Post by Jess on Jan 31, 2022 15:33:56 GMT -5
Claudia Carbone
Other Names:–
Epithets:– Pitch Black, Black Queen
Height:– 186cm
Build:– Slim but shapely, very womanly.
Age:– 26
Gender:– Female
Race:– Human
Occupation:– Marine
Bounty/Rank:– Lieutenant Commander
Total X-Poinz:– 300
Used X-Poinz:– 300
Earned X-Poinz Record:–
-300 Special Paramecia Devil Fruit – Toro Toro no Mi
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Rebate X-Poinz Record:–
- Toro Toro no Mi +150
Black Whip -50
Black Ball -50
Black Hole -50
Remaining Rebate XPz:– 0
Personality
Forwardly cool, confident and composed, Claudia Carbone is flamboyant and vain, and tends to feel like the centre of attention no matter the situation she finds herself in. Confident to the extreme both in terms of her looks and her abilities, she has a strong sense of assurance and egotism which can make it hard for her to empathize with others, which is a noticeable shortcoming, and seems to fuel a spirit of superiority that means she tends to only take an interest in people who she perceives on her level. Sure, she loves the adulation and adoration of others as a whole, but definitely lacks the humility needed to identify much with the common person, and often considers herself above it all.
This seeming to fuel an attitude which is innately haughty and at times condescending and lacking in empathy, she has a strong sense of arrogance that can rub people up the wrong way, and a stubborn and strong spirit which has a hard time seeing how aggravating she can be. Quite the queen bee when given the opportunity, she tends to assume a kind of domineering command of any situation if she isn't challenged, and makes her somewhat belligerent even if challenged. Highly elitist, Claudia tends to show respect only to those who earn it, and sometimes can flex her snooty ideals a little too much, especially if disappointed by someone or something, though in spite of these qualities is more impressionable than she appears. At least in the right circumstances, that is.
Largely close minded upon initial impression but in many ways the hard headed and at times stubborn attitude which Miss Carbone shows something of a reflection of a desire to protect her pride and perhaps even her more sensitive side, and it might be fair to guess that the more unpleasant aspects of her personality are something of a mechanism for defence and distance. More fragile than she appears, or at least on an emotional level, she has a tendency to push people away or keep them at arm's length, and usually only engages with people on her own terms.
Not incapable of showing more positive traits but needing to allay possible feelings of vulnerability, she can be something of a control freak and loathes those who disturb her sense of security, and in these cases can seem rather prickly. More likely to show a softer side to her character where she feels the comfort of some form of superiority, she is generally more lenient to those beneath her command, and might even go so far as to dote occasionally on a child or animal. I mean, adoring awe is hard to resist, right?
Hotter in spirit than she might seem upon first impression and succumbing to her temper easily with the right kind of triggers, she hates to feel her pride dented, and seeks retribution and repayment in equal measure. Somewhat inflexible in her manner and more competitive than she might appear, Claudia can tend to create rivalries easily and sometimes with great intensity, and often needs the other person to take the first step if one needs to soothe a source of friction between parties. Prone to lashing out and generally showing a callous disregard for most around her, she has high standards for herself and expects those near her to live up to them, and demonstrates a pronounced lack of understanding should they fail in this regard.
Not one who likes to be told 'no' or given an excuse, this can make her seem wilful and lacking in empathy, as well as tending to be rather intolerant of failure as well. This not entirely true however, she expects people to follow her orders and demands to the best of their capacity, and while some might fear letting her down due to how she shows dismissive and scathing behaviour toward those who fail to apply this standard, she is certainly forgiving and even supportive of those who try but fail. Miss Carbone would protect and acknowledge those who lost when doing their best, but would abandon or antagonize those who are defeated without even trying.
Someone who prizes her ambition and status but more generous than she may appear, she can show a more sensitive side to her character in how she can tend to want to dote on the people she likes, though might be somewhat clumsy or dismissive in how she does this. Always somewhat domineering, sometimes that which she does for other people might be difficult to see as kindness with how supercilious she can appear, and she may become upset if her effort goes unappreciated. A lifetime spent being the recipient of favours meaning she seems to have a hard time expressing her tenderness and consideration, she can be a little too forward and tactless in how she goes about things, and sometimes this can lead to her effort seeming to blow up in her face.
