Henry A. Redwine

Name: Henry Redwine

Info and Biography:

**Age:** 16

**Birthdate.** October 15th 

**Height:** 5'8" 

**Appearance:** Henry has medium-long, chestnut brown hair that rests just above the shoulders, often tied back in a loose ponytail. His bangs hang over his forehead, sometimes obscuring his brown eyes. He wears rectangular black glasses. Is somewhat slender and wiry, reflecting his somewhat sickly constitution. Henry's face carries a hint of perpetual introspection.   

**Clothing:** He prefers casual and comfortable attire, usually opting for jeans or khakis and t-shirts or simple button-down shirts. He often layers with a comfortable hoodie or jacket, and his choice of footwear is comfortable sneakers.   

**Personality:** Introverted and reserved, Henry tends to keep his thoughts and emotions closed off. He's highly observant, often studying his surroundings and the people around him. This trait can make him seem distant at times, but beneath his exterior lies a thoughtful and kind individual. Due to past trauma, he's hesitant to form deep connections, but once you earn his trust, he's very loyal.   

**Background:** Raised by his single mother Eleanor, a nurse, Henry grew up with a sense of responsibility and independence. His father, Alexander, passed away when he was young, leading him to harbor unresolved emotions. This tragedy also contributed to his aversion to technology, as his father's death was related to a technological incident.   

**Interests:** Henry enjoys spending time outdoors, especially in serene natural settings like forests or lakesides. He loves reading and often escapes into novels to explore different worlds. Despite his aversion to technology, he's a talented artist and occasionally sketches in his spare time.   

**Friends:** Henry's close circle of friends includes Lyra, Emily, David, and Sarah. They appreciate his quiet nature and value his loyalty and thoughtful insights.   

**Challenges:** Dealing with the trauma of his father's loss has left Henry emotionally guarded. He struggles to open up to others, often fearing that forming connections could lead to more pain.   

**Goals:** Before the events of the story, Henry aspires to lead a quiet life, possibly pursuing a career in the arts or literature. He seeks a sense of normalcy and stability despite his internal struggles.   

**Quirks:** Henry has a habit of absentmindedly pushing his hair behind his ear when he's deep in thought. He's also known to be quite sensitive to temperature changes, often feeling too hot compared to those around him. 

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Story Themes  

**Self-Discovery:** The central theme explores how Henry grapples with the discovery of his unique abilities and transformations into various forms.

**Overcoming Fear:** Henry's fear of his own physical transformations parallels his broader fear of change and the unknown. As he confronts and understands his powers, he learns to overcome his fears and anxieties.

**Identity and Acceptance:** Henry's physical transformations mirror his internal battles and insecurities. The story delves into the internal conflicts he faces, from denial and fear of his changing identity. The theme highlights the struggle to accept oneself.

**Emotional Support:** Through his friendships, Henry finds companions who accept him for who he is and help him navigate his struggles.   

**Empowerment and Resilience:** Embracing his different virtual and reality based transformations forms empowers Henry, allowing him to channel his abilities over time.

His physical transformations and challenges lead to a newfound sense of resilience and inner strength and how adversities can ultimately become sources of strength and empowerment. Centers around self-discovery, acceptance, and transformation. Henry must grapple with his unique powers and the changes they bring to his identity.

The theme highlights the importance of understanding oneself, accepting one's differences, and facing fears. As Henry navigates his evolving abilities, he learns to overcome denial and insecurity, ultimately embracing his authentic self.

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Important Relationships to Henry 

    **Astralis**: Astralis is an AI entity that guides and supports Henry throughout his journey. Initially seen as a mysterious tool, Astralis evolves into a trusted companion and friend. Their relationship represents the theme of self-discovery, as Astralis helps Henry understand his powers and come to terms with his true identity.  

      **Lyra**: Lyra is one of Henry's closest friends and serves as a source of emotional support. Her understanding and caring nature help Henry open up about his struggles and transformations. Their friendship illustrates the theme of acceptance and the importance of having allies who stand by you in times of need.   

     **Emily, David, and Sarah**: These friends contribute to Henry's social circle and play varying roles in his journey. Their interactions with Henry show the different ways people react to his changes and highlight the challenges of maintaining relationships while going through personal transformations.  

     **Eleanor and Alexander (Henry's Parents)**: Henry's parents provide an emotional anchor in his life. Their concern and care reflect the theme of family bonds and the impact of personal growth on those around him.   

    **Aelius (Creator of Astralis)**: Aelius is the original creator of Astralis. While not directly present in the story, his legacy and Astralis' existence are central to Henry's journey. Aelius symbolizes the connection between technology and human emotions, as well as the complexities of power and responsibility.

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Parents

Eleanor and Alexander had contrasting professions that balanced their family life. Eleanor worked as a dedicated nurse at a local hospital, often tending to the needs of patients with care and compassion. Her long shifts and demanding work schedule showcased her commitment to her profession and her willingness to help others in need.

