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my bestest best friend in a nutshell <3

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Harry flirting with Stanley Tucci 

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Are you more likely to be the one suggesting something stupid or refusing to do something stupid? River spent most of his childhood trying to keep Bram from doing stupid shit, so he’s definitely more the type to refuse to do something stupid. His sense of responsibility is too strong for him to do anything stupid on purpose. Have you ended up where you thought you would? It’s safe to say that River never thought his life would end up the way it has. He could never have imagined his brother dying so young, or that he would end up in prison. He never really imagined great things for himself or anything, but he figured he’d at least have a fairly normal, uneventful life– in fact, that was his goal, just to have an average, happy life. What is your worst childhood memory? Once, when River was about nine or ten, him and Bram both went to bed hungry– which wasn’t usual for them, but on this particular night, Bram was so hungry that he spent the entire night crying. Even once Bram had cried himself out and fallen asleep, River wasn’t able to sleep at all, and afterwards, River started stealing food from the school cafeteria and from various stores so that they would never have to go hungry at night again. What is your favorite music genre? Favorite band? Favorite song? River is a huge fan of music in general, and he’ll give anything a listen. But he heavily favors the indie/alternative rock genre above all others. His favorite bands are Broken Bells and Dr. Dog– he would never be able to choose between them. His favorite song constantly changes, but he consistently goes back to Satellite, by Guster, The High Road, by Broken Bells, and How Long Must I Wait, by Dr. Dog. How would someone realize you’re irritated or impatient? It’s generally no secret when River is irritated. He doesn’t (usually) complain, but he rolls his eyes a lot, mutters under his breath, or will just straight up say “fuck you” if he’s really on edge. He is generally the most irritated when he’s at work, because the chaotic environment stresses him out. Who are your favourite writers? He isn’t much of a reader, and has never read anything that wasn’t assigned to him in school. This is partly because he really struggled with most of the material and didn’t feel he understood most of what he was reading, and he was too afraid to ask questions. But one of his teachers in his junior year assigned the book Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut, and it just clicked with River. He thoroughly enjoyed it and has always meant to try reading more of Kurt Vonnegut’s works, but has never followed through with it. His essay about the book was the only A paper he ever got in school. Do you believe people who say they have no regrets? Do you have any? If not, why don’t you have any? River doesn’t see how anyone could live a life where they truly have no regrets, so no, he doesn’t tend to believe anyone who says that. He has many regrets, many things that if he could go back in time to change them, he would in a heartbeat. If you could erase one movie from existence, what would it be and why? Most music-related biopics, especially more recent ones, because when people happen to find out he likes music, they always ask him “have you seen Rocketman? Have you seen Bohemian Rhapsody?” At this point, he plans not to watch them purely out of spite. Where do you go when you’re angry? If he can, River will get in his car and just drive somewhere, either driving aimlessly, or finding some remote area to park in. But if he’s stuck at work and he’s angry, he will find a task to do that allows him to stay isolated from everyone else, put his earbuds in and crank them as high as he can, and will pointedly ignore anyone who tries to get his attention. How do you react to stressful situations? Generally, River appears to stay calm under pressure, even if he feels the opposite on the inside. It takes a lot to push him to the point where he’ll actually lose his cool, and even then, “losing his cool” would pretty much just include River storming off and going somewhere to calm down.

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T H E B A S I C S Given Name: River Conall Ervine Nicknames: None, and he wouldn't answer to any nicknames anyway. Age: 35 Birthday: September 1st Zodiac Sign: Virgo Birthplace: Springfield, Massachusetts Current Location: Boston, Massachusetts Speaks: English, and he’s pretty decent at Spanish. Dominant Hand: Right Education: He barely managed to graduate from West Springfield High School. He did not go on to college, because he hated school, felt it was a waste of his time, and was sure he would never be able to graduate anyway. That being said, he isn’t stupid by any means, he just doesn’t do well in a typical academic setting. Occupation: Currently working at The Tacky Steed Pub, the only place that would actually hire him with his background. He is clueless when it comes to cooking, but he does prep work, dishwashing, bartending, lifts/carries anything heavy and puts away deliveries, and works the register as needed. Vehicle: When he got out of prison and briefly stayed with his sister-in-law Beatrice, she helped him buy a red 2012 Honda Civic, and he is working on paying her back (mostly in the form of watching her daughter/his niece Elissa, which he is more than happy to do). Worldly Possessions: He doesn't have much of anything. Even before prison, he wasn't much of a "things" person. The only sentimental item he has is an electric guitar that belonged to his younger brother. River has been told that the guitar is worth a lot of money, but he would never be able to bring himself to sell it. Pet(s): A wire fox terrier named Bandit. He previously had a collie named Lady, but when he went to prison, Beatrice took Lady in, and he didn't have the heart to ask for Lady back after seeing how happy she is in her new home.

A P P E A R A N C E Height: 6’5” Hair: Somewhere between auburn and brown, always cropped very short because he doesn’t have the patience to deal with having to actually style his hair. Facial Hair: He doesn’t like to grow a beard for the same reason he doesn’t like to grow his hair out, but he does keep a bit of stubble at all times. Eye Colour: Dark blue Skin Tone: Not terribly pale, but not exactly tan either. He does like to go outdoors and get a bit of sun now and then. Clothing: River doesn’t have much of a sense of style– he usually just wears jeans and plain t-shirts no matter the situation. Not that he doesn’t look good in them, because of course he does, but he’s not exactly a stylish person. Distinguishing Marks: A few scars here and there, mostly from being a reckless child/teenager, though he does have one particularly rough-looking scar on his left shoulder from the only prison fight he was ever involved in (no one else was ever stupid enough to try and fight him again). Face Claim: Tom Hopper

H E A L T H Physical Health: River is generally a healthy person. He exercises regularly, eats healthy (he's the type of person who mostly views food as fuel, though he does occasionally eat things just for enjoyment), and has a strong immune system so he has never been seriously ill. He loves going on long walks and hikes with Bandit, and he goes to the gym a couple of times a week to get some lifting in. Physical Abilities/Limitations: He can lift heavy things with ease for the most part, which means that anytime something heavy needs to be picked up/moved at the restaurant, River is usually the one to do it. He used to go on runs every morning, but the impact always made his knees hurt, so he doesn't do that anymore. Addictions: Before he went to prison, he did have a problem with alcohol, but no one ever noticed because he managed to seem very normal even when he was drunk. He hasn't touched alcohol since he got out, but he has been very tempted at times. Allergies: A bit of hay fever, but nothing that some Claritin won't fix. Mental Health: Unsurprisingly, it's not very good. River has struggled with depression since he was a teenager, but again, no one ever really noticed because he did his best to act like he was fine. He has also always been a very shy person, like absolutely terrified of having to talk to anyone he doesn't know well, though now he tends to put up a front of being unapproachable and unfriendly so that people leave him alone for the most part.

