Erik Dalian

Physical Appearance

• Shoulder-length light brown hair with dark brown streaks
• Light brown eyes
• Tan skin
• Tall in height
• Relatively fit and a somewhat slender build

Clothing Style

Erik has a somewhat simple style and always tries to look well put together even in casual settings. He much prefers warmer weather, and even in moderately cool weather he'll often wear a light jacket along with a scarf. He doesn't deal well with cold, but he likes scarves as an accessory or just a way to keep warm. He prefers cool or earthy colors for most of his clothing, and he's not fond of bright or complicated patterns or graphics. 

He most commonly wears some kind of long sleeved shirt or a button up, along with nice jeans, khakis, or slacks. He tends to wear shoes that are comfortable for his active schedule, although he'll usually wear nicer/dressier shoes when he has time to slow down and go out for fun. His favorite jacket is a jade green one with separations in the sleeves at elbow level and brown accents. He frequently wears fingerless gloves when out and about, and his scarves vary, although he doesn't wear overly complicated ones, and he tends to wear a headband to keep his bangs out of his eyes.

Personality

Erik is a sensible and studious young man who tends to have more ambitions and interests than he can keep up with. He always tries to be polite and cordial around others, which can make him come off as a little serious but still kind. His schedule is often packed with responsibilities and other goals he has set for himself, so Erik always seems to be busy or working on something. He tends to exhaust himself without thinking about it and seems tired pretty frequently, but he doesn't like to be idle and tends to book his schedule very tightly so he can accomplish as much as possible each day. Because of this, he dislikes being kept up or running late, but despite this he always tries to be helpful toward others who need it. Most of his friends and family feel like he needs to take some more time to relax, since he keeps his college workload very packed and doesn't always get enough sleep. He has a curious mind and enjoys learning, but he can be a bit absentminded and indecisive at times. He hasn't decided on a college major yet because he's interested in so many different things and can't determine what he actually wants to do yet, but at the very least it means he likes taking in new knowledge and learning new skills, and he's pretty good at picking up on new things quickly.

When not working on school-involved tasks, he relaxes by reading, hiking, or spending time with his family or girlfriend. He enjoys coffee houses and foods like salads, fresh bread, pasta, and pastries. He does enjoy fresh air, so he tend to study outdoors or near open windows when possible. Erik doesn't particularly love driving, but he is a good driver and takes good car of his car. He tends to be reliable and responsible with meeting up with other people, keeping plans on track, and looking out for the well being of those around him for the most part. He can be a little absentminded, but he always can keep a level head when things start going wrong and he's good with coming up with well thought out solutions or plans of action on the fly.

Abilities

• Tetrae rifting - rank 3/5, can be extremely powerful but control is sporadic (although less so than his other elements)
• Eterniti rifting - rank 1/5, can reach deity levels when connected to Lord Dalia; control is sporadic though
• Crystalia rifting - rank 1/5, can reach deity levels when connected to Lord Dalia; control is sporadic though
• Skilled at driving and shockingly good at avoiding accidents (unless it involves his brother...)
• Skilled at playing viola
• Fluent in English and Egyptian Arabic, also proficient in Spanish, and knows basic French and German

Strengths

• Intelligent, hard working, and responsible
• Down to earth, compassionate, and supportive
• Sensible, clever, and a quick learner
• Independent, organized, and punctual

Weaknesses

• Tends to work too hard and exhausts himself, and is always wanting to try new things and can easily lose focus
• Hard to get a hold of since he's on the move often and is a bit absentminded
• Most comfortable with normality and gets flustered by unexpected changes easily, although he recovers fairly quickly
• A bit passive and non-confrontational, and he's not terribly assertive

Backstory

Erik was born in a protected, secretive rifter community in Egypt where the population was hidden from non-rifter societies, yet they were aware of the Eternity outside of Taliac. He grew up with his parents, Joseph and Allison (a name she only took on after leaving the village), and his younger brother, Calik. His father worked for a computer company based in the US and worked remotely in Cairo after they moved their from the rifter community. When Erik was 11 years old, he managed to convince his father to take him along on a work related trip to Japan. Although the trip was only meant to take a few weeks, an earthquake in Japan disrupted flights out and delayed them returning home. It was also during this trip that Joseph and Allison had intended to move to a rifer community in Nebraska, since that community had more resources to properly train their sons to use their rifting. Even though Joseph and Erik were unable to return home on time for their flight to the US, Allison and Calik had to take the flight out without them. She and Joseph decided it would be best for them to not return to Egypt at all and simply take a flight directly to the US instead to eventually meet up with them in Nebraska. 

Erik and his father flew out from Japan to California first, and Joseph got some help from some colleagues in getting themselves situated for the time being. They were planning on taking another flight out to Nebraska after Joseph finished some work related meetings, since his work company had a branch in California. Unfortunately while Erik was waiting at a hotel while his father was at a business meeting, he was kidnapped from their room by agents of Yashana's doppelganger. They were intercepted by Zivian agents though, and he met Catina Icila, a junior agent that took her role with her team to protect Erik a bit too seriously. However, while attempting to return him to his father they were ambushed by the Deyth Element, Nyfringe Nyre. Although Erik escaped with his life, his soul was tainted with Nyfringe Nyre's power, and although he feels no effects from it now, it could prove to be dangerous for him later should the Deyth Element find any use for him. 

Following this event, the Zilvian agents determined it was too dangerous to leave Erik and his father unmonitored until the remaining Shanan agents were accounted for and placed in custody. Erik was able to continue his schooling while stuck in California along with taking classes at a hidden Zilvian academy to learn more about his own rifting and train it, but they weren't allowed to leave at risk of being attacked again. By the time the two were cleared to finally move to the rifter community in Nebraska and reunite with their family, Erik had finished high school and was ready to start college. 

The Dalian family is currently readjusting to being a complete unit again, and Erik currently attends the college in the private rifter community's school system, although he is unsure what major he'd like to pursue. He's also kept in touch with Cake, who is still keeping an eye on him after she was assigned to the rifter community to keep watch for any other Shanan agents.

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