Post by Lance Corporal Levi on Sept 26, 2013 20:37:40 GMT
その日人類は思い出したXXXヤツらに支配されていた恐怖をXXX鳥籠の中に囚われていた屈辱を On that day, mankind received a grim reminder... Lance Corporal Levi Age: 29 Gender: Male Ethnicity: Unknown Rank: (Commander, Corporal, Captain, Cadet, etc.) Birthday: December 25th Physical Appearance: Levi's Appearance Distinguishing Features:One of Levi’s most distinguished features are his eyes. They’re small and somewhat beady, and framed by a high, hooded eyelid that makes him appear permanently disinterested in his surroundings. Levi’s vacant expression is his trademark because people have rarely seen it vary. He seems to be giving the eternal impression that the world really isn’t worth his attention. However, in reality, it’s quite the opposite. Levi is startlingly observational. Although he may look tired, Levi is always paying attention. Not only will he take the time to thoroughly evaluate someone behind a blank stare but Levi will also notice even the smallest of detail. This makes him exceptionally good at reading people and situations. His height is certainly one of the first things people notice about Levi as well. Standing at an underwhelming 5”3 Levi is unnaturally short in comparison to his comrades and more specifically so to other males. However, his height does not make his stature particularly feminine. Levi has the body of the solider he is. His frame is all muscle and tendon and his solid weight of 143 pounds proves it. He has a deceptively strong grip that many are initially shocked by and although his face is somewhat childish his neck is rather thick. Words like dainty and slender do not define him well. He has very typically masculine features such as broad shoulders and fairly impressive biceps. Years of combat and training have sculpted Levi’s body for max efficiency with the 3-D maneuver gear. Levi’s eyebrows are almost unnaturally thin and yet seem to correlate quite well with his facial features. They make a subtle bow towards the center which makes it easy for Levi to appear agitated. Personality: “It’s not rare for people to get upset after talking to him. He is not what people expect to see. He doesn’t look like the flawless hero they imagine, starting with his short stature. He is also unexpectedly tense, rude and unapproachable.” –Petra Ral There are many misconceptions about Levi. When people first meet him they usually have preexisting expectations for humanity’s most well-known fighter. They expect a hero, someone who’s sensitive and charismatic but also capable of the impossible. They aren’t ready for the standoffish, five foot three man they come across. For starters, Levi doesn’t consider himself a hero. He’s isn’t invincible. Like everyone else Levi is only human and capable of both error and injury. His accomplishments don’t make him immune to fault. Levi has doubted his decisions multiple times and been hurt during combat just as surely as his fellow comrades. His mistakes, much like Erwin’s, are just held to a higher standard and are thus criticized far more harshly. Even within his legion there are constant misinterpretations about Levi. He appears cold and insensitive to the pain because he doesn’t display the emotion commonly associated with grief or sadness. Just because he isn’t showing in doesn’t mean he isn’t feeling it. Levi takes the deaths of his comrades to heart and mourns for them just like anyone else would. However, he knows crying and acting irrationally won’t change what has already been done. “Dead is dead.” Despite appearing apathetic, Levi worries immensely for his comrades. He’s a caring and empathetic person but his responsibilities prevent him from ever sincerely expressing himself. Specifically during missions Levi is well aware that becoming overly emotional may negatively affect one’s ability to make clear and sound decisions. When he made the decision to dump the bodies of his comrades so his legion could successfully escape he suffered for it. He was called inhuman and heartless but he endured it anyways because protecting those still alive was more important than himself. Levi adopts a monstrous responsibility as a leader by tightly bottling his emotions so that he can dedicate himself 100% to insuring the survival of those still counting on his leadership and guidance Even after he lost his entire squad and all he had left was Petra’s patch he gave it to a soldier that needed it more, to comfort him. Even when he was hurt he didn’t tell anyone about his injury because they had already undergone heavy losses he didn’t want to deplete their already dwindling moral. He’s selfless and won’t put others at risk on his behalf. You can’t change anything unless you can discard part of yourself too. Levi is very in control of himself. He strictly regulates and disciplines what others perceive of him. The center of this strength is an emotionless core, where he’ll often retreat to as a defense mechanism. Others are left only to see his intimidatingly collected exterior and mistake this mask for indifference. Experience has taught Levi the easiest way to cope with pain is to stifle it. Due to his high position