It was no surprise to him really that the party went well. All the treats he had brought had been demolished, of course. He had a strong inkling that Etoile was going for a Sally costume, since all he was told was 'you're gonna like it'. But. It still pleased Corbin enough that he had lost his ability to English properly for a moment. Instead he babbled idly at Etoile in French before he regained his coherency enough to have just beamed at him a while. Darn cute boyfriend being cute and all. Mmmf.

Still, the party went well, and of course, he had volunteered to stick around and help clean up. For one, because any party involving food meant dishes needing doing, whether empty serving dishes or just from ones that needed washing from eating from. There was almost always food to put away or dispose of. And of course, because he wanted to talk to Etoile and enjoy his company much as he was allowed. He knew there were, as ever, things that weren't fit for public chatter that they needed, eventually, to discuss. And he was just as much hoping they could get to some of those, as wanting to stick around and drag the night out as long as he could. Maybe he could convince Et to have a nice, slow dance with him, with the crowd done and over with.

Opening night went fantastically. The after-party just as good. He hadn't expected any of the human Makaras to go to the show, let alone to see Papa Georges there. Hard to miss the guy in the audience when looking though, so he wasn't exactly surprised when he got met at the after party. He *was* surprised by the man's sheer courtesy and relative benevolence? His father had always sort of painted the guy up as unreasonable whatsoever. Of course, the little voice in the back of his head was just saying how this was clearly just a way to placate him, keep him from causing any trouble... because he could. If he wanted to. But he didn't. He liked this place.

So now it seemed he had a potential shop idea brewing, and nebulous plans to definitely stay in town indefinitely, not just for the interim. The longer that time went on, the more entrenched into the place he became, it seemed. Soul-locked here first, getting a steady apartment. Released and now a shop? What is he even going to do with an entire shop front? It was an ambitious ask to start with, anyhow. Mainly because he couldn't think of what he really *wanted* in life aside from some sort of routine, but not *too* much, still very much enjoying his freedom to set his own rules. And this way he'd be his own boss, right? Set his own store hours. It could be a good thing.

And he was definitely going to set aside a section for Etoile's vulture culture crafts. That shit was awesome, and more people in town needed to see it. And buy it, if he wanted to sell. If not, Corbin was just planning on decorating here and there with it, because. He rather enjoyed the guy's works.

That said, he was definitely planning on celebrating with Etoile. And when the other had messaged him and asked to hang out, of course he agreed. Though the idea of staying in and ordering out seemed a lot more amenable to both than going and being out. More time for cuddling, for one, but. ...He didn't much *mind* going out somewhere, being out on a nice walk and then dinner but he was a bit played on being sociable in public over the weekend. Much as the stage energized him generalized public was draining. He much rather liked the idea of just sitting, chilling, not having to cook, and enjoying the company of his new boyfriend.

So when the plans were set up, he set about to making himself look relatively presentable. Nothing fancy. But he at least bothered to get a clean tank top and pants on. ...He didn't happen to notice until then that that particular top was a near perfect match for Etoile's color. Either way. He idly flipped through his collection of takeout menus, sighing softly at the sparseness. He knew some of these probably updated online since he had them, likely. But it was easier reference to touch things like menus, sometimes, than wading through websites.

101 Questions You Should Be Able to Answer About Your Character

Basics

1. What is your full name? Do you have a nickname?
Corbin LaVoie. I get called "you pretentious little jackdaw" sometimes but that's hardly a nickname.

2. How old are you? When is your birthday?
22, January 16

3. Where were you born? Where do you live now? Are you patriotic?
Baton Rouge, LA

4. Who are/were your parents? (Names, occupations, personalities, etc.)
Cecile, homemaker who sells crafts from her house. And by crafts I mean everything from quilts and hats to charms. Lots of charms. And homemade candles. Sweet if you behave but no nonsense and not afraid to turn you over her knee if you misbehave Corbin LaVoie I swear to god you get your ass back here and finish your chores or so help me you will not be able to sit for the next week.

Renard, the original circus leader. He's since retired to stay home with his wife after a nasty injury messed up his back bad enough that he can't keep up with the work required anymore. Instead he's focusing on raising his remaining children.


