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 Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 11:12 pm
As if the Holidays weren't already traumatizing enough, now Evan was certain he was being followed. He had looked over his shoulder more than a dozen times and always could have sworn he saw something moving just out of eyeshot. Once, he could have attributed to fatigue. But that many times?
He didn't know if it was human or youma or something else—all he knew was that it wasn't just the chill in the air that was making his blood run cold. He had tried walking quicker, but the feeling never left and the paranoia was creeping over him faster than he could walk. He clutched his bag quickly and was trying not to make more of a scene by running; he hoped if he just kept up with his brisk pace whatever was following him would either lose him or would be too stupid to realize that he was aware they were there.
…Oh, hell, it was a stupid plan and Evan didn't know what he was thinking. He was still ten minutes from home and was almost in tears at the prospect of even having to walk home alone. Except, he'd gotten kicked out of the kitchen at work so he really didn't have any other options. He'd have stayed at a hotel if he hadn't left his wallet at home.
He hated it—hated being out this late, hated being alone this late. Going home to an empty home. If anything even happened to him, he didn't know when anyone would learn.
The sinking pit in his stomach worsened his anxiety—and the rustling behind him didn't help, either.
…So his brisk walk turned into a brisk run.
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Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2015 9:12 am
Sailor Elpis was completely relaxed walking her patrol route. Her nightly routine rarely turned up trouble lately, which meant returning home unscathed, which meant her father less in hysterics about the whole senshi business (although she determined Kells could afford to work more!) and she was completely contented to patrol. So, when a young man passed, the senshi gave pause. He was alone for sure, it was late, and she recalled many times being out late from errands to find trouble. Powered trouble. And back then, she had no means to protect herself. The senshi's mind was made up, and she moved to follow the civilian quietly, breaking from her route in a rush as she walked, murmuring before speaking. "Are you alright?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2015 11:53 pm
Evan jumped and nearly took off running, but a human voice was better than any voice, and she wasn't wearing some evil uniform or was threatening him. She asked if he was all right and…he didn't know if he wanted to trust her or not, but he knew that he didn't want a monster following him home.
"I don't know. I haven't exactly had the best of luck with getting home safely and this past month has been, like, hellish. Are you a Senshi? Or a Knight? I kinda can't tell the difference," he said, forcing himself to slow his pace so it didn't look like he was trying to run away from her.
…Which, he wasn't…he just didn't want something to catch up to him and make his life even worse.
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Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2015 8:02 am
Someone in her shoes last year at the same time. While she wasn't frightened, she knew people could be - and her perception of terror tended to hinge on if she could outwit the enemy. But for others... Elpis fidgeted, before moving out of her half-hiding tmove to walk beside him, looking around. She didn't bleme him... There were good youma conditions. "I'm a Senshi, yes. Sailor Elpis, at the gentleman's humble service." She took a moment to bow politely, trying to look friendly, compared to her usual expression. "I'd be happy to offer an escort if you like. That way, anything will focus on my person, not you." She paused, then nodded. "I'm guessing you keep running into people, huh? I did, too."
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Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2015 8:47 am
Evan swallowed and nodded somewhat absentmindedly. "N-No, I don't really…need an escort. I don't want to make it look weird or gather more attention, or…I mean, if you accidentally lead the wrong person to your house…"
His voice trailed off for a second and he felt bad about denying her offer, but he'd never let anyone follow him to his house, no matter how desperate he was to not walk home alone.
Something she had said suddenly just clicked and he shut up and looked up at her. "You did?" he inquired. "What do you mean you did?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2015 9:01 am
"Caution is good, though." Elpis encouraged gently. "So it's alright not wanting security." She just worried about how scared he looked, and the senshi tried to look less intimidating, nodding a bid when he seemed to register her sentence, and she gave a half-smile, nodding towards the city streets. "Before I got magic. I got it earlier this year, but before that? I ran into a lot of bad stuff too. Monsters, and such. Not fun - and then there's groupings. You need to be careful, but no sense hiding at all. You don't need to let magic things keep you from your life. And hey, some of us don't want civilians involved. We just want you all safe." She did; and the senshi motioned, daring trust him - with perhaps a small bit of information. "My brothers are civilians. And my extended family, as far as I know. We're not islands."
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Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 12:42 am
Evan listened intently, nodding slowly as he processed each piece of new information. He only seemed to contemplate what she was saying in an attempt to understand a world that was too hard to understand—even if you were powered.
"Oh," he said after a moment. He nodded once more. "Do they…know about this? I mean, how do you decide who to tell stuff to? —Any of this stuff. Like, what's going on, or—or, do you tell people what you're doing? Does your family know that you're out saving the world or does it have to be a secret? And, like," he was fumbling for words. "Do you…turn into…Elpis?" he tried the name. "Like…like, a Knight? Hype—" he cut himself off prematurely so as not to reveal the Knight who shared information if it was a taboo or something. He considered Hyperborea a friend (or, at least, considered himself heavily in her debt for rescuing him) and didn't want to get her in trouble.
