Name: Linford "Lin" DuBois - "maple tree ford, of the forest"
Age: Fifteen
Birthday: June 26, 2000
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Homosexual; currently denying it and very defensive about it.
Category: Student
Class: High School
Grade: Ninth
College Major: N/A
Ethnicity: French American
Appearance Description:
Height: 5"6
Weight: 104 lbs
Body Type: Lin is, to be brief, awkwardly lanky. His spine is visible along with his ribs; he is bony. His hands are long and thin, not exactly knobbly, but slender all the same. His hip bones are rather defined, and resemble corners. This is all due to his high metabolism, which will later be discovered to be due to an overactive thyroid.
Eyes: Lin's eyes are chlorophyll-green, sometimes described as a forest after a heavy rain. They are round and almost child-like. Lin has rather bad vision; he is near-sighted (he needs to invest in glasses eventually). His optics also cross occasionally without his control when he laughs or concentrates on something.
Hair: His hair is rather scruffy and thick, covering his forehead and ending at his jawline. It is a light brunette color, darkening as it reaches his neck; his roots are a soil-brown pigment.
Skin: Caucasian.
Clothing/Accessories: He wears a plaid-colored hoodie, the the checkers different shades of brown to beige. The hood portion is the darkest shade of ebony. He predominantly wears solid-tincture long-sleeved shirts, ranging from grey to brown to even red, though occasionally he will wear sweaters or, formally, bow-ties. Shoe wise, he wears old, worn-out tree climbing boots that could use replacement. Around his neck is a small, bronze necklace chain with a thumb-sized leaf-shaped charm dangling from the center. He will also wear flower crowns or bracelets, feather necklaces, or other animal-like trinkets.
Marks: He has a blotchy birth mark across his left knee, and a smaller birth mark dotted on his lower back. He also bears a scar that begins a few inches above the right side of his lips, and drags diagonally down across his bottom lip, ending on the left side of his jawline (which is not in the diddily darn picture I know).
Personality Description: Most, after solely acquainting with Lin, pick up on his most obvious quirk: shyness. He is, in fact, an apprehensive individual, displaying cautious and even accusing behavior; this is most likely a byproduct of his anxiety. In view of this, he tends to jump to conclusions quickly. However, he is far from judgmental; he tries his best to keep an open mind, especially in view of other's opinions and morals. Even so, he tends to keep to himself as much as he can, keeping a reserved, vigilant, and introspective aura.
Lin is quite an anxious individual, and usually dislikes socially interacting with others like him. Crowds and conversations tend to send his heart beating abnormally fast, complete with a shaky demeanor and clammy palms. Aside from social situations, general issues also plant worry seeds. It does not matter what it is, Lin will find a way to worry about it, his psyche bounding off two-hundred miles per hour in all directions. He always seems to have a stressed appearance.
Another byproduct of his anxiety is skittishness. He flinches relatively easily, and sudden happenings are certainly a predicament he often faces. Loud noises have sprouted into a severe phobia, and he does whatever he can to reassure himself a decent level of quiet. Sensory overload is something he struggles with, due to the sensitivity of his ears and nose. When coping with intense fear, he customarily tightens into a ball, instinctively pulling his knees to his chest and wrapping his arms around his head. This is where his jacket comes in handy.
Though modest, Lin is admittedly intelligent. Heaps of time alone with his thoughts brought out his inner maturity, though he allows himself to be immature at times for enjoyment rationales. The adolescent tends to be quite skilled at settling conflicts, though he avoids confrontation, despite his experience within verbal arguments. Lin will sporadically play mind games with his opponents, making up for his drastic lack in physical strength. He can predict his adversary's next counter well in lexical disputes. Weak body, strong mind, some could say.
As a lot of quiet characters do, Lin seems to have a mysterious energy about him, which is even more prominent due to how secretive he is; how little he is willing to share about himself. His being is often confusing, and it is typically difficult to foresee his intentions. For example, they say the eyes are the window to the soul, but his just seem to, frustratingly enough, reflect back the individual observing them. It is almost as if his eyes are two mirrors facing each other, giving off the equivocal green hue in the center. It takes quite a bit to squeeze information out of him.
