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 Posted: Thu Jul 18, 2024 6:30 pm
"Half my nights, or better, are far from quite." Whether it was because he was out patrolling or because he was spending the evening with Rene. Only half his nights saw him going out for an evening run as a civilian, and arriving home after the run and without incident, so a nice quite night wasn't rare but it was aprpeciated.
Following at Rene's side there was a pause as he stepped into the forest. It was...still. Something felt a bit odd, the lack of noise, but he didn't say anything and continued on while looking back towards Rene. "Coming
petite souris?" Questioning as he flashed a smile back at the other, reaching out with a hand for them. Something felt strange and he wanted them close but he was going to play things off, act normal, if something happened he'd be ready for it. He didn't want to ruin this though, he'd try and play it off and see if anything happened, if all went normal he'd be happy.
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Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2024 11:27 am
It was something he knew, even if his nights were far quieter thanks to Katya keeping his signature covered. It made things easier for the most part because it meant that as long as he wasn't seen in the act there was a bit of deniability in things that gave him enough time to get away in an emergency.
This time though, was different because they weren't powered up. Taking their hand he smiled and brushed off that uncanny feeling as he wandered forward through the trees. "Sorry mon petit ange, I think it was just a bit of nervousness. I haven't been on this path before but the reviews looked alright for the most part."
There had been a few one-offs saying that something had made people fall asleep or something about tripping over roots and foliage. It seemed sort of normal for the most part but this feeling had him a bit on edge after the recent adventure in space. The bits of his skin where the acid had hit hurt when they rubbed against his boot and clothing.
Adjusting the bag on his back, he looked around with the flashlight as he made his way down the path. "At least there aren't any others out tonight, there aren't bears near the city right?" There had been wolves, well youma ones, but he wasn't sure what sort of wildlife ventured near the city in the forest.
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Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2024 12:09 pm
"Mm, and you do like hiking so it was about time you tried this trail." He mused, a teasing smile in place. "I guess I'll have to get used to wandering about nature with you, it might be a change from my usual runs." Especially if the woods outside the forest were becoming an issue even, as he was certain the forests around the city hadn't been effected by the cities magical issues, he would have to join Rene from now on.
"Mixing things up a bit, some runs and some hikes with you, it wouldn't be that bad..perhaps even benefical." A nice way to spend time with his partner, something fairly casual, it would be worth it really.
"Bears..." Trailing off, thinking for a moment, he shook his head. "Not that I'm aware of. Deer...but bears I've never heard of. Just a supposed bears, or creature of some sort, near that new energy facility but that is a magical thing I believe, considering the other issues which crop up around that facility." That was, as far as he could remember, the only issue of a bear being mentioned, and speculated about, in this city. The city seemed safe against everything natural. It was all magical things which plagued this city. What a surprise.
"Why do you ask about bears?" Why bears and not other things, like pumas and such. Or did Rene not ask about pumas, and other animals, because he didn't know about the other dangerous animals in the us, things which you didn't have in France. Lacing his fingers witgh the others as he walked at the others side, blue eyes glancing about as they walked. This place was creppy, it left him feelign on edge like at a haunted house. He expected something to jump out, at them both, and try to scare them. A cheap jump scare. He didn't like this feeling, at least when he wasn't at some haunted house, and it had him keeping to Rene's side as they walked.
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Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2024 3:03 pm
"I think it'll be good for you too." Nature was always something sort of nice to wander around in because it was peaceful most of the time. Maybe a bit too peaceful today but that could just be because someone had been causing trouble earlier and scared the animals off.
Nodding with their agreement, he smiled for a moment. Their confirmation that bears weren't really a thing here was a relief, though he was interested in seeing what deer were like here. Would they come up to you or skitter off? It would be nice to sit and paint something out here, especially if the wildlife was about.
"I'd caught sight of a few small ones back home, one of the times I broke my ankle was when I got too close to some little ones on accident and wasn't looking when I was running." Rubbing the back of his head as he spoke, it had been a stupid mistake but he'd made good time getting away, and nothing more troublesome had happened.
Then something moved in the corner of his vision and he froze just the slightest bit, sucking in a quiet breath as he swung the flashlight towards where he'd thought he'd seen something move. Just trees, with leaves swaying slightly but no signs of anything else as he exhaled and took a few more steps.
"Maybe it might have been a better idea to do this earlier in the day, at least for our first wandering no? It is a bit spookier at night." Not that he would outright say he was nervous but he was sure they knew by now that he was skittish.
