Horrorshow

[Dr Archeville]

Horrorshow, Claremont's latest shapeshifter!

 

Character Sheet

Claremont Team (2019/2020): Orange (teammates: Arcana, Crystal Gazer, Soliton, and Sun Dragon [and Dio])

Guidebook

HellQ

Interview/20 Questions

Reputation Table

Timeline

 

[Dr Archeville]

Horrorshow’s HellQ

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Who are you? Sum yourself up in one sentence.

 

Shape-Shifting Semi-Socialist Superhero-in-Training

 

Do you have any nicknames, street names, titles, or nom de plume?

 

Horrorshow, a name given me by the FSU grad students & security guards who misunderstood what I was saying (or trying to say).

 

What is your full birth name?

 

Davyd Ocheret Palahniuk (pau-lah-nik)

 

Where do you live?

 

With my parents in their apartment (in Riverside), but soon I should be staying in the residence hall at Claremont Academy.

 

How old are you? What year were you born (if applicable)?

 

Sixteen - I was born July 26th, 2002.

 

PHYSICAL TRAITS

 

What is your gender? If not applicable, please explain.

 

I was AMAB (assigned male at birth) and raised as such. I never questioned that, or even considered it, but given my new abilities, I am starting to give some thought to what my gender identity is.

 

How would you describe your heritage?

 

I am a natural born American citizen of Ukrainian descent. My parents (and grandmother and uncle) immigrated here in 1986.

 

How tall are you?

 

5’9” (1.75 m)

 

What is your body type?

 

A bit pudgy, with a round face.

 

Do you have any particular weaknesses, such as allergies or physical disabilities?

 

While in the hospital with appendicitis, it was discovered that I am allergic to sulfa compounds (used in some antibiotics). Other than that, I do not seem to have any allergies. And given my recent changes, I’m not sure if the sulfa allergy still holds.

 

How do you carry yourself? Are you graceful, or heavy on your feet? Can you be stealthy, do you walk with confidence?

 

I used to walk with a slight limp (I fractured my right ankle a few years ago and it never healed quite right), but since my accident, it’s healed better than ever and I can walk with an even gait.

I tend to move quickly and quietly, which was a great boon in my behind-the-scenes theatrical work.

 

Describe your skin, eye, and hair color.

 

Light skin.  Slate gray eyes. Thin hair, color somewhere between dark blonde and light brown.  All this can be changed thanks to my new shapechanging powers. I have noticed something odd, though: occasionally, whether in my old form or that of someone I’m imitating, my eyes will shift to an indistinct, muddy hue, but on closer inspection is really a scattered, glittering swirl of every color that eyes can come in.  I think this just means I need to practice more.

 

How do you wear your hair, if applicable? Do you have facial hair?

 

I keep it short and neatly parted.  No facial hair, I don’t like how itchy it feels growing in.

 

Do you consider yourself attractive? Do others?

 

No, I’m very plain looking.

 

Do you have any scars, tattoos, piercings, or birthmarks?

 

A scar on the lower right side of my abdomen, from an appendectomy I had in 2013. No tattoos or piercings, though I think I can now give myself any tattoos I want.

 

Do you resemble anyone famous?

 

No.  I can, but I normally have a very plain and unassuming appearance, the type that blends easily into a crowd.

 

Do you have a dominant hand?

 

I was left handed, but lately (since my accident) have found I am equally good with either hand.

 

What kind of clothing do you wear?

 

Simple, utilitarian outfits, the kind that are easily overlooked. I can dress in an eye-catching manner, but I prefer to use that skill for others.

 

Do you wear makeup?

 

I have, to cover pimples or other blemishes, or to de-shine my face. I’ve also done makeup for others in theatrical plays, and for myself & others on Halloween or for conventions or movie premieres.

With my new abilities, I no longer need makeup or prosthetics to alter my appearance, but I still enjoy giving makeovers to others.

 

What is your vocal range? Is your voice distinctive in some way?

 

I have a hint of an accent that many assume is Russian but is actually Ukrainian; I also speak Russian with a Ukrainian accent. I can mask this if needed, with a bit of effort.

 

Do you have any distinctive habits, nervous tics, or mannerisms? Where did they come from, and what causes them? Do other people notice and remark on these habits? Do they annoy you or other people?

 

None that I’m aware of.  Though my theatre arts teacher has said we should be more aware of our habits and mannerisms, so we can change those when portraying another role.

 

HISTORY

 

Where do you come from?

 

I was born in Freedom City, New Jersey, USA.  My family is from Korosten, Ukraine (home of the potato pancake festival).

 

Have you made any major moves, or do you live in your hometown?

