Margery Anne Carter
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Appearance & Personality:
Margery has been confined to her wheelchair since a bout with polio in her childhood. Her family's wealth had been enough to afford her the greatest care in New England, but it had not been enough to save her body from being ravaged by the disease. She had recovered for the most part but she was left unable to use her legs and at times she struggled with respiratory trouble that tended to manifest as a bad cough in the winter months.
Aside from the chair, people usually noticed that she was a true beauty. She was often draped in the latest fashions. Her dress was a reflection of her own inheritance. She dismissed most of the flapper culture and tended to dress more conservatively though she did enjoy her own little twists on modern fashions. She favored longer skirts to cover her legs, but those that have chanced a glance now and then would perhaps bot be surprised they were rail-thin, even more so than the rest of her which was already quite lithe compared to most of her contemporaries. Another side effect of her health that she never quite seemed to develop much in the way of muscle mass.
Her face reminded one of the dolls and fashion drawings if a little more sunken. She took tedious amounts of time in "applying her face" each day both to doll up her face as well as make an effort to cover the almost deathlike visage of her natural face.
Background:
Margery Anne Carter was born of old money from Philip Harvard Carter and Lilian Penelope Joliet-Carter. She led the typical life of a young girl until she was 11 and she was struck down by polio. She was lucky and had wonderful care bought by sheer wealth and social position but despite her parent's effort and all the doctors and care, Margery never recovered the use of her legs and still suffers respiratory ailments that keep her from enjoying many of the activities she did in her youth.
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Still, wealth had its advantages. She grew up in the family estate, The Pine Borrow. She was able to immerse herself in books and studies as well as grow up in the social circles of the upper class. She learned early and fast about how the money in the world flowed through conversations at parties and get-togethers among the elite and quickly, fully using the novelty of her condition to win attention and charm those around her. She watched, listened, and studied those around her and educated herself in fashion and the histories of the local families. She took this further learning about genealogy as well as the sciences and history.
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It was when she turned 14 that she had another period of illness. She suffered a seizure during a party and was bedridden for days. During the seizure, she had seen something that later she could not describe. It was very clear to her, but she could not find words that would adequately explain what she had witnessed. She saw it but didn't see it, she heard it, but didn't hear it, it was there, but nowhere at the same time. She was unable to stop thinking of it after that while she spent those days in recovery from her "spell." She had more and more visions during this time, and as they because more focused, she began to understand she was seeing glimpses into what was coming. She was getting visions of the future. It was hard to make sense of them at first, like being told the end of a book before you even knew the title, but over time it became more and more something she could force into focus, and see them longer and in more detail. She focused and honed her skill, determined to learn how to master this skill. It helped her a great deal in everyday life, especially in the epic chess games of elite circles. She exploited it recklessly, determined to get all that she could out of life. After all... the one vision that was clearest of all, was the very first one. Always it came to her at night. She knew what it was. It was the moment of her death. She did not know when it would be, but always she saw it in more and more detail. She became more and more sure of it, and it was horrifying. She knew that it was growing closer, she could feel it.
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As time went on and the time began to press on her, she felt the need to deep dive into mythology and the occult. Soon she was holding séances with her friends and fortunetelling. She felt like she needed to share what she was learning and put it to some positive use. She was desperately trying to bargain her way into what she jokingly called "a better seat in hell" since she truly felt like she was damned. It wasn't long before Houdini himself, on his quest to find true "spiritualists" and debunk the frauds, eventually came knocking. She met with him, and her little cult following of elitist friends. He walked away shaking his head, unable to find a way she could be cheating those around her, and when her prediction of his trouble in an upcoming stunt, she had pulled him aside and mentioned to him a part of the stunt she could not possibly have known about, and told him what was going to go wrong. The following week he nearly suffocated under 6 feet of dirt when the stunt failed exactly as she told him it would... but he had heeded her words out of curiosity and it had saved his life, if just barely since he had the contingency plan. He would later tell his friends, one of whom was Thurston, that he believed that if anyone was the real deal, it was Margery Anne Carter.
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This was her indirect introduction to Thurston and then Dr. Twaddle who after some thought remembered that she was a part of the local literary clubs and frequented his store via written correspondence for rare and odd books. It happens that a few months later, Charles would do a hit piece on the audacious debutante and her circle of followers. She charmed and entertained him, and the article reflected this. Soon she had people flaunting to her asking her to tell their fortunes and ask about joining her séances to communicate with lost ones. She had grained quite the cult following.
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Her following has since taken on the monicker
The Circle and meets on Wednesday nights, usually at her Summer Home, Cottage Hill, in Roanoke.
Likes and Hates:
Likes books.
Likes parties.
Likes gin.
Hates stairs.
Hates dullards.
Hates worms.
Opinions:
Religion: Ecentric.
Political Leanings: Republican.
Languages Spoken: English, French, Latin.
Professional Associations and Connections: Banker, Maximillian Hobbs. Socialite, Maggie Artois. Daughter of Foriegn Dignitary, Drusilla Torelli.
A Treasure: Her mother's Brooch and her Grandmother's Rosary.
Quote: Yesterday is gone, today it the here and now, and tomorrow may never come.
Relationships:
1) Howard Thurston, Magician.
Thurston is an intelligent man who understands how to charm an audience, and I can respect that. If he continues to play his cards right, I can tell you, he will enter into more elite circles than he may know. There are certainly a lot of ladies who would call him handsome and enjoy his company and what he can bring to a conversation. I hope to see him rise soon in the local Societies, and he is certainly welcome to join my little group of friends.
2) Dr. Rupert Twaddle, book dealer.
A well-educated man who appreciates the secrets locked away in books. Few other people understand as he does that it is in books we can uncover more secrets about the world known and unknown. He is a wonderful resource for me in recent years. It is a shame that with his family troubles he can never truly expect to elevate himself, but then again, I have a feeling he prefers it that way.
3) Charles 'Chip' Cole:
A darling young man who wrote such a wonderful piece about me and my family and friends. He did a lovely job of showing us for who we are and not some trash tabloid piece like others have done in the past. I knew I would like him and I knew I would like what he wrote... because I saw him write it.
4) Samuel 'Sam' Shannon Morton
Every lady needs a big strong man nearby. Sam is that man. Oh, don't look at me like that! He's a good person and works hard. And he is about as big and strong as an ox but has a gentle soul. Took him out to the firing range a few times and he was quite impressive. I am happy to count him among my friends and know I could call on him for anything and he would be there. If you find yourself in a pinch, you better call Sam.
5) Wayne Bennet
Oh, I suppose we need help like him, but he is rather uncouth and irreversibly dirty. I know there is a place for earthy people like himself, and they are a valued part of society, but I would rather he stay in the garage and leave the rest of us to do our work while he does his own. He reeks of cheap whiskey and fumes that set off my cough from the vapors. I often try to have some task or chore handy to keep him occupied when I visit Mr. Thurston and his little society. I do have to admit, that the car does run better since I asked him to look at it.
Will and Testiment:
Under the possession of The State of Massetusettes.
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