Mercury

[Griffalo]

Duncan Summers' Office, Claremont Academy

Evander sat in the spacious office, idly looking around the room. He had to admit, this place looked pretty swanky. Maybe being here wouldn't be so bad after all. The man across from him was reading through papers, occasionally tapping at things on them with a ballpoint pen.

Duncan Summers then looked across the table at the young man, offering a pleasant smile.

"Your, uh... father... has provided a significant donation to the school to secure you a place at such short notice, Mister Levinson. I'd just like to run through some details, to clarify a few points. Is that all right?"

Evander just shrugged. "Guess so."

"So, you are from..." (1)

"Arcadia. That's in Indiana." He drummed his fingers on his legs, almost as if he'd found the question a distraction.

"Like it there?" Another shrug from Evander. "'s all right. Kinda quiet."

How would your hero physically describe him/herself? Is this different from how others would? (2)

"You like sports, Evander? Keep yourself in shape for the girls, right?" The boy couldn't help but smile a bit.

"Yeah, kinda. I like hamburgers, but I like running too." He gave Summers a stare, as if daring him to comment on that. "I dunno, kinda scrawny, I think. I could do with putting some more muscle on."

Summers nodded. His own assessment was that of a boy who seemed like he could go either way - pile on the pounds if he became sedentary, or develop an impressive frame if he dedicated himself to the exercise.

Does your hero have distinguishing speech characteristics or recurring mannerisms? (3)

In the man's assessment, the boy's manner seemed consistent with what he'd read. He seemed to be affecting an air of boredom in an effort to be cool, more concerned with what other people thought of him than actually showing his true colours. Having listened discreetly to him in conversation with his mother, who was now waiting down in the cafeteria, he'd seen a different side to him. Closer to his true self, perhaps. He liked to use impressive sounding words, no doubt learned from the arcane tutelage he knew he'd received.

"What is it that motivates you, Evander? What do you hope to achieve in your time here?" (4)

That question seemed to get the boy's attention. "I got to learn how to use my powers, Mister Summers. Maybe that way, I can help people. And, you know, not hurt them..." He looked down at his hands. "Plus I... kinda want to make my mom and dad proud of me."

"Yes, I heard about the incident in your home town. Very reckless. That kind of behaviour won't be tolerated here at Claremont." He folds his hands in front of him. "But perhaps, if you pay attention in your lessons, you might just have what it takes to be heroic."

"What would you say is your greatest strength and your greatest weakness?" (5)

Evander thought for a minute, trying to think up an answer that struck a balance between honest and casting him in a good light. "Uh... I'd say I'm a pretty fast learner, Mister Summers. I like to think that I'd stand up for my beliefs, too." He shrugged. "As for weaknesses... I guess the thing back home shows I don't really think that much before I do things." He frowned in embarrassment.

"Okay, Captain Kraken has bombs set to blast the world into atoms. What's the one thing you'd try to save?" (6a)

Evander answered without hesitation. "My mom." After a moment where Summers let the silence hang, the boy smirked. "And my books, if I'm honest."

"So what's one thing in the world you'd be happy to see gone?" (6b)

Evander frowned, his tone suggesting he was answering carefully. "I don't hate anything, if that's what you mean sir."

It was Summers' turn to smile. "There must be something. You're almost a grown man, Evander. There must be things in this world you dislike." Evander huffed, almost talking over Summers in his haste to answer.

"I hate people treating me like a kid!" He checked his outburst, a moment too late. He sat back in his chair with a sulk. Summers looked down at his papers, hiding a smile. He flipped to another page, pursing his lips slightly. Evander had begun to feel like perhaps he'd failed some sort of test. He read further, a brief report from his former teachers.

How would you describe your character's mental and emotional state? (7)

"Evander is a precocious child whose ego has obviously been inflated somewhat by his father's occupation. It is my opinion, however, that he remains decent and motivated out of the desire to help others. He seems well-adjusted and interested in the same subjects as his peers, overall a happy young man. I think sometimes he excludes himself from others to spend time by himself, to the detriment of his social skills. No cause for major concern, though."

Duncan Summers looked up from his papers and nodded, seemingly satisfied.

"What do you hope to achieve after school, Evander? Would you like to get a job, perhaps?" (8)

The kid shrugged, the 'too cool to care teen' mask back in place, for now. "Haven't thought about it. Not sure if I wanna travel with my dad, or maybe stay here and do what I can to help. Either would be pretty cool, I s'pose."