All of this reflecting the fact that she has a lot of trouble expressing her vulnerability, while she feels little of toying with the emotions of others with her charms and other gifts, Miss Carbone is highly defensive of her own feelings and this seems to be the reason she seems to bounce between cool countenance and fierce temper. The type who needs a lot of patience to feel comfortable expressing her emotions and innermost thoughts and feelings, she is kind of a tsundere really. No real way of beating about the bush on that one.
More perceptive and shrewd than she appears however, Claudia values loyalty and talent above most other factors, particularly in her underlings, and dislikes seeing either go unrewarded. Valuing those that are even rough around the edges so long as they seem devoted, she likes to celebrate success even if it is her own more than anything else, and would push to reward her people for a job well done in rarely seen shows of generosity. More than this seeming to hate to see potential go to waste as well, she dislikes seeing people stifled, and would ensure opportunities for those under her command to develop their abilities in whatever way she could.
Appearance
A tall, pretty and curvaceous young woman who habitually stands out from the crowd for one reason or another, she is a readily noted beauty who carries herself with suave style, and the cool allure of a confident woman. Tall and voluptuous in her figure, Claudia possesses a frame that one might expect from a burlesque performer or old fashioned movie star, with her slim waist leading into broad hips and thighs to give a kind of physique that many might envy or admire. Not wholly opposed to gym work but certainly knowing how to highlight her buxom build, she has a subtle but noticeable tone in her stomach, shoulders and thighs but does not let her body become too ‘beefy’, preferring to exemplify a more shapely frame over something overtly sporty.
Facially looking somewhat refined and delicate, Miss Carbone has a high set of cheekbones that provides her with a sharp and slightly pointed angle of her jaw, and with the slight narrowness of her gaze gives a mildly ‘fox-like’ look to her visage and adds an air of sophistication and youthful maturity to her looks overall. The irises of the girl a striking sapphire colour, they subtly combine with the dark shade and style of her hair to look like gems set in a dark frame, and her eyes are framed with a long set of lashes that can be further emphasized with heavy eyeshadow and mascara. Tending to be perhaps a little reserved and subtle in her makeup choices, Claudia prefers to add mystery and glamour to her image and has experience enough to know that less can often be more, usually choosing to highlight features like her cheekbones with understated colour and maybe gloss her lips with a rich, deep tone that compliments her natural skin tone.
Sporting long, dark hair that she tends to wear loosely most often, her near-black locks are habitually styled to be straight and are very long, reaching the lower portion of her back and having opted to change their style now most commonly worn swept over to one side, with long, trailing bangs like an old fashioned movie star. Most often wearing her hear loose to show of the length and lustre but not confined in her style however, Claudia is happy to mix it up and wear her hair in different manners if the occasions calls for it, while she appreciates the freedom and glamour inherent to wearing her hair unbridled she will tie her hair when she needs to in simple tails for exercise, or perhaps in buns or knots if she wishes to wear it elegantly for a special occasion.
The style of clothing that Claudia prefers refined, elegant and deceptively showy, the girl favours dark colours and extravagant materials, and usually has her clothing tailored to show off her curves by having her outfits show a noticeable tightness in the bust, waist and hips. Seeming to favour a kind of ‘less is more’ approach to skin coverage, whilst Miss Carbone is happy to sport a bikini on the beach she often dresses in manners that are a little bit conservative, liking long dresses and skirts and not commonly playing up her ample cleavage. This an effort to create mystique perhaps, while the woman does indeed enjoy attention she prefers to take it on her own terms, and also appreciates her ability to be taken more seriously by choosing not to flaunt her looks for just anyone.
Fond of high heels and deep boots, sometimes Claudia will emphasize this by wearing skirts and dresses with splits that run up to her hips, showing off thigh high stockings and footwear that consumes most of her legs in this effort. This also useful for her sense of mobility should she need it, despite the closeness of the gowns she wears around her ‘assets’ she will often choose looser designs in her hems and sleeves, though isn’t wholly averse to changing her signature style up on occasions that suit her. Fond of jewellery, she will often flaunt pearls or gold necklaces on top of her shirts or sweaters, and also likes rings, bangles and elegant looking ear wear. Also finding she enjoys eyewear, Miss Carbone will often wear a set of designer sunglasses for a combination of style and anonymity, and might on occasion even sport a pair of non-prescription spectacles when she wishes to look that bit more sophisticated.
