Welcome to Gaia! ::

There was a forlorn look in her gaze that had been set somewhere far off in the distance when he pulled away. His lips were soft and warm against hers and yet the gesture left her feeling guilty.

Meri lifted her hand and touched her red painted lips with lithe fingers; however, it seemed impossible to force herself to smile. He reminded her so much of the senshi she had encountered a few months ago, especially in appearance with their lavender eyes and golden spun hair, but Whisler’s confidence is really what set him apart.

“I need to be honest with you…” she began. Finding it hard to look down at him, she instead resumed her early ministrations by combing her fingers through his hair. Her other hand sought his out, curling her fingers around it and resting them against his chest right above his heart. “I was very wary of you when we first met. You’re the strongest knight I’ve ever encountered and I feard that if I couldn’t appeal to your more civil nature that you’d try to kill me like the others.”

A phantom ache bore deep into her side at the memory of being baited away from the crowd before a Knight ambushed her from behind. Stabbed and then beaten within an inch of her life she barely managed to escape with the use of her magic before finally powering down and collapsing in the snow. The rest was a blur of blue smoke until she finally came to the next day in a bed that was most definitely not her own.

“My life and my loyalty belong to my General King. He gave me a second chance at living and has spent time trying to train me on how to be more aware of my surroundings. No doubt, if he knew I was here, he would be livid with me. But I trust you…” She gave his hand a gentle squeeze of affirmation.

“When you told me you wanted to return to the Negaverse I saw it as an opportunity not only to help you return to us but strengthen our ranks as well. I considered writing a report or asking my king for assistance but I wanted to prove useful to him.” For that Meridiana felt shame, he had been a tool to her. Not to gain rank or power but to prove that she was more than her sphere.

“But you treat me differently. Not like some Lady of the Night or whore to con into sleeping with you. I may be the Senshi of the Succubus but that doesn’t mean I am one.” Yes, she did use more sultry methods to get close to people to drain them but it never went beyond escorting someone to their hotel room. Contrary to popular belief she was most definitely still a virgin. “You’re kind of like my King in that way.” Except that aside from their first encounter outside of the Rift, Zinkenite had never kissed or held her; unlike Jasper, or rather Arabia, did one time beneath the mistletoe last December.

“I’m not too sure anyone else sees it that way. I... at least, I try not to be too much of a nuisance.” But sometimes there was that undeniable itch to see if she could make him blush or at the very least smile. Then again, as a Sovereign, he was also a busy man and she knew when it was time to just leave him to his devices so he could get work done.

That was, in part, why she was trying to work on these reports to create a ledger of who is active these days and the places they appeared. Often times these encounters were less informational and simply observed from afar but at least it was something. “I want to help for the sake of helping, not because I need or want anything in return. I don’t care about any of that.” She admitted honestly. Time was more precious than money or power, more so if it is spent in the company of someone you care about and or get along with.

“If anything, I’m strongest as I am now; I think…” Not really stronger per se, more so stealthy like a bright red shadow since with the use of her medallion Meridiana could move around unnoticed. Unfortunately, if she became a super that ability would go away; which was something she learned when Adria wore the necklace for a short while.

“He’s human, just as you or I,” despite the mauvian tech he still had a heart and mind as they did. Zinkenite was just focused and devoted to his role in the Negaverse and to their cause, however, he did have a sense of humor if you knew where to find it. “But I will say he is far more responsible and caring, than the Princess you mentioned. She’s hardly what I’d consider to be a leader if she just simply walked away.”

She nodded then placed her hands in his. “Probably a good idea.” Meri hadn’t told anyone where she was going this evening out of worry that they would try to stop or tell someone who could. But time might pass differently here on a wonder then it did back in Destiny City so, for now at least, it would be best not to give anyone reason to worry.

“Thank you for bringing me here.” As he said, it was still a bit of a work in progress but it was definitely coming along. “If you need help in the future I wouldn’t mind coming back to help get it more cleaned up.” However, that was assuming the next time they met was under similar circumstances.

“If you truly want to come back to the Negaverse I can try talking to my General Sovereign,” still she avoided saying his name aloud. “While draining your energy as you had offered before would benefit my quota, I don’t think it’ll be enough to get you where you really want to be. “I haven’t seen any records of a Transcended Knight joining the Negaverse, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. It just might mean I’m not suitable enough to make it happen.” She offered him a rueful smile but at least it was an option for a way to move forward depending on what path he chose.

"We'll see each other again," Meri gave his arm a gentle reassuring squeeze.

Hopefully next time would be under friendly circumstances much like their first encounter. But this was a war and alliances could shift in the blink of an eye. She had already failed him in bringing news of Ashanite. Perhaps Zinkenite might have some options for them to consider so she didn't come up empty-handed again.

"Be safe, Whisler." After giving him a brief kiss on the cheek, the Senshi of the Succubus took a step away and reluctantly left him alone, for now at least. Should her information gathering prove useful there was a chance he might be able to rejoin the Negaverse which would replace that feeling of loneliness with a sense of purpose and belonging in a place that was once familiar.