The Writing Desk discussion

Here Lexie's characters will be posted

Thank you!

Name: Mateo ‘Shade’ Sanchez

Nickname: Shade - Yes it is quite different from his true first name but there is a reason for that.

Gender: Male.

Age: 22

Occupation: Thief, pickpocket, swindler, conman, you name it. Basically he’s a homeless street rat.
Formerly a performer with a travelling circus, specialising in the trapeze and his own unique performances involving turning into animals.

Species: Shape-shifter.

Appearance: Of Argentinian descent, Shade has brown skin and black hair. He is tall, lithe, fit and toned with a lean, fine featured face. Strong jaw, rounded chin, small nose and almond shaped eyes. He keeps himself clean shaven and the skin of his face seems to hold not a single imperfection. Finally he has dark brown eyes, like the colour of bitter coffee.

Personality: Shade has a laid-back, especially roguish and devil may care attitude. At least that’s what it seems. He’s devious, sharp and witty and can charm practically anyone. Though his blithe nature is a facade, one he dons like a disguise. Not that it isn’t his natural self, but now he forces it much more, he tries to be strong and carefree, for himself, and his little adopted brother of sorts. Shade is strong willed and no matter how much someone or something has an effect on him, he makes sure he seems unfazed, until he is alone. For Shade comes from a terrible past, and now, living on the streets and stealing to survive, and provide for the younger boy he’s adopted as his own brother, who went through the same horrors as he, he is slowly but surely clawing his way out of it. Shade is fiercely protective of and loyal to that little brother of his, he takes care of him before he takes care of himself, he is extremely soft and gentle with Hush. And though he tries to keep the mindset that all that happened to him isn’t his fault, so he’s not going to let them faze him and keep on stealing away his life, in truth he is haunted by it. He gets claustrophobic if he is trapped into close quarters, and does not allow anyone to touch him. And except for his little brother, he lets no one close now.

History: Shade, or Mateo, as he used to be, lived in Argentina with loving parents and a large family. Highly educated, his father had even taught him other languages such as English, French and Italian. His family was part of a travelling circus where they went around from town to town performing for the entertainment and delight of other people and their families. That is until one tragic day Mateo was snatched from his family and his life, and shipped off to a faraway land. The underground slave trade. That was the kind of unholy hands Mateo found himself in. Many people believe it doesn’t exist, but it does. And Mateo found himself in the worst branch of the slave trade possible... He was sold to a brothel somewhere in the underbelly of England, kept as a slave to fulfil people’s darkest, most immoral desires. A performer of a very different nature... Mateo was 18, almost a full grown young man, and a handsome ‘exotic specimen’ - as he was called - such as him fetched big profit, he became so popular the brothel bargained with him, offering him up on a silver platter to the highest bidders. Often while he was there, put on display like a prized horse.

It was here Mateo met who he would take in as his own brother. A terrified, innocent 14 year old boy who by some demon’s fate ended up in the same cruel place. The two of them shared sleeping quarters, in an old dusty room upon rickety cots, and Mateo would hear the boy cry himself to sleep every night. Until one such night he stopped crying. Then he would just lay there, silently. It was at this point Mateo knew the boy was sinking, like he’d seen so many. It was at this point he tried to talk to him.

“Hey... Kid?”
“........”
“I’m Mateo. What’s your name huh?”
“.........”
“Want me to hush?”
“..........”
“Okay I’ll hush.”
“.........”
“I’m gonna call you Hush.” That was when the boy finally looked at him.
“Don’t want to be called what ‘they’ call you after all huh?”

Of course, Mateo came to know the boy’s real name. Heard it for whenever the workers demanded the boy. Mateo couldn’t believe it, that they’d take someone as young as him, subject him to that. And it was then that Mateo promised he’d get the both of them out of there. Hush, he started to see as his little brother, and he’d get them both out of there. It took him a year to concoct and execute their escape, then they ran all the way to London with nothing but the raggedy clothes on their backs. Mateo decided to cast away his own name, realising he too did not want to be called what they all called him in the night. Shade was just something random he came up with, and liked the idea of it. Hush had nodded his liking too. Shade embraced his shape shifter abilities to change into anything he wanted to be, and keep the little bit of light and hope in little Hush, if he couldn’t cheer him up as a human, he always managed to as an animal.