"So where do you see yourself fitting in? Your... 'place in the world', I suppose you might say?" (9)

Evander sat forward, frowning, considering the situation. "Uh... I guess because I have these powers, I kinda have a responsibility. My mom always said, if you have a talent you have a duty to use it, right? Well, I agree with her. If you can make people's lives better by improving the world, you should."

The Headmaster sat back in his chair, nodding with a smile.

"Girlfriend? Boyfriend?" (10)

Evander blushed. "Er, no sir. Not at the moment. There was this girl, back home..." He looked down at the floor with a smile. "...nothing serious."

The man nodded, his tone formal. "While Claremont Academy is a co-educational environment and we respect your rights to a relationship, Mister Levinson, we expect our gentlemen and ladies to behave as such. I trust I make myself clear?" Evander merely nodded.

"You get on with your mother and father, I trust? You appreciate you'll be living away from them for a good while?" (11)

"I don't see my dad much. Maybe once or twice a year. It's kind of like being on vacation when he's around. But I get it, he's busy with his other stuff. Plus there's, like, some sort of law that he has to stick to? Like a non-interference thing." Summers nodded. "My mom... she can be a hardass sometimes, I guess. But she looks out for me. She's a pretty good mom, I think. It's been hard for her, sometimes."

How would the people closest to your hero describe him or her? (12)

Summers thought back to the meeting with his mother and father. They'd been conducted separately at his request. The relationship between the deity and Ms. Levinson seemed... complex.

"The boy needs guidance, structure and discipline. His mother tries hard but she's unprepared for the lessons a demigod such as Evander needs to learn." Hermes had wandered around Summer's office, picking up things at random, examining them, putting them back. Never really looking at the man directly. "The boy means well, but this latest stunt shows he has a long way to go before he could take his place at my side in Olympus." The man had merely raised his eyebrow at the God's assumption. "I assume the donation will be sufficient to secure him a place here?"

At that, Summers had folded his arms, seemingly not intimidated by the God. "Tuition here cannot be bought. If I agree to teach your son it's because he's special and he needs help, not because you paid his way in here."

His mother had been quite the opposite, bombarding him with questions about the school and its facilities, whether he'd fit in and make friends. Questions typical of a mother concerned about her only son.

"He's a good boy, Principal Summers. I know he's coming here because he's... special, but..." As she trailed off, he laid an understanding hand on her shoulder.

"I'm a parent myself, Ms. Levinson. They're all special. Your son will be in good hands with me, I promise. Please don't feel like you're abandoning him. I truly feel Claremont is the best way to meet your son's needs." The woman had struck Summers as someone who'd travelled through the world with their head held high, and she was fighting hard to not let her softer side show.

Summers shuffled his papers, for effect more than anything.

"Claremont Academy is a multi-denominational school, of course. We have students of many faiths... some who follow the Dodekatheon, for instance... Is that something you'd be interested in?" (13)

"Worshipping my dad and the others, you mean? That'd be... kinda weird, what with knowing for a fact he exists! It'd be like worshipping the mailman." He'd begun the sentence smiling, but sobered towards the end, realising that maybe trashing someone else's beliefs didn't make him look great. "I'm not very spiritual, sir. Mom used to take me to church when I was younger, but... didn't really interest me. But whatever people want to believe, that's cool."

"Given any thoughts to teams you might like to join?" (14)

Evander's eyes lit up. "You mean like the Next Gen or the Freedom League?"

Summers just smiled. "I was thinking more along the lines of Glee Club or the baseball team, but... is joining a team something that appeals, once you've graduated?"

"Yes, sir. I mean, you get to hang out with people like you, fight crime for a living, and everyone knows your name! What's not to like?"

"There's plenty of social clubs here at Claremont. Do you have any hobbies - stamp collecting, war-gaming, drama?" (15)

"I like music, watching movies, hanging out with my friends. I think I'd like to try acting too, I suppose. I like the idea of being an actor."

"I've got your transcripts here. Fairly impressive grades, though your teachers thought you could do better if you applied yourself. Do you have a favourite subject?" (16)

"I like geometry, math, science. Logical stuff like that. I guess it's kind of like magic, in that way. Follow the rules and you get the right result."

"Brothers or sisters?" (17)

"No, sir. I wanted one when I was little. Either that or a puppy, I wasn't too bothered. Mom said no." He smiled.

