Central Characters

CENTRAL CHARACTERS

Most of the information contained in these pages is either copied from or in support of the contents of the actual stories. This page is a place for me to store all that biographical information, set it in stone (some things get retconned as the characters evolve), and flesh out some of the background details that weren't necessary for any given story. While the tales themselves should hopefully stand on their own, if you are ever confused about a character's response or actions, here would be a good place to look for explanations. (Hopefully, you'll see that their actions did make sense, you simply didn't have access to the full context. If you're still confused, e-mail me. You never know: your interpretation could be better than mine!)

WARNING: THERE ARE SPOILERS ON THIS PAGE! And the in-depth bios have even more of them! You have been warned.

BRANDON CHAMBERS

DOB: August 28
HAIR: Brown
EYES: Brown
HEIGHT: 5'10
FAMILY: William Fitzsimmons Chambers (father), Phyllis Rebecca Chambers (mother)

Brandon Percival Chambers is not native to Mount Hill, instead living in the neighboring community of Red Plains; his parents, who spend a great deal of time around Capitol Hill, were able to manipulate the system to get their son into (what they saw as) a better district. Brandon is famous throughout Mount Hill for his botched suicide attempt during his freshman year of high school, and as such found it difficult to make friends; his parents were not made aware of the situation at his request. In college, he majored in History, but was later forced to drop out after the birth of his daughter Laurelyn. Brandon is cautious with his trust, but unflinchingly loyal to those who earn it; while perceptive and compassionate, he is without sympathy to those he feels have wronged the people he loves.

ARIE CHANG

DOB: October 7
HAIR: Black
EYES: Black
HEIGHT: 5'6
FAMILY: Han Ruo Chang (father), Jingwei Chang (mother), Trina Chang (younger sister)

Arie Wanshang Chang was born to parents who had emigrated from China, and thus suffered her share of culture clash. Her parents emphasized her education and intelligence, often to the detriment of such things as fun, relaxation and emotional stability. By the time Arie was sixteen, she was clinically depressed and engaging in self-harm. She majored in Psychology in college. Arie, like Brandon, is deeply defensive, both of people she doesn't know and of people she cares for; she has a penchant for the sardonic and ironic. Though deeply scarred by her own past, she does not hesitate to speak out about it in hopes of helping others overcome their own issues. She and Brandon sometimes refer to themselves as brother and sister.

ZACHARY CRANE

DOB: July 24
HAIR: Brown
EYES: Brown
HEIGHT: 6'0
FAMILY: George Higgenbotham (father), Marcia Higgenbotham (née Crane) (mother)

Zachary Howard Crane has lived with his mother for most of his life, his father having divorced them when he was young. He is highly athletic and was considered popular in high school, though his habit of hanging out with "weirdos" like his best friend Brandon occasionally tarnished his image. His relationship with Christa Sternbacher brought out his spiritual side, leading him to major in Religious Studies in college. Zach, perpetually wise-cracking and zany, is sometimes prone to putting his foot in his mouth, though he does not mind turning this into a joke; despite this, he has a deeply contemplative side, as he matures.

MEREDITH LEVINE

DOB: May 13
HAIR: Blonde
EYES: Hazel
HEIGHT: 5'5
FAMILY: Roger Levine (father), Andrea Levine (mother), Michael Levine (older brother)

Meredith Trinette Levine is a gifted child, having skipped eighth grade entirely; as such, she was the youngest person in her graduating class. Deeply gifted and an excellent musician, Meredith nonetheless struggled to find acceptance from her rather perfectionist parents. She completed a degree in French in college, despite the birth of her daughter Laurelyn during the course of her education. Meredith is deeply perceptive and highly responsible; while sometimes prone to melancholy, she does not allow others to denigrate themselves.

CHRISTA STERNBACHER

DOB: November 28
HAIR: Brown, but sometimes dyed blonde
EYES: Blue
HEIGHT: 5'5
FAMILY: James Sternbacher (father), Sara Sternbacher (mother), Thomas Sternbacher (younger brother)

Christa Mackenzie Sternbacher grew up in a loving and nurturing household, and has a deep (Christian) spirituality which she has slowly begun to spread to her friends. Though somewhat innocent to the world she entered when she befriended Zach—and, by extention, Brandon and Arie—she grew quickly used to its peculiar brand of depth and chaos. Christa is an upbeat, optimistic presence, which compliments Zach's constant humor, and is rarely seen without a smile on her face; she also shares Meredith's sense of duty and kindness. She is deeply stable, which her friends sometimes rely on. She and Meredith sometimes call each other sisters.

