IndividualCharacter's full name: Booker B. Bookman
Alias/ Nickname/ Code name: The Librarian, Mr. Handsome McBookpants
Gender: Male
Age: 34
[Updated 4/12/2023]Date of Birth: 03/20/1989
Birthplace/ Home/ Place of origin: New York City, New York
Nationality: American
Ethnicity/ Cultural Heritage: Caucuasian / Irish mix
AppearanceHair color and style: Light, Sandy brown. In the sunlight it catches colors of gold and wheat while in darkness it takes on a darker brown hue. Usually his hair will look a little frazzled, partially standing up in messy spikes that looks like he just rolled out of bed and yet is still fashionable somehow?
Skin Tone: Normally Booker’s skin tone is a fair, milky shade of pale but lately he has been spending more time out in the sun, playing soccer and being exposed to the sun. Because of this his skin tone is a little toastier these days but still nonetheless light in appearance.
Eye Color: A Dark Jade Green
Height: 6’2
Build: Surprisingly muscular. Despite stereotypes that center around his job, Booker is actually in great shape. He is quite active in that he works out in the gym regularly, eats right, weight lifts, and jogs at least once a day. His physique has earned him wandering eyes from the patrons of his library, especially when he flexes in the right way reaching for a book or bends down to pick up papers that have mysteriously been strewn about the floor (
darn kids). However Booker isn’t one to brag about his own build and can actually be quite shy when others compliment him on it.
Visible mutation: N/A
Scars/ Tattoos/ Piercings: Booker has a tattoo of an anthropomorphic, zombified book on his left arm. Underneath it says: “Night of the Living Read!” On his right leg there is an old, healed over gash from when he was twelve. He and his sister were play fighting with their Hot Wheels race track sections when she hit him in the leg and the pin cut his leg. (
Whenever they are together he alludes to this by making her do menial tasks because, quote, “My crippled leg hurts”. He’ll never let her live it down.”)
Other features: Persistent five o’clock shadow of amazingness! Just adds to his overall scruffy look that so many find completely adorable.
Everyday clothing style: Booker prefers to dress comfortable. Jeans, t-shirts, and button up checkered shirts are some of his favorites. Color-wise he prefers cool shades of blues, greens, and purples and he owns only one brand and style of sneaker, but has multiple copies of the same show in a variety of neon colors.
Uniform: For work Booker prefer neutral, dark colors. These consist of dark gray or black slacks along with a button up shirt and a vest of matching hue. He can almost always be found wearing a bow tie while he is working, the color depending on how he feels in the morning.
Sleepwear: For cold weather Booker is fine in just a pair of flannel pajama bottoms as well as a slightly oversized t-shirt. For warm weather he is found of just sleeping in his silk boxer shorts for optimal coolness.
Miscellaneous clothing: Again, bow ties. Various colors. Because bow ties are indeed cool.
CharacterPersonality: Quirky is probably the best way to describe Booker. He is an all-around happy individual, one who loves to to follow the beat of his own drum. It is a rare day when you don’t see a smile on Booker’s face and, whenever those days happen, you know something truly tragic has occurred. But, if anything, Booker has displayed an amazing amount of fortitude as he will quickly bounce back from such moments and still dazzle you with a smile and a well-meaning hug. However that is not to say that he doesn’t get angry.
These instances are few and far between but Booker has been known to get angry on certain occasions. Whether it is because he has dealt with an extremely difficult customer, had a terrible, awful, no good, very bad day, or just woke up on the wrong side of the bed and stepped on one of his stray Legos, either way, he can get irritated. Of course his irritation mainly just consists of Booker still being helpful but being more dower about it. However, he has been known to reach levels of actual anger when facing anything that has to do with social injustices, sexism, violence, or threats against mutants. At these times Booker has been known to shout and rant, however he rarely raises his fists in anger; but, if pushed far enough, he doesn’t have a problem with throwing a balled-up fist at anyone.