H I S T O R Y Summary: River was born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, to parents who lived far below the poverty line. His brother, Bram, was born five years later. They both had a pretty rough start in life– oftentimes their only meals were school breakfast/lunch, and they would go to bed hungry. By the time River was ten, he’d become pretty adept at stealing food from the school cafeteria, or from convenience/grocery stores, so he could feed both himself and Bram. Shortly after River’s eleventh birthday, their parents announced that they would be getting a divorce, which came as no surprise since they were constantly screaming at each other. Although neither River or Bram got along with either of their parents very well, they ultimately wanted to live with their father; he was very distant with them and borderline negligent, but their mother had a tendency to hit them when she got angry, so the choice was pretty obvious. Because of their father’s distance and lack of care for them, River made it his mission to care for Bram and essentially took on the role of surrogate father to him. They were very close, and remained close throughout the years. River left home at eighteen, and unofficially took Bram with him– he wasn’t Bram’s legal guardian, but their father really didn’t give a shit where Bram stayed, so he stayed with River until he came of age. River moved to Boston shortly after Bram struck out on his own, and took a job as a bartender/bouncer at a club. Several years passed without any notable changes in River’s life, except that Bram got married to Beatrice and ended up moving to Boston as well. River was generally content with his life, even if it was a little boring and uneventful. One night, while walking to a nearby bar with Bram, the two of them stepped into an alley to smoke a cigarette, but quickly realized they had accidentally stumbled upon someone being mugged at gunpoint. The mugger panicked and ended up accidentally shooting Bram in the chest. Unfortunately, the bullet struck his heart, and Bram was dead less than a minute later. River doesn’t fully remember what happened next– but according to two witnesses (the person who was being mugged, and someone watching from an apartment window above them), River basically lost it and got into a struggle with the mugger to take the gun, then proceeded to fire all of the remaining bullets– twelve bullets in total– at the mugger, killing him. River just remembers trying to save Bram, watching him die, and the next thing he knew, he was holding the gun and pulling the trigger for the final time. River actually ended up being the one to call the police himself, and essentially turned himself in. The two witnesses gave statements which backed up River’s version of events, and River had every intention of pleading guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter, so he ended up getting a very light sentence of five years. Beatrice ended up being his main supporter, showing up to every court hearing, visiting him whenever she was allowed, and even acting as a character witness for him. She was obviously devastated over not just losing her husband in such a horrific manner, but also having River end up in prison. As if that wasn’t enough, a few weeks after Bram’s death, she discovered that she was twelve weeks pregnant. Prison ended up not being too horrible for River– he mostly kept to himself and tried to keep his mind on eventually getting out, getting his life back on track. His only regret was that he wasn’t able to be there to help Bea with the baby and everything, though she did visit often and assured him that everything was going just fine. It was during this time that River ended up being bunkmates with Charlie, and though River would never admit it, he felt an instant attraction to Charlie, as close to love at first sight as you can get. River got out of prison after only four years, since he was released early for good behavior. He moved in with Beatrice for a couple of months while he got his bearings and tried to find a job– the job hunt was pretty rough since no one wanted to hire him after finding out he was an ex-convict. But he ended up finding a local pub, The Tacky Steed, that made a point of hiring felons and ex-cons, and he has been working there ever since. Now that Charlie is out of prison as well, they have become roommates and coworkers, which River enjoys, but it’s also a little like torture for him to have Charlie around all the time and trying to keep his feelings contained. Job History: His first job was as a pizza delivery driver– he only lasted a few months in that job because it was so miserable. He then worked as a bellhop at a hotel, and then had a job in a warehouse for several years. His last job before going to prison was as a bartender/bouncer, and now he works at The Tacky Steed. Fondest Memories: A lot of random memories with Bram. He also has more recent fond memories of Elissa, even though some of it is bittersweet since he was in prison and missed a lot of her early years. Worst Experiences: His younger brother being murdered essentially for being in the wrong place at the wrong time– River will never forgive himself for not protecting him. He still has nightmares about it all the time. And although being in prison wasn’t the nightmare he thought it would be, he does hate the fact that he wasn’t able to be there for Bea and Lissey.

C O M M U N I C A T I O N Speech Pace/Style: River prefers not to say anything at all unless he absolutely has to. He's definitely the strong, silent type. When he does speak, he talks at a slightly slower cadence than most (because speaking more slowly helps him not to stumble over his words). However, if he's nervous for some reason (for instance, if he was talking to someone he finds attractive *coughcharliecough*), he may speak more quickly and start stuttering or trailing off and losing his train of thought. Accent: Typical American accent, nothing noteworthy. Favorite Phrases or Words: "Oh my god," always under his breath whenever someone is getting on his last nerve. Usual Curse Words: While River doesn't speak much, when he does say something, it's usually some variation of "fuck." Fuck you, or what the fuck, or fucking christ, anything along those lines.

