So, ya got a name?

          *looks up at you and nods, but says nothing else. *

*eyes you a bit warily* What's your real name?

          *nods and pulls out a pad of paper and pencil* *writes ' My name is Derek McKaines'.* *looks up at you and smiles*

You got a nickname or anything?

           *nods and goes back to his pad of paper* *'It's Silent.  I'm mute...but I guess you already figured that one out.'* *looks up at you, smiles, and shrugs*

*smirks a bit* How'd you get that one?

           *sighs, but smiles and points back to the pad of paper, where he had written the answer to the last question* *adds to it* *'My mother used to call me that, because when I was a baby, I was always so silent... it stuck.' *

So how old are you, anyways?

            *'Seventeen, and my birthday is February 18th.'*

Whaddaya look like? *receives a 'look' from you* Just answer the question...

          *rolls his eyes, but smiles good-naturedly* *starts to write* *'I am 5'11, with black hair and light brown eyes.'* *pauses to think, then starts to write again* *'I have an average build, though I am somewhat muscular. I don't know. Take a look at me.' * *looks at you and shrugs*

*smiles* I'm assuming you have a personality...what's it like?

          *grins and nods* *' I'm, um, quiet. '* *looks up at you and silently laughs, then continues to write* *' I like to think that I have a heart of gold... I don't hate anybody. My mother taught me to be compassionate, and to help out where I'm needed.  I'm not one for confrontation, but I will speak, er, stand up for myself if need be. And for anybody else, too. I'm not sure what else to say.. but you'll learn more as you get to know me.'* *smiles broadly, revealing the dimples on his cheeks*

Wanna tell us about your background?  Please?

           *nods sadly* *'I was born mute. When my father realized this, he thought I was a freak, and he ran off, leaving me with my mother and my sister Anna, who is a year older than me. My mother always treated us very well. We were an upper-middle class family in Greenwich Village. I only lived a few blocks from here, actually. My mother raised us for 15 years. Then, one day, there was a huge block fire, and my mother perished in it..'* *a tear falls from his eye and rolls down his cheek* *quickly wipes it away* *' Social Services came and split Anna and I up. We were sent to different orphanages across the city. Somehow I managed to escape. Eventually, Anna found me here.'* *puts his pencil down for a moment and looks up at you, smiling*

*nods* M-hm. I see. *smiles* Got any friends or relatives?

         *sighs* *picks his pencil back up and starts to write* *'I've found my sister Anna. She's the only family I've got... As for friends, to be honest, it's hard for me to make them. I have a few here and there, and I have Amy.. she's amazing.'* *grins*

What about a special someone? *winks and grins*

           *grins and blushes* *nods, and makes the gesture for 'Beautiful'* * ' Amy Warren... we're engaged to be married..'* *stops writing, blushing and grinning immensely*

Anything else you wanna let us know about? Special talents, pet peeves.. ?

            *shakes his head*