DEREK STRONG

DOB: September 1
HAIR: Black
EYES: Green
HEIGHT: 6'1
FAMILY: Dwight Strong (father), Janice Strong (mother), Jenny Strong (older sister)

Derek William Strong is also one of the 'undamaged' characters, having come from a solid and loving home, and having a good relationship with his parents. He is younger than his long-time girlfriend Arie Chang, but despite that is one of the most mature and stable people Brandon and Arie have managed to befriend. Derek is deeply empathetic and does not hesitate to help those in need, a trait that has helped him both make and irritate friends. Derek was a Philosophy major in college, and occasionally joked that he would end up living in a box on the street as a price for following his heart (though his friends, who mostly did the same, reminded him to keep optimistic).

SAJEL MALHOTRA

DOB: November 28
HAIR: Black
EYES: Brown
HEIGHT: 5'8
FAMILY: Gaurav Malhotra (father), Deepa Malhotra (mother), Shondra Malhotra (older sister), Vikram Malhotra (older brother)

Sajel Malhotra is the cynic of the group: wisecracking, smirking and constantly poking fun at her friends' foibles. However, like most hedgehogs, her prickly demeanor conceals a softer side; she's just very unlikely to show it. She is Brandon's other best friend, despite a disastrous attempt at romance. She studied Political Science in college.

JANE MYERS

DOB: March 17
HAIR: Dark blonde
EYES: Hazel/green
HEIGHT: 5'8
FAMILY: David Myers (father), Megan Myers (mother), Lisa Myers (younger sister)

Jane Katherine Myers grew up in a household of strong Christian faith, and as she grew up she became one of the "nice girls," the kind a boy isn't ashamed to have his parents meet (though it might be a different story with his friends). Jane can be woolheaded and stubborn, occasionally refusing to do something simply because someone suggested it, and has trouble expressing friendship and emotional intimacy due to a strong fear of being judged. She majored in Sociology in college.

JONATHAN STANFORD

DOB: July 9
HAIR: Brown
EYES: Brown
HEIGHT: 5'11
FAMILY: Glenn Stanford (father), Regina Stanford (mother), Melinda Stanford (younger sister), Caitlyn Delaney (spouse)

Jonathan Rupert Stanford grew up in a family not unlike Meredith's or Arie's, but (similar to Arie) instigated a revolution which forced his parents to confront the (unintended) consequences of their actions. He has a strong sense of independence and is not afraid to let people know when they have pushed him too far. He met Brandon, Meredith, Zach and Christa through their mutual studies at Greenfield University, where Jon was a year ahead of them; through them he also met his future wife, Caitlyn Delaney. Jon is deeply empathic and can be very nurturing, but has been known to be unwillng to give people a chance (to his wife's displeasure). He sings with a collegiate a cappella group at his alma mater, whose membership includes Zach and Christa.

CAITLYN DELANEY

DOB: January 13
HAIR: Brown
EYES: Hazel/blue
HEIGHT: 5'3
FAMILY: Samuel Delaney (father), Linda Delaney (mother), Nathaniel Delaney (older brother), Jonathan Stanford (spouse)

Caitlyn Claire Delaney grew up in a similar family to Jon's, but as the compliant younger sister got a much shorter end of the stick. When her older brother Nathan was able to break out, their parents only worked harder to trap Caitlyn in further. She had very few friends, due to having been home-schooled until 16 and then moving straight into college, and had difficulty making new ones. She was beginning to despair when some instinct moved her to confide in a friend named Jon Stanford. Eighteen months later, they married—though the circumstances surrounding their first ninety days were not always ideal. Caitlyn is a pleasant, sociable young woman who is eager to please, but sometimes places too much emphasis on the pleasure she gets from doing so. She likes to dress eccentrically and is a virtuoso harpist, one of very few in the region.

LAURELYN CHAMBERS
DOB: December 23
HAIR: Brown
EYES: Brown
Height: (meaningless, as she is not yet full-grown)
FAMILY: Brandon Chambers (father), Meredith Levine Chambers (mother)

Laurelyn Adrianna Chambers was conceived unexpectedly during her parents' junior year of college, provoking a hasty marriage that summer, and born two days before Christmas. The Chamberses take their child seriously and have been doing their best to provide for her; friends of the family agree that, while she could not ask for more-loving parents, she could probably use richer ones.

The eight from Mount Hill, sans Meredith (who was off talking to Sajel's mom at the time).
Back row: Zach, Sajel, Christa, Jane, Brandon
Front row: Derek, Arie