Rhyse Kiao**

Personality:

Due to the lower half of their face almost always being covered, Rhyse is often viewed by strangers as cold and apathetic. This couldn't be further from the truth- in actuality, Rhyse is very expressive and gets flustered very easily. When this happens, they'll often try to bury their face in whatever's covering it. Rhyse also has a bit of a nervous personality- when confronted, they'll often try to dodge the issue or hide completely instead of facing it. They also tend to micromanage situations and overthink their responsibilities, as they're so used to not being trusted or treated almost like a child, due to their often struggling attempts to maintain equilibrium. The only exception is a physical confrontation during what some call 'overheating'- during these times, Rhyse only cares about expelling enough fire to cool them down, and anyone who tries to stop them is either met with apathy or aggression.

Likes/Dislikes:

• Rhyse adores winter- the colder the air, the better. Cold weather means Rhyse doesn't overheat as easily- which far outweighs the occasional stare they get from walking around in a tank top and capris in 10 degree weather. Popsicles and ice cream is loved for the same reason.
• Dragons are also pretty loved by them: they're giant fire-breathing lizards who are admired for and proud of... well, being a fire-breathing lizard. Rhyse wishes they had that kind of confidence about themselves tbh.
• There are a couple people that Rhyse likes well enough but is afraid to call a friend, for fear of losing them: these people are Chris Phoenix, Eisuke Val'loria, and Fenrissa Foster. It doesn't help that Rhyse has a crush on Fenrissa, which they're trying desperately not to make known.
• Rhyse's relationship with their sister, Khalidah, is complicated, but Rhyse misses her very dearly and wants to make up for what happened.
• One of the quickest ways to clam Rhyse up or make them embarrassed is to try and get them to dance: they're nowhere near good at it and don't like embarrassing themselves by pretending they can.
• Being surrounded by large bodies of water and accidentally setting someone (or something) on fire are also huge fears for the codeling.

Strengths/Weaknesses:

• Rhyse's skin is impervious to flames and extreme heat: although they can feel it and probably isn't comfortable, they cannot be burned or harmed by it. Internally, however, is another matter, as Rhyse's core is susceptible to affecting them if they overheat. Therefore, even though getting singed won't harm them, breathing in hot air long enough can cause unwanted effects and risk of overheating.
• Rhyse is incredibly agile and light on their feet.
• Despite Rhyse's small stature, their large salamander claws and overall appearance can at first be rather unnerving to a person. The fire also works well for this, too.
• In large doses, water can actually be dangerous; but usually only if it's colder than their body temperature. Heavy rain can drop their temperature too quickly and cause them to become disoriented, as can being submerged in cold water.
•  They tend to not want to move quite so much on extremely warm days. Anything above 85 degrees Fahrenheit is not fun for them.
• Their anxiety can be a huge setback for them, often causing doubt or preventing them from doing things they might normally be able to do otherwise.
  
  

 
History:

.: Until the age of 15, Rhyse lived on the outskirts of Shatterglass relatively normally. Being so far from the center, their family was only minimally affected by the curse: a few changes here and there but nothing too serious. Originally, they were only capable of snapping their fingers and producing a spark: occasionally a small flame if they could do it right. It was only at age 15 that Rhyse was really hit with the curse, but it hit hard. Over the course of a week Rhyse's hands and forearms went from normal and human to monstrous and lizard-esque: with it came the fury and heat of an untamed inferno.
.: This didn't come without a trigger, though: a house fire, to be exact. Their house. In the midst of the inferno the fire lashed out at their arms, burning them horribly before eventually changing into the claws they currently have.
.: The fire burned down the entire house, and supposedly Rhyse with it. Khalidah ended up with burn scars on her legs, and grieving over their lost family member, Khalidah and their mother left Shatterglass to try and evade the curse. Khalidah believes Rhyse is dead, and Rhyse believes their family left without them because they somehow were responsible for Khalidah's burns.
.: Rhyse meets Fenrissa, Chris, and Eisuke, and achieve varying levels of friendship.
.: A year later, both Rhyse and Fenrissa attend a festival that ends with Fenrissa confessing romantic feelings for the codeling. Rhyse, however, was feeling a heat flare coming up, and long story short it ended up with Rhyse almost getting shock from water and Fenrissa going to the hospital for hypothermia.
.: Rhyse realizes that even when they try to control their fire, it only ends up with everyone getting hurt. They withdraw from everyone, putting themselves into isolation. .: Rhyse takes up Storm's, a mysterious fortuneteller Rhyse met at the festival, offer to help control their abilities. They train with her for six months. Some control and management is obtained, but it is far from perfect.
.: A 'test' is given to Rhyse in which Fenrissa shows up at Storm's shop, demanding an explanation for why her best friend suddenly disappeared like that. They talk it out and a friendship is renewed, albeit it's a bit awkward.
.: Rhyse is currently, at the persistent encouragement of Fenrissa, reconnecting with some of their friends, though they still keep their distance, as a safety precaution.

 Quotes:

"I'm not an adult, and I don't know how to drive, either. I'd probably melt the steering wheel."

"Hi- oh, uhh... sorry, I didn't realize- I-I can come back later! Good bye!" *promptly turns and slams face first into the door frame*

"I can't, I can't I can't I can't-.... I don't wanna hurt you, I'm sorry, I'm so so sorry, I can't hurt you, I- I-"