NATALIE COOKE
Biographical Information
Hey there, nice to meet ya! Let’s get started with some basics. What did you say your name was again?
Um, Natalie. Natalie Cooke.
Pretty name…does it mean anything special?
Not that I know of, I think my mom just liked it.
So, do you ever go by any other names?
Some people call me Nat. You could too - if you wanted to, of course.
Alright. And for the records, should we call you a lady or a gent?
A lady, if you could call me that -chuckles- Female would be a better description.
How old are you? Can you state your month and year of birth?
I'm 25. I was born in April, 1990.
Are you from around here? (No? Where were you raised, then?)
-laughs- No, I wouldn't say that I am. I'm from Manchester, in England.
And, uh…what do you do for a living?
Currently? I guess I'm unemployed. I was a waitress, though, at my parents' pub, and kind of a model, when I could get those jobs.
Are you by any chance a rider or Hopeful?
I'm sorry, a what? You mean a horse rider? -frowns- No... not for a long time.
Appearance
Okay, now onto some more detailed stuff. What race would you describe yourself as?
Well, I'm white. My parents are both British, technically, but my mom's family is from Denmark.
So your hair…what color would you call that? Is it natural?
It's mostly natural, kind of brown and honey-blonde but the highlights are a little enhanced.
Your eyes…they’re…?
Yeah, they're kind of green, kind of hazel-ish. I don't know.
And…erm…I hate to ask, but we gotta have it on record. What’s your height and weight?
I'm 5'9" and 120 pounds. Kind of wish I was a little taller, to be honest, and maybe a little lighter too, it would've helped with the modeling job search.
Do you have any distinguishing marks? Scars?
I have a scar on my left arm where I had to get a fracture-repair surgery when I was, like, ten.
What about tattoos or piercings?
I have my ears pierced, but that's it.
Do you have any medical problems, disabilities, or injuries?
Besides that scar, nothing currently. I usually wouldn't say but I kind of used to suffer with depression and anorexia, but I got help, so I'm better now.
And, uh, how do you usually dress? Is this pretty typical?
I usually dress pretty well, in my opinion. Normally, dark-wash skinny jeans, t-shirts, jackets, casual jewelry - dark colors mostly. -looks down at self and straightens out jacket- Yeah this is pretty much it, though I suspect I won't be wearing this stuff for much longer, from what I've seen around here so far.
How do you perceive your appearance? Think you’re hot stuff?
-blushes- Well, I know I'm not awful to look at, but there's plenty of pretty people in the world so I guess it's all relative.
What about others? How do they usually see you?
-pauses- I guess you'd have to ask them that... but I get the impression they see me as just a pretty face, sometimes, maybe. It's not like I really prove them wrong most of the time, either.
If you could change one thing about your appearance, what would it be?
Oops, I said this before, but if I could I'd be a little taller and a lose a little weight it'd be cool, but I can't really focus on things like that right now, so, I guess I should be fine with the way I am.
You know, the longer I stare at you, the more I think you look like someone. Any idea who that might be?
Not really? I mean, I probably look like my mom, a bit but no one notable that I know of. (Nadja Bender)
Digging Deeper
So now we’re going to get pretty personal. Are you okay with that?
-sits back and tucks hair behind ear- Uh, I guess so?
From a broad perspective, do you consider yourself a good person or a bad person?
That's kind of subjective, don't you think? I mean, I don't think I'm a bad person, I haven't really done anything awful, so I'd say I'm pretty okay?
Quick, you get one wish! What did you just wish for?
To see my family again, it's just kind of crazy to be suddenly without them.
How would you describe that wish? Good? Bad? Selfish? Selfless?
It's pretty neutral, isn't it? It's not really one way or another.
We already talked about your job, but what else do you like to do? Have any hobbies that fill up your free time?
Besides being suddenly unemployed? I don't know, I guess I'll have to figure it out now, along with everything else.
Do you have any special talents or skills?
