Taquein

Taquein

Basic Information
Aliases	N/A
Species	Lepertan
Pronouns	Any
Physical Information
Age	18 (21 in human years)
Height	4'11
Birthday	04/11
Date of Death	Unknown
Unique Features	Glowing antenna, hair strands, palms, and eyes.
Biographical Information
Homeworld	Chitara
Group Affiliation	None
Status	Alive
Magic/Abilities	Pickpocketing, stealth, construction, and basic engineering
Relationships
Kin	Ae’Thir (Father), Toyin (Mother)
Marital	Single
Out-of-Character Information
Minecraft Username	s0m3b0dyrand0m
Discord Username	s0m3b0dyrand0m

"Actions speak louder than words, SO DO SOMETHING ALREADY." — Taquein

A Lerpertan who does what they can to survive. Scrapping and stealing, building and breaking. They don't know where they came from but they know who they care about. Their adoptive father, Ae'Thir, and adoptive mother Toyin. With Ae'Thir's connections, they followed him to the Pathfinding Initiative. Trying to get by while keeping Ae'Thir out of trouble and looking for a cure for Toyin.

Appearance

A slightly taller than average Lerpertan with pale white-blue skin. Having long dark hair tied into a braid by beige ribbon gifted to her by Ae'Thir. She has short bangs divided into sections around her antenna, with two noticeably longer cyan stands that glow the same color as her antenna. She wears a thick dark blue jacket with beige lining, a white vertically striped shirt, and long black pants with bronze buttons. Her cyan segment in her hair, antenna, and hands as well as her eyes typically glow but can be turned off if she wishes.

Personality

A standoff-ish character that tries to act tough around those he is unfamiliar with. He skeptical of others he hasn't gotten to know. Often trying to figure out what could go wrong before it even happens. Overall he is reserved, bitter, yet endearing at the same time. He is fiercely protective for those he cares about, doing his best to look after them and keep them out of trouble no matter what it takes. Once he's comfortable around someone he will open up quite a bit, giving gifts of anything he finds that reminds him of that person.

History

Early Life

They don't remember much. Just running, stealing, and barely scraping by. Their wasn't much time to dwell on it. It was just them and the streets. Selling whatever they found led them to Herman's pawn shop. With clear instructions to stay out of the back, and to tell Herman about any interesting information they heard on the streets, he found himself a business partner. Eventually Herman started giving Taquein jobs with one of his acquaintances at a small construction guild. Memorizing layouts, taking tools and materials as they go, he would report back to Herman with what he learned about the buildings layout's and plans. Sure the construction sites were not properly maintained and lacked some proper equipment, but he would just keep his head down and get the job done if this is what it took to get by.

An Odd Encounter

It was odd seeing him for the first time. His head and antenna poking out of the top of the crowd. With off-white hair and bright red features that seemed to almost glow he stood out in the crowd. Walking up and taking his wallet was easy enough, he was oblivious and seemingly lost in the crowd. Opening it just to see it empty with only and ID labeled after the individual, Ae'Thir. Deciding to cut their losses they stopped him, leading him out of the crowd and returned the wallet. Giving him a warning about Chitara and to be more careful, they were suddenly asked their name to which they responded. Walking away they got one last look at the Nythera before leaving.

It was a while until they saw him again. They would just keep their distance watching. It was rare to see a Nythera so far from their home planet. They decided to keep their eye on him and keep him out of trouble. Stealing more objects to talk him, drawing other thieves away, and distracting scammers. They did what they could to help, even if they didn't know why they were inclined to help out.

The Deal

They continued on as normal. Stealing from others when needed, and taking extra materials from any construction sites they worked on. Reporting back to Herman with blueprints and spare parts. As they continued coming back, he kept asking for more. Entrances, exits, vents, cameras, any information that could be useful to him. With their supposedly stable job at the construction job given to them.There was a sense of debt, needing to payback Herman with information for getting them hired.

It hung over them, and Herman knew that. He eventually asked them to join him in the back of his shop. They didn't know what else to do but follow, it was against Herman's original rules, but it was a request they couldn't refuse.

In the back they found a small group of older Lerpertans and Carcids. Seeing Taquein enter, they all stared, sizing them up silently. They were seemingly the youngest in the room by a few years, everyone looked taller, leaner, and more experienced. A few more people filtered in, seemingly familiar with whatever was going on, giving a small nod to Herman as they stood around the edges of the room. Standing next to Herman, he began to tell everyone why they were gathered. "You've all known me for a while now, but you may not know each other. That's fine, you will with time. I'm here to propose a deal, once your in there is no backing out. We already have all the details ready thanks to certain people here already." As he glanced around, his gaze lingering on some people, before stopping and placing a hand on Taquein's shoulder as his gaze stopped at them.

