Welcome to Gaia! ::

Maia walked silently through a back pathway that would eventually dump her out at the community center. Her collar bone was healed, well, healed enough and she was determined to be careful. If she saw a negaverse hurting a civilian or another senshi she was determined to throw her attack, get the other and get out. The same could not be said for a youma which was far easier to defeat and far less likely to whoop her behind. So she walked her heels clicking, clicking against the pavement, reminding her of the bruises that had littered her back when Wolframite slammed his heel into her back.

Camelot was used to patrolling in random areas of the city by now. He never stuck too near to the library for long. He protected it, made sure there were no youma or negaverse folks too near, but then tried to spread his range out so he could cover whatever ground possible with his patrols. If he could save someone by chance or by design, it didn't matter. He didn't think staying put and waiting for trouble to find him was any more or less a successful tactic than going out and looking. He just preferred the latter. He was out now, away from the library, after dropping Dogby back home. It was a bit out of the way, having to go from the library back home then out again, most of the time back to the library before really starting to patrol, but he had to make sure Dogby was safe.

She was his whole world, pretty much. He didn't like letting her see him fighting youma, and getting scared and worried. It couldn't be good for her little heart.

He sensed a senshi nearby and moved toward it, finding himself near the community center, looking around for the source. He wasn't too familiar with the area, but he caught a glimpse of her as she rounded a corner, running after her.

"Sailor Maia!"

Maia turned with a start at the slightly familiar voice, but backed away at seeing the other, not a senshi, who did not feel like a negaverser, who knew her name though she knew they had never met. She took a stance eying him with caution, rather extreme caution.

"Who are you," she called, "I have never seen you and yet you know who I am."

She backed away a little more, feeling agitated by this newcomer, yes there was a slight feeling of familiarity, but Maia remembered everyone. She had an excellent memory for names and faces, so not knowing someone who clearly knew her put her off. Even more so, this wasn't a senshi, that much was clear just by the outfit.

Camelot had a very bad habit of calling to people he knew as Tony, but hadn't met as Camelot. This was not the first time he had run into someone and forced an awkward situation on them just by saying hi without thinking about it. And it probably wouldn't be the last, knowing him. He frowned.

Then tried to wipe the expression from his face and offered instead a war smile.

"Ah, my name is Camelot. Don't worry, I'm a friend," he smiled at her, knowing she wouldn't know him unless he powered down or told her. And he would, because she had given him the care of her identity, so he might as well return the favor. It was a strange way to repay a debt, a trust. His identity could well have been his life, but since he had hers in his hands, he felt compelled to even the playing field.

"I'm a knight. A Page of Earth."

Maia released her stance and gave him an extremely confused looked. He was a knight? She wondered silently if that was like being a cavalier. It sort of made her wish she could talk to Tallulah who always seemed so in the know. She was suppose to be apart of info gathering for the BMC, although she had basically, but not officially quit, so she thought she should know of this or at least heard a whisper. Nothing thus far, not even from Regulus.

"I have never heard of or seen a knight, but you are not trying to kill me so what is it that you want, friend whom I have never met before."

Her guard was down, but it was obvious that she did not trust him. Still he gave her no reason to attack and currently no reason to attempt to run, so she stood there looking him over.

Camelot lifted his hands. His shield was on his arm, but he wasn't using it in a threatening way. He smiled at her.

"I just wanted to talk to you. I wasn't out looking for you, but ah, it's fortuitous to run into you. You showed me who you are, when time when you were saving me from a rather disgusting youma. So I thought I might... well."

He smiled and powered down, making sure first that there was no one else in the area with a power signature, that there were no cameras and no one from the streets could see them. He smiled as Anthony Darrow, his arm in a cast, opening his eyes to look at her awkwardly.

"I figured since I knew, you should know."

He didn't mind letting senshi he trusted know who he was. He was scared for Dogby and Nate, getting them in trouble if the wrong person found out, but with people who he knew would never tell another soul, not even another senshi, he would risk it. He didn't think Maia would ever speak of it, just as he knew Themis would never give him away to anyone.

Maia face scrunched up and she knew instantly who he was because she only revealed herself after battle to three people. Themis, Chaonis and Tony. He obviously wasn't the former, but even as he powered down her eyes still widened.

"I'm sorry. I ... how did this happen? What is a knight? Obviously a good thing, as you are one, but I have not met a knight before or even heard of them and I have been a senshi for over a year."

The words tumbled from her mouth quickly and it was obvious her mind was reeling. It seemed being a senshi took another turn for the your really do not know as much as you think you know.

Sighing she looked at Tony again and shook her head lightly, "you really shouldn't be out if your arm is a cast, but neither should I either I guess. Sorry I didnt trust you before, but Ive pretty much got a target painted on my back."

"Well," he said quietly, still cautious, "I was at the library, on the roof, talking with Themis. A youma attacked and then this shield. Er. The one I had, when I was... uh. Anyway it just appeared and uh. Yeah."

He cleared his throat, shaking his head and offering her a laugh. He couldn't help it: It sounded odd to him, too. Of anyone the librarian was the oddest choice for a powered hero.

Wasn't he?

"I guess we're like Senshi, in that we're not aligned with the chaotic forces that the nega's are. Honestly I don't know much more than that. I've not been one too long." He shrugged helplessly. He patted his arm, which was meant to be in a cast as well at this point. It was definitely hurting. He would have to take it easier. "All part of the job, I've learned. And don't worry, I know you have to be careful. I'm still keeping my promise. Not a word to anyone, under any circumstance."

"Themis, huh? I know Themis," she said with a fond smile, thinking about her cousin. Yes she had not talked him in such a long time, but that did not mean she did not miss him. "So you got a sheild and then you were magic, so third party involved. That lucky, senshi must have a cat awaken and upgrade them as far as I know.

She looked around breifly feeling a bit uneased, but she shook it off after a moment and turned her attention back to Tony. She smiled gratefully, "Thank you for not telling, it is much appreciated, not that I thought that you would tell. I trust you. As far as part of the job, I am lucky my brother has almost completed his medical training and isnt just starting or I would have had far more trips to the hospital."

She laughed lightly, " my parents were none to happy I was hospitalized just before prom."

He nodded his head.

"I've heard about the cats and the, ah, the pen they give. Well. The senshi who told me used the phrase... spit up." He frowned. It still didn't sound pleasant, though he had gotten through that conversation easily enough. he couldn't imagine any kind of animal throwing up a shield though.

"Yeah, I'm very glad my medical insurance is fairly comprehensive. I'm going to be needing it more, I imagine. Especially if, you know," he motioned with his broken arm, "my bones are brittle. But it must be harder on you. The younger crown, I mean. I couldn't imagine having to lie to my parents all the time." Of course, his method of dealing with his parents was running away from them.

Maia made a face and shook her head, "I imagine they mean that figuratively as, that you be gross and I know ********* doesn't go around spitting up henshin pens. No I quite certain mine was placed in my hand," she said with a small laugh.

She nodded at Tony when he commented about health insurance, but stiffened when he comment about parents. It wasn't fun to lie to them, not everyone lied to their parents, but she knew she had to or it was bye bye DC, not that it would matter. It seemed the negaverse and the senshi were not just local. "I would rather not talk about it," she said softly. It was was sore spot, she was starting college in the fall and so she decided she would fall out, but after being hospitalized her parents were dead against it, but Lily felt she had to do it anyway.

"Well, that's good. I've not seen one, you know, awaken a senshi, so ah... I haven't witnessed it myself. I was hoping it would be an exaggeration, but then, I can never really tell with things. You'd like 'I was saved by a little girl wearing a tutu' might be figurative, but it never is."

