Alexei Shostakov (
dadguardian) wrote2024-12-29 10:45 pm
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Character Profile | Folkmore
Alexei Shostakov
Player: Meowzy
Canon: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Canon Point: Post-Thunderbolts* (2027)
Role: Legend
Canon: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Canon Point: Post-Thunderbolts* (2027)
Role: Legend
Age: Late fifties
Birthday: TBA
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Brown, graying
Height: 6'3" (1.90m)
Appearance: In the Red Guardian suit and in more casual attire!
Appearance details: Unless stated otherwise, Alexei won't be wearing his Red Guardian suit, so casual attire is the norm for threading. He has a few golden teeth, now that he's been canon updated to Thunderbolts*, his head is fully shaven. His entire torso is covered in prison tattoos, as are his arms. See the full tattoo registry for the finer details on his torso, but as for what's immediately visible: "KARL" and "MARX" are tattooed onto the fingers of his right and left hand, respectively. He also has manacles tattooed along his wrists. A double-headed eagle may just pop up from beneath his shirt, between the sternum and throat.
Legend traits: His Legend wings are usually hidden. Should they ever be visible, they have a metallic appearance; light grey with a sheen and some dark red adornments. His eyes change color to match strong emotions. On rare occasion, he may have a halo.
Voice: David Harbour with a thick Russian accent. Like... Thicc thick.
In-game Residence: Satori Hills, 201
Contact:
Log Community Tag
Network Community Tag
Base coding modified with permission!
SPOON PURCHASES & GAINS
(A lovely spoon painted in the traditional Russian Khokhloma style)
SPOON PURCHASES
Top-level
- Photos collection - 100 spoons: A collection of photos from the time spent as a family unit in Ohio, including the album of faked holidays and the picture of Yelena's peewee soccer team
- Red Guardian shield - 100 spoons: Alexei's old shield from his Red Guardian days. Highly doubtful that it's made of vibranium, since the metal would've been too rare for Russia to get their hands on, but it's durable and lightweight all the same.
TATTOO REGISTRY
(CW: one image in the back section of "torso" has a tattoo needle hovering by the skin)
TORSO
Chest:
The eyes indicate to others that the owner is watching (over) them. Usually this would mean watching other inmates, but it's possible there's a double meaning there of Alexei watching over his daughters from afar.
The cathedral is a common Russian prison tattoo, where the tower parapets are used to represent the amount of time the wearer has spent in prison. The more domes the cathedral has, the more time they've spent in prison.
The writing along the left ribs reads СВОБОУДА, which translates to "freedom".
The doubleheaded eagle, referencing a coat of arms, is a traditional symbol of the Russian statehood. It was tattooed by the prisoners during the Soviet era as an act of rebellion against communist regime.
The manacled roses have me dipping into theory territory. A tulip or a rose ensnared is symbolic of a convicted imprisoned before the age of 18. We know Alexei was much older when he was imprisoned, but there are two roses, so my guess is that they represent Natasha and Yelena being taken by the Red Room when they were young.
The writing along the right shoulder reads ГОСПОЖА УДАЧА, which Google translate takes to mean "Lady Luck".
The eight-pointed star on the chest is a symbol of high rank. Only the most respected can wear the thieves’ stars in that area of the body. (The tattoos must be earned, and an inmate wearing an undeserved tattoo risks a beating or worse.)
The woman above his right collarbone is intended to be a portrait of Melina (confirmed by David Harbour). The text below reads любовь, which translates to "love".
Back:
The big mural is, of course, of the Red Guardian. The top banner reads his name in English, while the bottom banner reads КРАСНЫЙ СТРАЖ, which also translates to Red Guardian.
There's a star with wings, and the bottom right one honestly baffles me. Something to do with barbed wire, maybe? But I don't know who the guy is. If anyone knows, hit me up!
On the right shoulder, we find the scorpion, something to signal to other inmates that Alexei is dangerous and they shouldn't mess with him.
Belly
There's a beetle over his belly button. Beetles typically represent thieves in Russian prisons, with the beetles being a symbol of good luck/protection for pickpockets. Trouble is, those beetles are usually scarab beetles and are situated on the hands. I'm not sure if a stag beetle on the belly/chest area still has the same meaning, or if it's meant to indicate something else.
There's a knife piercing his left side, like it's something he permanently carries around with him. I don't know the meaning of it. The worm-like tattoo next to it, I can't quite decipher.
ARMS & HANDS
There are manacles on both wrists to signify imprisonment. Another very common one in Russian prisons.
The face of Lenin is on his left arm. Typically, Lenin or Stalin was tattooed on the chest because prisoners believed it would protect them from the firing squad. (You wouldn't shoot Lenin, would you?) Needless to say, the placement on the arm is a little strange, but I guess Alexei had more important things to keep close to his heart than Lenin.
There also appears to be a simple bird near it to signify freedom, but it's always turned away from the camera.
The eagle is much more clear. It's another symbol to signify senior authority within the prison, and one of those tattoos that has be earned.
On the other arm, we see the names Natasha and Yelena spelled in Cyrillic. Once again, we see those tragic roses, looking somewhat ensnared, perhaps even shedding a tear drop?
And several things on the inside of the right arm. There's a star, but I'm unsure if this particular style has a meaning of its own.
The cobweb around his elbow signifies imprisonment.
Then we get to the winged/horned hammer and sickle skull, which is a fascinating one! A skull is a symbol of standing up against authority; it means to 'bare one's teeth' against the Soviet power. Usually, the tattoo is earned by fighting authority in prison, like correctional officers or guards. However, this particular skull is branded with the hammer and sickle symbol, to really rub in which authority is meant. The meaning of the wings, horns and the dagger, I'm a little unclear on.
The horizon tattoo on his right arm, near the wrist, represents that the inmate has a thirst for freedom. It means "I was born free and should be free". It usually has birds flying along said horizon, though I can't seem to find them.
And of course, on his fingers, we have KARL MARX spelled out. According to David Harbour, it was like a fun nod to the LOVE/HATE tattoos of Hell's Angels.