[Tales of the Abyss] Jade AU Essentials

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Requested by: Rei

The Question: What are the core aspects of Jade's character that you think make him 'Jade'? What do you think is essential to preserve when you AU him?

This is a really hard question since what makes some AUs fun is taking out certain things and/or changing things up then running away with what happens due to that change. But to name a five things that come to mind:

• Jade's trademark sense of humor and unreadable smile. This is the most basic requirement in any Jade portrayal to be honest. It may or may not be underdeveloped depending on his circumstances in an AU but honestly it feels weird if no one finds a reason for him to develop some sort of snark given it's what he's known for in the fandom.
• Jade's insight. He's crud at processing his own emotions but dang is he good in sensing other's, as well as a whole plethora of other things.
• Jade's inclination and adeptness towards the sciences/magic. Or whatever its equivalent is in the AU. You can't take the science or magic out of this man that easily!
• Jade's regrets about the past. His character arc in TOA is built around this and atoning and it's nice to see a callout to it some way or another. Honestly I think it's this character point that helps set him apart from other snarky science-y types around the AU block.
• Jade's inherent INTJ-ness. I have yet to find anyone to disagree with the assessment that Jade's a really good example of a textbook INTJ. When in doubt about writing out his personality and/or getting into his mindset (especially when an AU has changed a lot of his facets), I would advise reading up on what makes an INTJ tick, as it helps greatly in keeping him in-character and recognizable. He ain't nicknamed INTJade for nothin', yo.

Everything else is gravy or ketchup or whatever you want on your chicken.