* ONE ! nathaniel was mute for seven years. this was a result of the murder of his mother and little sister. it traumatized him, forcing him to close himself off and never utter a word. it took him quite awhile to learn to vocalize his thoughts, rather than write them down. for years he’d only ever write his thoughts out in a journal after his therapist suggested it. he’s an observer / listener, and at times he does get stuck in his own mind, finding it hard to gather the right words to form proper, functioning sentences that make sense. it was hard and stressful having to break the habit and his comfort. but he knew to become a therapist, he’d have to begin speaking. so when he got accepted to college, this was the first time he began to speak since he was ten years old. just because he never spoke, doesn’t mean he isn’t smart. he has a very high iq, he’s always reading, as well as watching / listening and just observing those that are around him. he was home - schooled, but he excelled well, and had he gone to a public / private school, he would’ve definitely been at the top of his class, made honours and even been valedictorian. he’s a very bright person.
* TWO ! after being mute for several years, he did develop speech impediments. such as, stuttering, a lisp, as well as cluttering. he couldn’t quite grasp words or get them out as clearly as he’d liked. struggling to speak slowly and calm at times. he worked hard for many years to get to a point where his impediments are pretty much non-existent. they only ever surface during stressful times, ie; the anniversary of his mother and little sisters death, his birthday, anytime he receives letters / phone calls from his father.
* THREE ! it takes take him awhile to form sentences, there’s usually lots of long pauses when having conversations with nathaniel. he’s always carrying around his journal, and at times when he finds himself getting frustrated, he’ll write it down first before vocalizing it. though it’s a rarity he does this in front of people. and if he does find himself having trouble vocalizing / conversing, he’ll do what he does when with patients — he’ll direct the conversation towards the other person. it’s something he’s very good at.
* FOUR ! nathaniel doesn’t open up easily, in fact, not at all. he’s one of those people that everyone knows, but in fact, nobody knows a single detail about him. the only thing they’ll know is his name, that’s about it. he doesn’t share anything with anyone, not his hatred for his birthday, his taste of music or love for wine and the outdoors / open fields. he’s always changing the subject or turning it around to be about the other person. it’s hard for him to open up about what he tries so desperately to keep a secret. he won’t talk about his mother and little sister, or his father. he won’t talk about being mute for seven years, and he most certainly won’t talk about the fact he’s a contract killer and murders people for a living on the side of being a therapist. he won’t allow himself to open up in fear of growing attached to somebody, and then losing them.