arkiv | ( claire saunders @ savrou )

Entry tags:

( claire saunders @ savrou )

OUT OF CHARACTER

Player Name: Kerry
Are you 16 or older: Yes
Contact: fontcroire @ gmail.com | skitties @ plurk
~~Current Characters:~~
Tag: claire saunders

IN CHARACTER
Name: Claire Saunders
Canon: Dollhouse
Canon Point: 201 Vows
Age: Mid-late 20's

History:

❝ I suppose, why hire a new physician when you can just... imprint the broken doll ❞

- Claire Saunders

Formerly known to the Dollhouse as Whiskey, the most popular and requested active that they had, Alpha became jealous of her 'trying to be her best', attacking her with pruning shears in order to let the Echo (an active he had an infatuation for) be the best. Unwilling to waste a doll and their investment (and unable/unwilling to release her from her contract early due to what had occurred) Adelle asked Topher to imprint Whiskey with a permanent new identity. After Doctor Saunders, the Dollhouse's original physician, had been killed in Alpha's attack they used this in deciding who Whiskey should be. After tweaking Doctor Saunder's original personality (to change their memories of their age and gender) Claire Saunders was created.

Prior to entering the Dollhouse "the original personality" was approached by the Dollhouse, for unknown reasons. The Dollhouse always offers a trade - five years of service for your life, something that flashes by in a heartbeat. What happens once you sign the dotted line is that all of your memories and your personality is wiped away, backed up on a 'wedge' to leave the body as a blank slate. These bodies are given new names (Claire's being Whiskey) and live at the Dollhouse - an idyllic place set to provide comfort and ease of life, with every need being fulfilled for them. Once you are at the Dollhouse you are a doll - or active. Although the dolls have no memories of themselves their blank slate allows them to be imprinted with a new personality - something that can only be done on person whom has been wiped (and given active architecture). The Dollhouse provides a 'service' - the rich can pay to fulfill their fantasies, whether it be a dream date or have someone break into a vault to steal artwork. If you have the money the Dollhouse can provide it - with the right skills, memories and personality 'downloaded' into one of the dolls for the engagement.

Originally Claire is unaware that she is a doll, and believes the memories that she has been given - she always wanted to be a doctor, and remains at the Dollhouse 24/7 in order to give the best care possible to the dolls - although this is part in due to the numerous phobias that she also possesses. Claire goes about her work at the Dollhouse unaware that anything is different - minus having to adjust to her scarred appearance, and the knowledge of what Alpha did. There are also new faces to meet, including new recruited handlers to replace those that were killed, and for a while the Dollhouse is a very tense place.

For the next few months the Dollhouse as a whole takes its time to heal, although it doesn't stop its work. Claire is ever busy working as the Dollhouse physician - giving every doll a physical check up after every engagement, making certain that their well being was on top form. Claire often also frequently disagreed with Topher regarding some of the engagements that the actives were sent on, viewing several off them ass either too dangerous or putting the actives in unnecessary risk. This is something that Topher tried to justify given the skills that he put into the actives, and the ability to monitor the situation but it did little to soothe Claire given how frequently they disagreed on it. After Claire was asked to surgically implant an optical camera onto Echo, with Topher manipulating her brain to think that she was blind, Claire argued about how dangerous this procedure was - adding that if Echo sneezed it could cause a seizure, however the procedure was completed despite her reservations.

After Topher notices something unexpected in one of the dolls he goes to Claire for help, asking for her medical opinion and (more so) looking to someone who wouldn't be so embarrassed. Making Topher help her as she searched the video camera footage, given that it was her idea, Claire helped Topher identify when (and later why) Victor had started having 'man reactions'. Claire is partly unsurprised that Victor ends up with this 'problem' given that she had previously recommended against dolls being imprinted with the same imprint multiple times. Given that Victor had been assigned by 'Miss Lonely Hearts' on his now eighth engagement (with the same imprint) Claire was worried. Whilst she was able to discover that Sierra was the cause of Victor's man reactions these urges were something that Victor shouldn't have had after being wiped, backing up Claire's theory that there was a remnant lingering from the repeated same engagements.

After reporting the incident with Victor, Sierra's attack, and with others noticing 'alternate thinking' in Echo, a meeting was called regarding the state of the affairs of the Dollhouse - which was pretty poor. After it was discussed what should happen Claire proposed an idea that she believed would help remove the problem - more than altering any of their medications could. Claire believed that in giving them closure it could help to resolve any underlying issues or emotional needs that had cropped up - things that the dolls wouldn't remember in their blank state (particularly if they stemmed from their original personalities) but would be subconsciously affecting them. Although the test was scheduled to be a few weeks away Adelle implanted it early to ensure that the handlers could react and be prepared for any situation. With five dolls restored to their original personalities (minus their memories) the situation was monitored by those in the know - Adelle, Mr Dominic and Claire.