5. Do you have any siblings? What are/were they like?
Connor, 25, deceased. He was Corbin's elder brother until an unfortunate accident involving the train. The same one that injured Renard. Corbin's a bit bitter about the whole thing and tends to not talk to his parents much anymore after that.
Otieno, 17, trying hard to get his grades on and make something of himself.
Veedah, 9, precocious and spoiled baby of the family. She's such a sweetheart but she manipulates any little thing she wants out of Papa and she knows it.

6. What is your occupation?
Current ringmaster of Le Cirque de Carrefour, chief cook and bottle washer, and runs the Doll Menagerie.

7. How tall are you? How much do you weigh?
6' 9" 196 lbs

8. What color is your hair? What color are your eyes?
black, and black and blue.

9. What is your race?
Haitian-American.

10. To which social class do you belong?
The Proletariat.

11. Do you consider yourself to be attractive? Do others?
It depends on who you ask. I do all right.

12. What is your style of dress?
Somewhere between the theatric and blue collar. It depends entirely on the occasion.

13. Do you have any scars? Tattoos? Birthmarks? Other unique physical features?
Missing an arm and have a glass eye. Got replacements for both of them though. The eye's color doesn't match

14. Do you have any allergies, diseases, or other physical weaknesses?
I can't stand strawberries.

15. Are you right- or left-handed?
Right handed. Now.

16. What does your voice sound like?
More Keith David while performing. More Phil LaMarr when not.

17. What kind of vocabulary do you use?
Relatively common language when I'm not on stage. Pretty pulchritudinous passages when performing.

18. List three quirks or other defining characteristics.
I whistle upbeat music when I'm depressed.

19. How often do you bathe? Do you wear perfumes?
There's thankfully a bath in the train. But the water needs refilling, so sometimes it doesn't happen as often as I want.

20. What kind of facial expression do you commonly wear (dour glare, wry smile, etc)?
Amused is a pretty consistent one.

21. Do you use body language? How?
I talk with my hands often.

22. Do you have a commonly used saying?
Not as such. No literally. That's the saying.

Childhood

23. What is your earliest memory?
Nothing terribly special... playing hide and seek with my brother and not getting found before it started raining, and not wanting to come in unless I was found... I think I was three?

24. How much schooling have you had? Did you enjoy it?
I finished high school. Mom stays home with us in one area, so we don't feel obligated to be on the road. At 14 we went out with Papa, learning the trade, anyhow.

25. Where did you learn most of your knowledge and skill?
Almost everything about the Circus I learned through Papa. Almost everything about Magic I learned from Mama... or various other sources along the road.

26. How would you describe your childhood in general?
Pretty quiet.

27. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
There wasn't really all that much question about what I wanted to do when I grew up.

28. When and with whom was your first kiss?
Ah, I don't kiss and tell.

29. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity?
Ah that's a secret too. It's pretty busy on the road though, so not a lot of time for dating... but plenty of girls (and guys) who like the tall dark mysterious stranger, eh?

30. Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? Does that affect you?
Ahaha. Yes. It's a long shadow to live in.

Influences

31. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far?
Very likely "the accident". I would say it's probably at least the event that had the most "impact".

32. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Probably keeping the Circus running as long as I have by myself.

33. What is your greatest regret?
That I couldn't have helped out further the night of the accident, and maybe saved my brother.

34. What is the most embarrassing or shameful thing ever to happen to you?
One time in high school some prat pulled my pants down in front of a girl I liked. So I turned around and punched him in the nose. It got giggled about for weeks because of course it was in the cafeteria.

35. Do you have any secrets? If so, what are they?
Everyone's got secrets. If I told they wouldn't be a secret now would they?

36. What is the most evil thing you have ever done?
That's tied to the secret.

37. When was the time you were the most frightened?
My first time trying to contact the loa, and finding I had the best connection with Kalfu.

38. Have you ever traveled outside of your country? If so, to where?
I visited Haiti before. Also Canada.

Beliefs

39. What is your alignment?
Chaotic awesome.

40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
I think I am a realist really.