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Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2024 3:37 pm
"Perhaps, though you really don't need to sell me on the idea. I'm already willing to go for it, I'll do some hikes with you and skip a run of two of mine. I don't mind, but you'll be doing the shopping I'll need for the hikes." As if he were really punishing the other in some manner, as he was rather certain Rene would enjoy doing some clothing shopping for him. Rene liked to shop as much as he did...though they threw out old clothing a lot more than he did, especially when it came to sweaters. The small blond had enough sweaters to last him a year without wearing one twice, or at least he was damn close to that. Because he didn't like to throw out his clothing unless he had to.
"Maybe you'llget lucky thern and see a deer tonight...though I really don't think so." Not this late, it would wind up too hard in the dense forest to see one, but if theyu came back in the middle of the day than perhaps.
Pausing as the other jumped, or seemed to anyway, and swung round. Alexandre failed to notice a root snaking out towards his leg as he was focused on Rene. He didn't notice untill he did...till he took a step and the root tightened it's hold - keeping him from moving. Instead it lifted and pulled him up, yanking with a good amoutn of force. A branch came swinging towards him and he only just managed to avoid the full hit. With it turning into a glancing blow to his face he cried out in shock. "Damn it! Even here!"
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Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2024 6:29 pm
"Of course, I know just what to get for you." It wouldn't be hard and he'd enjoy getting some new things for the other while looking at some new things for himself at the same time. It might be about time for another hydroflask since his had a few dents in it from his misadventures and swinging it at senshi. "It would be nice, something pretty mundane and not really harmful after those insectoid things." Because even the cicadas were a bit much for him that first night after they'd gotten back to the other's home, even if the bugs were just normal, he had enough of creepy crawlies for a bit which was why he was alright without them buzzing around tonight. No sooner did his light pass over and illuminate the wrongness of one of the trees did René hear Alexandre cry out. "Merde... ********... s**t..." Scrambling for his henshin in his pocket, he manage to power up just in time to get hit in the chest by a swinging branch. It knocked the wind out of him otherwise he'd still be stringing curses in multiple languages at the terrible luck they had. "Consume..." Half crumpled to the ground, he tried his magic, hopefully sending out a wave of exhaustion to whatever was attacking them both. It didn't feel like a youma was nearby, in fact, it felt like there wasn't anything abnormal nearby and it had him scared and confused as he reached out for his little blond so they wouldn't get pulled away. Quote: Super Sailor Scout Attack: Consume. Kafka says the name of his attack and pulls his hands towards his mouth before throwing them outwards. Those who are in the area of effect feel a medium-sized drain on their body as if their resources are being used up. This may take the form of shortness of breath, fatigue, hunger, a darkening of vision, or a migraine as if from dehydration. After the magic fades there may or may not be a bit of the effect lingering but it is up to the player. Range: 15 feet Time: 20 seconds Uses: 2
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Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2024 6:37 pm
The tree however, because that's what had grabbed him, swung him in an arch like some sort of warped carnival ride. Shouting the blond managed just enough focus to power up. It really didn't take much focus these days, thankfully, but his cape fell towards the ground along with his coat, as he hit several branches as he was swung. "s**t!" Another curse as he twisted, turned, and struggled. The tree seemed to lose some of it's fight but he was still held aloft.
As he twisted and turned he took a moment to get a look around, moving his hair from his face, he could feel his cheeks reddening and his ears rushing with noise. The blood rushing to his face as he tried to arch his back and do a sit up of sorts while in the air. The sight he caught as he moved was of the trees trunk and it pulled a small gasp from him.
"Ok, this tree can burn - it needs to be burned." He loved nature, adored plants, but this tree looked like some tortured screaming person was trying to escape the trunk of it...only they were nothing but bark themselves. It was honestly a sight he could do without.
"This city is a nightmare..." Nothing ever really went well in this city. Deciding to end this, and because he couldn't keep this up, he summoned his weapon and lashed out as best he could as he was once more hanging upside down in the trees limp hold. "Why do I always get abused by plants..."
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Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2024 8:43 pm
Covering his head with his arms as another branch swung at him, the hit hurt and had him yelping as he tried to move closer. Looking up he saw his partner trying to fight the thing with little success.
Scrambling for the camping back as they mentioned fire, he fumbled while taking hits here and there until he pulled out the lighter. It was like night and day, the attacks stopped, and the branches and tendrils pulled away. "Mon ange! Reach for me!" Standing hesitantly, with the back now slung over his back, he reached up with one hand as he held the lighter out threateningly towards the thing with his other hand, daring it to try something.
"This city is a nightmare." And truthfully if it wasn't for them he might have just hopped back on a plane and found another place to pop around. But he really didn't like the idea of not being with them, not after how things had ended up so he had to figure out a way to deal with this s**t.
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Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2024 8:48 pm
Swinging his weapon he brought it wound to Rene. "Hold that, I can't reach you." He was too short to reach his partner but the weapon made up for the difference. "Pull me free and we can get out of here." He really needed to work on the others teleporting skills, and telepotring with another person, it would keep Rene and himself safer in this city.
