Character Name: Zinzel
Age: 17
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Craft/Rank: Smithcraft Apprentice/Candidate

History: Being a farmer at Marsitas Hold is a stressful job, alright? At least that was the excuse Zinzel’s father used to convince his wife to hold nightly “stress relieving sessions.” Unsurprisingly, this meant that his mother shot babies out like a baker shoots out bubblypies in preparation for a Gather - and all of them happened to be bouncing baby bubblypies boys. Zinzel happened to be number seven, out of ten. And really, being a middle child (but leaning more towards the baby side) wasn't an awful place to be, since by that time he had so many hand-me-downs that he could wear a different outfit every day until he was an old man, had a wide variation of toys in various states of destruction that he could play with, and had more brothers than you could shake a stick at.

Growing up, Zinzel was the typical rambunctious boy. His penchant for danger grew out of wanting to impress his older brothers. He would typically follow the boys around, intent on being just like them and doing all of the “big boy stuff.” This desire drove him to attempt things way over his head, and though they more often than not resulted in failure, they amused his brothers enough for the young lad to continue doing them, despite his mother’s fretful protests. He was going to lose his head one day, y’know? Such a high numbered family also bred Zinzel’s love of pranks. When you’re sharing a room with four other boys, the only surefire way to not go insane is to be just as mean as possible to each other. This meanness manifested itself as tricks played on one another - a pair of socks soaked in klah here, a cot thrown outside into the rain there, no boy was immune from another. Zinzel’s tricks quickly grew to include other Holder children, and before long he was notoriously known for them throughout the younger generation of the hold.

When he was thirteen turns old, Zinzel officially apprenticed into Smithcraft. His mother, tired of him using his intelligence and vast amount of energy for pranks rather than something productive, demanded he choose a Craft to learn or else he would be sent to the fields with his father. Having dabbled with it slightly in the past (ie. he hid in the Smithy occasionally to hide from the victims of his pranks), Zinzel chose the Smithcraft, because what’s more awesome than hammers and fire? Nothing, that’s what. Though his decision was impromptu, Zinzel enjoyed the craft and was perfectly prepared to spend the rest of his life as a smith.

Shortly after his sixteenth birthing day, the Searchriders visited the Hold. Zinzel decided to go see them during a short break in his work. He’d seen dragons sporadically throughout his life, and thought them interesting, but unlike most children he had never had any farflung dreams of becoming a Rider. Zinzel was more surprised than any when a Searchrider informed him that his green thought he would be a suitable Candidate. Though his Searching was a surprise, it opened an entirely new possibility to Zinzel. The life of a Dragonrider!

Because he was by no means the oldest, and there was virtually no responsibility on him to be the one to bring his family success, his father approved of his move to the Weyr. Hey, one less mouth to feed. And because he wasn't the youngest, he didn't have to get wet with his mother's sobs of "losing her last little baby" when he told her of his impending Candidacy. Rather, she was convinced the Riders would “finally teach him some manners and responsibility.” So, leaving behind his parents and nine very jealous brothers at Marsitas, Zinzel moved on to Malvren to start his new life as a Candidate.

Description: A massive hunk of seventeen turns-old height and muscle. Standing around six feet five inches with a well-toned chest, arms, and abdomen (earned from his days spent laboring over the anvil), he easily stands out in a crowd of shorter teens. At least his figure is more along the slender side, looking insanely tall, but inconspicuous nonetheless underneath his normally baggy and unfitted tunics.

Zinzel makes up for his intimidating stature with an openly friendly, charming grin plastered on his wide mouth almost all the time. His hazel eyes are alight with mischief, except in lessons when he stretches out and lounges while pulling a look of deadpan, nonchalant boredom to elicit some girly giggles. Any remotely serious looks are beyond him, because after a few seconds of trying to stare intensely with a straight face causes him to break out in loud laughter (he totally fails at the staring game). His dark brown hair is messy, but he hardly bothers to brush it as he keeps it cropped short. Luckily his ears do not stick out, and sometimes it doesn't matter when he shoves some sort of hat over the top of his head. He has a strong nose and chin, which is covered with stubble most of the time as he prefers to go rugged as opposed to cleancut--it's just sexier that way. Zinzel’s skin tone is naturally a medium tan, and the hours he spends outside only enhance that. He almost never freckles or burns, but that doesn’t mean his skin is perfect. He is almost perpetually scrapped up: hands, arms, face, legs, torso. It’s all fair game, and run the mill from barely there scratches to borderline with needing stitches gashes. His propensity towards dangerous activities, along with his craft, leave their mark, and he wears them with pride.

Personality: Zinzel is one of those guys you look at and think: boys will be boys. A trickster with a gift for pulling pranks and a love for trying all things wild, dangerous and essentially stupid, he is without a doubt one of those guys your parents would not likely approve of. He's been raised to behave better, but away from the eyes of his ever-watchful and correcting mother, all hell tends to break loose. An avid rule-breaker, Zinzel has a difficulty not joking around every waking moment. Getting caught mid-prank only gives him a rush of excitement and energy, though the punishment afterward typically kills any rush he had. He is embarrassed of very little, and holds no shame for the various jokes he pulls. He is a light-hearted, foolhardy social butterfly who is willing to do just about anything his friends put him up to. He likes a challenge, and risky ones at that. He's not one for caution, always diving head first into any situation without giving it much thought. But when you're over six feet tall with the muscle to match, there seems to be little in the world willing to stand in your way. Otherwise, he's quite stubborn. Arguments with him often end in stalemate, lest the other party is willing to cave and admit defeat. Though his occasional lack of interest in his Candidate studies gives the impression he is not hard-working, he is an ambitious person, but the showcasing of it is more often than not misplaced into zeal for the latest prank idea.

Zinzel is effectively charming in the presence of good company (ie. GURLS). Hey, a boy has a right to express himself. He's rather vain in this sense: he shallowly takes interest in the outwardly beautiful girls. His attention span is such that he cannot befriend a girl first and then decide if he like-likes her, so he bases his attractions on looks first, personalities second. This gets him into trouble often, and usually results in relationships that last from a few days to a few hours. He's rather noncommittal when it comes to girls, because if he settles for one, who knows what else he could be missing?

Fiercely loyal and valiant, friends are always to be shown respect and given the benefit of the doubt, even when in the wrong. Zinzel will backup any buddy in their time of need, no explanations or thanks necessary. Though he is social, he is not a gossip. While he more than covers for himself or friends with white lies, he is always interested in knowing the truth rather than giving in to the uncertainty of rumors that may be floating around. His circle of friends is such that he does not feel the need to be overly convincing with them; that is the nature of his trust and value in friendship. He doesn't take kindly to betrayals of confidence, as what he tells his friends and what they tell him is understood to be kept private.

Other: