Jet’s suggestion made Ashanite snort. “If we make it to an afterparty, that means we ******** lived, so consider me on the sponsors list. Do you think we can take a little out of the Negaverse accounts to pay for it? Call it morale-boosting activities.”
Truth be told, he wasn’t much in the party spirit, but he could get there, especially if they made it through this alive. And if he could drink himself into a stupor and finally get some decent sleep for the first time in several weeks.
There were plenty of others gathering too, Benitoite’s subordinates (and family, which was a fascinating choice to him. Not that he had a family to try and bring in, so it wasn’t as if he could make any kind of judgement.)
A good showing for the Negaverse. The kind of show of force he liked to see. He hoped the other side was quaking in their collective frilly little boots, because while he wasn’t exactly eager to start a second fight right after what was likely to be a very dangerous battle, he did enjoy getting to see so many people show up.
Including Andesine, and he felt a swell of pride to see the Captain. Any number of his former subordinates were scattered to the winds, but here she was.
“Ideally, I’d like them both to show up,” he agreed, “but I can’t hold it against them if impossible odds at the end of the world isn’t exactly the vibe, or whatever the kids say.”
He exhaled between his teeth at the change in the air. The wind caught his cape, sending it and his hair whipping behind him, which he had to admit gave the whole moment a bit of extra dramatic flair. He copied Benitoite’s clever move and drove the end of his weapon into the ground, reaching out to grab Andesine’s arm and keep her in place, too.
“Jet,” Ashanite said, in a very forced casual sort of tone, “do you happen to know of some kind of secret weapon we’re going to deploy here, because if so, this seems like the time.”
And, well. It seemed there was indeed a surprise in store. Not from the Negaverse, just yet—but from that strange merchant Ashanite had heard so much about. And if Jet and Benitoite trusted him, that was vouch enough for him.
“Not the worst plan I can think of,” he said, under his breath, affixing the bracelet and pinning the pin to his flared collar. The berry went into his subspace, waiting for the right moment.
Vesuvianite nearly jumped out of his skin when everything seemed to suddenly change. He almost imagined this is what an impending black hole would feel like. At the appearance of the gift bags, he took one for himself and immediately put it all on his person, slipping the berry and bag into subspace. It would be safest there. At least he was slightly more ready than he was before.
Stribor wasn't sure all that he could do against this monstrosity that had been chained up for millennia, but he would do his best. The gentle could only be gentle because of the strong, and right now, he had to be strong. To be something he wasn't ever made to be. Swallowing heavily, he took one of the bags, eyeing the label curiously before shoving the pin through one of his open piercings as that would be easier than trying to pin it to his clothing, and then slipped the bracelet onto his wrist. Okay. He could do this. He could help earth. He had to.
Selenga couldn't find his cousin in law, but that was okay. Qiye was, at least, safely at home. As safe as they could be. His spouse knew everything, of course, he'd never keep any secrets from hir, not even about the end of the world. They'd had one hell of a date last night. He hadn't even purged their fancy dinner. He wanted one last night free of blemishes, a perfect night, just in case everything went wrong permanently. If he never saw anyone he loved again... Well, he didn't know what he'd do. Just pray that his next life could do what they needed to.
He startled slightly at the bags as they appeared, but quickly grasped one and glanced around. Nobody seemed to be suffering any ill effects from this mysterious gift from the merchant they saw every year at starfest, so he put on the bracelet and pin, feeling a little awkward. The berry and the bag he shoved in his subspace, not sure it was time to eat those yet. Well. The berry, not the bag.
Quote:
wc: 181
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open for interaction!
Squire Dunnottar of Lysithea Action: equipping the stuff, talking to Lanting, Karakorum, and Corvina (reluctantly)
Dunnottar had been enjoying himself. Somehow. Slowly, but surely, he was becoming friends with Lanting. And Avery had been returned to him. It was likely the return of his best friend that had finally softened him up a little, truth be told. At least, more than his near-death experience. Who would have thought that that storm they all saw in the museum all that time ago would have led to this? For the storm to be an oncoming storm? To the world-ending snake problem?
