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IN CHARACTER

Character Name: Simba
Canon: The Lion King
Canon Point: After Mufasa dies and Simba runs away.

In-Game Tattoo Placement: On his back.
Current Health/Status: Dehydrated
Age: About 7 months.
Species: Lion

Content Warnings: Parental death

History: Here!

Personality:

Simba behaves a lot like a spoiled prince and as a lot of young children would, he doesn't see his title of future king as a great responsibility and something that should be taken seriously. Instead he sees it as a way of being excused to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. He often brags about the fact that he'll be the new king of Pride Rock someday, and talks about the "changes" he'll make once he's king (usually involving rules he doesn't like, such as the marriage arrangement with Nala). Sometimes he'll also use his position as prince to try and boss around others, especially if he's not getting his way.

Simba's also overconfident and arrogant, such as telling Nala that he was the one who pulled off their plan to ditch Zazu in order to get the to Elephant Graveryard. When Zazu tells them later that the Elephant Graveyard was a dangerous place and they needed to leave, Simba responds by telling him that he "laughs in the face of danger". Even confronted by the hyenas who were clearly bigger than him and willing to eat him, Simba dismisses them saying that they can't do anything to do him and proceeds to insult with them despite being outmatched.

The phrase "curiosity killed the cat" applies to Simba in spades, as places that involve danger draw Simba in like a moth to fire. His curiosity along with his need to prove himself is one of the reasons he gets into the trouble he does with the hyenas in the Elephant Graveyard. In fact, Scar relies on that curiosity for one of his earlier plans to kill off Simba, not so subtly dropping off the hint that there's an Elephant Graveyard in the first place knowing full well that morbid curiosity would get the better of Simba and led him right into danger.

Simba also has a constant need to test his bravery. And while Simba's bravery does shine through in some aspects, such as attacking a hyena to save his friend, part of it is also bravado. The truth behind all this crazy daredevil stuff is that he desperately wants to prove himself in an attempt to be just like his father, who he idolizes more than anything in the world. Some of this is shown in the scene where Simba steps in a paw print made by his father, and seeing the size difference between his father's paw print and his own. In that scene, Simba actually looks disappointed knowing that he has a long way to go before he fulfills the role of his father. And in the same scene where his father's scolding him, Simba tries to defend his actions protesting that "kings don't get scared" and that he wanted to be brave just like his dad.

Simba also shows that while he's childishly naive about how the world works, he's painfully trusting of others, especially when it comes to his uncle. Whatever Scar tells him, Simba blindly believes him. And that becomes very apparent when Scar lures Simba into the gorge for a "surprise" between him and his father. Scar relies on the fact that Simba will trust him enough and follows what he says long enough to set off the stampede that leads to the downfall of Mufasa. Even after Mufasa's death, Scar easily convinces Simba that the death is his fault and that he can't return to the Pride Lands. Simba takes full blame for the guilt, carrying this burden well into adulthood without ever telling anyone about it. And when he's exiled, Simba is quick to pick up Timon and Pumbaa's philosophy of living a carefree life without any responsibility, showing just how lost Simba is and how he's desperate for guidance.

Abilities/Powers/Weaknesses & Warping: None. He's just your average talking lion cub.
Inventory: None

Writing Samples: TDM post

Original Sample:

Simba felt lost, in a place that felt nowhere near home.
 
Everything was completely unfamiliar to him. Buildings that never existed in his world, paved roads, humans walking up and down the streets going about their business. If Simba didn't feel alone before, he really felt it now. When he woke up, he was told he was still asleep back home. He scoffed at that - he didn't have that kind of thing anymore. 

He killed his father. He didn't deserve to have a home. Vaguely, he remembers how tired and weak he was in the desert. Should... he be worried about being left out there, while having this dream? He still felt kind of weak, his throat still dry from fleeing from hyenas. 

And his dad... his dad gave up his life to save him. The images flash through Simba's mind over and over, as he keeps trying to process it. His dad leaping towards the cliff, Scar trying to help, but in the end he just couldn't keep his grip. That scream from his father as he fell is something that Simba will hear forever. And then his father, laying motionless under a broken tree. 

Dead.

Dead.

Weren't they supposed to always be together? What happened to that? But it's not his dad's fault is it? He knows who it is. Everyone by now knows who it is. His mother would be ashamed - maybe even hate him. And Nala... he didn't want her to know what he did. He doesn't to know her reaction when they all hear the news of how Mufasa really died.

And now he's here, in a confusing dream filled with things he'd never normally dream. What exactly was he supposed to do here? He didn't want to do much of anything. So with feet that felt entirely too heavy, Simba continues to walk on.

Time to find out where he is.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Player Name: Dante
Player Age: 32
Player Contact: teenysanguini

Other Characters In Game: None.
In-Game Tag If Accepted: Simba: Dante
Permissions for Character: Here.
Are you comfortable with prominent elements of fourth-walling?: Yes
What themes of horror/psychological thrillers do you enjoy the most?: Psychological horror, past traumas being used against characters, body horror, characters being forced to work together or bond to escape a situation.
Is there anything in particular you absolutely need specific content warnings for?: Anything involving eye gore.