Alvin (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
opportunitycosts) wrote2014-10-02 03:10 pm
opportunitycosts) wrote2014-10-02 03:10 pm
Entry tags:
[ tox past ] personality
Here is what I had written for Alvin from the first Tales of Xillia. If you want to fully understand Alvin and his development, this will be a really good reference point. Er, sort of. I mean it's my own analysis, so it's more like a better way to understand where I started from and how I brought him to where he is now...? Gah, I think you know what I mean. Needless to say, spoilers.
Alvin's personality is a very complicated matter filled with many layers that were a result of many different things that happened in his past. It is also a rather...delicate thing right now because he is in a kind of transition of where he wants to leave his old ways behind and better himself. But to understand what he wants to change into and why, we have to start from how he was.
before
When Alvin was a young child, before the E.S.S. Zenethra entered the schism and he and his family were still living in Elympios, he was actually a shy, quiet child who cried a lot. But at the tender age of six, he had to grow up fast. He was exposed to the loss of his father, witnessed the declining health (both physical and mental) of his mother, and had to deal with the bastard that was his uncle. He was thrown from the safety of his home to an unknown world that was starkly different from his own. A world that was both like a fantasy and a horror movie at the same time. He had to adapt, and it wasn't for the better. He couldn't just sit back and be passive. He had to actually do things on his own and tough it out. Any chance of a real childhood was lost the moment the Zenethra entered Rieze Maxia.
Alvin learned the way of "betrayal" early on and in a variety of ways. At first it seemed harmless. All he had to do was gather information, and tricking people was the easiest way. As a kid, that would be even easier to do. He didn't fight against it, either—not only would he be punished for failing, from the very beginning he wanted to help his mother and get her home. So he followed the path of least resistance and did as he was told, doing whatever jobs he was assigned no matter what. But as he grew older, he could start seeing things differently. All Gilland ever did was use him, and even his mother withheld the truth about her relations with his uncle. He himself was left stuck because if he outed Gilland's plan, it would out himself, too.
Due to this kind of experience, Alvin had shut away his true emotions. That didn't mean he was emotionless or just faked it all the time. Instead, he took on a more laidback, almost carefree attitude when it came to the issues that matter. He appeared as the friendly, sociable guy who would flirt and charm his way through. But for the most part it was almost always just a surface interaction and more likely with some kind of hidden agenda. He did't want to know "who" you were. He wanted to know what you knew and how he could get what he needed. Basically, anyone was just a tool for him; a source of information; a means to an end. Close commitments? That wasn't going to happen. Why? Because he had been burned before and he doesn't want to risk getting hurt like that again. So he kept his distance, appearing as if he was getting close but in reality just keep an arm's length. Any inquiries toward him would be deflected and turned around. It makes deceiving that much easier. Presa said it best when she described his drifting nature like a ship without a compass.
However, it shouldn't be mistaken that he was brooding in some dark corner in secret, anguishing over his life choices. He did have a goal, and he would do whatever it took to do it. He would betray even those he truly loved because that was all he really knew. He actually accepted that that was his way of life and just focused on his own self-interests, caring less about that of others. He just watched them on the sidelines, observing and wondering, but not caring. He stayed alone.
Until Jude and Milla happened.
after
Alvin had to face a lot of his flaws. It wasn't that he wasn't aware of them, he just pushed them aside. Even after the group knew he had betrayed them, they kept him by their side and would often question him. Although it was following the "keep your friends close and enemies closer" adage and to keep an eye on him, they still kept giving him chances. Even more, the longer he stayed with them the longer he could observe and start to see what they were doing. The longer he had to actually form some kind of relationship with them. And compared to everyone else he had worked with, the gang was a lot more fun and crazier than he had ever been with. So it all started as another "job" but it would turn into a kind of life lesson for him.
Part of it that is he found himself looking up to Milla. She had such a resolute mission and goal, something he didn't really have. Sure, he wanted to help his mother and get back home, but he wasn't actually doing anything about it. All he did was just deceive others to get information and fuel it to other parties. Other people told him what to do, and he did it. Although it took Milla's sacrifice and (several) punches from Jude, he finally began to realize that if he wanted to do anything, he had to do it himself. And it would be only after Presa's death did it really hit home that he couldn't be the way he was anymore. He had been alone all this time, and he no longer wants to be.
So he's now moving forward. He is opening himself up more to tell the truth—the real truth. There are still things he'd rather keep secret (hey, every person has a right to that), but he is trying to no longer lie if it would hurt someone else. He had always taken the more "adult" and "mature" ways, but he wants to do more of that—to become a real mature adult and not some sleazy jerk. A type of honest living he and the dead can be proud of. Of course it's not as easy as flipping a switch, so it'll take some time and interaction with other people, but he'll continue to improve.
