(no subject)

[skindeep]

PLAYER INFORMATION
Your Name: mi
OOC Journal: zombmi
Under 18? If yes, what is your age?: 21+
Email + IM: derpturk@gmail.com ; Despicable Mi @ aim
Characters Played at Ataraxion: None.


CHARACTER INFORMATION
Name: Noah Hill
Canon: Original
Original or Alternate Universe: N/A
Canon Point: N/A
Number: RNG it!

Setting: Modern day Earth with a slight twist - humans with powers are possible, though the general population isn't yet aware of it.

History:

Noah's parents were a bit older by traditional standards when they finally had the time and inclination to have children. After nearly two years of trying, they turned to IVF, with positive results. Noah was born on a lucky Friday the 13th, eight minutes ahead of his twin brother, Adam. His mother was forty-five; his father, forty-nine.

It was apparent from very early on that the two of them were different, and in more ways than mere personality. Noah was quick to do everything. Adam still didn't speak and avoided eye contact. At the age of four, he was diagnosed with autism. Noah doted on him, desperate to connect with the brother he came into the world with. They colored together, and took music lessons together, because these were the things that Adam responded best to. Sometimes Noah would have dreams, ones where his brother would talk to him.

Overall, his childhood was happy and secure. "Lucky", he called himself. He grew up with the same parents, lived in the same house. Even the furniture couldn't be moved because it would upset Adam. Noah matured faster than other boys his age. If he heard cruel jokes about his brother or about his parents being old enough to be his grandparents, they made him sensitive in a good way, and empathetic towards others.

Like a good many other English boys, Noah played football in secondary school, his speed and general athleticism making him a gifted striker. But he liked being creative just as much. He had a diverse group of friends, and when he came out to his parents it was met with acceptance and support. Ultimately he pursued art for three years in university, possibly influenced by all those hours spent sitting on the floor with his brother, a box of crayons between them.

The tattoo was a whim, something Noah did on the eve before graduation. His future was equal parts up in the air and already decided for him. His parents were getting older, his father was showing signs of Alzheimer's, and his brother would never be able to live on his own. His family had never made him feel like he should be responsible for them, but Noah couldn't imagine it any other way. It was only a matter of time until he would need to take care of them. His own life would have to be lived in the spaces before and in-between.

He got a tattoo of a skeleton key, a key that unlocks all doors. And while Noah was there, he unlocked his first door. The shop was looking for someone who had both artistic skills and people skills, and Noah fit the bill perfectly. His apprenticeship was short. Soon Noah was pretty much running Skin Deep on his own.

Noah traveled when he could, while he could, starting with the States. It was a vacation gone wild, and Noah did a lot of things that he normally wouldn't do, believing that he wouldn't ever have a chance to do them again. His visit to Asia was a little calmer, and Noah fell in love with the various temples in Japan. Despite his and his brother's names, Noah's family wasn't religious. It was neither discussed nor discouraged. But he found something to believe in in the Buddhist teachings, and became more spiritual as a result.

Even after he returned to London, he kept revisiting those places in his dreams. He would wake up feeling heavy in his own body and longing to return to those night clubs and temples. But then he found something else to believe in, something he wasn't looking for or even expected.

“You've reached Quinn. Yeah, erm, basically, fuck off.”

And that was his first encounter with Cillian Quinn. And if he was a little smitten and curious after that first phone conversation, he was even more so after seeing Cillian for the first time, standing awkwardly in the doorway of his shop. He was more than just another client. Noah was turning scars into art, wanting to heal him in every way that he could. But Cillian gave him as much in return - hope for the future.

And of course, he dreamed about Cillian. But together the two of them realized that Noah's dreams weren't like other people's. Noah could actually enter Cillian's dreams, could draw him into his own. And if he didn't like the dream, he could change it. The year that followed and the deepening of their relationship has still seemed more dream-like than anything Noah sees when he closes his eyes. And he wouldn't change a thing about that.



Personality:



If the "Keep Calm and Carry On" poster needed a face, Noah Hill's would be a good choice. It would take a lot to send him running and screaming into the night, and he does his best to keep others calm too. Noah has his own brand of courage, protective in a way that makes him a shield instead of a sword.

In the simplest terms, Noah is just a nice guy, normal and well-adjusted enough that it borders on abnormal. Even Noah thinks that he's boring, and that he probably smiles too much. But he's sincere about it, and a good enough listener that he could've been a counselor in another life. Noah's at ease in his own skin, and he wants others to feel at ease in theirs. He loves people, and the idea that he could meet all kinds played a big part in his career choice - that and the importance of being practical, something his parents always taught him. Even excellent artists can be starving artists, but tattooing proved to be a fairly lucrative use of his talent. He likes history (his father was a history professor), but his real appreciation will always be for art.

Noah's not someone who shirks his responsibilities, and for him the priority is family. The idea of his parents or brother being removed from the only home they've ever known is unthinkable to him, and he was willing to do whatever he has to do to take care of them. Before he met Cillian, he assumed that meant sacrificing his own happiness. But there can be a downside to selflessness. Sometimes Noah doesn't give a voice to what he wants or needs, which can make him less than honest in relationships. Overall, he still feels lucky, even blessed. The only thing that Noah really needs is stability. He needs a foundation as much as he is one himself. Noah believes he's found this in Cillian, though he did almost ruin it by trying to rush them into things too fast. By the second date he was giving him a key to his flat, and was really tempted to ask him to move in. Now losing him, or anyone he considers family, will always be his greatest fear.

His career is also something that Noah takes seriously. There is still this stereotype in some people's minds of the rough, foul-mouthed tattoo guy flipping society the middle finger. Noah isn't that guy. He's clean-cut, professional but always approachable. He's always been very aware that he's putting something permanent on someone's skin, something that often has meaning. But he's also supportive of other people's choices. Something might not be right for him, but that doesn't meant it isn't perfect for someone else.

Noah has a genuine concern for others and doesn't bother with trying to hide it. He's sentimental, the type that might become a hoarder if he was materialistic. Instead, he saves small, simple things - text messages and movie ticket stubs. He worries about and even wants to spoil those that he cares about. He learned how to give Cillian insulin shots on their second date, and seems to monitor his diabetes as much as Cillian himself. At his best, he's a solid, comforting presence. But even though his intentions are good, sometimes Noah just overdoes it. He can be suffocating, and even knows that he can be. But he tries to watch for signs that he needs to back off, no matter the situation. Noah hates conflict and will almost always back down from an argument first. He's a peacemaker, and a firm believer in second chances. As far as patience is concerned, he could be on his way to sainthood. He also likes a healthy dose of optimism with his reality. He'd rather put too much trust in someone than not enough. And there might just be a little truth to a comment Cillian once made to him - he likes to take in strays.

While not much of a risk-taker himself, Noah's job has left him with an open mind and a sense of humor. Shocking him is hard. Embarrassing him is even harder. If he does sometimes manage to embarrass himself, he's unselfconscious and just laughs it off. He doesn't play games when it comes to people though, and doesn't like it when others do. A person's skin isn't as thick as you might think.

Abilities, Weaknesses and Power Limitations:

Good Health - While not actually a power, it's probably worth mentioning that Noah's physical condition is as good as any soldier or marathon runner's. He goes to the gym regularly, focusing on cardio and strength training. He's equally health-conscious when it comes to eating and converted to a pescatarian diet several years ago. He doesn't drink alcohol. Really, the unhealthiest thing about him is having a boyfriend who smokes. It isn't vanity that drives him, but rather a need to be strong and healthy for those who depend on him. He also meditates daily, which helps him deal with stress and negativity.

Dreamwalking - Noah has the ability to enter the dreams of another person, or invite them into his own. He can take control of the landscape of dreams, end someone's nightmare...or create one. Noah can show another person parts of his past or places that he's been as clearly as if they were actually there. Conversely, he can experience parts of someone else's life if they're willing to show him. He can also access another person's repressed memories through dreams, and has helped at least one amnesiac.

Noah's cautious with his ability, never entering another person's dreams without being invited into them first, with the exception of the rare accidental entries. If someone's having an especially traumatic nightmare, Noah feels drawn to them as strongly as he would be to someone bleeding on the street. He's always looking for ways of healing people with his ability. Dreamwalking does take its toll on him, leaving Noah tired the next morning. For this reason it's not something he can do every night.

Pacifist - As much as he hates conflict, Noah hates violence even more. He refuses to throw a punch, even if it means taking one. This often confuses other people, especially since Noah is by no means physically weak and could certainly fight back. But to Noah, no one "wins" a fight. This makes him fairly useless in physical confrontations, with the exception of covering someone else.

Cillian - What makes him strong also makes him vulnerable. Losing Cillian is one of his greatest fears, and being taken away from the rest of his family will exacerbate this.

Inventory:

*One slightly miffed orange tabby cat by the name of Edgar.
*One tan backpack.
*One scrapbook.
*One silver twin skulls necklace.
*One Buddhist bracelet.
*One pair of orange Converse.
*One faded pair of jeans.
*One basic white t-shirt.
*Three pairs of questionable boxer briefs.
*One iPhone - not really useful, but has text messages on it.

Appearance:



PB: Bradley James

Noah is 6'1", with a healthy, athletic build. He has blond (there's a hint of ginger in there somewhere) hair and very blue eyes, a strong jawline and less than perfect teeth. His eyes and broad shoulders are the most noticeable things about him, but he also has big, steady hands, and if asked would say that those are his best feature.

He has three tattoos - a skeleton key on the inside of his right wrist, a koi swimming up the back of his left calf, and thee words tattooed alongside his spine.

Age: 25

AU Clarification: N/A

SAMPLES
Log Sample:

He hasn't dreamed about being in his underwear since he was in university. At least he isn't in a room full of his classmates, so there's that much to be thankful for.

The disoriented feeling lingers for too long, and nothing changes when Noah wills it to. And suddenly he realizes that this isn't a dream, not his or anyone else's. Noah looks down at himself again, at the numbers that weren't there before. He tries to come up with some significance to them as he traces a finger over them, but there's none, no reason he would've had them permanently inked into his skin. They were as much a mystery as everything else right now. He lifts his head and stares down the door that leads out of the room.

"Let's see where the waves take us."

Us. Noah feels a stab of pain at the word, because it reminds him that there is no us right now, only him. But it just makes him even more anxious to go through that door. He needs to find someone else.

What he finds first is more like a street than a corridor, but Noah follows it, shivering more at the sheer enormity as for his own lack of clothing. But he keeps moving forward, stopping at some of the rooms along the way and relieved at every sign of life that he finds. It ends at the locker room, and the multiple compartments offer more reassurance that he's not alone on board this monstrous...rocket, ship, whatever it's called. He's certain Cillian would know the proper term. Noah will have to ask when he finds him. And Noah can't imagine that he won't find him - won't allow himself to imagine it.

He stops in front of the locker that shares his number, and now the tattoo makes sense. Noah closes his eyes just long enough to take a few deep breaths. Screw your courage to the sticking-place. God, he hates Macbeth. It's on his third breath that Noah hears a noise from inside the locker, and the sound draws him out of his thoughts.

"Hullo?"

He presses his ear against the cool metal and listens, and Noah hears the next best thing to a familiar voice - a familiar meow. He can't get the locker open fast enough, and the orange tabby certainly can't get out fast enough. Noah holds the cat against his chest, not caring that claws are digging into his skin. All he wants to do is calm him until that tiny heartbeat isn't so rapid, and it's so much like the day he found him cowering in the alley behind the shop. Noah strokes a hand along Edgar's spine, buries his face into his fur and suddenly he's home.

Or halfway there. Noah opens his eyes again and tucks Edgar a little more comfortably against his chest. He's found one of his boys. Now it's time to find the other one.

Comms Sample:

I'm really disappointed that someone would tattoo a person while they're unconscious. But at least it's just a few numbers on my arm, not the Easter Bunny straddling a six string. Would be a bit embarrassing if I had the same tattoo twice.

[Noah smiles, even if his eyes are still a little unsure about the whole 'kidnapped and brought aboard a spaceship' thing.]

So, Tranquility. At least it's a nice name. I hope things really are tranquil aboard it. My name is Noah. Doesn't sound quite as nice.

I also hope there's a few tins of tuna lying about. Let me know if you come across any?