APPLICATION .:. SCORCHED
Out of Character Information
player name: Seiko
player journal:
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
seikoplaying here: N/A
where did you find us? plurk
are you 16 years of age or older?: yes
In Character Information
character name: Gilbert Nightray
Fandom: Pandora Hearts
Timeline:
character's age: 24
powers, skills, pets and equipment:
items & equipment:
- Two revolvers (fully loaded) [I'm honestly not sure if he's carrying two at the canon point he's being taken from, though, so if he can only bring one, that's okay, too],
skills:
- Marksmanship: Gilbert carries two revolvers that's he learned to use quite well. (Although his little brother is the real prodigy of learning such things)
Basic(?) Hand-to-Hand: He at least seems to know how to punch someone. :|a
Abnormal Pain/Injury Tolerance: Although Gilbert can be killed like any other human, he does have an abnormal resistance to being killed by regular attacks (aka: single sword swipes since that seems to be the only thing the mangaka cares to show). It's not superhuman, however, as he's perfectly capable of being killed if the onslaught is continued, however, it is worth noting that he's just a little more rugged than the average human.
CHAIN: Rᴀᴠᴇɴ: Raven is Gilbert's chain, contracted legally through Pandora. Although he rarely ever uses Raven other than as a seal on B-Rabbit's power to prevent it from overwhelming Oz, in Retrace 55, he fully summons Raven in order to protect Xerxes Break from two of the Baskervilles. As suggested by its name, Raven is in the form an enormous eyeless ... raven :|a. It's known as one of the five Black-Winged Chains and is considered one of the strongest Chains known. Randomly, on an aesthetic note, whenever Raven uses its powers it leaves behind an array of black feathers.
Below is a list of its known abilities partially paraphrased from the wiki link that can be reached by clicking on the title of this section!
- # Illusions: Raven is able to create copies of huge birdlike eyes in the darkness that surrounds it, serving for imitation purposes of its victims. It's unknown if Raven can actually see through these eyes (as the Chain technically has no eyes itself) but that is probably the last thought through someone's mind who is unlucky enough to encounter this technique. Since it surrounds its victims with these illusions it also seems to have the ability to blend in and become one with the darkness it creates, making it impossible to identify the chain itself.
# Teleportation: Raven has the ability to teleport individuals including both its contractor and others.
# Sealing Powers: As mentioned in different points of this application, a technique that Raven is able to give its contractor is the ability to seal other contractor's chain's powers. He only performs this on Oz to prevent B-Rabbit and its powers from overwhelming Oz's body due to him being an illegal contractor, so its unknown if this ability can also be performed on a legal contractor and their chain.
# Pathway to the Abyss: As one of the Five Blackwinged Chains, Raven has the ability to open the pathway between Gilbert's world and that of the abyss. This is the main reason for Gilbert wanting to contract with Raven, intent on using this power to rescue Oz from the Abyss.
# Offensive: Raven is able to produce blue flames as an offensive attack.
canon history:
Gilbert's history starts out like any other's would: as a child. Found injured near the Vessalius Household when Oz Vessalius was ten years old, Gilbert was rescued by Oscar Vessalius and introduced to Oz as his new servant in the household. The two also became best friends and for five years it seemed as if nothing could go wrong in their world.
That is until Oz's Coming of Age Ceremony.
Oz asks Gilbert to be part of the ceremony but Gilbert refuses, saying he is not fit for being in such a position. Oz tries to convince him, saying he wants him there as a friend and not as a servant. He leaves the choice ultimately up to Gilbert and departs to get ready for the Ceremony himself, leaving a distraught fourteen-year-old. However, once Gilbert is left alone he is approached by a red-cloaked individual that we later find out is named Zwei. It seems that not everyone planning to attend the Ceremony comes in good will and the next time we see Gilbert, we find out that Zwei has managed to possess him using her Chain's, Doldum, ability as a puppeteer of her victims. Under this control, Gilbert heads to the ceremony to await Oz's arrival.
While Oz is ecstatic to see that Gilbert has decided to attend the ceremony in his requested role, everything begins to unravel when Oz touches the Silent Clock Tower (Still Clock of 100 Years) to make his household vow. For the first time in 100 years, the hands on the clock move, sending everyone witnessing the ceremony into shock. It's then that the three red-cloaked individuals who had been overseeing the ceremony to make sure Oz is the one described in the prophecy enter the area. Their intention?
To send Oz Vessalius to the Abyss, a darkly unknown place described mostly as a dungeon that individuals can never escape from. Only those with the highest of crimes are sentenced to such fates. However, as can be seen by Oz's reaction earlier in the manga, the Abyss seems to be discarded by many as nonexistent, only used to scare children.
Gil is part of the "ceremony" to this sentencing, being controlled by Zwei, he stabs Oz with a dagger, the blood shed by a friend necessary for the path to the Abyss to be opened (at least by this particular chain that does so). However, before the ceremony can be completed, a Chain known as B-Rabbit (Black Rabbit) appears and suddenly claims Oz as her property, deciding to fight against the red-hooded individuals conducting the ceremony. B-Rabbit's interruption also severs the control Doldum has on Gil and while the others are distracted he demands to know what Oz has done to receive such a punishment from the main hooded figure. At that point, lightning strikes outside, lighting up the face of the hooded man, shocking Gil. It's not revealed until later in the story, but the man turns out to be none other than Oz's own father. Oz notices Gil being so close to the red-cloaked individual and, fearing for the safety of his friend, attacks the man. However, with Gil now knowing the identity of the hooded man, he jumps in the way of Oz's sword, taking the blow instead as he doesn't want Oz to find out that the man is actually his father. He knows that Oz would never be able to deal with the idea of his own father trying to cast him into the Abyss.
