Post by meimeitam on Apr 18, 2008 14:43:57 GMT -5
The Player.
Your Name: Olivia (first name is really Danielle, but it's a family name, so Olivia.
Your Age: 24
How Did You Find Out of Gas?: browsing for Firefly/Serenity RP's.
Previous Roles: None
Contact Email: danie_doublel_e@yahoo.com
The Core.
Full Name: River Tam
Nickname(s): Mei mei
Birthday: December 19th 2500
Age: Seventeen
Origin: Osiris
Location: Serenity
Allegiance: Neutral. Not Alliance, don't know that I'd say River is pro Brown Coat either. In her current state political ideology is not something she is as as able to comprehend, simply because it is a matter of opinion. She would probably see the value in what the Independents wanted to achieve.
Occupation: Fugitive/Psychic/Co-Pilot (not sure which, Mal says "help me fly this thing.."
The Appearance.
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Brown
Height && Weight: 5'8, 115 lbs.
General Description:
When the Alliance chose River as their star pupil, the package for their weapon could not be more unassuming. The container for such a brilliant mind was seventeen year old girl’s slender and lithe body. River is clearly a young woman. However just as Kaylee has girl next door appeal, Zoe, Amazonian regality, and Inara, exotic elegance, River possesses her own version beauty. River has a dancer’s body, long, trim, but fit. Her legs are long, muscular, and lean. Her body is one of the few things the kidnapping has not completely taken from her. One other body part worthy of mention is River’s feet, her fondness for dancing shows, as she can point or flex them in almost any position.
Similar to her brother, River's dark hair is clearly inherited from her father. Her complexion and eyes are her mothers. Her dark hair and eyes contrast with her skin, which is so fair due to the amount of time she has spent indoors. After being rescued by Simon she has spent more time outside, but least of all passengers or crew. Other traits inherited from her mother include the poise that is palpable in River's lucid moments. Also, where Simon sounds more like their father did in his younger years, River’s voice has a tone that flows, like her mother’s, although the matter of fact, almost robotic edge that presents itself comes from the experimentation.
River’s signature piece as far as attire is her boats. Often she prefers to be barefoot, however when in shoes they are always her black combat boots. They are well worn and scuffed, but she loves them. Simon, so focused on rescuing her, did not pack clothes for her. So, River wears hand-me-downs from Kaylee. Paisley dresses, floral bright tops, and deep rich colors dominate her wardrobe. River has also inherited clothes for cooler weather, a favorite being a bright pink sweater. River’s long, thin hair is always down, for her it is almost another tool to use to hide herself when she feels threatened.
River’s are eyes are a deep brown and convey much of her emotion, from sarcasm to sadness they are often the key to exactly what she feels. Like her brother, River also has a fairly wide smile, however it is often unseen because it is reserved for moments of delight, which are too few and far between.
River possesses a mix of grace and fragility. She is also holds an inner intensity. River is a hybrid of many things and in so many ways a contradiction: strength, vulnerability, intelligence, instability, and so much more.
The Personality.
Likes && Dislikes:
River is strongly averse to anything medically related, even if it is Simon who administers the medication, needle, or test. As time has gone on, she is still extremely wary, but will, most of the time, allow Simon to help her without a fight. Less often now she throws things, while still expressing her disgust for the treatment by sticking out her tongue. She has indeed progressed. Her first day on the ship it took much convincing from Simon for her to even enter the infirmary.
Another thing River dislikes is sleep. Naturally she understands the necessity of it, however nightmares often accompany sleep. While she may not reveal it, as it is not generally relevant, she dreams of The Academy. Even more than natural sleep, River dislikes sleep induced through medication, as the state of unnatural sleep comes too close to that of death.
It is difficult for River to recall the likes of her childhood. However, since boarding Serenity, she has rediscovered new joys. Similar to Kaylee’s love for strawberries, River has developed a taste for apples. She is also fond of games. She often plays jacks or keep away from Kaylee. River also enjoys acting like a true sister to Simon. Teasing, playing tricks, and laughing with or at him are all things she does out of genuine love for her brother. River often speaks cryptically, so at times she speaks that way purposefully to fool her brother.
A love in River’s life is Serenity. The ship is more home to her than anywhere else she has ever been. She understand the ship, not in quite the same way as Kaylee, but each of them along with Mal treat the ship as a person, to be loved and cared for who will reciprocate being well treated. River’s bond with the ship is so strong in fact, that when she claims to have melted into it, the crew and bounty hunter believe her. River would rather become part of Serenity than leave her.
