Martin Gallagher

» PLAYER INFORMATION
Player NAME: Greer
Current AGE: 19 ALMOST 20 ONE MONTH ONE MONTH
Personal JOURNAL: zhopa
IM & SERVICE: AIM: hurghleburlebutz
Player PLURK: zhopa
Current CHARACTERS: n/a

» CHARACTER INFORMATION
Character NAME: Martin Mortimer Gallagher
Character PULL-POINT: Getting hit by a car while running to maybe save his family
Character AGE: 27

Character ABILITIES:
Martin has the unfortunate ability to hear and converse with all inanimate objects. The power is completely uncontrolled as Martin has no means to control it, meaning that at all hours at all times, Martin hears the inanimate objects around him, though they do quiet down when he politely asks them to. Each group of objects (groups being: fridges, chairs, boats, etc.) maintain their own personality traits (walls are voyeurs, helmets are obsessed with safety, etc.) that identify them. Martin is the only one to hear these things.

Character HISTORY:
It should first be important to establish that Martin Mortimer Gallagher lives in a world that shares many of the flawed physics of comic books. For example, this means that instead of dying when exposed to nuclear radiation, characters in Martin's world gain superpowers. Of those who gain powers, only a few of them are useful–think around 3%. These people then form the first government–sanctioned "superheroes" and usually inhabit other cities. Which is swell for them, but the rest of the people who get less "convenient" powers such as their hands turning into lobster claws, get placed into government-run rehabilitation and adjustment programs, specifically designed to help the growing population of super-powered individuals re-assimilate into normal, everyday life. The most important part of these programs are the support groups, employment agencies, and public housing.

Martin Gallagher was thirteen when the first super-powered individuals showed up. Far more concerned with teenage hormones and who-likes-who, he barely paid any attention to the incident at the Millstone Nuclear Power Plant that marked the beginning of super-powered peoples. The plant, which had suffered multiple damages from Hurricane Vince–a category 5 hurricane that had devastated the east coast–was later traced back to being the cause of the first superpowered individuals who appeared out from the population six months later. However, at the time Martin was much more preoccupied with his family's own seemingly wrecked life, his family home in Rhode Island having been wrecked by Hurricane Vince. During this time he, his older brother and his mother and father all lived together in his mother's sister's house in West Virginia.They lived there for three years and Martin made a couple close friends he was sad to leave at the end of his middle school career, though he made no move to reconnect afterwards.

His family resettled in Rhode Island in a new home when Martin was 16. The family resumed their normal life which was, in all senses of the word, completely normal. There were no family deaths, nothing but minor arguments between brothers and some between parents. Small things, nothing that didn't get resolved within a few weeks at most. The family was close and clearly loved one another, their brush with Hurricane Vince having strengthened their bonds with each other. They were supportive and traditionally normal–so much so that it was practically the unspoken family motto. "If all else fails, blend in," was Paul Gallagher's–Martin's father–favorite saying.

Martin did well academically in high school living by his father's word. He made a couple friends, dated a few girls, remained fantastically average. He applied to four colleges and got accepted into three of the four, eventually deciding to go to Northeastern University where he intended to go into criminal justice. He later switched this to accounting, taking an extra year because of it. He skipped his graduation to go to his brother, August's wedding.

During Martin's time in college the first Supervillains started to appear to challenge the superheroes, the most local one being a Boston menace named by the papers as "The Kegger". The Kegger's trademark came from his power to turn any liquid into any substance he could think of. He was made infamous for his repeated attacks on the pub-going crowd of Boston, brewing his own beer and poisoning some batches. On one such spree early in his career he poisoned a keg used at a local tasting that Martin went to one year after getting out of college. The keg was laced with radioactive material and while it killed some patrons, to others it generated superpowers.

Martin, unfortunately, was one of those people.

The following morning he woke up to an enormous cacophony. The noise, he discovered, did not come from outside as he suspected but from inside his own apartment. Specifically, from the items inside. Thus, Martin discovered his unfortunate ability: to hear and converse with any and all inanimate objects.

Needless to say, this threw his life out of whack. Having been employed by a moderately successful accounting firm in Boston, his inability to cope with his new powers got him fired on account of unnerving and disrupting the workplace with distinct protests aimed at inanimate objects. His friends distanced themselves from him, the few that believed him simply finding him hard to be around after his change. Martin began to become nervous and, now unemployed, decided to move back into his family home with his parents. And while his parents at first tried to be accommodating, their son's new "power" quickly became unbelievable. They tried numerous times to have him institionalized, thinking that it was perhaps something he was making it up as some way of coping with the trauma from the Kegger incident. When Martin refused to get evaluated at the local mental hospitals his parents kicked him out and relations between his family started to become increasingly hostile.

