Mariane Pega Garcia
She has earned herself the obvious nickname of Magpie, and she rather likes it, but she insists on calling herself by her middle name. However, whenever anyone of authority asks her name, she always rattles off her full name and begins into her family lineage with their full names, as it tends to infuriate them. Her priest actually gives her the nickname Icarus, but she hasn’t gotten the reference yet.
Physical Description
A rather tall harpy woman, she is quite a stunning sight. Having a darker Latin complexion, she has a very slender body with more than generous curves. As with all harpies, feathers start on her legs at her knees and by her lower calves it is bird legs rather than human. The bird leg portion is mostly black with white highlights and the feathers are all white. Her wings are a pattern of black and white and are very large, able to hold her easily. She has extra long nails that resemble talons more then human nails. Her mouth is filled with short, sharp, fang-like teeth. She has medium length ears that are close to the side of her head.
Her jet black hair is tied up at the top of her head and then falls back to her shoulders. She paints her talon-nails a bright red colour, and makes you always aware of their presence. Her lips are painted an iridescent red that shimmers with other colours. She applies a purple, blue and black eye shadow, more subdued than many. As her complexion wouldn’t even show it, she never wears blush.
Physical Quirks
She tends to be very flirty and will run the back side of her talons over men’s faces when she is trying to gain their trust, or tap the sharp end on their shoulder when she’s trying to make a veiled threat. She also walks very much like an actual magpie, bot really moving her head or letting her body change heights as she walks.
Clothing Style
Being a harpy, the idea of normal pants are just offensive to her. She wears long shorts, and that’s about all she can wear that she won’t shred to pieces when she puts it on. She usually picks a white pair, but may swap it for black if she wears a white top. The top is a long sleeved blouse, which is always the opposite colour of her shorts, but is always open to tease at her cleavage, which she knows men love looking at. She has much jewelry, two rings of different styles on her right hand, a chain hand bracelet on the left hand which loops around her middle finger, a beaded series of cord necklaces and an ornate faux gemstone pendant on a beaded necklace. She also has a pair of egg shaped disc earrings with a large gemstone in each.
Mental Characteristics
Personal History
Born on the streets of Rio, she always had to do what was necessary to survive, and that usually meant taking from someone else. And she was very good at it, especially able to get away. One day she stole from someone who actually was able to catch her with magic, and she pleaded with him to not turn her in or do terrible things to her like the other men who caught her did. He was appalled that people would do that, so he instead let her go and promised to teach her magic to help her defend herself. She eagerly agreed, even though she was lying about what the other men did, as it had never happened. She was a very quick study, and when he finished teaching her, she confessed that she had lied, and he laughed and said he knew, but just wanted her company for a while as he was lonely.
As the economy began to collapse more, and the gangs in the area started coming for her cutting in their turf, she decided to get out and took a long trek up north, coming to the US border. She applied for asylum, citing that the gangs were after her. She obtained it quite easily, partially because it was the truth, and partially because she used her charms to get a more favourable review my the immigration officer. Once she made it to the US, she was able to con just the right people to get enough money to apply for full citizenship. She kept herself out of trouble just long enough for that to get approved, and with her new status as a citizen, moved to New York to start back in her old trade.
Education
Having barely the equivalent of the high school diploma, she actually does have a formidable magical repertoire, having more than enough to both keep herself safe, but also aid her in her crimes.
Employment
As a con artist, she mostly prays on men who are rich and looking for a pretty young thing to have on their arm. As she is quite the unique catch, it works to her favour. She lives the high life with them, swiping small things they won’t miss from their house while giving them the companion and love they are looking for, getting gifts galore before flying off to find someone else. When times are truly desperate, she will resort to petty theft, but prefers to avoid gangs and organized crime people, but preying on rich people who are lax in their security, usually swooping in and taking what isn’t nailed down and is worth enough to take, usually jewelry, or as she calls them, shinies.
Morality & Philosophy
To her, if it’s not nailed down or locked up, it’s fair game for her, and if it is nailed down, that’s what a crowbar is for. She can and does occasionally pick locks to get at bigger stuff, but since it’s more time than she’d like to spend, she’d rather con some rich sucker. While she does intend to rob them blind, she knows that doing so without giving them something in return would only make her a bigger target, so she will at least give them affection and be the trophy they want her to be. She doesn’t like organized crime, as she is more of a loner, and feels gangs are too needlessly violent.
Personality
Motivation
She wants an easy and comfortable life with lots of wealth, good food and interesting people. Part of the reason she tends to leave the rich men she cons is that she gets bored with them, as they are generally very shallow and have even more vapid friends. If she ever met someone who wasn’t this way and was rich, she might consider settling down with them.
Likes & Dislikes
She absolutely love expensive things, or at least things that look expensive. The shinier they are, the more that she likes them. She also is a fan of Spanish soap operas, being constantly amused by them. While she does love being served expensive food, she actually doesn’t like the taste, preferring a good taco, something she picked up on her way up in Mexico. She is a fan of Latin music, especially anything she can salsa dance to. She really dislikes criminals who hurt people for no reason, and has actually stopped more than one gun robbery by snatching the gun with her foot talons. This is what has earned her respect with the police. She also absolutely detests drones, as she’s hit or been hit by more than one while flying. She will usually crush their propellers and drop them somewhere, not wanting to cost someone too much money.
