GUYS AND DOLLS APPLICATION
PLAYER
[journal] nemecide
[age] 25 (7/20/1985)
[previous characters] Hope Estheim [Final Fantasy XIII] & Sokka [Avatar: The Last Airbender]
CHARACTER
[series] Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner
[full name] Heat
[age] Chronologically 5; physically/mentally ~23-25.
[gender] Male
[canon point] Second game-immediately following his death.
[reference] "I'll tear you apart, y'fat freak!"
The Megaten wiki leaves a lot to be desired, though, so here's the Wikipedia articles for both games: DDSAT & DDSAT2.
[personality]Within the warring tribes of the Junkyard, the soldiers initially carried no emotions. That was until the appearance of a mysterious girl and an even more mysterious virus in the midst of a battle changed everything. Previously a stoic killing machine like all the rest, obedient to his Tribe leader, Heat was soon transformed into a very chaotic, turbulent sort of person.
A great deal of what encompasses Heat's emotions - even his personality - is linked back to that same girl: Sera, the Cyber Shaman. Not only is he an AI, a packet of data later given flesh in the "real world", but he and most of his comrades share one common factor that is unique to the rest of the soldiers in the Junkyard: they are representations of Sera's perceptions of the people in her life.
Heat is actually a manifestation of the angry, brash side of a doctor named Heat O'Brien from Sera's past. Five years ago, before Heat's existence, O'Brien was part of a project whose aim was to link directly to God in order to harness the power within the divine. Sera, a little girl, was used by this project as a vessel to communicate with God. Serph Sheffield, the head of the project, was in fact a very cold, manipulative person who cared about nothing but reaching his goal. Because of his calculating nature, he managed to distort things so that Sera would only see O'Brien's angry side and Sheffield's good side. O'Brien, in fact, loved Sera very much-like a younger sister. He often would express his anger at Sera's treatment in front of the girl herself. This, in turn, caused Sera to be frightened of him. She put all of her trust into Sheffield-the very man who was using her as a tool, and would build her up with false promises and feigned warmth and kindness. Tragically, O'Brien ended up dying in an attempt to save Sera from a fatal experiment that Sheffield had orchestrated. This is where the truth came out, and Sera learned the true nature of both of these men.
Heat's "prototype", if you will, was originally as part of an escapist virtual world that Sera had created to cope with the pain of reality and her surroundings. It consisted of a beach, and a handful of imaginary friends that she had created based on how she viewed the people in her life: Serph, Heat, Argilla, and Cielo. Because her views of Serph and Heat were especially distorted through the eyes of a child, the Serph she created was based on the kind man who she thought loved her, and Heat was based on the man who frightened her with his angry tendencies.
Though there was nothing but happiness and blue skies around them, the glimpse of Heat's personality on Sera's beach that we're able to see was not unlike the one he comes into later on. He was depicted as Serph's angry and jealous rival, acting out like a bratty child when he noticed the closeness between him and Sera. A mysterious audio clip discovered in the first game within a mansion comprised entirely of data and memories also lent us a glimpse of this same prototype, again acting out and getting snippy with the others. However, despite all this, it seems that Sera and the others in her fantasy world have grown to love him in spite of how her fears depict him - the token hotheaded but lovable "tough guy" of their group. This carries over when they are seized by the military and transformed into battle AIs designed for later implantation into real soldiers.
Heat's existence in the Junkyard and beyond is a rather tortured one. At first, he cannot fathom why Sera's presence has such a strong impact on him-which, in fact, is what causes his emotions to awaken in the first place. All of his emotions are expressed passionately and violently, toward comrades and foes alike. They roil within him like a brewing storm, which spirals further when his own confusion over these strange feelings is thrown into the mix. Love is ultimately what governs his actions, yet sadly because he cannot come to terms with his own emotions, it is not expressed in the altruistic fashion that one typically associates with love-but rather under a miasma of pain and anger.
