Alexander "Alex" Burkhart

Alexander Mendel Burkhart (a.k.a. Alex)

Physical Description

Identifying Characteristics

Alex has a tattoo of a rose in black ink on his upper arm. The tattoo was designed and inked by Samuel Hallorann.

Special abilities

Alexander has the ability to Shine, a trait passed down from his father, Richard Tozier. His Shine is not particularly powerful and only allows him brief glimpses into the minds of others. However, he experiences frequent premonitions of future events and often has encounters with the supernatural. His ability to Shine grows stronger the more he uses it; eventually he acquires the ability to heal wounds, but it is extremely draining for him to do so.

Apparel & Accessories

Alexander has an '80s punk fashion sense; he dresses in studded leather jackets, torn jeans, and boots. He also likes to wear jewelry and a small amount of make up, including black eyeliner, a necklace, and earrings.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Alexander is the son of Richard Tozier and Freida Burkhart. Alexander's father has never been in his life, after breaking up with Freida when Alex was only a baby. Alexander shares his father's ability of Shining, and is even more competent with the ability than his father was.
Alexander grew up in his mother's apartment in New York City. His mother, who suffered from severe depression, succumbed to alcoholism when Alex was young and began to neglect him. His mother's neglect led to Alexander seeking out attention, positive or negative. Alexander began smoking, shoplifting, and drinking to fill the void left by lack of a parental figure. Another reason for his misbehavior, specifically for his involvement with drugs and alcohol, was to dull his Shine in an attempt to feel "normal".
When Alexander was 15, he met other Shiners for the first time. He became a member of an underground group of Shiners and psychics, known by its members as the Abnormals. Alexander found a place of belonging with this group and spent most of his time with them, skipping out on school and barely spending any time at home. The founder and unofficial leader of the Abnormals, Jack Hallorann (brother of Dick Hallorann), acted as a father figure to Alexander, and they shared a unique bond. Alexander also became close with Jack's son, Samuel.
Alexander's new life with the Abnormals was suddenly stripped away from him when the Abnormals were all brutally murdered by Underworlders. Alexander is the only one to survive, and is crushed by the loss of his friends. With nothing left for him in New York, he joins Ethan Clarke and Ava Woods, and the three of them flee to Derry to find Liliana Fenrick.

Gender Identity

Alex tends to dress androgynously and disregards typical gender roles and expectations, but presents entirely as male.

Sexuality

Alex is open about his attraction to the same gender.

Education

Alexander attended high school in New York City, but rarely attended classes. He is, in actuality, very intelligent, but has a short attention span that makes it hard for him to participate in classes.

Intellectual Characteristics

Alexander tends to act before he thinks, and isn't the most rational of thinkers despite his intelligence. He is especially intelligent when it comes to the emotions of others and is good at reading a social encounter, partially due to his Shine.

Personality Characteristics

Likes & Dislikes

Alexander enjoys music, dancing, and singing; anything related to music. He likes to enjoy himself and likes to cheer up the people around him.
He dislikes tension and conflict, which is why he tends to interject with a joke when there's a tense situation at hand.

Virtues & Personality perks

He knows how to lighten the mood in grim times with a stupid joke, and is generally good at diffusing tense situations. He has an optimistic outlook despite his troubles, and has a deep understanding of others' emotions; he is often able to console those in need and deliver helpful advice. He encourages others to be themselves, be confident in who they are, and do what makes them happy, even though he doesn't always follow his own advice.
His empathy for others can also make him quite persuasive and charismatic, traits that make it easy for him to talk his way out of a bad situation.

Vices & Personality flaws

Often impulsive, risk-taking, and attention-seeking due to childhood neglect.

Personality Quirks

Tends to twirl strands of his hair around his finger when thinking, bounces his leg when anxious/excited.

Social

Religious Views

Alexander was raised Jewish and maintains his faith.

Social Aptitude

Alexander is extroverted, charismatic, and can easily take the lead in social situations. He is openly flirtatious with someone he is attracted to, and even with people he isn't attracted to. He likes to make people laugh and tends to be the life of the party in social gatherings.

Speech

Speaks rather loudly and tends to use crude language (like father, like son).

Wealth & Financial state

Alexander grew up in poverty. His mother's career barely provided enough for them to keep a roof over their heads and Alexander's father never provided aid, despite being a celebrity.

Year of Birth

1969 16 Years old

Birthplace

Brooklyn, New York

Eyes

Brown

Hair

Messy, naturally black but dyed with blue streaks.

Height

6'0

Weight

130 lbs

Aligned Organization

The Abnormals

Known Languages

English, Hebrew