the personality

likes • Drinking [Scotch], Audio books, Horse Riding, Dogs, Late Night Walks
dislikes • People asking about his past/injuries, Large Crowds, Excessive Noise, Fireworks, Going to Doctors, PT
strengths • Strong leader, Always there for others
weaknesses • Cannot function without his Service Dog - Luka, Emotionally Bottled
dreams • To live a normal life.
fears • Hospitals, Losing his Dog
overall personality • Tomas is incredibly cynical, and generally, very distrusting of people. He is reserved, cold, and at times quite blunt - which is largely unhealthy mentally. He is more than happy in his own company most of the time, and when around people, has a zero-tolerance for drama and bullshit, calling it out regardless of if it ruins another person's mood or beliefs. Though under layers of permafrost and ice, Tomas is a half way decent guy with a chip on his shoulder; self-degrading, anxious. He is constantly pushing himself to his limits and over does it more often than not, leaving him to pay the price later.

the history

father • Daryl Johnathan Gentry, 70 , Security Guard
mother • Brianna Jamie Gentry, 68, Canteen Lady
siblings • Twin Brother, 36
important people • -----
hometown • Hickstead, England
overall history • Tomas and his twin sibling were the result of IVF, after his parents struggled for years with nothing but grief. Despite the success, his parents were both very skeptical, and only fully celebrated when they were born albeit eight weeks early.

Growing up there was nothing that his parents didn't do for them. Doting on them both with equal amounts of love and attention, given all they needed and then some for a good life. Throughout his schooling years, Tomas proved to be the academic achiever, coming out with a lot of awards and recognition whereas his brother was more of the sports star. Even into high school, and university both remained in the top end of their classes.

It was in university that Tomas was challenged by a rival boy - Casey Walters, saying how Tomas could never do anything physically demanding unlike his brother. So with the challenge laid out, Tomas made the first bad mistake in his life without thinking, signing up to join the army with his challenger. His parents were against it, but Tomas went anyway - regardless of his parents pleas, which led to a fall out with his brother the evening before he left.

Tomas threw himself at training, and whilst it was hard, he kept pushing and pushing to keep pace alongside his rival and what was meant to be a two year deal turned into something more. A friendship forged out of stubbornness and a mutual respect for each other. Going from being a skinny academic student to a fit military officer was a huge change, but Tomas found himself enjoying the physical activities as well as growing into a strong leader.

Ten years on, Tomas' life would soon enough take a shock turn whilst going through routine patrols with his squad mates. All he remembers was laughing before a blinding light and then nothing. When he woke again, he was in a hospital sharing the same room with the rest of his squad, all in various states. When he was able to form words, they discussed between themselves what had happened but none really recalled the accident. His close friend was no where to be seen, and it wasn't until the doctor's came around that he learnt the fate of his best friend.

He had been the one to call in help, having recovered consciousness first, however bled out shortly before any help could reach them. Anger consumed him alongside grief but he contained it to console his squad members. Unfortunately sepsis got into his arm where doctors had reconstructed the major damage, and antibiotics were not working. He was given his options, and in the end he let them take the arm under the condition he was not to be brought back if he flat lined.

Of course in a cruel twist, he still woke up a few days later, one arm less and his right leg and hip corrected. He was isolated for the rest of his recovery, silently grieving Casey's death. He was given the chance to say good bye, left sat in a wheel chair to come to terms with what had happened and when he left, he was handed Casey's tags. Perhaps selfishly, he kept his best friends tags despite promising to give them to his family. He couldn't help how attached he was.

After that, years of physical therapy followed, even when he returned home. His parents pitied him, but his anger was all consuming and he lashed out repeatedly against their pity and help, digging an even larger rift between them. His brother made several jabs at him, spewing hatred and anger that he got what he deserved and after that he broke ties with his sibling and parents. Soon after moving out, he had a copy of Casey's tags made and shipped the copies over to his family, still unable to part with the original tags that hung around his neck.

In between therapy sessions, he had too much empty space and time, so he went back to studying. Taking a keen interest in social science and criminal minds, he decided to study to be a university professor to fill the void, and upon that decision, decided to take up a therapy dog to help him throughout the days. It proved to be a good decision, and despite the waiting, he wound up with Luka the day after he graduated teaching.

Now working amongst the staff at Hickstead's university, Tomas runs a very strict yet engaging class with Luka acting as his teacher's aid just as much as for having him around to calm him down and grab things he cannot reach.

Notes:
- Sometimes opts to use a wheelchair when its too much to walk.
- Wears his own tags and Casey's tags around his neck.
- Is a good teacher, but can also be a student's nightmare with how strict he can be.
- Still attends PT and Support Groups.
- Hates his glass eye, tends to irritate him so will resort to sunglasses when he doesn't want to wear it.
- Still goes to the gym, though limited in what he can do.
- Has night terrors, so isn't sleeping as much as he'd like (tends to sleep in his chair in between classes).
- His writing is very rough/hard to read, as he is not left handed naturally.
- When anxious, stressed or worried, he will fiddle with the tags under his shirt.
- Has limited feeling in his right leg.
- Has dozens of screws, plates, and bolts holding his right leg and hip together, which is a constant source of discomfort.

the role player

alias • BlackJack, Jac
age • Mid 20s
other characters • Where were we?