[hider=Elena Castellano][CENTER][img]https://i.ibb.co/ySTS37v/brittany-signature-script-regular.webp[/img][/CENTER] [i][color=#F88379]"Curiosity never killed the cat—she just came back a little wiser."[/color][/i] [table][row][/row][row][cell] [center][img]https://spiritvibez.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/27-Daily-Habits-to-Improve-Your-Mental-Health-1-min.png[/img] [sup]_______________________________________________[/sup] [sub]Elena Castellano She/Her [b]|[/b] 20 [b]|[/b] Mixed (Spanish and African American) [b]|[/b] 5'6" [b]|[/b] 135lbs [sup]_______________________________________________[/sup] Charismatic [sup]_______________________________________________[/sup] Skills & Talents[/sub] [i][color=#F88379]"I’ve learned to read people, places, and the stuff they try to hide."[/color][/i] [sup]___________________________________[/sup][/center][hider=] [sub] [b][Street Smarts] ⫻[/b] Growing up on the South Bank, Elena has developed a solid understanding of navigating Cloverfield’s rougher areas. She knows how to read situations, identify potential threats, and move safely within the city. [b][People Reading] ⫻[/b] Elena has a knack for picking up on body language and subtle cues, helping her sense what others may be feeling or hiding. This skill aids her in her social interactions and investigations. [b][Basic Herbology] ⫻[/b] Having helped her mother in their herbal shop, Elena has a working knowledge of basic herbs and plants. She can mix simple remedies and teas, mostly for calming or minor healing. [b][Photo Documentation] ⫻[/b] Elena’s eye for photography helps her document her explorations. She captures details others might miss, giving her a catalog of evidence and memories of her discoveries, which also aids her investigative work.[/sub] [/hider] [/cell][cell][sub][b] Appearance[/b][/sub] [sub][sup]▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔[/sup][/sub] [i][color=#F88379]"Yeah, this is as dressed up as I’m gonna get."[/color][/i] [indent]Elena stands at 5’6”, with a natural, laid-back look that matches her easygoing personality. Her medium-length, dark curly hair is often left loose, framing her face in soft waves, though she’ll occasionally pull it up into a ponytail or messy bun when she’s on the move. Her warm brown skin has a natural glow, and she doesn’t fuss much with skincare beyond the basics—her appearance is effortlessly polished without too much attention. Her style leans heavily toward casual, comfortable clothing. She favors fitted t-shirts, tank tops, or loose sweaters paired with well-worn jeans or leggings, often throwing on a light jacket or hoodie if it’s cooler out. Her footwear of choice is usually sneakers or ankle boots, sturdy enough for the city streets but relaxed enough to reflect her low-maintenance vibe. Elena likes earthy tones—soft browns, olive greens, and muted reds—but she’s not afraid to mix in brighter colors when the mood strikes. She’s usually seen wearing minimal jewelry, like small hoop earrings or a simple pendant necklace, adding just a touch of personality without going overboard. Her accessories are practical: a crossbody bag where she keeps her notebook and a few other essentials, and occasionally a beanie or baseball cap when she wants to keep her hair out of her face. She rarely bothers with makeup, but when she does, it’s subtle—just a bit of mascara or a hint of lip balm to enhance her natural look. Her eyes, always full of curiosity and wit, are her most expressive feature, often hinting at the sarcastic comment that’s about to follow. Her overall style is relaxed and functional, but it carries a certain effortless charisma that makes her stand out without trying too hard.[/indent] [/cell][/row][/table][sub][b] Psychology[/b][/sub] [sub][sup]▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔[/sup][/sub] [i][color=#F88379]"It’s all just one big puzzle, and I don’t plan on leaving pieces out."