many would assume Levi is well-educated, however in reality he received virtually no standard schooling and is the farthest thing from eloquent. He was raised in a gang and still has the mannerisms that reflect that. He curses often and makes crude and vulgar jokes that don’t usually make sense to people. He doesn’t have standard manners such as excusing himself from a table, and even small things like how to properly hold a tea cup evade him. He’s informal and comes across as rude to many people despite the real issue being his ignorance to etiquette. Levi is also exceedingly blunt. He doesn’t sugar coat the facts. He’s honest and sees no point in trying to disguise the truth. He says what’s on his mind without bothering to filter his words. Levi has very little tolerance for insubordination. When he gives an order he expects it to be followed just as surely as he follows the orders of his commander, whom he trusts above all others. Levi respects hierarchy because he knows its importance. It was imperative when he was in a gang and is even more prevalent in the Scouting Legion. When orders are followed lives are saved. Those in high positions are usually put there because they know what they’re doing. History: Levi grew up within an East district of Wall Maria, an area heavily infested by poverty and crime. The exact circumstances of his birth are a mystery, specifically regarding his mother and father. Levi never knew his parents or their fate – whether they were eaten by titans or simply incapable of raising a child, they never had an influence on of his life. Despite this, Levi held no grudge over their absence. His philosophy being that he couldn’t resent the family he never knew to miss. Levi has a strict code against baggage he’s developed over years of hardship. His parents were one of the first catalysts to influence this manner of thinking. He knew if he lingered on what could have been he’d only be preventing himself from moving forward. For Levi, forgetting personal attachments has simply become the most efficient way to handle the high demands and sacrifices of their society. His earliest memories date back to his time at the Orphanage, an environment that was both constructive and unforgiving. Although, none of the children at the orphanage were spared the harsh details that comprised their reality, they were still taught valuable lessons that would become key to their survival. Ignorance was a luxury affordable only to those rich few living within Wall Sina. As an orphan, Levi was exposed to the cruelty of the world at a tender age and made well aware of humanities hilariously impossible circumstances. Many of the children came to be orphans from titan encounters in the crop fields that killed their parents. He wasn’t sheltered from the truth nor protected from the prospect of a gruesome death. He was a lesser citizen - an undesirable, fated to file into the system of labor workers like the rest of the children. Somebody no one would remember. Life was neither easy nor stimulating and Levi occupied a state of constant apathy for much of his childhood, merely existing without real purpose or direction. Levi kept to himself, avoiding much social interaction with his peers. If one were to survive they couldn’t afford attachments. ‘Only you can be responsible for your own life’. As time progressed he became increasingly independent and reclusive and built a reputation around his seemingly indifferent exterior. The orphanage was supported entirely on government funding, operating solely off of tax collections and donations and as a result had little resources to provide its inhabitants. There were nights where they would go without adequate food or proper protection from the cold. However, Levi quickly realized that whining or complaining wouldn’t change the aching emptiness that filled his stomach nor steal away the vapor ice that burned his skin dry. It was a waste of energy to despair over what he couldn’t have. Levi’s first learned to school his emotions from his experiences at the orphanage. Words couldn’t improve his circumstances, only actions would. The malnutrition of his childhood is partially responsible for his small stature. Despite his underwhelming size Levi was agile and sharp. He began pick-pocketing at eleven and had completely mastered the art by thirteen. A necessary evil, he believed. There wasn’t going to be a family or charity to save him. Orphans weren’t adopted. No one could afford the extra mouth to feed. If he was going to survive, he would have to do it entirely by his own means. At sixteen Levi left the orphanage and found refuge in the underground city. By then he had taken in every lesson his environment had to offer and choose to leave his life of complacency behind in order to carve out his place in their bleak excuse for a society. He yearned for respect, to be seen - to be heard and feared. If he wanted something in this world he’d have to take it. There were a very limited number of ways to make it in the underground city. Although, stealing was simple and easy it was a difficult way to sustain a lifestyle. Despite working well on