Aurelius

“Aurelius,” the boy brushed black-white hair from his face and smiled brightly in return. The interaction could’ve gone differently... He let his whims take hold (which rarely if ever happened), and felt fortunate for the fact that this stranger wouldn’t mind aiding a newbie on a path towards greater success. 

A friendly, welcoming aura surrounded the other player. Aurelius’s hand stretched out. Though his handshakes might’ve been weaker than the typical man’s, he felt it was a gesture to replicate. Athena - the girl he’d recently met - did the same thing, rather than a bow. Thus he felt a universal greeting would be most appropriate while making friends in Sword Art Online. Intricacies of socialization never truly bothered the homebody. After all, dealing only with younger siblings would certainly wipe that concept away for anyone. 

Coming to terms with the abundance of loneliness weighted upon sensitive shoulders hit Aurelius strongly. Yet, at the moment, he shrugged that emotion away to allow a newfound enthusiasm for personal growth to flourish within his soul. “Honestly,” he breathed deeply, determined. “I could use any help that you’ll give me. And I’ll work really hard to get better! It’s a little late, I know, but I wasn’t ready before like I am now.”

Less jittery, pink, and ashamed: Aurelius nodded towards the stranger in appreciation for dealing with the more negative aspects associated with low leveled players in the same situation as himself. Empathy struck his heart. For anyone else out there, struggling. Aurelius’s determination stemmed from desires related outside forces - they triggered his actions more than anything else. Now, he held another goal to pull him in the right direction should he fall back into the constraints of depression or hopelessness or overwhelming fear. 

“Your name is...?,” he questioned, head tilted curiously. A loving smile still painted on his soft, pale face.

Relief loosened the amount of tension holding together Aurelius’s frame. The welcoming hand brought a sense of happiness to his softened heart. It could’ve gone wrong, but his imagined idea of a stranger from nothing but observation of appearance ended up correct. This pleased him, and he graciously accepted the handshake with a bit of an enthusiastic pep. 

“I'm Aurelius. ‘A’ names are in good taste if I do say so myself,” curled lips and bright eyes were enough to show that Athena had, indeed, made his day. A day with darkness surrounding the reasoning for lifting himself from the hole of depression, but one that could go well. Aurelius convinced himself of this. Enthusiasm always ripped through stubbornness, and sensitivity - at least it could after some time. Some time that the boy had been waiting for, for a very long time. 

Athena represented his own personal escape, as did the quest. They would complete it together. Or so he hoped because a lack of knowledge put Aurelius down on a lower peg that presented issues conflicting with inner desires of perfectionism. 

“You can lead the way, then,” he motioned for the girl to begin walking, and he would follow behind. Like an obedient puppy merely pleased to have someone trustworthy in control. “I’m glad you accepted me so quickly. I apologize if you were busy today or in the middle of something…” he trailed off, wondering if she felt alright. Wondering if she would be bothered by his interaction. 

Aurelius knew that Athena presented a bubbly persona, but felt compelled to apologize regardless of reality. Avoiding confrontation involved the idea of also avoiding intruding on the life of another person. Natural sensitivity plagued his mind positively at times though it could lead to Aurelius’s overbearing need to indirectly ask for forgiveness if he felt useless. And he felt useless. So, to make up for this lack of using an inexhaustible source of generosity, the boy explained himself through soft-spoken “sorry” and “excuse me” and “is there anything I can do”’s whenever needed. Even if absolutely not required.

“But, maybe we were actually meant to meet so we could keep each other company for a little bit?” he shrugged, playing off his comment more so as a joke than a question. Though Aurelius garnered emotional connection to others rather quickly and believed this to an extent.
”I definitely wouldn’t mind if you needed to join in on the quest with me. If you haven’t already completed it, of course.”

Although a hardworking perfectionist at heart, Aurelius held onto a firm grasp of passiveness towards confrontation in any form, whether that confrontation involves argument or initiation of combat. Mainly, he had to come to terms with the latter. A concept so foreign and so valueless garnered an ounce of value when Aurelius first brought himself to his feet. When he first decided to move along with the rest of the progressive crowd. Weapons - verbally or physically - hardly fit with his ideologies. And scarcely in the palm of a trembling hand. Though the boy would acknowledge the somewhat enticing wisdom surrounding weaponry, he simply couldn’t dig any deeper than that to find willpower for fighting. 

Motherly, caring, sweet-natured: Aurelius knew no other world than one of a comforting shoulder for others to cry on. To put oneself out there for the sake of collecting materials or clearing floors, and for any other reason really, left him either afraid of change or afraid of losing. Perfectionism ran throughout his veins, after all. Without a teacher to guide his actions, there’d undoubtedly be a crushing sense of loss in his heart if he were beaten out on Floor 1, at a low level. Or nothing at all if he died. 