Lin is, to be blunt, sensitive. He desperately needs to grow a thicker skin. He lacks confidence, giving him a prey-like, submissive stature, he apologizes annoyingly often, and all in all is a complete and utter doormat, even if he is advertent enough to figure out of someone is beguiling him. This also results in him sugar-coating things, not particularly lying, simply dancing around the topic. He has trouble "spitting it out." Be that as it may, Lin has a gentle soul, and cares deeply for other living creatures; he has an ingrained sense of empathy.
Despite all of this weight, those who know him well enough are aware of his sense of humor. He copes with ridicule and other issues with witty jokes, and seems to take a liking to dark humor. To him, laughter really is the best medicine, and is a massive coping mechanism for him; the laborious part is getting him to speak. He attempts to not be overly serious, sometimes masking his fear with a sarcastic facade. Fortunately, his quiet nature can usually keep from impulsively stating something plausibly offensive.
All of these factors make up his semi-complex personality, but there is one diminutive, almost invisible peculiarity buried deep within him that most would not expect: mischievousness. Somewhat coinciding with his humor, he is pensively cunning. The words he says have been hand chosen as tactics, worst case scenario they are a bit manipulative, to get others to say what he wants, or to wriggle information out of them as best he can without them realizing it. He does not do this to be unkind, rather to ensure his own safety. He hates feeling vulnerable. Perhaps it could be considered manipulative, as stated prior, but he does this for reassurance, though his craftiness is used for a mental chuckle on occasions.
Powers:
Zoolingualism: Though he cannot manipulate them, Lin can speak to animals and is excellent as understanding their body language. He treats them like humans, especially with a female white-tailed deer he met in The Woods named Miss Lilith, whom he views as a mother-like figure and visits often. Animals all have individual personalities, so of course not every animal he comes across comes rushing to his voice like Snow White, but he does get along well with the creatures, and they are usually friendly or at least courteous towards Lin. This is also due to his aura, which is very warm, welcoming, and tranquil when he is around non-humans. An ability that branches from this is call replicating. He has average human vocal cords, but through his years with the natural world he is quite skilled at mimicking animals calls, some of his best being the territorial hoot of a male snowy owl, the chik-burr call of a scarlet tanager, and red fox distress call. He also subconsciously incorporates some animalistic mannerisms into his daily reactions, including growling, hissing, purring, bearing his teeth, and even physical movements such as rearing up, lowering his body when submitting, and literally scratching the back of his head like a dog. Yeah, ladies man, am I right?
Botanokinesis: Lin has the power to manipulate plant growth. With his young age, he is not fantastic at it, but he is decent, as Botanokinesis is seemingly more difficult than connecting with animals. He does best with trees, and often uses this ability to create small, simplistic platforms in branches in which he uses to rest or observe a certain species of animal, usually birds. Also, since flowers are so fragile, he enjoys twisting them in intricate designs, and adores making flower crowns or bracelets.
Interests: Obviously, when he graduates high school he desires to go into some sort of animal-based career as well as something botanical. However, he finds elation in art, and sketches animals he meets quite often. He creates his own characters, sometimes, too, as he writes in his free time. Lin is also captivated by tree climbing, and uses his thin form to practice leaping from branch to branch, which is probably the only reckless thing he has ever done aside from actually approaching seemingly dangerous critters such as mountain lions and bears. Lin, also, much to whoever he rooms with's dismay, runs his living space as a temporary sanctuary for injured animals, notably with birds of prey.
Biography:
It was a long, nerve-wracking ride on the boat.
Everything prior felt blurred. He stood there, leaning against the railing, staring unblinkingly at the cerulean waters below, white foam kissing the sides of the fishing boat. He could remember what had happened, but it seemed unreachable and jumbled, and it was incredibly difficult to focus on anything but the seconds passing. It felt as if he had only existed before now, nothing more than a soul. The past felt dazed and scripted, like it was a conscious hallucination. He attempted to pinpoint something, anything from his active psyche, but it still felt on a high. He could hold basic information steady, though. It was 2011, he was eleven, his name was Linford DuBois,
And he could talk to animals.