 

I have not, but my family did, shortly after the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.  Most of them moved to the United States, but a few moved to Kharkiv, remaining in Ukraine.

 

Do you feel loyal to your country of citizenship? Do you consider yourself patriotic? How do you feel about the government of your country?

 

I grew up hearing stories about like in Ukraine while it was under Communist Russian rule.  Some of my family loved that time (my mother’s father), some grudgingly and stoically tolerated it (my mother’s mother), some openly despised it and rejoiced when Ukraine gained independence (my father’s parents).

 

How do you feel about the place you come from?

 

I love Freedom City! There are so many opportunities here!

 

Where is your home town? What was/is it like?

 

Look around you!  It’s a wild and exciting and terrifying place.

 

Growing up, were most of the people you knew similar to you, or were you somehow a minority? How did that affect you?

 

There is a considerable Ukrainian-American population in New Jersey -- many moved to America in the 1990s after the fall of the Soviet Union -- so I’ve been able to keep in touch with my cultural heritage.  I know my parents and babusya cherished that, and I have, too.

 

Is there something you've always been really good at or really bad at? How has that affected your life?

 

I’ve always been a good listener, but not a good talker.  I enjoy writing and drawing, but I’m not sure I’m very good at it.  I’ve kept to myself mostly, I suppose that both that feeds into and is fed by being a good listener/non-talker.

 

Were there any traumatic experiences in your early years (death of a family member, abandonment, orphaned at an early age)?

 

My life has been fairly quiet, with nothing particularly traumatic happening directly to me.  My family had to move abruptly in 1986, but that’s the worst thing that I know of. Babusya’s hinted at bad things happening in her hometown when she was a child, during World War II, but doesn’t talk about it much; I’ve done some research on my own and can understand why she wouldn’t.

 

Briefly describe a defining moment in your childhood and how it influenced your life.

 

When I was very young, four years old, uncle Sasha was babysitting me one night while my parents and babusya were out.  He sat me in front of the television and turned it on to a random channel.  It was the Sci-Fi Channel, showing John Carpenter’s The Thing.  I couldn’t really follow everything that was going on, but I remember the amazing monster effects.  I was entranced! My parents were a bit disturbed when they saw some drawings I did the next day of the Things I’d seen; they chewed uncle Sashaout, and would not let him look after me alone for several months.  But the seed for my love of sci fi and horror, aliens and monsters, had already been planted and growing roots.

 

What stupid things did you do when you were younger?

 

Does rushing towards the sound of screams on a college campus count?  If not… I’ve succumbed to peer pressure a few times and snuck into R-rated movies with friends (without being accompanied by someone 18 or older).  And some of those ridiculous viral internet challenges.

 

Where did you go to school? How much school did you have, and did you enjoy it?

 

I was a student at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School, in Freedom City, NJ.  It was alright - there were good days and bad days - but I very much enjoyed the theatre arts class I was in.  We did Dracula last semester (I provided the fake blood!), and this semester we were working on Much Ado About Murder.

 

Do you have any mementos of your childhood? What are they, and why did you keep them? If you have none, why not?

 

A stuffed brown bear, worn and well-loved, given to me by my mother when I was little; she received it from babusya when he was little.  His name is Postilka.  He still lives in my closet, on the top shelf, so he can survey all beneath him.

 

When did you decide to become a hero? Why? Did anyone influence you one way or another in the decision?

 

As soon as I gained some control over my newly-acquired abilities.  I was raised to believe that those who have more should give to those who need more, and I still hold this belief.  Those who have superpowers should help those who do not.

 

Is the reason you give people for becoming a hero different than your real reason? If so, why?

 

No, my stated reasons are true.  (Although I do also find it truly rewarding and enjoyable to do so.)

 

Do you have any deep, dark secrets in the past that may come back to haunt you?

 

None that I am aware of, no.

 

Do you represent yourself as being different from who you really are? Why?

 

More or less, yes.  I do enjoy helping others but I also prefer to keep to myself.  Of course, with my new abilities, I may find I am representing myself as being very different from who I truly am!  Which is all the more reason to keep a firm hold on who I truly am, so I do not lost myself.

 

If you do have these secrets, what do you fear would happen if the truth became known? How far would you go to protect those secrets?

 

Secrets are rarely good, they often had a way of getting out.  I try not to keep any -- which may hinder my ability to use my shapeshifting abilities for deception or infiltration.

 

Do you have any sort of criminal record? If so, is it public knowledge?

 

I do not, and hope not to.

 

FAMILY

 

What are your biological parents' names?

 

Vyacheslav (wyah-cheh-SLOW) and Kateryna (kah-teh-RI-nah) Palahniuk.  They met as they fled Ukraine.  He is almost a decade older than her.