Seeing as death gave the boy - who aimed to once again reunite with his siblings, seen more so as children - cold chills, he preferred losing and running instead. It provided a comforting situation versus never seeing the light of a virtual day again. Since Aurelius nodded his head in the direction of stepping stones lead to bravery, he moved. Not only with courage on the mind, but a location in mind: the grass fields. Basic enemies found in this area would give a challenge. And perhaps, he thought out of desperation, a lack of population would mean a lack of potential hecklers around to see him fail.

Failure and stubbornness and fear may have plagued his mind. Aurelius’s ability to tackle issues to progress as a person happened to be quite small and challenging to address. Yet, his legs carried him out into the open world - one never explored. Left behind by his terror after the announcement of the game’s entrapment of its players. Left behind by his heart and brain frozen in time. Building up from the past, Aurelius aimed for improvement and thus allowed that aim to take over any negativity looming overhead. 

Action proved to never be too far within Sword Art Online. At least that, in a sense, could present the game in a better light. Attentive, blue eyes settled on another player in the distance. With impressive skill (especially to such a noob as Aurelius), and seemingly a wide range of knowledge worth seeking, Aurelius admired from afar. Admired because he could barely hold his own weapon. Admired because there truly were those who learned to overcome their fears. And admired, because he wanted to be that person. An image painted in his mind, alongside enough motive to shove the stubborn boy onto an ambitious path, allowed Aurelius to pursue the concept of combat - but, with another person. If first, they’d let him aid in the small fight occurring. 

Without so much as a second thought, he belted, “May I join in? You could teach me-”

Pink brushed across his pale cheeks. He quivered, before stiffening and gripping the spear in his hands tighter. 

“And I can learn to do this. Finally. I’ll do my best... if you’ll let me."

@Yukiro

Despite spending a majority of life supporting others Aurelius had recognized and accepted the concept of never receiving anything in return. Sword Art Online reinforced this selfless yet harmful ideology by confining the boy in an unforgiving world where he was quickly forgotten. A stubbornness deep within prevented progression among the rest of the players who either gathered their weapons and ran into the unknown or formed communities based on collective hard work. Aurelius’s inability to take a path from his own set ways proved a fatal flaw. Eventually, however, he was destined to succumb to a stretched-out stubbornness overpowered by his ever-growing desire to help those in need. Observant and selfless and, indeed, a truly good person at heart, Aurelius discovered an available stepping stone towards progress to properly kick-start his new goals. Goals defined by a heavy, empathetic heart as worth pursuing now that mentally, emotionally, and morally the boy had prepared himself for a new life. An entirely new world.

Applying himself as a spear-wield would soon show up on a long checklist of things to accomplish throughout adjustment to Sword Art Online’s world: his intimidating, temporary home. Yet to hold a weapon hardly fit Aurelius’s starting agenda (or comfort). Therefore, the boy opted to instead partake in a quest specified for beginners. Imagination fueled his inner-enthusiasm with idealistic thoughts surrounding turning life’s purpose back into what he’d been raised to provide: genuine love and nurture. Though his concentration on such a purpose turned into a burden in real life Aurelius understood that he had to carry on. To forget the past that haunted him. In conjunction with forgetting the mistakes his parents made because he wasn’t going to forget they’d also ignited a passion that, currently, led him to a quest in the Town of Beginnings. 

Surely Aurelius - with an attentive mind - should’ve been well-acquainted with the First Floor in its entirety. Gazing around with uncertainty the boy realized, with a faint yet deep sense of shame, he held far less knowledge than one would expect. Especially considering the amount of time players have had to explore their newfound lives. The feeling most definitely wouldn’t be enough to muddle strong determination, though, and immediately his focus shifted to scouting for another person to ask. Another person who happened to share his own feelings towards the unfamiliarity of what should be familiar or who could navigate with ease in comparison to his mere ability of wandering around until reaching the correct destination. In brown hair and wide eyes Aurelius found the latter version, or so he believed. Ever the observant type Aurelius trusted his gut and trusted her openness that radiated from afar.

Carefully, he made haste over to opportunity in the form of someone who seemed as if she knew - or would be willing to offer - how to help. Suspicious in hunched posture, long frame, and tousled hair: Aurelius’s appearance provided no benefit in immediate outside support from others. Aside from deep, blue eyes providing a small sort of insight into the kindness he had to offer to the world should it let him. A visible softness - one he remembered his mothers admired from a young age - would certainly seem, to any outsider, the only reason worth trusting Aurelius without knowing his intentions, or name.

“Mind if I ask a question?”

