||Siren's Pull App||

[learnyourplace]

Player Information

Name: Kel
Age: 32
AIM SN: gaerwn
email: kellenanne [at] gmail dot com
Have you played in an LJ based game before? Yes
Currrently Played Characters: n/a
Conditional: Activity Check Link: n/a
Conditional: Official Reserve Link: n/a

Character Information

General
Canon Source: Supernatural
Canon Format: television show
Character's Name: Rachel
Character's Age: Apparent age is mid-30s; Rachel herself is an entity millions of years old.
Conditional: If your character is 13 years of age or under, please clarify how they will be played. n/a

What form will your character's NV take? An iPhone-type smartphone device. Touchscreen. Black.

Abilities

Character's Canon Abilities:
In canon, Rachel is explicitly shown to possess only two of the many canon abilities we see from angels: flight and some ability with her short sword.

Flight: If we follow any laws of physics, "flight" isn't quite the right word. While it's true that the sound that accompanies an angel's disappearance and appearance suggest as much, the travel is nearly instantaneous and little things like physical obstructions -- walls, doors, moving vehicles, etc -- really don't stand in the way. Perhaps it's easier to think of it as teleportation, despite the rush of air and occasional sound of wingbeats. While convenient and a primary mode of travel for Rachel, it does have some limitations. Certain sigils -- covered in a later "weaknesses" section -- can hide certain things from her senses and she must have a some direction of where she is going.

Close-range combat: Since it is explicitly stated that Rachel is a soldier, one can assume she either has an innate, created ability to wield her short sword or some training in it. She is shown in a single fight in canon and, while she was overpowered and killed, her skill with the blade was undeniable. (One needs to remember two things: her opponent was actually a good bit stronger and more powerful than she and that she had survived during an Apocalypse and a civil war to that point.) This is her primary weapon and one she always carries with her.

Other abilities that can be extrapolated from her short canon appearances are a little more mundane, but no less important. As Castiel's lieutenant and with a limited understanding of what free will is, Rachel is a reliable and steadfast follower. She can and will question an order if she feels it's completely wrong -- as she did with Castiel's choices -- but, for the most part, Rachel can be relied upon to follow through on any order or suggestion given her. (Limitations to this will be covered in a separate section.)

Other abilities angels are shown to have in canon but not explicitly given to Rachel include a gamut of "think it and you can do it" skills. Because she is a lesser angel, as a garrison foot soldier, I do not believe she possesses each and every ability angels in canon have been shown to have. She possesses limited telepathy, enhanced endurance and strength, accelerated healing, telekinesis, the ability to exorcise demons, some ability to heal others, and a "sixth sense" so to speak.

Limited telepathy: In canon, it's shown that angels can contact each other via "angel radio." (Thank you, Dean, for the succinct way of putting that.) This telepathy between angels is apparently how orders were given and received and how communication in wartime was achieved. This is not a passive ability, in that Rachel cannot inadvertently pick up thoughts and emotions from other angels -- much less non-angelic people around her -- but there must be an effort behind sending a message. (This is partly to keep her from being too godmode in-game and partly because canon honestly does not give us many examples of an angel directly reading a mind, angel, human, or otherwise.)

Enhanced endurance and strength: This is an ability all angels are shown to have in canon, so one can reasonably assume that Rachel also possesses this ability. In fact, for her to keep up with Castiel as long as she did in her fight, she would need it. Angels do not tire easily, though they can if injured in the right way or if overextended over a time. Her physical strength would be on par with an average demon: several times that of a human but no more powerful than several characters already in-game.

Accelerated healing: If not injured with an angelic blade -- or other weapons which might possess a similar weapon -- then Rachel's injuries heal very quickly. In canon, these injuries often do not seem to even phase an angel. (In canon, see Castiel's reaction in 4x01 to being shot by a shotgun and stabbed and Anna's reaction to a crowbar shoved through her chest in 5x13: both were unfazed.) However, when dealing with another character who's strength is on par (or greater than) hers, Rachel can be overpowered and slowed by injury after injury.

Telekinesis: Several angels are shown to possess this in canon and so it seems likely that Rachel does as well. Castiel uses this even when cut off from Heaven, losing his power, and trapped in a circle of holy fire; because of this example, I assume that this is an ability innate to all angels. It's limited to what's in sight, in order to keep Rachel both believable and less godmode-y. This telekinesis can range from turning a bolt loose to turning appliances or alarms on and off. She can hold a person weaker than her in place and perhaps even fling them across a room. (Canonically, most angels, should they wish to fling someone across a room, resort to actually physically doing so.)

