Specimen: Carlos (the Scientist)

[brainium]

Disclaimer
Some of the information provided is not from canon. Unfortunately, due to the nature of Welcome to Night Vale, we don't know much about Carlos. These are my headcanons and how I have "fleshed out" the perfect scientist. If you'd like to debate characterization or simply chat about Carlos, you're always welcome to. Concrit makes me happy.

carlos

AGE: 35
GENDER: Man
HAIR: Dark brown, greying at the temples
EYES: Dark brown
HEIGHT: 6'0"
BUILD: Thin side of average

MARITAL STATUS: Cecil'd
SEXUALITY: Open?
OCCUPATION: Scientist

LIKES: Science, reading (online), rock music, science fiction movies with good physics, good food, keeping busy
DISLIKES: Lack of basic scientific knowledge in Night Vale, when his food moves, ... That's about it.

personality

First and foremost, Carlos is a scientist. He approaches everything as a scientific problem to be solved and discovered. Everything can be broken down into a series of smaller problems, with variables considered, and ultimately a conclusion can be drawn. Social situations have never been his strongest point. There are too many variables even restricting to common social mores! Throw in the complexities of dealing with an individual and you've got yourself a quiet unsure guy who does his best to pretend like he knows what the hell a Kardashian is. This isn't to say he's completely socially inept. He can hold up conversations. He can try to understand. Science, however, is his comfort zone. He's much more likely to laugh at a joke where the punchline involves chemistry than "yo mama." Unless you combine a "yo mama" with chemistry and then he just might have to high five you. Carlos is ever curious. Even out of Night Vale, he never stops lurking and hunting for new and interesting things to research and catalogue. Did you know there are thousands of new species just waiting to be found in your back yard? Carlos was the kind of kid (and adult...) to hunt them out. He might have missed a few birthdays or parties along the way, but all in the name of furthering the education of man! A bigger picture to worry about! And there in lies a lot of Carlos's problem. He's always battling between focusing too intensely on the complexities of something small or trying to wrap his mind around how this all fits in with the universe around them. Earth, normal typical plain Earth, is complicated enough. It's profound. Mind altering. He's not entirely made of science, don't get him wrong. He fully believes in some down time. An exhausted mind discovers nothing, even if he has to be reminded of this fact from time to time. He'll enjoy a drink or two, but never enough to actually intoxicate himself. Why damage your organs? He'll enjoy a few episodes of Star Trek like the next nerd. With commenting on how impossible that explosion is. Fun! Carlos places a lot of importance on being brave and having a high moral fiber. Science and serious discoveries is not the time to place bets. Don't waste time being a coward when there are whole other worlds to discover. He tries his best to obey all of the laws of Night Vale, but even he has trouble keeping up with them all. That's what calling Cecil is for, right? Double checking he's got all of them covered... Surprisingly, he's very into music. Particularly rock. He keeps various Pandora stations playing quietly in the distance and has been known to bob his head and tap his foot to the tune of music while working. That is until he really needs to focus. The rest of the world is then drowned out. If you mention the magic words They Might Be Giants he'll go from quiet and stoic to babbling fanboy in two seconds. (Okay maybe not that bad, but he is a fan.)

history

Until Night Vale, Carlos's history isn't really all that exciting. He was born to a lower-middle class family. Second born of four children (three boys, one girl). They're as close as you would expect a family to be. Not exactly best friends, but not total strangers either. He is without a doubt the most quiet of the bunch, especially since he's really the only one that cares so much about science. He maintained excellent grades in maths and science (even some social sciences) all through his school career. English and art were always solid Bs. Too abstract. He attended a state university (thank you, finances and family) where he maintained his focus and grades and attained a Master's degree. Upon graduating, he struggled to find a job. Luck was not on his side for the longest time, but eventually he did a highly funded organization that took him in. Once in, his hard working style and intelligence quickly got him on a special research team! They were going out to a little town in the Southwest called Night Vale... Apparently, there had been some strange readings coming from the town. Like a bubble no one could pop.

appearance

Perhaps it's the way he dresses, but somehow Carlos appears short. Lab coats and tucked in flannel shirts aren't exactly the most flattering things, so that might have something to do with it. He's 6 feet tall, anyway. He tries to keep himself in shape. Work and life often get in the way, so he hardly has any muscles (or mass) to speak of. He's on the thinner side of average without looking actually thin. Maybe it has something to do with trying to maintain a healthy diet in a town that doesn't allow wheat and wheat byproducts. His fashion is... Well, it wouldn't have been in style a few years ago. Acid wash jeans, tucked in flannel shirts, and always with a lab coat on. He does have more formal clothes in shades of dark greys and blues. Those are rarely worn in the hot desert town. He sometimes can be seen wearing a pair of silver framed rectangle glasses. Sometimes.

permissions

BACK TAGGING? Go for it! If it's been a ridiculously long time, I'd prefer contact first.
THREAD HOPPING? Oh, absolutely.
INJURIES? Case by case basis, but overall yes. He's not a very strong fellow, but everyone attempts to defend themselves from attacks.
AFFECTION? Carlos is not an affectionate guy unless he's very comfortable with you. He won't object to a touch to the arm or shoulder (for those animated types), but anything farther than that and you'll get a panicked look. Unless of course he knows you very well, then you're welcome to touch as much as you like.
SMUT? He's very inexperienced, but won't object if he's comfortable with you. He takes time, even if he is comfortable. As far as what's involved? He takes a "will try anything once... for science" approach. Except ... wasteful body fluids. That's a mun no-no, sorry guys.
WILL YOU DO SHIP STUFF WITH NOT!CECIL? Totally!! But only if you're out of Night Vale canon. I'm afraid if you're in Night Vale, it's Cecil or nothing.

OOC: BAILEY | 23 | GMT-6 | PB: SANTIAGO CABRERA | CODE BY TESSISAMESS