|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2022 5:11 pm
"Need you to do something for me." He motioned to one of the chairs before his desk, but it hadn't mattered to him if Lilith availed herself of a seat or not. They'd known each other long enough; formalities meant little in that room.
He'd summoned her moments before; after hearing her hard work led to a promotion, led to her being recognized for the contacts she had on the other side, he thought it only fitting that this task fall to her. This task that, since he transferred out of Information, was no longer entirely in his purview. For as much as he would've liked to handle the task himself, the propensity with which the White Moon looked on him as a pity case had waned. Someone else had to weave together their clever deceptions.
"You're aware that Nembus has been gone for some time. Think it's been long enough, now, that we'd have found a body. Need to start checking the other side. Wanted to see if you and your contacts were up to the task.
"You'd be under no obligation to engage. Suppose that's my job now." Felt strange to say it.
Shifting, Faustite hoisted himself onto his desk at an angle, such that one of his knees rested against the lip while the other one dangled. "Can give you the personnel file I have on her if you need it."
Felt stranger, still, that he couldn't lead this mission, that he had to hand it over to someone who had more ties to Information than he did now. While he didn't have to divest himself, it seemed proper to trust Lilith with a greater degree of control now that she'd attained a higher rank. As for him, he needed to get used to Special Operatives as quickly as possible.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 2:34 am
There was something pleasing about going up the ranks. It was always nice to have hard work acknowledged, and so there was a little smugness in the way Lilith sauntered into Faustite's office, bedekced as she was with higher rank. She did drop herself into the offered chair, if only because standing on ceremony seemed especially stupid, and listened.
The pitch was both interesting and important, and she frowned at the mention of Nembus.
"I can put out feelers," she said. "Seems straightforward enough. And reasonable. We're looking for a lost friend, after all, and we're ever so worried about her." A slightly wry smile tugged at her lips. "I'll look out for myself, I promise. No foolishly engaging or any nonsense like that."
There was no reason to get herself into a fight she might be ill equipped for, especially if Nembus had run and had friends on the other side. That seemed a likely prospect; you didn't abandon everything you knew unless there was something waiting for you.
"I'll take that file. Do we know anything about people on the other side she had contact with? Anyone she reported as a person of interest? Those would be good places to start." She'd have to see what she could find in the database.
Well, this would certainly be a challenge for her. And for all the work she'd done to build herself a network.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2022 6:22 pm
Faustite nodded. "Teach you how to teleport first. It affords bolder decisions." The ability to instantaneously leave dangerous situations behind granted them so much more freedom in how they engaged their enemy. While it wouldn't be in Lilith's best interests to piss off her contacts, if she had to make a few inarguable points to get the information she needed, she would have a way out without putting herself at risk. Not that Faustite was necessarily encouraging that.
"Mm." Turning on his stool, Faustite opened one of the glass bookcase enclosures. He licked his fingers and pinched the corner of the relevant file, pulling it out and setting it on the table before the damaged manila outside truly began to burn. The file sported a variety of dark spots where parts of it had combusted, but the contents inside were otherwise fine. By now, Lilith may have seen him turn pages with the butt of a pen.
After nudging the glass front closed with his foot, Faustite turned back around to face her.
"Interesting that you ask that. Been to her apartment; would've been more careful of her if she pulled a Pripyat. Nothing was decomposing; place looked prepped for a vacation. Might've thought she was dead if she left food out on the counter to rot. And that's all we have — suspicion based on a lack of evidence. Reported Whisler, who kidnapped her earlier and returned her unharmed. Her encounter with him backs my suspicion. No other known contacts but for the team, and Marthozite, who is MIA.
"If nothing else, start with Whisler. Knight has a past connection with Ashanite. Give you directions to the park they used to frequent," he finished, as he reached for a pen.kolina good for helio after song's post!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2022 7:27 pm
Lilith nodded. She itched to learn how to teleport--it would grant her so much more flexibility in her ability to fight. Always knowing she had an exit would put her in a far better position to negotiate more aggressively. Not that she intended to be getting into too many fights, but it was still an important advantage.
