Arthur Kirkland || England

[Arthur Kirkland]

Arthur Warren Kirkland The world likes running on what it strives to be—neat little packages of right and wrong. Very little consideration is ever given for the system that keeps the broken patterns alive. Very few challenge the system, dismantling the structure that keeps them sick. The few who do challenge it, who dare to shake the structure upon which we stand, we’re the no-good rebels, the ingrates who cannot simply accept the world for what it is. We see it through different lens. Acceptability is no longer acceptable.

CODE NAME: Renegade

Male

24

Bisexual

English

Field Agent

Agent

Physical

175 cm

10 st

Ash Blond

Green

Pale

Slender

Personal

• Proud: Even at a young age, Arthur displayed a fundamental tendency toward thinking rather well of himself and his achievements. This trait is a culmination of nature and nurture (a trait shared by his mother), from his stringent upbringing to the lengthy expectations placed upon him. More often than not, his parents have always expected quite a bit from him, namely being someone worthy of carrying on the family name, which means a substantial amount, even to his politician mother who’s looking to secure her own place of influence and power. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Arthur holds his mother’s opinion in high regard; rather, he holds enough confidence and surety in himself to be more than willing to defy these expectations and to secure his own (carefully incongruent) ambitions. This sort of pride is a mixture of the less attractive appeal toward smugness and the sort of pride that is well earned through hard work and dedication. On the outside, he exudes confidence befitting of the very person he strives to be: someone who is used to being heard and well-regarded. He is well aware of his tendency with protecting and nurturing his pride and makes no apologies for it. Because of Arthur’s surety in himself, it makes it easier for him to shoulder severe criticism or to allow harsh words to fade. Like any person, he harbours a susceptible underside beneath his sometimes abrasive front, easy to wound if the person knows exactly what nerve to hit. It’s for this reason that he tends to keep most people at a distance, ensuring few glimpses at those tender vulnerabilities. • Meticulous: Arthur has always been quite serious about his work, always early to functions and appointments, and always attempting to ensure that everything is where it should be. Everything has its proper place—from physical objects, to behaviours, words, and actions. If there is anything that doesn’t quite fit, then he may become easily unsettled and won’t feel at ease until he ‘fixes’ it. This isn’t to say that Arthur is incapable of ignoring breeches of this sense of order, but it isn’t easy. Likewise, he applies this high level of expectancy for himself. Arthur expects himself to perform at a certain level, whether it’s with his studies, receiving high marks, or in his interactions with people. He is particularly precise with his writing, always his own worst critic, and feels the need to edit and review each piece multiple times before he allows himself any whisper of satisfaction. Part of this comes from the fact that he was expected to be perfect at home and at school, with his father being the driving force behind the criticism—if he accomplished anything less, then he was nothing short of a disappointment. • Intelligent: While Arthur tends to excel in academics, he also has his clever moments, whether it be with his words or with concocting some sort of quick solution to a problem. He scored highly in measures of intellect as a child, and growing up, his parents took this as a sure sign that he was meant to follow in their footsteps, to be in a high powered occupation and to reflect only accomplishment on the Kirkland name. Closely related, Arthur enjoys company that is mentally stimulating, particularly if the other person is witty and thoughtful, even in jest. Rather than shouldering the insult, Arthur is more prone to being amused and will engage back in the somewhat argumentative banter. • Well-Mannered: While Arthur isn’t generally concerned with how others perceive him, he does follow a certain protocol of polite mannerisms and social decorum. If he views it as important, like he says, then he’s going to put it into practice. He’s never exactly been the charming sort, the sort of young man who can get whatever he wants with a smile and a string of flattering words. However, he has his own brand of charming, more along the lines of the stereotypical behaviours of the ‘perfect English gentlemen’ if it serves a purpose. Usually curt words are either cut short or twisted into something a little more attractive; and therefore, much more persuasive to achieve an end. Of course, there are moments where words aren’t as necessary as a wandering, devious hand to achieve his ends. • Sharp-tongued: Sarcasm is a frequently used vessel of Arthur’s deprecating brand of humour. Whether it’s offering a scathing review of the latest film, the latest political maneuver, the writing of the newest novel hot off the press, or throwing back a retort, Arthur knows how to cut with his words. And perhaps a bit too well, at that. Being on the slighter side, he normally doesn’t stand a chance in a physical fight against anyone much larger, so he’s honed other skills, namely with running quickly or using his tongue (and yes, that can also be taken inappropriately.) Not that he wouldn’t put up a valiant effort in a fight, as he would never turn his back to one. As a child, if he wasn’t quick enough, he was usually the one who ended up with the black eye at school if the insults and arguments ever erupted. He’s