I have a crazy good sense of direction, if that counts, it's been useful so far.
So, would you consider yourself smart?
A little bit. I didn't use it for much, though, like going to university and getting a better job, so maybe not.
Do you have a lot of friends? Or maybe you’re more into making enemies…
I have - or, well, had a few friends. Not too many. It's hard to get to know people when you're quiet.
Are you a hard worker, or would you rather sit around relaxing?
My parents raised us all to be hard workers, my mom especially.
What do you do to maintain that hot bod? C'mon, let me in on your secrets!
Oh, goodness, I... well, I work out a little bit and I eat healthy. There's not much to it. I suppose I have a good metabolism helping me.
What really motivates you and gets you fired up?
I haven't really been motivated in recent years. It was kind of easier to stick with what I knew, I guess. Maybe that's why it's been harder for me to get modeling gigs up 'til now than it is for other girls.
Do you have any goals you’re working toward? See yourself somewhere different in five or ten years?
I'd really just like to figure out where I am and why, to start with. Thinking long term isn't realistic until I've settled here.
What’s been your biggest accomplishment in life so far?
-looks down- I haven't accomplished much, to be honest, so I'll get back to you on that one.
If you got a redo on life, is there anything you’d change?
I would've tried harder in school, maybe. Though more recently, maybe I wouldn't have gone to Arbor Low stone circle and gotten myself zapped out of England.
Now this is hard question for most people to answer, but be honest. What’s your biggest character flaw? Or…errm..maybe you have several?
I'm too timid and careful. I wish I could be more confident and outspoken, people seem more receptive to those types. I always just feel like I'm holding back, like only the surface stuff is safe enough to say to people. I think they sense that and it makes them disregard me.
Do you have any other problems? Obsessions? Bad habits?
I get down on myself when I don't feel like I'm progressing, which indirectly led to my eating disorder. But I also hold back too much, which leads to lack of progress, so it's a vicious cycle.
Do you have any fears? Insecurities? Anything that really gets you down?
Being alone is probably one of my fears. I can deal with solitude but the thought of never knowing someone intimately and having them know me too is something I struggle with a lot.
What makes you really angry?
Arrogant, ignorant people who disregard everyone else but themselves.
How well can you defend yourself in a fight? Have you ever had to?
-eyes widen- No, I don't usually offend people or do anything to get myself involved in that.
Okay, enough of the dark stuff…let’s move to the intimate questions. Do you date men or women?
Men, if I get to know them.
Are you a still a virgin? I swear this is a required question!
Uh, no. I'd almost prefer to get a redo on that one.
Uh huh…so do you, er, date around a lot?
Not really, I really have to get to know someone to feel comfortable with them, so that limits the field a bit.
From a strictly professional standpoint, bottom or top?
-stammers- Oh, well... you know, that's kind of personal?
What would your perfect partner be like? Are you more into dashing good looks or a charming personality?
Personality is more important for me. It'd be nice if he was both but nothing annoys me more than a hot guy with an insufferable personality.
So…have you found that perfect person yet? Seeing anyone right now?
Nope, still trying to find myself in this strange world first.
What’s your zodiac sign?
Taurus, I think.
That’s crazy! Do you believe in soulmates? 'Cause I think I've just met mine!
Really? Who is it? -laughs- I don't believe in soulmates in terms of love at first sight, no. But I do think that certain people are a match for each other, I suppose.
Heh… Well then, what are your religious beliefs?
I don't really abide by any religions at all. It's just not the way I was brought up. Saying that, I don't have an issue with religion.
Would you uphold moral standards of our society, or are you a bit of a rebel?
I'll do my best to blend in. It's not really in my nature to defy norms.
Do you believe it's okay to tell a lie? Under what circumstances?
I think it's necessary in certain cases, if it can't be avoided. I prefer not to lie outright, but maybe leaving out things that would hurt people and serve no purpose anyway aren't that bad. Right?
