[OOC] Shadow Smiles

[Redward]

Ticking

"Thirty six hours have passed, ma'am," the S.C.A.R.E stood at attention, posture perfect, reflective faceplate pointed at Maya Wyrick, "Luca Beake is requesti-" A wave of her hand silenced her subordinate. Eyes, blue and clear, turned from the armored form and back to a small projection on the surface of her elaborate desk. It had been thirty six hours, ten minutes and fourteen seconds; at the time of the S.C.A.R.E's arrival. Maya smiled, a tight and only somewhat pleased gesture.

"Let him out, get him to his lab. I've got no doubt that was part of his request. Once he's there, I'll make sure his clearance is restored and that fucking hand is his to look over," Maya closed the screen with a swipe of gloved fingers, standing and folding her hands behind her back, "I want his security detail composed of Waldvogel, Paul, Mataraci and Lane." The S.C.A.R.E, who she knew to be McCaig, confirmed his understanding and began making his way to the door; all business. Maya waited until the door hissed and clicked shut before turning back to her work.

In the thirty six hours since 'Subject Smile' had made his appearance, Maya had slept perhaps three and subsisted solely on determination and water. While it wasn't her job to do research, it behooved her to be proactive in this scenario; proactive defensive measures were covered in the description of her position, and the potential catastrophe she saw on the horizon certainly needed something to dull its impact. If it were to happen.

"I don't know the future, but I sure as hell know when shit's about to hit the fan," the S.C.A.R.E indulged her worst habit, when she was alone, "and I know that Miasma Infection isn't anything benign. We have around forty examples of that, downstairs." She didn't shudder, but Maya's skin crawled thinking about the twisted things she had seen. Some of them liked to scream, others remained utterly silent...except for the scraping of their distorted appendages as they meandered about their cage. Most of them simply thrashed and bled and regurgitated, twisting and morphing in some semblence of agony, suffering the effects of whatever weapon or chemical was to be tested on them, that day.

"They're resilient, I'll give them that much," she had taken long strides around her office. There wasn't much to look at. 'Windows' existed, but were inactive; serving only as sleek surfaces to reflect the lowered lights of her domain. No pictures or documents were displayed on her walls. "But I can't give them much more." At least not without generalizing the problem. Of the forty one Subjects contained in the Evadne Complex's depths, there were at least ten examples that could reason on the level of an average adult. One showed signs of higher intelligence, but there was no concrete evidence of that being connected to the Miasma. Three appeared completely human, and could function normally. There were others that could appear human, but the facade fell away as soon as the prospect of prey presented its self.

"Subjects Four, Fifteen, Twenty Two and Thirty Seven," she tried to remember the other labels they had been given. Silly codenames. Those Maya hadn't cared about. Their names, she had; but those were hidden. Purged by Blackthorne M&M to preserve their interests. She couldn't blame them. After all, they wrote her check. As she thought on this, still circling the room, her desk gave a small vibration; a blue square of light shining upwards, catching the edge of her currently abandoned helmet.

"Maya," came the familiar voice, "I appreciate you assigning me such a serious entourage, but I believe I might have need of your presence in my lab." She shifted on her heels, staying completely silent; save for the flexing of her hands, making leather scratch and shift. "You see, Miss Wyrick, I believe something interesting has been uncovered."

"What, already? Must've been while you were in quarantine, then. Why didn't I get a report?" She couldn't resist answering, despite her instincts telling her otherwise.

"Ah, yes. Well, you see, you are! I suggest you come investigate this yourself. Not that I don't trust these fine enforcers, but..." His mocking tone was subdued and hardly venomous, a sign of seriousness. He wasn't wasting her time, much, either with explanations or irrelevant tangents. Maya opened another screen, checking feeds from each of those she had sent to watch over Luca Beake.

"Jesus fucking Christ..." Mataraci's helmet showed the scene clearest. "I'm on my way, sit tight!" She closed the channel quickly, and began donning her gear. Twenty nine seconds later, Maya Wyrick was sprinting towards the Evadne Complex's central elevator; wondering just how much damage had been done. And how she hadn't been informed sooner.

Hello, and welcome! This is the Out Of Character section of Shadow Smiles. I'm Redward, and I'll be your GM for this story of grotesqueries and abominations! If you have come here from the Interest Check, then welcome back! If you are not, then I suggest you take a moment to read that over! I hope you enjoy the story we're going to be putting together, here!

