![](http://i.imgur.com/MnVP6Eh.png" "source: imgur.com")
Post by Thomas Jenkins on Jan 24, 2016 14:35:30 GMT -6
THOMAS JENKINS
profile!
43 | bisexual (female lean) | TV host, artisanal pencil sharpener, satirist
(this character is a david rees tribute character; imagine different names in clips where appropriate!)
A humorist who moved to Kalispell a few months after the mutants' public exposure, Thomas has proven a pretty good fit for the town. He'd been vocally supportive of the mutant community from the moment he learned of their existence, so he's settled in nicely. His aversion to eye contact (as depicted above) and poor appetite for small talk make him seem stuck up, at first, but once he becomes comfortable with someone, his personality shines. He takes genuine interest in others, shows plenty of enthusiasm, is deliberately optimistic (albeit internally cynical) and notorious for making others laugh and think harder than they'd ever expected.
If anyone wants to write a pre-existing relationship with Thomas, they're welcome to contact me. However, I'm not willing to give him a pre-existing romantic relationship with anyone; I find that kind of weird. Friends, enemies, proteges, business relationships, those can all be pre-existing. Lovers would be people he's meeting for the first time (or hadn't previously thought of that way), though.
If anyone wants to write a pre-existing relationship with Thomas, they're welcome to contact me. However, I'm not willing to give him a pre-existing romantic relationship with anyone; I find that kind of weird. Friends, enemies, proteges, business relationships, those can all be pre-existing. Lovers would be people he's meeting for the first time (or hadn't previously thought of that way), though.
FRIENDS: Most of Thomas's friends still live in NY. He keeps in contact with them diligently and takes every professional excuse to go see them, so the flight is on the network's dime. He's made some friends since moving here, mostly in creative communities - comedians, writers, artists, musicians and so on. He's likely to enjoy the company of pro-mutant and other leftist activists, too. Mutants themselves are fascinating to him, so he's likely to give them the time of day if he likes their power, even if they're not particularly creative or intellectual. This is a man who responded to an old toaster by yelling, on national TV, "GOD damn, that is SO baller!", so you can only imagine how excited he gets seeing a mutant's power at work.
He's one to keep himself very busy, rarely working on just one project at a time, but he makes time to spend with friends. Friendships are very important to him, more than any other kind of relationship.
ANTAGONISTS: There's a broad palette of people who don't like Thomas. While he's made friends, he's also the cause of much groaning and eye-rolling in certain environments. There are people who find his humor insufferable, people who find him pretentious, people who think his work has too much profanity in it, people who aren't fans of his activist stances, on and on and on. Idiots and geniuses alike can find reason to hate him, and so can join together in a chorus of "fuck that guy." Tied into that is the fact that Thomas is easy to intimidate physically, through size and powers both, and some people are bound to take pleasure in that.
LOVERS: Thomas keeps his romantic past pretty close to the chest, but has said the phrase "It's so much work making all this emptiness" might serve to explain it. Neither romance nor sex are very large motivating factors in his life. He's become very insecure about his desirability as he's aged, leaving him incredibly shy and reluctant to pursue intimacy. It's something he's capable of doing, but it requires about ten times the usual number of interest markers and an age range he finds acceptable (27+, generally) for him to initiate anything. Even then, he expects rejection and is surprised by the opposite. That said, he isn't actively prudish and is likely to respond to pursuit (18+, any gender) - even if it's through turning an alarming shade of red, at first.
PROTEGES: While mentorship isn't a formal service he provides, Thomas is one to take younger people under his wing as the necessity presents itself. His strong empathy and philosophical background allow him to nurture and encourage a wide variety of people. Naturally, those interested in pursuing things he's experienced with will gain more from the relationship than others. He'll take on almost anyone who seems to need guidance, but pays special attention to the needs of those aged 14-22 or so. He's been persistent in helping even those who seem reluctant to accept his assistance, often in the face of direct insult and push-back. These relationships may or may not develop a unique kind of intimacy, but it isn't sexual or romantic in nature - at least, not at Thomas's introduction.
GROUPS/MISC.: Despite his self-proclaimed social awkwardness, Thomas has enough confidence and charisma to lead - or at least moderate - group activities. Professionally, he's done presentations and interviews related to his work and pencil-sharpening seminars around the country (and perhaps at home!?). Socially, he makes up for his hatred of small talk by suggesting parlor games or inciting debate on a variety of subjects. His utter lack of shame, particularly when drunk, has propelled him into many a karaoke night, too.
He's one to keep himself very busy, rarely working on just one project at a time, but he makes time to spend with friends. Friendships are very important to him, more than any other kind of relationship.
