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Nearly two months had passed since Meridiana had last powered up.

Although an attempt had been made to give off the impression that all was well, the ambush had in fact left her shaken. “Heh,” there was no humor behind the half-hearted laugh, more of a mocking sound than anything. “Even as a Super Senshi I’m still a minnow in a sea of sharks.” Those ******** generators messed with her magic in a way that let her little more than a pawn out on the chessboard of Order versus Chaos.

That Knight was completely unphased and ultimately paid her no mind; fortunate perhaps since he could have likely easily knocked her out and saved everyone else the hassle of dealing with her. Four Sovereigns, two Royals, and countless forced corruptions made her question the morality of it all.

Meridiana felt no pride in what had been done and chose to stow the medal away in her subspace pocket instead of wearing it on her uniform. That, and they were tacky, didn’t go with any of her uniform at all

Encountering Dravite had been unexpected but surprisingly appreciated; he looked well enough and it gladdened her deeply that the relationship he’d been in with ‘Vera’ as he’d called her, had ended. Her rivalry with Delilah had gone back well over half a decade at this point that Meridiana felt absolutely no shame in smiling after learning she was no longer in the picture.

The Senshi of the Succubus wandered through the park aimlessly, knowing she had a backlogged quota to fill from her extended absence. Around her neck hung the medallion that remained activated so that her signature appeared to be no more than a basic corrupt. Unassuming and easy to overcome for those willing to walk into her well-thought-out trap.

Normally she would have been gung ho about approaching the corrupt. In the present moment, it was two on one and the odds were in their favor, especially since he was a squire and outranked herself and the corrupt they felt in the distance. Unfortunately, since her last encounter with that a*****e who pulled her hair and left her winded after kneeing her in the stomach, Eleonora felt a bit more reserved.

Clear slate-blue eyes glanced over at Starlight, her expression clearly apprehensive for reasons she didn’t admit to out loud, but if he was a part of the ambush, then he’d likely be wise enough to put two and two together and figure it out why.

Was this how Alcor felt when they patrolled together? Mentally playing out what-if scenarios for how this encounter might go. With her sister, they had an unspoken agreement to not leave the other behind, could she count on Starlight to abandon her if things go south?

Tentatively she reached out and held onto his sleeve. “I showed you my magic and can only use it two more times now. Promise me that if things get out of hand that we’ll leave together?” Not a ‘you stay here, I’ll go find help.’

“Thank you,” for what it was worth, Eleonora trusted his words and after a moment she let go of his sleeve. Yeah, she felt a bit childish for holding on in such a manner but so long as he didn’t mention it, neither would she. It’s not as if she was intentionally trying to play the part of a damsel in distress, but he had to know what they were getting into which included how much magic of her they could rely on.

“Let’s go check it out then.” If it was the Corrupt from before there was no telling what she’d do to him. Return the favor maybe, charge in for round two… not as likely; but insults would no doubt be thrown.

Together they walked in the general direction of the Corrupt's signature, eventually, the sight of a woman leaning against a park bench came into view. Lovely reddish-pink colored dress with sparkling sapphire gemstone adorning each wrist and neck. But what was most peculiar were the two horns atop her head. Eleonora leaned close to Starlight and spoke only loud enough for him to hear, "How do we know she's not actually a youma?"

Truth be told, Starlight wasn’t actually sure how to tell someone wasn’t a youma. She looked human enough, minus the cracks, but he’d seen weird makeup before and that could have just been an aesthetic. She didn’t feel like a youma, but he didn’t have enough confidence in himself to make any claims.

She was talking to them, at least, and that was something youma hadn’t really done yet.

If she was trying to rile him up about the comment about interrupting a date, it didn’t work; he didn’t much care for whatever perception she had of him or whatever he was doing.

“What are you doing out here?” he asked instead, not particularly threatening but obviously curious. He knew the Negaverse was bad, that they hurt people, that they could be violent and erratic and–

He didn’t know much beyond what Whisler and Newgrange had told him, but he trusted them.

…Which meant, he trusted that they had to do whatever they could to keep the Negaverse at bay.

“So basically, you’re a Lady of the Night.” More of a statement than a question. “Out here seducing people with that uniform,” which, admittedly, was less revealing than her own with the longer skirt but still accentuated her cleavage in an almost inappropriate way for a more military-esk faction.

If the corrupt was offended by the statement, she didn’t show it. Instead, she smiled. Those red-painted lips upturned in an almost mocking grin. In response Eleonora’s own lip raised in a sneer, disgusted in that she seemed to take pride in the statement rather than refute it.

“She’s up to something,” call it a gut feeling but Eleonora couldn’t shake the statement that the corrupt had been waiting for someone and that this might be another ambush of sorts. “Starlight?” name was spoken quiet enough so the unnamed Senshi couldn’t hear it as she looked up at him questioningly.

“I could,” Meridiana paused for a moment to consider his polite demand. “But, unfortunately, I'm disinclined to acquiesce to your request. After all, I was here first.

“However,” The corrupt stood upright, laced her fingers behind her back as she closed the distance between them. “For a fair exchange, I could be convinced.” To this she looked at the squire, assuming he’d know what she was asking for since he presumably has been a part of this war longer than the basic White Moon Senshi beside him.

Eyes the color or polished sapphire regarded the pale-haired woman who shifted uncomfortably beside him. “Seems I make your companion uncomfortable.” Meridiana rarely if ever felt threatened by the presence of another woman, this time was no different. There was only one reason to be concerned and that was the magic she might wield. The young woman’s uniform gave no real indication of what her sphere might be which was a bit worrisome but that’s why it’s better to be proactive instead of reactive.

“Ah ah ah…” A glint of light from the streetlamp reflected off the surface of the medallion. “Eyes on me.” Before her, an ethereal golden handle formed and Meridiana reached out, closing her hand around it. From one end a whip appeared, the end of which coiled on the ground beside her. She moved, swinging the magical weapon overhead and snapping it beside her.

Was that a weapon? He didn’t think Senshi could have weapons. The snap was loud and jarring, and Starlight seemed shocked to attention. His eyes were on her, and even if he did look a bit nervous it seemed like in the face of trouble he steeled himself to it.

It was one thing to be polite, to try and get along. It was another thing to show weakness.

He’d learned that weakness only made you a target.

Eleonora was a first stage Senshi, and she’d more than flinched. He took a half step in front of her, as if he meant to block her from the Corrupted Senshi and her sudden weapon. He could feign fearlessness, and he was stronger than her.

“What do you want?” he demanded, as if there was anything he had that he could give her. Even if he did agree to energy, he couldn’t trust that she wouldn’t try to take his starseed, or call for backup or something.

He was humoring her. Or, buying time.

He was still making up his mind.

His paintbrush was gripped tightly in one hand before him, but the other was snaked behind him–there, in case Eleonora needed it. If she wanted to run, they could run. He hadn't thrown that plan out the window, he just didn't know what they were dealing with.

Don’t touch me Eleonora’s mind snarled in protest.

Her eyes went from horrified to angered in zero-seconds flat and yet as much as she wanted to summon her own magic, to slap the b***h across the face for touching her in such a way, her body wouldn’t budge. Yes, her body trembled. Not so much in fear as it was anger.

Like that other ******** corrupt, Ele could only assume that she too had stolen some of her magic along with that ball of energy now held in that well manicured hand. “Give it back…” she hissed through clenched teeth.