Will you join in our crusade?

Characterization by the signs

2009-11-17T07:32:29Z

After looking over some just-for-fun astrology with Saffy this weekend, I thought I'd put up a bit of a character essay detailing out some of Yuan's mock star chart, and why I chose those signs/what they mean. Note that I didn't actually try to put in a birth date and/or year for this - I just went through all the descriptions and picked the best-fitting signs.

(Yes, I know Earth astrology couldn't possibly apply to Aselian characters. Refer back to the part that says 'just for fun'.)

Sun sign: Aquarius

The sun sign indicates a person's core nature. As an Aquarian, Yuan is a logical truth-seeker, an analytical thinker, and full of passionate belief in high-minded ideals like truth, freedom, and justice. He's very stubborn about clinging to his beliefs, but logic can generally persuade him to rethink things, and indeed he appreciates concrete, logical thought processes. This reliance on logic and process can make him seem distant and emotionally disconnected at times, but it's more a sign of his not wanting to make mistakes that hurt people. He doesn't trust easily, and holds stiff grudges if betrayed - but despite this distance and suspicion, something about his personality seems to draw people in. This is helped by his willingness and ability to see multiple sides of an argument, while still keeping to a firm choice as far as where he himself stands.

Rising sign: Gemini

The rising sign refers to the surface layer of personal interaction, the everyday face that a person shows the world, and how other people see them at first glance. Gemini rising means that Yuan interacts easily and smoothly with a wide variety of people, maintaining conversations and collecting information with instinctive facility. These interactions are generally quite shallow, though - unless you catch his interest in some particular way, he'll likely have forgotten you talked by next week if you don't remind him. Gemini being a flighty sign, he also might just get bored and leave off if a conversation isn't holding his attention, seeking a greater source of mental stimulation. This sign is the source of his sharp wit and snark, as well as his tendency to get impatient with people who can't keep up. Gemini is a sign that loves to debate - he may play devil's advocate just for fun, or argue both sides of the same debate at different times - and combined with his logical Aquarius and his Mercury in Leo, he can be frustratingly convincing in both directions.

Moon sign: Scorpio

The position of the moon relates to how a person sees themself, and their inner emotional side. With a Scorpio here, Yuan is secretive, passionate, intense and suspicious. He seeks out intensity in others to match his own, and holding so many close secrets, he has an uncanny knack for seeing through the secrets of others - something that can be both attractive and deeply intimidating. It's not just secrets, either: his instinctive ability to size up people and situations is formidable, and he's not often caught off-guard by a revelation about someone's nature. He doesn't do things halfway, or maintain frivolous relationships; for Yuan, everything must have depth and meaning, or it's likely to be discarded as useless, and forgotten. This drive toward intensity and drama can reach the point of absurdity at times, if he's not balanced out by someone who reminds him to lighten up.

Mercury sign: Leo

Mercury's sign is often known as a person's Communication Sign, because that's what it represents: their style of communicating and exchanging information with others. Mercury in Leo means that when Yuan talks, he does so with authority. He commands attention, and usually gets it. It's extremely frustrating for him when people simply don't respond to his words. Any kind of response will do - if the response is negative, he'll use the logic of his native Aquarius in combination with his instinctive Scorpio Moon understanding of people and the persuasive talent that the Leo here gives him to win people over. Even if they don't end up agreeing with him, he can usually leave them with a positive impression. On the other hand, this sign contributes to his stubbornness when criticized, and his occasional flair for drama which isn't strictly necessary. This is the sign which ties his intellect to his ego and makes him dig in his heels if he feels his opinions being devalued. The Leo's desire for attention also conflicts with his Scorpio Moon's suspicion and closely-guarded secrets, giving him something of a love-hate relationship with spotlight time. This manifests as Yuan wanting people to listen when he talks, and ignore him when he isn't.

Venus sign: Aquarius

Venus' sign is also known as the Love Sign; this is the sign that explains how a person interacts in non-family relationships, both friendly and romantic. Having another Aquarius here, Yuan is free-thinking, open to unusual people and interactions, and rebellious. The ordinary and mundane holds no appeal whatsoever, and you'll have a hard time maintaining relationships with him if he thinks you're too shallow and/or traditional. This is one reason he doesn't usually have deep connections with people under twenty-five, unless they act older than they actually are: he just doesn't find them to have enough depth to be really interesting. He also doesn't usually put a lot of effort into checking in with people - he makes a connection and goes his own way, so you can either keep up or drift off. The people who become important to him are the ones who consistently make the effort to follow along.

Mars sign: Aries

Mars is the Passion Sign, the sign that indicates what gets a person fired up, and how they react to that. Aries is an impulsive and uncomplicated sign, throwing off all Yuan's instincts in the other signs for stopping to wait by making him want to make instant choices. If he sees a problem, he wants to jump in, right now, and fix it. He enjoys challenges and bluntness, often impatient with people who are uncertain, indecisive, or reluctant to come out and say what they want to get across. He'll also lash out instinctively with quick flare-ups of temper if he feels threatened, and then regret it a moment later.

Voice mail (finally)

2009-08-15T20:37:12Z

I suppose I should get around to actually setting this thing up...

Hello, you've reached the voice mail for Yuan Ka-Fai. If you haven't been able to reach me by journal, I'm probably not likely to pick up here, either, but leave a message and I'll listen to it when I get a chance.

[beep]

cloakand_danger @ 2009-08-14T22:25:00

2009-08-15T07:26:17Z

Mandatory Questions
1. What about you is heroic? My idealism, I suppose.
2. What about you is social? What do you like about people? As long as they have a decent sense of humor and justice, we'll probably get along all right.
3. Invent an adventure/plot that your character would actively undertake (as opposed to just tagging along)? Any quest involving the gaining of freedom from tyranny, for anyone.

