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 Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 9:38 pm
He hadn't been to this part of the city in along time, a very long time in fact, and it wasn't his favorite part of the city - least favorite perhaps. The red light district of destiny city wasn't a big area, thankfully, but it was still there and still serving people and all their various vices. This was not his sort of area and yet the well dressed, and out of place, general was perched on the roof top of a porn store watching people go in and out, though it seemed more were going in than out - likely due to the peep shows the place had. Rolling his eyes as one balding, and rather rotund, man with a lick of thinning hair down the center of his mostly bald head wandered his way inside while giving suspicious looks about. "Likely worried about being seen going in." Rolling his eyes once more he took a sip from the coffee cup he had with him, something to keep his insides warm if nothing else.
These sorts of places, and the activities which went on inside, were not his sort of thing but he wasn't here for no reason. He was in the red light district to busy himself with watching the humans and see what illegal, and nefarious, acts they were getting up to and break up things that needed breaking up. He knew this behavior wasn't really befitting him, his rank, nor his organization as it wasn't something they troubled themselves with but he didn't care to get into a fight with some senshi or knight this evening. He had a bit more on his mind than he liked and it centered around a few spheres. Sphere one was Lily who was still in the hospital - still! What the hell was going on and why couldn't the doctors figure it out! The other sphere was what to do with the Negaverse and his place within it. He didn't agree with the end result, if it would be what he'd seen, and what could he do to stop that from happening? He had been gathering energy to fulfill his own duties, the quota they all had, and for his own purposes. he had a small jar in his home with little orbs of energy gathering inside it. Maybe he should try a starseed even? But somehow the thought of yanking one from an innocent person bothered him...unsettled him and knotted his stomach a bit. It hadn't made him feel that way in such a while that he was almost surprised by his reaction to the idea. But he understood why he had the reaction.
Shaking his head he found himself nearly laughing as he watched some younger male, around his age, go walking in. He was sure he'd seen him on campus in passing, headed to the gym with his buddies. He'd been on his way to an art class. He looked like he spent a lot of time at the gym, bulky and tall he looked rather strong and yet Benitoite was sure he was stronger - at least powered.
Shifting he sighed, tilting his head from side to side and listening to the cracks this simple gesture produced, sighing in relief as his neck muscles relaxed. Maybe he should get up and start wandering the district? Look for anything he could do.
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Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 9:58 pm
The hunt for energy drew him far beyond boundaries unconsciously set for himself, into areas booming with commerce of a different, more ancient sort. Umber recognized a marked increase in frequency of massage parlors in the area, in addition to new establishments cropping up under the classification of 'gentleman's lounge'. Most names suggested nothing in particular about the business itself, like The Velvet Stag or Warming Touch Massage, but the change in disposition of those milling about the place was palpable.
Apart from the shorter, older buildings, the streets swept through the area like empty veins carrying detritus and half-dead blood cells on their way for another meager fix. Some denizens behaved with a certain desperation belying their needs, others preyed upon those needs like errant bacteria, and others still roamed these parts no different than he.
Only by passing through a thick crowd gathered near a theatre did he find someone that caught his attention - or rather his arm- and ushered him toward an alley around the back of the establishment. Finding this opportunity uncommonly easy, the lieutenant followed closely through the steadily rising tides of dirt and detritus. And once the pair reached the bowels of their darkened shadows, she stole away all distance between them to attempt a kiss that was readily refused by the turn of a cheek. His hand, however, touched hers in a gesture that left a single finger running up her arm, calling up an orb of energy from her body that sent her staggering backward and breathless. Her eyes questioned his motives, but he only approached to finish his take and leave her unconscious in the barren alleys.
Pocketing the orb, Umber turned his attention to the surrounding area to find a remarkably powerful signature lingering quite nearby. Quickly he ascended the side of the theater, crowning a dumpster before leaping to awning and finally a portion of the fire escape, and once he reached the top, he caught sight of a boy dressed in navy and black beneath the rooftop lighting. Umber approached without hesitation. You are more powerful than the captains I've met. General, then?