However, it should be noted that he's not going for a complete 180. He's just growing. He's not going to become some weak, subdued person, even if he will end up apologizing more. There are still parts of his personality that while affected, they're still there.
Thus concludes the "before" and "after" summary. Now for some other aspects of Alvin's personality that fit in both.
neutral areas
Aside from no longer thinking everyone as tools, the rest of Alvin's attitude and demeanor doesn't change too much. He's still casual, friendly, sociable, laidback, and likes to have fun rather than read books all day. He'll enjoy a drink at the tavern and working with others. He can also still be charming, though perhaps a little less of trying to just shack up with someone. Smooth talking will always be something that he'll have, it's just that his motives are different from before. Staying in style is another one of his little personality points, so there's also a bit of vanity there.
He's always been a rather levelheaded and practical type of guy, often giving the "words of wisdom" of an adult. Though he's still a pretty young one, he knows all too well how adults work. However, he's not above to give credit to the younger kids when they show him up. Still, he takes the kind of "older brother mentor" type when it comes to giving out life lessons, and he'll be blunt about things when the time calls for it. He can also get rather serious, especially on more important matters. All of his more "childish" suave demeanor can completely vanish and he starts to actually look and act his age. He can also get a little heavy about things, but he doesn't try to. Only for certain situations.
He won't hold back if he sees something is wrong and will call out something as crazy if it is, even protest against it. Usually he can control his emotions, but there are times when he can't and become emotional or extremely irritated, particularly his temper. It doesn't get set off that often, but if something hits a sore spot or if it's something he really doesn't like, he'll either show it or try to hide it—it kind of depends on the situation. And as shown in the game, he can really go off the deep end if too many things snap inside him, losing all sense of reasoning and spiral down into despair. Fortunately that's been over and done with so that shouldn't be an issue anymore. He might have moments of brooding, but he's quick to move past it, either by just putting it to the side or actually moving on.
Alvin already comes off as confident, almost to the point of arrogance, and he still has that. He has skills and he knows how to use them. He will be more likely to compliment/commend others, but he's not above giving himself a little self-boast, either. There's no second guessing in what he can do—if he believes he can do it, he will. If he doesn't, he'll say so but probably still try for it depending on the circumstances. This also means that despite the fact he was a double crosser (sometimes a quadruple), he's not a flip-flopper. It's not that he changes his opinions—it's rather that he sticks to what he decides on and changes things around to make it fit. If that requires seemingly changing opinions, then so be it. Fortunately there will be less of that, but there will probably be times when such tactics are called for. He also likes getting the job done, even if it's not perfect. So he will complete a task given to him. In the past this would mean by any means necessary, though now it might be less so (and more likely to refuse to do something).
There's still a bit of self-interest leftover. If something looks dicey, he won't risk it. This is more of the common, pragmatic sense coming in rather than just looking for his own well-being. The fact that he worked alone only made this more true—in the past he had no one to really fall back on. Now, however, he may be willing to take more risks as he begins to trust others more. He's not necessarily reckless, but so long as there is a friend with him and he thinks they have a chance, he'll do it (if perhaps a bit begrudgingly). This also means that he's looking at the interest of others more, too. He has always been concerned when things look bad, but he'll be even more so now. It's not that he would be more hesitant or wary, but rather there will be more weight to his thoughts and choices. This is probably what motivates behind whether he just actually charges through (seeming to be reckless) or says to hang back (seeming to be more cautious). It all depends on what's going on and how he's feeling about it (that is, anyone can act recklessly if their emotions are high).
Because of his involvement with so many people and needing to know how to play the perfect spy, Alvin is adept at perceiving people. He can tell when something is up and will adapt to it accordingly, whether it's to leave the person alone or try to offer some help. In other words, he can read situations very well and knows all the social etiquette required for pretty much any situation. So if there's someone who does not, he'll either try to steer them away to prevent something worse from happening or just shake his head in pitying disbelief. This perception doesn't come to just people, however. He also uses this in the field and around the environment. He will be very quick to note whatever advantage points there could be as well as weak spots. This isn't on a brilliant tactician sense, but just general experienced soldier sense. He won't notice everything, but at least he'll notice more than one with no experience whatsoever.
The last thing to talk about is how his "carefree" nature has changed, and this is more of prospective of what will happen based on how he is in Tales of Xillia 2. Before he would tease the group members a lot, particularly Jude. While he's still one to joke around, this apparently diminishes over time. There may be the occasional tease, and this will still happen more early on, but it will gradually decrease as Alvin continues to move forward and mature. You could say that instead of acting like a party-going mid-20s guy, he's heading more toward the late-20s, early-30s working adult type. Any jokes or teasings will have a different air about them—a more mature one, so to speak. He might still sling his arm around Jude's shoulders every once in a while, but only if it's really called for as opposed to just doing it whenever. And hey, he still knows how to party. He's still in his 20s, he's not that old! (Heck, even early 30s isn't that old). He'll just probably leave the crazier antics to the younger teens (and then later laugh about it like any other older sibling).
