[ application | lastvoyages ]

[bloodyamericans]

User Name/Nick: Kerry
User DW: justsay_goodbye
AIM/IM: madethroughtime @ aim
E-mail: fontcroire @ gmail.com
Other Characters: Emma Swan ( toldinthebook )

Character Name: Sophie Devereaux
Series: Leverage
Age: Mid 30's
From When?: 207 The Two Live Crew Job

near-death experience; Sophie will be taken from the moment where a bomb is in her hands, accidentally triggered by her lifting the item it was concealed in. In the episode Sophie throws it in the air, runs and escapes alive (and fakes her own death)

Inmate/Warden: Inmate
Item:

Abilities/Powers:

ABILITIES:
acting;
Sophie is an aspiring actress, however she is (sadly) terrible at it - unless she's breaking the law, and then she comes into her stage:
grifting;
Sophie is a thief, preferring art to other goods. Sophie is also an accomplished grifter, said to be the best (and feared) and is wanted in most European countries for her art theft and grifting. She has successfully stolen the Second David from the Vatican and is the only person to have succeeded in White Rabbit con (if at first that claim was a lie) and has completed many long-cons. Coming with this Sophie has numerous identities, all of which she remembers - and has had to burn before
accents;
Sophie is fluent in multiple languages, including Spanish, Serbian, Chinese, French, German and Japanese. Adding to this Sophie is impeccable with accents, and has a good cultural knowledge to back up the nationalities of her identities. It has once been said that she played twelve people at the same time... drunk, showing her prowess. Sophie can also quickly and easily slip from one accent to another, remembering which identity and information goes to which part, without slipping up
neural-linguistic programming;
Neural-linguistic programming is a psychotherapeutic technique that Sophie has learned, and is said to be a "model of communication concerned with successful patterns of behaviour and the subjective experiences underlying them". Sophie has used this in practice to aide with her grifting, to allow her to manipulate her mark by altering how they feel about something in relation to her (for example giving Eliot a positive feeling in relation to making her tea, or advising Eliot to drink whenever his mark smiles, to associate a positive feeling with him)

Personality:

Sophie Devereaux is an incredibly complex person, and if you wished to be technical she isn't even a person - just a creation. Sophie is a persona that was created by herself, and who she really is is something that few (if any) actually know. Which can also bring across the question as to whether 'Sophie's' motives, likes and personality are also a figment, or if that is who she really is. Given how long that she has been using, and living as Sophie, it is more than likely that Sophie is who she is, that Sophie is her true self, just renamed. Although Sophie is known by many other names, and holds (or plays) many other identities it is Sophie that she lives as, is known as and works as. So who is she?

Sophie is an incredibly smart individual, and needs to be to be able to do what she does. Sophie is a grifter and an art thief, someone that is wanted in numerous countries. In the act of thieving Sophie, particularly before working with the team, needs to be quick on her feet, and able to know exactly how to manipulate her mark to be able to successfully complete her con, and before she is found out (if ever). Sophie also has a very good memory, allowing her to remember the details of her other identities (which are more than just names but are fully fledged identities with personalities, shown also by her additions to a character on an advertisement audition) as well as being able to remember her multiple parts in a con to switch between them when necessary, and what everyone knows. Although Sophie isn't quite the mastermind as Nate, the part he plays in the team, she is capable of running her own cons, alone and also in organising the team, and has successfully ran cons that other grifters wouldn't attempt.

Sophie is also someone who is caring about others, even those that she does not yet really know. With regards to her grifting Sophie can fake her care and concern, which is also partially the role of a grifter - getting them to like you, but even after only having worked with the team for a few jobs it was clear that Sophie did care about them, if only at first for their wellbeing. This caring has grown as Sophie has gotten to know them, and with regards to Parker and Hardison she is somewhat motherly to them, and freely gives them advice (particularly on their relationship with each other). In addition Sophie mentors Parker, helping her develop her social skills (as well as her ability to grift), showing that she cares about the young woman, her development and her friendship. After betraying the team, and particularly their trust, Sophie is hurt by their reactions to her, as they were hurt, and even though she claims that she isn't apologising she makes certain to ask whether they are all alright, particularly with her - if their friendship is still there. Sophie also comes to view the team as her family. Although having already known Nate, and been particularly close to him (and over the years they become closer, eventually becoming engaged) Sophie develops close bonds with the rest of the team despite their differences, and they all come to rely on each other, calling themselves a family - the only family they have, and need.

