Clement's Story

In a quaint, picturesque village known as Boxyle, the Bowe family was a household name. They were celebrated for their lush, vibrant fields that produced the most colorful crops anyone had ever seen. The spectrum of hues from their produce was nothing short of magical. But behind the kaleidoscope of colors lay a darker reality—the Bowe children, led by the eldest, Clement, were the labor force that made this enchanting spectacle possible.

Clement was a diligent young man, always attentive to his chores and responsibilities. Alongside his younger brothers, he toiled from dawn to dusk, tending to the fields under the watchful eyes of their demanding parents. The Bowe parents were relentless in their pursuit of agricultural excellence, pushing their children to produce even more vibrant and colorful crops each year. The village admired the family's dedication, but what they didn't see was the emotional toll it took on the children. Their worth was measured solely by their ability to maintain the family's reputation, leaving Clement and his brothers feeling like mere cogs in a machine.

As Clement grew older, he began to feel a sense of existential dread. His life seemed to be on a predetermined path, one that offered no escape from the endless cycle of labor. He felt as if he were drowning in a sea of color, his individuality fading away like a drop of water in an ocean.

Meanwhile, in the capital city of Pancacgia, Vavable, a wave of discord was sweeping across the land. Political unrest, social inequality, and economic instability were tearing at the fabric of society. This discord manifested itself in various ways, one of which was the sudden appearance of the cromes—an invasive species of insect capable of siphoning color from any object they touched.

When the cromes descended upon the Bowe family's fields, the consequences were catastrophic. The once-vibrant crops turned dull and lifeless, their colors drained away. Sales plummeted, and the family's reputation took a nosedive. In a desperate attempt to salvage what was left, Clement's father devised a plan: he dressed Clement as a "scarecrome," a specialized scarecrow designed to ward off the color-stealing bugs.

Initially, Clement resented this new role. However, the solitude it offered gave him time to observe the cromes up close. He found himself fascinated by these creatures, who seemed to be misunderstood rather than malicious. Clement even began to share a small section of the crops with them, discovering that the colorless produce tasted just as good as before. Over time, he developed a deep emotional connection with the cromes, seeing them as kindred spirits.

Clement's newfound affection for the cromes did not sit well with his family. One fateful night, his father caught him feeding the insects and punished him severely, leaving scars that were both physical and emotional. Heartbroken, Clement confided in his insect friends, who revealed their intelligence by suggesting a daring escape plan.

Following their advice, Clement hid in a crate of produce destined for a shipping vessel. He stowed away for days, nourishing his soul with books and sea shanties. When he was eventually discovered, the cromes guided him, whispering words of encouragement. He struck a deal with the ship's crew: in exchange for safe passage to a new land, he would command the cromes to leave the ship's produce untouched.

The crew, realizing Clement was just a misunderstood youth, agreed and transported him to the welcoming city of Noonday Parade. Although the citizens were kind and compassionate, Clement remained guarded, trusting only his cromes. He settled in a small shack in the Light Woods near the city, striving for self-reliance to avoid the pain of human betrayal.

Clement became an advocate for the cromes, insisting that they were not invasive but misunderstood. This stance caused tension among those who relied on colorful goods for their livelihoods. But Clement was unyielding in his beliefs, fortified by his own experiences and the unwavering support of his chromatic companions.

Though still cautious when venturing into town, Clement is a man transformed. Fueled by empathy, strong morals, and a deep sense of justice, he continues to grow and evolve. With the cromes by his side, he is committed to challenging prejudices and advocating for those who, like him, have been unfairly judged. And so, in the seclusion of the Light Woods, Clement finds his peace, forever grateful to the cromes who showed him a different path—a path colored not by societal expectations, but by the hues of his own authentic self.

Clement has decided that if he can't convince people to accepted the chomes, then he's going to find somewhere that does, even if it means living by himself on another island. He has nicknamed this place, Chromisland.

He has thought about learning archery as a way to focus his energy and find peace.

Clement never said a proper goodbye to his family in Boxyle, leaving behind both good and bad memories.

Clement often sews a "crome pouch" or extra pockets to his overalls, where the cromes can safely reside while he moves around.

Clement sometimes feels like he's lived multiple lives: one as a farm boy, another as a scarecrome, and now a new one in Noonday Parade.

Clement initially felt like he was "trapped with monsters" when he was first made to be a scarecrome among the cromes.

Clement doesn't care about his reputation a whole lot.

Clement often has a look of "empty eyes" when he's lost in his thoughts or feeling particularly down.

Clement carries the guilt of not being able to convince everyone about the cromes' innocence, fearing he may have to leave Noonday Parade and his friends behind.

Clement feels like he's both a part of Noonday Parade and separate from it, as if he's both a player and an observer in the game of life.

His relationship with the cromes makes him question whether he's the main character in his story or just a supporting role in theirs.

He's proud of his emotional connection with the cromes, seeing it as a beautiful aspect of his character.

He's often seen as mature beyond his years, especially when advocating for the misunderstood cromes.

He's amazed at how the cromes can "move right through" the fields, sipping colors yet leaving the crops otherwise unharmed. He often wishes he could do the same for his fears and hesitations to find Chromisland.

Clement finds the concept of overcomplicated menu orders amusing, given his simple tastes and lifestyle.

Clement enjoys sitting on the roof of his shack in the Light Woods, finding peace in the solitude and the view.He often sits on the roof to sketch or write in his notebook, finding inspiration in the world around him.Clement has shared this special spot with a few close friends like AJ and Zoey, turning it into a place of shared experiences and deep conversations.

He once saw a plane with colorful contrails and took it as a sign to continue advocating for the misunderstood cromes.

Clement keeps a small collection of matchbooks from various places in Noonday Parade, each one reminding him of a different experience or lesson.He once used a matchbook to leave a secret message for AJ, providing clues to a hidden stash of city snacks.

Clement once tried to create a Magic Square Puzzle using different shades of crops from his field, but it turned out to be more complicated than he thought.

Clement often sketches eyes into the margins of his notebooks, symbolizing both his observant nature and his feeling of being watched by society.

He once built a miniature cardboard box home for the cromes, as a symbol of the sanctuary he wishes to provide for them.

When he's lost in thought, he sometimes unconsciously mimics the sounds of nature around him, like the rustling of leaves or the chirping of birds.

Clement has a secret obsession with the idea of Chromisland, a place he's never seen but has built up in his mind as a sanctuary for himself and the cromes.

Clement has pondered what his alternate self might be doing in a universe where the cromes never existed, wondering if that version of him is happier.

Clement believes that his dreams are a window into his subconscious, revealing fears and desires he might not be fully aware of.