Arete

NAME: Arete
GENDER: Male
AGE: 23
BIRTHDAY: 1/31
SEXUALITY: Bisexual
SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS: Vertical reptile-like pupils, fangs. Has a Derbyshire accent.


PERSONALITY

"'Uh,' he started, 'Sassy,' he laughed to himself, 'Mean, clever… manipulative' he continued, 'Analytical, anxious -- like I think too much, and jealous… envious, whichever.'” Day-to-day, he is the typical observer. He watches, listens -- then later: gossips. All part of the normal day. His personality is that of a stereotypical high school student... Angry, witty, jealous, all of the such. He has no qualms of being an ass if he has to, using someone for their resources, of throwing a fit if something vague dramatic happens. However, he holds his close friends very close even with the anxiety that they're using him as he has done with many others. His personality is hypocritical; he despises those who are pointlessly selfish and rude, not never scorns himself. He, of course, realizes this and as such it weighs a burger on him emotionally. Despite that, he has developed thick skin, something unavoidable when you get into verbal fights so often. Even when other approach him with good -- even neutral intent, he turns his head and acts like the usual asshole he tries to be. It's easier to not be close to anybody -- to not be responsible, to lose, etc.
He is quite the virtuoso with a talent for music. Music theory and chord study, perfect pitch and honed aural skills; all save for the making of said music. Arete wishes and strives to be better at singing, composing, and preforming. He also has a knack for magic, due partially to his lineage and diligent practicing -- although only recently trying to learn offensive magic.
--
In battle, he remains calm and taunts the enemy, toying with them. Part of the all-over intimidating tactics he employs: he acts condescending and patronizing. He isn’t cheeky or childish with his insults, rather taking a serious and planned out approach to it. Taunting someone into making a reckless attack, or poking fun at them until they lose their composure. Think of Azula from Avatar: The Last Airbender pre-mental breakdown. Also similar to Azula, although hard to break, once he breaks, he breaks. A good perk of  He likes being the leader, guiding others, having an analytical type-A personality. His commands are loud and clear, if you mess up, it’s not his fault. He will comply to another’s leadership, save for the addition change if he thinks it is necessary. In battle, as could be assumed, he does not go by any honor code and plays dirty. Rationalized by, 'of course, if they were the better fighter, they would've expected that,' and others of the like. Furthermore, using his lineage and a clever brain he likes to analyse and reign control over the battle. After all, knowing everything is an advantage. In battle, he is not over dramatic, opposite to his usual demeanor, weakness is everything -- and to intimidate the the foe you have to appear seamless. Even if his arm has been cut off, he will grit his teeth and continue onward. It would hurt, yes, but, mental affect of nonchalance is key in his mind. Obviously sometimes he fails to do so, which is usually when he starts to lose the battle. (531)

LIKES:
~ People-watching: “People are so funny, ar’they, always getting themselves in trouble."
~ Singing: "Singing’s always been a hobby of mine. It’s good for self-expression -- also I just like it."
~ Sparring: “I dunno… I like fighting, sparring. A good rush of adrenaline and no hard feelings.”

DISLIKES:
~ When people are disrespectful, especially when they’re back talking their superiors: "Guess’is because I’ve always been a teacher’s pet. Bothers me in school, bothers me now.”
~ Arrogance: "Oh, and I hate when people who’re all posh and act like they’re bett’than you. Drives me crazy because they have a lil’ money or whateva and they’re all’la’sudden better than every’un around them. Just wrong, y’know.”
~ Dogs: "No particular reason, just that they’re too much. Annoying.”

MOTIVATIONS:
~ Improvement: “I think it’s a noble goal, yeah, to just improve. Be less mean, more nice, more organized, stuff like that. A good thing to keep me going when somethin’s tedious.”
~ Pursuit of Love: “Yeah, it would be great. None of that fake stuff either. Actual love, not lust,”
“And finally, you said you’d like to be famous, fame."
~ Fame: “It’s shallow but yeah, it would be nice to be known, whether it be good or bad. For people to know you when you walk into a room, people to know you."

FEARS:
~ The Unknown: "Well… It’s unknown… Innit? It’s hard to prepare for what’ya don’t know. I like that feelin of readiness.”
~ Abandonment: ”It has to… Hmm… Do with my past, I guess. Never ad’a stable parent figure with them deciding to die off an’ whatever.”
~ Being Lost: ”It’s kinda like the first one, not knowin what’s out there. Also -- death, been there."

EXAMPLE IN TEXT:

Likes: Lavender
Dislikes: Periwinkle
Motivations: Moss
Fears: Rose
--
The lounge was disgustingly cool -- a sickly cold draft blew in from the wall-side air conditioner. The tick of a clock, it was early in the morning and there was no one to join him in the waiting room. A mousy nurse stepped out of a doorway, “Arete,” she squinted at the name before her, “Sar… dinact?” He looked up and nodded, adjusting a large pair of shades with his forefinger. “Come with me, the doctor is ready to see you,” she peeped. He heaved himself up from the cheap chair and followed the nurse through the doorway and through a hallway and into a candle-lit office. The nurse gave a dismissive nod and left, leaving Arete to stroll into the room laid out before him.
He sat himself in a slightly more comfortable chair and a few minutes later, there was a rap at the door and a pudgy, old woman entered. She walked around the desk and sat herself behind it, giving a fake, but warm smile, “Good morning, Mr. Sardinact,” she said, already familiar with him. An appointment like this wasn’t unusual for him, he already knew this routine well: walk in, ignore the doctor for a brief hour, walk out, come back a week later, rinse and repeat. He closed his eyes to prevent rolling them. His doctor of a common name was nice as far as psychologists go, seemingly caring and with the facade that she actually wanted to help.
“Feeling any better?” she tried to break the ice.
“I guess’so,” he said, dismissive.
“Well -- that’s a step in the right direction,” she said with a poorly placed wink.
“Alright -- today we’ll be doing a couple of tests, the usual, I hope I don’t bore you too badly this time.” Arete nodded, and looked at his nails impatiently.
“We’ll start with fears, this time. I’ll show you two pictures, or phrases, and you’ll pick whichever frightens you more,” she stated while opening a folder and withdrawing a deck of cards.
She held out the first two: a picture of a bug and a picture of a storm cloud. He pointed to the bug, of course. She put the bug aside and picked up another two: a wild animal of some kind and a fire, he chose the animal this time. Although none of these were particularly frightening yet. After a few more rounds and a few more cards sitting in the pile that the bug had started the doctor piped up, “Okay, you’re doing great so far,” she paused, “But now we’ll continue to another deck which includes more serious matters,” she finished while taking out another deck from the folder.
The doctor started again, holding out two cards, this time reading: the unknown, and regret. He thought for awhile, and reluctantly picked the unknown. “Why did you pick this card?” the doctor inquired. Arete opened his mouth, then closed it, thinking more. He then said, “Well… It’s unknown… Innit? It’s hard to prepare for what’ya don’t know. I like that feelin of readiness.” She nodded and put it aside, taking notes. She then held out the next two: abandonment, and indecisiveness. This time, almost too fast, he picked abandonment, then explaining without prompt, ”It has to… Hmm… Do with my past, I guess. Never ad’a stable parent figure with them deciding to die off an’ whatever.” She acknowledged him and pulled out another set: one saying death and another saying being lost. He pointed to being lost, then explained, ”It’s kinda like the first one, not knowin what’s out there. Also -- death, been there,” he sighed.
“Alright,” the doctor said, “to lighten the mood -- what are some things that you enjoy, hobbies, whatever else.” Arete nodded, and looked up while thinking. “Well, I enjoy people-watching,” the doctor chuckled at the remark, “singing... An’ I guess also a good spar is enjoyable as well.” She was about to open her mouth, but he cut her off, “Because,” he paused as she smiled, “People are so funny, ar’they, always getting themselves in trouble. And singing’s always been a hobby of mine. It’s good for self-expression -- also I just like it,” he paused humming to himself, “I dunno… I like fighting, sparring. A good rush of adrenaline and no hard feelings.”
She nodded, “What about things you dislike?” He chuckled to himself, anger welling up in him. The doctor took a note. “I hate when people are disrespectful, especially when they’re back talking their superiors. Guess’is because I’ve always been a teacher’s pet. Bothers me in school, bothers me now,” he paused to think, “Oh, and I hate when people who’re all posh and act like they’re bett’than you. Drives me crazy because they have a lil’ money or whateva and they’re all’la’sudden better than every’un around them. Just wrong, y’know.” He gave a deep sigh, “And dogs, no particular reason, just that they’re too much. Annoying.”
The doctor wrote down a final note and drew open a drawer, setting the notebook into it. She brought out another notepad and a pen, and passed it to Arete. “ We’re going to write down some motivations, goals, for you to work for. Doesn’t need to be about treatment, but life goals.” Arete stifled in a sigh and pulled the paper and pen to him. He took a moment to record his thoughts and returned the paper to the doctor, fiddling with the pen.
She turned around the notebook and gave an exasperated sigh, “Aaah, okay. Your wrote down to ‘become better than I am,” she leaned back on her chair, “Why?”
Arete began, “I think it’s a noble goal, yeah, to just improve. Be less mean, more nice, more organized, stuff like that. A good thing to keep me going when somethin’s tedious.”
“Next, you wrote… that you’d like to fall in love,” she finished, obviously hiding a chortle.
He blushed, “Yeah, it would be great. None of that fake stuff either. Actual love, not lust,”
“And finally, you said you’d like to be famous, fame,” she read.
“It’s shallow but yeah, it would be nice to be known, whether it be good or bad. For people to know you when you walk into a room, people to know you,” he stated, sighing.
“We have,” she looked at her watch, “Around a minute left. So how about you describe yourself to me. Personality-wise.” He wondered why couldn’t just leave now. “Uh,” he started, “Sassy,” he laughed to himself, “Mean, clever… manipulative” he continued, “Analytical, anxious -- like I think too much, and jealous… envious, whichever.” He looked up at clock, and so did the doctor. “And we’re done for today. See you next week,” she said, giving the same fake smile as she did to begin. He said goodbye as he got up from the chair and left the room. (1148)


GENERAL APPEARANCE

imgur. com/a/ggPQV
Arete has lean musculature and lightly tanned skin from many adventures and long days outside. He has long wavy hair, naturally black but dyed teal, but fading in many places from sunlight and other things of the such. He's tall and would be conventionally handsome save for extended canines and reptile-like pupils, such gives him an eerie, demonic appearence.
HEIGHT: 6'1"
WEIGHT: 148
HAIR: Teal
EYES: Blue
SKIN TONE: Olive


GUILD/COUNCIL

GUILD: Guildless
TATTOO: Back of left hand
RANK: D