asktheinfernoassassin:

wrapped-in-shadows:

asktheinfernoassassin:

“I knew you would like it. The story of Orihime and Hikoboshi is just… so inspiring.” he looked away for a moment, hugging himself. Maybe it was crazy, but he really needed to talk about it. Someone who wouldn’t say he was a douche or an idiot for keep trying so hard, for still believing there was still hope.

“I… I do have an Orihime, too. But our story is a whole lot more tragic…” he gave Jack a sad lok. “Would you like to listen to it, while you’re sketching?”

Jack swallowed. He didn’t often meet with clients in person, so hearing their reasons for wanting a particular painting wasn’t something he was used to. But Ezayne had a point. If Jack was going to make the mural about the blue-haired man and his own ‘Orihime’, it would help to know the full story, so he could capture it just right.

“Sure, I’d like that,” he replied. “Y-you said you had sketch paper ready?”

“Yes, I’ve got some…” he took a few pieces of paper, and handed it to him, along with a large book he could use as table, and a pencil.

Done this, he sat on his bed. Memories began to flow through his mind. Where could he begin? If his dreams were true, he had met Annwyn when they were nothing more than little children. Maybe it would be easier to begin their story from the point where they had met as adults, here, in Metro City.

“But, before beginning… I’ll tell you something, Jack. I’m not exactly ‘normal’… And she isn’t either. Both of us have another personalities, anothers souls sharing our bodies. You can tell it by the color of our eyes. Look. I’ll let my ‘brother’ take over for a moment, so you can meet him.”

Ezayne allowed him to stare into his green eyes. He bliked briefly, while the orange color began to fill his eyes. Ezzy finally revealed himself. HIs voice sounded slightly deeper than his “brother’s”.

“I believe my ‘brother’ didn’t introduce me properly. The crybaby with green eyes is Ezayne. I’m Ezzy, the one and only guy in this city with orange eyes. Nice to meet you at last, Jack.”

He looked around, mumbling something to himself. Jack could see how the orange switched to green slowly, as Ezayne took the control again. “See? It works exactly in the same way for my girl. Amazing, isn’t it?”

Jack couldn’t help it – his mouth dropped open. Sure, it wasn’t the strangest thing he’d ever seen, but it was still very unexpected. And it didn’t make him feel any better about spending so much time alone in this place with Ezayne, or Ezzy, or whatever the two personalities wanted to call themselves.

Still staring (and not caring how rude it looked), he gulped, and said, “It’s, um, fascinating. H-how long have y-you been like th-this?”

asktheinfernoassassin:

wrapped-in-shadows:

asktheinfernoassassin:

“You’re welcome. My main computer it’s my brother’s room. You can use my laptop, if you prefer.” he asnwered, taking it from his bedside table and handing it to him. Jack seemed a good man, though it was crytal clear his scars had scared him a bit.

Well, they weren’t his fault. Not completely. The burn marks were the foot print the future Inferno had left on his arms. And the other scars were from the months he spent protecting Miss Ritchi’s family, along Blue Ray and Blue Diamond.

He wondered how Jack would react after reading the story. He actually felt he needed something willing to listen to it and not to judge. Cimon surely couldn’t help, she had been killed by love. Dread was a demon and love seemed a concept hard to grasp for him. D was only a kid, what would he know? And Lucille didn’t believe in love. The only who might knew was Scarlet, but he didn’t feel ready to talk with her just yet. Maybe Jack would help him. Maybe.

In any case, Jack hadn’t been planning to ask about the scars. While he was a little curious, he knew first-hand (and probably better than anyone) how awful it felt to be judged for your appearance. If Ezayne wanted to talk about them, he’d listen, but he wouldn’t press the issue himself.

“Th-that would be perfect. Thank you.” He took the laptop, and soon enough he was reading the article on the Tanabata legend.

“… Yes, this would make an excellent subject!” Jack’s eyes all but lit up. As excited as he was by imagining it, he didn’t stammer at all.

“I knew you would like it. The story of Orihime and Hikoboshi is just… so inspiring.” he looked away for a moment, hugging himself. Maybe it was crazy, but he really needed to talk about it. Someone who wouldn’t say he was a douche or an idiot for keep trying so hard, for still believing there was still hope.

