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Appearance

Emma is 25 years old, and stands about 5'9". Her glossy black hair is very long, generally falling at the waist or hips. Emma frequently wears her hair pulled back in a long braid, sometimes hung over her shoulder. (Her hair can also be depicted as being floor length for giggles.)

Her eyes are a rich emerald green, often buried by her heavy lashes or stray strands of hair. Emma's eyes have a tired cast to them and have the appearance of never being fully open, unless surprised.

Emma has a healthy build, with slight curves and notoriously thin ankles, in her opinion. She has pale skin and burns easily. Her right shoulder and left arm above the elbow display old scars from burns received in her childhood. She also has some minor burn scars on her upper torso, as well as one severe scar across her right side.


Clothing

Emma typically wears casual clothing of solid colors or plain patterns. She generally wears long skirts or dresses and long sleeves, to hide her scars and pale skin. Even at home she wears similar, but older, clothing. She dislikes any form of revealing clothing, and her dresses or blouses are not very form-fitting. Emma wears comfortable shoes with very low heels. When the weather turns cold, she commonly wears a long, dark "duster" sweater with a small collar to it. Her clothing is known to be conservative and often appears outdated. On a rare occasion, she will wear simple accessories that are usually made by her sister or students (such as a paper flower or a simple beaded necklace/bracelet), which would most likely be brightest colors in her wardrobe.

Simple Dress Jumper may be shades of grey, black, brown, green
Casual Outfit may be any dark or dull color
Simple Dress may be any dark or dull color, or have "old fashioned" or outdated print/pattern
Simple Dress may be any dark or dull color, or have "old fashioned" or outdated print/pattern
"Fancy" Dress may be a dark color
Sweater may be a dull or neutral color or have an outdated print/pattern
Victorian Dress may be any dark color; from Victorian story arc
Victorian Jacket may be any dark color; no puffs on sleeves; from Victorian story arc
Evening Wrap worn over evening gown; may be longer


Personality

Emma is very shy and generally speaks only when necessary. She has few aspirations for her own life, and from the time she was a teenager she has had the responsibility of raising both herself and her younger sister Lizzy.

Though she is a very compassionate and patient teacher, she became a teacher simply because she did not know what else to do. She has no passion or strong interest to speak of. Although she is pleasant toward those she knows, Emma is frequently ignored or forgotten, and growing up she was considered "spooky" by those around her. Emma frequently worries about her sister, and is constantly haunted by the thought that she may have forgotten something or done something incorrectly.

Emma excels with structure and routine, and any disruption to her habits can lead to insecurity and discomfort. However, with the sudden appearance of Nicholas and Abigail, Emma's world is shaken so rapidly that she is left with no choice but to adjust. Here she finally begins to develop the ability to speak for herself and have the strength and courage to speak her mind - even if it is only that she would prefer juice over tea.

After meeting Nicholas, their blossoming friendship encourages her to believe she could have healthy relationships outside of her family, and empowers her to begin to stand up to Abigail. She realizes she has a great distance to stretch and grow before she can begin to have the confidence that a woman like Abigail displays, but she also resists this quality for fear that she will develop some of the more distasteful characteristics of the rude and sarcastic woman. Emma finds herself becoming frustrated and irritable around Abigail, especially when she perceives that Nicholas is being bullied or belittled.


Biography

Born and raised in a small Welsh town, Emma's housewife mother and somewhat unsuccessful inventor father were killed in an explosion at her father's garage workshop. Then-teenage Emma was badly burned, having scars to this day, after running in to the building to help her parents. Since that time, she has had the responsibility of raising her younger sister Lizzy, maintaining their parents' home through their small inheritance while she worked odd jobs to pay for food and clothing.

When she finally determined to attend a university, Emma sent Lizzy to live with an aunt who refused to take in the two girls at the time of their parents' death, citing that she would be unable to care for and feed two more mouths. Young Emma moved to the dormitory at her school, where she threw herself into her studies, unsure of what area interested her or what job she would like to work toward.

Finally Emma decided to become a teacher after being told that her patience and kind demeanor would serve her well in such a position. She accepted the first position she was offered, as a lower elementary school teacher. After graduating and beginning her first job, she moved back into her parents' home with her younger sister, and continues to support the pair and act as Lizzy's parent. She worries about her sister and becomes frustrated with her antics at times. When she is given the opportunity to take a lengthy holiday to travel Europe and visit London, Emma is excited at the prospect, but also gravely concerned that no one will be caring for her sister properly.