Finally, River loves the crew on Serenity. Aside from Simon her biological family has disowned her. Each of them is special to her in their own way, even Jayne who she had the most difficult time trusting.
She sees the Captain as a protector and father figure. River admires his unflinching loyalty to his crew among other things. River felt connected to him by the deep sense of hurt and loss they both felt. Not long ago they had both been different people, and now they were both trying to find their way. To River, Zoe is as much a protector as the Captain and in her own way a maternal figure. River can see the soft spot in Zoe’s heart for children and appreciates the great capacity to love inside the strong, pragmatic woman.
And then there was Wash and his collection of dinosaurs. River was often fascinated by Wash and his amazing pilot abilities and sense of compassion. Wash was not often a man of action, but was formidable in his own way and when the situation called. Usually he would rather find the peaceful solution, but even he was willing to fight the Captain, to stay by Zoe’s side in her time of need. There was an unseen strength in Wash, the kind of quiet resolve that comes from being the spouse of a career soldier, and when he had left this world, River knew the verse had lost someone extraordinary. After his death, River had taken one of his shirts and sewn the fabric onto a pillow. She could not sleep on the pillow, but she kept it on the corner of her bed.
And Kaylee was the heart of Serenity. River enjoyed Kaylee’s company as they were the closest in age. Kaylee teased her gently almost like another older sibling. In Kaylee, River had also found someone to protect, even if her actions had scared her. Kaylee reminded River most of what she wanted to be, a girl. Someone who could run with her feet, play, and laugh at any time, not just when her mind allowed.
In Shepherd Book and Inara, River found the roles of grandparents. Even though Inara was far too young for that, the gentle way each of them watched over her, never reprimanding, was something beyond parental. With each of them she felt relatively safe and at times understood. The pair were also patient with her and except for Simon, seemed to know her best. The death of Shepherd Book hurt her greatly. In her bunk was the very Bible she had been 'fixing' the day they had landed on Canton. The Shepherd had stories, stories that would forever remain untold.
And finally there was Jayne, who had betrayed them all by selling out to the government. After she had threatened to kill him with her brain, Jayne took her seriously. River saw him exactly as he was, but also enjoyed playing jokes on him. From stealing his roll to ribbing him, their relationship was unique, not quite one of complete trust, but a wary acceptance of one and the other.
Interests && Hobbies: A hobby River has had since childhood, is dance. As Simon notes, so much comes as natural to her as breathing, however, dance was something River chose on her own, as an interest, rather than just an ability. So much of what she is now unable to express through words, she can at times express through her body. Even if she is not dancing, but moving, touching, or holding, River is able to display so much from the smallest action.
A second hobby that River has endeavored in since coming aboard Serenity is drawing. After some help from Simon, she has been able to spend a little more time lucid and enjoying herself. Quite able with a pencil and paper, River draws to take a few moments away from the chaos. She also enjoys creating things and adding color to her world, which was once to lacking in different hues.
River is also quite interested, in playfully teasing the others. She especially enjoys picking at or joking with Simon because he is her brother. In addition, because she knows he does not fully understand or trust her, she likes playing with Jayne's mind. Often she can be found playing with Kaylee from jacks, tag, to keep away.
Strengths: River's mind is a strength. She is extremely intelligent and would have been without Alliance alterations. Her deep understanding on an intellectual level is indeed a boon to her and those around her. River is also a reader, which lends itself to her understanding those around her. From Jayne's guilt, Kaylee's fears, Inara's insecurities, and the Captain's doubts, she can see into it all.
A greater strength for River, is her heart. What separates her from those who are deeply intuitive and intelligent is her heart. The bond she forms with those she trusts, and the extent to which she would go to to protect them is what makes her a human rather than just a machine or a weapon. River is not religious, but her faith in those around her is strong. She sees them clearly, but cares for them. Rather than a belief in what is right, or on the proper side of the law, River believes in the crew. River's strongest bond is with her brother Simon. For Simon she would do anything, and for River, the most unfortunate part of her rescue was what her brother endured to save her.
Weaknesses: While River's mind is an asset because of what has been done to her, it is also a weakness. Her intellectual level is unparalleled, but the damage also manifests itself. Unable to communicate as clearly as she would like, River is at times hindered by her mind. Also, because she can read the thoughts of others, at times those thoughts are not pleasing. River carries a great burden with her because of all she knows. In fact, she knows things she would rather not know.
River is is resilient, but despite her gifts she is a girl, a human girl. River was a teenage girl when she entered the Academy. She was not prepared for the torture. River trusted those around her to keep her safe, to come after her when she was in trouble, but she was in no way ready for what was waiting for her. The experience River had with the Academy is a weakness. To survive torture of that kinds is not the most difficult part. To live afterwards and truly live, is.
