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 Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:34 pm
Specimen XVIII - One Without a Name
Still working, but post away at will. xd There's a LOT to add.
Here is a bit of a note. This thread...isn't going to look fancy. The reason for this is that I'm lacking in the banner skills department - and I figure that what is important is the content of my posts, and not the banners over them. <3 That having been said, I hope y'all can appreciate my work.
(And those of you other entrants who made banners? You rawk. <3)
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:35 pm
Setting/Mythos BreakdownAhruzhia's past is based in the world of Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus. He is an original character based in the mythos, and was never shown in the game. His world is the very same from Final Fantasy VII - the same planet that Cloud and the gang fought to save from Meteor and all it entailed. Mako, the Planet's lifeforce - is often exploited for experiments and for power. Most of Ahru's story is based, however, in the antagonistic organization of the game - Deepground. dirgeofcerberus.net "The time has come to cleanse the world. Hunt down the unworthy, and show them no mercy." The ominous words describe the motives of the organization known as "Deepground Soldiers". They were created by the late President Shin-Ra, and kept secret in the corporations shadow. Trapped under Midgar during the Meteor Crisis, these Soldiers have now reappeared, vowing to cleanse the world of all those they deem unfit to live. Vincent Valentine seems to have some personal connection with these events... The Deepground Soldiers are both male and female, and have been seeing wearing a very distinct uniform. There uniforms are a dark blue, almost black in color, with electric blue lines running along their limbs and torso. The SOLDIER symbol, as seen on both Cloud and Sephiroth in the original Final Fantasy VII, can also be seen adorning their outfits. Not all of the Deepground Soldiers appear humanoid in nature. The bolded portion is important here; Ahru is based on a Beast Soldier, which are men who have been so altered that they move on all fours and fight in a feral, tooth-and-nail fashion. Like all the experiments of Deepground, Ahru was a scientist's plaything...an experimental breed of Beast Soldier. Intrigued? Read on.... Reference Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirge_of_Cerberus
http://dirgeofcerberus.net/
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:36 pm
Bio << Not a great ref, but will stand in until I can draw one proper. xd 'Name: Ahruzhia (Phonetic spelling of "Weapon" in Russian.) Guardian: Lady Vincira (or her IC help, Lauren) Gender: Male Personality: Despite his bedraggled appearance, Ahru is quite calm and laid-back. He acts a little on the feral side, preferring to sleep on the floor than in a bed...but he is rather well-mannered and obedient. He has the tendency to sniff at things, and he does move on all fours when he's running full-tilt. He's not necessarily shy, but he's certainly not talkative. It isn't that he can't speak - in fact, he's quite intelligent and quick to learn. The trouble is that when he does speak, his voice sounds tinny and hoarse, as if there were some manner of metal reed in his throat. Appearance: Ahru is actually a rather sickly-looking boy, glowing green eyes sunken in a pale young face. Around his eyes is just about black, as if he hasn't slept - but there are no bags. His lips, strangely, are a deep blue-black color...with small fangs protruding from above. Honestly, Ahru has a mouth full of very sharp teeth...but this is usually difficult to see, given that he prefers to wear a bandanna or scarf around his neck, pulled up high over his lips. His hair is jet black, cut just below the shoulders...save for a couple of longer strings which snake down his front and curl at the ends. The style is messy and choppy, with unpredictable curls occasionally arcing upward. His body is fairly lithe as a child - but most striking is the strange proportions of his body. For one, he's...tall for a child, though he does tend to stoop. For another, his arms are rather longer than they should be, with long, spindly, black-clawed fingers. He walks digitigrade, his feet looking more like an animal's hind paws in construction than a person's. Possibly most curious of all...are the strange metallic implants in the back of his neck, on either side of his spine. They only appear as round protrusions on the outside...but on the inside, who knows? < >
When he first arrives, he's wearing a curious black jumpsuit - and sporting a gray backpack with holes in it. There are glowing blue stripes on this suit...and the number XVIII is emblazoned on one shoulder in glowing letters. A black bandanna is hanging around his neck, ready to be pulled up and used as a muzzle.
He has no shoes or gloves due to his strange proportions - his feet instead wrapped in lengths of gauze.
