THE MARK OF THE SERPENT SUN -- o, joining

[rushy]

[align=center][div style="width: 51%; text-align: justify; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0px; font-family: verdana;"]Rocket wasn't accustomed to working in a group setting. It wasn't that he didn't like people- if anything, Rocket was most definitely a people person! But he'd been born alone, and alone he had practically raised himself. The 10 month old German Shepherd puppy was just used to being all on his own. Lately though, things had been getting a good bit harder.

It was hard to hunt, hard to hide, and even hard to talk to strangers who were passing by on uncharted territory. Rocket hadn't known why until he'd caught a glance of himself in a still pond. At some point, for some reason unbeknownst, he had started growing eyes all over his body. Some were blind and some were fully functional... Some even had cataracts. He'd had six on his face alone the last time he'd checked. And as bizarre and interesting as it seemed, all it brought him was shame and fear.

Rocket wasn't sure he could go on living alone for much longer. He'd heard about some groups in the area who seemed to take in any and all strangers, even if they were big like a dragon, or small and weird like poor Rocket. He hoped he could find somewhere he fit in. He'd briefly considered all of his options before deciding on The Typhoon. They seemed overall pleasant from a distance. Not too violent, and wholly adventurous- something Rocket liked!

The puppy was alarmed by how pretty the island The Typoon lived on looked from where he stood at the border. The vegetation was thick and lush, and his ears pricked up at the various noises that echoed from within. If he hadn't spent his whole life foraging and self-touring what felt like the whole world, it might have been intimidating for him. But Rocket was brave! A rainforest was just like any other forest... Just with precipitation, right? He shifted from foot to foot nervously, waiting for someone to address him.

[Grey]

This was a nice change. No bell, no nothing. Just a dog waiting out there for him to growl at, a creature who looked no older than he was. But as Bakugou approaches, rather neutrally at first, he begins to recognise the irregularities of the german shepherd, a discomfort being to bedazzle his initially vacant mind. He stops, still quite far from the canine but immediately unsettled, almost disgusted. Were those supposed to be...eyes? Round bulges protruding from the furred flesh, some moving like as though it had its own brain. An alien parasite growing from the skin, peering at him. The privateer is afraid to throw up, to eject his innards onto the leaf-decorated ground. No creature should need that many eyes. He can't even count them because staring at the canine for longer than a few seconds made boiling acids dare to reach his mouth. He's never felt so sick just looking at someone. Sure, a few extra eyes were manageable. He's seen Typhooners with extra seeing-orbs such as Rosemary who had twice the amount a normal cat needed, likely enhancing the soothsayer's depth perception, but this was just...too much, a mistake in nature's code.

"You look disgustin', y'know that?" Bakugou says, not particularly looking for a fight but needing to say it aloud because he can't stand the idea of coming any closer to the male as if he had no qualms with the pup's looks. The ragdoll's fur was bristled. His skin, despite his overwhelming body heat, felt cold in genuine discomfort. He doesn't know that the multitude of eyes which so grossly decorated the boy's body brought Rocket his own kind of shame and distrust, but Bakugou was far too concerned with his own feelings to even consider the possibility that the german shepherd already knew. "So are you just 'ere to show your ugly face or do you want somethin'?"

[no more]

[align=center][div style="width:400px; font-size:8.4pt;line-height:1.1;color:#000;font-family:arial;margin-top:3px;margin-bottom:3px;letter-spacing:0px;margin-left:0px;text-align:justify;"]It seemed implementing the bell had been one of the few despised moves, a song they are attuned to yet it brings with it a feeling of something deep, dark as it twists in the belly, a slow burn – hate. Left to the mercy of elements and time alike it had taken the brunt of it all and showed it within both appearance, of which was tarnished and left marred by rust, the passing of claws upon it carving indents into it, and sound, the song it offered grating and yet still loud, a call of a sea bird rather than the musical notes of some. As such it was rather distinct when it was ignored, upon purpose as some were driven to leave it be for the snakes amassed beneath were a sight to behold, or naivety as this pup seemed to hold, either unsure as to its purpose or merely missing it all together.

Rather than the call of the bell it had been the words of another, familiar within both the harsh set of the tone as he seemed to be barred from permitting any other to colour his words and the voice itself, strangely gravelled for one so young, sparking like coals beginning a slow burn once more. Bakugou. The name formed upon dark lips yet it never left them, not yet. Strange was the one who bore the name, different from the many present though in some ways he harboured similarities, averse to many of their ways but holding on as though something here kept him from leaving.