He may know something more than Cinnabar. Or, perhaps, explain what's amiss in the Negaverse. "General," he greeted with a short nod at conversational distance. "What brings you here?" And why the drink? It seems like you're sitting around apropos of nothing.
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Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:12 pm
He had felt it, another officer of chaos, but he didn't move from his perch as he watched some worker, due to the name tag on their shirt, walk out to have a break. During their break they had a smoke, the smell thankfully not something he had to bare as he did dislike the stench. One last gulp from his drink as he turned to the one addressing him and he took note of the uniform.
Slate eyes swept up and down and back up before they stopped, settled on the others face. "Visiting and area of the city I don't normally." He'd only been here what? Once? Twice maybe? This was not his usual area to haunt. Standing up he stepped off the roofs ledge and approached the other. Layers of dark fabric played off of paler features, bringing them out, as the petite General stopped in front of the other. "A good evening, I hope?" He questioned lightly, the empty cup forgotten where he'd set it down after that final draining gulp off liquid.
"Do you need any help? Or just some company?" He questioned after a moment, a note of curiosity and interest coloring his words.
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Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:49 pm
He is surprisingly young, and small, for someone beholden to the title of general. Cinnabar was right - the Negaverse is a group of misfits and children, with this one looking more like the latter. That is no reason to disrespect. Umber watched the general approach impassively. His gaze fixed on the grey vest for a measure before touching on thigh high boots more becoming of a rider than one of their ilk. The accompanying trench coat left the boy looking like he wore clothes too big and further accentuated his young age. Umber offered no comment to the uniform or the boy himself.
At least he is forthcoming.
The lieutenant crossed arms out of habit, displaying the stretches of tattoos while he considered his response. "It has been a fruitful evening. I am not a man of company, but I have questions."
It feels odd to ask of a child, or look down to a superior, but... "Is something amiss with the Negaverse. Many of its officers seem... Cold, or unwilling to assist. There is a possibility it's due to personal affairs, but for a handful of officers to display the same distance... Is it the pressure from the war?" He knew to be careful with whom he addressed such questions, and with the possibility that this general was young enough to mistake his questioning for accusation or treason, he was loathe to proceed further.
Instead he shifted questioning to a different line. "How did you become a general when so young?" The question came without attachment of derisive tone. He simply looked over the general once more to confirm his suspicions of age. I wonder if there is benefit to employing children among the Negaverse ranks. While volatile, maybe they are more easily influenced for the Negaverse cause. They foster less questions. I am uncertain.
And I still have yet to answer deeper questions.
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 1:23 pm
Nodding his head to the others words he smiled lightly. "Of course, I'll do the best I can in answering them." Glancing about he motioned to the roofs ledge, where he'd been sitting. "If you wish to sit." The invitation was there, though standing about and talking was just fine as well.
Listening as the other started to talk he wasn't too surprised, some members were difficult to approach or simply too intimidating to approach, even for himself. It would seem this person had noticed this as well and rather quickly? Was he not getting the time with a superior officer which he should receive? After some moments silence, time to think on an answer, he finally did manage to speak. "I know what your talking about. I would like to say I've never felt it, or witnessed it but that would be a lie - and I don't lie." Omit things - yes. Lie, out right? No.
"I would like to think it's the war and the toll it's taken on some of us, some more than others, but I can't say it's that for everyone. Some members are...darker than others and intimidating to even approach and make it impossible to do so for many - I'm sure. Some perhaps think everyone should do things themselves...the organization has fallen apart it would seem. When it started...I can't say for sure but I can speculate at when it started to fall apart and members became as you've witnessed, something that I apologize for." He spoke sincerely and honestly. There were no harsh words from the small blond, no words of warning or anything being leveled against the Lieutenant. Could the problem have gotten worse when those memories of the future come to them? Had others had a change in feelings as he did? He'd like to think so, at least in part, but that could explain some issues within the Negaverse as well. The future couldn't be something everyone but him wanted - right? The odds were simply against that.
