Canon/Character Info
Mar. 15th, 2017 11:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
toservehumanSpoiler-lite rundown of the comic, world, etc., as well as character personality:
You can read Blood Bank legally on Lezhin Comics or... you know the drill.
The world has a history similar to our own, although a key divergence happened in the form of a "little Ice Age," an age of winter that culled humanity's population. It might very well have wiped the species out had vampires not helped. The two co-exist, but the relationship is hardly equal.
"Blood banks", run by a mixed staff of humans and vampires, take blood in and dole it out in an attempt to keep society civilized. Not everyone agrees with this practice. It's great for reinforcing the ruling class of vampires, the subjugation of humans, and keeping slums as a haven for outcasts.
Technology is on par with your average steampunk setting, and the world has a Victorian aesthetic. We've seen airships, bicycles, and even phones.
Shell is a vampire, conceived in a loveless, duty-arranged marriage. Although he has several siblings, he doesn't know any of them and most live with his mother. He is the only one to live with his father, Pain Overlord, as his heir.
As such, he grew up lonely -- one small aristocratic boy in a world where he could show no weakness. He had only two friends. First was Ellie, a human "art" purchased by his father, who showed him the compassion one would expect of an uncle doting on a favored nephew. Ellie vanished mysteriously one day, leaving behind a void in Shell that would become his sympathy and empathy for humanity. His other friend was Reign Fear, a vampire who scared more easily than he did, and who was disowned after coming out as "abnormal."
When Blood Bank begins, Shell is sent to oversee one of the banks in his father's territory, as it will one day be his to rule over. He meets a banker named One, ordinary in every way, except for his apparent resistance to vampire pheromones. His ability to keep his composure around Shell is intriguing enough that Shell comes out of the closet to him on the spot, propositioning him.
Against One's better judgement, the two enter into a relationship: he will be Shell's master, Shell will be his slave. If exposed, even his noble status could not protect Shell from society's judgement and his swift exile.
Shell is happy for the first time in his life. No external plot comes between them for literally a dozen chapters. Then, quite suddenly, Reign appears and proposes to Shell. It looks like a politically-sound move... except Reign is the type of abnormal who wishes to be dominated by other vampires, and Shell simply cannot do that for him.
He comes out to his friend and, although initially Reign rejects him, the two do reconcile. One remains a pillar of strength for Shell to cling to, despite the "punishments" he gives out as he tries to impress upon Shell the importance of keeping their relationship a secret.
The political unrest is highlighted when a curator, Jack, comes by the Overlord residence with an art -- a human who is bred specifically for appearance and blood quality, elevated in status and given a good education in order to hold a vampire's interest. Cinderella, a young boy, is tasked with spying on Shell. When he is caught, he explains that he is acting to protect a sickly younger sister. Shell once more reveals his nature as an abnormal and sends Cinderella away, along with a deed to some property. Jack kills him before he can achieve his happily ever after.
One insists on accompanying Shell to a large party held in honor of a vampire peace treaty, since Shell no longer has an art for arm candy. He discovers important information about his own history, as well as a conspiracy: vampires regularly release an epidemic that targets humans in order to keep the population under control and maintain their role as dominant species.
The Overlord's bank is the target of a bombing, courtesy of "The Red Mask." One vanishes, leaving Shell to confront his father about the epidemic alone.
A torrential downpour of flashbacks leaves readers currently unable to explain anything other than One's backstory and just how much obscene sex he's having with Shell now.
Personality:
Shell is an "abnormal", his world's fancy term for a masochist/submissive, who is additionally unusual for preferring humans to vampires. He has remained in the closet about his preferences for his whole life, as he would be exiled, and it has helped to further isolate him from the rest of society (along with his noble upbringing).
He was nurtured in his youth by Ellie, an art, who fostered his feelings of good will towards humans. As an older vampire, his pheromones make it hard for others to associate with him; he has an unconscious aura that causes humans and vampires to react cautiously, if not with fear. To meet someone his pheromones have no effect on, who will treat him normally, is such a shock and a relief that it's no wonder Shell finds himself drawn to One.
