#WWW || Professor - Let each one prove his own work (rp)

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Trinity Blood: William Walter Wordsworth

Name: Doctor William Walter Wordsworth

Nickname: Professor (Codename), WWW

Age: 41

Pronouns: He/Him 

Sexual Orientation: Polysexual - not overt (being a Catholic priest comes with some hang-ups...)

Birthday: 14 February

Astrology: Aquarius Sun, Scorpio Ascendant, Gemini Moon. Metal Rooster.

Personality Metrics: ENTP - 8w7

Alignment: True Neutral

Vocation: AX Founding Member / Agent, Professor at the University of Rome, Priest, Inventor

History

Born 623 (3023 AD) in Albion to aristocracy, William Walter Wordsworth grew up with finery and comfort. Florence, his mother, was a respected English lecturer, and Arthur, his father, was an eminent physician. Sadly his mother died when he was seven years old and his father when he was eleven. Both deaths were deemed accidents, though young William did not immediately accept that to be the case. Unable to process his grief in a conventional manner, he turned to learning all he could about the most cutting-edge investigative techniques in criminology in an effort to uncover what actually had happened.

On a day to day level however not much changed for William following his parents’ deaths. He continued to be raised in the same house in Londinium, having access to the same wide range of tutors and other caretakers, as well as quite enough money to maintain a certain standard of living from his heritage.

As a young man he gained entry to a number of classes at the University of Londinium. He was accepted full time onto a Natural Sciences and Philosophies course, though he petitioned for - and was given credits for - attending other lectures across Literature, Science and Moral Science subjects. His keeness for learning meant that he excelled as a polymath.

It was through attending such a wide variety of lectures that William met some rather exceptional peers. Not only was he acquainted with Gilbert, the Crown Prince of Albion itself, and Albert Boswell, who would go on to become Deputy Prime Minister, but he also met three other geniuses: Isaak Butler, Gepetto Garibaldi and Catherine Lang. They - alongside himself, of course - went on to become known as the ‘four great prodigies’ of the University.

Garibaldi specialised in bioengineering, Lang in aeronautical engineering and Butler in medical sciences. William was immensely interested in all their work and they all ended up spending a fair bit of time together despite being academic rivals. That was due, in a large part, to the fact that the University manoeuvred it that way - they were regularly paraded out at parties or other functions in order to raise more research funding and capital for the grand, old Alma Mater.

Regardless of any competition between the four, William greatly enjoyed the company of Izaak Butler. Here was an erudite, intensely charismatic man with a mind that far exceeded anyone he had ever known. He delighted and thrilled William in equal measure, and never a dull moment was to be had together. They rapidly began to share ideas and theories, and William was entirely pleased to find that Izaak also had a practical bent, just as he did.

For what is Science good for, if not to be used?

His enthusiasm around his dark friend however was to be his eventual downfall. They started to discuss ways in which the boundaries of biology - as set down by God Almighty himself - could be circumnavigated. How they could push the fundamentals of chemistry, physics, and even metaphysics. Both men had an interest in Lost Technologies and any research from the New Empire that they could uncover. At first it was mere ideas but, as time went on, the thought experiments moved into the practical realm. From animal modelling, it was not too far of a leap into human experimentation...

William was not often in the labs himself, as he was attending to his own sprawling studies, so he was not aware of everything that was happening following his discourses with Izaak - or indeed the extent of his friend's cruelty and depravity. He was also spending more time with a young woman called Julia Bertram, who was on the same course as his friend. William knew he was distracting himself away from his more ‘deviant’ thoughts about Izaak using Julia, but soon he came to genuinely care for her grace, kindness and high-minded devotion to progress. Realising that he had fallen in love with her, William asked for her hand in marriage, which Julia readily accepted.

Despite a difference in their intellects, Izaak appeared to treat Julia with the utmost respect. However there were moments when it was just the two of them alone that William would sense that the other man found Julia as an individual, and his relationship to her… amusing. It was at these times that William saw Izaak’s mask slipping, revealing something far more sinister for the briefest of moments. But whatever it was disappeared so quickly and so effectively, that William could not help but doubt himself. Izaak had always had a way of confounding his usual rational mind.

