Opening statement
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
| [[Image:|300px|]] | |
| Opening Statement | |
| Player: @Square Woot | |
| Origin: | Technology |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Mastermind |
| Security Level: | 50+3 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Victoria Lawson, Jr. |
| Known Aliases: | Numerous (See article.) |
| Species: | Human |
| Age: | Confidential |
| Height: | 5'8'' |
| Weight: | 185 pounds |
| Eye Color: | Brown |
| Hair Color: | Black |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | Caucasian |
| Occupation: | Roadie, vagrant |
| Place of Birth: | Steel Canyon |
| Base of Operations: | Steel Canyon |
| Marital Status: | Married to Alexia Dale |
| Known Relatives: | Parents; Victoria Lawson, Andrew Montell(Deceased.) |
| Known Powers | |
| Confidential | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Confidential | |
| Equipment | |
| Confidential | |
| No additional information available. | |
Contents |
The Lawson Legacy
"Have so called heroes of Paragon infringed on your rights? Have these vigilante brutes caused you serious harm, or incarcerated you, a friend, or family member under thuggish mob justice? Call me; Victoria Lawson. I'm the real hero of this city, and I'm here to save YOU." -Radio advertisement for Lawson Law Offices
Victoria Lawson Sr never broke the law. She never murdered, or assaulted, or robbed anyone. Then why, in a city filled with criminals, monsters, and militias, is she one of the most hated women in Paragon? The answer to that is very simple; because while Victoria never tampered with the DNA of innocent victims, shot someone in the head, or poisoned the city's water supply, she thought nothing about defending those people in court. Victoria Lawson Sr is a defense lawyer. One of the best in the city; and the city bleeds money and tears because of her skills.
Described in the newspapers as a "cruel, calculating woman with nary a word to spare that wasnt' dripping with venom and spite," Victoria made a career out of defending the wicked and the evil. Millions of dollars were made by defending Crey, the Council, and a dozen other groups just like them. Anyone with a morally corrupt heart and a fat checkbook was nearly garaunteed their freedom; because no matter how skilled a hero was, or how dilligent a policeman was, there would always be -one- hair out of place. One T that wasn't crossed; one I that wasn't dotted. Victoria would find that blemish and turn it into glorious freedom at the hands of the city's confusing judicial system.
Legally untouchable but morally corrupt; Victoria Lawson is seen as a cancer on Paragon's society. It's been said that there can never be peace within the city while she remains, especially in light of recent campaigns she's undertaken to restrict Longbow's power and further stifle the power of Hero Corps. For the right price, Victoria would hand the city of Paragon over to her benefactors on a silver platter, and given recent pushes it seems that platter has arrived lined with gold.
Relationship Between Mother and Daughter
"You know when a band goes on stage, and the audience goes nuts? They throw so much love at them; so much adoration. When I was a roadie, I got a little bit of that. People would get excited when I'd go on stage; they knew that it meant the band would be up soon. That small...parasitic sliver of love and affection...it was more than my mother gave me in sixteen years. Is it any wonder I left?" -Victoria Lawson Jr
No one saw Victoria Lawson Sr's corruption more than her daughter. Named after her mother, there wasn't a day of young Victoria's life that wasn't controlled and manipulated. From childhood she had been forced to learn the law, to study it, to be able to one day exploit it as her mother did. It was Victoria's vocal wish that her daughter would continue her work, becoming little more than a smaller version of herself.
After several years of her mother's repression, Victoria finally couldn't take it anymore. At sixteen, she ran away from home, leaving a hastily written note on the back of the law school application form her mother was already forcing her to fill out. The note was simple and to the point; and made her intentions very clear:
"Mother,
I call you Mother because I'm the only girl I know who gets punished if she utters the word 'Mom.' I can think of no better way to describe how things are, being your daughter. The slightest hint of familiarity and affection is met with a stern reprimand, only further widening the gap between us.
I don't want to be a lawyer, Mother. I never did. I find your work disgusting and repulsive, and I couldn't live with myself if I did it, too. I don't know how you can, but I guess we're different people. Very different.
I don't know if it'll hurt you, but I'm leaving. If it does, I'm sorry. Please know that it hurts me, too. I love you so, so much, Mother. Despite everything. All the arguments, all the fights, all the venom between us...you're still my Mother, and I love you more than anything. But I can't be you, I never could. I'm sorry, Mother.
Please be safe; the people you work for are dangerous. I'll worry about you daily.
Love, Vicki"
On Tour
"Yeah, I've been around. Done some crazy stuff. Well, watched people do crazy stuff more often. It's better being a sideline girl; you get a taste of the good life, none of the risky life." -Victoria Lawson Jr
Roadie Years
Victoria Jr had always fostered a love of music that her mother never understood. From an early age she listened to Queen, The Ramones, The Clash, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, anything she could get her hands on that spoke to her repressed teenage heart. She idolized rebels, and fell in love with punk icons. For as much as she loved music, she unfortunately never developed a skill for it, so her future in such a career was non-existant. Well, almost.
