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 Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:23 pm
“You could say that, it was sort of a robbery, I mean it is stretching things a bit but it’s doable.” And it was something he’d say as well, because she had been stealing his starseed really, so for someone like himself it worked easily enough and he wouldn’t have an issue in telling it to people. “You sent messages out to customers while I was dressing.” A statement, not a question. “Did it all go well?” Now he was asking a question as he climbed into the car and buckled himself in, jamming the key into the ignition and turning it he started the suv.
Shaking his head as he started the car the blond shrugged. “I wouldn’t know about that, I don’t have that issue.” Hadn’t ever really had that issue and certainly never would. The idea of facial hair, at least on himself, was just unappealing in every way imaginable. He also couldn't find himself ever dating someone with facial hair, unless they did shave.
“You can always tell them I turned up and had a doctor see you last night, it’s why I’m there as well, I’m there to make sure you are alright after the attack. You could sight a concussion and they’ll understand you giving vague answers and having someone with you to keep an eye on you and help.”
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:23 pm
“I think I’ll go with that and things seem to be alright, I need to reschedule some things but otherwise, I think it’ll be fine since it was only one day. I think a few of my customers will just be glad to see me looking less hurt than I’d been lately…” Trailing off he remembered how he’d dodged and ducked questions about how he’d always been looking for Alexandre to come in and that had left him a lot more distracted than he normally was at work.
“I think they’ll understand that, I’m sure a lot of them will put together you were the one I kept looking at the door and waiting for.” Speaking softly, he looked out the window at the area he was in. It wasn’t a place he recognized so it was definitely outside of his normal walking range. It meant they were far enough from his shop that if that woman had tried chasing him they might not have been able to find him. Just the thought of it made him uneasy and that feeling would grow as they got closer to his shop.
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:24 pm
“Less hurt than you had been….” Trailing off he gave the other a worried look, tinged with a bit of guilt, he certainly hadn’t meant physically hurt but rather the emotional sort…the sort he’d inflicted upon the other. But that was, or would be, behind them. He would be working to make up for it now, in the hopes that things somehow lasted between them, he did worry though about when this relationship would end because he was near certain it would. It was just a matter of when…but until then he would do his best - he would put in all the usual effort if not more. Maybe if he did that things would last longer, or might not end at all.
“So long as they are placated.” Whispered words as he held onto the other’s hand and gave it a squeeze. He’d call, once they arrived at the shop, and make sure his professors knew he wasn’t coming in - family emergency. He couldn’t lie and say he was sick, or something else, this was a stretch of things but the other was a corrupt senshi and that did make them a sort of family….just like the rest of the Negaverse. So it wasn’t an outright lie - right?
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:25 pm
“It’s alright now.” Squeezing their hand back, he felt a tightness in his chest as he started to recognize the area they were in. This wasn’t too far from the shop and he knew it would only be a few minutes more before he’d be back at that doorstep. Pulling his free hand to his chest, there was a phantom pain, of fingers gripping what was in his chest. Growing a bit pale, he squeezed their hand a bit more as they neared his shop.
“It’ll be ok, she won’t be back right?” Turning away from the window he gave Alexandre a worried look, the building panic showing on his face. He knew they’d stopped her and could probably do it again but it didn’t make him less nervous.
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:25 pm
“She won’t turn up, especially not when the sun is up. Most of us hold normal jobs, or are students, we have normal lives.” So they didn’t have the time to do such things during the day, unless it was a job that also made them money like the sleep center. “And in the evening if she dares to return I’ll handle her. But she won’t - she knows what you are now and won’t hurt you.” If anything she might try and apologize though he also doubted that, and was fairly certain he wouldn’t even allow that.
“I’ll keep you safe.” Because he could do that, he had the strength on his side, he might be small and normally he was not the strongest person but when it came to the powered side of things he had power and strength and could protect someone with ease.
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:26 pm
It made sense, at least in part, but he really couldn’t see that woman being more than a nightmare. “That’s good, I wouldn’t want her causing trouble for my shop. The door thing was bad enough but someone trying to harm people or me is another thing.” There were more than the usual worries about running a business when it came to this city, most of which he never had imagined being something he would have to worry about.
“It helps, hearing you say that. I’d like to make sure I can stick around to see those rabbits again with you.” There was a lot that could happen between now and then but he hoped things could calm down a bit before all the weirdness happened in summer and winter. Just a bit of a lull to give him time to figure all the rest of this out and see what kind of things he could do with Alexandre. There were a lot of places in this city he could go to now that he had his car but he’d been too busy to have an excuse to do something during winter.