When it comes to romance, Booker is a big ole softy. He identifies himself as bisexual and is usually pretty open about his orientation. He has dated both men and women and treats both genders with every bit of respect and romantic influence he can muster. Booker is a guy who loves to be in love, but he isn’t stupid enough to just blindly fall head-over-heels with someone; though there has been times where his mouth has gotten ahead of him and he says something outloud he didn’t mean to. He’s working on it. But in relationships, Booker usually puts himself all in. He has eyes only for his partner and if the relationship ends, its’ not because he didn’t try hard enough. Some people can only take Booker’s unique style and quirks a bit at a time, and others have just moved on because they wanted something different. However Booker loves love and isn’t about to quit on it just yet.
Over all, Booker is just a nice guy who wants to have his quiet little corner of the world to read, organize his books, and be in love. Years of reading the classics have spoiled him on how wonderful romances are so he is almost always willing to be in one. He fights for the people he loves and cares about, but he can come off as a bit silly. Still, he takes his job and his passions seriously so be prepared when you meet this guy.
Hobbies/ Interests:- Reading / Books: Booker wasn’t named for his hobby, it just happened to coincide with his namesake. He has always had a great appeal towards books, devouring them in short amounts of time, reading them from cover-to-cover and retaining the information like a sponge. Though he may not seem overly intelligence due to his state of dress and his quirkiness, he is actually extremely intelligent.
- Ukulele: Considering a war crime in some parts of the glove (at least that is what his sister says) Booker has an affinity towards the ukulele. He has about four or five of them in his home and tends to play each one depending on which catches his eye during the day. He is actually very good at playing the tiny instrument though not every appreciates it; heathens.
- Practical Jokes: If there is one thing that Booker is identified with, it is jokes. He loves to tell jokes, he loves to pull pranks, and he especially loves to focus the majority of them on his sister. Over all the man tends to have a wicked sense of humor and uses pranks as an outlet to get in touch with people. If he has pulled a prank on you then it should go without saying that he likes you and is comfortable around you. He understands if that is of little comfort and offers you this totally innocent can of peanuts to open instead.
- Men and Women: Booker freely identifies as bisexual. Both genders have interested him and he has dated both ever since high school. He isn’t afraid to stand up for his orientation and freely voices his opinion on the subject if he starts hearing too many negatives about it.
- Organzation: He has a mind for organization, though it may not seem like it. His own apartment will look about as lived in as a frat boy’s would. However, when he is at work, Booker knows exactly where everything goes and won’t budge on changing that unless it’s mandated. Here, or any library he is at, he is extremely organized and know which books belong where without even needed to research them too hard. It’s just a gift, he would say.
- Geek Culture: A big fan of comic books, video games, and various other things that would be considered nerdy or geek, Booker freely embraces these. Normally he can be found with a superhero themed t-shirt on, collectibles, and various other things. He loves to attend conventionss and frequently talks his sister or lover (whichever he can blackmail first) into joining him in-costume.
Job or part time job and description: Librarian for the New York Public Library
Fears/ phobias/ concerns:- He’ll Never Find Love: Booker is a hopeless romantic, but for as much fiction as he has read, the man fears that he will never find his one true love. He believes that he or she is out there but has yet to find them. Still, with every passing year and ever failed relationship, it is getting harder and harder to believe that.
- Migraines: Booker suffers from intense migraines more often than he would care to admit. Most of the time they are mild enough that he can suffer through work and still retain a fraction of his happy attitude, but the more intense ones have been known to disable him for an entire day. In these instances he prefers to be alone, but may call on the assistance of his sister and/or a lover if he currently has one.
- Anti-Mutant Sentiment: He is willing to give anyone a chance, however, those that spout anti-mutant rhetoric will be quick to suffer his wordy wrath. Though deep down he knows that their minds cannot be changed, he is quick to defend his mutant friends.
- Joking Too Far: Sooooometimes Booker doesn’t know when to stop. He doesn’t intentionally seek to hurt feelings, but sometimes he can push his jokes a little too far. Whether it be that he becomes completely obnoxious or simply has bad timing, Booker can push the line. However, afterwards, when he realizes this, he immediately feels a wave of guilt, probably more than anyone can inflict upon him.
- Anatidaephobia: Somewhere out there, in the world, a duck is watching him -- he just knows it.