 

Were you raised by them? If not, please explain and describe who raised you.

 

Yes, they did raise me, with help from my babusya/grandmother (Oksana, my mother’s mother) and uncle (Aleksandr, aka Sasha, my father’s younger brother).

 

What was their standing in the community? What did/do they do for a living?

 

My father has had some middling success as a musician, and plays both solo and in a few local bands. My mother has worked as an auto mechanic since before she came to America, and will probably keep at it until she dies.

Uncle Sasha holds a number of ever-changing odd jobs, some of which may not be entirely legal. Babusya Oksana cleaned houses when they moved here; she doesn’t do it as much as she once did but she does still go out there.

(Uncle Sasha is in fact part of Freedom City's Mafiya, and has been for many years, though he's still at a low rank, largely due to his lack of ambition.  Dayv's father, Sasha's brother, is painfully naive and is not putting 2 & 2 together, so he truly does not know.  Dayv's mother, Sasha's sister-in-law, strongly suspects but has no real proof, but as long as he doesn't do anything to endanger the family she's not pursuing it.  Dayv's babusya, Uncle Sasha's mother-in-law, fully knows, and has mixed feelings on it -- she hates the Russian mafiya but grudgingly admired the Jewish gangsters of Odessa -- but acts like she doesn't know, though she occasionally gives him some cryptic bit of advice that just so happens to help him with a particular job... and warns him not to let things come to their doorstep.)

 

Where are your parents now?

 

They’re here in Freedom.  We live in an apartment in Riverside.

 

Did your family stay in one area or move around a lot?

 

My parents, maternal grandmother, and father’s brother all moved here in 1986. My father’s parents, did Yuriy and bahb Larysa, remained in Ukraine, but moved east, to Kharkiv.

 

How did you get along with their parents? How do you get along with them now (if applicable).

 

I get along with them okay, they love and support me and want what’s best for me.  Mom’s definitely a “mama bear” type. But I get along with babusya Ana and uncle Sasha a bit better, they’re more lenient.  Well, babusya’s more lenient with me, uncle Sasha’s fast & loose with everyone.

 

How do your parents view you now, or how would they?

 

They have no complains about me, as far as I know, or at least no serious complaints.  Oh, you mean “now” as in “since getting my powers”? Yeah, no, they don’t know about those.  They’d freak out. I do want to tell them, eventually, I just need to figure out… how.

 

Do you have any siblings? If so how many and what are their names? Describe your relationship with them.

 

I do not - my parents didn’t think they’d have any children, especially not in their 40s.  I was a surprise!

 

What was your birth order in the family?

 

Only child.

 

Where are your siblings now (if applicable)? Do they have families of their own? What do they do?

 

N/A

 

Do you stay in touch with them or have you become estranged?

 

N/A

 

Do you love or hate one member of the family in particular?

 

I’ve got a soft spot for Uncle Sasha, he’s always sneaking cool.gross DVDs and comics to me (don’t know where he gets them), or helping me sneak into movies.  And babusya’s always treated me like a precious angel, and spoiled me to no end, I can’t imagine doing anything to upset her.

 

Is any member of the family special to you in any way (perhaps, as a confidant, mentor, or arch-rival)?

 

My uncle Sasha. I have always felt closer/more comfortable with him than with my own father.  He is the one I told the campus security & researchers to call when I had my accident.

 

Are there any black (or white) sheep in the family (including you)? If so, please explain.

 

Uncle Sasha is a bit of a black sheep  -- which is why my mother sometimes doesn’t like me spending too much time with him -- because of all the “odd jobs” he’s done over the years.

 

Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? If so, please explain, including how it has affected your life.

 

My maternal grandparents told me that their parents were part of the Bolshevik Revolution. Babusya said her husband, didus’ Mykola, would claim to be descendant of the Cossacks, but she always thought he was just talking big.

 

Do you have a partner and children currently? If so, please describe them.

 

I do not - for now I am focusing on my schoolwork and on controlling my new abilities.

 

If you do not have a partner or children, do you want them someday? How firm are you in your opinion on this, and what might change your mind?

 

I am not opposed to the idea, but I’m not actively looking right now, either.

 

What type of person would be your ideal mate?

 

Someone kind and compassionate, who enjoyed helping others. And was also a sci-fi or horror geek like me.

 

RELATIONSHIPS

 

Do you have any close friends? If so, please describe them, and how you came to be close to them.

 

Not many close friends.  Just one, really (see below).  I’m friendly to most people, when I must interact with them, and I’ve had pleasant small-talk with my fellow students at Roosevelt High.  I’m a bit closer with the kids in the theatre arts class, I guess, simply because we worked so intensely together.