normally not needlessly cruel, although there are moments when a harsh comment slips past without a second thought when it would’ve been better if he’d held it back. • Stubborn: Arthur is extremely strong-willed and rarely changes his mind once it’s been made. He trusts his judgement over others, and would rather fail by his own decisions rather than by someone else’s folly. This also explains why it’s difficult for Arthur to overcome his own insecurities/denial in certain situations, such as simply accepting when someone wants his friendship or accepting his own feelings regarding a certain situation. He’s also particularly mulish when it comes to genuinely forgiving others. If he feels that he’s been wronged, then it can be exceedingly difficult to win back his good favour. Whenever he’s in the wrong, it can be equally difficult for him to offer his own apologies, even when he feels that it’s largely warranted. With time and effort, he will make the effort eventually, and whenever they do make their rare appearance, they’re usuallly awkwardly sincere. • Scrappy: Arthur has a certain persistence that’s difficult to ignore—he’s always been fiercely determined with accomplishing what he sets out to accomplish. Even if beaten to the lowest of lows, he will never fail to try again, to try until he is no longer able to pick himself up. More often than not, Arthur refuses to allow himself to become snared in the fronds of disappointment whenever something doesn’t turn out quite as he had hoped. He adapts when his situation demands it, choosing to be composed and to soldier on when the rest of the world continues without pause. Whenever his mother was absent, Arthur learned to take care of himself. He even taught himself to cook (quite terribly-- It’s a wonder that he hasn’t given himself food poisoning from all of his culinary concoctions.) • Cynical: Instead of seeing all that is right with the world, Arthur sees all that’s wrong with it. He views the city in particular as something that is and always will be broken—tangled with disappointment and filled with people wishing for something better. In his opinion, it’s better to survive, to prepare for the worst, rather than embody someone who continues to live life through rose-tinted lens. He has a similar view regarding the start of any sort of relationship, with the belief that they there are usually formed with ulterior motives. • Addictive: There will always be that allure with digging his fingers into the forbidden fruits of society —experimenting with substances, flirting with the boundaries built with the stringent rules of society, or with simply being unconventional. It’s a personal contradiction that he doesn’t mind coming clean about. Arthur is stringent when he thinks it matters while filling the role of a rebel by simultaneously challenging that same structure. A part of him has always held an attraction for tearing down the constructs, the same constructs that place an unbelievable amount of pressure on him to perform and to achieve perfection that he'd been taught to symbolise. There’s a certain romance with anarchist ideals that has always attracted forbidden interest from him. Arthur's attraction to alcohol, cigarettes, dangerous lovers, and substances is an addiction that calms his nerves. The only sure way he can relax is with a few (or more) shots or the comforting draw of a cigarette. It’s the only coping mechanism that seems to work, at least for now. • Fanciful: With his own writing, he enjoys testing the boundaries of ideas and imaginative fabrications that have yet to be explored. While he enjoys reading about the strange and the exotic, he hopes to someday create his own noteworthy piece of fictional virtuoso (putting it in the most humble terms possible, of course.) While he has always had a bit of a rampant imagination, Arthur often finds himself attracted to the eccentric, the artistic, and the unusual qualities in others. • His Idea of Romance: Arthur has some difficulty with recognising love for what it is. In his younger years, he’s never been exposed to a great deal of genuine affection from either parent and he grew up under the impression that he was more of a bother to his mother after the divorce. Likewise, he had difficulty with achieving a healthy level of affection with most childhood friends, a feat that he was never really good at to begin with. Friendliness doesn't come naturally for him and this affects the difficulty with how he is able to form romantic relationships in his later years. Arthur’s approach to romance is a bit unsure and tentative, though he’s also very honest and forthright with his feelings once he’s sure of them. Arthur’s secretly always been enamoured with the stories he’s read and heard about romance, of the undying and selfless kind of love that others would kill for. He’s never witnessed that form of affection between his parents up until their divorce, and he’s never had a healthy example of that since. As such, Arthur is learning what’s considered appropriately romantic gestures. Most of his efforts tend to be rather awkward, but genuine. • Possessive: Closely related to Arthur’s cynical view of the world, once he finds that one shining piece of satisfaction, he can become rather possessive over it, whether it’s over a gained accomplishment, materialistic ends, a certain position, or with others. He’s never been one for sharing. This level of possessiveness is only forthcoming when something feels acquired... unless there are clear-cut boundaries or definitions within a certain relationship that state otherwise. Again, this depends just as much on the person or possession. So, even if there are clear boundaries, there’s still a possibility of this behaviour, intentional or not.

