Joshua Christopher (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sinningsaint) wrote2012-08-02 02:59 am
sinningsaint) wrote2012-08-02 02:59 am
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Character Survey of Doom
Because why not? Edited for possibly being picked up at TLV.
Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is he heavyset, thin, short, rangy?
After a reread I've realized he's actually pretty tall compared to other characters. Closer to 5'11" or so. He has a naturally skinny build, made even more scrawny by his generally poor health.
2. How old is he?
15 in the main bulk of canon, 17 where I'm apping him from.
3. Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well or does he slouch?
He doesn't have very good posture, he tends to hang his head a little and slouch. When he's sitting he tends to sort of drape himself over whatever furniture he's on or, if he's sitting at a table, leans forward onto his elbows.
4. How is his health? Is he fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?
When he was with Aion, he's implied to be underweight. Chrono's horns and his powers are gone now, so he doesn't have any direct illness from it anymore, but he's still vulnerable to illness and has worked really hard to even be in as good of shape as he is now.
5. How does he move? Is he clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?
He can seem slow at first glance, but when he's motivated he can move quickly and wildly. Any fluidity to his movements was probably trained into him by Aion, he isn't particularly graceful naturally.
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does he perceive himself in the mirror?
He's not bad looking, although his attractiveness is dampened by how poorly he takes care of his appearance. He's better about it than he used to be, but he's still pretty lazy when it comes to his appearance.
7. Describe his complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?
Fair-skinned and mostly unmarked, although he has two scars on his head from where the horns used to be.
8. Describe his hair: color, texture, style.
Blond and...fluffy? He has shaggy hair that tends to be uncooperative and stick out every which way, and he's too lazy to do much with it so it tends to just be in a perpetual state of bedhead.
9. What color are his eyes?
Blue. The exact shade changes depending on the art at the time, but the colored pages from the manga usually show him and Rosette as sharing a darker blue shade for their eyes. A deep ocean sort of blue, more than the icy shade of blue he tends to have in the anime.
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features?
None that I can think of!
11. What are his chief tension centers?
His head, centered around the scars where the horns used to be.
12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does he have six of the same suit?
As casual as a guy his age could get away with in the 1920s. With Aion he wore a suit that he tended to wear sloppily (tie only half-done, shirt untucked) with a long black coat. When Aion was around, he usually forced Joshua to do his tie up more properly and tuck in his shirt, but that rarely lasted long.
I think that after Aion, he'd try to wear clothing that's a little less darker in color, favoring greys and browns over blacks (but maybe still occasionally falling back on black). If he wants a little more color, he prefers blue. He avoids hats when possible. He's still sloppy with his ties and tucking in his shirts (when he isn't in uniform).
13. Do his clothes fit well? Does he seem comfortable in them?
Most of his clothing is a little loose since he's pretty skinny. He's comfortable enough in his clothing, except when he's forced to tighten his tie and tuck his shirt in.
14. Does he dress the same on the job as he does in his free time? If not, what are the differences?
Well, with Aion he just wore whatever he was told to wear, so...not really? (Aion just seems to have wanted all of the Apostles to dress in dark colors and look as somber as possible for whatever reason IDEK.)
Where I'm playing him he's now in the Order, and as so he wears the Order's blue, white and gold uniforms. Basically a modified priest outfit meant to look cool and anime-y.
15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando?
Boxers are the closest to the underwear they had back then, I think. Although when he lived with Aion I wouldn't be surprised if he just went commando, since he didn't seem to be wearing an undershirt either...Not that Chrono Crusade is *that* historically accurate, but y'know.
Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?
In my head he sounds similar to Chris Patton (who played him in the anime's English dub) but not...exactly. I'm not sure how to explain it, I think I imagine it as a bit deeper than Chris Patton's version.
2. How does he normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does he talk easily, or does he hesitate?
When he first meets someone he's a little quiet, but gets much louder when he's upset or excited. He hesitates a little bit due to his own self-doubt, but when emotions are running high he tends to blurt out whatever's on his mind.
3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics?
He has a general American accent, although since he's lived all over the US it probably doesn't have a distinct accent or dialect. He might still have a bit of a Michigan accent?
4. What language/s does he speak, and with how much fluency?
English is the only thing he's fluent in, although he picked up a little German from Aion and knows a few words in the demons' language.
5. Does he switch languages or dialects in certain situations?
I wouldn't be surprised if he mimics Father Remington's manner of speech when he's trying to be respectable. Otherwise, no.
6. Is he a good impromptu speaker, or does he have to think about his words?
Well, he says whatever's on his mind, but I don't know if I'd say he's a "good" impromptu speaker. He does okay, but if he feels on the spot or pressured he's not particularly good at communicating well.
7. Is he eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?
If something is REALLY REALLY important to him then he can get a bit poetical (since he gives his words more thought then), but in typical everyday speech he tends to just clumsily blurt out whatever is on his mind.
Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is he book-smart or street-smart?
He's about average. I wouldn't say he's dumb, but I think he was too much of a hermit with the horns to pick up street smarts and schooling with them was probably difficult, too. When he applies himself he's a fast learner, but he can be a little lazy and prefers to do things quickly and easily rather than being particularly thorough.
2. Does he think on his feet, or does he need time to deliberate?
He's naturally more comfortable thinking impulsively, but for BIG decisions, or when he doesn't trust his gut for whatever reason, he usually thinks things through. (For example, it took him several months to decide to go to the Order with Remington--but then he immediately accepted Aion's offer for the horns. He also mulls over his meeting with Rosette at the fountain for a month or so before Fiore finally gives him the push he needs to go speak with her.)
