Cynthia

An ever-present nuisance in the shape of an elderly woman.

## Description

#### Personality

Cynthia is very outgoing, much to the chagrin of anyone she speaks to. She is deeply invested in the survival of Granton and the well-being of those she considers friends, but her demeanor towards those she deems suspicious is far from friendly. She prefers to share only what information is absolutely necessary whenever possible. Between what seems to be a healthy paranoia and distrust for strangers, exceptional nosiness, and an unwillingness to take "no" for an answer, Cynthia is an ever-present thorn in the side of many a Granton resident.

#### Appearance

Cynthia is a wiry older woman of average height. Her wardrobe largely consists of a variety of A-line dresses last popular in the 1950s, black flats (occasionally replaced with a pair of steel-toed army boots), and her signature cat-eye glasses. Prior to Episode 11, she was also seldom seen without her faithful umbrella, which was imbued with a protective enchantment.

#### Capabilities

Cynthia has demonstrated a significant capacity for doing the impossible, and in all likelihood is not entirely human. She is beholden to what appears to be a book, through which Cynthia receives instructions it wishes her to carry out and punishments should she fail in her duty. Along with her book, she has also previously produced orbs of light, healed wounds, created fire and rock out of nothing, and, most recently, teleported.

## Relationships

#### The Book

Cynthia has a somewhat rocky relationship with her "boss" thus far. It regularly contacts her with instructions on what she must accomplished, and has been upset when Cynthia has failed to follow through successfully. Its motives are largely inscrutable to her, but it has demonstrated a desire for her to protect the town. Thus, Cynthia's faith in the Book largely stems from blind trust that it acts in her neighbor's best interests in the long term.

#### Tom di Pasqua

Cynthia considers Tom a good friend of hers. She has inserted herself as something of a grandmotherly presence in his life, regularly checking in to make sure all is well with him. The two often have dinner together, a habit started while Tom was still recovering from his accident. However, since the Millstream incident, Cynthia has been increasingly concerned by Tom's actions, as she feels he is putting both himself and everyone in Granton at risk in his pursuit of answers.

#### Milo McCrery

Cynthia's first introduction to Milo was an instruction to keep an eye on him from the Book. Their relationship has always been strained, as Cynthia has tacitly and explicitly made it her goal to impede Milo's investigations, yet also expressed interest in his continued well-being. How much of Cynthia's interest in Milo is genuine versus driven by her duty is up for debate, but it's enough that these two can never truly let their guard down around each other.

#### Frank Smith

Frank is quite possibly Cynthia's least-favorite person in Granton. Every conversation she has with Frank is loaded with backhanded comments and less-than-subtle insults, and each shares a mutual distaste for the other. For her part, Cynthia regards Frank as a bad infulence on the youth of Granton and a generally slovenly person. However, when danger is nigh, Frank is one of the few people Cynthia trusts to keep a cool head, and the two have bailed Tom and Milo out of trouble on more than one occasion.

#### Lorna Crawford

Perhaps Cynthia's healthiest relationship, Lorna is one of the few people (if not the only person) who has Cynthia's full trust. The two were friends through the Granton Ladies' Knitting Club and have kept close since. Lorna and Cynthia both call on each other for assistance with the supernatural. After Ella-Rose's death, Lorna saved Cynthia from bleeding out from her injuries, though promised to call in a favor at a later date.

#### Ella-Rose Carpenter

Cynthia was quite concerned for Ella-Rose, due to her constant nervousness and unwillingness to accept Cynthia's offers of help. However, her ill-fated visit after learning of Ray Carpenter's murder ended with Cynthia killing her with her own gun.

## History

Cynthia has been in Granton for a *very* long time. Her own past is something she prefers not to discuss, but if pressed will share tales from her childhood in Granton in the 50's. She is particularly secretive and vague about things such as her age, how long she has been in Granton, what exactly her goals are, and so forth. However, Frank Smith and Tom di Pasqua have managed to get some information out of her on this subject. What is clear about Cynthia is that she has been in Granton for more than a century, though not always "awake" during that time. The last time she was awake was during the 1950s. The present Cynthia has been awake for no more than a decade or so, and has become a notable, if not particularly well-liked, presence in Granton.

## Trivia

* Cynthia's hot beverage of choice is black decaf coffee.
* Regardless of the weather, she always carries an umbrella with her.
* Her Book prefers to manifest its will through silty river water.
* Milo taught Cynthia how to text, though she much prefers calling.
* Cynthia opposed the introduction of the automobile in the region during the 1920s.