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 Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 9:00 pm
Note: Short (backdated) solo series of brief encounters that lead up to his near corruption. Link to said incident will be posted shortly.
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 9:20 pm
A "Chance" Meeting
Backdated to June 2014
Moonlight peaked through the trees he'd settle beneath for the rest of the night. It'd been a productive one--at least for him--and for the first time in days he felt a little more...relaxed. Sort of. Ashur lay in the grass, eyes closed but facing skyward as he breathed deeply, focusing on the numbness that had taken over his bloodied hands, wishing it'd spread over his entire body.
He was tired, and he knew it. He was tired of knighthood, of the war, of being useless in battles. School was a bore and work was a chore, and all the responsibilities that came with it were stifling. And most of all he was tired of his father, his namesake. The man was meddling, kept meddling, didn't seem to want to stop meddling in what seemed like every detail of his life. Ashur was certain that if Senior knew about his life as a knight he would have wanted to take control of that, too.
Really, he was just tired of it all. Maybe if he were stronger, or had more purpose, or was given directions he might be floundering about his life a little bit less. Maybe he'd have something to work toward, to strive for…
The thought was just about the last that teetered to the fore of mind just as sleep overtook him.
"Greetings," came a voice just then, but Ashur stayed calm. Considered it a part of his dream though his mind was stirring awake once more, and he could sense the familiar sense of Chaos nearby. Several feet from where he lay, in fact, but he refused to open his eyes.
Instead he sighed again. "You lot and your way with timing," he replied, though he stayed put. A chuckle filled the air next before the Lieutenant--and he could tell from the aura alone--spoke again, a faint Irish lilt of his smooth voice becoming more evident the more he spoke.
"I'm surprised you didn't turn your attention to me in the middle of your scuffle with that tree."
The comment had him open his eyes and sit up, leveling a glare at the Lieutenant, who was leaning against the aforementioned tree.
"I'm surprised you thought it'd be okay to approach."
The man shrugged. "If you wanted to fight me you would have been off the ground as soon as I interrupted you."
That was true enough, so Ashur held his gaze until the Lieutenant finally backed down with another shrug. "I really don't intend to fight you, you know. I was just strolling through the park looking for stragglers to," and he paused for a second, a hint of hesitance in his voice before he recovered and continued, "do what I do, and I sensed an Order signal coming from somewhere. Sue me, I was curious."
Ashur blinked once, twice, then laxed. At worst they would get into a fist fight, which wouldn't throw him off in the slightest, so he let it go and lay back down, his arms lifted so his hands were level with his shoulders. "You don't need to explain yourself to me," he said plainly, then closed his eyes once more.
And then there was silence. The only reason he knew the Lieutenant hadn't left was the blip of Chaos still on at the edge of his mind; he couldn't completely relax but he found he didn't actually mind the company. When enough time had passed he opened his eyes, letting his gaze fall on the leaves just overhead, and past at the brightly lit night sky. His breathing had slowed while he lay there, his thoughts organized somewhat.
"So I guess you like wasting your time, huh?" Another chuckle escaped his company, which Ashur took as a yes and sat up slowly, legs crossing as he repositioned himself. "Guess that isn't my problem, though. Mind if I ask a question?"
"Go right ahead."
"What's your name?"
"Lt. Weirdladite."
"Alright, that wasn't my question."
Another chuckle. "I thought as much. So, ask your question."
Ashur regarded Wierdladite with as neutral an expression as he could manage. The Lieutenant looked about the same age as him, maybe even a bit older, with fiery red-orange hair and pale skin; his eyes seemed a striking shade of hazel, but he couldn't make it out so well. His black uniform seemed to be the standard Negaverse sort, trimmed with green and small bits of orange, it looked almost as if it were tailored for him. He even came with his own Irish lilt to complete the picture.
In all honestly, he looked almost harmless. Clueless, perhaps, about the things that he'd heard that stirred his current almost morbid curiosity about the opposition, simply because he was still in the lower ranks.