his own Levi knew collaboration with a gang would be the best way to insure his survival. Merely bumping shoulders with the wrong person could lead to a shoot-out. There was undeniable safety in numbers. The underground, also known as The Capital, was comprised of mostly of orphans much like himself, hardened by society and crafted into dangerous, clever men and women. People fully prepared to lose everything at the drop of a pen. They scavenged beneath the city like rats, using whatever means they could to get by, souls governed by chaos. It didn’t take long for Levi to find others like himself. Technically, they found him. A young boy and girl, who happened upon Levi just as he managed to steal himself a loaf of bread. Their hungry, prolonged stares said everything their pride stole from their tongues. Against his better judgment Levi shared what he had. It wasn’t much but they were absurdly grateful for the small gesture regardless. Levi deflected his generosity by explaining that he merely didn’t want be responsible their deaths. It would have been an inconvenience. The boy and girl, who introduced themselves as Derek and Sam could have only been seventeen. Too young, to live the way they did, denied any real choice. Crestfallen, empty handed teens. Friends was a loose term. Levi had very little experience or association with such a thing but Derek and Sam were people he could consider to be the next closest thing. He could relate to them and trust came easier than Levi had ever known it to. Despite his distant demeanor Levi developed a strong commitment to look after his team mates. For the first time Levi found out what it could be like to be treated as if he was part of a family. His comrades cared about him and valued his life as if it was one of their own which was something Levi had never experienced before. They had his back as surely as Levi had theirs. Their kindness and sense of community touched a soft spot hidden beneath his layered defenses and blunt mannerisms. Levi soon felt equally responsible for them and prioritized their health and well-being. Together, they were constantly searching for better ways to survive. Everyone in the Capital had gun or a knife and it almost became a moot point to have one. It’s hard to hold up a store with a gun when the owner already had two. If they were going to make it, they’d have be innovative. His gang took a gamble and invested in equipment on the black market known as 3d maneuver gear. They had heard of its dexterous uses in the military and spent nearly all their money on three pairs. It was an unprecedented tactic, one the underworld hadn’t seen and was poorly prepared for. They used the 3DMG to aid their heists and robberies and their efficiency rate improved 91%. They earned back their investment spending within two weeks. Levi proved to be surprisingly talented at the use of the 3D maneuver gear due to lethal combination of his small size and reflexes. At first, they kept it simple. With the maneuver gear stealing and odd jobs became practically effortless. But, as their skills improved so did their reputation. They were soon commissioned for riskier jobs. Drug lords offered them a pretty penny for their assistance and with little options to begin with they readily accepted new opportunities. Levi’s admiration for discipline was born in his gang. They were a unit, in-sync and elite, capable of pulling off successful jobs due to their organization and military-like precision. By twenty five Levi and his gang had reached the pinnacle of infamy and were the go to for opium smuggling operations, where they used the remains of the abandoned underground pathways to successfully use their 3dMG and run their business. There was a high demand for opium within the walls, more particularly from the wealthy officials residing behind Sina. High ranking officials, political figures and priests used opium recreationally, as a momentary escape from their reality in to bliss. It was a privilege very few could even imagine. As much as Levi despised the people who could watch the inhabitants of Maria suffer and starve with eerie indifference, they were now the key to his salvation. They lined his pocket and with their biased influences practically allowed black market to exist solely for their own amusement. The true extend of the corruption within the monarchy became glaring apparent. Despite his conflicted beliefs, money stopped being a serious issue . He didn’t go to bed hungry anymore. It wasn’t about morals anymore, it never was. Levi couldn’t fool himself into thinking it was ever about anything other than survival. It was simpler that way. There was no greater good to weigh himself against. As fate would have it, during a heated exchange between himself and a disgruntled man, a pair of blue eyes had been watching him, impossibly blue as Levi remembered. The man wore the crest of the Scouting Legion and smiled almost proudly at Levi’s expert usage of the maneuver gear. Levi couldn’t erase his face from his mind and apparently neither could the stranger. Despite the immorality that fueled Levi’s underground organization there were