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 Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2019 3:09 pm
The sky was dark.
Nataniel wasn't typically a man of the night. He preferred to sleep early, around eight or nine, to facilitate his compulsion to rise for his workout at three in the morning. Something about recent developments, however, kept him awake longer. It wasn't a decision he would choose to make unprompted, but when one needed information, sometimes the only way to get it was at the source. And the 'source' typically only came out at night.
Dog-boy had been... helpful seemed like too patient of a word for their encounter, but it hadn't been useless. And of course December would tell Nataniel anything he could think to ask. Though neither was December especially brilliant, and Nat almost doubted most of what the younger man said.
So if Nataniel was out late, it was mostly to observe the truth of anything he'd learned of agents, senshi, magic, and aliens.
It all sounded particularly ridiculous.
But he'd been granted opportunity to meet with at least a handful already, and had even made a deal with one... That was the concerning part. Nataniel liked to gamble, and that was all the deal was in the vaguest of terms. A 'gamble' on the agent he'd met successfully protecting his December from harm, in exchange for Nat's corruption. He wasn't a fearful person, but he did like to know what he was getting into, and by now, he had an idea of what he was looking for. Agents of chaos, out doing their chores after hours.
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2020 8:47 pm
A tall figure stepped out of the shadows of a darkened alleyway and sighed, brushing a gloved hand down his front to pat ineffectually at the dust and debri that clung to his twilight uniform. In his raised hand, a glowing orb cradled in his palm, caged by his long fingers. The hunt had been successful, if not exactly easy tonight. The game was getting old... trying to seduce men away from places of entertainment, making excuses for the weird outfit he wore, to get them alone long enough to take care of his business. It had been too much effort tonight and the scrabble he'd been forced to was not how he usually liked to do his... business.
It left him feeling... tired, afterwards, and annoyed. Energy draining was a part of the 'job' that Fafnir probably liked the least. It was necessary, or so he'd been told, but it felt demeaning. He had better skills that weren't being utilized while he was out here doing a job any blockhead with meaty hands could do. On top of, of course, the training his general put him through. And the work he did during the day.
The senshi brushed his hair out impatiently with his free hand now that he'd dusted himself as neatly as he could.
If he ever got high enough rank for it, he'd never go energy hunting if he could help it. He'd have people who did that for him, he promised himself.
The foot traffic down this street had been light after the clubs had opened their doors and he'd had moments to himself for his work. Now, there were a couple of figures, each alone and each moving along at their own business. He had the misfortune to catch the eye of one for a moment, red into blue, and he considered them fore a moment before he blinked and turned, tucking the orb into his shirt.
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Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2020 6:44 am
He'd parked his motorcycle at the side of the road, out of the way of the scattered nightlife traffic, but still obviously ready to move at a moment's notice. He'd draped one arm over the handlebars, while the other held his phone, idly flicking at the screen with his thumb as his gaze turned down, toward it. To anyone who passed by, Nataniel expected he simply looked like he was waiting for someone. Which, admittedly, wasn't far from the truth. He just didn't know exactly who, yet.
Though his eyes were on his phone, his focus was anywhere but.
Even if he'd had a few assorted encounters with powered individuals, it was difficult to gauge exactly what he should expect when searching them out. Someone oddly dressed, certainly, but other than that... Where would they be? What would they be doing? It was difficult to say. It was just a bit of an expectation that he may run into something odd if he hung out around some of the skeezy clubs in Destiny City. Nothing Nataniel wasn't familiar with, though he did typically prefer to be inside of them, rather than wasting his time waiting outside..
But patience was a virtue, and it was only a matter of time before a boy dressed in the bold drapery of chaos stepped out of an alleyway. Nat's gaze drifted to the dark cracks in his forehead, not dissimilar than what Mali had had. The other man locked eyes with him for a second, and then turned away.
It wasn't Nat's preference to chase and be the first to engage with someone else, but given the circumstances what they were...
He kicked his bike into a rev and pulled up beside where the other walked. "You look like you could use a ride."
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Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2020 8:42 pm
The rumble of a bike was, at first, ignored. No reason why anyone should be bothering him, save those who occasionally had the terrible idea to harass a stranger dressed strangely that they saw on the street. He expected the see the bike drive by, but surprisingly, it came up beside him instead, and with it came a voice over the noise of it.
A ride?
"I'm sorry, but I'm not really interested in company tonight. Especially not a random dude on a bike." He said, a wry sort of smile twisting his mouth. Was this guy really trying to hit on him from his bike? He had to assume it was the outfit, combined with his good looks. He wasn't a stranger to being hit on in random places, but the stranger really didn't know what he was in for, trying something like that with him right now.
