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Name: Morpheus Neilson
Race: Geist
Zodiac Sign: The Lyre
Academy House or University: Enoch/Leviathan
Gender: Male
Starting Stage: Graduated senior; Asphodel Gardens Academy Shop and Woodlands Survival Professor; Head of the Outdoors Club

Base: Geist J, face 21

Description:

• Body: Ghostly pale with natural blush along his cheeks, arms, and knees. Blush spots also have subtle freckles. He should look like he's just been out for a long hike in the brisk fall weather. He's also on the tall side of the Geist spectrum, standing at around 5'10 and 6'0 with boots on.
  
• Face: Face 21. The perfect mix of friendly and mischief. His eyes are a light jade green with glowing white sclera.
  
• Hair: Deep red-brown that fades into cream-white. It's super messy, waved, and braided in some spots. You can probably find leaves in there somewhere, too. (See references)
  
• Clothes: See references! However, he doesn't need the long sleeves and the fire on his hands has become Geist smoke. Also, if you would like, you can take elements from both stage references I have. (Teen and adult) I don't mind if you mix and match or pick which outfit you like better from the pair.
  
  - Some other things I'd love to see but aren't integral are things that make him look like an outdoorsy traveler. A backpack on his back, dirt on his clothes, looking a little messy, a satchel... Just little things to add if you feel like it.

References (if applicable): Cert from previous shop (Under my old username) Adult stage ref from old shop Teen stage art from old shop Paper doll (Because I really like coloring these)

Backstory:

Morpheus was raised, for the first four years of his life, by his extended family. His father had used the last of his magic to imbue a soulstone before succumbing to a terminal illness, leaving Morpheus without an idea to who he was. He remembers very little about these years, honestly, but associates what he does remember with warmth, happiness, and comfort.

Unfortunately, a catastrophic fire tore through his grandparent's home, causing it to collapse. Morpheus lost all six of his family members that day and was taken to a local orphanage not too long after, where he lived for the remainder of his childhood. Being so young at the time of his loss made it difficult for him to connect to the memories of his family as he grew. He could feel sad and mourn over what could have been, but never felt as though he could mourn over the loss itself. This disconnection only exacerbated as time went on and by his eleventh birthday, Morpheus couldn't even remember what his family looked and sounded like. However, rather than continue to dwell on the past and try to force himself to remember, Morpheus chose to focus on finding ways to further his future, feeling as though that was what his family would have wanted him to do.

The path to his future, according to him, began when he was finally adopted. His new father, March Neilson, was a teacher at Asphodel Gardens Academy and their bond as father and son seemed almost natural. They both shared deep love of nature and hiking, as well as crafting. Hell, they even liked the same colors and kinds of cake. It was as if they were matched by fate. Being adopted by March also lead Morpheus to the academy, where he spent the remainder of his youth learning alongside the mixing pot of races from the cache and elsewhere. The positive influence that the academy had on him helped him strive for higher education and pushed him through to his degree.

After graduating from Grendel, Morpheus settled back at home for a year or two with his father, who had recently retired due to worsening arthritis. However, March didn't allow him to stay bone idle for long and nudged him toward the academy. They were looking for teachers and the position that March had left, Shop, was wide open for applications. Though Morpheus was nervous about leaving March by himself during the day, he decided to apply for the job.

Shockingly enough, Morpheus had been the only one genuinely interested in the position and got the job without too much waiting. He now runs his father's old classroom each day with vigor and works hard to help each student with their individual needs. Though he can find it hard to remember every single name and face, he always shows his students a smile.


How do he feel about being an orphan?: Though he isn't from the cache, Morpheus understands the hardships of not having a family. It's difficult when you lose loved ones so early on in your life. You forget faces, quirks, and everyone kind of blends together into a ball of nostalgia that you can't really associate with. He likes to think that he connects well with other orphans and is very empathetic to their struggles. However, if you had to ask him if he ever missed his first family, he couldn't really tell you. He can't force himself to remember that time of his life, no matter how hard he tries, and it seems pretty pointless to look back upon it anyway. He has March and that's who he considers his family.

How does he feel about his race?: Morpheus is very positive about being a Geist, but doesn't boast or feel superior because of it. He also won't admit that he'd prefer to adopt or have a family of Geists in the future. He does blame those feelings on ancestors that haunt him, though.

How does he feel about other races?: Very positive. He works with children of all races and mixes, so he's pretty much fallen in love with every race and their unique quirks. Even if he would prefer to raise Geists himself, he wouldn't turn a child of another race away. Everyone is equal to Morpheus.

How did he feel about his academy house?: Enoch/Leviathan pride, represent! He's very enthusiastic about his past in the academy and advocates for the house that essentially helped raise him. However, the academy in general was a home away from home for him, so he'd do anything to help keep it safe and welcoming to everyone within it.

Do they enjoy their job?: Mr. Neilson absolutely loves his job. He lives and breathes nurturing and teaching. And if you happen to think he's not doing his best, he'll just try harder.

Goals:

> Get his academy Outdoors Club off the ground. He wants a decent amount of kids to join up. All things they collect while out can also be used for his class, which makes it all the more hands on and fun!

> Thank the teachers who gave him the drive to complete his education and go on to Leviathan. He doesn't care where they live and how long it'll take, he wants to thank each and every one of them in person. (With or without gifts)

> Buy his father a new house. The current house that he and his father live in is hard for March to navigate because of all the stairs. Plus, it's a little too far from the academy for Morpheus' liking.

> Become a father and raise a large family. Whether adopted or imbued, Morphy wants a big family with multiple generations. He may also be in the market for a romantic partner or two, but the dream of having a family kind of trumps that for now.