Post by Erik Vaughn on Feb 16, 2024 7:16:33 GMT -5
ERIK VAUGHN
ABOUT
At first glance Erik is another soulless lawyer that only cares about money and furthering his own career, this is not exactly wrong. Frankly a second and third glance will probably give this impression as well. He's an arrogant, petty, bastard who seems to take pleasure in verbally tearing people apart. Both in and outside court.
He tries to keep his involvement with the Guild private, but anyone familiar with them might know him as the lawyer who swoops in to clear up any legal messes that the Guild or it's members have gotten into. Or alternatively suing those to try to stand up against them into the ground, there are more ways to flay a cat after all. Not everything has to be solved with violence and brute force.
PLATONIC
Erik has few friends, especially few from the last few years. I do imagine though that he would have friends from before his life became intertwined with the Guild. Friends from law school who would know how much he's changed as a person. A scant few people who knew him when he smiled more than he sneered, and didn't guard his vulnerabilities with a vicious sort of fervor. Another idea could be a childhood friend, as Erik grew up in Los Eurosia.
Most people will never scratch the surface of who Erik is, never getting past the facade. He will happily backstap acquantainces and use you for whatever you're worth. He'll throw you under the bus the first opportunity if he thinks it'll further his own goals. Though, at least he'll never pretend to be something he's not. He won't play your friend and then betray you. No, you'll know well where you stand with this man. Becoming his friend is a difficult and time-consuming task, but if you do gain his trust and loyalty then you have it for life. He's still not open and friendly, but there is less poison in his biting words and an understated care.
ANTAGONISTIC
Oh there are plenty of opportunities here. Erik makes enemies as naturally as breathing. I imagine he's probably got several rivalries going on at the police station and the attorney's office. Making things difficult and providing as many obstacles as possible when they investigate any client of his for crimes they've committed. It warms his cold dead heart to see the frustration in their eyes when a client of his walks away scot-free.
ROMANTIC
Erik is attracted to people of all genders, though he has not been in a relationship in a good while. He's had a few one-night stands, but his walls are tightly guarded against any sort of deeper emotional connection. For such a cold and bitter man, he is a romantic at heart. Knows himself well enough that if he gets involved with someone, if he falls in love, it would break him if anything happened to them. With his involvement with the Guild and its criminal syndicate that is not a risk he's willing to take. If someone wants to get past the walls around his heart they're going to have to prepare for a siege.
PLOT HOOKS
- People I don't like - I think it would be fun if he had a frenemy who he keeps showing up to bother, the two of them having a sort of mututal dislike of each other yet enjoying their confrontations (this part could be one-sided on Erik's part, the nerd is bad at making friends). Maybe a detective at the police statin, another lawyer, or that one barista who keeps giving him the wrong order.
- An ex-lover whom he dated a few years ago. Erik would have at the end of their relationship been a pretty shitty boyfriend; staying late at "work", always distracted, snappish and irritated. Maybe his partner suspected he was cheating and broke it off, or he broke up with them out of nowhere. Anyway, if you want an asshole ex from a relationship that ended badly Erik here is perfect for that.
- Painkiller - Erik suffers from debiliating migraines, and while he can usually tell when one is coming they do sometimes surprise him. Perhaps someone finds him in the middle of an attack where he's struggling to make his way home without vomiting from the pain. It could be funny if it's someone who doesn't like him or has a negative impression of him getting to see this moment of vulnerability, if only because Erik would hate it.
- Liquid Nights and Disco Lights - A one night stand after a hazy evening of drinking too much at a bar or club? Erik doesn't really go out a lot, and while he's no stranger to one-night stands he's still not great at the whole morning after debacle. Perhaps they wake up in his apartment, but he can't just kick out the person he slept with cos his cat Findus has taken a liking to them and he now has to awkwardly make breakfast for them both. Depending on how the next morning goes it could be especially funny if they run into each other in a situation where they're on opposite sides/enemies/or some other awkward situation.