Name: Gene (Eugene to his mother and Leslie) Jones

Sex: Male

Apparent Age: Late twenties, thereabouts, mayhaps even into his thirties

Abilities: Like any demon, Eugene comes equipped with the basics. He can easily do minor infernal magic such as subtly alter his appearance, poof (for lack of better articulation) from place to place, and summon small(ish) items from Hell. Or at least, he’s fairly certain they come from there; he’s never actually bothered to check. He can also, of course, change from his humanoid form to demonic easily, and he also cheats at cards.

Eugene has always been very mechanically minded; he has no difficulty figuring out how machines work in a short amount of time (though often this involves taking them apart first), and as a hobby likes to build intricate things like clocks and radios. He feels that organic machines work similarly and embraces his love for investigating machinations by way of dissection. Though, he has to admit, the sentient samples tend to make a lot more noise when you’re poking around in their clockwork.

He is well-versed in both the managerial duties and more practical ones of being in the business of post-mortem services, though physical funerals are held at the home rarely. The whole idea of embalming and making-up of their human clients kind of grosses him out, which gives him all the more reason to do it with glee.

As well as being versed in minor infernal magic (as mentioned above), he also has dabbled in the more difficult branches and has practiced doing lots of things. He (like his business partner) often learns from watching others, but he does occasionally make things up on his own. One of his most often used is keeping a lifeline open while he examines his subjects.

It had been his idea to link the inner furnace with a volcano (demonic remains being much harder to destroy than a human’s) and, while he did get help from Leslie with the execution, he likes to take credit for the venture.

On another note entirely, he’s a fairly good sewer.

Appearance (Human): Eugene, when not doing something like hosting a funeral for the more affluent of human customers, tends to look vaguely disheveled. He keeps his dark hair cropped short and his (also dark) eyes often have the haggard look of someone who has been up at all hours. He keeps his mustache and modest sideburns trim and neat, though the same can’t be said for his wrinkled dress shirt (often specked with questionable looking stains) and dingy black linen waistcoat. When he has to look presentable (which he does only grudgingly) he cleans up rather nicely. All it really takes is crisp clothes and at least the appearance of a full night of sleep.

Unlike his skeletal friend, Eugene is healthy sort of lad, coming in about 6’1” (with shoes on.) He does a lot of the dragging around bodies and tables and things in their business, and has come to be decently muscular.

Though only the most discerning eyes would notice, he does not have a shadow, even in full sunlight.

Appearance (Demonic): Not as physically imposing as some of his peers, Eugene’s true form is actually not a form at all, definitionally speaking. Actually a shadow, he has no physical form outside the one he takes in the human world. From time to time this can really distort his sense of spatial relations, and after sleep (which is an idle passtime that he only does every now and then) or after spending time in his true form, Eugene has a tendency to run into furniture and doorways. Going from being a two-dimensional being to a three-dimensional one can really upset one’s sense of general existence.

Because of his state as a flat absence of light, he tends to find three-dimensional beings and objects very interesting. He’s not used to things having sides and machinations that make them do things. This (and just a general interest) led to his fascination with taking things apart.

Equipment: Eugene keeps on his persons (or at least, in easy reach from Hell) an embossed silver cigar case (holds two cigars), a surly disposition, a very stern mustache, and a leather roll-up case in which he keeps his autopsy equipment. He feels it’s good to be always prepared.

Personality: Eugene’s mother always used to tell him he has the personality of lye soap. Or, at least, she would’ve had he been born human and not a denizen of Hell. Caustic and unpleasant, he makes a point to harass everyone he meets, gracing them with a mustachioed sneer. While he has the potential to be antisocial, holed up in his basement deconstructing and rebuilding whatever suits his fancy, he rarely turns down an offer to go out spread a little animosity and anger through whatever city he and Leslie might be in at the time.

The only people he doesn’t make a point to behave abrasively to are Leslie (who would terrify him if he had any sense) and the Black Lady, who just terrifies him period. He also has an undying devotion to his dog, who, in the mortal realm takes on the form of a large German Shepherd. Bastion (aforementioned) is actually a Hell Hound, and a creature of the shadows like his owner. Eugene feels a sort of kindred with him, and likes to give him biscuits.

History: Eugene met Leslie in what they guesstimate now to be the early 800s when witch-hunts were just beginning to catch on. It was ingenious, really, and had taken no provocation of the infernal kind; Hell was overjoyed to discover that humanity was just inherently horrible to one another. Eugene had been enjoying the show in a previously-sleepy hamlet in the countryside when a far more conniving demon decided to exploit the hysteria and get rid of competition. His name was on a list of accused “witches” that was given out and, to escape a rather uncomfortable loss of his corporeal body at the very least, he took sanctuary in the then youthful local cathedral.

There he met Leslie, the only other demon in the area clever enough to have the same idea. They soon became bosom buddies, and, several centuries later, they both took the last name Jones (they were asked for a surname on the spot and neither of them had something prepared) and went into the business of supernatural funeral services together.

Other Important Information: He makes a point to be especially rude to those in Hell who became employees after death; the only demons worth having are the ones who were born that way, in his opinion. His favorite color is aubergine and if you were to ask him, his favorite Sunday would involve picnics and frightening small children.

Starting Location: Jones & Jones Funeral Services in the roleplay Apotheosis. :p