Ari is a passionate and free-spirited bard. Despite his turbulent and complex past, he cares deeply for his loved ones, especially his little sister. However, at his worst, he can be stubborn and hot-headed.
"A boy wearing a pale white mask holds the hand of a girl. Though their attires are radically different- he with his jacket and guitar, and she with her robes and spellbooks, it is evident that they are siblings. They bear the same dark curls, the same sepia skin, and the same amber eyes."
"They chatter for a while, and eventually say nothing at all- only a glance is enough to say what they need. If anyone, anything came to threaten one, the other would be the first to stand."
The older, more jaded Aristotle puts away his instrument. He sighs as he adjusts the mask on his face. "That boy was me. That girl is- was- is my sister. She often refers to herself as Equinox, but to those who know her, she is Christine. So, if you ever come across a young woman who claims to see visions in the stars, know that I would do anything to find her again."
He snaps his fingers, and ethereal rings spark in the air. They have red musical symbols etched across them. Regardless of whether he has an audience or not, he begins to sing in Elvish. To those who bother to listen, his deep voice is the sort that can warp and mesmerize minds.
- Date of Birth
- 14 August
- Gender
- Male
- Eyes
- Amber orange
- Hair
- Dark brown
- Skin Tone/Pigmentation
- Copper
- Height
- 5'11"
Appearance
Identifying Characteristics
Underneath Ari's mask, his skin is marked with various musical symbols. The most obvious one is the bass clef over his right eye.
Physical quirks
When he's thinking, he tends to tap rhythmically on the nearest hard surface. He also air-basses in his sleep.
Apparel & Accessories
Ari likes the feeling of heavy coats, but despises wearing ties. He wore a cape for a few years, before an unfortunate incident involving a door and a dark room.
He always wears a white mask on the right half of his face, but takes it off around his trusted companions. However, he recently broke his mask during an encounter involving painful memories.
Specialized Equipment
Ari carries his guitar with him everywhere he goes. He's been playing for about a year, and is extremely dedicated to his music.
He also carries a rapier (saber in the sense that he's used it to cut) that was recently enchanted by the Traveler in the spirit world. He received a set of armor from the same Traveler.
Special abilities
Ari, like all bards, channels magic through his music to cast spells.
He focuses on magic that controls rather than outright hurts, preferring to affect the mind rather than the body.
Mentality
Personal history
"I grew up in Kidabato, a small but incredibly crowded settlement. The rich and poor were pretty far apart, but we managed to stay around the middle. Richer folks included the Castillo family, although their tanglings with elves did feel a bit uneasy at times.
"My mother, Candela, is a bitter soul; she hated everything about me. I looked more like her than I did my father, and to her that was a reminder of her own shortcomings. She forced me to wear a mask over my face to hide the symbols I was born with. She believed that these symbols were a sign that I was touched by spirits. Thus, I didn't spend a lot of time at home.
"I took refuge not in a place, but in a person. My little sister, Christine Castillo. She is half-elf, and thus she taught me how to speak and read Elvish. We were very close, and I was one of the very few she trusted. Her dreams and visions are haunted by the image of a four-pointed star in a circle. She disappeared when I was nine years old, and I have spent the last seven years searching for her."
Employment
Explorer Unit of the Society of Creation.
Accomplishments & Achievements
-Learning the bass and guitar within a year's time, not perfect but he's proud of it
-Survived the horrors of the Spirit Trip.
Failures & Embarrassments
-Harming his girlfriend, Stephanie, in order to accomplish his goals. He now believes that she hates him.
Mental Trauma
Tends to berate himself harshly for the slightest things, and constantly fears being too weak to fend for himself. He also has issues with his temper, and was more destructive in his youth. This stems from the high expectations placed on him by his mother.
Chorale, as he now calls himself, suppresses his memories of the 5 year spirit trip, and tends to detach his feelings towards his old companions. He associates emotions he regards as useless with the identity of Aristotle.
He occasionally has breakdowns and panic attacks, which he either copes with through song or silencing the world around him. He gets very aggressive with those who try to touch him in this state, unless it's someone he deeply trusts.
Intellectual Characteristics
A musical and interpersonal genius, but in the world of math and academics, he's out of his depth.
