Character Survey: Thomas Arthur Roth.

[pointofspecificity]

This is basically more to aid me in writing out a proper background for Arthur than anything else, and the information within is liable to change as I gain a better grasp and understanding of the character. But, should you venture out here into No Man's Land, if you have any questions or comments concerning this, do feel free to express your opinions - they're always welcome!



Character Survey: Thomas Arthur Roth



BODY AND APPEARANCE

1. Describe the character's height and build. Is he heavyset, thin, short, rangy?
He is five foot ten inches tall with a thin, compact frame that's deceivingly strong.

2. How old is he?
Twenty-nine.

3. Describe his posture. Does he carry himself well or does he slouch?
As an ex-military man, he has perfect posture and carries himself well out of strict training and habit, especially when on the job, but on occasion it will subtly slip, and outside of work he's not opposed to thoroughly relaxing.

4. How is his health? Is he fit or out of shape? Any illnesses or conditions? Any physical disabilities?
Since leaving the army, he no longer sticks to a strict workout schedule, but he takes care of himself by exercising regularly and eating healthily, and when extensive physical exertion is required on the job he's always prepared.

5. How does he move? Is he clumsy, graceful, tense, fluid?
He moves with a graceful elegance, stealthy and serene, every move full of dignity, especially on the job, but when he lets his guard down he can be as clumsy as anyone else.

6. How attractive is this character physically? How does he perceive himself in the mirror?
Looking sharp in a suit is one thing, but it's not often that people refer to him as handsome. Despite the physical strength in the small frame, he's always been lanky and at the most considered cute or adorable, but rarely seen as anything higher. However, he's comfortable in his own skin, though it may not have always been the case, and takes pride in the way he presents himself because that's more important to him than being beautiful.

7. Describe his complexion. Dark, light, clear, scarred?
A clear and fairly light complexion, though given the chance he finds it easy to tan.

8. Describe his hair: colour, texture, style.
Dark brown, relatively thick, and with a slight natural wave when it grows too long. But more often than not it's kept short and slicked back, especially during work periods, though between jobs he sometimes allows it to grow out freely.

9. What color are his eyes?
Brown.

10. Does the character have any other note-worthy features?
Other than the dimples that form when he smiles or the way his eyes squint when he laughs, nothing that stands out or brings attention to itself.

11. What are his chief tension centres?
Neck and shoulders from holding such an uptight, professional stance, and head from physically remaining calm and collected, but internally panicking through it.

12. What is the character's wardrobe like? Casual, dressy, utilitarian? Bright colours, pastels, neutrals? Is it varied, or does he have six of the same suit?
Dressy, but often with a casual element and neutral colour. But, depending on the job and its requirements, or whether or not he's outside of work and slipping away from the professional dress-code he likes to keep, then he does wear jeans and bold coloured t-shirts with varied vests, cardigans and jackets. Contrary to popular belief, he does have a varied wardrobe style.

13. Do his clothes fit well? Does he seem comfortable in them?
Having the slight frame that he does, he finds it less stressful and more convenient to have the majority of his clothes professionally tailored so that everything fits perfectly with the right amount of comfort for any given situation that the line of work he's in might bring, though not the more casual side of his wardrobe, which is hit and miss as to whether things seem baggy on him.

14. Does he dress the same on the job as he does in his free time? If not, what are the differences?
Sometimes, but not always. On the job (unless otherwise required) he tends to wear a three-piece suit, though occasionally he'll lose the tie, jacket and/or vest if appropriate. Outside of work he might trade the tailored trousers for jeans or the shirts for t-shirts, though he does have a fondness for vests, but they tend to be knitted rather than expensive material that he wears with suits. In the dreamscape he always appears that extra bit polished as he projects the subconscious desire to always better himself whether in a suit or casual wear. But it tends to depend on his mood at the time or the situation in which he's in as to what he wears and why.

15. You knew it was coming: Boxers, briefs or commando?
Boxers.



Speech
1. What does this character's voice sound like? High-pitched, deep, hoarse?
Deep with a slight gravelly tone.

2. How does he normally speak? Loud, soft, fast, evenly? Does he talk easily, or does he hesitate?
Calm and soft with an abrupt ease that carries him through intense situations.