Likes

Dislikes

⇒ Alcohol: His most intimate and pleasing of vices, and most likely his worst. It’s a terrible weakness of his, always a tempting indulgence. Whiskey, scotch, rum, cider, ale, gin—he doesn’t discriminate between various types of liquor. Liquor is liquor. Although Arthur would rather admit that his liking for alcohol is at a ‘perfectly normal’ level for any young man, there’s a definite attachment to it that could very easily grow into something worse. Of course, he would never admit to having any issues with it. ⇒ Intellectual Pursuits: There is a certain level of seriousness and dedication that follows Arthur wherever his work is concerned. Aside from when he was preparing for the future during university or engaged in his current work, he also enjoys activities that are mentally stimulating. He’s a reader, a writer, a researcher, and is drawn to logical games such as chess, bridge, euchre, and backgammon whenever he has time to spare. ⇒ Literature: He will read whatever he can get his hands on. Generally, Arthur gravitates toward older volumes, stories of mythology and legends, as well as the classics. Although, in all honesty, he will read anything that’s well written with a clever concept. He would never admit to it, but he may even pick up the occasional book of poetry as well. He views each stanza as a convoluted puzzle — one constructed of words instead of trinkets to latch together to form a better understanding of the pieces. ⇒ Fanciful and/or whimsical stories: Amusedly combined with his oftentimes blunt and practical disposition, Arthur enjoys stories about mythical creatures or of the whimsy of the likes of Lewis Carroll. There’s an odd feeling of normalcy he gains whenever indulging in this particular fancy every so often. And he can’t help but to feel endeared to the fact that despite them not (seemingly, in this case) existing, stories about the same beloved creatures of myth and imagination are constantly being retold with every generation. ⇒ Tea: There’s nothing better to Arthur than getting comfortable with a soft, oversized sweater, a hot cup of tea, and a good book. He likes both black and herbal varieties. Any onlooker can usually determine what sort of mood Arthur’s in depending on what sort of tea he decided to put on—there are certain flavours that he prefers whenever feeling restless and agitated, for example. Tea is also associated with some of his few pleasant childhood memories. One of his favourites include being back at home with the smell of black tea on cold winter evenings, buried beneath the bundled warmth of quilts and homemade sweaters. ⇒ Cooking/Baking: Although his talent and taste level is questionable, Arthur appreciates time spent in the kitchen if he’s given the opportunity. While he enjoys both cooking and baking, he prefers his baked items just a tad bit more. Most of the time, when he bakes for others, that’s one of his few easily identified expressions of his affection and nothing pleases him more than to see others eat his food, even though he knows (deep, deep, deep down) that it could stand to be a little better. According to him, there’s nothing wrong with his food, at least not enough that warrants the massive complaints he's received from others. ⇒ Thoughtful gestures: Arthur’s to be won over by thoughtful gestures instead of grand and expensive ones. And they don’t even necessarily have to be successful. Simple enough attempts to gain his favour normally won’t go unnoticed and there’s a sense of appreciation for the little things. ⇒ Propriety: He believes that everyone in society should adhere to a certain standard of behaviour and courtesy, one of common sense and decency. If everyone followed the ‘rules’ and behaved how they should, then Arthur believes that the world would run a lot smoother. Although, this is yet again one of the odd contradictions in Arthur's character: he values propriety and yet he admires those (anarchists) who seek to challenge the current structure in order to tear down and rebuild something new. ⇒ Needlework: Arthur is partial to needlework, sewing and repairing, as well as embroidering for decoration or embellishment. He learned early on through his caretaker (whom his father hired when Arthur was too young to look after himself while he was otherwise too busy working or distracted to give him the time of day) how to knit and crochet anything from scarves to caps and sweaters. Aside from being productive, it serves as a bit of a mindless escape.

