Grey Omen

The Zephyr Extinct

Cedar.

Though not visibly, Cedar did give a small smile when Archer complimented his weapon choice, especially at 'suits you well' and 'don't need anything flashy to get the job done'. First impressions are important, and his seemed to be doing well.

Cedar instinctively stepped back as the quiet one - Fluke, said Archer - passed him for a second. He seemed a little strange, though that didn't necessarily indicate subpar performance in the field. Cedar couldn't quite get a grasp on him from just two words and his erratic behavior, something that almost bugged him a bit. Cedar settled for a small nod in his direction.

"A preferred tool can reflect the self better than any mirror," he muttered under his breath. Under his mask his brow furrowed slightly; another misplaced quote from some old book. Just another group of words to poke at his brain. He turned back to Archer. "You'll understand if I don't take any walnuts." He waved his open hand over his face. "A bit hard to eat in this and all. Still, thanks." His voice was thin but somehow close to raspiness as well, almost like a permanent scratchy throat.

His gaze moved over to the other recruits. The one who had came before him - Listener, apparently - had chosen a spear. He took a small glance at her mask. Metal with a diamond design on the front. Appreciably pleasing to the eye. She seemed the outgoing type - she was certainly very friendly. It felt a little strange, hearing someone so dynamic sounding behind the unmoving mask, but he was sure he'd get use to it.

The one who arrived after him - Steel Rose - had a mask half gears and wire, half color and life. He appreciated it artistically, though part of him wondered if it symbolized anything personal to her. He appreciated the weapon as well - one could never go wrong with putting a decent distance on a monster, and a pistol did a fine job at that. Naming it seemed a bit... frivolous, in a way, but Cedar didn't really care if the weapon had a name.

The last of the three - Iris - wore a more austere mask, angular and androgynous in a way Cedar found pleasing. Perhaps the simplicity of it appealed to Cedar's utilitarian; the mask was simple while still remaining aesthetically unique to the eye, which Cedar could always appreciate. Her weapon - a staff- might not've been to Cedar's taste, but he would reserve judgment for much later.

"We seem a good enough team as any," Cedar said. His voice betrayed no loud or excessive pride, but inwardly he felt a little excited. How could he not be? Still, he was a rookie. "Good weapons, good masks, good company - what more could one ask for?" Even now his tone only made a minor shift. Still, the way he kept drumming his fingers on the pole of his weapon gave away a little more of his mood.

The Zephyr Extinct

Just putting here that I'll have a post up by today (or at least today in my time zone).

The Zephyr Extinct

I think that'd be fine. General mod posts are probably less frequent than Fluke's in any case.

The Zephyr Extinct

Cedar wasn't usually one for the hustle and bustle in the city, but today was important, so he made an exception. Back in the Moonlight district most people were quieter, more conscious of personal space - not that it was never like this place, but the average day there was more simple. His wooden mask stood out in the crowd as much as his monochromatic grey outfit did. He wore a short grey cloak with the hood down and pants, which the heat outside was making him regret slightly, but he'd be damned if he was going to go outside in shorts.

Cedar walked with a quick stride, though his mind was elsewhere. To be honest, he was mainly trying to recall a passage from a book. He could only remember it had something to do with a man-made wall with slots in it facing the ocean and how it painted a picture of a very specific type of madness. It wasn't important to him at all, but for some reason it was gnawing at the back of his head. If only he could -

He abruptly stopped, or more accurately, was stopped by walking directly into another man. He regained his balance, but the other man fell.

"Oh - I'm sorry, sir," Cedar stuttered, quickly offering a hand. The other man accepted it, brushing himself off with his other hand. Traffic resumed flowing around them.

"No problem, man," the other man said. He looked up (apparently satisfied with dusting himself off) and suddenly seemed a little taken aback. The mask, perhaps? Cedar almost felt embarrassed - though what for he couldn't say - and was about to apologize again before he paused. The man's face suddenly seemed a tad familiar. Not someone he knew, but maybe -

"Forgive me if I'm wrong, but aren't you from Moonlight?" Cedar hazarded.

Almost instantly the man's face broke into a smile. Cedar mentally sighed in relief. "Yeah, I am. Funny seeing another one of us here. Then again, I guess it's harder to recognize with all the light in my eyes, huh? And the mask over yours, I guess." The man chuckled. "I'm Finn. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Cedar. You can call me Cee if you want." The words flowed naturally, and he almost felt a little proud of it. His old name somehow already felt like a lifetime ago. "Let's hope to see each other again, Finn."

