We Kill The Lights

[fervidclaret]

WHO: Itsuki and OPEN(one closed prompt)
WHERE: Heropa #16, and then everywhere is available!
WHEN: March 3rd
WHAT: A curious entity exploring it's new habitat
WARNINGS: Possible cannibalism mentions???? Anything else TBA

I. Closed to Heropa #16

[Unlike maybe a number of other people, Itsuki was actually VERY EXCITED to get to his new assigned home. How novel! He hadn't been told where to live since he was a child, and he had NEVER lived with strangers! Strangers from another universe, even!

He came into the home with a big smile on his face, eyes wide with an almost naive look as he looked around.]

Hello! [He called out first, to see if anyone would come out, and if he did spot either of his new roomies, he approached them without hesitation, no matter thier form, a huge grin on his face.]

Oh, it's such a pleasure to meet you! I am Dr. Itsuki Ozaki, and I'm going to be living here now! Isn't that exciting?!

II. Exploring Outdoors

[Oh, he's just as excited to check out the city as he was to meet his new best friends(whether they liked it or not) in his home, and Itsuki could be found strolling all over the place, a huge smile on his face and pep in his step as if he was on his way to collect his lottery winnings. And he might as well be! This place was like winning a jackpot! So much to explore and learn, so many fascinating people eat- er, meet! It would provide a unique challenge and yet in some ways it felt like Itsuki would thrive even more here.

And he certainly seemed to be thriving, stopping here or there to hold up his phone and take photos of any number of things. From city scenes of people taking crosswalks to interesting architecture, sometimes he snaps something of the skyline. Now and then, he may even stop someone to take a picture of them as well, imPort and native alike.]

Excuse me, do you mind terribly if I took a photograph of you...?

[He had the common decency to ask first, at least, before he snapped something of you, but by the time he had gotten to you, he had developed a small entourage of natives which had been taken enough by his charming and somewhat intrusive demeanor to follow him about curiously. He'd managed to convince them not to snap pictures without permission as well, which was likely a feat in itself, but you know. Manners were important!]

You can pose if you'd like, I just think you look so beautiful!

[It didn't matter how they actually looked though. Itsuki found beauty in things that were 'other'. Conventional attractiveness was wonderful, but so were hunchbacked old women with moles on their faces. Everyone had their own beauty, and he intended to capture it for inspiration... in future dishes, really, but you know. Details.]

III. Night life

[A part of living in a new place was finding everything it had to offer. Even so, Itsuki was a classy, cultured man(he thinks?), and so you were not going to find him at some dive bar. Not unless he was hunting, but honestly he wasn't hungry just yet. He had time to simply explore and enjoy himself, and so this night finds him at a nicer bar and grill type place with a back patio that overlooked the water.

With lights stringed about overhead and live music, the atmosphere was friendly enough. There were people who were dancing, people seated at outdoor tables and then of course wallflowers who were likely dragged along here by their friends, or perhaps they were simply trying to branch out and not quite ready to jump into the deep end yet.

Itsuki spent a good amount of time looking out onto the water pensively. Not forlorn or homesick, simply lost in thought. Eventually though, he had to join the festivities, and he took a long island iced tea along with him as he turned to mingle with anyone who looked open for it, even a little.]

It's like a festival, almost. Places like this do this every night, but it still seems like a special occasion, doesn't it?

Comments

Heropa 16

[randallboggs]

[It was generally quiet in Heropa #16 and the pair who lived there rarely crossed paths. Randall had dozed off on the couch while reading. When he went outside he'd mostly been using the human form the Porter had created somehow upon his arrival, but inside the house, privately, he usually went about in his normal monstrous body - the human-sized lizard-like creature. And so it was that that was was what startled by the voice. He awoke suddenly, the book falling with a thump to the ground and he temporarily blended in with the blue couch. For a minute, only a wide pair of huge eyes could be seen. Far too large to be human.]

What the---? Who?

[fervidclaret]

[He #just catches a glimpse of it for a moment. Some sort of scaly purple creature that disappeared as soon as it was noticed.

All... but the eyes. How interesting! Itsuki stares at those eyes for a moment, curious as to what or who they could belong to.]

Itsuki Ozaki! Dr. Ozaki, if you prefer. I'm going to be living here now, it seems. I've nothing to unpack though...

[He #just had his files, which he was probably going to burn. The fewer people who knew about his nature, the better.]

I assume you are a resident here?

[randallboggs]

[He becomes visible again and squints at the newcomer.]

Oh. Another roommate... Great.

[He doesn't sound happy about it.]

Yeah, I'm Randall.

[Two out of four arms cross; the other two move to a hands-on-hips stance. He doesn't offer any to shake.]

[fervidclaret]

It is great!

[His tone makes it hard to discern whether he's genuinely unable to process sarcasm or if he's chosen not to. It was the latter. He has no time to be sour, not now, not ever. But especially not now because WHAT IS THAAAAAT?!]

A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Randall! [He bows low and courteously, though he can't bring himself to tear his eyes from the positively alien form in front of him.]