"How did it feel, the first time you used your powers?" (18)

"Uh... I guess the first time I used my powers I didn't really mean to. I pushed over this kid who'd been picking on me, without meaning to. So that was pretty frightening. But the first time I cast a spell when I was knowing that I was doing... that was a real sense of achievement. Best thing I'd ever done at that point."

"Of all the heroes currently active, who would you say you're most like?" (19) Summers paused for a moment. "And don't try to give me the 'correct' answer."

"I'd like to think I'm most like Daedalus. I like to use my brain to solve problems."

Summers sat back, making his final notes.

"I'm going to give you a piece of advice, Mister Levinson. Would you like to hear it?" (20) The young scion of Hermes nodded.

"Think before you act, Evander. Consider your options, and realise that actions have consequences."

[Griffalo]

Introduction

Who are you? Sum yourself up in one sentence.

The son of the Greek God Hermes and a mortal woman.

Do you have any nicknames, street names, titles, or nom de plume?

'Superhero Name' is Mercury. Don't call him 'Kid Hermes', because he thought that up when he was 12, and it's, ilke, SO embarrassing.

What is your full birth name?

Evander David Levinson

Where do you live?

Up until recently in Arcadia, Indiana. Now, he's a student at Claremont.

How old are you? What year were you born (if applicable)?

Just turned 16 - he was born in January 1995.

Physical Traits

What is your gender? If not applicable, please explain.

Male

How would you describe your heritage?

Greek-American on his mothers' side. Greek-Divine on his father's side.

How tall are you?

5'10"

What is your body type?

Average. Very average.

Do you have any particular weaknesses, such as allergies or physical disabilities?

He suffered from asthma and hay fever when he was a child, but they all cleared up round about his twelfth birthday.

How do you carry yourself? Are you graceful, or heavy on your feet? Can you be stealthy, do you walk with confidence?

He's slightly more dexterous than most teens his age, though not spectacularly so. If attempting to be stealthy, he's got nothing to rely on but his wits and instincts.

Describe your skin, eye, and hair color.

His ancestry has granted him Mediterranean skin, dark hair and brown eyes.

How do you wear your hair, if applicable? Do you have facial hair?

He tends to put a little product in it just so it'll behave and look neat, most times. Otherwise it tends to sit in a mess of curls. He only started shaving recently, but his beard has come on with a vengeance, so he has to shave every day to prevent looking scruffy.

Do you consider yourself attractive? Do others?

He's got typical teenage body issues and as such does not consider himself attractive. Others might be more charitable if he tidied himself up, though his friendliness and eagerness to please probably goes further.

Do you have any scars, tattoos, piercings, or birthmarks?

Apart from a tiny little birthmark on his right shin, nothing remarkable.

Do you resemble anyone famous?

Not especially. Just your average kid.

Do you have a dominant hand?

Mercury is right-handed.

What kind of clothing do you wear?

When out of costume, Evander generally resorts to comfortable jeans and T-shirts, something well-worn and functional.

Do you wear makeup?

No, but now his costume shows off his legs he's thinking of maybe using some fake tan.

What is your vocal range? Is your voice distinctive in some way?

He has quite a rich, baritone voice, when he's not being plagued by the occasional bout of squeakiness due to puberty.

Do you have any distinctive habits, nervous tics, or mannerisms? Where did they come from, and what causes them? Do other people notice and remark on these habits? Do they annoy you or other people?

When he's nervous, he tends to fidget with his hands. Touching each finger to his thumb, crossing fingers, or touching points on his face. Evander doesn't even notice he's doing it most of the time, though it could come to be a source of irritation in others.

History

Where do you come from?

Born in Arcadia, Indiana.

Have you made any major moves, or do you live in your hometown?

His only move was from his home to Freedom City, to live at Claremont Academy.

Do you feel loyal to your country of citizenship? Do you consider yourself patriotic? How do you feel about the government of your country?

Mercury is a US Citizen. He wouldn't say he's patriotic, but if pressed would say he's happy to be an American. As a teenager he's largely unaffacted by the politics of the US, and his main source of governmental information is his mother, who either complains about the heavy cut the IRS take from her paycheck, or the arcane regulations that concern the bank that she helps manage.

How do you feel about the place you come from?

In conversation, Evander would say that it was really boring and nothing ever happened there. In truth, he quite misses the place. His friends and family are there, and at the moment the sheer size of Freedom City intimidates him.

