#swampintro

STATS + CONNECTIONS PAGE + PINTEREST BOARD

gabriel grew up in a small town about two hours away from marais, and had a couple of friends go to le savoir college when he decided to go study in paris. he wasn’t rich, but he was an only child, and his parents always made sure he had everything he wanted, which honestly did make him a bit spoiled for a long time. in fact, some little bits of that remain to this day. they were the ones who paid for his education in france, and they honestly sacrificed some of their own things to give him everything he wanted. he kind of took that for granted for a while, but the older he got, the more he appreciated everything his parents did for him.

coming back to mentioning a couple of his friends going to le savoir, when it came time to find a job as a professor, it was one of the couple of colleges that he considered, and he was quite lucky to get a job there. he’s only worked there for three years now, but really enjoys the environment, and appreciates the life he has in marais.

he has a close-knit circle of friends in marais, and is friendly, but it’s only to that close circle of friends and his fiancé that he ever opens up. he’s not the type of person who befriends complete strangers, yet never makes others feel like he dislikes them. some would consider him shy, but it’s more so that he’s selective about who he’s willing to share his energy with. he’ll be nice to you, sure, but unless you’re one of the select few, there’ll be a barrier up between you and him.

he figured out he was gay in college, and it took him a few years to come out. he knew his family and friends would be accepting, and he was right about that, but it still felt like it was kind of useless to let people know something about him unless it became necessary. which is why his coming out to his parents was basically just him calling them and asking if it’d be okay for him to bring his first boyfriend home for thanksgiving. in marais, he and his fiancé don’t hide who they are and the fact that they’re together, and so pretty much everyone who’s ever been around them for a little while knows that gabriel isn’t straight. only the people close to him know his like, exact sexuality, though, as he doesn’t see how it’s anyone else’s business. if it comes up in a conversation, he’ll say it, sure, but otherwise? he doesn’t really care whether people know or not.

loves reading and seriously considered becoming a librarian, but ended up deciding to become a professor after meeting a professor in university in paris that basically made him see literature in a completely different way, which made him realize just how much he admired a good educator.

speaks english, french, tagalog & spanish.

callous fingers and dirty fingernails, day drinking, skinny dipping in the heat of the summer, wrinkled t-shirts, worn levis, burnt diner coffee, wood dust, dimmed headlights, bloody noses and bruises, empty fields and laughing so hard your stomach hurts.

Hopkins’ always make a habit of getting in trouble, hence the reason he moved here at the age of five— his father was running from something. He’s like their tarnished golden boy, so much untapped potential— he just never really found a way to use it. James-Ryan is dumb in many facettes but not numbers, always top of his math class which opened countless opportunities but he never really pursued them (not many know this but he has a B.Sc in mathematics!)

But Mr.Dumbass over here through an odd childhood has developed intimacy issues. Which has manifested itself in trying to be a comedian whenever & wherever he sees fit.

Total class clown type, loves to see people smiling even if he’s the butt of the joke. Friend of almost everyone, or at least attempts to be.

Just like his dad, he’s always unfortunately in the wrong place at the right time— so often in fact that the folks at the precinct have come to know him well. He’s not outwardly nasty but is susceptible to get in way over his head. especially when drunk.

➤  Bina never goes into the bayou if she can help it. Throughout her life she has had nightmares of that swamp, and a terrifying creature that lives within it that she has caught glimpses of, but never outright seen. The dreams have seemed so real that they have kept her from the swamp since she was a kid.

➤ Bina was raised on the outskirts of Marais, on the poorer side of town. Marais is all she’s ever known and, strangely, she’s fine with that. She’s never left Louisiana so she’s not really sure what’s out there for her, and because of that has never really formed an interest. She loves Marais, even if some parts of it scare her.

➤ She was raised by her father’s parents. Her mama ran away just after she was born, and her father drowned when she was three. She takes care of her grandparents now with the money she makes bartending at Crunchies and picking up odd jobs around town.

➤ Bina’s a bit stuck in the past as far as pop culture is concerned. She only got a smartphone three years ago. Her favorite band is Cream from the 60s, and her favorite movie is Empire Records.

➤ She's been dating a guy for a few years until he was sent to jail. since then she’s still been a bit hung up on him, but she can’t tell if she’s actually hung up on him or if she’s just scared of putting herself out there again. she’s great at making friends, but flirting makes her antsy. 

➤ Her ultimate dream is to own a pet gator, but she knows how impractical it would be to own a pet that would likely want to rip your face off and eat you alive.

➤ One of the ways she makes a little extra money on the side is from the marijuana plants she grows in her bedroom closet. Her supply is lovely, and she’s even made her own strain called Moonflower, after the little white flowers that grow around Marais and bloom at night.

