Welcome to Gaia! ::

Where does it come from? This quest? This need to solve life’s mysteries? Where the simplest of questions can never be answered: Why are we here? What is the soul? Why do we dream?

Perhaps we would be better off not looking at all. Not delving. Not yearning.

…

That’s not human nature. Not the human heart. That is not why we are here…

Username: Vanima Eket
Character name: Cassandra Dyson
Nickname/Aliases: “Cass”- Nickname
Age: 27
Gender: Female
Current Location: New York City
Appearance: Five foot, seven inches with a slender build. Cassandra has long, curly blonde hair that she prefers to wear down, except when she’s in the field (in that case she wears it up in a ponytail). She has a very pale complexion and is prone to sunburn should she stay outside too long without sun block. She has dark blue eyes but when she gets a vision they turn cloudy and white. Normally her major visions occur during REM, which makes it impossible to see her eye color. When she’s in the field, however, she’s prone to getting quick, distinct psychic nudges that alert her of danger and give her an advantage over her adversary. When these quick, “sixth sense”-like visions occur, her eyes cloud over momentarily.
When she’s at home, and off Company time, she prefers to wear peasant skirts and blouses with loose fitting vests and sandals. However, when at work she wears proper business attire. Normally a three piece suit: blouse, tailored vest, and trousers. Depending on the weather, she also wears a calf length overcoat.
Alliance(s): The Company and Angela Petrelli
Abilities: Precognition manifesting in vision trances during REM and “sixth sense” intuition when conscious and in high-excitement/adrenaline-rushing environments.
Weapons: A taser.
Personality: Cassandra can go from being quiet and shy to boisterous in six seconds flat. She has an overwhelming urge to please people and make friends, stemming from her time in isolation. She is rather secretive about her past and will withdraw if someone makes a comment, even in jest, about her oddness or mental health.
History: Cassandra has had the power of premonition for as long as she can remember, though the scale of power has escalated significantly within the past few years. Her childhood was normal; she grew up in a nice suburb as the older of two siblings. Her parents were happily married and while her younger sister drove her nuts at times, they got along as well as sisters could. She had a solid “B” average, was a defender on her soccer team, and liked hanging out with her friends. However, her life was changed drastically when, on the eve of her senior class trip, she had a terrible dream of the buses causing a sixteen car pile-up on the freeway. While her parents assured her it was just a dream, Cassandra knew differently. Up until then her dreams had always been vague and distant of horrible events happening around the world: mines collapsing in small towns, tornadoes hitting suddenly in the mid-west, earthquakes halfway around the world; events that were always reported the next day on the evening news, but no way for her to stop it. This time she had a chance to stop what she saw from coming true.
Unfortunately, the more people she told what she had seen the more frantic she became as no one would listen to her. She eventually had to be physically restrained when she refused to get out of the buses’ way. While she did succeed in keeping what she saw from happening… she also succeeded in stopping the accident entirely. While that might sound like a good thing, it also made people think that she was mad. She was committed to an intuition shortly after that, where she stayed for three years until she was found by the Company, more specifically, by Angela Petrelli. Cassandra learned that her visions where a blessing, rather than a curse. After all, all she saw was horror and destruction and when she tried to tell people, no one would listen. The Company showed her that her visions could help people. They could stop bad things from happening. Other people who had powers different from her own could be dangerous to themselves and others. She could help the Company find them and keep them from harming people.
Recently, she’s applied for agent training. She wanted to take a more proactive role in helping people, especially after seeing what happened in Kirby Plaza.

