VAL JEAN; Gorilla [Male]

[ajpick18318]

VAL JEAN

"Would you save my soul tonight?"

NAME • Val Jean (v ae l - sz oh n)
SPECIES • Gorilla
BREED • Eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri)
AGE • Seventeen Years
GENDER • Male
SEXUALITY • Heterosexual


PERSONALITY •

Val Jean has had a peculiar disturbance in his mind since his birth, one that went unexplained by his parents as they payed little attention to his somewhat odd antics. Jean had always had these "fits," as the members of his tribe called them, where he would go into an unexplained rage and wreak destruction on things. It was never a big deal while he was small, since there was little harm he could bring to anyone aside from those younger to him. He did somewhat outgrow them as he finds himself in less trances nowadays but there is no saying what may or may not set him off on another tangent, thus deeming him fairly dangerous.

This small fraction of himself may leave one thinking that he'd be better off alone, right? Well, that's not entirely the case. Jean cares little that he may be a danger to others and prefers to stick near them, always looking for companionship as he believes there is strength in numbers. He also prefers to leave the past behind him and will rarely tell anyone of his misdeeds unless they catch him in the act. He is very strong willed and proud, so he will at first try to convince them otherwise unless they prove to have as strong of a will as himself.

That being said, he is very hot-headed and stubborn when it comes to arguments. If words are thrown around too often he will lash out with physical blows - the strength depending on his opponent, for example he wouldn't hit a female gorilla too hard where as he would beat a male to a pulp, given the chance.

He is also a very protecting male. This meaning, of course, he is protective of his females and young, although, his levels of protection for a male child would be discarded after about ten years. He will fight for those he loves and whom he claims as his. He will also protect his troop - should he ever become a part of one - and would watch over it like a hawk spying a delectable looking mouse upon the ground. His loyalty is undying as he puts others before himself - so long as the "others" are gorillas he's grown close to.

Jean, being a protective male, also dislikes change or differences. Although it would not be impossible for him to take a liking to a creature of another species it would be extremely unlikely. He prefers keeping things simple and to the point. The most care he could ever find in another animal is if they were to act as some sort of pet.

LIKES •
- Females

Jean enjoys the company of females quite a bit. He will often "act out" in front of this specific gender in search of adulation.

- Socialization

This gorilla is far from being a solitary animal. He more often than not prefers to be surrounded by others - of his own species of course - even if that includes other males.

- Spring

Not only does Jean enjoy spring just for the rush of adrenaline from the sense of fights and brawls from protective mothers that linger in the air as well as the sense of fatherhood being washed over him, but he also enjoys it because of the way nature seems peaceful, even after harsh winters. He also has an obscure love for rain and anything wet. For some reason or another this feeling just appeals to him. He also finds strong enjoyment in the power and brutality of thunderstorms.

DISLIKES •
- Rivals

Even thought Jean is physically fit he prefers not to fight and enjoys taking females as easily as possible. However, with other males out and about as rivals this can be a problem for him.

- Predators

Being an animal with strong protection habits and who could also be considered "prey" to some species, Jean has developed a strong dislike of these animals. However, this hatred has grown so strong that if a predator even happens near him he will often times just flat out attack in an attempt to chase it off - maybe even kill it.

- Change

This specific primate doesn't cope well with change at all. In fact, it physically hurts him if someone he is close to leaves, dies, etc. or any other situation in which he would have to deal with change - with the exception of moving from place to place.

WEAKNESSES •
- Harsh Appearance

While this may seem like a strength against predators it can also cause members of his own species a need to shy away from him. This is not a look at his appearance more so as it is how he appears through his actions. Often times many may find he appears to be heartless and unloving - which may even be the case. However, it hurts him to know that others may think of him in this light.

- Achilles Heel

Jean is a slow animal as it is but he also has an extreme weakness in his heels. This could easily be his downfall and he knows it, therefore he has been forced to take extreme caution during brawls and when predators come lingering about.

STRENGTHS •
- Physically Strong

Jean is by no doubt in his "prime" of life. He is strong and capable of warding off threats and is also willing to fight for what is his no matter the cost.