Where is your home town? What was/is it like?

Arcadia is a very small town. With the exception of those who provide amenities and services to the population, everyone goes outside of its borders to work and recreate.

Growing up, were most of the people you knew similar to you, or were you somehow a minority? How did that affect you?

Most of Evander's friends and contemporaries growing up were fellow whites, though mostly from Western European stock - his own ethnicity lent him a little exoticism rather than outright prejudice. It wasn't very much of an issue for him.

Is there something you've always been really good at or really bad at? How has that affected your life?

From a young age, Mercury has always been very bright. He did well at school to the delight of his mother. As such he's always been slightly on the fringe as something of a nerd, but being middling at sports too has helped him stay less ostracised than the pocket-protector and fantasy wargames crowd.

Were there any traumatic experiences in your early years (death of a family member, abandonment, orphaned at an early age)?

It pained him at a young age to be the child of a single parent. Though his grandfather and uncle filled in from time to time, there was no-one to play sports in the back yard with, and no-one to go on father-son trips with. The visits from his father were all too brief, the frosty attitude from his mother whenever Hermes' was around never made the visits particularly pleasant either.

Briefly describe a defining moment in your childhood and how it influenced your life.

When Evander was eleven, he was picked on briefly by Ricky Morgensen, the school bully. He knew about his mother being a single parent, and had called her some unflattering names that Evander, at that age, didn't understand. When he'd failed to rise to Ricky's taunts, the bully had thrown a stone at his head.

He'd put his hands up to block the incoming shot, and was surprised when it failed to land. Almost as soon as he turned to look, the stone quickly reversed direction and clipped Ricky on the ear. The boy couldn't have been hurt much, but the shock made him run off crying. From that day, Mercury had suspected there was something different about him.

What stupid things did you do when you were younger?

Without a doubt the stupidest thing he'd ever done was the summoning of Argus, the Hundred-Eyed Giant. He'd badly misjudged his own abilities, and without calling his father for aid, he'd have had the blood of the inhabitants of Arcadia on his hand - about a thousand people.

Where did you go to school? How much school did you have, and did you enjoy it?

Evander, up until recently had attended Hamilton Heights High School. He enjoyed school on the whole, particularly logical subjects like math and physics. He'd even been considering whether he should go to college, before his transfer to Claremont.

Do you have any mementos of your childhood? What are they, and why did you keep them? If you have none, why not?

Mementos of his childhood include a ragged teddy-bear that his father gifted him. Those who knew about his unusual parentage would probably be surprised that it's a normal stuffed animal in every respect. He also has a few trophies for things like winner of the third grade Spelling Bee. He'd never won any trophies for sports, and felt that he should at least proudly display the ones he'd earned for his academic pursuits.

When did you decide to become a hero? Why? Did anyone influence you one way or another in the decision?

Evander is still not 100% committed to being a hero. He's at the age at which he's still young enough to think that being a hero is "cool" and "awesome", but also mature enough to understand that these may not be the best of reasons to dedicate one's self to what is essentially a life of service. Naturally his father being who he is was a huge influence on Mercury's outlook, and although it's not been outright stated, he gets the impression that his father would like him to make the Greek God proud, and to do the right thing.

Is the reason you give people for becoming a hero different than your real reason? If so, why?

Right now he'd give the stock answer of "because if you've got an ability you should help people." He thinks that if he gave the reason of making his dad proud, others would try to intercede to stop him "living for his father" or suchlike.

Do you have any deep, dark secrets in the past that may come back to haunt you?

Not really; while he's far from proud of the incident with Argus, he'd rather people knew about it and that he was trying to make up for it, rather than make it out to be some sort of shameful secret.

Do you represent yourself as being different from who you really are? Why?

He's at the age where what other people think of him is massively important; if he acts as uninterested and aloof as he can, people will think he's "cool". Naturally most adults, having been there themselves, see right through it. On the occasions he drops his guard, he's an enthusiastic young man with a passion for learning and the practical applications of his knowledge.

If you do have these secrets, what do you fear would happen if the truth became known? How far would you go to protect those secrets?

On the Argus incident, he feels that people would judge him unfairly if they heard about it from a third party; thus he usually tells people face to face.

Do you have any sort of criminal record? If so, is it public knowledge?

No criminal record.

Family

What are your biological parents' names?

Elizabeth Alexandra Levinson - Mother

Hermes - Father (though whether he is strictly a 'biological' father is a matter of some debate).

