Luca Burke

Luca Burke,

all my life they let me know

Luca is a very gentle soul overall, and generally mild-mannered. A bit of a bleeding heart, he is quite prone to sympathy and compassion, even toward strangers- and occasionally when such feelings are undeserved, although he tries not to be too credible. As a result, he will often place the welfare of others first, even if it is at his own expense. Most of the time, he feels it's worth it. He dislikes violence, and prefers to find peaceful solutions to his and others' problems when he can.

While not exactly anti-social, Luca tends not to actively seek out company most days. He is quite comfortable on his own for extended periods- and at times may even prefer to be so. Feelings of being an outcast in society likely helped to contribute, but if this truly is the case, he tends not to acknowledge it, saying instead that he simply doesn't mind the isolation. Far more at ease in small groups than large crowds, he can also find unfamiliar social situations to be uncomfortable and intimidating.

Over the years, he has come to believe it's better not to reveal whatever thoughts or feelings he may have so readily to others. An outsider may think he's just shy, but often he doesn't really voice his opinions for fear of some negative reaction. He can have trouble with this even when he's trying not to be so reserved, but a solution, if there is one, has yet to present itself. Things are a bit better for him around close friends, but not by much. Additionally, he will occasionally adopt a somewhat sullen attitude, the reasons for which he will often try to keep to himself- a habit that appears to be growing increasingly frequent, as of late.

In contrast to his more caring nature, Luca can have trouble waiting for things, and struggles to maintain control of a fiery temper. He may lash out unexpectedly when he's been pushed just a bit too far, but will back off almost immediately with profuse apologies in most situations. However, ongoing conflict with the Hunters, both as an observer and near victim, has seen his temper growing increasingly difficult to rein in.

More accurately described as pretty than handsome, Luca is a young man defined by slim, delicate features. His hair is straight and somewhat silky, with the sort of blue-black hue that one might find in a raven's feathers. His bangs are cut to frame his face, while the rest has been allowed to grow out long. When not tied into a ponytail, as it often is, it falls to just above the center of his back.


Pale, but not sickly, his face is all soft angles, and complexion once largely unblemished. More recently, Luca has gained a number of fresh scars, most notably across his back and shoulders. Once smooth skin is now covered in a criss-crossing mass of straight scars left behind by the lash of a whip. Some are thicker than others, some more knotted or raised, and in general most are a discolored shade of pink.He is slender in a way that could almost be called effeminate, but in good enough physical shape to be quite quick on his feet. At five feet, nine inches tall, he's just about average in height, however.


Though not as extensive as some, his Magi features are fairly obvious when not covered up. A long, slender tail extends from the base of his spine, mostly free of hair save for a tuft of blue-black fur growing at the end. Usually, he keeps it wrapped around his torso beneath his shirt. A pair of short, stubby horns grow beneath the skin of his forehead, near the base of his hairline. His bangs are thick enough to hide them, usually, but occasionally they stick out without his noticing. Lastly, his eyes are an inhumanly deep shade of blue, reminiscent of lapis stones. More often than not, the best he can do is wear a pair of sunglasses or avoid direct eye contact and hope no one thinks too much about their odd color.



Luca's tastes in clothing are somewhat bland, overall. He prefers loose-fitting clothing, the less revealing, the better, and dull or neutral colors. There will be no lime greens or bright fuchsia found here. Unless the weather absolutely demands it, he will most often be found in a plain, long-sleeved shirt and pants. He tries to find boots or shoes that are good for lots of walking, but really anything that fits comfortably and isn't falling apart will do if it has to. He tries not to be picky. For cooler weather, he keeps a well-worn, dark brown trench coat, and gloves. Unable to afford much in the way of flashy accessories (and not particularly interested in such things anyway), the most he usually wears in that regard are simple scarves, which can be used to cover his head if need be.

He is almost never without his bag, a large, tan thing, used to carry a few changes of clothes, medical supplies, and other necessities.

Parents
Mother: Arabella Corvi (deceased)
Father: Alexander Burke (deceased)

Siblings
None


Luca was born in a small town out on the plains of Ethea, to a couple that, according to most, should never have been. His father, a traveling monk of Tatara and Magi, met his mother, a human, during what was supposed to be a brief stop in Camlorn. The two got to talking, and as the days turned to weeks, and later months, they developed feelings for one another. Unsurprisingly, Arabella's family strongly disapproved of the relationship, and did everything they could to keep her away from the dangerous "monster", Alexander. Ultimately, these efforts failed, as the two eventually decided to elope together.

