Valcos' Character Discussion

Grace "Claire" O'Connell



A young woman from midtown Memphis, though originally raised in the city of Boston. She had moved to Memphis 5 years before the Crash. Grace and her father, Brian, moved from Boston to Memphis after her mother sadly passed away from cancer. She now uses her mother's name, Claire, as an alias in the Loss.

Back in Boston, her father worked in the Computer Science field. Grace never asked what his job actually was, but she knew he was good at it. He was highly valued by his company, earning an impressive salary. After their family tragedy, Brian took a pay cut to open up a quiet electronic repair shop in Memphis. It was a big change that helped them stay grounded. He wanted to be there for his daughter, leaving his prestigious career behind.

Their little shop was called O'Connell Adjustments, it kept them occupied most days. Grace picked up some of her father's expertise while helping out around the shop. She didn't care for a career with electronics, but enjoyed spending time with her him. They became a close duo, or trio with the family dog.

Grace's real passion was photography. It started off as a casual hobby with mostly pictures of her dad and their ardent Old Victorian Bulldog, Theodore. They got the name from her dad's favourite baseball player, Ted Williams. Grace developed a keen eye since those family photos, really letting her art grow. Finding beauty after the Crash has been tough, yet she still seems to find something special amidst the chaos.

O'Connell Adjustments is now a small home for it's resident Casualties. When the infection hit the city, Brian and her collected supplies and used the shop to barricade them from the changing world. Several weeks passed; help never came and the madness just got worse. It got to the point where they had to leave the bubble of their boarded up shop. It was a terrifying idea, but it was the only option to continue on and survive.

As her father would make trips out into the Loss, Grace was told to stay put at the shop. It was too dangerous. His first couple runs were successful, coming back with decent loot. They built up a respectful cache after some time, letting her father venture out further. The two needed a more sustainable place to live though. The returns from scavenging the area diminished. Brian became determined to find a new home base for them.

One of the mornings, Grace's father set out for a supply run. He kissed his daughter on the forehead and told her he'd bring back some canned pork-n-beans. It was her favourite meal even before the Crash. She smiled at him without an ounce of doubt in the man. Then he went out, diving into the Loss.

3 days had passed and her father still hadn't returned. It took another 2 days before she admitting that something was wrong. She broke down in uncontrollable tears in the front end of their shop. The pup, Theodore, burrowed his snout into her chest. His soft coat soaked in tears, Grace cried until all her pent up pain turned into sated strength. She became a stronger person that would mask her old self.

Now living in throughout the Loss, she goes by her mother's name 'Claire'. The memory of her family is motivation to keep fighting. She salvaged one photo from the old world; a childhood picture of her and her beloved parents at a Boston Red Sox game. Her father was a huge baseball fan. Most nights he would enjoy a cold beer in the garage and listen to the game on the radio. Grace would often join him, growing a love for the sport as well. It was more than just a game to them though. The time together was something special. She now wears her father's RedSox cap that he left behind.

Grace hopes that she can settle down somewhere quiet and free of Causalities or politics. No more scavenging or killing. She wants her dog to be able to roam without worry. Retirement is only a distant dream, but she wants to get there one day. Claire doesn't know if the Recession is the end game, though it's perks are hard to ignore.