Character Information

Name: Michelle Benjamin

Age & Date of Birth: 2367 (Age 22)

Gender:Female

Species: Human

Canon: Kings

Powers & Skills: She has nothing of a super power, but she is good with negotiation, mediation, and care-giving. Essentially, while she can appear distant, she's a people person. Also, Michelle has moral fortitude like no one's business.  Being here proves that, as she's away from all she's ever known.  Finally, there is a great deal of patience in this one.  She could out-wait Yoda at times.  She also seems to have some god's favour on her side.

Position & Occupation: Banished: currently seeking employment.  She does have a bag of gold and things she managed to take from of the palace.

Home Location: Not from here. She can't really talk about it yet either.

Appearance: Short (5'2), brunette (long hair), blue eyes, and thin, but that may change.

Family: Father: Silas
Mother: Rose
Bother: Jack
Husband: David Shepherd 


Bio:  There is a rather new city state called Gilboa (formerly Avignon and surrounding areas) which Michelle's father founded after years of battling between the powerful families.  Taking the title of King, Silas took over the Palais des Papes, and renamed the city Shiloh.  Gilboa is a theocracy, and everyone believes Silas was tapped by God to rule, the Old Testament, constantly present, and vengeful God. 

To secure his power, he married the daughter of one of the richest families, and shortly thereafter, along came Michelle and Jonathan (Jack).  It's important to mention Michelle is older only by a few minutes, because Jack is still the one tapped to follow in his father's footstep, not that Jack feels secure.

Michelle suffered a rather terrible illness as a teen, and the fact it wasn't fatal, is seen as a miracle.  Since that day, she gives back, more than takes care of herself.  This isn't gratitude as much as a sacred vow to God. She works tirelessly for the poor and downtrodden, as well as trying to improve health care.  She even tries to negotiate peace between a group protesting against her father and the government, in an attempt to save everyone's lives.  It's made her rather beloved, and she's never made a misstep in public, that is, until she meets the newest guard: David.

David became a hero for saving Jack's life, and Michelle met the newest darling of Shiloh at a dinner celebrating him.  To say it was attraction at first sight is an understatement.  David was the opposite of her family.  Nothing was political, or planned, or conniving.  He did what he thought was good, and genuinely loved her, without a requirement for her to be anything: pretty princess, perfect martyr, or public example.  Being with him, Michelle found a life outside of the public, and a chance to help someone she believes is far more holy (in the blessed by God sense) than she ever could be.

For the next year, Michelle became torn between what she sees as her promise to God to serve, and her love for David, who, as quickly as he was the hero, became an enemy of the state.  There have been many signs evident to almost all in power that David's gained the favour Silas lost due to his own hubris.  Eventually, David was tried for treason, and Michelle was scheduled to testify for him, but she didn't show. 

While Jack and Silas seek power, the real power in the family was Rose.  She manipulates like no one's business, and it is due to Rose that Michelle didn't make the trial.  While it had been believed Michelle was sterile due to her illness, she becomes pregnant with David's child.  Convincing Michelle that Silas wants anyone in David's bloodline dead (which isn't entirely untrue) and to protect her unborn child, Michelle stays away.  She expected her mother would help her later, and does that ever backfire.

Against her mother's advice, when David gets the chance to escape (during a failed coup by her brother), Michelle helps him, and upon meeting him at the sanctuary, he heads to places unknown, still unaware of Michelle's pregnancy.  Upon returning to the palace, Michelle finds her parents awaiting her, and banish her from Gilboa.  She is given only one hour to pack what she can carry.  Was this her mother's plan all along?  Be rid of Michelle and any further heirs to protect Rose's favourite, Jack?

Michelle doesn't know, but now she's outside of the borders of the only home she's ever known, with a little money, a little gold, and some jewels to try and fund her life.  She needs to find a safe place, not only safe from her family's reach, but with enough of a community in which to raise her child.  Once, her world revolved around her vow, but now, it revolves around her unborn child.  Anyone who gets to know her will see a deep sadness.  She believes her child will never know his or her father.

Out of Character

Name: Spy

Age: I can vote and drink everywhere
Timezone: EST/EDT

Other Characters: None

Contact Preferences: Through Michelle's account or Plurk @pocketspy