Post by FREDERIC ALGERNON JOLY on May 18, 2013 11:47:16 GMT -5
Frederic Algernon Joly. Twenty-Seven.ABC. Hugh Skinner.
Frederic Algernon Joly
Age 27, born 1805
Medical student
Pulse rate slightly elevated, unusual pigmentation of the skin, rough feel across tongue…I’m sure to have cholera…Joly thought, feeling light headed at the prospect, he was certain he had felt nauseous earlier, although perhaps it was the smell of Grantaire’s stale breath that had caused it.
Joly’s hypochondriasis is close to taking over his life. Every ache and pain he jots down, and is certain it will all add up to a serious illness. His paranoia over his health often leads to moments of panic and worry, he can often be found inspecting the state of his tongue, throat and pulse....
The young Joly stood before his mother, his face drawn as he took in her words. He was barely seven years of age when he realised that his age didn’t guarantee him immortality. His best friend had been taken ill with meningitis and it was thought he would not survive the week. Shaken he returned to his room gazing at his tear stained reflection, he wondered if he too could have contracted the disease. After all, he had spent many an hour with his friend. Why should he be spared? He hysterically began to check himself for signs of illness, bringing his mother running to his room…
At the age of ten a little sister came into his life, Fleurette she was named and she was his little flower. He fawned over the delicate child, always wanting to encourage a smile from the auburn haired flower. It was clear from an early age the child was sickly, always coughing up her milk and crying so hard that no one could comfort her. The doctors said it was an infection in the stomach, but after a series of treatments, they were flummoxed.
His father got Joly a small job in one of his offices and there Joly began to learn about the politics of France. The men would often get into debates about the Kings choices in regards to the people. It was obvious to Joly as he walked from his comfortable family home to the offices that the people of France were on the brink of something. Every day there were more starving people in the streets and Joly feared that one day one of them could be his sister. Financial tragedy struck one home after another and Joly realised he and his family were not exempt from such problems.
He chose to attend Paris’s university, studying medicine a worthy career path and one that would satisfy his thirst for information regarding health. It was during his studying he met Combeferre, Enjolras and his best friend Lesgle. He became integrated into the group, keen to have his voice heard about France’s political state. Although he had never been hot on the subject of politics he could not deny what was happening in Paris and it scared him to think how the people were being trodden on...left to die of starvation in the streets, because the King would not allow them to have their say. With the motivation from Enjorlas he joined the group and became a member of the Les Amis, attending protest marches etc.
Joly’s hypochondriasis did not rear its ugly head fully until he reached his twenty-third year, he had been studying infectious diseases, and this fused with his childhood paranoia developed into something much worse. He became obsessed with checking his tongue in the mirror, something his mother recalled he would do as a young child. He did not dare visit his sister encase he infected her and rearranged his rooms in support of his delusions. Only his friend Lesgle could persuade him to leave his room and distract him from the mirror for a few hours.
‘Why do you not come to see me anymore? I miss you so’ the letter read. Joly sighed placing the sheet of paper upon his desk. His sister’s health was still fragile and he dared not bring himself to see her. How could when his very presence might cause her further harm. No he would wait, one day he would have the answers to her illness. But not today.
The last few years of his life have revolved around studying, the les Amis and Musichetta (the only other person who can help him when his hypochondriasis is at its worst). His loyalty is strong to the Les Amis and he spends the majority of his time among his friends talking about revolution.
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Joly takes after his mother, he is soft spoken and kind natured. As a child he was always very gentle with his toys and those around him. Despite his ‘little problem’ which has caused him to be christened as the malade imaginaire. Joly is very agreeable and easy to approach if you notice he is there, and he’s not hidden himself away in a corner of the room with a hand mirror. His strange behaviour is often seen as eccentric and he unwillingly finds himself the centre of many jokes, which he often dislikes, although he understands they are all in good humour.
Appearance is very important to Joly, he likes to dress well and keep clean and can often be seen sporting a smart, but casual shirt, waistcoat, cravat and of course a rosette. He has light brown hair that is neatly cut around his face. He is generally clean shaven, although after a long night at the café, this sometimes is not the case. Joly has his mother’s gentle pale green eyes and is naturally tanned. He reaches about 5ft 8 and is sprightly built, although recently he’s begun to fill out a little bit more.
LIKES: Les Amis, Cravats, Medicine, Red, White and Blue. Musichetta, His Sister, Camomile, Studying, Equality, Franternite, Liberte.
DISLIKES: The King, Sickness, Dirt, War, Hostility, The Dark, Thunderstorms.