still those in the monarchy who opposed the black market and strove to cleanse the city of its power. The city declared its rising crime rates a serious threat and put the Garrison in charge of the issue. With stricter laws and more nightly patrols, Levi’s job became increasingly more difficult and by the age of twenty six he found himself behind bars. The Garrison hadn’t seen a titan near the walls in almost a hundred years, so their full resources were put into stopping crime. His gang’s capture had been inevitable. As one of the underground’s strongest criminal groups, Levi and his comrades were sentenced to seventy years. It may as well been a life sentence. Due to a lack of space, most prisoners were forced into labor. The government wouldn’t waste money housing criminals for free so they were put to work. The irony wasn’t lost to Levi who worked the very same fields outside the walls that made many children orphans when he was a child. He worked relentlessly for a year. During this time his appearance became increasingly unkempt. He wasn’t given the resources or the time to fret over his external visage. At twenty seven Levi was approached by a polite, self-aware man with a strikingly familiar face. He introduced himself as Erwin Smith, a squad leader of the Scouting legion and yes the very same man Levi came across a day not too long ago. Apparently he had been negotiating Levi’s bail for an entire year. In Levi’s experience when things seemed too good to be true they usually were. People didn’t just hand out charity, least of all strangers. Originally, Levi brushed Smith off and refused to hear his proposal. Realistically, the man sounded completely mental. Levi assumed he it was all some part of a weird joke and he wasn’t about to stay around for the punch line. However, Erwin proved to be surprising resilient and returned the following month with renewed vigor and a single request. Ten minutes for three cigarettes. If all Levi had to do was listen to Erwin run his mouth for the stress relieving delicacy then he was sold. He wasn’t bad to look at either. Erwin was eloquent but direct and if anything Levi could appreciate his lack of bullshit. Erwin cut to the chase. He had extensively researched Levi’s criminal history and agreed to clear all his charges if he joined the Scouting Legion under his authority. As an incentive his comrades would have their slates wiped as well and could join alongside him. Erwin had immediately recognized Levi’s potential for maneuver gear that day in the Capital and saw the opportunity for what it was. He’d gain an invaluable member not only for is squad but for humanity as well. It would be a waste for Levi’s capabilities to go unused, and Erwin ever the brilliant strategist wasn’t about to let that happen. For Levi, there wasn’t much of a choice to make. As the newest member of the Scouting Legion, Levi was put through mandatory regulation and training where he demonstrated unprecedented efficiency and speed with his 3-D maneuver gear. Due to his small frame and low center of gravity he was able to perform complex and agile moves with little difficulty. He quickly found that the most proficient way to use his blades was to hold them in a reverse grip, which lessened the strain on his wrists and allowed him to spin in a lethal counter clockwise rotation. He learned to weaponize his dull and broken blades, improving his effectiveness by reducing his waste while potentially blinding a titan by driving the shards into their eyes. To converse gas he prioritized the value gravity and inertia to his advantage, only using his air tanks when absolutely necessary. Additionally, he would always utilize tall buildings and trees whenever possible to maximize the full capabilities and potential of the 3DMG. With both technique and natural talent Levi quickly became humanity’s strongest warrior. It wasn’t hard to respect Erwin. Frankly, it would be harder not to. The man was annoyingly charitable and kind. He gave Levi the second chance that anyone with a lick of sense would have denied him. Erwin took a risk with Levi out of the sincerity of his good character and mutual benefit (which is a debt Levi feels he permanently owes him). Erwin was capable and resilient, a man that could own the world if he sincerely put his mind to it. Erwin Smith would change humanity’s fate. Levi would help him. When Erwin cut his hair it almost felt like an initiation. An official acceptance of partnership. He fashioned it in a style similar to his own via Levi’s request which was founded on a deep seated respect for the changes he introduced into his life. For the first time in his life Levi found that he could afford the pleasantries that came with a steady income. Luxuries that once seemed surreal and unattainable were now palpable due to his job in the military. Things as simple as regular showers or a warm bed had been completely foreign to Levi up till that point. He wasn’t about to take them for granted. Levi meticulously kept up with himself, keeping his hair freshly shaved and parting it just so. He polished his equipment and kept it blemish free and began to