Just finished this, but it's pretty late where I am right now - It might have a few mistakes, so please let me know if anything needs to be changed.
Name:
Norman Hitchcock
Age:
14
Normal Appearance:
Norman typically wears formal attire, seldom being seen without a tie. He keeps a large backpack containing most of his 'directing supplies,' which includes a clapper board, an electric megaphone, a collapsable Shotgun Microphone, a tripod, and a folding chair. He barely has enough room for his actual school supplies. The most casual outfit he is willing to wear is a beret, scarf, polo shirt, and khakis.
Norman stands at 166 centimeters (5'5") and weighs 59 kilograms (130 pounds). His voice is very animated when he is interested in something, but respectful and somewhat distant when he is bored. His most prominent feature is the fact that he is almost constantly taking pictures of things around him, or recording while talking to the camera.
Medium Appearance:
Norman does not change too drastically when his Familiar is out - his eyes change slightly, gaining an appearance similar to a Camera lens, and his eyes shutter when he blinks in this form. Other than this, he is completely unchanged. This allows him to be very subtle with his medium activities.
Grade:
Freshman
Personality:
Norman is extremely annoying, naive, and obsessive above all else. He clings onto people like glue, doing his best to make a positive impression and get attention from them. He finds people fascinating, constantly focusing on their 'roles' and how they fit into his life. Norman believes that greatness can come from anywhere, and the situation doesn't matter - what matters is how a person responds to their surroundings, and their actions. Norman's fascination is mainly linked to his love of cinematography - he feels that he may be able to jumpstart his directing career if he can find a good cast of characters, and he is constantly on the lookout for people who would fit the bill. Or, at least, that's what Norman tells himself.
As can probably be assumed, Norman is consumed by cinema - both viewing movies and directing itself. Norman's greatest dream is to become a well-respected director and create films like the ones he grew up with. Norman especially loves horror films and thrillers.
Norman is unused to talking to people and lacks any real friends. Because of this, he is very quick to please others in an attempt to get them to like him. He can appear like a doormat and naive child because of this, and it's a pretty accurate description of him. When complimented, however, he'll get a somewhat inflated ego. Norman is extremely fond and protective over his familiar, Bokeh, viewing it as one of the only friends he's ever had - he is completely oblivious and dismissive towards the fact that Bokeh only tolerates him to return to its True Form.
Background:
Norman spent his entire life in Lakewood, being the child of a fairly wealthy couple. While Norman grew up with nearly anything he could ever want, his parents were distant due to their careers and the stress placed on them. They loved him as much as any parent could, but Norman lacked the close familial bond that most children develop. Norman's parents, exhausted from their young child's attempts to get their attention while they were trying to rest, began relying on television to keep him occupied. Growing up on older films, Norman attached a feeling of affection and nostalgia to them and slowly grew to value them over nearly anything else in his life.
Upon entering middle school, Norman quickly realized that his interests were starting to alienate him from his peers. He tried encouraging others to look into cinema, but when his classmates didn't enjoy them, Norman grew very upset and wanted to distance himself from people who didn't enjoy his favorite pastime. He eventually learned that acting more animated and excited would get more attention from his teachers and peers, and was quick to adopt an appropriate persona. As the years went on, this persona eventually became more than just an attempt to get people to pay attention to him, and it became his natural behavior.
When Norman found Bokeh, and the two went into a pact, Norman finally felt that he had a true friend. He became almost inseparable with the spirit, keeping it's sealed form on his person at almost all times. This is a very clear weakness, as Norman got suspended after violently assaulting a classmate that took the camera and refused to return it. Norman regrets this in hindsight since he could have simply had Bokeh escape and return to him at a later point in time.
Other:
Norman loves Alfred Hitchcock, with his favorite film of all time being Rear Window.