 

Do you have a best friend? If so, how did they become your best friend? How close are you to your best friend?

 

One, James “Jimmy” Gray.  We’ve known each other since elementary school, rode the same bus, we’ve stayed over at each other’s homes countless times.  He’s more into sci-fi but less into horror than I am. He’s planning on going to HIT for mechanical engineering.

 

If you were to go missing, who would worry about you?

 

My family, my friend Jimmy, the kids in my theatre arts class, maybe some of my other teachers.

 

Have you lost any loves? If so, how did it happen, and what did you do?

 

I’d had a crush on Katrina Siddle, a girl at Roosevelt High; she’s why I signed up for Theatre Arts class, she was in it.  I never saw her much outside of school - her parents were very protective, never let her go out - and so with me transferring to Claremont, I doubt I’ll ever see her again.

 

Do you have any bitter enemies? If so, please describe them and their history with you.

 

Nothing serious. A few bullies at Roosevelt High would occasionally pick on me, but no more than they would anyone else.

 

If you have enemies, how do you think they might attempt to work against you in the future?

 

They might try to ‘out’ me as a metahuman, pressure me into doing something illegal (like, seriously illegal, not ‘sneak underage kids into movies’ illegal).

 

What is the worst thing someone has done to you?

 

Aside from what happened with Fear-Master… and the random minor bullying in high school… nothing, really.  I’ve kept to myself, never let anyone get close enough to seriously hurt me.

 

Where do your loyalties lie? In what order?

 

The world/humanity, and my family & friends.  I feel some pride in my home of Freedom City, and in my parent’s home of Ukraine, and I’d never do anything to betray or endanger either of those places.

 

Who or what do you trust the most? Why?

 

My family, because they have always been honest with me (even -- especially -- Uncle Sasha), and by BFF Jimmy.

 

Who or what do you despise? Why?

 

Greed and selfishness, because they have caused so much harm and pain to others.

 

What qualities do you admire most in other people? Are these qualities you possess?

 

Civic-mindedness, compassion, creativity.  My family has tried to cultivate the first two in me, and I came across the third naturally.

 

What qualities do you hate most in other people? Do you have any of those qualities?

 

Greed and selfishness; see above.  I don’t think I do, I am a pretty generous person by nature.

 

Do you have a secret identity? If so, who knows it? Do you hide it from people who are close to you? Why?

 

I do.  Uncle Sasha knows, and I want to tell Jimmy but I haven’t figured out how.  My parents & babusya do not know, and I want to keep it that way (for now), because they would freak out if they knew!

EDIT: Over the summer of 2019, Davyd told Jimmy and his family.  His parents freaked out, but eventually came to accept it, though they're still unsure about him becoming a superhero.  His uncle and Jimmy were very excited and happy for him.  Babusya just shrugged, accepted it, and moved on.

 

Do you work well on teams and in groups? Are you a leader or a follower?

 

I believe I work well with groups.  I’m excited to meet the other Claremonters! I tend to be a follower more than a leader; I think it’s more accurate to say I prefer to work behind the scenes rather than in the spotlight.

 

Are you on a super team? If so, how do you get along with your comrades? Do you trust them, or do you have secrets from them?

 

I’m not yet, but I think I will be soon!

 

Are you a member of any church, fraternal organization, club, committee, political party, or other group? How much time do you spend on that?

 

I am part of the theatre arts class at Roosevelt High, which requires some time out of normal school hours to rehearse, construct sets and costumes, and so on.  I’m nominally a member of the local synagogue, but my parents & I haven’t been in a while.

 

PERSONALITY & BELIEFS

 

Who are your heroes?

 

The Atom Family -- they’re not heroes in the traditional sense, in that they don’t go out looking for crimes to stop, but what they do is done for the benefit of all humanity.

 

Did you ever become disillusioned with former heroes or idols? If so, why and what were the circumstances?

 

Yes, some movie directors who did films I loved, but then I found out they were abusive jerks towards the performers who’d worked with them, or actors who've done the same or who came out as having problematic political views.  Made me see their works in a different light.

 

Do you like being a hero? If so, what is the most rewarding part? If not, what makes you keep doing it?

 

I love it! I love using my abilities to entertain (and freak out) children, and to scare the crap out of criminals!

 

Is there anything that would make you give up hero work, or even switch sides?

 

I can’t imagine willingly changing sides; there’s always mind control, I suppose.  As for giving it up… nothing I can think of. But I’ve barely started, so I can’t really say.

 

What are your short term goals (what would you like to be doing within a year)?

 

Gain better control over my abilities, help improve the lives of the people of Freedom.

 

What are your long term goals (what would you like to be doing twenty years from now)?

