application - luministi
from: http://luministimods.livejournal.com/2085.html
Player Name: Maggie
Player LJ: sykkea
E-mail and/or AIM: AIM = TharianDream
Timezone: CST (GMT -5)
Current Characters: Nope!
Character: Croix Bartel
Fandom/Series: Ar Tonelico 2: Melody of Metafalica (or just Ar Tonelico 2, if that's too long. XD)
Original or Alternate Universe: Original
Canon Used: 99% based off the game itself. Taking a few minor manga points, but only because they give Croix a little more depth than just "protagonist". Since there are multiple endings, I am also going to go with Luca's romance path.
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Species: Human
Appearance: Croix in his armor, and Croix without his armor (on the right, obviously). He does need those glasses, yes, but his eyesight isn't so bad that he needs to wear his glasses in battle. Besides, can you imagine the risk there? Glass in the eye? No thank you.
I imagine most of the time, he will not be wearing armor. So, yes, he'll probably be wearing the glasses.
Personality: Croix is, first and foremost, a strong young man with a cool head and calm exterior. He takes the world at face value, is rarely ever rash and is often the voice of reason in the party. ... Given that he comes from a world wherein the game designers took every possible opportunity to insert a sexual innuendo or "suggestive" situation? This is an accomplishment.
Croix is, generally, a happy and pleasant person. Despite being dedicated, hard-working, knightly and other stick-in-the-mud stereotypes, he does has a sense of humor about things. He's also The Nice Guy. You know the type: he'll hold the door open for you, let you take the front place in line if you get there at the same time, change his order if you want the same thing but there's only one left... oh, and you're not even dating. Though, while he's happy and pleasant, he isn't one for excessive laughter. A quiet chuckle or a sincere smile will do just as well. He would be a man of few words, too, if he didn't have to talk sense to his party, which consists of four headstrong womenladies, a spunky child, a guard captain with an attitude problem and a talking dogthing. ... Yep.
Even though Croix is the practical and realistic sort, he still has very idealistic tendencies and beliefs, especially when it comes to saving the world. As a young child, he made a promise with Targana that he would help change the world, and help them realize the dream of Metafalica. He still plans to keep that promise, and no matter how impossible it seems, he's the one telling everyone not to give up
He also places the fate of those he cares for, or the world as a whole, before his own. He did not fully enjoy being in the Grand Bell Army, but he felt the world would be made better through him if, as a member of the army, he could help put an end to the IPD outbreaks and scares. When he left the army, even though he was no longer charged with protecting Lady Cloche, he continued to throw himself in the line of fire for her sake just because he cared about her. And of course, there's Luca, the girl he swore to protect and will continue to do so until his dying day... He embodies the ideals of a knight very well, without taking them to the extreme of fighting ridiculous, losing battles in the name of "honor and glory," or compromising his own feelings and beliefs because his charge says otherwise. (I'm looking at you, Leglius. :|)
However, even the pleasant, calm Croix can be shaken. Croix does not handle extreme anger well. It's as though he has no idea what to do with it, like the concept is foreign to him. He doesn't shut down entirely, but it's as though he turns off all of his emotion just so he doesn't have to experience it. He goes cold, quiet, tense. Even though it looks like a calm before a storm, the storm never comes. Getting over his anger takes a long time, and he very often shuts himself off from everyone, including Cocona, who is always by his side and all up in his business. It's a very good thing that it takes quite a bit to make Croix angry, and practically forces of nature to make him angry enough to shut himself away.
Strengths/Abilities: Croix was always the top of his class in swordsmanship, and he was the youngest to pass the tests to join the Grand Bell Army. As such, he's obviously a very skilled fighter. His weapon of choice these days is a lance with a rocket attached to the end of it (... I'm not kidding) for extra force. In canon, he also proves that he is still a master of swordsmanship, should he be unable to get to his rocketlance. His style of choice is to alternate devastatingly heavy blows with quick, sharp strikes, keeping the enemy guessing while he easily takes advantage of having the upper hand.
Weaknesses: Physically, nothing glaring. But he is, indeed, a squishy human. It's also likely that since his eyesight isn't perfect, incredibly fast movements could trip him up. He might more easily lose sight of a target that's moving at superhuman speed.
