Vanessa Grieves

That one white-haired chick that's used to getting asked, "Hey, how old are you?". Vanessa Grieves is a retired character, and former Outcast HR known for her distinct look and relaxed persona. She's now part of Thirlcrest Academy's graduated class of 2008, and prior to her graduation, was offered a record deal after her work was passed on and recommended by a friend. She now lives out a budding career as a recording artist and is going to community college part-time, planning to earn a degree in music technology. 
==Appearance==
Possessing a naturally curly, dark blonde, full head of hair, she eventually got bored; deciding with the heavy affluence of stars such as lead vocalists, Gwen Stefani and Debbie Harry, 12-year-old Van dyed it platinum with a cheap jar of Manic Panic for the first time. A mixture of being too unsupervised to do what she wanted and a consuming need to express herself outwardly had played well in her favor. Of course, part of it all was also because of the artists she idolized at the time, but the ability to style her hair was only the beginning. From blue, to pink, to purple, or black with gray streaks, she found it fun! ..Even if the rough dye job made her an easy target to be picked on at school.
Her style's inspired by New Wave and Punk. Nowadays, Vanessa dons long, pure white locks straightened to a crisp in the Manic Panic shade “Virgin Snow”. Wearing a heavy black cat wings at the corners and drugstore Kohl liner to accentuate the top waterline of her sharp blue eyes, she likes to curl her lashes and coat them the same shade with a bit of black mascara. The rest of her makeup routine just consists of Burt's Bees lip balm, combed brows, and light perfume. Standing at 5'5" and 113lbs, she has a bit of a lanky figure and an oval-shaped face. Vanessa's facial features are somewhat defined, framed by gracefully arched brows, like her jaw and cheekbones. Her hands have callouses and blisters derived from long hours of guitar playing. Her style depends on her mood, but she's into long or short skirts and romantic, flowy-sleeved shirts, low-rise jeans, chunky belts, accessories, and leather. 
==Characteristics==
Vanessa heavily values the spirit of the individual, being that individuality is what she correlates to "true freedom". However, this is ironic because she reluctantly plays a part within the Academy's social hierarchy that promotes conformity. The severe bullying she used to face as a non-clique and her cousin, Violet, eventually pushed her to at least join something. It just so happened that The Outcasts were the closest thing she could find to like-minded spirits; a group that accepted her for who she was, rather than attempt to change her. Interested in a multitude of stuff, she's played around with hobbies, but has really only stuck to one or two things. She's creative and passionate about her interests, and also somewhat of a pacifist. Physical violence isn't what she would resort to unless she thought it necessary, as she tries her best to get along and to be patient with others. Most of the time, she's cool-headed, friendly and accepting. The ridicule she's faced has made her a little sour toward the wrong people, judgmental, and well-guarded of herself and her buddies. Going to parties and planning them are one of her favorite things to do. She's unafraid of a crowd. If anything, she thrives off wild, care-free energy. Performing in front of one doesn't change a lot either. The lack of parental attention she received as a kid made her fond of being heard and seen, so whenever she's given the opportunity, she soaks up the spotlight like a sponge submerged in water. What's she's been through has done a number on how she deals with her emotions, but it's thickened her skin, and now she seeks nothing but to make the most out of it by enjoying the time she has with little regard of what others may think. 
Finding a relationship isn't her top priority. If it happens, it happens. She doesn't like to force anything. Although, she's a bit of a hopeless romantic: flirtatious, giving, and head over heels once she's fallen for the right person. Her love runs deep enough to where she can be easily manipulated, and shocker—it hasn't done her love life any sort of good. She's attracted too many ill-intended guys then and now; many of which have left her questioning whether or not she's meant to find "the one". Her past history with her ex-boyfriend back in New Orleans, along with her own poor decisions and bad habits, landed her from a bottomless pit and right into Thirlcrest's clutches. He broke up with her two months into her transfer. Last she's heard about him; a friend back home mentioned the idiot was incarcerated. It's safe to say she dodged a bullet. 
While she tries to get along with people she can vibe with, she'll make her dislike for you no secret. The way she handles anger is admittedly petty, unrefined, and immature. Her temperament brings out the spiteful and irrational side of her that she isn't too proud of. She'll do one thing, thinking it's the right move at the time, before flipping to a one-eighty. To get a rise out of the people she hates with a fiery passion, her actions toward them will be done out of pure spite—but that's only when you really test her. She won't want to waste time when she could be spending her precious minutes hanging with either her close friends or enjoying her own company. Vanessa has a lax approach to responsibility. If she's struggling with her homework, she'll take her time to run through the material again; if she's overwhelmed, there's no harm or fowl to pause to breathe. However, she's highly committed to doing right beside the people that decide to support her. It leads her to be a little too on top of it, deterring her from what actually matters as she stresses over stuff that doesn't. She's interested about the future, about life beyond High School, and likes to think about what she plans on doing the moment she graduates. What lays ahead is what's more important to her. It makes her feel more hopeful that—while being considered a part of one of the lowest echelons of the academy hierarchy, therefore thought of to be little deserving of respect—she at least has the next phase of her life to look forward to. 