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Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2016 8:56 am
"Trust. Instinct. I found out my dad was a knight before getting magic because he panicked. In this case I feel a lack of information is more dangerous than having i. Otherwise, innocent people can get hurt or killed by something when they might have known what to do, or where to find help." She offered a reassuring look, and smiled a bit. "Transform? So you met a knight? Yes, senshi transform as do knights." She smiled, not minding sharing information. Information could save lives. "To my knowledge many of us transform. But I don't think that's bad. As for my family, my Dad knows. He's not entirely happy with it, because he's overprotective, but the rest don't." Not even Flynn, but Elpis desperately wanted Flynn informed.
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Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 12:15 am
Evan nodded slowly as he absorbed the situation; slowly, he seemed to be calming down and awkwardly he reached up to brush his hair out of his face so he could see her better. "…So you can have a Senshi and a Knight in the same family? That's…really neat."
…Bet they had some pretty exciting conversations over dinner.
"…You mentioned where to find help, though. Is there somewhere for people like me—people who are, you know," he shrugged, "Not special—somewhere for them to get help? Because honestly, I've had decent timing. Every time a youma's attacked me I've been near somewhere I could run in and hide, or some senshi or knight has come to save me. But…how do you get rid of a youma if you don't have any of that magic? I carry, uhm," he leaned down and started fishing through his bag before pulling out a very large chef's knife and an inconspicuous tube.
"—This, from my kitchen," he said of the knife, "And some pepper spray. Is there something that would work better?" he asked, drawing the knife to his face to inspect a speck on it. He picked at it for a second and then put both instruments back in his bag and fiddled with the zipper while he waited.
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Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2016 9:12 am
"Nowhere I know of." Elpis admitted, but then she thought about how he could find help. "But some follow patrol routes, or have areas they favor. I try to vary it up, but if you like I can include a spot every night to use for a break- in case you need help. I don't mind." She smiled, then nodded, motioning as he brought his chef's knife into view. "I'm not sure if you'd do it as quickly, but a knife is a good item, or a blunt heavy item. Environmental weapons too. Branches, nails, anything to slow it down. I tried clocking one with a stick once." She chuckled, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. "If you can think of a weapon, it can help. Creativity is really helpful."
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Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2016 10:40 am
Evan shrugged. "The only place I'm creative is in the kitchen, and I'd be seriously pissed if a youma came to bother me in there. But I…I'll try."
His heart wasn't pounding so much right now, and his vision wasn't fading into a black haze anymore. All in all, it was a good sign. But it was still a reminder that he ought to be home, where it didn't matter if he was overwhelmed by emotions—he could just crash in bed and sleep it all off. On the bright side, now that his adrenaline rush was fading, he just felt totally drained; he might not even care that he was going to an empty house.
He cleared his throat, looked at the ground and shuffled around sheepishly. "Uh…Thanks, Elpis. A lot. I wish there was some way I could thank you for even just…you know. Giving me the time of day. Or, well. Night. I…I should probably be heading back. But—but it was really good to meet you. I…I hope I get to see you again sometime? Maybe?"
He sounded hopeful—and genuine.
He might not have enjoyed all the youma, but the more senshi he met…
The more he wanted to meet.
The more he felt like, for all his bad luck, as long as they were out, they could save him from it.
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2016 8:59 am
"Of course you will!" Elpis said, beaming. "And if I can figure something out, I'll try to get you a number to reach me at, if you ever need my help." The senshi was sure her senshi phone had to be dial-able by outsiders, right?... Soon as she found her number in it it was good as his. He seemed a good person, and she didn't want or like his fear. He didn't deserve this fear. Noone did.
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:42 pm
Evan seemed to visibly relax, but he just looked like he was tired and almost like he was just close to giving up. But perhaps a good rest was enough to rejuvenate him.
"I can…" He paused, and then hesitated, fishing around for a loose piece of scrap paper. A pen followed quickly, and he managed to scribble a number onto the sheet. He hastily handed it over.
"I…I'm feeling kind of light headed though. My house is like, right over there, so I'm just gonna…run over there and pass out for a bit. But uhm, before I go—If you…want to get dinner or lunch or something and talk some time, I'll make it, free of charge. Just give me a call and I can give you an address, you can drop in. I mean—if it's okay. You don't have to ever to call or anything, I just…I don't know. You…I really appreciate what you're willing to do and…"
He swallowed and toed the ground awkwardly. "…It just means a lot to have someone that's willing to look after you."
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 9:58 am
"I wouldn't mind that." Elpis smiled, accepting the paper carefully as she smiled. "And we can talk about what's going on around you." The senshi carefully stored the paper in a pocket, before nodding, and motioned. "I can wait until you get in. Get some rest, okay? If you don't feel well, you sound like you need lots of rest and maybe a warm bath. And... I don't mind looking out for others. Those with power should look after those whom do not, so they can live free and safe."
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Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 7:46 pm
Evan struggled for a moment, trying to determine what just to say. Finally, he nodded—and offered her a quick smile. "I appreciate that. And uhm. I guess. See you around?"
He fished around in his bag for a moment before he pulled out some keys. It wasn't a long walk to the house; he could see it now. "You take care of yourself, okay? And uhm, you know. Have a good night, and be safe." He offered a quick wave and then hurried towards the house.
He didn't mean to be rude, and hoped that he wasn't, but he just wanted to get home. He slipped inside quickly, and locked the door behind him.
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