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GENERAL
NAME: Milo Nicholas Greer
NICKNAMES: There's really no way to shorten Milo, guys.
AGE/DOB: 16 | July 1
BLOOD STATUS: Halfblood
GENDER/PRONOUNS: Male; He/him
SEXUALITY: Demisexual, Heteromantic
HOMETOWN: Wichita, Kansas
CONCEPT:
PHYSICAL
APPEARANCE: Milo is still in that awkward phase of teenagerdom, though over the summer he had a bit of a growth spurt/filling out period. He isn't unattractive, not really, but he is a specific sort of cute; in that goofy, gangly, awkwardly adorable way. His hair still sports the reddish tint, but it's grown a bit more brown nowadays. It also helps that he comes with the best pair of puppy dog eyes one will ever see, though really with his goofy grin it would be difficult to need "help" at all. He has full lips, a cheeky grin that can melt as easily as it infuriates, and a long nose that might seem awkward on others but actually works on his face. He has a scar above his left eyebrow that he got in a bicycle accident when he was younger, but he doesn't really notice it anymore. Milo's cheeks aren't sculpted, and have grown out of most of the baby cherub look, but all-in-all it comes together quite nicely. Just, you know, awkward nice.
His slightly overeager smile and awkward appearance are made worse by the fact that he's tall. Like, he shot up a little more over the summer and his body kind of followed suit tall. He's by no means "built", but he has a little more definition from the physical activity brought on after he realized how woefully out of shape he was when fighting ghosts. It's worth noting that he has very slender and elegant hands, though, and those hands are something you are not likely to miss upon first meeting him. He's going to try to stay active and do what he can for the build thing, and his dress style is slightly wannabe rocker meets boy next door, but nothing he does gets rid of the adorable puppy air that seems to cling to him like cologne he doesn't really wear. He will tend to wear sunglasses, even in weird situations, and even more confusing is the fact that he sometimes has earbuds in his ears. He can still "hear" vibrations, and does enjoy music, so this really isn't that weird if you know these things. His uniform is rarely in 100% working order, though he does try to set a good example as a prefect. Ties just seem to always feel too tight, his clothes get rumpled easily, and he just forgets things ok?
Oh, it might also be noted that Milo's excessive expressions and wild hand motions aren't just a symptom of ADHD. No, Milo was born completely deaf, thus making those methods crucial to how he communicates. Fortunately, he is quite good at reading lips (even from long distances, might I warn), always moves his mouth and speaks to the best of his ability while he's signing, and his sign language is the best in the business. You'd never know he was deaf by looking at him, unless you happened to notice the Cochlear implant he wears of course, and often people speak to him without being in front of him so he never even knows they're there. He certainly seems rather oblivious to the strange looks or exasperated attempts to get his attention, though rest assured, he notices. Milo notices more than people give him credit for thanks to never getting to develop his hearing, and it's not above him to pick out things other people overlook. His signing can be very quick, though he's been surrounded by hearing people all his life so he knows how to interact with them as if no barriers separate them.
HEIGHT: 6'1" (He grew TWO INCHES over the summer, everyone).
PB: Ansel Elgort
PERSONALITY
LIKES: Comics, video games (particularly anything having to do with Mario), playing the drums, motorcycles (he really thinks he should have one, ok?), movies, anything caramel flavored, popcorn, pizza, FOOD IN GENERAL, dogs, being in the water, pretending like he can't see someone trying to talk to him, reading, painting/drawing, water, parties, Bianca
DISLIKES: Haunted houses (too close to home now), ghosts, puzzles, not having technology, when people assume he's dumb because he can't hear, broccoli, any food that looks weird (even if it's his favorite kind), breaks in routine, bullies, being bored, blueberry flavor, TOO much stimulation, know-it-alls, being ignored, cold weather
PERSONALITY:
When one reads any description of the Zodiac sign Cancer, several consistent traits are mentioned across the board. Emotional, brooding, nurturing, protective, rooted in their ways, possessive, and social. All of these and more apply to Milo, though if you asked him about it then he would scoff at your belief in such a silly thing. Still, his horoscope is always spot on, and he fits the Cancer stereotype to the letter even if he doesn't acknowledge that he's fitting it.
