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 Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2023 6:51 pm
Follows The Grove and the CodeTakes place late January, 2023.
“They’re really pretty,” he observed. He thought he and Elliot got really lucky in that their Wonders were right next to each other’s. It would probably be a huge relief for Devyn and Michael if they got the traveling tokens working properly. Michael was in the kitchen, trying to stay out of the way, but also wanting to hover and see what Soleiyu was doing. He felt responsible for at least trying to help, but he also didn’t want to mess anything up.
On the table, in a vase, were wildflowers from Sessrumnir. Michael felt guilty for picking them in the first place, but at least this way Soleiyu could run an analysis to make sure there wasn’t anything toxic or too concerning should they be planted in other places.
And he also wanted to get Devyn something nice, since next to the vase with wildflowers was the vase of flowers from Alastor. In all their teals and blues and gold shimmer. They were certainly more majestic than the simple wildflowers, but they were both beautiful.
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Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2023 8:49 pm
For the umpteenth time, Devyn stopped by the table to admire the flowers, and he seemed to love the ones from Sessrumnir as much as the ones from Alastor. He was equally interested in what Soleiyu was working on, but he knew he’d only be a distraction. He kept his distance so he didn’t disrupt Soleiyu’s project.
It didn’t stop him from asking the occasional question, or going to check in with Michael, or taking a jog around the neighborhood to make sure he wasn’t bothering anyone. Needing a snack was a good excuse to hover near Michael and pick at things.
He was nearby, resting against a counter while he worked on finishing up a few leftovers.
Soleiyu was seated at the table; he’d come prepared with his own tools and a notebook. He’d been at it for a while now and part of getting it to work was deconstructing it to get a base. Although, most of the deconstruction was hypothetical; he’d seen the way Devyn watched as he handled the pieces, and honestly he was surprised that Devyn had interjected more. He’d known these were old, and important to him.
He was doing his best under such scrutiny. Pressure didn’t seem to faze him though; rather, Soleiyu seemed to thrive with the attention just as much as with the puzzle he’d been left to finish.
“Someone put a lot of time into designing these.” He’d just finished replacing a small screw on one and moved onto the other. He had a few different tools around him, and despite having only paws to work with he still seemed adept at managing them. “I think it can work. The technology is solid, here. But then, I heard Percy was a skilled inventor. I’d have liked to meet him, I think. It’s made me very curious to see the other things he worked on. He does clean work. But then, he was an artist, so I’m not surprised that everything looks so put together. Technology can only go so far, though. They’ll need a bit of magic. But considering the relationship those two have already, I don’t think it’ll be too much trouble.”
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 8:40 am
“That’s really cool that you can figure all of that out. You’re really smart, Soleiyu. I bet Percy would have liked to meet you, too,” Atticus insisted as he continued to watch, although every so often he glanced over his shoulder to see if he could hear the water running in the bathroom, or if the shower had been turned off.
He wasn’t trying to be impatient! He’d just been excited to see Elliot, and it was even better now that Soleiyu had come to visit as well. There were still a lot of things he and Elliot needed to do on the Moon, but it was always interesting seeing what other places had hidden.
“Could you make something like that for anyone? I mean, I guess it would be like giving the keys to your house to someone, so they’d have to be trusted. I just think it could be really useful.”
He didn’t need to get to Elliot’s Wonder, but he did think it would be useful if Devyn could reach his Wonder. Although if he was getting one to go to Sessrumnir, maybe it would take too much magic to hold onto two. Michael took a step back when it seemed as though everything was still going okay with the inspection of the tokens. He couldn’t help but feel protective of them, not wanting anything to happen that would damage them.
He took a few steps back so he could lean against the counter next to Devyn, crossing his arms over his chest as he sighed.
“I’ve heard more Senshi like you have been showing up. Or at least one other that I’ve heard of. I can only assume there are more. My brother’s friend found him. The other knight of Jupiter I told you about. Bilskirnir.” The one that Chris admitted, with apology, to giving their identities to.
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 9:05 am
Soleiyu was thriving with the attention; he’d been perky from the project already, but Atticus was always such good company.
“It depends,” Soleiyu answered after a thoughtful moment. “Technology can do some things, but there’s always going to be an element of magic, too. Things we can try to manipulate but can’t always control. I can make the technology, but it doesn’t always mean the worlds can resonate in that same way. Especially with things as they are now. The worlds aren’t as strong as they used to be. And everywhere is so different, it’s hard to predict. But, we’ll see. I’m not the sort to give up.”
