Post by M. Gilles Andre on Sept 12, 2007 18:29:33 GMT -5
Name: M. Gilles Andre
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 220
Appearance: A man of a civilized nature, M. Gilles Andre radiates wealth and power upon first glance. Being the Co-Manager of the Opera Populaire, he must always be in-style and well-groomed, not to mention easy to approach and very likable. A wide grin is almost always placed across his moderately handsome features and his tight sable curls are always combed back neatly (however the occasional stray hair seems to mysteriously fall into his eyes gaining the annoyance of a fly he must swat away).
When looking upon M. Andre, one can tell he is a man of business. Strong chin and jawline free of hair gives him a very free and trustworthy appearance- after all, a man who hides his face must have something to hide himself. Deep green eyes are covered and framed by brows almost always seen furrowed in thought, for a man such as himself cannot waste a moment when so much is at stake and so much is to be done.
They say shaking a man's hand tells a lot about the type of person he is and when one shakes the hand of Gilles Andre, it is firm and decisive, not lingering too long to show over-eagerness and not pulling away too fast to show timidness. However appearance isn't everything. There is much much more to M. Gilles Andre than meets the eye.
Personality: Gilles is a very stubborn, passionate and quite... eccentric man. Now in his prime, he takes his work very seriously and will do almost anything he must to get his way. Many of his colleagues say that he is rather TOO involved with his work and should take a vacation (something Gilles hardly knows the meaning of) While he hardly ever has a smile upon his face (for the work on the Opera House causes much strain) when he does, it is quite a sight.
With his business face on, Gilles is a man to be reckoned with. He will do anything he can to get the job done, often using his wits to his advantage. He doesn't enjoy taking chances and thinks things through far too much than is necessary. A deep voice and handsome looks also help him in his journey to success.
On the opposite of the spectrum, Gilles also has a softer, insecure side. He worries frequently over his ill mother, having nervous attacks which he subsides with putting his mind to his work. In the small amount of spare time he has, Gilles ventures out into the country to visit a small orphanage in which he helps to take care of the children and frequently brings to see some of the Opera's as well as takes a few of the children in to live under the Opera's roof.
He also embarrasses easily, but being a man, he knows how to handle himself generally.
Wealth Status: Wealthy
Occupation:Co-Manager of the Opera Populaire
Personal possessions:
-A small flat behind the Opera House
-A small library full of his favorite literary texts
-A pocket watch given to him by his father
Pets: "A man of my occupation has no time for pets as cruel as that sounds. Why if I did i'm sure it would be something self-sufficient... like a- a cactus of something. Then again i'm sure i'd not even have enough time for that."
Family: "Yes, I admit: I live with my mother- however it is I who supports her. Rest of my family? Deceased sadly."
History: When looking at M. Gilles Andre, one would think he was raised in the upper-class of society, years of wealth bred into their family. But those who thought this were terribly wrong. Gilles was raised amongst the lower class by his Mother who stayed at home and tried her best while his father worked at one of the many sweat shops doing grunt work on the large machines. He didn't bring in much, but it kept the food on the table. His mother, who refused to be put down by those of the upper class would take young Andre out to the park often while her husband was at work, determined to not let their situation infect their son.
Gilles seemed to make friends easy- always willing to try new things, he made particular friends with a young boy that had wandered off from his parents. Richard was his name, he told his mother. Soon it became a regular thing, going to the park and meeting Richard at the pond where they would gallivant off and make plans for their future. Who would have known that later down the road, their childish musing would come to pass? As Gilles grew older, his mother's health began to fail and his trips to the park lessened to weekly, then monthly. Eventually his mother became too ill and at a very young age, Gilles had to take on the responsibility of taking care of her.
A few months after turning fifteen, Gilles' father went to work with a foul mood. HIs wife was failing in health and the doctors didn't give her much time to live and his son was becoming a hermit from lack of social interaction- neither of which he could help. His mood worsened when he came into work and his employer decided he was making too much money and demoted him to cleaning out the machines instead of repairing them. Reaching in to get a few bird carcasses stuck out of the heavy gears, his footing slipped and his arm caught inside the machine. The gears began to move and without warning, the hood of the machine fell heavily.
