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Andrew LarkinInitiate of House Bonisagus and Researcher in Ars Mentis of Oxford Chantry
Tradition: Order of Hermes Essence: Nature: Savant Demeanor: Dark House: Bonisagus Mentor: Jessica Burke AppearanceFrom a distance Andrew looks rather unremarkable, an average student or businessman in his late 30s, depending on the surroundings, but in private, and especially if he has an opportunity to show his figure, his attractiveness, both physical and internal, tends to shine. He has fair hair and light brown eyes. It seems as if when he is relaxed his mask drops. What emerges from a conservative, academic cocoon is a charming fellow liked both by men and women. In these situations his charm, understanding and intelligence run unrestrained. On the other hand, in official situations Andrew stays reserved and the only thing that come from him are dark, at least unpleasant remarks that cut through any façade like a knife down to everyone's most hidden core. Attributes
HistoryAwakening: As with most Hermetics, Larkin's Awakening was gradual. So gradual that someone might question if he is indeed Awakened. This serves only as a testament of subtlety of his magick, however. It can also serve as an example why Order tutors its wizards for years. Larkin has flawless understanding of magickal theory, its ethics and is perfectly capable of being vulgar when needed. Personal History: Andrew comes from a wealthy family in Montreal. His father, a judge, raised him in a strict Christian manner, but also introduced him to modern theories of social behavior. This spawned Andrew's interest in sociology. However, once he was in Oxford (and out of his father's influence) Andrew shifted his interest to a more applied field of psychology. As an excellent student Andrew caught attention of quite a few people in Oxford University. Young professor Jessica Burke showed more interest than any of other professors. And her interest went well beyond interest a professor can have in a student. By the twist of fate it turned out that Jessica was a Maga of Order of Hermes. More out of fun than genuine expectation she introduced Andrew to tests that measured one's Gift, but to her surprise he passed the initial and for that matter all Hermetic tests on record, so she started to teach him Hermetic Doctrine even before he had realized what was going on Andrew needed hardly any more effort in understanding laws of Tellurian than he needed to unlock secrets of human nature. And even the last step in every apprentice’s training - vulgar display of magickal capabilities, came to Andrew spontaneously. It was actually Jessica who first noticed how small pieces of paper move in his presence. Larkin's Gauntlet was just a formal recognition of what was known - that he had became a Magus. Other than that it had to offer very little in terms of challenge or memorability. After all, he was sleeping with the person that was supposed to test him. Since that time Andrew has stayed as a teaching assistant of psychology at University of Oxford and a junior researcher in form of Mentem in Order of Hermes Present situation: While his professional record is impeccable Andrew's personal life is entirely different story. His liaison with Jessica has been lasting for years now, but it failed to progress beyond basic intimacies. He feels that it is because she is unable to seriously relate to a man more than ten years junior to her. On the other hand he feels that he has progressed beyond being her student and apprentice and that it's time they become equal in love. That is why Andrew has decided to leave the ivory tower of Oxford for a while. He decided not to go very far... Final situation: Andrew stared at his haggard reflection in the mirror as he shaved. The dreams were getting worse. Last night … His hand hesitated for a moment, and blood welled briefly from the cut made by the razor. He had not escaped unscathed from his exploration of Alan Carder’s mind. After nights of broken sleep, he was now starting to drowse in the daytime so that horror and reality sometimes merged. None of the rotes or rituals that he had tried gave him any relief. Sometimes, out of the corner of his eye, he thought he could see Carder in broad daylight, a happy smile on his face. Of course, there was no-one there when he turned to look properly. He knew he needed help, but the Little Totterington mages were little use. Jeffrey, whom he turned to first, was disinterested and pre-occupied. Nikki, or whoever she really was, was only interested in her new home, ‘finding herself’ and Random, and anyway knew too little of magick. Jack, Ede – too ignorant to be of use to him. Andrew finally faced the fact that he would have to return to Oxford, and Jessica. His last words to her had been a quarrel as he took the moral high-ground over Carder’s escape. The words echoed in his brain, “We are Bonisagi, we are the exalted ones. Order within the Order. It is our duty to set the standards ... especially if it's our fault." He was going to deal with the nephandus – and he had, with help and at a cost. Now he needed Jessica to help him pay his bill. Professor Jessica Burke, psychologist at the University of Oxford, Maga of Order of Hermes, mentor and lover. He’d left Oxford to become her equal – and was returning to be her patient. Andrew packed up his belongings and made two phone-calls. One was to Jeffrey, but his butler answered. Andrew simply told him that he was leaving the village and returning to Oxford. The second call was for a taxi to take him away. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