Norman Hitchcock
Age:
14
Normal Appearance:
Norman typically wears formal attire, seldom being seen without a tie. He keeps a large backpack containing most of his 'directing supplies,' which includes a clapper board, an electric megaphone, a collapsable Shotgun Microphone, a tripod, and a folding chair. He barely has enough room for his actual school supplies. The most casual outfit he is willing to wear is a beret, scarf, polo shirt, and khakis.
Norman stands at 166 centimeters (5'5") and weighs 59 kilograms (130 pounds). His voice is very animated when he is interested in something, but respectful and somewhat distant when he is bored. His most prominent feature is the fact that he is almost constantly taking pictures of things around him, or recording while talking to the camera.
Medium Appearance:
Norman does not change too drastically when his Familiar is out - his eyes change slightly, gaining an appearance similar to a Camera lens, and his eyes shutter when he blinks in this form. Other than this, he is completely unchanged. This allows him to be very subtle with his medium activities.
Grade:
Freshman
Personality:
Norman is extremely annoying, naive, and obsessive above all else. He clings onto people like glue, doing his best to make a positive impression and get attention from them. He finds people fascinating, constantly focusing on their 'roles' and how they fit into his life. Norman believes that greatness can come from anywhere, and the situation doesn't matter - what matters is how a person responds to their surroundings, and their actions. Norman's fascination is mainly linked to his love of cinematography - he feels that he may be able to jumpstart his directing career if he can find a good cast of characters, and he is constantly on the lookout for people who would fit the bill. Or, at least, that's what Norman tells himself.
As can probably be assumed, Norman is consumed by cinema - both viewing movies and directing itself. Norman's greatest dream is to become a well-respected director and create films like the ones he grew up with. Norman especially loves horror films and thrillers.
Norman is unused to talking to people and lacks any real friends. Because of this, he is very quick to please others in an attempt to get them to like him. He can appear like a doormat and naive child because of this, and it's a pretty accurate description of him. When complimented, however, he'll get a somewhat inflated ego. Norman is extremely fond and protective over his familiar, Bokeh, viewing it as one of the only friends he's ever had - he is completely oblivious and dismissive towards the fact that Bokeh only tolerates him to return to its True Form.
Background:
Norman spent his entire life in Lakewood, being the child of a fairly wealthy couple. While Norman grew up with nearly anything he could ever want, his parents were distant due to their careers and the stress placed on them. They loved him as much as any parent could, but Norman lacked the close familial bond that most children develop. Norman's parents, exhausted from their young child's attempts to get their attention while they were trying to rest, began relying on television to keep him occupied. Growing up on older films, Norman attached a feeling of affection and nostalgia to them and slowly grew to value them over nearly anything else in his life.
Upon entering middle school, Norman quickly realized that his interests were starting to alienate him from his peers. He tried encouraging others to look into cinema, but when his classmates didn't enjoy them, Norman grew very upset and wanted to distance himself from people who didn't enjoy his favorite pastime. He eventually learned that acting more animated and excited would get more attention from his teachers and peers, and was quick to adopt an appropriate persona. As the years went on, this persona eventually became more than just an attempt to get people to pay attention to him, and it became his natural behavior.
When Norman found Bokeh, and the two went into a pact, Norman finally felt that he had a true friend. He became almost inseparable with the spirit, keeping it's sealed form on his person at almost all times. This is a very clear weakness, as Norman got suspended after violently assaulting a classmate that took the camera and refused to return it. Norman regrets this in hindsight since he could have simply had Bokeh escape and return to him at a later point in time.
Other:
Norman loves Alfred Hitchcock, with his favorite film of all time being Rear Window.
Spirit Name:
Bokeh
Spirit Classification:
Machina
Spirit Personality:
In contrast to it's Medium's very flamboyant persona, Bokeh lacks any real creative outlook or passion, instead embodying the very essence of a pragmatic survivor. Years as a Shade has grated Bokeh's sense of pride and honor into nonexistence and inflated it's hatred towards humanity to incredible bounds. It's main reasoning for even offering to become Norman's Familiar was to gather information on other mediums and learn more about human weaknesses, which Bokeh feels is enough to tolerate Norman's presence. For information and the chance to more easily manipulate humans near it, Bokeh will go to extreme lengths - it is very obedient towards Norman solely to make the Medium trust it more and be more vulnerable around it.
