Marielle Eastleigh

Background

The Eastleigh fashion house was one of the great names in London fashion before the first world war. Although it was run by her father, the real genius of the business was Marielle. Although her father strongly disapproved of working women, he couldn't deny that she had tremendous talent and felt that as long as he was there to look after her, it would be alright.

The fashion house took Marielle's whole attention until she met a young army captain. They were engaged, but he was killed in the closing weeks of the first world war. After his death, Marielle threw herself into design with even greater energy. Her father felt that what she really needed was a husband and to that end took a young man, Peter Harding, into the business who he felt would be a suitable match. When Marielle discovered the reason Peter had been employed she was furious. After a terrible row with her father, he banned her from working at the fasion house, while Marielle vowed never to marry.

The argument might have been resolved, had Marielle's father not died of a heart attack soon afterwards. Marielle's mother blamed her daughter entirely and refused to speak to her. Worse was to come, when the content's of Mr. Eastleigh's will were disclosed. The business had been left to Peter Harding. A trust fund had been established which would pay Marielle an annual sum but only on condition she married Peter. Marielle had only a month to agree to the marriage or the contents of the fund would be given to Peter also.

Leaving the solicitors' offices alone, Marielle was over come with desperation. Without any money of her own, she could never establish her own fashion house and equally she could never bring herself to marry Peter. In an uncharacteristic moment of despair, she threw herself into the Thames, determined to end it all.

She awoke some time later in a strange house, dizzy and with a burning thirst. At first she though she had been pulled alive from the Thames and the despair returned. Then she discovered she had been found by Bruno di Lucia, a Toreador who had been drawn to the river by a vision of her pain and despair.

Marielle fitted well into Toreador society in London. Soon her fresh new styles were in demand throughout the fief and even beyond. She was happier than ever before and thought she would stay in London forever. However, the Second World War shattered the fief. With many of her friends killed during the Blitz and the political situation getting ever more treacherous, Marielle left for the fief of York.

Far from London, she hoped to stay out of the civil war she felt was inevitable. Although 'the London designer' was soon wooed by the Leeds Toreador, she had met Anne Cartwright several times before and was determined not to snub her old friend by siding with her enemies. In fact, despite her friendship with Anne, Marielle is one of the more neutral Toreador in the fief. Her design talents are coveted by all Toreador in the city and she refuses to work for people who try to involve her in clan politics.

Clan

Image

Influence

Secrets

Habitat

Although she works very hard at her design, Marielle loves parties and any social events. She especially loves to see her own creations worn by others, so always enjoys Toreador parties. She usually accompanies Anne but occasionally will bring along one of her young mortal acquaintances.

Ultimate Goal

Immediate Goal

Resources

Marielle's greatest resource is her power over Toreador society. She is very reluctant to use this though and would require a major incentive to use it for the gain of others.