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Lt. Borax

Fascinating to think that this place predated the Negaverse's record, though it did track. So far as he had learned in his research, the White Moon had no real access to the world beneath, and the only record he could find of that kind of entry happening was a fluke. A fluke that had resulted in the death of a former general-queen and the escalation of another, but nevertheless.

He leaned forward and yet closer to Faustite's pulpit -- because of course he had sat as near to the front of the room as he could -- as he listened.

Faustite's hesitance when he spoke of its existence in the Rift caught his attention, and his brows rose further. Hearing his own thoughts about the situation briefly touched on brought a question in mind, along with the mention of teleportation even if it may have been a faulty theory, but he did his best to tightly hang onto his thoughts until Faustite was done speaking.

It seemed that each of the knights that had entered had left their own mark. Plutonians did something with time, Cosmos had clamped onto magic to some degree, as had Uranus and, unfortunately for him, Mars. Perhaps Jupiter and Mercury had the same. Did the White Moon of today still have this ability? Was it possible for them to seal things in this way? Concerning, no doubt, and perhaps relevant to his assignment if he could unearth more information.

Nevertheless.

"Do we have any theories as to how this facility may have ended up in the Rift if knights once had access?" Borax crossed one leg over the other, leaning back once more. "Is it possible that similar facilities may have made it into the Rift?"

Captain Roselite

Roselite tried to offer Kamacite a smile, but it was weak and left his face before reaching his eyes. Even so, he didn’t pull his hand away, giving Kamacite’s hand something of a desperate squeeze.

He listened attentively, even if he didn’t raise his eyes or ask any questions. Roselite couldn’t help but think the whole business with Galvorn was terribly sad. The White Moon was their common enemy, but they’d once been Galvorn’s allies. Even if Galvorn’s loyalty remained with the Negaverse, Roselite wouldn’t have blamed Galvorn for feeling conflicted. It wasn’t easy to be at odds with those who’d once been friends. For it to end with so much pain…

Maybe it would have been safer for them to have dusted him immediately, or maybe doing so wouldn’t have changed anything in the end. That wasn’t Roselite’s call to make. He could not begrudge the attempt to reason with Galvorn no more than he would have begrudged as more expedient dusting. No one could say with any certainty what may have happened if a different decision had been made.

Making those decisions couldn’t possibly be easy. Roselite didn’t envy Jet, who did so — or Faustite, leading a mission but still conceding to a General King.

“Is he okay?” Roselite whispered to Kamacite, who knew Faustite better.

Roselite didn’t like the tension he sensed in the room. None of it seemed fair.

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Eternal Cymophane

Cymophane had to wonder at Taenite’s demeanor. Taenite was normally so blasé about everything, it seemed uncharacteristic for him to care about anything happening in that room. Then again, it wasn’t as if they knew one another well. They had fun during missions, and joked and talked in between, but confiding in one another hadn’t exactly been necessary before, and it wasn’t now.

Was it jealousy that made Taenite so alert to the goings-on with Faustite and the few who spoke up? Or concern? Cymophane didn’t know that there was anything to be concerned about. Kamacite hadn’t mentioned anything negative about anyone in Faustite’s group of boys. Just that Albite was loud and overwhelming.

“Wow, and you weren’t even the one playing knight in shining armor on that mission,” Cymophane observed.

He remembered that mission with some displeasure — not for the mission itself, but for the aftermath. A dead youma. A slap across the face. Yuuri in the bathroom in tears.

Cymophane’s smile never faltered. He gave no indication that he felt any type of way about it, except intrigued, fishing for gossip.

“Are you part of his harem then?” he asked with a teasing edge in his voice. “Does it come with perks? Aside from sex, I mean. What’s he like in bed? I need details.”

Eternal Kamacite

Kamacite squeezed Roselite’s hand in return, and shook his head when he asked about Faustite.

“I don’t know,” he admitted. Faustite had so many people he surrounded himself with. People that Kamacite didn’t want to know because he didn’t like feeling replaced or abandoned. More and more, Kamacite felt like Faustite was distancing himself, whether intentionally or if it was something Kamacite had done. Or not done.

“He went back to the Rift. I couldn’t follow.” Even if he changed to his youma form with the use of that pendant again, it had only lasted a few hours before the magic dissipated. Immediately after the mission, he’d enjoyed a moment of being carried under Faustite’s arm, but after that….

He would have died for Faustite easily. If that was his fate, then so be it. He hadn’t fought when Faustite took his starseed, and the only upset he’d felt in that ordeal was Faustite feeling like he had to do things by himself.

“I don’t think he is…”

Where was Albite? Where were those on his team that he insisted on getting close to? Shouldn’t Heliodor be making sure Faustite was okay? Kamacite didn’t know, but his heart hurt. He hoped to get some time with Faustite, but what the other would tell him was questionable.