When Michael joined Devyn, he tilted his head to the side just slightly but took a bit longer to pull his gaze away from the tokens.
It gave him time to swallow his current mouthful, too.
“Oh?” Naturally, he was curious to find others from distant worlds. He’d come to terms with the fact that everyone he knew was gone–and then Solaris had shown up, and now he didn’t know who else–what else–might still be out there. “Anyone I know?”
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 9:20 am
“I think you’re doing really great,” Atticus promised, still intently watching everything Soleiyu was doing. He just hoped he wasn’t crowding him too much.
“I wish I was smart enough to be an inventor,” he hummed wistfully, but smiled and shook his head before anyone could tell him he could if he wanted. “It’s okay. I’m better at other things, I think.”
Or at least he was trying to be more positive about things. He was pretty good at pulling weeds and cleaning up dead plants and sweeping. That wasn’t as impressive as being an inventor, but that was okay, he hoped. “Not sure,” Michael frowned. “The details were vague. Seems like there was some confusion on his name, and I didn’t get much details beyond him being found,” he admitted. It wasn’t all that helpful, but at least Devyn knew there might be someone he knew. Someone who was probably struggling just as much as Devyn.
“Maybe we’ll figure out a time to meet him. Make sure he has everything he needs and make sure he’s trustworthy.”
He didn’t want anyone who was likely to join the Negaverse knowing the identities of his family, at least in appearance if not in name.
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 10:56 am
“Like your art?” Soleiyu prompted, and glanced up to give him a quick look. “I don’t think art and inventing are so very different. You’re inventing images into existence. At least, I look at my inventions and I think they’re art, too. So I think there’s an intersection where they meet. But that’s a very wise thing to say, Atticus. I’m proud of you. You should recognize that you’re good at many things. And there’s always time to learn. I’ve seen Michael’s garage, and I know Devyn’s had a hand at taking things apart and putting them back together. Sometimes. If you’re interested, I can always teach you a few things, too.”
He had a high opinion of Atticus still; the boy was young and had plenty of potential. If he had more faith in himself, he’d probably have a lot of open doors for his future.
In the other room, the water shut off. Elliot had promised only a quick shower, and judging by the vigorous sound of his movement from the other room, he was keen on keeping that promise.
Devyn tilted his head just slightly at the sound of what was probably just an elbow knocking against the wall. There was no cry of pain or call for help, so his attention found its way back to Michael easily.
“Well, whether I know him or not, I’m available if he wants company. Let me meet him, if I don’t know him,” he shrugged. “If I do, I’ll let you know if he’s any trouble. Although, I suppose it's been long enough to give someone time to change.”
He shrugged; he wasn’t particularly worried. He was hungry, though, so he picked up one grape for himself and popped it into his mouth before holding up the second for Michael.
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 11:58 am
Atticus blinked at Soleiyu in surprise for a moment, then had to chew on his lip to stop himself from smiling too obviously, and to try and keep his eyes from getting too hot with emotions. His cheeks were flushed with color and he wiggled a little where he was seated as if he wasn’t sure what to do with the words of praise.
He didn’t think his art and inventing was too similar. He was just making things to look at, while inventing things made others’ lives easier. A painting of his couldn’t exactly help teleport people to other worlds.
But that didn’t mean he didn’t appreciate everything Soleiyu said and was offering him.
“I would like that, please,” he squeaked finally, when he was sure he wasn’t going to start crying over something like Soleiyu saying he was proud of him. He laughed nervously and cleared his throat, and fiddled with one of the bracelets he was wearing that he’d made. It matched the headband he was wearing, which he also made. Michael held his breath for a moment, as though waiting to hear if there was anything other than shuffling around in the bathroom, and when there wasn’t any more noises to draw concern, he turned to Devyn so he could playfully bite not just the grape from Devyn’s fingers, but his fingers as well.
“I guess Chris and Paris have another property near their house where they’re planning on housing any others that show up. I think this one is staying with Chris’ friend, but who knows what might happen.”
Did he like that there were alien Senshi being housed so close to where his mother and brother and his family were living? Not really. But they were adults. And they were acutely aware of the dangers of the war. This wasn’t a decision they took lightly. Just as it wasn’t a quick decision to take Atticus in. Not that they wouldn’t have if that was the proper way to do things, but with the legalities before things escalated, well… even protecting his identity put the Reids at risk.
“But thanks, I appreciate it. I just want to know what we’re dealing with. All I know is that he’s got some kind of water magic.”