At one of the university's Galas, a wealthy Duke offered a large sum of money to resurrect his daughter from the dead. Izaak readily accepted the proposal. He and William developed a technology far beyond anything they had been experimenting with previously. Yet whatever went on in those labs did not bring Lady Frances back from the grave. Instead the experiment resulted in massive damage to the university and the death of Julia, who had been assisting in the project. Izaak and William were both immediately expelled.

William then found himself accused of the crimes of reckless scientific endangerment as well as the murder of his fiancee, Julia Bertram. Izaak had framed him and disappeared without trace.  

He too fled Londinium, although he was later exonerated of his crimes. With grief and betrayal flooding through his veins, William found himself pursuing Izaak throughout Europe, hell bent on either revenge or the truth. Sometimes he did not quite know which one he needed more. Though he quickly tempered his emotions regarding his old friend - taking the opportunity for learning even more during his travels - Izaak remained the true reason he searched. His own darkness simmering away under the calm confidence and burgeoning eccentricity.

At the age of 27 he found himself in Bruges, where the leading noble family of the town - the de Watteaus - were being attacked by a vampire. The entire clan were wiped out brutally aside from the youngest son, Hugue, and his younger sister, Anaïs, who went missing and was presumed kidnapped. William found Hugue at death’s door. The other man had lost significant portions of both arms during the incident.

Perhaps because he held some understanding of the grief the young man was facing and recognised the lust for revenge in the other, William took Hugue in. He helped mend his body and fitted him with new arms. These advanced bio-prostheses gave Hugue even greater strength and dexterity at the expense of requiring diligence with regards their upkeep.

William also made attempts to help heal Hugue’s preoccupied mind by engaging the eighteen year old in fencing practice, as well as other disciplined physical and mental methods. Hugue soon showed himself to be a prodigy all of his own with regards to swordplay, and would go on to be codenamed “Sword Dancer” by William after the formation of the AX.

Hugue looks to him as a mentor to whom he owes a debt. When they are both in Rome he assists William in the labs, cooks him food and helps with the upkeep of their shared living spaces. However they have different reasons for living, different people that they search for, and often different orders to fulfil, so spend much time apart. William also appears to be quite critical of the other. He advises against Sword Dancer’s involvement in certain missions - knowing as he does what truly drives Hugue and the full extent of what the other man is prepared to do in order to enact his revenge and find his sister. He also refers to Hugue as his ‘incompetent student’ to Tres Iqus.

His criticisms however are borne of his concern. Privately he laments that he has been unable to help Hugue more, for the younger man is like the darkest reflection of his own desires.

In his own pursuit of Izaak (now Izaak Fernand von Kämpfer, second-in-command of the Rozencruez Orden) William followed a lead to Rome. The illegitimate daughter of the Pope, Caterina Sforza, had recently entered into the clergy and Abel Nightroad, a powerful being infused with Kresnik bacillus, had followed her in her footsteps.

William became involved in an attempt by the Orden to take down the pair, an incident that was being investigated by Vaclav Havel who was a young Inquisitor at the time. The Vatican nun, Sister Kate Scott, was also there and was grievously wounded in the battle. William had been unable to save her from attacks by the Red Baron. In the end they prevailed, yet he was left none the wiser about his old friend’s ties to the incident.

Following the defeat of the Orden, William decided to stay on in Rome with his new acquaintances. He was given a commission by Caterina to complete the Iron Maiden airship, once more drawing on what he had learned from his peers at University. However he went beyond even what Lang could produce. In an effort to make up for his inability to save Sister Kate, he designed an onboard system that would interface the ship with the consciousness of the comatose woman, thus allowing her to continue to do her duties within the Vatican and in her care of Caterina.

A physical form of Sister Kate could also be projected holographically using the ship’s technology. William often calls Kate beautiful as a charm offensive in an effort to get his own way. However she is fully aware of his games, and responds accordingly. Their interactions can have a level of playful banter between them, and in some ways they have an almost sibling vibe. She is the only one who readily calls him out or disagrees with him at times. The usual unflappable Professor jokes that this holographic, demure beauty is the one who actually scares him.