3. Does the character have a distinct accent or dialect? Any individual quirks of pronunciation? Any, like, you know, verbal tics?
A typical American accent with hints of varies dialects.

4. What language/s does he speak, and with how much fluency?
As an American, English is his first language, but he's fluent in French and knows the odd words and phrases of several other languages that he's picked up from years of travelling with the military and working with the team.

5. Does he switch languages or dialects in certain situations?
No, though when he raises his voice it is easier to pick out his accent.

6. Is he a good impromptu speaker, or does he have to think about his words?
Having been trained to think on his feet, something which he's good at, speaking his mind coherently is something that comes natural to him, especially concerning a work situation, though when it comes to expressing his emotional side he tends to falter.

7. Is he eloquent or inarticulate? Under what circumstances might this change?
Articulate with every word spoken being concise and of import. Unless in a particularly awkward situation concerning his personal life and not work, it's rare that he'll be heard rambling incoherently.



Mental and Emotional
1. How intelligent is this character? Is he book-smart or street-smart?
He might not be the most intellegent person, but he's a fast learner and strives to better his knowledge on every given occasion, asking questions where most wouldn't in order to have a better understanding on a situation. He knows how to take care of himself on the street as he had to learn fast growing up in bad areas, but given the choice he'd prefer to live the quiet life now that he can afford to.

2. Does he think on his feet, or does he need time to deliberate?
No matter how much pressure he's under, he always thinks fast on his feet in a crisis and battles on through it, though he may stop to pause on occasion, he tends to remain calm and collected in the field and focuses on getting the job done. But when it comes to social matters and expressing himself, he might not be as quick on the mark.

3. Describe the character's thought process. Is he more logical, or more intuitive? Idealistic or practical?
In work conditions he tends to play things safe, sticking to logic and avoiding risky situations where possible, making him the level-head on the team despite the fact that in the business of dreams it requires a mix of both logic and intuition. However, in his personal life he often relies on instinct, closing himself off to everything and everyone unless he feels it's safe to do otherwise, though whether originally based on logic or irrational fear (or a combination of the two) it's grown to be a habit that's stuck.

4. What kind of education has the character had?
Nothing special or high up as far as the education system goes, just a general, every day American schooling, but he always worked hard and paid attention in order to get to where he is today. Learning is something that he enjoyed and still does today, always striving for new knowledge.

5. What are his areas of expertise? What, if anything, is he interested in learning more about?
Although he may know more in some areas than others, his fountain of knowledge tends to be varied, knowing a little here and a little there, which is just enough to make him dangerous and get him by in any given situation. But he's a great researcher, good at understanding a wide variety of information that can be put to use, which is what makes him a good point man - if not the best. Knowing a little bit of everything is what he prides himself on.

6. Is he an introvert or an extrovert?
Introvert, but, like anyone, he has his moments. He knows how to communicate clearly to get a job done, working well in a team is something he's always been good at, but when given a choice he prefers to keep himself to himself, doing his own thing. However, when he's in the right mood, he knows how to let his hair down and have a good time.

7. Describe the character's temperament. Is he even-tempered or does he have mood swings? Cheerful or melancholy? Laid-back or driven?
He is prone to mood swings, but he knows how to control his emotions well and block them out when necessary. He often seems like a dark cloud of doom, but that doesn't mean he isn't happy, or that he's not capable of finding the light in the dark. He's driven and hates to make mistakes, so he works hard to ensure that he rarely does, and though he's quick to set any errors right he does tend to dwell on them afterward for a time. But outside of work, when he's not doing anything that really matters, he's fairly laid-back and relaxed, he lets his guard down and the more cheerful side slips out more easily.

8. How does he respond to new people or situations? Is he suspicious, relaxed, timid, enthusiastic?
He's always suspicious and wary both in his work like and personal life, he's been trained to be, but when it comes to people he usually trusts his instincts and knows whether or not someone isn't quite what they seem. But he adjusts well, adapts to new situations easily without much pause, and goes with the flow of things whether he likes them or not. He has the patience and professionalism to battle on through awkward situations, but wherever possible he does his best to avoid them.

9. Is he more likely to act, or to react?
Although he is good at acting without being prompted, he usually does tend to react to a situation. He's good at calmly solving a problem on the go, improvising as things fall down around him in order to get something done and done well. And if provoked in a social situation, he definitely chooses to react rather than act, though he knows where the lines are on all levels and sticks to the right side of them.

10. Which is his default: fight or flight?
Fight, but he's always aware of his own limitations and knows when to retreat from a situation.

11. Describe the character's sense of humour. Does he appreciate jokes? Puns? Gallows humour? Bathroom humuor? Pranks?
Whilst on the job, Arthur usually remains in a professional frame of mind. But he does know how to have a laugh, and despite his dry sense of humour and flowing sarcasm, he appreciates a well-delierved jest as long as it's appropriate for the situation in hand.

12. Does the character have any diagnosable mental disorders? If yes, how does he deal with them?
Between the horrors of being part of the secret service and the intense dream-share training programme, Arthur often suffers from insomnia and restless sleep. Nightmares are a common occurence, but on rare occasions they can trigger an unconcious reaction where he can become violent in attempts to defend himself as if still in the dream-share training programme that the military forced them to suffer through in order to be the best killing machines.

13. What moments in this character's life have defined him as a person?
The divorce of his parents, the birth of his younger sister, the loss of his mother to cancer, joining the military and experiences the fascinating world of dream-sharing.

14. What does he fear?
The death of losing the people he loves.

15. What are his hopes or aspirations?
He hopes to one day fully understand the world of dream-sharing upside down and inside out.

16. What is something he doesn't want anyone to find out about him?
That, deep down, he does have a heart. And the fact that, secretly, he cares too much despite the false bravado that he doesn't care at all.



Relationships
1. Describe this character's relationship with his parents.
Before her death, he was extremely close with his mother. But he and his father have an awkward relationship at best, for the most part they simply don't speak and that's the way he prefers it to be.

2. Does the character have any siblings? What is/was their relationship like?
He grew up with his younger sister and the two were always close. He also has three half-sisters that he spent three years with, but they're not close and don't keep in touch.

3. Are there other blood relatives to whom he is close? Are there ones he can't stand?
He has a close relationship with his aunt and cousins, keeping in contact whenever possible, but because of what he does visits are few and far between.

4. Are there other, unrelated people whom he considers part of his family? What are his relationships with them?
The Cobb family, even after Mal's death, are like family to him, as well as the rest of the team.

5. Who is/was the character's best friend? How did they meet?
Up until he was fifteen, his mother was his best friend - there wasn't a secret between them. His sister is also someone that he considers a close friend. After Mal's death, someone who he was incredibly close with, Dom is perhaps the closest he has to a friend at present.

6. Does he have other close friends?
Eames, Ariadne and Yusuf are people he considers himself to be close with.

7. Does he make friends easily, or does he have trouble getting along with people?
Making friends isn't a problem for him, it's something that's always come natural, but as he's grown older and experienced more of the tragic aspects of life, he's become weary, wary, always keeping people at a safe distance in order to protect himself from being hurt as well as to keep them safe from the world that he's fallen into. Somewhere along the way he made the unconcious decision to shut people out whenever possible, but it was a choice that he made and not down to an ability that he lacks.

8. Which does he consider more important: family or friends?
Outside of actual family life, the people that he maintains relationships with are people who know him better than anyone, and who he considers to be a second family whether they're away of the fact or not.

9. Is the character single, married, divorced, widowed? Has he been married more than once?
Single.

10. Is he currently in a romantic relationship with someone other than a spouse?
No.

11. Who was his first crush? Who is his latest?
When he was five he had a crush on a girl called Kelly who he ended up in a ten year relationship with, and the only reason that they broke up was because of the death of his mother - the grief turned him into a different person and the distance of living across the country brought an end to things. He currently has feelings for a certain person on the team.

12. What does he look for in a romantic partner?
Someone that's willing to be honest and open, and who won't lie and cheat in order to spare his feelings. Someone that he can have serious conversations with as well as general discussions, who he can have a good time with even if it does mean throwing insults backwards and forwards between them. But most of all someone that he loves, someone that loves him enough, and who he trusts not to abandon him.

13. Does the character have children? Grandchildren? If yes, how does he relate to them? If no, does he want any?
He doesn't have any children, and though he isn't going out of his way to have any, it doesn't mean that he doesn't want some when the time is right.

14. Does he have any rivals or enemies?
In the business of dream-sharing, it's impossible not to pick up a few enemies along the way, but he's good at covering his tracks.

