p e r m i s s i o n s || meme
General
Character Name: River Tam
Species (human/alien/vampire/other): Human (slightly altered)
Extra-human/abnormal abilities, if any: Mind reader, slightly pre-cog, wicked fast learner, can kick your ass
Psychology
1. Is it okay for your character's thoughts to be read/their mind to be probed?
Yes! River has little/no defenses against being read. Considering her lack of control and focus, she probably won't even notice unless attention is called to it.
2. Is it okay for any of your character’s intense/distressing memories to be seen/heard/read in this situation?
Ask first. She doesn't often actively think about those things, but it's very easy to pull them up in the right situation. Just let me know what you want to do and I'll swing a thread into gear.
3. What kind of mind does your character have? Are they disturbed at all? Are their thoughts ordered or jumbled?
Incredibly jumbled. From the profile: "Imagine a 1000 piece puzzle dumped out of the box and mixed up with pieces from twenty other 1000 piece puzzles, with a few hundred more pieces not from any puzzles that won't ever make a whole picture. Not everything fits, not everything is hers, and not everything is going to make much sense. Girl tries, but it's a sea of pieces she isn't exactly equipped to navigate at the moment." That's pretty accurate in the poetic sense, but what it really comes down to is her ability to focus. Not only is everything disorganized and half not even her own mess, her ability to focus on thoughts fluctuates depending on how medicated she is and if she's distressed.
If I'm threading with a mind reader, I'll be sure to get all the details in the narration for you. And if I don't, then go ahead and poke me until I do.
4. Is it okay for your character’s emotions to be sensed?
Of course! If I'm being a derp and not making it obvious in the narration in a thread with you just let me know and I'll give you the details for your character.
5. Does your character have a weak or strong mind? Are they susceptible to influence or hypnotism?
River can be strong-willed and bullheaded (meaning: loyal and obstinate brat) but when it comes to outside influence, the damage to her brain (mainly the amygdal nodes and other areas of the temporal lobe) makes her very easily influenced by outside sources. All I ask is that you let me know what you're planning before we break it out in a thread.
6. Does your character have supernatural/mental fortification against mind-reading or telepathic communication?
None at all.
7. In the case of characters who are extra-sentient/psychic and can just 'know' things about people, can the muns of these characters use the powers of Wikipedia to get information about your character?
Certainly! Her canon point is still set at post-comics/pre-movie, and if you want to know any details about things that have gone down with her in Taxon (it's a lot; she's been here over a year already) just let me know and I'll tell you all you need.
8. If so, is there anything that should absolutely never ever be brought up?
Honestly, it depends on the situation. She has her buttons that are fun to push, but it's not always fun to play through, so I figure anything that would purposefully send her into a screaming tizzy should be asked about first. (Mostly this means taunting her about the things in her head she doesn't understand/bringing them up in such a way that leaves her without a way to think of something else or end the conversation. I'm cool with it happening, just not by surprise.)
9. Anything that should absolutely be brought up?
When she was 11 she invented her own language (Tobrik), 'River' is traditionally a boy's name, her parents were rich and horrible, um. Possibly other things. I'll update this as I think of them.
10. Will thoughts in the narration be up for grabs? If so, how will you indicate these? Italics/strikes/something else?
Always, both the general feel of what's going on in her head and the straight up specifics that I tend to put in (italics like this).
11. Does your character have any fears/phobias that you wouldn't mind being exploited? Ones that you'd like to NOT be exploited?
The issues mentioned in 8 of this section are definitely "ask first," but anything else is a total free-for-all. See: needles, Bad Doctors, death (especially whole planets full), and Reavers. All of those can be poked at without permission, though if you want something specific out of that exploitation it's better to let me know first so I can work it into what she does.
Physiology
1. Is it okay for your character to be affected by chemical agents? Fear toxins, for example?
Yes, to any and all.
2. Does your character have any unique biological difference that would affect their resistance to toxins/chemical substances?
