Post by Akito Himura on Mar 27, 2016 9:08:09 GMT
Akito Himura
Age: 18|| Male|| Reaper ||
What would you do if I told you,
there is no safe place for you,
or me, or anyone?
What would you do if I told you,
there is no safe place for you,
or me, or anyone?
Appearance:
There is absolutely nothing to envy about Akito Himura, not anymore anyway. Before the Calling, Akito was almost popular for his good looks alone. Tall, dark, and handsome, (if 5'8 could be considered tall), Akito was never anything less than attractive. Untethered, his dark, thick hair fell just above his waist, though it was often the victim of the female high school cosmetic students. His eyes were a deep brown, attributed to his Asian heritage, as were the rest of his stern sculpted features. Akito was always known for looking sharp. Although his clothes were docile in nature, he has a special way of making just about anything look classy. However after the calling, things took a turn for the worst.
Akito's soft brown eyes became sharp, slanted emerald slits, often reflecting flecks of gold. His once beautiful hair became thin and fragile, even falling out altogether in some places. Akito's skin, once soft and clear became increasingly dry and uncomfortable. In some lights one just might catch the faintest glint of the minuscule transparent scales that now cover his body. The hollow ridges that have formed beneath his eyes have filled themselves with a dark, unnatural black color. Most often Akito covers these areas with makeup, giving himself a rather gaunt and hollow appearance as a result. However when he is unable to do so, the markings sharply contrast with his eyes casting a reptilian look about him.
Once neatly filed and manicured, Akito's nails have become long and sharp in nature. Though he once attempted to saw them down with a file, they seemed to grow back within a few days. The only thing about Akito that hasn't changed is his thin, willowy build and average stature. Due to his rather unsavory circumstances, Akito rarely leaves the house. He has taken to concealing his gaunt little frame beneath one of the many Yukatas he wears when serving at his family's restaurant.
The imprint is a dark brand that encircles his left arm. Two thorny like appendages encircle his forearm before almost meeting at the top of his wrist. His father once pointed out they looked like two thorny serpents, a fitting comparison.
Akito's soft brown eyes became sharp, slanted emerald slits, often reflecting flecks of gold. His once beautiful hair became thin and fragile, even falling out altogether in some places. Akito's skin, once soft and clear became increasingly dry and uncomfortable. In some lights one just might catch the faintest glint of the minuscule transparent scales that now cover his body. The hollow ridges that have formed beneath his eyes have filled themselves with a dark, unnatural black color. Most often Akito covers these areas with makeup, giving himself a rather gaunt and hollow appearance as a result. However when he is unable to do so, the markings sharply contrast with his eyes casting a reptilian look about him.
Once neatly filed and manicured, Akito's nails have become long and sharp in nature. Though he once attempted to saw them down with a file, they seemed to grow back within a few days. The only thing about Akito that hasn't changed is his thin, willowy build and average stature. Due to his rather unsavory circumstances, Akito rarely leaves the house. He has taken to concealing his gaunt little frame beneath one of the many Yukatas he wears when serving at his family's restaurant.
The imprint is a dark brand that encircles his left arm. Two thorny like appendages encircle his forearm before almost meeting at the top of his wrist. His father once pointed out they looked like two thorny serpents, a fitting comparison.
Personality:
Akito has always been a rather cold, tsundere-like character. That part of him will probably never change. Growing up as an only child in a Japanese environment has only added to his rather serious and reserved demeanor. Self-image and how his actions reflect upon his family are very important to him. This is why Akito tries so hard to conceal what he is. A reaper. But how can one effectively conceal insanity?
Like everyone, Akito has his better days where it feels like he almost normal, and he has very, very bad days. He lives in a state of consistent emotional instability and can only handle very little amounts of stress before he snaps. Most would assume that having grown into the likeness of a snake, Akito would have become deceitful and untrustworthy. Oddly enough, the opposite remains true. Very rarely will Akito tell a lie. He delivers the truth in a rather cold and blunt way that often surprises others.
Since the calling, Akito has become very reclusive in nature, often spending his time serving in the Red Lotus, or hiding out in his basement. When he's confront with others, his initial response is to hide or conceal himself. If he broods for too long, there's not telling what he might do to you.
