OUT of CHARACTER
Name: Kim
Other characters: N/A

IN CHARACTER
Name: Dave Strider
Fandom: Homestuck
Canon point/AU: AU; Facing Her Imperious Condescension for a final showdown
Journal: rememberstime
PB: Mixed; Art and Play-by is Stephen Thompson
History:
Pre-Scratch Dave

Post-Scratch Dave

Post-Scratch Dave lives a fairly different life as oppose to Pre-Scratch Dave. He grows up in the same city and high rise apartment, but there's a glaring difference. Post-scratch, his role is switched to that of being the guardian. Instead of his Bro raising him, he was to raise his Bro.

Unfortunately, that will never come to be.

Dave grows up, likely, like his original counterpart for the most part. But even then, there are differences. Dave doesn't grow up with Jade, John, and Rose as his friends. Their colored texts and quirks will never be a norm in his life as Jade and John are born much earlier than he is. While Dave may have heard or known the two by name, he would never actually get to know them. However, it is likely that him and Rose befriend each other. It is highly possible that both of them have knowledge of what is to come or even have memories of themselves in the pre-scratch timeline. An example would be Dave's obsession with Con Air at some point. Dave never met John, but he grew obsessed with John's favorite movie. There's also many parallels between the pre-scratch Dave and Rose with the post-scratch Dave and Rose. Dave is considered a "martial nobility" like a knight and Rose still holds her powers as a Seer. Dave still wears Ben Stiller shades, although they were give to him by Ben as oppose to John. Rose also has "wytchkkraft" powers and once in awhile, during photos, Rose will blacks out which parallels when Rose had went grimdark.

Dave grows up to be a famous movie maker and holds a rather vast media empire. The webcomics he makes in the pre-scratch timeline end up being a series of famous movies that he makes in the scratched universe. Dave is still the brilliant mastermind behind Sweet Bro and Hella Jeff. But things are quite amiss in the scratched universe. The Crocker corporation has slowly been gaining power and only very few seem to realize the danger of it. Jade English(Jade Harley), being one of the first to try and go against the Batterwitch. Dave's movies were heavily lined with symbolic meaning pertaining to the Batterwitch or trying to leave some kind of message to the audience. Much like Rose and her CotL series, they were very subtle in their messages. Not wanting to start too large of waves too early, they had to be more indirect about how they went about things.

He cranked up his production 11/11/11, even when things are already out of the bag. It just shows Dave's devotion to his work.

While diving into all this though, the two were also preparing for Dirk and Roxy's eventual arrival. Rose, who seems to retain her Seer-like tendencies and interests in the occult, knew that they would eventually arrive. Both Rose and Dave prepared both their homes for this arrival. Dirk would eventually inherit the apartment that Dave lived in and everything that Dave left behind for him. This included tech and weapons and a lifetime supply of orange soda.

Eventually though, the "rebranding" will happen. It happens on 3/11 and causes the downfall of the western civilization. The world started preparing to go to war with the Baroness(Batterwitch), only, they were just preparing and building to set her own armies up instead. The media deteriorated and entertainers became demagogues. The Baroness would pay these people to push her agenda forward. By the end of it, the Surpreme court was held by a corrupt man (Darn you Guy Fieri!) and the Constitution was rewritten for the Baroness' eventual throning. Billions of people were being eradicated by this time.

The last free election held was 2024 when President Jay and Dope were elected as the first and last dual presidents of the United States. They were juggalos and the juggalo party had gotten huge at this point. Of course there was nothing to really be done since the Baroness backed them up. The next few terms were horrendous as the presidents did nothing but spiral society downward with the help of Fieri. At this point, Rose and Dave had enough of these antics. With the resistance movement failed, they had little left to do. But they could bring these criminals to justice.

Dave had challenged the two presidents to a duel. Dave would be regarded as an iconic hero, his showdown on the rooftop against the juggalo presidents would be cited as one of the most heroic moments human history would ever see.

He would kill both of them.

No one really knows what happens to Dave after. The only thing a few could mention was a man holding a sword flying off into the sky on a shitty skateboard.

