Donna Paulsen ❥ not your mother (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
executiveassistant) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
realpolitik2012-06-24 05:07 pm
executiveassistant) wrote in realpolitik2012-06-24 05:07 pm
Entry tags:
[Application] Donna; Somarium
[Player name] Cal
[Age] 20
[Personal Journal]kalisona
[Other characters currently played]
Mitsunari Ishida | Brave 10 |insultea
[Character name] Donna Paulsen
[Age] Don't ask a lady her age-- I mean. 30's somewhere probably.
[Canon] Suits
[Point in time taken from canon] Season 1: Episode 11, after Harvey apologizes to her for threatening to fire her.
[Background]
hello obscurity
Unfortunately we really don't know anything else about her past than that. We have hints that she was involved in a relationship (a workplace relationship) that ended very poorly, but it's only vaguely alluded to. Otherwise, we know that she's been with Harvey since his first year as an ADA, as it says in the Wiki.
[Personality]
Donna is, overall, a self-sustained, motivated woman who knows what she wants, does what she wants, and can't be tamed.
As Harvey's assistant, she is privy to just about everything about his life and what is going on in the firm concerning him. Not that she needs any permission, of course. She is self-confessed to eavesdrop on all of his conversations, and Harvey knows it and doesn't care. He expects it, because she is Donna and Donna knows everything about his life. But Donna is Donna; she takes it a step further, building an information network, learning everything about everyone at the firm. Mostly, she doesn't like being unprepared, doesn't like being thought of as lesser in any way and, most of all, she doesn't like being looked down upon.
She refuses to be talked down to. She refuses to allow anyone to speak to her in a condescending manner. Donna has made herself irreplaceable and--to most of the firm--someone to fear. And she prefers it that way. Because attractive and charming as she is, when it comes down to it, it's better to have people know she is not someone to be messed with, or else. And people do know, and very well. The very rumor of Donna's wrath is enough to keep people on their toes--even though we never really see her all that angry. She simply knows how best to make use of people and the knowledge she has. We know from suitsrecruits that she didn't know who had taken her stapler or can opener; she just made use of her information network to know in time to pretend she had known all along. It's a game and she is a grade-A player.
That's not to say that she doesn't have charm, because she absolutely does, and she knows how to use it. Donna has no problems with using her looks to get her way, seducing someone for something she needs (or because she's bored), or bribing someone. She's a little manipulative in that way, but it's only the sort of manipulative that can be expected out of a very competent assistant in a very exacting law firm. Donna will never be taken off guard when in her own element, that's for sure. She takes careful steps to prevent that from ever happening. Along with this, she tends to be rather quiet about her own life and past before she worked with Harvey, and she guards his secrets equally well--
Unless it would help him if others knew.
See, Donna is absolutely loyal to Harvey, but she is so loyal to Harvey that she is willing to go against his direct order to do what would be best for him. She will go behind his back, even knowing he would be extremely angry at her, in order to make sure that he will remain safe and his well-being won't be compromised. She's willing to risk everything--her job, his trust in her, everything--so long as it means Harvey will be okay.
Her priorities are very simple that way. Harvey is her priority--Harvey's well-being is her top priority. He loves his office; when it is threatened, she makes sure Mike knows just what Harvey is risking. His job is important to him; she'll make sure he keeps it.
All of this pieced together makes for a very strong-willed woman, unafraid to do whatever is necessary when it comes down to it. She is clever, intelligent, and she knows Harvey almost better than the man knows himself, able to deduce just about anything from even the color of the tie he is wearing. Because Donna is observant and Donna doesn't let things pass her by. She might smile and laugh and accept drinks from whoever is offering, but she'll remember the names and the faces and she can always use the information network she builds simply from gossiping and being Donna to learn more.
In other words, she is a ridiculously adept assistant.
On top of that, she's a bit of an actor, prone to melodrama when the situation calls for it (and she knows very well how to pretend like she's crying like a pro). She's got a vicious sense of humor, a very sharp tongue when she feels the need, and a tendency to quote Shakespeare at opportune moments. She's well-liked, really, and for good reason. If you need a favor, Donna will get it done, without a doubt. You just might have to trade her something of equal value for it, but fair's fair, right?
But if someone really needed her help, she'd give it. She's got a kindness in her somewhere, like when Mike needed her help for the Mock Trial. She just assumed he needed it, and began doing what would be necessary (even without telling him first). It's how she functions. She'll know you need her help before you do, sometimes.
she totally rules the law firm with Jessica
But when things get serious, Donna gets serious as well. She is firm, direct, to the point. She tells it like it is, no matter who might get hurt by her words, because this is serious. And usually, that side comes out of her when Harvey is threatened in any way.