Like everyone, Akito has his better days where it feels like he almost normal, and he has very, very bad days. He lives in a state of consistent emotional instability and can only handle very little amounts of stress before he snaps. Most would assume that having grown into the likeness of a snake, Akito would have become deceitful and untrustworthy. Oddly enough, the opposite remains true. Very rarely will Akito tell a lie. He delivers the truth in a rather cold and blunt way that often surprises others.
Since the calling, Akito has become very reclusive in nature, often spending his time serving in the Red Lotus, or hiding out in his basement. When he's confront with others, his initial response is to hide or conceal himself. If he broods for too long, there's not telling what he might do to you.
History:
Akito was the jewel in his parent's crown since the day he was born. He was always perfect. He did well in school, he was respectful, he made good friends, he was helpful, and he brought honor to their family. His parents couldn't have asked for a better child. In fact they were so well-pleased with him, Akito used to expect the forestalled having another child to avoid jinxing their 'perfect' family dynamic. It never really bothered Akito though. To be honest he didn't care what his parents did. Perfect just came naturally to him.
Akito's whole life he's been helping out in his parents' tea shop. Whenever he appeared down or depressed, his mother used to constantly tell him the story of how he served tea from as young as two years old. Of course, that's probably the biggest exaggeration Akito has ever heard, but sometimes it feels like he really has spent his entire life at the Red Lotus. Given the tea shop is attached to their home, it's sort of unavoidable. The Red Lotus has always been a place where he could find solace. If not inside, he loved to paint the gardens or even dip his feet into the cool ponds. His mother always encouraged him to paint at the entrance of the tea shop to attract both customers and good conversation. Though his watercolors aren't much to brag about, Akito has always done exactly what he's told, and done it perfectly.
When the first calling happened, Akito grew very interested. What was this mystery no one was able to unravel? When the stress levels in the city became too high, many civilians wound up at the Red Lotus, seeking solace not simply in its tea, but the beautiful protected gardens. Akito eavesdropped on the bewildered citizens who spoke of this calling, as if from heaven! One night, when the New Moon had returned, Akito himself woke up. It was as though he was shaken awake though he couldn't remember why or by whom. There was a low humming sound, something between the electric hum of a drone and a monotonous, dull chant. Thinking someone had left an appliance on downstairs, Akito had dutifully gotten out of bed to discover the source of the noise.
When he arrived at the kitchen, he discovered the front door was wide open. The sound was coming from outside. It was only a sudden presence that had forced him to look over his shoulder. That's when he'd first seen it, a snake. From a very young age, Akito hated snakes. The reptile itself was easily taller than Akito's own doorway and had ducked it's head to observe him closely. How the behemoth of a reptile had even gotten inside, or how it was even possible to exist never crossed his mind. Akito turned hand ran. The further he ran, the louder the hum became, until finally he could not control his limbs.
They were moving on their own, one before the other until suddenly they just stopped. Akito could hear the snake crashing through the woods behind him and though he longed to run, his limbs would no longer obey. They wouldn't even let him turn. He became aware of a massive body slowly coiling around him until only his head was free from the tangled mass that was his body and the snake. The beast lowered its head closer and closer, opening its mouth to flash sharp white fangs. But as it did, the chanting Akito heard grew louder and louder until it appeared to be coming from inside the snake itself. The reptile's body suddenly split at the sternum, opening to reveal rows upon rows of pinchers and fangs. As the chant reverberated around him, Akito's last coherent thought was I'm going to die...again.
When Akito was seven years old, he went to visit his cousins a few towns over. They had been playing out in a clearing in the woods. During a game of hide-and-go-seek-tag, Akito had tripped and fallen face first into the ground. Upon contact the ground beneath him began to sag until it gave way altogether. The recent rains had loosened the soil, and as the ground dropped away it revealed a massive nest of snakes. And down Akito fell, face first into their midst. Though he was only seven, he vividly recalls the sharp tails whipping frantically as the reptiles scattered, and the incessant hissing that seemed to shatter his ear drums. He remembers hearing his mother scream and the sudden weight upon him that made him realize he was sinking. He was suffocating. He remembered the foul taste that coated his mouth for weeks after, and the sensation of scales slithering past his skin and through his hair. Most of all he remembered the biting.
When Akito had been successfully extracted, he wasn't breathing. Immediately he was rushed to the hospital where they were able to resuscitate him upon arrival. The snakes weren't venomous and their bodies had save him from breaking any bones upon impact. Aside from several stinging bites, Akito left the hospital injury free. But from that day forward, nothing terrorized him more than snakes. He hated them. The calling couldn't change that either.
