Clarke, Maxine "Max"

[Maxine Clarke]

MAXINE, CLARKE
PLAYED BY : Zoie Palmer

THE CHARACTER

FULL NAME: Maxine Rose Clarke
NICK NAMES: Max
PREFERRED NAME: Max
AGE: 35
GENDER: female
OCCUPATION: Medical assistant
HOME REGION: Midwest
PREFERRED WEAPONS: .308 rifle or any kind of blade

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
Maxine has a scar below her collarbone, from when a knife was held there. A story that Max doesn't like to relive, let's leave it at that. Ok? There's a tattoo of two butterflies on her right hip, one to represent her and another to represent her sister Emily. She's the type that likes to work alone and be a loner. This apocalypse is forcing her out of her comfort zone and some of the time, can't help herself but to drift back to her old ways. Max stands like she is leaning on an invisible wall, one hip slightly cocked to the side. Like most women, Maxine has that little "sway of the hips" going as she walks about. She rarely smiles these days, but when she does, it's been only a half-smile or smirk.

PERSONALITY:
She may come off as a tough cookie, I know, but there's a nice & soft center underneath all that toughness. Why do you think she took up a career in medicine? For kicks? Well, Maxine's actually a medical assistant - but whatever. She likes to help out others, as long as they don't take advantage of her kindness. A few people have and used it to suit their needs, hence her scar. It may be a bit of a weakness in certain situations, but all in all, Max's a good person. She really is. Doesn't have a criminal record or anything, but it doesn't make her boring.

Maxine has a sarcastic sense of humor and will always try hard to make a friend laugh, even if it means cheering them up when they are having a bad day. Her bluntness, though, can sometimes get her into trouble. She can't help it. Maxine prefers being honest to telling a white lie (or just a regular one) any day of the week. It's not so easy, if you plan on pleasing everyone you meet. She has tried that and was too draining, so Maxine will just stick to being herself. Don't like it? Well then, deal with it.

She has quirks, like everyone does. Maxine tends to pace or play with whatever piece of jewelry she's wearing, when she's feeling worried. Nerves? She bites her nails. Impatient? She tends to tap her foot or her fingers on something, whether it's on her arm or a hard surface of some sort. Maxine's not perfect and is fine with it. She can be stubborn as hell, once her mind's made up. Good luck on changing it, though. Maxine can be over-protective about all of the people she cares about. It drove her sister crazy, when they were a bit younger. Determination can go hand-in-hand with her stubborn streak, she hardly stops until she finishes a goal or job. That's the kind of person she is.

And another thing, when she gets overwhelmed or upset, Maxine usually shuts down and withdraws from people. Only one or two seem to be the exception, since they can pull her out of it most of the time.

LIKES

• Doodling - Even in times like this, Maxine seems to find time to make a little drawing of something. Mostly in her diary, though. A way to brighten things up a little. You know?
  
• Chocolate - What girl doesn't? Maxine enjoys the taste of milk chocolate with peanut butter the best. White chocolate, not a big fan at all.
  
• Leather - She likes the feel of it upon her skin and it looks so good on her. Or as some guys might prefer - off. She has a trusty leather jacket that she rarely takes off. One of Max's possessions that she will fight to keep in her hands.
  
• Alcohol - Maxine enjoys a good drink every now and then. It's hardly ladylike, but who cares? She rarely does. Her go-to poison is amaretto, mixed with soda. Yum.
  
• Being with friends - Yes, a loner like her enjoys a bit of human contact and fun times with people every once in a while. There is no harm in that, right?
  

DISLIKES

• Being taken advantage of - Been there, went through all that, not planning on a repeat of it. There's no way in hell, if Maxine can help it.
  
• Cockiness - Not a fan of it, especially in men. The way that Max sees it, you get too cocky - you can get yourself killed. Am I wrong or right on this one?
  
• Smell of cigarettes/cigars - Maxine dealt with that smell, when she was taken advantage of. It brings back those memories, so it isn't good to smoke around her.
  
• Drinking until you puke - She doesn't like doing that to herself and can hardly understand why people do it over and over again, when they'll regret it afterwards.
  
• Zombies (obviously) - Her sense of self-preservation seems to kick in. She would rather have them perish than her. Or anybody she cares about.
  