Lin was always a quiet, withdrawn child. Born in an average-sized home in Wisconsin, he proved himself to be a shy one. His mother, Kathryn, did what she needed to, but avoided him and her husband otherwise. Her husband, Alain, tried his best to spend time with Lin, as divorce was on the horizon. All Lin really did was draw and run about outside, and his parents disconnection never really bothered him, and still does not to this day. He did fine within schooling, keeping to himself and avoiding too much social interaction, but obeying the rules to the best of his ability. But when the invitation to Manta Carlos arrived in the mail, needless to say they were surprised.
Alain and Lin agreed not to tell Kathryn; they would just set out. Alain felt guilty; he had been a good father, he knew that. But he could not force himself to feel too terribly bad about leaving his only child. He had business to attend to, a new woman to find, the works. Lin had mixed emotions, apprehensiveness hanging over him and suppressing any excitement. However, throughout this endeavor, the duo spoke a bit more, achieving a better father-son understanding. Even so, Lin held his attachment back, not wanting to make goodbye harder than it already would be.
The pair had set out on July sixteenth, and it was not a short trip in the slightest. Alain owned a fishing boat, and cleaned it up as best he could for the journey. The Pacific ocean was calm for the most part, the worst being a few thunderstorms, in which Alain and Lin simply retreated into the small compartment that steering wheel resided within. Lin acquainted with a few birds flying over here and there; mostly seagulls. Other than that, the trip was relatively uneventful, though emotional tension sometimes hung heavy in the atmosphere.
Upon arrival, Alain and Lin followed through with registration and required paperwork. Alain stayed in the city for a few days before eventually preparing for departure. Lin's eyes quivered with tears, biting his lip and hugging his father. Alain returned the sentiment. However, before boarding his transportation device, the man shoved his hand into his pocket, pulling out a thin, bronze chain necklace with a thumb-sized leaf-shaped charm dangling from the center, handing it to the young Lin. Though horribly cliche, Lin accepted such a gift, and continues to wear it today.
When he could no longer see the bobbing form of his father's boat, he turned around, and with nothing but a messenger bag and his apparel, the boy set foot into his new life. But this time, he had nobody to fall onto. He had to grow up now.
A shaky gasp escaped his lips.
His legs screamed, begging for rest. Feet pounding desperately against the forest floor, a million thoughts surged painfully through his mind, temples throbbing. Bile rose in his throat, his body ever so close to giving into exhaustion. The boy inhaled as if he was dehydrated, drinking the evening air like it was water. He did not know how long he had been running; he only cared about getting away.
He felt cornered, vulnerable; every insecurity he had was being dissected from his body, as if his pursuers' eyes burned and drained his aura. Soon enough, the trees he swerved around appeared blurry around the edges, the soft, infinite symphony of the forest drilling into his mind as if it was ten times louder than it actually was. His movements became sloppier, a lightheaded sensation rippling through his frame. He tried, oh how he tried, to think logically, but to no avail; the hurricane of thoughts within his mind were merely incoherent fragments. Climb, was all he could grip, and he finally slowed down to a jog, slamming his palms against the trunk of an average-sized tree littered with protruding branches. With almost no energy left, he lifted his trembling right arm and leg, placing the appendages on two branches, attempting to pull himself up.
Something thin and cold pressed against his Adam's apple.
Suddenly, he was yanked roughly backwards, feeling his back thwack against the earth below. His necklace had been grabbed and pulled, resulting in him losing his balance. Choking for breath, he twisted his body around so he was on his stomach, and lifted his head. A tall figure stood before him, with a few similar silhouettes behind it. The being had its human-like hand wrapped around his necklace. In its other hand was an elongated object, one of which he could not recognize. Reacting impulsively, with the very last bit of energy he had, he opened his mouth, pushing forward into the figuration's hand, and locking his jaws shut.
Steel met flesh, slicing through his lip and chin as the shadow grunted in an irritated fashion. The figure had swiftly pulled its hand away, swinging its other hand with the object forward, making contact with his face. Warm liquid trickled from his mouth and chin. Backing up as best he could, he heard a few choice swear words from the now-colored figures in front of him. He recognized a few, now that his vision had returned semi-clearly as he had ceased pushing his body so hard. He smiled a little. That was the first, and last time anyone messed with him, thankfully, even if it was rumored that he 'had rabies.'