As previously explained Smile appeared in the Evadne Complex, a Blackthorne Medical and Munitions headquarters in New Steel City, tossing a peculiar "gift" before those gathered in the only room of the Complex's highest level. That event occurred on June 8th, 2042. Thirty six hours and some change have passed since then...and Smile has been busy within N.S.C. Other gifts have been given. Changes are being made.

While that has yet to be touched on, In-Character; I am planning to pick up with Maya Wyrick, Luca Beake and whoever else may be affiliated with Blackthorne M&M. They will be beginning in the 'lab' where the "gift" was contained. Those who are not affiliated with the super-corporation will begin with their Miasma Infection. I do not mind allowing those in this situation to present Smile in their own way, much as I have done with other prominent Characters in the past.

Here is a Character Sheet Template!

Character Skeleton

Name: What's...in a name, other than consonants and vowels? Your soul. Is it one they gave you? One you gave yourself? Throw it away...or scream it from on high. Just. Tell. Me.

Age: I can't remember how old I am. How young I am. You do. You're fresh You...smell fresh.

Human Appearance: My brothers and sisters all love their pretty faces. Too much to let their real selves smile, every once in a while. Even those who aren't touched by the Miasma...it's...sad.

Personality (Optional): Prey, or hunter? Does a question like that even matter? We're all something. Something good. Something bad. Something hungry.

Occupation: Lab rat. S.C.A.R.E. Scientist. Garbage man. Stripper. Singer. What lie do you live?

History (Optional): I've watched. From across the room, through the window. I haven't been watching, long, but I've got a good feeling about you.

Infection Status: Yeah, I can taste it in the air. Your sickness. Your health. It's why I'm here, kid. You're clean, you're dirty...you're mine.

Miasma Abilities (Infected Only): The 'Infected' Blackthorne loves so much are just fledglings. Genetic defects. The Miasma is a gift that chooses who ascends. Just look at me. I'm everything they could never dream of.

Miasma Appearance (Infected Only): I told you. They love their pretty faces. Why don't you show me what you really feel like, now that it's running through you? Why not live a little?

Some notes on my expectations and relevant things:

1) I expect three to four paragraphs, per post! I also expect people to keep things civil. This is all about having horrific fun!

2) A list of certain pertinent questions, provided by @Viatos and answered by myself are in the Interest Check. As well as his wonderful contribution to further explaining the nature of this RP and why you should be interested. You should really go give that a look! While you're there, be sure to read the first Flavor Intro! Those things are important! I will be moving the information bits over into this thread, sometime soon!

3) All of the Corpse Parts passed along by Smile seem to be fairly heavy, but without obvious mutation. That changes when an appropriate host is nearby. The gift itself will force its way into that host's body; usually in a nightmarish way. Nobody in New Steel City will receive the same body part.

The common time of incubation for those with Miasma Infection is around twenty hours, before the Infected's body begins to rapidly mutate. Once in this state, they become something entirely different altogether. For most of them, reason is replaced by instinct; an overwhelming desire to consume and grow. There are many Types of those with Miasma Infection, and they have been categorized by Blackthorne M&M. (Some of these Types, along with their colloquial names will be listed in an upcoming Information Section.)

Those who take to the change undergo a different metamorphosis. Their Miasma Infection incubates at an astonishing rate, lasting anywhere between two and six hours. Instead of losing themselves to the Miasma, they become enhanced by it; gaining abilities unthinkable to normal people, while still being able to retain 'themselves'. By 'embracing' the Miasma, they can warp their form much as their lesser counterparts. This, in conjunction with their retained sanity and personality can make them unpredictable and highly dangerous. It is these 'superior beings' that Smile seems to be interested in creating more of.

4) The most important thing, to me, when it comes to Shadow Smiles, is that the 'usual' is anything but. I don't mind answering questions, so long as they don't touch on what I consider spoiler territory. I have an awful lot in mind, that I want to us all to share in, and I'm looking forward to what you guys come up with!

5) More information will be added, over the next couple of days and throughout the course of the thread. Please be patient while things are sorted out and compiled!

6)

Q&A

Brought over from the Interest Check. Questions asked by @Viatos!

What kind of changes/powers are you envisioning characters developing, if not overtly external? Psionic, transmogrificative, magical, undead-themed?

