[His sudden tone sounded offended, but from the look on his face it was more of a kneejerk expression of genuine horror.]
No. A Stand and its user can't be separated. [He reached up to Hierophant's arms again, curling his fingers loosely around the Stand's wrist. Was that accurate?]
[No. He knew from what Giorno had said--about Silver Chariot and what had happened to him--that it wasn't impossible, and that scared him more than a city full of clock towers.]
That's like arriving without a sense of your own self or personality. Without Hierophant, I'm not 'Noriaki Kakyoin'.
No, it's okay. Sorry, I...[he shrugged, trying to shake off the lingering unease.] It's fine. Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you.
As for your question, my Hierophant has a range of exactly fifty meters in any given direction. If I try to reach in as many directions as possible, I have to cut that down to somewhere around twenty; it's difficult to manage more than that, because it's splitting my own senses between myself and wherever Hierophant is. It's easiest to just send him off in a single direction; that way it's only divided by half.
Well...I'll try, sure. If he's in his main body like this, I can see pretty clearly through his eyes and even project my voice through him. Basically, it's like standing in two places at the same time; I can see either what I'm looking at in one spot, or what Hierophant is looking at in another.
[If he did find the earnest questions unsettling, Kakyoin didn't point it out--actually, this was his favorite subject. Seeing someone else that interested was actually pretty nice.]
If he's split apart, it's a little more difficult. Since he doesn't really have eyes in that form the best I've ever been able to manage is detecting unclear shapes, sounds, and motion. Hierophant is a Stand best utilized for scouting, and he has a longer reach than nearly any other I can think of.
Have you tried fooling around with how many parts he can be split into? Like, could you have...eight bits of him going in different directions, like an octopus? Or is it really limited to four?
[He mimes the common gesture for "invertebrate tendrils". You know, just the usual.]
Honestly, I don't know how you do it! That's a lot of focus.
It's not limited to just cardinal directions or anything like that at all. [Hierophant's entire body unraveled into at least half a dozen coils of varying sizes, like a group of snakes curling loosely around Kakyoin's arms and shoulders.] I've never really counted a specific upper limit to how many parts he can split into, but we can lay down a net of tripwires and be completely aware of any sound or motion within it. Kind of like a spiderweb, but not quite as neatly organized.
[He shrugged, one coil wrapping around his right hand and lacing between his fingers.]
Okay, can you--can you elaborate on that last bit? How long have you been able to use his abilities to the fullest? Did they develop alongside the rest of your natural talents?
...Also, at some point--not now, of course--I'd appreciate a demonstration. If that's okay?
Well...that's a little tough to explain. I learned to use Hierophant the same way people learn to walk or develop any kind of skill. Some things we've been able to do for as long as I can remember, and others developed through practice and intuition. There have been some things in the past that I simply didn't know we could do until it occurred to me to try, like Hierophant was showing me himself. Maybe that seems a little strange, since neither of us is independent of the other--think of it like talking to yourself trying to work out a problem, maybe.
[It was hard to explain without feeling like he was making himself sound crazy.]
I don't even know if I am able to use his abilities to the fullest. I'm only eighteen, and I have no idea how different Stands might develop and at what rates. For all I know, he could still have abilities I haven't discovered yet.
[developmental potential: D]
...I can demonstrate now, if you'd rather not wait. I really don't mind at all.
No, no, that definitely makes sense. In my research, while Stands are absolutely a facet of the human being in question, they can also act semi-independently. It's absolutely not an outside force, but it displays different sides of your personality than you're used to, making it able to hold a conversation apart from yourself.
[He pauses to breathe, reaching for another file folder.]
Of course, Hierophant here seems a bit less independent than others, so perhaps that's not feasible. However, I've spoken with Gold Experience some--very wonderful personality, I add--and he offered a unique perspective on a situation to his user. It really varies.
...Anyways, I'd absolutely love to see the extent of your abilities! We can step outside, if that's more convenient.
Right. I've been able to hold conversations with Star that Jotaro didn't even realize were going on, but Hierophant just...doesn't work that way. He's never said a word or made a sound for our whole lives.
[He really didn't get it, at this point. But Hierophant was Hierophant; that was just the way he worked. Even if Kakyoin could have changed that, he wouldn't.]
Sure--going outside would probably be much easier. I can show you whatever you'd like.
[He's up and standing before it seems he's moved at all, unsettlingly enough, and he even has his coat back on. Strange. Then again, virtually everything about him is veiled in some kind of strangeness, so that really can't be helped.]
Excellent! You can just show me the extent of any and all abilities you are able to access. If...that's not too tiring, I mean.
