Character Survey Of Doom

[mortemscintilla]

 

Body and Appearance

1. Describe the character's height and build. Is he heavyset, thin, short, rangy? Canonically, Hei is described as built like a 'dancer.' He's tall and athletic, but in an understated way -- more lean elongated muscle than bulk. A mesomorph body.

2. How old is he? 23.

3. Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well or does he slouch? 'Li' slouches, stoops, slumps; both to accentuate his 'shy' persona, to disguise muscle-mass and to stay unnoticed. Hei is the opposite. He's upright and well-balanced. He doesn't stand with total military precision. But he's extremely confident and it shows.

4. How is his health? Is he fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities? Fit as a fucking fiddle. Can't get missions done if Reaperkins is laid up in bed. He likely has a high immune system and high blood cell count. It's a miracle he's avoided lasting injuries and diseases so far.

5. How does he move? Fast or slow? Is he clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid? As 'Li', he gives the impression of being uncoordinated. He's awkward and skittish, prone to fumbling. His movements are either cautiously slow or frenetically-oh-god-don't-hurt-me fast. Hei is the opposite. He's quick and precise -- long strides and predatory stalkstalkstalk srs-business type carriage. He's not graceful so much as straightforward. He prefers not to waste motion and energy unless he must.

6. How attractive is this character physically? How does he perceive himself in the mirror? He's aware that he's attractive. But he uses it as another tool in his repertoire. As 'Li', he plays the adorkable Boy Next Door. But he can switch to the Knight Errant, the Charmer, the Mr. Fixit or the Aloof Big Brother, depending on what the mission -- and his mark -- requires him to be.

7. Describe his complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred? Warm beige -- but a bit on the sallow side. No moles or freckles. He has multiple scars on his body -- particularly linear hypertrophic marks on his torso.

8. Describe his hair: color, texture, style. Hei has thick black hair. It's messy and longish. He combs and washes it,but otherwise doesn't pay it much attention. By season 2, he's grown it out and keeps it in a haphazard ponytail. He's more concerned with functionality, not style.

9. What color are his eyes? Very dark blue. They can badtouch your soul.

10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features? The collarbones. 'Li's persona is contrived not to stand out. He's no more memorable than your average student. The timid dork, the friendly slob, yahta yahta you know what we do. As Hei, what stands out most is his demeanor: cold and aloof. You can rarely tell what he's thinking.

11. What are his chief tension centers? The back of his neck. His forehead and the skin under his eyes. All that lying like lying liar gives a guy whopping headaches.

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? 'Li' prefers jeans, loose white buttondowns and big zip-up jackets. All muted colors, the better to blend into scenery. His closet is pretty bare. As Hei, he favors fitted dark bodysuits, particularly for nighttime recco. He's more interested in what works, not what looks good.

13. Do his clothes fit well? Does he seem comfortable in them? 'Li's clothes are baggy and ill-fitting. But they're comfortable and do their job -- concealing his actual build and perfecting his image as a sloppy student. Hei's bodysuits serve a similar function; blending him into shadows and allowing him to fight and maneuver easily.

14. How is their dexterity? Do they have good hands? Can they manipulate and create or repair? He's remarkably deft. He can pick pockets, defuse explosives, contrive deliciously-garnished meals or braid your little sister's hair. Though you miiiiiiiiiight want to skip the last part.

15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando? None ya bidness BV

............Boxer-briefs. Or he goes commando if he can get away with it.


Speech

1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse? Hei's voice is smooth and low-pitched. It has a touch of gravel. I used to headcanon a young Micheal Madsen before the dub came out. His English VA, Jason Liebrecht, does a decent job too. 'Li's voice is deliberately higher-pitched, playing up the Moe aspects uguuuu~

2. How does he normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does he talk easily, or does he hesitate? Hei has an even and measured cadence. No hesitation. He often sounds on the edge of cold indifference. In times of crisis, he tends to snap. But it's in a calm & vicious manner. As 'Li' he's politely soft-spoken. He tends to stammer or babble at a higher octave, depending on how nervous he is.

