall down, shooting any hunter, spitter, or jockey that comes after them. When they fall, she's right there to pick them up, with encouraging words, and just as quick to patch them up. She'll protect her friends at the risk of her own health, though whether or not she'd lay down her life is another question.

Rochelle is definitely propelled by her own survival, though she isn't ruthless. She'll put the good of others before herself, such as when she told the original L4D survivors that they could keep the bridge up, if that would be safer for them. While not brutal about her urge to survive, that does not mean she's a pushover by any means. In a situation like hers, she's already come to the conclusion that some day she might need to kill a real human in order to survive. In her heart, she knows, if it's down to her and another, she'll choose herself, though she knows that the decision will weigh on her. In the end, it comes down to, will allowing this person to live make me die? And she tells herself that she'll be picking herself--Though she has yet to have to make such a decision.

When a person is actively trying to kill her, Rochelle's decision will be easy enough--She wouldn't just lie down and let herself be murdered. She has never killed a sentient person before, but she's had enough zombies coming at her that attacking in self defense is as natural as breathing. At least, it would be, immediately, though afterwards, she might struggle with her actions. She will never regret killing someone who was attacking her, but it's not easy to simply kill someone and walk it off. Her practical nature will keep her from dwelling on it for too long, but it simply isn't the kind of thing she can walk off.

The issue would be killing someone who isn't actively attacking her, but still prevents her survival, either because of limited resources, a game challenge forcing them to kill another to escape death, or situation where someone isn't actively threatening her life, but still needs to be removed. Such situations, though not quite the same, occurred in the apocalypse, and Rochelle had been lucky to avoid them, though she knew it was a possibility. She struggles to reconcile her need to survive with her kind heart.

Overall, Rochelle is motivated, and while she is not naive, she tries to remain optimistic, for herself, and everyone else around her. She has goals, and she is not afraid to take risks to achieve them.

Setting: Arenas are, unfortunately, not really that different from the apocalyptic world she left. Everything trying to kill you? Check. Fighting over scarce resources? Check. Your only resources your teammates, a motley collection of weapons, and whatever grace decides to bring you? Check, check, and check. The main difference--Though this is a big one--Is that Rochelle is not used to fighting sentient humans. Zombies are one thing, but a person is another. However, Rochelle is a survivor, and as long as it's clear that it's her or another person, she will be willing to take them out. The Capitol itself is a whole different ballgame. Rochelle isn't a woman who enjoys being toyed around with, and she'll hate her suffering, and the suffering of others to be put on display. But she'll adapt, learn to play with the Capitol, and survive, because that's what she does.



SAMPLES


First Person Thread:
[There have been some pretty close calls, back in Rochelle's world. With all of the various and deadly things that were actively trying to kill her, she'd had more brushes with death than anyone would feel comfortable with. But they had all been brushes, she'd pulled through, somehow. But she hadn't pulled through, not this time, and she gasps awake, flying into a sitting position, her hands grasping at where there should have been a large, gaping hole. But there was none. No scars, cuts, bruises. The voice booms overhead, and the woman gives a soft sigh.]

Well, that's a thing that just happened.

[She gives herself a few moments to collect herself, and plan out what she's going to say. The game hasn't ended yet, after all. This is just another facet of it, and it's just as important to plan out her movements in here, as it was in the arena. She stands up, and once she's sure her voice is steady, and a plan is in motion, she presses the button. Her words are sure, and calm. She's glad that they can't see the way her hand shakes on top of the button.]

I'm disappointed. I was looking good for taking home the gold, but I misjudged my opponents. I had a good run for the majority of the arena, you can see that I had managed to take down that one of the bigger tributes, and successfully hunted the game in the arena, earning several sponsors. I made my mistake when facing down that kid, and misjudging what his strengths would be.

[She gives the report clearly and concisely, just like how she had always practiced giving the news. State your strengths first, than the weaknesses. Follow up with something uplifting.]

Today was a defeat, but I've learned from my mistakes, and I'll be gunning for a win in the next arena. I'm looking forward to showing you all what I can do.


Prose:
If this was the rescue, than CEDA had really dropped the ball. She's confused, disoriented, and pretty sure that she had just been on her way out of hell on a helicopter, so how had she ended up here? But she steps into the room, staring up at the game makers. What little information was given to her rings in her head. She has to impress them? She's not feeling real inclined towards impressing these people without an explanation, but she had been told that it was going to help her survive. And if Rochelle could do anything, it was surviving.

She approached the table with weapons, disappointment on her face when she didn't see any guns. But a machete would do nicely, and she picked it up, looking it over. How many times had she had to use one of these to cleave a zombie's head right off? But she wouldn't be fighting zombies here. She gave another glance at the impassive faces of the people here. Maybe some warming up would have to do. She stepped back, machete in hand. If she had to sell herself as a viable candidate for these guys, than she was going to do a good job of it.

"Gentlemen, my name is Rochelle," She started out, with a clear voice. "In my world, we are currently experiencing what has been called the Green Flu. Green flu is an incredibly contagious disease, with no known current cure, nor cure way of preventing it from affecting the unimmune. This flu causes healthy humans to turn incredibly hostile to all who are not infected, and even occasionally mutate them into even more dangerous forms. As more and more people are infected with this deadly disease, our society has begun collapsing around itself. Some people have even called it an apocalyptic scenario. I have been surviving, when thousands around me have died, through wits, skills, and fighting ability."

Now was the time to demonstrate that ability. She walked over to the dummy, and held up the machete, swinging it with both hands. Right at the neck, right where the infected were most vulnerable. While the neck of the dummy was sturdier than the decayed flesh of the infected, it cleaved off, sending the dummy's head spinning away from the body. Looking it over, she gave a small smile of satisfaction, turning back to the game makers.

"As you can see, I am more than prepared to handle these games, and I look forward to facing whatever challenges you send my way."

It's not until she's safely in the elevator that she sinks onto the ground, hand clutching her face. No tears, no sobs. Just rattling breaths, as she tried to stop shaking.

What is your character scored: Rochelle would most likely score a 7. She has a personality that lets her get along with others easily, and on top of that, she is a skilled survivor. She's proficient with multiple types of guns, and melee weapons, and has fought her way through a zombie apocalypse.

Token: Her bangles. A little bit of jewelry, to remind her of a time before the games, and before the apocalypse, when she had been able to spend time worrying about accessorizing.