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is he more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?
Intuitive and idealistic. He has big, dramatic dreams and ideas, and like I've mentioned before he's more comfortable trusting his emotions and instincts (although probably not as much as he used to thanks to how badly the horns screwed with his instincts while he had them). He's drawn to adventure and big, hopeful ideals--probably one of the reasons why he seemed so devoted to Aion.
4. What kind of education has the character had?
I think Ms. Jean taught him what she could at the orphanage, and Aion and Fiore picked up where she left off. Considering Aion's broad interests, he probably had a pretty well-rounded education, although the horns probably set him back some.
5. What are his areas of expertise? What, if anything, is he interested in learning more about?
He had a big interest in myths and legends and spiritual subjects as a kid, so I think he read what he could. His knowledge of other cultures is probably skewed by whatever books he could get his hands on, though, so it's probably not always entirely accurate. (I doubt Ms. Jean's just going to run out and get him a book on whatever weird esoteric subject he wants, or that she even could since Seventh Bell seems a little out in the middle of nowhere.) He also has a pretty broad knowledge of common genre conventions in the stuff he liked because...yeah, he read a lot. He also probably knows more about demons than the typical human, and he knows how to play a pipe organ--probably a piano, too, although we don't see him playing one in canon.
He's in general fascinated by other people and cultures that are different from his own, so he wants to learn about those as much as possible. He's also hoping to join the Order, so he probably is taking an interest in studying their particular views, too.
6. Is he an introvert or an extrovert?
He's naturally extroverted, although he feels very anxious in crowds these days.
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is he even-tempered or does he have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven?
Definitely very mood-swingy, even without the horns. (Although they probably made that side of him WORSE.) He's naturally a cheerful person, but has gotten a sort of cynical, darker sense of humor than he used to have. He likes to relax and can be a little lazy, but once he sets his mind on something it can become an obsession that he focuses on and works toward at the cost of other things in his life.
8. How does he respond to new people or situations? Is he suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?
Warm, but wary. He presents a front of the "friendly guy next door that most definitely doesn't have a dark past" until he gets to know someone really well. He's a bit more anxious in social situations in general than he used to be, between his low self-esteem and the effects the horns had on him.
9. Is he more likely to act, or to react?
He's a bit more prone to reacting, I think.
10. Which is his default: fight or flight?
Fight, for sure. He seems to tackle things that bother him head on, for better or worse. (Chrono makes the horns scream? SHOOT HIM. 'Sister' wants me to take the horns off? SHOOT HER. Aion wants to attack my sister? Jump between him and her even though I don't have the horns anymore!)
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does he appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks?
Snarky, sarcastic, and a little dark. He likes pulling pranks, too. I think he would maybe pick up a bit of Fiore's dry sense of humor from time to time--and he'd maybe enjoy the occasional odd metaphor.
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does he deal with them?
None mentioned in canon, although it's established that he has plenty of issues. I don't think he's been diagnosed with anything, although I think the Order is probably keeping a careful watch on him.
As for dealing with it, well...he just doesn't deal with it. In his head it's probably best to pretend he's "normal" rather than worry Rosette or someone else over his issues. (He really hates admitting when he has a problem and needs help. He really, really, really hates it.)
13. What moments in this character's life have defined him as a person?
His parents' deaths--in particular the chaos that happened afterward and his promise to Rosette at their father's grave. Also getting the horns, his time spent with Aion, Fiore and the other Sinners in general, and the final battle where he lost the horns and then worked with Azmaria to lead the Apostles in helping Rosette and Chrono.
14. What does he fear?
Himself. He doesn't know how much of his crazy personality with the horns was something that was already in him, and how much of it is something that's STILL in him. He's secretly afraid that one day he'll snap and switch back to that personality.
He's also very anxious around crowds these days.
15. What are his hopes or aspirations?
As a kid he wanted to be an explorer, although I don't think that's his dream anymore. Now his aspirations mostly focus on trying to become a better person and move on from his mistakes. He wants to be someone his sister can be proud of.
He also hopes that one day the Order will be able to help rebuild New York City, but there's a long road ahead of them.
16. What is something he doesn't want anyone to find out about him?
He doesn't want new people to find out about his past. He just wants them to see him the way he is now, instead of the person he once was.
Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with his parents.
His parents died in a shipwreck when he was around 4, so he doesn't remember them much. I think they were a fairly close family before it happened and it was a loving environment, so he remembers them fondly, but they've been dead for a decade now, so he doesn't think about them as much anymore and often can't even quite remember what they looked like.
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?
He has an older sister named Rosette, whom he absolutely adores. As kids, they promised each other at their parents' funeral that they would stay together and learn to become adults together. Joshua also promised himself that he would become strong as soon as he could, so he could support and protect Rosette. That's one of the major, major reasons why he ended up taking the horns--he felt that he couldn't keep his promise to himself if he was chained to a bed.
With the horns, he became absolutely obsessed with Rosette, waaaaay beyond healthy boundaries. With his memories fading and his mental picture of Rosette far away from reality, he dreamed her up as as pure, innocent maiden--instead of the loud, violent, blunt sister he really had. It was bad enough that he didn't recognize her, and almost ended up killing her then and there (although she luckily managed to shoot off one of the horns and helped him regain his sanity).
He deeply regrets what he did now, and he also bears a lot of guilt due to Rosette making a contract with a demon, shortening her lifespan. He knows she doesn't have much time left to live and it absolutely breaks his heart, particularly since he feels responsible. It's probably a bit awkward for them now and they have to learn who each other is again, but they still care a lot about each other, and Joshua is determined to spend as much time as he can with his sister until her lifespan runs out.
