The New Humans
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The Watercolours
A four (later five) child clique/amatuer drama group at the New Human Institute. The main protagonists of the story.
Allison Kinsey/Myriad
Allison
A supposed child prodigy from the small town of Harvey in Western Australia, Allison Kinsey was born with the power to perceive the metabolisms of living things as “music” letting her assimilate knowledge and skills into herself, and temporarily copy superhuman powers. Imprisoned in the demi-human asylums alongside her best friend Arnold Barnes, she is rescued by Herbert Lawrence, quickly becoming a new favourite at the New Human Institute.- A Child Shall Lead Them: Gains a leadership role in Catapala, including a seat on the town council.
- The Assimilator: She can rip the soul out of someone's body, gaining permanent access to their powers and leaving them stuck in her head, as she learns when she accidentally does it to Alberto.
- Assimilation Backfire: Alberto manages to take control of Alison's body after she absorbs his mind.
- Bratty Half-Pint: An absolute terror. She does usually listen to her mother though, although she's absent for most of the story.
- Power Copying: Allison can copy the power of any super near her, and can even copy the skill they have in using the power.
- Symbiotic Possession: With Miri, who Allison considers a sister. Very much averted with Alberto.
- Wise Beyond Their Years: Allison has absorbed a great deal of grown-up knowledge from every adult she's ever been in proximity to, which serves her well when she is thrust into a position of leadership among the kids and later Catapala.
Arnold Barnes/Elsewhere
Arnold
The son of a disabled war veteran and a country butcher, Arnold Barnes mysteriously manifested the ability to teleport almost anything almost anywhere in the universe... except for himself. Being a longtime sneak-thief, this is not too much of a disability. Allison’s best friend from earliest childhood, it was he who alerted Herbert Lawrence to her existence. At the Institute, he finds himself struggling comprehend his own feelings towards both her and Maelstrom.- Bisexual Love Triangle: Caught in a pubescent version of one with David and Allison. Bleeds into One True Threesome territory at times.
- Dad the Veteran: Raised by Fred Barnes, veteran of World War II and the Korean War. In fact, owes his powers to an act of heroism of Fred during the Korean War.
- Foreign Culture Fetish: Very fond of the United States.
- Grade-School C.E.O.: Turns his power into a delivery service, in partnership with Mabel.
- Superior Successor: Youngest of his siblings, but the only one with superpowers, thanks to be the first descendant of Fred Barnes born after his descendants were blessed. His young niece shares them.
- Superpowerful Genetics: Played with. His powers come from a blessing on his family that only started to apply with him.
- Young Entrepreneur: A very successful example, thanks to his superpower, but even before he was able to publicly use it, he had the spirit of the trope.
Maelstrom/David Venter-Barthe
David
The son of Melusine and Basilisk, conceived and raised in the name of Herbert Lawrence’s dream for a new human race. A water elemental, Maelstrom is pulled in two directions by both the expectations set for him and the true nature of his heritage.- Attention Whore: Always a drive, but he tried to stand out by being the model New Human... at first.
- Blue-and-Orange Morality: He has trouble understanding human morality. Once he stops craving Lawrence's approval this is much more obvious. He's still better at it than the rest of his family.
- Elemental Shapeshifter: Can turn himself into water and manifest his human form out of water. Not necessarily the same water.
- Enfant Terrible: After meeting his grandfather, he becomes an absolute nightmare to manage. Has mellowed out somewhat since, even to the point of willingly wearing clothes.
- KidAnova: Has a remarkable level of success with the other kids of the institute, once the anarchy starts.
- Making a Splash: Can control massive amounts of water in exacting detail, including his own elemental form. It's harder in less pure water (although salt water is fine), but he can still control it.
- No Nudity Taboo: Much to the annoyance of many, many people.
- Superpowerful Genetics: Inherited his powers from his mother. Did not inherit his father's "power", thanks to Eliza's intervention.
Mabel Henderson/Phantasmagoria
Mabel
The orphaned daughter of a miner found deep in the deserts of Western Australia, Mabel Henderson has the power to bring illustrative art to life. A confident, theatrical child, she is one of Maelstrom’s only friends at the New Human Institute. William “Billy” St. George/Growltiger
Billy
The son of a rich, powerful family, Billy St. George was hidden away from the world from birth due to his tiger-like appearance. This strange mutation has also left Billy with the powers of matter transmutation, ultra-powerful vocalizations, and conveniently, invisibility. The only overtly inhuman looking child at the New Human Institute, Billy faces life with an almost painfully bright and cheery attitude. Spoiler Character
Miri
Miri lived in the flesh for less than a day. A superpowered clonal child grown by the Physician, Allison Kinsey was forced to assimilate (after passing on her old New Human name) Miri now lives within Allison, enanching her powers and buffeting her mind against Alberto. Incredibly curious, she and Allison try to work out how to be sisters while sharing a body.
