Profile
Basic Information
Pronouns: They/Them
Species: Human & Sailfin Dragon
Height: 5'11 - 6'1 depending on form.
Backstory
Cithane was one of the first soldiers to step up to the new technological advancement. Picture this: years of studying cuttlefish and pygmy seahorses, scientists finally cracked the code to replicate these creatures' ability to change the color and texture of their skin. Kinda cool, right? This project was funded by the military; the idea was to make humans a little more bulletproof. Considering the referenced two organisms could change the appearance in a flash, contestants could only just switch back to their former selves after using in battle.
Valerie signed the contract. Something about not being able to take anyone to court, don't leak any information about the new advancement- god forbid enemies get ahold of this, yeah? In fact, you had to excel in your training to withstand torture. The military offered to pay any medical expenses. Or insurance would cover it. Now that they were thinking about it, who would be paying was sort of vague, but regardless the military insisted things would be fine. And Valerie was loyal.
Soldiers that participated in this were offered higher pay, but more importantly a higher chance to return home.
The rats and rabbits were obviously tested extensively, but there came a time where scientists realized they couldn't exactly tell the animal they could control this new skin-changing ability. They figured they weren't sentient enough, and that's why they couldn't change back effectively. The cell-changing mechanic needed a "reference" to base off of. Since the idea was something bulletproof, they gathered DNA from reptiles like gators or iguanas, to mammals like boar and pig skin- the most successful option, as it was closer to humans. Considering most of everyone had luck with the pig skin option, it was the one participants opted for.
They sort of nudged Valerie to going with something more reptilian. Val' didn't think much of it, still hasn't. But it was the decision they came to. And for lack of a better word it fucked them over. The first thing that was noticeable was that Cithane couldn't control it- weeks of extensive training did not make them have any semblance of control over the cells. The next thing- was the pain. The cells were constantly changing, scales, teeth, was that the beginning of a tail? It was excruciating, and everyday there would be something new. Sometimes their old skin would grow back, only for the next day to be sealed over with scales again.
The note to Valerie's case was that the cells changed much more rapidly, and there was never time to adjust. As if their body rejected it, their skin was always situating itself differently until- their arm. It hurt the most. It felt tight, constantly. And the flesh was becoming necrotic. The aftermath of this discovery was surgery after surgery, until finally doctors bit the bullet and took off the whole thing. Val' fell into depression after this. Which is why they didn't notice or care much when it happened again.
Profession
Oh, yeah, Val' still works with the military. That patriotic streak still runs strong even after they were given the medical bill after the second arm (because it was deemed their fault it got to that extent.) Val' needs to pay it off somehow, I suppose. Valerie Cithane is one of the most prized soldiers, in only the sense that they're usefully expendable. They are often put on the front lines, or to guard cargo/people when things are risky, due to how much they sacrifice their own life in battle. You're practically guaranteed to live if Valerie is on board.
Their frontline work consists of protecting fellow soldiers, and by personal choice will double as a field medic. But they are most dangerous the moment soldiers aren't in need of protection, able to wipe out multiple people at a time. It's been urged for Valerie to take offense, but they still resort to defensive measures. Well respected enough by those who work with Valerie, in emergency situations people look to them for orders and opinions; but it's obvious they are uncomfortable with this phenomenon.
Inventory
Cithane carries an expandable shield on them but doesn't have a particular favorited choice of weapon- what's given will do. Including teeth. They have a constant supply of medical aid. Valerie is capable of having quite the hefty armory and ability to carry an assortment of things on person depending on what form is in use.
Personality
Valerie Cithane became that person you'd tell the newcomer or anyone wanting to get into militia about. A case study of how much you can be fucked over by the system. The people who directly work with them respect Val'- after all, they'll probably be the reason you're still alive in due time. Seen as calm and collected, they rarely speak or interject unless spoken to. They are known to diffuse any infighting, as it seems to trigger them. With this, they are not one to argue or talk back. They bluntly reply to orders or favors in a sort of instinctual robotic manner.
From an insider's perspective, Cithane is nothing but anxiety. Constantly tense and thinking about the worst possible scenario and what to do in that situation, intensely worrying for those around them. Cithane is in a constant cycle of guilt over the soldiers they have killed- rather out of cause, or they didn't save a fellow soldier in time- which causes them to go out of their way to "repay" what they've done. Thus, headfirst into battle, headfirst to protect, and headfirst to do their job as well as possible. But with every life taken, it gets worse. Their social skills aren't great, but what do you expect out of someone who's had their humanity taken away to such a degree that they can rarely see their own face?
"How can I pity myself with blood on my hands?" The moment you realize the system you've killed for and have been injured for is not righteous, it means everything you've done was for nothing- the horrors you have committed were for nothing. Valerie has yet to come to terms with this, but deep down, they know. But the guilt hides away any means of being able to put blame to the people that have done this to them, because right now, the blame is for themselves.
Health
They are in a constant state of changing, and their body has yet to adjust enough to stick to one form. There are times where they're mostly lizard, and others, mostly human. Rarely does their human face come to see the light of day an- Valerie did your tail fall off? It grows back? Having scales means upkeeping intense hydration and sleeping with a humidifier. They need a lot of sun, and not a lot of cold.
Valerie can hardly relax, because if it's not pain, they are more often than not simply uncomfortable. Medication is used regularly to maintain pain. They can heal quickly compared to most, and their scales can indeed engage with more damage. Was it worth it? Hell no. But they did get a cool pineal eye which can sense when someone's shadow is above their head!
Valerie's lost both arms, but with new technology, they do have advanced replacements- but that's by all means not the same. They have two prosthetic arm types- one for battle, one casual use. At home, they usually take off their prosthetic anyway, often leaving one arm on at a time so the other can get some rest. You'd be surprised though how easy it is to open doors with your feet. Their arms, though functional, are still stiff. They don't wear long sleeves so their arms are always easily accessible. Phantom pain has to be pretty rough, but over the years they've learned how to cope, and how to repair a bullet wound or two on those prosthetics..
Known Characters
Do they have to team up with a man known for his intensive sniping abilities from the enemy side? Maaybe. Have I drawn him yet? Noo.