——————————

Super Taenite

Taenite snorted, amusement returning to his expression where it had grown a bit somber. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” he winked, but shrugged. “I’ll tell you all about it later. Don’t want these prudes getting their panties twisted.”

He had no problem with kissing and telling to the right people. If Cymophane really wanted to know, it wasn’t as though Faustite ever told him not to share his experiences with anyone else.

“I like to think of myself as exclusive. Limited edition. Besides, can’t trust most of them farther than I can throw them… in a bag with bricks,” he added, since depending on their form, Mauvians could be light.

Another shrug. “Haven’t met most of them. They all seem boring, but they must offer Faustite something.”

Super Corrupt Heliodor

Helio took the blank look and gentle chastising with grace. “Was just wondering if the info we acquired may have helped dig anything up.” He said before Faustite continued on.

The coughing was a new thing. Mild, but worrisome none-the-less considering Heliodor could not remember a time the half-youma had actually been ill. Still, right now was not the time to fuss, not with the debrief taking place. He had more respect for Faustite than to do anything now. He’d swoop in once everything was done, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t visibly alert and honed in on the General.

It was an impressive amount unearthed down there. The teams had done a good job gathering whatever intel they could and making sure their reports reflected it. To think that Knights had once managed to gain access and create a building of that scale in the Rift was a mind boggling piece of information. What did they get out of building there? Or maybe the question they should be asking was if that area had been a part of the rift at the time? Was there the possibility that it wasn’t? Heliodor was very ill-informed on the rift considering his general lack of ability to freely explore.

Borax spoke up and Helio glanced in the lieutenant's direction. A new member of the team whom Helio hadn’t had the pleasure of actually meeting yet. He voiced what Helio had been curious about. If others existed there could be more useful research to be found.

General Arsenopyrite

After the events Arseno had tended to the wounded and made sure that no one would have to immediately go to a hospital at least. He was glad that there were no broken bones, but there would have to be a lot of resting at the minimum. Whether anyone would follow those recommendations was beyond his control.

They had then come back to the room that they had first assembled in, and Arseno was relieved of his duties.

For the moment he had decided to take a seat and think about what had happened. It wasn’t as satisfying as getting that scale had been, even if he had been half asleep for the fight and he was much more awake this time. He had to admit that he had more questions than answers.

What was the earthquake that had suddenly caused it to surface? Why was it there exactly in the middle of the scar? What else was there that they hadn’t uncovered yet? None of these could be answered at the moment, and he was sure that he would be cautioned to avoid going to the scar. As much as he hated to admit it, even if he was a General he didn’t have the necessary experience to go and solo going into the Rift for even a few days. He would have to summon Ödön and ask the Youma to keep an eye on the area for anything that was unusual or new. He wasn’t interested in Youma per se, but if any other buildings decided to suddenly pop up, it would mean there was much more in the Rift that they needed to go and examine for more than just a few days. They may even need to dedicate teams. Perhaps more intelligent Youma and others that would be able to stay there for weeks at a time if they could find them.

Outwardly he sighed and rubbed his head with one of his hands. Others were asking some of the same questions that he had been wondering and some talking amongst themselves. He continued to listen in, but knew that he had to dedicate more time to being a General if he wanted to know who everyone here was. Risking one’s life was a way to tell if they would help each other but didn’t exactly allow them to know them in any real way. Besides all of the heavy flirting. That was a little too personal.



General Chambersite

Chambersite was more displeased about how the mission had gone. Faustite said they had managed to accomplish their goals, but really it felt like the tip of the iceburg. And that something was being hidden from all of them. What had the General been doing? He was sure that there was more to it than their “leader” was letting on, even if he was answering questions.

Roquefort had told him that the General had apparently dusted himself, meaning that they wouldn’t get answers from him anytime soon. And it would mean a future encounter with the other as well. Most likely against them and possibly gathering Youma who would be more loyal to him than the ones that had answered his call and had rejected his orders. He had to admit the lamp Youma had his praise. He would have to see if he could find them again sometime and have a chat. Even if it was just to ***** with each other. But most likely he had valuable information. It was just a matter of finding out what he wanted in exchange for it.

He had also told Roquefort to gather any information that the boney rat could find. Whether it was about the building, where the General was, any other interesting information that he should know. Unfortunately, it did mean making the Youma a 2-foot sized quiche in return. Also, not to be eaten all at once. He didn’t want the little guy getting fat. If Youma could get fat from eating. It was something he didn’t want to experiment with.

For now he was writing his own brief on the event and what happened with his group to turn into one of the General Sovereigns when they were finally allowed to leave.



Corrupt Triplite

Triplite had also take a chair and had put both of her elbows on her knees and had her face resting on her palms. As scary as the room that they were assigned was, she had to admit she expected… more? Perhaps a big battle? They ran away from that. Maybe going back to the rooms after all the traps were disabled to investigate them some more? She didn’t know! She just knew that it hadn’t been much of an adventure for her. Perhaps she should have done more, but fighting with the chains had been fun, even if it was only for a little bit.

