@Ruby It'd have to be a Child more aligned to the IOS because he doesn't trust normal humans since they are the ones shocking him, cutting off bits, e.t.c.
I think he's going to have a meltdown if he ever finds out that a friend betrayed him, not like a "Rarrgh I'm angry" more like... grief anger, lots of pointing, stomping, smacking equipment around, and doing the closest thing he can to crying. He's equal parts grown killing machine adult and lost child.
Something along the lines of letting him bind to her briefly while she gives him a vision of the divine. But again, I'd rather this a bit further ahead so she's already well-established with the Hydra and can better understand Ansel's impulses.
Shouldn't take long; Alpha is as connected to the Hydra as she is to every other facet of the universe.
Everything and everyone is stardust to her, first and foremost.
It's possible Alpha may be one of the few who isn't negatively impacted by the binding, but in reverse, may negatively impact HIM to bind to her.
Like eating way too much, way too fast, and the food you were eating is exotic and spicy in ways you've never imagined before. Lots of possibility for character development and drama there.
@Ruby Yeah, alright cool. He'd definitely keep it to himself except for the other Children he considers "friends", kinda like a kid pulling a someone over to tell them a little secret.
Precisely why I mentioned that aspect of it for him.
If you're interested in development of him, could have him tell some Institute peep his considers a "friend", and have to process that "friend" spilling said beans.
Considering that he's obsessed with EVE and the ones closest to her in terms of the divine aspect (Frost, Alma, etc.), would you like to do a few scenes that may reduce his classification in the not-quite-so-near future?
Sure! Seems like you have something specific in mind?
@Ruby Daniel is pretty easy to manipulate, but I don't see him being useful to her besides being a fleshy battering ram.
Daniel is a bridge between Children and Hydra.
That makes him fascinating to Alpha.
If nothing else, I can see her inserting herself to calm him if he was going to kill someone besides Hydra, if none of the other Children stepped in. Likewise, it's possible he's one of the Children that the Institute believes communicates with Alpha on a level far beyond their reach, even if that communication is mostly along a primal level.
@Ruby Alpha could just look at the dude funny and he'd turn into space dust. Don't think any of us can actually take on #1.
Maybe, but not where I was going with that.
If he went AFTER Alpha, it'd pique her interest. Right now her current fascination is the Hydra, and understanding them on a fundamental, instinctive, level. But she keeps tabs on ALL the other Children; so if he went after her, it might prompt her to show up in his dreams for a chat to establish some understanding.
Once we get into the IC, I'll start asking folk if they want interactions with Alpha in that vein.
At 6'1, 210 lbs., Ansel stands at the cusp and pinnacle of adolescence and adulthood; he boasts feats of strength comparable to intermediate weightlifters and finesse on par with the best of gymnasts. If it weren't the additional abilities EVE has provided for her Children, he could very easily cripple, maim, and kill his single-digit siblings within a matter of seconds. Trained personnel already have an incredibly difficult time subduing the flexible child without resorting to chemicals like mace and/or anesthetics, and his unpredictable behaviors only complicate proper containment. As such, his collar has been outfitted in the likeness of Alma's, though the anesthetic's dosage has been amped to knock out an elephant, and has an additional failsafe that will drive a serrated spike into his brain stem. He has an olive-toned skin color, green eyes, and black hair, and has a continual lack of blemishes (see Abilities).
∟ PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE
Ansel has often proven himself to be a conundrum when it comes to interacting with personnel and other Children, and he has been the cause of trauma - both psychological and physical - to his guardians. A following dossier of several incidents have been provided.
Other than the mentioned incidents below, Ansel can be considered a poet or an entertainer. He likes learning about humans on a deeper level, and will not hesitate to play therapist with particularly troubled individuals.
When first awoken, Ansel threw several researchers across the room before proceeding to beat the door to the outside. When confronted by the guards, he wrestled and dislocated both of his own arms to bite a guard in the shoulder (said guard now has a stem-cell replacement to make up for the missing chunk of flesh), and within seconds utilized the guard's keycard to escape into the hallway, where he made a quick pass over every room to search for his siblings. The Children who were designated #11-#128 were ignored entirely, and though he came close to #1, he never could quite make it through the door; the back of his kneecaps were hit by rubber pellets, and one final slug to the back of his head knocked him unconscious.
