![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
aef app
Character Information
Name: Cain (real name: Alexei)
Canon: Starfighter
Canon Point: Ch 5, pg 69
Age: 22
History: There are five chapters of the Starfighter comic by HamletMachine, which you can find here. Wiki is here. As that link doesn't cover all the bases, I've written a more fleshed out version.
Little is known of Cain before he becomes Abel's partner, team of the starfighter Reliant for the Federated Alliance fleet. Part of the story is driven on this mystery of who Cain is, and especially who he was prior to joining the program as a fighter. Some details can be scraped from the narrative, however, despite its focus on Abel's limited perspective. We know the Alliance is a human military force in a desperate battle against Colterons, insect-like aliens hellbent on domination. Within the Alliance is a special program of elite soldiers, where units are divided into teams of fighters and navigators. The fighter-navigator pair operate the starfighter together, relying on this bond to survive. Think Pacific Rim, but with more arguments and less mind-melding (and they bang). It is this harmony between the fighter and the navigator which makes them so effective in battle. The fighter attacks by using the starfighter's weapon systems, while the navigator controls the ship, piloting and directing the fighter.
The Alliance's goal is to defend Earth, as well as Earth's colonies. The story takes place in a highly futuristic setting. Cain himself comes from a colony on Mars, glimpsed in a dream to be an extremely cold, wintry place with few comforts. From what can be gathered, Cain had some close friends while he lived here. He was enlisted into the fighter-navigator program after an incident -- it's described that he was "in over his head in the colonies," and later it's found that he was arrested and incarcerated on a trespassing charge. Thus, Cain was forced to join the recruitment program on a special task given to him by his direct commander, Bering. As of chapter five's reveal, the gritty details of Project Thebes have gained some clarity. We know he was supposed to "seduce" his assigned navigator enough for them to form a close personal relationship, wherein the navigator would want to protect Cain during battle.
Cain had two navigators before Abel was assigned to him. The first immediately rejected him, while the second was injured and given medical leave. Abel was Cain's last chance -- if he wasn't successful, he would be sent back to prison in New Volga.
The story follows their relationship from the moment they meet. In the beginning of the first chapter, Cain attacks Abel with violence, scarring his lip to demonstrate that Abel belongs to him. This doesn't put them off to a good start (shocking!). They quickly face their first mission, which is successful only when Abel pulls a risky move to save another starfighter in the battle. At the end of the fight, Abel catches Cain masturbating from the thrill of survival (lol). This sets their dynamic into motion, because soon after that encounter, they have sex. It's pretty clear Cain is seducing Abel, but in the end Abel is just as willing to be seduced. After this Abel wakes up in bed alone because Cain is reporting to Bering. He declares that he was successful in doing what he was ordered.
In the second chapter, the relationship between Cain and Abel becomes gradually more complicated. They've established a physical relationship and although Abel is still wary of him, they have sex the next day in the Reliant. Before this, Abel talks to Praxis, the fighter he saved in the previous battle. Cain hears about it through Deimos, who was spying on Abel when it happened. Cain is infuriated because Abel is supposed to be his property, but even more so because Abel making connections with people outside of Cain jeopardizes his mission. He finds Praxis and engages him in a fight. They're interrupted before either of them can do any real damage, even though Cain pulls a knife on him. He doesn't let Abel know what happened, but they're soon distracted by each other, so Abel is easy to fool. Afterward, Abel lets Cain know he volunteered them for a suicide mission against the Colterons.
The third chapter shows Cain and Abel getting closer and becoming more familiar despite Cain refusing to share anything about himself. They both have to adjust to life on the Sleipnir, which is noticeably different from their previous location. Cain spends most of this time fighting and proving himself to the other fighters, as well as conversing with Bering in secret about his assigned mission. Cain and Abel are once again thrown into a battle, and this time Abel fulfills his potential when he uses the special engine configuration to trigger the "jump drive" -- seen when the Reliant disappears after an explosion and reappears unharmed. To celebrate their victory, Cain and Abel have sex (naturally), although this time there appears to be more intimacy and trust involved.
