APPLICATION .:. SCORCHED

[nebenmond]

Out of Character Information

player name: Seiko
player journal: seiko
playing here: Yuuki Kuran (weightlessly)
where did you find us? Friends
are you 16 years of age or older?: yes

In Character Information

character name: Heine Rammsteiner
Fandom: DOGS: Bullets & Carnage
Timeline: End of Chapter 71 (+ previous game memories)
character's age: mid-twenties most likely

powers:

➜ very quick regenerative ability (except in the case of Naoto Fuyumine's sword, but she's not in game, so...!!)
➜ excessive strength and speed, heightened senses (in comparison to a human, but not necessarily "superhuman", either)
➜ {previous game} manipulation over the ice element
➜ "unkillable" (the regeneration ability works too fast for him to die even from something like a bullet to the head, although it's hinted by Magato Fuyumine that several individuals would be able to bring him down if they were quick, strong, and capable enough. For Scorched, I'm going to take away this status, so while he's still extremely hard to kill, something like a bullet at point blank range to his brain or spine would do the trick. That and if he's overpowered by anything or anyone in terms of numbers that would be able to inflict enough damage to render his regeneration useless).
➜ Not really a "power" but worth noting somewhere, due to the collar fused to his spine there is a "berserker version" (for more information; see the "alter-ego" personality described below) known as "the black dog" that resides within Heine. When it takes over Heine, he becomes dulled to just about everything other than the desire for a killing frenzy. His abilities, in general, from speed to strength to stamina seem to increase beyond what he already is capable of (however, his "regeneration" ability speed doesn't seem to change), all senses heightening not unlike a dog in comparison to a human. (NOTE* In this mode, while very very dangerous, he still isn't godlike or superhuman—he's able to take damage and be beat around with someone that would have enough strength and skill to throw around his weight and fight with him even if they have no special abilities or powers. The main issue they would have with him is just being able to manage to hit him due to his quicker speed (but, again, he's still not as fast as, say, most vampires in various canons are seen to be) and most importantly, his increased stamina—which basically will run his adrenaline and body to the point of accelerated death/degeneration from injury, if necessary, as long as there is still an enemy in his way and he is not able to regain control of his normal self). While he does seem faster, stronger, and able to withstand more damage and pain before losing consciousness or dying than his "normal self", it's not technically him gaining extra power so much as when in this state of mind he is able to release his capabilities that he's been engineered for much more efficiently (almost perfectly, maybe, if only he wasn't completely crazy). Heine seems to have trouble remembering details from while he's in this mode, and does everything he can to suppress it. Unfortunately for him, it's been shown it's not all that hard to unleash this rage if you can corner him and threaten his well-being successfully enough. Or the well-being of another he's close to. That said, very few individuals manage to make him feel that threatened, but considering the circumstances in Anatole (such as the mind altering effects of the mist or certain events), it's still capable of happening.

skills:

➜ marksmanship
➜ dual-wielder (of guns at least)
➜ physical fighting skill (or when he's crazy just tearing things apart with his teeth and hands, including people)
➜ ability to use various sorts of weapons (he's seen to be pretty adept with a knife, but due to his creation intention to be a killing machine, he's probably skilled with almost anything)

pets {previous game}:

➜ His gestalt, which takes the basic form of a baby penguin and a battle form of a Cerberus (that is probably about the size of a horse and can transform freely between the two forms, so he'll keep it in its penguin form unless there is some event or danger where he'd need it in the city itself, if that's ok!). Gestalts were creatures given in his previous game to help protect themselves form the dangers Nuadoria presented as their powers and abilities were suppressed by the chaotic atmosphere. They're more or less similar to familiars, just with more detailed and different background origins.

equipment:

➜ Guns (Luger 208 & Mauser C96)
➜ Folding Knife (stolen from Magato to use against Naoto)
➜ Ammo (a fairly decent amount of ammo considering the type of guns he carries, kept in pouches about his belt)
➜ Clothing (jacket, pants, shoes, holsters, etc.)


canon history:

(Wiki Character Link , for general series information, see this wiki )

ELABORATION (OF/IN ADDITION/"CONTINUATION" OF CHARACTER WIKI -- 1ST LINK -- SINCE IT'S AWFUL)
Part of the Rammsteiner series of the Kerberos project, designed specifically as infiltration units, Heine's "career" with the Underground ended with him deserting them (presumably shortly after Lily's Death), although currently when he did exactly is unknown. He was picked up by a man going by the name of "Bishop" and eventually became "partners" with a man named Badou Nails, becoming a "gun-for-hire" of sorts. He doesn't always work with Badou on missions, as the two of them go their separate ways at times, but when they're partners they tend to look out for each other and play off each other's strengths—all the while bickering like a married couple would through the entire scenario.