Slow was the Sage's approach, brow raising as he looked towards the other, put at some distance though he seemed to have spoken to another, queries posed though only one seemed to ask for an actual response, the first little more than a jab masquerading as a jab. A single dark eye turned to touch upon this stranger, the strange growths about his small frame seemingly eyes or at least held the appearance of such if not the use, yet there was no malice or disgust. Rather his reaction was to move closer, hobbling steps slowed for his leg pained him some, held aloft but still jostled by the movement, a slight tilt to his head.

“Do dos work?” gesturing with his left fore paw – a mistake, features contouring into a faint grimace as the pain flared some – Silus moved to circle around Rocket, looking at each eye with curiosity. Within him there was something similar to fear, or might it more have been akin to the disgust Bakugou wore so plainly, the oddity before him eliciting the response though he was more prone to questioning before putting something down entirely. “Don' mind 'im, ya in da Typhoon, ya 'ere ta stay welcome, if not too bad ya stuck til I'm dun witcha.” It seemed he had made up his mind, it mattered not now what the pup wanted he would be staying for a time so Silus could learn more of these eyes of his, never quite realising Rocket might find his insistence worrying.

[CAESAR CIPHER.]

ALL ALONE HE TURNS TO STONE !

CAESAR CIPHER. MALE. THE TYPHOON. OFFICER.

The only reason Caesar despised the bell was just because it was another fucking annoying noise to block out, but he supposed it was helpful whenever nobody was around. The demon followed after Silus, his ears flicking as he stared at the puppy that shuffled about nervously on the border. The pup was strange, but Caesar found himself liking the kid's extra eyes. Unbeknownst to him, his Corrupted body had extra eyes as well, though it was common for dream demons to grow extra eyes and mouths upon Corruption. Caesar said nothing however, mostly because he didn't have anything to add, and simply just stood next to Silas and frowned down at Rocket.

#psychosocial.

[rushy]

[align=center][div style="width: 51%; text-align: justify; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0px; font-family: verdana;"]Well, that didn't do wonders for Rocket's already dwindling self-esteem. Though he shouldn't have really expected any better from a group that was pretty known for ruthlessness or whatever. Nonetheless, the puppy flinched, not quite cowering but not quite standing as tall and confident as before. "I know," the German Shepherd rasped with a frown "I'm Rocket. I was looking to join," and for extra emphasis, he focused all his fully functional eyes on Bakugou.

Of course, there were others a few of his gazes flickered to- mostly from his neck or his flank- as Silus and Caesar appeared behind the first Typhooner(?). And just as expected, he was prodded with more questions. Of course, it took Rocket more than a moment to process Silus's question, seeing as how his accent was odd and the German Shepherd wasn't quite used to speaking to a wide range of individuals yet, but after a long moment he responded "Some of them work. Most of them, actually. But some are blind or have cataracts... Or maybe they're still developing, I dunno." Afterwords, he shot Caesar a small smile, grateful for the silence.

[CAESAR CIPHER.]

FORGETTING LIES AND PAIN !

CAESAR CIPHER. MALE. THE TYPHOON. OFFICER.

Caesar couldn't help but let out a small snort of amusement at Rocky's reaction to Bakugou's comment, though his tone didn't really show the exact same emotion whenever he spoke, "Welcome to The Typhoon then." He grunted. "M'name's Officer Caesar Cipher."

#psychosocial.

[no more]

[align=center][div style="width:400px; font-size:8.4pt;line-height:1.1;color:#000;font-family:arial;margin-top:3px;margin-bottom:3px;letter-spacing:0px;margin-left:0px;text-align:justify;"]Over each eye his gaze moved, taking in the appearance of each. The pup seemed rather knowledge about the state of each, to such a point he was able to speak of the reasoning behind some holding no function, further reasoning for Silus to learn more of this condition. He knew only of one who had been permitted extra eyes, the smaller set positioned above the original upon his aunt something he had grown accustomed to working by her side, yet they seemed to offer no trouble nor spoke of more to come. Likely this was something entirely different then, or it might have been the developing state of Rocket had prompted it to continue, working against him.

“Hmm...” Passing pursed lips he breathed a gentle hum, attention lifting to Caesar only briefly. “Welcome an all dat, Silus, una da 'ealers.” Clear was the note of annoyance yet it seemed proper to introduce himself as such, though, unlike his grandfather, he made a point of leaving off the title he carried with the position, deciding it was better to go simple.