He didn't shiver at the thought, but it was a close thing. He scanned the area for his friend (his friend. That thought still felt almost wrong) and spied him, unfortunately, with his boyfriend. Corvina left a sour taste in Dunnottar's mouth—he doubted they'd ever get along. And there was a woman with them, one he didn't know, but he went over anyway, glad to at least be facing their likely death with at least one face he got along with.
"Lanting, Corvina," he greeted stoically. "Who's this with you?"
As he asked, the bags appeared, and the wind kicked up brutally. He grabbed one before the wind could spirit it away and opened it. Huh. Interesting. Well... He shrugged and put the bracelet and pin on before shoving the bag and the berry into his subspace. He'd deal with that later, when it felt like it was time to eat it. The time wasn't quite right yet, he thought.
Aquamarine was able to snort in heavily disguised amusement at Benitoite’s comment about the drinks, but was interrupted by the increasing winds before he could respond to Seraphinite. Lifting an arm to shield his eyes from any flying dirt or leaves (or worse), Aquamarine took a protective step closer to Jet.
“It’s like before,” he shouted over the gale. “When we ended up at the prison.”
The velvet bags earned a scowl and a cursory glance from Aquamarine, but he allowed Jet to help him fasten the pin in place, then the bracelet. The berry went to subspace. After it was safely tucked away, Aquamarine summoned a pair of black earrings, fixing one to his own ear and passing the other to Jet.
They didn’t have long now. Seconds, maybe. Minutes, if they were lucky.
Aquamarine summoned his communicator. He’d seen two of his subordinates nearing their position but couldn’t be sure they’d get to them in time. “Akaganeite. Reidite. Stay close. Use your best ******** judgment on orders and if anyone gives you s**t for it you can send them to me after. I can out b***h anyone.”
Finally, he called back to Seraphinite. “I’m the one you’re gonna have to get so ******** drunk I pass out. I’m a ******** amazing drunk, trust me. I’ll tell you about the time I came on to Lepidolite.”
Noir Songbird
Ashanite, Akaganeite
Fiction1119
Mara
Sunshine Alouette
Aquamarine
Guine
Jet, Reidite
Kaefaux
Seraphinite, Rigel, Spectrolite
Sara Draconia
Aoede
Amor Remanet
Andesine
Kyuseisha no Hikari rolled 1 100-sided dice:
38Total: 38 (1-100)
Lopezite passed over the snack and water expectantly, and gave Kamacite a look that insisted he make good use of it, as quickly as possible. He didn’t want him to accept it just because it was the polite thing to do.
“Oh, hey,” he said, a bit surprised at the sudden glitter that erupted from the bag Jasper touched. He accepted the bag with caution, but when it didn’t blow up on him, he looked at the tag.
He wasn’t really one to look a gift horse in the mouth, not when there was so much at stake. He couldn’t imagine Almadel would be trying to sabotage them–didn’t he say he got most of his business here? This was probably just some investment. But, if it helped, he wasn’t complaining.
“I think the shields will hold,” he decided. Hadn’t Almadel helped with them, too? He had to have a heavy investment in this. He started picking at the bag, digging around to see what was so important to send out. The bracelet wound up on his wrist without him really thinking about it. He wasn’t sure what to do with the pin but he clipped it to his uniform absentmindedly. The berry, maybe he could do without that for now. He put it and the bag in subspace.
“That didn’t hurt you, did it?” he asked, eyeing the glitter stuck to Jasper briefly before he returned his attention to Kamacite to make sure he wasn’t trying to pocket that snack without eating it.
"No, I think their whole thing is about us being on Earth - they want Earth for themselves." She spoke softly, resting her chin on the others shoulder. Her pale hair, like fresh fallen snow, contrasted against his brown hair. "Someone told you it was a baby? The one on your home planet?" She questioned softly, keeping her voice low so no one else could hear them talking. "You did kill it right?" She questioned, because if it lived, if it was just a baby of whatever this thing was...she didn't even want to consider.
Lifting her eyes, without moving her head, in order to look up at the sky. It looked like it was boiling, bubbling, and suddenly it was spilling over like water spilling over a pot when it boiled too much. "That.." Staring, wide eyed, in shock her hands shook as she held onto the eternal. "Remind me...when this is over....I should really spend more time in space working on my wonder - and you for your planet." Because if this ever happened again it might be nice to have a safe place to escape, or maybe they should make friends.