Heine meets Nill by chance on the streets when he is out one night by himself. She runs by him with men in pursuit of her and at first doesn't care to get involved even when she's caught, only taking an interest in her and her situation because he notices the wings genetically modified on her back. He saves her from being sold into a life of prostitution and manages to find comfort in her presence despite her reminding him of Lily. In fact, she is the only female since Lily that he's comfortable being close to, even being able to physically touch her and be touched by her. While Heine watches out for her, Bishop is responsible for her when Heine isn't around (and uses it as a perfect opportunity to dress her in various lolita dresses from his supposedly amassed collection). Which, so far in DOGs canon, seems to be most of the time.

Eventually, Heine meets a young woman by the name of Naoto Fuyumine, who is searching for a past that he himself is trying to forget. Between her, seeking information on the Underground, and his brother, Giovanni, trying to recruit him back to the Underground, he's pulled into the world he was hoping to never see again.

personality:

Heine is a little bit simple and a little bit complicated all meshed together in one. On the surface, he is a rather typical "anti-hero" character stereotype:
• A loner: Heine doesn't play all that nice with others, often preferring to be alone and keep things to himself. The one small exception to this personality trait is his ability to work exceedingly well with others when it's necessary, and although he does prefer to fight alone (and in general, just be alone) he isn't so dense that he can't function with assistance. He is able to feed well off other people's abilities, even when their personalities clash. His partnership with Badou is a prime example of this as while they never see eye to eye and are often bickering with one another while on a job, they're able to still work together to get the job. He is similar with Naoto and although the two of them suffer from a tension much different than Badou and Heine do, they make an exceptional team together.
• A "tough guy": He's very confident and cocky, always getting his job done and immune to intimidation. In fact, Heine despite his appearance is rather good at his own intimidation techniques even when seemingly on the losing end of things (biting people's faces does tend to freak them out a little). He always gets the job done and like others who fall into this category has no issues with killing and killing some more.
• Someone who doesn't care about the world other than in regards to themselves: Heine displays a very disinterested attitude towards most if not all aspects of life upon first meeting. He doesn't involve himself in other people's businesses, even when a normal "upstanding" person may such as when Nill was being pursued by her captors. Until he saw her wings and made a mental connection to her (they're the same in some way because both of them suffer from being victims to experimentation), he was fine with accepting the way his world works, that people use other people, even young girls for prostitution and that it's none of his business to go about changing it. Once he is able to relate to her, however, Heine's sense of "caring" takes a rather sharp turn. If anything, his lack of interest in others and their well-being is only skin deep, but he's pretty thick-skinned all the same.


The truth is, he is simply all that but with a bit of a complex twist. The first and most important thing to know is that no matter how he comes off, simplistic or complex in his personality, is that he's just a little bit crazy. He's a little bit crazy in that unstable type way, when someone's lost their sanity to their circumstances but is still holding onto something (somehow) that keeps him from being a constant nutcase on the outside. Due to genetic manipulations as a child (although never stated explicitly, heavily implied!), Heine seems to suffer from a rather severe case of Dissociative Identity Disorder: his "normal" or "calm" personality and his destructive "dog" personality.

default personality

• His "normal"/"calm" personality is all the things listed above, and despite all those things, is pretty decent when he wants to be. It's not often, and he's done his fair share of not nice things (Naoto hates his lack of honor/fairness/restraint in the way he fights even without his second personality taking over), but when he can relate to someone or chooses to relate to them, he's not a bad guy. Heine needs a reason to not be, a reason to care about anything and anyone. It's not that he's impossible to become friends with or for him to give a shit about someone/something; it's more likely that he avoids connections at all costs because of the failures that haunt him most. Lily's death is hinted at being the driving force in his desire to stay detached, but it's probably also what makes him hold on the tightest when he does. His most important person is Nill, and while not proved in canon, is most likely out of her indirect resemblance to Lily. Heine has a strong desire to protect (Nill, of course, but in general, too, which is seen in later chapters) but its hinted that there's a very distinct fear of being unable to do so (and it's easy to assume this is because of his past). However, it's important to note that Nill is very much her own person to Heine and he doesn't seem to have much trouble seeing that when interacting with her.

