Cheng Zhou

A bubbly, faithful sister of the Blue Grotto Cathedral. The youngest child of a global conglomerate, Cheng defected from her familial duties to pursue her faith. She’s best known for her youthful enthusiasm and angelic choir-girl singing voice.

However, it seems like she’s itching to explore the world outside again…

• The Chromadeities are of great interest to her. As a child, she initially studied Synestheism out of scholarly interest, but gradually connected to it in an intimately spiritual way. While her friends would talk about their favorite boy bands and idols, Cheng would gush about 16th century sculptures of Grosa. Even as a priestess, she still maintains a youthful enthusiasm, as if she is worshipping celestial celebrities.
  • Her attitude is unique to the cathedral, which is mainly filled with older, more traditional clergymen. Some of them are convinced that this ‘fangirl’ style of worship is a mark of the new generation.
  • Since commercial activity in church is allowed as long as it’s related to worship, her room is filled with Chromadeity merchandise. One time, she accidentally spilled soup on a Spryn plushie and was so distraught that she didn’t leave her room for days.
• Her patron deities are Cuwal (her Color Code), Blair (her primary element) and Wisce (her secondary element). Cheng studies and prays to them every day, hoping to imbue in herself the same values they embody. She particularly looks up to Cuwal, as she can lack discipline and proper planning at times.
  • Despite not being patron deities, Grosa and Asuli also appear in her prayers. She always feels better getting reacquainted with nature, as well as a breath of fresh air!
• Even though she gets along with her older sisters, they don’t get along with each other nearly as well. She has long concluded that just because someone’s older doesn’t mean they’ll be more mature.
• On the bi-annual Blue Grotto fishing trip, Cheng is an undefeated champion. Even her advice has a miraculous effect on people, allowing those who caught none to suddenly draw more than they can carry.
  • Her Exocodus assists, skimming the water and drawing the fish to the hook.
• Usually, Cheng’s housekeeping duties lead her to the ponds and fountains along the outside of the cathedral. As she cleans, she can be heard singing and talking to the fish.
• Her middle name is based on Angela the Immerser, a prophet from the early first century AD. She claims that she would have never joined the church were it not for a dream in which Angela spoke to her.
  • Saint Angela spent her days preaching and baptizing people, claiming that the Synestheistic deities would forgive one’s sins if they confessed and cleansed themselves in holy water. She also anticipated that the gods would send a powerful, messianic figure - a sign of final judgment.
• Unless faced with someone truly uncooperative, Cheng accepts everyone who comes to her at confession. She is an excellent listener, emphasizing the importance of forgiving yourself and staying true to the path of good. In fact, she is so popular that lines will form if people know which booth she is in.
• Impossibly clumsy and accident-prone, Cheng can’t go a day without dropping something, or tripping, or getting into some kind of trouble. Her mind is always on something other than what’s in front of her.
  • She is banned from the kitchen due to breaking one too many plates. She is also barred from serving at the altar, as any close proximity to a candle is a recipe for disaster.
  • She half-heartedly blames this on Tian, the sister who stole all the good DEXTERITY in the womb.
• Of all her friends, classmates, church acquaintances… Cheng is the shortest. She vows to someday surpass the 5 foot milestone, taking it personally when someone has a growth spurt without her.
• Since all priestesses must take a vow of celibacy, Cheng has voluntarily cut herself off from all romantic entanglements. She prioritizes her bonds with her ‘sisters’ first - referring both to her female peers at the chapel and her siblings. As long as she’s a member of the church, her resolve is unshakable.
• She is a devout pescatarian - something she has in common with close acquaintance Ceto Portokalos.
• Out of all the musicals she’s seen, her favorite is the one about a free-spirited nun. She dreams of the cathedral putting on the production with her as the lead.
  • She also enjoyed the rock opera retelling about the Passion, though she hides this around others.
• Though typically feminine, Cheng employs a more masculine look now and then - indicated by much shorter hair. She was inspired by her sisters, who both engage in unconventional gender presentations.
• Elwyn Faire, a childhood friend, has become a recurring character at Blue Grotto. He is routinely stopped from entering the cathedral due to the swarm of animals and stray children that accompany him, but he usually finds his way in regardless. He has expressed passing interest in Synestheism, though he mostly seems interested in saying hello to their beloved cerulean priestess.
  • Most of Cheng’s acquaintances have gotten her in trouble when they visit. Caroline is officially banned for, in her own words, testing out the blood of Christ XD. Amir is the only one who demonstrates any civility, though he did get some strange looks for Rearranging The Artifacts.
• Rather than remain in the Synestheistic church system, Cheng hopes to take up a caretaker or teaching position some day. That way, she can be a ‘big sister’ for once.