Speaking of friends...her eyes landed on her cousin, Alcor, just as Gorner was taking the time to look around the battle field once more. "Alcor!" Lifting her head from Caliban's shoulder, she didn't want to be shouting in his ear after all, as she raised a hand to wave to her cousin and the person she was leading around. "Alcor is my cousin." Letting her partner know, since the two had not yet met, she supposed now was a good time for them to meet..right? At the possible end of the world.
"Oh." Staring as a bag drifted down for herself and Caliban. "Get that..." Pointing to one of the pouches before she grabbed one of them and opened it slowly. "Almadel....?" Questioning, words drifting off, she took the pin and slowly pinned it to her uniform. It seemed the right thing to do even if she didn't know the sender. The bracelet found it's place as well, on her left wrist.
Page 8 With Amarynthos, Dering, and Reims. Putting on the gifts they received.
Ephesus could see the sky as it came towards them. The roiling of the clouds and gusts of wind. He held tighter to Dering as if it would prevent both of them from being blown away. He knew they wouldn’t, at least not with Amarynthos and Reims there.
He felt sick and wanted to cry. Even though he was hugging Dering, he kept his eyes on Amarynthos, silently trying to reassure him, while also feeling like he was going to pass out with worry.
But he knew they had to be strong. For their friends and families. For themselves. For Earth. Maybe for the whole universe. They had to stop this calamity from happening.
As Dering inched closer to Reims, Ephesus loosened his embrace so he could hug Reims too if he wanted. In fact--
Ephesus turned, and with Amarynthos’ arm around his waist, he reached out to hug Reims along with Dering--
Ah, well, before the little surprise gift bags fell to the ground!
He blinked at them in surprise, momentarily ignoring how Reims tensed under the affection, but eventually released their friend so he could grab his own bag.
“From Almadel?” he stared curiously, before looking up worriedly at Amarynthos. He took out the pin and attempted to put it on, but when he started struggling with it, he handed it to Amarynthos in a silent request for help. While he worked on that, Ephesus pulled out the small silver earrings they often shared, holding one out for his boyfriend to take.
Page 2Page 15 Awkward about hugs. Pissed about the glitter.
Okay, while Reims had wanted a hug from Dering, he hadn’t exactly wanted one from Ephesus, too. Not that there was anything wrong with Ephesus! It was just-- he wasn’t sure what to do about it!
He immediately tensed as Ephesus pushed himself and Dering into him, awkwardly uncrossing his arms so he could pat their shoulders or something. But, well, maybe his arm lingered a bit longer around Dering’s shoulders. Especially after Ephesus let go to get the weird little gift bag.
“Here,” he offered, reaching to grab the one off Dering’s knee.
Which was clearly the worst choice he could make. Because instead of grabbing something, he grabbed nothing but still had glitter all over his hand???
“I was trying to ******** help!” he yelled at no one-- everyone? The universe? Almadel. b*****d. “I’m going to ******** fill his entire ******** museum with glitter, ******** d**k,” he snarled, desperately trying to wipe off the glitter, but snatched his own bag from the air before it fell. Although he was still hissing and cursing under his breath about stupid merchants and stupid apocalypses and stupid gossiping gosspiers.
Quietly standing aside and alert, Hestia appreciated the way her General King's loved ones moved to support both him and one another. The team gathered and orbited around him, their fiery heart within the darkness. She'd never regretted corrupting, or truly doubted her purpose once that threshold had been crossed; but tonight Hestia found herself faced with both a greater danger than ever both, and the confirmation that this was where she belonged. This was her purpose.
The suggestion to remove metals and be wary of weapons did cause something of a pang. A danger inherent to his physical existence. She wanted to assure Faustite that she'd throw herself in front of him, that there was no need to worry. She wanted to suggest they have Borax stand with his trident held high. Instead she picked up the dropped pauldron, the belts, and neatly set them aside with due deference. They'd disappear and reappear as magic always does, but she had never shied away from the symbolic rituals of caring.