Heat has something of a complex when it comes to his own strength and how others perceive it. While his other tribemates remain considerably more collected, taking time to plan out strategies and courses of action, Heat's plan of action typically involves beating the offender into a bloody pulp, then feasting on the remains. When the hunger took hold, he approached it with an eagerness that displayed a stubborn will to survive no matter the odds. He often was the first to attempt to devour his enemies, regardless of whether it fit in with the Embryon's strategy, and thus this has led to situations where he needed to be pacified-much to his frustration. Most of his Tribe showed fearful uncertainty or an acceptance of the logical way to survive the new way of things, but Heat refused to show any sort of fear or hesitancy when it came to accepting the new Law. He also, in turn, would mock or scoff at the others for attempting to avoid this.
One of the running humanistic morals throughout the canon is the simple statement that becomes something of a proverb: "Strength is not everything." This is something that Heat does not fully grasp until after his death, and after his soul is sent to the sun. It is another point of frustration for him, when he is desperate for Sera's love and attention yet she ultimately places her trust and faith in Serph. Because he continually refuses to see and accept the fact that one must embrace their weaknesses as well as their strengths, he slides further and further through the descent toward despair. His judgment becomes clouded and he continues to express himself through bursts of impulsiveness rather than rationality.
Like the rest of his tribe (save for Gale), constructs of a child's imagination, there is a nearly childlike naivety behind some of Heat's actions. When things aren't going his way, he tends to act out like a petulant little boy. Again referencing his fatal flaw in refusing to understand that "strength is not everything"-it is clear that in some ways, along with cementing his own image of himself he longs to impress Sera with his displays of strength, and when it does not make her see him the way he wants her to he becomes angry and upset. One such example is the poignant scene when he grabs hold of Sera in their new base and demands to know why she cares for Serph so much, practically begging for her to see his strength and potential. Even amidst the brutality that ends up frightening her away, there is a lost, childlike insistence that craves validation behind his desperate words.
He is also prone to tantrums, aka "illogical outbursts", often hitting or kicking things when he is angry, or even going so far as to angrily grab someone by the throat or shove them around. His confusing feelings regarding Sera are also a point of contention for him; usually when he becomes frustrated or angry his voice tends to take on a rough, terse quality without actually being raised-yet the times he has actually brought it to frightening levels have always revolved around Sera somehow. One such example is after Sera's capture, wherein he confronts Cielo demanding to know why he did not succeed in protecting her and ends up screaming in his face. Shortly thereafter Gale questions why Sera riles him up so-"You do not know, do you?"-something that also touches a nerve. Heat reacts by physically lashing out, telling him that he'll kill him, but the fight is quickly broken up by their Leader.
Heat has his likable qualities as well, of course. His cockiness and overall "tough guy" demeanour typically serve to amuse his tribe-mates more than anything else. Even after his tendency to dive into the "New Law" and scorn those who showed hesitancy, his comrades have come to count on him as someone who acts quickly and delivers the necessary blows (when necessary) without remorse. A lot of his interactions with the other members of his tribe has been centered around bantering and a "tough love" sort of outlook. A prime example of this would be his conflicts with Argilla: she showed the most fear and revulsion at devouring her enemies, and Heat would come down on her as a result, telling her to stop acting so weak and to deal with it like the rest of them. He even went so far as to tell her to devour her fallen friend Jinana, which earned him a nice slap. Yet just like the rest of the tribe, the two of them still carry a mutual caring and respect for each other.
He has also been known to deliver some truly epic lines, such as: "I'll tear you apart, y'fat freak!" and "We're taking Sera to Nirvana, so get your snobby bitch-ass out of the way!"
Another more endearing aspect of Heat's seemingly violent personality are those moments where the mask of toughness seems to slip a little and his softer side can be shown. Apart from his impulsive actions regarding Sera's safety, he also truly does feel a strong sense of companionship and comraderie with the other members of his tribe. They can see that within him, as well - which is the reason why despite his brutality and tendency to bicker with the others they accept him for who he is and care for him just the same. There are times where he awkwardly attempts to offer comfort - such as after Sera's rescue from Mick the Slug where she begins to blame herself for the strife the Embryon has put themselves through:
"You've got a place to stay. -Well, I mean... we're... y'know."
(Argilla:) "We're comrades, am I right?"
"Yeah, that's it."