==Character Background==
=== My Generation - Chapter 1 ===
Vanessa was primarily raised by her loving uncle, who took on the parental role that his older sister (her mother) and brother-in-law (her father) should have. She lived with her mother and father for a brief period of time, forced to watch their relationship slowly crumble; the two decided to split when she was 5 years old, mainly over financial implications. She was tossed between the two, then one day, her uncle came to "visit" and his role as caretaker became permanent. She moved in with him and her parents eventually moved on with their lives, started new families, had new children... All while leaving their kid behind, and left feeling forgotten. Over the years, Vanessa forgot about them too. She felt that her uncle was enough, all the family that she needed. With no children or partner of his own, only a crusty record store to look after, his niece became his world. They had each other, and he vowed to provide her what her parents couldn't: A decent childhood.
Her uncle was a part of the late 80's and 90's punk scene, and it showed through his eccentric sense of style, taste in music, and bit of his demeanor. He ingrained the values Vanessa lives by today, encouraging her free-spirit and personal flair. The two bonded over sub-culture, music, and late-night drives downtown. Whatever it is Vanessa knows about guitar, music theory and artists, her uncle's the one she credits. 
==Relationships==
=== Tyler Ruddock - ???, Friend ===
===Damon Castillo - Friend, Former Love Interest===
To say that their relationship was "troubled" would be an understatement. Vanessa was once incredibly head-over-heels with one of her childhood best friends, Damon Castillo, ...and let's just say it panned out for the worst. Finding herself in a self-destructive cycle of constant arguing, disloyalty, and toxicity, she lost any hope at salvaging what they used to have. In her many attempts to try and solely win over Damon's affection, she realized that if he actually did love her, she wouldn't be an option; she wouldn't have to constantly second-guess his love for her; she would be his first and only choice. They've managed to maintain a sort of friendship; however, Vanessa usually keeps her distance. 
===Bryn Haubricke - Best Friend===
A confidant and a kindred spirit; Vanessa believes Bryn to be a one-of-a-kind friend that she'd truly do anything for. While they might've gone through the worst of the worst, and might have each went silent in each other's lives for a period of time, their friendship has remained intact. She respects Bryn for his creative talent in writing and art, overwhelming kindness, generosity, patience, and gentleness. He's had a massive influence on her, as she continues to strive to better herself as a person. If you decide to mess with Bryn, prepare to feel Vanessa's wrath.
===Ram Crawlford - Best Friend===
They may not hang out as much as she'd like to, but Vanessa cherishes the times they're able to catch up and enjoy each other's company. Ram's like an older brother, kind-hearted and sweet, and someone she can count on.
===Suzie M. Lockett - Best Friend===
Finding her both sweet, optimistic, and overall kind-hearted, Vanessa finds herself grateful to have come across Suzie. She's proud of the accomplishments she's made, which includes her 2007, Winter Ball campaign. Despite the fact she lost in a rigged election (if you'd even call it that), running while knowing full-well of the odds of success made Vanessa see her in a very respectable light. Not that she didn't respect her before, but it's something that takes a lot of guts. From her sweet and gentle nature, to her fashion, Vanessa's glad to call her a friend that she'll always be willing to support. Over time, she's grown to view Suzie as a little sister and enjoys her little mischievous endeavors, even if she can get a little out of hand.
=== Bowie Rockets - Friend ===
=== Heatherly Madison - Friend ===
=== Jacob Behrn - Friend ===
Chill, has great vocal talent and has a taste in music that Vanessa can only respect. They don't hang out as much, but she treasures the conversations they've had over text. She appreciates the times he's been there for her.
===Alton O'Brien - Friend===
Vanessa was a not-so-squeaky-clean face amongst the student body when she was first introduced to members of The Outcast clique. Being a "nonnie" long overdue for her choosing of a group to cling to throughout what was left of her High School career, Alton O'Brien happened to be a face that convinced her that maybe... being a part of a clique wasn't so bad? Maybe not everybody at this school only cared about popularity, power, and just wanted to simply breeze through it all straight-up chilling? All thanks to a mutual friend, that's the impression Vanessa had on Alton the first they met, and she was here for the good vibes the other Outcasts exuded; the type of free energy she longed for while trapped in an environment kind of hardcore (not in a good way). She sees Alton as cool, laidback, obsessed with Nirvana to where she wouldn't be surprised if he'd ask for their hand in marriage, and respects both his music taste and him as the down-to-earth, good person he is. She appreciates their conversations, and his check-ins, like asking how she is and if she's okay. Alton's someone she can relate to and is able to confide in at her very lowest. Vanessa aims to treat him with the same kindness he's shown her by actively being there for him. Because he's part of the reason why she was given the opportunity, she does her best upholding her newly found responsibilities within the Show Master department to prove that she was worth the advocacy. Despite popular belief that Alton's "weak", she sees him strong in his own way, as strength is not only measured by physical prowess, but heart as well.
===Delilah Morrows - Friend===
Vanessa respects her grit, confidence, and determination.
== Chapters ==
=== Track I: ===
== Albinosaurus' Quotes ==
== Totally Tubular Stuff ==
* Inspired off of several book characters.
* She has a pet Pitbull named "Moloch, Destroyer of Bloodlines & Harbringer of Destruction" that she bought off from a clique member (Jimmy Ferguson).
* Her color palette consists of cool-tone blues, purples and grays. Red's her least favorite color on the planet.
* The outfits she wears are of thrifted items she upcycled herself.
* She knows how to sew, craft clothing, and style hair fairly well.
* Her electric guitar's a revamped G&L Tribute Legacy.
* Vanilla Bourbon (n09) is her signature perfume scent.
* A little too obsessed with The Strokes.
* Her online alias is the title of the first Stroke song she's ever listened to, 12:51. It has a nostalgic value to her.
* She's a silver jewelry gal.
Category:Characters