But that's a rarer sort of thing. She's popular because she's smart and attractive and fun to talk to. She's hardly mean, either, unless the situation calls for it, but she's definitely no-nonsense and grows easily exasperated with people trying to pull a fast one over her or just being terribly dumb. Though she honestly doesn't have any problem getting her amusement out of the day by making a mockery of people.
Gently.
Oh so gently.
So to wrap this up before I ramble further, Donna is charming, smart, pretty. She certainly knows how to have fun, has no issues doing what she wants, and is Harvey's not!wife, in that she would do anything for him, romantic feelings or not, and knows just about everything about him.
As it should be.
[Abilities]
She knows everything that is going on and doesn't afraid of anything. Smart, witty, sharp, just that hint of manipulative that is necessary at a high class law firm. She's got a very firm grasp on the law, an even firmer grasp on blackmail and sweet-talking (and sometimes seducing) and is, of course, on top of all of that, a top-notch secretarial assistant.
But she doesn't speak spanish. And she's just a normal human. Don't punch her, you'll have a lawsuit on your hands faster than you can say "sorry".
[Other important stuff]
Es rojo tu color natural?
[Sample post]
[First Person]
- If you were to describe yourself in one sentence, what would that be?
[She tilts her head, arching an eyebrow and making a bit of a face.] I don't think I can be contained in a single sentence. That's just a little insulting, don't you think so?
- The hottest boy/girl in class/workplace just confessed their love to you. How do you respond?
Ooooh...That sounds messy. They shouldn't say things like that in public places where anyone can overhear. [She smiles then, tilting her head.] Off the clock? Maybe we can talk about it.
- Would you consider yourself a lover, a hater, a sinner, or a saint? Or maybe a mix of both?
Me? I'm an absolute angel, obviously. I just do my job.
[And then she purses her lips.]
...And hey, why are those the only options?
- Will you make a contract with me? ／人 ◕ ‿‿ ◕ 人＼
...Did someone let a...rabbit...cat thing into the office...? I'm pretty sure making deals with mutants isn't in my work contract, sorry. Besides, I'm taken.
- You discover someone stalking you. Do you call the police or deal with it yourself?
I'd do the same as I did last time. Call the police, slap a restraining order on him faster than he could say "but I love your hair" and block his number in my phone. [A mock-shudder.] It's even worse when they confess. Never let it get to that point.
- What... is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
Hmm. That sounds like something Mike would ask. Mike, is there something you want to tell me? I'm sure you're not trying to make a fool of me.
[Third Person]
It was 6:00 am sharp when Donna walked into the coffee shop, heels clicking on the tile, skirt and dress coat pristine. Appearances, appearances, appearances. It simply would not do to walk into the firm anything less than pristine.
(She'd seen it happen. It wasn't pretty.)
(Never to her, of course. She was more experienced than that.)
But while appearances were important, that wasn't all she had up her sleeve. She was competent at her job, and that was the most important. As an assistant, she naturally had to be able to read the current of the job and the pulse of every person at the firm. Oh, it was almost second nature to her now, but that just mean there was definitely no excuse for anything less than the best.
And so she strolled up to the counter, leaning on it just enough to best display her figure (perhaps it was just a natural, subconscious gesture at this point) and smiled brightly at the barista.
He looked at her and swallowed.
Good man. He knew to be very afraid already.
So Donna kept her smile on and ordered--a grande frappuccino for her, skim milk but with whipped cream. And after a moment's pointed thought, she also got Harvey's coffee as well.
(Just like every morning, but only because she was just that amazing of an assistant.)
She thanked the barista, "Thank you very much, you've been really helpful."
And when she lifted the cups, she spied the phone number written along the side of the cup (hers, not Harvey's, though that would have been quite entertaining). She would've given Harvey his cup regardless, even with the number on, though she suspected it was clear that a simply black coffee was likely not hers.
Well. She could absolutely give him points for creativity and being perceptive enough for that. And she did--with a wink, before she turned and walked away, already pushing him out of her mind as her heels clicked on the tile and she thought about what tasks she had to do that day. Harvey would need the files on the Wendigo case. She could send a text before she got into work and have them on her desk by the time she was there, so she thought she might as well do that. He would probably also request times for the hearing; she would do that first. She already had his coffee.
It was a good start, she could admit that one. But there would be much to do yet. She couldn't predict everything...just most things.
It wasn't a Tuesday. She probably wouldn't be bored enough for the barista today.
[Why do you want to play this character in Somarium?] I need to play a character who isn't a samurai. Also she's fabulous. Som is fabulous. 2 + 2 = 4
[Which rule was your favorite and why?] God-modding. Have I hit every rule yet?