Were you raised by them? If not, please explain and describe who raised you.

Evander was raised primarily by his mother, as his father could only remain on Earth for very short periods of time. His grandparents usually raised him while his mother was at work.

What was their standing in the community? What did/do they do for a living?

Elizabeth was the manager of the local bank; although she found it a struggle sometimes she managed to provide well enough for the two of them; that, along with her noble demeanour managed to let her avoid most of the stigma of being an "unwed single mother".

Where are your parents now?

Elizabeth still resides in Arcadia. Hermes is likely zipping about delivering messages for the other Olympians.

Did your family stay in one area or move around a lot?

Stayed in the same town their whole lives.

How did you get along with their parents? How do you get along with them now (if applicable).

Relations were sometimes strained between Mercury and his mother - they're bound to be occasionally, third party or not. On the whole they love one another and the two of them get along fine. Sometimes Elizabeth pushes too hard to motivate him, and mostly he takes no notice.

Mercury's relation with his father is somewhat more complex. He enjoys it when he visits, because in almost a parody of couples who are separated, Hermes is 'fun dad' to Elizabeth's 'stern mom'. His visits are always eventful. Since his power awakened he's taught Mercury some magic, as well as about his divine relatives. Then again, he wishes his father could be around more and part of him resents his leaving when the time inevitably comes. Mostly he wants to make his father proud; the reaction when he'd disappointed him nearly broke Evander's heart.

How do your parents view you now, or how would they?

Elizabeth still cares very deeply for her only son; while she misses him a great deal, she's very proud of him and knows he's done the right thing by going to Claremont.

Hermes at the moment thinks of his son as something like a ball of clay - unfinished and raw at the moment, but he has potential. He's willing to wait for it to be filled - after all, Evander's entire life has been nothing but an eyeblink to an immortal deity such as him.

Do you have any siblings? If so how many and what are their names? Describe your relationship with them.

An only child - Elizabeth never met another man who could sway her to settle down again.

What was your birth order in the family?

N/A

Where are your siblings now (if applicable)? Do they have families of their own? What do they do?

N/A

Do you stay in touch with them or have you become estranged?

N/A

Do you love or hate one member of the family in particular?

Evander loves his mother more than any person in the world.

Is any member of the family special to you in any way (perhaps, as a confidant, mentor, or arch-rival)?

Again, his mother.

Are there any black (or white) sheep in the family (including you)? If so, please explain.

Most of Evander's extended family, while kind and generally loving towards him, consider him something of a wilful child and wonder if perhaps the apple didn't fall too far from the tree in regards to his father. They're unaware of Mercury's father's true identity, and merely see him as some ne'er-do-well drifter.

Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? If so, please explain, including how it has affected your life.

His father? His grandfather, Zeus? Take your pick of any of the superstars of the Dodeakatheon, along with all their bloody and lusty exploits. Thankfully Mercury doesn't see any need to follow in those particular footsteps.

Do you have a partner and children currently? If so, please describe them.

No partner or children, but at the age of 16 there's a lot of peer pressure for him to find a girlfriend before he's branded a sad, dateless virgin.

If you do not have a partner or children, do you want them someday? How firm are you in your opinion on this, and what might change your mind?

He definitely wants a partner, but he's undecided about children. Children would complicate being a super-hero, plus he wouldn't want to potentially complicate their lives with his own ancestry; would someone who's a quarter divine have responsibilities foisted upon them, or powers that they didn't want?

Of course, should he meet the right woman all this could change.

What type of person would be your ideal mate?

He'd like to give the diplomatic answer of "smart, funny, good sense of humour." An unspoken rule is that they've got to be reasonably attractive, though of course personality would make up for a lot. He doesn't want to seem shallow, but he figures you've got to be at least slightly physically attracted to them to date them, right?

Relationships

Do you have any close friends? If so, please describe them, and how you came to be close to them.

Evander left behind all his close friends when he transferred to Claremont. Thus there's an unspoken desire for him to make new ones while he's here.

Do you have a best friend? If so, how did they become your best friend? How close are you to your best friend?

No best friends yet.

If you were to go missing, who would worry about you?

His parents, naturally.

Have you lost any loves? If so, how did it happen, and what did you do?

None so far.

Do you have any bitter enemies? If so, please describe them and their history with you.

