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 Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 5:58 pm
Hunting was one thing Sailor Kallichore never grew tired of.
The same rhythms on different paths, different twists and turns but the same exciting thrill. The prey in question was a youma that seemed rather hellbent on ripping a minivan in two, trying to get at a mother and her young children in the process. A shrill whistle and the prominent dazzle of an eternal starseed was more than enough to make the thing forget its meal and change targets, all for the better. Kallichore had long since ceased announcing herself in favor of having her actions speak for her. No doubt her tattered fuku and rather severe demeanor did little to improve the civilians' outlook on senshi in general, but her job wasn't public relations - it was ending Chaos in every form.
Being eternal had its perks - more speed, more stamina and a bit more oomph with everything she did. Despite her training, there were times when carelessness brought her an injury or two, but they always served as a reminder that this was a war and that blood was very real. Gray hair whipped about her face as the dance of battle progressed. Several minutes passed and a well-placed Crimson Mania made the youma claw itself nearly to death. It shrieked and yowled on the ground, allowing the senshi to catch her breath.
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Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 6:52 pm
There was no such thing as an ordinary day, Gwendolyn Caspian had realized, in Destiny City. One does not simply walk from detention to home without countering at LEAST one youma per day, but at least now Gwen was confident that she was prepared for such encounters. She had teamed up with other stronger, wiser Senshi and knights to defeat youma before, and she had -finally- killed one on her own just the other day. So, to say that Gwen (or, rather, Tsui, as she was the one doing all of the hard work) was confident was a gross understatement. And when Gwen was confident, Gwen patrolled more often, and that meant that she would likely not sit around and let trouble find her. With that in mind, she had seen the youma that was assaulting the minivan, realizing that it was much bigger than the one she had fought the day before (yet, not as frightening as the one she and Ate battled, though that one hiding in the dark could have been the cause of that). Without hesitation, she immediately dashed behind a bush, hoping that no one would see her, especially the wailing mom and the poor kids in the minivan and whispered harshly, not once realizing that just a few feet away, another Senshi was doing the same thing. "Tsui Star Power, Make Up!" Finally, the black and white haired Senshi was ready for action, leaping out of the bushes and not even bothering to strike a pose. Her plan was a simple one: get the monster's attention, lure it away from the minivans, save the kids, and then beat the youma senseless and send it back to Chaos where it belonged. A simple plan, but almost unnecessary. Before she could even announce herself, the youma had turned its attention elsewhere, causing Sailor Tsui to look at the other Senshi that had already sent an attack at the youma. 'Where the hell did she come from?'Tsui had no idea what the other Senshi had said, but whatever her attack was the effects were immediate, hitting the youma at full force like a concentrated heat wave. Tsui watched as the creature wailed and began to claw itself intensely, as though it were trying to tear itself or whatever was under its skin apart, and she wasn't sure to be impressed, or terrified, of this Senshi's powers. Her short trance didn't last much longer, as the Senshi of Tigers saw an opening and charged in, regardless if the other Senshi needed the help. Her fuku had looked tattered, as though she were already in another fight, and, always eager to help (and of course, be the hero), Tsui took action. "Tiger Fist STRIKE!" She charged forward, white aura dancing around her hands, wrists and arms and forming into tiger claws, and thanks to the other Senshi's attack, the youma didn't have a chance to dodge or prepare for the flanking attack. The blow didn't dig into the youma's flesh but it succeeded in knocking the youma back, rolling on the floor and slamming into a set of trashcans nearby. When Tsui came to a stop, she looked at the other Senshi, getting a better look at her and unable to pull her eyes away from the tattered designs, the teeth in the suggestive shaped brooch, or the interesting tiara she wore. 'She... is a White Court Senshi, right?'"Hope you don't mind me butting in..." Tsui said, after the fact. She then asked, keeping that thought in the back of her mind and preparing to defend herself from either her or the youma. "Need a hand? Well, a claw, maybe?"
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Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 7:10 pm
Brown eyes bore a curious expression towards the newcomer, one clad in black and white. That was a combination she didn't see much of. Meanwhile, the gaping hole the newcomer had given the youma's chest had begun to leak black fluid like tar onto the pavement, indicating death. Tsui's attack was the finishing blow - a direct hit that was something Kallichore herself couldn't produce magically. The woman and her small children poured out of the van and two took glances at the senshi. Kallichore nodded curtly to them and two pairs of tiny hands waved at Tsui, mouthing thanks before they were carted away to safety.