With nowhere else to turn, Martin went instead to the governmental support systems put into place for super powered individuals, also known as the Superpowered Support Act. He successfully enrolled into the SSA, furthering his relationship with his parents and brother, who saw his enrollment as a departure from the normality they held so dear. A normality that Martin still hoped he could achieve even with his powers. Because of this, he refused the public housing offered, instead buying a low-income apartment and working small jobs with the help of the SSA employment agency. After many fruitless attempts at finding a steady job, it was suggested that Martin perhaps try becoming a detective. He had taken the necessary courses in Criminal Justice back at Northeastern and, with one year of the mandatory police academy, could become a detective with the government's help. As this seemed like the most promising option, Martin took it.

His time at the police academy was an unhappy one. While people were pleasant to him upfront, the overall attitude was one shared by his parents. He was different and kept away from during his time at the academy and was sometimes picked on by one or two of his peers. Despite the hardship, he graduated successfully and, as promised, was appointed a detective with the help of government aid. His partner was Sandra Manning.

Sandra was the first person in Martin's life as a super powered individual to treat him like a normal person. Granted, by this time Martin had made it a bit easier to pretend that he was normal–the year at the police academy had taught him to control his powers, if only slightly. He and the inanimate objects had reached a general understanding–they could talk to him when he was alone or needed their help, but until then they were to remain quiet. Though this understanding was preached more than a few times, it still worked out for the most part, and Martin's relationship with Sandra flourished. She became the first friend he had made in a long time and as such became increasingly important to him. He began to want to protect her and eventually found a bit of courage to do so.

As a rash of new crimes began to spring up in Providence, Sandra and Martin were sent to investigate–Martin using his powers to find the culprits with ease (walls did witness everything, after all). After a few cases, a repeating name began to appear–the Elephantman. Sandra and Martin continued to investigate the lead, eventually finding that Elephantman was, from the sound of things, a rising gang power in Providence. He and his crew would commit anything from arson to homicide, killing off other gang leaders and quickly making Elephantman the head honcho. With a clear pattern to the murders and Martin's powers–which lent themselves to easily identifying the culprits and catching them in record time–Sandra and Martin quickly went to work putting a large portion of the gang behind bars.

It really only served to make them targets.

When coming home from work four nights after having solved another Elephantman arson case, Martin found a message that his answering machine happily conveyed in a far too menacing voice. The message was from Elephantman, or rather a subordinate under orders from him, and stated in an appropriately dramatic fashion that Martin's actions and the threat he posed to Elephantman's operation could have consequences. The message also noted the address of Martin's brother, August. Panicked by the thought of something awful happening to his family, Martin ran out of his apartment and into the street where he hoped to find some method of transportation to get to his brother's house in time. Instead, he was hit by a police car and that's when I'll be taking him from.

Character PERSONALITY:
Martin's driving goal is to become "normal". That is: he wants things to go back to the way they were before he gained his powers. He's so desperate to become normal that he often overcompensates, agreeing with things he doesn't actually agree with if only to get the other person to like him and generally just trying to please everyone he can. In short, he's a bit of a welcome mat and it's entirely on purpose. Martin lives with the thought that if he acts this way there's no reason anyone should dislike him. Obviously, this isn't the case, and when things don't go as planned and someone becomes wary or unsure of him, he immediately attempts to hastily repair it, often backtracking on what he said and sometimes apologizing. Even small things, like admitting he likes cucumbers, when his partner in conversation says they do not he will immediately take back what he said, adding perhaps that they're "not all that great".

Overall Martin is a bundle of nerves. Constantly trying to please people while remaining wary of being hurt is a hard balance to maintain. Martin does it erratically–one moment agreeing with someone on something he doesn't truly believe, the next diverting their question regarding himself in fear that they'll actually learn something about him. Rejection terrifies him, as he's used to it having dire consequences, as was the case with his family's rejection of his powers. His family and his powers are the two things he'll be trying to hide the most for two separate reasons. His powers, obviously, tend to form a rift between he and other people that he would rather not encourage or support should the topic come up. His family, however, is merely a sore spot–a reminder of how he's changed and how far he is from his goal of becoming who he once was.

One of the things that Sandra Manning, his partner, constantly challenges him with is the thought that perhaps he should accept his new self for what he is. Clearly, the powers have changed him and the reality he's living in must become his new normal if he's every going to have a somewhat fulfilling life. This thought is outwardly met with a nervousness from Martin and inwardly rejected. He's against change, probably stemming from the loss of his home and as a kid and the development of his powers and the rupture both events caused in his life. This being so, he will politely decline any advice like the one Sandra gives him and will not apologize for doing so–a key note to make in regards to the earlier point.

Despite their differing views on many matters, Martin treasures his friendship with Sandra almost as much as he still treasures his family. A generally cowardly person, Sandra gives Martin the bit of courage he needs to do his job and, occasionally, stand up to people–which he mostly does to defend her. These aren't dramatic moments, typically. We're not talking about a person who can stand up and make a speech. Being courageous for Martin is usually to be contradictory and mainly appears when he's protecting someone he values–be it friend, family, or someone who was just nice to him.