• Heine also suffers from gynophobia, most likely due to the events where he killed Lily (it's heavily implied but never directly stated in canon if this is the reason, it may also have to do with his "mother", Angelika Einstürzen). The "severity" seems to vary depending on the female in question, ranging from being so nervous at the thought of coming in contact with them (in one instance, he is with Badou and Kiri, the owner of the place, comes up beside Heine's seat and he slides his chair over to practically sit himself on top of Badou) to nothing at all (Nill is the only female he can touch and be touched by without it sending him into some sort of panic, although he is shown to be able touch Naoto on some level as well... even if he does drop her to the ground after catching her fall in the end. Regardless, he has shown little issue being within close proximity of her, able to fight alongside her and have conversations at close distances.). Later chapters also reveal he is able to be hugged from behind by his "mother", yet still able to handle her hold on him, effectively shooting her with surprisingly little effort.

**To be honest, I'm not sure if this variation is because his gynophobia is special circumstance and more selective than we are originally intended to believe or if the author simply can't make up his mind. I usually play him as being fine with females unless they invade personal space or he has to touch them. My elaboration/reasoning for how I play him with his gynophobia isn't proven canon (we don't know exactly why he has it and what from, just fan assumptions).

"alter ego"

• The other side to Heine is the "dog", a destructive and aggressive bloodlusted personality that marks the results of the experiments he underwent as a child. The collar fused to the neck seems to be responsible for the second personality, originally the intention of the DOGS project being to create superior soldiers capable of aggressive and destructive behavior without human senses and thoughts to deter them. Etc. Etc., anyway, all subjects seem to have this split personality within them, although Heine's is particularly defined, often manifesting itself prominently enough for Heine to have mental battles with it over his own thoughts and actions. This personality takes over in tense situations, when Heine looses his control. The little bit of being crazy usually escalates into this aggressive personality, one entirely different from his own. It's never stated in canon as the personality doesn't last long enough, but assuming its comments to Heine about Naoto and its overall demeanor, it's safe to assume this personality doesn't have any of Heine's weaknesses. There's no 'special exceptions' here, considering it was this personality that killed Lily, although Naoto has been shown to be able to calm the "dog" inside Heine and allow his normal personality to regain control. (As for "calming" him in Scorched, I figure he'd either have to be knocked out in some manner, most likely by surprise or with damage from a distance or situation where Heine cannot physically locate the one responsible to register what or where the exact threat is in time, or by himself if his target manages to escape and he's in an area where there is no mental alterations that would make it more difficult to regain control with his normal personality. And, of course, if a Naoto is ever apped into the game, she will, by canon default, be able to pull him out of it.)
• It's revealed in later chapters that while the "dog" personality is an unescapable part of his personality, it was originally located in the "original spine" (which was what all the other spines for the subjects was as a basis) and transferred to Heine when he was connected to it. Known as the "black dog", it seems to have been revealed to have its own identity but over time has ended up becoming less and less separable and more a trait to Heine's personality, effectively acting more as a "split personality" rather than two separate minds inhabiting the same body. (It's still actually not entirely clear at this point in the manga if that personality was a separate entity in canon to begin with, or if it was just a reflection of something deeper within Heine that was brought forward when connected to the original spine.)

Despite these personalities being "different", they're both (or have become, in the "black dog"'s case) Heine's own. Heine tries very hard to deny what he is to himself (a monster, a weapon, etc.); something his "brother", Giovanni, often brings up in taunts in an effort to unleash the "dog" within him. It's probably why the personality is so prominent within his head, often talking to him as they were two separate entities. The "dog" personality is no more amused at being the same as Heine's default personality than the other, too, constantly berating Heine for his choices made and becoming too soft.

Heine, on a lighter note of personality, has a rather dry (and weird) sense of humor with a lot of sarcasm pushed around in there. He's not afraid to tell people what he thinks of them, or to kick them around if necessary (especially Badou), and respect is something earned, not given by default. He's not always serious business, either, preferring not to get involved with things unless he has to, so often having a nonchalant outlook. He can be a bit silly, at times, even, although I don't focus on that personality quite as much when I rp him in serious games since it's a part of him that's more like comic relief.

It's important to note that Heine is a bit broody at times, as well, but not what one would consider angsty. He kind of looks like he could be an angst ridden character, but he's not. He just goes crazy from the trauma in his past, instead.

why do you feel this character would be appropriate to the setting?

Heine's canon is very dystopian, ranging from physically (the setting itself) to politically (corruption, etc.) to mentally (abuse, trauma, etc.). Artificially created by scientific genetic engineering, Heine was made out to be a weapon from the start. His past is littered with violence, both to him and by him. Once escaping the Underground, Heine settles into a mercenary type role, taking odd jobs here and there and all varying in terms of objections. Suffering from his own mental issues, he's learned to deal with them and become a strong individual despite it. He's not easily intimidated, and little phases him.

