Homeless. Fiona sticks around in the Faircrest Woods.
Appearance
Hair Color:
Orange
Eye Color:
Jet-Black
Ethnicity:
Technically... Fiona has the United Kingdom in her roots - Irish, Scottish, and some Spanish. Except, Fiona doesn't identify with any nationality or ethnicity.
Physical Appearance:
Now, Fiona has a very distinct appearance to her, indeed. She looks like a hybrid of a human being and an insect - with her appearing leaning on human so that she doesn't appear as monstrous as a hybrid would imply. She is covered, from head to toe, in a thin, olive-green, exoskeleton that makes up a light armoring around her being. With segments here and there, and less armor in the joints, she can move around like a human would. To put it simply, Fiona is anatomically the same as a human being, except with an exoskeleton - No extra limbs. Fiona has the traits of a grasshopper, if one was versed in the insectoid realm. On the top of her head are two antennas that are thin and look much like long strands of hair - they are nearly her body height in length.
She has two, very large, black, almond-shaped, grasshopper eyes - that appear close to humans. On the sides of her mouth are two mandibles that encompass her mouth when they're closed. Finally, her legs are much thicker, and capable of preforming powerful jumps (Or a kick in a fight). Moving on, Fiona's build is pretty slim, she's slender. Almost petite. I doubt she could even biologically gain visible body fat, or muscles. Her body-shape is roughly rectangle-shaped. Naturally, her legs are much longer than the rest of her body - disproportionately adding on a few inches to a girl that would be naturally be the average female height. Her arms are pretty standard length and proportionate to the rest of her body. Body is relatively scar free (Try scaring chitin!). A few marks here and there from some recent injuries, that would fade once she molts.
Face still humanoid, Fiona has an oval-shaped head, and vaguely European facial-features. Facial features blend neatly together, only having one exposed creek in order for her to move her jaw. She has a very small button nose with small nostrils right above her mouse. With her mouth being small and having very thin lips - along with human teeth. Her cheeks are smooth... I mean not in the texture way, in how they are. I should note that Fiona doesn't have ears - merely two dark holes where her ears should be. These holes are obscured by her hair. Fiona has a head of very curly orange hair (If you're asking how and why; yes). It's very well cleaned, and has a neat texture to it. Lets it flow, it hangs off her head onto her shoulders in a very messy hairstyle. Usually flying around as she moves (Especially when she jumps).
Fiona's voice sounds vaguely humanoid. It has a strange buzzing/chirping overtone that definitely sounds insectoid.
Attire:
Fiona dresses very lightly... not in the slutty way, but dresses in such a manner that she doesn't get too restricted. With a body like hers, she has to wear clothes a few sizes extra, or else it'd get torn. The legs area is the biggest problem, since she can't properly move without using her legs. Sweat shorts and skirts tend to do the trick. Stuff that leave her legs free. As for style, Fiona has no style. She wears whatever she has access to, really. Colors, and decals, are completely irrelevant - only size are relevant. She'd wear nothing if it wasn't immodest. Fiona always has a large red bow on the top of her head. Right now... Fiona is in the middle of a crowded city, full of people who probably take note to a giant Cricket-woman walking about. So, she wears something to cover herself up. A large, light-grey, robe. It isn't inconspicuous, but it hides the person within. Which is why she tends to stick to the alleyways and night time.