ANTAGONISTS: There's a broad palette of people who don't like Thomas. While he's made friends, he's also the cause of much groaning and eye-rolling in certain environments. There are people who find his humor insufferable, people who find him pretentious, people who think his work has too much profanity in it, people who aren't fans of his activist stances, on and on and on. Idiots and geniuses alike can find reason to hate him, and so can join together in a chorus of "fuck that guy." Tied into that is the fact that Thomas is easy to intimidate physically, through size and powers both, and some people are bound to take pleasure in that.
LOVERS: Thomas keeps his romantic past pretty close to the chest, but has said the phrase "It's so much work making all this emptiness" might serve to explain it. Neither romance nor sex are very large motivating factors in his life. He's become very insecure about his desirability as he's aged, leaving him incredibly shy and reluctant to pursue intimacy. It's something he's capable of doing, but it requires about ten times the usual number of interest markers and an age range he finds acceptable (27+, generally) for him to initiate anything. Even then, he expects rejection and is surprised by the opposite. That said, he isn't actively prudish and is likely to respond to pursuit (18+, any gender) - even if it's through turning an alarming shade of red, at first.
PROTEGES: While mentorship isn't a formal service he provides, Thomas is one to take younger people under his wing as the necessity presents itself. His strong empathy and philosophical background allow him to nurture and encourage a wide variety of people. Naturally, those interested in pursuing things he's experienced with will gain more from the relationship than others. He'll take on almost anyone who seems to need guidance, but pays special attention to the needs of those aged 14-22 or so. He's been persistent in helping even those who seem reluctant to accept his assistance, often in the face of direct insult and push-back. These relationships may or may not develop a unique kind of intimacy, but it isn't sexual or romantic in nature - at least, not at Thomas's introduction.
GROUPS/MISC.: Despite his self-proclaimed social awkwardness, Thomas has enough confidence and charisma to lead - or at least moderate - group activities. Professionally, he's done presentations and interviews related to his work and pencil-sharpening seminars around the country (and perhaps at home!?). Socially, he makes up for his hatred of small talk by suggesting parlor games or inciting debate on a variety of subjects. His utter lack of shame, particularly when drunk, has propelled him into many a karaoke night, too.
EXISTING IDEAS
FRIENDS: I'm really looking for comedians for him to make friends with! Since they're rare, I'd be really excited. I do mean 'comedian', not just a character who's funny. Stand-ups, actors, improvs, writers, cartoonists, etc.. They don't necessarily have to be getting paid to be funny (yet?), but comedy should be a deliberate goal of their creative work.
Political activists, perhaps those drawn to his satirical cartoons, are also welcome.
Making buddies with mutants is inevitable, right?
Anyone else, I'm still interested in if you're interested in Tommy! Just hit me up and we'll see how they get along.
ANTAGONISTS: Well, the most obvious antagonist would be someone in the AMA movement who's familiar with his 'Get Your Mutant On' comic! I think I'd also have fun with someone who takes delight in intimidating him, since he's kind of a pansy. Other, more minor enemies, irritants and detractors are also welcome. Overall, I'm not someone who believes their character has to like everyone they meet, so feel free to have your character react honestly to this character!
LOVERS: Right now, I don't have any particular interest in having Thomas pursue anyone. I'm not closed off to the idea, but as the above has suggested. he's only likely to pursue a friend he believes is interested, anyway. So you might as well start off seeing how the friendship works out! It's worth noting that he's much more likely to pursue a woman than a man, though. I won't say a man would never interest him without directly pursuing intimate relations, but it's very unlikely.
I do, however, find it very fun for Thomas to be pursued, or for someone to simply have an obvious crush on him. He takes a lot of things more innocently than they were intended. So when there can be no mistaking someone's interest, he's so shocked that he gets really embarrassed. I'm gonna be real here: It's pretty adorable. He'll usually relax within a few posts, as long as the other character's not actively trying to keep embarrassing him, so don't worry about having to deal with a blushing, giggling manchild the entire time.
Since he figures guys are only into studs or beautiful young men, when they're into other guys at all, a male character showing interest in him would shock him even more. He doesn't really radiate a sense that he's interested in anyone, let alone men, but in his case, it's as easy as bringing it up in conversation; he's always eager to share his views on anything, and might be clueless enough about interest markers that he doesn't know why anyone would ask.
PROTEGES: The more damaged the character, the better! They don't even have to be nice to him or express interest in being mentored; mentioning your interest OOC is enough. We can figure out what would make him think that your character needs guidance and set the scene accordingly. However, if you're going to go the problem child/difficult route, please be willing to have your character make progress eventually, even it's very slow or hard to notice. If all I ever get in an RP like this is constant push-back and insults, it promises to be emotionally exhausting, and that's not very fun for me.
GROUPS/MISC.: Doing a scene at party or a bar and having Thomas initiate some kind of parlor game would be fun. I'd appreciate suggestions of likely parlor games from anyone who can think of one, even if you're not directly interested in playing a scene with it.
