Rex

Rex has always been thin with wiry muscles, and he arrives at The Arena that way, though he'll quickly lose unwanted weight there and on the road with the portion controls they're placed under. He'll gain the weight back and even put on some additional muscle after they arrive in Willowmoor.

Rex has several piercings, include many on his face: eyebrow, nostril, even one in the skin close to his eye.

Rex stands out a mile with his spiky pink hair.

Rex had a particular fashion eye in the Before Times that he'll eventually find ways to modify and recreate. He arrived in a tight pair of sequined jeans and a dark pink long-sleeved shirt that he wore a leather vest over, and he'll keep all those items even as he slowly builds a new wardrobe. He also wears leather boots, and he'll keep these until they fall apart.

Rex was born in the Before Times, so not much is known about his life before the bombs dropped. He worked at the local zoo, specifically in the reptile house where he was most fond of the bug exhibits. He and C.J. grew up on the same street and have remained best friends since they were adolescents.

Rex has known he was gay for as long as he's been self-aware. By the time he was 12, not only did he learn the name for what he was, but he leaned fully into that part of his identity. He's been loudly and proudly gay since then, showing and sharing his true self to anyone and everyone, no matter the consequences.

Rex was lucky enough to have supportive parents growing up, even if some of his classmates were less than kind about him coming out as a 12-year-old. For the most part, he did not repress any trauma around his identity in the Before Times. On the way to seek shelter, though, he was beat unconscious by a group of men who made it clear they attacked him because of his sexuality. Rex represses this trauma, but for a long time he's quieter than he used to be - a fact only CJ notices, having been the only one to know him in the Before Times.

Rex believes everyone should be treated equally and have access to what they need to survive, and he doesn't understand how anyone needs to think anything more complicated than that.

Like many of the survivors, Rex is motivated by a desire to return to some form of normal so that he can continue to live his life. He's also motivated by a desire to see CJ embrace himself and life true to who he is.

Rex is good at animals and fashion. He also has a unique ability to calm CJ when the other man gets upset or angry.

He's been accused of being selfish his whole life, and there's a reason for that. Much as he cares for others, Rex does often put himself first.

Likes

• Bugs
• Animals
• Margaritas

Dislikes

• Chemicals
• Beer

Rex joined the Advisory Council, and when it dissolved, the Caravan Conclave. He will continue to serve in various leadership roles after Willowmoor is built.

Rex comes to the arena with his childhood best friend, CJ. The two have had a romantic relationship that they've kept secret for years, and they won't immediately show themselves to their new community either. Rex has no designs on keeping the relationship quiet; he only does so for CJ's benefit.

Rex is fond of Catholicism and New Ageism, though he doesn't actually follow any organized religion himself; he merely likes the aesthetics of those two. He would tell you he's an atheist if you asked.

Rex enjoys perusing fashion magazines to put outfits together in his mind. He loves animals, and is happy to spend any time with them. He likes to shoot hoops, but hates playing a proper game of basketball.

He has no pets.