Alvin's personality is a very complicated matter filled with many layers that were a result of many different things that happened in his past. It is also a rather...delicate thing right now because he is in a kind of transition of where he wants to leave his old ways behind and better himself. But to understand what he wants to change into and why, we have to start from how he was.
before
When Alvin was a young child, before the E.S.S. Zenethra entered the schism and he and his family were still living in Elympios, he was actually a shy, quiet child who cried a lot. But at the tender age of six, he had to grow up fast. He was exposed to the loss of his father, witnessed the declining health (both physical and mental) of his mother, and had to deal with the bastard that was his uncle. He was thrown from the safety of his home to an unknown world that was starkly different from his own. A world that was both like a fantasy and a horror movie at the same time. He had to adapt, and it wasn't for the better. He couldn't just sit back and be passive. He had to actually do things on his own and tough it out. Any chance of a real childhood was lost the moment the Zenethra entered Rieze Maxia.
Alvin learned the way of "betrayal" early on and in a variety of ways. At first it seemed harmless. All he had to do was gather information, and tricking people was the easiest way. As a kid, that would be even easier to do. He didn't fight against it, either—not only would he be punished for failing, from the very beginning he wanted to help his mother and get her home. So he followed the path of least resistance and did as he was told, doing whatever jobs he was assigned no matter what. But as he grew older, he could start seeing things differently. All Gilland ever did was use him, and even his mother withheld the truth about her relations with his uncle. He himself was left stuck because if he outed Gilland's plan, it would out himself, too.
Due to this kind of experience, Alvin had shut away his true emotions. That didn't mean he was emotionless or just faked it all the time. Instead, he took on a more laidback, almost carefree attitude when it came to the issues that matter. He appeared as the friendly, sociable guy who would flirt and charm his way through. But for the most part it was almost always just a surface interaction and more likely with some kind of hidden agenda. He did't want to know "who" you were. He wanted to know what you knew and how he could get what he needed. Basically, anyone was just a tool for him; a source of information; a means to an end. Close commitments? That wasn't going to happen. Why? Because he had been burned before and he doesn't want to risk getting hurt like that again. So he kept his distance, appearing as if he was getting close but in reality just keep an arm's length. Any inquiries toward him would be deflected and turned around. It makes deceiving that much easier. Presa said it best when she described his drifting nature like a ship without a compass.
However, it shouldn't be mistaken that he was brooding in some dark corner in secret, anguishing over his life choices. He did have a goal, and he would do whatever it took to do it. He would betray even those he truly loved because that was all he really knew. He actually accepted that that was his way of life and just focused on his own self-interests, caring less about that of others. He just watched them on the sidelines, observing and wondering, but not caring. He stayed alone.
Until Jude and Milla happened.
after
Alvin had to face a lot of his flaws. It wasn't that he wasn't aware of them, he just pushed them aside. Even after the group knew he had betrayed them, they kept him by their side and would often question him. Although it was following the "keep your friends close and enemies closer" adage and to keep an eye on him, they still kept giving him chances. Even more, the longer he stayed with them the longer he could observe and start to see what they were doing. The longer he had to actually form some kind of relationship with them. And compared to everyone else he had worked with, the gang was a lot more fun and crazier than he had ever been with. So it all started as another "job" but it would turn into a kind of life lesson for him.
Part of it that is he found himself looking up to Milla. She had such a resolute mission and goal, something he didn't really have. Sure, he wanted to help his mother and get back home, but he wasn't actually doing anything about it. All he did was just deceive others to get information and fuel it to other parties. Other people told him what to do, and he did it. Although it took Milla's sacrifice and (several) punches from Jude, he finally began to realize that if he wanted to do anything, he had to do it himself. And it would be only after Presa's death did it really hit home that he couldn't be the way he was anymore. He had been alone all this time, and he no longer wants to be.
So he's now moving forward. He is opening himself up more to tell the truth—the real truth. There are still things he'd rather keep secret (hey, every person has a right to that), but he is trying to no longer lie if it would hurt someone else. He had always taken the more "adult" and "mature" ways, but he wants to do more of that—to become a real mature adult and not some sleazy jerk. A type of honest living he and the dead can be proud of. Of course it's not as easy as flipping a switch, so it'll take some time and interaction with other people, but he'll continue to improve.
However, it should be noted that he's not going for a complete 180. He's just growing. He's not going to become some weak, subdued person, even if he will end up apologizing more. There are still parts of his personality that while affected, they're still there.