He laughed at his own little comment, trying not to look too skeptical.

Tony didn't notice the irony of his own statements of course. He was the parent that a senshi was lying to, and he had no idea about it. It was difficult to imagine how a senshi might get away with making up so many stories, getting hurt, going out at all hours. And yet at the same time he was dealing with a son who was never home, always bruised, and never seemed to say a single word of the truth. It just didn't click in his mind that the situation was exactly like the one he couldn't believe Maia could get away with.

He nodded his head.

"I understand. Don't worry. I know things are difficult, but you're a strong person, and I know things will work out for you. I really hope things get better, in any sense." He knew she had been having a lot of trouble, at least the last time he had seen her. He couidn't help but worry.

Maia frowned slightly at the tutu comment and she truly hoped that not what people were saying. She did not think even the chibi senshi's outfits looked like tutu's, but pushing the thoughts away she shook her head. She guessed it was try such things could seem figurative, but really weren't. Her best description of Wolframite, was something those outside the war might look at her crazy for.

She smiled, "Thank you again. I think I might have to stop by the library more often for your pep talks. I've got the senshi blues, but right now, things don't seem so bad."

She grinned at her terrible joke, but was happy she could make one. He was right, she was strong. She had been through a lot and had been dealing with this for more that a year, she needed to have more confidence in herself. She was a strong girler, much more so than she could have ever imagined.

"You're more than welcome to come by the library any time you need. For your book needs or pep talks. Not naps, clearly, as that didn't go so well last time. But ah. Dogby, at least, wouldn't mind seeing you again."

He was glad she was smiling.

She had seemed so down in the dumps recently, especially the last time he had seen her. Or rather, the time before that. Last time was with the youma. He thought so, at least. It was hard to keep things straight sometimes.

He looked around again before powering up, wanting to at least help her patrol for a bit, if that was what she was doing.

"Were you on the prowl for youma and that usual thing?" A silly question, maybe, considering she was powered up and they hadn't been attacked by anything yet, which meant he hadn't interrupted some fight for a nice chat. And it wasn't usually wise to just walk around powered up for no reason.

Lily laughed lightly, her last visit to the library had been a disaster and she had not been back since, "No worries," she said, "I'm not having that nightmare anymore. No more screams." Well mostly, she thought.

She watched as he powered up again with much amusement, it was quiet and far less inconvienant that her own transformation and Maia felt a little envious, just a little. They had no shouting of silliness involved in their transformation, it seemed unfair, but then again she did not know anything about knights so what could she say.

"Yes I was patrolling. Not really looking for anything in particular, but patrolling yes. If I run into trouble I'll fight, but if I don't I'll be extremely thankful."

"That's very good to hear," Tony said, smiling with warm sincerity. He watched her, and believed her. He had no reason to doubt that she was over her nightmares and sleeping well now. "I had been worried about you, and so was Dogby, but it's good to hear you're doing better now. At least in that regard."

"I understand what you mean. I keep getting battered and bruised in fights, and I know I can't avoid them entirely. It's my job to come out here and keep people safe. But I certainly like the nights when I don't run into anything much better than the ones when I do at the moment."

He sighed. Just thinking about it made his body ache miserably.

"I was just about to head home, after a blissfully unsuccessful hunt. I don't like leaving Dogby alone too long with just Nate looking out for her. He never takes any responsibility for her. Not that I expect him to, but it would be nice if he even bothered to let her out into the backyard when she needed to go out." He sighed, shaking his head. Babbling again. He shook it off, though, and chuckled.

Lily smiled, she really like Tony and Nate. She was very happy to know them both and seeing Tony reminded her she needed to pester Nate again soon. She wondered if he had practice the piano at all since she found out Tony was his father.

"I'm glad to know I've got you and Dogby to worry after me. You can never have enough people or animals looking out for you. I know my Eamon sure is happy to have me to my normal self again."