"With any luck, Cee," Finn said, waving as he walked away. Another small twinge - being addressed by his new name. A good start, he supposed.

He made the rest of the walk safely, though he never remembered what book he'd been thinking of. By the time he arrived, another recruit was there as well. Cedar slipped into a more reserved stance, looking downward slightly with his hands close to his body. "Good morning, Archer." He inclined his head slightly towards the other recruit, whose name he didn't yet know. He looked over to the 'prophet' screaming nearby. A strange place to have a meeting, but maybe there was a reason for it.

He turned to the chest of weapons. Many he found not to his liking, but eventually settled on one. He picked it up, testing the weight. It seemed to be a halberd, though slightly smaller than an average one. He tested his fingers along the axe blade first, then the hook on the back end, then finally on the spike at the top. All sharp. It seemed manageable to carry and versatile enough for multiple scenarios. Rather plain, almost brutish in design, but serviceable. A weapon for the working man, perhaps. "This one will do," he said, putting the blunt end into the ground like a staff.

The Zephyr Extinct

I do think some action is important, considering the nature of Zephyr, but I'm also certain our characters will drive a lot of character-focused stuff. I agree with Lucky on the identity stuff as a possible theme (Cedar struggles with similar problems - half the time he barely feels like a real person). If I come up with more I'l make sure to say.

The Zephyr Extinct

Cedar

WHAT WAS YOUR CHARACTER'S NAME? WHAT IS THE CODENAME THEY NOW GO BY AS A ZE?
His old name was Ryan Barrett. Now he goes by Cedar.

DESCRIBE YOUR CHARACTER'S MASK AND APPEARANCE.
His mask is (appropriately) wooden. It has a splintered, vaguely haphazard look, but is otherwise featureless. He prefers it that way; with no visible facial expressions, even a static one on his mask, people tend to project whatever emotion they want on him instead. Besides the mask, he tends to stick to pants and jackets, never shorts or short sleeves, regardless of temperature. He has a preference for greys.

Inspiration.

WHAT IS A STRANGER'S FIRST IMPRESSION UPON MEETING THEM? HOW DOES YOUR CHARACTER SEE THEMSELVES?
To a stranger, he seems relatively normal, if slightly unnerving at times. He's very reserved, rarely laughing or making jokes, but always friendly and understanding. At first sight he might seem nearly bland, and he certainly does his best to avoid offense. While he never seems slow, everything he does, from body language to choice of words, seems oddly deliberate and thought out. Inwardly - though he would detest anyone knowing it - he struggles with empathy and motivation. He is acutely aware of his difficulties in empathizing sometimes and his lack of purpose and tends to think of himself as nearly 'pseudo-real'. Ironically, him thinking of himself as 'emotionally shallow' and 'dangerously apathetic' have given him more purpose than most things in his life. It's partially why he is always so friendly - he wants very badly to be what he sees as a 'better person' and thinks that forcing himself to act it will help it come true. His true nature is far more withdrawn and quiet - apathy drives him to isolation without self-motivation.

WHERE DID THEY GROW UP? WHERE DO THEY FEEL AT HOME?
He grew up in Rig in a rather dark section of the city. The dark was pleasant, however - though he often felt paranoid of what was in it, it could also be calming, comforting in a strange way. It was dark simply because the inhabitants of the area preferred it that way. From tunnels to dimly lit chapels, to alleys with light-blocking covers and streets left open to the sun only reluctantly, living there for a while made it feel like more light than needed was practically distasteful. It might've been cold and usually quiet, but Cedar's neighbors always seemed to have a strange pride in their little section. Most of Rig is bright and colorful, but not all life is meant to be that way. Some plants prefer the dark, and some people prefer quiet. It might seem strange to other citizens, but the people there seemed happy and peaceful enough. Places like these are where Cedar feels most at home, but truthfully, he's never had a problem adjusting to new places. He alway seems to accept wherever he is as good enough.

WHO ARE (WERE) THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN THEIR LIVES?
It's hard to tell - Cedar isn't the type to idolize people. Archer would be the closest bet, mostly because he's mentally assigned Archer the 'good leader' label in his head.