Gil's actions are enough to distract B-Rabbit and she is sent back into the Abyss to wait for Oz there. Needless to say, the ceremony is successful as a shocked Oz (over him hurting Gil instead of his intended target) doesn't fight back and is dragged into the Abyss.
Despite the wound taken from the attack across the chest, Gil survives. When he wakes up to find out that the Young Master is no longer there, he feels as if he's failed both Oz and the rest of the Vessalius Family. When no one blames him for failing to protect Oz, it's made even worse. As his most important person, Gil is unable to cope with the fact that his "light" is gone.
Enter Xerxes Break, a servant of the Rainsworth Household and member of Pandora. The Nightray Family, an irreconcilable enemy of the Vessalius Household, has taken interest in adopting Gilbert. It seems that another adopted child, one the Nightray family took in when found injured five years ago just like Gil, named Vincent is searching for his lost older brother. His older brother's name is Gilbert. At first, Gil refuses, seeing the entire situation as a further betrayal to the Vessalius Family. However, Break drops the ~hint~ that if someone were to contract with Raven, the Nightray's Chain, that perhaps someone most precious to them that has fallen into the Abyss can be saved. Needless to say, this pings Gilbert as having an opportunity to bring Oz back. Break also wants him to spy on the head of the Household, to be his "precious left eye" while he's there. They'll both use each other, Break says, to get what they want most. Break will be able to keep an eye on the Nightray Head and have someone working with him contract Raven. Gilbert will get the chance to bring Oz back into his life.
After a short reconsideration, Gil packs up and leaves the Vessalius Household. He leaves without their consent and with only a note, leaving the family of his young master behind to enter into the family that his younger brother has been adopted into. Of course, remembering Break's words, Gil stays true to his intentions while within the Nightray Household. After three tries over a course of ten years, he finally succeeds in forming a contract with Raven (It is later said in a flashback by Raven that Gil failed the first two times because: "the first time you failed, the second time you lost yourself" upon Gilbert's third attempt at contracting with the Chain).
Ten years later, with Raven under his control, Gilbert, Xerxes Break, and Sharon Rainsworth make preparations to open the path to the Abyss and rescue Oz. Before they are able to perform the ceremony, though, the path opens and closes, leaving them an unconscious Oz without them having to do anything at all. Gilbert is the first to Oz's side, trying to wake him and ultimately is the first person that Oz sees when he finally does awaken. However, due to the time discrepancy and his feelings of having betraying the Vessalius Family (and Master Oz, despite it done in order to save him), Gilbert decides to keep his identity a secret from Oz, introduced to him as "Raven" by Xerxes.
B-Rabbit, whose has given her name to Oz as Alice, eventually joins the fray after having been hiding within Oz's body and a confrontation occurs due to Xerxes claiming that the three of them must arrest Oz for his apparent contracting with B-Rabbit in order to escape the Abyss. This makes him an illegal contractor and, by law of Pandora (the organization Raven, Sharon, and Xerxes work for), he is to be taken into custody. Using this information, Xerxes manages to bait B-Rabbit and thus knocks her out of Oz's body once she takes control of Oz to avoid arrest. Ultimately, the confrontation ends peacefully, with Xerxes revealing he wants both Alice and Oz to join Pandora as his subordinates.
Alice and Oz decide to do so, Alice's main reason for wanting to get out of the Abyss being to retrieve her memories. Oz, now with an illegal contractor seal that once makes a full rotation will cast him and Alice to the lowest level of the Abyss unless a way to break the contract or erase the seal are found, decides to help Alice find her memories.
Gil takes care of the two mainly, going on missions with them. It's not until Oz requests to return to the mansion where his Coming of Age Ceremony was held in order to look for clues that the truth about Gilbert's identity unravels. Waiting for the three at the mansion is Zwei, the same redhooded individual (by now, the reader knows these individuals as the Baskervilles) that used her chain to possess Gilbert into stabbing Oz on that fateful day ten years ago. Gilbert ends up having Oz and Alice wait in the carriage while he goes with some Pandora officers to check something out. The search ends with it actually being a trap, the officers leading Gil to the main room where the ceremony had been held only for it to be found out that all of the Pandora officers are now under Zwei's control via Doldum's strings. Although she puppeteers them to attack Gil, he kills every single one of them.
Despite the situation, Gil is thrilled to meet Zwei again, finally having a chance for revenge on the one who puppeteered him into harming Oz and thus also unwillingly performing in the ceremony that ended up sending his young master into the Abyss ten years prior. Unfortunately, Gil's initial gunfire attracts the attention of both Oz and Alice, and Oz is Zwei's main priority. As soon as the two enter, she ensnares Gil in Doldum's strings. Not only is Gilbert's true identity revealed to Oz, but Zwei uses Doldum to force him to harm Oz once again, this time with the intent to incapacitate him for Zwei so she can send him back to the Abyss. Alice notes that with Raven in control of Zwei, she can't use her powers to assist Oz.
