ethereal - marvel x oc

chapter 1 - sunlit skies

[chapter 1 - sunlit skies]

The golden afternoon sun showed lazily on the streets and buildings in Midtown Manhattan, carving its way merrily through the sidewalks and bustling citizens on their way home from work. One of those buildings blessed with the sun's light was a small cafe. It wasn't new, but it wasn't old. The entire front wall was glass, a window, letting the light shine into the entire building; on to the floor, seats, and tables.

The table closest to the window was occupied with a beautiful person, with long flowing black hair and a face carved only from the finest of marble by the gods themselves. Takeshi sat silently at the table, sitting on the worn blush colored pillows uncomfortably, though not showing it in their relaxed posture. They were stroking a grey and tan cat with their right hand, feeling the brush of the cat's tail against their dark grey sweater sleeve. Their other hand was tapping absentmindedly on a shiny silver laptop that rested on the beige wood table's surface, trying to avoid the head bashing of a plump tabby cat trying to get their attention.

Professional sounding voices flashed and gurgled above on a large flat-screen tv. Takeshi didn't look up to the screen, but instead allowed the voices to echo in the back of their head. They droned on about a horrific murder in Toyko, of a business man's corspe found mangled and torn by the sewer grates.

"The unrecognizable man's skin was covered in millions of tiny slices, but his suit was completely untouched beside four small holes on his left shoulder. We have reasons to believe a new serial killer has risen, or maybe something more supernatural is happening; what do you think Silas?"

"I'm not quite sure what to think of this Lillia. It is indeed quite strange and dangerous. Another body of the same condition was found last week in Berlin, Germany."

Takeshi couldn't help but smirk.

A quiet clap of shoes rippled the sound of the news station playing on the nearest cafe speaker. Takeshi looked up slightly, resting their brown, almost black, eyes on a pretty teenager girl. She held herself delicately, her back straight but comfortable. Her hair was a pretty pink color, styled in a bob cut that swirled around her ears. Round, soft hazel eyes rested on her soft skinned face, curved up and wrinkled as she smiled. Around her petite form was a sky blue apron with a cute white cat logo on the front, covered slightly by a pin with the name "Sophie" carved into it with black letters, an adorable pink heart sticker stuck next to it.

The employee had a cheerful smile on her face, but Takeshi could feel and see the panic rolling off of her shoulders in waves. Though, a sweet scent of cotton candy radiated off her gently, like soft ripples in a koi pond.

"I just had to come over to ask how you tame that beast!" Sophie's voice was light and gentle, maybe a bit shaky, just as Takeshi would have imagined it to be. "Normally he's so rabid and grumpy, that not even most of the employees can calm him down!"

"Oh, this grump?" Takeshi said softly patting the grey and tan cat who looked very pleased with the added attention, voice ringing throughout the cafe. "What can I say, it's a gift."

Sophie let out a laugh, a few giggles erupting from her soft red lips as her shoulders relaxed. She suddenly let out an excited squeal and dashed to pick something up behind a red couch. In her hands a few seconds later was a small, pure white cat with soft curling fur. Its eyes shined a bright cyan blue, blinking widely, curiously, at Sophie who held it up under its arms.

"This is Snow, she's the only one who loves me!" Sophie said dramatically, stuffing her face in the cat's fluffy chest ignoring the pink paw pads that pushed at her cheeks.

Takeshi smiled, though it didn't reach their eyes, "I think the other cats will warm up to you eventually."

"I've worked here for over a year so far and only Snow lets me pet her." Sophie sighed, but smiled a closed-eyed smile. "Well, anyway, I came over to tell you your order is finished. Ta-Takeshi was it?"

"Thank you, and indeed, my name is Takeshi." Takeshi nodded, hair bobbing lightly over their eyes.

While saying goodbyes and standing up, Takeshi couldn't help but notice the slight blush dusting Sophie's cheeks before she dashed off. They dusted themselves off, patting some of the cats surrounding them before closing their laptop and sliding it into a sleek black fabric covered case. Takeshi stretched, a satisfying pop echoing from their shoulders, before walking gracefully to the front counter and collecting their iced matcha green tea; their usual when it came to coffee shops. They knew they wouldn't be able to taste it, being what they were, but the feeling of the shredded ice was satisfying on their tongue. Brown eyes flicked up to the counter, expecting to see a flustered Sophie, only to see her shift replacement; a feral looking middle aged woman with her crimson hair flung in different directions as if she didn't have enough time to properly prepare it. 

At the moment when they turned to walk out, they instantly noticed the written note on the top of the cup, a message written in still wet permanent ink.

"856-3224, Friends?"

Takeshi frowned. They didn't do friends, especially after coming to this disgusting planet filled with these disgusting cretins. They let their thumb smudge the ink. It wasn't out of disgust, or disinterest, more of sadness and a hint of loneliness that they did this.

As they walked out of the cafe (not after saying bittersweet farewells to their gang of cats who appeared surprisingly betrayed), two people walked in. Time seemed to slow down for Takeshi as they tasted the air of authority and power radiating off the two... agents? Businessmen? They wore black and grey suits, the almost invisible earpieces in their ears blinking red slightly as a voice from the opposite end spoke to them. They were here for something, someone.

Takeshi quickened their pace.

The air was warm as they stepped outside the cafe, yet it instantly changed icy cold as a breeze whipped past. Cars and trucks tutted past on the road outside the cafe, but Takeshi's attention was on the pitch black vehicles placed specifically outside. Two were parked across the street, their shimmering paint glistening in the sunlight, and two more were right in front of the glass wall waiting patiently as if to strike.

Takeshi was ready to strike back.

[author's note]

Shortish chapter but whatever. This was also written awhile back... ish.

I'm currently being forced into a Thanksgiving-thing with idiotic people that I hate. They probably have the 'rona too, but ooooh well. They aren't very... intelligent people. I'm very much so pissed off tho.

Anyway,

Love ya'.

[1183 words]

[nov 21, 2020]