Lin was now fourteen. From his time on the island, he had done rather well aside from a few rough spots. He still avoided others, unfortunately, and fell victim to sickening loneliness. However on a particularly chilly late afternoon, the adolescent was strolling through The Woods, as he usually did. However, a small screech grazed his sensitive eardrums. He continued forward, and saw a tiny bundle of damp feathers upon a branch of a considerably tall maple tree. The little creature chirped and wailed, flailing its fresh limbs about. Lin felt obligated to do something, as when he looked higher, he spotted a nest. He concluded that the teeny avian must have fallen from the nest somehow. Walking to the base of the tree, Lin was about to attempt climbing it, when he noticed he had no time. The critter wriggled off of the branch it had fallen onto, plummeting down at a terrifying speed. Heart lurching forward, Lin slung his body onto the ground, an odd sensation shooting through his form.
A soft thump echoed in his ears, and he opened his eyes.
There, in his hands, was the baby bird. But, flowers that had not yet perished from the juvenile cold had curled around his fingers, creating a cushion-like object across his palms. The bird was stunned, but otherwise unhurt. That day, Lin found two things. His Botanokinesis, and his soon-to-be best friend. As months passed, he cared for the bird, now identified as a scarlet tanager. Lin dubbed him with the name Acer Rubrum, after his favorite tree, the Red Maple, and now affectionately refers to him as Ruby. The two have formed an iron bond, and are inseparable.
Overall, though it was rocky due to his anxiety and disconnection with humans, Lin has lived a fairly privileged existence. He just needs to figure out what the hell to do with himself.
Additional Information: Lin cares for a male scarlet tanager (Piranga olivacea) named Acer Rubrum (Red Maple), whom of which is simply nicknamed 'Ruby.' Ruby is almost always with him, whether it be nestled within the hood of his jacket or on his shoulder, and Lin has had him since Ruby was only a few months of age. The songbird has two thin, bracelet-like strips of leather around both of his tarsus, resembling the bracelets the larger avians wear when Lin is handling them with his glove gauntlet.
Picture of Ruby:
Age: Fifteen
Birthday: June 26, 2000
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Homosexual; currently denying it and very defensive about it.
Category: Student
Class: High School
Grade: Ninth
College Major: N/A
Ethnicity: French American
Appearance Description:
Height: 5"6
Weight: 104 lbs
Body Type: Lin is, to be brief, awkwardly lanky. His spine is visible along with his ribs; he is bony. His hands are long and thin, not exactly knobbly, but slender all the same. His hip bones are rather defined, and resemble corners. This is all due to his high metabolism, which will later be discovered to be due to an overactive thyroid.
Eyes: Lin's eyes are chlorophyll-green, sometimes described as a forest after a heavy rain. They are round and almost child-like. Lin has rather bad vision; he is near-sighted (he needs to invest in glasses eventually). His optics also cross occasionally without his control when he laughs or concentrates on something.
Hair: His hair is rather scruffy and thick, covering his forehead and ending at his jawline. It is a light brunette color, darkening as it reaches his neck; his roots are a soil-brown pigment.
Skin: Caucasian.
Clothing/Accessories: He wears a plaid-colored hoodie, the the checkers different shades of brown to beige. The hood portion is the darkest shade of ebony. He predominantly wears solid-tincture long-sleeved shirts, ranging from grey to brown to even red, though occasionally he will wear sweaters or, formally, bow-ties. Shoe wise, he wears old, worn-out tree climbing boots that could use replacement. Around his neck is a small, bronze necklace chain with a thumb-sized leaf-shaped charm dangling from the center. He will also wear flower crowns or bracelets, feather necklaces, or other animal-like trinkets.
Marks: He has a blotchy birth mark across his left knee, and a smaller birth mark dotted on his lower back. He also bears a scar that begins a few inches above the right side of his lips, and drags diagonally down across his bottom lip, ending on the left side of his jawline (which is not in the diddily darn picture I know).