Broken away from his thoughts he found himself laughing at the question. "I'm 20 years old. I'm not that young, though I suppose I do look it." Looking down at his own uniform before looking up at the other. "Certain things can't much be helped, uniform or height. I've been a member since I was sixteen...this summer will make four years, and yet some members have been in longer than myself." Though many seemed to have vanished...where had they all gone? General King's and General Queen's - gone. Fluorite - gone. Obsidian - gone. They had seen things he had not and where were they now? What had happened to them? For a moment a sense of loss hit him, ran through him and swept all other feelings away, but as suddenly as it had hit it was gone.
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 2:00 pm
It would make sense. A war spanning years leaves one in a state of high tension at nearly all times. These people could be frayed at the edges from too long without recuperation. It could just as well be due to natural life stressors, if most agents are as young as he or younger. Maybe I was wrong to think it should have something to do with the Negaverse's operation - no one else has indicated similar opinion for that. A relief, surely, that I was not thrust into an organization in shambles.
Umber passed up the invitation to sit in favor of pacing to the parapet, where one foot found the ledge and his gaze sprawled over the city below. People milled in a dance more lax than typical, often gathering toward those of the opposite sex who put on sensual shows. Umber found this portion of the city more honest than the rest, with no cultural expectations imposed to cover their baser desires. They were expected, and therefore welcomed.
The lieutenant half-turned to speak to his superior over one shoulder, mouth hidden by the fan of feathers. "That's a long time to be engaged in war - and survive it." But not all of the man before him stood intact - sleeplessness stood evident in his eyes, as expected from both patrolling and the usual haunts provided by the art of destroying human life. Four years proved impossibly long and open to many setbacks, losses and changes. Idly Umber wondered if the boy ever mourned life before the advent of the Negaverse, as Shale often did when sequestered to the cramped, stale apartment life above the city streets. We are all sentinels to the changes around us, aren't we. From our lofty perches, we breathe the rising guilt and sorrows until they melt through our bones. And what then?
I'm thinking about it too much. There are more important considerations with a general at hand.
"I have forgotten to introduce myself. I am Umber, as Xenotime calls me." He let the introduction hang a moment before continuing. "There are a lot of parts to the Negaverse that I do not understand. What I see is an organization effectively founded on exchange - where we provide energy, Metallia provides power. But I do not need power, and this city's peril stemming from senshi does not concern me. I can work with the Negaverse and its quotas out of a sense of duty - as they are likely the reason I am not dead, and Xenotime herself provided me a place to stay. But to work with just this..." I'm saying too much. Better care needs to be taken around other officers. These people are not lifelong acquaintances.
Umber's impassive gaze shifted from the general to the streets once more, focusing on the pallid lamp light that fought to illuminate the area. "I am blathering. There is already a great deal to take in with magic existing and all of its implications."
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 2:29 pm
As the other seemed more interested in pacing about the roof top, rather than sitting, the General found himself moving as well. Glancing down at the people and at the stars above, which all looked so innocent. He used to watch the stars and the moon as a child, as he did now, without thinking of the dangers which came from them nor the people he'd met who took on the names of heavenly bodies. The war had changed so many things, tainted so much, he knew there was little that happened in this city that was as good as it seemed; like the New Years eve ball. Big events were never straight forward events to be enjoyed by people - never.
"It is indeed, and to be as young as we are and go into it as untrained and unprepared. After all, this is not some trained army." They were not trained before going into combat like Marines, Army, and the like. They were teenagers who joined, or were forced in, and thrown right into learning to fight and, in some cases, battles. Going right from joining the Negaverse to a battle could be hard, seeing people killed, having people possibly try and kill you. It was why he liked to get the shock of killing over with before one had to take a life in a battle and may startle from it and be left vulnerable. But now...now the thought of training someone to take a starseed, to claim a life, was not something he wished to do even if he knew it was still a good idea. "Have you taken a starseed yet?" He asked, looking over toward the other as he was given the other officers name.