"You're cute..." He said, glancing over long enough to give the other a once over. "You'd have better luck at the club back there, I'm sure, but you're not my type."
If he could get rid of this guy, he could call for a ride and finally get out of here.
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 2:42 pm
"Cute," Nataniel replied flatly, mimicking the backwards-sounding compliment the other had given him just a moment prior. "You believe I am interested in the company of a stranger with an odd sense of fashion. No."
Did people really walk up expecting a particular variety of favor from someone who looked very obviously like some kind of freak? Nat glanced back at the club the other boy gestured at and decided that, yes, they probably did. He supposed the boy in blue did look a bit like someone that could be hired for entertainment purposes. On another night, Nataniel himself could have easily been out looking for attention and not really caring where it came from... He was pretty.
"I am not presently seeking sexual companionship from random passerby on the street. Not tonight, anyway."
What he wasn't sure of was how to go about hearing what he did want. The last time he'd mentioned 'knowing someone' in this cultish group, a dog-boy had gotten all offended at him and started threatening him, and his brother, and December. It wasn't anything Nataniel felt frightened of, but it had eaten up a lot of his time.
He didn't want to be out here all night just to learn nothing. And he didn't know what the best way to approach the situation was. But he was already in it now.
Nat gestured with a flick of his hand to the boy's forehead. "Your mark," he stated blandly. "I have a..." He didn't really know what to call Mali. They certainly weren't friends or acquaintances. And using his actual name was out, since that had gotten him in trouble last time. "I know someone with one similar. He was not pleased with the situation. As someone who is interested in becoming more involved, I wanted to assess the validity of his opinion when compared to that of others."
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2020 8:48 pm
The corrupt pursed his lips and raised his chin at the comment about his fashion.
It might be a bit unusual for street wear, but it was hardly the weirdest thing he'd worn while working. And it wasn't like he'd chosen it. No one got to choose, as far as he knew, and he found he disliked the insinuation that this came from his fashion sense.
Pausing in his walk, he looked back at the stranger and crossed his arms over his chest, long gloved fingers curling over his bare biceps. He narrowed his eyes at him, elegantly arched brows raised. He had wanted to try for a haughty expression, but it lasted only a few moments before it stiffened into a mask in which his gaze glittered with a hint of something... unpleasant and wary.
Something similar. He had to resist the urge to reach up to the cracked hole in his forehead and feel the sharp edges of it... as though his skin had been made of glass, and then shattered. It was an uncomfortably apt sign of what had happened to him, and he didn't like the reminder of it... or the implications of this person, this civilian, knowing anything about it.
Fingers tapping impatiently on his skin, he gave the man a careful look over, while trying to look bored himself. His eyes flicked and his lips pursed again, a c**k of his hips feeding into the image he projected.
"Trust me, you don't truly want to be interested. You're far better off just forgetting about it... its really not something to go chasing down guys on the street about." He reached to run his fingers through a few strands of dark ombre hair, toying with it. "Go be a normal young man. You'll be happier that way."
He wished he had the same luxury.
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Posted: Mon May 10, 2021 11:03 am
Ah, yes, a complete stranger deciding he knew what things Nataniel was interested in and divining what would make him happy. His absolute favorite kind of interaction.
A terse sigh left him, but his otherwise blank features revealed absolutely nothing beyond that. "You will forgive me for preferring to make my own judgements and my own decisions, making it very much worth 'chasing people down' for." Because there wasn't really a more reliable way to find people like this, and his own circle, consisting of only one person with reliable presence, was extremely limited.
But hearing about why he'd be better off being "uninterested" and "normal" was the point of seeking out people- senshi, like this. The consensus did seem to be strongly, 'you don't want this,' but he couldn't understand why.
Why were so many of them opposed to having abilities that would keep them from being victims to whatever youma, agent, or random space monster decided to accost the city at any given time? Nataniel cleared his throat, fingers flexing over the gas of his bike as he stared unwaveringly at the blue-and-purple clad boy. "I am aware I pose no threat to you, and I imagine you are aware as well. Would it really be so terrible to please just get on so we could have a more private conversation elsewhere," he suggested lowly.
And because he understood nothing was ever given freely, Nataniel inclined his head ever-so-slightly and murmured, "If you are amenable to it and require other incentives, you can take from me whatever you need to make it worthwhile."
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Posted: Mon May 10, 2021 11:46 am
It seemed he was going to be pushy about it. A low, seething resentment bubbled beneath his rib cage and Fafnir frowned, dropping the indifferent act he'd been trying to put forward.
