Alvar

[   sanguine   ||   sentimental  ||   daydreamer   ||   bookish   ||   happy    ]

As a child, Alvar was educated in schools all over the world, his parents constantly travelling or putting him in exchange programs. Even when he was young, he recognized how privileged he was, and never took advantage of his learning. He studied the languages, histories, cultures, and religions of every place he was educated in. However, he never really got out of the library, so to speak. He has always been a bit introverted. Even though he is a total daydreamer, and imagines himself doing fantastic things, he is actually quite a homebody and doesn't have the nerve to get out and have any of those adventures himself. Still, he is very content with his research. 

One of his closest friends growing up was another young sharkdog named Gamble, whom he met while on an exchange program to Hatsukaichi, Japan. Gamble really lacked the book smarts. In fact, even though he was living in Japan at the time, Gamble barely spoke any Japanese. They became fast friends thanks to how easygoing and warm Gamble is towards everyone he encounters. Alvar taught him all the facts he learned from his books, and Gamble dragged Alvar out of his comfort zone. To Gamble, Alvar was just one of the hundreds of friends he loved equally dearly, but Alvar always had a very special place in his heart for Gamble. He put him on a pedestal and treasured their time together, even after he left Japan to continue his education elsewhere. 

As an adult, Alvar became interested in returning to Japan and teaching English there. First, he taught in the Chiba prefecture - the town itself was small but it was just a short train ride to major cities like Chiba and Tokyo itself. But when there was an opening up in Hatsukaichi, he jumped for the chance to take it, even though he would now be teaching in a much smaller school. 

Relationships 

➥ Gamble - Alvar and Gamble were childhood friends. Gamble flirted with literally everything that crossed his path, and Alvar, being a little socially awkward, failed to understand that the flirting wasn't entirely serious. He really thought that he and Gamble were in a sort of relationship and was devastated when a confused Gamble revealed that he didn't realize they were. They grew apart after that, not because of what had happened, but because Alvar transferred to a new school the next year, and he always carried his memories of Gamble in his heart even though he imagined they'd never meet again. He was wrong. Flash forward a few decades and Alvar ends up teaching English at the same school he and Gamble went to, only to realize that Gamble's family stilll lives nearby. Gamble's flirtatious spirit had been broken by the father of his sons; he was a little bit serious, a little bit calmer and more introspective. Alvar found that his feelings were re-ignited, and this time, Gamble was willing to take it a little more seriously. Alvar has always been obsessed with learning about new cultures, but Gamble has always been obsessed with experiencing them. Gamble has worked hard to pull Alvar out of his shell and help him experience the world. It's not a burning whirlwind romance, but they are adults now, and not everyone gets that fairytale ending. Both of them are very happy with each other, though, even if it's not where either of them ever imagined themselves.
➥ Falkner - Falkner was Alvar's only companion through his constant moves and travelling. Whereas Gamble tended to leave his son behind while exploring the world, Alvar always dragged Falkner around with him, and they grew very close. Falkner is actually quite jealous of Alvar's new family, particularly Asce, who is equally as intelligent, if not more intelligent, than Falkner himself. Alvar constantly has to break up fights between the two boys - usually Falkner himself being the instigator - and he works very hard trying to make his son comfortable around his stepsons.
➥ Asce - Asce, who was raised mostly by his other father, found himself surprisingly uncomfortable with the idea of Gamble being in a relationship with another sharkdog. At first he was really cold towards Alvar, but Alvar, who never treated him with anything but respect and kindness, gradually grew on him when he realized how much they had in common in regards to their love for learning. They don't have long drawn out conversations or anything, but sometimes they'll swap books or recommend things to each other. 
➥ Xavier - Xavier never imagined his dad settling down, so the whole situation has been very weird for him. He's always been nice to Alvar, and they get along, but their relationship doesn't go much deeper beyond that.