1) What's your heritage?
The other kind of white Anglo-Saxon protestant. The poor kind.
2) What would your parents say about you?
Charming, intelligent, beautiful. Wilful, childish, innocent.
3) What historical events does your character remember?
Cat was a bit 'dreamy' when she was young, so a lot of major events pretty much passed her by. She was more interested in what was happening in the art world than the real world. For the last 10 years, following the news has been a mandatory part of her education, with essays having to be written on major pieces of news and classes sometimes being diverted to discuss some obscure news article which her teachers decided was interesting. Now it's just a habit, she tries to stay informed.
4) How did you get into shadowrunning, and why?
I was a corporate wife, but my husband died suddenly and the corporation he worked for denied me my pension. They politely offered to find me a new husband. I demurred.
5) What is your living space like?
Simply decorated in subtle colours with as much light and life as I can afford. Ideally I'd like it to be an island of tranquility, but in my parents house in Auburn this is pretty difficult! I'm going to move out to somewhere nicer as soon as I have enough money.
6) What are your beliefs / convictions (if any) and why do you hold them?
Life is an experience to be enjoyed in as many aspects as it can be without surrendering to hedonism and moral decline. I was born to a lower class family with a socialist bent. I guess I've been given a taste of the freedom money can buy you, and now I have a taste of the freedom being outside of mainstream corporate society can buy you. I'm hoping to combine them both without losing myself. Drink responsibly
7) what do you think is your most annoying / worst trait?
I prefer Art over utility. Sometimes this has a cost in the real world. I also have a habit of getting my own way which can lead to an expectation, if I'm not careful about myself.
What megacorp do you like the most? the Least? Why?
Corporations are corporations. I don't 'like' or 'dislike' them. Some tread the moral line more than others, so I approve of their actions more. Some disregard the line, which I disapprove of, but I at least admire their honesty! Is that too philosophical?
9) How did you come to know your contacts?
Some are childhood friends, most are people I've met through the opportunities my education provided. A few are from my husbands corporation. Fewer still are new friends I've made since my husband died. I make friends easily, I guess!
10) What do you do on a day off?
I paint, I draw, I listen to music, I read books, I visit people, I socialise, I flirt, I have sex. I enjoy board games, matrix games, street races, sports, fighting. I wasn't taught to find anything boring or to spend my time idly.
11) How did you come to learn your skills at your present proficiency?
Nature and Nurture. Corporations are good at making perfect high society wife material. Couple that with my childhood upbringing in Auburn and I'm set in most situations!
12) Are there any moral limits on what jobs you take or things you'll do?
I don't want to kill people. I'll happily separate rich people or stupid people from their money, but I draw the line at doing the same with their lives.
13) How do you view magic / technomantic abilities?
People have talents, which they use as best they can. The trick is to be the one channeling those abilities to do what you want.
14) How do you view augmentation / implantation?
One talent is knowing how to maximise your strengths and minimise your weaknesses. The tools you use are entirely your own choice. Some people find them crude and ugly, but there is beauty to be found in everything, it's just a matter of perspective.
15) What do you think of ordinary life and those who live it?
Ordinary doesn't exist. Everyones life is unique. We shouldn't assume because someone works a 40 hour week for 'the man' that they are somehow dull and uninteresting!
16) What would be a bad nightmare for you? Any deep-rooted fears? Why is it so frightening to you?
I fear losing myself. I fear insanity and a loss of mind. I don't fear age for the superficial reasons, but I'm definitely terrified of dementia. We couldn't afford the anti dementia drugs for Grandma and it wasn't a good time watching her decline. Most days she couldn't remember her name, but some days she seemed to forget who she was, become violent or confused, lash out at those she loved and who loved her. It wasn't pleasant.
17) What is your 'sacred object' or 'close one', and how did they become so important to you?
My art materials and sketch books. Some I've had since I was 10, some are real, some are synthetic, but they document so much of my life, my ideas, my memories. I draw and paint A LOT, so most things end up in there. I'd be devastated if I lost them all!
18) What did you want to become as a child, and what are your goals now?
I wanted to be a great Artist, to paint beautiful pictures and inspire others to produce beautiful things. I still enjoy painting, but I'm not Artist. Now I want to get enough money together to live my own life. want to be truly independent.
19) What does your character look like, and what inspired her choices?
I like to change my look often. I try and combine my clothes into as many different styles and fashions as I can, so there's not one look. I dye my hair frequently, sometimes several times a week, and I have several sets of coloured contacts and I've even used some short term feature changing treatments to try out different looks. I love to surprise people and myself with changes to myself. That said, God gave me good bone structure, I work out to keep trim and the corporation gave me that perfect American smile and some other minor 'upgrades'. These I don't plan on changing!
20) How did you get your street name?
It's a contraction of Catherine, but I like the connotations of grace and beauty. Call me vain!