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 Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 7:12 pm
Most of his words rolled off of her, little more than a grudging annoyance in the back of her mind as she felt him following her across the entry hall and up the long flight of stairs. No, she didn't get it. Yes, she was somehow still surprised. Nor was it his job to keep her together, no matter how much she had thought they were moving towards something supportive. The words came and the tension in her shoulders grew, winding her tighter and tighter the more she tried to ignore him, until at last there was no way she could let the sound of his voice roll off of her. A toy? A toy?The cape whipped around her, gliding, shimmering through the air as she turned on a full stop and brought herself to face him. Poised as she was on the landing before him and he only a few steps behind, their eyes were nearly leveled. The starseed in her chest was burning fiercely, pulsing bright orange light along the spiderweb of cracks in her chest, singing for her to call her magic and ruin every last thing she had left in this world that was Kaia's. The chant thrummed through her veins, begging her to disconnect, begging her to destroy. If she had been human, the effort of containing that need would have left her muscles tense and her chest panting. As she was, her eyes simply burned with all her anger, bright and true. "What do you want me to say?" Her voice was harsh and loud, echoing down the corridor adjacent to them, so loud that she was sure even Ida would hear it from where they stood. Both arms spread out to her sides as she stood before him, open and exposed and meeting his conflicted feelings face-to-face. "Nothing about you was a toy. Don't stand there and act like you understand what this is like for me. I get it, you don't want to be responsible for holding me together and I won't ask you to." She raised her chin a little and tried to force down the hum of her energy, to coax it back into containment until he had at least walked out of her presence again. "But you are not the only one that has regrets. Nothing in this world makes me ache so much as the sight of you and that has been enough for me, that pain has been my saving grace." She needed it, to remember herself and her mistakes and her humanity. She wanted to laugh at him but only shook her head as she cast her eyes away, down the hall that would eventually lead them to the captive eternal. Was this even worth it? She dropped her eyes. "I should just take you home."
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Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 7:23 pm
He wanted to laugh.
And he almost did, but the look in her eye - the hurt and betrayal and the tiniest hints of anger - kept him from doing so. It was starling to hear her yell, not when he didn't remember if he'd ever heard her yell before, but it was also strangely rewarding. Enough to make him smile, one that was real and amused.
He was still angry beneath it all, feelings strong enough to dictate his tone and his demeanor like white-hot righteous anger he felt didn't just evaporate.
And yet - he looked relieved, stiff shoulders softening as he looked at her. It was laughable the way she attempted to size him up, to posture herself in a manner that was threatening and then to say that he couldn't understand what it was like to be her.
They were too different and too similar at the same time and it made him want to laugh. "You can't figure it out yourself so you want to quit?" Typical, he thought. "You don't have to ask me for me to know that it is something you need." He saw the effect he had on her, he could tell that he anchored her just like she anchored him. Being together reminded them both that they were more than what they thought they were.
Servants.
She a zealot doll for Metallia and he her unwavering knight.
"No." It was more forceful than intended but any mirth that had expressed itself vanished immediately. "You talked of the transcendent as a prize. I want to see her and what your world has to offer." He refused to let her take him home because she thought he was acting like a child when she was acting the same as well. "You've closed yourself off to everyone and everything. Taking me home means cutting me off from you too. You won't recover, not when you don't have anyone else to even pretend to cling to."
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Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 8:14 pm
If she could have flushed or cried, she would have. The roll of emotions he was igniting hit her so hard that she really did want to cut off and escape, to save herself from drowning beneath something she had not been equipped to handle. He was pushing against her for the first time in years instead of letting her exist like a shallow shell. There was no reverence here, no respect or authority for anything other than who they had always been to one another. Kaia and Chase. The pride in her shoulders deflated and she opened her eyes, staring down at the toes of her pumps blankly. She felt every bit a twenty four year old girl in that moment, ashamed of her weaknesses and aching over a boy. Alkaid did not feel like the General that braved certain death without pause, who had watched a man punch a hole through her stomach and never even flinched. The only problem was that she could not be that girl, she could only carry her sins on her shoulders and use them to keep herself from slipping into the abyss. "It's selfish to recover," she said softly, breathing it into the space between them. There was nothing here to disrupt the sound, no matter how quietly spoken. She was more than the General Alkaid, but she didn't need to be, not for her true purpose to be served. There was nothing to stop her from letting go and giving her consciousness to eternal sleep, nothing but him and he, it was clear, would be better off too without the reminder of someone that had broken his heart so deeply. "I'm so tired," her eyes raised from the way she was staring at the floor, lighted upon his briefly, and looked past him to the empty entry. "Tired and alone and so ready to quit." There was shame trapped in the amber of her gaze as it finally settled and steadied on his. Maybe it was unfair to turn the focus away from what had started their argument but the argument itself, now, had revealed and revived too much for her to even care about Hematite. She could feel her wariness down to her core and, more troubling, the selfish desire to feel his arms around her for just a moment's worth of comfort. Her mouth opened as if she might say something else but she only shook her head instead, turning and beginning the long walk down the corridor toward Ida's room.
