Does your character have an alias (super or otherwise)? If they do, how did it come about? Did they chose it themselves or did another? If they do not, what would they chose if they needed one?
Cameron has an online alias for her hacking activities, where she leaves behind her signature as The Reaper. The idea originated with a play on "hacking" since it applied to both infiltrating others' websites and the slashing motion of the scythe. There was also some appeal in assuming an identity that has control over death, since that is not something Cameron feels she has in real life when she experiences spectral visions. (NB: Someday she will develop more control over her natural power, and a better understanding of all that she can truly do with it. When that time in the plot comes, there is a chance she will adopt an alter ego that becomes known by the general public.)
Does your character have a power? Do they wish they did? Do they wish their ability was something else?
Cameron has the power of mediumship, but she doesn't realize that's what it is. Presently, what Cam *thinks* she has is a higher susceptibility to observing occupants of the spiritual dimension. Given that she's heard of some people having the ability to contact/be contacted by ghosts, it has never even entered Cameron's mind that she can do anything more than hear what they have to say. On the contrary, the past twenty years of dealing with these visitations have left her feeling powerless. She has often wished it away, longed to be just like everyone else. Just once, she would like to know what it's like to go to sleep without fear clawing up her spine. When she eventually realizes the full extent of her capabilities, it will be both an empowering change of circumstances and a terrible realization that she's been needlessly suffering for decades.
How did your character fall into the side that they are on? Have they even chosen a side? If not, why not?
Though Cameron is not technically affiliated with any group at this time, she leans toward the Vigilantes. Given that one among their number saved her years ago, they've always had the biggest place in her heart (not to mention the fact that they seem the least dangerous/threatening out of the three power groups). Now that Cameron has discovered the secret identity of her rescuer from so long ago, her allegiance to the Vigilantes has been truly solidified. However, she has made no move to approach the group as a whole/offer her services in any way. All that being said, Cameron has a lot of internal conflict regarding the Reckoning. She fears the group in general and could never approve of the terrible things they've done, but she's also aware of Santana's involvement therein and that makes her wonder if any of the other "villains" are like her twin: scarred and bitter people lashing back at a world that has shown them little to no mercy for the things that make them different.Ā
How does your character take the supers? Are they a sure sign of God? The next stage of evolution?
Cameron no longer participates in the Catholic Mass she was required to attend every Sunday as a child, but she suspects the people from her parish back home would not consider superpowers to be blessings from on high. If all the supers were like that one masked healer, Nightingale, perhaps the overall view of the church would be more positive. They might be seen as miracle workers. However, given the darker nature of some of the abilities out there (i.e. lust inducement, poison spit, touch of death), it seems far more likely that churchgoers have declared supers to be something more sinister. As a matter of fact, her abuela has tried to say something along those lines on numerous occasions, but Cameron tends to tune out during those conversations so that her expression will remain neutral. Would Alma be so quick to condemn if she knew her own granddaughter Santana had such an ability? Honestly... yes, she probably still would. Just thinking about it makes Cameron's eyes smart with tears. It's little wonder that Santana is distant and guarded with most of the family. Between coming out of the closet and having an ability her relatives would likely deem "unnatural," it must feel to her like she is the ultimate disappointment. This renewed realization just makes Cameron hug her sister that much more tightly each time she sees her, wanting to communicate without words that she'll always love Santana no matter what. Cameron is inclined to believe these superpowers cropping up among people from her generation are somehow connected to evolution. She can't deduce what prompted it or why it is happening, but there must be some biological reason that will make sense in time.Ā
Does your character believe Supers to be āaboveā those without powers? Either due to their abilities or another reason?
No, Cameron doesn't believe supers are in any way superior. Better suited to take on the more dangerous forces at work in their city? Perhaps. But not above anyone else overall. They do, however, have a stronger likelihood of affecting more lives in one adrenaline-fueled instant. She wishes they'd make more of an effort to remember that they can cause greater destruction than your average human.Ā
What does your character think about the lengths that the Supers are willing to go to get what they want? Do they believe the destruction seen throughout the city during battles to be justified or the destroying of innocent lives?
