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information
Sep. 14th, 2020 12:25 pmage. 13
birthday. April 20, 2025
gender. male (assigned female at birth)
sexuality. unknown.
faction. former Seraphite
origin. Haven (Seattle, WA)
mother. deceased
father. unknown
sibling. Yara (16), deceased
other. Abby Anderson (best friend, adoptive older sister, protector)
At first glance, Lev comes across as reserved and somewhat unusually serious for a child his age due to the harshness of the world that he was born into. He has always had to fight for his survival and was trained to be deadly with a bow and arrow from a young age. He's quiet, yet confident, and operates based on a strong intuition and feelings that are often correct. However, he is also sheltered due to growing up in the Seraphite cult and kept from the knowledge of the outside world, especially that which came before the Infected appeared (Lev refers to this as “Old Word”). He doesn’t understand things like puns or sarcasm well (though with Abby he’s learning) and he only just learned how to use cuss words.
However, despite seeming aloof, Lev is actually a very genuine person who forms strong bonds with others. He is extremely close to his older sister, Yara, and risks his life to save her when she’s captured by the Seraphite elders after they go on the run. He also deeply regrets involving her in his decision to become an apostate due to his rejection of the cult’s strict view on gender roles (and subsequently his gender identity). He also forms a quick bond with Abby, even though they had considered each other parts of enemy groups for most of their lives, and opens up to her about his fears. Lev wants to be helpful to others whenever he can and is very protective over the people that he cares about.
Although the harshness of the world made him grow up far too fast, Lev is still curious and mischievous as young teenagers are. He teases Abby about how she had an awkward encounter with her ex to distract her from her fears. He has a deep curiosity about Old World things and likes to ask questions about them. Lev is especially fond of learning new slang but often makes mistakes, such as mistaking the word “cool” with “cold”. When Abby teaches him how to cuss, he picks it up quickly and starts throwing the word “fuck” around like it’s his new favorite word. Lev can also be pessimistic and critical in a teenage way and likes to chastise Abby when he thinks she’s being ridiculous.
Lev possesses a quiet determination and courage to live his life on his own terms and be himself. Rather than hide who he is to stay in his culture, he shaves his head and openly identifies as a male, even though doing so means he is at risk of being hunted and killed by his own people. He doesn’t question himself or his identity but instead questions the world around him for their failure to accept him. He knows who he is on the inside and is, as Abby puts it, “pretty punk rock” in how he forges his own path.
Lev’s spirituality is a huge part of what drives him. He deeply believes in the teachings of the Seraphite Prophet and that she is guiding him. It is completely the basis for his kindness, courage, and self-determination and he rejects the rigidness and the violence that sprang up in the religion since her death, knowing that Elders have twisted the Prophet’s words. His belief in those peaceful words push Lev to be a kind human in a harsh word. When Abby is afraid of heights, he offers words of advice he was taught by the prophet to try and comfort her, even though her fears are causing them to slow down on a time sensitive mission. Instead of being angry with her, he’s simply gentle and comforting.
However, Lev can also be somewhat stubborn and naive. Despite knowing that his mother will never leave the Seraphites and would even harm him for how he identifies, he returns to the cult to try and save her. This ultimately foolish action ends with his mother dead at his hands in self defense and costs Yara her life. It also shows that he was naive in his faith, truly believing that his mother’s deep seated faith would save her life despite all logic to the contrary. This tests his faith and he has to learn that it cannot do everything he thought that it could.