➤ She’s a big believer in the “earthing” concept, and never feels better than when she’s been walking barefoot in the grass on a sunny day.

BACKGROUND.

originally from quebec, canada, the damour family moved to marais when marc was only six. he is fluent in french, english, and ASL. he also has dual citizenship. his family is comprised of a father, mother, an older brother, and two younger sisters.

marc has always been a bit of a hothead, now much more mature, he would even gladly take the fall for most of the fights that had occurred when he and his siblings were children. it was as a young teenager that he learned to keep his temperament in check and became a master of self-control with the help of some anger management courses. how he mastered his anger however is his shameful little secret that he doesn’t like to talk about. 

growing up, there was nobody he looked up to more than his parents. they were his own versions of superheroes. he always felt as though his parents were pillars in their small community and marc aspired to be the same one day. it was one of the driving forces upon going into public service. the other driving force behind becoming a police officer was the 9/11 attack. 

he joined the police academy directly after graduating high school and took several classes at le savoir college of louisiana in the following years where he majored in criminal justice and psychology. he’d never been the greatest when it came to school, but he never stopped trying or meeting with tutors until he finally got it. 

when he first moved out on his own, marc discovered his love for cooking and for food itself. he’s spent mindless hours scrolling through social media looking up recipes and has a pinterest board of things to try. ( he’d be like an ideal candidate for those amateur cooking shows. ) his mad cooking skills have also impressed many tinder dates.

though his dedication to marais and her citizens and the pride he has in his work has always been clear. which helped him get appointed as a deputy at twenty-nine. i’d like to think he’s very well known around town and his overall reputation as a law enforcement officer is stern but fair. and he’s definitely more known than the other officers for letting folks go with just a warning when the offense isn’t serious.

he has a good heart and wants nothing more than to help those in need and do what’s right. but if it comes down to doing what’s right or protecting someone he cares about, it’s ALWAYS going to be the latter.  

he is a lowkey stoner, which was something he started sometime in high school. he’s taken extended breaks from it various times over the years but nothing chills him out more than sitting outside with a fat one and listening to the calming bayou crickets. 

relationships of the long term variety have never seemed to be in the cards for marc, no matter how much effort he puts in. the one long term relationship he did have left him a broken man and he’s only just managed to put himself back together after she cheated on him. he’s come to terms with the fact “no strings” relationships are just what he needs. 

it’s been two years since the relationship ended and in that time, marc’s control over his emotions and his temper has diminished. something that is easy to see for those who are close to him as he’s more likely to get into with those around him over things that normally would have rolled off his back. 

WANTED CONNECTIONS.

long term ex-girlfriend ( will submit a wc soon )

past hookups

current hookups

ride or die

friends

rivals

coworkers

Ingrid Lake grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth. Her family lived in New Orleans for generations and her grandfather, Vincent Lake, founded a media company that took Louisiana by storm in the 1960’s… from then on it expanded and to this day, is one of the most renowned companies in the country. They own newspapers and broadcasting networks all over the United States, which amassed a ridiculous fortune for the surviving members of the Lake family. Around Louisiana, mention the Lake’s and you’ll hear tales from people who had got their first job from the Lake’s, or had been helped out by them financially in their time of need. Louisiana residents have mostly good things to say about the family. The only son of Vincent Lake and the heir of the company moved with his pregnant wife to Marais, Louisiana to escape the bustle of New Orleans and raise their child away from the city.

She’s an only child, which makes her the heiress to Lake Corp., meaning she’s set for life. She’s never had the need to work or do anything off her own merit. From the time she was a young girl to now, Ingrid has enjoyed a life of privilege, but she never took that for granted. She’s always wanted to give back and runs a few charities in Marais and regularly donates to local causes, as well as hosting many highbrow galas and events with the other wealthy residents in the area.

At the age of 20, Ingrid married a man she’d known through family friends. They were very much in love and were ready to make a life together. He also came from money and had a high-powered job, which her parents were pleased with. They had initially been very picky with who their darling daughter would end up with. Ingrid’s been married to her husband for 20 years now and they have 3 children. The eldest being 18 years old and the youngest being 7. She adores her family, though, in the past 5 years, she’s had a wandering eye, engaging in affairs with people both from Marais and neighbouring towns and cities.

When it comes to her personality, Ingrid is a very charming person. She knows how to win people over, and is very much a people pleaser. She thrives on the attention and praise from others. She’s very social and is pretty much the ‘queen’ of hosting events and fundraisers. She knows almost everyone in Marais… she makes it her mission to welcome newcomers to town and maintain the good reputation for Marais. Though, there’s a not quite so nice side to her. She lies a lot. About a broad range of things. Mostly to her husband and friends, but she created a perfect facade for herself, in a desperate need to one up the people around her. There’s also a very controlling and manipulative side to her. (I kind of took some tidbits of inspiration from the character Adora Crellin in ’Sharp Objects’, except Ingrid isn’t as psychotic as Adora, lmao.)

