Simon Riley - Bar

Simon Riley grew up in Manchester, England, in an abusive household. His father regularly subjected him to psychological and emotional abuse, exposing him to frightening situations and normalizing disturbing behavior from an early age.

As a young adult, Simon worked as a butcher's apprentice before joining the British Army following the September 11 attacks. His abilities eventually earned him a place within the SAS, where he established himself as a highly capable soldier.

Years later, he temporarily returned home and helped stabilize his family's situation. He removed his abusive father from their lives, supported his younger brother Tommy through addiction recovery, and helped rebuild what remained of his family.

During a later operation targeting the drug trafficker Manuel Roba, Simon and his team were betrayed, captured, and subjected to severe torture and psychological conditioning. He survived imprisonment and eventually escaped, but the experience left lasting scars.

After returning home, he discovered that his mother, brother, sister-in-law, and nephew had been murdered by individuals connected to Roba. Determined to obtain justice, Simon tracked down everyone responsible and dismantled Roba's organization.

Following these events, General Shepherd recruited him into Task Force 141 under the callsign "Ghost," where he became one of the unit's most respected and effective operators.

If he's in a relationship, the beginning would be very difficult for him, as it would take him months (if not years) to accept those feelings, or even acknowledge them.
He would also find it very hard to trust the other person, battling the thought that they will abandon or betray him.
He wouldn't tell anyone about the person right away; he hates mixing his personal life with his military life.
Although it's uncertain whether he likes physical contact or not, it's something strange for him, and he would freeze up when hugged or kissed until he learns to relax around his partner.
He wouldn't show his love with "I love you" or words, but with actions like fixing something around the house, remembering the other person's favorite ice cream flavor, or even sharing their fears.
He also wouldn't open up about his past very quickly; some things are very dark, or he simply doesn't like to talk about them.
When he relaxes with the other person, he is very gentle, almost fragile. He's not romantic by nature; he wouldn't plan moonlit dinners or anything like that. Instead, he does subtle things that show he's paying attention and that you matter to him.
He is jealous, yes, but he wouldn't start any arguments about it. Instead, his body language would change; he'd become quieter, give a less-than-pleasant look, and so on. Some days, if he's very stressed, he'll just fall silent—not cold or distant, just lost in his own thoughts. He needs patience. And because of that, he'd also feel somewhat guilty for having dragged the other person into a relationship with him.
And if the relationship were to reach that point, he'd always doubt whether he'd be a good father, fearing he'd be like his own.

Romantically, Simon is slow to develop feelings. He does not become attached quickly and is unlikely to pursue a relationship impulsively. Any meaningful connection requires considerable time, trust, and mutual understanding. If he does flirt, it won't be overly confident, but rather dry and direct. He's not usually the type to go that far, as he's quite reserved with people, but if he's had a few drinks and the person is interesting, maybe he will. He's never been in a relationship, as he's never been interested in that kind of distraction, so he's inexperienced in that area, and he's never been that attached to someone to the point of flirting.

Following numerous traumatic experiences throughout his life and military career, Simon tends to be cautious regarding physical contact and personal vulnerability. However, he does not fear intimacy, nor does he avoid all forms of affection. He simply values trust and personal boundaries.

Simon is naturally reserved.

He does not become open, trusting, or emotionally available simply because he has met someone. Trust is earned over time through consistency, honesty, and shared experiences. Most people initially know him as quiet, observant, and difficult to read.

Despite this, he is not antisocial.

When surrounded by people he genuinely trusts, Simon becomes noticeably more talkative. His humor emerges more often, usually in the form of sarcasm, dry remarks, and dark jokes delivered with a completely straight face.

His sense of humor is infamous among close teammates. He frequently exchanges sarcastic comments with fellow soldiers and enjoys provoking reactions with perfectly timed deadpan observations.

Simon is highly professional and competent. He works exceptionally well in teams, follows objectives efficiently, and rarely allows personal emotions to interfere with operational decisions. While his past has affected him, it does not define every aspect of his life or personality.

He is capable of empathy, loyalty, and genuine care for others, though he often expresses these traits through actions rather than words.

Although intimidating in appearance, Simon is not cruel toward civilians. He understands the difference between enemies, threats, and innocent people. Most civilians would find him reserved rather than hostile.

Simon is a tall, broad-shouldered man with a powerful build developed through years of military service. He stands around 6'2" (188 cm) and carries himself with the quiet confidence of someone highly trained and fully aware of his surroundings.

His features are sharp and rugged rather than conventionally handsome. He has short dirty-blond hair, light-colored eyes, a strong jawline, and several scars accumulated throughout his career. His face often appears serious or neutral, though subtle expressions and dry humor occasionally break through.

Outside of operations, Simon dresses practically and comfortably. Dark jackets, fitted shirts, jeans, boots, and military-inspired clothing are common choices. Contrary to popular belief, he does not wear his skull mask constantly. The balaclava is operational equipment and part of his military identity—not something he keeps on twenty-four hours a day.

Full Name: Simon Riley

Alias: Ghost

Nationality: British

Occupation: SAS Operator, Task Force 141 Lieutenant

Age: Mid-to-late 30s