In the fourth and fifth chapter, the plot gets more involved with the supporting characters in the story. It's confirmed that Cain is only participating in the mission to seduce and lie to his navigator in order to serve the military with the hope of clearing his record and returning home. He tells Abel that it was "me or you," although he claims his motivations have changed since getting to know Abel. The weapon created by their bond is said to be fueled by an intense passion to protect. Originally it comes from the Colterons, who powered it using their religious fervor, but the first human fighter/navigator couple were lovers. When one of them died, the weapon became useless. This explains the Alliance's motivation to find (or force) another pair of lovers so it could be possible to use the Colteron technology in the war once again. This is all revealed to Abel from two secondary characters, not from Cain himself. Once Abel realizes he was used, they have an argument prior to a large battle, and Abel tells Cain he's done with him. They are soon discovered by Cook and Alliance officers who attempt to detain them. While escaping, Cain is shot. He will come directly after this moment under the assumption that he's failed his mission and Abel has ended their relationship due to his deceit.
Personality: Cain is first introduced to Abel as a violent, possessive fighter with a mean streak. It's clear Abel doesn't know what to think of him, but dislike and discomfort are his initial reactions. Cain has no issue getting rough with Abel, which is illustrated the moment they're alone together -- he bites Abel's lip to leave a scar. He declares Abel his, although Abel doesn't stand for it. Cain is still driven to take this very forceful, intimidating step from the moment they're officially assigned to each other. In a way, Cain embodies that bad boy trope in every sense: he's physical, crude with his language and actions, inconsiderate and sexual.
The sexual aspect of Cain's personality permeates the entire comic. It's Cain who initiates sex with Abel the very first time, and he does this in an incredibly bold and confident way. He draws Abel out of his shell, not shy about physical intimacy at all. Although Abel quickly warms up to this aspect of their relationship, going on to initiate sexual encounters just as willingly, this animalistic facet of Cain's personality isn't diminished. In fact, it's present in other areas as well, such as Cain's tendency toward violence. As a fighter, he's used to brawling with the other soldiers, but Cain takes on more of an alpha male role in these situations. He keeps himself on top at the expense of injuries and bruises, which Abel notices once they spend more time together. Cain can be vicious and eager when it comes to fighting. He doesn't hesitate to attack Praxis when he believes Praxis is talking to Abel, lending to that possessiveness (although considering his mission to be close to Abel, it's perhaps understandable). Even when fighting against the Colterons, Cain is loud and aggressive about it.
This outer shell makes up a great portion of the 'Cain' that the rest of the world sees on a regular basis, including Abel, in the beginning. Cain maintains a tough reputation as the best fighter in the entire fleet. Rumors circulate about him, no one messes with him (and if they do, they get beaten down), even Abel questions whether he's the first navigator for Cain to engage sexually. In his free time, Cain is usually training or brawling with the other soldiers. He shows no weaknesses, not even to those supposedly close to him. As close as one can be in a war.
It isn't until Abel spends more time with Cain that this top-dog attitude becomes only a fragment of everything else going on. The rest of Cain is much more subtle, undertones of thoughtfulness and attachment Cain doesn't like to show. His secret mission under Bering puts some of his behavior into perspective, considering he was ordered to seduce Abel from the start. He was recruited as a fighter against his will, essentially through blackmail, which explains his violent and defensive personality. He goes into every situation with his walls up, because he knows the other fighters are only going to try and tear him down -- they don't see him on their level, partly because of his colony background and partly because of Bering's favored treatment. And he becomes closer to Abel with the awareness he's deceiving him.
The best way to read Cain is through his body language, particularly when it involves Abel. As the narrative follows Abel's point of view, and given the fact Cain smothers vulnerability in himself, his actions are more telling than his words. In the third chapter, Cain and Abel have sex in a very different way than usual -- it's almost loving, or at least incredibly worshipful, with Cain praising him for his skill on the battlefield and claiming that he's never wanted anyone like he wants Abel. The line blurs between truth and deceit with Cain, but if he's lying, he's a good actor. When Cain wakes up the next morning, he dresses to go see Bering, but stops to look at Abel sleeping before he leaves. He crushes the cigar Bering gives him as a reward, and argues to give Abel some of the credit in their joint victory. His expressions in these moments don't look relieved or joyful at his successful manipulation of Abel, but instead reluctant and uncertain. It's possible Cain has begun to care about Abel just as much as Abel cares about him.
Cain's behavior with others is also worthy of note, though these interactions don't have the same depth as they do between Cain and Abel. Deimos, another fighter, is like an obedient subordinate to Cain, following his every order and tailing Abel when Cain isn't with him. Although Cain seems to keep Deimos at a distance for strict business reasons, when Deimos is being treated poorly by his own navigator Cain is agitated and wants to start a fight in his defense. At the very least Cain is protective of him. He speaks his native tongue with Deimos, something he's not seen doing with anyone else. They may not be friends, but their understanding of each other is innate. Cain did have friends back home -- as seen in his dream, where he's genuinely excited and happy during the reunion, and he admits his goal is to return to the home in New Volga. He seems to miss the colonies. That cagey, tough exterior isn't quite as present around these friends in the dream, cluing into the sort of persona he's had to adopt since being enlisted.
