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 Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 7:27 am
The meeting had been called; all parties that were to be involved with it had been duly informed and now sat upon the couches in Elke's and Grayson's living room. They were all in civilian forms, since it would be rather difficult for Zue to mask the energy signature of all the Zodiacs and Handmaidens in the exact same place. The Guardian Cat was perched on the armrest right besides Serenade Soriano, the Princess, eying each and everyone of them critically. As the last person settled into place and silence fell, the green-haired girl sat up primly, back straight, ready to open the meeting.
"Some of you may know," She began, "about the events that transpired in Elysion. Some of you were probably... otherwise distracted." She stole a glance towards the Geminis with a brief hint of an amused smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "What happened was that while the senshi were introduced into Elysion as a safe place for us to meet, we had unexpected visitors. The Negaverse invaded, and we fought. However, there was another significant event that happened." Serenade paused, and shifted slightly in her seat, meeting each and every one's gaze. "It was in there that the Opal Crystal called out to me and finally, what was lost has been returned." She placed a hand on her chest, a smile of joy indicating her relief.
"But that," Serenade continued, lapsing back into grimness once again, "is not all. That is not the end. Before this, Helios had very generously offered her help in assisting us in searching for the Opal Crystal. I greatly appreciate her kindness and cooperation in this matter, and now that Elysion is being invaded, we cannot turn our backs on her."
"I have heard," and at this, her cerise gaze flickered towards Eve, who was seated near Bo and Noel, "that a part of Elysion was under attack a few nights ago. I hear that Cancer was there too." There was warmth in her eyes as she regarded Abeline at this. It had been comforting to know that a Zodiac had been there, helping to fight. "But unfortunately, despite efforts, it has fallen to the Negaverse." Eve looked uncomfortable at the reminder, folding her arms and pursing her lips.
Serenade took in a deep breath. "I hope," she intoned, expression serious, "that all of you seated here will not mind helping to defend Elysion if you can. I know that none of you may not have any reason to the domain belonging to Earth royalty. I will not force you to do so if you do not want to do so, but I hope you will take into account the graciousness Helios showed us when we had no one else to turn to while searching for the Opal Crystal."
After she had dictated her plea, Serenade thought it was probably wise to move on, shifting the focus back the the Crystal in mention. "That being said, now that the Crystal is back into my possession, I've discovered that I'm rather... rusty at using its powers. I will train hard in this area, and if anyone has any suggestions as to how any particular sort of training may help, feel free to bring it up."
"And if you have any queries about Elysion." The Senshi of Spring broke in a few moments after Serenade had finished her speech.
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Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:03 am
It had been with no inconsiderable trepidation that she'd approached Dad and Pop for permission to have a team meeting in her home. Who knew what could happen, after all--Andeon or Mackie or Bo could show up drunk, the Negaverse could attack, Elke might get sick all over the couches--Andeon or Mackie or Bo could show up drunk-- Having informed the lot of them that being even just the slightest bit buzzed would not be acceptable, she'd finally offered up the living room as a place to meet. No way would Dad and Pop be okay with her having a bunch of boys in her room, even if it was more than balanced by girls.
So it came to be that Elke stood behind her princess, to the left, with her hands folded in front of her. She looked more sick than confident--nervous, because while she was sure the word of her change in status had spread, she had never had to help lead a meeting before. (Did this count as her first official act of Captaincy? If she threw up all over the couch, would she lose her place?)
"About Elysion," she started, her voice almost inaudible. Flushing red, Elke coughed into her hand and then settled her hands on the couch, clutching at the backrest like a lifeline. When she felt under control again, she took a deep breath and began again, with a stronger voice: "If you go to Elysion to help Helios, be careful. When you're hurt there, it's real. If you die in those dreams, you die in real life--several White Moon senshi were lost this way, and I have no desire to lose any more of our team to the savagery of the Negaverse, nor any other threats. Not after the good news we've just gotten."
Her shoulders slumped for a moment, her green eyes searched out Grayson's violet and she smiled a little bit at him--more for the reassurance he could offer than for any she could give. "Um, we should discuss also the rise of new courts in among the White Moon, and consider approaching them--for intelligence or teaming up or patrols--and helping to train the newer White Moon senshi. They don't have the memories to draw upon, like us. It is our duty as Zodiacs to assist them, as we did long ago... Please, if you can't see a reason to do this on your own, do it as a favor to the Princess and I."
Hopefully everyone had already heard of her change in status, and she wouldn't have to announce it. She'd have to use that Captaincy later to have a talk with the Princess, but for now, she rounded the couch to settle into Grayson's lap--there wasn't any more room on the couch. "What should we discuss first," she asked the room at large, straining for a more cheerful smile.
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Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:37 pm
(( I HAD A WHOLE POST AND GAIA ATE IT GODDAMNIT RAWWARWARWAR ))
Bo was not drunk, but he was happy. Anytime the Zodiacs assembled, the Senshi of Summer instantly transported to his Happy Place. How could anyone be sad when sitting near their friends from centuries past?
At present, Bo was sitting cross-legged behind Eve, braiding her hair. He didn't offer much to the conversation, save the gift of not making a scene. When Serenade mentioned finding the Opal Crystal, the senshi paused and tried to initiate a slow clap. He got three claps in before getting lost in a deep mental discussion on whether Eve's hair was honeysuckle or honeywheat in color.
