Welcome to Gaia! ::

Babylon wasn't so sure about Titan's evaluation of his strength, and at any rate, he wasn't going to try. "You know," he said, trying to laugh it off. "I don't really want to test that theory." Sure, as a knight, he was agile and he was strong - but he seriously doubted that he could pick the big lieutenant up and chuck him. Especially if he were fighting back.

Strictly speaking, palling around with a Negaverser was frowned upon - even Babylon frowned upon it, although he could justify his chats with Titan as being part of a long-term project. But, better to keep things simple. "I won't be in trouble," he said. "Sometimes I patrol with other knights, or with senshi. I used to be on a team, but..."

He shrugged. There was only so much antagonism one could put up with before looking for the door. "I'm not really an order-giving kind of guy," said Babylon bashfully. "I'd rather - lead by example? I mentor those with less experience. I try to be dependable for my friends." Considering, he added, "We do take oaths. We're sworn to our wonders, but given that we're all also bound to Earth, the service of our wonders tends to come second to the protection of Earth and its citizens."

He had not, in recent memory, punched anyone in the face. Babylon offered Titan a smile. "If you see me with anyone else, it may be best to keep your distance. I can't be responsible for all of my friends and compatriots at all times, and I would hate to have to fight you over a misunderstanding. Because I do think we understand each other, Titan, and I value that."

"I'll admit it sounds a bit weird and mystical and hokey," said Babylon, laughing uncertainly. He hoped he hadn't lost Titan's trust over trying to explain things the best he could. He doubted that explaining that their power came from their Wonders instead of from Chaos would go over much better. Babylon could imagine his confusion already - You said your power is your own, so how is it also your wonder's? How is that any different from taking power from Chaos?

Better to just not go there.

But then came the million dollar question - and again, he was afraid he would let Titan down and come up short. Babylon shook his head. "It's not an ability I have myself," he explained. "But I know those who are capable of it." He didn't think that Titan would appreciate Iris's power the way that Oenone had, but fortunately, in the wake of the Olympus meeting, Babylon was armed with more knowledge.

"Only the highest of our order can purge chaos from a starseed," he explained. "Camelot can do it."

It wouldn't do to get his hopes up about Titan's intentions, he thought. But it might be fair time he sought Camelot out once more and made his proper acquaintance.

"I don't know him terribly well myself," replied Babylon, and in the most personal of the meetings, he'd been more keen on goofing off and ignoring authority than playing meet and greet with the other knight. "But yeah, he's old. Very old. Old as balls." Titan, he thought, was unlikely to get the reference, but Babylon pleased himself.

Sometimes, Babylon wished for armor, but then he usually came to his senses and realized that he was better off not covered in heavy plate armor. Dexterity would do him far better than steel ever would, in all likelihood. Titan's skull looked impressive, but Babylon doubted it would offer him much defense in a fight - and it wasn't actual bone, right?

Right?

"The Konge?" Babylon asked. At first he thought he'd misheard the lieutenant, but then he said it a second time, and then a third, and the word still refused to resolve itself into recognizable vocabulary. He shook his head. "I'm sorry. I - I don't know that word. But our Wonders - they're ancient. Full of ancient magic. Memories that seep into the ground or something. Every time I've, um, leveled up, I guess? It's been because I was in danger and I needed more power."

He didn't know how it had been for Camelot, when he became a templar (Babylon still wasn't okay with the word, but he lacked for anything to replace it with). More questions to ask, once he tracked the older knight down.

"Oh," said Babylon, understanding. He'd fought Zinkenite once, felt the power that came with his rank, and knew that he'd been lucky to escape with his life. "We call ours Templars," he said, the word uncomfortable on his tongue. He knew its origins, that the Code meant no ill will, that it had been co-opted in their order's dormancy. "Camelot's the only one I know of, and I've no idea how he attained it."

If he did know, would he have pursued that power himself? It was tempting, but- he didn't know what he'd do with that power. Save Avalon? She was beyond his reach now, but maybe--

It was a silly fantasy, and a fruitless one at that. Babylon did not have that kind of power nor did he have any way of obtaining it. "You're right," he said. "It's very trial by fire. Rewarding, though. If you have the patience for it." If anyone was proof of that, it was Babylon - he'd come a long way from the goofy kid he'd been as a page.

"Hmm," said Babylon, considering the question. "We have rings that we can send messages with, but I don't think they're compatible with whatever it is you guys use to talk to each other. I'd be able to send you a message, but I don't think you'd be able to send one back without the help of another knight." Avalon probably still had her signet ring. It probably still worked. He did not want to open that can of worms.

But on the whole, he was feeling good about this meeting. "I'd like to meet with you again, too," he said. "Perhaps I'll know more by then, be able to actually answer some of your questions.

No harm could come of tracking down Camelot and picking his brain. Perhaps it would even do Babylon some good.

"Oof!" exclaimed Babylon, as Titan lifted him again. Now that he knew for certain that the lieutenant meant him no ill will, he could properly enjoy the hug - and it was rather nice, to be honest. Like being embraced by a particularly nice-smelling gorilla. Anyway, once he was back on solid ground, he gave Titan a friendly pat on the bicep.

"Same to you, big guy," said Babylon, smiling up at him. "I'll look forward to our next meeting."

With a wave, he went to recover his lantern, and then to head home. He had much to consider - and a Templar to find.