Name: Cullo Aglaisio Race(s): Fey Zodiac Sign: The Scepter Academy House or University: Grendel University student Gender: Androgynous, male Starting Stage: Senior Base: Senior Fey O, Wing: S4, Antennae: 4, Flower: 3 Brief Description of Appearance OR Customs Form: Wings: Markings like European Peacock Butterfly (Aglais io ). See refs. Antennae: 4 Expression: 62 Eye Color: See refs, CC Hair: Short and boyish or pixie cut. See ref for inspiration. Body: Color and any markings CC Clothing: Generally speaking an ancient Chinese, minister's, style. CC on things like color, cut, and other details. See refs. Accessories: I would like him to be holding a fan, if possible. Cert of Conversion:
References: Courtier from Han/Tang dynasties meets Mori-kei boy: Warning: butterflies
Just clothes:
Are You Questing Illegal Spells?: N Are You Questing an Infected?: N Random Selection OK?: Yes
Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2019 8:19 am
Profile:
Who is this person? Cullo is a young adult fey who is gearing up to attend Grendel University. He comes from a well to do family and has never lacked for anything his whole life. Used to getting everything he ever wanted just in asking, and never being crossed except by his parents, he was up for a rude awakening as a freshling. He was, quite frankly, a brat. He was unsociable, demanding, cried a lot, and threw tantrums. His inability to express himself, such as when he needed help with some homework, did not help matters either. But as he grew, he learned how to fit right in with the other kids and made many friends. His altruistic and generous nature made him well-liked and was sought-after for his opinion or to lend a shoulder. He loves the arts but lacks the certain finesse that a career in acting requires, is tone-deaf, and lacks the "eye" for drawing. That does not keep him down, however, and he enjoys being a patron of the arts, with parents' help and permission. Though his original intentions were to study the arts and become a writer of some sort, he has become interested in childcare to learn what it's like to raise children. He would very much love children of his own but has yet to reach that point in his relationship with his boyfriend, so he has decided on adoption as a possible solution.
What are they like? He projects a rather precise and calm air about him. He tries to act professionally and as a result may seem stuffy, bored, or just boring! In class he is attentive, and tries to hide behind his silk fan when he's sleepy. He likes to help classmates if they're having trouble and if he can't help or gets the answer wrong he takes it hard. His disappointment in himself may come off as disdainful to others, when in reality he really wants to help or doesn't know how to ask for help.
What has their life been like so far? His life is rather boring. His family provides for his every need that the Academy has not, and then some. His dorm always had nice furniture: a couple wall hangings, a changing screen, and a plush bed, and a nice wooden desk. Because he is, frankly, spoiled, his biggest challenges may seem normal and easy to everyone else. His biggest problem has been knowing when and how to ask for help, which has led to him working twice as hard but learning to take care of himself.
What's their family like? They're the visibly rich fey, from a fairly old bloodline. They have an estate with a capacity that can host balls and other large events. They hold family close and take parenthood very seriously. Naturally that means sending their son off to a boarding school for most of his life. They live Above, so visiting them is a bit difficult for Cullo, however, he does try to as often as possible: holidays and school breaks mostly. They're not exactly happy that their son has fraternized...closely...with other races, but they love their son and want happiness for him. Most of all, even at his age they try to trust him to act upon his better judgment, including the choosing of his friends and modest investments included.
What's an event that's affected them so far? When Cullo finally realized that he could not participate in any of The Arts that he loved, he was mentally traumatized and damaged his flower around the same time. Waves of depression from his injury and trauma from lack of self and purpose lead to a "midlife crisis" at a very young age. Initially he thought he had done something wrong and tried to fix it but his frustration and anxiety effectively blocked any sort of progress he may have made. Eventually, with therapy and simply time to heal, he began to change his outlook. He was good at writing his mind and found journaling was a good outlet and could replace what drawing may have provided for another child. Another outlet he developed was his small "garden" of pots and planters at the dorm. Together they sustained his sense of creation. The garden also helped him learn his growing sense of responsibility, as neglect could lead to damage, disease, and death of plants and familiars. Bud and Fluffbug and Skyfish together with herbs and familiar-friendly flowers, now all benefit from his care.