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:26 pm
“I doubt she had anything to do with the door, doesn’t seem her style. I’ve seen officers like her, rare as they are, but she wouldn’t set traps. She seems to like being hands on in her approach to things - as do I. Though I’m not violent with civilians.” Not typically anyway, he had no reason to be, but with senshi and knights…that was a whole different story.
Coughing he nodded his head slowly. “The rabbits…yes, so long as you don’t go getting hurt again. I do think they are rather gentle and cute.” And so small and pretty, like the pure snow they came with each winter. They were too pretty. “You’ll get used to things in time, I’ll help, I’m rather familiar with things in this city and I think having a bit of paranoia isn’t a bad thing in this city either. Because it’s not exactly paranoia when things are out to get you.” Shrugging a bit as he came to a stop for a light, leaning over to press his lips to the others quickly.
“At least the summer will be mostly safe, but magical, so a nice bit of it but nothing too dangerous. It’ll be easy for you and the spring will give time for you to get used to living in a new country beforehand.” Tucking his bangs behind his ears as he focused on the road and was moving again soon enough. “You’ll be safer though since you have magic now…and you’ll know more of what’s going on at least. Knowledge is safety I think.” So was power but he didn’t say that, because it was sort of obvious really.
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:27 pm
Shivering a bit as they mentioned a hands-on approach, he really didn’t like how things had gone. “I’m not sure I like being on the end of a hands-on approach.” Speaking softly, he still held a hand to his chest, fingers feeling at a hole that wasn’t there right now.
“As long as I’m a bit more careful and learn more about all this, I think it’ll be okay and I have you to help… right?” Watching them carefully, he was still a bit nervous that they would leave again without any notice. Words and actions never matched the other’s intentions, at least from what he’d figured but he wanted to believe this was sincere at least. “I guess you’re right, instead of riots, this city has magic and monsters to worry about. To be honest… I think I’d prefer the riots, at least then I know what kind of things will happen.”
It wasn’t much longer until they were at the paid lot a block from his shop and his nerves weren’t really helping as he watched people walking in the area. Shaking his head to try and clear some of the worries, he nodded at Alexandre. “I think I would like that, the safe but fantastical things, something from fairy tales and folklore. This is a lot more than just getting used to a new place though, especially now that I apparently am magical as well. One step at a time though, I can handle a lot but… this is too much and I need time to figure things out.” Finally pulling his hand from his chest, he got ready to get out of the car as they parked.
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:27 pm
“I wouldn’t like being on that end of a hand on approach either, I’m used to being on the same end as her to be honest.” He’d pulled his fair share of starseeds and taken lives, he’d never even bothered to try and keep track of them.
“You do, and while I’m used to all of this.” Giving a sort of vague gesture with one hand. “I would prefer riots as well. Magic seems to follow few, if any, rules and throws random things into the mix. Riots at least are somewhat predictable and easy enough to deal with. But, I didn’t get so lucky…I was born and raised in a city filled with magic and chaos.” And when he said chaos he didn’t mean the Negaverse, at least not here, this city was intense and not the easiest place to live but he figured if someone survived in this city than anywhere else was easy by comparison.
Once parked he glanced at the time as he unbuckled himself. “How long to walk to the shop, do you think?” Already he was leaning down, and towards René, as he pulled on something under the seat to scoot the others seat back a bit. Small as he was, Alexandre was able to move about in his car with a fair amount of ease, including turning and climbing over the divide between his and René’s seat and seating himself right in the other's lap. “Deep breaths if you’re nervous. No one is going to jump you going to work this morning.” Taking the other hand, which had been on their chest, and holding onto it.
“If anyone were to try something that stupid I’d handle it. But no one, not even that one, is so stupid. You’ll be safe leaving work as well, I’ll make sure of it.”
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:28 pm
“Ah.” It wasn’t very reassuring that they could do the same to him maybe but he didn’t want to think about it. It made him shift a bit uncomfortably in his seat before they continued.
“I’m not sure if I’ll ever get used to it, at least not completely. But I am glad to hear you agree with my opinion on things. It must have been difficult growing up here, at least I think, right?” At least maybe during certain seasons or if there were any other people like that woman that were going around after civilians. But if that was the case… why were there so many people still hear acting like nothing was really bothering them? The same could be said for where he'd come from so maybe it did make a bit of sense.
“It’s just down the block, maybe a minute or two walk.” He was about to ask why as the other moved to slide his seat back but the answer came soon after. This was nice and he listened and took slow deep breaths as they held his hand. He could tell they were serious about it, making sure nothing happened to him. “Thank you.” Sighing a bit he leaned down to kiss them. “We should head in so I can get ready.”