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom he is close? Are there ones he can't stand?
They don't seem to have any other living relatives, at least none that they're in touch with.
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom he considers part of his family? What are his relationships with them?
Lots! First of all there's Chrono--a childhood friend of his and practically his brother-in-law due to Chrono's relationship with Rosette. He's got mixed feelings on it--he doesn't know Chrono that well at all when it comes right down to it, since he was taken away by Aion so quickly, so the first thing he learned after seeing Chrono again without being horn-crazy was that Rosette was dying due to Chrono's contract. He was REALLY angry with Chrono until Aion pointed out to him that Rosette made the contract to save him. At times, he blames Chrono for the contract, at times he blames himself. But he knows Chrono cares about him and cares about Rosette even more, and he knows Rosette loves him, so he's doing his best to forgive Chrono. Right now, more than anything, he's just pissed off that Chrono's disappeared and is making his sister wait for him--if he's even still alive.
He also considers the other Sinners like family, I think, since he grew up with them around. Brief (hah!) summaries:
Aion -- Cared about him like an older brother, but now has mixed feelings since he lost the horns. He knows Aion manipulated him and used him, and he hates what Aion did and the plans he took part of. But part of him agrees with Aion's ideals, and sympathizes with his decisions. In the end, he thinks Aion's now dead, and he switches between being bitterly angry with him and mourning him. (And he feels that he can't talk to anyone about how he feels, either, which makes it worse.)
Fiore -- Sort of like a sister to him, although he was also in love with her. (Note: In the anime he actually thinks Fiore is his sister, but in the manga he doesn't--he confused her with Rosette once when he first was taken away by Aion and soon realized she wasn't his sister at all.) He KNOWS that something happened to her in Eden during the final battle, since he sensed her astral signature suddenly disappearing, but he doesn't know WHAT, and it's very very very upsetting to him. He's heartbroken over it.
Shader -- He was annoyed by her teasing and overly-cheerful personality, but he liked her and considered her a friend. He's afraid she's dead, too. He doesn't miss her as much as Fiore or maybe even Aion, but he's still upset.
Rizelle -- Headcanon and subject to change if I ever play against a Rizelle, but I don't think they had a great relationship, they seemed a little hostile to each other. However, he regrets sending her after Rosette and causing her death, and feels it's just another one of the things he has to atone for.
Genai -- He definitely didn't like this guy, way too aggressive. But now that he doesn't have the horns he pities him a little.
Viede -- They don't seem to have been particularly close, but Viede seemed to be an all right guy. He liked books, after all.
He also considers the other Apostles as like something of a family, although he's not particularly close to them. But he does try to keep in touch with them. Out of all of them, he's closest to Azmaria, and has been getting to know her a little better since the final battle on Christmas. He admires her and considers her a strong person (although she'd probably flail and deny it). She's sort of cute, too.
Also I think Father Remington would probably become something like a father figure/mentor to him, since he's that way with Rosette. I think things would be pretty awkward between them to start with. Now that he's been with the Order for a little time they've probably got at least a professional relationship, although I don't know if Joshua would be comfortable treating him as warmly as Rosette does.
5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet?
Fiore would probably be the closest thing he's ever had to a best friend. They met when he first arrived at Aion's place and wandered around, confused by the noise and found a girl hooked up to a machine. He called her "sister", mistaking her for Rosette, and that somehow awoke within her the memories of the girl she used to be, which allowed her to stop being an empty "doll" and to have some sort of autonomy again.
6. Does he have other close friends?
Rosette, yeah. She probably counts. He's also pretty good friends with Azmaria, and it's possible he's made a few other friends at the Order, but otherwise he's probably a bit of a loner.
7. Does he make friends easily, or does he have trouble getting along with people?
When he was a kid, a lot of the other orphans were afraid or weirded out of him because of his powers and his illness, so he ended up being something of an outcast there. And after he got the horns he pushed people away just because of how much the "noise" hurt him (and I doubt Aion would want him hanging out with anyone that wasn't a Sinner anyway).
Now that he doesn't have the horns, I think he does OK at making acquaintances, but more meaningful friendships are tough for him because he tends to put up a lot of emotional barriers.
8. Which does he consider more important: family or friends?
Rosette's the most important. Everyone else falls into place after that.
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has he been married more than once?
Pfft, no, at 17 he's still a bit young to be thinking in that direction, and he's married to his work more than anything at the moment.
10. Is he currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?
He's in love with Fiore, but it's unclear if she returned his affection, and as far as he knows, she could be dead. (And no, he's definitely not over it yet.)
11. Who was his first crush? Who is his latest?
He seems to have been too distraught by his own problems at the orphanage to really get along with anyone there, so Fiore was probably his first crush. He hasn't really had anyone else since then, although a part of him does find Azmaria kind of cute.
12. What does he look for in a romantic partner?
He likes introverted, sweet, feminine girls. Bonus points if they're good cooks or good listeners. He's attracted to people he can go to for advice and be honest about his feelings without fear of judgement.
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does he relate to them? If no, does he want any?
Nope, no kids. He hasn't really thought much about whether or not he wants any, although maybe that would be OK in the distant future. But he's got a lot of problems to work through before he'd really be confident that he wouldn't screw up a kid.
14. Does he have any rivals or enemies?
Not really. Chrono was something of a rival/enemy to him at one point, but he's disappeared and he regrets treating him like that anyway. I doubt he's enough of a golden boy at the Order to have any rivals there, either.
15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does he fall on the Kinsey scale?
