| Introduction
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xxxxxIsra stands just over six feet at her full height, but usually carries herself a bit lower. She has no hair, hardly any body fat, and tight cords of muscles run beneath beneath her slate gray skin. Her eyes, luminous in low light, are hazel-green, and their outer corners slanted up toward the roots of backswept horns that sprout from above each temple. She has bat-like wings that span thirteen 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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| 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.
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 continuing to develop. The most obvious additions are a pair of bony horns upon her head and a slate gray skin tone, but the nails on her fingers, toes, and wings are also growing harder and thicker while changes in hormones spur muscular development and a lower pitched voice.
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| Powers
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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.
xxxxxThe least obvious feature of Isra’s mutation is also the one she values most: acute night vision. Only recently had she learned to take advantage of her wings and talons. At present, she is adept at gliding but unable to manage powered flight. Yet.
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| Connections
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Friends
- Dusk - Flight instructor, sparring partner, and first love. Full of passion, both sweet and sorrowful.
- Hank McCoy (NPC) - The first non-Khalida physician Isra has seen her entire adult life.
- Hive - Peculiar, brilliant, and far kinder than he likes to admit.
- Iztali Choben - Fellow Columbia grad student, as obsessed with archeology as Isra is with astronomy.
- Khalida Sa'eed (NPC) - Personal physician and confidante.
- Mallory Winthrop - Coworker and kindred spirit.
Acquaintances
- Flicker - Deceptively good at games.
- Jackson - A fine and caring man; stretched far too thin.
- Micah - Affectionate and humorous; would get along well with Khalida.
- Parley - Even harder to read than most.
- Remy - A good samaritan.
- Tag - An exuberant blur.
Foes
- Deacon (NPC) - A ringleader among anti-mutant elements on the Columbia University campus. Made veiled threats.
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
- Anole - A bit overwhelmed, but eager to learn.
- Arline - Helpful but hard to read.
- Lyric - Enthusiastic, and a fine teacher in her own right.
- Peter - Creative and driven, but gets a bit ahead of himself.
- Rasa - Painfully shy.
- 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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| 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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Gargoyle
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| Occupation
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High school 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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| Devil with a Blue Dress - Though she looks less and less human as her mutation manifests, she has gained an appreciation for fashion and started to develop her own style.
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| Den Mother - Isra cannot abide seeing people--especially mutants--bullied.
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| Commuter - Between teaching at Xavier's and visiting friends in East Village, Isra travels in and out of the City a lot.
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