When the talk turned to action, Bo maintained his silence through both Serenade and Elke's attempts to spark a conversation. It was never like Bo to play a big role in these conversations. He almost always remained mum throughout, choosing instead to give back rubs or stare at Serenade with puppy-dog eyes.
In a moment of silence, the lanky teen abruptly announced:
"I will do whatever Serenade wants to do."
And then promptly went back to braiding Eve's hair.
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Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 4:31 pm
It was a little strange to see everyone assembled in his parents' living room. Even more strange to have it be official senshi business, to pass his gaze over all the faces assembled and... not see everyone that he was accustomed to seeing. There was a general somber air, largely due to the ones they had lost; no one was speaking their names directly, but they were missed. Felt. No one making a grand, late entrance with a careless posture and flippant remark; no one was grinding their teeth and barking terse orders to call them all to attention. Everyone was just... quiet.
And didn't that feel wrong.
When Elke settled onto his lap, more for his own comfort than hers, he wrapped his arms around her waist and fit her snugly against him. After a few more beats of silence, he sighed, resting his chin atop Elke's shoulder, cheek against her cheek.
"Whatever I can do to help, I will. I'm busy with the fire academy, but.." He shrugged, Elke's seat on his lap moving slightly with the motion. "Elke knows how to get ahold of me. Anybody who doesn't have my number is welcome to it. And if I'm needed, I'll be there."
It occurred to him that of those assembled, it was likely only even Elke who knew that he'd joined the fire academy, but there were more pressing things on everyone's mind than what he was doing with his life. Sometimes, even, he felt like he was waging a losing battle... he was a Zodiac senshi, so. Wasn't it more likely that he would die in battle than actually ever become a firefighter?
But those kinds of thoughts were best left unvoiced. No need to bring everyone down, especially not Elke, who was already stressed and nervous about.. well, just about everything.
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 3:57 am
Abeline was about as serious and somber as ever, her hands smoothing the front of her dress nervously as the others spoke. She could feel the sense of loss in the room, where they had been many, they were few. But at least, there was good news for Serenade. Some good news since this nightmare had started was perhaps all she could hope for. Elke looked different, stronger, she had reached a new degree of power. Did it help? Abeline's eyes drifted to the others, was it the solution, to open the old path to what she was? To embrace the constellation, ascend the stairway to her destiny as Cancer. Would that give her the power to save Serenade? Let alone herself.
As for the issue of Elysion she gave a small sigh. "I was at the fight. It went badly. I believe the key to defending Elysion lies in convincing it's guardians to fight with us. Several of our people were attacked because the the guardian was confused and seemed overly influenced by the negaverse."
It was unusual for her to talk much at all but after a moment she rubbed her shoulders and spoke once more. "Our friends and allies are disorganized. I believe it is because they do not have a princess to lead them."
She glanced at her teammates, then to her princess. Leaning back and crossing her ankles. "I think we can help them, since they're obviously inferior." The last may not have been intentionally said aloud. But this was Abeline, master at handing out backhanded comments.
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 6:20 pm
"Disorganized..." with a small laugh, Pierette hung her head. "They aren't the only ones disorganized."
She did look disheveled. Pierrette's hair was limp and hung about her chest, dead ends curling only slightly. Her clothes seemed paler than usual, and she didn't even bother putting on her pearl earrings. Her host family associated the change with an influx of schoolwork, and that was responsible for some of it. The bags under her eyes weren't there just because of that, though.
At night, Pisces trained-- both physically and with the powers of her imagination. Well, she did for awhile, though. With the influx of senshi and agents of the Negaverse, Pierrette felt, well, confused. She was confused and a little claustrophobic. So, she had receded to civilian life. It wasn't bad, though. Her grades went up, her social life got better... and then there was this meeting.
Guilt was stamped across Pierrette's forehead.
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 7:44 pm
Elke glanced at Bo, and smiled a little bit. He wasn't drunk, and that was good. Nor was he really... contributing, but she decided she didn't mind that either as he seemed perfectly happy and peaceful. No need to break that up. This was a time to organize, and while she was sure Bo would have excellent suggestions for teambuilding activities, now was not the time for a french-braiding lesson.
(Maybe later.)
She settled into place, wrapping her fingers over Grayson's and clinging; her elbows poked out to the sides, but it was comfortable to be where she was and a little childish voice said who cared, it was her choice who or what she sat on anyway. And it wasn't like she was distracted or anything... Elke set her hands on her knees, leaning forward a bit as Abeline spoke. Her brow furrowed at the final comment--obviously inferior? Excuse her? She'd seen several White Moon senshi who had outperformed Zodiac soldiers. But mentioning it would be a blow to morale, wouldn't it? Elke settled for trying not to look too concerned, instead turning her attention to Pierette.
"We are disorganized," she agreed. "And the White Moon, they're not all that bad since they started to form teams." Which reminded her. Teams. "Could everyone please group up with their teams?" She wiggled free of Grayson, scooted across the room to give ample space to the Zodiacs.
Deep breath. "Mutables with me. Fixed signs with Grayson, and Cardinal signs..." It didn't take a genius to see that the Cardinal signs were the most decimated, with Capricorn not present and Aries dead. Libra and Cancer were that team's only representatives; compared to Mutables, which was missing Sagittarius, and the team of Fixed signs, which was untouched. Even improved, with the upgrading of Scorpio. She swallowed hard, and clenched her fists at her sides. "Seasons, with the Princess."
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