Evangeline Calloway
Evangeline Calloway
A young, noble lady, Evangeline is a woman readapting from one world to another.
History
Early Life
Evangeline "Evie" Calloway, nee Wroe, was born into a wealthy and aristocratic family in London, England. The second daughter and youngest child of Amelia and Edward Wroe, she grew up in a lavish home with her elder sister, Mercy. Their parents being deeply devout, Edward was the owner of Wroe Shipping Ltd, a company that sent supplies, luxuries and other necessities across many of England's colonies. Unfortunately, neither attempts bore them a son, much to Edward's displeasure. As a result, Evangeline's life was set the moment she was born. As a child, she was deeply curious and attentive, preferring to spend hours in the family's extensive library, or crawling around the lush gardens to examine the flowers and plants that grew there.
Her simple life was short lived, however. Her elder sister had no time for the frivolities or expectations thrust upon her. She violently rejected the lessons of the tutors hired to teach the Wroe sisters: etiquette, dancing, singing and social mannerisms that were vital to succeeding in London's claustrophobic high society. Therefore, the pressure of marrying a Wroe daughter off for social or monetary gain had passed to Evangeline. She endured many lectures, teachings and exercises in performing perfectly. When to smile, who to curtsy to. Any meagre free time she had to herself was spent in the retreat of the library, where she poured over books on all topics, not simply just on female etiquette. Her particular favourites were books on plants and herbs, of their uses and varieties. She would soak up as much information as her brain would allow, eager to learn more about her passion. Although the lessons shortened as she grew, her introduction to society and her subsequent social appearances increased. Slowly but surely, she spent less and less time in her library, more focused on her clothes and her presentation. Although hesitant, she was eager to assist in the growth and preservation of her family name, no matter the consequences.
Later Years
As the years passed, Evie's purpose grew nearer. Her father had arranged a wedding between her and a Lord Thomas Blackwood. Blackwood owned his own shipping company, a rival to Wroe's. The match was due to improve both their social standing and would unite the two companies, increasing profits for both men. Blackwood was known amongst society as a charismatic and graceful man. Exceedingly wealthy, many knew him for his charm and his high standing. To those around him, Blackwood was the perfect example of the pinnacle of English High Society. Behind closed doors however, his true character held much more sinister tones.
As their betrothal had been announced, Evangeline was initially charmed- as many before her- by Blackwood, considering herself lucky to be marrying such a man. But as they spent further time together, especially alone, she soon found that he was incredibly demanding, exceedingly selfish and dismissive. Much to her horror, one evening during a party, she realised that Blackwood did not understand the meaning of the word "No." Shaking him from her, she fled to her family home. Despite her protests and recounts of the events, her parents did not believe her. Even worse, she believed they simply didn't care. Her sister tried to help in the small ways that she could, but their voices were far too small against the volume of support from London's society towards Blackwood. Hearing word of Evangeline's accusations, Blackwood turned the tables, claiming that she was the harlot and procured false reports of infidelity. To Evangeline's horror, they believed him. The wedding was called off, the Wroe family name covered in scandal and ruin. Knowing the anger and ferocity that awaited her at home, Evangeline decided to flee. Breaking into her father's study one night, she stole the contents of money from his safe. Packing what books, clothing and supplies she could, she fled to the London Docks. She found the next ship departing, paid her fee and left, later realising the boat was due to New York.
Arrival To America
Evangeline had no plan, no friends to lean on and only a small amount of money to her name. Arriving as many did to New York in the August of 1898, she spent her first weeks wandering the growing city, or curled up in her tiny hotel room, unsure if she had made the correct choice, or if she had ruined a perfectly good life. The more time she spent away from London, however, the more she began to appreciate her old passions. She poured back over the books she had managed to take, one of them being her old herbology book. She had heard of a library being planned for construction, though it wasn't due for several years. More than anything, she had difficulty fitting in with the new and richly diverse American people. Completely different from her prim and proper London society, she was initially taken aback by the frankness of people's speech, of their blunt and brutal honesty. There was no need for putting on airs, for concealing emotions and honest motives. To her surprise, Evangeline found it refreshing. After spending a month in the city of New York, Evangeline happened upon an advertisement for a work opportunity in Michigan. Eager to see more of the country and to experience new things, she found herself on a train bound for Michigan in the September of 1898.
