#blake elmfield

[lookslikechill]

The Cafe Test: A Characterization Exercise

Tagged by @writingonesdreams!! Thank you!

I was going to do this with DW’s big four (Clay, Alistair, Miles, and Quince) but then I decided it would be nice to work with some other characters on this!  So I stuck 23 of DW’s biggest players, including the main four boys, into a randomizer and went with the first four:

Adrian Risinger

Daniel Morrin

Blake Elmfield

Daphne Donovan

Did they get a cafe they liked? What kind of cafe do they like? What does that say about their character?

Adrian and Morrin both exist in the small coastal city of Port Cassandra in the 40′s, so their options are limited to upwards of three local options.  

Morrin: Would be comfortable in any of them.  As a Port Cassandra Police Officer he’ll receive respect (and probably a small discount) at any of them, which he enjoys.  After Sinclair and alongside Sawtelle, he probably makes public appearances in local places/businesses/etc off duty the most often.  

Adrian: Would go wherever the crowd is thinnest, less racket, and would not make a habit of going to any one cafe too frequently, to avoid being noticed.  

Blake and Daphne live in the much bigger city of Astervale, in the year 4146, so they have a much larger variety of options.

Blake:  Would choose a cafe with a lot of different food options along the lines of sandwiches, soup, etc, even bordering on a diner.  If the cafe were to become a favorite of hers, it would probably have a rotating menu or specials that change very often.  She’s a total foodie who likes to try new things.

1. Where do they sit? (Near the door because there’s an exit? Near the back to hide? Where it’s shadowy? Where they’ll be seen by a waiter? Lots of table space for writing/drawing/hands? Minimal space? Would they ever sit with others? What do these things say about their character?)

Adrian: Would sit where she is somewhat hidden, especially from anybody passing by outside or just walking in, and never with other people.  As a wizard living in Port Cassandra’s tiny magical underground, she doesn’t want to be noticed when she’s among the regular population, and she doesn’t want to be questioned.  She would need minimal space, keep to herself, and make little noise since she would only be visiting for a short time and only for a small snack. 

Morrin: He would sit as close to the entrance as possible, or by/at a window, if not both at the same time.  He likes to peoplewatch and will start conversations unprompted.  He absolutely will take up more space than necessary, often filling up an entire other chair next to or across from him with his various possessions- hat, coat, briefcase.  He’ll stretch and spread his legs about, rest an arm on the chair next to him (and probably not the one he’s already filled with his stuff).  He’s a big guy with a big ego, he has no problem filling up space.

Blake: She would pick a seat with the best view of the city/outdoors to make the most of her outing.  Outside of work, Blake typically spends most of her free time entertaining and feeding herself at home, so going to a cafe would be a special treat for herself.  

Daphne:  Daphne would prefer a cafe with lots of floor space, furniture very spread out, and lots of natural sunlight.  However, Daphne is a community gal who will rarely be caught inside a restaurant/cafe/bar without a couple coworkers OR her entire family, so she may end up wherever other people want to go.  She’d need extra space just to accommodate the people in her company.

2. What do they order? (Is it sweet? Is it focused on hydration only? Is it expensive? (Can they afford it if it is?) Is it milky and warm? Is it to wake them up? To comfort them like a hot cocoa? Does it bring back memories? Do they get a drink connected to other people in their lives?)

Adrian: She’d get a great big mug of hot chocolate, hot and sweet.

Morrin:  The largest cup of coffee available, darkest roast possible, milk, no sugar. 

Blake: She would order some sort of hot tea, probably not anything fruity, and she would add no milk and no sugar. 

Daphne: She would get a small iced coffee with cream, sugar, and some sort of fruit flavoring like mango or blueberry.  Just a small taste of something sweet.  A treat in moderation, a show of self restraint.

3. If they get a snack, what do they get? (See above for similar questions to ask. Another good one is: Are they allergic to anything? Are there health concerns? Do they have to worry about their digestion for any reason? Or is their stomach made of steel?)

Adrian:  She would get a small cookie of some sort.

Morrin: He would get a plain bagel with butter, or something equally simple and flavorless. 