The only one I have in mind right now is one David Rees himself suggested, called THINK ABOUT IT. In this game, one person mentions a random fact and someone else in the group invents a conspiracy theory around it. Then everyone argues about it! Good times.
Debate/argument can be fun even without the structure of a parlor game, of course. Thomas has a knack for inspiring argument over things normally considered inconsequential. When alcohol is in the picture, things can get bonkers, sweeping in everyone in earshot.
I'd be interested in having Thomas do some sort of presentation, interview and/or Q&A at the school. It'd probably related to his comic or show; while he does still sell sharpened pencils, it's kind of old news at this point. I just don't know if it's something the school would be interested in hosting, being that he's not a mutant and all! So I'd appreciate any encouragement on that front.
I'll still do a pencil-sharpening thing if people are interested, but am likely to gloss over the content or set the scene after the presentation itself, when he's sitting at a table sharpening pencils or something. Maybe he buys a space at an indoor flea market!? See, I don't actually own the book these presentations would be based on yet, so I can't do them in much detail. Here's what one looks like, though.
I'm really looking forward to being an active member of this community. Thanks for reading! <3
Political activists, perhaps those drawn to his satirical cartoons, are also welcome.
Making buddies with mutants is inevitable, right?
Anyone else, I'm still interested in if you're interested in Tommy! Just hit me up and we'll see how they get along.
ANTAGONISTS: Well, the most obvious antagonist would be someone in the AMA movement who's familiar with his 'Get Your Mutant On' comic! I think I'd also have fun with someone who takes delight in intimidating him, since he's kind of a pansy. Other, more minor enemies, irritants and detractors are also welcome. Overall, I'm not someone who believes their character has to like everyone they meet, so feel free to have your character react honestly to this character!
LOVERS: Right now, I don't have any particular interest in having Thomas pursue anyone. I'm not closed off to the idea, but as the above has suggested. he's only likely to pursue a friend he believes is interested, anyway. So you might as well start off seeing how the friendship works out! It's worth noting that he's much more likely to pursue a woman than a man, though. I won't say a man would never interest him without directly pursuing intimate relations, but it's very unlikely.
I do, however, find it very fun for Thomas to be pursued, or for someone to simply have an obvious crush on him. He takes a lot of things more innocently than they were intended. So when there can be no mistaking someone's interest, he's so shocked that he gets really embarrassed. I'm gonna be real here: It's pretty adorable. He'll usually relax within a few posts, as long as the other character's not actively trying to keep embarrassing him, so don't worry about having to deal with a blushing, giggling manchild the entire time.
Since he figures guys are only into studs or beautiful young men, when they're into other guys at all, a male character showing interest in him would shock him even more. He doesn't really radiate a sense that he's interested in anyone, let alone men, but in his case, it's as easy as bringing it up in conversation; he's always eager to share his views on anything, and might be clueless enough about interest markers that he doesn't know why anyone would ask.
PROTEGES: The more damaged the character, the better! They don't even have to be nice to him or express interest in being mentored; mentioning your interest OOC is enough. We can figure out what would make him think that your character needs guidance and set the scene accordingly. However, if you're going to go the problem child/difficult route, please be willing to have your character make progress eventually, even it's very slow or hard to notice. If all I ever get in an RP like this is constant push-back and insults, it promises to be emotionally exhausting, and that's not very fun for me.
GROUPS/MISC.: Doing a scene at party or a bar and having Thomas initiate some kind of parlor game would be fun. I'd appreciate suggestions of likely parlor games from anyone who can think of one, even if you're not directly interested in playing a scene with it.
The only one I have in mind right now is one David Rees himself suggested, called THINK ABOUT IT. In this game, one person mentions a random fact and someone else in the group invents a conspiracy theory around it. Then everyone argues about it! Good times.
Debate/argument can be fun even without the structure of a parlor game, of course. Thomas has a knack for inspiring argument over things normally considered inconsequential. When alcohol is in the picture, things can get bonkers, sweeping in everyone in earshot.
I'd be interested in having Thomas do some sort of presentation, interview and/or Q&A at the school. It'd probably related to his comic or show; while he does still sell sharpened pencils, it's kind of old news at this point. I just don't know if it's something the school would be interested in hosting, being that he's not a mutant and all! So I'd appreciate any encouragement on that front.
I'll still do a pencil-sharpening thing if people are interested, but am likely to gloss over the content or set the scene after the presentation itself, when he's sitting at a table sharpening pencils or something. Maybe he buys a space at an indoor flea market!? See, I don't actually own the book these presentations would be based on yet, so I can't do them in much detail. Here's what one looks like, though.
I'm really looking forward to being an active member of this community. Thanks for reading! <3