3. Is there good resonance to the voice? Is the voice throaty, chesty, heady, or nasal? Hei has a throaty voice. Grrrrrowrrrr. 'Li' leans more toward heady.

4. What language/s does he speak, and with how much fluency? Chinese (Mandarin) with the fluency of a native speaker. Shanghainese, some Cantonese and Macanese. Excellent Japanese. Conversant in English, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese. Knows bits and pieces of other languages from assignments abroad -- mainly Russian and very basic French.

5. Does he switch languages or dialects in certain situations? Depends on who he's talking to.

6. Is he a good impromptu speaker, or does he have to think about his words? He's good at thinking on the spot. But he's not exactly Mr. Words.

7. Is he eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change? He's taciturn by nature. He chooses his words sparingly, but gets the point across. When saying something that matters emotionally, though, he shuts down. On the whole, he prefers action to speech.

8. Is the voice comforting or irritating? Reassuring or disturbing? Are they self-conscious when they speak to others? How large a group could they speak to before they become self-conscious? 'Li's voice comes across as sweet and soothing. He's shy and stammers in front of strangers. This is especially true with pretty girls. Hei has no such issues. He speaks coldly and directly; no trace of self-consciousness. On a sliding scale of Ice Versus Indifference, he's closer to icy with Hatter, and more indifferent with Carla. His tone with Korra goldilocks somewhere in between.

9. What is the first thought one might have after hearing your character speak? 'Li': He seems like a nice boy. Hei: Bastard goes right for the jugular.


Mental and Emotional

1. How intelligent is this character? Is he book-smart or street-smart? He's extremely clever, but leans more towards street-smart. He's remarkably adaptive.

2. Does he think on his feet, or does he need time to deliberate? He's an excellent strategist. But he can think on his feet. In battle, he tends to formulate plans as he goes. For weighty (emotional!) matters, he prefers time to think -- but can become paralyzed by indecision. (Should I watch Love Actually or The Notebook? Ugh. I CAN'T CHOOSE!!!)

3. Describe the character's thought process. Is he more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical? Oh lawd. He's not as logical as the average Contractor (because he's not a Contractor). But he's far more logical than the average human. Provided there isn't a life-or-death threat to family, his thoughts lean toward rational. He's a cold survivalist. Idealism is for dumb shits.

4. What kind of education has the character had? Beyond middle school? None. Most of what he's learnt, he's imbibed during missions or via trial and error. To be fair, it's quite a multifaceted education. He travels to different countries and mingles with a fair share of quixotic murderous individuals. He also reads extensively on a number of subjects -- not limited to science, psychology and sociology.

5. What are his areas of expertise? What, if anything, is he interested in learning more about? He's a mercenary and excellent with the physical aspects of wetwork: martial arts, knives, arms, explosives. He understands how intelligence, law enforcement, and the military operate. He's also a Supreme Chef. He enjoys learning new recipes. In addition, he's eager to better himself with new know-how, both intellectually and physically. Something he secretly wants is knowledge of astronomy, beyond basic night-navigation. But ssssh~

6. Is he an introvert or an extrovert? Tch. These gd questions. He's an introvert. But he has a strong and decisive presence, especially in a crisis.

7. Describe the character's temperament. Is he even-tempered or does he have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven? MOOD WHIPLASH ERMAGARD. 'Li' playacts at cheery. But it's a ploy to endear himself to strangers. Although largely unflappable, Hei tends to brood. There's a fatalistic bent in his attitude. He sees both humans and Contractors as inherently rotten and greedy. He believes you shouldn't stick your neck out for anyone. Yet, in rare moments, he makes surprising sacrifices for others. It's contradictory and hypocritical and causes him no small amount of conflict. Yahta yahta. The usual I'm-so-tortured shit.

