Claudia Cornell
28
She/her
Waitress
Human
May 6
Lynn Collins
5'8" // 173 cm
Grey
Dark brown
Claudia sees herself as very average-looking. She stands at 5.8” (173 cm), with grey eyes, and long, dark brown hair that she has been known to occasionally dye for a role.
She likes to appear presentable, while still dressing comfortably, and wears only light makeup. Now and then she’ll paint her nails; she is particularly fond of red and pink shades. She used to own a pretty big collection of earrings, necklaces and bracelets, but left almost all of her possessions behind when she fled to Snow Haven.
Claudia is a hopeless romantic - at least that’s how she jokingly puts it. She believes in fate, destined love, soulmates, the whole shebang. Now, don't misunderstand, she's not desperate - she doesn't go on dates with just anyone. She's just looking for that perfect connection, like she was meant to find it, but has had no such luck yet. This means she doesn’t go out with anyone unless she genuinely believes it could lead somewhere. It also means she might make headless decisions when she believes she’s finally found it, but isn’t that the trademark of being in love?
That’s not all Claudia is about, however. She has always been an open-minded individual with room for anyone who doesn’t waste that space. Be a decent person, preferably someone of integrity, and you’re okay by her. However, she will take no bullshit from anyone, and will not appreciate you wasting her time with fake pleasantries. Being a jerk is bad enough; trying to cover up that you’re a jerk is worse.
She used to be a bit of an idealist, which could go both ways, but ultimately ended badly for her. There are times she wishes she could still look at the world the same way, through rose-tinted glasses, but she knows better now, and it’s made her more cautious in her interactions with other people.
Claudia is hugely fascinated by fictional worlds, particularly fantasy ones, be it in books, movies, TV shows, on stage, you name it… she thinks that might be why she’s always been drawn to acting: making up believable stories that are as far from reality as possible. You know, monsters and all sorts of supernatural beings. She is also naturally curious, particularly about any person or subject that is new to her, and she will gladly listen to you talking at lengths about something you are passionate about.
The only thing she likes about snow is being indoors, curling up under a blanket. In fact, she loves any setting that is warm and cozy - especially if she gets to share it with someone else.
As a result of the last few years, Claudia is fighting to find herself again, and can sometimes be a bit… off. She doesn’t doubt that she is going to get there though, under the right circumstances. Despite the cold and the snow, Snow Haven might just be the right place for that.
Movie nights
Challenges
Coffee
Poetry
Performing (acting, singing, dancing)
Indifference
Cooking
Violence
Hypocrisy
Elitism
Patient
Stands up for herself
Optimistic
Dedicated
Stubborn
A tendency to obsess over little things
Overprotective
Arachnophobia, ophidiophobia, acrophobia (spiders, snakes, heights)
Chaotic/disorganised
Stubborn
Bisexual
• Mother: Marita Cornell
• Father: Julian Cornell
May 6
Leipzig, Germany
Snow Haven, Alaska
German, English
TW: ABUSE, RAPE
THE BASICS
Abuse starts small. It creeps up on you, and you don’t see it until it is much too late. As a child, I was taught to stand up for myself, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve taken pride in being good at that. I don’t let anyone boss me around, I don’t turn the other cheek. So how did that get turned around? I still have no idea how it started.
Claudia Cornell was born in Leipzig, Germany, to high school sweethearts Julian and Marita. When Claudia was eight years old, the three of them moved to Fairfield, Connecticut. Marita’s parents had died, and she wanted to be with her grandparents for a while. Two years later, Claudia’s parents divorced and Julian moved back to Germany.
At seventeen, Claudia moved into her own apartment - still in Fairfield - and at twenty-four she entered a relationship with Oliver Lynde. Claudia was an outgoing girl with a decent, stable job and too many friends to keep track of, which was just the way she liked it to be. There was always someone to talk to, and always someone to go out for coffee or dinner with.
Gradually, Oliver took control over more and more aspects of her life. He monitored every single minute of every single day. He drove her to and from work, and to and from the friends she was allowed to see. The only friends she was allowed to see on her own were all female, and if she were to attend any gathering with males present, it was with him at her side.
But Oliver knew she had previously dated women as well, and so eventually the only place she was allowed to be outside of their home was at work. Any attempt to speak up or otherwise stepping out of line was met with violence, and in time the violence turned into rape.
When Claudia discovered she was pregnant, she was more terrified and devastated than ever before. She couldn’t bear the thought of raising a child that was his, and even worse was the thought of what he might do to such a child. It was with the help of her boss that she got an abortion and a one way ticket to Snow Haven, Alaska.
PROPHECY GIRL
The earliest, crystal clear memory of Claudia’s is getting lost at a renaissance faire. It's not etched into her mind because she got separated from her parents and was terrified, but because of the old woman who helped her find her parents.
Bright blue eyes started filling with tears, throat closing up, heart racing in panic. Six year old Claudia tried desperately to keep the fear at bay, to remember what her mother had said early that morning, when Claudia was still too tired to properly process the information. Before she could remember, her view was blocked by a stranger's face a little too close to her own. "Hush, child. Are you lost?" Then their eyes met, and the old woman froze.
“Through the ages she has been waiting unaware. A reunion, a meeting of souls. Within this lifetime it shall come to pass.” Her voice was quiet, but earnest, expression grave. A moment later her eyes lit up and a warm smile appeared. It was like she was suddenly a completely different person. Claudia’s confusion halted her questions, and instead she was given help to find her parents.
For months after, Claudia had the same unsettling dream every night: The old woman’s face, and those words ringing in her ears over and over again. Very slowly, more and more time passed between having the dream, and when she didn’t, there were no dreams at all. Eventually the dreams stopped completely. That is, until she arrived at Snow Haven.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
Claudia has only been in Snow Haven a few short weeks, but has been lucky enough to land a part time job as a waitress. She has been in contact with her mother, but told her she’s moved to Germany. It wasn’t well received, but since there’s no chance of Marita calling Julian, there’s no reason for that truth to come out. She’s too scared to risk anyone knowing where she is, and the only one who does is her former boss, who sent her here specifically.
Before Oliver started taking control of her life, Claudia did a bit of stage acting along with her regular job - something she had enjoyed doing for as long as she could remember. In Snow Haven, she’s seen a couple of ads for parts in plays that seemed interesting, but she’s afraid of her picture getting out.
Despite being surrounded by it, Claudia has no clue the supernatural world exists.
Honey you’re familiar like my mirror years ago
Idealism sits in prison, chivalry fell on its sword
Innocence died screaming; honey, ask me, I should know
I slithered here from Eden just to sit outside your door
Currently completely unaware
Madison