Traits
Pitch Punchbag – Elegant and refined in her image but sturdier than she appears, a combination of pain tolerance, physical training and good old fashioned stubbornness mean that Claudia can endure physical harm better than even grown men, and can show a tough attitude that means she rarely seems to wince or yelp even when she suffers an injury.
Hot Shot – Trained in marksmanship at the Marine Academy, prior to acquiring her Devil Fruit Miss Carbone would often use pistols and rifles in combat, and while she doesn't use this as often now she has a potent special ability to rely on could still prove a more than adequate shot when she needs to.
Tireless Temptress – More energetic than she appears, though Claudia can tend to display cool and cold-tempered behaviour she tends to have high levels of innate stamina thanks to hard training and her disposition, and seems to be able to comfortably survive tests of vigour and burning the candle at both ends, rising early even after a late night.
Toro Toro no Mi – Gifted with the power to become, produce and manipulate Pitch, Miss Carbone can exploit this transition and the bottomless reserve it offers both for offensive and defensive purpose, making for an all-round ability that makes it easy to overwhelm most enemies.
Fighting Styles
Name:– Black Queen
Focus:– Devil Fruit
Class:– E
Description:– Exploiting the potency of her Devil Fruit abilities for the majority of her combat these days, she has crafted a style focused in overwhelming her enemies with flexible attacks and a versatile defence thanks to the medium she has been provided.
Name:– Glamorous Gunplay
Focus:– Firearms
Class:– E
Description:– A markswoman before she was given the potent arsenal of a devil fruit, Claudia Maintains noticeable skill with guns, and carries a pair as a means to fight without her Devil Fruit should she need it.
Techniques
Name:– Black Whip
Fighting Style:– Black Queen
Rank:– 1
Description:– Transforming a limb into Pitch, Claudia lashes out with it for a medium range attack with maximum force.
Name:– Black Ball
Fighting Style:– Black Queen
Rank:– 1
Description:– Creating a mass of pitch the size of a watermelon, Claudia can launch it at her enemy with the force to knock them off their feet,and leave them caked and covered in her medium, or pepper her environment to make it harder for most to move in.
Name:– Black Hole
Fighting Style:– Black Queen
Rank:– 1
Description:– Transforming her body into pitch, Claudia engulfs her enemy with her own body, trapping them in a mass of stick and viscous material which makes it difficult to move.
Name:– Black Door
Fighting Style:– Black Queen
Rank:– 0
Description:– Assuming a full pitch form, Claudia can exploit the liquid medium to slip through gaps she wouldn't normally be able to pass through with little issue.
Equipment
Name:– Pistol X2
Fighting Style:– Glamorous Gunplay
Rank:– 0
Description:– Marine standard-issue sidearm, Claudia carries a couple of flintlock pistols as backup weapons or means of encouragement for lazy crewmen.
Background
Born in the cooler climbs of North Blue, Claudia Carbone comes from a wealthy and affluent family which was headed by a domineering and politically minded father, who was always trying to secure his ambitions to create a potent dynasty so that his legacy could live on for generations. The middle sister and only daughter in a home with several brothers, things were rife with competition which her father seemed to foster as he seemed to play the boys off one another to earn his favour, seeming to impress upon them the idea that he cared little for order of birthing when it came to his successor, and instead would lavish the lion's share of inheritance and favour on whichever child seemed to impress him the most. Though, ironically enough, the one who seemed to inherit much of his canny mind and talent for making the best of a situation, was his daughter, even if he rarely seemed to see that of course.
A pretty but distant girl, she grew up in what she viewed an unloving household, respecting neither her demanding and hypocritical father nor the timid mother that put up with it. Pitying the woman because of how meek and mild and forgiving she was, while dad was a bastard as she grew older her biggest fear seemed to be ending up so weak and helpless as a woman who was prepared to put up with such contemptuous treatment, and so this only seemed to make her more of a stubborn and fiery spirit as she grew older, as if she was doing everything she could to reinforce her feeling of strength and independence.
