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 Posted: Thu May 25, 2023 5:41 pm
One moment, Daedalus was trying to tell Murikabushi that he didn't need to interfere, that Daedalus was fine, that he would figure all this out. Because this was Merak, and he needed to know--to understand--
The next, there was a hand on his elbow and they were somewhere else.
Wherever they were, it was far enough from the fighting that Daedalus could start breathing again. His first deep breath of clean air, clear of smoke, made him cough a few times, but it was nothing like the awful, full-body racking coughs he'd been experiencing before, so...improvement.
The next breath came clear, and Daedalus jerked his head up to look at the stranger wearing something far too like Merak's face.
"....Where are we?"
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Posted: Thu May 25, 2023 5:49 pm
For a moment, Langite’s vision swam and he took a few steps, sitting down on the bench that he knew was there and making it look like it wasn’t because he was past his limit. Crossing one leg over the other, he tried to focus on the horned Senshi, and was pleased that it looked as though he was struggling to come back to himself too.
Good. Very good.
As to where they were, they were right near Langite’s home since he knew he wouldn’t be able to teleport again tonight, but…that wasn’t going to be communicated, obviously. “Away from the fire and away from the fuss. I should think you’d be grateful.”
Good, his voice was still stead, quiet and a little haughty. None of his fatigue was seeping in quite yet.
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Posted: Thu May 25, 2023 5:56 pm
Unhelpful. Daedalus was now on his own, in an unfamiliar part of an unfamiliar city, with someone who had every reason to want to do him harm. Since, well. They were, strictly, enemies, Daedalus suppose,d if Merak really was bent towards serving the Negaverse.
With his head beginning to clear, and the situation more carefully evaluated, Daedalus knew that he was in very grave and very terrible danger.
"I suppose I ought to be," he acknowledged, taking another deep breath of air that was neither smoky nor hot. "Though I must admit, I'm curious as to why you brought me with you."
Wouldn't it have been easier to shove him away and leave him behind for the fires? But, perhaps.
It was silly to hope. But perhaps some part of Merak recognized him. Felt the same pull to him that Daedalus himself felt.
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Posted: Thu May 25, 2023 6:06 pm
“You seemed hellbent to stay with me, and that ballerina wanted you and…” Langite shrugged, glancing away and stifling a yawn. He endeavored to look bored and thought that he was successful, though he wasn’t completely sure.
“My only regret is I don’t get to see what my magic does to him...but I’m sure there will be other times to figure that out.”
Stifling another yawn, Langite ran his hand over his eyes and looked back at the Senshi. “Tell me, why do you have horns, and why shouldn’t I simply kill you so that I can mount them on my wall like some wonderful trophy? Because I will admit. The temptation is very great.”
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Posted: Thu May 25, 2023 6:16 pm
Ballerina. What a description for Murikabushi. Daedalus had seen a few of those, in his wanderings across the Internet and general efforts to learn and understand Earth culture. It wasn't...not an apt description for Muriakbushi's outfit, he supposed.
"I was quite invested in staying with you, yes," Daedalus confessed. How did he explain this? Any of it? To someone who clearyl wasn't familiar?
Never mind that....well. He'd already knownt hat this wasn't his Merak. But there was something chilling about the casual way he talked about wanting to see how his magic affected people. Like it was an experiment, and they were all his unwilling test subjects.
"I have horns because I'm not human," Daedalus said, because it was true and because answering questions might keep him alive, "and you shouldn't kill me because that would be a waste. I've been a Senshi for a thousand years. And I knew you. Your previous incarnation. You're Merak, the Senshi of Longing."
And I loved you, and I failed you.
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Posted: Thu May 25, 2023 7:21 pm
“Because my magic made you think I was someone else? That’s understandable. It’s always fun to see what it does.” He continued to watch the Senshi and scoffed, though seemed at least a little interested by the fact that he said he had been a Senshi for a thousand years…that.
That was worth investigating. “Explain? How have you been a Senshi for so long…why have you existed for so long? And no, my name is Langite now, not Merak. I’ve never heard of the name Merak. And I prefer Langite. But, you are correct, I am the Negaverse Senshi of Longing. Who are you?”
