Post by Garret Keen on Apr 24, 2016 13:39:21 GMT
GARRET KEEN
Personality: Garret is easily described in few words; imaginative, shy, and intelligent.
His mother always calling him a gentle sweetheart, Garret was always doted on by his family, provided a loving, caring atmosphere. As a result, he has such a passion for being encouraging, and welcoming, even if he is terrified to speak some days. He knows of the importance of being kind and honest, and does his best to think about what he says before he says it, for he does not wish to harm anyone's feelings, or dig himself into a hole he cannot escape from. When he does decide to speak, he is wise beyond his years, each word dripping with the deep thought that was put into it, the result of being within his head for so many years.
He thinks over every single thing he says, for a multitude of reasons. For starters, he is still new to speaking the language everyone surround him does, and he is so scared of getting a word wrong, or pronouncing something incorrectly. Plus, he is by nature a thinker, and has to put some thought into what he wants to say, and it takes him a bit longer than most to answer a question. But, get him talking about something he is passionate about, and he lights up like a light, talking or signing fast, trying to express what his fast-paced mind is showing him. He loves sports, school, and art, and his best friends will likely be ones that will enjoy those as well.
Garret is a quieter child, the complete opposite of his twin, who has always been the loud, rambunctious twin. While Thomas had groups of friends, and plans every night, Garret was content to have one or two friends, and to head home each night to study, or read. But, he was the one enrolled in all these sports and activities, and seemed to have a better sense of direction in life. They have been teased in the past for literally being the stereotypical standard for twins.
His mother always calling him a gentle sweetheart, Garret was always doted on by his family, provided a loving, caring atmosphere. As a result, he has such a passion for being encouraging, and welcoming, even if he is terrified to speak some days. He knows of the importance of being kind and honest, and does his best to think about what he says before he says it, for he does not wish to harm anyone's feelings, or dig himself into a hole he cannot escape from. When he does decide to speak, he is wise beyond his years, each word dripping with the deep thought that was put into it, the result of being within his head for so many years.
He thinks over every single thing he says, for a multitude of reasons. For starters, he is still new to speaking the language everyone surround him does, and he is so scared of getting a word wrong, or pronouncing something incorrectly. Plus, he is by nature a thinker, and has to put some thought into what he wants to say, and it takes him a bit longer than most to answer a question. But, get him talking about something he is passionate about, and he lights up like a light, talking or signing fast, trying to express what his fast-paced mind is showing him. He loves sports, school, and art, and his best friends will likely be ones that will enjoy those as well.
Garret is a quieter child, the complete opposite of his twin, who has always been the loud, rambunctious twin. While Thomas had groups of friends, and plans every night, Garret was content to have one or two friends, and to head home each night to study, or read. But, he was the one enrolled in all these sports and activities, and seemed to have a better sense of direction in life. They have been teased in the past for literally being the stereotypical standard for twins.
History:
Garret and his twin brother were born to a single mother, a woman struggling with two children already, trying to make ends meet in a world so tough. With thick brown hair and deep brown eyes, and all sets of siblings and their mother matching the same appearance, it was not hard to tell they were all related, and that their genetic roots laid so deep. Garret never got to know his father - a foreigner, for the man responsible for his birth had done wrong, and his mother would never ever explain what had happened, where he had gone, or why he had gone. All he knew was that his father had been there to name the last two, and then was gone shortly after an incident half a year later. And so, she was left to raise four boys, with little money or support.
With their mother rarely ever home due to her workload, Russel had taken it upon himself to watch the younger three, mature beyond his years. They lived in such a rundown area, that it was not an uncommon occurrence, and no one seemed to mind the ten year old who was always trailed by a five year old and two toddlers. When Russel was able to pick up small tasks to make some cash, he was always flanked by his little crew, and the locals grew fond of the four, and through their friendly personalities and helpful tendencies, some times the four would come home with an armful of food, or treats.
With no opportunity for them to go to school, Russel and Emi took turns trying to teach the younger three language, basic math, and other little skills they could use as they got older. This was where Garret's own personal frustrations began. While it seemed Thomas - his twin brother - was able to fully communicate, Garret was left confused, only seeing various patterns of mouths. He figured that the opening and closing of them provided some sort of understanding between them, and everyone surrounding; but when he tried to open and close his in a similar way, he got only confusion, and disappointment.
It took about a month before Russel seemed to realize something, and changed his tactic, switching to his hands and making weird little figures and signs with his fingers and arms, and soon Garret began to recognize that certain ones matched objects and people. Garret was five when he was finally able to communicate fluently with his family, who had also learnt sign language in the process. The amount of books they had loaned was outstanding, but worth it. With this new found knowledge, Garret found he was able to get by a little better in public, even if most of the time he was just pointing at things and spouting sign language to people that didn't understand.
The years flew by, as their homeschooling and part time tasks continued. Russel eventually finally landed a job, and began to fully support his family, and eventually he was able to help his mother in her goal of sending the three to school; Nicholas was fourteen, the twins nine. While Thomas and Nicholas seemed to eventually grow to like it, Garret found himself hating every second of it as the year progressed, frustrated with himself, and those around him. Despite his brother's efforts, he was still so far behind the average learning curve, and despite being very intelligent, he felt dumb compared to his classmates, who would occasionally stare at him as if he were from outer space. It didn't help that he couldn't understand them either; they did the stupid mouth thing that Russel had told him was 'talking', and it was how people with working ears communicated.
