Giant Character Survey: Salkia-Based PART 2

[note_atem]

Personality/Beliefs

Do they, or did they, have any role models?

-His father was his first role model. He wanted to grow up and learn to be as calm, level headed, and wise as his father. Yuugi is a role model as well. Yuugi's way of life and way of seeing things is quite opposite from his own, but he realizes that his own ways might not be the best sometimes. He does look up to Yuugi. Kaiba might be another, for his strength and his determination.

Do they have any heroes or idols, either contemporary or from legend?

-There are a few Gods and Goddesses in which Atem might identify them as heroes. But he tries not to favor any over the others.

If so, have they ever met them?

-Not yet (Unless you count Osiris, Ra, and Obelisk). Maybe one day when he finally does make it to that afterlife. But who can really say?

Did they ever become disillusioned with former heroes or idols? If so, why and what were the circumstances?

-In his crazier, memory-less state I'm willing to bet he renounced a lot of those Gods, deeming their methods of dealing with things ridiculous and unfair. He took Judgments into his own hands, not waiting for Gods to step in and do the work.

Do they have any dreams or ambitions?

-His dream right now involves finding a way off of Salkia Island, and in a way that does not conclude his actual life.

If not, why?

-N\A

What are their short term goals (what would they like to be doing within a year)?

-Get off of Salkia. That's a constant. Other than that he doesn't really have much to do on Salkia besides protecting his loved ones.

What are their long term goals (what would they like to be doing twenty years from now)?

-He hopes to be off of Salkia by that point, maybe resuming a life in Domino (or at least creating one).

If these goals seem at odds with each other, or with their dreams, how do they reconcile the differences?

-N\A

How do they seek to fulfill these dreams, goals, & ambitions?

-Find a way to take down Kia. Assist Kaiba whenever possible, as the brunet always has ongoing plans to do this.

Do they have any great rational or irrational fears or phobias?  If so, what are the origins of, or reasons behind them?

-Atem is claustrophobic. This comes from being locked away, literally, for a very long time. He also worries about forgetting things or losing his memories again\having them tampered with, again having to do with being locked up.

What, if anything, would it take for them to be able to overcome this?

-Slowly he's been trying to overcome his claustrophobia. It's been showcased on two separate occasions, one time Kaiba having to talk him through it. I don't know if he could ever get over it completely. Worrying about his mental state will always be a shadow in the back of his mind no matter what.

How do they react when this fear manifests itself?

-Shortness of breath, pain in his chest, backing himself into a corner, general panic and terror.

Are they willing to discuss, or even admit to, the situation?

-No. He's been forced to when he gets spotted in the moment of it, but he likes to ignore it or pretend it doesn't exist.

What are their attitudes regarding material wealth?

-It doesn't provide happiness. But it's useful to have in some situations.

Are they miserly with their share of the wealth, or do they spend it freely?

-There's no point in having money unless he can spend it on the people he cares about. He's always trying to foot the bill for food and various other items. He hates it when his friends waste their own money.

Are they greedy or generous?

-Generous to those that deserve it.

Do they see wealth as a mark of success, or just as a means to an end?

-It means you've worked hard to get where you are, he's learned this through Kaiba's own struggles (he himself was born into wealth so it doesn't really apply to him). But at the same time it doesn't make you a better person than anyone else.

How do they generally treat others?

-With a watchful eye. Until he can establish your position and what it is you're after, he's not likely to get involved in much. Yuugi's had a little rub-off on him about treating others kindly and opting to be friends with everyone, but he will always be wary.

Do they trust easily (perhaps too easily) or not?

-Absolutely not. The only people he truly trusts with his entire being are the people he's pretty damn sure will never, ever betray him. And that's a very slim few.

Are they introverted (shy and withdrawn) or extroverted (outgoing)?

-Introverted around new people or people in general. He's in his head and thinking a lot of the time, rather than speaking. But with people he likes or knows very well he can be quite sociable.

Are they a humble soul or blusteringly proud?

-Definitely blusteringly proud.

Do they act differently than they feel (concealing their true thoughts)?

-Depends on if a situation calls for it. He can have an amazing poker face when necessary. Most of the time, however, he will tell you exactly what he thinks, about you or what is going on, and not have any problem with doing so.

What habits would they find most annoying in friends?

-Naivety. He can't protect them from themselves and there's something about that that smarts a bit.

Is there any race, creed, alignment, religion, class, profession, political viewpoint, or the like against which they are strongly prejudiced, and why?

-Classism really gets to him. He's always had the strong ideal that any man was as good as the next unless they prove themselves to be worthless.

How do others typically react to them?

-This really depends on who's doing the reacting. Not every person perceives people the same way. Most, I think though, regard him quietly and wonder what's going on in his head, since he's in there a lot.

Why, in their opinion, do they act that way?

-Everyone probably wants to know what everyone else is thinking. It's common.

What are their most annoying habits?

-His smugness, at times, his usual belief that he's right or has the best solution for things, his eternal argumentative side when you push him too far (winning at everything probably falls under annoying too), his ability to hold a grudge and be eternally distrusting if you make one single wrong move.

What is their favorite food?

-I see you have treats down there, so for this I'm going to say rice and fish. Not really his favorite, maybe he doesn't have a specific favorite 'food'. But he is used to, and eats a lot, of rice and fish. Fish was a staple food back in Egypt. Rice is just common to go with it.

