Post by Benitoite on Aug 5, 2017 21:21:59 GMT
Name: Benitoite
Appeared Gender: Female
Appeared Age: Early 30s
Gemstone: Benitoite, tear-drop shaped and faceted.
Gemstone Location:Left Breast
Faction: Crystal Gem
Corrupted:No
Appearance: (Please click to see enlarged image!)
Personality:
Benitoite has always been refined, reserved, and yet strangely charismatic. Though she never exactly had an approachable air, Benitoite was able to connect with those even of lower rank and treat them with genuine kindness. However, following the disconnection with Homeworld, she became withdrawn. She speaks with purpose; curtly, though not necessarily rude. She rarely makes eye contact and prefers to look over the person’s shoulder or simply over their heads, given her statuesque height. When she does meet eyes, it is often to make a point or (more rarely) to intimidate. Those familiar with her prior to the Homeworld incident may be put off by her newly distant façade. Alternatively, her behavior towards humans is warm and gentle, especially towards human children. Some may even describe her as motherly towards humans, though she is still unsure of what a ‘mother’ is.
She is vigilant about her allegiance to the Crystal Gems, but she does hold a tinge of guilt. Her ties to Homeworld as a high ranking gem pull at her, as well as the guilt of forsaking her Homeworld-affiliated lover. She is struggling with the fact that since she is defecting, she is not fulfilling her purpose as a gem and is therefore (in Homeworld’s eyes) useless. Though she does not necessarily believe in this philosophy, it is still very much ingrained in her. Despite this guilt, she can justify her betrayal by seeking the best for all gem kind, not simply herself.
Likes/Dislikes:
+ Solitude
+ Fragile things (flowers, glass, butterflies, etc.)
+ Earth technology
+ Fusion (she keeps this fact very private)
- Being reminded of her previous rank on Homeworld
- Nosiness
Fears:
- Her decision to be a Crystal Gem being ultimately fruitless
- Being faced with Blue Diamond herself
- Being faced with her ex-lover, especially in combat
Weapon:
If called to battle, Benitoite wields a large scythe. She is unskilled in using it as she has only just begun training with it. The handle is long and outmatches her height and is dark blue in color. On the end opposite the blade is a large replica of her gem, though is cut into a knob rather than her teardrop. The blade is long and curved and comes to an impressive point. It appears crystalline though is much sturdier, and is either light or dark blue depending on the light that catches it.
The weapon could have the potential to cut through a gem’s physical form, but with Benitoite’s lack of training she currently cannot do so. The lofty life of an upscale gem has left her with little offensive skills.
Ability 1:
Mist/Fog Formation: Benitoite can summon thick blankets of fog to obscure herself from her enemies. This ability can impair the sight of others momentarily while she makes her escape. Typically has a circumference of 30 feet and decreases in thickness in intervals of 2 posts. After the initial use of this power, she must wait 4 posts to use it to its full extent again. She can also ‘evaporate’ water into mist.
Ability 2:
Levitation: When calm, she can defy gravity and levitate. If flustered, she can still remain airborne and mobile but will have to use all of her concentration to do so.
Fusions: N/A
History:
Benitoite was once a highly regarded diplomat for Homeworld and made appearances at political meetings to represent her kind before other planets. Her role, however, was used more as a distraction while Homeworld’s armies conquered the planet in question. More importantly, she represented Blue Diamond’s court (if Her Radiance couldn’t be bothered) in meetings to discuss gem politics. Her primary concern was upholding Blue Diamond’s standards of order and elegance.
Her life was very comfortable and without complication, until she fell in love with a fellow gem. Their romance was beautiful, yet it revealed to Benitoite the faults of gem society. In secret, Benitoite would muse with the idea of fusing with her lover, but was repeatedly denied and reprimanded by the other gem for thinking so foolishly. She was wise enough to not press the matter, but romantic enough to never truly abandon the desire. Fusion was such a foreign concept but made her incredibly curious: so much so that she quietly envied soldiers who were permitted to do so (even if it was with gems of the same variety).
This was only the tip of the iceberg, however. This dangerous thinking lead her to question the morality of having gems created for the sole purposes of dying in battle, or serving a ‘superior’ being without the option to do otherwise. Their existence was to further not their individual existence, but the existence of all gemkind. Or, rather, the existence of the diamonds. To a lesser extent, she began feeling sympathy towards the conquered planets and their inhabitants. The idea ate at her.
Benitoite was summoned to Earth in order to communicate with other diplomatic gems regarding the fate of Earth and its resources. Being stranded on the archaic planet was horrifying at first, but Rose Quartz’s message began to resonate with her. If she and other gems were free of Homeworld, they would be free to be independent. They could exist as they wished, and rebuild a society that wasn’t reliant on the fear of being shattered. She could even be free to love as she wished.
After some consideration, she decided that becoming a Crystal Gem was the right decision to make. Though she still feels guilty over abandoning her Diamond and her partner, she feels that what she is doing is best.
Character Arcs:
I have two ideas, depending on if I find anyone to participate in the first:
1. Benitoite is beginning to feel confident in her choice to stay aligned to the Crystal Gems when she is confronted with her ex-lover, who is Homeworld aligned. The confrontation can either be violent or verbal, but ultimately ends in Benitoite beginning to question her allegiance once again. She weighs her options and eventually feels reassured in her decision to be a Crystal Gem.
2. Benitoite feels the reality of leaving her old life behind. Her flaws in combat become more pronounced and must train through them to fulfill her new role. As her strength and confidence increases, she becomes more open with the other gems and is able to act more like her old self. She begins to feel less isolated and gains more hope for Earth.
