𖤓 HONG, THE PHOENIX 𖤓






The magnificent hero(ine?) of our tale, a real "free bird", and Anton's protégé/roommate/annoyance/source of anguish/"best friend"

An immortal sparrowhawk phoenix with powers beyond human comprehension. Despite their awe-inspiring abilities, they are very naïve and rather immature for their age due to a heavily sheltered upbringing. Their true origins are uncertain and their identity is something other people find very puzzling. For example, they're neither a man nor a woman, but genderless! (...And don't even get started with the whole "phoenix" thing.) Their free-spirited, nonconformist attitude and idiosyncratic worldview have made them a target of ridicule and harassment, but despite how cruel people can be, they refuse to let the words of others change who they are inside.

They have many terrifying talents, and their specialty is pyrokinetics (AKA "fire magic"). Their magic is unwieldy due to a lack of discipline, so they refuse to use it frivolously in fear of hurting people. Another ability they possess is the power of reincarnation, though they do not know much about it and don't wish to test it out (LOL). Additionally, as a phoenix, they have retractable wing feathers that can be used for flying. However, they are currently recovering from a horrible injury that makes it difficult to protract said feathers. Because of this they haven't been able to fly in some time, though with Anton's assistance they're healing at a steady pace.

Distractable and excitable, they'd rather spend their time exploring and daydreaming instead of practicing their magic or listening to Anton's lectures; they see him more as a "friend" than a mentor and think he needs to lighten up a bit. They're somewhat emotionally stunted and they tend not to think before they act or speak, they can also be stubborn at times to their detriment. Despite their shortcomings, though, they are amiable and kindhearted, and they are generally pleasant to be around if albeit somewhat childish. They also have a very strong sense of justice, and feel called upon, deep inside, to help others even if there's no reward in it for them but a smile and a 'thank you'. All they want is for everyone to be happy and safe! (Especially Anton.)

"FUN" FACTS
  • AGE: 19 in current incarnation
  • (RE)BIRTHDATE: July 23rd, 1970 (analagous year)
  • GENDER: [???]
  • SKILLS: Pyrokinetics, flight, reincarnation, communication with
                     other avian lifeforms
  • LIKES: ANTON!!!!, cartoons, wacky rock tunes, arcade games,
                  warm weather, stuffed animals, stickers, insects, the beach,
                  nature, drawing & painting, baking desserts, daydreaming
  • DISLIKES: Loud noises, being alone, boring outfits, scary movies,
                         complete darkness, being called short, snow & cold
                         weather, steamed vegetables, hatred & injustice, the past







    • "Since I'm a bird, when I was born, I hatched from an egg! Sooo... technically, I have a 'hatchday' instead of a birthday! I don't call it that, though, 'cos that'd be really weird." - Hong
    SHIT THAT NOBODY CARES ABOUT
  • They were diagnosed with conditions now known as ADHD and dyspraxia at a young age. They're pretty clumsy due to their dyspraxia, and it impacts their fine motor skills sometimes... (Damn buttons and shoelaces!) They're also prone to hyperactivity and are easily distracted. They have a hard time sitting still for long periods of time and have a habit of fidgeting.
  • Because they are a phoenix, they are immune to burns and extreme heat. Their resting body temperature tends to be a couple degrees higher than the average human's at 100°F. Conversely, they're very sensitive to the cold and their magic functions poorly in cold temperatures and climates.
  • They have an odd propensity for eating/chewing on inedible objects such as insects and crayons. This causes them to have frequent stomach upsets, but that does little to deter their compulsions.
  • Although their injuries are mostly healed, there is still some scarring on their left arm and chest. They are self-conscious about their scars and keep them bandaged at all times.
  • Their iconic hairstyle comes as a result of it being unkempt and tangled; they often refuse to brush it as attempting to do so in this state would be difficult and potentially painful. They really only brush their hair if they're going to style it.


    • IT'S THE GALLERY









    REALLY AWESOME QUOTES

    “I’m more than just my magic, and you are too.”

    “No matter where I go in my dreams, I still wake up in the same bed every morning, and no matter who I dream I am, I still wake up in the same body. In dreams, it can be fun to be someone else and do crazy things for a while, but I like the sense of self that reality gives me.”

    “I’m always so excited about everything… It takes a lot of energy, sure, but it feels good to look forward to things! It gives me hope for the future, and in turn, being hopeful makes me even happier.”

    “I miss being able to fly. I mean, the only thing that’s stopping me is the fact my injury’s still healing. That makes taking out my wings a huge pain in the cloaca.”


    THE EVOLUTION

    A lot of times I worry about making Hong look too "childish"; this was a mistake I made a lot early on when first drawing them. Sometimes I accidentally make their head too big, too. I feel like I'm getting better at drawing them with more realistic proportions. I feel like my artstyle is getting less cartoony and more realistic as the years go on. Maybe by 2030 I'll be drawing in hyperrealism...

    - Angelina

    Song is 'Flap off You Beak' by Cardiacs

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