Secrets: River carries many secrets with her, some are not hers. A secret that she does carry is the guilt she feels over how Simon's life has been changed for her. She is well aware that he might be the medical elect if he were not on Serenity. Anyone who meets Simon will understand the love he has for the medical profession. Because love is not concrete, not a fact or definition that can be studied, River has a difficult time accepting the choice Simon has made, though she loves him.
River also carries hurt with her about how her parents have treated her. Rather than questioning the letters and her attempts to reach them, they ignored her. So certain of her safety they would not abandon their lives to help her. She sees the crew as her family now, as they have gone to great lengths to protect her. Despite what they have allowed, River does wish things were better between her parents and herself. However, she knows if she were to return to them, they would only send her back to the Academy, and that is a fact that hurts her deeply.
One of the most difficult secrets River is fighting now, involves an extreme amount of guilt that hangs in her heart. River never thought she would feel more guilt for anything than she did about Simon, but then everything changed after they landed on Beaumonde. After being triggered in the Maidenhead bar, the events that ensued cost much more than River ever imagined. The loss of Shepherd Book, Wash, and countless others who had sheltered the crew, no one was spared, even children. She knew she was not the one who killed them, but if it had not been for her, the Shepherd and Wash would be alive.
For quite some time now the interaction between herself and Zoe had been awkward, on her part at least. She didn't even want to look at Zoe after what occurred. She put up a good front, doing as she was asked, helping as she was needed, and keeping most of this inside. She was not a soldier, not accustomed to battle, the laws of it, the sacrifice. Death was part of the life cycle, that much she understood, but she could still not comprehend why they had to die.
Overall Personality: River is a blend of so may things and it is hard to see her true personality because it is buried underneath so many layers of pain. Had it not been for the Academy, River might always be the sweet, playful, brat that Simon remembered. In her best moments that was who she became again. Due to the torment she suffered, River became far more unsure of the world around her. She knew her perception of things had been greatly altered and despite her brilliance often her mind was chaotic as she worked to sort through things. Because of her abilities, River can be a chameleon, donning mannerisms, accents, or the habits of another.
River is also fragmented. She is so many pieces of so many things one would assume that would make her complete. Although she is improving, she is still not as whole as she would like to be. Her moods labile in one moment the sound of her laughter echoes through Serenity, and in the next she is lashing out, triggered and controlled by something other than herself. She is in a constant struggle with herself, her mind rarely rests, even when she is asleep.
As often as she is cryptic, River is direct, at times to an extreme extent. Part of this is the "brat" Simon refers to, but often it is her inability to be less than forthcoming and honest.
The Family.
Parents && Siblings: Gabriel Tam is River's father. He is an extremely wealthy man. He is also a man who places much importance on status, strict, perhaps blind adherence to the laws, and unfortunately, this trait leads him to disown his children, as well as ignore the signals River attempted to send. Gabriel also had a keen eye for intelligence, he could see the brilliance in both of his children. However, the apple of his eye was certainly Simon. Frequently he would brush off River's questions regarding her future, but always knew how he envisioned Simon's life.
River could see that in some ways the Captain had been more of a father to her and Simon than Gabriel had. River was his own flesh and blood, but he was never overly concerned for her while she was at the Academy, after all she was in the hands of the Alliance. Fourteen years of being his daughter, and he never once questioned. But the Captain always came for them, when they were discovered by the Alliance on Ariel, and again when they were kidnapped on Jianyin. There were many times Captain Reynolds might have abandoned the siblings, but he did not.
Regan Tam was River's mother. She was exactly the kind of wife and mother society expected her to be. Absolute perfection to look upon, enough presence to stand beside her husband, and the kind of maternal gentleness that made her appear as the ideal mother. Regan was not an ignorant woman, however before she had been sent away, River knew her mother had been raised and groomed for the exact purpose she was fulfilling. Like her husband, Regan was a product of the Alliance, and would rather lose her children than turn against the Allies.
And then there was Simon, River's older brother. In such a small family one would expect to find intimacy and much love, and on the exterior that is exactly what the outside world saw. However, beyond the green laser barrier was something quite different. But Simon was River's stability, even before she left for the Academy. They could always depend on one another, no matter how often they fought. They were bonded by love, as Regan had said, "Nothing will keep you apart for long." When River's world fell apart, Simon discarded his to restore hers. What father and mother could not provide for them, they provided for one another.