Spirit Appearance:
Bokeh is one of the smaller spirits, being roughly the same size as the average Crow. The only outlandish aspect of its appearance is the fact that it has a small camera in place of an actual head. This camera is functional, capable of recording video and taking photos in very high resolutions, and possessing several additional features - including Infrared, Thermal, impressive Zooming, and Audio recording. While it can speak in a somewhat distorted and scratchy voice, it much prefers communicating via pact connection or creating photographs via its illusion ability.
Sealed Appearance:
While Sealed, Bokeh takes the form of a small camera, which is the same as the one located on its True Forms head.
Summoning Abilities and Stats:
Bokeh can only be summoned and lacks any Spirit Charge. While normally this boosts a Spirit's Abilities in all aspects, Bokeh seems to benefit almost exclusively in terms of Range and Duration. It can move 250 meters away from Norman and can be kept in physical form for hours before Norman's energies are depleted. Other than this, however, Bokeh is nearly identical to a normal bird, being fairly fragile and physically impotent. It's most redeeming capability is its mobility and flight, allowing it to cross its range in a very short time for a Spirit with no speed enhancements.
Special Effects:
The first Focus Bokeh possesses, Special Effects is a specialized type of illusion that is meant to disorientate and trick other creatures and Spirits. It causes beings near Bokeh to perceive effects or objects that don't exist - such as seeing and feeling a stone wall that doesn't exist, or feeling the heat of a fire that isn't really there. These illusions affect the appropriate senses, and while someone could feel pain from an imaginary effect, it is nowhere near as painful as the real version and does no physical damage. It is based on belief - if the target has reason to not believe an illusion (They know Bokeh uses illusions and assume this is one of them, or Bokeh flies through an illusionary wall), then the illusions only affect their sense of sight. These illusions can only appear within 20 meters of Bokeh.
Stunt Double:
Bokeh is capable of generating semi-real copies of itself, for a relatively cheap energy cost. These copies persist as long as Bokeh wishes them to, and they are capable of replicating any action the original can perform. These copies have the same intelligence as Bokeh itself but are instilled with a goal during their creation that they seek to accomplish before disappearing. While they are just as weak and fragile as Bokeh itself, they are far more willing to perform suicidal actions, and will usually aim for soft vital parts of enemies or cram their bodies into an enemy spirits mouth to block it. These doubles disappear upon death or dismissal, but anything they record can be saved on an SD card or USB if a real one is given to the double before recording. Only the original Bokeh can use Special Effects, the copies are effectively just crows with cameras.
Other Information:
Bokeh is occasionally ordered to send Doubles to search for lost valuables or money. They mostly return with change or singe dollars, if they come back at all, but it is a free source of income.
Bokeh
Spirit Classification:
Machina
Spirit Personality:
In contrast to it's Medium's very flamboyant persona, Bokeh lacks any real creative outlook or passion, instead embodying the very essence of a pragmatic survivor. Years as a Shade has grated Bokeh's sense of pride and honor into nonexistence and inflated it's hatred towards humanity to incredible bounds. It's main reasoning for even offering to become Norman's Familiar was to gather information on other mediums and learn more about human weaknesses, which Bokeh feels is enough to tolerate Norman's presence. For information and the chance to more easily manipulate humans near it, Bokeh will go to extreme lengths - it is very obedient towards Norman solely to make the Medium trust it more and be more vulnerable around it.
Spirit Appearance:
Bokeh is one of the smaller spirits, being roughly the same size as the average Crow. The only outlandish aspect of its appearance is the fact that it has a small camera in place of an actual head. This camera is functional, capable of recording video and taking photos in very high resolutions, and possessing several additional features - including Infrared, Thermal, impressive Zooming, and Audio recording. While it can speak in a somewhat distorted and scratchy voice, it much prefers communicating via pact connection or creating photographs via its illusion ability.