[Where did you hear about Somarium?] it's been years let's just leave the past alone
[Any questions?] ARE YOU READY FOR THIS, SOM
[Age] 20
[Personal Journal]
kalisona[Other characters currently played]
Mitsunari Ishida | Brave 10 |
insultea[Character name] Donna Paulsen
[Age] Don't ask a lady her age-- I mean. 30's somewhere probably.
[Canon] Suits
[Point in time taken from canon] Season 1: Episode 11, after Harvey apologizes to her for threatening to fire her.
[Background]
hello obscurity
Unfortunately we really don't know anything else about her past than that. We have hints that she was involved in a relationship (a workplace relationship) that ended very poorly, but it's only vaguely alluded to. Otherwise, we know that she's been with Harvey since his first year as an ADA, as it says in the Wiki.
[Personality]
Donna is, overall, a self-sustained, motivated woman who knows what she wants, does what she wants, and can't be tamed.
As Harvey's assistant, she is privy to just about everything about his life and what is going on in the firm concerning him. Not that she needs any permission, of course. She is self-confessed to eavesdrop on all of his conversations, and Harvey knows it and doesn't care. He expects it, because she is Donna and Donna knows everything about his life. But Donna is Donna; she takes it a step further, building an information network, learning everything about everyone at the firm. Mostly, she doesn't like being unprepared, doesn't like being thought of as lesser in any way and, most of all, she doesn't like being looked down upon.
She refuses to be talked down to. She refuses to allow anyone to speak to her in a condescending manner. Donna has made herself irreplaceable and--to most of the firm--someone to fear. And she prefers it that way. Because attractive and charming as she is, when it comes down to it, it's better to have people know she is not someone to be messed with, or else. And people do know, and very well. The very rumor of Donna's wrath is enough to keep people on their toes--even though we never really see her all that angry. She simply knows how best to make use of people and the knowledge she has. We know from suitsrecruits that she didn't know who had taken her stapler or can opener; she just made use of her information network to know in time to pretend she had known all along. It's a game and she is a grade-A player.
That's not to say that she doesn't have charm, because she absolutely does, and she knows how to use it. Donna has no problems with using her looks to get her way, seducing someone for something she needs (or because she's bored), or bribing someone. She's a little manipulative in that way, but it's only the sort of manipulative that can be expected out of a very competent assistant in a very exacting law firm. Donna will never be taken off guard when in her own element, that's for sure. She takes careful steps to prevent that from ever happening. Along with this, she tends to be rather quiet about her own life and past before she worked with Harvey, and she guards his secrets equally well--
Unless it would help him if others knew.
See, Donna is absolutely loyal to Harvey, but she is so loyal to Harvey that she is willing to go against his direct order to do what would be best for him. She will go behind his back, even knowing he would be extremely angry at her, in order to make sure that he will remain safe and his well-being won't be compromised. She's willing to risk everything--her job, his trust in her, everything--so long as it means Harvey will be okay.
Her priorities are very simple that way. Harvey is her priority--Harvey's well-being is her top priority. He loves his office; when it is threatened, she makes sure Mike knows just what Harvey is risking. His job is important to him; she'll make sure he keeps it.
All of this pieced together makes for a very strong-willed woman, unafraid to do whatever is necessary when it comes down to it. She is clever, intelligent, and she knows Harvey almost better than the man knows himself, able to deduce just about anything from even the color of the tie he is wearing. Because Donna is observant and Donna doesn't let things pass her by. She might smile and laugh and accept drinks from whoever is offering, but she'll remember the names and the faces and she can always use the information network she builds simply from gossiping and being Donna to learn more.
In other words, she is a ridiculously adept assistant.
On top of that, she's a bit of an actor, prone to melodrama when the situation calls for it (and she knows very well how to pretend like she's crying like a pro). She's got a vicious sense of humor, a very sharp tongue when she feels the need, and a tendency to quote Shakespeare at opportune moments. She's well-liked, really, and for good reason. If you need a favor, Donna will get it done, without a doubt. You just might have to trade her something of equal value for it, but fair's fair, right?
But if someone really needed her help, she'd give it. She's got a kindness in her somewhere, like when Mike needed her help for the Mock Trial. She just assumed he needed it, and began doing what would be necessary (even without telling him first). It's how she functions. She'll know you need her help before you do, sometimes.
But when things get serious, Donna gets serious as well. She is firm, direct, to the point. She tells it like it is, no matter who might get hurt by her words, because this is serious. And usually, that side comes out of her when Harvey is threatened in any way.
