Application
His app, archived for posterity.
History:
Canonically, not much is known about Spark's personal background. All we know is that he has been a reporter since before Thalassa Gramarye's accident in 2015. He caught a whiff of the story behind the scenes and has been trying to learn (and then write the definitive story about) the truth behind it ever since. In doing so, he's found a great friend in Zak Gramarye, and irritated Valant practically to his wit's end.
Since we don't have much canonical background, I've had to piece together something that seems consistent with what we do know.
Spark has wanted to be an investigative journalist since he was young; he still has visions of himself winning the Pulitzer prize and a best-selling autobiography. Mostly, though, he does freelance entertainment, arts, and restaurant reviews for several local papers. He prefers freelancing to being a staff writer because of the freedom (both real and imagined) it gives him. Restaurant reviews have the advantage that they cover getting paid and getting food at the same time. And he does like to eat. (He's also actually good at the restaurant reviews, if you believe him tooting his own horn in 4-4.)
Spark was running about three hours early for an open-to-the-press sneak preview of the Gramarye's new show when the accident occurred. He insists he wasn't "sneaking around" -- he was just being polite and arriving early. Really. When he says (in 4-4) "In fact, I was on close speaking terms with Magnifi Gramarye at the time. I knew his daughter, too, of course. Thalassa, was it?", what he meant was he'd pestered them into trading a few words that day, and then suddenly everyone was ushered out of the building. He was the only reporter already there -- so while he didn't get any real scoop then, he knew there was one. Others just got a request to reschedule.
Personality:
When Spark thinks he's on the trail of a story, he gets so wrapped up in it that he often forgets to look around. Which leads to ridiculous questions, conversational dead-ends, and bizarre speculation. It has, occasionally, led to some of his finest moments as a journalist, though, so he has no reason to stop.
When not on a story he enjoys people-watching, movies (a wide range -- everything from classic drama to action movies to romantic comedies), books (non-fiction mostly), and good food. He has no close friendships -- the people he spends the most time with are fellow journalists and interview subjects. The former are competition, since he's a freelancer, and interviewing people generally does not make for fast friendships, so he's become a solitary person out of necessity. He does have some regrets on that, especially about being single, but he's not quite at the point of considering dating services or other such things. (I have no ambition to RP romance, but I figured I should touch on that because it is part of his characterization.) His loneliness also ties into his other career -- getting to meet interesting people was the primary reason he got his notary public license. He advertises on the equivalent of Craigslist, and meets clients in local coffee shops.
His strange friendship with Zak Gramarye has been the lone exception to many rules. Zak fascinates him, both as a person and as a story. Spark does know the difference between irritation and true dislike -- Zak punches him and insults him but does trust him. Whereas Valant just dislikes him. (At this point, my interpretation of Valant's opinion is dislike, rather than out-and-out hatred -- before Magnifi's death, Valant's bitterness isn't directed as much at Spark.) Zak likes an audience, likes attention, and thus enjoys Spark's company -- enough that he has come to trust him surprisingly well. After all, he trusts him enough to not betray him when he comes out of hiding 7 years later. Unfortunately, it ends up not mattering, but the trust is there. Spark has returned the favor by not publishing everything he knows about Thalassa's accident, though some of that is that he's also waiting until he has all of the pieces together for a complete exposé. (Obviously, if we get a Zak player, some of this may be up for renegotiation.)
Physical Description: Spark Brushel is of medium height -- 5'11 or so. His build is scrawny, and his body language exaggerated. He moves like someone comfortable with his own skin, though -- the way he talks with his hands is habit, not affectation. His eyes are brown, as is the hair he has left. He wears heavy, bifocal glasses -- without them his vision is terrible. He's tried contacts and hated them. Besides, they fit his image of a reporter.
His dress is appropriate for the occasion, but not perfectly fitted and usually rumpled. He is also in the habit of carrying pens everywhere and using his own skin for urgent reminders, so there are often ink spots on his shirt and pants.