Alexander, before his untimely death, on the other hand, pursued a career in technology and innovation. He was deeply involved in the world of computers and programming, often spending long hours working on projects that intrigued and challenged him. His passion for technology was evident in the way he embraced new advancements and ideas, and he often tried to share his enthusiasm with Henry.

Their differing careers reflected their individual strengths and interests, and while their schedules sometimes kept them busy, they both worked hard to provide for their family and create a supportive environment for Henry. Despite their varying professional pursuits, Eleanor and Alexander were united in their love and dedication to their son, shaping his outlook on life and the world around him.

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Inspirations and Symbolism

Introverted  

Henry's introspective nature, tendency to overthink, and inner struggles align with many of my own struggles. Characters like Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger or Charlie from "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky share some similarities with Henry in terms of his contemplative personalities, which I also relate to in a degree of sense. 

Coming-of-Age  

Henry's journey of self-discovery and acceptance mirrors the time I had to be forced into adult situations and not always wanting or could understand the consequences. He often grapples with his identity, emotions, and personal growth, much like myself at a younger age, throughout my story. Isolation:  Henry's aversion to intense emotions and his struggles with forming deep connections draw from my of isolation and lack of acceptance by others. Empathetic Observer He is keenly observent and understands the emotions of others. This stems from my own social anxiety. 

Glasses

Henry's glasses symbolize his unique perspective on the world and his ability to see beyond the surface. They represent intellectualism, clarity of vision, and the ability to perceive truths that others might miss. 

Technology and Isolation 

Henry's aversion to technology and his father's tech-related accident is inspired by contemporary concerns about the impact of technology on human connection and emotional well-being. Symbolism of Dreams:  The recurring dreams and their unsettling nature symbolize Henry's internal conflicts and unaddressed emotions. They foreshadow the challenges and transformations that lie ahead for Henry.

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Crown of Thorns 

Chapter 1

His heart raced as Henry jolted upright in his bed, a sheen of cold sweat covered his shivering back. Normally tamed hair was distraught and tangled as sticky strands clung to his forehead. Reaching up with trembling hands to his temples, Henry rubbed them in circles as the pulsating throb could be felt under his fingertips. Henry hoped to ease the pressure he was experiencing if even by a little. The lingering remnants of the dream quivered on the edge of his consciousness. Disjointed images and swirling emotions tugged at Henry's thoughts leaving only disorientation and had left a deeply unsettling sensation from within himself he couldn't shake. 

Something was off and it wasn't going to go away by ignoring it alone. He fumbled for his rectangular glasses on the night stand in the dimly lit room and put them on, squinting slightly as if it would help narrow the darkness that encroached. Nothing obvious stood out as his eyes darted nervously, determined to find something amiss. With a shake of Henry's head and a sigh of disdain, there was now no point in returning to bed at this point. The red glow of the alarm clock situated on the study desk glared back the time, showing 6:03am. It did create a eerie shadow as it casted its light across the small room.

With a annoyed exhale, Henry shifted himself to the edge of the bed side and turned his attention to the nearby window. Faint streaks of pale morning light crept across the horizon, though mostly obscured by other similar looking nondescript suburban houses. Pushing himself off with an audible groan escaping him, Henry got to his feet and felt the familiar plush carpet that was warm and yet unremarkable as ever. Then with a soft plod across the room, Henry moved onto the bathroom, were the instant change to starkly cold tile was rather unpleasant. Although it did bring him a reminder of what was going on around him.

The faucet turned on with a loud metallic squeak, which was all too common that Henry ignored as if on instinct. He turned it to a decent temperature and began to splash water on his face, the distinct smell of city piping filled his nostrils. Then he went about combing the bedhead that had become common place as his dreams were always on the verge of being sensible. They typically left Henry baffled by their intensity upon waking. He went about smoothing it down, his reflection stared back with bleary eyes. 

Nothing stood out about Henry's face in the least. A blemish here and there that marred his skin typical teenage skin, it was the kind of face you'd look past uninterestedly. You'd probably even thought it was someone who you remembered wrong, or that one guy everyone forgot about during a important situation. Despite that, Henry's dishwater brown eyes peered through the veil of long messy bangs that casted a shadow over his gaze. At first glance they appeared just as another boring aspect of himself. Yet there was a glint of depth deep within them. Something that had a most profound hold upon anyone who took a moment to lock with Henry's gaze. Henry had a vigilant perception of all things around him. Observation was his way to understand and see others emotions for what they wanted to desperately hide.

Creases at the corner of his thin lips formed a faint frown. He proceeded to then turn away and attempted to empty his usually turbulent mind. It was indeed a familiar dance of ups and downs, one Henry would preform countless times throughout a day. It wasn't odd he had to corral thoughts into some kind of semblance of order. Upon that conclusion of being too self absorbed, he quickly left the bathroom, changed clothes and headed downstairs. The house wasn't very old yet not very new. It was a mixture of both and it really showed in some ways, like his father's obsession with making the attic into a workspace. He'd often contemplate, who does that? Though he was quick to push the thought away, not wanting to have to deal with feelings of such magnitude so early in the morning.