⇒ Willful Ignorance: Arthur generally has very little patience with the incompetence of others, namely those who he believes should know better. What truly irks him is when people continue to choose to be ignorant or naïve, even after a revelation that should encourage them otherwise. Arthur has little patience for such aggravating nonsense. ⇒ Being insulted: True insults are never taken lightly and Arthur has the tendency to get nasty with his own words in return. So, whenever anyone sends some his way, depending on the person, the reason, and the circumstance, then he takes it as invitation to engage right back. If it happens to be a rather petty insult; however, one hardly worthy of his time, then it won’t be bothered with the dignity of a response. ⇒ His mother: His mother is well known among the public as a respectable and fiercely intelligent woman, but her public image has very little to do with the person she becomes behind closed doors. She's a politician first, a mother second. She's usually at the office and on the rare occasions when she isn’t are the moments that Arthur finds reasons to leave home. The woman is the proud owner of a rather chilling disposition; she sees only the potential and the use that can be gained from whatever she seems to be glancing at—people are equated to material ends. And her son is no exception. She measures Arthur with what should be a paternal glance and sets lofty expectations that he's never been able to quite reach. Their home has always lacked the warmth prevalent in other homes with close families. Growing up with a single parent who’s both authoritarian and absent has left Arthur with no parent at all, just a hired housekeeper on the weekdays and a personal sergeant of a parent who sets high demands and is never truly pleased with him. ⇒ Invasion of his personal space: Arthur is extremely protective of his personal space. He won’t stand for it being violated — although this is closely tied with his strict sense of propriety. The easiest way to raise his discomfort is to stand too closely or to otherwise be too familiar. This extends to his personal property as well. He is of the opinion that the other person should very well ask before touching him or his things. ⇒ Loss of control: The feeling of being caged or in some other place of physical vulnerability is another effective way to electrify his anxiety. Arthur thrives on what little control he’s been able to obtain, only allowing it to slip from his white-knuckled grip for very few exceptions. One of these is if he’s with a person that he indefinitely trusts. ⇒ Failure: There’s nothing that injures his pride more deeply than the taste of failure or the insinuation that he was somehow a disappointment. It’s the single most common word that he’s heard growing up and it’s the dread of failure that forces him to move forward. Even if it happens, it certainly isn’t enough to stop Arthur from rising to try again. ⇒ Apologies: As previously mentioned, Arthur’s never been comfortable with admitting that he may have been in the wrong, so apologies from him are rare. Whenever he does muster up enough courage and humility to make them if they’re warranted, they tend to be awkwardly sincere. Although it would be nice if they were accepted, if they aren't, then simply coming to that point is still enough to give some semblance of relief. ⇒ Vulnerability: Namely when he feels that others can see his flaws as clearly as he does. Arthur detests feeling weak and that’s exactly how he feels when it becomes apparent. His personal vulnerabilities include a deeply seeded fear of rejection and abandonment along with perpetuating beliefs of inadequacy. Every person probably fears rejection and abandonment to some extent—people thrive on contact, a sense of belonging, and knowing that others will love and appreciate them no matter how often they fail.