The humans targeted by Smile (or those imprisoned in Blackthorne M&M's lab) are not typical in terms of Miasma Infection. They will become something more, retaining their human forms and sanity; but with the capability to temporarily embrace the Miasma within them...allowing them to morph their bodies in nearly limitless ways. They manifest Abilities, much like in Worlds Apart, along with their ability to transmogrify

...

The Abilities themselves I will leave to the Player. Psionics are fine, but I want to avoid mind meddling

Redward

Is this more on the Lovecraftian side, gothic horror, or more of a Parahumans-esque the-source-is-menacing-not-necessarily-the-result kind of a thing?

The Lovecraftian elements are there, to be sure, but I don't think it will be a very large influence
This, weirdly, makes me think more of Eternal Darkness

Redward

What is the Evadne Complex?!

The Evadne Complex is the HQ of the Blackthorne M&M forces in New Steel City. It's the building they were in during the Flavor Intro

Redward

You mention all walks of life - does that extend to Blackthorne and its constituent factions?

Yes, it encompasses everyone. Smile picks those he thinks will 'take to the change'
Previously Infected subjects are also an option, alongside S.C.A.R.E and Blackthorne Scientists

Redward

And finally, what's the general level of awareness/panic in the population at large? Is this something that's been mostly kept from the news and slithers silently through the background noise of conspiracy theories about chemtrails and the Antarctic Wall, or is everyone fighting to keep order in a world where sometimes the neighbor's kids rip through your living wall sporting flesh-rending fangs and layers of scarlet pseudoflesh?

At the start of the RP, people are only vaguely aware of the Miasma's existence. Reports from all over the world provide some small proof of their existence; but there is no large-scale panic...as of yet
Most of the people who worry about it are those directly involved and conspiracy theorists
Technically, there are no Miasma Infections in New Steel City; aside from Smile
After the corpse parts are distributed, there will be a Miasma presence
Which could intensify
Hope that's adequate!
The corpse parts will actively force their way into an appropriate host
As a note

Redward

Thank you for reading! I will be getting to work on the Character Sheets, shortly, for; Maya Wyrick (S.C.A.R.E), Luca Beake ("Scientist") and Edward Garcia (Junkie).

Now that I have finished my Character Sheets, I have decided to make a Discord Server!

[SilverPaw]

If I have the time, I'll definitely join.

[jdh97]

AHHHHHH!Exciting stuff. Will get a CS up soon.

[Redward]

@SilverPaw Thanks for your interest!

@jdh97 Hopefully not before I do so, with my own. T_T

As a note, it has been some time since I have slept. There may be those who come into the thread who have PM'd me without a proper response (as of yet). If that is you, and you are reading this, I am sorry. Please, feel free to put your questions forward here; or exercise patience and I promise I'll get around to sending word your way.

If that's not you...well, I will attempt to work on my Character Sheets later this afternoon. At worst it will be sometime tomorrow morning before I get them posted up.

Also, I will be shuffling around some information. That will definitely be a 'tomorrow thing'!

[ScreenAcne]

@Redward

I'm down for this deeper than a mole person with a love of emo music.

I'll motherfucking, model a sheet tonight.

[The Narrator]

Conor O'Nelly

Name: My mother gave me the name Conor. But now... I don't feel like that name belongs to me any more... I was born again and I will be baptized again, this time with a new name.

Age: I am 27 years old. Oh how much time I wasted.

Human Appearance:

Picture

I wanted to look like no one else, that's why I have all the tattoos and piercings. To look different, to be something special. Now I know that was foolish, it was just superficial. Miasma made me truly unique and special.

Personality: I was always a lonely kid, spent my time in VR and testing things on the computer instead of playing with the other kids. In university that seemed to change, I went to parties, met girls, took drugs. That again was only superficial. Never felt like I belong anywhere...

Occupation: Cyber-Security at Blackthorne. I really hit the jackpot with this job. I graduated as the best in my class with a master of Computer Science from New Steel City University or NSCU. Anybody treats me still like the new weird kid but the money is good.

History: What is there to tell? I am a punk/computer nerd from the inner city. Raised by a single mother, may she rest in peace. Irish heritage, very good at logical thinking. Wasted most of my youth, got into college and aced it. Now I work for Blackthorne. Now what would be much more interesting is my internet history... But you would have to ask the F.B.I for that.

Infection Status: It got me, it changed me.

