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 Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2025 3:20 pm
It had been a long time since he'd sought out order for anything other than a fight, and possible homocide, but that's just what he was doing tonight. As soon as things had started happening, as soon as he'd started thinking the way he had been, he'd thought of one particular knight and he hoped he could find them. The city was large and there were a lot of knights, too many if you asked him, but he needed to find one particular knight because they were one of the most agreeable when it came to talking. He could only hope things hadn't changed, at least not too much, because he was hoping they might be able to lend an assist.
Tonight his weapon was in subspace, where it would remain, and he wasn't out gathering energy from people. He was wandering the city park aimlessly as he trailed after each energy signature he felt, at least any which belonged to knights, it felt hopeless...like looking for a needle in a haystack really. Either way he was heading towards another signature, another knight, a nice easy pace as there was no point in running and chashing it down. He didn't want to startle anyone, didn't want anyone thinking he was looking for a fight, he just needed someone tonight. Humming as he walked the petite blond was holding out hope, he had to, Rene knew he was out tonight doing important business in regards to the possible end of the Earth. Suffice to say his partner had not joined him, thankfully, because they wouldn't be getting involved till it came to a head and all avalible man power would be needed.
"I can sense you knight, I just need to know who you are." Calling out, raising his voice, as he drew closer to the signature. He really did hope he'd get lucky tonight. "I'm not looking to fight tonight." If that made thigns any better, and as if most of order would even trust his words, those who knew him weren't likely to trust a word out of his mouth - a shame really.
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Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2025 5:13 pm
The electricity in the air was peculiar. He was trying to understand it better. It felt like it had been ages since he’d been out in the city on his own. The kids were still young, and he felt bad for leaving his mother (and Eld) to watch them whenever he and Ganymede needed to venture out, but with the dangers on the horizon, Valhalla was too restless to pace around the house. He thought maybe if he got into the city and had a chance to meet up with some other Knights or Senshi, they could figure out a game plan.
He didn’t expect to run into the Negaverse, although he supposed there was an obvious possibility.
For a moment, Valhalla tensed, although his eyes were still on the sky above him, looking at what he could see of the stars through the trees and light from the city.
He recognized the voice.
“General Benitoite,” he greeted warily, his hand casually on the pocket watch at his hip. The transcendence mark, a ghost of a scar from his previous life, glowed on his palm. Luckily for Benitoite, to the best of Valhalla’s knowledge, the General hadn’t been involved in the abduction of his wife. And murder of his father.
“It’s been a while. What are you looking for if not a fight?”
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Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2025 5:39 pm
Oh, how he'd gotten lucky. Rather than teleporting, and scaring them, the smaller picked up his pace and approached the other with fast clicks of his heels. "The sky...interesting isn't it." Closing the distance till he was far too close to the other..close enough he could reach out...but no - tonight was not the night for that. Tonight was a night for diplomacy and talking, information gathering. "I know some of the reason behind this." Gesturing up and around them, to the sky.
"I don't know the whole reason, I'm hoping you might be able to fill in some gaps for me." Tilting his head to the side, aiming for as innocent a look as he could manage, he knew he looked young for his age and he didn't look very harmful either. He was hoping to play to that, even if the knight knew him to be otherwise. "Tonight I came out looking for you actually. Last night...several people, a mixed grou, got pulled somewhere in space. The conclusions I'm making, wrong or right, led me to thinking of you and your planets Norse leanings. I've done some research but I'm hoping you may know more...and might be able to help me either confirm my suspicions or deny them...either way it doesn't matter to me. I'm simply looking for all possible ideas on what I, and others, saw last night." Stepping back, just enough, he offered his gloved hand to the other.
"What I saw last night leads me to believe a monster, a giant serpent, will come for us if it finds it's way free of it's shackles." He did hope things might pan out, that this knight might have more of a clue than he did on the topic at hand, and might be of use. "For right now, with the Earth's safety being threatened, I bring no harm to your door. I'm looking for knowledge and I won't find it on Earth or with it's inhabitants. It's in space, with senshi, with knights. Can you assist me?" Stormy eyes flicking down to his hand, hoping they could have a deal, he needed this to go well. There were others he could seek out, he was also sure he could track down another Jupiter knight...but this one he knew.
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Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2025 11:16 am
As Benitonite got too close, Valhalla took a purposeful step back. Even though he knew his starseed was protected by his transcendence, he didn’t want to give Benitonite a chance to attack, despite claiming he wasn’t looking for a fight.
“No offense,” he frowned as he took another step back to a more comfortable distance, his staff crossed in front of himself to deter any intrusive thoughts Benitonite might have and want to act on. “I’d prefer standing farther apart.”