Sealed Appearance:
While Sealed, Bokeh takes the form of a small camera, which is the same as the one located on its True Forms head.
Summoning Abilities and Stats:
Bokeh can only be summoned and lacks any Spirit Charge. While normally this boosts a Spirit's Abilities in all aspects, Bokeh seems to benefit almost exclusively in terms of Range and Duration. It can move 250 meters away from Norman and can be kept in physical form for hours before Norman's energies are depleted. Other than this, however, Bokeh is nearly identical to a normal bird, being fairly fragile and physically impotent. It's most redeeming capability is its mobility and flight, allowing it to cross its range in a very short time for a Spirit with no speed enhancements.
Special Effects:
The first Focus Bokeh possesses, Special Effects is a specialized type of illusion that is meant to disorientate and trick other creatures and Spirits. It causes beings near Bokeh to perceive effects or objects that don't exist - such as seeing and feeling a stone wall that doesn't exist, or feeling the heat of a fire that isn't really there. These illusions affect the appropriate senses, and while someone could feel pain from an imaginary effect, it is nowhere near as painful as the real version and does no physical damage. It is based on belief - if the target has reason to not believe an illusion (They know Bokeh uses illusions and assume this is one of them, or Bokeh flies through an illusionary wall), then the illusions only affect their sense of sight. These illusions can only appear within 20 meters of Bokeh.
Stunt Double:
Bokeh is capable of generating semi-real copies of itself, for a relatively cheap energy cost. These copies persist as long as Bokeh wishes them to, and they are capable of replicating any action the original can perform. These copies have the same intelligence as Bokeh itself but are instilled with a goal during their creation that they seek to accomplish before disappearing. While they are just as weak and fragile as Bokeh itself, they are far more willing to perform suicidal actions, and will usually aim for soft vital parts of enemies or cram their bodies into an enemy spirits mouth to block it. These doubles disappear upon death or dismissal, but anything they record can be saved on an SD card or USB if a real one is given to the double before recording. Only the original Bokeh can use Special Effects, the copies are effectively just crows with cameras.
Other Information:
Bokeh is occasionally ordered to send Doubles to search for lost valuables or money. They mostly return with change or singe dollars, if they come back at all, but it is a free source of income.
The biggest weakness in the pair is Bokeh's physical weakness - It is only as strong as the average Crow, and raw numbers can't combat an exceptionally durable Spirit. Combine this with the fact that Norman is unable to Channel in any way, and a surprise or direct confrontation will always end with the pair's defeat.
Bokeh's Special Effects, while capable of causing living things and spirits to feel real pain and experiences, are still just illusions. They do not affect physical objects or creatures, making it useless as a tool or a form of defense. All it can do is trick other beings, and warp their senses. An illusionary fire, for example, can't light up an area - it can only trick someone into thinking it does, and it's pretty bad at that.
Norman's personality is a massive block on the combat potential of the pairing. While he has no qualms with attacking opposing spirits, Norman will often not strike when he has the opportunity to quickly end a fight, viewing it as anticlimactic. Instead, he'll record the fight until he is satisfied, possibly going as far as to allow a seemingly harmless spirit to escape. While Bokeh usually curbs this aspect of Norman's personality, it is not a full-proof foil to this aspect of Norman.
Bokeh's Special Effects, while capable of causing living things and spirits to feel real pain and experiences, are still just illusions. They do not affect physical objects or creatures, making it useless as a tool or a form of defense. All it can do is trick other beings, and warp their senses. An illusionary fire, for example, can't light up an area - it can only trick someone into thinking it does, and it's pretty bad at that.