Oz's words are enough for Gil to realize that he doesn't want to lose Oz again, no matter what. He manages to tear off Doldum's strings and redirect his gun from Oz to Zwei, shooting her in the shoulder and causing her to retreat. After her departure, Gilbert is left with explaining to Oz, starting with the information that he is in fact now a member of the Nightray Household. Because of the relationship between the Nightrays and the Vessaliuses (as well as the very fact he betrayed the Vessalius Household by running away to the Nightray Household without their given permission), Gilbert feels he is no longer the same person Oz once knew and that he no longer has the right to be near Oz as he used to. Without further explanation, he retreats, leaving Oz and Alice alone within the mansion.
The spot he retreats to is a gravesite that he, Oz, and Ada found while wandering the mansion's grounds ten years ago right before the Coming of Age Ceremony.
Filled with mixed emotions, Gilbert uses the short amount of time alone to try and sort his thoughts (and fails rather miserably).
It's not long, however, of Gilbert being alone that Oz shows up suddenly.
When asked what he is doing here, Oz's claim is he's there to treat Gilbert's injuries. Unspoken, Oz also uses the opportunity to have a talk (after Gilbert had left, Oz fell into frustration at the lack of explanation and ran off after Gilbert, leaving Alice alone in the mansion).
A rather endearing ᴄᴏɴᴠᴇʀsᴀᴛɪᴏɴ (30 - 34) follows, with Oz asking where exactly Gilbert has changed. Although ten years have passed and it's natural for things to change in such a time period, Oz doesn't see where Gilbert has changed so much that he feels the way he does.
Gilbert finds this typical of Oz, still the same as he remembers him. He admits that even though he betrayed the Vessalius Household (he does not reveal why, which is mentioned earlier in this section), he still wants to remain as Oz's servant. Oz accepts and the two are properly reunited as the best friends they once were ten years ago again.
SPOILERS :: 100 Years Ago :: SPOILERS
Although there is still much to be revealed and many misleadings at the moment (because the mangaka is sneaky like that and likes to to create an upheaval of everything with every new chapter), the manga partly focuses upon a past event that occurred 100 Years prior to the current timeline known as the Tragedy of Sablier, as it is generally seen that the Baskervilles (the ones responsible for this occurrence) are trying to obtain all five Doors of the Abyss (one is held by each of the Four Duke Households: Vessalius, Nightray, Barma, Rainsworth and the fifth is still in the control of the Baskervilles) and recreate the events of 100 years ago.
As I'm very cautious about adding head canon to this section, I'll only briefly gloss over what we know are hard facts at the moment and explain it as simply as possible. That is, both Gilbert and Vincent were present at the Tragedy of Sablier. They were both servants and apparently Gil was chosen to be the next vessel for Glen Baskerville (Glen would transfer his spirit every 100 years to a new body).. In order for this to occur, he was to be tied to the main chain, which was decided to be Raven, but the ceremony was interrupted by Vincent opening the doors to the Abyss after finding out the supposed fate of his brother if he did not stop the ceremony.
Refraining from giving away some key spoilers (yes, spoilers within spoilers, surprise!), both Vincent and Gilbert are injured and when Sablier is taken into the Abyss, they, too, go with it. How they are able to get out of the Abyss is still uncertain, but the two of them manage to do so, which is how the both of them end up injured and found by the two Duke Houses: Vincent by the Nightrays, and Gilbert by the Vessaliuses.
personality: That is until Oz's Coming of Age Ceremony.
Oz asks Gilbert to be part of the ceremony but Gilbert refuses, saying he is not fit for being in such a position. Oz tries to convince him, saying he wants him there as a friend and not as a servant. He leaves the choice ultimately up to Gilbert and departs to get ready for the Ceremony himself, leaving a distraught fourteen-year-old. However, once Gilbert is left alone he is approached by a red-cloaked individual that we later find out is named Zwei. It seems that not everyone planning to attend the Ceremony comes in good will and the next time we see Gilbert, we find out that Zwei has managed to possess him using her Chain's, Doldum, ability as a puppeteer of her victims. Under this control, Gilbert heads to the ceremony to await Oz's arrival.
While Oz is ecstatic to see that Gilbert has decided to attend the ceremony in his requested role, everything begins to unravel when Oz touches the Silent Clock Tower (Still Clock of 100 Years) to make his household vow. For the first time in 100 years, the hands on the clock move, sending everyone witnessing the ceremony into shock. It's then that the three red-cloaked individuals who had been overseeing the ceremony to make sure Oz is the one described in the prophecy enter the area. Their intention?
To send Oz Vessalius to the Abyss, a darkly unknown place described mostly as a dungeon that individuals can never escape from. Only those with the highest of crimes are sentenced to such fates. However, as can be seen by Oz's reaction earlier in the manga, the Abyss seems to be discarded by many as nonexistent, only used to scare children.
Gil is part of the "ceremony" to this sentencing, being controlled by Zwei, he stabs Oz with a dagger, the blood shed by a friend necessary for the path to the Abyss to be opened (at least by this particular chain that does so). However, before the ceremony can be completed, a Chain known as B-Rabbit (Black Rabbit) appears and suddenly claims Oz as her property, deciding to fight against the red-hooded individuals conducting the ceremony. B-Rabbit's interruption also severs the control Doldum has on Gil and while the others are distracted he demands to know what Oz has done to receive such a punishment from the main hooded figure. At that point, lightning strikes outside, lighting up the face of the hooded man, shocking Gil. It's not revealed until later in the story, but the man turns out to be none other than Oz's own father. Oz notices Gil being so close to the red-cloaked individual and, fearing for the safety of his friend, attacks the man. However, with Gil now knowing the identity of the hooded man, he jumps in the way of Oz's sword, taking the blow instead as he doesn't want Oz to find out that the man is actually his father. He knows that Oz would never be able to deal with the idea of his own father trying to cast him into the Abyss.