After the first incident, Ansel became passive, and was temporarily re-classified as such. When asked to show his ability, Ansel expressed his desire for something to eat, and continued to do so after a granola bar, a sandwich, half of a fried chicken, and three MRE's. When told that there was nothing else left to eat for the day, Ansel became aggressive, pounced on a guard, and exhibited his first ability (see Abilities). Ansel then broke containment again in search of his single-digit siblings (they were both located in the same general direction relative to his position), but was subdued with live fire. After being taken back to the testing room, Ansel expressed in perfect English that he "needed to unite" with his siblings, "to taste and savor them" so that he would "know them". When asked about his double-digit siblings, Ansel shook his head and addressed them as "morsels that only satiate, not fulfill". When asked later about his triple-digit siblings, he tilted his head as though unaware of their existence. He tends to favor other Children with high offensive output.
See Abilities.
When taken out of confinement, Ansel must be escorted by a team of four guards armed with firearms using nonlethal rounds, all of which will have access to his collar's controls. A surveillance team of four must also monitor him 24/7 in shifts composed of 8 hours each. The escort team will comply and support the containment teams of Single-Digits as needed.
∟ ABILITIES
Gestalt
Ansel can assume a Hydra-like form that is humanoid in shape, and from thereon bind to any humanoid entity less than 10 feet tall. When bound, Ansel will form a layer of reactive armor around his ward and amplify his own physical abilities. The magnitude of this amplification depends on the ward that he is bound to. After reverting back to his humanoid state, Ansel's skin will completely recover. Breaking his exoskeleton, however, will result in a similar result to breaking a bone, and hitting the inside of his armor will be the same as a direct blow to any of his vital organs.
Humans - Regular humans will be granted double that of Ansel's own physical abilities, making them relatively superhuman in their own right. The rate of consumption is highest here, though, and most humans will be fully digested (and yes, killed) within two minutes. .22 LR bullets will not bruise or injure the user.
Triple-Digits - Upon binding to a triple-digit, Ansel will double the Child's ability in some form or capacity while his own abilities are doubled. The digestion process is bumped up to 30 minutes, ample enough time for a single encounter. .45 bullets will not bruise or injure the user.
Double-Digits - Upon binding to a double-digit, Ansel will double the Child's ability in some form or capacity (and his own by a factor of 3), and can create extensive defensive mechanisms from #64-#11 that can block 5.56 bullets passively. The digestion process is 15 minutes.
Single-Digits - Upon binding to a single digit, Ansel will double the Child's ability in some form or capacity, and will assume a unique form that will work best in tandem with the Single-Digit. The digestion process is 10 minutes. Anything short of a MOAB or napalm won't do much to phase the wearer. Single-digits are the most likely to dislocate their own bones from the extreme output of power that Ansel gains from them.
Loners - Ansel figures he can probably possess a Loner's body if the central nervous system is destroyed first or half-digested. Digestion time varies on the Loner's size itself, but the particularly strong Hydra are usually gobbled up within two minutes.
Passive Mode - Ansel can be worn and have his physical abilities override the user's at no digestion cost. No defensive capabilities are granted here.
Raving Mad - Ansel will pump a copious amount of endorphins into Single-Digits when worn, as he takes great pleasure in learning about every nook and cranny in the most unspeakable, deplorable of ways. Digestion becomes pleasurable for Single-Digits, with the experience comparable to that of ecstasy or copulation.
Hijack - When half-digested, Ansel can attempt to possess his wearer. When fully digested, the wearer's remains are dumped out to avoid ingesting any toxic leftovers.
Emergency Mode - Grievous damage to the CNS will lock into Gestalt form and will forcibly digest any wearer until his central nervous system is at a functional level.
Regenerate
Ansel can double his rate of Digestion to recover things like lost limbs and the like, but he must first be worn by something humanoid. Don't be surprised if he pounces on a civilian if he's heavily injured.
Consumption
Ansel can digest Hydra of any kinds to temporarily boost his physical capabilities, though he has to eat them in the normal manner. The quality of flesh determines the scaling of the boost.
Swarm - 50% boost.
Hunter - 100% boost.
Loner - 200% boost.
Colossi - He hasn't tried yet, but it won't be enough to take on a Colossi single-handedly.
∟ WEAKNESSES
Post-Processsing - Ansel needs some time to recover after exiting his Gestalt state. Subsequent donning before an hour of rest will result in half-efficacy; the effect is compounded every subsequent donning.
Raving Mad - Ansel tends to get distracted at the idea of being united with one of his single-Digit siblings, and sometimes will lock up in a period of intense pleasure (5 seconds) with higher (#64-#11) Double-Digits and Single-Digits.
Exoskeleton - Ansel's Gestalt mode is not almighty; his vulnerable components are lined on the inside of his armor. If anything gets past the armor, he takes as much damage as the wearer receives.
DFA
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