I've never seen anything like you before, I hope you do not find my fascination rude.

[randallboggs]

You haven't seen a monster before?

[At that he preens, straightens up and sounds quite proud to admit to being a monster. As if that was impressive and not potentially frightening to an apparent human.]

[fervidclaret]

No, I haven't!

[Well. Not really. He didn't count himself anyway. All of his monstery bits were hidden in his human shell.]

How amazing! And you turned invisible before too, that's so... 'cool'.

heropa 1666

[knaval]

[riptide has barely been around, recently. he only pops back when he really wants a sleep in a bed or some of the snacks/alcohol/weed he's stashed in his room.

he's not shocked when the new guy approaches him. it's lucky, actually, given his recent... changes.]

Hi? I'm practically moved out, but hi.

That's what it's gonna be when I'm done w/ it >:3

[fervidclaret]

[Itsuki pauses at that, giving a solemn nod and placing a hand on his chin.]

I see! Moving out then. A shame, but it is still a pleasure to meet you.

[He holds out a hand anyway. Might as well get in a friendly greeting.]

GOOD

[knaval]

[he shakes the hand, though the contact is brief.]

Yeah. Just goin' somewhere better suited for me. You got the house with two aliens, you lucky thing. You can have my room, if you want. I was the only one here for a while so I took the big one. Plus... the other guy's a dingus.

[fervidclaret]

Oh!

[Yes he is absolutely a lucky thing to be in a house with TWO ALIENS!]

Oh, how exciting. I've never met another er... non-human sapient species. I was beginning to worry I was the only one. Well, the only one on Earth, I'm not so haughty to believe I was the only one in the multiverse.

[He'll get to the bedroom situation later. This was really his focus here.]

[knaval]

Oh! You're non-human, too? That's cool. Is this your natural form or did you get a human one by the porter? Cause, spoiler alert, this isn't what I usually look like.

[fervidclaret]

[Itsuki hums, looking the man up and down and even sniffing the air a little. Very convincing! But that was another simple question he's gotten with a complicated answer.]

Uhhh... Hm. Well. It's complicated? This is my natural form. But it also isn't. I was 'born' with it but it's more something I reside in, like a... hermit crab? Or a snail would be a more appropriate analogy. It's not something I was given coming to this world, at least.

[This was weird to explain. He hadn't really tried to explain it before.]

Wh- I mean. Where are you from?

II

[notyourfathersosborn]

[At first, when Itsuki asks, Normie doesn't even turn around. In fact, he turns his head slightly to see if there's someone behind him. It isn't until he keeps talking does he realize that he's being spoken to.]

Oh, uh, sorry. Did you mean me?

[He knows he's not someone most people would consider beautiful.]

Uh, sure.

[Wow those are a lot of people following him.]

[fervidclaret]

[Itsuki's face breaks into a grin as he agrees, and he holds up his camera, snapping a candid photo immediately, not really allowing time for posing. He'll be getting a few other pictures too though, not to worry.

When Itsuki gets permission to photograph the man, a couple of the others also snap a few pictures with their phones.]

Thank you ever so much. I am just so excited... to meet new people in this place! So much like my home, and yet so very different!

[He speaks from behind his phone, looking for perfect angles to capture this one's beauty. The angles, the negative space, the way the lighting worked... Excellent.]

Oh! By the way, I'm Itsuki. Dr. Itsuki Ozaki. May I ask your name?

[notyourfathersosborn]

Norman. Norman Osborn. Feel free to call me Normie.

[He's pretty uncomfortable by all the sudden attention, but he's doing his best to hide it. The guy did have the manners to ask him, at least.]

I have to say, usually new imPorts don't share your... enthusiasm for being here.

ii

[fingerchewing]

...excuse me?

[ Justine is never going to get used to being followed around by natives, plenty of whom decide to take her picture without even asking. The spotlight is not a place she ever wanted to be, she likes to keep her head down and her nanite-tattooed wrist covered. The fact that she's been noticed at all seems to be an inconvenience for her. ]

No, thanks.

[fervidclaret]

[Awwwh, no fun! Itsuki pouts, but he won't argue. He's somewhat intrusive, but he isn't pushy about it. And so he pockets his phone, turning to his entourage and holding up a hand to them.]

You heard her. No photographs.

[They had been well-behaved enough as far as he knew, but he was going to be sure they didn't act out. In fact, when a couple of them didn't look like they were quite ready to give up on an opportunity to snap a photo of an imPort, he gave them the most friendly pointed look you could imagine... while focusing his aura of fear on them. It was enough, and his attention returned to Justine, Itsuki bowing his head respectfully.]

Would you let me know if you change your mind, miss? My name is Itsuki Ozaki, and I'm not... really a photographer, but you have to admit it's tempting to document it when you see something this extraordinary.

[fingerchewing]

I'm Justine.

[ No last name because her canon never gave her one but ALSO because even as quiet and unassuming as she is, she isn't overly formal, either. If something is your business, she'll tell you. She eyes his gaggle of fans warily, they remind her of the group of girls that loiter outside of re:Cafe. ]

Extraordinary? You have me mistaken for someone else, sorry.