Norman's personality is a massive block on the combat potential of the pairing. While he has no qualms with attacking opposing spirits, Norman will often not strike when he has the opportunity to quickly end a fight, viewing it as anticlimactic. Instead, he'll record the fight until he is satisfied, possibly going as far as to allow a seemingly harmless spirit to escape. While Bokeh usually curbs this aspect of Norman's personality, it is not a full-proof foil to this aspect of Norman.
The soft leather of a recliner gently caressed Norman's skin as he sat in the theater. The lights were still on, yet nearly every seat in the house was occupied by suited men - except instead of heads, they had cameras sprouting out of their necks. At first, Norman was relaxed, used to similar dreams in the past - perhaps the feature film would be directed by Norman himself, and everyone in the theater would give him a standing ovation after it was over. The theater itself was immaculate, lacking the usual sticky floors and annoying noises of other patrons. The lights slowly faded, and Norman noticed that a large bucket of popcorn was at his feet - the perfect film-watching food. Norman threw pieces into his mouth as text appeared on the screen upfront.
'The featured film is about to play. Please turn off all electronic devices, and be silent throughout the film - if you cause a disturbance, you will be removed from the theater.'
Norman smirked at that. The only way someone would be a disturbance during his film in his dream would be if it was actually a nightmare. Norman was going to eat some more popcorn before he noticed the man to his right slump over. As Norman looked around, he saw that the people around him were touching the sides of their camera heads, before seemingly collapsing. Before he knew it, Norman was the only conscious person in the entire theater.
The film was starting, without any pre-show advertisements or acknowledgments of studios that worked on it. Images appeared on the screen, before changing to the next image alongside a loud, digital clicking sound. An empty house, followed by a makeshift nest of feathers and film rolls. A child's corpse was the next image and caused Norman to tense somewhat. It was... too realistic for Norman's usual means - guts splayed out and seemingly radiating heat. A man running through the decrepit house was next, and then the man was shown hiding against a wall, displayed in a thermal vision.
Norman fully realized the reality of the situation when he saw a screenshot from one of his favorite movies, The Birds. Dozens of crows crowded together on a playground jungle gym, seemingly nonchalant to their photographs being taken. Norman loved the older films but knew that including actual screenshots were not the smartest idea - if he really made the film that was playing, he would have at most remade the scene on his own, rather than show the original film's portrayal. The next image was seemingly the same, as was the one after that. As they shifted faster and faster, Norman realized the differences. Each image, another crow's head was replaced with the same camera as the one the members of the audience had. Soon, every crow had a camera - and they started moving towards the audience. It was slow, almost as if they were trying to hide it. Just as one of them took up the majority of the screen by itself, the entire theater was plunged in pitch blackness, the projector shut down.
Norman breathed heavily, nearly hyperventilating. Unbeknownst to him, this was the exact thing that the Crows wanted. A bright light appeared, and Norman yelped as he saw that one of the Crows was right next to him, a photo coming out of the back of its head. It took several tense seconds of silence before Norman finally reached for the photo, somehow able to see it clearly despite the total lack of light.
In the photo, the crows were all in their original positions, but there was another figure with them. Norman was laughing, playing on the jungle gym, accompanied by a single crow with a camera. The real Norman, the one that wasn't in the photo, was nearly shaking in fear.
"W... Why are you doing this to me? W-What have I done?"
Another flash of light, although Norman was much faster to retrieve the photo that emerged. The camera bird was being stomped on by some man and was bleeding excessively. It was followed by a second picture, which depicted Norman kicking the same man repeatedly in the stomach, with a few people that Norman didn't recognize also lying on the ground.
"Revenge? I, uh... I'm not sure if that's a great idea for me..."
Another flash, far too fast for comfort. The photo had Norman surrounded by bills of some currency he didn't recognize. After a few seconds of looking at it, another photo was made - almost as if expecting Norman to deny the offer. This one had him walking on a group of people, bowing to him. Norman frowned at this and was about to speak before another photo was quickly shot. The final photo portrayed Norman alongside the bird, shaking hands with famous actors and filmmakers who were eager to grab his attention. A red carpet, a fancy suit, and he was coming out of a nice long limousine...