Sera herself is simultaneously Heat's strength and his weakness, as I have outlined above. She is the prime motivator behind everything he does, even and especially his explosions of anger. This is later what causes him to turn against the group in the second game. After he learns about what surrounds their past, he willingly sides with Madame Cuvier to fight against the Embryon. It is clear, however, that even with the insistence that he did so willingly-he was still manipulated into their hands. A few instances where Cuvier orders him to action and follows it up with "Sera will be fine if..." show that even if he has betrayed his Leader, it is his love for Sera that spurs him into doing so-and the Karma Society knows this. This is how they were able to convince him to join their side.
Even though Heat and Serph are separate entities from O'Brien and Sheffield, he seeks karmic revenge for what has happened-yet in some ways, it is also as a means of discovering himself through all the anguish and banish his own inner demons.
One of the most important things to note about the Embryon overall is that despite the pain and strife they go through, and even despite a lot of Heat's actions, they all share a strong fraternal bond with one another that withstands even death. The fact that ultimately they are comrades no matter the circumstances is another running theme throughout both games. It is even through validating this sentiment with dialogue choices that Heat (who is not a playable character in the second game) actually comes to grips with himself after reaching the Sun to the point where he is able to be recruited as a member of the party for the final dungeon and the confrontation with God. As mentioned before, the Embryon accept Heat's flaws and embrace them as part of who he is. When he later comes to betray Serph and the others, the overall reaction amongst the group is not hatred but rather hurt and confusion over being attacked by a comrade. They seek to figure out why he is motivated to do so, not to destroy him. Even when fighting against him is inevitable, they are reluctant to do it.
The canon point I'm taking Heat from is literally the instant after he is killed. In his story, he would later pass onward through the collective consciousness and meet his comrades on the Sun as a man who has found peace and come to terms with his own inner battles. Instead, the further shaping of his moral fibre and coming to grips with himself will take place in his life here.
[orientation]Unknown, perhaps with heterosexual leanings.
There are hints of heterosexuality surrounding Heat's feelings toward Sera, but it is really a complicated situation. In the first game, he appears to be painfully in love with her, but she does not return his feelings. A key moment is that scene where he grips her in desperation, demanding to know why she cares for Serph so much, and forces his mouth on hers. He is immediately regretful when she runs away in tears.
This scene is the only real display of any kind of solid romantic desire, however. He is very protective of Sera, and feels strongly in ways that confuse even himself-yet they are left ambiguous beyond hints of possible jealousy directed at the closeness between her and Serph. It is later revealed in the second game that Heat is based off Sera's perception of a man who was very protective of her, so it is possible the kiss was an impulsive act as a result of not knowing how to process these sudden emotions. It is never really left clear, as feelings seldom are.
[appearance] Obviously, he'll be in his humanoid form, and his appearance will not be changing. His Asura form Agni-loosely based off the Hindu god-is a two-headed, firey-red demon with claws and thick, armour-like gold scales. A picture can be found here.
[wish] For Sera to be safe and happy.
[requested house] Inoshishi (same as before).
[misc notes] As previously mentioned, Heat must devour other demons to satiate his hunger. If he doesn't, he'll first grow weaker and weaker before finally losing control, transforming into his Asura form and devouring anyone and everyone around him. Obviously, the jade bracelet would nullify his demon form and magical abilities, and the household will provide a supplement that primarily consists of a carnivorous diet. All demons in Heat's world contain "Atma", the substance he needs to survive; the building block of Atma is another substance known as Magnetite, which is said to exist in all living things.
SAMPLES
[sample 1#]
(With permission)
Action thread.
Log.
[sample 2#]Dusk had fallen on the tiny city; a hazy orange glow that threatened to dissolve into nighttime. Fingertips idly stroked the amulet at his throat as Heat made his way back through the gates. He didn't even stop to look as they were closed behind him-nor was even a glance cast in the direction of the guardsmen as he passed by on his reentry, and so Heat missed the way prying eyes honed in on the blood staining his clothes. -Though, to his credit, willful ignorance might have come forth even if he had been aware.
It wasn't until after rounding a corner that he heard the screams.