Dreams

Fears

⇒ To be Free of his Proverbial Cage: If he were to be brutally honest with himself, which he usually is, his temporary situation with the M16 is no more and no less than a glamorous cage where he can practise socially acceptable behaviour without the nuisance of chains holding him in one place. London, which was once his beloved home, is quickly filling with tainted memories and reminders of just how caged he really is within the city walls. ⇒ Openly Being with his Lover: Partly going with being freed of his society-constructed chains, Arthur really isn’t all that fond of sneaking around with Francis. He’s the sort who would rather be open and honest about his affections, not hiding them behind closed doors, and being careful not to speak about him in front of others, and not feeling hindered with where he can go with Francis in public. ⇒ Closer Family Ties: As screwed up as they already are, family is still family and Arthur wishes that they were closer and perhaps argued a little less. Not that he will ever admit that the passionate exchange of words ever bothered him when he was younger. He still tries to be the voice of reason, though that voice has grown considerably quieter since his break from the family during university and the rebellious period of his life afterwards. ⇒ Learning to Trust: Arthur’s been burned and he’s been abandoned. After that experience, he’s grown considerably more cynical and increasingly more paranoid with the truth behind a person’s facade, never one to place his trust so blindly, so intimately in another person. And yet, he knows that he wants to feel that sense of unconditional trust and love with someone. He’s simply trapped and stuck—unsure with how he’ll make his way around the barrier of general distrust. As hard-headed as he sometimes likes to come across, he really does have a heart. It just takes time and effort to uncover it.

⇒ Amounting to Nothing: With the uncertainties that came with never meeting stringent expectations growing up as well as being taught to fear the lack of notable endeavors, Arthur has a nearly conditioned fear of not accomplishing anything worthwhile. When he was young, he believed that if he could just reach that expectation, of being someone that his parents could be proud of, then he could finally feel the coveted warmth of acceptance and affection, that satisfaction he’d been missing for far, far too long. Even now, striving for a something deliberately separate from what his mother would have wanted, he still feels that same fear crawling beneath his skin whenever he doesn’t reach certain goals or milestones that he told himself he would reach by a certain time. His own voice of criticism oftentimes replaces his parents'. ⇒ Rejection: One would think that being repeatedly disregarded at home would give him enough exposure to not dread the anticipated sting that rejection always carries, but it doesn’t. To this day, Arthur still has troubling confronting with the aftermath of rejection, whether it’s something as distant as being declined when applying for a certain university or something as personal as cutting a relationship short. It’s difficult at times to separate reasonable explanations from how he could have possibly done better, mulling over the things that could have been different, or how he could have prevented it. ⇒ Abandonment: Arthur has some rather complicated abandonment issues, seeing as he grew up essentially parenting himself. His father physically wasn't there, his mother was both physically and emotionally absent. After experiencing a growing number of difficulties so far in his young life, he was quick to learn that he damn well better take care of himself because no one will do it for him.

