Joseph Patel
Return to Dream of the Stars
Creator: SpiritedWolfe
Roleplay: Dream of the Stars
Nickname: Joseph
Name: Joseph Patel
Gender: Male
Age/Grade: 17 - Senior (12th Grade)
Description/Appearance: /*Note: A lot of this is extremely specific regarding the face so I don't forget what he looks like. I recommend you just skim this for the general picture.*\
Joseph has a rather odd variation of a buzz cut. While his hair is cut to stand straight up, completely exposing his ears, it is much longer than the stereotypical military buzz cut. Because of this specific style of hair, it's easy to distinguish that the roots of his hair are considerably darker than the tips (going from dark blonde to a fairly lighter shade of dirty blonde).
With slightly darker skin that's been burned so many times over it tans extremely easily, Joseph's chestnut brown eyes are hardened and usually have an examining gaze. Also, he has small, round, polished-metal earrings, one on each earlobe.
Overall, his face has an oval look to it, with longer characteristics overall and a softer jaw that seems pulled down. His cheeks also have that rounded baby-ish look to them. He has a medium sized noise with a slightly raised bump on the bridge and pale lips.
From his many years of training, Joseph has a solid figure, especially in his arms. His muscles are especially pronounced, with hardly any fat. Though these past couple years, he's not in the same shape he used to be. He's on the shorter side of height, being more squat and densely built.
Normally, he prefers wearing a solid black T-shirt with a v-neck, exposing a silver chain always with him, wether it's on his neck or in his hands. If he were permitted, he'd wear camo, army pants everywhere he went, but dress code requires him normal jeans, fitted with a black belt. Also, he'll wear one of three pairs of gray tennis shoes everywhere.
Personality: Joseph has a rather strange mentality. First impressions are everything to him. It makes or breaks the way he will see you. Those who impress him or he deems as not a total idiot are usual those who he will protect with an uncanny ferocity. Usually, he'll go a long way to insure that his friends stay safe, especially those who experience the dreams like him.
When ever there comes a time that Joseph needs to step up, he will. No longer will he take the chance to be ordered around. Though he can tolerate suggestion, if it comes down to a matter of life and death, a harsher side of Joseph shines through. A leader mind set enters and you really don't want to cross him. Still, being a strict leader comes naturally to him. He's not unfair either, though tries to give everyone a place and keeps them there.
Usually, Joseph has blunt comments and remarks. Whenever he's critiquing another individual, he'll say whatever is on his mind, never sugarcoating it. He prefers to cut straight to the chase and get whatever he's thinking out there. Still, he prefers to keep to himself, emotion-wise. Even though he will seem outgoing to those he's spent lots of time with, he likes to keep a strong image for himself, giving him a more coldhearted first glance.
If for whatever reason, Joseph doesn't appear to like you first off, you're going to know it. While his more solo mannerisms around those he's comfortable with seem odd, he's not the best at hiding his hostility. There's always a feeling around him. Maybe it's how his looks seem like glares made of ice or how he'll seem more rigid around you.
Finally, he's not really good at letting memories go. He doesn't have the issue of brushing off qualms with other people, but more the experience that lingers. The dreams especially have a way of haunting him. There he'll do things he won't normally consider and even long after, he'll still cringe and regret moments of weakness and fault.
History/Childhood: Both of Joseph's parents are full members of the US military, so he naturally grew up in a military base. He was even born on one which is just a couple miles north of Boston, Massachusetts. That also happened to be the longest time he ever lived in one spot. After turning five, his parents were finally shipped off to another military base in southern Florida, taking Joseph with them.
He never really minded the military lifestyle. Rules were strict and specific instructions were dealt out each and every day, but they all fell to habit. Even now, Joseph will sometimes drop everything and turn towards an American Flag at the mention of 'colors'. Since this was the kind of lifestyle he always lived through, Joseph never minded the lack of love and attention from his parents. Of course, they were always off doing the noble deed of serving their country, ending up sticking Joseph with other military brats of his age.
Moving around the country became a regular routine for Joseph and his family. The time spent at one base ranged from four months to two years. Because of this, Joseph never really had any real friends. He would be friendly towards others, but after making the mistake of getting too close to others one too many times, Joseph soon became more weary on how he interacted.
Throughout various activities on the military bases, Joseph would gain scars all over, ranging from all sizes and shapes. There was once a joke that each scar was a birthday present and he had just as many as the years he has lived through. And that stayed fairly consistent, until the dreams happened.
The family was in the middle of yet another transfer between bases, and Joseph fell asleep in back of the truck used to transport them. For Joseph, the third dream was fairly simple. After being suddenly thrown into the leadership position on a raid against an assassin base, an add boy took charge. Joseph grudgingly complied and followed him through the base. The group was jumped and most killed. Other than the boy who took charge, Joseph was one of the last standing.
After a pause for dramatic effect, the attackers unmasked themselves, revealing each one was someone previously close to Joseph. One girl he had grown particularly fond of stepped forward and slashed his stomach. It didn't end there. Moments before the last of his life drained from him, the faulty leader shot a bullet into Joseph's head, instantly killing him.
As Joseph's dream life was finally concluding, there happened to be a conveniently timed car crash. He and several others in the truck were rushed off to a nearby hospital. Another convenient coincidence was the group had been passing through California and the hospital was only ten miles from Kingswood, giving Professor Merkel the chance to actually visit him instead of the letter.
All the others only suffered from minor injuries and since Joseph's parents were convinced to allow him to stay, they set off a week later. Even his own wounds healed quickly and within two weeks, Joseph was introduced to the program.
The only issue was Joseph was only in eighth grade, a whole year younger than anyone else enrolled before. Thus, he spent his entire first year studying under Professor Merkel and prepping himself for everything that he was to go through come freshman year.
Interests/Preferred Activities: Joseph loves to be outdoors and spend his spare time alone. Especially during the nicer seasons, he enjoys taking walks on the path through the woods behind the school. Also, he enjoys running distance to keep in shape.
Others: He'll usually call Professor Merkel by her first name, Sandra, or just 'Merkel'. The two have an interesting relationship (reflecting a strong respect for each other, but Joseph often sees her as more of a friend then his professor).