Miasma Abilities: I have become something of a hive. I don't know how it works and it truly is disgusting without ends. At least by human standards and do those even still apply to me? The small creatures that live inside me seem to be something of a mixture of wasps, spiders and the carnivorous stuff of nightmares. Somehow they obey my every whim, flying where I direct them, carrying items and devouring everything.
Perhaps I am even capable of more?

Miasma Appearance:

Miasma Appearance

I am the most hideous thing I have ever seen, a hive for small creatures that defy biological identification.
But still this form is me?

[The Narrator]

@Redward Made a CS. If there is any problem or I misunderstood something please tell me!

[ScreenAcne]

Hider

Name: n/a
Code Name: The Servant
Subject Number: 005

Age:Initial health inspection shown he is to be in early 30's.

Human Appearance:


[I'm too tired to write an appearence. So my guy is now Murray out of the odd couple]

height: 5.9

Weight: 70 kg.

Psychological Profile:

by head psychologist: Sheela Shane

Subject shows innate acceptance and awareness of his nature as a miasma infected, furthermore, he shows a enigmatic understanding of his supposed "role". Most of his answers are vague and confused, quickly dipping into mysticism. Deep emotions of dread, anxiety, and fear about the absolute nature of his infection are apparent but...he has accepted that he is sick, perhaps terminally so and even has been recorded saying "if you need to kill me. I forgive you. Ok, whoever does it. Don't stay awake late at night bullying yourself about it. If it got to that point, you did me a favor"

005's laid back attitude has made him able to cope with containment and inspection surprisingly well. Perhaps too well. His identity is almost entirely revolved around his infection and he flips in intense anxiety about serving it, hating, fearing it, and even trying to understand it. It is my suggestion that in order to keep 005's good nature up, don't let him socialize or develope an identity outside of it.

We are his masters now. We are the authority on Miasma, we are the only ones that could stop...whatever it is, and we're the only ones that could possible save him. No internet, no fashion or fun. Link it back to somehow to him and his infection.

Occupation: "Servant" subject dosen't respond to the police uniform we found him in. Claims no memory of joining any official force.

History:

report from Officer Ray Muni

Subject 005 was on a bus full of partially digested and dismembered people. Bodily harm was immense; missing 3 of his right fingers; several large gashes across his troso that will cause permanent scars; broken nose; internal brusining; 4 broken ribs; the back of his right foot gone; and his skin from his left knee up to his stomach peeled off. His police uniform was worn at this time. The bus was driving in Arizona but went off its course into the local woods, it continued to drive after the driver was..well...we are guessing by the muscus and blood dug into the chew off section of the drivers chair..completely devoured.

and it went off a cliff into a nearby lake. 005 managed to escape by using a torso to float him to shore. He was found and hospitalized sometime later. His wounds had mostly healed. No identity cards have been found in the bus, but we believe it simply may be lost in the wreckage and gore. No wallet, possibly lost when his pants were torn up. No, immediate family that he recalls.

[Investigation Ongoning]

Infection Status: Positive

Miasma Anomalies:

classified: authorized only

All infected innately recognize him as touched by miasma on sight.

They claim to feel that he is here to do something, but what that is they can never articulate. A innate but dismissive sense of importance is ascribed to the subject with a continued theme of no real cause. They simply "know" that harming him will not be a good idea but have been able to act against that. Intense feelings of regret, shame, and anger normally follow even doing minor damage that can inhibit him in any form, even if the aggressor normally expresses sadistic tendencies.

When annoying or aggitating a sentient infected they typically engage in social and sometimes physical bullying. This dosen't seem to produce the same effect, in fact, sentient members have expressed a sense of superiority, power and entitlement to do so.

Feral infected ignore 005, even when he is actively touching or doing things to do them. This tolerance of his presence goes far, and has allowed us to use him as a means of taking samples aggresssively but in case where damage is notable they react. This isn't a calming presence, if something would rouse up an feral they still do so but avoid attacking 005 in the process. The only case of him being attacked was after he was instructed to beat a feral with a pipe, which, after a minute of doing so it dragged him to the corner by his foot. Poked, prodded, pushed, and vomited on him along with slapping. He was dragged around the room again for another 3 minutes before stopping.

This seems to be a primitive display of the "putting in place" seen in sentient subjects.

Hypothesis: I suspect that, unlike the average infected, 005 has a specific intended function. What has given him it and how can a virus possibly assign a hairachy role to a person I don't know. but it has. 005 might seem friendly now but he has these anomalies for a reason and in my personal opinion we should exterminate him sooner rather than later, lest we find out what that reason is.

