Aylene

Aylene Griffin is an enormous member of the Merleen species, specifically the bipedal whale folk native to the UDS affiliated planet Earth.

Earth's Merleen dwell in its vast, cold oceans, and are typically solitary folk. Their immense sizes and appetites often make them awkward members of society, and many develop anxiety over that fact. Aylene is a relevant example of such behaviour: although she is well-liked and cared for by friends and family, her anxiety toward her own size and personality shows in most aspects of her social life.

## Appearance

Aylene's most distinctive feature beyond her size is her unusual greenish-tinged skin, which is a rare look among Merleen. Like all Merleen though, Aylene's skin is tough and rubbery, and protects her against far more than might be initially obvious. Aylene is highly resistant to cuts and bruises, which assists her greatly when moving around in any tight space. Guns and blades still present a danger, but these weapons have a more difficult time piercing her thick skin and blubber, giving her an extra bit of protection.

Aylene is large even by Merleen standards, and has struggled with obesity her entire life, although the already blubbery physiology of the Merleen species means that obesity is less of a problem for them both healthwise and in terms of societal stigma. Nevertheless, Aylene herself has voiced discontentment with her weight, and considers it a burden to her happiness. Although she has a history of losing weight, she has recently started to grow at a rate that is unusual even by her standards. Aylene claims that 'stress-eating' is the culprit, though there is no quantifiable means of expressing how much stress-eating it would take to have such a significant effect on Aylene's already hefty body.

For her part, Aylene would rather the topic of her weight be left alone, as it tends to distract from her other features, such as her skill as a hairdresser. It is well-known that Aylene cuts and styles her own hair, and she has earned many clients among her friends, despite her longstanding anxiety toward offering up her services to others. The rest of Aylene's look is also self-managed, which is particularly relevant because of her size. While she admits that it is not easy to look after herself, Aylene nevertheless insists on being her only caretaker, and cleans and dresses herself entirely independently. Her enormous tail adds yet another challenge to activities such as cleaning and dressing, but Aylene has apparently found a system that works for her. She has not disclosed how much time she spends on her appearance each day, but has casually mentioned that is never less than two hours, and is often far more.

None of Aylene's senses are particularly impressive, but like all Merleen, she dissuades most aggressors with her size alone. Though she is not heavily muscled, Aylene is an avid swimmer and thus keeps her body in fit condition to carry all her weight. Her tail, however, is her body's most powerful muscle, and should be accounted for at all times when in her presence. Though she is not unusually clumsy, the sheer size and power of her tail mean that it can knock flat a grown man with very little warning should one find himself in the wrong spot as it's moving.

Rumours have also circulated about Aylene's appetite being a potential danger as well. Friends have admitted that she is a ferocious eater and enters an almost trance-like state when consuming meals. In theory, someone small enough might conceivably be in danger of becoming part of the meal should they get too close to Aylene during one of these trances, though those who know Aylene insist that such a disaster would never happen.

## Biography

Aylene was orphaned shortly after birth, though she has no memory of this event. After washing up on the shores of Dystopolis, she was rounded up and brought to a local orphanage. There, her demanding nutritional needs presented an immediate issue, and she was promptly advertised as a special needs child. A campaign was even started to get her adopted, which is what caught the attention of Jack Griffin and Axara Pufwog, a young couple with experience handling heavy appetites. After a few weeks of testing the waters, the pair officially adopted Aylene. She was six years old. Although raising Aylene was far from simple for the couple, she and her adoptive family have become close, and Aylene herself claims to have had a happy childhood.

Aylene has yet to graduate high school due to starting late. She has been recognized as a bright but needy student, and thus has taken her time, choosing not to skip any grades. She plans on pursuing a college degree in hairstyling.

## Relationships

Aylene has always had a strong relationship with her father, Jack (Griff) Griffin, and cites him as a major influence on her positive outlook. Her mother Axara has been more distant, Aylene claims, but still a positive influence. Her mother's theater career continues to keep her busy, and thus Griff has become accustomed to being the stay-at-home parent. Despite Axara's frequent absence, Aylene still feels that she has taken up many of her mother's mannerisms, including her difficulty handling displays of sexuality from others. Both of Aylene's parents have had spells of social anxiety, and these traits are clearly visible in Aylene as well.

Aside from her parents, Aylene is closest with her childhood friend Nicole, who she has known since elementary school. Both started education late and bonded over that, but they soon found they had compatible personalities, and they have been in constant contact ever since. Nicole remains Aylene's only close friend, and while no one dares bully her, she nevertheless finds it difficult to make other friends, especially in a tumultuous high-school setting.

Aylene has not had any known romantic relationships, and expresses anxiety regarding the topic. She does not identify as a sexually driven person, and admits to having difficulty with her own emotion. According to her, she is closest with her father and with Nicole, and is not ready to commit to anything beyond a platonic relationship.

## Notable Appearances

* Aylene has starred in a non-canonical comic, *Building Blubber*.

## Trivia

* Aylene works part-time as a lifeguard at local beaches and pools. She saves half the money she earns for future college expenses, and uses the other half for food and beauty products.