#but this seemed to just really flow well together with auggie being there and coloring her views on things

[wiedzmacienia]

Would you rather give up your magic to live a normal life, or keep your magic and never hold any genuine human connections? (There's no anon option, so I guess I have to be called out lol.)

eyes narrow in the light of the campfire, wood crackling and heat meeting her skin that's made it crawl for centuries yet she can not move with the young boy who's head lays on her lap having fallen asleep (she imagined she'd have to carry him back to his tent at some point). maybe she shouldn't have come here, even if the knightley boys had asked her to when she'd been to see beth. they'd found a few soldiers they'd felt able to confide in about themselves, soldiers who seemed to accept them once one of them had used his powers to save the other, and it's from this that such a question has been brought forth. she knows it is not out of malice and yet, it still awakens something deep within her. a memory she's locked away for ages in the depths of her soul. maybe they think her standoffish because she is so much less open than the boys. but she can not afford to be like them when she must direct her forces by the day. these boys were young. too young and had yet to truly understand the world even if they were serving in an army now let alone understand magic or it's role in the world.

there was one day, no, a mere few hours within her life that katarzyna had wished she could have shed her magic from her body and lived a so called normal life. that she could have been as human as the rest of her village. the moment men who had been smiling at the children just the day before entered their home with violence and tore her and her brother from their beds, binding them and dragging them outside. when she had screamed for her brother as wooden posts had been erected. there had been no trial or recourse. no amount of pleading for their lives had halted them from being beaten for speaking the foul words of creatures they'd said. it had been them who had brought the plague upon them they believed. yet was it not the twins whom only sought to save an elderly woman from the pain of such plague? fires had been lit and pain seared their bodies and in those moments she wished they could have been anything but what they were. for to have been born as such had been their death sentence.

but then they had been reborn from the ashes and her whole world view had been shaken. her parents had given of themselves to bring them back and she no longer saw her power as something to shy away from. her parents had believed in magic. had believed in the worth of her and her brother and what they could bring to the world. and she vowed to never seek to be anything but what she was again.

to never be weak and powerless again.

greenish-blue hues move over the fire and meet the human speaking to her. was she not making a human connection now? perhaps once she believed being what she was separated her from the human world. perhaps in the respect that she lived longer than humans it did. but this war and the people she had begun to meet made her begin to question such. maybe making connections with humans wasn't about how long you knew them or preventing one's self from becoming close because of the eventual loss but the value of the time spent with them. no, she did not think having magic equated to a lack of forming human connections, genuine ones. not if she didn't allow it to.

after all, while it had never been the intention, she cared for-- no, she could acknowledge it was more than that now as she ran her hand through the young boy's curls, she held a motherly love for auggie in a way she had never believed she could possess before-- and tended to the human child more often than not these days. sometimes the intensity of which she believed she would protect the boy scared even her for if there was a choice between him and someone else, she held no doubt of what she would choose even if it could mean burning the world in the process. but did her love toward the boy not equate to a genuine connection? and was her magic not the very thing which could allow her to protect him? was such love not a normal part of life?

"why can i not have both?" she questions, gaze drifting over the man's shoulder to see the major approaching. ah, perhaps she would not have to carry auggie back to his tent herself after all. still, she continues, looking back at the questioning soldier without care for the major hearing her words, for they were truth and she would not deny her connection to the boy at this point even if she has no idea what it would look like once this war was done.

"is there some book of rules which state i can not have magic and hold connections with humans who i love? that i can not still have something of a normal life with them?" and with that she looks down upon auggie and begins to shift him gently without waking him, picking him up so that his head falls to her shoulder. strangely, the heat of the campfire seems to affect her less, a different kind of warmth washing over her as she raises from their perch on the log and moves to meet tallmadge. "come to collect the little terror? i think him, cora, and furgus just about defeated half the soldiers in camp charging them while wearing your helmet today."