Their first and only child was born not long after, and was quite lucky not to have been birthed on the side of a road, given how much his parents wandered. Despite the want to settle down somewhere, the need to stay away from Hunters and other prejudiced sorts kept the young family moving throughout Luca's younger years. He never really understood why, until he was older-- it was simply how things were. For the most part, they traveled between small towns, never staying longer than a year or two at most, but every now and then, when it was easier to disappear into the crowd, they stopped in Dagos for a while. It was hard, at times, and living conditions weren't always the best, but he remembers being fairly happy as a child.

This changed abruptly over the length of one, frightening evening, when Luca was about nine years old. A small band of Hunters appeared in the village Luca's family had most recently called home, looking for "threats" to the community, following an outburst by an earth mage in the next town over. Though his parents were careful, and ensured Luca stayed in the house with them, one of the neighbors must have pointed the Hunters their way, as they came knocking later that night. While Arabella answered the door, and tried to distract them long enough for Alexander to sneak away out the back with Luca, but one of the Hunters' familiars caught their scent, and ran after them.

Though Luca and his father escaped, and were able to make it to a meeting place, chosen in case something ever happened and the family was separated, Arabella never appeared. Eventually, even as young Luca sobbed and cried for his mother, the pair was forced to move on. Later, they would learn his mother had been killed trying to keep the Hunters from hurting her husband and son.

Alexander returned to wandering not long after, and kept the two of them fed by using his knowledge of herbs and natural remedies, as well as his magic, to work as a traveling healer of sorts, for those either unable or unwilling to access the more advanced medical technologies available. He taught Luca as much as he could about his work during this time, and more when they were able to get ahold of texts detailing more extensive medical knowledge, so that the gentle boy might one day be able to use these skills to earn his own living.

Years passed, along with a few more close calls with the Hunters of Kalidas. At times, they survived more than lived, but at least Luca and his father had one another... for a time. When he was just barely eighteen years of age, Hunters caught up with them once more. They came seeking bones and blood, and the pair of peaceful Magi seemed like perfect targets. This time, Alexander stepped up to distract the Hunters, while Luca ran for his life. He didn't want to, but he did because there was no other choice. Once, he made the mistake of looking back. He doesn't remember much of the sight, other than the blood on his father's robes, and the wicked grin of one of the Hunters, but the fear and agony of the moment remain clear as day. Later, he came to hate himself for fleeing as he did. For being a coward, and not staying to help defend the last of his family.

Alone, he wandered onward, using the skills his father had taught him to keep himself clothed and fed, and relying on the kindness of strangers where he could. He started visiting Dagos more frequently, often treating those in the slums who needed medical attention. Eventually, he stumbled upon a free clinic, and started working there during his visits, too. Though he kept his race hidden from the other workers there, and none pestered him about it, it's possible they may have known what he was. And yet he was still treated kindly. He was even able to learn a bit more on medicine from some of the more experienced doctors there.

Presently, Luca still spends a lot of time wandering, but has taken to frequenting Dagos city when he can, and can often be found working and living out of one of the back rooms at the clinic while he's there.

Healer I: Luca is able to heal his own minor wounds in a matter of a blink of an eye. Minor wounds consist of shallow flesh wounds. If the wound is upon himself, it does not take much energy. However if he is healing another, the task wears on him.

Sympathy I: Allows Luca to effect one other person or animal's current emotions and pain to exactly what he is feeling at the moment. This is triggered through touch at this stage. Note: he cannot sense what another is feeling, he can only manipulate.

Empathy I: Grants Luca the ability to sense emotions and physical pain of one other person or animal through touching them. At this stage, the emotion or pain that he senses in another will then become his own.



Healer II: (Upgrade of Healer I) Luca is able to heal sprains, non-life-threatening flesh wounds, pulled muscles, and lessen sickly symptoms and even cure minor bugs (such as the cold and strep throat) for himself as well as others. These do not take mere seconds to perform. Bump up the time allotment to at least a few solid minutes. Just as before, to do this for another takes energy.

Healer III: (Upgrade of Healer II) Luca is able to heal torn muscles, broken bones, life threatening wounds, and over the time span of years can even completely heal someone of severe diseases. In ancient texts Zeroes have been told to have even healed disabilities such as blindness and paralysis but this has not been heard of in modern history. He must be sure to pace himself so he doesn't black out or possibly go into a coma.

Empathy II: (Upgrade of Empathy I) Contact with the other person involved is not necessary anymore though Luca does need to have visual of them. Although the emotions and pain he senses still affect his own, he can now sense a maximum of five people at once.

Sympathy II: (Upgrade of Sympathy I) Contact with the other person involved is not necessary anymore though Luca does need to have visual of them. Although the emotions he is projecting still have to sincerely be felt by himself, he can now affect a max of five people at once.




- n/a


Eirene's Bracelet: A bracelet made from woven olive branches and said to be blessed by Eirene, goddess of peace. Spirits are more likely to be peaceful towards the wearer. Also prevents Possession.

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