Iowa! It's him!!

Iowa is my favorite OC of all time. I am always thinking of him. He is an ice user with a very cool sword. He encapsulates a lot of my personal feelings. His loneliness is my own. The invalidity of his existence is my own. His gluttony for life is my own. Despite this, if you dislike this guy, I will not take it personally. Feel free to treat him however you'd like. I only wish to know everyone's opinions.

Iowa's story can be considered dark, so please DON'T read if you're sensitive to child abuse, neglect, and experimentation

BACKSTORY

Iowa was born under the name "Chiono" or "Glory of the Snow" in the Braxio kingdom. They were meant to be an heir for the monarch, but due to circumstances, Chiono was born with a body that rejected mana. This would presumably make it impossible for them to ever reach the power and strength required from them. Normally, such a weak child would be disposed of. But in the world that Chiono was born in, the high mana saturation within the environment should have killed them near instantly. In an act of "mercy," Chiono was allowed to continue living.

Chiono's father, someone who's similar to a "doctor," was the only medical "professional" allowed to keep an eye on Chiono. It was of upmost importance that no one knew of Chiono's condition. They were not allowed outside the fortress, and were barely permitted to leave their room in case anyone would see the child. Only a small circle, including Chiono's parents, were allowed to tend to the child. Chiono's father was disgusted by the child, and kept their bond strictly professional.

Chiono's mother was in charge of everything else. She bathed and kept Chiono safe, but was also in charge of their training. Since the fortress was still pretending that they were a noble, they had to be able to defend both themselves and the fortress's secrets. They needed to keep their mouth shut, no matter the situation, and Chiono's mother acted accordingly.

Present Day Story

When Iowa is 20 years of age, he leaves the kingdom of Braxio for the first time. He was admitted to the best "magic" academy in the western continent. Of course he was, he was the number one swordsman in the world. He did find the invitation a bit odd, considering he couldn't use magic, but his mentor let him go anyway. There, he got to try so many things he never had before. He ate until his tummy felt like it would burst. He ate candy and treats he had only seen in magazines and the computer. He met people his age, and he would grow to resent them.

At Grandier's Saint Academy, it was expected that Iowa was on his best behavior. But he had no intention to do as he was told. There was a whole world that he could finally grasp. However, there was one professor in his life worth listening to. A "woman" named Maxwell offered him the one thing he never thought possible: the ability to use magic. Potent ice magic at that. All he had to do was listen to what Maxwell had to say, and Maxwell alone. 

It wasn't hard to do so. Hell, the tasks ended up getting done without Iowa being aware of it. But something was wrong with him. Blacking out for a little bit or a while was normal for him. But not only did it happen more often over the schoolyear, but they'd wake up in pain. It started as a chill and weakness, but then it grew into a constant ache in their chest and bones. But that was the price of ever increasing power. Not only could he use the ice magic he desperately craved, but he was the one with the strongest ability. What did a little pain matter when he could finally live up to what he was meant to be?

But his condition only got worse, and the demands from him only increased. His classmates craved his power just as much as he did. One girl, Povi Shearhart, wanted him the most. She touched him and held him in ways no one else did. It felt so good to be wanted, but Iowa hated her. Or did he love her? Every insult, every kiss, every intimate moment gave Iowa the strength to keep going. He wanted nothing more to be her knight, he thought. But he could barely keep up, and was forced to stay in his room longer after every usage of his powers. His stomach would be upset after eating nothing, and he felt that he was starving. Any outside stimuli made him feel that something bad would happen to him.

Thinking about it, he was vaguely aware of what was happening to him. Maxwell's solution to his problems was a serum that he had to inject every once in a while. He had a few samples in his room, but he rarely found a need to touch them. It was only during times that his mana needed a boost, maybe during a fight or a long expedition, that he'd use them. Even though his power was constantly increasing, his body couldn't really handle it. That's why he was falling apart, mentally and physically. The thing that should have happened to him 21 years ago was finally happening- his body was submitting and transforming from ice magic.

It put a strain on his organs and muscles, before those were used as fuel for his ever increasing power. His body was decaying while he was still alive. Such a condition wasn't uncommon in this world, but Iowa's limit was "impressive." He kept doing his best, but would ultimately succumb to his condition. At the age of 22, Chiono died from "rapture," or the point when the human body is more mana than flesh.

Iowa: The one the story mostly follows in present day. Iowa can be considered laid back and kind of stupid. He enjoys indulgence the most, and is easy to "control" knowing this. He's very impulsive, and he'll do almost anything as long as he gets some kind of attention in return. He likes to act confident, but rarely acts in a way that would justify the way he talks about himself. Because of his general attitude, he comes off as insensitive and immature. One of his greatest past times is trailing after pretty men and women and hoping they'll take him under his wing. If he isn't doing this, he's hiding out somewhere training or dancing. He loves dancing.

Chiono: A "softer" side of themselves. Chiono is often tense and hard to approach, but they are reliable. As much as they enjoy attention and validation, they try to keep a "professional" air with anyone they happen to approach. They often end up apologizing for things they never did. They enjoy baking intricate desserts.

Hellabore: She's considered the most socially adept. She takes the needs and wants of her "allies" very seriously, and depending on their worth, she makes sure to provide for them. She believes in "an eye for an eye," and never forgets any slight made against her. To those she despises, she makes sure she is a known threat. To allies, she makes sure she is dependable. She enjoys the heat of battle, and the hidden intentions it brings to the surface. She also likes cooking, but her preference are hearty meals rather than dessert.

I put a lot of care into Iowa's design, so here's an explanation for everything. As another warning, this is pretty personal again

Personality

Iowa is kind of an idiot, but not fully. He often acts in a foolish way just for the sake of other's attention. Despite his intelligence, he dumbs himself down fairly often. He puts himself in shameful situations for the same reason. My explanation is to show a sense of self rejection as well as his desperation. He feels as if his "true" self in unacceptable and moldable, and acts in a way he feels is more acceptable. Iowa is angry and resentful. He lashes out in uncontrollable bursts of rage. It's ugly, and therefore he is ugly. He doesn't want to be, of course. This is why he presents himself with a more "acceptable" mask. However, this mask is why he is unable to truly get closer to anyone. He fears what would happen if he ever abandons his mask. If he is too angry, he fears that his already loose friendships will far apart.

Appearance

Iowa's appearance is meant to serve as a visual support to his mask, while also hinting at his "true" persona. Iowa is not someone who would be considered traditionally attractive. He's overweight with black features. In the narrative, you're supposed to dismiss him as a "token black character." He doesn't do very much either. But he's also drawn very disheveled with fancy accessories. His design is in contrast with itself. I wish to implore the reader to look a bit further into Iowa's existence.

Backstory/Main Story

Iowa's existence is painful from beginning to end. At no point is Iowa accepted or cherished. He is a background character that silently suffers, only occasionally hinting at his issues. He is meant to reflect on how poorly marginalized people can be treated. He is a plaything for his friends and family, to the point he is a joke even to himself. But he still grieves. 

His isolation is painful, as much as his physical condition. But he needs to continue to push himself for a semblance of love, and so he does until there is nothing left. In the end, no one truly cares for him. But is it his fault for never opening up, or the other's fault for not providing a safe space for him to do so?

Thank you for reading this far. I love you.