Around a 1? He reeeeeeeeeeally likes girls, although it wouldn't be impossible for him to be attracted to a guy. He probably would have difficulty admitting it, though, considering his background. It's not particularly clear how the Magdalan Order feels about LGBT issues but the odds are probably not good that it'd be accepted.
16. How does he feel about sex? How important is it to him?
He's a bit awkward about it. He's a virgin--I don't think anything happened between him and Fi--and he was basically raised by, well...either a widow or an old maid, and then a zombie maid and Aion, who doesn't actually seem particularly interested in sex in canon.
Also he's got a bit of a stick up his ass now that he's trying so hard to be taken seriously as a member of the Order.
not that he's not interesting in sex. He's very interested. Just...good luck getting him to admit that.
17. What are his turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?
...He likes maid outfits.
Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does he fit type?
Headcanon birthday is April 9, 1909, which would make him an Aries and a Rooster. From what (very) little I know of astrology he seems to fit as an Aries very well, but as as Rooster...not as much? A little bit, but the horns beat a lot of the Rooster traits out of him, I think.
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in his life?
Definitely spiritual--it would be hard not to be after being used as an "emissary of the dead" I think. He strongly believes that there are spiritual forces outside of the physical world, since he was granted powers by those forces and interacted with them.
He's also sort of religious, but he struggles with doubt. A lot of things about Christianity appeals to him--particularly the themes of forgiveness and redemption, since he desperately craves those. But he does question what God's plan was for him taking the horns, if there IS a God and it all was his plan. He also feels a little out-of-place and uncomfortable in the Order sometimes, since it's a bit strict and he was taught by Aion to be suspicious of "systems." However, he's devoted to the Order because of the ideals they represent--even if he has plenty of doubts he keeps to himself.
3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it?
Not particularly, although he current is very driven to find a way to give back to other people to make up for the things he's done.
4. How does he regard beliefs that differ from his? Is he tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?
Curious, although he might blurt out something ignorant unknowingly. He's not the most sensitive person in the world to other people's feelings, but he DOES want to understand people and he finds learning about other cultures and beliefs fascinating. He would probably be pretty wary of beliefs that sound too similar to something that Aion would say, though.
5. What prejudices does he hold? Are they irrational or does he have a good reason for them?
I think he's pretty open-minded, although he can sometimes have pretty old-fashioned (for 2012) views on gender roles. He thinks that as a guy he should be strong and be able to protect Rosette, and he tends to poke fun at Rosette for being loud, aggressive and a poor cook. He's in particular bothered by appearing unmanly to other people, which...is pretty unavoidable. He's scrawny and bookish and a homebody; he doesn't fit the masculine ideal he's set up for himself, and it REALLY bothers him.
Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is he rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?
He has very little to his name right now--his belongings with the Sinners were either destroyed or taken as evidence by the Order, he couldn't bare to take much from Seventh Bell, and the Order doesn't really pay all that well. (This is MAJOR headcanon, but...HOWEVER, I do think his parents were actually pretty well off--they seemed to be well dressed, have a large house, and could afford traveling across the world. Whether or not the money is still there or was taken away by the mysterious "adults" in Joshua and Rosette's flashbacks of their parents' death remains to be seen, though. It's possible that as an adult he'll finally inherit a good amount of money. Or maybe the money's already gone.)
2. What is his social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him?
Not great. He's an orphan, and again...the Order doesn't pay all that well. There's maybe a bit of prestige with the job though.
3. Where does he live? House, apartment, trailer? Is his home his castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does he share it with others?
He lives in a dorm room in the Order. He requested a room to himself when he arrived at the Order and they were able to fill this request. He still lives in a room alone, although at this point he'd be comfortable enough with sharing a room if they needed the space. He's not particularly attached to his room, but it's comfortable enough.
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does he spend his money on?
Whenever Aion gave him spending money, he mostly used it on pulp magazines, dime novels and other things to read. He doesn't really have much free cash in the Order, and often what little he has goes toward buying trinkets to send to Rosette for the kids at Seventh Bell, or little gifts for Az and Rosette. Occasionally he'll still buy himself a dime novel though.
5. What does he do for a living? Is he good at it? Does he enjoy it, or would he rather be doing something else?
He currently works in the Order, focusing on charity work. He's kind and a hardworker, although he generally feels behind when it comes to stuff like theological knowledge--a lot of the members of the Order have been studying MUCH longer than he has.
6. What are his interests or hobbies? How does he spend his free time?
He loves to read, particularly on topics we would consider sort of "geeky." He likes westerns, sci-fi, the occult, fantasy, etc. He also had a lot of model airplanes and toy guns growing up.
He seems to enjoy singing and has some knowledge of how to play a pipe organ (and can probably play piano, too) although he's not particularly devoted to music. It's just something to do. Something Aion taught him, too, which probably doesn't help.
7. What are his eating habits? Does he skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?
He has a massive sweet tooth, and also really likes coffee. With the horns he had a bad habit of forgetting to eat and skipping meals, although he doesn't have that problem much anymore. However, at the Order he doesn't eat in the common eating area whenever he can avoid it, and instead prefers to eat alone in his room. (Headcanon: Father Remington has expressed concern over this, but he's being stubborn--the cafeteria is "too noisy.") He hates carrots and will usually refuse to eat them unless someone he cares about puts their foot down.
Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is his favorite:
1. Color? Blue and black.
2. Smell? An ocean breeze.
3. Time of day? Sunset.
4. Season? Summer.
5. Book? Picking just ONE favorite would probably be tough for him, but he really likes Poe's body of work.
6. Music? Jazz is the bee's knees!
7. Place? The beach. He misses Aion's house sometimes.
8. Substance? No idea...pudding?
9. Plant? Freshly cut grass and apple trees.
10. Animal? He's a dog person, but for big and friendly dogs, not the little yippy things that old ladies carry in purses.
