Seiana_ZI
To be honest, Faustite’s return came as a mix of a relief and a surprise to one Captain Borax.
It was a relief in the sense that there was someone already familiar with him watching. Familiar with him who may grant him what he was seeking. Familiar with the team, so he didn't have to try to kiss the boot of a different General-Sovereign. Familiar with Borax enough that perhaps his manner would not be questioned.
Surprise because it had been a while. Surprise because his retreat had seemed understandable. Albite had been managing the team alright, so far as he could tell. Borax had taken much into his own hands, and perhaps that had driven much of why he wanted to seek out Faustite when he returned, but there was something that had driven an initial hesitance.
Ah, right. Faustite couldn't speak.
Borax had nothing against that, innately. Faustite’s power was still immense, and an inability to speak did not take that from him. Borax, however, had never been properly tutored in other languages. This included sign language.
Perhaps this caused Borax to spend an unusual amount of time at home attempting to seek out a tutor in sign, or at least teach himself the basics. Not having his brain wired properly for learning anything like another language would make the progression frustratingly slow, but Borax wouldn't say a damn thing about that. He would keep bashing his head against it. That was, until he was interrupted by an urging from Albite.
He should go seek out Faustite.
He might approve.
Borax did have some things to talk to him about, it was true. With approval, perhaps he could start running missions of his own. Perhaps he could start luring the White Moon into traps and killing them off. Perhaps–
Borax was, perhaps, thinking too lofty. But he did want to see what this was about.
Hopefully, it wouldn't be a strike against him that his understanding was … lacking.
Borax knocked on Faustite's office door.
It was a relief in the sense that there was someone already familiar with him watching. Familiar with him who may grant him what he was seeking. Familiar with the team, so he didn't have to try to kiss the boot of a different General-Sovereign. Familiar with Borax enough that perhaps his manner would not be questioned.
Surprise because it had been a while. Surprise because his retreat had seemed understandable. Albite had been managing the team alright, so far as he could tell. Borax had taken much into his own hands, and perhaps that had driven much of why he wanted to seek out Faustite when he returned, but there was something that had driven an initial hesitance.
Ah, right. Faustite couldn't speak.
Borax had nothing against that, innately. Faustite’s power was still immense, and an inability to speak did not take that from him. Borax, however, had never been properly tutored in other languages. This included sign language.
Perhaps this caused Borax to spend an unusual amount of time at home attempting to seek out a tutor in sign, or at least teach himself the basics. Not having his brain wired properly for learning anything like another language would make the progression frustratingly slow, but Borax wouldn't say a damn thing about that. He would keep bashing his head against it. That was, until he was interrupted by an urging from Albite.
He should go seek out Faustite.
He might approve.
Borax did have some things to talk to him about, it was true. With approval, perhaps he could start running missions of his own. Perhaps he could start luring the White Moon into traps and killing them off. Perhaps–
Borax was, perhaps, thinking too lofty. But he did want to see what this was about.
Hopefully, it wouldn't be a strike against him that his understanding was … lacking.
Borax knocked on Faustite's office door.
Strickenized
Faustite now encountered a conundrum anytime someone knocked. To knock was in expectation of an answer, a bid to enter, a bid to leave. Faustite could say neither.
When a Captain knocked at his office door, Faustite looked up from his work. He took advantage of the interim silence to roll up the map before him methodically, slide it back into its protective metal case, and set it inside his opened bookshelf. Once he turned the key in its lock and returned that key to subspace, he thought it time enough that the waiting visitor should enter.
He had in his possession only one means to enticing his company to enter. It was a kangling, fashioned on his own with some guidance while he was shipped out, He had painted it himself, carved the designs into the exposed bone, and hollowed it accordingly. He picked it up and blew into it, whereupon a single note sounded.
It was up to the Captain to catch the hint.
When a Captain knocked at his office door, Faustite looked up from his work. He took advantage of the interim silence to roll up the map before him methodically, slide it back into its protective metal case, and set it inside his opened bookshelf. Once he turned the key in its lock and returned that key to subspace, he thought it time enough that the waiting visitor should enter.
He had in his possession only one means to enticing his company to enter. It was a kangling, fashioned on his own with some guidance while he was shipped out, He had painted it himself, carved the designs into the exposed bone, and hollowed it accordingly. He picked it up and blew into it, whereupon a single note sounded.
It was up to the Captain to catch the hint.
Seiana_ZI
Perhaps, on one hand, he should have expected the delays. For one, it would be difficult for Faustite to respond verbally, considering he could not. He didn't know if Headache was in the room, and didn't know if he even would want Headache in the room. Also, it was likely that Faustite was busy, considering he might need to catch up on things since he had left.