Special talents: Not a mutation, but one of those “lucky” individuals, Booker has an eidetic memory. He recalls most everything, which explains his high intelligence. However, it has its ups and downs, as Booker tends to suffer regularly from intense migraines. He has learned to live with them but they can be quite distracting when they hit.
MoralityGood/ bad/ neutral/ other: Good – Neutral. Booker always tries to do the right thing. He respect all sorts of people and only wants what best, however his rather whimsical attitude can result in him coming off as a bit chaotic.
MutationsMutation description:Booker is an Adapted Human.
Strengths: Completed turns off mutant powers at a Ten foot radius.
Weaknesses and Limitations: Never turn off ability.
Physical AbilitiesGeneral Physical Capabilities: Booker is actually has great physicality about him. He works out regularly and is close to peak physical conditioning. Ironically it doesn’t seem like he takes care of himself as he buries himself in books, eats junk food, and so on. However, he is actually works out regularly with weight lighting, jogging, and so on. He has the same strength, speed, and stamina of college athlete.
Fighting Style: Booker really doesn’t have a set fighting style, mainly because he rarely gets into fights. However, when called too, Booker does have some basic knowledge of boxing and grappling from high school. Mainly he just punches and charges at whatever his threatening him; not the most effective of styles.
Fighting Style Pros/Cons:- Pro: Unpredictable. Booker’s “style” really doesn’t follow any set patterns. If pushed into a fight, he will do what he has to in order to defend himself.
- Pro: He doesn’t have to train at it other than to flail his strong arms in the direction of the person who is threatening him?
- Con: Any person with any martial arts experience is already far more prepared than he is. He’ll get his butt handed to him.
- Con:Again, even someone just physically stronger than him or who has a weapon in hard can probably beat him.
History Of Your CharacterWhere to begin with the story of Booker B. Bookman (
and yes, that is his real name). His story shall begin, as most do, in the beginning.
In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the Ea— Okay…we won’t go
that far back. How about something a little more reasonable? Booker was born to Buckram “Buck” Bookman and Barbara “Libby” Bookman in the Spring season in New York City. The first of many children planned between the two happy parents, they named their first child Booker, as reflection their deep love of books as well as to ruin the rest of his life (
they will vehemently deny that last part). Booker was raised as a fat, happy, and doted upon child. He was the apple of his parents’ eye and gained the most of their attention. But, of course, the Bookman’s wanted their family to grow even more.
It would only be a few short years later when the Bookman’s would add to their family, another son going by the name [REDACTED]. Booker was initially suspicious of his baby brother, being only a few years older than him, he of course wanted the lion’s share of the doting attention that parents could give. This would start a short-lived war between the siblings, where Booker would demand attention from his parents while they were feeding [REDACTED] and shoving crayons in the baby’s drool covered hand whenever he was about to be caught drawing all over the walls (
for as clever as he thought his was, his parents were on to him).
However as with some siblings, affection for his baby brother just grew and grew and both Booker and [REDACTED] soon became inseparable. Of course there was still rivalry for the love of parent’s but sibling affection would always be present for the two. It was a love that would stand the test of time and the massive changes that would eventually befall them all.
Booker’s life was almost a fairytale. He did great in school, was an all-time athlete, and despite his nerdy quirks, the young man grew up to by quite popular. However certain discoveries would be made that would open up Booker’s worldview and make him think twice about the person he was going to be.
The discovery’s name was Grant. They were both high school footballers and pair of the best on the team. However they both had a secret that they didn’t realize existed until after one particularly brutal game that was lost to the opposing team – they liked one another. Sharing a comforting beer on the bleachers of their high school, Booker and Grant allowed the buzz they were feeling to get the better of them. As they laid back, looking up at the stars and thinking about how small this lose that everyone was taking so hard really was, the two found themselves looking at one another. The next they knew, lips met and a whirlwind of emotions swept through Booker. He had a girlfriend at the time, a sweet young girl by the name of Kathleen, whom he knew he was one-hundred percent attracted to, but he was also attracted to Grant? It was then that the realization dawned on him – he was bisexual.
For a good while kept this news to himself. The only person who ever knew early one was his brother [REDACTED], and that was only because he had come to Booker with his own struggle with identity. For awhile the two of them helped one another out as best they could, sneaking these bits of information around their parents until the faithful day where they both came out, together. In the end, it would be Booker would have the easier time.