END
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Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is he heavyset, thin, short, rangy?
After a reread I've realized he's actually pretty tall compared to other characters. Closer to 5'11" or so. He has a naturally skinny build, made even more scrawny by his generally poor health.
2. How old is he?
15 in the main bulk of canon, 17 where I'm apping him from.
3. Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well or does he slouch?
He doesn't have very good posture, he tends to hang his head a little and slouch. When he's sitting he tends to sort of drape himself over whatever furniture he's on or, if he's sitting at a table, leans forward onto his elbows.
4. How is his health? Is he fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?
When he was with Aion, he's implied to be underweight. Chrono's horns and his powers are gone now, so he doesn't have any direct illness from it anymore, but he's still vulnerable to illness and has worked really hard to even be in as good of shape as he is now.
5. How does he move? Is he clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?
He can seem slow at first glance, but when he's motivated he can move quickly and wildly. Any fluidity to his movements was probably trained into him by Aion, he isn't particularly graceful naturally.
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does he perceive himself in the mirror?
He's not bad looking, although his attractiveness is dampened by how poorly he takes care of his appearance. He's better about it than he used to be, but he's still pretty lazy when it comes to his appearance.
7. Describe his complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?
Fair-skinned and mostly unmarked, although he has two scars on his head from where the horns used to be.
8. Describe his hair: color, texture, style.
Blond and...fluffy? He has shaggy hair that tends to be uncooperative and stick out every which way, and he's too lazy to do much with it so it tends to just be in a perpetual state of bedhead.
9. What color are his eyes?
Blue. The exact shade changes depending on the art at the time, but the colored pages from the manga usually show him and Rosette as sharing a darker blue shade for their eyes. A deep ocean sort of blue, more than the icy shade of blue he tends to have in the anime.
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features?
None that I can think of!
11. What are his chief tension centers?
His head, centered around the scars where the horns used to be.
12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does he have six of the same suit?
As casual as a guy his age could get away with in the 1920s. With Aion he wore a suit that he tended to wear sloppily (tie only half-done, shirt untucked) with a long black coat. When Aion was around, he usually forced Joshua to do his tie up more properly and tuck in his shirt, but that rarely lasted long.
I think that after Aion, he'd try to wear clothing that's a little less darker in color, favoring greys and browns over blacks (but maybe still occasionally falling back on black). If he wants a little more color, he prefers blue. He avoids hats when possible. He's still sloppy with his ties and tucking in his shirts (when he isn't in uniform).
13. Do his clothes fit well? Does he seem comfortable in them?
Most of his clothing is a little loose since he's pretty skinny. He's comfortable enough in his clothing, except when he's forced to tighten his tie and tuck his shirt in.
14. Does he dress the same on the job as he does in his free time? If not, what are the differences?
Well, with Aion he just wore whatever he was told to wear, so...not really? (Aion just seems to have wanted all of the Apostles to dress in dark colors and look as somber as possible for whatever reason IDEK.)
Where I'm playing him he's now in the Order, and as so he wears the Order's blue, white and gold uniforms. Basically a modified priest outfit meant to look cool and anime-y.
15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando?
Boxers are the closest to the underwear they had back then, I think. Although when he lived with Aion I wouldn't be surprised if he just went commando, since he didn't seem to be wearing an undershirt either...
Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?
In my head he sounds similar to Chris Patton (who played him in the anime's English dub) but not...exactly. I'm not sure how to explain it, I think I imagine it as a bit deeper than Chris Patton's version.
2. How does he normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does he talk easily, or does he hesitate?
When he first meets someone he's a little quiet, but gets much louder when he's upset or excited. He hesitates a little bit due to his own self-doubt, but when emotions are running high he tends to blurt out whatever's on his mind.
3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics?
He has a general American accent, although since he's lived all over the US it probably doesn't have a distinct accent or dialect. He might still have a bit of a Michigan accent?
4. What language/s does he speak, and with how much fluency?
English is the only thing he's fluent in, although he picked up a little German from Aion and knows a few words in the demons' language.
5. Does he switch languages or dialects in certain situations?
I wouldn't be surprised if he mimics Father Remington's manner of speech when he's trying to be respectable. Otherwise, no.
6. Is he a good impromptu speaker, or does he have to think about his words?
Well, he says whatever's on his mind, but I don't know if I'd say he's a "good" impromptu speaker. He does okay, but if he feels on the spot or pressured he's not particularly good at communicating well.
7. Is he eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?
If something is REALLY REALLY important to him then he can get a bit poetical (since he gives his words more thought then), but in typical everyday speech he tends to just clumsily blurt out whatever is on his mind.
Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is he book-smart or street-smart?
He's about average. I wouldn't say he's dumb, but I think he was too much of a hermit with the horns to pick up street smarts and schooling with them was probably difficult, too. When he applies himself he's a fast learner, but he can be a little lazy and prefers to do things quickly and easily rather than being particularly thorough.
2. Does he think on his feet, or does he need time to deliberate?
He's naturally more comfortable thinking impulsively, but for BIG decisions, or when he doesn't trust his gut for whatever reason, he usually thinks things through. (For example, it took him several months to decide to go to the Order with Remington--but then he immediately accepted Aion's offer for the horns. He also mulls over his meeting with Rosette at the fountain for a month or so before Fiore finally gives him the push he needs to go speak with her.)
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is he more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?