How do they feel about their own race, as well as other races? Beliefs align with his own race: love and acceptance make the world go around. In the beginning he was very ignorant and on account of that his mouth got him into trouble sometimes. Now he celebrates diversity and wants to support the multiracial community through patronage of the various arts. He also wants to bring some of that appreciation Above to share it with those who may be ignorant of all the good he has experienced. His boyfriend is a kirin-sluagh hybrid. Through him Cullo has learned about these diverse cultures especially, and together they have endured what multiracial couples often suffer from intolerant people. In the end, he feels that people are just people no matter what their race or background. Some are good or bad, but most are simply trying to get through the day. So he feels a connection with everyone on some level.
And how do/did they feel about their Academy House or University? His feeling about House Arkham has been generally positive. His house members have helped him understand more thoroughly the culture of Below as well as Above, and in turn appreciate everyone's differences. This is why he wants to help ensure current and future generations get a well-rounded background in the arts. Art, whatever its form, is a reflection of society of the time. It's important to learn and express it. He looks forward to University as he finishes out his Senior year at the Academy. For now he plans to attend some community college classes in childcare, then work in the field while he is in college. He intends to attend Grendel University, and everything he has heard about it gives him good vibes.
What are their goals for the future? He wants to study and work in childcare to prepare for raising kids of his own. Patronage of the arts will come with money, so he needs something more lucrative to be able to afford these investments. His plan is to become a writer of nonfiction, either within the arts or history (art history even). Maybe become a teacher. He is not exactly decided yet.
__________o Likes The Arts: theatre and music especially. He hasn't the talent but loves to appreciate it by going to plays and concerts with family or friends. In the future he wants to follow in the family's footsteps of patronage of the arts. Maybe buy a small theatre and run stage performances.
__________o He is a very moral person, not only following the rules to follow the rules but because he cares about the impact of his words and actions upon others. He is not a bleeding heart, per se, but he does give people many chances to succeed.
__________o Along this vein is the chance for improvement. He believes a troubled youth can turn their life around. His own boyfriend Uaithne did this himself, from rebellious and bratty punk to caring individual. It can only happen if the individual wants to improve themselves, and if they get the chance. He wants to give chances if he can.
__________o He loves children. He is an only child but as a young adult has had a chance to watch freshlings from that perspective and has learned that they are fascinating tiny people. Because of this he has decided to work in child care to see if he would make a good parent, as well as to prepare himself for the responsibilities that fall upon a parent.
_____Dislikes - Disobedience, Immorality, Low standards, Being forgotten. Being alone. Being friendless.
__________o Rule-breakers and immoral people bother him because they often lack the empathy for the consequences of their words and actions. He tries to reason and exercise patience with them but it can be very tiring if not dangerous. Like anyone of differing and forceful opinion, he may lose his temper with them. But he also knows that one can change like his boyfriend Uaithne did. Rebellion is often a cry for help more than a rally of revolutionary ideals. So to attend and understand these people is something he wants to try to do.
__________o He wants to be surrounded by friends, loved-ones, and allies. The idea of being alone in the world terrifies him. Being alone to his own devices is not what he fears, more that he wants to share in life's experiences with others. If he cannot, he will lose his sense of purpose and self. He can be severely harmed if his sense of self is severed; in his mind he will seem to float in an abyss. This tendency toward a mental break may be the result of a specific mental trauma (and damage to his flower) in the past.