She turned and stiffened for a moment listening to Tony babble about Nate with a knowing smile. Nate wasn't exactly the intiative type, but Lily did not mind and as even hearing the complaints, she doubted Tony minded to much either.

She gave him a curious glance for moment, "I would love a quiet night tonight, but I think I just sensed something not to far off. Did you feel it?"

Tony would deal with all of Nate's issues: that was what a father did. He loved his son, regardless. Even if he did sometimes feel like throwing the boy out on his butt to show him how good he really had it. But he never did.

And likely never would.

He frowned, looking around and trying to see if he sensed anything. As far as he could feel, everything was peaceful, outside of her own aura which still had no trace of danger to it. It was just strong because he was right next to her. He shook his head, though now he was worried. He wouldn't be going home to Dogby any time soon, if there was trouble brewing.

"I didn't, but that doesn't mean it's not there. I'm not too good with this sensing thing just yet." Though, he was getting better.

Maia frowned wondering if maybe she was imagining things, it was entirely possible, but she nodded at Tony all the same and looked to where she sensed the whatever. "I think it came from over there," she said slowly before sighing lightly. She could never have a quiet night could she.

She looked to Camelot as she sensed it again, light and curious, probably youma and a weak one at that. "There it was again," she said, " we should check it out."

Maia pointed, "It came from just over there. I do not think it is anything to serious. Hopefully we can just dust it and be on our way."

Maia wasn't certain, really she wasn't even sure how close the thing was or if it was even there for certain, but she had been doing this for a long time, so she hoped she was right, despite lacking the desire to actually fight.

Camelot nodded his head, moving toward what she was indicating to. He trusted her instincts much more than his own, if only because she was far more used to these kinds of things than he was. She probably already knew all the different things one could sense, and Camelot was still learning. Nega. Corrupt senshi. Different ranks and strengths. It was all very complicated, particularly because it was such an intangible kind of thing. It wasn't something he could really practice, or even describe and have someone explain to him.

But he was learning out of necessity.

He took the lead, not because he could sense it but because he was instinctively protective. If something jumped out at them, he wanted to make sure she wasn't hurt. After a moment of stalking forward and seeing nothing, though, he frowned and looked back at her. It was one of those classic moments from a bad horror movie, almost. He dropped his guard, looked back, even smiled.

"I don't see anything."

Maia followed Tony amused that he had taken the lead as the went on the hunt for the thing she sensed. She did not see anything any more than he did, but she did feel the thing as she got closer.

"No, its here," she said looking around trying to find the source of the energy only to spot what looked to be a medium sized octopus in a tree. It looked stuff, like a childs toy, and inanimate and even after Maia stared it for a moment it did not do anything. Though as soon as she turned to Camelot to suggest them move on, she felt a sharp tug at her bow before a tenatcul wrapped around her waist and lifted her right off the ground.

"Hey," she shouted with much irriation, pounding on the thing with her fist only to be squeezed more tightly. "Let go."

"Hey!" Camelot saw her get lifted off the ground and frowned, trying to stay calm. At least the thing was small, right? He didn't have to worry about it eating her whole or something. Though, he didn't want to jinx it by thinking everything was safe.

Just because it was small. Books by their covers, and all that. As a librarian, he should know better. Too bad he didn't read that much, so all he had were the covers.

"Hold on!" He said. He moved to the tree, climbing up it enough, with some difficult as he was not as closely related to a monkey as some people believed humans to be, hauling himself up high enough to grab hold of the tentacle and give it a hard pull. This caused an unintended side effect of everyone falling out of the tree. The youma lost its balance and fell to the floor, slamming into Camelot on the way down and tugging Maia down with them.

"Oof!" Camelot wheezed as he hit the ground with the youma and Maia on top of him.

"Whoa," cried Maia as she toppled out of the tree the youma still attacked to her and landed on top of Tony with a thump. She frowned hearing the short cry from the man and scrambled to remove her weight from him only to find two more youma tentacles wrapped around her arms while the other four attempted to walk away with her.