Intuitive and idealistic. He has big, dramatic dreams and ideas, and like I've mentioned before he's more comfortable trusting his emotions and instincts (although probably not as much as he used to thanks to how badly the horns screwed with his instincts while he had them). He's drawn to adventure and big, hopeful ideals--probably one of the reasons why he seemed so devoted to Aion.
4. What kind of education has the character had?
I think Ms. Jean taught him what she could at the orphanage, and Aion and Fiore picked up where she left off. Considering Aion's broad interests, he probably had a pretty well-rounded education, although the horns probably set him back some.
5. What are his areas of expertise? What, if anything, is he interested in learning more about?
He had a big interest in myths and legends and spiritual subjects as a kid, so I think he read what he could. His knowledge of other cultures is probably skewed by whatever books he could get his hands on, though, so it's probably not always entirely accurate. (I doubt Ms. Jean's just going to run out and get him a book on whatever weird esoteric subject he wants, or that she even could since Seventh Bell seems a little out in the middle of nowhere.) He also has a pretty broad knowledge of common genre conventions in the stuff he liked because...yeah, he read a lot. He also probably knows more about demons than the typical human, and he knows how to play a pipe organ--probably a piano, too, although we don't see him playing one in canon.
He's in general fascinated by other people and cultures that are different from his own, so he wants to learn about those as much as possible. He's also hoping to join the Order, so he probably is taking an interest in studying their particular views, too.
6. Is he an introvert or an extrovert?
He's naturally extroverted, although he feels very anxious in crowds these days.
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is he even-tempered or does he have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven?
Definitely very mood-swingy, even without the horns. (Although they probably made that side of him WORSE.) He's naturally a cheerful person, but has gotten a sort of cynical, darker sense of humor than he used to have. He likes to relax and can be a little lazy, but once he sets his mind on something it can become an obsession that he focuses on and works toward at the cost of other things in his life.
8. How does he respond to new people or situations? Is he suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?
Warm, but wary. He presents a front of the "friendly guy next door that most definitely doesn't have a dark past" until he gets to know someone really well. He's a bit more anxious in social situations in general than he used to be, between his low self-esteem and the effects the horns had on him.
9. Is he more likely to act, or to react?
He's a bit more prone to reacting, I think.
10. Which is his default: fight or flight?
Fight, for sure. He seems to tackle things that bother him head on, for better or worse. (Chrono makes the horns scream? SHOOT HIM. 'Sister' wants me to take the horns off? SHOOT HER. Aion wants to attack my sister? Jump between him and her even though I don't have the horns anymore!)
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does he appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks?
Snarky, sarcastic, and a little dark. He likes pulling pranks, too. I think he would maybe pick up a bit of Fiore's dry sense of humor from time to time--and he'd maybe enjoy the occasional odd metaphor.
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does he deal with them?
None mentioned in canon, although it's established that he has plenty of issues. I don't think he's been diagnosed with anything, although I think the Order is probably keeping a careful watch on him.
As for dealing with it, well...he just doesn't deal with it. In his head it's probably best to pretend he's "normal" rather than worry Rosette or someone else over his issues. (He really hates admitting when he has a problem and needs help. He really, really, really hates it.)
13. What moments in this character's life have defined him as a person?
His parents' deaths--in particular the chaos that happened afterward and his promise to Rosette at their father's grave. Also getting the horns, his time spent with Aion, Fiore and the other Sinners in general, and the final battle where he lost the horns and then worked with Azmaria to lead the Apostles in helping Rosette and Chrono.
14. What does he fear?
Himself. He doesn't know how much of his crazy personality with the horns was something that was already in him, and how much of it is something that's STILL in him. He's secretly afraid that one day he'll snap and switch back to that personality.
He's also very anxious around crowds these days.
15. What are his hopes or aspirations?
As a kid he wanted to be an explorer, although I don't think that's his dream anymore. Now his aspirations mostly focus on trying to become a better person and move on from his mistakes. He wants to be someone his sister can be proud of.
He also hopes that one day the Order will be able to help rebuild New York City, but there's a long road ahead of them.
16. What is something he doesn't want anyone to find out about him?
He doesn't want new people to find out about his past. He just wants them to see him the way he is now, instead of the person he once was.
Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with his parents.
His parents died in a shipwreck when he was around 4, so he doesn't remember them much. I think they were a fairly close family before it happened and it was a loving environment, so he remembers them fondly, but they've been dead for a decade now, so he doesn't think about them as much anymore and often can't even quite remember what they looked like.
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?
He has an older sister named Rosette, whom he absolutely adores. As kids, they promised each other at their parents' funeral that they would stay together and learn to become adults together. Joshua also promised himself that he would become strong as soon as he could, so he could support and protect Rosette. That's one of the major, major reasons why he ended up taking the horns--he felt that he couldn't keep his promise to himself if he was chained to a bed.
With the horns, he became absolutely obsessed with Rosette, waaaaay beyond healthy boundaries. With his memories fading and his mental picture of Rosette far away from reality, he dreamed her up as as pure, innocent maiden--instead of the loud, violent, blunt sister he really had. It was bad enough that he didn't recognize her, and almost ended up killing her then and there (although she luckily managed to shoot off one of the horns and helped him regain his sanity).
He deeply regrets what he did now, and he also bears a lot of guilt due to Rosette making a contract with a demon, shortening her lifespan. He knows she doesn't have much time left to live and it absolutely breaks his heart, particularly since he feels responsible. It's probably a bit awkward for them now and they have to learn who each other is again, but they still care a lot about each other, and Joshua is determined to spend as much time as he can with his sister until her lifespan runs out.
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom he is close? Are there ones he can't stand?
They don't seem to have any other living relatives, at least none that they're in touch with.
