all my friends are heathens

Up to age eleven, Yuri lived what most would call a charmed life. Second born to a wealthy Russian businessman he lacked nothing – except proper social skills. The youngest of two boys, he was coddled by his mother – her adoration for him was infectious – his father, brother, and staff of their home picking up similar habits toward him. This only made it more difficult for him to ease into life away from home when it finally came time to start a new chapter of his life at school. Although he wasn't a complete failure at socializing, he still had troubles meeting new people, always quite cautious whenever anyone approached him. His cautious nature had him seeking permission to spend any hours outside of a classroom in the library, rather than with the rest of the student body in the lunchroom – the permission was easily granted. Due to this he formed quite a bond with the school's librarian and his closest friend became his older brother, Alexei.

Despite lacking the drive to pursue friendships at school, he was never known to be an unhappy child, quite fine to spend his time socializing to a minimum until he could come home and meet up with his family for the day – namely his brother. Time home after school was spent working on homework, which he'd always manage to finish more quickly than his older brother. His patience however, was never tried, busying himself with imaginary friends. Though his behavior concerned his parents, neither one thought much of it – after all, their son had no complaints and children speaking of imaginary friends wasn't so uncommon.

Luck was on his side for those first eleven years, the bulk of familial responsibility placed on his older brother, next in line to inherit the burden that came with the family business. Despite the difference in treatment from their parents, the two still got along famously – even finding a hobby in common, one which took up most, if not all of their mutual free time. With a home equipped with a pool, it was easy to keep up with their hobby and perfect it, able to practice even in the absence of a facility pool and instructor. Whenever Alexei wasn't needed by his father and was available at home, Yuri was sure to seek out his time – especially in the summer when their free time was abundant. Days away from school were mostly spent in the pool, both boys competing against each other over who could swim faster or hold their breath longer. Their mother had to plead with them, usually having to meet in the middle, allowing them to have lunch at the poolside table, rather than inside.

On days that his brother had to spend the days at work with his father, Yuri spent his at home with his mother. Coddling aside, she also encouraged him to explore different hobbies, bringing about his interest in photography. Yuri found that it was something he and his mother could enjoy together – always eager to show her whatever images he'd manage to capture. His father wasn't as encouraging about the hobby he'd picked, but it was never something he was majorly concerned about, nor anything he ever scorned his youngest for – afterall he had his oldest, his heir.

Thus all was well in the Volkov household, at least until the year that Yuri turned eleven. It was unexpected, his brother's death. His father's schedule had finally cleared enough for a free weekend, enough time for a family visit to the beach. What no one expected was for the weekend plans they'd all been looking forward to, to go south. It's something Yuri partially blames himself for, something he never talks about. Had he been with his brother, Alexei's confidence could have taken a beating instead of being his downfall. All the practice at home in the pool and throughout various swimming competitions couldn't stand up to the unpredictabilty of nature.

Everyone mourned his death of course, but it didn't seem to affect anyone else in the same way it did Yuri. Suddenly conversations with no one in particular were more common, enough so that his parents sent him to see a psychiatrist. Nothing seemed to help, however, Yuri's friends appearing more frequently. Despite various visits and medications, nothing ceased his behavior. It was enough to leave his parents unnerved – at least until he'd learned to keep such happenings to himself.

His friends resulted not being so imaginary. They were very real, demons and spirits, some who'd taken advantage of his vulnerable state and others who simply wanted an invitation to help ease his sorrows. It wasn't a decision he was aware of – allowing such things to reside in him, at least not until much later. After a few years the hours lost became more obvious and things became clear. He was no longer the only one in control, such a thing was enough to leave him uncomfortable. Of course, it was nothing he could share, so once he hit eighteen, he decided to leave. Despite the protests from his parents, in the end they agreed with his decision. His argument had been persuasive enough – he wanted to leave to Korea, to learn more about a side of him he'd never really gotten to experience. Even his mother's language wasn't one he was entirely comfortable with, it was something that should be remedied, he'd argued. Quite begrudingly both parents agreed to allow him to move to Korea, still contributing quips here and there about how they didn't like that he'd be living alone. What they didn't know was that he was leaving well accompanied.

It took some time for him to settle into his new life away from home, though at the same time it made things easier. There were no more constant dicussions about how his preference for solitude, no more disappointed sighs from his father, no more worried glances from his mother. No longer did the conversations with his "friends" need to be held in secret – and no longer was his home scattered with constant reminders of a sibling he once had.

The reprieves didn't guarantee a life without hardships, however - a life away from home meant more effort to socialize - but so far, that hasn't been so bad.

As of now, as far as Yuri's aware there are three entities that inhabit him. Most times he's able to keep them at bay and keep control - however moments of vulnerability make it easier for his control to falter and one of the entities to take over complete control. Often, he's able to willingly conjure up simple abilities without having to shift forms. The latter can sometimes take quite a toll and have the potential to exhaust him to the point where he's bedridden for a day or two. Sometimes he's able to recall what happens while in other forms - other times he's not so lucky. The four forms he can take and abilities he can "borrow" are plentiful, but continuing communication with entities that don't yet inhabit him leaves room for future possibilities to host those who can potentially offer more abiltiies and forms.

???
He doesn't talk much and Yuri's still not exactly sure how they met or how he came to inhabit him. Being one of the quieter entities he rarely takes over and his powers are ones that Yuri still isn't comfortable using much at all. Since he remains nameless, Yuri's taken to simply referring to him as "Luca" for now. Though he's nameless, Yuri knows enough about what he can do. Able to control and manipulate shadows, he can transport himself from place to place through them. Usually when he manifests he does so with two spears of light - which Yuri assumes come from what light he absorbs from wherever he appears. He's able to leave places in complete darkness and manipulate it to his liking, though his complete abilities are ones Yuri is still unsure of.

Marina
Marina was the first entity to inhabit Yuri's body, appearing to him the first time he'd had the courage to near a body of water since his brother's death. If he's found near large bodies of water without any traces of anxiety she's usually the one who has most, if not all control. Her abilities are similar to "Luca's," though instead of manipulating darkness, she manipulates water. She's able to control its liquid, solid, and gaseous form, also able to change it from one state to another without a problem. For now her powers are ones that Yuri doesn't call upon too often, water something he's still not entirely comfortable being around.

Yomi
Yomi presented herself to Yuri during his time of grieving. The first time they met was rather horrifying. Being that she's able to bring any images from her mind or someone else's to life. At first, being able to see his brother again felt like a blessing, but after awhile the images became too much. Yomi, for whatever reason felt pity for him, promising not to project such images if Yuri would allow her to reside in him. It didn't take long for Yuri to agree to the terms.

parkyuri