CYPHER

Ramsey, Douglas Aaron (Secret Identity) FC
Nickname(s): Doug

CITIZENSHIP: United States Citizen, Minor, No criminal record
PLACE OF BIRTH: Salem Center, N.Y.
MARITAL STATUS: Single, not dating
OCCUPATION: Student / Owner/Operator of Cyphernetics , creates third party apps and sells them online.
AFFILIATION: Xavier Institute

Fi: TY | Ag: TY | Str: TY | End: GD | Rea: REM | Int: EX | Psy: TY

Doug’s family has owned a small hobby farm in Westchester County for almost as long as the Xaviers have been in the neighborhood. Doug, like his father before him, was born in that very house. Historically, the Ramsey’s have been quite a conservative clan. They have campaigned hard against all social progress in their county for the last hundred years, and the tradition has continued with Philip, Doug’s father.

Growing up on a farm in the middle of nowhere, so close to a metropolis like NYC doesn’t do a lot for a kid’s social life. In a land of corn-fed, wannabe, inbred football players, being small and kind of scrawny doesn’t help either. Doug always found it difficult to make and maintain connections with kids his own age. Not really bullied, Doug was more a victim of serial neglect by other kids his age. He just didn’t have what it took to fit in.

Every day for as long as he could remember, riding on the little yellow bus to school, Doug looked out the window and wished he could live in such a grand place as the Xavier Estate. He built fantasies about the people who lived there, the possibilities for friendships and a happy life. When it became a school two years ago, his dream became his torment, as his family would never be able to afford the entrance fees.

Last year, in Junior High, Doug was tested for academic giftedness. His social climbing parents were thrilled with the idea that their misfit of a son might have something that would be the envy of their peers. The testing did, and it didn’t go well. On the upside, Doug was a genius with off-the-scale scoring in mathematics and pattern recognition. On the down side, it caught the attention of the Xavier Institute. He was briefly courted by Xavier himself and soon, paperwork and parents later, Doug was enrolled.

For the first couple of months, Doug lived off-campus. He was so excited by all the new opportunities presented to him. He was a mutant with a special gift, one that brought praise and the admiration of both students and staff. Educationally he was being fulfilled (which, honestly, he never thought would happen in Salem Center), socially he was growing. He was exposed to kids from all over the world, with different ideologies and worldviews. Discovering and exploring his mutant talents was like having a wish fulfilled. What could go wrong? Then things went wrong.

After a breakthrough training session and filled with pride, Doug ran home to confide in his parents his x-gene positive status. It went badly. Very badly. After the beating, they kicked him out and disowned him. All of his attempts to make contact with them have been met with verbal abuse or non-contact. The extended family will not accept his calls either.

Doug now lives at the institute, broken and alone, trying in earnest to pick up the pieces and be a force for good in the world.

E: Hamptons: Dinner Time [Jun 22, 2010] -- Doug missed the part where Tony wasn't going to be home. In desperation to salvage his weekend, he asks Potts the $64,000 question.

E: Day in the Hamptons [Jun 21, 2010] -- Doug studies the library, and learns some interesting things about it's owner. He's also stumbled upon...

E: Day in the Hamptons [Jun 17, 2010] -- After a pleasant bus ride up with Dallas and the boys, Doug finds himself a room. After, he goes in search of the library in hopes of finding some amazing IT.

E: Exclusive [Jun 14, 2010] -- Doug casually ignores Sarah's enthusiasm over Stark's press statement and considers his own position on the public perils of superheroing.

E: Day in the Hamptons [Jun 14, 2010] -- Doug reflects on his morning and packs for the Hamptons.

E: Book Smart [Jun 14, 2010] -- Doug says goodbye to Dallas and hello to Gabriel.

E: Book Smart [Jun 13, 2010] -- Doug talks a bit about learning and offers some help to Dallas should he want it.

E: Book Smart [Jun 13, 2010] -- He likes the idea of being a coffee buddy and whole heartedly supports Dallas' proposal. As their conversation continues, Doug divulges a bit too much of himself and changes the subject.

E: Book Smart [Jun 13, 2010] -- Doug opens up a little with Dallas, and is a little embarrassed by his own need for precision and details. He extends the olive branch back to Dallas.

E: Book Smart [Jun 12, 2010] -- Doug works on his independent studies project in the library and is filled with hope for the future.