DE LACOUR, appoline

LIKES & DISLIKES

● intellectual conversation - if you're not someone who is well-versed or eloquent in your manner of speech, you will have very little chance in maintaining appoline's rapt attention. she has absolutely no tolerance for the dim-witted and will simply dismiss you without pause for thought. she bores easily, and considers anyone that isn't able to keep pace with her on an intellectual level a waste of precious time.
● power and positions of influence - note that it is, in fact, influence and not affluence that she so lusts after. appoline exhibits little interest in wealth, seeming far more motivated by the thought of possibly acquiring wide-spread notoriety, a certain prestige, or even global recognition for her deeds than any monetary sum.
● a sense of purpose - appoline feels she is nothing if she does not have some sort of aspiration or ambition with which to preoccupy her time. always striving to exceed her own personal expectations, she is forever searching for some way in which to prove herself and her worth, especially where it concerns her master aragon.
● solitude and privacy - there are only a handful of things she values more than her own right to privacy. although appoline has no trouble socializing or intermingling with others, she much prefers being left to her own devices and finds it distasteful when someone attempts to intrude or intervene in her business.
● the drow and warlocks - or anyone she deems to as potential proponents that might further aragon's cause. the drow and warlocks have always been two peoples either condemned or outcasted by their own kin, and therefore have reason to retaliate.
● loyalty and devotion - appoline expects her allies to devote themselves entirely to her, just as she has devoted herself to her own master, body and soul. and regardless of what it might be, she exhibits a relentless determination and resilience in all of her pursuits. something that she looks for in others as well.
● victory and accomplishment - to appoline, there is nothing more satisfying than knowing she has accomplished what she meant to do and did her work well. she thrives in claiming victory and being able to boast of her triumphs. she has a vicious ego, and it is constant need of indulgence.
● the art of dance - she finds it mesmerizing, and has taken it up herself to use as a tool with which to lure and ensnare weak-minded men. seduction is quite a powerful thing after all, should you know exactly how to employ it.

● forest elves and wizards - unlike their more notorious counterparts, appoline finds the good-matured forest elves and wizards counterproductive to aragon's careful plans. anything that threatens to impede her master's reign is more than enough reason for her to detest them. unless they pledge their allegiance to the rightful king, they will have her to contend with.
● disloyalty and cowardice - even more so than stupidity, appoline is intolerant of anyone foolish enough to defy or try and mislead her. being as highly perceptive as she is, she's able to see through someone's deceitfulness almost immediately and is just as quick to punish the guilty party. be forewarned, her temper is a formidable thing indeed and is not easily quelled once provoked.
● darcia minerva - despite the fact that the sorceress has proven herself a competent and invaluable ally to aragon, appoline has never been able to lend her trust in the other woman so easily. she's unpredictable and elusive, and seems only to offer her aid when it so suits her. of course, her opinion is more or less biased considering the fact she has grown jealous of aragon's promise to make darcia his mistress, believing that she herself has more than earned a place alongside him.
● charlotte de valence - the last remaining de valence, or at least, the only one that stands in the way of aragon's claim to the throne. although the princess does not present much in the way of a physical threat, her presence is enough to incite appoline's dark hatred and resentment.
● losing control - when she's been stripped of her power, or she is for some reason unable to control or predict the outcome of whatever situation she is in, appoline becomes highly vulnerable and tends to lose her bearings. she dislikes feeling as though someone else is pulling the strings, or at least, someone who doesn't have her well-being or safety at heart.
● impetuous, rash behavior - needless to say, it makes her fairly uncomfortable. she employs a very methodical, well thought-out approach to things, so anyone who simply makes reckless decisions in the heat of the moment is bound to cause her own meticulous planning to backfire. and she is not someone who accepts failure. especially not when it is caused - directly or indirectly - by someone else.
● being denied something - it doesn't matter what it is, really. she simply abhors the word 'no' and doesn't take kindly when something within her reach is suddenly snatched away. she believes in being rewarded for her accomplishments, and isn't accustomed to rejection. frankly, it puts her in quite a foul mood and she'll likely end up fighting tooth and nail for it until she gets what she wants anyway.
● alcohol - you could say she suffers from a sort of addiction to strong spirits and ales, though it reduces the power of her magic considerably and - in the end - renders her quite weak. she becomes intoxicated easily, yet she never seems to feel remorseful for it. when she's drinking, she seems to disregard her usual pomp and becomes much more relaxed and at ease.


PERSONALITY

Appoline embodies the carnal sins and taboos most others avoid or find shame in admitting they have - at one time or another - indulged in. She takes immense pleasure in catching others off-guard, in manipulating their weaknesses and bringing their faults to light. Where they attempt to gloss over their imperfections, Appoline embraces hers and fashions them into tools with which to further her own ambitions. Rarely does she entertain the notion of being more conservative in her thoughts and actions. After all, she derives great amusement from acting in a manner that is candid and uninhibited. Her cavalier attitude is more or less reserved for when she's around others however. Privately, or exclusively in the company of Aragon, she's a far more intense and solemn young woman with admirable focus and self-discipline. She dedicates herself entirely to her task, and isn't easily deterred. This of course, means that she demands a flawless execution, both from herself and from those around her. Unfortunately, such high expectations means that she's often left disappointed and irate, convinced that she's unable to rely on anyone outside of herself and her own abilities. Anyone who knows her well enough acknowledges her to be as wild as she is arrogant, a force to be reckoned with, and a woman with a thirst for vengeance. She doesn't easily fall to temptation, mostly because she's generally the one to offer it, and can see right through even the boldest of lies. She specializes in wordplay and innuendo, often skirting around someone's questions and remaining as elusive as possible simply to provoke them. Surprisingly, her willpower is stronger than some might assume, unless of course she's presented with a mug of ale or another strong spirit. Exotic wines in particular are her greatest downfall, rendering her more or less useless and liable to spilling all sorts of unsavory secrets. Needless to say, Aragon isn't aware of her little addiction, and it would probably best be kept hush-hush. After all, someone in his position can hardly afford to have his plans foiled simply because one woman couldn't keep her mouth shut after a couple drinks. For all of her vices however, she makes a powerful ally.

No one crosses a sorceress and remains whole once she's through with them.

Still, a strong desire for approval and affection - as misguided as it is - belies her ruthless and hardened exterior. As cold as Appoline may seem outwardly, she is merely a woman with nothing left to her but her lord's bidding and the possibility that he might someday realize how invaluable she really is to him. It's enough to keep her obedient and loyal. In fact, for lack of a better explanation, it sustains her. Without such a sense of purpose, she would undoubtedly be lost. It's almost sad to see just how much her sense of self relies upon Aragon and his quest for the throne, and of the empty promises he often makes her. Her affection for him blinds her. Appoline herself is often surprised - and somewhat dismayed - to realize that the thought of him extending his closeness and his secrets to another woman inspires a burning envy. It clouds her better judgement, and exposes her to a vulnerability she's not yet experienced. There are moments of doubt, though she'd never voice them aloud, that surround the intentions of the man she serves without question. She is convinced his word is sincere, but he has yet to fulfill any of the promises he has made to her; has yet to prove to her that she's worth more to him than just another of his soldiers. So she waits, as patiently as she knows how, until the day on which he pays her her dues. When she receives the recognition and the praise that she so yearns for.

THE STORY SO FAR