His default expression is a grin; if his face falls to neutral, everyone who knows him well enough knows that something has seriously upset him. He's also a compulsive fidgeter. Nothing, and I mean nothing short of being punched into unconsciousness, will make him sit still. He doesn't bite his nails, but he does pick at them and keeps them trimmed short.
His skin is a normal shade -- in the summer he often has a mild sunburn. By midway through the day, he could desperately use a shave -- his facial hair often seems to be trying to make amends for the top of his head by growing aggressively.
The scent of mint does, indeed, cling to him -- along with the faux-fresh scent of bargain-bin antiperspirant.
Where would I like to take him:
As far as following GS4 or going AU, either is fine. If things go AU, I'd like to see at least some pieces of canon brought in just to give him more connections to the plot. (I.e. I'd like to see State vs. Gramarye happen in some form, but which lawyers and what outcome don't matter to me -- as long as there's a story for him to follow.) Alternatively, bringing him in via another breaking story would work as well -- another entertainment-star murder, or, heck, a Gavinner's concert review would be hysterical.
I realize he's a minor character and am okay with the fact there might not be much to do with him for long stretches.
Third-person sample:
"The evening was growing near, the faintest chill of winter still," Spark's pen sputtered and dripped ink across his stenographer's notebook, and he shook it until ink was flowing again. Sweat glistened on his hand -- the only thing cold on this night was the remains of his coffee. And he didn't really want to brave the triple-pierced sneer of the barista for another. A mint (or three) would have to tide him over until after his interview.
Yes, that was right -- he had an interview. With none other than a member of the newest double-platinum rock-and-roll sensation sweeping the nation. He'd written that phrase down a half-dozen times, only to cross it out as tired and old. Still, sometimes the classics were classics for a reason.
Well, to be perfectly frank, he had high hopes of an interview. Several members of the so-called "Gavinners" had been seen at this very coffee shop within the past week. And that lone whiff was enough to bring this story-hound across town. He had staked out a table, and was awaiting his chance for glory.
First-person sample, in the form of a restaurant review:
Too Bad At The Trés Bien
by Spark Brushel
They say "There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch", end quote. And a good thing, too. Otherwise, how could you ask for your money back? 'Course, I couldn't do that. "Restaurant Reporter Reveals Self, Loses Job," end quote. You loyal readers know how it is. No, I paid full price for my deluxe Twin-T set, and let me tell you, I'm still paying for it.
Let me begin with the salad. "Wilted greens melange avec la strawberry chiffonade vinagrette." Now, "wilted greens" is normally the sort of modest understatement that really means something like "tender greens, heated just enough to bring out their flavor." Would that this were the case here! These so-called "wilted greens" were exactly that, and no more. And the only part of the strawberry in evidence were the seeds. I'm still not sure I've managed to remove all of them from between my teeth.
The less said about the soup, the better. "Restaurant Reaches for Revolutionary Roux, Reinvents Glue," end quote. The entrée was no improvement; the "surf-and-turf" most closely resembled lobster teriyaki. You know how some inexpensive takeout becomes transformed into something else after several days in the fridge, especially after a few beers? "Man Lives Life By Fortune Cookies, Always Expects What He Gets." Or how's this: "Tomorrow May Be Your Last Day -- Order Seconds Now". My point exactly.
The lone bright spot in the Trés Bien firmament appeared to be the wine list -- all very French, all in sealed bottles. This hope was doused with all of the subtlety of a glass of ice-cold Bordeaux to the groin. In fact, precisely that subtlety. "Waitstaff Should Be Charming, Pretty, Upright; Management Settles For Two Of Three," end quote.
Your humble reporter gave this establishment one final chance for redemption. I may have mentioned my personal bias as far as flavors go here before. I know, I know, "Restaurants, not Reviewer, Is Food Critic's Topic" and all that. I say this so you will understand that no amount of bias towards all things mint-flavored could redeem the final installment chez Trés Bien. It had top-billing as a mint and blood orange trifle. Or, a so-called "La Trifle Pudding of orange sanguineuse and la oil de la peppermint." It was a very, very sour note to end the evening on.