After much internal debate, Emma leaves of her trip determined to enjoy every moment and cherish every sight and experience. It is in London, while traveling down an aged street and gazing at a map that she first meets Nicholas, as he stumbles out of a bookstore with an armful of purchases. She later meets Abigail in the same city, where the noisy young woman accidentally spills tea on her at a coffee shop. She is surprised to meet Abigail again later when visiting Nicholas and discovered that Abigail is attempting to "kidnap" Nicholas. She quickly becomes caught up in the situation and in the end finds herself aboard The Tempest as well.

Appearance

Nicholas is 32 years old, standing around 5'10" to 5'11". He is thin, with average muscle tone and pale skin, evidence that he rarely spends time outside.

His hair is very dark, appearing black. Nicholas's hair is straight generally, with a slightly wavy toward the tips, falling just above his shoulders. He commonly pulls it back into a short pony tail.

His eyes have a charcoal appearance, and are set below his dark brows with little enthusiasm, standing out just a bit against his fair skin. When flustered, his face flushes lightly, however he generally has a neutral or serious air to him. (Please note that this is not a "goofy" or "silly" expression.)


Clothing

Nicholas commonly wears a crisp white collared shirt with long sleeves. He will often wear a dark colored sweater vest with the shirt when at home, shopping, or at the library. If not at school, he will usually unbutton his collar and roll up his sleeves.

When working his collar is button, sleeves rolled down and buttoned, and he generally wears a simple tie. Nicholas wear a dress vest at school, or on rare occasion a full suit.

He wears dark colored dress slacks and affordable dress shoes. He also wears small black, wire rimmed, oval lens glasses.

Everyday outfits are dark, natural colors.
Special occasion outfits are the same with the former, with the addition of a black suit.


Personality

Nicholas is reserved and soft spoken, generally preferring to work alone and having few friends. He is a gentleman is the most classical sense of the word, and always treats those around him very kindly, unless occasion calls for him to be strict.

From childhood, he has always been a "watcher", and internalizes the scenes he witnesses. During his parents' divorce, he accepted the situation as "part of life", not showing much emotion as he did not understand it to be abnormal in any way.

He is ambivalent toward personal relationships and fully devotes himself to his work. When asked about his work or current projects, Nicholas begins to speak in a more lively manner, a subtle excitement possessing him. He is passionate about anything forgotten, particularly mythology, folk lore, and legends. These he considers "ideals" of life, and wishes to make the stories available for others.

When teaching he generally recites rehearsed lecture and becomes easily flustered when students disrupt, losing his train of thought. His interactions are fraught with awkward or uncomfortable moments, as though he wishes the conversation to end but would feel rude not speaking or leaving. Even while lecturing, his speech moves slowly and a bit of a forced feel, whereas when speaking of his hobby he carries a comfortable rhythm and energy.


Biography

Nicholas was born into a middle class family in southern England. His father, a businessman who was often away on business, rarely saw his son as he worked lengthy hours to maintain the family's social standing. His mother did her best to play her role as a socialite, leaving Nicholas to his own devices as a child. During his times alone he frequently read, becoming interested in fantasy and mythology.

By his pre-teen years, Nicholas's parents were headed toward divorce after his father discovered his mother's indiscretions while he was away and promptly quit his job as "revenge". Unfortunately for his mother, her new beau also leaves, and the fresh divorcee returns to her parents for support. During this time Nicholas is shuffled between his parents, just as his father takes on a new position with significantly lower pay. Nicholas is sent to a boarding school outside of London, and he remains in the area for university as well.

After graduating, Nicholas takes a position at a small university where he teaches history classes. In his spare time he practices his hobby of writing about mythology and folk lore, particularly lesser known tales. It is this interest and expertise that draws Abigail toward the quiet professor, offering him a job. Though greatly tempted by the woman's offer, Nicholas fears that she is not telling him the truth and resists the desire to accept her offer. Shortly after meeting Abigail, he runs into Emma, accidentally dropping a stack of books on her as he leaves a shop.

Nicholas finds Emma to be a wise and immensely kind woman, a sort of motherly figure, such as he has never experienced in his life. He is immediately drawn to her and enjoys conversing with her on academic subjects, as well as sharing legends and stories he writes about.