020 ✤ o p e n

[akito]

Character: Wanijima Akito & OPEN
Date: May 10^th - May 31^st
Location: Various
Situation: Various
Warnings: n/a ; will update as needed
Notes: Akito will be shapeshifted for a majority of the month. If you want his normal appearance just make a note of it in your tag.


{ Scenario #1 }

No matter how much Akito may want to sleep his days away, still hurting from Agito's disappearance despite them both being aware it was likely only temporary, he still has a job to do. With the increase in crime he's noticed an increase in delivery requests from nervous kedan, on top of the requests he's been getting due to the sickness going around. It keeps him too busy to miss home, and he can't even feel guilty about being glad for the increase in business, regardless of the reason why.

There are enough deliveries that he covers only one sector per trip instead of two or three, yet he still finds it enjoyable - it gives him time to see the sights of each district as opposed to rushing through them.




{ Scenario #2 }

Work isn't the only thing that's been keeping Akito busy. Days when delivery requests are few and far between are days he runs his errands, stocking up on supplies to wrap and tie packages, groceries, and any other necessities he needs that week.

He never really purchases too much, though he makes sure to take his time and browse through all of the selections when he has a chance, just in case something catches his eye.




{ Scenario #3 }

If he's not working or running errands, Akito can be found at his apartment working on various things - homework from Callaghan, organizing his business records, or even building anything from basic furniture to complex ornamental pieces out of scraps. Bird keeps him company during these times, singing him songs to keep his mood up, or urging Akito to play games with him.




{ WILDCARD }

Want something else? Just toss in your own starter or contact me at froakie.

Comments

[pushtheboundaries]

He hasn't done this in...years. It takes him a bit to get back in to practice, but Bird 'helps' by pulling the occasional loose strand to him, occasionally attempting to do it himself, sometimes Robert swears they're commenting on his method- either way, the man braids Akito's new lengths with as much due diligence as he would any project.

"When, exactly, was the last time you said you'd done this yourself?"

[akito]

Akito is still somewhat confused as to how this happened, but he isn't about to complain. His hair was one of the few, non-painful ways Kaito would show affection to him, and though it was never to this extent it's... nice. Makes him miss home just a little bit less. It's still too soon for him to go back to his old face, however. He doesn't think he could handle seeing his reflection again just yet.

He considers Callaghan's question; pauses to tap his pencil once, twice, three times against his notebook as he thinks on it.

"Layna-chan was trying to help me learn how, but we haven't really spent much time together in a few weeks." Of course, that's implying that he's braided his hair successfully before, which he hasn't. "You could say I have never done this by myself before. I only know how to put in beads - not braids."

[pushtheboundaries]

"Mmm. Well, beads aren't too easy; if you put some effort in to it, you could probably be able to do this yourself. Properly." The last bit is necessary, considering the mess Akito was making of himself when Callaghan came in to check on him; after getting used to the sight of him in person, his focus had been on the clear struggle of the boy, and from there...well. Here. With Akito sitting down and the professor at his back, carefully segmenting and weaving the lengths together.

The last time he did this, it was with cables and wires. At least this particular set of hair is somewhat easier on his fingers.

"I'm a bit out of practice, myself, so that gives you more motivation to learn." Fix his mistakes, and all that.

[akito]

"I've been putting beads in Papa's hair since I was small, so that isn't very hard for me," he says. Of course, it's harder to put beads in your own hair than someone else's, but he's managed well enough in the past. "I never had a reason to braid his hair though. If he was really hungover I would tie his hair in a ponytail so he wouldn't get sick on it."

It is quite possible that someone in this room is missing their father very, very much. Even if he was kind of a shitty one. "With long hair it should be easier to learn on though!

"For being out of practice you still seem to be very good at it, Oyaji-sensei."

[pushtheboundaries]

Once again, Robert Callaghan feels a twinge in his chest regarding Akito's upbringing. What kind of 'Papa'...

"Well, some things are hard to forget." Especially if, for him, they're associated with positive memories. Wistfully missed ones, but positive nonetheless. "I'll get something for you to practice on- thank you, Bird, please move- if you'd like."

[akito]

"Like riding a bike," he agrees, giggling as Bird puffs up proudly before immediately sulking. "I can practice later. I'm still going to have long hair in the morning, ne?"

[pushtheboundaries]

"I don't know. You're the one who's suddenly grown it out, you should tell me."

He's still getting used to it, but at least Akito's personality is the same. He could probably look nothing like himself, and if only by his uniqueness, could still be recognized.

[akito]

"When I'm asleep my body goes back to its default, but I'll still change back to this after I wake up."

So yes, he's definitely still going to have long hair in the morning. "People keep asking if my hair and my eye colour are the only things I've changed," Akito muses after a moment. "It's really strange! Different hair makes a person look totally different, ne? I've never changed my hair before, so it's kind of fun."

[pushtheboundaries]

"So as long as you're conscious, hm?"

Good to know. So maybe Akito will just have to remember the braided hair, or...this will happen all over again. (Maybe next time, though, he can shift it in to them, properly).

"Despite your little 'makeover', you're still the same person inside, and no amount of shapeshifting will do that. Unless," he adds, "you take it on like some sort of mask or disguise? But that's something else, I suppose."

#2, around May 10-11th?

[skeletonenigma]

Skulduggery happens to be inside his world's equivalent of a stationary store one bright morning, though he doesn't take very much time to browse; he brings a small notebook over to the proprietor almost as soon as he notices it. He stops when he rounds a corner and nearly bumps into someone he's sure looks familiar, but he can't quite place who it is until -

"Akito?" he asks, head tilted to the side. "No deliveries to make today?"