Personality
Innate & Outward Personality:
People may first notice that Fiona is rather distant, and timid. Jumpy even. All of which is true, since Fiona isn't exactly a normal person - thus, she keeps her guard up when around people. Especially the normal looking kind who she doesn't know. She'll generally keep quiet, avoid eye-contact, and usually place herself far away from them. Hell, people pretty much peg her for an introvert the second they see her. Which, in a sense, isn't true, but I'll elaborate on that in a bit. Fiona is jumpy, and spastic - and not in the good way. If something frightens her she has two responses, the natural ones: Flight, or fight. Which means she's just as likely to lash out against someone than she is to run. Yet, Fiona is still very kind and empathetic. She won't hurt people in any way - and if she does, she'll definitely apologize for any wrongdoings. People may notice that Fiona is a very gentle-soul. She's calm, polite, and very softspoken - albeit, very nervous. When in a conversation, she rarely uses slangs, or swears, but talks like someone who's much more mature than she really is. Though, she can come off as aloof, or emotionally distant. Right off the bat, Fiona is rather closed off, and very choice-y of worlds. Fiona chooses to hide herself rather than show people what she really is - in both the literal and metaphorical way. This mostly stems from a insecurity, and fear.
Once someone manages to get her out of her shell (Pun totally intended), Fiona seemingly becomes a whole another person. Much less mature, and much more child-like (Whether that's a good or bad thing is subjective). Fiona is actually much more... chipper, around the people she's comfortable with. She's talkative, loud, her movements are spastic, and she simply loves to play. Fiona is extremely curious, and adventurous. True to insects, she likes to explore, find new places, and claim them for herself. She also wishes to become one with the experiences she missed out on. Such as romance, and having actual friends. Which means that she's in a rush to experience them. Though, she's not completely intune with how society and people really work - leaving her in the dark when it comes to some social norms. Which makes her certainly eccentric. She's not a great shoulder to cry on, nor will she ever seek out one. She'll mostly lock herself away until she feels better.
Deep down, she isn't the most emotionally secure. She fears that she has no place among humans - or normal people. What doesn't help is her phobia when it comes to humans - sometimes even Metahumans. She believes that people would disregard her for being, for a lack of a better term, an abomination of chitin and man. She hides this fear underneath the mask she puts on. She hopes to overcome this fear by finding her place in the Academies, and finding people that'd accept her. Though, she knows that she's unlikely to find anyone. Fiona's simply paranoid when around regular people - just waiting for the moment when they toss her away like the freak she is. Another internal gripe of her is that she just isn't strong enough. She's seen some of the powerhouses that the Baybridge has, and she's in awe of their power. Fiona simply has no choice but to rely on others for help. She is intimidated by Metahumans that are stronger than her, and will do her damn near best to stay on their good-side. Lest she wants to literally get crushed like a cockroach.
Skills/Talents:
Fiona doesn't have too much in terms of skills. She knows how to maneuver in most environments very well (Especially the woods). If she needs to, she can be quick - whether it be running or chasing. Hiding is also a great skill of hers.
Goals/Motivation
Fiona's sole motivation is to stay alive in this cruel world, and find a place that'll accept her.
History/Bio:
Her origins are very curious. Curious indeed. She was born with her powers, she came straight out the womb with an exoskeleton. Unfortunately, she didn't have subtlety on her side as she was one of the many victims of the Changeling Unit. When she was a mere baby, she was snatched up by the villainous organization and put on auction - with the Hands of Science winning. At a young age, the organization experimented on her remorselessly. They pumped her with experimental drugs that they believed would alter the outcome of the development of powers. When those failed, they tried different drugs. It was a vicious cycle, one that seemingly would never end for the infant. It continued for years, into her toddler days. However, change came when NEST raided the lab and liberated the test subjects. Along with having a kickass battle.
The insectoid child fell into NEST's hands. They had a program for orphaned Metahumans, and she was placed in a NEST-approved foster home. Though, the Hands of Science never gave her a name, merely a number. Two Agents figured that they would call her Fiona. From there, young Fiona was shifted from home to home - never staying in one place for too long, and never getting too close to one family. From New York, to Verthaven. to Stadium City... she never got too attached to one particular location. In school, Fiona was, naturally, an outcast. Being a bug-hybrid does that. When they did pay attention to her, they merely picked on her. This caused Fiona to become a very lonely youth. She didn't have anyone to truly latch onto, and call a friend. While Fiona simply felt like a freak.
