Sebastien (Viola) Corgistone

## History

### Starting Out

Viola Corgistone was born in England to some low nobility, alongside a twin brother, Sebastian. Ever since the twins were young, the two of them had a strong desire to show that they could be useful. They truly lived off of the praise that they received whenever they caught the eye of a higher up. The two of them would stick close to their father, tagging along when he was sent on missions from the king. Early on, there were hopes that Viola's brother would one day have his own position within the guards, and perhaps Viola could become a lady for Queen Catherine, or go to France to study with Queen Claude.

And so, the twins became something of a constant presence in the camp of the guards, constantly picking up odd jobs like leather working, mending shirts, or hauling weapons around. Although some people complained about Viola's presence, being that she was a female among a highly male-dominated area, most of them learned to get over themselves after realizing how essential she was. If they were insistent on the Guard Camp being exclusive to the boys, then perhaps they would prefer to mend all of their own uniforms?

It was in the twins' twelfth year that Viola's brother started to achieve his dreams of being a guard. One of the higher ups was sick (or more likely still passed out at the pub), and they needed someone to step in so that the English Guards would not be mocked for being short on men. Instantly, the twins volunteered. After much pleading, and a promise not to cause any trouble, it was decided that Sebastian could at very least wear the tabard of a guard, even if he did not yet have the training of one. Viola, however, was left behind. Still, she supported her brother, helping him learn how to better fit into the new role he was given. Additionally, as he begun being sent out to protect the crown, Viola began stepping up into some of the old roles he used to fill, such as running drills for some of the children who would visit the Guards camp, or talking to the public. She was much more sociable than her brother, though few admitted it.

### Stepping in

But what happens when Sebastian is the one who needs backup? One day, the young man woke with a horrific headache. And although he pleaded that he needed to serve his majesty, everyone told him he would be no use if he could hardly stay on his feet. And so, once again, the guards were in a bind. This time, it was Viola’s turn to come to the rescue. Viola dressed herself in her twin’s tabard, tied his belt around her, and set off. There was no way she was going to let the royalty flounder. Throughout the day, Viola did her best to keep her head low, all the while pretending that she was indeed Sebastian.

This was meant to be a one time fix; a quick solution to a one day problem. And yet, Viola found that she looked forward to the days when her brother would claim to not feel well, or even just tell her that he felt like tagging her in for a day or two. And, truth be told, Viola found that she was actually pretty good at her brother’s job. She already knew most of the duties he performed, as she was his confidante and even his sparring partner. And she could not help but notice that her brother often seemed happier when he had the freedom to go off and do as he chose, something that he was severely lacking when he was the one wearing a tabard. The twins had both found their places, even if they could not make it known.

Then, finally, Sebastian told Viola the truth. He was smitten with a young handmaiden from the French Court. He and Annie had, in secret, made a promise that they would wed, and even had plans to run off to Scotland. There was only one loose end. If the Captain knew what Sebastien was planning, he would never allow it. Sebastien would be accused of treason, and by association, Viola would lose the niche she had worked so hard to create for herself. So now, it was Viola's turn to scheme.

### Plans

Everyone would believe that it was Viola who was going to Scotland, under the guise that she wanted to learn more about far off places, and perhaps find a husband in a place where all the men did not associate her exclusively with hauling weapons and being covered in dirt. Annie and her were good friends as well, so it was not difficult for most people to assume that the two of them would make these sorts of plans together. Then, at the final moment, the twins would switch. Sebastian, dressed in one of his sister's frilliest gowns, would board the ship with his lover, while Viola, now under the guise of 'Sebastien Corgiston' would continue being a guard in his place.

### Slipping Disguises

The plan went off shockingly well, and both twins seemed to be quite happy in their new roles, even if they were technically living what most would consider a lie. There was only one problem. While, in their youth, it was easy for the twins to pass as the other, they had not considered what would happen if and when Viola's body caught up with her aging. And when it did catch up, it was....well endowed. Often, Viola would hear members of the court slipping up, using female pronouns for her, or even calling her ‘the lady guard’. The truth was, they had seen right through ‘Sebastien’. And yet, never once did they confront her.

