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Post by Professor Robert Faulkner on Aug 8, 2008 2:02:20 GMT -5
{ About The MEMBER }
NAME: Melissa Powers!
AGE: 14
TIME ZONE: Standard China Time (UTC + 8)
HOW OFTEN WILL YOU BE ON?: 3-4 days a week
WHERE DID YOU FIND US?: Through Pennyyyy!
WHERE CAN WE REACH YOU?: Facebook is da bomb (search “Melissa Powers” and I’ll be the only one in the China Network, I hope); also PM me if ya want my MSN
OTHER CHARACTER(S): Matt Shibuya
{ About The CHARACTER }
 x  Robert Faulkner"If it’s a broken part, replace it; If it’s a broken arm, then brace it; If it’s a broken heart, then face it"
CANNON OR ORIGINAL: Original
AGE: 26
DOB: February 14th, 1950
RACE: English
GENDER: Male
SEXUALITY: Bisexual, but leans towards hetero
WAND: Chestnut, 9 inches, Ashwinder Scale core – good for charms
BROOM: N/A (he prefers to keep his feet on the ground if possible)
PET: A black rat by the name of Oliver
APPEARANCE: Robert gives off the appearance of a well groomed man, but due to his moods and spending most of his sleeping time reading he looks much older than he really is. His hair is a light hazel-brown color and he likes to keep it fairly short, considering that he doesn't feel looks are worth that much time to pay attention to. Unfortunately, as a result, his hair appears to constantly be in a state of war against itself with the back fairly smooth and straight but the front seemingly almost curly. Although Robert claims not to be bothered about the state of his hair, he becomes very fussy when he is required to use some sort of styling for more formal events.
The eye color he possesses is strange mix of both brown and blue, allowing him the gift of switching between equally intense cold and warm gazes. This meaning, of course, you will know by looking at his eyes whether or not he likes you or completely detests you. Even though describing the eyes as a window to the soul is slightly overused and seems a little over-exaggerated, Robert's are truly revealing - in fact, if anyone ever needs to check his mood or wonders what he's thinking about, all they need do is to take a glance (something of a handicap when it comes to poker).
Standing just an inch or two over 6 feet, Robert leans a little more to the tall side, but only just. His figure does not appear to be particularly well built when you first meet him, however most people are surprised when they realize how athletic the man really is. Although he does not actively play sports, Robert does enjoy things that involve running, whether it be chasing down a student for detention or attempting to hand in forms for approving said detentions to the headmaster. In conclusion, Robert Faulkner is a fairly good-looking person, or at least dresses smart to make up for it when he feels he isn't.
FACE CLAIM: Edward Norton
PERSONALITY DESCRIPTION: Robert can be a bit annoying the first few times someone meets him, as he is both moody and sharp with words, not to mention confident to a fault. His childhood brought him up to be wary around most people but to take opportunities the moment he notices them - oddly, this combination encourages him to associate with as many people as possible, just in case they may end up being useful to him later, although he doesn't do this with bad intentions. Unfortunately, many people do not get to see the real Robert as a result, with him putting on a charade of charm in front of crowds and being grumpy and bored during his classes. The mild hostility unleashed from him while teaching stems from his impatience with the world himself not one to pass up opportunities, he doesn't see why the students in his class would generally be so mediocre in divining the future. Obviously, divination isn't the easiest subject, but he finds this detail trivial, rationalizing that if he can do it, why can't the students?
However, if by chance anyone catches him by surprise or manages to strike an alliance with him, Robert is genuinely charming and finds ways to use his razor sharp wit for friendlier purposes, as well as giving honest (usually blunt but good) advice. When it comes to friendships or relationships, Robert feels very strongly about honesty between himself and the person, as well as supporting the notion of helping each other out whenever possible or whenever needed, and as a result he is extremely loyal and thoughtful when it comes to people he is close to. There's a slight contradiction in his attitude towards respect and honesty between people, such as if he suspects that he's been tricked even in the slightest, he would probably refuse to speak to you until he decides to justify your actions to suit his purposes, but when it comes to him employing some type of dishonesty, he usually manages to rationalize his motives until he becomes convinced that what he did was truly right. On a more positive note, he enjoys returning favors, which he believes makes others more inclined to do him favors again, so he is very observant when it comes to peoples likes, dislikes and wants (actually another scrap of his childhood, where he was required to notice the prosperity of strangers).
Unfortunately, Robert does have his share of flaws. He's often very sure of himself to the point where he seems almost arrogant, not to mention the fact that he's incredibly stubborn - somewhat of a negative in the teaching business when it comes to students correcting him. He's often wary and distrustful of most people he meets, since he grew up in a hostile and unsafe environment, and it can be hard for him to feel safe or comfortable around others. Another issue with people that he has is that he naturally finds it unimportant to talk to people unless they are of some worth or amusement to him (a habit he recognizes and is somewhat actively trying to break out of). However, as a result of never knowing who his parents were, Robert finds sentimental moments and seeing others' family ties a little taxing, although he strongly values friendships (that is, whenever he can make one). Alternately, he's victimized by the everyday sin of Sloth, as well as impatience when it comes to things like learning or, yes, even teaching. To conclude, Robert is one of those people you would like to have on your side, as you suspect he would more than likely attempt to make your life hell if he wasn't.
