Scent

Tyson’s apartment generally smells like sweetpea, and dog. Mostly dog.

He washes Lily and Bobby regularly with a eucalyptus-scented shampoo, but in such a tiny - cozy - apartment it’s hard to remove the smell completely. Honestly though, Tyson likes that smell. It’s earthy and homely, and familiar.

Tyson himself generally smells like:
Vanilla, (-milk and honey) apple, earth, parchment (+almond)

Despite his intense dislikes of cars that borders on a phobia, Tyson rather likes the smell of diesel and petrol. Smoke is familiar from his time in the army and smoking, though not necessarily liked. More of a neutral acceptance. The scent of gunpowder and oil go into a similar place.

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The scents he tends to associate with other people are: *

• Moriarty Mirrors : Apples, Smoke, Blood, & (Burnt gases from) Electricity
• Sebastian Moran: Blood, Gun Oil, Whiskey, & Ralph Lauren Polo Aftershave - Black  †
• John Watson : Antiseptic, Tea, Home, & Clean Cotton

• Jethro Andrew Delaney : Leather, Pears Soap, & Cotton-candy 
• Jasmine Dartmoor : Star Anise, Shortbread, & Poison Perfume
• James Delaney : Plush Fabrics, Talcum Powder, & Pencil Shavings
• Rosie Delaney : Printer Ink, Mud, Rubber, & Bacon
• John Delaney : Old Books, Scones, Old Spice, and Dolce & Gabbana
• Richard Delaney : Feathers, Diesel, & Burning Wood
• Anne Samantha Williams : Paint, Daisies, & Dust  ‡
• Grandmother - Ellen Delaney : Jasmine Tea & Pomegranate Perfume

• Lex : Candy, Leather, and kinda of like a Chip Shop honestly: salty and kinda like vinegar, but in a good, delicious way
• Dick Gannon : Cheap Takeout and, even cheaper, Booze
• Kim : Sawdust, Grass, Coconut, & Citrus

* Several side characters are skipped here as he doesn’t have a specific scent he’d associate with them instinctively.
† Only applicable to Tyson’s main Sebastian Moran/The Colonel.
‡ Tyson doesn’t remember what she smelt like specifically, but he associates those scents with her as her art room smelt that way.

Manga

Tyson doesn’t read much manga, comparatively to his comic reading, and most that he does are ones recommended to him by Rosie. She tends to favour four types of manga - romantic, comedic, smut, & dark as all hell - so that’s the majority of what Tyson has read. With the notable exception of Dick proselytizing about Bleach to him.

So far the ones Tyson has enjoyed reading the most are:

• Ambiguous Relationship by Masara Minase
• Assassination Classroom by Yusei Matsui
• Black Bulter by Yana Toboso
• Delicious in Dungeon by Ryoko Kui
• It Takes A Wizard by Thomas R. Hart
• Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service by Eiji Otsuka
• No Touching At All by Kou Yoneda
• One-Punch Man by ONE
• One Piece by Eiichiro Oda
• Yu-Gi-Oh! by Kazuki Takahashi

Comic Books

When it comes to physical copies, Tyson favours trade paperbacks over single issues, so that he can read the complete story in one go. These days, however, he largely favours getting digital editions: so that the fold/spine never ends up hiding part of the image and he can zoom in to look at little details of the art.

As with most things that Tyson keeps in his apartment, his (single issue) comics books are stored in a box under his bed. In that same box, there are a handful of Beano annuals; and the one, and only, pornography magazine he’s ever purchased.

In his Main!verse, Tyson has a bias towards DC, whereas Orphan AU Teen!verse Tyson has a bias towards Marvel. He likes both, as well as Valiant and independent comics, but he has a clear preference for what he’ll go out of his way to read in his free time.

Tyson’s favour comic book characters change around, a lot. However, the five characters that would appear somewhere within his top ten regardless on when he made the list would be:

• Batman - Bruce Wayne - DC
• Hellblazer/Constantine - John Constantine - DC 
• Iron Man - Tony Stark - Marvel
• Magneto -  Max Eisenhardt - Marvel
• Wonder Woman - Princess Diana of the Amazons - DC

It can safely be assumed that Tyson will have a read of book about anyone on that list, as well as the main team up books (Avengers, Justice League, Teen Titans, X-Men, et cetera), but to cherry pick* some of his favourite trade paperbacks/graphic novels of all time to get a general feel for his tastes:

1. All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison
2. Batman Earth One Vol. 1 by Geoff Johns
3. Batman The Complete Hush by Jeph Loeb
4. Doctor Strange & Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment by Gerry Conway
5. Gotham Academy Vol. 1 by Becky Cloonan
6. House of M by Brian Michael Bendis
7. Identity Crisis by Brad Meltzer
8. Injustice: Gods Amongst Us (Year 1) by Tom Taylor
9. Iron Man: Rapture by Alex Irvine
10. Kingdom Come by Mark Waid
11. Magneto: Not A Hero by Scottie Young
12. Midnighter and Apollo by Steve Orlando
13. Superman: Red Son by Mark Miler
14. The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman
15. Wytches Vol. 1 by Scott Snyder

*Caveat of not being part of long-running series, otherwise we would end up with multiple volumes from the same series or several Vol.3/4′s that only work as part of the series (rather than self-contained stories) here. Volume 1′s are accepted if they’re his favourite from that series.