~*~

Username: Satans Kat
Character name: Danielle Gunn
Nickname/Aliases: Shadow
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Current Location: New York City
Appearance: African-American, Brown eyes, Black hair, 5'5" (Looks very similar to Katerina Graham) Shadow normally wears jeans, sneakers, and t-shirts. http://blog.blogtalkradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/katerina-graham-235x300.jpg
Alliance(s): N/A
Abilities: Darkness
Weapons: N/A
Personality:
History: Hard to upset, she is friendly and outgoing. She is fiercely loyal, and feels a need to defend those around her, even if she's in over her head.
History: Parents and older sister (Samantha) died in an accident in which she was blinded (she was 10), older brother (Charles) murdered when she was 15, best friend Raiden murdered when she was 15. Has an aunt named Hilary and three cousins: Tina (T), Trent, Taylor (Tay). After her brother died she was raised by her father's sister Hilary. Before then, her brother raised her on the streets. She still spends time with her old street group, but lives with her aunt. Graduated highschool at 16. Catholic.
DOB: January 24

~*~

Username: Timberwolf919
Nickname/Aliases: Henry Desmond, Alan Nickle, Troy Atwater, Westley Meiers, Lucas Trent (to name a few)
Age: 24
Gender: Male
Appearance: Average build, five-ten, wears a button up shirt, tie, sport jacket, and slacks as a normal outfit. A photo: Luke
Alliance(s): None/neutral (thus far)
Abilities: Immediate teleportation, including objects that he touches with his hands, to anywhere.
Weapons: None; has been around the streets though. Knows how to fight well.
Personality: Usually collected and calm, but shows signs of a hidden side that seems to dislike himself and what has happened in his life.
History: Born to abusive parents, Luke was a runaway at the age of twelve, where he registered under the name Henry Desmond into an orphanage. Although the street life was tough (defending himself from gangs and trying to make his status on the street), in the eyes of Luke, he prefered it to the daily beatings he got from home. He discovered his abilities when he was shoplifting bread from a local market. As he stood and looked at the bread, he thought of how to hide on the street outside the store, and immediately he was there. Shocked and confused, he dropped the bread and ran home, just to find himself there immediately again, shocking the mistress of the household, who called him a demon child and threw him out. Left alone, Luke searched the city, practicing his newfound ability, for a place to call home; he found it on an upper floor of an abandoned building. He was 16 at the time. Little by little, he worked on creating it a home, trying for the most part to be an honest customer but gave in to stealing his needed equipment every now and again, one of the items being a guitar so he could learn to play for money. By 20, he was making a decent income from his musical skill, and his 'apartment' looked and felt very much like a permanent establishment. A man watching him one day asked his name, to which he replied 'Alan Nickle'. The man reached out his hand and offered a job as a bar musician. It went well for the most part, but the bar caught fire when he was 22, causing him to lose his job and return to his music. On a few more occasions, he was approached by other businessmen, who gave him gigs and allowed him to work here and there, using a different name each time, until he impressed a man by the name of Michael Cult, who, after listening to a modified story of Luke's life, felt pitiful for him, and gave him a job as a secretary in an accounting office under the name of Lucas Trent. There, he has been working since, attempting to make a decent name for himself. With his wages, he has tried to pay some restitution back to the people he had stolen from by leaving anonymous envelopes of money.

~*~

Username: Satans Kat
Character name: Rachel Voss
Nickname/Aliases: Rach
Age: 22
Gender: Female
Current Location: New York City
Appearance: Rachel is about 5'6½". She wears clothes that allow for easy movement, typically in darker colors.
http://dizzy-girl.net/archives/brunette-kellybroo.jpg
Eyes:http://reasonswhyihategirls.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/green-eyes1.jpg
Alliance(s): Herself
Abilities: Copycat (Can copy what she's seen, however, it doesn't last very long, and there are typically side affects.)
Weapons: N/A
Personality: Loves to have fun, has a hard time trusting people. Manipulation comes easily to her.
History: Bounced around the foster care system for several years before she was placed in an abusive foster family and ran away, does what she can to get by (legally though, most of the time), occassionally will infiltrate one organization for another (she makes an excellent spy), is an amazing actress and liar. Other than this, very little is known about her. Rachel started working for The Company as a secretary when she was 17. After less than a year, she started work as field agent. Shortly after seeing what The Company was capable of, she disappeared. Using her abilities, she changed her appearance and created a new identity. She learned to block their attempts to find her using her abilities.



