Editing Narwhal (section)

==Personality==
A former member of the military,<ref name="SB7915 e1"/> this carried over to her interactions with people. [[Taylor Hebert]] could immediately sense she had some kind of military background.<ref name="28.2 e1">Narwhal turned on the spot, facing Saint square-on, and I got the immediate sense that she had some kind of military background.  Another part of me was idly aware that her chest didn’t sway that much, all things considered.  The nature of the shard-covering she wore made it pretty clear she wasn’t wearing a bra, but…<br/><br/>Right.  The same effect she’d used to move the book was holding her entire body.  All of the benefits of a full, athletic figure, none of the drawbacks.<br/><br/>I was still a little weirded out that she didn’t wear any clothes.  In a sense, the scales covered more than a bikini would, but there were no lines or solid objects to break up the natural contours of her body. - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/09/03/cockroaches-28-2/ Excerpt] from [[Cockroaches 28.2]]</ref> Somewhat like [[Rachel Lindt]] the manifestation of her abilities caused a mental shift in Narwhal's psychology, making her extremely driven and a workaholic.<ref name="SB7915 e1">'''Inverness:''' Could you elaborate more on her character [...] ?<br><br>'''Wildbow:''' As a character, she's ex-military, but has a Rachel-like mental issue (and no, it's not exhibitionism) - she spins an awful lot of plates, as head of the Toronto PRT and a prominent member of the Guild. She doesn't stop, and doesn't let herself stop. That's all I'll say here. - [https://forums.spacebattles.com/posts/15084321 Comment by Wildbow] on Spacebattles</ref><ref name="II12.x eTrigger" /><ref name="II20.end eBoth">“Narwhal,” he mom shook her head.  “I still can’t wrap my head around it.  Now was she Protectorate or Guild?”<br><br>“She was both.  A lot of international work.  The Guild went all over the place, primarily to tackle human right’s abuses, parahuman warlords, be heroes to places without heroes.  Then she did the Protectorate thing too.”<br><br>“Does she even sleep?”<br><br>“I honestly don’t know,” Missy admitted.  She was a bit annoyed with the conversation.  She’d had too many ones like it.  “Miss Militia doesn’t.  Neither do Defiant or Dragon.” - [[Last 20.end]]</ref> When not on her downtime, she is as unyielding as her forcefields and is notoriously hard-nosed;<ref name="II17.4 eDowntime">Narwhal stepped away, because two people had drawn close in the last minute, hovering and waiting for her to be free.  She had barely finished talking when she was turning away, addressing the next thing.<br><br>And I could kind of breathe.<br><br>This fucking shoebox in concrete space.  Fuck.  I was just glad Vista had come out of it okay.  By all reports, Narwhal was pretty cool in downtime, but in crisis mode, she was as unyielding as her forcefields. - [[Sundown 17.4]]</ref><ref>“What part of ''do not associate with other members of your team'' do you not understand, Antares?”<br><br>Narwhal was… pretty notoriously hard-nosed.  This was apparently that.  I could see Vista wincing, because she could hear the tone, even though she couldn’t hear the words. - [[Sundown 17.3]]</ref> Narwhal is as tough as Rachel is gruff.<ref>“I don’t want to hurt your career,” I told Vista, adjusting the heavy bag’s strap, where I’d slung it over my shoulder.  “I know Narwhal’s tough-”<br><br>“Narwhal is tough in the same way Rachel Lindt is gruff.  You’re understating things.”<br><br>“And Breakthrough’s… very much not Narwhal’s style, I think.”<br><br>“Agreed,” Vista said. - [[Sundown 17.4]]</ref> She typically does not smile;<ref>“It is,” Narwhal said, without a hint of a smile or trace of good humor. - [[Sundown 17.4]]</ref> however, she did raise rare smiles with [[Chevalier]] and [[Dragon]].<ref>Chevalier addressed us.  “I can’t say much more than that.  I don’t give long speeches-”<br><br>There were a few chuckles.  There was a rare smile from Narwhal.<br><br>“-Don’t panic, ''believe''.  I trust you.” - [https://www.parahumans.net/2020/02/25/last-20-1/ Excerpt] from [[Last 20.1]]</ref><ref>People were drawing closer to the vantage point.  Dragon was greeting Narwhal, leaning in close enough to say something in her ear.  Narwhal smiled. - [[Beacon 8.1]]</ref>

