The Hills and the Lonely Apartment

Cirler Oakrun was born in the village of fire and earth. His parents were farmers who raised him to become an expert on these elemental energies. However, Cirler learned this power from his uncle who was also a healer of sorts (the one time he used it he lost control of it and set the whole village aflame). Uncle said that if you want to learn how to channel your elemental abilities safely you must first become adept at controlling them yourself. After learning about these magical powers his parents decided to send Cirler to the University of Fire to study medicine and magic. Cirler loved being taught by his teacher, Dr. Lina, but as a teenager he realized he had no use for such things so he left. When Cirler's parents saw their son leaving they both felt sadness in their hearts, but they decided they would be okay as long as Cirler was happy. That day Cirler returned home after visiting Lina and told his parents that he needed more time away and he would need some money. He didn't give much of what he could afford since he wanted to save up enough money to go away to college and maybe become a shaman or something. Once his parents agreed, Cirler packed a few bags with clothes, books and other belongings for a week. Cirler then spent a couple days traveling across the country until he arrived in Arizona. Cirler then went to visit his friend who had moved to the area and had been helping him out with his studies. His friend told Cirler that the university there was full of new blood and new ideas and Cirler thought about it for only a second before deciding he needed that same kind of attention. He bought a cheap plane ticket to Arizona, booked a hotel room and began his education. It turned out his roommate was the same boy from the airport in New York, who coincidentally happened to have been the reason Cirler had met his friends in the first place. Their friendship lasted throughout high school. Cirler's parents sent him to the United States to pursue his own passions and not the career path of his uncle. Cirler ended up studying music production in London and moved back home to Chicago where he now works at the local paper and is currently teaching journalism at the university. The last few years have brought Cirler great joy and happiness. He likes his new life and the people he meets and even goes to concerts to support those who enjoy them. In return Cirler gets great food, interesting books, a fun group of friends, and even occasional romantic encounters. He doesn't believe that love makes all things better, he believes that love can make all things worse.