[Maybe it's better he doesn't know about the whole mind-control tentacles thing. That could lead to some unfortunate places.]
There's a pretty nice open area out between here and the training school, I think.
[And, again, he's gone in a surprisingly fast blur of white lab coat and excitement, leaving Kakyoin and the lab behind. He just has a lot of Thoughts and Opinions.]
[yep, let's just keep that to ourselves and what carlos doesn't know won't be a disaster. He was certainly eager, at any rate--a little unnervingly so, but that probably wasn't a bad thing. Probably.]
[Kakyoin shrugged and followed behind him, Hierophant trailing along as he always did.]
[He's a good twenty feet outside the building by the time Kakyoin exits, waving excitedly. It seems as though he really is dedicated to his scientific pursuits, though he might be taking the "pursuits" part a little too literally.]
[It looks like he's saying something, though it's a bit distant. Something about "proximity" and "so much fun".]
[Were most scientists that fast? He couldn't quite make out what Carlos was saying, but given what he could catch taking an educated guess seemed feasible. Besides, Hierophant could cross that distance a lot faster than Kakyoin himself.]
[So he did exactly that, sneaking underground and coming back up right next to Carlos with a small, friendly wave.]
[He stumbles back slightly in surprise, very nearly dropping his small stack of folders before grinning wide.]
Very impressive, Hierophant! I'm impressed. That impressed me.
[He turns back to Kakyoin and waves again, giving a THUMBS UP of approval.]
From what you told me, I'm assuming you can hear me from here?
[Being speedy isn't a scientific trait; it's just the product of running from things for a few years. He may have the physical strength of a wet noodle, but he sure can run.]
Loud and clear, no problem. [Said Kakyoin's voice from Hierophant's mouthrespirator...from the general vicinity of Hierophant's face.] Sorry, we weren't trying to startle you.
[He frowns, shaking his head almost imperceptibly.]
...Kakyoin.
Anyways, I'm rather excited! You've already shown off so many of your unique skills; I find it fascinating. Does your ability to speak to people decrease as the distance lengthens?
What about sight? Is that diminished in any way the further away he gets? Sound? Also, how are you even talking to me; does he have a mouth behind...that?
[He gestures at the...mouth...area. Yes.]
Does he have breathing problems? Oh, poor Hierophant, is he sick?
I don't know, it just seems odd that he has a mask on. Has he always looked this way? Were you sick as a child?
[He slowly circles the Stand, scribbling down a few more notes. There's a lot of erasing and re-writing--spelling errors, mostly. Carlos isn't particularly used to doing hand notes, just mostly audio logs and typing. But he is learning.]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2016-05-28 02:18 am (UTC)[His sudden tone sounded offended, but from the look on his face it was more of a kneejerk expression of genuine horror.]
No. A Stand and its user can't be separated. [He reached up to Hierophant's arms again, curling his fingers loosely around the Stand's wrist. Was that accurate?]
[No. He knew from what Giorno had said--about Silver Chariot and what had happened to him--that it wasn't impossible, and that scared him more than a city full of clock towers.]
That's like arriving without a sense of your own self or personality. Without Hierophant, I'm not 'Noriaki Kakyoin'.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-28 02:46 am (UTC)It's...I'm sorry. My fault, I just had to clarify. In the same vein, though...
[He's just looking down, now, not meeting Kakyoin's eye.]
...How far is his range, if we use you as a centerpoint? Does it favor directions?
no subject
Date: 2016-05-28 02:52 am (UTC)As for your question, my Hierophant has a range of exactly fifty meters in any given direction. If I try to reach in as many directions as possible, I have to cut that down to somewhere around twenty; it's difficult to manage more than that, because it's splitting my own senses between myself and wherever Hierophant is. It's easiest to just send him off in a single direction; that way it's only divided by half.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-28 02:58 am (UTC)Now, can you tell me--as exactly as you can--what this split consciousness feels like?
no subject
Date: 2016-05-28 03:07 am (UTC)[If he did find the earnest questions unsettling, Kakyoin didn't point it out--actually, this was his favorite subject. Seeing someone else that interested was actually pretty nice.]
If he's split apart, it's a little more difficult. Since he doesn't really have eyes in that form the best I've ever been able to manage is detecting unclear shapes, sounds, and motion. Hierophant is a Stand best utilized for scouting, and he has a longer reach than nearly any other I can think of.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-30 11:18 pm (UTC)[He mimes the common gesture for "invertebrate tendrils". You know, just the usual.]