Being taken from a previous game setting, Heine has experience with the dangers provided by Anatole. The mist and the monsters are familiar, at least in concept, due to his time spent in Nuadoria, which had mind altering "threshold" points that could drive a person insane as well as bring out physical representations of their worst nightmares. Having spent well over a year in Nuadoria, it's something he's at least learned to anticipate, even if he does sometimes end up considerably vulnerable to the mental stress. The monsters aren't an issue for him, both from his canon and his previous game experience. (Being a test subject that was made to be the perfect killing machine does happen to give some different views on what's a "monster" and what's not, not to mention very little concern for harming and killing things).

Previously Played Information

previous game: cryptamnesia/absolute_hold/cryptamnesia
length of time there: ~January 2010 - ~May 2012

important development and/or events in your previous game:

Although Heine was in Nuadoria for quite a while, solid CR or development was minimal from his canon. He often kept to himself, uninterested in the affairs of the natives and their "needs", and was constantly dealing with his brother, Giovanni, as well as varying times of stay from other canonmates (Naoto, Nill, Badou, Mihai, Magato, Fruhling). He didn't bother to make many bonds, well aware he or anyone else could disappear at any time, rendering the efforts useless (and it's just not really in his personality to do such things, anyway). Considering Giovanni would take an interest in anyone that Heine did, it was probably for the best of all involved, too.

The few small things that did happen as far as development were mostly contained to Heine's struggling understanding of what a "monster" really is and what he himself is hiding deep down inside. During one event, when a creature named Anima was unleashed on the city, he was able to recognize the inner pain and torture the monster was going through that made it desire so much destruction. His ability to sense that bothered him quite a bit, enough that he even bothered to seek out Giovanni to speak with him concerning it, curious if the other had felt similarly.

Another prominent point was him coming to terms with the true nature of his gestalt (basically an outer piece of the soul projected into some type of physical concept), which in its most basic form was a baby penguin. However, its battle form that surfaced during a fight between Giovanni and Heine when Heine was in danger of being killed, turned out to be a Cerberus. More disturbing yet, its form was identical to the Giovanni's own gestalt's battle form, further driving home the idea of them being the same.

Although not one to get involved, as stated earlier, he did end up offering his "help" to a man named Smoker, a commodore that insisted on trying to keep things in line in the chaotic city during his several stays. Giovanni and Smoker held particular interest in one another, for varying reasons, and it was the fact that he needed to ensure Nill's safety and found the tension between his brother and the commodore pushing him to offer advice and aid to the latter, in small degrees.

It's this involvement that pretty much leads him to interacting with his only significant CR outside of his canon (other than Smoker, mentioned above), a girl named Maximum Ride. He's instantly attracted to her due to her wings, reminded very much of Nill (and personality wise somewhat of Naoto), although she ends up becoming an individual to him very quickly with her strong traits. They were mostly circumstantial comrades, finding each other's partnership in certain times valuable (as well as sharing a very dry sense of humor with one another), but it's hard to say if Heine considered her a friend or not before the game ended.

Writing Samples

Network Post Sample:

here (LJ, previous game)

Third Person Sample:

Don't, he tells himself, haste is careless and reckless and over the top and for a job with Badou or the inevitable revolving (never fucking ending) manic-fest between him and Giovanni.

Haste is quick, cold—a prime moment where the Cerberus and Heine can not stand in conflict for several seconds and instead where Heine always has the control.

But it's not something for her. There's urgency to find her, to keep her safe and let her live her life, even if only in short moments, happy and without fear. It's urgency that penetrates a hole deep in his gut, that laughed and told him it's guilt. This is all guilt for what he did to Lily and nothing more than the irony when he finally lost it all (and what you'll do to—)

Heine stops short in his movements, boots sliding against rubble concrete and dirt (and blood, don't you see it, too?), and a quick jerk of his head sends all the wound up bullshit there shattering to dust for the moment. No need to think of anything other than the map on the piece of junk he'd come to gain possession of and that included psychotic mental fodder that had no place anywhere.

He's here, but it's not so straight forward as meeting Nill out in public. His thoughts have riled him, though, and he wastes little time in calling her almost anxiously in hopes of her appearing.

"Nill?"

He doesn't yell, but his voice is tight, because he'll kill someone—everyone—if she's been hurt or— (too late and there's laughter barking in his ear, ringing, provoking him to respond and acknowledge at the worst possible time.)

Heine's expression darkens and he spins around.