Norman reluctantly offered a hand to the bird, and the theater instantly lit up, the audience coming back to life suddenly. They all turned towards Norman, lenses contracting as if they were focusing on him, and began applauding as if he just performed some amazing feat. Norman slowly grinned at the sight, basking in the attention he was being fed, and the chance to finally achieve his dream.
'The featured film is about to play. Please turn off all electronic devices, and be silent throughout the film - if you cause a disturbance, you will be removed from the theater.'
Norman smirked at that. The only way someone would be a disturbance during his film in his dream would be if it was actually a nightmare. Norman was going to eat some more popcorn before he noticed the man to his right slump over. As Norman looked around, he saw that the people around him were touching the sides of their camera heads, before seemingly collapsing. Before he knew it, Norman was the only conscious person in the entire theater.
The film was starting, without any pre-show advertisements or acknowledgments of studios that worked on it. Images appeared on the screen, before changing to the next image alongside a loud, digital clicking sound. An empty house, followed by a makeshift nest of feathers and film rolls. A child's corpse was the next image and caused Norman to tense somewhat. It was... too realistic for Norman's usual means - guts splayed out and seemingly radiating heat. A man running through the decrepit house was next, and then the man was shown hiding against a wall, displayed in a thermal vision.
Norman fully realized the reality of the situation when he saw a screenshot from one of his favorite movies, The Birds. Dozens of crows crowded together on a playground jungle gym, seemingly nonchalant to their photographs being taken. Norman loved the older films but knew that including actual screenshots were not the smartest idea - if he really made the film that was playing, he would have at most remade the scene on his own, rather than show the original film's portrayal. The next image was seemingly the same, as was the one after that. As they shifted faster and faster, Norman realized the differences. Each image, another crow's head was replaced with the same camera as the one the members of the audience had. Soon, every crow had a camera - and they started moving towards the audience. It was slow, almost as if they were trying to hide it. Just as one of them took up the majority of the screen by itself, the entire theater was plunged in pitch blackness, the projector shut down.
Norman breathed heavily, nearly hyperventilating. Unbeknownst to him, this was the exact thing that the Crows wanted. A bright light appeared, and Norman yelped as he saw that one of the Crows was right next to him, a photo coming out of the back of its head. It took several tense seconds of silence before Norman finally reached for the photo, somehow able to see it clearly despite the total lack of light.
In the photo, the crows were all in their original positions, but there was another figure with them. Norman was laughing, playing on the jungle gym, accompanied by a single crow with a camera. The real Norman, the one that wasn't in the photo, was nearly shaking in fear.
"W... Why are you doing this to me? W-What have I done?"
Another flash of light, although Norman was much faster to retrieve the photo that emerged. The camera bird was being stomped on by some man and was bleeding excessively. It was followed by a second picture, which depicted Norman kicking the same man repeatedly in the stomach, with a few people that Norman didn't recognize also lying on the ground.
"Revenge? I, uh... I'm not sure if that's a great idea for me..."
Another flash, far too fast for comfort. The photo had Norman surrounded by bills of some currency he didn't recognize. After a few seconds of looking at it, another photo was made - almost as if expecting Norman to deny the offer. This one had him walking on a group of people, bowing to him. Norman frowned at this and was about to speak before another photo was quickly shot. The final photo portrayed Norman alongside the bird, shaking hands with famous actors and filmmakers who were eager to grab his attention. A red carpet, a fancy suit, and he was coming out of a nice long limousine...
Norman reluctantly offered a hand to the bird, and the theater instantly lit up, the audience coming back to life suddenly. They all turned towards Norman, lenses contracting as if they were focusing on him, and began applauding as if he just performed some amazing feat. Norman slowly grinned at the sight, basking in the attention he was being fed, and the chance to finally achieve his dream.
