Post by dinah on Apr 18, 2008 6:30:32 GMT -5
The Character
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Cannon or your own: Canon
Copyright (Marvel/DC/ect): DC
Characters civilian name: Dinah Laurel Lance
Code names/Aliases: The Black Canary (Siu Jerk Jai)
Class [Superhero, Vigilante, Mercenary..ect]: Villain
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Gender: Female
Age: 34
Apparent Age: 25
Hair: Naturally black, dyed blond
Eyes: Blue
Height and weight: 5'4 130 LBS
Appearance: Dinah Laurel bears a rather striking resemblance to her late mother, although there isn't a great deal of difficulty involved in telling the two apart, or wouldn't be if the elder Dinah were still around. Proudly displaying piercing but sparkling blue eyes and an academy award winning smile (figuratively speaking), that can literally light up a room while belying an effervescent personality to match, Dinah is a very attractive young woman. Although both the younger Dinah and her mother had/have naturally black hair, her mother donned a wig while Dinah Laurel, after years of going that route, ended up finally developing the habit of keeping her hair dyed blond, both on her own accord and with gentle encouragement from her best friend, who never really liked the wig. Her skin is smooth and bears a light complexion to it. Although she has been known to visit a tanning salon from time to time, she prefers to keep it light as a general rule.
Her voice is, more often than not, carried in the soprano style, although it can be deep at times though too, mostly as a lingering, but temporary side effect from the usage of her Canary Cry. Depending on how long that weapon is used, the deep rich tones can linger from a few minutes to close to an hour so she's been told. She's never really paid it much attention or given it much thought. This blond bombshell does like her jewelry, although when in costume she typically goes without it. When not in costume, earrings and bracelets, even a necklace can pass as jewelry, depending on the social situation; whether at work or at play. Play meaning hitting the party and club scene.
Her Black Canary costume consists of a black, leather, one piece suit that rides up her neck and goes down to her thighs where it is accompanied by her trademark fishnet stockings, a rather, chic and stylish fashion accessory that thus far only one other hero(ine) that she knows of has the common sense to wear them as well. (Cheap plug, don't say I've never given you anything, Zee.) The Canary costume is rounded out beautifully by black gloves with yellow trimming on them, boots to match as well as a black leather jacket with yellow trim on it as well. When out of costume, Dinah's style of dress leans on the casual side, although she doesn't mind formal wear when the need or mood hits. A comfortable pair of jeans is the norm though for this pretty bird, along with a t-shirt or sweatshirt, a comfortable pair of shoes and socks to boot.
Picture [if available]:
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Super Powers: Dinah was born with a metagene that gave her a sonic scream, which she uses to stun, and occasionally incapcitate villians, and can also be used to shatter objects. She can change the volume of the scream at will, and can scream for approximatley one minute before needing air.
Thanks to enhancements from the serum Deathstroke injected her with, Dinah's powers now also include:
Superhuman reflexes: The speed at which she reacts allows her to dodge fast-moving projectiles such as arrows and bullets
Enhanced Strength: Her entire muscular system was hardened and strengthened, allowing Black Canary to be as strong as 10 men.
Enhanced endurance/speed: Ability to run long distances far out-performs any Olympic athlete.
Flexibility: Tendons and ligaments have been simultaneously stretched and strengthened, allowing her incredible flexibility in addition to her ability to dismantle and reset her limbs.
Enhanced Senses: Black Canary senses have been augmented to higher levels of ability. She can hear,see,and smell things better then regular human senses.
Learned Abilities: Dinah is an adept motorcyclist, and can ride at top speeds while avoiding many obstacles and distractions. She has also developed exceptional and remarkable leadership skills. Her time spent honing her martial arts skills, learned from various different instrcutors have made her one of the 10 best fighters on the planet.
Equipment: None
Weaknesses (Must Have): Dinah is human and can be hurt just like anyone else. Because of her excellent fighting skills and the shape she keeps herself in, you've got your work cut out unless you're faster than a speeding bullet. That's not to say she can't beat out fought in the martial arts but there aren't many who can.
Background: Growing up, Dinah Laurel was surrounded by her mother's friends in the disbanded JSA and looked to them as uncles and aunts. Dinah wished to become a costumed heroine like her mother before her. However, instead of encouraging the younger Dinah, her mother forbade it, thinking the world had grown into a darker, more dangerous place than when she herself fought crime, too dangerous for the younger Dinah to succeed. However, Dinah Laurel has her own "Canary Cry", A met-human ability in the form of a high pitched and powerful sonic scream.
With this weapon, the younger Dinah next sought out numerous fighters to help her hone her skills, including former JSA member Wildcat. Years of training and intense dedication paid off, and Dinah took on her mother's mantle, even though it was against the elder Dinah's wishes at first. She took an active role in the world of heroes, operating, like her mother before her, out of Gotham, while maintaining a day job in the family florist business. Fioghting alongside such heroes as the JSA, JLA and the Birds of Prey, Dinah has grown from cocky and rebellious child of her mother to a mature and kick-a** heroine in her own right and one of the best martial artists in the world.
Personality : Strong, Driven, Passionate, Determined....all those traits can be used to describe Dinah Laurel Lance. There are traits that the Black Canary has spent years trying to keep suppressed such as deep burning angrer, resentment and a lust for violence and warfare. These are things she left Vietnam and her training from Shiva for fear of giving in to. They are buried deep and she trys mightily to keep them suppressed but they are there.
Dinah is one of the most caring & conmpassionate heroes in her line of work but that doesn't mean she is a woman to be screwed with. Not by Oliver Queen or by anyone else. She is a stubborn, opinionated woman and if crossed the wrong way, she can be VERY "vocal" with expressing her anger.