BOGGART: People he cares about being dead without warning
PATRONUS: Horse. Robert admires their freedom, strength and speed, as well as their ability to seem liberated even in a group.
HOPES FOR THE FUTURE: That students will respect him and develop even the slightest inkling of divining power, although Robert finds it frustrating that it doesn't come as easily to most students as it does to him. Also that he will gain more control over the divination powers that he does have.
SPECIAL ABILITIES: Robert’s wizarding abilities lie in divining the future, as well as a little bit of the past. See OTHER and WHATS IN THE PAST for more information about this.
BLOOD: Unsure.
BIRTHPLACE: London.
MY FAMILY:
- Mycroft Faulkner, adoptive father (deceased)
WHATS IN THE PAST: Robert Faulkner has no memory of his early years or his parents. His first memory was of walking down cold and dangerous London streets at the innocent age of 6 (and three quarters), and being offered shelter by a group of somewhat sinister young boys, whom he later discovered were a fairly prosperous gang of pick-pockets and con artists. Adapting to his new 'survival of the fittest' lifestyle, Robert swiftly picked up the art of pick-pocketing. However, the energetic boy found the trade a little too dishonest for his liking, and was constantly trying to find ways to get out of doing it. One fine day, an older boy finally snapped at him and told him that if he refused to go out right that second, he might as well be packing what little belongings he had left. "Take every opportunity that's thrown in your face, boy," the elder hissed, "Or you'll lose in the game we call life." Stung, but absorbing the remark, Robert barked back that if he went out today, he probably would've gotten caught anyways. Sent upstairs to pack for his cheek, the young pick-pocket was beginning to wonder exactly how he would live on the streets of London. Luckily, that problem was solved a few hours later with the arrest of the older boy. "I'll tell you what, Robert," a 14 year old named Jon stated soon after breaking the news, "I know that you find the pick-pocketing trade just a tad dishonest, but I think I've found a reason to keep you here. Look, why don't you do what you did today for a living? Predict the future for people! Keep it happy and vague, make them smile, but don't forget to charge them. That way, it's the people acting out, not you." Satisfied with this plan, Robert decided to stay.
Both he and some of the other boys were curious to see how their latest enterprise would go, and they set up a booth just outside one of London's busiest marketplaces to catch the women and children who were more likely to be susceptible to the fortune telling scam ("Booth" here used as a loose term, meaning a rapidly scrawled out sign, a stool for Robert or the customer to sit on). Good for Robert, the business went even better than he and his gang had originally expected, carrying the boy through his naive 9 years of age to an arrogant but charming, handsome teen of 15. Although his friends could never figure out why the business was so profitable and lasted so long, Robert had the somewhat disturbing suspicion that it was because he actually could tell the future. He had had vague ideas around 11 to 12 years of age that some magic really was in the air, especially when a particularly nasty boy in the group had discovered himself bald the day after teasing Robert about his somewhat scruffy 'do, not to mention what he could've sworn were sparks shooting out of the wand he'd artfully stolen from some shop called Ollivander's when he had gotten lost in the streets one day (no, he still wasn't above stealing when necessary, and he had been thinking about getting something to enhance his mystical air whilst performing, so a shop that said "Wands" was just a little too tempting). Anyhow, his business grew in popularity amongst the locals, but never quite so much that he ever appeared in the papers.
One day, a rather well-off wizard by the name of Mycroft Faulkner decided to stop by the Muggle market where Robert had set up his stage to see if there were any interesting objects he could get for a Muggle-loving friend's birthday. By chance, he spent a couple minutes listening to what he felt was a clever scam to earn money, and thought nothing more of the boy's confident claim that there would most certainly be a bank robbery down the street and the policeman he was entertaining should be on careful watch. Well, Mycroft thought nothing more of it until he happened to glance at a Muggle newspaper the following week - a newspaper with a full account of the bank robbery near the market place. Surprised and somewhat anxious to see if the boy really was a wizard in disguise, the man hurried back to the market where he was assured by the crowd that the boy really was, yes, a fortune-teller (as well as the Devil, a basilisk, and several other things that the wizard decided he probably wasn't). Using a charm to follow the boy back to his abode with his earnings, he revealed himself to the leader of the group's operation, a crafty boy of 17, who refused to let go of Robert (a main source of income) unless at the ridiculously high price of some hundred thousand pounds. Shrugging, the well-off wizard handed over the money the next day to the gasps of the entire gang, and was quickly handed over Robert in return. Suspicious and impatient, Robert demanded an explanation of his purchase - which he promptly received and refused to believe.
It took twenty transfigured pillows-into-pigeons and one sofa-into-dove to make Robert believe Mycroft actually possessed magical powers. But of course, it was a little harder to convince Robert that he did. Although Mycroft didn't know why his newly adopted boy happened to be exempt from Hogwarts or some other magical school, he took it to himself to educate the late student, whose prop wand turned out to be a real one. Finding it hard to believe the boy had been unable to do much magic with a real wand, Mycroft came to the conclusion that he was either a Squib with talent in divination or an extremely talented wizard whose magic had ended up being concentrated on divining instead of doing magic. However, Robert did show some aptitude in setting things on fire, although mostly not quite on purpose.