As well as being intelligent in terms of her roles Sophie is also incredibly knowledgeable. As an art thief Sophie has an extensive knowledge of many forms of art (particularly paintings) in order to know what is valuable to steal. Sophie also has a broad knowledge of geography and many cultures which allows her to successful play another nationality, adding in background details to add to her role and to the con to be able to convince her mark.

What may be surprising, given that Sophie is a thief, is that she has morals, and particularly strong ones. If there is an element within a con that Sophie disagrees with, either personally or due to danger, she will very quickly voice her opinion, letting her feelings and disagreement loudly known. One of Sophie's personal hates is politics. In her view politicians are corrupt, far too corrupt for her to wish to delve into (even the word is like swearing to her, something that she finds hard saying) and when Nate created a con involving 'stealing an election' Sophie initially resisted wishing to take part, before having to do so for their situation. Another aspect to her morals is the reason as to why Sophie grifts. Although initially she used to steal for herself, and accumulated a lovely art collection, Sophie now grifts "for good", in a Robin Hood style (taking from the rich and bad, taking them down and giving the money to those that have been hurt). This is not something that Sophie thought of or created alone, and before joining the team claimed to be an 'honest citizen' but she was quickly convinced into joining the team, and despite her initial hesitations about what she had gotten into she discovered that she enjoyed what she was doing - giving back and being able to help (and taking down the bad guy). Sophie also acts as Nate's moral compass, helping to keep him straight (particularly if a job affects his personal feelings, or if he's a little too drunk) and makes certain to keep him on path, to keep the con on path and prevent him from doing anything that he might regret.

One thing that allows Sophie to do what she does, successfully and to enjoy it, is her confidence. To act, and to play the roles that she does Sophie has a lot of confidence in herself and her abilities to grift, something that she is not shy in admitting. Sophie frequently talks, in fond memory, of her previous jobs, especially the big onces, although does so without going so far as to brag - she is simply proud of her accomplishments. It has also been said about her before that "she is the finest actress you've ever seen, when she's breaking the law" and that she is the best grifter known (so much so that others have tried to kill her, in fear). Additionally Sophie has a lot of confidence in her (legal) acting and believes that she is a great actress - which is only true when she is breaking the law. All of this allows Sophie to have confidence in what she is doing, and even when doubts have been presented as to the mark or the con she refuses to believe them (although then things do usually go in her favour, which can only add to her belief in herself).

Although Sophie is good at keeping herself in check, making certain that she does so in order to allow the con to run without interference, Sophie is someone that is in touch with her emotions, something that on occasion has damaged a con - either through her personal feelings or her ambition (for example wishing to steal the First David, to be the only person to have stolen both, something which jeapordised the con as well as her relationship with them team). An additional thing that has had the potential to ruin a con is Sophie herself. After once running a con in Serbia she was unable to participate on 'the front line' as a grifter due to already being known to some of the individuals that would have been present at the function they were attending (but she wasn't sorry about it). Sophie also has a lot of pride, more than in her abilities but in herself, and this is something that can be easy to wound, mostly if someone (in the team) doesn't have faith in her (and when she doesn't believe she's done anything wrong).

To sum up Sophie? She is herself, and she can't stop being her - particularly the name. Sophie has said before that in acting you need to tell the truth, although given that she is a grifter (and does not use her real name) makes this is a little hard for her, something that gives her a little crisis of faith. After soul searching she finds herself, and her confidence in herself again, admitting that stopping being Sophie Devereaux might not be all that much of a good thing - "start telling the truth... stop being Sophie Devereaux". Although she would find the normal life, and have the friendships and relationships that she would like, Sophie Devereaux has become more than an alias to her - she has become her (or Sophie has become her). She is Sophie Devereaux, and Sophie Devereaux is her - she's evolved, and she's become real.

Barge Reactions:

Initially Sophie is going to be rather shocked by the Barge, less so that she's dead but the fact that she's even here and that someone thinks that she needs to be here. She'll find it ridiculous for a while, and especially many of the other character types around (magic and aliens? Don't be silly). Her first port or flood will certainly teach her that there's something else happening but making any changes will take a long time to come, including acceptance of everything. Sophie will certainly act and react on the Barge, more so in getting out and around and talking to others, probably discussing how ridiculous things are but she'll definitely take part, if keep back when things get nitty gritty. I predict that some of the more 'harmless' floods she'll try to shake off (e.g. shrinking) but anything that could be a little more 'traumatic' (e.g. horror setting) will certainly send her questioning, and with her canon point of self doubt she has a lot to question and doubt, and then think about.