Evander goes out of his way to get on with everyone; if he's made enemies, he doesn't know about them. Things might be different if Hermes' rivals become aware of Evander's existence though - he'd be a valuable hostage or bargaining chip against the Olympian.

If you have enemies, how do you think they might attempt to work against you in the future?

Kidnap and threats would be the obvious example.

What is the worst thing someone has done to you?

The flat-out worst thing was the bullying by Ricky Morgensen; though it's possible that Hermes' siring of him ranks as both the worst and best thing ever.

Where do your loyalties lie? In what order?

His loyalties are primarily to himself and to his parents; he tries to balance the wishes of both when he can. After that it's his new home, the Claremont Academy.

Who or what do you trust the most? Why?

He trusts his mother implicity - she's never steered him wrong. His father he trusts slightly less so, worried that what he says could be a game or a trick.

Who or what do you despise? Why?

He hates people who treat him like a child; in his own mind he's a fully grown man and able to make his own decisions and choices. He's conveniently blind to the fact that the last time he made such a decision he nearly caused the death of an entire town.

What qualities do you admire most in other people? Are these qualities you possess?

He's currently torn; the boy in him admires anyone with a devil-may-care attitude, cool clothes and a way with the opposite sex. Another part of him admires those who are true heroes - those who are bold, brave and loyal to their friends. Evander would like to think he has plenty in common with the latter sort. The former he'd desperately love to emulate.

What qualities do you hate most in other people? Do you have any of those qualities?

Mercury hates people who don't put the effort in - either it's people whining that the world hasn't handed them everything they feel they deserve, or their opposite, those who have had everything handed to them and haven't had to struggle a day in their life.

Do you have a secret identity? If so, who knows it? Do you hide it from people who are close to you? Why?

Evander's alter-ego is Mercury. He's not consciously trying to pass himself off as his own father, but if criminals and the public want to make the correlation he's not going to stop them. His identity is of course known to his school and his family who would easily be able to recognise him. He hasn't told his mother about any heroing exploits, as he rightly assumes she'd only worry.

Do you work well on teams and in groups? Are you a leader or a follower?

Evander bows to those with more 'field' experience, though if he thinks he's the most accomplished magus, he'll expect to be paid the same courtesy and respected for his expertise.

Are you on a super team? If so, how do you get along with your comrades? Do you trust them, or do you have secrets from them?

He's currently not, but is very enamoured of the idea of being on one.

Are you a member of any church, fraternal organization, club, committee, political party, or other group? How much time do you spend on that?

No.

Personality & Beliefs

Who are your heroes?

His heroes are Daedalus, who uses his vast intellect to solve his problems. He also idolises his father somewhat, though he consciously acknowledges that he's hardly a shining beacon of virtue. Beyond that, his heroes who are whoever's got a popular album or the action hero with a film full of explosions and scantily-clad girls.

Did you ever become disillusioned with former heroes or idols? If so, why and what were the circumstances?

Evander's too young to be disillusioned, though he'd like to make out otherwise.

Do you like being a hero? If so, what is the most rewarding part? If not, what makes you keep doing it?

He would like to be a hero, mainly because he'll think people will be impressed with his abilities, and he'll finally receive the respect he thinks he deserves.

Is there anything that would make you give up hero work, or even switch sides?

At the moment, only love or great tragedy could pull him from his determination to be a well-known superhero, or worse, to become a villain.

What are your short term goals (what would you like to be doing within a year)?

He'd like to have mastered his abilities further, be on a super-team and have a steady girlfiend (though not necessarily in that order of priority).

What are your long term goals (what would you like to be doing twenty years from now)?

He' d like to make his mother and father proud of him.

What is your greatest fear? Why? What do you do when something triggers this fear?

His greatest fear is a repeat of the Argus' incident; right now he's almost pathologically terrified of infringing on what an authority figure has told him, and also of hesitating to act to the point of procrastinating.

Is there anything you would give you life for?

His mom.

How do you feel about money and material wealth? Do you desire it or disdain it? Are you miserly with what you have, or do you like to share? Is it a mark of success, or a means to an end?

Evander would like more money, though he's not truly living in the real world and has never had to work for a wage - his money would all go on clothes, music and video games. Then again he's always liked to spend his money on things that would make people happy; he enjoys giving gifts to people. He sees it mainly as a mark of success, and somewhat naively thinks that everyone receives wealth proportionate to their competence and the amount of effort they put in.

How do you generally treat others?