He was feeling much more in control of himself, and his vision had stopped blurring so much. Still, the yawn that overtook Langite this time was too powerful to stifle and he scoffed at his own weakness.
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Posted: Thu May 25, 2023 7:39 pm
"No," Daedalus said firmly. "I'm not confused, and it wasn't your magic. You are the reincarnation of Sailor Merak. Even if they call you Langite, now."
The name tasted like poison on his tongue. Was this what the Negaverse did? Stealing everything from its Senshi, even their very names? Worse, and more pernicious, than Daedalus had even begun to know.
"I..." He exhaled. "I don't know why I've lived for so long. My people--we could love for a century or two, but never this long. Certainly not...like this." He gestured to himself, unaged--still twenty-six, perhaps twenty-six forever. "My best guess is that my planet held me in some kind of stasis, as a last line of defense against the Chaos that had infected it."
The yawn gave him pause, and he considered, for a moment, before-- "You can drain energy, yes? Can you use it to help yourself? You seem exhausted."
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Posted: Thu May 25, 2023 7:49 pm
“Whatever you think, I would appreciate if you call me the name that I prefer. That is how things work on this planet. I’m sure it must be hard for some…” He almost said something, but amended it. “Someone like you to understand, but I am Langite. I wish to be Langite. And I won’t change from that.”
He looked thoughtful and nodded. “Yes. I can take energy, and if you’re offering, I would love to take some from you. Come sit next to me.”
It would be a good way to get out of here and get home. If Langite could drain this idiot into unconsciousness…well. He could simply power down and walk home and have energy for his quota.
It was a win by all accounts.
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Posted: Thu May 25, 2023 7:57 pm
Daedalus let out a tense breath. "You're right. I'm sorry. Langite. Now that I know, I have no excuse."
With little further fanfare, he moved to sit down on the bench, and offered his arm. Perhaps it was a formality, but it felt right to more actively participate in...whatever this was. In offering himself up to help Langite, since Langite had rescued him and was currently being quite decent towards him. He might have choked on smoke, there, and there would have been little Murikabushi or anyone could do.
"Take what you need," he said, voice soft. It wasn't penance, not really, because the person he owed penance to was dead. But it was something.
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Posted: Thu May 25, 2023 8:05 pm
Langite looked at the arm and shook his head slightly, pushing it back down into Daedalus’ lap. “You still have not introduced yourself, and I’m beginning to think that you don’t wish to. I’m wondering if you’re simply rude or just aren’t hearing when I’ve been asking. You claim to know me, you’ve told me that you’re older than dirt, yet I don’t know your name or what you are the Senshi of.”
He began drawing energy from the male, holding his hand away and watching as the small ball began to grow as he drew more.
“I think I deserve to know that at least. Since you seem to know who I was, once upon a time. Or, so you say.”
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Posted: Thu May 25, 2023 8:16 pm
"Ah--" Daedalus had said his name, but it had been in the chaos of the battlefield, so it did sort of make sense that Langite hadn't heard. He shook his head, folding his arms in his lap.
"Daedalus. Senshi of Progress." He watched, with some interest, as the ball of energy formed--the ball of his energy.
And it was definitely making him tired. He was already wrung out, from the flare-up and the fire and the stress and all of it, and actually being energy drained was not helping.
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Posted: Thu May 25, 2023 8:24 pm
“Daedalus, Senshi of Progress…I’ll remember that.” Langite continued to draw more and more energy and finally, when he had a sizable amount he got to his feet. “I’m leaving now, Daedalus. Perhaps one day we’ll meet again.”
The energy was placed into subspace and he looked at the male for a moment before he gently tugged him down on the bench so that he was laying down rather than sitting up. “Farewell.”
And then, as swiftly as he could, Langite disappeared into the night.
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Posted: Thu May 25, 2023 8:29 pm
"Mm," Daedalus nodded, when Langite said he was leaving. He felt....weighed down. Exhausted. "I hope we see each other again."
Not that it mattered. Langite was....helping him lay down, and the bench wasn't very comfortable, but it wasn't the worst place Daedalus had ever slept.
It was only a few moments before he found himself falling asleep.
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