It turns out, nobody but the twins was entirely sure how long Viola had been stepping in as her brother. What if the two of them had been doing this for years? Nobody was ready to admit that there was even a chance that Viola had successfully fooled them, even for a short while. That would not only make them look foolish, but had to potential to put their own titles at risk if someone suspected that they might have helped the twins in their espionage. Additionally, there were a few of them who felt bad for young Viola. There had been a storm at sea shortly after Sebastian and Annie left, which caused some to believe that Viola's brother was indeed dead. (In truth he and Annie had managed to get pulled onto a fishing boat, and made themselves quite happy in a small highland cottage). If only one twin was left, it was better for it to be Sebastien, right? After all, Sebastien had rank and favor in the guards, while Viola had none of those things.

And so, the court remained quiet, assuming that eventually, young 'Sebastien' would remove 'him'self from the guards by choice, and resume a normal life. However, this was not the case. The next time that Sebastien appeared, it was not only as a guard, but as the personal guard of King Henry himself, and the student of William Carey.

## Appearance

Sebastien is a person of average height, and plump build. They have pale skin, and long red hair, which is often unruly. In the past, they dressed like any other guard, in a red tabard and hat and plain pants. However, unlike most guards, Sebastien often seemed to add a personal flair to their uniform, wearing a bright orange flower in their hat, and pinning favors to their tabard. They also carried a rapier, onto which they would tie ribbons.

More recently, Sebastien has been styling themself closely after their mentor and idol, William Carrey. They wear bright red and black tights, and a double in nearly identical fashion to him, as well as a red and black brocade flat cap. They also acquired a new rapier with a red ribbon wrapped about the handle, finally seeming to unite their two clashing styles.

## Personality

Young Corgistone is a friendly and outgoing person. They enjoy talking to others, and learning new things, as well as passing what knowledge they possess onto children. They are quite exciteable, at times being compared to their family's namesake of a short herding dog puppy. More than anything, they seem to want what is best for the people they care about, though they sometimes fail to see that the world may not be so simple.

As Sebastien has become more established in the court, they have also discovered a new form of confidence, occasionally bordering on being a bit cocky. They know that the king likes them, and they are no longer above using that to their advantage.

## Relationships

### Family

#### Sebastian: Twin Brother

The twins have always been very close, willing to sacrifice anything for the other. The two of them have remained in contact with one another throughout the years that they have been apart, though they have tried to be keep up the ruse that it is Viola who moved to Scotland, and Sebastian who guards the king.

#### Annie DuChamp-Corgistone: Friend & Sister-in-law

Viola and Annie were good friends during their time together in France. Had things gone differently, and the lass not fallen for her brother, Viola could actually have seen herself developing feelings for the young lady, though that would have had to be even more of a secret than the union between Annie and Sebastian.

#### Absinthe: Wife

Following a season of awkward flirting and strange friendship, Absinthe and Sebastien took temporary marriage vows, which were bound by the Papal Pirate. Nobody, not even Sebastien, is sure whether or not Absinthe realized which twin she was getting married to, nor if she really cared.

### Courtly Connections

#### William Carey: Mentor

Sebastien began training with the king's champion fairly recently, using their position as the king's favored guard to try and convince Sir William that they were worthy of his attention. The champion was not immedietly receptive to Sebastien, as he saw the guard as nothing more than a cocky young upstart. However, after running Sebastien through some drills, and discovering that the youngster was genuinely interested in learning from him, Carey began to bend.

#### King Henry

Sebastien is the faithful servant of the king, and his go to person for schemes whilst in the festival of Petit Lyon. The two of them have a strange, unique bond, as Sebastien seems to idolize the King, and his majesty seems to favor Sebastien as more than just another body guard.

## Gallery

Annie and ViolaBATTLE SEBSebastian and the King are bestiesSeb and Suzette try to keep it together as Queen Claude delivers a speech