Note: I'm still picking this out, so I'm listing my possibilities. ^^'
"A test, then? Specimen XVIII - ATTACK."
"...I am not an animal...this is all I know."
"It will not be long now before you return to the Planet."
"You have no name...you have a title."
"Weapons in cages scarcely need behave."
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:39 pm
Past Life Bio((Height and weight are rough stats. xd '))Specimen Number: XVIII (Eighteen) Specimen Type: Advanced Beast Soldier Parents: No record. Specimen was born into the lab. Height: 7'3" Weight: 220 lbs Eyes: Glowing green-blue. Skin: Pale. Dark areas around eyes and lips. Mechanical Implants: -Standard Communications module. No outward appearance, implanted in base of spine. -Prototype A-37 Neural Stimulator with Remote Module. Shows outwardly as two metallic protrusions on back of neck. Special Abilities: Enhanced strength and speed. Extra muscle mass at the jaw and legs, allowing greater damage to be done. When deployed, able to take most non-lethal damage without feeling pain. At rest, has a handle on basic gunmanship and stealth techniques. Specimen Behavioral Notes: XVIII is the perfect example of obedience. He does as he's asked, and the electric pulses fed to him turn him into the perfect Beast Soldier. Strangely, he has been the only one of his kind to accept that he will perish...better that way then him screaming and tearing at the cage bars like the others.
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:41 pm
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:43 pm
Boarding the Train
The rain was pouring. This sector was always so dead and desolate - little beyond the moaning of supposed ghosts and the squeak of rodents scurrying over the twisted metal.
Yes, the train graveyard was always no more than a haunt.
"FIRE!"
Except for today.
"Unit three, hold! Ahruzhia, into position! Move!"
With the creak of chains and the clank of shackles, a Dragonfly dropped the steel crate into position. The bedraggled creature within stumbled, awkward long limbs trying to readjust under the restraints. He could feel his own breath under the muzzle he was wearing - and could see it curling outward into the frigid air through the slits.
Ahruzhia tended to like to watch that more than the doors opening nowadays. The doors only meant another fight. His breath meant he was still alive.
Oh, he knew of course he didn't have much time on the Planet. That had been drilled into his head since birth. The truth was, he didn't mind that much. It was just another piece of his existance.
He shifted his bright emerald gaze from the curls of condensation to the open door. A couple of Heavy Armored Guards were waiting expectantly, standing at attention, eyes diligently fixed upon him. The creature knew what was coming...so he merely allowed his eyes to drift shut, embracing the black within his head.
He heard orders being barked.
"Is Ahruzhia secure?" The chains tightened up, splaying his long limbs outward and away from him. The remote buckle on his muzzle tightened up as well, pressing in on his skull a bit and giving him a light headache.
"Copy, all clear."
Wait for it....
"NOW! INITIATE ELECTRIC PULSE NOW!"
The darkness behind Ahruzhia's eyes lit up with stinging colors as the sparks ran through the back of his neck, coursing down his spine. Chains shattering, he was turned loose onto the battlefield, ripping and tearing all the while.
____
"What do we do with him?"
The soldiers stood in the aftermath of the battle, bodies strewn all over the train graveyard where they havd fought. They were presently staring down at the body of a particular Advanced Beast Soldier...the last of his kind.
Ahruzhia's chest heaved, his law hanging open with blood leaking from it.
One soldier reached down, grabbing him around the ankles. "...Let's just pitch him. I don't think any more data is gonna be necessary."
As his body scraped over the scrap metal and the broken train tracks, Ahru drew one last shuddering breath.
Time to return to the planet....
He was gone by the time he was dumped onto the old train carriage....
...
Which was, strangely, in better shape than the others....