“I… I do have an Orihime, too. But our story is a whole lot more tragic…” he gave Jack a sad lok. “Would you like to listen to it, while you’re sketching?”

Jack swallowed. He didn’t often meet with clients in person, so hearing their reasons for wanting a particular painting wasn’t something he was used to. But Ezayne had a point. If Jack was going to make the mural about the blue-haired man and his own ‘Orihime’, it would help to know the full story, so he could capture it just right.

“Sure, I’d like that,” he replied. “Y-you said you had sketch paper ready?”

asktheinfernoassassin:

wrapped-in-shadows:

asktheinfernoassassin:

“Mmmh…. there’s a Wikipedia article about this…” he used the internet connection into his cellphone to find it, it’s didn’t take him more than a few seconds to send it. “Done. Now you can read it all the times you need. It’s my favourite story about the Japanase mithology…”

He rested his back on the wall. “I really have a lot of time today, just finished some work yesterday, and I don’t have to go to my other job until this afternoon. So take your time to read the article I just sent you… And once you’re done, I’ll give you the details you need to know, answer you all the questions you wanna ask, and give you some paper to begin sketching. Like that plan?”

Jack watched the blue-haired man as he sent the article through. “Thank you-” He hesitated, though, as he listened to the rest. Wow, Ezayne had clearly planned this out. The thought of spending the rest of the day here, working on sketches, made him more than a little nervous … but, he was going to have to spend a lot of time here anyway, wasn’t he? Ezayne seemed pleasant enough, and even with his shy nature, Jack was curious to learn more about him.

“It sounds good to me. If I could use your computer, I c-could take a look at the story now? I-I’m a fast reader,” he added with a nervous smile.

“You’re welcome. My main computer it’s my brother’s room. You can use my laptop, if you prefer.” he asnwered, taking it from his bedside table and handing it to him. Jack seemed a good man, though it was crytal clear his scars had scared him a bit.

Well, they weren’t his fault. Not completely. The burn marks were the foot print the future Inferno had left on his arms. And the other scars were from the months he spent protecting Miss Ritchi’s family, along Blue Ray and Blue Diamond.

He wondered how Jack would react after reading the story. He actually felt he needed something willing to listen to it and not to judge. Cimon surely couldn’t help, she had been killed by love. Dread was a demon and love seemed a concept hard to grasp for him. D was only a kid, what would he know? And Lucille didn’t believe in love. The only who might knew was Scarlet, but he didn’t feel ready to talk with her just yet. Maybe Jack would help him. Maybe.

In any case, Jack hadn’t been planning to ask about the scars. While he was a little curious, he knew first-hand (and probably better than anyone) how awful it felt to be judged for your appearance. If Ezayne wanted to talk about them, he’d listen, but he wouldn’t press the issue himself.

“Th-that would be perfect. Thank you.” He took the laptop, and soon enough he was reading the article on the Tanabata legend.

“… Yes, this would make an excellent subject!” Jack’s eyes all but lit up. As excited as he was by imagining it, he didn’t stammer at all.

asktheinfernoassassin:

wrapped-in-shadows:

asktheinfernoassassin:

“Alright. I can send you a note with the whole story to your Tumblr account, but, to say it shortly… it’s the story of two star-crossed lovers who only can meet once a year. The Tanabata is a party which celebrates their encounter… It’s something which could be seen in the sky, when the stars Vega and Altair meet. But before such encounter, I’m sure the two lovers missed each other. That’s the feeling I want to see, Jack. I want to see them, trying to reach for each others hands…. Along with a few important details I want to see in the characters…”

Ezayne hated to give long explanations. But he knew Jack would need a lot of time before he could start his work.

The blue man nodded quietly as Ezayne told him the legend. It did sound like a good story; very poignant, and definitely a good source of inspiration for an artist. The mention of lovers only being able to meet briefly made him think of the all-too-rare times he’d talked to Katelynn while he was away … and suddenly it clicked.

This is a personal thing. There’s someone he misses, that he’s separated from. Why else would he want the characters personalized?

He didn’t say so out loud, though. He’d only just met the man, and in any case, it was none of his business.

“That sounds like a wonderful subject,” he said, looking at the empty wall. “I’d l-love to see what I can do with it. If you s-send me the full story, and the details you want, I can get started on some sketches. Then you can look those over, and see what you like?”