Virtues
A kind woman, even with all her faults, she doesn’t want to hurt people, and only takes things that they either won’t miss, or won’t leave them poor. She also has a soft spot for kids who are being bullied, and will chase off any bullies in the process. She is also very empathetic and comforting to her marks, understanding that many of them are just looking for companionship, and affection, things she is willing to give…for a price.
Vices
She has a voracious appetite for wealth, and this has led to her getting herself in deep quite a few times. She also has a vicious temper, and will lash out at people provoking her, or hurting others. She’s also starting to get a little bleak in her outlook, thinking she’s going to end up poor and alone soon, when her looks begin to fade.
Quirks
She will usually keep her wings folded in when she’s on the ground, knowing that they only get in the way. When she’s nervous or expecting trouble, they tends to twitch, and she starts looking around to see how quickly she can take flight. She knows that she’s safest in the air, at least she was until recently with the increase of drones.
Values
She values her independence and being able to take care of herself over most anything, but she does admire those who have a similar moral code to hers. If money wasn’t an issue, kindness, selflessness and ability to make her laugh and keep her entertained would be the things that most interested her. If she ever found a rich man like that who wanted her, she would be in heaven.
Sexual Style
A very feisty woman, she will give back to her marks, and men she actually finds attractive in the most wonderful ways. She is a very enthusiastic lover, and loves to give and receive attention from any man she is with. She has a healthy, but not overly driving libido. She prefers to be seductive and a bit of a romantic with her men, but very passionate once she’s with them. She is game for almost anything, but doesn’t like being on her back during the act, since it limits her wings. On top or from behind are her favourites. She loves to be eaten out, and men who do that for her will find her a lot more willing to engage in sexual activities. She also loves having her breasts sucked, and will do it herself if her partner isn’t doing it. She also tends to scream out in her native tongue all sorts of dirty things, which just sounds utterly erotic.
Social
Contacts & Relations
She doesn’t really keep in contact with her family, as they were poor and she didn’t want to be tied down by that. She does worry about them, but knows that she can’t be responsible for their choices. She has a few friends, despite being a career criminal. She has a strange relationship with the District Attorney, [Elyza] for one. She considers her a friend, and Elyza is trying to convince her to go legit and help out the police take down organized crime. She’s considering it, but is leery considering her past history. The local MCIB officer, [Krysta] and her partner [Jax], treat her respectfully, and will sometimes use her as an informant for bigger cases, as she tends to keep her ear to the ground. That has earned her a few favours. She does like them, although she thinks it’s too bad Jax has a girlfriend, and will still flirt with him constantly.
Social Aptitude
As a con artist first and foremost, she will usually avoid group settings, where her charms can be seen through by others, who will alert her mark. She likes to take those she’s trying to get in with to a private location, flatter them and charm them until they are putty in her hands. As she usually targets lonely rich guys, it’s much easier. She does feel sorry for them, and that’s why she will give them what they really want.
Religious Views
While she wasn’t raised in a faith, growing up in the shadow of the Christ the Redeemer statue, it was hard not to believe in him. She will go to church every Sunday and confess. Her priest has come to understand her, and does offer forgiveness, but has been suggesting that she accept Elyza’s offer and find herself a nice man who will love her and she can love, and stop trying to fly so high.
Mannerisms
A constantly flirting and flattering woman, she makes sure those she is with feel appreciated and cared for. She will give her marks kisses and gentle touches when she is still working them, and whisper promises of what will happen later. When she is trying to exert a little more pressure on someone, her demeanor becomes a lot more threatening, but not openly hostile. She doesn’t actually use force, but isn’t afraid to threaten it. Her sense of humour is rather slapstick, enjoying the goofier side.
Hobbies & Pets
When she isn’t busy with a mark, she is usually in her little nest, up in one of the highest trees in the city. She will take bits and pieces up there, and has built herself a whole little tree house with a couple rooms. The police know it is there, but as they can’t get to it easily, don’t bother her. She keeps it safe, and nothing has fallen, so it’s not a big deal otherwise. What she doesn’t know is that Krysta has actually had some contractors come by and secure it for her, so it’s safe. She’s also working with Elyza and city planners to help run some electricity up there for her to have a proper home. She doesn’t have any pets of her own, but she does take in stray cats, and helps them out if they are hurt, and will put food out for them. She does tell them to promise not to attack her feathers.
Speech Style
Still having a heavy Brazilian accent, she will occasionally slip into her native tongue, especially when she is feeling strong emotions of any kind. She can be very seductive and romantic one minute, and very threatening and hostile the next. Her voice is similar to the character of Mercedes from Pan’s Labyrinth, but with a Brazilian accent.
Political Affiliation & Activism
She doesn’t feel that politics apply to her, as she doesn’t consider herself part of society. She never pays taxes, as she doesn’t have a job per se, and so doesn’t feel a need to deal with politicians at all. She also finds activism to be hollow virtue signalling by bored, vapid rich people, so spits on it, sometimes literally.