History: http://artonelico.wikia.com/wiki/Croix_Bartel
Not the most well-written thing in the world. ... Let me try to do a little bit better up to the point I'll be taking him from:
Croix was orphaned at the age of 4 when his mother suffered from an IPD Outbreak - a "sickness" specific to Reyvateils wherein an overload of negative emotion causes them to lose conscious control of themselves. His mother killed her husband, Croix's father, as well as several innocent people in the town of Mint Ward. She then committed suicide. Croix was taken in by a woman named Reisha.
One way to cope with the loss was to look forward to the future, and Croix threw himself into practicing swordsmanship and combat. He dreamed of joining the Grand Bell Army and finding a way to stop IPD outbreaks, though his long-term goal was to change the world of Metafalss and make it a better place for everyone. He met another with the same goal in mind: Targana. His rival/best friend forever. (It's a great bromance, let me tell you.) Targana was always second best, but not by much. Together, they practiced, fought and trained, each of them swearing that together, through them, Metafalss would be a wonderful place. They even dreamed that maybe one day, they could help create a new land, the legendary land of Metafalica.
Reisha's daughter, Luca (5 years old at the time), became his other closest friend. Their relationship grew into a more intimate one, insomuch as you can have an "intimate" relationship when you're 12 years old and your girlfriend is 13. However, it was a short-lived "romance". Croix passed the trials and exams to join the Grand Bell Army at the age of 12 - the youngest in history. He packed his bags and left for the grand city of Pastalia, and Luca waited for the day that she would be able to visit him, perhaps even start things all over.
Croix proved himself to be a force to be reckoned with, quickly earning the respect of his fellow knights and his superiors. He was the only soldier who never required a Reyvateil partner. The Grand Bell Army had a mission to contain IPD-contaminated Reyvateils and isolate them from the rest of society, and Croix was sent on many of these missions. He hated these, of course, due to his past experience with his mother. Still, he complied. After a particularly nasty outbreak, he found a young girl crying in the debris, sobbing for her dead parents. Orphaned. Just as he'd been. He took the young girl, Cocona, in, and raised her. She quickly became like a little sister to him, especially the way she constantly found nicknames for him and worried after him, while he attempted to watch over her and keep her out of too much childish trouble.
Six years later, the game proper begins. At this point in the wiki here. Said link does follow Luca's path as well, so at least that's handy. I apologize in advance for the horrible, horrible writing. Ugh.
Canon Point: Croix will be pulled from about 3/4 of the way into Phase 3, after his deciding duel with Targana. Their fight is interrupted by a devastating earthquake due to the land falling from the Tower, and Targana is thrown off the ledge. He fully intends to fall, but Croix refuses to let him senselessly commit suicide and pulls him to safety despite nearly falling to his own demise in the process. It's on their way back to Bell Strike Hall that Croix is suddenly yanked out of his own world.
First Person Sample: Coffee? Hmm, the picture makes it look like a drink. Maybe Luca knows what it is. And this cup... "Luministi... Lions"?
[Yes, Croix is rummaging through the gift basket. Some of this is familiar, but a lot of it is absolutely foreign and he's not entirely sure what to do with it. The next thing he grabs is the paperweight.]
Maybe this thing is in the shape of a lion? Whatever a lion is. Maybe they have lions on the roads here?
The roads... [His eyes narrow and he frowns.] I need to find my way back. I don't know how I got here, but I need to be headed toward Pastalia! Lady Cloche needs me, and Luca...!
That man, though... he spoke like I wasn't leaving. [A pause... then he nods once, firmly.] No. He can't stop me.
[He starts for the front door.] Don't worry, Luca. I'm coming.
Third Person Sample: "Have you noticed something?"
Croix barely heard Cocona ask her question. Really, he was surprised he could hear anything over the horrible racket that was Cloche and Luca screaming at each other in the distance. He looked up from the campfire to face her. "Hm?"
"Ever since Luca and Lady Cloche started getting closer and going to the Infelsphere," Cocona elaborated, "they've been fighting an awful lot." She frowned, watching them, concerned.
Croix sighed. He didn't want to ask, but he did anyway, "What's the argument about this time?"
"I dunno," Cocona shrugged. They exchanged a brief look... then both leaned forward just a bit, as though it would help them hear better.