Sister Kate is also one of only a handful of people that William admits to getting a ‘bit too sentimental’ around, for he normally does not display emotionality over rationality. When contemplating the possibility of his own death, he asks that she remain ‘healthy and strong’. Having no living relatives of his own, he entrusts that role to Kate, asking her to stay alive so that there will be at least one meaningful person left to attend his funeral.  

But despite what he might think about his lonely legacy, William does become close to the others. He quickly becomes indispensable to Caterina and later on Vaclav Havel calls William his oldest friend (after he has drugged him into unconsciousness...). With regards Abel however, he seems oddly indifferent and even a bit dismissive of the silver-haired priest.

Considering his normally rampant scientific curiosity and the fact that his mental counterpart at university (Izaak) has become obsessed with Abel’s physical counterpart and twin (Cain) this comes across as especially strange. Even when moved to the point of dropping his pipe upon coming across Abel’s headless corpse, the only words he mutters under his breath before confirming the death to Sister Esther is “how foolish...”

It seems that he deliberately keeps himself disengaged, because he knows the Crusnik stirs up strong emotion with regards his very existence. William does not want to continue to follow the dark path that he used to tread with Izaak. Instead he wants to forge his own way with Science and with his reclaimed religion. For during this time in Rome he too became ordained as a Priest. He was also given tenure as a lecturer at Rome University where he teaches in both literature and science disciplines.

Gepetto Garibaldi, who had become a Vatican science professor, staged a revolt against their employer. Garibaldi’s work in developing homo coedilius - the HC Series "Killing Dolls" - had initially been funded by the Vatican but the project had been terminated for being too inhumane. Believing his ten prototypes to be works of art, Garibaldi confiscated their bodies and used them as soldiers in his rebellion. The month after the new Papal elections, the Killing Dolls seized control of Castle of San Angelo in Rome. The newly ordained Abel Nightroad aided the counterattack to seize back the castle, defeating all ten cyborgs. Garibaldi took his own life and Caterina, alongside Abel, confiscated unit HC-III X to the Ministry of Holy Affairs.

William - knowing much about his former peer’s methods - took over the care and rehabilitation of this model who was named Hercule Tres Iqus. The bond between them was thus established immediately and in many ways it could be seen as a paternal relationship. William continues to act as the cyborg’s caretaker, and introduces new upgrades and programming in order to help Tres Iqus grow. Having been unable to form a family with Julia of his own, William does often think of his own mechanical creations as children - such as his gigantic Poseidon WWW whom he so lovingly compared to Esther during their first meeting.

However, Tres Iqus was not originally his own creation and has the form of a full grown humanoid man. As such it is not quite so simple as William viewing himself in the role of a Father figure. Neither does Guardian fit either, for the gunslinger is built to endure and does not require his constant vigilance (only countless hours of his oh-so-precious time devoted to repair - compelled as Tres is in carrying out his orders come what may).

And providing a ‘guiding hand’ seems somewhat superfluous to coding imperatives and protocols, where the basis for the machine’s morality is made up in a binary sequence of zeros and ones. The question of whether or not there is (or could be, or should be) emotions in the machine remains something that William toys with in his mind. Regardless, even if there is no love to be found, or indeed generated in Tres Iqus, William does himself feel something akin to a form of love for the cyborg.

In May 655 (3055 AD) the Papal State Affairs Special Operations Section ("AX") was formed within the Ministry of Holy Affairs. With Caterina as their leader, William took on responsibility for code naming each of the other agents in the group. This included Abel Nightroad (Crusnik), Vaclav Havel (Know Faith), Hugue de Watteau (Sword Dancer), Kate Scott (Iron Maiden), Tres Iqus (Gunslinger) and himself who was code named Professor.

As a founding member of the AX he is quite often sent where his myriad talents can be useful. This has included resolving a slave trade syndicate war in the Kingdom of Hispania, running distraction to aid in the finding of Cherubim in Brno, interrogating the Cherubim and holding off an attack by Kaspar von Neumann, providing legal representation at Caterina’s trials, investigating strange incidences at sea, accompanying the Lady Saint to Londinium and helping Esther navigate high society there, blackmailing threatening working with a journalist to uncover the next heir to the Albion throne, facing off with Jack the Ripper, preventing an attempted coup d’etat and revealing who actually killed the former Queen, protecting Esther from Sweeney Todd, dealing with the “Mist” threatening to swallow his home town, defeating a werewolf using the chemical found in alliums and ensuring Esther’s ascension as her Royal Highness over the Kingdom of Albion.