Background

Arthur, the supposed ‘golden child’ beneath his parent’s scrutiny, was born April 23rd. His earliest childhood years were spent oblivious to the fact that he had quite a large family, a ménage of half siblings outside of his parents’ brief marriage. His father was never really a father, holding more the role of a philanthropic sperm-donor among various women, while his mother was actually quite a powerful, fierce, working women involved in politics. It’s a wonder that his father had managed to woo her in any shape or form. His philanthropy continued, of course, and they eventually divorced after engaging in passionate arguments that at times became physically violent. He was ten when they finally called it quits. In return, Arthur received healthy role models of what a loving, respectful relationship should look like. (Oh yes he did...) His mother continued working, even after securing full custody of Arthur, though she completely submerged herself into her work after the divorce, leaving him to his own devices. The one good thing that Arthur had from his early childhood was being introduced to the son of one of his parents’ business partner. His name was Francis. Arthur was around 5-6 years old while the boy was around 7-8 years old. Despite the age difference, Arthur immediately fell into the role of attempting to boss him around, initiating rivalries over the smallest things, and always trying to one-up the other boy. The two eventually overcame their differences and became fast friends, practically attached at the hip most times. The older Arthur grew and the more unstable and sometimes violent his home life became, he would lose himself in the friendship he had with Francis. While his mother usually left Arthur by himself, he learned to take care of himself, learned to cook for himself (quite horribly), and learned to give himself the structure that he craved from his parents. And so, he became quite the young man at an early age, unknowingly losing a large portion of his childhood and adapting to quite a different lifestyle by the time he was twelve years old. Arthur took care of himself and he trusted absolutely no one to do it for him. He made sure that he went to school on time, did his homework when he should, and put himself to bed when he should. He even dressed the part, like a miniature version of an adult, aside from the fact that he had never learned to properly comb his hair. It was in the middle to later years of his childhood that he was introduced to the rest of his outside family, which was only an introduction to more arguments and more strained relationships. By the time Arthur had reached puberty, the tumultuous age of 13, he slowly came to the realisation that his complicated feelings for his best and most complicated friend, Francis, probably went beyond normal friendliness. And he initiated a bit of innocent experimentation with him, usually inviting him over to his home, as it was usually emptied of parental supervision. And it wasn’t until he reached his 14th birthday that he realised that he, in fact, liked his friend more than a friend. With endearing awkwardness, Arthur confessed his feelings to him, in what was probably a very confusing manner despite how often he’d rehearsed it in his head. Since then, they had started a very tentative and slow romantic relationship up until their years at secondary school. Early habits of fierce ambition (for what, Arthur wasn’t quite sure yet) and an inner sense of self-preservation continued into secondary school. His mother came to expect quite a bit from him, hoping beyond hope that he would find an interest in law and make his way, just as she had, into the world of power, politics, and barely masked corruption. She had connections and she was ready to use them. And for a while, Arthur really thought that he was going to head in that direction the further that he delved into his studies and prepared for university. The further he studied and the more he saw how his mother really conducted business, occasionally accepting illegal bribes and following through with uncouth favours for advancement, along with how the privileged lived their lives over the underprivileged, he developed an exceedingly cynical and contemptuous view of the world and the people in it. Beneath a seemingly harmless and well-put-together individual, resided a sharp and ruthless tongue, beneath the guise of something that had the potential to be quite charming. Even so, Arthur showed promise, he received high marks, and was readily accepted into several prestigious universities after being interviewed. Upon finishing secondary school, but before he could begin university, someone else saw a different sort of potential in him. Arthur met him on the outskirts of his university—a slightly older man, Mihai Chimet going by the name Marius. The man clearly didn’t belong to the university and his reasons for being there were less than honourable, for the mystery man was connected to an organisation of self-proclaimed revolutionaries, for lack of a better title. He remembered him being passionate in his own right, edged with a bitterness and anger against society, and filled with a fire that Arthur eventually came to crave. He craved belonging in a group with those rebellious ideals so desperately and so unexpectedly, that it didn’t take very much coaxing to bring Arthur into his world. It wasn’t long after engaging in this group that Arthur began to change. He traded out his meticulously pressed button-downs and unwrinkled