Okay! Done a lot of reading, downloaded a bunch of stuff from White Wolf's site.
Starting to realize I have no real chance of figuring all this out without actually getting the book.

Merits. Flaws. Rotes. I'd have to be bugging y'all every other post about what this does, or what that does.
I have made progress though. Skills are basically done. Concept done. Vice, virtue, etc. Allison would be Thyrsus, I believe...and either Free Council, Mysterium, or even 'unaligned," due to newbieness. Life, Spirit, and Mind, or possibly Prime. I see her as a preserver by nature...protector and healer. The old bookstore she now owns could be a source of Resources, and possibly even a Hallow, Santuary, and/or Library...with appropriate secret/back rooms and so on.
So the gist. I'm gonna buy the book. Downside...can't do it right away. Possibly as early as tomorrow...possibly as late as this weekend.
Lots of people are signing up. If my lateness will disqualify me from consideration, so that others can play, please let me know. I bear no ill will for it, cuz I understand these things gather momentum quickly sometimes. It'd just be nice. I've already sunk some work into the character, but there's plenty more to be done. Thanks.