However he spends a lot of time within Rome itself and is often to be found conversing with Caterina - who seems to rely upon him for his objective and rational perspectives - as well as teaching at the university, though his tolerance for his students’ sloppy work is notoriously low. Most importantly he has his own workshop in the Palazzo Spada, where he spends much of his time inventing new creations. He dabbles in a myriad of scientific disciplines and invents both useful and bizarre contraptions alike. A lot of inventions are successful, yet others end up as failures and can quite literally blow up in his face.

One of his earliest inventions was his cane which houses a sword, can dispense various types of chemical concoctions and has firepower that can rival that of a Howitzer (it is likely he also created Hugue’s rod that conceals the Sword Dancer’s blades). Other inventions include Doppler radars for Tres to help him target concealed/invisible foes, the ‘Swallow WWW’ remote control bird-like reconnaissance device, the ‘Ear man’ earbuds (under patent negotiation~) and the massive ‘Poseidon WWW’ heavy android for sea combat. He also has created a flying vehicle, one that runs on dangerous oxidising reactions and is prone to imbalance by too much shifting around in the backseat. Despite its flaws and ridiculous design, it is one of his pride and joys - his much beloved flying car.

Despite being a man of significant scientific curiosity, since his experience with Izaak, William has formulated a new doctrine:

Science should never be misused.

Appearance

According to the light novel [Sword Dancer]: “if this world had a picture of supreme confidence, then it would be a portrait of the Professor.”

The Professor is an well presented middle-aged gentleman, who - despite having to be reminded to eat and sleep by Hugue when inventing - maintains himself in tip-top shape both physically and mentally through various forms of exercises. He has very slightly wavy brown hair, medium-short in length which he keeps swept back in a side parting. It frames a clean-shaven face that is long and thin with sharp features - typical of Albion nobility - and his blue-green eyes are as bright as the finest-cut aquamarine. He holds himself with a bearing that often makes him appear taller than his 5’11” (180cm) height. 

Whilst he wears the complex clerical garb that denotes him as a travelling Vatican Priest in the first instance, the Professor does dress more ‘casually’ quite often. However casual to William usually consists of something like a tweed three piece, or a dashing morning suit replete with silk top hat. In a workshop setting, that can get stripped back to a shirt and trousers and work gloves, even a jumpsuit or overalls. Yet even then it is not uncommon for him to wear an ascot or antique watch chain as an accessory.

When not in the near two-tone of his vestiges, William leans towards gold, sky blues, light pinks and lavender as well as neutral tones such as browns, khaki and cream. 

He wears reading glasses on occasion but is never seen without his smoking pipe and his gold tipped cane. The former had been a somewhat strange gift from Caterina back when he used to be a non-smoker, the latter is his own invention within which he conceals his rapier as well as various chemical tricks. Other accessories include a variety of hankies in various patterns and Oxford dress shoes polished to a shine.

In his manga portrait, blue roses and a white owl feature alongside the Professor. These symbolise mystery and wisdom, respectively. There is also a serpent coiling up his cane, resembling the Rod of Asclepius and hinting at the tempation of man.

Personality

The Professor is associated with the Tarot card “Strength”, which - in an upright position - indicates elements relating to inner strength such as stamina, persistence, determination, commitment, strong will and control. The card represents overcoming self-doubts and knowing that life’s obstacles can be endured with an indomitable human spirit. Situations are effectively controlled without excessive, outward force but through significant internal power and an ability to influence others with composure and maturity. Which rather accurately sums up the Professor.

He is a man of exceptional intellect, calm rationality, artful deductive reasoning and sophisticated logic. Though that hardly speaks to any measure of guaranteed common sense! In fact, at times, he can be scattered and forgetful or come across as rather ridiculous. He could certainly be considered a bit of an eccentric. 