The senshi in red took two steps towards Tsui and gave her a once-over with narrowed eyes. "I don't mind." came a simple reply. Kallichore wasn't used to necessarily smiling at anyone save for those she'd become accustomed to. She'd met many senshi in her day but few of them actually stuck around. Not everyone was cut out to be a savior and superhero. "I could always use claws. I would never mind claws."
The corners of her mouth turned downward for a moment of intense concentration. "Who might you be? I haven't seen you before... are you new?" There wasn't any indication of displeasure in her voice, but there was a hint of caution. It was evident that the girl in black and white was of the White Moon, but perhaps it was more to show that Tsui should be cautious of Kallichore instead? Most people thought something had happened to the eternal because of her rather disheveled look. She couldn't blame them for that anymore.
Martial Arts? Hmm... no, maybe felines? That could explain the tiger fist, but that just sounded more like a kung fu movie...
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Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2012 8:42 pm
Tsui hadn't expected to lay the finishing blow on the youma and hadn't noticed it until the mother and children left the car. She gave a wave to the children, though she was more or less distracted by the youma that bleed out and slowly began to dissipate with the wind. It took everything, everything for her not to give a triumphant shout, as she tried to keep her composure in front of this Senshi. She knew that she wasn't new, like herself, as there was a presence about her, one that she recognized in other Senshi that she had met before. She seemed stronger, that gaze of hers intense and Tsui couldn't help but feel as though she was observing her. Never the type to read a person (well, not well), Tsui could only imagine what was on her mind beyond the usual questions, and she was more than happy to introduce herself. "I've been a Senshi for about a month, but yeah, I'm still pretty new. My name's Sailor Tsui, Senshi of Tigers." Despite her tattered look, Tsui could tell that she was physically okay, and she threw her questions out without hesitation. "You have interesting clothes... did the youma tear those or are they always like that? Which Senshi are you?" Her golden eyes kept falling onto her brooch, not meaning to stare but unable to help herself. 'Are those teeth... and is it SUPPOSE to be shaped like a... umm...'
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Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 10:24 am
"Good job, by the way. Tsui."
Kallichore mouthed the other senshi's name a few times to get the pronunciation closer to correct. With all the bizarre names, her own included, one would think nothing could really surprise anyone anymore. After making some kind of decision, the eternal senshi nodded and smiled more openly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Tsui." Her fuku was adorable, as most everyone else's was, and Kallichore wondered how she would grow and progress as time went on. Would she get a tail or something?
Her demeanor softened and the eternal nodded politely. "I'm Sailor Kallichore, Senshi of Madness. And my clothes are always like this. You should have seen me at Super. A couple people thought I was the Senshi of Hobos." She made a brief snort just short of a chuckle and shook her head. "I used to be offended by it, but in time it all makes sense. The Wardrobe Gods have it all figured out."
A month? What date was it? Soon it would be her own anniversary since taking up the mantle. "Pretty new and yet you have a good handle on your attack already. That's an excellent start. You should be proud of yourself. Not everyone gets used to it, or, ever really gets used to it, even at eternal." Kallichore looked around and, not spotting or sensing anyone nearby, nodded again. "If you're up to it, maybe you wouldn't mind training with me? Many senshi are left out in the cold when it comes to information. I can provide as much as I can, if you're willing to listen."
She noticed Tsui's gaze on her brooch and never batted an eyelash. Both of them were weird, she knew, especially the eye in its... interesting position.
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 12:13 am
"Thanks... it's nice to know that the battles have been worth something," Tsui said, thankful for the compliment and trying not to let it go to her head. Someone complimented her, and a powerful Senshi at that, so the fear of making a complete fool out of herself was ever present on her mind. She finally forced her attention away from the brooch and the eye, deciding that she would have to look up their meaning later with the trusty internet, and she took in the other Senshi's introduction. 'Kallichore, Senshi of Madness?' Tsui said mentally to herself, recalling the attack that she sent towards the youma and suddenly it had made sense to her. And, while morbid, Tsui admired that power of hers, and it might have shown in the way she held herself. 'So is that why the youma was attacking itself before I attacked it? Like a Pokemon getting confused, except replace punching itself in the face it damn near claws itself to death. Brutal...'Her attention was brought back to Kallichore again, once again grateful for the compliment and unable to keep herself from smiling. And the thought of training with her? She could have to be crazy NOT to! "I'd love to train with you! I could definitely learn a lot from you, if you're willing to put up with me... I'll do anything to be as strong as you." The thought of getting stronger pleased Tsui greatly, and given this Senshi's experience, she would surely know a lot about the missing leader of the White Moon Court, or, at least help her find a focus on her own. Her mind backtracked, though, and she sent her first set of questions to her new training buddy. "So, you said Super and Eternal... are those ranks for Senshi? I think I've ran into a few Supers, then, but you're the first Eternal that I've met. Or... aware of meeting."
