Player: Kittiara
Link: http://www.furaffinity.net/user/kittiara/
Character Name: Jody Ketch
Age: 16
Sex: Male
Species: Platypus
Height/Weight: 5'7", 115 lbs
Social Status: Outer Class
Physical Description: At first glance, one might mistake Jody for some sort of hybrid if they aren't immediately familiar with his odd species-- Platypus. His eyes are usually rather squinty, and dark besides so that it is difficult to determine just how closely he's eyeing somebody. His beak is usually in an easy grin. In a sliver along the crown of his head, Jody has a bald patch. The fur doesn't grow back, and on closer inspection there looks to be scar tissue there. He doesn't hide it, and it only adds to his odd look.
His clothes are eclectic, almost all fished out of garbage. His close-fitting stealth suit is his pride and joy, hugging his slightly underweight and extremely flexible body. He won't own up to where he got it, though rumor has it he sometimes acts as a runner for gangs. Faded and torn blue overalls a little too big hang off his skinny frame (he's cut a hole out of the back for his thick tail), his shoes a mismatched boot and some sort of pitiful burlap job. Over his shoulders he wears the remnants of a stylish cape-- and he wears it all like it's still new, or fits together at all.
He is most physically distinguishable by how he is almost constantly doing something odd with his body-- even if he's just fidgiting. He'll dislocate his arm to lick his elbow for instance. If he's even aware that it's disturbing to many people, he probably enjoys it.
Background: Jody and his pals, all orphans (or at least runaways, and basking in what they feel is the romantic notion of being on their own and under 18), have been together a long time. They were the residents of one of the scattered orphanages in the Undercity, the sort that never lasted long enough to see their first generation of tenants through. Most of the kids named themselves-- Jody says he doesn't know where his first name comes from, but "Ketch" is something he gave himself. In fact, that's only because he can't spell "catch" right.
When the orphanage went belly-up, or, more specifically, the matron disappeared one day, the kids took over the building and used it as a makeshift headquarters, laughing boastfully about how they'd make their own little gang and wouldn't do nothin' stupid. Of course, their matron had gotten herself in trouble upside in the Mids. Anyway, once that got 'round, some local game gave them some trouble on account of the orphans' pickpocketing, and they got smoked out-- literally. The ramshackle slum of an orphanage is ashes now, like most others. His, too, is a typical orphan story.
Jody and his friends scattered, and now only a few remain that he hangs out with. He's one of the oldest in his group and leads them accordingly, though recently they have all taken to being more solitary, or hooking up with other groups. Jody gets a few creds for his street performances-- his whole life he's practiced contorting himself in simple sneering defiance of his body's physical limits. This is most likely an attempt to make himself special in comparison to the many other orphans in the Undercity. He maintains that his name is "Ketch" 'cuz he'd be able to "squirm outta any ole sitchuashun." Apparently he wasn't able to squirm fast enough out of whatever one took the fur off the top of his scalp. He currently lives in a slum in the Undercity, wandering wherever he can and returning to his and his pals' residence only for sleep. What he gets up to at the other hours is between himself and himself, though it probably leans towards playing messenger for gangs when he isn't playing Showman and performing his contortion on the streets.
He does consider himself partly responsible for some of the other orphans. His usual clique consists of Snitter (black rat), Walli (canine mutt), Jashy (finch), Bapsef (Egyptian Mau cat), and Mina (chipmunk). Jody helps to earn food for them.
Personality: Jody Ketch is aptly described as a "little snot" to those polite enough to use that particular terminology. One might think a life in an orphanage would have put him in his place or dampened his spirits, but instead he felt in entitled him to a special place among those his age and younger. Though it's true that he is a contortionist thanks to his own perseverence, he is cocky and often far too satisfied with that skill. He's better at running away than fighting, and likes to quip that "th' clever platy wot runs away lives tuh fight anudder day!"
Despite his ego and boastful, often showman-like attitude, the kid's got a pretty good heart, except when he's being completely selfish or insensitive to the feelings of others. When he tries to communicate on an emotional level, he usually fails, but the thought is there. Somewhere. Still, he's not all that sly, just a little clever when it suits his own hide. He denies having very close friends, but treats his younger companions like a part of his dysfunctional little family.
Weapons/Equipment:
-Skin-tight "stealth" suit that makes it easy for him to contort while providing support, and a little protection against the cold (or, in some places, heat).
-Rusty switchblade "acquired" somewhere.
Misc: Like all male platypi, Jody has a small spur on his hind feet-- this is venemous and can cause severe pain. It's not fatal, but is painful enough to incapacitate a foe, and it does describe why Jody's booted foot is in a shoe so big; he can kick it off and give an assailant a nasty surprise. The wound will swell and slowly makes the entire effected limb swell as well; the venom will also cause hyperalgesia (an increased sensitivity for pain) that can persist anywhere from days to months.