Cherry Trau

"Uh... never... nevermind..."

Family:

• Biological parents: Hua & Tian Trau
• Adoptive parents: Adam & Lucie Carroll
• Siblings: Joe Yazbeck (adopted)
• Roommates: June Worth

Backstory timeline:

• 1977: Adopted by a family in Minnesota
• 1981: Learned she was adopted
  • Begins to worry about why her original family "got rid" of her
• 1982: Bullied at school, cried easily and thus seen as an easy target because of her stutter
  • Sheltered a lot as a kid, parents did anything for her if she felt uncomfortable
  • Such sheltering made her unable to deal with “real world” responsibilities, even so much as making an order at a restaurant or talking on the phone
• 1988: Social anxiety worsened in high school as responsibilities mounted and social life became more serious
• 1990: Realized her sexuality and the stigma that came with it
• 1992: Went to UAlbany due to their science programs, majoring in Biology
  • Had a breakdown due to homesickness
• 1993: Finds herself getting panic attacks when responsibilities arise
  • Quits a Summer job after only a few days, feeling like she can't handle being an adult
• 1995: She took her bike to an appointment. Was something going on with the appointment?
• Reason for coming:
  • Fired from a part-time job, recently denied from jobs she was applying to, panicking at interviews
  • Parents feeling concern for her and setting her up with a new therapist

Her world: The Sea of Tears

• Represents: Cherry’s low self-esteem and escape into fantasy
• Element: Water
• Description: A lush, fantasy-like plain that opens up into a sharp cliff. There’s rain constantly pouring and the sky cannot be seen. Rain is traditionally a representation of sadness, and for Cherry the meaning is the same.
  Upon closer inspection of the water, though, there appear to be silhouettes in it and the waves are more like hands reaching out. If one falls in, one won’t suffocate, but rather be subjected to an overwhelming feeling of despair. The silhouettes constantly whisper, but it’s impossible to make out what any one is saying as there are simply too many of them.
  The sea is Cherry’s social anxiety: how one little thing to Cherry can completely overwhelm and paralyze her to the point where doing nothing is the better option.

Her shadow: "Vera," 301.82

• Normally found: At the Sea of Tears, on the cliff
• Appearance: Cherry with hair pushed back. More confident in posture, usually scowling.
• Behavior toward others: Rude, brash, and loud. Will insult at any opportunity, and has something to say to everyone that’s been around her in this hospital thus far.
• Behavior toward herself: Even worse of a bite; wants her to grow the fuck up right the fuck now. Will kick her when she’s down and remind her of how much of a failure she is, and how she can’t stick up for herself.
• Represents: Clearly based off a twisted version of Cherry’s self-insert knight, down to the name. Represents the bravery Cherry wishes she had, but distorted through her anger at herself. She can finally express herself without fear, but now she's running around hurting others in the process.

Symbol: A circle with a larger circle around it, as if sheltering it. Represents the social boundaries she feels she can’t get across. In the stairwell, the larger circle is flickering, representing the realities of the “real world” that come crashing in.  Blue represents water and emotions, Cherry being a very emotional person.