Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is he heavyset, thin, short, rangy?
Jing was quite small and slight as a child, and only in his teenage years has he started stretching out. I've always pegged his final height to be right around 6" or just under, but through his teenage years he's about 5'7-5'8. He has an athlete's developed build, being very lean and not overtly muscular despite being stronger than average for his size.
2. How old is he?
At present in
elegycity, he is 16 now 17. I've picked May 15th as his and Kir's birthday, the date on which the anime started airing (according to Wiki); I usually try and give them some kind of meaning. Plus, in the OVA we know Postino delivers Jing's package when there are leaves on the trees, and the flashback clearly shows a spring or summer day in which they're all playing, so I chose May. For his birthyear, going by the Quinine calendar (so I invented a world calendar, shoot me) he was born in 7QJ30.
3. Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well or does he slouch?
Casual, for the most part. It's not poor, he just doesn't give it much thought. At this point in time he's still very gangly so his posture reflects that. It's rare to find him sitting upright in a chair -- or hell, even using a chair a good part of the time, he's as comfortable on the floor or wherever. He can adopt excellent posture, if the situation or disguise called for it, but it's not typical for him.
4. How is his health? Is he fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?
He is in ridiculously good shape, being usually on the run and getting more vigorous workouts from heists than you could get in a gym. He also has the metabolism of a hummingbird on crack, because he eats a lot but stays pretty thin. He doesn't' have any illnesses or conditions, although he did have a very-nearly-fatal case of hypothermia as a child. His body remembers that and so in extremely cold conditions, it'll slow way down to protect itself, making him lethargic if he's not careful.
5. How does he move? Is he clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?
Jing moves with the utmost confidence of someone who knows exactly what his body is capable of doing and how far it can go. His agility is more pronounced than brute strength and it shows in his movements. Jing's extremely dexterous and, because of his lame right hand as a child, ambidextrous as well (though predominately right-handed in most things). It would be no stretch to assign the term "acrobatic" to him as well, as he's capable of safely falling from heights and jumping long distances.
6. How attractive is this character physically? How does he perceive himself in the mirror?
As far as looking remarkable goes, Jing doesn't really stand out with any of his features. In fact he gives his appearance very little thought anyway, he's more of a get up and go type. He understands that people (girls especially) might see him as good-looking (which he won't argue with and it makes him feel good) but he considers himself to be pretty average, all in all.
7. Describe his complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?
Jing's complexion is in the light-to-fair category, and since he's still young it's clear as well. The lighter complexion helps hide some of the scars he's gotten over the years from various heists so he thinks that's a bonus.)
8. Describe his hair: color, texture, style.
Black, worn spiky and haphazard. (I think he just rolls out of bed with it.) It holds its shape in water (lol creative animation license) but I think it'd be fairly soft spikes if you touched it.
9. What color are his eyes?
Grey. Actually they're a very nice shade of grey that show his mood well. HEADCANON - Although when his power flares up, they shift to a glowy green and extremely creepy. (
image)
10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features?
HEADCANON - Jing has a dark coloured, jagged-edged spiral on his upper right arm (
image). It's easily mistaken for a tattoo at first glance and, if someone happens to see it, he usually lets them believe that's what it is. It's actually a birthmark and the spiral shape is basically a signature of the chaotic energy in his world. Even though it's seen in landscape and architecture in Aquavitae, for it to also be on a person is a very bad omen and because of that, he's guarded about it. Even though he knows that it doesn't carry the same stigma in Elegy as it would in Aquavitae, he doesn't want to talk about it.
11. What are his chief tension centers?
His face; Jing doesn't like people casually touching his face. Like in
this thread, Jing gladly puts up with Lenalee's swats and pokes until she slaps him in the face, then his whole body language shifts and he's closed, guarded, and very troubled by it. Actually he's a little "enh" about random people touching him in general. Not like "EW DON'T TOUCH ME" but he's never had much of the hugs/headpats/nookies/etc growing up so it seems a bit jarring. Typically he'd prefer to initiate the hug or whatever.