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom he considers part of his family? What are his relationships with them?
Lots! First of all there's Chrono--a childhood friend of his and practically his brother-in-law due to Chrono's relationship with Rosette. He's got mixed feelings on it--he doesn't know Chrono that well at all when it comes right down to it, since he was taken away by Aion so quickly, so the first thing he learned after seeing Chrono again without being horn-crazy was that Rosette was dying due to Chrono's contract. He was REALLY angry with Chrono until Aion pointed out to him that Rosette made the contract to save him. At times, he blames Chrono for the contract, at times he blames himself. But he knows Chrono cares about him and cares about Rosette even more, and he knows Rosette loves him, so he's doing his best to forgive Chrono. Right now, more than anything, he's just pissed off that Chrono's disappeared and is making his sister wait for him--if he's even still alive.
He also considers the other Sinners like family, I think, since he grew up with them around. Brief (hah!) summaries:
Aion -- Cared about him like an older brother, but now has mixed feelings since he lost the horns. He knows Aion manipulated him and used him, and he hates what Aion did and the plans he took part of. But part of him agrees with Aion's ideals, and sympathizes with his decisions. In the end, he thinks Aion's now dead, and he switches between being bitterly angry with him and mourning him. (And he feels that he can't talk to anyone about how he feels, either, which makes it worse.)
Fiore -- Sort of like a sister to him, although he was also in love with her. (Note: In the anime he actually thinks Fiore is his sister, but in the manga he doesn't--he confused her with Rosette once when he first was taken away by Aion and soon realized she wasn't his sister at all.) He KNOWS that something happened to her in Eden during the final battle, since he sensed her astral signature suddenly disappearing, but he doesn't know WHAT, and it's very very very upsetting to him. He's heartbroken over it.
Shader -- He was annoyed by her teasing and overly-cheerful personality, but he liked her and considered her a friend. He's afraid she's dead, too. He doesn't miss her as much as Fiore or maybe even Aion, but he's still upset.
Rizelle -- Headcanon and subject to change if I ever play against a Rizelle, but I don't think they had a great relationship, they seemed a little hostile to each other. However, he regrets sending her after Rosette and causing her death, and feels it's just another one of the things he has to atone for.
Genai -- He definitely didn't like this guy, way too aggressive. But now that he doesn't have the horns he pities him a little.
Viede -- They don't seem to have been particularly close, but Viede seemed to be an all right guy. He liked books, after all.
He also considers the other Apostles as like something of a family, although he's not particularly close to them. But he does try to keep in touch with them. Out of all of them, he's closest to Azmaria, and has been getting to know her a little better since the final battle on Christmas. He admires her and considers her a strong person (although she'd probably flail and deny it). She's sort of cute, too.
Also I think Father Remington would probably become something like a father figure/mentor to him, since he's that way with Rosette. I think things would be pretty awkward between them to start with. Now that he's been with the Order for a little time they've probably got at least a professional relationship, although I don't know if Joshua would be comfortable treating him as warmly as Rosette does.
5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet?
Fiore would probably be the closest thing he's ever had to a best friend. They met when he first arrived at Aion's place and wandered around, confused by the noise and found a girl hooked up to a machine. He called her "sister", mistaking her for Rosette, and that somehow awoke within her the memories of the girl she used to be, which allowed her to stop being an empty "doll" and to have some sort of autonomy again.
6. Does he have other close friends?
Rosette, yeah. She probably counts. He's also pretty good friends with Azmaria, and it's possible he's made a few other friends at the Order, but otherwise he's probably a bit of a loner.
7. Does he make friends easily, or does he have trouble getting along with people?
When he was a kid, a lot of the other orphans were afraid or weirded out of him because of his powers and his illness, so he ended up being something of an outcast there. And after he got the horns he pushed people away just because of how much the "noise" hurt him (and I doubt Aion would want him hanging out with anyone that wasn't a Sinner anyway).
Now that he doesn't have the horns, I think he does OK at making acquaintances, but more meaningful friendships are tough for him because he tends to put up a lot of emotional barriers.
8. Which does he consider more important: family or friends?
Rosette's the most important. Everyone else falls into place after that.
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has he been married more than once?
Pfft, no, at 17 he's still a bit young to be thinking in that direction, and he's married to his work more than anything at the moment.
10. Is he currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?
He's in love with Fiore, but it's unclear if she returned his affection, and as far as he knows, she could be dead. (And no, he's definitely not over it yet.)
11. Who was his first crush? Who is his latest?
He seems to have been too distraught by his own problems at the orphanage to really get along with anyone there, so Fiore was probably his first crush. He hasn't really had anyone else since then, although a part of him does find Azmaria kind of cute.
12. What does he look for in a romantic partner?
He likes introverted, sweet, feminine girls. Bonus points if they're good cooks or good listeners. He's attracted to people he can go to for advice and be honest about his feelings without fear of judgement.
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does he relate to them? If no, does he want any?
Nope, no kids. He hasn't really thought much about whether or not he wants any, although maybe that would be OK in the distant future. But he's got a lot of problems to work through before he'd really be confident that he wouldn't screw up a kid.
14. Does he have any rivals or enemies?
Not really. Chrono was something of a rival/enemy to him at one point, but he's disappeared and he regrets treating him like that anyway. I doubt he's enough of a golden boy at the Order to have any rivals there, either.
15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does he fall on the Kinsey scale?
Around a 1? He reeeeeeeeeeally likes girls, although it wouldn't be impossible for him to be attracted to a guy. He probably would have difficulty admitting it, though, considering his background. It's not particularly clear how the Magdalan Order feels about LGBT issues but the odds are probably not good that it'd be accepted.