He is a very adaptable young man, able to maintain a poker face that fools even his closest friends. Although he practices outward denial as a method of self-preservation, it's painful; he envies Reign for being open about his preferences and opinions despite exile. The act is so effective that, even after Shell and One begin a comfortable and consistent relationship, the members of his household still don't catch on.
He has a bleeding heart. He will prioritize others over himself to the detriment of his own health and safety: he refuses to drink blood when he finds out about vampires using biological warfare, and only does so when One forces him to.
Out of the bedroom, and on the way to it, it's Shell's way or the highway. When One initially rejects him, Shell stays at the bank long enough to help One keep his job after being framed. He follows One home and asks again. Frustrated, he asks, What if I ordered you to [do those things to me]? and being told off for arrogance both hurts his feelings and turns him on. He even turns to bribery (a new bike) to convince One to give things a shot.
There is a part of Shell that is still somewhat sheltered. Things like "being wrong" and "learning to apologize" are almost foreign concepts until he gets a few hands-on lessons. All joking aside, it seems very relevant; it's not something that he would internally have fetishized if he didn't experience a concrete disconnect between his ego as a vampire and the fact that he would not have been corrected (with words, deeds, or with any innuendo) as a member of the aristocracy.
He thinks nothing of buying expensive presents for the human he loves, even though spoiling someone of such low status is inconceivable to those around him. He has little concept of excess, given the state of his "playroom" (yeah, it's basically just a big sex dungeon) and how he's not very successful at "holding back" when shopping for party clothes.
Shell maintains that it is only with One that he can finally show his true self. Finding happiness and peace with another person can't always be hidden; others do notice a general positive change, whether or not they're aware of the reasons.
Abilities and Nerfs:
Vampires have a natural ability to influence others via scent -- pheromones. Shell is particularly strong, noting that a human has to be extraordinary to even look him in the eyes. To avoid terrifying the residents of this lovely space station, not only will his power level be nerfed, it will also require conscious activation/initially be unavailable (so as to be used for a desire). Permissions post will go up when he gets it back.
As a vampire, warm conditions and excessive sunlight will cause him harm. He'll probably need to cover up and wear a mask during daylight hours. If the sun is artificial, he might be okay. The sun is artificial, so he'll be fine in the context of the game. He cannot feel/is not bothered by cold.
It can be assumed that he has received a top-notch education by his world's standards. He has not been shown to be physically exemplary.
You can read Blood Bank legally on Lezhin Comics or... you know the drill.
The world has a history similar to our own, although a key divergence happened in the form of a "little Ice Age," an age of winter that culled humanity's population. It might very well have wiped the species out had vampires not helped. The two co-exist, but the relationship is hardly equal.
"Blood banks", run by a mixed staff of humans and vampires, take blood in and dole it out in an attempt to keep society civilized. Not everyone agrees with this practice. It's great for reinforcing the ruling class of vampires, the subjugation of humans, and keeping slums as a haven for outcasts.
Technology is on par with your average steampunk setting, and the world has a Victorian aesthetic. We've seen airships, bicycles, and even phones.
Shell is a vampire, conceived in a loveless, duty-arranged marriage. Although he has several siblings, he doesn't know any of them and most live with his mother. He is the only one to live with his father, Pain Overlord, as his heir.
As such, he grew up lonely -- one small aristocratic boy in a world where he could show no weakness. He had only two friends. First was Ellie, a human "art" purchased by his father, who showed him the compassion one would expect of an uncle doting on a favored nephew. Ellie vanished mysteriously one day, leaving behind a void in Shell that would become his sympathy and empathy for humanity. His other friend was Reign Fear, a vampire who scared more easily than he did, and who was disowned after coming out as "abnormal."
When Blood Bank begins, Shell is sent to oversee one of the banks in his father's territory, as it will one day be his to rule over. He meets a banker named One, ordinary in every way, except for his apparent resistance to vampire pheromones. His ability to keep his composure around Shell is intriguing enough that Shell comes out of the closet to him on the spot, propositioning him.
Against One's better judgement, the two enter into a relationship: he will be Shell's master, Shell will be his slave. If exposed, even his noble status could not protect Shell from society's judgement and his swift exile.
