BOOK: the tower, eddie munson

THE SCORNFUL BROTHER/THE LIFEGUARD/THE MISUNDERSTOOD

Full name: Mateo Javier Vasquez
Nickname(s):
Teo (Irene and Sofia), Tin-Can Man (Sam),
D.O.B: January 1, 1965
Age: 20 (S3)
Birthplace: Costa Mesa, California
Ethnicity: Argentinian, Mexican
Nationality: American
Zodiac sign: Capricorn
Height: 6'0"
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Questioning/Not labeled
Pronouns: He/Him
Faceclaim: Niko Guardado

Origin of name:
Sofia was skimming through one of those baby name books and came across the name Matthew, she knew that in Spanish it was Mateo and really liked the ring of the name. Mateo is a name of Spanish origin meaning, "gift of God."

Family: Sofia Vasquez (mother), Irene Vasquez (sister), Javier Ramirez (father)
Associates: Samuel Brady, Eddie Munson, Robin Buckley, Steve Harrington
Love interest: None

Abilities:
Despite not having any supernatural abilities, Mateo is actually really clever — if you give him the time and space to think things through. He applies past experiences to current issues and uses his knowledge to the fullest. It's why he instantly knows who the Mind Flayer "is" because he remembers when he would go visit his older cousins and watch them play DND. Also, he quickly uses his knowledge about the Hydra to apply it to the current situation regarding the Mind Flayer's takeover plan.

It takes him longer than his sister or the party to put two and two together but when he does he usually doesn't disappoint with his findings.

Occupation(s):
• Lifeguard at Hawkins Community Pool (S3)

Weapon(s) of choice:
• Whatever is lying around that is heavy and can impale his perpetrator.
• His fists (we all know the Vasquez's can fight)
• A bow and arrow — he got one for his fourteenth birthday from one of us uncles and his cousins taught him how to use it. He then taught Irene, the summer before they starting drifting away from each other, how to use it as well.

Mateo's mood board:

You've always been more than enough, Teo.

His wardrobe/clothing choices:
• He likes to dress very casual, but also loves to layer!
• He doesn't accessorize much; he's tried the whole ring thing but he just doesn't think they suit him & they're uncomfortable (same with necklaces).
• He owns a pair of Dr. Martens that he's worn to the bone (they're his favorite shoes) and a black and white pair of hightop Vans.
• He sticks to neutral colors, but will sometimes switch it up with something vibrant if he's feeling "sunny."

Myers-Briggs Personality type:
ISTJ — The Logistician

"Logisticians aren't known for expressing their emotions readily, but that doesn't mean that people with this personality type don't feel frustration or resentment when they're pulling more than their weight. And unless they make sure that their relationships are balanced and sustainable, Logisticians may end up compromising the very stability that they feel called to protect. The good news is that, by learning to set appropriate boundaries and speak up when they're overstretched, Logisticians can offer the world the full benefit of their many gifts, including their clarity, their loyalty, and their dependability."

Who is he in the tarot?
The Justice card which, "at its core, Justice is about the search for truth. As you explore your truth, you will discover that things are not as clear-cut as you had thought. Be prepared to dip into the murky waters and explore what truth means to you. Be consciously aware of what you believe to be true and what you believe to be fair and ethical. It may not be as clear-cut as you think, so prepare to challenge yourself and to explore new territories of your belief system."

Characteristics:
Like stated before, Mateo is very clever! Despite seeming on the verge of constant confusion, he's always running the gears inside his mind. He likes to read and uses the stories he's read, wherever it be fiction or non-fiction, and finds ways to applies them to his life.

He's also very skilled at mechanics and taught himself a lot when he first got his motorcycle. When he's not sulking inside his room or working at the pool, you can typically find him tinkering with his bike.

He's extremely dedicated. When he was younger and played baseball, he would pick up on different mannerisms of his opponents and would throw pitches specifically for whoever was up to bat. He knew what they'd swing at, he knew which players liked stealing bases, and who the heavy hitters were. He would watch baseball tapes all day just so he could figure out how to better his craft. He'd stay after late during practice going over plays with his dad or mom. He becomes fully invested in whatever he sets his mind on.