Evander automatically thinks the best of people until given reason to do otherwise. He sees everyone an equal and thus approaches people in an open and friendly manner.

Are you a trusting person? Has your trust ever been abused?

He's never had a serious abuse of his trust, merely schoolyard squabbles where someone hasn't held up a promise or told a white lie.

Are you introverted (shy and withdrawn) or extroverted (outgoing)? Do you have a lot of self-confidence?

He can be quite shy around new people; he's always concerned what people think of him. Once he gets to know strangers he's much more gregarious and free with his speech.

How do you act around attractive, available members of your preferred sex?

He's an absolute train-wreck.

What are your most annoying habits?

Apart from the hand-fidgeting, he enjoys showing off his knowledge. Thus he'll bring up some intellectual topic in conversation, in the hopes that someone will say 'I don't know what X is.' It's a perfect opportunity for him to educate them on it.

Do you feel contempt for any general category of people? Who are they, and why?

Again, he can't abide people who don't put the effort in. The other group of people he hates are 'stupid people'. That's not necessarily people of low intelligence - they can't help being what they are. Just people who won't apply the brainpower they had.

What is your favorite food? Do you prefer any particular type of food? Do you take the time to enjoy your food, or do you eat as fast as you can?

He loves pizza, particularly ham and pineapple. He's naturally a very fast eater, but he prizes quality of food over quantity; he'd rather eat a small amount of something tasty than a large amount of something that isn't tasty, or is badly cooked.

What is your favorite drink (alcoholic or otherwise)?

Dr. Pepper.

What is your favorite treat (dessert)?

Cheesecake.

Are there any specific foodstuffs that you find disgusting or refuse to eat?

Bananas.

What is your favorite color? Are there any colors you dislike?

Red. He dislikes yellow.

What sort of music do you like? Is there any that you hate?

He generally likes classic rock of the 80s and 90s, though he likes a smattering of current chart acts too. Overall he's not particularly keen on jazz.

If you have a favorite scent, what is it?

Lemons.

Do you have a favorite animal?

Dogs.

What is your most treasured possession? Why?

A wallet photo of his mom and him together - it reminds him of a wonderful day they had together, just the two of them.

Do you enjoy "roughing it", or do you prefer your creature comforts?

If it's not en-suite, Evander doesn't do it.

Is there a job or a task you would absolutely refuse to do?

Any job that he feels he hasn't got the skills for and has a potential to let someone down if it doesn't get done right.

Do you consider yourself a spiritual person? If so, how do your beliefs affect your life?How important is it to you?

He wouldn't say he was spiritual at all; obviously he acknowledges that Gods exist, but he's not sure that 'believing' in them makes any difference.

Was your faith influenced or molded by anyone special?

His father, such as his 'faith' goes.

If you belong to a religious organization, how often do you attend? Do you have a specific place of worship, or friends within the organization? How much do you agree with the beliefs of your organization?

Mercury isn't affiliated with any relgious groups.

Could you kill? Have you killed?

He's quite willing to kill monsters - it wasn't his courage that failed him in his encounter with Argus, it was his skill. He'd find it very difficult to take a 'human' life though - something with obvious emotions, something relatable could shake his resolve.

What circumstances led to you forming that conviction, or taking that action?

Without empathy it's all too easy for him to divorce himself from any guilt - killing a creature like that would be no more troubling to him than blowing something away in a video game.

Are there circumstances under which you believe it is permissible to kill? What are they?

He believes it'd be justified in self-defence. Other than that he'd be hard-pushed to justify it in himself, or forgive others for doing likewise.

How would you react to watching someone kill another person? Would your reaction be different if the killer was a friend or an enemy of yours?

Unless it was for the reasons above, he'd be horrified to watch someone kill another person. His anger and disgust would likely be moderated down or up respectively if the killer was a friend or enemy. He's more likely to give friends the benefit of the doubt, more likely to roundly condemn enemies.

How would you react if something important was stolen from you?

He's spare no effort in getting that thing back.

How would you react to public humiliation?

Try to take his lumps quietly, hoping that it'd all soon be forgotten - and if possible, work on clearing his name.

How would you react if a good friend or relative were purposely or accidentally killed? Has it happened to you?

He's not yet experienced that actual situation, but it's likely to make him bitter, either towards that person's killer or in the case of a total accident, towards fate in general.

What do you consider to be the worst crime someone could commit and why?

Cold-blooded murder - the idea of taking someone's life like that is utterly abhorrent to him.

