CIVILIAN . CHEN, ALLISON

FEMALE

BISEXUAL

NINETEEN

JULY 1ST 1992

SINGAPOREAN, GREEN CARD HOLDER

FLUENT: ENGLISH, MANDARIN CHINESE, AND CANTONESE
DISJOINTED BITS AND PIECES OF: KOREAN
WORDS AND PHRASES OF: HOKKIEN, MALAY

LACK OF FLUENCY DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF MOVING SHE DID WHEN YOUNGER, AND BILINGUAL SCHOOLING IN ENGLISH AND MANDARIN CHINESE IN MOST OF THE COUNTRIES SHE MOVED TO.

ALY, ALY-CAT

0.50
(+.50 with Callum)

Civilian

n/a

n/a

9/23/13 by Dani

PRINCE

JAIME LEE

YES

MIKASA ACKERMAN from SHINGEKI NO KYOJIN

Upper-middle class. Lives in a one-bedroom apartment with two cats: a black Oriental named Coco and a white Turkish Angora named Chanel (Nellie) with heterochromia and deafness in one ear. Coco can be temperamental, especially to people whom he sees encroaching on his territory, namely Allison, and Nellie is the sweetheart. She loves them to bits and she lives alone with them in a pet-allowed apartment not far from college.

College Student: Occidental college. Majoring in politics and minoring in computer science. She’s not exactly doing fantastically well in her minor but she’s trying her best.

Apprentice: Working in Bella Isla Patisserie, she’s currently learning from master pastry chef, Jean Chang, who is a perfectionist through and through. She’s thankful for the opportunity but she’ll admit that it’s a challenge.

Cooking and Baking hobbyist: Cooking and baking is a coping mechanism for her, in times of stress, expect random gifts of food. She makes her own everything from ice cream, lasagna and jam, shops at Wholefoods, because she’s a food snob like that and she believes that you are what you eat. No canned food or packet noodles for her, no siree.

Standing at 5’ 3”, Allison isn’t exactly the tallest person on the block. Despite that, she does not have a height complex because it’s just a waste of time. She’s got a neat dark shoulder-length bob with side-swept bangs. Not exactly the silkiest around due to the chlorine exposure during her time as a serious swimmer. But she does try.

She can be described as demure-looking and put together, with doe brown eyes, small pointed nose however her slightly chapped lips from a nervous habit of lip biting suggests a little insecurity even with plenty of lip balm. Surrounded by people who are pretty and do make an effort, Allison is plain in comparison and she does not have a problem with that.

She’s not exactly into dressing up, the only things she has in her make up box is BB cream (because SPF protection and sometimes, blemishes can be a bitch), eyeliner, mascara and one meager tube of clear gloss. She pays attention to her appearance in the sense that she takes damn good care of her skin, trims her nails (sometimes she might even go for a manicure, it’s nice to pampered sometimes), tries to salvage her chemically damaged locks, and keeps herself in shape.

Exercise is a way to calm her mind down and is part of a routine. Allison used to be a good swimmer, the team captain during her last high school year, leaving her a streamlined physique that she maintains. So there’s a subtle athletic grace somewhere, where every moment is efficient and unconsciously calculated. Modestly endowed in the chest, her hips are curvy, and her posture straight. She also has tiny feet that she’s slightly conscious about.

But she does have nice, fitting clothes that are also comfortable. That is a must. Jeans are great and there’s nothing wrong with t-shirts (usually snarky ones) and hoodies. Her shoe collection is her only vice, besides from food. Flats are her one true weakness. Heels are nice to look at but… she doesn’t see the need and they also can be dangerous. Not ergonomic or logical.

Allison needs glasses but she only wears them at home, opting for contacts during the day because it’s more convenient, especially if it’s gym day. The frames are of a simple rectangular design and matte berry in colour.

Either way, she’s fine with how she looks.

There are three rules that she firmly observes: (1) mind your own business, (2) cover your ass, and (3) do not assume. Caution is the way she goes about the recipe.

Allison is an extremely private person, preferring to keep to herself most of the time. Her elder brother had been the pride of the family while her sister the token rebel. So she settled into the role of the proper one. She is definitely not socially awkward but she will not be the belle of the ball, and she likes it that way. She can come across as reserved but she is far from not unkind, willing to lend a hand if asked.

Despite the quiet persona, it would be wrong to assume timidity; while she would like to avoid confrontations, she isn’t afraid of them nor will she shy away from standing up for herself. Allison is easygoing until pushed too far, and judging by the amount of patience that she has… it would be quite far.