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Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 8:30 pm
For a long moment, Labyrinthite did not breathe.
It seemed like an impossible thing to do with the charged energy surrounding them, crackling in the air and bouncing between the walls and the bodies that stood across from each other. For the first time in a long while, he saw the girl he once knew whom he thought he'd lost wholly.
He breathed only when he realized that Kaia still existed, despite both of their attempts to ignore the fact, just like Chase still thrived beneath the skin of a man so draped in chaos it was nigh impossible to think that he had another identity. He did and Chase would always be stronger than Kaia.
"Is it?" His voice echoed down the hall as she proceeded to walk. "Or is it selfish to quit and give up because something's too hard?" He'd almost done that once because temporary reprieve had sounded better than continuing to live an existence that was soaked in shades of red. "You're not a quitter Kai," he spoke softly, words accompanied by a sigh. "You may be guidance but that doesn't mean you don't need to be guided from time to time."
He sounded weary, exhausted.
Labyrinthite was a man who knew what it was like to be tired, couldn't she see that?
"Often, one is alone because they chose it intentionally or not," he offered in the only ways of wisdom he knew before, reluctantly, the sound of his feet stepping across the floor could be heard behind her own. He did not offer any other means of comfort, because he could not provide it and wouldn't know how to. Not for her, not anymore.
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Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 9:12 pm
Labyrinthite's words followed her like a ghost, haunting her with the way he spoke to her so knowingly. There had been that simple, fleeting moment of recognition when he'd really looked into her eyes. Another moment, pressed into her memory, too fresh to forget. She felt the weariness in his voice, felt it and recognized it for the same hollow feeling that ate her whole. There was no way she could let herself stop and consider how similar they were, not without costing herself peace of mind later. She didn't realize how afraid she had become of having to feel. Alkaid came to a stop at the double doors of Ida's room, listening for the footsteps behind her as they grew closer and closer. He was right, of course, because he was always right. If he had just opened his mouth when she meant to walk away from him all those years ago, she might've listened, but he had remained silent. Her head leaned gently against the door as his words settled on her shoulders, knowing Ida wouldn't hear their conversation for anything but faint muffles through a slab of crystal. "What else would I do?" It was said plainly, as if it were a truth written into her bones. There was no comfortable place for Kaia any longer, there was only Alkaid and the world she belonged to. She didn't belong with the real people and didn't take comfort in most of them. There was a frown on her lips just before the doors began to part and open before her, but it was gone by the time she lifted her head. Now she had to face Ida as a being split into halves, out of sync with herself in a way that made her uneasy. The expression on her face was blank as she stepped across the threshold and settled her gaze on the thinning eternal, though she said nothing until he had followed her into the room. "General, this is Ida." Whimsical Blue Jump in after Nux, I think? <3
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 5:28 pm
He didn't answer, not because he lacked answers but because now was not the time nor place for them to continue to talk like they had. The hallway was ending and doors opening as if by thought alone. Perhaps they were and not for the first time did Labyrinthite wonder if there was some part of her world, her castle that she could not move with a simple thought.
And then he wondered what that was like, if he had a home world, a wonder would it respond the same way?
But he pushed those dangerous thoughts away, they were trivial. Inconsequential. Pointless because it would be something he would never have answers to.
Still, their conversation and his musing made him pause, taking time to collect himself and mold himself into steel before he stepped through the doorway with his shoulders squared and head held high. He was quiet, letting bright golden eyes sweep across the woman's frame with mild interest. He didn't recognize her, but he let his gaze lingering on the faint glowing marks that decorated her skin.
He stepped closer, cloak sweeping against the stone behind him. A sharp, cruel grin twisted his mouth upwards. "Hello Ida. My name is General Labyrinthite and it appears my companion finds you useful." There was a beat where he cocked his head, something dark and sinister glinting in his eyes. "But what happens when your usefulness runs out?"
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Posted: Sun May 15, 2016 7:17 pm
The young woman had been sleeping for the most of the day, but that wasn't unusual for her. Drained near completely so often, all she could do was sleep and try to recover.