Thin fingers ran through black-white hair, pulling back the thick locks that’d concealed his bright expression. “I’m pretty lost, and to be honest you looked like a person who wouldn’t run away if I asked for help. At least not yet.” he smiled and peered into the other player’s eyes - almost exactly leveled with his own - in attempts to lighten a mood that could go wrong or right. This depended on the person. Though he remained optimistic and an inner enthusiasm prevented any determination within to be muddled so quickly even if things ended up not turning out as planned.

Pausing, allowing the situation to gather in the girl’s mind, he would continue to explain his situation before prompted to do so - as not to waste a stranger’s valuable time. “I’ve been wanting to try out a beginner quest on this floor. Heard about it awhile ago but I’ve finally gathered the guts to go for it. I’m pretty sure it’s material collecting for an NPC whose workshop is around here somewhere. But I could use some assistance in figuring out where "somewhere" is… if that makes any sense.” 

@Athena @Dederick

R O L E P L A Y S

R E L A T I O N S H I P S

J O U R N E Y

T R A N S A C T I O N S

S K I L L S
Non-combat
▶

Passive
▶

Combat
▶

Weapon Skills
▶1H Assault Spear

I N V E N T O R Y
Weapons
▶(Uncommon) 1H Assault Spear [T1] -- DMG +1

Tools
▶

Armor
▶(Uncommon) Light Armor [T1] -- REGEN +1

Items
▶(5) Starter Healing Potions (Heals 50 HP)

COL
▶[2,500]

Materials
▶Tier 1 [10]

▶Tier 2 [0]

▶Tier 3 [0]

Set A "Basic Package";

Character Stats

Level ~ 1
HP ~ 20
EN ~ 2
DMG ~ 3

A u r e l i u s

Username ~ Aurelius
Real name ~ Yasuhiro Hirata
Age ~ 18/20
Gender ~ Male
Height ~ 5'9"
Sexuality ~ Pansexual
Birthday ~ 7/03/XXXX
Profession ~ N/A
Appearance ~ Yasuhiro’s deep-blue eyes, long, unruly black-white hair and natural paleness provide distinguishable features for those who aren’t familiar with him. His height is diminished due to a shrunken posture and slim frame hidden - more often than not - underneath over-sized clothing/a multitude of layers. The sharpness of Yasuhiro’s  facial structure is softened by thick locks of hair; his body also well-defined, in a sense, with its noticeably long limbs and slight muscle mass - not completely awkward but in no way beneficially graceful for Yasuhiro to carry.

B A C K G R O U N D

▶In a home full of anything other than negativity (regarding moral) Yasuhiro thrived in terms of a more idealistic type of development. Two overly-affectionate mothers molded their son into an image of personal perfection: so caring and willing to give and considerably well-off in the genetic department. Yasuhiro fulfilled their dreams of a first child, and in turn they decided it would become a duty to foster more for beneficial reasons. The world, from their generally warped perspectives, would soon suffer from a desperate need of morally good posterity if not for "givers" like them.

▶Big, blue eyes became a regular staple of the Hirata children who grew rather quickly. Yasuhiro forced himself to grow twice as fast; an innate drive to nurture extended into action and feeling as newborn siblings took over the Hirata’s home. Ambitions to strengthen skills required for meeting basic school guidelines were temporarily tossed aside as the boy prepared himself for, essentially, turning into a third parent. Raised to provide himself as a helpful asset from womb-to-tomb, Yasuhiro easily turned his desires of becoming an intelligent, sociable student to becoming an equally as loving care-taker as his parents had been for him, and continued to be exactly this specific, imagined image despite the multitude of swarming toddlers among them. In his eyes the latter desire provided more reward than the former. The oldest, forcibly most mature, and desperate Yasuhiro eventually bottled up any former dreams based upon himself to simply focus on raising his own “perfect children”. Though all 6 were still his flesh and blood - each and every one from the same mother - the boy hadn’t truly developed a sense of viewing siblings as they biologically were meant to be seen.

▶His role stuck, and his parents certainly never complained about two more helping hands to aid their own. In fact, they valued Yasuhiro’s personality considering their aspirations while raising him were actively fulfilled as he proved himself to be the “good soul” they were always dreaming of. Momentarily, this appeared a relatively healthy situation to the Hirata family. Outsiders, however, noticed Yasuhiro’s instantaneous dropping of and withdrawal from social activities and academic responsibilities. Not a single person in town could possibly be oblivious to the amount of children brought into the world in such a short amount of time. Yet not a said single person felt any sort of accountability for the plausible correlation of deteriorating mental health of the eldest boy, and the heavy weights thrust upon his shoulders at a vulnerable, earlier-than-deemed-normal age. Though these were decisions made by Yasuhiro himself the crafted environment exposed to him by overly-protective and affectionate parents with an emotional attachment to Yasuhiro’s growth - in regard to their idea of his greatest potential - led to unrecognized and unintended consequences.