Hestia accepted Almadel's gift with a calm, satisfied nod. If she remained alive, she would contact the merchant after this. However the thought of being separated from her team, and more importantly, her general king, was unthinkable. Unacceptable. Her purpose, her entire being, was to care for and protect him. Faustite must not be harmed. At least not while she was alive to and nearby to prevent it.
Meeting Headache's look, Hestia's hand was already out and accepting the spike, along with its flawed and dangerous hope. She gave the youma a small, thankful nod, then turned to Faustite with a bow. "Please allow me this honor, sir."
strickenized
Faustire
strickenized
Faustite + Niter
Seiana_ZI
Borax + Fulgurite
Amor Remanet
Ilmari
Kolina
Helio + Magnus
a-disgruntled-dragon
Litharge + Haymitch + Mizuki
amasis
Tincanolite
Shiningamisgirl
Albite + Cryolite
meighei
Tama
whimsical blue
Fafnir
Daekie
Pax
Lena Roze rolled 1 100-sided dice:
60Total: 60 (1-100)
Ako nodded, hand sliding into Kaga's as her gaze swept over the area. She knew Chal would be fine, and upon checking the message from him, nodded to herself. "Chalcanthite is at the rear for support. I'm to keep an eye out for Melpomene and make sure he stays safe. Until I run into him, however, I intend to stay by your side."
As someone approached the duo, Ako looked up curiously. She had yet to meet Reidite before now, and was unfamiliar with who he may be. Still, she cracked a smile at the description. "I have utter faith in the abilities of all of our generals. I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting you before, though? I'm Ako." She extended her free hand to the Captain in greeting.
When the little giftbag floated down before her, Ako frowned curiously and took it. CHecking the tag, she frowned more. Almadel? That name was unfamiliar to her, though clearly this person was important somehow.
Magic....that was something he had as well now didn't he? Thinking on it he didn't find himself caring that much, not right now anyway, he'd think more on it later when the world wasn't about to come to an end - well possibly come to an end. The look of the sky though had him wondering if they were prepared enough for this, had they managed to do enough, he didn't know what others had done but he hoped it was enough. He'd made his attempts at participating, which for him was a lot, and all he wanted to do was be on his wonder away from this all. But it wasn't liveable much less comfortable so here he was, another issue he'd have to fix about his wonder soon.
A glance to his mentor, as a shower of glitter and a velvet pouch lande in his hands. "Remind me, when this is over, to get some help from you. If you don't mind, of course." Because she was older, and his mentor, and he wasn't about to go giving her orders. She was spoken to softly, as if he were shy, but rather he wasn't used to asking for help especially from adults. Maybe he expected her to say no, without even finding out what he needed help with, but would he be wrong to think like that? He doubted it.
He'd also be needing use of her dumpster soon as well, with any luck he could have his wonder decluttered in a few trips, or so he was hoping, so he could move thigns in like tools and parts and a bed and bedding. If he didn't find a living area, and a bedroom, he'd just find a way to convert the back office into a bedroom. The place would be made liveable! He just didn't know what to do about power...maybe he could get little solar panels set up? The place had a roof and the sun had to be closee - right? It would take a lot of work, and time, but he had enough of that to spare for such a project. If he could find other means of power he would, and he would harness it, for now solar would have to work.
From inside the pouch he pulled out the items, slowly, his mind still on his wonder and how he'd much rather be there than here. There were some places in space, wonders and home worlds, which were liveable....his would be too, he'd see to it. Slowly, without much thought to it, he slipped the bracelet on his wrist, slipping it right under his coat sleeve, while the pin found it's home right under the rabbit head about his neck. "Tikal..." He greeted with a small nod of his head, he didn't know her but their uniform had the same symbol his did....Ganymede.
Why was a group forming around him suddenly? It felt...odd. This never happened to him, he avoided most people in his life, and he wasn't sure what he should do. He did slowly shuffler closer to the Pluto knight, his mentor. Why did these knights, the ones with Halle, all have such pastel uniforms? This little group he'd found himself apart of looked...so soft, such an odd thing to think but it seemed fitting. "I see everyone else using the items - they must be safe."