A few years after Robert's new life with Mycroft as his adopted father (he had taken the last name Faulkner), Mycroft was invited to dine with Professor Albus Dumbledore, who the now 21 year old Robert had been told was the headmaster of the greatest magic school in Britain. Somewhat intrigued, he tagged along and pleasantly surprised Dumbledore by accurately predicting that the fish he intended to order would most probably give him food poisoning, much to the chagrin of the man at Table 2 who received the fish when the headmaster cancelled his order. Sensing great talent in the man, Dumbledore invited Robert to teach the long-empty position of Divination. Excited by the offer of a job, the feisty Robert agreed, but the fancy was delayed with the passing of the elderly Mycroft Faulkner, the man Robert had taken to be his father, on a solo trip to Yorkshire. Devastated by the fact that he was unable to predict it happen, the diviner lapsed into a gloomy, sullen mood and began spending nearly all of his time researching about the nature of divination, and how he could improve it so that he would be able to protect others he cared about (a habit he still lives with). Near his 26th birthday, Dumbledore proposed the position to Robert again, suggesting that maybe teaching could help him learn more. Seeing no other option, Robert Faulkner agreed, leading him to Hogwarts. This will be his first year at the school.
CAREER: Divination Professor at Hogwarts.
EXPERIENCE: Divining since he was 8, teaching for the first time.
SCHOOLING: On the streets of London, entertaining crowds; under Mr. Faulkner's guidance.
{ OTHER INFO }
RP EXAMPLE: Robert Faulkner was grumpy. Now, this wasn’t exactly an unusual thing for him to be, but he was put down by the feeling anyhow. He grabbed the coat that had been hanging behind his chair, and swung it around himself, stalking to the front of the classroom. “Crystal balls,” he muttered in annoyance, “I can’t believe I’m even considering it.” The thought alone made him shudder in humiliation – after all, whenever he needed to see into the future he didn’t need a crystal ball to help him. But, theory was theory, and Dumbledore had specifically asked him to cover every aspect of Divination for his students. Including, unfortunately, crystal balls. “Ridiculous!” he added to himself, picking up a piece of chalk and scratching out those two embarrassing words on the board, “Absolutely ridiculous.” Ridiculous, yes, but necessary.
Luckily enough, Robert had chosen to use the textbook he’d assigned for the class as an easy guide for himself to navigate through the subject. And if those kids are inquisitive enough, I’ll just tell them that it’s because ‘The Forces’ wish for it to be so, he decided as an afterthought, smiling. Maybe teaching won’t be that bad after all, he began to feel, suddenly optimistic, when he remembered that teaching Divination would also involve him attempting to make reading tea leaves serious. With this depressing thought, Robert sank into the closest chair, once again wondering why he had signed up for this job in the first place. Well, it had sounded like a nice idea… and it was true he wasn’t exactly going to earn a living doing nothing at all… Sighing deeply, he looked into the crystal ball on the desk in front of him.
“O! Crystal ball!” he exclaimed silently to the orb, feeling ridiculous, “Show me the answers!” Sure that he wouldn’t see anything, Robert began to turn away and continue writing on the board, when he noticed a dark shape appear in the ball. Frowning and staring at the shape, he began to wonder whether or not his inability to sleep for long periods of time was getting to him. Squinting and tilting his head sideways, the dark shape seemed to get clearer. Surprised at this sudden reveal, the new Professor was delighted that what he was teaching might actually have merit, when he was interrupted by a sudden knock. “What do you want? I’m busy!” he barked, still contemplating the figure he was seeing. It was only 2 minutes later when he realized that it had probably been part of his class. Elegantly connecting his palm to his face, Robert dashed to the trapdoor that led to his classroom. “Wait! Come back!”
ANSWER: Dobby! *sobs*
OTHER: Just a note about Robert's divination abilities. He's unable to predict very far into the future, so he did have to embellish quite a bit when people asked him to predict their love lives or financial situations back in London. His predictions usually extend from later that day to around a week later, and nothing more. However, whenever something "big" is about to happen, Robert finds himself unable to predict what it is, only its nature or intent. To predict about a specific someone's future, Robert only needs to brush past the person in question or sustain some eye contact, occasionally even just by thinking about someone if it's really important, but he can still feel if "things" are going to happen in general. As diviners go, he's unable to see too much through crystal balls and feels that tea leaves are only good for making tea, but whatever predictions he makes are generally ninety percent accurate, although he is able to warn people in order prevent unfortunate circumstances from occurring (a la his first meeting with Dumbledore, as seen in History).
{ CODE OF CONDUCT }
I, Melissa Powers have read the rules of the site and accept to comply with them and their modifications. I understand that this is a mature site with mature matters. I understand that I must be open minded about it and will not complain, since it was stated in the rules I read. I will treat all members and staff alike and with respect. I understand that the staff has the power to delete and/or ban me for whatever reason they see fit.
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