It is likely after this that Rose and Dave regrouped after Rose had taken down Fieri. There are no actual concrete evidence, but only theories. Seeing as the human population had been decimated and there was nothing else they could do, Rose and Dave would confront the Condesce herself. Of course, their final battle with her would only end in defeat. At that point, the Condesce was completely overpowering and the two would go down fighting against her.

Presentation:
Dave is a lot like his younger self. The kind of dorky kid who tries to be cool and aloof. The only difference is that he's actually grown to be that kind of cool and rather aloof person. He didn't grow up with Bro to raise him and the circumstances are infinitely different from the Scratch. He's grown, and a good thing too with the events he had to take head on with only Rose as a companion. And even then, he did much on his own.

Dave is calm and collective. He doesn't quite freak out and keeps his emotions more in check then his younger counter part. It's mostly due to his age and maturing that he's like this. He's also slightly more expressive because of it though. He doesn't quite always keep that completely nonchalant attitude up. He doesn't feel like he has to as much. Dave just doesn't quite react or flip the proverbial handle like his younger self probably would. That doesn't mean he doesn't get legitimately upset or anything. He just outlets it differently. As someone who has to handle harsh critics and the entire world breathing down his neck, he probably is able to keep a calm facade through thick or thin. Even in the face of death, he holds his head up high and doesn't let his nerves bring him down.

Dave isn't afraid to take things too far or voice himself. He does it in subtle ways though. He doesn't quite shout it, and most likely, many people interpret him wrong or differently from the point he's trying to make. Of course, he probably does that on purpose. He keeps that certain air of mystery around him that way. In that regard, it also protects him. He doesn't have to show his true self and it makes it harder for people to really know him. It also gives him a reason to hold people at arm's length if he does that. Much like the pre-scratch version of himself, he's emotionally stunted in some regards. He knows what he wants and he's willing to do what he can for it. He's determined to take on even the most impossible situations. He's willing to fight, even when he knows it may be a losing battle.

Dave is really a grade-a douchebag. He says and does things that come off as being a prick. His cool demeanor makes him seem uncaring. He's aloof and nonchalant and he hides his emotions behind a thick wall. It's not perfect, and to some point, this is part of who Dave is. It's also a finely made mask at times too. Sometimes it's hard to tell when Dave is acting or actually being that type of person. He uses words as a weapon more often than not, or uses them to trick or fool other people without letting them see his true meaning or his honest self.

To Dave, it's all a very well done act. The hot shot movie director that he shows is what he wants the public to see. He comes off as arrogant, and maybe with his fame, that isn't a surprise. He's still a charmer. He knows how to use his words well and there's a reason that media loves him. He knows how to play the role that people want him too and he's fine with that. He's confident. He knows what he wants. He has plenty of attributes that are considered worthwhile and appreciated.

Motivations:
Dave does have a good head on him and an even better heart. He does everything for a reason, although sometimes the intentions don't quite reflect in his actions. He's still a bit of a dork. He likes things that would seem nerdy or lame and he does have his times where he's truly kind of embarrassing and lame. They're just moments that the media or public don't see. He shows care in different ways from others. Although he will never meet Dirk in person, Dave prepares for Dirk's arrival as best he can. He leaves behind what he can for the other. The only sign he'll be able to convey to Dirk that he cares deep down inside. He shows his insight and devotion to people through his movies, trying to pull up a resistance against an impeding tyrannical rule under the guise of a corporation.

There's a slight bitterness to this Dave. Perhaps for many reasons. But it holds to him and makes itself impossible to be rid of. Perhaps from the fact that he remembers thirteen years worth of a life he didn't actually live, but did in another time. Or maybe that he does remember, and is bitter because that isn't his life now. It just makes him incredibly bitter. And lonesome. Dave, for all his fame and glory, is rather disconnected to the people around him. He doesn't quite attach himself to anyone in particular. He probably only grows close to Rose. Someone who can relate and understands how he feels. It's unsure how much the two remember or how vague the memories are, but it's enough for them to have some fair knowledge of what's to come.

