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 Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 12:17 pm
Everything had changed, and so quickly, and for someone like Sailor Canopus, she was never quick on becoming accustomed to change. Big changes to the most insignificant ones, good changes and the bad, it would take her some time to adapt to the world around her again. Ever since that night, she was hesitant to venture out into the world, though she knew she had a duty to fulfill, and sadly this had spread to not just her powered life but her normal, everyday life as well. She had missed a few days in school and spent most of her time outside of the dormitories at the hospital to check on her friend. She was afraid to power up, in fear of drawing their hateful attention to her again, and what had caused her to power up now was the thought that she was being followed.
Ever since she left the hospital, she felt as though she was being watched, then followed... and from there, she was being hunted. She couldn't see them just yet, and in her normal state, Bethany couldn't actually sense her pursuer. It came down to the question of which would have been worse- being caught by this pursuer as a helpless civilian, or as a useless Mirror senshi?
When she reached the woods near the park, she had no choice but to transform. From the corner of her eyes, she could see it- a youma, disgusting and fierce looking, its neck and other appendages warped and twisted and making her question how the damn thing could move or how such a thing was even birthed. She knew nothing of youma except that they were creatures of the Negaverse, and right now, that was enough to cause her to run into the woods at full speed. The youma would give chase, and she'd be forced to defend herself, but at least she would do it as Canopus. When she was certain that no one but her monsterous pursuer could see her, she transformed, hoping that its twisted figure would find the trees to thick and give up on its pursuit. It would mean that she was now on other's radar, but at least she could make some conscious effort to defend herself if she was attacked.
She promised herself and Avior that she wouldn't freeze up, like last time. That'd she's defend herself and those important to her, even if she was scared. And she was hoping to make true to that promise tonight...Aeeth Hope this works for you! Couldn't remember if we said it was a battle or reg...
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Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 8:44 am
Youma - lesser souls left for demons to hunt, to rend at their pleasure for misdeeds across the populace. Lately Destiny City felt far too similar to hell, with those living among its boundaries as spirits punished for wrongdoings in distant lands. It led her to question whether her arrival was of punishment itself, but she discarded that vein of thought willingly enough. Perhaps on a different day she'd sit about her apartment, notebook in hand, and ruminate on the parallels between powered life and the multitude of stories coving hell and its legions of demons.
For now she pursued one such lesser soul, spiriting down darkened streets and alleyways in pursuit of presumed food. The Demon Astarte knew not whether it chased an actual meal, and she didn't care. Her goal was the hunt, and the hunt led her to a forest - darkened in moonlight, marked by trees yet filling out in the wake of spring. She remembered sitting about in settings like these, her studies spread about her beneath stones to prevent the whimsical breeze from toying with her research.
Her pursuit slowed to a wary stalk, heeled boots marring the ground as she peered through thickets of underbrush or thick branches to directly glimpse the youma she hounded so restlessly. In a forest like this, she wondered if her magic held much effectiveness. A wayward branch easily blocked the pinpoint laser, enough to guarantee a miss. Would she have to close quarters and attack with fists and heels? Possibly. No reason not to, really. If she sensed loss around the corner, the youma would be hard-pressed to dodge a laser at point blank distance. Not like she had many nerves to settle with that thought, though.
However, in her prowls, she sensed another aura quite keenly - close by. She hadn't sensed it before. Maybe she missed it. Though, the Demon recognized such a strange brand of auric energy as that given off by the Dark Mirror - she remembered from the night spent in the warehouse. It left her wondering, were they truly an enemy? She hadn't quite encountered an analogy for them yet. Maybe witches.
No, that didn't seem right either.
"I can feel you, wherever you are," she began, trying to curb her enthusiasm for speech. "Want to help me kill this thing? I know it's one of the Negaverse's little toys, but they seemed a touch keen on killing the lot of you off the last time I was around. A helping hand might get it done a wee bit faster." The youma snarled at her words, obviously agitated. She hadn't decided if these beasts were intelligent enough to interpret speech.
Oh wait, yes she did. The answer was no.
Dark Mirror senshi, however, could.