Narwhal expects her subordinates to keep up with her.<ref name="II18.9 eExpect" /> In battle, she is an effective commander and very focused on the mission.<ref>[[Pitch 6.1]]</ref> However, her subordinates did not want to get on her bad side.<ref>“I’d rather have your hands, if that’s okay.  And we should talk.  Not to ''strategize'', that sounds weird, but I’d really rather not get on Narwhal’s bad side.” - [[Sundown 17.4]]</ref> After Narwhal learned that [[Victoria]] being sent to an off-duty Vista while the younger girl was with her boyfriend led to [[Capricorn]] and Victoria accidentally interacting before those two could be vetted,<ref>“What was the context of this accidental meeting?”  Narwhal asked.<br><br>“Narhwal,” Vista said.  It looked like it took her some active work to summon the courage to speak up.  She hesitated as she noticed Jessica and Darnall making their approach, and then pushed forward, “I was the context of the meeting.”<br><br>Narwhal’s crystal-studded eyebrows went up.  “That makes me more concerned, not less.  He still lied, which leaves me suspicious about him, while casting ''your'' behavior into a questionable light.”<br>[...]<br>Vista clenched her fists.  “I was, um, ''with'' Capricorn Blue.  If his brother lied, it was to keep confidence.”<br><br>If there was any doubt she was telling the truth, then the doubter would have to explain the pink ear-tips and flush.  Vista wasn’t ''that'' good an actor. - [[Sundown 17.4]]</ref> she dressed down Vista in public despite the girl having volunteered the information.<ref>“That neatly explains a lot about this,” Narwhal said, but her tone didn’t [soften].  “I remember you were distracted by your association with Capricorn at the raid on the Mathers Fallen compound.”<br><br>“Yes,” Vista said.<br><br>I spoke up, “Distracted is the wrong word.  It didn’t interfere with her performance.”<br><br>“Hold on,” Narwhal said.<br>[...]<br>“One thing at a time.  We’ll unravel the individual issues, which releases those involved to join the handling of the greater crisis.  Vista’s actions and distraction at the time concerned me, and I filed it as such.  Let’s leave it at that.  For now, Vista can leave with just a parting comment from me, I believe Cinereal is on the line at terminal two. - [[Sundown 17.4]]</ref><ref>Have you briefed yourself on all the materials we sent out twenty minutes ago?”<br><br>“Not yet,” Vista said.<br><br>“I see,” Narwhal said.  She gave Vista a sad look.  “You have so much promise, Vista.  You’re almost eighteen.  The Wardens have been talking about elevating you to a higher position, with a team to lead of your own.  This is something you want?”<br><br>“Yes, ma’am.  Absolutely.”<br><br>“We don’t do that for most capes your age because we can’t trust most capes your age to be level headed, or to handle the responsibility of three to ten other lives.  Teenagers act like teenagers, and I had really hoped you would be the exception to that.”<br><br>“Yes ma’am.  I’m sorry, ma’am.”<br>[...]<br>We’ll revisit this when we discuss team leadership after you turn eighteen.”<br><br>“Yes ma’am.” - [[Sundown 17.4]]</ref> This public humiliation of Vista outraged Victoria<ref>I wanted to say something, but with Breakthrough’s current standing, I wasn’t sure I could get away with it, I felt like I’d hesitate to say ''anything'' with both of my therapists looking on, and the only things that came to mind were actively hostile.  Because how fucking dare Narwhal dress down Vista in a public setting- - [[Sundown 17.4]]</ref> and led to [[Carol Dallon]] standing up to Narwhal on behalf of Vista.<ref>“You just came back from patrol?”<br><br>“Not ‘just’, but recently.”<br><br>“These are the hours you’d be recuperating, showering, sleeping?”<br><br>“I don’t think anyone is sleeping or recuperating at a time like this,” Vista said, glancing at the screens.  “Um.  I was sleeping.  Just… with him.  Actually asleep.  Nothing happened.”<br><br>“He’s recuperating?  Better but not at his best?”<br><br>“I’m not interested in debate, Mrs. Dallon,” Narwhal said.<br><br>“I’m not interested in debate either,” my mother said.  “Just asking and commenting.” - [[Sundown 17.4]]</ref><ref>“And delaying us from getting to the matter at hand,” Narwhal said.<br><br>“I’ll be brief.  You were with him, you were woken up, went to see Clockblocker and Kid Win at Valkyrie’s request, and then came straight here?”<br><br>“Yes,” Vista said.<br><br>“Did Byron go with you?”<br><br>“No.  He’s still healing,” Vista said.  She looked nervous, if only because it looked increasingly like she was stuck between Narwhal and my mom. - [[Sundown 17.4]]</ref><ref>“An injured cape and a young woman fresh off her patrol taking the opportunity to sleep seems very sensible and healthy, and if you can look after each other in the process, then that’s even better,” my mom said.  “I like Capricorn as a match for you.  He’s an excellent cape with a great record as a hero, he had a fanbase, and Team Reach was very good about taking the money he earned them and reinvesting that money into his training as a cape.  If you gave me the opportunity, I don’t think there are many I could suggest as a better match for you.” <br><br>“Yes ma’am,” Vista said, looking dangerously pleased with what my mom was saying, considering Narwhal was standing right there.<br><br>Vista ducked out, escaping the conversation.  Narwhal gave my mom a look.<br><br>“I said I’d be brief,” my mom said, to effectively shut down the conversation. - [[Sundown 17.4]]</ref> That said, she is more reasonable than [[Cinereal]]: Victoria thought Narwhal was a militant, no-nonsense, all-business leader who would at least bow to better arguments.<ref>But where Narwhal was the kind of militant, no-nonsense, all-business leader who I was pretty sure would bow to better arguments, I wasn’t positive Cinereal was anything like that.  Cinereal was allegedly unfair, unreasonable, in training, expectations, her lack of patience, and her propensity to hold grudges. - [[Sundown 17.6]]</ref> Although Narwhal would remember incidents for weeks and months, such as Vista and [[Byron]] casually chatting during the [[Mathers Compound Assault]], Victoria believed she would remember what her mother said and take that into account.<ref>That didn’t mean she was unfair.  She’d dress down Vista in public, and she’d remember something like this for weeks or months, like she’d remembered casual chatter with Capricorn back at the Fallen raid, but I didn’t think she was the type to hear something like what my mom had said and ''not'' take it into account, out of spite or anything. - [[Sundown 17.4]]</ref>