After high school, Booker went off to college. He had his pick of fields, being an athlete and incredibly intelligent. Most would have wanted him to get out of the family business dealing with books but despite the discomfort that his parents now showed to his sister, Vanessa (
formally REDACTED), he still had a love of books. Feeling that it was his true calling, Booker worked hard to earn his degree in Literature and from there got a job as a library page for the New York Public Library. But change cannot be silent for long; eventually a new aspect of Booker. B. Bookman would come out of the woodwork, an aspect that he never knew that he had.
In his third year of college, Booker found himself dating a rather amazing young man by the name of Jamal. The two had started off rather casually before it progressed into something deeper. However what he didn’t know was that Jamal was hiding the fact that he was a mutant. With the ability to imbue objects with enough kinetic energy to make them explode, Jamal had done his best to keep that side of himself unknown to the world, even Booker. But during a particularly stressful finals week, when the stresses of his secret, dysfunctional home, and thoughts that Booker was cheating on him (
he wasn’t), Jamal lost his control.
While at a finals week party, Jamal had had enough. Most of the crowd was dispersing but when he found Booker talking to classmate across the room, the young man had lost his cool. His powers going nuclear, everything the man touched or brushed against suddenly began to explode into plumes of hellfire until finally he exploded and sent out a burst of energy that nearly destroyed the entire house. It was a terrifying event and, though no one was killed, the only people who managed to escape injury were those who ran out before the real fireworks started; everyone else had been pinned by furniture, burned from the explosions, or had shrapnel embedded into their flesh – everyone, that is, except for Booker.
Deemed “The-Luckiest-Sonnvab****” in that school, Booker managed to escape from the explosions with only a mere abrasion caused by a nearby bookshelf that had nudged him as it toppled over. For days after, Booker thought over and over again about the incident, willing some kind of explanation to pop into his head. He remembered being at the party, he remembered hearing the explosions, he even remembered turning to find Jamal across the way, just before the man issued out an ear-splitting explosion. The funny thing was that the way Booker remembered it, he saw the explosion coming right for him, including a wave of debris, but as soon as it reached within a few feet of him, the flames dispersed and the shrapnel dropped dead to the ground.
He could never explain it, but it wouldn’t be the first time that strange things like this have happened to him. There have been moments where Booker has avoided injury as mutants have collided in New York, somehow baffle would-be thugs who would attempt to use non-existent powers on him, and so on and so forth. For the most part Booker really did consider himself the most lucky fella, but eventually came to learn what he truly was – an adapted, a new strain of humankind who have developed the ability to unconsciously negate the abilities of other mutants. Pity considering how cool he believes mutants to be but awesome on being special! Woo!
Steadily, between school and real life, Booker eventually graduated, went to Grad School, and earned his Master in Library and Information Sciences in a remarkable amount of time. Throughout his years, he continued to refine himself, accepting what he likes and doesn’t like about himself. He classifies himself as a Gerd (
a geek/nerd hybrid), and enjoys his fandoms and eccentricities. Family wise he limits talking to his mother and father over the treatment of his sister, Nessa, whom he loves dearly. He tries to regularly pester her because he draws amusement from it and, secretly, is just trying to be a good big brother.
Now Booker finds himself was one of the up-and-coming librarians for his occupation, always willing to lend a hand, always doing what is best for the patrons and for the hallowed knowledge that his institution oversees. For Booker he is exactly where he wants to be in the world and has no plans of ever changing that.
RoleplayWhere did you learn about this site?: I thought I had escaped. I was free from the wicked place for years. I hid my tracks. I vanished into thin air. And then, just when I felt at my most comfortable and I was ready to close my eyes and allow myself rest, the last thing I saw before they closed was single word…”Google…”
Do you have any other characters on MRO, if so who: Jorge Cervantes &
Agnes NicholasSample RP:The New York Public Library is a staple of the city in which it resides in. There are scarcely few who do not recognize the towering architecture or the sentinel-like lions that guard the entryways. It is a place of hallowed knowledge, where anyone can be anything. Where children can come and dream about the future. Where adults can travel backwards through history. Where vagrants can sneak in because it’s too cold out and pee somewhere in the reference section while grabbing newspapers to stuff into their less-than-ideal smelling clothing.