Ingrid’s father is in his mid 80’s now and his health is deteriorating by the day and considering Ingrid’s mother passed away a few years ago, her inheritance is coming closer, and honestly, she has no clue of what to do when that happens. Knowing her, she’ll probably hire someone to run the company for her, but she is worried that her husband may take her for all she’s got if their marriage begins to crumble, that’s why she’s determined to keep their relationship strong, but she has a pathological need to cheat, so who knows how that may end up.

wanted connections.

CLOSE FRIENDS — people from a similar circle to ingrid, they are the wealthier crowd in the area, and attend her extravagant galas/events.

FRIEND(S) WITH BENEFITS — yes, ingrid is very much married and has been for 20 years but that doesn’t stop her from hoeing it up... but we love that for her. any gender works.

LONG-TERM AFFAIR — i’m only looking for one of these. preferably a male/nb. they have had an arrangement going for a while (probably over a year), maybe there’s some real feelings there, but an issue that could get in the way is the fact that ingrid isn’t ready to end her marriage, now or maybe never. this could bring some angst ... teehee.

FRENEMIES — i would live for the bitchiness and back-handed compliments, which ingrid is an expert at.

PEOPLE SHE CAN’T STAND ( & VICE VERSA. ) — gimme. this could be fun.

NANNY — someone who looks after her youngest children ( 7 & 12 years old ). maybe they’ve known her and her family for years?

THE MUN:

Name/Alias: Rach

Age: 20

Pronouns: She/Her

Timezone: EST

Triggers: N/A

THE MUSE:

Contessa Bishop was born in Marias, just as her parents and grandparents had been. A daughter of two professors at Le Savoir College of Louisiana, Tessa grew up surrounded by a regular cycle of books, papers, and scholastic debates. From an early age it was clear that Tessa was far from the academic that her parents were, but she had inherited quite the creative streak. Days became weeks spent beside the bayou, painting the swampy riverbeds and backwaters of her small town.

Eventually, due to external pressures from her parents, Tessa miserably pursued a graphic design degree at LSCL. Tessa genuinely resented the limitations of the classroom and her frustrations with school life wore thin. At the age of twenty one, she made the decision to drop out of school, much to her parents' dismay. Without a degree to her name, Tessa struggled to pick up work, making meager money selling her local landscapes to the handful of tourists who would wander by her work.

Despite her best efforts, painting didn’t make for a particularly lucrative career, thus, Tessa picked up a bartending job at Crunchies, providing her a flexible job with enough time to dedicate to her true passion. Her parents eventually decided it was high time their daughter got out from under their roof, and presented Tessa with an ultimatum-- finish her degree within the next year or become completely financially independent and move out.

Within little choice remaining, Contessa enrolled in night classes at the university, finishing her degree and eventually securing a rather unsteady stream of freelance work, both of the graphic and traditional variety. Deciding to move out of her parent’s home, to shoulder the costs of living on her own and maintain a little extra spending money for herself, Tessa continues her bartending job at night.

Tessa is quite the familiar face around Marias, especially for the locals. She enjoys striking up conversation with any of the bar’s patrons and when not working, can often be found out and around the city painting or drawing. Tessa is always there to offer a listening ear to the local folk and tourists, imparting (occasionally unprompted) advice when she sees fit. Tessa is an optimist who believes in herself, oftentimes not knowing her own limitations or when to quit. Both practicality and traditional booksmarts evade her, but there is a sharp determination and bold confidence to Tessa that can be inspiring to others. 

POTENTIAL CONNECTIONS??:

The childhood friend-- someone she grew up with in Marias

The patron-- a regular of Crunchies, a customer who Tessa’s grown to be quite fond of  

The business opportunity-- someone who’s going to help Tessa take her art to the next level

Fellow creative-- Someone who shares Tessa’s creative energy, or maybe just someone who appreciates the arts

what’s up, i’m harper and i’ll be playing duke, a human garbage bag.