On the other hand, it wasn't necessarily stopping some of the nerves. Did he come at a bad time? Would that hurt him in the end? What was he waiting for? What was Albite's urging for in the first place? Borax could certainly take some guesses, but he didn't necessarily want to get too ahead of himself.
By the same measure, he didn't think he was getting ahead of himself. Borax's confidence knew relatively little bounds. It knew enough to be realistic, in that he certainly was not an expert in sign language at this point, but that didn't necessarily stop him from making assumptions that perhaps he had made his point. Of course, he would need Faustite to find some way to declare that himself.
Borax's thoughts were spinning wheels and kicking up dust until he heard the … flute? Was that a flute? Was Faustite a flutist?
That was a question for later. He could take a hint. He understood there was no way for him to be talked to to be beckoned inside, so Borax was willing to make the assumption that that was a beckon to him. After all, until that point, it had been relatively quiet.
Borax tried the door and then opened it fully accordingly.
His greeting to Faustite was first a respectful nod of his head and then a follow-up, “Faustite.” Was he confident enough to sign any of this? Unlikely. The last he wanted to do was make a fool of himself. “Good to see you back in Destiny City.”
The unusual lack of confidence didn't quite stop him from tapping his chin as a way to remind himself what the sign for good was.
“Didn't know you were a flutist.”
On the other hand, it wasn't necessarily stopping some of the nerves. Did he come at a bad time? Would that hurt him in the end? What was he waiting for? What was Albite's urging for in the first place? Borax could certainly take some guesses, but he didn't necessarily want to get too ahead of himself.
By the same measure, he didn't think he was getting ahead of himself. Borax's confidence knew relatively little bounds. It knew enough to be realistic, in that he certainly was not an expert in sign language at this point, but that didn't necessarily stop him from making assumptions that perhaps he had made his point. Of course, he would need Faustite to find some way to declare that himself.
Borax's thoughts were spinning wheels and kicking up dust until he heard the … flute? Was that a flute? Was Faustite a flutist?
That was a question for later. He could take a hint. He understood there was no way for him to be talked to to be beckoned inside, so Borax was willing to make the assumption that that was a beckon to him. After all, until that point, it had been relatively quiet.
Borax tried the door and then opened it fully accordingly.
His greeting to Faustite was first a respectful nod of his head and then a follow-up, “Faustite.” Was he confident enough to sign any of this? Unlikely. The last he wanted to do was make a fool of himself. “Good to see you back in Destiny City.”
The unusual lack of confidence didn't quite stop him from tapping his chin as a way to remind himself what the sign for good was.
“Didn't know you were a flutist.”
Strickenized
Faustite watched the passing sign language as Borax entered and arched a brow. He supposed that meant he wouldn't need to write for Borax or use Headache as an interpreter, which felt like a much-needed convenience. He could not have summoned the ball of bugs if he wanted to; it needed its recuperation time in the Rift.
Faustite wished they had some form of Rift crystal generator so youma could at least stay in the Castle indefinitely. But, given that Faustite could not maintain a human look longer than three hours no matter how much he ate or slept beforehand, it was understandable that they hadn't yet devised such an item. That meant more work for the team members who learned sign language, he supposed.
He motioned for Borax to take a seat on one of the wrought-iron and red plastic upholstered chairs. Once the boy was settled, Faustite offered his quip in a few quick gestures: Ever met a gay man who wasn't a flutist?
Rhetoricals aside, Faustite spared little time for Borax to brood on it. He was already scooting back on his overwrought metal chair, then digging through a metal drawer for a nondescript heat-resistant plastic folder. Once he retrieved it, he turned it about and sat it before Borax. Inside was the formal application for Borax's promotion, complete with Albite's unfortunate scrawl and ridiculous stickers, edited and corrected by Ilmari where salvageable, and signed by Faustite.
Then he waited, hands folded in his lap, as his crossed leg bounced with a lazy rhythm.
Faustite wished they had some form of Rift crystal generator so youma could at least stay in the Castle indefinitely. But, given that Faustite could not maintain a human look longer than three hours no matter how much he ate or slept beforehand, it was understandable that they hadn't yet devised such an item. That meant more work for the team members who learned sign language, he supposed.
He motioned for Borax to take a seat on one of the wrought-iron and red plastic upholstered chairs. Once the boy was settled, Faustite offered his quip in a few quick gestures: Ever met a gay man who wasn't a flutist?