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:45 pm
Fragments of the PastQuote: A soft rattle of cages came from the right side of the room, constant and murmuring as the man was ushered in. His brown eyes narrowed in scrutiny as he glanced down the row, magnified by thick glasses perched on his severe face. "Honor might not be the word. How are the subjects progressing?" "Not well, I'm afraid." The guard looked down, gathering his thoughts. "Subjects XVI and XVII have both perished of Mako poisoning. And the prognosis for the others isn't...looking-" "What about this one?" A thin hand was pointing to one of the inhabited cages - one in which a dark, muscular figure was curled on the floor. Strangely, the bars on this cage weren't as bent and abused as the others...suggesting less struggle from the specimen within. The guard smiled nervously, not much caring for the scrutiny of the scientist before him. "...XVIII. He's been...quiet. Like always. Always been the most well-behaved-" "I meant his health. Weapons in cages scarcely need behave." "...Ah...his health is superior to the others, Professor. Just this morning, he took out a group of six in training...." "Six! Excellent." The man's thin lips stretched into a grin, twisting his features. Slowly, he reached down to run his hand across the bars of the cage, attempting to rouse the bedraggled creature within. "...XVIII...let me have a look at you." Obediently, the creature pulled himself up...glowing green eyes meeting the glare of thick glasses. Dark, matted locks tumbled in loose waves around a pale and sickly face, framing sunken eyes and darkened lips. Despite the coloration, however, he was far from gaunt - formidable muscles visible at his jaw. The rest were hidden beneath the Deep Ground uniform - black with bright blue strips. Streamlined. As the Professor leaned closer still to inspect him, a pair of strong hands with abnormally long, black-nailed fingers wrapped around the bars, clawed feet adjusting to balance. "...Is he ready for open combat?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:47 pm
Family Ties
Lady Vincira: Not much is known about the sickly, bespectacled woman, truth be told. Her past is apparently a very dark splotch on the history pages - one which she does not care to visit, and which she is trying desperately to forget.
She's an ill looking thing, with dark hair, crimson eyes, a scar over her right eye, a black tail, a (normally) scrawny build, and a pair of ratty, shedding black wings wrapped with lengths of dingy gauze. When feeling a bit better, Vincira wears glasses and carries a black cane with a silver bird's head on the handle. She is never seen without her pendant - something that glows and changes color according to her mental state. One had best hope they never catch her when that thing is black....
Currently, she is an inmate at an Asylum, having gone raving mad. On top of this, she is currently pregnant...with her therapist's child. She comes home during lucid periods to visit and see her chldren, but is generally too tired to do anything strenuous, and is usually accompanied by her therapist.
Lauren: The current keeper of Vincira's house. She's loud, she can be brash, and she dresses in obnoxiously bright colors.
The kids ABSOLUTELY LOVE HER.
She took the job of being a nanny of sorts to Lady Vincira's brood some time ago...but as the Lady's health deteriorated further and further, she slowly took over the care of the whole house. At this point, she's more a member of the family than a housekeeper, often being the one that children see more than Vincira herself.
Lauren has a cheerful (if not a bit sarcastic) nature, and tends to act more like a kid than an adult. She isn't firm unless she has to be, and when she's firm, the kids tend to run and hide. Her youthfulness, however, and her pleasant demeanor, make up for her little pratfalls.
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:48 pm
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:49 pm
Reasons Why
Why is Ahru my concept?
Well, it's funny how these things happen - Ahruzhia was sort of an accident. I was talking to someone about Dirge of Cerberus, and before long, this character began to unfold.
I suppose what really makes this character is the idea of taking a species which is so easy to forget in the game - a few bullets and they're gone - and turning it into something fascinating.
That having been said, he's a character I now love, and I think he'd be a great match to have a second chance at I.U.J.
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:51 pm
Theme Song...Whenever I create a character, I like to assign them a song or two - one that captures their essence in its lyrics and becomes like a piece of their muse. Ahru is no exception - particularly as I found the perfect song. This song was used for the title of this concept, as well as placeholders for the posts - and I thought it would be interesting to post it here. As a special note - 'Nemo' means 'no one.' Nemo - by Nightwish This is me for forever One of the lost ones The one without a name Without an honest heart as compass This is me for forever One without a name These lines the last endeavor To find the missing lifeline Oh how I wish For soothing rain All I wish is to dream again My loving heart Lost in the dark For hope I'd give my eveything My flower, withered between The pages 2 and 3 The once and forever bloom gone with my sins Walk the dark path Sleep with angels Call the past for help Touch me with your love And reveal to me my true name Oh how I wish For soothing rain All I wish is to dream again My loving heart Lost in the dark For hope I'd give my eveything Oh, how I wish For soothing rain Oh how I wish to dream again Once and for all And all for once Nemo my name forevermore Nemo sailing home Nemo letting go Oh how I wish For soothing rain All I wish is to dream again My loving heart Lost in the dark For hope I'd give my eveything Oh, how I wish For soothing rain Oh how I wish to dream again Once and for all And all for once Nemo my name forevermore.... You can listen to the song here: http://www.radioblogclub.com/open/130770/nemo/03 - Nightwish - Nemo
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:53 pm
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:54 pm
Task 1~!