He adapts very easily! He's moved nine different times, so of course he knows how to shift around quickly and roll with the punches. He may not like it at times, but it has helped him when he finds himself in situations where he needs to move with a certain flow. It's the main reason why he quickly submerges hisself into the Hawkins chaos without question.

He's very loyal. Despite the huge rift that tore itself between him and his sister, he'd be lying if he said he wouldn't walk through fire for her (if need be). Ever since the two of them were little, he felt like it was his duty to protect and take care of his sister. He'd do anything for the people he cares about and deems worthy enough for his loyalty.

Mateo has a very hard time opening up and being vulnerable with not only his family but close friends too. Growing up his mother always encouraged him to speak his truth and be himself unapologetically, but his father always harped on him for being a "sissy." It was then engrained in his brain that he couldn't show emotion or else it's made him look weak. He still struggles with this belief while in his early adulthood, but with some help from Sam he is slowly growing out of it.

Quirks/Flaws:
• He is so stubborn! (which can make him come off as prideful or lacking empathy, but he just has an extremely thick skull)

• He closes himself off from people quickly.

• Grumpy big brother (that actually has a heart of gold) energy for sure.

• Surprisingly, he knows how to dance really well and it's something he likes to do in his solitude.

• He has a tendency to be hypocritical when it comes to his sister.

• Makes some killer homemade pancakes (they're so fluffy!)

• Giggles at anything and everything when he's tired.

• ABBA'S #1 STAN. (seriously! he and irene would BOP to the voulez-vous album in the car when their mom would pick them up after school. *fun fact: ABBA was a staple band that helped the both of them learn english!)

Likes:
Baseball, mandarin oranges, sweet empanadas (specifically apple), riding his motorcycle/working on it, swimming, playing catch with Sam, finding new music, reading (especially horror/sci-fic novels), scary movies, looking through travel books, dancing in his room to cumbias, fluffy dogs, strawberries, when his sister bakes, & spicy foods.

Dislikes:
Judgement, dirty dishes, bullies, when the rain makes his shoes and socks all soggy, meat lover's pizza, feeling betrayed, country music, getting hit by the pitcher (worst feeling ever!), letting people he cares about down, feeling misunderstood, fighting, crying, & having his picture professionally taken.

Quotes:
"He's probably scarfing down a meat lover's pizza right now from that shitty place he tried taking us to for thanksgiving."

"Did you know carbon monoxide is a silent killer?"

"You cracked a secret Russian code for people you hardly even know?"

"...Maybe we're not detectives or national heroes, but we're Vasqueze's and when there's a problem we fix it..."

"In Greek mythology there's something called the Lernaean Hydra. I read up all about it when I was a kid; it was said in later tales that when Heracles cut off the head of the Hydra two more grew back in its place..."

3 songs that encapsulate Mateo:
• Please, Please, Please Let Me Get
What I Want by The Smiths
(Hatful of Hollow Album)
"So for once in my life,
Let me get what I want,
Lord knows it would be the first time."

•Vienna by Billy Joel
(The Stranger Album)
"Too bad, but it's the life you lead,
You're so ahead of yourself that you forget what you need."

• Should I Stay Or Should I Go? By The Clash
(Combat Rock Album)
"This indecision's bugging me,
If you don't want me, set me free
Exactly whom I'm supposed to be,
Don't you know which clothes even fit me?"

🪷🍃🪐 LAV SPEAKS!
FINALLY! I've been working on this bit by bit for the past week and I'm glad I finally finished it. Mateo is honestly a very complex character and I love that he has so many layers and slowly we're starting to see that he isn't all that bad of a brother — he was just dealing with some things mentally and didn't/doesn't know how to talk about it. I hope this puts some things into perspective for you about Mateo...i know he can make us want to pull our hair out sometimes.

(also! there's so much more on my pinterest (@/rogueandor) like character styles and moodboards it's attached to the carrd in my bio! go give it a look!)