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Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 12:14 pm
In her flight, Canopus had felt another presence accompany her own, one far less sinister than the youma that hunted her though no less terrifying for what the Mirror senshi had already gone through. She recognized it as belonging to Order and thus by default her enemy, and yet, recent affairs had added a layer of confusion on that matter. The White Moon was her sworn enemy, yet it was a White Moon senshi that had carried her out of the fight... maybe this one was the same? Or perhaps she was one that had worked alongside the Negaverse? With the youma hot on her heels, there was little time to dwell on such matters, as Canopus knew that she couldn't handle a youma and a senshi at once...
The best she could hope for was one of two things- either the youma would sense the Order senshi and decide he or she was far more appealing target, or the Order senshi would offer to assist her in combating this creature. And it would figure that she seemed willing to help, not that Canopus was quick to jump on board. She had no qualms with working with the other side for a common cause-- that being the Negaverse, apparently-- but what if it was all a ruse? What if this was another trap? Could she risk it?
Her train of thought was immediately derailed when there came movement in front of her, and she just managed to avoid the first of its many twitching arms that reached out for her. The second attempt, however, was far more successful, and Canopus gave a shrill yelp, feeling clawed digits dig into her dress and she sought to have the fabric ripped because allowing herself to be nabbed by such a thing. Any thought of running was gone as she looked at the misshapen creature that pushed itself through the thick trees, and Canopus only too a moment to consider her options. In truth, what choice did she really have? "I'm over here! And hurry, please!"
It wasn't as big as she once believed it to be, but it was still formidable, and absolutely horrifying. How could anyone that controlled such disgusting creatures ever be considered allies?
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Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 10:39 am
Enemies be damned, she thought. I'll make my own determinations. I don't need a coven of white-stricken demons to tell me my opinions. Astarte took to a sprint after confirmation came through the trees. Initially she spotted the conglomeration of appendages that composed her enemy, and she nearly froze in place as she witnessed the beast claw into a petite Dark Mirror senshi. Mouth agape for but a moment, she shot toward the senshi with little regard for the amount of attention she drew to herself. What did it matter right now? If she could just draw its gaze for a moment...
Astarte drew to a stop with her legs spaced a shoulder-width apart, readied for the creature's advance. In its sprint toward her, Astarte caught herself staring in wonderment at its unusually agile means of articulating itself across the ground, and instead raised her fists defensively. Surely enough, the creature swiped for her as it did the Dark Mirror girl, and Astarte leapt out of the way for its claws to graze a nearby tree. "Get into the trees if you can! I'll distract it a bit!" But with the number of arms this creature possessed, how could they possibly close in for a kill?
Magic, came a response. The thought hardly felt like her own.
Steeling herself, Astarte bolted between a thick net of trees, ducking down beneath low-reaching boughs before rounding through a thicket. Once poised on the other side, she turned toward the opening where the youma would soon emerge. The corner offered a blind spot - she considered that advantage enough for her attack. "Astarte's Hate!" She called out, one arm raised with her fingers splayed outward. Spiteful energy gathered in the palm of her hand as runes glowed red in familiar power.
She could do this.
Just as the laser erupted from her hand, the creature emerged from the thicket in a flying leap, and Astarte had nary enough time to react before the creature fell upon her. Her attack discharged harmlessly into the woods before she raised her palms to fight off the myriad of arms aiming to claw into her flesh. With a well-timed kick, she managed to throw the creature from her body, and righted herself with a quick somersault to burn up the rest of her inertia. "s**t, this is harder than I thought..." She huffed, glancing toward her impromptu partner. Already she sported a few gashes from the beast.
"What's your magic, love?" They hadn't much time to discuss.
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Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 4:02 pm
Had Canopus been paying better attention during the recent ambush and not have resorted to crying and panicking, she might have looked at Astarte and immediately recognized her as someone that had taken the side of her court’s defense. This wasn’t the first time a member of the other side had come to her assistance in regards to a youma attack, and yet she couldn’t bring herself to drop her defenses, especially when the youma was literally upon them.