P E R S O N A L I T Y, M I N D S E T, A N D B E L I E F S Personality Type: INTJ-T Sense of Humor: He's not one to joke around much, but when he does, it's usually in the vein of sarcasm. It's also pretty difficult to make him laugh– the antics of people at work have made him laugh before, but it's usually just a quick smile, a light chuckle, and that's it. Habits: River loves listening to music, so anytime he can be listening to music, he definitely is. He takes earbuds with him everywhere he goes, and anytime he gets assigned a mindless repetitive task at work, he pops them in and listens to whatever his current obsession is. Every time he’s about to start a task, he claps his hands once before getting started. It helps get him “in the zone,” according to him. He doesn’t mean to, but he does have a tendency to “manspread” when he sits down, just because of how long his legs are. If someone calls him out on it, or if he needs to make room for someone to sit next to him, he will pull his legs in and sit more normally. Quirks: In spite of River's inherent shyness, he has a very intense gaze and makes it a point to look people in the eyes when they talk to him. Fears/Phobias: Anything happening to the (very, very few) people he cares about. Meeting new people (you can bet that he spent the day before he started work at the restaurant internally screaming at the prospect of having to interact with so many strangers). Strengths: River is a very loyal and protective person. Anyone who manages to get close to him will have him as a friend forever, and he would do absolutely anything to protect the people he cares about (which, at this point, are pretty much just Bea, Lissey, and Charlie). Although he projects an air of being grumpy and unfriendly, River can be a very thoughtful person at times. If he knows someone who is going through a rough time, he will find a way to do something nice for them, usually in secret so they don’t know it was him. In most cases, River is a very shy person and avoids speaking to anyone unless it’s absolutely necessary. But when it comes to rude customers, all River’s shyness goes out the window– he has no problem whatsoever confronting anyone who is rude to him or his coworkers. He doesn’t yell or get heated, but he does take on a very firm tone, and, as a bonus, if it gets to the point where he threatens to throw someone out, that usually prompts the person to either apologize or just leave, because it’s obvious that River could quite literally throw them out. As a result, whenever there’s a particularly rude customer, River is usually called over to deal with them. River has a work ethic like no other– when he gets “in the zone,” he can be incredibly productive, both at work and when it comes to housework. His coworkers have referred to him as “the machine” in the past just because of how much he can get done in a short amount of time. Flaws: He literally never talks to anyone about how he’s doing or how he’s feeling, and it is sort of killing him. Everything just ends up internalized and pushed to the back of his mind. As a kid, River learned that he had to be stoic, that he had to keep from showing any sort of emotion, bad or good, because he would just get punished or belittled if he did, and unfortunately he carried that mindset into his adulthood. Bea has tried to convince him to go to therapy, but River would rather die than do that. River believes that the only value he has as a person lies in how productive he is. He doesn’t allow himself much time at all to just relax or enjoy life– he’s always working and takes any extra shifts/overtime that are offered to him, no matter how tired he is, and when he’s not working he’s always doing chores or running errands. Hopes/Desires: Most of his hopes and desires are for other people. He hopes Bea falls in love again and gets remarried. He hopes that Lissey grows up happy and healthy and that she is able to do anything she may want to do. The only selfish hope he has, which he never really allows himself to entertain, is that maybe someday Charlie will see him as more than just a roommate or friend. Self-Esteem: Unfortunately, it’s not very good. River kind of sees himself as useless, and feels like he’s just taking up space in people’s lives. He really, really wishes it had been him that was shot and killed instead of Bram– he has a textbook case of survivor’s guilt. If it weren’t for Bea and Lissey, River probably would have tried to kill himself a long time ago. But since he has them to think of, especially Lissey, River would never do that. Religion: He did believe in god as a kid. Now he’s not so sure– but if god does exist, then River has a bone to pick with him.

R A N D O M Sleeping Position: On his back, with his limbs spread out kind of like a starfish. Boxers or Briefs?: He finds briefs to be much more comfortable. Day or Night?: He doesn’t really care. Top or Bottom?: Top, for sure. He’s never tried switching before, but he would give it a try if his partner really wanted to. Partying or Relaxing?: River would rather die than go to a party. The few times he did go to a party, he just stood off to the side, didn’t speak to anyone, then went home as soon as he could and had a panic attack.

R E L A T I O N S H I P S Closest Friend: He is very close with his sister-in-law, Beatrice (Bea). She came to visit him often while he was in prison, and would bring Elissa with her as well. River has always felt very comfortable with her, and she adores River (honestly, for a while she did have some misplaced "feelings" for River, but she never told him that since she knew River was gay anyway, and now she views him only as a brother). She has River pick Elissa up from school and watch her for a few hours once or twice a week, and she often stops by with food/groceries for him (and for Charlie of course) because she wants to make sure he's taking care of himself. He also does consider Charlie to be a good friend, even if they haven't exactly opened up to each other. He trusts Charlie and will always have his back if it comes down to it (plus there's the fact that River is not-so-secretly enamored with Charlie~). Relationship History: He was in a couple of relationships when he was younger– the first was a short-lived high school fling. The second was in his early twenties, and lasted around six months, but River broke things off because it just never felt right. Sexual Partners: Four in total. His first boyfriend in high school, a one night stand when he was nineteen, his second boyfriend, and then a purely physical relationship with a fellow inmate (which was also short-lived). Thoughts About Sex: River enjoys sex, but he doesn't think it's as big a deal as people make it out to be. Though to be fair, he's never felt really connected to anyone he's had sex with so it's always been kind of unsatisfying to him, and he is probably demisexual, so there's that.

P A R E N T S Name(s): Martina and Clyde Ervine Age(s): 61 and 63 Social Standing: Not great. River’s mother was widely known to be a lush and there were a lot of rumors about her hitting her children– though of course no one bothered to actually do anything about it. His father was not a nice person at all, and he had a lot of enemies. Occupation(s): His mother worked at a convenience store, and his father was a delivery driver, who later Religion: They considered themselves Catholic, but they never went to church or anything. Quality of Relationship With Their Children: Um, bad. Really bad. Neither of them showed up for Bram’s funeral, neither of them visited River or even called or wrote to him in jail. The last time River saw them was at Bram and Bea’s wedding, and River ended up having to ask them to leave because they were fighting with each other and causing a scene. Living/Deceased: At this point, River has no idea if either of them are alive or dead, and he really doesn’t give a fuck.

S I B L I N G (S) Name(s): Bram Ervine Age(s): He passed away at the age of 22. Social Standing: It was very good– he was the type of person who could make friends with just about anyone, so he was very well-liked. Occupation(s): He worked in a local concert venue as a sound engineer, and also played guitar in a band– he always said that River was his biggest influence, because growing up, he always wanted to listen to whatever River was listening to, and that music was the greatest influence on his musical taste. Religion: He was sort of iffy about it and basically considered himself agnostic. Quality of Relationship with Character: They had a great relationship. They were very close, and Bram had a lot of respect for River– honestly, Bram wanted to be just like him. Living/Deceased: Sadly, he is dead.

D A I L Y L I F E Living Arrangements: He currently rents a two bedroom apartment, with the second bedroom occupied by Charlie. It’s a fairly nice place– nothing fancy, but decent enough, close to work, the neighbors are all pretty quiet, the rent is reasonable, so River is certainly in no hurry to leave anytime soon.

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river "absolutely done with everyone's bullshit" ervine

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Timothée for Dazed China, March/April 2020

📷 by Davit Giorgadze

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T H E B A S I C S Given Name: Manaia Ngatoko Nicknames: Mana, Manny (but only Nick is allowed to call him that) Age: 45 Birthday: December 2nd Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius Birthplace: Christchurch, New Zealand Current Location: Auckland, New Zealand Speaks: Te Reo Maori, English Dominant Hand: Right Education: Graduated from the University of Auckland with a degree in Early Childhood Development, then went on to get his Master’s degree in Teaching. Occupation: He teaches kids in year one and two (5-7 year olds) at Newmarket Primary School, and also teaches an Early Childhood Development class at the Imperial College of New Zealand. Vehicle: 2002 Kia Sportage in silver Worldly Possessions: Things They Own Pet(s): Two cats– one a Russian Blue named Ozzy, and the other a Bombay Cat named Zeppelin.

A P P E A R A N C E Height: Just over 6’ Hair: Thick and wavy/curly, mostly gray with some dark hair mixed in. Facial Hair: Yes, but he keeps it pretty short and well-maintained. It’s very salt-and-peppery, though his beard has stayed darker than his hair. Eye Colour: Dark brown Skin Tone: Definitely brown, with olive undertones. He tends to get much darker in the summer since he spends much more time outdoors. Clothing: He dresses casually the vast majority of the time, but he always looks pulled-together. He’s a fan of jeans and t-shirts (he has a large collection of band tees), and when he’s at work, he’ll usually throw on a button-up or a nice sweater so he looks more professional. Distinguishing Marks: Some scars here and there from various childhood injuries. A more noticeable/distinctive scar on his abdomen from having his appendix out as a teenager. Face Claim: Taika Waititi

H E A L T H Physical Health: Pretty dang good. He’s not a health fanatic or anything, but he does take decent care of himself. He exercises on a regular basis, generally eats well, and doesn’t get sick very often. He does have some issues with high blood pressure, which he now takes medication for– but other than that, he’s in good health. Physical Abilities/Limitations: He can play the guitar, and often makes up songs for his students either to help them learn or make them laugh. He’s a strong swimmer and goes swimming whenever he gets the opportunity. Addictions: None Allergies: Lucky for him, none. Mental Health: Not bad. Mana is, for the most part, an optimist, and always tries to see the best in any given situation. He has experienced depression in the past, especially after his divorce and after his younger sister’s death, but his mental health is very stable in general.

H I S T O R Y Summary: Long or Short Job History: His first job was at a commercial cleaning company, during college– it fit with his schedule well since he could go to his classes during the day and work at night. When he looks back on it, he’s not sure how he managed to get by with so little sleep. His next job was at a daycare center, which helped him build some experience working with children. He did enjoy the work and liked being around the kids, but he didn’t stay for very long, since he was soon hired by Newmarket Primary School, where he has now taught for about 20 years. Fondest Memories: Going to summer camp every year as a kid and getting to see his best friend Nick. Volunteering as a counselor at that same camp, along with Nick, once they were too old to actually be campers. Various trips to visit Nick, or times when Nick was able to come and visit him. His wedding day (though that memory is bittersweet now). The births of his children. All the fun visits/trips with Nick and the kids. Basically any memory with Nick, honestly~ Worst Experiences: His appendix bursting when he was thirteen and landing him in the hospital for nearly two weeks (though he had a lot of fun recounting the story, and all the grizzly details, to all his friends later). His mother dying of an aneurysm when Mana was twenty. His divorce from his wife (although it wasn’t an ugly divorce by any means, it was still hard on them, especially the kids). His younger sister dying in a car accident.

C O M M U N I C A T I O N Speech Pace/Style: Smooth Talker Accent: Perhaps British.. or Southern Favorite Phrases or Words: Like ‘Jiminy Christmas!’ Usual Curse Words: F U U U U U U C K

P E R S O N A L I T Y, M I N D S E T, A N D B E L I E F S Personality Type: Myer Briggs Sense of Humor: Funny or Lame Habits: Nail Bitter or Something Quirks: Something Fears/Phobias: Something Strengths: Something Flaws: Something Hopes/Desires: Something Wildest Fantasy: Something Self-Esteem: Something Religion: Something

R A N D O M Sleeping Position: Something Boxers or Briefs?: Something Day or Night?: Something Top or Bottom?: Something Partying or Relaxing?: Something

R E L A T I O N S H I P S Closest Friend: Something Relationship History: Something Sexual Partners: Something Thoughts About Sex: Something

P A R E N T S Name(s): Tamati Ngatoko, Mila Ngatoko Age(s): His father is 70. His mother passed away at the age of 43. Social Standing: Blue collar, white collar, whatever Occupation(s): What they do Religion: What do they believe Quality of Relationship With His Children: Is good or bad? Living/Deceased: Maybe they dead

S I B L I N G (S) Name(s): Kora King, Hana Ngatoko Age(s): Kora is 47, and Hana passed away at the age of 32. Social Standing: Blue collar, white collar, whatever Occupation(s): What they do Religion: What do they believe Quality of Relationship with Character: Is good or bad? Living/Deceased: Maybe they dead

C H I L D R E N Name(s): Aria Ngatoko, Kauri Ngatoko, Willow Ngatoko Age(s): Aria is 17, Kauri is 12, and Willow is nearly 3. Interests: Aria is a pretty average 17-year-old– she’s very outgoing, she likes to hang out with her friends, go shopping, she’s very boy-crazy and has a new boyfriend every few weeks, etc. She took an interest in coding as a young teen and now plans to major in computer science and hopefully find work in video game development. Kauri has been in dance classes since he was about three years old, and has now tried out many different styles of dance. His favorites are contemporary and ballet. He’s a lot more shy and reserved than Aria and doesn’t tend to make friends as easily. Willow is technically Mana’s niece, but he adopted her after his younger sister passed away, leaving a three-month-old Willow with no one to care for her. She is now a toddler who enjoys splashing in mud puddles, randomly screaming, climbing on anyone who stands still long enough, and launching herself off of furniture in order to give Mana a heart attack. Quality of Relationship with Character: Mana absolutely adores all of his children and is immensely proud of them. They love Mana as well, though Aria is definitely in the middle of her “oh-my-god-my-dad-is-so-embarrassing” phase.

D A I L Y L I F E Living Arrangements: Where they live

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manaia "turn that frown upside down" ngatoko

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“There is no room in my body for anything but you. My arms love you, my ears adore you, my knees shake with blind affection. My mind begs you to ask it something so it can obey. Do you want me to follow you for the rest of your days? I will do that. Do you want me to crawl? I will crawl. I will be quiet for you or sing for you…Anything there is that I can do for you, I will do for you; anything there is that I cannot do, I will learn to do.”

— The Princess Bride, William Goldman (1973)

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baby i can be your morally ambiguous person you have an undefined relationship and long and complicated history with who commits crimes and even kills for you so that you don't have to sacrifice your values and your reputation as an upstanding moral citizen by getting your own hands dirty as an act of devotion

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A small sample of the type of outfits Weylin normally wears. Although in his off hours he prefers to wear oversized sweaters he stole from his boyfriend~

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girls don't want flowers this valentine's day. they want flower filled daggers

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more daggers from omega artworks

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T H E B A S I C S Given Name: Ryoga Zaizen Nicknames: Ryo Age: 38 Birthday: September 5th Zodiac Sign: Virgo Birthplace: Hakodate, Japan Current Location: He recently moved to Gzira, Malta, after having lived in Yokohama, Japan for nearly thirteen years. Speaks: He is fluent in both Japanese and English. He is starting to learn Maltese, but can only have a very basic conversation at this point. Dominant Hand: Right Education: He completed junior high, but opted not to continue on to high school and started working instead so he could help out his family. Occupation: Voice actor, mostly in anime and video games. Most of his voice work is in Japanese, but he occasionally does some in English as well. Every once in a great while, he does some live action acting, but it’s not his preference. Vehicle: 2018 Peugeot 5008 SUV in navy blue. Worldly Possessions: Some very nice recording equipment that allows him to do his voicework from home. A small family altar that he doesn’t actually pray to, but likes having around for nostalgic reasons. Lots of toys and things for his kids. Lots of DVDs and blu-rays of various films of all genres, with a whole shelf dedicated to family-friendly movies and shows. Pet(s): He recently got a one-year-old Shikoku Ken, partly to try and distract his kids from all the upheaval and turmoil in their lives at the moment. He wasn't too sure about having a dog at first, but now he really enjoys having a pet. The dog's name is Kotaro, meaning "small boy."