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 7:19 am
"Battles are always worth something, especially if you can save civilians in the process. That's what we do." She looked back to the van that once was a death trap for that woman and her children. Now it was a mangled hunk of metal, but lives were saved. Vans could be replaced - children and families could not. It was a comforting thought at the end of the day. "At first I was really concerned with changing how people perceived us, but then I realized that I'm no good with public relations." Kallichore scratched at the back of her head absently, waving for Tsui to follow her to a more remote location where training would be much safer. "Plus my look got more and more... unhinged... as time went on. I don't exactly look the part of white knight and savior. I'll leave that to senshi like you and stick to what I'm good at."
The cute fuku would definitely garner Tsui some followers, no doubt about that.
Kallichore blinked at the tiger senshi's comment about her strength. Sometimes she forgot where she had come from, about her first nights as a senshi. All she could do was distract a monster and hope for the best. Tsui had a much better start than Kallichore did. "You're not an a**." she said simply and tilted her head. "You're willing to do what needs to be done. I have infinite patience for people with a good head on their shoulders." Reaching out, Kallichore placed a warm hand on Tsui's collared shoulder. "You'll become as strong as me in no time, perhaps stronger."
After a while, they came to a deserted park - plenty of space for movement and dodging without many obstacles, and no civilians to worry about getting in the way. Kallichore stepped forward, performed a scan, and nodded in the affirmative. "Yes, Super and Eternal are ranks for senshi. Super will be what you upgrade to next, and with each upgrade, you become stronger, faster and more powerful. I imagine that fist of yours will be quite deadly in the future." The senshi of madness then pointed to the prominent white wing bow at her back. "And Eternal stage is the highest. Sometimes it's hard to tell, but the buttwings always give it away. Eternals on either side of the war have them, but you should be wary of anyone who has black wings."
She was keeping things simple for now, not wanting to overwhelm a new senshi. Back when Kallichore was new, there wasn't any Dark Mirror Court to be wary of. Senshi these days had more to worry about than a year ago. "Since I'd rather not hit you with my attack, would you rather practice dodging? Some of our enemies are physically more capable than we are, but we're certainly more magically-inclined. That's our strength."
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 4:55 pm
"Practice dodging sounds like a good idea... I don't think I'd want to be hit by that attack of yours head on. The thought of clawing myself to death seems like it'd be a pretty terrible way to go..." Tsui didn't even want to think about it, and fortunately, she was able to stop her wild imagination before it got completely out of hand. With that thought pushed to the back of her mind, she observed the deserted park that would serve as their training ground. She kicked at the grass, taking in everything that Kallichore had told her and trying to process all of it. The thought of herself ever reaching Super or Eternal intrigued her, though she tried not to get her hopes up too high, and that only made her all the more determined to train with Kallichore. She was right, Tsui thought. She would get stronger! When Kallichore mentioned the black back wings, her mind clicked to a certain Senshi, and she wasn't afraid to bring it up. "You mean the Dark Mirror Court, right? I've run into one of them... Super Sailor Remarque. And trust me, I have no plans on running into him again, not until I'm certain that I can return the favor." She clenched her fists and punched into her palm, a clear sign of what she had planned for their inevitable rematch. She stood at the ready, kicking up some dirt and grass in the process, letting Kallichore know that she was ready to start the training. "So, do you have any idea where the White Moon Court's leader is? Or even who?"
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Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 5:19 pm
So, Tsui had met one of the Dark Mirrors. That wasn't a good start to her senshidom but the fact that Tsui made it out alive, and with her soul intact, spoke volumes about her determination. Leaning forward, Kallichore launched into a swift jog with her hands outstretched. No fists, just palm as a way of safely learning to dodge a faster opponent without the fear of pain. Kallichore leaned this way and that in a series of swift movements to simulate what she'd seen Negaverse and Chaos senshi achieve. "Never trust anyone from the Dark Mirror Court," she started, slowing down for a moment to give Tsui room to breathe. "They're all hellbent on taking your soul from you and replacing it with one of their own. You'll never be the same. I've seen it happen firsthand." Tsui was probably much too young to know anything about those that came before the Dark Mirror - the Blood Moon. While Birhan Isat was still in charge of what was left of that Court, to Kallichore, it had all but fallen apart. "So whatever you do, don't believe a word they have to say. All they care about is expanding their numbers with senshi unfortunate enough to think that serving Chaos is the way to go." Another short flurry of hands darted out at the senshi of tigers, none of which had the intent to harm. "As far as I know, the White Moon's leader no longer exists. I've never seen her, and neither has anyone I've spoken to." Kallichore would be first to admit she was rather disappointed that no one had seen or heard from this Lunar Queen and yet everyone was supposed to look for her? The senshi of madness thought it absurd to try and find some holy savior that, for all the searching they've done, did not exist. "However, a few have risen in her place. There is royalty out there, both good and bad. I can only speak about the two I've met. One good, one incredibly evil."
