xxxxxIsra stands just over six feet at her full height, but usually carries herself a bit lower. She has no hair and hardly any body fat, and tight cords of muscles run beneath beneath her brown skin. Her eyes are hazel-green, their outer corners slanted up toward the roots of backswept horns that sprout from above each temple. She has bat-like wings that span twelve feet when fully extended, and a partially prehensile tail. Until recently, Isra has dressed in extremely conservative clothes to conceal the more obvious of her physical mutations. Not anymore.
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xxxxxBorn in Ithaca, New York, Isra al-Jazari was the only child of wealthy Lebanese-American parents. Interested in science from an early age, Isra spent countless hours in the library of her family’s estate. Her liberal parents gave her anything she asked--books, telescopes, even her own laboratory.
xxxxxWhen she entered puberty, Isra underwent drastic and painful physical changes. Her bones became strong and light, her muscles dense and powerful, but she did not develop breasts. All of the hair on her head and body fell out, and her skin took on a tough, almost reptilian texture. She grew membranous wings and a tail, and her legs deformed such that she walked on elongated, talon-like toes.
xxxxxThough shocked, her parents did their best to support her. They hired private physicians and therapists. Isra withdrew from the private school she attended, citing a chronic ailment, and completed secondary education from home. When the transformations finally completed, her appearance was nothing short of monstrous, like a gargoyle or demon from ancient legend.
xxxxxUndaunted, Isra donned hijab to conceal her mutations and attended Cornell University to study astronomy. Though she excelled at academics, she kept her classmates at arm’s length for fear of discovery. A chauffeur conducted her to and from classes, and she never lingered on campus longer than necessary. Despite her trepidation at the prospect of living in a big city, she moved to New York City after graduation and went on to earn her Master’s degree in astrophysics from Columbia University.
xxxxxThere, while working on her doctoral thesis in protostellar dynamics, Isra attended a seminar on cutting-edge genetics by guest lecturer Charles Xavier. She was subsequently offered a teaching position by Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. While initially reluctant to leave the research opportunities in the city, Isra changes her mind after visiting the school. She now teaches astronomy and physics while continuing to pursue her doctorate.
xxxxxShe has recently learned that her physical mutations are not stable but continue to develop. The most obvious addictions are a pair of bony horns upon her head, but her the nails on her fingers, toes, and wings are also growing harder and thicker.
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xxxxxBirdlike bones and powerful muscles grant her extraordinary speed and strength. Even with no training, she can easily outrun most humans and deadlift her own weight. However, she rarely takes advantage of these abilities except under duress. Her wings and tail give her superior balance, but she has never attempted flight. Were she to do so without first strengthening the neglected wing muscles, the result would be comical at best.
xxxxxThe least obvious feature of Isra’s mutation is also the one she values most: acute night vision.
xxxxxAs she begins develops horns and tougher nails, she will gain natural weaponry that she is completely unprepared to actually use.
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