It was close, and his ears perked at the sound. The jarring sound had cut through the silence of the setting sun, and while a normal human being would have frozen in fear - he was hardly normal. A feral sort of grin curled his lips, and he headed in that direction, a prickle of excitement in his belly. The farmlands had been achingly dull, with no end in sight. Even the impromptu meal or two he'd made off the cattle were a drag. He was almost giddy.
Even with that damnable piece of jewelry on his wrist hindering everything valuable, he was still ultimately a trained soldier, and it was a soldier's senses that brought him to that place. Disappointment settled over him when he found nothing, no one in sight save for the ashen form lying still before him. The sickly-sweet stench of death, tinged with the coppery scent of gore, was not foreign to him-what did manage to surprise him, however, was the gaping hole in the center of this nameless body. Quite literally the center: betwixt two stiff thighs, still partially spread.
Heat outstretched a calf, nudging at the body with the edge of a toe before kneeling beside it for inspection. He'd torn apart his enemies in some pretty brutal ways, but this was a new sight even to someone like him. Really, what kind of being out there would devour someone's reproductive organs but leave the rest virtually intact? What a waste. The young man scoffed, eyes flickering to the frozen expression on the victim's face. He couldn't glean much at all, but it was obvious that an incredulous sort of fear painted their features. Had they been alive to see something so gruesome? Amusement flickered over his features, and Heat reached out to poke the unfortunate victim squarely in the forehead before rising to his feet again.
"Tch. Hell of a waste," he echoed his thoughts aloud, before turning to go. He was answered by the dull sound of approaching footfalls, drawing louder and nearer.
"Stop right there! Hands on your head, beast!"
Sucking out an errant piece of gristle from his teeth, Heat turned around slowly to meet the pair of guards that had flanked him. His blazing red eyes betrayed not even a shred of fear, but sullen irritation-reminiscent of a child about to face a scathing lecture-coloured his expression. These guards were different from the ones that had stood on post at the gate, which meant that those assholes had obviously figured out what he'd done and squealed on him somehow.
Heat turned his head and spat in the dirt in annoyance before lifting his hands to lace them behind his head. So much whining over one measly cow. For fuck's sakes.
No matter. He knew how to bring them down. They just needed to get a little closer.
[journal] nemecide
[age] 25 (7/20/1985)
[previous characters] Hope Estheim [Final Fantasy XIII] & Sokka [Avatar: The Last Airbender]
CHARACTER
[series] Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner
[full name] Heat
[age] Chronologically 5; physically/mentally ~23-25.
[gender] Male
[canon point] Second game-immediately following his death.
[reference] "I'll tear you apart, y'fat freak!"
The Megaten wiki leaves a lot to be desired, though, so here's the Wikipedia articles for both games: DDSAT & DDSAT2.
[personality]Within the warring tribes of the Junkyard, the soldiers initially carried no emotions. That was until the appearance of a mysterious girl and an even more mysterious virus in the midst of a battle changed everything. Previously a stoic killing machine like all the rest, obedient to his Tribe leader, Heat was soon transformed into a very chaotic, turbulent sort of person.
A great deal of what encompasses Heat's emotions - even his personality - is linked back to that same girl: Sera, the Cyber Shaman. Not only is he an AI, a packet of data later given flesh in the "real world", but he and most of his comrades share one common factor that is unique to the rest of the soldiers in the Junkyard: they are representations of Sera's perceptions of the people in her life.
Heat is actually a manifestation of the angry, brash side of a doctor named Heat O'Brien from Sera's past. Five years ago, before Heat's existence, O'Brien was part of a project whose aim was to link directly to God in order to harness the power within the divine. Sera, a little girl, was used by this project as a vessel to communicate with God. Serph Sheffield, the head of the project, was in fact a very cold, manipulative person who cared about nothing but reaching his goal. Because of his calculating nature, he managed to distort things so that Sera would only see O'Brien's angry side and Sheffield's good side. O'Brien, in fact, loved Sera very much-like a younger sister. He often would express his anger at Sera's treatment in front of the girl herself. This, in turn, caused Sera to be frightened of him. She put all of her trust into Sheffield-the very man who was using her as a tool, and would build her up with false promises and feigned warmth and kindness. Tragically, O'Brien ended up dying in an attempt to save Sera from a fatal experiment that Sheffield had orchestrated. This is where the truth came out, and Sera learned the true nature of both of these men.