 

Doing makeup effects for movies and/or television.  Oh, hold on - with the increase in businesses that employ metahumans, maybe by then there will be a studio that focuses on making films and shows where the cast & crew are metahumans!  And stuff for metahumans, like makeup jobs that look different to infrared or ultraviolet vision!

 

What is your greatest fear? Why? What do you do when something triggers this fear?

 

Losing control of my powers and lashing out at/harming others.  When this happens, I try to focus and center myself, remind myself who I am at my core.

 

Is there anything you would give you life for?

 

The safety and well-being of my family & friends.

 

How do you feel about money and material wealth? Do you desire it or disdain it? Are you miserly with what you have, or do you like to share? Is it a mark of success, or a means to an end?

 

I see it as a means to an end, and gladly share what I have when I have enough to spare (and even sometimes when I don’t have enough to spare).

 

How do you generally treat others?

 

Kindly, but coolly, kept at a distance.  I’m still working on the “interacting with others” thing, which the theatre arts classes have helped with.

 

Are you a trusting person? Has your trust ever been abused?

 

I am a trusting person, I believe there is good in everyone.  This has been abused, mostly by bullies who tricked me into something embarrassing, but I still try to see the best in people.

 

Are you introverted (shy and withdrawn) or extroverted (outgoing)? Do you have a lot of self-confidence?

 

For most of my life I’ve been a shy, quiet introvert with little confidence in myself. The theatre arts class I took helped me a bit, and I am certain that hero work will help even more.

 

How do you act around attractive, available members of your preferred sex?

 

I either get verrry quiet, or I start babbling uncontrollably.

 

What are your most annoying habits?

 

Others would probably say that I’m too quiet and withdrawn, that I don’t speak up for myself.  I don’t disagree on that last bit.

 

Do you feel contempt for any general category of people? Who are they, and why?

 

No!  Well, I’m not fond of selfish or greedy people, those who hoard resources that could be used to help others.

 

What is your favorite food? Do you prefer any particular type of food? Do you take the time to enjoy your food, or do you eat as fast as you can?

 

Babusya’s potato pancakes, with sour cream and chives.  Really, anything she cooks. But I also love greasy American burgers and fries.

 

What is your favorite drink (alcoholic or otherwise)?

 

Mineral water and fruit juices.  Sometimes kefir, a yogurt-y drink with a mild alcoholic content.  I’ve had various alcoholic beverages, at private family things; I really liked this one thing Uncle Sasha made, a horilka flavored with honey and red peppers.

 

What is your favorite treat (dessert)?

 

Any sort of fried dough or pastry.

 

Are there any specific foodstuffs that you find disgusting or refuse to eat?

 

I generally don’t like cold foods -- yes, this includes ice cream -- I think food should be at least as warm as body temp.

 

What is your favorite color? Are there any colors you dislike?

 

No particular favorites, I like whatever goes best with the wearer and/or the environment.

 

What sort of music do you like? Is there any that you hate?

 

Ukraine is at a crossroads of European and Asian music, and so through my musician father I have been exposed to a wide variety of genres.  I like all kinds, but especially the ones with a beat that you can dance to. Not that I do much dancing, but I do enjoy the rhythms.

 

If you have a favorite scent, what is it?

 

Baking bread.  It reminds me of home.

 

Do you have a favorite animal?

 

Anything that can be petted… which is almost all of them!

 

What is your most treasured possession? Why?

 

Postilka, my stuffed bear.  He has been in the family for many, many years, and is a tie back to Ukraine.

 

Do you enjoy "roughing it", or do you prefer your creature comforts?

 

I prefer to be somewhere in the middle -- comfortable, but not luxurious. And, given my new abilities, my range of comfort is considerably wider than most people.

 

Is there a job or a task you would absolutely refuse to do?

 

No, I have always been flexible and accommodating -- partly from having trouble at saying “no,” partly out of a desire to please everyone.  I would never do anything outright illegal, or harmful to others, or that would bring shame or heartache to my family.

 

Do you consider yourself a spiritual person? If so, how do your beliefs affect your life? How important is it to you?

 

Babusya has always cherished her Jewish faith, and is a devout member of the local synagogue.  My mother was raised that way, but drifted from it not long after we moved to America; she took me a few times but not often.  Father is largely agnostic, and his parents have some faith in slavic pagan practices. Uncle Sasha has some ties to the local Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church; I’ve been to a few services there, and I liked some of the iconography.

I do not consider myself very spiritual -- I’ve just never put much thought to it -- but there is one teaching from babusya’s faith that has always stuck with me.  “It’s not to you to complete the work of repairing the world, but neither may you desist from it.”  I.e., you won’t be able to fix the world by yourself, or in your lifetime, but that doesn’t absolve you of responsibility to work towards it.  That’s a very superhero-y ethic, and one I’ve always admired.