15. What is the character's sexual orientation? Where does he fall on the Kinsey scale?
Sexual orientation isn't something that he stops to think about it for too long, or something that he shouts about, but he likes to think of himself as pansexual. Three.

16. How does he feel about sex? How important is it to him?
He has no objections to sex, but he doesn't believe that it's the most important thing in the world, and though he has been known to have the occasional one-night stand, he would much rather have a close relationship with someone before partaking in sexual activities.

17. What are his turn-ons? Turn-offs? Weird bedroom habits?



Beliefs
1. Do you know your character's astrological (zodiac of choice) sign? How well does he fit type?
Aquarius and Rooster.

2. Is this character religious, spiritual, both, or neither? How important are these elements in his life?
He comes from a family of Jewish background, and though religion isn't a huge part of his life, he does follow their traditions and, on occasion, attends services.

3. Does this character have a personal code of morals or ethics? If so, how did that begin? What would it take to compromise it?
Before joining the military he had a strong belief in doing the right thing, fighting for the greater good, but after experiencing the dream-share programme and the ways in which the secret service put it to use, he eventually trailed off that road and created a map of morals that he can live with without doubt or guilt, and though it may not differ all that much, he knows what's right in his mind and he will put his life on the line to defend it.

4. How does he regard beliefs that differ from his? Is he tolerant, intolerant, curious, indifferent?
He isn't easily swayed or led by others, if he does something it's because he had every intention of doing it in the first place, but he isn't closed-minded. He finds the beliefs - from a religious angle as well as an every day moral perspective - to be fascinating, especially those that do differ from his own, and though he may not always agree, it doesn't mean that he isn't interested in learning and growing as a person by accepting other ways of thinking.

5. What prejudices does he hold? Are they irrational or does he have a good reason for them?
He has little time for people with double-standards. Because of his family background, he struggles at times to remain patient with people who are only out for themselves and will sell out their own blood in order to climb further up the food chain.



Daily Life
1. What is the character's financial situation? Is he rich, poor, comfortable, in debt?
He isn't a big spender, though he does wear expensive clothes, his every day living life is kept to a minimum. Working on and off with the team, he's not exactly rolling in money, but he has enough to live comfortably for the rest of his life.

2. What is his social status? Has this changed over time, and if so, how has the change affected him?

3. Where does he live? House, apartment, trailer? Is his home his castle or just a place to crash? What condition is it in? Does he share it with others?
He lives in a small ranch house in a quiet neighbourhood in LA similar to where he grew up with his mother.

4. Besides the basic necessities, what does he spend his money on?
He loves to present himself well, and though not all of his clothes are overly expensive, he does prefer to have the majority of them tailored. He has a relatively expensive car, but for the most part he saves money when he can should he ever need it later in life.

5. What does he do for a living? Is he good at it? Does he enjoy it, or would he rather be doing something else?
He started out in a military career and worked his way up the ranks, but as he took part in a dream-sharing programme that changed not only his life but the way he looked at the world, he broke away from that and began to work along side Dom Cobb as his right-hand man, earning the official title of Point Man. He's the best in their line of work, thorough with researched, well trained in arms, and thinks on his feet whilst keeping calm - left over from the military days. But despite being the best in a discrete business that isn't exactly on the up-and-up, he knows (even if he doesn't admit it to others) that there's still room for improvement.

6. What are his interests or hobbies? How does he spend his free time?
When he's at home and close out the rest of the world, he enjoys listening to music, watching films, and even playing video games as well as gardening (something that his mother taught him and they enjoyed together).

7. What are his eating habits? Does he skip meals, eat out, drink alcohol, avoid certain foods?
He tends to keep to a healthy diet, eating a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, but he isn't on a strict diet and can somehow get away with eating whatever he wants without gaining weight in the process if and when he so chooses. He isn't much of a breakfast person, and if he's engrossed in his work he's often gone through a day without remembering to eat.



Associations
Which of the following do you associate with the character, or which is his favorite:

1. Color?
2. Smell?
3. Time of day?
4. Season? Autumn
5. Book?
6. Music? An odd mix of rock and classical
7. Place? New Jersey and LA
8. Substance? Coffee
9. Plant? Pansy
10. Animal? Rat



END
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