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Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 12:05 pm
It was difficult to listen to Kallichore's words and dodge her strikes at the same time, but Tsui didn't complain, merely taking that as part of the training and doing her best dodge the blows. She found what Kallichore had to say to be interesting, if not a bit frightening, and she couldn't help but comment as she leaned to her right, avoiding the palm in the nick of time. "Wait, they take your souls? Huh... funny how Remarque conveniently left that part out of his explanation..." She kept her fists raised and close to her chest, using them to keep herself balanced, not used to such quick motions. By the time that Kallichore had slowed down, she was afraid to admit that she could feel herself working up a sweat, and she hoped her deodorant was strong enough to combat senshi B.O. "Don't worry. For now on, I'll follow a strict policy when it comes to Dark Mirror Senshi. No introductions, and a quick Tiger Fist Strike to the face!" And she was determined to stick to that policy, if what Kallichore told her was true. She knew she could trust Kallichore, despite having just met her- she saved a family from a youma, what was there not to trust? She jumped back into evasive movements when Kallichore started up again, taking in everything she had to say and trying not to let it weigh her down. She didn't know where the Leader was? That was disheartened to hear this, and she tried not to let it show; if the White Moon leader didn't exist, then did that mean that what Remarque had said was true? She didn't want to believe it, so she pushed the thought to the back of her mind when Kallichore mentioned the other royalty. She asked, hoping she didn't sound too out of breath, "Who are they?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 6:30 pm
Kallichore smiled and shook her head, slowing down again to allow Tsui to rest. Their power difference as great, but the eternal senshi had respect for her counterpart. "Of course they conveniently leave that part out. Who would join them if they simply said, we only want you for your power and your body, so you can be a puppet to a mad queen? I highly doubt they'd get many recruits that way." The eternal senshi sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "It is good that you won't listen to them. Believing in anything they say only leads to trouble upon trouble, and you don't deserve that. No one does." The name of Remarque didn't sound familiar to her, but she noted it as both enemy and someone to be on the lookout for, especially if he was spreading filthy propaganda. "I worry. They get sneakier by the day and masquerade as sheep when they're wolves underneath. They prey on inexperienced senshi and try to persuade them to the dark side whenever possible, and if that doesn't work..." Kallichore held a hand to her chest, made it into a claw and made a pulling motion. "...they take whatever they can. That is why it's so important to remember why you fight." On the subject of royals, the senshi of madness had to figure out where to begin. "Bad news first I suppose. Ares is the evil you would need to watch out for. I've seen her once since her corruption. Remarque and those like him answer to her. She is their queen. They stalk people through mirrors, but they weren't always like that." She scratched at the back of her neck, remembering frightening times before. "Ares was once good and let Chaos into her heart. We were part of a Court, she and I and many others like Leto and Requiem. We were all senshi and one day, Ares shows up at a meeting, becomes a monster and forcibly corrupted people there. I was one of the few who escaped." Kallichore turned away for a moment, suddenly reliving the pain and anger and shock at seeing the woman she aspired to be become the thing she hated most. She turned back to Tsui. "They are not to be trusted, at any cost. No matter how many honey-sweet words they lay before you..." She shook her head again and tried to smile. "But there are very powerful people on the side of good. Polaris, she is a senshi like we are, but she is also royalty. Not like Ares. Polaris lives to guide other senshi, just like her star." The eternal pointed to the sky where the North Star twinkled brightly down at them. "We met a few times and that's how I learned about her." Hands on her hips, Kallichore started to pace slightly. "That is how I know our side can aspire to great heights, just as evil drops to new lows. That potential is in each and every one of us, you see." A slight smile, almost a chuckle. "Sorry, was that too much to take in?"