[/color][/i] [INDENT][b]MAIN GOAL ⫻[/b] Elena’s goal is to uncover Cloverfield’s hidden layers, delving into the city’s forgotten histories and magical underpinnings without getting pulled into its web of power struggles. She sees herself as a witness to Cloverfield’s strange and shifting story, not a hero—and she prefers it that way. [b]PHILOSOPHY ⫻[/b] Life is short, so Elena believes in making it as interesting as possible. She approaches each day as if there’s always something worth discovering, and she thinks everyone, from the wealthiest elite to the lowest wanderer in the South Bank, has a story worth listening to, even if it’s just for the thrill of the unknown. [b]SECRETS ⫻[/b] Despite her laid-back attitude, Elena is afraid that her carefree outlook might be a cover for deeper anxieties about herself and the world around her. She wonders if her fascination with Cloverfield’s mysteries is just a way to avoid facing her own fears of commitment, loss, or personal vulnerability. [b]SEXUALITY ⫻[/b] Bisexual. Elena is drawn to people with a strong sense of self, regardless of gender, though she often keeps relationships casual to avoid emotional entanglements that feel too binding. [b]FEARS ⫻[/b] Her biggest fear is losing her independence, either through the dangerous entanglements in Cloverfield’s underworld or by succumbing to the more treacherous elements she uncovers. The Cataclysm reinforced her aversion to being tied down, as she saw firsthand how fast things could fall apart. [b]WHAT DID THEY DO DURING THE CATACLYSM? ⫻ [/b] When Nyrah the Ravager descended, Elena and her mother were among the South Bank residents scrambling to protect what little they had. The emotional surge of the event triggered Elena’s Kindling, connecting her to her ancestors’ magic. The experience left her both awed and unsettled, fueling her curiosity about Cloverfield’s magical legacy and her desire to understand the city’s supernatural history. [b]FLAWS ⫻[/b] Elena’s sarcastic, unbothered attitude often comes across as dismissive, especially when others are dealing with serious issues. Her independence borders on recklessness, and she sometimes relies too heavily on charm and quick wit to avoid or defuse tense situations. Her refusal to form deep attachments can prevent her from fully trusting others, making her prone to handling matters alone—even when she’d be better off asking for help.[/INDENT] [sub][b] Backstory[/b][/sub] [sub][sup]▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔[/sup][/sub] [i][color=#F88379]"This city keeps its secrets close… but not close enough."[/color][/i] [indent]Elena grew up on Cloverfield’s South Bank, where life was as tough as the city’s worn-out pavement. Her mother, a resilient herbalist, ran a small shop tucked away in a narrow alley. The shop was known among locals for its remedies and teas, blending traditional medicine with Cloverfield’s subtle, lingering magic. Elena spent her childhood there, weaving through shelves stacked with dried herbs and jars of vibrant potions, watching her mother tend to people from all walks of life. As she got older, Elena grew familiar with the South Bank’s harsh realities. The lack of investment in her community was glaring, and even as the North side glittered with opulent nightclubs and skyscrapers, the South Bank was left in the shadows, struggling with neglect, crime, and a heavy-handed police presence. This disparity between the two sides of Cloverfield sharpened Elena’s natural curiosity and sense of independence, shaping her into a young woman who could navigate any situation with charm and quick wit. The Cataclysm struck when Elena was 18, ripping through the city with Nyrah the Ravager’s destructive magic. She and her mother were among those scrambling to salvage their shop, with its delicate shelves and walls barely able to withstand the chaos. In the turmoil, Elena experienced a powerful emotional surge—fear, determination, and anger collided within her, triggering her Kindling Event. In that moment, she connected to her ancestors’ magic, a mix of memories, knowledge, and wisdom, passed down through generations of her family. The experience was overwhelming yet oddly familiar, like stepping into a story she’d heard a hundred times but was only now beginning to understand. After the Cataclysm, Elena felt an even stronger pull toward Cloverfield’s hidden stories and supernatural secrets. As she helped her mother rebuild their herbal shop, Elena began to experiment with her magical abilities, finding ways to weave memories and protective charms into her tea blends. These brews became her gateway to understanding the city’s past, its lingering energies, and the emotional imprints left by its inhabitants. Now, Elena carefully balances her time between aiding her mother in the shop and using her teas to explore Cloverfield’s mysteries. She often collects herbs and relics that might add potency to her brews, and her blends have become a valuable tool for uncovering the truths behind strange occurrences—like the whispered tales of werewolf packs, strange lights in the lower districts, and mysterious disappearances that seem too frequent to be mere coincidence. Elena keeps her abilities discreet, sharing her brews only with those she trusts, aware of how dangerous her teas’ effects could be if they fell into the wrong hands. She doesn’t see herself as a hero—she’s more of a curious soul drawn to the shadows, piecing together the city’s story one brew at a time. For Elena, Cloverfield is like a living puzzle, layered with secrets, and she’s determined to unravel as much of it as she can without losing herself in the process.