Post by Mycroft Holmes on Sept 19, 2010 9:25:19 GMT -5
Mycroft Holmes
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Everyday Info.
Name: Mycroft Holmes
Age: 42 (?)
Gender: Male
Birthday/ Zodiac: 13th May
Occupation: A "minor" position in the British Government. Not at liberty to specify.
Nationality: English.
Physical
Appearance:
Mycroft is of relatively average height and weight; a few extra pounds can be attributed to his sedentary occupation- working behind the scenes of the British Government is not the most active of professions. His eyes are a faint grey or green, varying in colour in different lights. They usually seem cool and detached from the situation, as not being blinkered by emotional involvement seems to Mycroft to be the best method of absorbing all possible information. His favoured expressions are a smirk of mild amusement and a serious expression; the latter is predominantly used when in conversation with his younger brother, Sherlock.
Mycroft’s choice of clothing is strictly formal, and he is rarely seen in anything other than a suit. Normally, his suits are a dull grey, with similarly unostentatious ties, designed to be unobtrusive. He takes some degree of pride in his appearance, appearing smart at all times. He has no real concern for changing fashions, as his clothing remains almost exactly the same in every sort of weather. He is also rarely seen without his umbrella. This umbrella is black with wooden handle, and serves as protection from the unpredictable English rains.
Celebrity Claim: Mark Gatiss
Emotional
Personality:
Calculating, smug and observant are all words that could be applied to Mycroft Holmes. Calculating in his assessment of people, observing and deducing things about them to use either as information or directly against them at a later date. He seems smug and confident, and is not easily panicked, maintaining a level head in most circumstances. Although it must be noted that most circumstances he encounters are not incredibly risky-that isn’t his style. Mycroft prefers a less confrontational approach, working from behind the scenes to bring down the enemy.
Mycroft has a sense of humour- when it suits him – although more often than not, his jokes or sarcasm are intended to underline his point, or to observe responses. He is cynical about some things, mostly about motives for actions, whilst also believing that citizens have a duty to their country, and despite his freelance work for CIA, he remains truly loyal to Britain. Despite his reluctance to get involved with fights etc, he is concerned for the safety of his brother, perhaps out of older sibling responsibility, and is ruthless when required.
Talents:
Observation.
Gathering information
Strengths:
Intelligence.
Capacity to store information.
Reasoning.
Weaknesses:
Lack of ambition.
Physically quite weak.
Little inclination to expend energy.
Likes:
Success- both on the smaller scale of a well-placed remark and greater triumphs e.g. averting wars.
Feeling impressive, being in a position of power.
His orders being obeyed without question.
Working with Intelligence organisations.
Tea. Umbrellas. Expensive suits. Scones. Chess.
Dislikes:
Failure. In any way, shape or form, or being considered inferior.
His advice being ignored or disregarded.
Unruly emotions.
Sherlock being childish.
Children.
History:
Mycroft was born into a slightly abnormal family, perhaps most notably because he and his younger brother Sherlock are...not normal. Both are gifted with observation and deductive powers to rival anyone. His childhood was, on the whole, not unhappy. His mother doted on him, and both parents supplied material to keep him occupied and advance his learning, even before schooling formally began. Seven years older than his brother, they were not as close as they could have been, due to this age gap. Mycroft was already at school by the time Sherlock was born, and he excelled in all subjects that required a factual knowledge due to his impressive memory. At first, he was alienated due to his naturally smug and slightly arrogant disposition, but with time he learnt to use the sense of mystery he had built up to observe. And with observation, he could interact with his peers, although he never managed to put them at ease around him. Not that he bothers now, as he found awe and mystery to be both easier to maintain and much more effective as he pursued his career in the civil and secret services.
As a child, he and his brother did not get as well as they could have done. With their similar gifts, rivalry developed, and the rift caused by their age gap grew wider, until finally they were barely speaking. Despite this, Mycroft still felt a responsibility to look after his younger brother, as when Sherlock had been born, his father had told Mycroft how it would be up to him to be the “big brother” and set an example etc. Blood is thicker than water, and Mycroft was resolved not to fully alienate his brother, not that their mother would allow such a thing. It was only when he was older that Mycroft began to understand the effect their conflict was having on their mother, and for her he tried to close the gap between him and his brother, although by this time he was leaving home for university and the civil service beyond.
