![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
𝖯𝖤𝖤𝖱 𝖳𝖧𝖤 𝖲𝖯𝖤𝖤𝖣𝖨𝖭𝖦 𝖧𝖮𝖱𝖲𝖤𝖲 —
death has always seemed to follow him. his mother died in childbirth. when he was seven, he and his older brother, nikolai, trekked into the woods to search for frogs. twenty-six hours later, nikolai was found dead at the bottom of a ravine, while alexei was found floating in a canoe two miles away with no memory of the previous day. at nine, his nanny fell from a window, and, at thirteen, a friend and his family perished in a house fire. in an area still steeped in old traditions and beliefs, people became convinced that alexei was cursed and so avoided him.
at seventeen, he left russia with nothing more than a thousand rubles and a desire to escape his father. he changed his name and joined the kriminalpolizei, eventually attaining the rank of detective. but death still seemed to follow him. his first partner died of a heart attack. his second in a skiing accident. his third partner died in a drug bust gone wrong, in which alexei was the only survivor. even the most rational people can be influenced by superstition, and the other detectives began to avoid him. he stayed for a couple more years, but resigned from the kripo when it became obvious that he would never rise above his current rank.
after a series of unimportant events, he found himself in the united states on a visitor visa. he traveled west until he hit san francisco. it's said that a siren's call brought the founders of the blackwood detective agency to the area two centuries prior, and perhaps that's also why alexei ends up there.
for the past three years, he has worked at the agency as a field agent: investigating mysterious deaths, retrieving magical objects, and skip tracing. he doesn't know why he joined or still stays. the pay is good and the work is stimulating. it allows him to help people, which is what he has always wanted to do. maybe it's that none of his colleagues regard him with suspicion or fear because of his past misfortunes. no one around him has died, and maybe that has something to do with the agency and its magic. not that he would allow anyone to get close to him to test if that's true or not. he prefers to work alone anyway.
at seventeen, he left russia with nothing more than a thousand rubles and a desire to escape his father. he changed his name and joined the kriminalpolizei, eventually attaining the rank of detective. but death still seemed to follow him. his first partner died of a heart attack. his second in a skiing accident. his third partner died in a drug bust gone wrong, in which alexei was the only survivor. even the most rational people can be influenced by superstition, and the other detectives began to avoid him. he stayed for a couple more years, but resigned from the kripo when it became obvious that he would never rise above his current rank.
after a series of unimportant events, he found himself in the united states on a visitor visa. he traveled west until he hit san francisco. it's said that a siren's call brought the founders of the blackwood detective agency to the area two centuries prior, and perhaps that's also why alexei ends up there.
for the past three years, he has worked at the agency as a field agent: investigating mysterious deaths, retrieving magical objects, and skip tracing. he doesn't know why he joined or still stays. the pay is good and the work is stimulating. it allows him to help people, which is what he has always wanted to do. maybe it's that none of his colleagues regard him with suspicion or fear because of his past misfortunes. no one around him has died, and maybe that has something to do with the agency and its magic. not that he would allow anyone to get close to him to test if that's true or not. he prefers to work alone anyway.
his earliest memories are of fear and guilt. fear of death. guilt for living. fear of isolation. guilt for wanting. fear of his father. guilt for his mama and brother. he thinks he has outgrown these anxieties. they were placed in a box along with his other childhood things when he left russia. and yet, they still cleave to him, appearing as a shadow behind his closed eyelids. alexei turns his gaze to ignore it, not out of courage or maturity, but fear. he's afraid that he's not strong — not good enough. he's afraid that, despite every rational explanation, he is cursed and doomed to be alone.
logically, rationally, however, he doesn't believe he's cursed. there's a simple and reasonable explanation for each death. if there is a curse, it's this cruelty and selfishness that stains his soul. anger management issues have always been a struggle for him. he can be mean and spiteful, especially when he believes he has been unfairly treated. but he doesn't think that's either important or interesting. his pain is neither interesting nor unique. neither is wickedness. it's easy. at best, the world is indifferent, and at worst, it's wicked, so people should be neither.
from this philosophy stems his overwhelming, almost debilitating desire to help and be kind, as though he must overcompensate. everything he does must be good and perfect because he's alive with a stain on his soul, while his mama and brother aren't. he has a strong sense of righteousness and justice. while not every law is right, alexei still believes it should be followed, or else risk chaos and corruption. but, if justice is not being served, he is willing to bend a few rules. he is a cop through and through, however, and perhaps that's another overcompensation for his father being a criminal through and through. since joining the blackwood detective agency, his commitment to justice and order has only strengthened, as he has often had to serve as judge, jury, and executioner.