Blake:  She would get a good spread of food, between 2-4 different things, depending on what the cafe had available, and then she’d sit back and take her time consuming it all.  

Daphne:  Would order something balanced for herself, vegetables and fruit and eggs, perhaps with some kind of bread item on the side.  

4. How do they pay? (Are they rich? Poor? Do they count their pennies or do they throw a whole bunch of gold on the table? Or are they rich and stingy, counting their pennies because that’s how they got rich in the first place? Do they run out without paying? Do they not give a shit about the law? Are they desperate for a feed and want to pay but just can’t?)

Adrian: Isn’t poor, but the currency she possesses is useless outside of the Underground.  She would trick the waitstaff into thinking she paid with Magic.  Later, it would wear off and they would realize she never paid, but by then the memory of what Adrian looked like would have somehow crumbled.

Morrin: In coin, bc it’s 1947.  Probably just leaves the money on the table and walks out.  

Blake & Daphne: Pay cash?  Tipping is probably old hat . . . (I need to give currency & payment practices in 4146 NY/USA more thouhght)

5. How do they interact with staff? (No eye contact? Lots of smiles? Friendly banter? Awkward conversation?)

Adrian:  Small, polite smiles, limited eye contact, almost too quiet when she speaks.  

Morrin: He’d be perfectly charming, all grins and jokes and boisterous laughter.  As long as no mistakes are made, he’s pleasant, and even adored by the staff.  

Blake: Lots of eye contact and chatter.  She’ll want to know what their personal favorites are, what’s been most popular, etc, etc. 

Daphne:  Polite and pleasant, but clearly not there to spend much time socializing with the staff.  

Tagging: @transboywrites @requiemesque @mouwwie @nkta-ink

[lookslikechill]

Character Interview Tag

Tagged by @requiemesque JUST  before I tagged her in the last one I did haha.  And we’re doing Daphne, Hayden, Blake, and Reese this time just bc I want to!  They’re some of the Enforcers we meet first and (not counting Blake at this point) know the most about!

Guidelines: answer these 12 questions in the voice and manner of your character(s) and then tag as many or as few writeblr guys, as you would like⭐️⭐️⭐️

1. What did you have for breakfast?

Daphne: It’s hard to say what is breakfast on workdays, but on my last day off I had waffles, eggs, and fruit, at home with my family.

Hayden: Is it dinner or is it breakfast if you eat it at 2am?  

Blake: Very well-done scrambled eggs with green pepper, onion, garlic, and  tomato.

Reese:  A salad, no dressing, water on the side.  

2. What can you cook perfectly?

D: I used to be able to cook most things really well, since my mother was very . . . insistent that I learn how to cook everything under the sun to perfection.  I haven’t had much practice since I moved away from home, though.  At home, my husband, Henry, does most of the cooking. 

H: Listen, I don’t like to cook or anything, but occasionally I would help my mom bake bread and it would turn out pretty decent!

B: Anything that can be sauteed or grilled, I can cook it.  It will be edible, it will taste good, but it might not look all that fancy!  

R: Um . . . cookies?

3. If you could choose a pet, what what would it be?

D: I have a soft spot for cats.  Henry and I have talked about getting a pair of littermates once our youngest is a bit older.  

H: A dragon would be really cool!  Or a unicorn . . .  >heart eyes<

B: A dog. Classic.

R:  I had a couple lovebirds growing up.  They were sweethearts.  >small smile<

4. How is your relationship with your parents?

D: My father died before I was born.  I love my mom, and she loves me, but we don’t always get along.  We see each other often, and she’s great with the kids.  She’s not always great with Henry, though!  >chuckle<

H:  I never knew my dad.  I haven’t seen my mom in months, but I write her letters sometimes!  I love her, but she just really wants things for me that I don’t want.  Harvey and I came to Astervale to get away from our mothers and their expectations.  Harvery’s mom is WAY worse than mine, though! Wow!

B: I have a good relationship with my parents.  We keep in touch regularly.  They’re pleasant people, y’know, the kind that have lived in the same place since they married and had the same jobs for going on forever.  >fond smile<

R:  Alright.  They’re not happy that I chose to become an Enforcer, instead of training in the International Relationships Department like they did, but they’ll get over it.  They’re just a bit uptight.  >scoffs and crosses her arms< And people think I’m uptight.