WHAT IS THEIR PROFESSION, SKILL OR LIFESTYLE? WHAT DO THEY THINK THEIR STRENGTHS ARE? WHAT ARE THEIR ACTUAL STRENGTHS?
He is a worker and a people-pleaser. He finds solace in his ability to do things efficiently and artfully, and while he's no bootlicker, he does try to adhere himself to people through his work. Because of this he is also great at teamwork and cooperating with others in any regard. He's also pretty good at things involving talking - he's gotten very good at phrasing things nicely and getting others to cooperate with him. Some of his greatest strengths are his loyalty and determination. He will go to great lengths to do things for others, though this sometimes isn't the healthiest habit.

WHAT ARE THEIR FEARS, FLAWS AND SECRETS?
Most of his fears are social - he may feel apathetic to many things, but he craves respect above most things. This means he can easily be mislead into doing things for people who want to manipulate him, and sometimes he is more concerned with how people will think of him than if what they want him to do is right or not. Because of this, he often avoids leadership roles. He often feels like he is 'acting' and fears being caught somehow. Because of this, he prefers to wear his mask almost constantly, as he finds it comforting, and tends to mold how he acts to those around him, regardless of how smart that may be. He has almost no secrets, which is something he thinks of as proof of his 'shallowness'. The only secret he has is his general emotional state, but considering how outwardly cagey he is about everything to do with it, that is one secret he will likely never tell.

WHAT DO THEY WANT MOST? WHAT DO THEY ACTUALLY NEED?
What Cedar wants and likely needs most is a purpose. While he can easily throw himself into dedication relatively easily, he often lacks aim or an end goal. He simply does what he feels is appropriate at the time. While he is dedicated to Zephyr and its cause, he has few personal goals, instead dedicating himself almost exclusively to others and the needs of the organization, ignoring his own needs.

WHY DID THEY JOIN THE ZEPHYR EXTINCT?
Besides the fact he likes masks and codenames, he finds the organization respectable in its cause and easy to dedicate himself to. He feels he could do good work with Zephyr. Protect the innocent from Horrors - is there a more noble cause? Besides, what could a person want from life more than something they could see themselves willingly serving to the last breath for? A little dedication and loyalty helps the world turn, after all.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THIS CHARACTER CHANGE AND DEVELOP?
What Cedar definitely needs is motivation to do things for himself and something to care for. Cedar is cagey, too cagey to be really close with someone. He needs to learn to fully trust and to open up. He needs to learn that he doesn't always have to act.

PITCH A SMALL SUBPLOT THAT WOULD BE PERSONALLY MEANINGFUL TO YOUR CHARACTER.
Maybe being injured badly or something similar. Cedar, for all his good will, detests having to depend on others himself or inconvenience others. Being forced to confront the need to trust on reliable people to support and help him would break some of his walls. An injury that temporarily incapacitates him would also force him to acknowledge he can't always work himself so dangerously for others without considering himself.

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The Zephyr Extinct

Only time will tell...

Thanks! I'll get him over right away.

The Zephyr Extinct

Cedar

WHAT WAS YOUR CHARACTER'S NAME? WHAT IS THE CODENAME THEY NOW GO BY AS A ZE?
His old name was Ryan Barrett. Now he goes by Cedar.

DESCRIBE YOUR CHARACTER'S MASK AND APPEARANCE.
His mask is (appropriately) wooden. It has a splintered, vaguely haphazard look, but is otherwise featureless. He prefers it that way; with no visible facial expressions, even a static one on his mask, people tend to project whatever emotion they want on him instead. Besides the mask, he tends to stick to panta and jackets, never shorts or short sleeves, regardless of temperature. He has a preference for greys.

Inspiration.

WHAT IS A STRANGER'S FIRST IMPRESSION UPON MEETING THEM? HOW DOES YOUR CHARACTER SEE THEMSELVES?
To a stranger, he seems relatively normal, if slightly unnerving at times. He's very reserved, rarely laughing or making jokes, but always friendly and understanding. At first sight he might seem nearly bland, and he certainly does his best to avoid offense. While he never seems slow, everything he does, from body language to choice of words, seems oddly deliberate and thought out. Inwardly - though he would detest anyone knowing it - he struggles with empathy and motivation. He is acutely aware of his difficulties in empathizing sometimes and his lack of purpose and tends to think of himself as nearly 'pseudo-real'. Ironically, him thinking of himself as 'emotionally shallow' and 'dangerously apathetic' have given him more purpose than most things in his life. It's partially why he is always so friendly - he wants very badly to be what he sees as a 'better person' and thinks that forcing himself to act it will help it come true. His true nature is far more withdrawn and quiet - apathy drives him to isolation without self-motivation.