When Akito awoke, he first felt relieved. It was just a nightmare. However only a few moments later he discovered he wasn't lying in bed, but in the shallow waters of the lake. Bolting to awareness, he only managed to get a few feet before the Awakening began. The pain, it was nothing like he'd ever felt before. The screaming, the crying and thrashing, none of it helped. Eventually Akito lost himself completely. He let the pain consume him, and he drifted away from himself. By the time his parents recovered him it was far too late. He was a Reaper. That didn't stop them from dragging him back home. Weak from the Awakening, Akito could do nothing but hiss and bite. In their basement they locked up their son, hoping and praying for the day he might become normal again.
Recently, it's become apparent that day isn't going to come, not anytime soon. Still, Akito's parents make an effort to allow him out of the basement on his better days, and keep his condition a secret. To the public eye, he looks very gaunt and sick, thus his parents excuse for pulling him out of school and only allowing him limited and constant supervision with others. So far no one has caught on, but a wolf can't hide in a sheep's clothing forever.
Akito's whole life he's been helping out in his parents' tea shop. Whenever he appeared down or depressed, his mother used to constantly tell him the story of how he served tea from as young as two years old. Of course, that's probably the biggest exaggeration Akito has ever heard, but sometimes it feels like he really has spent his entire life at the Red Lotus. Given the tea shop is attached to their home, it's sort of unavoidable. The Red Lotus has always been a place where he could find solace. If not inside, he loved to paint the gardens or even dip his feet into the cool ponds. His mother always encouraged him to paint at the entrance of the tea shop to attract both customers and good conversation. Though his watercolors aren't much to brag about, Akito has always done exactly what he's told, and done it perfectly.
When the first calling happened, Akito grew very interested. What was this mystery no one was able to unravel? When the stress levels in the city became too high, many civilians wound up at the Red Lotus, seeking solace not simply in its tea, but the beautiful protected gardens. Akito eavesdropped on the bewildered citizens who spoke of this calling, as if from heaven! One night, when the New Moon had returned, Akito himself woke up. It was as though he was shaken awake though he couldn't remember why or by whom. There was a low humming sound, something between the electric hum of a drone and a monotonous, dull chant. Thinking someone had left an appliance on downstairs, Akito had dutifully gotten out of bed to discover the source of the noise.
When he arrived at the kitchen, he discovered the front door was wide open. The sound was coming from outside. It was only a sudden presence that had forced him to look over his shoulder. That's when he'd first seen it, a snake. From a very young age, Akito hated snakes. The reptile itself was easily taller than Akito's own doorway and had ducked it's head to observe him closely. How the behemoth of a reptile had even gotten inside, or how it was even possible to exist never crossed his mind. Akito turned hand ran. The further he ran, the louder the hum became, until finally he could not control his limbs.
They were moving on their own, one before the other until suddenly they just stopped. Akito could hear the snake crashing through the woods behind him and though he longed to run, his limbs would no longer obey. They wouldn't even let him turn. He became aware of a massive body slowly coiling around him until only his head was free from the tangled mass that was his body and the snake. The beast lowered its head closer and closer, opening its mouth to flash sharp white fangs. But as it did, the chanting Akito heard grew louder and louder until it appeared to be coming from inside the snake itself. The reptile's body suddenly split at the sternum, opening to reveal rows upon rows of pinchers and fangs. As the chant reverberated around him, Akito's last coherent thought was I'm going to die...again.
When Akito was seven years old, he went to visit his cousins a few towns over. They had been playing out in a clearing in the woods. During a game of hide-and-go-seek-tag, Akito had tripped and fallen face first into the ground. Upon contact the ground beneath him began to sag until it gave way altogether. The recent rains had loosened the soil, and as the ground dropped away it revealed a massive nest of snakes. And down Akito fell, face first into their midst. Though he was only seven, he vividly recalls the sharp tails whipping frantically as the reptiles scattered, and the incessant hissing that seemed to shatter his ear drums. He remembers hearing his mother scream and the sudden weight upon him that made him realize he was sinking. He was suffocating. He remembered the foul taste that coated his mouth for weeks after, and the sensation of scales slithering past his skin and through his hair. Most of all he remembered the biting.