He didn’t think it was a bad request. Benitonite wanted something from him, and it didn’t seem as though the Negaverse had anything to give the White Moon in return. At least not yet. Benitonite certainly wasn’t showing any of his cards.
And neither was Valhalla.
It was almost laughable, the way Benitonite, or anyone in the Negaverse, could come to them -- to him -- so casually, as if they were simply going to put their differences aside. For the sake of Earth? It certainly was convenient. The Negaverse deciding they needed help now.
Maybe once upon a time, he would have been quick to jump at the opportunity to work together, to put aside their differences. But the time for that had passed with the death of his father and abduction of his wife.
Valhalla stared down at the General’s hand. His expression wasn’t cold, but it was that of disappointment and distrust.
He did not take Benitonite’s hand.
“Do you really think I would agree to helping you -- helping the Negaverse that easily?” Valhalla asked, his voice sad, but there was a bite of determination.
He held up his hand, his thumb pressed against the signet ring he wore.
“Do you know what this is? It’s been recording our entire conversation. If I’m killed, and I let go, it’s going to upload everything. What we talked about, where I am-- And you will never receive help from any Knight or Senshi.
"So… let’s try this again. What do you -- what does the Negaverse have to offer in exchange for any information? Because Senshi and Knights and civilians have been hunted down and murdered for over fifteen years. And you have the audacity to ask for help because the Earth is in danger?”
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Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2025 11:30 am
Lovely, a little device recording him, that was ratehr sneaky and he rather liked it to be honest. It was fine that the other wanted to keep his distance, he did understand it, the other had no reason to trust him and he knew it. He wasn't exactly the nicest of agents, he had a reputation and he knew it, he hadn't made to General without burying some bodies and some of them just happen to belong to order.
"I assume you know Norse mythology...you tell me what this looks like to you." And he pulled out his tablet, because what choice did he have right now? Pulling up the first picture of the serpent wrapped about a planet. "There was a summons into space, where I don't know, and this is what I saw. I watched it devour a planet and leave to find more. My first thoughts went to Norse mythology. I'm hoping a Jupiter knight, being tied to such, might have an idea on this." Keeping his tablet facing the other as he shifted throug hthe pictures.
"It's tied down with spikes, not like the serpent in the myths, but perhaps similar to the wolf. A change in the myth and real life perhaps? This is what is looking to break free from it's prision...what we think may come for Earth. We do not have the answers, we are looking for them, and that means looking into space where this thing once roamed. The answers are not here in all likelihood. I can't offer anything but the informatio nI have and the speculation, take that for what you deem it worth, the danger is still present in the wings looking to break free."
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Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2025 1:16 pm
“I know Norse mythology, yes. But it seems as though you know little about Knights,” Valhalla frowned, briefly glancing over the images Benitonite showed him.
“I can assure you that the Valhalla of Jupiter existed long before Norse Mythology on Earth. But if you’re looking to compare the two, Jörmungandr is a sea serpent. There are other mythologies of Earth with closer connections to world devouring serpents and lightning than Norse. Did you research any of those, or did you decide that you figured out the answer without looking for alternatives?
He then briefly gestured to the spikes used to conduct some kind of energy.
“I hope you’re looking at things like lightning rods before you’re looking at weapons.”
Knowing the Negaverse, they would likely look for ways to cause more death and destruction before anything meant to divert or direct disaster.
“And I think you’re smarter than that, General. You know it’s coming. With the storms now? And the one last year seen from Almadel’s museum? I know you were there.”
Whether Benitonite saw the storm then or not, it didn’t matter. Valhalla might not have been at the museum, himself, but it had been confirmed with him that there had been a mysterious storm deep in space. Just as he’d been told Benitonite had been one of the many Negaverse agents present.
Valhalla didn’t need to prove that he had many allies, but he hoped the General understood that his connections ran deep without blatantly saying it.
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Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2025 6:24 pm
"Mythology is not my forte, I only know some things. I was thinking it might be something brought from space down to Earth and lost to time and translation, among other things. And no, I'm not well versed in knights. I've never had the ability to learn much on knights." For obvious reasons, oh how he did want to roll his eyes a bit at that...maybe even pout.
"It's not uncommon for things from mythology to have other explanations, or for two things to be rolled into one. It's happened with both mythology and history. I was figuring that might be the case here. I also don't know any Earth knights." Though hadn't he heard whispers that Natron had become a knight...though of which planet he couldn't remember. Camelot was an option...but he didn't know if he'd be able to find him. It was al ong shot he figured.