The brain-meddling thing makes her inordinately susceptible to them, so let me know what's up before springing it so I can gauge her reactions accordingly. Her body also metabolizes chemicals and builds a tolerance to them at a relatively fast rate, especially those designed to alter brain chemistry, so the same formula of one chemical/weird thing might not work the same way twice.
3. Does your character have any notable genetic/supernatural/biological difference that would make their blood in any way different to a regular baseline human's (that would make them taste different if they were fed on by a vampire, for example)?
Not really, no, though the amount and combination of the medications she's on might have an effect, be it by making her taste different (bad/funny/whatever) to a vampire or just showing up on any blood tests.
Physical
1. How okay are you with your character coming to physical harm?
All you have to do is let me know when and where, darlings, and maiming shall most likely commence. Because I'm a horrible madam.
2. How okay are you with your character's home/possessions being targeted by bad guys?
Go right ahead! All I ask is that you ask first so I can clear it with whoever it is she lives with depending on where you're going after her. (That was convoluted, but basically: she lives either in her bunk on Serenity, Kaylee's ranch, (I'd need to clear it with castmates that have their characters in there) Dawn's room at the Summer's Castle (I'd need to clear it with all the castle folks).)
3. Can your character be impacted by telekinesis?
Certainly! Again, shes' got no defenses against that kind of thing, so have at it as long as I know what's going on.
4. With regard to vampires, would your character be willing to be a donor?
Not at all ever. Not even for Godric (and he is her favorite).
5. If no, then how about unwilling?
If that's the case, nom away my good be-fanged chaps~. Give her a juice box and a cookie when you're done. (And let me know ahead of time in case your juice and cookie rations are low or something.)
6. With regard to shapeshifters, are you okay with having those with this power taking the shape of your character?
Just so long as you let me know, I don't mind it.
7. If your character has any superhuman abilities, would you be okay with these being replicated by those who have the power to absorb/take on the powers of others?
Her only ability, as it is, comes from (HEADCANON ALERT) an enlarged hippocampus and extensive damage to the amygdal nodes, parahippocampal gyrus, and possibly the frontal lobe/dorsal stream and the tempero-parietal junction. If you can sell me on how your character is replicating the ability (adapting their brain to be like hers only better? replicating the presence of an enlarged hippocampus? magic monkey feathers?) (okay probably not that last one) then it's all yours.
8. In a physical confrontation, is it okay if characters who have the power to sense/foresee/predict movements use this to their advantage against your character?
OF COURSE! Considering River does/tries to do the same thing, it could be a close approximation of some kind of ultimate showdown of some kind of destiny.
9. Are you willing to participate in plots where your character will sustain damage outside of a fight, such as in situations with torture, environmental hazards, or accidents?
Definitely, those are fun. Just please, please let me know as ahead of time as you can that it's going to happen so I can plan around it accordingly.
10. Is there anything about them that would stand out noticeably (things like scars, physical augmentations, illness, anomalies, etc.) if they were ever injured or otherwise examined by a doctor? Are any of these things noticeable to others without close inspection?
Absolute tons, actually. Prepare for some headcanon tl;dr:
Scars: two long, thin surgical scars (from Academy tampering with their students' muscle tone) on her upper arms, outside. Probably more elsewhere in spots that have important muscle groups, but they're faint. More noticeable, small scars (both dots and thin scalpel scars) all over her head in a very specific pattern around the eyes, temples, and along the underside of her head mostly hidden by hair. Most noticeable, a scar that dimples in the middle of her forehead (considering the repeated access at that area, there's probably a small bit of bone that's just missing).
Brain damage: will likely show up as both physical damage and/or unusual brain activity on CT, MRI, fMRI, PET, DOI, and MEG images if she's scanned. River's hippocampus is larger than average, as are the amygdal nodes. Much of the glial connection between areas of the temporal lobe and the hippocampus itself have been severed (main focus on the amygdal nodes, with the left being more damaged than the right). There's also incidental damage to the tempero-parietal junction and the frontal lobe and dorsal stream. (Technobrainbabble translation: shit just got real.)
