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Born in Brimstone

@T Risket
I'm good with whatever.

Born in Brimstone

“And don't you worry bud-My big sis told me that this house isn't really haunted. Heck, she actually said when she was our age she even knew the family that lived there.” James looked at Max. “Besides, if there is a bear in there I'll punch em right in his big furry snout!” James laughed when Max almost comically crashed. "Yeah, you're probably right. These guys might just jump out and try and get us to scream." James went silent. "The only problem is, I probably will. After all, I am the Germ, right?"

The nickname had originated after his constant germophobia in elementary and middle. To be fair, he must have been annoying, constantly saying: "Do you know how many germs are on that?" Or "You're gonna catch something!" . However, the volume people used it in bothered him to an extent that he had never been bothered to before. For a week or two in elementary, he faked sick just to avoid the insults and the teasing. However, once he met Max, he began to stop caring. Max had a way of looking at things. Like it was all just a big adventure. And when James started hanging out with Max, he started to feel that way as well.

After a senior named Molly informed them it was fake, he felt a bit better about the 'haunted' house. When Max nudged him with his elbow, he looked up. "OH yeah, we don't need anybody!" He said, trying to make himself as nonchalant as possible and miserably failing. He looked to Max. "Alright...Let's do this. Can't be that bad, right?" James took a deep puff from his inhaler, then walked into the belly of the beast. After the Molly's warning, he didn't react much to the door slamming, with only a slight jump. "Max? Maybe we should just find the closest exit? The party will probably be lame anyways! We can just go to the arcade! Maybe I'll beat Goro!" He pleaded with his friend, before falling silent after looking around the mansion's interior. The graffiti and busted furniture didn't catch his attention, no, the corn shucks and footprints did. He almost immediately went into 'puzzle mode'. "These footprints are recent. As are these." He said while gesturing to the footprints and corn shucks. "Alright, this is starting to freak me out Max!" He said, his breathing quickening.

As long as James had been alive, he had asthma attacks. Eventually they became routine for him and his parents, but they didn't fail to make him panic from time to time. "Max. I'm having," He wheezed. "An asthma attack." He pulled out his inhaler. "Son of a bitch!" He yelled after it fell between his shaking fingers. He bent down and picked it up, and took a deep breath. "Holy shit. Holy shit." He said as his lungs started to clear, cradling his inhaler like the holy grail.

Born in Brimstone

@T Risket
Got my first post up!

Born in Brimstone

@T Risket
"Are. You. SERIOUS?" James almost screamed. Goro had taunted him for as long as he could remember, and this time he had really thought he would get him. "Welp...I'm sure you'll get him next time " Max said to him. "Yeah, probably." When Max looked at his watch, he shuddered. "Looks like its time to get goin anyways...we don't wana be late for the haunted house" Max grinned while saying this, but James knew it was forced. "Oh, right..." He stared off into space, before following Max out the door, and onto their bikes. All night he had been trying to forget about the inevitable visit to the haunted house. But now, as they glided towards it on their bikes, he felt a bit less apprehensive. The bikes soothed him. He was still terrified, but he could deal with terror. It was the uncertainty that got him. And the questions. Will I have an asthma attack? Will there be an accident? Will something go wrong? Will I die? Finally, they arrived. James shook at the building. "How did I get here?" He muttered to himself.

1 and a half hours earlier...

"DAAAAAAD!" James yelled from his upstairs bedroom. "Got any money?" He said as he practically sprinted down the stairs. James's father looked over his glasses, one eyebrow raised. "And why would you need this money, James?" James froze. Oh crap oh cra-"To get books!" He shrugged nervously. "Why else?" His mother gave her input from the kitchen. "As long as you and Max don't go to that 'Comic Cavern'." She used air quotation marks on this. James sighed exasperatedly. James's father handed him two dollars in quarters. James looked at the score in mock sadness. "I won't be able to get more than one book!" James's father looked suspicious, but he gave him another dollar. "Thanks dad! Bye, love you!" He said quickly while rushing out the door.
He practically leaped onto his bike, pedaling out of the driveway as fast as possible while a grin stretched across his face. "This is going to be so rad!" He rode as fast as he could to the Comic Cavern, and when he arrived he impatiently stored his bike and ran inside. He looked around, amazed by the sheer amount of joy all these arcade machines and comics could gift a kid like him. While he was waiting for Max, he browsed the machines, surprised by a new machine. "Polybius..." He read out loud to himself. He had never heard of it before, but hey, might be good. He was about to put some quarters in when he noticed a certain bike pulling towards the Comic Cavern. James began walking out to greet Max.