So Ashur blinked once, twice before letting another sigh escape him. "Never mind," he said as he moved to get up. Retracting his question seemed to pique Wierdladite's interest, but the look he thought he caught was there and gone before he could comment. Still he stood, wincing with each movement as he dusted off his uniform, and turned to leave without bothering with a goodbye.
Polite wasn't at the top of his list that evening.
"I'll be here when you're ready to ask your question," he heard the Lieutenant say as he walked away. Despite himself Ashur raised a hand in response, though whether it was a "thanks" or a "screw off" he wasn't entirely sure.
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 9:24 pm
Blurred Lines
Backdated to August 2014
"You again?"
The words left the Uranus Squire's lips as soon as his eyes fell on the uniform-clad Lieutenant who was busying himself with doing pull-ups off of a thick, low-hanging branch. His brow was raised in question, his expression more annoyed than surprised as he looked on at Wierdladite, who smiled wide and landed with poise after counting off "20" and dropping back to the ground.
He'd had another bad day--what with getting fired from another job and all--which was why he was there again. This time, though, it wasn't to knock the bark off of a tree; he was there to really train with his staff, and maybe shadowbox or practice a few things he learned in his Krav Maga classes, too. He had something of a purpose for once, something to do while on patrol other than wait on youma or Negaverse agents to wreak havoc on the unsuspecting civilians of Destiny City. So no, he was not happy to see someone had "taken" his spot. And no, he did not feeling like sharing.
"This is now my usual spot after my duties are done for the evening," was the reply, which came as the Lieutenant dusted his hands. "As I am now, and have been for a while."
The ease with which Wierdladite approached him was almost concerning, but Ashur neither flinched nor stepped back. He felt he was more than capable of winning a fight against this particular Lieutenant, regardless of how much more upper body strength the man had compared to him. A heavy sigh passed through pursed lips as Ash took to leaning against the opposite tree, his mind going back to when they first met and the last thing that he'd said.
"I'll be here when you're ready to ask your question."
It had bothered him for far longer than he thought it would, and it was a bit disconcerting to think that a Negaverse officer could get under his skin merely by offering such a favor--yes, he did consider it a favor. But there it was, out in the open for him to take advantage of…
"So can I still ask that question?" he finally asked, arms crossed over his chest. There was a small bit of reluctance in his tone, perhaps speaking for the side of him that said not to ask or get involved with anyone in the opposition. Obviously he wasn't planning on listening. Either way, he'd asked and the question was out in the open now; Wierdladite shrugged his jacket back on before looking back over at him, blinking as if trying to recall what he meant.
"Ah, yes. If you still haven't found an answer, then of course," the Irish lilt was slightly more evident as he he waved his hand in a "just say it" sort of gesture. "Ask your question."
Ashur regarded the Lieutenant once more before clearing his throat. "I've spent a lot of my time as a Knight wondering what my role is in the war, but no one in the Negaverse seems to have any problems with that. Or at least none that I've seen." He paused then, taking one last moment to reconsider before going on. "So I always wonder, why is that? Are you guys just more organized or something?"
The words just started tumbling out as soon as he started asking, which seemed to amuse the Lieutenant across the way as his smile only broadened.
"Our goals are clearly stated and drilled into us. We have a proper hierarchy that outlines who watches over whom, who answers to whom, etc. We have rules we live by, and simply put we're just more...structured."
The Lieutenant shrugged, a haughty air clouding him as he approached. "The Negaverse can offer training, guidance, direction, goals. Purpose," and he paused, now just two feet away. "And all without recruits having to ask because it's shoved at them from Day One." Ashur held the man's gaze, which was an irritating couple of inches above his own now that they were standing in front of each other.
"The Negaverse is a well-oiled machine, Knight--" a pause came as Wierdladite looked at him expectantly.
"Ashur."
"--Ashur, as compared to whatever it is you senshi and knights do. We don't flounder, and we don't wonder about what our purpose is. Everything is written out, black and white, clear as day for every new recruit to learn and adapt into their new life as a part of the Negaverse."