HISTORY BEFORE:
Maxine Rose Clarke was born on November 30th, to Edward and Lauren Clarke. Edward was a military man, so he wasn't home as often as Maxine and Lauren would've liked. But when he was, all had been right in the world. He was a devoted father and a good neighbor to have living nearby. He would do odd jobs for anyone who asked, especially the elderly neighbors. He hardly minded at all. Lauren worked as a school nurse, so she could be with Max a bit more. Maxine was a spirited sort of child, enjoyed doing what she liked to do, but stayed out of trouble. At least she tried to do so, until a kid at school decided to pick on her. He thought that it was fun to pick on a girl, since they won't stick up for themselves and would run for someone else to help them. Maxine grew to be sad and not-so spirited, then. Lauren noticed and tried to help. A great effort, but wasn't working as well as she hoped.

Then, her father came back home for a while and learned of what was going on. "He thinks that? Ha! We'll show him, huh little peanut?" he said and she smiled. He then taught Maxine a few basic moves to defend herself against this bully. So when he tried it again the next day, she was ready. He didn't expect it, so she beat him at his game. A short visit to the principal's followed, but when they learned of this bullying, he got detention and she got a warning instead. She was good and kept her knowledge to herself, in case someone else tries to make a target out of her. It was all good from there, it seemed, but a dark cloud was drawing close to the Clarke household. She was just starting high school, when a pair of uniformed men appeared at their doorstep.

Maxine and her mother knew what it meant, but they came to tell that he was only missing-in-action. Lauren grew worried and Max did, too. She loved her father and didn't want to lose him. Months later and an unknown vehicle pulled up. They didn't expect to see him walking out with a cane, but their hearts soared at the sight. He was found alive and now home at last. Lauren clung to him as hard as she could, without causing any more pain. Then, about 9 months later or so, there was a new baby in the house. Max had a sister named Emily. She took her role of big sister seriously and helped out whenever her mother needed. Emily grew bigger and seemed to adore Maxine.

Maxine graduated and went off to college, majoring first in liberal arts. She wasn't quite sure what she wanted to do yet, but has a plan to figure it out. Maxine learned a lot in college, even about a subject hardly touched in high school. Her mother had tried to get her introduced to boys, but none held her interest. It took a night in college to figure out why. She wasn't attracted to boys at all. It wasn't in the cards for her. Maxine met a girl in one of her classes and they seemed to hit it off. Her name was Vivian, who took a bit of interest in criminal justice. They became close friends and then, one night, a kiss sealed their fate. Maxine felt complete, but didn't know how to tell her parents. She started with Emily and she was all for it, only wanting to see her sister happy.

Lauren and Edward, however, weren't so thrilled. They thought it was a phrase she was going through, but one look into Maxine's eyes and they knew that she was serious. Coming from a little bit more conservative backgrounds, they balked at the idea and had refused to let Maxine see Emily. Max was heartbroken, but Vivian supported her through it. Even through an experience that would rather be forgotten. She somewhat came out at school and there was one boy who felt determined to change her mind. Maxine had been kind enough to help him back to his dorm one night, after he had a few drinks. Once he got there, his roommate was out and it seemed time for him to make his move. By force. Her training from her father kicked in and managed to fight him off and escape, but not without a mark below her collarbone.

Emily graduated and went off to college herself, secretly staying in touch with Maxine. She liked that, but wished her parents would relent and accept her again.

DURING APOCALYPSE:
Maxine had gone back to Chicago, to visit her parents and try to convince them to accept her and Vivian's relationship. They were balking at the idea at first, though Lauren began to see Maxine's point of view. Edward turned the tables upon his wife, giving her a lecture. "You've always wanted grandchildren, Lauren. It's not gonna be possible if she's...intimate with another female. She needs a man to reproduce." Maxine rolled her eyes, as the first wave of tears threatened to fall. "I can, I can! Won't be the way that you would want it to be, but it can happen!" she responded, on the brink of breaking down. She now wished that she had Vivian here beside her, but they both knew it would not help her parents understand. They don't know Vivian like she does, but they refuse to anyway.