Path to Redemption:

Sophie is a morally grey individual rather than an outright "bad" or "evil" person that the Admiral has selected, but she is "bad" enough that there is something that can be redeemed. Sophie is an admitted thief, a grifter and is proud of the feats that she has accomplished. Although Sophie does know that stealing is wrong, and even if she is working as a "good guy" now she is still grifting and stealing, and proud of it. This would make it hard for Sophie to redeem herself, as her line of thinking regarding her grifting would need to be changed (so that she doesn't grift, and won't) but it isn't something that is impossible (in the pilot she claimed that she was an 'honest citizen now', before being recruited to the team, and after her canon point she takes a few months off to soul search, and doesn't grift in that period)

When, or even on the way to Sophie's path to redemtpion, it could be brought up that her skills can be put to other uses - other normal uses, something that Sophie herself does. As an aspiring actress, and someone that coaches Parker in grifting and improving herself socially, Sophie has the abilities of an actress and a director. Later in the series Sophie herself takes over a theatre and begins coaching an acting class and stages a play - something that she does successfully, showing that she has the talent to do this (and can use her talents in other ways). This idea would be something that could be given to Sophie more easily than her full redemption, but could be something that puts her on the path (or helps her if she gets onto the path first).

It may be a long and slow (and possibly frustrating for her warden) road, however. Sophie's canon point leaves her in a crisis of faith regarding herself, and before she can redeem herself she needs to find herself. This could also be something all linking together, twisting as a big part of her redemption (and they could be mutually helpful - finding out who she is, and redeeming herself from her theft).

History: sophie @ wikia

There is little known about Sophie or at least there is little that Sophie has told, particularly about her early life. Sophie was born in England and became an actress, and later a grifter, during the early years of her life. As a grifter Sophie became adept at creating various persona's - Sophie Devereaux being her most notable one. One of Sophie's earliest and longest used aliases was that of Charlotte Prentiss - one of her former stage names who was transformed into the Duchess of Hanover around 1992. As Charlotte, whom Sophie spent seven years establishing, Sophie became very close with the Countess of Kensington. When Sophie later left she had told the countess that she wanted to see the world and as she's now wanted in many European countries we know that this is, at least mostly, true.

In 1999, under the alias of "Jenny", Sophie was caught by IYS investigator Jim Sterling after she stole the Second David from the Vatican. This was the first of many meetings that Sophie would have with Sterling along with IYS. Later that same year Sophie met Nathan Ford, another insurance investigator, whilst trying to steal a Degas. Like with Sterling Sophie would meet Nate many times over the coming years as he chased her and her crimes. After meeting in 1999 they then met again in 2001, where Sophie introduced herself and was later shot by him that same year, and met again many more times over the next seven and a half years. During conversation Sophie said that they'd known each other for ten years whereas Nate only said eight - his reasoning being that he met Sophie eight years ago but she was just a thief before that. In 2008 Nate tracked Sophie down to ask her to work with him on one job after needing her skills as a grifter. Despite Nate's plan that the team split after the job they manage to convince him to stay together, to pick up where the law leaves off and to help those that can't help themselves. The team stayed together though not everything was smooth sailing - at the start they wondered whether this was for them though after they saw the good results of their deeds they decided to stay together, to help others. Although their work started well things nearly ended badly for them when Sophie blew a con after Nate was shot. They managed to complete the con and frame a corrupt judge in the process but it was a close call for them, though unfortunately not the only one that they'd come across.

When Sophie noticed, in 2009, that the CEO of IYS was holding an art exhibition, with the First David being the centerpiece, Sophie saw this as an opportunity to hit two birds with one stone - to let Nate have some revenge but also to be the first thief to steal both David's in over four hundred years. The con originally started out simply but the opportunity for Sophie became a little hard to resist, something which ended up ruining the con when Stirling discovered their plan - the one thing that no one had anticipated. They decided to scatter for six months but ended up reuniting after three although Sophie had to start from scratch with the team - her trust with them lost. After coming up with a new plan and successfully pulling off the con the team then scattered again, deciding that this would be the end.