12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does he have six of the same suit?
HAHAHA. Jing wears a bright yellow-orange coat as his main wardrobe accessory. (
image) Granted in Aquavitae this isn't as jarring given the predominant styles there, but it's definitely attention grabbing. It's a huge thing and, if closely inspected, is all cut from a single piece without stitches. The reason for this is because it's made of Noyaux material which has homogeneous properties -- if damaged, ripped, etc the coat will actually weave it's own fibers back together. The coat was a gift from his mother for his fifth birthday and has grown with him, hence the reason we see it in the flashback OVA and he still wears it today. Aside from his coat, Jing's outfit is pretty bland. Black pants and a black sleeveless shirt with an assortment of belts and buckles adorning it from time to time, along with buckled boots.
13. Do his clothes fit well? Does he seem comfortable in them?
Because the coat is SUPPOSED to be that big, yes I'd say that his clothes fit well. He doesn't have any trouble maneuvering in such an outfit (although granted, he's shed the coat from time to time during battle when it's required) and seems not to mind wearing it in all weather.
14. Does he dress the same on the job as he does in his free time? If not, what are the differences?
When he's not in his usual outfit, it's normally because the situation has called from him to wear something different like a disguise. He genuinely seems to enjoy such instances with all the job of a kid playing dress-up, but on the rare canon occasion where we see him wearing regular clothes it seems to fall under the Aquavitae equivalent of jeans and a t-shirt -- he is, after all, a teenage boy.
15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando?
Boxers, though I'm sure he's gone commando when needed. Briefs don't seem like his style.
Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?
2. How does he normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does he talk easily, or does he hesitate?
3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics?
4. What language/s does he speak, and with how much fluency?
5. Does he switch languages or dialects in certain situations?
6. Is he a good impromptu speaker, or does he have to think about his words?
7. Is he eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?
Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is he book-smart or street-smart?
2. Does he think on his feet, or does he need time to deliberate?
3. Describe the character's thought process. Is he more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?
4. What kind of education has the character had?
5. What are his areas of expertise? What, if anything, is he interested in learning more about?
6. Is he an introvert or an extrovert?
7. Describe the character's temperament. Is he even-tempered or does he have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven?
8. How does he respond to new people or situations? Is he suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?
9. Is he more likely to act, or to react?
10. Which is his default: fight or flight?
11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does he appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks?
12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does he deal with them?
13. What moments in this character's life have defined him as a person?
14. What does he fear?
15. What are his hopes or aspirations?
16. What is something he doesn't want anyone to find out about him?
Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with his parents.
2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?
3. Are there other blood relatives to whom he is close? Are there ones he can't stand?
4. Are there other, unrelated people whom he considers part of his family? What are his relationships with them?
5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet?
6. Does he have other close friends?
7. Does he make friends easily, or does he have trouble getting along with people?
8. Which does he consider more important: family or friends?
9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has he been married more than once?
10. Is he currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?
11. Who was his first crush? Who is his latest?
12. What does he look for in a romantic partner?
13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does he relate to them? If no, does he want any?
14. Does he have any rivals or enemies?
15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does he fall on the
Kinsey scale?
16. How does he feel about sex? How important is it to him?
17. What are his turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?
Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (
zodiac of
choice) sign? How well does he fit type?
2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in his life?
3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it?
4. How does he regard beliefs that differ from his? Is he tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?
5. What prejudices does he hold? Are they irrational or does he have a good reason for them?
Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is he rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?
2. What is his social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him?
3. Where does he live? House, apartment, trailer? Is his home his castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does he share it with others?
4. Besides the basic necessities, what does he spend his money on?
5. What does he do for a living? Is he good at it? Does he enjoy it, or would he rather be doing something else?
6. What are his interests or hobbies? How does he spend his free time?
7. What are his eating habits? Does he skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?
Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is his favorite:
1. Color?
2. Smell?
3. Time of day?
4. Season?
5. Book?
6. Music?
7. Place?
8. Substance?
9. Plant?
10. Animal?
END
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