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This is just a list of quirks (for lack of a better word) and things that Topher has, for my own reference, to sort of map things out. Most of these are caused by him being autistic (and asexual, for the first one).
Topher is uncomfortable being thought of as a sexual being or relating to sexual situations. (He also calls erections "man-reactions".) As a doctor and as a programmer for the Dollhouse (where actives were out having sex all the time), he has had to deal with the concept of sex a lot, which is fine - it's when he himself in any way is connected to the concept of sex that he gets uncomfortable.
Topher doesn't like crowds or large open spaces. It's too busy, too intense, too loud, too stressful. He can cope, but he will not relax in such a situation. He can deal better with smaller crowds indoors, but often finds it too distracting in trying to hold a conversation if many people are talking.
Topher doesn't like direct sunlight these days. Usually he could cope better with it, but now it takes up too much energy that he doesn't have. He generally wears sunglasses while outside. Which also helps with...
Topher doesn't like eye-contact. He has however trained himself pretty intently when it comes to this, so it's mostly noticeable when distressed. Hand-shaking may be okay, except for when he's stressed and doesn't want to be touched by people he doesn't trust.
Topher doesn't like to wear too little clothes, except when asleep (but still sleeps with a t-shirt). He likes most of his body to be covered, largely for sensory reasons - both the pressure, and the shielding against unexpected touch - and mostly sticks to cotton-poly blends. He also doesn't like his body (muscles and shapes) to be too distinguishable unless he feels comfortable.
Topher doesn't like complete quiet. He prefers to sleep with the predictable whirr of computers or fans, dulling out other unpredictable/irregular sounds. Quiet lyric-less music can also do the trick.
Topher often helps himself focus by playing with toys, either ones he can squeeze or twist, or that give him weight in his hands. If without these, he will fidget, particularly with his sleeves or his bracelet.
Topher sometimes uses chess to focus his thoughts. The strategy and fixed rules of the game help him form other thoughts. He prefers to have a physical board.
Topher sometimes talks to himself aloud, or taps his fingers, either to block when things are too quiet or too noisy. Sometimes he hums.
Topher has problems expressing himself verbally if he's stressed or tired. His sentences often end up fragmented, or he uses single-word sentences, or he repeats particular phrases.
Topher doesn't like to be interrupted when he's in his process and his mind is in a very specific state to deal with certain tasks. Suddenly switching to communicating without being prepared for it is exhausting.
Topher can be particularly sensitive to smell. He will often soak in a good smell. A bad or too intense smell can be very distracting and even painful. He's good at keeping clean for this reason.
Topher often expends pent-up energy and anxiety by exercising. This has been very helpful for keeping in shape, but tends to make him cranky if he hasn't been eating or resting properly.
If Topher has experienced sensory overload or meltdown/shutdown (or just general large amounts of stress), the best way for him to recuperate is to be in a safe, private space, with limited sensory input, and no need for verbal communication.
Big Apple plot-specific:
Topher is recently pretty bad at self-care, particularly when it comes to feeding himself. He has an acquaintance who checks up on him every other day and makes sure he's eaten, and not just surviving on snacks and juice.
He often slips into the Dreaming during sensory overload, as he can control exactly how much sensory input and surroundings he gets - though several of his self-care options (exercise, toys, music, particular kinds of mental stimulation like logic problems) don't really have the same effect in there.
Topher is uncomfortable being thought of as a sexual being or relating to sexual situations. (He also calls erections "man-reactions".) As a doctor and as a programmer for the Dollhouse (where actives were out having sex all the time), he has had to deal with the concept of sex a lot, which is fine - it's when he himself in any way is connected to the concept of sex that he gets uncomfortable.
Topher doesn't like crowds or large open spaces. It's too busy, too intense, too loud, too stressful. He can cope, but he will not relax in such a situation. He can deal better with smaller crowds indoors, but often finds it too distracting in trying to hold a conversation if many people are talking.
Topher doesn't like direct sunlight these days. Usually he could cope better with it, but now it takes up too much energy that he doesn't have. He generally wears sunglasses while outside. Which also helps with...
Topher doesn't like eye-contact. He has however trained himself pretty intently when it comes to this, so it's mostly noticeable when distressed. Hand-shaking may be okay, except for when he's stressed and doesn't want to be touched by people he doesn't trust.
Topher doesn't like to wear too little clothes, except when asleep (but still sleeps with a t-shirt). He likes most of his body to be covered, largely for sensory reasons - both the pressure, and the shielding against unexpected touch - and mostly sticks to cotton-poly blends. He also doesn't like his body (muscles and shapes) to be too distinguishable unless he feels comfortable.
Topher doesn't like complete quiet. He prefers to sleep with the predictable whirr of computers or fans, dulling out other unpredictable/irregular sounds. Quiet lyric-less music can also do the trick.
Topher often helps himself focus by playing with toys, either ones he can squeeze or twist, or that give him weight in his hands. If without these, he will fidget, particularly with his sleeves or his bracelet.
Topher sometimes uses chess to focus his thoughts. The strategy and fixed rules of the game help him form other thoughts. He prefers to have a physical board.
Topher sometimes talks to himself aloud, or taps his fingers, either to block when things are too quiet or too noisy. Sometimes he hums.
Topher has problems expressing himself verbally if he's stressed or tired. His sentences often end up fragmented, or he uses single-word sentences, or he repeats particular phrases.
Topher doesn't like to be interrupted when he's in his process and his mind is in a very specific state to deal with certain tasks. Suddenly switching to communicating without being prepared for it is exhausting.
Topher can be particularly sensitive to smell. He will often soak in a good smell. A bad or too intense smell can be very distracting and even painful. He's good at keeping clean for this reason.
Topher often expends pent-up energy and anxiety by exercising. This has been very helpful for keeping in shape, but tends to make him cranky if he hasn't been eating or resting properly.
If Topher has experienced sensory overload or meltdown/shutdown (or just general large amounts of stress), the best way for him to recuperate is to be in a safe, private space, with limited sensory input, and no need for verbal communication.
Big Apple plot-specific:
Topher is recently pretty bad at self-care, particularly when it comes to feeding himself. He has an acquaintance who checks up on him every other day and makes sure he's eaten, and not just surviving on snacks and juice.
He often slips into the Dreaming during sensory overload, as he can control exactly how much sensory input and surroundings he gets - though several of his self-care options (exercise, toys, music, particular kinds of mental stimulation like logic problems) don't really have the same effect in there.