Gil's actions are enough to distract B-Rabbit and she is sent back into the Abyss to wait for Oz there. Needless to say, the ceremony is successful as a shocked Oz (over him hurting Gil instead of his intended target) doesn't fight back and is dragged into the Abyss.
Despite the wound taken from the attack across the chest, Gil survives. When he wakes up to find out that the Young Master is no longer there, he feels as if he's failed both Oz and the rest of the Vessalius Family. When no one blames him for failing to protect Oz, it's made even worse. As his most important person, Gil is unable to cope with the fact that his "light" is gone.
Enter Xerxes Break, a servant of the Rainsworth Household and member of Pandora. The Nightray Family, an irreconcilable enemy of the Vessalius Household, has taken interest in adopting Gilbert. It seems that another adopted child, one the Nightray family took in when found injured five years ago just like Gil, named Vincent is searching for his lost older brother. His older brother's name is Gilbert. At first, Gil refuses, seeing the entire situation as a further betrayal to the Vessalius Family. However, Break drops the ~hint~ that if someone were to contract with Raven, the Nightray's Chain, that perhaps someone most precious to them that has fallen into the Abyss can be saved. Needless to say, this pings Gilbert as having an opportunity to bring Oz back. Break also wants him to spy on the head of the Household, to be his "precious left eye" while he's there. They'll both use each other, Break says, to get what they want most. Break will be able to keep an eye on the Nightray Head and have someone working with him contract Raven. Gilbert will get the chance to bring Oz back into his life.
After a short reconsideration, Gil packs up and leaves the Vessalius Household. He leaves without their consent and with only a note, leaving the family of his young master behind to enter into the family that his younger brother has been adopted into. Of course, remembering Break's words, Gil stays true to his intentions while within the Nightray Household. After three tries over a course of ten years, he finally succeeds in forming a contract with Raven (It is later said in a flashback by Raven that Gil failed the first two times because: "the first time you failed, the second time you lost yourself" upon Gilbert's third attempt at contracting with the Chain).
Ten years later, with Raven under his control, Gilbert, Xerxes Break, and Sharon Rainsworth make preparations to open the path to the Abyss and rescue Oz. Before they are able to perform the ceremony, though, the path opens and closes, leaving them an unconscious Oz without them having to do anything at all. Gilbert is the first to Oz's side, trying to wake him and ultimately is the first person that Oz sees when he finally does awaken. However, due to the time discrepancy and his feelings of having betraying the Vessalius Family (and Master Oz, despite it done in order to save him), Gilbert decides to keep his identity a secret from Oz, introduced to him as "Raven" by Xerxes.
B-Rabbit, whose has given her name to Oz as Alice, eventually joins the fray after having been hiding within Oz's body and a confrontation occurs due to Xerxes claiming that the three of them must arrest Oz for his apparent contracting with B-Rabbit in order to escape the Abyss. This makes him an illegal contractor and, by law of Pandora (the organization Raven, Sharon, and Xerxes work for), he is to be taken into custody. Using this information, Xerxes manages to bait B-Rabbit and thus knocks her out of Oz's body once she takes control of Oz to avoid arrest. Ultimately, the confrontation ends peacefully, with Xerxes revealing he wants both Alice and Oz to join Pandora as his subordinates.
Alice and Oz decide to do so, Alice's main reason for wanting to get out of the Abyss being to retrieve her memories. Oz, now with an illegal contractor seal that once makes a full rotation will cast him and Alice to the lowest level of the Abyss unless a way to break the contract or erase the seal are found, decides to help Alice find her memories.
Gil takes care of the two mainly, going on missions with them. It's not until Oz requests to return to the mansion where his Coming of Age Ceremony was held in order to look for clues that the truth about Gilbert's identity unravels. Waiting for the three at the mansion is Zwei, the same redhooded individual (by now, the reader knows these individuals as the Baskervilles) that used her chain to possess Gilbert into stabbing Oz on that fateful day ten years ago. Gilbert ends up having Oz and Alice wait in the carriage while he goes with some Pandora officers to check something out. The search ends with it actually being a trap, the officers leading Gil to the main room where the ceremony had been held only for it to be found out that all of the Pandora officers are now under Zwei's control via Doldum's strings. Although she puppeteers them to attack Gil, he kills every single one of them.
"Ahaha, you're pretty cruel... Even though they were your colleagues... you've become quite the brutal adult, haven't you?" - Zᴡᴇɪ, Rᴇᴛʀᴀᴄᴇ 6, Pᴀɢᴇ 26
Despite the situation, Gil is thrilled to meet Zwei again, finally having a chance for revenge on the one who puppeteered him into harming Oz and thus also unwillingly performing in the ceremony that ended up sending his young master into the Abyss ten years prior. Unfortunately, Gil's initial gunfire attracts the attention of both Oz and Alice, and Oz is Zwei's main priority. As soon as the two enter, she ensnares Gil in Doldum's strings. Not only is Gilbert's true identity revealed to Oz, but Zwei uses Doldum to force him to harm Oz once again, this time with the intent to incapacitate him for Zwei so she can send him back to the Abyss. Alice notes that with Raven in control of Zwei, she can't use her powers to assist Oz.
