Full Profile: Alexei Korokovsky
[Mun: This profile was created using The 100 Most Important Things to Know About Your Character. Needless to say, not all 100 characteristics were included in this profile.]
Alexei Korokovsky
Part 1: The Basics
1. What is your full name? Alexei Pavelovich Korokovsky
2. Where and when were you born? I was born in the North Kingdom, Kredek to be specific, in the year 3019 of the Rain Dynasty, during the Week of Holy Gratitude. Mother claims I was born on Saint's Day, but my governess told me that I was actually born two days later, on the Day of Fallen Gods. I do not know who to believe.
3. Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.) My mother was Lady Anja Ilyanova from the Capital City of Siradem, and my father was Lord Pavel Nikilovich Korokovsky of Kredek (deceased). My mother is quiet, intelligent, and responsible, and my father was a scientific experimenter obsessed with immortality who often spent weeks locked in his study and laboratory with his work.
4. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like? I have an older brother (deceased) and a younger sister (also deceased), and a half-sister, Miina, (age 7) and a half-brother, Fyodor (age 4) with my mother's second husband, Lord Nabelov. My half-siblings are rambunctious and full of laughter. Miina is smarter than I am, though I know more stories.
5. Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people. I live in Kredek, North Kingdom, with my mother and her new husband. We live in a large, open castle with many courtyards and gardens because Mother loves flowers and open space. There are many fields and hills where we live in Kredek and one can see for miles around, until the Eastern Mountains rise. It is often sunny and clear, with a soft breeze, though thunderstorms are not uncommon either. I love storms. Especially out in the green where there is no one around for miles and I just lay there and watch the gods war above me.
6. What is your occupation? I am a nobleman and heir to my father's estate.
7. Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks. I am about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, with brown hair and grey-green eyes. I have light skin that tans easily and never burns, though my cheeks are often slightly pink. My hair is cut short, but is not shaved close. I wear form-fitting clothes, not too tight, but not loose enough to catch on something and trip me or otherwise get in the way. I ride horses often and wear riding gear sometimes as well. Most of the time, at home, I just wear leather trousers and knee-high riding boots with a belted cotton shirt (I wear a lot of red and blue).
8. To which social class do you belong? I am a noble. Lower than some, but not a peasant either. We used to be in higher standing, but my father rather ruined our fortune and reputation at court with his strange schemes.
9. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses? No. Well, not really. I broke me thigh once as a young boy and sometimes it stiffens and troubles me when the weather is bad.
10. Are you right- or left-handed? Left handed.
11. What does your voice sound like? Baritone. Not as deep as Father's or Lord Nabelov's, but certainly not a tenor. I have a soft voice; I feel like I have to yell to be heard, even when there is not a crowd.
12. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently? I say "I see" a lot when I am at court (even when I do not "see"), and I try not to swear, though every once in a while I slip and use the gods' names in vain.
13. What do you have in your pockets? A pocketknife from my father, five silver Drackets, a note from my mother to pick up her favorite horse from the blacksmith's shop later this afternoon (she needed new shoes), a dried pansy that fell from Princess Yelena's hair last spring at the Equinox Festival, and a charm from the Old Religion that my governess gave me (I have had it for as long as I can remember).
14. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics? I tend to describe things using senses not necessarily applicable to the thing I'm describing. For example, the pansy from Princess Yelena's hair smells sleepy and looks like it might taste of cinnamon (I know it would not).
Part 2: Growing Up
15. How would you describe your childhood in general? Good. I never had to sacrifice and usually got what I wanted. There were always times when we had to forego certain things in favor of aiding the people of Kredek in hard times, but not anything harsh that I can remember. I spent a great deal of time in physical training and etiquette classes; my mother was determined to make me the gentleman my father was not. Not that my mother disliked my father; he was simply not very good when it came to propriety and courtliness. When the famine hit Kredek, things were always tense, but that passed and things went back to normal.
16. What is your earliest memory? My governess singing an ancient lullaby in an ancient language I never learned to understand. She told me once it was a song about a little bird who carries dreams to people as they sleep: Shim cresamd, shim fara, lel nim a renuinae dar fa. "Little bird, pretty bird, keep our dreams safe tonight." That is all I can remember.
17. How much schooling have you had? About as much as I will ever need. Etiquette, history, geography, Common language, religion, and courtship, as far as non-athletic teaching goes.
18. Did you enjoy school? Sometimes. Most times I would rather have been outside running about or sparring, but I was always interested in religion and history (Courtship was the worst).
19. Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities? From Father, Mother, and Mara (the governess). I have learned a great deal about life since Father died and I learned most of my fighting skills from Lord Nabelov (he was my father's second hand and taught all the sons of the castle to fight).
20. While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them. When I was very small, I wanted to be like Raia, the god of war and honesty. I always admired his strength and all the adventures he had, especially his quest to rescue his wife Zosha when she was kidnapped by the rebellious evil spirits of the Underworld. As I grew older, I wanted to be like my older brother, Nikolai, but his death jarred me so much that I can no longer think of him without cringing. Then, I wanted to be like Lord Nabelov, who has always been a strong presence in my life. I suppose now, my most prevalent role-model is once again Raia, but in different ways than before.
21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family? We were always a close family. Well, Mother and we children were. Father was always off working on his experiments and to be honest, I was quite afraid of him, though he never gave me reason to, other than his slightly off-kilter behavior. I suppose I never really knew him well enough to not be afraid of him.
22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? A knight, of course. A prince. I wanted to slay mighty monsters and save a beautiful girl. I wanted to have many fantastic adventures.
23. As a child, what were your favorite activities? Riding, sparring, and running. Always running. The fields of Kredek are perfect for it.