Now they live on the streets, Shade thieving and swindling any soul stupid enough to fall for it to provide for himself and Hush. First it was just enough for them to get food each day, then multiple meals, then somewhat newer clothes from a second hand store, a slow and steady process until they can manage to afford a roof over their heads, no matter how ramshackle. And hopefully one day eventually, to get him and Hush back home... Hush still never speaks, and Shade doesn’t make him. It’s the one thing the kid feels as if he can control in his life, his own voice. Amongst the homeless underclass in London, they thankfully don’t stand out too much, if not for Shade’s foreign appearance. But they do alright. Shade used to feel bad about stealing, but now he has come to realise he owes nothing to this damn world and the people in it, who would use not just him, but Hush, little Hush, like that. It’s not like he’s taking as much as they had taken from him.

Favourite food/drink: Chocolate shakes, his mother’s chilli, noodles, rice, ice cream.

Hobbies: Doesn’t really have time or the capability for any, except attempting to play with Hush using his various animal forms he can shift into. As a shape shifter Shade can transform into any animal.

Loves: The simple things most people don’t think to ask for, food, freedom, his surrogate little brother Hush, his family, he misses them dearly and wishes so badly to return home, but he has sworn to get Hush home first.

Hates/Pet peeves: Having to hide and sneak about on the streets like they have to, the police (they only make things more difficult), stuck up entitled people.

Vices: Conning people - ripping them off, tricking them, the like.

Doesn’t care about breaking the law anymore.

Daredevil - but only when it’s worth it.

Other: Attempts to shut off his emotions and memories of his past, but likely suffers from PTSD, he continuously has intrusive memories, sensations, and suffers from nightmares. Though Hush suffers the same, and Shade always focuses on taking care of him rather than acknowledging it in himself.

approved :)

Name: Azriel ‘Hush’ Zarlot

Gender: Male

Age: 15

Appearance: Hush has quite fair skin and soft sandy-coloured light brown hair, but most noticeable are his eyes, such a bright green they shine like emeralds. His face is lightly dusted with freckles and looks very youthful, making him appear even younger than he is. He has a quite small and slight figure and is definitely small for his age, he is also quite thin, one might say he even looks a little pitifully scrawny.

Personality: Hush was always intensely shy and quiet, even before he found himself trapped in horrors no person could ever imagine. He was extremely reserved and always seemed to want to be the least noticeable he could be, and take up the least space. He tried to always bury himself in books. He does have a strong bond with his mother, whom he loves dearly, even though she is not his real mother. Most of his time would go towards helping her as well, helping with the chores. Since he always felt like a burden on his mother, and the only man who came the closest to what he knew as a father, but never really felt like his father… Did a father always complain about their son being ‘just another mouth to feed’ or ‘too weak to do anything’?

Besides, Hush always knew these two weren’t his parents by blood… His mother for one, is dark skinned, she has the deep brown skin of South African descent, though she has lived in England all her life and speaks perfect English. She is the one who gave Azriel his name. Even Azriel himself doesn’t know the true name that his parents gave him. This is what led him to always be quiet, to always be reserved and timid and nervous. He can also often be quite sensitive and emotional, things affect him a lot… Despite the love his mother shows him, he always felt somewhat unwanted. But he latches onto the people who seem to choose him, and so stuck to his mother like glue. It killed him being torn away from her and cast into a dark, terrible world, he never could have realised just how terrible.