She tries to address people she respects how they want to be addressed. She is formal and naturally inquisitive.<ref name="28.2 e2">“Right then, I know most of you,” Narwhal said.  “Weaver, of course, we’ve met enough times.  I liked your last book recommendation.”<br/><br/>“I’m glad,” I said.<br/><br/>“Tattletale,” Narwhal greeted her, a little less warmly, “Hellhound-”<br/><br/>“Bitch.  My enemies call me Hellhound,” Rachel said.<br/><br/>“Ah, I’m very sorry,” Narwhal said.  She looked genuinely upset at the mistake.  “The others, I’m not familiar with.”<br/><br/>“Imp and Canary,” I said.<br/><br/>Narwhal glanced at Aisha.  Of our group, only Tattletale was wearing her full costume.  Aisha, Rachel, Canary and I weren’t wearing ours.  “No masks?”<br/><br/>Imp shrugged.  “World’s ending.  It’s a way to get in the right headspace, eh?  We were talking to Taylor there a bit ago, and what we’re thinking is it’s stupid to spend our time keeping little secrets when there’s bigger fish to fry?  Like it’s stupid to dwell on revenge or any of that.  So it’s symbolic, isn’t it?  A statement?  Eh?”<br/><br/>Narwhal looked at the yellow-haired girl.  “You went without the mask for the same reason?”<br/><br/>Canary shook her head.  “No.”<br/><br/>“Canary is a rogue,” Defiant said.  “And a onetime inmate of the Birdcage.  She never wore a costume.”<br/><br/>Narwhal glanced at Defiant.  “Do you know them, then?”<br/><br/>He nodded.  “Well enough.  There’s no risk in letting them near Saint. Imp is a stranger-five, Canary is a master eight, but I would be very, very surprised if she had taken control of anyone here for the purposes of misleading us or breaking Saint out.”<br/><br/>“Surprised in what sense?  The nature of her power?  Because of Weaver and the Undersiders?  Or because Canary isn’t that type?” - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/09/03 Excerpt] from [[Cockroaches 28.2]]</ref> Narwhal reassured Victoria after her negotiation with the [[Red Queen]].<ref>“Was that okay?” I asked, quiet, not taking my eyes off the screen.  “I know it’s not how you would’ve wanted to do it, but-”<br><br>“It was,” Narwhal said.  “We weren’t getting through.  You did.  We’ll take that for what it is.”<br>[...]<br>I nodded.<br><br>She turned back to the screen, but the hand she’d laid on my shoulder earlier was still there, shifting to a resting one as she turned in a quarter-circle, more reassuring.<br><br>It remained there for a few seconds, before someone needed her to take a tablet with some team information on it. - [[Sundown 17.5]]</ref>