"It's holiday season - this is normal." Shrugging as he waited for Rene to grab onto his weapon and pull him free. The tree was frightened, and rightfully so, of the fire. It seemed that Rene got closer it decided to panic, or as close to panic as a tree could manage, and dropped him and ran...it actually ran.
"s**t...that hurt." Having landed on the ground, he rolled onto his back and sat up ever so slowly. "Every year the Starfest comes...s**t happens. Every Halloween and Christmas...thigns happen. It's normal. This city somehow magically panics and lashes out at everyone, or something similar." And byu now, having grown up in this city, he was very much used to it. He'd activly dealt with it since he was sixteen...or had he been fifteen? Either way he had a lot of years experience and not much surprised or bothered him at this point. "I'm dreading winter...spiders..." Shivering as he spoke he reached up, and out, for Rene.
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Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2024 9:25 pm
Reaching up for their weapon, he didn't end up needing to grab them as the tree just.... walked away? It left him staring as he held the lighter with a shaky hand in the direction it had gone, just in case.
"Doesn't mean I like this or that it's normal for me..." Kneeling, he looked the other over before pulling them into a tight hug as they reached for him. Keeping an eye out as he rested his chin on their shoulder, he wanted to get back to their place but he knew they both needed a moment before either of them would be able to really leave. He still couldn't really teleport much or that far without feeling drained but he was certain they needed a bit of time to gather themself to bring him to their home.
"I'll keep the spiders away if you can keep... the rest off me? At least until I figure this craziness out." It was imperative at this point it seemed because even his normal hobbies could lead to magical danger, which sucked.
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Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2024 9:47 pm
Letting his weapon vanish, for now they were safe, he curled into the other as much as he could. "I know, and I wish you weren't involved in all of this, if only for your sake. For my own sake...I'm greedy and a bit selfish and I'm glad you're involved in all of this." Because he didn't want to hide this part of his life, or any part of himself, from whoever he dated. He'd done that, hiding things or avoiding certain things...doing things alone. He hadn't dated someone who he could bring into each part of his life - till now. Now he could and he wanted nothing else. Even if Rene didn't like this aspect of the city, of his life or of their own now.
"Once you live here long enough this all becomes normal, even for normal civilians. You learn to not trust new stores which open up around the holidays, the park isn't safe at night - ever. If rumors go around about places being haunted, thigns being seen, and other things - they're all true. It's how this city is." Whispering, as if Rene didn't know what he was in for by living in this city. He was in for a lot of abnormal things...things which were normal here - perfectly so.
"That's fine. You handle the spiders, since I can't, and the rest I can manage. It's easy." Because he had experience...and he didn't fear any of it...aside from the spiders - those he feared.
"You've made it nearly a year...you'll survive in this city. I'll make sure of it." He had to survive...because Alexandre was redecorating a house for them, just outside of the city, so they could move in together. Than he was planning to offer his last name to the other, properly, Rene just didn't know it yet. Alexandre was planning on keeping the other at his side. "Ready to go home? Ithink a hot soak after this would be good - and bed...bed would be really good right now." Because food was the last thing on his mind, even if they had broguht food with them. Gripping the others clothing the blond as glad he had a lot of practice in teleporting, and that taking someone with him wouldn't drain him much, as he focused on home. "Once we arrive...power down." He was not risking their location, their home, being compromised by someone sensing them.
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Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2024 10:13 pm
Sighing a bit, he nodded. It was okay that they wanted him involved because it was better than him not knowing why they disappeared at times, something that might have not gone well after how they'd just up and left him back in the winter. Even if he hated all this magic, the risk and danger of it all, they were right about things. It was similar to how he was used to people rioting, used to seeing things happen as well in the cities back home. This was just... weirder and more dangerous because it seemed almost random.
"I also have you to make sure I don't stumble into something bad either like you did with that tapestry." He was more than alright with them handling all the rest other than spiders because honestly, he didn't have the experience. They'd been working on that together though but it was slow going.
The mention of a year had him bristling though, thinking of the impending doom of having to try signing a new lease somewhere. Hopefully, a better place that was still near his shop but... the odds weren't in his favor with just a few months left on his lease. Alexandre's home was nice, even if it was a bit far from his shop, but it also was shared with their cousin so it felt like it might not be the best for him to ask to move in. It was something he was running out of time to figure out but he shook the thought away as they mentioned home and a bath.
"Yes, let's go. I'll power down immediately though Katya might still be on the couch with the book I left for her." He figured he would bribe her to keep his plan a secret but in all honesty he just liked the mauvian a lot. She had helped keep him safe almost as much, if not more than Alexandre had. Squeezing them a bit closer to him, he was more than ready to not be in the woods.
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