Non-Player Characters

Username:
Character name: Seth Astaire
Nickname/Aliases: None
Age: 44
Gender: Male
Current Location: New York City
Appearance: Almost six foot, Seth is a very imposing figure when he wants to be. He wears a standard black suit and, normally, a rather dull tie. He's rather hard to pick out of a line-up and he as an almost "spook" quality about him. The only thing really distinguishable about him is his graying black hair and his aviator sunglasses, which he is rather fond of wearing.
Alliance(s): The Company
Abilities: None
Weapons: A standard issue pistol and a tazer gun.
Personality: Despite his appearance, Seth is a rather friendly man. He acts as a mentor to both kinds of agents, special and non-special. He's been working with the Company for nearly a decade and he loves his job. Almost as much as he loves his family.
History: A former policeman, Astaire was recruited by the Company in his mid-thirties following an incident involving a person with "unique abilities". Since his recruitment he as acted with valor and distinguished himself as a Company man.

It was so very dark. It was never dark when she dreamed, well not literally anyways. Metaphorically, yes... it was dark. Dreams of explosions, accidents and madmen running about; never this. It wasn't a simple blankness, something felt uneasy, like something was hidden just past the darkness. Something Cassandra couldn't see.

Awaking with a start, the woman found herself breathing heavily. For a moment she panicked before she realized that the reason she couldn't see was because it was still early morning. As her eyes adjusted, she noticed the illuminated clock on her nightstand. It was early, 5:00 am, but not early enough for her to get back to sleep. Not that she wanted to go back to sleep. She needed to be at work in three more hours, she might as well get ready.

Truth be told she was a bit excited about today, she had finished field training for agents and would be meeting her partner finally. She'd already read his dossier, he was a senior agent named Seth Astaire and he'd been partnered with several "special" agents already. Cass knew why she had been assigned with him, they needed someone to look after her while she learned through the experience that only field work can teach. She didn't mind. It was a bit of a relief actually, having someone who would be able to look after her.

Reaching over to her nightstand, the blonde yanked her digital recorder as she stood. Heading towards the bathroom she recounted, in vivid detail, the dream she had just had. She would need to report on it before she left the office. For the past couple of years that had been her job. Dreaming and filing reports. Monotonous but completely necessary. Agents had used that information to prevent some gross catastrophes. That was what the Company was for, monitoring and policing those with special powers. Helping them learn how to control their powers so they wouldn't be a danger to others. Up until today, she'd just been a monitor... now she was finally going to have her hand in policing.

She showered quickly, and dressed even faster. In fact, the only thing that really took some time was drying out her hair. All set, Cassandra gave herself a once over in the mirror. She looked so professional in her suit. Like a verifiable agent. Grabbing her recorder and purse, she locked up her small apartment and headed into work.

The commute was a short one and she arrived at about 6:20, she flashed her badge and went through security without any trouble. The offices were open 24/7 and while she technically wasn't due in until 8:00, it didn't hurt to get in early. Sitting at her desk, she logged onto her computer and began typing up her report. The recorder allowed for elaborations on the already fading memory of the dream. Hitting send once she was done, Cassandra stretched as the report went to the departments and heads it needed to go to. Looking around, she found that while she had been at work others had filtered into the office. Obviously having the same thought she had. Cassandra couldn't help but smile at the dedication that others felt towards the Company.

Turning her attention back to her computer she idly played with the mouse, making it move in a circular motion over the clock on the lower right hand portion of the screen. Sometimes she wished that she could have a more interesting power... right now she was wishing for time manipulation. That would certainly make eight o'clock come around faster. It had only recently turned 7:00. Sighing, Cassandra stared blankly at her screen watching the time go by. At about quarter till eight, she headed over to her supervisor's office. She and Seth would be reporting to him and he, in turn, would be reporting to the higher-ups like Bob Bishop and Angela Petrelli. Cassandra had spoken recently with Mrs. Petrelli, condolences on what had happened in Kirby Plaza. The woman was a mentor to Cassandra, an idol. The blonde didn't know how Mrs. Petrelli could be so strong in what she faced.