"A pleasure, I'm Benitoite." He had met Xenotime, right? He knew the name but couldn't remember if he'd met the one who owned the name. He knew a good amount of names and had seen many faces, some he had seen but never had a name for - at least not that he was aware of. It wasn't unexpected really, given the size of the Negaverse.
Listening to the other speak he bobbed his head a bit and ran his fingers through his hair, which he had finally settled on a length for and was keeping it at that length. "Yes, that is a simple way of thinking of things. What else can I provide you? Is there more that you need?" He questioned as he turned to fully face the other. Laughing at the last words the other spoke he shook his head. "Magic and dealing with that is easy...you'll learn, in time, that anything which happens should not surprise you. Something new, something else that breaks the normal rules of science, will always happen. From being turned into a cat to a Christmas tree coming to life and attacking. Nothing is beyond possible. That is one thing I've learned." Going to space also, and not having issues with the lack of oxygen or any such thing.
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 2:51 pm
You are right - it is not a trained army. But instead of getting jaded, why not try to change it? We are not without structure. Mandated training routines are not out of the question. Resources may be limited, but creativity brings about many pleasant exceptions.
"I have not taken a starseed before. The training manual mentioned that it's largely unnecessary for gathering energy." He neglected to mention any encounters with their opposition, or the sheer lack of connection available to make the attempt on their starseeds. A lot of the information given to him remained nebulous or outright abstract until exposed enough to this strange world to cement a connection. Just like with Jack, most relations remained a mystery without a gentle nudge toward their existence. "It seems solely a combat tactic - one I have no use for yet."
A simple way of thinking about things. That's a quick judgment. I wonder if you consider lieutenants airheaded, or their thought processes beneath you. "I would like to know more about the Rift. Cinnabar described it a place of ambient energy, where the youma reside. She said a hallway and door separate it, but she did not know its whereabouts despite being somewhat youma herself. I think I need to see it." As he finished, his gaze dropped low to the awning beneath the parapet. There they lingered for a long moment before he finally looked up toward the stars, with the moon descending from full to wan over the days.
"I am not entirely loyal to science." But the Rift, and truly all of the Negaverse, holds bearing on what I've come to know for so long. I cannot continue to say they are unrelated.
I need to know if they can be reconciled, or if the facts that face me now will crumble the foundations I've known all my life. It is a great decision to determine when alone in a world so unfamiliar. Slate used to counterbalance these points - and now I lack that crutch to lean on.
"Have you ever lost someone, General?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 11:07 pm
A training manual, they had those? That was news to him but he supposed it was useful to have something like that, new members could use that as a way of learning though why substitute learning from experienced members with a manual? Was this some bad sign or was it just some easy method to ensure some manner of learning had been done by each new recruit? But who ensured they even read the manual? The idea was one he wasn't sure about as he heard it mentioned by the other. "Indeed, they are mostly unnecessary for energy though in a fight they can help us by providing us some energy - a pick me up." Rolling his shoulders he racked his fingers through his hair. "Also taking a senshi or knights starseed is an effective way to end a fight before sustaining injuries, or minimizing the injuries sustained in a fight." An obvious thing really but he added to it after a moments pause, to moisten his lips. "I like to have new members pull a starseed early on, outside of a big battle. I know for some it can be rather...shocking to take a life and I like to avoid that shock happening in a battle." It wasn't a bad idea, he knew his first time had been someone, in this part of the city, trying to break into a car. He hadn't made the kill, the man hadn't died outright, as he'd been in a bit of shock himself from holding a persons very being in his hand. "You are correct, it is a combat tactic at this point." And a good one to know. Though he found it sometimes infuriated a senshi and would bring their wrath upon you for it. Other times it could be used as an intimidation tactic as well , it all depended on the senshi you were playing mind games with. He'd tried it on Kallichore once, in a big battle. She'd attacked him for it.