“Mmmh…. there’s a Wikipedia article about this…” he used the internet connection into his cellphone to find it, it’s didn’t take him more than a few seconds to send it. “Done. Now you can read it all the times you need. It’s my favourite story about the Japanase mithology…”

He rested his back on the wall. “I really have a lot of time today, just finished some work yesterday, and I don’t have to go to my other job until this afternoon. So take your time to read the article I just sent you… And once you’re done, I’ll give you the details you need to know, answer you all the questions you wanna ask, and give you some paper to begin sketching. Like that plan?”

Jack watched the blue-haired man as he sent the article through. “Thank you-” He hesitated, though, as he listened to the rest. Wow, Ezayne had clearly planned this out. The thought of spending the rest of the day here, working on sketches, made him more than a little nervous … but, he was going to have to spend a lot of time here anyway, wasn’t he? Ezayne seemed pleasant enough, and even with his shy nature, Jack was curious to learn more about him.

“It sounds good to me. If I could use your computer, I c-could take a look at the story now? I-I’m a fast reader,” he added with a nervous smile.

asktheinfernoassassin:

wrapped-in-shadows:

asktheinfernoassassin:

Ezayne shook his hand politely, and intited him to walk in. “Nice to meet you, too. Come on, I don’t bite. If you want to get stated… just follow me.”

He guided him through his apartment, crossing the living room until they arrived to Ezayne’s bedroom. Before the bed was the huge white wall Ezayne wanted to turn into a piece of art. “Meet you canvas. Here’s when you will work.” he turned toward, giving him a serious glance.

“Jack, this might sound random, but… have you ever heard about the legend of the origins of a party called Tanabata?”

Jack followed his host into the room, and was impressed. The wall was indeed huge – it would be the biggest ‘canvas’ he’d ever worked on, but rather than being nervous, he was even more excited. More room to work, more space to create …

Ezayne’s words brought him out of it. “I’m afraid I haven’t. I’ve st-studied a few myths and legends in the past, but I don’t recognize that one.”

“Alright. I can send you a note with the whole story to your Tumblr account, but, to say it shortly… it’s the story of two star-crossed lovers who only can meet once a year. The Tanabata is a party which celebrates their encounter… It’s something which could be seen in the sky, when the stars Vega and Altair meet. But before such encounter, I’m sure the two lovers missed each other. That’s the feeling I want to see, Jack. I want to see them, trying to reach for each others hands…. Along with a few important details I want to see in the characters…”

Ezayne hated to give long explanations, But he knew Jack would need a lot ot time before her started his work.

The blue man nodded quietly as Ezayne told him the legend. It did sound like a good story; very poignant, and definitely a good source of inspiration for an artist. The mention of lovers only being able to meet briefly made him think of the all-too-rare times he’d talked to Katelynn while he was away … and suddenly it clicked.

This is a personal thing. There’s someone he misses, that he’s separated from. Why else would he want the characters personalized?

He didn’t say so out loud, though. He’d only just met the man, and in any case, it was none of his business.

“That sounds like a wonderful subject,” he said, looking at the empty wall. “I’d l-love to see what I can do with it. If you s-send me the full story, and the details you want, I can get started on some sketches. Then you can look those over, and see what you like?”

asktheinfernoassassin:

wrapped-in-shadows:

asktheinfernoassassin:

“I’m coming.” a deep voice answered from the other side. Ezayne opened the door, wearing a simple shirt and some baggy pants. Still, the shirt didn’t hide the burn marks and the scars from his arms.

“You must be Jack Maple. I’m Ezayne.” the man offered him hand to shake. “Come in. Wanna eat something before we could begin to talk about my commission?”

The sight of the tall, powerfully-built man, with his bright blue hair and scarred arms, made the short alien almost take a step back. It took Jack a moment to register that a handshake was being offered, but when he did, he returned it.

“Nice to m-meet you in person, Ezayne.” He tried to keep himself from stammering, but it wasn’t easy. “No, thanks, I’m actually excited to g-get started. So where will we be working?”

Ezayne shook his hand politely, and intited him to walk in. “Nice to meet you, too. Come on, I don’t bite. If you want to get stated… just follow me.”