Who or what would you lay down your life for?
My parents and my siblings.
So while we're on that topic... what's the meaning of life?
Oh, jeez, you're asking the wrong person. I don't even know what I'm doing here right now.
Alright, now, just between us… Do you have any secrets? Anything else you think we should know?
I may not be an open book, but I'm also not very interesting. Sorry!
A couple more rapid-fire questions and then we'll move on, kay? Don't think, just blurt!
-sighs- Okay, shoot.
Favorite food?
Orange chicken is absolutely amazing.
Favorite color?
Black.
Where to find you on a Friday night?
Ironically, out on the town. I may be quiet, but I do love a good party.
Favorite animal?
It used to be horses, but I'm pretty neutral on that now. Anything furry is my best bet!
Alcoholic drink of choice?
Margarita
Empty or full?
Full? I don't know if I entirely understand the context of this question.
Guilty pleasure?
Rock music
Favorite genre of book?
Young adult romance. What? You know everyone loves that stuff...
Prized possession?
The necklace my mother gave me.
Favorite place to be?
At home.
Weapon of choice?
What would I need a weapon for?
Summer or winter?
Winter, for sure!
Biggest pet peeve?
Being talked over. No, seriously, it's super annoying.
In your pocket right now?
A dead cellphone. That's one thing I'm going to miss dearly.
Win or lose?
I have to remind myself that it's not about the outcome, it's about the journey. Even though secretly no one believes that crap.
Don't worry, you rocked it! Now, what's on your mind?
How much longer will this be? I think this is the most I've ever spoken to someone in one go.
Early Years
Moving right along! Now, just for formalities, I’ve gotta ask a bit about your younger life. You don’t mind, do you?
I suppose not, at this point.
Tell me about your parents. Where did they live? What did they do?
My dad is a chef at the pub he and my mom own, and my mom manages the place. We lived in Manchester.
Did you get along well with them?
Yeah, my family's all pretty close.
What about siblings?
My older sister Tia's kind of a wildcard, so we didn't always get along, but we're sisters, what can you do? My younger brother Ben's a sweetheart, I don't think we ever argued.
Um…what about kids of your own? Are you even old enough to have any yet?
Technically I'm old enough, but I certainly don't feel like I am.
Has anyone else been important in your life? Are they still?
I had a serious boyfriend once, but he turned out to be kind of an asshole, so no, not really.
Got any pets?
I had a moggie called Geordie, but I guess not anymore.
Great, just a few more questions. Was there a defining moment of your childhood? Anything that shaped who you are today?
Not necessarily in my childhood, but when I was eighteen, I fancied myself in love with this bloke - he was charming, handsome and all the rest. I thought I was going to marry him one day. Turns out he was only interested in how I looked. He didn't want to know what I had to say, and when all things were said and done he was a jerk. Slept around behind my back, even with my best friend. I found out and got rid of them both. It's hard for me to trust people immediately now, but I do try. I know not everyone's like them.
What age did you decide what you wanted to do in life…or have you even decided?
I haven't decided yet. I was happy as a waitress at the pub but I don't think that's what I wanted to do full-time. Being a model was kind of a dream for me as a kid, but I don't think it's realistic for me anymore. I'll have to figure it out.
When did you begin working in your current trade? Why'd you pick it out of everything?
N/A
You said you’re a rider/Hopeful, didn’t you? How long have you been?
I still don't know what you mean by that...
How’s that working out for you?
N/A
Hmm…has anything else important happened that we should know about? Accidents, injuries? Any life stories that stand out?
I was nearly trampled by a spooked horse once, but luckily got away with some bruises and a bad fracture in my left arm. It's kind of why I'm still a little nervous around horses. I never really got over it.
Okay, I’ve just got one final question. Do you have a motto or quote to live by?
"Everything happens for a reason." It's kind of a mantra now. I didn't expect to fall through the ground at Arbor Low, but here I am -shrugs-.
