Learning a Little can be Dangerous

Watching the man stuff literally stuff his face at first Psyis was a bit disgusted at the clash between his attitude and behavior, then a bit of worry crossed her mind. Placing the chopsticks back in her own box she went ahead an asked, thoughts of getting information falling second to that uncomfortable worry. "When was the last time you ate?"

"Dun'member" Izime shrugged while trying to talk through a mouth full of noodles, not really concerned about satisfying a sensation he didn't feel anymore. It had been annoying the years he'd dealt with it, now living a bit in between for both form and function was certainly more comfortable.

Sometimes it became an issue when he needed to do delicate work and had the shakes or started having difficulty thinking. Beyond that Izime knew his own efficiency had increase, much less time worried about eating. Izime thankful he was avoiding a good portion of the massive time sink that most carbon-based forms dealt with. Sure, there were some problems, but the drawbacks were minor in comparison to the abilities Cradle had given him.

What was hunger compared to thermal imaging and the always active access they shared to the internet, galactic info-web, and the thousands of other cool tricks he could now do again. For a natural born human, the flood of information might be a bit daunting, or the loss of naturally felt instincts disturbing. Izime knew he was different, he'd been closer to Cradle than a human at first, that slice of familiarity was a comforting feeling in this wild ass world.

"At least a month unless you're counting Jovian Caloric-cubes." Izime searched his mind for the last actual human meal he had eaten, figuring the beans he had lost didn't count anymore. The caloric-cubes were almost a comfort food considering the mold blocks he'd been raised on, as for human food... maybe when he had first gotten back in Centropolis as celebrated with Wesson and Shya? Yea that was it!

"McRonalds." Izime explained while his hand chased that talking mouth with a pinch of noodles, finally stuffing them in after he'd finished.

Izime nodded still chewing for a moment longer, then he paused before gesturing with sauce dripping from his fingers to continue, "Wesson and Shya wanted ice cream, so I snapped to five or six different McRonalds to check their ice-cream machines. There was only one on the far side of Gateway, that was a hell of a walk with a nine-year-old."

"Gateway Bridge in Centropolis?" Psyis cocked her head finally picking her own chopsticks back up to work on her own box as well.

Brows raising as she realized she wasn't the only person from Centropolis here on work, the man hadn't been following her like Dark Night had tried to lead her to believe.

"Yep" Izime put a little pop on the 'p' as he tossed the now empty box into the dumpster, hoping humanizing himself for the hero would at least get her to pull her claws back.

There was probably little point in lying to the psychic anyway, if she ever did meet Wesson the man would be an open book. Finally deciding the information, he had shared was safe enough he sat the box on the dumpster and prepared himself. The flip side of not feeling hungry was not feeling full as well and this would be his third box. Izime raised his arms and stretched, letting his stomach adjust as he physically prepared to tackle the end of his meal.

Grabbing another box Izime kept his ears trained to the noises behind him.

Psyis quickly pulled out her phone, not wanting the Dark Duo to interrupt her conversation by bursting in all Dark-a-rangs and Dark-fu on the poor guy. Feeling a bit sorry she'd blown her lid after Steven's little show, though this idiot certainly hadn't done anything to help himself. They were still having a decent conversation right now and there was no reason to let the Dark Duo come in capes blazing.

Clicking through her messages she tensed as she read Stevens many replies and Stan's one. It was too late as it seemed Stan was already back from the Blane Tower and apparently done suiting up. Probably finished prepping a vehicle that could touching the clouds to rocket out of the underground even as she read the message.

"I, or we. Wesson, Shya and me play in the shopping districts, you should stop by there but only on a weekend. Shya would flip, quite literally." Izime prattled on pretending to be unaware of the psychic using her phone behind him.

Was it just a thing in this world, the odd ticks that the comic authors had worked in? Were some heroes just ironically not self-aware or... no, that wasn't it. Izime recalled, there had been a few that typed loudly back then as well. Those advance monitors on that station trapped in time had silent options to, Izime tasting a bit of similarity between worlds in human nature. Or rather the nature of all sentient life to goof occasionally, the alien behind him seemingly unaware the device in her hand had a very click-y keypad.

"We busk, that's uh... we play for change from the shoppers. Just some easy cover songs, but I think we're better than Jamie Torch. Dudes a hack honestly, but still" Izime kept going trying to find enough words to fill the seconds it was taking Psyis to message to who he could only assume was one of the Blane's. Pretending to pick a few things out of the bag in the meantime, just tearing some bits of napkin as he continued, "Usually scores us enough to keep Shya in decent clothes and both of them out of shelters."

"Wesson and you are?" Psyis sent a few quick texts that she hoped would at least delay the two. If Psyis could keep him opening up then all she needed to do was take that info back and she could keep both sides happy. Dark Night would have his answers and Izime could just go on about his day. Though that still left the question of how satisfied Dark Night would be with those answers.

"Family, he's my brother." Izime nodded happy to explain the relationship, it was a good enough topic to waste the time on. Finally taking the bottle of water and finishing it, now that the phone was safely pocketed, he could get back to eating as annoying as it was.

"You'll tell me all this but not your name?" Psyis tried again, seeing as the man was willing to talk about family. Once again pressing him for a name, something more tangible than the idle small talk she was getting, the few leads basically nothing really. Certainly not enough to give Dark Night an excuse for abusing her powers earlier.

"I don't do the whole name thing, or the villain hero gimmick stuff." Izime tried to explain why he wasn't giving a name. He really didn't have a title or anything like that, and certainly wasn't involved in that particular scene, at least directly.

Maybe the salesman or something would have a good ring to it, but that just made it sound like he needed to be in a suit and that was not happening. There were a few names that had been thrown around back in the day, here though he'd rather just stick to being called the nickname he'd chosen. Bell liked to say he was one, so he'd bastardized the word 'bully' for his own purposes.

"My actual names just Psyis." The alien hoped the useless tidbit would even the field between them. Though the response she got was what she expected, a laughable no.

"You are also easily identifiable as the five foot eleven lightning patterned Smurf, besides everyone knows your information thanks to Joey Jamestone." Izime cocked his head and explained while wiping away a bit of noodle and oil, "Kinda sucks you had to do all that publicity stuff just to get the 'razzi of your back though. At least web-boy took the heat for you after a while..."

Thinking back to what he knew Izime recalled all the headlines about the brain corrupting alien on the streets of Centropolis, Joey stacking towers of those tabloid releases about the thessian mind invader from N.Y.C to San Diego. The man had probably felt so recognized and affirmed when he'd had something actually real to point at and throw his fits about. Though it hadn't been focused on her heroics but the possible misuse of her powers.

Then he'd wound up with a hero on his front doorstep leaving piles of web everywhere so of course his focus had shifted, grumpy old bastard couldn't stand having a teen super on his 'lawn'. Izime's thoughts about his more tech-creative business partner fading as Psyis asked a question he should have expected.

"Whats a smurf?" Psyis tilted her head unsure if she was being insulted, never having heard the term, decidedly passing over Izime's knowledge of her less proud history when she had still been earning her place as a human. Jamestone was a complete hack and an asshole, not a person she'd like to casually discuss over noodles. Those angry memories easily heating Psyis more than any number of peppers.

"Don't worry about it, just know you'd be the tallest one." Izime waved his hand dismissively not bothering to explain in the slightest; God damned nerds had saved the absolute stupidest things, now who could he talk to about it all? Izime held back his sigh, he had helped them and read it all too; even bothered with remembering that trash.

Counting the bricks Izime tried to think of who he could blame the finger he was pointing always spinning back. Maybe this was all still his fault, if he'd been better, they'd never needed to save anything. Now he kept catching himself, bringing things like Smurfs up casually; little stupid pop culture references that just didn't translate to here. It was an oddly painful punishment for failure. Wesson had taken at least two years to stop asking pointlessly complicated questions like Psyis just had. What's a Smurf, what's a yeet, what's aura, an uber, and so on to ad nauseum.

Don't even get him started on the whole amazon prime talk when there were actual Amazon warriors here; an entire universe of human culture and it was all fifteen degrees of fucked from this one.

"So can I get your actual name?" Psyis held out her hands helplessly, exasperated as it dawned on her. She was not exactly the best at interrogation when she couldn't mentally crack her targets.

"Isshumae" Izime murmured his mind elsewhere before glancing at Psyis, then down at the tail of noodles in his mouth. Slurping them down quickly as he beat his chest trying not to choke, ignoring the blush as he reminded himself that talking and eating at the same time wasn't so easy.

"Sorry," Izime quickly finished chewing and swallowed, pronouncing the favored nickname properly this time. "My name is Izime, eye'zi'may."

"No last name?" Psyis already knew she'd need more to go off of, she'd been half-banking on the human disposition to give full names as a greeting.

"Where's yours?" Izime shot back without missing a beat, though he already knew the answer; perks of being a comic aficionado outside of this reality from beforehand. Though the fact he had to die to make that knowledge useful was a bit sad.

"Thessian's typically don't gain a second name for a good while, until they're well into their maturity." Psyis crossed her arms not wanting to explain the intricacies of her species culture to some random homeless magician. Psyis mouth dropping a bit as the random homeless magician threw a very personal insult at her. Not quite knowing what to say or how to refute the absolutely ignorant words.

"Oh, so no Psyis Blane yet?" Izime waggled his eyebrows and gave a shit eating grin, clamping his mouth immediately as he saw the Thessian's brows furrow to new depths. Quickly apologizing, apparently having direly misjudged the situation "Sorry that was a bit out of line."

It was common knowledge to Izime at least, Thessian's wouldn't take a second name until they bonded; much like the one he shared with Cradle. Just not technologically but naturally through their own species psychic means. When they had existed in any number greater than one, the second name had signified the Thessian was fully bonded, the two psychics having individual bodies but essentially one mind. Addressing a bonded Thessian by the names of both individuals was proper, the two shared their thoughts constantly so you were talking to both anyway.

"I..." Psyis' eyes narrowed as she felt like Izime knew more than he was letting on. The question loaded even by Thessian standards as if the man knew about her intimate life, "that is none of your business."

Psyis stood quietly, chopsticks working at half-speed while her mind whirled away. Just what did this Izime actually know about her? He'd just dropped Steven's name as casually as if he'd been the one double dating with them and no John Cent and his martian girlfriend. Her opinions on the homeless man a wash as he seemed to honestly apologize for the overstep. Though it didn't explain how he'd known about her and Steven once being in a relationship in the first place.

"True enough, I crossed a line there..." Izime bowed his head a bit in apology, letting the silence carry for a moment before attempting to recover the topic, "but I really only have the first name."

Maybe before he could have seen if one of the crew could adopt him, but the decision hadn't been his to make and time had slipped away before he could ask. Izime not sure if the food had suddenly gotten tastier or if the memory had actual roused his dead sense of hunger. Simply eating away at his feelings as his mind wandered away from the lost moment in time.

The two munching for a bit in silence, the chill pulling the steam from the noodles wafting away as cars passed outside the alley. Psyis giving a slight chuckle as she watched the human give a long look at her bottle of water, opening it and handing it over. Psyis raised her own brow towards the peppered beef, the snark not being completely silenced by the question she asked instead of poking fun.

"So, what do you do with the traps you take?" Psyis finally finished her box of noodles, asking another question as she threw the box away.

Walking closer, a bit surprised to find that Izime's clothes while dirty weren't badly maintained. The grime that was visible looked like things that couldn't be easily removed from the tightly woven odd fabric the patch coat was made of. The man himself looked a mess of noodles and flushed face as he looked at the box he had tried to eat with a bit of regret. Psyis tried to find all the boxes in the dumpster discreetly before walking back.

It was already his fourth. That was a bit of heat but a lot of food, the psychic wondering again about Izime's health.

"The ones from last night? Probably sell the tanks of fear toxin to Constanople, the stuffs a hit in the nine hells and great for dealing. A lot of those cable throwers I'll sell as is to some bounty hunters off world." Izime considered some of the more acceptable options he had considered, "The Quiz is actually somewhat famous for having some of the best criminal capture devices this side of Orion's arm."

It was a bit regretful to name drop the exorcist, but he was reputable at least with the Blane's to some degree and the words were honest enough. The slang slinging British exorcist paid good money, sometimes. Usually just dropped a bunch of gems on him though before running back to smoke out the demons of hell in yellow fumes.

Izime close enough after a few run-ins to mention the anti-hero without too much hesitation.

"Off-world?" Psyis raised her eyebrows, not quite believing Izime was as widely traveled as he was bragging about. The man got around sure but... off planet was a bit of a milestone for earth-based heroes. If it was true someone besides Constantinople should have been aware of the man, right?

"Mmm, the Vidan security consulate will probably give me a few thousand in sol credit for the lot but selling them individually lets me price gouge accordingly," Izime explained as he dug around for a pinch with a bit more beef, finally getting a good scoop he continued, "I'll actually be in Voltham for a few more weeks so don't be surprised if you see me around, after that who knows. Maybe hocking some power crystals to the Ring Bearers on Zythomia, maybe in N.Y.C. trading some doohickey to that web-slinger for some custom work. Maybe in Centropolis singing that's my family's home so..."

"I'm planning on leaving once we track down FearForm." Psyis explained her own plans, ignoring the vibrating from her pocket for a second time. Appreciating Izime being candid about his activity in her hometown. Not completely willing to call his words a lie, she'd still double check but he seemed to be telling the truth. At least as far as a psychic whos powers couldn't work on him could tell.

There were some names there she'd recognized. Hell, working with a Green Ring who had to report to Zythomia, it was a planet she had visited before herself. She could easily see the galactic police force from Viidan purchasing a batch of high end non-lethal detainment devices. Let alone all the individual bounty hunters that were out catching minor criminals. They would certainly pay a hefty sum for a high-end toy that made their job easier. Exactly like The Quiz's classic cable throwers.

"At least use a personal shield this time." Izime tapped his chin while he considered the psychics predicament last night, trying to wrap up their talk with the issues he had, "Stressing your powers with secondary charges is probably going to be FearForm's move now that he knows you're in Voltham."

"I can handle myself." Psyis rolled her eyes giving the struggling not-hero a loaded look from head to toe, considering Izime's advice with a hint of disdain, "What about you and Crusher?"

The man seemed to be a low-level magician with some decent skills and a very high-end pet. Sure, he had an opinion but was it really useful to someone who could just stop the bullets he needed to dodge. If Crusher got a hold of Izime and all the protection he had was a low-end spell and no Cradle? Psyis could at least hit back harder than the wrestler could hit her, Izime was just a punching bag.

"I'll be fine I accepted the risk but remember it's not your funeral if you get dosed or going to be just yours." Izime tried to adjust the edge of his point, giving the alien a sideways look while tossing the third empty box, "Anyone you get a hold of until Dark Night or Radiation Man shows up to bring you down is at risk."

Psyis was about to respond until she saw Izime look up, turning to see a somewhat familiar bird flying in small circles above them. The alien tensing, the hour certainly wasn't up so there was no reason for Izime's bond to return unless there was a problem. There was one Psyis realizing why the topic has suddenly changed. She had messaged for back-up earlier and it was getting close enough that Izime was calling a close to this impromptu meet.

Psyis turned wanting to explain that she hadn't intended to try and play for time, the entire talk was just an attempt at reconciling her earlier actions. At least to get that in and not end on another sour note, a bit self-conscious as she had no clue how he currently felt. Coughing slightly Psyis saw Izime giving her a knowing look as the alien tried to take the floor as steadily as she could.

"I contacted them before, when I didn't know, we were just going to talk and... I'm sorry again." Psyis let her head fall to the side a bit knowing she couldn't undo what she had done. Dark Night was already enroute and with Cradle around there was no missing his approach. Brushing her hair out of her eyes as Izime gave a thoughtful frown.

"Well, it was a talk, one of the talks of all time but I think the Dark Duo is coming to do more than just chat, so I've got to get going." Izime gave Psyis' apology a bit of consideration before pointing at her with a finger-gun, guitar case already back over his shoulder and holding what remained of his dinner,

"Thanks for the little chat, next time let's do this without the whole set-up OK?" Pulling his hand back up Izime snapped away while reaching out to Cradle through their bond. Directing the raven to completely avoid the area and return to the sealed underground safe house, before adding an addition not wanting to give Cradle and excuse.

Go straight to the sewers.

Leave her alone.

 Stupid Purple.

Izime couldn't help but laugh and agree as he reached for the light-switch in the dark. Cradle obviously still on guard against the thessian that had snuck under its detection and riled it up. Personal Izime was more concerned with the contents of his sealed box, was it safe to keep the food in the same box as the questionable nanites?

Was it even temperature controlled, probably not but a vacuum was still decent storage, right? Izime deciding that worrying about his fresh food stockpile was more productive than wasting his thoughts on the purple alien.