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 12:31 pm
Soleiyu glanced at him from the corner of his eye, just to make sure that he was okay. From across the room, Devyn watched him to make sure he didn't need to intervene in some way. Michael’s antics were sufficiently distracting, but he reached for two more grapes all the same.
“Well, we’ll have to pick out a time that you’re free, I’ll bring over some projects,” Soleiyu said; his tail twitched just enough to brush against Atticus’ arm.
It wasn’t something that Devyn had thought Atticus might be interested in; they often sat together to work on their projects together, but he supposed there was always a more crafty element
He ate his grape and looked like he was considering giving Michael another one.
“Water magic, huh. That sounds fun.” He didn’t sound delighted, but he shrugged it off all the same. “My schedule is flexible, let me know when you want to go. I’d rather be safe than sorry.” He was used to running into danger and being certain he could handle it, but it was different when it was Michael’s family.
Chris and Paris were strong, he never doubted them, but he couldn’t help that he had more faith in himself than others. He didn’t know them as well as he knew himself, and he just wanted to make sure that Michael didn’t have to deal with any other losses. He knew they knew what they were doing, he knew they were safe and smart.
He didn’t want anything bad to happen to them. Especially if it was something he might have been able to help prevent.
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 12:40 pm
He didn’t know that he would want to try. He’d always enjoyed watching Devyn work on his projects, but he felt like he would just mess it up. His hands weren’t always the most coordinated, especially when he needed to unscrew things or open little bags. But Soleiyu was working with his paws, so that probably meant Atticus might be able to do something, right?
“Okay, that sounds like fun. Oh, but will you have any free time? You must be so busy all the time. So many people rely on you,” he pointed out with a small worried frown. But he giggled at the brush of Soleiyu’s tail against his arm. Michael watched Devyn’s movements expectantly, as though he was waiting for another grape to be put in range for him to eat.
But he paused to laugh softly at Devyn’s less than enthusiastic response to the type of magic the Senshi had.
“It’ll be fine as long as he’s not trying to attack you. Probably,” Michael said as he nudged Devyn with his elbow. He appreciated Devyn’s desire to help him figure out if his family was in danger. Not just from the Senshi, but to make sure everything else was okay.
“Once bitten, twice shy?” he teased, nodding to the grape.
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 1:24 pm
“I’ll make free time,” Soleiyu promised, and worked quite hard to hide the smile Atticus’ laugh had summoned. “I’m never too busy for an important lesson. But, it’ll be fun. Besides, I’ll want to see what you’ve all been up to. You’re always getting into exciting things. You have to take me to the Moon still, too. When you’re ready. I know you boys are still working.”
And Soleiyu suspected, quite understandably, that he wasn’t at the top of their list of people to take. Michael and Devyn would have been good first choices. He could wait his turn; the more they got cleaned up, the more he’d enjoy the experience, anyway.
Devyn huffed quietly so as not to disturb the two at the table. “Shy? Me? Never.”
He held the grape up. “I’m not afraid of him if he tries to attack me. I’m sure I can take him if he gets any ideas. Not afraid of you biting me, either. Besides, I think I liked it.”
The bathroom door opened, though it sounded like Elliot was hopping around–probably to get a sock on, but he seemed committed to hurrying.
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 5:31 pm
“Oh, yes. We’ll definitely let everyone visit once it’s cleaned up some more. It’s a lot, but we’ve got a good bit done, I think. We were hoping things would start growing back if we cleared things out, but… I mean, we’re not just getting rid of everything! Any of the dried seed pods we’ve been collecting. And there might be bulbs that are just dormant,” he rambled, both excited and anxious to talk about his and Elliot’s Wonders.
But speaking of Elliot, Atticus perked up when he heard the sound of the bathroom door open. He didn’t want to seem impatient, but he was excited to talk to Elliot about his practice. Michael grinned, leaning over so he could bite the grape out of Devyn’s fingers, but he didn’t bite him. Not this time.
“Guess I should be careful if you liked it,” he hummed as he chewed. He would have bitten him, but he didn’t want to tease Devyn too much when the boys and Soleiyu were around.
“Maybe I’ll see how shy you can be later,” Michael whispered, leaning around Devyn so he could pick up a couple grapes for himself, and pressed one to Devyn’s lips.
Although he was keeping an eye on Atticus and Soleiyu to make sure he didn’t distract them too much.
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 5:49 pm
Devyn raised a brow, and because he was trying to be good, especially with company. Especially with young company around. He tried so hard not to smile as he opened his mouth for the grape. He crunched down on it. “Good luck,” he snickered.