Character History: River was born in 2500. By 2503 she was correcting Simon's spelling, as Simon stated, she was a gift. River has always been deeply intuitive. River moved quickly through her studies, while still at that time finding time to play and dance. In 2506 River had moved on from correcting her brother to correcting textbooks. But her intelligence extended to all things, and by the age of fourteen she had grown tired of her studies. She was in the graduate program, and had gained a fascination for Physics, but the courses were still moving too slowly. This lead to her attending the Academy.
When she attended her first interview at the Academy, River was a typical fourteen year old girl. Extremely excited, so thrilled to be considered for the program, the pride she felt for her brother was more than evident, her entire future was ahead of her, waiting for her to mold into a life of possibility. At first the Academy seemed to be everything River had hoped it would be. She was happy to be there, there was a moment right before she accepted the invitation, she hesitated. Looking back she understands what that moment was, but the damage is done now.
In her three years at the Academy, River slowly descended into what she was when Simon found her. In the first few months she still trusted those in authority to care for her in some way. She looked to them to at bare minimum honor her wishes to be transferred out of the Academy, but they did not. It was not long before she did not ask for the transfer because she was unable to, the experiments were too much. Her behavior became erratic, her thought processes joined by connections that were connected rather through phonetics, or the sound of words rather than meaning. Added into all of that was extreme paranoia, until finally all of the training she received backfired in one of her sessions.
After Simon rescued her from the Academy she found herself on Serenity on her way from Persephone to Whitefall. With the crew she traveled across the verse, slowly improving with Simon's medical knowledge and the first secure environment she had known for quite some time. Four months prior to the present, River went on her first job with the crew, a bank heist. River has been with the Serenity for more than a year now.
The Edge.
Something Unique: River is very tactile, perhaps because parts of her still feel so disconnected from the world she lives in. After all she began her journey with Serenity as a Stowaway. Often she is barefoot because she wants to be connected even further with the ship. Because her amygdala was stripped, she feels everything emotionally, but she also feels with her body. Rather than walking across the catwalks moving from one place to another, River experiences it. She feels the cool metal against her feet, her fingers gliding across the wall on the rivets as she passes, each entry into another room is given its moment to be felt.
However, her desire to touch is not exclusive to Serenity. After being rescued by Simon she often touched his hand or face, as if making certain he were real, after experiencing so many alternate realities and wanting so badly to see him. She would not often allow the others to embrace her, except for Inara, who would often look after her while Simon was away. When she encountered Badger on Persephone when he came aboard Serenity, River spoke with him and even touched the flamingo pin on his coat, intrigued by it. One of her favorite games is Jacks, which is a game based around holding things.
This is one of the reasons that after her encounter with Jayne's gun that she felt so hurt. Not only was she being disconnected from the crew, but also being reprimanded for touching she could not see in the way everyone else could. She wanted to prove to them that she was not like Jubal Early, and so she did. Her connection with the ship was so strong, the idea that she became Serenity, was believable.
Role Playing Sample:
I was at the helm of Serenity, staring off into the black. It was strange to sit in his chair. The fleece on the cushion was well worn in, flatter in some places than others. In the beginning the Captain had taken to sitting first chair, but making clear my aptitude for flying, he had allowed me to fly solo. My eyes drifted from the stars down to the console. The dinosaurs and their plastic jungle still remained just as they were when I had first seen them. They stood as a memorial to their fallen owner. Their brightly painted bodies standing out against the dark background the Universe provided. After shifting to auto-pilot, my mind began to wander.
I am improving now, I am "alright," but that is not enough. There is still much further to go, many more storms to weather.
We have lost one from our flock, and our Shepherd, but we have gained another back. Inara...
Returning Inara to the Companion House on Sihnon was difficult. Kaylee had used a Capture and taken video of her last days aboard, and I looked at it often, wishing she were with us. We were family, we still are, I wanted the rest of them to see it, and they did, but time was lost between.
Two by two, everyone was pairing off. Kaylee and Simon, The Captain and Inara still engaging in their banter. Zoe was still very much bonded to Wash, and finally Jayne had his bunk.
They are whole again, completed by their... I do not want to lose any...
A voice interrupted: River?
Simon?
"Mei mei what's wrong?"
I don't understand, what is he asking? Why is he asking?
There was a cloth against my face, and I tasted the sodium chloride tears.
"Were you thinking about The Academy?"
This was another price of getting well, genuine fear, fear not implanted, or based upon irrelevance, but real fear. I didn't have the heart to tell him I was actually worrying that after the pieces were coming together, that they might come apart again.
I nodded. and turned back to the black.