As much as Milo doesn't like to admit it, being that someone who enjoys playing the drums and riding motorcycles should be a bit more masculine he feels, this young man can be as moody and set in his ways as every astrologer claims. He is a social creature, enjoying friends and family above all else, but always finds his way back to what he knows. Milo may be a nerd, he may be full of boundless energy, but his zest for adventure is (for the most part) a front. Sure, he'll go along with the excitement, but he prefers his routine; prefers the things that make him comfortable. He likes his traditions, especially if they were established by his mother, and usually doesn't deviate once he's grown used to something. This doesn't entirely take away from his spontaneity, however, (especially after last year) but he can easily be overwhelmed if he puts too much on his plate. Milo is social, he may be outgoing, but he still needs time to himself to recharge. Like a crab retreating into its shell, sometimes he just needs to be alone. These times may typically come on the cusp of mood swings, but he doesn't put much thought into tracking a pattern. In these situations, it's best to just let him alone until he feels ready to come back again, and the unpredictability of his ups and downs is quite extraordinary. A roller coaster would be a perfect description for Milo, and he's sorry but not sorry for it. He's gotten much better over the course of the last year, more laid back, but also has become even more protective and anxious of his friends which is likely hard to miss given how relaxed he has always been.
Brooding and moodiness are things usually only associated with girls or guys who wear too much eye makeup, but they are also traits Milo is easily susceptible to. He can be fine one minute, then the next he's withdrawn into himself. Milo presents as charming, carefree, independent, but he is also exceptionally sensitive and prone to impulsive judgment more than he'd care to admit. His emotions are always on his sleeve, though he doesn't necessarily know how to deal with them (thus the retreating). He is tenacious, stubborn, and likes helping others to the point that he may become obnoxious. Losing is a concept that doesn't sit well with him, and a mood swing can easily be brought on if his efforts to get what he wants don't work. He had to work ten times harder to learn magic growing up, and won't settle for anything less than his best. It's one of the biggest reasons he's so proud he was chosen as a prefect. He feels like it validates all his work, and proves he's no different than anyone else. Which he feels is true most of the time, but he has some pretty deep-rooted insecurites surrounding his deafness. He has always preferred the term 'handicapable', but deep down he isn't sure it's not the disability everyone sees it as. He doesn't quite feel like he's normal most of the time, though not many would ever notice this. He desperately wants to fit in, but often feels like he just makes things difficult, so being trusted to protect and look after his fellow students was a big deal for him and one he still feels like he needs to step up his game for after last year. Despite these inner worries, Milo can be as kind and generous as they come, but won't hesitate to be the "bad cop" if that's what's needed.
Ultimately, Milo is just a typical teenager trying to navigate high school just like everyone else. He is one who eagerly jumps into relationships, but not because he fancies passing flings. He is an action sort of person, not afraid to make the first move, but hesitant when it comes to actual commitment. He likes the idea of love, family, stability, but doesn't quite know how to open himself up enough for it. His easy nature and the genuine like for most people make him endearing, though his insecurities can be difficult to get over once someone really knows him; especially if they're in a relationship with him. Milo shows a possessive and fiercely protective side when it comes to those he loves (be them friends or otherwise), and he can seem overbearing or overprotective without meaning to. And after what happened last year, this is increased ten fold. He's very traumatized by what he saw when he was trying to find Bianca, not to mention the fact that anyone was taken at all, and definitely feels a stronger need to keep an eye on everyone. He is more confident after going through those puzzles, but also a little more insecure. If he hadn't had someone along who could speak sign language, well, he saw the effects of that all too well a couple times. It just drove home that he does have to work hard and be ahead of the game at all times, but it also showed him that he is capable of doing the hard stuff for himself too.
If one can get around all of the moods and the occasional self-deprecating mood, they will have a fierce and fun friend. He has a good sense of humor, a playful demeanor, and is prone to over the top antics or witty remarks more often than not. He's had to learn to have a personality given his lack of hearing, and he's worked hard to make himself "heard" without making a sound. He's not the type to be overlooked for all his silence, either, preferring to draw attention when it suits him and then blend in when he'd rather not have all eyes on him. Milo is a geek, being raised by those who loved all things nerdy, and he has no shame in what he likes. He likes to share those things with his friends, and surrounding himself with people and feeling like he's at home are important to him. After all, comics and video games don't care if you can hear or not. It's a universal language to be a geek, and Milo speaks it fluently. Leaving for Gooseberry was one of the simultaneous best and worst moments of his life, however, as being at home was always his sense of stability. He's grown more comfortable being on his own, especially after last year, and feels like he doesn't need the comfort and accommodations his parents gave him to flourish. He can make it on his own.