What do they like to do in their free time? When not at school, the theatre or arranging an arts related event, he can sometimes be found at the temple. The reason is that it is a form of meditation for him. It puts him at peace as he recites the rites and performs the rituals. He also treats plants with reverence whenever he harvests them. He keeps a small garden to grow and prepare his own herbs and tea blends. This is also a sort of meditation for him. He does not have the greenest thumb of his peers but it's a small source of pride to be able to make his own. Altogether he can be described as traditionalist, though he does not believe in the gods, per se. But he does believe that the care and reverence for one's surroundings ensures that they will continue to be a source of rest, safety, sustenance, etc. The rituals slow the thought process and, if performed correctly, will help one to ruminate on these important revelations.
Strengths: The Scepter: Patient, Confident, Encouraging, Generous, Idealistic. Him personally: Uaithne <3 the kids, his family. Family is better than one alone. Strength in love and numbers.
_____ Actually has the qualities needed to be a good parent: patience, encouraging, confidence. As he works more and more with kids in childcare, he will demonstrate these traits on a regular basis and often times without conscious effort. Okay, patience and kids takes some work!
_____ Idealistic and generous describe his personal code. He wants everyone to get a chance to succeed and shine. He gives more chances than sometimes is warranted, and even at the risk of his own health and well-being, so this can easily become a double-edged sword.
_____ Family is his greatest strength. His parents, Uaithne, the kids. All of them together add up to something far greater than the sum of each part. They work together, support one another, cry for one another, cheer for one another. It's love, friendship, strength.
_____ He can dance. It is not his favorite pasttime, but like all other fey he is graceful and coordinated. He can pick up the steps in a new dance fairly quickly. One thing he enjoys most is dancing with his boyfriend Uaithne, who is also a good dancer.
Faults: The Scepter: Domineering, Inhibited (religion - holds him back in life, personal life), Stubborn, Pretentious, Dogmatic. Fey: Weakened flower due to past injury makes him susceptible to depression. Him personally: Not always good at communicating his feelings
_____ Inhibited by religious and moral views, it can hold him back in life and his personal life. For example, his view that "what is must be," lead him to give up on art. Perhaps if he had trained hard he would have made a good artist. Since drawing takes a lot of skill and commitment, his lack of initial talent could have been compensated for.
_____ His flower was damaged when he was young. Though it healed one could say that a certain weakness remained, leaving him susceptible to depression. He tries hard to hide his depression when it begins to return, which is one of the worst things he could do in dealing with it. However, as a result few people know anything about it or that he is anything but confident, cheerful, and somewhat pushy.
_____ He is still working on the communication skill. Not sharing his feelings (and depression) with even important trusted people he prevents progression in his life. If he would learn to communicate when he needs help, he would not be stuck. He would also find that other people like to help, and that whatever fear he may have had of rejection was unfounded.
_____ Stubbornness is the exception to Cullo's inhibition. If he gets it into his head that he will make something work, he will not give up to the point of obstinate unreasonableness. When he is finally proven wrong, as the case may be, he will be devastated until he can be persuaded to focus on other things.
Melomar
Wind-up Waffles
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Melomar
Wind-up Waffles
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Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2019 8:27 am
RP Prompt: Please choose an RP prompt and respond to it here. If you would prefer to do a solo on a topic of your choosing, it must be 500 words in length and you must write out what the prompt is much like our own provided prompts. (If you want you can submit it to be used for others!)
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Prompt One Oh no! Your Nightmare has lost something that is very dear them! What have they lost, and how do they react?
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Prompt Two Your Nightmare sees an abandoned plushie sitting on the ground by a tree in the courtyard. It looks nearly new and kind of expensive! What does your Nightmare do after they notice it?
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Prompt Three Your Nightmare has to write an essay on what they want to be when they grow up. Do they procrastinate, or get to work immediately? What is their essay about?
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Prompt Four A smart-mouthed peer just told your Nightmare that they're a failure to their race. How do they react?