A P P E A R A N C E Height: 6'1" Hair: Ryoga enjoys trying all sorts of different colors and styles with his hair. He's had just about every color of the rainbow in his hair at some point, and when he was younger he experimented with having super long hair, mohawks, all kinds of things. Nowadays he tends to keep it cut into a more sophisticated, conservative style, but he still enjoys dyeing it various colors. Currently it is a light blue-gray. Facial Hair: He prefers to be clean-shaven. Eye Colour: Dark brown Skin Tone: He enjoys spending time outdoors, so he isn't super pale or anything; he has almost an olive undertone to his skin. Clothing: Most of the time he dresses in a fairly casual manner; his go-to look is skinny jeans paired with a graphic tee and either Vans or combat boots. But he also cleans up very nicely when the occasion arises. He has a few suits in various colors, patterns and styles and they all look amazing on him. Ryoga has a good sense of fashion and always manages to dress perfectly for any occasion. Distinguishing Marks: He has tattoos– like, so many tattoos on his arms, hands, chest, back, legs, basically everywhere except his face tbh. Face Claim: Miyavi

H E A L T H Physical Health: For the most part, his health is pretty good– he takes good care of himself, exercises, eats well, etc, especially because he wants to set a good example for his kids. However, he has had mild issues with his heart ever since he was a teenager– he has a slight arrhythmia and bradycardia (slow heart rate), but has managed both conditions fairly well throughout his life. He has had to stay in the hospital a couple of times after his heart rate slowed enough to cause him to faint, but he now tries to stay active and take his medication regularly so it (hopefully) doesn’t happen again. Physical Abilities/Limitations: He has a lot of upper body strength, partly from working out and partly from carrying his daughter around all over the place. He is also surprisingly flexible and enjoys doing yoga and tai chi as a form of gentle exercise. He’s always been good at imitating people/doing impressions and putting on different voices, which is what eventually led him to becoming a voice actor. Addictions: He used to drink a lot, but completely gave up alcohol in his mid-twenties, around the time he got married. This was partly because he wanted to try and be a more responsible person, and partly because his doctor recommended that he give up, or at least cut way back, on alcohol for the sake of his heart. Allergies: Shellfish Mental Health: Ryoga is under a lot of stress right now, so he’s not at his best. He’s had a lot of anxiety over his (very messy) divorce, then a brutal custody battle (he ended up getting sole custody), and then having to get a restraining order against his ex-wife when she kept showing up at their home and trying to get the kids to come with her, then throwing fits when Ryoga stopped her from taking them. Now that they’ve moved to a whole other country, he feels a bit better, less nervous, but he’s still constantly worried that his ex is going to show up any day. He has done his best to drill it into the kids’ heads that if their mom shows up, they are not to go with her and they need to come get him or call the police right away.

H I S T O R Y Summary: Long or Short Job History: His first job was at a small, hole-in-the-wall beef bowl shop when he was fourteen– he started as a busboy but was quickly moved into a kitchen staff position. A couple of years later, he was scouted by a modeling agent and ended up falling into the world of fashion modeling. He wasn’t super famous or anything; he mostly modeled alternative/goth/street fashion rather than anything too mainstream. This allowed him to network with a lot of people who were able to pull some strings for him and get him auditions for voice work, and within a few years, he had transitioned fully into voice acting (which he is now actually pretty famous for– in Japan, at least). Fondest Memories: Some of his childhood memories, such as family trips, or evenings when everyone was home and actually hung out together instead of going to their separate rooms. His wedding day, which is bittersweet to look back on, but at the time was one of the happiest days of his life. The births of both his children. Various anime conventions he’s gone to– he loves meeting fans and talking to them. Worst Experiences: His father losing his job– it sent the entire family into a downward spiral of anxiety and Ryoga always felt he had to walk on eggshells around them. Having to skip out on high school so he could work and earn money to help his family. His parents being more than a little angry with him when he became a model, started getting tattoos, etc., since they thought he was “ruining his life.” His parents later disowning him when he told them he was dating a man. And, of course, the slow and painful death of his marriage which resulted in a very, very messy divorce.

C O M M U N I C A T I O N Speech Pace/Style: It depends on the situation. If he’s working or in a more professional setting, then he is very respectful, using only polite language. When he’s with friends, he’s louder and more outspoken, and far less polite– not that he’s rude, just that he has a bit of a mouth on him. With his kids, Ryoga is very laid-back for the most part, speaking calmly to them and keeping a patient, gentle tone. Even when he scolds them, he doesn’t raise his voice much, though he can be very firm when he needs to be. Accent: Ryoga has a noticeable Japanese accent when he speaks English, but it’s not so thick that it’s hard to understand him. He speaks very clearly and enunciates well. Favorite Phrases or Words: Tends to say “Aa! Sou?” when he’s surprised about something, which just means “oh, really?” Also tends to say “ehto” instead of “um” or “uh.” Usual Curse Words: He tries to watch his language when he’s with his kids, though he does slip up on occasion (and they always call him out for it). He does have quite a mouth on him though, both in English and in Japanese, and uses whatever curse word feels most appropriate for the moment.

