Before me, too, pass the days to kiss the hem of my garment, but never to gaze at my face
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Introduction
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xxxxxPeople often mistake Isra’s conservative mode of dress for shyness, but she is in general a very forthright person. She speaks her mind politely when she can, but will not hesitate to offend when she must. Her love of astronomy is so intense that it strikes some as a form of escapism. It is fairly apparent to anyone with more than a passing acquaintance with her that, despite dressing like a conservative Muslima, Isra has no religious convictions of any sort.
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History
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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. Perhaps the most visually disturbing aspect of her mutation is the lack of body hair--including eyebrows and eyelashes, which makes even her otherwise human face look uncanny.
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.
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Powers
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xxxxxBirdlike bones and powerful muscles grant her extraordinary speed and strength. Even in cumbersome hijab, she can outrun most humans and deadlift her own weight. However, she rarely takes advantage of these abilities except under duress.
xxxxxHer wings and tail would give her superior balance and perhaps even the ability to fly--if she gave them the opportunity. Instead, she keeps these, the most obvious features of her mutation, hidden beneath layers of fabric. Were she to attempt flight 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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Connections
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Friends
- Hank McCoy (NPC) - The first non-Khalida physician Isra has seen her entire adult life
- Iztali Choben - Fellow Columbia grad student, as obsessed with archeology as Isra is with astronomy
- Khalida Sa'eed - Personal physician and confidante (NPC)
- Remy - A good samaritan
Foes
Family
- Khalil al-Jazari (NPC) - Father, a biochemist working for the US government
- Mariam Hayek (NPC) - Mother, a nuclear physicist with an energy research firm
Students
- Arline - Helpful but hard to read
- Rasa - Painfully shy; hopefully there will not be any awkward conversations about hijab
- Sebastian - An eager student with a wonderful imagination
- Shane - Curious, but needs unconventional guidance
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Gallery
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[[Image:|x150px]]
[[Image:|x150px]]
[[Image:|x150px]]
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Isra al-Jazari
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[[Image:|center]]
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Codename
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Enigma
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Birthdate
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October 13th, 1979
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Species
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Mutant
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Affiliation
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Xavier's School
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Alignment
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True Neutral
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Powers
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Superhuman strength, speed, and low-light vision
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Occupation
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Teacher
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RP Hooks
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Stargazer - On a clear night, Isra can usually be found on the grounds of Xavier's School with a telescope.
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Atheist in a Headscarf - Though ethnically Lebanese and inclined to wear headscarves, robes, and cloaks, Isra is not Muslim.
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Den Mother - Isra cannot abide seeing people--especially mutants--bullied.
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Not Done Yet - Much to her chagrin, her mutation continues to manifest itself, rendering her appearance less and less human.
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Commuter - Between teaching at Xavier's and finishing her doctoral thesis at Columbia, Isra travels in and out of the city a lot.
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Logs
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Date
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Title
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Cast
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Mentions
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—so marred was his appearance, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of mortals—so he shall startle many nations;
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Egg, Ion, Isra, Leo
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Dusk, Erik
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Through the Cracks
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Not Dusk?, Egg, Ion, Isra, Mystique
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Erik
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Hard Bargains
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Isra, Mystique
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Leo, Ion
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Deliver me from those who work evil; from the bloodthirsty save me.
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Leo, Regan, Heather, Ion, Mystique, Isra
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Halim, Joshua, Charles
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Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me.
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Cerebro, Scott, Halim, Heather, Isra, Mystique, Kurt, Kitty, Leo, Regan
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In Which A Number Of Interviewees Are Approximately As Forthcoming As Could Be Expected
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Polaris, DJ, Lily, B, Taylor, Nick, Shane, Tian-shin, Ion, Scott, Marinov, Charles, Kitty, Skye, Matt, Jax, Ryan, Steve
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Dawson, Erik, Isra, Lucien
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In Which Some Mongrels Make Plans for Strengthening Their Team Spirit
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Shane, Taylor
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Isra, B, Dusk, Nick, Ion, Erik
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Taking Wing
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Dusk, Isra, Mystique
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Ion, Regan
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Put no trust in a friend, have no confidence in a loved one; guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your embrace;
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Akihiro, Leo, Isra, B, Mystique, Regan, Heather, Carnage, DJ, Scramble, Cerebro, Hive, Ion
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Erik, Jax, Dusk, Charles
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Common Thread
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Joshua, Mirror, Wendy, Polaris, Winona, Matt, Isra, Thing One, Thing Two, Scramble, Erik, Lily
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Dusk, Hive
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Birds of a Feather
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Cerebro, Charles, DJ, Flicker
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Hive, Dusk, Ryan, Jax, Spencer, Scott, Matt, Isra, Steve, Rasheed
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Of Trials and Teamwork (Or, In Which Without Counsel, Plans go Wrong, but With Many Advisers They Succeed.)
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Jax, Ryan, Erik, Charles, Regan, Steve, Hive, Kavalam, Scott, Kitty, Matt, Eric, Taylor, Scramble, Leo, Alma, Polaris, Isra, Cerebro, Heather, B, DJ, Dusk, Hank, Ion, Fury
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Spencer, Dawson, Avi
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Serious People
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Ash, Kitty
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Jax, Isra, Erik, Leo
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Heavy Metal
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Akihiro, Dusk, Isra
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Erik
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Bad Blood
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Erik, Isra, Regan
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Dusk, Carnage, Leo, Kitty, B
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Poindexters
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Akihiro, Carnage, Ion, Isra, Jax
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Cash & Carry
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Dusk, Isra, Heather
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OK
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Dusk, Isra
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Come Home With Me
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Dusk, Isra, Kitty
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Alternative Communication
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Isra, Kitty
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Wordless
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Hive, Isra
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A Fresh Poison Each Week
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DJ, Dusk, Isra
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And I say, “O that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest;
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Akihiro, Isra, Leo
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Full House
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Dusk, Isra, Regan
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Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of anger will fail.
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Jax, Clint, Hive, Matt, Blink, Leo, Steve, Spencer, Ryan, Kieow, Tian-shin, Polaris, Wendy, Winona, Tag, Daiki, Shane, Scramble, Dusk, Isra
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Left Alone
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Dusk, Hive, Isra
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When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them.
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Isra, Kitty, Leo
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Your intuition is working well, and you have a clear view of what's coming.
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Heather, Ion, Isra, Natalie
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Work Life Balance
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Dusk, Isra, Kitty
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Mutant Enemy Number One
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Ash, Dusk, Ion, Isra
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Doctor Who
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???, Hive, Isra
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Unfaithful creatures! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
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Ion, Isra, Leo
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Dangerous
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Flicker, Flicker? Hive, Isra, Steve
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Camp Counselors
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Dusk, Heather, Isra
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Bastard Search
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Hive, Isra
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Three if By Air
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Isra, Heather, Dusk
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It’s All About Feeling, Passion and Possibility This Month
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Jax, Desi, B, Natalie, Scramble, K.C., Marinov, Dusk, Isra, Elliott, Chloe, Deanna, Jake, Steve, Ryan, Flicker, Shane, Matt, Alma, Kyinha
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Concise Debate
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Dusk, Heather, Isra
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Stop and Identify
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Isra, Mirror
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Affect
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Isra, Lucien, kind of nonfunctional Ryan
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Different
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Fiona, Ion, Isra
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Perspectives
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Alex, Isra
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Needs Must
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Isra, Jax, Spencer
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Allí Esta Nuestra Estrella
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B, Isra, Rasa, Shane
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Dramatic Yet Incompetent
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Flicker, Isra, Melinda, Ryan, Steve
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