Character Survey

[perfectlybeloved]

Body and Appearance
1. Describe the character's height and build. Is he heavyset, thin, short, rangy?

Seimei is quite tall. Around six and a half feet tall, he's not too far from being a fully grown man. He isn't really strong, however, and is a bit spindly in the limbs. His arms and legs are long, but he doesn't have a lot of muscle. Even his hands have very long, slender fingers, making him look more elegant and feminine than masculine.

2. How old is he?

At the age of his "death", he was 17. There's the implication that several months at the very least had passed between the "death" and Ritsuka's transfer to a new school; Ritsuka's arrival to the school was conceivably in the summer for at least a while, most of the storyline progressing in the fall and the midst of winter by the 7th-10th volumes. Though it was an "extra" chapter, there was mention of the New Year, and Christmas. Since Seimei's birthday is November 14th, it would probably be safe to assume that he's reached 18.

3. Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well or does he slouch?

His body language is surprisingly strong, despite being subtle. His posture changes depending on who he's talking to, and how confident or comfortable he feels around them. Around people he's vaguely familiar with (Nisei, Nakahira) he is hunched over, but he doesn't relax. He believes entirely that they will not hurt him, but he still has a subconscious suspicion. Around people he does not trust at all and anticipates fighting, however, he stands tall and proud, making himself look as impressive as possible. After all, he is the superior human being (the only human being), and around the likes of Ritsu, he almost never slouches, instead turning up his nose and standing tall.

The only time he has a completely relaxed posture is around Ritsuka. He's always leaning down, and leaning closer, to be near Ritsuka. His shoulders are always relaxed, and he's always very calm.

4. How is his health? Is he fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?

He's decently fit, just not impressively so. He's quite healthy physically, and has no physical disabilities.

5. How does he move? Is he clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?

His movement is also dictated by the situation. By default, his movements are very graceful but also very controlled, like the movements of a ballet dancer. There is very precise control in his movement regardless of what situation he's in, but in moments of anger or confrontation come short bursts of strength, very sternly slapping away a hand or making a very aggressive hand gesture to express his anger and contempt. Even when doting on Ritsuka, every movement is deliberate, always touching and leaning in and kissing with extremely deliberate movements. Not a single movement is wasted or frivolous.

6. How attractive is this character physically? How does he perceive himself in the mirror?

Seimei is incredibly attractive, by almost anyone's standards. There are many people that find his appearance very beautiful (remarking on it usually when complimenting Ritsuka's looks) and he quite often wins the favor of people he meets. However, his behavior and body language can make it harder for people to find him attractive, particularly with his stern looks and very upset looks of boredom or contempt.

The concept of physical beauty is almost lost on Seimei. He doesn't find any particular kind of appearance attractive for people, and that is because he does not even see anyone as 'people'. It's not narcissism that makes Seimei find Ritsuka beautiful, it's simply a lack of understanding of physical attraction. When Seimei looks at himself in a mirror, what he sees isn't necessarily an attractive young man so much as a human being as opposed to an animal.

7. Describe his complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?

Seimei is very fair-skinned, being of Japanese descent and rarely going outside. His particular hobbies include reading and playing the occasional video game, so for the most part he just stays inside.

8. Describe his hair: color, texture, style.

Seimei has very beautiful hair. It's pitch black, and presumably very soft, just like Ritsuka's. However, Seimei's hair has a thick curl to it, making it very wavy and, if one wants to be silly, as twisted as he is. He used to keep it very short (volume 1-2 flashbacks), but while in hiding he let it grow out. Most likely because he could not go to the barber's shop. Regardless, he keeps his hair very clean, as he does with the rest of his body.

9. What color are his eyes?

They are an incredibly dark color. Technically they are brown, as that is the darkest color eyes can be, but at times they can come off as brown. In my icons, I give both his hair and his eyes a dark brown coloring to add depth and color scheme to them.

10. Does the character have any other noteworthy features?

One of the most important physical features on Seimei are his ears and tail. In the Loveless world, they mark virginity. It speaks volumes of Seimei as a person, and though they are very cute, they do not take away from his very frightening and frigid appearance in his moments of anger. The tail is very thickly covered in curly hair, just like what's on his head, and his ears are also covered in plush fur.

11. What are his chief tension centers?

Seimei holds tension mostly in his shoulders and his wrists. Most of his body will be too tense, however, if around too many people are around.

12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colors, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does he have six of the same suit?

His wardrobe is relatively casual. He has a suit and some school uniforms, but more often than not he simply does his best to look presentable without attempting to look attractive. This usually means very practical clothes, such as a heavy jacket and turtleneck. He doesn't wear dressy clothes for the most part, but he does like sweaters and long-sleeve shirts, which usually look classier than things like t-shirts. His wardrobe is filled with mostly very neutral or pastel colors.

