Welcome to Gaia! ::

Odain paused when one lady was calling a Dorado and then said she had nothing was covering her butt.Odian knew, yup that was directed at her and not much after the girl bounced over towards her asking if she wanted to borrow her tights. Odain gave a small laugh, "No thank you. I'll be fine though I should've thought to bring my cloak that I have for some of my cosplay jobs. It would've been warmer but I had intentions on going to my wonder, not coming here."

She was looking around, "So what do you think of this?" Odain asked waving her hand in the stranger's direction.




((sorry for double quote))

Inari felt a little confused, brows knitting together as she looked over at Lacrimosa. Energy? Surely he didn't mean anything like her secret stash of red bull she kept hidden under her bed from her brother. Something in her knew that what he asked for likely held a high price to get.

She did not approach any further but looked back up at him, smiling gently and inclining her head in thanks for his name. "How do we get this energy you're asking about? I....like I said, I'm sort of new at this... I admit to knowing little about the negaverse, but if I may, in time perhaps I could...learn of it from you?" Some part of her in the far back of her mind was yelling about how foolish she was being. This could be a trap. A really really big, BAD trap. But Lacri was being nice, right? So there was no need to be hostile, in her mind. "May I ask where it is you came from? Does it....have a name? And.....do you recall how many years ago it was you were locked away? Or what year it was then?" Ah, curious young fox indeed, she was. It was not the promise of power that lured her to the stranger, but instead it was her curiosity and the temptation of knowledge.

And then a thought bubbled to the surface of her mind. "If I may, and I hope you don't think me rude, Caedus," she inclined her head in a sign of respect, dipping it a little almost as in a small bow, as she spoke his name, "but....you are seeing all of our faces here, or as much as can be offered......would you oblige us and show us yours? It...might perhaps put some of us at ease. I don't speak for any but myself, but I find it easier to trust and be less defensive when I can see someone's face when they speak of negotiations." She kept a small smile on her face, cramming down that clammy shaky fear deep inside of her to be looked over later. This was not the time to be acting and shaking like a child.

Cybele stood silently. Beryl? Metallia? She didn't recognize the names, although others seemed to, and the way they reacted sent a bit of a chill down her spine. They were important to the Negaverse, that much seemed obvious, so... destroying them would probably be good. She made a mental note to ask someone about it once things had calmed down a bit.

A favor? Energy? Does he mean ours, or someone else's? She had no qualms about draining energy if it was necessary, or giving up her own. It all depended on the cause. She wasn't about to give up her strength just to be led into some Negaverse trap... or waste somebody else's in a plan that didn't really help anybody. But it didn't really matter what she thought. Some people were already offering to help, and others were vocally raising their suspicion. She stood, casually glaring, just waiting for something to go wrong.

Grus, Eternal of Feathers
Grus, despite being an Eternal Senshi and a bit higher level then some of the folks talking to this....Caedus, was off to the side of the pack, listening, but not speaking. It seemed like he had enough questions being asked of him, she might ask the one that was the straw that broke the camel's bacl, so to speak. Instead, she twirled her bangs around a finger, clutching her elbow with the other hand. Energy? What did he mean by that?

If he meant food, that wouldn't be a problem. With the sheer number of people here, He'd be able to get anything he wanted! But if he meant something that required draining..well that just didn't feel right. If he was Order, how did he have energy draining abilities in the first place? How much would he take? And from who?

"I guess as long as no one gets hurt..." she mumbled, feeling her anxiety take over. At least until they could get to the heart of the Negaverse. She hated fighting, but they could end it. They could end it all. And that was worth getting over this issue with fighting.

Esquiline, Page of Venus

Esquiline was late to the party. Again. She found that her knightly duties were seriously cutting into her having a job, and sometimes, she just couldn't get away. Not that she would ever admit it though. She LIKED having powers, she just...didn't know what to DO with them!