Ah yes, the public library. It exists in a strange middle ground where people both reverie it and avoid it at all costs. The elderly remember it fondly, adults somewhat, and children turn up their noses and go back to their iPhones, iPads, and iWhatever-Elses. And yet, despite the steady decline of interest, it is one of those institutions that will stand the test of time; the library, if anything, is adaptable – no matter the change or threat.
Pushing a cart through aisles upon aisles of bookshelves, Booker B. Bookman, a tall man wearing smoky gray slacks, a matching vest, and a rose-colored, button up shirt underneath, whistled to himself as he hunched over, pushing the cart with ease. His physique was clearly visible, molded by his clothing, and seemingly mismatched against the ideas of what someone would have of people who worked in the library. But such sentiments didn’t bother the man with the light, sandy colored hair, the jade green eyes, or the scruffy five o’clock shadow – he was actually quite content.
Moving down the aisles, he stopped at one particular section, literature, and straightened up as he continued to whistle the theme song to his favorite show
The Shambling Deceased. Holding the book in hand, he peered at the call number taped to the spine before looking back to the shelves to find its correct location. Spying the gap, the man reached up and slid he book gently into place and beamed – perfection.
Satisfied with his work, the librarian adjusted his blazing red bowtie. The tie had an images of a family comic character, the Biclops! Former leader of the Z-Men. The bowtie was hardly a praise towards the character, however, as it showed the once hero shouted and several lines of text reading
”BICLOPS WAS WRONG!”. It was one of his favorite bowties, one that he wore usually whenever he knew he was going to be seeing his sister, Nessa, who happened to believe the opposite of what the tie so clearly stated. It was the source of many an antagonistic argument between the two which had resulted in them having to officially write up a truce to prevent a repeat of the full out Prank Wars of 2015. Still, while they wouldn’t discuss it, he couldn’t help but wear a little jab whenever he could.
“THIS BOOK IS STUPID! I HATE IT! I HATE BOOKS!!”
“AHHH!!!”
His ears perked at the sound and, soon after, was followed by the scent of soot in the air. Eyes widened, the man abandoned his cart as he followed his nose until he finally ended up in the children’s section. There he found a young boy, angrily holding a book in his hand as flames began to flicker and envelope his body. With a gulp the man started to approach, eyeing the kid, the flames, that the smoldering book with steadily rising wisps of smoke. If the fire alarm went off, the sprinklers would set and the water would drown half the collection. He couldn’t allow that – plus, the kid clearly needed help; luckily he could provide that.
Advancing, Booker took slow steps forward, smiling at the kid when he shot his glance up. The boy wasn’t happy to see him and growled angrily. “THIS BOOK IS STUPID!”
Booker eyed the cover, immediately knowing what he was talking about.
”Aw, I get it buddy. I didn’t like it when Bumble-Door died either. But you know there are more books in the series, right?”The kid stared at him with bleary eyes. “Y-Yeah?”
Booker nodded and took another step forward. As soon as he did, his area of influence had enveloped the boy and the flames which had already started to die down, flickered out completely. Calm that there would be no more fires for the moment, he breathed a sigh of relief, grabbed one of the comically undersized chairs and pulled it over. To took patience to find the right balance of what percentage of butt cheeks to plant on the chair to keep himself from being too uncomfortable, but he found it as it grinned at the kid.
”And you know what? I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but…” he peered left and right before looking back.
”Mr. Bumble-Door comes back.”The kid’s eyes widened. “REALLY?!”
Booker nodded.
”Oh yeah, buddy.” he beamed.
”Why don’t you get another copy of the book you…were mad at…and I’ll help you finish reading the last chapter, deal?” He smiled as the kid nodded excitedly and ran off to grab another copy of the burnt book. Leaning down, Booker sighed as he picked up the burnt remains and turned it over in his hands. It was mainly the edges that were burnt but the library wouldn’t keep it in the collection. He’d find a good home for it.
Booker seems adorable, and I can't wait to throw my characters at him. (#alreadyshiphimwithmyfourth #evenifhedoesn'texistyet) 