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Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:58 pm
The prideful side of Tsui wanted to wave it off, but she couldn't bring herself to indulge her ego, nor lie to Kallichore. "Yeah, that's pretty heavy stuff..." She had been enamored with Kallichore's account of the event, and her imagination almost got the best of her, trying to imagine this Ares character, recalling that Sailor Remarque had made a brief mention of her during their brief (but unforgettable) encounter. When Kallichore had mentioned that last bit, about her being one of the few to escape, Tsui couldn't fight the sense of pity wanting to rise in her gut, as well as the anger that went with it. "So... you've seen others get converted? Others that... were once just like us? Against their will? That's just... not right. That's terrible!" Tsui tried to control her emotions, but it seemed impossible. She was angry, and not just because Remarque had lied to her (that she knew, though she had no idea to what extent and just how cruel the lie was), but for what could have been going through Kallichore's mind at the moment. She tried to push the thought aside, tried to take in the better news about the new princess, and by the way Kallichore had described her, she couldn't ignore the hope that swelled in her chest. She asked, not caring if she sounded too hopeful or idealistic. "So, Princess Polaris... do you think she could take the place of the White Moon leader? If she is as great and kind as you say, then why wouldn't the other senshi follow her?"
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Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 7:10 pm
Kallichore nodded solemnly. "I saw them get grabbed and thrown through mirrors and after that, they were never the same. The more pitiable part is... they don't remember who they used to be. It's like Body Snatchers or something. They're shells of who they used to be. They were once just like us. Now they're nothing more than Ares' minions."
The eternal senshi pondered a moment, narrowing her eyes. She hated Ares with every fiber of her being. There was a sense of betrayal there in her heart, white hot and agonizing, every time she encountered one of Ares' new toys. She once idolized the parallel senshi and worked vigorously to be as strong as she was. Now Kallichore thought herself stronger than Ares because she was able to resist the temptation of darkness when the other threw herself into it. "I thought it would make more sense as to why you can't trust them if you had context. I have no idea what lies Ares tells her people."
No doubt something twisted like she was 'saving the White Moon from a pathetic existence' or some such nonsense. Kallichore shook her head. "To be honest, I don't really know if she can take the place of the White Moon leader. I'm not sure if anyone can. I have a feeling there's more to it than we think. I'm simply not sure." The eternal frowned, hating the taste of ignorance slightly less than she hated betrayal. "Whether or not anyone follows her is not something I'm privy to. Many senshi form their own Courts, royal or no. I am part of one such group, where everyone is equal."
If Tsui were so inclined, Kallichore considered taking her to a meeting. They'd have to wait and see.
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Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 8:37 pm
"That almost makes me want to go home and smash all of the mirrors I have in my apartment, though I wouldn't want the seven years of bad luck." Tsui couldn't help but comment, trying to lighten the mood with a bit of humor but having a feeling that she'd fail miserably. She pushed her hair back behind her shoulders, getting some well needed air to her neck as she was ready for a second round if Kallichore was willing. "Though, maybe seven years bad luck would be a better deal than losing your soul, now that I think about it." She immediately regretted ever saying that, and she apologized. "I'm sorry... that might have come off as really insensitive... I just can't imagine. You know what, I'll shut up about that now." Not wanting to make matters worse, she immediately pushed her mind to the other subject at hand, the more important one. There were many courts? This surprised Tsui for a moment, but just as quickly as she was surprised, it made sense. "Well, that makes some sense. Sailor Draconis recruited me into the Zoo, though I haven't heard from her since my awakening. In hindsight, I'm terrible for not checking up on her or Pippin." She told herself she'd call Draconis soon, but she pushed that thought to the back of her mind as Kallichore mentioned that she was part of her own court. She asked, genuinely curious about this Court, as well as the other senshi that might have been a part of it. "What's the name of your group, Kallichore?"
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Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:31 pm
The eternal brought up her hands, trying to give as warm of a smile as she could muster. "No no, you're not being insensitive. Don't worry about it. I didn't mean to be so... gloomy." She was really good at that, the whole serious business twenty-four-seven thing. She was trying to be better, really she was. Her serious demeanor was just a part of herself she had a hard time changing. "I'm not sure this warrants smashing all your mirrors but to be honest, I'm not entirely sure how it all works."
Kallichore listened intently about Sailor Draconis and another court. "That's the problem with this war - we're so divided. Sometimes we meet and then never see one another again. I'd like to try and change that." She nodded to herself, as if vowing. She wasn't sure how such a thing would be accomplished, but she was working towards a start. Her primer would be completed soon, or so she hoped, and that could be transmitted across all senshi cellphones if she could figure out how. Needed more work.
"We are called the Jovians, but do not let the name fool you. It's simply a name. We have members from all walks - knights and senshi, not just those from Jupiter. If you'd like to attend a meeting, I'd be happy to give you the details." With a flick of her wrist, her senshi cellphone appeared and she aimed it at Tsui. Taking a snapshot, the phone made a distinct click sound. "There, now I can send you messages when you power up, if that's alright."
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