The Professor can play mental games with relative ease and enjoys bouts of verbal sparring. However he does not do this in order to cause harm, unless he deems it necessary. In such times he can be exceedingly threatening. Even though he is shown to be capable physically (with a surprising speed and deftness to his movements considering his age) William dominates with his mind.

He is loquacious, often semi-soliloquising or lecturing about chemical formulae or some other nugget of his esoteric knowledge. This only adds to his eccentric air and ridiculousness, meaning that others underestimate the actual level of power and control he can be exerting in a situation. As a purveyor of and sponge for all kinds of information, he can also come across as quite the gossip. The Professor however can be very direct and clear when it is needed, and is clever enough to know what to hold back in conversations, and when. 

He is remarkably collected in a vast variety of situations, whether in combat or in conversation. He does not shy away from conflict and remains calm, always thinking about the best solutions to whatever problem is facing him. 

In some ways he can be a bit too calm and measured, bordering on a detached indifference unless he finds something novel or interesting to spark his interest. He often complains of boredom or wanting to be off elsewhere doing something more exciting if he is feeling constricted - such as having to grade his students' reports or other solely administrative tasks. This 'perversity' of his nature is noted by old chum, Albert Boswell, who tells him outright that he has to keep his cards close to his chest in order to keep the Professor's intrigue.

Very rarely does he show any extreme emotion, and certainly no genuine weakness. In times when he is being sincerely sentimental or heartfelt, he often covers it up with a dry sense of humour. As such he is incredibly hard to get close to, despite being such an outwardly affable and charming gentleman.

He can also be critical and judgemental if he feels emotionally vulnerable or wounded - such as worrying about someone he genuinely cares for, or if he is betrayed. His assuredness, status and intellect might make him seem a little pompous or even arrogant to those who know no better. Indeed, he does not suffer fools gladly and is unimpressed by laziness or people who do not make all effort to use their skills or abilities effectively. However he is open-minded and curious to new perspectives. He does not like to have biases that close off his mind.

Positive Traits:

Exceptionally intelligent and knowledgeable

Able to apply his intelligence and knowledge practically

Innovative and creative

Calm and collected, even under extreme pressure

Confident, charming and gentlemanly

Negative Traits:

Dislikes overt emotionality, in himself or others

Can be detached and even indifferent

Prefers to remain objective, hard to truly get close to

Easily bored, needs to remain active (especially mentally)

Can be critical and judgemental

Key Relationships

Isaak || Panzer Magier

A friend from university that has indelibly marked his mind, heart and soul. Izaak betrayed him and killed his fiancee. He is the man that William continues to search Europe for. His very own private obsession. 

Hugue || Sword Dancer

William saved the life of Hugue, providing him with new arms and training. They have very different goals, motivations and personalities but Hugue often helps William in his labs and with housekeeping of their shared living spaces at the Vatican. 

Caterina || Woman of Steel

William provides sound counsel to Caterina and acts as her legal defence representation in the Vatican trials. It is clear he respects her leadership and shows concern at the thought of her illness worsening (and the implications thereof). 

Kate || Iron Maiden

William created the Iron Maiden that acts as a repository and projector of Kate’s consciousness and holographic form. He feels guilt for being unable to protect her. They challenge each other but she is important to him, almost as if she is family. 

Tres Iqus || Gunslinger

William maintains and upgrades the functions of the last remaining Killing Doll series: Vatican Papal State AX Agent HC-III X, Patrol Priest Hercule Tres Iqus. The Gunmetal Hound. Codename: Gunslinger. 

Vanessa || Young Lady

A methuselah that Willliam rescues who becomes an important part of the next stage of development in the Kingdom of Albion. He is irritated by her calling him old man, but appreciates her kindness to creatures weaker than her. 

Esther || Star of Hope

The secret heir to the throne of his homeland, the Kingdom of Albion. William is instrumental in uncovering the truth and enabling her ascension as Queen. He is troubled by the tragic sadness and pressures that keep being piled upon on such young shoulders, but greatly respects her strength, determination and courage in overcoming or facing up to these difficulties.

No matter what happens next, he will be committed to his young Queen and is here to offer Esther his unflinching support and considerable counsel if she should ever need it.