When Akito had been successfully extracted, he wasn't breathing. Immediately he was rushed to the hospital where they were able to resuscitate him upon arrival. The snakes weren't venomous and their bodies had save him from breaking any bones upon impact. Aside from several stinging bites, Akito left the hospital injury free. But from that day forward, nothing terrorized him more than snakes. He hated them. The calling couldn't change that either.
When Akito awoke, he first felt relieved. It was just a nightmare. However only a few moments later he discovered he wasn't lying in bed, but in the shallow waters of the lake. Bolting to awareness, he only managed to get a few feet before the Awakening began. The pain, it was nothing like he'd ever felt before. The screaming, the crying and thrashing, none of it helped. Eventually Akito lost himself completely. He let the pain consume him, and he drifted away from himself. By the time his parents recovered him it was far too late. He was a Reaper. That didn't stop them from dragging him back home. Weak from the Awakening, Akito could do nothing but hiss and bite. In their basement they locked up their son, hoping and praying for the day he might become normal again.
Recently, it's become apparent that day isn't going to come, not anytime soon. Still, Akito's parents make an effort to allow him out of the basement on his better days, and keep his condition a secret. To the public eye, he looks very gaunt and sick, thus his parents excuse for pulling him out of school and only allowing him limited and constant supervision with others. So far no one has caught on, but a wolf can't hide in a sheep's clothing forever.
Abilities:
Snake Physiology. The calling needn't do anything else to drive him further into insanity then turn him into a snake! Though Akito remains in the form of a man, he is slowly developing into the likeness of a snake on a physiological level. Aside from the changes in appearance mentioned above, Akito has been 'blessed' with several more snake-like attributes.
Thankfully, he doesn't have a forked tongue. But it is unusually long. When fully extended, his prehensile tongue hangs just above his belly button. The length of it even disgusts himself and keep it fully concealed often leads to his slur of s's.
Snakes don't even have eyelids, so they can never blink. Though they can close their retinas when they sleep, their corneas are protected and covered by a thin membrane. Lucky for Akito, he still has his eyelids intact, but with the extra membrane he has no need for blinking. Because not blinking is unnatural for any human being, his mother forces him to carry a watch with a set timer. Every thirty seconds it buzzes, reminding him to blink if he hasn't been doing it frequently already. But rather than help his current position, it often infuriates him to no end.
Akito has also become ectothermic. He depends on other sources outside of himself to regulate his body temperature. With the approaching warm weather, Akito tends to remain in the cool darkness of his basement or the shady garden. However when he grows too cold, he will sun himself on warm rocks or snuggle right up with his space heater. A quite recent discovery has been his retractable fangs. Far from cool, or even useful, these dagger-like teeth have proved to be nothing but a nuisance. Akito has very little control as to when they decide to appear and as the teeth split his gums to emerge and retract, they leave his mouth constantly bleeding or sore.
A rather discreet alteration, Akito's skin is covered in a layer of very fine and translucent scales. They cannot be seen unless held up to the light, but often they can be felt. This smooth, dry skin is like an outer layer that Akito had the displeasure of slipping out of once before. Shedding the entirety of his skin is an experience most snakes go through three or six times a year, and one he'd rather not experience ever again.
Aside from his physical change, Akito's snake physiology allows him a few unusual abilities. The most obvious would be body shedding. Though it's only happened once before, upon significant injury, Akito is able to remove himself from his outer layer of skin. This does not always mean the injury has been healed, only that his cells have been freshly regenerated.Whether the injury is healed completely depends on the extent of the injury. A mere scratch or a simple gash might disappear, but deeper wounds that have punctured several layers of skin are likely to diminish in size, if not stay the same.
Akito also has an elastic jaw. This isn't really an ability as much as it is a side effect. Like many snakes, Akito is able to unhinge his jaw in order to swallow larger amounts of prey. Just like a snake he chooses not to or is unable to actually chew his food. Thus leading to his next ability, matter ingestion. His stomach is able to handle anything and ingest it -within reason of course-. This means Akito can swallow something solid and his stomach will digest it. However he can't simply swallow anything like a brick or a chunk of lead. That would have some...ghastly consequences.
Other unusual gifts of Akito's include seismic sense and enhanced lung capacity. With his seismic sense, Akito has the ability to sense vibrations through the earth. He can't sense things that are very far, but is able to feel the vibrations of footsteps to the sound of a heartbeat. Generally, this only works within a twenty-foot radius. Akito's enhanced lung capacity really has nothing to do with his lungs at all. Instead, he is able to breathe through his skin, much like a snake. This process is very limited for him as he doesn't fully possess the skin of a snake, but it allows him to hold his breath longer than the average human.
