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Castor knew that hat. He also knew that bench. Two very different things, in totally different worlds. This was how Castor saw Val on the bench. "Life is exciting, depending on how it's played." He had done his best to try and sneak up at her from behind. Val was an attacker. A fighter. Sure, she talked like he did, but she would still fight. He remembered that cross thing she had.

Castor laughed, remembering how that ended. "So, ring mistress," he hissed out the 's' in what he considered to be a great snake impression. "Who is on casting call for tonight's performance?" He was getting slightly better with his joke...pun...things.

"Sounds like fun. I always like a good rematch." Unless it was with Nealite or Obsidian. He lost those...a lot. "As for careless wanderings..." he smiled, pleasant as day. "You could say I'm a sucking for danger. Now Val," he bowed, taking off his imaginary hat to her.

"Are you inviting me to sit and chat, or, are we here to fight? While I don't like beating on girls, as you might know, I do think talking would boring. Unless you want to go back to my place for talk of a little more intimate?" He knew his vow. No negachicks. Didn't mean he couldn't hit on them and tease them. "Because I'm pretty sure my boss would love to hear what the negaverse has got cooking."

"I'd rather not sit to be honest, makes a man an easy target." His grin was all over his face. "And you should know that I'm not up one to make myself and easy target." Castor was quick to ignore his past mistakes. Mistake that had at times, cost him dearly. The bench made him smile.

Some mistakes, he didn't regret.

"The whole army huh?" His hand took hold of her own. "Well Val, you don't seem to keen on hunting me down. Or fighting. My boss gave me an order as well though." Castor's other hand cupped her chin. "Kill." Something dark flickered in his eyes, something that clearly showed he could do it, he would do it. Then that light faded, his hands moved away.
He wouldn't do it.

"I really don't like fighting girls you know. Even insane ones." Ones like Tanzanite, who blood stain was still visible. "And defiantly not ones with cute top hats and sensible choice making skills." He backed off slightly. "But, an order is an order...Maybe..." Castor's shoulders rolled. "We could just half a** it? Then we can both get off the hook. I sure as all hell don't need another bitching from Astraea, er Luna, er well whatever her name is. Point being, we half a** the fight, everybody wins."

Everybody wins.

Yeah, right.

Some people would call change good, progressive. If they were naive, they would claim this 100% of the time. If they were knowledgeable about the past changes and what such changes could mean for whole civilizations, they would say 'not always'.
If they were like Castor, they would say that such a quote is bullshit and can't be applied to everything or anything. To something like emotions.

"Val, I'm not going to lie to you. This one man show used to come with a second act." He was moving away from her. His face also seemed a bit...sad? "But after a few budgets cuts and less then spectacular past performances, we've had to make a few choices." A space between them ended at a few steps. Just out of each other's range of attack. "While I don't agree with those choices, I can't help but follow them. That isn't to say, I have to follow them to the letter." It was said to him once that each person had the capacity, the 'nerve', to kill, but few had the will to do it. Looking at Castor's face, it was clear. He had all the never, but none of the will. He could kill, but would rather not.

He did not want to kill.

"We're not on the same stage anymore Valley." He gave her another nickname. Maybe to draw out some of the tension? "Stop running with the circus and run home." Castor sighed, eyes closing. Reopened. That dark blue haze of determination had set in. "Run while you still can Valleriite."

Laughter bubbled up before blue eyes fell to Valleriite's form. The laughter slowed as Castor rubbed his cheek. He had no doubt a hand print was forming. His blue eyes were still looking down at her. Condescending.
"You should have aimed for my chest." His first swung upward at her chest. He wasn't aiming to grab her starseed, he was just aiming to hit. Castor was somewhat true to his word. He wasn't holding back anymore. Castor was aiming to cause damage. Castor was going to try and kill.

He wanted to scream. It was all so pointless to him. So ******** pointless. They fought because they were told to fight. No questions. Sure, Castor fought some because he knew they were evil, but really...He didn't want to. Peace was all well and good, but with how things were, peace was not an option.

"Listen Val." Cracking his knuckles, Castor got ready for his second run. "I don't...want to hurt you. But I can't just let you go." He took a step towards her. "I saved you because..." Castor's eyes couldn't meet her own. They remained downcast, avoiding. "Because it's what I do. Just..." Word stuck in his throat. "Just run away Val. From experience, getting connected with a senshi-" A tiny bitter laugh. "It really doesn't end well for either side, no matter how we feel."

Watching her was almost like watching a mirror. Neither would back down and walk away. Neither would surrender. Castor sighed as he let his body relax. A moment reprieve. They had made their decisions, their commitments. They couldn't hold back, not anymore.

"I'm sorry Val." Castor's arm raised skyward. "I wish there was another way." The arm was raised, and his face showed grim determination. "Stinging Storm!" His arm came down, as did his attack. Small sharp fragments of ice.

He was still holding back.