Playing a guitar would always evade her, but Victoria had developed something of a knack for electronics in her teenage years. Often left alone with expensive video games and TVs by an absentee mother had its effect, and by the time Vicki ran away from home she had the technical skills to become a roadie. For years and years she travelled with various bands, almost exclusively on the punk and ska scene. She never reached her dream of being a roadie for a truly famous band, but her longest career was with the punk group "Gorilla Bodyslam," whom she tended to for almost six years.
In her time on tour, Victoria learned a great deal about the industry, from setting up lights and speakers to gathering up groupies. She learned about travelling the world and how to handle a drug overdose; plus a few other things that would haunt her nightmares. At age twenty-seven she decided to leave that life behind her, after eleven years of partying and music.
Solo Gig
After leaving Gorilla Bodyslam, Vicki took to the Isles, shacking up at a small flophouse in Port Oakes. She made a scant living by piecing together bits of junk into working weapons and machinery; usually selling them to the Rogue Islands Police Department or trading them to the Skulls in returns for favors and protection. It was a very unglamorous life, but she was surprisingly content. By now over a decade free of her mother's presence, not once did Vicki look back. Every now and again she would hear about her mother's business, about how it thrived in dark times, but she always kept such matters far from her head and heart.
Criminal Activity
As anyone in the Isles knows; you have to bend the law a little to make ends meet. Victoria was no exception, and it wasn't long before she did something her mother never would; actively commit a crime. Longbow keeps a record on her, but to no measure more than any other Isles resident. Her criminal record is as unconventional as it is nonviolent, and reads as follows.
May 3rd, 2007. Incident reported: Breaking an entry, robbery. DeLoug's Deli, Port Oakes.
Goods reported stolen: Three loves rye bread, two pounds hard salami, one pound turkey breast, two bottles yellow mustard, one sweet roll.
August 17th, 2007.
Incident reported: Public vulgarity, St. Martial.
Full report: Under mild intoxication, shouted that another woman was a "------- stealing, boy -------- trash bag -------- with a ------- with teeth."
December 25th, 2007.
Incident reported: Public indecency, Golden Giza.
Full report: Found urinating in Johnny Sonata's office. No explanation offered. Wished arresting officers a Merry ------- Christmas.
March 12th, 2008.
Incident reported: Trespassing, robbery. McCoppin Scrap, Port Oakes.
Goods reported stolen: Approximately two hundred dollars worth of scrap metal.
July 4th, 2008.
Incident reported: Assault, Mercy Island.
Full report: Shoved lit sparkler up Arbiter Calio's nose.
November 18th, 2008.
Incident reported: Official warning from Arachnos; Grandville.
Full report: Asked Mako if he liked fish sticks.
March 18th, 2009.
Incident reported: Public indeceny, Port Oakes.
Full report: Hungover, found tipping garbage cans and screaming "This place doesn't look ------- enough! Let's make it look like we live in ALL the filth!"
September 5th, 2009.
Incident reported: Assault. Krazy Tattooing, Port Oakes.
Full report: After a debate over a bill, knocked out store owner and tattooed "I like boys" on his face.
March 17th, 2010.
Incident reported: Public intoxication. St. Jude's Church, Port Oakes.
Full report: Arrived drunk at AAA meeting. Incident drove several others back to alcohol.
August 5th, 2010.
Incident reported: Public indecency. Golden Giza.
Full report: Found having intercourse on Johnny Sonata's desk. No explanation was given by culprit or partner.
December 17th, 2010.
Incident reported: Vandalism. Mercy Island.
Full report: Arrested while vandalizing billboard of Victoria Lawson Sr.; added a speech bubble saying "I'm a -------- monster!"
June 5th, 2011.
Incident reported: REDACTED
Full report: REDACTED
November 11th, 2011.
Incident reported: Soliciting a male prostitute. Mercy Island.
Full report: When undercover officer made the arrest; asked if he was doing anything next weekend.
January 17th, 2012.
Incident reported: Fraud, theft. Pocket D.
Full report: Impersonated bartender. Pocketed approximately one hundred dollars in bar fees. Left with a keg.
Powers
"Look, you seem like a nice kid. So here's what I'm going to do. I'll let you have these robots of mine, if you promise to take good care of them. They're all yours, out of the kindness of my heart. ...for three hundred dollars." -Square Woot
Victoria Jr has no powers of note, but she is rather skilled in several areas. She is a skilled mechanic, and her time spent with her mother has given her an understanding of the legal system that few civilians can boast.
The only form of defense she has comes in the shape of mechanical guardians, sold to her by former supervillain-turned hero Square Woot. These robots are well maintained by Victoria. She has also taken to building weapons of her own creation; usually patched together from scrap and junk. Nail caltrops, adhesive bombs, and battery acid dispensers are not uncommon.