Personality Description: Most, after solely acquainting with Lin, pick up on his most obvious quirk: shyness. He is, in fact, an apprehensive individual, displaying cautious and even accusing behavior; this is most likely a byproduct of his anxiety. In view of this, he tends to jump to conclusions quickly. However, he is far from judgmental; he tries his best to keep an open mind, especially in view of other's opinions and morals. Even so, he tends to keep to himself as much as he can, keeping a reserved, vigilant, and introspective aura.
Lin is quite an anxious individual, and usually dislikes socially interacting with others like him. Crowds and conversations tend to send his heart beating abnormally fast, complete with a shaky demeanor and clammy palms. Aside from social situations, general issues also plant worry seeds. It does not matter what it is, Lin will find a way to worry about it, his psyche bounding off two-hundred miles per hour in all directions. He always seems to have a stressed appearance.
Another byproduct of his anxiety is skittishness. He flinches relatively easily, and sudden happenings are certainly a predicament he often faces. Loud noises have sprouted into a severe phobia, and he does whatever he can to reassure himself a decent level of quiet. Sensory overload is something he struggles with, due to the sensitivity of his ears and nose. When coping with intense fear, he customarily tightens into a ball, instinctively pulling his knees to his chest and wrapping his arms around his head. This is where his jacket comes in handy.
Though modest, Lin is admittedly intelligent. Heaps of time alone with his thoughts brought out his inner maturity, though he allows himself to be immature at times for enjoyment rationales. The adolescent tends to be quite skilled at settling conflicts, though he avoids confrontation, despite his experience within verbal arguments. Lin will sporadically play mind games with his opponents, making up for his drastic lack in physical strength. He can predict his adversary's next counter well in lexical disputes. Weak body, strong mind, some could say.
As a lot of quiet characters do, Lin seems to have a mysterious energy about him, which is even more prominent due to how secretive he is; how little he is willing to share about himself. His being is often confusing, and it is typically difficult to foresee his intentions. For example, they say the eyes are the window to the soul, but his just seem to, frustratingly enough, reflect back the individual observing them. It is almost as if his eyes are two mirrors facing each other, giving off the equivocal green hue in the center. It takes quite a bit to squeeze information out of him.
Lin is, to be blunt, sensitive. He desperately needs to grow a thicker skin. He lacks confidence, giving him a prey-like, submissive stature, he apologizes annoyingly often, and all in all is a complete and utter doormat, even if he is advertent enough to figure out of someone is beguiling him. This also results in him sugar-coating things, not particularly lying, simply dancing around the topic. He has trouble "spitting it out." Be that as it may, Lin has a gentle soul, and cares deeply for other living creatures; he has an ingrained sense of empathy.
Despite all of this weight, those who know him well enough are aware of his sense of humor. He copes with ridicule and other issues with witty jokes, and seems to take a liking to dark humor. To him, laughter really is the best medicine, and is a massive coping mechanism for him; the laborious part is getting him to speak. He attempts to not be overly serious, sometimes masking his fear with a sarcastic facade. Fortunately, his quiet nature can usually keep from impulsively stating something plausibly offensive.
All of these factors make up his semi-complex personality, but there is one diminutive, almost invisible peculiarity buried deep within him that most would not expect: mischievousness. Somewhat coinciding with his humor, he is pensively cunning. The words he says have been hand chosen as tactics, worst case scenario they are a bit manipulative, to get others to say what he wants, or to wriggle information out of them as best he can without them realizing it. He does not do this to be unkind, rather to ensure his own safety. He hates feeling vulnerable. Perhaps it could be considered manipulative, as stated prior, but he does this for reassurance, though his craftiness is used for a mental chuckle on occasions.
Powers:
Zoolingualism: Though he cannot manipulate them, Lin can speak to animals and is excellent as understanding their body language. He treats them like humans, especially with a female white-tailed deer he met in The Woods named Miss Lilith, whom he views as a mother-like figure and visits often. Animals all have individual personalities, so of course not every animal he comes across comes rushing to his voice like Snow White, but he does get along well with the creatures, and they are usually friendly or at least courteous towards Lin. This is also due to his aura, which is very warm, welcoming, and tranquil when he is around non-humans. An ability that branches from this is call replicating. He has average human vocal cords, but through his years with the natural world he is quite skilled at mimicking animals calls, some of his best being the territorial hoot of a male snowy owl, the chik-burr call of a scarlet tanager, and red fox distress call. He also subconsciously incorporates some animalistic mannerisms into his daily reactions, including growling, hissing, purring, bearing his teeth, and even physical movements such as rearing up, lowering his body when submitting, and literally scratching the back of his head like a dog. Yeah, ladies man, am I right?
