"Cyril was a mess of contradictions and mysteries. A perfect storm, wrapped in an impossibly pretty package.

...He was a real brat, most of the time."

Cyril, to many, is a "too-good-to-be-true" kind of handsome prince charming. He exudes a cool aura of easy confidence and grace, while managing to remain humble and mature. Things just look easy when he does them. He's a skilled conversationalist, and can be a good leader or subordinate, depending on the situation at hand. 

In actuality, Cyril an immature, petty brat. He can be scathing and brutally honest, and his skills with passive-aggressiveness are second to none. He has anxiety about people disliking him, so he shows this side of himself to people he doesn't care about impressing, or people in whom he is confident will remain by his side in spite of his negative aspects.

He has the potential to be very sweet and affectionate, but this is only with specific people or during moments of extreme vulnerability. The entire "storybook prince" facade is a method to keep others at an arms' distance away. It has its merits – he can maintain a charismatic smile even in the most dire of situations.

Cyril loves storytelling and having conversations. One of his favorite things in the world is gathering stories, be it from books or people. It's not uncommon to see him striking up a conversation with someone in line at a store, or on a stroll in the park. He adores being trusted and confided in, and treasures his memories above all else, as they're mementos of the people that he's met in the past. It's not a two-way road, though. Cyril hates talking about himself and his feelings, even with those he trusts greatly. He dislikes being vulnerable and is a horribly sore loser.

Cyril is fiercely protective of the people he holds close to him, though he is prideful to admit it when questioned. This borders on possessiveness, and also results in him being very flippant towards his own well-being. He will too-willingly burn pieces of himself to keep others warm, even when it defies practicality. Usually, however, he shows his attachment to his loved ones by being as annoying as possible.

While life has not been kind to him, Cyril still clings onto a childlike idealism, wanting everyone to have a "happy ending." He wishes to be a hero, like the kinds in stories, helping others and inspiring hope - it's his current raison d'être.

progress report

July 15

Results of Subject 03's yearly evaluation came in. Growth seems to be proceeding as projected. 

Five (5) samples of blood (300 mL, class A procedure) were extracted from 03 at 13:27. Parkson neglected to wear the proper PPE while handling 03, claiming "he's just a kid, what's there to be afraid of?" In light of his inexperience and evaluation results, he was let off with a slap on the wrist and an additional safety kit.

Parkson's vitals will be monitored in the coming days for cross-contamination. Subject 06's record will be kept on hand for comparison.

July 16

Parkson was found in break room at 17:33, deceased.

July 17

The preliminary autopsy on what could be scrounged of Parkson's body was completed (see attached). It seems that hoping for a replication of Subject 06 is impractical without the copious sacrifice of resources, or if 03 can be negotiated with. Neither option is feasible in the foreseeable future.

After reviewing Parkson's behavior after contact with 03 (muttering and discomfort described as "uncharacteristic" by colleagues), we speculated about the possibility of a compulsion side-effect to exposure to 03, and submitted a request to the Chief to increase the suppressants on it. Williams was able to work with 03 for four months before succumbing to its influence, and was tested to be 230 PLU lower than Parkson. This result is unexpected, as previous test results have indicated that PLU differences of as low as 20 had significant differences in effect while handling 03 (See Abstract 3.02). 

A civilian custodian, Rosario Owens, was found cleaved in half while cleaning the break room at 18:20. Morgue staff cleaned up all traces of Parkson's body at 12:30 earlier that day. Her midsection was missing. It has yet to be recovered.

Appropriate Lethe agents were dispatched to deal with Parkson's and Owens's families.

July 18

The Chairman approved the request for Class R suppressants. As imperative as the project is to humanity, there is no need to waste the magically resistant when they are already in short supply.

They will be administered alongside Subject 03's next Darkening in 3 days.

To prevent future mishaps, the avoidance of direct contact with 03 will be emphasized with recruits. It is best to avoid drawing its attention in any way, as it is enthralled by the warmth of human flesh. 

July 19

Subject 03 was permitted 20 minutes of exposure to Subject 04 under observation. Tissue samples were taken from 04 after the encounter, sequenced, and compared to control samples.

Subject 04 remains completely indistinguishable from a wild hawk, save for its remarkable lack of reaction to Subject 03, despite no relation to 03 (see Transcript 23A 01-03). So long as conditions cannot be replicated, the Chief has forbidden dissection of 04, despite recommendations from associates.

Subject 03 was reported to be notably calmer after exposure to 04. Exposure to 04 may be used as a means of leverage as 03's abilities develop. 

Our hypothesis of mere-exposure theory remains intact. Pauline has expressed a possible memetic chain effect, of 03's empathetic effect on laboratory staff due to exposure to 04. While this secondary hypothesis has some basis in observation, due to the prospect of losing further valuable personnel to 03, I cannot recommend such a course of action.

misc

• He loves birds. His only childhood companion was a hawk named Claire. Upon leaving his father's house, he lost access to her.
• He has a huge, jagged scar that runs across the left half of his neck, a reminder of his successful escape from his father. It's usually covered up by his clothes and scarf, but there are instances where it is visible when he stretches.
• Cyril is an absolute fiend for sweets. His favorite flavors are chocolate and strawberry. He has a rather childish palate, and rejects healthy food in favor of junk food, sweets, and meat. If some fool wanted to put vegetables in his body, they'd have to tie him up. 
• His favorite food is chocolate lava cake made by Ariel, which was the first thing made by her he ever tasted.
•  His relationship with his older brother is laughably poor. The one with his younger sister is awkward. He's trying to be a better older brother, though.
• The tonfa he uses were a gift from his dearest friend, Ariel. They're called "Rossa Claire," and are usually strapped to the inside of his coat. Apart from them, he also keeps a selection of throwing knives and a first aid kit on his person.
• He's a graceful fighter who rarely breaks a sweat when moving. Apart from his tonfa, he can use many other weapons well due to tutelage from a street thug.
• He seems to have some sort of outrageous power that can disrupt reality in various ways... but he's loathe to use or think about it, even though several bad influences are intent on goading him into doing so. 
• In addition to reading and writing, Cyril knits and embroiders in his spare time. He also has an interest in calligraphy. If asked about career interests, after "hero," he'd probably say something like "teacher" or "social worker."
• Cyril has a tendency to butt into somebody's life, and forcefully "mentor" them, kind of like how you'd imagine the stereotypical popular kid in a film would behave. He gives them impromptu makeovers and most importantly, a confidence boost. Seeing people with potential held back by low self-esteem annoys him.