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Name: Cary Strauss

Gender/Pronoun: He/Him

Age: 16

Birthday: January 2, 2008

Sign: Capricorn

Gemstone: Garnet

Fav. Food: Clam Chowder

Hated Food: Aged cheese, fermented food, foods with odd textures, things he can’t identify, things cooked by strangers

School/Occupation: Meadowview / Part time Janitor at an Ice Rink

Hobbies:

Cleaning -- Everything must be clean. This is part hobby, part necessity, but Cary is very invested in cleanliness and organization. Everything around him is spotless, and he seems uncomfortable around clutter and mess so he is always eager to help straight up his space and any space around him. He is very passionate about this and it’s the best thing he can do to unwind. He has a part time job cleaning at a local ice rink and can be found there after school a few days out of the week.

Cooking -- Cary is secretly a very picky eater, but his people pleasing nature means that he will put on a convincing front. When cooking, he can control what he’s eating and he finds great relief knowing what goes into the food. He’s always trying to learn new recipes to make sure he can cover all basic food groups and keep things fresh and healthy.

Reading -- Though he does not have much of an imagination on his own, Cary enjoys the creativity that reading can inspire. He likes slipping away to different worlds whenever he can. While he enjoys fiction, those are a guilty pleasure and he is more often reading nonfiction books that focus on learning new skills, and he reads textbooks and encyclopedias as well. He prefers physical books to digital ones and makes regular visits to the library to swap out books.

Virtues:

Responsible -- It is difficult to find Cary caught off guard; he spends a lot of time preparing, so he typically has a plan for all sorts of situations. He is very proactive about solutions and tries to expect the unexpected, and is very thorough and detail oriented. Cary wants to make sure he and those closest to him are taken care of. He is very conscientious about his presence and it’s unusual for him to do anything impulsively or recklessly.

Supportive -- Cary is very encouraging and supportive of those closest to him. He cares greatly for their success and happiness, so he will do whatever he can to support them. He is a problem solver by nature so he will help come up with solutions and do whatever he can to help. He always has a kind thing to say and is willing to assist in any way possible, and he’s willing to give his all to do what he can. He prioritizes others above himself so it’s easy to play a backseat role.

Kind -- Always careful with his words, Cary has a very easy presence. He never says anything bad about anyone and always tries to see the good in them. He is naturally caring and wants to look after others. He wants to bring good into the world and doesn’t want to spread negativity. He is very aware of the emotions around him and is quick to try and reassure or cheer up those close to him. He doesn’t like to be in the spotlight, but he has a gentle, inviting presence; he doesn’t expect praise or attention so sometimes his gestures go uncredited.

Flaws:

Persnickety -- Cary is very particular about how he likes things done, and if it’s not perfect he can be a bit nitpicky. His constant offers to help can make it sound like he’s criticizing and it can be exhausting, even if he never seems to mean any ill-will by it. It can feel like he’s impossible to please and it can be frustrating when he insists he should help or just do it himself. He is aware of this and is exceptionally critical of himself in a way that far exceeds what he shows to others.

Overprotective -- Naturally worried about everyone around him, he can’t help but expect the worst. He tends to be inquisitive and cautious and can insert himself in situations where he might not have been invited with the intent to look after others. He can seem overbearing and intrusive regardless of his good intentions. It can be frustrating to have to deal with his constant questions, check-ins, or hovering, and he sulks if he is asked to give space.

Guarded -- Cary is torn between wanting to be an open book, and while he desires honesty, he struggles to be honest. He will constantly minimize situations or be deliberately vague in order to side-step detailed answers. It’s a bit obvious when he’s doing so given his detail-oriented nature otherwise, so he comes across as a little hypocritical or untrustworthy himself. He is anxious and worried about many things, including being judged or criticized or taking up too much space. He expects the worst and struggles to lower his walls; he can be a downer, and a worrywart and sometimes sucks the fun out of things by ‘being practical’ and fretting over everything that could go wrong. He prefers to be noninvasive and unassuming, but his efforts to blend in and keep quiet sometimes make it very difficult to get to know him.