Aspen Brookes, Pilot Cardinal

[Blink]

__________________QUICK STATS
Name:Aspen Brookes
Age:19
Gender:Female
Species:Human
Ethnicity:Aedolian
Height:5ft 6in
Occupation:Seeker, Pilot Cardinal
Residence:Margad
Musical Insperations:
SVRCINA-Meet Me On the Battlefield
Ashes Remain-On My Own
Faith Marie-Antidote
Julia Brennan-A Light to Call Home
Anna Clendening-I found myself
Faith Marie-Drown (Cover)


Looking Back in the Mirror:

Naturally dark auburn, almost black hair dyed a rich denim stands out against Aspen's light and ashy skin. Her eyes are a pale green, almost blue in some lighting. True to her low-key personality Aspen prefers to wear her normally shoulder-length locks back in a low ponytail which takes essentially minimal effort. Her clothing preferences another reflection of her personality as she prefers plain jeans or shorts with a t-shirt rather than something bright and colorful. Also a big fan of leggings, yoga pants, racerback tops, or stretch workout pants. She does however sometimes dress it up a bit, but only if the occasion absolutely calls for it.

Photo Credit: Yuumei

Can't Breathe:

Aspen has always had issues with panic attacks. While they are much more under control now than they were back when she first started her path to pilot hood they still do happen from time to time. Her entire body shuts down and everything becomes unclear. She can't breathe, can't speak, and can't function. When it's all over with she becomes extremely frustrated with how her body works against her. It's sometimes best to give her a few to cool down and recenter herself after it's all said and done.

She Lies:

A very standoffish girl, Aspen doesn't usually speak unless spoken to out in public. She lets people believe that she prefers to just stay in the background when in reality all Aspen has ever wanted was to be as normal as the next person. She yearns for conversation, laughter, friendship, and bonds with people. Anxiety though usually takes over and Aspen very quickly goes from talking herself into striking up a conversation to coming up with a thousand reasons as to why she should stand back. It's sad because she actually has a great sense of humor and is quite smart. Again, Aspen's own inner turmoil holds her back time and time again.

Standing on her Own:

Aspen's sister, Havanah, and the relationship they have is hard to explain to someone on the outside looking in. Deep down Aspen holds a twinge of anger towards Havanah for reporting her abilities to the ATC without even asking her first. She feels Havanah holds her on some form of an impossible level and that nothing she ever does is good enough for her older sister. Havanah just wants what is best for Aspen and feels like she is the only one who can get her there when in reality all Aspen wants if for Havanah to let her live her own life. Regardless both sisters do love each other, they just suck at communicating it.

Heartbeat:

Possibly her favorite thing to do is play the piano. Aspen has played for as long as she can remember, however, not all of those memories are fond ones. Growing up her parent's used her gift as a means for credits, pushing Aspen to play like their very own dancing monkey. They took advantage of their daughter's gift, rather than embrace it. Regardless, Aspen is completely self-taught and very gifted. Because of her parent's antics Aspen hardly every plays when asked, but instead plays when she wants to. She also doesn't play just for anyone, they have to be someone very special to her.

Playing is one of Aspen's only means of release emotionally. She channels all of her inner turmoil into her music, whether it be writing or composing a new piece. She also sings, but hearing her voice is rarer than hearing her play. Music means so much to her and Aspen feels it is the best way to communicate your feelings.

Because Aspen feels that music is the best way to communicate she is very attached to one item in particular. During her time in the ATC, she knew a candidate named Vaughan who also loved music. While the two didn't get along at times and often disagreed they were always able to agree that music was powerful. Vaughan was TRIM'd, disappearing without an explanation leaving his personal music recorder behind. Aspen carries it with her almost everywhere she goes, listening to Vaughan's songs hoping to keep his memory alive.

(I like to imagine Aspen's playing and singing are similar to this cover: : Faith Marie Cover – Drown)

Another release of Aspen's would be running. A talent not discovered until her time in the ATC Aspen is practically unstoppable with a set of earbuds in on the track. She enjoyed taking on her fellow candidates in footraces, winning more often than losing. However, when Aspen did lose she always took whatever bet was on in stride (SHHH SOLEAS LET HER BELIEVE SHE DID). When Aspen is running she enjoys the feeling of the muscles in her legs burning and her chest on fire.

Last but not least and probably the one thing that makes Aspen the happiest is the cheesy saucy amazingness of pizza. It is her favorite food in the entire universe and if she could eat it for every meal, every single day of the year... she would.

Psionics:
   Telepathy and Telekinesis:
      Both being fairly common in Aedolis, Aspen is average at both. In the beginning, she struggled with telepathy but as she grew so did her abilities. She is by no means an expert, in fact, she barely made it out of the ATC with her telekinetic level.

   Illumokinesis - The manipulation of light.
      Aspen uses this ability in the most unfamiliar way. Instead of creating an illusion for others to see Aspen uses it to keep herself unseen. Not invisible by any means but simply more dull, less noticeable, and easily overlooked. It's as if there is no light in her eye, no reflect off her hair... no shine to her smile. Aspen uses this to her advantage at work and in life, able to keep under the radar until she wants to be seen.


Relationships:

Gavrian Levansky - Mentor

Havanah Brookes - Sister

Alec Holding - Soon to be Brother-in-law.

Heather Bannister – Aspen's unofficial roommate and seeker partner.

Vaughan Liik -TRIM'd Candidate, Owner of Aspen's music player, Aspen assumes is dead.

Dragon:
Name: Thaen
Gender: Male
Description: UNDER CONSTRUCTION YALL


The Past:

   Unlike other Psychics screened at age 13 Aspen went on undiscovered for two years until she was 15. The reason being that both of her parents were lower caste members of Aedolis who worked in a factory, but this is not entirely why. Both of Aspen's parents were also heavily addicted to drugs. Because of this Aspen lived her life trying to keep any more attention being drawn to her away. It was simply the best way to stay out of getting drug into arguments or falling victim to some hallucination her parents saw.

Regardless of how much she tried to stay unnoticed Aspen was eventually discovered and therefore drafted into the Pilot Candidacy Program thanks to none other than her older sister Havanah. Her first two years were pretty simple.... don't make friends, don't draw attention to yourself or get hazed, and most importantly don't fail. Everything was going just as planned until Stage 3... teamwork. In stage 3 Aspen learned to open up and how to work with others. Stages 4 and 5 were completed by Aspen in a short matter of time. After grasping the concept of trusting others she began to excel quite quickly landing herself a spot in Margad Inquiry.