What is their favorite drink?

-Plain ol' water, really. It's the easiest and most refreshing and was the best thing back in Egypt, at least to him.

What is their favorite treat (dessert)?

-Once he was introduced to chocolate, there was no going back. They didn't have it in Egypt, so not only was it new, it's just super special awesome. He can't get enough of the stuff. But his favorite treats back in Egypt were honey flavored marshmallow candies; anything involving honey, really. He has a secret love of sweet things.

Do they favor a particular cuisine?

-Yuugi's rubbed off on him so much that he's entirely used to Japanese cuisine now. Aside that, there's a place where he can easily buy it. Since he's not good with preparing his own food, it's the one he gets the most often.

Do they savor the tastes when eating or "wolf down" their food?

-Atem is always dignified when he eats and never rushes through his meals.

Do they like food mild or heavily spiced?

-Somewhere in the middle. Anything bland is boring but too spicy is an annoyance.

Are there any specific foodstuffs that they find disgusting or refuse to eat?

-Again, having acquired many things from Yuugi, he doesn't really enjoy shallots.

Are they allergic to any food?

-Nope.

What are their favorite colour(s)?

-Black, gold and red. Though he does have a love of violet and he's definitely growing a severe interest with a certain shade of blue...

Is there any colour that they dislike?

-Despite black just being said, anything dark probably doesn't sit well with him- including the color black. He likes it because he's so used to it; he hates it because it was all he was used to for a long time. A definite love\hate relationship.

Do they have a favorite (or hated) song, type of music, or instrument?

-Anything with strings or wind instruments, they were the most common in Egypt. Generally speaking, softer and quieter pieces are his favorite. But when no one's looking, he might be very prone to dancing to fast paced, hot blooded tempos.

What is their favorite song?

-Some long lost Egyptian song, or maybe a lullaby his mother used to sing to him when he was younger.

If they have a favorite scent, what is it?

-Sand, wind, heat, maybe sandalwood.

What is their favorite type of animal?

-Cats all the way.

Do they have an animal totem or affinity, and if so for what?

-Again, cats. Cats were very sacred in Egypt, and they always got along when he was younger so he loves them quite a lot.

Is there a certain type of animal that they hate or fear?

-He doesn't have a complete phobia of them, but ever since that snake attack when he was younger, he is a little uneasy around them.

Are they allergic to any kinds of animals?

-No.

Do they have any allergies?

-No.

Is there anything that enrages them?

-A lot of things. Being threatened, harming his loved ones, his loved ones being threatened, someone speaking bad about his culture or his friends, people speaking about his parents.

Is there anything which embarrasses them?

-Not knowing about certain things tends to be embarrassing at times, also not knowing how to react in certain social situations \towards certain people.

How do they react to being teased about it?

-He gets flustered.

Do they enjoy "roughing it", or do they prefer their creature comforts?

-I don't think he enjoys it, but he's certainly capable of doing it without complaints.

Do they believe in the gods?

-Definitely.

Do they have a patron deity?

-Not one, no. His religion has many that he believes in and prays to (and within the scope of canon, are actually real).

Are they devout or impious?

-Devout.

Do they actively worship and proselytize or do they simply pay lip service?

-He's very active, but quiet about it as well. He knows the value of keeping your religion to yourself.

What lengths would they go to defend their faith?

-If people don't want to believe, it's not his problem. He knows the truth.

Was their faith influenced or molded by anyone special?

-His faith is based on his status in his culture; being a Pharaoh he was said to be the form of Horus on earth. Religion was a big factor in Egypt. He was raised to love his fellow Gods and Goddesses.

Do they belong to the orthodox church, or a fringe element thereof (and is the group accepted, frowned upon, or considered heretics)?

-By modern times now, he's probably seen as ridiculous but that doesn't matter much to him. Any temple of his faith has long since been buried underneath the Egyptian sands of time.

How has this impacted their faith and life?

-Growing up it got him through a lot of struggles and hardship. On Salkia he's finding himself strangely empty and without their presence. Praying to them now almost actually hurts, knowing they can't hear him.

Is their church an accepted religion where they grew up or did it have to conduct its services in secret?

-His religions was openly accepted and worshipped by everyone. Now, not so much.

How did this affect their faith and life?

-He was pretty well off for it.

Have they ever been persecuted for their faith?

-I think a few times Kaiba has picked on him for it or tried to be snide about it, but I wouldn't really call that persecution. Dartz had a big problem with him and his "so-called Gods".

If so, when and how did they handle it?

-He tries to brush Kaiba off or at least provide his own solid opinion (it never works out well). Dartz he had to take down eventually.

Can they kill?

-Atem is very capable of murder.

When did they decide (or learn) that they could?

-His first kill was one of complete self defense and of necessity. The ones after his prison time of 3,000 years were ones of insanity. Now on Salkia he only kills when completely necessary.

What happened and how did they handle it?

-War is war. I think his first kill really unhinged him a little, but he knew in the end he had no choice. He's dealing with what he did after being awoken as a spirit; dealing with how crazy he'd been and the lives he'd brutally taken away. Now on Salkia he doesn't feel too much guilt, and yet something in the back of his mind always twinges when he's faced with the decision. This all has to do with Yuugi's influence on him; the method of "there's always another way" is one he knows now, but still has a hard time following.
PART 3