Captain Brassite action: trying her quasi-best for the moment, enjoying free swag
It took a little while for Brassite's sparkle eyes to calm down after General Queen Hessonite noticed her. And posed for her. Once she'd gotten some awesome shots that were toally going on her office wall, the captain couldn't help but fangirl a little more with an enthusiastic, "I love you!!" - before scurrying back into Chalcanthite's vicinity.
Taking note of where Benitoite, Aode, and Melopomene (all three of whom she considered as sort of step-generals to the team) stood on the field, Brassite found herself with a big problem: she was equipped to be a frontline fight now and she had no idea where the frontline was.
Then Faustite was on the comms saying reasonable s**t like, hey maybe don't wake your weapons around too much and catch that lightning? Which was another problem. Like, she wasn't wearing much metal, but her fisty punchers were very much metal. But also small? But also was she going to punch lightning?
Also were those massive scales in the sky? Was this ******** thing actually big enough to literally swallow the world? Was she going to punch that?
Thankfully there was suddenly free stuff from Mr. Almond to distract her these pressing issues. "******** yeah, thanks mister!" Seeing her boss putting the pin and bracelet on, she followed and felt like, super extra equipped for punching like...maybe that page in the far distance. Well, maybe not a page anymore. Looks like Miss HOA had upgraded to Squire of the PTA. Gross.
Well, she could punch a squire any day, but the world snake still seemed like, a lot.
Volterra quickly put the items from the bag on nis person, trying to keep nis hands from shaking. Ne had to stay calm. This monster was... just another monster to fight. God, ne wished Murikabushi wasn't so popular sometimes—ne really needed nis cousin right then, but he was swarmed.
Hati was ready. Whatever was going to happen, he would do his best to protect Earth. Protect Asmodeus. He wasn't going to allow them to die before he got the chance to marry her. This Calamitous Hollow was going to regret every life decision he'd ever made for daring to threaten Earth and get in the way of his and Asmodeus's wedding plans. It would be nothing but dust and atoms by the time he was done with it. No matter how unrealistic that sounded.
His knuckles whited out with tension as he grabbed a bag and put the stuff inside on, banishing the berry and bag to subspace. He'd take every advantage and then some.
Demeter hugged Lete back, taking a moment to press a quick kiss to Lete's cheek, even though their cheeks burned red at their own actions. PDA wasn't something they could convince themselves to be fond of, but it seemed so silly to be worried about something like that when death seemed so near. Of course, they hoped they would win, but still.
Hybris and Hela seemed alright, at least. Hybris... was a little much, but Demeter figured they could get used to his antics.
Smiling at everyone as they arrived, they stuck close to Lete, anyway, despite both bun and Hybris saying nobody would bother them.
Bélénos really didn't like being outside during these awful storm things, but she supposed she really had no choice. Not when the big boss monster was on its way to devour earth. Really not great. So, here she was, trying not to scream as the wind kicked up and running for the group of other Dark Mirrors, and, oddly, one White Moon senshi. She shrugged it off, getting behind Remarque and ready to start healing people if they needed it. That was the best she could do.
Quote:
wc:87
Quote:
not quoting all you DMSes twice lol but she's here for interaction!
Lena Roze rolled 1 100-sided dice:
61Total: 61 (1-100)
Aruna had gladly greeted Elsa, quietly noting just how much Muri seemed to light up as he spoke to him. Smiling softly to herself, she nodded in greeting. "Pleasure to meet you, Elsa/" Looking up at Muri, she nodded. "We can do this. I'm confident we can do this." Confidence, as it turned out, was a good luck on the super senshi.
She smiled softly as she watched just how utterly sweet Muri was being, feeling warm just from being there. She was glad that he seemed to have found someone worth all that he was, and she absolutely intended to talk to him later about it. Not right now though. Not with the giant world eating snake approaching. But after, when the fighting was over and they all emerged victorious.
As Tempesti approached, Aruna smiled brightly and lifted her hand in a wave. "Good to see you here." She was thankful that Muri took care of the introductions, her heart starting to speed up the longer they were there. Anxiety would do her no good, she reminded herself, and she took a deep breath to help return to a calm state. Though when Daedalus joined them, she felt the nerves come right back. "Pleasure to meet you." Her greeting was short, and her smile was anxious as her eyes cast skywards to view the change in the clouds.