But that's a rarer sort of thing. She's popular because she's smart and attractive and fun to talk to. She's hardly mean, either, unless the situation calls for it, but she's definitely no-nonsense and grows easily exasperated with people trying to pull a fast one over her or just being terribly dumb. Though she honestly doesn't have any problem getting her amusement out of the day by making a mockery of people.
Gently.
Oh so gently.
So to wrap this up before I ramble further, Donna is charming, smart, pretty. She certainly knows how to have fun, has no issues doing what she wants, and is Harvey's not!wife, in that she would do anything for him, romantic feelings or not, and knows just about everything about him.
As it should be.
[Abilities]
She knows everything that is going on and doesn't afraid of anything. Smart, witty, sharp, just that hint of manipulative that is necessary at a high class law firm. She's got a very firm grasp on the law, an even firmer grasp on blackmail and sweet-talking (and sometimes seducing) and is, of course, on top of all of that, a top-notch secretarial assistant.
But she doesn't speak spanish. And she's just a normal human. Don't punch her, you'll have a lawsuit on your hands faster than you can say "sorry".
[Other important stuff]
Es rojo tu color natural?
[Sample post]
[First Person]
- If you were to describe yourself in one sentence, what would that be?
[She tilts her head, arching an eyebrow and making a bit of a face.] I don't think I can be contained in a single sentence. That's just a little insulting, don't you think so?
- The hottest boy/girl in class/workplace just confessed their love to you. How do you respond?
Ooooh...That sounds messy. They shouldn't say things like that in public places where anyone can overhear. [She smiles then, tilting her head.] Off the clock? Maybe we can talk about it.
- Would you consider yourself a lover, a hater, a sinner, or a saint? Or maybe a mix of both?
Me? I'm an absolute angel, obviously. I just do my job.
[And then she purses her lips.]
...And hey, why are those the only options?
- Will you make a contract with me? ／人 ◕ ‿‿ ◕ 人＼
...Did someone let a...rabbit...cat thing into the office...? I'm pretty sure making deals with mutants isn't in my work contract, sorry. Besides, I'm taken.
- You discover someone stalking you. Do you call the police or deal with it yourself?
I'd do the same as I did last time. Call the police, slap a restraining order on him faster than he could say "but I love your hair" and block his number in my phone. [A mock-shudder.] It's even worse when they confess. Never let it get to that point.
- What... is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
Hmm. That sounds like something Mike would ask. Mike, is there something you want to tell me? I'm sure you're not trying to make a fool of me.
[Third Person]
It was 6:00 am sharp when Donna walked into the coffee shop, heels clicking on the tile, skirt and dress coat pristine. Appearances, appearances, appearances. It simply would not do to walk into the firm anything less than pristine.
(She'd seen it happen. It wasn't pretty.)
(Never to her, of course. She was more experienced than that.)
But while appearances were important, that wasn't all she had up her sleeve. She was competent at her job, and that was the most important. As an assistant, she naturally had to be able to read the current of the job and the pulse of every person at the firm. Oh, it was almost second nature to her now, but that just mean there was definitely no excuse for anything less than the best.
And so she strolled up to the counter, leaning on it just enough to best display her figure (perhaps it was just a natural, subconscious gesture at this point) and smiled brightly at the barista.
He looked at her and swallowed.
Good man. He knew to be very afraid already.
So Donna kept her smile on and ordered--a grande frappuccino for her, skim milk but with whipped cream. And after a moment's pointed thought, she also got Harvey's coffee as well.
(Just like every morning, but only because she was just that amazing of an assistant.)
She thanked the barista, "Thank you very much, you've been really helpful."
And when she lifted the cups, she spied the phone number written along the side of the cup (hers, not Harvey's, though that would have been quite entertaining). She would've given Harvey his cup regardless, even with the number on, though she suspected it was clear that a simply black coffee was likely not hers.
Well. She could absolutely give him points for creativity and being perceptive enough for that. And she did--with a wink, before she turned and walked away, already pushing him out of her mind as her heels clicked on the tile and she thought about what tasks she had to do that day. Harvey would need the files on the Wendigo case. She could send a text before she got into work and have them on her desk by the time she was there, so she thought she might as well do that. He would probably also request times for the hearing; she would do that first. She already had his coffee.
It was a good start, she could admit that one. But there would be much to do yet. She couldn't predict everything...just most things.
It wasn't a Tuesday. She probably wouldn't be bored enough for the barista today.
[Why do you want to play this character in Somarium?] I need to play a character who isn't a samurai. Also she's fabulous. Som is fabulous. 2 + 2 = 4
[Which rule was your favorite and why?] God-modding. Have I hit every rule yet?
[Where did you hear about Somarium?] it's been years let's just leave the past alone
[Any questions?] ARE YOU READY FOR THIS, SOM