They had helped with this and they knew it. There was only so many things one would want detailed blueprints for, and now everyone else also knew they helped. Looking up all the other people that were singled out people avoided eye contact, as the others not confronted readied themselves for what ever this deal was.

"I think we can all put our skills to good use and make this little business to get a bit more profit."

A realization swept over the crowd, a silent knowing that if they went ahead with this there would be no going back. They would become a full-fledged criminals with traceable crimes.

They couldn't do this. They couldn't go through with whatever this was. It was too much, they weren't ready to cross that line yet. Sure they had done plenty of bad things. They had built, stolen, and lied their way to a semi-stable life. They weren't even a legal adult yet and here they were offered an opportunity to join whatever Herman was planning. Taquein didn't want to join, but were they even allowed to back out?

Nobody moved, nobody tried to leave, nobody backed out. Some looked confident, some were eager for a opportunity for some extra money, and some appeared to scan the group, looking for weakness. There was no chance they could back out of this peacefully, they would have to stall until they saw an out. After a bit Herman scanned the crowd one last time, announcing that was all he would say for now, and giving the time for their next meeting. With the underlying threat that no one should speak of this, or he would know and make sure they couldn't do such a thing again.

Wrench

Things were changing and they didn't like it. Things felt out of place, seeing familiar faces in the corner of their eyes, eyes staring at them that they couldn't see. Maybe it was just them thinking too hard about the previous weeks meeting.

So they began their walk down the familiar streets of Chitara. Just letting their feet guide them, walking to nowhere. Passing a taller figure they absentmindedly grabbing something off their waist. Just another person to add to the list of people they've taken from. Looking at it they realized what they grabbed, a wrench. His wrench. He never went anywhere without it, it was always there hanging on his belt. It was his, not theirs.

Turning around they go to find him. Trying to catch any glimpse of Ae'Thir they can. Turning down a busy street, they run to catch up with him. Reaching out, almost slipping the wrench back in its rightful place they stopped. Catching a glimpse of the badge hanging from his shirt. Rockston Mining and Energy. One of the Nine Pillars. Questions circled their mind. How much does he know? How long has he been working for them? How long has he been hiding this from me?

Through every story, every conversation. How has he never brought this up? He works at one of the Nine Pillars and never mentioned it. How high up in the guild even is he? That day when we first talked, was he working for them then. Did he just think them a clueless child? Did he think them a simple thief the whole time. Someone who was looking to just wanted to make a quick buck off of him.

Retracting their hand they began to slip away. Taquein trying their best to silently creep away, but Ae'Thir was always good at telling when they were near. As he began to turn around they started to run, running as fast at they could. They hear a faint cry of their name in the distance, but they did not turn around. They kept running. Turning corners, dodging bystanders, ducking through alleyways. They couldn't see anything through tear stained eyes, couldn't hear anything besides their heart thump in their ear. There was nothing but a need to run as chase gave way.

Slowly but surely, the footsteps behind them grew louder. Pivoting into a nearby alley they looked up and realized there was a wall in front of them. The alley was closed off as the taller Nythera appeared at the alley's opening, they were surrounded with nowhere to go. They couldn't help but think how this could turn to the worst, they needed something to fight with. Looking down they realized they still had it this whole time, Ae'Thir wrench. Was that why he chased them? For the wrench?

Gripping the wrench they looked up at this. Making eye contact, they just stared at him trying to decipher what his next move would be. Would he fight them, take everything they had and run, maybe call up his Rockston friends to get them? Instead they noticed confusion and worry as he slowly approached them. Voice soft yet harsh they were told how reckless actions like that could be very dangerous and could lead to issues for them.

They've only met for short times on a few occasions. Yet here he was looking out for them, taking them seriously after they were just caught stealing from him. They stood there in that alley on opposing sides as Ae'Thir voiced his concerns for Taquein's risky actions could end up hurting them. How he wants they to be safe in the life they choose to live. Taquein's told him how they worried of Ae'Thir career, recalling the guild's habits of draining their members dry. How he seems clueless sometimes about how Chitara works. “Chitara is not just a nicely working society, its a decorated mechanical trap set by those in higher power meant to ensnare the hard working. It’s brought me nothing but strife. It’s better to for me to be against them than with them, because at least when I’m against them I’m free.”

As the realization began to sweep over him, they made their way past him. Slipping the wrench back in the rightful place, with its rightful owner. They allowed themselves to blend into the crowd and disappear once again.

Bonds

Things began to get better after that. Ae'Thir and Taquein began talking more often after they made up. They would hang out and just talk. Sometimes Ae'Thir would drag them to new places, even taking them to work on some of his projects sometimes. Ae'Thir even teaching them a few things with some of the scrap they found!