[/indent] [sub][b] Abstraction[/b][/sub] [sub][sup]▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔[/sup][/sub] [i][color=#F88379]"Some things just brew better with a little magic."[/color][/i] [indent][b]TYPE ⫻[/b] Adept [b]LUX ⫻[/b] White (Nostalgia) — Elena has an affinity for White Lux, allowing her to gather information from memories, past events, and people. Her connection to White Lux is fueled by her natural curiosity and desire to uncover hidden histories. [b]CHANNELER ⫻[/b] Elena’s Channeler is a vintage tea infuser passed down through her family. This intricate, antique infuser, etched with faint symbols of her lineage, helps her focus her magic into each blend she creates, tapping into her ancestors’ collective knowledge and intent. [b]SPELLS ⫻[/b] Memory Brew ⫻ By using her tea infuser and brewing with specific herbs, Elena can imbue her tea with the essence of a memory. Drinking the tea allows a person to briefly recall a personal memory that feels clearer and more vivid. (Effect duration: 10 minutes, no effect on repressed memories) Forget-Me-Not ⫻ This tea, brewed with a carefully selected blend, helps protect memories from external influences. It acts as a mental shield, strengthening a person’s recollections and making it harder for them to forget details over time. (Effect duration: several hours, no effect on naturally fading memories) Echo’s Brew ⫻ Elena can create a tea that, when sipped, reveals faint whispers or feelings left behind by those who have visited the area before her. This brew’s effects allow her to tap into past emotions within her immediate vicinity, giving her a general sense of prior events. (Range: 10 meters, duration: 15 minutes) [b]LIMITS ⫻[/b] Elena’s spells require both time and focus to brew, so she can’t create magical teas on the fly—they must be carefully prepared in a controlled environment, typically taking several minutes to brew each blend. Additionally, each tea’s effects are limited by the emotional or historical significance of the herbs she selects; ordinary or low-emotion ingredients weaken the magic. Excessive use of her abilities results in strong mental and physical fatigue, requiring her to rest between brewing sessions, especially after using multiple teas in succession. [b]WEAKNESSES ⫻[/b] Memory Brew ⫻ The brew is slightly addictive at best, and an obsession at worst. Those who experience these more vivid memories will begin to develop a taste for it, and this taste could turn into a full-blown need. The more they experience the less vivid reality will become, and the less vivid reality becomes the more intense these magical memories will seem. Eventually, someone could become entirely dependent on the brew. The withdrawal will also be painful and could lead to serious physiological issues if not handled correctly. Forget-Me-Not ⫻ No weakness Echo’s Brew ⫻ If this tea is sipped near the location of a recent, terrible tragedy the user could become overwhelmed by the past emotions. [/INDENT] [sup][b] Other[/b][/sup] [sub][sup]▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔[/sup][/sub] [i][color=#F88379]"Nothing like a good story, even if it’s someone else’s."[/color][/i] [indent] Hobbyist Photographer ⫻ Elena has a small collection of vintage cameras and loves snapping shots of abandoned buildings and hidden spots around Cloverfield. She keeps the photos in a journal, sometimes scribbling down little observations or mysteries to revisit. Tea Blending ⫻ Thanks to her time helping in her mom’s herbal shop, Elena has picked up the art of blending teas. She often brews her own custom blends for energy, calm, or clarity, sometimes adding a few ‘secret ingredients’ to bring out certain memories or emotions. Quirky Collector⫻ Elena has an eye for unusual trinkets and objects, especially those with a story. Her room is filled with odd finds—a chipped porcelain figurine, a single vintage glove, a worn playing card—each with its own mystery she likes to ponder. [/INDENT] [/hider]