Named Aldemar but known by the nickname "Taller" — earned within hours of arriving at Trimont for training due to his lanky build. He is one of six current Cloud Skim pilot trainees and comes from Setting/Veridell/Veridell, Trimont's sister island.
Taller shows exceptional promise as a pilot, with precision that speaks of hours of practice beyond his assignments. He is talented, but sometimes too eager to prove himself — a combination that mirrors a younger version of Elian.
Taller is the catalyst for Elian's journey back to active piloting. His concern for Veridell drives the main conflict, and his recklessness forces Elian to confront his fear of flying in dangerous conditions rather than letting another pilot be lost on his watch.
By the end of the story, he demonstrates real growth — successfully piloting under extreme conditions. His arc runs parallel to Elian's: where Elian's story is about overcoming paralysis, Taller's is about learning when confidence becomes overconfidence.
What goes here: More specific story beats involving Taller. What exactly does he do that triggers the crisis? What is the nature of his relationship with Elian — is it antagonistic initially, or is Elian simply distant?