Botanokinesis: Lin has the power to manipulate plant growth. With his young age, he is not fantastic at it, but he is decent, as Botanokinesis is seemingly more difficult than connecting with animals. He does best with trees, and often uses this ability to create small, simplistic platforms in branches in which he uses to rest or observe a certain species of animal, usually birds. Also, since flowers are so fragile, he enjoys twisting them in intricate designs, and adores making flower crowns or bracelets.
Interests: Obviously, when he graduates high school he desires to go into some sort of animal-based career as well as something botanical. However, he finds elation in art, and sketches animals he meets quite often. He creates his own characters, sometimes, too, as he writes in his free time. Lin is also captivated by tree climbing, and uses his thin form to practice leaping from branch to branch, which is probably the only reckless thing he has ever done aside from actually approaching seemingly dangerous critters such as mountain lions and bears. Lin, also, much to whoever he rooms with's dismay, runs his living space as a temporary sanctuary for injured animals, notably with birds of prey.
Biography:
It was a long, nerve-wracking ride on the boat.
Everything prior felt blurred. He stood there, leaning against the railing, staring unblinkingly at the cerulean waters below, white foam kissing the sides of the fishing boat. He could remember what had happened, but it seemed unreachable and jumbled, and it was incredibly difficult to focus on anything but the seconds passing. It felt as if he had only existed before now, nothing more than a soul. The past felt dazed and scripted, like it was a conscious hallucination. He attempted to pinpoint something, anything from his active psyche, but it still felt on a high. He could hold basic information steady, though. It was 2011, he was eleven, his name was Linford DuBois,
And he could talk to animals.
...
Lin was always a quiet, withdrawn child. Born in an average-sized home in Wisconsin, he proved himself to be a shy one. His mother, Kathryn, did what she needed to, but avoided him and her husband otherwise. Her husband, Alain, tried his best to spend time with Lin, as divorce was on the horizon. All Lin really did was draw and run about outside, and his parents disconnection never really bothered him, and still does not to this day. He did fine within schooling, keeping to himself and avoiding too much social interaction, but obeying the rules to the best of his ability. But when the invitation to Manta Carlos arrived in the mail, needless to say they were surprised.
Alain and Lin agreed not to tell Kathryn; they would just set out. Alain felt guilty; he had been a good father, he knew that. But he could not force himself to feel too terribly bad about leaving his only child. He had business to attend to, a new woman to find, the works. Lin had mixed emotions, apprehensiveness hanging over him and suppressing any excitement. However, throughout this endeavor, the duo spoke a bit more, achieving a better father-son understanding. Even so, Lin held his attachment back, not wanting to make goodbye harder than it already would be.
The pair had set out on July sixteenth, and it was not a short trip in the slightest. Alain owned a fishing boat, and cleaned it up as best he could for the journey. The Pacific ocean was calm for the most part, the worst being a few thunderstorms, in which Alain and Lin simply retreated into the small compartment that steering wheel resided within. Lin acquainted with a few birds flying over here and there; mostly seagulls. Other than that, the trip was relatively uneventful, though emotional tension sometimes hung heavy in the atmosphere.
Upon arrival, Alain and Lin followed through with registration and required paperwork. Alain stayed in the city for a few days before eventually preparing for departure. Lin's eyes quivered with tears, biting his lip and hugging his father. Alain returned the sentiment. However, before boarding his transportation device, the man shoved his hand into his pocket, pulling out a thin, bronze chain necklace with a thumb-sized leaf-shaped charm dangling from the center, handing it to the young Lin. Though horribly cliche, Lin accepted such a gift, and continues to wear it today.
When he could no longer see the bobbing form of his father's boat, he turned around, and with nothing but a messenger bag and his apparel, the boy set foot into his new life. But this time, he had nobody to fall onto. He had to grow up now.
...
A shaky gasp escaped his lips.