cardigans, peeling back those layers of practiced decency and society-influenced gentlemanly politeness and exchanged it for something volatile, passionate, and dangerous. It was a thrill that he hadn’t tasted before. Arthur abandoned his studies, abandoned his university, and left his family behind to follow this man’s group like a right fool. As most passionate impulses go, it was blind, it was stupid, and the thrill of it was beyond satisfying. He was exploring a side of him that had gone untouched, too perfectly groomed by society and all too perfectly put together. And unsurprisingly, Arthur truly changed as a result. The idea of tearing down a broken and abused structure along with the governments that perpetuated it was so contrary to what he’d grown up with, so contrary to a product of the brokenness in his own family structure, that he embraced it wholeheartedly. If the political corruption he witnessed was a glimpse into the world he had been studying to become a part of, then it warranted a bit of ruin. The further Arthur became involved in the organisation, the more he developed a particular set of skills—he was able to lie more smoothly, to hide the insult and cynical sting behind a charming enough persona, he was able to organise operations with flawless detail and precision, and lastly found that he was a bloody good shot. The capability to follow through with such ruthlessness was perhaps the most unsettling discovery, that he had the proficiency to separate remorse and morality so cleanly while committing a growing number of crimes. While all of this was occurring, Arthur made rather devious efforts to drag Francis into this dangerous and thrilling world right along with him, unknowingly inspiring the man to pursue a different form of orgnaised crime. Unfortunately, lawless thrills had to end for him eventually. A small portion of the anarchist organisation that Arthur was deeply involved in was infiltrated by the M16. Arthur, along with a handful of others, were taken. Four years of his life went to this underworld organisation. It was his high-powered politician mother as well as an oddly involved effort on the end of M16 that kept his anonymity, his face and name from the papers, and his court proceedings silent. He had been expecting life in prison for his involvement, but was instead approached by M16 for a different sort of trade. He never questioned how they knew as much as they did. Instead of life in prison, they wanted the remainder of his life in service to them. After, of course, providing intimate information they’d been seeking regarding the specific sector of the organisation that he had been a part of. Arthur gave them what they wanted, knowing that doing so would paint the largest, most permanent target on the back of his skull in the lawless world. The shared information was carefully selective, however. His intelligence connected to certain other lawless, especially anything regarding Francis Bonnefoy, remained unspoken. Mistakes were made and dealt with. At this point, Arthur felt a bit lost, unsure where or how he was going to proceed now that he’d been effectively chained to M16 for the rest of his life. A part of him was tempted to simply bury that portion of his past, along with his love’s name and the decadent memories tied to it. And it was through the perceived corruption of the government that had saved him, ironically. Whatever his wealthy, politician mother had done alongside the M16, his case was ruled inconclusive after the evidence tying him directly to specific incidents of the organisation had either been tampered with or was deemed circumstantial at best. Either case, with the M16’s selective evidence, it was not enough to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he was directly involved. And in return, he would enjoy conditional freedom, under the heavy surveillance of the M16. Life under the microscope. At first, he was constricted to analyst work where he would be kept in one place, easily looked after for the duration of his time while also being permitted to finish his university education. It took another two years for him to prove his ‘loyalty’ to be moved from an analyst to a field agent. Since then, he has also discovered that quite a few of his family members have also since become a part of M16—resulting in a very unconventional and cumbersome reunion with them. As far as Francis goes, Arthur was pleasantly surprised to receive correspondence almost immediately from him after the grueling end of his trial. It was through various people and kept carefully anonymous. Since, then the two of them have been sending secret messages to the other and setting up secret meetings. Every moment he’s with Francis is a gamble—whether he’ll get caught or unintentionally sell Francis out to M16. It’s a tragic setup, but the two continue to meet with the other regardless of the risks. For now, Arthur has resigned to the fact that this has to be enough. Meeting at one or the other’s nondescript flat, booking random dinners throughout the city, or renting private rooms in order to be free from prying eyes. Every whispered word of endearment must be kept quiet, every romantic gesture exchanged beneath the proverbial table. It was an exchange like this that Arthur received a very unconventional proposal from Francis. Yet another thing that must remain hidden, his newly engaged status. The future is never set in stone, however. Presently, Arthur continues to eye his society-built chains, still viewing them with powerless resentment.