"I'll let you taste it... the pain I took for you!" - Gɪʟʙᴇʀᴛ, Rᴇᴛʀᴀᴄᴇ 7, Pᴀɢᴇ 13
{"...But, Young Master, no matter what happens I will be beside you. I know the darkness you have and you, too, know of the weakness I have... We are connected by shadow, not light. That's why, from now on, no matter how much time passes, even if our positions change, I want to always stay by your side." - Gɪʟʙᴇʀᴛ (10 Yᴇᴀʀs Pʀɪᴏʀ), Rᴇᴛʀᴀᴄᴇ 7, Pᴀɢᴇ 6}
"You're really Gil, aren't you...? You bear a grudge, right...? Because of me, you almost died. I... wanted to believe in your promises, but... because of me they will turn into lies. If I have to see that moment... then it's better for me to die here." - Oᴢ, Rᴇᴛʀᴀᴄᴇ 7, Pᴀɢᴇ 17
Oz's words are enough for Gil to realize that he doesn't want to lose Oz again, no matter what. He manages to tear off Doldum's strings and redirect his gun from Oz to Zwei, shooting her in the shoulder and causing her to retreat. After her departure, Gilbert is left with explaining to Oz, starting with the information that he is in fact now a member of the Nightray Household. Because of the relationship between the Nightrays and the Vessaliuses (as well as the very fact he betrayed the Vessalius Household by running away to the Nightray Household without their given permission), Gilbert feels he is no longer the same person Oz once knew and that he no longer has the right to be near Oz as he used to. Without further explanation, he retreats, leaving Oz and Alice alone within the mansion.
The spot he retreats to is a gravesite that he, Oz, and Ada found while wandering the mansion's grounds ten years ago right before the Coming of Age Ceremony.
"Oh my—how nostalgic. When Ada, you and I explored the mansion, we stumbled across this place. It was so uncool when you fell on your face." - Oᴢ, Rᴇᴛʀᴀᴄᴇ 7, Pᴀɢᴇ 29-30
Filled with mixed emotions, Gilbert uses the short amount of time alone to try and sort his thoughts (and fails rather miserably).
"There was always a chance to tell him. I knew that it would be exposed one day. Even so, the reason why I couldn't tell him was..." - Gɪʟʙᴇʀᴛ, Rᴇᴛʀᴀᴄᴇ 7, Pᴀɢᴇ 28
It's not long, however, of Gilbert being alone that Oz shows up suddenly.
"I thought you'd be here! Ahahaha, this place hasn't changed. Whether in two months or ten years." - Oᴢ, Rᴇᴛʀᴀᴄᴇ 7, Pᴀɢᴇ 29
When asked what he is doing here, Oz's claim is he's there to treat Gilbert's injuries. Unspoken, Oz also uses the opportunity to have a talk (after Gilbert had left, Oz fell into frustration at the lack of explanation and ran off after Gilbert, leaving Alice alone in the mansion).
"Why did you keep quiet about it?"
- Oᴢ, Rᴇᴛʀᴀᴄᴇ 7, Pᴀɢᴇ 30
"I didn't want you to know that I had changed."
- Gɪʟʙᴇʀᴛ, Rᴇᴛʀᴀᴄᴇ 7, Pᴀɢᴇ 30
A rather endearing ᴄᴏɴᴠᴇʀsᴀᴛɪᴏɴ (30 - 34) follows, with Oz asking where exactly Gilbert has changed. Although ten years have passed and it's natural for things to change in such a time period, Oz doesn't see where Gilbert has changed so much that he feels the way he does.
"Just because you became a noble... Don't think that I will let go of you." - Oᴢ, Rᴇᴛʀᴀᴄᴇ 7, Pᴀɢᴇ 33 - 34
Gilbert finds this typical of Oz, still the same as he remembers him. He admits that even though he betrayed the Vessalius Household (he does not reveal why, which is mentioned earlier in this section), he still wants to remain as Oz's servant. Oz accepts and the two are properly reunited as the best friends they once were ten years ago again.
"You know, I betrayed the Vessalius...?"
(I'm already stained)
"And yet..."
"It's fine? If you wished for it."
(Even so, if you say that you will forgive me...?)
"Even now I want to stay by your side/as your follower...!"
"Heh... Long time no see, Gilbert."
- Gɪʟʙᴇʀᴛ & Oᴢ, Rᴇᴛʀᴀᴄᴇ 7, Pᴀɢᴇ 35 - 36
SPOILERS :: 100 Years Ago :: SPOILERS
Although there is still much to be revealed and many misleadings at the moment (because the mangaka is sneaky like that and likes to to create an upheaval of everything with every new chapter), the manga partly focuses upon a past event that occurred 100 Years prior to the current timeline known as the Tragedy of Sablier, as it is generally seen that the Baskervilles (the ones responsible for this occurrence) are trying to obtain all five Doors of the Abyss (one is held by each of the Four Duke Households: Vessalius, Nightray, Barma, Rainsworth and the fifth is still in the control of the Baskervilles) and recreate the events of 100 years ago.
As I'm very cautious about adding head canon to this section, I'll only briefly gloss over what we know are hard facts at the moment and explain it as simply as possible. That is, both Gilbert and Vincent were present at the Tragedy of Sablier. They were both servants and apparently Gil was chosen to be the next vessel for Glen Baskerville (Glen would transfer his spirit every 100 years to a new body).. In order for this to occur, he was to be tied to the main chain, which was decided to be Raven, but the ceremony was interrupted by Vincent opening the doors to the Abyss after finding out the supposed fate of his brother if he did not stop the ceremony.