It came from a classmate. One classmate, whom had attended the Academy with Cullo and Uaithne, had a few nasty words to say about people in multiracial relationships. They singled out Cullo, a Fey classmate, as a failure to his race, while Uaithne couldn't help his disgrace, he was already a hybrid. The sentiment, those words, came from a fellow university student. It was not a rare opinion, but one who is attending to their higher education should know better. Intellectually; compassionately. This was no small betrayal, coming from an acquaintance already familiar with their situation.
"Is that really how you feel? If you're going to harbor feelings like that, then..." If so, then what? He sighed harshly. No, he did not want to finish that thought. Everyone had their own path to follow in life, and all deserved to be here if they wanted to be. Cullo firmly believed that. "Hybrids and multiracial couples are commonplace nowadays. Everybody knows that. There is no failing."
Cullo thought he was done at that. But he wasn't, and the insults continued. He could feel the white-hot anger rising within him with such ferocity that it surprised him most of all. If it had been real fire his wings would have turned to ash. "And what do you know about love anyway," he bristled. "If you knew anything at all you would know that you don't choose whom to love. And anyway, when you love someone, things like race don't matter. Not really."
Nearby, the awning window to the courtyard was only open a few inches but Cullo's voice carried. Uaithne, the aforementioned kirin-sluagh hybrid, sat on a park bench surrounded by the university's beautiful landscaping, had no trouble overhearing the whole exchange and his green and teal skin darkened, flushed. Fond of the Fey, his major love interest, he had not expected such passion, especially in public. They were the subject of the argument and Uaithne knew he was not meant to hear. But he was here to pick up Cullo after class and for Uaithne and his sharp hearing there was no avoiding it.
Cullo could not stay in that room for one moment more. This, too, surprised him. He prided himself on a level head and smoothly controlled emotions, but this abuse he could not bear any longer. The slurs this smart-mouthed jerk had used to describe Uaithne and what they felt for each other was unworthy of the institution. The administration would get a complaint as soon as he calmed down.
Outside, Cullo's face was as dark as Uaithne's. Both felt heat and fire but for different reasons. Uaithne wondered if they felt the same. About each other. Uaithne had been raised hearing prejudicial crap and even family had used those same words to describe him. Cullo's family was minor but known and highly cultured; he was not accustomed to such blunt and forceful racism.
"May I touch you?" Cullo asked, his voice rough with emotion. His background could be thanked for how he still gently requested permission. It gave the simple question an added thrill.
Uaithne smiled faintly. "Of course." How could I say no?
The Fey slid his slender hand into Uaithne's huge claws without flinching and the flush rose to his cheeks again. He watched as Cullo's anger slowly melted away. He could actually see Cullo's darkness disappear as he lit up with a gentler emotion. Suddenly Uaithne stopped and turned to Cullo. "I love you," he blurted out.
Cullo stared at him in open-mouthed shock, and then with equal disbelief replied, "I love you too." He closed his mouth. Even his ears bore his flustered blush. But he did not hesitate to answer Uaithne's following question.
"May I kiss you?"
"Yes." Who cares who sees us? This feeling is real.
Their first sweet kiss came amid swirling passions and falling leaves. It brought their heat together poignantly, and left no room in their minds for thoughts of resonant frustration or hate.
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Prompt Five Your Nightmare has just woken up on a day where they have class. What is their morning ritual? How do they get ready?
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Prompt Six Something has just reminded your Nightmare of a poignant memory. What was it, and what was the memory?
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Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 9:27 pm
Thought I'd throw this in here too. It's from the Adoption game (I'm planning to quest for Firn and Gaul too).
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Using an NPC named Cullo and two NPC kids named Firnriel and Hendugaul.
Prompt 1: Die 1: How did you get to the orphanage? 2: You saw an ad for the orphanage that struck a chord within you, so you showed up to the orphanage. Prompt 2: Die 2: What happens when you're invited into the orphanage's play room? 4: You enter the room and are immediately a person of interest for every child in the room except one, who stays away and ignores you. Prompt 3: Die 3: But just as you're about to leave... 2: You run into a child sitting in the waiting room that wasn't in the play room.