Morality & Philosophy
-Life is harsh and that means you have to be strong enough to survive on your own.
-Trust is rare and beautiful, difficult to achieve. You shouldn't give it to just anyone, but you shouldn't wall yourself off from other people.
-Love is from both sides, it is balance and on the practical side more than the ideal side.
-Think in terms of melody and harmony. Every person and place has their own unique song.
person.sexuality
I like girls, I guess?
person.gender_identity
I'm a boy, I think. I'd rather not think about these things too hard.
Known Languages
-Common
-Elvish
Personality
Motivation
Ari wants to experience true adventure, and find himself without others' expectations. He wants to do what helps others, and can reach points where he cares very little for his own wellbeing.
He understands the concept of sacrifice inside and out, and is willing to use any means necessary when cornered.
Quotes & Catchphrases
"Hear me, universe. My name is Chorale Marahuyo. Aristotle Manalo is gone- a lost child in his forgotten world. I'm doing what I have to.
To find answers.
That's why I have to do this.
That's why I keep fighting."
"If my companions don't like what I've done, I can deal with you first and fight them later."
Savvies & Ineptitudes
Ari is a skilled actor and singer, which he chalks up to hard work and experience. He despises the concept of natural talent, mainly due to his envy of child prodigies. He is also a competent spellcaster and fencer.
However, he cannot dance to save his life, and is in fact terrible at math. Though he can speak influentially, he regards his own feelings as weakness.
Virtues & Personality perks
-Strong sense of justice
-Rational
-social butterfly
Vices & Personality flaws
-erratic state of confidence, either arrogant or depressed
-bad temper
-can suddenly act cold and callous out of nowhere
Social
Birthplace
Kidabato
Contacts & Relations
"If anyone hurts someone I care about, I'll burn their whole world to the ground and make them watch."
Loves his younger sister deeply, feeling as though they were the only ones who could truly understand each other. Despises both of his parents, and still has trauma from his emotional neglect.
Still pining after Stephanie Dusk, but is convinced she now hates him after recent events.
Religious Views
Beginning to lose faith in the gods, seeing the sorry state the world's in.
Social Aptitude
Outgoing and daring. Loves "hearing the songs" of a place or a person, which is his way of saying he enjoys learning about the world, or just the sense of being around others. He loves being the center of attention, which is part of the reason he performs.
However, he does make an effort to listen, and genuinely cares for others. He gets frustrated when people want to remain miserable and not want to get better.
Hobbies & Pets
Writes songs to vent. Will kill anyone who messes with his instruments. You know, regular bard stuff.
Speech
When he's just being himself, he tends to curse a lot. He's also prone to bursts of oddly poetic advice, which may or may not be subconsciously tailored to whoever he's speaking with.
When he's angry, he takes on a false sweet tone, like the calm before the storm. He's either verbally destructive or critical and callous.
In his Chorale persona, his voice is perpetually icy cold, and overly formal. He's almost robotic in words and actions, focusing only on the ends over the means.
Social
Birthplace
Kidabato
Contacts & Relations
"If anyone hurts someone I care about, I'll burn their whole world to the ground and make them watch."
Loves his younger sister deeply, feeling as though they were the only ones who could truly understand each other. Despises both of his parents, and still has trauma from his emotional neglect.
Still pining after Stephanie Dusk, but is convinced she now hates him after recent events.
Religious Views
Beginning to lose faith in the gods, seeing the sorry state the world's in.
Social Aptitude
Outgoing and daring. Loves "hearing the songs" of a place or a person, which is his way of saying he enjoys learning about the world, or just the sense of being around others. He loves being the center of attention, which is part of the reason he performs.
However, he does make an effort to listen, and genuinely cares for others. He gets frustrated when people want to remain miserable and not want to get better.
Hobbies & Pets
Writes songs to vent. Will kill anyone who messes with his instruments. You know, regular bard stuff.
Speech
When he's just being himself, he tends to curse a lot. He's also prone to bursts of oddly poetic advice, which may or may not be subconsciously tailored to whoever he's speaking with.
When he's angry, he takes on a false sweet tone, like the calm before the storm. He's either verbally destructive or critical and callous.
In his Chorale persona, his voice is perpetually icy cold, and overly formal. He's almost robotic in words and actions, focusing only on the ends over the means.