"What if we are attacked in the night and Croix must protect me? Of course it makes sense for my tent to be nearer to his!" snapped Lady Cloche.
"Yeah? What's the matter, can't protect yourself?" Luca countered, absolutely relentless, "Are you finally admitting that you're just a bunch of talk?"
"How dare you! What insolence! No wonder you resorted to Dive Therapy, no sane, respectable industry would hire such a rude girl!"
"You...! You stuck-up, sheltered, spoiled little brat! You take that back!" Luca's tone was bordering on a shriek. Croix winced. Luca looked ready to pounce, to start clawing and biting, maybe even ripping out hair. He knew she wouldn't, but the fact that he could envision it at all was... not comforting.
But Cocona had a plan. She marched over, tent supplies in hand, and began setting up her tent right next to Croix's. The two older women turned and gaped at her. "What are you doing?!" cried Cloche.
"Putting my tent next to Cro's," Cocona answered simply, feigning innocence and already setting up, "so if something attacks us at night, we'll be right at the front to protect you both!" She gave them a confused look, perfectly constructed in only a way a child can manage, "Oh, you two wanted to stay here, right? Because you like him?"
Was that really necessary...? Croix sighed, shook his head and looked back down at his place.
The women, however, had two very different reactions. Luca blushed, gasped and went absolutely quiet, looking away with the barest hint of a sappy smile on her face. Cloche blushed, gasped and stomped her foot on the ground, glaring at Cocona. "No," she loudly protested, "that's not it at all! Why would you say that?!"
"Then, it's okay!" Cocona answered with a smile, then turned her attention right back to her tent. Defeated, Luca and Cloche marched off, Luca to sulk and Cloche to rant and rave at anyone who would listen. Cocona turned to Croix and gave her adoptive big brother a wink.
Croix smiled. He couldn't help it. The whole spectacle was amusing, if just a bit awkward. At least they weren't threatening to kill each other anymore. Well, okay, they were, but at least it wasn't sincere anymore. They really had come a long way. He'd finish pretending to eat, then visit each of them to make sure neither of them was going to somehow turn this into his fault.
Traveling with two Holy Maidens was certainly not dull.
Did you read the rules? No. ......... Yes.
Player Name: Maggie
Player LJ: sykkea
E-mail and/or AIM: AIM = TharianDream
Timezone: CST (GMT -5)
Current Characters: Nope!
Character: Croix Bartel
Fandom/Series: Ar Tonelico 2: Melody of Metafalica (or just Ar Tonelico 2, if that's too long. XD)
Original or Alternate Universe: Original
Canon Used: 99% based off the game itself. Taking a few minor manga points, but only because they give Croix a little more depth than just "protagonist". Since there are multiple endings, I am also going to go with Luca's romance path.
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Species: Human
Appearance: Croix in his armor, and Croix without his armor (on the right, obviously). He does need those glasses, yes, but his eyesight isn't so bad that he needs to wear his glasses in battle. Besides, can you imagine the risk there? Glass in the eye? No thank you.
I imagine most of the time, he will not be wearing armor. So, yes, he'll probably be wearing the glasses.
Personality: Croix is, first and foremost, a strong young man with a cool head and calm exterior. He takes the world at face value, is rarely ever rash and is often the voice of reason in the party. ... Given that he comes from a world wherein the game designers took every possible opportunity to insert a sexual innuendo or "suggestive" situation? This is an accomplishment.
Croix is, generally, a happy and pleasant person. Despite being dedicated, hard-working, knightly and other stick-in-the-mud stereotypes, he does has a sense of humor about things. He's also The Nice Guy. You know the type: he'll hold the door open for you, let you take the front place in line if you get there at the same time, change his order if you want the same thing but there's only one left... oh, and you're not even dating. Though, while he's happy and pleasant, he isn't one for excessive laughter. A quiet chuckle or a sincere smile will do just as well. He would be a man of few words, too, if he didn't have to talk sense to his party, which consists of four headstrong womenladies, a spunky child, a guard captain with an attitude problem and a talking dogthing. ... Yep.