Heat's "prototype", if you will, was originally as part of an escapist virtual world that Sera had created to cope with the pain of reality and her surroundings. It consisted of a beach, and a handful of imaginary friends that she had created based on how she viewed the people in her life: Serph, Heat, Argilla, and Cielo. Because her views of Serph and Heat were especially distorted through the eyes of a child, the Serph she created was based on the kind man who she thought loved her, and Heat was based on the man who frightened her with his angry tendencies.
Though there was nothing but happiness and blue skies around them, the glimpse of Heat's personality on Sera's beach that we're able to see was not unlike the one he comes into later on. He was depicted as Serph's angry and jealous rival, acting out like a bratty child when he noticed the closeness between him and Sera. A mysterious audio clip discovered in the first game within a mansion comprised entirely of data and memories also lent us a glimpse of this same prototype, again acting out and getting snippy with the others. However, despite all this, it seems that Sera and the others in her fantasy world have grown to love him in spite of how her fears depict him - the token hotheaded but lovable "tough guy" of their group. This carries over when they are seized by the military and transformed into battle AIs designed for later implantation into real soldiers.
Heat's existence in the Junkyard and beyond is a rather tortured one. At first, he cannot fathom why Sera's presence has such a strong impact on him-which, in fact, is what causes his emotions to awaken in the first place. All of his emotions are expressed passionately and violently, toward comrades and foes alike. They roil within him like a brewing storm, which spirals further when his own confusion over these strange feelings is thrown into the mix. Love is ultimately what governs his actions, yet sadly because he cannot come to terms with his own emotions, it is not expressed in the altruistic fashion that one typically associates with love-but rather under a miasma of pain and anger.
Heat has something of a complex when it comes to his own strength and how others perceive it. While his other tribemates remain considerably more collected, taking time to plan out strategies and courses of action, Heat's plan of action typically involves beating the offender into a bloody pulp, then feasting on the remains. When the hunger took hold, he approached it with an eagerness that displayed a stubborn will to survive no matter the odds. He often was the first to attempt to devour his enemies, regardless of whether it fit in with the Embryon's strategy, and thus this has led to situations where he needed to be pacified-much to his frustration. Most of his Tribe showed fearful uncertainty or an acceptance of the logical way to survive the new way of things, but Heat refused to show any sort of fear or hesitancy when it came to accepting the new Law. He also, in turn, would mock or scoff at the others for attempting to avoid this.
One of the running humanistic morals throughout the canon is the simple statement that becomes something of a proverb: "Strength is not everything." This is something that Heat does not fully grasp until after his death, and after his soul is sent to the sun. It is another point of frustration for him, when he is desperate for Sera's love and attention yet she ultimately places her trust and faith in Serph. Because he continually refuses to see and accept the fact that one must embrace their weaknesses as well as their strengths, he slides further and further through the descent toward despair. His judgment becomes clouded and he continues to express himself through bursts of impulsiveness rather than rationality.
Like the rest of his tribe (save for Gale), constructs of a child's imagination, there is a nearly childlike naivety behind some of Heat's actions. When things aren't going his way, he tends to act out like a petulant little boy. Again referencing his fatal flaw in refusing to understand that "strength is not everything"-it is clear that in some ways, along with cementing his own image of himself he longs to impress Sera with his displays of strength, and when it does not make her see him the way he wants her to he becomes angry and upset. One such example is the poignant scene when he grabs hold of Sera in their new base and demands to know why she cares for Serph so much, practically begging for her to see his strength and potential. Even amidst the brutality that ends up frightening her away, there is a lost, childlike insistence that craves validation behind his desperate words.
He is also prone to tantrums, aka "illogical outbursts", often hitting or kicking things when he is angry, or even going so far as to angrily grab someone by the throat or shove them around. His confusing feelings regarding Sera are also a point of contention for him; usually when he becomes frustrated or angry his voice tends to take on a rough, terse quality without actually being raised-yet the times he has actually brought it to frightening levels have always revolved around Sera somehow. One such example is after Sera's capture, wherein he confronts Cielo demanding to know why he did not succeed in protecting her and ends up screaming in his face. Shortly thereafter Gale questions why Sera riles him up so-"You do not know, do you?"-something that also touches a nerve. Heat reacts by physically lashing out, telling him that he'll kill him, but the fight is quickly broken up by their Leader.