Bats

Tyson likes bats.

They are the dogs of the skies and he thinks they are adorable.

Singing

For a time, when he and Sebastian were low on money during their escape and during his own escape through Europe, Tyson busked for money. He can sing and play the piano, and when in need of booze money, Moran was willing to play the guitar.

Though Tyson is an excellent singer, he rarely elects to do so when he’s on his own. He spent the majority of his childhood being taught to stay quiet unless addressed directly. He doesn’t tend to make any noise unless he has to. On a good day, he’ll hum - very quietly - to himself, but singing is rare.

When Sebastian’s beating were particularly vicious, Tyson would sing Oh Danny boy to himself, because it is what Jethro sang to Tyson when he was young. The advantage of that was that, no matter how much his voice shook through the pain, it was enough to appease Sebastian that Tyson wasn’t going anywhere, so he wouldn’t return for another beating.

Tyson sings Chocolate by The 1975 with his nephew.

When Tyson babysits his currently seven year old nephew James - born March 20th 2006 - they sing this song together, and because of this it is one of Tyson’s favourite songs.

Tyson was a great singing voice and James likes listening to his uncle sing. James used to request that Tyson sung this song a lot and eventually it became their song to sing when going on a road trip (to the zoo, aquarium, beach, et cetera) or when just in Tyson’s apartment.

Tyson is very close to his nephew, even though they only see each other a few times a month.

Tyson would like to see his nephew, and brother (Jethro) and sister-in-law (Rosie), more often, but Tyson and his brother came to the agreement not to because of Tyson’s work for his owners and Jethro’s work as a police officer.

Tales

Tyson likes getting to learn about different cultures and time periods, through their legends, ‘old wives tales’, and folk heroes. Though they don’t always hold much credence, Tyson enjoys seeing how some values remain the same but others will deliver a different moral or tell the story in a different way.

Where one culture might tell of a child disobeying their parents to chase their passion and say the child was right to do so and prospered, another will use it as a tale of humility and listening to the advice of others, still others will strike a middle-ground between the two.

The same applies to urban legends. He likes hearing which impossibly tall tales change depending on where they are told, and finding out that certain ones are actually true. Even more than that, Tyson loves hearing about times people tried - and failed - to replicate an urban legend.

Cryptids, he simply finds fun. Tyson absolutely does not think The Jersey Devil exists, but he will always tell Dick to watch out for the Jersey Devil whenever he goes out for a walk at night; because it absolutely followed Dick from New Jersey to New York.

Superstitions

Tyson is respectful of other people’s superstitions, though he doesn’t have many of his own: beyond the innate belief that inanimate objects can be spiteful, especially at the worst possible moments.

Soldiers are a very superstitious lot, - in a high stress, dangerous environment built around structure and repetition, it’s not that surprising - and Tyson went through a lot of mental gymnastics to abide by people’s, often contradicting, superstitious rituals. Naturally, ones involving numbers - unlucky numbers, lucky numbers, Friday the 13th, et cetera - are the ones that interest Tyson the most.

He doesn’t believe in lucky charms themselves, but he does believe in the ‘power’ in people wishing for whatever the charm is supposed to give: especially when given as a gift. Tyson thinks of them in the same way he thinks of prayer. Hamsa hands hold a special place in Tyson’s heart, and he also has a great respect for Omamori; far more than lucky rabbit’s feet or horseshoes.

Tyson doesn’t believe it will have any impact, but whenever he knows someone else is superstitious, he will go out of his way to respect that: actively avoiding cracks on the pavement, avoiding walking under ladders, throwing spilt salt over his shoulder, et cetera. He isn’t as aware of ‘knock on wood’ as he is ‘touch wood’, but Tyson still tries whenever he can.

The only common superstition that it could be said Tyson actively partakes in is ‘kiss it for good luck’, most commonly with his dog-tags in his army days and prior to that with his Delaney family crest ring. However, that is more Tyson paying lip service to the tradition than actually believing it will have any impact; a way of reassuring those around him. Also, kissing is fun.

In so far as more supernatural superstitions and beliefs, Tyson’s general rule of thumb is: it might not be real, but why mess with it? He doesn’t believe that ghosts exist, but he believes that they could exist and doesn’t discredit the idea. He doesn’t believe in fairies either, but he won’t walk through a fairy circle.

Belief has power, regardless of whether or not the thing being believed in is real. If it matters to someone, it is real enough to be respected. If someone who does believe in fairies sees him walk through the circle, or sees his footprints in the ground, then that person is the one psychologically predisposed to feel unlucky: to stack the odds against themselves because they assume they will fail.