"I was more focused on the serpent thant he spikes to be honest. It's not always weapons with me." Though often enough it was...but not always."I'm more concerned with the serpent and what to expect from it...if we may have to resecure it I'd rather know what to expect." Though he still prefered the idea of removing the threat enteirly.
"Yes, you are right. I know it's coming and I will admit I fear it. Not entierly for myself but rather my family, it is for their sake I have fought this long...to protect them. And I will do so with this as well." Even if Rene wound up at his side, along with several of his cousins, he would see to it that he was at the forefront of things. "I plan to talk with Almadel, to see if he knows anything. I am hoping he may have something, whetehr it be a book, books, or anything else." He would sit and copy everything from books, word for word, if need be. Anything to help and ensure a victory here. He would not lose, it wasn't an option for him.
"If you had to guess which myth, if any, which would you go with and what other thoughts do you have on things?" He didn't, for now, mention that mirrorspace was also suffering from this. It shouldn't be a surprise really.
"I am smart, and you are as well, you know that against whatever this is we'll need to work together. Weapons and magic. No where in this little solar system is safe." The others wonder, the planet it was on, Ganymede's moon. None of it would be safe to this thing. "Just...help me with this. I am no knight, and if I were I might have very wll gouged my eyes out by now than deal with Castor, but that is why I'm looking for knights to help."
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2025 6:17 pm
A fire sparked in Valhalla’s eyes as he watched the General across from him. Did Benitoite not hear the hypocrisy in his own words?
“How dare you talk about family -- about wanting to protect them,” he breathed, clearly offended by the General’s sentiments.
“What do you think we have been doing all this time? Do you not think we have family, too? Does it not cross your mind when you rip out a starseed or drain someone of so much energy that they die from exposure that they have families? That someone is going to get a call about their loved one being in a coma and have to watch them waste away until they die? How devastated they would be to know they’d never be able to tell them they were loved? Or do you truly believe only people who are corrupted by the Negaverse matter?”
He was angry. He was hurting and heartbroken.
Valhalla had spent years being dumb and naive, thinking that maybe the Negaverse would one day realize there might be a way to live peacefully with the Senshi and Knights who also lived on Earth. But time and time again, they proved they cared for nothing and nobody but themselves.
He hated that it took so long for him to realize it.
“Beg me to help you,” he frowned, his eyes full of anguish and resolve. “I want to see you on your knees asking me to help you -- to help the Negaverse. Who has kidnapped and tortured my wife twice already. You want to protect your family? I want to protect mine. Beg for my forgiveness and my help, otherwise find someone else who will no doubt regret helping you later.”
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2025 6:44 pm
Shifting his weight and staring at the other calmly. "Not every officer does the same thing. Not all of us treat human life in the same manner, fellow combatants aside. I don't go killing civilians and I don't drain people till they drop dead. I also do make sure they are warm and as safe as possible. Senshi and knights are different, seeing as they partake i nthe fighting the same as we do. I'm well aware I may not make it home one night, that I might be found dead or dying somewhere, it's a price I've accepted." And accepted on behalf of his family he supposed. not a fair thing for him to do really, but it was the same as anyone who involved them selves in this mess. He also knew he had killed some civilians though that was on the rare side, most he took down were those who victimized others and so justifiable. There were...still the very rare one or two who were innocent people.
Beg? Oh that was amusing, especially considering he'd not laid a single hand on the others wife yet that seemed to be held against him...simply because he was Negaverse.
Dismissing his tablet, back into subspace, the blond ran his gloved fingers through his hair. "I'm not going onto my knees for you." He might have, if it weren't so serious, informed the other he didn't even do such for his partner. It was none of the others buisness. "The Negaverse is not me, what one does is ones own business. I am none of those who have tortured you, your family, or any other for that matter. I may kill but I make it swift. I do not care to drag things out. Infact, I have helped those who were captured." Though he'd had his own motive for such actions, and of course others had seen it and not understood, it had done him no good in the end.
"You go protect yours, I'll continue to protect mine as well. Just hope that when the time comes we can shackle this beast and keep it from devouring this planet. If we don't stop it, don't think it'll stop at just Earth." Looking the knight over, they had to know his words were true. There was no way something as angry, and hungry, would stop at one planet. It would keep going and it was coming for Earth already. He was assuming Valhalla would keep himself, and his family, uninvolved in things. Maybe he wouldn't, Benitoite wasn't sure what he thought of the other now.
"Run, take your wife and your family and find another solar system...this one won't be safe from it. Tell your wife, talk to those you know - tell them what's coming. You should all head to space, for safety of course, return if we win. We'll handle things here." Because of course they would, they would deffend Earth at all cost; he knew he would. He didn't even bother addressing who might help him, if he found anyone, and them regretting it later. They might, they might not, but it wouldn't be over this. This was where team work would be needed, to some extent, and he would work with order as needed. Turning slowly, comfortable in turning his back on the other, a hand brushing his bangs from his face.