Even though Croix is the practical and realistic sort, he still has very idealistic tendencies and beliefs, especially when it comes to saving the world. As a young child, he made a promise with Targana that he would help change the world, and help them realize the dream of Metafalica. He still plans to keep that promise, and no matter how impossible it seems, he's the one telling everyone not to give up
He also places the fate of those he cares for, or the world as a whole, before his own. He did not fully enjoy being in the Grand Bell Army, but he felt the world would be made better through him if, as a member of the army, he could help put an end to the IPD outbreaks and scares. When he left the army, even though he was no longer charged with protecting Lady Cloche, he continued to throw himself in the line of fire for her sake just because he cared about her. And of course, there's Luca, the girl he swore to protect and will continue to do so until his dying day... He embodies the ideals of a knight very well, without taking them to the extreme of fighting ridiculous, losing battles in the name of "honor and glory," or compromising his own feelings and beliefs because his charge says otherwise. (I'm looking at you, Leglius. :|)
However, even the pleasant, calm Croix can be shaken. Croix does not handle extreme anger well. It's as though he has no idea what to do with it, like the concept is foreign to him. He doesn't shut down entirely, but it's as though he turns off all of his emotion just so he doesn't have to experience it. He goes cold, quiet, tense. Even though it looks like a calm before a storm, the storm never comes. Getting over his anger takes a long time, and he very often shuts himself off from everyone, including Cocona, who is always by his side and all up in his business. It's a very good thing that it takes quite a bit to make Croix angry, and practically forces of nature to make him angry enough to shut himself away.
Strengths/Abilities: Croix was always the top of his class in swordsmanship, and he was the youngest to pass the tests to join the Grand Bell Army. As such, he's obviously a very skilled fighter. His weapon of choice these days is a lance with a rocket attached to the end of it (... I'm not kidding) for extra force. In canon, he also proves that he is still a master of swordsmanship, should he be unable to get to his rocketlance. His style of choice is to alternate devastatingly heavy blows with quick, sharp strikes, keeping the enemy guessing while he easily takes advantage of having the upper hand.
Weaknesses: Physically, nothing glaring. But he is, indeed, a squishy human. It's also likely that since his eyesight isn't perfect, incredibly fast movements could trip him up. He might more easily lose sight of a target that's moving at superhuman speed.
History: http://artonelico.wikia.com/wiki/Croix_Bartel
Not the most well-written thing in the world. ... Let me try to do a little bit better up to the point I'll be taking him from:
Croix was orphaned at the age of 4 when his mother suffered from an IPD Outbreak - a "sickness" specific to Reyvateils wherein an overload of negative emotion causes them to lose conscious control of themselves. His mother killed her husband, Croix's father, as well as several innocent people in the town of Mint Ward. She then committed suicide. Croix was taken in by a woman named Reisha.
One way to cope with the loss was to look forward to the future, and Croix threw himself into practicing swordsmanship and combat. He dreamed of joining the Grand Bell Army and finding a way to stop IPD outbreaks, though his long-term goal was to change the world of Metafalss and make it a better place for everyone. He met another with the same goal in mind: Targana. His rival/best friend forever. (It's a great bromance, let me tell you.) Targana was always second best, but not by much. Together, they practiced, fought and trained, each of them swearing that together, through them, Metafalss would be a wonderful place. They even dreamed that maybe one day, they could help create a new land, the legendary land of Metafalica.
Reisha's daughter, Luca (5 years old at the time), became his other closest friend. Their relationship grew into a more intimate one, insomuch as you can have an "intimate" relationship when you're 12 years old and your girlfriend is 13. However, it was a short-lived "romance". Croix passed the trials and exams to join the Grand Bell Army at the age of 12 - the youngest in history. He packed his bags and left for the grand city of Pastalia, and Luca waited for the day that she would be able to visit him, perhaps even start things all over.
Croix proved himself to be a force to be reckoned with, quickly earning the respect of his fellow knights and his superiors. He was the only soldier who never required a Reyvateil partner. The Grand Bell Army had a mission to contain IPD-contaminated Reyvateils and isolate them from the rest of society, and Croix was sent on many of these missions. He hated these, of course, due to his past experience with his mother. Still, he complied. After a particularly nasty outbreak, he found a young girl crying in the debris, sobbing for her dead parents. Orphaned. Just as he'd been. He took the young girl, Cocona, in, and raised her. She quickly became like a little sister to him, especially the way she constantly found nicknames for him and worried after him, while he attempted to watch over her and keep her out of too much childish trouble.