There’s a pragmatism to her character that has served her well thus far. She rarely has time for pomposity or excess, avoiding these pit holes as they serve no purpose for her. This is reflected in the decor of her current apartment: simple, basic and cosy. Organised and a fan of planning, she works hard at maintaining order in her surroundings and life. Allison is well aware that she requires consistency, as previous experience had shown her, and therefore she makes a great deal of effort to preserve a certain pace.

Often happy to sit around just observing, Allison is a perceptive individual who is quick to profiling people. However, this is not due to intelligence but through exposure, experience and study. Rest assured, she mainly keeps her findings to herself because it isn’t anyone else’s business.

She has been described as aloof on the occasion but if one gets close enough, you will find a dry, sharp wit that comes with a well-natured predilection for care taking and concise advice– if the fondness for baking and cooking for her friends hasn’t tipped you off yet.

Loyal to the core, keeping her circle of friends small and close to her heart; there isn’t much she wouldn’t do for a good friend or her siblings. On the other hand, perhaps she can be too loyal at times, having a tendency to indulge a certain few. Once you get under her skin and worm your way to her heart, there is dangerously little she would deny you. Allison belongs to the ‘all-or-nothing’ category, hence her caution and her proclivity for holding back.

This is further exemplified by how she is a little hesitant when it comes to letting new people in and the test of time that is a personal favorite when it comes to friendships. But becoming important to her is definitely not impossible; there are already a handful of potentially successful candidates. However, as patient as she might be, she is not prone to giving too many chances. This patience is only afforded to people she deems deserving.

Delving deeper, there’s an anger beneath the calm; she has yet to come to terms with her father’s sudden death from a brain aneurism, her mother’s abrupt remarriage to a younger white man who creeps her out, the displacement of various family members, and her own failures. Out of these realities, the one that still hits her the hardest is the passing of her beloved father.

The man had been her anchor, the person she knew she could count on, no matter what, and his death had left a gaping void and a dark place. She had gasped for breath, eyes widening at the loss of air and confusion. It was only later that she was informed that her breakdown had been a panic attack. It was just the first of many. Allison had succumbed to more than a few instances where the feeling of helplessness and pain overwhelms her, causing her throat to constrict and air to rush out of her lungs as she drowns in the knowledge that her father is no longer with her.

Back in the day, it used to be either Andrew (big brother) or Adrienne (elder sister) who would talk to her and sooth her pounding heart. But now they are older and, logically, preoccupied with their own lives, she has to make do with a strict regime that involves yoga, plenty of chamomile tea and swimming because when she gets worked up and too stressed, bad things happen. It is something she is slowly coming in terms with.

It’s been a while since she had an episode but she isn’t going to risk it. In a way, her tendency to nurture and take care of others is a distraction from herself. Ironic but it works.

This is a person who isn’t the best at voicing her needs in fear of looking weak, who has a need to project a certain image to not cause trouble. Emotional communication isn’t her forte and she struggles with dealing with feelings that are her own, often pushing herself down the list of priorities in favour of others.

When pushed, do not expect mercy when it comes to her words; the razor edge to her personality shows up when her hackles are raised, harsh and efficiently cutting. She’s not a fan of violence but at 105 pounds, sarcasm and acerbity are her only defenses.

Risk averse, there’s almost a phobic fear of uncertainty that she has yet to grow out of and yet there’s a competitiveness to her that is a remnant of her swimming days. Occasionally, she’s at war with herself. At times, she has the habit of preparing for the worst, uncertainty, as mentioned, is something she does not enjoy experiencing and when that happens, she often would react unfavorably. She craves a certain type of stability and while she is flexible in terms of day-to-day plans, anything bigger than that would shake her, and probably not in a good way.

All in all, this nineteen year old has much to learn.

Recipe:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and butter two 9-inch round cake pans.
  
  
• Beat ½ cup of reservation, at room temperature, with a mixer, until soft, and then add propriety and determination, continue beating until light and fluffy. Add 1 tsp of sugar.
  
  
• In a measuring cup, whisk 1 cup of patience with 2 tbsp of red food coloring.
  
  
• Mixing on low speed, alternate adding rationality and pragmatism in three additions, beginning and ending with rationality.
  
  
• In a small cup, combine snark and dry wit, allow the combination to fizz and quickly fold into the current mixture.
  
  
• Divide the batter evenly between the two pans and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  
  
• Cool the cake in their pans on a rack wire for 10 minutes and then invert the pans, lifting the pans. Once the cakes are completely cooled, place in fridge for at least one hour.
  
  
• For the frosting, beat loyalty and hidden anger until smooth, add insecurity and confectioner’s suar, and continue beating until even.
  
  
• Using the whisk attachment, gradually add history and whip until the frosting is thick enough to spread and hold.
  