Face Claim: Summer Glau
Your Name: Olivia (first name is really Danielle, but it's a family name, so Olivia.
Your Age: 24
How Did You Find Out of Gas?: browsing for Firefly/Serenity RP's.
Previous Roles: None
Contact Email: danie_doublel_e@yahoo.com
The Core.
Full Name: River Tam
Nickname(s): Mei mei
Birthday: December 19th 2500
Age: Seventeen
Origin: Osiris
Location: Serenity
Allegiance: Neutral. Not Alliance, don't know that I'd say River is pro Brown Coat either. In her current state political ideology is not something she is as as able to comprehend, simply because it is a matter of opinion. She would probably see the value in what the Independents wanted to achieve.
Occupation: Fugitive/Psychic/Co-Pilot (not sure which, Mal says "help me fly this thing.."
The Appearance.
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Brown
Height && Weight: 5'8, 115 lbs.
General Description:
When the Alliance chose River as their star pupil, the package for their weapon could not be more unassuming. The container for such a brilliant mind was seventeen year old girl’s slender and lithe body. River is clearly a young woman. However just as Kaylee has girl next door appeal, Zoe, Amazonian regality, and Inara, exotic elegance, River possesses her own version beauty. River has a dancer’s body, long, trim, but fit. Her legs are long, muscular, and lean. Her body is one of the few things the kidnapping has not completely taken from her. One other body part worthy of mention is River’s feet, her fondness for dancing shows, as she can point or flex them in almost any position.
Similar to her brother, River's dark hair is clearly inherited from her father. Her complexion and eyes are her mothers. Her dark hair and eyes contrast with her skin, which is so fair due to the amount of time she has spent indoors. After being rescued by Simon she has spent more time outside, but least of all passengers or crew. Other traits inherited from her mother include the poise that is palpable in River's lucid moments. Also, where Simon sounds more like their father did in his younger years, River’s voice has a tone that flows, like her mother’s, although the matter of fact, almost robotic edge that presents itself comes from the experimentation.
River’s signature piece as far as attire is her boats. Often she prefers to be barefoot, however when in shoes they are always her black combat boots. They are well worn and scuffed, but she loves them. Simon, so focused on rescuing her, did not pack clothes for her. So, River wears hand-me-downs from Kaylee. Paisley dresses, floral bright tops, and deep rich colors dominate her wardrobe. River has also inherited clothes for cooler weather, a favorite being a bright pink sweater. River’s long, thin hair is always down, for her it is almost another tool to use to hide herself when she feels threatened.
River’s are eyes are a deep brown and convey much of her emotion, from sarcasm to sadness they are often the key to exactly what she feels. Like her brother, River also has a fairly wide smile, however it is often unseen because it is reserved for moments of delight, which are too few and far between.
River possesses a mix of grace and fragility. She is also holds an inner intensity. River is a hybrid of many things and in so many ways a contradiction: strength, vulnerability, intelligence, instability, and so much more.
The Personality.
Likes && Dislikes:
River is strongly averse to anything medically related, even if it is Simon who administers the medication, needle, or test. As time has gone on, she is still extremely wary, but will, most of the time, allow Simon to help her without a fight. Less often now she throws things, while still expressing her disgust for the treatment by sticking out her tongue. She has indeed progressed. Her first day on the ship it took much convincing from Simon for her to even enter the infirmary.
Another thing River dislikes is sleep. Naturally she understands the necessity of it, however nightmares often accompany sleep. While she may not reveal it, as it is not generally relevant, she dreams of The Academy. Even more than natural sleep, River dislikes sleep induced through medication, as the state of unnatural sleep comes too close to that of death.
It is difficult for River to recall the likes of her childhood. However, since boarding Serenity, she has rediscovered new joys. Similar to Kaylee’s love for strawberries, River has developed a taste for apples. She is also fond of games. She often plays jacks or keep away from Kaylee. River also enjoys acting like a true sister to Simon. Teasing, playing tricks, and laughing with or at him are all things she does out of genuine love for her brother. River often speaks cryptically, so at times she speaks that way purposefully to fool her brother.
A love in River’s life is Serenity. The ship is more home to her than anywhere else she has ever been. She understand the ship, not in quite the same way as Kaylee, but each of them along with Mal treat the ship as a person, to be loved and cared for who will reciprocate being well treated. River’s bond with the ship is so strong in fact, that when she claims to have melted into it, the crew and bounty hunter believe her. River would rather become part of Serenity than leave her.
Finally, River loves the crew on Serenity. Aside from Simon her biological family has disowned her. Each of them is special to her in their own way, even Jayne who she had the most difficult time trusting.