Cameron thinks sometimes supers forget their own strength/don't fully consider the ramifications. She understands that the urgency of the moment doesn't leave much time to think, but there has to be some way to avoid demolishing packed buildings and crowded civilian areas. Surely, at least in the case of the Vigilantes, it must be an accident... but, even so, she can't simply dismiss those untimely deaths as collateral damage.Ā
Does your character know of the seedy underbelly of New York (example - The Vendettasā work)? Have they ever been involved in it or are they blissfully ignorant?Ā
She has heard stories about them on the news but doesn't know anything beyond what is revealed to the general public. The closest brush she's ever had with the Vendettas was by association, since her brother arrested one of their men (although, of course, she has unknowingly conversed with members during daytime hours).Ā
Has your character ever come into contact with a Super? Did they aid or hinder your character?
Cameron's only significant interaction with a super who was in full costume was with Ghost several years ago. A man tried to attack Cam in a public bathroom and Ghost came to her aid, incapacitating the attacker and dragging him away. Ghost has been a particular favorite of Cameronās ever since, a bit like having a celebrity crush, but a recent revelation has forever changed her view of the masked woman who once saved her from danger.
How does your character react to the fictional Supers they see in the media (such as Superman or the X-Men)? Do they hold the Supers they see in their lives up to standards derived from this media? Do they believe such media is helpful or not to the publicās perspective of Supers?
Cameron never really pursued comic books or their related media while she was growing up back in Lima. It wasn't until she met Rydel Berry that fictional superheroes started to seem more interesting. She thinks the type of supers that appear on the page are basically idealized versions of the real thing. Cameron doesn't expect the supers in her own world to have 100% success like the ones created with pen and ink; that just doesn't seem fair or practical. They'll try their best, to be sure, but sometimes things are out of your control even when you have superpowers. Cameron thinks maybe familiarity with fictional supers has been somewhat helpful in getting the general public to accept the real life equivalent. If they'd never read about or watched heroes like Batman, Wolverine, or Captain America, they might have found the concept of regular people with extraordinary abilities unnerving to witness firsthand.Ā
How does your character react to the āHeroesā in New York? Are they truly there for the people or working for their own agenda? Does your character believe them to be helpful or just vicious vigilantes who should allow the Police to do their job?
So far, regarding every "hero" she's heard about/read about, Cameron thinks they seem like their hearts are in the right place even if their methods can at times be questionable. She supposes it's possible some want fame, glory, and/or power, but she's never stumbled upon one that struck her as anything short of genuine (except perhaps Mr. Handsome, but preening is harmless enough so long as he still helps people). Cameron does wish there didn't have to be such a line in the sand between supers and the cops. It seems to her that both organizations are working toward a common goal, so it would make much more sense if they helped one another take on the Reckoning and Vendettas rather than being against each other. Then again, part of her is grateful they haven't combined forces like that because Santana might find herself in twice the trouble if the combined efforts of the NYPD and the Vigilantes caught up to her.Ā
What are your characterās views on the āVillainsā? Are they just the lowest of one group or are they a show of what all Supers are destined to become?
Cameron hesitates to call all of the villains "low" since most people would classify her sister as such. She needs to believe that 1. Plenty of supers can avoid succumbing to the temptation of weilding their powers for ill and 2. Those who currently do so can still reform and make a turnaround for the better. The strongest emotion Cameron feels toward the "villains" is fear: fear that the Vendettas may catch someone she loves in their crossfire, fear that the Reckoning will be Santanaās undoing, fear that Leo is in danger just for daring to stand up to them. Much as Cameron wants to believe the cruelty of these groups never has to hit closer to home than it already has, sometimes it feels like it's only a matter of time.
How does your character feel about the fact that people have been able to require powers through science and procedures rather than from birth? Is this something that interests them? Do they think that science shouldnāt be messing with such things or that it is just the next obvious step?
Cameron isn't interested in gaining any powers this way, but she understands why some people are. She isn't completely convinced of the safety of the procedures, but Cam remains hopeful that they'll work out the snags so everyone will be safe. Her biggest concern in this matter is that something could go wrong and some people could leave the clinics worse off than when they entered. She sincerely hopes these scientists really know what they're doing...