16. How does he feel about sex? How important is it to him?
He's a bit awkward about it. He's a virgin--I don't think anything happened between him and Fi--and he was basically raised by, well...either a widow or an old maid, and then a zombie maid and Aion, who doesn't actually seem particularly interested in sex in canon.
Also he's got a bit of a stick up his ass now that he's trying so hard to be taken seriously as a member of the Order.
not that he's not interesting in sex. He's very interested. Just...good luck getting him to admit that.
17. What are his turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?
...He likes maid outfits.
Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does he fit type?
Headcanon birthday is April 9, 1909, which would make him an Aries and a Rooster. From what (very) little I know of astrology he seems to fit as an Aries very well, but as as Rooster...not as much? A little bit, but the horns beat a lot of the Rooster traits out of him, I think.
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in his life?
Definitely spiritual--it would be hard not to be after being used as an "emissary of the dead" I think. He strongly believes that there are spiritual forces outside of the physical world, since he was granted powers by those forces and interacted with them.
He's also sort of religious, but he struggles with doubt. A lot of things about Christianity appeals to him--particularly the themes of forgiveness and redemption, since he desperately craves those. But he does question what God's plan was for him taking the horns, if there IS a God and it all was his plan. He also feels a little out-of-place and uncomfortable in the Order sometimes, since it's a bit strict and he was taught by Aion to be suspicious of "systems." However, he's devoted to the Order because of the ideals they represent--even if he has plenty of doubts he keeps to himself.
3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it?
Not particularly, although he current is very driven to find a way to give back to other people to make up for the things he's done.
4. How does he regard beliefs that differ from his? Is he tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?
Curious, although he might blurt out something ignorant unknowingly. He's not the most sensitive person in the world to other people's feelings, but he DOES want to understand people and he finds learning about other cultures and beliefs fascinating. He would probably be pretty wary of beliefs that sound too similar to something that Aion would say, though.
5. What prejudices does he hold? Are they irrational or does he have a good reason for them?
I think he's pretty open-minded, although he can sometimes have pretty old-fashioned (for 2012) views on gender roles. He thinks that as a guy he should be strong and be able to protect Rosette, and he tends to poke fun at Rosette for being loud, aggressive and a poor cook. He's in particular bothered by appearing unmanly to other people, which...is pretty unavoidable. He's scrawny and bookish and a homebody; he doesn't fit the masculine ideal he's set up for himself, and it REALLY bothers him.
Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is he rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?
He has very little to his name right now--his belongings with the Sinners were either destroyed or taken as evidence by the Order, he couldn't bare to take much from Seventh Bell, and the Order doesn't really pay all that well. (This is MAJOR headcanon, but...HOWEVER, I do think his parents were actually pretty well off--they seemed to be well dressed, have a large house, and could afford traveling across the world. Whether or not the money is still there or was taken away by the mysterious "adults" in Joshua and Rosette's flashbacks of their parents' death remains to be seen, though. It's possible that as an adult he'll finally inherit a good amount of money. Or maybe the money's already gone.)
2. What is his social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him?
Not great. He's an orphan, and again...the Order doesn't pay all that well. There's maybe a bit of prestige with the job though.
3. Where does he live? House, apartment, trailer? Is his home his castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does he share it with others?
He lives in a dorm room in the Order. He requested a room to himself when he arrived at the Order and they were able to fill this request. He still lives in a room alone, although at this point he'd be comfortable enough with sharing a room if they needed the space. He's not particularly attached to his room, but it's comfortable enough.
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does he spend his money on?
Whenever Aion gave him spending money, he mostly used it on pulp magazines, dime novels and other things to read. He doesn't really have much free cash in the Order, and often what little he has goes toward buying trinkets to send to Rosette for the kids at Seventh Bell, or little gifts for Az and Rosette. Occasionally he'll still buy himself a dime novel though.
5. What does he do for a living? Is he good at it? Does he enjoy it, or would he rather be doing something else?
He currently works in the Order, focusing on charity work. He's kind and a hardworker, although he generally feels behind when it comes to stuff like theological knowledge--a lot of the members of the Order have been studying MUCH longer than he has.
6. What are his interests or hobbies? How does he spend his free time?
He loves to read, particularly on topics we would consider sort of "geeky." He likes westerns, sci-fi, the occult, fantasy, etc. He also had a lot of model airplanes and toy guns growing up.
He seems to enjoy singing and has some knowledge of how to play a pipe organ (and can probably play piano, too) although he's not particularly devoted to music. It's just something to do. Something Aion taught him, too, which probably doesn't help.
7. What are his eating habits? Does he skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?
He has a massive sweet tooth, and also really likes coffee. With the horns he had a bad habit of forgetting to eat and skipping meals, although he doesn't have that problem much anymore. However, at the Order he doesn't eat in the common eating area whenever he can avoid it, and instead prefers to eat alone in his room. (Headcanon: Father Remington has expressed concern over this, but he's being stubborn--the cafeteria is "too noisy.") He hates carrots and will usually refuse to eat them unless someone he cares about puts their foot down.
Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is his favorite:
1. Color? Blue and black.
2. Smell? An ocean breeze.
3. Time of day? Sunset.
4. Season? Summer.
5. Book? Picking just ONE favorite would probably be tough for him, but he really likes Poe's body of work.
6. Music? Jazz is the bee's knees!
7. Place? The beach. He misses Aion's house sometimes.
8. Substance? No idea...pudding?
9. Plant? Freshly cut grass and apple trees.
10. Animal? He's a dog person, but for big and friendly dogs, not the little yippy things that old ladies carry in purses.
END
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