Still, she hadn’t even gotten to use her powers once! Or at least her magical attacks. Sure, it wasn’t useful in most situations, but she would have at least tried to knock Galvorn over onto his back. Maybe they could have captured him then?

All she could do was kick some rocks on the way back and sigh loudly as she sat in her chair for now. It would be back to school and volleyball practice after this. At least it had been some variety, but she had expected a bit more when she was awakened into the Negaverse. She had the powers of a dinosaur after all! Who wouldn’t want to use them!

Most here seemed to be much older than her as well. Or at least above their teens. That made it even harder to talk to anyone. Most of them seemed to be acquainted in some way as well. She cursed her school schedule in her head. She would have had more time to meet others if she hadn’t been so busy!

At least they had done what they had gone out to do, according to the Faustite guy. She still wished she could have punched someone though.

‘Something for you to study, then.’

“Indeed.”

Tama’s reply showed no emotion in his voice, but if you were watching his eyes, you knew the wheels were turning in his head. Fast.

There was so much of his soul that wished to stay with the Cosmos symbols, stay with his memory. But he knew there would be little to gain there. All it could tell him was what was in the past. While his heart may not be cured, his mind was and he saw many possibilities in the information that had been uncovered. Future possibilities.

Perhaps, at first glance, the ability to transform a weapon into jewelry and back was more akin to the Mauvian’s proclivities and skill set — was it not at all out of the scope of items his species were good at? However, it was youma tempering that transfixed him. The transferral of forms? Fascinating.

He left the room without comment, unusual of him to be so quiet.

He had an idea for an item and he’d get started right away.


☆

Lt. Borax

It was interesting to hear that the entirety of the Knight Academy was another example of something that had ended up underneath. How many more of the knights' key buildings lay inaccessible to them, and accessible to provide advantages to the Negaverse? Had the Rift come into being after this entire event happened? If Galvorn was looking to arm civilians, it seemed likely, considering civilians could not access the Rift either. Of course, if civilians could access the Rift, there would be no reason to think that knights couldn't.

Did the Negaverse pick and choose what they dragged into the Rift, or had some event caused it?

He supposed to left him with more to think about, but it could wait until after Faustite finished acknowledging his assistance and talking about what that assistance had led to. Borax beat back the edges of that self-assured smirk but nodded his head in acknowledgement when referenced, otherwise sitting tall and not saying much else. His eyes did briefly widen in something akin to intrigue at seeing Faustite's form of pure fire, but--

He watched what their work had led to, and the demonstrations offered. New forms. New weapons. All from working with and manipulating the youma that lurked their domains.

He found himself summoning the dip pen that called itself his weapon at the moment. (His weapon. He admired dip pens for their use in calligraphy, and the pen was oft mightier than the sword, but calling it a physical weapon for combat was an absolute joke.)

It sounded like his drive to push up the ranks had a new piece to help motivate it, now.

General Aquamarine

Aquamarine gave his demonstration, even if he didn’t think the many faces of the crowd adequately appreciated his time or attention.

He left his drink with Seraphinite. He might be able to get away with a lot, but stumbling up on stage with a bottle of Jack in hand wasn’t a good look. Aquamarine wasn’t so far gone as to make a fool of himself like that.

Yet.

“Alys,” he summoned his youma.

She appeared with a flutter of black feathers. She had the legs of a bird and sharply taloned feet, with the torso of a young woman clothed in dark, tattered rags that might have once been a dress. Her arms were fused with wings. Her head was crowned by feathers more than hair, though a few stringy, pale strands hung free. Black eyes stared out of a wan, expressionless face.

He took his rapier and dagger in hand. He willed the fusion, then weapon and youma became one, and in their place he held a scythe. The shaft of it, like his typical weapons, was black decorated with stones of pale blue, ending in a pommel like the taloned foot of a bird. The blade seemed beak-like and sprouted from a tuft of black feathers.

Aquamarine gave it an easy swing. He doubted there’d be much marveling from the crowd. They were ungrateful. Some of them barely earned the tools they were already given, much less extra perks. Aquamarine gazed over them all resentfully. This was the organization he’d committed his life to.

They were undeserving of it.

“As far as we can tell, the fusion lasts minutes at a time. Whether or not that changes with the familiarity of extended use remains to be seen. Either way, it’s enough time to give you another advantage, if you’re smart with it.”

Aquamarine didn’t trust most of them to be smart with it.

“Since you’re all so eager to leave, I won’t be taking any questions.”

He rolled his eyes so hard they felt sore after. Aquamarine took his bird-scythe with him on his way back to his drink. It was a struggle not to take someone’s head off with it.

A hand descended, very briefly, onto Faustite’s shoulder as Aquamarine took his leave from the stage. He snatched it away just as fast, in case the gesture seemed too companionable. Also, Faustite was hot.

On his way past, Aquamarine muttered under his breath, “Can’t stand most of these ********, he had Jet to complain to.