He was likely going to keep doing this... calling himself out to other agents he saw in some misguided effort to find out more information. It was going to end in one of two ways, and Fafnir was struggling with the question of why did he care?. What business was it of his if the man ended up dead or recruited? One was a common enough end, the other maybe even beneficial to both the young man and the Negaverse, if he was the type that liked this kind of work. Why should he care if the man wanted to court his own demise? Why should he waste his time trying to convince him otherwise? He had his energy for the night, he could be headed home to bed right now and preparing for the thousand other things he needed to do...
The promise of payment made him feel dirty. His lean form shifted in place and the corners of his mouth turned down, tugging at his full lips. More than the offer, it was the consideration of it that ashamed him. He was, actually, interested... a more or less free energy drain, for minimal work, to turn in twice his normal amount and free him for at least one night. He hated how much that tempted him, and how he immediately started to consider excuses for why he should take him up on it.
"You are an idiot, I hope you are aware of that." He said as he stepped forward, his steps a lazy motion. One hand tucked under the other arm, he reached out to touch his fingertips to the other's jaw, considering the lines of his face with a professional, if guarded, eye. "Its a very dangerous game you're playing, and so far, you've been extraordinarily lucky."
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Posted: Mon May 10, 2021 2:22 pm
“It is not frequently what anyone calls me,” Nataniel admitted, leveling a dark red stare unwaveringly back at the senshi’s face. “But I acknowledge that the circumstances have great potential to be self-destructive. It is, unfortunately, the only thing I could think to do.”
And still was. Of course he had scoured the Internet for anything of import, but it was significantly less revealing than anything Fetellite could tell him in person. And it wasn’t information about the Negaverse in general he was interested in. It was personal experience. Why should he be personally concerned for his future, if he joined? The offer was already out, he didn’t need that. He just needed to better understand the risks and benefits from people who already knew them. And he felt confident December’s story was among the worst. Others would be better. It was just unfortunate that finding and communicating with strangers was such a taxing experience.
As the other boy stepped nearer, Nataniel held himself still, making it an obvious point to keep his focus on the other’s eyes. He had said the senshi could take from him, and he was not so daunted as to back down immediately, at the slightest touch. He did at least have an idea of the process. He’d been drained before.
“I am... unsure I would call it lucky.” His tone was quiet and flat, but not entirely dismissive. He had been drained, attached, bitten, clawed, wounded. But he wasn’t dead, which he supposed constituted the “luck” component.
Though he’d never been convinced death was entirely terrible.
“But I suppose more than anything else, I am interested in taking “luck” off the table. My knowledge is far from vast, but I know you have strength, speed, and ability that would help protect you from certain attacks... I know that it is at the expense of fighting in a war that likely seems like it is someone else’s fight. I know that most people I have spoken to find this very... inopportune. You included. ...Why?”
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Posted: Mon May 10, 2021 7:00 pm
Fafnir's frown deepened as he stood close to the bike and the other man, his hand under his chin and long fingers cupping his jaw. Someone had been talking to this guy... he already knew more than he should.
"I called you lucky because you're still alive and not recruited yet." He said softly, his voice lowered. "Though by the sounds of it, you're not far off. My superiors don't like civilians knowing things, and when they do, they end up one of two ways. If I reported you for asking questions, you wouldn't even make it home tonight... I'm surprised you made it this far."
He slid his fingers along the man's jaw before letting them fall away.
"I never had a choice, and now I do what I'm told like a good little soldier, because I don't care to be punished for not meeting expectations. Getting more power doesn't make you safer, which is a free little bit of information for you. If you're not involved, you get to hide in the anonymous herd, but once you are, you have a whole lot of new enemies. But if you want this collar around your neck, by all means, I guess. Just hope you aren't like me, because it wasn't a pleasant transition." Fafnir stepped back, his arms across his chest. "I'm afraid that's all you're going to get of me, because if I tell you any thing else, I will have to report you for asking questions. Do whatever you want, but if it were me, I would rather have stayed home and been blissfully ignorant."
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Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 4:43 pm
"I understand your reasoning," Nataniel retorted, shoulders flexing in a half shrug. "But I also disagree with it. I am alive... Though not by my own power, and not by any means that I had a say in." Wolframite, Mali, Arthur, December... If any of them had felt like not helping him, like letting him die, he would've. If a Negaverse agent or a youma wanted his starseed- as had already happened, what was he supposed to do about that?
Nothing? Hope that someone would be there, as they had been previously? Live in anticipation? Waiting, waiting, waiting for something to pop out of an alleyway and do something to him?