Personal Questions
1. What is your real, birth name? What name do you use? Yuan, Yuan Ka-Fai
2. Do you have a nickname? What is it, and where did you get it? Del calls me 'Thunder'. ~~And Kratos on that loss called me 'dragonfly'.~~
3. What do you look like? About six feet tall, average build. Long blue hair with bangs hanging down to cover my right temple. Bright green eyes, pale skin, ears that aren't quite pointed, as much as I wish they were.
4. How do you dress most of the time? Somewhat baggy white pants, a dark undershirt with intricately patterned fitted leather armor on top, in red and navy blue with gold trim. Fingerless gloves and greaves that match my armor. Covering all of this is a navy-blue cloak that reaches almost to the ground.
5. How do you "dress up?" A fancy dress uniform, mostly white, with decorations in red, dark blue and gold, and a swallowtail cape.
6. How do you "dress down?" I take off the cloak and armored bits.
7. What do you wear when you go to sleep? Loose cotton pants
8. Do you wear any jewelry? An engagement ring on one finger and a locket around my neck
9. In your opinion, what is your best feature? My eyes
10. What's your real birth date? I don't know
11. Where do you live? Describe it: Is it messy, neat, avant-garde, sparse, etc.? In a spacious room in a magical castle. The ghosts keep it cleaner than I normally would bother with, but there's usually a bit of clutter around. The decor is a mix of bits taken from Renegade bases, from backstage at a high school theater in Japan, and from the Halliwell Manor. Even the ghosts can never quite get rid of all the cat hair, and their toys are usually scattered about.
12. Do you own a car? Describe it. No.
13. What is your most prized mundane possession? Why do you value it so much? My engagement ring to Martel. ...I don't think I need to explain that.
14. What one word best describes you? Renegade.

Familial Questions
1. What was your family like? I never knew them.
2. Who was your father, and what was he like? No one knows.
3. Who was your mother, and what was she like? Her name was Tiena, and I was told that she was very sad after they took me from her.
4. What was your parents marriage like? Were they married? Did they remain married? Slaves weren't allowed to marry.
5. What were your siblings names? What were they like? I don't believe I ever had any blood siblings. Kratos and Mithos have both been like brothers to me in the past, though. Kratos with his well-meaning ignorance, and Mithos with his enthusiasm and eagerness to please...
6. What's the worst thing one of your siblings ever did to you? What's the worst thing you've done to one of your siblings? Manipulated Kratos into little more than a clinging puppet. Tried to kill his son.
7. When's the last time you saw any member of your family? Where are they now? The last I saw of Mithos, he'd just teleported out after ruining all my plans; he's probably frozen in time on Derris-Kharlan waiting for me to return to the world. Kratos is in Paradisa with me.
8. Did you ever meet any other family members? Who were they? What did you think of them? I wish I could have.

Childhood Questions
1. What is your first memory? Being taken from somewhere and brought to a new home.
2. What was your favorite toy? There was a pretty rock that I found by the well one day. It looked like a beetle if you held it just right.
3. What was your favorite game? I liked to climb trees and zap bugs.
4. Any non-family member adults stick out in your mind? Who were they, and how did you know them? Why do they stick out? Nana was my surrogate mother-figure when I was very young. She was a fellow slave, maybe a hundred, but she looked much older. When I was hurt or sick, she would take a moment to help me, and sometimes brought me a cookie from the kitchen.
5. Who was your best friend when you were growing up? Melina was a girl about my age. We played together sometimes when we had time.
6. What is your fondest, childhood memory? Getting cookies from Nana.
7. What is your worst childhood memory? Large humans - the overseer and his friends - dumping a bucket of cold water on me just to watch me squirm because I couldn't control my magic yet.

Adolescent Questions
1. How old were you when you went on your first date? Dating isn't a concept that really applies, but Melina and I would sneak away now and then to escape work starting when we were thirteen or so.
2. It is common for one's view of authority to develop in their adolescent years. What is your view of authority, and what event most affected it? Authority should be exercised cautiously and kept in check by decency. When I was fifteen, the overseer raped Melina, who then hung herself from the tree behind the slave quarters. I was the one who found her.
3. What were you like in high school? What "clique" did you best fit in with? Not applicable.
4. What were your high school goals? Still not applicable.
5. Who was your idol when you were growing up? Who did you first fantasize about in your life? I remembered old stories and legends Nana had told me before she died. More than anything, I wanted to be like Briar of the Forest, who took from the rich and gave to the poor.
6. What is your favorite memory from adolescence? The day Melina and I first had sex.
7. What is your worst memory from adolescence? Finding Melina's body and knowing there would be no justice for her.

Occupational Questions
1. Do you have a job? What is it? Do you like it? If no job, where does your money come from? Back home, money comes from stealing from the countryside and Church donations. I'm a Seraph and the leader of the Renegades. In the castle, I don't generally have much money on hand, because the castle feeds us just fine.
2. What is your boss or employer like? (Or publisher, or agent, or whatever.) Sadistic, manipulative, insecure, power-mad, and childish.
3. What are your co-workers like? Do you get along with them? Any in particular? Which ones don't you get along with? Kratos and I get along...distantly, back home, but we're there when we need each other. I hate the Grand Cardinals, except possibly Forcystus. Botta and my Renegades are some of the finest, most loyal soldiers I could ask for.
4. What is something you had to learn that you hated? Being constantly in charge of other people. I know, it doesn't seem likely, but I'm only in charge because there's no one else who can do it right. I don't relish being responsible for more lives than my own.
5. Do you tend to save or spend your money? Why? I save whenever I can, for fear of running out.