[ Or maybe not? She gets compliments and whistles in her work uniform pretty often, which she happens to be wearing now, on her way there. ]

[fervidclaret]

[Itsuki Gets It. Like he was the opposite(not really in formality, he was always just overly friendly), being quite personable, but he understands as well.]

Oh, I'm afraid not, Miss Justine! [He laughs lightly, pocketing his phone.]

I could not possibly have mistaken you for someone else. I have only just arrived in this reality, there can be no other like you. That I know or otherwise.

[fingerchewing]

imPort? Welcome, then. [ She thinks. Some people are lucky to be here, others, not so much. Justine is a member of the first group, but she knows better than to assume he is. A simple welcome, then. ] Looks like you built yourself a fanclub pretty fast.

Forward Dated Punchfest

[wahey]

[Daily life in this new Earth, tensions and all, seemed relatively peaceful and free of the constant threat of attack that plagued his own home. Or so he had thought.]

[Akira had become aware of the demon while passing through the beachside shops of Heropa at night. It's hard to enjoy the sounds of the city when your entire body is suddenly seized by the stirring of the devil's blood inside it. He could feel its presence clear as day. It was so close. But he wasn't going to fight in the middle of a crowded street. He would wait until he could corner his catch in a less populated area of Heropa. Akira didn't want any other casualties (or witnesses if he had to transform) - he just wanted this demon in a thousand bloody pieces before it got out of his sight and hurt someone.]

[The thought came to him that it must be powerful to have the foresight to maintain a human disguise. Part of him hoped this was the case - going toe-to-toe with a proud warrior would more than make up for a week or two of utterly droll, daily routine. The anticipation for that violence was maddening. It was practically ringing in his ears.]

[Whatever Itsuki was doing that night was going to be interrupted by the delivery of a fist to his face - one with supernatural strength behind it - courtesy of a guy with a face that's looking a bit more beastly than human.]

I was wondering when one of you monsters were going to crawl out of the shadows.

[fervidclaret]

[Itsuki had been you know. Having a pretty good day overall. He had never had to be afraid of anyone or anything, never having met a single supernatural being in his own world and just be generally fascinated by the ones in this world.

So of course he's not paying attention at all before a fist flies at his face, Itsuki launched from where he had been walking and coming to a skidding stop on the ground before he even knew what was happening. He hissed with the way it stung on his face as he sat up, fingers touching at his cheek where his glasses had been punched into his face. Where had they gone? Itsuki didn't know, he wasn't tied to time or space but he wasn't omniscient by any means.

So he just squinted at the source of the voice, too terribly near sighted to really see it in detail.]

I... huh?

[He frowned, pushing the hair from his right eye, revealing the rectangular pupil as he decided that the best plan of action here was to use his natural aura to induce fear in this person while he felt around for his glasses, hoping they were not broken.]

[wahey]

[That fear crawls up his spine, bone-chilling and otherworldly. His expression reflected that, pausing for a moment to digest the sudden terror gripping his body.]

[He had certainly still felt fear after his fusion, but not often like this. Was this Amon's fear? Did he know this demon in particular? A name wasn't coming to his mind as it usually did. Whoeover they were, they must have been truly something to invoke an instinctual response like that.]

[How exciting.]

[Akira's demeanor gains a wild expression about it, hair raised into more a touseled mane. The devil features grow a bit more pronounced on him, claws and antennae and all, and the corners of his mouth begin to peel back into a grinning, fanged maw. He could feel his wings beginning to bud out from the two scars on his shoulders, half-formed, stretching the fabric of his clothes.]

[But his opponent was still on the floor, fumbling around for his glasses. Was Itsuki fucking with him?]

What are you waiting for? Show your true face, demon. Stop hiding behind that mask.

[fervidclaret]

[Show his true face...???

This was all so foreign to him, so alien that he didn't have a retort. He wasn't a lion, taking down his prey with sheer force. No, Itsuki was a spider, weaving a tapestry of lies and injecting poison in his victims when they had no chance to escape or fight back.

Still, he could hardly argue anything that was said, so he didn't, just looking up to Akira when he found his glasses... and then changing.

He didn't turn into anything that would be capable of fighting as Akira might expect, instead his skin tearing away as his head turned into the armored head of an ancient fish, his body turning an inky black and taking the shape of a cheetah's body, lithe and agile. It's body was covered in glowing blue eyes which all focused on his foe, fins around it's neck flaring and tentacles whipping around him before it just took off at full speed.]

[wahey]

[What. What?]

[Akira needs a second to react from the wind being blown out of his worryingly bloodthirsty metaphorical sails. Did this demon that had managed to strike fear into him just.. bolt off? Was he not even going to try to fight back? Was all of that just a trick?]

[Wow. This kind of sucks. But that doesn't mean he's going to let it get away.]

[Two large wings rip through the fabric of his clothes and he takes to the air to make chase.]