Augustine "August" Belfort

August is a main character in Dancing with the Dead. He is Edgar's employer and a member of Woodsgrave's vampire council.

History

August originates from 1820’s North Yorkshire and was born to a wealthy family. He was interested in hunting from a young age, killing rats with the family dog. This was met with horror and revulsion, especially from his mother, who he states became terrified of him. At an unknown point in his adulthood, August was betrothed his family’s ancestral Hunting Lodge, Dawnwatch. As seen by one of the portraits in his office, he married an unknown noblewoman.

In 1872, he was willingly Sired by George. At some point in his unlife, he married Horace and formed a harem of three vampiresses, these being Josephine, Camilla and Abigail. As seen in the cast page bio for the harem, he turned Josephine in 1895, Camilla in 1914 and Abigail in 1922. August also met and befriended Todd, but their friendship broke apart in 1967. The exact cause for this remains unknown, but August appears to have a hierarchal advantage over Todd. Humiliatingly for the latter, August keeps him as a manservant of some degree. Given the nature of Vampire Politics, this is likely steeped in blackmail or legal complications.

Personality

August is a spectre of victorian masculinity. By default, he is affable and gregarious, eager to play the part of a gracious host. He has a boundless energy for socialising, and will dominate conversations if he’s not caught-up with. Boorish and overbearing, he demands space at all times and will take it if he feels ignored. When his gracious persona is challenged, he can become indignant and bitter. This is most apparent with Rozzlyn, who repeatedly challenges him on his intentions. Even when others satisfy this need for attention, he doesn’t see them as equals, but amusements. With humans, he looks down on them as larval vampires or morbid playthings. With characters he’s shown to unapologetically hate, he torments them in increasingly bizarre manners. Above it all, Mr Belfort is a thrill seeker, terminally bored and fidgeting for his next hit of stimulation.

August, on the topic of his ennui, can be unexpectedly tender. He waxes poetic about the nature of vampirism, and appears emotionally attached to it. As revealed in Episode 6, he chose to become a vampire himself. August also possesses a softness for more overtly vulnerable characters, helping Abigail and Camilla in times of personal crisis.. August, unlike his peers, is unwilling to manipulate or mistreat Edgar, as first shown with their initial contract. For every lie, August can tell a truth.

Appearance

August resembles a man in his late forties’. He has short, combed hair. His face has a double chin, a small blocky nose, beady eyes and a prominent underbite. Despite his obesity, he possesses a broad frame and sturdy limbs. It is also noticeably hairy, most commonly seen on his hands. In coloured renders, August has light green skin, light orange hair and yellow eyes.

Trivia

• August smokes the fictional brand of "Cuba Crowns" cigars, as seen in "Like a Charm".
• August was born with Jacob's Syndrome, as revealed in Episode 11.
• August is openly bisexual, which he reveals to be a common and accepted fact of life in vampire societies.
• August has pierced nipples.