Aquila Eridani

By Durandal

• June 23, 2013

Age: 34

Gender: Male

Species: Unicorn

Appearance: Aquila Eridani (Ak-ee-la Ih-rid-n-ahy) was born with the coat of his father - a cadet grey - and the mane and tail of his mother - platinum with lines of light yellow. His irises, a lighter purple, are considered the result of a recessive gene. His physique is simply average as a result of personal preference - all that he believes is required is to look presentable. <br /><br />He is generally clad in his Zebraynik Dress Grays that he obtained from service, to remind him of his naval days. The uniform is a simple buttoned coat, with sections of grey (the dominant color), white (secondary color), and black (predominantly where the leg and barrel meet). Gold lines the coat (in particular the collar and cuffs), in addition to a small, light grey cape. A number of accolades and rankings adorn his shoulderboards and breast. In addition to this, he wears a dull grey Zebraynik service cap, a small headset, and a holster and sheath for his weapons.

Cutie Mark: A black circle with a few yellow four-pronged stars to its right. The circle is a planet, and the stars to the right of it are simply stars. Considering the fact it doesn't directly symbolize an interstellar navy, Aquila currently believes it symbolizes exploration of space.

Personality: Aquila, being the son of a high-ranking general, was instilled with a sense of duty, honor, and integrity. These ideals have since eroded, though he still tries to uphold some form of these traits. He is also inquisitive - new topics and places interest him, in addition to a passion for discovery and exploration.<br /><br />However, his experiences have caused Aquila to become pragmatic, shrewd, and disillusioned. Though optimistic, his philosophies are heavily grounded in utilitarianism. As a result, Aquila has been considered by many to be cold and calculating.<br /><br />Though many are not aware, Aquila still struggles with his past. Leaving the military as a Lieutenant Commander has left Aquila in his mother's shadow. Though he struggles against it, Aquila sometimes desires a return to the days he had in the navy, hoping to one day prove to his mother and himself that he too has achieved greatness.

Backstory: Aquila was born in New Yathib, under a Romaren family. His mother was a former general in the Equestrian Navy who moved to Zebraynik territory to unite with his father, a Zebraynik business manager she had met while on break. Aquila grew up listening to grandiose tales of the skirmishes his mother had been a part of. These tales enchanted Aquila, leading him to dream of a life in the military.<br /><br />However, early in Aquila's formal education he realized that he enjoyed learning. Discovery and exploration enamored him just as his mother's tales did, if not more. Progressing through school with exceptional marks, Aquila decided to join the Navy in hopes of exploring the 'final frontier', space.<br /><br />Aquila breezed through cadet school and soon became an officer on a ship, the Mystic-Class Corvette ZSV Dreamcatcher. Earning his stripes, Aquila eventually became unsatisfied and disappointed. His run-ins with pirates were dull and uninteresting, their patrols repetitive. Aquila tried many times to transfer onto escorts for trade vessels, however after several denials, Aquila eventually discharged from the navy at the rank of Lieutenant Commander.<br /><br />Using the pay he had garnered from his service on the Mystic, he gathered up the funds and training necessary to maintain a Valiant-class runner, a commercial vessel known for its popularity amongst mercenaries and smugglers. He explored the stars freely for a few years, using what skills he had to make a living.<br /><br />Recently, however, he has become embroiled in the cold war between the Federation, Coalition, and Empire. Though he is not willing to give up the freedom of freelancing, Aquila understands there are other ways to fight for what he believes to be right besides military service.