Full Name: Jistu Redding
Nicknames/Aliases: Almost never goes by his full name, and instead goes strictly by Ji
Age: 24
Gender: Male h/h
Sexuality: gAyyYy
Occupation: N/A
Personality: His name literally means “Trickster Rabbit” in Cherokee, so you could probably guess. This dude is truly a force to be reckoned with, his witty mind bringing a joke to any situation he can find. Although, while he’s off-stage, he can actually come off as quite chill and easy-going. Always seems to have that laid-back nature, but in reality, has mild anxiety. Never about speaking in front of a crowd, mind you, but about social situations regarding people of his age. He can act like a completely different person the moment he steps out from behind the curtains, but can genuinely be unsure of himself or how to act in other situations.
Mannerisms: Never goes anywhere without his lucky rabbit’s foot— which is made from the actual fur of a rabbit / squints when he’s thinking or confused / mutters to himself and tends to chew on pens
Hobbies: Researching really nothing in particular / speaking / studying and staying in tune with his native culture / music— but listening to it more than playing it
If you were to describe them in one sentence: Pretty much the embodiment of stressing about something and doing nothing to fix it, so you just sit there all anxious and jittery without productivity.
Physical Appearance: Probably one of those that, at first glance, would be considered “tall, dark, and handsome.” He’s got pitch black hair, short, and pushed up and out of his face, and the deepest of brown eyes, nearly black against the stark white. He usually has a few beads in his hair, despite the strands being hardly thick enough to keep them there. His skin is a lighter coffee color with pinkish undertones to make it warmer in just the slightest, and nearly spotless despite weird, undiagnosed pigmentations. They’re harmless, though, simply just places where “the ink ran out,” as his parents like to say. His face is fuller and seemingly chiseled from his head, the slightest bit of scruff around the edges. He’s brawniest at his shoulders, having a broader chest and longer legs, while still looking nicely proportional. He stands at about 6’0”.
Normal Attire / Gear: Any black sweaters he can get his hands on, usually wearing some kind of light slacks with it and dress shoes. He’s certainly a fancy one, and loves all shirts collared with little ties around them. Despite this, he really enjoys all kinds of fun elastic inspirational bracelets on either wrist. Perhaps too many, but that’s impossible in his book.
Backstory: He was raised in what would be labeled as a “common household,” with a younger brother (now 19) and his two parents. He has an extremely close bond with his family, and they keep it very close-knit. For a while after high school, Ji found his career as a comedian while he was traveling with his brother overseas, at a very impromptu open-mic place on the outskirts of Amsterdam. From there, he honed his talent of being in front of the crowed and booked gigs wherever he could, soon coming back to America to perform with the help of his brother. However, now with his brother off at college and the offer of being a teacher for a public speaking class, Ji is convinced he found his calling, and is super happy about it.
Family: Brother (Yona), Father (Garett), Mother (Inola)
Other: He’s very in touch with his culture, but doesn’t mention it often. Of course, his apartment is filled with traditional Cherokee items and such just so he could remember the stories his mother told him, and her parents before her, and so on.
Students:
Hali — small questioning baby boyo who has a fiery heart
Layla — absolute determined bi gal who mimics Ji’s humor more than he’d like
Sebastian — asexual dweeb who just wants someone to help him get over stage fright