She took the folder off Faustite's desk, and began to flip through it, nodding as he explained. Suggestive, that things were neat and cleaned up. It indicated a planned exit rather than a sudden flight.
Hm. That made it much more likely that she had chosen to leave. How unfortunate.
"Whisler. I'll remember that name, and bother General Ashanite for whatever information he has." That was a place to start, but Lilith supposed that if there was someone Nembus trusted enough to run to, it was likely she had kept whatever name that was to herself.
"I'll find her, General. Whatever it takes." Her tone was firm. Determined. She would demonstrate that she had earned her new power, that Faustite was right to keep her on.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2022 8:00 pm
Some things didn’t change, and the small amount of anxiety and dread building within the depths of his stomach with each footfall was certainly a familiar sensation. It felt as if he was stepping back in time. A basic Senshi out to cause disappointment yet again for his captain, and expecting the worst of outcomes.
But it wasn’t his past. Just merely echoes of memories that refused to give up and instead dug up old bodily reactions to scenery he associated with terrible times. He was stronger now At least, he believed himself to be. Lessons had been learned over the years and he was better for them. All of them.
Sadly, that wouldn’t mean s**t if his superior felt otherwise. He winced at the prospect of what might come.
Still he made his way to that intimately familiar energy signature. It had changed of course. Grown. Become more powerful,, but it was still at the core the same person. Why am I so excited about this even though I am equally dreading it? He heaved a sigh. I make no sense.
Sense or not, he found his way easily enough to his destination and realized that there was another signature inside. A meeting happening? That could run in his favor.
First instinct was to just open to the door and get it over with. Dash into the unknown, but he damn well knew better than that. Knew the manners expected of him. So, squaring himself off to the door, Helio raised a fist and knocked on the door.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2022 4:23 pm
"Good." He tapped the butt of a pen on the desk. "Expect a report in a week — who the ********."
Flame eyes lit on the door and the General scowled; he had no further appointments and was quite looking forward to some time to focus on the dilemma of the Saturn Knight. Wasn't a lost Lieutenant by feel. And unless this one was put up to the challenge of delivering Faustite's mail, he had the sinking feeling that it was another new subordinate along the way.
He'd have to talk to Hessonite about this. ******** couldn't keep dropping new ******** senshi on his ******** doorstep like he had all the time in the ******** world to babysit all these magical disasters —
His attention swapped to Lilith, to whom he held up a single finger: wait. He trusted that, with her being there, he'd be less inclined to barbecue whoever walked through that door.
"Enter," he called, and folded his arms upon the desk.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2022 5:59 pm
A week. Lilith inclined her head. That would be enough time to get the preliminaries done, at least. The knock on the door made her frown, and she turned back towards it with some interest. It wouldn't be Alkmene unless it was an emergency; he knew she and Faustite had a meeting, and if he was interrupting, there would be no knocking in that case. So...who?
Well, this was going to be interesting. So, another brief incline of the head, and she shifted in her seat so she could watch the door.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2022 12:14 pm
There was a lot that could happen in the next minute, hell even 30 seconds, but hearing that muffled voice beckon him to enter Helio paused. It was only a second, maybe two, but internally the battle felt like eons long. It was his last chance to run. He could just teleport away and be done with it. Say ******** it to everything and not face past demons and…emotions.
But, playing a game of doorbell dash, a very dangerous form of it, was not who he was. He’d grown and damnit if he wasn’t going to try and prove he wasn’t who he was years ago.
Steeling himself with a deep breath he let out between pursed lips, the corrupt turned the doorknob and entered.
The office was certainly an upgrade from the last one. Larger, but more noticeable was the fact the furniture appeared to be more fire resilient. Metal and…it had to be glass. Plastic would surely not hold to the Generals fiery disposition.