Heat has his likable qualities as well, of course. His cockiness and overall "tough guy" demeanour typically serve to amuse his tribe-mates more than anything else. Even after his tendency to dive into the "New Law" and scorn those who showed hesitancy, his comrades have come to count on him as someone who acts quickly and delivers the necessary blows (when necessary) without remorse. A lot of his interactions with the other members of his tribe has been centered around bantering and a "tough love" sort of outlook. A prime example of this would be his conflicts with Argilla: she showed the most fear and revulsion at devouring her enemies, and Heat would come down on her as a result, telling her to stop acting so weak and to deal with it like the rest of them. He even went so far as to tell her to devour her fallen friend Jinana, which earned him a nice slap. Yet just like the rest of the tribe, the two of them still carry a mutual caring and respect for each other.
He has also been known to deliver some truly epic lines, such as: "I'll tear you apart, y'fat freak!" and "We're taking Sera to Nirvana, so get your snobby bitch-ass out of the way!"
Another more endearing aspect of Heat's seemingly violent personality are those moments where the mask of toughness seems to slip a little and his softer side can be shown. Apart from his impulsive actions regarding Sera's safety, he also truly does feel a strong sense of companionship and comraderie with the other members of his tribe. They can see that within him, as well - which is the reason why despite his brutality and tendency to bicker with the others they accept him for who he is and care for him just the same. There are times where he awkwardly attempts to offer comfort - such as after Sera's rescue from Mick the Slug where she begins to blame herself for the strife the Embryon has put themselves through:
"You've got a place to stay. -Well, I mean... we're... y'know."
(Argilla:) "We're comrades, am I right?"
"Yeah, that's it."
Sera herself is simultaneously Heat's strength and his weakness, as I have outlined above. She is the prime motivator behind everything he does, even and especially his explosions of anger. This is later what causes him to turn against the group in the second game. After he learns about what surrounds their past, he willingly sides with Madame Cuvier to fight against the Embryon. It is clear, however, that even with the insistence that he did so willingly-he was still manipulated into their hands. A few instances where Cuvier orders him to action and follows it up with "Sera will be fine if..." show that even if he has betrayed his Leader, it is his love for Sera that spurs him into doing so-and the Karma Society knows this. This is how they were able to convince him to join their side.
Even though Heat and Serph are separate entities from O'Brien and Sheffield, he seeks karmic revenge for what has happened-yet in some ways, it is also as a means of discovering himself through all the anguish and banish his own inner demons.
One of the most important things to note about the Embryon overall is that despite the pain and strife they go through, and even despite a lot of Heat's actions, they all share a strong fraternal bond with one another that withstands even death. The fact that ultimately they are comrades no matter the circumstances is another running theme throughout both games. It is even through validating this sentiment with dialogue choices that Heat (who is not a playable character in the second game) actually comes to grips with himself after reaching the Sun to the point where he is able to be recruited as a member of the party for the final dungeon and the confrontation with God. As mentioned before, the Embryon accept Heat's flaws and embrace them as part of who he is. When he later comes to betray Serph and the others, the overall reaction amongst the group is not hatred but rather hurt and confusion over being attacked by a comrade. They seek to figure out why he is motivated to do so, not to destroy him. Even when fighting against him is inevitable, they are reluctant to do it.
The canon point I'm taking Heat from is literally the instant after he is killed. In his story, he would later pass onward through the collective consciousness and meet his comrades on the Sun as a man who has found peace and come to terms with his own inner battles. Instead, the further shaping of his moral fibre and coming to grips with himself will take place in his life here.
[orientation]Unknown, perhaps with heterosexual leanings.
There are hints of heterosexuality surrounding Heat's feelings toward Sera, but it is really a complicated situation. In the first game, he appears to be painfully in love with her, but she does not return his feelings. A key moment is that scene where he grips her in desperation, demanding to know why she cares for Serph so much, and forces his mouth on hers. He is immediately regretful when she runs away in tears.