SKILLS
LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English and ASL
PATRONUS:
SKILLS: -Video Game Guru: Milo is an excellent gamer of all types. While he prefers the Mario games and all their splendor, he also has a fondness for things like Final Fantasy and fighter games like Street Fighter or Tekken (or anything similar) His hand eye coordination is obviously off the charts, and he's very good at figuring things out
-Herding/Nurturing: As the "responsible friend", Milo is a good backbone for any friend group. He can keep track of his friends, keep them ON track, and just generally makes himself available as the caretaker for their wellbeing (should they need it)
-Lip Reading: This one may seem obvious, but Milo is really really good at lip reading. Long distances don't bother him, quick talkers are no deterrent. Essentially, if he can see you, he knows what you're saying. Always.
-Observant: Since he can't hear, Milo has had to become extremely aware of his surroundings to avoid obstacles or dangers. He notices every minute detail in a room after a quick cursory glance, and doesn't forget them. Ever.
-Drums: Milo's dad played the drums and taught him everything he knows. He's not going to be a rockstar, but he is a good player.
HISTORY
FAMILY MEMBERS:
MOTHER: Jillian Greer (nee Howell); Muggle, Doctor
Milo's mom is the "bad cop" in the parenting. She's not a mean woman, but she is very linear in her thinking, very strict, very regimented, very responsible. She is extremely nurturing when it comes to her family, and anyone else really, and has a heart of gold under that slightly stand-offish demeanor. She just wants what's best for everyone, and is a big proponent of traditions and routine. Something Milo also shares. He gets along well with her, when she's not grounding him or embarrassing him with abstinence kits, and he won't hear anyone talk down about her.
FATHER: Nicholas Greer; Pureblood (ok not quite, but they hand wave technicalities), Former Thunderbird, Potioneer/Spell Crafter
Milo's dad is goofy, fun, and extremely excitable. He doesn't hold back, takes risks, and is generally the "good cop" of parenting. He's exceptional when it comes to spell crafting or making things of any sort, and he and Milo are often found working together on some project or another. They often team up against his mom, in a loving way, and are big goof guys when together.
HISTORY:
Jillian and Nicholas Greer were always a bit of an interesting couple. Nicholas was on vacation in California with some friends when he hurt himself surfing. Given that the responders on scene didn't realize he was a wizard, they took him to an muggle hospital. There, he saw Jillian for the first time. He managed to finagle his way into her patient roster, and the antics he came up with pretty much sealed the deal for Jillian. The two didn't date very long before he was popping the question and she was saying yes. It didn't seem to matter that they were almost complete opposites in personality, either. Nicholas, having been a Thunderbird during his years at Ilvermorny, could not abide the idea of a "boring" job. His vast and advanced understanding of magic kind of contrasted with this need for excitement and adventure, which landed him in an interesting line of work. Creating a spell to make certain stunts much less dangerous got him in the habit of such unique work, and his love of potions gave him something to pad their income on the side. Which was good, considering Jillian made a good living but would not respect a man who didn't at least try and work at something that made him happy and was productive. The wedding was a quick affair, as neither were very patient, and soon enough they were starting their lives in the direction they wanted. Not long after THAT, they discovered they were pregnant, which threw them for an overly excited loop.
The happy news was somewhat skewed by a series of complications she suffered during the course of the pregnancy. Being muggle, she didn't quite trust the wizard world quite yet, not with something as important as her baby, and led to quite a few scares prior to Milo's birth; including several serious infections that turned out to effect mother and child. Milo was born premature, and with a birth defect in the structure of his ear that led to him having profound hearing loss. Of course, they discovered this early on in two ways, one of which was not exactly conventional. Milo never really cried as a baby, which was weird (if not a blessing the new parents frequently thanked whatever deities they could for), but it began to concern them when he didn't seem to react to anything either. Being a typical first time mom, Jillian did what any self-respecting mother would do: she snuck up behind him with a pot and spoon and went to town. There was no reaction, as she'd feared, so the Greers made a trip to the doctor in order to get an official diagnosis. Since his mother was a doctor herself, she and his father fought quite frequently over whether or not magic could be used to "fix" him during the first year of his life. It probably was a combination of the amount of time it took them to reach an agreement (since Milo was growing and developing that whole time around this defect) to at least try magical healing, plus the healer they chose that sealed the fate for Milo. Nicholas chose a healer that was known for doing experimental procedures with magic, curing things that seemed incurable, who he had heard about through his various networks. The procedure the healer wanted to try involved using a potion similar to the one used in regrowing bones that was instead supposed to target the intricate bones of the ear. It was to be paired with sound amplifying charms in the hopes of kind of 'jump-starting' his hearing; like no-majs would do to a car. Unfortunately, the amplifying charms were too much, and the potion itself wasn't quite ready to stand on its own. Suffice it to say, the only thing the family took away from the experience was a son that still couldn't hear and Jillian's vow not to rely on magic for anything serious ever again. They were also given a version of the potion that would at least help him hear a muffled version of sound from then on out, kind of like doses for a chronic condition, that Nicholas made his own improvements on over the years.
With Milo's mother not allowing any excessive reliance be put on magic from that point onward, she began to teach her son ASL and how to function with the Cochlear implants he was going to get at a year old just like every other person who couldn't hear. Every non-magic person, at least. Of course, since Milo WAS a wizard also, his father was in charge of helping him with magic as he grew. All his erratic behavior and faults aside, Nicholas Greer had always been rather adept at magic (as proven by his spell crafting), so he was the perfect tutor to ensure Milo would never be behind his peers. The two worked on non-verbal spells in particular first, since while Milo could speak, it was not with the precision in pronunciation that a lot of spells required. Next, Nicholas figured that with how much Milo needed his hands to speak, having to hold a wand all the time might be problematic. He wasn't nearly as advanced in wandless magic as non-verbal, but he helped Milo with that too so that he would never be hindered in his communication. He and his father also figured out ways to fiddle with his Cochlear, using amplifying charms in a safer way, that helped him get a little more sound out of the world around him. He still can't hear, of course, but he doesn't really consider that a defining trait. Sure, he's had to work at magic twice as hard, but he doesn't mind. His mother always instilled a sense of pride in working for something, and Milo kind of felt like a rockstar when he could perform non-verbal spells that his peers couldn't. Not to mention his ability to work without a wand.
All this work aside, Milo has always just been a regular boy. He has always been a little sensitive and moody, which sure might have been because he was forced to work so hard all the time, but he hasn't ever fixated on it much. As he grew, he developed a personality and hobbies just like everyone else, and frequently would forget he was different at all until communication came into the picture. The end. He was lucky enough to be from a family that had the means to give him what he needed, but also didn't cater to him the way some other wealthy families might have. Milo went to a private school for deaf kids that was integrated with those that could hear that helped in his studies and how he interacted with those that weren't deaf, and it was here that he developed his love of music (particularly playing the drums), and got his first whiff of how cool someone could look on a motorcycle; thus making it one of his biggest goals. The Sonner Institute* was a good school, and he flourished there. Milo's skill in things that people his age don't normally know are what eventually prompted a teacher to suggest Gooseberry to his parents. He told the Greers that Milo would really have a chance to shine at such a prestigious place, and it would look great on all future application for whatever he chose to pursue. The idea set Jillian on edge at first, since she'd never had her baby so far away before, but after a lot of discussion as a family and just with her husband, she finally agreed.
Getting into Gooseberry wasn't easy, he knew, but for some reason they decided to invite him to attend. Going away to school wasn't anything different for Milo, but the camp-like atmosphere and lack of technology were definitely blows. It took some adjusting, but being a fairly outgoing young man, he settled in quite nicely. Sure, his deafness was a bit of an obstacle in some ways, but it wasn't anything he hadn't had to deal with his whole life. Milo learned to navigate quickly, using his intelligence and adaptability to help him through. He was never uncertain when it came to his ability with magic, and sure enough he proved himself in that area quite quickly. It was a good feeling, to be surrounded by kids who were supposed to be as talented as he was, but also to be somewhere that seemed so inherently accepting of literally anyone. Milo set to work, experiencing the typical hiccups someone entering what is essentially high school did (girls, roommates, class loads, social hierarchy, parties; the important stuff). He was never one to attend every single party, at least not most of the time, but he also didn't have fun irresponsibly. Did he do stupid things? Of course, but he tried to think of what his mom would say when those chances presented themselves (sure, he mostly did the thing anyway, but at least he tried).
When the beginning of his sophomore year rolled around, Milo was shocked to find himself with a prefect badge. It was a pleasant surprise, but still something he wasn't expecting. The sense of pride he felt at being trusted like that stuck with him for a long time after the year started, and he resolved to try and do his best to make them not regret the decision while still enjoying himself too. Milo mostly found a way to accomplish this, by becoming a "dad" at parties. He'd go, he'd have fun, but his drinking was severely limited (if at all in those beginning months) He never did more than drink, and always made sure his fellow classmates were looked after. (Did you drink enough water? Eat before you started drinking?) Still, his ability to be the "bad cop" was not really developed yet, and he was even more reluctant to step in negatively once weird things started happening around school. Milo didn't want anyone to get hurt, and figured the best way to protect them was to...go with them. Maybe it was misguided, not telling an adult or even an older prefect about what everyone was doing. but he didn't want to rat out his friends. Not to mention he agreed with the mission. They had to figure out what was going on, and talking to Anon or doing seances seemed like the most logical way. At first. As things progressed more and more into true danger territory, however, it became clear that whatever they were doing wasn't working. They were dealing with some serious stuff, and it seemed they'd gone too far to back out. Especially after the Ari, Calvin, Jade taking the fall for everyone fiasco. Milo tried to take his mind off of it all by focusing on things like prom and the feelings he and Bianca seemed to be developing for each other (a fact he still couldn't wrap his mind around, honestly. A pretty girl actually liking him?!) and other normal things that happen in high school. He tried, but it didn't really work.
The night Anon took half the school will be forever etched in Milo's mind. There are two sides as to why: On one hand, it was a severely traumatizing event. That weird dimension (or whatever it was), solving the puzzles, the ghosts he and Ree and Dom encountered. It was all straight out of a horror movie, and Milo is still astounded that they made it out alive and managed to find their friends too. On the other hand, he's realized that he's capable of a lot more than he thought. Sure, it was difficult when Ree was searching for a clue and he and Dom had no means by which to really communicate, but they made it work. He found Bianca, they found everyone, it was a win. At least until he got home. Convincing his mother that he should be allowed back for junior year was....a task. When he first came home, it was a flat out "Absolutely not". He and his dad tried to appeal to her, Milo even going so far as to tell her how much he'd learned about himself thanks to what happened, but Jillian wouldn't budge. Bianca came to visit, distracting everyone from the serious discussions, and actually seemed to be a deciding factor. His mother saw how happy they were, how grateful Bianca was that he had helped her, and in the end she let him return. Fortunately, because Milo had never had any intention of not going back, one way or another.
As junior year approaches, Milo is both excited and nervous. He feels like he can truly do anything he sets his mind to now, but would prefer not having to fight anymore ghosts. He's ready to be more serious, maybe more strict, regarding his prefect duties. He's ready for anything, honestly. How much worse can it be?
If you're bringing back a character from Year 1, please make sure you dedicate a little time and effort to describing anything noteworthy that happened to them last year. We don't need a detailed summary of the Year 1 plot, but would like a little thought about what was going on in their personal lives.
SCHOOL
YEAR: Junior
HOUSE: Ribbonfin
SORTING: Milo is definitely one of those people who doesn't fit 100% into one mold, so it was no surprise his sorting took a little while. Mostly this was because he simply could not decide which house he thought was best, however, which was ultimately the deciding factor. Outside of being indecisive, he is generally a calm young man, always playing peacemaker to more volatile friends (even if he needs the peacemaking when he gets volatile) He always forgives, even when he shouldn't, which ultimately makes Ribbonfin the place for him.
WAND: 10", Acacia, Kneazle Whisker, Rigid
FAMILIAR: A hedgehog named Sonic
CLASSES: History of Magic, Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology, Potions, Artificing, DADA, Hermeticism
ADVANCED STUDY: Muggle Technology Studies. Milo has always loved technology. From the video games he plays, the gadgets they have, and everything in between. He's always been interested in learning more, and potentially doing something in video game creation or computer science. So when this became an actual potential thing, he knew he NEEDED to get into. He and his dad have always made gadgets and things, fixing and fiddling with others, so it just makes sense.
SENIOR PROJECT: Milo is determined to figure out if there's a way to isolate parts of the polyjuice potion to mimic only certain parts/traits of a person. Since this idea might be a very big bust, it's going to be a trial and error, detailed tracking of the experiment and discussion of his concept even if it doesn't work.
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE: Milo isn't the star overachiever, but he is a good student. Particularly when it comes to Potions, Aesthetic Magic, and Herbology. He studies and works hard even in the classes where it isn't as easy, however, though he will complain about it and you will pick up on which are his favorites quite easily.
EXTRACURRICULARS: Gaming, Cheerleading, Drama (crew), L.A.R.P.
OOC
NAME: Callie
EMAIL: [beautifuldisaster61@gmail.com]
CDJ:
OTHER PREFERRED CONTACT: Dropbox
TIME ZONE: EST
no subject
Date: 2017-08-15 05:14 pm (UTC)-New Concept
-Updates to Appearance section
-Personality overhaul; edits and additions
-Added Skills
-Updates to history to reflect Y1
-Added L.A.R.P. (Again, since I was an idiot and took him out before)
-Edited Classes (Took out Aesthetic Magic and Magical Rudiments (his mom is a no-maj, he knows how to do stuff), added Artificing and DADA; Retconning he was always in Artificing, the DADA pick up after dropping Magical Rudiments is new if that's ok!)
-Decided on Senior Project
-Advanced Study added