Otherwise: Fit and healthy, though probably slightly malnourished (what is eating like a normal person instead of just stealing breadsticks off Extra's tables why should she do it that is obviously for losers) and displaying any number of side-effects from the medication she takes.
Also she bites her nails.
Magics
1. Can your character be influenced and tempted by magical or supernatural means?
Of course. Some actions/thoughts will probably be easier to influence than others, and I am up for all the plotting shenanigans.
2. If yes, will someone with the ability be able to find this out about them, and in what areas (think the seven deadly sins) can your character be tempted?
Pride ("I'm better than you in so many ways, also smarter, let me count them off to you in primes"), envy ("I miss being a normal girl and, you know, being in full control of my own brain"), and wrath (see: example).
3. Could your character be glamoured (a form of mind control employed by vampires to make humans compliant/alter their memories etc.)?
Already happened! (Thank you, Godric, for not letting her murder people.) It's really easy and can be capable of more than the usual glamouring depending on what's going on and the vampire's intentions, so let me know ahead of time and we'll work something out.
4. Can your character be effected by spells of any kind, and are there any specific types to which they would be immune?
Immunity is for other people. She's vulnerable to any and all spells you want to throw at her, just let me know what/when/where first.
5. Can your character's presence be sensed by characters with the power to read auras/pick up generalized vibes from people?
Yes. If she's creeping up on people, I'll be sure to put things about her aura and general vibes so that you can have an easier time of getting your character to react to it. And if I leave it out, let me know and I'll go back and fix it.
6. If yes, what kind of stand-out things about your character can be sensed?
Sins are same as above (pride, envy, wrath; whichever of those is most prominent depends on the day). Things regarding strength tend to follow a weak/damaged mentally and emotionally, and they'd probably sense her ass-kicking prowess as some kind of hidden physical strength. There's also, aside from those, the sense that she's very much attached to her brother, whether he's here or not.
7. With regard to characters that can sense danger/receive visions/predict general doom, are you okay with your character being the subject of any of this, if the occasion arises?
Forecasting doom and gloom is fun! Go right ahead, and I'll do what I can to give you the information you need.
Privacy
1. Will your character change their name as it is shown on the map? If so, what will they change it to?
Sometimes! Usually just to erase it completely and leave it blank, but she'll change it back and forth. If you need to know which one it is I'm totally okay with you picking whichever and I'll roll with it, I don't mind.
2. If they’re able, will they ever opt to hide their location on the map?
There are times where she would, but I'll always be sure to make a note in the narration or ooc as to it being off if that's the case. If there's no note, consider it on.
3. If your character is from an earlier point in their canon than another member of your cast, what is and is not okay for your fellow castmate to spill the beans about regarding your character’s future?
I'm fine with everything as long as you let me know before you do it.
4. With regard to characters that like to snoop, can they find anything that's been publicly said by your character through the tablets?
Hells to the yes. Just make sure the other player with a character involved is okay with it, too.
5. How about privately?
Yep, and see above for the only stipulation.
6. Is there anything you'd especially like to be known about your character, for the purposes of amusement?
Not that I can think of that'd get picked up by the tablets, but if that changes I'll come and edit it in.
7. Anything you especially don't?
Again, can't think of anything in particular to warn about or anything, so if something seems like super sensitive info that'd cause a big reaction just let me know before hand.
8 Do you like threadhopping (a character not already in a thread jumping in unexpectedly to reply to a comment), and are you okay with other people threadhopping in your threads and posts?
Threadhopping is sweet and I fully endorse it always
Other
If there's anything specific you'd like River to know/not know or do/not do, or if you have ideas about plots, or if you have a question about any of the above, you can let me know here or on AIM (gidgieee).