However, her life changed once she reached Black Fall (When she was ten). While she was exploring the woods... she encountered an abomination of a Metahuman. While it was scary (It had tons of screaming [from both ends!]), both of them calmed down, and had a discussion. The man said that he was from the Ivory Deer Community, a mansion full of Metahumans freaks. The prospect of this place intrigued Fiona... she agreed to go to the place with the man, just to see for herself. Once she stepped through the gates, she felt more at home here than anywhere else. She spent the rest of the day exploring the estate, or playing with the other children. Never wanting to go home again. However, her absence caused a bit of a scare (NEST feared she was captured by the Pure or the Hands of Science). NEST tracked her down to the estate, and Fiona refused to leave. They simply left her in the hands of the Ivory Deer Community - she was clearly more at home there than any other foster family. From there, Fiona realized what a paradise the community was for someone like her. No longer should she live in shame here. The child spent her time here learning, playing, and exploring the world. More importantly, she explored her powers.
An important piece of her past was placed once she discovered her biological parents, Hopper and Tracer. Both Insect Metahumans - one had the powers of a Bee, and another had the powers of an Ant. You see, Fiona was one of their many children they had. When The Changeling Unit struck the Ivory Deer Community, Fiona was one of the children they napped - while killing a few other people in the process. Fiona happily welcomed her parents, and they became a family. They affectionately gave her their intended name: Cricket Barrett. Though, Fiona still liked the name NEST gave her - she still took on their last name, however. Then they introduced her to her many brothers and sisters - each embodying a singular insect. Fiona practiced her powers with them, with it quickly becoming clear that she was more advanced than them. She could take the form of different insects, while they were stuck with one. It was something curious indeed.
Then the Verthaven disaster took place, and then things changed for the worst. The Community was attacked by various members of the Pure as the hatred against the Metahuman Community began to ramp up. It quickly became clear that the Community wouldn't be safe for much longer. The Community began to split into multiple groups as the community went it's separate ways. A large chunk of the community went with Archie Davis, while many others struck out on their own. Fiona, however, went with the former, and lived inside the Microcosm for awhile.
Until they had arrived in Baybridge, and Fiona chose to leave to get some fresh air.
Relationships
Family:
Mother - Hopper Barrett
Fiona's mother, and longtime resident of the Ivory Deer Community before they fled. She's a woman with Bee Physiology, and is the one who gave birth to Fiona along with her many siblings. The woman is very soft-spoken, and kind, but takes her Bee power a bit to heart and demands to be treated like a queen. Though, Fiona and Hopper have a very close relationship.
Father - Tracer Barrett
Fiona's father, and true to his name, he channels his nature as an ant to be the worker of the IDC (Even though it's the females who do the work). Much like ants, he's very strong, and Fiona is very close to him.
A variety of Brothers and Sisters
Due to the nature of their respective abilities, Hopper and Tracer have had plenty of children. There's at least nine of them (not counting Fiona) and each of them have a different insect-based ability.
Dynamics:
~TBA~
Abilities
Power Class:
Super-System: Bestial
Power: Adjustable Insect-Physiology
Fiona has power of the chitinous arthropods known as the insects! Fiona has the power to shift her body in order to adapt traits from these creatures. Which is a very versatile ability in and of itself. Since there a ton of insects, each with their own purposes. For example, Fiona can transform into an ant and gain strength proportionate to her size. Adapting features of a Bee in order to gain wings and a stinger. And so on - the possibilities are endless. However, I should note that she can't completely transform into an insect. She'd be half-human, or have some humanoid features. Generally, insects have chitin armor, enhanced senses of some form, and extra limbs. Now, if Fiona adapts an insect, her body will transform in a blend of man and insect, usually with the anatomy of a human being. Depending on the form, she may get extra limbs, wings, etc. I could sit here and go on and on listing variables, but there's just too many. One thing I should note about Fiona is her way of transforming. Once she triggers a transformation, she will molt her original shell, and in the process, gain a new one with the new insects traits. Also, Fiona can force a molt in order to repair damage to her shell - in order to accommodate to her poor healing. However, it is possible for Fiona to regrow a lost-limb using molting, or transforming.