“Michael, can I have a sandwich?” Elliot asked. It must have been something he’d been thinking about in the shower because he was hardly around the corner when he asked. “I can run home real fast otherwise. But I am starving.”
Not starving enough that he didn’t immediately perk up when he saw Atticus
Elliot had visibly hurried; he was dressed just fine, but his hair was particularly fluffy in its hastily dried, damp state.
He had to brush it out of his eyes to make eye contact, but smiled brightly as he did so. “Did you eat already, Atticus? I can make you something, too.” He half turned to Michael and Devyn, squinted at them, and then said, “And you two, if you’re hungry.”
If he could get them out of the kitchen, anyway. They looked like they were up to no good.
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 6:04 pm
Their antics were momentarily paused by the appearance of Elliot, and Michael snorted with amusement that Elliot thought he had to go home to get something to eat.
“You can always help yourself, here,” he promised, arranging his expression to look as innocent as possible when Elliot squinted at him and Devyn. Kid was smart and probably wouldn’t be as blissfully unaware of the flirting as Atticus.
“Why don’t we get out of your way?” he offered, but not before grabbing the bowl of grapes. He took a step away from the counter to give Elliot access to whatever he needed in the kitchen, and moved over to where Soleiyu was working on the tokens, no longer able to ignore them.
“So we still need to draw some magic for them to work? We could try sticking them in your World’s Core,” he half joked as he glanced up at Devyn. Atticus was immediately distracted when Elliot appeared, and he smiled fondly at him in his attempt not to giggle at how disheveled his hair looked. It was cute! But he would probably regret letting it dry like that.
“I waited for you,” he chirped as he got up from the table. “Thank you. I can help. Oh, but let me fix your hair first?” he requested as he moved close enough to reach out and gently touch Elliot’s hair, fussing over it for a few moments, before leaning close to give him a kiss on his cheek.
“I’ll get a brush and be right back,” he promised.
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 6:14 pm
Devyn could tell he was joking, but he turned to him and answered, “Well, that’s usually my go-to, anyway. It’s been good to me so far.” He nodded to the necklace Michael wore and seemed proud enough about that. “If anything was going to connect someone to my world, I’d bet it would be the Core. And it shares its magic with people it likes.”
He moved a little closer and hooked his arm around Michael’s at the elbow. “It likes you, plenty, so I’m sure we’ll have Alastor’s blessing.”
Elliot was vaguely aware of the two of them, and he partly felt bad for having them move from the kitchen when he was already distracted by Atticus. “For you, I can wait,” Elliot promised, and took a seat at the table next to where the other boy had been sitting.
He still had a lot of energy–or, he was really just excited to have Atticus play with his hair. He sat at the chair and kicked his feet a bit beneath him.
“I tried to take a quick shower but it still seems like I missed a lot. Those almost look finished?”
“They are almost finished. At least, as much as I can get them,” Soleiyu confirmed. He finally glanced up from his work and set down the screwdriver he’d been using. “I can make adjustments as we go, but I think the next step is going to be to take these and see if you can get your worlds to connect. I’ve never made anything like this before, so there might be some trial and error. But I think this should work. Theoretically, it’s got all the pieces it needs. Percy was really close to what I would have done, I just did a bit of clean up and made a few tweaks.”
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Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 6:27 pm
Michael snorted again, this time for Devyn’s comments. It was obvious that Devyn liked him, and he didn’t feel uncomfortable around the Core when he was there before, but he felt strangely nervous about putting himself in front of it for judgment, like he had with Sessrumnir’s Code Piece.
“Alright,” he relented, taking a grape with his free hand now that his other arm was hooked with Devyn’s, and offered it to him. “We’ll try to charge it with your Core I guess.”
He turned his attention to Soleiyu as Atticus ran off to get a hairbrush, nodding in acknowledgement of the Mauvian’s observations.
“Which one do you want?” he asked Devyn then, nodding to the two pieces, one black and one gold. “Percy must have intended for one to be yours, since they’re not completely identical.” Atticus didn’t take along at all to grab a brush off the bathroom counter and hurry back to where Elliot was waiting. He gently brushed his fingers through Elliot’s hair first, and then started working on it with the brush.
“Tell me if I’m too rough,” he requested, although it was obvious that he was doing his best to be as gentle as possible.
“I’m excited to see if they work. Oh, but I hope they don’t send either of you to places you didn’t intend on going,” Atticus winced, not wanting to think about Devyn appearing out in the storm on Jupiter, or Michael ending up in the river.
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