No dice, you piece of shit but even that is presented in silence in his mind. He has no time for that.

Nill is Now and to be damned if he lets the shadow of Then prevent him from finding her.

For the first time since the girl sent him her location, he waits.

And he waits.

—Heine hears footsteps. The crunching sound of debris kicked and scattered beneath small feet encased in shoes fills his ears. It's from behind him, and he knows it's her—expects it—but even so, his body tenses with every muscle preparing for nothing (just a girl hurried to usher forward a reunion) or anything (screaming metal blasted and soared to tear cloth, skin, and muscle; scrape bones like nails raking against a chalk board—a sound as loud as the searing pain accusing Heine once again for choices made poorly), but he doesn't turn.

(Shoot first, think later. Where's that survival— it says, warning him for hesitance and of consequences due to failure of foresight but no—) No, because it's Nill, he should turn, should turn to see her, to greet her empty handed and with no sign of being a threat or a threat being present. Not with weapons, not with a paranoid nature, instead give a smile only for her to let her know it's okay now.

His pause makes it so little arms wrap around him first when he's turned about three-fourths of the way around, free hands remaining as they are as the situation settles. Heine cares little for the world or the people of this city that's crumbling, but Nill deserves better because she is better (one grace in hell floating aimlessly with tiny broken wings, but no matter because she has nowhere to fly to, anymore) and that's why he rests one hand gently on her head, not looking down at her. Instead, his other hand moves in a gentle but firm nudge at her shoulder, asking for her to loosen her grip on him. It's just for a second, though, because the slightest give is enough for Heine to turn fully and finally look down at her as he pulls her tightly into another embrace.

It's okay, he whispers as protective as his hold indicates but says nothing more.

(And when the embrace ends, he wastes no time in taking her hand to go and leave.)

But, they're not alone and things are never quite so easy.

Heine's grip tightens on Nill's hand to stop her short of a sudden bullet driving itself into the cracked mud and cement ground beneath them. There's a limit to an endless game, one that has lost its valor long ago on both sides and while Heine cannot express surprise or lack thereof at Nill being targeted by someone, he can do something else much.

(--Because it's Giovanni, of course it's Giovanni, isn't it always?)

He can break. Snap (his sanity echos its loss of unity) and this is where it all goes downhill. Because losing Lily was enough (—his fault, her flesh and blood soaking his hands, caking underneath fingernails) and even Nill being injured due to her connection with him could not happen (his fault, again again, he's reminded should it happen—)

don't fucking remind me

But, in reality, there is no insanity, no loss of control, only a very fine line being tread now because Heine's patience is gone so fucking far already, he'd never catch it even if he wanted to. That gunshot—that triggered memory of loss—is what has Heine grab for one gun as he turns his attention to the man responsible. But, he doesn't draw, well aware of Giovanni's own and where it points because it's pointing right at her.

"You point that at me," he says, every word laced with threats and promises of what he'll do if the other even tries, "or you put it the hell away, Giovanni."

Giovanni's answer is at first silence so loud that he almost misses the next. The sound of the next gunshot, though, still rings out in his ears, even if it's after the initial sharp burn has numbed through him, leaving him to feel liquid start to drip its way down the skin of his arm. It echos taunts, shredding at nerves and control. The smell of the gunpowder that ignited inside the cartridge to drive the bullet into its target influences all effects further.

Call it a hunch that Heine believes Giovanni not to be stupid enough to shoot Nill. Because without her he has nothing. Nill is a wildcard opportunity and would be for many more times to come if Giovanni feels the desire to use her as such. So, call it just a hunch that killing Nill, at least in this second isn't what Giovanni is after. Call that hunch the reason why he doesn't even flinch when the metal pierces his arm, cold burning steel embedding in to shatter bone, because it's expected. It doesn't matter why he's right, though, it just matters that she's safe. She's safe and the pain he's feeling from the gunshot is nothing compared to the relief that ices the momentary uprising of fear.

It's way too close, though, when strands of her fine hair are picked up ever so slightly by the speed of a new bullet passing her in an attempt to traumatize her into releasing his arm. That's the tactic, Heine isn't stupid, but this knowledge doesn't relax his nerves.

She doesn't let go.

So Heine does it for her.

He pulls forward, away from Nill firmly, giving no suggestion she can hold onto him any longer, despite. His tone is quiet, low and frayed with coldness as much as gentle concern—none of the coldness is for her and all of the concern is. The words, "Don't Look," are only for her, too, and stay behind me is an unspoken given until there is reason to tell her otherwise.

Anything else? nope!