 

Was your faith influenced or molded by anyone special?

 

By babusya; see previous question.

 

If you belong to a religious organization, how often do you attend? Do you have a specific place of worship, or friends within the organization? How much do you agree with the beliefs of your organization?

 

I usually go to the high holy day events at babusya’s synagogue, but I honestly tend to just zone out and daydream during them.

 

Could you kill? Have you killed?

 

I have not (except for random bugs and other small vermin).  I am sure that I could, especially given my abilities, but I would try to find alternatives.  I believe in redemptive & restorative justice, and those cannot happen if the perpetrator is dead.

 

What circumstances led to you forming that conviction, or taking that action?

 

I believe in redemptive & restorative justice, and those cannot happen if the perpetrator is dead.

 

Are there circumstances under which you believe it is permissible to kill? What are they?

 

No.  There is always another way, even if it means isolating them from society.

 

How would you react to watching someone kill another person? Would your reaction be different if the killer was a friend or an enemy of yours?

 

I honestly don’t know.  Shocked, if it was Jimmy or one of my family members.

 

How would you react if something important was stolen from you?

 

Irritated, mostly -- if they needed it that badly, and had just asked, I probably would have given it to them, or at least loaned it.

 

How would you react to public humiliation?

 

Running and hiding was my go-to reaction, but over the past few years I’ve become more of a “stoically ignore it” type.  Maybe I’m maturing?

 

How would you react if a good friend or relative were purposely or accidentally killed? Has it happened to you?

 

It has not happened in my lifetime -- didus’ Mykola passed away before I was born -- but I imagine I would be grief-stricken.

 

What do you consider to be the worst crime someone could commit and why?

 

Murder.  And hoarding resources that could be used to help others (which can lead to indirect murder).

 

If your life were to end in 24 hours, what five things would you do in those remaining hours?

 

Tell family & Jimmy how much they mean to me.  Visit Ukraine (might need a teleporter). Perform a classic death scene on stage… or maybe on the roof of my apartment, videotaped, and sent out to to the ’net later.  Sexy times? Arrange for body/organs to be donated in order to help others, assuming method of death does not prevent that.

 

 

CAREER & TRAINING

 

Do you have any special training in your hero skills? If so, where and how did you get it?

 

No, not yet.  I’m hoping Claremont will help with that!

 

Who taught you the most about your heroing abilities? What was your relationship with that person?

 

I’ve largely been self-taught, so far, from watching youtube videos and the like.  The most ‘formal’ training I’ve received thus far was from the scientists who helped me stabilize when I had that lab accident.

 

Do you have any particularly unusual skills? How did you acquire them?

 

I am multilingual, from growing up in a home of Ukrainian immigrants, and have some skill with costuming and makeup, which I honed while enrolled in theatre arts class.  I’m also naturally quiet, and practiced moving stealthily while doing theatre techie work.

 

Do you do something besides hero work for a living? Have you ever done anything else, or do you plan to?

 

I had plans to become a makeup artist (and maybe costumer) for horror movies or sci fi tv shows. I may still do that, on a smaller basis, but my superheroing tasks will come first.

 

What is your preferred combat style?

 

Grabs and redirecting. I have started taking a few self-defense course, and am working on incorporating those lessons and my shapeshifting abilities into a personalized combat style, something like a mix of Aikido and wrestling.

 

Have you ever received any awards or honours?

 

No, I’ve been fairly average in school and life.  I’d not mind winning a Best Makeup award, though!

 

What skill areas would you like most to improve in? Is there anything you can't do that you wish desperately you could?

 

I’d like to improve my makeup & costuming skills, both for professional reasons and because I now am a makeup kit.  Acting and public speaking, too -- heroes do tend to have the spotlight, so I should know how to handle that when it happens.

 

How do you act around people who are more skilled than you in areas you'd like to improve? Are you jealous, or do you try and learn?

 

I know there will always be those more skilled than me, and I am glad to learn from them! Likewise, I am happy to pass on what knowledge and skills I can to those who want them.

 

LIFESTYLES & HOBBIES

 

What is a normal day for you? How do you feel when something interrupts this routine?

 

Weekdays, get up, shower, breakfast, ride bus to school, classes, lunch, more classes, ride bus home, homework, household chores, tv/movie, reading or writing or drawing, bed.  Weekend, sleep in a bit, shower, household chores, tv or movies or drawing or writing or whatever. I don’t like interruptions, but I try not to get too annoyed by them.

 

Do you have any hobbies, or interests outside hero work? What are they, and where did you pick them up?