Appearance
"You like the ink, huh? Yeah; I like guys with the same. 'Cause when we get together, it's like we're makin' a freaking comic book." -Victoria Lawson Jr
Body Type
Victoria is a fairly tall woman, and at one point her roadie work had led to a fair bit of muscle definition. In the years that passed, however, she has fallen somewhat out of shape, and carries more extra weight than most heroes or villains. Her stomach has noticeable lovehandles, her arms and legs are thicker than she'd really like, and her face shows a bit of pudge. Despite this, she carries herself with confidence.
Tattoos and Piercings
It's practically impossible for Victoria Lawson Jr to blend in, thanks to extensive body art that she underwent during her time touring with Gorilla Bodyslam. She has piercings in her nose, lip, tongue, brow, ears, and navel. She has been decorated with the following tattoos:
Neck and face: Intricate design depicting anarchic punk logos all around her throat. Face is tattooed to have nearly solid purple cheeks; with jagged lines directing attention to her pierced face. This is the most unavoidable tattoo she has.
Left bicep: "ROADIES ROCK" against a loudspeaker in hobo font.
Right bicep: "GROUPIES SUCK" against a frowny face in hobo font.
Navel: The pony Twilight Sparkle, to the left of her belly button.
Right shoulder: Outline of a right hand.
Left shoulder: Outline of a left hand.
Chest, above left breast: Alien facehugger.
Chest, above right breast: Mohawk from Gremlins.
Tailbone: Bald woman kissing a velociraptor.
Rump: Several names, presumably of old flames. Amongst them: Roy, Denny, Rockson, Baxter, Rory, Dune, Lisa.
Outside left thigh: Nintendo Game Boy
Outside right thigh: Reel Big Fish logo
Clothing
Victoria dresses in a chaotic fashion; often mixing clothing that doesn't even remotely match. She does this to stand out in a crowd, rather than any real desire to wear clashing colors. She's fond of clothing that shows off her impressive tattoo work, though is also conscious of being a larger woman. She's confident; yet still somewhat shy about her current weight. Her favorite types of clothing appear to be ripped jeans, schoolgirl skirts, band tees, distressed attire, 80s snap braclets, and visually repelling colors.
She often wears glasses, usually of a hipster variety, but it's unclear whether or not she actually needs them.
Personality
"Hi! I'm Peppermint! What? You're mad because I punched you in the stomach? That's how I flirt, you jerk." - Victoria Lawson Jr.
Victoria is rather friendly and outgoing; an extrovert that seeks out people she finds entertaining. She's willing to talk to just about anyone, though at times her inquisitive personality can lead to accidental insult. As a 'normal' person living in Paragon, she's constantly surrounded by people she finds unusual, and she makes it her duty to learn all about them. She has a particular curiousity about furries, and they're usually the target she has the most awkward questions for. When pretending to be a bartender at the D, it's not uncommon for her to ask if cat people prefer their milk in a glass or a saucer, nor is it unusual to see her slide a pan underneath smaller furries at the D, JUST IN CASE they can't control their animal instincts.
She has a similar fascination with dark and goth looking characters; usually wanting to hear what makes them tick. These types tend to have a lot less to say to a girl like her, which only forces her to press her inquiries harder. If it wasn't fo the D's rule about fighting, it's likely she would've been assaulted many times over by now.
Names
Victoria despises her name; and any variation thereof. It's a reminder of her repressive mother, and memories she'd sooner forget. As a result, she has taken to letting people she meets give them a name of their own. Some know her as Melissa. Some as Evelyn. Some as Awesomesauce. She's usually rather content with whatever name she's given; but if one is ever provided that she dislikes, she'll simply politely ask the person to craft another.
Similarly, Victoria is prone to giving people she meets immediate nicknames she has a slavish devotion in sticking to. They're sometimes based on a person's physical appearance, but may change when she gets to know them a bit more. They're typically rather harmless, and henge on cute rather than insulting.
Dating and Relationships
Over the years, Victoria has been in countless relationships, most of which end badly. She's dated every single member of Gorilla Bodyslam, two of them at the same time. She's had anonymous encounters with the band's groupies, and at times has even been a groupie herself. When she left the band life behind her, so too did she leave that lifestyle. She still has a strong weakness for certain types of people, though. (Bald, tough women and skinny, mohawked men are at the top of her list.)
Victoria is very firmly maintaining that she's asexual at the moment; pursuing neither romance nor physical enjoyment. Her explanation is easy, citing how it muddles the mind and makes people make bad decisions.
Despite her stance on relationships, Victoria enjoys flirting quite a bit, especially when it leads to men and women buying her things. Her flirting style is chaotic and unique; ranging from purposely spilling something on someone, to punching them in the stomach as an introduction, to walking up and kissing them without a single word shared.
Random Trivia and OOC stuff
- Vicki's theme song is "Would You Be Impressed," by Streetlight Manifesto.
- Shameless plug! Vicki's player makes Wootlabs; a CoH inspired webcomic. Check it out, should you have a chance! http://wootlabs.thewebcomic.com