He guided him through his apartment, crossing the living room until they arrived to Ezayne’s bedroom. Before the bed was the huge white wall Ezayne wanted to turn into a piece of art. “Meet you canvas. Here’s when you will work.” he turned toward, giving him a serious glance.

“Jack, this might sound random, but… have you ever heard about the legend of the origins of a party called Tanabata?”

Jack followed his host into the room, and was impressed. The wall was indeed huge – it would be the biggest ‘canvas’ he’d ever worked on, but rather than being nervous, he was even more excited. More room to work, more space to create …

Ezayne’s words brought him out of it. “I’m afraid I haven’t. I’ve st-studied a few myths and legends in the past, but I don’t recognize that one.”

asktheinfernoassassin:

wrapped-in-shadows:

asktheinfernoassassin:

[Text] Alright! Here’s where I live…

He wrote his address and hit the Send button. Now he only would have to wait. He wasn’t feeling like training today… and given how entertained was D reading his old comic books, he doubted he could help them. EZayne really didn’t want to put him any restrictions, D had proved him he was a good child. He deserved to rest and do all kind of things normal for a kid, and as long he was enjoying his time, Ezayne was OK with it.

Better it would be to save all his weapons into his closet. Maple would freak out if he found out he was going to work for a little assassin family… And that wouldn’t be good. Thank God, he still knew how to be the perfect gentleman. 

As he’d promised, Jack soon arrived at the building. The doorman had been told to expect him, and once inside, he made his way toward the elevator, heading up to the penthouse.

It wasn’t hard to find which apartment was Ezayne’s. Outside the door, the blue man hesitated for a moment, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself. He’s just another client. Even if it’s a new setting, he’s just a client, and you’re just looking around. It’ll be fine.

With that, he knocked on the door.

“I’m coming.” a deep voice answered from the other side. Ezayne opened the door, wearing a simple shirt and some baggy pants. Still, the shirt didn’t hide the burn marks and the scars from his arms.

“You must be Jack Maple. I’m Ezayne.” the man offered him hand to shake. “Come in. Wanna eat something before we could begin to talk about my commission?”

The sight of the tall, powerfully-built man, with his bright blue hair and scarred arms, made the short alien almost take a step back. It took Jack a moment to register that a handshake was being offered, but when he did, he returned it.

“Nice to m-meet you in person, Ezayne.” He tried to keep himself from stammering, but it wasn’t easy. “No, thanks, I’m actually excited to g-get started. So where will we be working?”

asktheinfernoassassin:

wrapped-in-shadows:

asktheinfernoassassin:

Ezayne glanced at the text for a moment. what was D for him? It was too soon to think about him like a son. Maybe a little brother? That would be a good term.

[Text] Anytime, really. You could come now if you want. I live alone with my little brother, he came from a long journey and he’s going to spend some leisure time here. So you’ll have four extra hands to help you if you want, but I’d prefer to be the one helping you with this. It’s something very personal for me.

Now?! … Actually, that was probably a good idea. Set to it quickly, before he lost his nerve. And, really, he was curious.

[Text] Now would be just fine. If you give me the address, I’ll be there as soon as possible. As for help, let me get a better idea of what I’ll be working with, and we’ll figure out what works best. [Send]

[Text] Alright! Here’s where I live…

He wrote his address and hit the Send button. Now he only would have to wait. He wasn’t feeling like training today… and given how entertained was D reading his old comic books, he doubted he could help them. EZayne really didn’t want to put him any restrictions, D had proved him he was a good child. He deserved to rest and do all kind of things normal for a kid, and as long he was enjoying his time, Ezayne was OK with it.

Better it would be to save all his weapons into his closet. Maple would freak out if he found out he was going to work for a little assassin family… And that wouldn’t be good. Thank God, he still knew how to be the perfect gentleman. 

As he’d promised, Jack soon arrived at the building. The doorman had been told to expect him, and once inside, he made his way toward the elevator, heading up to the penthouse.

It wasn’t hard to find which apartment was Ezayne’s. Outside the door, the blue man hesitated for a moment, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself. He’s just another client. Even if it’s a new setting, he’s just a client, and you’re just looking around. It’ll be fine.