Gilles was coming back from buying his mother's medicine when he noticed people at his door. Upon approaching, they turned and questioning them Gilles' face went pale. The next few months were hell for the young man. Bill collectors left and right always at the door began driving Gilles insane. With the help of a few family friends he was able to move to a new location and was forced to stay low while the hub-bub went away concerning himself and what was left of his family.
Gilles can't remember much else about his life until he was about twenty-eight and working in a scrap metal plant (working, stealing. Same thing) when he was caught and brought to the owner of the business for retribution. Fighting along the way, it took four fully grown men to keep him at bay and a knock in the gut to keep him from tearing apart the owner who stood with his nose in the air above him. He looked familiar but... Gilles struggled- his mother was waiting and she was too ill to be left alone for so long, it was a wonder she had survived so long as it was. "Richard Firmin" Gilles' head snapped up at that name. Richard? Where? the only image in his head was of the young boy that he had made mud pies with. Looking up at the disdainful man before him, Gilles' eyes went round. Could it be?
From there on, the story is well-known. Gilles and Richard became partners in the scrap metal business and when fortune rained on them, bought the Opera Populaire. Here is where the real story begins.
Participate in the story of the Phantom? He doesn't know it, but he's more involved than he would ever wish to be.
Sample Post:
Right. Papers. Left. Papers. Up. Papers. Down. Papers. Everywhere M. Andre looked, there were PAPERS! Bills, complaints, contracts, money orders, newspaper clippings (Firmin just loved to display their sucess), invites, greeting cards, even threats! Gilles had seen everything since working at the Opera Populaire. He had thought working in the 'Scrap Metal' business would have made him more "worldly" but as Gilles had found out, it was quite opposite. Yes he knew how to run a business, how to find the right people and how to sell his product, but he didn't know how to do it to such a large scale. Thankfully that's where Firmin had come in: the money man who dealt with massive business transactions often and did them well.
Resting his fingers to his temple and massaging the ache that seemed ever constant, M. Andre stood up slowly. It seemed that time and stress were wearing on him- he needed a vacation. The co-manager of the Opera Populaire laughed aloud at that thought, unable to keep the absurdity of the notion down. Vacation... He trailed a finger along the edge of his desk that wasn't filled with papers, the humor leaving his face. He wondered what it was like.
A prompt rap at the door cut him from his musings and clearing his throat, he approached the door. In a matter of strides Gilles was at the door, pausing only to tighten his neck cloth and regain his composure that would have surely slipped. His fingers combed through his drak curls, arranging and disarraying them at the same time. With confidence and not a bit of apprehension (for he knew something tragic was always happening at the Opera) he opened the door to the office he and M. Firmin shared, nodding to the steward that stood outside, his eyes watchful and impatient.
When no explanation was given, Gilles inclined his head as if to prompt words and the steward gulped uncomfortably before blurting out his story. It was a whirlwind of gibberish, stage hand slang and some language he couldn't quite figure, but he seemed to piece it together.
"You mean to tell me that one of the stage sheep.... Got loose?" Gilles sounded everything out in proper English so the man couldn't mistake him. The steward gulped again and nodded, trying to smile. The serious look on M. Andre's face however stopped him mid cheek-crack. "And the Smithy, who was in the process of shoeing the horses dropped his iron... miraculously in an unknown substance that caught fire... all because he was trying to help the Ballerina's catch this renegade sheep?"
The calm in which Andre was questioning the steward made the middle-aged man panic. Why was the manager not screaming and yelling? Why was he not frantic with worry? The man twisted his hands together, grinding his teeth in agony.
Gilles nodded his head, turned around to fetch his coat on the back of the office door and strode out of the office, leaving the steward to stand alone in his pool of sweat. He had to take care of this mess. He couldn't have a fire endangering them and someone was going to have to be fired. Where was Firmin in all this? Why did he have to be the bad guy?
Watching the Manager of the Opera stride away, the steward sank to his knees. He was getting too old for this job! Perhaps a nice stroll out in the country, a nice farm house that he could-
Gilles cleared his throat, making the man jump. "I-i-i'm s-s-sorry sir! i's thought you was gone!" Gilles smiled as best he could, sidling around the man. "I forgot to close the door...." M. Andre muttered, his voice tight with the restraint he was using. "Don't want any little noses poking around where they shouldn't be..." He gave the Steward a curt nod, closed and locked the door to his office then proceeded to make his way to the disastrous situation that seemed to be overrunning his Opera House.