With the absence of the team Sophie returned to her original roots and love of theatre and later invited the team to the opening night of The Sound of Music. After hearing awful reviews Sophie tried to convince Nate to reform the team, using the reviews as her bargaining chip. As well as returning to acting Sophie had tried to turn her life around, trying to live life as straight as possible and had found a boyfriend as well. Unfortunately things didn't work out between them leading to Sophie becoming increasing frustrated over the fact that no one knew who she really was. After a con went awry when another team was also running a con at that location, Sophie revealed to Nate that the team wasn't the only team that she has worked with. During her years as a grifter Sophie teamed up with Marcus Starke, another grifter, to steal various works of art before drifting again. Sophie met with Starke again many years later during said con where Sophie was almost killed. This attempt on Sophie's life, and the lack of mourners at her funeral, was the final push for Sophie leading her to inform Nate that she planned to leave, though only temporarily until she could find herself.

Sophie will arrive on the Barge at the point where she almost dies, before her faked funeral and informing Nate of her crisis of faith (in herself).

Sample Journal Entry:

[ There's a sigh at the start of the transmission, just a voice broadcasting across - although judging by her tone (soft, full of complaint yet melancholic) and her words it could be easy to guess her demeanour ]

Well. I'd expected that they'd try, but to actually succeed? [ You may wonder what she's talking about, and that's a very good question. Her death. Not that she plans on explicitly saying this, or giving much indication either, she'll still complain ]

I didn't expect to see the day, although I hadn't really thought of it. [ Some of the melancholy shifts the more than she talks, her voice slowly animating - more in frustration than in her cheering up ] I mean, who does? Who expects to die. [ Okay, so she may not have planned on talking about it but she still is ] And so... icky. [ If you could see there'd be a rather nasty expression pulled in relation to 'icky', as if she'd caught sight of something disgusting ]

But, anyway. [ Clearly she's dwelled enough. She hasn't, but she doesn't want to talk about it - she'll dwell alone later ] As for all your... explanations. [ There's an unseen handwave, and a little flippance in her voice to go with 'explanations'. She obviously doesn't think much to them ] They're a little ridiculous, don't you think? I mean, [ There's an almost laugh: the thought is humourous ] a Barge of the Dead? What is this, bad television? [ And that idea sounds just as ludicrous, although maybe it wasn't 'explained' quite like that ]

A Barge where we all just sit around and what, talk about our problems? Well, whoevers idea this was clearly didn't think it through. [ Not one bit ] I don't have any problems to talk about, thank you. [ Except her slight emphasis on 'problems' might let slip that she does. And if it didn't? Well, her being here is a flashing red light at that ]

Sample RP:

It had been two weeks, three days and five hours. Except the five hours, she didn't know it quite as precisely as that, although if she'd had a calendar she may have marked the days off. (Not that it would have done much good, Sophie still didn't like this any more than she had two weeks, three days and however many hours ago). She was on a Barge, a Barge full of dead people and their 'helpers', and it was stupid. So she was dead, what did that matter with whatever she was supposed to do here? (Redemption? What for?)

She'd scoffed at the idea to others that she'd spoken with, and when they'd tried to give her the explanation again she'd brushed that off as quickly. It didn't matter what they said, or even how they said it, as to her she didn't see what the point was, or even why she had to do it. She was fine with herself, or at least she had been. After Starke had shown up she'd started to question herself, and her honesty (You have to give a little bit of yourself). She couldn't tell the truth, and where did that leave her? Who exactly was the great Sophie Devereaux.

A thief. A grifter. Not real. And when did she start to think this? When did she believe this?

Oh, if she thought about that she might wonder if she needed help, although she'd rather take psychological help than redemption. She was lost, and more alone here. Who could understand if Nate hadn't been able to? And who could even help her.

The last floow had done little to ease her qualms, or to settle her addled thoughts. Truth. The one thing that she couldn't give, no longer knowing what was truth and they'd been forced into it. She'd been forced into it. Oh, Sophie could still remember what she had said, and she hated it more than her disagreement of being here. It had been close to her core, some of the things something that she'd never told Nate, and she'd felt a little stripped away - more than she had before.

If this place was supposed to help her it was going about it in all the wrong ways, it was making her feel terrible. (Although there was that one small thought, the thought that she ignored: maybe she needed to strip away, to lose Sophie Devereaux to help herself). And there was the reason she ignored that thought: it was as stupid, and even more frightening.

Special Notes: Any thieves? Maybe a cat.gif?