Appeared Gender: Female
Appeared Age: Early 30s
Gemstone: Benitoite, tear-drop shaped and faceted.
Gemstone Location:Left Breast
Faction: Crystal Gem
Corrupted:No
Appearance: (Please click to see enlarged image!)
Personality:
Benitoite has always been refined, reserved, and yet strangely charismatic. Though she never exactly had an approachable air, Benitoite was able to connect with those even of lower rank and treat them with genuine kindness. However, following the disconnection with Homeworld, she became withdrawn. She speaks with purpose; curtly, though not necessarily rude. She rarely makes eye contact and prefers to look over the person’s shoulder or simply over their heads, given her statuesque height. When she does meet eyes, it is often to make a point or (more rarely) to intimidate. Those familiar with her prior to the Homeworld incident may be put off by her newly distant façade. Alternatively, her behavior towards humans is warm and gentle, especially towards human children. Some may even describe her as motherly towards humans, though she is still unsure of what a ‘mother’ is.
She is vigilant about her allegiance to the Crystal Gems, but she does hold a tinge of guilt. Her ties to Homeworld as a high ranking gem pull at her, as well as the guilt of forsaking her Homeworld-affiliated lover. She is struggling with the fact that since she is defecting, she is not fulfilling her purpose as a gem and is therefore (in Homeworld’s eyes) useless. Though she does not necessarily believe in this philosophy, it is still very much ingrained in her. Despite this guilt, she can justify her betrayal by seeking the best for all gem kind, not simply herself.
Likes/Dislikes:
+ Solitude
+ Fragile things (flowers, glass, butterflies, etc.)
+ Earth technology
+ Fusion (she keeps this fact very private)
- Being reminded of her previous rank on Homeworld
- Nosiness
Fears:
- Her decision to be a Crystal Gem being ultimately fruitless
- Being faced with Blue Diamond herself
- Being faced with her ex-lover, especially in combat
Weapon:
If called to battle, Benitoite wields a large scythe. She is unskilled in using it as she has only just begun training with it. The handle is long and outmatches her height and is dark blue in color. On the end opposite the blade is a large replica of her gem, though is cut into a knob rather than her teardrop. The blade is long and curved and comes to an impressive point. It appears crystalline though is much sturdier, and is either light or dark blue depending on the light that catches it.
The weapon could have the potential to cut through a gem’s physical form, but with Benitoite’s lack of training she currently cannot do so. The lofty life of an upscale gem has left her with little offensive skills.
Ability 1:
Mist/Fog Formation: Benitoite can summon thick blankets of fog to obscure herself from her enemies. This ability can impair the sight of others momentarily while she makes her escape. Typically has a circumference of 30 feet and decreases in thickness in intervals of 2 posts. After the initial use of this power, she must wait 4 posts to use it to its full extent again. She can also ‘evaporate’ water into mist.
Ability 2:
Levitation: When calm, she can defy gravity and levitate. If flustered, she can still remain airborne and mobile but will have to use all of her concentration to do so.
Fusions: N/A
History:
Benitoite was once a highly regarded diplomat for Homeworld and made appearances at political meetings to represent her kind before other planets. Her role, however, was used more as a distraction while Homeworld’s armies conquered the planet in question. More importantly, she represented Blue Diamond’s court (if Her Radiance couldn’t be bothered) in meetings to discuss gem politics. Her primary concern was upholding Blue Diamond’s standards of order and elegance.
Her life was very comfortable and without complication, until she fell in love with a fellow gem. Their romance was beautiful, yet it revealed to Benitoite the faults of gem society. In secret, Benitoite would muse with the idea of fusing with her lover, but was repeatedly denied and reprimanded by the other gem for thinking so foolishly. She was wise enough to not press the matter, but romantic enough to never truly abandon the desire. Fusion was such a foreign concept but made her incredibly curious: so much so that she quietly envied soldiers who were permitted to do so (even if it was with gems of the same variety).
This was only the tip of the iceberg, however. This dangerous thinking lead her to question the morality of having gems created for the sole purposes of dying in battle, or serving a ‘superior’ being without the option to do otherwise. Their existence was to further not their individual existence, but the existence of all gemkind. Or, rather, the existence of the diamonds. To a lesser extent, she began feeling sympathy towards the conquered planets and their inhabitants. The idea ate at her.
Benitoite was summoned to Earth in order to communicate with other diplomatic gems regarding the fate of Earth and its resources. Being stranded on the archaic planet was horrifying at first, but Rose Quartz’s message began to resonate with her. If she and other gems were free of Homeworld, they would be free to be independent. They could exist as they wished, and rebuild a society that wasn’t reliant on the fear of being shattered. She could even be free to love as she wished.
After some consideration, she decided that becoming a Crystal Gem was the right decision to make. Though she still feels guilty over abandoning her Diamond and her partner, she feels that what she is doing is best.
Character Arcs:
I have two ideas, depending on if I find anyone to participate in the first:
1. Benitoite is beginning to feel confident in her choice to stay aligned to the Crystal Gems when she is confronted with her ex-lover, who is Homeworld aligned. The confrontation can either be violent or verbal, but ultimately ends in Benitoite beginning to question her allegiance once again. She weighs her options and eventually feels reassured in her decision to be a Crystal Gem.
2. Benitoite feels the reality of leaving her old life behind. Her flaws in combat become more pronounced and must train through them to fulfill her new role. As her strength and confidence increases, she becomes more open with the other gems and is able to act more like her old self. She begins to feel less isolated and gains more hope for Earth.