WHERE DID THEY GROW UP? WHERE DO THEY FEEL AT HOME?
He grew up in Rig in a rather dark section of the city. The dark was pleasant, however - though he often felt paranoid of what was in it, it could also be calming, comforting in a strange way. It was dark simply because the inhabitants of the area preferred it that way. From tunnels to dimly lit chapels, to alleys with light-blocking covers and streets left open to the sun only reluctantly, living there for a while made it feel like more light than needed was practically distasteful. It might've been cold and usually quiet, but Cedar's neighbors always seemed to have a strange pride in their little section. Most of Rig is bright and colorful, but not all life is meant to be that way. Some plants prefer the dark, and some people prefer quiet. It might seem strange to other citizens, but the people there seemed happy and peaceful enough. Places like these are where Cedar feels most at home, but truthfully, he's never had a problem adjusting to new places. He alway seems to accept wherever he is as good enough.

WHO ARE (WERE) THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN THEIR LIVES?
It's hard to tell - Cedar isn't the type to idolize people. Archer would be the closest bet, mostly because he's mentally assigned Archer the 'good leader' label in his head.

WHAT IS THEIR PROFESSION, SKILL OR LIFESTYLE? WHAT DO THEY THINK THEIR STRENGTHS ARE? WHAT ARE THEIR ACTUAL STRENGTHS?
He is a worker and a people-pleaser. He finds solace in his ability to do things efficiently and artfully, and while he's no bootlicker, he does try to adhere himself to people through his work. Because of this he is also great at teamwork and cooperating with others in any regard. He's also pretty good at things involving talking - he's gotten very good at phrasing things nicely and getting others to cooperate with him. Some of his greatest strengths are his loyalty and determination. He will go to great lengths to do things for others, though this sometimes isn't the healthiest habit.

WHAT ARE THEIR FEARS, FLAWS AND SECRETS?
Most of his fears are social - he may feel apathetic to many things, but he craves respect above most things. This means he can easily be mislead into doing things for people who want to manipulate him, and sometimes he is more concerned with how people will think of him than if what they want him to do is right or not. Because of this, he often avoids leadership roles. He often feels like he is 'acting' and fears being caught somehow. Because of this, he prefers to wear his mask almost constantly, as he finds it comforting, and tends to mold how he acts to those around him, regardless of how smart that may be. He has almost no secrets, which is something he thinks of as proof of his 'shallowness'. The only secret he has is his general emotional state, but considering how outwardly cagey he is about everything to do with it, that is one secret he will likely never tell.

WHAT DO THEY WANT MOST? WHAT DO THEY ACTUALLY NEED?
What Cedar wants and likely needs most is a purpose. While he can easily throw himself into dedication relatively easily, he often lacks aim or an end goal. He simply does what he feels is appropriate at the time. While he is dedicated to Zephyr and its cause, he has few personal goals, instead dedicating himself almost exclusively to others and the needs of the organization, ignoring his own needs.

WHY DID THEY JOIN THE ZEPHYR EXTINCT?
Besides the fact he likes masks and codenames, he finds the organization respectable in its cause and easy to dedicate himself to. He feels he could do good work with Zephyr. Protect the innocent from Horrors - is there a more noble cause? Besides, what could a person want from life more than something they could see themselves willingly serving to the last breath for? A little dedication and loyalty helps the world turn, after all.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THIS CHARACTER CHANGE AND DEVELOP?
What Cedar definitely needs is motivation to do things for himself and something to care for. Cedar is cagey, too cagey to be really close with someone. He needs to learn to fully trust and to open up. He needs to learn that he doesn't always have to act.

PITCH A SMALL SUBPLOT THAT WOULD BE PERSONALLY MEANINGFUL TO YOUR CHARACTER.
Maybe being injured badly or something similar. Cedar, for all his good will, detests having to depend on others himself or inconvenience others. Being forced to confront the need to trust on reliable people to support and help him would break some of his walls. An injury that temporarily incapacitates him would also force him to acknowledge he can't always work himself so dangerously for others without considering himself.

----

The Zephyr Extinct [Full]

Definitely interested.