He canted his head, and though his expression remained entirely blank, there was the gentlest, almost imperceptible lilt to his voice that suggested teasing, "Would you follow me home after reporting me? You must be willing to ensure they-" Whoever 'they' was. "-have some means of locating me after our talk is finished. Without so much as a name, I have to assume it will not be the simplest hunt."
He caught the hand as it slid away from him, and as the senshi had stared at his face, Nataniel made it a point to inspect the captured appendage: long fingers, well-manicured nails. He mustn't work too hard.
"I have a choice," Nataniel admitted. "But I would never chose to be a victim when some alternative is available. I would not consciously decide to be able to do nothing and be no one when I can chose otherwise. Life is short, and nothing is free. I cannot be someone who is willing to sit back and let terrible things happen to them and be content to simply exist in ignorance. But I can be someone willing to surrender some commodities to negate Destiny City's... unfriendly atmosphere."
The senshi's hand dropped away from him as he stepped back, and Nataniel made no move to stop him. "I suppose it would be too much to ask, then, to know your name."
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Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2021 12:13 pm
The moment he felt the fingers close around his hand, Fafnir froze, his face going blank again. He didn't tug away, not right away, but he felt that touch through every part of him and it was not a sensation he enjoyed, as much as he used it himself.
"... Yes." He said, bluntly, his voice flat. "Though I probably wouldn't have to follow you far. My General travels quickly."
If he called Labyrinthite, the man would be here in a blink and he had no doubts this man would end up exactly as he said he would. He really should call for him, but there was a part of him that resisted. Maybe it was the part that wished he'd been left out of all this, or even just given the choice.
"I hope you don't come to regret your decision, then. If that is what you want, then find another officer and ask to join. That should be easy enough... and I would prefer at least that your recruitment be one someone else's conscience." He said when he could reclaim his hand. He still felt tingly and uncomfortable from the touch, and tucked his hands under his arms.
He debated not sharing his name... there could be ways things could be traced back to him with uncomfortable consequences, but...
"Fafnir." The corrupt said. "Like the dragon."
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Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2021 11:43 am
Nataniel gave a dismissive shrug, but didn't see a use in continuing to push what made his reasons valid. He'd always been an outlier in things that seemed sound to him, but sat poorly with others. That was fine. No one needed to agree with him so that he could feel justified. Nothing had happened in his life yet that he couldn't live with, and he was not grossly disappointed in where he'd ended up because of it.
Why should this be different. As far as he was concerned, this was as close to a form of "protection" as he could come. And any one individual in this city needed all the protection they could get. Siding with the monstrous aggressors was just reasonable.
...Though abuse did seem prevalent among their ranks. Something to be mindful of, for sure.
"It is nice to meet you," Nataniel murmured, offering the expected pleasantries of an initial encounter. He could conceivably find reason not to return the exchange of names: Fafnir hadn't asked, and his life had been threatened just a moment prior. No reason to give anything else of himself away if it was just going to be used against him later. But Fafnir was hardly the first of their kind to know anything about him. What would it really hurt? "My name is Nataniel."
His lids lowered, thick lashes brushing his cheeks as he eyed the retreat of the other's hands. Nat's were not at ease. Fingers unfurled, palm up, nearer to himself than to Fafnir, but still nearly inviting. He had said the senshi could take from him, if Nataniel could be allowed a few questions. And he had been. He glanced from Fafnir's obscured palms back to his own, now empty and open. "I do not typically go back on my word without good enough reason," he said softly. "But if there is nothing else you want, I do not intend to keep you."
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Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2021 5:54 pm
Fafnir offered a grimacing smile as the other offered a name in return. He'd purposefully not asked, but it was done now. Nataniel. He expected he'd see that name on the roster soon enough.
It was the hand, offered again, that reminded him he'd been promised payment. For a moment he stared at it, utterly hating himself, a slight frown lining his brow, before he stepped abruptly forward. His hand closed around the other's and he looked him in the eyes as he stepped close, close enough he could partially hide what he was doing from casual observers.
"You did indeed offer." He murmured as he began to pull. It was a little bit of a struggle, doing this while still concentrating on the orb he'd already gathered. Falter and he'd lose all his hard work... Energy slipped between them the way water flows, or electricity, if it were liquid. It pooled in his other palm and a small, glowing sphere appeared, growing slowly larger. His head tilted, as though they were in intimate conversation, and a muscle moved in Fafnir's jaw, though he was mostly silent through the process.
"I will go lightly." He finally murmured, when a sizeable orb had filled his cupped hand. "You still need to drive that thing home, and if I take too much, you might be too tired to do so safely..."
His fingers slipped away as he stepped back, free hand tucking the orb into his outfit with the other one.
"I have a feeling we'll run into each other again, Nataniel." He said softly, turning with a glance back at the young man.
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