As the little velvet bag descended in front of her, Aruna held her hands out to catch it, opening it and peering inside. "How strange...." She gingerly removed the bracelet and pin, putting each of them on before inspecting the little fruit and tucking that back into the bag. She tied the strings of the bag to the front of her fuku's corset and chewed her lip anxiously. "We can do this. I know we can do this. We don't have a choice."
In the distance, Aruna caught sight of Basiluzzo and lifted her hand in a wave, hoping he saw. She didn't want to get too far from the little group that had gathered where she stood, but she wanted her cousin to know she was there and would be safe.
Cadet Rhysi action: recording the Almadel gifts and scanning Nessaela's glitterself
There were few things Rhysi enjoyed as much as free things, whether picked up off the ground, from her "job" at the scrapyard, or magically appearing in the air. Rhysi's com-tech was, of course, out and ready to record each piece before she put on the pin and bracelet, as well as reluctantly putting the berry in her storage. Truly, only one berry was a little stingy, especially when it looked incredibly delicious.
When she noticed the suddenly sparkling little explosion out of the corner of her eye, she was almost instantly at Nessaela's side, scanning the other for any potential glitter-induced alterations.
Page 8 With Laon, hovering near Remarque and getting hella overwhelmed by everything.
There were already too many people there. He felt dizzy and anxious. He knew what he was volunteering for when he and Laon told Remarque that they wanted to help, but he didn’t expect the entire ******** court of Dark Mirror Senshi to flock to Remarque! Well, he supposed it made sense. Like a moth to the flame, and Remarque’s aura certainly felt the safest to be around. Which… had nothing to do with moths and flames, but it was the same concept (it wasn’t).
He was trying to keep up with the names and faces that were showing up. Part of him wondered what the point would be. He would just forget who they were, and then Laon would have to play the part of either reminding him or apologizing for Arawn’s poor memory, which would likely be assumed was laziness, or both.
Persephone was the healer. And there was another healer (Lacerta)? Some were keeping their distance from him (Sappho), which was fine. He didn’t want them near him. But he wanted them to meet Laon, who was perfect and deserved everything. Someone (Ariadne) mentioned pizza. Some guy named Loke was talking about magic --
He felt so overwhelmed that he gripped Laon’s hand tighter than he meant to. He wanted to run. He couldn’t fight, so he wanted to flee.
But then the sky was falling. And the winds were whipping around them. He quickly and protectively turned to pull Laon closer to him, shielding him from anything that might be thrown their way. And then--
A bag appeared. He almost didn’t take it, but it felt like it was calling to him so he reached out for it, watching Laon do the same.
He just needed to breathe and try to understand that people were keeping their distance from him because he was the one looking aggressive. He knew he needed to calm down, he just didn’t know how. He just hoped Laon wouldn’t suffer for his flaws.
The numbers around them were growing, and Daesva felt a mixture of both joy to see them, hale and whole... but also an unsettling pressure in her chest. She'd really not tried to reach out to anyone in all this time, had she? She had few strong connections within the Vanguard, something that went against all she'd been taught and seen growing up. Things she'd need to consider and contemplate after all of this was over. Right now wasn't the time to be distracted by such thoughts or dwelling on a past that couldn't be changed. Act in the present, ensure a future, then take the time to consider what her next actions in the following present should be to correct her course.
As she surveyed the growing crowds, she did manage to catch sight of Aberdonia as he waved, and she allowed herself a small smile, lifting her hand to give a simple gesture back. She was... happy to see him here, she decided. Though she hoped he would be careful in whatever followed...
She was tucking away the information from the Commodore, the lack of records about these Heralds of the Dark Star, their necessity in amending this, when the storm began to pick up. The sky was... falling? She grit her teeth against the winds, trying to brace herself with a wide stance but... she reached out to Caelyna to grasp onto her arm when offered. She wasn't sure she'd keep her footing but...
....why were little bags popping out of the air with glitter?
She caught the one in front of her, frowning as she opened the sack once she didn't feel like she was going to topple over... though she was tempted to put on the bracelet and the pin, she looked towards Aliez and the Commodore, unsure about this... Almadel sort.