8. How does he respond to new people or situations? Is he suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic? Suspicious with a Sssss. 'Li' tends to be all sunshine and smiles. But inside, Hei sizes up anyone he meets. He's in a profession where threats are omnipresent. Vigilance is key. In person, he comes off as alert and cold; stonefaced about revealing anything personal.

9. Is he more likely to act, or to react? .........Depends.

10. Which is his default: fight or flight? FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT. And flight if he knows he can't win.

11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does he appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks? Hei has a very dry sense of humor. It comes out rarely. There are moments when he takes on a distinctly Gadfly persona -- saying offensive or cruel things just to provoke a response. Li has a dull-as-dishwater, I-still-watch-the-Disney-Channel type humor. All part of the nice guy charade.

12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does he deal with them? I'd hesitate to call him perfectly sane. He's cold and manipulative. He kills without batting an eyelid. He uses people as leverage. He lies too fucking well. He exhibits frequent signs of PTSD. Etc etc I am not a psychologist and have no doctorate take mercy and stop asking this shit. Oh! I also headcanon that he has a small case of obsessive compulsive disorder in the form of organization. If anyone moves something in his kitchen or arsenal, he will move it back immediately. He prefers a sense of control in every aspect of his life. Something his profession has often left him without.

....Also. He deals with issues by repressing. Or eating.

13. What moments in this character's life have defined him as a person? TOO MANY TO COUNT. 

14. What does he fear? An empty fridge. Losing Pai.

15. What are his hopes or aspirations? Hope is a dangerous abstraction. Hei tends to take things day by day. Other than protecting Pai and learning more about the City, he has no main agenda right now. In most ways, he's rather self-centered and callous, the asshole.

16. What is something he doesn't want anyone to find out about him?

..........................Everything.


Relationships

1. Describe this character's relationship with his parents. Canon never states it.

2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like? A little sister: Pai. His Be All & End All. Can't you hear the Incest Shippers squeeing?

3. Are there other blood relatives to whom he is close? Are there ones he can't stand? --

4. Are there other, unrelated people whom he considers part of his family? What are his relationships with them? His teammates. ..............They are his teammates. No, seriously. He has a quiet camaraderie with Mao and a grudging respect for Huang. He's remarkably protective of Yin. None of this is something he'd acknowledge. But it comes through in his behavior.

5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet? --

6. Does he have other close friends? Nope. ForeverAlone.gif

7. Does he make friends easily, or does he have trouble getting along with people? He has immense issues in letting anyone close, even to the 'friend' stage. People are worthless except as tools. Friends are for suckers.

8. Which does he consider more important: family or friends? Faaaaambly.

9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has he been married more than once? He's married to his knives. Who else would want his baggage?

10. Is he currently in a relationship with someone other than a spouse? No. Kinda. Ish.

.......but Korra smells nice and he kinda wants to kill her........

11. Who was his first crush? Who is his latest? 'Li' can play the smitten schoolboy to a T. But Hei, by and large, doesn't crush. He was in a relationship with Amber during Heaven's War. Despite the volatile environment, or because of it, trust factored enormously into the deal. She relied on him to watch her back, and he expected the same from her. But the liaison ended with carnage. Amber suffered from Chronic Backstabbing Disorder sold out their side and got his entire team killed. Immediately after, Pai vanished -- along with a greater portion of South America.

The beautiful fucking mess, in addition to Hei's profession, serves to keep him at a distance -- emotionally if not physically. He values his control and equates intimacy with immense pain and bullshit.

12. What does he look for in a romantic partner? Romance is irrelevant. If he chooses to sleep with someone, it's for sex and nothing else.

13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does he relate to them? If no, does he want any? There shall be no children. Ever.