dress presentably. He felt sophisticated; important even. If Erwin believed he was worth his time, Levi would more than uphold that standard. He found that he thoroughly enjoyed being clean, it was a privilege he had been denied up until that point in his life and he became compulsively obsessed with cleanliness. During his training Levi met the ever energetic and excitable Hanji Zoe. She was unrelenting and obnoxious but startlingly smart and optimistic. Levi had never met anyone like her before and found her company to be oddly refreshing. Although she could be persistent to a fault she was also intuitive and bright, seemingly unaffected by their bleak circumstances. It was almost inspiring how she channeled all her energy into making new discovery instead of lingering on the negative. She wasn’t intimidated by Levi’s strength or unapproachable demeanor and remained stubbornly set on becoming his friend despite his initial refusal. Strangely enough Levi began to like her too. When Levi lost Derek and Sam on an expedition a large part of his humanity went with them. Their deaths were bloody and grotesque, as were most on the field, bodies mutilated and broken in a shapeless puddle of red. He couldn’t remember their last words, he didn’t even see it happen. They were simply gone. But it was the suddenness that hurt the most, the in-memorability of it. They died terrified, without a noteworthy end or famous last moments to remember. Easily taken from the world and just as easily discarded in a pile of unmarked ash. After this Levi only grew closer to Erwin because he learned to follow his example, to limit his ability to care in order to cope, to survive. Because that’s what it had only even been about. Survival. And survival made monsters out of people. Currently, Levi is corporal and Squad Leader of the Scouting Legion’s Special Operations Squad. Likes: Being in control, respect for authority, good weather, cigarettes, fresh laundry, tea Dislikes: Messy things, dishonesty, insubordination, cooking (eww the steam and mess no thank) Strengths: Intimidation: Levi is extremely intimidating and it works to his advantage. Cadets follow his orders and rarely question his decisions. Combat skills: Levi is known as humanity’s strongest soldier for a reason. His strength is legendary and it makes him a key resource in humanity’s survival. Protective: Levi is extremely protective of something once he deems it worth his attention. A rather prominent example is Eren Jeager. Levi has come to his defense multiple times despite the numerous doubts surrounding the titan shifter, from the MP and even fellow comrades. He believes Eren to be humanity’s salvation and strives to preserve what remains of his innocence. Detachment: Levi’s ability to exist in a state of permanent (and arguably monstrous) detachment makes him an excellent solider. He’s able to separate himself from his fears and emotion and even his very life as if merely flipping a switch. On the battle field, he doesn’t linger on things that normal people would, such as a death of a friend. He’s hurting, yes, but he accepts the burden that come with being a leader and that’s being strong when no one else can. This detachment makes him seem heartless but it is also extremely effective. It allows him to keep a consistently level head and continue to lead without being emotionally compromised. Weaknesses: Communication: Levi isn’t very skilled at expressing himself. This causes many misinterpretations about his character and tends to negatively affect people’s opinions of him. He’s a closed book and doesn’t open up easily to others even well after they’ve gotten to know him. Teamwork: Levi works better alone. Although a capable leader with exception physical ability Levi does not work well in teams. He does better when he only has to rely on himself and doesn’t have to depend on others for support. Proper teamwork is still a new concept Levi. He grew up relying entirely on himself and still has a difficulty shifting his state of mind from his previous lifestyle. Impatience: Levi isn’t a particularly patient person. He expects fast results and he doesn’t like to be kept waiting. Time is invaluable, especially on the battle field. Socially Awkward: Hardly a social person, Levi has a difficult time in social interactions. He doesn’t know how to properly break tension or even make appropriate small talk. Erwin Smith is probably the only person he doesn’t feel pressured around when it comes to social interaction. Fears: Intimacy- Levi is afraid of personal attachments for the same reason anyone living in a constant warzone would be; the potential loss. In their world there is constantly too much at stake. It’s hard enough just losing comrades. Intimacy is the last thing on Levi’s mind. Becoming a burden due to his lack of education -Levi lacked the proper guidance of a teacher or a parent and as a direct result never learned how to properly read or write. He fears that this may one day affect his ability to properly perform his duties as corporal and consequently become a burden to his teammates. Erwin is the only person that knows of Levi’s