When Cain is relaxed, he has a more comfortable and teasing attitude. This is most common with Abel in their downtime, when they're having sex or just after. It occurs more frequently as the narrative unfolds, noticeable when Cain chooses to sit with Abel in the lunchroom. They bicker between each other, but Cain looks relatively happy when he lets Abel eat off of his plate. It's something Deimos picks up on. Despite this less abrasive behavior, Cain doesn't hold back on his crudeness or bad language. There are some parts of him which remain consistent throughout the narrative regardless of the deeper understanding of his character. The file obtained on Cain by Phobos describes him as "promiscuous" with a background in criminal activity, and Commander Cook declares his distaste for Cain's crude nature later in chapter five. In light of the failed mission and his desire to be with Abel despite everything, his motivations have become clearer, and so have his actions.
Abilities & Skills: Cain has no special or supernatural abilities. He is an extremely skilled fighter, which is remarked upon several times. In fact, he's considered the best fighter in the entire program. This means he's talented in hand-to-hand combat as well as using the weapons system on the starfighter ships. He fights like he's trying to survive and isn't afraid of playing dirty. His street smarts are an important asset in this respect, most likely attained during his time in the colonies. He also speaks Russian.
Inventory/Companions: He will have little to no belongings on his person when he arrives, just a bloody flightsuit with a bullet hole in it. Also a gun.
Choice: Monster (Turnskin, black-backed jackal)
Reason: Cain suits the monster designation primarily because he is a character built on instinct and wildness. Turnskin is the most appropriate due to its focus on strength and heightened senses (attributes which suit his role as a fighter), as well as the shapeshifting/transformation aspect lending to his somewhat mercurial nature as both Cain and Alexei. I specifically chose a wild dog for him as he is called a 'dog' canonically because of the violent and pack-like mentality of fighters.
Sample: TDM top level!
Name: Cain (real name: Alexei)
Canon: Starfighter
Canon Point: Ch 5, pg 69
Age: 22
History: There are five chapters of the Starfighter comic by HamletMachine, which you can find here. Wiki is here. As that link doesn't cover all the bases, I've written a more fleshed out version.
Little is known of Cain before he becomes Abel's partner, team of the starfighter Reliant for the Federated Alliance fleet. Part of the story is driven on this mystery of who Cain is, and especially who he was prior to joining the program as a fighter. Some details can be scraped from the narrative, however, despite its focus on Abel's limited perspective. We know the Alliance is a human military force in a desperate battle against Colterons, insect-like aliens hellbent on domination. Within the Alliance is a special program of elite soldiers, where units are divided into teams of fighters and navigators. The fighter-navigator pair operate the starfighter together, relying on this bond to survive. Think Pacific Rim, but with more arguments and less mind-melding (and they bang). It is this harmony between the fighter and the navigator which makes them so effective in battle. The fighter attacks by using the starfighter's weapon systems, while the navigator controls the ship, piloting and directing the fighter.
The Alliance's goal is to defend Earth, as well as Earth's colonies. The story takes place in a highly futuristic setting. Cain himself comes from a colony on Mars, glimpsed in a dream to be an extremely cold, wintry place with few comforts. From what can be gathered, Cain had some close friends while he lived here. He was enlisted into the fighter-navigator program after an incident -- it's described that he was "in over his head in the colonies," and later it's found that he was arrested and incarcerated on a trespassing charge. Thus, Cain was forced to join the recruitment program on a special task given to him by his direct commander, Bering. As of chapter five's reveal, the gritty details of Project Thebes have gained some clarity. We know he was supposed to "seduce" his assigned navigator enough for them to form a close personal relationship, wherein the navigator would want to protect Cain during battle.
Cain had two navigators before Abel was assigned to him. The first immediately rejected him, while the second was injured and given medical leave. Abel was Cain's last chance -- if he wasn't successful, he would be sent back to prison in New Volga.
