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 Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 2:34 am
Puzzled, Jerome wondered what the unusual female could be thinking. He had a feeling it was the usual questions about stuff, most of which he really had no answer for. He could see the concerned look on her face and he himself became concerned. It startled him that he wasn't bombarded by questions as he often was.
" Well That's why they chose us in the first place." He said calmly. It wasn't the best choice of words, but they would do.
He was shocked further when she took one of his paws and asked him a question he didn't see coming. "Well I'm fine actually. if you knew the effects of a sudden thaw from Cryo freeze, then you'd know I'm fine" he said trying to sound positive even though he wasn't even sure himself. The spartan looked down at her paw and thought. "Actually there is something that's bothering me." He said as he sat down on a nearby rock. "Remember yesterday when you said I should join my team mates and settling down? Well...I thought about it and remembered something. Something....unpleasant" he said with a deep breath. He didn't wait for Koyuki to respond to this but rather he continued. "The UNSC...the thing I work for, has a lot of rules pretaining to Spartan conduct. ONI, something that overlooks all military actions, have even stricter rules. And before while I slept, my AI reminded me of these rules." he paused to catch his breath as he said it fairly quickly, but made sure his words were clear.
"...Anyway, to sum everything up. if a Spartan engages in activities that would otherwise preoccupy our position, then we loose our jobs. So...My team..as far as I know..are no longer my team..and I'm sure they don't know this" he stated as his eyes seemed fixed on the ground.
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 3:26 am
Koyuki let a soft smile grace her lips, of course...they had to be strong. Although she had to admire it none the less...
Immediately she felt bad, folding her ears down as she didn't even think that his state could have been caused by his sudden wake up call. She would have been pretty out of it too, but this all gave away to a rather important new discovery. Something was wrong...
It was hard to listen to him, standing in the same spot as he'd sat, her mind trying feverishly to translate and understand what he said. His words touched hidden desires that she'd left to drift in her subconsious...ones she wasn't expecting to come up so soon. For a moment in time she bit her lip, a welcome distraction from her working mind, untill he had finished.
"So....it is against your profession to settle down...as in have a mate, or kits? As well you think your team has now acquired these things and are now...fired?" So her terms wern't the best, but she was trying. He was here alone then, it seemed..if he had no team. She wanted to reach out to him, tell him everything would be okay...but she couldn't. She didn't know what lay ahead of his team for their choices, or what would become of Jerome once he made contact with his higher ups. None the less, she moved over to where he sat on the rock and dropped to her knees before him in the snow. Her kimono the last thing on her mind right now. Placing her paws on his legs, her voice was serious, her eyes focused.
"Jerome. I have not known you long...it may be out of line...but its something I want you to hear. In one's life...there are many choices. You can see them all around you...but there comes a time like this, where one must decided on what they want to do, against what they need to do. If you look hard enough, not from what your higher ups say, or what your team says...even what your AI says...you will find out what you need to do. Often enough, this truth will show this was what you wanted to do the whole time as well." Koyuki attempted a smile, yet there was a sadness in her eyes as well, an uncertianty that she could not hide.
"You and I...we are the same." She shook her head gently, "Geisha's are prohibited to seek relationships. Only a Danna could possibly fill that spot, but more or less one had to give it all up to have a family and a love. I feel your conflict, of being alone...and I can relate all too well. Yet I know...there will come a time that my need may be to give all i've worked for in the blink of an eye. I wasn't prepared for it...but when you said one should look back on what they've done and be comfortable...I don't think I would be if I didn't follow faith, whichever path it might lead us on.Your need might be back in space, fighting great wars and becoming eternal, or it might just be stuck here with the rest of us. Whatever path...it is yours to make and take."
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 12:56 pm
Jerome listened intently to her words. She knew that she was speaking the truth, and right now it was the truth that hurt him. How could he give up the only thing he knew how to do? But, how could he pass up his opportunity to settle down.
As she continues to speak, he listened, not moving an inch. He even forgot how to breath while he was listening, and all his thoughts continued to swarm around one thing that he continueally tried to dismiss; If the time when this woman does reach her goals, then what do I do? Do I continue or help her or do I disappear and become merely a memory?