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Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2025 6:16 am
“So you’d give up a chance at helping save the Earth to protect your ego?” Valhalla let out a quiet, unamused laugh. “I wanted to see how desperate you were to actually do something, or if you’re just playing games, General. I don’t think you understand exactly how much danger we’re in.”
It was expected of the Negaverse, of course. Give them the chance to do something relatively meaningless, something that they could easily just lie about or use as manipulation to placate their enemies for a few minutes, and reap the benefits.
Did it matter if Benitonite followed through with Valhalla’s request? Of course not. It wasn’t as though anyone would be able to claim one was telling the truth over the other, even if the conversation was recorded.
But Benitonite proved that he would rather puff out his chest and pretend like he was superior, while also claiming things like family and the Earth were important to him.
“I’ve been to the Celestial Theatre, General,” he decided to share. Maybe Benitonite thought Valhalla knew nothing of the threat. Maybe he expected him to wander around aimlessly. But he knew that Jet shared his vision with the others.
And he knew of the calamity that was approaching Earth.
“My wife is far more informed than the Negaverse. You should be asking her for help. Ask her what she knows. But since you can’t follow a simple request, I’ll let everyone know that the Negaverse refuses to work with anyone but themselves. If that’s what you wish.”
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Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2025 9:50 pm
"I can find other knights, other senshi, who might offer something without wasting my time with demands for such acts. I'd rather talk serious buisness...not try and feed some need to see an enemy on their knees begging, I don't have the time for frivolous things." It wasn't a matter of pride, though really he wasn't about to get on his knees for anyone aside from Rene, it was something very personal to him. Not because it was showing a wekaness, or anything like that, but there was a reason there and one which he wasn't going to put into words for the other. For someone toi ask that of him now, someone who would normally be considered an enemy, he couldn't help but figure it was some need to feed an ego...for some pleasure to be gained by bringing someone to their knees. And he didn't have time to feed such needs, his other reasons aside.
It was when they mentioned the theater that he did give pause, but he did not turn around.
"Right back to having me on my knees. Let me tell you something....the only person I do that for is back home, and that is very rare. It is not an ego thing for me - think what you will." Clenching a hand inside his pocket, his fingers curling into the fabric of his pocket. Glancing back at the other he stood still, unmoving, his cheeks coloring. "You ask me to do something which for me is personal, intimate, and that is why I refuse your demand. I would hope you'd understand, imagine someone asking your wife to kneel and beg...what image does that produce for you? I imagine it's similar to why I won't do as you ask. It screams sexual and intimate to me, as I'm sure it would for many." Let his words sink in as well as the meaning. He was giving just a bit of a look into his personal life, not that he cared, but he almost wanted to see the reaction to it. Instead he'd turned away from the other, because he still shied away from talking about such topics...even at nearly thirty years old. Rene would swear he were a prude if only he didn't know better, from personal experience.
"That's good, she can be informed. Again, tell her and seek shelter. If we fail it'll find it's next meal within this solar system no doubt. I'm not kneeling and begging, it's a personal thing." Finding his feet moving he turned and headed back the way he'd come, his hand relaxing in his pocket. "I'll just find someone else to assist, I can at least report that I tried - higher ups will understand." He didn't figure most of them were the begging sort either, though for their own reasons.
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Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2025 7:20 am
Valhalla’s expression shifted from confusion to disgust. Benitonite was the one crossing the distance between them, getting too close for comfort while Valhalla was insisting on keeping space between them, and yet the General decided to accuse him of wanting sexual intimacy?
“Of course the Negaverse would twist kneeling as penance into sexual exploitation,” he practically recoiled with revulsion. “Is that what your Queen demands? Or do you not kneel to her with respect?”
Not that Valhalla wanted to know.
What he did know was that Benitonite, and possibly the Negaverse, were not taking the threat seriously. They didn’t actually care about the Earth, only themselves.
“My wife has been made to do an incredible number of horrific things at the hands of the Negaverse. Which is why I asked for a simple, sincere apology… and you made it weird. Maybe I was wrong that things could change and we could work together. So you can take your ‘personal thing’ and remember that when you’ve failed to do anything to help the people you claim you care about.”
There was no arguing with someone so caught up in their own ego. Benitonite could disguise it however he wanted, but his act of innocence had quickly crumbled when he didn’t get what he wanted immediately.
Valhalla took one more look up at the troubling sky, and turned in the opposite direction of the General.
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