The story follows their relationship from the moment they meet. In the beginning of the first chapter, Cain attacks Abel with violence, scarring his lip to demonstrate that Abel belongs to him. This doesn't put them off to a good start (shocking!). They quickly face their first mission, which is successful only when Abel pulls a risky move to save another starfighter in the battle. At the end of the fight, Abel catches Cain masturbating from the thrill of survival (lol). This sets their dynamic into motion, because soon after that encounter, they have sex. It's pretty clear Cain is seducing Abel, but in the end Abel is just as willing to be seduced. After this Abel wakes up in bed alone because Cain is reporting to Bering. He declares that he was successful in doing what he was ordered.
In the second chapter, the relationship between Cain and Abel becomes gradually more complicated. They've established a physical relationship and although Abel is still wary of him, they have sex the next day in the Reliant. Before this, Abel talks to Praxis, the fighter he saved in the previous battle. Cain hears about it through Deimos, who was spying on Abel when it happened. Cain is infuriated because Abel is supposed to be his property, but even more so because Abel making connections with people outside of Cain jeopardizes his mission. He finds Praxis and engages him in a fight. They're interrupted before either of them can do any real damage, even though Cain pulls a knife on him. He doesn't let Abel know what happened, but they're soon distracted by each other, so Abel is easy to fool. Afterward, Abel lets Cain know he volunteered them for a suicide mission against the Colterons.
The third chapter shows Cain and Abel getting closer and becoming more familiar despite Cain refusing to share anything about himself. They both have to adjust to life on the Sleipnir, which is noticeably different from their previous location. Cain spends most of this time fighting and proving himself to the other fighters, as well as conversing with Bering in secret about his assigned mission. Cain and Abel are once again thrown into a battle, and this time Abel fulfills his potential when he uses the special engine configuration to trigger the "jump drive" -- seen when the Reliant disappears after an explosion and reappears unharmed. To celebrate their victory, Cain and Abel have sex (naturally), although this time there appears to be more intimacy and trust involved.
In the fourth and fifth chapter, the plot gets more involved with the supporting characters in the story. It's confirmed that Cain is only participating in the mission to seduce and lie to his navigator in order to serve the military with the hope of clearing his record and returning home. He tells Abel that it was "me or you," although he claims his motivations have changed since getting to know Abel. The weapon created by their bond is said to be fueled by an intense passion to protect. Originally it comes from the Colterons, who powered it using their religious fervor, but the first human fighter/navigator couple were lovers. When one of them died, the weapon became useless. This explains the Alliance's motivation to find (or force) another pair of lovers so it could be possible to use the Colteron technology in the war once again. This is all revealed to Abel from two secondary characters, not from Cain himself. Once Abel realizes he was used, they have an argument prior to a large battle, and Abel tells Cain he's done with him. They are soon discovered by Cook and Alliance officers who attempt to detain them. While escaping, Cain is shot. He will come directly after this moment under the assumption that he's failed his mission and Abel has ended their relationship due to his deceit.
Personality: Cain is first introduced to Abel as a violent, possessive fighter with a mean streak. It's clear Abel doesn't know what to think of him, but dislike and discomfort are his initial reactions. Cain has no issue getting rough with Abel, which is illustrated the moment they're alone together -- he bites Abel's lip to leave a scar. He declares Abel his, although Abel doesn't stand for it. Cain is still driven to take this very forceful, intimidating step from the moment they're officially assigned to each other. In a way, Cain embodies that bad boy trope in every sense: he's physical, crude with his language and actions, inconsiderate and sexual.
The sexual aspect of Cain's personality permeates the entire comic. It's Cain who initiates sex with Abel the very first time, and he does this in an incredibly bold and confident way. He draws Abel out of his shell, not shy about physical intimacy at all. Although Abel quickly warms up to this aspect of their relationship, going on to initiate sexual encounters just as willingly, this animalistic facet of Cain's personality isn't diminished. In fact, it's present in other areas as well, such as Cain's tendency toward violence. As a fighter, he's used to brawling with the other soldiers, but Cain takes on more of an alpha male role in these situations. He keeps himself on top at the expense of injuries and bruises, which Abel notices once they spend more time together. Cain can be vicious and eager when it comes to fighting. He doesn't hesitate to attack Praxis when he believes Praxis is talking to Abel, lending to that possessiveness (although considering his mission to be close to Abel, it's perhaps understandable). Even when fighting against the Colterons, Cain is loud and aggressive about it.