Exorcism: If the demon isn't too strong, Rachel can will them dead by laying a hand on their host's forehead. (Perhaps not just the forehead; canon only shows the forehead as a contact point.) Demons stronger than her can withstand this attack but the average demon most likely will not be able to stand up to it. In-game, Rachel won't resort to this unless she feels no other way out of a situation.

Healing: Canonically, angels are shown to heal, though not as often as one might expect. Given Rachel's training and mindset, she is a soldier first and would only heal another person if she both saw an advantage in it and if it was critical. (Or she was ordered to by someone she respects.) Because she is a lesser angel and it's not in her nature, I assume that she possesses this ability, but that it's not something she's good with.

Perception/"Sixth Sense": This is usually used in conjunction with flight, in that she must be able to sense what's around her somehow in order to land without incident. In canon, angels can find a certain person this way, which is why Castiel used sigils to hide Sam and Dean from an angel's "sight. This can be used to find a certain person or place, usually in order to travel to that location.

In all, Rachel is active than passive and will be more likely to rely on her short sword and the skills associated with that -- endurance and strength -- than anything else.

She possesses several canonical weaknesses as well.

Weaknesses: Like other angels, Rachel is susceptible to injury and death via wounding with an angelic blade (and perhaps other weapons in canon stated to kill "anything." In-game, this could very well extend to other holy or arcane weapons other characters wield.) She can be banished via sigil, trapped via sigil or holy fire, and things hidden from her senses by hexes and sigils. There is a spell that can separate her from her vessel and presumably fling her back to have Heaven, leaving her ineffectual and rendered a non-threat. Those on par with her power or more powerful than her can overwhelm her physically, even with her accelerated healing. While one of the strongest creatures in her canon, Rachel isn't all-powerful.

Mentally, Rachel is strong when given an order; steadfast and reliable, she is a follower. If she's in a situation that plays to these strengths, she is an asset. However, given her character, one can assume that if she was thrust into a leadership position, she may find it too overwhelming. She may perhaps even freeze, caught in indecision. Given her situation and her mental state when she arrives in-game, she can be easily overwhelmed and pulled into a fight she cannot win. (If she cannot think, she cannot fight. In her fight with Castiel, she was off-balance and overwhelmed, I believe, and that was a factor in her defeat.)

As stated before, Rachel is more likely to fall back on her weapon and related abilities. While this will most likely serve her well, it can be a weakness in that she may not think of using other abilities or methods at her disposal before it's too late. She can be somewhat single-minded in that respect.

Conditional: If your character has no superhuman canon abilities, what dormant ability will you give them? n/a
Weapons:
Rachel carries a short sword with her at all times.

History/Personality/Plans/etc.
Character History:
[A brief canon history on the Supernatural Wiki.]

Canonically, nothing is known of Rachel as an individual before she appears in canon. However, given what we know of angels, inferences can be made about what her life was like as a soldier of God in service of Heaven. Individualistic qualities are generally frowned upon in the garrisons. It can be assumed that Rachel served in her place, in her time, and without noteworthy disciplinary action. (This is assumed based on her appearance in 6x20, when she asked Castiel what the angels do now and given her genuine confusion over what free will entailed.)

Rachel becomes the spokesperson for the group of angels that meet Castiel when he returns to Heaven after averting the Apocalypse. It can be assumed that her familiarity with Castiel -- she calls him a friend in another appearance -- is the reason for this. She questions him, wanting to know what the angels are to do now that their orders no longer stand. When she's faced with "free will," she honestly does not know how to deal with it. Again, this speaks to a history of unquestioning service in Heaven's ranks.

She had to make some individual decision, though; her first appearance in canon, she stands as Castiel's lieutenant in the war against Raphael. When Sam and Dean call on Castiel, it's Rachel who answers -- and Rachel who berates them for taking advantage of her friend and superior. She tells Dean that, compared to the angels and to Heaven's civil war, his problems are insignificant. Her defense of Castiel is staunch, which is almost surprising considering what her next actions are. Taken in context of her personality, though, these actions are in keeping with her character. Castiel then appears and dismisses her, telling her that he will handle what the Winchesters need.

It's only a short while until Rachel summons Castiel to a warehouse and demands answers from him. Considering how little time actually did pass between her staunch defense of him and her confrontation with him, the rumors she confronted him about may have well been known to her even when she defending Castiel to Dean. That she doesn't act until Castiel confirms the rumors about his "dirty little secret" speak to her loyalty to him -- to a point, at any rate.