years of being a cop have shaped his mind to notice the details. be sharp and relentless. stay focused on the case. find the meaning and logic behind a crime scene. even now, the existence of the supernatural never dissuades alexei from first seeking out a "normal" and "natural" explanation, though he is willing to at least listen to outlandish ideas. it's an odd paradox, almost a cognitive dissonance. he can believe in the supernatural while also remaining skeptical; he can be rigid to the law while also breaking it; he can be a pessimist while also clinging to hope; he can crave affection and frivolity while also avoiding them.
alexei prefers to work alone, enstranging him from other agents. in his two years at the agency, there has been one partner. all offers for permanent partnerships are politely refused, though he is willing to accept help or backup on occasion. some say it's because of his high standards; he can be fastidious and demanding. it's true that he wants the best from everyone, but to label him a grim, humorless martinet is a disservice (though he can be grim and humorless, but mostly because he doesn't entirely understand american humor). alexei feels more than he lets on because he has learned that showing emotions and wanting something can often lead to disappointment and hurt. his earliest memories were of fear and guilt, and they still cleave to him. he says it's for the best that he remains in this box and away from others, but he craves affection and frivolity and life. but he's afraid that he's neither strong nor good enough for those things.
and so perhaps he is cursed.
logically, rationally, however, he doesn't believe he's cursed. there's a simple and reasonable explanation for each death. if there is a curse, it's this cruelty and selfishness that stains his soul. anger management issues have always been a struggle for him. he can be mean and spiteful, especially when he believes he has been unfairly treated. but he doesn't think that's either important or interesting. his pain is neither interesting nor unique. neither is wickedness. it's easy. at best, the world is indifferent, and at worst, it's wicked, so people should be neither.
from this philosophy stems his overwhelming, almost debilitating desire to help and be kind, as though he must overcompensate. everything he does must be good and perfect because he's alive with a stain on his soul, while his mama and brother aren't. he has a strong sense of righteousness and justice. while not every law is right, alexei still believes it should be followed, or else risk chaos and corruption. but, if justice is not being served, he is willing to bend a few rules. he is a cop through and through, however, and perhaps that's another overcompensation for his father being a criminal through and through. since joining the blackwood detective agency, his commitment to justice and order has only strengthened, as he has often had to serve as judge, jury, and executioner.
years of being a cop have shaped his mind to notice the details. be sharp and relentless. stay focused on the case. find the meaning and logic behind a crime scene. even now, the existence of the supernatural never dissuades alexei from first seeking out a "normal" and "natural" explanation, though he is willing to at least listen to outlandish ideas. it's an odd paradox, almost a cognitive dissonance. he can believe in the supernatural while also remaining skeptical; he can be rigid to the law while also breaking it; he can be a pessimist while also clinging to hope; he can crave affection and frivolity while also avoiding them.
alexei prefers to work alone, enstranging him from other agents. in his two years at the agency, there has been one partner. all offers for permanent partnerships are politely refused, though he is willing to accept help or backup on occasion. some say it's because of his high standards; he can be fastidious and demanding. it's true that he wants the best from everyone, but to label him a grim, humorless martinet is a disservice (though he can be grim and humorless, but mostly because he doesn't entirely understand american humor). alexei feels more than he lets on because he has learned that showing emotions and wanting something can often lead to disappointment and hurt. his earliest memories were of fear and guilt, and they still cleave to him. he says it's for the best that he remains in this box and away from others, but he craves affection and frivolity and life. but he's afraid that he's neither strong nor good enough for those things.
and so perhaps he is cursed.
ATTIRE — sweaters/sweatshirts, t-shirts, some button-ups, chinos/khakis, and sneakers. usually dark and neutral colors. it looks like he shops exclusively at hibbett or gap (and he does). sometimes, a beanie, a trapper hat, or LA dodgers baseball cap. a silver g-shock 2100 series watch on his left wrist.
AURAL — low and throaty with a middle russian dialect (with some southern russian features). each word is carefully chosen to get his point across in the least amount of words. he is blunt and direct. but he is willing to "sugarcoat" and lighten his tone in appropriate situations. [english | russian]
DEMEANOR — calm, subdued, weary; like a careworn blanket. sometimes, it borders on indifference or unfriendliness. as he grows out of his shell, it transforms into a mellow affability. his humor comes out easier, too. during tense situations, he remains calm and composed. when he becomes stressed, he develops a sort of nervous energy.
OLFACTORY — primarily sandalwood and ivory soap. the faint scent of nicotine clings to his skin.
VISUAL — early 30s. 5'10. lean and wiry. it looks like a brisk wind could knock him down, but he's stronger and sturdier than expected. hard sinews of muscles hide beneath layers of clothing and a quiet nature. an inch-wide birthmark on his right shoulder. the old women in his town referred to it as the "mark of cain." it's usually covered with a nicotine patch. soft brown eyes. while he usually dresses very casually, he takes pride in his appearance and keeps himself clean and neat by shaving and bathing daily. however, when he becomes too engrossed in a case, he neglects to shave, so sometimes, he'll sport a light stubble. [references 1 | 2 | 3 | 4]
pb is ivan yankovsky.
