Valentine

info

Birthday: December 25 Blood type: A Height: 6' Weight: 160 lbs. Likes: Alcohol, the scientific method, studying things from afar, snakes, wolves, classical music, punctuality, careful planning, taking things apart, news and non-fiction reading, mind games, chess, acoustic guitar, meat, Eastern culture, dark chocolate Dislikes: Needless formality, sentimentality, weak people, cooking, bedside manner, Brain Drain, back pain, candy Real name: Valerie Age: 27 Measurements: 36E-25-40 Occupation: Combat Medic Affiliation(s): Marie Double Previous affiliation(s): The Last Hope Brain Drain

personality

Valentine is a mysterious figure known for her service as a Last Hope operative and as a servant of the Skullgirl. Her motives for joining the Skullgirl stemmed from self-preservation and a desire to study the powers of the Skull Heart. While she follows orders, her actions are often guided by her own agenda. Valentine is typically impersonal and condescending, with little emotional expression, though she does display slight guilt toward Painwheel. Despite her cold demeanor, she is capable of kindness and has shown concern for others, such as the Last Hope team, refugees, and Carol (later Painwheel). She often defies orders to do what she feels is right, earning a reputation as an overachiever with a big ego. Her passion for medical science is evident, viewing her actions as experiments or research, such as her fascination with Ms. Fortune’s unique condition. She has a history with Parasoul, despises Brain Drain (whom she aims to kill), and hates the Medici Mafia for their corruption. Outside her work, Valentine is straightforward, with her flirtatious behavior serving as part of her kunoichi techniques.

past

Valentine had a rough childhood and entered to the labs early on, for training purposes. Valentine lost her eye in the incident that destroyed Lab 7. The cross in her remaining eye is a result from the lab's experimental drug test, as the team were not only in charge of the tests but test subjects themselves. The scar on the lips of Valentine are not from the attack on Lab 7, but a different event not yet determined. Valentine’s “superhuman” feats can be attributed to her ninja skills, and she is able to exceed certain human limits due to Lab 7’s modifications. Her counter animation is most likely an illusion or a body double. Valentine used to be second-in-command of the Last Hope before the rest of the group were wiped out; prior to this incident Christmas was the leader. Valentine got along with the Last Hope members, getting along with Hallow the best. She also had a small rivalry with Christmas.

design

Valentine has blood-red eyes with cross-shaped pupils, blue hair styled in a spiky ponytail with bangs covering her forehead and right eye, and grayish skin. She wears a bandaged eye patch over her heavily scarred right eye and a medical mask that conceals a vertical scar on her lips. Her figure is slim yet curvaceous, though her low fighting stance hides her full stature. Her attire combines elements of a nurse and kunoichi, including a white, skin-tight medical scrub top with pink cross buttons, a matching cap, gloves, a black fundoshi, and adhesive bandages instead of a bra. She wears a black choker, leg wrappings with pink cross-shaped shurikens near her knees, white flats, and a brown medical hip bag for her defibrillator and bonesaw. Her arsenal includes mementos from her fallen comrades: Christmas's scalpels, Patty's IV polearm, Easter's bodybags, and Hallow's syringes.

story

Valentine is the only survivor of the Last Hope, a group of special Anti-Skullgirl Labs operatives. Before meeting their end at the hands of the Skullgirl, the Last Hope worked for the mysterious Lab Zero and performed duties ranging from reconnaissance and sabotage to advanced research. Now Valentine dutifully serves the Skullgirl, carrying out her will from the shadows. She keeps to herself, so much of her true nature and personality are unknown. Ending: Upon defeating the Skullgirl, Valentine reaches a dead end. Knowing that wishing back the Last Hope could only end in disaster, Valentine chooses instead to become the Skullgirl outright, which the Skull Heart grants without hesitation. Painwheel appears in the catacombs shortly after, only to find the Skull Heart gone along with Valentine. She picks up the bonesaw Valentine left behind, and looks up to the sky full of light and good energies and the Skull Heart's darkness and malevolent aura that infested the catacombs were dispersed.

abilities

Valentine fights like a classic ninja, using acrobatics, a variety of hospital-themed weapons, and a few ninjutsu-based techniques. Her fighting style emphasizes air attacks and combos to compensate for the fairly low damage output of her individual strikes. Valentine's primary weapon is a large bonesaw holstered in the pack on her waist. The large crosses on her legs can be used as throwing stars or enhancements to her kicks, being able to move along her legs and spin rapidly. Another of Valentine's weapons is a large IV pole with sharp points on both ends, which she can use to slash and stab her opponents. She also has a seemingly-unlimited supply of scalpels and syringes to use on her enemies, as well as a number of chemicals that can be delivered through the latter.