Tescoh "Tez" Topping's Questionnaire

I live in North Vancouver, in a small cabin on the property of a... Friend. I live here because it's where I grew up, and, flawed as it is, it's home. Technically, I grew up in Langley, but it's close enough that I would consider it Vancouver - although some Vancouverites might not. At least it's not, like, Surrey. It's also relatively close to The University of British Columbia, where I study criminal law. (Specifically, I study at the Peter A. Allard School of Law, but that's rather pointless to clarify.) For most of my life, everything I could need has been here, and while there's a handful of things I want for, my basic needs are taken care of. For now, that will have to do.

I'm studying for my Juris Doctor, but with scholarships and the absurd amount of money my parents squirreled away for university, I still have quite a bit of money on hand. None that I can really use, but in an emergency, I'm not without resources. My expenditures are mostly tuition, since my housing is taken care of, and I usually try to live as cheaply as possible. Obviously, I could live more lavishly, and while the temptation is there, I don't really see the point. Most of my free time is spent studying or doing other things related to schooling, although I could probably get a part-time job if I *really* needed more money. I don't, though.

My ambition, currently, is to dismantle first-past-the-post voting. Everywhere. I feel it is not discussed how much more inferior it is compared to rated or even ranked voting systems. There is a reason for this. Just in Canada, there have been several motions to change the voting system, but they have never passed. This is because the big political parties know that if it is passed, they're finished. Many people want to vote for the underdog candidates whose policies are much more preferable, but can't - for fear of splitting their vote too much and handing power to someone they *really* don't want to have. Changing the voting system would allow these smaller parties to implement the changes they want - or at the very least, have an actual say in government affairs, since people will be comfortable voting for them. I already mean to achieve this via mundane means, but supernatural ability will speed up the process. While I can't confirm how willing I am to harm others in order to succeed - after all, I'm trying to do good - I can say that I will push myself as far as I need to. I am a vessel for my goals, but I can't say the same for others, and will not force my whims onto them.

I can't really say I've had anything particularly defining. My sibling left home very shortly after we finished secondary school, but that was probably more impactful for them or even my parents than me. To be honest, it's been pretty smooth cruising since I gained awareness. I've always had what I needed, and never really had much to strive for. I think Mich looks unfavorably upon me for how easy things seem to come to me, and while I can't fault their resentment I do think that they might overestimate me a tad. I am very naturally gifted in dialogue, but their need to practice has allowed them to actually improve. I try, but somewhere along the line I forgot to learn how to learn, and it is quickly catching up with me.

Brozuri Acrinde is an old friend that I recently reconnected with. They moved away in fifth grade and only recently moved back to the lower mainland. I wouldn't say we're particularly close, if we ever were, but they're someone I speak with frequently now.

Violeta Pollock is a classmate that has somehow managed to be in nearly every single one of my classes for the past 5 years, despite her supposedly working on a completely unrelated degree. I'd be concerned that she was doing it on purpose if she didn't seem to go out of her way to criticize me at every turn. Still, she studies hard, and is reliable for notes when I need to miss class.

Jean Kashofa would the one I am closest to, geographically, at least. In truth, I know little about him besides what I can glean by talking to his houseguests that he always seems to have over. He allows me to live in a cabin on his expansive property, which is appreciated, as it means I have that much more money to save for things that don't cost infinitely more than they should. He seems to gain some sort of pleasure from watching me thrive off his money. I would hesitate to call him a sugar daddy, as our relationship is more like an absentee parent trying to make up for being gone for 20 years than something sexual. Not that I'd know anything about either of those things. He looks younger than me.

My childhood was fine. A little uneventful, perhaps. I've always been rather capable, but have struggled to build on skills - so while in my younger years I was quite the star student, I rather quickly dropped in grades as the difficulty ramped up over the years. My parents were perhaps too accustomed to me being self-sufficient, and struggled to give the help I needed when my grades began to slip. I've nothing against them, and I do love them, but they were not cut out for parenting - though I've found that few are, so perhaps I shouldn't complain. I certainly wasn't cut out to parent my sibling. I wouldn't say I "fit in", but the way the question is worded seems to ask whether I was an outcast - I was not. I've always had an uncanny way with people, and was able to use that to avoid ostracization. Overall, I'd say my childhood was fairly run-of-the-mill, if a little too unrestricted, perhaps.

I don't see how that's wholly relevant. And while it's neither any of your business nor related to Contracts in the slightest, I'll tell you the answer is no. I must admit that I struggle with sociopathic tendencies due to the ease at which I am able to manipulate people. Obviously, I know that people *are* people, deserving of respect and recognition - but when they're so easy to read, so easy to sway - it's hard to remember that. I imagine that if I were to develop a romantic attraction to someone, it would be a person able to resist my unearthly charisma - and someone with a damn good poker face.

I try not to allow fear to affect me in significant ways. I've found that a lack of confidence is generally what makes people struggle with persuasion - if you act like you're right, then people will generally assume you are. Of course, I still have fears - dying, for instance. Not particularly wanting to do that. I doubt I need to explain why. Most of my influence relies on being outside of open confrontation - in an actual fight, I'm more inclined to flee than engage. I don't particularly like hurting people, either, which does lead me to question why I was even chosen in the first place. My strong force of will, perhaps? Either way, my only real weapons are my wits and charm, which aren't especially effective against a mid-flight bullet. I suppose I fear losing control. Not of myself, but of my surroundings. I rely much on the stability of my environment, and when I can't keep things in a favourable setting, I begin to stumble. Over my words, my thoughts, my feet - just a whole lot of getting in my own way. That's why I prefer to deal with things diplomatically - because I'm good at it, but also because it's less volatile.

Evidently, none of them.

When I graduated with my degree in political sciences, my mother presented me with a steel bracer she made herself. She runs the smithy in the Fort Langley National Historical Site, a remnant of the Hudson Bay Company's fur-trading days. It is engraved with my initials, "TT", and is the only object I would consider myself to prize. I go through all hoops necessary to ensure I can have it at all times, and wear it as often as possible. I don't know why, really. My mother isn't exactly someone I'm incredibly close to, nor is the bracer an item I covet. The value should be entirely sentimental, except I doubt my mother even knows how often I wear it. I don't even like it, to be honest, but I get a deep, sinking feeling when I'm without it, so I've adapted.

Maybe it's cursed. I doubt it, but it would be pretty funny.