<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/thumb/6/68/Xerxestaylor1.jpg/394px-Xerxestaylor1.jpg)(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/thumb/9/91/Xerxestaylor2.jpg/428px-Xerxestaylor2.jpg)</div><strong>Name</strong>: Xerxes (zerc-seas) Taylor<br/><br/><strong>Age/Birthdate</strong>: 17 / October 23, 1999<br/><br/><strong>Blood Status</strong>: Muggle born<br/><br/><strong>House</strong>: Slytherin<br/><br/><strong>Year</strong>: 1st Year<br/><br/><strong>Wand</strong>: Walnut with Veela hair core, 10 inches, pliable<br/><br/><strong>FaceClaim</strong>: Dylan O’Brien<br/><br/><strong>Height/Weight</strong>: 5’10”/152 lbs<br/><br/><strong>Hair Color</strong>: Dark brown<br/><br/><strong>Eyes</strong>: Dark brown<br/><br/><strong>Distinguishing Marks</strong>: Xerxes wears glasses – he does own contacts, but they tend to irritate his eyes so he doesn’t wear them often. His only distinguishing feature is a small birthmark on his left dimple.<br/><br/><strong>Sexual Orientation</strong>: Gay (semi-closeted) While not particularly sexually active up until this point in his life, Xerxes has internally accepted that he is gay, but has yet to proudly wave a rainbow flag. He doesn’t hide it – particularly from strangers, but he doesn’t discuss it with his family.<br/><br/><strong>Home</strong>: Bowness-on-Solway, a small coastal hamlet at the far Western edge of Northumberland on the England/Scotland border.<br/><br/><strong>Personality</strong>:<br/>Curiosity…Xerxes is full of curiosity and constantly seeking new knowledge. Sometimes this constant question asking can get annoying. His mind is constantly processing information and he sometimes feels if he doesn’t understand everything he’ll explode. Xerxes is bright and full of facts but lacks strategic application of knowledge. In other words, he could recite most theory and mechanics of magic, but is not adept at implementing into successful spellcasting. It likely comes from the lack of experience with magic users.<br/><br/>Naïve…Xerxes has a certain amount of naivete when it comes to others. He doesn’t easily catch innuendo regardless that he is fiercely intelligent.<br/><br/>Mellow…Xerxes is easy going in his demeanor. He doesn’t have much of a temper and gets along with most people.<br/><br/>Introverted…Xerxes is mostly an introvert. He isn’t shy, but tends to speak to ask questions rather than give his opinion. He feels more comfortable in small groups.<br/><br/><strong>Family</strong>: Xerxes parents William and Margaret are Muggles that own a Bed & Breakfast in Bowness-on-Solway which caters to guests who are walking Hadrian’s Wall or interested in the tides. It is uncertain as to where Xerxes’ magical heritage originated as none of his known family attended a magical school.<br/><br/><strong>History</strong>: Xerxes grew up in a loving family that was self-sufficient in their small community. While now retired, his grandfather made his living off the sea from fishing and selling his catch. His grandmother was the perfect grandmother – doting, wonderful cook, and warm.<br/><br/>Xerxes’ parents took advantage of the tourism industry in the region and opened a Bed & Breakfast, the High Tide Inn. As a result of operating guest accommodations, his father was constantly fixing broken doors or repairing a malfunctioning appliance. It is likely Xerxes gained his interest in tinkering from watching his father. His mother was the epitome of a welcoming host – always making people feel like part of the family. Both were well read and spoke several languages, learned over the years of hosting foreign visitors.<br/><br/>Growing up, Xerxes spent is time not only following around his parents, but also taking advantage of the sea. Bowness-on-Solway was a small port on the Irish sea. Xerxes enjoyed boating and swimming in the cold sea and investigating what was brought in with the tides each day which plowed in and out like clockwork.<br/><br/>Xerxes attended school in nearby Carlisle and was the top of his class. He had particular interest in sciences and even had a thought of becoming an engineer. When the invitation to Hogwarts came his family was taken off guard and introduced to a world they never fathomed existed. Before school was to head back into session Xerxes met a guy his age, Jason, that was staying with his aunt and uncle. Jason played rugby for his high school and had stories of London that fed Xerxes curiosity. One night their discussions evolved and Xerxes had his first intimate encounter. Jason made it clear that there would be no relationship and it was just for fun. It impacted Xerxes both positively and negatively – he became self-aware of his sexuality, but also hurt when Jason slammed the door on any relationship.<br/><br/><strong>Likes</strong>: Inventing things (tinkering), combining charms and technology, reading, libraries, and swimming<br/><br/><strong>Dislikes</strong>: Machismo, arrogance, battling, egotism, and ignorance<br/><br/><strong>Moments of Glory</strong>: Xerxes was on his way to being valedictorian of his class before the invitation from Hogwarts was received.<br/><br/><strong>Moments of Shame</strong>: Before leaving home for Hogwarts, Xerxes was approached by a rugby player in high school that was staying with his aunt and uncle. The two got along and it quickly became physical. Unfortunately, it was made clear that there would be no long-term relationship – only the pleasure.<br/><br/><strong>Biggest Regret</strong>: Hiding his sexual orientation from his parents.<br/><br/><strong>Extra-curricular activities</strong>: Primarily academics, boating and swimming.<br/>