She considered [[Chevalier]]'s leniency with [[Ingenue]] to be ill-advised.<ref name="I28 e2">A forcefield appeared in front of Ingenue. A second later, she was heaved out of the room, sandwiched between the field and the wall.<br/>[...]<br/>“How the hell did she get this far into the hospital?” Narwhal asked.<br/><br/>“Let me go.”<br/><br/>The forcefield disappeared, but another set appeared, pinning the woman against the wall by the throat alone. Narwhal started patting Ingenue down.<br/>[...]<br/>“Let me go, and I’ll be good.”<br/>Chevalier glanced at Narwhal.<br/>"You’re too soft,” Narwhal said.<br/>“You wouldn’t?”<br/>“I would, but I still think you’re too soft.” - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/09/17 Excerpt] from [[Interlude 28]] </ref> When Narwhal saw [[Sveta]] embrace [[Weld]] sometime after the [[Assault on the Time Bubbles]], she internally referred to Sveta as an it and too far from human;<ref>Antares led Weld to one of the last vehicles in the convoy.  He opened the door, and was embraced by what Narwhal took to be his girlfriend.<br><br>''That'' was a mess.  Narwhal had seen him making eyes at one of the other girls in the Wardens.  Slician.  She’d noticed and she’d approached him, and he’d turned her down.  It wouldn’t have been easy.<br><br>This?  ''That''?  It couldn’t be good.  It was too far from human, and Weld was more in touch with humanity than a lot of humans were. - [[Heavens 12.x]]</ref> she liked [[Slician]] for him more than she liked Sveta.<ref>If he’d asked Narwhal for advice, she would have told him she liked Slician for him more than she liked this girl.  That he had his own healing and growing to do, and it seemed to her that he was putting it on hold.  It was maybe better that he hadn’t asked her.<br><br>It was even possible that he knew her well enough to know what the advice she would give would be.  If that were true, then when and if he needed help making the hard decision, he would ask her. - [[Heavens 12.x]]</ref>

By all reports, she is pretty cool during downtime.<ref name="II17.4 eDowntime" /> Narwhal is presumably an avid reader, as she thanked [[Weaver]] for her book recommendation.<ref name="28.2 e2" />

Her PoV chapter reveals that her personality is propped up by formalities and "proper" behavior in the same vein as her body by her force-fields.

===Reputation===
As the leader of a [[Guild|team]] with international renown<ref name="II20.end eBoth" /><ref name="R1" /> and one of the top heroes in the [[Protectorate]],<ref name="SBWoh"><Wildbow> Armsmaster appears in the posters and such of the top Protectorate heroes.<br><Wildbow> When they do the image of everyone standing in a 'v' formation <br>[...]<br><Wildbow> Nah. Legend in front, Alex and Eidolon to the left and right, respectively. Then Myrddin, Chev, Cinereal, Narwhal, Rime, Exalt, Armsmaster, Dragon suit silhouette in the background, wings echoing the wings of the PRT logo over their heads. - Wildbow on IRC, [https://forums.spacebattles.com/posts/21173580/ archived on Spacebattles]</ref> Narwhal has enough presence or clout to walk into a room and turn heads.<ref>There were people who could enter a room, and everyone would stop talking, or the tone of conversation, at the very least, would shift.  Chevalier.  Legend.  Narwhal.  Dragon.  There were people who had impacted world-scale events who didn’t quite have that presence or clout.  I was pretty sure Tattletale was one such person.<br><br>Some of those people had become what they’d become because the PRT had helped make them into icons.  Had taken the virtues those capes represented, and ''sold them'', hard.  They’d made it subliminal and liminal, marketed it to kids and the elderly, and made things like strength, courage, nobility, caring, honesty, and justice things that just happened to go hand in hand with the heroes appearing.  The PRT had boosted social media that sold these principles and the ''presence'' of these capes, and had provided deft answers for anything that appeared to hurt these notions. - [[Sundown 17.2]]</ref><ref name="8.1 e1" /> Her hand-picked group in the [[Wardens]] are veterans with years of experience.<ref>Narwhal’s group were some of the more experienced heroes around, hand-picked from teams like Foresight, the Shepherds, and Advance Guard.  They were veterans with years of experience, many of them ex-Wards who had grown up with their powers. - [[Pitch 6.2]]</ref>

She is not willing to go on TV.<ref>“The other hero teams are getting a chance to shape the discourse?” I asked.<br><br>“Mayday put on a good show, a bit stilted,” Tristan said.  “Some ex-Wardens were also out there.  Chevalier’s back, Legend and Valkyrie are away doing something important.  Narwhal doesn’t do TV, and some of the ex-Guild like Stonewall and more stern, dark Protectorate types like Cinereal aren’t exactly TV types either.” -  [https://www.parahumans.net/2018/08/25/gleaming-9-2/ Excerpt] from [[Gleaming 9.2]]</ref>