Michael Charleston

"Killing. It’s not something anyone supposed to do. But after a while it consumes your mind like a virus, it changes what you see, what you hear, what you think. Do it long enough and it becomes easier. And that scares me more than anything."

- Michael Charleston

Appearance
Michael displays a rugged look, often going for practicality over flashiness. He can usually be seen with straight, worn in jeans, an untucked dark forest plaid shirt and green overcoat. He retains his combat boots from his time in service.

The bright red scarf he wears does not belong to him but of Isabel Itar, a Faunus whom he was very close to.

Personality
After going AWOL, Michael tried to keep to himself, constantly moving from place to place. Despite his wishes to stay out of confrontations or violence, Will’s deeply held ethical nature push him to defend those who are endangered.

Because of his low tolerance of anyone remotely threating his ideals of peace between humans and faunus, He will often envelope into a righteous or justified anger, often leading him to strike down foes without hesitation. This side of him is most feared by his enemies, afraid to awaken the shadow they could emerge. Michael also carries with him a deep regret and guilt from his past. Although he tries desperately tries to fight it, he is slowly succumbing to it.

History (Under Construction)
Early Life

Michael grew up on the outskirts of the City of Vale to farming parents. Michael loved history and reading, especailly the tales of valant war heroes and acts of courage. Unsatisfied with his life and wanting to seek the adventure he read about, he ran away to join the military.

Military Life

Lying about his age, Michael entered the military at 16 . Although intially in frontline combat, he's first experience in combat resulted in frequent guilt and nightmares. He was taken off the frontline after being diagonosed with minor Post tramatic stress. He eventually underwent training as a medical officer. Michael was eventually re assigned as a runner for the 4th Infantry Division, 32nd Regiment. Stationed near a rebel camp towards the end of The Faunus War '. '

Meeting Isabel

While running messages between camps, Michael is held up en route by Isabel Shrike a female faunus rebel. Visable injured with a deep cut in her leg, she continues to try and intimidate Michael for bandages and food. After the intial tension, She allows him to treat her wounds.

Realising she is in no condition would never make it back to her camp and would be arrested if taken back to his camp, Michael finds a cave for her to hide, promising to return to provide food.

True to his word he returned the following day and the two discussed the war, with Isabel asking him as a doctor how he copes with people dying ''. ​Michael hangs he's head adimiting "I've taken someones life before, I thought I could move on. I thought I could change. But I can still see there face sometimes. No matter how much I want to I can never go back." Holding his hand, Isabel reassure him he is not a bad person for trying to change and tells him "You don't have to spend the rest of your life being miserable." ''

Over the next few days, Michael visited more and more often and for longer durations. The two enjoyed each others company, Isabel enjoying learning about Michaels knowledge on history and science, and Isabel teaching him some self-defence techniques with her knife.

After several exchanges both realised they were falling in love with one another. Knowing that it would be impossible to have a life together, Isabel declared that they can no longer see eachother letting him know she would not be here when he returned. True to her word, when Michael returned she left her blade, and a note.

"Dear Michael I am sorry that this is where it ends for you and me. I don't want you too come looking for me, I also don't want you to spend your life blaming yourself for anything you've done. These past few days you have given me hope, hope that Humans and Fanus can be together. I have my own path to walk but I want you to do something for me. Please help people. Help them like you have me. This world needs to be a little brighter. Isabela"

Escape

<p class="MsoNormal">A distraught Michael returns to a unusually loud and cheerful camp. He is informed by a soldier that they had sucesfully raided fanus positions and points out captured prisoners. Michael turning around spots Isabel being taken away.

<p class="MsoNormal">On the Run

<p class="MsoNormal">

Abilities & Weapons
<p class="MsoNormal">Although choosing to avoid conflict if the opportunity presents it, Will is skilled with Isabels sliding blade which she taught him how to use. The blade has two components to it. In one direction reveals a Bowie knife, used primarily for cuts and slashes. This half of the weapon can also fold over towards the handle similar to a scythe or billhook. It can then be used to capture the opponent’s blades and parry them away. The other half of the weapon is a slim, Stiletto dagger, used for thrusting and piercing. Very useful for piercing through armour or heavy fur of animals with a small amount of pressure

<p class="MsoNormal">Although the weapon is supposed to be used offensively,  Michaels style is defensive often trying to disarm his target to have them yield rather than kill outright.

Trivia

 * Michael is based on the Ex-Military archetype with the aesthetic and Ideology of post US Civil War
 * He’s personality is heavily influenced by a combination of the Tenth Doctor from BBC’s Doctor Who, and Gregory House from Fox’s House M.D.
 * The name "Charleston" is a refrence to Charleston Green, a Colour originating after the American Civil War, when the North provided black paint to the South for use in its reconstruction.
 * ​The inhabitants of Charleston, South Carolina, mixed the black with a little bit of yellow and blue and created Charleston green.
 * His first name is a refrence to the Archangel "Michael", A guardian and protector of Man.