24. As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display? Mother says I was always precocious and curious. Mara claims I was excitable and flirtatious, but I am not quite sure I believe her. About the flirting. Excitable might be an accurate description of me, even now. I get carried away too often. And I have always been honest; perhaps too much so for my own good.
25. As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like? I had many friends, mostly other sons in the castle and surrounding area. My very best friend was Gregor, Lord Nabelov's son from his first marriage. When we were sixteen, we accidentally stumbled upon a wicked sorcerer in the forest as we were hunting. We thought the sorcerer had not seen us, but just as we were trying to leave, he turned and sent a curse our way before vanishing in a plume of red smoke. Luckily for me, the curse missed me, wisping past my right shoulder. Unfortunately for Gregor, it hit him straight in the middle of his back and he collapsed. When I ran over to him, I found he had been transformed into a sword! So I picked him up and brought him home and it was a good thing he could still speak because I swear, Mother could have sent me to the healers like a crazy person if he had not been able to explain it to her and prove it was him. So, Gregor is still my best friend, but sometimes I use him to cut rope and wood and impress the ladies at court, and sometimes I forget him at home when I go out, which depresses him and causes him to curse at him while I try to sleep later that night. "Do you know how boring it is, sitting here in this scabbard all day while you go off and play kiss-chase with the girls? Just because I haven't got hands or a mouth or a body anymore doesn't mean you can just leave me out of it."
26. When and with whom was your first kiss? Keira, Mara's daughter. She is a year younger than me and one time we were hiding from her mother when we were ten. We hid in the stable loft and gossiped about my brother and the girl he was pursuing at the time. We speculated on what exactly it was that they did all that time they were out and Keira said that when you court someone, sometimes you kiss them. And so she allowed me to kiss her on the cheek and then she kissed me on the lips quickly. Her father found us a moment later and it was lucky for me that he came only after we'd kissed or he might have hit me upside the head and told my mother.
27. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity? I am a virgin. I tell my friends it is because I am a proper gentleman who courts ladies rightly, not for a quick thrill, but to be honest, most girls just don't interest me. Except Princess Yelena. I would not say I was saving myself for the princess, but if it just so happens that I never make love to anyone unless it is her, that would be okay with me.
28. If you are a supernatural being (i.e. mage, werewolf, vampire), tell the story of how you became what you are or first learned of your own abilities. If you are just a normal human, describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today. I always lock doors behind me because one time Keira walked in on me changing clothes and I don't think I have ever lost that blush. I usually mark superstitions, if just because Mara taught me to do so and it has become second nature.
Part 4: Beliefs And Opinions
40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic? I am very optimistic. I try to see the best in things all the time, even when it seems stupid to do so.
41. What is your greatest fear? Death and rejection.
42. What are your religious views? Much like everyone else's, I suppose. I obey the gods and pay them respect and tribute like I should. Religion is fascinating, but I do not take much part in it, myself.
43. What are your political views? I believe that people in power should use said power responsibly and for the good of the people they rule. But sometimes, I guess, you just have to do what the King says, which is not always the best thing.
44. What are your views on sex? I think sex should wait until marriage. It is a very personal matter and you should not just give yourself to people who just happen to be in your favor at the moment. They do not call it 'making love' for no reason.
45. Are you able to kill? Under what circumstances do you find killing to be acceptable or unacceptable? I hunt; I am okay with killing animals (not excessively, but a good hunting party every now and then is nice, even when we do not really need the meat). I have never actually killed a human being, but I have the training and preparation to do so. I value human life more than almost anything and would much rather find a diplomatic solution to political problems than go to war.
46. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do? Take another person's freedom away. Kidnapping, rape, slavery, murder, they are all connected by that extreme measure of malignant control.
47. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love? Yes, yes I do.
48. What do you believe makes a successful life? Making the world a better place and improving other people's lives as much as possible. A family and fortune is nice too.
49. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)? I have never been able to hide my thoughts or feelings for very long, no matter how hard I try. I feel honesty is usually the best course in most situations, though it has gotten me in trouble in the past.
50. Do you have any biases or prejudices? I distrust people from the Southern Kingdom, lawless, godless people that they are.
52. Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)? I would die for the King, Mother, Mara, and most of all, Princess Yelena. Not that she needs to know that, of course.
Part 6: Likes And Dislikes
70. What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes? Riding, hunting, dancing, and I dabble in poetry and composition, but I am not very good.
71. What is your most treasured possession? The key to my father's study, and the ancient charm from Mara.
72. What is your favorite color? Dark red, but I like blue too.
73. What is your favorite food? Spring cherries.
74. What, if anything, do you like to read? I like poetry, and old adventure stories; the classics.
75. What is your idea of good entertainment (consider music, movies, art, etc.)? I love parties and galas. Dancing is a particular favorite of mine. Where there is good music, good food, and good people, there I am.
79. What, if anything, shocks or offends you? People who flaunt or brag or otherwise push themselves into my face offend me. Lewd people offend me. People without boundaries or knowledge of social barriers offend me. People who cannot tell right from wrong shock me.
80. What would you do if you had insomnia and had to find something to do to amuse yourself? Probably sit in Father's study and read or write. I might go down to the sparring courtyard and practice my swordplay if I brought a lantern or torch with me.
81. How do you deal with stress? I try to find someone who can help me, but sometimes I just freeze up and do stupid things. I try not to let stress get the better of me, but sometimes it's hard.
82. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan? Half and half. I do not like being confined to a schedule, but I also do not like being completely without a plan.
83. What are your pet peeves? Rude people, lazy knights/courtiers, goats, and tuneless whistling.