P E R S O N A L I T Y, M I N D S E T, A N D B E L I E F S Personality Type: INFJ-T Sense of Humor: With his kids, he’s pretty goofy and silly, always joking around with them and keeping them entertained. He does a lot of voices that make them laugh. When he’s around adults, he’s more sarcastic but still on the goofy side more than anything. Habits: He is hardly ever barefoot– he always wears socks or house slippers when he’s inside. He tends to eat rice with every meal if possible, in some form or another, or else it doesn’t feel like an actual meal to him. If he’s wearing any nail polish or anything, he tends to pick at it whenever he gets nervous or stressed out. Quirks: Ryoga really enjoys treating himself to things like spa days, mani-pedis, massages, anything along those lines. He doesn’t do it all the time, but once a month or so he gets someone to watch the kids and just takes a full day to himself to relax. He also loves taking baths and keeps various bath salts and oils around so he can take a nice, long bath at home if he’s had a rough day. Fears/Phobias: Anything happening to his kids; he worries about them constantly. His ex-wife finding him and showing up, even though he has a restraining order against her. He also tends to be a bit secretive about his sexuality, after facing some backlash/discrimination for it in Japan– he’s not exactly afraid of anyone finding out that he’s bi, but there’s a reason why he doesn’t offer that information very freely. Strengths: Something Flaws: Something Hopes/Desires: Something Wildest Fantasy: Something Self-Esteem: Something Religion: Something

R A N D O M Sleeping Position: Something Boxers or Briefs?: Something Day or Night?: Something Top or Bottom?: Something Partying or Relaxing?: Something

R E L A T I O N S H I P S Closest Friend: Something Relationship History: Something Sexual Partners: Something Thoughts About Sex: Something

P A R E N T S Name(s): Mom and Dad Age(s): Ages Social Standing: Blue collar, white collar, whatever Occupation(s): What they do Religion: What do they believe Quality of Relationship With His Children: Is good or bad? Living/Deceased: Maybe they dead

S I B L I N G (S) Name(s): First Last Age(s): Ages Social Standing: Blue collar, white collar, whatever Occupation(s): What they do Religion: What do they believe Quality of Relationship with Character: Is good or bad? Living/Deceased: Maybe they dead

D A I L Y L I F E Living Arrangements: Where they live

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T H E B A S I C S Given Name: Rafael Caleb Isserlis Nicknames: His family all call him Ray, but most people just call him Rafael. Age: 30 Birthday: June 6th Zodiac Sign: Gemini Birthplace: Sunnyvale, California Current Location: Barcelona, Spain Speaks: English, Spanish, some Castilian, a bit of Hebrew but not much. Dominant Hand: Right Education: He graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts degree. His original focus was Computer Software Engineering, but he switched his focus to Drawing and Painting in his sophomore year. Occupation: Bouncer at a strip club, and he has been working on a comic book with a friend (Rafael is working on the art, and his friend is the writer/story creator) for about a year. They hope to publish and sell it at some point soon. Vehicle: 2003 Opel Zafira in silver. Not the most attractive car, but he got it for cheap and it has been very reliable for him. Worldly Possessions: Lots of art supplies, a bunch of comic books, tons of dog toys, a photo album full of family pictures (put together for him by his mother before he moved to Spain), and tons of blankets and pillows because he loves to be comfy~ Pet(s): A black and white Mucuchi named Oreo. Rafael loves taking Oreo pretty much anywhere that dogs are allowed, and Oreo is always very happy to go on adventures.

A P P E A R A N C E Height: Just under 6’ Hair: He generally keeps it trimmed short just because it is easier to take care of, though he occasionally grows it out a little longer so the curls really show. He’s never dyed it before, so it is his natural dark brown color. Facial Hair: He always has at least a little bit of facial hair, even if it’s just some light scruffiness. He does like to let it grow out more sometimes. Eye Colour: Brown with some flecks of hazel Skin Tone: Dark, though the tone varies depending on the time of year. He is quite a bit darker in the warmer months thanks to his love of the outdoors. Clothing: He dresses casually for the most part, lots of jeans and t-shirts (especially band tees). If he’s working, he might wear a nice jacket as well. He almost always wears combat boots, unless he’s going running or hiking, then he’ll wear comfy sneakers. He loves wearing beanies, especially in colder weather, and he has them in a bunch of different colors. Although he doesn’t have much reason to dress up, he does look great in a suit and has some nice clothes on hand just in case. Distinguishing Marks: He has a couple of large tattoos on his chest, and a half sleeve on his left arm. He plans on getting more tattoos at some point, but he hasn’t decided what he wants or where. Face Claim: Jordan Calloway

H E A L T H Physical Health: Rafael is in excellent health– he loves doing any sort of physical activity, especially if it involves being outdoors, so he's very fit. He works out on a regular basis and eats quite healthy (though he's not opposed to a little junk food now and then). He gets sick now and then, just minor things like a cold or a mild case of the flu, but he's never been seriously sick or anything. Basically, Rafael takes great care of himself. Physical Abilities/Limitations: He can lift very heavy things thanks to his weight training at the gym. He's got good endurance/stamina– he can hike or run for quite a long time before needing a break. He's a good artist with a very distinctive style; he is constantly drawing, doodling on napkins, just keeping his hands busy whenever he can. Addictions: No addictions to speak of. Allergies: Citrus in general makes his mouth hurt, but sometimes he eats it anyway because he just can't resist. Mental Health: Generally good. He had a very stable upbringing with lots of supportive friends and family around. He is lucky enough to never have experienced any sort of mental illness or any really traumatic events in his life.

H I S T O R Y Summary: Rafael was born in Sunnyvale, California to wealthy parents (his mother is an OB/GYN, and his father is a very successful software engineer). He was the fourth of five children. He grew up surrounded by a very loving family, including much of his extended family, and had a near idyllic childhood. Growing up, Rafael always showed an aptitude for art– he was quite a skilled artist from a young age, but he also had a deep interest in his father’s work and loved all things to do with technology. He taught himself to code when he was about twelve years old and even made a couple of very basic games just to practice. Rafael was always a great student, not exactly straight A’s since he had a bit of a hard time in his literature classes and some of the more complicated math classes, but he never got any grades lower than a B, and he always tried his hardest and studied a lot, did extra credit whenever he could, etc. He also always had a lot of friends and was a bit girl crazy in high school, so he was always dating a new girl. He was on his high school’s soccer team as well– the PE coach always wanted him to go out for the football team, but Rafael hated football and still does, so he never bothered, preferring to use the time to do various volunteer projects or just hang out with his friends. Thanks to his excellent GPA and a wealth of extracurriculars and volunteer experience, Rafael had an easy time getting accepted into UC Berkeley. He initially majored in Computer Software Engineering, as he’d always planned– but after a trip across Europe with some of his friends just before his Sophomore year of college, he had a shift in perspective and realized that he really wanted to focus on his art after all. He changed his major to focus on Drawing and Painting, which was a bit of a surprise to his family, but they were, as always, very supportive of his decision, especially since it turned out he wouldn’t lose any progress toward his degree. After graduating, Rafael decided to do what he’d always wanted to do and live abroad. He decided on living in Spain, since he had taken nearly eight years of Spanish between high school and college and was almost fluent at that point. He spent a few years just travelling around Spain, exploring, working odd jobs, meeting people, just having a good time. Eventually he ended up settling in Barcelona after meeting a particularly good group of people, finding himself a quaint little house in the heart of the city, and getting a job as a bouncer in a local strip club. He has been there ever since. Job History: He didn't have his first job until college– he worked as a barista at a Starbucks on campus for his entire college career, which he actually really enjoyed. Once he moved to Spain and started traveling around, he did tons of odd jobs helping out with manual labor, working in restaurants, helping out around people's houses, doing yard work, just anything he could find that didn't require a lot of commitment. Once he settled in Barcelona, he took a job as a bouncer in a strip club because it paid decently well and fit into his schedule very nicely– that is where he's been ever since. Fondest Memories: Lots of happy childhood memories, too many to list actually. One of his fondest memories is his trip across Europe with his college friends. Plus all his adventures across Spain and the various times his sister Eliana has come to visit him. Worst Experiences: His paternal grandparents both died in a car accident when Rafael was fourteen, and that was probably the single worst experience of his life. A couple of his breakups were particularly rough on him as well.

