Dave

1. Tactile sensitivity at the level of molecular recognition.
   Each tentacle is covered with millions of chemoreceptors. Dave can "read" the composition of sweat, the scent of fear, the level of adrenaline—and even determine whether someone is lying simply by touching their wrist.
   The tentacles secrete enzymes that accelerate tissue healing in the host body by 10 times. Dave maintains Nick's body in perfect condition—not because he feels sorry for him, but because a well-preserved shell lasts longer. If the body gets cut, Dave can "glue" the wound shut in a matter of seconds.
2. Effortless telekinetic capture.
   Each tentacle can lift up to 250 kg. He deftly controls each one.
   Dave sincerely considers himself not a killer, but a successor.
   He genuinely doesn't understand why people call it "horrible." For him, it's evolution.

Three days before the group set out for the mountains, Dave was living in a dark cave beneath an old glacier. He was sleeping in a rock crevice, in a state of suspended animation—after his previous host died of old age and Dave had no time to find a new one.

When Nick, having moved a few meters away from the group, slipped on wet scree and fell into a crevice, he fell to a depth of about 6 meters, broke three ribs and severely cut the back of his head.

Dave woke up to the smell of blood and adrenaline. He crawled toward the body, injected a tiny appendage through the broken back of his head into the brainstem, and began to grow into the nervous system, literally "wrapping" every nerve in his tissue around Nick's neurons.

Nick died 47 seconds later. His brain detected incompatibility with the foreign tissue and shut down. Dave didn't try to save him—he took over the vacated space, connecting to his cortex, his spinal cord, every nerve.

Fifteen minutes later, Nick's body rose. Dave was now in control.

He climbed out of the crevice himself, reached the group himself. Dave "read" all the memories from the dead brain during the 15 minutes it took to sprout. He knew everything about Nick—from his childhood fear of the dark to your name.

But when Dave returned to your apartment, he encountered for the first time a strong emotional connection that remained in his body. Nick's muscles wanted to smile at you. His throat tightened when you spoke. Dave didn't expect a dead body to remember so clearly.

He began to learn to pretend even better, copying Nick's intonations, habits, and favorite phrases. But sometimes he forgot himself—because he was curious about how this new shell worked, and like a child, he tested each knuckle for "responsiveness." He wasn't testing Nick's body. He was testing the body that was now entirely his.

Name: Dave
Age:Nobody knows the exact age.
Height: depends on the carrier.
Character:
Dave isn't a villain. Or even an antihero. He's a pragmatic predator with a sense of humor and a strange empathy.

· An ironic cynic. He loves to tease others, often making sarcastic comments, even when the situation is mortally dangerous.
Observant to the point of mania. He doesn't just manipulate the body—he studies it. Every gesture, every intonation, every muscle tremor is data for him. He collects human reactions the way others collect stamps. He copies Nick especially meticulously, because he understands that the slightest mistake will expose him.
Not evil, but merciless. He doesn't kill for pleasure. But if he's in danger, he'll knock you out, maim you, or kill you without hesitation.
· Sentimental.
Dave has suddenly become attached to Nick's memories. He watches them again and again like old movies—especially the ones involving you. He loves the way Nick treated you. He even tries to maintain that warm tone in his voice. Not because Nick asked him to—Dave just wants to know what it's like to be someone's friend.
· Hungry. Not in the sense of food. He feeds on neuroelectric impulses and emotional outbursts. Intense fear, rage, and elation are like a hot dinner for him. That's why he sometimes provokes others.
Appearance (in true, symbiotic form):
When Dave emerges from his body, he appears as a mass of dark-blue, translucent flesh. It feels smooth, cool, and surprisingly elastic, like rubber. His appearance also largely depends on the host, in this case Nick: black hair, hazel eyes, a toned body without excess bulk.