If your life were to end in 24 hours, what five things would you do in those remaining hours?

1. Eat whatever he wanted.

2. Spend some time with his parents.

3. Not die a virgin

4. Make sure that he died bravely

5. Make sure he'd told all his friends and family that he loved them.

Career & Training

Do you have any special training in your hero skills? If so, where and how did you get it?

His father tutored him extensively in Hermetic magic from the age of 12. Up until recently he'd been left with thaumaturgic tomes to further his knowledge, but after they Argus incident they were confiscated.

Who taught you the most about your heroing abilities? What was your relationship with that person?

Easily his father; while his mother instilled in him a duty to do good, his father is responsible for filling his head with exploits of adventure and the power of the Olympians. As mentioned before, his relationship with his father is a complex one.

Do you have any particularly unusual skills? How did you acquire them?

For someone so young, his knowledge of arcane lore is quite impressive.

Do you do something besides hero work for a living? Have you ever done anything else, or do you plan to?

He's never had a job; he'd quite like one, just for the experience of being a normal kid and earning himself some cash. After graduating from Claremont he's undecided whether he'll get a job or continue to be a Hero full time.

What is your preferred combat style?

He's likely to stand at the back of a fight, blasting away with flame arrows or otherwise using his spells to even the odds for his allies.

Have you ever received any awards or honours?

Other than the aforementioned academic trophies, none.

What skill areas would you like most to improve in? Is there anything you can't do that you wish desperately you could?

He'd like to improve his magical ability, first of all. Plus, while the gifts from his father grant him prodigious skill in combat, he'd like to not have to rely on them.

How do you act around people who are more skilled than you in areas you'd like to improve? Are you jealous, or do you try and learn?

He's mildly jealous, though he recognises when someone outstrips him in skill and tries to learn from them.

Lifestyle & Hobbies

What is a normal day for you? How do you feel when something interrupts this routine?

As a student, his normal day is filled with lessons. He likes to spend his spare time recreating with whatever friends he makes.

Do you have any hobbies, or interests outside hero work? What are they, and where did you pick them up?

Like most teens he enjoys his music, his movies, his video games and a few sports. Now he's relatively free of people who haven't known him his entire life, he'd really like to try some acting. It'd be a diversion from his rigorous learning schedule.

What do you do for fun?

He's one of these perverse individuals that quite enjoy reading, and he also doesn't mind spending time by himself. The solitude helps him think.

Do you have a costume? What does it look like?

Mercury's costume recalls ancient Greece - he dresses like a Hoplite, though the helmet is absent and the sandals have been replaced by more modern white sneakers.

How do you normally dress when not in costume?

He likes wearing his comfortable jeans and T-shirts.

What do you wear to bed most nights?

Boxer shorts, a T-shirt too if it's cold.

Do you wear any special jewelry? What is it, and what does it look like?

No special jewellery as of yet.

Do you have a special place where you keep your valuables?

What valuables he has remain in a locked drawer in his room.

What's your preferred means of local travel? How about long distance?

He's yet to learn to drive - if he has to go short distance he's likely to walk or take the bus. Longer distance he'll likely employ Mercury's Keyring to get him where he needs to be.

Miscellaneous

Have you ever made a will, or tried to make arrangements for your death? What provisions did you make?

No provisions yet.

If your features were to be destroyed beyond recognition, is there any other way of identifying your body?

No external features, and only a detailed magical analysis would reveal he's anything other than human.

What would you like to be remembered for after your death?

As someone to look up to and emulate, someone who was brave and did the right thing. And was really cool and awesome.

Do you believe you pose a threat to the public? Why or why not?

Only if his powers were uncontrolled; he's painfully aware of the consequences if they run beyond his control.

What do you perceive as your greatest strength?

His adaptability and his intelligence, plus his loyalty to those he holds dear. He'd like to think nothing could sway him from doing right by them.

What do you perceive as your greatest weakness?

His tendency to react without thinking has got him into trouble. Now perhaps he's gone too much in the opposite direction and is now frightened to act when he should.

As a player, if you could, what advice would you give your character? Speak as if he/she were sitting right here in front of you. Use proper tone so they might heed your advice...

"Mercury, think long and hard about your career of being a hero. You have the potential to be a great one, but don't neglect being a teenager. The things that you think will make your happy right now most likely won't be all that great once you get them. Don't live your life worrying what others think. Be true to yourself."