C O M M U N I C A T I O N Speech Pace/Style: Definitely not a smooth talker, but not super awkward either (unless he’s trying to flirt). He’s laid back when he speaks, not overly formal, always seems pretty relaxed (again, unless he is attempting to flirt). He doesn’t talk excessively, but he’s not quiet or shy either, always loves to jump into a conversation, especially if it’s about a subject he’s interested in. If someone gets him started on a subject he’s passionate about, he gets very animated and excited about it. Accent: American accent, which sometimes comes through in his Spanish– though his Spanish accent, for the most part, is pretty good. Favorite Phrases or Words: He says “oh snap!” a lot when speaking English, something that rubbed off on him thanks to his younger sister. Usual Curse Words: He doesn’t curse a whole lot– it’s not that he’s offended by cursing or anything, he just kind of doesn’t think to curse unless he’s angry or really passionate about something.

P E R S O N A L I T Y, M I N D S E T, A N D B E L I E F S Personality Type: ENFP-A Sense of Humor: Rafael loves to laugh and has a pretty open sense of humor. The only type of humor he doesn’t vibe with is super offensive or raunchy/sexual humor, that’s just not his thing. But anything silly, clever, wordplay or puns, non-sequitur/weird humor, all of that is totally his cup of tea. Habits: Rafael is a bit fidgety and always has to be doing something with his hands. He can be still if he actively focuses on not fidgeting, but it's a little difficult for him. He's constantly drawing on napkins or little pieces of paper, on himself, and on others if they'll let him. If he doesn't have a pen handy then he'll crack his knuckles or he'll kinda rock back and forth on the balls of his feet. He just really cannot hold still unless his mind is fully occupied with something. Fears/Phobias: The whole idea of ghosts or demons really freaks him out. He also sometimes has a touch of existential dread and wonders if he’s going to be alone forever, but that usually doesn’t last long, just a sleepless night or two and then he gets past it. Strengths: Rafael is a very caring, sweet person who is genuinely interested in other people and loves to help whenever he can. He is attentive to people’s needs and tends to anticipate those needs in advance, so he is quite a thoughtful person. In general, he’s an optimist who likes to look on the bright side of things no matter how bad the situation may get and tries not to let the little things get him down. He is also very protective of those he loves, and though he is friendly to people almost all of the time, if anyone is rude to or tries to hurt someone he cares about, he won’t hesitate to speak up on behalf of or physically protect his loved one. Flaws: While his optimism is often a positive trait, Rafael sometimes takes it too far and doesn’t allow himself to just be sad or angry now and then, even when it would be good for him. He tends to suppress any emotion he perceives as negative instead of actually processing his feelings. In relationships, he can be a bit possessive and jealous at times, but he knows that’s his own problem and he really tries not to take it out on his partners. Hopes/Desires: He really hopes to get his comics published at some point– he just really wants to get them out there, even if they don’t get super popular or anything, he’s just really proud of their work and wants people to see it. He also really wants to find someone he can settle down with (or go on adventures with), someone he can spoil with tons of love and affection. He would love to get married and maybe have kids someday, but if his partner didn’t want children he would be okay with that also. Self-Esteem: Super good, honestly. He has his moments of insecurity just like anyone else, but overall he is comfortable with himself and believes himself to be a good person. Religion: Kinda Jewish, kinda atheist. It’s complicated.

R A N D O M Sleeping Position: Curled up on his right side, usually. Boxers or Briefs?: Boxers Day or Night?: Night for sure, he is naturally a night owl. Top or Bottom?: Probably top more than anything, but if he was with a partner that wanted to switch it up, he would happily give it a try~ Partying or Relaxing?: This would be a really hard choice for him, but he would probably have to go with partying. He loves the atmosphere of a good party.

R E L A T I O N S H I P S Closest Friend: Besides his younger sister, Rafael's best friend is Isabel Maduro, a woman he met when he moved to Barcelona. They have been working together on a comic book series for a while now; she is a very talented writer who comes up with stories that blow Rafael's mind. They see each other fairly often not just to work on the comics, but to go on walks or out to lunch, or on the occasional hike. Relationship History: Rafael had a ton of relationships in high school, many of which lasted two weeks or less and obviously those relationships didn't get serious at all– Rafael was just kind of playing the field at that point. He didn't actually have sex, or a serious relationship, until his first year of college. He then dated his first serious girlfriend, and they lasted about six months before she broke things off because she felt he was more attached than she was and she didn't want to waste his time. That is actually how all of Rafael's relationships have gone since then– he always gets broken up with before a year has passed (often much sooner than that) because they're not as into him as he is into them, or he's just too much, being too intense, etc. As a result, he's now reluctant to express his feelings at all because he doesn't want to put pressure on anyone. Sexual Partners: Rafael doesn't exactly get around or anything, but he has had about a dozen sexual partners in his life, all of them women. Thoughts About Sex: Rafael loves sex within the confines of a relationship but doesn't have much interest in it other than that. One night stands, flings, anything like that is not for him. So far, Rafael has only been with women. He's been attracted to men before and he knows he's definitely not straight, but he's always been way too nervous to try and flirt with men. He has never come out to anyone but if he were to end up in a relationship with a man, he wouldn't hesitate to come out– his sister Eliana is a lesbian and currently engaged to another woman, and was readily accepted by their family, so he knows they would all support him if he ever told them.

P A R E N T S Name(s): Shira and Booker Isserlis Age(s): Both 64 years old. Social Standing: White collar for sure, and they are in very good social standing. Occupation(s): She is an OB/GYN who is set to retire in a couple of years, and he is a computer software engineer who doesn’t plan to retire anytime soon. Religion: She is Jewish and he is agnostic, but does observe/celebrate Jewish holidays and events. Quality of Relationship With Their Children: They love and support all of their children unconditionally. They do worry about Rafael sometimes just because he’s more of a wanderer than their other children, he’s a bit more aimless, but they know he can take care of himself. Living/Deceased: Both alive and in excellent health.