Likes & Dislikes Questions
1. What hobbies do you have? Reading, flying, debating. I should learn to play chess, maybe I can make Kratos teach me, since Lelouch is gone.
2. Who is your closest mundane friend? Describe them and how you relate to them. ...I don't think anyone I know could be described as 'mundane'.
3. Who is your worst mundane enemy? Describe them and why you don't get along. Same answer here.
4. What bands do you like? Do you even pay attention? I used to prefer classical ballads, but since the memory swap occasionally I find myself humming 'J-rock' and 'classic metal'.
5. What tape or CD hasn't left your player since your purchased it? Why? Not applicable.
6. What song is "your song?" Why? Sylvia's come up with a whole playlist of them, but if I had to pick just one... Best of You, by the Foo Fighters
7. What's been your favorite movie of all time? I haven't actually seen any movies, but I have been informed that I would like Die Hard.
8. Read any good books? What were they? Are you asking for a list of every good book I've ever read? ...Les Miserables was quite good, at least in the abridged form. The unabridged had a tendency to go off on chapter-long tangents.
9. What do you watch on the Television? I don't. I'm told I'd like House, though, and I can't disagree, since I've met the man and found him quite interesting to talk to.
10. When it comes to mundane politics, do you care? If so, which way do you tend to vote? If not, why don't you care? The only election I ever had the opportunity to vote in, I voted for the man who was not The Master.
11. What type of places do you hang out in with your mundane friends? There's that 'mundane' word again.
12. What type of places do you hang out in with your normal friends? ...Wherever we happen to be at the time? Usually I talk to them over the journals. The roof is a favored spot, too.
13. What annoys you more than anything else? People who refuse to be helped.
14. What would be the perfect gift for you? Some kind of hobby, I suppose. I could always use something more to occupy my time.
15. What's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen? Martel dancing in a field of moonflowers.
16. What time of day is your favorite? Twilight
17. What kind of weather is your favorite? Thunderstorms
18. What is your favorite food? What is your least favorite food? Pasta, fish
19. What is your favorite drink? (Coffee, Coke, Juice, Beer, Wine, etc.) Orange juice
20. What's your favorite animal? Why? Dragons. Majestic, graceful, intelligent, powerful and protective beings
21. Do you have any pets? Do you want any pets? What kind? Two cats, a longhaired calico female and a shorthaired grey tabby male, a Bellossom, a rainbow floating fish, and a white Tribble are quite enough of a zoo for me. And then there's Kratos' Arshis pup.
22. What do you find most relaxing? (Not as in stress relief, but as something that actually calms you down.) Having my hair stroked. Tell anyone this, and you will die.
23. What habit that others have annoys you most? Unneccessary and excessive guilt.
24. What kind of things embarrass you? Why? Showing weakness of any kind. It probably has to do with my upbringing.
25. What don't you like about yourself? I don't really know how to interact well with normal people.
26. How would you like to look? I'd like to have pointed ears and large, feathery white wings. Or at least for my normal wings to not be pink.

Sex & Intimacy Questions
1. Would you consider yourself straight, gay, bi, or something else? Why? Bisexual, leaning straight. ...I don't think that requires explanation.
2. Who was the first person you had sex with? When did it happen? What was it like? How well did it go? Melina, the week after I managed to chase the overseer off her the first time. It was...fast, we didn't have much time, but very enjoyable.
3. Have you ever had a same-sex experience? Who with, what was it like, and how did it go? Yes, repeatedly. I'm not laying out the details of every time.
4. What is your deepest, most well-hidden sexual fantasy? Would you ever try it? I think I'd like to experiment a bit more with pain tolerances, if Kratos won't run and hide from the concept of talking things out beforehand.
5. What was the wildest thing you've ever done, sexually? Who was it with and when did it happen? Electricity play with Kratos. A few weeks ago.
6. Is there any sexual activity that you enjoy and/or practice regularly that can be considered non-standard? (Bondage, Fantasy Play, etc.) Why do you like it? Bondage plays a role on a fairly regular basis. We both like being able to give up control now and then to someone trustworthy.
7. Is there any sexual activity that you will not, under any circumstances, do? Nothing that involves deliberately cutting the skin or body fluids not normally associated with sex.
8. Do you currently have a lover? What is their name, and what is your relationship like? What are they like? Why are you attracted to them? Yes, Kratos, we're very much in love. He's...Kratos. I couldn't summarize him. ...We understand each other.
9. What is the perfect romantic date? Wine and pasta under an open-air canopy while watching and listening to the thunderstorm outside.
10. Describe the perfect romantic partner for you. Someone strong and stable enough to balance out my worse mood swings, and keep me stable when I start taking on projects. Someone who I can count on to be there, safe and warm, at the end of a long day. Someone who can remind me why I keep fighting.
11. Do you ever want to get married and have children? When do you see this happening? I used to, but that path died with Martel.
12. What is more important - sex or intimacy? Why? Intimacy. Sex is just empty unless there's some connection there.
13. What was your most recent relationship like? Who was it with? (Does not need to be sexual, merely romantic.) I'm in a relationship with Kratos. Right now. We've been through this.
14. What's the worst thing you've done to someone you loved? Kept her suspended between life and death for four thousand years.

Drug & Alcohol Questions
1. How old were you when you first got drunk? What was the experience like? Did anything good come out of it? Did anything bad come out of it? Kratos snuck a bottle of wine from the kitchen when we were seventeen. We were very silly for a few hours until we fell asleep, and had terrible headaches in the morning.
2. Do you drink on any kind of regular basis? A glass of wine with Kratos over dinner now and then.
3. What kind of alcohol do you prefer? Mostly I prefer wine.
4. Have you ever tried any other kind of "mood altering" substance? Which one(s)? What did you think of each? I have had thousands of years, most of which were unhappy, to experiment with. I've tried a little bit of nearly everything, but mostly I feel like I prefer to be in control of my own mind, thanks.
5. What do you think of drugs and alcohol? Are there any people should not do? Why or why not? I think people should know their limits, be sensible, and not do anything stupidly brain-rotting.