RP Response: Part One
Now a senior graduating from Asphodel Gardens with a bright future ahead of him, young fey Cullo Aglaisio had lived on campus since a freshling. He leaned heavily toward enrolling at Grendel University to become a Literature and Writing dual major. He loved the arts and wanted to stay close to that rich culture, though his talents made him better-suited to writing and teaching than performing arts, which he nevertheless favored.
But when he saw the ad for the orphanage it started him thinking. Something about it made him reconsider what he wanted for his life from schooling to career to family. No matter what his career choice might be, he knew already that he would need the companionship of family early on. Since he had even a modicum of indecisiveness about his future, he could not be certain that any of his friends from school would be in touch later on. What if they all left him behind, to pursue schooling at Asterion, or returned to their families in their traditional homes in other cities, or even went Above? What if his family wanted him to return Above?
Even if they were irrational, his fears were real. His insecurity slowly filled him with a cool ball of fear from the root of his flower. It was like a seed of corruption slowly filling his core and branching out to his extremities. It ate away at his confidence in a way the threats of physical and social awkwardness and even academic failure seemed to pale against. He couldn't bear to be completely alone.
In his hour of need, Cullo reached out to his caretaker, the one whom had supported him every time the support of a close adult figure was needed. He expressed those fears and hoped that a solution could be reached. Grendel and its coming school year would not wait for him.
What the ad also did was provide a springboard for the caretaker to work from. Cullo had discovered a new possibility he had not considered before: childcare. As this was explained to him, Cullo clung to it. While his mind gathered in the possibilities, his caretaker sat back and watched it happen, allowing him to come to his own conclusions.
Surely caring for freshlings could be rewarding. Surely he could help them handle their problems and feel fulfilled by it. What if, for the time being, he could volunteer as a caretaker's assistant, or even work his way up to caretaker to put himself through college? That way he could see how mentorship, benefactions, and even adoption might suit him. So he partook of reading material that his caretaker provided him: posters (which he memorized), pamphlets, job applications, and even forms for adoption. Now that school was over, he could focus on this puzzle with all of his focus. He mapped out his future, and, soon he realized that Grendel could safely be in his future. So he also continued with his preparations there.
All that remained of his fear and nervousness from before evaporated completely when he found himself in the waiting room of the orphanage. From there he saw the freshlings through the open door to the playroom. The room seemed bright and cheerful, to almost... exude warmth. It felt like home. He was home.
Part Two
"Go on inside. It's okay!" One of the caretakers wore a crooked but kind and knowing smile and shook her head at him. This fey's uncertainty was not uncommon.
Why did Cullo feel so indecisive? It was not the same old fear all over again, but a sort of shyness. Cullo was not shy. Not at all! That thinking was what propelled him forward as if his wings had done the work. He nearly tripped on the carpet as he made the transition between rooms. He flared his wings to settle himself then looked around for "the teacher."
A murmer slowly traveled around the room as he turned to speak with one of the adults. Apparently the sight of brightly-colored fey wings was stunning to the freshlings. When closed they looked like dead leaves, but when flared as they were the kids got a perfect view of four eyes, stripes, spots, and bright splotches of fire-orange: like a peacock butterfly, for which his family had been named.
When he turned around, everyone was staring at him and some were even smiling. All except for one, who seemed to studiously stare at the wall in front of her.
"Wow! Yor wings a'e greaat!"
"Can you fwy?"
"Who a'e you?"
"Why you heere?"
"Are you going to a-dopt wun of us?"
"Show us how you f'y!" "Say 'please!'" "Peaze!"
"His name is Cullo Aglaisio," The caretakers explained. "He's come to play with us for a while."