It was on this train that Evangeline met her future husband, Ron Calloway. Calloway was an immigrated man from the Dutch Indies, looking to begin a new life himself. Finding themselves in the same carriage, the talkative and chatty Evangeline soon drew conversation from the more quiet Ron. Bonding over a mutual interest in knowledge, information and study, the two grew closer. Calloway had recently gained his medical degree and was seeking employment further afield. The two decided to venture into the city together. Casual familiarity soon turned to romantic interest from both individuals and the charismatic Calloway took Evangeline dancing, to various fine dining establishments and on walks to the Great Lakes. Initially wary of his intent from past experiences, Evangeline soon realised that unlike those she had met and socialised with in London, Ron was completely honest and open. Although some would describe him as blunt or to the point, Evangeline appreciated his honesty and his candid nature, relieved to be able to have a conversation with someone without worrying about ulterior motives. The two soon began their romance together, spending several months in Michigan as Calloway found work there as a Doctor specialising in Pharmacy. Renting a small accommodation, the two aided each other in their acclimatisation of America and its variety of cultures and social mannerisms. Evangeline rediscovered her passion for learning, spending many a day reading or studying plants in the area. Finally, on the 8th of February, 1899, Calloway proposed. Evie happily accepted and the two were married in a small ceremony in Michigan. Having saved their money for several months, the two managed to book a boat to England, where they would begin their honeymoon.
Upon returning to England, it suddenly became very clear to Evie of how suffocating and constricting English High Society was. She could now see past the finery and the frivolities, noticing the lack of freedom she once had in her life. The newlyweds spent scarce amounts of time in London, opting instead to travel around north before their honeymoon took them into Europe. It only lasted a few weeks however, the couple's money quickly running out. Ron took work where he could, assisting the local medical communities of each town that they visited. Soon, however, they returned back to America, fresh from any prior experiences or past demons. Eventually, the Calloways arrived in the state of Monroe in the September of 1899, excited to start their new lives together.
Character
Personality
Polite, affable and kind, Evangeline is a woman of her times. She has a keen thirst for new knowledge, for exploration and for herbology and is highly excited about any new discovery that comes her way. Although she has tried to make a new life away from her strict upbringing, she occasionally falls back into old behaviours. She has moments of selfishness, worrying more about what those around her think than of anything else. Due to her previous high society position, she can be bossy, ordering people around without realising it. She also covets her old fashions, dresses she bought from Paris and has trouble adapting to the somewhat plainer fashions of Monroe. Despite her faults, Evangeline is always eager to learn and to improve herself and will gladly take criticism if it means allowing her to grow closer to her friends. She deeply enjoys her books, spending hours at a time reading and discovering new things and is frequently fascinated by the diverse and wild landscape of Monroe, often going on exploration trips alone to look for new herbs. She struggles sometimes with the lack of order and societal structure in Monroe, being so used to being in a specific role. This means she can doubt herself or her new behaviours, but ultimately recognises how much happier she has become since travelling to America. Whilst she misses her sister (and letters from her Mother are few and far between) she is grateful for the growth she has found in her new home.
She adores her husband deeply, citing him as the reason for her happiness. Her bubbly, talkative self compliments his somewhat quiet and terse personality and they balance each other out. He brings her back down to earth when she becomes too overemotional and she opens him up to new experiences and people. They both dream of having a family someday, free of the expectations and horrors of both of their cultures. He encourages her passions in study and discovery, never assuming or demanding she behave in specific ways. They move through Monroe and its people, learning and growing together.
Appearance
Evie is a short woman with long ginger hair that falls in waves. She is pale, with a smattering of freckles across her face. She has blue eyes and often wears colourful dresses, usually those in a rather fancy style. Her love of high society fashions is shown in her love of puffy sleeves, elaborate vests and bows. She wears her wedding ring on her left hand and always has a minimal amount of makeup on her face. She abhors being seen without it. She is usually seen carrying her books around, or writing in a new journal.
Relationships
TBA