Rhetoricals aside, Faustite spared little time for Borax to brood on it. He was already scooting back on his overwrought metal chair, then digging through a metal drawer for a nondescript heat-resistant plastic folder. Once he retrieved it, he turned it about and sat it before Borax. Inside was the formal application for Borax's promotion, complete with Albite's unfortunate scrawl and ridiculous stickers, edited and corrected by Ilmari where salvageable, and signed by Faustite.
Then he waited, hands folded in his lap, as his crossed leg bounced with a lazy rhythm.
Seiana_ZI
Once he was fully welcomed inside, Borax took the seat he was gestured to, nodding in thanks for the invitation. To himself, and partially to Faustite, he found himself signing thank you, trying his best to practice every piece he could. The only way language would stick was by immersion, right? That was what his tutor had told him.
Of course, he found himself confronting the first mistake of his immersion – Faustite fell into signing everything immediately. It was understandable, but what did he just say? Distracted from the initial task of taking the folder for a few moments, he mentally went through the signs that Faustite had made. He gathered flutist fairly quickly from context, there was to meet in there… Oh.
The second it clicked fully, Borax didn't hold back the snort.
“Fair enough.”
Perhaps he had spent too much time reflecting on it, lost somewhere reflecting inappropriately, and he murmured an apology as he pulled the folder presented to him just a bit closer. This was likely why he was needed in the office. Whatever Albite said he would appreciate was scrawled in there somewhere.
In … whatever this was saying. Albite's handwriting was … unfortunate. He found himself looking to Ilmari’s modifications and, finally, Faustite's signature more than anything else.
… Oh. He had been right.
It was hard to resist grinning. Borax was a model of corporate pride, a more modest smile with a hint of a grin wanting to form, as he glanced back up to Faustite. “I would be honoured.”
Of course, he found himself confronting the first mistake of his immersion – Faustite fell into signing everything immediately. It was understandable, but what did he just say? Distracted from the initial task of taking the folder for a few moments, he mentally went through the signs that Faustite had made. He gathered flutist fairly quickly from context, there was to meet in there… Oh.
The second it clicked fully, Borax didn't hold back the snort.
“Fair enough.”
Perhaps he had spent too much time reflecting on it, lost somewhere reflecting inappropriately, and he murmured an apology as he pulled the folder presented to him just a bit closer. This was likely why he was needed in the office. Whatever Albite said he would appreciate was scrawled in there somewhere.
In … whatever this was saying. Albite's handwriting was … unfortunate. He found himself looking to Ilmari’s modifications and, finally, Faustite's signature more than anything else.
… Oh. He had been right.
It was hard to resist grinning. Borax was a model of corporate pride, a more modest smile with a hint of a grin wanting to form, as he glanced back up to Faustite. “I would be honoured.”
Strickenized
This was the one that his dear boy thought to promote. On one hand, it was sensible — Borax seemed very motivated to perform well and meet the metrics required of him, and seldom seemed bothered by some of the baser duties expected of him. Rather, Faustite thought he relished those opportunities, but if that kept him motivated, then Faustite supposed that was well enough. They still needed energy, they still used starseeds. And Faustite never cared to ask from whom those starseeds were plucked.
He nodded briefly. Honored or not, the deed would be done. Another high-ranking officer was to join their roster at Albite's behest. That Albite thought it might motivate Jadarite to strive for more accolades was simultaneously a treacherous and amusing prospect.
He felt for Hestia, however. She was terribly dedicated. She deserved better.
Far be it for him to be choosy over the Negaverse's promotions, however. Faustite stood and rounded his desk in a few paces, stopping at the taller man's side. A black hand beckoned him upwards with lengthy talons, and Faustite rest his hip against his desk expectantly. He knew Borax would not dally about and waste his time. No, he'd much rather look self-impressed as he received his rewards.
Faustite supposed he also had a backlog of medals to hand off to the boy, too, but he rather needed a new uniform for such trifles first. You know what to do, he signed to the Captain.
He nodded briefly. Honored or not, the deed would be done. Another high-ranking officer was to join their roster at Albite's behest. That Albite thought it might motivate Jadarite to strive for more accolades was simultaneously a treacherous and amusing prospect.
He felt for Hestia, however. She was terribly dedicated. She deserved better.
Far be it for him to be choosy over the Negaverse's promotions, however. Faustite stood and rounded his desk in a few paces, stopping at the taller man's side. A black hand beckoned him upwards with lengthy talons, and Faustite rest his hip against his desk expectantly. He knew Borax would not dally about and waste his time. No, he'd much rather look self-impressed as he received his rewards.
Faustite supposed he also had a backlog of medals to hand off to the boy, too, but he rather needed a new uniform for such trifles first. You know what to do, he signed to the Captain.
