Overview
Scalene was a 26 year old mechanical engineer born in Eometze. They were born armless, which complicates many aspects of their every day life. They're not much of a traveler, so most of their excursions were either in the capital city or in the context of a vacation. Since their youngest age, they've had a passion for building all things mechanical - their most notable creation being a robotic arm they carry around in their backpack. They've lived a mundane life, well - as mundane it can be for someone like them - until one day, they were found down a cliff, lifeless.
After a spectacular fall, they wake up in a world beyond their own -- the Mindscape. They quickly learn that upon death, the soul of the Recipient Body curls up in the Mindscape, a projection of the mind that takes the appearance of an entire world. But there... they are not alone. A strange-looking arrow, completely unlike any other shape they've ever seen, who answers the name of "Callupso" - is here, too! He feigns ignorance about Scalene and claims he has spawned here at the very moment the triangle met their end. Did he, though?
Background
Scalene is a scalene triangle living down the town of Eometze, not too far from the capital city. They were born armless, which complicates many aspects of their every day life, as an aspiring "great mechanical engineer".
Personality
Scalene is a cold, distant and tired triangle. They're someone that tend to be deeply expressive when feeling something negative, and be softer-faced when facing positive situations. They're dearly loved by their close ones, but has that deep belief that everyone outside their circle is out to get them. It wasn't always like that, though -- back in the day, they had a friend group, which was their joy to live, the thing they'd wake up for each day. Ahhh, friend group break-ups sting, don't they?
taking a trip down memory lane
i remember...
An evening in autumn where Macaroni and I were sitting on the bench that's right in front of our college. the red leaves were falling, and, suddenly- i feel her head fall on mine. she... fell asleep. just like that. it felt nice.
later on, she woke up while i was reading something-- can't recall exactly what, but i felt her stretch and she told me with a yawn: "Dang, Lee! You should change career paths. You're the best shape-pillow I've ever laid on!". That was absolutely ridiculous, but... I snickered. Her smile got HUUUGE at the sight of my reaction, haha.
i recall...
The day I arrived in the Mindscape. I was so lost, scared, and -- I expected NOTHING of what was about to ensue. I could've gotten used to the idea of the afterlife being some sick Hell where I live with a stupid roommate armed with a birdbrain, but in other conditions.
Ones that do not involve, you know, the fact he orchestrated my downfall, first of all.
i reminisce about...
When I was a kid, my mom was my best friend. When every kid avoided me for my differences, she had always celebrated each and every thing that made me - me. One day, she took me on a trip to the arcade. I saw a claw machine there, and none of the toys were more interesting to me than the shiny, metallic claw that laid before me. When we got home, I tried recreating it as best as I could with cheap material... That was my first creation.
mindset
Despite Scalene's personality being slightly more expressive around people they enjoy the company of, they've always looked like someone more on the solitary side of the "social spectrum" to any individual to ever lay eyes on. Due to a history of incidents and struggles Scalene faced in their lifetime, they've been distant and cynical, thinking everyone will be there for them - only as long as it works in their own favor. No one truly cares. And sometimes, they do - and they specifically want to fuck them up.
Stuck in the constant paranoia that everyone's out to get them, that everybody's waiting for them to fail so that everybody wins; stone-faced, they desperately cling onto their mundane life, and prays to never mess up anything - at least for as long as they're in front of somebody.
Relationships
callupso - ambiguous, rival, enemy?
Even though Callupso's job was to be a guide for Scalene through the afterlife, their relationship is complicated. Callupso constantly mocks Scalene, and Scalene finds him extremely irritating and annoying right upon their first interactions. After knowing about his true intentions, Scalene starts despising Callupso even more - despite that, their subconscious is still absolutely confused and has mixed thoughts about the arrow fellow! And that's entirely fault to Callupso's endless manipulation targetting the triangle. Is Callupso trying to persuade both of them of his non-existent innocence in this...? Or is it something differe-... eugh, don't wanna think about it.
"Sometimes, I just wish you could die so you'd know what fearing death feels like."
starlum - it could've worked (ex-friend, not in contact)
After the long and eventful night that was the main argument, Scalene ran away from Cuoris' house where all three of them were. After getting home, they noticed about dozens of texts from Starlum. And she was still going, but- no. it can't work again. not after this. seeing her face... it'll just hurt, sting, inflict some kind of unpleasant pain they don't want to think about right now-- or ever again! but, it's not your fault. it's just me.
we used to be the bestest of friends. was that all it ever was? was it? is it too late to care? is it too late to say that-- truthfully, would getting a friend like her ever be enough?
"Macaroni, you would know! You've been friends with him for, like, a decade at this point..."
cuoris - never meant to work (ex-lover, not in contact)
Cuoris was everything Scalene has ever dreamt of - in terms of a man taking interest in them - he was nice, funny, popular, and- yeah, a little pushy -- but it wasn't that bad, was it? Macaroni had handled him since middle school, they're now both college students! Scalene and him shared together a strange love story, in which things just sort of happened -- leading to, somehow, them both ending up a couple. It wasn't frequently mentioned, but it was a fact!
The night after the argument, it was only obvious to Scalene that they weren't a thing no more - obviously. Yet, every single day passing and their thoughts were filled with him; scummy, disgusting thoughts-- they wished to tell him off so, so badly. These weeks of rotting in bed fueled them with enough anger to show up at his front door one day, and he opened his door wide to them. It was only to end things on their own terms.
They... did not "tell him off", that night.
May Starlum never find out about this...
"(You're only here to end things on your own terms. A quick talk, and it'll be done. No one has to know.)"
trivia
- Even while being the protagonist, Scalene was the second ever character to be created for the purpose of SPE.
- scalene was always imagined to be armless. initially not as a focus point, it became crucial to their character development as they got written.
- On May 15th of 2025, a close friend offered for the 'ship' involving Callupso & Scalene to be named 'tiramisu' following an inside-joke. I've been calling it that ever since. do what you want with this information
- scalene's favorite cake is the pavlova.
- scalene has had recurring dreams about 'encounters' with an arrow guy, way before entering the mindscape. while confused at the time, they know who to blame this on, now.
- Scalene's scent would be the one of cheap perfume.
- While Scalene mostly presents themselves in an androgynous manner, their gender expression fluctuates frequently. they can therefore sometimes be seen wearing feminine or masculine accessories/attires.
- Scalene used to wish they lived in the capital city instead of Eometze, insisting that their town always felt more depressing than the big city. They no longer felt that way following the break-up of their friend group.
ribbons
for credits and further meanings of the following ribbons, visit this page.
other - author notes
scalene and callupso constantly beat each other up in my mind for the spot of "my favorite spe character". I can never tell who i like more. they're both fucked up in different ways, but god is it fun to write them!