Other:
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Brief Sample Roleplay
"It was a mistake"
"This is an unpardonable sin.”
"I didn't set out for this to happen, it's not as though I planned on it. It was just a mistake, a really stupid and dim-witted mistake, but I didn't mean for this to happen. I'd give anything if...."
"Unforgivable and inexcusable.”
"I love you Val, you're all that really matters. Doesn't that mean anything?"
"You are not the woman I thought you were, you have no honor. None.”
These were the heated words spoken only a few short days ago by two who until that point thought they would have the rest of their lives together. Now it was all coming to an abrupt end. The Canary knew there was noone she could blame for this poor decision but still..
"Fine, If your precious and twisted brand of honor means so much more to you than the love I thought we shared, and that you have so little compassion in your heart that you have no concept of forgiveness then fine. I've made this bed and I'll lay in it”
Dinah fumed while tears fell. Angry, sure but more than that there was hurt and shock. Still reeling from the heaviness her error in judgement weighed on her, she was numb and in disbelief that their relationship had been all about honor to him. Had he really loved her at all? Was there an underlying reason why she did all this? Did she truly have the feelings she thought she did for Val? Was there something more between her and Dick than she thought at first? She may never know.
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That had been only a few days ago. From there Dinah took off with her belongings, and with her adopted daughter Sin, headed to San Francisco and to the one friend she still knew she'd have even if they knew about what had just transpired, which thankfully noone did except herself, Val, Dick...and Cassandra Cain. After having been invited to stay with her as long as she needed to, Dinah gratefully accepted Zatanna's invitation and left Sin there after Zee eagerly agreed to babysit and then took off. The official word was that Val and Dinah decided that they weren't ready for the plunge into matrimony and decided it best to back off and concentrate on the business of cleaning up after the coast to coast earthquakes and such. She just needed time to think and sort out the shambles her life had seemingly become once again.
After all that, she was now back in N.Y.C. but hadn't told a soul she was coming. Noone, especially not Oracle. Sitting on a park bench with half a loaf of bread, feeding the birds and drowning hopelessly in a pool of her own thoughts while the sun started to raise it's ugly head above the eastern skyline, her thoughts were all over the place. From everywhere from childhood, her mother, virtually every mission and case she's ever been on while trying to live up to her mother's name and reputation, along with all her worst transgressions. The mindwiping of Dr Light and Batman while she stood by and watched in agreement, her failures in every relationship she's ever had, and the latest one tops them all.
"Did I really come out of retirement for this? When it comes right down to it what good have I really accomplished that will have any lasting effect on anyone in a positive way. Everything i've ever touched seems to have ended up ruined. My relationships, my friendships, the Justice League,. The only thing I seem to have left that has been marred yet is my daughter. How long before I screw that up too? When it all boils down, everything i've ever done or tried to do is pretty much useless. Babs, you're the best friend i've ever had or ever have had and I can NEVER look you in the eyes again. That sickens me more than anything I think. "
Dinah suddenly realized she had been talking out loud for the last few minutes. Fortunately there were only a few early morning joggers out and about that didn't seem to pay much attention to the crazy blond sitting over on the wooden bench waiting for the pigeons to keep her company.
"Look at your little girl now mom, guess you were right after all when you used to tell me i'd end up like this if I made the mistake of walking in your boots. Is there ANYTHING left on earth I can possibly do without screwing it...?"
Dinah mumbled, throwing the rest of the bread out to the grass and burying her face hopelessly in her palms. It was times like these that made the whole thought of giving up for good, thoughts of why she never listened to her mother and attempted to live a normal life, and thoughts of why she didn't stay retired came back to spook her; but as she sat there with her sentence and train of thought being cut off, what sounded like no more than 4 blocks away, fire engines raced by and sirens whined as they made their way to their next big adventure.
She was tempted, sorely tempted for just a moment to wave her fist in the air and shout "the hell with it" and let whatever it was go down without her assistance but after a minute and a half more of wallowing, her bloodshot eyes that were deprived of sufficient sleep, lifted themselves from her hands to gaze at the motorcycle she parked 10 feet away upon her arrival. No, for better or worse, come hell or high water, this is who she wasand that was something she didn't have in her nature to change, no matter how much she might like to throw the towel in, it isn't in her power to just sit by when there was something she might be able to help.
"D**n it all to hell."
She muttered seconds later as she revved up her Harley and cut out for the scene of the blaze. Approximately 7 minutes later, not having the time or the luxury to change into costume and having to sing a few choruses of ""I AM TOO THE MOTHER-F***ING Black Canary." She somehow managed to persudae the officers to take her word for it and the firefighters to give her the lowdown on how many people were still inside.
The answer that came back was a sickening sounding 25+. It was an office building and was rather decent sized. She had no doubt that the firefighters in N.Y.C wwere the best in the world and they could handle themselves just fine without her. They had proved that back in september of 2001. Still though, fate must have some reason for having her in the neighborhood and with that being the case, she knew she just couldn't stand there. The 4-1-1 she received, along with her deductive reasoning from glancing at the building as she charged forward told her that there wasn't alot of time to work with and definitely none to waste but that there should be enough to get everyone out, hopefully alive.
Racing in along the path being cut by the swarm of water hoses and the brave firefighters and safety crew, The Black Canary was neck and neck with them as they began to head in different directions in search of those being held captive by the flames.
"Everybody just stay cool, we'll all get through this together."
Dinah did her best to be re-assuring while she put to good use the lessons she had learned, summoned her energy from deep within to calm her anxiety and set about the task at hand, her fervent hope was that she had properly calculated the time until the building came crashing down on itself or this would be the worst rescue attempt in history.