Knocking on the door Cassandra was beckoned in by Randall Howards, her supervisor. She could see that Seth was already waiting for her. Smiling enthusiastically, introductions were made and instructions were given. They had their first assignment.

As the pair headed out Cass peered curiously at the older man, "So do you think," the woman paused as she read the file, "Danielle Gunn will be happy to see us?"

"I thought you were supposed to be special," Seth said with a smile, dodging the question.

"I can't control what it is I see," Cassandra said with a sigh, "Believe me I wish I could. It would help a lot more people." Pausing the woman continued on softly, "I only ask 'cause I know sometimes people try to run."

"She might," the graying man replied, "Course it's not surprising. A lot of time these people with these abilities are frightened of them. Unsure of what's happening to their body. It depends when her powers manifested and how she's reacted to having them."

Cassandra nodded knowingly, having powers and being "special" at times seemed more like a curse.

"A lot of times when they run," Seth continued, "They don't realize that we're only trying to help them." He looked at her, "Not everyone sees us as their savior as you did." Before Cassandra could ask how he knew that, she realized that, he too, must have done some preliminary research on her. "In time, though, they come to realize that we're here to help them."

"For the greater good," Cass nodded as the pair stepped into the elevator.

"That's right. Just in case, though," the man reached under his blazer and pulled out a holstered tazer, "I requisitioned this for you. I know a lot of times specials in the field don't need a weapon but I think it would be best if you held onto this."

Cassandra nodded as took it and clipped it to her belt, she was hoping she wouldn't need it but she understood Seth's meaning. Their were far too many people who responded violently when they showed up.

The pair headed out of the elevator and down to the garage. While the girl they were looking for was in the city, it would be easier (even with New York traffic) to drive to her last known location. Mainly because it would be easier bringing her back.

"I'll drive," Seth stated as he unlocked one of the Crown Vics that were parked neatly in a row. Cassandra moved into the passenger side and buckled up as he drove out of the garage.

Looking from the street sign to the information in her hand, Cassandra said "I think we're getting close to where she lives..."

"I'll park then," Seth replied even as he pulled into a semi-full lot, "Always better to come off as less opposing as possible. Makes the subject feel more comfortable. You always want them to feel that way."

Getting out of the car, Seth pulled a pair of aviators out of his pocket and put them on while grinning over the top of the car, "That way if they do give you trouble, they underestimate you."

"How much trouble do you think she could give us?" Cassandra asked nervously, "I mean from her file she seems rather nice."

"It's just a file," the older man said glancing at the open file as he walked, scanning the area for the subject, "But you're right. I think this girl might welcome our help. It's just sort of a general practice type thing I was mentioning before. Not all of the subjects are 'nice.'"

"Right," the blonde said in affirmation, even as that word echoed in the back of her mind. Right, right, right, right. Following the nudge in the subconscious, Cassandra turned right. "Is that her?" She asked stopping suddenly, pointing.

"Good job Dyson," Seth said noticing the young African woman running along the street listening to what looked to be an iPod. "Put your hand down before she notices and get across the street behind her. I'll head her off at the next intersection. We don't want to scare her but we don't want her running either. Well, away."

Cassandra nodded and moved to do as she was told, even as she saw Seth jogging further up the road before crossing at the crosswalk. The blonde was careful to hang back as the man approached Danielle with a smile, she didn't want the girl to feel cornered.

"I believe you can, Miss Gunn," Seth replied. Cassandra was close enough to hear every word and see him smiling at her unperturbed by her suspicion. "I didn't mean to frighten you. I was hoping we could talk."

"How rude of me, you being at a disadvantage of not knowing my name," the senior agent said giving Cassandra a look that she should get closer. The woman complied even as she heard him continue, "My name is Seth Astaire. I'm here with my partner, Cassandra Dyson. We're here representing... a company of sorts that is very interested in your... unique skill set."

Cassandra was a little surprised that he had introduced her, but then again he wanted to gain this girl's trust... and not scare her. Having her find an un-introduced someone behind her could have done just that.