If anything, at least the youma seemed to turn its attention towards Astarte, though it was hardly a comfort for Canopus. It simply meant that she was so pathetic that she had dragged someone else into her mess with her and only compounded her guilt. One day, she wouldn’t be a meek, pathetic little mouse, but today wouldn’t be that day, apparently. When Astarte told her to take to the trees, she gave a timid nod and scrambled for them, grabbing the closest branch and pulling herself up, her mind trying to figure out some sort of plan where both of them came out of this alive. Unfortunately, her mind was drawing a blank… “Okay… be careful!”
She wasn’t sure if Astarte heard her, or if she’d even listen to her, but she at least managed to get a few feet into the tree, not at all caring that she was tearing her clothing or cutting her skin as such things would heal with time. She may not have had the agility or grace of a squirrel, but she managed to find a secured spot, giving her enough time to look down at the youma and the senshi that braved facing it alone in her stead, though it wouldn’t be too long. Others may have fled and let the senshi deal with the menace alone, but Canopus wouldn’t. Even if they’d revert to enemies after this, she would not abandon a friend… not like she done with poor Avior!
“My magic is a shield… it’ll make it harder to kill, but it should show it down!” Canopus said, and when the youma was trying to recover from Astarte’s kick, she took that as a chance to do her own spell. Without losing her balance, she held her hands out and summoned her magic, orangeish-yellow mist forming into a ball and throwing it forward, hoping to hit the creature to give Astarte a chance to find a more favorable position to strike, as well as give her time to find a stick or something to use as a weapon. “Canopus Confinement!”
It had just managed to hit its target, encasing the youma in what looked to be an orange coat of light, and its movements continued, but it was slow and sluggish… though its hungered gaze remained on Astarte.
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Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 5:28 pm
When the strange orange mist reached the creature, a curious coating of that same brilliant sheen enveloped their enemy. The results presented immediately - not only had the monster approached at a much slower clip, but acted unperturbed by the myriad of thorns threatening to dig into its skin from the bramble bushes. Astarte took advantage of the pace immediately by circling around with Canopus' position as the epicenter of her movement.
Once she was certain that a fair distance remained between the youma and herself, Astarte searched for some means of striking the creature and immobilizing it just long enough to unleash a second calling of her attack. Surely enough, some of the more supple branches from the nearby trees offered a means for her to strike back. And as she caught hold of one of the lower boughs, she found it bent relatively easily given her increased strength. Good enough, she thought approvingly. If I can just pull this twig back and whack that snarky beast, I'm in the clear. Problem is, how am I going to know when to let go?
However, the Demon lacked the time required to test that theory, as the youma still managed a decent clip despite the slowing shield impeding its movements. With a wet roar, it charged toward the thicket of trees where Astarte's signature bled into the air.
Nearly upon her now, a supple branch arced out of nowhere and struck the beast straight in the soft tissues between the limbs, sending the cluster of appendages tumbling backward into the grasses. From its strangled cries, Astarte surmised that she managed to stun it temporarily.
No time like the present, girl. "Astarte's Hate!" She called again, palm raised more steadily as she watched vivid red energy collect at the center of her hand. Soon afterward the laser fired, mitigated by the brilliant orange glow encompassing the creature, yet the cries of torturous pain suggested that she still dealt some damage - even if it was overacting on part of the youma. Though exhaustion now crept into her voice, Astarte refrained from faltering before this heinous conglomeration of chaos. "See if you can't jump on it! I think one last attack should do the trick, but I'll need you to immobilize it just a touch longer!"
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Posted: Fri May 02, 2014 2:58 pm
"See if you can jump on it!"
It was a good strategy, she thought. She wished that there was more to her attack than slowing the beast down, but at this moment, Canopus was eager to take whatever luck she could get. She hadn't been that lucky as of late so really she'd take whatever she'd get, as meager as it may be. She looked down and saw that it had at least connected and with anymore luck thrown her way, the senshi was was helping her would be able to move around to avoid its charge. Canopus would have gone for a retreat and maybe that was the smart thing to do. All she'd need to do was make it to the mirror that laid deeper into the woods and slip away into the safety of mirror space, but she couldn't leave. Not until she was certain that this one was safe...