He took a quiet breath and nodded. Then he proceeded to visit with everyone and ask for each name. He played with puzzles, drew pictures, built a house with brick-sized blocks and even sat inside of it.
When he reached the girl, she still ignored him. "What's your name?"
No answer. But she shifted in her seat, arms crossed.
"My name's--"
She grumbled. "I don' wanna talk to you."
"--Cullo. Oh." He sat down in a seat next to her, for she was seated at a desk grouped with others. His chair was tiny! "Maybe if I just talk you don't have to. But that doesn't seem very fu--"
"--You gonna take away one of my frien's?!" she rasped. She seemed accustomed to mumbling or whispering.
"Well, no, not today. I just wanted to meet everyone and see what it's like here. It hasn't changed much since I was a freshling," he chuckled.
"You were a freshling?" she asked in disbelief.
"Hard to believe it, but yes."
Well, she chuckled at that.
All too soon, it was time to go. He helped put away some toys that were not being used but remained under foot. The kids seemed to like him...and he liked them all. "I'll come see you all again soon!"
"Cullo!" He stopped at the door. It was the girl that had ignored him. "My name... is Firn. Firnriel!"
"That's a pretty name! Next time I'll tell you, 'Hello, Firn!' Would you like that?"
She was too busy being razzed by her peers to properly respond. Cullo left with a smile on his face.
Part Three
Just as he was leaving the play room, Cullo ran into someone. Or did someone run into him? The boy bounced off his belly and landed, stunned, on his bottom on the floor. Cullo tried to help him up but the boy swatted his hand away with a growl.
"Hendugaul, sit back down. You're back now, but you're still in time out," the caretaker at the desk called.
Perhaps he came from the bathroom? "You'll never understand the gift of charity if you don't accept help from a stranger," Cullo chuckled to himself.
Sullenly the boy glared up at his elder student. "Who are you?"
"Cullo. I came by today to visit with everyone. And who are you?"
"Gaul," the boy muttered as he hopped to his feet. It sounded onomatopoeic when he said it, so Cullo could not be certain it was even a name. "Do you mind? You're in the way." He pointed to a chair now directly behind Cullo. Why it had to be that chair the elder boy could only guess. A favorite, perhaps? Or maybe that was simply the time-out chair.
Cullo turned and glanced backward; the play room was also behind him. "You belong in there? But you're so big."
"Yes. I'm big for my age." Gaul straightened his shoulders until he stood at his full height. His tiny wings fluffed up with a sense of importance. Then he sat down in "his" seat.
"I see. Well I almost missed you. I'm glad I didn't."
"Yeah right."
"It's true," Cullo nodded. "I wanted to meet everybody."
Gaul scowled. "Oh, so. So you want to adopt somebody?"
"Just to visit. I don't even know if I'd make a good parent. But I might want to become a caretaker."
"You don't seem like a dad. More like a friend," the younger boy confirmed.
"Would you like to be my friend?" Cullo was not sure if the boy's response to that was disgust or something else.
"Maybe," Gaul muttered.
"Let's find out next time. I'll be coming back soon."
Ruminating on Cullo's offer the boy repeated, "Yeah, maybe." This time he sounded a little more optimistic.
"Great. I want to know if I should bring something to do with you. What is it you like to do while you're in the play room?"
"I don't know."
"Come on." Gaul shook his head negatively. Cullo shrugged. "No? Okay. Well, I'll stop bothering you, then. See you next time."
"Yeah." Uncertainly, the boy gazed up at Cullo. It was a sideways look, as if he was trying to decide if Cullo was friend or foe. He watched Cullo for a long time, then his back until he was out of sight.
Cullo did not expect everyone to like him on the first day. He still wasn't sure about Firnriel, and Gaul here seemed wary still. What had caused these children to behave this way? Had they been harmed at some point, or were they simply wary by nature? He realized with a certain level of buoyancy that he wanted to know the answers to these questions. Perhaps children were in his future after all!