Six years later, the game proper begins. At this point in the wiki here. Said link does follow Luca's path as well, so at least that's handy. I apologize in advance for the horrible, horrible writing. Ugh.
Canon Point: Croix will be pulled from about 3/4 of the way into Phase 3, after his deciding duel with Targana. Their fight is interrupted by a devastating earthquake due to the land falling from the Tower, and Targana is thrown off the ledge. He fully intends to fall, but Croix refuses to let him senselessly commit suicide and pulls him to safety despite nearly falling to his own demise in the process. It's on their way back to Bell Strike Hall that Croix is suddenly yanked out of his own world.
First Person Sample: Coffee? Hmm, the picture makes it look like a drink. Maybe Luca knows what it is. And this cup... "Luministi... Lions"?
[Yes, Croix is rummaging through the gift basket. Some of this is familiar, but a lot of it is absolutely foreign and he's not entirely sure what to do with it. The next thing he grabs is the paperweight.]
Maybe this thing is in the shape of a lion? Whatever a lion is. Maybe they have lions on the roads here?
The roads... [His eyes narrow and he frowns.] I need to find my way back. I don't know how I got here, but I need to be headed toward Pastalia! Lady Cloche needs me, and Luca...!
That man, though... he spoke like I wasn't leaving. [A pause... then he nods once, firmly.] No. He can't stop me.
[He starts for the front door.] Don't worry, Luca. I'm coming.
Third Person Sample: "Have you noticed something?"
Croix barely heard Cocona ask her question. Really, he was surprised he could hear anything over the horrible racket that was Cloche and Luca screaming at each other in the distance. He looked up from the campfire to face her. "Hm?"
"Ever since Luca and Lady Cloche started getting closer and going to the Infelsphere," Cocona elaborated, "they've been fighting an awful lot." She frowned, watching them, concerned.
Croix sighed. He didn't want to ask, but he did anyway, "What's the argument about this time?"
"I dunno," Cocona shrugged. They exchanged a brief look... then both leaned forward just a bit, as though it would help them hear better.
"What if we are attacked in the night and Croix must protect me? Of course it makes sense for my tent to be nearer to his!" snapped Lady Cloche.
"Yeah? What's the matter, can't protect yourself?" Luca countered, absolutely relentless, "Are you finally admitting that you're just a bunch of talk?"
"How dare you! What insolence! No wonder you resorted to Dive Therapy, no sane, respectable industry would hire such a rude girl!"
"You...! You stuck-up, sheltered, spoiled little brat! You take that back!" Luca's tone was bordering on a shriek. Croix winced. Luca looked ready to pounce, to start clawing and biting, maybe even ripping out hair. He knew she wouldn't, but the fact that he could envision it at all was... not comforting.
But Cocona had a plan. She marched over, tent supplies in hand, and began setting up her tent right next to Croix's. The two older women turned and gaped at her. "What are you doing?!" cried Cloche.
"Putting my tent next to Cro's," Cocona answered simply, feigning innocence and already setting up, "so if something attacks us at night, we'll be right at the front to protect you both!" She gave them a confused look, perfectly constructed in only a way a child can manage, "Oh, you two wanted to stay here, right? Because you like him?"
Was that really necessary...? Croix sighed, shook his head and looked back down at his place.
The women, however, had two very different reactions. Luca blushed, gasped and went absolutely quiet, looking away with the barest hint of a sappy smile on her face. Cloche blushed, gasped and stomped her foot on the ground, glaring at Cocona. "No," she loudly protested, "that's not it at all! Why would you say that?!"
"Then, it's okay!" Cocona answered with a smile, then turned her attention right back to her tent. Defeated, Luca and Cloche marched off, Luca to sulk and Cloche to rant and rave at anyone who would listen. Cocona turned to Croix and gave her adoptive big brother a wink.
Croix smiled. He couldn't help it. The whole spectacle was amusing, if just a bit awkward. At least they weren't threatening to kill each other anymore. Well, okay, they were, but at least it wasn't sincere anymore. They really had come a long way. He'd finish pretending to eat, then visit each of them to make sure neither of them was going to somehow turn this into his fault.
Traveling with two Holy Maidens was certainly not dull.
Did you read the rules? No. ......... Yes.