As Astarte pulled the branch back and sent it slamming against the multiple armed youma, Canopus was climbing around the tree, digging into the bark with her nails and certain she'd be getting splinters and scrapes to show for it but maneuvering around to where she'd be right on top of the youma. She was no squirrel but maybe it'd be enough to do something, and now she had managed to work her way, where all she'd have to do was let go of the trees and come crashing down on the beast below. There was a shield there, along with many slow moving limbs, and if she missed than she'd be putting herself in harm's way, but what else could do? Running away was simply not an option...
Astarte called out her attack again, and that was Canopus' queue. She took a deep breath, taking only a moment to admire the beauty of the red energy that shot from the white senshi's hand before releasing her grip and falling down, down, straight into the youma's back. She wasn't sure what to expect as a million things could have gone wrong- she could have missed, she could have bounced off of the shield, she could have absorbed some of Astarte's magic. But she went down, legs out and stiff, and she wasn't afraid to admit that she had closed her eyes and may have let out a startled yelp when she collided with the youma. It wasn't enough to penetrate the shield around it, though it was enough to send the beastly thing onto the ground, as its legs had given away from beneath it. There was no chance for Canopus to rejoice in her feat, though, as the hands reached around for her, twisting at terrifying angles and looking to grab her. She let out a cry to Astarte, slapping at the hands and scrambling as the shield began to fade. "Now, now, shoot it now! I have it distracted shoot it now!"
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Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 9:36 am
Astarte watched in smug acceptance as the senshi descended from the trees, straight on top of their quarry. The beast roared, writhing about in an attempt to latch onto her legs, and Astarte immediately recognized her opening. With the beast momentarily immobilized beneath the girl, she had but a few seconds to execute her attack. And with the senshi's insistence... Well, she couldn't deny the girl a good time.
"Astarte's Hate!" She called one last time, aiming the brilliant red beam toward the conglomeration of limbs. It loosed a piercing shriek before the cluster of arms forming its being soon turned to ash beneath her laser. Afterward, her companion must've dropped a solid foot into a thick swirl of the dust.
"Whew!" The Demon exclaimed, doubling over to clasp her knees in a short series of huffs. Summoning her magic demanded a lot of energy, curiously enough... "Looks like your type deserves to stick around, eh? Glad you kept your head during that last bit of altercation. Would've been a touch tragic to see you go." Even though the girl remained nothing more than a stranger to her, lingering on the opposite side of the fence in terms of faction, Astarte found her to be quite useful on the battlefield - and thus worth getting to know on a more personal basis, beyond declaring as an enemy.
Finally she righted herself, though she leaned against a tree afterward. Her chest still heaved with the panting from activity, but otherwise she felt more recovered. "The name's Astarte, as you might've gathered. You are?" Names proved a decent enough place to start. She shouted some weird phrase before her shield anyway - maybe that was her name?
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Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 12:13 pm
If Canopus had witnessed the scene from Astarte's or someone else's perspective, she might have sworn that the act was completely planned on both sides. Her fall may have been much more graceful that she imagined it to be, because in her mind's eye she could just see herself falling like a sack of bricks. Any fear that Canopus may have had about the youma ripping her to pieces was quelled by another shout of Astarte's attack, and the next thing she knew, she was sitting on the earthen floor, in a pile of black dust and the only remains of the grotesque monster was a pitiful groan that lingered in her ears for a moment more. Then, and only then, did Canopus open her eyes again.
She looked to Astarte, unable to ignore how tired the poor girl must have been after launching her attack so many times, though she was distracted by what the other senshi had said. What did she mean 'her type'? It dawned on her seconds later, and it made the Mirror senshi sigh. She had meant the recent ambush against her court- she had to have. Astarte said she had kept her head, but Canopus couldn't agree. When all hell had broken loose, she had laid on the ground and cried... while her own kind were beaten and killed.
She didn't want to confess to this though, as she muttered softly. "T-thank you for helping me, Astarte. I'm sorry you were dragged into it, but I'm grateful. My name's Canopus... are you alright?"
The way she leaned against the tree worried her greatly... was she hurt? Or just exhausted from using her attack so many times? Canopus felt horrible... having dragged not only Avior down to save her, but a member of the opposing court too? She felt so useless, despite her contribution to the youma's demise. She should have been better than this...
