》NAME: Valerian Nico Alvarez-Knight
》HEIGHT & WEIGHT: 178 cm || 68 kg
Long and gangly, Val is blatantly a youth who has not quite grown into their frame yet. Though not underweight, they are thin and boney, lacking in both muscle and fat, which gives them an overall delicate look. They have a light tawny complexion, and a scattering of acne across their face which they tend to cover up with makeup. Their face is thin with round eyes, high cheekbones, a perky upturned nose, and a sharp chin. They sport a pixie cut, the bangs covering nearly their whole forehead and constantly falling into their eyes until they push it aside. Valerian’s naturally dark brown hair is dyed dark blue. Their eyebrows are trimmed thin, and their hazel eyes are accentuated by a black eyeliner. Both of Val’s ears are pierced multiple times (triple lobe, industrial, helix), their left brow twice, and their right nostril once. They own an assortment of earrings to accessorize with.
They wear punk inspired fashion; jeans (ripped and/or patched), printed shirts, leather jackets, studded belts, clip-on chains, black combat boots, and some fitting necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Naturally, they paint all their nails a matte black (sometimes adding some more oomph). Valerian usually walks quickly, furtively; shoulders stooped, gaze turned downwards and darting around, and though appearing self-absorbed, they move fluidly through crowds and quickly become alert when something relevant (such as being called upon by an acquaintance) or potentially dangerous happens. In such cases, they temporarily draw up to their full height, straightening their spine and lifting their head for the duration of whatever event drew their attention.
》THE ISSUE: Delusional disorder
There were certain instances of oddness in Valerian's childhood, but nothing that’d be remarked upon as outrageously unusual; a few vivid nightmares, a penchant for depicting monstrous and visceral imagery, a brief interest for the occult and paranormal. Since those practices waned (or perhaps became entirely a private thing of Val’s), they were considered just another child and adolescent in the family of many; and who didn’t have a few quirks, after all? However, after their outgoing counterpart, a twin named Vivian Marsh, died just after their graduation, things went downhill. Valerian suffered a brief psychotic disorder and was hospitalized for the duration (two and a half weeks) of it. Afterwards, they were left dealing with an intense grief, and began experiencing delusions to the point of being diagnosed once again. With medication, a gap year to attend to their health, and regular visitations of group theory, their mental state has stabilized…though no one could say it's gone back to ‘normal’. Accompanying their diagnosis are bouts of anxiety, stress, and self-harm.
Valerian was the third child (and their twin, Vivian, the fourth) of Maria Alvarez-Knight and Nelson Knight, a working-class mother and middle-class father. With two older siblings, Alicia (the oldest by 7 years) and Isaac (second oldest by 4 years), and a fairly large extended family, things were often hectic, especially for the holidays. The family’s financial situation was neither enviable nor pitiable; mostly, they were managing, sometimes very decently, other times with some amount of struggle. The children grew up quickly, especially Alicia, who moved away at 18 to live with some friends. While Isaac remained at home longer (if intermittently), he grew distant and distracted by work. And as for the youngest duo, they were raised less strictly, and led generally happy lives…until Vivian’s death, that is.
That one unexpected event deepened the existing cracks in the family life, bringing a persistent haze of grief, misery, and tension upon them. Valerian was the one most obviously affected, though of course they weren’t the only one to suffer. They did come to feel that their prolonged symptoms were of a more visible nature, and it has also become clear that their family did not appreciate or understand their delusions in the least. Valerian was sure their sister’s death was nothing mundane, became convinced they’d realized a slim slice of the Great Truth, sure that the World was conspiring against them for their insight. They were certainly aware that their beliefs caused unneeded strain between them and their family, and thus kept their convictions and recovery mainly to themselves. They’ve been staying at a dorm since starting college, their independent if rocky life inevitably being swept along by the uncaring march of time.
Digital Arts: Having enjoyed drawing since childhood, and branching into using a variety of media later on, Valerian eventually ended up going for a BA at uni. They also make some extra cash off of commissions.
Sewing: Val has done DIY on their clothes since early adolescence, so they've learned to use both needle and thread and a sewing machine skillfully.
Knowledge of human anatomy: Nico was decent at biology both in elementary and high school, and considered becoming a doctor at one point. However, the demands were too high, and their interest not intense enough to purse that path after all. They have retained some facts though.
Avoid Harm +3
Endure Injury +1
Keep It Together -1
Act Under Pressure +1 (+1 when giving first aid, patching up wounds)
Engage In Combat 0
Influence Others -2
Sixth Sense +2