She sees the Captain as a protector and father figure. River admires his unflinching loyalty to his crew among other things. River felt connected to him by the deep sense of hurt and loss they both felt. Not long ago they had both been different people, and now they were both trying to find their way. To River, Zoe is as much a protector as the Captain and in her own way a maternal figure. River can see the soft spot in Zoe’s heart for children and appreciates the great capacity to love inside the strong, pragmatic woman.
And then there was Wash and his collection of dinosaurs. River was often fascinated by Wash and his amazing pilot abilities and sense of compassion. Wash was not often a man of action, but was formidable in his own way and when the situation called. Usually he would rather find the peaceful solution, but even he was willing to fight the Captain, to stay by Zoe’s side in her time of need. There was an unseen strength in Wash, the kind of quiet resolve that comes from being the spouse of a career soldier, and when he had left this world, River knew the verse had lost someone extraordinary. After his death, River had taken one of his shirts and sewn the fabric onto a pillow. She could not sleep on the pillow, but she kept it on the corner of her bed.
And Kaylee was the heart of Serenity. River enjoyed Kaylee’s company as they were the closest in age. Kaylee teased her gently almost like another older sibling. In Kaylee, River had also found someone to protect, even if her actions had scared her. Kaylee reminded River most of what she wanted to be, a girl. Someone who could run with her feet, play, and laugh at any time, not just when her mind allowed.
In Shepherd Book and Inara, River found the roles of grandparents. Even though Inara was far too young for that, the gentle way each of them watched over her, never reprimanding, was something beyond parental. With each of them she felt relatively safe and at times understood. The pair were also patient with her and except for Simon, seemed to know her best. The death of Shepherd Book hurt her greatly. In her bunk was the very Bible she had been 'fixing' the day they had landed on Canton. The Shepherd had stories, stories that would forever remain untold.
And finally there was Jayne, who had betrayed them all by selling out to the government. After she had threatened to kill him with her brain, Jayne took her seriously. River saw him exactly as he was, but also enjoyed playing jokes on him. From stealing his roll to ribbing him, their relationship was unique, not quite one of complete trust, but a wary acceptance of one and the other.
Interests && Hobbies: A hobby River has had since childhood, is dance. As Simon notes, so much comes as natural to her as breathing, however, dance was something River chose on her own, as an interest, rather than just an ability. So much of what she is now unable to express through words, she can at times express through her body. Even if she is not dancing, but moving, touching, or holding, River is able to display so much from the smallest action.
A second hobby that River has endeavored in since coming aboard Serenity is drawing. After some help from Simon, she has been able to spend a little more time lucid and enjoying herself. Quite able with a pencil and paper, River draws to take a few moments away from the chaos. She also enjoys creating things and adding color to her world, which was once to lacking in different hues.
River is also quite interested, in playfully teasing the others. She especially enjoys picking at or joking with Simon because he is her brother. In addition, because she knows he does not fully understand or trust her, she likes playing with Jayne's mind. Often she can be found playing with Kaylee from jacks, tag, to keep away.
Strengths: River's mind is a strength. She is extremely intelligent and would have been without Alliance alterations. Her deep understanding on an intellectual level is indeed a boon to her and those around her. River is also a reader, which lends itself to her understanding those around her. From Jayne's guilt, Kaylee's fears, Inara's insecurities, and the Captain's doubts, she can see into it all.
A greater strength for River, is her heart. What separates her from those who are deeply intuitive and intelligent is her heart. The bond she forms with those she trusts, and the extent to which she would go to to protect them is what makes her a human rather than just a machine or a weapon. River is not religious, but her faith in those around her is strong. She sees them clearly, but cares for them. Rather than a belief in what is right, or on the proper side of the law, River believes in the crew. River's strongest bond is with her brother Simon. For Simon she would do anything, and for River, the most unfortunate part of her rescue was what her brother endured to save her.
Weaknesses: While River's mind is an asset because of what has been done to her, it is also a weakness. Her intellectual level is unparalleled, but the damage also manifests itself. Unable to communicate as clearly as she would like, River is at times hindered by her mind. Also, because she can read the thoughts of others, at times those thoughts are not pleasing. River carries a great burden with her because of all she knows. In fact, she knows things she would rather not know.
River is is resilient, but despite her gifts she is a girl, a human girl. River was a teenage girl when she entered the Academy. She was not prepared for the torture. River trusted those around her to keep her safe, to come after her when she was in trouble, but she was in no way ready for what was waiting for her. The experience River had with the Academy is a weakness. To survive torture of that kinds is not the most difficult part. To live afterwards and truly live, is.