AURAL — low and throaty with a middle russian dialect (with some southern russian features). each word is carefully chosen to get his point across in the least amount of words. he is blunt and direct. but he is willing to "sugarcoat" and lighten his tone in appropriate situations. [english | russian]
DEMEANOR — calm, subdued, weary; like a careworn blanket. sometimes, it borders on indifference or unfriendliness. as he grows out of his shell, it transforms into a mellow affability. his humor comes out easier, too. during tense situations, he remains calm and composed. when he becomes stressed, he develops a sort of nervous energy.
OLFACTORY — primarily sandalwood and ivory soap. the faint scent of nicotine clings to his skin.
VISUAL — early 30s. 5'10. lean and wiry. it looks like a brisk wind could knock him down, but he's stronger and sturdier than expected. hard sinews of muscles hide beneath layers of clothing and a quiet nature. an inch-wide birthmark on his right shoulder. the old women in his town referred to it as the "mark of cain." it's usually covered with a nicotine patch. soft brown eyes. while he usually dresses very casually, he takes pride in his appearance and keeps himself clean and neat by shaving and bathing daily. however, when he becomes too engrossed in a case, he neglects to shave, so sometimes, he'll sport a light stubble. [references 1 | 2 | 3 | 4]
pb is ivan yankovsky.
- fluent in three languages: russian, german, and english. as english is his third language, he might not know or understand a word or idiom. he won't be offended if a person corrects him when he uses the wrong word (so long as it's not done condescendingly). additionally, he can recite some latin.
- knows some rudimentary magic knowledge, mostly protection spells and demon expulsion.
- trained in basic hand-to-hand combat — while his first instinct is to avoid violence and find a peaceful solution, he knows enough to handle himself in a scrap. what he lacks in power and size, he makes up for in speed, cleverness, and endurance. he knows how to take a beating.
- skilled marksman.
- lockpicking and escapology skills.
- trained and experienced in investigation and surveillance — he received technical education in criminology when he joined the kriminalpolizei. at the blackwood agency, he has one of the highest case closure rates.
CANON — original.
ASSUMED CR — yes! feel free to pm to hash out details!
FLIRTING — sure. but he can be pretty clueless, so don't be surprised if he doesn't catch it.
SHIPPING — if there's chemistry, let's talk! due to his job and previous relationship experiences, expect it to be slow burn.
m/f 30+
not interested: cross medium or aged up characters.
SMUT — not without prior cr.
PHYSICAL CONTACT — superficial and casual contact, such as handshakes, is fine. anything intimate, such as hugging or kissing, will be declined (unless there's established cr).
FIGHTING — yes.
TELEPATHY/MIND CONTROL — yes but only with prior discussion. his mind is a steel trap crammed with regret and trauma, so it might be difficult and unpleasant.
INJURY — minor: always. major: let's plot.
DEATH — yes. but he may come back, who knows?
ASSUMED CR — yes! feel free to pm to hash out details!
FLIRTING — sure. but he can be pretty clueless, so don't be surprised if he doesn't catch it.
SHIPPING — if there's chemistry, let's talk! due to his job and previous relationship experiences, expect it to be slow burn.
not interested: cross medium or aged up characters.
SMUT — not without prior cr.
PHYSICAL CONTACT — superficial and casual contact, such as handshakes, is fine. anything intimate, such as hugging or kissing, will be declined (unless there's established cr).
FIGHTING — yes.
TELEPATHY/MIND CONTROL — yes but only with prior discussion. his mind is a steel trap crammed with regret and trauma, so it might be difficult and unpleasant.
INJURY — minor: always. major: let's plot.
DEATH — yes. but he may come back, who knows?
CONTACT — my pms are always open. happy to give out socials after some ooc chatter.
ACTIVITY — med to slow.
BACKTAGGING — yes.
THREAD-JACKING — only when appropriate and with permission from all parties involved.
FOURTH-WALL BREAKING — if it fits your character, sure.
STYLE — brackets and present tense.
TAG LENGTH — i tend to write longer tags, but don't feel obligated to match my word count. short is sometimes better. i will, however, lose interest and drop if i consistently get one-sentence responses, especially for introspective or action-heavy threads.
OFFENSIVE SUBJECTS/TRIGGERS — none for me.
journal title and subtitle are from ash wednesday by chris abani
ACTIVITY — med to slow.
BACKTAGGING — yes.
THREAD-JACKING — only when appropriate and with permission from all parties involved.
FOURTH-WALL BREAKING — if it fits your character, sure.
STYLE — brackets and present tense.
TAG LENGTH — i tend to write longer tags, but don't feel obligated to match my word count. short is sometimes better. i will, however, lose interest and drop if i consistently get one-sentence responses, especially for introspective or action-heavy threads.
OFFENSIVE SUBJECTS/TRIGGERS — none for me.
journal title and subtitle are from ash wednesday by chris abani