Morality Questions
1. What one act in your past are you most ashamed of? What one act in your past are you most proud of? Standing guard while the mother of the first Chosen was essentially raped. Proving to a large number of angry knights that a village of half-elves had nothing to do with local livestock theivery.
2. Have you ever been in an argument before? Over what, with who, and who won? Many times, usually with Kratos, and we've both won our share. Sometimes with Mithos; he always won those because I wasn't willing to risk my life defying him.
3. Have you ever been in a physical fight before? Over what, with who, and who won? I spent most of my first thousand years of life fighting, usually over my right to survive, with various humans. Seeing as I'm still here, I think it's clear I won in the end.
4. What do you feel most strongly about? Freedom
5. What do you pretend to feel strongly about, just to impress people? ...I can't think of anything.
6. What trait do you find most admirable, and how often do you find it? Intelligence, and not as often as I'd like.
7. Is there anything you think should not be incorporated into the media or art (sex, violence, greed, etc.,)? If so, what and why, and if not, why not? ...No, I generally have better things to worry about than what people are entertaining themselves with.
8. Do you have any feelings in general that you are disturbed by? What are they? Why do they disturb you? If someone or something angers me deeply enough, I tend to want to lash out violently and mercilessly. The temptation to give up control and respond out of proportion is distressing.
9. What is your religious view of things? What religion, if any, do you call your own? No.
10. Do you think the future is hopeful? Why? Yes. Lloyd has proved his ability to take care of the world.
11. Is an ounce of prevention really worth a pound of cure? Which is more valuable? Why do you feel this way? I'm not sure of the purpose of the exact measurements, but yes. Prevention ensures that the spread is stopped, which is the most important thing.
12. What's the worst thing that can be done to another person? Why? Keep them ignorant and indoctrinated with hate and fear of anything different, enslaved to a victim's mindset, stripping them of the ability to choose their destiny. Without freedom of thought, we are no better than beasts.
13. What's the worst thing you could actually do to someone you hated? It would start with injecting chemicals into their veins that would cause excruciating pain...
14. Are you a better leader or follower? Why do you think that? If you think the whole leader-follower archetype is a crock of shit, say so, and explain why? I'm a better leader than a follower because I hate taking orders. Mostly I work best with equal partners of my own choosing, though.
15. What is your responsibility to the world, if any? Why do you think that? My personal responsibility to the world is to survive until the damage Cruxis did is well on the way to being repaired, and help wherever I can. We're the ones who created the mess in the first place.
16. Do you think redemption is possible? If so, can anyone be redeemed, or are there only certain circumstances that can be? If not, why do you think nothing can redeem itself? Not for anything that matters. If you break someone's nose on accident, that's one thing. But anything that can't be fixed as good as new, there's no redemption for it. Because you can't go back and make that choice again. Life is a series of choices, and choosing to do good in the present doesn't outweigh choosing to do evil in the past. It just keeps you from adding more evil onto the list. Because if you fail to do good when you have the chance, then by definition you are allowing evil to spread, even if you're not actively taking part.
17. Is it okay for you to cry? When was the last time you cried? Not usually. ...After the Marker was destroyed and I realized what I'd done.
18. What do you think is wrong with MOST people, overall? Most people don't bother to look outside their own lives.

Miscellaneous Questions
1. What is the thing that has frightened you most? Do you think there is anything out there that's scarier than that? What do you think that would be? Losing myself to the Marker's madness, and realizing that no part of myself is ever safe from the castle. I don't think there's anything more frightening.
2. Has anyone or anything you've ever cared about died? How did you feel about it? What happened? Yes. Martel. I broke, and helped her brother take over the world.
3. What was the worst injury you've ever received? How did it happen? A greatsword cut open my midsection, and it got infected because Martel and Kratos were too drained to heal me much right away. If not for the enhancements of the Cruxis Crystal, I doubt I'd have survived.
4. How ticklish are you? Where are you ticklish? My feet, but not very.
5. What is your current long term goal? Bring Vergil back to the state of morality he had before he left.
6. What is your current short term goal? Convince Vergil I'm not a threat.
7. Do you have any bad habits? If so, what are they, and do you plan to get rid of them? I brood too much sometimes, but I don't feel like bothering to break that one.
8. If you were a mundane person, what would you do with your life? What occupation would you want, and how would you spend all your time? ...I liked being a freelance reporter when the castle turned into New York. And the 'Internet' is a wonderful source of information, I'm sure I'd spend a lot of time researching there.
9. What time period do you wish you had lived in? Why? (Looking at this as an attempt to change history doesn't count.) What appeals to you about this era? ...It's probably not applicable if I've lived in all the time periods currently remembered by history.
10. How private of a person are you? Why? Very. It protects my weaknesses.
11. If you were to gain an obscenely large sum of money (via an inhertiance, a lawsuit, a lottery, or anything else) what would you do with it? Give it to Allen, probably.
12. What would you wish for if you found a genie? A way to bring Kratos back to Aselia.
13. What do you do when you are bored? Read, usually.
14. What is the most frightening potential handicap or disfigurement you can conceive of? What makes it so frightening? I did not like being blind at all. Being blind and deaf would be terrifying, to be that isolated from the outside world...

Bannnndwagon

2009-02-24T22:18:19Z

1) Go here to generate 10 random numbers between 1 and 100.
2) Then I will answer the corresponding questions from here.

Doubles can and will be scooted up or down a number.

On Martel

2009-02-10T20:28:06Z

I'm not sure I have the time or patience to turn this into a full essay like the one Saffy wrote on Anna, but I figure I should at least have some bullet points in mind to help Martel players interact with my Yuan.

* Yuan still loves Martel. There's no doubt about that anymore.
* While he may never be over her, he has come to terms with the fact that she's dead. Finding her alive again will be as upsetting as it is a relief.
* Martel is not perfect. She was a mortal woman just like any other, and while there's no doubt she was an extraordinarily good one, she had her flaws. Mithos was just plain wrong about that.
* Martel is not perfectly innocent. The amazing thing about Martel is not her purity, but the fact that she's seen so much pain and evil in the world, and still loves the world, still believes that people are basically good. A pure, sweet innocent like I've seen her played as so many times could never have survived a war and horrible discrimination with her mind and ideals intact.
* Martel is understanding. She sees the pure motives behind every action people take, and it distresses her when she can't find any. She really. really wants to believe that everyone is good and unselfish at some deep level, and it hurts her when they aren't.
* Martel is not unbreakable. Just very, very strong. She would have shattered during her quest without her friends for support.

Basically, if you play her flat, Yuan will wonder where his Martel went, and pull in on himself and wonder what's wrong with him because he can't love a cardboard cutout of a canon sue. And no one wants that. So please, carefully consider whether your Martel is rounded before playing her.

cloakand_danger @ 2008-06-14T02:24:00

2008-06-14T11:00:58Z

1. What is your full name? Yuan Ka-Fai
2. Where and when were you born? Asgard; about sixteen years before the Kharlan War began
3. Who are/were your parents? (Know their names, occupations, personalities, etc.) I never knew them.
4. Do you have any siblings? I don't know.
5. Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people. In Cair Paradisa, at the moment; I don't have a roommate, but most of my fellow residents are crazy and/or stupid.
6. What is your occupation? Seraph and Renegade leader
7. Write a full physical description of yourself. You might want to consider factors such as: height, weight, race, hair and eye color, style of dress, and any tattoos, scars, or distinguishing marks. Tall, long blue hair, mostly humanlike in build and appearance. I usually wear red and blue armor with gold trim, a long navy blue cloak, and white trousers.
8. To which social class do you belong? Around here, it's not applicable. Back home, I'm a half-elf; my race is my social class, although the rank implied by that differs between the worlds.
10. Are you right- or left-handed? I am right-handed.
11. What does your voice sound like? ...Usually annoyed, when people ask useless questions.
12. What words and/or phrases do you use very frequently? ...I can't think of any in particular, but I've been accused of spouting cliches.
13. What do you have in your pockets? A few cat treats, some money in case I decide to go into the city...and a nail, how did that get there?
14. Do you have any quirks, strange mannerisms, annoying habits, or other defining characteristics? See above about the cliches; other than that, how would I know?

