A Closer Look
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"I shall never be converted, and I shall remain true to my old religion of the classics until my life's end."
― Richard Strauss
JULIAN
Masculine | downy-bearded | Spanish
RAÚL
Masculine | counsel & wolf | Spanish
DE SILVA
Surname | forest | Spanish -
B A S I C S
◖BIRTH NAME◗
Julian Raúl de Silva.
◖NICKNAME◗
He's mostly referred to as de Silva, sometimes Silva, depends on the circle really. Very few refer to him by his first name, only those truly close to him. He has been in situations where he has asked people not to call him Julian, simply because he didn't care for them to use it.
◖ALIAS◗
None. His name is just as much a trade mark to him.
◖BIRTH DATE◗
7th November.
◖AGE◗
26 years old, though he has been told he looks older.
◖OCCUPATION◗
Classical musician, mastering especially the piano, and composer.
◖RESIDENCE◗
He has relocated to Gotham not too long ago, but he rarely stays at one place for more than a few seasons.
◖ALIGNMENT◗
Himself.
◖BIRTHPLACE◗
Barcelona, Spain.
◖NATIONALITY◗
Spanish.
◖RACE◗
Metahuman.
◖ABILITIES◗
Enhanced Synesthesia, Musical Intuition, & Enhanced Hearing.
◖HEIGHT◗
1,74 m.
◖BODY TYPE◗
Naturally athletic and lean.
◖EYES◗
A deep, dark brown colour.
◖HAIR◗
The deepest black colour with intense curls.
◖COMPLEXION◗
Hispanic.
◖TATTOOS◗
None.
◖SCARS◗
Nothing significant, really, at least no lasting. Bruises are not uncommon, but they fade.
◖HANDEDNESS◗
Ambidextrous.
◖ZODIAC SIGN◗
Scorpio.
◖SEXUALITY◗
Gay, though it's a secret only for those selected few whom he either trusts or knows are in the same position ― especially if he wouldn't mind sharing more with them.
◖RELATIONSHIP STATUS◗
Single, fooling around. That's all he will ever do, probably.
◖LIKES◗
Music, it is truly what he cares most about in this world, money and the finer things in life such as fancy dinners and expensive clothes, luxuries really, getting what he wants, tea, beauty, both in people, in the world, and in inanimate objects, instruments, if he could hoard pianos, he would, art, not only music, but especially also paintings, he has a thing for impressionism these days, being the centre of attention, receiving gifts, soft touches, making others blush or flustered, the countryside, travelling, taking risks, both in music and in life, gardens.
◖DISLIKES◗
Money is also a great dislike of his, he hates the principals that it sets forth, just like he can hate fancy dinners because of the other people, fake smiles and compliments, people touching his hair without asking (otherwise he actually loves it), badly tuned instruments, being overlooked, criticism to a certain extend, most women to be fair, sopranos especially, at least around his own age, greed and narrow-minded people, dancing, alcohol.
◖FACECLAIM◗
Oscar Isaac.
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B A C K G R O U N D
"Life's greatest tragedy is not that it will someday end,
but that most only live to follow directions and sometimes we end up totally lost."
― Alex Gaskarth
PRODIGY CHILD
When he plays, the world lies at his feet.
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Julian Raúl de Silva was born to Sophia and Miguel de Silva in Barcelona, Spain. While his mother was an opera singer, an extremely talented mezzo soprano yet having a hard time securing employment, and his a pianist at a local club, they both knew that Julian would be something special when it came to music. Call it a mother's sixth sense ― even before they had him in their arms, she knew. She had heard from others like them, others with special abilities, that some mothers experienced the abilities of their children during their pregnancy, so it was more than a simple hunch and a motherly instinct, because she very literally felt the changes to her mind. Because of this, they knew that they would have to help him in the right direction from the moment he was born to shape his talent. If they were right, he could very well become the best of the very best.
His parents were right: At the age of two, he had started playing the piano, and just before he turned five he had composed his first piece. His parents did everything they could, sending him to music teachers and schools, astonishing the professionals and the young Julian was quickly named a prodigy. While he was introduced to multiple different instruments, the piano was what spoke to him the most as well as composing. He knew from an early age that that was what he wanted to do. It was not just because of his parents' wishes and drive, he truly loved music more than anything in the world already at this point. The world would soon prove to be unfair even to someone named the next genius within a field. His parents spent every last penny on his education, on his instruments and clothes, whatever could get him into the right circles while they themselves were struggling. They were not rich or well-connected and while Julian himself ensured scholarship after scholarship, he was always off; he didn't fit in with the other children, often being much younger and poorer than them and he hated every minute of it. How come his talent wasn't enough? He was determined to become the best, but it was hard not being blinded by the alluring aspects of wealth. He knew that he would get that eventually, it was only a question of time, with all his scholarships and people wanting to sponsor him, he knew that he would make it far, not those dimwits who could barely do anything. They were all mediocre compared to him and yet they still felt so much more ahead of him, because daddy paid their way.