Also you will get pie. :D
Character Name: River Tam
Species (human/alien/vampire/other): Human (slightly altered)
Extra-human/abnormal abilities, if any: Mind reader, slightly pre-cog, wicked fast learner, can kick your ass
Psychology
1. Is it okay for your character's thoughts to be read/their mind to be probed?
Yes! River has little/no defenses against being read. Considering her lack of control and focus, she probably won't even notice unless attention is called to it.
2. Is it okay for any of your character’s intense/distressing memories to be seen/heard/read in this situation?
Ask first. She doesn't often actively think about those things, but it's very easy to pull them up in the right situation. Just let me know what you want to do and I'll swing a thread into gear.
3. What kind of mind does your character have? Are they disturbed at all? Are their thoughts ordered or jumbled?
Incredibly jumbled. From the profile: "Imagine a 1000 piece puzzle dumped out of the box and mixed up with pieces from twenty other 1000 piece puzzles, with a few hundred more pieces not from any puzzles that won't ever make a whole picture. Not everything fits, not everything is hers, and not everything is going to make much sense. Girl tries, but it's a sea of pieces she isn't exactly equipped to navigate at the moment." That's pretty accurate in the poetic sense, but what it really comes down to is her ability to focus. Not only is everything disorganized and half not even her own mess, her ability to focus on thoughts fluctuates depending on how medicated she is and if she's distressed.
If I'm threading with a mind reader, I'll be sure to get all the details in the narration for you. And if I don't, then go ahead and poke me until I do.
4. Is it okay for your character’s emotions to be sensed?
Of course! If I'm being a derp and not making it obvious in the narration in a thread with you just let me know and I'll give you the details for your character.
5. Does your character have a weak or strong mind? Are they susceptible to influence or hypnotism?
River can be strong-willed and bullheaded (meaning: loyal and obstinate brat) but when it comes to outside influence, the damage to her brain (mainly the amygdal nodes and other areas of the temporal lobe) makes her very easily influenced by outside sources. All I ask is that you let me know what you're planning before we break it out in a thread.
6. Does your character have supernatural/mental fortification against mind-reading or telepathic communication?
None at all.
7. In the case of characters who are extra-sentient/psychic and can just 'know' things about people, can the muns of these characters use the powers of Wikipedia to get information about your character?
Certainly! Her canon point is still set at post-comics/pre-movie, and if you want to know any details about things that have gone down with her in Taxon (it's a lot; she's been here over a year already) just let me know and I'll tell you all you need.
8. If so, is there anything that should absolutely never ever be brought up?
Honestly, it depends on the situation. She has her buttons that are fun to push, but it's not always fun to play through, so I figure anything that would purposefully send her into a screaming tizzy should be asked about first. (Mostly this means taunting her about the things in her head she doesn't understand/bringing them up in such a way that leaves her without a way to think of something else or end the conversation. I'm cool with it happening, just not by surprise.)
9. Anything that should absolutely be brought up?
When she was 11 she invented her own language (Tobrik), 'River' is traditionally a boy's name, her parents were rich and horrible, um. Possibly other things. I'll update this as I think of them.
10. Will thoughts in the narration be up for grabs? If so, how will you indicate these? Italics/strikes/something else?
Always, both the general feel of what's going on in her head and the straight up specifics that I tend to put in (italics like this).
11. Does your character have any fears/phobias that you wouldn't mind being exploited? Ones that you'd like to NOT be exploited?
The issues mentioned in 8 of this section are definitely "ask first," but anything else is a total free-for-all. See: needles, Bad Doctors, death (especially whole planets full), and Reavers. All of those can be poked at without permission, though if you want something specific out of that exploitation it's better to let me know first so I can work it into what she does.
Physiology
1. Is it okay for your character to be affected by chemical agents? Fear toxins, for example?
Yes, to any and all.
2. Does your character have any unique biological difference that would affect their resistance to toxins/chemical substances?
