Gravel Clay

[WARNING: Spoilers ahead for my Heart of Fire series!]

~Backstory~

Back when he was a teenager, Gravel and his older brother, Stone got kicked out of their parents' house. The two of them were close, and shared a desire for stirring up trouble and playing pranks. Somewhere along their travels they discovered Gravel's earth powers, and used them to cause even more trouble. Growing up in a shoddy neighborhood, there were few moral figures of authority for them to look up to, so for a while, stealing from people, destroying property, and all the works were practically the norm. Even though the two of them tried their best to keep moving so that they'd never be tracked, the locals, the neighborhood and even the government began to realize things were adding up, and soon they began to be questioned. Stone advised Gravel to split up from him so that their pursuers could lose their trail, and regroup later.

As the two brothers went their separate ways, Gravel wound up crossing paths with a mysterious man who called himself Lythios. All Lythios had to say was "I recognize you" before Gravel bolted, sure that the old man would wind up turning him in to the police. Gravel made it to the meeting spot he and his brother had designated, but Stone was nowhere to be found. Figuring it was suspicious of him to hang around, Gravel made the decision to leave, hoping they'd meet up again one day. While on his own, Gravel lost his penchant for mischief, and stopped using his powers.

Eventually, however, he bumped into Aeran while strolling through a marketplace. She harshly chewed him out for his clumsiness, and when her mentor, Lythios, came over to see what the commotion was about, he and Gravel wound up face to face once more. He revealed that when he'd recognized Gravel earlier, he had recognized him for his powers, not as the individual who'd been going around causing trouble. Lythios had no intention to turn Gravel in; rather, he wanted Gravel to join himself and Aeran. After Aeran demonstrated her powers to a still-skeptical Gravel, they made a bet. Gravel and Aeran would have a mock fight: if Aeran won, he'd have to join them, and if Gravel won, Lythios would never bother him again. Gravel grossly underestimated how well-trained Aeran was, even if her element didn't look too strong at first glance, and he suffered a humiliating defeat. As per the stipulations, he came with Lythios and began his training.

Unlike many of the other coming recruits, Gravel didn't completely accept Lythios' tale that the goal of the elemental Catalysts was to ensure the dark god Kaltath remained sealed away forever. He hadn't come of his own free will, after all, and wanted to learn about what Lythios wasn't saying. Shoved in the back of some of the bookshelves, Gravel found some books and ancient pages that revealed a bit more of Kaltath's side of the story. As Gravel learned more, and as more Catalysts started arriving at the temple, Gravel realized privately that there would come a time where he'd be forced to betray Lythios. But thankfully for him, he realized another new arrival had the same independent streak: Ember. Without giving too much away, he encouraged her to think for herself and grow stronger, wondering if there would come a day where she'd make the same discoveries he did, and if they'd have to break away together.

A reality check came for Ember in another form: Solis. Gravel encouraged their friendship, realizing something was off about the lad. His suspicions were confirmed along the journey to Kaltath's seal- more than once, he stumbled upon Solis whispering to Ember about Kaltath. As they stood at the seal, Gravel was the last to declare his allegiance to Kaltath, and he escaped with Kaltath, Ember and Solis when the area started to collapse.

~Personality~

Gravel used to be an individual with little patience and a wild streak. As he grew older, however, he lost his temperamental streak and became withdrawn, quiet and calm, if not wise beyond his years. He never loses his temper. All of the Catalysts respect him: he is a powerful ally and a good teacher. His betrayal came as a surprise to everyone; Ember and Solis admire him all the more for it, while it has mainly left Tida, Val and Aeran confused. Despite his status as being well-liked, nobody really spends personal time with him due to the age and generational difference, and he is often left hovering in the background, thoughts kept to himself. He doesn't mind it too much, though; he likes seeing the people around him grow and change.

~Relationships~

Gravel and Aeran- Despite not hitting it off so great at first, the two got along the more time they spent together- for a while, they were the only Catalysts at the temple. Gravel knows more about her than most of the others do because he is the only Catalyst she doesn't mind too much. Mostly, he acts as her shoulder to lean on when something annoys her and she needs to get it off her chest.

Gravel and Ember- Gravel saw a bit of himself in the questioning young teenager who arrived at the temple, and figured it might be best to point her in the right direction. He gives her advice and help when she needs it as well as open space and a place to breathe if her mind is racing. He also began teaching her how to draw.

~Art Notes~

Gravel stands at about 6'1", and is muscled and well-built. He has dark brown eyes and curly, short black hair- as with every other Catalyst, his hair has a natural additional color, his being silvery-white. He has a darker skin tone by nature of being from African descent. He often wears tank tops, jeans and boots, and does not need to be drawn with his cloak and bags. He also doesn't need to be drawn with his falcon, Skree, or his battle-axe.

~Trivia~

• Gravel is a bit of an artist, with there being lots of pencil sketches displaced around his room.
• Gravel is the tallest Catalyst.