Seiana_ZI
Faustite had never asked where that energy and those starseeds came from, and that worked well enough for Borax. It didn't need to be shared that he as frequently staked out clubs, luring people to him, as much he lost his patience with coworkers and showed it in ways they would never be able to trace. It didn't matter where specifically these things came from, so long as he was meeting his goals, and so long as he was leaving a good impression.
And, if sometimes, that starseed belonged to a basic senshi who stuck her nose where it didn't belong? A bonus.
He had, at least, left a good enough impression on Albite. In some ways, it was not necessarily hard to make a good impression on Albite. In other ways, his relationship with the other had become interesting, and he was fairly sure that probably had a factor into the good impression. And still another ways, he had proven himself even in space, that useless void of nothing.
He wasn't exactly sure what the drive of going to space even was. The White Moon could have it. He was fine with Earth.
As Faustite stood, Borax's eyes followed along, and once he arrived at Borax's side, he understood even before the motion. He waited for the message to be delivered fully nevertheless, trying to individually parse each motion in his head as he still stood. “Of course.”
He remembered the directives he had been given by Axinite when he received his promotion to Captain. Brace himself, it may be painful.
Sometimes something good came with pain.
Borax shifted, straightening his back out with a breath that he let filter to his extremities, before shifting so it may be easier for Faustite to reach what he needed to. “Ready when you are.”
And, if sometimes, that starseed belonged to a basic senshi who stuck her nose where it didn't belong? A bonus.
He had, at least, left a good enough impression on Albite. In some ways, it was not necessarily hard to make a good impression on Albite. In other ways, his relationship with the other had become interesting, and he was fairly sure that probably had a factor into the good impression. And still another ways, he had proven himself even in space, that useless void of nothing.
He wasn't exactly sure what the drive of going to space even was. The White Moon could have it. He was fine with Earth.
As Faustite stood, Borax's eyes followed along, and once he arrived at Borax's side, he understood even before the motion. He waited for the message to be delivered fully nevertheless, trying to individually parse each motion in his head as he still stood. “Of course.”
He remembered the directives he had been given by Axinite when he received his promotion to Captain. Brace himself, it may be painful.
Sometimes something good came with pain.
Borax shifted, straightening his back out with a breath that he let filter to his extremities, before shifting so it may be easier for Faustite to reach what he needed to. “Ready when you are.”
Strickenized
For a brief breath, while Borax stood up, Faustite wondered what the ******** a Kosopod was. Albite had been the one to go on about it, to gush about the rest of the team in some climactic, deadlocked battle with creatures that had something to do with Almadel? He'd quickly lost track of Albite's never-ending tangent about it, ended up falling asleep with his wine half-drunk as his boy rambled, and he never found out in the end.
Did it matter? He supposed not. They were dead. Threat neutralized. And Borax had a hand in it.
Now Faustite had a hand in Borax. It was an easy gesture, barely worth a thought, which had a starseed in his grip. Delicate, delectable things, they were, but this one had more purpose than an easy snack. Even if Faustite thought Hestia might have enjoyed her rival's life being snuffed out of him, he imagined they were destined to fight to the death in some far-off future, when the world was claimed and space lay dead in all its infinite stretches. Warrior of the stars versus weapon of the earth. Albite seemed like he wanted something similar.
With each corruption, with each promotion, that heavy cowl of negative energy grew easier to summon and churn into a single starseed, clothing it anew in Metallia's claim. It was something Borax had experienced before, twice now, this time by a burning hand that spared no pain even for an ally. A subordinate.
His mouth drawn into a resolute line, Faustite channeled so much darkness into his subordinate that his very silhouette began to bend and bloom anew.
Did it matter? He supposed not. They were dead. Threat neutralized. And Borax had a hand in it.
Now Faustite had a hand in Borax. It was an easy gesture, barely worth a thought, which had a starseed in his grip. Delicate, delectable things, they were, but this one had more purpose than an easy snack. Even if Faustite thought Hestia might have enjoyed her rival's life being snuffed out of him, he imagined they were destined to fight to the death in some far-off future, when the world was claimed and space lay dead in all its infinite stretches. Warrior of the stars versus weapon of the earth. Albite seemed like he wanted something similar.
With each corruption, with each promotion, that heavy cowl of negative energy grew easier to summon and churn into a single starseed, clothing it anew in Metallia's claim. It was something Borax had experienced before, twice now, this time by a burning hand that spared no pain even for an ally. A subordinate.
His mouth drawn into a resolute line, Faustite channeled so much darkness into his subordinate that his very silhouette began to bend and bloom anew.
Seiana_ZI
Borax was never going to quite get used to the feeling of something else being in his chest. On one hand, he felt the power that came behind it, and this time he also felt the fire that came with it. On the other hand, there was something that was innately wrong with the feeling of something else invading his chest. There shouldn't have been something else touching his soul.