The brain-meddling thing makes her inordinately susceptible to them, so let me know what's up before springing it so I can gauge her reactions accordingly. Her body also metabolizes chemicals and builds a tolerance to them at a relatively fast rate, especially those designed to alter brain chemistry, so the same formula of one chemical/weird thing might not work the same way twice.
3. Does your character have any notable genetic/supernatural/biological difference that would make their blood in any way different to a regular baseline human's (that would make them taste different if they were fed on by a vampire, for example)?
Not really, no, though the amount and combination of the medications she's on might have an effect, be it by making her taste different (bad/funny/whatever) to a vampire or just showing up on any blood tests.
Physical
1. How okay are you with your character coming to physical harm?
All you have to do is let me know when and where, darlings, and maiming shall most likely commence. Because I'm a horrible madam.
2. How okay are you with your character's home/possessions being targeted by bad guys?
Go right ahead! All I ask is that you ask first so I can clear it with whoever it is she lives with depending on where you're going after her. (That was convoluted, but basically: she lives either in her bunk on Serenity, Kaylee's ranch, (I'd need to clear it with castmates that have their characters in there) Dawn's room at the Summer's Castle (I'd need to clear it with all the castle folks).)
3. Can your character be impacted by telekinesis?
Certainly! Again, shes' got no defenses against that kind of thing, so have at it as long as I know what's going on.
4. With regard to vampires, would your character be willing to be a donor?
Not at all ever. Not even for Godric (and he is her favorite).
5. If no, then how about unwilling?
If that's the case, nom away my good be-fanged chaps~. Give her a juice box and a cookie when you're done. (And let me know ahead of time in case your juice and cookie rations are low or something.)
6. With regard to shapeshifters, are you okay with having those with this power taking the shape of your character?
Just so long as you let me know, I don't mind it.
7. If your character has any superhuman abilities, would you be okay with these being replicated by those who have the power to absorb/take on the powers of others?
Her only ability, as it is, comes from (HEADCANON ALERT) an enlarged hippocampus and extensive damage to the amygdal nodes, parahippocampal gyrus, and possibly the frontal lobe/dorsal stream and the tempero-parietal junction. If you can sell me on how your character is replicating the ability (adapting their brain to be like hers only better? replicating the presence of an enlarged hippocampus? magic monkey feathers?) (okay probably not that last one) then it's all yours.
8. In a physical confrontation, is it okay if characters who have the power to sense/foresee/predict movements use this to their advantage against your character?
OF COURSE! Considering River does/tries to do the same thing, it could be a close approximation of some kind of ultimate showdown of some kind of destiny.
9. Are you willing to participate in plots where your character will sustain damage outside of a fight, such as in situations with torture, environmental hazards, or accidents?
Definitely, those are fun. Just please, please let me know as ahead of time as you can that it's going to happen so I can plan around it accordingly.
10. Is there anything about them that would stand out noticeably (things like scars, physical augmentations, illness, anomalies, etc.) if they were ever injured or otherwise examined by a doctor? Are any of these things noticeable to others without close inspection?
Absolute tons, actually. Prepare for some headcanon tl;dr:
Scars: two long, thin surgical scars (from Academy tampering with their students' muscle tone) on her upper arms, outside. Probably more elsewhere in spots that have important muscle groups, but they're faint. More noticeable, small scars (both dots and thin scalpel scars) all over her head in a very specific pattern around the eyes, temples, and along the underside of her head mostly hidden by hair. Most noticeable, a scar that dimples in the middle of her forehead (considering the repeated access at that area, there's probably a small bit of bone that's just missing).
Brain damage: will likely show up as both physical damage and/or unusual brain activity on CT, MRI, fMRI, PET, DOI, and MEG images if she's scanned. River's hippocampus is larger than average, as are the amygdal nodes. Much of the glial connection between areas of the temporal lobe and the hippocampus itself have been severed (main focus on the amygdal nodes, with the left being more damaged than the right). There's also incidental damage to the tempero-parietal junction and the frontal lobe and dorsal stream. (Technobrainbabble translation: shit just got real.)