Julian used his frustrations to create, piece after piece. At the age of only 13, he moved to France to attend Conservatoire de Paris, firstly just to observe, but he quickly took part in lessons and performances. From there on, his name spread through Europe and he began travelling all over the continent to give performances and attend schools. His parents were still back in Spain, but in their stead was his first patron, Gaspard Augustin, a wealthy Parisian, who would ensure that he had a roof over his head, food to eat, and music aplenty, taking care of contracts and the likes. He was like a mentor for the young man up until he passed away, when Julian was 17. He could have been alone, but patrons were lining up to take him on at this point and Julian quickly became accustomed to having people fight for him, he simply loved every moment of the attention. This was how it was meant to be, touring, people coming from far away to see him, whilst they showered him in compliments and gifts. This was what he had been born to do.
Through all of it, he still remembered his parents, sending them quite a sum of money every month. If they had not been there, he would probably have lost it and become completely intolerable, but at least he had just a glimmer of humanity left in him. He still hated what money could do, he would sometimes end up at fancy dinner parties standing in the corner and hating every minute of it in a moment of clarity. Yes, he was born to do this, but he hated the fake laughs, he hated how people expected him to behave and obey, but he couldn't go completely wild as his reputation was all that mattered, even as he would already now be considered somewhat wealthy. At this age, around the age of 18, he was already very aware that he had no interest in women. He had known for a while, ever since the other boys started talking about girls and Julian had no interest in it whatsoever. He never saw it, but on the other hand he did see it in some of his fellow male musicians. This was another reason to lay low, because what he saw as going out and being all wild was with a man by his side and he could not afford that ― at least not in the open. Behind closed doors, he had already been enjoying men for a good while after his first experience around the age of 15. As he got older, he grew bolder along with the experience and his circle of "friends" grew rapidly at this point. The list of patrons grew and he grew accustomed to having older, married men as his benefactors, though he did change it up from time to time with an older madam ― who often had a gorgeous son. It was all a great secret, as these men were high-profiled men, so he could continue his music career whilst sleeping around and gaining even more from that than a delightful evening. At this point, he knew that he would never marry, only to the music, so he grew to care little about such things as romance, being forever single, but never going home alone. It suited him, fed his needs even if the comfort was brief. It has interfered with some of his career, often when the other gets too serious and wants to monopolise him, but he's never felt anything more than lust. Love is just a fairy tale and the closest he gets to it is through music, but it doesn't help that he has made up his mind about being alone forever and being fine with it. Now, he travels the world, enjoying a jet-set life between the stage and fancy parties, never staying too long in one place, as he wants nothing to tie him down.
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C O R E T R A I T S
“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.”
― Victor Hugo
○ D I R E C T
adj. | di·rect
Free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions. Julian is rather direct both when confronting others, speaking in general, or in the way he moves. If he has his eyes set on something, he goes for it, no questions asked. He does master this, though, because sometimes you shouldn't be completely direct and forward ― certain delicate matters demands discretion, but he has a way of speaking that can be quite direct, yet without obviously stating the facts, letting his companion fill in the necessary gaps. He is eloquent and well-spoken, using language and words just like he would use an instrument. If he wants you to know that he wants you, you won't be in doubt, or he has at least never experienced that as of yet.○ C H A R I S M A T I C
adj. | char·is·mat·ic
Having an often mysterious or magical power to attract. Julian has grown up into a rather alluring, charismatic adult. There's just something about his aura, the way he carries himself that automatically draws people to him. It might not be more than a glance, but he is rather captivating, not just at social gatherings, but especially on stage. He knows that he's handsome, intelligent, and exciting, but he doesn't show off too much. It's a beautiful balance that suits him well, confident, but as a gentleman. He knows that people want him, either for his music, his presence, or his body, and he wants them to work for it, yet he makes them aware with that slight smile of his that makes people weak at the knees.