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:28 pm
“I think growing up here you get used to it, like the weather you know what to expect. You know what seasons bring what weather and you know which seasons, and holidays, bring magical issues. Somehow the civilians here don’t realize what’s going on…or don’t see it for what it is. I haven’t a clue. But I know that I didn’t see things the same way either…verres teintes roses.” He hadn’t seen the truth in things. His family still didn’t or he was certain they’d have all up and relocated to someplace safer.
“You don’t need to get used to it like I have, I wouldn’t expect or ask it. At least you are more aware of it and safer. You can deal with it just a bit better. Because somehow even civilians get pulled into things from time to time.” And they were left with little in the way of helping themselves. Those ones pulled into space, some who didn’t make it, were a perfect example of that. “I think the normal civilians are as I once was, before I joined. I do not think they can remove those glasses - not fully.” Or there would be no one living here and absolute chaos, as he was sure the oddness of this city would be plastered all over the place with people from all over trying to get involved somehow.
Pressing his lips to the others he nodded his head slowly, nibbling his bottom lip. “Yeah, we should. But please, do not worry. In this way I suppose I am better suited to take charge of things.” Smiling, Alexandre ruffled the others hair before opening the others door and with ease he slid right from the others lap, out of the car, and onto the sidewalk.
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:30 pm
It made sense, just as he’d been used to things back home. It just would take some time to get used to things, now that he had been thrown right into the mess of it. “Just how I got pulled into things as a civilian, even if I turned out to be more than that after. Though all that is still kinda foggy. But... into space? How?” It sounded more like sci-fi than fantasy, something that he wasn’t as interested in.
Watching as they slid off him, he sat up a bit more before getting out of the car as well. Wrapping his arms around them, he rested his chin on top of their head. “My fierce little angel, I think I’ll be happy with you taking charge on that matter.” It was really nice to hear that someone actually cares enough about him to keep him safe.
“Let’s hurry though, it’s cold and my hair is still a bit wet.” Pulling them along as he started off with a light jog, he wanted to close the distance as quickly as he could while he worked on getting his keys out of his bag with his free hand. They jingled as he made sure he had the store key at the ready because the less time he was standing at the doorstep, the better.
Standing with them at the top of the stairwell, he froze a bit at the sight of the bit of blood right on the stoop where the door was down below. It wasn’t a lot but, it was enough he could see why people had been startled. Some of it was dried on the door and he really didn’t want to go down the few steps just yet.
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:30 pm
“Space…that’s an interesting thing. I’ve been there once, a big mission years back, but senshi and knights can get there often.” Shrugging a bit as he lifted his hand and ran his fingers through the others darker hair. “I am interested in space, not because of what was once there but rather the views and the sights there presently. Like how a person is interested in fantasy books. Not because they want to live there but because it’s something so very different it’s almost…magical and awe inspiring. Something fantastical.” Because he had no interest in living in space or seeing it rebuilt, unless senshi and knights would return there and leave here, but there was still something which seemed out of reach with what could be seen there.
Following at the others side, doing his best to keep up, the ashen blond watched as the other paused and took the keys from his hands. Going down to unlock the door, without much pause or addressing of the issue, instead he set to change the topic. “You should get an awning so people don’t get wet on the way into and out of the shop.” Pushing the door open he stepped inside and held it open.
“Come on, no getting sick. I don’t think you want me calling Lorcan again because you got sick.”
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Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:31 pm
René blinked in surprise, Alexandre had been through a lot more than he’d ever thought. He could maybe agree with the rest of their sentiment though, the sky was always a good source of inspiration for paintings and he’d seen how they’d portrayed it in their work.
Watching as they went down and opened the door as if nothing was wrong, he swallowed and took slow steps down, making sure he avoided what was probably his own blood on the ground. He’d have to clean that up, but he really didn’t want to. It would have been less jarring if it was just from some unknown source because he could explain it away as maybe someone having a nosebleed or something not as harsh as what might have happened. Rubbing his face, he stepped inside his shop and past Alexandre while barely noticing the mail he was stepping on. “If.. you could maybe pour some water down on that?” Being careful not to look back out through the door, he went to busy himself with turning on all the lights and making his way to the backroom to try and get shaved before he would have to open the store up in about half an hour.
Everything was still where he had left it, even the small paintings he’d been working on. The counter had flecks and blobs of loose paint on it, another thing he would have to clean up but that was for later. “I’m going to shave really quick, there's a small bucket back here in the closet if you want to use that?” Calling out from the backroom, he looked at himself in the mirror again before turning on the faucet to start heating up the water. Opening the mirrored cabinet, he grabbed his razor and shaving cream. He’d take it slow and carefully this time, now that he wasn’t jumping at every ping on his phone and hoping that Alexandre would be messaging him. They were here now so he could focus on things and clean himself up after a month of floating through and feeling lost.
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