"We'll carry on."
_____
Ahru sat all alone in his room, staring with weary green eyes out past the dusty windowpane. The rain washed down the outside of the glass, creating strange and alien patterns as it travelled down the side of the house. A clawed, spindly hand reached up to scratch at the glass - tracing the paths of the murky waves.
It was a nasty day. And getting nastier by the minute.
"...Ahru?"
The voice was Lauren's. Obediently, he turned around, fixing his sunken gaze on the woman and tucking up one long leg. She fiddled with one of many necklaces she was wearing. She always did that when there was something wrong, he remembered.
"...Can I come sit? I...I need to talk to you, kiddo."
With a little nod, Ahru watched her sit down on his bed - which was pristine as always, having never been slept in (Ahru tended to favor the blanket on the floor UNDERNEATH his bed). The colorful young woman took a long, deep, steadying breath.
"...Ahru. Um...Ahru, your mom...she...."
"Not coming home."
Lauren jumped a bit. It was sometimes a little eerie how calm Ahruzhia could be...and how understanding. "...How did you know that?"
But the boy only responded in his raspy, choked voice, rolling his 'r's and clicking his 'k's in his usual awkward manner. He never really showed a lot of heartache...didn't wear his emotions on his sleeve like many boys his age.
"You always talk like that. When something is wrong, you do this with your hands." He imitated the constant wringing motion that Lauren barely noticed she was performing, making it look rather dramatic with his lengthy, spindly fingers. "...And mother isn't here. She promised."
Lauren pushed back a lock of shock-green hair, biting her lip. "Promised what, Ahru?"
Thunder rumbled - she watched Ahru jump down from the windowsill, pressing himself against the ground as if bracing his body for some sort of impact. After a moment of this, he sat up on the floor, sitting on his haunches like a puppy dog.
"A movie. We were going to watch. She promised when I visited. Mother never lies about movies. Especially not old ones. So she must have gotten worse." His head lowered a bit, and he peered up from beneath his dark locks, obediently not looking away from his 'nanny'.
But...the woman was at a loss. He already seemed to understand that his mother wasn't well, and may never get better...so she didn't feel it appropriate at the moment to explain the extent.
He's just a child. I can't...just...tell him that his mom's knocked another screw loose. I mean...man, this sucks. Wonder if he has any idea at all how screwed up she actually is...poor kid.
"...Hey. Uh. Ahru." Lauren cleared her throat. "Kid, buck up. Too cruddy a day to sulk. Let's...let's go catch a flick ourselves. In the theater, what d'ya say?" She gave him a good-natured nudge with her platform boot.
Thunder crashed. Lightning blinked across the sky, sending a wave of blue light through the rain-soaked window. When it receded again, the brightest light of all came from Ahruzhia's green eyes.
"Okay."
He said nothing else, standing up and holding out his hand for Lauren's. She took it, grinning as she led him out.
"It'll be okay, kiddo. You'll see. She'll be fine, and so will we, right? She can't stay in that old asylum forever."
The rain poured still harder outside, the wind howling against the trees. Leaves spiraled through the air, catching against the cracks in the facade of Weatherhart Manor - their home. Roses shattered by the weather lay broken against the muddy ground, unkempt, untouched, a symbol of the fading hope that...one day, Vincira would be well.
Ahruzhia stooped in a puddle to try and put a petal back on a purple one, speaking in his raspy, simple tone.
"We'll carry on."
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:58 pm
RESERVED FOR POSSIBLE CHALLENGE. <3
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Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 9:02 pm
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN FINAL FANTASY VII, NOR DIRGE OF CERBERUS. Ahru's backstory, however, was written by me. ^^
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