History:
Canonically, not much is known about Spark's personal background. All we know is that he has been a reporter since before Thalassa Gramarye's accident in 2015. He caught a whiff of the story behind the scenes and has been trying to learn (and then write the definitive story about) the truth behind it ever since. In doing so, he's found a great friend in Zak Gramarye, and irritated Valant practically to his wit's end.
Since we don't have much canonical background, I've had to piece together something that seems consistent with what we do know.
Spark has wanted to be an investigative journalist since he was young; he still has visions of himself winning the Pulitzer prize and a best-selling autobiography. Mostly, though, he does freelance entertainment, arts, and restaurant reviews for several local papers. He prefers freelancing to being a staff writer because of the freedom (both real and imagined) it gives him. Restaurant reviews have the advantage that they cover getting paid and getting food at the same time. And he does like to eat. (He's also actually good at the restaurant reviews, if you believe him tooting his own horn in 4-4.)
Spark was running about three hours early for an open-to-the-press sneak preview of the Gramarye's new show when the accident occurred. He insists he wasn't "sneaking around" -- he was just being polite and arriving early. Really. When he says (in 4-4) "In fact, I was on close speaking terms with Magnifi Gramarye at the time. I knew his daughter, too, of course. Thalassa, was it?", what he meant was he'd pestered them into trading a few words that day, and then suddenly everyone was ushered out of the building. He was the only reporter already there -- so while he didn't get any real scoop then, he knew there was one. Others just got a request to reschedule.
Personality:
When Spark thinks he's on the trail of a story, he gets so wrapped up in it that he often forgets to look around. Which leads to ridiculous questions, conversational dead-ends, and bizarre speculation. It has, occasionally, led to some of his finest moments as a journalist, though, so he has no reason to stop.
When not on a story he enjoys people-watching, movies (a wide range -- everything from classic drama to action movies to romantic comedies), books (non-fiction mostly), and good food. He has no close friendships -- the people he spends the most time with are fellow journalists and interview subjects. The former are competition, since he's a freelancer, and interviewing people generally does not make for fast friendships, so he's become a solitary person out of necessity. He does have some regrets on that, especially about being single, but he's not quite at the point of considering dating services or other such things. (I have no ambition to RP romance, but I figured I should touch on that because it is part of his characterization.) His loneliness also ties into his other career -- getting to meet interesting people was the primary reason he got his notary public license. He advertises on the equivalent of Craigslist, and meets clients in local coffee shops.
His strange friendship with Zak Gramarye has been the lone exception to many rules. Zak fascinates him, both as a person and as a story. Spark does know the difference between irritation and true dislike -- Zak punches him and insults him but does trust him. Whereas Valant just dislikes him. (At this point, my interpretation of Valant's opinion is dislike, rather than out-and-out hatred -- before Magnifi's death, Valant's bitterness isn't directed as much at Spark.) Zak likes an audience, likes attention, and thus enjoys Spark's company -- enough that he has come to trust him surprisingly well. After all, he trusts him enough to not betray him when he comes out of hiding 7 years later. Unfortunately, it ends up not mattering, but the trust is there. Spark has returned the favor by not publishing everything he knows about Thalassa's accident, though some of that is that he's also waiting until he has all of the pieces together for a complete exposé. (Obviously, if we get a Zak player, some of this may be up for renegotiation.)
Physical Description: Spark Brushel is of medium height -- 5'11 or so. His build is scrawny, and his body language exaggerated. He moves like someone comfortable with his own skin, though -- the way he talks with his hands is habit, not affectation. His eyes are brown, as is the hair he has left. He wears heavy, bifocal glasses -- without them his vision is terrible. He's tried contacts and hated them. Besides, they fit his image of a reporter.
His dress is appropriate for the occasion, but not perfectly fitted and usually rumpled. He is also in the habit of carrying pens everywhere and using his own skin for urgent reminders, so there are often ink spots on his shirt and pants.
