obeir | Dec. 5th, 2023

First Impressions

(Adapted from the Glencola Reef version that was originally put together by Lalo's player.)

Character

CHARACTER NAME: KD6-3.7, which as he'll tell you, is his serial number and not a name. Goes by K.
SEX: Male
HEIGHT: 6'1"
BODY TYPE: Are they thin, fat, muscular? Short or tall? Do they work out or are they sedentary?

Tall, slim, athletically muscular and in peak physical condition, as one could expect of an android designed for combat and law enforcement — specifically the hunting/killing of other androids. He's a beefcake though people may not realise it because he tends to wear a dozen layers. Fun surprise if anyone catches him shirtless, I guess. While his head hair and beard do grow naturally, he notably doesn't grow body hair (manufactured that way per his owner's preferences).

APPARENT AGE: How old do they look to an observer? Do they look their age, or do they look older? Younger?

Excerpt from the script of K's introduction: "This is K. You’d peg him for 30 if you didn’t know better. Refined features, flawless skin. Intelligent eyes that breathe in detail and exhale warmth. Gifted with a grin that masks wry for earnest."

An artificial 30. He doesn't age. It's a whole Thing that humans in his canon can now peg androids for what they are at a glance through various in-universe tells, chief of which being their obedient nature and possibly the fact most humans still on Earth (as opposed to those living offworld) are varying degrees of sickly or malnourished, likely to have radiation poisoning, etc. Whereas androids remain completely unaffected and very healthy looking. They're also, you know, generally manufactured to be conventionally attractive.

An observant character should have little difficulty picking up on K's synthetic nature (or just something being very non-human about him), I think, even if they're unfamiliar with androids.

Basics

SHADOW: "While in Limbo, your character’s soul is visible in their Shadow– as in, the literal shadow they throw when standing in light. Though it’s a dark silhouette, as expected, here the shape changes form to show the innermost image of self– who your character believes they truly are on the inside."

His Shadow usually looks like him but will always be restrained or imprisoned in some way — in heavy shackles, collared and leashed like a dog, with marionette strings attached to his body, etc. — and flickers with a strange static, occasionally contorting into an unrecognisable digital/machine amalgamation. He views himself not as a person but as a manufactured product, a useful tool, a slave whose purpose is to serve humans.

DEMEANOR: How do they carry themselves? Do they have confidence, or are they meek and timid? Do they seem relaxed or tense? Do they joke around a lot or are they very serious and prim? Basically, what "vibe" do they give off to an observer?

Calm and confident, alert in an observant way, reserved but prepared to act as needed. Basically the android personification of a police dog. (A Nexus-9 android called K. Owned and employed by the LAPD, programmed for obedience. Can't tell me that K-9 allusion wasn't intentional on some level.)

His sense of humour skews dry. People will get the vibe he's Very Aware of them at all times but not necessarily in a threatening way; he's mindful, he's watchful. He'll relax around anyone he's comfortable with. He's curious about others and listens attentively to them when they talk, you can tell he isn't just waiting for his turn to speak. To some degree he unconsciously tries to match the energy of those around him.

BODY LANGUAGE: What's their body language like? Do they have good posture or do they slouch? Do they invade other people's personal space when they speak to them, or keep their distance?

Perfect posture, you'll only catch him slouching if he's exhausted or able to relax around someone, and maybe not even then. He prefers to keep his distance and his body language tends to be closed-off and guarded. He's tactile with inanimate objects (likes to touch everything when investigating) but not people, unless he's very comfortable with someone. At times he displays some characteristic symptoms of abuse, such as ducking his head, refusing to make eye contact, and shrinking in on himself to make himself less of a target. It may occur if humans get violent with him, because his programming prevents him from being able to retaliate or harm them. So he doesn't exactly have a lot of options there.

DRESS: How do they usually dress? Are they well-dressed or do they just go with jeans and a t-shirt? Where's their clothing from? What's it made of?

His clothes are function over fashion, very utilitarian with a military look. He likes layers. Notably his coat is laminated cotton, not leather, an intentional costuming decision for the movie because animal products are virtually nonexistent/exorbitantly priced/taboo in the world K's from. Because real animals are nigh extinct on Earth.

SMELL: If they smell like something distinct (cigarettes, a specific perfume, whatever), put that here.

He has no distinct smell of his own and in fact that lack of smell might be the most noticeable aspect. He can be drenched in sweat but it doesn't smell like much of anything, and is very noticeably different from human body odour. Because... robot. The strongest smells that cling to his clothes will generally be detergent and possibly scents related to his immediate surroundings, like rain, smoke, etc.

VOICE: Describe how they speak! Do they have an accent? If they do, what does it sound like? If someone were to guess where the character is from based on their voice, what would they probably think? Do they speak quickly or slowly? Is their voice high-pitched or low? Is there anything strange about the way they speak? Do they speak with confidence or do they hem and haw?

A couple references from canon. Baritone voice, ambiguously North American accent, he enunciates clearly but occasionally might use informal contractions (gonna, wanna, etc.). He sounds like Ryan Gosling lol. Because I have plans for K to become a musician, bonus baritone singing voice reference.

SCARS/TATTOOS/MARKINGS: Any distinct markings like tattoos, scars, etc, that would be visible to an observer go here.

No scars or tattoos. His manufacturer serial number is visible on the underside of his right eye (so will be visible to others if he's looking upward), the ocular identification that all androids of his model bear.

FOOTWEAR: What kind of shoes do they wear? Ever go barefoot?

Tactical boots. He has no issue going barefoot if there's a reason for it, but he isn't likely to travel that way by choice. Wears shoes indoors with tile/wood flooring, more likely to be in socks on carpet/tatami/etc.

HYGIENE: Describe your character's overall hygiene here!

He regularly bathes and prefers to stay clean. Normally keeps his hair short and well-groomed, and sports some beard scruff, but may occasionally go clean-shaven.

PHYSICAL CONDITION: Are they eating/sleeping? Bags under their eyes? Have they been taking care of themselves or are they looking rough? Do they have any long-term injuries, such as a deep scar or a missing eye or limb?

He takes good care of himself. Doesn't need to eat or sleep to remain functional. No long-term injuries or scars, and all limbs are accounted for.

ANYTHING ELSE: If there's something interesting or unique about your character that you think an observant person would pick up on, that isn't covered by any of the categories listed above, put that here!

Hmmm let me think about this one.

Possessions

Do they have any possessions they're especially protective of? Anything they don't let other people near, are especially vigilant about guarding, etc.

He isn't likely to let others handle his gun or Joi's emanator.

In general, how do they handle their possessions? Do they just carry their things everywhere or do they have a vessel to carry them in? Do they leave their possessions unattended, or are they careful about keeping things with them? Do they have a lot on them, or do they travel light?

He doesn't have much at this point. The few items he arrived with are kept in his pockets.

Are they armed? Gun, sword, whatever. Doesn't matter. The important question is: are they packing?

Yes, he has his handgun from canon. It's designed to stop essentially superpowered androids, so when used against humans, it's probably likely to take off limbs. Very powerful in other words. He would prefer not to test this.

Etc.

Visual references for K's body type for reasons 👀