 

Movies & tv, especially horror & sci fi.  Makeup effects, it’s what I’d like to do for a living (aside from hero-ing).  Reading, and some writing -- mostly fanfic (inserting self & friends, taking storylines in different directions), some unique sci fi horror stuff.

 

What do you do for fun?

 

Movies!  I am a cinephile, especially when it comes to horror and science fiction.  And by “cinephile” I mean I can go through an entire list of films that I personally love that I know are just worthless.  It has nothing to do with the quality of the film itself -- it’s about the experience you had, whatever it was that was happening to you, the first time you saw it.  It’s nostalgia. And of course I prefer to watch movies with friends, or even a crowd, to experience their reactions (but don’t blabber during the film!).

 

Do you have a costume? What does it look like?

 

Headmistress Summers seemed to imply that I would receive one while I’m at Claremont. I’m not sure what that would look like; I hope it is made of something resilient and stretchy or else it’s going to get shredded!

 

How do you normally dress when not in costume?

 

Fairly simply, jeans and tee shirts.  My parents loved being able to get jeans when they first moved here, and they got me lots of denim clothing when I was a baby.

 

What do you wear to bed most nights?

 

I used to wear pajamas or a long nightshirt. But with my powers I sometimes unconsciously shift form, and have woken up several times loosely covered in shredded rags, so now I sleep nude under several sheets or blankets.

 

Do you wear any special jewelry? What is it, and what does it look like?

 

No.  Babusya gave me a Star of David necklace, and Uncle Sasha gave me a rosary, but they’re both in a drawer in my desk at home.

 

Do you have a special place where you keep your valuables?

 

The desk in my bedroom, it’s an old wood-and-metal thing with several lockable drawers.

 

What's your preferred means of local travel? How about long distance?

 

Walking, or public transportation. I’ll probably enjoy flying, once I get used to it!

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Have you ever made a will, or tried to make arrangements for your death? What provisions did you make?

 

No -- I’m only 16, I don’t think about that!

 

If your features were to be destroyed beyond recognition, is there any other way of identifying your body?

 

Dental records?  Wait, no, those would be destroyed, too.  DNA analysis? I’m not sure. I’m really not sure what will happen to my body when I die -- will it stay as it is, or spasm and change uncontrollably?  Melt away into goo? I might not leave a body behind! Oh, babusya would hate that.

 

What would you like to be remembered for after your death?

 

For having helped others, be it with a funny face that cheered someone up, or stopping a robber from taking someone’s hard-earned belongings.

 

Do you believe you pose a threat to the public? Why or why not?

 

I don’t believe I do, I try to be the exact opposite of a threat to the public.  But I know there are some who would see me as a threat, either due to my powers (thinking I’m just a monster, or a Grue invader), or my background (I know anti-Communist sentiment still exists in places, threatening those whose countries haven’t been communist for decades).

 

What do you perceive as your greatest strength?

 

My ability to help others achieve a desired appearance.  And now, my adaptability. Also my knowledge of movie trivia; it may not be a strength, but it is my strength..

 

What do you perceive as your greatest weakness?

 

I have trouble saying ‘no,’ I spread myself too thin trying to do too much (or forget old tasks while picking up new ones).

 

As a player, if you could, what advice would you give your character? Speak as if he/she were sitting right here in front of you. Use proper tone so they might heed your advice...

 

Remember who you are. What you are will change, yes, but don’t lose yourself. You are a good person with scary powers: only use them to terrify those who deserve it.  And if something feels 'hinky' or' off,' trust your guy, don't let others take advantage of you.

 

[Dr Archeville]

Timeline

 

1937

Oksana Kunis born in Korosten, Ukraine.

 

1953

Vyacheslav Palahniuk born to Yuriy Palahniuk & Larysa Oistrakh.

 

1962

Aleksandr Palahniuk born to Yuriy Palahniuk  & Larysa Oistrakh.

Kateryna born to Mykola Chornovil & Oksana Kunis, in Korosten, Ukraine.

 

1986

April 25-26: Chernobyl disaster.  The city of Korosten, 90 km away, was declared a zone of voluntary evacuation, as it had suffered considerable fallout.  Vyacheslav and Aleksandr Palahniuk, Kateryna Chornovil, and her mother Oksana all evacuate and head to the west coast of America; Vyacheslav & Kateryna meet and fall in love along the way.  (Yuriy & Larysa move east, but remain in Ukraine, settling in Kharkiv; Mykola remains in Korosten, as his relationship with Oksana had taken a turn.)

 

2002

July 26th: Davyd Ocheret Palahniuk is born to Vyacheslav & Kateryna, in Freedom City, New Jersey.