41. Do you believe in a god? If so, which one and why?
Ahahaha. Oh yes. Many many of them.

42. Do you believe in an afterlife?
Indeed.

43. What is your greatest fear?
Disappointing my family? Does that count?

44. What makes you angry? Sad? Happy? Why?
Rude people tick me off. Being broke and lonely is sad, sure, but I get sad for normal reasons. Happy... it doesn't take much. Simple little things like nice weather and a phone call from home.

45. Do you think people are basically good or basically evil?
I think people are basically stupid.

46. What are your views on politics? Religion? Sex?
This country is a plutocratic oligarchy, for one. Religion is all well and good as long as you don't go trying to force it on others. And people are far too interested in both what is in everyone's pants and what they do with it for their own good.

47. What are your views on gambling, lying, theft, and killing?
Gambling is all well and good if you can afford it. Don't gamble away your money for food or clothes though. Games of chance are just that: chance. Some people cheat badly though, and there's no guarantee that the next roll will be your big score just because you're down...
Lying is occasionally necessary. Theft and killing too. But there's a difference between 'no honey you look great in that' and 'I swear I didn't do it'. Just like there's a difference between stealing bread to eat and stealing a Rolex. And killing someone to save your life, the life of others, or just cus you don't like someone's face.


48. How far will you go to defend your beliefs?
That depends entirely if you mean my love of Cab Calloway music or people making bad voodoo jokes or people flat out insulting me and my way of life.

49. How much do you value money?
Sadly, money is necessary for life. If it wasn't I'd value it a lot less. That said... I enjoy the finer things in life when I can manage to afford them.

50. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do?
Breaking his word when it leads to great harm to others.

51. Do you believe in self-sacrifice for the greater good?
Sometimes it's necessary.

52. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
I don't believe there is JUST one person for each person. The luck that would be required to meet that person would be impossible for most people to ever be happy. But

I do believe in true love and perfect matches.

53. Are you superstitious?
Oh yes.

54. How much do you respect the beliefs and opinions of others?
Some beliefs sound verrry stupid. But this doesn't mean I necessarily put them down unless they're trying to attack MY beliefs.

55. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings?
There's honest and then there's keeping your mouth shut when it's appropriate. I don't see that's dishonest.

56. Do you have any biases or prejudices?
Doesn't everyone?

Dealing With Others

57. Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
My mama, because she's always there for me.

58. Who is the person you respect the most? Despise the most? Why?
Respect? Probably my parents. Though it wasn't always the case... we all have our rebellious teenage phase.

Despise... well. I would say politicians who don't care about working folks, really. What, did you think I was going to say my 'rival'? No. I respect those who can actually manage to rival me.

59. Do you have a significant other? Who?
I did for the longest time. Her name was Mariella and she lived in California.


60. Do you have a lot of friends? Who is your best friend?
I travel too often to keep too many friends, but I do have quite a few friendly sorts in most of the major towns I visited.

61. How do you relate to members of the same race? Class? Sex?
Generally more relaxed because people are more likely to understand if they have things in common. But sometimes the similarities just remind you of the differences.

Common experience tends to help though.

62. How do you relate to members of a different race? Class? Sex?
I look for something in common. If we've nothing in common, I've usually nothing to do with them unless I have to. I can work with common experience. Anything else

usually we only associate if we've business together.

63. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened.
Ah, Mariella. I had a long stayover in California because the forest fires that year were making traveling rather annoying (and dangerous). It was one of those whirlwind romances that led to a long-distance relationship. ...It didn't end well. I miss her. I stop by her grave site whenever I'm in California.

64. What do you look for in a potential lover?
A good sense of humor. Smart. Not too uptight but not entirely reckless either. A sense of adventure helps.

65. How close are you to your family?
Pretty close, as much as one can be while on the road most of the time.

66. Do you want a marriage, family, and/or children?
Some day, perhaps. But they'd have to be willing to travel for a while.

67. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict?
It depends on the situation, and whether I think conflict would help anything or not.

68. Are you a listener or a talker?
Depends on the situation. I can sit back and think and absorb while people prattle on about nothing. Sometimes I can talk but usually it's when something's bothering me... or am performing.

