TASK 001: THE MUTANT PROBLEM
( 1 ) what is their ability?
the official term is ‘bear physiology’ but royal often refers to himself as a bear shifter
( 2 ) what is their government-assigned classification level?
royal’s primary ability is transforming into a grizzly bear ( ursus arctos horribilis ), but he also retains many aspects of bear physiology in his human form — enhanced strength; wildly acute senses of hearing, vision, and smell; fuzziness; a massive appetite geared towards protein, fruits, roots, and shoots (yes he loves salmon. don’t tease about it); a propensity for naps after large meals as well as increased sluggishness in winter; and last but perhaps most importantly, a fierce territorial streak that’s easily provoked and hard to placate
( 4 ) what can’t they do?
unfortunately for royal, remaining a bear indefinitely seems to be out of the question. he’s only ever managed to stay transformed for ten whole days at the longest. additionally, there is no in between stage to his transformation, at least not that he can currently achieve and hold. this is something he’s hoping to develop as a skill, because that would be really fucking cool
( 5 ) what are their weaknesses?
the act of transforming takes a lot of energy, which royal gets from the unusually large amount of food he eats. if his reserves are low he may still be able to transform, but not for terribly long and he’ll likely be sluggish and tired. in the event that he was deprived of food long term, royal would lose his ability to transform, as well as some of his enhanced strength. however, he will also become increasingly agitated and dangerous to whatever or whomever is keeping him from his usual meal schedule so it’s their funeral really
( 6 ) how did they first come to the realization that they were a mutant?
royal’s mutation actually manifested in two stages: the first when he was just on the cusp of twelve and climbed farther up a tree than he should have and got stuck. before he knew it he had paws and claws and was able to shimmy down the tree with far less trouble. at that point, he could transform, but it wasn’t until after his thirteenth birthday that he developed the enhanced strength, senses, and appetite
( 7 ) if given the choice, would they remain a mutant? why or why not?
there is absolutely no question in his mind that royal would remain a mutant. he’s not interested in any kind of “cure” and he has some free dental work waiting on hand for anyone who implies that he needs one
( 8 ) what do they hope to see change in the future, with respect to the current strife over mutant acceptance? short-term? long-term?
more than anything royal hopes for long term mutant acceptance. the utter destruction dissolution of ammo would be welcomed with vicious joy, but short term — an end to the mutant registration program, less overt anti-mutant sentiment in day-to-day life, you know, the little things :)