Finally when she was through, Jerome was fairly speechless. He didn't know what to say or think. he wanted to thank her, but for some reason he just couldn't get himself to do it. Then it hit him like a Brute Chieftan's grav hammer....he was in love. He had been warned of this by his higher ups. They always told him ' if you ever fall in love, you won't realize it until there comes a time when your having a heart to heart conversation, and you aren't capable of speaking'
It was hard to swallow, but the Spartan hid his emotions well. "Well...thank you." he said softly. He stood and offered to help her to her feet, underneath his helmet he had a small grin on his face
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 2:23 pm
Perhaps Jerome was not a man of many words, but Koyuki didn't mind a bit. There was a comfort in silence, a chance to think and dwell on things often missed by constant chatter. She knew he had listened to what she'd said, and most likely thought about it, so it was all she could ask for. Despite not being able to see his grin, a smile spread on her face as she graciously accepted the help up back to her paws.
"Anytime, Jerome. Souls like us have to stick together, because who wants to be alone?" Koyuki, straightened her kimono and noticed the wetness where she'd been kneeling. "Oh dear...another thing I have to do now.." She didn't mind, it was little things like this that got her through another day.
"Come, lets go. I don't want this bag to soak through!" Picking up the bag and brushing the snow off the bottom, she took point again down the path, purposly throwing a look or six over her shoulder to make sure he was coming. Why was she so worried he'd up and dissapear on her?
"Not to keep a hard subject alive in conversation...but will you tell your teammates this unfortunate news? Or will you let command do it when they end up contacting you?" If they didn't know...imagine what their reactions would be...it was just so sad to find such happiness linked to a great sadness, all from the joys of love and children.
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 2:37 pm
The spartan picked her up to her feet and stood to his towering height while she readied herself for further travel. He nodded and followed her once more, still lost in his sudden realization, but feeling rather happy that he realized it.
He didn't take notice that she was looking over her shoulder. When she did he just so happened to be looking at something else like a bird chirping or a squirrel scampering on tree limbs overhead. His ears were darting every which way, trying to gather information about any possible danger. When she spoke again his ears swivled to her voice and he jogged a bit to where he was walking right by her side.
"Well if I can ever find them, I would. Problem is, they might not ever find out that they've lost their jobs. The would just be called MIA" he stated while looking at the beaten path ahead. it then occured to him that she might not know military lingo. "Oh..MIA means Missing in Action" he said suddenly and a tad nervously. He wasn't used to having to explain things
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 2:49 pm
The snow was pleasant on her paws this morning, not as chilled as last night. She didn't mind the stroll to the house, but it might have been a mad dash if Jerome hadn't accompanied her. Nodding her head in a bit of dismay at the information, the tilted her head as she walked with a bit of a sigh. "In a way I feel a bit sorry for them, not knowing...would they have a choice to chose between their jobs or their personal life, or is it an automatic dismissal?" Not that she would hope anyone would abandon, but she also knew how hard it would be to give up the only life you knew for something new.
"Thanks..." She smiled, knowing he was aware she didn't know very much about the military life and lingo. "I promise i'll try and read up about it, so that I can understand what you're saying." Koyuki chuckled merrily, before turning down the path which lead into the thicker area of the woods. "It's not far now....but please, don't shoot my housemates. They're a bit...special but they don't mean harm." She laughed, shaking her head.
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 2:57 pm
The spartan sighed. "They have chosen their lives. If they have a family, then the ONI fires them because of that. Spartans live dangerous lives. There would be no possible way to serve and take care of a family." he said with a small chuckled. "If you think about it, it's worth it" he sighed.