Role-Play Sample

Hic Inceptis Pestis. Here begins the plague. The green and beauty of the land seemed to almost wither and sag beneath the heavy stench of death—laced among the bodies, metal, and burgundy tainted flesh that littered it. This wasn’t the first time that England’s rivers ran red and he was most certain that this wouldn’t be his last. War and scuffles between the siblings that subsisted here seemed almost natural with how often they occurred. None of them compared to this—at least, thus far. This was not the first of England’s losses, nor the last of France’s victories. This battle, however, was over, and England hadn’t won. There could have been so many reasons for this defeat. So many. At least a dozen possibilities—France was better prepared, England had grown weary from fighting Denmark and Norway barely a week before, or even simply the fact that he was still so young, hardly even prepubescent, and lacked the skill and strength to fight a grown nation. And yet none of these explanations came to mind. None of them formulated in the young nation’s thoughts as he stood, pale-faced and numb, among the numbers of his dead—standing in ill-fitting clothing, armour, and leather padding. All that went through his mind was the resounding pain of losing something so precious—so vital. He ached everywhere. Already, the sickening warmth of blood could be felt pooling beneath his skin where large welts and bruises were rapidly darkening. He ignored the pain as the fierce adrenaline slowly weaned, barely noticeable in some places and absolutely burning everywhere else. Of course the part that hurt the most was the tender pressure beneath his breastbone where youthful pride subsided—stinging and spreading like poison through his veins, leaving only a chilling detachment in its wake. None had ever conquered him. Not entirely, anyway. Norway, Denmark, and Germany had only impressed themselves upon him; bled into his being, his language, and his people. It was nothing compared to what France had just accomplished—nothing compared to what that foreigner was going to do to him. The two of them had met before. A while ago when the long-haired bastard had once put on a front of friendly mildness—making promises that the once naïve England now knew were never meant to be kept. Or, had in the very least, given him a false sense of security. Hastings would be bloodstained for years to come, and England had nothing to show for it but defeat. He is not much more than a child, his too-big armour pinched when it moved about the thin frame it caged and chaffed against his skin. The weight of it dragged him down. The now torn cloak about his shoulders had been practically trailing on the ground and his sword had been gripped awkwardly, incorrectly, in fingers not large enough to properly hold it. He was young. And yet, even so, he had never tasted such vile defeat. He had never been conquered—not properly, not wholly. England’s eyes lifted for the first time in the long minutes since he felt the semblance of conquest so harshly within his chest. His gaze traveled past the dense weather, along the length of the cold grey chapel nestled like a jewel at the centre of the cruciform abbey. He felt him nearby. England tensed, though he stood his ground, waiting for what he knew would come. Waiting. And he was so achingly alone in the eerie field of death. Flesh prickled as his eyes wandered among the deceased. His knuckles whitened against the warm, slippery metal, trying to stop the shiver from migrating past his thin arms. Change. He knew it was coming. He knew it was inevitable.

OOC Information

Ally/Rye

Skype: Ask for skype.

What does it mean when your boyfriend is in your bed gasping for breath and calling your name? A: You didn't hold the pillow down long enough.

You’re so selfish. You're going to have that body the rest of your life and I just want it for one night. (>w>)

made by CAPTAIN of BACK TO NEVERLAND

[Worldie]

APPROVED

Welcome to TND. Your application has been accepted. Heey! I'm so excited to have you here! I know you've been busy, so we're honored you've decided to join us anyway~ For starters, great work on your app. Your personality for Arthur is charming as always, so very complicated and lovely. It's obvious that you've worked with your muse for awhile and have gone pretty in-depth to a lot of these aspects, which is great to see. Your backstory is well-done too; I like the various contrasting aspects of his history and I'm curious as to how that'll end up playing out when tied together with his character. It seems so far he's just another cog in the Kirkland machine, but perhaps he'll manage to roll out of place? Go on then, and see what chaos Arthur can get himself into. The name is Kirkland. Arthur Kirkland.

made by CAPTAIN of BACK TO NEVERLAND