13. Do his clothes fit well? Does he seem comfortable in them?

Seimei's clothes are the right size, but in general they are a bit baggy and appear a little large. Since he favors long sleeve shirts, it may be that he simply uses clothing as a shield between himself and others' touch. This has yet to be directly quoted in the series, but it would fit his behavioral pattern.

14. Does he dress the same on the job as he does in his free time? If not, what are the differences?

"On the job" just means at school. He'll wear the uniforms, but only when it is expected of him. Otherwise, he wears his casual clothing.

15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando?

Boxer briefs, probably. Then again, I'm not male, so I don't know what would be the most comfortable or functional.

Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?

He has a very calm, controlled voice. It's masculine, but not hoarse or unpleasant.

2. How does he normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does he talk easily, or does he hesitate?

He is very soft-spoken, and has a very controlled way of speaking just as he has a controlled way of moving. His voice both speaks softly and ushers sweet promises (mostly to Ritsuka) and demands absolute respect and obedience. His voice is powerful because the willpower behind it is powerful.

3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics?

Seimei doesn't have any innate accents, sounding very normal in his pronounciation. However, he speaks just as deliberately as he acts, and there's no real sign of whimsy in any of his conversation. He is always speaking with purpose, and it's clear that there's always a reason behind a question or comment.

4. What language/s does he speak, and with how much fluency?

As a Japanese citizen, he speaks Japanese. He may know hints of English phrases, perhaps because of the nature of True Names ("Beloved", "Sacrifice", etc), but there is no indication that he knows a second language.

5. Does he switch languages or dialects in certain situations?

No.

6. Is he a good impromptu speaker, or does he have to think about his words?

He is extremely skilled at thinking on his feet, but he absolutely does not do well in purely impropmtu situations. If he is caught off guard, then he will respond and formulate a new set progression for the conversation. He anticipates certain reactions, and when he receives a reaction that isn't in the usual of what he is prepared to respond to, he gets remarkably impatient.

7. Is he eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?

He is very eloquent, under almost all circumstances. He has yet to be in a situation in canon that indicates any loss of eloquence.

Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is he book-smart or street-smart?

Seimei is abnormally intelligent, and certainly able to 'cheat the system'. He's very good at deception, whether it be of a technical sort or a social sort. He's scheming and good at objective tactics, but he knows very well how to manipulate people. He's very educated, going above and beyond what the basic education requirements for him were, but he's able to socialize and wrap people around his finger effortlessly. He only suffers where his mental instability kicks in, and even then, it's not very impairing on him. It makes him extremely dangerous.

2. Does he think on his feet, or does he need time to deliberate?

He hates being caught off guard. Detests it with his whole being. But that doesn't mean he can't weasel his way out of a situation. Though he usually has plans set up for any possibility he can think of (of which he can think of many), he is not completely incapable of finding a temporary solution and spinning a new plan of action based on that.

3. Describe the character's thought process. Is he more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?

4. What kind of education has the character had?

5. What are his areas of expertise? What, if anything, is he interested in learning more about?

6. Is he an introvert or an extrovert?

7. Describe the character's temperament. Is he even-tempered or does he have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven?

8. How does he respond to new people or situations? Is he suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?

9. Is he more likely to act, or to react?

10. Which is his default: fight or flight?

11. Describe the character's sense of humor. Does he appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humor? Bathroom humor? Pranks?

12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does he deal with them?

13. What moments in this character's life have defined him as a person?

14. What does he fear?

15. What are his hopes or aspirations?

16. What is something he doesn't want anyone to find out about him?



Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with his parents.

2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?

3. Are there other blood relatives to whom he is close? Are there ones he can't stand?

4. Are there other, unrelated people whom he considers part of his family? What are his relationships with them?

5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet?

6. Does he have other close friends?

7. Does he make friends easily, or does he have trouble getting along with people?

8. Which does he consider more important: family or friends?

9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has he been married more than once?

10. Is he currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?

11. Who was his first crush? Who is his latest?

12. What does he look for in a romantic partner?

13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does he relate to them? If no, does he want any?

14. Does he have any rivals or enemies?

15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does he fall on the Kinsey scale?

16. How does he feel about sex? How important is it to him?

17. What are his turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?



Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does he fit type?

2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in his life?

3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it?

4. How does he regard beliefs that differ from his? Is he tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?

5. What prejudices does he hold? Are they irrational or does he have a good reason for them?



Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is he rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?

2. What is his social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him?

3. Where does he live? House, apartment, trailer? Is his home his castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does he share it with others?

4. Besides the basic necessities, what does he spend his money on?

5. What does he do for a living? Is he good at it? Does he enjoy it, or would he rather be doing something else?

6. What are his interests or hobbies? How does he spend his free time?

7. What are his eating habits? Does he skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?



Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is his favorite:

1. Color?
2. Smell?
3. Time of day?
4. Season?
5. Book?
6. Music?
7. Place?
8. Substance?
9. Plant?
10. Animal?



END
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