When Castiel says he had no choice -- that he must do whatever he can to defeat Raphael -- Rachel answers in much the same way. "Then I have no choice," she says and attacks him. During the fight, Castiel is wounded but Rachel is killed. For game purposes, her canon point is as she's stabbed, but before death.

Point in Canon: 6.18 Frontierland (with information from flashbacks in 6.20)
This will include the events leading up to her death. Rachel had heard disturbing rumor involving Castiel and the deals he'd made to open Purgatory. Believing the deal and the path he was leading the angels down to lead to disaster, Rachel confronted him. When he could not refute her accusations, she attacked. In her mind, he would be better off dead than in league with Hell; she nearly did kill him, but Castiel turned the tide of the fight. Her canon point will be at that point: Castiel has just managed to trap her and bring the blade to bear on her chest.
Conditional: Brief summary of previous RP history: n/a

Character Personality:
She's an angel and that means she's been created to follow orders, to be a warrior, and to never question. When it comes right down to it, that's Rachel's core. It's who she is and who she'll always be. She's a soldier first and nothing will every change that. Expected and happy to follow orders, Rachel is a follower, not a leader.

Not to say she isn't intelligent: she is. She's stayed alive through an Apocalypse and through turmoil in Heaven. (Though she couldn't though personal betrayal.) She's followed up on rumor and investigated quietly on her own. She's willing and able to ask the hard questions and keenly intelligent enough to detect uncover hidden truth. Those rumors she heard in canon did not just fall into her lap with little thought or action.

It's emotion that can overwhelm her; in the face of a tangible threat, Rachel will rarely falter. Created to be a soldier, she handles problems of that nature with aplomb, never straying and taking the most efficient route to solve the problem. Her speech to Dean speaks to such an approach to problems: everything can be looked at practically and logically -- and logically, Dean's problems were nothing compared the angels'. Put an enemy in front of her that she can see and give her a clear-cut objective and she will not stray. Rachel doesn't tolerate fear on the battlefield and is adept at following through on an objective there. Give her orders or give her an enemy she can destroy and she's at her best. Present her with an emotional dilemma and I believe she's more prone to withdraw than give an answer. Again, in her defense of Castiel to Dean, there's no mention of any emotional obligation or attachment in addressing the problem.

She's single-minded in her pursuit of truth, holds honor in high respect, and will remain loyal -- to a point. She will make damned sure her friends and family don't go down paths they shouldn't.When she raised her weapon to Castiel, she thought she was set in her answer. To her mind, there is very little -- if any -- gray area. One is right or one is wrong; there is no leeway. Castiel was wrong in his decisions and she, as the one who was right, had to take whatever action necessary to stop him. That included killing him. It was a decision not lightly made; she trusted Castiel. Her world is black and white.

Humanity is lesser than she, no doubt, but if one of them can prove her to her that their problem or conversation is worth her time, then she'll listen. Humanity as a whole hasn't proved worthy of her consideration just yet; she follows Castiel and his quest to save them because Castiel is a friend and one who upended the order of things. That must be for a reason, though she cannot see it yet. (Granted, a good part of this could stem from from the fact that Dean is her first and foremost contact with humanity that we are shown and they wasted no time in arguing.)

Rachel tolerates no foolishness and values a straightforward answer. She has little patience for those who would dance around an issue or take advantage of her (or others') time. Her friends -- the few that there are -- are dear to her and she will defend them. She's quick to act and quick to react. She tends to think in extremes: you're either right or you're wrong. For her, shades of gray are nearly incomprehensible.

She can be abrasive and condescending. When she feels the need to inform someone of their stupidity, she will rarely hesitate. She's cold and blunt, often erring on the side of brutally honest. If someone takes advantage of or hurts someone she cares for, she will call them on it, sometimes even going out of her way to do so. Sometimes quiet and honest to a fault, she can be hard to get to know. She lacks patience and lacks understanding. She will make enemies and never understand why. On the other hand, she will also tell someone when she thinks they've done right -- even if this person only minutes before did something she berated them for. Rachel doesn't know how to relate to people; she cannot read body language and will probably never understand colloquial turns of phrase. She expects the people around her to be as honest as she and, so, when they aren't, whether through malignant or benign action or word, she often doesn't quite get it at first. This is extrapolated from her confrontation with Castiel in canon; she asked him a direct question and expected a direct answer. In her dealing with Dean, she was bluntly honest about her opinion of humanity and Dean's problems as compared to Castiel's. From this, it can be assumed that honesty is of high value to her. She takes things at face value; she's not gullible so much as just honest.