He looked over at the small fox, but quickly darted his attention else where. "It's ok. There's a lot to understand and can only come with years of training." he stated blatantly. He hung back a bit to return to following rather than right next to her. He wasn't sure why, maybe it was the mention of possible hostile roomates. "I won't shoot. Unless of course I feel it is necessary for my safety and yours" he kicked himself mentally for suddenly becoming business orientated. He really needed to get out of that habit
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 3:08 pm
"Worth it to settle down?" She didn't quite understand the last of what he saidm but none the less the ideal made sense. Who wanted to go each day not knowing if your mate was dead or alive, when he would be coming back. How would one even begin to explain that to kits with their young and fragile minds. "Then I guess that was what they needed to do..."
"Still...if you're my friend then I should know these things right?" She wanted to have conversations with him, about life, and even though theirs was completely different, it didn't mean she didn't want to learn and understand. Turning, and walking backwards for a bit she smiled weakly "Ah! No no...I mean, Trovalius is a forest demon I believe...hates everything that isn't organic. He lectures me on my clothes and jewelry, and hates our other roommate, Briareos. To my understanding he's also on some force, I think he said something about SWAT where he used to come from. Anyways he's more machine than fox now...but it seems he's found his partner and is gone most of the time now. He's a lot like you, actually. He may look intimidating and big...but he's kind and has a good heart" Beaming, she turned around, apparently content with walking ahead.
However, when he hopefully wasn't looking she'd snatched some snow off the ground. Unsure if his AI would notice and warn him, she rolled it into a ball before in the blink of an eye she'd turned her body and tossed it at his helmet, before dashing down the trail with a lighthearted and mischevious laughter.
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 3:18 pm
Jerome just listened to what Koyuki had to say. He really just had nothing o say about much today, He figured by now he would have woken up, but as usual he was wrong.
Elysia snickered in his mind. Curious he looked forward and saw a flash of white before blinking. When he opened his eyes, he saw that his visor was white. "What the? Have I gone blind?" he said as he whipped at his visor, realizing it was snow. "Huh?" He cleaned his visor and saw Koyuki running away. Quickly he looked around trying to see if there was an attacker. He had no clue as to what was going on, but he ran forward, easily catching up to the female fox in a few bounds. "Why are you running? Are we under attack?" he asked as he looked around trying to find the attacker
Being a military slave, he had no concept of snowball fights. It was something he never read about nor heard of.
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 3:32 pm
Oh....right. Neither of them had much of a childhood, but at least she'd observed the other kits playing these game. Pausing for a moment with her back turned since she wasn't worried about an 'attack', she got a brilliant idea. Turning back, she took a few paces back so she was face to face with him, her coy grin remaining on her lips.
"Not quite. You military types play war games to practice right? Well, think of it that way. Im the enemy, and I need to be 'detained'. That...." she pointed to his weapon, "and any other weapon is not allowed." Leanding over, she scooped up some snow and made it into a ball which she held. "These are your weapons. Also, if you have any special tracking and aiming system in there, thats not allowed either. Thats all!"
Taking a few steps back again, she tossed the snowball at him again, not sure if she would hit but none the less she ran as quicky as she could, which was surprisingly fast for being in a kimono. "It'll make going to the house much quicker if we're having fun!" She yelled back, scooping up more snow into a ball as she booked it down the trail.
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:06 pm
Jerome didn't understand. Even when she explained the game to him, he was still lost. He didn't need more training did he? It seemed a bit of an insult to him. He caught the snowball that was being thrown at him and stared at it. Under his helmet, his face was expressionless. He didn't know if he should follow the game or just continue with his strict "let's get the mission done" personality.
He slowly looked back at Koyuki, praying that she wouldn't continue her charade. He really didn't feel up to any games. He didn't really feel up to anything. Odd...I felt fine a minute ago He thought to himself as he looked at the female fox
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Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 11:49 pm
Oh did she run. The wind felt good on her face, as much as the gentle ache of her paws against the uneven slope the snow created. Through the trees, through the tiny path, eventually she came out at the small yard she'd called home after her mother dropped her off. She ran to the front deck and reached the door as she panted, out of breath. "I...I won!" She couldn't believe it! How did she win against the spartan? Did he let her?
"Whomever you think you're talking to, they're not coming." The irritable voice slithered its way to her ears as she sent a mildly cross gaze over to Trovalius as he tended to a few winter plants on the porch.