Thus concludes the "before" and "after" summary. Now for some other aspects of Alvin's personality that fit in both.
neutral areas
Aside from no longer thinking everyone as tools, the rest of Alvin's attitude and demeanor doesn't change too much. He's still casual, friendly, sociable, laidback, and likes to have fun rather than read books all day. He'll enjoy a drink at the tavern and working with others. He can also still be charming, though perhaps a little less of trying to just shack up with someone. Smooth talking will always be something that he'll have, it's just that his motives are different from before. Staying in style is another one of his little personality points, so there's also a bit of vanity there.
He's always been a rather levelheaded and practical type of guy, often giving the "words of wisdom" of an adult. Though he's still a pretty young one, he knows all too well how adults work. However, he's not above to give credit to the younger kids when they show him up. Still, he takes the kind of "older brother mentor" type when it comes to giving out life lessons, and he'll be blunt about things when the time calls for it. He can also get rather serious, especially on more important matters. All of his more "childish" suave demeanor can completely vanish and he starts to actually look and act his age. He can also get a little heavy about things, but he doesn't try to. Only for certain situations.
He won't hold back if he sees something is wrong and will call out something as crazy if it is, even protest against it. Usually he can control his emotions, but there are times when he can't and become emotional or extremely irritated, particularly his temper. It doesn't get set off that often, but if something hits a sore spot or if it's something he really doesn't like, he'll either show it or try to hide it—it kind of depends on the situation. And as shown in the game, he can really go off the deep end if too many things snap inside him, losing all sense of reasoning and spiral down into despair. Fortunately that's been over and done with so that shouldn't be an issue anymore. He might have moments of brooding, but he's quick to move past it, either by just putting it to the side or actually moving on.
Alvin already comes off as confident, almost to the point of arrogance, and he still has that. He has skills and he knows how to use them. He will be more likely to compliment/commend others, but he's not above giving himself a little self-boast, either. There's no second guessing in what he can do—if he believes he can do it, he will. If he doesn't, he'll say so but probably still try for it depending on the circumstances. This also means that despite the fact he was a double crosser (sometimes a quadruple), he's not a flip-flopper. It's not that he changes his opinions—it's rather that he sticks to what he decides on and changes things around to make it fit. If that requires seemingly changing opinions, then so be it. Fortunately there will be less of that, but there will probably be times when such tactics are called for. He also likes getting the job done, even if it's not perfect. So he will complete a task given to him. In the past this would mean by any means necessary, though now it might be less so (and more likely to refuse to do something).
There's still a bit of self-interest leftover. If something looks dicey, he won't risk it. This is more of the common, pragmatic sense coming in rather than just looking for his own well-being. The fact that he worked alone only made this more true—in the past he had no one to really fall back on. Now, however, he may be willing to take more risks as he begins to trust others more. He's not necessarily reckless, but so long as there is a friend with him and he thinks they have a chance, he'll do it (if perhaps a bit begrudgingly). This also means that he's looking at the interest of others more, too. He has always been concerned when things look bad, but he'll be even more so now. It's not that he would be more hesitant or wary, but rather there will be more weight to his thoughts and choices. This is probably what motivates behind whether he just actually charges through (seeming to be reckless) or says to hang back (seeming to be more cautious). It all depends on what's going on and how he's feeling about it (that is, anyone can act recklessly if their emotions are high).
Because of his involvement with so many people and needing to know how to play the perfect spy, Alvin is adept at perceiving people. He can tell when something is up and will adapt to it accordingly, whether it's to leave the person alone or try to offer some help. In other words, he can read situations very well and knows all the social etiquette required for pretty much any situation. So if there's someone who does not, he'll either try to steer them away to prevent something worse from happening or just shake his head in pitying disbelief. This perception doesn't come to just people, however. He also uses this in the field and around the environment. He will be very quick to note whatever advantage points there could be as well as weak spots. This isn't on a brilliant tactician sense, but just general experienced soldier sense. He won't notice everything, but at least he'll notice more than one with no experience whatsoever.
The last thing to talk about is how his "carefree" nature has changed, and this is more of prospective of what will happen based on how he is in Tales of Xillia 2. Before he would tease the group members a lot, particularly Jude. While he's still one to joke around, this apparently diminishes over time. There may be the occasional tease, and this will still happen more early on, but it will gradually decrease as Alvin continues to move forward and mature. You could say that instead of acting like a party-going mid-20s guy, he's heading more toward the late-20s, early-30s working adult type. Any jokes or teasings will have a different air about them—a more mature one, so to speak. He might still sling his arm around Jude's shoulders every once in a while, but only if it's really called for as opposed to just doing it whenever. And hey, he still knows how to party. He's still in his 20s, he's not that old! (Heck, even early 30s isn't that old). He'll just probably leave the crazier antics to the younger teens (and then later laugh about it like any other older sibling).