▶An inevitable arrow led a concerned, local psychologist to the Hirata household: a comfortably large home, yet in an unignorable state of disarray as well as borderline familial dysfunction after suffering - both the occupants and physical well-being of the house itself - much distress with years of consistent offspring to provide their wear and tear. A psychologist beckoned by the mothers, who were influenced by the reactions of others’ to figure out how Yasuhiro might “fix himself” and go back to being their favorite child.

▶One quick suggestion to begin with ended up being an effective, permanent solution. Probably because after receiving a provided “escape” from life as an unofficial parent, he became trapped inside a fictional world with only expected means to fend for himself. Such an “escape” allowed Yasuhiro to jump into a controlled world - in which the over-protective approved of - where he could redevelop a lack of proper skills learned in an educational or social setting, turned into a homebody’s ultimate nightmare.

P E R S O N A L I T Y                                                                                                                                                                         

Virtues…

Supportive ~ A desire to pull love from within to the outside world - as a form of help and care and expression of the soul - gives Yasuhiro an empathetic personality based upon his own personal support system aiming to tend to others’ needs before his own, no matter who the person may be.

Reliable ~ As an innately hard-worker, Yasuhiro can’t help but stretch himself above and beyond as if it’s a daily requirement in every area of life. Meticulous thinking leads to meticulous behavior: this trait has provided Yasuhiro with a sense of patience for others. This patience allows him to figure out a proper way to perform to his highest standard -  depending on the situation - before acting out. And Yasuhiro will certainly push himself to get wherever he aims, if not immediately... then eventually.

Observant ~ To put your feet in the shoes of others’ is a value held close to Yasuhiro’s heart. A gateway to different perspectives, in his eyes, is a practical imagination. Empathy runs strong through an open mind constantly observing the body language and words and actions of those around. Scouting not for the inspiring but for those who are in desperate need. 

Enthusiastic ~ The ability to apply a supportive, imaginative, and reliable personality to everyday aspects of life has created a passion - an overall goal - for Yasuhiro to focus on following as much as possible.

Loyal ~ Yasuhiro all too easily forms emotional connections with ideas and people and everything in between. Personal views on working the hardest tie closely to pleasing others in regard to himself; which inevitably leads to a hard-to-break bond based upon his deep-set dedication as well as the desire to never fail meeting (envisioned) expectations.

Practical ~ An active imagination, based upon the valued idea of being consistently helpful, is unable to stop Yasuhiro from utilizing a practical mindset. Effortlessly, he’s able to see things as worth being done - no matter how mundane, useless, difficult, etc. - and ultimately beautiful in the grand scheme of life. 

Flaws...

Humble ~ Success tends to never lead Yasuhiro down a deserved path because he downplays any significant contributions made. This is not only because he focuses too much on others’ feelings to recognize his own valuable thoughts, but because he holds standards at an unreasonably high level - yet even the most minor fault in hard-work, still likely seen as outstanding work in the eyes of outsiders, will lead to downplaying any efforts made.

Secretive ~ Yasuhiro takes his feelings - most often the negative and thus deemed unshareable ones - and pushes them deep down inside so they can be ignored for as long as possible. His eyes and mind are trained to keep others’ as priority so he fails to share what’s felt strongly on the inside, and can often come across as rude if adamantly unwilling to share the personal with another person. Protection turns into a major flaw.

Sensitive ~ Negativity in any form, even the least offending or impersonal or irrelevant, will be absorbed by Yasuhiro who mentally resents how personally he takes things, but all the same cannot help what’s a natural sensitivity towards those around him. 

Perfectionist ~ Standards held high on a personal level, values of hard-work deemed important, and deflection of dealing with emotional conflict or negativity, alongside trying to please everyone around him has developed into a crushing ideal of being perfect.

Stubborn ~ Daily challenges - whether mentally or physically - aren’t a thing that he seeks to address or face due to the significance of “maintenance” in Yasuhiro’s eyes. Traditions and history are taken into consideration before decisions are made. Thus, a situation changing (whether it be addressing his own feelings or someone close to his heart forcing alteration) takes nearly life-altering events in life to occur.

Selfless ~ Altruistic at heart, Yasuhiro takes selflessness to an extent that can at times become detrimental to his mental health or possibly even physical. The epitome of an innately good soul is represented by the amount of trust, love, and care put into others’. But then… this leads to becoming a pushover in the beliefs things/people will get better, being available for anyone but himself, and a vulnerability with the ability to kill if he’s not careful.