Refraining from giving away some key spoilers (yes, spoilers within spoilers, surprise!), both Vincent and Gilbert are injured and when Sablier is taken into the Abyss, they, too, go with it. How they are able to get out of the Abyss is still uncertain, but the two of them manage to do so, which is how the both of them end up injured and found by the two Duke Houses: Vincent by the Nightrays, and Gilbert by the Vessaliuses.
As a fourteen-year-old we are introduced to Gilbert as a rather shy but kind individual. A bit of a cry-baby terrified by cats, he is completely and utterly devoted to his master, Oz Vessalius. Torn between the idea of being best friends with Oz (which he feels he doesn't deserve) and his servant, Gilbert is often lamenting or fretting over decisions and situations that clash the two in his mind. One example of this would be Oz's Coming of Age Ceremony. The manga starts out the afternoon before Oz's Coming of Age Ceremony with Oz and his younger sister, Ada, hiding from one of the servants responsible for readying the young master for the ceremony. Gilbert is found by himself, an unusual situation as he is almost always by Young Master Oz's side, and is questioned the whereabouts of Oz and Ada. Clearly trying to avoid the question, he is threatened with a cat and reveals the whereabouts of the two to be the Lake. However, once the servant leaves with the information, it's clear Gilbert has lied for Oz and Ada pop out of the dresser in the same room. Obviously uncomfortable with lying (and fear of being threatened with more cats), it's clear his devotion to Oz goes above and beyond that of any normal servant. Later, as the three of them are exploring the mansion grounds, Oz presents ceremonial clothes to Gilbert stating he wants him to be part of the ceremony. Gilbert feels he is unworthy, faced with doubts of self-worth and as a servant, not fit for such a role in the young master's Coming of Age Ceremony. However, Oz asks him not to do it as a servant but as his best friend. He leaves the decision up to Gilbert and Gilbert continues to fret, torn between wanting to please Oz and unable to overcome his own self-perception.
Despite his tendencies, however, his extreme devotion to Oz is clear and even causes him to have bouts of brave, if not foolhardy, actions. Although he later considers his actions a mistake, one instance of this is he wants to prove to Oz that his father doesn't hate him and thus confronts Master Zai Vessalius one snowy day while he's still at the Vessalius Household, begging him to see Oz before he leaves. Unfortunately, Gilbert's act of bravery and attempt to heal self-inflicting wounds Oz has created backfire, as it's only confirmed that Oz's fears of his father hating him are true.
To make matters worse, Oz is there to witness it in person and even tries to protect Gilbert when his father has Gilbert punished for his actions. Oz is also punished, not allowed to leave the household and is left alone, Gilbert being locked in the basement for three days to reflect on his actions. He's later rescued by Oscar Vessalius (Oz's uncle who is like a father to both of them) and comes to find Oz by himself reading, a wall already completely built around him from the experience three days prior.
Gilbert breaks down in tears, claiming it to be his fault and doesn't understand why the Young Master is okay with what has happened.
Gilbert's life as a child revolves around Oz and his personality and actions reflect this, breaking barriers in his character every so often for the young master. Even in his mold as a simple and kind child, the two of them treasure each other's presences and need little else in their lives until they're torn apart by Oz's banishment to the Abyss.
Ten years later, in the current setting, Gilbert has gone through quite a bit that has cracked and remodeled his personality from his time as a child. In order to reach the possibility of getting Oz back into his life, he's willing to get his hands dirty within the shadows of the Nightray Household and their duties within the Four Dukedoms. He acts cold and distant, even towards Oz when the boy initially wakes up after being returned from the Abyss. However, we see that most of it is a facade, especially with Oz. Once the truth of his identity is revealed to Oz and he admits to wanting to still serve the Vessalius heir despite now being part of the Nightray Household, his cold and distant attitude becomes extremely protective (maybe even overprotective). He can be harsh with the other but it's out of care and concern, worried about Oz's (unchanged) outlook on things (particularly of himself) and how oblivious he seems to be on what fate ultimately has in store for him.
At times, Gilbert can still be seen as his fourteen-year-old self, crying easily when drunk and calling Oz "Young Master" (for the most part, despite being his servant, he simply calls Oz "Oz" when addressing him, although refers to him as "my master" from time to time when discussing him with others, such as Alice). For Oz, it's an extra comfort to know that deep down Gilbert is still the same person he knew before being dropped into the Abyss. Despite ten years of trials and hardships, Gilbert has still managed to retain a part of himself that even he himself thought that he had lost as being familiar to Oz. Yet, Gilbert is still caring and kind, often acting as an older brother of sorts to both Oz and even Alice, the latter whom he has an odd relationship with. Oz thinks that Gilbert has a soft spot for her, but it's currently unknown if it's true. It's known that he has a strong desire to kill her at one point in order to save Oz from the fate of being an illegal contractor.
Gilbert holds a great amount of respect for his younger brother, Vincent Nightray, particularly because of his brother being extremely talented. Vincent's ability to surpass Gilbert's skills with a revolver that had taken him years in a matter of months is of particular highlight. It's also clear he cares for his younger brother, although to what level is unknown, particularly with recent chapters having them on opposing sides. However, when the two were much much younger (before Gilbert ever met Oz), it's shown that while Gilbert knew his life would be easier without Vincent if he had just left him alone to fend for himself, Gilbert was never able to do so.