During the exercise Echo (Caroline) came to Claire to ask for help in finding out what was going on and in leaving the Dollhouse. Claire, knowing what was really happening and needing the experiment to play out naturally, told Echo that she couldn't help her - though she did let her know that she was being watched (by Adelle and Mr Dominic). Although three of the other dolls (November, Sierra and Victor) left the Dollhouse in search of their closure Echo stayed behind as Echo's (Caroline's) conflict was with Rossum itself. Claire was present when Echo led all of the dolls out into 'freedom', ending her conflict. With the actives that had left retrieved, and those led outside returned into the Dollhouse, the test was complete - to Claire's relief (that it had gone without incident) and to the Dollhouse's gladness. Once it was completed Boyd (Echo's handler) came to talk to Claire about the test - calling it a game, which she fervently refuted as it was not fun for anyone. Claire reminded him that he only has to look after Echo but that she has to look after everyone in the Dollhouse, making things like what had been happening to Echo, Sierra and Victor a large worry - particularly after what had happened with Alpha.

Life at the Dollhouse continues, and Echo, Sierra and Victor are monitored more closely than they were previously to make sure that Claire's intervention was a success, and on initial outlook it appears so. However the Dollhouse wouldn't be itself if it stayed quiet for too long, and after Topher discovers that one of his imprints has been affected - and that there is a spy in the Dollhouse - things become worrying. After Echo is imprinted as an interrogator to help discover the identity of the spy Claire is one of the people that Echo speaks to due to her access to the imprint room. It is here that Claire reveals that she remains at the Dollhouse 24/7 - claiming that it is to best serve the Dollhouse. Echo questions this, and the healthiness of it, but Claire makes no further comment on it - although she will later tell Boyd that she doesn't leave the Dollhouse due to her multiple phobias (Claire is afraid to leave the Dollhouse, she 'has a problem with' crowds, people, sunlight, open spaces, noise, pets). Whilst Claire may have problems with many of these things it is shown that she's trying to change this, beginning with being a member on a dating website. After Mr Dominic is revealed to have been the spy Claire is present when he is wiped prior to being sent to the Attic, tending to Adelle afterwards after she was accidentally shot in the process.

The problems don't stop with Mr Dominic, as it becomes revealed that Alpha is in fact alive and not dead as everyone was informed. Mr Dominic's betrayal went further than being an NSA spy after a package comes in for him, showing him to have been communicating with Alpha. Whilst Sierra is sent out to investigate the body that Alpha had left clues for, Paul Ballard (a man whom had been investigating the Dollhouse for the FBI for months) arrives at the Dollhouse - with Alpha. After Alpha (posing as Stephen Kepler) sends Paul off to find what he wants - Echo and whoever is behind the Dollhouse - Alpha puts his own plans in motion. Alpha first finds Claire, after using her office to hack Topher's systems, when she returns to her office. The sight of Alpha instantly terrifies Claire, and Alpha grabs her, studying the 'gifts' that he left her (her scars) before asking her questions. As Alpha knew her as a doll - Whiskey - he finds it interesting to discover that she has been imprinted as the Dollhouse physician and asks her if she always wanted to be a doctor. When Claire replies that she did he shouts that it is a lie, and threatens her into his bidding - to bring Echo to her office so that Alpha can take her. Once Alpha and Echo have left Claire flees her office to find help, discovering an attacked Victor on the way.

After getting help for Victor and making sure that no one else has been hurt Claire begins to think on what Alpha said - something that she takes into consideration far more than she probably should for his mental state (though there may have been previous unrevealed clues she had discovered). Claire begins looking through Topher's files and discovers the truth about herself - that she was originally a doll, and after Echo is returned to the Dollhouse Claire confronts Topher about this, even admitting that she could understand why it had happened. It surprises Topher that Claire hadn't opened the file on herself to find out who she was but Claire retorts that she knows who she is.

Whilst Claire may believe that it may not be entirely true - or, at least, the revelation that she used to be someone else hits her harder than she'd expected. At first Claire begins to toy with Topher, giving herself a little comfort - and showing that she isn't happy that he did this to her, as he is the one that 'created' her. Whilst Claire may be trying to cope with the knowledge it is clear that she is finding it difficult, and goes to Topher in the middle of the night. Although she at first appears to be attempting to seduce him (because that was 'his plan' all along) she breaks down, confused about who she is and what she's supposed to do know - one reason why imprints are never told that they are imprinted as it will confuse them. Topher ends up asking Claire why she didn't look at the file, or ask Adelle to restore her original personality and Claire reveals that it is because she is scared of dying. She admits that she isn't real, and that she's in someone else's body, but she's too afraid by the truth - and her current existence ending - to do anything about it.

