Ines

"So, how go things on the front, General? ..." Seeing her smile, "That wasn't a compliment."
"It wasn't intended as one," Ines replied. "Things go well!"

INES TEZEL
Late 20s or early 30s, she/her

APPEARANCE
- Left side of her face strikingly constructed by dark iron plating, framed by long wavy auburn hair. Plating shaped like this.
- Thin frame, maybe 5'8", both arms made of the same dark metal, right past her elbow and left to her shoulder.
- Fair freckled skin, oval face, dark hazel eye, and prominent nose. Youthful and gentle look in spite of the iron. No left ear.
- Daily wear is slightly formal and quite dusty, vests, boots, and skirts or pants in rusty western colours, occasionally in soft leather gloves.
- Sometimes wears an eyepatch emblazoned with the symbol of the Children at formal events; It doesn't hide much, purely symbolic.
- Simple but eye-catching red robes for church events; No longer owns the white robes of the Voice.

PERSONALITY
- A kind leader, always willing to hear people out and likes to help out hands-on where she can.
- Faithful to the Paragon and unceasingly enterprising; Some see naive optimism, others see a driven visionary.
- A diplomat, amicable, makes peace even with people she knows dislike her; But so not above rubbing a success in a bit when she can afford it.
- Friendly hand regardless of shared faith; Curious and a sucker for an interesting theological or philosophical conversation.
- Not uptight; Work hard play hard, small town girl who loves a bit of excitement.
- If you say "don't look now, but–" she will look

HISTORY
A priestess of the Children of the Paragon, a religious order worshiping a god that will be born through the revolutionary machines of humanity, a faith perhaps too big to call a cult. The honorary governor of Wyawot Wells, Ines has built the town into a stronghold for the Children and is heading its industrial revolution.
Perhaps better known among the order as a defector from the Voice of the Pulse, a faction of zealots broken off from the Children. The Voice is infamous for their implanting of machinery into their bodies, and it's hard to miss that Ines was raised in one of their churches, indoctrinated from youth after her rescue from a fire. Despite her defection, some still wonder where her allegiances lie – many used to suspect she was an infiltrator, and even now rumours abound that she believes in reuniting the Voice and the Children or that Wyawot Wells is its own sect just waiting to fraction. Others still in the inner assembly think of her as an insatiable general who took her place in the order's ranks by force – but in spite of it all, Ines is well-liked in Wyawot Wells, and the town is thriving. If all goes well, Wyawot Wells is only the beginning.

RELATIONSHIPS
• V - Hound, Friend
Ines wouldn't approve of them calling him Tezel's Hound. He followed her when she left the Voice years ago – he's her oldest friend and most unwavering hand, even if he still has a way of making her uneasy.
• Rivers - Inner Assembly Member, Supporter
Rivers likes Wyawot Wells and Ines likes Rivers. She thinks it's amazing someone so deaf to the actual teachings of the Children can be so spiritually connected to the Paragon. 
• Ben - Acquaintance
As a spy for the Black Lantern, Agent Wroxeter isn't allowed in town, which Ines finds kind of unfortunate. It's not that Ines thinks she could make Maggot a believer, but she does think they have a lot to learn from one another – and, she always remarks, she seems to really like it here.

TRIVIA
- Made May 26 2022-ish (she took longer than V lol).
- Wyawot Wells is home to a lively gaming hall and a lot of festivity; Ines frequently partakes; Tongue loosens so much after a few drinks.
- Not scared of fire per se but would describe her relationship with it as complicated and spiritual.
- Town church is sooooo haunted by its former inhabitants and they hate her so much.
- Tried desperately to learn to play piano and loves pianists; Did manage to pick up the violin pretty well.
- Picky eater..? Eats like, a lot of very different foods but only those foods.
- Doesn't take painkillers, a religious custom of Voice priests she sticks to.
- Wyawot's town doctor is an (active/defected?) member of the Voice, something Ines has to keep under wraps.
- Trans, out since early childhood; surprise! the body modification cult supports transgenderism.
- Gets caught in repetitive actions, games of solitaire, bowls of snacks gone without noticing; V often keeps count.
- Has a massive black and white piebald horse named Saturday.
- Semi-fluent (very rusty) in sign language; She only practiced with V and he doesn't use it often anymore.

PLAYLIST
Ring 7 - Industry - The Dear Hunter | Go ahead and wave goodbye to the old town!
Rhythm Doesn't Make You A Dancer - Jon Fratelli | Put your money right where your mouth is
The Last Great Sweetheart of the Grand Electric Rodeo - Sarah and the Safe Word | She's the first, she's the last!
Supermassive Automatic - Kick the Robot | Black magic and radio static
Stampede - Bitter Ruin | I can solve a puzzle, I can make me money, I don’t need to be approved by you
Foulbrood - Skittish | Bang, bang, that’s the sound of an ocean knocking on your double-locked doors