DEPARTURE

As the crown prince of an otherworldly kingdom, Mortimer’s life was way more complicated than he would like. A lot of training in self defense and sword fighting, a lot of studying and isolation and not a lot of fun or relaxation... and absolutely no friends. He is quite shy and troubled, and because of the social isolation he was raised in, he has very poor social skills.

On impulse, Mortimer escaped the luxurious life of royalty for a different (and hopefully more fulfilling) life. Though grateful to no longer have so many responsibilities, he has no idea what his “purpose” is. Despite this, he quite enjoys trying to fit into modern American society, no matter how terribly awkward he is or how difficult it is to adjust. He is very awkward and doesn't talk much.

Mortimer had quite the isolated life growing up. He never left the palace or had any friends before running away from home, so his social skills are very underdeveloped. He is a quiet and awkward young man, and thanks to many years of self defense training he is also quite apprehensive. Though he is kind, nonjudgmental and shy despite what his stern face would tell you.

He has always greatly preferred artistic activities to the politics and military science that were part of his royal education. Most of his free time was spent painting landscapes, reading romance novels, playing piano, and attempting to write his own poetry and compose his own music.

As you’d probably expect from his isolated life, Mortimer is very naïve and impressionable. If he has no reason to distrust someone, they can convince him of anything. Junko loves to take advantage of this and tell him lies about cultural norms and facts of life, meanwhile Forrest has to beg him to ignore her.

Self-sacrificial tendencies are common with Mortimer, he would rather listen and help his friends out with their problems than bother them with his many worries. As he would put it: “They have their own crosses to bear.” This is thanks in part to being raised as crown prince; he had to set aside his emotions and feelings growing up so he ended up believing that they don’t matter.

Mortimer was born in Solneshny, a kingdom of Russian diaspora in the Afterworld. He is the only child of King Valentin Mikansky and his wife Catalina, making him the crown prince. His father met Catalina while on a trip to a foreign country, and their marriage caused a lot of controversy among both the high classes of Solneshny and some groups of extremists. It was the first time a member of the royal family married an “outsider” and someone not within the upper classes.

Mortimer was socially isolated and protected for his entire life because his family feared he would be in danger, as the disdain was aimed at him as well. For many years of his life he was unaware of why he was raised this way. He was never allowed to leave the palace or befriend anyone and was homeschooled instead of attending a royal academy. His mother justified this by telling him friends would merely be a distraction or would try to use him for personal gain.

Things became more strict for him after his father died of illness when he was around the age of seven. His uncle Vitaliy took the throne and his studies and training ended up more rigorous. His mother was distant and often harsh on him, and her hypercritical and perfectionist nature rubbed off on him. Being so busy left Mortimer with a dislike of idleness; he wasn’t used to sitting around doing nothing, and his mind would drift off to upsetting or uncomfortable thoughts.

Part I

During his older years, Mortimer did a lot of introspection on his life. Specifically about whether he would continue to be lonely and unfulfilled in the future, or how life would’ve turned out for him in different circumstances. Shortly after his 18th birthday he escapes his room by jumping out of his window, desperately hoping for something new while on a brief walk. And something new does come, as a matter of fact. While wandering about, he finds a group of friends camping out in the woods and they start an awkward acquaintance. Mortimer ends up spending a few days and nights with them, partially because he got himself lost, but also because this is his first time truly socializing and he did not want to leave. He is found by a search party and is forced back to the palace while his new acquaintances are thrown into the palace's prison for allegedly kidnapping him. Feeling immense guilt for getting them into trouble because of the coincidence of running into them, Mortimer breaks them out and helps them escape back into the woods. Unexpectedly, one of the strangers offers him an escape by telling him "You're free to come with us if you want." To which Mortimer accepts after thinking on it for a few minutes.

He ended up moving in with Forrest and staying in the guest room of his family's house. Escaping his room to go on a walk was the only time he had ever made a decision on impulse, and he does not regret it. He had a difficult time adjusting to his new life (including a very troubling depressive episode) but he was extremely relieved to live as a normal young man and finally have friends. But he cannot shake the paranoia that he will be dragged back home and forced to live a lonely life again, no matter how unlikely it may be. He avoids open bodies of water like the plague because when seeing them he can easily imagine someone emerging from the water and forcing him back home.

Part II

About three years later, his fears unfortunately become reality. He is unexpectedly forced back home, unable to say goodbye save for a rushed (and yet gracefully written) note he leaves for his friends. Back in Solneshny, he is under almost constant surveillance and cannot leave his bedroom unaccompanied. His mother refuses to tell anyone the real reason for his departure three years ago, instead saying he was sent on a trip abroad. He is also forced into an arranged marriage and is more or less obligated to spend time with his fiancée.

Mortimer ends up reluctantly ascending the throne about a year after his return to Solneshny. Partially because he knew he had no chance of escaping again, but also because he hoped he would have more freedom as king. If a strange ghost girl helped him escape three years ago, surely his own father could help him cross over as well? Mortimer is allowed to leave the Afterworld temporarily and continue his relationship with Forrest as long as it doesn't interfere with his royal duties. Though only he's only able to return to the happy life he had with his friends about once a month, and it makes his forced departure all the more painful.