But this was the requirement that was needed for power. This was necessary to his desires.
And as painful as it was, there was something intoxicating about the power he could feel both radiating off Faustite and being pumped into him. Borax did his best to keep a very stoic expression, as he had in front of Axinite, but the familiarity with Faustite caused just a bit more of that overconfidence to crack in another direction. His eyes fluttered closed as he took a heavier breath, balancing against the pain.
As he bore it, his uniform shifted, and the aura he gave was assuredly going up.
When the transformation let him go, Borax let out a slow breath and cautiously tried summoning his weapon back, careful to hold out his hand away from Faustite.
And then, he laughed, that overconfident cockiness returning to a delighted expression.
“A trident.” He could definitely do some damage with three prongs versus the one he had before– “Thank you.”
But this was the requirement that was needed for power. This was necessary to his desires.
And as painful as it was, there was something intoxicating about the power he could feel both radiating off Faustite and being pumped into him. Borax did his best to keep a very stoic expression, as he had in front of Axinite, but the familiarity with Faustite caused just a bit more of that overconfidence to crack in another direction. His eyes fluttered closed as he took a heavier breath, balancing against the pain.
As he bore it, his uniform shifted, and the aura he gave was assuredly going up.
When the transformation let him go, Borax let out a slow breath and cautiously tried summoning his weapon back, careful to hold out his hand away from Faustite.
And then, he laughed, that overconfident cockiness returning to a delighted expression.
“A trident.” He could definitely do some damage with three prongs versus the one he had before– “Thank you.”
Strickenized
Ah, there it was — the aura nearest him bloated and twisted, gorged with power as a riverside corpse was gorged with fetid water. Faustite's hand slipped free thereafter; while there remained a dwindling feeling of elation for having forced his will upon someone, he knew that feeling would soon give way to weariness. There would be time for Borax to make good with the gift he was given later.
It was true that the weapon he received looked far deadlier, far more effective, than the wretched arced sword in Faustite's possession. Perhaps one day he could trade that thing in for something better if he could convince Headache to agree to it; in the interim, he would have to suffer the jealousy that Borax's weapon looked more useful.
Sighing through his nose, Faustite shrugged off the thanks. You have someone else you should be thanking, he signed back, then pointed to Albite's poorly scrawled name on the application for Borax's promotion. Then he made a sweeping gesture as if to shoo Borax away, as if to set him on the task of displaying his gratitude to Faustite's dear boy.
He still didn't know what the ******** a Kosopod was, but perhaps that was for the best.
It was true that the weapon he received looked far deadlier, far more effective, than the wretched arced sword in Faustite's possession. Perhaps one day he could trade that thing in for something better if he could convince Headache to agree to it; in the interim, he would have to suffer the jealousy that Borax's weapon looked more useful.
Sighing through his nose, Faustite shrugged off the thanks. You have someone else you should be thanking, he signed back, then pointed to Albite's poorly scrawled name on the application for Borax's promotion. Then he made a sweeping gesture as if to shoo Borax away, as if to set him on the task of displaying his gratitude to Faustite's dear boy.
He still didn't know what the ******** a Kosopod was, but perhaps that was for the best.
Seiana_ZI
He understood the signed thank, easily, and then that dovetailed into pointing at his application for promotion.
Perhaps he didn't quite understand the more finessed detail of what Faustite had signed, but he could extract the basic of he needed to thank Albite, instead. That certainly gave Borax a few ideas; for one, he was about to get a bonus he certainly didn't need.
Perhaps there was a way to utilize that in a way that could benefit Albite, too.
Borax nodded in agreement to Faustite's suggestion, moving toward the door. It was clear Faustite was trying to get him to leave. “I'll need to thank him proper for noticing my effort against the ******** space infestation.
“Have a good night, Faustite.” As he took the doorknob, he finished with, “And welcome back,” before vanishing to somewhere else in the Dark Kingdom.
Perhaps he didn't quite understand the more finessed detail of what Faustite had signed, but he could extract the basic of he needed to thank Albite, instead. That certainly gave Borax a few ideas; for one, he was about to get a bonus he certainly didn't need.
Perhaps there was a way to utilize that in a way that could benefit Albite, too.
Borax nodded in agreement to Faustite's suggestion, moving toward the door. It was clear Faustite was trying to get him to leave. “I'll need to thank him proper for noticing my effort against the ******** space infestation.
“Have a good night, Faustite.” As he took the doorknob, he finished with, “And welcome back,” before vanishing to somewhere else in the Dark Kingdom.
