bool-prop

[bool-prop]

[Chair squeaks]

Salem: 【Sigh]

Salem: What am I doing?

[bool-prop]

[bool-prop]

Salem: [Deep breath] Veronica.

Veronica: Yes, Daddy?

Salem: Do not tell anyone about what you saw.

Veronica: Huh? Why not?

Salem: Because, if anyone finds out, they will take you away from me. Neither of us want that. Right?

Veronica: Right…

Salem: You are not allowed to go down there again. Alright?

Veronica: Alright.

Salem: The movie is over. Let's get you ready for bed.

[bool-prop]

Veronica: Daddy.

Salem: Yes?

Veronica: Are you a doctor?

Salem: Wh- No. Why do you ask?

Veronica: The bookshelf was open and there were stairs behind it. I went down and- what's the thing they put you on in an ambulance?

Salem: A stretcher.

Veronica: Yeah, a stretcher. I saw a man on a stretcher. Are you a doctor? Were you trying to save him?

Salem: No, V. The man was already gone.

Veronica: Oh…

[bool-prop]

Veronica: Why didn't you tell me about Rue?

Salem: Because, you didn't need to know about her. It was just the two of us. Things were fine that way.

Veronica: But, I've always asked if I had a mother.

Salem: And I've always said, “Yes.” It doesn't change the fact that we have to keep her at a distance.

Veronica: But, why? What if she was with us?

Salem: It wouldn't be good, Little One. Rue…isn't a good person.

Veronica: What? Why?

Salem: She likes to do bad things to me.

Veronica: Like what?

Salem: You're too young to understand. When you're older, I'll tell you everything.

[bool-prop]

Salem: [Sigh]

[bool-prop]

Sorry for the inactivity. There is going to be a big update today because I want this part to happen in its entirety. After that, updates may become sporadic but I'll try to be active. Thanks for your patience and support!

Tealy

[bool-prop]

If salem's story can be summarized in one sentence, what would it be?

[bool-prop]

1-5 for Salem :)

Thank you for sending these!

1. What was the original thought that led to the creation of this character?

I was in my FNAF phase at the time and I wanted an antagonist that looked "unassuming and ordinary".

2. How long was the process before the character reached its final version? (or a version that would be clearly recognizable as the character?)

It didn't take very long to start him off, but I can’t say a specific amount of time. I pretty much knew what I wanted out of Salem when I created him. So, when he was introduced, he hit the ground running.

3. What was the first thing you decided on, the character's name, appearance, personality or their role in the story?

Salem's role in the story. Right from the beginning, I knew his purpose. He needed to be a classy boss with a lot of subordinates, a family he's not happy to have, a few hobbies, and he needed to have a dark secret.

4. And reverse, which one of the four things did you struggle with the most?

Personality. He started as your typical rich, classy guy with all the cliche character tropes. I wanted to break away from that. It took a lot of work to fix it, being specific with his interests and developing his own opinions.

5. How did you choose their name and why? Was it simply based on vibes or is there any specific meaning behind the name? Are the reasons behind their name different in- and out of universe?

Bonus

I knew I wanted his name to be Salem from the start. I just really liked it. His last name, Hexner, just popped into my head. I went with it and the rest is history.

One of the first pictures I've taken of Salem

[bool-prop]

Character asks!

These are more focused on the background stuff rather than the usual "what would the character do in XY situation" kinds of asks. I've been looking for something like this for quite a while and in the end decided to make my own. Feel free to use, go wild, enjoy

What was the original thought that led to the creation of this character?

How long was the process before the character reached its final version? (or a version that would be clearly recognizable as the character?)

What was the first thing you decided on, the character's name, appearance, personality or their role in the story?

And reverse, which one of the four things did you struggle with the most?

How did you choose their name and why? Was it simply based on vibes or is there any specific meaning behind the name? Are the reasons behind their name different in- and out of universe?

What was the thought process behind their appearance? Did you go mostly for the aesthetic or are there other reasons they look the way they do?

What is an aspect of their appearance that you like the most?

What is the origin of their personality? And let's be honest - how much of it is projecting?

How big is their role in the story? Do they make a frequent appearance or are they a character with little "screentime" but big influence? Or are they just a favourite background guy?

What is their main character arc in the story? Where do they start and how do they develop? Do they get a happy ending or is their story a tragic one?

Is there any existing character from other media that your character resembles? Was the resemblance intentional or was it a coincidence?

Do you have a playlist for the character? What songs do you associate with them and why?

Do you have a voice claim for the character? What do you imagine the character sounds like?

Do you have any quotes tied to the character, either from the story itself or from another source that fit them?

Have you ever made a moodboard for them?

Is there any memes or running jokes associated with the character, both in- and out of universe?

Are there any motifs or symbols associated with the character? How are they represented, in their design, personality or in some other way?

Does the character have other characters connected to them? Do you have a family tree and "offscreen" connections made up for them or do they exist in a vacuum purely for the purpose of the story?

What is your general favourite thing about the character? What is your least favourite?

Bonus question: share any additional thoughts, art, favourite scenes, anything you've been waiting for a chance to ramble about

[bool-prop]

Wait. Wasn't Salem's wife named Maureen? What happened?

There's a superstitious thing where you turn the lights off in the bathroom, look in the mirror, say "Bloody Mary" three times, and something is supposed to happen. I used to do it as a kid with my friends. Nothing happened, of course, but it was fun.

I want something like that for Salem's ex-wife, but make it true. "Rue" is the safe way to address her. Her true name will lead to a deadly fate.

[bool-prop]

Changed Echo's story title from "Amalgamation" to "Echoes of Instinct". You have no idea how much I want to get to his story. But, soon.

Tealy

[bool-prop]

Salem's decisions keep messing with him, huh?

It's why I titled this part of Hexner "Choices". He's not making the best ones either.

[bool-prop]

Rue: I'd be more careful with my life, if I were you. The only reason you're even around is because I loved you. I could have taken your soul a long time ago.

Salem: You have a twisted sense of “love”, Rue. Slapping me around and using magic on me wasn't love. Besides, that ship has sailed and sunk. We're divorced. I have no reason to deal with you anymore.

Rue: Oh, but you do. Remember our little arrangement? When you die, I'm taking your soul. If you die within the next ten years, I'm taking our daughter too.

Salem: I won't let you.

Rue: You chose to accept these conditions. Now you have to follow through with them. Don't be such a daredevil or it'll end badly for you. Goodbye for now, Darling.

[bool-prop]

Rue: I'm your mother. 

Veronica: [Gasps] What? You are?

Rue: Yes. You may call me Rue.

Veronica: Daddy? Why didn't you tell me about her?

Salem: I'll tell you later. Go back to the theater room. Now.

[bool-prop]

Veronica: Daddy? Where's the popc- Huh?

Rue: My goodness! Veronica! You've grown so much since the last time I saw you.

Veronica: Do I know you?

Rue: Darling, you didn't even bother to tell her about me? I'm hurt.

Salem: Tch…

[bool-prop]

Salem: Rue, what are you doing here?

Rue: You had such a close brush with death, I figured you'd want to see me.

Salem: You're wrong. Now leave.

Rue: How rude. What's the matter? It's almost like you forgot our little agreement.

Salem: I didn't forget anything…

Rue: So, you just risked your life, your soul, and your daughter like they were nothing? Some father you are.

Salem: …

Rue: Oh. Did that hurt?

Salem: Don't touch me.