Tyson does not need to believe in fairies, pixies, ghosts, or gnomes to listen patiently and respectfully as others tell him how to catch a pixie for good luck: with a glass jar baited with honey, then covered with a cobweb to trap them. He doesn’t need to believe anything bad with happen, to give another peace of mind by leaving his breadcrumbs by the pond edge for the garden gnome.

Father

Tyson’s thoughts on his father are complicated. He hates his old man, but he bristles at any unprompted criticism of him; especially the Lucifer nickname. He respects his abilities as a professor, whilst also resenting how harsh a marker he was; almost failing Tyson for spelling errors, that could be counted on two hands over the course of a six thousand word essay.

He still gets nightmares about the beatings his father gave him, the most notable two being when Tyson came out as gay and when his father found out that Tyson was leaving to join the army: abandoning the family legacy. Yet some of his fondest memories are moments where he earnt his father’s approval, sitting in his office and playing chess against him.

He fights any positive thoughts about his father, but Tyson will proselytise about all the good his father did for Cambridge University. The ways he continued and added to the family legacy, and how far he went to help his best students improve themselves even after they graduated. But only his very best students.

Tyson doesn’t want to live in his father’s shadow, but he can’t help feeling that he wouldn’t be where he is without his father’s influence. He wouldn’t have joined the army to spite him, to prove himself without him. He adored his father as a child, always so desperate for his approval. It’s hard not to think of him as larger than life.

However, Tyson could never deny that - despite everything - no one could instil a love for mathematics as Professor John Delaney could. That is the only reason he could forgive his father; for the abuse he inflicted on his mother, his brother, and upon Tyson himself. For everything.

His father was more than just his teaching or just his family, a person: not two entirely separate beings. As mentioned in this blackmail headcanon, it was much simpler to forget that, to look to the Professor with deeming qualities and hold all his contempt towards the elder Delaney. Tyson doesn’t know what to do with John.

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Jethro’s thoughts on his father are largely the same, but clearer and with less emotional conflict involved. The late John Delaney was an incredible mathematician and a great teacher, but an awful man and a worse father.

Jethro shares his father’s quick temper, but he hasn’t held onto the anger at his father. He left that part of his life behind. Jethro doesn’t feel like he owes his father anything, his accomplishments are his own. It’s in the past. It’s done.

He’s dead.

Jasmine Dartmoor

The face claim for Jasmine is Sally Bretton.

Though Tyson only knew Jasmine for three years before going away to join the army, she became a surrogate mother to him in that time. Tyson’s father was hardly affectionate and Jethro ran away from home shortly after Jasmine started working at the family manor; content that there was someone else there to look after Tyson. Originally Tyson was cautious around Jasmine and hid from her as he had done with his tutors. Tyson began warning to Jasmine after finding out she could speak Hebrew too. Over time they learnt how to work around each other. Jasmine didn’t reveal Tyson’s hiding space in the manor’s attic to Tyson’s father if Tyson behaved and attended his sessions with his tutors.

Jasmine had only intended to work at the manor for a year, to help pay off her university debts from learning to be a therapist, but she decided to stay on full time to look after Tyson, having felt so protective of the skittish teen. Jasmine introduced Tyson to a way of calming down after his anxiety attacks; this technique carried into Tyson’s adulthood, becoming more effective when Tyson learnt to meditate too

When Tyson ran off to join the army, Jasmine stayed at the manor to make sure that when Tyson returned he’d still have a home. Tyson’s father didn’t see eye to eye with Jasmine, but he respected her opinions and Jasmine knew how to manipulate the late John Delaney into being less strict about his sons.

Currently Jasmine lives at the family manor and looks after Jack for Tyson. Once a month Jasmine sends a care package of cookies down to Tyson. Whenever Tyson goes up to Cambridge to guest lecture he makes sure to stop in and visit Jasmine.

UNIVERAL TRUTHS

• Blood Type: A Positive
• Date of Birth: August 2nd 1972 - Leo - Year of the Rat (Water)
• DnD Alignment: Neutral Good
• Dominant Hand: Right
• Ethnicity: White, British
• Myers Briggs Type: INFP-A | The Mediator
• Orientation: Heterosexual
• Religion: Atheist
• Signature:

FAVOURITE

• Favourite Animal: Guinea Pig
• Favourite Author: Agatha Christie
• Favourite Colour: Orange
• Favourite Film: Johnny English
• Favourite Food: Fruit Cake
• Favourite Plant: Hydrangea
• Favourite Poem: Double, Double Toil & Trouble - William Shakespeare

VERSE DEPENDANT

• Avatar Element: Earth
• His Dark Material’s Dæmon: Sugar Glider
• Hogwarts House: Hufflepuff
• Hybrid!Verse Pairing: Persian Cat
• Mass Effect Species: Quarian - Jas’Min nar Dartmoor
• Pokémon Team: Furret, Bellossom, Pachirisu, Tangrowth, Cinccino, & Swanna

Colour Tyson’s Synesthesia Projects Onto Them: