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 Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2025 5:44 pm
Knowing that there was far more magic in the world than he had ever expected had...well, it had fundamentally changed how Isidor dealt with things.
For one, even at his rockest bottom, there was no denying that meeting a handsome alien who had saved his soul from being ripped out of his body was a fairy tale. The sort of thing that couldn't help but incite a degree of wonder, and a curiosity about what else might be out there.
For another, almost dying had made him realize he did not want to die, and while he wouldn't say he was feeling particularly fixed, well. There was an attempt. He was slightly less of a constant raincloud of misery.
His life was still a shambles. It was still hard to get out of bed in the morning. But at least he was getting out of bed.
And he was out of bed enough to notice the ominous purple storms that had settled on Destiny City, and enough to realize that they seemed...off. Not normal weather. And maybe it was an excuse, but there was one person he could think of who might be able to answer his question--the Literal Alien who had saved his life.
Asking Imnolu to come to his apartment seemed..fraught. But he could cancel office hours for a day when none of his students had scheduled anything, send Preston off, and invite Imnolu to drop by so they could talk about it in his office. Which was also messy, but at least it was relatively presentable, since he had students and colleagues in and out.
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2025 6:12 pm
Imnolu had been thrilled to receive the invite to chat with Isidor. The handsome human had a... spark about him that made Imnolu want to worm his way into every inch of Isidor's life. And a sadness, too. The college campus was a little difficult to navigate, but he managed to get to Isidor's office on time, which seemed a small miracle given his usual issues with time. But high anxiety combined with the desire to make a good impression forced it to work out for once. He grinned as he was let into the office and shut the door behind him. "Heya! Nice to see you looking alive," he chirped, reaching up to toy with his glamour earring. "Think it's safe to look like myself in here? Anybody else planning on stopping by?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2025 9:46 pm
Isidor couldn't help but smile when Imnolu arrived. There was something about him that just brightened any room he was in, and it even made Isidor feel a little lighter.
(Part of him wished he'd taken a swig from the bottle in his bottom drawer, because everything was easier when he was a little buzzed, but he'd been too nervous before and he couldn't do it now, not with Imnolu right here, so....he let the thought stay where it was.)
"And hello to you too," he said, lightly. "No one's planning to stop by, but you might want to be careful--people drop by sometimes." Especially because people were worried about him or what have you.
"I just wanted to ask you about the storms that have been all over the city--they seem...strange. Do you know anything?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2025 10:22 pm
Imnolu considered this for a long moment, then removed his earring, deciding the risk was worth it. He wanted to be freely himself to talk to Isidor. Especially if he was going to bring up such... heavy topics. He shivered as he finally sat down, rubbing a hand over his freckled face. "Oh, I know plenty," he said miserably. "The real question is how much do you actually want to know?" He leaned forward, elbows on knees, face in both hands now. "The truth is, we're scrambling to protect Earth from a much bigger threat than the one that already lies on the surface. I... Basically, giant snake escaped its, uh, d'If? Big high security prison. Giant snake is very hungry and thinks Earth will be a very fine meal. We're working 'round the clock to figure out what to do."
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Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2025 12:00 am
Isidor had to admit, it was more than a little startling to see Imnolu in his true form. Yes, he'd had his eyes opened, but that didn't mean having an alien in his office was any less surreal.
And what he had to say....that wasn't any better. The reference to d'If at least landed, but....He had the sinking feeling that Imnolu wasn't referring to The Count of Monte Cristo, ad that if he asked the question, he was going to learn more things that were going to turn parts of his world upside down. He'd just take the coincidence, hope his alien friend had read the book or seen one of the many adaptations, and move on. Please.
Especially when the rest of it was so....much. A monster from beyond the stars, coming for Earth; an apocalyptic threat with only a very, very small number of people--because there could not be that many magical people--to try and fight it.
"...Is there anything I can do?" It was his first instinct, almost automatic. He knew what the answer likely was. He was a washed up, drunkard college professor barely clawing himself out of the pit of ******** despair. But he had to ask. Had to try. Had to know.
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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2025 12:07 am
Imnolu's ears twitched at that. Isidor was a good man. Immediately jumping to what he could do to help the powered folk that wanted to protect Earth, even though he must have felt helpless as only a civilian. Hell, Imnolu himself felt pretty helpless—he'd been taken down to being a Basic Senshi after so long in utter isolation, powers degrading to back when he'd been small. And Enthusiasm wasn't a great tool against a power hungry monster. But... maybe... what if he showed Isidor the database entries? Maybe he could glean something from it, since he knew absolutely nothing? Totally fresh eyes. Hell, maybe Imnolu should take Isidor to his planet? The idea made him want to cry, but... Maybe there was some help he could provide. Somehow. "Maybe. Are you up for visiting an alien planet? It won't be very exciting, given everyone and everything is dead, but..." He shrugged, trying to keep a playful smile on his face. "We can talk more freely there, and I can show you everything we know without running the risk of dangerous people showing up." His tail wagged slightly in anticipation.
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2025 12:33 am
The very offer made Isidor frown in confusion. Going off Earth--? But Imnolu had to have gotten here somehow, and perhaps he could...go back.
"I...yes," he agreed. "I've never been off Earth, obviously," or perhaps not obviously? Did Imnolu really know how hard it was for ordinary Earthlings to leave the planet? Was his perspective skewed by whatever life had been like a thousand years ago?
The scholar in Isidor had a million questions. Probably they weren't all that practical to ask. Not now.
"Alright. Beam me up, or however it works," he said, and he stood, because probably he should be standing. "No one will be expecting me anywhere for a few hours, which...hopefully will be plenty of time for you to show me whatever you need to show me."
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2025 5:46 pm
Imnolu chuckled a little at the "beam me up" phrasing—it didn't quite work like that, but it was cute that Isidor thought they must be so technologically advanced. He almost didn't want to tell Isidor that they pretty much effectively only had space busses to go between planets. At least, back in his heyday. Teleportation or beaming tech just wasn't invented yet. That would be cool, though. "Hopefully indeed. I'll have to touch you to take you up, though, my hand on your shoulder okay?" he asked as he also stood.
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Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2025 7:40 pm
"Okay," Isidor agreed, easily. It had been a long time since he'd had much in the way of touch, and maybe it felt a little odd, but it wasn't as if he knew exactly how this magic worked.
Maybe he was about to find out.
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