While at university, he studied classics, as this was believed to be the best way of getting into the civil service, and graduated with a first from Oxford. Despite having missed out on most of the typical ideas of university, such as parties etc, which he considered pointless and tedious in equal measure, he soon moved into the civil service, and rose through the ranks with alarming speed, deftly pinned as a high flier. On his third appointment, he was also asked for an interview with the secret services. To no one’s surprise, he rose through the ranks again, refraining from field work in favour of surveillance and working behind the scenes to fulfil tasks. It was from here that he built the base of his present position within the government, although the specifics cannot be discussed with anyone.
Throughout his meteoric rise to a position of responsibility, he visited his family only once a year, on Christmas, which was always an awkward occasion. With their individual successes, the rivalry between the two Holmes’ was still great. Mycroft’s help was refused by his brother time and again, and eventually family Christmases stopped altogether. Mycroft continued to keep an eye on his brother, still bound by the promise made over thirty years before, and made an effort to phone his parents more regularly as they grew older and more frail. He might be calculating, but he was not cold. Now, having increased the surveillance on his brother, he observes in silence, waiting to see what effect Watson’s presence will have on Sherlock Holmes.
Note: If Sherlock's RPer wants me to change any of this, just message me and I'll do so asap.
Extra Things
Sample RP:
The thin sheaves of paper, bound in a creaking plastic binder, were stained at the top right corner. Apparently the new secretary’s bag would need replacing, Mycroft mused as he rubbed the stain between his fingers. Yes, mud. An expression of distaste crossed his face, and he wiped the mucky digits on a handkerchief. The eternal goo, a product of earth and water, usually rain, sticky and staining the cobblestones of London in every direction. Not that many of the roads still had cobblestones. Health and safety were renowned in the service for their war on cobbles. How purposeless a war, Mycroft mused as he slid the binder shut again. Speaking of war...
His gaze was caught by the glint of reflected light from silver seconds hand on his small square clock. It perched on his desk with varnished case and crystal clear roman numerals, outlining the path of time. Nothing ever changed. The clock ticked on, completely unperturbed. For a brief instant, Mycroft watched the hands move around the face, always clockwise, perfectly equal movements, constant timing. Immaculate, with some sort of quiet peace about it. As it passed the gilded north point, his smirk blossomed on his face once more.
Turning for the moment, from the missives demanding his attention, spinning ninety degrees to the left, he faced the computer. It was permanently on stand-by, should he need it at a moment’s notice. Fingers flying over the keys, he accessed surveillance, level three. Having cameras stationed all over London was a truly excellent idea. It appeared that Sherlock had yet to surface. A quiet snort of consternation seemed appropriate. To think that his younger brother called him idle!
The telephone claimed his attention, and without looking from the screen, Mycroft’s fingers found the black phone, almost hidden between a potted plant and the clock. His fingers brushed a pale blue petal, and the smirk vanished behind an expression of seriousness. He didn’t care much for flowers, never had. These were different. A gift from his mother when he went to visit her the weekend before. Mother. It was for her sake that he did these things. That he suffered a potted plant to live on his desk, that he nurtured it himself, that he followed Sherlock, that he set people to watch him, that he tried to repair the damage. He would not fail.
“Yes?” His voice was as lazy and unconcerned as ever. The words came down the line thick and fast, almost garbled to any other soul. Mycroft absorbed them with ease. “Very well. I shall be there presently.” He didn’t bid them farewell. It was a superfluous word. He would see them shortly. As he rose and replaced the landline in its customary position, again his index finger brushed the petal, smooth as his silk ties beneath his finger. He paused, finger still in contact with the delicate bloom.
It didn’t help matters that Sherlock looked so much like her.
Anything Else:Irrelevant point, but thought I’d add it in: In Study In Pink, I noticed Mycroft wearing a ring on the ring finger of his right hand. So, depending on religion, he may be married. Also, in the second Sherlock Holmes film, he shall be played by Stephen Fry!
Where You Found Us: Keep The Magic Secret
Other Characters: None.