Otherwise: Fit and healthy, though probably slightly malnourished (what is eating like a normal person instead of just stealing breadsticks off Extra's tables why should she do it that is obviously for losers) and displaying any number of side-effects from the medication she takes.
Also she bites her nails.
Magics
1. Can your character be influenced and tempted by magical or supernatural means?
Of course. Some actions/thoughts will probably be easier to influence than others, and I am up for all the plotting shenanigans.
2. If yes, will someone with the ability be able to find this out about them, and in what areas (think the seven deadly sins) can your character be tempted?
Pride ("I'm better than you in so many ways, also smarter, let me count them off to you in primes"), envy ("I miss being a normal girl and, you know, being in full control of my own brain"), and wrath (see: example).
3. Could your character be glamoured (a form of mind control employed by vampires to make humans compliant/alter their memories etc.)?
Already happened! (Thank you, Godric, for not letting her murder people.) It's really easy and can be capable of more than the usual glamouring depending on what's going on and the vampire's intentions, so let me know ahead of time and we'll work something out.
4. Can your character be effected by spells of any kind, and are there any specific types to which they would be immune?
Immunity is for other people. She's vulnerable to any and all spells you want to throw at her, just let me know what/when/where first.
5. Can your character's presence be sensed by characters with the power to read auras/pick up generalized vibes from people?
Yes. If she's creeping up on people, I'll be sure to put things about her aura and general vibes so that you can have an easier time of getting your character to react to it. And if I leave it out, let me know and I'll go back and fix it.
6. If yes, what kind of stand-out things about your character can be sensed?
Sins are same as above (pride, envy, wrath; whichever of those is most prominent depends on the day). Things regarding strength tend to follow a weak/damaged mentally and emotionally, and they'd probably sense her ass-kicking prowess as some kind of hidden physical strength. There's also, aside from those, the sense that she's very much attached to her brother, whether he's here or not.
7. With regard to characters that can sense danger/receive visions/predict general doom, are you okay with your character being the subject of any of this, if the occasion arises?
Forecasting doom and gloom is fun! Go right ahead, and I'll do what I can to give you the information you need.
Privacy
1. Will your character change their name as it is shown on the map? If so, what will they change it to?
Sometimes! Usually just to erase it completely and leave it blank, but she'll change it back and forth. If you need to know which one it is I'm totally okay with you picking whichever and I'll roll with it, I don't mind.
2. If they’re able, will they ever opt to hide their location on the map?
There are times where she would, but I'll always be sure to make a note in the narration or ooc as to it being off if that's the case. If there's no note, consider it on.
3. If your character is from an earlier point in their canon than another member of your cast, what is and is not okay for your fellow castmate to spill the beans about regarding your character’s future?
I'm fine with everything as long as you let me know before you do it.
4. With regard to characters that like to snoop, can they find anything that's been publicly said by your character through the tablets?
Hells to the yes. Just make sure the other player with a character involved is okay with it, too.
5. How about privately?
Yep, and see above for the only stipulation.
6. Is there anything you'd especially like to be known about your character, for the purposes of amusement?
Not that I can think of that'd get picked up by the tablets, but if that changes I'll come and edit it in.
7. Anything you especially don't?
Again, can't think of anything in particular to warn about or anything, so if something seems like super sensitive info that'd cause a big reaction just let me know before hand.
8 Do you like threadhopping (a character not already in a thread jumping in unexpectedly to reply to a comment), and are you okay with other people threadhopping in your threads and posts?
Threadhopping is sweet and I fully endorse it always
Other
If there's anything specific you'd like River to know/not know or do/not do, or if you have ideas about plots, or if you have a question about any of the above, you can let me know here or on AIM (gidgieee).
Also you will get pie. :D