There appeared to be decor of sorts as well. Something Helio never remember Faustite bothering with in his last office. Though, that one they were lucky to find a chair still left standing in it and not charred to ashes.
Golden eyes flickered over a large I sent leg mounted like a trophy on the wall. Youma of course since no insect grew to such a size. And…was that Christmas decor? Interesting.
The senshi sitting in front of the desk Helio acknowledge with the smallest nod of his head, but the most interesting one on the room was what quickly caught Helio’s full attention. General Faustite. He’d changed.
Closing the door behind him, Helio stood just beyond it’s precipice. Forcing an anxious smile he clasped hands behind his back. “Hello, General. I hope you don’t mind that I dropped in but I have some things I wanted to discuss with you.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2022 1:31 pm
His first thought was Headache. Faustite rose.
His second thought — "You're not dead." Spoken with incredulity, handled with a gentle warble in his voice. Flame eyes glittered with black and he smiled a mirthless thing. "You're not dead and you didn't think to ******** tell me?" The words crackled at the end, superheated, half slag by the time they came off his tongue.
He'd tented his fingers on the desk, but now he moved to round it. Knew Lilith was still there — his insurance against impulsively starseeding his prodigal subordinate and proving his assumption true. Moving with purpose, he approached the offending boy.
Heliodor. Still alive. Somehow. ******** knows where he'd been over the past couple years.
"Shut the ******** door," he ordered. From subspace he pulled the cincher, a foreign device tooled from alien leather and metal. It fit about him and banked the fire, reducing him from oven hot to fever pitch. He reminded himself twice over: don't starseed the stupid ******** boy. He might have information, for all that his sudden presence portended. Hoped that he brought only good news.
He hugged the boy. Felt strange, throwing his arms around Heliodor. Felt strange for anyone, anymore, but — Heliodor had been a ghost for so long. "Thought you walked yourself into the Hall of Shadows, you b*****d," he murmured near his subordinate's ear.
Couldn't let that last long, however. He slid away, cleared his throat, approached his desk again. "Lilith, this is Heliodor. Used to be partnered with me under a different team. Heliodor, this is Lilith — newly promoted senshi and one of the few on my team with thoughts in her head.
"So." He paused at his desk, sat once again on his stool. "Tell me why you're here."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2022 4:33 pm
Whoever this was, it was clear he and Faustite had a connection. An old teammate, perhaps? That made this entire thing much more interesting; still, she turned her attention to Nembus's file. No need to intrude more than she already was on their reunion.
Still, she was listening. Paying attention. Better to get to know who this was, especially if they were going to be working together. A polite smile and returned nod was the greeting he got back from her, but she was obviously not center stage here, and for the better.
The introduction made her snort, amused.
"High praise," she said. "A pleasure to meet you, Heliodor." She stood, and extended her hand for a more proper greeting. "Always good to see prodigals make their way back home."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 13, 2022 6:12 pm
Heliodor didn’t know what to expect from Faustite. His memories of the other boy were mixed. Some tender moments stolen in privacy and others painful and humiliating. So, as the General approached, a mixture of emotions on display, the corrupt tensed. He damn well knew how easy it would be for his life to end right then and there. Either by star seed of flame. “I could say the same to you.” He muttered softly in response, his own eyes wide but misty.
He watched in fascination, as the flaming core of the half-youma was concealed within some sort of article of clothing. He had only a moment to take stock of it before the General’s arms were wrapped around him in a fierce, engaging embrace.
At first, Helio didn’t respond, took surprised but the reaction he could not have ever imagined happening, but muscles relaxed and he returned the gesture, arms encircling the small waist, forgetting the fact that in the past, if he had done this, how quickly he would have burned. But it didn’t matter. “Can’t get rid of me that easily, I am afraid.” He responded back with a light chuckle.
And as soon as that the initial reunion was over and Faustite pulled away, taking with him a warmth Heliodor instantly missed.