Part 2: Growing Up

15. How would you describe your childhood in general? Mostly nonexistent. Slavery doesn't allow for childhood as most people think of it.
16. What is your earliest memory? ...I vaguely recall being...taken away from somewhere, and arriving at the Aurion family holdings.
17. How much schooling have you had? Only what little Kratos could find time to teach me without either of us getting caught; and that was only after he saved me. I didn't learn to read until I was sixteen or so.
18. Did you enjoy school? Of course; I was eager to gain the extra skills that would let me function in a human-centric world.
19. Where did you learn most of your skills and other abilities? Life has been a crash-course in survival skills. So far, I'm winning.
20. While growing up, did you have any role models? If so, describe them. Nana was an older slave, scarred and broken...I remember she looked so much older than her mere hundred years, although some of that is probably a child's perception. She was kind when no one else bothered; but she died when I was about eight.
21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family? I didn't have any family; but the other slaves stuck together when we could, except for the snitches who tried to earn favor by telling the masters when others broke the rules.
22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I didn't have any concept of becoming something else.
23. As a child, what were your favorite activities? Zapping bugs, when I could do so without getting caught. Sleeping, in the summer when I could be warm enough. Watching thunderstorms.
24. As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display? As a young child, I was meek, always frightened; I learned quickly to keep to myself and show no weakness. As I got older, I became resentful of the humans who had all the power, and I began to act out in defiance of the injustices inflicted upon us. I would have been killed for that if the master's son hadn't rescued me.
25. As a child, were you popular? Who were your friends, and what were they like? No.
26. When and with whom was your first kiss? I was fifteen; she was a slave like myself, and I had protected her from an overseer who wanted to take advantage. ...I don't even remember her name anymore...
27. Are you a virgin? If not, when and with whom did you lose your virginity? No. The same girl, a few weeks later.
28. If you are a supernatural being (i.e. mage, werewolf, vampire), tell the story of how you became what you are or first learned of your own abilities. If you are just a normal human, describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today. We were all captured and used as experimental subjects for the crystals they'd developed; we escaped with them equipped and fled to find a Dwarf who made us Key Crests to control them, and from that point on we were angels.

Part 3: Past Influences

29. What do you consider the most important event of your life so far? ...The most life-changing event would have to be Martel's death. Everything shattered after that...
30. Who has had the most influence on you? Martel, of course...although Kratos is a close second.
31. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Convincing the leaders of both nations to sign a peace treaty; even if it didn't last, it was amazing progress.
32. What is your greatest regret? Not being just an instant faster when that assassin attacked...
33. What is the most evil thing you have ever done? Started a religion.
34. Do you have a criminal record of any kind? Any such records would have been destroyed when Cruxis took control of the world.
35. When was the time you were the most frightened? The incident I remember most clearly associated with fear was when we were locked away as experiments, and they threw Kratos back into the cell after injecting him with Aionis; he was in intense pain, and Martel's healing magic only made it worse. ...I was terrified that he would die then and there.
36. What is the most embarrassing thing ever to happen to you? Going drinking with Kratos, when we were younger. He would get drunk and end up flirting with anything remotely pretty and female.
37. If you could change one thing from your past, what would it be, and why? I would find a way to keep that assassin from reaching Martel. That was the turning point where everything went wrong...
38. What is your best memory? When Martel agreed to marry me.
39. What is your worst memory? Martel dying in my arms.

Part 4: Beliefs And Opinions

40. Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic? Pessimistic.
41. What is your greatest fear? Turning into a vicious dictator like Mithos.
42. What are your religious views? Very funny.
43. What are your political views? Everyone has an equal right to live happily, no matter their birth.
45. Are you able to kill? Yes.
46. In your opinion, what is the most evil thing any human being could do? Deprive them of the ability and opportunity to think, to feel, to live their own life. Keep them dumb and ignorant, subjugated by hatred and divisiveness.
47. Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love? ...True love, yes. Soul mates? I'm not sure.
48. What do you believe makes a successful life? Acknowledging that others' lives have value equal to your own.
49. How honest are you about your thoughts and feelings (i.e. do you hide your true self from others, and in what way)? Not at all.
50. Do you have any biases or prejudices? I try not to, but I'm aware that I tend to have a bias toward half-elves as opposed to other races. I do my best to remain objective in spite of that.
51. Is there anything you absolutely refuse to do under any circumstances? Why do you refuse to do it? I don't think I can answer that properly. There is almost certainly a situation that could be created which would force me to do pretty much anything.
52. Who or what, if anything, would you die for (or otherwise go to extremes for)? My closest friends.

Part 5: Relationships With Others

53. In general, how do you treat others (politely, rudely, by keeping them at a distance, etc.)? Does your treatment of them change depending on how well you know them, and if so, how? I keep others at a distance unless I have very carefully determined that it is safe to do otherwise.
54. Who is the most important person in your life, and why? As things stand now? Kratos at home, Chris in Paradisa. ...I don't feel like elaborating.
55. Who is the person you respect the most, and why? Martel, for her strength, her kindness, the love that she showed to a world that despised her and all her kind.
56. Who are your friends? Do you have a best friend? Describe these people. Chris is my closest friend currently; I also count Five and Vergil as friends, as well as of course Kratos and Botta, if they ever return. All of them are strong in their different ways, and yet kind, sometimes unexpectedly so.
57. Do you have a spouse or significant other? Martel was my fiancee; while he was in Paradisa, Botta and I were lovers. I don't currently have anyone, though.
58. Have you ever been in love? If so, describe what happened. She died, and then he left.
59. What do you look for in a potential lover? Someone intelligent, who is capable of withstanding my moods and balancing me out when necessary.
60. How close are you to your family? I never knew them. As I've said many times.
61. Have you started your own family? If so, describe them. If not, do you want to? Why or why not? After a fashion. Kratos, Martel and Mithos were my family while we traveled together.
62. Who would you turn to if you were in desperate need of help? Chris, Botta, or Kratos, depending on who was available.
63. Do you trust anyone to protect you? Who, and why? See the above answer; because they've proven themselves willing and able.
64. If you died or went missing, who would miss you? Those I've named as my friends, at least. More than that, I'm not sure of.
65. Who is the person you despise the most, and why? Kvar; he just rubs me the wrong way every time we speak. At least Rodyle can be interesting to debate with, if rather dangerous; Kvar is like talking to a void.
66. Do you tend to argue with people, or avoid conflict? I argue only when there's a chance of winning an argument; otherwise, I go my own path regardless of what they may think.
67. Do you tend to take on leadership roles in social situations? Yes.
68. Do you like interacting with large groups of people? Why or why not? I don't have a particular aversion to crowds, but it is difficult to keep track of so many people.
69. Do you care what others think of you? I prefer them to think I am what I try to show them; what that is varies, depending on the person.