  
• With a serrated knife, cut each cake layer in half horizontally. You now have four cake layers. Place one of the cake layers, top of the cake facing down, onto your serving platter.
  
  
• Spread the cake layer with a layer of frosting. Place another layer on top of the frosting and continue to stack and frost.
  
  
• Frost the top and sides of the cake. Garnish the cake with a little pride and discretion. Return the cake into the fridge for another hour or so. When the party starts, take it out of the fridge. Serves 10-12 people.

Ladies and gentlemen, an Allison cake. Adapted from a red velvet cake recipe.

Early Life

Perhaps the most interesting thing about her childhood was the amount of moving she did before she turned sixteen. Six countries—Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Hong Kong, China, and the US—, seven cities—



Born in Mount Elizabeth Hospital at 3.30am on the 1st of July 1992, Allison Chen Yong Jun was born into the world. For the next six years of her life, the youngest child of the Chens was pampered as the darling of the family. The girl was naturally quiet but sweet, offering others her toys and food all the time. Not a crier, this little baby usually slept through the night.

One thing that stood out was that even though they were living in a country on the equatorial line, Allison seemed to have fallen in love with a single red scarf that used to hang in her father’s closet from his days back in Shanghai, where winters were long and biting. She buried her hands into the soft material one day and refused to let go, it essentially became the equivalent of a ‘blankie’ until she turned 8.

Then a week before her sixth birthday, her father was promoted and the whole family moved to another city in Malaysia.



Obviously the scarf came along with Allison as she was carried through a busy airport, big brown eyes taking in the hordes of people trying to get to another corner of the world. She was excited, refusing to leave her father’s arms as they waded through customs and then it was airplane time.

Kuala Lumpur was an onslaught on the senses, loud people, too many cars and street side stalls selling delicious smelling food, but there had been a racial tension that bubbled underneath the interactions, however, Allison had been too young to notice anything substantial with her face buried in her father's shoulder.

She started her primary school in Garden International School but it wasn’t long before she had to move again, this time to Seoul. She had to say goodbye to her friends but once again, she was a little too unaware to miss anyone too much that wasn’t family.



It was the language that knocked her off kilter, the foreign syllables of Hangeugo making no sense to her ears. At first, she had been a little apprehensive but soon enough, her enrolment in Seoul International School soothed her frayed nerves. Andrew met his first girlfriend and didn’t come home at the same time with her. She asked Adrienne about her big brother, only to have her sister giggle and bop her gently on the forehead, telling her that she will understand when she gets a little older. Allison frowned but nodded, at an age where she still trusted her older siblings implicitly. Then the Korean lessons started getting more interesting with encouragement from her father.

2001, Andrew was off to Boston for his college experience, leaving his younger sisters back in Seoul. She made him promise to call home regular and send her lots of pictures Allison had also made a teddy bear for her brother to take with him. Andrew drove off with her father that afternoon, after pressing a kiss to her temple.

She cried that night and crawled into Adrienne’s bed for comfort.

Then came her first winter, white fluffiness that fell from the sky. It had been amazing. Her father took her to a nearby park where she had her first snow fight. Well, it had been a one-sided attempt as her father allowed her to win.

The crisp chilly winter air and the deep amused baritone laugh of her father would linger in her memory forever.



Chinese International School had been a swell experience, her friends varied and she had been academically challenged in the Middle Years’ Programme. The thought o moving again did not cross her mind at all, in her haste and enjoyment of her current schooling situation..

Then she learned her hardest lesson yet at age fourteen, when she had been in Hong Kong for three years and allowed her guard down, invested herself into a friendship that broke her heart when she heard that the family would be uprooting in six months to another foreign county.



After all of that, Allison realized that the life she had meant that until she could be certain of any sort of permanence, she was going to have to treat everything as temporary. American International School was just a routine, and her interactions were just of the norm. After all, friends in the loosest sense are a must. Then out of the blue, while she was on a school trip, she had gotten a call from her mother as her teacher ushered her to a small room.

Her father passed away that very morning from an aneurysm.

Allison has always been a Daddy’s girl and the fact that she wasn’t there when he passed; the regret, the helplessness and the shock of the event triggered her first panic attack at fifteen. She had been genetically predisposed, with a few of her aunts suffering from varying degrees of panic disorder. The stress and shock of losing her father coupled with environmental factors such as an overly cautious view of the world expressed by parents and cumulative stress over time, resulted in a combination of effects that had her gasping for air and clutching at her chest, black spots darkening her sight as she hyperventilated with tears running down her face.



Unwilling to deal with the painful memories, Allison’s mother changed her job and moved to the Big Apple. Adrienne began her stint at college, moving to the other side of America to pursue music in Berkley. Allison was left behind.

