000. the kickstarter // and all it takes is a step.

[collimator]

The rest is hard work.

FROM THE THESMIS DATABASE, CIRCA 2063

Leonardo Gabriel Monsanto
Age: 19
Birthday: October 18, 2044
Birthplace: Rocinha, Argentina
Conspiracy: Netsach (Seventh Circle Operative of Behemoth, Liyab)

Leo was born to Julian and Melissa Monsanto in Rocinha, Argentina - the second youngest of four children. His father was an enforcer in the Vitorioso Abaixo gang, considered the local protectors owing to the fact of the corrupt police force in the area. The gang itself couldn’t be considered a gang owing to the fact that they were quite organized than any street gang and had far more respect from people.

Leo’s father was an orphan taken in by the local orphanage and given the nickname “Julian Sem Lar” because of his penchant for sleeping on the roof of the orphanage, and his free running skills, something that Leo inherited. Melissa was the daughter of Ian and Teresa Galvez, Netsach staff at Colina De Las Espadas, immigrated from the Philippines. They met when Melissa, then 22 and a teacher’s aide at a local school, was being harassed by some local thugs. Julian, then 21, happened upon this and proceeded to teach the thugs a lesson. They married a year later.

They had the twins, Antonia and Antonio one year after their marriage, Leo two years later and the youngest, Marietta, was born a year after Leo. Life went on as normal for the family, visiting their maternal grandparents as often as they could, who would ask when they were going to move closer to them - something that was a bit of a topic for discussion among the family - though Ian and Teresa never pushed, respecting Julian’s position as head enforcer, and their own daughter’s cause in the area. The Monsantos did agree that they would eventually move to Colina De Las Espadas when Marietta finished junior high, Leo having expressed interest in becoming a Hunter.

They would never properly get that chance. In late 2060, a young police officer had taken a liking to Antonia and began courting her, though she staunchly refused him - and neither of her parents liked the young man. This, however, rubbed the officer the wrong way and began using his connections to harass the family. Leo, then sixteen, had been more than ready to defend his family - along with his older brother, Anotnio. Both boys were held back by their mother, who said that violence would only beget violence, and stared the boys’ father down when he tried to have the gang “fix” the problem.

The family had been with the gang’s boss - Julian’s best friend, Andreas - for a night of festivity, when Marietta screamed that people were coming for them. The youngest Monsanto always seemed to have perfect timing, or have funny little feelings that turned out to be right. Tonight, however, confirmed that she had Awakened. A Touched child, Psychic. Andreas’ men reported in minutes later that the police were coming, led by the young officer - who looked like he’d been covered in tar and feathers. Leo and Antonio had not been able to hold back and had humiliated the cop hours before, using some well planned traps.

Julian and Andreas took one look at each other and the family was whisked away, the Boss determined that his second could not be caught here, and would stay to fend off the policeman and his goons. Leo and Antonio apologized to their godfather and father profusely for bringing this upon the gang - both of whom grimly told them that this would have happened anyway, even without their meddling, but told them that had they been that young, they would have done the same thing.

They were to be taken out of the city to the nearest Netsach outpost, where they would be safe. In the middle of the trip, the van broke down and the family was forced to separate. Julian, Antonio and Andres broke away and promised to meet them at the outpost. Leo wanted to come with them, but was told by his father to stay with his mother and sisters. Andres gave his spare sidearm to his godson and told him not to hesitate if he was forced into a confrontation - the older man had been training Leo at his request, in preparation for Hunter school. Much to Leo’s surprise, his mother also produced a sidearm of her own, branded with Netsach’s insignia. Marietta was getting more headaches by the second, unable to fully control her gift just yet, but was able to guide her family through back streets and out of the city, where they were met by Hunters from Netsach, who’d been dispatched when their Mages felt an awakening in the area.

Antonio arrived minutes later, bearing bad tidings: the officer and his goons had their father and Andres captive. Leo wanted to go back for his father and godfather but was stopped by his mother, saying that Marietta was the priority, as his youngest sister had fainted under the strain of her newly awakened abilities. They were taken to Colina De Las Espadas, where Marietta was evaluated.

Kaiser Alfredo Salazar met with the family and advised that Marietta would be best served in the training of her gifts at Balamb Academy. He also asked Melissa if she was going to reactivate her license. She said that for now, she would not. This revelation shocked Leo, and his mother explained that she had originally gone to their area to evaluate whether or not Netsach should move in, and then she met their father. Leo only asked that she allow him to train as a Hunter as well, to which she agreed. To that end, he was enrolled in Balamb, homeroom under Aria Skye. Becoming the class’ second in 2061 when Jill Andrews was elected the class’ leader.

The young man’s aptitude for guns has him in the top percentile of his classes, and aspires to be as good a sniper as Alistair Mordechai, though he’s not half bad with twin pistols in closer ranges.