"Do you need help getting home?"Aeeth Mhmmmmm you know I know those feels.
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Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 5:13 pm
"Oh, I'm absolutely fine. Thrilled, even... Just a wee bit winded, is all. Looks like magic's more work than I remember..." With a huff, Astarte recalled the numerous rituals she adhered to with ease - none of which demanded such a taxing execution. Was it her own energy that she blasted at foes? She supposed she may never find out. "I just need to rest a bit and I'll be on my way well enough. Beyond a few scratches here and there, I'm good as can be." While prone to litotes, Astarte felt sure that she could make it home well enough, given some rest.
"Oh, save your sorries. I chose to get a touch nosy, and it ended for the better that way. Why was that beast after you? I admit, I'm still new to the game here, but I've got a good head on my shoulders - I wager it was tracking you down for a snack, right? Or did someone sic it on you?" From what she witnessed in prior times, some agents actually ordered these monstrosities around - were they conquered subservients in that agent's legion? Maybe... She hadn't quite figured their position in the schemes of hell just yet.
She offered Canopus a tired smile. "In any case, it's good to meet you all in one piece - and that last bit goes for both of us. I'd rather not end up lunch for one of those things, let alone watch them dine. And while I'm sure I could make it home fine enough, I won't turn down a pretty face if she wants to lend a hand." Besides, she might glean some information about the Mirror Tribe (as she'd taken to calling them) during the walk, and perhaps more on what happened at the warehouse some moons ago.
"Oh, before I forget... You might've gathered it already, but I'm Astarte."
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Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 5:44 pm
Canopus was willing to believe her. An attack powerful enough to dust a youma definitely had to be energy-consuming and she definitely counted the times she used it, so add running and shouting to the mix and it was no wonder that Astarte was winded. That at least made her feel better about dragging her into this…
“I’m not sure why it was after me,” Canopus said with an irritated sigh, though it wasn’t directed at her White Court counterpart. Instead, it was directed towards the dusty remains of the monster that had ruined her night and the organization that had been nothing more than a constant throb of pain to her recently. “I didn’t see any officer in the immediate area, so… I think it was just desperate for a meal and I was the closest to it at the time being.”
Which would have normally made her pity the creature, but after the ambush, she didn’t hold the beast, nor the Negaverse, in high regards. She finally pushed herself back to her feet and made a point to not only vigorously dust the youma off of her, but stomped in the remains as well, before stepping away. She was so angry at its very existence that she almost missed Astarte’s comment, though with the her face reddened, she really wish she had! “O-oh, I’m… um… th-thank you! I mean, I’ll be happy to bring you home!”
Did she just… hit on her? Canopus wasn’t sure. Maybe she didn’t and she was just being naive and silly. Surely that was it and it was just a harmless compliment!
“Yes, you told me your name. You must really be tired! Please, let me take you home…”
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Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 6:14 pm
"Oh! Hohoho..." Heaving a sigh, Astarte fanned herself slightly. How embarrassing - had she really repeated herself? Sure, she talked in circles often enough but certainly nothing that obvious... Looks like that changed quickly. "Maybe I'm more tired than I thought..."
What she had to say concerning the youma wasn't particularly valuable information - not for her book, or for simple understanding of this unique supernatural world. Maybe they really do just blunder around looking for food sources, and this woman was unlucky enough to linger in its vicinity. She could be lying, but those eyes looked too honest. Astarte could think of more than a few comments regarding Canopus looking appetizing... However, she refrained from offering such crude responses in favor of staying on the girl's pleasant side.
Pushing off from the tree, she gave a nod toward her new companion. "I suppose I can let you walk me home, then. It's not terribly far from here, at least..." She gestured toward the east, where few city lights peeked through the thick brush. "Out yonder. The bus stop should be plenty far, I believe..." Ash stressed the importance of concealing her identity, both to her own tribe and enemies. And with Canopus a preordained enemy, she considered it prudent to extend geniality while protecting herself.
"And thanks for your help. That battle would've been a hair on the tough side without you." Maybe in the streetlights she'd manage a better look at the girl. Afterward she started in the direction of the city, though her gait was slowed from exhaustion.ChibiGingi leaving the current setting should mark a sufficient close!
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