This person (person?) made her uneasy. He wasn't making sense to her, but then, she was inexperienced. The princess and prince in attendance seemed to be the highest level, so she was ready to defer to what they said. If they wanted to help this guy find energy, fine by her. But if they weren't down to help, then she was going to be the first to teleport outta this place and hide under the covers.

"This whole thing is insane." she said to no one in particular, feeling out of her element and unhappy about it. She wanted nothing to do with the Negaverse, and knicking on their front door was just asking for trouble. What if it was a trap?

Ambrosia, Super Chibi Senshi of Honey

This kid was a ball of energy. She started out at the back of the pack, quickly elbowing and squeezing her rapidly growing, but still slight frame in between senshi and knights alike. Her antenna bounced as she jumped, grabbing someone's shoulder to see what was going on. She couldn't hear anything! Frustrated, and getting dirty looks from those around her, she quickly tried to dodge her way closer. She met an impasse in the form of bodies and she sighed, crossing her arms. "Being short sucks!" she said, trying to squeeze by. Finally, she gave up, and tapped someone on the hip. )(Super Aegir)

"What the heck is happening!? she whispered, standing on her tip toes to reach their ear. "What does this guy want?"

"Someone...I had a chat with a Negaverse officer one night---she was nice. Oddly enough." Sedna's expression twisted. "But she said I was an alien. We---senshi and knights, too---come from outer space. We're reincarnations of previous guardians of our space rocks---even though we were born here on earth---" The senshi then shook her head a bit, but still kept her close distance to him to keep speaking. "I have no idea who this Queen Beryl is---I need to keep asking around---" Sedna pause once more as the figure spoke once again.

"He needs energy, huh...? I hope this isn't starting to sound like what the Negaverse does..." She shot a glance over at Centisima and grimaced. "I get more questions than I do answers." She laughed then.

Oberon

Oberon looked from Caedus to some of the others around him, wondering just how much information some of these people were holding back when it could have benefited them years ago, and how much of it was true. He said nothing to the others that spoke, but instead reached into one of his many cargo pockets and pulled out a bottle of water. He knew Caedus was probably as cautious about them as they were about him, but if he was asking for energy, whether it be for himself or for them to achieve whatever he was suggesting, he was probably too worn down to do everything by himself.

“Here,” Oberon offered, taking a small step forward and holding out the bottle of water as far as he could to Caedus after removing the lid. “It’s just water. If you’re thirsty. I’ve also got some peanut butter crackers if you’re hungry. Do you have a place to stay, or are you planning on rushing into battle without rest? You can stay at my place if you want. If not, I can bring you blankets and supplies if you plan on camping out somewhere. And the energy thing. Some of these senshi and knights can give out their own energy.”

If anything, Caedus, despite the name being familiar for different reasons, seemed like he was rather exhausted and if anyone needed to rest, it was probably him.

Caedus' eyes moved immediately to the crystal in Castor's hands, and he was immediately entranced and unease. Whereas his steps back may have been discreet before, now he very visibly shied from it, and held up hand as if to shield its glow from his eyes. Camelot's Crystal sword was no easier a sight for him. He was not a fan of either of these weapons. "Please put those away," he requested.

Castor's information, even if the crystal had put him at great unease. This information was difficult for him to swallow; this wasn't just stepping into a new world, it was losing the old one. Everything he knew of this planet had changed—except for one thing: the Negaverse was still here.

While he was grateful for Gevaudan sharing his information with the others, he felt there had been a dire misunderstanding—one that he was quick to tackle. "I never said I would take you to the Rift. That would be suicide. You would find more youma there than you could handle. Even with an army. I found nothing of value there. Only my way out. I would give you access to the Castle," he promised, hoping Ganymede might be eased with that promise. "That City of Earth may have changed, but I know where that is. If Metallia is anywhere, I can only imagine she would be there. But I did not see her on my way out."