As Faustite retreated and began introductions, Heliodor turned to Lilith and flashed her a charming smile. “Yes well, I think prodigal is going a bit far.” He said. “I can’t say I was the easiest of subordinates.
He turned back to Faustite at the simple question, a gentle smile having replaced the stern face of worry. Finally he moved further into the room, laving the illusion of his emergency escape. “To rejoin your team.” He spoke matter-of-factly. “If you’ll have me back that is.” He found one of the glass and metal chairs flanking the opposite side of the desk from the General and sat himself in it leaning against the metal arm of the furniture,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2022 4:28 pm
Damn right it was high praise. Most of his team was hopeless cannon fodder, but Lilith and Alkmene were some of the gems in the garbage heap. The rest? Sure, he cared about them, but they made for terrible agents. Albite included.
"Don't feel that you have to stay for this," he offered to Lilith. She had her assignment, and there would be a later date that Heliodor was formally introduced to the team. Better that they all meet him at once.
Especially since he was asking to come back into his team. As if there was any doubt about where he belonged.
"Surprised you're asking." He shifted, crossed one leg over the other, knit his hands together before his mouth. "Sit.
"Think you'll find that a lot as changed. If you reassign yourself to me, you agree by default to my terms. Don't need to tell you about quotas, but you will have subordinates. Expect all my Supers and Captains to instruct Basics and Lieutenants. Expect you to specialize if you haven't already. And you'll start your own projects — something to carry you into Eternal." Somewhere in his explanation, his hands had gotten free, and outlined each of his words with light gesticulations.
"If you agree, I'll draft the memo to Axinite." Because Hessonite hated paperwork.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2022 1:35 am
Lilith looked between the two of them, had the impression of an intimacy she shouldn't be present for. Faustite's words weren't per se a dismissal, but still, she felt as if she shouldn't linger long. So she stood, taking Nembus's file with her.
"I'll have a report for you within the week, sir," she said, and she bowed, then turned to leave the room. She would get to know Heliodor better later, and then discern exactly what she thought of him. So far, he seemed charming enough, but that was just an initial judgement. She wasn't sure what his charm was a front for--princeliness, or arrogance, or something serpentine? She could only guess.
A nod to both of them.
"I'll see you both another time," she said, and she moved towards the door. This was an interesting development. She would have to think on it more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2022 11:27 pm
As Lilith left them Heliodor focused his full attention on the General in front of him. It was odd, honestly. Almost deja. After all, it wasn’t odd at all for an exchange such as this to have happened between them. The main difference being the span of time from the last time to now even if it almost felt as if no time had gapped between them.
“Surprised?” He questioned while settling into one of the fire-proof chairs in the room, Heliodor grinned broadly as Faustite’s explanation and expectations.
“All of that seems fair enough.” He remarked with a wave of a hand. “I hadn’t expected to come back and sit on my a**, not when I chose to transfer back into your command.
“I have not chosen to specialize in anything but, I’ll think on it and make sure to inform you which branch I’ll move towards. I have some thoughts already on which one will be best.” In truth, he had expected this no matter which General he had been placed under when returning to DC. The negaverse branch in this city were much more motivated to make their warriors useful than those branches stationed in other more controlled cities.
He was curious though to see what had changed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2022 8:12 am
He nodded at Lilith's statement, watched her leave. She'd find something, if there was something to be found.
Then his attention fell to Heliodor, who settled well into his office again. Much had changed, between the room number and the furniture within it, even Faustite himself, but so much felt just as familiar as before. So, too, did the pooling dread that Schörl may have returned with the ghosts of her old team.
"Good," he answered, swallowing back more questions He seized one of the metal nib pens and set to work on a nearby, gently burnt page. He was careful to balance his wrist above it. "Report back in five days. Should give you ample time to reacclimatize. Think on your branch and how you want to get there, and I'll have your subordinate determined.
"And, Heliodor," he retired the pen. "Things have changed, but I need you to tell me where they're the same." He shot the boy a meaningful glance.
"Now, we've much to do."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