Then her mother remarried quickly, within a year of her father’s passing, to a Caucasian man fifteen years younger. Allison never felt comfortable around Mark, who sat too close, asked too many questions, and was just generally too interested in everything. She had expressed her discomfort once to her mother, only to have the woman dismiss her, citing overthinking.

In reaction, the girl began to distance herself deliberately, slowly, from almost everything. The only thing consistent, besides her remaining and the moving, was swimming.

High School



After year long stints in Shanghai and New York respectively, Allison decided to go live with her Aunt instead of moving to Silicon Valley with her mother and step-father. She wanted the next two years to be somewhere stable. So Westside San Diego it was. It was there when she began to thaw out slightly, realizing that the move towards the end of her high school years would be normal as the logical next step.

It was during her Westside years when she joined the swim team and opened up a little more, having a history of competitions in her past, she made the team and trained just as hard, driving to school in the wee hours of the day to make morning training and coming home late at night after evening practice. Her personality and her work with the younger years made her an easy choice for captain during her last high school year.

Coach Keith, albeit slightly unhinged and loud, was a good man all around and pushed the team hard towards nationals, where they came second. That was one of the best memories she has had till today.

But the best part were the friends, in particular a certain Hayden John Green, whom she treated like a younger brother despite more than a head’s height difference between them. Gabrielle Alberts and Leon Everett had been interesting friends but nothing like the puppy who called her “Cap” and treated her with utmost respect. Then there was Logan and Sloan Ackles, a pair of twins who could not be more different; where Logan was a sweetheart, Sloan had been an asshole with a secret heart of gold. No one knew how or why those three became a solid threesome but it worked. They knew about her condition and the story behind it but they don’t’ judge her or treat her differently for it, always making sure that she ate on time and did what she needed to maintain her state of mind. For that, she loves them even more. Logan had been her marshmallow and Sloan the graham crackers to her chocolate sauce. Together, they made a lethal combination of a delicious s’more.

She was sad to see them graduate a year before her but they came back for her graduation. Her initial sadness and her father’s anniversary coinciding with her exams affected her grades slightly, but she still managed to pull through and got into Occidental.

Aftermath

Getting to college where she would be staying put for the next four years had been a little surreal for her in the beginning. It’s the longest length of time she had ever stayed in one place before. She quickly settled in without many problems, a positive byproduct of the constant moving in the past, and explored. She had been to this part of LA before, since she was only a two-hour drive away from her Aunt’s place in San Diego.

It wasn’t long before she managed to find herself a part-time job as a barista in Bouclier, a tiny café with great coffee and pastries. She had been honest and told Phil about her condition and her co-workers offered to be her taste-testers for her coffee. It also helped that the owner also allows her to observe and learn some baking techniques. That job lasted for six months before she found herself looking at a sign on a pretty bakery’s window advertising for an extra hand.

It wasn’t the smoothest interview but she eventually got the job as an apprentice in Bella Isla Patisserie, working under Jean Chang, a tough but fair taskmaster. Phil had been reluctant to let her go but was happy that she snagged a job that she would flourish in. So he wrangled a tidbit from her, making her promise that she’d visit and make him some of her new treats. Jean was definitely not Phil; while the latter had been proper, Phil had the air of a high school teacher managing a bunch of rowdy teenagers but Jean had much higher expectations, accepting only perfection and nothing else. She is thankful for her stress-managing techniques because she would have to get out if she couldn’t take the heat in the kitchen. Allison is also staying on because she wants to learn and that little bit of pride she has just wouldn’t let her quit so easily.

Her first year has been great because Logan is also in Occidental, they do make an effort to meet up but clashing schedules make it difficult at times but she’ll make do with what she has. Sloan is in USC, so that’s a little further but the three of them do make time for a meal each week. She’s the chef, of course, and she makes everyone’s favourites. S’mores bonding is important.

One of the friends she met during first year was Reanna Bailey, or Ying. Ying had been in the same required math class and the other girl was a self-professed failure of an Asian specimen (to be fair, she was adopted by a nice Caucasian couple), so they ended up being buddies in that class. And then one day, Aly invited Ying over for dinner and one thing led to another; Ying began to practically live there. Aly is sure there’s a drawer in the empty second room which is filled with other’s things. This friendship is different but a good kind of different. Besides, the girl’s way of begging for food is kind of adorable, if not amusing.

Other than that, it’s homework, swimming, work, and cooking. She’s currently in Occidental’s swimming club because she wants a little time to herself to explore her environment and have some freedom for a job. Her life is pretty simple and she likes it this way. Plus, she hasn’t had a panic attack in a year and a half. Normalcy is the name of the game but sometimes, life isn’t just going to work out the way you like it. It would be something this young woman is going to have to realize in a bit.