"I am the self destroying servant. The waiter with the poison, dutifully delivered with trepidetation to a master he fears and loves. He who will start the cycle and end it" ~ 005

[Redward]

@The Narrator and @ScreenAcne are accepted!

I will make a note to everyone, since this question was put forward. At the beginning of the RP, resuming with my introductory post, there will be around three hours before the Miasma Infected Types start appearing in New Steel City. That gives us a small window for everyone to make their Character Introductions and get the plot rolling before everything becomes a massive hive of body-horror.

I am, as of now, beginning work on done with Maya's Character Sheet.

Working on Luca's, now. He's posted.

Now starting almost finished with Eddie. Will fill in his Miasma Abilities and Miasma Appearance, sometime in the next little bit.

[Redward]

@ScreenAcne and @The Narrator, you may move your Characters to the Character Tab!

I will be resuming work on Eddie, momentarily. I still have a bit of work to do on his particular abilities.

Thank you, everyone, for your patience and continued interest!

Also, we are still accepting a new Player or two!

[jdh97]

Dr. Camphor

Name: Isaac Camphor

Age: 38

Human Appearance:
A lithe figure of oil and ice. Every movement is purposeful and deliberate, from his graceful walk to the way he carefully readjusts his glasses. Slicked hair clings to his scalp, a jet black veneer, crowning his long face. His eyes seem to possess some unnatural iridescence, such is their piercing sky-blue colouration – always wide open, always studying, and always judging.

Personality:
Want to pick my brain, eh? Understandable; it is a thing you should envy. There is not much for me to say that a psycho-genetic screening would not manage. I am different, I know this. My neural circuitry is not wired the same as yours – it is not what most would consider “normal”. Sometimes I wonder if it can be fixed. Then I remember there is no need. I am capable of doing things, things that would shackle others with moralities and empathy – that is a hard to replace cog in this machine. I am key.

Occupation:
Born with a weeping pit where a moral compass should be, this one is a research scientist at BM&M where he heads the V.A.P. Quite lacking any semblance of integrity, he unties their braided secrets, feeding threads to shadows and puppeteers who can offer vapid wealth, and yet he still sleeps ever so soundly.

History:
My youth… My youth was not pleasant, let us begin elsewhere. How about Blackthorne? Yes, let us begin with Blackthorne and their lucrative offer. Freedom in the scientific field in no small thing, and that is what they provided. An ever so tempting morsel, but it is the so called “Miasma Infection” that kept me with them. Understanding how it works… well, I should not have to explain why it has become my passion.

Infection Status: Uninfected

[Redward]

@jdh97 Approved! You can move Isaac to the Character Tab!

I also completed Eddie's Character Sheet!

[Redward]

@SilverPaw, @jdh97, @The Narrator, @ScreenAcne,@Viatos.

Pardon the double post, but I have decided to make a Discord Server for Shadow Smiles. If this idea entices you, please go ahead and join up!

[Redward]

I moved the Q&A section from the Interest Check over; adding it to the first post. Will be looking for some other pertinent information to add.

Eventually I am planning, with some help, to categorize Types of Miasma Infected and provide them in a similar location!

EDIT: I just realized that the year has not been mentioned in this OOC. While it was directly stated in the Interest Check. I added a line, about it, in the first post.

As things stand now it is June 7th, 2042. There will be a time-stamp in the introductory post, to further cement this.

[hagroden]

Aaand Here's my character, hope you don't mind that I strayed a bit from the original format, I thought it'd be interesting for it to read like an official personnel file. If you'd like, I can PM you the "Redacted" information @Redward

Retired Personnel - "Hat"

S.C.A.R.E. - Personnel and Data Log Entry #GAT428, Contracted Agent "Hat"

Birth Name is REDACTED, or code name "Hat."

"Hat" is REDACTED years old, and appears to be in mid 60.

(See First Photo in File) "Hat" has short, grey hair. He's relatively old and it shows on his face. He is almost always wearing a scally cap. While "Hat's" father is REDACTED and his mother is REDACTED, he himself is from the United States of America.

"Hat" - 10/18/23

"Hat" stands at 5'8 and weighs ~170 pounds.

"Unknown" - N/A

(If Second Photo in file titled "Unknown" depicts more than an assault rifle, please report to nearest quarantine and request testing for Miasma infection.)