Ashur wasn't sure which he hated more, the man's confident tone of voice that reminded him of someone on the winning side of a debate or the fact that there was, on some level, a small part of him that wondered what that might be like. To have been guided into powered life. To have been given instructions about what to do and how to go about things, and to have been given a reason to power up several times a week, if not everyday.
Would he have struggled as much? Would he have wasted as much time? Would he be stronger now? Would he know more? Would he have achieved more?
Wierdladite was gone from his mind as he thought all this through, but as soon as the Lieutenant spoke again he came to and refocused on the figure before him.
"Did I answer your question?" he asked, though the smile on his face had Ashur thinking that he already knew the answer to that question. A "yes, thank you" was probably in order, but the words never left the Squire's mouth. Instead he simply flattened his lips into a line and shrugged.
"I'll make do."
The Lieutenant chuckled as he started walking toward, and eventually past him. "Just something to think about, hm?" And with that aura of Chaos began to move further and further away, until eventually it was gone.
Silence fell as Ashur stood there, arms still across his chest, considering for a moment. Just a moment he indulged the idea of what might have happened had the Negaverse gotten to him first. Where he'd be, what he'd be doing, who he'd know, who he wouldn't…
He blinked as Danika flashed into his mind, smiling that signature smile of hers.
The image stopped such thoughts cold, and he shook his head as if to rid his mind of them before beginning to stretch. He had a lot of ground to cover, training-wise, and he didn't have all night to get through it.
There was plenty of time for thinking later.
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 9:37 pm
The Edge of a Pitfall
Backdated to October 2014
It almost felt like he was in the eye of a storm, where everything in his life suddenly came to an unsettling calm. Thoughts were clearer, feelings weren't quite so muddled, everything seemed to be in the proper perspective. But there was something itching, clawing at the back of his mind. The calmer he felt the worst it got, and he just...knew.
His life at that point was anything but calm.
Ashur's vibrant blue eyes, normally the most expressive part of his face, were distant that night. Glazed over, as if some thought was eating its way through his mind. He couldn't focus, really, on where he was going or what he was doing. All he knew was he wanted out of the apartment, he wanted out of his life as Dominic for a little while. Powering up didn't help as well as he thought it would, but it was about as far away as he could get so he made do.
He wandered about his usual beat in the city, typically in neighborhoods that surrounded the biggest park. As his mind started to wander the further the night went along so did his feet, and before he knew it he was back to where he usually went on nights after troubling days. At least before, back when a certain Lieutenant hadn't laid claim to it some months ago. He wasn't one to share with the opposition, after all.
Not that that particular Lieutenant cared, obviously. As he rounded a corner to spot his "punching bag" tree he spotted the darkly clad redhead leaning against another tree, book in hand and looking rather relaxed for someone who was giving grief to the various citizens of the city. He was about to turn and walk off, not interested in anything the man would have to say to him that night, when Wierdladite called to him.
"I was wondering when you'd show again," he said, tone as calm as it'd always been since they first met.
Ashur sighed. "I didn't plan on it, believe me."
"I do." And a chuckle filled what brief silence sat between them before he heard the rustling of grass and turned to see the Lieutenant put away his book. "Something troubling you, Ashur?"
His lip curled; since when were they on a name-basis? "That isn't any of your business."
"But I can help."
Ash blinked at that, blue eyes leveling with hazel.
"A willing ear to listen is what I have to offer, and maybe some advice after that if you'd like."
He waited to see if the Lieutenant had more to say, then weighed his options. Perhaps his thoughts weren't all that clear, his feelings slightly muddled, and his perspective somewhat skewed as he found he was leaning more toward the part of him that wanted to vent. It was the reason he'd gone there subconsciously, after all--to vent, albeit to a tree and not to an agent of Chaos.
Ash took a deep breath and slowly made his way over to his "punching bag" then, his decision made. He closed his eyes and took another breath, then raised his fists just as he opened them.
"Where do I start?"
He took a punch, and then another, and then another. He felt Wierdladite watching him, hovering as he laid out all his frustrations on the table. Pent up rage against his father, discontent with school, lack of success in keeping a job, and what felt like so little progress after nearly two years of being a knight. About the only thing he didn't have to complain about was his relationship, though even that felt a little strained the more his father meddled.