Sleeping was how her captor and her guest found the senshi, stretched bonelessly out on the hard crystal floor.
She knew the sound of stone grating and the click of Alkaid's heels even unconscious and the young woman stirred restlessly, her eyes flying open and immediately going to the door. One of the figures she knew well, almost better these days than her own father's face, but the man with her was a stranger. A Negaverse general she had never met before, in black, pink and indigo. As they stepped into the room, she rolled painfully onto her side and pushed herself up to sit on arms there were painfully thin, dark brown eyes wide, a bit sunken and tired.
Ida's eyes flicked to Alkaid as she was introduced and then warily swung back to the stranger.
Who is this? Why did she bring him here? She's never brought anyone here before...
It had only ever been her and Alkaid, alone together, for months... and at this point, she was almost happy to see any face that wasn't the ascended's, even if another General wasn't ideal. When he stepped forward, she leaned back until her shoulder blades hit the stone wall, tendrils of brown hair falling into her face as she watched him warily.
General Labyrinthite. The name didn't give her any information beyond something to put to his face and the smile he offered her made the fine hairs on her arms lift.
Despite that though, her face remained impassive and blank, lips pressed together in a very small show of defiance. She wouldn't show him fear... she had enough of that to deal with from Alkaid.
When he asked his question, her gaze flickered to the Ascendant. Ida didn't know what answer to give him, and she said as much with her eyes when they came back, her lips thinning further.
We all know what happens to broken and worn out toys, General.
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Posted: Sat May 21, 2016 5:32 pm
"She's speechless." Alkaid tugged a mocking smile into place as she hung back and let Labyrinthite get acquainted with her captive. It was easier to remember herself, too, when she didn't have to see his face. Her eyes caught Ida's gaze as it stared over the shoulder of the mocking general. "Although I guess that's to be expected, we had a very strenuous morning. Didn't we?" Both arms crossed over her chest and she took a few steps forward, not so close that she could meet Labyrinthite's gaze but close enough that she could see Ida unimpeded by the General. One hand tapped against the opposite arm, drumming her fingers into the skin as she considered the waning figure they had just woken from slumber. Of course he was right - she was very near the end of her usefulness. Alkaid hadn't yet decided what she would have to do when they neared that point, but she hoped it could be staved off further yet. The longer she lasted, the more the Ascended General could learn. For now it didn't matter how tired Ida was, sadly, because Alkaid would not tolerate the rudeness implied by not answering a leader of the Negaverse. "Please say hello to the general, Ida. It's impolite not to return a greeting."
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 9:17 pm
She looked worse than he expected, but he was not surprised. Alkaid had not told him how long the girl had been held captive, it could have been months depending on how she cared for the prisoner. Still, whiskey-golden eyes swept across the girl's frail form, taking in her dark skin and darker hair. Then, the purple marks that decorated her skin.
He'd seen that once before - twice if he counted memories of a timeline that couldn't exist.
He did not think much more of that, noting the way she attempted to remain strong and resolute with silence. Under different circumstances, he might be impressed. As it were, he was annoyed.
She's speechless.
"Or stubborn," he nearly snorted, shaking his head as he sunk down into a crouched position, reached his left gloved hand for her face. "Come now Ida, has the little canary lost her voice?" He almost sounded genuinely concerned, but the glint in his eye exposed the fraud.
"If she refuses to speak," he mused, shifting to look at the ascendant-general, "am I allowed to make her scream?"
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Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 12:17 am
Alkaid seemed to find her silence amusing and there was a smile on her face when their gaze met, just for a moment. Ida didn't hold it long and lowered her eyes to the floor in a small show of submission.
Strenuous morning... More like Alkaid had swooped in as she typically did, put her hands on her and pulled out the little energy she had managed to store up until Ida had nearly passed out... but business as usual, really.
Alkaid delivered her rebuke as her guest crouched down to put himself closer to her level and suddenly he was reaching for her, sending a jolt of adrenaline surging through the senshi on the floor. Her heart picked up pace as her head thunked back against the wall, attempting to keep what distance she could between them, her eyes rising to his. Despite her resolve not to show him fear and knowing that was all he wanted from her, it was a struggle to keep it out of her face just then.
It was unlikely, she considered, that Alkaid would stop him from hurting her. She might even find it amusing to watch... using it as another attempt at breaking her will, even if physical injury was not Alkaid's usual style.
Ida swallowed thickly to wet her dry throat, her tongue sweeping across her lips.
"Hello, General Labyrinthite." She manage at last, her voice rough and dry.
Don't touch me.