"Hat" is shown to be a calm and cheerful individual in the outside as he's able to make people feel calm in his presence. However, beneath this facade is a sinister persona of his - he is merciless when it comes to killing others and he often finds it fun to cause destruction and kill people (whether they're innocent or not).

He's also cautious, logical, and calculating as he's able to devise strategies that gave his desired outcome, often times outsmarting his opponents as demonstrated when he enacted in his plan to take out REDACTED and successfully defeated the REDACTED that was assigned to take him out despite them outnumbering him.

"Hat" was formerly contracted as an external mercenary for S.C.A.R.E., and often REDACTED escapees infected with the Miasma Virus. However, He retired on REDACTED.

As a child, REDACTED was seen ruthlessly killing numerous animals in cold blood for entertainment in a barn, much to his father's fear. While his father scolded REDACTED and loved him deeply, REDACTED himself seemed indifferent and incapable of understanding his Father's emotions.

REDACTED was part of the United States Marine Corps in the past. Nicknamed "Poker-face," he began his 8-week recruit training in REDACTED by faking his age to join the corps. After the first 2 weeks, he left because of a supposed serious illness. This was, however, a cover, as he was actually recruited to be part of an ultra-elite section of the military known only as REDACTED while fighting in REDACTED.

In REDACTED, after the end of the war, "Hat" and REDACTED are assigned to a secret recovery mission in REDACTED. With "Hat" in the lead, the group had managed to perfectly execute the mission in 2 days without firing a single shot, but just as REDACTED was to return to the extraction point, "the devil woke up," as REDACTED fired a shot, catching the attention of hundreds of enemies, forcing the men into a battle, resulting in one member dead, one heavily injured, and "Hat" himself without a leg. After his return, he was dishonorably discharged.

Code-name "Hat" is infected, and should be considered highly dangerous.

Known abilities attributed to his Infection are
A: Physical Regeneration; "Hat" was originally detained after the "miraculous" regeneration of left leg. After extensive testing, Blackthorne has determined that "Hat" can regenerate ever part of his body, including his head. However, when detached, the part of his body with the most significant mass will regenerate, while the others will decompose in a manner similar to most organic matter. (Regeneration appears to be nearly instant, although the process does not begin until 10-15 seconds after removal.)

B. IIE Manifestation; "Hat" is capable of materializing, controlling, seeing/hearing/speaking through, and fighting with a semi-invisible entity (Named IIE) that has been described by infected individuals to appear as a REDACTED. The IIE seems to exist as a second manifestation of Hat, as well as a shell to be controlled by Hat.

B-1. IIE Physical Testing Results; The IIE carries the Miasma Virus, has been observed to travel up to 35 mph, can exert ~1,500 pounds of force behind a punch, and ~3,200 pounds of force behind a kick. The IIE has been observed to be capable of bench-pressing upwards of ~1,200 lbs, Squatting upwards of ~1,600 lbs, and Dead lifting upwards of ~6,500 lbs.

B-2. IIE Misc Testing Results; The IIE is visible only to those infected by the Miasma Virus. IIE has been recorded using firearms and other forms of weaponry with the same efficiency recorded by "Hat." IIE has been recorded travelling a maximum of half of a mile from Hat, although Hat began to display physical signs of discomfort in the form of; bloody nose, coughing blood, and bleeding from eyes/ears. IIE has also been recorded functioning normally regardless of Hat's influence, as IIE continued with testing during a period in which Hat was incapacitated.

See Third attached Photo for "Hat's" Infected Apperance

"Hat" Infected

When appearing as "infected," Hat is 6'9 and weighs ~370 lbs.

[Redward]

@hagroden "Hat" is approved, you can move him on over to the Character Tab.

[SilverPaw]

Finally finished.

Jacqueline A. Galloway

Name: Jacqueline A. Galloway

Age: 28

Human Appearance: Jacqueline is about average in height at 5’6, has a pale but healthy complexion and is slim – she does casual but regular sporting to keep fit. Outside of work, where business attire is required, Jacqueline prefers casual to semi-formal clothing and may be seen in soft jeans, cargo pants, sweatpants, T-shirts, hoodies, jackets, simple dresses and sneakers or sandals. Regardless of what she wears, the articles in question are often more expensive than the average-salary earner could afford (or be willing to consider). Her policy on jewellery, makeup and similar accessory is minimalistic but elegant – and she may forgo such things entirely for situations where they aren’t strictly expected.

