character dump
Name: Nicholas Zheng, 郑星明 (Zheng Xing Ming)
Arcana: Star
Persona: Start > Manekineko
End > Bastet
Primary: Scanning
Secondaries: Status, Ice
Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is he heavyset, thin, short, rangy?
He's tall, about 6 feet, with a normal to slim build.
2. How old is he?
I'm thinking late 20s. 28-29?
3. Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well or does he slouch?
He carries himself very well, especially when on business. He has an air of professionalism around him. He'd probably only slouch at home, where he's a little more relaxed.
4. How is his health? Is he fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?
He's rather healthy, except for his tendency to smoke. He's not chiseled, but he's fit.
5. How does he move? Is he clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?
He seems pretty stiff, especially with his posture, but his movements can be rather graceful and fluid.
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does he perceive himself in the mirror?
He's rather attractive to most, and he sees himself as handsome and uses it to his advantage, when needed. He also takes his grooming seriously, especially before heading out to work.
7. Describe his complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?
His complexion is a light olive color, and his face is clear. However, the rest of his body has a few new and old scars.
8. Describe his hair: color, texture, style.
His hair is on the shorter side, with longer bangs. The color is pitch black. He doesn't style it too much with products usually, but sometimes he does wear it slicked back.
9. What color are his eyes?
His eyes are a dark brown.
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features?
None really.
11. What are his chief tension centers?
His shoulders and head. He gets headaches when frustrated and stressed.
12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does he have six of the same suit?
His wardrobe is very dressy, consisting mostly of dark suits, ties, and lighter colored button-downs. His suits come in dark blues or blacks, solid and striped. He may have one or two casual shirts and jeans, but his wardrobe is dominated by the more professional sets of clothing.
13. Do his clothes fit well? Does he seem comfortable in them?
They do fit well, as they are tailored to his size and build. And he is very comfortable in them. He's probably most comfortable in his professional wear than any of his casual clothing.
14. Does he dress the same on the job as he does in his free time? If not, what are the differences?
He probably does dress the same. As said before, he's most comfortable in his professional clothing and he has very little of the more casual clothing.
15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando?
Briefs!
Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?
On the deeper side.
2. How does he normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does he talk easily, or does he hesitate?
He speaks pretty evenly with a normal tone of voice.
3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics?
He has a slight Chinese accent when he speaks. Otherwise, his English is pretty good. I would say his American accent originates from the northeast.
4. What language/s does he speak, and with how much fluency?
He speaks both Mandarin and Cantonese pretty fluently.
5. Does he switch languages or dialects in certain situations?
He mostly sticks with English, but speaks Chinese with his parents/anyone who only knows Chinese.
6. Is he a good impromptu speaker, or does he have to think about his words?
He's pretty good at being an impromptu speaker.
7. Is he eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?
He's rather eloquent and professional. However, if he's comfortable with the people he's working with, he'd speak a little more casually. Also, should something really frazzle him, he'd be rather inarticulate.
Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is he book-smart or street-smart?
He's rather intelligent, and he's both book-smart and street-smart.
2. Does he think on his feet, or does he need time to deliberate?
He'd prefer to deliberate, strategize, or plan ahead, but he can think on his feet if he needs to.
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is he more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?
He's definitely thinks in more practical and logical terms, in order to get his work done as fast as possible without much conflict.
4. What kind of education has the character had?
He has a highschool degree.
5. What are his areas of expertise? What, if anything, is he interested in learning more about?
Burglarly, marksmanship, maybe a little psychology. Acting. He's interested in learning more about hacking.
6. Is he an introvert or an extrovert?
He's a bit of an introvert.
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is he even-tempered or does he have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven?
He's pretty even-tempered and objective most of the time, though he can be a bit impatient should things not go the way they should. He also tries to be as calm and professional as he can in any given situation. Should he get to the point of being impatient, he can be a bit snarky.
8. How does he respond to new people or situations? Is he suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?
Depends on who these "new people" are. If it is something he needs to manipulate, he's polite and charming, with an easy smile on his face. If it's a new client or someone who's strictly business, he still polite but much more professional. Basically, his response depends on whomever he's meeting. He'll also react to new sitatuions objectively, but also, it depends on what these situations are exactly.