She kicked about violently causing the youma to wobble to and fro, it must have been quite a silly sight to see. Maia thrashing about and the youma desperately trying to keep it balance. Unfortunately it stumble a little to close to a curve and had to drop Maia in order to save itself.

She scrambled to her feet and gave the youma a stern look. "You're going to pay ..." she started only to be sprayed in the face with green liquid that smelled awful. It was a skunktapus youma! Oh that was rich, just rich.

"Oh not another one of these!" Camelot yelped. He had only just got the last stink of a skunk youma he had run into off his skin. Now he would have to live through the whole ordeal all over again. Unless he was very very careful to not get skunked by it.

"Sorry Maia, do you mind keeping it's attention?"

It seemed to like her, and she had already been sprayed. It wasn't the nicest thing but it made sense. And he really, really didn't want to get hit by another stink bomb. He ran at the youma, approaching from the back, using his size to his advantage. Maybe, since the youma wasn't too huge, he could over power it before it got too out of control. He took his shield off his arm and charged at the youma, slamming his shield down on its head as hard as he could. At least, he thought it was the thing's head. The squishy bulbousy part.

Maia looked to Camelot hearing him complain about the youma and seemed surprised that her had encounter one before. She alway amused all youma were unique even though she herself had encounter two mud youma, though she liked not to think about them.

When he asked if she could keep its attention, she nodded, "yeah sure, no sense in us both getting stinky. My goodness, how will I ever explain this one," she growled moving to distract the youma.

She sang out to it and it reached out for her making her have to dodge a tentacle or two before Camelots shield slammed into the youma's head and it popped much like a ballon tentacles flailing about, making to knock the pair away as it dissovled into stinky puddle.

"Thats gross," Maia said frowning her face up as she rubbed the sore spot on her leg where flailing tentacle smacked her hard. "At least that was easy enough though."

"That's very gross," Camelot agreed, making a face as he watched the youma dissolve into nothing but a lingering odor. He wrinkled his nose, sighing. Youma fighting was certainly tiring. Even fast battles. Or maybe he was just letting his exhaustion pile up.

"Easy, sure. Ah, are you alright?"

He moved over to her, feeling gross. The youma had managed to get him when it exploded, considering how close he had been to it. Why did youma have to be so gross? Wasn't it bad enough that they always wanted to kill and eat everything? it was just unnecessary, being gross on top of all that.

He looked at her, concern written on his face.

"So much for a fight free night, hm?" He smiled, knowing that it had been an impossible dream, anyway. But she was right. At least it was small and had been an easy fight. If not smelly and disgusting.

"Yes, I'm fine, but are you alright. I fell right on you and not only that when the youma popped you managed to get sprayed too." She said trying to be serious but wondering how it would look when Tony went home and smelled the house up.

She frowned at her person. Even powering down was not going to ger rid of the smell and she was going to feel icky for like ever. "I can't drive home like this," she whined slightly. She shook her head. No tonight, she would fine a nice clean motel, shower for a long as she could and lie to her parents in the morning saying a friend called her for an emergency, unless she could sneak in early enough.

"A fight free night, yeah, we wish right?" She looked up to the sky and sighed, "well I better head off.”

"I'm fine. I'm going to be black and blue, I'm sure, but now that I'm on my feet I'm fine," he laughed. He really wanted to go home now, though. Not for dogby so much any more, but because he was exhausted and wanted some ice.

And a tomato bath, he supposed.

"Alright, I'm sorry things went so... badly. Hopefully the scent comes out easier than skunks do. Ah... in any case, it was nice running into you again, Maia. I mean. Before this part I mean." He sighed, shaking his head. He bowed and then moved to head off. It would be a long, gross walk home. He hoped the stuff had only gotten on his clothes and the scent would vanish when he powered down.