Edward's face was starting to turn red with fury, when the noises from outside caught his attention. People were screaming, calling out for help and to someone in particular. "Mr. Wilson! Stop! Why are you doing this?!" a woman shrieked. Edward had no time to waste. His instincts to help others in need kicked in, a calling he couldn't ignore. Maxine had a bad feeling about all this. While at her job as a medical assistant, she had heard news and rumors about people going crazier than usual. Some disease, the news deemed it as. As he was about to head out the front door, Maxine grabbed his arm and begged him not to go. "Peanut, I have to." he said, planting a kiss on her forehead. "I am still furious, but my heart can't help but to love you anyway.. Maxine. Grab my gun from upstairs." he replied, before he took off outside. Lauren watched helplessly, as Max did what she was told and grabbed the hunting rifle from upstairs.

More commotion was heard, as she came back down. Lauren was hiding her face, so Maxine took a look. She saw Mr. Wilson, or the shell of him anyway, stumbling about and attacking people. Max's eyes locked onto the scene, as Edward jumped and then tackled him to the ground. He got a scratch in the midst of the fighting, it didn't take him long to snap Mr. Wilson's neck. He saw what was left of Mr. Wilson's face and grew disgusted by himself. He struck down one of the elderly neighbors without a second thought. His pondering was short-lived, as the scratch resulted in such painful consequences. Lauren screamed and Maxine held her mom with one arm and the rifle in the other, as Edward died.

But when there was movement and he started to rise once more, Lauren smiled. "Oh, Edward! I know he couldn't be dead! He wouldn't leave us like that!" she exclaimed, breaking away from Maxine and rushing to the door. "Mom! Don't go to him! It's not what you think!" Maxine yelled, but she slipped out already. Maxine headed after her, in time to see her mother's jaw drop - realizing that Max was right. What was left of Edward then lunged at Lauren, claiming her throat. Maxine aimed the gun and fired, hitting her father in the head and her mother as well. Max's heart seemed to shatter at that moment, but knew what she had to do. They weren't her parents anymore.

After she burned the bodies, she set off in her car to get back to her girlfriend and then find Emily. Maxine needed them next to her. That way, she'll be sure that they're safe and sound. She won't stop until they are.

ROLEPLAY EXAMPLE:

For the first time this month, Miss Maggie Lane has the whole night to herself. She finished up all her work by about 5 o'clock and her boss decided to let her slip away, not putting another load onto what's already her heavy workload. It's been a little while since the encounter with the male creeper and the Tool Man, also known as Tycho. Maggie couldn't help but to bite her lip at the thought of him. Sure, he has the ability to annoy her senseless..though he is indeed attractive. It's been quite a while since Maggie has had a man's touch upon..well, every part of her. She inhaled slow and deep. Her male co-workers had been very apologetic since she told them. A couple of them have taken up the role of escort and would make sure she gets onto her bike, safe. It was sweet, though a bit annoying. But mostly..sweet.

Maggie had the brief thought that maybe..she could slip past without a scrap of notice. But that thought in particular..was short-lived. Maggie was spotted and jokingly lectured for trying to sneak away. She smiled and nodded, jokingly swearing that she'll never do it again. Within all of that joking, the guy was also being serious. Well, protective of a fellow co-worker. They moved on and chatted until they reached her bike. He bidded her farewell and went back inside.

The bike roared to life underneath her and Maggie chuckled. She loved having her bike, though it sucked during the winter...when she needed to put it away. Every time she tucks it away, Maggie can't help but to think "No one puts Baby in a corner." It was one of Maggie's most favorite films of all time. Maggie rode from work, making her way to the gym in town. She was in the mood for a swim, good thing that the gym has an indoor pool in its facility. When she pulled in, Maggie hopped off and headed inside. And before too long, she was changed into her suit. Ready to dive right in.

The pool was quiet tonight, which suited her fine. Most of the evening gym-goers are busy with weights. She smiled, sliding into the water. A sigh slipped past her lips, enjoying the feel of water around her. Maggie inhaled slow and deep, before starting the first of many laps around the pool. She felt..free.

PLANS:
Be reunited with both her sister Emily and her girlfriend Vivian - Stay safe with fellow survivors and destroy all the zombies she can find..

ANYTHING ELSE?: None at the moment

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

GO BY: Jules
ROLEPLAY LEVEL: normal maybe? Been playing for 3-4 years now
HOW DID YOU FIND US?: an ad on another site
PASSWORD: *****
TIME ZONE: Eastern Standard

[/size]
[/blockquote]

[Max Guevara]

fill out the face claim and begin playing!