Name: Julian Byrne
Age: 27
Occupation: Usually, his office, a lab, or at the nearest coffee machine.
Place of residence: Handler, member of the Jackals.
Link to the ArtistPERSONALITY Highly curious and self-centered, it’s easy for Julian to get absorbed into his work, pastimes, and pursuing his goals to the detriment of everything and everyone else. He’s more of a loner, and doesn’t deal easily with other individuals or groups. On the one hand, he can easily get snarky and judgmental if someone doesn’t fulfil his expectations, but on the other, he perhaps too easily dismisses the expectations of others, since he prefers his own standards to anyone else’s. However, he’s experienced enough working in a structured environment that he knows how to stay out of trouble with superiors.
Julian’s good at talking about his work, hobbies or ideas, but tends to space out if what the other person is saying doesn’t catch his interest. Though he’s learned early on that a slog through boredom and frustration is often necessary, he still doesn’t like expending energy if there isn’t a worthwhile goal on the other side of it. He may be too blunt for his own good at times, and is quick to dismiss people as irrelevant if they don’t impress or intrigue him from the get go. He does occasionally get inspired by another’s zeal, drive, charisma, intelligence, or some other such quality, though he doesn’t like admitting that.
He’s passionate about a few specific topics, but mostly uncaring if not outrightly apathetic about all else. Julian is capable of an intense focus, and can get a bit obsessive about things, which results in the not-uncommon-enough work binge, wherein he disregards basic necessities (such as sleep or eating). Even though it would definitely benefit him, good luck to anyone who tries to snap him out of that state; the best one can hope for is to ply him with snacks and push him into taking a nap or two. As determined as he is, however, it can be difficult to curtail his unhealthy behaviors – even though he really does know better (he’s just not always inclined to follow his own advice).
Though Julian’s desire to explore the unknown pertains mainly to academics, he does get intrigued by the everyday mystery, curiosity, or oddity here and there. He’s much more observant than he lets on, after all, even when he’s not fully paying attention, so if he notices something off in his surroundings, he’s prone to investigate. So, Julian may occasionally become unusually and unexpectedly prying when he tries to meddle into matters he would be better off leaving alone.
HISTORY
Julian’s life was fairly normal; he was born in a middle-class family as the only child, and while he sometimes found nonsensical expectations placed upon him, he didn’t let it get to him much. As far as he can recall, his parents were satisfied with and even proud of his successes, but also tended to push him to do better. In exchange, he usually got whatever he desired that was within their ability to grant, though bigger things were usually framed as a reward for fulfilling certain conditions (e. g. polishing up his poorest subjects).
He’d found his passion in biology, and to a slightly lesser extent chemistry, quite early. He was the type to observe, sketch, and wonder at the workings of all sorts of living being, and was never the type to be disturbed by corpses. Some would say he was a bit too fascinated by them; he still remembers when he brought a bird’s mangled dead body into his home, and when confronted by his parents merely said he wanted to know what it looked like on the inside. Suffice to say, the supervision upon him since then increased, but he also got increased access to less hands-on materials (i. e. physical and digital learning materials). In high school, psychology caught his fascination as well, which is partially why the human body (and especially the brain) solidified as his top research interest.
And though he’s always been more of an academic, he did not disregard his physical education. Or rather, his parents did not; they made it clear that he would have to sign up for a sport (mainly since he otherwise spent all his free time behind a computer screen, which they did not consider healthy), though he got to pick which. So, through elementary and high school, Julian attended gymnastics three times per week, and went jogging, cycling, or hiking with one or both parents each week. After beginning to attend college, he switched to yoga and tai chi, both for the purposes of maintaining and improving his physical health and wellbeing. Though he’d never been focused on the combat applications of tai chi, he did get adequate at it after years of practice.
If there was one thing that he had issues with – more accurately, other perceived as him having issues with – it was his social life. He made very few friends, and got along better with older adolescents than same-aged peers. He also greatly preferred online interactions, which his parents didn’t perceive as quite so substantial. They often encouraged him to try and connect with others more, and dragged or pushed him into various situations he’d have otherwise avoided (e. g. family gatherings, birthday parties). This clash grew more pronounced as he aged, as his parents were also the type to loudly proclaim their desire to eventually see him with his own family. Partially because of this, but mainly because of better opportunities elsewhere, Julian moved out when he came of age.
Compared to getting used to living elsewhere, with flat mates, and having to manage his own finances and living expenses, getting a medical degree was not so challenging. Of course, it was grueling at times, but he’d always felt pleasantly challenged by the material. After getting his degree and completing a year of internship, he began looking into longer-term placement opportunities. He saw an add for Apex Implementations, and after some research, he was hooked by the blatant mystery behind it. Whatever was inside the wall was intriguing, and drew his curiosity, so Julian was determined to get in there and see what was offered.
PERSONALITY
Inesh is as inquisitive as he is arrogant, traits they share with Julian. But they are also more laid-back and chattier, and don’t mind striking up conversations with humans or Daemons, though they usually don’t stick to any one (besides Julian) for long. They value self-improvement just as Julian does, but they are much more fiercely competitive. They value efficiency in work, but relaxation or amusement when it comes to play. Either way, they’re a very my pace type of being, though they despise boredom and seek various forms of stimulation. Like Julian, they prefer those that engage their mind, but they are not at all opposed to something purely physical.
Similar to Julian, they enjoy challenges, though for them it also makes them a fan of games of chance and skill. Due to their intelligence, Inesh prefers more randomization than most. As such, they are fairly chaotic in general; mischievous and instigating trouble when the situation allows for it. They’re also responsible enough to take care of any inadvertent troubles caused, however, and they generally respect others’ boundaries. They definitely look as if they have at least two sides to them, as they are completely different in a serious situation. They’re also rather ambitious and cunning, though also a master of having others underestimate them.
ABILITIES
Inesh’s basic shape allows them to bite, claw at, and strangle enemies, and their scales make for a good natural armor. They are a fast runner, great swimmer, and can cling to any solid surface with their claws. Their incredible flexibility allows them to twist into various shapes.
Via utilizing potentia, they are capable of manipulating their body in such a way as to allow them free range of movement through air. They use physical augmentation mainly for great speeds – sometimes they seem to outright vanish from sight due to how fast they are moving.
They most heavily rely on cognitive altering, however, with which they manipulate others’ senses. In enemies, they usually induce apathy, confusion, drowsiness, or a listless daze emotions vise. When effecting opponents’ perception, they cause various hallucinations (mainly visual, auditory, and tactile), and increase their pain levels. Sometimes, they induce feelings of vertigo and disbalance for that extra kick. When it comes to allies, they are more careful, and use their abilities sparingly. When required, they will offer a minor energizing boost to allies, or induce a clear-mindedness in them.
When Julian channels Inesh’s abilities, he uses them fairly similarly. The major difference is that he prioritizes cognitive altering for his own use. He enhances his own senses when the situation calls for it, and boosts his processing speed. The latter quickens his planning and enhances his reaction speed. Sometimes, he increases his brain functions to assist with his research, though only when doing so is strictly necessary.
When not in their physical form, Inesh resides within Julian’s wristwatch.
Xaltwind,
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rabidbacon,
thedarkness,
Remram,
ColdAtlas,
princess,
Damycles,
PapaOso,
KingofSerpents