This scene is the only real display of any kind of solid romantic desire, however. He is very protective of Sera, and feels strongly in ways that confuse even himself-yet they are left ambiguous beyond hints of possible jealousy directed at the closeness between her and Serph. It is later revealed in the second game that Heat is based off Sera's perception of a man who was very protective of her, so it is possible the kiss was an impulsive act as a result of not knowing how to process these sudden emotions. It is never really left clear, as feelings seldom are.
[appearance] Obviously, he'll be in his humanoid form, and his appearance will not be changing. His Asura form Agni-loosely based off the Hindu god-is a two-headed, firey-red demon with claws and thick, armour-like gold scales. A picture can be found here.
[wish] For Sera to be safe and happy.
[requested house] Inoshishi (same as before).
[misc notes] As previously mentioned, Heat must devour other demons to satiate his hunger. If he doesn't, he'll first grow weaker and weaker before finally losing control, transforming into his Asura form and devouring anyone and everyone around him. Obviously, the jade bracelet would nullify his demon form and magical abilities, and the household will provide a supplement that primarily consists of a carnivorous diet. All demons in Heat's world contain "Atma", the substance he needs to survive; the building block of Atma is another substance known as Magnetite, which is said to exist in all living things.
SAMPLES
[sample 1#]
(With permission)
Action thread.
Log.
[sample 2#]Dusk had fallen on the tiny city; a hazy orange glow that threatened to dissolve into nighttime. Fingertips idly stroked the amulet at his throat as Heat made his way back through the gates. He didn't even stop to look as they were closed behind him-nor was even a glance cast in the direction of the guardsmen as he passed by on his reentry, and so Heat missed the way prying eyes honed in on the blood staining his clothes. -Though, to his credit, willful ignorance might have come forth even if he had been aware.
It wasn't until after rounding a corner that he heard the screams.
It was close, and his ears perked at the sound. The jarring sound had cut through the silence of the setting sun, and while a normal human being would have frozen in fear - he was hardly normal. A feral sort of grin curled his lips, and he headed in that direction, a prickle of excitement in his belly. The farmlands had been achingly dull, with no end in sight. Even the impromptu meal or two he'd made off the cattle were a drag. He was almost giddy.
Even with that damnable piece of jewelry on his wrist hindering everything valuable, he was still ultimately a trained soldier, and it was a soldier's senses that brought him to that place. Disappointment settled over him when he found nothing, no one in sight save for the ashen form lying still before him. The sickly-sweet stench of death, tinged with the coppery scent of gore, was not foreign to him-what did manage to surprise him, however, was the gaping hole in the center of this nameless body. Quite literally the center: betwixt two stiff thighs, still partially spread.
Heat outstretched a calf, nudging at the body with the edge of a toe before kneeling beside it for inspection. He'd torn apart his enemies in some pretty brutal ways, but this was a new sight even to someone like him. Really, what kind of being out there would devour someone's reproductive organs but leave the rest virtually intact? What a waste. The young man scoffed, eyes flickering to the frozen expression on the victim's face. He couldn't glean much at all, but it was obvious that an incredulous sort of fear painted their features. Had they been alive to see something so gruesome? Amusement flickered over his features, and Heat reached out to poke the unfortunate victim squarely in the forehead before rising to his feet again.
"Tch. Hell of a waste," he echoed his thoughts aloud, before turning to go. He was answered by the dull sound of approaching footfalls, drawing louder and nearer.
"Stop right there! Hands on your head, beast!"
Sucking out an errant piece of gristle from his teeth, Heat turned around slowly to meet the pair of guards that had flanked him. His blazing red eyes betrayed not even a shred of fear, but sullen irritation-reminiscent of a child about to face a scathing lecture-coloured his expression. These guards were different from the ones that had stood on post at the gate, which meant that those assholes had obviously figured out what he'd done and squealed on him somehow.
Heat turned his head and spat in the dirt in annoyance before lifting his hands to lace them behind his head. So much whining over one measly cow. For fuck's sakes.
No matter. He knew how to bring them down. They just needed to get a little closer.