Honestly, I don't know how you do it! That's a lot of focus.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-30 11:24 pm (UTC)[He shrugged, one coil wrapping around his right hand and lacing between his fingers.]
We've had a long time to practice.
no subject
Date: 2016-05-31 12:24 am (UTC)...Also, at some point--not now, of course--I'd appreciate a demonstration. If that's okay?
no subject
Date: 2016-05-31 12:33 am (UTC)[It was hard to explain without feeling like he was making himself sound crazy.]
I don't even know if I am able to use his abilities to the fullest. I'm only eighteen, and I have no idea how different Stands might develop and at what rates. For all I know, he could still have abilities I haven't discovered yet.
[developmental potential: D]
...I can demonstrate now, if you'd rather not wait. I really don't mind at all.
this escaped my inbox?? yikes
Date: 2016-06-05 05:12 pm (UTC)[He pauses to breathe, reaching for another file folder.]
Of course, Hierophant here seems a bit less independent than others, so perhaps that's not feasible. However, I've spoken with Gold Experience some--very wonderful personality, I add--and he offered a unique perspective on a situation to his user. It really varies.
...Anyways, I'd absolutely love to see the extent of your abilities! We can step outside, if that's more convenient.
oops
Date: 2016-06-05 05:46 pm (UTC)[He really didn't get it, at this point. But Hierophant was Hierophant; that was just the way he worked. Even if Kakyoin could have changed that, he wouldn't.]
Sure--going outside would probably be much easier. I can show you whatever you'd like.
no subject
Date: 2016-06-05 06:04 pm (UTC)Excellent! You can just show me the extent of any and all abilities you are able to access. If...that's not too tiring, I mean.
[Maybe it's better he doesn't know about the whole mind-control tentacles thing. That could lead to some unfortunate places.]
There's a pretty nice open area out between here and the training school, I think.
[And, again, he's gone in a surprisingly fast blur of white lab coat and excitement, leaving Kakyoin and the lab behind. He just has a lot of Thoughts and Opinions.]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-05 06:10 pm (UTC)[Kakyoin shrugged and followed behind him, Hierophant trailing along as he always did.]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-05 06:16 pm (UTC)[It looks like he's saying something, though it's a bit distant. Something about "proximity" and "so much fun".]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-05 06:31 pm (UTC)[Were most scientists that fast? He couldn't quite make out what Carlos was saying, but given what he could catch taking an educated guess seemed feasible. Besides, Hierophant could cross that distance a lot faster than Kakyoin himself.]
[So he did exactly that, sneaking underground and coming back up right next to Carlos with a small, friendly wave.]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-05 06:41 pm (UTC)Very impressive, Hierophant! I'm impressed. That impressed me.
[He turns back to Kakyoin and waves again, giving a THUMBS UP of approval.]
From what you told me, I'm assuming you can hear me from here?
[Being speedy isn't a scientific trait; it's just the product of running from things for a few years. He may have the physical strength of a wet noodle, but he sure can run.]
no subject
Date: 2016-06-05 06:49 pm (UTC)mouthrespirator...from the general vicinity of Hierophant's face.] Sorry, we weren't trying to startle you.no subject
Date: 2016-06-05 06:53 pm (UTC)[He frowns, shaking his head almost imperceptibly.]
...Kakyoin.
Anyways, I'm rather excited! You've already shown off so many of your unique skills; I find it fascinating. Does your ability to speak to people decrease as the distance lengthens?
no subject
Date: 2016-06-05 06:56 pm (UTC)I don't think that it does. I've never had a problem with that before.
no subject
Date: 2016-06-05 07:07 pm (UTC)[He gestures at the...mouth...area. Yes.]
Does he have breathing problems? Oh, poor Hierophant, is he sick?
no subject
Date: 2016-06-05 07:10 pm (UTC)[that is real genuine confusion, folks.]
Sight and everything else are the same regardless of distance; as I said, it's more or less like being in two places at once.
no subject
Date: 2016-06-05 07:24 pm (UTC)[He slowly circles the Stand, scribbling down a few more notes. There's a lot of erasing and re-writing--spelling errors, mostly. Carlos isn't particularly used to doing hand notes, just mostly audio logs and typing. But he is learning.]
I see. Good information to know.
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Date: 2016-06-05 07:30 pm (UTC)No, not more than I'd think would be normal. He's always looked exactly the way he does now.
no subject
Date: 2016-06-05 07:33 pm (UTC)Did he grow physically at all? I can't imagine an infant with this kind of...hulking...tentacle...thing. I imagine that'd be kind of traumatic.
no subject
Date: 2016-06-05 07:35 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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