Present

"Are you sure this thing is up to code Max? It might, I dunno, fall on us! Or what happens if a bear is living in there? We'll get mauled!" He took a puff of his inhaler. "Just saying, man, we need to be safe about this." Max was his best friend. (And maybe his only.) Sometimes he rushed into situations that, may or may not be safe. He looked back at the imposing building. "We don't necessarily have to do this Max." Not even his sunglasses could hide the fear in James's eyes. "Never mind. Let's just get this over with. Then do you wanna go to my house and read some of the new comics I got?" He loved sharing his comics with Max. Even if they were less than impressive, and only mediocre, he had a massive collection.
Max was one of the few who understood James, and one of the even fewer to befriend him. It wasn't because James was hard to befriend. Nope, it was because it was hard for him to befriend someone. They had similar interests, unlike most of the boys in his class who loved sports and football and all the stuff James hated. The nerdiness of the two was a source for max teasing and even more shunning. However, James didn't mind it anymore, as long as he had Max on his side, he would be okay with things.

Born in Brimstone

@T Risket
That sounds good, actually!

Born in Brimstone

@T Risket
I think James'll go to the arcade for his first post.

Star Wars: Hazard Squad

"I really think we need to focus?" Dek said, looking around wildly. He put on his standard issue helmet and grabbed his E-11. "We need to get to a safe area where we can try and get a transmission to the Empire. They can send reinforcements and we'll be fine, right? That's the standard protocol for something like this."

Born in Brimstone

James

"That's not a good idea."

{Full Name}
James Zhao

{Nickname}
James The Germ

{Age}
14

{Gender}
Male

{Sexuality}
Straight

{Appearance}
James is relatively average height for his age, at "5'4". He has a wiry frame and is quite scrawny, though it doesn't seem to matter to him. His hair is a raven black and it hangs over his eyes most of the time, which are a dark brown.
{Clothing Style}
James almost always wears his hat and aviator sunglasses. He wears a jacket even in the hottest of conditions, and trousers to match. He wears an ACDC shirt underneath. As well as white reebok high tops.

{Likes}
Logic Puzzles
Fries(only with vinegar)
Comics
Video Games
Jokes
ACDC
Riding his Bike
The Comic Cavern

{Dislikes}
People who beat his high score
People calling him James the Germ
Sports
His Asthma
Politics

{Fears}
The abandoned house.
The unknown.
Sicknesses.

{Personality}
James is quiet around most, but he opens up with his friends or at places he loves. He loves logic puzzles and always is up for a challenge. He is a great problem solver and go-getter, but is hindered by his nervousness. He wishes he could be an athlete but his asthma inhibits him, so he has resorted to hating sports. He cherishes his friends and enjoys spending time with all of them. He loves cracking jokes, despite him being horrible at them. He is very vulnerable to insults or rejection.

{History}
James was born in Brimstone to two immigrant parents, and has spent his whole life here. He went through the elementary school with no friends and nothing to do, due to his asthma and lack of freedom, so he started challenging himself with logic puzzles. He quickly grew to love them, and they took up much of his time. He was mocked and bullied horribly. However, once he got to middle school and was offered more freedom, he quickly began to spend his time at the Comic Cavern, playing arcade games and reading comics. He never had many friends, but it didn't bother him.
Not any more, at least. He had all he would ever need. Eventually, he found people who tolerated him and had similar interests. It seemed like James's life was perfect, and everything was okay. Until he opened his eyes, and noticed that the town was losing visitors. Something was wrong. He would hear whispers about the Egg Man, and stories of friends of cousins of uncles who had died to it. He tried to ignore it, but it was everywhere. Perhaps it's time for James the Germ to solve yet another puzzle. Or die trying.


{Other}
His parents disapprove of his visits to the Comic Cavern.

Born in Brimstone

@T Risket
Can I place the Germ in the CHAR section?

Star Wars: Hazard Squad

@Gisk
Accepted, but from now on we are full.