Now older, he also harbors an intense hatred for Zai Vessalius, Oz's father. It extends past the point of hatred, really, and also crosses into blatant disrespect for the Vessalius Household leader. He goes as far to shoot at the other when he makes an appearance before Oz, warning Zai to stay away from the boy. If not for Xerxes Break's intervention, the confrontation would have erupted into a battle between their chains (Zai's being Gryphon and Gilbert's being Raven). Zai well aware of Gilbert's desire to rid Oz of the person who has caused him the most pain. For Gilbert, it's also to rid himself of the man who is responsible for him losing Oz in the first place.
Oz often teases Gilbert still, and Gilbert is easily riled up as a result. He also has a history of engaging in bickering (and sometimes physical) arguments with Alice, the two often disagreeing and fighting over their opinions while insulting each other. Oz never takes sides when it happens, often appearing oblivious, which just fuels the fire between the two of them (sometimes it's as if the two are competing for Oz's attention. To some extent, they probably are).
Gilbert, even as an adult, never gets over his fear of cats. This is revealed when Oz and Gilbert enter the realm of Chesire to go after Alice and Break, who have already been "captured" (or more like Break used Alice as bait to lure out Chesire for his own intentions).
As part of the Nightray family, Gilbert actually does hold some affection towards his youngest brother, Elliot Nightray, who is a pureblood Nightray unlike he and Vincent. Vincent mentions in later chapters after a certain event happens that he thanks Elliot for being there otherwise Gilbert would never have ever been able to smile in the Nightray Household.
Random facts include he is an amazing cook and, according to Xerxes Break, that he took up smoking because he idolizes Oscar Vessalius. Rufus Barma mentions that although he attempted to quit smoking eight times, he failed. The hat he always wears with his default outfit was given to him by Ada Vessalius and is very precious to him. It's important enough that when Oz loses it in the city, Gilbert drags both Oz and Alice to search for it. When it's found to be in the hands of some street thugs, Oz decides on them all having an arm wrestling match for who has rightful possession of the hat.
Despite his tendencies, however, his extreme devotion to Oz is clear and even causes him to have bouts of brave, if not foolhardy, actions. Although he later considers his actions a mistake, one instance of this is he wants to prove to Oz that his father doesn't hate him and thus confronts Master Zai Vessalius one snowy day while he's still at the Vessalius Household, begging him to see Oz before he leaves. Unfortunately, Gilbert's act of bravery and attempt to heal self-inflicting wounds Oz has created backfire, as it's only confirmed that Oz's fears of his father hating him are true.
"Do you think a servant can tell their master what to think?" - Zᴀɪ Vᴇssᴀʟɪᴜs, Rᴇᴛʀᴀᴄᴇ 10, Pᴀɢᴇ 36
"I'm sorry, but... you are not my master... Young Master Oz is!" - Gɪʟʙᴇʀᴛ, Rᴇᴛʀᴀᴄᴇ 10, Pᴀɢᴇ 36
To make matters worse, Oz is there to witness it in person and even tries to protect Gilbert when his father has Gilbert punished for his actions. Oz is also punished, not allowed to leave the household and is left alone, Gilbert being locked in the basement for three days to reflect on his actions. He's later rescued by Oscar Vessalius (Oz's uncle who is like a father to both of them) and comes to find Oz by himself reading, a wall already completely built around him from the experience three days prior.
"For three days I was locked up in the mansion's basement. I was rescued by Oscar. I went to Oz right away and what I saw was..." - Gɪʟʙᴇʀᴛ ᴛᴏ Aʟɪᴄᴇ (ɴᴀʀʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘᴀsᴛ ᴇᴠᴇɴᴛs ʜᴇ's ʀᴇᴛᴇʟʟɪɴɢ), Rᴇᴛʀᴀᴄᴇ 10, Pᴀɢᴇ 39
Gilbert breaks down in tears, claiming it to be his fault and doesn't understand why the Young Master is okay with what has happened.
"Hey, Gil. I've thought about it a lot. While you weren't here for those three days, the whole time I thought about myself. That's why it's fine. It's been like that from the beginning." - Oᴢ ᴛᴏ Gɪʟʙᴇʀᴛ ᴏɴ ʜɪs ʀᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴsʜɪᴘ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜɪs ғᴀᴛʜᴇʀ, Rᴇᴛʀᴀᴄᴇ 10, Pᴀɢᴇ 41
Gilbert's life as a child revolves around Oz and his personality and actions reflect this, breaking barriers in his character every so often for the young master. Even in his mold as a simple and kind child, the two of them treasure each other's presences and need little else in their lives until they're torn apart by Oz's banishment to the Abyss.
Ten years later, in the current setting, Gilbert has gone through quite a bit that has cracked and remodeled his personality from his time as a child. In order to reach the possibility of getting Oz back into his life, he's willing to get his hands dirty within the shadows of the Nightray Household and their duties within the Four Dukedoms. He acts cold and distant, even towards Oz when the boy initially wakes up after being returned from the Abyss. However, we see that most of it is a facade, especially with Oz. Once the truth of his identity is revealed to Oz and he admits to wanting to still serve the Vessalius heir despite now being part of the Nightray Household, his cold and distant attitude becomes extremely protective (maybe even overprotective). He can be harsh with the other but it's out of care and concern, worried about Oz's (unchanged) outlook on things (particularly of himself) and how oblivious he seems to be on what fate ultimately has in store for him.