Bumping in Ae'Thir one afternoon even led them to meet someone new. Toyin, a nice lady who noticed it after they started following the group. It was embarrassing getting caught, it normally took a bit longer for Ae'Thir to notice them. Ae'Thir introduced the two, Toyin as the most gorgeous women he ever met, and Taquein as someone he viewed like a son. Them couldn't help but become flustered as a small smile tugged at their lips. They were glad to hear it, they had been looking up to Ae'Thir like a father figure for a while. The group of three walked together, making the most of the happy moment.

The group would meet and talk, hanging out as they got closer. Conversation flowed naturally, it was warm, familial. The time they spent together grew with each meeting. It starts to feels like a family whenever they hang out. It was nice.

The Meeting

The set date for Herman's meeting was only a few days away. They hadn't talked with Herman or been back to his shop since he had shown them into the back room. They have seen a few people from the meeting in passing as they rushed past them. However, they've seen a small group of them outside the construction site they were currently working on. Gathered in a small circle, taking glances at the building, and whispering to each other.

It was unnerving to them. Seeing so many people just standing there, watching.

It came to an abrupt halt when the day finally arrived. The meeting was designated for that night, once they were free from work. They worked slowly, dreading what could happen after. Leaving the construction site things were quite. They weren't sure where to go. They didn't want to join Herman's plan, even if they were already involved. So they just kept walking, the days exhaustion weighting on them. The night past quietly, as if nothing was happening.

The next day was different, they had to go to work. They still felt tired, they didn't sleep at all. Showing up to the construction site the air was tense. As they clocked in they were abruptly called over by one of their bosses and told to follow them. This was it. They weren't lead to their temporary office set up but further in, passing pipes and tunnels, away from the lights and sounds of the workers. Turning a corner they passed a few workers on break leaning against a wall. Finally the higher up stopped and turned around. Hearing footsteps behind them, Taquein also turned around.

"Your done. I don't leave lose ends." The voice they were dreading to hear. Seeing Herman, they tensed up as he simply snapped and everyone stepped closer. Their boss putting his hand on their shoulder, they workers on break also closing in. They ran, it was all they could think of to do. Everyone followed, rushing after it to get them.

They don't know how long they ran for, how far they got, how many were after them, how many were still behind them. All they knew is that if they stopped it would all be over. They had just gotten people the actually cared for. They didn't want to lose them. They didn't want it all to end.

They had been running all day. They were tired, exhausted. They couldn't hear anyone behind them. No one was there anymore. But was it really fine now? They had lost all their income sources. They couldn't return there. Ever.

So they went to the only person they could think of. They had been to his apartment a few times. With a gentle knock the door opened to see him. They couldn't help but rush in and hug Ae'Thir. It had been a long day, tears welled in their eyes as they were guided to the couch to sit down. Breaking right there they cried themselves to sleep, Ae'Thir there to comfort them the whole time.

R.I.M.S.

Staying with Ae'Thir was nice. Toyin would come over more often. They would watch Toyin and Ae'Thir's relationship develop, as Ae'Thir planned to propose. They saw them come home, both smiling as they both showed off their rings. Explaining on how Toyin proposed before he could. She moved in quickly, and they were all happy. A real family at last.

They changes were subtle. Toyin would look more pale, hands more shaky. Ae'Thir mentioned to them, noting more symptoms that had arisen. Talking with Toyin she brought up her hybrid status and the health complications due to that. Ae'Thir, scared for the future began to plan with Taquein at his side helping where they could. He mostly worked by himself, telling Taquein that it could be dangerous if something went wrong. So they waited. Bring him food, and water as he worked.

It was sudden when it happened. They heard a shreik from the room Ae'Thir was working on and a large thump. Rushing in they saw Ae'Thir on the floor, slightly steaming. His membranes dangerously glowing and shriveled from mana exhaustion. Once he awoke he introduced them to the now completed Regeneration Inducing Mana Stabilizer (R.I.M.S.).

Testing it once on himself, he tested in on himself. Flinching, he deemed it working as he carried himself out the door and to Toyin. She accepted them, telling them how she felt better then before. But, the pain still lingered. It was only a temporary solution. Talking it over, Ae'Thir told them how he would leave for the Path Finders Imitative. Toyin and Taquein shared a look, "I know mom can take care of herself, you...". Which got a laugh from Ae'Thir and planned to leave together.

Arriving on Locus Astra

soon...

Relationships

Ae'Thir - Taquein's adoptive Father - "He works so hard, makes me want to work even harder. I want to help as much as I can."

Toyin - Taquein's adoptive Mother - "It's all for her. She shouldn't have to suffer like this."

Extras

Gallery

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