Hi Elliot, Sorry for all these questions, but I've been wondering about Lux. How does his personality change around different people, those he knows and lets his walls down more around than complete strangers? Does he have any habits that he does out instinct (gnawing bottom lip, tensing up, etc.)? Did his personality change drastically from his childhood onwards to now? How? Any influences? Has there been anything you've discovered about him recently that you haven't shared?
These are awesome questions! And I’m pretty sure there is some artwork I did based on these questions on my other computer, but I don’t have them at the moment unfortunately.Â
Lux tends to be pretty deflective. Around new people he’s pretty boisterous, confident, high energy, but it’s more of a way to keep people distracted from his more introspective side. He’s uncomfortable with his vulnerabilities and focuses a great deal on helping other people so that he doesn’t have to deal with his own issues. Around Alan (depending on where they are in their relationship) he’s extremely protective, focused and tender. He’s got a good heart so he’ll be gentle with Alan’s emotions and fragilities. For the most part he’s very neutral around people. If he hates you, though, you’ll know. He’s transparent about his dislike and will openly state his feelings. He can go sour pretty quick when something he’s not ok with happens XDÂ
As far as habits go, yes he has a couple. He paces. This is something that comes directly from me haha. When I’m thinking or distressed I pace back and forth, and that trait ended up with Lux as well. He’s got a lot of energy so he has a hard time sitting still, and when he’s distressed it’s even more difficult. He bites on the tip of his thumb, or he’ll pull at the skin on his lips or around his fingers (again, traits that all come from me) He taps/drums his fingers, or taps his foot restlessly. He also tends to get very quiet haha, again, a me thing. When I’m distracted or stressed I go completely silent, and he has that trait as well. Lastly (and this is sort of depending on where he is in the story) he rolls his shoulders a lot. Tension gathers for Lux in his back and shoulders, so when he’s upset (particularly angry) he’ll stretch his neck and flex his shoulders a lot to relieve tension.Â
He has changed a lot, yes! Lux sort has a few stages in his existence and he’s different through all of them! Birth, Life, Death. As a child, I imagine he was playful and independent, with a fierce love of his family and a hopeful outlook on the future. After his brother came into the picture, he became far more responsible and protective. Most of his life revolved around caring for his brother and his family and making sure no one would get hurt. He takes a lot onto himself, and he quickly became a primary caregiver. In his Death, he’s dealing with a HUGE amount of guilt and anger and sorrow, so he’s dealing with that as best as he can. He lapses into isolation and is strongly independent, claiming that he’s selfish (which is untrue) after he and Alan develop more of a relationship, he finds some meaning in his journey and quickly falls back into the protector role.Â
I have recently unlocked his entire backstory haha XD For a year I’ve been working on the specifics of his life before Alan, and nothing really lined up. This July, I finally figured it out, and I’m so pleased with how well it fits in with the rest of the story/his character. That’s the fun this about writing, you’re always discovering more and more!Â
Thanks so much for the awesome questions!Â