At times, Gilbert can still be seen as his fourteen-year-old self, crying easily when drunk and calling Oz "Young Master" (for the most part, despite being his servant, he simply calls Oz "Oz" when addressing him, although refers to him as "my master" from time to time when discussing him with others, such as Alice). For Oz, it's an extra comfort to know that deep down Gilbert is still the same person he knew before being dropped into the Abyss. Despite ten years of trials and hardships, Gilbert has still managed to retain a part of himself that even he himself thought that he had lost as being familiar to Oz. Yet, Gilbert is still caring and kind, often acting as an older brother of sorts to both Oz and even Alice, the latter whom he has an odd relationship with. Oz thinks that Gilbert has a soft spot for her, but it's currently unknown if it's true. It's known that he has a strong desire to kill her at one point in order to save Oz from the fate of being an illegal contractor.
Gilbert holds a great amount of respect for his younger brother, Vincent Nightray, particularly because of his brother being extremely talented. Vincent's ability to surpass Gilbert's skills with a revolver that had taken him years in a matter of months is of particular highlight. It's also clear he cares for his younger brother, although to what level is unknown, particularly with recent chapters having them on opposing sides. However, when the two were much much younger (before Gilbert ever met Oz), it's shown that while Gilbert knew his life would be easier without Vincent if he had just left him alone to fend for himself, Gilbert was never able to do so.
Now older, he also harbors an intense hatred for Zai Vessalius, Oz's father. It extends past the point of hatred, really, and also crosses into blatant disrespect for the Vessalius Household leader. He goes as far to shoot at the other when he makes an appearance before Oz, warning Zai to stay away from the boy. If not for Xerxes Break's intervention, the confrontation would have erupted into a battle between their chains (Zai's being Gryphon and Gilbert's being Raven). Zai well aware of Gilbert's desire to rid Oz of the person who has caused him the most pain. For Gilbert, it's also to rid himself of the man who is responsible for him losing Oz in the first place.
Oz often teases Gilbert still, and Gilbert is easily riled up as a result. He also has a history of engaging in bickering (and sometimes physical) arguments with Alice, the two often disagreeing and fighting over their opinions while insulting each other. Oz never takes sides when it happens, often appearing oblivious, which just fuels the fire between the two of them (sometimes it's as if the two are competing for Oz's attention. To some extent, they probably are).
Gilbert, even as an adult, never gets over his fear of cats. This is revealed when Oz and Gilbert enter the realm of Chesire to go after Alice and Break, who have already been "captured" (or more like Break used Alice as bait to lure out Chesire for his own intentions).
"Gil, what now? ...Huh?!"
"Cat... I didn't know it was a cat..."
"...Don't tell me that your cat phobia hasn't been cured? ...HEY, WAKE UP." - Oᴢ ᴀɴᴅ Gɪʟʙᴇʀᴛ, Rᴇᴛʀᴀᴄᴇ 16, Pᴀɢᴇ 10
As part of the Nightray family, Gilbert actually does hold some affection towards his youngest brother, Elliot Nightray, who is a pureblood Nightray unlike he and Vincent. Vincent mentions in later chapters after a certain event happens that he thanks Elliot for being there otherwise Gilbert would never have ever been able to smile in the Nightray Household.
Random facts include he is an amazing cook and, according to Xerxes Break, that he took up smoking because he idolizes Oscar Vessalius. Rufus Barma mentions that although he attempted to quit smoking eight times, he failed. The hat he always wears with his default outfit was given to him by Ada Vessalius and is very precious to him. It's important enough that when Oz loses it in the city, Gilbert drags both Oz and Alice to search for it. When it's found to be in the hands of some street thugs, Oz decides on them all having an arm wrestling match for who has rightful possession of the hat.
why do you feel this character would be appropriate to the setting?
Gilbert has endured a life of constant upheaval, from when he was found by the Vessalius family (and prior) to his reunion with Oz. He has a will of steel and once set his mind to it is willing to do just about anything to get his way, particularly when it concerns Oz. Since Oz is his most precious person (and his life basically revolves around him), .... **CONTINUE**
Writing Samples
Network Post Sample:
[VOICE]
—Xerxes Break, if you can hear me, answer me!
[There's a pause in his words, a stern and stiff yet professional silence filtering in after his words. It's concern mixed with irritation before he finally sighs, letting the thick air go with or without an answer. The young man's voice drops it's stiffness, its professionalism gone. He sounds tired, desperate even.]
I need someone to explain to me what has happened and where I am.
Oz—
[. . .]
If anyone knows of an individual by the name of Oz Vessalius, please contact me. I need to find him. ...Oz, or even that stupid rabbit, if you're out there...!
[He stops himself, though, aggravated at himself over something. A small 'tch is heard through clenched teeth and he ends the call.]
—Xerxes Break, if you can hear me, answer me!
[There's a pause in his words, a stern and stiff yet professional silence filtering in after his words. It's concern mixed with irritation before he finally sighs, letting the thick air go with or without an answer. The young man's voice drops it's stiffness, its professionalism gone. He sounds tired, desperate even.]
I need someone to explain to me what has happened and where I am.
Oz—
[. . .]
If anyone knows of an individual by the name of Oz Vessalius, please contact me. I need to find him. ...Oz, or even that stupid rabbit, if you're out there...!
[He stops himself, though, aggravated at himself over something. A small 'tch is heard through clenched teeth and he ends the call.]
Third Person Sample:
Log Sample from Asgard.
Anything else? Nope!