 

2019

April 18th: Davyd is changed.  He lets his Uncle Sasha know (since the authorities needed a parent or guardian to contact), but not his parents or babusya Oksana.

April 22nd: David is brought on to the Claremont Academy campus, and meets several students.  Will this Mud Pack hold?

April 23rd: A routine tour of the Claremont Campus sends Crystal Gazer, Horrorshow, White Lioness, and Zenith on a strange Nostalgia Trip.

May 6th: Davyd meets Grimalkin and Miss Grue, who wish to help him with his powers and see if he's interested in Lynn's Body Doubles service.  He also finds out that he's got some Grue in him!

June 24th: Summer Vacation!  Davyd goes with Adam "Specimen" Lanchester, Pan "Forever Boy" Barrie, Louise "Crystal Gazer" Beaumont, and Veronica Danger to the British Virgin Islands.  But what's this: a sunken ship off the coast?  (Dead Men Tell No Tales)

July 1st: Horrorshow goes into SPAAACE!  He, Crystal Gazer, Gauss, and Salvo go to CoVic Station, where the newly-joining worlds of Xix (around the nearby, undiscovered star of Lia) is hosting an open celebration around their union with the interstellar alliance.  The hope is that observing a peaceful transition between isolation to community will provide a safe, helpful means of understanding the galactic neighbors they might encounter later in life.  (Stellar School)

 

[Dr Archeville]

Reputation: Horrorshow

Gather Information

DC 5: There's a new metahuman active in Freedom City, Jumpscare.  He's really freaky and scary!

DC 10: Not Jumpscare, Horrorshow.  He's a shapeshifter, able to assume a variety of animal and monstrous forms.  But he's not a villain, he's been spotted opposing criminals.

DC 15: Horroshow can also imitate the appearance of others, and stretch and distort his body.  He cannot assume energy or gaseous forms, or shapes involving moving parts (like machinery).

DC 20: Causing Horrorshow to involuntarily change form causes him pain.  Horrorshow's first appearance was April 2019, during Fear Master's attack on FCU.

DC 25 (or 20 if can access his medical records at ASTRO Labs or ArcheTech) : Horrorshow is Davyd Palahniuk.  He gained his abilities when exposed to experimental formulae in an FCU biology lab.

DC 30 (or 25 if can access his medical records at ASTRO Labs or ArcheTech) : One (or more) of the formulae Davyd was exposed to contained Grue biomaterials.  How FCU labs acquired them is still under investigation.

 

 

Reputation: Davyd Palahniuk

Gather Information

DC 5: Davyd lives in an apartment in Riverside, with his family.  He's Ukrainian, and was a student at FDR High School.  Davyd's parents and grandmother were born in Ukraine, but Davyd was born in the US, in Freedom City. 

DC 10: His father's a musician, his mother's an auto mechanic.  Davyd recently transferred to another school.

DC 15: Davyd's uncle, Sasha, does lots of odd jobs for the Ukrainian immigrant communities in and around Freedom City.  His grandmother had worked as a cleaning lady, and still does so from time to time, but not nearly as much as she used to.  Davyd transferred to the Claremont Academy.

DC 20 (15 is can access FCPD records) : Davyd's uncle Sasha is a low-ranking member of the Mafiya, suspected in a number of illegal activities though nothing proven.  His family does not appear to be aware of his criminal ties, though that may be a front.

 

[Dr Archeville]

What I Did Over The Summer of 2020

 

Mom wasn't too happy with my grades last semester -- no Ds or Fs, thankfully, but more Cs than anything else -- so she decided I needed a summer job.  (She'd wanted me to get one last year, but between the trips to the Virgin Islands and to space, that never happened.)  I was fine with this, and looked forward to a bit of "normalcy."

 

(Is that the right term?  What is "normal" for a Claremont Student?  For a Metamorph?  For a Grue hybrid?)

 

Unfortunately, my first idea -- working at the Hanover Zoo (so I could study more animal forms) -- was shot down, since it had been the site of so many attacks and they feared for my safety.  Also, mom didn't want me going all the way to Hanover, she wanted me to get something in Riverside.  Fortunately, there was a compromise: the Freedom Aquarium.  Fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, sharks -- such variety!

 

Of course, that didn't work out as I'd hoped.  Oh, I got a job there, sure.  Had a week of training, then six weeks of work.  Six weeks of working as a gift shop retail associate!  Something about my "aptitudes" being better suited to customer service than to anything else.  It wasn't a total bummer, though.  I did get to interact with a lot of different types of people, and most many some of them were pretty chill.  I got to work on time management  techniques (which I definitely needed), and de-escalation skills.  And I got employee discount, so on my off hours I could see the exhibits and all the cool animals.  I just couldn't get as close to them as I'd hoped.