Cecelia von Klausovich

Name: Cecelia von Klausovich

Occupation: Gentlewoman

Place of Birth:

Vienna, Austria.

Current Residence:

Vienna, Austria.

Appearance:

A tall, stunningly attractive brunette.

Childhood:

Daughter of a diplomat in the foreign service of the Austro-Hungarian empire posted to various nations in New Europa.

Education:

The best girls schools in New Europa, finishing school in Switzerland, university in Vienna.

Virtue:

Good humour and discretion.

Vice:

Gullible and easily taken-in by tall stories.

Style:

Colourful but modest.

Personality:

Friendly and easy going.

Likes:

Travel and exotic places, good company.

Dislikes:

Vulgar and ostentatious shows of emotion.

Most valued principle:

Good and lasting friendships.

Most treasured possession:

Most valued person:

At the present moment, Sir Sebastian Thomas.

Nemesis:

Alliances:

Romantic Life:

Currently the lover of Sir Sebastian Thomas, though she is under no illusion about the permanence of the relationship.

Social Goal:

Professional Goal:

To continue serving the royal house of Austria-Hungary, perhaps as a lady-in-waiting at court.

Romantic Goal:

Has no explicit goal other than to enjoy life (and love) as it comes.

Abilities:

Great - Comeliness Good - Charisma , Education , Performance , Physician , Social Graces Poor - Courage , Marksmanship

Action most regretted:

Proudest moment:

Being employed as a companion to the Princess Victoria.

Hits:

4

Damage Taken:

The Memoirs of Cecilia von Klausovich

Father was a diplomat in the service of our country, while mother was a demimondaine, so I travelled widely in my early years as our family was posted from one capital of New Europa to another. London, Paris, Berlin: we lived a few years in each city and then moved on. Naturally I was sent to the best schools in each country where we lived, but I must confess that my tuition was constantly being disrupted as we moved on and I started again in a new school. However, I believe that I received a more rounded education as a result of the differing cultures in each country where we lived. Only when I reached the age of seventeen and was sent to a finishing school in Switzerland, and then attended the University of Vienna, did I find any constancy in my life.

Though he had served his country for many years, father was never wealthy; the pension he received on his retirement from the foreign service was adequate to keep both him and my mother in a respectable style, but not sufficient to provide for me. It was not unexpected. I had always known that I would need to find some employment once my education was finished, or marry, but I had never met a man of means for whom I cared. And so I became a lady's companion. Wealthy women, typically single and of more advanced years, would pay me to accompany them on vacation. My fluency in several New Europan languages, my education and my knowledge of foreign cultures and history ensured that my services were regularly in demand; and I believe that the ladies I escorted enjoyed my company.

My most recent employment brought great honour and prestige to my family. I was a companion to the Princess Victoria while she convalesced at a secluded hunting lodge in the forest near Vienna. The poor woman had become delusional after an expedition to the comet that recently threatened to strike the earth. Although my lady was instrumental in averting the disaster, the horrors that she witnessed there drove all memories of childhood from her mind, and she no longer even remembered that she was a princess of the royal line of Austria. For the sake of her reputation, the family had cloistered her in seclusion at the hunting lodge while the best doctors in the land sought to restore her mind. Not that she was insane, merely delusional, believing herself to be no more than a common peasant. My role was to serve as a companion, reading to the Princess, playing the piano for her, and talking with her during the long, dark evenings.

That is how I met our host, Sir Sebastian, who had also been on that same fateful expedition; and regularly called upon my lady as she recovered through the cold, dreary months of Winter. Of course, every visit was clandestine in nature: if the Emperor or his guards had ever learned about these meetings, they would have hounded the Englishman from the country. Not that there was anything improper in his behaviour toward the princess, I hasten to add: I was always with them when they were together. His presence was a breath of fresh air in the dreary atmosphere of the lodge as he regaled us with colourful tales of life in the vibrant capitals of New Europa. I know that Princess Victoria looked forward to his appearance each evening, as indeed did I. Indeed, after I had seen the my lady to her bedchamber, he and I would talk long into the night and sometimes the first light of dawn was breaking before he took his leave. Though my face reddens even as I write this in the privacy of my diary, in the space of a few short weeks he and I had become lovers.

I know that I am not the only woman in his life. Indeed, he is engaged to a young lady from Britain, though their relationship is a closely guarded secret because her father bears a strong enmity toward my English noble. In time we will go our separate ways; but when that day comes I am certain that we shall remain close friends.