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Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2016 3:04 pm
The smile on Alkaid's face remained in place through Labrynthite's only somewhat teasing question and grew, pleased, as Ida at last spoke up and greeting her companion. The bright amber eyes swiveled thankfully away from the golden ones he had turned upon her, to meet Ida's resigned expression. "It looks like she didn't want to know the answer to that question." Alkaid would have praised her for listening, if she thought Ida was the sort to appreciate empty comforts. The ascendant leaned her shoulder back into the open door, knowing the thick slab of crystal would hold her weight without shifting. One foot raised so that her knee bent and her heel pressed flat against the dark, mottled purples with a click. This meeting was clearly not about Alkaid's participation. She very much wanted Ida to focus on the man kneeled down to look at her. "Take a long look at his face, Ida." The smile was slipping now as she spoke, fading to the impassive expression that Alkaid worse so easily. What she was about to say was not pleasant enough for a false show of joy. "Because screaming is the least of your worries if I have need of him in the future."
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Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2016 6:33 pm
"Ah," the general grinned when Ida finally spoke. "Looks like the little canary still has a voice after all." His hand dropped to his side, head cocking to the side as he traced the tired outline of her tired face with his gaze. The weight of it only shifted when Alkaid spoke and he stood, though he did not move from his close vicinity to the senshi.
"The ascendant-general and I have a unique - " he paused to consider what word to use for their relationship. "- partnership." It was the best word, in the end. "It is in your best interest to understand that she is far kinder than I am." Alkaid preferred mental games where Labyrinthite - he liked to do both, but the physical torment was his preferred methods.
"It's a shame that you'll lose your usefulness here eventually. I could think of a few things worth...exploiting." He shrugged, finally giving the woman some space. "Perhaps I'll see you around, later."
Then, he turned his back on the senshi and stepped towards his companion. "I think we best let the canary rest a bit more, lest she run out her clock too soon."
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Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 7:15 pm
The hand reaching for her face retreated and in it's wake, she felt even more exhausted as the rush of adrenaline spent itself. Dark eyes closed briefly as she took a deep breath, letting the rising nausea run its course before she opened them again.
Their threats passed over her, unremarked, but not ignored. She wasn't sure what the purpose of this whole thing had been... simply to put fear into her of 'what if'? She doubted torture by this unknown man would be so much worse than anything Alkaid could conceive of... its not like the ascended had any humanity to hold her back or any care for her 'toy' beyond for what Ida could give her.
It was Labryinthite's comment that sent a chill down her spine though, and her mind rebelled against even considering it. There was nothing more she could give... nothing she had left to exploit.
But at least the small visit seemed to be over, leaving her feeling more than ever like a toy taken out to show a guest. Her head bowed as she leaned back against the wall and some of the tension seemed to leech out of her as sleep beckoned once more.
Hopefully this General Labyrinthite had enjoyed his visit to Alkaid. It was nice, at the very least, to have seen a face other than the ascended's. A small reminder there was a universe outside of these four walls and life that was not a broken doll of Metallia's.
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Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 5:18 pm
Alkaid didn't spare a second glance for the transcended where she curled on the floor. It was where she always was, waiting. It was all she could do. Her entire life was at the whim of the Ascendant. With the memory of her ragged captive fresh in her mind, it was easier to solidify herself in the moment and remember just who and what she was. Not Kaia, she was Alkaid. The door swung shut as the pair of generals made their way back out into the hallway but Alkaid didn't turn to look at him immediately. There was no point of making a show of it - she didn't need to walk back to the entrance hall to take him back to Earth. So, she simply held out her hand, right where they stood on the other side of Ida's cell door. When her gaze rose to his, she felt almost unfairly guarded, forcing herself to maintain an apathy that left her face stony but blank. She hadn't kept him at such a distance from her for a very long time but suddenly, it felt very necessary. "Ready?" No fluff, no show. She didn't even really want his opinions on Ida, his show had been exactly what she had expected.
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Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2016 8:47 am
He followed her out, like she knew he would, and when she offered her hand with the palm up he placed his on it without a word. Their business on Alkaid was done, he knew that just like he knew that talking now, with that senshi on the other side of the door, was in poor taste and it would get them nowhere.
Bickering about the past always reopened the rift between them and, often, it seemed inevitable, but they were better when they stood together, not across from each other.
Ready?
His tongue skimmed his lips as he toyed with the idea of how to answer. In the end, he merely nods and takes one last glance at what he can see of her castle. Alkaid, the imploding star, is not at all what he expected but it's still terribly Alkaid.
Labyrinthite doesn't know if he's proud or disappointed. In the end, it does not matter because she'll take him home and that'll be the end of it.
For now.
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