His legs screamed, begging for rest. Feet pounding desperately against the forest floor, a million thoughts surged painfully through his mind, temples throbbing. Bile rose in his throat, his body ever so close to giving into exhaustion. The boy inhaled as if he was dehydrated, drinking the evening air like it was water. He did not know how long he had been running; he only cared about getting away.
He felt cornered, vulnerable; every insecurity he had was being dissected from his body, as if his pursuers' eyes burned and drained his aura. Soon enough, the trees he swerved around appeared blurry around the edges, the soft, infinite symphony of the forest drilling into his mind as if it was ten times louder than it actually was. His movements became sloppier, a lightheaded sensation rippling through his frame. He tried, oh how he tried, to think logically, but to no avail; the hurricane of thoughts within his mind were merely incoherent fragments. Climb, was all he could grip, and he finally slowed down to a jog, slamming his palms against the trunk of an average-sized tree littered with protruding branches. With almost no energy left, he lifted his trembling right arm and leg, placing the appendages on two branches, attempting to pull himself up.
Something thin and cold pressed against his Adam's apple.
Suddenly, he was yanked roughly backwards, feeling his back thwack against the earth below. His necklace had been grabbed and pulled, resulting in him losing his balance. Choking for breath, he twisted his body around so he was on his stomach, and lifted his head. A tall figure stood before him, with a few similar silhouettes behind it. The being had its human-like hand wrapped around his necklace. In its other hand was an elongated object, one of which he could not recognize. Reacting impulsively, with the very last bit of energy he had, he opened his mouth, pushing forward into the figuration's hand, and locking his jaws shut.
Steel met flesh, slicing through his lip and chin as the shadow grunted in an irritated fashion. The figure had swiftly pulled its hand away, swinging its other hand with the object forward, making contact with his face. Warm liquid trickled from his mouth and chin. Backing up as best he could, he heard a few choice swear words from the now-colored figures in front of him. He recognized a few, now that his vision had returned semi-clearly as he had ceased pushing his body so hard. He smiled a little. That was the first, and last time anyone messed with him, thankfully, even if it was rumored that he 'had rabies.'
...
Lin was now fourteen. From his time on the island, he had done rather well aside from a few rough spots. He still avoided others, unfortunately, and fell victim to sickening loneliness. However on a particularly chilly late afternoon, the adolescent was strolling through The Woods, as he usually did. However, a small screech grazed his sensitive eardrums. He continued forward, and saw a tiny bundle of damp feathers upon a branch of a considerably tall maple tree. The little creature chirped and wailed, flailing its fresh limbs about. Lin felt obligated to do something, as when he looked higher, he spotted a nest. He concluded that the teeny avian must have fallen from the nest somehow. Walking to the base of the tree, Lin was about to attempt climbing it, when he noticed he had no time. The critter wriggled off of the branch it had fallen onto, plummeting down at a terrifying speed. Heart lurching forward, Lin slung his body onto the ground, an odd sensation shooting through his form.
A soft thump echoed in his ears, and he opened his eyes.
There, in his hands, was the baby bird. But, flowers that had not yet perished from the juvenile cold had curled around his fingers, creating a cushion-like object across his palms. The bird was stunned, but otherwise unhurt. That day, Lin found two things. His Botanokinesis, and his soon-to-be best friend. As months passed, he cared for the bird, now identified as a scarlet tanager. Lin dubbed him with the name Acer Rubrum, after his favorite tree, the Red Maple, and now affectionately refers to him as Ruby. The two have formed an iron bond, and are inseparable.
...
Overall, though it was rocky due to his anxiety and disconnection with humans, Lin has lived a fairly privileged existence. He just needs to figure out what the hell to do with himself.
Additional Information: Lin cares for a male scarlet tanager (Piranga olivacea) named Acer Rubrum (Red Maple), whom of which is simply nicknamed 'Ruby.' Ruby is almost always with him, whether it be nestled within the hood of his jacket or on his shoulder, and Lin has had him since Ruby was only a few months of age. The songbird has two thin, bracelet-like strips of leather around both of his tarsus, resembling the bracelets the larger avians wear when Lin is handling them with his glove gauntlet.
Picture of Ruby:
