Pendulus Lyr (District 7)

No one could mistake him for anything other than his age physically. At 16, he’s about as average as it could be, and he wouldn’t want it any other way. (Frankly, his cares about his outer appearance are fairly low, being mature in the fact that a person should not be judged on what is on the outside, but what inside expressions are reflected towards it.) No one really points him out for anything either, which he believes is exactly how it should be.

His complexion comes to the addition of his living conditions, genetics and his day-to-day basis. The household has always been a clean haven (in consideration that his mother has always been a bit of a neat-freak and overprotective of her offspring). Therefore, he is a rather sanitary being, always being clean every time he departs for work and is immediately bathed after coming home. (There were only ever two instances in his life when he became sick). From genetics, he leans towards the tall end of the group (he is 5’9-5’11 relatively, from his father’s share in the gene pool) and is bony (notably in the ankles, hands and feet, from his mother’s side). However, his muscles are lean in the arms and legs (also a swift runner) from the lumber-work he does for many hours a day. (According to the opinion of the public who know him, it makes up for the genetic portion).

There are times when he wonders; if his hair had turned out as luscious and full as his mother’s, or as wavy and flowing as his father’s, whether he would give more thought to his appearance. It’s a mousey black to dark brown (dependent upon the weather and season effects), wispy and short (though he considers growing it out a little bit more). In all other sense of his face, he resembles his mother; dark and deep brown eyes, that gleam with a youthful hope despite all hardship, skin between the color of olive and fair, a warming smile, like a hearth in the winter months, and a round shape to his face.

Daily attire hardly differs. (If anything changes it’s the material clothing itself). Typically, he wears baggy, bark brown shirts (6 sets), worn black pants (handed down from his father, 3 pairs) and leather boots (2 pairs, made especially by his mother). Travel and winter attire hardly change either. (Basically, the same outfit with a faded, forest green vest, worn loosely over his clothes. He’s never been too altered or deterred by the weather).

Quite often, he is mistaken for his identical twin brother, Perilus.

From far back in his toddler years, he's been the romantic type. This word should not be mistaken for ‘flirtatious’. Yes, he is very impractical, always wondering of different lives and other possibilities. He doesn’t see the world as others perceive it. Countless nights of his life have been used merely to stare up at the stars; placing a gander upon their names and what their reveries are like, compared to those of human boundary. For every situation, he finds a freedom, some sort of benefit, even if it is fairly small. Carelessly, he sometimes takes things for granted, but never misuses the goodness he’s bestowed with.

When he was eight, he was gifted with his first, and still only, string instrument- an extensively old, yet still beautiful lyre. His father had found it (he never specified where or how), and immediately given it to him, knowing his love for the arts was strong. At this age, he had developed the concept that failure was necessary to success. (He claims it builds up and in a strange light, changes color). Despite many faults and several times of walking away after hours and hours of trips and falls, he always came back. He mastered it by 11, at first playing simple melodies, and working his way up to full ballads. It wasn’t until he was 13, though, that anyone knew of his talent other than his immediate family. Since he first picked up an instrument, it was his most sought-out dream, to alter the senses of people, and find out how to tame spirits with musical notes.

He is deeply committed to family life and friends, almost too committed. Befriending and trusting most of the people he crosses paths with, is considered his most fatal flaw. Also, being so lost in his own world, he often tends to be quite clumsy with his feet (although after running into people, it’s almost effortless to get them to smile). The most deeply rooted bond he has though is between him and his twin brother, Perilus. Acting the same way too, they are often mixed up. Only very rarely are they ever seen apart and have been that way for as long as anyone can remember. Some say not only their minds are linked by simple thoughts and twists, but also their spirits are linked, hand and hand, so they would never truly be without the other.

In the midst of fall months, he was born along with his twin brother to his mother and father, both young and new parents at the time. They were never much of a bother or trouble though, even as wee babes (as their mother would call them). Their fascination with the world around them pleased both of their parents dearly. But after they were born, their father did begin to take various trips, which would last varying from 2 days to 4 months. Despite his frequent absence, the bond between his parents remained strong and loving. They wanted what was best for their boys.

Every time their father returned, he always brought back with him something he knew his family would value, otherwise known as gifts. It was told that their father saw the bond and looked into their hearts deeper than any other soul. Therefore, he never brought back two of the same gift. When Pendulus was simply two, his father placed a small tin whistle in his son’s palms. After much examination with gleams like small suns for eyes, he began to play, speaking with only his heart. His mother was thrilled, his father pleased and his brother gazing awe-struck (and made an attempt to join in with his drum). His first audience.

The whistle was his first instrument, and most beloved possession for quite some time. He would play between work at home, between meals and in the morning. It was easy to master and sing with. His biggest fan and the one who appreciated his heart-strung notes the most was and still remains his brother. (He listens to the music while he carves). The instruments that followed were a lyre (as told above) and some bells.

He began working when he was nine with his father (and yet again, his twin) in the lumber mills and they quickly progressed (many family friends had offered to take up their apprenticeship when he was gone). Although his work ethic is quite high, he doesn’t always follow the rules and guidelines as he should, rather preferring to take a less traveled and more creative path while cutting, carrying and carving (therefore developing his own unique style).

His younger brother was born in the previous winter, a small lad they call ‘Aren’, causing their father to become more concerned with his family’s well-being. In a sharp storm, their father layered himself with clothes and stepped out of the house, without any final farewells or even so much as an expression of love. It had been the last time Pendulus laid eyes on his father in a year. He has a strong, stubborn belief that out there somewhere, his father was building them a better shelter, quite possibly outside of District 7 and Panem. The feeling rose fierce in his heart that he had not abandoned them, for he had vowed before, his return at the very least, in spirit.

Since then, he and Perilus have taken over their father’s duties and shaped them into their own. They help their mother, who remains hopeful as well, and have developed a strong bond with their young brother (who, not surprisingly, resembled them very much at that age).

For the reason of difference, he wears a strange pendulum-like piece around his neck and it hangs down to his chest. It's a bronze piece he was given for his and his brother's six birthday, due to his name, not hence it.
(His brother on the other hand was given a ring made of the same bronze slate, same design and the same gem in the middle, which is a green amethyst. )