"How do you know..." Her voice was calm, but she'd given up all hopes of being anything but civil to the demon.
"Im a forest demon, therefore unlike the atrocity you are I can sense my surroundings. Nothing is moving out there than you and your...excitement" Trovalius rolled his eyes as his lips curled into a distasteful sneer. "What...no one still will bask in your company? You don't fool me Geisha...just like it wont fool anyone else. I can smell the plauge on you from here." The male hissed, making his way (reluctantly) indoors as he pushed her aside.
Unprepared for the level of his attitude, Koyuki was rather speechless and nearly fell at the light shove but managed to catch onto one of the the deck posts before she lost her balance too much. His words hurt, much more than they usually did; but Trovalius never really went so far before at picking at her inner pain. Biting her lip to keep her nerves, she caused it to bleed a little under her teeth...but it didn't seem to bother her as she looked back to the path she'd come and no sign of Jerome. Gripping her bag tightly...had she really drove him off too, like she seemed to everyone else?
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 12:03 am
Jerome stood motionless in the forest. He would occasionally raise his neck up or lean it in a different direction thinking Koyuki would come back. At ad worried about her sudden disappearance, the Spartan began to trot over to where she had left his sight. He had no idea how far she had actually gone, but when he came to a clearing, all he saw was Koyuki being pushed by a strange fox.
Instinct told him to duck into the bushes and out flank the fox, or at least get close enough for his pistol to be somewhat effective. Despite his clunky armor, he managed to sneak around Koyuki's line of sight as she looked into the forest. although he was still several yards from the fox, he knew that his pistol and keen sight would make up for the distance.
Jerome drew his pistol and took aim on the green and gray demon's head before jumping out of the bushes. "Hey...scum bag! You gotta problem? You take it up with me" he snarled as he approached cautiously, gun trained on the outrageous male fox
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 12:23 am
Trovalius was about to enter the back door when he'd sensed a presence running amok in the woods, the sound of an irritable voice drifted to his ears only caused his sneer to deepen. Turning around though, he sure had another thing coming when he saw that the voice belong to a spartan.
By the grace of mother nature, what the hell had he done to himself? Surprise crossed his face before a sickening anger rose rampant, his tail slashing through the air behind him. "Your the one with the problem to wear something like that, such a disgrace to the natural mother..." He all but hissed, his sharp canines bared but he didn't move. He wasn't stupid enough to figure he could out run, or out dodge a rifle.
"Besides, Mr. Hero...my problem is with that walking abomination, not you. And currently, you're becoming her problem just as much as I am...so maybe take a good long think before you come accusing me of simply adding fuel to the fire when I damn well didn't start it." A low feral growl rose in his throat, but he flinched when the front door shut to the house, listening as the vixen who was unaware of the confrontation in the back retreated to the safety of her room.
"You wanna take care of my problem then, big shot? Get. Her. Out. Its bad enough I have to share this house with a mechanical freak of nature, but I will not have her attracting shady creatures to endanger my plants." He pointed a paw to the bay window facing the lake on the left side of the house. "Thats her room."
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Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 12:34 am
Jerome paused as he watched Koyuki run inside the house. What the devil? What is she doing? She's not mad at me..is she? he thought as he completely ignored the harsh words of the gray fox. However he did catch a few words about going in and getting her.
"Alright cupcake." he paused to sheath his pistol. "Here's the plan. YOU are going to get your sorry little a** in there and apologize to her." he paused again to take a very large rifle from the magnetic plate on his back. He started to walk forward while pressing a few buttons, allowing the weapon to charge up. "THEN you are going to get your punk a** far away from my line of sight." he continued as the Spartan Laser Rifle finished warming up. Jerome then took the rifle and rested the middle part of it on his right shoulder and took aim once again. "If you fail to comply with any of this, you get a sweet blast of super heated plasma. How does that suit you nature boy?" Jerome hissed as he flared his ears back and stood only feet away from the demon. "No questions? Good..Now MOVE IT!!" he said as he poked the demon with the barrel of the rifle
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