History: Would one call it fortunate or unfortunately that Hush’s life was not that great even before he was taken and subjected to unimaginable horrors. It seemed the boy was abandoned at the tender age of 2, left curled up in a ball and crying on a doorstep. The tiny boy would have succumbed to the elements had he not been discovered by a woman with the kindest heart. Zela Zarlot, who would come to be his mother, found him and took the scared infant in, raising him as her own, despite the disapproval of her husband who said they couldn’t handle a baby, for the couple was still young and trying to find their feet, but Zela would not be swayed from helping a soul in need, believing this little boy was delivered here for a reason, whether it was for their sake or his. She named him Azriel, meaning ‘Help or Aid of God’. Zela nursed Azriel as if he was her very own, he always seemed to be a quiet baby who caused the least trouble as he could. None of that reckless adventuring came when he reached toddlerhood or became a young child either, in fact timid little Azriel only ever seemed to stay close to his mother. Zela herself personally believed it was likely due to some sort of abandonment issue, and she could hardly blame her poor boy, so she never minded and was only kind to Azriel at every turn. Her husband however, was a different story.
As time went on the couple grew poorer and poorer, Michael struggling to work to make ends meet, and Zela unable to do anything in order to be home for Azriel, though she eventually brought him along on cleaning jobs she would try and seek out. Still it wasn’t enough for Michael. The two descended into frequent arguing, Michael always wanted to put Azriel up for adoption or send him to a foster home but Zela always refused. Unfortunately poor Azriel had to listen to this all the time. Sometimes Michael would even address him directly, saying how he was too weak to do anything or help and it made him worthless. His insecurities only grew, and even though Azriel was sent to public school – the only school his parents could afford – and seemed to do fairly well with his grades, he was often the subject of bullying and would come home bruised and battered to his mother’s doting horror. Eventually by the time Azriel was in his teens, Zela and Michael were forced to move out of their tiny house, unable to keep up with the rent and the bills. They sought out lodgings in dingy inns or motels, the only places cheap enough for them to manage to pay with Michael’s job as a mechanic, and Zela struggling to find work as a cleaner. Azriel continued to go to school but started to fall behind as all kids who lived in poverty did. Going on one meal a day left him hungry and unable to concentrate and he fell behind because he had no computer and often didn’t have time to do his homework, trying to help his mother with any work they could get. Michael’s attitude towards Azriel only got worse and worse as time went on, but Zela always defended him.
Then came the day when Azriel was taken. He was no longer exactly being bullied so he had no marks on him, and his youthful appearance, soft light hair and striking green eyes were apparently desirable. The poor kid was snatched and chucked in the back of a van and taken to the corrupt underbelly of London. He was so scared his captors didn’t need to restrain him he didn’t dare to fight. Here he entered a nightmare that would make any decent person want to be sick. They demanded to know his name, his age, and if… he’d ever kissed a girl, which of course he hadn’t, he was only 14. And well why would anyone want to kiss a poor and scrawny boy like him? Weak and worthless like his father always said. He barely understood what was happening but only did as he was told for fear of being hurt, they were quite threatening after all. In a blur Azriel found himself on a stage in some seedy underground club, a crowd of many pairs of eyes all looking at him and a man shouting like an auctioneer. Then people in the crowd were calling out amounts, amounts of money. Then the man announced ‘SOLD!’ and it was over and Azriel was ushered away into what turned out to be a bedroom of sorts. He was told by a huge and terribly intimidating man:
“Do not fight, do not resist, do not squirm. Do what is told and what is wanted of you. And do not scream. Or I will cut off a finger for every time you fail to obey. And for heavens sakes try not to cry. You’re a big boy yeah?”
Azriel had paled and kept his mouth shut, lying there shivering on the bed. The man and his companions had left. Then the woman had walked in. And it was that night that the horrors started. Azriel didn’t scream, and as ordered, as always, he tried not to be loud. But he did cry. He had never cried more in his life.
But here… when he was sinking into the void of blackness… he met one star in the darkness of those horrific nights… An older boy who started calling him Hush instead of his name, which others now purred and whispered into his ear upon the bed. He had become scared of his own name. So it was a realise when this other boy called him something else. Then that older boy, named Mateo, promised he would get them both of this evil place. Hush hadn’t put too much belief in him, but when he came for him and they ran into the night, he put his trust in him completely. Mateo became Shade, not wanting to use his name just like him. Shade is now the only person he trusts. But he refuses to speak, even to Shade. Control over his own voice, the choice to remain silent, feels like the last thing he has that is truly his anymore… He will choose when he wants to use it again.