Secrets: River carries many secrets with her, some are not hers. A secret that she does carry is the guilt she feels over how Simon's life has been changed for her. She is well aware that he might be the medical elect if he were not on Serenity. Anyone who meets Simon will understand the love he has for the medical profession. Because love is not concrete, not a fact or definition that can be studied, River has a difficult time accepting the choice Simon has made, though she loves him.
River also carries hurt with her about how her parents have treated her. Rather than questioning the letters and her attempts to reach them, they ignored her. So certain of her safety they would not abandon their lives to help her. She sees the crew as her family now, as they have gone to great lengths to protect her. Despite what they have allowed, River does wish things were better between her parents and herself. However, she knows if she were to return to them, they would only send her back to the Academy, and that is a fact that hurts her deeply.
One of the most difficult secrets River is fighting now, involves an extreme amount of guilt that hangs in her heart. River never thought she would feel more guilt for anything than she did about Simon, but then everything changed after they landed on Beaumonde. After being triggered in the Maidenhead bar, the events that ensued cost much more than River ever imagined. The loss of Shepherd Book, Wash, and countless others who had sheltered the crew, no one was spared, even children. She knew she was not the one who killed them, but if it had not been for her, the Shepherd and Wash would be alive.
For quite some time now the interaction between herself and Zoe had been awkward, on her part at least. She didn't even want to look at Zoe after what occurred. She put up a good front, doing as she was asked, helping as she was needed, and keeping most of this inside. She was not a soldier, not accustomed to battle, the laws of it, the sacrifice. Death was part of the life cycle, that much she understood, but she could still not comprehend why they had to die.
Overall Personality: River is a blend of so may things and it is hard to see her true personality because it is buried underneath so many layers of pain. Had it not been for the Academy, River might always be the sweet, playful, brat that Simon remembered. In her best moments that was who she became again. Due to the torment she suffered, River became far more unsure of the world around her. She knew her perception of things had been greatly altered and despite her brilliance often her mind was chaotic as she worked to sort through things. Because of her abilities, River can be a chameleon, donning mannerisms, accents, or the habits of another.
River is also fragmented. She is so many pieces of so many things one would assume that would make her complete. Although she is improving, she is still not as whole as she would like to be. Her moods labile in one moment the sound of her laughter echoes through Serenity, and in the next she is lashing out, triggered and controlled by something other than herself. She is in a constant struggle with herself, her mind rarely rests, even when she is asleep.
As often as she is cryptic, River is direct, at times to an extreme extent. Part of this is the "brat" Simon refers to, but often it is her inability to be less than forthcoming and honest.
The Family.
Parents && Siblings: Gabriel Tam is River's father. He is an extremely wealthy man. He is also a man who places much importance on status, strict, perhaps blind adherence to the laws, and unfortunately, this trait leads him to disown his children, as well as ignore the signals River attempted to send. Gabriel also had a keen eye for intelligence, he could see the brilliance in both of his children. However, the apple of his eye was certainly Simon. Frequently he would brush off River's questions regarding her future, but always knew how he envisioned Simon's life.
River could see that in some ways the Captain had been more of a father to her and Simon than Gabriel had. River was his own flesh and blood, but he was never overly concerned for her while she was at the Academy, after all she was in the hands of the Alliance. Fourteen years of being his daughter, and he never once questioned. But the Captain always came for them, when they were discovered by the Alliance on Ariel, and again when they were kidnapped on Jianyin. There were many times Captain Reynolds might have abandoned the siblings, but he did not.
Regan Tam was River's mother. She was exactly the kind of wife and mother society expected her to be. Absolute perfection to look upon, enough presence to stand beside her husband, and the kind of maternal gentleness that made her appear as the ideal mother. Regan was not an ignorant woman, however before she had been sent away, River knew her mother had been raised and groomed for the exact purpose she was fulfilling. Like her husband, Regan was a product of the Alliance, and would rather lose her children than turn against the Allies.
And then there was Simon, River's older brother. In such a small family one would expect to find intimacy and much love, and on the exterior that is exactly what the outside world saw. However, beyond the green laser barrier was something quite different. But Simon was River's stability, even before she left for the Academy. They could always depend on one another, no matter how often they fought. They were bonded by love, as Regan had said, "Nothing will keep you apart for long." When River's world fell apart, Simon discarded his to restore hers. What father and mother could not provide for them, they provided for one another.