14. Does he have any rivals or enemies? He's a mercenary. And often a jerk. What do you think?

15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does he fall on the Kinsey scale? ....I hate these questions ngl. I'd put him on a 2. He's primarily heterosexual. But his work puts him in precarious situations with guys and girls. Ultimately, he's a pragmatist. He'll make do with what who he has.

16. How does he feel about sex? How important is it to him? He isn't terribly interested in sex. Let's be honest: given his life over the past decade, especially in a war, physical contact has disturbing subconscious associations. He has sporadic flashbacks and moments of freezing up, for reasons he refuses to put into context. But he recognizes sex for its therapeutic paszas. Or whatever. He'll engage in it to scatch the itch. Or to get closer to a mark. Ultimately it's just a means to an end. The fact it offers the same after-buzz as exercise or sparring also helps.

17. What are his turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits? It is worth remembering that a considerable portion of Syndicate contractors live under circumstances that, in most respects, are like institutionalized BDSM. Exploitation, structural hierarchies, power imparity, control and abuse. With one major difference: it's not consensual. Having experienced that kind of power imbalance, growing up, Hei finds both an artificiality and a sterility in the sexual realm of BDSM. These people have the freedom to admit what is going on and, because of that freedom, they have a measure of control over who does what to them. It's interesting in concept, since a great deal of his ethos revolves around both control and choice.

It's highly likely, given his past, that he will infuse a measure of power-play in most of his sexual encounters. He prefers to be the one in control in the bedroom. (Grande trust issues.) Vanilla sex isn't his cup of tea -- he likes to mix it up. Scratching. Biting. Rough-play. Restraints. Orgasm-denial. He's game. However, withdrawn as he is, he needs to be coaxed into intimacy and the sharing aspects a little. Then there's the whole 'sleeping with' deal. Sharing a bed. He. Doesn't. Do it. It's a liability. Expect him to dress and leave afterwards.

Beliefs

1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does he fit type? DUN CURR

2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in his life? Canonically he's an atheist. He doesn't believe in fate or luck.

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? His personal code consists of being an asshole and looking out for himself. Mostly. He bends these rules for those he's protective of: Pai, Yin, and later Suou. Between bitchslaps and bouts of jerkassedness, that is :<

4. How does he regard beliefs that differ from his? Is he tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent? He's indifferent unless your beliefs interfere with his survival.

5. What prejudices does he hold? Are they irrational or does he have a good reason for them? He's disdainful of humans, who use Contractors as disposable weapons for their own gain. But he violently despises Contractors (You're all the same. You make me sick.) The antipathy arguably stems from his experiences with Contractors in Heaven's War, and Pai turning into one.


Daily Life

1. What is the character's financial situation?  Hei is forever beholden to the Syndicate. He's drrrrrowning in debt.

2. What is his social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him? He's a merc. He goes where he's paid to. This includes everywhere from fancy hotels to leaky shacks.

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? Hei shares an apartment with Pai. It's not quite homey, but it's a step-up from his old place, which was just a way station.

4. Besides the basic necessities, what does he spend his money on? ......More groceries.

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? He's an assassin. The best of his field.

......Nevermind that he completely loathes it.

6. What are his interests or hobbies? How does he spend his free time? Cooking. Eating. Star-gazing. Eating. Meditating. Eating. Exercising. Eating. Exploring the City. Eating. Getting in trouble. Eating.

7. What are his eating habits? Does he skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods? See above for eating habits. Canonically, he's a bottomless pit. The only time he gives up food is when he starts drinking. But that's a tldr trainwreck all on it's own.

Associations

Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is his favorite:

1. Color? Black.
2. Smell? Chinese Food. Pastries. Soap. Blood.
3. Time of day? Night
4. Season? Autumn
5. Book? The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson. Starring Hei as Gerda and Pai as Kai :( That, or Hemingway's Islands in the Stream.
6. Music? He doesn't really care.
7. Place? Skyscraper rooftops.
8. Substance? Ozone?
9. Plant? ....
10. Animal? Reptiles. Oh, or cats B)