- Courageous

Jean has a strong sense of courage and justice lingering within his soul. He will fight for what is his no matter the cost and can sometimes appear to have no fear whatsoever, perhaps making him seem even more careless than he actually is. He will often times taken on a predator or rival head-on, ready for battle and the adrenaline rush he shall receive.

FEARS • Seclusion

APPEARANCE •

Val Jean is a fairly large, male gorilla with a bulky frame. He has fairly short legs - as do most gorillas - with massive arms meant for swinging and pulling. His fur is a typical black and silver with tints of red making themselves prominent upon the back of his head. He has a large sagittal crest upon his head - as do most male gorillas - and may appear quite intelligent through his actions. His eyes are a deep, chocolate brown with a black ring framing the irises and are built as a bead-shape within his skull.

PELT COLOR • Jean is constructed of dark fur ranging from black to a silvery-white. His front portions mainly fall into the category of black or dark grey hair with a beautiful silver appearing upon his back and down his flank. There is also a slight tinge of reddish-brown atop his crested head that may appear more vibrant in the daylight hours.
EYE COLOR • Chocolate Brown
HEIGHT • 5'4" at the shoulder while knuckle-walking and still growing.
WEIGHT • 396 lbs and still growing.
BUILD • Stocky build with plenty of muscle.
SCARS? • Jean is almost certain he has scars somewhere beneath his shaggy fur that he has developed in the past few years, but none have been made nearly as prominent as the small mark that sits upon his nose, right below his left eye that was a result of his brother scratching him during that fateful brawl. He wears this small mark shamefully.
MARKINGS • n/a


HISTORY •

Val Jean was born to a peculiar lifestyle than those of some of the other gorillas born to his troop. He was born as a twin, a younger, smaller one at that. He had often felt as though he received little attention because of this factor, but his parents would always deny it. His brother was given the name Tublat while he was given the name Jean. His father was, at the time, a thirty-two year old brute while his mother was a young twelve-year-old. She could be a bit smothering, of course, but the father knew this was to be expected of her since she had endured a miscarriage during her first pregnancy two years ago. Therefore, Jean was loved a little too much by his mother but would never admit it. To him there was never enough attention spread in his direction and therefore nothing could ever be good enough in his eyes, even in the years to come.

At the age of three he began to experience minor bits of insanity as he would go into small fits of rage for no apparent reason. He would rough-house with the smaller apes and act out in a dominant fashion. His parents, his mother mainly, tried to ignore the odd circumstance that had befallen her younger son and tried to explain how he was just showing a dominating personality and would soon grow out of it. His brother, on the other hand, was a softer, kinder soul who rarely rough-housed unless prominent play was enacted. The other primates of the tribe took kindly to these actions, making Jean feel more shunned than ever.

Val Jean grew the next few years with fair attention by others. He was still accepted even with his odd behavior, the others had just learned to stay out of his way when he went into one of his fits.

Reaching the age of eleven he had a slight confrontation with his older sibling. He had announced the older male's lack of strength, how he did not belong for he was weak while Jean was strong. How it wasn't fair that he received more positive feedback from the others when he clearly didn't deserve it. All of these were skewed perspectives of the young brother's mind. Tublat, feeling a bit betrayed by his brothers words, simply ignored it for a short time before a small group of watchers had surrounded them, interested by the shouts and snarls. He couldn't take his brother's ignorance for a moment longer. A small brawl broke out, one that seemed to only be intended as a small fight for dominance and nothing more than two brothers playing. At least, that's how the spectators viewed it before continuing on with what they were doing, somewhat bored by the inexperienced display. However, they couldn't be more wrong. Jean aimed solely for his brother's throat, choking and biting in an attempt to bring him down. Tublat, being a bit more intelligent, kicked at his brother's stomach and swiped at his face and feet, trying to get him to back off.

