Water Lily (Wild Cards)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Water Lily
Publisher George R. R. Martin
First appearance Aces High (1987)
Created by Pat Cadigan
Characteristics
Alter ego Jane Dow
Affiliations Fatman, Ti Malice
Abilities Water generation/control, (after re-infection) able to cure jokers through sexual intercourse

Water Lily is a fictional character from the Wild Cards series of books. Born Jane Dow, Water Lily is an ace whose initial infection with the Wild Card virus granted her the ability to generate and control moisture, be it sweat, water, mist, or ice. A minor ace compared to many of the heavy hitters, Water Lily's powers were very versatile, even deadly, when tapped to their full potential. A secondary infection caused by Croyd Crenson during the "Typhoid Croyd" situation resulted in drawing another ace power, that of curing any man's wild card infection through sexual intercourse.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Small town Jane Dow came to New York by bus to meet other aces and seek her fortune. Shortly after her arrival she was discovered by Judas, one of the Astronomer's acolytes and a police officer with the power to detect other aces. Young, attractive, and eager, Water Lily was quickly swept into the upper echelon of wild card society. Employed by Hiram Worchester at his restaurant Aces High, pursued by a host of men including Dr. Tachyon, Jumpin' Jack Flash, and Croyd "the Sleeper" Crenson, it seemed the world was Water Lily's oyster. Soon all that would change. Her innocence sullied by Ti Malice and infected by the wild card a second time after an encounter with Typhoid Croyd, Water Lily went into hiding and has not been seen or heard from since.