S I B L I N G (S) Name(s): Daniel Isserlis, Itai Isserlis, Tamar Huang, and Eliana Isserlis (soon to be Eliana Florakis). Age(s): 34, 32, 31, 29. Yes, their parents basically had all of their children back to back. Social Standing: They have all done very well for themselves, and are all in good social standing. Occupation(s): Daniel is a software engineer and works with their father. Itai is a forensic accountant and he has helped to arrest many white collar criminals. Tamar runs a non-profit organization that helps underprivileged children by providing housing, food, education/tutors, and after school activities. And Eliana is an event planner who specializes in weddings. Religion: Daniel and Tamar are still devoutly Jewish. Itai and Eliana are more like Rafael– they appreciate and enjoy aspects of Judaism but they don’t really believe in it. Quality of Relationship with Character: Rafael loves all of his siblings and would do just about anything for them, but he is definitely the closest with Eliana out of all of them. He really only sees/talks to his other siblings a few times a year, but he talks to Eliana all the time. Living/Deceased: All alive.

D A I L Y L I F E Living Arrangements: He lives in a cute little one bedroom house right in the heart of the city, on a very busy street. He loves being right in the middle of everything, so it’s ideal for him. The place was a bit rundown when he first bought it, but he has fixed it up quite a bit and although no one would say it’s luxurious or anything, it’s definitely nice and comfortable. He loves having guests over and has lots of seating and a large TV, plus a pull-out couch in the living room just in case anyone stays the night, not to mention a spacious king sized bed in his room.

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WEYLIN THOMAS EVERHART What do they most dislike about their appearance? Weylin honestly dislikes most things about his appearance, though his view of himself is very skewed by how he was treated when he was younger– he has experienced pretty much every form of abuse imaginable, including emotional abuse. He was told by one particular set of foster parents that he was ugly, that there was no way anyone would ever adopt him, and various other horrible things, in an effort to try and break his spirit (which it did, for a while). He’s still extremely self-conscious about the way he looks, but he tries not to fret too much over it because he figures there’s nothing he can really do to change his appearance anyway. Weylin has been told many times by others that he is attractive/handsome, but that always makes him wonder if the person has an ulterior motive and tends to make him suspicious more than anything. How do they respond to a threat? Threats don’t ever go over well with Weylin. If someone threatens him, even if he’s pretty sure they don’t mean it, he will call their bluff and immediately escalate the situation. He stabbed his foster father twice (would have been more times if his foster sister hadn’t restrained him) for threatening him with physical violence. He was bullied by another kid in a treatment center, and woke said kid up in the middle of the night by putting a knife to his throat, which effectively ended the bullying. Weylin does not take kindly to anyone threatening him, and feels a strong need to defend himself and eliminate the threat by whatever means necessary. How do they deal with pain? If it’s physical pain, then usually Weylin will suffer in silence– he doesn’t like to admit when he’s hurt, so if he’s injured in some way, Weylin will just take care of it himself as best he can and then pretend everything is fine. As for emotional pain, that’s something Weylin tries to ignore for the most part. Any emotional pain tends to come out as irritation or anger. He has punched a few holes in the wall of his apartment while in a fit of rage, though he now has a punching bag that he takes his aggression out on instead (and he also learned how to patch up holes in walls, so he figures that on the bright side, he learned another life skill). If they feel sad, what do they usually do to make themselves feel better? Do they prefer to be on their own or with somebody? Weylin doesn’t usually express sadness in any way. When he was younger, he used to have panic attacks whenever everything would get to be too much for him– he would find someplace to be alone, usually a closet or bathroom, and hide there until it finally subsided. That doesn’t really happen to him anymore; instead, he tends to disassociate if he gets too overwhelmed. It doesn’t happen very often, but of course, Weylin’s instinct is to get away from people whenever it does happen. What do they want from a partner? What do they think and feel of sex? It’s hard for him to imagine what he would actually want in a partner, since he’s never been interested in pursuing any sort of romantic relationship. What he really needs from a partner is someone who will be patient with him and balance out his anger with calmness and level-headedness. He needs someone who he can trust and be vulnerable with and never have to worry about them hurting him, which is something that seems impossible to Weylin. Sex is something that Weylin enjoys, and he does seek it out now and again in the form of one night stands. But he has always been too afraid and distrustful to have any kind of long-term sexual relationship, or to tell/ask any of his partners for what he really wants. What do they do when they can’t sleep? Not being able to sleep is a nightly occurrence for Weylin. A lot of the time he’ll get up and do something instead of just pointlessly laying in bed– he’ll read, or watch TV (though he doesn’t really pay attention to anything he watches), or he may even go to the Metaverse. Other times, he’ll just stay in bed and stare at the ceiling until it’s time to get up. He has tried taking sleeping pills before, but those did more harm than good since every time he took them, he experienced sleep paralysis. He would rather not sleep at all than ever have sleep paralysis again. How do they perceive strangers? Weylin always views strangers as potentially dangerous, not to be trusted. Outwardly he is pleasant with everyone he meets in his daily life– no one would ever guess that Weylin is such a suspicious person based on his attitude. He doesn’t even trust people he’s known/worked with for years, so strangers don’t really stand a chance with him. Salty, sweet, sour or spicy? He would have a hard time choosing between sweet and spicy. Weylin has a bit of a weakness for pastries– there’s a bakery he goes to once a week or so and he always gets a different type of pastry to try. The owner loves him and has given him many free pastries in the past. But Weylin also loves spicy food– his favorite dishes are all ones that are quite spicy. He especially enjoys Thai, Indian, Mexican, and Chinese food, and has learned how to cook some of the more basic dishes on his own (though he often prefers to order from nearby restaurants so he doesn’t have to do the work himself). Is there something they really wanted as a child - write about why they wanted it and if they got it? Weylin always really, really wanted a cat. He used to bond with stray cats in the various neighborhoods he lived in as a foster child, and he loved how affectionate and sweet they were, while also being independent. He never saw any cats outside the treatment center, but when he moved into a group home, the neighbor’s cat would often wander around and Weylin would sit outside with her for hours, watching her prance around the yard and petting her anytime she approached him. Of course he never got his own cat– he did consider getting one when he moved out on his own, but he always worries that he wouldn’t be able to take care of an animal properly, even one as self-reliant as a cat. What kind of social groups or activities do they attend? What role do they think they play versus what role they actually play? It’s not often that Weylin goes to any kind of social event or group activity. He sometimes goes out with coworkers when he feels obligated to do so, but he always leaves as soon as he can. He much prefers to do things on his own instead of in a group setting. As for what role he plays, Weylin doesn’t think he plays much of a role at all– in fact, whenever he does go out with his coworkers, they all tease him about actually joining them for once and that they should take bets on how long he’ll last before he heads home.