Marcel Sheridan Hughes

An unlucky detective and family man who just wants to be somewhat normal. Of course, that's a bit difficult, being a Precinct Homicide Detective with a knack for the weird cases...

Name: Marcel Sheridan Hughes
Gender: Male
Age: 36
Current Status: Healthy/Normal
Physical Description: Marcel is of Caucasian descent, is about 5'11" in height, and a bit on the heavier side nowadays (though he still manages to pass his physical exams). He's got a surprisingly nice face, especially with those bright blue eyes of his, and his curly black hair that frames his pale face. He gets a bit of grief from other officers for being the "pretty boy," but he's able to shrug it off. In fact, he generally seems pretty calm, if a bit irked or resigned. When stressed, he's either covered in crumbs, reeks of cigarette smoke, or both. Tends to dress in monochrome colors when not in uniform.

Clothes Description: At the moment, Marcel is wearing: A black button-up shirt with a loose black tie, black pants (jean-like material), black boots, fingerless gloves (guess what color?), and a long coat that reaches about his knees -of course, in black. The only thing he's wearing that isn't black is his gold wedding band. His clothes are currently in good (if slightly worn) condition.

No matter what's going on, Marcel is always in "detective mode," so to speak. He's always searching for details and putting his findings together, even if it's only in his head. He doesn't mean to, but since he's the sort to hang back and watch people instead of openly chatting, it comes easily to him. He tries to seem calm and detached from situations, especially when he's working a case. He'll give himself a moment to freak out, grab a bite to eat or smoke some cigarettes; after that, he forces himself to keep working. All he needs is to remind himself that his life's always this weird, and he's usually good to go. Granted, there's the rare occasion where he freaks out anyway, prompting him to bolt and hide until Beth or Richard coax him out.

Around others, Marcel's a nice enough guy, often managing a smile (even if it's a bit worn), and he's learned how to calm others down. He often sounds a bit nervous when speaking to others, but is a lot more confident and collected when talking to someone for a case. And when he gets upset...well, he's not the sort to throw a fit or hurt anyone. Instead, he becomes cold, taking no nonsense and not backing down until he either has his desired result, or someone else calms him down.

Equipment: Has a standard-issue police badge and Glock on hand, though he tends to keep them hidden while he's undercover. Has his car, of course, though it's also disguised. Carries a few basic investigation supplies and a small first-aid kit; nothing high-tech. Also always has some cigarettes, and maybe a power-bar or something, in his pockets.

Merits: Is a licensed officer (2 dots, I believe), has Striking Looks (2 dots), Contacts (Cops; 1 dot), and Fighting Style: Police Tactics (3 dots).

Marcel didn't have an extraordinary childhood. Well, not by most standards. He was a quiet boy raised by his parents, often playing around in the backyard, watching old black-and-white films with his parents, or reading mystery books deep into the night. If odd things flitted just past his vision, or something was just...off, his childish ignorance assured that he didn't notice.

As he got older, he decided he wanted to be a filmmaker, or maybe an explorer of sorts. His father, however, wanted him to either get a "practical career," or go into the military. The two argued about this for years, until they reached a compromise for becoming a detective. Marcel could put his investigative curiosity to good use, and it would be a career that would be helpful in the community. Marcel's father passed away soon after Marcel earned his badge.

In fact, earning his badge was when things started getting weird. Strange details appeared at crime scenes, and the people involved were never quite right. He tried to follow the oddities to a logical conclusion, but the answer always slipped away before he could figure anything out. His "talent" for stumbling upon odd cases --especially murders--did help him become a detective, even though it stuck him in the Homicide department. He didn't think much of it at first, but every case offers a chance at another piece of the puzzle, so he keeps working. Besides, the department isn't that bad, and most of the people in the precinct are nice enough.

He met Beth, his wife, soon after he became a detective; she worked at the bar the cops frequented as a waitress and backup cook. She was one of the few women who wasn't put off by the dangers of his career--in fact, she loved hearing his stories about cases. She was a lot louder and more assertive than most women, but the duo bonded through a few dinner dates, a love of mysteries and old films, and a New Years incident they refuse to mention but often laugh about. They were married a few years before having Lucy, who's now five years old.

Perception: 6

Virtue: Fortitude
Vice: Gluttony

Goals: To keep a happy and safe family; to figure out what those things he keeps running into is; to successfully solve cases (and bring people to justice, if he's lucky).
Sexuality: Mostly straight...and happily married, thank you very much.

Character's Friends: Marcel's not shy, but he's not socially outgoing either. While he's friendly enough to people, he doesn't have many others he's close to. There's a few people at the precinct he gets along with, though, and knows a few of the parents of his daughter's friends. Probably the closest friend he has is his partner, Richard.
Family: Beth Annalise Cambell Hughes (Wife), Lucy Diana Hughes (Daughter), Joseph Chester Hughes (Father, Deceased), Carol Danae Hughes (Mother)