Characters 3.2: NAJI (ENFJ)
ESTJ
Systematic, organized, relies upon facts and policies. Uses resources efficiently. Develops logical conclusions. Concrete, straightforward; requires clear specifications. Expects measurement by fair, explicit standards. Conscientious. Does not bring personal issues into the mix. Realistic. Focuses on concrete results. Enjoys action, and interaction with a variety of personalities. Takes charge easily, a role accepted by others.
ESTJ
Systematic, organized, relies upon facts and policies. Uses resources efficiently. Develops logical conclusions. Concrete, straightforward; requires clear specifications. Expects measurement by fair, explicit standards. Conscientious. Does not bring personal issues into the mix. Realistic. Focuses on concrete results. Enjoys action, and interaction with a variety of personalities. Takes charge easily, a role accepted by others.
ENFJ
Versatile, capable, creative problem solver—but requires a supportive, friendly environment filled with wonderful people who believe in one another. Loves being busy, part of a team. Juggles multiple ideas and projects with grace. Takes responsibility (like a good human would). Well-organized, orderly, thrives on clear expectations and reasonable measurement standards. Open to new ideas, but they must fit into the above framework—or the framework must change in order to accommodate the new.
Potential Areas of Conflict
May be a control freak—sometimes, it’s tough to just let go (but in her case, this is repressed in favor of larger wants and needs). Tends to make judgments and decisions based upon personal relationships in favor of facts or evidence. Takes rejection personally—and seriously. Can’t just shake it off; perceives the criticism to be focused on the individual, not the idea or project. Sees the best in people, but may miss the worst in them. A quick decision-maker because the decisions are often based upon confidence in specific individuals, and not based upon the current situation.
Brief description: Ask more questions; don’t accept situations at face value. Sees the world in terms of heart and soul, not power or money. Encourages open sharing of ideas in a tolerant, non-judgmental way. Natural creative problem solver, but warm-hearted. Considers whole person, whole situation. Often surprised by guile or other self-interested motivation. Positive world view is easily shaken; does not do well with criticism or negativity. Physically small, but knows how to wield power and control.
Purpose: She’s a survivor from another species that’s almost gone. She has lived with other species, has come to believe that humans are earth’s best hope. Great listener, abiding belief in the human spirit—no matter the stupid things that we do (time and again). Non-judgmental. Very patient, encourages everyone to take a breath and look at things from a different point of view. Can and will ask anybody any question. Strong and optimistic, unafraid to address big issues or to talk to power, which is useful for interviews. Tremendously curious about human behavior, less fascinated by the daily news or latest tweet. An idealist who naturally sees connections between patterns of behavior and their meaning, Naji guides others to make connections, too. Interesting voice adds to musical numbers—which she adores because, when singing, she’s on equal footing with the humans (and dances better than they do).
Gender/Heritage: There’s electricity here, and sometimes, an underestimation of personal power. “I dance in a field, and the adjacent barn bursts into flames.”
Physical Description: Outsized up-pointing ears, almost unnaturally so. Small intense eyes that further the idea of extreme listening and nuanced perception. Very quick—she’s a member of a fox species, or related to it. Processing is constant, and often manifest in physical body movements. Can move quickly, sometimes impatient. When focused, the stillness is awe-inspiring.
Psychological: Naji is the Arabic word for survivor. She represents a large portion of the animal kingdom. She has studied from inside the pack and from afar, so Naji understands more about extinction than any college professor ever will. She can rip your throat out whenever she feels the urge, but she won’t do that because she understands that among humans, she must repress her predatory mammalian brain. That urge terrifies her—so she brings heart and soul into every endeavor and relationship as she learns to think as the best humans do. Naji believes in humans because of all that we have accomplished, and all that we might do. She wants to wants to be a part of our pack, and she wants to encourage us.
Fear: Naji understands the role of fear in survival and really understands how to use it to your advantage better than anyone else. In time, Naji will learn how the human brain works, how fear triggers greater awareness in the brain, how it signals other human systems to respond to potential danger.
Social: Serves as group therapist. A truly positive presence, as friendly as they come. Naji is tremendously and endlessly optimistic, not about specific situations, but about the power of the human spirit. This is not an idle internal feeling, but one that she shares in a big way, helping others to see the possibilities and envision breakthroughs. Naji finds it unimaginable that others cannot, will not, or do not see that world as she sees it. Charismatic and easy-going; knows how to please others.
Key Relationships: Makes an honest effort to get along with, and learn from, everyone. Special note re: Koshka, below.
Place in Cafe: Does not stay in one place. A spark plug, gets the conversation going and plays an active role. Wants nothing more than to be a part of the advancing human world. Compassionate, too—she’ll wander over to Koshka and just sit. Never waits for others to approach—great instincts, always goes to the character or conversation where she can make a difference.
0-to-60: Naji bites. Doesn’t growl, doesn’t warn, just bites. Mostly, she bites Big Picture. When angered, Naji will bite someone who appears on a screen. What triggers Naji? When the perpetrator is abusive, very disrespectful, out of control. (Naji’s bite is a useful device to end an otherwise hard-to-resolve group argument.)
Concept Art