@honorhearted

[toxoiddiamond]

T H E B A S I C S Given Name: Augustin Mateo Ramos Castillo Nicknames: August, Auggie, Augs, and Gus (though he doesn’t particularly like being called Augs or Gus) Age: 38 Birthday: February 24th Zodiac Sign: Pisces Birthplace: Antigua, Guatemala Current Location: Long Beach, California Speaks: Spanish, English Dominant Hand: Right Education: Graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance. Occupation: He is a popular session musician, known for not only being a talented guitarist, but also being very reliable. He does a lot of traveling around California to perform in various live shows and recordings. In his downtime, he also gives private guitar lessons. Vehicle: Silver 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. It may not be the prettiest car, but he likes having lots of room/lots of seats, since it means he can cart around equipment and instruments easily, and can also drive a lot of people around if need be. Worldly Possessions: Things They Own Pet(s): A big ol Golden Retriever named Savannah. August has had her since she was a puppy, and he takes her almost everywhere with him. She’s a pretty smart dog, but also super silly, and probably too friendly for her own good.

A P P E A R A N C E Height: 5’10” Hair: Thick and dark, with a bit of waviness and a lot of volume to it. He usually pushes it back and away from his face. Facial Hair: It’s pretty rare for him to be clean-shaven, as he thinks it makes him look too boyish. He always has at least some stubble going on, then he doesn’t shave again until his beard starts to get unruly, and the process starts all over. Eye Colour: Dark, dark brown. Skin Tone: He has a warm, medium skin tone, and during the spring and summer it tends to darken a bit, as he likes to spend a lot of time outdoors. Clothing: Although August has a very simple, relaxed style, he always manages to look pulled together. He’s all about buying clothes that all look good with each other, so he doesn’t have to think too hard about his wardrobe on any given day. Nice jeans, t-shirts in various colors, a couple of button-downs for when he needs to be more dressy. A few jackets for colder weather, along with some comfy sweaters in neutral tones. He owns a couple of suits that look amazing on him, but doesn’t have any reason to wear them pretty much ever. He also always wears a watch, and likes to wear scarves and hats when the weather gets cold. Distinguishing Marks: A few small scars here and there from childhood injuries and minor accidents. His fingers all have thick calluses from playing guitar– in fact, his hands in general are pretty rough. Face Claim: Oscar Isaac

H E A L T H Physical Health: Pretty damn good. August is fairly health-conscious, not to the point of obsession, but he tries to take good care of himself. He goes to the gym about three days a week, plus goes on lots of walks with Savannah. He also eats a well-balanced diet, but doesn’t deprive himself from anything. He has a blood disorder, von Willebrand Disease, but it doesn’t affect his life very much anymore (he was diagnosed as a child, after a series of prolonged nosebleeds landed him in the hospital). He takes medication that helps prevent any excessive bleeding, and has to avoid taking any medications such as Aspirin or Ibuprofen. Other than that, his day-to-day life is not affected. Physical Abilities/Limitations: He’s amazing on the guitar, and can also play the piano pretty well. Although he’s a very active person, he tries to avoid doing too much high-impact exercise or strenuous/dangerous hiking or anything like that, because he bruises so easily. Addictions: He used to smoke, but he quit about seven years ago. He does have the very occasional cigarette if he’s really stressed out or upset about something, but for the most part he avoids them. Allergies: None, although there are certain medications he’s supposed to avoid. Mental Health: Overall, it’s not too bad. He is a fairly laid-back person, and while he does have his baggage and issues, he has his life pretty much together (although he may not agree with that statement). He has been through some pretty rough things, but he tries not to let that affect his life too much.