Dave's will is unwavering. Once he's set himself to do something, he'll do it. His entire career and life has basically been this. It wasn't the fame or fortune that motivated him to make his franchise, but the message behind it. Inside his films were political propaganda and he had a much deeper agenda that wasn't just entertainment. He spent a good portion of his life trying to take down an alien intending to take control of Earth while still trying to be discreet about it. After all, those that opposed Her Imperious Condescension usually saw death in their future. Even when that failed and she gained a stronghold over the government, he didn't stop. He fought. Even when he knew that he wouldn't raise Dirk as his own, he didn't just accept it and moved on. He prepared a place for Dirk and left him with whatever he could so that Dirk could grow and live even without his hand guiding the other.

He's smart and resourceful and everything he does has some sort of meaning, even if it may not be apparent.

SAMPLES
Thread:
In which he sacrifices himself to get Dirk and Jake to safety.
Speaking with a Rose that isn't quite your Rose.
Stranger Danger

Prose:
He was all but confused for just a moment. There was no time to be confused or panicked. So he didn't. He took whatever information he could get and was already devising plans. It wouldn't do him much good if he sat back and just took whatever this was. But he had no power here. His influence from his own world was meaningless in his new setting. He needed to build it all up again. It was a painful realization to be back at the bottom again. To have to scrape, claw, bite, punch, and kick his way back up, but something he would do regardless. He's not going to give up. Not when he was this far.

Impressing people to survive? Story of his life. It's almost laughable if he weren't in a situation to laugh. After all that's happened, he's been tossed into another world to fight to survive.

Fine. He'll play this game. He has no choice in the matter, anyways. He'll play it. Win it. Gain the influences he needs and wants. Build everything up only to tear everything down and see their faces when it happens. For now though? He'll play the tribute. He's spent his entire life charming critics and peers alike. He can play this song and dance.

Dave walks forward, a smile on his face and a confident step in his walk. He can't show weakness. He can't look scared. Not if he wants to truly impress these people. He keeps his head held up and his gaze on the judges peering down on him. He doesn't recoil or falter but stays there completely solid. Nothing in his eyes betrays him. He then gives them a courteous bow before making his way towards the selection of swords. He knows how to use these and he doesn't waste a chance to show that he already knows how he intends to impress them.

He smirks. Time to fuck shit up he supposes.

What is your character scored:
Dave is a human. He has no time traveling abilities or such that would make him super powered. The only really outstanding ability he has is his speed. It's referred to as flashstepping and it's been shown that they move faster than the eye can see. It makes him a formidable foe when he can move quickly and quietly around his opponents and striking when their guard is down. Other than that, everything else is all trained into him.

Physically, he's probably at his optimal strength. He's more reliant on his speed than his strength. He also has pretty high stealth skills and survival skills. As someone who was pitting himself against Her Imperious Condescension, he had to really know how to use his resources and wit to get around as physically, he had no chance against all the powers she had. He's definitely smart too with how he lines his films with propaganda that has all the critics raving and ranting with what it all means.

He's also definitely no push over and he's willing to kill as it's seen in his history of taking down people for the sake of what he believes in. Dave would definitely kill in the Arena to survive.

But those aren't the only reason he would score high. Dave is an entertainer. He works in the entertainment business where keeping the attention of his peers is what he's grown up to do. It's what made him famous and what kept his career going. In short, he really knows how to entertain his guests. He'll speak and do things to gain the attention he seeks. After all, why shouldn't he want to give himself as much as an advantage as possible? He's going to use what he's gonna get. It's a good thing that Dave likes to charm. He does enjoy being the charming fellow. Maybe kind of arrogant and brass. Maybe he's a bit of a jerk. But isn't that what makes him more likable. The crowd doesn't want someone who isn't sure of themselves. Who can't raise their hand against someone else because their will wavers. Dave will be sure to show that he's capable and that he intends to survive while still having a personality passed ruthless killer.

At least he's also pleasing to the eye.

I would definitely score Dave between 9 and 11, with heavily leaning towards 10 or 11. He has experience and he has very high fighting capabilities along with survival skills. He also would definitely try and give the entertainment people seek and do his best to gain the attention to further himself. He also has flasthstepping, which is a more outstanding ability, but isn't considered inhuman as Dave is human. It wouldn't be considered an ability that would be dampened or hindered.

Additional information: N/A