#triturus

Idea notebook:

emotionally constipated idiot who still loves HARD when it matters

anxious responsibility

annoyed older sibling, secretly cares

✨ nautical burger boy ✨ (stupid minimum wage job dressed like a sailor)

Performs masculinity; secretly a huge dork; he has so many emotions bro he's sensitive deep down

"I'm nOT CRYING OKAY??? gOd-"

He’s not suave. He’s not smooth. He’s just… trying.

acts careless → actually cares

acts dumb → notices important things

acts detached → gets flustered when it matters

“he’s a mess, but he’s trying to be better for someone he cares about”

going from *I’m cool, I don’t care* to *straight-up sobbing* when everything falls apart: (“I finally had something going. I was trying to be better. and it got messed up”)

He acts like nothing matters… until something does, and then it matters too much all at once.

"dude CHILL I got it" = somehow pulling through at the last second

No middle dial. Just: 0 → 100 . chill → emotional collapse

↑ that's a trauma response. Trauma undecided...

nothing but underwear → fully dressed in one swift movement, in literally 2 seconds

allergic to clothes ; usually lounges in just boxers

probably really into something dorky but pretends to be really cool... Cars, babes, sports.

tsendare coded???

Amphibian thing: water = safe, instinctive, real self ; land = awkward, performative, “I’m fine bro” mask

The closet is SHEER. He doesn't hide it well at ALL.

Haha mist him with a spray bottle

I'm thinking... Yōkai... Maybe mutant? Either way, animal.

Like a newt or chameleon.. wood turtle was an option for a little bit..

I like the whole double-life things about amphibians

Hehe... Olm...

Cold blooded and always covered in mucus to keep moist, though.

Triturus tho??

Thick tadpole tail and a crest?? It looks like a Mohawk

Design Brainstorm (rapid fire, so stay with me):

flat = relaxed

Crest:

mood indicator

raised slightly = stressed

full mohawk = emotional breakdown

Skin:

usually matte/dull = “don’t look at me”

Always slightly damp

gets more vibrant when emotional = betrays him every time

yellow markings/scales: throat, chest, maybe hands??

if he dries out? cranky, low energy, more irritable

OH AND! someone noticing and offering water?? = INTIMACY LEVEL 9000

Weapon, if any???

I feel like he would look cool with a Rope Dart,

But only if he's like, crazy bad at using it while on land... But skilled and more I'm confident in water.

This is feeling like a mersona all of a sudden

Clothing??????

His color is Yellow 💛 (yay first yellow Sona!) But also, Navy Blue for that contrast.

Yellow + Navy = light trying to exist inside something heavy... Reminds me of thunderstorms when it's sunny out...

Job???

sleeveless hoodie (main piece)

Low-slung pants or shorts (lazy but stylish)

Wraps on forearms (hides how often he messes up) salt-stained navy fabric; tells the job story without saying a word

works at some janky seaside food stand

smells like salt, grease, and poor decisions

pretends he hates his job

actually memorizes regulars’ orders

Problem:

Amphibian boy = needs moisture

Salt = drying, irritating, evil villain substance

He’s not just slimy for fun. his skin produces a special mucus layer that protects against salt + dryness. BUT it wears down over time

Solution??

1: Protective Layers

So during a long shift: he gets crankier, more irritable, less patient with customers

So by the time he clocks out, he's emotionally constipated AND physically uncomfortable.

He has little habits he pretends are nothing but are actually survival.

✨ double suffering ✨

2: Ritual

His job is literally: standing in salt, grease, heat, noise. Everything that makes him uncomfortable.

He keeps a water bottle and “just splashes his face” . He disappears to the back room for like 2 minutes to rehydrate his skin. maybe a hoodie or loose clothes to trap moisture?

3: Symbolism???

But he stays. Why?

Extra thoughts??

Money? Sure. Routine? Ueah. But mostly… He’s trying to function in a world that isn’t built for him

This creates a fun bonus for "soft bonding moments" .. Like... Someone noticing he's a little dry, and offering water.

Also, I can see the scene comedy already. Coworkers throwing salt around, him dodging it like holy water.

I wrote this all as a draft at 6am but since waking up hardly 3h later I have MORE IDEAS!!

I'm naming him Zevin.

Everyone calls him Kevin and he's constantly correcting them