Age: 32
Gender: Male
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 220
Appearance: A man of a civilized nature, M. Gilles Andre radiates wealth and power upon first glance. Being the Co-Manager of the Opera Populaire, he must always be in-style and well-groomed, not to mention easy to approach and very likable. A wide grin is almost always placed across his moderately handsome features and his tight sable curls are always combed back neatly (however the occasional stray hair seems to mysteriously fall into his eyes gaining the annoyance of a fly he must swat away).
When looking upon M. Andre, one can tell he is a man of business. Strong chin and jawline free of hair gives him a very free and trustworthy appearance- after all, a man who hides his face must have something to hide himself. Deep green eyes are covered and framed by brows almost always seen furrowed in thought, for a man such as himself cannot waste a moment when so much is at stake and so much is to be done.
They say shaking a man's hand tells a lot about the type of person he is and when one shakes the hand of Gilles Andre, it is firm and decisive, not lingering too long to show over-eagerness and not pulling away too fast to show timidness. However appearance isn't everything. There is much much more to M. Gilles Andre than meets the eye.
Personality: Gilles is a very stubborn, passionate and quite... eccentric man. Now in his prime, he takes his work very seriously and will do almost anything he must to get his way. Many of his colleagues say that he is rather TOO involved with his work and should take a vacation (something Gilles hardly knows the meaning of) While he hardly ever has a smile upon his face (for the work on the Opera House causes much strain) when he does, it is quite a sight.
With his business face on, Gilles is a man to be reckoned with. He will do anything he can to get the job done, often using his wits to his advantage. He doesn't enjoy taking chances and thinks things through far too much than is necessary. A deep voice and handsome looks also help him in his journey to success.
On the opposite of the spectrum, Gilles also has a softer, insecure side. He worries frequently over his ill mother, having nervous attacks which he subsides with putting his mind to his work. In the small amount of spare time he has, Gilles ventures out into the country to visit a small orphanage in which he helps to take care of the children and frequently brings to see some of the Opera's as well as takes a few of the children in to live under the Opera's roof.
He also embarrasses easily, but being a man, he knows how to handle himself generally.
Wealth Status: Wealthy
Occupation:Co-Manager of the Opera Populaire
Personal possessions:
-A small flat behind the Opera House
-A small library full of his favorite literary texts
-A pocket watch given to him by his father
Pets: "A man of my occupation has no time for pets as cruel as that sounds. Why if I did i'm sure it would be something self-sufficient... like a- a cactus of something. Then again i'm sure i'd not even have enough time for that."
Family: "Yes, I admit: I live with my mother- however it is I who supports her. Rest of my family? Deceased sadly."
History: When looking at M. Gilles Andre, one would think he was raised in the upper-class of society, years of wealth bred into their family. But those who thought this were terribly wrong. Gilles was raised amongst the lower class by his Mother who stayed at home and tried her best while his father worked at one of the many sweat shops doing grunt work on the large machines. He didn't bring in much, but it kept the food on the table. His mother, who refused to be put down by those of the upper class would take young Andre out to the park often while her husband was at work, determined to not let their situation infect their son.
Gilles seemed to make friends easy- always willing to try new things, he made particular friends with a young boy that had wandered off from his parents. Richard was his name, he told his mother. Soon it became a regular thing, going to the park and meeting Richard at the pond where they would gallivant off and make plans for their future. Who would have known that later down the road, their childish musing would come to pass? As Gilles grew older, his mother's health began to fail and his trips to the park lessened to weekly, then monthly. Eventually his mother became too ill and at a very young age, Gilles had to take on the responsibility of taking care of her.
A few months after turning fifteen, Gilles' father went to work with a foul mood. HIs wife was failing in health and the doctors didn't give her much time to live and his son was becoming a hermit from lack of social interaction- neither of which he could help. His mood worsened when he came into work and his employer decided he was making too much money and demoted him to cleaning out the machines instead of repairing them. Reaching in to get a few bird carcasses stuck out of the heavy gears, his footing slipped and his arm caught inside the machine. The gears began to move and without warning, the hood of the machine fell heavily.