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔○ D A R I N G
adj. | dar·ing
Venturesomely bold in action or thought ― inclined or willing to take risks. Julian has always been a bit of a risk-taker. It stems from the fact that he at one point didn't have the advantage of wealth to move forward. Yes, he had his talent, but sometimes that wasn't enough, so he had to take risks. It reflects in his music, something which he is applauded by, but it is definitely also a big part of him. He's more daring than logical at times, following an instinct rather than thinking it through properly. He loves the rush it gives him, often when he's doing something he shouldn't be doing, the thrill of being caught keeps him going. He's also willing to do whatever it takes to reach his goal, though not with money. Bribes are for the uncultured, he has his own ways of being bold.○ U N A P O L O G E T I C
adj. | un·apol·o·get·ic
Not feeling or showing regret or shame; not apologetic. Julian was raised to be proud of who he is, what he is capable of, and the person he is going to become. Because of this, he rarely feels shame or any kind of regret, always moving forward, and you will rarely hear him apologise or admit to being wrong. It might have gone a bit further than his parents intended, but he is the way he is and there's no reason to apologise for this. This is one of the reasons why he absolutely hates being in the closet. He has no choice, but if he had, he would not hesitate being out. He understands, but at the same not at all, why can't he be entirely himself? He's great, he just likes men as well. Instead, he's unapologetic in every other sense. -
A B I L I T I E S
M E T A H U M A N
“Music is the moonlight in the gloomy night of life.”
― Jean Paul Friedrich Richter
Julian's abilities make him the perfect musician ― he was truly born to become what he is today, gifted in the way of music. To him, music is more than just the sound of instruments and vocals, it's a living, breathing being that he can not only hear, but see and touch. A great part of his skill is talent, but the other part is natural, gifted from his abilities, a perfect combination that makes him excel to a point that is impossible for a human, at least without a lifetime of experience and studying.
| Enhanced Synesthesia |
Julian is able to see sound in a variety of colours, some appear dim, others bright and vivid. As his mother had experienced a minor version of this when she was pregnant with him, she taught him well in being able to learn how to use the ability, how to read, understand, and use the different sounds and its colours to create beautiful pieces of music. By being able to do this, he can sense how certain sounds will affect people and their emotions, which sounds go well together, essentially being able to create perfect musical compositions even before he knew anything about music, notes, and instruments. He can also use these waves of sound, as if they become a reflection of his own mood and emotions, so a piece might never be the same depending on what he puts into it, but it also ensures that he is the only one who can play his music the way he does it. He can control music like no one else, because he understands it, sees it, and uses in such a unique way. Most people feel hypnotised, enchanted, or swept away by the way he can play music and while his talent definitely speaks for itself, he cannot ignore the fact that a lot of it comes from this.
Luring: Because of Julian's control of music and sound, he is actually able to lure people to him if he wishes. It is not something that will automatically happen when he plays, he will have to want it, which is not always the case. As he has been practising this ability for just as long as his synesthesia, he has great control over certain details such as the number of people, whether he would like certain people to be lured, and for how long. Most of the time he needs to be within a certain distance of people, but the more he practises, the wider the circle becomes. If he knows the person well, he might even be able to lure them from an even greater distance than normal. It will feel like an irresistible tune that you have to follow and explore and all he has to do is put his mind to it, then people cannot resist.
Concussive Blasts: The least explored ability within his synesthesia is the fact that he can use music and sound as actual concussive blasts. By combining his emotions with his music, he can emit powerful attacks, burst of powerful waves in a sense, just like his emotions might affect his surroundings if he is not careful. It might not be visible blasts, but he has been in situations where he let his emotions run off as he played, which resulted in cracked walls, broken mirrors, and such minor damage, but he believes that he could probably cause real, grand damage if he ever wished to do so or let his emotions run high. This has mostly been something he has learnt by doing, yet he rarely does it, it doesn't feel right using music like that, and in the end he has no real need to fight.
| Musical Intuition |
Julian naturally possesses an extensive knowledge of music and the skills it takes to play instruments, compose music, as well as different genres and what they entail. He has always had an immediate understanding and mastery of whatever he chooses within music. His parents described it as him sitting by the piano and playing full pieces by the end of the evening even as a young child. He has to build it up and practice like anyone else, but it might only take an evening in his case. He has no need of notes either, he can simply replicate any song heard or described, he writes only for the sake of others being able to try and recreate his abilities, even if it's impossible. It's a combination with his synesthesia, the fact that he can see the sound means that he has a very clear memory, it just comes naturally to him. Even if he has only heard it once, he will be able to have both perfect pitch, no matter the difficulty.
| Enhanced Hearing |
Julian's hearing is sublime: He can hear with amazing clarity and distance, being able to distinguish different tones and sounds easily. To him, sounds are layered and he can decipher each layer from each other, both in terms of normal conversations, but especially in terms of music. His enhanced hearing is not so intense that loud music is too much, on the contrary, but that might simply be because he's so used to it. He does hate yelling and such, which might stem from the fact that it affects him more, but he is able to block out sounds, so a large social gathering won't overwhelm him. It's also the small details such as knowing the way people walk and talk from afar, recognising their heartbeat, or being able to tell lie from truth based on the pitch of their voice, their pulse, and the likes.
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S I G N A T U R E