Dark red started to pepper the bark with each punch, but even then he didn't stop until his knuckles were covered in red.
Ashur steadied his breathing at that point, words long since leaving him. The Chaos signature was still there, though, ever present through his wordless venting. When his hands fell to his sides, the Lieutenant finally spoke.
"I can help," Wierdladite said slowly. "Yours is a simple problem, Ashur, and I really can help. Or at least, I know how to get a hold of someone who can."
The Squire's eyes were still focused on the tree, but he was listening. Carefully. He swallowed the lump in his throat, hoping the Lieutenant would go on without him having to ask. When at last he looked up again he was met with a smiling, but more serious expression. Not necessarily cold, but nothing like the Lieutenant had ever showed him before. He felt hazel eyes scrutinizing him for a moment, and he shifted in his place.
"If you're interested, I have just one thing to say." Another pause allowed Wierdladite enough time to push off of the tree he'd settled against, and he walked toward Ashur, stopping just an arm's length away.
"New recruits are always welcome."
Ashur regarded the statement for what it was: an invitation. An invitation into something that had defined goals for him to work toward. It was something that could give him a clearer purpose, or even a more significant role in the war as a whole… He blinked, letting all other thoughts fall away for just a moment as he let it sink in.
It didn't take nearly as long as he felt it should have for him to reply in brief.
"I'll think about it."
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 9:43 pm
One Final Push
Backdated to December 2014
He'd been the one to wait this time, with his arms crossed as he leaned against a tree, waiting patiently for the Lieutenant to arrive. This wasn't the first night within the past two months that he'd done this, though each time he would leave before Wierdladite showed. It wasn't an easy decision to make, especially not one he had to lie about to the one person he cared for most, but it was one that had to be made.
At least if he wanted a means to deal with his father that didn't involve him getting sent to prison.
The thought had lingered in his mind and kept him rooted in his place that night, until finally the Lieutenant made his presence known.
"Good evening," came a friendly greeting, along with a smile. By then he wasn't interested in how Wierdladite approached anymore, and he simply offered a nod as he straightened himself out. "And what brings you out, Ashur?"
His lip curled again at that; despite the situation he still wasn't happy about being so familiar with a Negaverse lieutenant. So Ashur chose to ignore it and stood there, waiting for the atmosphere of happy-go-lucky to dissipate from his acquaintance before saying anything. Wierdladite eventually caught on, making an "o" shape with his mouth as he moved closer.
"So I take it you've made your decision?" he asked in an annoyingly nonchalant sort of way. As if he was simply choosing between having beef or chicken at someone's wedding. He offered a wordless nod at first, then spoke up.
"Before that, I have a question."
The Lieutenant nodded, as if he expected him to say as much. "And what might that be?"
"You said you knew how to get hold of someone who can help me. Who else needs to know about this?" He hadn't considered it until just a few days ago, when he was replaying the invitation.
"A high ranking officer of the Negaverse," came the answer. "And that's about all I can say." Wierdladite's smile had become eerily steady as he said this, as though he was already saying more than was allowed. Ashur's knowledge of the structure within the Negaverse was limited, so he couldn't be sure. All he knew was it looked...odd, and he couldn't place why.
"And you're sure going through with this can help me?"
"Positive."
He felt like asking how it might help him, joining their cause, but he didn't. Instead, Ashur watched the lieutenant, looking maybe for a tell to give him a last chance at reconsidering his decision. Something to ward him off and make him turn tail right then. He still hadn't given Wierdladite his final say, so he still had time to change his mind. But the longer he watched the less he saw of that chance, and oddly enough the more sure he became of his decision.
He took another breath, then nodded at last. "Alright, then, when can I meet them?"
The same smile spread wide across Wierdladite's face, pure delight settling on it at the Squire's words. In just a few strides he was standing face to face with Ashur. "I'll set it up, then," he said, arm extended toward him.
Ashur met his hand, blue eyes on his hazel again as he made the decision final with a one good, solid handshake.
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