Cricket-Physiology
Fiona's base/default form. It gives her abilities consistent with the mighty grasshopper! The most obvious advantage is the boost to her jumping ability. She'll be able to jump high and far! It also comes with plenty of leg-strength so she can deliver one hell of a kick. She has fairly strong jaws that are natural to crickets. She can deliver a devastating bite. Crickets have pretty good senses, in fact. More than they're given credit for. Thus, Fiona's several senses are keen. Her vision is pretty good, and she's able to pick up movement much easier than humans are. It gives her a sort of enhanced reflexes, as she can see things faster and, thus, react to them quicker. Plus, she has night vision and can overall see better in low-light environments. Fiona has a great sense of hearing - she can hear from quite a distance away... using her legs (Really, look it up). She can pick up ultra-sonic sounds too. Her sense of smell is also enhanced through her antennas. They are very sensitive, enough so that she may feel around in her environment. It also allows her to pick up scents, so it counts as enhanced smell. Finally, Fiona has special hairs on her body that allows her to sense air movements and pressure changes. Which can allow her to detect if something is coming.
Limits:
Fiona can only adapt one insect at a time, in order to transform into another insect, she must lose the traits of the current form. It takes her a little while in order to transform - depending on the form. A minor transformation should take no more than a minute, while an extreme transformation, at most, would take several minutes. Her Grasshopper form is her technical default form, she can't spend too much time outside of it, or she'll get tired and revert back. While this isn't much of a limit, the most she can spend outside her Cricket form is a day. If she drastically transformed, she'll get tired even faster. Fiona cannot transform too often, she can do five minor transformations in a day. After one drastic transformation, she'll be stuck in her base form for a bit - even after her body recovers.
Weaknesses/Drawbacks:
There is no way for Fiona to turn her power off - it's always on. Which makes it obvious, in a public setting, that she's a Metahuman. Which means that she doesn't have the luxuries that the other characters have. She has to hide herself in order to buy anything, she'll stand out more. The weaknesses to Fiona's power itself have should be fairly obvious. Extreme heats and colds are deadly to her - she simply can't handle them like other people can. Her shell heats up quickly so that could cause some permanent damage. Her internal organs freeze easier than regular people too. So, fire and ice benders are her bane. Fiona can't swim, her shell is too heavy and inefficient for swimming, she'll simply sink to the bottom of the body of water. Fiona's senses (In her Cricket form) can also be taken advantage of. Her sense of smell is fine, but her vision and hearing is vulnerable. Mostly her vision. A bright flash of light can really mess up her vision for awhile. She also operates much better in the darkness.
I should note that insects regenerate very slowly (if not at all). Internal damage can be a problem (However, damage to her exoskeleton can be fixed). She's going to be in trouble unless there's a healer on hand. Transforming will drain Fiona of her nutrients, and she'll be required to consume in order to recover. Her exoskeleton will always have a few exposed areas, mostly in the joints area - a swift blow there can cause Fiona some trouble. After a transformation (Any transformation, even molting), she will be vulnerable as her new shell hardens. Fiona's Grasshopper form isn't too good for running... only leaping.
Darkness Manipulation is banned because it's technically manipulating nothing (It's absence of light, and anything else for that matter) and treated as a magic element 90% of the time. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense, in addition to the fact that only teeny animuu edgelords want to use it, so I decided to ban it altogether.
I mean, it could work if it's used for stealth/minor light manipulating purposes.
It's funny since most people ask about my ban on Gravity manipulation.
Okay, made a shitpost to introduce Fiona just so it isn't a week before the last post. I'm coming up with something to get things moving again. Starting with continuing the Overload story arc.
Sorry, @Maxx we're gonna have to move on without you.
