Welcome to Gaia! ::

The stars were exceptionally beautiful today, but Buddingtonite hadn't even noticed them. Nor did he notice just how bright the moon was- not that he wanted to. He didn't like the moon, as all he could think about was there being some wicked Moon Queen lying in wait, and honestly, as much as he wanted all of the ladies to idolize him, he wasn't willing to push her buttons. Not tonight, or ever... at least not until he had become stronger.

Tonight he was on the look out for new recruits for the Negaverse, a task that the more action oriented would have found boring and the Intelligent branch would likely find too bothersome to come out of their little shells and approach people. Buddingtonite, on the other hand, felt that he was perfect for the job. He liked to carry on conversations and his time working retail had given him an advantage (he felt) in wooing the people over.

Yet, he hadn't convinced a single one. Not a single one! And tonight, he was determined to correct that! So, the lieutenant with the corn-colored pinwheel took to the park, prowling around in the shadows as best as he could and seeking out someone, anyone, that he could bring back with him. He'd make the Negaverse proud, even if he had to grab someone by the neck and drag them before a general or general-king.

"Come now... has the cold weather sent everyone back to their homes?" He said, looking around the empty park and honestly surprised that he didn't spot a single person yet. Unable to withstand the silence, he muttered aloud with a snort. "I suppose not everyone is blessed with my stylish and comfortable attire..."

How often could someone be taken completely off guard, despite having the ability to sense other's arrival, before one began to think that they were defective? Buddingtonite tried not to jump at her sudden appearance but it was like asking a chihuahua not to shake and tremble when one so much as LOOKED at it. He at least was able to wear a polite smile as he shot her a glance, then turned to face her completely as she leaned against the tree.

As charming as he knew himself to be, he seldom received compliments on his attire, and of course it'd be an enemy that would flatter him so. Not that he was going to allow her to stay an enemy for long, and immediately, he got to work.

"On the contrary, my lady, it's simply a matter of the season not being fit to handle you," Buddingtonite said, taking off his hat and resting it on his chest as he addressed her. His crimson eyes darted from one part of her attire to the other, soaking in the details and silently admiring whoever cosmic tailor the Senshi were going to with their costumes. "Come late spring and the smoldering heat of summer, you'll be fresh as a daisy, while I'll be cooking in this hefty coat. But that's neither here or there..."

He wasn't hear to discuss the seasons. He was here to try to lure in a potential recruit, and he made his intentions very clear as he bowed his head and introduced himself. "I am Lieutenant Buddingtonite of the Infiltration branch, and I mean you no harm. I merely ask for a moment of your time, if you have a single one to spare?"

So far, so good, Buddingtonite thought with a polite smile. In truth, he'd rather spend more time talking his enemy over to his side rather than going into fisticuffs with them, and the fact that she didn't seem immediately insulted at his compliments and was willing to chat gave him some hope. Perhaps not all members of the White Moon Court were prude? Still, he wasn't here to woohoo the enemy- that came after, if he lured them into his side. Assuming she was old enough, anyway.

Pushing aside his dirty thoughts as best as he could, he got straight to business, placing his cap back on his head and trying to put forth his professional salesman face. Perhaps he was simply getting too personal with them too soon and that turned them away? Either way, he was willing to try a slightly different tactic.

"A pleasure to meet you, Sailor Cybele. It's not often I get to talk to those on the other side of the battlefield, though I think a lot of good could come out of simply sitting down and talking things through," Buddingtonite said, looking to a nearby bench and taking a seat, leaving enough room for Cybele to join him should she desire. "It's not as though we both speak completely different languages, or at least I haven't met one that has. Tell me, Cybele... how are things on your side of the fence? Everything working out for you?"

He knew that she'd either lie or even feel completely comfortable with her court, and he also knew that it could open the door to where she'd ask him about how things were working out with the Negaverse. It was worth asking- out of genuine curiosity, as well looking for some kind of advantage. After all, they were still enemies for the time being, but that didn't mean that they couldn't be civil, or smart, about it.

Despite all of this being a ploy to gain her favor, Buddingtonite was listening intently to her story, and he did find himself to be pitying her as it progressed. His situation was different- he had willingly joined this war. He had the chance to pick his side, to make his bed and sleep in it. From what he had gathered from the senshi and pages he had talked to, it almost seemed as though they were forced into this war, or tricked, and he allowed his dismay to be seen with a genuine frown.

"So, you were awakened and then abandoned, more or less?" Buddingtonite asked, keeping his hands to himself and giving her the space she needed. As much as he simply wanted to throw her over his shoulders and make for the closest general, there were rules to follow, and he'd respect them to an extent. "It's a common story I hear among your court. Senshi and Pages, lost, alone... drawn into a war that is beyond their understanding and then left to find the answers on their own."

Not all of this was an act. His words were sincere, even if his mannerisms were a little theatrical. He did pity this senshi- she was tricked, after all! "Tell me, Cybele. What is your mission? What is your goal? Has anyone in your court taken the time to tell you that?"

It was hard not to smile when he saw that he had hit a nerve, and while part of him was moved to pity at the sight of her tears and distress (because truly, one had to be a monster to enjoy making young girls cry), he knew that he was doing something right. He simply had to decide whether to keep pushing through and hope she'd break, or, the smarter move, which was to drop the subject and leave her be.

Let sleeping dogs lie. A term that Buddingtonite obviously never heard of before, as he was going to open his mouth to say more when the fist came slamming against his cheek. He saw himself as a tall, lanky but hefty enough person, but her punch sent the Negaverse lieutenant flying off of the bench and tumbling onto the ground. He tried to recover, focusing more on seeing if there was blood from the blow and not her shouts for him to shut up. It wasn't until she started screaming again that he looked up at her from his kneeling position, and suddenly, just like that, all mirth was gone.

