Writer Info; Writer Name/Handle: D Are you (the Writer) 18 years of age or over?: Yes
Character Info; Employment: Enlisted, military Housing: The Neighbourhood Character Journal name: _violentends.insanejournal.com Character Name: Lieutenant Colonel Frank Rook Character Age: 41 Character Played By: Jon Bernthal
Character Personality & History:
Francis Joseph Rook was born in Queens, New York, on a beautiful fall day in 1976, the middle of five children, and the only boy. His parents, Italian Americans and both practicing Catholics, had high hopes for their son. They wanted him to join the church, but it became clear when Frank reached his teen years that that wasn't going to happen. Frank had a lot of questions about their faith, a lot of opinions and thoughts that conflicted with the doctrine, an anger at what he perceived as injustices on God's part. So they thought hey, perhaps a lawyer? Maybe a doctor?
Frank had other ideas, though. Or really, no ideas whatsoever. He wasn't a happy child, squashed between two older and two younger sisters, disillusioned with the church he had grown up with, and increasingly frightened by his growing 'unnatural' attractions, Frank had too much going on to really care about school. He disliked growing up in such a strongly feminine household, felt uncomfortable surrounded by all of their friends and hobbies, and skipped classes to spend time at his local gym, learning to box and getting into fights with other boys. Fights that started in the gym and eventually began to continue on the streets. Before he was sixteen, Frank had been brought home by the NYPD more times than his parents were ever gong to be happy to admit.
The coach at Frank's gym knew that he was capable of greater things and introduced him to a friend serving in the armed forces. Enlisting would give Frank the discipline he needed, as well as introducing him to a more stable, masculine environment than he was used to, and giving him the purpose he had lost with his relationship with the church. Despite the shaky beginning, Frank finally walked out of high school with his diploma and joined the United States Marines Corp.
It was everything he wanted it to be, the sense of belonging and brotherhood he'd struggled to attain before. His 'unnatural' attractions were still very present, but at least they seemed a little sated by being around fit, attractive men constantly. He had everything he wanted, and it wasn't as though anyone was going to ask what he was thinking about alone in his bunk late at night.
Throughout the years brief love affairs came and went, with his fellow soldiers and with civilians, but Frank was focused on his career, proving himself time and again to be a spectacular tactician and ruthless when it came to making hard choices. He rose through the ranks with ease, though his promotion to Lieutenant Commander came with the price of relocation.
Area 52 was not what Frank was expecting when he arrived. For the first time in his career he was downright alarmed at what he was being shown, but he had never questioned his orders before, and he certainly wasn't going to now. Not considering the alternative.
Frank is a man of few words, but there's always a lot going on in his head. He is driven by his work, focused on his assignments, and a rather formidable boss, some might say. But he didn't work his way up to his rank by being friends with everyone. Still, a few of his colleges, including his subordinates, may have seen him crack a smile, or even laugh, at points. The people he cares about he does so with unwavering loyalty, and there is a soft side to him that he nurtures through his love of his two dogs.
He's started reading more, too, and can usually be found in his downtime with a book of some kind for a momentary escape. Frank has not yet made peace with the church, though he still wears the Crucifix his mother gave him before his first tour of duty.
Town Connections;
Close co-workers: Fighting the good fight with military precision. One of his sisters: Someone who knew him as an adolescent drama-queen Ex-lovers: Previous bumps in the dark. An Adversary: Someone to butt heads with over politics, religion, the supernatural, whatever you like Current lovers: Secret or not-so-secret indulgences
Writing Sample; Tension is building in the air and it's making him restless. It comes in waves here, and he tries to ignore it. Like a headache. He doesn't put it down as paranoia anymore; he's been here long enough to know there's usually always something watching, or something coming. The question is whether it'll blow over like shower or lay heavy like a storm.
He's read the same line in his book five times. With a huff he puts it down and looks towards the back door, open to try and encourage some still, hot air in. Maybe it is just a storm. Maybe he's overthinking it. Earlier his neighbours had been eating outside, their children playing. Now it's still.
Frank stands, swapping his book for the gun that sits waiting beside his armchair. Both dogs lift their heads from where they're lounging, tails slowly starting to wag at the prospect of another walk, or maybe food. He holds a hand up and they settle down again. He promised himself long ago he'd never risk anyone unnecessarily. That included his dogs.
Taking a breath as he steps out the front door, Frank can almost feel it settle in his lungs, lingering even after he exhales again. There isn't a cloud in the sky. It isn't a storm.
"Fuck this," he mutters to himself as the hairs all over his body stand on end. Stepping out into the middle of the street he raises his gun, his other hand reaching for his phone. He's going to need backup.