Part 6: Likes And Dislikes

70. What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes? I like to read, to fly, and to sit outside during thunderstorms.
71. What is your most treasured possession? My engagement ring to Martel...
72. What is your favorite color? Green, I suppose. I don't think about it much.
73. What is your favorite food? Pasta.
74. What, if anything, do you like to read? Speculative fiction, philosophy, books on the science and magic of other worlds.
75. What is your idea of good entertainment (consider music, movies, art, etc.)? A quiet evening spent talking with friends, or a good book.
76. Do you smoke, drink, or use drugs? If so, why? Do you want to quit? Not frequently; I've tried all of them in the past - millennia is a long time to experiment - but I don't really like giving up my self-control.
77. How do you spend a typical Saturday night? Working, flying, reading...mostly the same as any other night.
78. What makes you laugh? Not much. Occasionally a particularly clever comeback will make me chuckle.
79. What, if anything, shocks or offends you? I'm offended by discrimination and prejudice in any form, but little if anything can shock me anymore.
80. What would you do if you had insomnia and had to find something to do to amuse yourself? Read, fly, do some paperwork...anything to keep from thinking.
81. How do you deal with stress? I distract myself with projects. If the stress is too acute, I relieve some with target practice using my magic.
82. Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan? I like to have a plan, but I'm perfectly capable of improvising when it goes wrong.
83. What are your pet peeves? People shouting into the journals.

Part 7: Self Images And Etc.

84. Describe the routine of a normal day for you. How do you feel when this routine is disrupted? I spend most of my time these days reading the journal, playing with Kat, or exercising. Non-violent distractions are always welcome, but violent ones are more common.
85. What is your greatest strength as a person? My willingness to change, to adapt with any situation as it comes up.
86. What is your greatest weakness? I'm not exactly the most mentally stable of people; I need help staying on an even keel sometimes.
87. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Right now? I want my wings back.
88. Are you generally introverted or extroverted? Introverted.
89. Are you generally organized or messy? I believe the term is 'controlled chaos'.
90. Name three things you consider yourself to be very good at, and three things you consider yourself to be very bad at. I am good at leading people, at fighting, and at planning ahead. I am bad at drawing, singing, and cooking.
91. Do you like yourself? Not especially, but I'm not one to indulge in self-hatred, either.
92. What are your reasons for being an adventurer (or doing the strange and heroic things that RPG characters do)? Are your real reasons for doing this different than the ones you tell people in public? (If so, detail both sets of reasons...) To give Martel her rest, to save the worlds from destruction, to bring equality to the races without having to destroy most of the population in the process. It's not what I tell Cruxis, certainly.
93. What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime? To reunite the worlds and sprout the Great Seed into a new Mana Tree.
94. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Sheena says Cruxis will be defeated by then - assuming I ever get back home - so probably leading the Renegades in rebuilding the world.
95. If you could choose, how would you want to die? Defending my principles.
96. If you knew you were going to die in 24 hours, name three things you would do in the time you had left. ...Write a letter telling those I care about exactly what they mean to me, then go attack the strongest evil being available. ...This is assuming that the death is permanent, of course. If it's a castle death, I'd just tell Chris to take care of Kat, and promise everyone to be back in two weeks or so.
97. What is the one thing for which you would most like to be remembered after your death? Doing what was best for the world at large, in spite of intense opposition.
98. What three words best describe your personality? Calm, tenacious, calculating
99. What three words would others probably use to describe you? Cold, stubborn, jerk
100. What advice would you, the player, give to your character? ...You seem to be doing okay so far. Just keep gradually opening up to people.

