Claire

“This is…truly innovative!” —Claire

### Affiliation

Angelyta (coworker), Sarah (coworker), Noah (coworker), Cal (for taking care of Arya)

## Physical description

### Eye color

Brown

**Claire Brighton** was a known researcher of Alterna, the founder of the Happiness Research Lab (Site 6 of Alterna), and the mother of Arya. She was also the scientist who found out about the psychoreactive liquid crystals and made the connection experiment, that would later be the reason of Arya’s survival to the collapse.

## Appearance

Claire had light skin, brown eyes and long, blond hair, which she always tied up in a ponytail when she’s about to go into the lab to research. She wore one of the same black bodysuits that everyone in Alterna wore, specifically designed to fit her physical needs, and a white lab coat with the Alterna logo and her personal signature on it.

## Personality

Claire had a calm and collected exterior, knowing how to act and when to intervene in certain situations. She was very responsible, refusing to do anything that would later affect her or anyone else. She always tried to have a positive outlook on things, although she’s also really direct, and wasn’t afraid to state facts when needed, no matter how shocking they might be. Despite her desire to improve the society of Alterna and give everyone a better life, she wasn’t desperate to escape and reach the surface. Instead, she accepted life in this alternative.

## History

#### ***Arrival in Alterna***

Claire was just five years old when the surface forced humans to find another place to live. Before entering Alterna, she lived in a small city, still being expanded. Shortly after everyone left, it was devoured by the rising sea levels, but the young girl didn’t know what was going on at the time, thinking everyone was just going on a temporary trip to this underground cavern. Little did she know, she would never see the surface again. But even after finding out, the surprise didn't take long to get overlapped by something else. As optimistic as she was, she started dreaming of what Alterna could turn out to be in a few years. She thought of using this new place to create a perfect city, even better than what she knew from the surface.

#### ***Thriving and improving***

Growing up, Claire did everything she could to pursue her dream. Always sticking up to the most knowledgeable people, asking them things she didn't know or doubted with. She also pitched her own ideas to them, hoping they would get recognized and used. So when scientists were elected as the leaders of Alterna, Claire's new goal was to become one. That way, she could help improve her society even more, and get officially recognized on top of that. So she began studying and working hard to achieve that title. Despite the hardships that Alterna fought with at the time, plus some people's still-hateful and misogynistic comments about how women shouldn't belong in that sort of work, she kept on going, never backing down. And eventually, after many years, she reached that goal.

#### ***The HRL’s founding***

Now that Claire joined the science community, the next thing she needed was her own workspace. Coincidentally, it was being planned to divide Alterna into what would later be called Sites, each specialized in its own type of contributions. She saw this as an opportunity. A chance to make a place designed especially to all she was devoted for. And so, she began designing sketches for a Site dedicated to her community. With the help of some architects and builderpeople, nine tall buildings were made, each one of their floors with a specific purpose. On June 6th 3056, the Happiness Research Lab was founded. The Site was immediately successful, as many people from other Sites moved there to begin their own projects. Of course, Claire didn't stop there, so she began researching for something else she could improve in Alterna. And it turns out that her early experimental studies on cephalopods turned out to be fruitful, with the discovery of the psychoreactive liquid crystals.

#### ***A new generation***

Shortly after the liquid crystals were used to line up the dome of Alterna, Claire finally felt accomplished in what she had done. She gave the people of Alterna a sky to look at. A reminder of what they could see when they didn't have the need to dispose of an alternative. When they were still living in the surface. And yet, she still wondered what else she could achieve with this mind-reading substance, so she returned to the drawing board. However, this time, she was stumped. She couldn't think of anything else to do with them. That is, until she met Aaron Robertson, a newcomer to the Happiness Research Lab. Not only did he volunteer in helping her with her project, but they also had...quite the affection for each other. And, after a few years of working together, Claire decided she would need someone to continue her legacy and make even greater contributions to Alterna. And so, Arya Brighton was born.

## Gallery

The group of main scientists of the Crystal Neuralink Experiment. Claire is in the center.Art drawn by @DewdropDrawsStuff