This outer shell makes up a great portion of the 'Cain' that the rest of the world sees on a regular basis, including Abel, in the beginning. Cain maintains a tough reputation as the best fighter in the entire fleet. Rumors circulate about him, no one messes with him (and if they do, they get beaten down), even Abel questions whether he's the first navigator for Cain to engage sexually. In his free time, Cain is usually training or brawling with the other soldiers. He shows no weaknesses, not even to those supposedly close to him. As close as one can be in a war.
It isn't until Abel spends more time with Cain that this top-dog attitude becomes only a fragment of everything else going on. The rest of Cain is much more subtle, undertones of thoughtfulness and attachment Cain doesn't like to show. His secret mission under Bering puts some of his behavior into perspective, considering he was ordered to seduce Abel from the start. He was recruited as a fighter against his will, essentially through blackmail, which explains his violent and defensive personality. He goes into every situation with his walls up, because he knows the other fighters are only going to try and tear him down -- they don't see him on their level, partly because of his colony background and partly because of Bering's favored treatment. And he becomes closer to Abel with the awareness he's deceiving him.
The best way to read Cain is through his body language, particularly when it involves Abel. As the narrative follows Abel's point of view, and given the fact Cain smothers vulnerability in himself, his actions are more telling than his words. In the third chapter, Cain and Abel have sex in a very different way than usual -- it's almost loving, or at least incredibly worshipful, with Cain praising him for his skill on the battlefield and claiming that he's never wanted anyone like he wants Abel. The line blurs between truth and deceit with Cain, but if he's lying, he's a good actor. When Cain wakes up the next morning, he dresses to go see Bering, but stops to look at Abel sleeping before he leaves. He crushes the cigar Bering gives him as a reward, and argues to give Abel some of the credit in their joint victory. His expressions in these moments don't look relieved or joyful at his successful manipulation of Abel, but instead reluctant and uncertain. It's possible Cain has begun to care about Abel just as much as Abel cares about him.
Cain's behavior with others is also worthy of note, though these interactions don't have the same depth as they do between Cain and Abel. Deimos, another fighter, is like an obedient subordinate to Cain, following his every order and tailing Abel when Cain isn't with him. Although Cain seems to keep Deimos at a distance for strict business reasons, when Deimos is being treated poorly by his own navigator Cain is agitated and wants to start a fight in his defense. At the very least Cain is protective of him. He speaks his native tongue with Deimos, something he's not seen doing with anyone else. They may not be friends, but their understanding of each other is innate. Cain did have friends back home -- as seen in his dream, where he's genuinely excited and happy during the reunion, and he admits his goal is to return to the home in New Volga. He seems to miss the colonies. That cagey, tough exterior isn't quite as present around these friends in the dream, cluing into the sort of persona he's had to adopt since being enlisted.
When Cain is relaxed, he has a more comfortable and teasing attitude. This is most common with Abel in their downtime, when they're having sex or just after. It occurs more frequently as the narrative unfolds, noticeable when Cain chooses to sit with Abel in the lunchroom. They bicker between each other, but Cain looks relatively happy when he lets Abel eat off of his plate. It's something Deimos picks up on. Despite this less abrasive behavior, Cain doesn't hold back on his crudeness or bad language. There are some parts of him which remain consistent throughout the narrative regardless of the deeper understanding of his character. The file obtained on Cain by Phobos describes him as "promiscuous" with a background in criminal activity, and Commander Cook declares his distaste for Cain's crude nature later in chapter five. In light of the failed mission and his desire to be with Abel despite everything, his motivations have become clearer, and so have his actions.
Abilities & Skills: Cain has no special or supernatural abilities. He is an extremely skilled fighter, which is remarked upon several times. In fact, he's considered the best fighter in the entire program. This means he's talented in hand-to-hand combat as well as using the weapons system on the starfighter ships. He fights like he's trying to survive and isn't afraid of playing dirty. His street smarts are an important asset in this respect, most likely attained during his time in the colonies. He also speaks Russian.
Inventory/Companions: He will have little to no belongings on his person when he arrives, just a bloody flightsuit with a bullet hole in it. Also a gun.
Choice: Monster (Turnskin, black-backed jackal)
Reason: Cain suits the monster designation primarily because he is a character built on instinct and wildness. Turnskin is the most appropriate due to its focus on strength and heightened senses (attributes which suit his role as a fighter), as well as the shapeshifting/transformation aspect lending to his somewhat mercurial nature as both Cain and Alexei. I specifically chose a wild dog for him as he is called a 'dog' canonically because of the violent and pack-like mentality of fighters.
Sample: TDM top level!