5. What is your favorite read?

D: I don’t know, it’s been a while since I’ve read anything for me.  My most recent read?  Everybody Poofs.

H: Reading? For fun? Hahahahahaha haha ha hahaha ha haha

B: I don’t spend much time reading anymore, but when I did I really enjoyed any adventure involving sword-wielding ladies and dragons.

R: Anything educational.  Fiction is a waste of time, I’ll read fiction when I’m ancient. 

6. Do you put both socks on first, or one sock, one shoe?

D: No socks.  One shoe at a time.

H: I LEAP off my bed and my shoes jump onto my feet at the same time, mid-air! Haha! Glad you asked! 

B: I wear complicated shoes that require a bit of attention, so one at a time.  

R:  One shoe at a time.  >sighs, rolls her eyes< Like a proper witch of status.

7. Do you fold your clothes before bed?

D: I don’t fold them, but I do hang them.

H: >throwing his clothes on the bed and jumping on after them< Doing what before what now?

B: Seriously. Magic.

R: No.

8. How do you feel about marriage?

D: It’s a dream come true, honestly.  >gazes lovingly at Henry & the kids<

H:  It sounds nice!  If somebody I liked asked me to marry them, I’d die. . . of HAPPINESS!

B: Rather neutral.

R:  It’s a meaningful alliance, with the right person.

9. Who was the last person you crushed on?

D: Henry.  It worked out well.  

H:  Well, there’s somebody up in International Relations . . . they have the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen in my life.

B: I don’t really do that.  Like, the romance thing.  I tried it out when I was younger, and it’s just not for me.  Even if I did, it just seems like people expect so much out of you, y’know?  I like my space to be my space, and my time to be my time.  Not counting work, of course.

R: I really don’t have time for that stuff right now.

10. What does your dream home look like? And where would it be?

D: Nothing can beat my current home.  Safe neighborhood, large yard, garden out back, a couple of trees, sensible layout on the inside with a cozy look and feel.  A perfect home to build a family, raise a couple kids.  I might even want to live here well into my senior years.

H:  A cave or an abandoned mine, for me to live in and protect.  I could leave and hunt birds, squirrels, and chipmunks, and come back to chase off any intruders.  I could have a bed of cloth bags full of leaves and a stone-lined firepit in the way back of the cave.  I would bath in a stream nearby and dress in deer pelts and fashion bowls and spoons out of bone.

B: A big stone house with high ceilings, a fireplace, and lots of windows.  Somewhere high up with a view.

R:  A small house, but not too small, just the right size so I can live there on my own and not a single corner will go unused.  Busy yet organized.  Somewhere isolated and private.  

11. What’s your worst habit?

D:  I can be . . . a little harsh, a bit judgmental, a little quick to form an opinion.  >muttering< I’mmymother’sdaughtherIguess. 

H: I’m loud? I guess?  >walks off to boast about how well he did in hand-to-hand combat training and talk to people at length while they are obviously trying to fill out paperwork<

B: I don’t always utilize my time properly. 

R: Sometimes . . . >whispers< sometimes I am bite the inside of my cheek a little.  

12. What do you do for living and how do you feel about your job?

D: I work as a high-level Enforcer.  I’ve worked hard to get to this point, and it’s well worth it.  We do a lot of good in this city.

H: I’m a mid-level Enforcer!  I’m from a small town in Pennsylvania, where I started out being an Enforcer, and I’m so glad I transferred to Astervale.  People actually listen to me, and there’s murder!! I mean, not that murder is great but it would have happened whether I was here or not and there wasn’t much murder happening at home!  They need me here!

B:  I’m a high-level Enforcer.  It’s worthwhile work, and I get along pretty well with the rest of the Enforcers, for the most part.

R: I’m an low-level Enforcer, which means I’m in training, basically.  I’m pleased to be here and ready to work hard.  

Tagging: Anybody who wants to do this!!  Just say I tagged you okay!  (you don’t have to do it with All of the characters at once like I keep doing ooooof)