Picture

Personality: Not to brag, but I’m a good actress. No, really. No, I’m not a professional. I think my smile rivals some pros out there though. I know how to be pleasant, polite and kind to just about anyone. I’m mildly curious about people – in the same way one might be mildly curious about a stranger’s well-behaved dog. Do I want to train people? Where did that even come from? Oh, I’m sorry, my example must have been bad. That’s why I don’t joke; people always think I’m crazy when they are the ones who just don’t get it.
Do I love? Of course, I do. Sheesh, I’m not some psychopath. I don’t think everyone else is beneath me, I don’t treat others as if they were just tools, I don’t get enraged at the drop of a hat and I’ve never considered murdering someone. Isn’t that enough? Oh, please, everyone is pretending to some degree. Doesn’t make us all criminals.

Occupation: Judicial clerk.

History: I was born. My parents have always been well-off and concerned with reputation. If you ask me, they are the psychopaths. They let my older brother have “too much freedom” (their interpretation, not mine), so he rebelled and became an artist. Not a respectable job in my parents’ eyes. What the hell do they know? My brother is a cool guy. Sure, maybe he was in “bad” company occasionally, but so what? Anyhow, my parents decided to be stricter with me. Less freedom, more hard work. I’m not complaining, it toughened me up. So what if I never had the chance to follow my passion? It isn’t like I had any back then. Being a “good girl” has its perks for sure.

I think my life is better than my brother’s, he thinks I’m not even the one living my life. Screw him. I am the one who has to put effort in all sort of crap. Studying was never a problem for me. But ever since I remember, people have been telling me that I look too serious, asking me why I don’t smile and asking me if I am in a bad mood. I’d love to go back and tell them “This is my natural face, you fuckers.” It wouldn’t be polite though. Oh, well. This is how I learned to fake the best goddamn smile in the universe. No kidding. What’s the point in smiling when there’s nothing to be happy about? Apparently, those kinds of thoughts aren’t “healthy” and I’ve been once told they’re a sign of depression. I have nothing to be sad about either, so that’s not it. That’s beside the point though. The point is, I learned to smile fabulously. Not that anyone ever thinks it’s anything but a normal smile. At least I know.

What? Too much rambling, not enough facts? I’m sure a smart cookie such as yourself can find my CV easily enough.

Infection Status: Infected.

Miasma Abilities: Ever since I’ve gained a second form, I can do things that make me question the nature of my humanity. Even in my human form (yes, I feel strange calling “it” that, but what else am I supposed to call it?), I can morph my body to some degree (small fangs, patches of tough chitinous exoskeleton, spinnerets and presumably venom glands, silk glands etc.). I feel that I will be able to do even more with practice.

I can now produce various…substances. Confirmed: venom, hyper-healing blood (to the point of regeneration, given some time), spider silk (you’d better not underestimate this). Yes, I can liquefy my food, but at least in my human form, that is not necessary. Suspected, but unconfirmed: ability to infect other organisms.

After I managed to overcome my…reluctance…to make contact with regular spiders, I discovered that they can share their impressions with me. Via my hair. Don’t even ask. I guess I can even grow nerve tissue now. How exactly my technically human brain can comprehend an arachnid’s senses, I have no idea. I wonder if I could give them basic commands like this…

Miasma Appearance: This is one of those things that no-one knows, but I hate spiders (I avoid the term “fear”). And now I’m some kind of a monster-spider if I turn and a spider-woman as a human. What the fuck am I supposed to think about that?

Miasma appearance

(Add +4 legs and a visible spider's abdomen behind the legs to your mental picture of above)

Other: “Don’t even try to call me ‘Jack’ or ‘Jacky’. I will only accept ‘Lynn’ as a nickname, and you better be my friend and ask first. Otherwise, you will land firmly in my ‘disliked’ category. Consequences? Hmm…”

“Don’t criticize my smile. Don’t criticize my laugh. And even I have to rest my facial muscles sometimes, so do not, under any circumstances, ask or otherwise point to my lack of a smile. I’ll hate you.”

[The Narrator]

@Redward Hey I changed up my chars miasma abilities, since the ones he had were pretty lame. Tell me if it is to strong!

[SilverPaw]

@The Narrator Oh? I've personally found the idea of being a host to swarms of carnivorous insects that you're able to control remotely to be really interesting. It's what inspired me to add that last ability to my CS.

[Redward]

@SilverPaw Approved! I like her a lot!