Shell is happy for the first time in his life. No external plot comes between them for literally a dozen chapters. Then, quite suddenly, Reign appears and proposes to Shell. It looks like a politically-sound move... except Reign is the type of abnormal who wishes to be dominated by other vampires, and Shell simply cannot do that for him.
He comes out to his friend and, although initially Reign rejects him, the two do reconcile. One remains a pillar of strength for Shell to cling to, despite the "punishments" he gives out as he tries to impress upon Shell the importance of keeping their relationship a secret.
The political unrest is highlighted when a curator, Jack, comes by the Overlord residence with an art -- a human who is bred specifically for appearance and blood quality, elevated in status and given a good education in order to hold a vampire's interest. Cinderella, a young boy, is tasked with spying on Shell. When he is caught, he explains that he is acting to protect a sickly younger sister. Shell once more reveals his nature as an abnormal and sends Cinderella away, along with a deed to some property. Jack kills him before he can achieve his happily ever after.
One insists on accompanying Shell to a large party held in honor of a vampire peace treaty, since Shell no longer has an art for arm candy. He discovers important information about his own history, as well as a conspiracy: vampires regularly release an epidemic that targets humans in order to keep the population under control and maintain their role as dominant species.
The Overlord's bank is the target of a bombing, courtesy of "The Red Mask." One vanishes, leaving Shell to confront his father about the epidemic alone.
A torrential downpour of flashbacks leaves readers currently unable to explain anything other than One's backstory and just how much obscene sex he's having with Shell now.
Personality:
Shell is an "abnormal", his world's fancy term for a masochist/submissive, who is additionally unusual for preferring humans to vampires. He has remained in the closet about his preferences for his whole life, as he would be exiled, and it has helped to further isolate him from the rest of society (along with his noble upbringing).
He was nurtured in his youth by Ellie, an art, who fostered his feelings of good will towards humans. As an older vampire, his pheromones make it hard for others to associate with him; he has an unconscious aura that causes humans and vampires to react cautiously, if not with fear. To meet someone his pheromones have no effect on, who will treat him normally, is such a shock and a relief that it's no wonder Shell finds himself drawn to One.
He is a very adaptable young man, able to maintain a poker face that fools even his closest friends. Although he practices outward denial as a method of self-preservation, it's painful; he envies Reign for being open about his preferences and opinions despite exile. The act is so effective that, even after Shell and One begin a comfortable and consistent relationship, the members of his household still don't catch on.
He has a bleeding heart. He will prioritize others over himself to the detriment of his own health and safety: he refuses to drink blood when he finds out about vampires using biological warfare, and only does so when One forces him to.
Out of the bedroom, and on the way to it, it's Shell's way or the highway. When One initially rejects him, Shell stays at the bank long enough to help One keep his job after being framed. He follows One home and asks again. Frustrated, he asks, What if I ordered you to [do those things to me]? and being told off for arrogance both hurts his feelings and turns him on. He even turns to bribery (a new bike) to convince One to give things a shot.
There is a part of Shell that is still somewhat sheltered. Things like "being wrong" and "learning to apologize" are almost foreign concepts until he gets a few hands-on lessons. All joking aside, it seems very relevant; it's not something that he would internally have fetishized if he didn't experience a concrete disconnect between his ego as a vampire and the fact that he would not have been corrected (with words, deeds, or with any innuendo) as a member of the aristocracy.
He thinks nothing of buying expensive presents for the human he loves, even though spoiling someone of such low status is inconceivable to those around him. He has little concept of excess, given the state of his "playroom" (yeah, it's basically just a big sex dungeon) and how he's not very successful at "holding back" when shopping for party clothes.
Shell maintains that it is only with One that he can finally show his true self. Finding happiness and peace with another person can't always be hidden; others do notice a general positive change, whether or not they're aware of the reasons.
Abilities and Nerfs:
Vampires have a natural ability to influence others via scent -- pheromones. Shell is particularly strong, noting that a human has to be extraordinary to even look him in the eyes. To avoid terrifying the residents of this lovely space station, not only will his power level be nerfed, it will also require conscious activation/initially be unavailable (so as to be used for a desire). Permissions post will go up when he gets it back.
It can be assumed that he has received a top-notch education by his world's standards. He has not been shown to be physically exemplary.