Strangely, he becomes far more assertive when talking to the inanimate objects around him. It's clear to know when he's speaking to them as he'll become more sarcastic, speaking down to whatever object he's talking to. He basically appears to be pretty fed up with the objects which is pretty understandable considering he has to hear them speak 24/7. In truth, his irritation about his predicament really only comes out when talking with them, due to him blaming them for what happened.

Martin really only ever becomes mad at someone when they continuously accuse him of being crazy or bully him. At these times he'll argue that he's not and, at most (but rarely) resort to pushing them or something equally as lame. This very rarely happens though, as the most Martin moves to is insisting that he's really not that crazy. It's also important to note that it's really hard for Martin to remain angry over an extended period of time. He can't really hold grudges, as evidenced by the lack of bitterness he feels towards all the friends who left him when his powers came. If anything, he feels at fault for most conflicts like that and will likely try to go himself and make amends, as he does with his family.

» EXSILIUM INFORMATION
Chosen WEAPON: Martin will likely choose a Glock 9MM pistol from the armory. In the beginning of his time in Exsilium, the weapon will shake with his hand and his aim will be horrible because it is horrible. Over the course of Martin's time in game, the gun will become steadier due to some increased stabilization and his aim will improve. Think of it as the gun kind of locking onto the target to help Martin along.

Chosen SKILLSET: Martin's a bit too scared for direct combat but he's a good support. Pinpointing the location of hidden enemies by asking the objects around him where they're located and such would probably be his specialty in the field. He'd be terrified, though.

Character INVENTORY: A gray wool overcoat, an untucked, unironed white dress shirt, black slacks, wallet with necessary information and credit crads, a cell phone that's now broken and a white scarf.

» SAMPLES
First PERSON:
H–[The voice on the comm sounds shaken and in shock and there might be a slight waver to his voice suggesting, perhaps, that he was crying or still is. There's a short choking noise, a pause, and then he finally speaks.]–Hello.

[A pause for a sniffle and a quiet gasp for a new breath.] I'm–I'm not quite sure what just... happened. I think–I think I got hit by a... [Whatever he says next is too quiet to hear or drowned out by another sniffle.] I think I missed whatever that woman said. I heard something about weapons? And... something–look, I was just. I was just hit by a car I think and that car isn't here now? Or I'm not... there–I don't know but I'm–I'm not pleased and I would like to be in Rhode Island right now. Please. I have–there's... some–[His speech gets broken up the more he talks and it's pretty clear he's speaking through some tears here, what with all the sniffles and the growing panic and distress in his voice.] There's something I need to check up on and I would very much like to check on them. It. Please.

[A pause.]

I'm a detective.

[Another pause, and softer:] I'm not sure why I said that.

Third PERSON:

It took time for Martin to calm down. Time still for his tears to dry and even more before he even felt like considering where this put him. Another change, another roadblock, another step further from where he wanted to be. Like he was spending his life walking backwards. A classic case of Benjamin Button.

Or something like that.

He sniffs, uses his sleeve to wipe the tears from his face. The wool scratches at his eyes. He laughs at the feeling, a humorless and harsh noise that cracks through the chilled air. "Exsilium," he mutters, testing the word out on his tongue. It tastes foreign and heavy, a burden on his tongue. He repeats it and listens to it this time. The way the syllables interact. Ex-sill-ee-uhm. He tries it again in pairs as if that would place it somewhere familiar. Exsilium, Rhode Island. Exsilium, West Virginia. Exsilium, Massachusetts. They all sound too fantastical. They all feel too unreal.

He sighs and rubs his hands together, watches them move and focuses on the way his skin heats up under the friction. What a slight feeling. Exsilium. West Virginia, Massachusetts, Exsilium. He claps his hands to the beat of their names. Three separate places, three new beginnings. Resurrection. The phoenix. Subjects and topics he learned from that class on literary themes–the class he joined just so he could maybe get a chance to talk to that girl he liked. It didn't work out.

Just like everything else.

His back is side is still sore from where the car hit him and he rubs it idly, thinking back to that moment–that flash before he was struck. A quick glance into the driver's seat, a familiar face. Sandra's comes to mind immediately and that brings a smile to his face.

"Resurrexsilium." He laughs softly at his pun. It's not actually funny and he quickly becomes embarrassed that he laughed at all, hiding his face as he tugs on his sleeve.

Sandra would tell him that's what it was though–this place. A fresh start. A resurrection. A chance to live a normal life through his own definition or something like that. He wasn't sure it mattered what it was, so long as it wasn't the normality he wanted. The usual Christmas with the family, watching his niece open presents as his mother and father asked his sister-in-law how the new baby was doing. Drinking beer with his brother. Relaxing with August in December.

He smiles at that pun–no laughter this time.

Martin wonders what month it is in Exsilium. Wonders if there even are months in Exsilium and then resigns himself to check later. After he's found some place to stay. Something to eat. A new normal. A resurrection.

Or something like that.

» ADDITIONAL NOTES
Nada.