Character Spotlight 1 : Aeon

            Okay...well, I haven't gotten much writing done this week, due to the recent events with Justin Carmical.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about, check it out here.

            So, I've been grieving, crying, and basically reflecting on the wonderful man that Justin was.  However, the pain I've been feeling actually reminded me of WHY I created Aeon in this story to begin with.  Where he came from and where he's going.  I really wanted to talk about Mina first, since this is her story, however...just seems like the time.

            Aeon comes from a rather...sad place, for me.  See, he was created as a straight man for a comedy, true, however Aeon was always going to be cold.  Snow, ice...things that numb pain.  Aeon was my analogue for the pain of life, knowing that there were things you need to do, but that the things you really wanted were beyond your reach.  And the only way to cope with that is to numb the pain so much so that you don't feel anything.

            While there are no major spoilers here, if you want to get to know Aeon on your own, I suggest reading the chapters rather than this.  It's just my way of sort of spotlighting how a character is and why they are that way from a creative standpoint.

            The appearance of Aeon is that of a black cloaked skeleton, with nothing below the spine, floating in mid air.  Black does have a significance in the story, however originally I merely liked the look of it, because I have an affinity for black.  The green flames which appear in his eye sockets reflect his eyes in life, and his incomplete skeletal form is reflective of an experience he had that so moved him that he chose such a form, when other liches would prefer something more intimidating/ostenatious/powerful.  Aeon's love of ice comes from his desire to be free of pain that has followed him since separating with someone long ago.  It numbs him.  He also sees it as a way to both be lethal, but also nonlethal as suits his needs.  Ice can imprison without causing damage if it is short term, or it can be made into something to hurt, so it is quite versatile.

            Aeon is a character who understands duty and is able to be rational and reasonable, very much how I feel when I'm out for a stroll on a snowy night.  He follows his own path, but may not always make the right choices...he just tries to do what he believes is best.  However he does understand morality, as he will freely admit that just because he believes it is best, or "necessary," that doesn't make it "Right," or justified.

           

            Though he understands emotions and clearly feels, Aeon is a cynical being who merely tries to get by in spite of his pain.  The pain of loss, which I will go into later, the pain of his choices, of killing, of fighting, etc.  He is kind at heart, as he understands what it is to be the under dog, so he likes to help those who are in need or who are oppressed, even if he does not always see a bright future for them.

            Having survived for a long time on his own, or at least with minimal help or friendship, Aeon can seem quite distant, however he truly values those around him.  Kinana in particular, he loves without reserve.  It might seem like they have little in common or that there is a master/servant relationship, but Aeon appreciates Kinana both standing by him and calling him out on his actions, even if he won't change them.  The same goes with the rest of his companions.  Aeon sees them all as family and precious...and while he tries to keep his emotions to a minimum, for fear that it will lead to someone, himself or another, being hurt, he can show affection.  Aeon does not grow closer to others easily and trust is difficult to form without special circumstances, like Mina's.  And that trust is formed from Aeon's secure knowledge that she is not the kind of person to betray or hurt.

            Part of Aeon's cynicism is that he does not care what people think of him.  He will do what is necessary for his beliefs and to keep his family safe and if anyone slanders him for that, he could care less.  While Aeon is very earnest, he does not hesitate to mislead or even outright lie if it is necessary for what he considers the "greater good," however he does not do so often.

            Ultimately, Aeon has not forgotten how to feel, but he believes that giving in to emotion will hurt others, as well as himself, so he tries to keep calm, stoic, and uninvolved.

            Aeon was a spawn of both my pain during a difficult time, which I see can continue into the present, however he is also an analogue for the best parts of me.  The compassion, the caring, the desire to protect, etc.  However he is also meant to carry most of my flaws.  Pigheaded stubbornness, often emotional detachment or a desire for detachment, skewed ideas of morality, etc.  He is meant to be akin to my private thoughts.  How I am when I am alone.  Cynical, lonely and detached, but not necessarily depressed, just aware of responsibility and troubled by his own issues, which he refuses to share for the sake of others.

            In contrast, Aeon's human form, which he can take on when he sheds his skeletal form like armor, is covered in ice and his skin is blue, indicating frostbite.  This is because he learned magic during this form and tried to numb his pain, thus it is a physical representation of his desire to not be hurt.  That being said, because his human form is not what he is accustomed to be in while using magic, as the shroud of magic he uses to create his skeletal body will fall if he grows too weak, Aeon is not necessarily as emotionless.  He is alright with being a bit more light hearted or expressive.  He is still the same person and can still be cold, stoic, or detached, but due to a decreased sense of responsibility, he can actually unwind as a human.  Though, it is not something he allows for himself very often.

            Aeon's human form has a hole in his chest, a wound that will not heal, despite the fact that he can reform his human body if broken.  He is a skilled swordsman from his time as a human and can augment his abilities somewhat through the use of minor and sometimes major magic.

            I would have to say that Aeon's human form is more similar to the face I show to the public.  Not entirely emotional and sometimes childish, but still warm and welcoming.  Sometimes having to hide his pain behind a smile, but a bit less intimidating that how I believe people would see my inner self if they were to get a good look.

            Aeon's name refers to time and is a different form of Eon.  He is a wayfarer in the stream of time and has a connection to it, as well as being untouched by it.  It is a name he chose for himself based on his personal goals.

One of the few bits of indulgences I offer this series is the creation of a piece of fan art or two.  This is what Aeon is supposed to look like, in my mind.  And also, the fire he's holding is cold, note the icicles coming off of his hand.  This is the Frozen Shade.

          Okay...not sure if that was fun or just confusing, but that's Aeon from my perspective.  It was nice, looking back at why he came to be, even if my thoughts turned that way due to a tragedy.  Anyway, I doubt my next chapter will be fully finished with revisions next week, so next time, Mina.