Both were persistent but in the end it was Jean who was victorious, managing to wrap his arms around his brother's neck as he held him tightly from behind, not allowing him to receive any air. Gasping for air, Tublat allowed himself to go limp in defeat and, as Jean let him go, his tired, motionless body dropped to the ground in a heap. Jean roared in victory, boasting with a display of dominance that he, the smaller, younger brother was able to take down his mighty foe, Tublat. However, after approximately twenty minutes he grew quiet, glancing at his brother who lay exhausted upon the ground. He snorted commandingly, as if to tell his brother to stop being a wuss. He waited for a reply before roaring and stomping closer to the dark figure. He stood in a huff, the bubbling anger within him slowly receding into concern. Cautiously he lifted his right hand and softly nudged his brother's head. He let out a startled yap before backing off a bit in precaution to if it was all a trick. He tilted his head curiously to the side as his brother seemed to pay him no heed. His brow furrowed in disappointment as he trudged back over to his brother. Sitting down next to him he proceeded to poke at his head annoyingly. After about fifteen minutes of that he grew tired of his brother's games and, using both hands, lifted Tublat's head in an attempt to get him on his feet. As soon as Jean lost his grip, though, the head crashed violently to the ground showing no attempt to keep it up or soften the blow. Val Jean had no idea what to think of this. What was his brother doing? Why wasn't he willing to get up? He sniffed at the others who were nearby, asking for help but they simply ignored him and continued on their way, as per usual. Yet again his anger hit a bubbling point and he climbed to his feet. Hot-headed, he threw a tantrum, hitting at his brother and grabbing his limbs as if to get him back up on his feet. All was futile. He stayed there late in that night before a few of his own family came upon the two. He was forced to leave his twin, the one who he thought he hated more than anyone, behind. It was almost too much to fathom. This, was Jean's first experience with death.

Three years after the death of his brother Val Jean seemed to be his normal self again. Throwing tantrums at random times and seeming like a dominant, prestigious male at others. Only now, he had found himself a female. His first female, in fact. A ten-year-old who went by the name Freya. He succeeded in impregnating her within their first year of being together. However, his fatherhood was not to be as she suffered a stillborn. For a normal male this would come as a slight shock but mainly affect the female's emotions - as it did - but she became depressed and unwilling to mate again. Jean was growing impatient with his female as she sunk deeper and deeper into a depression. After one particularly bad day he snapped and hit her, displaying he was the dominant one. However, after the first blow he became engulfed in adrenaline and could not find the means to stop hitting until finally the female had no fight left in her and went limp. Now, not only had he managed to take the life of his brother, but also his mate. He was ashamed.

His father, the leader of the tribe, had grown weary of his son's actions and murders. Thus, he casted him out. Jean, with no where else to go, lingered on the outskirts of the tribe's land for weeks, being chased off when he got too close. However, when it was his father who attacked him and beat him he was sent away for good, leaving the lands forever.

When the odd weather hit it was hard for him to survive on his own as he had no experience when swimming. But, he had managed to find a piece of driftwood and kept a tight hold on it until he washed upon the shore of a strange island.

ROLEPLAY SAMPLE •

I felt tired. Oh so tired. What had I been doing up until now? Where had I been before? Was it possible I could recognize anyone? It was hard to decipher. Deep in the back of my mind I could recall a figure, a shadow, a specter of sorts. Another wolf such as myself. There were also elk. A large female and an early-born calf. I had been struck. Surges of pain shot through my head, sourcing from a large bump that sat upon my skull. That was all I could manage to remember from before. Well, I'll take that back. I remembered my homeland. I remembered being chased off for some reason or another. However, my memory failed to help me recall what I had done or what had happened to end up with my exile.

It didn't matter. All that I knew now was my basic instincts. Hunting had been difficult these past couple of weeks due to my disorientation. However, I had managed to scrounge up some smaller game through what little snow remained on the ground. The warmer temperature had been helping me a bit as well. However, the need to find someone to interact with was driving me forward. I needed interaction. How great it could be if someone were to recognize me and could tell me who I was. Not my name, of course. I could remember my name, but that's not who I am.... or was it? Was there nothing more that anyone could come up with for my name aside from if was was truly so mischievous than to be simply named "Mischief?" What a sad life that would be.

What was my mind running off to? I glanced around, my golden eyes taking in the dull scenery of the canyon and then glancing towards the thin streak of water that had journeyed through it. I blinked a small look of confusion away. How could something as massive as this canyon been created by such a bland string of water? My head turned upwards, noticing the vibrant oranges and purples of the sky. Somewhere, far off in the distance, the sun was setting behind the world, hiding itself until the following day. A small snicker erupted from my lips, surprising even myself. Who was I?.. truly? (384)

• The Dark Decent, Defying the Odds

[GREYtheFLAILER]

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