69. How long does it usually take for you to trust others?
Quite a while. I've been burned before.

70. Do you hold grudges?
Oh yes.

71. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations?
If I have to. I'd rather let someone else be the lead and just... 'advise'.

72. Do you like interacting with large groups of people?
Ah, large groups. Only if it's a crowd. And by crowd I mean customers.

73. How well do you express yourself?
I am expressive. It doesn't always mean my meaning comes across well.

74. How quickly do you judge others?
I think we are constantly judging others as soon as we meet, to be honest. You need to evaluate others to figure out how to deal with them.

75. Do you care what others think of you?
Not terribly, but at the same time... I like to project a certain image.

76. Do you have any enemies? How or why are they your enemy?
I have rivals, for sure. There was a bit of a... falling out, a while back. Our family and their family don't exactly agree.

Personal Taste and Opinions

77. What is your favorite pasttime? Color? Food? Possession?
Pasttime: Stargazing
Color: Purple.
Food: Most anything with shrimp in it.
Possession: The heirloom calliope in the train.

78. What are your preferences in arts and/or entertainment?
I tend to like older music, anything terribly melodic. Old classical music like Chopin, some Cab Calloway, some jazz. I can like modern stuff if it sounds well composed.

79. Do you smoke, drink, go whoring, or use drugs? Why or why not?
I don't smoke tobacco. I prefer to keep my wits about me unless I'm home... so I don't oft go OUT to drink. No sense blowing money to blow, either. As to drugs... depends on what you consider a drug. Not to any danger, and not most things that are illegal...

80. How do you spend a typical Saturday night?
Saturday night is Circus night.

81. What is your most cherished fantasy?
Not being cursed is a good one, and living in a place as such as I can raise a nice little family. Some day, maybe.

82. How long is your attention span?
What attention span?

83. Do you laugh a lot? What do you find funny?
Slapstick humor mainly. Buster Keaton and the Marx brothers and much for recent movies like it. Course no one really does it like Buster Keaton but Rush Hour was all right.

84. Is there anything that shocks or offends you? If so, what?
There's so much hate in the world done by horrible people. Anyone who says nothing shocks them is either lying or desensitized to it. That said... rude people offend my delicate sensibilities. And my sense of needing to smack a moron upside the head.

85. How do you deal with stress?
A hot bath and lots of shouting usually. In private. Wouldn't do to cause a scene...

86. How much athletic ability do you have? Artistic?
I would say I'm more limber than strong as far as athletic skill is concerned. It's sort of a needed trait in my line of work. As to artistic... I make dolls, and occasionally paint and sell portraits. They DO sell so I guess I'm all right at it.

87. Do you like animals? Do you like children?
Animals are fine but I am always wary of large dogs who are defending their turf. Children are great though. Seeing the wonder and joy on little kids' faces is part of the fun of the Circus in general... well. That and spooking the adults.

88. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
I'm always planning, yes. But sometimes one must be able to think on their feet, so that's a plus too.

89. What are your pet peeves?
Rude people. And stupd ones. Especially if someone is both.

Self-Image

90. What is your greatest strength as a person? Weakness?
Greatest strength is probably my showmanship. Weakness... well. I do get overconfident. So I'd say my ego.

91. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Be able to change my hair at a moment's notice.

92. Are you generally introverted or extroverted?
Extroverted. It's hard to be in show business if you're not.

93. Do you like yourself?
Most of the time.

94. Do you have a daily routine? How do you feel if your day is interrupted?
I do have routine, but it's more in the setup and break down during the day. Most of the rest is left open, because there's always interruptions.

95. What goal do you most want to accomplish in the next six months? Your lifetime?
I think my life goals are on hold a bit while I straighten things out.

96. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?
Portsmouth, at this rate.

97. If you could choose, how would you want to die?
Old age.

98. What is the one thing you would like to be remembered for after your death?
Being a great performer and being there for my family.

99. What three words would you use to best describe your personality?
Showboating, witty, entertaining.

100. What three words would others probably use to describe you?
Tall, creepy, fun.

101. Why are you risking your life to adventure?
All life is a risk. And if you do it right, all life can be an adventure.