9. Is he more likely to act, or to react?
He's more likely to react.
10. Which is his default: fight or flight?
Flight, regroup, strike.
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does he appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks?
He's probably into darker humor.
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does he deal with them?
None?
13. What moments in this character's life have defined him as a person?
Leaving China for America. Joining the corporation. His "girlfriend" leaving him with his daughter.
14. What does he fear?
His daughter being dragged into crime.
15. What are his hopes or aspirations?
That his daughter will grow up well, go to a good college, and lead a good life, free from any bad influences. That she won't end up like him.
16. What is something he doesn't want anyone to find out about him?
That his nails are painted, courtesy of his daughter. He wears gloves constantly.
Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with his parents.
He feels obligated, as the good son, to send them money regularly. When he does, it's no small amount and his parents live comfortably. He does communicate with them occassionally, but they know nothing about his life, as he feeds them lies. They think he's a businessman.
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?
No siblings.
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom he is close? Are there ones he can't stand?
None that are notable.
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom he considers part of his family? What are his relationships with them?
Nope.
5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet?
He had a "friend with benefits" a while back, whom he got pregnant with his daughter. With his daughter on the way, he proposed to her, thinking things would work out. However, shortly after his daughter was born, she left him, as she didn't want to get tangled up in his dealings.
6. Does he have other close friends?
Not really.
7. Does he make friends easily, or does he have trouble getting along with people?
He can get along pretty well with other people, but I can't say if he really considers them friends. Perhaps the closest to him are his co-workers.
8. Which does he consider more important: family or friends?
Family.
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has he been married more than once?
Single.
10. Is he currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?
Nope.
11. Who was his first crush? Who is his latest?
N/A.
12. What does he look for in a romantic partner?
Someone who can stand on their own two feet. Someone he finds humorous. Someone he can converse with.
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does he relate to them? If no, does he want any?
He has a 7 year old daughter named Juliet.
14. Does he have any rivals or enemies?
Plenty, probably.
15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does he fall on the Kinsey scale?
I think he falls on #1. Predominantly heterosexual, only incidentally homosexual.
16. How does he feel about sex? How important is it to him?
He likes sex. It's satisfying.
17. What are his turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?
Pending.
Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does he fit type?
Capricorn - hard working, loyal, married to the job, pessimistic, slow to form relationships
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in his life?
Not very.
3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it?
No team killing. He's also very loyal to his employers, for they have taken very good care of him (and his daughter). It's also just in his nature to be loyal.
4. How does he regard beliefs that differ from his? Is he tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?
Indifferent, probably.
5. What prejudices does he hold? Are they irrational or does he have a good reason for them?
Pending
Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is he rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?
Not exactly rich, but he's paid well and he and his daughter live in comfort.
2. What is his social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him?
Was probably at the bottom when he emigrated to the US. Then worked his way up. He's probably upper middle class now.
3. Where does he live? House, apartment, trailer? Is his home his castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does he share it with others?
He lives in a condo that he bought. It's pretty well kept and clean.
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does he spend his money on?
Suits. Prostitutes? Toys for his daughter.
5. What does he do for a living? Is he good at it? Does he enjoy it, or would he rather be doing something else?
Works for a "corporation", specializing in burglary, manipulation, extraction. In a way, he does enjoy it. It's definitely not something he wants his daughter to get into, but he also sees it as the only option for him.
6. What are his interests or hobbies? How does he spend his free time?
Sleep.
7. What are his eating habits? Does he skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?
His eating habits can be a little strange, since his schedule is not usually consistant. He used to drink alcohol quite heavily, but with his daughter now in the picture, he rarely does.
Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is his favorite:
1. Color? Navy blue
2. Smell? Cigarette smoke
3. Time of day? Night
4. Season? Winter
5. Book?
6. Music?
7. Place? City
8. Substance? Water
9. Plant? Poinsettia
10. Animal? Cat