Character History: River was born in 2500. By 2503 she was correcting Simon's spelling, as Simon stated, she was a gift. River has always been deeply intuitive. River moved quickly through her studies, while still at that time finding time to play and dance. In 2506 River had moved on from correcting her brother to correcting textbooks. But her intelligence extended to all things, and by the age of fourteen she had grown tired of her studies. She was in the graduate program, and had gained a fascination for Physics, but the courses were still moving too slowly. This lead to her attending the Academy.
When she attended her first interview at the Academy, River was a typical fourteen year old girl. Extremely excited, so thrilled to be considered for the program, the pride she felt for her brother was more than evident, her entire future was ahead of her, waiting for her to mold into a life of possibility. At first the Academy seemed to be everything River had hoped it would be. She was happy to be there, there was a moment right before she accepted the invitation, she hesitated. Looking back she understands what that moment was, but the damage is done now.
In her three years at the Academy, River slowly descended into what she was when Simon found her. In the first few months she still trusted those in authority to care for her in some way. She looked to them to at bare minimum honor her wishes to be transferred out of the Academy, but they did not. It was not long before she did not ask for the transfer because she was unable to, the experiments were too much. Her behavior became erratic, her thought processes joined by connections that were connected rather through phonetics, or the sound of words rather than meaning. Added into all of that was extreme paranoia, until finally all of the training she received backfired in one of her sessions.
After Simon rescued her from the Academy she found herself on Serenity on her way from Persephone to Whitefall. With the crew she traveled across the verse, slowly improving with Simon's medical knowledge and the first secure environment she had known for quite some time. Four months prior to the present, River went on her first job with the crew, a bank heist. River has been with the Serenity for more than a year now.
The Edge.
Something Unique: River is very tactile, perhaps because parts of her still feel so disconnected from the world she lives in. After all she began her journey with Serenity as a Stowaway. Often she is barefoot because she wants to be connected even further with the ship. Because her amygdala was stripped, she feels everything emotionally, but she also feels with her body. Rather than walking across the catwalks moving from one place to another, River experiences it. She feels the cool metal against her feet, her fingers gliding across the wall on the rivets as she passes, each entry into another room is given its moment to be felt.
However, her desire to touch is not exclusive to Serenity. After being rescued by Simon she often touched his hand or face, as if making certain he were real, after experiencing so many alternate realities and wanting so badly to see him. She would not often allow the others to embrace her, except for Inara, who would often look after her while Simon was away. When she encountered Badger on Persephone when he came aboard Serenity, River spoke with him and even touched the flamingo pin on his coat, intrigued by it. One of her favorite games is Jacks, which is a game based around holding things.
This is one of the reasons that after her encounter with Jayne's gun that she felt so hurt. Not only was she being disconnected from the crew, but also being reprimanded for touching she could not see in the way everyone else could. She wanted to prove to them that she was not like Jubal Early, and so she did. Her connection with the ship was so strong, the idea that she became Serenity, was believable.
Role Playing Sample:
I was at the helm of Serenity, staring off into the black. It was strange to sit in his chair. The fleece on the cushion was well worn in, flatter in some places than others. In the beginning the Captain had taken to sitting first chair, but making clear my aptitude for flying, he had allowed me to fly solo. My eyes drifted from the stars down to the console. The dinosaurs and their plastic jungle still remained just as they were when I had first seen them. They stood as a memorial to their fallen owner. Their brightly painted bodies standing out against the dark background the Universe provided. After shifting to auto-pilot, my mind began to wander.
I am improving now, I am "alright," but that is not enough. There is still much further to go, many more storms to weather.
We have lost one from our flock, and our Shepherd, but we have gained another back. Inara...
Returning Inara to the Companion House on Sihnon was difficult. Kaylee had used a Capture and taken video of her last days aboard, and I looked at it often, wishing she were with us. We were family, we still are, I wanted the rest of them to see it, and they did, but time was lost between.
Two by two, everyone was pairing off. Kaylee and Simon, The Captain and Inara still engaging in their banter. Zoe was still very much bonded to Wash, and finally Jayne had his bunk.
They are whole again, completed by their... I do not want to lose any...
A voice interrupted: River?
Simon?
"Mei mei what's wrong?"
I don't understand, what is he asking? Why is he asking?
There was a cloth against my face, and I tasted the sodium chloride tears.
"Were you thinking about The Academy?"
This was another price of getting well, genuine fear, fear not implanted, or based upon irrelevance, but real fear. I didn't have the heart to tell him I was actually worrying that after the pieces were coming together, that they might come apart again.
I nodded. and turned back to the black.
Face Claim: Summer Glau