(tw: addiction)

past:

he was born and raised in marias to a typical bread-earning father and stay-at-home mother, they didn’t have much, but they had each other.

oldest of three (wcs coming soon?), duke had a relatively happy childhood where his parents did their best to support all his endeavors.

eventually, he fell in love with baseball. he couldn’t get enough of it and lived and breathed it from his early childhood to his teens.

he was recruited straight out of high school to play at vanderbilt university on a full ride, which, to duke, seemed like a once in a lifetime opportunity that he couldn’t miss.

just as he was ready to pack up and leave at 18, his father suffered from a massive stroke which left the ramsey family crippled. (though, this is not common knowledge unless your character has been in town most of their lives)

seemingly left with no choice, duke took up the mantle as the “head of the household” and immediately started working odd jobs to make ends meet and pay the hospital bill.

he also chose and settled on being a paramedic because he swore to himself that he would never be as helpless as he was when he witnessed his father’s suffering and had to call the ambulance.

present:

on his days off, he can still be found hitting baseballs. though, obviously, his skills aren’t what they used to be.

his father still struggles to do the simple things and duke has also taken up the mantle of being his caretaker, much to his mother’s dismay.

between his job and his responsibilities, it doesn’t leave much room for a personal life. ESPECIALLY since duke likes to keep his father’s condition under wraps and tends not to bring anyone home.

in the years that have passed since he earned his position as a paramedic, he’s starting to realize his body isn’t what it used to be and he needs something to keep himself awake that isn’t just caffeine. as guilty as he feels about it, he’s been pilfering pills from his father’s supply and from the hospital to take for himself. he hasn’t been caught... yet.

he mostly keeps to himself, where he used to be outgoing and rambunctious in high school, he’s reserved and secretive nowadays.

wanted connections:

FRIENDS???? i dunno, someone who’s known him awhile and/or since high school or childhood who knows about his dad? someone who’ll get him out of his shell? someone to make him realize there’s more to life than taking care of other people with no concern for yourself? a drinking buddy? anything?

EX(ES). did they used to date in high school and he cut them out at 18 because his entire life changed? were they just a brief fling in their 20s because he thought he wanted to give dating a try before realizing it took too much out of him? did he actually open up to someone? maybe something more serious? maybe something not?

FWB(S). looking for someone to keep you occupied between busy schedules? look no further than the man who tries his best not to form any sort of attachments... but a man has got needs, you know? (and yes, he is bisexual)

ENEMIES. though he can definitely be a sweetheart, it wouldn’t surprise me that duke has enemies either. he can be a bit of a dick sometimes when people try to pry in his life where they shouldn’t.

THE MUN:

Name/Alias: Rach

Age: 20

Pronouns: She/Her

Timezone: EST

Triggers: N/A

THE MUSE:

Serena remembers little else before Marias, having moved to the town as just a mere child. Her immigrant parents had fallen victim to the promises of great opportunity and wealth which lay down South as her father, a humble factory man believed that working in the hogging industry would be their ticket to a better future. Packing up the few things they did own, the Airhearts found themselves at the small, quaint town of Marias. 

As her father began working for the Beaulieu factory, Serena watched as her father worked long hours in unideal conditions to make ends meet. However, the Airhearts would soon discover that the true money was to be made through her mother’s small laundromat business. A brilliant businesswoman, savvier than what met the eye, thanks to Serena’s mother, the Airhearts’ laundromat would become so popular that her father was able to quit his job at the factory altogether and come work at the laundromat full-time. This secured the Airhearts’ position as successful, small business owners, who had moved into Marias’ upper-middle class. 

Graced with her father’s work ethic and her mother’s sharpness, Serena grew into a bright young woman, going on to take over the laundromat’s finances at the mere age of 16. Though Serena thoroughly enjoyed working with her parents, in many ways, the work at the laundromat felt stifling, a waste of the natural charm and savviness Stella had been gifted. She had a desire to bring justice to her community and make changes that would help bring bigger opportunities to more of Marias’s people. 

After much deliberation, her parents agreed that Serena ought to expand her education by attending university and later law school, beyond the confines of Marias. Having enjoyed the privilege of attending school beyond the confines of Marias, Serena quickly realized that she wanted to offer the youth of Marias  the same chance at a better life. When she returned to Marias after a brief stint of working as a tax lawyer in Baton Rouge, with the help of her parents’ savings and the gracious donations of Marias’s residents, she ran a campaign for city council, becoming the youngest person ever elected to a seat on the council, at 28 years old.

After her election, Serena established herself as a vital member of Marias’s political scene, not only as an advocate for the town’s youth, but an outspoken crusader for the people. She’s watched in frustration as the town became a shell of the place she saw it could be, largely blaming an influx of big money as corrupting the power in their town. Strongly believing that running for a higher office was the best way to fight these forces, Stella dedicated herself to running for mayor, losing twice to more established candidates, before eventually securing a position as the town’s mayor, at the age of 35, an office she’s held since.

POTENTIAL CONNECTIONS??:

All the political things-- constituents, rivals, allies, fellow council members, PTA moms; give me EVERYTHING

The regular hook-up-- being mayor is hard okay? my girl needs to blow off steam

Fellow activist-- someone down to crusade alongside serena XD

Colleagues- I would LOVE to have some people who work for serena in any capacity. she’s a fun boss, i promise!