difficulty and has only ever been accommodating about it. However, this ‘babying’ only serves to humiliate and anger Levi more often than actually help him. A pointless death- Nothing bothers Levi more than potentially dying without purpose or reason. Be it his death or a comrade's. It's a fear born from the loss of Derek and Sam and the constant and pointless deaths he is surrounded with in the Scouting Legion. Quirks: OCD- If something is disorganized or dirty Levi will compulsively clean it. He hates dirt and dust and won’t hesitate to order his cadets scrub headquarters from top to bottom until it meets his standards. Levi considers cleanliness a privilege and refuses to take it for granted. Informal Manners - His manners are extremely informal since etiquette was never stressed or taught to Levi in his life. Because of this many of his habits may come across as rude or strange, such as holding his cup in a bizarre claw like fashion instead of the standard pinky out method. Skillset: Physical Strength: (8-10) Intelligence: (7-10) Teamwork: (4-10) Confidence: (7-10) Agility: (10-10) Roleplay Sample: Levi didn’t sleep well after missions. No one did. The delicate skin around his eyes is dark, like heavy shadows against pale skin that look almost like a bruise. The days following a massacre were a blur of indistinguishable motions between a.m. and p.m, where hours bled together and soldiers wandered the halls like ghosts. Heavy hearts and weary faces all haunted by the same thing. Guilt. Levi was a veteran by many standards but there were some things no human being was meant to get used to. The sight of bodies – of friends, strewn haphazardly across the ground in awkward, broken angles. Bones snapped like twigs, eyes glazed like glass. These were the images burned beneath the eyelids of soldiers, relived in cruel, vivid detail during their sleep. A dirge of wailing cries and mournful sobs echoed through headquarters at night. Most of the 104th were only kids. Kids. Cheap wood creaks as Levi gingerly shifts his weight. His gaze is lost somewhere in the stone wall in front of him, blank and steady. Eren sits at the end of the table, quieter than Levi has ever known him to be. The brat was usually so lively, spewing enough verbal diarrhea to give Levi a headache, but now he’s somberly resigned to himself as still as water in a glass. They suffocate in silence. Eren is the first one to take a breath. “Sir, may I be excused? I could go to Hanji early….” He mumbles, voice low and hesitant but Levi notes he mostly just sounds tired. Levi doesn’t physically regard the teen but he leans further back against his chair and closes his eyes with a deliberate slowness. He wants to tell Eren to cut his shit. There are things they obviously both need to say and running away from their impending conversation like a pussy won’t solve anything. But, Levi catches himself. Snapping at Eren wouldn’t be particularly useful either. He makes a conscious attempt to sound like he’s not talking above Eren, simply to him. “No. Sit.” He commands and it slips effortlessly from his tongue, easy and reassuring; something he can momentarily control. “She’ll come get you when she’s ready,” He quick to continue - to mend, “so don’t be an impatient, brat.” He uses the insult almost like a pet name, fondly even, if one were to proverbially squint their eyes and tilt their head. Indirect empathy. “Yes, sir…” Eren visibly deflates, ever expressive with a sad tilt of distinct brows. There’s tears in his eyes when he glances up at Levi, a wet veil over Caribbean greens. It’s not the command that has upset him, It’s everything else. Their failed mission, for Levi’s squad, for the empty chairs that surround them like tombs. “If you wanted to,… you could hit me. I won’t fight back.” He continues like he’s trying to find the words for a meaningful apology but can’t and offers what little solution he can instead. Eren ducks his head to hide his tears as Levi settles his sharp gaze on him, silently considering the teen with almost military like precision. “Why would I do that?” He replies at length, marginally annoyed. “Don’t be a moron Eren...” Levi crosses his legs and swings his arm back over chair, casually lifting his cup of tea to his lips with something like a sigh. “…Bad things happen. The dead are dead. Lingering on your decisions won’t change anything.” He speak with a steely flatness, baritone untouched by fluctuation or emotion. TBH Additional Information (OOC): Name/Nickname: Fork Time Zone: US Eastern Contact Info: Feel free to send me a PM here or on my Chatango account~ Introduce yourself: Hello everyone! Please call me Fork! ^^” I ship many things! Such as Levi x Eren, Erwin x Levi and Levi x Petra. I am open to most ships but Levi doesn’t cross me as the type willing to commit to a serious relationship. However! That doesn’t mean I won’t pair him with people! Just be aware that Levi would never be in a standard relationship . Have you read the rules? Well, I wrote them. JEAGER. ...we lived in fear of the Titans and were disgraced to exist in these cages we called walls. |
Coding by Elruko, please do not steal.