Nothing more becomes said on the matter, at least not by Topher. After Victor undergoes expensive surgery to repair his scars Boyd asks Claire if she'd considered having the same procedure and she (somewhat sardonically) replies that she likes her scars - that it brings out her eyes. Claire adds to this by stating that if she did have her scars removed that she'd be no better than one of 'them' - a doll, and what she used to be - and Claire doesn't want to go back to that either. She later admits to Boyd that she is afraid to leave the Dollhouse - that she's just 'made that way', and that her entire existence is due to a sociopath in a sweater-vest. Whilst she may not be happy about it it is something that she clings onto - she has to to survive.

And survive is something that Claire tries to do. With the truth now out, her fears admitted, and some careful pushing from Boyd Claire finally leaves the Dollhouse.

Personality:

❝ You don't know me! That's the contract. You don't know me, and I don't know you, not fully, not ever! ❞

- Topher Brink

Claire is very nice. It's one of the things that is frequently remarked upon by the dolls whenever they have to see Claire for any appointments, and given that she is a doctor it fits nicely. Her patients like her and she is able to make them feel at ease. Claire is not only kind towards the dolls but also the Dollhouse staff, keeping back any negative opinions that she may have, and treating everyone with kindness regardless of their attitudes. Unless you're Topher Brink. Whilst Claire respects Topher's intelligence and what he is able to do she isn't quite as kind to him, or rather they clash in opinion far more frequently than Claire does with anyone else. With Topher Claire shows her more sarcastic side, often retorting to some of what he says with a pretty acidic wit.

In regards to Claire's job at the Dollhouse it is obvious that she cares. Claire has always wanted to become a doctor, and her kind and caring nature fits well with it. As well as treating each of the dolls and making sure that they are physically at their best for every engagement she also makes sure that they are able to be calm and happy at the Dollhouse. When a procedure is suggested for Echo that Claire views as too risky and dangerous she is quick to raise her concerns and reason against it, whilst when several of the dolls show unusual behaviour it is Claire that comes up with the solution that she believes can help the dolls resolve their subconscious conflicts in the safest manner - something that is seen as a success. Claire not only cares about her patients but the Dollhouse as a whole, wanting everything to be safe and smooth.

Whilst Claire is kind and caring she is not the most open person, nor does she immediately warm up to new people. This could be attributed to the attack by Alpha three months prior, and the 'problems' that Claire has with both crowds and people - although it is unaware if Claire had these problems prior to the attack or if they are a result of the trauma. When Claire first meets Boyd Langton when he joins the Dollhouse her remarks to him about the man she is replacing, and what she thinks, are very honest, and whilst she is initially distant with him they later grow to be friends - and more.

As well as having problems with people Claire has also admitted that she is afraid to leave the Dollhouse - something that she hasn't done since Alpha's attack. Claire remains at the Dollhouse 24/7 and when questioned about this she claims that it is to best serve the Dollhouse and her patients, trying to justify it to someone else rather than admit her fear. Additionally Claire also has 'problems' with open spaces, sunlight, noise and pets. None of these fears are as great as her fear of Alpha, however.

Whilst Claire is scared to do things outside of the Dollhouse she also has a very strong survival instinct. Claire remarks that for dolls the outside world would be too over stimulating for them and that it is a harsh place, although she may also have that view about it regarding herself. When Alpha returns to the Dollhouse and encounters Claire she does everything that he asks out of fear of being hurt again (or killed) by him.

Claire on a whole has very strong morals - particularly ethical ones regarding the treatment of the dolls and thus her patients. She is seen as the anti-Topher due to the fact that she actually cares about what happens to someone else and is not afraid to disagree with someone and voice concerns if she believes that something is too potentially harmful. Claire also believes in the Dollhouse and that it is beneficial to other people, stating that it can be very debilitating to be embarrassed by a desire, and that the Dollhouse allows them the freedom and comfort to do so without judgement.

That is until Claire finds out that everything is a lie.

After Claire finds out that she is a doll, permanently imprinted with someone else's personality and thus not real in herself, Claire views things a little differently. At first she finds it difficult to cope with the reality that she isn't real and begins to torment Topher - partly as a little enjoyment/revenge using his fears, something that she claims she can't help (referencing that he created her, thus it is his fault) - but she knows what she's doing.

