FACECLAIM: HILARY DUFF AGE: 148 SPECIES: SUCCUBUS OCCUPATION: STRIPPER AT LEATHER AND LACE ARRIVED: March 24, 2014 DECLARED.
Life was never perfect for the girl with darkness in her eyes. Â Her mother was a prostitute and she was raised in the brothel. Â The brothels of London during the 19th century were a bustling place. Â Clara could recall sitting in the back while her mother went to entertain. Â Of course she wasnât the only child in the brothel. Â There were many and Clara grew up surrounded by them. Â While some picked on her for the darkness in her eyes, others thought it made her special. Â Her mother told her that they were her fatherâs eyes. Â Clara never met him. Â As a child she would sit there hoping one of the countless men who came through the doors was her father. Â By the time she was old enough to realize he would never appear, the hope for a better life faded.
By the time she was seven her mother had moved up in the world. Â Now she owned the brothel. Â The chores Clara was forced to do changed and the other girls became jealous. Â It was clear her mother had grand plans for Clara. Â She could move up in the world. Â She could have a more desirable life. Â Her mother set her sights on selling Clara and her virginity off to the highest bidder. Â She was sixteen when a nobelman paid a hefty price for Clara. Â She would give him her virginity and serve him exclusively. Â He would care for her, provide her food and clothing, a place to live. Â It seemed like a good exchange. Â Clara was nervous, truly terrified but she recalled her motherâs instructions. Â She had been told how best to provide for him. Â But by the time it was over, he had died. Â Claraâs powers had awoken, sucking the life from him, allowing her to feast on his energy.
Terrified, Clara went back to the brothel. Â Her mother covered it up, convinced God had killed the man for some reason or another. Â She pushed Clara off on a merchant this time, playing as though her virginity was still intact in the hopes of fetching a higher price. Â Again they succeeded, but again Clara killed him. Â She didnât know how to explain it or how to control whatever was going on. Â Her mother brought her back to the brothel while rumors swirled. Â Some were frightened and some were curious, but Clara was simply scared. Â She did her best to learn control. Â It took time, but with an endless stream of willing men to practice on, Clara soon was able to feed without killing.
But her newfound success was soon interrupted. Â Prostitutes in London were being brutally murdered. Â Everyone in Claraâs circle was terrified. Â Each time a man paid for their services a chill ran up their spine. Â It was the first time Clara was faced with the true danger for herself in being what she was. Â Her powers still didnât have a name, but she knew she needed to feed on these men the same way people needed to eat to survive. Â It was instinctual. Â Clara had to risk death to prevent death. Â There was no other way around it. Â They called him Jack the Ripper and the girls who recalled the men Clara killed even went so far as to accuse her of killing the other woman. Â Even though she laughed, that fear lingered. Â What would people do to her if they realized what she could do?
Clara tried hard to keep her abilities quiet. Â She did only what she needed to and never risked too much. Â Eventually the murders stopped. Â Then the rumors regarding Clara stopped as well. Â From then on, Clara did everything she could to simply live her life. Â Her upbringing hadnât been pretty but it shaped her into the strong willed woman who knew what she wanted. Â Over the years, Clara eventually discovered the truth of what she was. Â A succubus. Â She learned the hard consequences of her powers when she found love and started a family, only for him to wither away far too soon.
From then on Clara vowed to keep her heart closed off. Â If she was cold and aloof then she couldnât lose another person. She couldnât let herself hurt like that for a second time. Â Clara found her ways to maintain her ability to feed while keeping herself hidden from those that didnât understand what she was. Â Moving from place to place, Clara has never been the type to settle in one place for very long. Â For the last century Clara has made her home in countless places, but being able to be open about what she is, despite the discrimination and biases that exist, has given her a chance to try and stay in place for longer stretches. Â Even still, five years ago the desire to uproot herself struck and Clara found herself in Shadow Falls. Â She has made a place for herself and is enjoying it. Â Finally it seems as though she has truly come into her own.
Clara is a bit of a wild card. Â Her first instinct is always self preservation and preventing herself from getting hurt both physically and emotionally. Â Because of this, it can be hard for people to get to know her. Â She can come across as either a seductress or a bitch with very little in between. Â Itâs an intentional front that she puts up to keep people at armâs length. Â Even still, there are always those people who worm their way into her heart. Â Each time it happens, her walls are chipped away and Claraâs fears come closer to realization. Â It is only a matter of time before she has to give in. Â Eternity is a long time and she canât keep pushing people away.