cloakand_danger @ 2008-06-14T01:44:00

2008-06-14T09:13:38Z

* I miss somebody right now.
* I don't watch much TV these days Not familiar with that term.
* I own lots of books. You'd be surprised how many a person can accumulate over the years.
* I wear glasses or contact lenses.
* I love to play video games.
* I've tried marijuana.
* I've watched porn movies.
* I have been the psycho-ex in a past relationship.
* I believe honesty is usually always the best policy.
* I curse sometimes. As opposed to constantly.
* I have changed a lot mentally over the last year. Not even much over the last century.
* I carry my knife/razor everywhere with me. I'm assuming a sword counts.
* I have broken someone's bones.
* I have a secret that I am ashamed to reveal.
* I hate the rain.
* I'm paranoid at times. It's not paranoia if they really are out to get you.
* I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.
* I need/want money right now.
* I love sushi. I hate fish.
* I talk really, really fast.
* I have fresh breath in the morning.
* I have long hair.
* I have lost money in Las Vegas.
* I have at least one sibling.
* I was born in a country outside of the U.S. Not being from the same world, I'd say that's a given.
* I have worn fake hair/fingernails/eyelashes in the past. Had to disguise my hair color once, trying to pass as human.
* I couldn't survive without Caller I.D.
* I like the way that I look.
* I have lied to a good friend in the last 6 months.
* I am usually pessimistic.
* I have a lot of mood swings.
* I think prostitution should be legalized.
* I slept with a roommate.
* I have a hidden talent.
* I'm always hyper no matter how much sugar I have.
* I have a lot of friends.
* I have pecked someone of the same sex. Assuming that means what I think it does.
* I enjoy talking on the phone. But only with certain people.
* I practically live in sweatpants or PJ pants.
* I love to shop and/or window shop.
* I'm obsessed with my Xanga or Livejournal.
* I'm completely embarrassed to be seen with my mother.
* I have a cell phone.
* I have passed out drunk in the past 6 months.
* I've rejected someone before.
* I currently like/love someone.
* I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life.
* I want to have children in the future.
* I have changed a diaper before. Kratos still owes me for babysitting.
* I've called the cops on a friend before.
* I'm not allergic to anything.
* I have a lot to learn.
* I am shy around the opposite sex.
* I'm online 24/7, even as an away message.
* I have at least 5 away messages saved.
* I have tried alcohol or drugs before.
* I have made a move on a friend's significant other or crush in the past.
* I own the "South Park" movie.
* I have avoided assignments at work/school to be on Xanga or Livejournal DeviantART.
* I enjoy some country music.
* I would die for my best friends.
* I'm obsessive, and often a perfectionist.
* I have used my sexuality to advance my career. But I would if I needed to.
* Halloween is awesome because you get free candy.
* I have dated a close friend's ex.
* I am happy at this moment.
* I'm obsessed with guys.
* Democrat.
* Republican.
* I am punk rockish.
* I go for older guys/girls, not younger.
* I study for tests most of the time.
* I tie my shoelaces differently from anyone I've ever met. That one makes me curious.
* I can work on a car.
* I love my job(s). It has its moments.
* I am comfortable with who I am right now.
* I have more than just my ears pierced.
* I walk barefoot wherever I can.
* I have jumped off a bridge. Heights don't make as much difference when you have wings.
* I love sea turtles.
* I spend ridiculous amounts of money on makeup.
* I plan on achieving a major goal/dream.
* I am proficient on a musical instrument.
* I hate office jobs. Paperwork is the bane of my existence.
* I went to college out of state.
* I am adopted.
* I am a pyro.
* I have thrown up from crying too much.
* I have been intentionally hurt by people that I loved.
* I fall for the worst people.
* I adore bright colors.
* I usually like covers better than originals.
* I hate chain theme restaurants like Applebees and TGIFridays.
* I can pick up things with my toes.
* I can't whistle.
* I have ridden/owned a horse.
* I still have every journal I've ever written in.
* I talk in my sleep. I have no idea, actually.
* I've often thought that I was born in the wrong century.
* I try to forget things by drowning them out with loads of distractions.
* I wear a toe ring.
* I have a tattoo.
* I can't stand at LEAST one person that I work with.
* I am a caffeine junkie.
* I am completely tree-huggy spiritual, and I'm not ashamed at all. ...
* If I knew I would get away with it, I would commit at least one murder.
* I will collect anything, and the more nonsensical, the better.
* I enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner.
* I'm an artist.
* I am ambidextrous.
* I sleep with so many stuffed animals, I can hardly fit on my bed.
* If it weren't for having to see other people naked, I'd live in a nudist colony.
* I have terrible teeth.
* I hate my toes.
* I did this meme even though I wasn't tagged by the person who took it before me.
* I have more friends on the internet than in real life.
* I have lived in either three different states or countries. Three different worlds, even.
* I am extremely flexible.
* I love hugs more than kisses.
* I want to own my own business.
* I smoke.
* I spend way too much time on the computer than on anything else.
* Nobody has ever said I'm normal.
* Sad movies, games, and the like can cause a trickle of tears every now and then.
* I am proficient in the use of many types firearms and combat weapons. Or the equivalent in my world.
* I like the way women look in stylized men's suits.
* I don't like it when people are unpleased or seem unpleased with me.
* I have been described as a dreamer or likely to have my head up in the clouds.
* I have played strip poker with someone else before.
* I have had emotional problems for which I have sought professional help. I don't think there's a professional in any world that could fix my issues.
* I believe in ghosts and the paranormal. Ghosts are easy to believe in when they're hitting you with mallets.
* I can't stand being alone.
* I have at least one obsession at any given time.
* I weigh myself, pee/poo, and then weigh myself again.
* I consistently spend way too much money on obsessions-of-the-moment.
* I'm a judgmental asshole.
* I'm a HUGE drama-queen.
* I have traveled on more than one continent.
* I sometimes wish my father would just disappear.
* I need people to tell me I'm good at something in order to feel that I am.
* I am a Libertarian.
* I can speak more than one language.
* I can fall asleep even if the whole room is as noisy as it can be.
* I would rather read than watch TV.
* I like reading fact more than fiction.
* I have pulled an all-nighter on an assignment I was given a month to do.
* I have no piercings.
* I have spent the night in a train station or other public place.
* I have been so upset over my physical gender that I cried.
* I once spent Christmas completely alone because there was a miscommunication on which parent was supposed to have me that night.
* I've been married and am now divorced.
* There have been times when I have wondered "Why was I born?" and may/may not have cried over it. Never cried over it. What would be the point?
* I like most animals better than most people.
* I own a collection of retro games consoles.
* The thought of physical exercise makes me shiver.
* I have hit someone with a dead fish.
* I have written/read erotic stories.
* I am compulsively honest.
* I was born with a congenital birth defect that has never been repaired.
* I have danced topless in front of dozens of complete strangers.
* I have gone from wishing I was a boy to revelling in being a girl to feeling like a boy again in the span of five minutes, and not cared a whit for my actual sex.
* I am unashamedly bisexual, and have different motivations for my desires for different genders.
* I sometimes won't sleep a whole night or eat a whole day because I forget to. Because I don't need to. At least, normally.
* I find it impossible to get to sleep without some kind of music on.
* I dislike milk.
* I obsessively wash my hands.
* I always carry something significant around with me.
* Sometimes I'd rather wear a wig in day-to-day life than use my own hair.
* I've pushed myself to become more self-aware and thereby more aware of others.
* Even though I live on my own I still cry sometimes because I miss my mother.
* I hand wrote all the HTML tags in this document.
* I've liked something which a majority of people claimed was either bad or weird.
* I have been clinically dead for a brief period of time.
* Instead of feeling sympathy/empathy with people and their problems, I simply become annoyed.
* I am a virgin.
* I participate/have participated in auto drag races and won.
* I do not 'get' most comedy acts.
* I don't think strippers are money-greedy or slutty for dancing.
* I don't like to chew gum.
* I am obsessed with history/historical things and can't wait for someone to build a time machine so I can be the first to use it.
* I can never remember for the life of me where I parked the car.
* Had the TEEN ANGST thing going for at least 2-3 years. Not that it wasn't justified.
* I wish people would be more empathetic and honest with each other.
* I play Dungeons and Dragons weekly.
* I love to sing.
* I want to live in my mother's basement when I grow up.
* I have a custom-built computer.
* I want to create a certain someone's babies, even though there's a 0% possibility of ever achieving it.
* I would be in a relationship with one of my pets if they were human.
* I've gone skinny-dipping.
* I've performed in three plays, all of them Shakespeare.
* I enjoy burritos.
* I'm Irish and lovin' it.
* I have a thing for redheads.
* I am a twin!
* Most times, I'd rather do something intellectual instead of doing something generically 'fun'.
* Once I set out to finish something, I always stay at it until it is completed before I move on to something else.
* I wish there were a way to erase past mistakes.
* I sleep more than 12 hours a day.
* I often fantasize about being in fights or physically hurting people, but not anyone in particular.
* I love instant noodles.
* I was a spoiled brat as a child.
* I'm over 25 years old and still enjoy all the things I did when I was 10.
* I am wearing a stolen hat.
* I am of the personal opinion that most of the traits in this survey are senseless.
* I am a proud mommy~
* Technology is my lifeblood.
* Flying is fucking awesome. And so is having a home.
* I often can't think of inane answers to inane memes.
* I've tried to run away from home, but I didn't get too far. When I left, it was for good.</b>