H I S T O R Y Summary: August grew up in Antigua, Guatemala. He left the country when he was nineteen to go live in the US, and ended up in NYC. While in New York, he studied to get his associates degree, while also working as a waiter and doing some street performing. Eventually, August ended up in a long-term relationship with a woman he thought he’d be with forever. They basically had a common-law marriage, and were together for nine years. During the course of their relationship, August established himself as a session musician, and was able to quit his job as a waiter. He also started to consider going back to school to get a degree in music performance. Unfortunately, August eventually found out that his girlfriend was cheating on him with a mutual friend. He made an impulsive decision to leave the state altogether, and ended up driving all the way across the country, eventually settling down in Long Beach, California. He was able to find a modest apartment, started to find work right away, and was even able to go back to school like he wanted, so overall, things worked out okay for him, even if it wasn’t exactly how he wanted things to go. Job History: Various food service jobs, including working as a waiter for several years in NYC. He did street performing for a while before starting to find work/establish himself as a session musician. He also gives private guitar lessons every so often. Fondest Memories: Various memories of his childhood/being with his family. Memories with his ex-girlfriend, even though they’re all bittersweet now and make him more sad than happy. Graduating from university. Worst Experiences: When August was eighteen, his family’s home was destroyed by Hurricane Mitch, and his father died while trying to assist in rescue efforts due to severe flooding. They were eventually forced to evacuate, with nowhere to go and nothing but the clothes on their backs. A couple of years after moving to New York, August ended up in a very serious relationship that lasted for about nine years. Toward the end, things started to fall apart between them– August noticed she was distant, she started “working late” all the time and just seemed to be pulling away. He eventually caught her cheating on him with a mutual friend of theirs, which prompted him to immediately go home, pack only the necessities, and move to the other side of the country.

C O M M U N I C A T I O N Speech Pace/Style: In English, he speaks at a nice, even pace, and is careful to enunciate his words. In Spanish, he speaks much faster. Sometimes, if he can’t think of the word for something in English, he will say it in Spanish and hope the point gets across, or vice versa. And on the very rare occasions when he gets angry and starts yelling, he tends to lapse into Spanish without really thinking about it, though if he catches himself doing that he’ll immediately switch back to English. Accent: He does have a noticeable accent, but it’s not particularly thick, and he speaks English fluently. His accent does tend to become thicker when he’s tired or drunk. Usual Curse Words: He doesn’t tend to curse very much, unless he’s really upset over something. Even then, he’s not the type to swear like a sailor.

P E R S O N A L I T Y, M I N D S E T, A N D B E L I E F S Personality Type: ENFJ Sense of Humor: Not exactly a stick in the mud, but he does fall more on the serious side. His humor tends to be sort of dry. He does like to laugh, though; it’s just hard for him to lighten up sometimes. Habits: He always sings in the shower, though he has a nice voice so at least it’s pleasant to listen to. Fears/Phobias: Storms always make him nervous, especially if it’s really windy. He is also scared of ghosts/most supernatural things, and doesn’t really enjoy a lot of horror movies for that reason (though he still watches them sometimes). Strengths: For the most part, August is a laid-back person, preferring to go with the flow as much as possible. He’s good at thinking on his feet and forming a new plan if something doesn’t work out. He’s not the type to panic, and often acts as a voice of reason. He’s a very reliable person– if he says he’s going to be somehere or do something, he will follow through. This has been a huge asset for his career as a session musician, as he always shows up early, always learns all the songs he’s been told to learn, and generally goes above and beyond what’s expected of him. In relationships, August is a very giving, affectionate person, always wanting to do whatever he can to make the other person happy. He’s very generous and loving, and likes to make the other person feel special however he can. He’s quite thoughtful, and tends to remember details about people, such as what kind of pet they have, how old their children are, or how they like their coffee, and he has a great memory for names and faces. Basically, he’s a people-person. Flaws: August can be stupidly impulsive sometimes, making huge decisions at the drop of a hat without really thinking it through. These decisions have always ended up working out okay for him, but if he would take more time to actually think before he acts, it would make things much easier for him. Since his last relationship ended so badly, August has been afraid to open up to anyone again. He is reluctant to even make friends with anyone, since it was a “friend” of his that his girlfriend was cheating with. He wants to be able to trust again, and to let himself be vulnerable and be happy, but he’s not sure he can handle being hurt like that again. He also has some issues with jealousy, though he does his best to keep it under control (or at least keep it to himself). When he sees Finn talking to someone else, laughing with someone else, he can’t help but wonder if something is going on between them or if Finn is interested in them, even though he knows that’s ridiculous. He often wants/needs extra reassurance that Finn is only interested in him, but is reluctant to ask for it, because he doesn’t want to be annoying. Hopes/Desires: If he’s really honest with himself, what he wants, more than anything, is to be with Finn. He wants them to be married, be ridiculously happy, all of that sappy romantic stuff, but isn’t sure it will ever happen. Religion: He was raised Roman Catholic, and he still likes to go to church on occasion. He finds it relaxing and nostalgic.

