Post by Meridith Sheppard on Aug 10, 2021 17:52:56 GMT -8
Quincy
It isn't that I don't understand, it's just that I want to believe that something better is possible
Basic Info
~Family~
Basic Info
~Family~
Name: Meridith Sheppard, Meridi
Chronological Age: 19
Biological Age: Late teens, early twenties
Heritage: Echt | Branch of the Vaughn Family
Physical Info
~Purity~
~Purity~
Hair: Bright Red, Medium Length
Build: Meridith is a short thin young woman standing only a bit over five feet almost waifish in appearance. Her pale complexion suggests she spends probably not enough time in the sun, and her thin build suggests very little of that remaining time is spent with any hard work.
Quincy Garb: She does have a set of the standard Quincy uniform packed away.
Clothing: Dressed in trendy local Japanese fashion
Extras: Everything about her overall look appears well kept, even lashes, well-trimmed manicured nails, outfit always proper and in order.
She often wears a bright smile and has an otherwise welcoming aura.
Spiritual Info
~Honor~
Cross: Meridith's Quincy cross rests on a chain worn around her neck. The cross itself is actually a hilt of a blade, the blade of which is broken an inch or so down but appears to be worn or by design. The cross was a gift from her father when she finally learned how to form a proper bow when she was fourteen years old.
Spirit Weapon: Meridith's bow is shaped not unlike that of a larger composite bow. It has a somewhat clear shape but appears somewhat wild and uncontrolled.
Schrift: Not yet attained.
Historical Info
~Ancestry~
The Past: Meridith was born at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Ynysmaerdy in Wales. She was born to the Sheppard family a well-respected family in the village. Affluent and wealthy they were the patrons of the small town, and well-integrated into most of the life of the area. Despite living in a small remote place, they had a manor built from their family wealth and lineage that stretched back generations.
Meridith grew up in affluence and wealth, one of a half dozen siblings. She was raised outside of public school taught at home by a string of mentors across a series of subjects. She was given every advantage that the life of wealth and opportunity has to offer. She was well-loved, well cared for and had the heavy burden of her family placed upon her, alongside the rest of her siblings.
She led a typical life of wealth and extravagance. Except, of course, for the noble and secretive purpose of her family to destroy all Hollows, and eradicate the monstrous plague that hunts Humanity in the shadows. When Meridith learned of the reality of her family, she was enamored. Of course, this was no surprise to her, she grew up in a household of spirituality, of siblings in the midst of their training. Not everyone in her family had the gift, but there was no sense of haves and have nots. Those without the gift pursued other specialties and supported the family in other ways.
Meridith however, was 'gifted'. From a young age, she was able to see and speak with spirits, while she was quite sheltered and rarely had a chance to exercise this gift it was apparent that she would become one of the Quincy.
But given the secretive and hunted nature of the Quincy she soon learned that their noble mission was not one they pursued. Her family trained, and waited, and hid for generations for seemingly some event that would never come. She was told that one day they would be able to return to their noble mission but that was far from good enough for the hopeful Meridith.
Throughout her upbringing she would spend seasons away from home with others in a boarding school. Separate of her family and their watchful gaze the rebellious streak in Meridith ignited. Once a creature settled on campus and she was forced to defend herself and her fellow students the path had become clear. She began to hunt the creatures in her off-hours, between classes, on weekends. She had little success but here and there were moments where she got to play hero, protect innocent people and spirits.
But while she might have been far from her family's watchful eyes her dropping grades were not. Her indiscretions were discovered and put an end to, firmly. She was brought home and kept there and by all accounts that marked the end of Meridith's rebelliousness.
At least on the surface. At the end of her schooling she was set to take a trip to France to begin her secondary education, and Meridith enacted her plan for freedom. A stealthily purchased ticket with money she saved up on her own over the years and a redirect to mainland Europe.
She was determined to see the world outside of the control of her parents. Determined the user of her gifts and powers to help people who needed it. Determined to choose her own path in this world. A young Quincy alone in a foreign country in the epicentre of spiritual activity.
What could go wrong?
Snapshot:
Meridith sprinted down the slick concrete as rain poured down passing flickering neon and shops long closed. There was a chill in the air. Her skin, slick with rain and sweat, was freezing from the cold night air. The rain fell in sheets but she pressed on, footsteps echoing out against the steady drum of rain. She exhaled hard trying to blink away from the blood that began to flow past her eye. She didn't think the Hollow got her, but a spray of concrete must have clipped her because she could definitely feel a sharp stinging gash on her forehead. Close. Too close.
Meridith was no stranger to close calls, this wasn't her first brush with death but a small bit of rising panic told her that it might be her last. It spurred her to run faster as the sound of pounding crashing steps behind her grew louder above the rain.
She slid across the ground virtually hydroplaning as she attempted to take a sharp left and sprint out of the alleyway and into the street. She had hoped the narrow passageway would slow it but all it did was serve to increase the property damage. She lost her balanced and toppled to her side but caught herself and clawed her way back up into a desperate sprint out into the open streets.
As good a place as any for a last stand.
She desperately pulled the air into her burning lungs. She could run no further, not just because she was running out of steam but because she knew sooner or later it would catch her, and if it didn't then eventually they would show up and either way the game would be over. She had to gamble, win or lose, right now.
She slid and turned in time to see the hulking shape slam into the concrete, shattering a power line and sending an arcing electrical line crashing into the streets. The lights flickered on the buildings nearby as it reared. She shut her eye, stinging from the blood and lined up with her remaining good one.
She reached up and ripped the shattered blade of a Quincy cross from her neck and thrust her hand forth. Between her fingers shone a brilliant blue light and within an instant the shape of a bow flared out and formed, shaped and burning bright with the reishi flowing through the air around her. The beast moved to launch forward but Meridith was ready. She drew her right hand back and formed a bright blue thin bolt of raw energy that crackled and hissed as the rain connected with it and burned away with a hiss of steam.
She poured forth her remaining energy into it as the Hollow moved to pounce upon its meal and put to an end the final chapter of her story.
It wasn't enough.
Maybe she just wasn't strong enough, maybe with one eye her aim was just a little off, maybe she just was unlucky enough to find an opponent hopelessly stronger. To her credit the arrow struck home and ripped the creature's massive arm off in a single strike, but it had another, and as it roared in fury, it had enough wherewithal to close the distance between them in a single pounce, its remaining arm reared for a fatal blow. It decided to trade the grievous wound for a fatal one and claim its reward.
Meridith stepped back in futility, and tried to focus enough energy for a second arrow but having poured all she had into the last, it was effort enough to remain standing upright let alone fight on. The shape of her bow wavered and threatened to go out. The creature prowled around her, whether ensuring she had no more tricks up her sleeves or savoring the moment she couldn't be sure.
She thought fondly of the retreating steps of the original target of this creature and knew well enough that at least it had not been in vain, that no matter what came next that they were safe.