Thankfully, they moved to Iwatobi the next year when he was ten, as Emi had finally saved enough on the side to buy a small, but comfortable house in decent shape. The change was hard, but he liked the new atmosphere, and the chance to start anew with a new school, people, and environment.
Within no time at this new school, he was given an assistant to help him catch up, and slowly but surely, by the time he was twelve, he was finally caught up as well as he could be. He still got the stares, but he at least felt he belonged somewhat, and this time they seemed more curious than anything, and so that started to bug him less and less. With guidance from his aide, he enrolled in a couple sports over the next two years, and found a love for track and swimming, his natural athletic abilities pulling him ahead of the curve, and finally, he felt he had worth.
At nearly fifteen, he was finally fitted with hearing aides following a surgery, and has learnt quickly to understand the language he had been so confused about for the longest time. He still struggles with his own speech, but is understandable, and that is all he ever wanted after he realized he could have another way to communicate when his hands were full. To this day he still has an aide to make sure he can keep up with everything, and she is almost like a third parent to him, after his actual mother, and Russel, who is like a father figure.
Now Garret and Thomas are sixteen, a couple years off graduating and moving on into their own lives. Nicholas, now twenty, has moved to another country to study, but to Garret's relief, still keeps in touch. Russel, twenty two, still lives at home with the twins and their mother, providing support to them after Emi had suffered a fall four months prior to date, and had to stop working while she focused on recovery. Garret is now working part-time as well, and although he hates it, he knows by now that he can't quit even if he hates it; that is just not how the world works.
Garret and his twin brother were born to a single mother, a woman struggling with two children already, trying to make ends meet in a world so tough. With thick brown hair and deep brown eyes, and all sets of siblings and their mother matching the same appearance, it was not hard to tell they were all related, and that their genetic roots laid so deep. Garret never got to know his father - a foreigner, for the man responsible for his birth had done wrong, and his mother would never ever explain what had happened, where he had gone, or why he had gone. All he knew was that his father had been there to name the last two, and then was gone shortly after an incident half a year later. And so, she was left to raise four boys, with little money or support.
With their mother rarely ever home due to her workload, Russel had taken it upon himself to watch the younger three, mature beyond his years. They lived in such a rundown area, that it was not an uncommon occurrence, and no one seemed to mind the ten year old who was always trailed by a five year old and two toddlers. When Russel was able to pick up small tasks to make some cash, he was always flanked by his little crew, and the locals grew fond of the four, and through their friendly personalities and helpful tendencies, some times the four would come home with an armful of food, or treats.
With no opportunity for them to go to school, Russel and Emi took turns trying to teach the younger three language, basic math, and other little skills they could use as they got older. This was where Garret's own personal frustrations began. While it seemed Thomas - his twin brother - was able to fully communicate, Garret was left confused, only seeing various patterns of mouths. He figured that the opening and closing of them provided some sort of understanding between them, and everyone surrounding; but when he tried to open and close his in a similar way, he got only confusion, and disappointment.
It took about a month before Russel seemed to realize something, and changed his tactic, switching to his hands and making weird little figures and signs with his fingers and arms, and soon Garret began to recognize that certain ones matched objects and people. Garret was five when he was finally able to communicate fluently with his family, who had also learnt sign language in the process. The amount of books they had loaned was outstanding, but worth it. With this new found knowledge, Garret found he was able to get by a little better in public, even if most of the time he was just pointing at things and spouting sign language to people that didn't understand.
The years flew by, as their homeschooling and part time tasks continued. Russel eventually finally landed a job, and began to fully support his family, and eventually he was able to help his mother in her goal of sending the three to school; Nicholas was fourteen, the twins nine. While Thomas and Nicholas seemed to eventually grow to like it, Garret found himself hating every second of it as the year progressed, frustrated with himself, and those around him. Despite his brother's efforts, he was still so far behind the average learning curve, and despite being very intelligent, he felt dumb compared to his classmates, who would occasionally stare at him as if he were from outer space. It didn't help that he couldn't understand them either; they did the stupid mouth thing that Russel had told him was 'talking', and it was how people with working ears communicated.
Thankfully, they moved to Iwatobi the next year when he was ten, as Emi had finally saved enough on the side to buy a small, but comfortable house in decent shape. The change was hard, but he liked the new atmosphere, and the chance to start anew with a new school, people, and environment.
Within no time at this new school, he was given an assistant to help him catch up, and slowly but surely, by the time he was twelve, he was finally caught up as well as he could be. He still got the stares, but he at least felt he belonged somewhat, and this time they seemed more curious than anything, and so that started to bug him less and less. With guidance from his aide, he enrolled in a couple sports over the next two years, and found a love for track and swimming, his natural athletic abilities pulling him ahead of the curve, and finally, he felt he had worth.
At nearly fifteen, he was finally fitted with hearing aides following a surgery, and has learnt quickly to understand the language he had been so confused about for the longest time. He still struggles with his own speech, but is understandable, and that is all he ever wanted after he realized he could have another way to communicate when his hands were full. To this day he still has an aide to make sure he can keep up with everything, and she is almost like a third parent to him, after his actual mother, and Russel, who is like a father figure.
Now Garret and Thomas are sixteen, a couple years off graduating and moving on into their own lives. Nicholas, now twenty, has moved to another country to study, but to Garret's relief, still keeps in touch. Russel, twenty two, still lives at home with the twins and their mother, providing support to them after Emi had suffered a fall four months prior to date, and had to stop working while she focused on recovery. Garret is now working part-time as well, and although he hates it, he knows by now that he can't quit even if he hates it; that is just not how the world works.
