Kian Ilagan

Kian Ilagan is a sophomore student attending Thirlcrest Academy, portrayed by marzie.
==Appearance==
Kian stands at 5'4" with a slightly mottled Type III complexion and a rather battered, gawky build, and he is never seen without his signature circular prescription glasses. He has a face framed by short brown curls that many have described as pathetic or puppy-like, due to his blank brown eyes paired with either a small pout or plastered smile. During a fight with an Honor Student, he suffered multiple injuries, with the worst damage being the partial loss of vision in his left eye and stitches across his visage.
==Characteristics==
Kian, to the untrained eye, is best defined by an endless list of questions, with the first three on it being: "What bullshit will he pull today?", "Will he run his mouth or retreat to Silentville?" and "Why won't he stop waxing poetic about a simple mistake?"
But to those who've had the chance to glimpse other parts of Kian, the list is too loose. Before anything else, Kian is an overthinker, prone to putting himself in internal and external complications. His thoughts frequently spiral into negative assumptions about others, his situation, and his next steps, which makes navigating life itself a daily herculean task.
As a full-blooded introvert, he'd rather knit, read and write, but can present as anything from effervescent and gleeful to straight up asylum-crazy, depending on the situation. This is both a self-preservation mechanism formed from his domestic and academic experiences, and a defiance of stereotypes associated with his Astronomy Club affiliation. He constantly strives to carve an identity independent of the clique through any means, from the personal statement hoodie he wears to the bizarre, almost illegal things he says while hanging out with people — who drops facts about itty bitty crawlies and the damage they can do in the middle of a nice Magical Fusion meal? Him, of course.
However, he isn't without the flaws that landed him in Thirlcrest. Under his seemingly benign appearance, he has unchecked violent tendencies that rarely but explosively surface. He prefers to channel his anger inward, yet isn't averse to directing it outward against people who have crossed him. High-pressure scenarios can quickly fray his nerves, which can lead to either frantic sobs or maniacal laughter. He's been trying productive outlets in hopes of keeping this side under thicker wraps and grounding himself back in reality.
==Character Background==
Kian was born as ██████ Thorn Ilagan to a Filipino father and American mother. He fondly remembers growing up in the district of Sampaloc, where LRT-watching, skittering in and out of city alleys and binging street food were parts of their routine that he sorely misses. The first six years of his life were spent surrounded by loving middle-class parents, his sister and cousins, and bright prospects.
On May 1, 1999, Kian's mother went missing while shopping at SM. The family along with the authorities searched high and low for Mrs Ilagan, questioning witnesses and triple-checking CCTV footage, but couldn't find any coherent clues as to what might have happened — all they know is that she vanished after taking the escalator to ground level. Mr Ilagan turned to alcohol to cope with his wife's disappearance, a decision his children greatly resent him for. Long story short, the three years after that incident became a hell that affected him so bad that he repressed all recollections of it.
In late 2002, his aunt discovered her brother's neglect and, after an intense match of dodging beer bottles and calling out his BS, took his children under her wing. It was during this time that Kian had more breathing room; in the safer and more stable environment he was put in, he was able to pay more attention to himself. While he was at it, he found out alongside his sister that he wasn't crazy, he was really suffering from █████████. His aunt, bless her soul, helped both children change into more comfortable plumage upon hearing about this, and pulled strings to purge any traces of their former identities.
Transferring to ███ █████████ was the start of Kian's clean slate life...
Or so he thought.
==== The People vs Kian Ilagan ====
On a rainy night in late 2007, Kian was cornered by a group of thugs while walking home. They initially tried to cajole money out of him, but when he refused, they threatened violence.
It was like reliving those three years again — except now, he had a choice: fight back. In his panic, his hands found purchase upon a glass shard, which he used to defend himself. When the authorities arrived on the scene, he was surrounded by his fallen potential assailants riddled with stab wounds, and tearfully clutching the shard he used so hard that it dug into his skin.
He was taken to court shortly for this. While the defense held a good argument regarding his situation during that time and his psychological state, the prosecution won over the jury stating that the measures he had taken to defend himself were disproportionate and demonstrated an intent to harm. He was found guilty of aggravated assault, but his age, circumstances and lack of prior criminal history mitigated this charge. Instead, he was sentenced to a full term at Thirlcrest Academy to ensure he receives the necessary therapy and education to reintegrate successfully into society while holding him accountable for his actions.