His default expression is a grin; if his face falls to neutral, everyone who knows him well enough knows that something has seriously upset him. He's also a compulsive fidgeter. Nothing, and I mean nothing short of being punched into unconsciousness, will make him sit still. He doesn't bite his nails, but he does pick at them and keeps them trimmed short.
His skin is a normal shade -- in the summer he often has a mild sunburn. By midway through the day, he could desperately use a shave -- his facial hair often seems to be trying to make amends for the top of his head by growing aggressively.
The scent of mint does, indeed, cling to him -- along with the faux-fresh scent of bargain-bin antiperspirant.
Where would I like to take him:
As far as following GS4 or going AU, either is fine. If things go AU, I'd like to see at least some pieces of canon brought in just to give him more connections to the plot. (I.e. I'd like to see State vs. Gramarye happen in some form, but which lawyers and what outcome don't matter to me -- as long as there's a story for him to follow.) Alternatively, bringing him in via another breaking story would work as well -- another entertainment-star murder, or, heck, a Gavinner's concert review would be hysterical.
I realize he's a minor character and am okay with the fact there might not be much to do with him for long stretches.
Third-person sample:
"The evening was growing near, the faintest chill of winter still," Spark's pen sputtered and dripped ink across his stenographer's notebook, and he shook it until ink was flowing again. Sweat glistened on his hand -- the only thing cold on this night was the remains of his coffee. And he didn't really want to brave the triple-pierced sneer of the barista for another. A mint (or three) would have to tide him over until after his interview.
Yes, that was right -- he had an interview. With none other than a member of the newest double-platinum rock-and-roll sensation sweeping the nation. He'd written that phrase down a half-dozen times, only to cross it out as tired and old. Still, sometimes the classics were classics for a reason.
Well, to be perfectly frank, he had high hopes of an interview. Several members of the so-called "Gavinners" had been seen at this very coffee shop within the past week. And that lone whiff was enough to bring this story-hound across town. He had staked out a table, and was awaiting his chance for glory.
First-person sample, in the form of a restaurant review:
Too Bad At The Trés Bien
by Spark Brushel
They say "There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch", end quote. And a good thing, too. Otherwise, how could you ask for your money back? 'Course, I couldn't do that. "Restaurant Reporter Reveals Self, Loses Job," end quote. You loyal readers know how it is. No, I paid full price for my deluxe Twin-T set, and let me tell you, I'm still paying for it.
Let me begin with the salad. "Wilted greens melange avec la strawberry chiffonade vinagrette." Now, "wilted greens" is normally the sort of modest understatement that really means something like "tender greens, heated just enough to bring out their flavor." Would that this were the case here! These so-called "wilted greens" were exactly that, and no more. And the only part of the strawberry in evidence were the seeds. I'm still not sure I've managed to remove all of them from between my teeth.
The less said about the soup, the better. "Restaurant Reaches for Revolutionary Roux, Reinvents Glue," end quote. The entrée was no improvement; the "surf-and-turf" most closely resembled lobster teriyaki. You know how some inexpensive takeout becomes transformed into something else after several days in the fridge, especially after a few beers? "Man Lives Life By Fortune Cookies, Always Expects What He Gets." Or how's this: "Tomorrow May Be Your Last Day -- Order Seconds Now". My point exactly.
The lone bright spot in the Trés Bien firmament appeared to be the wine list -- all very French, all in sealed bottles. This hope was doused with all of the subtlety of a glass of ice-cold Bordeaux to the groin. In fact, precisely that subtlety. "Waitstaff Should Be Charming, Pretty, Upright; Management Settles For Two Of Three," end quote.
Your humble reporter gave this establishment one final chance for redemption. I may have mentioned my personal bias as far as flavors go here before. I know, I know, "Restaurants, not Reviewer, Is Food Critic's Topic" and all that. I say this so you will understand that no amount of bias towards all things mint-flavored could redeem the final installment chez Trés Bien. It had top-billing as a mint and blood orange trifle. Or, a so-called "La Trifle Pudding of orange sanguineuse and la oil de la peppermint." It was a very, very sour note to end the evening on.