#what is queue?

Ohhhh it’s his ego.

Everything that Bertrand does ultimately is in service to himself, even though he claims otherwise. If it doesn’t benefit him, he’s almost definitely not interested. There are very, very few things that Bertrand does out of the goodness of his heart, but he hopes that those are enough to balance it out. He is convinced he does no wrong.

Even then, the instant Bertrand feels that the recipient of his (actually quite legitimate!) goodwill has slighted him, he will drop them like a sack of bricks and rescind whatever he’s offered. If his offering can’t be returned, he will hold a nasty grudge about it. It doesn’t help that his alliances are already very unstable (I wrote about his being a Turncoat here) and he doesn’t think it’s his fault.

Bertrand has gotten pretty good at hiding his arrogance but when the voices in your head are telling you that you’ve been bestowed with an utmost important quest, it spills out occasionally. When that important quest is something deeply reviled and all he hears is how monstrous and terrible he is, Bertrand only digs his heels in harder—he can’t possibly be wrong, he is Count Bertrand Palomo, so clearly that’s impossible!!

🎃 for what act does your oc feel the most guilt?

Bertrand hid (desperately) that he’s a Seeker from his little son. He didn’t know how to explain it to a child, and he wasn’t prepared to do that, but not being honest with his son is by far one of his biggest regrets when Francis is old enough to understand.

(Spoilers for ES: Where You And I Must Go)

🫏 which scar does your oc regret the most?

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During the time that he was getting his weeping scars Bertrand made an attempt at putting a weeping scar on his lower belly which he thought would be SUCH a good way to prove his devotion to Mr Eaten. I failed one of the weeping scar checks and decided “that just means he was trembling and missed his actual target lol” so now he has a permanent nasty scar someplace he would rather there not be a scar.

🌟 what does your oc see in the mirror that fills them with shame?

SPLITS THESE UP TOO HEHE

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For all his bluster, preening, parading and self-importance, Bertrand looks at himself and sees loneliness, and more so, loneliness that is all his fault no matter how hard he tries to twist or bury it.

He used to be a local legend. People used to fight to come to his soirées, would pay for the chance to be seen with him. The name of ‘Palomo’ was held in high regard, and to see his letterhead or seal land on one’s desk was to know you have Made It in society. He had friends, public relations and loyal staff.

Now? He’s burned so many bridges, tarnished his reputation and changed his legacy. People still flock to his ship, but only to say they were aboard The Cannibal Count’s hunting ground and survived. He is paid NOT to appear at Society gatherings. His letters go unopened or more often burned.

HEHE OK im gonna split these up since they have different spoilers

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🫠 what is a moment when your oc has felt the most pathetic?

SMEN 77 and Deeper Discordant Studies spoilers!