Gilles was coming back from buying his mother's medicine when he noticed people at his door. Upon approaching, they turned and questioning them Gilles' face went pale. The next few months were hell for the young man. Bill collectors left and right always at the door began driving Gilles insane. With the help of a few family friends he was able to move to a new location and was forced to stay low while the hub-bub went away concerning himself and what was left of his family.
Gilles can't remember much else about his life until he was about twenty-eight and working in a scrap metal plant (working, stealing. Same thing) when he was caught and brought to the owner of the business for retribution. Fighting along the way, it took four fully grown men to keep him at bay and a knock in the gut to keep him from tearing apart the owner who stood with his nose in the air above him. He looked familiar but... Gilles struggled- his mother was waiting and she was too ill to be left alone for so long, it was a wonder she had survived so long as it was. "Richard Firmin" Gilles' head snapped up at that name. Richard? Where? the only image in his head was of the young boy that he had made mud pies with. Looking up at the disdainful man before him, Gilles' eyes went round. Could it be?
From there on, the story is well-known. Gilles and Richard became partners in the scrap metal business and when fortune rained on them, bought the Opera Populaire. Here is where the real story begins.
Participate in the story of the Phantom? He doesn't know it, but he's more involved than he would ever wish to be.
Sample Post:
Right. Papers. Left. Papers. Up. Papers. Down. Papers. Everywhere M. Andre looked, there were PAPERS! Bills, complaints, contracts, money orders, newspaper clippings (Firmin just loved to display their sucess), invites, greeting cards, even threats! Gilles had seen everything since working at the Opera Populaire. He had thought working in the 'Scrap Metal' business would have made him more "worldly" but as Gilles had found out, it was quite opposite. Yes he knew how to run a business, how to find the right people and how to sell his product, but he didn't know how to do it to such a large scale. Thankfully that's where Firmin had come in: the money man who dealt with massive business transactions often and did them well.
Resting his fingers to his temple and massaging the ache that seemed ever constant, M. Andre stood up slowly. It seemed that time and stress were wearing on him- he needed a vacation. The co-manager of the Opera Populaire laughed aloud at that thought, unable to keep the absurdity of the notion down. Vacation... He trailed a finger along the edge of his desk that wasn't filled with papers, the humor leaving his face. He wondered what it was like.
A prompt rap at the door cut him from his musings and clearing his throat, he approached the door. In a matter of strides Gilles was at the door, pausing only to tighten his neck cloth and regain his composure that would have surely slipped. His fingers combed through his drak curls, arranging and disarraying them at the same time. With confidence and not a bit of apprehension (for he knew something tragic was always happening at the Opera) he opened the door to the office he and M. Firmin shared, nodding to the steward that stood outside, his eyes watchful and impatient.
When no explanation was given, Gilles inclined his head as if to prompt words and the steward gulped uncomfortably before blurting out his story. It was a whirlwind of gibberish, stage hand slang and some language he couldn't quite figure, but he seemed to piece it together.
"You mean to tell me that one of the stage sheep.... Got loose?" Gilles sounded everything out in proper English so the man couldn't mistake him. The steward gulped again and nodded, trying to smile. The serious look on M. Andre's face however stopped him mid cheek-crack. "And the Smithy, who was in the process of shoeing the horses dropped his iron... miraculously in an unknown substance that caught fire... all because he was trying to help the Ballerina's catch this renegade sheep?"
The calm in which Andre was questioning the steward made the middle-aged man panic. Why was the manager not screaming and yelling? Why was he not frantic with worry? The man twisted his hands together, grinding his teeth in agony.
Gilles nodded his head, turned around to fetch his coat on the back of the office door and strode out of the office, leaving the steward to stand alone in his pool of sweat. He had to take care of this mess. He couldn't have a fire endangering them and someone was going to have to be fired. Where was Firmin in all this? Why did he have to be the bad guy?
Watching the Manager of the Opera stride away, the steward sank to his knees. He was getting too old for this job! Perhaps a nice stroll out in the country, a nice farm house that he could-
Gilles cleared his throat, making the man jump. "I-i-i'm s-s-sorry sir! i's thought you was gone!" Gilles smiled as best he could, sidling around the man. "I forgot to close the door...." M. Andre muttered, his voice tight with the restraint he was using. "Don't want any little noses poking around where they shouldn't be..." He gave the Steward a curt nod, closed and locked the door to his office then proceeded to make his way to the disastrous situation that seemed to be overrunning his Opera House.
