just some headcanons I wanted to share after rereading that daily lives of Elemental Masters post:
I've extrapolated that Shade being "a normal guy" to mean that he's somewhat boring once you look past the Elemental stuff. Probably eats something flavorless for breakfast everyday, works a boring but well paying office job like billing in a mid size company, that sorta stuff. Probably has a boring hobby too, like stamp collecting and reading novels about ships
We know that Cinder is related to Ash in some capacity, but I like to think that regardless of what that is, Cinder is probably part of the reason why Ash is hesitant to go all in on the Assassin family business. The kid is WAY too eager for that and as a possible successor, Ash doesn't wanna get him involved in such a violent profession. But then the Merge hits, Ash and most of the family dies, and Cinder is left with the Elemental Power of Smoke and joins the Wolf Clan to fulfill his dream of being a top assassin.
Gravis seems like the kind of guy to use Tai Chi. Not to fight, just to get in the right headspace for stuff.
Griffin definitely does pizza delivery or door-dash or something. Works multiple delivery jobs at the same time. Gotta keep up the grind in West Haven!
Thanks to his former Aeronautical job and some very smart investments, Karlof is quite wealthy. That comfortable nest egg is why he was able to follow his passion and become a teacher
Tox likes to offer a small drinks discount to Elemental Masters whenever they visit the Rockshot Club, just so they have a reason to visit and catch up. Except Paleman, he goes WAY too overboard with the drinks and wakes up in the alleyway dumpster the next afternoon
Neuro really used to enjoy chess and was close to becoming a grandmaster in his youth, but after gaining his Elemental Power he lost all passion for the game. Winning isn't fun when you can read your opponent's mind
Jacob secretly really enjoys signing things for fans of his, but because he is blind rarely anyone ever asks him. His signature is just indecipherable squiggles
Bolobo is often mistaken for Bigfoot by hikers and campers due to his hairy body and natural kinship with forest critters
Shade: Yeah he's pretty average once you actually get to know him hjgfdhgfdsgfds. Part of the reason he blends in so easily into the shadows is because he's literally not doing anything to draw attention to himself. I can totally see him being a stamp collector hgfdhgfdsfds. The flavorless breakfast is so brutal tho lmao (tho I imagine Obscuria would tease him relentlessly for it in the future)
Ash: Okay well when you phrase it like that, Cinder being like an overzealous apprentice (slash nephew?) to Ash in the assassin business is an incredibly appealing idea (and more easily lends to why Cinder is such a...brutal individual. lmao). Somehow this alone has made Cinder 75% more fascinating to me, thanks!
Gravis: I can see this, he's zen enough for it
Griffin: PIZZA BOY GRIFFIN (cue even more rivalry with Jay hkgfdghfds) Love him working odd jobs as a side to his athletic career
Karlof: YES (Karlof just also love being able to pas on his passions to the next generations <3)
Tox: Another hc I have for her is that she ALSO moonlights (or daylights?) as a tattoo artist and is the one to give Jesse his tattoo in the future asdfhjkjhgfds
Paleman: Him wracking up a tab with Tox is a hilarious image lmao (and I do hc them as having some kind of mixed-up history)
Neuro: Thus, he enjoys playing chess with Zane on weekends, due to Zane technically not having a 'mind' to read (and it's actually a decent challenge to do mental wits against a robot with a soul). Maybe he wears a pinch of Vengestone to dampen his powers in order to get back into chess again? Or just for other non-mind reading purposes
Jacob: hgfdsghfdsgfd nooo I imagine he learns the specific motion to at least make his initials, which is about as closest to a proper signature he'll get. I also imagine he exchanges autographs with Jesse and that's how they begin to become friends
Bolobo: I'm sure this one's gotta be canon to some degree lmao