"Seems I hit a nerve..." Buddingtonite said, wiping his cheek and lips with the back of his gloved hand and drawing himself back to his feet, slowly. He may not have appeared menacing, armed only with his devilish good looks and a pinwheel, but he certainly felt as though he could breath fire right now. "You call me evil. Heartless. A monster. Well... my lady, I would certainly hate to disappoint you."

That was his only warning before he charged at her, reaching a hand out to those beautiful locks and trying to anchor her in place while he jammed a knee into her gut. He wanted to do this the easy way. He wanted to coax her into joining his side and avoiding a fight. But these Senshi were so damned stubborn!

The smart thing to do would have been to obliged to her demands, release her and then try to salvage the situation with kind words. 'Oh, I did not mean to imply such things' or 'I did not mean to anger you' would have sufficed, but Buddingtonite was tired of playing nice. He had given these Senshi and Pages a chance to come willingly into the Negaverse, to the winning team, and weeks of rejection and disappointment in both them and himself made him exceptionally resistant to the idea of releasing her.

Her nails dug into the vulnerable side of his wrists, and the Negaverse lieutenant dropped the act. He was no longer kind, gentleman like or suave, and the smile he wore was cold, twisted, filled with nothing but malice, like the Cheshire cat. Her grip was painful, but he had survived two Eternal senshi's attack... what could this little one possibly think to do against him.

"I tried playing nice. I tried using kind words, a positive demeanor... tried to convince you and your stubborn mule friends that you've made a grave mistake joining the White Moon Court, but you never listen." Buddingtonite said, any warmth his voice once held was gone, and when Cybele's grip was becoming too painful, even for him, he finally gave the girl her wish. With a thrust, he threw the senshi back and towards the ground, and he took a moment to rub his wrists. The right hand was bleeding from her nails, but it wasn't life threatening yet, but the sight of his own blood only made matters worse. "Do you really think you and your court stand a chance? Your leader's abandoned you, your court is a mess! None of you are welcomed here, and yet you persist! Why? Why don't you just make it easier on yourselves and leave, or join us? Why must you all be so stubborn!"

It was hit turn to charge her, all notions of the cool-as-a-cucumber salesman gone from his mind as he was nothing more than a raging bull, striking blindly. It left him open and vulnerable, but he didn't care. He was no longer here to recruit- he was here to kill!

He wasn't quite sure when he realized that he had made a terrible mistake. It wasn't when he lost his temper and struck her, and it wasn't when she was screaming at him to shut up. Perhaps it was when she started lashing out with words of her own and how deep they stung at his conscious. Or the logic she brought in with her words, making him realize that if he was going to sweet talk her over to his side, he blundered terribly. All of that, compiled with the magic bow and arrow that was now pointed at him, made the lieutenant realize that he messed up.

Buddingtonite was used to wearing a poker face, whether it be when he was flirting, gambling, or dealing with a rowdy customer. However, all of that seemed null and void when there was what he figured an energy crafted weapon being pointed at him, and having felt the affects of not one, but two Eternal Senshi's attack before, he didn't want to see what the effects of this attack would be.

He did the first smart thing that night, and he rose his hands in the traditional 'I surrender' pose. He had pushed her too far, too soon, and not only did he fail in gaining her trust, but he gained an enemy as well. Fear wasn't too obvious in his voice, as thankfully it was hidden with disgust, though it was unclear if it was directed at her or himself. "I only want what's best for you. But... I concede."

And he did mean it. He had no interest in dying this night, not over her. The Negaverse had no use for someone that didn't listen to reason, he thought, even if it was only to comfort his damaged pride in failing to lure in what he suspected was an easy catch. He would simply have to try harder, or look for someone else, and he made that notion clear with how he began to back away. "Have your loneliness, Cybele. You can't depend on your Moon Queen nor your Court, but you can obviously take care of yourself."

A backhanded compliment, in hopes of easing some tension, but that didn't slow Buddingtonite down in the least. This fight was over, as far as he was concerned, and he could only hope that she felt the same...

Buddingtonite was grateful to see the bow and arrow dissipate and he let it be seen in just how deep his sigh of relief was. Normally he'd fancy himself the type to wear a good poker face, but given the turn of events and the weapon that was aimed at him, he decided to throw all of that to the wind. He lowered his hands back to his side when she put the magic away, taking a moment to straighten himself out as she brought up valid questions against him.

He replied with honestly. "Technically, you attacked me first. But I won't say it wasn't without merit. I said some harsh things, things that you apparently don't know how to handle without lashing out. However, for the sake of dropping this argument, I will say that I deserved it and leave it at that."

He wasn't going to apologize. He didn't feel the need to. He meant what he said, and said what he meant, and the fact that she lashed out at him first told him that she was harboring a guilty conscious. Perhaps someone more skilled than he could talk to her and convince her, but for now, he knew that he had missed his chance. Probably for good. "Believe what you wish, little 'Bele. You've made your decision, albiet a poor one, and I will respect it."

He wished he could have thought this through better, but there were times when he simply had to step back and let them walk away. Maybe the situation would rectify himself, or maybe someone else could do a better job than him. Or, perhaps she simply wasn't meant to be an ally- there was always that possibility. Nevertheless, she was a Senshi to remember, and regardless if she listened to him or not, he, too, turned away, not once looking back at her. 'I'll remember this, Cybele. If no one else can convince you, then the next time we meet, I will have to deal with you in a more permanent fashion. Let us hope it doesn't come to that... I rather like your spunk.'