Estranged from her family from a young age, father seemed to spare her less time to mould her than her brothers, and even less affection, and she seemed to gradually drift away from her more cloying and competitive siblings due to always feeling inferior because of that. One a more optimistic day she thinks that maybe he did that because he recognised all along that she ultimately could flourish on her own, but ultimately figures with cynicism and experience from how he tended to treat the women in his life that it was far more likely to be a simple case of misogyny.
Finding as she grew up that she felt very little control over her life, as she grew older Claudia resented the fact that father seemed to decide where she went to school and who she was supposed to be friends with, and eventually even who she could and couldn't date as well. This making it hard to make friends, she was a bright girl who seemed a little more thoughtful and perceptive than her entitled and brattish peers, who she grew tired of quickly. Instead one who was articulate and apt with her words, she had a strong will which meant she wasn't afraid to talk back to adults including her teachers, though did well on the whole when it came to education. Somewhat isolated, she liked to read and was usually well ahead of her classmates, and showed a tendency toward sophisticated interest like opera and symphony even as a child.
Often preferring her own company at school, Claudia tended to be precocious and somewhat friendly with the staff at home, though father didn't seem too much like that. Lecturing her for a lot of reasons, in this case he would inform her that a woman of her station should have a mind for high society over the rabble and riffraff, and would frequently admonish both the girl and servants who seemed to bruise the divides between social classes.
Popular among the elible bachelors as she entered her teen years for her good looks but bored by them, her father had wanted to use the girl to forge a connection through marriage to secure his dynasty, but Claudia had other ideas. Set up on a date with her would be husband but finding him boorish and reeking of entitlement, she caused a scene at the gala she attended on his arm by pointing out his ignorance and stupidty and humiliated him, partly in an effort to put him off marriage and perhaps sully her reputation and daddies ambition too.
In truth nursing a crush on a young stable boy she took a liking to, riding lessons and the gift of a pony became one of the few highlights of her teen years since she could use them as an excuse to share smiles and jokes with the lad when she was in the barn. Because of this Claudia was dismayed when father found out about her being found larking around and kissing him behind the stables after a lesson, and subsequently had him and his family driven both from his employ and the island they lived on.
Already seething because of what had happened at the gala, the 'cage' only more severe thanks to her dalliance, and father seemed intent on breaking Claudia's spirit as he forbade her from almost all social activity, and had her focus on study and other activities meant to keep her busy as he waited to find another appropriate use for her. Even going so far as to have her locked and barred in her room and released only at mealtimes, the disdain she had for him meant that she refused to eat during family dinners, usually only taking a single mouthful of her food before declaring she was finished and wishing to leave the table, leaving her rake thin as a result.
Having had enough long ago and seeking an escape for herself, opportunity arrived when she was taken to another party on daddy's arm and was introduced to her new fiancé, who seemed just as dull and dismal as the last one. Left on his arm however and taking advantage of this to squirrel a knife away from the event concealed in her stocking, while it was certainly tempting to jam the thing in her father's back or even his throat ultimately she opted to use the item to flee her home with no mind to looking back. Plotting and prying open her bedroom door a few days afterward in the dead of night, she stole away with money and valuables as well as a pistol she had claimed from the drawer of her father's study, and fled into the night.
Spending the next days and weeks taking care of herself, she flogged what she had stolen and lived in a meagre but independent fashion, but should have known better than to expect dad to give up that easily. Sending hired hands to track her down and a girl who was new to the world not having much expertise in covering her trail, a fight broke out when they did not prove all that gentlemanly in their apprehension of her, and she fled into the night after wounding one in the shoulder with her gun and with a couple more hot on her trail.
Running into some marines as she fled and revealing the fact that she was being chased by these thugs, though it was a little grating for her to lean into the damsel in distress kind of vibe, ultimately it proved useful as they not only warded off her pursuers but also offered her a place to stay in their barracks. Working for a few months as a clerk in exchange for room and lodging, it was through this that Claudia found her destiny being tugged toward service in the naval force. One of the marines stumbling across the pistol she kept with her, though she managed to convince him not to report it, he at least showed her how to use and maintain the weapon properly. Giving her some lessons in marksmanship, the girl had to admit she enjoyed the feeling of power she felt in using a gun properly, hitting the target, and ultimately decided to try joining the marines as a result of this.
