scratch the surface,
CHARACTER INFORMATION-
Canon Character and Series: Riku, Kingdom Hearts
In-Game Name: Riku Tenebrae
Age: 18
Gender: Male
Position & Ship: mechanic aboard the Amestris
Appearance: Generally mechanic aboard the Amestriswell-kept and tidy, one could easily say that Riku appears mature beyond his age. He has straight silver hair that falls just below his shoulders with mid-length bangs that often obscure his glaringly cyan eyes. His smooth, pale, and almost feminine face is more frequently brooding or smirking than lit by a genuine smile. While he is above-average height, his athletic build balances out his lanky limbs and sizeable extremities. A sensible dresser, he favors sleeveless tops, loose pants, and above all, comfortable shoes.
Personality: Riku is outwardly self confident to the point of arrogance. He is the type who approaches obstacles in his path not as hindrances, but as opportunities to push himself to his limits. He relishes challenge and is endlessly competitive, both against his companions and himself. Though he is truly consumed by the desire to be victorious he easily feigns boredom when bested by another and often laughs off defeat with the cocky offer of rematch.
Generally a positive thinker, he knows that there is nothing he is incapable of doing if he sets his mind to it. Riku is very self motivated and rarely allows even the most difficult tasks to go unfinished once undertaken. He takes pride in working hard and would rather do an efficient job the first time than a sloppy job twice.
In terms of social interactions, Riku prefers being alone. Though he is easily capable of making friends, he keeps his interactions superficial and guarded so as not to allow anyone to see past his arrogant front. He is uncomfortable with the idea of vulnerability and views the open exchange of his internal emotions as a weakness. Rarely does he confide his true feelings with others since he is hesitant to truly trust anyone but himself.
Riku is primarily out to satisfy his own desires, then worry about everyone else's after. He can be sly and manipulative in ensuring his everyday needs are met, but will sacrifice anything when placed in a protective position over others. Whereas he is typically selfish and unaffected by the plight of others his loyalty in service is unyielding.
Abilities/Weapons: Riku has seen magic and is familiar with its power and workings, but does not yet possess the ability to properly create or harness it. Perhaps this is a skill he will be able to develop further in the future.
What he lacks in magical training he makes up for with strength and dexterity. Having participated in minimal fighting, his battle experience is primarily based upon the sword training and sparring of his adolescence.
He possesses no special weapons in this RP, merely a wooden training sword he has managed to hang on to since leaving his home island.
How well can your character hack?: He has had very little experience with difference engines and is therefore incapable (and likely disinterested by the idea) of hacking.
Weaknesses: Riku's primary weaknesses are his hubris, jealousy, and mistrust. He bases much of his self worth upon the idea of being the best at everything he does, and though he appears a nonchalant loser he is truly devastated by being proven vincible. This is especially true when the defeat occurs publicly and in the presence of those he aims to impress. In spite of the negative perceptions of others, he is his own worst enemy and judges himself more harshly than he allows others to see.
As a result of his seemingly endless pride, he remains unreasonably aware of the successes of others in comparison to his own achievements. He is jealous of even minor triumphs and almost cannot help but wish that they were his own. He doesn't realise that it is because he feels threatened, and is subconsciously worried that he will become a 'failure'.
He has difficulty placing trust in others and is especially cautious of anyone whom he perceives as more powerful than he. This is a symptom of his need to feel independent and superior.
History: Riku hails from a small chain of islands west of Erealia, the kind of tight knit community that few visit and even fewer leave. When his mother died shortly after childbirth from a mysterious illness, he was left under the care of his emotionally distant father. Riku spent most of his younger years alone, entertaining and caring for himself while his father worked. Once he reached a schooling age, he was no longer expected to stay captive within his home during the days. Soon he learned to relish time spent playing sports or exploring the island, especially in the company of the boys older than he. Priding himself on his newly discovered physical prowess, he quickly advanced to become the champion of numerous youth tourneys. In spite of his talents, he often bullied and teased the younger children, primarily for the acceptance of his friends and to boost his developing ego.
As he reached his teenage years, he starting feeling as though he had outgrown the quiet island. The familiarity of his homeland began to breed dark contempt and the already taxed relationship with his father became stressed further as the boy rebuked authority. And whereas his peers seemed disinterested in what went on outside of their peaceful community, Riku was consumed by the idea that his world was just a small part of something much bigger. The stories he heard of the outside only fueled his interest in escaping, and it wasn't long before he stumbled upon his opportunity.
Walking alone by the base of a cliff, absentmindedly running his wooden sword along the eroded stone, he came across a mysterious fissure. He pressed his eye to the crack and saw that beyond lay a small cave with a single door at the opposite end. Marveling at his discovery, he pulled away at the crumbling edges until the space was wide enough to fit through. He slipped inside, curiosity drawing him nearer to the strange wooden door. Seeing it was in no way locked or barred Riku grasped the handle and began to slowly pull the heavy door. Once ajar, a wave of roaring energy swung the door open and knocked him violently to the wall. He didn't get the chance to see what came through the door before he lost consciousness.
He awoke days later in a strange city, bruised and disoriented. Riku wandered about the bustling agrarian metropolis in amazement unsure whether he was dreaming or dead. Satisfied that he was neither, he resolved that this was the chance to begin his life anew in the vast world he had dreamt of. Fortunately he was able to find a living wage and board working as an errand boy for a series of farms on the edge of the city (Colvus, he was told). Several months passed as he learned all that he could of the world through his employment, but mostly by spending long nights wandering about the town in quiet observation.
"...and now the Winding Way is here," he overheard on his most recent stroll. He ran to the boarding house and packed his meager belongings, tucking his wooden sword into his belt as he sprang down the steps into the street. An airship would be the most effective way to explore the world, and this mysterious theatre ship seemed like the perfect place for him to finally take flight.