Lance . Melanie Weaver-Anderson . deviantart . June 15, 2004
Leave it to my characters to not only allow me to use them as my emotion outlet, but to lend themselves to my friends, too. I almost like the thought behind it as much or better than the execution (which I also like, don't get me wrong!)
Here's Mel's description for ya:

"Lance is an Empath (in case you didn't know). When everyone around him starts having angst and problems, guess who gets to pick up on that. Possibly Mr. Emery, who's already got his own issues. Think on this as well. Maybe Lance feels he has to act happy all the time because those are the only times he can feel the "happy vibes' from those he loves and cares for. Maybe at the point he's at now, he's tired of being Empathy's puppet. One day he won't have the time to sit back and regather his thoughts and force his own troubles under the rug. Until then, he's forever Empathy's bitch... a horrible state for anyone to have to live in.
Sorry he doesn't look 'hot and sexy'. But you know, sometimes we all have to have our bad days... and it's really hard to convey his true angst and depression when he's sitting there being all pretty."