What's next for him? Find out in roleplay.
==Relationships==
===Karsyn Ilagan (Sister)===
Kian, despite everything, is grounded by the fact that he has his sister Karsyn's full unwavering support. Albeit having polar personalities and tastes, they have a very close bond forged by their shared experiences and thus are very protective of each other.
=== Mikell Ilagan Marafin (Paternal Cousin) ===
Kian finds Mikell's antics and behavior annoying at best, and endangering at worst, due to the latter's tendency to break Academy rules and get in trouble with people he shouldn't even meet. Still, his blood bond instincts preside over how he deals with his cousin.
=== Tala Molina Ilagan (Paternal Cousin) ===
Holding second place for People Kian Is Closest To, Kian was both thrilled and concerned when he learned Tala was going to start her term at Thirlcrest — while the pyramid scheme incident was a valid reason, at least he'd have company at the workplace and school. He feels very protective over her and is quite keen to defend his cousin against any perceived threats.
===Joel Glassman (Friend)===
He finds Joel very fun to hang out with on the rare occasions that they do, in spite of the baffling things he does in front of him sometimes. He is planning to knit a gift for him.
=== Mr. Ilagan (Father) ===
Kian and his father have a strained relationship due to having experienced neglect and abuse at his hands, and Mr. Ilagan's disapproval of his child's transgender identity. However, Kian still cares for him, going so far as to create plans to move him to the States to get him out of the DSWD rehab center he initially placed him in.
=== Mrs. Ilagan (Mother) ===
Kian had memories of love and joy with his mother, and in her absence keeps clinging onto them for reassurance during pressing times. Whenever he has time, he tries to investigate her disappearance even though the case had been closed years ago in hopes of reopening it.
=== Yvette Ilagan (Paternal Aunt) ===
Kian is on very good terms with his Tita, and is trying to repay her efforts by completing his term at Thirlcrest Academy without any whisper of trouble breathed about him. His allotted allowance that lets him and his cousins get by on their own is all thanks to her, who happens to be an information broker for high-end brands.
=== Juniper Cahalan (Respected) ===
Juniper is one of his first friends. He admires her sincerity and wit, but often finds himself at the receiving end of her criticism when it comes to his behavior at the Academy. He doesn't take any of it against her though, and even considers it as genuine life-changing advice at times... sometimes in the literal sense.
=== Charlie Zbik (Warm)===
Mistakes were made on both his and Charlie's sides, but there's still a second chance... right? Yes. It was like the boy had forgotten Kian's grievances (though he doesn't bank on that at all) and is beginning to slip into a more comfortable bond with him.
===Thomas Clint (Cautious)===
Kian remembers this boy being one of two causes of his past injuries, and thus treads lightly around him. He has recently struck up a deal to see whether Thomas is worthy of forgiveness or not.
===Zhang Hwang (Wary)===
He has yet to see where Zhang's true allegiances lie. Knowing that he's been let off the hook solely due to his connection to Zhang's (possible) love interest, Tala, he knows better than to just trust this man fully.
===Alexis Teller (Warm)===
Alexis is a Very Interesting Person that Kian would like to know better — especially now that she's a thing with Joel.
===Darlene Loranzo (Warm)===
Kian liked the growing dynamic he was having with Darlene, this owing in part of his admiration of her style, so when she left Astronomy Club, he was immensely saddened. When he has time, he will find her!
==Trivia==
*Kian is fluent in both English and Tagalog, so switching accents for the respective languages is like breathing for him. For jokes, he sometimes adopts an exaggerated Filipino accent for his English, and vice versa (a faux-posh enunciation for Tagalog).
*He had a very short stint in his old school choir, which he dropped in favor of working more on his writing, but he still exercises this vocal skill as a hobby.
*He likes to sew. He owns a large kit for this purpose.
*His physician prescribes him Paxil and Sertraline.
*"Eh" and "meh" are common fillers/interjections he uses.
*He's a silent crier; it takes a lot of pain (physical or mental) to actually get him to scream.
Category:Characters