With that, he knocked on the door.

asktheinfernoassassin:

wrapped-in-shadows:

asktheinfernoassassin:

Ezayne grinned, watching how quickly he had answered. This guy must be a professional. He typed his answer as quickly as he could. It would be a little hard to explain all the request via phone, but he had to try.

[Text] Nice to meet you, too. See, I live in a penthouse, and I have this big white wall in my bedroom. I really like Chinese and Japanese paintings, and I would love to see a mural about my favourite myth on that wall. Once you come here, I’ll show you the place. I know it’s something really big, so if you want some help, I’m more than willing to collaborate.

… Well, that was different from his usual commissions. Jack honestly had to stop and think the request over. He’d never done a painting in a client’s home before – and, from the sound of what Ezayne had described, it would be a big project, which meant he’d have to spend a lot of time there, even if he had help. The familiar social anxiety came back; visiting New York had helped it, but it hadn’t gotten rid of it entirely.

But, at the same time, Jack couldn’t deny that the idea intrigued him. He’d often admired public murals – not graffiti, but real art made into part of the cityscape. The chance to create one of his own would be special, even if it was just in a private residence.

He could at least meet with the man.

[Text] That sounds like a fascinating idea! I’d be glad to see what I can do. When would be a good time for us to meet? [Send]

Ezayne glanced at the text for a moment. what was D for him? It was too soon to think about him like a son. Maybe a little brother? That would be a good term.

[Text] Anytime, really. You could come now if you want. I live alone with my little brother, he came from a long journey and he’s going to spend some leisure time here. So you’ll have four extra hands to help you if you want, but I’d prefer to be the one helping you with this. It’s something very personal for me.

Now?! … Actually, that was probably a good idea. Set to it quickly, before he lost his nerve. And, really, he was curious.

[Text] Now would be just fine. If you give me the address, I’ll be there as soon as possible. As for help, let me get a better idea of what I’ll be working with, and we’ll figure out what works best. [Send]

asktheinfernoassassin:

wrapped-in-shadows:

asktheinfernoassassin:

wrapped-in-shadows started following you

That morning, after Sinner had left, Ezayne found an interesting surprise in his Tumblr. He had a new follower, a painter called Jack Maple. How timely! Right when he ws thinking to paint a mural on his own room, a painter began to follow his account. It must be fate.

Studying his page, he found his cellphone number, and decided to text him.

[Text message] Hello, Mr. Maple. My name is Ezayne Charles Raymond Moriarty, but you can call me just Ezayne. Thanks for following my Tumblr account, BTW. I wanted ask you if I could request one of your paintings. I know I’m talking with the best painter of the city, and I’m willing to pay a good sum of money for your work.

Jack didn’t know very much about Ezayne – he had begun following the man’s blog because Tumblr recommended it, as they followed many of the same people. But now it looked like it had been a good move. Even with his growing fame, new clients and commissions were always welcome.

For the shy artist, texting was easier than speaking in person. He quickly began a reply.

[Text] It’s nice to meet you, Ezayne, and I’m very flattered you think so highly of my work! Yes, I’d be glad to take a request from you. What sort of work did you have in mind? [Send]

Ezayne grinned, watching how quickly he had answered. This guy must be a professional. He typed his answer as quickly as he could. It would be a little hard to explain all the request via phone, but he had to try.

[Text] Nice to meet you, too. See, I live in a penthouse, and I have this big white wall in my bedroom. I really like Chinese and Japanese paintings, and I would love to see a mural about my favourite myth on that wall. Once you come here, I’ll show you the place. I know it’s something really big, so if you want some help, I’m more than willing to collaborate.

… Well, that was different from his usual commissions. Jack honestly had to stop and think the request over. He’d never done a painting in a client’s home before – and, from the sound of what Ezayne had described, it would be a big project, which meant he’d have to spend a lot of time there, even if he had help. The familiar social anxiety came back; visiting New York had helped it, but it hadn’t gotten rid of it entirely.

But, at the same time, Jack couldn’t deny that the idea intrigued him. He’d often admired public murals – not graffiti, but real art made into part of the cityscape. The chance to create one of his own would be special, even if it was just in a private residence.

He could at least meet with the man.

[Text] That sounds like a fascinating idea! I’d be glad to see what I can do. When would be a good time for us to meet? [Send]