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 Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 8:44 am
Lapis was putting together the last of the things he was taking with him when he purified, he kept things spare. Only some clothes, money, and personal trinkets that meant the world to him including the Oni mask he had received from the alien merchant. He knew Camelot and Aokigahara would be waiting for him so Lapis didn't want to be too long. Doing one last mental check he slung his bag over his shoulder when suddenly he felt a dreadful tugging sensation that made his gut sink.
Before Lapis could resist or run away he was pulled through space against to his will to be in front of the one person more than perhaps anyone else he didn't want to see tonight, General Ashanite. Fear gripped the young man's heart as he stared down the man who had awoken him in the first place all those years ago. The man did not look happy to see the Lieutenant, it plain to see this was no social visit.
Damn it all. Lapis cursed in his head. Why did this, whatever this was. Have to happen tonight. He was so close, but now this. He had to think of a way out. A way to get away from his General and to Camelot and Aokigahara. "General Ashanite?" His voice was soft and inquisitive but not as shaky as he feared it might have been given the fear running through him.
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Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 1:29 am
This was not, for Ashanite, a pleasant visit. He did not enjoy handing out discipline to subordinates, or hauling them up for review--but apparently, while he had been absent, Lapis had been getting himself into trouble. And so he’d called Lapis to him—in a more neutral location than his office, which might put his Lieutenant a little more at ease. Ashanite would prefer this not go too terribly, at least, because he didn’t want to lose Lapis out of the Negaverse..
"Lieutenant Lapis Lazuli," Ashanite said, voice flat. "I've heard some troubling things about your behavior, of late."
How to start this. Perhaps with the most recent offense.
"I put out a distress call a few days ago. Wavellite and Leifite responded. You were conspicuously absent."
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Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 11:27 am
"Oh?" Lapis said carefully trying to not let any of his real emotions show at this moment. Years of beatings and beratings from his father had taught him that showing emotion would only make this worse. So he put on the mask he always wore at times like this, though he had never before needed it with his General. He wasn't sure exactly what Ashanite would do or even what he knew, but Lapis was certain if he could just stay calm he would get through it all and make it back to Camelot.
"I assumed from the collection of auras you had more than enough back up." He replied evenly. "I was busy collecting energy." It was a lie, he had been preparing for his purification but he obiviously couldn't let Ashanite know about that.
"You have my apologies sir. Next time I'll be sure to respond when you call." Another lie.
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Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 1:30 pm
Ashanite sighed, unhappily, and he moved to circle around Lapis with his hands folded behind his back.
"Unfortuante that you made that decision," he said, flatly. "But I expect you to come when your general orders, not decide to simply not follow my commands." He stopped, in front of Lapis, and his expression matched his boredly curious tone. "And why did I hear that a Lieutenant that matched your description assaulted another officer in an effort to save an enemy?"
That. That was much more concerning.
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Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 3:15 pm
"Of course, I understand." Lapis replied in a monotone, keeping his eyes downcast. However the next accusation made him look up. Assaulted another officer, was he referring to the incident over the Star Festival. Lapis thought he had been in the clear for that. He hadn't heard anything about it since the incident.
"That's not true. I did stop an officer but it was not to save an enemy. He was going to murder a civilian for no reason. It was pointless there was no benefit for the Negaverse. Cruelty for cruelty's sake" Lapis said trying to plead his case, his cool demeanor forgotten.
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Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 4:05 pm
Ashanite made a thoughtful little noise.
"Mmm. Seems the tale was somewhat exaggerated in the telling," he said, dryly. He would have to speak to Nagyagite, get a proper report. But the truth still stood.
"However, it was still unacceptable to attack another officer." Lightning-fast, Ashanite's hand darted out, and he sunk his hand into Lapis's chest, wrapping his fingers around Lapis's starseed. "I don't appreciate hearing that my Lieutenants have been interfering in the work of other officers." He squeezed, and his expression changed from bored to ice cold. "Do not. Do that. Ever again. I find you quite useful as an officer, and I'll let the little lapse in judgement go, for now. But continue to screw around, and I'll be forced ot take action."
It would be a lesson, in the pain an officer could inflict upon another, and a reminder to behave and stay in line.
"Are. We. Clear."
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Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 8:10 pm
Lapis thought for a moment he was in the clear but then Ashanite's hand lashed at a lightening speed burring it's self into his chest. It gripped his starseed, hard, sending jolts of horrible pain through Lapis' body. He twisted and writhed in pain but the General had a firm grip on him. He wasn't listening to whatever the General was saying the pain to great for him to focus on anything else.
The final words 'Are. We. Clear.' settled on Lapis like a led blanket and he wasn't quite sure why he next did what he did. Perhaps it was the pain, perhaps it was the reminder of his father and old childhood trama, or perhaps it was just an instinct to survive. He reached out his own hand slid it into the General's own chest griping the starseed within. However Lapis didn't squeeze it or anything like the General had done to him no he pulled as fast as he could, knowing his life depended on it.
And...he succeed. He held the General's starseed in the palm of his hand. He looked at the now downed General, it was a weird feeling standing over a man so much more powerful then himself. "Crystal sir." Was his last retort, he thought for a brief moment that he should destroy the starseed ensure there was no chance of Ashanite coming after him. But he shook his head, a soon to be knight shouldn't act that way he decided. He left the starseed next to the General's body hoping someone would find it after he had succeed in purifying. He took one last look and whispered. "Thank you for everything. It hasn't been great but if not for you I wouldn't be a knight now." With that Lapis took off moving as fast as he could in the direction of a certain library.
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Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 9:30 pm
Ashanite's expression, when Lapis reached into his chest, was pure, unadulterated shock.
Of all the things he had expected, this was not it. He barely had a moment to process, because Lapis was lightning quick--but when he did, for the instant he had, a grin crossed his face.
"Brave," he said, and then his starseed was out, and he collapsed to the ground.
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