Staring at the other for a moment he nodded his head then. "The Rift...yes, it is the home of the youma and to the kingdom of Earth...or it's remains I should say." As it had fallen to ruin along with the surrounding area. "I can take you there, to the Rift, but you'll need to be close to me. The youma aren't always friendly and will challenge people, especially those of lower rank. A corrupted senshi is never safe down there...unless it's an ascended corrupted senshi - they are equal to use even to the youma." As far as he knew anyway, unless something had changed. "The place is...dark and hard to navigate at times and seems endless...stretching out in all directions in a dark sear of ruins, crystals, and purple light with moving shadows and their various sounds." It could be intimidating but he had managed to force his eyes to get used to it and the purple light provided so he could read down there. He had learned to navigate certain areas so he could get around. He liked the Rift but hadn't been down there in a good while. "Do you want to go now?" He asked, offering the other the trip down there which he wanted.
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Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2015 10:58 am
Umber half-turned back toward the city before speaking. His arms rested firmly against his chest, unwilling to move for gesticulations in converse. "I imagine most have a problem with that." Even in my own home there were reservations toward murder - of animals, of others. But when do we perform more than what is required of us, if the benefits don't call for it? Typical suburban life doesn't offer much amenity toward voluntary manslaughter. And that's not even beginning to address the psychological components after millions of years of evolution. I suppose that makes me fortunate - in the war, at least. "I don't have any compunctions toward murder. Having me do so to expose me to it would be a waste."
Shock of murder in a battle. I wonder if that's personal experience talking. It is likely - if any large scale battles occur, death is difficult to avoid.
His attention shifted back toward the blonde when he spoke of the Rift, and Umber's hands found pockets while he listened with interest. A kingdom of earth? I've heard of kingdoms of countries, but not the entire planet... His information corresponded seamlessly with that passed down by Cinnabar, which was fortunate. It sounded utterly dangerous to set foot there, but far more natural when compared to the likes of the city. No amount of false pretenses or pointless etiquettes reigned there. "It sounds like a city overtaken by nature." Where did Cinnabar say it was located? She didn't know, but wasn't there mention of a cavern? Is it underground? "Do you know how it ended up the way it did?"
A short pause lingered before he forsook further questioning to opt into the adventure offered. "Yes," he answered with finality, even as his gaze crawled back over the cityscape. "I would like to see this place."
And everything that sets it apart from a living city. Let's examine the corpse, then. Maybe the youma are its decomposers, with they themselves corpses. "Show me the way, then, and I'll follow you."Sleet Tempest Snape we can have this thread move to the rift or we can end on your post and start a new thread within the rift. either is fine by me!
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Posted: Sat Mar 21, 2015 3:20 pm
"Alright them, I'll trust that." He'd made his own first kill outside of a battle and gotten lost in the rush of battle so hadn't really been overwhelmed by any negative feelings when killing in a battle. Afterwards he'd had some issues to over come but he'd managed that. He was sure though for some it could be a shock to the system even in a battle, whether because they saw someone dead or they were killing someone. It was why he tried to get most over that possible hump early. But if this Lieutenant was sure he would have no issues he'd trust him.
"Mmmm...perhaps, though no tress or plants live there unless you count the flower youma." He stated, thinking about them...oh they did dislike him but he did manage to tackle them and gain some clippings from them. He was sure if he were a weaker officer they'd have killed him, or turned him into a fellow youma somehow, by now. They really didn't seem to like him but that was ok, they served a purpose. Struck by the next question he took a moment to think, to go through his own memories, before shaking his head. "No, I don't know. I haven't come across information about it either. Many ancient civilizations wind up underground, it happens all the time, but as far underground as this one is...it's likely something magical had a hand in it. That's the best I can answer." Maybe he could find someone who had the answer to it? Though he wondered if anyone really knew? Perhaps it was one of those things lost to time and no one save for Metallia would know, and he wasn't about to seek her out and ask such a trivial thing.
offering a hand out to the other he smiled. "i'll have to take you there, you can't yet teleport - but soon you will. Once your a Captain you'll be able to get down there on your own." The smile he wore was kind, open, as he waited for the other to accept his offered hand.(Either option is good with me. We can start a new one in the rift if you'd like, so it's two rp's rather than one.)
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