And, they had asked of that, so he took a moment to answer Teide. "I fought my way out. The Rift is a realm of monsters. Their youma are soldiers, but they are fodder. The Negaverse could replace them easily. You would do no damage to their numbers if you went to the Rift. I searched, for a door, and I could not find one. I found the ruined City, but I could not enter. I could not venture too close. I would not stand a chance on my own. You…" He looked to Kairatos. "Are interested in the Academy? I do not know that you would find anything of value there. But it still exists. They have not totally destroyed it. From what I saw, at least."

He tried to clarify, for Odainsaker, "Perhaps there are things of value in the Rift, but I do not know. The Negaverse hides their secrets well. If they did not want them found, it would be a good place to keep them. But I cannot guide you there. Opening a door for you to the Castle would not be as dangerous as you fear." He looked to Hvergelmir again; she had been gentle with her words and demeanor. He struggled to speak clearly for her—for all of them. "The Negaverse can already get in and out. They would not allow youma to wander in and out. Youma are destructive creatures. They can be uncontrollable and unpredictable. Metallia could release all her youma, all her Greater Youma, if she wanted. Unless she is too weak. But she would need to sacrifice the protection she has placed on her Kingdom. It is too risky for her."

Gevaudan and Hugbell both seemed to offer some defense for the Negaverse, and the Royal Knight Camelot seemed to have his own concerns, but Caedus was not quick to forget Castor's recanting of some senshi named Alkaid. "If you think you can destroy the Negaverse by saving them, use that method. If some are only misled, or capable of salvation then you should pursue it. But Chaos grips deeply, and fully. Not all of them can be saved. But I do not trust them. I cannot. Even the ones with good intentions."

One of Hvergelmir's questions inspired the next topic. He was writhing his hands together in front of him. "I only understand half of your question. I am sorry," he said to her, but continued, "I know only that Chaos flourishes in the Negaverse, and that is why I did not call them. It is why they cannot feel us. I have…" he looked to the ground and then gestured towards the shattered remains of the crystal he once held. "It conceals us. They will not find us here. I have only a few tools remaining, but I would use what I could to aid you."

He reached into his folds of his robes and withdrew a simple, clear looking crystal. It seemed to catch the light of the moon, but it had no color to it. No life.

"Fully charged, this alone would get you to their City."

He held the crystal for a moment longer and then returned it to its hidden pocket. He withdrew another bag, though; this one seemed weighed down and heavy.

"I have more crystals," he began. "Different ones. They have unique properties. We use them on my homeworld."

Which they had asked about. And asked about a Senshi.

"But my homeworld is different from yours in more ways than one. My planet is not…alive. It is…synthetic." He drew the bag closer to him and it clinked. "There is no soul to the planet. We have no senshi. We rely on treaties and alliances to provide us with the resources and sustenance we need." He looked to Metis. "I would suppose that is because I am not from Earth. I am not a human, nor senshi or knight or anything like you."

Themiscyra, Myrrha, Faust, and Andronicus had all specifically asked about his methods, but he found himself nervous that the actual method would not meet their expectations. He looked to Chariklo, defensive but not quite alarmed with her offer. "I do not need it all at once. It would be unwise to ask for energy and then let you go into battle. I have a plan, though." Despite the weary, gravely voice, it seemed as though he'd gotten a second wind. He opened his bag, fished around, and pulled out a small, silver crystal, roughly two inches in length. It held the appearance of a multi-faceted raindrop, but was entirely clear.. He held it by the narrower end, pinched between what looked to be thumb and forefinger.

"This is how we would do it, if you would agree to my methods. It is harmless. This crystal will absorb energy. But it cannot do harm. It does not take what cannot be restored. All living creatures have energy. I would show you, but…"

There were some that seemed incredibly against the idea. He was not confident Duhr or Dorado wouldn't attack him.

"If you are willing," he looked to Chariklo, "I could give a demonstration. I would stop at any time you said. But I would prove to you that it would do no harm. I do not know if a…Transcended," he said, repeating the word and looking at Maia almost apologetically, "Would be more beneficial, or if they offered their energy if it would help. I have not met one. But I can show you what a human can do for it. I will show anyone, if they would like to experience it themselves. I will give one to anyone that would take up this task. But you must be careful with them. Any direct contact with skin will start the process."

