Hearth

By Convergence

• September 21, 2015

Age: Mid-Twenties (26)

Gender: Male

Species: Non-Pony

Appearance: A large, thickly striped Zebra. Hearth has a moderately muscular frame and a head slightly too large for his body. His jet black mane and tail are cut short and messy (a perpetual 'bed head'). His hooves, a vibrant grey, contrast with his black and white body.

Cutie Mark: A series of slightly rounded stripes stacked upon each other, resembling a pillar or totem. Another set of stripes converge then curl around the totem, signifying wind blowing against it. <br /><br />This Cutie Mark signifies Hearth's strength and persistence, as well as his knowledge of natural processes and the geological sciences.

Personality: Calm, quiet and confident. Hearth dislikes idle chit chat and will only speak when there is need to do so. However, he speaks loudly and surely, demanding the attention of those around him.<br /><br />However, he is not necessarily easy going, When he feels threatened or judged, Hearth will resort to anger too quickly. Especially when he has had a few drinks. Hearth likes to think of himself as a pillar, strong and resilient. Something to lean on when others need it.

Backstory: Hearth was one of those guys that you would never realize that he was smart, unless you could pique his scientific curiosity. Redneck would actually be a more accurate term. His wardrobe consisted of only jeans and plaid work shirts in the winter; jeans and wife beaters in the Summer. The only fact that betrayed his educated upbringing was his cleanly shaven face, and the faint scent of high end aftershave. In fact, Hearth just finished an intensive dual degree program at Crystal City University: geology and chemistry with a splash of geography.<br /><br />Five and a half years. It almost killed him. Pinned down by the constant need to study. But, at least he was free now. Well, not really, there was still the need to make money. After graduation, Hearth picked up a temporary position working at a small core drilling station at the University. A program jointly founded for original research, documenting soil composition on University grounds, but mainly to educate students. Hearth's job was to teach new students how to analyse the layered cores produced by the machine.<br /><br />A boring position, that's for sure but decent enough until he could decide what to do for the rest of his life. At least he now had his weekends to do whatever he wanted. Hearth knew he had to find a job that would let him travel, have a little adventure in his life. If that meant he had to do a master's degree, then so be it. He would survive somehow. Little did Hearth know what was in store for him.