Peter W. Wisdom

[Powers] This mutant is able to generate heat the approximate degree of the sun, which originate as "hot knives" from his fingers. This heat is also energy and can be thrown as fatal projectiles. Pete can control the temperature of the knives at any time and has used his power from anything to lighting cigarettes to expelling enough heat to combust flammable rooms (as was the case when he blew up a military building in London, a retaliatory move). It is unknown whether his mutant power is internally generated or is a by-product of atomic fission of the air around him. He may need medical tests eventually to determine this. (Nevermind that he's wary of physicians). Pete is invulnerable to the high temperatures he generates. One clever use of his power is creating updrafts of hot air (thermal layers) which enable him to jump out of planes or high buildings without thinking twice, since they slow his fall to a harmless landing below.

[Personality] One could say Pete is the consummate foul-mouthed Brit by merely looking at him. An advocate of the liquor guzzling, chain-smoking lifestyle, he has taken considerable care to establish a rapport with others as an unshaven, antagonistic sonuvabitch. His confidence is unmistakable. The loyalty he has to offer teammates is never given lightly because it takes him forever to make up his mind about people. Furthermore, it's rare to catch Pete not constantly cracking one of his tarty jokes or taking life too seriously. Without his sense of humor, he knows he would truly be mad; a "tosser off his head." The following are some of the man's trademark personality traits. The rest will hopefully reveal themselves in time as others get to know him...

Strengths: Despite the supernatural things he's been exposed to, Pete is an exceptionally rational freelancer. He has learned to put his dark past behind him and concentrate on helping where he's needed the most. The key to his survival has always been his adaptability, and like a cockroach still wriggling after the advent of a nuclear bomb, it's going to take a major disaster to put him down. However, when you catch him in a private moment, he can be personal, attentive, and dare say, even encouraging. And then, of course, there's that smarmy sarcasm of his...

Weaknesses: Pete's weaknesses by far outnumber his strengths. He may not be the best tactician, but his improvisational skills in battle make him an asset to any team. Extremely closed off to strangers, he can come off tactless in conversation and will take deep offense to being compared with the likes of James Bond. ("Wanky fake tosser!") Pete often gets the "shakes" under high emotional stress. For example, he was moved to tears during his last mission for Britain's dirty sect, Black Air: after burning an entire town in the name of 'patriotism,' he vowed to leave the life of murdering for the government forever behind. A self-confessed narcissist, Pete's selfishness sometimes stands in the way between himself and his friends. He abides by his own moral code, though is not inflexible once he attaches himself to a good cause.

Lastly, it can be said that the man is probably drinking and smoking himself to death. He's been on the patch exactly 27 times in his life, and has resisted numerous AA meetings set up by his sister, Romany. His health status is sketchy, at best. These self-destructive habits are reflective of a self-loathing behavior Pete's had since childhood. He's also afraid of toads (bufonophobia) after a "messy bike accident" at five years old.

[History] Pete's thread to the X-Men is Shadowcat. As a last favor to Black Air, Pete agreed to integrate himself into Excalibur and kill them off during a "last mission" to Genosha. Fate had different plans, and before Pete had the opportunity to carry out his job, he suddenly found himself fighting side by side with Excalibur for his life. He eventually warmed up (little by little) to that team and its more famous cousin, the X-Men.

Next came a distress call from an old friend in London, not long after the close call in Genosha. Kitty was there to help fly Pete back to the UK, where the two quickly put their oil & vinegar differences aside. The rest is history: mutual respect eventually turned into love. While the couple have reconciled most of their rocky past, there is still a spark of playful competition between them. (He milks every opportunity to remind her how juvenile she is, visa versa.) How can he help it, though? The girl is still a handful even an ocean away.

As soon as he acknowledges when playtime is over, Pete is very good at what he does. A conniving master marksman and weapons expert, he has built his life's craft around espionage and is at a slight advantage than most in the field. (That's an understatement. He's one of Britain's best.) His motto is to do "whatever needs doing" -- at any cost. He is a specialist at interrogation, reading body language, hostage rescue, ballistics reports, intelligence gathering, and in the past, even assassination. He was hired into Her Majesty's elite clandestine services despite listing "And other sexy qualities..." on his skills resume. These days, although he's refused to take part in assassination, Pete still spends his time as a spook, maintaining numerous contacts around the isles. His weekend trips to Scotland have worsened his drinking, if that's at all possible.

(Slightly modified from canon to be appropos to this timeline. Pete is well and alive, as opposed to being stuck in limbo by his silly writers.)

[Additional information] Debunker of the superhero lifestyle that says one must wear tights or leather to be heroic. Wears a signature black suit with black tie outfit. Loves to watch boxing on satellite. Hates Americans in general. (While he himself is vulgar, he dislikes seeing vulgarity in others.) Hates driving as well -- usually legs it around the city. "Equal opportunity bastard"...won't give the gentler sex a bigger break than men. Keeps his hair in a buzz cut these days. Has bad nights of insomnia.

[Sources] Bio and icons made by Kris for the use of RP over at westchester_x2. Locked and Loaded was consulted for Pete's history and powers. Desmond-Harrington.com supplied all of the pics for icons. The Brit belongs to Marvel. 'Nuff said. Whot.

* Pete keeps a mostly public journal which, if left unabused, will stay that way. ;) Feel free to respond, if your character is familiar with his. Wisdom: Friendly neighborhood asshole.

4/17/05: Pete's on an extended vacation.