Thread: Onyx Landing Character Thread

Character Name Julia Barrow Aliases Jules Gender Female Profession Newspaper EditorPress OperatorTypesetter Apparent age 25 Appearance Despite being the younger of the Barrow sisters, Jules towers over Jess at six feet tall, and with muscles that have been hand-pressing papers for thirteen years she cuts quite the intimidating figure. Rarely able to find women's clothes that fit or look proper on her brawny frame, Jules prefers to wear mens shirts and trousers for comfort and function but dreams of one day owning a silk gown like she saw in a dressmaker's shop back in Chicago. Her one vanity is her thick red hair, which she refuses to cut or even wear up, instead preferring to wear it in messy braids like a schoolgirl. Years of traveling under the sun haven't been kind to her complexion her face and arms are covered with freckles, along with the occasional flecks of ink that come with spending all day at a printing press. When she can be found outside of the office, she tends to hunch her posture a great deal and look as small and unobtrusive as possible, usually failing in the process. Personality Despite being an intimidating-looking woman with her height and flaming red hair, on the inside Jules is a scared girl following her sister's lead even if it means being dragged all over the west. She's far too shy to be a proper reporter and actually talk to people, and is most comfortable in a newspaper office, editing stories or setting type. She even enjoys working the press, even though she knows it's not a ladylike thing to do. In her heart, she truly wishes she could just be a pretty housewife raising her children someplace quiet and peaceful, but feels that even if she were good looking and in her own mind, she considers herself quite hideous and almost unloveable she would be forsaking her family's dream of running the paper, and can't bare to disappoint her father or her sister. Recent history When Mr. and Mrs. Barrow decided to retire, Jules had a strong desire to go with them to Toronto and start fresh, but at her sister's pleading and her father's hinting she decided to travel with Jess instead, operating the printing press during their many failed ventures. With no other reliable help, Jules is the technical backbone of the paper, but has often suggestedfruitlesslyto bring on an apprentice or two to help in the process. She also handles much of the day-to-day operations of her and her sister's life looking after their horses and wagons, finding lodging, and doing most of the cooking for the pair. Notable relationships Jules adores her parents, but has never felt as though she could live up to her prettier, more outgoing older sister. While she does harbor some secret resentments for Jess, she also relies on her to make the paper a success, and believes that without her big sister she would never survive on her own. Despite having suffered a romantic disappointment in the past, Jules longs to fall in love, marry, and have children, but doesn't feel as though she could until she knows Jess is secure in her career and pursuits. Strengths, talents, and points of pride Along with her obvious physical strength, Jules is also remarkably detail-oriented and even something of a perfectionist when it comes to the paper. She's also extremely kind and affectionate with those she knows well, although it takes a while for someone to break through her shell. Her secret talent is cooking, and she also has a knack with horses. Weaknesses, detriments, and points of improvement Jules is painfully shy and awkward, and finds it difficult to even look strangers in the eye if her sister isn't with her. She might be strong, but she isn't a fighter by nature, and is hesitant to start throwing punches if a fight breaks out, even if Jess urges her on. The only person she ever turns her anger on is herself, often muttering her inadequacies under her breath as she runs the press. What makes your skin crawl? Noises in the dark, and fire What are your secrets? She was unabashedly in love with Seneca Ford, the freedman typesetter on her father's paper, even losing her virginity to him before he died. Jess has no idea the relationship went so far, and considering Jules has never been with anyone since then, assumes she's still a virgin. How strong is your faith? Jules is more religious than most people expect. It isn't so much that she believes in one specific interpretation of God, but she does have strong morals tell the truth, don't steal, don't harm others, help people in need, don't be greedy that she stubbornly sticks to even when it inconveniences her sister or their paper. If she's feeling particularly brave, she's even been known to lecture Jess if she acts in ways that go against her moral code, although for anyone else she's satisfied silently passing judgement and avoiding them at all costs. Julia Barrow was born in Chicago to a newspaper man and his wife, and her entire childhood was a noisy one. Because she grew quickly, she was often teased or challenged by other children looking for a fight, and came to rely on her older sister Jess as her fiery, loudmouthed protector. She also found friends at her father's paper, where she was often invited to play with type until she was old enough to learn how to run the machines. An avid reader, she also took an early interest in the content of the publication, and would shyly offer feedback to her father who encouraged her editorial skills. When she was a teenager she fell in love with one of the typesetters, but being from different races she knew they had to keep the relationship secret, if not from her parents then at least from the rest of a still-judgmental city. Jules often dreamed of running away with Seneca, but those dreams died when he was killed in the fire that destroyed the paper, and despite her initial desire to hide away from the world and go off to Canada with her parents, she decided she owed it to Jess to help her start a new incarnation of the paper and make it a success. Since then she has often questioned that decision, but hasn't found the courage yet to part ways with her sister, especially not now that they've wandered so far into the wilderness.