Although Claire appears to be dealing with the revelation, even stating that she understands why the Dollhouse did it, it is clear that she is having difficulty processing it. Claire's difficulty isn't in the knowledge of what she is but rather what it means for her. Knowing that she is a doll Claire begins to doubt herself and what she thinks, refusing to take comfort in the fact that how she acts towards Topher is more than just what he programmed, and refuses his claim that she is human.

Claire also has a little disdain for the Dollhouse after this. When asked why she doesn't have her scars removed like Victor does she remarks that she would be no better than a doll, afraid of going back to what she used to be. It is clear through everything that whilst Claire is doubtful about what her existence now means that she does want to keep existing, reinforcing her strong wish to survive. Claire has adamantly refused to open up her file to find out who she used to be because she doesn't want to 'die', and she'd rather keep her scars and be unusable than be a doll, ensuring that she again doesn't 'die'.

Whilst Claire does doubt what her existence means now, and how much of what she does and thinks is real, there is one thing that she still believes - she knows who she is. She doesn't want to lose that or herself, which really does make her human.

Setting:

Initially Claire would be incredibly anxious about being there, even if she did agree to it, but considering her many fears it's not an unexpected reaction. Though Claire would feel lost at first, finding the unfamiliarity of the place and people difficult to interact with, there would be two things that would push her on.
1. The fact that she has to work to live (and would look to medical establishments)
2. The reason why she left the Dollhouse and signed the agreement: to find peace.

After Claire's world got flipped upside down she didn't know how to handle it, and starting new -- being somewhere where no one knows her -- will be a key part of Claire being able to find that peace. She needs to come to terms with her identity and also would like to break out of her shell a little, to not be ruled so strongly by her fears.

Whilst Claire would initially turn more to the network for interaction she would slowly venture out on the planet, initially with small activities (coffee or food). Being kind and friendly will also help -- though she'll be skittish about everything (open spaces, people) she's friendly enough that Claire won't just push people away. Her interactions with colleagues and patients will be easier, but eventually talking to strangers will become easier -- and then they'll be friendships.

This will also leave Claire with goals, or a progression of her interactions within the setting.
1. Come to terms with who/what she is.
2. Make a friend.
3. Form the life she'd been too afraid to live before.

Abilities/Skills:

MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE. programmed with the memories and skills of the original Doctor Saunders means that Claire is as skilled as any doctor who went to medical school, and has even participated since in experimental medical procedures in the Dollhouse. It is unstated as to how far Claire's skills expand or if she has any particular specialism (or multiple with imprinting available). Claire is also well versed in the imprinting technology from a medical standpoint and keeps a particularly close watch over the actives just in case.
COMPUTER SKILLS. in addition to the knowledge possessed by Doctor Saunders when Whiskey was imprinted, Topher also added in high level computer skills - higher than the original Doctor Saunders ever possessed. This allowed Claire to hack Topher's computer (a difficult feat) in order to pull up her old active file, although she left her former persona information alone (despite the ability to access it).
PROGRAMMABLE. after signing a contract with the Dollhouse Claire underwent brain mapping to 'install' the active architecture in order for her to be wiped of her personality and imprinted with subsequent personalities for engagements. As such Claire is unaware of who she was originally as despite discovering that she was a doll she has no desire to look at the file, even to know her name.

Strengths/Weaknesses:

+ nice, caring
+ medical expertise + experience
+ pro with sarcasm for deflecting
+ very honest
+ dedicated to her work/patients
+ strong survival instincts
+ strong ethical morals

- too nice
- afraid of many things
- judgemental
- unhealthily keeps feelings to herself
- will hide from the truth

Items:

- one outfit, including labcoat
- contents of her pockets ( pen, id badge, office keys, a red lolly pop )
- a piece of paper ( with the writing I'm running out of excuses on it )

SAMPLES
Network Sample:

( She opts for text for a number of reasons -- the strangeness of actually being here, the uncertainty of addressing so many that she doesn't know and the lack of confidence in her words. It's easier to type it -- to question and reword it rather than pausing and having visible hesitation there.

She knows two things at least: she is Claire Saunders, and she chose to be here. Whatever both of those things mean )

We're in space. I know that I agreed to it but I didn't expect it to all be fully real. I'm somewhere that I've never heard of before, far away from Earth and all of this shouldn't be possible.

( A lot of what Claire knows also shouldn't be possible but there's a big difference in that and space )

Did you believe it before you saw it, or did you think that this would be something else? Like another country, or just somewhere closer to home?

Hopefully the next travel won't be so disorientating. A warning probably wouldn't cover how it really feels. I'm not sure that I could offer any advice if the feeling did persist, as it's a little out of my expertise, but make sure to rest and drink plenty of water.

Is there anyone that does know anything more?

( Space travel and medical advice really, but she hasn't exactly clarified that )