Rachel is still learning what it is to feel. She's never had free will, never been without orders, and never known how to act for herself. She feels emotion; she simply doesn't know what to do with it or even what she's feeling half the time. She's happy to see friends, relieved when appropriate, angry, exasperated. She knows these things. Anything more complex, though, she doesn't know how to explain.

At the core of who she is, I believe that Rachel is confused, as evidenced by her genuine confusion over what free will even is in canon. Everything she knows has been upended in a very short amount of time. She's gone from cold-hearted warrior to one who had been betrayed the person closest to her (and abandoned by a God who was never there in the first place.) She does not understand free will and barely understands what it is to feel. There's a bitterness there that she cannot quell. There's something raw in her heart when she thinks of her brother gone astray. And when she thinks of her Father, she wonders and doubts and that tears at something deep inside of her. She is shaken and confused and very, very lonely -- and she can't articulate even an iota of that maelstrom of emotion.

Confused as she is, though, she does know one thing: she must act. There is no other logical or practical way to deal with a problem. It's counter-intuitive, perhaps, to be both determined to a fault and confused over one's own emotional and mental state, but that is where Rachel stands.

Conditional: Personality development in previous game: n/a
Character Plans:
Rachel is, admittedly, a very minor character and I dearly want to put her into an environment where she can develop and grow into her own. Her emotional state is fragile, but I am certain that, given some time and problems she has to face and solve in the setting and with so many different types of people around, she can finally learn how to be her own person.

Appearance/PB: Rachel's icon set

Writing Samples

First Person Sample
[Rachel's voice is level, her tone hard and demanding.] I have been given the basic information regarding this place. I have additional questions. Someone will answer. [And... that's that. Someone will answer her.] I do not wish to go back to where I was, but I would like to know how I was brought here and for what particular reason.

[A pause] Who summoned me and why now?

[Some fumbling with the NV; her voice changes when she speaks next, confusing coloring her tone. It's perhaps obvious she thought the device turned off.] This... should not be possible. [I should be dead.]

Third Person Sample
Rachel stood in the center of a diamond field, her mind not quite processing her change in location as fast as she would like. Her hand drifted toward her chest, pressing against where the wound should be. Her fingers clutched at the fabric, an involuntary reaction to the way her mind ground to a halt, stuck on that one truth that simply wasn't anymore.

I should be dead. She couldn't even begin to think about where she was, not when she couldn't seem to get past where she'd been. Dimly, behind all the confusion, her mind was already cataloging the things around her: it was twilight, she was in a manicured field, a city nearby teeming with life, a darkness teeming with something different. That was all she could do though, caught in those last moments at home.

Nothing had seemed quite right, in those last few moments, but she could hardly be blamed for thinking that. If the world had dimmed around her, she might be excused for dismissing it as an effect of focusing on Castiel and only him. If the only thing that seemed sharp-edged and real had been the utter desolation of betrayal, then it was because all else seemed to fade away when she was faced with an agonizing decision. It took time for those things to fade away in order for her to focus on anything different.

On the heels of realizing she wasn't dead -- or about to be, for that matter -- came something else. "Why?" She spoke aloud, barely above the roar of questions and confusion in her own mind. She wasn't sure what she was asking: why did he kill her? Why did she attack in the first place? Why was she here, alive and well?

That jolted her. Why was she here? Hand still at her chest, Rachel turned in a slow circle, casting out with arcane senses for some answer to her question. Those things she'd dimly been aware of earlier sharpened as she finally stepped off the low mound. Eyes wide with apprehension and confusion and hand clutching her chest, she looked less like an angelic warrior and more like a lost child. Not the first impression she wished to give, had she thought about it, but there was little she could do about it. Yanked from her home at the point of death, she was reeling. She had been from the moment Castiel had confirmed the rumors. Unwittingly pulled to another location, there was simply no recovery time.

Instinctively, Rachel tried to reach out to Heaven, seeking reassurance, and stumbled mid-step. There was no answer, though she was fairly certain there was an angelic presence or two not too far from her. (One was too familiar, far too familiar, and she slammed down a wall of mental defenses, hoping to a Father she wasn't sure was listening that he hadn't heard her questioning plea.)

Perhaps she was dead. Perhaps angels didn't just cease to exist after death. Perhaps this was some cruel hell reserved for angels embroiled in civil war. She couldn't seem to control the cynical thoughts, nor could she seem to take another step. Frozen in place, she could only watch in wary defeat as someone strode toward her.