Favourite food/drink: Chocolate, cookies, fried rice, cold lemonade.

Likes/Hobbies: Reading, sketching.

Vices: Sensitive and withdrawn, internalises his feelings.

Other: Suffers from PTSD and anxiety.

Mini profiles for Shade’s family

Mother: Valeria Sanchez

Age: 45

Appearance: Average height, creamy brown skin, has some curves in her figure with wavy black hair and warm brown eyes.

Personality: Kind, warm and caring but firm. She is an amazing cook and cares more about her family than anything in the world. She can be stern though when children or even teenagers are acting up, she is like a mother to all really.


Father: Hugo Sanchez

Age: 47

Appearance: Tall and very fit and toned, he is muscled but lean, with dark olive skin and dark brown hair. He has almond shaped dark brown eyes to match.

Personality: Seems stern and intimidating but is really quite a teddy bear at heart, but he can certainly be intimidating when he wants to be, no one wants to be the subject of his anger or disapproval. But he is always fair. Ultimately he is kind and unfailingly loyal and his sense of family is something he values the most. He is very affectionate with his wife and his daughter is his little princess, and he of course treasures all of his boys.


Brother: Pedro Sanchez

Age: 16

Appearance: Quite tall and lean. Black hair and brown eyes. Keeps his hair neat and tidy. He has grown quite lean and muscled as he ages, taking after his father and older brother.

Personality: Dapper but also a little boastful and prideful, he takes pride in being the oldest in the little army of kids apart from his big brother Mateo, but he had to take charge and be strong for mother and everyone else when Mateo mysteriously disappeared. Even if he lets his pride get the better of him sometimes Pedro is truly sensible and responsible, a strong soul who attempts to be the glue to help his family stick together.


Brother: Enzo Sanchez

Age: 14

Appearance: Fairly tall. Fuzzy and slightly messy black hair and with slightly lighter brown skin. He has light green eyes.

Personality: A prankster and a jokester, Enzo can always find the lighter side of a situation - when it is appropriate - and has quite the sense of humour. He may drive people crazy but he also has a joy in making people laugh. A chipper young chap, nothing can seem to get him down, though he took Mateo’s strange disappearance as hard as the rest of the family. Still he would try to make them feel better and tried to do the most to honour Mateo’s memory as the years went on.


Brother: Zaire Sanchez

Age: 12

Appearance: Average height with a fit and athletic figure. He has brown skin and rather messy, shaggy black hair as well as dark green eyes.

Personality: Zaire is stubborn, and very fierce, but he is unfailingly loyal to his family. Though lately he has seemed to become a little reserved and distant, and is seeming to have quite a temper. He is the one in the family who seems to like his alone time the most. He is also very athletically gifted and he exercises frequently.



Sister: Lela Sanchez

Age: 10

Appearance: She is of average height and a little pudgy, with creamy brown skin. She has shiny, long and straight black hair and deep brown eyes.

Personality: Lela is a little spoilt and doted over but she is kind and compassionate at heart, learning from her mother to always help someone in need and treat others how she would like to be treated. She loves to have fun too and sure can keep up with all her brothers. She has a beloved stuffed pink bunny that she brings around everywhere. She is sweet as sugar but also quite smart and thoughtful.



Brother: Miguel Sanchez

Age: 8

Appearance: He is quite small and slight in build. His hair is dark brown and a little unkempt because he refuses to brush it. He also has light brown skin and bright green eyes. Miguel is a little shy but incredibly sweet and friendly, he doesn’t like seeing other people, especially other kids, alone, and always wants to keep them company. He can become quite excitable but is fairly quiet. He also nearly always has a smile on his face, even when he is being shy.

((good to go. :) IDK y everyone wants approval 4 these things... XD))