Aside from his rather freakish and unnatural ability, Akito has plenty other talents. While his watercolors aren't bad, Akito has always been less of an artist and more of a musician. Since he's been old enough, Akito has always played with a small wooden flute. The instrument was crafted by his father himself and is nothing like the kind you'd buy at a store. Still, Akito manages to tease the most beautiful sounds from it. In addition to his flute playing, Akito can sing. He always had a beautiful voice and his parents forced him to sing whenever the opportunity presented itself. Since the Awakening, they've rarely witnessed his voice. And when they do, the songs are often so graphic and morbid they have to turn away.
Thankfully, he doesn't have a forked tongue. But it is unusually long. When fully extended, his prehensile tongue hangs just above his belly button. The length of it even disgusts himself and keep it fully concealed often leads to his slur of s's.
Snakes don't even have eyelids, so they can never blink. Though they can close their retinas when they sleep, their corneas are protected and covered by a thin membrane. Lucky for Akito, he still has his eyelids intact, but with the extra membrane he has no need for blinking. Because not blinking is unnatural for any human being, his mother forces him to carry a watch with a set timer. Every thirty seconds it buzzes, reminding him to blink if he hasn't been doing it frequently already. But rather than help his current position, it often infuriates him to no end.
Akito has also become ectothermic. He depends on other sources outside of himself to regulate his body temperature. With the approaching warm weather, Akito tends to remain in the cool darkness of his basement or the shady garden. However when he grows too cold, he will sun himself on warm rocks or snuggle right up with his space heater. A quite recent discovery has been his retractable fangs. Far from cool, or even useful, these dagger-like teeth have proved to be nothing but a nuisance. Akito has very little control as to when they decide to appear and as the teeth split his gums to emerge and retract, they leave his mouth constantly bleeding or sore.
A rather discreet alteration, Akito's skin is covered in a layer of very fine and translucent scales. They cannot be seen unless held up to the light, but often they can be felt. This smooth, dry skin is like an outer layer that Akito had the displeasure of slipping out of once before. Shedding the entirety of his skin is an experience most snakes go through three or six times a year, and one he'd rather not experience ever again.
Aside from his physical change, Akito's snake physiology allows him a few unusual abilities. The most obvious would be body shedding. Though it's only happened once before, upon significant injury, Akito is able to remove himself from his outer layer of skin. This does not always mean the injury has been healed, only that his cells have been freshly regenerated.Whether the injury is healed completely depends on the extent of the injury. A mere scratch or a simple gash might disappear, but deeper wounds that have punctured several layers of skin are likely to diminish in size, if not stay the same.
Akito also has an elastic jaw. This isn't really an ability as much as it is a side effect. Like many snakes, Akito is able to unhinge his jaw in order to swallow larger amounts of prey. Just like a snake he chooses not to or is unable to actually chew his food. Thus leading to his next ability, matter ingestion. His stomach is able to handle anything and ingest it -within reason of course-. This means Akito can swallow something solid and his stomach will digest it. However he can't simply swallow anything like a brick or a chunk of lead. That would have some...ghastly consequences.
Other unusual gifts of Akito's include seismic sense and enhanced lung capacity. With his seismic sense, Akito has the ability to sense vibrations through the earth. He can't sense things that are very far, but is able to feel the vibrations of footsteps to the sound of a heartbeat. Generally, this only works within a twenty-foot radius. Akito's enhanced lung capacity really has nothing to do with his lungs at all. Instead, he is able to breathe through his skin, much like a snake. This process is very limited for him as he doesn't fully possess the skin of a snake, but it allows him to hold his breath longer than the average human.
Aside from his rather freakish and unnatural ability, Akito has plenty other talents. While his watercolors aren't bad, Akito has always been less of an artist and more of a musician. Since he's been old enough, Akito has always played with a small wooden flute. The instrument was crafted by his father himself and is nothing like the kind you'd buy at a store. Still, Akito manages to tease the most beautiful sounds from it. In addition to his flute playing, Akito can sing. He always had a beautiful voice and his parents forced him to sing whenever the opportunity presented itself. Since the Awakening, they've rarely witnessed his voice. And when they do, the songs are often so graphic and morbid they have to turn away.