He expected backlash and had already drawn the bag of crystals close to his frame, and crouched over them just a bit, protectively.

"…But using the crystals are the only way, I am afraid. No generator," Caedus seemed momentarily apologetic that he could not take Cordoba up on her offer. "But," he continued, answering Cassiopeia and then Erebus, "If I had your help, I would have enough energy to open the way for you and get home. To be safe while the door is open. Ideally. I would need help…and no small amount. But…"

He was debating, or giving his throat time to rest. There had been kind offers, and they had been greatly noticed. He had not expected hospitality to the degree some of them were offering. Thraen mentioned care and lodging, and Niflhel offered cooking from another there—Polaris. But Snowball had a lucky guess in what prevented him from taking up their offers. "I cannot accept such personal aid though," he said, regrettably. "The Cat is right. I have no protection beyond what my crystals offer. You cannot conceal my energy signature, and I cannot blend into your society. I do not…look…like you…" He glanced to Inari for a second. "I do not think it wise or worthwhile. My face would be less reassuring to you. I am not who I was, all those years ago. I do not know how many years it was. I remember that back then the Moon Queen was still alive, and Endymion was still alive. I do not remember the year. But...If I could have integrated myself into your society unnoticed, I would have. This appearance…this aura...prevents it. You would have found me. Your enemies would have found me. If I am not careful, your enemies could still find me, and it would lead them right to you. So...I would prefer to stay concealed, and away. From all that commotion."

Caedus glanced towards the city, towards the distant sounds of cars and city life, and then he looked back to the crowd. "But perhaps we can arrange for…something." Depending on how the rest of this conversation went.

He was concerned, but there was a chance that it would not be all bad. He had seemed fidgety since revealing his crystals; he was still shifting on his feet frequently. But, for all his concern, he found some of it ebbing away. There were those making an effort to ease him.

Some were offering aid, and there was no way he could politely refuse. Nor did he want to refuse.

…Assuming they still wanted to offer their kindness. His stomach growled—a noise that sounded almost as gravely as his voice. His hunger was making itself very known in the presence of the offered food. Still, his hands were full, clutching the crystals, so he could not reach out and accept, but he looked to Hugbell and Aptera and Oberon.

"If you set them there…" he could not bring himself to relinquish his protective grasp on either the crystals, or to allow himself to come so close to making contact; he nodded to an empty spot on the ground before him to indicate where he meant. "I…I would appreciate them. I have nothing to repay you. Yet." But there was a promise to his words, as though the thought of owing someone or being in debt bothered him.

Perdita seemed to have a kindness about her that reached beyond her years, but he could not help but still be cautious. And Elpis. She had offered aid, and even now seemed to be trying to reassure him by forming a distant barrier from the crowd.

He might not have revealed his face to them, but he would not forget theirs.

Or Scylla's. He had his goal in mind, and it had been to bribe them with a passport into Beryl's city in exchange for the energy he needed to get home. He did not expand on just what that would have entailed, but after eyeing the food he had been offered once more, and considering her previous offer, he said, "If you are offering…I would accept anything you are willing to give."

He coughed, once more; speaking was getting harder for him. The water was a tantalizing offer, but he couldn’t risk distraction. He swallowed, and held his bag of crystals, now clutched to his stomach and once more hidden beneath his robes. One was still on display in his palm; he did not conceal this from the group.

Sailor Chara of Chocolate

Despite really considering leaving the entire group behind, Chara stayed, eyeing the crowed of senshi and knights who crowded around the poor weird like those birds from Finding Nemo. The man spoke of so many things he just didn't understand, but he was curious nontheless.

"Crystals.. Huh? Well, if you need help with gathering energy, sure, why not? It's not like this thing hasn't been in a stalemate for every anyway. Right? Seriously, how many of you have been in this so called 'war' for like years now? What's change? I bet nothing but more people dying every single ********' day right? So what do we have to lose?"

The Space Cauldron