R A N D O M Sleeping Position: If he’s alone, he just sleeps on his side. If he’s with Finn, he likes to cuddle, in whatever position. Boxers or Briefs?: Usually boxers. Day or Night?: Night for sure, that’s when he gets to perform, or go home and relax, or be with Finn. Top or Bottom?: He likes both. Partying or Relaxing?: It just depends. He loves parties and going out and having fun, but some nights all he wants is to stay in and cuddle with his dog (or Finn) and read a book or watch TV.

R E L A T I O N S H I P S Closest Friend: Although August makes friends easily, and loves talking to/being around people, he hasn’t let himself get too close to anyone ever since he left NYC. Relationship History: He had a couple of girlfriends in high school, nothing very serious. Then he had a sort of fling/friends-with-benefits thing with a guy he met when he moved to the US, which he broke off after meeting his long-term girlfriend, Charlotte. He was with Charlotte for about nine years before finding out about her infidelity with their mutual friend (which had been going on for just over a year). Since then, his only other relationship has been with Finn. Sexual Partners: Not very many. He’s not the type to have one night stands or anything, so he’s only been with his girlfriends, his FWB, and now Finn.

P A R E N T S Name(s): Mariana Castillo and Luis Ramos Age(s): His mother is sixty-five years old. His father died at the age of fourty-four. Occupation(s): His mother makes and sells pottery for a living, and makes quite the killing with tourists. His father played guitar in a band (which is where August learned to play), and also worked in construction. Religion: Very devout Roman Catholic. Whenever Mariana talks to August on the phone, the first thing she asks is if he has been going to church. Quality of Relationship With Their Children: August was close with his father, and always looked up to him. He is also close with his mother, even though they live so far away from each other. They talk on the phone at least once a week, and always send each other a gift on Christmas/their birthdays. She is immensely proud of all of her children, and always brags about them to her friends. Living/Deceased: His mother is alive and well, and his father is deceased.

S I B L I N G S Name(s): Ana Sofia Morales Ramos, Maria Paula Ramos Castillo Age(s): Thirty-five and thirty-one Occupation(s): Ana still lives in Guatemala, and is a school teacher. Maria is a travel journalist, and has spent several years traveling the world and writing about her experiences. August plans on going on a trip with her at some point– she particularly wants to take him to Thailand, which is her favorite place she’s been. Religion: Ana still goes to church every Sunday, but Maria hasn’t even seen the inside of a church since she left home. Quality of Relationship With Their Brother: They don’t talk very often anymore, but they do love each other. And whenever they do talk or see each other, it’s like they’ve never been apart.

D A I L Y L I F E Living Arrangements: August has a nice, moderately-sized apartment in Long Beach. It’s not one of the fancier complexes in town, but August really likes the place, and it would take a lot to get him to consider moving somewhere else. The majority of his furniture is from Ikea, but he does have a few things he found in antique shops and secondhand stores. His favorite piece of furniture is his massive, king-sized oak bedframe, which takes up over half of his bedroom. He also has a room just for his music stuff– electric keyboard, various guitars and amps, etc., and he uses that room to practice or write new music.