[akito]

He has his customary, reflexive stiffened posture when he first catches sight of Skulduggery, though he relaxes again almost immediately after. Everything about Skul is just so biologically wrong that Akito's instincts can't help but force him to be on edge. Likely an evolutionary quirk. Or just a sign that he's innately aware that skeletons shouldn't be living.

"Skulduggery, hi," he greets, tongue stumbling over the name and causing him to furrow his brows in irritation, but otherwise not acknowledge it. It's been a while since he had reason to say the skeleton-man's full name. "I finished the first portion sooner than I thought, so I have time before my evening deliveries."

Akito is glad for the time as well, considering how quickly he's been running out of notebooks. He keeps painstaking, coded notes about each and every one of his deliveries, then uses up notebooks too quickly when doing his assigned homework. And then even more notebooks get used up with blueprint designs or recreational drawing.

[skeletonenigma]

Time in which to buy notebooks. For work, Skulduggery wonders, or pleasure? Likely a mixture of both. Akito doesn't present as conscientious, but anyone who's used his delivery service - or spoken with him more than a few times - would be able to tell he takes his responsibilities seriously.

Skulduggery means to ask if there's been any news regarding the two Chihuelans Yunxu has captive, but stops in favour of asking another question first. "Why is your hair white?"

Either Akito's found a sample of whatever granted shapeshifting abilities, or white hair is becoming a Keeliain epidemic.

[akito]

Akito grabs one of the longer strands of hair between two fingers at the comment, twirling it absently. He's had his bangs fall just past his collarbone before, but this is even longer and the novelty has yet to wear off.

"I felt like a change! It's cute, ne?"

[skeletonenigma]

Skulduggery doesn't feel especially qualified to comment on the second part, but he'll agree it's a change. He'll even go so far as to say it's a drastic change.

"You felt like a change, and the change happened?" Skulduggery asks. "Or have you found something which triggered the change?"

[akito]

"I felt like a change, so I shapeshifted." He doesn't mention he's able to because of his bracelet, as he tries to keep information like that a secret now, for the most part. Better that others think his bracelets are just unimportant bits of fabric for fashion than magical artifacts. "I've been able to do that for a while now."

[skeletonenigma]

Shapeshifting with intent. Skulduggery might have guessed that Akito got a sample of whatever the Chihuelans were using, but as far as he remembers, that's a recent development. If Akito's been able to shapeshift for a while, the Chihuelans may just be a coincidence.

Maybe it's also why they targeted Akito.

"Good for you," says Skulduggery, turning to pay for the notebook he's holding. "Good luck with the rest of your deliveries today."

[akito]

"Un! Thanks." Akito begins gathering up the collection of notebooks he's chosen, all on discount. There are so many that it's awkward for him to carry them, but once they're bagged he figures he can shift his tail to help tote them around if need be.

Twelve notebooks should be enough for a while. And whatever discounted inks and pencils he can grab as well. Nobody can say that he doesn't keep his desk well stocked!

starter to EIRYAM

[akito]

Akito knew where to go and who to ask, but it still takes him longer than he'd planned on to get around to actually seeking the emissary out. Zanru had been kind enough to give him the location, and it wasn't difficult to find. The most difficult part is regaining his footing now that Agito has come and gone again.

But Agito was proud of his progress and agreed with his plans, and his lingering support is enough to force his feet to Eiryam's residence. He steels his nerves and tries to rekindle his confidence. The sound isn't something he imagined, and there has to be something more to it.

Akito announces his presence, then waits by the entrance with restless legs and fidgety hands. He's made sure to stay in his unaltered form, feeling it would be more polite in addition to being possibly less confusing.

[cherrywood]

The Metal Sector is certainly a place where Eiryam feels at home, and its level of technology is the closest in Keeliai he has to what he's familiar with in his country. When he hears that one of the Foreigners has come to see him, he is pleased, and Akito is only waiting a few moments before Eiryam comes down to see him.

"Hello," he said. "You asked to see me?"

[akito]

Akito offers a polite bow of his head in greeting, then gets straight to the point. "Zanru informed me that I should contact you I have about a question regarding a wavelength I heard from underneath the consoles' communication frequency."

[cherrywood]

"A wavelength?" Eiryam repeated, sounding interested. "We use them frequently, to communicate between our domes. You say you heard it underneath the console? Everything I've seen of them indicates they're built into the Great Turtle's body."

[akito]

A firm nod. "There's the wavelength running to the consoles from below, but there's another one under that with a different frequency and rhythm. I can't trace the direction it came from, or what it is though."

It's a relief to be able to finally speak about this to someone familiar with communication frequencies. He'll have to thank Zanru again later for directing him to Eiryam.

"The console frequency sounds like a normal communication frequency, but the other one is deeper, and flows... It sounds almost like waves. It is a nice sound to listen to."

[cherrywood]

"The first one sounds like the bio-mechanical power source," Eiryam said thoughtfully. "What were you using to listen to the frequencies?"

[akito]

"Un, that's what I thought too. I was hoping to be able to add some sort of wireless router to a console to translate the signal wirelessly..." A helpless, sheepish shrug. "But with the consoles the way they are, it wouldn't be possible."

Eiryam's question initially catches him off guard, Akito not having expected that despite it being logical to ask. "I just use my hearing."

[cherrywood]

"Even if you solved the bio-mechanical problem, it's doubtful you'd be able to achieve a reliable network that isn't on the lowest band ranges, like the radios use. The atmosphere of Konryu is saturated with electromagnetic radiation, so almost all the natural EM bands have been rendered inert."

Eiryam waits, looking at Akito skeptically, as if to say, no really, what were you using?