Initially a little shell-shocked by her basic training but seeming to adapt as she seemed to note the potential she was offered, while people seemed to boss her around it was also gratifying to see the results of her training in both her ability and confidence. Some seeming to look down on her initially for being a spoiled little rich girl and the like, though she struggled with the physical demands initially gradually she overcame her shortcoming as the training took hold, and even before this her stubborn determination seemed to gradually garner respect, as did her education.
Certainly aided by her good looks and learning to take advantage of this, Claudia realized that prettiness had its privileges as she used fluttering lashes and the sweetness of her smile to get help with the tasks that she was unaccustomed, such as polishing boots and cleaning the barracks. It truly astounding how hard young men seemed to be willing to work for her with only the symphony of her laughter and warmth of her company, she would giggle and cock her head as she watched one of her eager fellows scrub the bathroom or polish her boots, and felt very little guilt for doing so. After all, how was it any different from a big lad exploiting his naturally strong build to win a fight?
The effort she put in paying dividends in one way or another, Claudia was lacking for some of the rugged strength or martial skill some of her peers had in abundance, but was clever and cunning, and seemed to know how to tilt a situation to play to her strengths rather than her weaknesses. Proving effective in marksmanship because of this, and frankly given how her father had treated her also thrilled to use her looks for her own benefit as well, Miss Carbone did well in exercises and proved that though she lacked the physicality of some of her peers she more than made up for it with skill and tactical acumen. Work smart, not hard, after all.
Leaving her training as a confident young woman, rather than a girl who ran away from her problems way back when, Claudia continued to focus on her strengths as she entered into the marine force proper, and managed to land a rather agreeable assignment for herself. Falling under the command of an officer who she quickly learned to wrap around her little finger, she seemed to be afforded a stretch more freedom than the average graduate, and exploited that to climb into the rank of a junior officer after only a few years.
Clear headed and capable and getting glowing reports that she may have had more sway over than was really professional, some seemed to resent Miss Carbone for her methods and talk behind her back, but fortunately she had the skills to back them up. Taking part in several major operations and even transferring for a time to hq, though suddenly she became just a minnow in a very big pond and had a harder time with less scrupulous means here, ultimately the girl made the most of her opportunities and gained a reputation as a go-getting career girl.
Helped in this endeavour when she managed to get her hands on a devil fruit ability, though the loss of her ability to swim was a trait that seemed to stand as counter-intuitive to someone whose very profession involved transit and battle over the sea, her time at hq meant that she had seen the raw power of these abilities and opted to make that sacrifice. Seeming to pay dividends as she gained the potent abilities of a near-logia level power, this finally helped her to more than overcome the gap between herself and peers with brawn or honed martial skill, and as she began to grasp her powers she became a force to be reckoned with.
This new ability only making Claudia bolder and braver in return, while this abundance of confidence helped her to be assured and capable on the battlefield, not every change it garnered seemed entirely beneficial. Capable of fighting well above the level of the average soldier and developing rather a high opinion of herself, not everyone was happy to see her flouting commands and bending rules to steal the spotlight, even if she did tend to be good at charming her way out of disciplinary action. It was obvious that she had the mind and ability to move into command, though it seemed some weren't happy to see her seeming to skip ahead without properly paying her dues, as they saw it.
This perhaps highlighting the fact that sometimes it isn't what you know but who you know, repeated incidents of near-insubordinate 'independence' in her actions got Miss Carbone what she had been craving, though not exactly what she expected. Promoted to lieutenant commander but assigned well away from the fields of glory and repute as she was assigned to the sticks, she was handed a patrol and recon assignment in the blues, which to her definitely stank of someone trying to put her in her place.
Resolving to make the best of a bad situation however, even though Claudia knows she can do a lot better she has only redoubled her efforts to prove herself, and set about getting the full recognition she feels she deserves. At the very least happy to be largely in charge of her own wheelhouse even if it is a little small for her tastes at the moment, she believes it to be only a matter of time until she's back in the big time, and will let little stop her from achieving even more ascendant heights than ever before…