cloakand_danger @ 2008-03-08T21:05:00

2008-03-09T05:49:36Z

I've finally done it. After much careful deliberation, speculation, and procrastination, I've put together an FST for Yuan.

The upside is that I was able to find all the songs I wanted. The downside is that I didn't actually download any songs. I just put together a Youtube playlist. ^^; So, uh, you can ignore most if not all of the videos - while I tried to choose ones that looked like they were reasonably good quality, I selected them mostly for the songs rather than the movies.

There are thirteen songs on the playlist, and they show more or less the course of Yuan's life, beginning with when he traveled with Kratos and Martel and Mithos...which is why the first song is so cheerful.

Track 1: All We Wanna Do - TV Insert Song from Pokemon
Nothing in the world can bring us down
No, not us (not us)
Spread our little sunshine all around
There's never enough!

Fairly self-evident, a song about the joy of traveling together as a group.

Track 2: If Only Tears Could Bring You Back - Midnight Sons
How will I start
Tomorrow without you here
Whose heart will guide me
When all the answers disappear?

Again, not all that hard to tell that here he's grieving over Martel's death.

Track 3: Viva Forever - Spice Girls
Hasta manana
Always be mine...

Viva Forever
I'll be waiting
Everlasting
Like the sun
Live forever
For the moment
Ever searching
For the one

And here we see the slow, creeping insanity brought on by a combination of overwhelming grief and immortality.

Track 4: How To Save a Life - The Fray
Where did I go wrong? I lost a friend
Somewhere along in the bitterness, and I
Would have stayed up with you all night
Had I known how to save a life

As he's gradually recovering his sanity, he realizes that after wallowing in his own misery for so long, it's too late to salvage his friendship with Kratos.

Track 5: Makes No Difference - Sum 41
So when you hold on to
The best in you
We'll break down what little is left!
Yeah, there's nothing more
You can't ignore
And say 'It makes no difference to me'.

When he looks around himself, what does he see from them, they who were the heroes? Utter apathy to all the wrong that's been going on. It's so easy to maintain...to turn aside and pretend that nothing matters.

Track 6: We Are - Ana Johnsson
You keep watching from your picket fence
You keep talking, but it makes no sense!
You say we're not responsible
But we are, we are, we are, we are
You wash your hands, and come out clean
But fail to recognize the enemies within
You say we're not responsible, but we are, we are, we are.

They've done this. Cruxis has done this, turned the world into a terrible place, at times worse than it was during the war. They've maintained and even encouraged the discrimination they were once trying to end. Everything has gone wrong, and it's their fault, and it seems like Yuan's the only one who sees that.

Track 7: Learn To Fly - Foo Fighters
Run and tell all of the angels;
This could take all night
Think I need a devil to help me get things right
Hook me up a new revolution
'Cause this one is a lie
We sat around laughing and watched the last one die...

Something needs to change. He's not sure what, he's not yet sure how, but he needs to do something to make this right again.

Track 8: Do You Hear the People Sing? - Les Miserables
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Then join in the fight
That will give you the right to be free!

The formation of the Renegades.

Track 9: Land of Confusion - Disturbed
This is the world we live in
And these are the hands we're given
Use them and let's start trying
To make it a place worth living in!

Leading his forces. Somewhere in the midst of this song is where the game begins.

Track 10: Welcome to the Black Parade - My Chemical Romance
A world that sends you reeling
From decimated dreams
Your misery and hate will kill us all
So paint it black, and take it back
Let's shout it loud and clear!
Defiant to the end, we hear the call

To carry on! We'll carry on!
And though you're dead and gone, believe me
Your memory will carry on! We'll carry on!
And though you're broken and defeated
Your weary widow marches on!

Reaffirming the essence of the Renegades, and a memorial to all those who have fallen...particularly Botta.

Track 11: Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) - Green Day
Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test, and don't ask why
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time.

This is Yuan, wandering the halls of an empty base after it's been evacuated.

Track 12: Empty Chairs at Empty Tables - Les Miserables
There's a grief that can't be spoken
There's a pain goes on and on
Empty chairs at empty tables
Now my friends are dead and gone...

As we hit the end of the game, we realize that everyone who ever canonically gave a damn about Yuan is either dead or no longer on the planet.

Track 13: Best of You - Foo Fighters
I got another confession my friend...
I'm no fool
I'm getting tired of starting again
Somewhere new
...Were you born to resist,
Or be abused?
I swear I'll never give in...
I refuse!

Despite all he's lost, their goals have been won. The worlds are reunited, even if Yuan wasn't the one who did it. And it may not be easy adjusting to the new lifestyle they'll be leading in a unified world...but Yuan's as stubborn as they come. He'll survive.